duì yú shì sú zhī rén lái shuō ， wǔ nián bù suàn duǎn ， dàn xiān tú màn màn ， duì yú xiū zhēn zhī rén ér yán ， zé zhǐ shì yī huǎng yǎn 。
对于世俗之人来说，五年不算短，但仙途漫漫，对于修真之人而言，则只是一晃眼。
For the average person, five years is a long time. But on the path to immortality, it's just a fleeting moment for cultivators.
jiè zhù wú shù de líng dān ， yǐ jí xīn kǔ de nǔ lì ， lín xuān de xiū wèi yǐ jīng dào le zhù jī qī dì èr céng ， ér qiě shì dì èr céng de dǐng diǎn 。
借助无数的灵丹，以及辛苦的努力，林轩的修为已经到了筑基期第二层，而且是第二层的顶点。
With countless elixirs and diligent effort, Lin Xuan had reached the second layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, and was at its peak.
lín xuān xiū liàn de “ jiǔ tiān xuán gōng ” wēi lì jí dà ， fēn wéi shàng zhōng xià sān piān ， fēn bié shì hé zhù jī qī ， níng dān qī yǐ jí yuán yīng qī de xiū zhēn zhě 。
林轩修炼的“九天玄功”威力极大，分为上中下三篇，分别适合筑基期，凝丹期以及元婴期的修真者。
The "Nine Heavens Profound Art" that Lin Xuan practiced was incredibly powerful. It was divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, each suitable for the Foundation Establishment, Condensation Core, and Spirit婴 stages respectively.
ér qiě bù zhī dào shì fǒu qiǎo hé ， tā de měi yī piān yòu fēn wéi qī céng ， qià hǎo yǔ xiū zhēn měi gè jìng jiè fēn wéi qī céng xiāng duì yīng 。
而且不知道是否巧合，它的每一篇又分为七层，恰好与修真每个境界分为七层相对应。
Moreover, it coincidentally had seven layers in each section, corresponding to the seven levels of cultivation.
dǎ gè bǐ fāng shuō ， lín xuān xiàn zài shì zhù jī qī dì èr céng de xiū wèi ， nà me tā yě jiù gāi liàn jiǔ tiān xuán gōng shàng piān de dì èr céng 。
打个比方说，林轩现在是筑基期第二层的修为，那么他也就该练九天玄功上篇的第二层。
For example, since Lin Xuan's current cultivation level was the second layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, he should be practicing the second layer of the upper section of the Nine Heavens Profound Art. Once he mastered the third layer of the upper section, his cultivation would enter the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment.
ér dāng tā liàn chéng jiǔ tiān xuán gōng shàng piān dì sān céng hòu ， nà me tā de xiū wèi yě jiù jìn rù le zhù jī zhōng qī 。
而当他练成九天玄功上篇第三层后，那么他的修为也就进入了筑基中期。
Each level corresponded precisely and clearly, with immense power. Even among top-grade techniques, it stood out. Thus, Lin Xuan's strength would be a notch above that of other cultivators at the same stage after practicing the Nine Heavens Profound Art.
yī yī duì yìng ， jiǎn dān míng liǎo ， qiě wēi lì jí dà ， jí shǐ zài dǐng jiē gōng fǎ zhōng ， yě chū lèi bá cuì ， yě jiù shì shuō ， xiū liàn jiǔ tiān xuán gōng de lín xuān ， shí lì jiāng bǐ tóng jiē xiū shì shèng shàng yī chóu 。
一一对应，简单明了，且威力极大，即使在顶阶功法中，也出类拔萃，也就是说，修炼九天玄功的林轩，实力将比同阶修士胜上一筹。
In terms of strength, for cultivators of the same realm, without considering factors like magical artifacts, elixirs, and crystal stones, their relative power was determined by the cultivation technique they practiced. For instance, Ouyang Qinxin's Sound Wave Technique, a top-grade technique renowned across the land, allowed her to hold her own against a Condensation Core中期 cultivator despite being at the early stage.
jìng jiè xiāng tóng de xiū zhēn zhě ， zài bù kǎo lǜ fǎ bǎo ， dān yào ， jīng shí děng yīn shù de qíng kuàng xià ， shí lì de gāo xià ， jué dìng yú tā suǒ xiū liàn de gōng fǎ 。
境界相同的修真者，在不考虑法宝，丹药，晶石等因数的情况下，实力的高下，决定于他所修炼的功法。
Apart from its power, Lin Xuan discovered another benefit: the Nine Heavens Profound Art had astonishing anti-aging effects. At twenty years old, he entered the Foundation Establishment stage and began practicing this technique. Five years later, his appearance remained unchanged; it was still exactly the same as when he turned twenty.
