“ shī xiōng shuō nǎ lǐ huà lái ， lín mǒu rú jīn ， jì rán yě shì yún yǐn zōng de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo ， běn mén yǒu shì ， zì rán gāi yī lì dān dāng ， shī xiōng zhè me shuō ， kě jiù tài jiàn wài le 。[ běn zhāng yóu wèi nín tí gōng ]” lín xuān bǎi le bǎi shǒu ， bìng bù jū gōng 。
“师兄说哪里话来，林某如今，既然也是云隐宗的太上长老，本mén有事，自然该一力担当，师兄这么说，可就太见外了。[本章由为您提供]”林轩摆了摆手，并不居功。
"Senior Brother, you flatter me," Lin Xuan waved his hand and did not take credit for the matter.
suí hòu liǎng rén yòu liáo le jǐ jù ， lín xuān jiù gào cí huí dào le gé lóu lǐ 。
随后两人又聊了几句，林轩就告辞回到了阁楼里。
After a few more words, he bid farewell and returned to the pavilion.
cǐ jiàn zhù wài biǎo xiǎo qiǎo jīng zhì ， lǐ miàn què kuān guǎng yǐ jí ， ér qiě jìn zhì yě pǒ yǒu bù fán zhī chù ， zhǐ yào kāi qǐ ， chú fēi shì dù jié qī lǎo guài wù ， fǒu zé ， qí tā cún zài jué duì méi yǒu bàn fǎ kuī tàn dào lǐ miàn qíng xíng de 。
此建筑外表小巧jīng致，里面却宽广以极，而且禁制也颇有不凡之处，只要开启，除非是渡劫期老怪物，否则，其他存在绝对没有办法窥探到里面情形的。
The exterior of this building was small yet exquisite, but inside it was vast and spacious, with its restrictions being quite impressive as well. Once activated, unless one was an old monster from the Tribulation Period, no other existence could pry into what transpired within.
lín xuān lái dào wò fáng ， zhí jiē dào zài le chuáng shàng ， hū hū dà shuì le qǐ lái 。
林轩来到卧房，直接倒在了chuáng上，呼呼大睡了起来。
Lin Xuan arrived in his bedroom and lay down on the bed, falling asleep soundly.
lóng xìng shào nián shuō dé hěn duì ， rú jīn jù lí jué dòu yǐ méi yǒu shèng xià jǐ rì ， yǎng jīng xù ruì nǎi shì dāng wù zhī jí 。
龙姓少年说得很对，如今距离决斗已没有剩下几日，养jīng蓄锐乃是当务之急。
The Dragon-named youth had spoken correctly; there were only a few days left until the duel. Resting and accumulating strength was now top priority.
bì jìng zhè shèng fù ， guān xì kě shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， lín xuān shén tōng ， suī rán yuǎn shèng tóng jiē xiū shì xǔ duō ， dàn rén de míng ， shù de yǐng ， miàn duì zhè tiān jué lǎo guài ， yě bù gǎn shuō ， jiù yí dìng wěn cào shèng quàn le 。
毕竟这胜负，关系可是非同小可，林轩神通，虽然远胜同阶修士许多，但人的名，树的影，面对这天绝老怪，也不敢说，就一定稳cào胜券了。
After all, the outcome of this battle could not be taken lightly. Although Lin Xuan's abilities far surpassed those of his peers, he couldn't say with certainty that he would definitely triumph over the Old Monster from Heaven’s End.
bù guò ， duì lín xuān lái shuō ， jí biàn shì shū le yě méi yǒu guān xì ， yǒu qīng líng zūn zhě de chéng nuò ， bù guǎn cǐ zhàn shèng fù rú hé ， dōu kě bǎo zì jǐ ān quán wú yōu 。
不过，对林轩来说，即便是输了也没有关系，有青灵尊者的承诺，不管此战胜负如何，都可保自己安全无忧。
However, for Lin Xuan, even if he lost, it wouldn’t matter much. With Senior Immortal Qingling’s promise, no matter how this battle turned out, he could be assured of safety and security.
