Grasping the Evil-Chapter 958: The Palm from Ten Years Ago
Besides Cloud Thunder Celestial Venerate, many people here are acquaintances of Ning Fan.
Bone Immortal Lord Jun Changdong, Moon Immortal Monarch Cold Moon, Slaying Immortal Monarch Fellow Daoist Xu...
A hundred years ago, these outstanding talents dared to compete with Ning Fan. A hundred years later, they could only stand aside like juniors, respectfully listening to Ning Fan’s conversation with Cloud Thunder without the qualification to interrupt.
In a hundred years, their cultivation hasn’t advanced much, while Ning Fan has become a timeless strong person, able to shatter thoughts, kill Immortal Sovereigns, shake the Eastern Heaven, and have the Godly Void Pavilion come out to welcome him!
In comparison, Jun Changdong and the others inevitably had complicated expressions, fearing that they could not catch up with Ning Fan in this lifetime.
The once peerless talents now need to look up to him, and perhaps in the future, they’d rarely intersect.
"Haha, it’s been a hundred years, does Senior Ning still remember the promise with my Luo Family?"
On the side, an amiable old man suddenly stepped out from the group, respectfully cupping his fists towards Ning Fan, opening his mouth to ask. This was the Ninth Elder of the Godly Void Pavilion, Luo Family Patriarch Luo Shix.
A hundred years ago, Luo Shix was still in a position where Ning Fan had to look up. A hundred years later, Luo Shix had to reverse position, addressing Ning Fan as senior...
Luo Shix was outwardly respectful, but internally full of emotion. Speaking of which, the Luo family had been searching for Ning Fan for many years. The War King’s body was gradually weakening, almost reaching its limit. If Ning Fan didn’t return soon or couldn’t complete the War God Art’s Fourth Transformation upon his return, then, in a few years, the War King might not escape death...
Over the years, the Luo family couldn’t find Ning Fan, making Luo Shix increasingly desperate about reviving the War King.
Luo Shix knew Ning Fan was a person of his word. If he could complete the Fourth Transformation of the War Art, he would definitely return to save the War King. The reason Ning Fan was hard to find was most likely because he couldn’t complete the Fourth Transformation, which is why he hadn’t appeared.
After all, besides War King Luo Hou, no one in the Luo family had ever completed the Fourth Transformation of the War Art, so it wasn’t surprising that Ning Fan couldn’t either, right?
When the Luo family was almost sure that the War King couldn’t be saved, Ning Fan, who had disappeared for a hundred years, appeared unexpectedly, and in a manner so powerful and imposing, appearing before the eyes of the Eastern Heaven cultivators!
Eternal Immortal Sovereign! Undoubtedly, facing Ning Fan at such a close range, Luo Shix felt as if facing the might of heaven, his heart couldn’t stop pounding, a feeling only appearing when confronting a timeless Immortal Sovereign!
After a hundred years, Ning Fan had become an eternal Immortal Sovereign!
Luo Shix was smiling on the surface, but his heart was already shocked countless times. Although he had received messages long ago, it wasn’t until this moment that he truly believed in this fact.
shattered thoughts, 1 Immortal Sovereign’s body! Ning Fan was not only a timeless Immortal Sovereign but likely a very powerful one, otherwise how could he kill an Immortal Sovereign!
Despite his shock, Luo Shix dared not put on airs, and respectfully addressed Ning Fan as senior.
"Ninth Elder, fret not. The promise Ning Fan made to the Luo family will surely be fulfilled!"
Ning Fan responded politely to Luo Shix.
With his strength, there was no need to be courteous towards someone of the Shattered Thought early stage, but the Luo family had been kind to him, so he wouldn’t be rude to Luo Shix.
Luo Shix’s clouded old eyes suddenly brightened. Ning Fan’s tone seemed confident about saving the War King, suggesting he might have completed the Fourth Transformation of the War God Art!
His once hopeless heart suddenly rejoiced beyond measure, as it seemed the War King could be saved!
