Grasping the Evil-Chapter 808: Disregard
At the giant pit of Tianhai Star, the strong members of the Luo Family eventually departed one by one.
Several days later, a gentle drizzle suddenly descended around the giant pit.
The rain lasted only for a short while, and then the place was restored to clear skies.
Within the giant pit, a flash of light appeared, revealing a person, Ning Fan, who had just come out of the Xuanyin World.
There was still a trace of azure rain intent flickering in his eyes. That previous rain was a divine skill he used in the Xuanyin World to probe the outside world.
In the past, he could not use rain spells within the Xuanyin World to spy on the outside. But now that he had opened the first celestial gate, his comprehension had greatly increased, and so had his understanding of the Heaven Prying Rain Technique.
Even through the wall of the chiliocosm, he could use the rain spell to observe the outside world.
"The movement of Vertical Golden Light is too noticeable, attracting too much attention, which might be considered a flaw of this technique. But its speed is so immense that it compensates for any of its defects. As I am now, though I can suppress the golden flame with the Ghost Eye Clan and skillfully use this technique, I cannot perform it at will. It seems it will take some time for careful cultivation to prevent it from becoming uncontrollable..."
"Although this technique needs to be finely honed, the urgent matter now is to go to the Luo Family to officially become a Guest Elder, obtain the complete method of the first transformation of War God Transformation, and cultivate it successfully."
"Only a Guest Elder who cultivates the first transformation has the qualifications to compete for one of the eight Tomb Guardian positions of the Luo Family. If I secure the Tomb Guardian position, I can legitimately hold the Void Command, enter the Divine Tomb, and obtain the other half of the Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor’s inheritance... For me, cultivating the War God Transformation and participating in the tomb contest are not as vital as acquiring the other half of the Ancient Chaos inheritance..."
Ning Fan extended his palm, and with a thought, a jade locket as smooth as jade appeared in his hand.
This jade locket was the Yin Yang Locket that had accompanied him on his journey, having changed his fate.
In the eastern Dongming Star Domain, the Yin Yang Locket glowed faintly, as if it were being summoned by some force.
It seemed incomplete, as if always lacking another half to complete it, as if that other half was somewhere in the Dongming Star Domain...
"The Xuanyin World can accelerate the cultivation speed of those practicing Yin Yang Transformation, but it has a flaw—aside from the master of this Profound Yin World, no beings can freely enter or exit this realm. I once thought that was just the nature of the Xuanyin World, but upon opening the first celestial gate and seeing the rules of the method, it became clear that the interface rules of the Xuanyin World are incomplete... that is the real reason why external beings cannot appear in the Xuanyin World."
"Perhaps, once I acquire the other half of the Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor’s inheritance, these incomplete rules will be completed..."
Ning Fan remained silent for a moment, then opened his mouth and swallowed the Yin Yang Locket back into his body, storing it in his Dantian.
With a light tap of his toe, he soared into the sky, transformed into a long rainbow, and flew towards the Broken Spear Peaks, where the Luo Family was located.
Tianhai Star, viewed from afar, was a cultivation star as blue as water, with only one continent that was not blue but blood-red.
In that region, the blood-colored mountains stretched continuously, the mountain ridges intricate and steep.
Within this blood-colored mountain range, three peaks stood the tallest, known as the Broken Spear Peaks.
It is said that the entire blood-colored mountain range where the Broken Spear Peaks are located was transformed from a damaged spear magical treasure.
That is a very ancient legend, from the time when the four heavens and nine worlds had just parted, and the first ’world battle’ between the four heavens cultivators and the Land of Demons was just beginning.
In that great two-world war, the Shenxu Progenitor wielded a divine spear and slew several Demon Emperors of the same level.
The divine spear was damaged in this battle and was brought back by the Shenxu Progenitor to the Eastern Heaven, left on Tianhai Star, manifesting as the Broken Spear Peaks.
Countless years have passed since the day the Shenxu Progenitor left the divine weapon.
