Chapter 1337: Three Swords to Slay the Dust King (Part 1)
Chapter 1337: Chapter 1337: Three Swords to Slay the Dust King (Part 1)
"...I am here, waiting for you to come, waiting for you to show me your resolve with all your might. Will you become dust of the Lost World Palace, or can you...become the Lost World itself! I am very much anticipating your answer."
Su Fuchen’s tone seemed to hold expectation, but this emotional fluctuation was merely an illusion.
He had long cast his emotions into the fire, only to dissolve the Transference Dao Skill of the Eight Desolates Infinite Venerable (referring to Emperor Zhang Qing).
Having lost all emotions, where would fluctuations arise, it was just a perfectly timed performance.
Thus: the heart follows the transformation of the environment, the environment is born from the heart. If one wishes the heart to be at peace, love not what the world loves, do not what the world does. The countless ties of the mundane world, if unmoved by them, the mind will be naturally clear and serene, yin and yang cannot shape it.
Su Fuchen could tell that Ning Fan was secretly gathering the momentum needed for a big strike, intending to launch a surprise attack.
But he didn’t care.
This self has been residing in the Undersea Tomb for countless years, waiting for a grand "death", only through constant "death" can one get closer to the essence of the Lost World.
He only wants to kill all beings in this realm, or to be killed by them.
Be it Clock Ghost or Nihe, whoever could kill him, he would refine them into Thousand Dust, turning them into an [Infinite Slave], and even bestow upon them the body of a King Blood Two-star Calamity Spirit!
An ordinary Calamity Thought Slave only requires deepening the erosion of Calamity Thought to plant a Calamity Ban for control, yet it only counts as an inferior among Calamity Slaves.
Infinite Slave, however, is different, belonging to high-level Calamity Slaves, it requires signing a contract with Immeasurable Mountain to be created; its utility is endless.
Unfortunately, until now, no one has been able to kill him, which leaves him feeling quite bored.
The Purple Dipper descendants are all stubborn fools.
Even that Clock Ghost who bears the Bell of Samsara only dares to repeatedly ring the bell to evade, not daring to confront his sharpness directly.
Fortunately, Ning Fan has appeared, providing him with new amusement.
Su Fuchen had borrowed the Scroll of Destiny, gaining an understanding of Ning Fan’s fate.
This butterfly seems to have once shattered one eye of the Eight Desolates Infinite One; if true, this butterfly does qualify to become an Infinite Slave.
However, the verdicts of the Scroll of Destiny are often ambiguous, he needs more precise data to measure the capacity of this butterfly.
With this in mind, when Su Fuchen took one last glance at Ning Fan, his gaze carried higher scrutiny, mixed with...the infinite calamity might of a King Blood Two-star Calamity Spirit!
King Blood Two-star Calamity Spirit, its Taoist art rivals the Initial Saints of a hundred ages or more, even if there are slight hidden dangers in this body’s cultivation, its calamity might still can be described as causing disorder in the heavens and shaking the ancient times.
Su Fuchen further integrated the power of Dust King’s Blessing into the calamity might, those subjected to this calamity might will inevitably suffer mental pollution, a single thought could make them fall into being a Calamity Thought Slave.
"Dust King’s Calamity Thought, King Blood Two-star Calamity Spirit, Su Fuchen..."
Seeing the opponent’s calamity might surging forth along with his gaze, Ning Fan did not avoid it but chose to face it directly.
Like gazing directly at the blazing sun.
This is the might of an Initial Saint of a hundred ages, able to crush mountains and fill seas.
At this moment, although Ning Fan stood in the center of the calamity might, his posture was as immovable as a mountain.
The hundred epoch calamity might that fell upon him seemed like nothing more than a passing wind.
His demeanor remained calm, yet he secretly ran the Secret Art of Prestige and the Momentum Character Secret to their utmost.
He instantly activated the Barbaric God Blessing Art to dissolve the enemy’s Dust King Blessing.
Moreover, as the authority of the Dreamland Realm unfolded, the Heavenly Dao and Earthly Terrain were further mobilized by Ning Fan, acting as a shield around him.
For a moment, Ning Fan was surrounded by the purplish-gold might of the heavens, as if the will of heaven had descended to earth, his aura as fiery as the blazing sun, no less than Su Fuchen!
This is the royal authority might of the Master of the Dream Realm!
He, too, is a blazing sun!
Rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble!
The crimson calamity might and the purplish-gold heavenly might clashed at one point, evenly matched, balanced in strength!
At the meeting of their gazes, might clashed, Dao laws collided, instantly causing a cataclysmic upheaval.
The Undersea Tomb erupted with unprecedented tremors, the heavenly and earthly Dao laws became chaotic and violent, even time and space became unstable.
The law of time was impacted, halting the flow of time in the world for a moment!
The splintered rocks froze mid-air, the shattered Dao law fragments solidified like amber, countless expressions of terror were frozen at that instant, among them were Zhi Zha, Zi Anmin from the Purple Mansion, Green Palm Purple Luoluo, and more corpses, undead, and bronze puppets guarding the Undersea Tomb...
All beings seemed sealed in an eternal painting, only those two colliding mights continued to crash, tear, and destroy at a speed surpassing time itself, as if they transcended time and space!
The law of space subsequently crumbled, causing countless fiery red rifts to appear in the heavens and earth of the Undersea Tomb, splitting from the tomb’s dome to the walls, and then tearing through to the outside world of the Zi Clan territory, before continuing to rip into the ancient domain of Corpse Demons beyond the territory.
The starry sky, split open!
A fiery red rift traversed millions of miles, cleaving the starry sky above the Corpse Demon ancient domain in two, tearing it into halves!
