Chapter 1264: Searching for Ning Fan in Vain
Chapter 1264: Chapter 1264: Searching for Ning Fan in Vain
"Not good!"
Seeing Gengwu make a move with a Great Divine Power like the Hundredfold Calamity Flash, Qu Yuan, who had been watching the battle from the sidelines, immediately had a sullen expression.
Even Lie Yukou frowned.
The scarlet Calamity Flash engulfed the entire Fengnu Clan.
The Fengnu Clan’s protective formation that Ning Fan forcibly recognized and controlled—the Heavenly Abyssal Doushu Grand Array—sensed the attack of the Calamity Flash and started to operate on its own.
This formation tried to resist the Calamity Flash, but it only held for a moment before being breached.
The formation was broken.
The Heavenly Abyssal Grand Array was destroyed!
The power of the Ziwei Astrological System, gathered by the Heavenly Abyssal Grand Array and bestowed upon Ning Fan, vanished.
Thereafter, the Calamity Flash swept in all directions, unimpeded!
The territory of the Fengnu Clan endured billions of Calamity Flash strikes in an instant.
The clan’s land was blasted into countless fragments, shattered and in ruins.
Countless screams were heard as everyone here was swept into the attack of the Calamity Flash!
Whether it was the Fate Immortal or True Immortal, none could last even a moment under the impact of the Calamity Flash; they turned directly into ashes.
Even the Immortal Venerable and Immortal King could only survive a few more breaths, still unable to escape death.
Only those of the Immortal Emperor level could survive such an attack, but only because the center of the Hundredfold Calamity Flash storm was far from them.
They were only facing the aftershocks of the Calamity Flash. Despite that, these Immortal Emperors were gravely injured, their magical treasures destroyed, and they were filled with fear, unsure of how much effort it took to survive the aftershocks.
"Uh..." The Great Kun of the Northern Sea was dumbfounded.
She just wanted to severely punish those who ruined her confections, but she never ordered Gengwu to use such a level of big move.
Everything was Gengwu’s own decision...
"This is utter nonsense! If you’re not going to act to stop the Calamity Flash, then when!" At this moment, Elder Qu Ping’s voice echoed in the Kun’s ears, with a hint of reproach.
The Great Kun snapped back to reality, realizing this wasn’t the time to be in a daze. Helplessly, she patted Gengwu’s forehead, soothing his furious emotions, explaining as she did, "Little Gengwu, quickly retract your power. The place we’re at is called the Fengnu Clan, a very, very special place where you can’t use overly strong moves. Otherwise, there will be big trouble..."
The Kun’s calming had seemingly infinite magic, remarkably calming Gengwu’s emotions.
It became docile once more, following the Kun’s guidance, opening its huge mouth to gradually suck back the Hundredfold Calamity Flash it had previously spewed out.
Meanwhile, the Great Kun, Qu Yuan, and Lie Yukou all acted together, helping Gengwu with the aftermath, each displaying their Divine Skills to dispel the Calamity Flash here.
...
"I’ll eat, I’ll eat, I’ll eat..." The Great Kun devoured the Calamity Flash between heaven and earth in big gulps, swallowing several hundred bites.
The Calamity Flash of boundless power, when swallowed whole, was highly hazardous because her organs had to endure all the damage from the swallowed Calamity Flash directly.
The swallowed Calamity Flash wreaked havoc and destruction in the Great Kun’s belly. Each forcible swallow of Calamity Flash cost the Kun substantial vitality and blood.
The amount of vitality and blood lost from swallowing a single mouthful of Calamity Flash was almost equivalent to the total vitality and blood of several Immortal Emperors.
The Great Kun devoured hundreds of mouthfuls of Calamity Flash, yet her complexion remained rosy, her vitality seemingly unaffected, almost imperceptible to any blood loss...
Her total vitality was too terrifying. Such a loss to her was still just a drop in the ocean...
...
"Fairy Spirit Art, Mountain-forming Five Fingers." Lie Yukou walked amidst the Calamity Flash, his face expressionless and void of any emotion. As powerful as the Hundredfold Calamity Flash was, it couldn’t harm him in the slightest.
