yóu chén hóng yǐng lǐng lù ， lín xuān yǔ mèng rú yān lái dào yī huá měi dà qì de jiàn zhù 。
由陈红影领路，林轩与梦如嫣来到一华美大气的建筑。
Leading the way was Chen Hongying, as Lin Xuan and Meng Ruyan entered a magnificent building.
zhè shì yī dòng gé lóu ， gāo qī céng zuǒ yòu ， diāo liáng huà dòng ， jū rán shì yòng měi yù duī qì ér chéng de ， biǎo miàn hái xiāng qiàn zhe xǔ duō bǎo shí zhēn zhū 。
这是一栋阁楼，高七层左右，雕梁画栋，居然是用美玉堆砌而成的，表面还镶嵌着许多宝石珍珠。
This was a pavilion with seven floors, intricately carved and adorned with precious gems and pearls.
guāng shì zhè me yī dòng jiàn zhù ， rú mù ná dào shì sú ， jiù kě yǐ huàn lái zhěng gè guó jiā de cái fù 。
光是这么一栋建筑，如慕拿到世俗，就可以换来整个国家的财富。
Just this structure alone could bring an entire nation's wealth if Mu were to trade it in the mortal world.
shuí shuō xiū xiān zhě shēng huó qīng kǔ 。
谁说修仙者生活清苦。
Who said cultivators lived a meager life?
tā men jì rán kě yǐ fān yún fù yǔ ， téng yún jià wù ， nà me xiǎng yào huò dé cái fù qí shí shì qīng ér yì jǔ de ， zhǐ bù guò jué dà bù fèn xiū shì duì zhè xiē bù gǎn xìng qù ， hóng chén yòu huò suī duō ． dàn jí biàn jiā zài yì qǐ yě yuǎn yuǎn wú fǎ yǔ cháng shēng xiāng bǐ 。
他们既然可以翻云覆雨，腾云驾雾，那么想要获得财富其实是轻而易举的，只不过绝大部分修士对这些不感兴趣，红尘诱惑虽多．但即便加在一起也远远无法与长生相比。
They could summon clouds and rain, ride on clouds, and thus obtaining wealth was not difficult at all. However, most cultivators did not care for such things; even though there were many temptations of the mundane world, they paled in comparison to the allure of immortality.
yǒu shě cái yǒu dé ， tà shàng xiū xiān lù bù yí dìng yào rěn shòu jì mò gān kǔ ， dàn zhǐ yǒu xīn zhì jiān dìng ， bù wèi yòu huò suǒ dòng de rén wù cái néng qǔ dé lìng rén zhǔ mù de chéng jiù 。
有舍才有得，踏上修仙路不一定要忍受寂寞甘苦，但只有心智坚定，不为诱惑所动的人物才能取得令人瞩目的成就。
There is gain only after sacrifice. One does not have to endure loneliness and hardship on the path of cultivation, but only those with a firm mind who are not swayed by temptation can achieve remarkable accomplishments.
yú yǔ xióng zhǎng bù kě jiān dé ， zhè jù huà zài xiū xiān jiè tóng yàng shì yòng 。
鱼与熊掌不可兼得，这句话在修仙界同样适用。
As fish cannot be caught while holding birds, this saying holds true in the world of cultivation as well.
dāng rán ， jì rán shì kuǎn dài guì bīn de gé lóu ， xiū dé piào liàng yī xiē yě shì wú kě hòu fēi de 。
当然，既然是款待贵宾的阁楼，修得漂亮一些也是无可厚非的。
Of course, since it was a pavilion for honored guests, its beauty was understandable.
là xià yún tóu ， jiě dì èr rén jìn rù dà diàn zhōng 。
落下云头，姐弟二人进入大殿中。
Descending from the clouds, the two siblings entered the grand hall.
zhì yú chén hóng yǐng děng lǐng lù de jǐ míng xiū xiān zhě ， fèng shàng xiāng chá hòu jiù gōng jìng de tuì xià le 。
至于陈红影等领路的几名修仙者，奉上香茶后就恭敬的退下了。
The other cultivators who had led them were respectfully dismissed after offering fragrant tea.
