“ shī shū shì shuō ， bú yào wǒ men péi nǐ rù gǔ ？”
“师叔是说，不要我们陪你入谷？”
"Senior uncle said we don't need to accompany you into the valley?"
nà zhōng nián mó zú de liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī chà yì zhī sè ， yào zhī dào ， tā men máo suì zì jiàn ， kě shì mào le hěn dà de fēng xiǎn ， àn lǐ shuō ， lín xuān shì méi yǒu lǐ yóu jù jué de 。 suí
那中年魔族的脸上闪过一丝诧异之色，要知道，他们毛遂自荐，可是冒了很大的风险，按理说，林轩是没有理由拒绝的。随
The middle-aged demon's face showed a hint of surprise. After all, they had volunteered themselves, which was quite risky. There was no reason for Lin Xuan to refuse them.
wèi shén me ？
为什么？
Why not?
chú le yí huò hái shì yí huò ， lín xuān shuō yǒu zì bǎo shǒu duàn de huà tā kě dà dà de bù yǐ wéi rán ， bù cuò ， lín shī shū de shén tōng shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， yuǎn yuǎn shèng guò le tóng jiē cún zài xǔ duō 。
除了疑惑还是疑惑，林轩说有自保手段的话他可大大的不以为然，不错，林师叔的神通是非同小可，远远胜过了同阶存在许多。
His doubts were still there. If Lin Senior Uncle claimed he had self-defense methods, Lin Xuan would be highly skeptical. Indeed, Lin Senior Uncle's powers were formidable and far surpassed those of peers by a wide margin.
bù guò nà yòu rú hé ， tū pò píng jǐng yǔ píng shí dòu fǎ kě shì wán quán bù tóng ， nà shí hòu suǒ yǒu de xīn shén fǎ lì quán dōu chén rù dào dān tián zhī zhōng 。
不过那又如何，突破瓶颈与平时斗法可是完全不同，那时候所有的心神法力全都沉入到丹田之中。
But what difference did that make? Breaking through the bottleneck was different from ordinary combat; all his mental focus and spiritual energy would sink into his dantian at that time.
shuō jù xiào huà ， zhè zhǒng shí hòu de xiū xiān zhě ， bié shuō shì yí shān dǎo hǎi lái le ， jiù suàn lái yí gè fán rén ， jī yuán qiǎo hé ， yě yǒu kě néng ràng tā men zǒu huǒ 。
说句笑话，这种时候的修仙者，别说是移山倒海来了，就算来一个凡人，机缘巧合，也有可能让他们走火。
He chuckled, saying, "Indeed, you can stay within the sect. You don't need to accompany me into the valley. Just tell me the location of Spirit Source Valley."
rán ér lín xuān de shēng yīn què chuán rù ěr duǒ ， dài zhe kěn dìng zhī sè ：“ bù cuò ， nǐ men jǐ gè liú zài zōng mén zhī zhōng ， bù xū yào suí wǒ rù gǔ ， zhǐ xū yào jiāng líng yuán gǔ de fāng wèi gào sù wǒ jiù xíng le 。”
然而林轩的声音却传入耳朵，带着肯定之色：“不错，你们几个留在宗门之中，不需要随我入谷，只需要将灵源谷的方位告诉我就行了。”
"But..."
“ kě ……”
“可……”
"Senior uncle, think about it again. With no guards around, if someone were to intrude during a critical moment..."
“ shī shū ， nín zài xiǎng xiǎng ， yí gè rén ， wú rén hù fǎ ， wàn yī guān jiàn shí kè ， zhēn yǒu rén chuǎng rù ……”
“师叔，您再想想，一个人，无人护法，万一关键时刻，真有人闯入……”
"The good intentions of your group are clear in my heart," Lin Xuan said. "But frankly, even if there is an external enemy, can you really handle it?"
