Grasping the Evil-Chapter 991: Fate’s End

In an instant, day and night alternated, Yin and Yang reversed, and on the Twelve Stars of Donglai, the climate turned chaotic between spring and autumn. Above Mount Zhaoyao, the weather grew colder, as if entering a frosty winter. Moreover, there was the rumbling sound of winter thunder, echoing with the mournful cries of ancient apes.

In the starry sky, countless cracks of lightning appeared at that moment. Those cracks interwoven and connected, surprisingly forming an ancient thunder diagram of White Ape Controlling Thunder beneath the feet of Great Emperor Chonghe!

Great Emperor Chonghe stood on the thunder diagram expressionlessly, as if at this moment, he was the king among lightning!

On Mount Zhaoyao, anyone with divine skills of lightning felt their spirit trembling, just like all those who cultivate lightning skills in the world, feeling utterly insignificant before this thunder diagram! One after another, their eyes were filled with shock, then fervor!

"I never knew that our ancestral master was capable of lightning divine skills! This skill is so powerful, it seems to suppress all lightning!"

"It’s rumored that the ancestral master is versed in the divine skills of ancient and modern Daoism, able to imitate some... This thunder diagram skill is somewhat similar to the Tai Su Lightning Diagram described in ancient texts. Could it be that the ancestral master imitated and created this skill based on the Tai Su Lightning Diagram!"

The speculations of the cultivators were not wrong. This divine skill of Great Emperor Chonghe was indeed an imitation of Lightning Emperor Tai Su, combined with his own creation!

Ning Fan, as the successor of Tai Su Lightning Star, naturally could sense the similarities and differences between the thunder diagram before him and the Tai Su Lightning Diagram.

Very similar, extremely similar, but ultimately not the genuine Tai Su Lightning Diagram. Its power is much weaker than the authentic one and has many flaws...

"Yuan Magnet Yin Thunder Seal, collect!"

Great Emperor Chonghe shouted in a deep voice, and the thunder diagram under his feet immediately extended wildly towards the starry sky where Ning Fan was located. Ning Fan’s gaze flickered, instantly retreating. Though his retreat was swift, the speed of the thunder diagram’s onslaught was even faster. In the blink of an eye, it reached beneath Ning Fan’s feet. Suddenly, an indescribable suction force emanated from the diagram, transforming into overwhelming thunder light that engulfed Ning Fan. With Great Emperor Chonghe’s cultivation, Ning Fan was unable to resist such a suction force of thunder light and was directly absorbed into the thunder diagram.

In one move, Ning Fan was subdued!

Great Emperor Chonghe bent his palm for a retrieval gesture, and the thunder diagram that filled the starry sky instantly transformed into a ray of thunder light, flying into his palm, becoming a thunderbolt scroll three feet long. Great Emperor Chonghe slowly rolled it up, his expression still indifferent, as if subduing Ning Fan was just a trivial matter.

The entire Mount Zhaoyao erupted in excitement!

The ancestral master’s action was indeed extraordinary! This is the power of an Immortal Emperor, a strength distinctly different from Immortal Venerables and Immortal Kings!

Despite Rain Monarch’s toughness, unable to subdue the Two Kings and Six Venerables, yet how is it any different in front of an Immortal Emperor, unable to last a single move!

For a moment, cheering filled Mount Zhaoyao, yet there were also concerns that the ancestor might have harmed Ning Fan, causing catastrophe to Mount Zhaoyao.

"It’s rumored that the lightning diagram of Lightning Emperor Tai Su, in its absorption and release, could turn the cultivators absorbed into the diagram into ashes... If the ancestor’s diagram was imitated from the Tai Su Lightning Diagram, I wonder if it would have such terrifying destructive power... With Ancient Chaos Great Emperor yet to be defeated, killing Ning Fan would be unwise..."

However, reality proved these concerns to be unnecessary.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

Great Emperor Chonghe slightly closed his eyes, seemingly waiting, and when the twelfth breath arrived, he suddenly opened his eyes. In the very next moment, the thunder diagram in his palm exploded with a bang, shattering into pieces, the entire starry sky erupted with fragmented thunder light.

As the thunder diagram shattered, a golden light shot out and landed a hundred feet away—it was Ning Fan!

Ning Fan, completely unharmed!

The whole of Mount Zhaoyao was filled with the sound of gasping in shock!

"This child actually blocked Master’s divine skill completely unharmed! Is he truly the Eternal Immortal Venerable!"

"Even the Flying Thunder Immortal King couldn’t achieve this!"

"How could this child be so formidable to this extent!"

What the cultivators didn’t know was that the imitation thunder diagram was powerful due to its imitation of the Tai Su Lightning Diagram, but this was also its weakness. For others, once trapped in this diagram, it’s extremely difficult to escape. But for Tai Su’s successor Ning Fan, this imitation thunder diagram was full of flaws, easily finding a weak point, utilizing Tai Su Lightning Diagram to break through, absorbing the entire lightning power of the imitation thunder diagram, and escape forcefully!

