luàn shì yòng zhòng diǎn ， dāng cǐ fēi cháng zhī shí ， xíng shì dāng rán yào guǒ gǎn hěn lì 。
乱世用重典，当此非常之时，行事当然要果敢狠厉。
In times of chaos, stern measures are necessary. Given the extraordinary circumstances, decisive and ruthless actions were warranted.
liú yíng cǐ jǔ ， suī rán hěn là le xiē ， dàn xiào guǒ què shí bù cuò ， chéng xié zhèn shè zhù le nà xiē xīn sī dòng yáo zhě 。
刘莹此举，虽然狠辣了些，但效果确实不错，成协震慑住了那些心思动摇者。
Liu Ying's approach, though harsh, proved effective as Cheng Hui was intimidated by those whose minds wavered.
qián shì bù wàng hòu shì zhī shī ， méi xiāng de xià chǎng bǎi zài nà lǐ ， shuí gǎn zài tuì suō ？
前事不忘后事之师，梅香的下场摆在那里，谁敢再退缩？
The lesson from the past serves as a reminder for the future. With Mei Xiang’s fate laid bare, who would dare to retreat?
bì jìng liú zài cǐ chù ， bù yí dìng yǔn luò ， dàn zǒu de huà ， què mǎ shàng huì bèi dàng zuò pàn tú ， ér liú yíng de shén tōng zhòng nǚ xīn zhōng yǒu shù 。
毕竟留在此处，不一定陨落，但走的话，却马上会被当做叛徒，而刘莹的神通众女心中有数。
After all, staying here did not guarantee their demise; but leaving them would immediately mark them as traitors. The other female cultivators knew this well.
fàng yǎn tiān yá hǎi gé ， chú le shī shū ， biàn shì gé zhǔ yǔ tā xiāng bǐ ， yě yào lüè xùn yī xiē 。
放眼天涯海阁，除了师叔，便是阁主与她相比，也要略逊一些。
With no escape routes left, the women were instead spurred by their bloodlust and courage. Each manipulated her own treasure, attacking the vortex with all their might.
méi yǒu le tuì lù ， zhū nǚ fǎn ér bèi jī fā le xuè qì zhī yǒng ， gè zì cāo zòng zì jǐ de bǎo wù ， pīn mìng de xiàng zhe xuán wō gōng jī zhe 。
没有了退路，诸女反而被激发了血气之勇，各自操纵自己的宝物，拼命的向着漩涡攻击着。
Ji Yue felt a sigh of relief, finally able to relax.
jī yuè rú sōng le kǒu qì ， zǒng suàn shì ān xīn xià qù 。
姬月如松了口气，总算是安心下去。
She couldn't help but admire Senior Sister's keen insight; if she had stayed here, it would have failed to intimidate anyone.
bù yóu de pèi fú dà shī jiě huì yǎn shí zhū ， ruò shì jiāng zì jǐ liú zài cǐ chù ， jué duì zhèn shè bú zhù chǎng miàn de 。
不由得佩服大师姐慧眼识珠，若是将自己留在此处，绝对震慑不住场面的。
Before this thought could fully form, thunderous winds and lightning bolts shot out from the vortex. The women were both angry and driven as they compelled their treasures to meet these attacks head-on.
zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， yī shēng nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng de jù xiǎng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， qíng tiān pī lì yǔ xī xiāng bǐ ， gēn běn jiù bù zhí yī tí 。
这个念头尚未转过，一声难以想象的巨响传入耳朵，晴天霹雳与牺相比，根本就不值一提。
In essence, their attention was now occupied, leaving no energy to assist Liu Ying and Ji Yue further.
jī yuè rú bù yóu de hài rán tái qǐ zhēn shǒu ， zhǐ jiàn zài nà bǎi fèng fēng shàng kōng ， xuán wō zài shòu dào dà liàng de gōng jī yǐ hòu ， jìng guǐ yì wú bǐ de kuò dà le 。
姬月如不由得骇然抬起臻首，只见在那百凤峰上空，漩涡在受到大量的攻击以后，竟诡异无比的扩大了。
The two-headed dragon's eyes glowed with a red light, as if it possessed some form of consciousness.