yī shí jiān ， zhōu wéi ān jìng xià lái ， jiě dì èr rén duì shì yī yǎn ， xīn zhōng jiē gǎn kǎi wàn qiān 。
一时间，周围安静下来，姐弟二人对视一眼，心中皆感慨万千。
For a moment, silence filled the air as the two siblings exchanged glances, both feeling a myriad of emotions.
cāng hǎi sāng tián ， bǎi nián de shí jiān rú mù fàng dào shì sú ， liǎng rén kǒng pà zǎo yǐ huà zuò le mù zhōng kū gǔ 。
沧海桑田，百年的时间如慕放到世俗，两人恐怕早已化作了墓中枯骨。
"Big sister, you praise me too much," Lin Xuan smiled modestly. "What I have achieved is nothing compared to what you've accomplished by reaching the middle stage."
jí biàn shēn wèi xiū xiān zhě ， zhè duàn guāng yīn yě jué bù suàn duǎn de 。
即便身为修仙者，这段光阴也绝不算短的。
Meng Ruyan also smiled. Even though she was only in her twenties, she had already lived for over 1500 years. According to the lifespan of a Separation Realm cultivator, even if she consumed the immortal turtle's essence, her remaining life would be no more than six or seven hundred years.
“ dì di ， nǐ jiū jìng qù le nǎ lǐ ， wǒ tīng liú sū yǔ yì chún jiǎng liǎo shì qíng de jīng guò ． hái yǐ wéi ”
“弟弟，你究竟去了哪里，我听刘苏与绎唇讲了事情的经过．还以为”
Though it seemed long, Meng Ruyan knew that she could not progress further. As an intermediate-stage Separation Realm cultivator, her chances of passing through the Heaven Tribulation and ascending to the Spirit World were slim—only about twenty percent at most.
“ jiě jiě yǐ wéi wǒ yǐ yǔn luò ？” lín xuān jiē guò huà tóu de kāi kǒu le 。
“姐姐以为我已陨落？”林轩接过话头的开口了。
Meng Ruyan did not want to turn into dust after a thousand years.
“ bù 。”
“不。”
But even if she failed to pass the Heaven Tribulation, it would be useless.
rú yān xiān zi yáo le yáo zhēn shǒu ：“ wǒ kě méi zhè yàng xiǎng ， xiǎo dì nǐ de shén tōng zuò jiě jiě de xīn lǐ yǒu shù ， nǎ yǒu kě néng wú shēng wú xī jiù sǐ le ， zhǐ bù guò mò míng xiāo shī ràng rén bù jiě ér yǐ ， dàn wǒ xiāng xìn nǐ yí dìng kě yǐ féng xiōng huà jí de 。”
如嫣仙子摇了摇臻首：“我可没这样想，小弟你的神通做姐姐的心里有数，哪有可能无声无息就死了，只不过莫名消失让人不解而已，但我相信你一定可以逢凶化吉的。”
This matter troubled Meng Ruyan deeply. Perhaps there was an inherent fate, and two hundred years ago, Meng Ruyan had stumbled upon a secret that might allow her to bypass the Heaven Tribulation and ascend to the Spirit World.
“ hē hē ， hái shì jiě jiě liǎo jiě wǒ ， qí shí zhè jiàn shì qíng hái zhēn shì xiōng xiǎn dào jí chù 。” lín xuān zuǐ jiǎo biān lù chū jǐ fēn xiào róng ， biàn jiāng dāng shí de qíng jǐng wěi wěi jiǎng shù
“呵呵，还是姐姐了解我，其实这件事情还真是凶险到极处。”林轩嘴角边露出几分笑容，便将当时的情景娓娓讲述
Though it was a clever method, many obstacles lay ahead. While first-stage Separation Realm cultivators could still succeed, those at the intermediate stage would have a greater chance of success.
suī rán bǎi yú nián qián ， liú yíng yǔ sū yì chún yě zài páng biān ， dàn jù tǐ fā shēng le shén me ， bì jìng hái shì zhǐ yǒu tā zhè dāng shì rén qīng chǔ 。
虽然百余年前，刘莹与苏绎唇也在旁边，但具体发生了什么，毕竟还是只有他这当事人清楚。
However, such matters required two people working together. Originally, Meng Ruyan had chosen Wangting Pavilion as her partner.
