xū zhī zài xiū xiān jiè ， dī jiē sàn xiū gù rán shì jiǔ gēn de dà shù ， rán ér yí dàn jié yīng chéng gōng ， fǎn ér méi yǒu shì lì yuàn yì qīng yì zhāo rě 。
须知在修仙界，低阶散修固然是九根的大树，然而一旦结婴成功，反而没有势力愿意轻易招惹。
In the cultivation world, low-rank scattered cultivators were indeed like small trees among the nine roots. However, once they successfully formed a spirit embryo, powerful factions often hesitated to provoke them.
wú tā ， yí dàn yǔ yuán yīng qī sàn xiū jié chóu ， duì fāng wú qiān wú guà ， zhǐ yào shāo shāo lā xià liǎn pí ， bù gù shēn fèn de duì gāi zōng mén de gè jiē dì zǐ chū shǒu ” nà shā shāng lì jiù zhe shí tài dà 。
无他，一旦与元婴期散修结仇，对方无牵无挂，只要稍稍拉下脸皮，不顾身份的对该宗门的各阶弟子出手”那杀伤力就着实太大。
There was no other reason for this. If an intermediate-stage spirit embryo scattered cultivator such as True Man Shenxing became their enemy, that person would have nothing to lose and could easily target the lower-rank disciples of the sect without regard for their status or identity. The damage from such actions could be immense.
jí biàn chū dòng gèng duō de yuán yīng qī zhǎng lǎo ， jiāng duì fāng wéi shā ， kě zuì zhōng de jié guǒ ， yě wǎng wǎng shì dé bù cháng shī de 。
即便出动更多的元婴期长老，将对方围杀，可最终的结果，也往往是得不偿失的。
Even if more intermediate-stage spirit embryo elders were dispatched to eliminate them, the outcome was often not worth it in the end.
zhè zhǒng shì qíng ， zài xiū xiān jiè màn cháng de lì shǐ zhōng ， zǎo fā shēng guò bù zhī duō shǎo cì 。
这种事情，在修仙界漫长的历史中，早发生过不知多少次。
Such incidents had occurred countless times throughout the long history of the cultivation world.
léi yuān mén ！
雷鸳门！
Thunder Swallow Sect!
shù wàn nián qián ， zài xiū xiān jiè yě suàn hè hè yǒu míng de shì lì ，， le méi yǒu lí hé qī xiū xiān zhě ， bǐ qǐ tiān yá hǎi gé děng zōng mén jiā zú yě chà bù liǎo xǔ duō 。
数万年前，在修仙界也算赫赫有名的势力，，了没有离合期修仙者，比起天涯海阁等宗门家族也差不了许多。
Innumerable years ago, Thunder Swallow Sect was a formidable force in the cultivation world, comparable to families like Heavenly Distance Pavilion. However, during an expedition for treasures, they clashed with an intermediate-stage spirit embryo cultivator named True Man Shenxing.
rán ér yī cì zài zhēng duó bǎo zàng de xíng dòng zhōng ， yǔ yī míng jiào zuò shén xíng zhēn rén de yuán yīng zhōng qī sàn xiū jié chóu 。
然而一次在争夺宝藏的行动中，与一名叫做神行真人的元婴中期散修结仇。
The exact details were unclear, but it seemed that this True Man Shenxing had been deeply offended and took extreme measures to seek revenge on Thunder Swallow Sect. He wouldn't target the sect's spirit embryo elders; instead, he focused on their lower-rank disciples, not sparing even those at the Flexible Spirit stage.
jù tǐ qíng xíng bù qīng chǔ ， dàn nà shén xíng zhēn rén sì hū shì shòu le hěn dà de cì jī wǔ rǔ ， jū rán bù zé shǒu duàn de duì léi yuān mén bào chóu 。
具体情形不清楚，但那神行真人似乎是受了很大的刺激侮辱，居然不择手段的对雷鸳门报仇。
Despite his other abilities being mediocre, he was exceptionally skilled in evasive maneuvers. It was easy for Thunder Swallow Sect to defeat him but challenging to capture or kill him. After decades of pursuit, they finally ambushed and killed True Man Shenxing. However, most of the sect's elders remained unharmed, while their lower-rank disciples were scattered.
