Grasping Evil

Chapter 458: The Ghost Eye Clan Messed With The Wrong Guy

Countless thoughts were running across Ning Fan’s mind. Was the Pill Sovereign trying to teach him the basic usage of the medicine soul?

For techniques like undoing the spiritual herbs’ disguise using the medicine soul, he had already learnt it before from Xi Ran.

Everyone knows about this technique. I believe the Pill Sovereign was not just teaching me this.

Ning Fan took a few steps closer to the medicine and held the ten thousand years old human placenta in his hand. When he studied the spiritual herb closely, he made an involuntary frown.

It isn’t right. This does not look like a ten thousand years old human placenta…

Ning Fan released his dark green medicine soul. As he concentrated his medicine qi on his palm, the ten thousand years old human placenta glowed and gradually turned into a Nine Nether Orchid.

This spiritual herb’s previous lingzhi form was not its true self.

The ten thousand years old human placenta was also not its true self. Its true self was a Nine Nether Orchid!

Ning Fan suddenly had a realization.

All the spiritual herbs in this stall were indeed disguised. However, the layers of disguise they are under is definitely not just one.

This Nine Nether Orchid, for example, has disguised itself twice… Unless one has a strong enough medicine soul, they would surely think that this one was a ten thousand years old human placenta.

If the wrong spiritual herb is used to concoct the medicine, the resulting pill will have no use at all. Besides, it cannot be ascertained whether it would be poisonous or not.

As a pill refinement master, one has to be extremely cautious in selecting spiritual herbs and medicinal ingredients!

Seeing that Ning Fan seemed to have gained some insights, the Pill Sovereign nodded his head with approval. Then, he continued to say.

“The first usage of the medicine soul is to detect the disguise of a spiritual herb. Even the lowly crickets and ants cling to life through every way possible, let alone the spiritual herbs of heaven and earth. In order to protect themselves, some spiritual herbs don’t just wear a single layer of disguise. That is why you don’t ever use spiritual herbs that are beyond your medicine soul’s ability to differentiate in concocting pills. You will never know whether that spiritual herb is the thing you need or not! Next!”

When the Pill Sovereign finished what he was saying, he suddenly pointed with his finger. His black purple medicine soul turned into a ray of light and went into Ning Fan’s glabella.

Ning Fan was slightly stunned but he did not resist. He knew that the Pill Sovereign was passing some of his techniques to him. The ray of light dissolved in his Sea of Consciousness and immediately turned into a voice that spoke in his mind.

“Divination masters cultivate the Heavenly Eye. They could see through the Heavenly Dao and foresee what would happen a thousand years later. Thus, the Heavenly Eye was also called the ‘All-Seeing Eye of Heaven’¹. Formation masters cultivate the Earth Eye. They could reverse the landscape by moving mountains and filling up oceans. The Earth Eye is also called the ‘Eye of the World’². Meanwhile, pill masters cultivate the Human Eye. It allows them to discern between reality and illusion and understand another’s heart. It’s also called the ‘Eye of the Enlightened One. Without the Heavenly Eye, one cannot become a Heavenly Master; without the Earth Eye, one cannot become an Earth Master; without the Human Eye, one cannot become an Enlightened One. I will help you open your Eye of the Enlightened One. This will be my first lesson to you!”

Profound chants turned into the voice of the Great Dao which resounded in Ning Fan’s Sea of Consciousness.

He closed his eyes and acted according to the chants with full concentration. All of a sudden, he felt a sharp pain on his glabella as the skin there tore apart, revealing a vertical eye.

Within that vertical eye, rays of dazzling dark green medicine light were moving.

Ning Fan was stunned. Then, he immediately realized that the Pill Sovereign had turned his Ghost Eye, one of the four features of Mo Luo, into the Enlightened Eye.

As soon as his Human Eye was opened, it slowly concealed itself right after. It did not appear to be very obvious.

However, after his Human Eye was awakened, Ning Fan felt the vision of his two eyes greatly improving. Moreover, there was medicine qi rotating inside them, allowing them to discern the disguises of spiritual herbs.

His gaze briefly scanned across the medicine stall. His eyes shot out two rays of dark green light. They struck like lightning on the tufts of spiritual herbs that were on display.

