Grasping the Evil

Chapter 1194: Possibility

Stone Warrior is imprisoned in the Hell Research Chamber.

The name "Hell" was, of course, given by the somewhat eccentric All-Knowing Elder, leaving Ning Fan speechless.

"The so-called Hell Research Chamber is a place for conducting the most secret research. Young lady, your Stone Warrior grandfather is indeed detained here, engaged in a secret research project. Unfortunately, the research isn’t going well, so his current physical condition isn’t great—you should be prepared for that..."

Under the guidance of the All-Knowing Elder, Ning Fan and Bei Xiao Man reached an underground laboratory where they found Stone Warrior.

Stone Warrior was indeed still alive, barely holding on to a breath, but his appearance caused Bei Xiao Man to cry instantly.

At this moment, Stone Warrior had been completely dissected by the All-Knowing Elder. His dismembered limbs and wrecked body lay completely destroyed, looking charred and torn, as if they had undergone some inhumane research, before being discarded like garbage in a corner, becoming waste. He only had a head left, stored in a large sealed container, unconscious; the container was filled with a pale green unknown liquid, glowing eerily.

"What have you done to my Stone Warrior grandfather! I will... kill... you!" Bei Xiao Man’s beautiful eyes were blood-red, and her Gui Veins killing intent instantly engulfed the entire underground laboratory.

To her, he was like a grandfather, yet he was ravaged to such a state—how could she remain calm!

The All-Knowing Elder flicked a finger, dispersing the invisible killing intent. What kind of being was he, that he would be intimidated by Bei Xiao Man’s meager killing intent? He shamelessly shrugged, "Young lady, why are you getting so angry? Isn’t your Stone Warrior grandfather still alive and well?"

"You call this living well! Do you want me to chop you up and soak you in water to experience it once!"

"As long as a puppet’s crystal core isn’t damaged, the destruction of other body parts poses no life-threatening danger. Your Stone Warrior grandfather’s crystal core is located in the head, which is intact, thus considered alive. If the research were complete, I could install new limbs and a torso anytime, creating a brand-new Stone Warrior—his previous strength was too weak! If I enhance him with stronger materials, your Stone Warrior grandfather’s strength would vastly improve to protect you, who are at the Fate Immortal level..."

"You old fool! You don’t understand anything! I don’t need Stone Warrior grandfather to protect me! I don’t need him to become stronger! I just want him to be alive and well, that’s enough! He’s a grandfather! A grandfather!"

"Heh, to consider a puppet as a grandfather, you’re quite like me. I’ve sworn brotherhood with Brother Donkey and call roaches and crickets my siblings—turns out we’re kindred spirits, what a coincidence."

"You’re truly insane!"

Ning Fan frowned, tapping Bei Xiao Man’s head gently, halting the pointless argument between the elder and the young.

The immediate task was not to argue right or wrong here but to rescue Stone Warrior.

Years ago, Ning Fan had captured Stone Warrior. During that period, Stone Warrior worked under Ning Fan’s command.

Seeing his former subordinate tortured by the All-Knowing Elder to such a state wasn’t pleasant for Ning Fan either. He calmly looked at the All-Knowing Elder, his tone icy, "Enough idle chit-chat, let me ask you, Senior, how long will it take to equip Stone Warrior with a new body?"

Once new limbs and a torso are installed, Stone Warrior, as a puppet, could gain new life.

"How long it takes, specifically, depends on what level of puppet body he’s upgraded to. His original puppet body was made from Nascent Soul material, too weak. I can spend ten days upgrading him to an Enlightenment Puppet body, if upgrading to the Shedding Void Stage, it requires at least twenty days, and for mumbling level, it takes a month and a half, as for eons, well... let’s forget eons, the puppet crystal is too low-level, forcing an upgrade to an Eternal Puppet is too costly, exceeding the expense of ten Eternal Puppets, it’s inadvisable, mumbling is optimal..." the All-Knowing Elder spoke ruefully.

"Too costly? Didn’t you upgrade all my other puppets to Immortal Venerable and Immortal King levels without a complaint? Since you’ve harmed my Stone Warrior grandfather like this, restitution is necessary! I demand you use the best materials to upgrade him to the highest level!" Bei Xiao Man naturally sought maximum benefits for Stone Warrior grandfather.