bǐ rú shuō ōu yáng qín xīn ， tā suǒ xiū liàn de yīn bō gōng jiù shì yī tiān xià wén míng de dǐng jiē gōng fǎ ， suǒ yǐ tā suī rán shì níng dān chū qī de xiū wèi ， kě duì shàng níng dān zhōng qī de xiū mó zhě ， què sī háo yě bù là xià fēng ， zhè jiù shì gōng fǎ de yuán gù 。
比如说欧阳琴心，她所修炼的音波功就是一天下闻名的顶阶功法，所以她虽然是凝丹初期的修为，可对上凝丹中期的修魔者，却丝毫也不落下风，这就是功法的缘故。
After settling his affairs, Lin Xuan closed his cave and politely declined any visitors for now.
chú le wēi lì ， lín xuān hái fā xiàn le yí gè hǎo chù ， zhè jiǔ tiān xuán gōng yōng yǒu lìng rén jīng tàn de zhù yán xiào guǒ ， lín xuān shì èr shí suì jìn rù zhù jī qī 。 rán hòu kāi shǐ xiū liàn cǐ gōng fǎ ， rú jīn wǔ nián guò qù le ， tā dì róng yán què sī háo wèi biàn 。 yī rán yǔ èr shí suì shí yī mú yī yàng 。
除了威力，林轩还发现了一个好处，这九天玄功拥有令人惊叹的驻颜效果，林轩是二十岁进入筑基期。然后开始修炼此功法，如今五年过去了，他地容颜却丝毫未变。依然与二十岁时一模一样。
From today on, he would aim to advance to the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment.
chǔ lǐ hǎo shǒu zhōng de shì wù ， lín xuān guān bì le dòng fǔ ， zàn shí xiè jué wài kè 。
处理好手中的事物，林轩关闭了洞府，暂时谢绝外客。
With the help of elixirs, his chances were high. After all, it was just a matter of advancing one layer in the technique, much easier than improving his cultivation realm.
cóng jīn tiān qǐ ， tā jiāng xiàng zhù jī zhōng qī fā qǐ chōng jī 。
从今天起，他将像筑基中期发起冲击。
Leaving his cave, Lin Xuan found that this advancement was even smoother than expected.
yóu yú yǒu líng dān fǔ zhù ， tā de bǎ wò jí dà ， bì jìng zhǐ shì gōng fǎ zài jìn yī céng ， bǐ jìng jiè tí shēng róng yì xǔ duō 。^^
由于有灵丹辅助，他的把握极大，毕竟只是功法再进一层，比境界提升容易许多。^^
He clenched his fist and felt quite satisfied with his current state: at twenty-five years old, he had reached the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment. At this rate, it wasn't impossible for him to condense a golden core in the future.
lín xuān chū le dòng fǔ ， zhè yī cì jìn jiē bǐ xiǎng xiàng dì hái yào shùn lì 。
林轩出了洞府，这一次进阶比想象地还要顺利。
A fierce look flashed across Lin Xuan's eyes before he paused, deep in thought. While he didn't want to leave his cave now, he still wished to continue cultivating. However, he had to stop because he needed to help his daughter, Ling'er, improve her strength first. After all, she was a spirit body and could only follow the path of ghost cultivation; ordinary techniques wouldn't work for her.
wò le wò quán tou 。 lín xuān duì yú xiàn zài de zhuàng kuàng shí fēn mǎn yì ， èr shí wǔ suì ， jiù dá dào le zhù jī zhōng qī ， zhào zhè ge sù dù xià qù ， wèi lái níng jié chéng jīn dān yě bú shì bù kě néng de shì 。
握了握拳头。林轩对于现在的状况十分满意，二十五岁，就达到了筑基中期，照这个速度下去，未来凝结成金丹也不是不可能的事。
After considering this, Lin Xuan decided to head to Demon City.
lín xuān de yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī zhì rè de guāng máng ， bù guò suí jí ， què zài yuán dì chén yín qǐ lái le ， qí shí àn zhào tā de běn yì ， bìng bù xiǎng xiàn zài jiù chū guān ， hái xī wàng jì xù xiū liàn 。 kě xiàn zài shǒu lǐ ， què yǒu yī jiàn shì bù dé bù chǔ lǐ 。
林轩的眼中闪过一丝炙热的光芒，不过随即，却在原地沉吟起来了，其实按照他的本意，并不想现在就出关，还希望继续修炼。可现在手里，却有一件事不得不处理。
---
zhè wǔ nián lái ， chú le zì jǐ ， ér xiū liàn de sù dù yě jí kuài 。
这五年来，除了自己，儿修炼的速度也极快。
Demon City, as its name suggested, was where demon cultivators gathered.
zhè ràng lín xuān shí fēn huān xǐ 。
这让林轩十分欢喜。
In Youzhou, although demon cultivators' strength was inferior to that of immortal cultivators, there were still many sects and individual practitioners. For example, the Extreme Demon Cave, Ghostly Clan, and Heaven Saber Sect, among others...
