Grasping the Evil-Chapter 908: Nine Decrees and Sixteen Prohibitions
The caution of the Four Ancestors prevented him from lingering here for long, fearing that he would be discovered by the two Human Clan Immortal Honorifics and alert them.
He concealed his aura and decided to temporarily retreat, but his spirit sense remained locked on Ning Fan, waiting for other Barbarian Ancestors to arrive before making a move.
The concealment skills of the Four Ancestors were extremely advanced, such that across the entire Broken Continent, except for Ning Fan, no one sensed his arrival and departure.
Noticing the Four Ancestors’ departure, Ning Fan slightly furrowed his brow but said no more. His gaze turned ahead, where from the void, sixteen spirit boats suffused with immortal aura approached.
On each spirit boat stood numerous spirit flags, inscribed with the characters ’Yin-Hai’. Ning Fan had heard of the six divisions under Liuhe Immortal Lord, and had even saved one of them—the ZiChou Battle Division. Naturally, he knew that those coming to greet Miaoyan Immortal Honorific were the Yin-Hai Battle Division.
The leader of the Yin-Hai Battle Division was an old Human master at the Shattered Thought Early Stage named Sang Chong.
As the sixteen spirit boats neared, Sang Chong immediately flew down from the spirit boat, landed on the Broken Continent, and respectfully saluted Miaoyan Immortal Honorific. Towards the Immortal Venerable, Sang Chong dare not show the slightest neglect.
"I, Sang Chong, welcome the Immortal Honorific’s return! Liuhe Immortal Lord has commanded that the Immortal Honorific proceed ahead to the ’Nanli Fire Formation’ for an important matter. As for those present here, I will take charge and escort them into the fire formation."
"So Liuhe Ally has laid out the ’Nanli Fire Chart’ here, setting up the Nanli Fire Formation?" Miaoyan Immortal Honorific was slightly surprised; the Nanli Fire Chart was a Post-heaven Twelve Nirvana Treasure painstakingly refined by Liuhe Immortal Lord over millions of years. As she understood it, the Nanli Fire Chart of Liuhe Immortal Lord should not yet be completely refined, so how could it already be used to set up a fire formation?
Her spirit sense dispersed towards the void ahead, at the end of which she glimpsed a vast sea of fire formation suddenly spanning the void.
The sea of fire connected the grand forces, forming a deadly formation diagram, within which dozens of Broken Continents connected with one another, forming a massive continent where nearly a million Human cultivators were stationed.
In three directions on that continent, three fire peaks towered, arranged in a triangular formation. The first fire peak was nine thousand zhang high, the second only six thousand zhang, and the third merely fell short of a thousand zhang...
"So this treasure is not yet completely refined... still a semi-finished product..." Miaoyan Immortal Honorific murmured to herself, cast a glance at Ning Fan, and after a moment of contemplation spoke to Sang Chong,
"Since Liuhe Immortal Lord has invited me to meet first, I shall proceed ahead. I trust Sang Leader will lead the remaining peers into the fire formation."
With that, Miaoyan Immortal Honorific transmitted to Ning Fan, "Daoist Zhao, you have saved my life, but I fell unconscious since the day of rescue and have yet to thank you properly. Now, I am eager to meet Liuhe Ally to discuss major matters of the wild lands. Later, I will come to you again and present a treasure I’ve collected for years to repay your life-saving grace."
After solemnly promising, Miaoyan Immortal Honorific tapped her toes and flew off the Broken Continent, traversing countless voids in a flicker.
Ning Fan watched the departing figure of Miaoyan Immortal Honorific, his gaze calm and steady. He saved Miaoyan Immortal Honorific merely to settle the intervention made on that day; he placed no importance on the treasure thanks of Miaoyan Immortal Honorific.
"Hehe, Yin-Hai Battle Division’s Sang Chong, greetings to all Daoists!"
