lín xuān hé shàng gǔ jí ， yǐ shǒu zhī hé ， liǎn shàng lù chū jǐ fēn chén yín zhī sè 。
林轩合上古籍，以手支颌，脸上露出几分沉吟之色。
Lin Xuan closed the ancient text and rested his chin in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.
píng xīn lái shuō ， zhè dōng xī hái zhēn yǒu xiē ràng qí jīng è 。
平心来说，这东西还真有些让其惊愕。
To be honest, this item truly left him somewhat astonished.
dù jié qī yāo huà zhě ， ruò bú shì qīn yǎn mù dǔ le bǎi líng zhēn jiě zhōng de miáo shù ， lín xuān hái zhēn yǒu xiē bù tài gǎn xiāng xìn de 。
渡劫期妖化者，若不是亲眼目睹了百灵真解中的描述，林轩还真有些不太敢相信的。
A妖化者渡劫期 cultivator—if not for personally witnessing the description in the True Scripture of a Hundred Birds, Lin Xuan would have found it hard to believe such a thing existed.
tā yǐ jīng bú shì chū dào guì dì ， duì yú yāo huà zhě yě yǒu xiē liǎo jiě 。
他已经不是初到贵地，对于妖化者也有些了解。
By now, he had been here long enough and had some understanding of the transformed creatures. At their core, they were mere mortals without spirit roots, though they had taken an alternative path to cultivation. Deep down in his heart, he always subconsciously believed that their achievements would be limited.
guī gēn jié dǐ ， tā men shì méi yǒu líng gēn de fán rén ér yǐ ， suī shuō lìng pì xī jìng ， zǒu shàng le xiū xiān zhī lù ， dàn zài lín xuān de nèi xīn shēn chù ， zǒng qián yì shí de rèn wéi ， tā men néng gòu qǔ dé de chéng jiù shì yǒu xiàn de 。
归根结底，他们是没有灵根的凡人而已，虽说另辟蹊径，走上了修仙之路，但在林轩的内心深处，总潜意识的认为，他们能够取得的成就是有限的。
He had seen a few洞玄期 cultivators who had undergone transformation, and it was estimated that among them, only a few might advance to the 分神 stage at most.
dòng xuán qī yāo huà zhě lín xuān jiàn guò ， gū jì tā men zhōng yǒu rén néng jìn jiē dào fēn shén yě jiù dǐng tiān le 。
洞玄期妖化者林轩见过，估计他们中有人能进阶到分神也就顶天了。
Unexpectedly, there were still beings who had reached the渡劫期 realm.
méi xiǎng dào jū rán hái yǒu mài rù dù jié qī cún zài de 。
没想到居然还有迈入渡劫期存在的。
After all, living for millions of years as a cultivator was commonplace. Although they hadn't truly embarked on the path of immortality, their longevity was astonishing.
yào zhī dào dù jié qī xiū shì ， huó gè shù bǎi wàn nián nà yě shì xī sōng píng cháng de ， suī fēi zhēn zhèng tà shàng le cháng shēng zhī lù ， dàn shòu yuán zhī zhǎng yě lìng rén chēng mù jié shé 。
要知道渡劫期修士，活个数百万年那也是稀松平常的，虽非真正踏上了长生之路，但寿元之长也令人瞠目结舌。
As for strength, it was beyond imagination. They possessed almost godlike power, able to manipulate celestial laws. To them, Lin Xuan himself was just an ant.
zhì yú shí lì ， nà gèng bù yòng tí ， jiǎn zhí yōng yǒu le dǒu zhuǎn xīng yí de nì tiān zhī lì ， yǐ jīng néng gòu lì yòng tiān dì fǎ zé ， zài nà yàng de cún zài de yǎn zhōng ， rú jīn de zì jǐ ， jiù yǔ lóu yǐ chà bu duō 。
至于实力，那更不用提，简直拥有了斗转星移的逆天之力，已经能够利用天地法则，在那样的存在的眼中，如今的自己，就与蝼蚁差不多。
Could transformed creatures also reach such heights?
yāo huà zhě yě néng dá dào nà yàng de jìng dì me ？
妖化者也能达到那样的境地么？
That was too incredible.
zhè shí zài shì tài bù kě sī yì le 。
这实在是太不可思议了。
However, according to the description in the True Scripture of a Hundred Birds, this didn't seem like mere boasting.
rán ér zhào bǎi líng zhēn jiě zhōng de miáo shù ， zhè yòu bù xiàng shì hú chuī dà qì de 。
然而照百灵真解中的描述，这又不像是胡吹大气的。
The value of this martial arts secret text was beyond measure.
cǐ wǔ gōng mì jí de bǎo guì chéng dù ， nà yě jiù kě xiǎng ér zhī le 。
此武功秘籍的宝贵程度，那也就可想而知了。
Once it came into circulation, it would ignite a bloody struggle among the transformed creatures. For cultivators like him, though it might not be useful, it could still be considered a rare treasure.
yí dàn xiàn shì ， zú yǐ yǐn qǐ yāo huà zhě xīng fēng xuè yǔ de zhēng duó ， duì zì jǐ zhè yàng de xiū shì lái shuō ， suī méi yǒu yòng chǔ ， dàn yě shì qí huò kě jū de 。
一旦现世，足以引起妖化者腥风血雨的争夺，对自己这样的修士来说，虽没有用处，但也是奇货可居的。
At an appropriate time, exchanging for it could bring unexpected benefits.
shì dàng de shí hòu ， tōng guò jiāo huàn ， kě yǐ dé dào yì xiǎng bù dào de hǎo chù 。
适当的时候，通过交换，可以得到意想不到的好处。
Lin Xuan thought happily as his mind raced to store this precious item carefully. However, at that moment, a flash of spiritual light appeared in his mind, and Lin Xuan stopped his actions.
lín xuān měi měi de xiǎng zhe ， nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， jiù xiǎng yào jiāng cǐ bǎo zhēn ér zhòng zhī de shōu hǎo ， rán ér jiù zài cǐ kè ， yī dào líng guāng què zài nǎo hǎi zhī jì shǎn guò ， lín xuān de dòng zuò ， dùn shí tíng xià lái le 。
林轩美美的想着，脑海中念头转过，就想要将此宝珍而重之的收好，然而就在此刻，一道灵光却在脑海之际闪过，林轩的动作，顿时停下来了。
Wait, wasn't there some use for cultivators after all?
děng děng ， zhè dōng xī duì xiū shì jiù zhēn de méi yòng me ？
等等，这东西对修士就真的没用么？
Lin Xuan re-opened the True Scripture of a Hundred Birds and began studying it meticulously until he finally raised his head the next day.
lín xuān chóng xīn fān kāi bǎi líng zhēn jiě ， kāi shǐ xì xì yán dú ， zhí dào dì èr tiān zào chéng ， cái tái qǐ le tóu lú 。
林轩重新翻开百灵真解，开始细细研读，直到第二天造成，才抬起了头颅。
"Phew!"
“ hū ！”
“呼！”
Lin Xuan took a deep breath. His thoughts had shifted to another plan.
lín xuān shēn shēn hū xī ， xīn zhōng yǐ lìng yǒu yī fān dǎ suàn yǔ zhǔ yì 。
林轩深深呼吸，心中已另有一番打算与主意。
Indeed, cultivators with spirit roots couldn't fuse with demon cores; if they tried, the demonic energy would conflict with their own essence energy, leading to disastrous consequences.
bù cuò ， yōng yǒu líng gēn de xiū xiān zhě shì wú fǎ róng hé yāo shòu de jīng hé ， rú guǒ yí dìng yào zhè me zuò ， yāo lì huì yǔ tǐ mǎo nèi de fǎ lì xiāng chōng tū ， cóng ér dǎo zhì zǒu huǒ rù mó 。
不错，拥有灵根的修仙者是无法融合妖兽的晶核，如果一定要这么做，妖力会与体冇内的法力相冲突，从而导致走火入魔。
Many predecessors had attempted this before but none succeeded.
zài zhè zhī qián ， yǐ yǒu wú shù de qián bèi cháng shì guò ， què méi yǒu yí gè rén chéng gōng le 。
在这之前，已有无数的前辈尝试过，却没有一个人成功了。
Lin Xuan naturally didn't intend to try it himself. He was aware of his limitations and did not believe he could achieve what others couldn't.
lín xuān zì rán yě jiù bù dǎ suàn qù nà me zuò ， zì zhī zhī míng hái shì yǒu de ， tā kě bù rèn wéi ， zì jǐ de shí lì ， yǐ jīng dào le néng rén zhī suǒ bù néng de dì bù 。
林轩自然也就不打算去那么做，自知之明还是有的，他可不认为，自己的实力，已经到了能人之所不能的地步。
But aside from fusing demon cores, the True Scripture of a Hundred Birds was still an unparalleled martial arts secret text.
dàn pái chú róng hé yāo shòu jīng hé ， zhè bǎi líng zhēn jiě hái shì yī jué shì de wǔ gōng mì jí lái zhe 。
但排除融合妖兽晶核，这百灵真解还是一绝世的武功秘籍来着。
Its complexity far exceeded that of ordinary martial arts, belonging to entirely different realms.
qí xuán miào chéng dù ， yuǎn fēi shì sú de wǔ gōng kě bǐ ， liǎng zhě gēn běn jiù bú shì yí gè shù liàng jí 。
其玄妙程度，远非世俗的武功可比，两者根本就不是一个数量级。
Practicing it could strengthen one's body!
xiū xí le kě yǐ qiáng shēn jiàn tǐ ！
修习了可以强身健体！
Of course, Lin Xuan wanted more than just physical strength. His bodily strength had already rivaled that of his peers... no, he should say, surpassed many.
dāng rán ， lín xuān xiǎng yào de ， kě bù jǐn jǐn shì qū qū qiáng shēn jiàn tǐ de xiào guǒ ， tā ròu shēn de qiáng dù ， yǐ kān bǐ tóng jiē yāo zú ……， bù ， zhèng què de shuō ， shì yào shèng guò xǔ duō 。
当然，林轩想要的，可不仅仅是区区强身健体的效果，他肉身的强度，已堪比同阶妖族……，不，正确的说，是要胜过许多。
Over the years, he hadn't taken the elixirs of the qilin fruit in vain.
zhè me duō nián de qí lín guǒ ， lín xuān kě méi yǒu bái bái fú shí de 。
这么多年的麒麟果，林轩可没有白白服食的。
In other words, Lin Xuan could now fight with both offensive and defensive capabilities, using either magic artifacts or bare fists to strike.
huàn jù huà shuō ， lín xuān xiàn zài dòu fǎ ， shì jìn kě gōng ， tuì kě shǒu ， jì kě yòng fǎ bǎo hōng jī ， yě néng yòng quán jiǎo shāng dí 。
换句话说，林轩现在斗法，是进可攻，退可守，既可用法宝轰击，也能用拳脚伤敌。
However, martial arts techniques rarely contained such intricate moves. It was as if someone had immense strength but didn't know how to use it effectively when facing an opponent.
rán ér liàn tǐ shù zhōng ， kě hěn shǎo yǒu jīng miào de zhāo shì ， jiù fǎng fú yí gè rén lì dà wú bǐ ， kě zhēn zhèng duì dí de shí hòu ， què bù xiǎo de ， yīng gāi zěn me yù shǐ 。
然而炼体术中，可很少有精妙的招式，就仿佛一个人力大无比，可真正对敌的时候，却不晓得，应该怎么驭使。
Lin Xuan had noticed this weakness before, but since such situations were rare, he hadn't paid much attention. But if there was a chance to improve, he wouldn't miss it.
zhè ge ruò diǎn lín xuān yǐ qián jiù yǐ jīng zhù yì dào guò ， dàn xū yào yòng quán jiǎo kè dí de qíng kuàng bì jìng bù duō ， suǒ yǐ yě méi yǒu zěn me fàng zài xīn shàng ， dàn jiǎ rú yǒu jī huì néng gòu mí bǔ ， tā dāng rán hái shì bú huì cuò guò 。
这个弱点林轩以前就已经注意到过，但需要用拳脚克敌的情况毕竟不多，所以也没有怎么放在心上，但假如有机会能够弥补，他当然还是不会错过。
The True Scripture of a Hundred Birds contained many such intricate moves. From that perspective, he might as well learn them.
bǎi líng zhēn jiě zhōng de jīng miào zhāo shì jiù hěn duō ， cóng zhè ge jiǎo dù ， zì jǐ bù fáng xué yī xué le 。
百灵真解中的精妙招式就很多，从这个角度，自己不妨学一学了。
Thus, over the following days, Lin Xuan began practicing. He skipped the essence energy part; for cultivators, that wasn't useful at all, and spirit energy could replace it more magically. As for how to fuse demon cores, he wouldn't even bother with that. What he learned were just the moves.
yú shì jiē xià lái de shí jiān lǐ ， lín xuān kāi shǐ xiū xí ， guān yú nèi lì de bù fèn ， lín xuān zhí jiē lüè yū qù ， duì yú xiū xiān kàn lái shuō ， nà dōng xī méi yǒu fēn háo yòng chǔ ， líng lì wán quán kě yǐ dài tì ， ér qiě gèng jiā shén qí ， zěn me róng hé yāo hé ， tā jiù gèng bú huì kàn le ， lín xuān suǒ xué de ， zhǐ shì zhāo shì ér yǐ 。
于是接下来的时间里，林轩开始修习，关于内力的部分，林轩直接略迂去，对于修仙看来说，那东西没有分毫用处，灵力完全可以代替，而且更加神奇，怎么融合妖核，他就更不会看了，林轩所学的，只是招式而已。
For martial arts, this was the simplest thing, progressing rapidly.
duì yú wǔ gōng lái shuō ， zhè dāng rán shì zuì jiǎn dān de dōng xī ， yī rì qiān lǐ 。
对于武功来说，这当然是最简单的东西，一日千里。
Time passed like water. Three months had already gone by in a blink.
shí guāng rú shuǐ ， sān yuè de shí jiān yī huǎng jiù yǐ jīng guò qù 。
时光如水，三月的时间一晃就已经过去。
A voice reached his ears as Lin Xuan's figure swiftly moved through the training room, leaving hundreds of residual images in the air. Each movement was different yet incredibly lifelike.
hū hè de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， liàn gōng fáng lǐ ， lín xuān de shēn yǐng jí sù huá guò ， kōng qì zhōng de cán yǐng yǒu shù bǎi gè zhī duō ， měi yí gè dòng zuò dōu gè bù xiāng tóng ， dàn shén tài què wéi miào wéi xiào dào jí chù 。
呼喝的声音传入耳朵，练功房里，林轩的身影急速划过，空气中的残影有数百个之多，每一个动作都各不相同，但神态却惟妙惟肖到极处。
Combining martial arts with essence energy explained why his moves were so extraordinary. If the opponent wasn't familiar with spirit eye techniques like his, they would be disoriented by his sudden attacks.
jiāng wǔ gōng yǔ líng lì jié hé ， yě jiù nán guài lín xuān shǐ yòng chū lái de zhāo shì nà me shén qí le ， duì fāng zhǐ yào bú shì rú zì jǐ yì bān xiū xí yū líng yǎn lèi mì shù ， cāng cù jiān shǐ chū ， duì fāng kěn dìng huì tóu hūn yǎn huā de 。2 lóu
将武功与灵力结合，也就难怪林轩使用出来的招式那么神奇了，对方只要不是如自己一般修习迂灵眼类秘术，仓促间使出，对方肯定会头昏眼花的。2楼
In a high-level confrontation, even a moment's hesitation could give him an opening.
ér gāo shǒu guò zhāo ， zhǐ yào tā yī lèng shén de gōng fu ， zì jǐ jiù yǒu jī kě chéng le 。
而高手过招，只要他一愣神的功夫，自己就有机可乘了。
Lin Xuan's face showed satisfaction as he realized that in just three months, he had managed to enhance his strength through alternative means. It was very encouraging.
lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū mǎn yì zhī sè ， qū qū sān gè yuè de gōng fu ， jiù néng gòu tōng guò lìng pì xī jìng de fāng shì ， tí shēng shí lì ， wú yì fēi cháng lìng rén xīn xǐ 。
林轩脸上露出满意之色，区区三个月的功夫，就能够通过另辟蹊径的方式，提升实力，无意非常令人欣喜。
"Whoosh," the sound of something flying entered his ears, and all the illusions vanished instantly. Lin Xuan sat cross-legged at the center of the stone chamber, with a thin layer of steam rising from his head—sweat evaporating.
“ sōu ” de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， suǒ yǒu de huàn yǐng zài chà nà jiān xiāo shī le ， ér lín xuān yǐ zài shí shì de zhōng jiān pán xī ér zuò ， tóu shàng hái mào zhe sī sī de rè qì ， nà dōu shì hàn shuǐ zhēng fā xíng chéng dì 。
“嗖”的声音传入耳朵，所有的幻影在刹那间消失了，而林轩已在石室的中间盘膝而坐，头上还冒着丝丝的热气，那都是汗水蒸发形成地。
After a moment, he suddenly looked up as if sensing something.
yòu yū piàn kè ， tā tū rán xiàng shì gǎn yìng dào shén me shì de tái qǐ tóu lú 。
又迂片刻，他突然像是感应到什么似的抬起头颅。
With a wave of his sleeves, a loud rumbling sound echoed as the door to the training room burst open.
xiù páo yī fú ， hōng lōng lóng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， liàn gōng fáng de mén yǐ hōng rán dǎ kāi le 。
袖袍一拂，轰隆隆的声音传入耳朵，练功房的门已轰然打开了。
A fiery light flew in and stopped three feet away from Lin Xuan, forming a fist-sized fireball. A respectful voice came from within: "Master Uncle, there are still three days before the Purple Heart Ground Fire erupts."
yī dào huǒ guāng fēi rù ， zài jù lí lín xuān sān chǐ zhī dì tíng le xià lái ， níng chéng le yī quán tou dà xiǎo de huǒ qiú ， gōng jìng de shēng yīn cóng lǐ miàn chuán chū ：“ qǐ bǐng shī shū ， hái yǒu sān rì ， zǐ xīn dì huǒ jiù yào pēn fā le 。”
一道火光飞入，在距离林轩三尺之地停了下来，凝成了一拳头大小的火球，恭敬的声音从里面传出：“启禀师叔，还有三日，紫心地火就要喷发了。”
"Oh?"
“ ó ？”
“哦？”
Lin Xuan stood up abruptly. He had already ordered his disciples to keep an eye on the Purple Heart Ground Fire before entering seclusion.
lín xuān huò rán zhàn qǐ ， tā zài bì guān yǐ qián yǐ jīng mìng lìng dì zǐ liú yì zǐ xīn dì huǒ de xiāo xī 。
林轩霍然站起，他在闭关以前已经命令弟子留意紫心地火的消息。
Sure enough, he received a definitive reply now.
rú jīn guǒ rán shì dé dào le què qiè de dá fù 。
如今果然是得到了确切的答复。
"Three days until it erupts? It seems I should set out soon."
“ hái yǒu sān tiān jiù huì pēn fā le me ， kàn lái zì jǐ shì shí hòu gāi dòng shēn le 。”
“还有三天就会喷发了么，看来自己是时候该动身了。”
Exiting the training room, Lin Xuan changed into fresh clothes and transformed into a streak of light, flying towards the Artifact Peak.
chū le liàn gōng fáng ， lín xuān mù yù gēng yī ， suí hòu huà wèi yī dào jīng hóng ， xiàng shén qì fēng fēi qù 。
出了练功房，林轩沐浴更衣，随后化为一道惊虹，像神器峰飞去。
Half an hour later, Lin Xuan arrived at the foot of the mountain. A grand palace appeared before his eyes. The building was not luxurious but exuded grandeur and antiquity. It was constructed from layers of earth and stone, with a rugged style that seemed to date back to ancient times.
bàn gè shí chén yǐ hòu ， lín xuān jiù lái dào le gāi shān mài de shān yāo zhī chù ， yī zuò jù dà de gōng diàn yìng rù yǎn lián ， nà gōng diàn bìng bù huá lì ， dàn què xiǎn de hóng dà gǔ piáo yǐ jí ， yī fāng fāng tǔ shí duī qì ér chéng de jiàn zhù ， fēng gé cū guǎng ， jiù xiàng shì chuán chéng zì shàng gǔ 。
半个时辰以后，林轩就来到了该山脉的山腰之处，一座巨大的宫殿映入眼帘，那宫殿并不华丽，但却显得宏大古朴以极，一方方土石堆砌而成的建筑，风格粗犷，就像是传承自上古。
The Fire Temple!
tiān huǒ diàn ！
天火殿！
This was where the entrance to the Artifact Peak's underground fire lay. Lin Xuan didn't hide his strength as he walked in slowly.
zhè lǐ jiù shì shén qì fēng dì mài zhī huǒ de rù kǒu le ， lín xuān bìng méi yǒu yǐn cáng shí lì ， huǎn bù zǒu le jìn qù 。
这里就是神器峰地脉之火的入口了，林轩并没有隐藏实力，缓步走了进去。
Passing cultivators bowed respectfully. A洞玄期 cultivator held a high position within Cloud Concealment Sect.
lù guò de xiū shì ， wú bù xiàng tā xíng lǐ ， dòng xuán qī xiū shì ， zài yún yǐn zōng ， bèi fēn yǐ shì fēi cháng gāo dì 。
路过的修士，无不像他行礼，洞玄期修士，在云隐宗，辈分已是非常高地。
Lin Xuan did not linger outside but directly headed towards the depths of the Fire Temple.
lín xuān bìng méi yǒu zài wài miàn tíng liú ， ér shì zhí jiē zǒu xiàng tiān huǒ diàn shēn chù 。
林轩并没有在外面停留，而是直接走像天火殿深处。
Inside, it was vast and empty, occasionally encountering other cultivators who seemed to be rushing about. The level of these cultivators here was quite formidable.
lǐ miàn kōng kuàng yǐ jí ， ǒu ěr yě néng pèng jiàn xiū xiān zhě ， dàn yí gè gè dōu shì yī fù xíng sè cōng cōng zhī sè ， lái zhè lǐ de xiū xiān zhě ， nà jìng jiè yě dōu shì pǒ wèi le dé 。
里面空旷以极，偶尔也能碰见修仙者，但一个个都是一副行色匆匆之色，来这里的修仙者，那境界也都是颇为了得。
Lin Xuan didn't show any curiosity on his face; after all, this place was familiar ground for him now.
lín xuān liǎn shàng bìng méi yǒu lù chū hào qí zhī sè ， bì jìng yǐ jīng suàn shì gù dì zhòng yóu le 。
林轩脸上并没有露出好奇之色，毕竟已经算是故地重游了。
After a short while, Lin Xuan arrived at an empty stone house. At the end, there were several stone tables where some cultivators seemed to be busy with something.
yuē yī zhǎn chá de gōng fu yǐ hòu ， lín xuān lái dào le yī jiān kōng kuàng de shí wū ， zài qí jìn tóu ， yǒu jǐ zhāng shí zhuō ， jǐ míng xiū shì zài hòu miàn máng lù ， fǎng fú zài dēng jì shén me 。
约一盏茶的功夫以后，林轩来到了一间空旷的石屋，在其尽头，有几张石桌，几名修士在后面忙碌，仿佛在登记什么。
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over and directly walked past one that was unoccupied.
lín xuān mù guāng sǎo yū ， zhí jiē xiàng yī zhāng kōng zhe de zǒu guò qù le 。
林轩目光扫迂，直接像一张空着的走过去了。
"Salutations, Grandmaster. What can your disciple do for you?" The cultivator behind the table had only reached the condensation stage and couldn't discern Lin Xuan's true strength but showed extreme respect, clearly a senior within their sect.
“ cān jiàn shī zǔ ， bù zhī dào dì zǐ yǒu shén me kě yǐ wèi nín xiào láo de ？” shí zhuō hòu de xiū shì bù guò níng dān ér yǐ ， zì rán kàn bù chū lín xuān shēn qiǎn rú hé ， dàn biǎo qíng yǐ shì gōng jìng dào jí chù ， xiǎn rán zhè shì yī wèi běn mén shī zǔ 。
“参见师祖，不知道弟子有什么可以为您效劳的？”石桌后的修士不过凝丹而已，自然看不出林轩深浅如何，但表情已是恭敬到极处，显然这是一位本门师祖。
PS: Second update of the day. Today will see a 9000-word爆发. Please continue to support me by voting for monthly tickets; yesterday I almost broke two hundred votes. Can we get fifty today?
Lin Xuan closed the ancient text and rested his chin in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.
To be honest, this item truly left him somewhat astonished.
A妖化者渡劫期 cultivator—if not for personally witnessing the description in the True Scripture of a Hundred Birds, Lin Xuan would have found it hard to believe such a thing existed.
By now, he had been here long enough and had some understanding of the transformed creatures. At their core, they were mere mortals without spirit roots, though they had taken an alternative path to cultivation. Deep down in his heart, he always subconsciously believed that their achievements would be limited.
He had seen a few洞玄期 cultivators who had undergone transformation, and it was estimated that among them, only a few might advance to the 分神 stage at most.
Unexpectedly, there were still beings who had reached the渡劫期 realm.
After all, living for millions of years as a cultivator was commonplace. Although they hadn't truly embarked on the path of immortality, their longevity was astonishing.
As for strength, it was beyond imagination. They possessed almost godlike power, able to manipulate celestial laws. To them, Lin Xuan himself was just an ant.
Could transformed creatures also reach such heights?
That was too incredible.
However, according to the description in the True Scripture of a Hundred Birds, this didn't seem like mere boasting.
The value of this martial arts secret text was beyond measure.
Once it came into circulation, it would ignite a bloody struggle among the transformed creatures. For cultivators like him, though it might not be useful, it could still be considered a rare treasure.
At an appropriate time, exchanging for it could bring unexpected benefits.
Lin Xuan thought happily as his mind raced to store this precious item carefully. However, at that moment, a flash of spiritual light appeared in his mind, and Lin Xuan stopped his actions.
Wait, wasn't there some use for cultivators after all?
Lin Xuan re-opened the True Scripture of a Hundred Birds and began studying it meticulously until he finally raised his head the next day.
"Phew!"
Lin Xuan took a deep breath. His thoughts had shifted to another plan.
Indeed, cultivators with spirit roots couldn't fuse with demon cores; if they tried, the demonic energy would conflict with their own essence energy, leading to disastrous consequences.
Many predecessors had attempted this before but none succeeded.
Lin Xuan naturally didn't intend to try it himself. He was aware of his limitations and did not believe he could achieve what others couldn't.
But aside from fusing demon cores, the True Scripture of a Hundred Birds was still an unparalleled martial arts secret text.
Its complexity far exceeded that of ordinary martial arts, belonging to entirely different realms.