Without using the power of God-Extinguishing Shield, Ning Fan could escape from this diagram!

This diagram couldn’t seal him, nor could it kill him! But there was one thing that made Ning Fan serious...

From the Thunder Star at Ning Fan’s brow, an overwhelmingly cold sensation constantly emerged... Having forcibly absorbed the lightning power of the imitation thunder diagram and escaped, the absorbed lightning power contained a difficult to seal icy thunderbolt, exuding an almost massive thunder might!

What thunderbolt is this!

Though only a single one in quantity, the contained lightning power was almost massive, even pure beyond imagination. If used to cultivate Thunder Yin-Yang, it’d be an invaluable resource, comparable to Jianmu’s Essence! Unfortunately, the quantity is too limited, if there were over a hundred, Ning Fan might truly be able to cultivate Thunder Yin-Yang using this!

What moved Ning Fan more was that, with his Calamity Blood cultivation combined with Tai Su Lightning Star, he couldn’t fully suppress this mere single thunderbolt, showing signs of possibly escaping his brow! This, unexpectedly, was a mysterious thunderbolt even Tai Su Lightning Star couldn’t completely suppress!

Unexpectedly, after escaping from the suppression of Great Emperor Chonghe’s thunder diagram, he could gain such a mysterious Yin Thunder...

However, in this moment, Ning Fan’s heart suddenly felt an odd sensation, which grew stronger upon meeting the calm, unfathomable gaze of the Great Emperor Chonghe.

Is all of this too coincidental...

Could it be...

That the Great Emperor Chonghe doesn’t truly intend to kill him; everything was orchestrated by Emperor Chonghe...

"This emperor deliberately used a counterfeit Thunder Diagram supernatural power to suppress me. Is it possible that he saw through my identity as the inheritor of Tai Su and deliberately gave me the chance to break free from this diagram’s seal? Legends claim that Great Emperor Chonghe excels at mimicking the supernatural powers of many, and has created countless supernatural powers himself. This imitation Thunder Diagram is not his strongest technique nor his usual method, yet he used it. Saying it is a coincidence would be less fitting than suggesting there’s more intentionality..."

"Did this emperor know from the beginning that I was Tai Su’s inheritor, or did he discover it during our confrontation..."

"Was this Dark Thunder deliberately inserted into the Thunder Diagram for me to take away? Or perhaps the Thunder Diagram was intentional, and the Dark Thunder was coincidental..."

Ning Fan’s mind was racing, considering multiple possibilities in an instant.

One possibility is that Chonghe Great Emperor fears the terrifying reputation of the Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor, and inwardly dares not make a move against him. Yet, Ning Fan forced his way into Mount Zaoyao, tarnishing its dignity. Thus, to save face, the Great Emperor Chonghe was compelled to act, though his vigor appeared thorough, he still left a chance for Ning Fan, using the most likely supernatural power for escape to suppress him...

Another possibility is that Great Emperor Chonghe has another scheme, seamlessly connected through the Thunder Diagram and Dark Thunder, serving another purpose...

Ning Fan leaned towards the latter.

Because Great Emperor Chonghe’s gaze is truly unfathomable, it isn’t due to profound cultivation, but his inscrutable schemes...

This is an Eastern Heaven Great Emperor, whose cultivation might only be at the Sixth Calamity, but whose eyes reveal a deeply ingrained arrogance and domineering nature, showing no fear of Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor!

This old monster has lived from ancient times to today, his actions definitely domineering, yet he survives till this day, which speaks volumes. Often, those who live the longest aren’t the ones with the highest cultivation. But if he survives long, there must be something extraordinary about him...

"Rain Immortal Monarch, truly extraordinary, able to withstand one technique from me. After today, few among Eastern Heaven’s Immortal King cultivators would dare to underestimate you! Flying Thunder, retrieve the Flash Thunder Mirror and return it to Rain Monarch!"

Great Emperor Chonghe ordered coldly, still showing no signs of emotion.

The Flying Thunder Immortal King dared not delay, though reluctant to part with the Flash Thunder Mirror, at this moment he could only grit his teeth and return it to Ning Fan.

The third Flash Thunder Mirror, acquired!

Mist Serpent and Thunder Fish were injured by Ning Fan and felt indignant, wanting to seek their ancestor’s support but were intimidated into silence by a mere glance from Great Emperor Chonghe.

That glance was a warning! Since he promised Ning Fan that if Ning Fan could endure one technique, he could leave with the Flash Thunder Mirror, the matter ends here, and no one could disobey his orders, expanding the situation further!

Other matters are trivial, only his orders are absolute!