The disguises of each of the spiritual herbs were nullified one after another. Among the hundreds of types of spiritual herbs in the medicine stall, there were only 3 tufts of one hundred thousand years old spiritual herbs that Ning Fan was unable to see through. As for the rest, he could see through their disguises including the fifty thousand years old spiritual herbs.

Ordinary Fifth Revolution Pill Masters might be able to identify the disguises of spiritual herbs by covering their eyes with medicine qi. However, how could that lowly technique rival the Human Eye?

Ning Fan took a deep breath. After nullifying the disguises of nearly all of the spiritual herbs inside the stall, he found 15 genuine ten thousand years old human placenta among them. However, he did not take them. He turned around and cupped his fists at the Pill Sovereign with deep respect.

“Senior Li, thank you for your teachings!”

“Hehe. You are a quick learner. If it wasn’t for you having already manifested the Ghost Eye the members of the Ghost Eye Clan cultivate, I would not have been able to help you awaken the Human Eye so easily. After your Human Eye was activated, the current power of your medicine soul is capable of discerning fifty thousand years old spiritual herbs. As for these ten thousand years old human placenta, take it. After that, I will teach you a ‘Battle Soul Technique’. It’s a technique that I chanced upon from an ancient book. Later, I have a gift for you as well…”

The Pill Sovereign nodded with a gentle smile, signaling to Ning Fan to take the medicinal ingredients.

Ning Fan was aware of the fact that the Pill Sovereign wanted to give him the medicinal ingredients for free. Thus, he did not reject his offer. He really needed ten thousand years old human placenta. He turned around and walked towards the medicinal ingredients.

However, before he could take away the ten thousand years old human placentas, a domineering voice of a young man suddenly sounded from outside the stall.

“Oh? I didn’t expect for a stall that a lowly Third Revolution Pill Refinement Master opened to actually have so many ten thousand years old, fifty thousand years old and one hundred thousand years old spiritual herbs! Very well! I’ll buy all of the spiritual herbs in this stall! Han Ba, empty this stall!”

“Understood!”

Outside the stall, a young man in black robes with evil-looking eyes gave a command. He spoke with an arrogant tone as if he wanted to acquire the entire medicine stall for himself without allowing anyone else to buy the medicinal ingredients here.

This young man had an Early Divine Transformation Realm cultivation base. Medicine qi was also flowing around his body. It was clear that he was a pill refinement master with above average pill refinement mastery.

As soon as he gave that order, a big hideous creature moved out from behind him. It was two zhang* (3.33m per zhang) tall and wore black armor. Its legs were dragging a set of heavy chains. He answered to the young man’s command and walked into the medicine stall with large steps. He then threw one of his ghostlike hands at Ning Fan as if he wanted to grab him and directly toss him outside.

His grip strength was already at the First Level of Golden Body Refining Realm, which was comparable to a strike at the Void Glimpse Stage!

“You can get lost now, kid! The young lord of my Ghost Eye Clan has already bought all of the spiritual herbs in this stall. They aren’t something you can touch!”

Ning Fan looked at the incoming ghostlike claw and his eyes turned grim.

The so-called young lord of the Ghost Eye Clan and the black-armored hideous creature he brought along obviously did not recognize Ning Fan.

Otherwise, with his current notoriety, how would they be so daring to mess with him.

Before the ghostlike claw reached his body, Ning Fan acted as fast as lightning and caught the wrist of the hideous creature in return. Without mercy, he grabbed his wrist and pulled ferociously. Ning Fan’s overpowering force enabled him to literally rip off the creature’s arm.

The pain was excruciating. Out of fear, the hideous creature immediately jumped out of the medicine stall. He stared at Ning Fan with terror evident in his eyes.

This scene deeply shocked the young man in black robes!

He was the dignified young lord of the Ghost Eye Clan while that hideous creature, Han Ba, was his personal bodyguard that the leader of the Ghost Eye Clan had arranged for him. Han Ba’s body refining realm was at the First Level of Golden Body Realm. His combat power was clearly strong. Even if he faces a Void Glimpse Stage old monster, he could still put up a fight without losing.

With his physical strength, the force behind a single ghost claw of his could tear apart the body of any Half-Step Void Refinement Realm cultivator.