tā dāng rán bú huì zhǎo shàng léi yuān mén de yuán yīng qī zhǎng lǎo ” ér shì zhuān tiāo duì fāng de dī jiē dì zǐ ， bié shuō níng dān zhù jī ， lián líng dòng qī yě bù fàng guò 。
他当然不会找上雷鸳门的元婴期长老”而是专挑对方的低阶弟子，别说凝丹筑基，连灵动期也不放过。
For a sect, low-rank cultivators might seem insignificant, but they were crucial for its prosperity. Without new blood, even powerful sects would decline over time. More than a thousand years later, Thunder Swallow Sect had fallen to the status of an average third-rate sect.
piān piān zhè jiā huo qí tā de shén tōng bù zěn me ， què shàn cháng dùn mò ， léi yuān mén xiǎng yào dǎ bài tā róng yì ， dàn yì tú zhuā bǔ huò shì miè shā ， què yǒu jí dà de nán dù 。
偏偏这家伙其他的神通不怎么，却擅长遁末，雷鸳门想要打败他容易，但意图抓捕或是灭杀，却有极大的难度。
Although this was a special case, it demonstrated that intermediate-stage spirit embryo cultivators should be avoided.
zhè yàng hào le shù shí nián zhī jiǔ ， cái zhōng yú shè fú ， jiāng shén xíng zhēn rén miè le ， kě huí tóu kàn kàn dōu léi yuān mén de zhǎng lǎo háo fā wú sǔn ， dī jiē xiū shì què bèi shā le huà líng bā luò 。
这样耗了数十年之久，才终于设伏，将神行真人灭了，可回头看看都雷鸳门的长老毫发无损，低阶修士却被杀了化零八落。
The five people before Lin Xuan were exceptional scattered cultivators. Together, they could venture anywhere in the world and had faced countless trials. Yet, at this moment, their expressions turned to shock as their faces paled.
duì yí gè mén pài lái shuō ， dī jiē xiū shì suī bù qǐ yǎn ” dàn què shì yí gè mén pài xīng shèng yǔ fán róng de jī chǔ 。
对一个门派来说，低阶修士虽不起眼”但却是一个门派兴盛与繁荣的基础。
Intermediate-stage cultivators! And there weren't just one or two; three such formidable figures appeared unexpectedly.
méi yǒu xīn xiān xuè yè de bǔ chōng ， zài qiáng dà de mén pài yě zhǐ yǒu shuāi luò ， qiān yú nián hòu ， léi yuān mén lún luò wèi yī sān liú de zōng mén le 。
没有新鲜血液的补充，再强大的门派也只有衰落，千余年后，雷鸳门沦落为一三流的宗门了。
Unlike the others, upon seeing several intermediate-stage cultivators arrive by teleportation, Lin Xuan and his companions immediately retracted their mental senses. Such beings were no longer of concern to them.
suī rán zhè jiàn shì qíng suàn tè lì ， dàn yě zhèng míng liǎo yuán yīng qī sàn xiū què shí bù yí zhāo rě 。
虽然这件事情算特例，但也证明了元婴期散修确实不宜招惹。
A great battle was about to resume.
ér yǎn qián de wǔ rén ， gèng shì sàn xiū zhōng de jié chū rén wù 。
而眼前的五人，更是散修中的杰出人物。
However, at this moment, something unexpected happened again. A loud rumble echoed through the air, causing the entire Penglai Mountain to tremble.
wǔ tí lián shǒu ， tiān xià jǐn kě qù dé ， yě bù zhī jīng lì duō shǎo fēng làng le 。
五提联手，天下尽可去得，也不知经历多少风浪了。
Lin Xuan raised his head; even with the suppression of his mental senses here, he could vaguely see a flash of firelight on the mountain peak.
rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè jiā wǔ rén què mù dèng kǒu dāi ， liǎn sè quán bù biàn dé shà bái 。
然而此时此刻家五人却目瞪口呆，脸色全部变得煞白。
Could… something have changed there?
lí hé qī xiū xiān zhě ， ér qiě hái bù zhǐ yí gè 。
离合期修仙者，而且还不止一个。
Lin Xuan pondered this question. Xiao Wu's expression was similar. Having arrived at this place, who wouldn't want to obtain treasures? It would be regrettable to enter a treasure-filled mountain and leave empty-handed.