Yet Luo Shix also heard that Ning Fan rushed to the Godly Void Pavilion due to hearing about the Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor nearing his end, eager to visit the Divine Tomb and see his mentor once more.
Currently, the Shenhao Twin Emperors were also within the Divine Tomb, waiting to meet Ning Fan, so Luo Shix didn’t find it suitable to ask Ning Fan to immediately visit the Luo family to save the War King.
Considering this, Luo Shix didn’t say more than necessary, but with a solemn expression, cupped his fists towards Ning Fan and returned to the group.
"Once affairs here are settled, the Luo family awaits Senior’s arrival!"
"Rest assured."
Luo Shix’s respectful attitude caused Ning Fan to have a sense of nostalgia. The former Senior Luo now considering himself a junior was somewhat poignant.
Speaking of which, why hadn’t he seen Aci... given her nature, knowing he was arriving at the Godly Void Pavilion, it was unlikely she wouldn’t show up.
Ning Fan casually asked Cloud Thunder Venerate beside him and learned from Cloud Thunder’s mouth that the little demoness was currently in the Divine Tomb, so he didn’t ask further.
"Haha, the purpose of Ning Daoist’s visit is understood by us, so shall we proceed to the Divine Tomb?" Cloud Thunder Venerate said as he saw Ning Fan and Luo Shix had finished their conversation.
"I appreciate Daoist’s guidance."
Ning Fan received the Immortal Sovereign’s body behind him, casually slashed his sword marks with a purple light, destroying those shattered thought heads, a seemingly casual action, yet it made many Second Step ancient freaks’ scalps tingle.
Ning Fan naturally didn’t concern himself with others’ feelings; instead, he frowned, gazing upon the starry sky of the Dongming Star Domain.
With his perception after mastering Rain Yin Yang, even without performing the Rain Technique, he could faintly sense powerful auras within the Dongming Star Domain.
After the end of the Senluo chaos, there weren’t many eternal old freaks left in the Godly Void Pavilion; within the Dongming Star Domain, other than Cloud Thunder, there were nine auras, with realms reaching the timeless level.
These included the aura of Divine Void Quasi-Saint Xiang Mingzi, the aura of the Shenxu Immortal Emperor, and even included the aura of Plague King Lü Wen...
What made Ning Fan feel heavy was the aura of these ancient strong entities, which seemed more or less weak, as if they were all injured...
"You can all retreat; I will personally escort the Rain Monarch to the Divine Tomb."
Cloud Thunder Immortal Venerable dismissed the welcoming team, taking Ning Fan alone directly towards the Divine Tomb.
Both were beings with great divine skills, and with their speed, it only took them a few dozen breaths to reach the Divine Tomb.
Upon entering the first layer of the Divine Tomb, Ning Fan’s gaze immediately sharpened, seemingly in disbelief.
The once bustling first layer of the Divine Tomb had now become a wasteland. Tomb Palaces of the Earth Tombs and Heavenly Tombs had collapsed into the ruins, and the entire crust had shattered into countless pieces.
There were still a few disciples of the Godly Void Pavilion stationed here, yet they were not cultivating but desperately setting up formations, trying to repair the broken Tomb Palaces.
What exactly happened within the Divine Tomb to turn the first layer into ruins?
How does this scene relate to the rumors of Ancient Chaos approaching path extinction?
Ning Fan’s heart was filled with countless questions, vaguely feeling that the matter of his master’s imminent path extinction wasn’t as simple as it appeared.
He looked towards Cloud Thunder as if seeking answers, but Cloud Thunder simply smiled bitterly.
"Don’t ask me, Daoist. I don’t quite understand the changes that occurred within the Divine Tomb. Ten years ago, an anomalous red sun shining over the sea appeared in the Eastern Heaven, and the radical change in the Divine Tomb occurred on that day. Numerous strong beings, including Ancestor Xiang Mingzi, entered the Divine Tomb to investigate, yet all ended up severely injured, and the Divine Tomb was mostly destroyed. At that time, I was executing a task off the main star and thus did not get injured, becoming the only unscathed Eternal Level cultivator in the Godly Void Pavilion today."