He raised his palm, pressing down on the surrounding Calamity Flash continuously, and with every palm strike, a large amount of Calamity Flash would coalesce and solidify.
The rampant power of the Calamity Flash was condensed into crimson Mountain-forming Five Fingers, resonating with rumbles and embedding them into the seabed, unable to rage any further.
As if suppressed between five fingers.
...
"Nine Songs Gods, appear!"
Qu Yuan walked among the Calamity Flash, surrounded by nine guardian deities, four virtual and five real.
Each of those guardian deities possessed otherworldly might, but due to the overwhelming light of the surrounding Calamity Flash, their faces were indistinguishable.
With the simultaneous emergence of the Nine Gods, countless Calamity Flashes were immediately dispelled around them.
Another guardian deity raised its palm to seize the surrounding Calamity Flash with an indifferent tone.
"Taiyi Divine Art."
Almost as soon as this deity executed the Taiyi Divine Art, the surrounding Calamity Flash seemed to obey a command, flying towards its palm. Then, in that palm, it transformed into a crimson bird...
...
Through the combined efforts of Lie Yukou, Qu Yuan, the Great Kun, and Gengwu, it didn’t take long to dispel the Hundredfold Calamity Flash.
Though the Calamity Flash was dispelled, the entire Fengnu Clan was now in ruins. Apart from a few surviving Immortal Emperors, everyone else had turned to Calamity Ashes.
"Ning! Ning! Ning!" Gengwu looked around, finding no trace of Ning Fan, and was immediately overjoyed.
In its view, without Niu Manshan assisting Ning Fan this time, its full-powered strike must have certainly turned Ning Fan into Calamity Ashes.
"Your joy is meaningless. That person is not dead. He has escaped." Lie Yukou, as if seeing through Gengwu’s heart, told Gengwu.
"Indeed... that little fellow called Ning Fan is no longer here." Qu Yuan swept with his divine sense, unable to detect Ning Fan’s aura from the Calamity Ashes here, and his expression slightly relaxed.
Then, with a straight face, he sternly spoke to the Great Kun, "You and I are both Three Terraces Star Lords, who once faced Lord Hebo together, listening to Lord Hebo’s prophecy. You could not possibly be unaware of the important significance of the Fengnu Clan, so why permit Gengwu to wreak havoc here!"
Lie Yukou also looked at the Great Kun, seemingly waiting for a reasonable explanation.
Previously, when fighting Ning Fan, Lie Yukou refrained, barely using any of his Divine Skills, fearing the Fengnu Clan was too special to employ large-scale means here.
Unexpectedly, the moment the Great Kun appeared, she instructed Gengwu to completely destroy the Fengnu Clan...
For this, he needed an explanation.
"I made the mistake, and I’ll be responsible for my actions. If you want to report to Lord Hebo, go ahead; I will accept any punishment!" The Great Kun didn’t intend to explain further, taking full responsibility for the mistake.
As if she was afraid that Lie Yukou and Qu Yuan would pursue Gengwu’s culpability.
"You did wrong, but it was more at fault." Lie Yukou raised his palm, intent on using Divine Skills to punish Gengwu.
The Great Kun immediately intervened to stop him, "I said, the mistake was mine alone, not involving my friend!"
"Alright, alright! Now is not the time to seek accountability. The priority is to repair the Fengnu Clan’s territory and formations! Lest the Nightmare Qi sealed in the Fengnu Clan’s heavenly abyss be released." Qu Yuan sighed, acting as a mediator.
"How much can be repaired?" Lie Yukou inquired.
"At most nine-tenths... My Taiyi God has not fully recovered from the Nightmare Qi damage it suffered before, unable to exert full strength." Qu Yuan sighed.
"Nine-tenths should be enough to sustain until our clan’s war with the Four Heavens concludes." Lie Yukou nodded satisfactorily.
Qu Yuan added, "My Grand Fate Deity has fully recovered. It won’t be difficult to resurrect those who died within an incense stick’s time from their death. The cultivators of Myriad Clans who perished within the Fengnu Clan can all be revived."
"Hmm." Lie Yukou responded casually.
He wasn’t concerned with whether Qu Yuan could resurrect those who died from the Calamity Flash.