zhè zhǒng děng jí de lǎo guài wù ， píng shí gēn běn jiù shì chuán shuō jiā rú jīn què yī xià zi bèi tā men yù jiàn le sān gè 。
这种等级的老怪物，平时根本就是传说家如今却一下子被他们遇见了三个。
Wan Jiaoshou's face showed even more complex emotions as he looked up at the distant peak before turning back to the two young men in front of him, his expression constantly changing.
yǔ wǔ gè dào yào jiā huo de fǎn yìng bù tóng ， jiàn chuán sòng ér lái de shì jǐ míng yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， lín xuān sān rén lì kè shōu huí le shén shí ， zhè zhǒng cún zài ， rú jīn zǎo yǐ bù fàng zài tā men de yǎn lǐ 。
与五个倒要家伙的反应不同，见传送而来的是几名元婴期修仙者，林轩三人立刻收回了神识，这种存在，如今早已不放在他们的眼里。
"Two youngsters, you are both at the Separation stage. What is our purpose for entering Penglai Mountain? Each of us has our own reasons. I don't want to fight to the death here and let others take the treasures," Wan Jiaoshou hesitated for a moment before unexpectedly speaking up.
dà zhàn chóng xīn yī chù jí fā 。
大战重新一触即发。
"What do you mean, friend?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, asking without revealing his emotions.
rán ér jiù zài zhè shí ， zài cì fā shēng le chū rén yì liào de shì 。
然而就在这时，再次发生了出人意料的事。
"It's simple. There is no deep-seated enmity between us. Our conflicts were just matters of righteousness. If it weren't for this situation, I wouldn't mind fighting to the death with you. But now,"
yī shēng jù gǒu chuán rù ěr duǒ ， zhěng gè dì miàn jiā bù ， zhěng gè péng lái shān ， dōu kāi shǐ le chàn dǒu 。
一声巨狗传入耳朵，整个地面家不，整个蓬莱山，都开始了颤抖。
"Are you suggesting we shake hands and make peace?"
lín xuān tái qǐ tóu ， suī rán zài zhè lǐ ， shén shí shòu dào le yā zhì ” dàn yǐn yuē jiān ， hái shì kàn jiàn shān dǐng chù sì hū yǒu huǒ guāng shǎn guò 。
林轩抬起头，虽然在这里，神识受到了压制”但隐约间，还是看见山顶处似乎有火光闪过。
Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of joy. In his heart, he had similar thoughts. Fighting here would be meaningless; the only outcome would be two rivals losing to each other, allowing others to benefit.
nán dào ……， nà lǐ fā shēng le shén me biàn gù ？
难道……，那里发生了什么变故？
"That is exactly what I mean, but you are only half right," Wan Jiaoshou's voice echoed in Lin Xuan's ears.
lín xuān xīn zhōng yǒu diǎn yí huò de xiǎng zhe 。
林轩心中有点疑惑的想着。
"Half?" Lin Xuan was genuinely surprised.
tián xiǎo wǔ de biǎo qíng yě chà bu duō ” jì rán lái dào le cǐ chù ， shuí bù xiǎng huò dé bǎo wù 。
田小五的表情也差不多”既然来到了此处，谁不想获得宝物。
"Yes, not only will we shake hands and make peace, but we can also join forces. Knowing Penglai Mountain, there are countless experts at every step. Individually, none of us have a chance to snatch the treasures. But if we put aside our grudges and work together, the chances increase…,"
rù bǎo shān què kōng shǒu ér guī shì hěn lìng rén yí hàn de 。
入宝山却空手而归是很令人遗憾的。
Wan Jiaoshou had more in mind. Nine thousand years ago, he had once passed through the Netherworld Gate, though not on Penglai Mountain.
wàn jiāo wáng liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng jiù gèng fù zá le ， tái qǐ tóu ， yáo wàng le yī xià yuǎn chù shān dǐng ， yòu huí guò tóu jiā kàn le kàn shēn qián de liǎng gè xiǎo zi ， liǎn sè biàn huàn bù yǐ 。
万蛟王脸上的表情就更复杂了，抬起头，遥望了一下远处山顶，又回过头家看了看身前的两个小子，脸色变幻不已。
He knew that humans, demons, and ghosts from the Netherworld would also come here. However, none of them had been encountered yet, suggesting they were probably ahead.