"Rain Monarch’s goal has been achieved, now quickly leave Mount Zaoyao! Our cultivators at Mount Zaoyao do not welcome your presence! Oh, by the way, pass a message to Ancient Chaos: ’The tall tree in the forest is the first to be destroyed by the wind, the ape hidden in the mountain has the longest lifespan. Hehe, back then, the Immortal Emperor looked down on me, yet it seems I lived longer than you, the Immortal Emperor’s judgment was somewhat lacking...’"

Great Emperor Chonghe chuckled, though his smile seemed peaceful, Ning Fan sensed a mocking tone...

Ning Fan frowned slightly, could it be that Great Emperor Chonghe knows the Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor and is such a figure from long ago? But judging by his tone, this emperor doesn’t seem to have a good relationship with Ancient Chaos...

The Immortal Emperor in Great Emperor Chonghe’s words, is it the Purple Dou Immortal Sovereign?

Ning Fan didn’t intend to be a messenger, if it were kind words, he wouldn’t mind delivering them, but for mocking words like this, he wouldn’t relay them, fearing it might irritate Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor...

"Since Senior is seeing the guests off, the junior won’t stay any longer..."

Ning Fan’s tone paused slightly.

He managed to retrieve the Flash Thunder Mirror, due to Great Emperor Chonghe’s odd attitude, Mount Zaoyao surprisingly didn’t completely break off with Ning Fan, an outcome that exceeded Ning Fan’s expectations.

The only discomfort Ning Fan felt was from the mysterious Dark Thunder within the center of his brow...

Breaking through the Thunder Diagram, retrieving the Dark Thunder... for some reason, Ning Fan always felt as though he’d fallen into Great Emperor Chonghe’s trap.

This Dark Thunder is excellent, although not abundant, it can nevertheless accelerate the cultivation progress of Thunder Yin-Yang. But if there’s another scheme within this Dark Thunder...

During Ning Fan’s primitive journey, he was schemed against by Sparrow God Kidd, Yin Mo, and in just a hundred years, his approach became much more cautious. It’s not that easy to scheme against him!

"...But before leaving, there’s something that must be returned to Senior!"

With that, Ning Fan suddenly pointed at the center of his brow, extracting a Dark Thunder, and casually tossed it back to the Great Emperor Chonghe.

The entire Zhaoyao Mountain was suddenly enveloped in exclamations of shock! Anyone with eyes could see that the Yin Thunder was no ordinary object; it was something valuable indeed! They couldn’t understand why Ning Fan suddenly withdrew this thunder and handed it to the Great Emperor Chong He... Could this Yin Thunder be a compensation Ning Old Monster offered out of fear of Zhaoyao Mountain’s mighty name? Yet Ning Fan called it a return; could it be that this item originally belonged to the Great Emperor Chong He, but then how did it end up in Ning Fan’s possession...

"Farewell!"

Ning Fan slightly cupped his hands toward the Great Emperor Chong He and transformed into a streak of golden light, departing.

The Great Emperor Chong He still showed no emotion, only giving a sinister sneer long after Ning Fan had left.

"Quite a cautious lad; if you had dared to seize this thunder, heh heh... it’s a pity, a real pity... Like Ancient Chaos back then, being cautious allowed him to take away what should have been my Luotian Dao Fruit, thus his Dao was complete... Ancient Chaos wasn’t stupid, and his disciple is equally not stupid... Forget it, if I can’t scheme for the Primordial Magnetic Yin Thunder against this boy, there are other opportunities... or maybe I can wait for Elder Yuan Dan to make a move and then reap the benefits..."

...

As Ning Fan made his way out of the Donglai Star Domain, he finally shook off the feeling of being schemed against.

The trip to Zhaoyao Mountain revealed a glimpse of the mystery surrounding the Emperors of the Eastern Heaven for Ning Fan.

He witnessed Senluo single-handedly battling multiple emperors, was possessed by the Eye Orb Monster, fought against Yin Mo, and even saved many Immortal Emperors, which, unbeknownst to him, imbued a sense of pride, his broadened horizons led him to gradually begin to underestimate the existence of Immortal Emperors...

Facts proved that even Immortal Emperors like the Great Emperor Chong He of the Eternal Sixth Calamity were not to be underestimated. The level difference between Immortal Emperors, Immortal Venerables, and Immortal Kings was significant...

In terms of cultivation level, the Great Emperor Chong He was only marginally stronger than a Pinnacle Immortal King, yet even that tenuous margin could hardly be crossed or ignored. Even Senluo prepared extensively by acquiring the Power of the Sands of Time before daring to provoke the Eastern Heaven and oppose the Emperors there...

"I can’t see through this Chong He... whatever, I’ve retrieved the Mirror of Flash Thunder, let’s return to Jilei Palace first."

Heading back to Jilei Palace didn’t take Ning Fan much time. He had stirred up quite a sensation at Zhaoyao Mountain, but it would take some time for the news to spread throughout the Eastern Heaven.

