zhèng xuán jiē xià lái de jiǎng shù ， jiāng tā xīn zhōng de cāi cè zhèng shí 。
郑璇接下来的讲述，将他心中的猜测证实。
Zheng Xuan's subsequent narration confirmed his suspicions.
cǐ nǚ guǒ rán yě shì wú yì ， chù dòng le yī chuán sòng jìn zhì ， rán ér yǔ yún zhōng xiān zi bù tóng ， bìng méi yǒu bèi chuán sòng dào lìng yī chù rén jiè zhī zhōng ， ér shì yīn cǐ huò dé le mò dà jī yuán ， zhí jiē fēi shēng chéng le líng jiè de yī yuán 。
此女果然也是无意，触动了一传送禁制，然而与云中仙子不同，并没有被传送到另一处人界之中，而是因此获得了莫大机缘，直接飞升成了灵界的一员。
This woman indeed inadvertently triggered a teleportation禁制, but unlike the Cloud Fairy, she was not sent to another human realm. Instead, she gained a tremendous opportunity and directly ascended to become part of the Spirit Realm.
lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， bìng méi yǒu lù chū tài guò jīng yà zhī sè ， yǐ zhèng xuán de shí lì ， dāng rán bù kě néng shì zì jǐ pò suì xū kōng ， yuán lái tā de zāo yù ， yǔ qín xīn yǒu nà me jǐ fēn xiāng tóng 。
林轩点了点头，并没有露出太过惊讶之色，以郑璇的实力，当然不可能是自己破碎虚空，原来她的遭遇，与琴心有那么几分相同。
Lin Xuan nodded, not showing too much surprise. With Zheng Xuan's strength, it was impossible for him to break through the void. Her experience was somewhat similar to Qin Xin’s.
“ nà hòu lái rú hé ， hè zěn me huì luò rù nà huǒ yún lǎo guài de shǒu zhōng ？”
“那后来如何，赫怎么会落入那火云老怪的手中？”
"How did you end up in the hands of that Fire Cloud Elder?"
“ duō xiè shī zǔ guān huái ， zhè shén shì qíng jiù yī yán nán jìn le 。”
“多谢师祖关怀，这什事情就一言难尽了。”
"Thank my ancestor for your concern, but this matter is beyond simple explanation."
“ yī yán nán jìn ？”
“一言难尽？”
"Beyond simple explanation?"
“ bù cuò 。” zhèng xuán tàn le kǒu qì ， lóu chún wēi qǐ ， kāi shǐ jiǎng shù zhè xiē nián de jīng lì ：“ xuán ér chū dào líng jiè zhī shí ， xīn zhōng shí fēn huān xǐ ， bì jìng zhè yàng de jī yuán qiǎo hé ， cóng shàng gǔ shí qī yě méi yǒu jǐ gè ， bù yòng pò suì xū kōng ， bù yòng lí hé ， jū rán jiù lái dào zhè shàng wèi jiè miàn le 。”
“不错。”郑璇叹了口气，楼唇微启，开始讲述这些年的经历：“璇儿初到灵界之时，心中十分欢喜，毕竟这样的机缘巧合，从上古时期也没有几个，不用破碎虚空，不用离合，居然就来到这上位界面了。”
"Yes." Zheng Xuan sighed and opened her lips as she began recounting her experiences over these years: "When I first arrived in the Spirit Realm, I was extremely happy. Such a fortunate coincidence; there have been few like it since ancient times. Without breaking through the void or undergoing the separation and union process, I ended up here."
“ zài zuì chū de jǐ bǎi nián ， wǒ yùn qì yě què rán bù cuò ， xiū liàn shí fēn xùn sù ， shèn zhì chéng jìn jiē dào le lí hé 。”
“在最初的几百年，我运气也确然不错，修炼十分迅速，甚至成进阶到了离合。”
"Oh?"