After Miaoyan Immortal Honorific left, Sang Chong greeted the demon scholars, Jin Hua Ancestor, Teng Nan, Teng Bei, who controlled the flight of the Broken Continent, one by one.
In Sang Chong’s view, the full efforts of four Human Shattered Thought Cultivators to fly the Broken Continent like an Acquired Treasure was not something surprising.
What slightly perplexed him instead was that there were Barbarian Clan mortals present on this Broken Continent. In his view, this Broken Continent should be a temporary resting place for Miaoyan Immortal Honorific, and the Human cultivators on this land were likely those saved along the path by Miaoyan Immortal Honorific.
Given this calamity of the wild, Miaoyan Immortal Honorific saving Human cultivators made sense, but why save some Barbarian mortals?
This puzzled Sang Chong, but as he understood, Liuhe Immortal Lord currently happened to need some mortals as sacrificial offerings...
"At that time, some among these barbarians can be selected as offerings for Liuhe Immortal Lord. The fate of the barbarians is a minor matter, yet it concerns the safety of us Human cultivators. I think Miaoyan Immortal Honorific wouldn’t mind the life and death of these barbarians..." Sang Chong pondered.
Sixteen spirit boats led the Broken Continent, speeding forward all the way, and since the journey was not long, Sang Chong did not chat much with the few Shattered Thought Cultivators, nor was he aware of the events along the way, and naturally was ignorant of Ning Fan’s illustrious achievements on this journey.
Hence, at this moment, Sang Chong had yet to see anything remarkable about Ning Fan, nor did he regard Ning Fan with any distinction.
Even when he occasionally spoke, Sang Chong addressed Teng Nan and Teng Bei, without conversing with the two demon elders, Demon Yuanzi and Jin Hua Ancestor.
This is a matter of Sang Chong’s character. He is an orthodox Xuan cultivator, and thus extremely detests devil cultivators, which is why he is reluctant to deal with Demon Yuanzi and Jin Hua Ancestor.
Of course, he dares to neglect Demon Yuanzi and the others because his cultivation is at the Shattered Thought Early Stage, the same as Demon Yuanzi’s.
If Demon Yuanzi were a Mid-Phase Shattered Thought devil cultivator, he wouldn’t dare to neglect him, for he understands adapting to situations.
Being coldly ignored by Sang Chong, Demon Yuanzi and Jin Hua Ancestor were naturally displeased, but they didn’t say much. Soon, a vast, endless sea of fire appeared ahead, linking together to form an array chart.
This array is called the Nanli Fire Formation, manifested from a semi-completed magical treasure—the Nanli Fire Chart—used to protect the human experts here by the Liuhe Immortal Lord.
Ning Fan’s gaze swept over the fire formation, but with his eyes from the Second Realm of Tianren, he couldn’t initially see through the mysteries of this formation.
Only after applying the Momentum Character Secret did he comprehend the entire network of the formation, secretly surprised at its extraordinariness.
"This formation is extraordinary, born from a magical treasure fire chart, but the fire chart seems not fully refined, only a semi-finished product... The three fire peaks standing in the formation’s core are the fundamental source of its powers. The first peak is nine thousand zhang high, without any height issues; the second peak is merely six thousand zhang high, and the third peak is only one thousand zhang high... If the fire chart is successfully refined, the latter two peaks would also be nine thousand zhang high, and when united, their fire power would be enough to threaten the life of a casual Immortal Venerable!"
As Sang Chong took out a fiery red token, a flaming passage immediately appeared above the sea of fire formation.
Then, Sang Chong suddenly activated his divine skill and transmitted a message throughout Tianman City, reminding,
"We are about to enter the central area of the Nanli Fire Formation. This formation is laid by the Liuhe Immortal Lord. The continent within the array is split into three main regions based on the alignment of the fire peaks. Before entering the Nanli Fire Formation, I shall inform everyone of the rules set by the Liuhe Immortal Lord!"
