Grasping Evil - Chapter 276
Chapter 276: Chapter 276 You Asked Me Who I Am?!
Countless cultivators were forcefully teleported out from the arena after being knocked out and having their Spirit Platforms seized by others.
157 breaths after the light formation appeared, the first purple grade Spirit Platform was formed!
The owner of the platform was Wang Xiao! He stood arrogantly on the purple cloud-like platform with his head held high and left the spherical formation, returning to his seat outside of the arena.
Condensing a purple grade Spirit Platform within 157 breaths. Without a doubt, he was demonstrating that other than the two Peak Divine Transformation Realm experts, Qu Shun and Imperial Concubine Zi, he was the number-one expert present in the arena!
With a stomp of his foot, the Spirit Platform beneath his feet dispersed, turning into purple qi which was then absorbed by him into his abdomen. As soon as he digested it, his eyes flashed with surprise and muttered.
“Hmm? This purple qi is rather unique… It is nearly comparable to the Fifth Revolution Blood Awakening Pill!”
Through his senses, that purple qi was indeed extraordinary as it was enough to slightly improve the grade of one’s demon bloodline.
Unfortunately for him, he had already gone through three times of Bloodline Awakening. As such, more than half of the effects of the purple qi had gone to waste.
“Purple grade Spirit Platform is only good for demon cultivators who have just experienced the second Bloodline Awakening… Therefore, I don’t need to ask Zhu Qin to kill others and seize their Spirit Platforms… He only needs to finish off that Lu Wan’er and that’s it! Lu Bei… I’ll start from his wife to make him pay for his “debt”! I wonder how he will feel when he finds out that his wife died today…”
Right after Wang Xiao went out from the formation, Demon Concubine Wu Yan, Lu Jiefen and other Late Divine Transformation Realm experts also upgraded their platforms to the purple grade and eventually left the arena.
300 breaths later, 144 out of 145 Divine Transformation Realm experts had successfully fulfilled the criteria to enter the second match and exited the arena.
The formation was only left with less than 800 cultivators within. They were still vying for the platforms against each other. The lowest grade of Spirit Platforms among them was of the yellow grade while many of the cultivators had already upgraded their platforms to blue grade.
Stepping on a green grade Spirit Platform, Lu Wan’er was controlling the purple flames of her phoenix wings while confronting a Peak Nascent Soul Realm expert in order to seize her opponent’s platform which was at the same grade as hers.
If she succeeds, her Spirit Platform would then advance into the blue grade…
Peak Earth Profound Grade Purple Flame Phoenix’s Wings. Each flap of it was able to borrow the spiritual power of heaven and earth to blast out waves of flames!
Under the attack of the waves of flames, even though her opponent was a Peak Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, his energy and strength were nearly drained out after strenuously defending himself with magical treasures. A number of his magical treasures had already been destroyed by the purple flames. It was only a matter of time before he is knocked out and disqualified.
The power of her phoenix wings made the Peak Nascent Soul Realm cultivator inwardly feel desperate. Eventually, when another blast of flames struck him, he lost his balance and leapt off of his Spirit Platform. He let out a faint sigh and was safely transferred out from the arena after admitting defeat.
Lu Wan’er’s face was pale. Gently, she wiped away the sweat on her cheeks and fused her green grade Spirit Platform with the one in front of her by performing certain hand seals. When a new blue grade Spirit Platform was formed, her lips curved into a smile.
“Just one more battle. Just one more blue grade Spirit Platform and I will successfully upgrade my platform to the purple grade… Blue grade… Where are they…”
Her gaze swept around the arena and noticed that there were already 7 cultivators with blue grade Spirit Platforms aside from her.
Six of them were Peak Nascent Soul Realm experts and four out of the six possessed a vast and powerful qi. Lu Wan’er was aware that even though she was equipped with the phoenix wings, her chances in defeating them were not high. As for the other two, however, they did not pose much of a threat to her.
I can win against either one of them!
But what surprised Lu Wan’er was that the seventh cultivator who was on top of a blue grade Spirit Platform was actually a silver-armored Divine Transformation Realm expert!
When Lu Wan’er successfully congealed her blue grade Spirit Platform, that Divine Transformation Realm expert sneered coldly…
Lu Wan’er felt strange.
Why hasn’t that Divine Transformation Realm expert, who is obviously stronger than the rest of the remaining cultivators, congealed his purple grade Spirit Platform and left after so much time has passed?
