Chapter 870: Chapter 870: Heaven and Earth Without the Bridge of Conviction

Black Barbarian Monks, using Barbarian God Jade Pendants to protect themselves, rampaged through the wilderness, plundering cities as bandits!

Each Black Barbarian Monk is skilled in Barbarian Techniques, knowing how to use these techniques to kill. Together, they can even confront weak Barbarian Beasts!

Right now, the twelve Black Barbarian Monks, full of malice, are all killers of countless people. Under the aura of malice, countless guests inside the Zhao Residence are pale-faced, filled with fear.

Everyone knows these twelve Black Barbarian Monks came for Zhao Die’er, but not a single person dares to speak half a word in her defense.

Some cowardly individuals, who usually go to great lengths to associate with the Zhao Residence, now wish for the Zhao Residence to hand over Zhao Die’er immediately to calm the Black Barbian Monks’ anger.

“So they are Black Barbarian Monks!”

Looking at the dozens of servant corpses in the snow, Zhao Boyang appeared as an angry deity, fearlessly facing the twelve black monks.

While others fear the Black Barbarians, he does not. Having practiced Confucianism all his life and now forty-six, he has already seen through life and death.

He is not one to cling to life or fear death, nor would he hand his own daughter over to the Black Barbarians!

But he also understands that the Black Barbarian Monks are unbelievably powerful. Against ordinary mortals, anyone could easily defeat thousands; even combining all of Bianliang City’s mortals might not be a match for these twelve black monks before him…

“Why have you Black Barbarians targeted my daughter! Give me a reason!” Zhao Boyang said in a deep voice.

After years of cultivating his spirit, he possessed a touch of righteous energy in his chest, and his voice was regal, causing the twelve Black Monks to change their expressions slightly.

The leading old monk quickly hid his surprise upon realizing Zhao Boyang was merely an old Confucian scholar, not a barbarian monk, and laughed coldly,

“One!”

He naturally did not bother answering Zhao Boyang’s questions and began counting directly.

If the Zhao Residence did not hand over Zhao Die’er within ten breaths, he would definitely lead a massacre of the Zhao Residence and possibly Bianliang!

“Hmph! I will not give my daughter up…”

“Two!”

Still wanting to say something, Zhao Boyang was unfortunately cut off, directly overwhelmed by the old monk’s pressure, coughing blood as he fell.

Despite his discontent, he stared at the black monks, knowing that no matter his etiquette and understanding, he was powerless against the Barbarian Monks.

“Father!”

Just as Zhao Die’er wanted to help her father, Master Manchi was already there, helping Zhao Boyang and giving him a Barbarian Medicine Pill to consume.

As the old monk counted ’three’, Master Manchi walked past the others, stepping on snow, heading towards the twelve black monks, with a heavy gaze.

“I, Manchi, am a barbarian monk of Bianliang. As long as I am alive, no one is allowed to harm the people of this city!”

“With you?” Several black monks simultaneously showed disdain, and some snorted in contempt.

Manchi’s knowledge of Barbarian Techniques was utterly lacking; any of the twelve black monks could easily kill him.

The leading Black Barbarian old monk revealed a cold murderous intent, no longer counting.

Manchi’s act of defiance had provoked his killing intent; thus, he intended to massacre the Zhao Residence and abduct Zhao Die’er without mercy!

“Heh heh, my precept blade doesn’t kill Barbarian Monks. Since you’re here to die, I’ll fulfill your wish!”

Swoosh!

The silhouette of the Black Barbarian old monk vanished from his steed, appearing behind Manchi, swinging his blade towards Manchi’s back.

The movement was too fast, beyond mortal sight. Even Manchi couldn’t clearly see the old monk’s actions, feeling the chilling blade at his back!

“So fast!” Knowing his fate, Manchi was desperate.

Yet, unexpectedly, a silver-haired figure, faster than countless Black Barbarian old monks, blocked the precept blade, raising a little hand, shattering the blade into pieces with a snap.

Another flick of the hand, and the previously arrogant Black Barbarian old monk was thrown into the snow like a rag doll, crashing heavily onto the ground, dead instantly.

