xiàn zài jù lí lín xuān chū guān ， zhǐ guò qù le zhěng zhěng bàn nián 。
现在距离林轩出关，只过去了整整半年。
Now, it had been exactly half a year since Lin Xuan emerged from his seclusion.
dāng rì tā lí kāi hēi fēng dǎo yǐ hòu ， bìng méi yǒu qián wǎng jiǔ xiān chéng suǒ zài de dǎo yǔ 。
当日他离开黑风岛以后，并没有前往九仙城所在的岛屿。
On that day after he left Black Wind Island, he did not head to the Nine Immortal City. The Chaos Sea was rife with complex and intricate factions; seeking out any information would be incredibly easy.
hùn luàn hǎi yù shì lì cuò zōng fù zá yǐ jí ， xiǎng yào dǎ tīng shén me xiāo xī dōu fèn wài róng yì 。
混乱海域势力错综复杂以极，想要打听什么消息都分外容易。
Lin Xuan casually found himself in the headquarters of a cultivation family within the marketplaces for several days before obtaining the desired news.
lín xuān suí biàn zhǎo le yí gè xiū xiān jiā zú zǒng duò ， zài fāng shì zhōng hùn jì jǐ tiān jiù dé dào le xiǎng yào de xiāo xī 。
林轩随便找了一个修仙家族总舵，在坊市中混迹几天就得到了想要的消息。
Unexpectedly, the Nine Immortal Palace had not been involved in the conflict among the three tribes. The Chaos Sea remained neutral during this major calamity.
chū hū yù liào ， jiǔ xiān gōng bìng méi yǒu juǎn rù sān zú chōng tū ， hùn luàn hǎi yù zài zhè cì dà jié zhōng yī jiù bǎo chí zhōng lì 。
出乎预料，九仙宫并没有卷入三族冲突，混乱海域在这次大劫中依旧保持中立。
This outcome left Lin Xuan quite surprised. Logically speaking, with the conflict between the three tribes at such a critical stage, it should have been impossible for the Nine Immortal Palace to remain uninvolved. Was there something fishy going on?
zhè ge jié guǒ ， zhe shí ràng lín xuān chà yì ， àn lǐ ， sān zú yǐ jīng dǎ dào zhè ge dì bù ， jiǔ xiān gōng xiǎng yào zhì shēn shì wài yīng gāi shì bù kě néng dì ， nán dào zhōng jiān yǒu shén me māo nì ？
这个结果，着实让林轩诧异，按理，三族已经打到这个地步，九仙宫想要置身事外应该是不可能地，难道中间有什么猫腻？
Lin Xuan was puzzled but did not dwell on it too much; after all, he was just an independent cultivator. The machinations of these major factions were none of his concern.
lín xuān xīn zhōng shí fēn yí huò ， bù guò yě méi yǒu qù duō xiǎng shén me ， bì jìng tā zhǐ shì sàn xiū ér yǐ ， zhè xiē dà shì lì ， xiāng hù zhī jiān zěn me suàn jì ， yǔ tā gēn běn jiù méi yǒu shén me qiè shēn de lì hài guān xì 。
林轩心中十分疑惑，不过也没有去多想什么，毕竟他只是散修而已，这些大势力，相互之间怎么算计，与他根本就没有什么切身的厉害关系。
It would be best if they remained neutral. Lin Xuan knew the saying "where there is a nest, there are bound to be eggs," and he hoped that the Chaos Sea could maintain its neutrality.
néng gòu bù juǎn rù chōng tū shì zuì hǎo bù guò ， fù cháo zhī xià ān yǒu wán luǎn de dào lǐ lín xuān qǐ huì bù qīng chǔ ， tā bā bù dé hùn luàn hǎi yù néng gòu bǎo chí zhōng lì 。
能够不卷入冲突是最好不过，覆巢之下安有完卵的道理林轩岂会不清楚，他巴不得混乱海域能够保持中立。
Of course, he also knew this was highly unlikely.
dāng rán ， lín xuān yě xiǎo de ， zhè shì jué bù kě néng de 。
当然，林轩也晓得，这是绝不可能的。
Additionally, he heard about an odd piece of news, more accurately, one that had been circulating throughout the Eastern Sea.