Ten years ago, the Eastern Heaven’s red sun over the sea...all the Eternal Old Freaks, including Xiang Mingzi, were severely injured...the Divine Tomb turned into ruins...
Ning Fan’s gaze grew even heavier.
The intelligence gathered by Zhao Youcai and others recorded the red sun over the sea in the Eastern Heaven ten years ago. However, it only mentioned the disappearance of 4000 cultivation star infants in the Eastern Heaven during that event, without mentioning such a drastic incident!
The transformation in the Divine Tomb didn’t spread in the Eastern Heaven; was it suppressed by the Godly Void Pavilion?
"If you have any questions, Daoist, you will get your answers after meeting the Twin Emperors."
Cloud Thunder led Ning Fan onward to the lower layers, and the Godly Void Pavilion cultivators guarding the Divine Tomb naturally dared not obstruct upon seeing Cloud Thunder Immortal Venerable arriving.
The second layer was also in a state of ruin.
The third layer was similarly devastated.
As they progressed to the sixth layer, Ning Fan reached the portal to the seventh layer, feeling the overwhelming demonic qi emanating from within, startling him instantly.
"Such potent demonic qi! What in the world happened within the Divine Tomb?" Ning Fan’s gaze slightly tensed up. When he entered the Divine Tomb back then, the demonic qi wasn’t so intense!
With his current power, he could vaguely feel a sense of oppression from the demonic qi.
If they descended further, the demonic qi would likely grow heavier!
"Be cautious, Daoist; the demonic qi below is intense. The Twin Emperors and numerous strong beings are currently on the eighth layer; you will meet them upon descending."
Cloud Thunder Immortal Venerable and Ning Fan continued their descent into the seventh layer, only to face an even more shocking scene.
The collapse on the seventh layer was more severe than the previous six layers! On the entire continent, all the Tomb Palaces had crumbled, and the dead spirits once residing on the seventh layer had perished completely, not a single one could be found!
The rampant, ferocious demonic qi surged throughout the heavens and earth, forming black storms. At the core of numerous storms, where the continental plate broke apart the worst, lay an immense black handprint, thousands of zhang across, firmly imprinted onto the ground.
That handprint seemed to be the very culprit of the seventh layer’s collapse and the annihilation of the dead spirits!
Words could not describe the terrifying might of that hand, giving off a faint, chilling sense of fear, a feeling that even Cloud Thunder Immortal Venerable dared not look at the handprint for too long, as if prolonged gazing would lead to being engulfed by the demonic nature within!
"Who destroyed the seventh layer of the Divine Tomb with a single palm!" Ning Fan’s expression was more serious than ever.
"I don’t know. Daoist, you must not approach that handprint; despite ten years having passed, the handprint still faintly exudes the might of an Ancient Great Demon level. Unless you’re an Ancient Demon, it’s difficult to withstand this level of demonic qi..." Cloud Thunder Immortal Venerable had just given a warning when he saw Ning Fan flying directly towards the core of the handprint, becoming anxious instantly.
Ten years ago, when the upheaval in the Divine Tomb occurred, the Shenhao Twin Emperors and their people were investigating the seventh layer, only to be thwarted by a mysterious figure’s palm strike, causing the entire Divine Tomb to collapse in chaos! 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
Though the might of that ten-year-old palm strike had long dissipated, the demonic power within was still overwhelming. Unless one possessed profound Immortal King cultivation, approaching the handprint carelessly would lead to severe injuries.
Cloud Thunder Immortal Venerable himself dared not approach the handprint and did not believe Ning Fan possessed the strength to do so.
Yet, a shocking development unfolded: Ning Fan remained unharmed, gradually approaching the center of the handprint!
"This child..." Cloud Thunder Immortal Venerable took a deep breath, finally realizing that he might still have underestimated Ning Fan.
The palmprint, left by some mysterious strong being ten years prior, was incredibly powerful, exerting a sense of invincibility and overwhelming coercion! The closer Ning Fan approached the center of the palmprint, the more shocked he became. The palpable demonic qi made contact with his skin, causing it to sting sharply.