“A Divine Transformation Realm expert… What is he waiting for? I recall that his name is Zhu Qin and he is one of the Demon Generals from the Upper World…”
…
Outside the arena, Lu Daochen’s expression grew fierce and the seriousness within his eyes intensified.
144 out of 145 Divine Transformation Realm experts have left the arena and only one is left within.
He doesn’t seem to be unable to seize anyone’s Spirit Platform. Instead, it’s more like he is waiting for something or… someone. What is he trying to do?
Wait… That man is a general under Wang Xiao’s command… Zhu Qin!
“General Wang Xiao, why did your general, Zhu Qin, stop fighting after upgrading his Spirit Platform to blue grade? What is he intending to do by staying within the formation? Don’t tell me that it’s your idea…” Another gust of wind blew past. Lu Daochen was feeling slightly uncomfortable.
“I don’t know…Probably he wants to kill someone?” Wang Xiao grinned viciously.
Kill someone?!
Lu Daochen’s heart palpitated, as if he had just figured something out.
At the same time, Zhu Qin moved!
Like raging waves, a force swept across the surroundings. A ray of silver light flashed and the six Peak Nascent Soul Realm cultivators who stood on the blue grade Spirit Platforms were eliminated, leaving only their demon souls. None of them could clearly see what he had done. With faces full of horror, they hurriedly abandoned their platforms in order to escape from the formation.
Extremely ruthless!
As they left, the six empty blue grade Spirit Platforms remained still in midair. However, Zhu Qin did not even cast a glance at them, as if he was not concerned about upgrading his Spirit Platform at all. He stomped at his platform and stared coldly at Lu Wan’er!
“Finally! You’ve reached the blue grade. I’ve been waiting so anxiously for you!”
When his foot landed onto the platform, his demon power congealed into an illusory silver crane which soared high into the vast sky. As it emitted a hostile shrill, innumerable silver rifts spread wildly and quickly in all directions along with a howling gale. Any Nascent Soul Realm cultivator who were caught up within the silver light would immediately be torn apart by the silver threads. Their armors were crushed, their Supreme Grade magical treasures were broken and their bodies and bones were pulverized. Nothing was able to withstand that attack. Each of the demon souls who had just lost their physical bodies were stricken with fear and hastily jumped off from their platforms, no longer bothering about the result of the match. All of them were eager to instantly withdraw themselves from the arena under the effect of the light formation!
It’s terrifying! Too terrifying! A Divine Transformation Realm demon general’s means were overwhelming!
A few of the Nascent Soul Realm demon cultivators who did not manage to escape in time with their demon souls immediately perished within the silver light!
“This Demon General Zhu Qin is extremely audacious. How dare he ignore the rules of the match! How dare he murder someone here!”
“It’s bad! We must flee now!”
Each of the old monsters within the arena quickly got off. As for Zhu Qin, he paid no attention to the rest of them as his eyes were only focused at Lu Wan’er all the time! The silver light emanated from his palm began to get even stronger!
It was the innate ability of the Silver Crane Race – Howling Crane’s Shrill!
Zhu Qin let out a cacophony of laughter. When he clawed at the air, all the silver threads turned around, heading towards Lu Wan’er. Rifts were left behind on the trails that the silver threads left behind. Nearly all the Spirit Platforms floating in midair were dispersed!
“General Zhu Qin, what do you mean by doing all this?!” Lu Wan’er eyes turned gloomy.
“Lu Bei has killed the Demon Generals from my Upper World. Since you are his wife, you’ll have to die as payback for what he did!”
“What?!” Lu Wan’er was greatly shocked that this Divine Transformation Realm Demon General was bold enough to try to murder her in public.
“You dare?!”
Lu Daochen, Lu Sheng and Imperial Concubine Wu Yan’s expressions changed drastically. All the three of them launched attacks on the light formation, intending to shatter it but none of their attacks worked.
Lu Daochen’s face was filled with anxiety. It was because when this Mortal Void Realm formation is established, even he would not be able to deactivate it unless the first match is over!
In other words, there was not a single thing they could do to save Lu Wan’er from outside the formation…
Am I going to helplessly watch my proudest apprentice die in vain?!
“Zhu Qin! If you dare to hurt my disciple, no matter who you are, be it a member of the Silver Crane Race or the True Spirit Ice Owl Race, you will definitely not escape death!”
Lu Daochen roared in rage. However, his voice did not seem to shake Zhu Qin’s determination.
To him, Wang Xiao’s command was his top priority. Besides, what was the big deal of killing a mere ant of the mortal world?
Lu Wan’er’s countenance was plastered with nervousness. She ferociously activated her phoenix wings, pushing the power of the wings to its maximum.