“ liǎng gè xiǎo zi ， nǐ men hǎo dǎi yě shì lí hé ， dà jiā jìn rù péng lái shān de mù dì shì shén me ， gè zì jiē xīn zhōng yǒu shù ， lǎo fū kě bù xī wàng zài zhè lǐ pīn sǐ pīn huó jiā què ràng bié rén jiāng bǎo wù qǔ lái 。” guò le jǐ xī de gōng fu ， wàn jiāo wáng lüè yī chóu chú ” jū rán dà chū yì liào de kāi kǒu 。
“两个小子，你们好歹也是离合，大家进入蓬莱山的目的是什么，各自皆心中有数，老夫可不希望在这里拼死拼活家却让别人将宝物取来。”过了几息的功夫，万蛟王略一踌躇”居然大出意料的开口。
Ordinary Netherworld spirits weren't worth his attention, but if they were at his level—late Separation stage—he wouldn't be confident. Moreover, he knew that Wangting Tower would also arrive. Against such a figure alone, he was sure to lose.
“ dào yǒu zhè huà hé yì ？” lín xuān tīng le méi tóu yī tiāo ， bù dòng shēng sè de wèn dào 。
“道友这话何意？”林轩听了眉头一挑，不动声色的问道。
With two more allies, the situation would change. Even though these two were only early Separation stage, their abilities were formidable.
“ hěn jiǎn dān ， shuō qǐ lái jiā lǎo fū yǔ nǐ men zhī jiān ， yě méi yǒu shén me bù gòng dài tiān de chóu yuàn ， jǐ cì chōng tū ” bù guò shì yì qì yòng shì ， ruò shì píng shí ” lǎo fū yě bù jiè yì yǔ nǐ men jué shèng fù ， fēn shēng sǐ ， dàn xiàn zài me de de ”
“很简单，说起来家老夫与你们之间，也没有什么不共戴天的仇怨，几次冲突”不过是义气用事，若是平时”老夫也不介意与你们决胜负，分生死，但现在么的的”
"Shaking hands and turning enemies into friends, even joining forces is not just talk. But how will we divide the treasures once we obtain them?" Lin Xuan pondered aloud.
“ dào yǒu kě shì xiǎng yào wò shǒu yán méi ？”
“道友可是想要握手言没？”
Xiao Wu remained silent but his eyes sparkled with intent, unsure of what he was thinking.
lín xuān liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī xǐ sè ， qí shí tā xīn zhōng de xiǎng fǎ yě chà bu duō ， zài zhè lǐ pīn dòu xià qù gēn běn jiù yì diǎn yì yì yě méi yǒu ， zuì zhōng de jié guǒ zhǐ néng shì liáo bàng xiāng zhēng ， ràng bié rén dé lì 。
林轩脸上闪过一丝喜色，其实他心中的想法也差不多，在这里拼斗下去根本就一点意义也没有，最终的结果只能是獠蚌相争，让别人得利。
"Hmph, there's nothing to divide. Our agreement to join forces only applies before obtaining the treasure. Once it appears, each will take by their own means—no tricks," Wan Jiaoshou said with a twisted smile.
“ zhèng shì zhè ge yì si ， dàn dào yǒu zhǐ shuō duì le yí bàn ér yǐ 。” wàn jiāo wáng jīn tiě jiāo míng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
“正是这个意思，但道友只说对了一半而已。”万蛟王金铁交鸣的声音传入耳朵。
These two appeared no more than twenty years old but had likely lived for many centuries. Flattery was useless; being straightforward would be easier to reach an agreement.
“ yí bàn ？” lín xuān shì zhēn de yǒu xiē chà yì le 。
“一半？”林轩是真的有些诧异了。
"Taking by one's own means, good, we'll do it that way. Brother, what do you think?" Lin Xuan turned and asked Xiao Wu in the latter half of his sentence.
