páng fó kàn chū le lín xuān xīn zhōng de yí huò ， shào nǚ liǎn shàng lù chū wēn wǎn de xiào róng ？ bù cuò ， xiǎo nǚ zǐ zhèng shì lín hǎi chéng zhī zhǔ ， zěn me ， dào yǒu bù qīng wǒ jìn dòng fǔ zuò zuò ？”
彷佛看出了林轩心中的疑惑，少女脸上露出温婉的笑容？不错，小女子正是临海城之主，怎么，道友不清我进洞府坐坐？”
Seemingly sensing Lin Xuan's doubts, the young lady smiled gently. "Indeed, I am the Lord of Lianhai City. Why not come in and sit for a while?"
“ xiān zi shuō xiào le ， yuán lái zhēn shì dǎo zhǔ dà jià guāng lín ， lín mǒu shòu chǒng ruò jīng ， qǐng 。”
“仙子说笑了，原来真是岛主大驾光临，林某受宠若惊，请。”
"Princess, you jest," Lin Xuan replied with a smile. "If it is truly your lordship visiting, then this humble one would be honored."
jǐn guǎn xīn zhōng yǒu cāi cè ， dàn tīng duì fāng qīn kǒu zhèng shí zì rán yòu bù yí yàng le ， lín xuān yǎn dǐ shēn chù ， bù yóu de shǎn guò yī lǚ yì sè ， dàn tā dào dǐ bú shì pǔ tōng de xiū xiān zhě ， zài rén jiè jīng lì le nà me duō jiān nán xiǎn zǔ ， suī bù gǎn shuō tài shān bēng yú qián ér bù biàn sè ， dàn yǎng qì gōng fu ， yě pǒ wèi bù sú ， biǎo miàn shàng fēn háo yì sè bù lù ， cè guò shēn tǐ ， bǎi chū yī fù gōng yíng de zī shì 。
尽管心中有猜测，但听对方亲口证实自然又不一样了，林轩眼底深处，不由得闪过一缕异色，但他到底不是普通的修仙者，在人界经历了那么多艰难险阻，虽不敢说泰山崩于前而不变色，但养气功夫，也颇为不俗，表面上分毫异色不露，侧过身体，摆出一副恭迎的姿势。
Though he had suspicions, hearing her confirm it made all the difference. A hint of unease flashed across his eyes, but as an experienced cultivator who had faced countless trials in the mortal world, Lin Xuan was not easily flustered. He kept a calm exterior and turned to greet her.
rán ér àn dì lǐ ， què yǐ qiǎo rán jiāng shén shí fàng chū 。
然而暗地里，却已悄然将神识放出。
However, behind the scenes, he subtly released his divine sense.
fāng yuán qiān lǐ yǐ nèi ， dōu píng jìng wú bō ， gèng bú jiàn shén me xiū shì mái fú ， rú cǐ shuō ， zhè wèi hóng yè xiān zi zhēn shì gū shēn bài fǎng le ？
方圆千里以内，都平静无波，更不见什么修士埋伏，如此说，这位红叶仙子真是孤身拜访了？
Within a thousand miles around him, everything seemed peaceful, with no signs of any hidden cultivators. Could it be that Princess Red Leaf had come alone?
lín xuān sōng le kǒu qì ， dàn jiē xià lái ， què yí dòu zhòu qǐ 。
林轩松了口气，但接下来，却疑窦骤起。
Relieved for a moment, Lin Xuan's unease quickly returned. He had only been in the Spirit Realm for a few months and was certain he hadn't revealed his identity. The young lady before him, though not powerful, held the authority of an island lord. It was unlikely she would pay attention to just another outsider cultivator unless...
tā lái dào líng jiè yě bù guò shù yuè ér yǐ ， zì wèn xíng shì yì zhí xiǎo xīn yì yì ， shēn fèn yīng gāi méi yǒu bào lù cái duì dì 。
他来到灵界也不过数月而已，自问行事一直小心翼翼，身份应该没有暴露才对地。
Unless...she had somehow discerned his true identity!