But at this moment, she surprisingly congealed the illusory shadow of a purple phoenix despite her identity as a fox demon!
Rapidly, her face became deathly pale but at the same time, the shadow of the purple phoenix became more solidified.
Arduously, she moved her fingers to perform a hand seal which commanded the purple phoenix to blast out a column of illusory purple flames. Although the purple flames were unreal, it literally burnt the silver threads displayed by Zhu Qin to nothingness!
Zhu Qin was flabbergasted. He had never expected that his innate ability’s full force would be neutralized by a Late Nascent Soul Realm female cultivator.
Lu Daochen and the rest of Lu Wan’er allies felt relieved. They might not be able to blow up the formation, but as long as Lu Wan’er gives up the match and jumps off from her Spirit Platform now, she would then be sheltered by the formation and teleported out from the arena safely. Afterwards, Lu Daochen would avenge her!
But Lu Wan’er did not jump down from her Spirit Platform. She did not choose to flee…
Her gaze was fixed to a blue grade Spirit Platform in the distance. She bit her lip and desperately flew towards it.
I can’t run away. I can’t… Because I am representing Ning Fan and now… I’m his wife!
As long as I am one step faster than Zhu Qin in upgrading my blue grade Spirit Platform to the purple grade, I will be able to leave… I will be able to protect Ning Fan’s place in the second match.
She flapped her phoenix wings and dashed right at the blue cloud which was located a thousand zhang* away. Her action startled Lu Daochen and the rest of his group.
“Silly girl! What are you doing?! Why are you still concerned about the matter of the Spirit Platform in a critical situation like this?!”
Indeed, she was a silly lady… If she was not silly, why would she fall in love with a member of a different race?
Now, she just wanted to gamble. She was not sure whether the opponent wanted to eliminate Ning Fan from the competition or not, she just simply wanted to make him be able to participate in the next match…
Just a little further… A little more…
There was just one hundred zhang* left between her and the blue grade Spirit Platform which floated alone in midair…
But just before she could reach it, a silver beam suddenly shot past her, blocking her path forward.
“It’s really beyond my expectations that you could display the ability of the phoenix race with your fox demon bloodline… But apparently, it seemed to be pretty burdensome for you. I’m afraid you won’t be able to display it again! Hmmph! If you’ve chosen to flee just now, you would have been fine. But unluckily for you, you chose to hang on. Aren’t you being too proud of yourself for not putting me in your eyes? Do you really think that I can’t kill you?!”
Zhu Qin’s eyes were completely filled with the color of silver. The illusory shadow of the silver crane on his back grew taller by a fold!
The might of the silver threads on the tips of his fingers also doubled, making them able to shred a common Divine Transformation Realm expert to pieces!
“You can die now. No one would be able to save you. If you want to blame someone else, blame it on your husband, Lu Bei!”
Zhu Qin’s eyes were cold and merciless. He was not worried that someone would come to Lu Wan’er’s aid. It was because the formation was so solid that even Imperial Concubine Wu Yan who was a Late Divine Transformation Realm expert was unable to break into the formation. No one could possibly enter the arena and save Lu Wan’er.
Previously, I was too careless and let this lady block my attacks by luck. But she won’t be as lucky again this time! She will die for sure!
Zhu Qin was extremely confident. But his confidence turned into disbelief at the next moment.
A hint of fear crept into his heart without any signs. Meanwhile, that feeling emerged within the hearts of the one hundred thousand demon cultivators surrounding the arena!
Especially experts who attained the Divine Transformation Realm, the higher their cultivation level, the more formidable the aura they could feel.
All of a sudden, the sound of breaking glass reverberated in the air. A broken hole appeared on the Mortal Void Realm formation which was strong enough to block a Late Divine Transformation Realm expert’s attacks!
A dazzling purple light shone near the hole. Then, a young man in white robes revealed himself. A trace of golden purple wind sand could be seen dissipating on the tip of his finger. No one was able to notice what he had done.
When they caught sight of the golden purple sand, even Qu Shun and Imperial Concubine Zi felt their hearts tremble with shock. It was their first time experiencing that feeling after arriving at the Land of Slumber…
What is that purple sand…?! It feels extremely dreadful!
The hole on the formation closed up immediately just as it appeared. The eyes of the white-robed young man were like frigid ice that had never melted for ten thousand years. He took a step forward and appeared right in front of Lu Wan’er and clawed at the direction of the illusory silver crane with his hand. The silver threads which had been all over the sky instantly snapped and disintegrated!