dāng rán ， ruò shì nà yàng ， yún yǐn zōng jiù huì xiàn rù dà má fán ， zuò wèi tiáo jiàn de fǎ bǎo cái liào ， yě jiù biàn wèi le shē tán ， zhè liǎng diǎn ， zì rán shì lín xuān bù yuàn yì kàn jiàn ， suǒ yǐ ， zhǐ yào yǒu kě néng ， tā hái shì yào jǐn liàng zhēng qǔ shèng lì ， xiàn zài xiān hǎo hǎo xiū xī ， yǐ biàn jiē xià lái yìng fù qiáng dí 。
当然，若是那样，云隐宗就会陷入大麻烦，做为条件的法宝材料，也就变为了奢谈，这两点，自然是林轩不愿意看见，所以，只要有可能，他还是要尽量争取胜利，现在先好好休息，以便接下来应付强敌。
Of course, if that were to happen, the Cloud Concealing Sect would face significant trouble, turning the promised treasure materials into mere fantasies. These two points were things Lin Xuan did not wish to see; therefore, as long as there was a chance, he still aimed for victory. He needed to rest well now so that he could be ready when the moment came.
sān tiān de shí jiān hěn kuài guò qù 。
三天的时间很快过去。
Another two days passed quickly.
zhè jǐ tiān ， lián lóng xìng shào nián yě méi yǒu dǎ rǎo lín xuān ， děng tā zài cì chū xiàn de shí hòu ， què shì dài lái xiāo xī ， suǒ yǒu de yī qiè ， dōu ān pái hǎo le 。
这几天，连龙姓少年也没有打扰林轩，等他再次出现的时候，却是带来消息，所有的一切，都安排好了。
As the sun rose early in the morning, the Dragon-named youth arrived at the pavilion where Lin Xuan resided.
jué dòu jiāng zài liǎng tiān hòu jǔ xíng 。
决斗将在两天后举行。
He looked at the building enveloped by a pale blue light, took a deep breath, and calmed his nerves. Today was the decisive moment for the fate of the Cloud Concealing Sect; he hoped that his junior brother could turn things around.
xīng yuè chéng de jué dòu ， fēn chéng liǎng zhǒng ， yī zhǒng shì gōng kāi lèi tái xìng zhì dì ， huì yǒu dà liàng de xiū shì qián lái guān lǐ 。 shèn zhì huì yǒu xǔ duō rén xià zhù ， yā nǎ yī fāng huì qǔ dé shèng lì ， ruò shì yǒu lěng mén bào chū ， yíng de yī fāng wǎng wǎng huì zuàn de pén mǎn bō mǎn 。
星月城的决斗，分成两种，一种是公开擂台xìng质的，会有大量的修士前来观礼。甚至会有许多人下注，押哪一方会取得胜利，若是有冷mén爆出，赢的一方往往会赚得盆满钵满。
With a wave of his sleeve, a flash of fire shot out from his sleeve.
hái shì yī zhǒng ， zé shì sī dǐ xià de jué dòu ， xīng yuè chéng bú huì duì wài gōng bù ， yīn cǐ zì rán yě jiù bú huì yǒu yā zhù yī shuō ， yǐng xiǎng lì jiào ruò ， rán ér huì yòng zhè zhǒng fāng shì jué dòu de ， tōng cháng dōu shì zhēn zhèng de dà néng xiū xiān zhě 。
还是一种，则是sī底下的决斗，星月城不会对外公布，因此自然也就不会有押注一说，影响力较弱，然而会用这种方式决斗的，通常都是真正的大能修仙者。
It was a sound transmission talisman!
zhè yàng de cún zài 。 bù lùn yǒu shén me ēn yuàn ， dāng rán yě bú huì yuàn yì yǒu yī qún mò shēng de xiū shì 。 zài yī páng kàn xì ， duì tā men lái shuō ， nà shì yī zhǒng qīng rǔ ， suǒ yǐ zhěng gè jué dòu guò chéng 。 chú le shǎo shù xīng yuè chéng de zhí fǎ zhǎng lǎo zuò wèi píng pàn ， bú huì zài yǒu wài rén kàn jiàn 。
这样的存在。不论有什么恩怨，当然也不会愿意有一群陌生的修士。在一旁看戏，对他们来说，那是一种轻辱，所以整个决斗过程。除了少数星月城的执法长老做为评判，不会再有外人看见。
Soon, the light dissipated, and Lin Xuan emerged from the building.
rán ér ， zhè yàng de jué dòu ， kàn qǐ lái yǐng xiǎng lì xiǎo ， qí shí bù rán ， jī hū měi yī cháng ， dōu jué dìng zhe cǐ jiè zōng mén jiā zú de xīng shuāi 。 ér qiě zhè zhǒng dān dú de jué dòu ， suǒ xū yào zhī fù gěi xīng yuè chéng de fèi yòng ， yě bǐ nà zhǒng lèi tái sài sì de jué dòu duō dé duō 。1５
然而，这样的决斗，看起来影响力小，其实不然，几乎每一场，都决定着此界宗mén家族的兴衰。而且这种单独的决斗，所需要支付给星月城的费用，也比那种擂台赛似的决斗多得多。1５
"Junior Brother, how have you been resting these few days?" The Dragon-named youth stepped forward two steps with some urgency in his voice.
bǐ rú shuō ， lín xuān yǔ tiān jué lǎo guài zhè yī cháng 。 jiù zhī fù le tiān wén shù zì de jīng shí ， nà fèi yòng ， zú yǐ ràng shāo xiǎo diǎn de zōng mén jiā zú ， qīng jiā dàng chǎn 。
比如说，林轩与天绝老怪这一场。就支付了天文数字的晶石，那费用，足以让稍小点的宗mén家族，倾家dàng产。
As a Spirit Formation Realm powerhouse, he should remain calm even if Mount Tai were to fall before him. However, at this moment, he could not maintain composure; his anxiety was evident. After all, the fate of tens of thousands of disciples within the sect and the continuation of the sect hung in the balance.
yī huǎng yòu shì liǎng tiān 。
一晃又是两天。
Lin Xuan wore a faint smile on his face. After several days of adjustment, his spirit energy, physical strength, and magical power had all reached their peak.
tài yáng chū shēng ， yī dà zǎo ， lóng xìng shào nián jiù lái dào le lín xuān suǒ zhù de gé lóu qián 。
太阳初升，一大早，龙姓少年就来到了林轩所住的阁楼前。
"Since you’ve rested well, let’s go then," he said nonchalantly.
kàn zhe bèi dàn lán sè guāng mù bāo guǒ de jiàn zhù ， shēn shēn hū xī ， jiāng xīn zhōng de jǐn zhāng píng fù xià qù 。 jīn tiān shì jué dìng yún yǐn zōng mìng yùn de shí kè ， dàn yuàn shī dì 。 néng gòu lì wǎn kuáng lán 。
看着被淡蓝sè光幕包裹的建筑，深深呼吸，将心中的紧张平复下去。今天是决定云隐宗命运的时刻，但愿师弟。能够力挽狂澜。
The Dragon-named youth called for an animal-drawn carriage and headed towards the central building in the city.
xiù páo yī fú ， yī dào huǒ guāng cóng tā de yī xiù zhōng fēi lüè ér chū 。
袖袍一拂，一道火光从他的衣袖中飞掠而出。
Soon they arrived at a massive temple floating mid-air. The structure was imposing with faint spiritual light emanating from its surface.
shì chuán yīn fú ！
是传音符！
"This Law Emperor Pavilion is where the duel takes place," the Dragon-named youth, who knew his way around, said. This duel was of great importance, and he had gathered all the necessary information.
hěn kuài 。 dùn guāng yī liǎn ， lín xuān cóng nà jiàn zhù zhōng zǒu le chū lái 。
很快。遁光一敛，林轩从那建筑中走了出来。
"Hmm."
“ shī dì ， rú hé ， zhè jǐ tiān xiū xī dé kě hái hǎo me ？” lóng xìng shào nián tà qián liǎng bù ， yǒu diǎn jí qiè de kāi kǒu 。
“师弟，如何，这几天休息得可还好么？”龙姓少年踏前两步，有点急切的开口。
Lin Xuan nodded indifferently as they flew up together.
zuò wèi fēn shén qī dà néng ， yuán běn gāi tài shān bēng yú qián ér bù biàn sè， rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， tā què wú fǎ zuò dào xīn jìng píng jìng wú bō， guān xīn zé luàn shì zuì hǎo de xíng róng ， bì jìng zhè guān xì zhe zōng nèi shǔ yǐ wàn jì de dì zǐ ， guān xì zhe zōng mén néng fǒu chuán chéng yán xù 。
做为分神期大能，原本该泰山崩于前而不变sè，然而此时此刻，他却无法做到心境平静无bō，关心则luàn是最好的形容，毕竟这关系着宗内数以万计的弟子，关系着宗mén能否传承延续。
From a close distance, the building appeared even more imposing, almost built for giants. It had three levels, each towering at over a hundred feet high. Even standing there as a cultivator, one felt a sense of grandeur and an inexplicable pressure.
“ hái hǎo 。”
“还好。”
They did not linger on the first floor but directly used the teleportation array to reach the topmost level.
lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū dàn dàn de xiào róng ， jīng guò zhè jǐ tiān de kě yǐ tiáo zhěng ， tā bù lùn jīng qì shén ， tǐ lì hái shì fǎ lì ， quán dōu dá dào le diān fēng 。
林轩脸上lù出淡淡的笑容，经过这几天的可以调整，他不论jīng气神，体力还是法力，全都达到了巅峰。
As the light from the array dispersed, Lin Xuan discovered two cultivators waiting outside.
“ shī dì jì rán xiū xī hǎo le ， nà wǒ men jiù zǒu 。”
“师弟既然休息好了，那我们就走。”
One was a balding old monk in a large red robe, towering in height. The other was a scholar dressed in a robe, his face still young, but upon closer inspection, fine lines around his eyes revealed his age.
“ láo fán shī xiōng dài lù 。” lín xuān wú suǒ wèi de shuō 。
“劳烦师兄带路。”林轩无所谓的说。
"Venerable Jingkong and Daoist Lu, why have you come personally?"
yú shì lóng xìng shào nián jiào lái yī liàng shòu chē ， zǒu xiàng le chéng qū zhōng xīn de jiàn zhù 。
于是龙姓少年叫来一辆兽车，走向了城区中心的建筑。
Seeing their faces clearly, the Dragon-named youth was startled and quickly bowed to them. His demeanor seemed extremely respectful.
hěn kuài jiù dào le ， yī zuò jù dà de diàn yǔ ， piāo fú zài bàn kōng zhōng ， qì shì páng bó ， biǎo miàn yǒu dàn dàn de líng guāng sàn fà ér chū 。
很快就到了，一座巨大的殿宇，漂浮在半空中，气势磅礴，表面有淡淡的灵光散发而出。
"Haha, your esteemed sect’s Daoist Lin has challenged the Old Monster from Heaven’s End; we two are curious about this. We don’t know when a powerful cultivator like you emerged in your sect. So, we volunteered as judges. I hope you won’t mind our presence," the old monk said with a gentle smile.
“ shī dì ， zhè fǎ zūn diàn ， jiù shì xiū shì jué dòu de chǎng suǒ 。” lóng xìng shào nián lǎo mǎ shí tú de shuō ， zhè yī cì jué dòu ， guān xì zhòng dà ， tā zì rán jiāng suǒ yǒu de yī qiè ， quán dōu dǎ tàn dé qīng qīng chǔ chǔ 。
“师弟，这法尊殿，就是修士决斗的场所。”龙姓少年老马识途的说，这一次决斗，关系重大，他自然将所有的一切，全都打探得清清楚楚。
"Venerable, where could you be mistaken? Having two of you as judges is something I would have wished for; how can there be any objection?" The Dragon-named youth’s face lit up in joy. From his tone, it seemed he had some connection to these two individuals.
“ ń 。”
“嗯。”
"This must be Daoist Lin?"
lín xuān bù zhì kě fǒu de diǎn diǎn tóu ， jiù suí zhe lóng xìng shào nián yì qǐ fēi shàng qù le 。
林轩不置可否的点点头，就随着龙姓少年一起飞上去了。
The old monk exchanged pleasantries with him before turning to Lin Xuan, who was the main participant. His expression was filled with surprise. Beside him, Daoist Lu also wore a similar expression.
jìn jù lí kàn ， zhè zuò jiàn zhù gèng jiā páng bó ， fǎng fú shì wèi jù rén xiū jiàn de ， gòng sān céng ， měi yī céng gāo zú yǒu bǎi zhàng zhī jù ， xiū xiān zhě zhàn zài nà lǐ ， yě gǎn jué huī hóng yǐ jí ， ér qiě huì yǒu yī gǔ mò míng qí miào de yā lì 。
近距离看，这座建筑更加磅礴，仿佛是为巨人修建的，共三层，每一层高足有百丈之巨，修仙者站在那里，也感觉恢宏以及，而且会有一股莫名其妙的压力。
Both were important figures in Starlight City and usually kept themselves aloof from worldly affairs, often secluding themselves within the city for meditation. However, they had been informed by their junior disciples that there would be an important duel soon, where someone dared to challenge the Old Monster from Heaven’s End.
liǎng rén méi yǒu zài dì yī céng tíng liú ， zhí jiē tōng guò chuán sòng zhèn lái dào le zuì gāo de yī céng 。
两人没有在第一层停留，直接通过传送阵来到了最高的一层。
This surprised them greatly.
dāng zhèn fǎ de guāng yùn sàn kāi ， lín xuān fā xiàn yǐ yǒu liǎng míng xiū shì děng zài wài miàn 。
当阵法的光晕散开，林轩发现已有两名修士等在外面。
They were contemporaries with the Old Monster and had once fought against him in a battle of wits. They knew well that fame was not empty; the title of the top Tribulation Period cultivator was no exaggeration. Who could dare to provoke such an old monster?
zuǒ biān de yī rén ， shì wèi bái méi lǎo sēng ， shēn pī dà hóng jiā shā ， shēn cái gāo dà ， yòu biān què shì rú páo xiū shì ， miàn róng kàn shàng qù hái hěn nián qīng ， dàn ruò zǐ xì kàn ， huì fā xiàn tā de yǎn jiǎo ， yǒu hěn duō xì mì de yú wěi wén 。
左边的一人，是位白眉老僧，身披大红袈裟，身材高大，右边却是儒袍修士，面容看上去还很年轻，但若仔细看，会发现他的眼角，有很多细密的鱼尾纹。
Upon further inquiry, they learned that it wasn’t one of their familiar senior elders who challenged the Old Monster but someone else.
“ jìng kōng dà shī ， lú dào yǒu ， liǎng wèi zěn me qīn zì lái le 。”
“静空大师，卢道友，两位怎么亲自来了。”
Although major sects and families would occasionally recruit high-ranking wandering cultivators for expansion, becoming a senior elder was rare. The Cloud Concealing Sect was not a third-rate faction; while its strength fell far short of Starlight City’s, it still held considerable sway in the Dragon Realm.
kàn qīng chǔ liǎng rén de miàn róng ， lóng xìng shào nián bù yóu de dà jīng shī sè， máng chōng liǎng rén bào quán xíng lǐ ， jǔ zhǐ shén tài ， jìng xiǎn de gōng jìng yǐ jí 。
看清楚两人的面容，龙姓少年不由得大惊失sè，忙冲两人抱拳行礼，举止神态，竟显得恭敬以极。
For such a sect to attract a senior elder was already remarkable, and a new entry challenging the Old Monster from Heaven’s End was even more... intriguing.
“ hē hē ， guì zōng lín dào yǒu tiǎo zhàn tiān jué lǎo guài ， wǒ men liǎng gè yě shì xīn zhōng hào qí ， bù zhī dào guì zōng bù zhī dào shén me shí hòu yòu chū le yī wèi shén tōng guǎng dà de dà néng zhī shì ， suǒ yǐ zì gào fèn yǒng de lǎo dāng píng pàn shǐ ， hái wàng dào yǒu bú yào xián wǒ men liǎng gè lǎo gú tou duō shì 。” nà bái méi lǎo sēng shuāng shǒu hé shí ， shén tài hé ǎi de shuō chū zhè fān yán yǔ 。
“呵呵，贵宗林道友挑战天绝老怪，我们两个也是心中好奇，不知道贵宗不知道什么时候又出了一位神通广大的大能之士，所以自告奋勇的老当评判使，还望道友不要嫌我们两个老骨头多事。”那白眉老僧双手合十，神态和蔼的说出这番言语。
Thus, they came as judges to see if this mysterious cultivator named Lin Xuan had six arms.
“ dà shī shuō nǎ lǐ huà ， yǒu liǎng wèi dāng píng pàn shǐ ， xiǎo dì qiú zhī bù dé ， zěn me hái kě néng yǒu yì yì ？” lóng xìng shào nián mǎn miàn dà xǐ ， tīng tā de kǒu qì ， sì hū yǔ yǎn qián liǎng rén yǒu jǐ fēn jiāo qíng dì 。
“大师说哪里话，有两位当评判使，小弟求之不得，怎么还可能有异议？”龙姓少年满面大喜，听他的口气，似乎与眼前两人有几分jiāo情地。
However, seeing is believing… or rather, it should be the opposite. Initially, they were quite eager but were deeply disappointed upon meeting him in person.