At the break, chaos surged, as though this piece of the universe had been rent with an unhealable scar.
On either side of the break, one half of the starry sky was dyed crimson, the other purplish-gold.
After a while, the light subsided, and the starry sky returned to silence.
Time resumed its flow.
The masters of the Corpse Demon ancient domain, upon realizing this, all became frightened.
"What kind of cosmic anomaly is this again!"
"For no reason, why did the starry sky split open!"
"What kind of apocalyptic scene is this!"
For a moment, people’s hearts were in disarray.
Perceiving the situation, Ning Fan frowned: He had merely exchanged a glance with Su Fuchen, causing the starry sky of the Corpse Demon Ancient Domain to crack. If they fought with full force, who knows how many rounds of the duel the Dreamland Realm could withstand...
Fortunately, he had reinforced the Dreamland Realm beforehand, which resulted in what happened.
If it hadn’t been reinforced, it would probably lead to a situation where few words would cause major events.
Su Fuchen: Why are you worried?
Ning Fan: Who do you think you are?
Boom!
The world collapses.
Clock Ghost tearfully restarts reincarnation.
It would probably go like this.
"Oh? He hasn’t reached the Third Step yet, yet he can withstand my calamity power..."
Su Fuchen doesn’t care about the destruction caused by the calamity power.
He only cares whether Ning Fan’s performance matches his expectations.
Not that he’s not excellent, but rather too excellent.
His combat performance is far more exaggerated than the description in the Scroll of Destiny, truly abnormal.
This body has a cultivation a hundred times that of Ning Fan, and even though the opponent borrowed the Dream Realm’s authority to resist, he shouldn’t be able to handle it so calmly.
The judgement of the Scroll of Destiny is absolute, infallible, indisputable; this is common sense.
But his combat performance seems to surpass those judgements, transcending common sense...
"Interesting."
Su Fuchen initially intended to just slightly release some calamity power, show off, and then withdraw, but now he changed his mind and forcibly increased the calamity power output, launching a second strike at Ning Fan to test Ning Fan’s limits.
"Fu Chen Method, Burning Emotion Holy Fire."
Endless crimson thoughts of calamity emerge in Su Fuchen’s eyes, like a vast ocean, and in the depths of that ocean, a phantom of [Burning Emotion Volcano] sinks.
Dust floats around the volcano’s mouth, each grain of red dust radiating an unimaginable fiery heat.
Tai Shang passionless, supreme burning emotion.
Thus, tumbling thoughts of calamity transform into holy fire, emerging as a natural calamity, directly targeting Ning Fan.
"Again?"
Ning Fan furrowed his brows even deeper.
Not that he fears the opponent’s calamity power, but he worries that if they continue fighting, they might actually shatter the Dreamland Realm.
Yet he can only brace himself to counter the attack.
There was just a clash of might, but this time it’s truly a holy fire attack.
The fierce momentum of the Burning Emotion Holy Fire—if no one balances this fire, not only will the Undersea Tomb be engulfed but also the entire Zi Clan, the entire Corpse Demon Ancient Domain, the whole Northern Heaven, will be swept by it.
"If you can’t withstand this strike, you can use the Reincarnation Bell Shadow I gave you..." said Clock Ghost.
His tone carried solemnity and apprehension.
He deeply understood the power of the Burning Emotion Holy Fire, knowing well that the calamity intent of this fire was earth-shattering, further containing a trace of Tribulation Path force which can only be defended against, not fought.
If Ning Fan used the Bell Shadow and still couldn’t fend off this fire, he would intervene, sacrificing himself to neutralize the fire’s damage.
"It’s just some small flames, senior no need to worry, the Reincarnation Bell Shadow’s power isn’t needed yet." Ning Fan said.
Clock Ghost’s mouth twitched, almost unable to maintain composure.
Small flames...
You’re calling the Hundred Generations Primordial Saint’s holy fire strike...small flames?
What else could he say? He could only laugh it off.
Clock Ghost: "Alright then, let me see how you extinguish these small flames, if you find yourself struggling, I’ll assist you."
Facing the ocean of Burning Emotion Holy Fire, Ning Fan didn’t choose to passively defend but actively attacked.
Rain intent surged in his eyes, instantly transforming into the shadow of a Rain Dragon, embodying the principle of water overcoming fire.
He then shaped the Rain Dragon into a sword, gathering its sharpness, subsequently releasing a dual-colored sword light which exploded forth, containing both rain and Sword Dao power, slashing towards the fire sea at its source of Dao techniques.
The sword light implicitly carried the might of Fixed Reincarnation, stabilizing the Burning Emotion Fire Sea the moment it was unleashed, preventing it from spreading widely and involving too much.
He aimed to break its Dao Source with one sword, extinguishing the three thousand calamity powers, to nullify the world-destroying fire.
The sword light initially was only dual-colored.
Yet during its advance, the colors continuously enriched, increasing all the way to twenty-eight colors, the sword momentum rising steadily!
Rain, dark, thunder, battle, kill, wind, flower, snow, moon!
Wood, poison, mountain, thought, black fortune, undead, star, medicine, sword!
Phoenix, Gengwu, Dao Carp, Heavenly Ox, Underworld Sparrow, Light Ant, Nine Tails, Fu Li, butterfly!
Plus one recent addition of Corpse Yin Yang.
The twenty-eight Dao principles perfectly merged into one, making the power terrifying to this extent.
Under the command of the Master of the Dream Realm, both the Will of Heaven and Earthly Terrain merged toward the sword light, causing the power of this sword to rise infinitely, as if there were no limit, seemingly like the Will of Heaven manifesting as a sword!