At the moment his shadow appeared, Yao Yuan’s eyes were burning with reverence. Lu Sheng and Lu Daochen heaved sighs of relief, Imperial Concubine Wu Yan wore an angry face as if she was blaming him for being late while Lu Zongyun and Lu Haochen felt chills on their spines.
Especially Lu Tianming who was hiding among the crowd to watch the scene of battle. When he saw the white-robed man, he suddenly recalled his previous action of giving him three Divine Transformation Realm experts’ heads as presents at the entrance of the province.
“Lu Bei! It’s him! He has come! That’s good! He’s going to kill him!”
Wang Xiao’s smacked the table beside him in anger and rose up from his seat with his eyes open wide, feeling utter disbelief.
“He…is Lu Bei?! How did he intrude the formation?! Impossible! Even I am unable to break into the formation from outside!”
Zhu Qin was unable to imagine that the inborn ability of his Silver Crane Race would be so easily resisted.
Facing the white-robed young man which inched towards him, his heart palpitated with trepidation for the first time.
“You… Who are you?!”
“You’re asking me who I am?”
For Ning Fan, it seemed to be the most hilarious question he had ever heard. His eyes flashed with cold light. Taking a step forward, he vanished into a cloud of purple smoke and emerged in front of Zhu Qin with a speed that was beyond the latter’s anticipation. He then clawed at him with one of his hands.
The strength of Ning Fan’s hand directly broke Zhu Qin’s Jade Green Shield which was conjured from his body at the First Level of the Jade Life Body Refining Realm and grasped his arm.
“A cultivator at the Second Level of the Jade Life Body Refining Realm!” Astonishment overtook Zhu Qin’s face. After that, his senses were overwhelmed with agony!
Ning Fan exerted his strength and gruesomely tore off one of Zhu Qin’s arms, causing fresh blood to spurt in every direction!
Zhu Qin’s countenance was ghostly paled. Hurriedly, he took a few steps backwards, feeling surprise and anger at the same time.
Who is he?! Who exactly is he?! His aura is stronger than anyone else in the arena!
I have no ill feelings nor hatred towards this man. Why is he trying to hurt me?!
“Are you really asking me who I am?!”
Ning Fan took a few steps forward and his aura grew stronger with each step he made. At the moment the ninth step was made, the great momentum of the universe congealed into traces of sword light and vanished after trembling.
At the same time, Zhu Qin choked on his own blood, causing him to cough out mouthfuls of blood incessantly. He was actually grievously injured with just an attack by the sword of great momentum.
Forming a sword with just nine steps and critically injuring a Divine Transformation Realm expert?! What’s that technique?! He is definitely not just a nameless being. Who is he?!
“How dare you hurt my wife when you don’t even know who I am!”
Ning Fan raised his hand and clenched his fist in the air. Countless beams of sunlight congealed into a golden spear.
It was the Mid-Grade Divine Transformation Realm technique, Parting Sun Spear!
However, that spear seemed to have something different compared to its usual form. Although Zhu Qin was unable to discern this difference, the might of that spear was nearly at the level of a High Grade Divine Transformation Realm demonic technique!
With a pat on the spear, the golden spear shot towards Zhu Qin with a scorching radiant golden light!
“Parting Sun Spear?! No… It’s impossible for that technique to be as powerful as this!”
Just as the golden ray thrusted at Zhu Qin, his face was plastered with shock. It was because when he intended to use a demonic technique to defend himself, his movement was sealed by Ning Fan with a finger of his other hand!
This Heaven Sealing Technique was secretly displayed without leaving any traces behind. There was no one at the scene who could identify the origin of the technique! There would not be a second person like Stone Warrior who managed to recognize that technique!
When the spear penetrated through Zhu Qin’s body, it transformed into millions of tiny sunrays imbued with Heavenly Spiritual Energy, emanating extreme heat which was comparable to a sun.
He let out a painful shriek as his body burst into golden flames, melting away in an unimaginable speed. Within seconds, he was burnt to ashes!
He could obviously feel that the power of True Yang contained within the Parting Sun Spear was excessively concentrated!
“Impossible! How is it possible for this spear to have so much power of True Yang…”
Basking in the golden light, Zhu Qin’s demon soul which was in the form of a silver crane was already trembling with fear. He threw caution to the wind and quickly leapt out of the golden light trying to abandon his Spirit Platform with all his might.
Right now, he did not even bother to find out who that white-robed man was. The only thing he knew was that that man was an incredibly strong being who could murder him as easily as crushing an ant to death!