yǎn qián zhī nǚ ， xiū wèi suī bù zhí yī tí ， dàn bì jìng shì yī dǎo zhī zhǔ ， quán wēi hè hè ， àn lǐ shuō ， bù kě néng guān zhù zì jǐ zhè me yī míng wài lái de xiū xiān zhě ， chú fēi shì ……，… jiāng zì jǐ de shēn fèn kàn pò ！
眼前之女，修为虽不值一提，但毕竟是一岛之主，权威赫赫，按理说，不可能关注自己这么一名外来的修仙者，除非是……，…将自己的身份看破！
But that seemed impossible.
dàn nà kě néng me ？
但那可能么？
While other techniques were secondary, Lin Xuan did have some understanding of Qi Control.
bié de gōng fu zàn qiě bù shuō ， duì yú liǎn qì zhī shù ， lín xuān hái shì yǒu jǐ fēn xīn dé 。
别的功夫暂且不说，对于敛气之术，林轩还是有几分心得。
His mind raced with possibilities, but he found no clear answers.
nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou fēn fán shǎn guò ， què yī sī tóu xù yě wú 。
脑海中念头纷繁闪过，却一丝头绪也无。
Feeling frustrated, Lin Xuan decided not to dwell on it. After all, as the saying went: "If it's meant to be, it will happen; if not, you can't avoid it." He would simply deal with whatever came his way.
lín xuān dà gǎn yù mèn zhī yú ， yě jué dìng bù qù xiǎng le ， guǎn tā de ， sú huà shuō ， shì fú bú shì huò ， shì huò duǒ bù guò ， bù guǎn duì fāng yǒu shén me qǐ tú ， zì jǐ jiē zhāo jiù zǒu le 。
林轩大感郁闷之余，也决定不去想了，管他的，俗话说，是福不是祸，是祸躲不过，不管对方有什么企图，自己接招就走了。
Moreover, from her demeanor, she didn't seem hostile.
hé kuàng tōng guò chá yán guān sè ， zhè wèi hóng yè xiān zi míng xiǎn bù xiàng yǒu shén me è yì de 。
何况通过察言观色，这位红叶仙子明显不像有什么恶意的。
With a swift mental decision, Lin Xuan invited her into his cave abode. They took their seats and he offered fruit and spirit wine.
xīn niàn diàn zhuǎn ， lín xuān què shén sè rú cháng de jiāng duì fāng qǐng dào le dòng fǔ lǐ miàn 。
心念电转，林轩却神色如常的将对方请到了洞府里面。
"Thank you for your honesty," Princess Red Leaf said after taking a bite of an apple. "You are indeed a senior cultivator from the lower realms."
fēn bīn zhǔ luò zuò ， lín xuān qǔ chū líng jiǔ guā guǒ 。
分宾主落座，林轩取出灵酒瓜果。
The revelation stunned him momentarily. While it was shocking, it wasn't entirely unexpected. The Nine Heavens Profound Technique's Qi Control technique was formidable, but there were many other powerful individuals in the world.
“ wō jū jiǎn lòu ” yǒu shén me dài màn zhī chù ， hái qǐng xiān zi bú yào jiè yì de 。” lín xuān wēi xiào zhe shuō 。
“蜗居简陋”有什么怠慢之处，还请仙子不要介意的。”林轩微笑着说。
But his origins had nothing to do with his cultivation method. How did she know?
“ dào yǒu kè qì le ” shì xiǎo nǚ zǐ mào mèi lái fǎng ， duō yǒu dǎ rǎo cái shì ， hóng yè jīn tiān lái cǐ ， xiǎng bì dào yǒu zuǐ shàng bù shuō ， nèi xīn shēn chù ” què yí dìng shì fēi cháng chà yì de 。”
“道友客气了”是小女子冒昧来访，多有打扰才是，红叶今天来此，想必道友嘴上不说，内心深处”却一定是非常诧异的。”
Lin Xuan's expression darkened significantly.
“ bù cuò ， lín mǒu zhǐ shì yī jiè sàn xiū ， ér qiě lái běn hǎi yù yě méi yǒu duō jiǔ ， xiān zi shēn wèi yī dǎo zhī zhǔ ， měi tiān xū yào chǔ lǐ de shì qíng hěn duō ， àn lǐ shuō ， bù yīng gāi zhù yì dào lín mǒu cái shì de 。”
“不错，林某只是一介散修，而且来本海域也没有多久，仙子身为一岛之主，每天需要处理的事情很多，按理说，不应该注意到林某才是的。”
The situation seemed to be slipping out of his control, and he hated when fate wasn't in his hands.