“ ó ？”
“哦？”
Lin Xuan's face showed interest. However, upon careful consideration, he found it not surprising at all. Although Zheng Xuan was Xu Yin’s daughter, she had been transformed by the Mysterious Heaven Ghost Emperor using inheritance fusion techniques. Her cultivation potential was exceptional.
lín xuān tīng le ， liǎn shàng lù chū gǎn xìng qù zhī sè ， bù guò zǐ xì xiǎng xiǎng ， què bìng bù qí guài de ， zhèng xuán suī shì xú yīn zhī nǚ ， dàn què shì yóu miào tiān guǐ dì ， shī zhǎn le chuán chéng róng hé zhī shù ， jiù xiū liàn de zī zhì lái shuō ， nà shì xiāng dāng liǎo de 。
林轩听了，脸上露出感兴趣之色，不过仔细想想，却并不奇怪的，郑璇虽是徐茵之女，但却是由妙天鬼帝，施展了传承融合之术，就修炼的资质来说，那是相当了得。
Breaking through to the separation and union stage would be difficult in a resource-poor human realm. But in the Spirit Realm, especially in the Dragon Region among its various planes, resources were abundant, and the concentration of essence qi was far beyond that of the human world. With effort, Zheng Xuan’s breakthrough to the separation and union stage was certain.
ruò shì rén jiè nà zhǒng zī yuán pín fá zhī suǒ ， xiǎng yào tū pò lí hé ， duō shǎo huì yǒu yī xiē nán dù 。
若是人界那种资源贫乏之所，想要突破离合，多少会有一些难度。
However, cultivation also involves luck. For several hundred years, Zheng Xuan's progress had been smooth. But as fate would have it, during one outing, she encountered Fire Cloud Elder. The old monster recognized her as a Five Yin Absolute Pulse body with his secret technique.
dàn ruò shì zài líng jiè zhī zhōng ， qíng kuàng yòu zì bù tóng ， zhōu kuàng jiān lóng jiè zài líng jiè de zhū duō wèi miàn zhī zhōng ， nà yě shì pái míng qián liè de 。
但若是在灵界之中，情况又自不同，舟况兼龙界在灵界的诸多位面之中，那也是排名前列的。
Fire Cloud Elder was elated. Although this kind of体质was merely a burden to him due to his own reasons, for a yin-cold cultivator, such a rare treasure was invaluable.
zhè lǐ de zī yuán ， hái yǒu líng qì nóng dù ， yǔ rén jiè dōu bú shì yí gè shù liàng jí ， zhèng xuán zài zhè lǐ zhǐ yào kěn nǔ lì ， tū pò lí hé ， nà shì bǎn shàng dìng dīng dì 。
这里的资源，还有灵气浓度，与人界都不是一个数量级，郑璇在这里只要肯努力，突破离合，那是板上钉钉地。
A valuable commodity!
rán ér xiū xiān zhè dōng xī ， chú le nǔ lì ， hái yǒu yùn qì ， qián miàn shù bǎi nián ， zhèng xuán xiū liàn què shí fēi cháng shùn lì ， kě tiān yǒu bù kè fēng yún ， zài mǒu cì wài chū de shí hòu ， tā què yù jiàn le huǒ yún zūn zhě ， ér nà lǎo guài wù yě bù zhī dào xiū liàn le shén me mì shù ， jū rán yī yǎn jiù rèn chū tā shì wǔ yīn jué mài zhī tǐ 。
然而修仙这东西，除了努力，还有运气，前面数百年，郑璇修炼确实非常顺利，可天有不刻风云，在某次外出的时候，她却遇见了火云尊者，而那老怪物也不知道修炼了什么秘术，居然一眼就认出她是五阴绝脉之体。
Seeing that Zheng Xuan was alone, the old monster immediately disregarded his status and made his move.
huǒ yún zūn zhě bù yóu de dà xǐ ， suī rán yóu yú běn shēn de yuán gù ， zhè děng tǐ zhì de nǚ xiū duì tā lái shuō ， bù guò shì jī lèi ， rán ér ruò huàn chéng yīn hán shǔ xìng de xiū xiān zhě ， nà kě jiù shì kě yù ér bù kě qiú de bǎo wù le 。
火云尊者不由得大喜，虽然由于本身的缘故，这等体质的女修对她来说，不过是鸡肋，然而若换成阴寒属性的修仙者，那可就是可遇而不可求的宝物了。
With a larger force overpowering a lesser one, a Profound Origin against Separation and Union, what could be in doubt? Back when they were in the East Sea, Lin Xuan’s supernatural abilities and abundant treasures had left him with nowhere to turn as he was pursued by a manifestation of Poison Dragon Elder. He nearly perished until he used Ten Thousand Year Spirit Milk to keep up with the Nine Heaven Microsteps.