hěn kuài jiù guò qù le xiǎo bàn gè shí chén de gōng fu ， rú yān xiān zi liǎn shàng lù chū jīng yà zhī sè ， dàn yǎn zhōng de yí huò yě suí zhī jiě kāi le ：“ yuán lái rú cǐ ， dì di hái zhēn shì dà nàn bù sǐ bì yǒu hòu fú ， rú guǒ qīng yuán shī wáng jì chū de zhēn shì hùn dùn léi zhū ， zhè me jìn jù lí bèi jī zhòng ， dì di jiù suàn néng dà nàn táo tuō ， kǒng pà ròu shēn yě yǐ yǔn luò 。”
很快就过去了小半个时辰的功夫，如嫣仙子脸上露出惊讶之色，但眼中的疑惑也随之解开了：“原来如此，弟弟还真是大难不死必有后福，如果清源尸王祭出的真是混沌雷珠，这么近距离被击中，弟弟就算能大难逃脱，恐怕肉身也已陨落。”
Although he had betrayed his sister and taken many concubines, for the sake of immortality, personal preferences were temporarily set aside.
“ jiě jiě suǒ yán bù cuò ， wǒ yě jué de zì jǐ yùn qì tài hǎo le ， shī wáng suī rán shén tōng bù ruò ， dàn jiàn wén què bìng bù guǎng bó ， jū rán jiāng jù líng zhī zhū dàng zuò hùn dùn léi zhū shǐ yòng ， suǒ yǐ wǒ bù jǐn méi yǒu yù jiàn wēi xiǎn ， fǎn ér bèi chuán sòng dào le jù líng kōng jiān 。” lín xuān zhǎ le zhǎ yǎn 。
“姐姐所言不错，我也觉得自己运气太好了，尸王虽然神通不弱，但见闻却并不广博，居然将聚灵之珠当作混沌雷珠使用，所以我不仅没有遇见危险，反而被传送到了聚灵空间。”林轩眨了眨眼。
But now, Meng Ruyan had changed her mind.
“ jù líng kōng jiān ， shàng gǔ zhī shí yě liáo liáo wú jǐ ， guǒ rán shì míng míng zhōng zì yǒu tiān yì ， bù guò jí biàn nà lǐ líng qì nóng mì yǐ jí ， xiǎo dì nǐ néng zài bǎi nián nèi jìn jiē lí hé ， rú cǐ xiū liàn sù dù ， kǒng pà yǐ shì qián wú gǔ rén ， hòu wú lái zhě 。” mèng rú yān zhuǎn guò zhēn shǒu ， měi mù zhōng shǎn guò yī sī yì cǎi de kāi kǒu le 。
“聚灵空间，上古之时也寥寥无几，果然是冥冥中自有天意，不过即便那里灵气浓密以极，小弟你能在百年内进阶离合，如此修炼速度，恐怕已是前无古人，后无来者。”梦如嫣转过臻首，美目中闪过一丝异彩的开口了。
With Lin Xuan also reaching Separation Realm, could they collaborate instead?
“ hē hē ， jiě jiě guò yù ，． bo dì zhǐ bù guò yùn qì hǎo ér yǐ 。”
“呵呵，姐姐过誉，．卜弟只不过运气好而已。”
Though Lin Xuan was still far behind the top cultivator in the Twelve States of Heaven Cloud, he met the conditions for ascending to the Spirit World. Meng Ruyan decided to work with him.
lín xuān wēi wēi yī xiào ， qiān xùn ér píng hé de dào 。
林轩微微一笑，谦逊而平和的道。
"Big sister, what are you thinking?" Lin Xuan asked when he noticed Meng Ruyan's sudden daze.
xīn zhōng wēi wēi tàn le kǒu qì ， yǐn yǐn shǎn guò yī sī nèi jiù de qíng xù ， bù guò hěn kuài yòu píng fù xià qù 。
心中微微叹了口气，隐隐闪过一丝内疚的情绪，不过很快又平复下去。
"You said that you're not from the Heaven Cloud region? I heard Yanyan mention it," Meng Ruyan asked.
