Grasping the Evil-Chapter 983: Holder Cultivator of the Yin Path, Master of Niku
Once the Witch God submitted, the rescue of the War King proceeded smoothly.
Ning Fan also breathed a sigh of relief, putting away the Origin Qi and the Slaughter Emperor Jade Slip. The Origin Qi was one thing, but avoiding the need to use this jade slip was certainly for the best. This was his second jade slip, capable of summoning sixteen Immortal King puppets... It was also the second life-saving item given to him by the Slaughter Emperor.
As for the third life-saving item... the jade slip for the Slaughter Emperor’s personal appearance, he had already stored it away and had no intention of using it for rescuing the War King this time.
Slaughter Emperor...
If the soul blood of an adult Nine-Tailed Fox can delay Dao extinction, it should also be useful for the Slaughter Emperor... 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
To Ning Fan, the Ancient Chaos was a relationship of master and disciple, whereas the Slaughter Emperor was a debt that must be repaid. Although not as deep as with the Ancient Chaos, he still placed considerable importance on it.
He seemed to see again the elderly man who sacrificed everything to protect the descendants of the Northern Dipper, and he recalled the promise he made to that old man years ago to seek the Eternal Jade and save him...
If he could indeed let the Nine-Tailed Fox reach its adult stage...
As soon as this thought appeared, the feeling of the impending arrival of the Shedding Void Heart Tribulation emerged once again...
The feeling of its descent grew even closer!
For others, Shedding Void meant discarding attachments, but he took an entirely different path, continually carrying burdens that others scoffed at. Within those burdens were gratitude, affection, righteousness—warm experiences he had encountered time and again on his cultivation path...
Forsaking attachments is the way approved by the heavens, perhaps it is considered Yang.
Not forsaking attachments, the path of cultivation disapproved by the heavens, could it be... Yin...
Yin...
During his journey to Mu Island, Ning Fan’s understanding of the Dao gained an entirely different perspective, reaching a new level.
To view the Dao from the perspective of Yin and Yang!
It turned out that the cultivation path always stood on the side of Yin, in a position disapproved by the heavens.
But, what does it matter if the heavens disapprove? As long as I approve of this path... I will shed this void, carry my attachments, wander obstinately on the shadowy side of the world!
If a mortal could reach the state of Yin...
Thump! Thump! Thump!
It was the sound of Ning Fan’s heart pounding!
At this moment, a thought from Ning Fan unexpectedly triggered the Shedding Void Heart Tribulation, which originally showed signs of dispersal, to be genuinely drawn for the first time!
The first Shedding Void Heart Tribulation... descends!
"Why does it have to arrive at this moment..." Ning Fan felt speechless as he still intended to save the War King, and just then the Shedding Void Heart Tribulation came, so what now?
Is this perhaps what mortals say, "intentionally planting flowers doesn’t make them bloom, unintentionally planting willows creates shade?"
Ning Fan didn’t realize that the reason he was able to trigger the heart tribulation was because he recognized the essence of the path of steadfast cultivation, which happened to be a catalyst. Besides, Ning Fan’s act of saving the War King was itself an act of fulfilling a promise, perfectly aligning with the opportunity for the first heart tribulation to descend, hence allowing the tribulation to truly come down.
It was a coincidence, yet also an inevitable consequence of completing the War King’s karmic relation...
"This heart tribulation could wait a bit longer... let’s save the War King first!"
Ning Fan took a deep breath, barely suppressing the wild beating of his heart, and once again proceeded to treat the War King.
This time, with the Witch God already subdued, the entire healing process was unhampered by outside disturbances and went extremely smoothly. In just half a day, the treatment of the War King was complete.
The originally lifeless body of the War King was now continuously regaining vitality, as the spiritual energy from the entire Dao Essence Secret Realm frantically surged into the War King’s body. A powerful aura gradually emerged on the War King’s physical form!
The Third Calamity of Eternals! It was a formidable aura that only a Triple Calamity Immortal King could possess!