qí huò kě jū ！
奇货可居！
Lin Xuan himself had faced such dire straits; Zheng Xuan, being weaker, had no chance against Fire Cloud’s late-stage Profound Origin. She was captured alive without any resistance.
jiàn zhèng xuán zhǐ yǒu gū shēn yī rén ér yǐ ， zhè lǎo guài wù lì kè bù gù shēn fèn de dòng shǒu le 。
见郑璇只有孤身一人而已，这老怪物立刻不顾身份的动手了。
Fortunately, the old monster did not harm her much, merely restraining all of her strength and locking her in a secret cave until recently when he brought her to Tianshi Sect for the Treasure Fair.
yǐ dà qī xiǎo ， dòng xuán duì shàng lí hé ， nà hái yǒu shén me xuán niàn ne ， dāng nián zài dōng hǎi de shí hòu ， yǐ lín xuān shén tōng zhī qí ， bǎo wù zhī duō ， yě bèi dú lóng zūn zhě de yí gè huà shēn zhuī dé láng bèi dào jí chù ， kě yǐ shuō shàng tiān wú mén ， xià dì wú lù ， ruò bú shì yǒu wàn nián líng rǔ ， kě yǐ bù tíng de shī zhǎn jiǔ tiān wēi bù ， kě yǐ shuō ， yǐ jīng yǔn luò diào le 。
以大欺小，洞玄对上离合，那还有什么悬念呢，当年在东海的时候，以林轩神通之奇，宝物之多，也被毒龙尊者的一个化身追得狼狈到极处，可以说上天无门，下地无路，若不是有万年灵乳，可以不停的施展九天微步，可以说，已经陨落掉了。
"Indeed."
lín xuān dāng nián shàng qiě rú cǐ ， nà zhèng xuán jiù gèng bù yòng tí ， miàn duì dòng xuán hòu qī de huǒ yún zūn zhě ， gēn běn sī háo huán shǒu zhī lì yě wú ， zhí jiē bèi shēng qín huó zhuō 。
林轩当年尚且如此，那郑璇就更不用提，面对洞玄后期的火云尊者，根本丝毫还手之力也无，直接被生擒活捉。
Zheng Xuan's experience after arriving in the Spirit Realm was unremarkable. After understanding the entire story, Lin Xuan’s expression gradually calmed as he rubbed his forehead, seemingly lost in thought.
hǎo zài duì fāng dào yě méi yǒu nán wéi tā shén me ， zhǐ shì jiāng qí hún shēn de lì jìn gù ， suí hòu jiù guān zài yī mì mì dòng fǔ ， zhí dào bù jiǔ qián wàn bǎo dà huì zhào kāi ， huǒ yún lǎo guài jiē dào qǐng shù ， cái jiāng tā dài dào tiān shī mén lái 。
好在对方倒也没有难为她什么，只是将其浑身的力禁锢，随后就关在一秘密洞府，直到不久前万宝大会召开，火云老怪接到请束，才将她带到天尸门来。
"Ancestor..."
“ yuán lái rú cǐ 。”
“原来如此。”
After a moment, she finally spoke again.
zhèng xuán dào líng jiè hòu de jīng lì ， bìng bù zú qí ， liǎo jiě liǎo shì qíng de shǐ mò ， lín xuān liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng ， màn màn píng jìng le xià qù 。
郑璇到灵界后的经历，并不足奇，了解了事情的始末，林轩脸上的表情，慢慢平静了下去。
"What is it?" Lin Xuan seemed to wake up and looked up.
yǐ shǒu fǔ é ， fǎng fú zài chén yín zhe shén me 。
以手抚额，仿佛在沉吟着什么。
"Thank you for saving me. However, the ancient demon who participated in the bidding was Tianshi Sect’s Supreme Elder. We are now at their main base; I am worried..."