“ nǐ men de hǎo yì ， lín mǒu xīn zhōng qīng chǔ ， kě shuō yī jù bú kè qì de ， jiǎ rú zhēn yǒu wài dí ， nǐ men jǐ gè ， jiù jì dé liǎo shì me ？”
“你们的好意，林某心中清楚，可说一句不客气的，假如真有外敌，你们几个，就济得了事么？”
Lin Xuan's words left the three demons silent. The situation was exactly as he described.
shì qíng dào le zhè yī bù ， lín xuān gān cuì dǎ kāi tiān chuāng shuō liàng huà le ：“ bú yào guài lín mǒu zhí bái ， jiù líng yuán gǔ de qíng kuàng lái shuō ， nǐ men jǐ gè de xiū wèi ， hái tài guò qiǎn bó ， zhēn yù jiàn qiáng dí ， bù jǐn hù bù liǎo lín mǒu ān quán ， kǒng pà lián nǐ men zì jǐ ， yě huì dā jìn qù ， fēi é pū huǒ ， yú shì wú yì ， nà yòu hé bì ……”
事情到了这一步，林轩干脆打开天窗说亮话了：“不要怪林某直白，就灵源谷的情况来说，你们几个的修为，还太过浅薄，真遇见强敌，不仅护不了林某安全，恐怕连你们自己，也会搭进去，飞蛾扑火，于事无益，那又何必……”
After a while, the woman in court attire spoke up: "How do you know that our abilities are insufficient to deal with any threats?"
lín xuān huà méi yǒu shuō wán ， rán ér sān mó dōu xiàn rù le chén mò ， qíng kuàng zhèng rú lín xuān suǒ shuō ， fēn háo bù cuò 。
林轩话没有说完，然而三魔都陷入了沉默，情况正如林轩所说，分毫不错。
Molei was genuinely curious. Lin Xuan hadn't even heard of Spirit Source Valley, yet he judged their strength to be inadequate for self-defense within the valley.
guò le piàn kè ， nà gōng zhuāng nǚ zǐ kāi kǒu le ：“ shī shū yòu zěn me xiǎo de ， yǐ wǒ men sān rén de xiū wèi jiù wú fǎ yìng fù ？”
过了片刻，那宫装女子开口了：“师叔又怎么晓得，以我们三人的修为就无法应付？”
"From the spirit veins and materials involved, it can be inferred that the圣地 beings entering this valley will likely be from a certain realm," Lin Xuan said coolly. "There's nothing strange about that."
mó líng shì zhēn de yǒu xiē hào qí ， lín xuān míng míng lián líng yuán gǔ dōu méi yǒu tīng shuō ， wèi hé huì pàn duàn zì jǐ sān rén de shí lì bù zú ， wú fǎ zì bǎo chuǎng dàng gāi gǔ 。
魔菱是真的有些好奇，林轩明明连灵源谷都没有听说，为何会判断自己三人的实力不足，无法自保闯荡该谷。
The three demons were impressed by Lin Senior Uncle's keen mind. He wasn't just a brute; his thoughts were meticulous.
“ cóng líng mài yǐ jí kě néng chū xiàn de cái liào de děng jí jiù kě yǐ fēn xī ， dà gài yǒng rù gāi gǔ de shì yī xiē shén me jìng jiè de shèng zú ， zhè yǒu shén me hào qí guài de 。” lín xuān dàn dàn de shuō 。
“从灵脉以及可能出现的材料的等级就可以分析，大概涌入该谷的是一些什么境界的圣族，这有什么好奇怪的。”林轩淡淡的说。
"But we can still guard you during the bottleneck period!" Molei insisted. "We can handle it, even if we're only at the Separation Realm stage."
sān mó tīng le xīn zhōng pèi fú ， zhè wèi lín shī shū bìng fēi zhǐ yǒu pǐ fū zhī yǒng ， xīn sī yě zhěn mì dào rú cǐ chéng dù ， zhe shí liǎo de 。
三魔听了心中佩服，这位林师叔并非只有匹夫之勇，心思也缜密到如此程度，着实了得。
Lin Xuan couldn't help but laugh. He knew their intentions were good, but it was unnecessary.
rán ér nà gōng zhuāng nǚ zǐ hái shì yǒu xiē bù fú ：“ shī shū ， suī shuō wǒ chéng rèn ， nín suǒ yán méi cuò ， jìn shān gǔ xún zhǎo líng mài qí bǎo de huì yǒu bù shǎo dòng xuán qī shèng zú ， ǒu ěr hái néng kàn jiàn fēn shén jí bié de lǎo jiā huǒ ， rán ér jiù shù liàng yǔ bǐ lì lái shuō ， tā men bì jìng zhǐ shì shǎo shù ， jìn rù líng yuán gǔ de hái shì yǐ dī jiē cún zài jū duō ， yuán yīng lí hé ， shèn zhì jié dān zhù jī yě yǒu kě néng lái pèng yùn qì ， suǒ yǐ shī shū gāng cái nà fān huà suī rán yǒu yí dìng dào lǐ ， dàn yě bú shì quán duì ， zhǐ yào bú shì yùn qì tài ruò ， yù jiàn dòng xuán shèn zhì fēn shén jí bié de lǎo jiā huǒ ， qí tā de dí rén ， shī zhí sān gè hái shì kě yǐ wèi nín hù fǎ de 。”
然而那宫装女子还是有些不服：“师叔，虽说我承认，您所言没错，进山谷寻找灵脉奇宝的会有不少洞玄期圣族，偶尔还能看见分神级别的老家伙，然而就数量与比例来说，他们毕竟只是少数，进入灵源谷的还是以低阶存在居多，元婴离合，甚至结丹筑基也有可能来碰运气，所以师叔刚才那番话虽然有一定道理，但也不是全对，只要不是运气太弱，遇见洞玄甚至分神级别的老家伙，其他的敌人，师侄三个还是可以为您护法的。”
He wouldn't use common sense to judge others. While other cultivators might lack strength when facing tribulation or bottlenecks, he didn't fall into that category.
lín xuān tīng le ， yǒu diǎn kū xiào bù dé 。
林轩听了，有点哭笑不得。
Lin Xuan had multiple methods to ensure his safety. Three Separation Realm beings guarding him would be overkill.
tā bù shǎ ， dāng rán zhī dào duì fāng shì yī fān hǎo yì 。
他不傻，当然知道对方是一番好意。
Moreover, as a human cultivator, he couldn't fully trust three ancient demons.
rán ér shì zhēn méi yǒu bì yào nà me zuò 。
然而是真没有必要那么做。
In any case, Lin Xuan thought it unnecessary.
lín xuān qǐ néng yòng cháng lǐ chuǎi mó ， bié de xiū shì dù jié huò zhě chōng jī píng jǐng shí huò xǔ méi yǒu huán shǒu zhī lì ， rán ér tā bù tóng 。
林轩岂能用常理揣摩，别的修士渡劫或者冲击瓶颈时或许没有还手之力，然而他不同。
---
lín xuān bǎo zhèng zì jǐ ān quán de shǒu duàn yuǎn bù zhǐ yī zhǒng 。
林轩保证自己安全的手段远不止一种。
However, the saying went, "One doesn't hit someone with a smiling face." It wasn't easy to refuse such good intentions. After much discussion, they finally convinced the three demons not to accompany him into the valley.
qū qū sān míng lí hé qī cún zài wèi zì jǐ hù fǎ ， gēn běn jiù shì duō cǐ yī jǔ 。
区区三名离合期存在为自己护法，根本就是多此一举。
"Since Senior uncle insists on this, I can only follow your instructions," one of the fat demons said. "I hope you take care and don't be careless."
hé kuàng zì jǐ bì jìng shì rén lèi xiū xiān zhě ， duì sān míng gǔ mó ， dāng rán bù kě néng wán quán xìn dé guò 。
何况自己毕竟是人类修仙者，对三名古魔，当然不可能完全信得过。
Lin Xuan sighed as he heard these words. "Yes, I have a clear understanding. You needn't worry. However, there are still some details about Spirit Source Valley that I want to clarify."
zǒng zhī zài lín xuān kàn lái ， shì bù xū yào de 。
总之在林轩看来，是不需要的。
"Senior uncle, please ask," the three demons said in unison. "We will speak freely and without reservation if we know."
bù guò sú huà shuō ， shēn shǒu bù dǎ xiào liǎn rén ， miàn duì duì fāng de yī fān hǎo yì ， zhēn yào jù jué qǐ lái yě bú shì nà me róng yì 。
不过俗话说，伸手不打笑脸人，面对对方的一番好意，真要拒绝起来也不是那么容易。
"How long until the next anomaly? How long does each anomaly last?"
pǒ fèi le yī xiē kǒu shé ， cái zhōng yú dǎ xiāo sān mó suí tā rù gǔ de niàn tou 。
颇费了一些口舌，才终于打消三魔随他入谷的念头。
These were crucial details Lin Xuan had to verify. They would significantly impact his chances of advancing to the Separation Realm.