His only concern was to what extent the Fengnu Clan’s territory and formations could be repaired.
"In that case, you stay here to restore the Fangnu tribe, and I’ll go pursue him." Lie Yukou intended to capture Ning Fan.
He must reclaim the Titled Elixir Pills from Ning Fan, not stopping until he succeeds.
"I’m going too!" The Great Kun also wished to pursue Ning Fan, while Little Gengwu gritted his teeth.
How could they be content with letting Ning Fan escape right under their noses?
"Don’t go chasing him! To restore the Fangnu tribe, my effort alone won’t be enough! The time-space here has already been claimed, greatly increasing the difficulty of restoration. It requires assistance from both of you and the collective strength of several Great Cultivators to make restoration possible," Qu Ping stopped them.
"This..." Upon hearing that restoring the Fangnu tribe required his contribution, the Great Kun had to abandon the idea of chasing Ning Fan.
Lie Yukou gave Qu Ping a meaningful look and said, "Although the time-space here has been claimed, this claiming is temporary and cannot last long. After a while, it will return to its ordinary state. This is because the person who claimed it couldn’t grasp time and space to the necessary level. Are you really sure that you need me and the Great Kun here to restore this place?"
"..." Qu Ping didn’t answer.
Seeing Qu Ping remain silent, Lie Yukou didn’t press further but instead reached out his five fingers to the sky and earth, managing to grab a black and a gold dragon from between heaven and earth.
The Golden Dragon was the manifestation of this place’s time law.
The Black Dragon was the manifestation of this place’s spatial law.
The time-space here was directly extracted by Lie Yukou and held in his hand.
"Look, the marks imprinted by that Ning Fan on the two dragons are weakening, proving my words to be true. I’m very curious about what you experienced during the Dao Thought Battle, and why you’re so protective of this Master named Ning Fan?" As he spoke, Lie Yukou released his Mana, shaking the time-space two dragons until they shattered.
Following this.
The shattered time-space force was reorganized by Lie Yukou.
The time-space here returned to order, no longer disturbed by Ning Fan.
"Alright, since you’ve spoken to this point, I might as well share my inner thoughts. Although Ning Fan isn’t a Great Cultivator, his strength is no less than ours. If you catch up with him, what then? Will you fight with him until the Northern Boundary River is thoroughly destroyed? Until the Northern Heavens are completely ruined? Even if the four heavens collapse, what then? Can you really reclaim the Titled Elixir Pills from his hands?"
"I’m not quite sure, but I have a thirty-percent chance of success, so I plan to try," Lie Yukou said.
"And after you reclaim them? Will you find someone else capable enough to endure the pill, let them consume it, and help them achieve the Rain Master Title?" Qu Ping asked again.
"...Are you suggesting to directly give the pill to him? Allow him to gain the power of the Rain Master Title and then have him assist us?" Lie Yukou pondered the pros and cons seriously.
Ultimately, he still shook his head.
"He’s a Beitian Cultivator, a descendant of Purple Dou, different from us in path..." As he spoke, Lie Yukou’s expression subtly changed.
As if feeling something.
It was precisely at this moment that Ning Fan, having escaped from the Fangnu tribe, directly consumed the Mid-grade All Spirits Blood he had refined.
This pill, once ingested, could no longer be recovered.
"Hmm, I suppose you won’t pursue him anymore, will you?" Qu Ping, having similarly sensed that the Rain Master Title now had a new owner, knew Ning Fan had taken the pill.
Understanding Lie Yukou’s rational nature, once he realized there’s no chance of getting the pill back, he’d never chase Ning Fan or engage in a pointless fight.
"You’re happy I’m not chasing him?" Lie Yukou said, emotionlessly.
His mood didn’t waver from being unable to reclaim the Rain Master Title.
"..." Qu Ping didn’t answer.
"I suppose you don’t plan to chat with me more, so let’s immediately start restoring the Fangnu tribe." Lie Yukou said.
Qu Ping nodded.
Invoked the power of Taiyi God among the Nine Songs Gods.
"Taiyi Wheel, Time and Space Reversal!"
A light wheel flew out from Taiyi God’s hand, and then, a miraculous scene unfolded!