The young man in black robes clearly saw that Ning Fan only had Half-Step Void Refinement Realm cultivation base. Logically, Han Ba should be able to get rid of him in a single move.

Unexpectedly, Ning Fan’s strength was far beyond the imagination of the young man in black robes. With just a casual and seemingly effortless move, he instantly ripped off one of Han Ba’s arms…

That young man in black robes could not believe it. Could it be that Ning Fan’s body refining realm was stronger than Han Ba’s who was at the First Level of the Golden Body Refining Realm?

Detestable! Who is he?! Even though he is just five hundred years old, he actually has such a terrifying strength! I have been staying in seclusion in the medicine tower of my clan for one hundred years without asking about the current worldly affairs. This is my first time leaving the clan. Why did I bump into such a powerful opponent?! Humph! I should find out more details about him first!

The young man in black robes gritted his teeth. Instantly, he moved a few steps backwards with the hideous creature, Han Ba, while fearfully looking at Ning Fan.

Even though he was filled with hatred after Ning Fan injured his bodyguard, he did not dare to let it show. He just cupped his fists and said with a cold voice.

“I am Gui Han, the young lord of the Ghost Eye Clan. You have impressive strength. However, you destroyed one of my bodyguard’s arms. Aren’t you prepared to give me an explanation?!”

“The young lord of the Ghost Eye Clan…” Ning Fan’s brows knitted together. He was aware of how powerful the Ghost Eye Clan was. The background of the Ghost Eye Clan was not any weaker than that of the Zhou Clan. It was not a clan that he could disregard.

Gui Han ordered his bodyguard to attack Ning Fan just now and this really displeased him. However, this place was a public area under the watchful eyes of the people around them. If Ning Fan kills the young lord of the Ghost Eye Clan right here in front of the others, it would certainly start an irreconcilable feud with the Ghost Eye Clan.

Ning Fan had yet to solve the problem in the Giant Devil Clan. Therefore, he was not willing to provoke the Ghost Eye Clan right now.

However, he definitely was not afraid of the Ghost Eye Clan. If the young lord of the Ghost Eye Clan cannot see the bigger picture, Ning Fan would not mind giving him a lesson.

“I am Zhou Ming. I have no explanation for you. Get lost!”

 The last two words he said carried a rush of frightening baleful qi that shocked all of the cultivators in all five floors of the Eternal Peace Pavilion.

Under the devil might of Ning Fan’s baleful qi, Gui Han and Han Ba felt their qi become stagnant. They were completely at a loss and their eyes were filled with shock and bewilderment.

They were not just shocked by the strength of Ning Fan’s baleful qi, but also his name.

“What?! He is Zhou Ming, the man whom my father has repeatedly warned me not to offend!” Gui Han gnashed his teeth. After knowing Ning Fan’s name, his anger was smothered unconsciously.

In the Ghost Eye Clan, he was a respectable personage. No one had ever told him to get lost.

At this moment, however, he was deeply afraid of Ning Fan’s devil might. He could not help but do what he said. His instincts told him that if he continues to be ignorant and refuses to comply, Ning Fan would directly finish him off!

Detestable! It’s truly detestable! Could it be that Han Ba will lose one of his arms for nothing today? Am I really going to swallow down this embarrassment like this?

“Young Lord, the situation is not favorable to us. We should put up with it for the moment. When we have a chance in the future, it’s not too late to seek revenge again!” With a gloomy expression, Han Ba told Gui Han through telepathy.

“Fine!”

Gui Han let out a cold snort. With Han Ba by his side, they turned around to leave.

A hint of cold light flickered across his eyes. He did not place that Gui Han in his eyes at all. If the latter dares to provoke him again, he would certainly kill him the next time.

Even though Ning Fan did not take any further action, it did not mean that Gui Han and his bodyguard could walk away as they wished.

The Pill Sovereign narrowed his eyes. His expression turned cold. He might have always been generous and forgiving, but when someone tried to harm the disciple of his old friend, he was not going to just sit back and watch.

“Did I allow you two to walk away? You have caused trouble in my medicine stall. Do you really think it’s appropriate to leave like this without paying a price?”

“What?!”

Both Gui Han and Han Ba stopped. They turned around and stared at the Pill Sovereign coldly. Killing intent filled their eyes.

“Interesting! Very interesting! It’s still acceptable for me to back off when Zhou Ming stood against us. Now, a mere Nascent Soul Realm pill refinement master actually dares to be rude towards me! Who are you?! Do you really think you deserve to make me pay? Humph! You’re absolutely courting death! Han Ba, kill him!”

“Understood!”

Han Ba’s eyes turned ferocious. He looked like he wanted to vent out all of his pent-up anger on the old Daoist in front of him after being injured by Ning Fan.

In his eyes, a single finger of his would be enough to crush countless Nascent Soul Realm cultivators. Hence, when facing this Nascent Soul Realm old Daoist, he naturally did not put him in his eyes.

Unfortunately, Han Ba did not realize at all that the person he was going to offend this time was much scarier than Ning Fan.

The Pill Sovereign darted a glance at Ning Fan and spoke indifferently.

“Now, I will teach you a Battle Soul Technique… Soul Hand Imprint!”

All of a sudden, an enormous force from the black purple medicine soul was released from the Pill Sovereign’s body like a fierce blast of wind. It formed into a massive black purple palm imprint which slammed directly onto Han Ba.

*Bang*

Before delivering the palm imprint, the force of the palm was as light as a goose feather. However, when the palm imprint hit Han Ba, it became as heavy as Mount Tai. That strike had literally turned Han Ba into meat paste, killing him instantaneously.

The control of the force of the palm imprint was extremely profound. Not a single ounce of force was wasted as the palm imprint immediately disappeared after smashing Han Ba into paste. That strike did not cause any damage in the Eternal Peace Pavilion at all.

The palm imprint that the Pill Sovereign displayed startled countless cultivators. Those with discerning eyes were able to see how terrifying the destructive power behind that attack. That was clearly the destructive power of a Void Fragmentation Realm attack!

Those cultivators who were quite sharp-witted had even noticed that no magic power or spirit sense was used to deliver this strike. Instead, the palm imprint was condensed using a medicine soul that only pill refinement masters had. It killed without splattering blood. It was the unique Battle Soul Technique that the Pill Sovereign of the Rain World had!

A Battle Soul! Engaging in battle using the medicine soul is what a Battle Soul is!

The ease in killing a Void Glimpse Stage cultivator with a palm imprint and the black purple medicine soul of the peak Sixth Revolution were both characteristics of the Pill Sovereign.

It would be impossible for anyone including cultivators who had been secluding themselves from the world for one hundred years like Gui Han to not recognize who the old Daoist was.

“P-Pill Sovereign! This old Daoist is actually the Pill Sovereign of the Rain World! It’s still somewhat acceptable to have offended someone like Zhou Ming. However, I actually provoked someone with such an esteemed identity! I’ve invited a huge disaster to the Ghost Eye Clan!”

Gui Han fell on his knees with a thud and kowtowed to beg for mercy.

Even though he was a haughty and arrogant person, he was deeply aware that the Pill Sovereign was not someone he was capable of provoking… Regarding Han Ba who died under the palm imprint of the Pill Sovereign, he did not dare to make any complaints about it at all.

This time, he was really doomed…

“Tell You Guihou! Zhou Ming is half a disciple to me. I won’t interfere in the grudges between the Ghost Eye Clan and the Zhou Clan. However, if the Ghost Eye Clan dares to harm my disciple, I will definitely wipe out your entire clan!”

*Sucks in cold breath*

The Pill Sovereign’s cold menacing voice reverberated across the entire Cold Northern Country, covering seventy million li* (500m per li). His forceful Void Fragmentation Realm aura force enveloped the whole area.

At this moment, countless cultivators suddenly raised their heads. All of them were in disbelief!

What had they just heard? The Pill Sovereign, Li Cangtian, was actually in Cold Northern Country?! Moreover, he even gave a death threat to the Ghost Eye Clan to seek full protection for Ning Fan?!

Within the broken realm of Ju Mo, the eight ancestors of the Giant Devil Clan were all shocked and confused.

“The Pill Sovereign! Why did he come to my Giant Devil Clan?!”

Even though he was just giving the Ghost Eye Clan a piece of his mind, it revealed the Pill Sovereign’s determination to protect Ning Fan.

This determination was different from the feeling Ning Fan felt from the Rain Palace that was only using him or the Zhou Clan who merely regarded him as a friend. The words that the Pill Sovereign had just said implied that he considers Ning Fan as his reverse scale.

Explicitly, it meant no one could touch Ning Fan!

This command was even more intimidating than Yun Tianjue. Yun Tianjue had just expressed some goodwill to Ning Fan. The Pill Sovereign, on the other hand, had directly announced Ning Fan as his half-disciple.

Whoever harms the disciple of the Pill Sovereign shall face death!

From today onwards, even the Void Fragmentation Realm experts of the Rain World would not dare to lay a finger on Ning Fan.

Of course, those who were shrewd had also taken notice of the name, You Guihou, from the Pill Sovereign’s words.

You Guihou… Wasn’t he the Void Fragmentation Realm expert that was restrained by the Thunder Sovereign ten thousand years ago…? Could it be that he didn’t die in the past?

Countless cultivators swarmed towards the Eternal Peace Pavilion, hoping to witness the impressiveness of the Pill Sovereign and form a relationship with him.

The Pill Sovereign frowned lightly. He did not like these cultivators who fawned on the strong and powerful.

With a flick of his sleeve, a black purple medicine soul extended, carrying Ning Fan and all the spiritual herbs in his stall and disappeared without leaving a trace.

On their original location, only the innumerable cultivators who were spectating that incident earlier and Gui Han who was kneeling on the ground were left.

At this moment, Gui Han was terribly frightened. He no longer had the slightest hint of arrogance that he used to have whenever he acted as a young lord in his normal days.

He’s doomed. He’s completely finished… He not only offended Ning Fan but also the great Pill Sovereign…

If his father finds out about this, he would definitely skin him!

“Why?! Why is this Zhou Ming blessed with such good luck? Why could he become half a disciple of the Pill Sovereign and gain his protection and teachings?!”

At this moment, Gui Han was extremely resentful and jealous of Ning Fan. However, he had no guts to offend Ning Fan anymore, let alone take revenge on him.

Even if he were to die, he still would not touch Ning Fan no matter what. Otherwise, the Pill Sovereign would flatten the Ghost Eye Clan!

…

On the peak of a desolate snow mountain, a ray of dark purple light flashed. The Pill Sovereign and Ning Fan appeared one after another.

“Thank you for giving me a hand, Senior!”

The gratitude Ning Fan had for the Pill Sovereign was from the depths of his heart.

He had been seeking all kinds of protection, not for himself but for the women behind him.

With the words the Pill Sovereign announced to the world today, not to mention the Ghost Eye Clan, all forces in the entire Rain World would not dare to harbor enmity against Ning Fan.

Yun Tianjue’s notoriety might be above the Pill Sovereign’s reputation. However, one should not forget that the Pill Sovereign was a pill refinement master who was close to attaining the Seventh Revolution pill refinement realm.

Let alone the Void Fragmentation Realm experts of the Rain World, even the Void Fragmentation Realm experts from other worlds in the Nine Worlds would have to pay homage to the Pill Sovereign. If the Pill Sovereign were to really be angered, he could get help from countless experts who are willing to fight for him.

“Hehe. It’s just a small matter…” The Pill Sovereign waved his hand, thinking that Ning Fan’s appreciation was not necessary. However, his expression turned solemn after a few moments and questioned Ning Fan like a teacher.

“Did you get a good look on the Soul Hand Imprint that I used just now?”

“Yes, I did.” Ning Fan nodded. The dark green medicine soul within his body suddenly glowed brightly and exuded from his body in innumerable traces, forming into a gigantic dark green palm imprint. Then, with Ning Fan’s command, it slammed onto a snow mountain located far away with great force.

A single palm imprint was comparable to a Late Divine Transformation Realm attack and was capable of destroying a mountain.

“Not bad. You really have excellent innate talent. Old Man Han’s foresight is always sharper than most people…”

The Pill Sovereign let out a sigh. It seemed like he really felt it was rather unfortunate that he could not keep Ning Fan as his true disciple.

He shook his head and then continued speaking.