kě què yě miàn lín yí gè nán tí ， zì jǐ gěi ér de nà běn xiū liàn guǐ dào dì gōng fǎ ， zhǐ shì ǒu rán dé lái ， cū qiǎn yǐ jí 。
可却也面临一个难题，自己给儿的那本修炼鬼道地功法，只是偶然得来，粗浅以极。
Most of these sects were concentrated in the northern part of Youzhou, around a place called Demon City.
rú jīn lín ér de xiū wèi yǐ jīng jìn rù le zhù jī chū qī ， nà běn guǐ xiū dào shū yǐ jīng xiū liàn wán bì ， bì xū yào yǒu xīn de gōng fǎ 。
如今林儿的修为已经进入了筑基初期，那本鬼修道书已经修炼完毕，必须要有新的功法。
The path of ghost cultivation was actually just one branch of demon cultivation. Therefore, Lin Xuan needed to visit the markets in Demon City to find suitable techniques for Ling'er.
suī rán lín xuān shǒu lǐ shì hé zhù jī qī de gōng fǎ hái yǒu shù zhǒng zhī duō ， rán ér lín ér nǎi shì yīn hún zhī tǐ 。 zhǐ néng zǒu guǐ xiū yī tú ， pǔ tōng de xiū zhēn gōng fǎ duì tā méi yǒu yòng chǔ 。
虽然林轩手里适合筑基期的功法还有数种之多，然而林儿乃是阴魂之体。只能走鬼修一途，普通的修真功法对她没有用处。
After making his decision, Lin Xuan packed his belongings and set off.
suǒ yǐ lín xuān bù dé bù tíng zhǐ le bì guān ， bì jìng duì tā ér yán ， xiǎng yào níng chéng jīn dān 。 hái rèn zhòng ér dào yuǎn ， bù rú xiān bāng ér tí shēng gōng lì ， gèng néng zēng jìn zì jǐ de shí lì 。
所以林轩不得不停止了闭关，毕竟对他而言，想要凝成金丹。还任重而道远，不如先帮儿提升功力，更能增进自己的实力。
Two days later, he arrived at a forest's edge. He landed his遁光and surveyed the surroundings.
jīng guò yī fān sī liáng ， lín xuān jué dìng qián wǎng tiān mó chéng yī tàng 。
经过一番思量，林轩决定前往天魔城一趟。
To reach Demon City, this forest was an inevitable path.
tiān mó chéng ， gù míng sī yì ， nà lǐ shì xiū mó zhě de jù jí zhī dì 。
天魔城，顾名思义，那里是修魔者的聚集之地。
However, it wasn't just any ordinary forest; there were many beasts within.
zài yōu zhōu ， suī rán xiū mó zhě de shí lì bù jí xiū xiān zhě ， dàn zōng pài sàn xiū yě bù zài shǎo shù 。 bǐ rú shuō jí mó dòng 。 lì guǐ bāng ， tiān shā jiào děng děng 。 bù yī ér zú ……
在幽州，虽然修魔者的实力不及修仙者，但宗派散修也不在少数。比如说极魔洞。厉鬼帮，天煞教等等。不一而足……
Fortunately, he only needed to fly around its edges. The outer beasts were mostly level one, and with his strength, he shouldn't have any issues.
zhè xiē zōng pài dà duō jí zhōng yú yōu zhōu běi bù ， yī míng jiào tiān mó chéng de dì fāng 。
这些宗派大多集中于幽州北部，一名叫天魔城的地方。
After considering the situation of the forest, Lin Xuan flew forward without hesitation.
suǒ wèi de guǐ xiū zhī dào ， qí shí gēn běn jiù shì xiū mó zhě dì yí gè fēn zhī ， suǒ yǐ lín xuān xiǎng yào xún zhǎo shì hé lín ér de gōng fǎ ， zhǐ yǒu qù tiān mó chéng de fāng shì 。^^
所谓的鬼修之道，其实根本就是修魔者地一个分支，所以林轩想要寻找适合林儿的功法，只有去天魔城的坊市。^^
On his way, he occasionally encountered some demon cultivators. They glanced at him but paid no further attention, diving into the forest to hunt beasts for some crystal stones.
zuò xià jué dìng yǐ hòu ， lín xuān jiù shōu shí xíng zhuāng chū fā le 。
做下决定以后，林轩就收拾行装出发了。
It seemed that due to this reason, he didn't encounter any beast attacks and arrived smoothly at his destination.
liǎng rì yǐ hòu ， lín xuān lái dào le yī chù sēn lín de miàn qián ， là xià dùn guāng ， lín xuān dǎ liàng le yī xià sì zhōu de qíng kuàng 。
两日以后，林轩来到了一处森林的面前，落下遁光，林轩打量了一下四周的情况。
Surveying the city before him, it was vast with walls made of hard granite, emitting a faint aura of qi. It appeared to be under some kind of restriction.
xiǎng yào qù tiān mó chéng ， zhè piàn sēn lín shì bì jīng zhī dì 。
想要去天魔城，这片森林是必经之地。
Suddenly, Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed as two beams of light flew towards him.
bù guò zhè bìng fēi shì sú de pǔ tōng sēn lín ， lǐ miàn yǒu bù shǎo yāo shòu 。
不过这并非世俗的普通森林，里面有不少妖兽。
"Friend, greetings!"
hǎo zài zhǐ xū yào cóng sēn lín de biān yuán rào guò qù jiù kě yǐ le ， wài wéi chū mò de yāo shòu dà duō shì yī jí ， yǐ zì jǐ de shí lì ， yīng gāi méi yǒu shén me wèn tí 。
好在只需要从森林的边缘绕过去就可以了，外围出没的妖兽大多是一级，以自己的实力，应该没有什么问题。
A young man in white robes bowed and greeted him, while beside him stood a woman in red. Their intimate demeanor suggested they were a couple practicing together.
lín xuān sī liáng le yī biàn zhè zuò sēn lín de qíng kuàng yǐ hòu ， jiù háo bù yóu yù dì xiàng qián fēi xíng le 。
林轩思量了一遍这座森林的情况以后，就毫不犹豫地向前飞行了。
Lin Xuan returned the bow but his expression was cold: "What do you want?"
yī lù shàng ， ǒu ěr yù jiàn jǐ gè xiū mó zhě ， tā men wàng le yī yǎn lín xuān ， dào yě méi yǒu duō jiā lǐ huì ， ér shì yī tóu zhā rù le sēn lín lǐ ， kàn qíng xíng ， shì xiǎng dǎ diǎn yāo shòu ， huàn qǔ yī xiē jīng shí 。
一路上，偶尔遇见几个修魔者，他们望了一眼林轩，倒也没有多加理会，而是一头扎入了森林里，看情形，是想打点妖兽，换取一些晶石。
The scholar-like youth seemed oblivious to Lin Xuan's frosty tone as he warmly said, "Brother is also heading to Demon City, right? How about we travel together?"
bù zhī dào shì fǒu shì yóu yú zhè ge yuán gù ， lín xuān bìng méi yǒu pèng shàng yāo shòu de xí jī ， shùn lì yǐ jí de lái dào le mù dì dì 。
不知道是否是由于这个缘故，林轩并没有碰上妖兽的袭击，顺利以极的来到了目的地。
Lin Xuan had anticipated this and shook his head. "Sorry, I prefer traveling alone."
dǎ liàng zhuó yǎn qián dì chéng shì ， zhàn dì jí guǎng ， chéng qiáng yóu jiān yìng de huā gǎng yán duī qì ér chéng ， shàng miàn hái sàn fà zhe ruò yǒu ruò wú de líng qì ， kàn lái shì bèi xià le mǒu zhǒng jìn zhì 。
打量着眼前地城市，占地极广，城墙由坚硬的花岗岩堆砌而成，上面还散发着若有若无的灵气，看来是被下了某种禁制。
The scholar was taken aback, seemingly unable to believe that his offer was rejected. He asked in surprise, "Are you a first-time visitor to Demon City? Don't you know that cultivators here are more dangerous when traveling alone?"
tū rán ， lín xuān yǎn jīng yī mī ， liǎng dào dùn guāng xiàng tā fēi le guò lái 。
突然，林轩眼睛一眯，两道遁光像他飞了过来。
Contrary to popular belief, demon and immortal cultivators weren't inherently enemies. Immortal cultivators were selfish; protecting the world from demons was just for children.
“ dào yǒu qǐng le ！”
“道友请了！”
However, their relationship wasn't exactly friendly either. They looked down on each other.
yī wèi bái páo shū shēng mú yàng de nián qīng rén bào quán xíng lǐ ， páng biān zé zhàn zhe yí gè shēn chuān hóng yī de **， cóng liǎng rén qīn mì de shén tài kàn lái ， shì yī duì shuāng xiū dào lǚ 。
一位白袍书生模样的年轻人抱拳行礼，旁边则站着一个身穿红衣的**，从两人亲密的神态看来，是一对双修道侣。
Thus, it was risky for an immortal cultivator to travel alone in Demon City.
lín xuān yě gǒng le gǒng shǒu ， biǎo qíng què hěn shì lěng dàn ：“ xián kàng lì yǒu hé guì gàn ？”
林轩也拱了拱手，表情却很是冷淡：“贤伉俪有何贵干？”
For high-stage cultivators who had condensed cores after the Condensation Core stage, there was no problem since most demon cultivators wouldn't provoke them.
nà shū shēng què huǎng rú wèi jué ， rè qíng de dào ：“ xiōng tái yě shì qián wǎng tiān mó chéng de ba ， bù rú wǒ men jié bàn tóng háng rú hé ？”
那书生却恍如未觉，热情的道：“兄台也是前往天魔城的吧，不如我们结伴同行如何？”
But for those at the Spirit婴 or Foundation Establishment stages, they often faced trouble. Many low-stage cultivators were found dead in Demon City due to provocations and justifications by demon cultivators.
zǎo yǐ liào dào duì fāng mù dì dì lín xuān ， yáo le yáo tóu ：“ bù hǎo yì sī ， zài xià dú lái dú wǎng guàn le ， bù xǐ huān yǔ rén tóng lù 。”
早已料到对方目地地林轩，摇了摇头：“不好意思，在下独来独往惯了，不喜欢与人同路。”
Despite this, the markets in Demon City weren't the largest in Youzhou but were frequented by demon cultivators who sold unique items not found elsewhere.
shū shēng yí zhèng ， sì hū bù xiāng xìn huì bèi jù jué ， chà yì de dào ：“ xiōng tái shì dì yī cì lái tiān mó chéng ba ， nǐ nán dào bù zhī dào wǒ men xiū zhēn zhě ， zài zhè lǐ bǐ jiào wēi xiǎn ， jié bàn ér xíng ， hù xiāng yě hǎo yǒu gè zhào yìng 。”
书生一怔，似乎不相信会被拒绝，诧异的道：“兄台是第一次来天魔城吧，你难道不知道我们修真者，在这里比较危险，结伴而行，互相也好有个照应。”
Therefore, although aware of the dangers, many immortal cultivators still came here for treasure hunting.
yǔ dà jiā xiǎng xiàng dì bù tóng ， xiū zhēn zhě yǔ xiū mó zhě bìng fēi shuǐ huǒ bù róng ， xiū shì men zì sī zì lì ， chú mó wèi dào zhǐ shì piàn xiǎo hái zi de dōng xī 。
与大家想象地不同，修真者与修魔者并非水火不容，修士们自私自利，除魔卫道只是骗小孩子的东西。
Of course, they had learned their lessons and wouldn't go alone.
dàn bù kě fǒu rèn ， shuāng fāng de guān xì yě què shí bù zěn me hǎo ， hù xiāng kàn bù shùn yǎn 。
但不可否认，双方的关系也确实不怎么好，互相看不顺眼。
There were three types of visitors:
suǒ yǐ xiū zhēn zhě gū shēn lái tiān mó chéng bǐ jiào wēi xiǎn 。
所以修真者孤身来天魔城比较危险。
Either high-stage cultivators after condensing cores, naturally unbothered; as long as they didn't cause trouble in Demon City, there would be no issues.
rú guǒ shì níng dān yǐ hòu de gāo jiē xiū shì dào yě bà le ， yì bān yě méi yǒu nǎ ge xiū mó zhě chī bǎo le chēng de huì lái zhāo rě 。
如果是凝丹以后的高阶修士倒也罢了，一般也没有哪个修魔者吃饱了撑的会来招惹。
Or groups from sects collectively traveling together, even without a high-stage leader, the dozen or so Foundation Establishment stage cultivators walking together were safe enough.
kě líng dòng qī huò shì zhù jī qī de xiū zhēn zhě què yòu bù tóng ， zài tiān mó chéng bèi zhǎo chá ， jiè gù miè diào de dī jiē xiū shì bù zài shǎo shù 。
可灵动期或是筑基期的修真者却又不同，在天魔城被找茬，借故灭掉的低阶修士不在少数。
It was unnecessary to mention the effort required to eliminate them. Once动手, it would declare war on their sect. Demon cultivators only looked down upon immortal cultivators; they wouldn't foolishly provoke them.
piān piān tiān mó chéng de fāng shì ， suī rán bú shì yōu zhōu zuì dà de ， dàn yóu yú shì xiū mó zhě kāi shè ， cháng cháng huì chū xiàn yī xiē bié de fāng shì suǒ méi yǒu de zhēn qí huò wù 。
偏偏天魔城的坊市，虽然不是幽州最大的，但由于是修魔者开设，常常会出现一些别的坊市所没有的珍奇货物。
The real worry was for individual practitioners who had no backing from a sect and couldn't rely on any protection. They were easily eliminated in Demon City without anyone seeking revenge.
suǒ yǐ míng zhī dào lái zhè lǐ mǎi dōng xī yǒu wēi xiǎn ， kě lái zhè lǐ táo bǎo de xiū zhēn zhě hái shì bù zài shǎo shù 。
所以明知道来这里买东西有危险，可来这里淘宝的修真者还是不在少数。
Thus, most individual practitioners rarely came here. If forced to come, they often brought companions for mutual support.