The remaining eleven black monks all changed expressions, looking upon the silver-haired little girl with astonishment.

Zhao Boyang, Manchi, and countless Zhao Residence guests and servants were stunned, even Zhao Die’er was somewhat incredulous.

That silver-haired little girl was none other than Ning Fan’s nominal daughter, Ning Xianxian!

This little girl was formidable, managing to kill a Black Barbarian Monk in one move!

“Hehe, father told me not to hit Bianliang citizens or Barbarian beasts, but he never said I couldn’t hit these outsider bad monks.”

“Oh my! How come I’m so strong, instantly killing a bad monk!”

Xian Luoli opened her little mouth, disbelieving.

Just two years ago, her memory losses increased as her Thunder Body evolved, and gradually she no longer remembered who Little Qianqian was.

Gradually, she forgot her past relationship with Ning Fan, truly seeing Ning Fan as ’father’, herself as Ning Xianxian, and Liu Yan as ’mother’.

She also gradually forgot her past greatness, having not fought for years, killing a bad monk in one go scared her…

“If father knows I killed someone, would he spank me…” Xian Luoli shivered.

Though Ning Fan had never spanked her, she had seen neighbor’s kids getting spanked, and it looked quite painful…

“You… who are you! Dare to obstruct the Black Barbarians’ affairs, do you wish to die! All together, kill this demon girl!”

A black monk summoned courage, shouting first, descending from his horse. The others followed suit, drawing blades, charging at Xian Luoli.

“…This time, strike gently…”

Xian Luoli cautiously swung her powdery fist, immediately releasing an invisible thunder force, sending one of the fastest-charging black monks flying.

The black monk crashed into the wall, collapsing a long section of earthen wall, kicked his legs, and died…

“Again… killed another bad monk. Finished, father will surely punish me heavily!”

Xian Luoli wore a mournful expression, and the remaining ten black monks looked terrified, their faces pale as they turned around on horseback to flee.

They were truly frightened by Xian Luoli. From the power Xian Luoli displayed, killing them would be child’s play! It’s not safe to stay here long; we must retreat!

Xian Luoli didn’t pursue them, her little face full of worry, afraid she’d accidentally kill someone again.

Liu Yan appeared beside Xian Luoli without her noticing, gently stroking Xian Luoli’s little head and comforting her,

“Xianxian, don’t be afraid. Your daddy would never punish you…”

“Mom, is what you said true?”

“…I’m not your mom…”

Liu Yan tenderly brushed her brow with helplessness. She never thought that one day Xian Luoli would be confused enough to mistake her for her mother…

Thinking back on the fifteen years she’d pretended to be Ning Fan’s wife made her blush with embarrassment.

She glanced mockingly at the ten black monks who had fled.

Liu Yan didn’t believe these black monks could escape, for she clearly felt Ning Fan had returned.

In front of the ten black monks as they galloped on the snowy path, a figure in white suddenly appeared out of the night.

He stood there in the cold, snowy night, blocking the ten black monks, his face calm as still water, but a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

He was Ning Fan, who had returned.

Zhao Die’er had grown up before his eyes, and he regarded her as a junior. These black barbarian monks dared to target Zhao Die’er and kill at the Zhao Residence; they must pay!

Despite the transformation, when it was supposedly unwise to use cultivation, Ning Fan insisted on taking the lives of these black monks here!

No one saw how he struck, but all ten black monks’ heads flew high, blood gushing like springs from their necks.

The startled horses scattered in every direction, while the bodies of the ten black monks fell to the ground, staining the white snow with black blood…

“Black blood…” Ning Fan furrowed his brows slightly, capturing a soul imperceptible to mortals and destroying this soul remnant.

Without saying much else, he walked past the bodies of the monks and entered the Zhao Residence.

At this moment, all the people at the Zhao Residence were dumbfounded.

Barbarian monks, who could contest with barbarian beasts, were formidable monks. No matter how high a mortal martial artist’s internal strength or skills, they shouldn’t be a match for barbarian monks. Yet, Xian Luoli and Ning Fan killed barbarian monks as if they were ants. This scene was incredibly shocking…

Zhao Boyang was too shocked to speak. He never imagined that Ning Fan, whom he had known for fifteen years, was such a formidable figure.