Wherever the sword light passed, the Heavenly Power of the Purple Mountain Dou Sea enveloped it, with damage so high it was incalculable, and speed too fast to be seen.
This sword carried the weight of the entire Dreamland Realm, bore a trace of the Heavenly Power of Purple Mountain Dou Sea, and was not something that mere human strength could wield. It required the wielder to possess world authority and have a profound understanding of the Will of Heaven and Earthly Terrain.
Only then does it qualify... as the [Heavenly Will Sword]!
"What! This is... the Heavenly Will Sword!" Clock Ghost’s eyes trembled with shock.
This is not mere swordsmanship, but a technique of Heavenly Power, one that even second-step cultivators cannot master, and even early Saints or Nirvana Saints may not comprehend.
Normally, one would have to reach the Desolate Saint Realm to have the qualifications to understand this technique. This Divine Skill is also considered the threshold of top powerhouses, mostly appearing in battles of the Supreme.
If you don’t know the Heavenly Will Sword, how dare you dream of stepping into the Fourth Step? Dream on!
When top powerhouses meet, it’s a clash of Heavenly Wills. If you don’t know this technique, you can only stand still and take a beating!
In ancient records, anything related to the Heavenly Will Sword is connected to top powerhouses.
For example: On the day a certain ancient emperor attained enlightenment, the Heavenly Will Sword severed half of his palm, transforming into the Heavenly Bull Clan, marking the beginning of the Heavenly Bull Clan.
What kind of concept is this!
Pushed to its peak, this Divine Skill could even sever the palm of an Immortal Emperor, breaking the reincarnation within his palm!
Alright, what Ning Fan used was obviously not the highest level of Heavenly Will Sword, it seemed to be the most basic level only...
But this is not a Divine Skill he should be capable of mastering, just being able to enter the basics is already extremely absurd!
He is only in the Second Step, and he’s already aiming to enter the arena of the Desolate Saints and Reverse Saints?
Moreover, using this sword requires merging the will of heaven into one’s own will, but, how long has this kid usurped the Royal Authority of the Dream Realm? He can already merge with the will of the Dream Realm?
Heavenly Will shouldn’t surrender principles so easily, but how short a time has passed, and the Heavenly Will has already chosen to submit?
It can’t be that this kid used some indescribable means to directly subdue the Heavenly Will... it can’t be, it can’t be.
The Dream Realm: [Wuwuwu, he did it! He really did it! He’s a big villain, a big rascal! But none of you came to save me, all of you just watched helplessly with powerless gazes, you’re all bad people, you’re all incompetent husbands...]
Ning Fan: ...
The younger sister in the Dream Realm is going crazy, speaking nonsense to someone...
Could it be that I’ve extracted too much of her Heavenly Will, driving her insane?
No matter, it’s not important, after all, no one can hear the Dream Realm’s nonsense, except for me.
So he continued to focus on wielding the Heavenly Intent Sword Light.
Asking where did Ning Fan comprehend such a Heavenly Will Sword technique from?
The answer is: From the Frost Moon Sword Spirit, the Pingtian Old Niu, the Sacred Slayer Sword of the Desolate Heavens, and so on.
If you ask when the comprehension took place.
Answer: Constantly comprehending, never stopping.
Ning Fan, who comprehended the Object Transformation Method, could be either in the Undersea Tomb dueling with Su Fuchen, or outside the Spiritual Battle and Shuilian Cave, practicing day after day without interruption.
Outsiders only believed that Ning Fan was meditating somewhere, comprehending and breaking through the Immortal Emperor method.
But Ning Fan wasn’t contemplating the Immortal Emperor’s bottleneck, he was obviously verifying the Dao Fruits day after day.
Verifying Duobao Tathagata’s Dao Fruit.
Verifying Frost Moon Sword Spirit’s Dao Fruit.
Verifying Emperor Futian’s Dao Fruit.
Verifying Bosun’s Dao Fruit.
Verifying the Ziwei Six Paths.
Verifying various Dao methods taught by the Pingtian Old Niu.
Water Mirror Ancestor, Hu Fengxian, Long Yan Ge, Mad Fire Sect Master, Ancient God Beilo, Mahamaya, Lingxiaozi, Four Sea Dragon Kings...
Countless experts, countless Dao Fruits, constantly being verified, thus attaining the Thousand People Dao Fruit, with endless wondrous uses!
This is why Ning Fan understands the Heavenly Will Sword!
"A swordman, the essence of a soldier. If one uses heaven and earth as a furnace and yin and yang as the charcoal, and merges one’s own spirit with the sword, then the sword is no longer just a sword, but the embodiment of Heavenly Will..."
"In ancient times, the true individuals did not rely on objects, but were able to wield the sword with intention. Wherever the intention goes, the sword follows. With the Heavenly Will’s support, a single sword could split the heavens and earth, alter the positions of yin and yang, and make the sun and moon lose their light. This is called the Heavenly Will Sword..."
Ning Fan, while controlling the sword light, muttered the True Words of the Heavenly Will Sword he comprehended.
The sword light precisely annihilated the Dao Source of the Burning Emotion Holy Fire, even breaking a trace of the Calamity Path’s power within.
Unlike the previous equally matched clash, this round of confrontation saw Ning Fan having a slight edge!
The Heavenly Will Sword, terrifying indeed!
In the end, the Burning Emotion Holy Fire was extinguished, only a small portion of the duel’s shockwave reached the Northern Heaven.
Ning Fan had done his utmost to minimize the impact of the duel, yet unfortunately, it still caused a great turmoil.
Within the entire Northern Heaven, hundreds of star domains were affected by the clash, resulting in various degrees of starry sky fractures...
It’s quite frustrating.