“ shī shū jì rán zhí yì rú cǐ ， nà shī zhí yě zhǐ yǒu zūn cóng fǎ yù ， hái wàng shī shū wàn shì xiǎo xīn ， qiān wàn bù néng dà yì 。”
“师叔既然执意如此，那师侄也只有遵从法谕，还望师叔万事小心，千万不能大意。”
"There are two years left before the next anomaly, and each lasts about half a year," Molei said honestly. She knew everything about Spirit Source Valley because she was the only one who had visited it once.
pàng zi gǔ mó tàn le kǒu qì ， rú cǐ zhè bān de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ lǐ 。
胖子古魔叹了口气，如此这般的声音传入耳朵里。
Lin Xuan rubbed his forehead in thought. While the duration varied based on individual circumstances, there was a clear threshold. It wouldn't take more than two months at most. Half a year was certainly enough.
“ ń ， lín mǒu xīn zhōng yǒu shù ， nǐ men bù yòng dān xīn shén me ， dǎo shì guān yú líng yuán gǔ ， hái yǒu yī xiē qíng kuàng lín mǒu xiǎng yào liǎo jiě qīng chǔ 。”
“嗯，林某心中有数，你们不用担心什么，倒是关于灵源谷，还有一些情况林某想要了解清楚。”
Afterward, Lin Xuan asked about Spirit Source Valley's details with great detail. He wanted to be fully prepared for this journey.
“ shī shū qǐng shuō ， zhǐ yào wǒ men xiǎo de ， kěn dìng shì zhī wú bù yán ， yán wú bù jìn 。” sān mó háo bù yóu yù de shuō 。
“师叔请说，只要我们晓得，肯定是知无不言，言无不尽。”三魔毫不犹豫的说。
Time passed as the sun set behind the mountains. With ample time, Lin Xuan didn't rush his departure. He rested within the sect overnight before leaving in a flash of light the next morning.
“ nǐ men gāng cái jiǎng le ， líng yuán gǔ shì měi guò sān shí nián ， cái yǒu yī cì yì biàn ， líng mài yǔ gè zhǒng bǎo wù yǒng jiào ……”
“你们刚才讲了，灵源谷是每过三十年，才有一次异变，灵脉与各种宝物涌教……”
Meanwhile, news spread throughout the Cloudy Immortal Sect that Senior Uncle Lin Xuan was closing himself off to practice an extremely powerful secret technique. This power was formidable, but he needed complete solitude during training. His cave was declared a no-go zone for several miles around.
“ bù cuò 。”
“不错。”
The disciples were thrilled by this news. Fifty years ago, he had single-handedly defeated over ten peers and now planned to train in a powerful technique again. How strong would he become?
“ nà xiàn zài jù lí xià yī cì yì biàn ， hái yǒu duō jiǔ ， měi cì yì biàn ， yòu huì chí xù duō zhǎng de shí jiān 。”
“那现在距离下一次异变，还有多久，每次异变，又会持续多长的时间。”
Everyone was eagerly waiting.
zhè xiē xì jié zhī chù ， lín xuān yí dìng yào wèn qīng chǔ ， zhè yǔ tā néng fǒu chéng gōng mài rù fēn shén qī ， wěi shí yǒu hěn dà de guān xì 。
这些细节之处，林轩一定要问清楚，这与他能否成功迈入分神期，委实有很大的关系。
Only the three main demons knew that Lin Xuan had already left. No one else suspected it.
“ jù lí xià cì yì biàn ， hái yǒu liǎng nián ， ér měi cì yì biàn ， chí xù dà gài shì bàn nián zuǒ yòu de shí jiān 。” mó líng lǎo shí de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， guān yú líng yuán gǔ de yī qiè ， tā liǎo jiě dé zuì qīng chǔ ， yīn wèi shī xiōng mèi zhōng ， wéi yǒu tā qù guò yī cì 。
“距离下次异变，还有两年，而每次异变，持续大概是半年左右的时间。”魔菱老实的声音传入耳朵，关于灵源谷的一切，她了解得最清楚，因为师兄妹中，唯有她去过一次。
Lin Xuan flew another dozen miles before slowing down and stopping. He then took out his magic boat, using its speed instead of his own to travel.
zhǐ bù guò jiàn shì bù miào ， hěn kuài jiù tuì le chū lái ， fǒu zé tā néng fǒu zhàn zài zhè lǐ ， hái shì liǎng shuō ， yě xǔ yǐ jīng huà wèi le zhè shì jiān de chén tǔ 。
只不过见势不妙，很快就退了出来，否则她能否站在这里，还是两说，也许已经化为了这世间的尘土。
The location of Spirit Source Valley was in the far west of Heaven Crane State, many miles away. Using his own speed would be too exhausting. Why do such a foolish thing?