“ shī zǔ ……”
“师祖……”
"Worried that they won’t let this matter drop?" Lin Xuan anticipated her question.
guò le piàn kè ， cǐ nǚ zhōng yú chóng xīn kāi kǒu le 。
过了片刻，此女终于重新开口了。
In a secluded part of the Tianshi Sect, within a deep cave.
“ zěn me ？” lín xuān fǎng fú jīng xǐng shì de tái qǐ tóu lú 。
“怎么？”林轩仿佛惊醒似的抬起头颅。
The ancient demon was meditating when suddenly, the door to the cave burst open with a loud noise. Three cultivators appeared before him, standing respectfully and extremely deferential.
“ duō xiè shī zǔ jiù wǒ ， bù guò nà céng jīng cān yù jìng pāi de gǔ lǎo mó ， shì tiān shī mén de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo ， rú jīn wǒ men zài duì fāng zǒng duò ， xuán ér dān xīn ……”
“多谢师祖救我，不过那曾经参与竞拍的古老魔，是天尸门的太上长老，如今我们在对方总舵，璇儿担心……”
These three were all Profound Origin cultivators—two mid-stage and one late-stage. In the outside world, they would be formidable figures, but here, not even a breath could be drawn.
“ dān xīn duì fāng bú huì shàn bà gān xiū ？” lín xuān zǎo yǒu yù liào de kāi kǒu 。
“担心对方不会善罢甘休？”林轩早有预料的开口。
After a while, the ancient demon finished his meditation and slowly opened his eyes, which appeared somewhat hazy but with a glint of curiosity.
yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， tiān shī mén jìn dì ， mǒu zuò yōu shēn de dòng fǔ lǐ 。
与此同时，天尸门禁地，某座幽深的洞府里。
"Greetings, Master. I wonder what instructions you have for us," the three hurriedly bowed and knelt down respectfully.
nà gǔ lǎo mó zhèng zài bì guān dǎ zuò ， tū rán ， dòng fǔ de mén què hōng lōng lóng de dǎ kāi le ， suí hòu guāng huá yī shǎn ， sān míng xiū shì chū xiàn zài le lǎo mó de miàn qián ， shù shǒu ér lì ， biǎo qíng gōng jìng yǐ jí 。
那古老魔正在闭关打坐，突然，洞府的门却轰隆隆的打开了，随后光华一闪，三名修士出现在了老魔的面前，束手而立，表情恭敬以极。
"The scene at the Treasure Fair is something you should already be aware of." The ancient demon spoke nonchalantly as if it were an insignificant matter.
zhè sān rén ， jiē shì dòng xuán qī xiū shì ， ér qiě liǎng míng zhōng qī ， yī míng hòu qī 。
这三人，皆是洞玄期修士，而且两名中期，一名后期。
"Yes, master. Such a bold individual dared to tamper with our territory. It’s clear he has no fear of death. He is still in the inn; should we capture him now and await your instructions?" The speaker was a cultivator with a sinister appearance, also the most advanced among them.
fàng dào wài miàn ， jué duì shì wēi zhèn yī fāng de rén wù ， rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， lián dà qì dōu bù gǎn chū 。
放到外面，绝对是威震一方的人物，然而此时此刻，连大气都不敢出。
"Foolish, when did I say to take him down?" The ancient demon reprimanded unhappily.
hǎo bàn tiān ， gǔ lǎo mó jié shù le dǎ zuò ， huǎn huǎn zhēng kāi le yǎn móu ， mù guāng yǒu xiē hún zhuó ， dàn yǎn móu dǐ chù ， què yòu yǒu qí guāng shǎn guò 。
好半天，古老魔结束了打坐，缓缓睁开了眼眸，目光有些浑浊，但眼眸底处，却又有奇光闪过。
"What then are master’s intentions..." The three were taken aback, looking at each other. Then, the woman on the left spoke up.
“ cān jiàn shī fù ， bù zhī dào shī zūn zhào huàn wǒ men sān rén lái cǐ ， yǒu shén me fēn fù ？” sān rén lián máng bào quán xíng lǐ ， bìng gōng gōng jìng jìng de guì le xià qù 。
“参见师傅，不知道师尊召唤我们三人来此，有什么吩咐？”三人连忙抱拳行礼，并恭恭敬敬的跪了下去。
"Five million middle-grade crystal stones; do you think I can’t afford it? But for any matter, one must consider its worth. To go so far just to obtain a female cultivator’s鼎炉is too wasteful. I would not stoop that low," she said.