sú huà shuō ， fáng rén zhī xīn bù kě wú ， guān yú jù líng kōng jiān zhōng de shōu huò ， lín xuān bìng méi yǒu xiàng mèng rú yān tí shàng yī yán bàn yǔ 。
俗话说，防人之心不可无，关于聚灵空间中的收获，林轩并没有像梦如嫣提上一言半语。
"Yes, I studied under the Floating Cloud Valley with Senior Sister Qin. Later, due to events in Youzhou, we used an ancient teleportation array and went to another continent," Lin Xuan replied with a smile, slightly puzzled by his sister's sudden question.
suī rán liǎng rén shì jié bài jiě dì ， dàn yǐ lín xuān de xìng gé ， xiǎo xīn yī xiē zǒng shì méi cuò 。
虽然两人是结拜姐弟，但以林轩的性格，小心一些总是没错。
"Indeed, you're not from the Heaven Cloud region, but you've been here for over a century. Have you heard of the legends surrounding the Netherworld Gate?" Meng Ruyan asked curiously.
bìng bú shì shuō tā jiù xìn bù guò rú jiū xiān zi ， ér shì méi yǒu bì yào wú shì zhǎo shì ， jié wài shēng zhī 。
并不是说他就信不过如鸠仙子，而是没有必要无事找事，节外生枝。
"The Netherworld Gate? I'm familiar with it; I still have several Netherworld Jade Slates on me," Lin Xuan said as he reached into his waistband, and a black light flashed, revealing a token in front of him.
“ jiě jiě tài guò zàn yù xiǎo dì ， shén me qián wú gǔ rén ， hòu wú lái zhě ， zhè yàng de píng jià wǒ kě dān dāng bù qǐ de ， dǎo shì jiě jiě jìn jiē zhōng qī ， nà cái shì zhēn de zhí de qìng hè 。” lín xuān wēi wēi yī xiào de kāi kǒu le 。
“姐姐太过赞誉小弟，什么前无古人，后无来者，这样的评价我可担当不起的，倒是姐姐进阶中期，那才是真的值得庆贺。”林轩微微一笑的开口了。
The token was about the size of a palm, dark and unremarkable.
mèng rú yān de liǎn shàng yě lù chū xiào róng ， qiān chuān wàn chuān ， mǎ pì bù chuān ， xiū xiān yuè dào hòu miàn ， shì yuè fā de jiān nán ， néng gòu jìn jiē lí hé ， yǐ shì rén jiè dǐng ér jiān ér de rén wù ， kě dà bù fèn lǎo guài wù què shòu kùn yú chū qī ， hěn nán zài jìn jí 。
梦如嫣的脸上也露出笑容，千穿万穿，马屁不穿，修仙越到后面，是越发的艰难，能够进阶离合，已是人界顶儿尖儿的人物，可大部分老怪物却受困于初期，很难再晋级。
Both sides were adorned with intricate patterns. The front depicted a demon, fierce and terrifying, as if ready to devour anyone who approached it.
zì jǐ néng gòu bǎi chǐ gān tóu ， gèng jìn yí bù ， bàn xīn lái shuō ， mèng rú yān yě shì pǒ wèi jiāo ào de 。
自己能够百尺竿头，更进一步，半心来说，梦如嫣也是颇为骄傲的。
The back had more peculiar designs, but the central number stood out.
ér qiě zhè hái bú shì zhòng diǎn 。
而且这还不是重点。
"Thirty-nine."
rú jīn bié kàn tā páng rú shuāng shí nián huá de shào nǚ ， qí shí yǐ jīng yī qiān wǔ bǎi yú suì nián jì ， àn zhào lí hé qī xiū shì de shòu yuán ， jiù suàn fú shí le shēn hǎi xuán guī de yāo dān ， shòu yuán zuì duō yě bù guò shèng xià liù 、 qī bǎi nián 。
如今别看她彷如双十年华的少女，其实已经一千五百余岁年纪，按照离合期修士的寿元，就算服食了深海玄龟的妖丹，寿元最多也不过剩下六、七百年。
Logically, the Netherworld Gate should have opened long ago, yet for some reason, its opening was delayed this time.
kàn shì bù duǎn ， dàn mèng rú yān xīn lǐ yǒu shù ， gēn běn jiù bù kě néng jìn jiē dào hòu qī qù de 。
看似不短，但梦如嫣心里有数，根本就不可能进阶到后期去的。
"Oh, you also have a Netherworld Jade Slate. Do you know about the state of the Netherworld Gate?" Meng Ruyan asked with surprise, her expression showing both joy and worry.