It’s important to note, Ning Fan was an Ancient Demon, having reached the Seventh Nirvana, and could typically battle Shedding Void Stage Late Stage by his Ancient Demon cultivation alone, yet he couldn’t withstand the demonic qi of this single hand!
"Ancient Great Demon!"
Ning Fan took a deep breath, and after a long time, uttered these four words.
To earn such a title, one must at least be like Yin Mo or the Eye Orb Monster, capable of sweeping through the Era of Decline as a Quasi-Saint Immortal Emperor!
The one who left this handprint is definitely an Ancient Great Demon, otherwise, there couldn’t be such terrifying demonic qi!
But how is this possible! The four heavens and nine worlds of the human tribes are one thing, but even with ten great secret clans as their foundation, perhaps there are figures of Ancient Great Cultivation levels.
The demon race, apart from the Spirit King Palace and the True Spirit Race, seems to have a Land of Slumber where Ancient Great Demons might still be asleep.
Only among the demons is it impossible to produce figures of Ancient Great Demon level!
The current Ning Fan is quite knowledgeable about ancient history. Back when the Love Wielding Immortal Emperor invaded the Dreamland Realm, in that battle, the demons’ land was divided into nine, forming nine Devil Pools, and the nine magic ancestors were suppressed, causing the demons to lose their ’blood’, making it difficult to birth ancestor-level demons, and greatly reducing the chances of birthing Immortal Emperor-level demons.
Over time, Immortal Emperors among the demons became fewer and fewer, unable to compete with the demon race and human tribes, ultimately sealing the Ancient Demon Abyss completely, isolating themselves from the outside world.
The demons have clearly declined to the point where it’s difficult to produce Immortal Emperors. How could there still be an Ancient Great Demon in the world!
Could it be that some of the top-ranking magic ancestors have escaped the suppression? This was the first possibility Ning Fan thought of.
Upon further reflection, the Demon Well at the bottom of the Divine Tomb seemed connected to the suppression place of Moro the Great Emperor. Could it be that a magic ancestor has escaped and caused trouble in the Divine Tomb?
With Ning Fan’s cultivation, he couldn’t withstand the demonic qi within the handprint for long and had to quickly retreat to the side of Cloud Thunder.
"Daoist’s divine skills are impressive, to be able to approach the handprint like this. After the Senluo Calamity, our Godly Void Pavilion suffered heavy losses, with only Xuanbei and Lü Wen remaining as Immortal Kings. Below the Immortal Emperor, only they could get so close to the handprint. Daoist managed this; Cloud Thunder is impressed! Would Daoist be interested in joining our Godly Void Pavilion as a Guest Elder..."
Seeing Ning Fan’s powerful divine skills, Cloud Thunder Celestial Venerate was inclined to recruit a powerful Immortal Venerable for the Godly Void Pavilion.
Ning Fan smiled bitterly. He only approached the handprint by taking advantage of the Ancient Demon Corpse leaving; if he relied on his own abilities, even with Calamity Blood Cultivation, he couldn’t approach.
"Could we discuss this later? I’d like to enter the lower level first to see my master."
Ning Fan’s heart was filled with bitterness, feeling that he had somehow harmed Ancient Chaos, implicating him in nearing the end of his Dao.
He had asked Ancient Chaos to guard the Demon Well, and if Moro the Great Emperor sent someone through the Demon Well, he would slay them. He was unsure if Ancient Chaos nearing the end of his Dao was related to this... The handprint, the mysterious Ancient Great Demon, caused countless speculations in Ning Fan’s mind, yet he couldn’t find answers.
Seeing Ning Fan temporarily uninterested in joining the Godly Void Pavilion, Cloud Thunder did not insist and continued leading Ning Fan to the eighth layer.
The dead spirits in the eighth layer were similarly cleaned up, with a towering handprint at the center of the continent in the eighth layer, causing the entire continent to collapse. That handprint seemed to penetrate directly from the seventh layer, as its power was slightly weaker than the handprint on the seventh layer, yet still formidable.