ér chú cǐ yǐ liè ， lín xuān hái tīng dào yī gǔ guài xiāo xī ， zhèng què de shuō ， shì yǐ jīng zài zhěng gè dōng hǎi chuán dé fēng fēng yǔ yǔ 。
而除此以列，林轩还听到一古怪消息，正确的说，是已经在整个东海传得风风雨雨。
Logically speaking, with the Nine Immortal Palace maintaining a neutral stance during the conflict, humans were fighting alone against the beast tribes and sea tribes. The disparity in power should have made it impossible for them to turn the tide.
àn lǐ ， jiǔ xiān gōng zài cǐ cì chōng tū zhōng bǎo chí zhōng lì ， rén lèi yǐ yī jǐ zhī lì ， duì kàng yāo zú hǎi zú ， jiù shí lì lái shuō ， nà shì xiāng chà yǐ 。
按理，九仙宫在此次冲突中保持中立，人类以一己之力，对抗妖族海族，就实力来说，那是相差矣。
Indeed, early on, they had managed to do so. In the past, there had been tales of overnight wealth from treasures found within ancient ruins, and even divine artifacts. However, Lin Xuan did not head there after considering his options.
chū qī jiāo zhàn zhī shí ， zhàn kuàng yě què shí rú cǐ 。
初期交战之时，战况也确实如此。
Even if he was going to take risks, he preferred them to be purposeful rather than aimless. He needed a goal.
rén zú bù néng shuō bīng bài rú shān dǎo ， dàn yě diū chéng shī dì ， shèn zhì lián dòng xuán qī jí bié de xiū xiān zhě ， qián hòu dōu yǔn luò le shù rén zhī duō 。
人族不能说兵败如山倒，但也丢城失地，甚至连洞玄期级别的修仙者，前后都陨落了数人之多。
With that in mind, Lin Xuan decided to return to the Red Leaf Sea, where he had once stayed when first ascending into the spirit realm. There were memories of his initial experiences after becoming a cultivator there.
xíng shì kě xiǎng ér zhī zāo gāo dào zěn yàng de dì bù ， shuō jǔ bù wéi jiān yě bù wèi guò 。
形势可想而知糟糕到怎样的地步，说举步维艰也不为过。
Of course, he was not going out of nostalgia; rather, it was part of his plan. He was curious about the Red Leaf Island, which, despite its remote location, had attracted both the Poison Dragon Ancestor and the Great Whale King. One was determined to succeed, while the other sent their daughter as a spy. What could be the reason behind this?
rán ér zuì jìn èr shí nián ， qíng kuàng què mò míng qí miào de fā shēng le gǎi biàn 。
然而最近二十年，情况却莫名其妙的发生了改变。
Could there be some hidden treasure on the island? Lin Xuan's wealth made him indifferent to most treasures, but something that could pique the interest of both the Poison Dragon and the Sea Six Kings would certainly be different.
rén zú nà biān ， bù zhī cóng nǎ lǐ zhǔ mào chū lái yī pī gāo shǒu ， hái yǒu gǔ guài de xiōng shòu ， qiě shù liàng jí duō ， bìng bú shì yí gè liǎng gè ， zài tā men de bāng zhù xià ， jìng jiàn jiàn niǔ zhuǎn le zhàn jú ， yǔ hǎi zú yāo zú fēn tíng kàng lǐ 。
人族那边，不知从哪里丶冒出来一批高手，还有古怪的凶兽，且数量极多，并不是一个两个，在他们的帮助下，竟渐渐扭转了战局，与海族妖族分庭抗礼。
He had speculated about this for centuries. However, he needed strength as a backup before venturing there; otherwise, it would be akin to suicide. At that time, his strength was merely speculative, bolstered by newly refined Dark Phantom Corpses, which had increased the number of Bloodfire Ants to nearly a billion.