“ dào yǒu suǒ yán bù cuò ， hóng yè què shí wú shì bù dēng sān bǎo diàn 。”
“道友所言不错，红叶确实无事不登三宝殿。”
He had been too careless, underestimating these Spirit Realm beings. He hadn’t expected them to uncover his secrets so easily.
“ ó ？”
“哦？”
Anger flashed in his eyes as a terrifying aura emanated from him.
lín xuān zuǐ jiǎo biān lù chū yī lǚ xiào róng ， méi yǒu zài kāi kǒu ， duì fāng jì rán zhuān chéng lái dào cǐ chù ， bù yòng zì jǐ duō shuō ， tā yě huì jiāng lái yì dào míng de 。
林轩嘴角边露出一缕笑容，没有再开口，对方既然专程来到此处，不用自己多说，她也会将来意道明的。
"Princess, please don't be angry. I came here with no ill intentions!"
“ rú guǒ hóng yè méi yǒu liào cuò ， dào yǒu kǒng pà bú shì yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， ér yīng gāi shì lí hé qī qián bèi cái duì me ？” hóng yè yǎo le yī kǒu shǒu zhōng de píng guǒ ， qīng lěng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
“如果红叶没有料错，道友恐怕不是元婴期修仙者，而应该是离合期前辈才对么？”红叶咬了一口手中的苹果，清冷的声音传入耳朵。
Princess Red Leaf's voice was filled with alarm. Her presence seemed more formidable than even the Beast Sovereign.
shēn fèn zhòu rán bèi jiào pò ， rú guǒ huàn yī míng xiū xiān zhě ， kǒng pà yǐ dà jīng shī sè ， dàn lín xuān bù tóng ， zhè yàng de jié guǒ ， tā yǐ yǐn yǐn yǒu cāi cè ， fǒu zé ， duì fāng guì wèi dǎo zhǔ ， jìng jiè yě dào le yuán yīng hòu qī ” chī bǎo le chēng de ， lái bài fǎng zì jǐ de yī míng xiǎo xiǎo de sàn xiū 。
身份骤然被叫破，如果换一名修仙者，恐怕已大惊失色，但林轩不同，这样的结果，他已隐隐有猜测，否则，对方贵为岛主，境界也到了元婴后期”吃饱了撑的，来拜访自己的一名小小的散修。
If she had just discovered he was at the Lower Separation stage, it would have been disappointing. Now, in her surprise and delight, she believed An Uncle hadn't lied.
zhǐ shì nǎ ge huán jié chū le chā cuò ， ràng duì fāng jiāng zì jǐ de shí lì kàn pò ， lín xuān hái méi yǒu xiǎng qīng chǔ 。
只是哪个环节出了差错，让对方将自己的实力看破，林轩还没有想清楚。
Ascended cultivators were rare but exceptional individuals who had endured countless trials to reach their current status. Their combat prowess far surpassed that of Spirit Realm peers.
dàn sú huà shuō ， qiáng lóng bù yā dì tóu shé ” duì fāng jì rán gǎn zhī shēn lái dào cǐ chù ， kěn dìng shì yǒu shí zú de bǎ wò ， fǒu rèn yě méi yǒu shén me yì yì de 。
但俗话说，强龙不压地头蛇”对方既然敢只身来到此处，肯定是有十足的把握，否认也没有什么意义的。
"Without ill intentions?"
lín xuān zuǐ jiǎo biān lù chū yī sī xiào róng ， yě bù duō shuō ， zhǐ shì lí hé qī xiū shì de chōng tiān líng yā yī fēn yī fēn de fàng chū 。
林轩嘴角边露出一丝笑容，也不多说，只是离合期修士的冲天灵压一分一分的放出。
Lin Xuan repeated the phrase softly.
hōng ！
轰！
"Why are you here, Princess Red Leaf? I am indeed an ascended cultivator from the lower realms. You came all this way just to reveal my identity and threaten me?" he said coldly.
