Chapter 434 - Withstand a Sword Strike from This Old Man! (2/2)

However, the lightning sovereign is rumored to be unable to leave the Sovereign’s Tomb. Furthermore, there is no information saying that the lightning sovereign is a woman… It seems like my guess is a little impartial.

“Are you doubting my identity?” Hong Yi who was walking beside him suddenly gave him a cold smile and talked to him through telepathy.

“Who you are is none of my business.” Ning fan said firmly. After Hong Yi questioned him, he nearly was ninety percent certain that Hong Yi was not the daughter of the lightning sovereign.

However, he was not very sure of Hong Yi being the lightning sovereign and he did not have the interest to dig any deeper.

Just as what he had said, he did not want to know Hong Yi’s identity and he was not willing to interfere as well.

Lightning Sovereign Bu Zhou seemed to have a lot of complicated grudges with the Rain Palace. Ning Fan did not want to get himself involved in those matters.

“Well said! About things that are irrelevant to you, don’t bother. About words that are without clear evidence, don’t say them. This is the way to protect yourself.”

Hong Yi’s expression became calm. There was no sign of excitement or anger.

Ning Fan calmed his mind and followed Hong Yi and the others into the Thunder Court Pavilion.

The place where the Thunder Court Pavilion was located was also a forbidden area on Lightning Bamboo Island. It was in an extremely hidden place and there was also a supreme grand formation. However, there were no cultivators guarding the area.

Ning Fan secretly guessed that the reason why there were no cultivators guarding this place was probably because Zhou Chen and the others were afraid that someone would see Hong Yi.

Apparently, even if Hong Yi was not the lightning sovereign, her identity could also bring troubles. Hence, her existence could not be revealed.

After going inside the pavilion, everyone sat on different seats. Hong Yi sat on the main seat of the pavilion and the four experts guarded her by her side like how the stars twinkled around the bright moon. As for Ning Fan, he sat at the corner of the pavilion.

Zhou Chen and the others reported some things to Hong Yi one after another. All of them used jargon when conveying messages. When they were conveying crucial information, they would use telepathy. Ning Fan did not understand a single thing during their reports.

The things they discussed next was the trip to the Black Lightning Realm this time. Hong Yi had briefly recounted how she met Ning Fan and told everyone his contribution during the trip.

When they heard that Ning Fan who only had a Half-Step Void Refinement Realm cultivation base had managed to obtain 24 dark golden bamboo leaves, the three Void Glimpse Stage experts simultaneously sucked in a cold breath. It was impossible for them not to feel shocked.

Even if the three of them had heaven-defying concealment abilities that could enable them to avoid the detection of the ferocious beasts guarding the Black Lightning Realm, none of them could go beyond ten floors after entering the Black Lightning Tower, much less kill Void Inquiry Stage experts and obtain the dark golden bamboo leaves above the eleventh floor.

When they heard that Ning Fan was proficient in a mysterious wind mist technique that could erase some unique marks, even Zhou Chen who was a Void Inquiry Stage expert felt a little uneasy.

The four of them finally understood why Hong Yi who was always cold-blooded would be so fond of Ning Fan.

It turns out that Ning Fan’s wind mist technique could really contribute greatly to that matter!

“Third Elder, I have made an agreement with this young man. After he gathers seven dark golden bamboo leaves for me, I will give him all the golden lightning bamboo leaves as a present, teach him a magic technique and command all members of the Zhou Clan to protect him. I have already sworn the Great Oath of Heart Devil for this promise. Hence, from today onwards, we, the Zhou Clan of the Endless Sea, will treat Zhou Ming as our esteemed guest. In the Endless Sea, no force shall act against Zhou Ming. For those who defy this order, the only outcome is to be eradicated by Void Refinement Realm experts!”

Hong Yi had acted according to the agreement she had with Ning Fan and gave the command to Zhou Chen and the others to protect Ning Fan. Besides, the level of protection she assured Ning Fan was not low as Void Refinement Realm experts of the Zhou Clan could be sent to protect him.

Immediately, the expressions of the three Void Glimpse Stage experts changed and advised against it.

“What?! We, the Void Refinement Realm experts of the Zhou Clan, have made a promise with the Rain Palace in the past that we must not openly help anyone… This Zhou Ming is rumored to be especially good at creating troubles. If he brings a huge disaster to himself, we might expose our hidden secrets just to protect him…”

“Shut up! Haven’t you heard that Mistress has already sworn the Great Oath of Heart Devil?! No matter what, we have to act according to the Mistress’ order and not to let her go against her own oath!”

Before Hong Yi had even said anything, Zhou Chen directly shouted to stop the three experts and immediately cupped his fists towards Hong Yi.

“Mistress, please calm your anger. The three of them had just advanced into the Void Refinement Realm in the recent five thousand years and they are not familiar with Mistress’ temperament. I hope the Mistress can forgive them!”

Zhou Chen knew Hong Yi’s temperament very well. Hong Yi did not like anyone refuting her. If this situation had happened in the past, the three of them who dared to question her order would certainly be executed at once.

These three Void Glimpse Stage experts were not aware of Hong Yi’s temperament and they did not know how dangerous it was to defy her.

The reason why Zhou Chen hurriedly mediated the situation was because he was afraid that the three of them would die in vain for angering Hong Yi.

Inwardly, Zhou Chen could not understand Hong Yi’s actions. In his memories, she had never sworn any oaths to anyone, much less the Great Oath of Heart Devil.

He glanced sideways at Ning Fan and muttered internally.

It seems like this young man is rather extraordinary as he was able to make the Mistress swear an oath.

Since he was able to gather 24 dark golden bamboo leaves in the Black Lightning Tower, he definitely managed to kill all the way up to the 24th floor. Even I find it difficult to go to that floor. Moreover, I can’t even get past the defensive line of ferocious beasts at the entrance of the Black Lightning Realm at all.

“Humph! This time, Zhou Chen is here to ask for forgiveness on your behalf. Next time, I don’t want to hear anyone questioning my command!”

Hong Yi’s beautiful blood-red pupils flashed with a terrifying lightning ray.

That lightning ray was quick. It was just like a flicker of light and there was no way to notice it clearly at all. However, the three Void Glimpse Stage experts felt a sudden sharp pain in their Sea of Consciousness, as if their brains were about to explode. If it wasn’t for Hong Yi who had exercised mercy, the three of them would certainly die!

The three of them were immediately drenched with cold sweat. They hurriedly cupped their fists to apologize, not daring to disobey Hong Yi.

Ning Fan’s expression remained unchanged but internally, he was startled.

This woman’s personality sure is cold…

Hong Yi was just being cold to him. To others, she was cold-blooded.

Compared to them, Hong Yi’s attitude which was neither friendly nor hostile to him was already extremely polite.

He did not intervene. After all, that was the internal matter of the Zhou Clan and it had nothing to do with him.

What made Ning Fan excited was that the Zhou Clan of the internal sea would become his backer from today onwards with the command from Hong Yi. But he does not really expect that the Void Refinement Realm experts of the Zhou Clan would actually come to help him no matter what when he is in trouble.

However, with just the name of the Zhou Clan alone, it already benefited Ning Fan quite a lot.

A revered elder of the Rain Palace and an esteemed guest of the Zhou Clan. This time, Ning Fan could really be considered to be mingling along both of the greatest forces in the Endless Sea.

“Third Elder, how many one hundred thousand years old spiritual herbs are there in your hands?” Hong Yi suddenly opened her mouth to ask.

“Mistress, don’t worry. There are still one hundred tufts of spiritual herbs in my hands. All of them are ones that I have painstakingly gathered over the past ten thousand years. Each of them could be used as the auxiliary medicine to harmonize the medicinal power of the dark golden bamboo leaves.” Zhou Chen answered politely.

“Just one hundred tufts? The lightning power of the dark golden bamboo leaves is extremely strong. Each of the bamboo leaves will need at least 5 tufts of one hundred thousand spiritual herbs to harmonize its medicinal power… That is to say, if I take 60 tufts away, there are only 40 tufts left, right? Fine. Zhou Chen, you take the forty tufts of one hundred thousand spiritual herbs and give them to Zhou Ming!” Hong Yi said firmly without allowing any refusal.