Moreover, that aura continued to rise. After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, it unexpectedly broke through the peak of the Third Calamity, reaching the level of the Fourth Calamity of Eternals!
It had broken through!
The War King, who had slept for forty-five million years, broke through to the Fourth Eternal Calamity at the moment of his awakening!
Ning Fan was slightly surprised, but quickly understood the reason behind it.
As a loyal servant of Luo Shix, when the War King fell into slumber, he had specially arranged the Dao Essence Secret Realm to continuously produce Dao Essence, nourishing the War King’s body. Through the endless years, the War King absorbed an unknown amount of Dao Essence. Though he hadn’t awakened, his cultivation had improved, and the breakthrough to the Fourth Eternal Calamity was logical.
If that was all, it wouldn’t be enough to shock Ning Fan too much, but soon, he was once again astonished, for the War King’s aura, after breaking through the Fourth Calamity, continued to rise, soaring all the way to the peak of the Fourth Calamity, and then breaking through the bottleneck of the Fifth Calamity!
The Fifth Calamity of Eternals Immortal King!
And that aura continued to climb, ultimately... reaching the realm of the Pinnacle Immortal King, before finally halting its escalation!
"Finally... awakened. Was it you who saved me?"
The War King’s physical body suddenly stood upright, opening its eyes for the first time in forty-five million years!
His gaze was wild and imperious, yet carried the innate boldness of an Eastern Celestial cultivator, giving the impression of a present-day hero. And when he turned his gaze to Ning Fan, it softened considerably, showing gratitude.
Even while slumbering, the War King could faintly perceive outer events. He vaguely remembered that it was this white-clothed youth who saved him, though the specifics were unclear.
If Ning Fan indeed saved him, then regardless of Ning Fan’s virtue or vice, he would be an benefactor to Luo Hou. As long as it doesn’t violate his principles, Luo Hou owes Ning Fan his life!
"Senior was saved not only by me, but also by Senior Luo Shix and several other Daoists. Quite a few cultivators from the Lu Family also made contributions..." Ning Fan answered truthfully.
"No need to be modest, young friend. Though I was asleep and unaware of specifics, it was you who subdued my Witch God, wasn’t it?" Luo Hou slowly landed at the center of the altar, meaningfully looking at the respectfully standing Witch God beside him.
He was hardly aware of external matters but was certain that they were saved largely due to Ning Fan’s efforts; this fact was indisputable.
Of course, he would also express gratitude to the others, but Ning Fan was the chief contributor, unquestionably.
Luo Hou, being straightforward by nature, disliked unnecessary talk; he had noted Ning Fan’s life-saving grace and would repay it someday!
Ning Fan nodded; it was indeed he who subdued the Witch God, and he didn’t need to deny it.
"Luo Hou, you’ve finally awakened..." The Witch God looked at Luo Hou complexly and sighed.
Had Luo Hou not awakened, at the moment of his imminent demise, the Witch God could have devoured Luo Hou, reviving in his place, which was unbeknownst to Luo Shix and others.
Had Ning Fan not intervened, the War King would have been devoured by the Witch God at the weakest moment of his life... Alas, Ning Fan intervened, making it impossible for the Witch God to devour Luo Hou and forcing him once again under Luo Hou’s control.
"You are my Witch God, let’s become one. I’ve slept long but accumulated vastly. If we merge, I am confident I can swiftly break through to the Immortal Emperor Realm! I am you, and you are me; why should there be any distinction between us? Return, and together let’s rule the Eastern Heaven!" Luo Hou continued.
"...Very well, I agree to merge with you! From today, there is no War King nor Witch God, but War Witch Luo Hou!"
The Witch God sighed; defeated by Ning Fan and having promised submission, he could no longer reject Luo Hou’s proposal.
The Witch God strode towards Luo Hou, who also walked large steps towards him. As they collided, they became one amidst a blinding light... War Witch Luo Hou was fully awakened!
Still the same black-faced burly man, still led by Luo Hou, but at this moment, his cultivation surged dramatically!