Yet, within the Broken Spear Peaks, a murderous battle intent still lingers, the Dao rhythm remains unscattered.
The Luo Family was established at the foot of the Broken Spear Peaks, with most of the clan’s cultivators opening cave dwellings in the blood-colored mountains, cultivating by harnessing the eternal battle intent of the Broken Spear Peaks.
When Ning Fan arrived at the Luo Family, he saw the three towering blood-colored peaks reaching into the clouds, resembling the points of a massive trident piercing the heavens.
What he felt was the endless ancient battle intent emanating from the Broken Spear Peaks...
"So this is the Broken Spear Peaks... The method rules here are so strong, these rules must be of war."
Ning Fan’s eyes revealed azure light as his spirit sense scanned the Broken Spear Peaks, faintly detecting many cultivator caves there.
Beneath the Broken Spear Peaks, stood a large cultivation city named Purple Luo City, the location of the Luo Family, which generally did not allow outsiders to enter easily.
Outside Purple Luo City, a team of Luo Family cultivators was patrolling.
When this patrol team saw Ning Fan outside the Luo Family, and sensed the faint breath of the second step from him, they dared not neglect him and immediately approached.
This team of cultivators consisted of six people, all at the Void Fragmentation realm. The leader was an old man clad in battle armor at the crushing the nine stage.
All six descended beside Ning Fan, clasped their fists in salute, and were extremely respectful.
The old man at the crushing the nine stage then greeted him with a smile and asked,
"I wonder what brings Senior to Purple Luo City? Is it to purchase War Crystals or to visit friends and exchange Dao discussions?"
Generally speaking, the outsiders who come to Purple Luo City do so either to purchase War Crystals or to visit friends in the Luo Family.
The old man’s question was well within Ning Fan’s expectations.
"I have come here only for this matter."
Ning Fan made a slight movement with his palm, and a cluster of crimson flames appeared beneath it, slowly forming into a Battle Intent Jade Slip.
This jade slip was given to him by Luo Xiao, containing parts of the War God Technique’s spells.
This jade slip was both a test and a token.
"This is... a Battle Intent Jade Slip! May I ask, from which of our clan’s seniors did Senior obtain this jade slip?"
Upon seeing the Battle Intent Jade Slip, everyone immediately knew that Ning Fan had come to become a Guest Elder of the Luo Family, and none dared show the slightest neglect, asking respectfully.
"Luo Xiao," Ning Fan said indifferently.
As soon as they heard the words ’Luo Xiao,’ the eyes of the guarding cultivators changed again, and they looked at Ning Fan with even more respect.
The old man at the Void Fragmentation stage then sent a message-transmitting flying sword towards Purple Luo City, seemingly reporting the arrival of Ning Fan to the powerful members of the clan.
After more than ten breaths, a hearty laugh came from afar, approaching from the direction of Purple Luo City.
"Daoist Ning, you’ve finally arrived. For your arrival, I’ve stayed on Tianhai Star for three years, not taking on any tasks, lest I miss our reunion."
As the laughter subsided, the figure of a scholarly young man in black appeared before them with a flicker — it was Luo Xiao.
"We subordinate members greet the leader!" Upon seeing Luo Xiao, the guarding cultivators respectfully saluted, showing utmost respect.
"No need for formalities; you may withdraw. This Daoist was introduced by me, and I will personally lead him into Purple Luo City. You may continue your patrol!"
Luo Xiao waved them off gently, dismissing the six guarding cultivators.
When he looked at Ning Fan again, there was a moment of surprise in his eyes, and he smiled meaningfully,
"It’s been three years, and it seems that the aura of the Daoist has become much stronger."
"It’s been three years, and haven’t you also increased your cultivation significantly? It seems you’ve broken through 70% of the bottleneck of the Late-stage Ghost Profound, and a complete breakthrough is within sight." Ning Fan replied with a smile.
"Oh? Daoist Ning really has good eyes; only a few old ancestors in our clan could accurately assess my exact cultivation progress, yet you see at a glance that I’ve broken through 70% of the bottleneck!"