“ wàn bǎo dà huì fā shēng de yí mù ， wǒ xiǎng nǐ men sān rén yīng gāi yǐ jīng yǒu suǒ ěr wén le 。” gǔ lǎo mó bù dòng shēng sè de shuō ， fǎng fú cǐ shí cǐ kè ， tā suǒ tán lùn de ， gēn běn jiù shì yī jiàn wēi bù zú dào de xiǎo shì 。
“万宝大会发生的一幕，我想你们三人应该已经有所耳闻了。”古老魔不动声色的说，仿佛此时此刻，他所谈论的，根本就是一件微不足道的小事。
"But we cannot take him down either. Cultivators should not break rules in this world." The old demon pondered.
“ shì ， shī fù ， jū rán yǒu rú cǐ dǎn dà bāo tiān zhī tú ， gǎn zài tài suì tóu shàng dòng tǔ ， shí zài shì huó dé bù nài fán le ， cǐ rén rú jīn hái zài yì guǎn ， yào bù yào dì zǐ zhè jiù jiāng qí ná xià ， tīng hòu shī fù chǔ zhì ne ？” shuō huà de shì yī róng mào yīn lì de xiū xiān zhě ， yě shì sān rén zhōng xiū wèi zuì gāo de yí gè 。
“是，师傅，居然有如此胆大包天之徒，敢在太岁头上动土，实在是活得不耐烦了，此人如今还在驿馆，要不要弟子这就将其拿下，听候师傅处置呢？”说话的是一容貌阴厉的修仙者，也是三人中修为最高的一个。
"Ancestor, are you concerned about the reputation of our sect if we act here and it becomes known?" The youngest-looking cultivator, dressed like a scholar preparing for an imperial exam, spoke up.
“ yú chǔn ， běn zūn shén me shí hòu shuō guò yào jiāng tā ná xià le ？” gǔ lǎo mó yǒu diǎn bú yuè de hē chì shuō 。
“愚蠢，本尊什么时候说过要将他拿下了？”古老魔有点不悦的呵斥说。
"Yes, acting here would damage our sect’s reputation. It's not worth it. But that Five Yin Absolute Pulse woman is something I must have. Remember to take action only after they leave the sect’s influence..."
“ nà shī zūn de yì tú ……” sān rén yī dāi ， bù yóu de miàn miàn xiāng qù qǐ lái ， suí hòu yóu zhàn zài zuǒ biān ， yī dǎ bàn yāo yàn de nǚ zǐ kāi kǒu 。
“那师尊的意图……”三人一呆，不由得面面相觑起来，随后由站在左边，一打扮妖艳的女子开口。
"Understood, Ancestor. We will ensure we extract his soul and spirit, and bring back that woman intact."
“ wǔ qiān wàn zhōng pǐn jīng shí ， nǐ men dāng běn zūn ná bù chū lái me ， zhǐ bù guò zuò rèn hé yī jiàn shì ， zǒng yào kàn zhí bù zhí ， wèi le qū qū yī nǚ xiū dǐng lú ， jiù shǎ hū hū de zhè me zuò ， shí zài shì tài bài jiā le ， běn zūn bù xiè wèi zhī 。“
“五千万中品晶石，你们当本尊拿不出来么，只不过做任何一件事，总要看值不值，为了区区一女修鼎炉，就傻乎乎的这么做，实在是太败家了，本尊不屑为之。“
"Hmm, you may go now. Work hard; if this fails, your consequences are clear." The old demon said coolly.
“ dàn yě bù néng jiāng qí ná xià ， xiū xiān xiū xiān ， suī rán kě yǐ bù zé shǒu duàn ， dàn cǐ jiè de yī xiē guī zé ， hái shì bù néng wéi bèi de 。” lǎo mó chén yín zhe shuō 。
“但也不能将其拿下，修仙修仙，虽然可以不择手段，但此界的一些规则，还是不能违背的。”老魔沉吟着说。
"We will do our utmost."