zhè ge xiāo xī ， bù néng bù shuō hěn lìng rén jīng qí ， lín xuān jiù dà jīng shī sè ， qí tā rén chū wén shí ， yě shì yī yàng de 。
这个消息，不能不说很令人惊奇，林轩就大惊失色，其他人初闻时，也是一样的。
With his current power, Lin Xuan was no longer afraid of encountering killers and treasure snatchers. If they did not come looking for him, their only fate would be like that of a dog chasing after a bun—disappointing.
qǐ chū zhī shí ， yǒu bù shǎo rén dōu huái yí dào le jiǔ xiān gōng shēn shàng qù ， rèn wéi tā men biǎo miàn shàng bǎo chí zhōng lì ， àn dì lǐ ， què yǔ rén zú chuàn tōng yī qì 。
起初之时，有不少人都怀疑到了九仙宫身上去，认为他们表面上保持中立，暗地里，却与人族串通一气。
Still, he preferred to avoid trouble if possible. So as he traveled, he often released his immensely powerful divine sense. When he encountered cultivators, Lin Xuan would simply detour around them; with such a strong divine sense, he could leave before they even noticed him, ensuring no troubles arose.
cǐ cāi cè zhà yī kàn hěn yǒu dào lǐ ， fàng yǎn zhěng gè dōng hǎi ， yě wéi yǒu jiǔ xiān gōng cái yǒu zhè yàng de shí lì 。
此猜测乍一看很有道理，放眼整个东海，也唯有九仙宫才有这样的实力。
Though the journey was longer due to these detours, it allowed for peace and quiet.
kě sú huà shuō zhǐ shì jiè shàng méi yǒu bù tòu fēng de qiáng ， ruò zhēn shì jiǔ xiān gōng dòng shǒu ， jiù suàn zài zuò dé rú hé yǐn bì ， dōu bù kě néng sī háo pò zhàn yě méi yǒu 。
可俗话说只世界上没有不透风的墙，若真是九仙宫动手，就算再做得如何隐蔽，都不可能丝毫破绽也没有。
Two months passed without incident.
suí zhe shí jiān de tuī yí ， wài miàn zǒng néng dé dào yì diǎn xiāo xī 。
随着时间的推移，外面总能得到一点消息。
A streak of brilliant light sliced through the sky—a manifestation of Lin Xuan's spirit boat. The sun shone warmly upon the sea, its surface shimmering with waves. In this desolate expanse, there were no signs of life; it was a completely uninhabited unknown sea.
kě shì shí zhèng míng ， sān zú fēn zhēng ， jiǔ xiān gōng bù lùn zhǎng lǎo hái shì dì zǐ ， zài gōng zhǔ de yán lìng xià ， cóng lái jiù bù céng cān yù 。
可事实证明，三族纷争，九仙宫不论长老还是弟子，在宫主的严令下，从来就不曾参与。
Such places existed in abundance within the Eastern Sea cultivation world. Given the vastness of this realm compared to the number of humans, beasts, and demons, many areas remained unoccupied, though their spirit veins were often inferior.
zhè jiàn shì qíng hái zhēn shì lìng rén xī qí 。
这件事情还真是令人稀奇。
However, exceptions did exist. The surrounding spirit energy here was exceptionally dense.
bù guǎn rú hé ， zhè me duō gāo shǒu ， zǒng bù chéng shì píng kōng mào chū lái de 。
不管如何，这么多高手，总不成是凭空冒出来的。
This place would be a fine place for cultivation.
qí shí bié shuō rén yāo liǎng zú ， jiù suàn shì rén lèi zì jǐ ， dōu mǎn fù cāi yí ， wán quán bù xiǎo de ， shì qíng zěn me huì fā zhǎn dào zhè ge dì bù 。
其实别说人妖两族，就算是人类自己，都满腹猜疑，完全不晓得，事情怎么会发展到这个地步。
Yet such thoughts only flashed through Lin Xuan's mind briefly.