The combined cultivation of two Pinnacle Immortal Kings instantly gave him the aura of a Quasi-Emperor. A Quasi-Emperor merely needs to pass the Nine-Five Tribulation, complete the Emperor’s spirit fusion, to truly become an Immortal Emperor. The amount of mana was nearly comparable to that of a Sixth Calamity Immortal Emperor; the only difference being the fusion of the Emperor’s golden primordial spirit!
"The War King has nearly stepped into the Immortal Emperor realm, nearing the Emperor!" Ning Fan was greatly moved.
The comatose, nearly dying War King saw a surge in cultivation upon awakening, nearing Emperor status... If this news spread, the Eastern Heaven would stir greatly.
"...I’ve slept for forty-five million years, and have accumulated quite a few minor and major tribulations throughout the years. Naturally, there remains the Nine-Five Tribulation to break through to the Emperor Realm, but the preparations for becoming an Emperor aren’t complete, so the Nine-Five Tribulation must be temporarily shelved. This slumber brought significant benefits, having accumulated cosmos-sized cause and effect owing to Senluo. He had discerned my Witch God cultivation was on the wrong path, using immense cost to disperse my cultivation while sealing my minor and major tribulations, allowing a secure slumber for countless years. Otherwise, without Luo Shix and them, these increasingly powerful tribulations would have been insurmountable. What’s more, without this slumber, the synchrony between the Witch God’s heart and mine wouldn’t have reached today’s extent... Senluo, oh Senluo, what kind of person are you? You brought calamity to Godly Void Pavilion back then; yet today, you bring me the opportunity to become an Emperor..." Luo Hou marveled.
The one he felt most grateful to for his awakening was Ning Fan, but his hope of breaking through to Immortal Emperor was owed to Senluo.
Senluo, Senluo... Hmm? Senluo, is he actually dead...
Upon achieving the Quasi-Emperor realm, many personally relevant matters can be sensed to some extent, and it seems Senluo has passed away...
This grace cannot be repaid.
No, it’s not that it cannot be repaid... Luo Hou then had an epiphany.
Back then, Senluo pursued a woman, provoking the Dark Clan, becoming an enemy of the world, even risking his mentor and the Godly Void Pavilion; guilt surely burdened Senluo. It seemed this guilt repayments ended up blessing him, Luo Hou.
Senluo assisting in becoming an Emperor aimed to add an unparalleled Immortal Emperor to Godly Void Pavilion, to compensate for his inability to protect the Pavilion in his mentor’s stead.
Luo Hou owed Senluo immense karmic consequences, and to repay such debt, the best method is to replace Senluo and protect Godly Void Pavilion throughout life...
"So that’s how it is, when you scattered my cultivation back then, you foresaw this outcome. Very well, you helped me become an Emperor, and if protecting Godly Void Pavilion was your dying wish, then this wish... I, Luo Hou, shall bear it for you!"
In this way, he resolved his debts with Senluo with mutual absolution.
As for Ning Fan...
"Young friend, you saved my life, and I should profusely thank you, but unfortunately at this moment, I still have tribulations to cross, not a time for lengthy discussion with you. Could you wait briefly until I complete the tribulation, and then we can talk more?" Luo Hou slightly bowed to Ning Fan, sincerely.
"Please feel free, senior, as I, too, have pressing matters to attend to, requiring immediate seclusion." Ning Fan referred naturally to the heart tribulation he’s been suppressing.
This heart tribulation he’d held back for half a day, and now his heart was racing uncontrollably, reaching a limit; he must immediately enter seclusion to cross the tribulation.
Otherwise, he would very much like to witness how Luo Hou would overcome the multitude of tribulations. Listening to Luo Hou’s tone, having accumulated forty-five million years of tribulations... Calculating the minor tribulation every nine hundred years and major tribulation every nine thousand years for Timeless Realm cultivators...
Luo Hou would have to withstand fifty thousand minor tribulations and five thousand major ones!
Understand, the strength of cultivators’ minor and major tribulations grows with each cycle... Ning Fan did indeed desire to witness how Luo Hou would handle such an astonishing number of tribulations, which surely promised to be a grand spectacle.