Zhao Die’er was equally surprised and speechless. She never knew that Ning Fan, who only drank, admired plum blossoms, and painted, was so powerful…

Barbarian Fool stared at Ning Fan in disbelief. In the fifteen years, Ning Fan’s appearance had changed considerably, yet he recognized him at a glance.

This person had once visited the Bian Liang Barbarian Temple! That year, while he was carving a savage figure, this person’s mere gaze rendered him immobile…

Ning Fan walked up to Zhao Die’er with a smile, taking out a pendant made of a barbarian beast bone and handing it to Zhao Die’er.

“This is the coming-of-age gift your uncle found for you. Take it. Soon, you’ll be leaving Bian Liang for Tianman City. This bone pendant will ensure your safety along the way.”

Ning Fan then looked at Zhao Boyang and his wife with a touch of nostalgia.

“Brother Boyang, I’ve heard you and your family will soon be moving to Tianman City. These two bone pendants are my token of appreciation; please accept them.”

“I’ve been in Bian Liang for fifteen years, but today I used my cultivation to kill, and this transformation cannot continue. It’s time I leave Bian Liang and explore the mountains and rivers in other barbarian cities…”

Bowing to Zhao Boyang, Ning Fan sighed, taking Liu Yan and Xian Luoli with him as he left the Zhao Residence, heading off into the distance.

“Junior Brother Ning, where do you intend to go!” Zhao Boyang was shocked, never expecting that after slaying the black monks, Ning Fan would leave, departing Bian Liang.

Zhao Die’er, too, paled, forgetting her maidenly reserve as she ran to catch up with Ning Fan.

“Uncle, why are you leaving Bian Liang? Where are you going… are you going to abandon Die’er…”

“Uncle is leaving Bian Liang to reflect on the past fifteen years. Aren’t you about to leave Bian Liang too… we will all be going our separate ways…”

“Since Uncle is leaving Bian Liang, why not go to Tianman City with Die’er!” Zhao Die’er looked at Ning Fan hopefully.

“Uncle will visit Tianman City, but not right now… Die’er must strive to become a powerful barbarian monk…”

Ning Fan smiled, gently stroking Zhao Die’er’s silky hair, his gaze soft. To him, Zhao Die’er would always be that little girl.

He plucked a red plum blossom and placed it in Zhao Die’er’s hair, whispering a few words in her ear before leaving.

In a few days, the Zhao Residence would leave Bian Liang, relocating to Tianman City, and Ning Fan planned to depart as well.

Every blade of grass and tree in Bian Liang had etched itself into his heart, but he wished to see more barbarian cities.

The three jade pendants gifted to the Zhao family were crafted from the bones of a Sui Nian Barbarian Beast that had fallen years ago.

Each of the three barbarian bone jade pendants had Great Divine Power, guaranteeing the family’s safety with ease.

Zhao Die’er stood in the snow, carefully holding the barbarian bone jade pendant in her hands.

Her nose tingled with a touch of sadness, a bit of reluctance, yet also with hope, with anticipation.

As Ning Fan departed, the words he left behind lingered in her ears.

“When Die’er becomes a powerful barbarian monk, Uncle will surely come to Tianman City to see you… definitely…”

Zhao Die’er placed the barbarian bone jade pendant against her heart, her beautiful eyes gradually filling with determination.

Becoming a barbarian monk was her dream, and she would work hard for this dream, not disappointing Ning Fan’s expectations…

…

The snow continued relentlessly. Ning Fan walked with his hands behind him through the snow, trailed by Liu Yan and Xian Luoli, leaving Bian Liang City behind, following the main road, heading into the distance.

The vast snowstorm seemed like a fog, making it impossible to see through the night at a glance.

Ning Fan’s gaze momentarily became blank, as if he wasn’t watching the snowstorm, but the thick mist on Zhenhuan River…

Mist, it’s all mist… The existence of this primitive and wild place is in itself like a mist…

The existence of the four heavens and nine worlds also seems to be shrouded in a layer of mist…

The Great Dao of Yin and Yang is likewise yet another layer of mist…

The closer Ning Fan gets to Enlightenment, the less he perceives what is true. As he nears the Dao, the less he sees its form…

“Is there truth in the world…”

Ning Fan looked up to the snowy sky and uttered a heart-felt question.