“ bù cuò ， wǒ men bù jǐn wò shǒu yán hé ， ér qiě hái kě yǐ lián shǒu ， yào zhī dào zhè péng lái zhǐ ， zhōng ， bù bù jīng jí ， gāo shǒu kě shì shǔ bù shèng shǔ ， wǒ men yí gè gè shàng qù ， kǒng pà shuí yě méi yǒu jī lǜ qiǎng dào bǎo wù ， dàn rú guǒ juān qì qián xián ， lián shǒu de huà ， jī huì jiào ……， de ”
“不错，我们不仅握手言和，而且还可以联手，要知道这蓬莱止，中，步步荆棘，高手可是数不胜数，我们一个个上去，恐怕谁也没有几率抢到宝物，但如果捐弃前嫌，联手的话，机会教……，的”
"Haha, little brother has no objections, only following the lead of the big brother," Xiao Wu's hearty voice echoed. This outcome was very satisfactory to him.
wàn jiāo wáng xiǎng dé gèng duō ， jiǔ qiān nián qián duō tā jiù chuǎng guò yī cì xiū luó zhī mén ， dāng rán ， nà yī cì de shì liàn dì diǎn ， bìng bú shì zài péng lái shān 。
万蛟王想得更多，九千年前多他就闯过一次修罗之门，当然，那一次的试炼地点，并不是在蓬莱山。
With no deep-seated grudges or benefits, who would be willing to fight to death here?
xīn zhī ， le rén lèi xiū xiān zhě ， yīn sī jiè de dà yāo guǐ yě huì lái ， piān piān lù shàng què yí gè wèi yù ， nà duō bàn yǐ lái dào le qián tou 。
心知，了人类修仙者，阴司界的大妖鬼也会来，偏偏路上却一个未遇，那多半已来到了前头。
Seeing both agree, Wan Jiaoshou was overjoyed. He was a man who held grudges and was now merely compromising for the sake of treasures. Two early Separation stage cultivators, if their combined strength could be broken, he wouldn't fear killing them.
pǔ tōng de yīn sī guǐ wù ， tā bìng bù fàng zài yǎn zhōng ， dàn rú guǒ shì yǔ zì jǐ tóng jí ， yě shì lí hé hòu qī ， wàn jiāo wáng jiù méi yǒu bǎ wò ， hé kuàng tā zhī dào wàng tíng lóu yě huì lái de ， guāng shì nà ge jiā huo ， zì jǐ jiù kěn dìng dǎ bù guò 。
普通的阴司鬼物，他并不放在眼中，但如果是与自己同级，也是离合后期，万蛟王就没有把握，何况他知道望亭楼也会来的，光是那个家伙，自己就肯定打不过。
Of course, before that, using them would also be beneficial.
ér rú guǒ duō chū liǎng gè bāng shǒu lái ， jiù bù yí yàng le ” liǎng rén suī rán jǐn jǐn shì lí hé chū qī ， dàn shén tōng dōu fēi tóng xiǎo kě 。
而如果多出两个帮手来，就不一样了”两人虽然仅仅是离合初期，但神通都非同小可。
Wan Jiaoshou then turned to the several intermediate-stage cultivators: "Do you all wish to join us?"
“ yǔ dào yǒu huà dí wéi yǒu ” shèn zhì lián shǒu yě bú shì yán xíng ， dàn rú guǒ qǔ dào le bǎo wù ， yòu zěn me fēn pèi ne ？” lín xuān chén yín zhe shuō 。
“与道友化敌为友”甚至联手也不是言行，但如果取到了宝物，又怎么分配呢？”林轩沉吟着说。
"Thank the senior for your kindness; we naturally agree."
tián xiǎo wǔ méi yǒu kāi kǒu ， dàn yǎn zhōng jīng máng shǎn shuò ， yě bù zhī dào zài xiǎng shén me 。
田小五没有开口，但眼中精芒闪烁，也不知道在想什么。
Intermediate-stage cultivators found it hard to breathe under Wan Jiaoshou's pressure and dared not refuse. Lin Xuan sighed slightly, knowing these few intermediate-stage cultivators would likely serve as cannon fodder.