The Dreamland Realm is too small, unfit for taking down formidable foes of the Dust King Tribulation Thought level, a different battlefield is needed.
Fortunately, Ning Fan had a backup plan prepared...
Within Northern Heaven, anyone who could perceive the clash this round was moved.
Quanzhi: "My junior brother truly possesses the talent of a Reverse Saint! One sword can break the Saintly Fire; a few more swords might disperse Fu Chen Old Man’s ashes!"
Senluo: "Such powerful heavenly might, such strong Rain Intent! For some reason, this person’s Heavenly Intent Sword makes me feel nostalgic..."
River Lord: "Let this old man see who caused such a commotion, daring to wake me from a beautiful dream... Damn, Heavenly Intent Sword! Is this young man the new Dream Venerable? He can suppress the Dust King in the second step? Can’t afford to provoke, who can afford to provoke..."
Lie Yukou: "This, I cannot do... This sword can easily pierce through my National Defender Unbeatable..."
Seeing the Burning Emotion Holy Fire shattered casually by the opponent’s sword, Su Fuchen fell into a brief silence.
Then, he smiled.
The verdict of the Scroll of Destiny underestimated this butterfly’s measure.
This butterfly is not only eligible to be his Infinite Slave but is enough to squeeze out his mentor [Thunder Sorrow Venerable] and become his top slave under the king!
"Interesting, very interesting. A person from the Second Step can wield Heavenly Intent Sword, even though this sword was clever, borrowed heavenly times and earthly terrain, it’s still enough to be proud of. If this spreads, Mount Wansheng will definitely sing your praises."
Su Fuchen praised.
But the information revealed by this praise showed that his understanding of Ning Fan was outdated.
After infiltrating the Dreamland Realm, he disconnected from the Real Realms for countless ages, more personally experiencing forty-two times of Dreamland Realm reopenings.
At this moment, he seemed like a resident of a fairyland, unaware of Han, regardless of Wei and Jin...
Therefore, he did not know that today’s Ning Fan was already a terrifying figure shaking Mount Wansheng, with all saints and rebels seeking to kill him...
"This sword of yours, I acknowledge! The probing ends here. I hope your second sword can satisfy me even more."
"No rush, I will give you seven opportunities to swing your sword. Within seven swords, I won’t move, dodge, or evade, allowing your attacks. If you can injure me even half a finger, I will bestow you a gift!"
"If not, you can still become my Infinite Slave, but you cannot rank as the top under the king’s position."
Su Fuchen openly declared his intentions, no longer concealing them, and actively made a pact of seven swords with Ning Fan.
If he knew that today’s Ning Fan was the ruthless figure who slew the sixth generation of Purple Rose Celestial Emperor, he would certainly dare not be so careless.
But he doesn’t know, at this moment, this information gap appears too fatal, or perhaps, this fatality is what he sought...
Su Fuchen only knows that at this moment, the sword is far from Ning Fan’s limit.
If at full strength, this sword might be even more appetizing.
To witness the moment’s arrival, he doesn’t mind waiting a bit longer.
Considering that Ning Fan is only in the second step, he is willing to give Ning Fan seven sword opportunities, taking the meaning of seven captures and releases as an intent to subdue Ning Fan’s resolve.
Thus, he withdrew his gaze, letting his aura return to silence, showing a stance of allowing Ning Fan free action.
Seeing this, Ning Fan also withdrew his sword light and did not pursue aggressively.
"This person is entirely unconcealed about his plot; is it arrogance, or does he have reliance? Or perhaps, what he said still contains unspoken parts, not to be easily trusted..." Ning Fan thought to himself.
As Su Fuchen mentioned, since entering the Zi Clan, Ning Fan had been accumulating sword momentum in secret, waiting for the peak to gather the Heavenly Intent Sword of Dreamland Realm.
But it wasn’t to unleash a mere normal powerful sword, but to utilize the power of the Sacred Slayer Sword of the Desolate Heavens for a Saint Slaying Strike!
Therefore, he needed long durations of accumulation.
The sword momentum had not yet reached its peak, insufficient for Saint Slaying.
But seeing the other’s fierce strikes, Ning Fan had to allocate some sword momentum to first use a regular powerful Heavenly Intent Sword to dispel the opponent’s Fire of Destruction.
The effect was remarkable.
Heavenly Intent Sword, terrifying beyond compare.
But Ning Fan was also self-aware: just as Su Fuchen mentioned, that sword borrowed advantage, relying on the Dreamland Realm Master’s authority for completion, with a hint of cheating.
If not relying on external power, merely based on his own strength, he couldn’t freely use this technique, even a normal powerful Heavenly Intent Sword.
As for the Saint Slaying Strike’s Heavenly Intent Sword, it required even longer accumulation to release. Fortunately, the opponent’s attitude was "come if you’re brothers," allowing him to continue gathering power, Ning Fan was happy to accumulate momentum, but also wary of Su Fuchen’s deliberate concessions...
Concerning the pact of seven swords or not, he didn’t care, treating it like a puff of air.
What he now needs to consider is how to strike the second sword without causing Mirage to collapse.
The first sword used was merely a normal strike, already causing immense destruction.
The second sword will be the Peak Sword Momentum’s Saint Slaying Strike...
Mirage might not withstand it...
He needs to change the battlefield or use some special means...
Never mind, clean up for now.
The commotion he just caused was too great, he needs to handle the aftermath personally.
"Black Star Technique."
Ning Fan emitted black starlight, reviving Zi Zha who was foaming at the mouth beside him.
Why was he foaming at the mouth?
It’s solely because Zi Zha stood too near, bearing too intense confrontation impacts, suffering minor injuries, fainting on the spot.
This was certainly due to Ning Fan’s meticulous protection; otherwise, with Zi Zha’s cultivation, not even ashes might remain.
Also, with Ning Fan’s powerful healing technique, Zi Zha’s health instantly restored, awakening from slumber.
"Thank you, senior..." Zi Zha expressed gratitude.
"Take a rest for a while. I’m going to rescue two people and will be right back. Hmm, I’ve already brought them back," said Ning Fan.
Zhi Zha slowly had a question mark appear above his head.
What on earth?
The senior hadn’t even finished his sentence, and he had already gone out and returned? What kind of supernatural speed is this!
Two severely injured and dying individuals had already appeared on the ground out of thin air, obviously rescued by the senior.
A plump man with a head full of fresh blood.
And an old grandfather whose body was covered in cerebral matter.
They were precisely Zi Anmin and Purple Mansion.
...
When gods fight, mortals suffer.
Ning Fan and Su Fuchen exchanged just a few moves, causing enormous destruction to the world.
The Undersea Tomb was a heavily affected disaster area.
It had just been the Undersea Tomb, but now it was reduced to undersea ruins.
Except for a few tomb chambers that were spared due to Su Fuchen’s prior arrangements, most of the chambers were turned into ruins, completely exposed to the deep sea.
Because Zhi Zha was under Ning Fan’s protection, even in the middle of the duel, he wasn’t gravely injured.
Others weren’t so fortunate.
After two rounds of exchange, countless dead souls, corpse demons, and organ puppets in the Undersea Tomb suffered repercussions, leaving no bones behind.
Some were burned to ashes by the Burning Emotion Fire.
Some were slashed into nothingness by the Heavenly Intent Sword Light.
Others instantly became Tai Cang Tribulation Spirit Slaves, falling into madness and fighting each other.
Even experts like Green Palm Fortune and Purple Luoluo suffered varying degrees of impact. Despite using all their methods, they still sustained serious injuries and were in misery.
Green Palm Fortune merely brushed against the aftermath of the Heavenly Intent Sword, losing ninety percent of his life force instantly.
If he hadn’t used the [Nine Lives Blood Locking Sacred Talisman] at the crucial moment, he would’ve lost even the last bit and perished on the spot.
Purple Luoluo didn’t fare any better. He was merely touched by a spark of the Burning Emotion Holy Fire, yet he was burned into a black char, losing his physical body.
Thankfully, he had many spare bodies with him. Though he temporarily seized one, his aura fell to an unprecedented low, and his cultivation realm was significantly burnt...
If experts like Green Palm Fortune and Purple Luoluo were so tattered, Zi Anmin and Purple Mansion fared even worse.
One was merely a Shattered Thought True Immortal, the other just a Quasi-Saint’s residual soul; they barely escaped instant death in this calamity.
Primarily because Purple Mansion, the Quasi-Saint, provided a safety net. Relying solely on Zi Anmin, he couldn’t have survived until now.
Purple Mansion helped Zi Anmin resist the aftermath of the duel but couldn’t help him resist mental pollution.
Su Fuchen’s tribulation power carried with it the contamination and erosion of king blood tribulation spirits, and facing such tribulation power, Zi Anmin lost his sanity on the spot, his eyes turned scarlet, falling into madness, becoming a tribulation thought slave.
He let out a sinister laugh, like a villain, and with each laugh, the fat on his face jiggled.
All his dissatisfaction with Senior Purple Mansion erupted at this moment, with no concealment.
Zi Anmin: "Hee hee hee! Old Purple Mansion! You, a mere residual soul, dared trick me into this Undersea Tomb, causing me to become a tribulation spirit slave. I swear I’ll use the most cruel methods to torture you, making you wish you were dead!"
Purple Mansion: "Stop! Calm down! Wake up! I’m not your enemy! Quickly recall the mantra I taught you, it may temporarily suppress the inner tribulation thought pollution. Come, recite with me, no hindrance, no fear, far away from deluded dreams..."
Zi Anmin: "Annoying! Old thing, don’t you dare try to order me again! And stop chanting scriptures in my head, get out now! Not coming out, fine! I’ll bash a hole in my head to drag you out and torture you! Witness the power of my Purple Thunder Rod!"
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!
In response to Purple Mansion, Zi Anmin’s only reply was with violent and frenetic attacks, at this moment wielding a thunder attribute magical treasure shaped like Mr. Jiao, desperately pounding his skull.
Zi Anmin called this treasure the Purple Thunder Rod.
However, this wasn’t its true name. It was a bright artifact he stole from Lady Zou’s tomb, and he didn’t even know its true name, so he randomly gave it a mighty and powerful name.
Though this treasure didn’t look impressive, its power was not to be underestimated. With the flickering lightning, it smashed Zi Anmin’s brain matter into splatters, a sight too tragic to bear.
If not for Purple Mansion’s desperate rescue, healing him, Zi Anmin would have long since decapitated himself.
Even so, Purple Mansion felt waves of powerlessness. His strength was nearly exhausted, and he himself was severely injured, his life flickering like a candle in the wind...
This ends here.
In this cycle of reincarnation, Purple Mansion originally intended to use Zi Anmin’s strength to disrupt some of Su Fuchen’s arrangements, but now it seems it was all a futile effort.
"I’m sorry, my young friend. If it weren’t for my insistence on dragging you into the Undersea Tomb, you wouldn’t have met your end here... if the Reincarnation Bell could ring once more, in the next cycle of reincarnation, I will surely make amends to you..." Purple Mansion’s consciousness rapidly dissipated.
Yet at this moment, black starlight suddenly emerged, restraining the injuries within him.
It was naturally the omnipresent Ning Fan who intervened.
Purple Mansion: "Is this... the Black Star Technique?! Thank you, senior, for stepping in to save me!"
Ning Fan: "It was just a small effort, Purple Mansion Dean. No need for thanks. In fact, I have a small matter that I wish to ask for the dean’s assistance with."
The dean was the principal; the person before him was the old principal of the Purple Mansion Academy.
Considering Yin Suqiu is currently attending the Purple Mansion Academy, Ning Fan was quite polite to this old dean of the academy.
While speaking, Ning Fan acted again, placing a finger between Zi Anmin’s brows, bestowing upon him the Barbarian God’s Blessing, using the Curse Art to counter another curse, overlaying his own mental pollution to dissipate Su Fuchen’s corruption, thus breaking the Dust King Tribulation Ban within Zi Anmin, allowing him to briefly regain his sanity.
This is just initial treatment.
If you want to completely eradicate the effects of the Dust King Tribulation Ban, further treatment is required, but now is not the time to perform it.
"How is this possible! This is the Dust King’s curse, how did Senior resolve it! Could it be... that Senior is the one who just used the Heavenly Intent Sword! Was the person who battled Su Fuchen just now really Senior?" The Purple Mansion was shocked beyond words.
If the Dust King’s curse were truly easy to resolve, many wouldn’t have died from the erosion of the Tribulation Thought when the Purple Dou Immortal Domain was destroyed in the past. Even saints lost their sense of kinship and killed each other, showing how troublesome this thing is...
Although the curse here wasn’t released by Fuchen Honored One’s true self, Ning Fan’s method of breaking the Dust King’s curse still amazed the Purple Mansion.
It’s hard to fathom that Ning Fan might be the one who released the Heavenly Intent Sword just now; the Purple Mansion finds Ning Fan profound and unfathomable, naturally addressing him as Senior.
"Indeed, the commotion was related to me." Ning Fan did not elaborate on the method to break the Dust King’s blessing; it was simply too time-consuming.
Purple Mansion: "You saved my life, and also the life of my young friend Anmin; I shall repay you with my life! May I ask for Senior’s esteemed name and any instructions? This junior is willing to serve diligently!"
He has been dead for too long, leaving only a trace of his residual soul; not knowing the Moral Sage is understandable.
He couldn’t grasp Ning Fan’s stance: for an existence as supreme as his, what could possibly be unsolvable, needing assistance from a quasi-saint’s residual soul...
Could it be... did this Senior encounter trouble while dueling with Su Fuchen, requiring my help to siege him together?
If so, that would be perfect!
I have "fought" Su Fuchen many times; though always defeated, I have accumulated rich experience.
This experience might help Senior avoid some of Su Fuchen’s schemes!
Ning Fan: "It’s not a big deal; I just wish to borrow a place in Zifu Academy sometime in the future to serve as a venue for lectures and teachings. Does your esteemed opinion agree?"
Purple Mansion: "Huh?"
So it’s not about calling me to siege Su Fuchen together?
Indeed.
For a supreme being like Senior, he certainly doesn’t need the involvement of a junior like myself in combat.
Purple Mansion: "Senior considering teaching at Zifu Academy? That would be the academy’s honor! Given Senior’s cultivation and status, merely teaching would suffice; he could even become the headmaster, as I’ve long considered stepping down for a worthy successor! However... as long as the Dust King’s tribulation thought remains unrestored, our world has no chance of seeing tomorrow. Though I wish to cede my position to Senior, with the Dust King still threatening annihilation, the Reincarnation Bell still tolling, any promise from me remains hard to fulfill..."
Ning Fan: "Hmm, no rush; we can discuss it later. I have matters to attend to; meanwhile, don’t roam about the tomb recklessly to avoid repercussions, follow me instead."
Ning Fan intended to lecture at Zifu Academy to research the nuances of the Master’s Doctrinal, having picked up this fragment he had no intention of allowing it to gather dust.
But this is merely an idle step, not an immediate concern.
With a sweep of his sleeve, ignoring the constraints of space and time, he instantly brought Purple Anmin and the Purple Mansion to Zhi Zha’s side for protection.
To Zhi Zha’s eyes, it seemed as if just a word from Ning Fan brought them back.
Saving these two was just a minor episode; he had serious matters to tend to.
The outside world had descended into chaos; presently, the Northern Heaven saw hundreds of star collapses, with such collapses intensifying.
Like a celestial catastrophe.
Countless cultivation stars were implicated, innumerable sects and forces caught in the ripple.
The He Luo Wei Family.
The True Flame Star Chu Family.
The Ximen Aristocratic Family.
The Black Demon Sect.
The Palace of Cold Moon.
The Pure Yang Sect.
The Yishi Palace.
The Light Clan.
Even the Four Oceans Sect Headquarters.
Star collapses wreaking immense havoc.
All originating simply because Ning Fan and Su Fuchen exchanged probing blows.
It’s quite helpless.
Resolving Su Fuchen within the Mirage Dream Realm bears immense risk.
Thankfully, he has plenty of backup plans, like choosing a less fragile battle ground.
Senior Chiwei’s Red Mountain Fighting Sea Realm is quite solid, inhabited by three guardian saints who could be invited to siege Su Fuchen if necessary...
Similarly, the Taiyi Wheel’s mirage is suited for Su Fuchen’s burial site; if guided to Shuilian Cave’s entrance, Ning Fan could lead a thousand demons to gang up on Su Fuchen, demonstrating human unity...
In the least, he could lure Su Fuchen to the Fourth Throne, invoking some royal throne power to slay the foe...
Additionally, there are various alternative methods, perhaps using other dishonest means to stealth kill Su Fuchen...