suí zhe tǐ jī bào zhǎng ， cóng xuán wō zhōng chuī chū yī dào yòu yī dào de gāng fēng ， yǔ shǎn diàn róng hé ， jìng huàn huà chū yī shuāng shǒu jiāo lóng lái le 。
随着体积暴涨，从漩涡中吹出一道又一道的罡风，与闪电融合，竟幻化出一双首蛟龙来了。
It opened its mouth, emitting two streams of dark light.
shēn cháng wú bǐ ， zú yǒu bǎi zhàng yú ， liǎng gè lóng tóu zhēng níng kě bù ， hún shēn qī hēi dé yǔ mò zhī chà bu duō 。
身长无比，足有百丈余，两个龙头狰狞可怖，浑身漆黑得与墨汁差不多。
"Ah..."
“ zhè ”
“这”
Though they were all at the peak of their cultivation, women were still fragile. From a hundred feet away, elderly elders from Heavenly Sea Pavilion screamed in alarm.
zuò wèi yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， zhū nǚ yě suàn jiàn shí guǎng bó ， dàn cǐ shí cǐ kè ， què yí gè gè dōu zhǎng dà zuǐ hé bù lǒng lái le 。
做为元婴期修仙者，诸女也算见识广博，但此时此刻，却一个个都长大嘴合不拢来了。
The two senior sisters were already very weak; would they really watch them perish?
nán dào tài duō de tiān dì yuán qì jù hé zài yì qǐ ， jū rán tōng líng le ？
难道太多的天地元气聚合在一起，居然通灵了？
But there was nothing these others could do to help.
hái shì chǎn shēng le shén me bié de biàn gù ？
还是产生了什么别的变故？
Frustration!
liú yíng xīn zhōng bìng bù qīng chǔ ， dàn nà jiāo lóng gěi tā de wēi xié ， què dào le wú yǐ fù jiā de dì bù ， liú yíng de jiāo qū ， shèn zhì yǒu yì diǎn fā dǒu 。
刘莹心中并不清楚，但那蛟龙给她的威胁，却到了无以复加的地步，刘莹的娇躯，甚至有一点发抖。
Some women closed their eyes, unable to bear the sight of their comrades' impending doom.
dàn cǐ shí cǐ kè ， zuò wèi zhòng nǚ de zhǔ xīn gǔ ， tā zì rán bù néng tuì suō 。
但此时此刻，做为众女的主心骨，她自然不能退缩。
As the light waves approached with unstoppable force, mere feet from the two women's faces, an incredible scene unfolded.
jī yuè rú de biǎo qíng yě chà bu duō ， shēn wèi dà xiū xiān zhě ， tā liǎ bì xū zuò chū biǎo shuài lái de 。
姬月如的表情也差不多，身为大修仙者，她俩必须做出表率来的。
Without warning, the light waves dissipated, and the lightning and wind energy weakened. The chaotic primordial qi gradually became orderly once more.
hǒu ！
吼！
What was happening?
shuí shuō nán rén cái kě yǐ bù wèi wēi xiǎn ， tiān yá hǎi gé chuán chéng yǐ yǒu shàng bǎi wàn nián ， què cóng lái dōu shì nǚ zǐ chēng qǐ yī piàn tiān 。
谁说男人才可以不畏危险，天涯海阁传承已有上百万年，却从来都是女子撑起一片天。
The women were stunned before their expressions turned to a mix of joy and surprise.
liú yíng hé jī yuè rú hún shēn líng guāng shǎn shuò ， jī hū shì bù yuē ér tóng de chōng shàng qù le 。
刘莹和姬月如浑身灵光闪烁，几乎是不约而同的冲上去了。
Liu Ying and Ji Yue had narrowly escaped death, their faces filled with confusion.