chú le yí xīn hái shì yí huò ！
除了疑薪还是疑惑！
Suddenly, his brows furrowed as he sensed something. He turned to the left and narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious.
yú shì gè zhǒng gè yàng de cāi cè ， yě jiù zì rán ér rán de yùn yù ér shēng le 。
于是各种各样的猜测，也就自然而然的孕育而生了。
"Such a powerful aura."
gè zhǒng bǎn běn de shuō fǎ dōu yǒu 。
各种版本的说法都有。
"It feels like it belongs to a beast tribe."
yīng dàn lí qí ！
英诞离奇！
Lin Xuan muttered to himself, hesitated for a moment, then retracted his spirit boat and flew forward towards the source of the aura.
lín xuān shèn zhì hái tīng shuō ， ā xiū luó wáng fù huó ， nà xiē shén mì xiū shì ， shì yīn sī jiè de tàn zi ， tā men xiàn zài bèi pài wǎng dōng hǎi ， shì zhǔn bèi wèi yīn sī dà jūn jìn gōng líng jiè ， shōu jí qíng bào yǔ xiāo xī 。
林轩甚至还听说，阿修罗王复活，那些神秘修士，是阴司界的探子，他们现在被派往东海，是准备为阴司大军进攻灵界，收集情报与消息。
His evasion techniques were so subtle that he arrived at the location in no time.
dāng rán ， zhè zhǒng shuō fǎ ， chú le nǎo dài yǒu wèn tí ， suǒ yǒu de rén jiē chī zhī yǐ bí 。
当然，这种说法，除了脑袋有问题，所有的人皆嗤之以鼻。
There was a creature resembling a dragon but not quite one; it was over ten meters long with a dragon's head and a fish's body. Its claws were extremely sharp, yet behind its back, there were bat-like wings. It looked peculiar.
lín xuān yě kū xiào bù dé ， què gèng gōu qǐ tā duì yuè ér de sī niàn le ， bù zhī dào xiǎo yā tou rú jīn shēn zài hé chù ， guò dé kě hái hǎo me ？
林轩也哭笑不得，却更勾起他对月儿的思念了，不知道小丫头如今身在何处，过得可还好么？
However, the aura emanating from it was incredibly powerful—Peak Separation Stage… No, it had surpassed that stage but had not reached the Inner Core realm.
xiá gǔ róu qíng ， lín xuān tóng yàng yě huì ruǎn ruò 。
侠骨柔情，林轩同样也会软弱。
This was not strange; beast tribes had diverse types and their stages of cultivation often differed significantly from those of ordinary cultivators. Some beasts could surpass the Inner Core stage without opening their spirit intelligence.
dàn bù guǎn rú hé ， dǎ tīng dé lái de xiāo xī ， jǐ ràng lín xuān fēi cháng mǎn yì ， zhì shǎo hùn luàn hǎi yù jiū jìng shì ān quán dì 。
但不管如何，打听得来的消息，己让林轩非常满意，至少混乱海域究竟是安全地。
Lin Xuan had read about such creatures in ancient texts, and upon seeing the one facing off with the Poison Dragon Ancestor, he was left speechless, his eyes wide with shock!~!
Now, it had been exactly half a year since Lin Xuan emerged from his seclusion.
On that day after he left Black Wind Island, he did not head to the Nine Immortal City. The Chaos Sea was rife with complex and intricate factions; seeking out any information would be incredibly easy.
Lin Xuan casually found himself in the headquarters of a cultivation family within the marketplaces for several days before obtaining the desired news.
Unexpectedly, the Nine Immortal Palace had not been involved in the conflict among the three tribes. The Chaos Sea remained neutral during this major calamity.
This outcome left Lin Xuan quite surprised. Logically speaking, with the conflict between the three tribes at such a critical stage, it should have been impossible for the Nine Immortal Palace to remain uninvolved. Was there something fishy going on?