"Upgrade? I haven’t upgraded those puppets. I merely fed them with Puppet Crystal, unleashing their utmost potential. Due to the variance in puppet materials, the maximum potential differs; even the best puppet master can’t transform all the material energy into puppet cultivation. Those thirteen puppets’ crystal cores and materials are all eons-grade, hence with a few tricks, I can make them show their peak potential, evolving from Fate Immortal Enlightenment Puppets to Eternal Puppets. But your Stone Warrior grandfather differs—his peak potential is merely Nascent Soul level..."

"I lack education, I don’t understand a word you said. I have only one demand! Use all your best puppet materials on my Stone Warrior grandfather! Fail to comply, and hmph!" Bei Xiao Man took out her tattered Named Disciple Command Token, raising it high.

The All-Knowing Elder’s face immediately changed, retreating hurriedly, "Young lady, let’s talk it out! I’ll comply entirely, is that enough! The best materials! I promise to use the best to rebuild your Stone Warrior grandfather’s body! Put the token away, quickly!"

"Look at you, listening after being threatened, forcing me to use my ace!"

"Ah, my reputation in ruins. Why must I fear this token above all else... Oh, young lady! If utilizing higher-grade materials, I’ll need to gather some data for flawless modifications."

"Gather what?"

"Data!"

"What does that mean?"

"Data equates to, from a lower-dimensional perspective, the understanding and interpretation of the essence of Dao, it’s..."

"Speak human!"

"Simply put, using the best materials to modify your Stone Warrior Grandfather is possible! But I need your husband to assist me, I need to conduct some research on him to aid in the modification..."

"Impossible! No discussion!"

Bei Xiao Man fiercely protected Ning Fan, shielding him behind her.

Her Stone Warrior Grandfather had been researched by the All-Knowing Elder, reduced to just a head, and she would not tolerate Ning Fan suffering the same fate.

Ning Fan gazed at the sealed container holding the Stone Warrior, slightly silent, then suddenly spoke after a long pause, "Does the research on me by the senior truly aid in the perfect modification of the Stone Warrior?"

"It does!" The All-Knowing Elder, hearing there was hope, lit up with joy.

"Very well, I agree to the senior’s request, willing to cooperate with the senior to a certain extent of research."

"What!" Bei Xiao Man, upon hearing Ning Fan’s decision, was distressed to the point of tears.

She does not want Ning Fan to become a cripple, never!

...

Ning Fan agreed to the research request of the All-Knowing Elder, partly for the Stone Warrior, partly for himself.

On his journey, he had come to see that the All-Knowing Elder had numerous unconventional research practices, but the person seemed genuinely skilled. Merely that segment on the theory of "puppet potential" deeply convinced Ning Fan.

It was a theory Bei Xiao Man couldn’t understand, but Ning Fan did!

The All-Knowing Elder has methods to unlock the maximum potential of puppets! He also appears to have ways to unlock the maximum potential of other creatures! The powerful spirit insects and demonic mounts he nurtures are proof of this.

Being researched by this person might entail significant risks, but if the research proceeds smoothly, one’s strength could immensely increase...

Ning Fan is eager to explore this possibility; he wants to see if being researched by the All-Knowing Elder is beneficial for his own cultivation.

Of course, he understands that the All-Knowing Elder is a research fanatic; even if he cooperates with this person, he shouldn’t be reduced to being crippled. He’s decided to first observe, whether good or bad, he’ll know upon witnessing...

Thus, for the following ten days, Ning Fan stayed in the underground research chamber, which made Bei Xiao Man extremely anxious. Regardless of how Ning Fan reassured her, she feared he would be reduced to a cripple, her view on the term "research" had already cast a shadow...

During these ten days, the All-Knowing Elder did not conduct any research on Ning Fan but instructed him to soak in the research pool, forbidden from leaving.

As for the All-Knowing Elder himself, he had been occupied with forging puppet limbs and puppet drive components, which he planned to install on the Stone Warrior...

The research pool wasn’t large, merely a square yard, the pool filled with black, sticky liquid that smelled somewhat foul. Bei Xiao Man found it nauseating upon smelling it once, while Ning Fan soaked within for ten days...

This made Bei Xiao Man extremely distressed, believing the All-Knowing Elder was indirectly torturing Ning Fan. But to Ning Fan, possessing the Nine Revolutions Golden Medicinal Soul, this pool of research liquid was a priceless treasure!