“ shī zūn shì dān xīn ， wàn bǎo dà huì zài běn mén zǒng duò jǔ xíng ， zài zhè lǐ ná xià kuáng tú ， chuán chū qù huì shòu rén yǐ bǐng ？” zuì hòu yī míng dòng xuán qī xiū shì yě kāi kǒu le ， cǐ rén kàn shàng qù ， shì zuì nián qīng de yí gè ， shēn chuān rú páo ， dǎ bàn jiù xiàng shì yī míng xiù cái yào jìn jīng gǎn kǎo 。
“师尊是担心，万宝大会在本门总舵举行，在这里拿下狂徒，传出去会授人以柄？”最后一名洞玄期修士也开口了，此人看上去，是最年轻的一个，身穿儒袍，打扮就像是一名秀才要进京赶考。
The three disciples bowed and retreated respectfully.
“ bù cuò ， zài zhè lǐ dòng shǒu ， què shí yǒu sǔn běn mén shēng yù ， dé bù cháng shī ， dàn nà wǔ yīn jué mài de nǚ zǐ ， lǎo fū zhì zài bì děi ， jì zhù ， děng tā men lí kāi běn mén shì lì fàn wéi yǐ hòu zài dòng shǒu ……”
“不错，在这里动手，确实有损本门声誉，得不偿失，但那五阴绝脉的女子，老夫志在必得，记住，等他们离开本门势力范围以后再动手……”
In the deep cave, only the ancient demon remained. His low laughter echoed in his ears.
“ shì ， shī zūn fàng xīn ， wǒ men bì huì jiāng nà kuáng tú chōu hún liàn pò ， nà míng nǚ zǐ ， yě huì wán hǎo wú sǔn gěi nín dài huí lái de 。”
“是，师尊放心，我们必会将那狂徒抽魂炼魄，那名女子，也会完好无损给您带回来的。”
"Five million middle-grade crystal stones; I can provide them, but why should I engage in such foolishness? Sending a few disciples to eliminate that ruffian would yield the鼎炉without spending a single crystal."
“ ń ， nǐ men kě yǐ xià qù le ， yòng xīn bàn shì ， ruò shì shī bài ， xià chǎng rú hé ， wǒ xiǎng nǐ men xīn lǐ yǒu shù 。” gǔ lǎo mó dàn dàn de shuō 。
“嗯，你们可以下去了，用心办事，若是失败，下场如何，我想你们心里有数。”古老魔淡淡的说。
PS: Happy New Year! May all your wishes come true. Do you still have monthly votes? Thank you.
Zheng Xuan's subsequent narration confirmed his suspicions.
This woman indeed inadvertently triggered a teleportation禁制, but unlike the Cloud Fairy, she was not sent to another human realm. Instead, she gained a tremendous opportunity and directly ascended to become part of the Spirit Realm.
"Hmm."
Lin Xuan nodded, not showing too much surprise. With Zheng Xuan's strength, it was impossible for him to break through the void. Her experience was somewhat similar to Qin Xin’s.
"How did you end up in the hands of that Fire Cloud Elder?"
"Thank my ancestor for your concern, but this matter is beyond simple explanation."
"Beyond simple explanation?"
"Yes." Zheng Xuan sighed and opened her lips as she began recounting her experiences over these years: "When I first arrived in the Spirit Realm, I was extremely happy. Such a fortunate coincidence; there have been few like it since ancient times. Without breaking through the void or undergoing the separation and union process, I ended up here."
"Oh?"
Lin Xuan's face showed interest. However, upon careful consideration, he found it not surprising at all. Although Zheng Xuan was Xu Yin’s daughter, she had been transformed by the Mysterious Heaven Ghost Emperor using inheritance fusion techniques. Her cultivation potential was exceptional.
Breaking through to the separation and union stage would be difficult in a resource-poor human realm. But in the Spirit Realm, especially in the Dragon Region among its various planes, resources were abundant, and the concentration of essence qi was far beyond that of the human world. With effort, Zheng Xuan’s breakthrough to the separation and union stage was certain.