A gleam flickered in Luo Xiao’s eyes, and his respect for Ning Fan increased a notch.
After exchanging some pleasantries with Ning Fan, he led him into Purple Luo City.
At the center of Purple Luo City, five palaces shine with golden light, and in each palace, a Shekong-level elder of the Luo Family is in secluded cultivation.
These five Shekong-level cultivators, besides the family patriarch, are the highest combat power of the Luo Family — revered as the ’Six Ancestors of the Luo Family’ by the clan’s cultivators.
Behind those five palaces, there’s another palace intertwined with purple mist, which is the place of cultivation for the Luo Family Patriarch.
The Luo Family Patriarch, Luo Shix, is the Ninth Elder of the Godly Void Pavilion. He is currently not in the clan due to being busy repairing the Heaven Suppressing Bell day and night.
Now, the daily affairs of the Luo Family are temporarily managed by one of the six elders, whose cultivation level is slightly lower, among the six ancestors of the Luo Family.
The rest of the ancestors, unless a significant meeting is held or a major event occurs within the clan, typically remain in seclusion, detached from worldly matters.
"Our family patriarch is currently not in the clan, so your becoming a Guest Elder of our Luo Family requires the approval of the six ancestors. The Guest Elder’s Command and the complete First Transformation of the War God Art must also be personally bestowed upon you by the six ancestors. We are now going to the Extreme Cold Palace where the six ancestors reside,"
Luo Xiao explained to Ning Fan as he led him towards one of the five golden palaces in the city.
Along the way, many members of the Luo Family witnessed Luo Xiao and Ning Fan moving together.
Although these Luo Family members did not recognize Ning Fan, they all knew Luo Xiao.
Upon observing the direction Luo Xiao was heading with Ning Fan, many were quietly astonished,
"Three years ago, Commanding Officer Luo Xiao recommended someone to the six ancestors, claiming that this person had a once-in-a-millennium talent for cultivating the War God Art, suitable for being our clan’s Guest Elder. Could it be that the person he was referring to is that white-robed cultivator?"
Numerous powerful members of the Luo Family simultaneously extended their spirit sense towards Ning Fan; among them were Fate Immortals and True Immortals of the Crossing Truth Realm.
In their perception, apart from Ning Fan having Mid-stage Ghost Profound cultivation, they couldn’t see through much else.
The lack of clarity naturally meant they couldn’t discern what extraordinary qualities Ning Fan possessed that made Luo Xiao esteem him so highly.
However, these powerful members of the Luo Family could perceive one thing: Ning Fan did not possess any of the five body constitutions most suitable for cultivating the War God Art.
"So he doesn’t have a battle intent physique... It seems that Luo Xiao’s claim that this person is a once-in-a-millennium cultivator of the War God Art might be exaggerated." Many powerful members of the Luo Family retracted their spirit sense, thinking thus.
Ning Fan did not pay attention to the probing of the Luo Family’s strong members. Given the strength of his Ghost Eye Clan abilities, no cultivator here could see through his secrets unless he willed it — they could only perceive the cultivation aura he deliberately released.
He followed Luo Xiao to the outside of the Extreme Cold Palace, where they halted.
Outside the Extreme Cold Palace, ancient formations exuding a chilling aura were scattered throughout.
Even through the multiple layers of formations of the Extreme Cold Palace, Ning Fan could vaguely sense an Initiate Realm of Shekong’s aura within the palace, elusive and indistinct, as if it were present and absent.
Upon arriving here, Luo Xiao stopped his steps, took out a Sound Transmission Spirit Talisman, and spoke some words into it, with an extremely respectful tone.
Moments later, the formation light of the Extreme Cold Palace suddenly opened a path, and a distant, indifferent voice echoed from within the palace.
"Luo Xiao, you stay outside the palace. Let the person you recommended come see me alone!"
"Yes!"