rú fēi é pū huǒ ， shì sǐ rú guī shì tā liǎ zuì hòu de xuǎn zé 。
如飞蛾扑火，视死如归是她俩最后的选择。
However, Liu Ying reacted quickly, pulling Ji Yue back ten feet before bowing towards the sky. "I thank the senior for your aid. On behalf of Heavenly Sea Pavilion, I am deeply grateful."
zhǐ jiàn yī dào huáng guāng ， yǔ yī dào fěn hóng sè de lì máng ， zài bàn kōng zhōng fǎng fú huàn huà chéng le liǎng tóu fèn nù de fèng huáng 。
只见一道黄光，与一道粉红色的厉芒，在半空中仿佛幻化成了两头愤怒的凤凰。
"Long unseen, yet your beauty remains unchanged. As fellow cultivators, there's no need to be formal."
hōng ！
轰！
A clear voice echoed, as if the speaker was beside them. Soon after, a brilliant streak appeared in the distance.
kě pà de zhuàng jī ， fǎng fú yǔn shí luò dì 。
可怕的撞击，仿佛陨石落地。
Its speed was astonishing; it seemed to have traveled from the horizon to within a thousand feet of them in an instant—almost as fast as teleportation!
liǎng nǚ yǐ hěn hěn de yǔ nà shuāng shǒu jiāo lóng zhuàng zài le yì qǐ 。
两女已狠狠的与那双首蛟龙撞在了一起。
What kind of speed was this? It was truly unbelievable.
guài wù de qù shì bèi zǔ zhù ， kě liǎng nǚ de yǎn ěr kǒu bí ， què yǒu sī sī xuè jì shèn chū 。
怪物的去势被阻住，可两女的眼耳口鼻，却有丝丝血迹渗出。
Before she could fully process this thought, green light condensed into a young man standing before her. His appearance was unremarkable, but his aura commanded respect and fear from the women.
jí shǐ shì yuán yīng hòu qī xiū xiān zhě ， yě dǐ dǎng bù liǎo tiān dì zhī lì 。
即使是元婴后期修仙者，也抵挡不了天地之力。
The presence of so many cultivators at the peak of their cultivation made it impossible to mistake Lin Xuan's level.
nà jiāo lóng nǎi fāng yuán bǎi lǐ ， tiān dì líng qì suǒ jù ， shēng shì zì rán jīng rén wú bǐ 。
那蛟龙乃方圆百里，天地灵气所聚，声势自然惊人无比。
A legendary old monster of the Separation Stage.
“ shī jiě ！”
“师姐！”
Initially wary, the women quickly realized that the familiar figure beside him was their sect leader. Su Yi had no trace of arrogance on his face; he bowed respectfully as if receiving a lesson from an elder.
zhū nǚ dà jīng shī sè ， zhǐ jiàn nà jiāo lóng lüè wēi yī dùn zhī hòu ， yòu huǎn màn de xiàng bǎi fèng fēng là xià qù le ， liǎng wèi shī jiě suī rán jǐn yǎo bèi chǐ ， shǐ jǐn hún shēn xiè shù ， kě dǐ dǎng fǎng fú yī jiù shì tú láo de 。
诸女大惊失色，只见那蛟龙略微一顿之后，又缓慢的像百凤峰落下去了，两位师姐虽然紧咬贝齿，使尽浑身解数，可抵挡仿佛依旧是徒劳的。
"Senior Uncle Lin."
zhè yàng xià qù ， bù zhǐ shī shū ， liú yíng yǔ jī yuè rú yě bì jiāng yǔn luò 。
这样下去，不止师叔，刘莹与姬月如也必将陨落。
Two soft calls echoed in unison—Ji Yue and Liu Ying recognized Lin Xuan.