“W-What?!” This time, even Zhou Chen was surprised. Even he had the impulse to question Hong Yi’s command.

One hundred thousand years old spiritual herbs were necessary materials in refining Seventh Revolution pills. Each tuft was worth a lot. Even if there were no Seventh Revolution Pill Masters in the Rain World, one hundred thousand years old spiritual herbs could also be used in Sixth Revolution Pills to enhance their medicinal power.

Even for Void Fragmentation Realm experts, it was extremely difficult to obtain one hundred thousand years old medicinal herbs. As a Void Inquiry Stage expert and the third elder of the Zhou Clan, Zhou Chen had managed to gather one hundred tufts after spending ten thousand years. Each of them was the result of Zhou Chen’s painstaking efforts. How could such precious items be given away to someone so casually?!

He was not reluctant to give them away. However, these spiritual herbs were necessary for Hong Yi to stand on the pinnacle of power once again!

“Do you dare to defy my orders?” Hong Yi’s eyes turned cold.

“No, Mistress. My loyalty to Mistress never changes. The sun and the moon can be my witnesses… However, these spiritual herbs are needed for the ‘great matter’ in the future other than helping Mistress recover the injuries of your primordial spirit. If these spiritual herbs are given away, I’m afraid the day when the Mistress can fully recover your cultivation will be uncertain…”

“You don’t have to worry about this. Zhou Ming’s Wind Mist Finger is a great help to me and I can skip the medicinal bath of one hundred thousand years old spiritual herbs. Go now. Take the forty tufts of one hundred thousand years old spiritual herbs and give them all to Zhou Ming!”

“…”

Zhou Chen gritted his teeth. Everything he did was for his lord. In order to accomplish his lord’s mission, he could work constantly for ten thousand years. He could get rid of his own ferocious personality. No matter what, he would never defy an order given by his lord.

Today, however, this matter was rather important. He did not dare to be careless.

Zhou Chen looked at Ning Fan’s direction. The hesitation in his eyes turned into determination. Suddenly, he rose to his feet.

“Mistress, whether or not he has the capabilities of helping you accomplish that ‘great matter’, I will need to test it myself! I understand that my actions violate Mistress’ rules. I deserve death according to my sin. However, Mistress, please allow me to just destroy one of my arms as an apology after this considering all of my efforts and contributions in the past!”

“Zhou Ming, if you want the one hundred thousand years old spiritual herbs, then withstand a sword strike from me. If you manage to do so, you can then have the herbs!”

*Chi*

Zhou Chen’s white hair flew in the air. A peerlessly vigorous aura force was being emanated from the sword box behind him along with the shrill of a sword.

All of a sudden, the color of the clouds and sky changed. His vigorous sword qi filled the atmosphere like a fierce dragon!

“Do you dare to take this challenge?!”

“Why should I be afraid?!”

Ning Fan instantly got to his feet. He knows that if he fails to withstand a sword strike from Zhou Chen, he definitely could not obtain the herbs.

He did not know about the secret matter concerning Hong Yi and the others. However, just for the sake of Luo You, he had to obtain the one hundred thousand years old spiritual herbs to harmonize the dark golden bamboo leaves and heal her.

Luo You was injured in trying to rescue him. Hence, he certainly could not cast her aside without doing anything!

“If I can withstand a single sword strike from the Third Elder, please give me the herbs as promised!”

A terrifying baleful qi spread out from Ning Fan’s body, shocking everyone in the pavilion.

It was baleful qi that could only be left by the deaths of tens of thousands of Divine Transformation Realm cultivators and tens of Void Refinement Realm experts!

Along Ning Fan’s journey, he had reaped countless lives. Up until today, he had killed more than ten thousand Divine Transformation Realm cultivators. As for those with a lower cultivation level than him, it was innumerable!

Even Zhou Chen felt his mind become chaotic in the face of this immense baleful qi.

Hong Yi raised her head and looked at Ning Fan. It was filled with a hint of amazement again. Ning Fan had surprised her too many times.

“Within the Rain World, the intensity of this young man’s baleful qi can be considered to be the greatest among everyone below the Void Fragmentation Realm!”

Translated by Tommy, edited by Roel