dāng rán ， tā men yě xué guāi le ， bì jìng méi yǒu shuí yuàn yì mò míng qí miào de yí mìng wū hū 。
当然，他们也学乖了，毕竟没有谁愿意莫名其妙的一命呜呼。
The white-robed scholar and the woman in red fell into this category; they needed something only found in Demon City's markets but being mere individual practitioners, they hesitated due to hearing stories from fellow cultivators about the dangers. They finally waited until Lin Xuan arrived, a solitary immortal cultivator, only for him to reject their offer.
lái zhè lǐ de xiū zhēn zhě yǒu jǐ zhǒng qíng kuàng 。
来这里的修真者有几种情况。
The scholar was taken aback and thought that Lin Xuan might not be aware of the situation. He wanted to explain but Lin Xuan remained coldly firm in his rejection.
yào me shì níng dān yǐ hòu de gāo jiē xiū shì ， zì rán shì wú suǒ gù jì ， zhǐ yào zài tiān mó chéng bù rě shì ， yì bān lái shuō ， bú huì yǒu rèn hé wèn tí 。
要么是凝丹以后的高阶修士，自然是无所顾忌，只要在天魔城不惹事，一般来说，不会有任何问题。
"Spouse, ignore this person. He won't accept our goodwill; he'll regret it."
yào me shì mén pài de jí tǐ xíng dòng ， jiù suàn méi yǒu gāo jiē xiū shì dài duì ， kě shí jǐ èr shí gè zhù jī qī xiū shì zǒu zài yì qǐ ， ān quán yě bù yòng duō lǜ 。
要么是门派的集体行动，就算没有高阶修士带队，可十几二十个筑基期修士走在一起，安全也不用多虑。
The woman in red, impatient by nature, frowned and said coldly, "Let's go, why waste time on such a person?"
xiān bù shuō miè le tā men huì hěn fèi lì ， ér qiě yí dàn dòng shǒu ， jiù děng yú shì duì nà ge mén pài xuān zhàn a ， xiū mó zhě duì xiū xiān zhě zhǐ shì kàn bù shùn yǎn ér yǐ ， zì rán yě bú huì shǎ shǎ de qù gàn nà zhǒng chǔn shì 。
先不说灭了他们会很费力，而且一旦动手，就等于是对那个门派宣战啊，修魔者对修仙者只是看不顺眼而已，自然也不会傻傻的去干那种蠢事。
The scholar sighed, seeing that Lin Xuan was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. He didn't want to give up easily but saw Lin Xuan's resolve and hesitated before handing him a talisman.
zhēn zhèng tí xīn diào dǎn de qí shí hái shì sàn xiū ， tā men wú yī wú *， méi yǒu mén pài de dà shù kě yǐ chéng liáng ， zài tiān mó chéng bèi miè le yě bú huì yǒu shuí wèi qí tǎo huí gōng dào 。
真正提心吊胆的其实还是散修，他们无依无*，没有门派的大树可以乘凉，在天魔城被灭了也不会有谁为其讨回公道。
"I'll stay nearby with my wife. If you change your mind, you can use this transmission talisman to find us."
suǒ yǐ yì bān qíng kuàng xià ， sàn xiū hěn shǎo lái zhè lǐ ， jí shǐ shì bù dé yǐ lái zhè lǐ mǎi dōng xī ， yě wǎng wǎng hū péng yǐn bàn de jiū jié shàng shù rén ， yǐ biàn xiāng hù yǒu gè zhào yìng 。
所以一般情况下，散修很少来这里，即使是不得已来这里买东西，也往往呼朋引伴的纠结上数人，以便相互有个照应。
"Alright," Lin Xuan nodded without rejecting it, taking the talisman.
bái páo shū shēng yǔ hóng yī nǚ zǐ jiù shì zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng ， fū qī èr rén xū yào gòu mǎi de mǒu wù zhǐ yǒu tiān mó chéng de fāng shì cái yǒu ， kě tā men jǐn jǐn shì sàn xiū ， céng jīng tīng tóng dào shuō guò zhè lǐ de qíng xíng ， zì rán bù gǎn mào rán jìn qù ， hǎo bù róng yì cái děng lái le lín xuān zhè lǐ yī wèi gū shēn de xiū zhēn zhě ， méi xiǎng dào duì fāng què jiāng zì jǐ de tí yì háo bù yóu yù de fǒu jué le 。
白袍书生与红衣女子就是这种情况，夫妻二人需要购买的某物只有天魔城的坊市才有，可他们仅仅是散修，曾经听同道说过这里的情形，自然不敢贸然进去，好不容易才等来了林轩这里一位孤身的修真者，没想到对方却将自己的提议毫不犹豫的否决了。
"Spouse, let's go, what are we talking about?"
shū shēng yí zhèng zhī xià ， hái yǐ wéi lín xuān bù liǎo jiě zhè lǐ de qíng jǐng ， zhèng xiǎng xiàng tā jiě shì yī fān ， kě lín xuān yī rán lěng mò de wǎn yán xiāng jù 。
书生一怔之下，还以为林轩不了解这里的情景，正想像他解释一番，可林轩依然冷漠的婉言相拒。
The woman in red stomped her foot and flew away. The scholar looked embarrassed as he bowed at Lin Xuan before flying off too.
“ xiàng gōng ， bié guǎn zhè rén ， tā bù jiē shòu wǒ men de hǎo yì ， zǒng yǒu chī kuī hòu huǐ de shí hòu 。” nà hóng yī nǚ zǐ nǎi shì xìng zi jí zào zhī rén ， liǔ méi dào shù ， lěng lěng de kāi kǒu le 。
“相公，别管这人，他不接受我们的好意，总有吃亏后悔的时候。”那红衣女子乃是性子急躁之人，柳眉倒竖，冷冷的开口了。
Watching them disappear into the distance, a faint smile appeared on Lin Xuan's lips.
nà bái páo shū shēng tàn le kǒu qì ， yǎn qián bì jìng shì yī wèi zhù jī zhōng qī de xiū zhēn zhě ， tā bù yuàn qīng yì fàng qì ， kě kàn lín xuān de tài dù yòu hěn jiān jué ， yóu yù le yī xià ， jiāng yī zhāng fú zhǐ dì dào lín xuān shǒu zhōng ， dào ：“ wǒ fū qī èr rén jiù zài qián miàn bù yuǎn chù luò jiǎo ， dào yǒu rú guǒ gǎi biàn zhǔ yì le ， kě yǐ suí shí yòng zhè chuán yīn fú lái zhǎo wǒ 。”
那白袍书生叹了口气，眼前毕竟是一位筑基中期的修真者，他不愿轻易放弃，可看林轩的态度又很坚决，犹豫了一下，将一张符纸递到林轩手中，道：“我夫妻二人就在前面不远处落脚，道友如果改变主意了，可以随时用这传音符来找我。”
They weren't necessarily being kind; it was just mutual benefit. But for him, it wasn't necessary.
“ ń 。” lín xuān zhè yī cì méi yǒu jù jué ， diǎn diǎn tóu jiē guò 。
“嗯。”林轩这一次没有拒绝，点点头接过。
Holding the transmission talisman in his hand, Lin Xuan hesitated but didn't throw it away, storing it in his storage bracelet.
For the average person, five years is a long time. But on the path to immortality, it's just a fleeting moment for cultivators.
With countless elixirs and diligent effort, Lin Xuan had reached the second layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, and was at its peak.
The "Nine Heavens Profound Art" that Lin Xuan practiced was incredibly powerful. It was divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, each suitable for the Foundation Establishment, Condensation Core, and Spirit婴 stages respectively.
Moreover, it coincidentally had seven layers in each section, corresponding to the seven levels of cultivation.
For example, since Lin Xuan's current cultivation level was the second layer of the Foundation Establishment stage, he should be practicing the second layer of the upper section of the Nine Heavens Profound Art. Once he mastered the third layer of the upper section, his cultivation would enter the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment.
Each level corresponded precisely and clearly, with immense power. Even among top-grade techniques, it stood out. Thus, Lin Xuan's strength would be a notch above that of other cultivators at the same stage after practicing the Nine Heavens Profound Art.
In terms of strength, for cultivators of the same realm, without considering factors like magical artifacts, elixirs, and crystal stones, their relative power was determined by the cultivation technique they practiced. For instance, Ouyang Qinxin's Sound Wave Technique, a top-grade technique renowned across the land, allowed her to hold her own against a Condensation Core中期 cultivator despite being at the early stage.
Apart from its power, Lin Xuan discovered another benefit: the Nine Heavens Profound Art had astonishing anti-aging effects. At twenty years old, he entered the Foundation Establishment stage and began practicing this technique. Five years later, his appearance remained unchanged; it was still exactly the same as when he turned twenty.
After settling his affairs, Lin Xuan closed his cave and politely declined any visitors for now.
From today on, he would aim to advance to the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment.
With the help of elixirs, his chances were high. After all, it was just a matter of advancing one layer in the technique, much easier than improving his cultivation realm.
Leaving his cave, Lin Xuan found that this advancement was even smoother than expected.
He clenched his fist and felt quite satisfied with his current state: at twenty-five years old, he had reached the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment. At this rate, it wasn't impossible for him to condense a golden core in the future.
A fierce look flashed across Lin Xuan's eyes before he paused, deep in thought. While he didn't want to leave his cave now, he still wished to continue cultivating. However, he had to stop because he needed to help his daughter, Ling'er, improve her strength first. After all, she was a spirit body and could only follow the path of ghost cultivation; ordinary techniques wouldn't work for her.
After considering this, Lin Xuan decided to head to Demon City.
---
Demon City, as its name suggested, was where demon cultivators gathered.