The previously destroyed Fangnu tribe began to gradually restore as if a reversed painting.
However, the restoration wasn’t perfect.
The summoned Taiyi God still had unhealed wounds, naturally making the Divine Skills less than perfect.
Those who had turned into calamity ashes also experienced time-space reversal, with the ashes on the ground re-conforming into physical bodies.
Yet, these bodies were mere shells, merely corpses.
Hence, Qu Ping activated the power of the Grand Fate Deity among the Nine Songs Gods.
"Lifedeath Lamp, Life Continuation!"
An ancient lamp burning with black and white flames flew out from the Grand Fate Deity’s hand.
The souls within the corpses of the ground instantly reignited.
Souls, return!
"Huh? Why am I not dead?"
"What just happened?"
"I seem to have trouble remembering."
The revived Masters appeared bewildered and confused.
Unaware that their resurrection was entirely due to Qu Ping’s efforts.
"Come to think of it, if you could resurrect the Northern Sea True Lord too, it would be convenient." Lie Yukou suddenly said.
"I’ve tried secretly, but it’s simply impossible... The cauldron Ning Fan used to annihilate the Northern Sea True Lord was too unique. Its origins unknown, those killed by it exceeded the Lifedeath authority of the Grand Fate Deity..."
"That’s strange? The revived numbers seem fewer than expected?"
Qu Ping suddenly let out a puzzled sound.
He realized that among the revived Masters, not one was from the Fangnu tribe.
In other words...
Previously, no member of the Fangnu tribe had fallen here!
It turns out Ning Fan didn’t escape alone, but brought the entire Fangnu tribe with him!
"Impossible! Little Gengwu’s Hundredfold Calamity Flash arrives in an instant. How could he have possibly taken so many people out?" The Great Kun of the Northern Sea found it unbelievable.
"Don’t forget, this person claimed the time here early on. What seems an instant to your eyes might be a decade or a century in his view. With such ample time, nothing is impossible." Lie Yukou explained.
Though unintentionally, there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.
It took him aback.
From what he knew, Ning Fan and the Fangnu tribe were strangers to each other, merely unfamiliar faces.
As a Cultivator, facing an ambush from four Ancient Great Cultivators, facing the instant arrival of Hundredfold Calamity Flash, a normal person would instinctively seek self-preservation, who would care about unfamiliar people’s safety?
Yet, Ning Fan chose to save the entire Fangnu tribe at the moment of life and death.
Is this person absolutely confident, unafraid of the Hundredfold Calamity Flash?
Or perhaps, even knowing that rescuing these people would become a burden, he did it anyway despite possibly not being able to withstand the Hundredfold Calamity Flash.
"Why did he make this decision..."
"I don’t understand..."
Lie Yukou’s eyes showed a moment of confusion.
He is an absolutely rational person, so he can’t understand choices beyond rationality.
...
Ning Fan escaped.
The reason for leaving so hastily was not because he feared Lie Yukou and others, but because he worried that continuing to fight would implicate the entire Fengnu Clan.
Geng Wu unleashed the Hundredfold Calamity Flash, and its attack speed was so fast that almost the moment the red light appeared, the damage had already been done.
Fortunately, Ning Fan recognized the time of this place in advance, so he had enough time to summon the Merit Umbrella, defend against the Hundredfold Calamity Flash, and rescue the entire Fengnu Clan.
As for other Foreign Clan Cultivators, they are not included in his rescue; whoever wants to die can die, it has nothing to do with him.
He didn’t escape too far.
The opponents were four Ancient Great Cultivators, and no matter where he hid in the little Beitian, they could potentially catch up, and anywhere could become a battlefield.
Thinking of the Blood God Geng Wu’s Hundredfold Barbarian Flash that could destroy the heavens and the earth...
Ning Fan couldn’t help but wipe a sweat for the four heavens and nine worlds, worrying that the entire Beitian might not withstand the troubles of Geng Wu and others.
Ultimately, Ning Fan chose to return to the Ziwei Beiji Palace.
Although he had recognized this palace as his own, he couldn’t ensure it could keep Ancient Great Cultivators of the Boundary River out.
If the enemy insisted on pursuing him into this palace, then he would just fight them here.