"Ink Sea Ganoderma, this pool of research liquid, astonishingly uses Ink Sea Ganoderma’s ganoderma liquid as the primary ingredient! Ink Sea Ganoderma is Innate Spiritual Medicine, yet even within Innate Spiritual Medicine, there are variations in grade! Spiritual medicines in the Dreamland Realm are generally Innate Inferior Grade due to the lack of spiritual energy, rarely is there Innate Mid-grade... This pool’s ganoderma liquid comes from Innate Mid-grade Ink Sea Ganoderma! The quality difference between Innate Mid-grade and Innate Inferior Grade from the same Ink Sea Ganoderma is akin to heaven and earth difference!"

"Inferior Ink Sea Ganoderma can enhance an Eternal Cultivator’s body refinement for thousands of years... but this pool of medicinal liquid is different! They are of completely different levels! If I could absorb all these medicinal liquids, my Nascent Soul level would advance immensely, transcending one hundred tribulations without fail!"

"Wait... This pool of medicinal liquid isn’t so straightforward, there are other components that, when combined, have a purifying effect... This pool of medicinal liquid can purify the cultivating Dao in my mana!"

Ning Fan was rather astonished.

The All-Knowing Elder not only knew about the cultivating Dao’s hidden dangers within the Gloomy Wood of the Dreamland Realm, but he also had measures to eliminate it!

And immediately upon beginning research, he employed techniques to help him eliminate the cultivating Dao. Was it out of goodwill, or for the smooth progression of subsequent research? Judging by the nature of the All-Knowing Elder, probably the latter...

This method was different from the Multi-Layer Soul Sealing Technique, yet it similarly could eliminate the cultivating Dao within mana; if used alongside the Multi-Layer Soul Sealing Technique, the effect could seemingly be stacked...

Previously, Ning Fan had unsealed his cultivation completely for escape. Now soaking in the medicinal liquid, he reactivated the method of multi-layered soul sealing to seal his cultivation.

The speed at which the Multi-Layer Soul Sealing Technique filtered the cultivating Dao was originally quite slow, but aided by this pool of medicinal liquid, the filtration speed increased a thousandfold!

Ten days!

Ten days passed, and Ning Fan absorbed all the power from a pool of medicinal liquid, directly increasing his Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor cultivation by 110 tribulations!

The total mana has exceeded fourteen thousand three hundred tribulations, with a few left over!

Of course, due to the Multi-layered Soul-sealing Technique resealing his cultivation, Ning Fan is currently unable to use the full amount of mana, only about three thousand tribulations.

With the help of a pool of medicinal liquid, Ning Fan took only ten days to screen through the three thousand tribulations of mana. If there were more pools of such liquid, Ning Fan is confident he could eradicate all traces of Feed Dao Immortal Grain in a very short time!

"I wonder if the All-Knowing Senior has any more Innate Medium Grade Ink Sea Ganoderma, it would be great if there were more..."

Unfortunately, after inquiring, Ning Fan learned that there was only one stem of Innate Medium Grade Ink Sea Ganoderma, which had already been completely used on him.

Ning Fan also asked about the cultivation method of Innate Medium Grade Ink Sea Ganoderma, but the All-Knowing Elder seemed in a bad mood and didn’t talk much about the Ganoderma topic, instead went crazy, jotting and scribbling on paper, then suddenly went mad tearing all the notes apart.

"Unreasonable, totally unreasonable! This doesn’t match my initial calculations! According to my calculations, this kid should need at least three months to adapt to the violent medicinal power of the Ganoderma, fully absorbing the power would require an additional four months, and there would also be several months of side effects... yet this kid managed to perfectly absorb all the medicinal liquid in just ten days. This kind of perfect compatibility with alien forces cannot be simply explained by his Divine Spirit Body identity! Is it because of the cultivation technique? This kid’s Yin Yang Transformation has been cultivated to such a realm! He has already grasped the essence of the Yin Yang Two Principles!"

"Try again! I don’t believe his body compatibility is this perfect, this time, I’ll enhance the medicinal power!"

Thus, the All-Knowing Elder prepared another pool of medicinal liquid, this time enhancing the medicinal power by thirty percent.

The result was that Ning Fan absorbed all the power within nine days!

Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor cultivation surged by 140 tribulations!

The amount of mana screened by the Multi-layered Soul-sealing Technique increased to seven thousand tribulations!

However, Ning Fan was still speechless because the All-Knowing Elder had clearly stated that the Ink Sea Ganoderma was used up, but proved wrong, he still had Ganoderma, earlier words were merely an excuse, foolishly, Ning Fan believed it.

"Inconceivable, simply inconceivable! This time, I not only enhanced the medicinal power of the Ganoderma but also changed the composition of the auxiliary ingredients, yet the result was that this kid’s body perfectly adapted to the power once again, and the adaptation speed even increased! Clearly, the auxiliary ingredients are different, yet as long as the main ingredient is the same it might be fine..."

"Try again! This time, I’ll use up all my Ink Sea Ganoderma, the medicinal power will exceed three times the first time! Plus, I’ll enhance the power of the auxiliary ingredients, even an ordinary Quasi-Saint would not dare directly absorb such concentrated medicinal liquid with their body. This kid’s Body Refinement cultivation limits his ability to directly absorb this medicinal liquid, if he can still manage this, it really indicates he has the potential for constitutive upgrade! The world only knows the endpoint of the Minor Five Elements Constitution is the Grand Five Elements Body, but they don’t know the Grand Five Elements Body can branch out into Yin and Yang, with endless upgrade possibilities. Since Yin and Yang are formless, this possibility has to be crafted by oneself, each person’s possibility is different... Master’s Grand Five Elements Body upgraded to become the Yuan Magnetic Extinction Body; my Grand Five Elements Body upgraded to become Yin-Yang Illusory Light Body; with this kid, what possibilities does he have..."

With anticipation, the All-Knowing Elder prepared the third batch of medicinal liquid.

This time the medicinal concentration gave Ning Fan a very dangerous feeling, soaking in the liquid, his Divine Spirit Body felt like it was being slowly corroded.

However, as his body automatically operated the Yin Yang Transformation technique, the compatibility of his body improved increasingly, gradually, the corrosion vanished without a trace, replaced by frenzied absorption of medicinal power!

This absorption lasted a whole month!

After Ning Fan absorbed all the medicinal liquid, his Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor cultivation surged by 350 tribulations!

Across the three experiments, Ning Fan increased his mana by a total of 600 tribulations! His pure Ancient Chaos Grand Emperor cultivation even rose to the level of Four Calamity Immortal King!

Total mana surging to fourteen thousand eight hundred tribulations!

Moreover, what delighted Ning Fan was that he finally expelled all traces of Feed Dao Immortal Grain from his body, henceforth he no longer needs to seal his mana!

This feeling of eliminating all hidden dangers is indescribably delightful!

"Thank you, Senior. After ten thousand tribulations, increasing mana becomes incredibly difficult, but I’ve managed to surge six hundred tribulations in a short time, I must say it’s all thanks to Senior. However... the medicinal liquids I soaked in don’t seem related to modifying the Stone Warrior... Didn’t Senior say researching me would help in modifying the Stone Warrior?"

"Yeah, it’s unrelated, completely unrelated. Haha! Finally got the first set of data from his body! Perfect data! Hahaha! I’m now very certain, all my previous assumptions are wrong, you have boundless possibilities, your possibilities are definitely higher than mine!"

"... So, you mean all the research done on me was a deception?" Ning Fan couldn’t help but feel speechless.

"Ah, young man, don’t be too concerned, I gained data, you gained cultivation, it’s a win-win situation, what’s not good about it? It’s amusing that everyone in the world avoids me like a plague, worried about being researched, but they don’t know being researched by me is a tremendous fortune, as long as the research is successful, they could dramatically increase their strength..."

"But if the research fails, they’ll pay a heavy price..." Ning Fan disagreed, naturally aware that his sudden surge in cultivation actually involved enormous risks, if his body couldn’t adapt to the med potency, he might explode to death. Even a Quasi-Saint would only dare to soak in the first concentration once, hesitant on the second, outright refusal on the third, the risk is too high.

"Hehe, didn’t you get away without paying a price, as long as the result is good! Young man, don’t concern yourself so much. Anyway! During the time you’ve been soaking in the medicinal liquid, I’ve already completed refining all the body parts of the Stone Warrior, the next step is assembling, the assembly process is somewhat time-consuming, taking at least several months, there must be no disturbance. If the puppet assembly is interrupted, hehe... Mistress Xiao Man’s Stone Warrior might directly face demise."