This question, Liu Yan, whose cultivation was still low, could not comprehend, and the memory-confused Xian Luoli certainly didn’t understand.

Ning Fan seemed to be asking his own heart, yet also appeared to be questioning the Great Dao of Yin and Yang; the only response was the increasingly fierce sound of wind and snow.

No one answered, nor did he hope for anyone to answer, he simply continued walking into the vast snow, his figure disappearing.

Ning Fan did not know that when he posed this question, a demon spirit suddenly broke through Zhenhuan River, showing shock on its face.

That demon spirit was the River Demon of Zhenhuan River, having inhabited the river since the formation of the Heavenly Dao.

Though his cultivation wasn’t high, he possessed spirit awareness rather than life; his life was long-lasting; he had witnessed countless Masters cross the True Bridge and numerous others fall into Zhenhuan River, failing Enlightenment…

His existence was to comply with the decree of the Immortal Emperor, obstructing Masters with Illusory Art during their Enlightenment in Dreamland Realm.

In his lifetime, he had seen Zhenhuan River’s water reverse flow forty-seven times; just now, the forty-eighth reverse flow appeared!

“Someone in Dreamland Realm almost saw through the illusion of heaven and earth!”

“This person likely hasn’t gone through Enlightenment yet and is not a True Immortal; otherwise, Zhenhuan River would not just have reversed flow, but would have destroyed countless True Bridges!”

“A Master, yet to experience Enlightenment, can faintly see through the illusion of Dreamland Realm… This person is extraordinary, but who could it be…”

Gradually, the River Demon’s shocked expression faded as he sank back to the river’s depths, unbidden, a vision of Ning Fan emerged in his mind.

“On that day, a junior went through Enlightenment, the first time entering the inner Heavenly Dao, able to see three thousand True Bridges, an exceptionally rare feat through ancient and modern times…”

“Could he be the one causing Zhenhuan River to reverse flow…”

…

Ten days later, the Barbarian Temple of Tianman City dispatched seven Barbarian Monks to escort the entire Zhao Family to Tianman City.

Along the way, the convoy encountered several Barbarian Beast attacks, but strangely, these attacks all halted midway.

Any Barbarian Beast attempting to attack the convoy was intimidated by an invisible Calamity Thought, not daring to move recklessly!

This Calamity Thought came from the Barbarian Bone Jade Pendant of Zhao Boyang’s family, which contained the Calamity Thought Divine Ability planted by Ning Fan!

Ten days later, Ning Fan and his party traveled along the official road to the ruins of Qufu City from back in the day.

A month later, Ning Fan and his group arrived at a Barbarian Valley, where they found a camp of Black Barbarian Monks and completely massacred them.

These Black Barbarian Monks were the very ones who previously sent people to capture Zhao Die’er, and Ning Fan would not leave loose ends.

Another half month passed, and Ning Fan arrived at a Barbarian City named Yuan City, where he stayed for half a month.

Afterwards, he traveled to the next Barbarian City…

The twenty-first year of his transformation, Ning Fan refined the third Seven-Colored Arrow Spirit.

In the twenty-eighth year, Ning Fan refined the fourth Seven-Colored Arrow Spirit and re-entered the inner Heavenly Dao.

This time, from within the Heavenly Dao, he saw twelve thousand True Bridges, but unfortunately, none were the True Bridge of Execution Path that he could cross.

Once again, he retreated from the inner Heavenly Dao, failing to undergo Enlightenment.

Fortunately, as long as he hadn’t stepped on a True Bridge, it didn’t count as a failed Enlightenment, so it wasn’t a major issue.

In the thirty-fifth year, Ning Fan refined the fifth Seven-Colored Arrow Spirit.

In the forty-second year, Ning Fan refined the sixth Seven-Colored Arrow Spirit.

In the forty-ninth year, the last Seven-Colored Arrow Spirit was refined by Ning Fan.