Therefore, when Ning Fan returned to Jilei Palace, Lan Xiaoqian and the other three women had no idea about the commotion he had caused at Zhaoyao Mountain, believing he resolved the matter peacefully as taught by them.

"The outside world says the Rain Monarch acts recklessly. The four of us sisters were worried that the Rain Monarch might cause trouble at Zhaoyao Mountain, but now it seems we were worried for nothing. When necessary, the Rain Monarch can indeed endure. The Two Kings and Six Venerables of Zhaoyao Mountain must have wronged you quite a bit. We are sorry for letting the great Rain Monarch suffer grievances on behalf of us four sisters..."

Lan Xiaoqian and the other women bowed gracefully, full of gratitude.

Ning Fan had no way to explain.

At Zhaoyao Mountain, he didn’t seem to suffer any grievances; rather, he severely injured the two Immortal Venerables, Mist Serpent and Thunder Fish...

If anything, it seemed Mist Serpent and Thunder Fish were the ones more aggrieved...

"With the Mirror of Flash Thunder, the Palace Master can proceed to the final stage of Thunder Body evolution, though even with the protection of the Mirror of Flash Thunder, the risk remains great..."

The four women appeared deeply worried.

Xian Luoli was carefree, consuming various thunder fruits to replenish the constantly depleting thunder power in her body.

Ning Fan was similarly concerned about Xian Luoli’s Thunder Body evolution.

Thus, in the following days, Ning Fan almost every day accompanied the four women in overseeing Xian Luoli’s Thunder Body evolution.

The location of the Thunder Body evolution was the forbidden area of Jilei Palace—Flash Thunder Pool!

Flash Thunder Pool was a forbidden area established by the founder of Jilei Palace, created using Four Directions Immortal Material to refine a pool capable of condensing thunder into water. Hence, the water in the pool was entirely transformed thunder.

This thunder-transformed pool water was extremely potent: if a cultivator below the Immortal Venerable level entered the pool, they would be blasted into ashes by the pool water, simply unable to withstand the thunder power within!

This highlighted the disparity in cultivation levels between individuals!

When Lan Xiaoqian and the others entered Flash Thunder Pool, they had to be extremely cautious and were unable to approach within a thousand zhang of the center of the pool.

Ning Fan was significantly better in this regard: based solely on his Calamity Blood cultivation, he could venture within five hundred zhang of the pool’s center. If leveraging the power of Tai Su Lightning Diagram, he could reach a distance of two hundred zhang from the center.

Two hundred zhang was a distance even ordinary Immortal Kings couldn’t reach!

If protected by the God-Extinguishing Shield’s golden light, Ning Fan could enter the center of Flash Thunder Pool, completely unscathed!

Bear in mind, the thunder power at the center of Flash Thunder Pool was unbearable even for some Great Emperors of the Sixth Calamity! Ning Fan’s ability to enter the center of Flash Thunder Pool left the four women utterly astounded... It seemed they had underestimated Ning Fan all along...

Regrettably, Xian Luoli was even more formidable than Ning Fan.

At her peak, she was a dignified Seven Tribulations Immortal Emperor. Although not at the ruling position, her life was one of cultivating with thunder, and because of her Thunder Body physique, she dared to swallow lightning as if eating candy effortlessly.

She made her way to the center of Flash Thunder Pool, not deliberately resisting the thunder, letting the thunder within the pool water temper her tender skin, comfortably calling it enjoyable.

She entered Flash Thunder Pool bare, unlike Ning Fan and the four women...

She disrobed on her own because she wanted to bathe and play in the pool water of Flash Thunder Pool...

"Daddy, aren’t you going to take off your clothes?"

"No. Thunder Body evolution doesn’t require undressing. Put your clothes back on immediately! It’s not appropriate to be naked..." Ning Fan’s forehead was covered in black lines.

"What’s wrong! Is it because Daddy thinks Xianxian’s bare bottom isn’t pretty..." Xian Luoli appeared deeply hurt, pouting her little bottom.

"..." Ning Fan was speechless. How should he respond: praise his own daughter’s pretty bottom?

"Indeed, Daddy thinks Xianxian’s bottom is ugly..." Xian Luoli seemed even more hurt.

"..." Silence, silence, more silence.

"Hmph! I won’t wear clothes; I love being bare-bottomed. Others can’t see even if they wanted; I’m only showing Daddy!"

"..." Alright, as you wish; after all, you’re just a little girl.

"Hehe, Daddy, do you want to see other places..." Xian Luoli cupped her little chest, slightly spread her legs...

"Continue messing around, and I’ll leave, letting you evolve your Thunder Body alone!" Ning Fan rubbed his forehead, helpless.