In Youzhou, although demon cultivators' strength was inferior to that of immortal cultivators, there were still many sects and individual practitioners. For example, the Extreme Demon Cave, Ghostly Clan, and Heaven Saber Sect, among others...
Most of these sects were concentrated in the northern part of Youzhou, around a place called Demon City.
The path of ghost cultivation was actually just one branch of demon cultivation. Therefore, Lin Xuan needed to visit the markets in Demon City to find suitable techniques for Ling'er.
After making his decision, Lin Xuan packed his belongings and set off.
Two days later, he arrived at a forest's edge. He landed his遁光and surveyed the surroundings.
To reach Demon City, this forest was an inevitable path.
However, it wasn't just any ordinary forest; there were many beasts within.
Fortunately, he only needed to fly around its edges. The outer beasts were mostly level one, and with his strength, he shouldn't have any issues.
After considering the situation of the forest, Lin Xuan flew forward without hesitation.
On his way, he occasionally encountered some demon cultivators. They glanced at him but paid no further attention, diving into the forest to hunt beasts for some crystal stones.
It seemed that due to this reason, he didn't encounter any beast attacks and arrived smoothly at his destination.
Surveying the city before him, it was vast with walls made of hard granite, emitting a faint aura of qi. It appeared to be under some kind of restriction.
Suddenly, Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed as two beams of light flew towards him.
"Friend, greetings!"
A young man in white robes bowed and greeted him, while beside him stood a woman in red. Their intimate demeanor suggested they were a couple practicing together.
Lin Xuan returned the bow but his expression was cold: "What do you want?"
The scholar-like youth seemed oblivious to Lin Xuan's frosty tone as he warmly said, "Brother is also heading to Demon City, right? How about we travel together?"
Lin Xuan had anticipated this and shook his head. "Sorry, I prefer traveling alone."
The scholar was taken aback, seemingly unable to believe that his offer was rejected. He asked in surprise, "Are you a first-time visitor to Demon City? Don't you know that cultivators here are more dangerous when traveling alone?"
Contrary to popular belief, demon and immortal cultivators weren't inherently enemies. Immortal cultivators were selfish; protecting the world from demons was just for children.
However, their relationship wasn't exactly friendly either. They looked down on each other.
Thus, it was risky for an immortal cultivator to travel alone in Demon City.
For high-stage cultivators who had condensed cores after the Condensation Core stage, there was no problem since most demon cultivators wouldn't provoke them.
But for those at the Spirit婴 or Foundation Establishment stages, they often faced trouble. Many low-stage cultivators were found dead in Demon City due to provocations and justifications by demon cultivators.
Despite this, the markets in Demon City weren't the largest in Youzhou but were frequented by demon cultivators who sold unique items not found elsewhere.
Therefore, although aware of the dangers, many immortal cultivators still came here for treasure hunting.
Of course, they had learned their lessons and wouldn't go alone.
There were three types of visitors:
Either high-stage cultivators after condensing cores, naturally unbothered; as long as they didn't cause trouble in Demon City, there would be no issues.
Or groups from sects collectively traveling together, even without a high-stage leader, the dozen or so Foundation Establishment stage cultivators walking together were safe enough.
It was unnecessary to mention the effort required to eliminate them. Once动手, it would declare war on their sect. Demon cultivators only looked down upon immortal cultivators; they wouldn't foolishly provoke them.
The real worry was for individual practitioners who had no backing from a sect and couldn't rely on any protection. They were easily eliminated in Demon City without anyone seeking revenge.
Thus, most individual practitioners rarely came here. If forced to come, they often brought companions for mutual support.
The white-robed scholar and the woman in red fell into this category; they needed something only found in Demon City's markets but being mere individual practitioners, they hesitated due to hearing stories from fellow cultivators about the dangers. They finally waited until Lin Xuan arrived, a solitary immortal cultivator, only for him to reject their offer.
The scholar was taken aback and thought that Lin Xuan might not be aware of the situation. He wanted to explain but Lin Xuan remained coldly firm in his rejection.
"Spouse, ignore this person. He won't accept our goodwill; he'll regret it."
The woman in red, impatient by nature, frowned and said coldly, "Let's go, why waste time on such a person?"
The scholar sighed, seeing that Lin Xuan was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. He didn't want to give up easily but saw Lin Xuan's resolve and hesitated before handing him a talisman.
"I'll stay nearby with my wife. If you change your mind, you can use this transmission talisman to find us."
"Alright," Lin Xuan nodded without rejecting it, taking the talisman.
"Spouse, let's go, what are we talking about?"
The woman in red stomped her foot and flew away. The scholar looked embarrassed as he bowed at Lin Xuan before flying off too.
Watching them disappear into the distance, a faint smile appeared on Lin Xuan's lips.
They weren't necessarily being kind; it was just mutual benefit. But for him, it wasn't necessary.
Holding the transmission talisman in his hand, Lin Xuan hesitated but didn't throw it away, storing it in his storage bracelet.