"The first peak is nine thousand zhang high, located in the northern continent, it’s the closed-off area of the Liuhe Immortal Lord. If you don’t possess a Second Step cultivation, you are not to step within the vicinity of the first peak! However, if you have the identity of a Four Oceans Sect cultivator, these rules do not apply."
"The second peak is six thousand zhang high, located in the southwestern continent. Without a Void Fragmentation level of cultivation, you are not to step within the vicinity of the second peak! However, if you have the identity of a Four Oceans Sect cultivator, these rules do not apply."
"The third peak is one thousand zhang high, located in the southeastern continent. Entering this area has no cultivation restrictions. Among you, if anyone’s cultivation is insufficient and not a Four Oceans Sect cultivator, they can only stay within the third peak’s area, awaiting orders, without making any mistakes!"
"Additionally, non-Four Oceans Sect cultivators must also adhere to the Nine Decrees and Sixteen Prohibitions. In particular, certain devil cultivators should strictly follow these orders without violation!"
Sang Chong’s eyes coldly swept over Demon Yuanzi and others, implying a warning to these demon cultivators. Then, he took out a yellow silk decree, beginning to issue the many laws of the Liuhe Immortal Lord.
The numerous cultivators within Tianman City were all invigorated upon hearing the words, engraving these laws into their minds, not daring to disobey even slightly. Especially some devil cultivators, upon hearing these rules, became even more cautious, fearing to err and bring bad luck upon themselves.
Who doesn’t know that the Liuhe Immortal Lord is an extremely strict cultivator who values the word "rules" above all. The rules set by the Liuhe Immortal Lord here are naturally to be followed, otherwise, it would be akin to going against the Liuhe Immortal Lord...
"Rules... Nine Decrees and Sixteen Prohibitions..." Ning Fan frowned slightly, as he clearly understood that all the rules of Liuhe Immortal Lord were set against non-Four Oceans Sect cultivators.
If one joins the Four Oceans Sect, they could walk freely in this place without being bound by any rules.
Conversely, if one is not a Four Oceans Sect cultivator, they would be restricted by numerous rules everywhere...
Regarding all of this, Ning Fan did not raise any objections. Now that he was under the wing of the Liuhe Immortal Lord, he naturally wouldn’t intentionally break the rules and challenge the authority of the Liuhe Immortal Lord.
Sixteen spirit boats led the Broken Continent, flying toward the third peak’s area. After all, there were too many low-level cultivators within Tianman City, and over a million mortals who, according to the Liuhe Immortal Lord’s regulations, were not allowed to enter the first and second peaks. They could only come to the third peak.
Under the divine skills of Demon Yuanzi and the other four Shattered Thought cultivators, the fragmented continent where Tianman City was located directly fused with the third peak continent, becoming one.
Below this third peak, countless cultivators were already waiting.
Chen Zong is an outer elder of the Northern Heaven’s Guanghan Sect. Although he appears like a seventy or eighty-year-old mortal elder, in reality, he possesses the power of a Late Stage of Shekong.
He led a small team of the Guanghan Sect’s second step cultivators, waiting here because they detected a trace of Guanghan Cultivator’s aura from within the Broken Continent.
"Oh? Isn’t this Elder Hanwux?" Chen Zong lightly stroked his long beard, smiled kindly, and approached with a group of Broad Cold cultivators.
"Master Chen! You’re here too, sir!" Fairy Hanwux did not dare to be negligent. Although she and Chen Zong were both at the Shedding Void stage, Chen Zong was half her mentor, a senior figure to her.
If not for Chen Zong’s guidance back then, she would never have had the chance to step into the Shedding Void Realm. Therefore, as soon as Chen Zong arrived, she stepped forward to pay her respects.
After a round of conversation, Chen Zong suggested that Hanwux accompany the Broad Cold Palace cultivators together to the First Peak area.
Since Chen Zong was half her mentor, Hanwux dared not refuse, yet she was reluctant to leave Ning Fan’s side.