“ chí xù bàn nián ？”
“持续半年？”
In two years, there would still be time for the anomaly. Lin Xuan had planned ahead.
lín xuān yǐ shǒu fǔ é ， liǎn shàng lù chū ruò yǒu suǒ sī zhī sè ， bù guò jiù liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng lái shuō ， yǐ shì sōng le kǒu qì ， suī rán chōng jī píng jǐng xū yào duō jiǔ de shí jiān ， gēn jù měi gè rén qíng kuàng bù tóng ， jiāng yǒu hěn dà de chā yì ， rán ér zǒng yǒu yí gè dù ， yě jiù shì kǎo liáng de shù jù bǎi zài nà lǐ 。 kuài zé sān liǎng tiān ， jí biàn shì màn ， yě zuì duō liǎng yuè yǒu yú ， zǒng zhī bàn nián shí jiān ， nà bù yòng huái yí ， kěn dìng shì zú gòu dì 。
林轩以手抚额，脸上露出若有所思之色，不过就脸上的表情来说，已是松了口气，虽然冲击瓶颈需要多久的时间，根据每个人情况不同，将有很大的差异，然而总有一个度，也就是考量的数据摆在那里。快则三两天，即便是慢，也最多两月有余，总之半年时间，那不用怀疑，肯定是足够地。
Firstly, the distance was considerable, and early departure meant more time to prepare without rushing.
suí hòu lín xuān yòu wèn le yī xiē líng yuán gǔ de xiāo xī ， xiáng jìn wú bǐ ， shèn zhì kě yǐ shuō ， shì shì wú jù xì ， duō zuò yī xiē zhǔn bèi gōng zuò ， kěn dìng shì yǔ hǎo chù dì 。
随后林轩又问了一些灵源谷的消息，详尽无比，甚至可以说，是事无巨细，多做一些准备工作，肯定是与好处地。
Secondly, he was at the peak of the Separation Realm. He needed no further cultivation; it would only strain his body. Instead, he preferred to start his journey now, using two years to reach Spirit Source Valley. The trip itself could be a form of exploration.
shí jiān màn màn liú shì ， zhuǎn yǎn ， tài yáng yǐ jīng là xià le shān pō ， jì rán shí jiān zú gòu chōng yù ， lín xuān dāng rán yě jiù bù jí zhe lí kāi zhè lǐ 。
时间慢慢流逝，转眼，太阳已经落下了山坡，既然时间足够充裕，林轩当然也就不急着离开这里。
Leyun County was one of the major counties in Heaven Crane State.
yòu zài zōng nèi xiē xī le yī wǎn ， dì èr tiān zǎo chén ， cái huà wèi yī dào jīng hóng ， bù shēng bù xiǎng de lí kāi le xiān yún zōng 。
又在宗内歇息了一晚，第二天早晨，才化为一道惊虹，不声不响的离开了仙云宗。
However, this "majority" referred to its vast area. In terms of resources and cultivation power, Leyun County lagged far behind other prefectures.
ér zài bù jiǔ yǐ hòu ， xiān yún zōng shàng shàng xià xià ， dōu dé dào le yí gè xiāo xī ， tài shàng zhǎng lǎo lín xuān ， zhèng bì guān xiū liàn yī zhǒng jí wéi lì hài de mì shù ， cǐ shén tōng de wēi néng fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， rán ér xiū liàn zhī shí ， jué duì dǎ rǎo bù dé ， yīn cǐ lín xuān dòng fǔ suǒ zài de shù lǐ zhī dì ， quán bù bèi huà wèi le jìn qū 。
而在不久以后，仙云宗上上下下，都得到了一个消息，太上长老林轩，正闭关修炼一种极为厉害的秘术，此神通的威能非同小可，然而修炼之时，绝对打扰不得，因此林轩洞府所在的数里之地，全部被划为了禁区。
Located in the far west, it was remote with few spirit veins or magic veins, low-quality ones at that. The number of heavenly treasures and earthly rarities produced here was minimal.
xiān yún zōng de dì zǐ tīng le zhè ge xiāo xī ， xīn zhōng dōu xīng fèn yǐ jí ， wǔ shí nián qián ， yǐ yī rén zhī lì ， dú bài shí yú míng tóng jiē xiū xiān zhě ， rú jīn zài xiū liàn lì hài mì shù ， jiū jìng huì qiáng dà dào shén me dì bù 。
仙云宗的弟子听了这个消息，心中都兴奋以极，五十年前，以一人之力，独败十余名同阶修仙者，如今再修炼厉害秘术，究竟会强大到什么地步。
There were only a dozen or so sects and families, all minor groups. Few other demons from other prefectures ventured here regularly.
rén rén dōu qī dài dào jí chù 。
人人都期待到极处。
However, in recent months, this situation had changed dramatically. Many demon cultivators flooded into the area, coming not just from other counties within Heaven Crane State but also from distant states.
méi yǒu rén huái yí ， chú le sān míng zhǔ shì de gǔ mó ， gāi zōng dì zǐ wú rén xiǎo de lín xuān qí shí yǐ jīng lí kāi le 。
没有人怀疑，除了三名主事的古魔，该宗弟子无人晓得林轩其实已经离开了。
Leyun County was suddenly seen as a hot commodity, much to its sects' and families' indifference.
lìng yī biān ， lín xuān zài fēi chū shí yú wàn lǐ zhī hòu ， dùn guāng yī huǎn ， tíng le xià lái ， suí hòu xiù páo yī fú ， lín xuān jiāng mó zhōu qǔ chū ， dài tì zì jǐ de dùn guāng gǎn lù 。
另一边，林轩再飞出十余万里之后，遁光一缓，停了下来，随后袖袍一拂，林轩将魔舟取出，代替自己的遁光赶路。
Because such events repeated every thirty years, these sudden attentions by demons were for a reason—to gain significant benefits. Leyun County's vast area meant that Spirit Source Valley occupied about one-fifth of it, stretching over millions of miles. It wasn't truly a valley but a mountain range with no end in sight. The demon cultivators' targets lay here.
bì jìng líng yuán gǔ suǒ zài de wèi zhì ， nǎi shì tiān hè zhōu de jí xī zhī dì ， jù lí zhè lǐ ， bù zhī dào yǒu duō shǎo wàn lǐ ， yòng zì jǐ de dùn guāng fēi guò qù ， nà tài xiāo hào lì qì ， lín xuān yòu bù shǎ ， gàn má zuò zhè yàng de chǔn shì a ！
毕竟灵源谷所在的位置，乃是天鹤州的极西之地，距离这里，不知道有多少万里，用自己的遁光飞过去，那太消耗力气，林轩又不傻，干嘛做这样的蠢事啊！
Outside the outer part of Spirit Source Valley, Leyun County was much the same—thin magic veins and sparse vegetation, let alone heavenly treasures or earthly rarities.
shuō qǐ lái ， jù lí gāi gǔ de yì biàn ， zú zú hái yǒu liǎng nián 。
说起来，距离该谷的异变，足足还有两年。
The inner part was better, but not by much. Some monsters were weak, and few demons came here regularly.
lín xuān zhī suǒ yǐ zhè me zǎo jiù gǎn lù ， yě shì yǒu kǎo liáng de 。
林轩之所以这么早就赶路，也是有考量的。
However, during anomalies, everything changed. The barren land turned into a风水宝地. This attracted many cultivators to flood in.
yī lái ， jù lí què shí gòu yuǎn ， zǎo yì diǎn zǒu ， shí jiān yě jiù chōng yù ， bù yòng fán shì jí jí máng máng dì 。
一来，距离确实够远，早一点走，时间也就充裕，不用凡事急急忙忙地。
But the dangers were equally significant. Not only did the demons rush in, but the abundance of treasures also led to fierce competition. Foraging for various heavenly and earthly rarities inevitably sparked bloodshed. As the saying went, "Man for wealth, bird for food."