Xian Luoli stuck out her tongue and finally stopped being mischievous. She was genuinely afraid Ning Fan would leave her, and being alone in the center of Flash Thunder Pool would scare her. Fear drove her to act out-of-line, attracting Daddy’s attention...

This Flash Thunder Pool didn’t hold good memories for her. She seemed to have been here many times, and each time, she suffered a lot...

"Daddy, once my Thunder Body evolution is complete, and I become powerful, I’ll go and help Daddy beat up the bad guys!" Only when thinking about this did Xian Luoli regain her courage for Thunder Body evolution.

She needed to become stronger, she needed to protect Daddy!

"Alright, I’m counting on Xianxian to help me defeat the bad guys."

Ning Fan patted Xian Luoli’s head, sending spirit sense to the four women a thousand zhang away.

Then, it was the four women’s turn to activate the Thunder Flashing Tri-Mirror at the periphery to protect Xian Luoli, while Ning Fan stayed close to Xian Luoli. If anything seemed amiss, he’d immediately take her out of the Thunder Pool.

According to the four women, during Xian Luoli’s last Thunder Body evolution, she failed and was injured by the thunder power in the Flash Thunder Pool, causing her to regress from adulthood to a child...

This time, with Ning Fan’s protection, things should be significantly better...

Thus began the lengthy Thunder Body evolution.

The evolution lasted a full three months.

The first month, everything proceeded smoothly.

In the second month, Xian Luoli’s entire body began turning red, unable to withstand the thunder power here.

By the third month, the Thunder Body evolution failed!

The evolution of the Nine Revolutions Thunder Body was inherently difficult, and no one expected Xian Luoli to succeed on the first attempt.

Even with prior mental preparation, personally witnessing Xian Luoli’s evolution failure and her turning pale, coughing up blood, Ning Fan’s heart tightened as if someone had fiercely yanked it.

"Daddy, it hurts; everything hurts..."

"..."

Ning Fan didn’t know what to say or how to comfort this little girl.

Furthermore, time was scarce for him to indulge in wild thoughts. As Xian Luoli’s Thunder Body evolution failed, the thunder power of the entire Flash Thunder Pool suddenly became tumultuous, forming a thunderstorm centered on Flash Thunder Pool!

Ning Fan and Xian Luoli were at the center of that thunderstorm, while Lan Xiaoqian and the others were outside it. One blast from the storm made them cough up blood and sent them flying out of Flash Thunder Pool, leaving their delicate faces pale.

Last time, the Palace Master was swept out of Jilei Palace by this thunderstorm and went missing!

This time...

Back then, even with Lan Yunxian’s cultivation at the peak of seven tribulations, he still suffered serious injury under this thunderstorm. Now, Ning Fan is staying at the center of this storm, how could he not realize its horror.

No holding back, not an ounce must be spared, otherwise the storm won’t be contained!

Ning Fan did not hesitate, he swiftly picked up the frail Xian Luoli, instantly transformed into the complete form of the God-Slaying Giant, sheltering both Xian Luoli and himself within the giant’s body!

The God-Slaying Giant charged forward, wielding a shield in both hands, rushed out from the center of the storm, directly out of the Flash Thunder Pool.

Unscathed!

Lan Xiaoqian and the others were dumbfounded.

Even a Great Emperor of ancient seven tribulations couldn’t remain unharmed under this storm, but Ning Fan could!

This golden-armored gigantic body, what kind of divine skill is it, such terrifying defensive strength, it’s unheard of...

"Today, you saw nothing, understand?"

Ning Fan dismissed the golden-armored gigantic body, instructed the four women, clearly unwilling to explain much about the giant.

He just looked tenderly at the frail Xian Luoli in his arms.

The evolution of the Nine Revolutions Thunder Body, the hardest is the ninth revolution, even with the protection of the Flash Thunder Mirror, even with Ning Fan’s rescue, Xian Luoli still suffered severe backlash...

"Daddy, Xianxian wants to become strong, wants to help you fight the bad guys..." Xian Luoli weakly said.

"..."

Ning Fan was silent.

Cultivation itself is laden with hardships and dangers, trading life for advancement is never wrong in Ning Fan’s view, after all, without sacrifice, there is no gain, without effort, there are no rewards.

If it were him, personally, he wouldn’t find it improper, but watching Xian Luoli walk through the gates of hell, he found it hard to accept...

"Thank heavens, though the Palace Master failed to evolve, it didn’t affect the foundation...without the Thunder King Seal, yet still safeguarded the foundation, truly rare..." The four women were relieved.

Yet Ning Fan’s heart remained heavy.

For the months following, Xian Luoli was healing, every day, Ning Fan crafted delicious pills for Xian Luoli. Saying crafted might be inaccurate, he merely coated high-quality pills obtained from the Fourth Revolution Dan Refinement Master with syrup, making them into sweet pills.

"Rain Monarch truly cares for the Palace Master..." Lan Xiaoqian and the others were secretly amazed.

If not for Xian Luoli’s current lack of mature features, the four women almost thought Ning Fan’s attentiveness was due to Xian Luoli’s beauty.

With Ning Fan’s care, Xian Luoli’s wounds gradually healed, then once again entered the Flash Thunder Pool, seeking Thunder Body evolution.

And yet, another failure...

This time, the resulting storm was even greater than before, even with the protection of the God-Extinguishing Shield, Ning Fan almost couldn’t protect Xian Luoli!

According to the four women, in the evolution of the Nine Revolutions Thunder Body, each failure leads to increasingly intense storms.

This is not a matter where failure can be endless!

"Unless guarded by the Thunder King Seal, which prevents storms from descending... alas..." The four women sighed dejectedly.

If there were the Thunder King Seal, not only could evolution proceed unharmed, but the success rate of Thunder Body evolution would greatly increase.

Such a treasure of innate mid-grade level, rare even across the whole Eastern Heaven... Alas, it was taken by Senluo...

"The Palace Master has already remarkably achieved the eighth revolution of Thunder Body evolution from her own efforts, yet the ninth revolution, could it truly be insurmountable..."

Ning Fan didn’t interrupt, just silently wrapped pills in syrup, handing them to Xian Luoli to eat.

Another few months passed, Xian Luoli’s wounds healed, for the third time, she walked into the Flash Thunder Pool.

This time, Xian Luoli entered the Flash Thunder Pool with a resolute mindset.

"Daddy, I may be little, but I’m not silly. I can sense, that this time, might be my last attempt at Thunder Body evolution. If I fail, the resulting storm will be greater than ever... but I have no choice... the evolution of the Nine Revolutions Thunder Body is unavoidable..."

"I will try hard to evolve, strive for success, then gain strength, then help daddy fight the bad guys..."

"If I fail... Xianxian couldn’t bear leaving daddy..."

The little girl sniffled, her eyes brimming.

She feared she might die in this storm, dying leaves no awareness, dying leaves no daddy...

"Don’t talk nonsense, just focus on evolving! This time, you will succeed!"

Ning Fan lightly tapped Xian Luoli’s little head, yet his heart was shrouded heavily.

A month passed, everything went smoothly.

Two months passed, everything was still smooth.

The third month, even towards the end, everything seemed smooth, yet at the final moment, there was suddenly another change!

At that moment, Ning Fan’s eyes suddenly turned bloodshot, faintly realizing that at that moment, he could perceive destiny!

An ancient saying goes, human effort can change the world, this time’s Thunder Body evolution had no mistakes, everything clearly went smoothly!

Yet, it seemed there was an invisible hand at the last moment, meddling with Xian Luoli’s fate, altering her seemingly successful evolution outcome!

That invisible hand was not anything other than destiny!

Destiny forbids Xian Luoli’s successful Thunder Body evolution!

When forbidden, no matter how hard you strive or how close to the end you are, heaven will block your path at the last moment...

Ning Fan did not know that what he saw was not destiny, but... fate!

In this realm, those who can see fate are rare, this is unrelated to cultivation, what is needed, is qualification!

Ning Fan being at the Second Realm of Tianren cultivators, naturally possessed the qualification to perceive fate, now just a trigger, resulting from anger, making him see fate’s presence!

What is fate!

If fate has run its course, then heaven’s path breaks, then this path becomes unreachable!

If fate is spent, then despite a thousand lifetimes of struggle, it will only lead to defeat!

If fate is spent, then unable to return against the heavens!

Ning Fan suddenly recalled the words of the Immortal Venerables on Mount Zhaoyao.

’Our ancestor practices the Innate Dharma Eye, can perceive fate, the ancestor said that Lan Yunxian’s fate is spent, no possibility of Thunder Body evolution, holding Lan Yunxian as a banner does not intimidate us!’

Indeed, no wonder the cultivators on Mount Zhaoyao defied Extreme Thunder Palace, because Great Emperor Chonghe saw fate...

Knowing Xianxian’s evolution would fail, thus... dared to bully!

Ning Fan originally did not understand what fate was, but now vaguely comprehensed, he, can perceive fate... saw that Xian Luoli’s path has been severed, her path, leading no future...

No future meant no forward path, meant... reached an end...

"Heh, fate..."

Ning Fan sneered, swiftly picked up the frail Xian Luoli, instantly transformed into the giant form of the God-Slaying Giant!

In the next moment, overwhelming storm engulfed him, this time, the storm’s power enough to severely harm a Nine Tribulations Immortal Emperor!

Even with the Slaughter Emperor arriving, it would be a dismal result, Ning Fan, wielding the God-Extinguishing Shield, could not completely nullify the storm’s force.

The storm’s fury broke through the defense of the God-Slaying Giant, not attacking Ning Fan but heading straight towards Xian Luoli.