On the boundary of the handprint was the portal to the ninth layer, where strong figures were sitting outside, exerting their full strength to suppress the demonic qi continuously overflowing from the portal.
There was Shenkong the Great Emperor, Emperor Xu Kong, Xuanbei Immortal King, and some other Immortal Venerables, everyone carrying injuries yet still striving to suppress the portal.
Lü Wen was not present...
Seeing Ning Fan arrive, everyone’s gaze shifted, their spirit sense scanning Ning Fan, revealing expressions of shock to varying degrees.
The most shocked were the Shenhao Twin Emperors, especially Shenkong the Great Emperor, who had some grudge with Ning Fan. Even his Immortal Emperor’s mind could not conceal his surprise.
Indeed, it was Ning Fan! Only a hundred years past, and this young lad had truly reached this level, possessing an Eternal Level cultivation!
The Eternity Realm is divided into nine tribulations; below three tribulations is the Immortal Venerable, below six tribulations is the Immortal King. Generally speaking, Immortal Venerable, Immortal King, and Immortal Emperor belong to the same great realm, all referred to as Daoist friends, even when facing some Quasi-Saints. Only in the presence of Ancient Great Cultivators would an Eternal Level powerhouse lower their head and call them Senior.
The current Ning Fan, with his Eternal Level strength, even as merely an Immortal Venerable, deserves to be considered a peer by Shenkong the Great Emperor and be valued!
A junior from a hundred years ago, now a Daoist friend after a hundred years... Shenkong the Great Emperor felt complex emotions, also a trace of apprehension over Ning Fan’s rapid cultivation progression.
In just a hundred years, this lad has reached this point; given another hundred or thousand years, how far might he go!
Such cultivation aptitude could probably only be matched by those youthful Ancient Great Cultivators! Could this lad truly possess the potential to become an Ancient Great Cultivator!
"Cloud Thunder greets the Twin Emperors, greets all Daoist friends!"
"Ning Fan greets the Twin Emperors, greets all Daoist friends!"
Ning Fan followed behind Cloud Thunder, slightly cupping his fist in salute to everyone present. These Immortal Venerables dared not act arrogantly and rose to return the courtesy. Even Xuanbei Immortal King did not slack and courteously saluted Ning Fan.
Only Shenkong and Emperor Xu Kong did not rise, nor did they return the salute to Ning Fan.
Emperor Xu Kong merely squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Ning Fan. Shenkong the Great Emperor, however, directly darkened his expression, suddenly snorted, causing countless golden lights to surge in the sky, transforming into a thousand-zhang golden finger that pressed directly upon Ning Fan’s Tian Ling.
"Withstand this finger, prove your strength, then you shall have the qualification to be called a Daoist friend!"
Shenkong the Great Emperor’s finger did not use full force; it was only equivalent to a strike from a newly ascended Immortal Venerable.
Just like Emperor Xu Kong, he still found it hard to believe Ning Fan’s strength; having reached the Immortal Venerable realm in just a century was indeed alarming, and he needed to test it personally to be convinced.
Ning Fan looked at this move unemotionally.
He could see that Emperor Shen Kong’s move was merely a probe, with no malice intended. It should be said that Emperor Shen Kong had been intimidated by the name of Ancient Chaos a hundred years ago and dared not act against its inheritor even before the complete fall of Ancient Chaos.
A junior from a century ago, who now needed to be addressed as a Daoist friend – naturally, the identity of the Shen Hao Twin Emperors was hard to balance with this.
If Ning Fan could not prove his strength, the Shen Hao Twin Emperors would never lower themselves to accept his title as Daoist friend.
With one motion from Shen Kong, the whole world changed color; all the old monsters here perked up, eager to see how Ning Fan would respond to this move.
The scene from a century ago replayed in Ning Fan’s mind. Back then, he had to rely on the prestige of Ancient Chaos to intimidate Emperor Shen Kong.
But now, if it’s just the probing move of Emperor Shen Kong, he can manage it all on his own!