hóng yè jiù zuò zài tā shēn páng zuǒ jìn zhī chù ” qiào liǎn yī xià zi bái le ， dàn móu dǐ shēn chū ， què yǒu yì máng shǎn guò ， ān shū guǒ rán méi yǒu shuō cuò 。
红叶就坐在他身旁左近之处”俏脸一下子白了，但眸底伸出，却有异芒闪过，安叔果然没有说错。
"No, no, I jest," she replied with a smile. "Princess Red Leaf has no grudge against you. Why would I come here to threaten you? That would be pointless. Today, I am here with good intentions, hoping to invite you to join our island as the Supreme Elder."
suī rán jié hé shǒu zhōng de zī liào ， tā yǐ yǒu bā chéng de bǎ wò ， dàn hái shì pà wàn yī chū cuò ， suǒ yǒu de móu huà ， jiù quán dōu zhú lán dá shuǐ ， yī cháng kōng le 。
虽然结合手中的资料，她已有八成的把握，但还是怕万一出错，所有的谋划，就全都竹篮打水，一场空了。
"Supreme Elder?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanged.
“ duō xiè qián bèi tǎn chéng ， nín zhēn shì lí hé qī lǎo zǔ ， xiǎo nǚ zǐ gāng gāng duō yǒu shī lǐ le 。”
“多谢前辈坦诚，您真是离合期老祖，小女子刚刚多有失礼了。”
She continued, "With your achievements at the Lower Separation stage and beyond, it's clear that in the lower realms, you weren't alone. You must have led a powerful sect or family."
“ dào yǒu hé bì rú cǐ kè qì ， lín mǒu zhǐ shì yī jiè sàn xiū ér yǐ ， dào yǒu jīn tiān lái dào cǐ dì ， zǒng bù chéng jǐn jǐn shì wèi le jiāng wǒ de shēn fèn jiào pò ， jiū jìng yǒu shén me yì tú ， hái qǐng míng shuō ， lín mǒu de xìng gé ， bù xǐ huān cáng zhe yē zhe 。” lín xuān shén sè píng dàn de shuō ， dàn yǔ qì què yán sù le shǎo xǔ ， píng jìng de shēng huó bèi dǎ pò ， tā xīn zhōng yě yǒu xiē wēi bù shuǎng de 。
“道友何必如此客气，林某只是一介散修而已，道友今天来到此地，总不成仅仅是为了将我的身份叫破，究竟有什么意图，还请明说，林某的性格，不喜欢藏着掖着。”林轩神色平淡的说，但语气却严肃了少许，平静的生活被打破，他心中也有些微不爽的。
"That may be true," he said coldly, "but what does that matter to me joining Red Leaf Island?"
“ hái qǐng qián bèi bú yào fā nù ， shì xiǎo nǚ zǐ táng tū ， qǐng shù hóng yè zài wèn yī jù ， nín kǒng pà hái bù jǐn jǐn shì lí hé ， ér qiě hái shì cóng xià jiè fēi shēng ér lái de xiū xiān zhě ？”
“还请前辈不要发怒，是小女子唐突，请恕红叶再问一句，您恐怕还不仅仅是离合，而且还是从下界飞升而来的修仙者？”
"Please don't be so distant. With your vast experience, you should understand that even at the Lower Separation stage, an independent cultivator and one with support from a sect are vastly different. You could send your subordinates to gather treasures, but as a Supreme Elder here, you would waste valuable time."
“ shén me ？”
“什么？”
Princess Red Leaf's voice was filled with sincerity.
zhè yī huí ， lín xuān shì zhēn de chī jīng le ， duì fāng néng gòu jiāng zì jǐ de jìng jiè kàn pò ， suī rán lìng rén jīng è ， dàn hái méi dào bù kě sī yì de dì bù ， jiǔ tiān xuán gōng zhōng de liǎn qì zhī shù ， gù rán shén miào yǐ jí ， dàn tiān xià de qí rén yì shì duō le qù ， jiù suàn yǒu rén néng jiāng tā de jìng jiè kàn pò ， yě méi shén me hào qí guài de 。
这一回，林轩是真的吃惊了，对方能够将自己的境界看破，虽然令人惊愕，但还没到不可思议的地步，九天玄功中的敛气之术，固然神妙以极，但天下的奇人异士多了去，就算有人能将他的境界看破，也没什么好奇怪的。
"Hmm, so what? Even if I wanted to establish my own sect, it wouldn't be easy. My initial efforts at Baxuan Pavilion already had some foundation, and I have loyal subordinates like Lu Ying'er. But here, alone, becoming an island lord is a daunting task."