"During these months, you don’t need to soak in medicinal liquid anymore—the old man doesn’t have such high-grade medicinal liquid for you to soak. You can head to various training grounds in the underground research lab, elevate your body, fully develop your body’s potential, I’ll assign someone to accompany you, guide your cultivation and document all your cultivation data. I’m very interested in your body’s potential, but currently, there are matters at hand, temporarily unable to continue research... Of course, if you’re willing to cooperate later, I have confidence in fully unlocking your potential!"

"Where is Elephant Brother!"

Just as the All-Knowing Elder’s voice fell, the underground research lab suddenly became filled with rolling black smoke. The smoke condensed, dropped to the ground, and transformed into a red-haired giant with tusks protruding from his mouth.

The red-haired giant was a Seven Calamity Immortal Emperor, not a puppet but an elephant demon.

The red-haired giant gazed at the All-Knowing Elder with fear and submission, but when he looked at Ning Fan, his eyes were full of arrogance and disdain.

"Fourteen thousand eight hundred cycles of mana... This kid’s mana is acceptable, but in other aspects, he’s practically trash! Master, do you really want me to guide this boy while you retreat to reconfigure your puppet? I’m afraid I might not be able to control my strength and accidentally kill him with one punch!"

"I know this kid is a bit lacking in various aspects. Anyway, do your best to guide him. At least let him improve in some area. Remember to document his data; I’m very interested in it."

"As you command! Boy, follow me. The Master needs to work, do not stay here and disturb him!"

For a mere Seven Calamity Immortal Emperor to command Ning Fan so arrogantly, if it were any other Immortal Emperor of the Decline, it would have certainly resulted in humiliation.

Yet for some reason, Ning Fan sensed a hint of danger from this elephant demon...

This is no ordinary Seven Calamity Immortal Emperor of the Decline!

This is a Seven Calamity Immortal Emperor at the level of an Emperor Ancient Chaos!

Moreover, this elephant demon seems to possess methods that Ning Fan finds threatening...

"Elephant Brother, I’m uncertain about where we are heading now," Ning Fan asked politely, his temperament not easily angered by slight disrespect.

"Elephant Brother? Hmph! Who do you think you are, to address this king as brother! When I ruled the mountains in the Real Realms, your reincarnation hadn’t even begun! Address me as Elephant Senior! Don’t you understand such basic etiquette!"

"..." Ning Fan frowned slightly, but refrained from getting angry with the elephant demon. After all, this was the All-Knowing Elder’s domain, and he needed to show some respect to him.

However, he did not address him as senior, as he had his pride, and chose to remain silent.

In the dim underground research lab, the teleportation formations crisscrossed.

After a dozen transfers, Ning Fan arrived at an immensely spacious training ground, where a bizarre array of training equipment filled the area, and many ancient powers were silently cultivating.

Upon seeing the elephant demon bringing Ning Fan here, everyone was surprised but maintained their composure, ignoring Ning Fan’s arrival.

Only a cute slime monster, with big adorably wide eyes, ran to Ning Fan’s side to greet him.

"Welcome, newcomer! As a welcoming gift, Nini allows you to touch Nini’s head."

Turns out it was a female slime monster!

The coquettish tone was just like a little girl asking to be patted!

Ning Fan was not swayed by the slime monster’s cute act, nor did he extend his hand to touch her head.

The slime monster seemed very weak, with no qualities besides being cute, but Ning Fan’s insight and sense for danger were sharp!

As the slime monster approached, Ning Fan felt an uneasy sensation, clearly indicating something strange about the slime monster. He wouldn’t touch her recklessly.

Seeing that Ning Fan didn’t touch her, the slime monster continued her coquettish act.

The elephant demon grew impatient upon seeing the slime monster’s antics, and coldly said, "Feng Zhao, drop your act! This isn’t the Fallen Mountain of the Real Realms! Though this kid may be as weak as trash, he’s not easily swayed by your sweet talk."

"Tch, how boring."

The slime monster snorted coquettishly, shifting her soft body aside, but her gaze towards Ning Fan grew more serious.

This research specimen Master found this time seems to have some ability. This is troublesome; if this kid truly has talent and stays here permanently, wouldn’t that mean another person to share the cultivation resources? Seems I must put some effort into edging him out...