After all, this is the Immortal Emperor’s Cave Mansion, it should withstand the battle of multiple Great Cultivators, right?
"Speaking of which, Lie Yukou fought me for this mid-grade All Spirits Blood, what would he do if I consumed this?"
Ning Fan and Lie Yukou had only met once, but they had some degree of confrontation and probing.
Human intentions and words can all deceive people, but Divine Skills and methods point directly to one’s spirit sense.
Through the confrontation of Divine Skills and methods, Ning Fan gained an understanding of Lie Yukou’s rigidness and rationality.
He speculated internally and ultimately decided to consume the mid-grade All Spirits Blood to see what the other party would choose next.
As expected.
The moment Ning Fan consumed the mid-grade All Spirits Blood, Lie Yukou’s spirit sense, which had been locked onto him, withdrew.
"Indeed, once this person lost the target of pursuing me, he chose to give up." Ning Fan thought to himself.
He did not know that Lie Yukou giving up on pursuing him was also due to Qu Yuan’s persuasion.
"Very well, since he won’t bother me, I will slowly refine this mid-grade All Spirits Blood. I’ve already cultivated the Rain Control Positions, and if I refine the Power of Bestowal within this pill, perhaps my Rain Intent will undergo a further qualitative change..."
...
Though the Fengnu Clan’s territory and formation array were repaired by Qu Yuan, they were only restored to ninety percent.
Qu Yuan and others had no choice but to temporarily stay here, using their methods to further consolidate the newly rebuilt Fengnu Clan.
It was at this moment.
A long howl suddenly came from the sea area surrounding the Fengnu Clan.
Amid that long howl, a one-eyed giant stepped across the sea.
This one-eyed giant was not from the Myriad Clans of Boundary River, so, as he advanced within the Boundary River’s range, he inevitably encountered obstruction from countless Foreign Clan Cultivators.
"Stop him! We cannot allow him to run wild in the Boundary River!" A Blackwater Clan Immortal King, standing on black water, rushed toward the one-eyed giant.
Then.
The one-eyed giant slapped him, sending him flying millions of miles away.
"Who are you exactly?" A Dragon Swallow Clan Immortal Emperor, holding a trident, charged toward the one-eyed giant.
Then.
Similarly, the one-eyed giant slapped him away with one hand.
This one-eyed giant was too powerful!
Walking among thousands of Foreign Clan troops, as if in an uninhabited land.
Even when several Different Race Immortal Emperors teamed up, they couldn’t withstand a few moves from the one-eyed giant.
At this point, some Foreign Clan Cultivators finally recognized him.
This one-eyed giant turned out to be the leader of the Northern Heaven Cultivators Alliance Army, the fearsome Eye Demon Ancestor!
How detestable! This Eye Demon Ancestor has changed his body again, and his aura has become even more strange and unpredictable, no wonder everyone didn’t recognize him at first!
"Weak, too weak! Isn’t there anyone who can fight among the Myriad Clans of Boundary River! Where are the Three Terraces Star Lords! Why don’t they come out and fight me again? Oh, I see! You Three Terraces Star Lords are busy bullying one of my little brother Ning with numbers! Despicable, it’s despicable! Three against one, no, it’s four against one!" the one-eyed giant sneered.
Interestingly, although the one-eyed giant has a majestic body, the laughter he emits is extremely vulgar.
Very much like a certain Eye Orb Monster who knew Ning Fan well.
In fact, he is the Eye Orb Monster himself!
It is said the Eye Orb Monster, after parting ways with Ning Fan back then, arrived in Beitian.
Afterward, when chaos erupted in the Boundary River, he voluntarily joined the Northern Heaven Cultivators Alliance Army, leading Beitian Cultivators against Foreign Clans of Boundary River.
On this day, like any other day, the Eye Orb Monster was stationed at the Northern Boundary River.
Unexpectedly, suddenly a battle aura exploded in the Boundary River, indicating the presence of a Great Cultivation Level entity in a duel.
To the Eye Orb Monster’s surprise, among those auras, one was particularly familiar...
Isn’t this Ning Fan’s aura!
Forgive my ignorance, when did this kid come to Beitian?