kě zì jǐ de lái lì ， zhè què yǔ xiū liàn de gōng fǎ méi yǒu guān xì ， duì fāng zěn yàng zhī dào de zhè ge xiāo xī ？
可自己的来历，这却与修炼的功法没有关系，对方怎样知道的这个消息？
"Establishing your own sect shows great ambition," she said with admiration. "But you must know that it's not as simple. My grandfather spent nearly a thousand years to build Red Leaf Island to its current size. Even if your intelligence far surpasses his, without decades of hard work, becoming an island lord is impossible."
lín xuān de liǎn sè yī xià zi yīn chén yǐ jí 。
林轩的脸色一下子阴沉以极。
Lin Xuan nodded, knowing the truth.
shì jiàn yǒu xiē tuō lí de kòng zhì ， ér tā zuì tǎo yàn de ， jiù shì mìng yùn bù néng zhǎng wò zài zì jǐ de shǒu lǐ 。
事件有些脱离的控制，而他最讨厌的，就是命运不能掌握在自己的手里。
"Indeed, I understand. But even so, becoming an island lord would be difficult with my current situation. My Moon儿's whereabouts are unknown, and here alone, it’s a tall order."
tài dà yì le ， xiǎo kàn le zhè xiē líng jiè de jiā huo ， méi xiǎng dào tā men néng jiāng zì jǐ de xíng cáng kàn pò ？
太大意了，小看了这些灵界的家伙，没想到他们能将自己的行藏看破？
"Your words show you know the truth," Princess Red Leaf said. "As for my sincerity, there is no need to worry. I have a blood curse document from my grandfather that binds us if you agree. We can sign right now. From then on, I will treat you as an elder brother."
lín xuān yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī nù sè ， kě pà de shā qì pèi rán ér chū 。
林轩眼中闪过一丝怒色，可怕的杀气沛然而出。
"A blood curse document?" Lin Xuan's expression showed surprise.
“ qián bèi bù kě fā nù ， qiè shēn lái dào cǐ chù ， kě shì bàn diǎn è yì yě wú ！”
“前辈不可发怒，妾身来到此处，可是半点恶意也无！”
He knew such documents well; he had signed one with Dongfang Mingyu before. It was more binding than a Heart Demon Oath and would surely punish him if violated.
hóng yè xiān zi yǒu xiē jīng huáng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
红叶仙子有些惊惶的声音传入耳朵。
"Even if I have special abilities, this wouldn't affect me," he said coldly. "Wouldn't you fear that I might take over your Red Leaf Island?"
yǎn qián zhī rén de qì shì ， jū rán bǐ wàn shòu zūn zhě gèng wéi kě bù 。
眼前之人的气势，居然比万兽尊者更为可怖。
"I invited you sincerely. Why continue to test? My blood curse document is not something easily found in the marketplace. It won’t be broken so easily," she replied confidently.
Seemingly sensing Lin Xuan's doubts, the young lady smiled gently. "Indeed, I am the Lord of Lianhai City. Why not come in and sit for a while?"
"Princess, you jest," Lin Xuan replied with a smile. "If it is truly your lordship visiting, then this humble one would be honored."
Though he had suspicions, hearing her confirm it made all the difference. A hint of unease flashed across his eyes, but as an experienced cultivator who had faced countless trials in the mortal world, Lin Xuan was not easily flustered. He kept a calm exterior and turned to greet her.
However, behind the scenes, he subtly released his divine sense.
Within a thousand miles around him, everything seemed peaceful, with no signs of any hidden cultivators. Could it be that Princess Red Leaf had come alone?
Relieved for a moment, Lin Xuan's unease quickly returned. He had only been in the Spirit Realm for a few months and was certain he hadn't revealed his identity. The young lady before him, though not powerful, held the authority of an island lord. It was unlikely she would pay attention to just another outsider cultivator unless...