ér zuò wèi lí hé zhōng qī de xiū xiān zhě ， pò suì xū kōng de shí hòu xiǎng yào dù guò tiān jié ， suī rán bù néng shuō yī sī xī wàng yě wú ， dàn jī huì yě miǎo máng dào jí chù ， mǎn dǎ mǎn suàn ， zuì duō liǎng chéng de bǎ wò 。
而做为离合中期的修仙者，破碎虚空的时候想要度过天劫，虽然不能说一丝希望也无，但机会也渺茫到极处，满打满算，最多两成的把握。
"No, I accidentally obtained it through soul probing. While I've learned some legends surrounding the Netherworld Gate, I'm not sure of its exact condition," Lin Xuan said respectfully as he bowed.
mèng rú yān kě bù xī wàng qiān nián yǐ hòu ， zì jǐ huà wèi yī bēi huáng tǔ 。
梦如嫣可不希望千年以后，自己化为一杯黄土。
"Boy, there's no need for such formalities among family members. If you don't know, I'll explain in detail," Meng Ruyan frowned slightly, her expression showing a hint of displeasure.
dàn dù bù guò tiān jié yě méi yǒu yòng chǔ 。
但度不过天劫也没有用处。
"Haha, it was just a joke, big sister; please don't take offense."
zhè jiàn shì qíng ràng mèng rú yān yōu xīn bù yǐ ， huò xǔ míng míng zhōng zì yǒu tiān yì ， liǎng bǎi nián qián ， mèng rú yān jī yuán qiǎo hé ， dé dào le yí gè mì mì ， huò xǔ kě yǐ rào guò tiān jié ， fēi shēng qù líng jiè 。
这件事情让梦如嫣忧心不已，或许冥冥中自有天意，两百年前，梦如嫣机缘巧合，得到了一个秘密，或许可以绕过天劫，飞升去灵界。
"You're always so smooth-tongued. Now tell me, since you've reached Separation Realm, do you understand the concept of dimensional layers?" Meng Ruyan's voice turned cold as she glared at Lin Xuan.
bù guò suī shì qǔ qiǎo zhī fǎ ， jiān nán xiǎn zǔ yě hěn duō ， lí hé chū qī xiū shì suī rán yě yǒu kě néng chéng gōng ， dàn jìn jiē zhōng qī hòu ， huì yǒu gèng dà bǎ wò 。
不过虽是取巧之法，艰难险阻也很多，离合初期修士虽然也有可能成功，但进阶中期后，会有更大把握。
"Of course, I know about dimensional layers. There are nine in the mortal world, which is a lower-dimensional realm. Above that lies the Spirit World and the Demon Beast World," Lin Xuan replied thoughtfully.
bù guò zhè zhǒng shì qíng yí gè rén shì bàn bú dào de ， zhì shǎo xū yào liǎng rén lián shǒu 。
不过这种事情一个人是办不到的，至少需要两人联手。
"The Spirit World is our goal, but the strength of demons and beasts is also formidable. It's said that cultivators who ascend to the Demon Beast World don't need to pass through Heaven Tribulations, but they must endure demonic energy seeping into their bodies. Even if successful, they will lose their minds and become part of the demon realm," Lin Xuan explained.
yuán běn rú yān xiān zi de rén xuǎn shì wàng tíng lóu 。
原本如嫣仙子的人选是望亭楼。
"Hmph, it's true that one must endure demonic energy seepage when ascending to the Demon Beast World, but who says you'll lose your mind? You can still retain your self," Meng Ruyan snorted, disagreeing with him.
suī rán hèn tā gū fù le jiě jiě ， nà le hěn duō shì qiè ， dàn wèi le zhuī xún cháng shēng zhī lù ， gè rén de xǐ hào kěn dìng zhǐ néng zàn shí fàng xià de 。
虽然恨他辜负了姐姐，纳了很多侍妾，但为了追寻长生之路，各人的喜好肯定只能暂时放下的。
"The texts say so," Lin Xuan was taken aback and scratched his head in confusion.
bù guò xiàn zài rú jiū xiān zi gǎi biàn zhǔ qī le 。
不过现在如鸠仙子改变主妻了。
"Hmph, ancient cultivators and demons are sworn enemies. They naturally say such things to discourage too many people from choosing the path of demons instead of facing Heaven Tribulations. The success rate for demonic energy seepage is higher compared to Heaven Tribulations, so they intentionally make it seem more dangerous," Meng Ruyan said.
dì di tóng yàng jìn jiē dào le lí hé ， nà shì bú shì kě yǐ zhuǎn ér yǔ tā hé zuò ？
弟弟同样进阶到了离合，那是不是可以转而与他合作？
Lin Xuan nodded and thought about it; indeed, there was logic in her words. If not for his sister's revelation, he would still be in the dark.
suī rán cóng shí lì lái shuō ， lín xuān yǔ tiān yún shí èr zhōu dì yī gāo shǒu xiàng bǐ ， kěn dìng hái yǒu hěn dà de chā jù ， dàn zhì shǎo fēi shēng líng jiè de tiáo jiàn yǐ jīng mǎn zú ， mèng rú mā jué dìng zhuǎn ér yǔ tā hé zuò 。
虽然从实力来说，林轩与天云十二州第一高手相比，肯定还有很大的差距，但至少飞升灵界的条件已经满足，梦如妈决定转而与他合作。
However, knowing these things was enough; there was no need to delve deeper.
“ jiě ， mí zài xiǎng shén me ？” jiàn mèng rú jiū tū rán chū shén qǐ lái ， lín xuān bù yóu de yī dāi 。
“姐，弥在想什么？”见梦如鸠突然出神起来，林轩不由得一呆。
"Beyond the Spirit World and Demon Beast World..."
“ dì di ， wǒ tīng yán ér shuō guò ， nǐ sì hū bú shì tiān yún shí èr zhōu de xiū xiān zhě ？”
“弟弟，我听妍儿说过，你似乎不是天云十二州的修仙者？”
"Let's not talk about the Immortal Realm anymore," Meng Ruyan interrupted Lin Xuan with a wave of her hand.
“ bù cuò ， wǒ yǔ qín shī jiě céng yì qǐ bài zài piāo yún gǔ ， hòu lái yōu zhōu biàn gù ， yòu yòng gǔ chuán sòng zhèn qù le bié de dà lù 。” lín xuān wēi xiào zhe shuō ， xīn zhōng què yǒu xiē yí huò ， jiě jiě tū rán tí zhè xiē gǎn shén me 。
“不错，我与秦师姐曾一起拜在飘云谷，后来幽州变故，又用古传送阵去了别的大陆。”林轩微笑着说，心中却有些疑惑，姐姐突然提这些敢什么。
Lin Xuan nodded, his eyes showing confusion. "Then, big sister, what is your purpose in asking me about dimensional layers?"
“ ń ， nǐ suī rán bú shì yún zhōu tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng de xiū shì ， dàn lái zhè lǐ yě yǒu bǎi nián zhī jiǔ ， bù zhī dào yǒu méi yǒu tīng guò xiū luó zhī mén de chuán shuō quán } wén ］ zì ω]A]Ｐ*,］ｏ}}o]……”
“嗯，你虽然不是云州土生土长的修士，但来这里也有百年之久，不知道有没有听过修罗之门的传说全}文］字ω]A]Ｐ*,］ｏ}}o]……”
"To work together to ascend to the Spirit World. We need to clarify some basic knowledge before proceeding so we won't make mistakes."
“ xiū luó zhī mén ，． bo dì zì rán tīng guò ， xiū luó yù pái ， wǒ shēn shàng yě hái yǒu jǐ kuài de 。” lín xuān yī biān shuō ， yī biān shēn chū shǒu lái ， zài yāo jiān yī pāi 。
“修罗之门，．卜弟自然听过，修罗玉牌，我身上也还有几块的。”林轩一边说，一边伸出手来，在腰间一拍。
"What? Ascend to the Spirit World together? Big sister, you're not joking, right!"
hēi guāng yī shǎn ， xiōng qián dùn shí duō chū le yī kuài lìng pái 。
黑光一闪，胸前顿时多出了一块令牌。
Lin Xuan was taken aback, his expression turning strange.