The cultivation progress of War Yin and Yang had already reached one hundred percent, already initially completed, sealed by Ning Fan, and could be unsealed at any time, like Rain Yin and Yang.

But this was not a complete achievement… Only when Ning Fan possessed Late Stage Enlightenment cultivation could he completely absorb the power of Rain Yin and Yang and War Yin and Yang.

The Spiritual Wine brewed with the Dao-Seeking Fruit had all been consumed by Ning Fan.

Ning Fan’s appearance resembled a man nearing seventy years of age, and to accompany Ning Fan’s transformation, Liu Yan also transformed into an elderly woman.

Only Xian Luoli consistently maintained her childlike appearance.

Over forty-nine years, Xian Luoli had consumed ninety percent of Ning Fan’s shattered thunder, yet the complete evolution of Thunder Body remained a distant prospect.

Her memory grew increasingly chaotic; she even forgot who Liu Yan was, forgot her own name was Xian Xian, but alone remembered that Ning Fan was ’father.’

Every morning upon waking, Xian Luoli would forget everything and bewilderedly say to Ning Fan, “Father, who am I…”

“You are Xian Xian…”

“Father, who is she…”

“She is Liu Yan…”

“Father, I’m hungry…”

“Eat these Thunder Pills.”

The Thunder Pills were refined by Ning Fan with shattered thunder and lightning power, sweet in taste, and much loved by Xian Luoli.

In the past, Ning Fan wouldn’t go to such lengths to concoct pills for a stranger like Xian Luoli, but after years of being together, he had developed deep feelings for Xian Luoli.

In his life, he had no children, and Xian Luoli seemed to have truly become like a daughter to him.

However, Ning Fan knew that once Xian Luoli’s Thunder Body Evolution was complete, she would regain her memories and become the Shedding Void Realm old monster again…

The ’father-daughter bond’ between him and Xian Luoli probably wouldn’t last long.

The Seven Paths Seven-Colored Spirit Arrows had all been refined by Ning Fan.

Ning Fan walked out of Barbarian City and came to an uninhabited Barbarian Valley, settling there, waiting for the next opportunity to enter the Inner Heavenly Dao and make a breakthrough in Enlightenment!

This time, Ning Fan was confident he could pierce through all fogs and see all the True Bridges!

He was determined to find the True Bridge of Execution Path among those True Bridges, to enter the Realm of True Crossing!

In the fiftieth year, Ning Fan finally heard the call of the Zhenhuan River for the third time and successfully entered the Inner Heavenly Dao.

This time, Ning Fan did not enter the Inner Heavenly Dao with just his Spirit but directly with his entire physical body!

Since the formation of the Heavenly Dao, only forty-seven people had accomplished such a feat. Ning Fan was the forty-eighth to do so!

When he once again came to the bank of the Zhenhuan River, he finally pierced through all the illusory mist and saw the 108,000 True Bridges above the Zhenhuan River!

108,000 True Bridges, 108,000 Great Daos, yet among them, there was none…

Few knew that above the Zhenhuan River, there was no Bridge of Execution Path!

“No Execution Bridge on the True River! How could it be!”

Ning Fan’s eyes showed slight surprise as he suddenly recalled Sparrow God Kidd’s warning from years ago, advising him not to pursue Enlightenment.

No Execution Bridge on the True River… Could this be the reason Sparrow God Kidd advised him against it!

Ning Fan walked to the edge of the Zhenhuan River, gazing at the rolling waters with an extremely grave look.

Without a bridge, this river couldn’t be crossed at all, touching the water would mean failure to attain Enlightenment…

“Haha! To think a junior like you whose path is Execution, a path beyond the heavens, would vainly attempt Enlightenment! It’s truly laughable to an old man like me!”

A disdainful laugh suddenly came from the Xuan Yin Treasure.

Ning Fan raised his palm and summoned a sealed bow from the Xuan Yin Treasure, a cold gleam in his eyes.

The one mocking him was the sealed bow—Ancestral Bow Spirit, taken from Dulongzi’s hands back then!