Including leveraging the Reincarnation Bell’s power, among others...
Whichever plan, he must stabilize the Northern Heaven to prevent its collapse.
Thus, activating the Materialization Technique, despite not moving himself, the surrounding world instantly shifted, appearing at the Four Oceans Sect Headquarters in Northern Heaven.
Upon his arrival, the sect headquarters was swept in unprecedented chaos.
...
"What on earth happened! Why is there a massive star collapse occurring suddenly!"
Four Seas Sect Headquarters in Northern Heaven.
The Fire Sparrow Ancestor, who was focused on monitoring the starry sky crystal, suddenly changed her expression dramatically.
Three Quasi-Saints reside at the headquarters of Four Seas Sect: Leize, Fire Sparrow, Shi Chuan.
Fire Sparrow and Shi Chuan are Dao companions, guarding the North Heavenly Realm River for years.
Leize is single, responsible for monitoring the starry sky.
But now Leize is not in the sect, and Fire Sparrow has taken on this responsibility.
This Quasi-Saint resembles an elderly woman due to an incurable old injury, making her appear aged.
Since Dreamland Realm had a new master, frequent anomalies in the heavens began appearing, greatly troubling the Fire Sparrow Ancestor, causing her to tirelessly monitor the starry sky in hopes of discovering the root of these changes.
However, before identifying the root, a calamity capable of destroying the world appeared in Northern Heaven, naturally weighing heavily on her heart!
How troubled are the Four Heavens and Nine Worlds!
How difficult is the plight of the Purple Dou descendants!
When will this realm see another savior like the Purple Dou Immortal Sovereign...
Sigh...
Sighing aside, there are many matters to attend to, time must not be wasted!
One must halt the spread of the starry sky collapse before it worsens completely; to repair such a large-scale celestial crack requires extensive resources and countless lives... Sigh, it’s difficult, truly difficult...
"Issue my order immediately, mobilize headquarters resources, activate the Observing Heaven, Cutting Heaven, and Mending Heaven formations!"
"All Immortal Position holders, drop what you are doing, follow the orders and act!"
"Lower-tiered Immortal Position holders, head to Observing Heaven Peak, enter the formation to observe the celestial crack’s trajectory, and report the starry sky’s evolution in real-time!"
"Middle-tiered Immortal Position holders, proceed to Cutting Heaven Peak, intercept and mitigate the crack’s momentum, giving me time for mending!"
"Upper-tiered Immortal Position holders, accompany me to Mending Heaven Peak!"
The formations of Four Seas Sect mostly require Immortal Position power to activate, without which even entering the formations would be challenging.
Following the Fire Sparrow Ancestor’s command, countless light streaks began gathering toward the Mending Heaven formation at the sect headquarters.
The Fire Sparrow Ancestor led the way, being the first to reach the Mending Heaven formation.
The Mending Heaven formation has the strongest power, but also the greatest danger; entrants must face the majesty of celestial cracks directly, slight mistakes could lead to death and the erasure of their Dao.
This formation is crucial to repairing celestial cracks; if necessary, the formation’s host might even have to sacrifice their own Dao powers and vitality, using themselves as materials to mend the celestial crack...
"Let’s hope the situation doesn’t deteriorate to that extent, otherwise I might further worsen my ’Decaying Tribulation’ today..." Fire Sparrow Ancestor sighed, her eyes resolute, clearly prepared.
In the Era of Decline, the ancient Heavenly Court no longer exists, the Demon Mansion remains dormant, the ten great secret clans have lost their former valor, and Demon-Sealing Peak has fallen into evil ways...
The support for the Four Celestial Immortals is scarce, and Four Seas Sect is one among the few, duty-bound not to avoid the savior’s responsibility.
If I cherish my life, countless beings in Northern Heaven might perish, I understand this calculation, though I realize not all of Four Seas Sect’s top-tier Immortal Positions can comprehend this tally.
Upper-tier Immortal Positions are First-Rank Spirit Ancestors, Second-Tier Dao Emperors, and Third-Rank Star Lords.
Dreamland Realm in the Era of Decline has not produced any First or Second-tier Immortal Positions lately, at most Star Lords; the path to higher Immortal Positions was severed during the Emotion Control Chaos...
The Mending Heaven formation requires upper-tier Immortal Positions to be managed, the stronger the Immortal Position power, the lower the risk of holding the formation. Regrettably, within Four Seas Sect, no Spirit Ancestors or Dao Emperors are present; only roughly ten Star Lords temporarily called by headquarters can activate the complete power of the Mending Heaven formation.
No, she was overly optimistic.
There may not be even ten Star Lords gathered.
After issuing the command, she received immediate responses from only seven people, while others either found excuses or simply ignored, clearly unwilling to take risks.
Sparing life is typical for immortals, gathering seven Star Lords is already commendable.
"Mending Heaven formation, activate..."
"Wait. Who managed to activate the Mending Heaven formation before me?"
"Who would be here faster, vying for death, what courage! But I wonder if it’s Old Shi, Old Lei, or Little Tongtian..."
"Impossible! Why are you... here!"
The Fire Sparrow Ancestor’s gaze trembled, meeting Ning Fan’s eyes within the Mending Heaven formation.
Why is he here!
Fire Sparrow: "Daoist, why are you here!"
Ning Fan: "Mending Heaven."
Fire Sparrow: "That’s incorrect, right? Daoist does not possess Four Seas Sect headquarters token, how can you enter the Mending Heaven formation?"
Ning Fan: "I used a small trick at the formation entrance, it let me in."
Fire Sparrow: "It? Who? Who let you in?"
Ning Fan: "Mending Heaven formation."