And why is he fighting against Ancient Great Cultivators?
Although he didn’t know the context, the Eye Orb Monster forcefully entered the depths of the Boundary River as soon as he sensed Ning Fan.
Why did he rush over so urgently?
It was because Ning Fan was surrounded by multiple Great Cultivators of the Boundary River, and the Eye Orb Monster was worried Ning Fan might be in danger, so he rushed to help.
It is said the Eye Orb Monster, after entering the depths of the Boundary River, faced obstruction all the way, and it took a great effort to reach the Fengnu Clan’s range.
At this moment, formation lights suddenly appeared on the surface of the Boundary River, and subsequently, hundreds of millions of Foreign Clan Cultivators emerged from the water, having secretly gathered Mana to form a formation array to trap the Eye Orb Monster inside.
This formation array, unified by the Mana of billions of cultivators, was extremely formidable, but so what?
The Eye Orb Monster took down the precious bow from his back; the origin of this bow is unknown, but its magical treasure aura had reached the pinnacle of Innate Superior Grade, infinitely close to the legendary Top-Grade Innate Treasure!
"Big Brother Eye Orb! Quickly draw my string! Quickly shoot my arrow! Let this bunch of ants witness how mighty we are, brothers!" Remarkably, this precious bow could speak.
But it was not the bow itself speaking.
It was the Artifact Spirit within the bow speaking.
The Eye Orb Monster chuckled, nodded, as a response to the Artifact Spirit’s request.
Then he drew the bow and shot an arrow, and wherever the arrow light reached, everything was engulfed by the candle flame.
Hundreds of millions of formations, shattered!
Then, the Eye Orb Monster split the waves, charging all the way to where the Fengnu Clan was located.
"You all, with the guise of Ancient Great Cultivators, dare to join forces against my poor little brother Ning! Heh heh, Younger Brother Ning, look who’s here to assist you! After our separation that day, don’t tell me you don’t recognize this old man!"
The Eye Orb Monster arrived at the Fengnu Clan.
Full of momentum, he was here to aid Ning Fan in battle.
However...
Ning Fan was long gone from this place.
The Eye Orb Monster felt a bit confused.
The Eye Orb Monster perceived that things weren’t so simple.
The Eye Orb Monster began to doubt the necessity of his painstaking journey here.
Before he could react further, Lie Yukou, Qu Yuan, Great Kun of the Northern Sea, and Gengwu had surrounded him.
"Where is Ning, my little brother?" The Eye Orb Monster sensed an awkward atmosphere suddenly arising.
"He’s gone, but now, you’re here," Lie Yukou said indifferently.
"Oh, he’s already gone, well then, I’ll take my leave too, farewell." The Eye Orb Monster smiled awkwardly.
"Tch, you think this place is where you can come and go as you please!" Great Kun of the Northern Sea said in a deep voice.
"Yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking, farewell! Fly, my Little Feather!"
The Eye Orb Monster raised his hand and sent forth a red glow.
In the next moment, he disregarded the mana blockade of the four Great Cultivators and directly left.
"Damn! Should we chase him?" Great Kun of the Northern Sea asked.
"Ignore him, continue reinforcing the Fengnu Clan’s formation," Lie Yukou decided to disregard the Eye Orb Monster.
However, before Lie Yukou could finish reinforcing the clan’s formation.
A greater trouble arrived!
No one knew exactly what happened.
The only thing known was a piercing, furious, blatant crane screech suddenly resounding throughout the entire Boundary River!
Following that, a Crane Shadow, heedless of everything, flew to the Fengnu Clan!
It was a Demon Crane at the Nascent Soul Stage, having six-four Reversed Crane Wings broken, eyes gouged out, half of its divine sense destroyed, and covered in wounds.
Clearly only a Nascent Soul cultivator, yet his aura was terrifying. Apart from Lie Yukou who remained somewhat indifferent to the crane, the other three’s breaths were disrupted by the crane’s overwhelming presence!
With a single thought, this crane reversed the heavens and his second thought turned sea into sky, sky into sea.
And he stood inverted between heaven and earth, seeing all beings as errors.
"I cannot bring my true form here, so I only sent a crane shadow. I’m not breaking the agreement I made with Lord Hebo, am I?" The Demon Crane wept while speaking in a deep voice.
The cry was indescribably sorrowful.
From the hollow eye sockets, tears flowed—sanguine—and when they fell into the Boundary River, they dyed the water in the colors of Yin and Yang.
"Per the agreement, even a senior’s crane shadow cannot descend into the Boundary River to interfere with this Four Heavens warfare," Lie Yukou bowed, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Interfering with the Four Heavens warfare? Which eye saw me interfere? Is it this one?" The Demon Crane raised a claw, its shadow flashed.
No one saw him make a move.
But when everyone reacted, they found an eyeball in the Demon Crane’s claw.
Lie Yukou’s left eye streamed blood.
The left eye had been gouged out!
"Impossible! Brother Lie has the National Defender Unbeatable for protection, how could he suffer such injuries?" Qu Yuan exclaimed in shock.
Great Kun of the Northern Sea and Gengwu were both amazed.
Only Lie Yukou remained serene and indifferent, seemingly unbothered by losing an eye, calmly saying, "Still, senior has broken the promise."
"Broken the promise? So what! Ha ha ha! Under the heavens, am I the only one who breaks promises? You, Hongjun, also broke a promise! But that’s not important, not important! What you should never have done was bully the few with the many, killing my junior! My junior, my poor junior! Master was just taking a little nap and wasn’t watching your everyday life, and now you’re separated by Yin and Yang! You must have been killed by Hongjun old man, haven’t you? Speak a word, I beg you, beg you! If you’re still alive, say something to your senior brother, if you’re dead, just..."
"As expected, as expected! No reply! Junior, you’re already dead! Ahah, it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have been so indulgent in slumber, shouldn’t have! No, it’s not my fault, it’s the world’s mistake! Hongjun’s mistake! Your mistake!"
The Demon Crane cried in despair, a sorrow deep and hopeless, as if losing his junior meant... the loss of everything, with no more will to live.
"Without my junior, what use is this heaven!" The Demon Crane wailed, piercing the sky of the Boundary River with a claw.
Endless calamities poured from the sky’s breach, disaster sweeping down.
Seeing the Demon Crane wreak more havoc, the Boundary River truly faced destruction, Great Kun of the Northern Sea could stand no more, wanting to stop the Demon Crane’s frenzy.
"Senior, enough of your madness..."
Then.
She was slashed into two halves by the Demon Crane’s claw.
Miraculously, even torn apart, Great Kun of the Northern Sea was not dead.
Her life force was too strong!
Yet she was startled by the Demon Crane’s ferocity!
An Ancient Great Cultivator was torn so easily; what level of a monster was this Demon Crane, how could the Era of Decline hold such a terrifying being!
"Reversed Crane senior, if you’re here for Ning Fan, he has already escaped." Lie Yukou decided to explain Ning Fan’s situation to the Demon Crane.
But the Demon Crane’s madness had thoroughly gripped him, refusing to hear human words.
"Escaped? Ha ha ha! Hongjun! You spew nonsense! How could my junior escape! Even if dead, he would never ignore Master! You know he will come, you know he comes to your trap! You know he wouldn’t escape, no matter the pain, the agony..."
"You killed my junior, yet you deny it! Bring back my junior! Bring back my junior ah ah ah ah!"
"I’m not Hongjun..." Lie Yukou.
"Indeed! Indeed! Who do you think you are, to compare to Hongjun! Only my junior merits the name Hongjun! Return this name now! I’ll kill you! Kill you!"
...
On that day, the Boundary River Foreign Clans faced an unprecedented calamity.
It’s said that in the end, the legendary River Earl Ancestor personally intervened, and after losing half his physical form, he managed to coax this Demon Crane away.
Afterwards, Lie Yukou and others painstakingly repaired the sky pierced by the crane, exhausting endless effort.
Yet Ning Fan was oblivious to all these events.
Read across ancient and present times that dispel eternal day, from this window come twilight and the passing year.
Only in these mountains, clouds lie deep with unknown hide.
In his days of seclusion, refining Mid-grade Blood of Ten Thousand Spirits, Ning Fan’s life was so plain and monotonous, yet dull.