Though sealed, unable to make any sound, the Bow Spirit could still connect with Ning Fan’s heart spirit through a sliver of spiritual awareness…

“As lonely as snow, this old man is truly lonely as snow, being captured by a junior who can’t achieve Enlightenment!”

“Junior, with your cultivation unable to transcend, you cannot afford to provoke the True Dragon Race. The old man advises you to release me swiftly, and find seven or eight thousand beautiful women to serve me. I can put in a good word for you before the Immemorial Dragon Race, so they may spare your life!”

The Ancestral Bow Spirit spoke in a tone full of ancient and autumnal arrogance; having once followed the Ancestral Dragon in battles, vanquishing countless Eternal Old Freaks, it naturally held its head high.

Even as a captive of Ning Fan, it spoke with boundless arrogance.

Unfortunately, is Ning Fan someone a sealed Bow Spirit can easily provoke… this Bow Spirit seems unaware of its plight as a prisoner…

“Noisy!”

Ning Fan wasn’t one to be courteous with the Bow Spirit; he directly flicked his finger, and the black-red Barbarian Flash Power immediately invaded the Ancestral Bow, crackling and causing havoc.

Immediately, the Ancestral Bow Spirit let out a pig-like scream, begging for mercy like it was crying for its parents,

“Spare my life, mighty hero! The little bow will no longer dare to speak nonsense!”

“Quickly remove the Barbarian Flash, otherwise, the Bow Spirit’s form will be critically damaged!”

“I’ll call you grandfather, I’ll call you grandfather, alright, just stop!”

“…I’ve seen the Ancestral Dragon create a True Bridge! I’ll tell you the method to build a Bridge of Execution Path for Enlightenment! Just let me go!”

Upon hearing the last sentence from the Ancestral Bow, Ning Fan halted the Barbarian Flash, a gleam of light flashing in his eyes as he looked at the Ancestral Bow in his hand.

Create a bridge? Yes, if there’s no Bridge of Execution on the Zhenhuan River, I will simply create one. What does it matter?!

This Zhenhuan River, it must be crossed!

“Tell me, what must be done to create a Bridge of Execution Path! If your answer doesn’t satisfy me, you know the consequences!”

Ning Fan’s icy words fell into the ears of the Ancestral Bow, immediately causing it to tremble involuntarily.

As lonely as snow, it, the dignified spirit of the Ancestral Bow, how could it have fallen into the hands of this star of misfortune who knows no bounds…

And building a bridge… Is creating a True Bridge so easy… What it said about having seen the Ancestral Dragon build a True Bridge was but three parts truth, seven parts lies.

When the Ancestral Dragon reached Enlightenment, it faced many difficulties. It considered taking a shortcut to build a True Bridge; however, the bridge construction failed. It eventually had to settle for many years of bitter cultivation before finding its True Bridge and succeeded in Enlightenment…

A True Bridge can only be built by an Immortal Emperor who opens the heavens and establishes the Heavenly Dao. Ning Fan is not an Immortal Emperor; it’s simply impossible for him to build a bridge successfully over the Zhenhuan River…

“Uh… the little bow just spoke nonsense earlier; in fact, there’s no method for constructing True Bridges in this world…” the Ancestral Bow Spirit cautiously replied.

“Not speaking the truth, huh…” Ning Fan’s eyes chilled, and he unleashed another Barbarian Flash Jiguang.

Immediately, the Ancestral Bow let out pig-like howls once again, filled with grievances.

“This time, the little bow is speaking the truth! The previous words were nonsense! There really isn’t a method for constructing True Bridges in this world!”

“Spare my life! Mighty hero, spare my life! Quickly stop the Barbarian Flash!”

“…Mighty hero can search my bow soul to see if the little bow is lying! Mighty hero has demon spiritual qi inside; the little bow can teach you the True Dragon Race’s highest secret technique—Reverse Spirit Technique! In the entire True Dragon Race, only a few ancestors are qualified to cultivate this technique. With this technique, you can search the little bow’s bow soul and know that the little bow truly wasn’t lying!”

Hearing this, Ning Fan’s eyes once again shifted slightly; he stopped the Barbarian Flash, muttering,

“Reverse Spirit Technique… the True Dragon Race’s highest secret technique…”(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep