ér ràng shuāng fāng zàn shí bǎo chí kè zhì de lìng wài yí gè yuán yīn ， zé shì líng yào shān 。
而让双方暂时保持克制的另外一个原因，则是灵药山。
Another reason for the temporary restraint between both sides was the Spirit Medicine Mountain.
tiān shā mó jūn sǐ hòu ， zhèng mó shuāng fāng yī pāi liǎng sàn ， kě hěn kuài ， jiù chuán chū líng yào shān hái yǒu tiān chén dān de liú yán 。
天煞魔君死后，正魔双方一拍两散，可很快，就传出灵药山还有天尘丹的流言。
After the death of Heavenly Saber Demon Lord, the orthodox and evil forces parted ways. However, soon rumors spread that there were still traces of the existence of the Heavenly Dust Pill on Spirit Medicine Mountain.
gè wèi yuán yīng qī de lǎo guài suī rán bù xìn ， dàn bào zhe bù pà yī wàn jiù pà wàn yī de xīn lǐ ， hái shì pài chū bù shǎo dì zǐ xīn fù qián qù jiān shì 。
各位元婴期的老怪虽然不信，但抱着不怕一万就怕万一的心里，还是派出不少弟子心腹前去监视。
Although the old monsters at the Core Formation stage did not believe these rumors, they sent many disciples to monitor it out of a "better safe than sorry" mentality.
jié guǒ zì rán shì yī wú suǒ huò ， kě wú xīn chā liǔ ， què huò dé le líng yào shān bù jǐn jǐn shì shàn cháng liàn dān ， hái yǐn cáng yǒu xǔ duō gāo shǒu de qíng bào 。
结果自然是一无所获，可无心插柳，却获得了灵药山不仅仅是擅长炼丹，还隐藏有许多高手的情报。
The result was naturally nothing, but inadvertently, they obtained intelligence revealing that Spirit Medicine Mountain was not only skilled in alchemy, but also harbored numerous powerful cultivators.
sān jù tóu yǔ jí è mó zūn dōu jīng chà fēi cháng 。
三巨头与极恶魔尊都惊诧非常。
This news greatly alarmed the three major sects and the Extreme Demon Sovereign. Moreover, the intelligence mentioned that there were still old monsters at the Core Formation stage secretly cultivating on Spirit Medicine Mountain.
ér qiě qíng bào zhōng shuō líng yào shān hái yǒu yuán yīng qī lǎo guài zài qián xiū 。
而且情报中说灵药山还有元婴期老怪在潜修。
While this could not be verified, it couldn't be confirmed as false either!
zhè yī tiáo suī rán méi yǒu bàn fǎ zhèng shí ， kě yě tóng yàng méi yǒu bàn fǎ què dìng shì jiǎ de a ！
这一条虽然没有办法证实，可也同样没有办法确定是假的啊！
This was enough to make both sides hesitate. If they started a war and caused heaven and earth to change colors, day and night to turn dark, but ended up with Spirit Medicine Mountain reaping the benefits, wouldn't that be a huge loss?
zhè jiù zú yǐ ràng zhèng mó shuāng fāng gù jì le ， jiǎ rú zì jǐ zhè biān kāi zhàn ， dǎ gè tiān dì biàn sè ， rì yuè wú guāng ， kě zuì hòu què ràng líng yào shān yú wēng dé lì ， qǐ bù shì kuī le dà le ？
这就足以让正魔双方顾忌了，假如自己这边开战，打个天地变色，日月无光，可最后却让灵药山渔翁得利，岂不是亏了大了？
They were unwilling to do such foolish things.
tā men cái bù yuàn yì zuò zhè yàng de shǎ
他们才不愿意做这样的傻
What made them even more frustrated was that unlike their clear-cut oppositions, Spirit Medicine Mountain had been open for centuries, providing alchemy services to cultivators. It was beneficial to both orthodox and evil forces without needing to act like fence-sitters.
gèng lìng tā men yù mèn de shì ， yǔ shuāng fāng jīng wèi fēn míng bù tóng ， líng yào shān qiān nián lái dà kāi fāng biàn zhī mén wèi xiū shì liàn dān ， shì zhèng mó shuāng fāng dōu chī de kāi 。
更令他们郁闷的是，与双方泾渭分明不同，灵药山千年来大开方便之门为修士炼丹，是正魔双方都吃得开。
Now, with the orthodox and evil forces evenly matched, the attitude of Spirit Medicine Mountain was crucial. However, the other side pretended not to know anything, unwilling to take a stance.
yǔ zhèng dào gù rán jiāo hǎo ， yǔ mó dào què yě bù chà ， piān piān yǐ tā men de shí lì ， yòu bù xū yào zuò qiáng tóu cǎo 。
与正道固然交好，与魔道却也不差，偏偏以他们的实力，又不需要做墙头草。
In this delicate situation, forcefully making them declare their position could push Spirit Medicine Mountain into the opposite camp, so both sides could only secretly send people to try to win over the mountain. But Elder Master Flying Cloud was cunning and cautious, leaving no room for error in his words and actions. He neither explicitly agreed nor refused, leaving both sides frustrated yet helpless.
zhèng mó shuāng fāng xiàn zài shì shì jūn lì dí 。 líng yào shān dì tài dù jiù fēi cháng zhòng yào 。
正魔双方现在是势均力敌。灵药山地态度就非常重要。
Because of the involvement of Spirit Medicine Mountain, the power balance in Youzhou's cultivation world reached a more delicate equilibrium.
kě piān piān 。 duì fāng què yī fù gù zuò bù zhī dì yàng zi 。 bù yuàn yì biǎo tài 。
可偏偏。对方却一副故作不知地样子。不愿意表态。
For ten years, the orthodox and evil forces had been openly and secretly competing, but they still hadn't declared war.
ér xiàn zài wēi miào dì xíng shì 。 hái bù néng chí qiáng ràng duì fāng biǎo míng lì chǎng 。 zhè yàng zuò fǎn ér róng yì jiāng líng yào shān tuī dào lìng yī biān dì huái bào 。
而现在微妙地形式。还不能持强让对方表明立场。这样做反而容易将灵药山推到另一边地怀抱。
But like a tightly stretched bowstring, it could only last so long before breaking. Recently, this tense atmosphere became increasingly evident. If the orthodox and evil forces of Youzhou really did declare war, although Tianmu Mountain was in a remote corner, it might not be spared either.
zhèng mó shuāng fāng zhǐ néng àn zhōng pài rén qù líng yào shān lā lǒng 。 kě tōng yǔ zhēn rén lǎo jiān jù huá 。 shuō huà zuò shì dī shuǐ bù lòu 。 jì méi yǒu míng què dā yìng 。 yě méi yǒu míng què jù jué 。 zuǒ yòu dōu liú yǒu yú dì 。 ràng zhèng mó shuāng fāng kū xiào bù dé 。 què yòu wú kě nài hé 。
正魔双方只能暗中派人去灵药山拉拢。可通羽真人老奸巨猾。说话做事滴水不漏。既没有明确答应。也没有明确拒绝。左右都留有余地。让正魔双方哭笑不得。却又无可奈何。
Thus, the sect increased its scrutiny on outsiders.
zhèng yīn wèi líng yào shān dì qiān chě 。 suǒ yǐ yōu zhōu xiū zhēn jiè dì shì lì fǎn ér dá dào le yī zhǒng gèng jiā wēi miào dì píng héng 。
正因为灵药山地牵扯。所以幽州修真界地势力反而达到了一种更加微妙地平衡。
All these intelligence reports were Lin Xuan's own analysis and synthesis. Having traveled for half a year, even though his goal was to seek out medicinal herbs for alchemy, he had gathered plenty of information through daily exposure.
zhèng mó míng zhēng àn dòu le shí nián 。 kě què jiù shì bù kāi zhàn 。
正魔明争暗斗了十年。可却就是不开战。
He never expected Spirit Medicine Mountain to become such a critical point in this battle between the orthodox and evil forces.
kě gōng xián bēng dé tài jǐn ， chí zǎo zǒng shì huì duàn 。
可弓弦绷得太紧，迟早总是会断。
The last thing he wanted was to be at the center of attention. But looking at the current situation, it seemed impossible to avoid it.
zuì jìn zhè zhǒng jǐn zhāng de qì fēn yuè lái yuè míng xiǎn ， fù cháo zhī xià ， ān yǒu wán luǎn ， rú guǒ yōu zhōu de zhèng mó liǎng dào zhēn dì kāi zhàn ， tiān mù shān suī rán piān jū yī ǒu ， què yě wèi bì jiù néng gòu xìng miǎn 。
最近这种紧张的气氛越来越明显，覆巢之下，安有完卵，如果幽州的正魔两道真地开站，天目山虽然偏居一偶，却也未必就能够幸免。
Regardless, improving his strength was an indispensable method for survival in the cultivation world. Therefore, Lin Xuan's eagerness to master Spirit Medicine Mountain grew even more intense.
gù ér gāi pài duì wài lái xiū shì de pái chá ， shì yuè lái yuè yán 。
故而该派对外来修士的排查，是越来越严。
Now, the most difficult part was the gap from the later stages to the peak. Once he entered the Pseudo-Dan stage with Heavenly Dust Pill aiding him, Lin Xuan had great confidence in forming a Golden Core.
yǐ shàng zhè xiē qíng bào 。 shì lín xuān zì jǐ fēn xī zǒng jié chū lái de 。 hǎo dǎi chū lái yǐ yóu lì le bàn nián ， suī rán mù dì shì xún fǎng liàn dān de cǎo yào ， kě tiān tiān ěr rú mù rǎn ， huò dé de qíng bào què yě bù shǎo 。
以上这些情报。是林轩自己分析总结出来的。好歹出来已游历了半年，虽然目地是寻访炼丹的草药，可天天耳濡目染，获得的情报却也不少。
Although burdened by worries, Lin Xuan did not show any signs of it on his face.
méi xiǎng dào líng yào shān dào chéng le zhè chǎng zhèng mó dà zhàn de guān jiàn 。
没想到灵药山倒成了这场正魔大战的关键。
At this moment, he dressed as an ordinary cultivator and walked into that unremarkable inn.
tā zuì bù xī wàng de jiù shì zhì shēn yú fēng kǒu làng jiān ， rán ér xiàn zài kàn zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng ， yě bù zhī dào shì fǒu néng gòu bì miǎn 。
他最不希望的就是置身于风口浪尖，然而现在看这种情况，也不知道是否能够避免。
As soon as he entered, the waiter hurried over with a smile and respectfully bowed: "Master, I pay my respects."
dàn bù guǎn rú hé ， tí gāo shí lì nǎi shì zài xiū zhēn jiè shēng cún xià qù de bù èr fǎ bǎo ， suǒ yǐ lín xuān xiǎng yào jǐn zǎo liàn chéng líng yào de xīn qíng gèng jiā de jiāo jí 。
但不管如何，提高实力乃是在修真界生存下去的不二法宝，所以林轩想要尽早练成灵药的心情更加的焦急。
Although Tianmu Sect advocated involvement in the world, making locals accustomed to the existence of cultivators, they were not surprised by various Daoist techniques. However, for those who possessed all sorts of miraculous abilities, they still showed great respect.
xiàn zài zuì jiān nán dì fǎn ér shì hòu qī dào dà yuán mǎn zhè duàn jù lí ， zhǐ yào yí dàn jìn rù jiǎ dān dì jìng jiè 。 zì jǐ yǒu tiān chén dān zhè zhǒng nì tiān zhī wù de xiāng zhù ， duì yú níng chéng jīn dān lín xuān fǎn ér xìn xīn shí zú 。
现在最艰难地反而是后期到大圆满这段距离，只要一旦进入假丹地境界。自己有天尘丹这种逆天之物的相助，对于凝成金丹林轩反而信心十足。
"Mmm," Lin Xuan nodded casually and said, "Do you have any rooms available? I need one."
suī rán xīn shì chóng chóng ， dàn biǎo miàn shàng ， lín xuān kě sī háo yě wèi liú lù zài liǎn shàng 。
虽然心事重重，但表面上，林轩可丝毫也未流露在脸上。
"There are some, but..." The waiter scratched his head with a look of difficulty.
cǐ shí tā shì yī fù pǔ tōng sàn xiū de dǎ bàn ， zǒu jìn le nà jiā bìng bù tài qǐ yǎn de kè zhàn 。
此时他是一副普通散修的打扮，走进了那家并不太起眼的客栈。
If it were another cultivator, he would surely be furious. High and mighty as they were, how could they tolerate the disrespect from mere mortals?
gāng yī jìn qù ， diàn xiǎo èr jiù pì diān pì diān de pǎo le guò lái ， bìng qiě gōng jìng wú bǐ de xíng le yī lǐ ：“ xiǎo de cān jiàn xiān shī 。”
刚一进去，店小二就屁颠屁颠的跑了过来，并且恭敬无比的行了一礼：“小的参见仙师。”
Lin Xuan was naturally not such a shallow person; his face showed no joy or anger as he asked calmly, "Why?"
suī rán tiān mù pài chóng shàng rù shì ， ràng zhè lǐ de fán rén yǐ jīng xí guàn le xiū xiān zhě de cún zài ， ràng tā men duì gè zhǒng dào fǎ bù zú wéi qí 。 bù guò duì yú zhǎng wò gè zhǒng qí miào shén tōng dì huó shén xiān 。 tā men yī rán shì zūn jìng wú bǐ 。
虽然天目派崇尚入世，让这里的凡人已经习惯了修仙者的存在，让他们对各种道法不足为奇。不过对于掌握各种奇妙神通地活神仙。他们依然是尊敬无比。
Seeing that Lin Xuan wasn't angry, the waiter breathed a sigh of relief and bowed eagerly: "Master, you see, if someone like you lived in our inn regularly, we would be overjoyed. We would serve you with utmost care without charging a single coin."
“ ń 。” lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， suí yì de dào ：“ hái yǒu méi yǒu shàng fáng 。 gěi wǒ zhǔn bèi yī jiān 。”
“嗯。”林轩点了点头，随意的道：“还有没有上房。给我准备一间。”
It seemed this waiter was quite skilled at flattery. However, Lin Xuan didn't have time to listen; he frowned and said, "Get to the point."
“ yǒu shì yǒu ， bù guò …… bù néng zū gěi xiān shī 。” xiǎo ér náo le náo tóu ， yī fù wéi nán zhī sè 。
“有是有，不过……不能租给仙师。”小儿挠了挠头，一副为难之色。
"Yes, yes," the waiter hurriedly explained the situation: "Master, it's like this. In a few days, Tianmu Sect will open its market district, allowing outsiders like you to enter for exchanges."
rú guǒ huàn yí gè xiū xiān zhě ， yù jiàn zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng ， kěn dìng bào tiào rú léi ， gāo gāo zài shàng de tā men ， rú hé néng gòu rěn shòu fán rén de qīng màn 。
如果换一个修仙者，遇见这种情况，肯定暴跳如雷，高高再上的他们，如何能够忍受凡人的轻慢。
"Market district?"
bù guò lín xuān zì rán bú shì nà zhǒng qiǎn bó de jiā huo ， liǎn shàng wú xǐ wú nù ， zhǐ shì dàn dàn de wèn ：“ wèi shén me ？”
不过林轩自然不是那种浅薄的家伙，脸上无喜无怒，只是淡淡的问：“为什么？”
Lin Xuan was taken aback but then became delighted. He immediately asked more questions as the waiter chattered on.
jiàn lín xuān méi yǒu fā huǒ ， diàn xiǎo èr sōng le kǒu qì ， lián máng diǎn tóu hā yāo de jiè shào ：“ xiān shī ， nín yǒu suǒ bù zhī ， rú guǒ píng shí yǒu nǐ zhè yàng de huó shén xiān lái běn diàn jū zhù ， nà wǒ men jué duì shì qiú zhī bù dé ， shāo gāo xiāng le ， jiāng nǐ fú shì dé tuǒ tuǒ tiē tiē ， ér qiě hái bù shōu yī wén qián 。”
见林轩没有发火，店小二松了口气，连忙点头哈腰的介绍：“仙师，您有所不知，如果平时有你这样的活神仙来本店居住，那我们绝对是求之不得，烧高香了，将你服侍得妥妥帖帖，而且还不收一文钱。”
In fact, although Tianmu Sect remained isolated and had alchemists of their own, it couldn't completely cut off all ties with the outside world with just one sect and a few nearby small families. Thus, every ten years, they would open a temporary market district to allow outsiders to trade with them while also acquiring necessary resources.
kàn bù chū zhè diàn xiǎo èr kǒu cái bù cuò ， pāi mǎ pì gèng shì yì liú ， bù guò lín xuān nǎ yǒu shí jiān tīng tā suo ， zhòu le zhòu méi ：“ shuō zhòng diǎn 。”
看不出这店小二口才不错，拍马屁更是一流，不过林轩哪有时间听他嗦，皱了皱眉：“说重点。”
This special market district was only open for three days, coincidentally falling on the next day.
“ shì ， shì 。” diàn xiǎo èr zhè cái jiǎng chū le yuán wěi ：“ xiān shī ， shì zhè yàng de ， zài guò jǐ rì ， tiān mù pài jiù yào duì fāng kāi fàng fāng shì ， yǔn xǔ nín zhè yàng dì wài lái xiū shì jìn rù qí zhōng jiāo huàn dōng xī 。”
“是，是。”店小二这才讲出了原委：“仙师，是这样的，再过几日，天目派就要对方开放坊市，允许您这样地外来修士进入其中交换东西。”
"Ah, I see!" Hearing this news, Lin Xuan couldn't help but feel overjoyed. He had been worrying about how to enter Tianmu Sect; such a good opportunity wouldn't be allowed to slip through his fingers.
“ kāi fàng fāng shì ？”
“开放坊市？”
The waiter continued to explain, taking advantage of the chance to talk more with a commoner who could converse with cultivators. "According to what I know, living immortals on Tianmu Mountain don't like other immortals from elsewhere, so even though this market district is open, all outsiders must register at their guesthouses."
lín xuān yí zhèng ， suí jí dà xǐ ， lián máng zhuī wèn ， zài nà diàn xiǎo èr kǒu mò héng fēi dì jiǎng shù xià ， zhōng yú nòng qīng chǔ liǎo shì qíng de shǐ mò 。
林轩一怔，随即大喜，连忙追问，在那店小二口沫横飞地讲述下，终于弄清楚了事情的始末。
The waiter continued his explanation while Lin Xuan listened intently, eager not to miss any details.
Another reason for the temporary restraint between both sides was the Spirit Medicine Mountain.
After the death of Heavenly Saber Demon Lord, the orthodox and evil forces parted ways. However, soon rumors spread that there were still traces of the existence of the Heavenly Dust Pill on Spirit Medicine Mountain.
Although the old monsters at the Core Formation stage did not believe these rumors, they sent many disciples to monitor it out of a "better safe than sorry" mentality.
The result was naturally nothing, but inadvertently, they obtained intelligence revealing that Spirit Medicine Mountain was not only skilled in alchemy, but also harbored numerous powerful cultivators.
This news greatly alarmed the three major sects and the Extreme Demon Sovereign. Moreover, the intelligence mentioned that there were still old monsters at the Core Formation stage secretly cultivating on Spirit Medicine Mountain.
While this could not be verified, it couldn't be confirmed as false either!
This was enough to make both sides hesitate. If they started a war and caused heaven and earth to change colors, day and night to turn dark, but ended up with Spirit Medicine Mountain reaping the benefits, wouldn't that be a huge loss?
They were unwilling to do such foolish things.
What made them even more frustrated was that unlike their clear-cut oppositions, Spirit Medicine Mountain had been open for centuries, providing alchemy services to cultivators. It was beneficial to both orthodox and evil forces without needing to act like fence-sitters.
Now, with the orthodox and evil forces evenly matched, the attitude of Spirit Medicine Mountain was crucial. However, the other side pretended not to know anything, unwilling to take a stance.
In this delicate situation, forcefully making them declare their position could push Spirit Medicine Mountain into the opposite camp, so both sides could only secretly send people to try to win over the mountain. But Elder Master Flying Cloud was cunning and cautious, leaving no room for error in his words and actions. He neither explicitly agreed nor refused, leaving both sides frustrated yet helpless.
Because of the involvement of Spirit Medicine Mountain, the power balance in Youzhou's cultivation world reached a more delicate equilibrium.
For ten years, the orthodox and evil forces had been openly and secretly competing, but they still hadn't declared war.
But like a tightly stretched bowstring, it could only last so long before breaking. Recently, this tense atmosphere became increasingly evident. If the orthodox and evil forces of Youzhou really did declare war, although Tianmu Mountain was in a remote corner, it might not be spared either.
Thus, the sect increased its scrutiny on outsiders.
All these intelligence reports were Lin Xuan's own analysis and synthesis. Having traveled for half a year, even though his goal was to seek out medicinal herbs for alchemy, he had gathered plenty of information through daily exposure.
He never expected Spirit Medicine Mountain to become such a critical point in this battle between the orthodox and evil forces.
The last thing he wanted was to be at the center of attention. But looking at the current situation, it seemed impossible to avoid it.
Regardless, improving his strength was an indispensable method for survival in the cultivation world. Therefore, Lin Xuan's eagerness to master Spirit Medicine Mountain grew even more intense.
Now, the most difficult part was the gap from the later stages to the peak. Once he entered the Pseudo-Dan stage with Heavenly Dust Pill aiding him, Lin Xuan had great confidence in forming a Golden Core.
Although burdened by worries, Lin Xuan did not show any signs of it on his face.
At this moment, he dressed as an ordinary cultivator and walked into that unremarkable inn.
As soon as he entered, the waiter hurried over with a smile and respectfully bowed: "Master, I pay my respects."
Although Tianmu Sect advocated involvement in the world, making locals accustomed to the existence of cultivators, they were not surprised by various Daoist techniques. However, for those who possessed all sorts of miraculous abilities, they still showed great respect.
"Mmm," Lin Xuan nodded casually and said, "Do you have any rooms available? I need one."
"There are some, but..." The waiter scratched his head with a look of difficulty.
If it were another cultivator, he would surely be furious. High and mighty as they were, how could they tolerate the disrespect from mere mortals?
Lin Xuan was naturally not such a shallow person; his face showed no joy or anger as he asked calmly, "Why?"
Seeing that Lin Xuan wasn't angry, the waiter breathed a sigh of relief and bowed eagerly: "Master, you see, if someone like you lived in our inn regularly, we would be overjoyed. We would serve you with utmost care without charging a single coin."
It seemed this waiter was quite skilled at flattery. However, Lin Xuan didn't have time to listen; he frowned and said, "Get to the point."
"Yes, yes," the waiter hurriedly explained the situation: "Master, it's like this. In a few days, Tianmu Sect will open its market district, allowing outsiders like you to enter for exchanges."
"Market district?"
Lin Xuan was taken aback but then became delighted. He immediately asked more questions as the waiter chattered on.
In fact, although Tianmu Sect remained isolated and had alchemists of their own, it couldn't completely cut off all ties with the outside world with just one sect and a few nearby small families. Thus, every ten years, they would open a temporary market district to allow outsiders to trade with them while also acquiring necessary resources.
This special market district was only open for three days, coincidentally falling on the next day.
"Ah, I see!" Hearing this news, Lin Xuan couldn't help but feel overjoyed. He had been worrying about how to enter Tianmu Sect; such a good opportunity wouldn't be allowed to slip through his fingers.
The waiter continued to explain, taking advantage of the chance to talk more with a commoner who could converse with cultivators. "According to what I know, living immortals on Tianmu Mountain don't like other immortals from elsewhere, so even though this market district is open, all outsiders must register at their guesthouses."
The waiter continued his explanation while Lin Xuan listened intently, eager not to miss any details.