Lin Xuan was puzzled but did not dwell on it too much; after all, he was just an independent cultivator. The machinations of these major factions were none of his concern.
It would be best if they remained neutral. Lin Xuan knew the saying "where there is a nest, there are bound to be eggs," and he hoped that the Chaos Sea could maintain its neutrality.
Of course, he also knew this was highly unlikely.
Additionally, he heard about an odd piece of news, more accurately, one that had been circulating throughout the Eastern Sea.
Logically speaking, with the Nine Immortal Palace maintaining a neutral stance during the conflict, humans were fighting alone against the beast tribes and sea tribes. The disparity in power should have made it impossible for them to turn the tide.
Indeed, early on, they had managed to do so. In the past, there had been tales of overnight wealth from treasures found within ancient ruins, and even divine artifacts. However, Lin Xuan did not head there after considering his options.
Even if he was going to take risks, he preferred them to be purposeful rather than aimless. He needed a goal.
With that in mind, Lin Xuan decided to return to the Red Leaf Sea, where he had once stayed when first ascending into the spirit realm. There were memories of his initial experiences after becoming a cultivator there.
Of course, he was not going out of nostalgia; rather, it was part of his plan. He was curious about the Red Leaf Island, which, despite its remote location, had attracted both the Poison Dragon Ancestor and the Great Whale King. One was determined to succeed, while the other sent their daughter as a spy. What could be the reason behind this?
Could there be some hidden treasure on the island? Lin Xuan's wealth made him indifferent to most treasures, but something that could pique the interest of both the Poison Dragon and the Sea Six Kings would certainly be different.
He had speculated about this for centuries. However, he needed strength as a backup before venturing there; otherwise, it would be akin to suicide. At that time, his strength was merely speculative, bolstered by newly refined Dark Phantom Corpses, which had increased the number of Bloodfire Ants to nearly a billion.
With his current power, Lin Xuan was no longer afraid of encountering killers and treasure snatchers. If they did not come looking for him, their only fate would be like that of a dog chasing after a bun—disappointing.
Still, he preferred to avoid trouble if possible. So as he traveled, he often released his immensely powerful divine sense. When he encountered cultivators, Lin Xuan would simply detour around them; with such a strong divine sense, he could leave before they even noticed him, ensuring no troubles arose.
Though the journey was longer due to these detours, it allowed for peace and quiet.
Two months passed without incident.
A streak of brilliant light sliced through the sky—a manifestation of Lin Xuan's spirit boat. The sun shone warmly upon the sea, its surface shimmering with waves. In this desolate expanse, there were no signs of life; it was a completely uninhabited unknown sea.
Such places existed in abundance within the Eastern Sea cultivation world. Given the vastness of this realm compared to the number of humans, beasts, and demons, many areas remained unoccupied, though their spirit veins were often inferior.
However, exceptions did exist. The surrounding spirit energy here was exceptionally dense.
This place would be a fine place for cultivation.
Yet such thoughts only flashed through Lin Xuan's mind briefly.
Suddenly, his brows furrowed as he sensed something. He turned to the left and narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious.
"Such a powerful aura."
"It feels like it belongs to a beast tribe."
Lin Xuan muttered to himself, hesitated for a moment, then retracted his spirit boat and flew forward towards the source of the aura.
His evasion techniques were so subtle that he arrived at the location in no time.
There was a creature resembling a dragon but not quite one; it was over ten meters long with a dragon's head and a fish's body. Its claws were extremely sharp, yet behind its back, there were bat-like wings. It looked peculiar.
However, the aura emanating from it was incredibly powerful—Peak Separation Stage… No, it had surpassed that stage but had not reached the Inner Core realm.
This was not strange; beast tribes had diverse types and their stages of cultivation often differed significantly from those of ordinary cultivators. Some beasts could surpass the Inner Core stage without opening their spirit intelligence.
Lin Xuan had read about such creatures in ancient texts, and upon seeing the one facing off with the Poison Dragon Ancestor, he was left speechless, his eyes wide with shock!~!