ěr è ！
耳恶！
Their expressions mirrored Su Yi's, filled with both surprise and joy.
shì qíng dào le zhè yī bù ， qí tā de yuán yīng qī nǚ xiū zì rán yě méi yǒu xiù shǒu páng guān de lǐ yóu ， tóng chóu dí kài ， fēn fēn jiāng gè zì de fǎ bǎo fàng chū 。
事情到了这一步，其他的元婴期女修自然也没有袖手旁观的理由，同仇敌忾，纷纷将各自的法宝放出。
It was understandable. They had given up all hope, only for salvation to descend from the heavens. Moreover, Lin Xuan had advanced to the Separation Stage; their own safety, as well as that of the entire Heavenly Sea Pavilion, could now be secured.
huò xǔ shì shòu le liǎng wèi shī jiě gǎn rǎn de yuán gù ， cǐ shí xíng shì míng míng bǐ gāng gāng wēi xiǎn dé duō ， què fǎn ér méi yǒu rén xīn cún tuì suō 。
或许是受了两位师姐感染的缘故，此时形势明明比刚刚危险得多，却反而没有人心存退缩。
Phew...
hǒu ！
吼！
Liu Ying sighed in relief but felt her vision darken. In such a short time, her cultivation energy was nearly depleted.
tiān kōng zhōng wǔ sè líng guāng zòng héng shǎn shuò ， fēi dāo fēi jiàn fēng yōng ér chū 。
天空中五色灵光纵横闪烁，飞刀飞剑蜂拥而出。
The gap between the Inner Core and Separation Stages was vast indeed.
kě yī zhèn lìng rén xīn jì de fēng shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， cóng nà xuán wō zhī zhōng ， yòu fēi chū wú shù shǎn diàn yǔ gāng fēng lái le 。
可一阵令人心悸的风声传入耳朵，从那漩涡之中，又飞出无数闪电与罡风来了。
"Is this Lin Xuan—the one who pledged brotherhood with Senior Sister Ruyan?"
zhū nǚ yòu qì yòu nù ， dàn yě bù dé bù qū shǐ bǎo wù ， xiàng nà xiē shǎn diàn gāng fēng yíng shàng qù le 。
诸女又气又怒，但也不得不驱使宝物，像那些闪电罡风迎上去了。
"He was still an Inner Core cultivator a hundred years ago; how did he advance so quickly to the Separation Stage?"
huàn jù huà shuō ， tā men de jīng lì bèi qiān chě ， zài yě méi yǒu bàn fǎ bāng zhù liú yíng yǔ jī yuè rú 。
换句话说，她们的精力被牵扯，再也没有办法帮助刘莹与姬月如。
"How young! Could his cultivation technique have rejuvenating effects? Such secrets are rare."
shuāng shǒu jiāo lóng yǎn zhōng hóng máng shǎn shuò ， zhè jiā huo jìng fǎng fú zhēn de yōng yǒu yì shí shì de 。
双首蛟龙眼中红芒闪烁，这家伙竟仿佛真的拥有意识似的。
"Yes, but Senior Uncle Lin looks too ordinary. He lacks any charm at all."
zhāng kāi dà kǒu ， pēn chū liǎng dào qī hēi de guāng bō 。
张开大口，喷出两道漆黑的光波。
"Cut it out, Ninth Sister. You're daydreaming again. Beauty is irrelevant in this world; power matters most."
“ bù ．．．．”
“不．．．．”
"Seventh Sister's words ring true. Do you have a cultivation partner, Senior Lin?"
suī shì yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， dàn nǚ zǐ bì jìng cuì ruò ， bǎi zhàng yuǎn chù ， tiān yá hǎi gé yǐ jīng yǒu zhǎng lǎo jiān jiào qǐ lái le 。
虽是元婴期修仙者，但女子毕竟脆弱，百丈远处，天涯海阁已经有长老尖叫起来了。
Even Inner Core cultivators couldn't change their nature when it came to gossip. Amidst the danger, the women's speculations grew increasingly absurd.
liǎng wèi shī jiě cǐ shí yǐ fēi cháng xū ruò ， nán dào zhēn yào kàn zhe tā men fěn shēn suì gǔ ？
两位师姐此时已非常虚弱，难道真要看着她们粉身碎骨？
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. Given his temperament, he wasn't inclined to argue with trivial matters unless they were significant.