Xian Luoli’s eyes filled with despair, that despair in Ning Fan’s eyes was like being gripped fiercely.

"If I insist on defying destiny, so what!"

"Today, I shall protect her, in the future, I shall pave the way for her, no force of destiny can impede! Her fate will be determined by me alone!"

Ning Fan tightly held Xian Luoli with his left hand, while his right hand suddenly pointed to his forehead. The Tai Su Lightning Diagram immediately manifested, frantically absorbing the thunderstorm heading towards Xian Luoli.

Swallow! Swallow! Swallow!

Ning Fan’s face began to show an unusual flush. Moments later, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and the injuries inside his body grew increasingly severe.

His thunder cultivation was simply not strong enough to absorb a thunderstorm of this magnitude!

His Ancient God cultivation was merely at the Initiate Realm of Shekong. The Tai Su Lightning Star counted under his spirit severing cultivation, and having cultivated Thunder Yin-Yang, his strength was inadequate, which is reasonable.

But Ning Fan refused to accept this common sense!

With his cultivation, forcefully controlling the Tai Su Lightning Diagram to absorb the thunderstorm had already exceeded the diagram’s limits. The cracks on the diagram increased, and even the lightning star at his forehead became illusory, showing signs of... collapse!

Yet Ning Fan didn’t care about this matter at all. While using the diagram to protect Xian Luoli, he simultaneously manipulated the golden-armored gigantic body to forcefully break through the thunderstorm circle!

As soon as the God-Slaying Giant was released, Ning Fan immediately spat blood, his aura plummeting like mad, his expression showing a trace of unwillingness.

The Xian Luoli in his arms had already fallen unconscious. This thunderstorm was already so terrifying. If another comes... should he try again...

"The Palace Master, she’s... she’s fine. She hasn’t been fundamentally injured. Young Master Ning, please don’t be sad," the four women consoled seeing Ning Fan’s grim expression.

"I’m not sad; I’m unwilling... Human efforts have reached their limit, and if the will of heaven doesn’t assist, so be it, but to obstruct deliberately, to interfere—this, Ning Fan cannot tolerate!"

First, heal the injuries!

After that... he couldn’t rashly attempt the next evolution. With the next thunderstorm, even if he gave his all, he wasn’t sure he could shield Xian Luoli...

Should he improve his strength first?

Or perhaps ask someone to help and act as a protector for Xianxian?

That night, under the care of the four women, Xian Luoli’s aura finally stabilized.

Ning Fan stood alone in the night sky above Jilei Palace. Noticing Xian Luoli’s aura stabilizing, he let out a slight breath.

He then looked to the sky, feeling, for the first time in his life, such heavy coldness!

The heavens nurture all things to support people, yet man has nothing to repay heaven. Ning Fan has always believed that the heavens owe cultivators nothing, even braving the tribulations is as expected, even if the will of heaven isn’t with me, it’s of no consequence.

But this time, it’s a different story.

Heaven’s will should not deliberately cut off Xianxian’s path at the moment of her evident transformation success...

Even if Xianxian’s fate runs out, that cannot be!

"First nine, harmonize, auspicious... Looks like the Rain Immortal Monarch encountered trouble, in which case, I have confidence in negotiating this trade with the Rain Monarch..."

An elderly, slightly gloomy voice suddenly sounded from behind Ning Fan; the speaker was an elder in a blue robe.

Ning Fan’s gaze immediately sharpened, "Immortal Emperor!"

And not just any Immortal Emperor, but a... Yaozu Great Emperor!

A Yaozu Great Emperor had actually arrived at the Four Heavens! In the past, this would have been an unthinkable difficulty, but now, due to the agreement between the human and demon races over the Ancient Passage, the wars have ceased, grudges temporarily laid aside, thus if a Yaozu Great Emperor truly wanted to come to the Four Heavens, it wouldn’t face much resistance, though it wouldn’t be easy regardless.

Why did this Yaozu Great Emperor come looking for him!

Ning Fan’s spirit sense swept over the blue-robed elder, and he was immediately shocked.

If he hadn’t sensed wrong, this emperor’s bloodline was actually the same as that of the Tian Lan Phoenix Consort he had captured earlier!

This was an emperor of the Tian Lan Phoenix Clan! Could he have come for those seven Phoenix girls!

Ning Fan’s vigilance soared to unprecedented heights!

If the other party indeed came for that purpose...

But the previous words of the other party, mentioning the word trade...

"My daughter, her life is in your hands. Your daughter, her life is in my hands. This old man wants to make a trade with you!"

The blue-robed elder’s somber expression somewhat lightened as he flipped his hand and produced a purple seal shimmering with thunder.

"This Thunder King Seal, I expended all my energy to determine its location, retrieving it from deep within the Boundary River! Do you want it?"

Ning Fan’s eyes shook.