Luo Xiao cupped his fists in the direction of the Extreme Cold Palace, then said to Ning Fan, "The Sixth Ancestor is inside the Extreme Cold Palace. Daoist, you may enter alone to meet the Sixth Ancestor."
"Hmm."
Ning Fan responded mildly, maintaining a cautious heart as he stepped into the Extreme Cold Palace.
He still hadn’t figured out if the black-clothed old man who tried to assassinate him that day was sent by the Luo Family, so naturally, he remained somewhat guarded against them.
The Extreme Cold Palace was filled with a chilling divine skill, icing over the walls and ceiling.
Walking through the long passage, he was greeted by a wintry world of snow and ice.
The Extreme Cold Palace itself was a small chiliocosm, with this icy world being its internal realm— the Jihan Realm.
High above in the sky of this icy world, an old man dressed in blue sat cross-legged, eyes closed as though meditating.
He was the Sixth Ancestor of the Luo Family, an Initiate Realm Master of Shekong.
Even as Ning Fan entered, the Sixth Ancestor of the Luo Family did not open his eyes, speaking indifferently,
"Are you the one Luo Xiao recommended? Alas, you are not possessor of any of the five War Intent physiques. What a pity, I had quite anticipated your arrival..."
The tone of the Luo Family’s Sixth Ancestor carried a hint of disappointment. However, due to his profound cultivation, he quickly regained his composure and continued,
"...Nevertheless, to have defeated Luo Xiao at the Second Transformation with only a mid-stage Ghost Profound Cultivation shows you are indeed exceptional. Serving as a Guest Elder of the Luo Family is suitable for you. Here is the Guest Elder’s Command and the first level of the War God Art. Take them!"
With these words, the Sixth Ancestor of the Luo Family waved his sleeve, causing the snowstorm around them to gather into a cold, bone-chilling jade scroll.
With a lift of his hand, he retrieved a red bronze pass, and with a flick of his fingers, sent both the token and jade scroll to Ning Fan.
Ning Fan received the descending token and jade scroll with a sweep of his hand, briefly glanced over them, and slightly furrowed his brows without further comment.
Throughout the encounter, the Sixth Ancestor of the Luo Family never opened his eyes, evidencing his lack of regard for Ning Fan.
After all, the world has five kinds of War Intent physiques suitable for cultivating the War God Art, and Ning Fan was not one of them...
Most cultivators of the Luo Family believed only those with War Intent physiques could aspire to achieve the Fourth Transformation of the War God and awaken War King Luo Hou.
Only Luo Xiao and a few others from the Luo Family believed even non-War Body holders could cultivate to the Fourth Transformation of the War God, thinking the key lay in the strong ability to transcend levels and battle intent...
Luo Xiao had already informed Ning Fan about all of this. He was naturally prepared for the Luo Family’s disregard.
It matters not if the Luo Family disregards him now!
Once he mastered the higher levels of the War God Transformation Technique, people were bound to pay attention to him!
Seeing Ning Fan accept the jade scroll, the Sixth Ancestor of the Luo Family nodded slightly and continued,
"Before you, our Luo Family has already recruited 122 Guest Elders. You are the 123rd. As for the reason our Luo Family recruits Guest Elders to cultivate the War God Transformation, I trust Luo Xiao has already told you, so I shall not elaborate. As a Guest Elder of our Luo Family, you can train outside Tianhai Star or on one of the three Broken Spear Peaks. With the Guest Elder’s token, you may freely enter and exit Purple Luo City. Based on your progress in cultivating the War God Transformation, our Luo Family will provide a certain amount of War Crystals to aid your training. Should you need more War Crystals, you will need to purchase them yourself. If one day you achieve the First Transformation of the War Mantra, you may return to seek me for the second transformation technique. It’s just a pity you are not of a War Intent physique, and the day you achieve the First Transformation of the War Mantra seems very far off."
"If you have further questions, you may consult your recommender, Luo Xiao. Now, you may leave!"
With these words, the Sixth Ancestor of the Luo Family spoke no more, his body gradually fading from the sky, as if disappearing into the void, as if becoming empty...