It’s a pity that he’s also very busy.
Thus, Ning Fan temporarily left the Dao Essence Secret Realm and returned to the outside world, while War King Luo Hou remained in the secret realm to overcome his tribulation.
As soon as he returned to the outside world, Luo Shix and others surrounded him, inquiring about the progress of the matter.
Lv Wen, Wu Laoba, and Yun Lei, who were severely injured, had only temporarily suppressed their injuries and were still waiting outside the secret realm for news of Ning Fan, naturally because they cared about the progress of the situation.
Ning Fan didn’t go into detail about the process of subduing the Witch God, only saying that he successfully awakened the War King, who is now undergoing his heavenly tribulation in the secret realm, an accumulation of tens of millions of years, its power extraordinary. He advised Luo Shix and others not to enter the secret realm to watch the tribulation, so as not to be affected by it.
After that, Ning Fan acted like a hands-off shopkeeper and retreated into seclusion in the Xuan Yin Treasure for closed cultivation.
His promise to the Luo family was fulfilled, the War King has been awakened, and the rest will be handled by the Luo family.
Upon hearing that Luo Hou had awakened and was enduring the heavenly tribulation that had accumulated for tens of millions of years, the cultivators not yet in the Timeless Realm, like Luo Shix, naturally did not dare to enter the secret realm to observe the tribulation.
Lv Wen, Wu Laoba, and Yun Lei, however, had their eyes light up. Without much hesitation, they joined forces to enter the secret realm to watch the War King overcome his tribulation.
Watching an Immortal King undergo a tribulation accumulated for tens of millions of years is a rare opportunity. Perhaps the three of them might gain some enlightenment from it. Compared to gaining enlightenment, postponing closed cultivation to heal injuries seemed justifiable, watching the War King first, and then recuperating was not too late.
Wu Laoba, the loyal servant, even took out a high-grade recording jade slip, intending to record the details of the War King’s tribulation to show Ning Fan.
The master has urgent matters to attend to and missed the chance to watch the tribulation, so as the world’s number one loyal servant, he naturally needs to exert some effort for the master...
To record the process of a formal Immortal King’s tribulation, the required recording jade slip must be of the highest grade, with such a slip costing at least tens of billions of Dao Crystals in Eastern Heaven.
Seeing Wu Laoba go through such expense just to let the master watch the recording of the Immortal King’s tribulation, Yun Lei and the others were filled with emotions, giving Wu Laoba a most impartial evaluation.
"Wu Laoba, a loyal servant you are! Your loyalty shines like the sun and moon, carrying the ancient chivalrous spirit!"
If Ning Fan heard this evaluation of Wu Laoba, he would surely be speechless. To call Luo Shix a loyal servant he agrees, but to say Wu Laoba is a loyal servant, he could only chuckle...
...
But it’s a pity Ning Fan is destined not to hear this evaluation.
Upon entering the western region of the Xuan Yin Treasure, Ning Fan lifted the suppression of the Shekong Heart Tribulation, and at the moment the heart tribulation was unleashed, the shadows of his Four True Bridges immediately appeared in the sky.
Beneath the Four True Bridges, there were flowing streams, and under the first True Illusionary Bridge, there was a very dim reflection.
Ning Fan’s figure flickered and appeared on the first True Illusionary Bridge, leaning on the railing, looking at the blurred reflection in the stream.
As the heart tribulation deepened, those reflections gradually became clearer, revealing scenes of Ning Fan keeping promises made since he began cultivating.
"If Elder Ning can promise to take action for the Hu Clan three times... I, old man, am willing to use the price of not entering reincarnation and condense a Cultivation Pill with my lifetime’s cultivation as a gift to Elder!"
"This pill, I initially intended to keep for Hu Ming... But it seems he is ultimately too young to bear great responsibilities..."
"Cultivation Pill! You have done too much for the family..."
"I have no regrets! Elder Ning, just say, do you agree or not!"
"Enough. If I get the Cultivation Pill, I, Ning Fan, promise that in my lifetime, I will take action three times for the Hu Clan!"
This promise was made when Ning Fan was in the Harmonious Spirit realm, agreeing to guard the Hu Clan of Yue Country. Later, he indeed fulfilled this task.
The Hu Clan, Hu Fengzi, that’s already a distant memory. If not for seeing the past in this reflection, Ning Fan would almost have forgotten this tiny power like a grain of rice.
Yet, he cannot forget Hu Fengzi, cannot forget this person who was willing to be utterly destroyed and not enter reincarnation, to turn into a cultivation pill in exchange for Ning Fan’s three interventions to protect the Hu Clan.
This was the first time, at the beginning of Ning Fan’s cultivation, that he encountered such a person, willing to willingly be utterly destroyed for the sake of protecting others.
Was it worth it...
Ning Fan once asked himself back then, the answer he arrived at was, whether it was worth it or not.
The world has long forgotten Hu Fengzi, even the family members he desperately protected have forgotten him. Time has passed, and in the present Rain Immortal World, the present Yue Country, perhaps no one remembers that there once was an insignificant master who made a soul-stirring decision to protect his family.
It is truly magnificent!
The rain is born from the heavens, and falls to the earth, nourishing the grass and wood, and nurturing living things... It is called rain, not water, not the Yangtze River, not the lake or sea, because... it has its Dao.
It nourishes the grass and wood, without seeking any reward from them, with nothing to do with worth or unworthiness, just doing as the Dao dictates.
Simply because it is the Dao, one can proceed with no regrets!
Ning Fan looked at the reflection in the stream, looked at Hu Fengzi in the reflection, seeming to gain some enlightenment.
The Shekong Four Realms, the Four True Bridges, the reflections under the bridges... Perhaps each heart tribulation will show more of the reflection in the river.
Crossing Truth cultivators work on the bridges over the river, while Shekong cultivators work on the shadows under the bridges. What is called a shadow is attachment, is illusion, is what the heavens do not recognize.
Hu Fengzi’s path once moved Ning Fan, making Ning Fan’s cultivation unknowingly carry traces of Hu Fengzi’s influence.
Shedding Void, Shedding Void, it’s precisely about discarding these irrelevant shadows in order to achieve a breakthrough...
The first step is to see the reflection in the True Illusionary River, and the second is to discard it... But that’s the path of ordinary cultivators, not Ning Fan’s path.
Ning Fan has already gained some insight into his Shedding Void path. His path is different from others; his path requires persistence, requires determination rather than abandonment!
He said no more, continuing to watch the reflection in the river, as even more reflections appeared beneath the first bridge.
The second reflection scene was of Ning Fan’s past roaming the nine divisions of the Lu Clan.
That year, he promised Honorable Demon General Lu Daochen to bury his master Lu Wu. Afterwards, with Lu Bei’s famed name, he accomplished this task.
Ning Fan still cannot forget the hunchbacked silhouette of the old man guarding his master’s portrait, solitary yet without regret.
Honorable Demon General Lu Daochen poured his life’s blood into fulfilling one thing, which was to bury his master Lu Wu. Just to fulfill this wish, he gave everything, without regret.
A model of cultivation!
"The reflections I see during this first Shedding Void heart tribulation seem to be all related to promises..." Ning Fan murmured.
This heart tribulation appeared at the time of fulfilling the Luo Family promise and recalling the Slaughter Hall promise. Could it be that his first Shedding Void heart tribulation must correspond to the word ’promise’...
In the great river, subsequently appeared a third reflection scene of his promise to the Slaughter Emperor to protect the descendants of the Big Dipper and safeguard the Slaughter Hall.
The fourth reflection scene was about the Luo Family promise.
There were more reflections, surprisingly all related to promises to others, ranging from promising a pill or a medicine to sacrificing one’s life for others. Most of Ning Fan’s life’s promises have been fulfilled, but there are still many promises ongoing, limited by cultivations and other factors, unable to be realized temporarily.
Yet, every promise unexpectedly emerged within the water, becoming the reflections under the first True Bridge, and turning into Ning Fan’s persisting dedication.
Ning Fan gazed at the river water beneath the True Bridge, gradually hearing the voice of the grand path from the endless river. That voice was very indistinct, astonishingly the Shedding Void Celestial Sound heard during the heart tribulation by Shedding Void cultivators!
"Turn back, turn back, turn back... come across my path of infinite crossing, the Four Illusions and Four Extinguishments Stepping into Emptiness Realm, Sect of SoleFlame from the Ground..."
Suddenly, there was a blaze from the river water, turning into a withered old hand, dry as if it might crumble anytime, yet causing Ning Fan an overwhelming sense of awe, as if it could seize all traces between heaven and earth, freezing time and space!
That withered hand didn’t seemingly exist in reality but rather within the reflection in the river water, arising with the appearance of the reflection!
That withered hand appeared for no other purpose than to erase Ning Fan’s reflected shadow from the river!
Erase this shadow, and Ning Fan’s Shedding Void path would be accomplished, allowing entry into the initiate realm of Shedding Void, but at the cost of damaging the spirit sense, making a path of persistence impossible!
Unlike ordinary cultivators, for whom abandoning obsessions is insignificant, Ning Fan is different. He is not an ordinary cultivator; his path does not permit light abandonment, especially abandonment concerning promises of his spirit sense.
Ning Fan had an illusion of heart-stopping dread, believing if the withered hand erased the river reflection, his spirit sense would be forcibly altered, changing his temperament entirely, never to be a man who keeps promises again!
What kind of withered hand wields such terrifying erasing power, capable of altering one’s spirit sense!
Ning Fan flipped through many texts on Mu Island, among them records of Shedding Void heart tribulations, yet even after reviewing Mu Island texts, he found no mention of the appearance of a withered hand. Other cultivators breaking through Shedding Void likewise hear the Shedding Void Celestial Sound, but the content of the celestial sound is usually straightforwardly pointing out flaws in the cultivators’ paths for compensation, never as cryptic and difficult to understand as Ning Fan’s.
No one has had a fiery withered hand appear trying to erase reflections during a heart tribulation!
For a moment, Ning Fan realized that this cryptically obscure Shedding Void Celestial Sound and this extremely dangerous, spirit sense-altering withered hand are likely the unique "benefits" of the Holder Cultivator... dangerous benefits!
Absolutely cannot allow this withered hand to erase the river reflection!
Ning Fan’s expression changed drastically, without hesitation, he opened the God-Slaying Giant’s Shadow, thrusting directly into the river water, explosively charging towards the withered hand!
He won’t allow anyone to alter his spirit sense, nor does he need others to establish the path of Shedding Void for him. His path is not of abandonment, no need to erase the river reflections, this hand has insidious intentions, seeking to destroy his reflections and corrode his spirit sense, never!
Boom!
A loud bang, it was the God-Slaying Giant’s collision with the withered hand’s reflection...
"Turn back, turn back, turn back... come across my path of infinite crossing, the Four Illusions and Four Extinguishments Stepping into Emptiness Realm, Sect of SoleFlame from the Ground..."
The withered hand was unaffected by the God-Slaying Giant’s impact, while the giant’s golden flame body... was struck by the withered hand, creating a depression, and the golden flame showed signs of extinguishing. Sheltered within the giant, Ning Fan suddenly coughed up fresh blood, wounded by the withered hand through the God-Slaying Giant, his insides burning like fire!
The withered hand’s terrifying power, even the God-Extinguishing Shield couldn’t completely defend against its strong force!
Having clashed with the withered hand, Ning Fan finally confirmed its origin... Indeed, within the withered hand, existed the will of the heavens, a hand bestowed by the sky to eradicate Ning Fan’s river reflection, denying Ning Fan the path of determined persistence in Shedding Void!
Turn back, turn back, turn back...
If you don’t turn back, then I, the heavens, will force you to return!
Heaven’s Rejection of Cultivation Path, this road is blocked! (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it with recommended votes and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)