The Thunder King Seal that Jilei Palace tirelessly sought, was actually in the hands of this Yaozu Emperor!

The trade this emperor spoke of, could it be to exchange this Thunder King Seal for his daughter...

Only then did Ning Fan notice that despite being a dignified Yaozu Emperor, the aura of the blue-robed elder was weak, surrounded by deathly energy, with less than half of his cultivation exerted, seemingly... not far from death.

"This emperor is unsure of winning over me with such a frail body, which is why he chose to trade with me, is it..." Ning Fan thought silently.

The blue-robed elder seemed exceptionally adept at reading people’s thoughts and replied, "It’s not because of my lack of strength that I chose to trade with you, but due to pursuing the trade, I forcibly ventured deep into the Boundary River, resulting in these severe injuries... My clan is in great peril, yet they are unaware. I merely wish to secure a path for my daughter... While my end seems near, it’s unrelated to these injuries, but rather, my fate has run its course..."

The blue-robed elder sighed, directly handing the Thunder King Seal to Ning Fan.

Ning Fan was momentarily stunned.

"I, Chongming Phoenix Emperor, can divine the heavens above, calculate the earth below, and ascertain the sentiments of the world. Though we’ve never met before, I’ve calculated you for a long time, not knowing it was you, just divining that for my daughter to have a path of survival, she must meet someone... I knew not who that person was, only that they’d be in primitive and wild, causing a change. With the estimated time, I sent my daughter to primitive and wild... only for her to be captured by you. I’ve calculated you, knowing your character, your ways, and even some of your secrets..."

Seeing Ning Fan still guarded, Chongming Phoenix Emperor sighed, flipped his hand to produce a flame-textured wine gourd, uncorked it, took a sip himself, then offered it to Ning Fan.

"This is wine brewed from the Phoenix Soul Fruit of my ancestors. There are only a hundred drops in the world, and I’ve always been reluctant to drink it. I gift it to you to drink now. Shouldn’t you, Ning Fan, having accepted my Thunder King Seal, assist me in some matters in return, given your nature?"

This person indeed understood Ning Fan’s nature thoroughly!

Ning Fan slightly furrowed his brow, yet still accepted the Thunder King Seal...

This person came at an opportune moment; just as Xian Luoli narrowly survived, he arrived, presenting the Thunder King Seal...

Was everything within this person’s calculations?

From when his daughter was captured, to Xianxian’s Thunder Body Evolution failure... from Ning Fan’s character, to his location... If everything was within this person’s calculations, wasn’t this person too dreadful!

"Rest assured, while I may be able to deduce the matters of heaven and earth, the price paid far exceeds your imagination, and now my fate exhausted, it’s one of the costs involved... In the Dreamland Realm, none surpass me in this art, for I do not use ordinary divination techniques, but the forbidden of the forbidden—The Art of Tri-life, are you familiar with it?"

Seeing Ning Fan didn’t take his wine, Chongming Phoenix Emperor drank again, eyes carrying a sigh, with a hidden worry.

His concern was not just for his daughter but also for the countless Phoenix cultivators, for the billions upon billions of lives in the Immortal Demon World...

"Do you know that this world will soon face a great calamity... Do you know what I’ve calculated with the Art of Tri-life..."

Ning Fan remained expressionless on his face, yet his heart was quite shocked.

The Art of Tri-life, isn’t this the highest supernatural power of the Nalan Zi clan! The incommunicable secret of the Purple Cuckoo Race, and even among the demon race of the Purple Cuckoo, few can master it, so why could Chongming Phoenix Emperor master it as someone from another clan...

And what does the great calamity of the world refer to...

"You needn’t look at me, I cannot determine the source of the great calamity, only deducing a point, it’s related to the once-missing Ancient Great Demon... The Four Heavens will be isolated, causing a great war in Eastern Heaven... I am not truly of the Purple Cuckoo Race, and what I can deduce is limited..."

Ning Fan’s heart was stirred.

The words of Chongming Phoenix Emperor, how similar they are to the divination words of Nalan Zi...

’I saw the future, a terrifying future... The Four Heavens will be isolated, Eastern Heaven will have a great war... thereafter, the royal clan will die, killed by the Western Demon Ancestor... the Spirit swallowed by the royal clan will also die, will die...’

’Save Ling Er, she’s my sister! She can’t die! She’s still waiting for me to save her!’

Could it be that the world is truly about to face a great calamity?

Ancient Great Demon... Ancient Great Demon... Could this be related to the Ancient Great Demon that previously descended upon the Divine Tomb, attacking Ancient Chaos!

"Senior, giving me the Thunder King Seal, what do you need me to do? So long as it doesn’t go against principles, I will do my best."

"What I ask does not violate your principles. I want you to agree to three requests, to exchange this Thunder King Seal for three requests! Of course, I have other benefits to offer you, so after my passing, I may have no regrets... (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) and vote with your recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)