“ hēng ， yǒu shén me hǎo fēn pèi de ， wǒ men de lián shǒu xié yì ， yě bù guò shì qǔ bǎo zhī qián ér yǐ ， yí dàn bǎo wù chū shì ， dāng rán shì gè píng shǒu duàn shōu qǔ ， tóng sǒu wú qī 。” wàn jiāo wáng guài xiào zhe shuō 。
“哼，有什么好分配的，我们的联手协议，也不过是取宝之前而已，一旦宝物出世，当然是各凭手段收取，童叟无欺。”万蛟王怪笑着说。
Wan Jiaoshou then turned back to Lin Xuan: "Do you two also wish to join us?"
yǎn qián de liǎng gè jiā huo ， suī rán kàn shàng qù bù guò èr shí chū tóu ， dàn jì rán néng gòu xiū dào lí hé ， yě bù zhī dào huó le duō shǎo suì le ” huā yán qiǎo yǔ hǒng piàn méi yǒu yòng tú ， bù rú gān cuì yī xiē gèng róng yì dá chéng xié yì 。
眼前的两个家伙，虽然看上去不过二十出头，但既然能够修到离合，也不知道活了多少岁了”花言巧语哄骗没有用途，不如干脆一些更容易达成协议。
"Thank the senior for your kindness; we naturally agree," Xiao Wu said with a hearty laugh.
“ gè píng shǒu duàn shōu qǔ ， hǎo ， jiù zhè me zuò ， xiōng dì ， nǐ yì xià rú hé ？” lín xuān hòu bàn jù huà ， què shì zhuǎn tóu duì tián xiǎo wǔ suǒ shuō 。
“各凭手段收取，好，就这么做，兄弟，你意下如何？”林轩后半句话，却是转头对田小五所说。
Without deep-seated grudges or benefits, who would be willing to fight to death here? Seeing both agree, Wan Jiaoshou was delighted. He was merely seeking temporary accommodation now, hoping to use them until he could find an opportunity to eliminate them. Of course, using them first wouldn't hurt either.
In the cultivation world, low-rank scattered cultivators were indeed like small trees among the nine roots. However, once they successfully formed a spirit embryo, powerful factions often hesitated to provoke them.
There was no other reason for this. If an intermediate-stage spirit embryo scattered cultivator such as True Man Shenxing became their enemy, that person would have nothing to lose and could easily target the lower-rank disciples of the sect without regard for their status or identity. The damage from such actions could be immense.
Even if more intermediate-stage spirit embryo elders were dispatched to eliminate them, the outcome was often not worth it in the end.
Such incidents had occurred countless times throughout the long history of the cultivation world.
Thunder Swallow Sect!
Innumerable years ago, Thunder Swallow Sect was a formidable force in the cultivation world, comparable to families like Heavenly Distance Pavilion. However, during an expedition for treasures, they clashed with an intermediate-stage spirit embryo cultivator named True Man Shenxing.
The exact details were unclear, but it seemed that this True Man Shenxing had been deeply offended and took extreme measures to seek revenge on Thunder Swallow Sect. He wouldn't target the sect's spirit embryo elders; instead, he focused on their lower-rank disciples, not sparing even those at the Flexible Spirit stage.
Despite his other abilities being mediocre, he was exceptionally skilled in evasive maneuvers. It was easy for Thunder Swallow Sect to defeat him but challenging to capture or kill him. After decades of pursuit, they finally ambushed and killed True Man Shenxing. However, most of the sect's elders remained unharmed, while their lower-rank disciples were scattered.
For a sect, low-rank cultivators might seem insignificant, but they were crucial for its prosperity. Without new blood, even powerful sects would decline over time. More than a thousand years later, Thunder Swallow Sect had fallen to the status of an average third-rate sect.
Although this was a special case, it demonstrated that intermediate-stage spirit embryo cultivators should be avoided.
The five people before Lin Xuan were exceptional scattered cultivators. Together, they could venture anywhere in the world and had faced countless trials. Yet, at this moment, their expressions turned to shock as their faces paled.
Intermediate-stage cultivators! And there weren't just one or two; three such formidable figures appeared unexpectedly.
Unlike the others, upon seeing several intermediate-stage cultivators arrive by teleportation, Lin Xuan and his companions immediately retracted their mental senses. Such beings were no longer of concern to them.
A great battle was about to resume.
However, at this moment, something unexpected happened again. A loud rumble echoed through the air, causing the entire Penglai Mountain to tremble.