"Ning... Daoist Zhao, would you care to accompany me to the First Peak area? With your cultivation, even if you’re not a Black Devil Sect cultivator, you may enter the First Peak..." Fairy Hanwux asked somewhat hopefully.
"No, I’ll stay at the Third Peak. After all, accompanying me are a large number of Stone Warriors, who can only remain at the Third Peak... I don’t wish to leave them behind." Ning Fan said with some helplessness.
"Then I won’t go to the First Peak either..." Hanwux just started to speak when Ning Fan interrupted with a smile.
"Having come here, you’ve already escaped danger. You should go to the First Peak with your sect’s cultivators. If needed, you can come find me at the Third Peak later."
Hanwux thought it over and agreed that what Ning Fan said made sense; if she wanted to see him again, she could return to the Third Peak.
She solemnly paid her respects to Ning Fan, thanked him for saving her life, and then accompanied the Broad Cold cultivators, flying towards the First Peak direction.
This gesture of respect caused the Broad Cold Palace cultivators, including Chen Zong, to be collectively shocked.
In their perception, Fairy Hanwux was cold and unapproachable, never showing kindness to any man, yet today, she showed affection to Ning Fan and spoke of a debt of gratitude for saving her life...
"Uh, who is this Ghost-Faced cultivator, able to make the ice-cold Elder Hanwux display such an expression..." One after another, the Broad Cold Palace cultivators were all amazed.
On the other side, Four-eyed Demon Monarch was also present, having found a few close friends. His friends were likewise from the Corpse Demon Ancient Domain of the Northern Heavens, a few Late Stage Enlightenment and Peak Loose Cultivators. These individuals were also resting at the First Peak, strongly inviting the Four-eyed Demon Monarch to go with them.
The Four-eyed Demon Monarch was not as reserved, and after repeatedly expressing gratitude to Ning Fan for his life-saving grace, he went with a few friends to the First Peak.
Throughout the journey, Ning Fan had saved many cultivators, who naturally chose to leave his side once reaching the Human Clan’s territory. Ning Fan didn’t mind this at all.
Many rescued cultivators expressed gratitude to Ning Fan for saving them before leaving the Third Peak. Eventually, even the cultivators of the ZiChou Battle Division successively thanked Ning Fan.
Sang Chong was finally somewhat moved and began to pay attention to this individual named Ning Fan.
He observed that among those expressing gratitude to Ning Fan, there were first-step cultivators, including Ning Fan and Ghost Profound Fate Immortals, and even Enlightenment and Shedding Void True Immortals.
What surprised him the most was that even Teng Nan and Teng Bei, these two early-stage Thought-Shattering True Immortals, expressed sincere gratitude towards Ning Fan. They were also grateful for saving their lives...
Thus, Sang Chong was astounded. Initially, he believed Ning Fan’s cultivation before being suppressed by Banishing Immortal Force was at the Mid Stage of Shekong.
However, if Ning Fan was limited to that level, how could he possibly have saved the lives of Teng Nan and Teng Bei? Sang Chong realized he must have misjudged, underestimating Ning Fan’s true cultivation! Ning Fan’s actual cultivation absolutely could not be merely Mid Stage of Shekong!
Furthermore, Sang Chong could discern a hint of respect from the eyes of Teng Nan and Teng Bei...
"Could this Ghost-Faced cultivator truly be a Mid-Phase Shattered Thought Cultivator? Otherwise, how could he evoke such respect from Teng Nan and Teng Bei, and what right would he have to save their lives?" Sang Chong pondered internally.
If Ning Fan was truly a Mid-Phase Shattered Thought cultivator, he warranted Sang Chong’s efforts to establish a connection.
However, Ning Fan’s aura was extremely cold, and with Sang Chong’s experience, he could vaguely conjecture Ning Fan to be a demoness.