èr lái ， lín xuān rú jīn de xiū wèi ， yǐ jīng dào le dòng xuán qī diān fēng de dǐng diǎn ， huàn jù huà shuō ， zhǐ chà tū pò ， jì xù xiū liàn xià qù zhǐ shì ràng shēn tǐ chī kǔ ， chú cǐ yǐ wài méi yǒu bàn fēn de hǎo chù ， lín xuān dāng rán bú huì gàn nà yàng de chǔn shì le ， yǔ qí rú cǐ ， hái bù rú zǎo diǎn shàng lù ， yòng liǎng nián de shí jiān gǎn wǎng líng yuán gǔ ， zhè zhōng jiān de lǚ tú ， yě jiù suàn yóu lì le 。
二来，林轩如今的修为，已经到了洞玄期巅峰的顶点，换句话说，只差突破，继续修炼下去只是让身体吃苦，除此以外没有半分的好处，林轩当然不会干那样的蠢事了，与其如此，还不如早点上路，用两年的时间赶往灵源谷，这中间的旅途，也就算游历了。
Moreover, Spirit Source Valley itself was perilous.
léi yún jùn shì tiān hè zhōu yǒu míng de dà jùn zhī yī 。
雷云郡是天鹤州有名的大郡之一。
Normally, even low-level monsters from within the valley posed no threat. A single Separation Realm being could enter without hesitation.
rán ér zhè suǒ wèi de dà ， shì zhǐ miàn jī 。
然而这所谓的大，是指面积。
But during anomalies, various monsters of all levels appeared with the emergence of powerful treasures and spirit veins. Occasionally, even Separation Realm beings might appear...
chú cǐ yǐ wài ， bù lùn zī yuán ， hái shì xiū xiān jiè de shí lì ， léi yún jùn dōu yuǎn yuǎn méi yǒu bàn fǎ yǔ qí tā de jùn fǔ xiāng bǐ 。
除此以外，不论资源，还是修仙界的实力，雷云郡都远远没有办法与其他的郡府相比。
(To be continued)
"Senior uncle said we don't need to accompany you into the valley?"
The middle-aged demon's face showed a hint of surprise. After all, they had volunteered themselves, which was quite risky. There was no reason for Lin Xuan to refuse them.
Why not?
His doubts were still there. If Lin Senior Uncle claimed he had self-defense methods, Lin Xuan would be highly skeptical. Indeed, Lin Senior Uncle's powers were formidable and far surpassed those of peers by a wide margin.
But what difference did that make? Breaking through the bottleneck was different from ordinary combat; all his mental focus and spiritual energy would sink into his dantian at that time.
He chuckled, saying, "Indeed, you can stay within the sect. You don't need to accompany me into the valley. Just tell me the location of Spirit Source Valley."
"But..."
"Senior uncle, think about it again. With no guards around, if someone were to intrude during a critical moment..."
"The good intentions of your group are clear in my heart," Lin Xuan said. "But frankly, even if there is an external enemy, can you really handle it?"
Lin Xuan's words left the three demons silent. The situation was exactly as he described.
After a while, the woman in court attire spoke up: "How do you know that our abilities are insufficient to deal with any threats?"
Molei was genuinely curious. Lin Xuan hadn't even heard of Spirit Source Valley, yet he judged their strength to be inadequate for self-defense within the valley.
"From the spirit veins and materials involved, it can be inferred that the圣地 beings entering this valley will likely be from a certain realm," Lin Xuan said coolly. "There's nothing strange about that."
The three demons were impressed by Lin Senior Uncle's keen mind. He wasn't just a brute; his thoughts were meticulous.
"But we can still guard you during the bottleneck period!" Molei insisted. "We can handle it, even if we're only at the Separation Realm stage."
Lin Xuan couldn't help but laugh. He knew their intentions were good, but it was unnecessary.
He wouldn't use common sense to judge others. While other cultivators might lack strength when facing tribulation or bottlenecks, he didn't fall into that category.
Lin Xuan had multiple methods to ensure his safety. Three Separation Realm beings guarding him would be overkill.
Moreover, as a human cultivator, he couldn't fully trust three ancient demons.
In any case, Lin Xuan thought it unnecessary.