Practicing it could strengthen one's body!
Of course, Lin Xuan wanted more than just physical strength. His bodily strength had already rivaled that of his peers... no, he should say, surpassed many.
Over the years, he hadn't taken the elixirs of the qilin fruit in vain.
In other words, Lin Xuan could now fight with both offensive and defensive capabilities, using either magic artifacts or bare fists to strike.
However, martial arts techniques rarely contained such intricate moves. It was as if someone had immense strength but didn't know how to use it effectively when facing an opponent.
Lin Xuan had noticed this weakness before, but since such situations were rare, he hadn't paid much attention. But if there was a chance to improve, he wouldn't miss it.
The True Scripture of a Hundred Birds contained many such intricate moves. From that perspective, he might as well learn them.
Thus, over the following days, Lin Xuan began practicing. He skipped the essence energy part; for cultivators, that wasn't useful at all, and spirit energy could replace it more magically. As for how to fuse demon cores, he wouldn't even bother with that. What he learned were just the moves.
For martial arts, this was the simplest thing, progressing rapidly.
Time passed like water. Three months had already gone by in a blink.
A voice reached his ears as Lin Xuan's figure swiftly moved through the training room, leaving hundreds of residual images in the air. Each movement was different yet incredibly lifelike.
Combining martial arts with essence energy explained why his moves were so extraordinary. If the opponent wasn't familiar with spirit eye techniques like his, they would be disoriented by his sudden attacks.
In a high-level confrontation, even a moment's hesitation could give him an opening.
Lin Xuan's face showed satisfaction as he realized that in just three months, he had managed to enhance his strength through alternative means. It was very encouraging.
"Whoosh," the sound of something flying entered his ears, and all the illusions vanished instantly. Lin Xuan sat cross-legged at the center of the stone chamber, with a thin layer of steam rising from his head—sweat evaporating.
After a moment, he suddenly looked up as if sensing something.
With a wave of his sleeves, a loud rumbling sound echoed as the door to the training room burst open.
A fiery light flew in and stopped three feet away from Lin Xuan, forming a fist-sized fireball. A respectful voice came from within: "Master Uncle, there are still three days before the Purple Heart Ground Fire erupts."
"Oh?"
Lin Xuan stood up abruptly. He had already ordered his disciples to keep an eye on the Purple Heart Ground Fire before entering seclusion.
Sure enough, he received a definitive reply now.
"Three days until it erupts? It seems I should set out soon."
Exiting the training room, Lin Xuan changed into fresh clothes and transformed into a streak of light, flying towards the Artifact Peak.
Half an hour later, Lin Xuan arrived at the foot of the mountain. A grand palace appeared before his eyes. The building was not luxurious but exuded grandeur and antiquity. It was constructed from layers of earth and stone, with a rugged style that seemed to date back to ancient times.
The Fire Temple!
This was where the entrance to the Artifact Peak's underground fire lay. Lin Xuan didn't hide his strength as he walked in slowly.
Passing cultivators bowed respectfully. A洞玄期 cultivator held a high position within Cloud Concealment Sect.
Lin Xuan did not linger outside but directly headed towards the depths of the Fire Temple.
Inside, it was vast and empty, occasionally encountering other cultivators who seemed to be rushing about. The level of these cultivators here was quite formidable.
Lin Xuan didn't show any curiosity on his face; after all, this place was familiar ground for him now.
After a short while, Lin Xuan arrived at an empty stone house. At the end, there were several stone tables where some cultivators seemed to be busy with something.
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over and directly walked past one that was unoccupied.
"Salutations, Grandmaster. What can your disciple do for you?" The cultivator behind the table had only reached the condensation stage and couldn't discern Lin Xuan's true strength but showed extreme respect, clearly a senior within their sect.
PS: Second update of the day. Today will see a 9000-word爆发. Please continue to support me by voting for monthly tickets; yesterday I almost broke two hundred votes. Can we get fifty today?