kě zì jǐ zhè xiē rén ， què piān piān méi yǒu bàn fǎ gěi tā men bāng zhù 。
可自己这些人，却偏偏没有办法给她们帮助。
"Retreat; I will handle this energy crisis."
kě wù ！
可恶！
"Yes, Senior Uncle."
yǒu de nǚ zǐ ， yǐ jīng bì shàng le shuāng móu ， bù rěn xīn kàn liǎng nǚ yǔn luò 。
有的女子，已经闭上了双眸，不忍心看两女陨落。
The women bowed gracefully before retreating further.
yǎn kàn guāng bō jiā zá zhe yī wǎng wú qián de shēng shì ， jù lí liǎng nǚ de zhēn shǒu jǐn shèng xià shù chǐ ， bù kě sī yì de yí mù chū xiàn le 。
眼看光波夹杂着一往无前的声势，距离两女的臻首仅剩下数尺，不可思议的一幕出现了。
"畜生，还不束手就擒？"
háo wú zhēng zhào de ， nà guāng bō jìng kuì sàn xiāo shī ， gāng fēng shǎn diàn ， tóng yàng shuāi ruò le xià qù 。
毫无征兆的，那光波竟溃散消失，罡风闪电，同样衰弱了下去。
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the two-headed dragon. His voice was icy as he spoke, but a hint of joy flickered in his eyes.
yuán běn hùn luàn de tiān dì yuán qì ， suī rán yī jiù kuáng bào yǐ jí ， dàn màn màn de ， què yóu hùn luàn biàn dé jǐng rán yǒu xù 。
原本混乱的天地元气，虽然依旧狂暴以极，但慢慢的，却由混乱变得井然有序。
With his extensive knowledge, Lin Xuan recognized that this energy monster had gained some form of consciousness.
zhè shì zěn me huí shì ？
这是怎么回事？
Such occurrences were rare indeed.
zhū nǚ xiān shì yī dāi ， suí hòu biàn dé yòu shì jīng xǐ ， yòu shì è rán le qǐ lái 。
诸女先是一呆，随后变得又是惊喜，又是愕然了起来。
For most Separation Stage cultivators, such monsters would be considered unlucky due to their difficulty to handle. However, for Lin Xuan, the creature before him was a perfect complement to his Green Illusory Flame technique.
liú yíng yǔ jī yuè rú sǐ lǐ táo shēng ， qiào liǎn shàng gèng duō de què shì máng rán 。
刘莹与姬月如死里逃生，俏脸上更多的却是茫然。
Good fortune.
bù guò liú yíng fǎn yìng hěn kuài ， lì kè yī lā jī yuè rú ， xiàng hòu tuì chū shí yú zhàng yuǎn ， rán hòu cái wàng kōng bào le bào quán ：“ shì nǎ yī wèi qián bèi chū shǒu xiàng zhù ， liú yíng dài biǎo tiān yá hǎi gé ， duì qián bèi gǎn jī bù jìn le 。”
不过刘莹反应很快，立刻一拉姬月如，向后退出十余丈远，然后才望空抱了抱拳：“是哪一位前辈出手相助，刘莹代表天涯海阁，对前辈感激不尽了。”
With this thought, he roared loudly.
“ bǎi nián wèi jiàn ， xiān zi fēng cǎi yī rán ， jì shì zì jǐ rén ， yòu hé xū kè qì 。”
“百年未见，仙子风采依然，既是自己人，又何须客气。”
The dragon opened its mouth and emitted two light waves, each about ten feet in diameter, with terrifying power.
qīng lǎng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， shuō huà rén fǎng fú jiù zài shēn cè ， suí hòu yuǎn chù tiān biān ． yī dào liàng lì de jīng hóng chū xiàn 。
清朗的声音传入耳朵，说话人仿佛就在身侧，随后远处天边．一道亮丽的惊虹出现。
If Lin Xuan hadn't advanced to the Separation Stage, such attacks would have required serious attention. But now, he paid them no heed, merely waving his sleeves.