---
However, the saying went, "One doesn't hit someone with a smiling face." It wasn't easy to refuse such good intentions. After much discussion, they finally convinced the three demons not to accompany him into the valley.
"Since Senior uncle insists on this, I can only follow your instructions," one of the fat demons said. "I hope you take care and don't be careless."
Lin Xuan sighed as he heard these words. "Yes, I have a clear understanding. You needn't worry. However, there are still some details about Spirit Source Valley that I want to clarify."
"Senior uncle, please ask," the three demons said in unison. "We will speak freely and without reservation if we know."
"How long until the next anomaly? How long does each anomaly last?"
These were crucial details Lin Xuan had to verify. They would significantly impact his chances of advancing to the Separation Realm.
"There are two years left before the next anomaly, and each lasts about half a year," Molei said honestly. She knew everything about Spirit Source Valley because she was the only one who had visited it once.
Lin Xuan rubbed his forehead in thought. While the duration varied based on individual circumstances, there was a clear threshold. It wouldn't take more than two months at most. Half a year was certainly enough.
Afterward, Lin Xuan asked about Spirit Source Valley's details with great detail. He wanted to be fully prepared for this journey.
Time passed as the sun set behind the mountains. With ample time, Lin Xuan didn't rush his departure. He rested within the sect overnight before leaving in a flash of light the next morning.
Meanwhile, news spread throughout the Cloudy Immortal Sect that Senior Uncle Lin Xuan was closing himself off to practice an extremely powerful secret technique. This power was formidable, but he needed complete solitude during training. His cave was declared a no-go zone for several miles around.
The disciples were thrilled by this news. Fifty years ago, he had single-handedly defeated over ten peers and now planned to train in a powerful technique again. How strong would he become?
Everyone was eagerly waiting.
Only the three main demons knew that Lin Xuan had already left. No one else suspected it.
Lin Xuan flew another dozen miles before slowing down and stopping. He then took out his magic boat, using its speed instead of his own to travel.
The location of Spirit Source Valley was in the far west of Heaven Crane State, many miles away. Using his own speed would be too exhausting. Why do such a foolish thing?
In two years, there would still be time for the anomaly. Lin Xuan had planned ahead.
Firstly, the distance was considerable, and early departure meant more time to prepare without rushing.
Secondly, he was at the peak of the Separation Realm. He needed no further cultivation; it would only strain his body. Instead, he preferred to start his journey now, using two years to reach Spirit Source Valley. The trip itself could be a form of exploration.
Leyun County was one of the major counties in Heaven Crane State.
However, this "majority" referred to its vast area. In terms of resources and cultivation power, Leyun County lagged far behind other prefectures.
Located in the far west, it was remote with few spirit veins or magic veins, low-quality ones at that. The number of heavenly treasures and earthly rarities produced here was minimal.
There were only a dozen or so sects and families, all minor groups. Few other demons from other prefectures ventured here regularly.
However, in recent months, this situation had changed dramatically. Many demon cultivators flooded into the area, coming not just from other counties within Heaven Crane State but also from distant states.
Leyun County was suddenly seen as a hot commodity, much to its sects' and families' indifference.
Because such events repeated every thirty years, these sudden attentions by demons were for a reason—to gain significant benefits. Leyun County's vast area meant that Spirit Source Valley occupied about one-fifth of it, stretching over millions of miles. It wasn't truly a valley but a mountain range with no end in sight. The demon cultivators' targets lay here.
Outside the outer part of Spirit Source Valley, Leyun County was much the same—thin magic veins and sparse vegetation, let alone heavenly treasures or earthly rarities.
The inner part was better, but not by much. Some monsters were weak, and few demons came here regularly.
However, during anomalies, everything changed. The barren land turned into a风水宝地. This attracted many cultivators to flood in.
But the dangers were equally significant. Not only did the demons rush in, but the abundance of treasures also led to fierce competition. Foraging for various heavenly and earthly rarities inevitably sparked bloodshed. As the saying went, "Man for wealth, bird for food."
Moreover, Spirit Source Valley itself was perilous.
Normally, even low-level monsters from within the valley posed no threat. A single Separation Realm being could enter without hesitation.
But during anomalies, various monsters of all levels appeared with the emergence of powerful treasures and spirit veins. Occasionally, even Separation Realm beings might appear...
(To be continued)