Lin Xuan raised his head; even with the suppression of his mental senses here, he could vaguely see a flash of firelight on the mountain peak.
Could… something have changed there?
Lin Xuan pondered this question. Xiao Wu's expression was similar. Having arrived at this place, who wouldn't want to obtain treasures? It would be regrettable to enter a treasure-filled mountain and leave empty-handed.
Wan Jiaoshou's face showed even more complex emotions as he looked up at the distant peak before turning back to the two young men in front of him, his expression constantly changing.
"Two youngsters, you are both at the Separation stage. What is our purpose for entering Penglai Mountain? Each of us has our own reasons. I don't want to fight to the death here and let others take the treasures," Wan Jiaoshou hesitated for a moment before unexpectedly speaking up.
"What do you mean, friend?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, asking without revealing his emotions.
"It's simple. There is no deep-seated enmity between us. Our conflicts were just matters of righteousness. If it weren't for this situation, I wouldn't mind fighting to the death with you. But now,"
"Are you suggesting we shake hands and make peace?"
Lin Xuan's face showed a hint of joy. In his heart, he had similar thoughts. Fighting here would be meaningless; the only outcome would be two rivals losing to each other, allowing others to benefit.
"That is exactly what I mean, but you are only half right," Wan Jiaoshou's voice echoed in Lin Xuan's ears.
"Half?" Lin Xuan was genuinely surprised.
"Yes, not only will we shake hands and make peace, but we can also join forces. Knowing Penglai Mountain, there are countless experts at every step. Individually, none of us have a chance to snatch the treasures. But if we put aside our grudges and work together, the chances increase…,"
Wan Jiaoshou had more in mind. Nine thousand years ago, he had once passed through the Netherworld Gate, though not on Penglai Mountain.
He knew that humans, demons, and ghosts from the Netherworld would also come here. However, none of them had been encountered yet, suggesting they were probably ahead.
Ordinary Netherworld spirits weren't worth his attention, but if they were at his level—late Separation stage—he wouldn't be confident. Moreover, he knew that Wangting Tower would also arrive. Against such a figure alone, he was sure to lose.
With two more allies, the situation would change. Even though these two were only early Separation stage, their abilities were formidable.
"Shaking hands and turning enemies into friends, even joining forces is not just talk. But how will we divide the treasures once we obtain them?" Lin Xuan pondered aloud.
Xiao Wu remained silent but his eyes sparkled with intent, unsure of what he was thinking.
"Hmph, there's nothing to divide. Our agreement to join forces only applies before obtaining the treasure. Once it appears, each will take by their own means—no tricks," Wan Jiaoshou said with a twisted smile.
These two appeared no more than twenty years old but had likely lived for many centuries. Flattery was useless; being straightforward would be easier to reach an agreement.
"Taking by one's own means, good, we'll do it that way. Brother, what do you think?" Lin Xuan turned and asked Xiao Wu in the latter half of his sentence.
"Haha, little brother has no objections, only following the lead of the big brother," Xiao Wu's hearty voice echoed. This outcome was very satisfactory to him.
With no deep-seated grudges or benefits, who would be willing to fight to death here?
Seeing both agree, Wan Jiaoshou was overjoyed. He was a man who held grudges and was now merely compromising for the sake of treasures. Two early Separation stage cultivators, if their combined strength could be broken, he wouldn't fear killing them.
Of course, before that, using them would also be beneficial.
Wan Jiaoshou then turned to the several intermediate-stage cultivators: "Do you all wish to join us?"
"Thank the senior for your kindness; we naturally agree."
Intermediate-stage cultivators found it hard to breathe under Wan Jiaoshou's pressure and dared not refuse. Lin Xuan sighed slightly, knowing these few intermediate-stage cultivators would likely serve as cannon fodder.
Wan Jiaoshou then turned back to Lin Xuan: "Do you two also wish to join us?"
"Thank the senior for your kindness; we naturally agree," Xiao Wu said with a hearty laugh.
Without deep-seated grudges or benefits, who would be willing to fight to death here? Seeing both agree, Wan Jiaoshou was delighted. He was merely seeking temporary accommodation now, hoping to use them until he could find an opportunity to eliminate them. Of course, using them first wouldn't hurt either.