“Long ago, I obtained an ancient book called the Heavenly Dipper Imprint. It contains the thirty-six styles of Soul Hand Imprint. It is a combat method which uses one’s medicine soul and this method is called ‘Battle Soul Technique’.

“You have a lot of magic techniques and might not need a technique like the Battle Soul Technique for your battles. The reason why I’m teaching you this technique isn’t to take the lives of others but to protect yourself. When a pill refinement master is concocting pills, one must focus their magic power and spirit sense on refining the pills. They can’t move their bodies easily. This Battle Soul Technique was created by some pill refinement masters in ancient times. When they were concocting pills, they used this technique to protect themselves from being harmed by their enemies who sneaked up on them. If someone caught you by surprise when you are concocting pills, you can directly condense a palm imprint using your medicine soul and nullify their attacks.”

“Thank you for your teachings, Senior!”

Ning Fan nodded. Just as what the Pill Sovereign had just said, when a pill refinement master is concocting pills, how to protect themselves from danger is an important matter.

It would be impossible for Ning Fan to hide in a deserted place every time he concocts pills. It would also be impossible for him to rely on the spiritual puppets to protect him all the time.

Just like the Pill Ceremony that was going to be held, every participant would be concocting pills in public view. There would be all kinds of people around. If someone tries to attack Ning Fan while he is concocting pills, he would not need to split his magic power and spirit sense to block against the attacks as he could directly defend himself by forming a palm imprint using his medicine soul.

This was a self-protection technique that was the most suitable when one is concocting pills.

Today, the Pill Sovereign had not only helped Ning Fan awaken his Human Eye that enhanced his ability in discerning spiritual herbs, but also passed the Heavenly Dipper Imprint to him which he could use to protect himself when concocting pills.

Other than these, the Pill Sovereign was also going to give Ning Fan a gift.

The Pill Sovereign stretched his five fingers wide. Traces of vigorous but gentle and nourishing Divine Intent of Wood gradually condensed into a large green wooden cauldron. It sat on the peak of the snow mountain.

The Pill Sovereign condensed this huge green wooden cauldron using his divine intent.

This huge cauldron had been with him for countless years in his pill refinement. It was filled with thick and dense medicine qi.

“Ning Fan, I promised your master that I will give you three lessons on pill refinement. All of the teachings that I have passed on to you today is only considered one lesson. I’ve helped you awaken your Human Eye and taught you the Heavenly Dipper Imprint. Now, I want to give you a good fortune… There is only less than one month before the first round of the Pill Ceremony begins. During this period of time, I want to pave the path for your ascension to Sixth Revolution of pill refinement mastery! Hehe. Are you willing to accept my kind intentions…?”

“This junior is more than willing!” Ning Fan answered directly without hesitation.

“Very well! This is the ‘Divine Wood Grand Cauldron’. It is a cauldron condensed out of divine intent. It has accumulated a thick amount of medicine qi after I used it to concoct pills countless times. I allow you to absorb the medicine qi within it to nourish your medicine soul. The more medicine qi you absorb, the more your medicine soul will improve.”

“Of course, I’m not only hoping for you to absorb the medicine qi. I also hope that you can comprehend your own ‘natal pill cauldron’ from mine. I can see that you have yet to really condense your very own natal pill cauldron because you never had a proper teacher to teach you in the past. I’m really surprised that you were able to develop your Dao of Pills up to this level on your own.”

“I also have two ‘Min Luo Fruit’ with me here. By consuming them both, you can enter into a dream realm for one hundred years. Later, I will guide you in the dream realm through one hundred years of cultivation.”

“This is my first time being serious in teaching a junior. I hope you will appreciate this chance.”

The Pill Sovereign spoke earnestly.

“This junior will certainly not disappoint you, Senior.”

Ning Fan cupped his fists to express his gratitude and walked towards the large green wooden cauldron. Meanwhile, the Pill Sovereign’s guidance echoed.

“Place your palms on the body of the cauldron. Open up your medicine soul and absorb the medicine qi within. With the power of your High Grade Fifth Revolution medicine soul, you can already be considered outstanding if you are able to absorb one-tenth of the medicine qi.”

“One-tenth…” Ning Fan’s eyes were filled with fighting spirit. He wanted to absorb more than that and improve his medicine soul to the Peak Fifth Revolution in a single attempt!