yuē yǒu bā zhǎng dà ， hēi hū hū de ， bìng bù qǐ yǎn 。
约有巴掌大，黑乎乎的，并不起眼。
The reason was simple: breaking through the void required facing Heaven Tribulations, and these tribulations were far more powerful than mere spirit energy tribulations.
liǎng miàn jiē kè yǒu tú àn ， zhèng miàn shì yī guǐ kuài ， zhēng níng xiōng è ， fǎng fú yào zé rén ér shì shì de 。
两面皆刻有图案，正面是一鬼脍，狰狞凶恶，仿佛要择人而噬似的。
Moreover, one had to rely solely on their own strength; no external help could be sought during a tribulation.
bèi miàn de tú àn zé gèng jiā gǔ guài ， bù guò zhèng zhōng jiān de shù zì zuì xiǎn yǎn 。
背面的图案则更加古怪，不过正中间的数字最显眼。
Once an external force intervened, the tribulation would grow stronger, increasing in power significantly.
“ sān shí jiǔ 。”
“三十九。”
The same applied to two people facing tribulations together—their combined tribulation would be unimaginably powerful.
àn lǐ shuō ， xiū luó zhī mén zǎo jiù yīng gāi dǎ kāi ， zhè yī huí ， bù zhī wèi hé què tū rán chuí chí le qǐ lái 。
按理说，修罗之门早就应该打开，这一回，不知为何却突然椎迟了起来。
PS: On Tuesday, continue seeking recommendation votes. Check if you still have any left; these refresh daily.
Leading the way was Chen Hongying, as Lin Xuan and Meng Ruyan entered a magnificent building.
This was a pavilion with seven floors, intricately carved and adorned with precious gems and pearls.
Just this structure alone could bring an entire nation's wealth if Mu were to trade it in the mortal world.
Who said cultivators lived a meager life?
They could summon clouds and rain, ride on clouds, and thus obtaining wealth was not difficult at all. However, most cultivators did not care for such things; even though there were many temptations of the mundane world, they paled in comparison to the allure of immortality.
There is gain only after sacrifice. One does not have to endure loneliness and hardship on the path of cultivation, but only those with a firm mind who are not swayed by temptation can achieve remarkable accomplishments.
As fish cannot be caught while holding birds, this saying holds true in the world of cultivation as well.
Of course, since it was a pavilion for honored guests, its beauty was understandable.
Descending from the clouds, the two siblings entered the grand hall.
The other cultivators who had led them were respectfully dismissed after offering fragrant tea.
For a moment, silence filled the air as the two siblings exchanged glances, both feeling a myriad of emotions.
"Big sister, you praise me too much," Lin Xuan smiled modestly. "What I have achieved is nothing compared to what you've accomplished by reaching the middle stage."
Meng Ruyan also smiled. Even though she was only in her twenties, she had already lived for over 1500 years. According to the lifespan of a Separation Realm cultivator, even if she consumed the immortal turtle's essence, her remaining life would be no more than six or seven hundred years.
Though it seemed long, Meng Ruyan knew that she could not progress further. As an intermediate-stage Separation Realm cultivator, her chances of passing through the Heaven Tribulation and ascending to the Spirit World were slim—only about twenty percent at most.
Meng Ruyan did not want to turn into dust after a thousand years.
But even if she failed to pass the Heaven Tribulation, it would be useless.
This matter troubled Meng Ruyan deeply. Perhaps there was an inherent fate, and two hundred years ago, Meng Ruyan had stumbled upon a secret that might allow her to bypass the Heaven Tribulation and ascend to the Spirit World.
Though it was a clever method, many obstacles lay ahead. While first-stage Separation Realm cultivators could still succeed, those at the intermediate stage would have a greater chance of success.
However, such matters required two people working together. Originally, Meng Ruyan had chosen Wangting Pavilion as her partner.
Although he had betrayed his sister and taken many concubines, for the sake of immortality, personal preferences were temporarily set aside.
But now, Meng Ruyan had changed her mind.
With Lin Xuan also reaching Separation Realm, could they collaborate instead?
Though Lin Xuan was still far behind the top cultivator in the Twelve States of Heaven Cloud, he met the conditions for ascending to the Spirit World. Meng Ruyan decided to work with him.