Fire Sparrow: "?"
Fire Sparrow Ancestor indicated she didn’t understand what Ning Fan was saying.
Is this Moral Sage hallucinating from using pills?
How could a formation possess self-awareness to actively let outsiders enter?
Could this be one of those new cold jokes recently trending?
Should she smile out of courtesy?
Hence, Fire Sparrow Ancestor gave Ning Fan a kind smile.
Though unable to capture Ning Fan’s humor, Fire Sparrow Ancestor’s perception of Ning Fan began to change.
The world says Ning Fan is a moral sage, but Fire Sparrow Ancestor disagrees somewhat.
She had investigated Ning Fan, knowing he hailed from the Black Demon Sect, bore titles like inheritor of Ancient Chaos, Slaughter Hall’s Murder Emperor, and more. His journey was accompanied by vast bloody mist, a thorough Evil Sect. Suspected of slaying Jiujian Daoist registered with the Four Oceans Sect and seizing the star lord position. Yet somehow transformed into Little Martial Uncle in Leize’s eyes, Little Martial Brother in Nihe’s, and then with Northern Sea True Lord turned heaven and earth upside down, sun, and moon overshadowed...
Quite peculiar.
The causality surrounding this boy is odd from every angle. While she could not see through, she could mostly understand Ning Fan’s character.
Moral virtues sounded pleasing, but she wouldn’t believe an Evil Sect is a moral exemplar.
At this moment, she was somewhat convinced.
Now at a sky-breaking moment, this person is willing to risk himself, being the first to arrive to mend the heavens—what a spirit!
Fire Sparrow: "Daoist, lacking the headquarters token, entering this array is normally against rules, but given the great righteousness at hand, such trivial matters need no consideration. May I inquire about Daoist’s star lord rank? To my knowledge, Daoist was previously a middle-ranked star lord immortal position. Yet now, I cannot comprehend the current level... has Daoist already advanced to high-ranked star lord?"
In the Era of Decline, Immortal Positions reached only star lord status. To differentiate levels, subsequent immortal cultivators divided star lord positions into low, middle, and high-ranked grades.
Fire Sparrow Ancestor was merely a middle-ranked star lord.
Unable to comprehend Ning Fan’s immortal position, she speculated Ning Fan had broken through to the highest rank.
Clarifying immortal position levels was crucial for arranging the positions of people during Heaven Mending Array activation.
Higher positions stand in the center; lower positions stand in the periphery.
But she guessed wrong.
Ning Fan: "I’m not a star lord, but a Spirit Ancestor."
Fire Sparrow: "?"
Fire Sparrow: "Daoist’s joke is good, I understood this one."
Ning Fan: "This is not a joke... anyhow, I’ll mend the heavens first, chat later if possible."
With that, not waiting for others to enter the array, he directly activated his own immortal position power, astonishingly intending to mend the sky break singlehandedly!
His immortal position light was exceedingly brilliant and dazzling. He was not joking at all, truly possessing Dreamland Realm’s highest level immortal position!
To seize Dream World Sovereignty, naturally, one needs a matching immortal position.
Without rising to the highest rank, how could he control royal authority?
Mending the heavens with such immense power was effortless; he had privately mended countless times, reinforcing the Dream Realm each time. His mending technique was thus exceedingly skilled.
Fire Sparrow Ancestor did not focus on Ning Fan’s mending technique.
She remained awestruck at Ning Fan’s ascent to First-Rank Immortal Position.
Fire Sparrow: "After Emotion Control Chaos, the advancement channel for immortal positions has been severed by Heavenly Cutting Technique. No one can advance by merit. How did the Daoist achieve this?"
Ning Fan: "I didn’t take the merit route. Instead, within the realms’ Heavenly Dao policies, I incorporated a path of selling positions recklessly..."
His immortal position was purchased with Heavenly Dao Gold, a whopping 10,000 gold pieces—not cheap, but not overly expensive.
The beginning price from Dreamland Realm’s sister was a million gold, too costly, so negotiations ensued, and he managed to bring the price down.
Considering it’s a key step to usurping Dream World Sovereignty, Ning Fan felt the ten thousand gold was well spent.
Fire Sparrow: "Selling positions recklessly? Incorporating Heavenly Dao policies? Is this another joke..."
Gulp.
Fire Sparrow Ancestor swallowed hard.
Gazing incredulously at Ning Fan, a bold notion suddenly arose.
"Could it be... you are the new Dream Venerable?"
"Correct."
"Good, very good... with such a ruler caring for the people, it is a blessing for us Purple Dipper Descendants! I, Fire Sparrow, pay respects to the Dream Venerable!"
Fire Sparrow, tears streaming down, laid down the dragonhead cane, knelt toward Ning Fan, but was raised by Ning Fan’s divine skills.
"Alright, the starry sky of the Four Oceans Sect is repaired, I should head to the next. Hmm, the next is already fixed, so onto the next afterward..." Ning Fan stated.
Turning to leave.
He had just activated the Heaven Mending Array not long ago but had already completely repaired all cracks in the starry sky before him, thanks to skilled technique.
Although the repair wasn’t flawless, leaving some scars on the starry sky, all cracks were stitched together.
"What a speed in mending the heavens! The Venerable is truly divine!" Fire Sparrow marveled.
That day, numerous sect forces across the Northern Heaven witnessed Ning Fan mending the heavens.
A lone power mending a whole sky.
A mission accomplished, departing with a flick of robes, hiding fame and identity.
Such is the new Dream Venerable!
Ning Fan’s reputation began to rise at a remarkable pace!
The power of Dream World Sovereignty in his hands also gradually escalated with the enhancement of personal reputation...