Ning Fan did not linger any further and walked out towards the entrance of the Extreme Cold Palace, his gaze enigmatic and elusive.
"This Sixth Ancestor of the Luo Family treated me with a cold and distant attitude, showing no sign of regard yet seemingly without any hostility either..."
"Thus it seems, the likelihood that the black-clad assailant from that day was a Luo Family cultivator is quite low... However, I cannot yet discern which force would have dispatched this person..."
Outside the Extreme Cold Palace, Luo Xiao had been waiting for quite some time.
Upon seeing Ning Fan come out with the Guest Elder’s token, he immediately cupped his fists and laughed, "Congratulations, Daoist friend, on becoming a Guest Elder of our Luo Family. May I inquire how the Sixth Ancestor treated you? Did he grant you some life-preserving jade slip as a reward?"
Ning Fan smiled faintly and shook his head.
Upon seeing this, Luo Xiao immediately showed a bitter expression and apologized, "Sorry, Brother Ning. In my eyes, you are undoubtedly a rare War Mantra prodigy that appears only once in ten thousand years, but unfortunately, others in the clan do not share my view..."
Before Ning Fan, the Luo Family had recruited a total of 122 Guest Elders, among whom were several with War Body physiques, all receiving significant attention and many opportunities from the Luo Family.
The one whom Luo Xiao held high hopes for, Ning Fan, did not receive such attention. This made Luo Xiao sigh and also feel somewhat guilty towards Ning Fan.
After all, Ning Fan was brought in through Luo Xiao’s recommendation, and being overlooked by the Luo Family left Luo Xiao feeling somewhat helpless.
"These are just minor issues, Daoist Luo, there is no need to mind. If and when I cultivate the higher transformations of the War God Art, due attention will naturally follow," Ning Fan said with a light smile, indifferent to the Luo Family’s regard or lack thereof.
"What you say, Daoist, is indeed correct... Please accept these middle-grade Battle Crystals as a token of my gratitude,"
Luo Xiao breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing that Ning Fan held no dissatisfaction towards the Luo Family, and with a wave of his hand, produced a storage pouch and gifted it to Ning Fan.
Ning Fan glanced over the storage pouch, his expression slightly changing,
"A thousand pieces of middle-grade Battle Crystals!"
Battle Crystals are unique products of the Tianhai Star’s Luo Family, created by Second Step Masters of the Luo Family using the War God Art.
In the Luo Family, the War God Art is not only a Secret Technique to enhance physical defense realm but also used to embed the Dao Power of War into Dao Crystals to produce Battle Crystals.
Battle Crystals are a precious treasure. Consuming them can significantly boost a Master’s battle intent in a short time, proving highly effective for cultivating battle intent techniques.
The cultivation of the War God Art by the Luo Family greatly relies on the assistance of Battle Crystals.
The Luo Family’s Battle Crystals are sold externally and also used internally by countless Luo Family cultivators.
Battle Crystals are divided into four grades: low, middle, high, and finest ranked.
In the Luo Family, a low-grade Battle Crystal can sell for ten thousand Dao Crystals, a middle-grade one for a million, a high-grade for one hundred million, and a finest ranked for ten billion.
A thousand pieces of middle-grade Battle Crystals, worth ten billion Dao Crystals, represent a considerable expense for Luo Xiao, who is at the mid-stage Ghost Profound Realm.
"I appreciate your kindness, Daoist, but considering that you are at a critical stage in breaking through to the late Ghost Profound Realm, I believe these Battle Crystals are of great importance to you. Therefore, I cannot accept them..."
Ning Fan politely declined Luo Xiao’s goodwill, maintaining a degree of alienation from the Luo Family, refusing to become too close.
This sense of alienation was a habit Ning Fan developed throughout his years of cultivation. Accepting others’ offerings creates debts of gratitude. Unless it is absolutely necessary, it is best not to accept favors from others lightly.
Seeing Ning Fan’s refusal, Luo Xiao sighed softly, put away the storage pouch, yet regarded Ning Fan with newfound respect.
Those who are cautious in accepting favors often understand the importance of repaying kindness.
In Luo Xiao’s view, although Ning Fan’s demeanor was distant, he was by no means coldhearted.
That night, Ning Fan stayed in the Guest Elder’s Cave Dwelling arranged by Luo Xiao.
This cave dwelling was located on the First Peak of the Three Broken Spear Peaks. Sharing the First Peak, there were 74 other Guest Elders of the Luo Family with cave dwellings.
All Guest Elders residing on the First Peak had not yet mastered the First Transformation of the War Mantra.
Outside the cave dwelling, numerous Isolation Formations were set up.
Inside the cave, the candle flames flickered irregularly, while Ning Fan sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, perusing a Battle Intent Jade Slip in his hand, exuding a chilling aura.
Beside him, there were one thousand low-grade Battle Crystals piled up like a mountain, received from the Luo Family as a Guest Elder.
Additionally, there were two thousand middle-grade Battle Crystals he purchased from the Luo Family, spending twenty million Dao Crystals.
As for high-grade Battle Crystals, Ning Fan did not manage to purchase any. To buy such high-grade Battle Crystals, one must at least be a Guest Elder who has mastered the First Transformation of the War Mantra. In the Luo Family, high-grade Dao Crystals are extremely precious, and buying them is subject to qualification restrictions.
Finest ranked Battle Crystals, aside from a small amount left by War King Luo Hou, were not available for external sale within the Luo Family.
"The method for cultivating the War God Art is to use this Art to condense Battle Crystals and to constantly consume them to gradually cultivate the Life-bound Battle Fire..."
"Creating Battle Crystals requires Dao Crystals, and most crucially, a constant influx of the Dao Power of War. This Broken Spear Peak offers endless Dao Rhythm of War, making it the perfect place for gathering Battle Crystals..."
"Generally speaking, Masters who have not fully grasped the First Transformation can only manage to create low-grade Battle Crystals with the War God Art, with extremely low success rates. Even consuming ten thousand Dao Crystals may not yield a single one. Those who have mastered the First Transformation have a higher chance of producing low-grade Battle Crystals. Masters who have achieved the Second Transformation have a better chance of creating middle-grade Battle Crystals, and so forth."
"Currently, including Guest Elders, the Luo Family has 57 First Transformation Masters, only 19 Second Transformation Masters, and a single Third Transformation Master, the Patriarch of the Luo Family. The Fourth Transformation Master, still in slumber, is War King Luo Hou..." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Ning Fan contemplated silently, putting away the Battle Intent Jade Slip, having memorized all the techniques and principles.
Subsequently, he waved his hand to draw out a Dao Crystal, raising his hand towards the First Peak of the Broken Spear.
This gesture possessed an indescribable mystery, slightly altering the Dao Laws over the Broken Spear Peak.
Endless Dao Power of War began to converge around Ning Fan’s cave dwelling through the terrain’s pulse, channeling into the Dao Crystal in Ning Fan’s hand.
At this moment, all 74 other cave dwellings within the First Peak turned their gazes towards Ning Fan’s direction.
The occupants of these 74 dwellings were mostly of the Human Profound Cultivation level, with only one at the peak-stage of the Ghost Profound level.
This was a man named Meng Xiu, the cultivator closest to mastering the First Transformation technique on this First Peak!
Upon sensing the fluctuations coming from Ning Fan’s cave dwelling, Meng Xiu snorted coldly, disdainfully saying,
"Is it the new Guest Elder that joined the Luo Family today? I recall his name being Ning Fan or something... Attempting to condense low-grade Battle Crystals just a day after acquiring the First Transformation technique? How arrogant... With such unstable temperament, mastering the First Transformation of the War God would seem a distant dream."
"As for his attempt to condense Battle Crystals, there’s no doubt about it; it’s bound to fail!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian.com to cast your votes, recommendations, and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)