qí sù dù zhī kuài ， lìng rén dèng mù jié shé ， qián yī kè hái zài tiān biān yuǎn chù ， zhuǎn shùn jiān ， jù cǐ jū rán jiù zhǐ shèng xià qiān yú zhàng yuǎn le 。
其速度之快，令人瞪目结舌，前一刻还在天边远处，转瞬间，距此居然就只剩下千余丈远了。
Surrounding primordial qi surged forth, forming a shield before him.
jí shǐ bǐ zhī shùn yí ， shì bàn yě xiāng chā wú jǐ ！
即使比之瞬移，似半也相差无几！
Boom!
zhè shì shén me dùn sù ， jiǎn zhí tài bù kě sī yì le 。
这是什么遁速，简直太不可思议了。
The light waves struck the shield, causing intense flashes but leaving no effect.
zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn wán ， zhǐ jiàn qīng guāng yī liǎn ， yī èr shí yú suì de shào nián yǐ chū xiàn zài yǎn qián 。
这个念头尚未转完，只见青光一敛，一二十余岁的少年已出现在眼前。
After a moment, the light shield dissipated, and Lin Xuan emerged from the smoke. He flipped his left hand, revealing a small ball of green flame in his palm—only the size of a fist, which then grew rapidly like an egg hatching.
róng mào pǔ tōng yǐ jí ， rán ér tā suǒ sàn fà chū lái de qì shì què ràng zhū nǚ yòu jìng yòu jù 。
容貌普通以极，然而他所散发出来的气势却让诸女又敬又惧。
With sharp beaks and talons, it resembled a peacock to some extent.
zài chǎng zhè me duō yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， qǐ huì jiāng lín xuān de jìng jiè rèn bù chū 。
在场这么多元婴期修仙者，岂会将林轩的境界认不出。
However, with Lin Xuan now at the Separation Stage, he had greater control over this secret technique. He waved his hands, casting spells as fire elementals were scarce in the deep sea but still present.
chuán shuō zhōng de lí hé qī lǎo guài wù 。
传说中的离合期老怪物。
Sizzling sounds echoed as the fire elementals from within a hundred miles converged and entered the Green Illusory Flame's manifestation.
In times of chaos, stern measures are necessary. Given the extraordinary circumstances, decisive and ruthless actions were warranted.
Liu Ying's approach, though harsh, proved effective as Cheng Hui was intimidated by those whose minds wavered.
The lesson from the past serves as a reminder for the future. With Mei Xiang’s fate laid bare, who would dare to retreat?
After all, staying here did not guarantee their demise; but leaving them would immediately mark them as traitors. The other female cultivators knew this well.
With no escape routes left, the women were instead spurred by their bloodlust and courage. Each manipulated her own treasure, attacking the vortex with all their might.
Ji Yue felt a sigh of relief, finally able to relax.
She couldn't help but admire Senior Sister's keen insight; if she had stayed here, it would have failed to intimidate anyone.
Before this thought could fully form, thunderous winds and lightning bolts shot out from the vortex. The women were both angry and driven as they compelled their treasures to meet these attacks head-on.
In essence, their attention was now occupied, leaving no energy to assist Liu Ying and Ji Yue further.
The two-headed dragon's eyes glowed with a red light, as if it possessed some form of consciousness.
It opened its mouth, emitting two streams of dark light.
"Ah..."
Though they were all at the peak of their cultivation, women were still fragile. From a hundred feet away, elderly elders from Heavenly Sea Pavilion screamed in alarm.
The two senior sisters were already very weak; would they really watch them perish?
But there was nothing these others could do to help.
Frustration!
Some women closed their eyes, unable to bear the sight of their comrades' impending doom.
As the light waves approached with unstoppable force, mere feet from the two women's faces, an incredible scene unfolded.
Without warning, the light waves dissipated, and the lightning and wind energy weakened. The chaotic primordial qi gradually became orderly once more.
What was happening?
The women were stunned before their expressions turned to a mix of joy and surprise.
Liu Ying and Ji Yue had narrowly escaped death, their faces filled with confusion.