Unless...she had somehow discerned his true identity!
But that seemed impossible.
While other techniques were secondary, Lin Xuan did have some understanding of Qi Control.
His mind raced with possibilities, but he found no clear answers.
Feeling frustrated, Lin Xuan decided not to dwell on it. After all, as the saying went: "If it's meant to be, it will happen; if not, you can't avoid it." He would simply deal with whatever came his way.
Moreover, from her demeanor, she didn't seem hostile.
With a swift mental decision, Lin Xuan invited her into his cave abode. They took their seats and he offered fruit and spirit wine.
"Thank you for your honesty," Princess Red Leaf said after taking a bite of an apple. "You are indeed a senior cultivator from the lower realms."
The revelation stunned him momentarily. While it was shocking, it wasn't entirely unexpected. The Nine Heavens Profound Technique's Qi Control technique was formidable, but there were many other powerful individuals in the world.
But his origins had nothing to do with his cultivation method. How did she know?
Lin Xuan's expression darkened significantly.
The situation seemed to be slipping out of his control, and he hated when fate wasn't in his hands.
He had been too careless, underestimating these Spirit Realm beings. He hadn’t expected them to uncover his secrets so easily.
Anger flashed in his eyes as a terrifying aura emanated from him.
"Princess, please don't be angry. I came here with no ill intentions!"
Princess Red Leaf's voice was filled with alarm. Her presence seemed more formidable than even the Beast Sovereign.
If she had just discovered he was at the Lower Separation stage, it would have been disappointing. Now, in her surprise and delight, she believed An Uncle hadn't lied.
Ascended cultivators were rare but exceptional individuals who had endured countless trials to reach their current status. Their combat prowess far surpassed that of Spirit Realm peers.
"Without ill intentions?"
Lin Xuan repeated the phrase softly.
"Why are you here, Princess Red Leaf? I am indeed an ascended cultivator from the lower realms. You came all this way just to reveal my identity and threaten me?" he said coldly.
"No, no, I jest," she replied with a smile. "Princess Red Leaf has no grudge against you. Why would I come here to threaten you? That would be pointless. Today, I am here with good intentions, hoping to invite you to join our island as the Supreme Elder."
"Supreme Elder?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanged.
She continued, "With your achievements at the Lower Separation stage and beyond, it's clear that in the lower realms, you weren't alone. You must have led a powerful sect or family."
"That may be true," he said coldly, "but what does that matter to me joining Red Leaf Island?"
"Please don't be so distant. With your vast experience, you should understand that even at the Lower Separation stage, an independent cultivator and one with support from a sect are vastly different. You could send your subordinates to gather treasures, but as a Supreme Elder here, you would waste valuable time."
Princess Red Leaf's voice was filled with sincerity.
"Hmm, so what? Even if I wanted to establish my own sect, it wouldn't be easy. My initial efforts at Baxuan Pavilion already had some foundation, and I have loyal subordinates like Lu Ying'er. But here, alone, becoming an island lord is a daunting task."
"Establishing your own sect shows great ambition," she said with admiration. "But you must know that it's not as simple. My grandfather spent nearly a thousand years to build Red Leaf Island to its current size. Even if your intelligence far surpasses his, without decades of hard work, becoming an island lord is impossible."
Lin Xuan nodded, knowing the truth.
"Indeed, I understand. But even so, becoming an island lord would be difficult with my current situation. My Moon儿's whereabouts are unknown, and here alone, it’s a tall order."
"Your words show you know the truth," Princess Red Leaf said. "As for my sincerity, there is no need to worry. I have a blood curse document from my grandfather that binds us if you agree. We can sign right now. From then on, I will treat you as an elder brother."
"A blood curse document?" Lin Xuan's expression showed surprise.
He knew such documents well; he had signed one with Dongfang Mingyu before. It was more binding than a Heart Demon Oath and would surely punish him if violated.
"Even if I have special abilities, this wouldn't affect me," he said coldly. "Wouldn't you fear that I might take over your Red Leaf Island?"
"I invited you sincerely. Why continue to test? My blood curse document is not something easily found in the marketplace. It won’t be broken so easily," she replied confidently.