However, cultivation also involves luck. For several hundred years, Zheng Xuan's progress had been smooth. But as fate would have it, during one outing, she encountered Fire Cloud Elder. The old monster recognized her as a Five Yin Absolute Pulse body with his secret technique.
Fire Cloud Elder was elated. Although this kind of体质was merely a burden to him due to his own reasons, for a yin-cold cultivator, such a rare treasure was invaluable.
A valuable commodity!
Seeing that Zheng Xuan was alone, the old monster immediately disregarded his status and made his move.
With a larger force overpowering a lesser one, a Profound Origin against Separation and Union, what could be in doubt? Back when they were in the East Sea, Lin Xuan’s supernatural abilities and abundant treasures had left him with nowhere to turn as he was pursued by a manifestation of Poison Dragon Elder. He nearly perished until he used Ten Thousand Year Spirit Milk to keep up with the Nine Heaven Microsteps.
Lin Xuan himself had faced such dire straits; Zheng Xuan, being weaker, had no chance against Fire Cloud’s late-stage Profound Origin. She was captured alive without any resistance.
Fortunately, the old monster did not harm her much, merely restraining all of her strength and locking her in a secret cave until recently when he brought her to Tianshi Sect for the Treasure Fair.
"Indeed."
Zheng Xuan's experience after arriving in the Spirit Realm was unremarkable. After understanding the entire story, Lin Xuan’s expression gradually calmed as he rubbed his forehead, seemingly lost in thought.
"Ancestor..."
After a moment, she finally spoke again.
"What is it?" Lin Xuan seemed to wake up and looked up.
"Thank you for saving me. However, the ancient demon who participated in the bidding was Tianshi Sect’s Supreme Elder. We are now at their main base; I am worried..."
"Worried that they won’t let this matter drop?" Lin Xuan anticipated her question.
In a secluded part of the Tianshi Sect, within a deep cave.
The ancient demon was meditating when suddenly, the door to the cave burst open with a loud noise. Three cultivators appeared before him, standing respectfully and extremely deferential.
These three were all Profound Origin cultivators—two mid-stage and one late-stage. In the outside world, they would be formidable figures, but here, not even a breath could be drawn.
After a while, the ancient demon finished his meditation and slowly opened his eyes, which appeared somewhat hazy but with a glint of curiosity.
"Greetings, Master. I wonder what instructions you have for us," the three hurriedly bowed and knelt down respectfully.
"The scene at the Treasure Fair is something you should already be aware of." The ancient demon spoke nonchalantly as if it were an insignificant matter.
"Yes, master. Such a bold individual dared to tamper with our territory. It’s clear he has no fear of death. He is still in the inn; should we capture him now and await your instructions?" The speaker was a cultivator with a sinister appearance, also the most advanced among them.
"Foolish, when did I say to take him down?" The ancient demon reprimanded unhappily.
"What then are master’s intentions..." The three were taken aback, looking at each other. Then, the woman on the left spoke up.
"Five million middle-grade crystal stones; do you think I can’t afford it? But for any matter, one must consider its worth. To go so far just to obtain a female cultivator’s鼎炉is too wasteful. I would not stoop that low," she said.
"But we cannot take him down either. Cultivators should not break rules in this world." The old demon pondered.
"Ancestor, are you concerned about the reputation of our sect if we act here and it becomes known?" The youngest-looking cultivator, dressed like a scholar preparing for an imperial exam, spoke up.
"Yes, acting here would damage our sect’s reputation. It's not worth it. But that Five Yin Absolute Pulse woman is something I must have. Remember to take action only after they leave the sect’s influence..."
"Understood, Ancestor. We will ensure we extract his soul and spirit, and bring back that woman intact."
"Hmm, you may go now. Work hard; if this fails, your consequences are clear." The old demon said coolly.
"We will do our utmost."
The three disciples bowed and retreated respectfully.
In the deep cave, only the ancient demon remained. His low laughter echoed in his ears.
"Five million middle-grade crystal stones; I can provide them, but why should I engage in such foolishness? Sending a few disciples to eliminate that ruffian would yield the鼎炉without spending a single crystal."
PS: Happy New Year! May all your wishes come true. Do you still have monthly votes? Thank you.