"Big sister, what are you thinking?" Lin Xuan asked when he noticed Meng Ruyan's sudden daze.
"You said that you're not from the Heaven Cloud region? I heard Yanyan mention it," Meng Ruyan asked.
"Yes, I studied under the Floating Cloud Valley with Senior Sister Qin. Later, due to events in Youzhou, we used an ancient teleportation array and went to another continent," Lin Xuan replied with a smile, slightly puzzled by his sister's sudden question.
"Indeed, you're not from the Heaven Cloud region, but you've been here for over a century. Have you heard of the legends surrounding the Netherworld Gate?" Meng Ruyan asked curiously.
"The Netherworld Gate? I'm familiar with it; I still have several Netherworld Jade Slates on me," Lin Xuan said as he reached into his waistband, and a black light flashed, revealing a token in front of him.
The token was about the size of a palm, dark and unremarkable.
Both sides were adorned with intricate patterns. The front depicted a demon, fierce and terrifying, as if ready to devour anyone who approached it.
The back had more peculiar designs, but the central number stood out.
"Thirty-nine."
Logically, the Netherworld Gate should have opened long ago, yet for some reason, its opening was delayed this time.
"Oh, you also have a Netherworld Jade Slate. Do you know about the state of the Netherworld Gate?" Meng Ruyan asked with surprise, her expression showing both joy and worry.
"No, I accidentally obtained it through soul probing. While I've learned some legends surrounding the Netherworld Gate, I'm not sure of its exact condition," Lin Xuan said respectfully as he bowed.
"Boy, there's no need for such formalities among family members. If you don't know, I'll explain in detail," Meng Ruyan frowned slightly, her expression showing a hint of displeasure.
"Haha, it was just a joke, big sister; please don't take offense."
"You're always so smooth-tongued. Now tell me, since you've reached Separation Realm, do you understand the concept of dimensional layers?" Meng Ruyan's voice turned cold as she glared at Lin Xuan.
"Of course, I know about dimensional layers. There are nine in the mortal world, which is a lower-dimensional realm. Above that lies the Spirit World and the Demon Beast World," Lin Xuan replied thoughtfully.
"The Spirit World is our goal, but the strength of demons and beasts is also formidable. It's said that cultivators who ascend to the Demon Beast World don't need to pass through Heaven Tribulations, but they must endure demonic energy seeping into their bodies. Even if successful, they will lose their minds and become part of the demon realm," Lin Xuan explained.
"Hmph, it's true that one must endure demonic energy seepage when ascending to the Demon Beast World, but who says you'll lose your mind? You can still retain your self," Meng Ruyan snorted, disagreeing with him.
"The texts say so," Lin Xuan was taken aback and scratched his head in confusion.
"Hmph, ancient cultivators and demons are sworn enemies. They naturally say such things to discourage too many people from choosing the path of demons instead of facing Heaven Tribulations. The success rate for demonic energy seepage is higher compared to Heaven Tribulations, so they intentionally make it seem more dangerous," Meng Ruyan said.
Lin Xuan nodded and thought about it; indeed, there was logic in her words. If not for his sister's revelation, he would still be in the dark.
However, knowing these things was enough; there was no need to delve deeper.
"Beyond the Spirit World and Demon Beast World..."
"Let's not talk about the Immortal Realm anymore," Meng Ruyan interrupted Lin Xuan with a wave of her hand.
Lin Xuan nodded, his eyes showing confusion. "Then, big sister, what is your purpose in asking me about dimensional layers?"
"To work together to ascend to the Spirit World. We need to clarify some basic knowledge before proceeding so we won't make mistakes."
"What? Ascend to the Spirit World together? Big sister, you're not joking, right!"
Lin Xuan was taken aback, his expression turning strange.
The reason was simple: breaking through the void required facing Heaven Tribulations, and these tribulations were far more powerful than mere spirit energy tribulations.
Moreover, one had to rely solely on their own strength; no external help could be sought during a tribulation.
Once an external force intervened, the tribulation would grow stronger, increasing in power significantly.
The same applied to two people facing tribulations together—their combined tribulation would be unimaginably powerful.
PS: On Tuesday, continue seeking recommendation votes. Check if you still have any left; these refresh daily.