He did not retreat but instead directly slashed out a purple light toward the giant golden finger descending from the sky.
With one slash, the purple and gold energies clashed in the air, creating countless airwaves. After the clash, they both dissipated simultaneously.
The precision with which Ning Fan wielded his sword was startlingly accurate, neither half a point stronger nor weaker than Emperor Shen Kong’s move!
The old monsters in the crowd immediately focused their gazes seriously.
Being able to handle it with such ease clearly shows Ning Fan’s strength surpasses that of a newly ascended Immortal Venerable.
"Eternal First Calamity!" Each old monster looked shocked. To reach the Immortal Venerable realm in a century is already rare, yet surpassing that level to become a First Calamity Immortal Sovereign – this child’s cultivation speed is simply defying the heavens!
Countless ancient Immortal Venerables have spent hundreds of millions of years to barely break through the First Calamity level, yet Ning Fan reached this stage in a century.
If another hundred or thousand years pass, how far can this child go? Who can predict!
"A hundred years ago, I underestimated this child... Unexpected that this old man’s vision faltered this time."
Emperor Xu Kong was the first to stand up, cupping his fists slightly toward Ning Fan, as a gesture of returning Ning Fan’s salute, acknowledging Ning Fan’s identity as a Daoist friend.
Emperor Shen Kong remained silent for a moment before finally sighing, standing up and cupping his fists to Ning Fan.
Though unwilling, he had to admit that the current Ning Fan deserves to be seen as an equal.
"I wish to enter the ninth layer to meet my master. Would the Twin Emperors consider accommodating me by opening the portal for entry?"
Ning Fan said solemnly to the Shen Hao Twin Emperors.
He wanted very much to converse with everyone, to inquire about what truly happened at the Divine Tomb ten years ago, but he was more concerned about the current situation of Ancient Chaos.
If he could not witness personally that Ancient Chaos is alright, he would not be at ease!
"You wish to enter the ninth layer? That might be difficult," Emperor Xu Kong frowned slightly.
The ninth layer is filled with dense demonic energy, so much so that even with his cultivation at the level of Eight Tribulations Celestial Emperor, entering would be challenging.
Though Ning Fan has become an Immortal Venerable, attempting to enter the ninth layer would be extremely dangerous.
"Unless you have a Quasi-Saint protector, with your current cultivation level, you can’t enter the ninth layer!" Emperor Shen Kong spoke even more bluntly.
Although he acknowledged Ning Fan’s strength, he still harbored reservations toward Ning Fan, thus speaking frankly.
Ning Fan frowned slightly, gazing at the portal incessantly leaking demonic energy, remaining noncommittal.
He could sense that the demonic energy in the ninth layer would surpass that at the center of the hand seal, even for him as an Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor, enduring such demonic energy would be tough.
Yet, nevertheless, he must enter the ninth layer to see for himself. If he were not stubborn, he would not be Ning Fan.
"Daoist friend might as well stay here, awaiting the return of the Ancestor. By then, with the Ancestor as a protector, Daoist friend can naturally enter the ninth layer to meet the Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor. Meanwhile, it may be better to sit down and talk with us, as I’m sure Daoist friend has many unresolved questions about the change at the Divine Tomb ten years ago needing answers," Emperor Xu Kong spoke again, tone considerably more courteous than Emperor Shen Kong. The Ancestor he mentioned is naturally his master, the only Quasi-Saint in the Godly Void Pavilion, Xiang Mingzi.
Just as Emperor Xu Kong finished speaking, a voice suddenly transmitted from within the portal.
"No problem, let him come in. With me here, the demonic energy of the ninth layer won’t harm him. What he wishes to know can also be told by me!"
This voice was very familiar, undoubtedly Xiang Mingzi, although his aura was remarkably unstable, seeming gravely injured.
"Come, come and see your master; he’s nearing the end of the path and very much wishes to meet you," Xiang Mingzi lamented.
Even with his First Order Quasi-Saint cultivation, despite all the spiritual medicines of the Godly Void Pavilion, he could not save the Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor. Ancient Chaos’s end seems truly near... (to be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)