If he does not choose to flee from his Spirit Platform to get away from the arena under the protection of the formation light, he would be dead for sure!
“General Wang! Save me!” Zhu Qin pleaded while looking at Wang Xiao helplessly.
Unfortunately, he was not aware that Wang Xiao could not even break through the light formation, let alone save his life!
“Want to run? Did I permit you to run away?! Come back here!”
Ning Fan’s voice was like there was a roar of thunder blasting at his ears giving him a violent shock.
The demon soul spurted a mouthful of blood. Taking one step forward, Ning Fan turned into smoke and pressed on towards him. Because of that slight delay, Ning Fan caught up with Zhu Qin and grasped his feeble demon soul in his hand.
Zhu Qin was nearly frightened to death! He, a dignified Divine Transformation Realm Demon General, was so powerless in front of this man!
“You asked me who I am?!”
“Let me tell you! I am Lu Wan’er’s husband, Lu Bei! Soul Memory Searching Technique!”
Zhu Qin was on the verge of collapsing. Other than pain and fear, he felt that whatever had happened was too incomprehensible and unbelievable!
This person is Lu Bei, the “Nascent Soul Realm ant” mentioned by General Wang Xiao?!
This is… Lu Bei?!
The person I was ordered to kill is the wife of such a mighty expert?!
Suddenly, he felt that if he had known about Ning Fan earlier, he would have never been bold enough to take action against Lu Wan’er even if it was a command from Wang Xiao!
“You…are…not at…Nascent Soul Realm…You…are…Divine Transformation Realm expert… Please… have… mercy…”
Zhu Qin mustered all the remaining strength that was left within him to plead for mercy. However, his consciousness was already almost completely erased by Ning Fan’s Soul Memory Searching Technique!
He opened his mouth and swallowed Zhu Qin’s soul. The cold light within his eyes grew stronger than before.
So that’s what it is… This Zhu Qin was obeying Wang Xiao’s command… Wang Xiao!
Ning Fan did not utter any words. He made a step forward and returned to Lu Wan’er’s side. Gently holding her in his arms, he remorsefully wiped the traces of blood on the corners of her lips.
Currently, there was not a single Peak Nascent Soul Realm cultivator staying within the formation because of Zhu Qin’s action just now.
Ning Fan flicked his sleeve and countless Spirit Platforms that remained in the arena gathered towards to him, fusing into Lu Wan’er’s Spirit Platform and turning into a huge platform which was overflowing with purple qi.
It was a platform formed from the combination of 56 purple grade Spirit Platforms!
Right after all the purple grade Spirit Platforms fused together, the light formation shattered!
Lu Wan’er snuggled up to Ning Fan’s chest, worried that she might be reprimanded by him because of her reckless act in risking her own life to chase after a blue grade Spirit Platform.
She was already scolded once during the last time when she used her blood essence to perform spirit augmentation for him…
“I’m sorry…” She apologized in a soft tone.
“No. It’s my fault… Thank you. Thank you for helping me retain my place in this match. Thank you for contributing yourself so much to me… Now, I will use this chance to avenge you…”
“Don’t act rashly!” Lu Wan’er wanted to advise against it but Ning Fan had already let loose of her.
He turned around and stared at Wang Xiao. He made a stomp and the cloud mist which was fused from 56 purple grade Spirit Platforms rapidly enlarged, transforming into a solidified purple cloud platform that stretched into a thousand li* above.
Standing on top of the platform, Ning Fan looked down upon everyone and pointed his finger at Wang Xiao with a contemptuous look, as if he was pointing at a dirty swine!
“The first match is over. Now, the second match begins! On this platform, I’ll accept anyone’s challenge… Wang Xiao, if you want the map, get up here and die!”
“Hmm! An impudent brat!” Wang Xiao was enraged!
This brat is too conceited. He dared to kill my subordinate Zhu Qin and even searched his soul right in front of me. He has already committed an unforgivable sin for searching the soul of a member of the True Spirit Race!
Wang Xiao wished that he could immediately dash towards the platform and tear Ning Fan to pieces with his own hands. But before he could move, three Early Divine Transformation Realm Demon Generals came to him and cupped their fists at him.”
“General, please allow us to finish this brat off in order to avenge the three deceased generals: Li Ban, Jin Qun and Zhu Qin!”
“Very well. Go ahead!” Wang Xiao’s eyes flashed with cruelty. These three experts were the last three Early Divine Transformation Realm experts he brought from the Upper World!
Translated by Tommy, edited by Roel.
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