Although he detested demonesses, if Ning Fan’s cultivation exceeded his own, he dared not treat Ning Fan with negligence...
"May I ask the two brothers Teng, what is the name and background of this Ghost-Faced Daoist companion, and what is his cultivation? Why would the two of you owe him such a gratitude for saving your lives..." Sang Chong hesitated for a moment and then quietly asked Teng Nan and Teng Bei.
Before Teng Nan and Teng Bei could reply, Demon Yuanzi scoffed, looking at Sang Chong with extreme disdain, "You don’t even recognize Senior Zhao Jian? You’re truly ignorant!"
Sang Chong’s heart suddenly skipped a beat; did he hear it right? Demon Yuanzi actually referred to Ning Fan as ’Senior’!
Demon Yuanzi was a Thought-Shattering cultivator, so even when facing a Thought-Shattering Peak, simply calling them ’Daoist companion’ would suffice.
What kind of person could make Demon Yuanzi willingly address them as Senior?!
"Could it be that this Ghost-Faced cultivator is actually an Eternal Old Freak cultivator! Could it be that besides Miaoyan and Six Harmonies, there exists a third Immortal Venerable within the wastelands among us humans?! But how could that be, even adding up all secret clans, the number of immortals in the Four Heavens Immortal world wouldn’t surpass a thousand! I’ve never heard of any Immortal Venerable by the name of Zhao Jian! Even within the Shattered Thought Realm, there doesn’t seem to be anyone with this name..."
Sang Chong was full of doubts, secretly extending his spirit sense towards Ning Fan; with this probe, Sang Chong’s divine sense suddenly ached, causing fear and shock.
The spirit sense intruding into Ning Fan’s body vanished bizarrely, as if being forcibly consumed by something!
He repeatedly released his spirit sense, yet each time he did, it disappeared within Ning Fan’s body like a mud ox into the sea, unable to retrieve it...
It should be known that Sang Chong had a cultivation of early-phase Thought-Shattering, and his prowess in early-phase Thought-Shattering was not particularly strong, but his spirit sense cultivation was extremely high. His spirit sense was nearly comparable to some Mid-Phase Shattered Thought monsters.
With his spirit sense cultivation, if inspecting someone’s background, even if that person was a Thought-Shattering Peak monster, they could not intercept his spirit sense, at most rendering it unable to perceive anything.
But Ning Fan was able to achieve this!
What did this indicate!
Ning Fan very likely, truly was an Eternal Old Freak!
Sang Chong was still in shock when suddenly his complexion turned white, as Ning Fan at that moment revealed eyes like cold lightning.
Sang Chong’s heart was immediately hit with panic, thinking Ning Fan was angered, displeased with his continual spying, he quickly pleaded.
"Senior, please quell your anger! This junior’s investigation bore no malice!"
Sang Chong did not realize that Ning Fan’s eyes like cold lightning were not directed at him.
Ning Fan held no blame towards Sang Chong’s act of inspecting him. It wasn’t Ning Fan who intentionally devoured Sang Chong’s spirit sense.
What devoured Sang Chong’s spirit sense was the forty-six Barbarian Patterns on Ning Fan’s left face!
Ning Fan was unaware that after gaining these Barbarian Patterns, even someone like Sang Chong at the early-phase Thought-Shattering cultivator level couldn’t scrutinize him. Once they attempted, their spirit sense was forcibly devoured by the Barbarian Patterns...
These Barbarian Patterns, how overpowering!
And not only did the Barbarian Patterns devour Sang Chong’s spirit sense, they afterward seemed to savor the taste, agitatingly trying to consume the divine sense power within Ning Fan’s soul!
Who is Ning Fan, would he allow the Barbarian Patterns on his body to devour his divine sense?!
He glanced coldly, the gaze naturally directed at those unruly Barbarian Patterns trying to bite the hand that fed them...
(1/3) Today, no matter what, there must be an outburst; yesterday was thwarted again, March, can’t afford to languish! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