However, Liu Ying reacted quickly, pulling Ji Yue back ten feet before bowing towards the sky. "I thank the senior for your aid. On behalf of Heavenly Sea Pavilion, I am deeply grateful."
"Long unseen, yet your beauty remains unchanged. As fellow cultivators, there's no need to be formal."
A clear voice echoed, as if the speaker was beside them. Soon after, a brilliant streak appeared in the distance.
Its speed was astonishing; it seemed to have traveled from the horizon to within a thousand feet of them in an instant—almost as fast as teleportation!
What kind of speed was this? It was truly unbelievable.
Before she could fully process this thought, green light condensed into a young man standing before her. His appearance was unremarkable, but his aura commanded respect and fear from the women.
The presence of so many cultivators at the peak of their cultivation made it impossible to mistake Lin Xuan's level.
A legendary old monster of the Separation Stage.
Initially wary, the women quickly realized that the familiar figure beside him was their sect leader. Su Yi had no trace of arrogance on his face; he bowed respectfully as if receiving a lesson from an elder.
"Senior Uncle Lin."
Two soft calls echoed in unison—Ji Yue and Liu Ying recognized Lin Xuan.
Their expressions mirrored Su Yi's, filled with both surprise and joy.
It was understandable. They had given up all hope, only for salvation to descend from the heavens. Moreover, Lin Xuan had advanced to the Separation Stage; their own safety, as well as that of the entire Heavenly Sea Pavilion, could now be secured.
Phew...
Liu Ying sighed in relief but felt her vision darken. In such a short time, her cultivation energy was nearly depleted.
The gap between the Inner Core and Separation Stages was vast indeed.
"Is this Lin Xuan—the one who pledged brotherhood with Senior Sister Ruyan?"
"He was still an Inner Core cultivator a hundred years ago; how did he advance so quickly to the Separation Stage?"
"How young! Could his cultivation technique have rejuvenating effects? Such secrets are rare."
"Yes, but Senior Uncle Lin looks too ordinary. He lacks any charm at all."
"Cut it out, Ninth Sister. You're daydreaming again. Beauty is irrelevant in this world; power matters most."
"Seventh Sister's words ring true. Do you have a cultivation partner, Senior Lin?"
Even Inner Core cultivators couldn't change their nature when it came to gossip. Amidst the danger, the women's speculations grew increasingly absurd.
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. Given his temperament, he wasn't inclined to argue with trivial matters unless they were significant.
"Retreat; I will handle this energy crisis."
"Yes, Senior Uncle."
The women bowed gracefully before retreating further.
"畜生，还不束手就擒？"
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the two-headed dragon. His voice was icy as he spoke, but a hint of joy flickered in his eyes.
With his extensive knowledge, Lin Xuan recognized that this energy monster had gained some form of consciousness.
Such occurrences were rare indeed.
For most Separation Stage cultivators, such monsters would be considered unlucky due to their difficulty to handle. However, for Lin Xuan, the creature before him was a perfect complement to his Green Illusory Flame technique.
Good fortune.
With this thought, he roared loudly.
The dragon opened its mouth and emitted two light waves, each about ten feet in diameter, with terrifying power.
If Lin Xuan hadn't advanced to the Separation Stage, such attacks would have required serious attention. But now, he paid them no heed, merely waving his sleeves.
Surrounding primordial qi surged forth, forming a shield before him.
Boom!
The light waves struck the shield, causing intense flashes but leaving no effect.
After a moment, the light shield dissipated, and Lin Xuan emerged from the smoke. He flipped his left hand, revealing a small ball of green flame in his palm—only the size of a fist, which then grew rapidly like an egg hatching.
With sharp beaks and talons, it resembled a peacock to some extent.
However, with Lin Xuan now at the Separation Stage, he had greater control over this secret technique. He waved his hands, casting spells as fire elementals were scarce in the deep sea but still present.
Sizzling sounds echoed as the fire elementals from within a hundred miles converged and entered the Green Illusory Flame's manifestation.