“ zhè wèi jiù shì lín dào yǒu me ？”
“这位就是林道友么？”
The other party turned out to be merely a Spirit Formation Realm cultivator at the initial stage.
bái méi lǎo sēng tóng tā kè qì le jǐ jù ， suí hòu jiù zhuǎn guò tóu lú ， wàng xiàng lín xuān zhè zhèng zhǔ ér ， liǎn shàng mǎn shì chà yì zhī sè， yī páng de lú xìng xiū shì ， biǎo qíng yě chà bu duō 。
白眉老僧同他客气了几句，随后就转过头颅，望向林轩这正主儿，脸上满是诧异之sè，一旁的卢姓修士，表情也差不多。
Wasn’t this a joke? Even a late-stage Spirit Formation Realm cultivator would have no chance against the Old Monster from Heaven’s End; his reputation was earned through battles.
tā liǎ dōu shì xīng yuè chéng de zhòng yào rén wù ， děng xián yě shì bù guò wèn shì shì le ， yì bān dōu zài chéng nèi bì guān dǎ zuò ， zhè cì què tīng xià miàn de zhí shì dì zǐ ， huì bào shuō jìn qī yǒu yī cháng zhòng yào jué dòu ， yǒu rén jū rán tiǎo zhàn tiān jué lǎo guài 。
他俩都是星月城的重要人物，等闲也是不过问世事了，一般都在城内闭关打坐，这次却听下面的执事弟子，汇报说近期有一场重要决斗，有人居然挑战天绝老怪。
A newly initiated Spirit Formation Realm cultivator, even if not weak in absolute terms, was still far inferior to the Old Monster from Heaven’s End.
liǎng rén tīng le bù yóu de xīn zhōng dà qí 。
两人听了不由得心中大奇。
"Junior Brother Lin, this is Venerable Jingkong and Daoist Lu Yun. They are among the six senior elders of Starlight City; their reputations you must have heard about," the Dragon-named youth introduced them enthusiastically without noticing their expressions.
tā men yǔ tiān jué lǎo guài suàn shì tóng yī shí qī de xiū shì ， yǔ nà lǎo guài wù céng jīng yě shì dǎ guò jiāo dào dì ， shēn zhī shèng míng zhī xià wú xū shì ， lǎo guài wù dù jié qī xià dì yī rén de chēng hào jué fēi chuī xū ， shén me rén jū rán gǎn luō hǔ xū 。
他们与天绝老怪算是同一时期的修士，与那老怪物曾经也是打过jiāo道地，深知盛名之下无虚士，老怪物渡劫期下第一人的称号绝非吹嘘，什么人居然敢捋虎须。
"Pleasure to meet."
zài yī wèn ， shì yún yǐn zōng de xiū shì ， zhè yī lái gèng jiā hào qí ， yīn wèi xuán bīng shàng rén de yuán gù ， tā men duì yún yǐn zōng yě suàn shú xī ， rán ér zhè yí dài de yún yǐn zōng xiū shì ， sì hū méi yǒu shén me jié chū rén wù ， liǎng wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo ， bǐ tā men dōu yuǎn yuǎn bù rú ， jū rán gǎn yǔ tiān jué lǎo guài jiào bǎn ， nà bú shì huó nì le ？
再一问，是云隐宗的修士，这一来更加好奇，因为玄冰上人的缘故，他们对云隐宗也算熟悉，然而这一代的云隐宗修士，似乎没有什么杰出人物，两位太上长老，比他们都远远不如，居然敢与天绝老怪叫板，那不是活腻了？
Lin Xuan returned a bow, his attitude neither arrogant nor humble. The two seniors’ cultivation was indeed formidable, both at late-stage Spirit Formation Realm. This also showed that Starlight City’s strength was not to be underestimated.
ér qiě jué dòu yuǎn bú shì gè rén ēn yuàn zhè me jiǎn dān ， nà shè jí dào zōng mén de xīng shuāi róng rǔ ， àn lǐ shuō ， jué bù kě néng shì yī shí de tóu nǎo fā rè 。
而且决斗远不是个人恩怨这么简单，那涉及到宗mén的兴衰荣辱，按理说，绝不可能是一时的头脑发热。
"Are you really going to duel the Old Monster from Heaven’s End?" Daoist Lu Yun asked, though his divine sense detected some differences in Lin Xuan compared to other cultivators of similar rank. However, given his low cultivation level, he had no chance of victory.
zài xiáng xì xún wèn ， dé dào de xiāo xī gèng ràng tā men hào qí ， dān tiāo tiān jué lǎo guài de bìng fēi tā men suǒ shú xī de liǎng wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo ， ér shì lìng yǒu qí rén 。
再详细询问，得到的消息更让他们好奇，单挑天绝老怪的并非他们所熟悉的两位太上长老，而是另有其人。
"Senior Brother Long..."
suī rán zōng mén jiā zú wèi le zhuàng dà ， ruò yǒu jī huì ， yě huì zhāo lǎn yī xiē gāo jiē sàn xiū jiā rù ， dàn néng gòu chéng wéi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo de qíng kuàng bì jìng liáo liáo kě shǔ ， yún yǐn zōng kě bú shì nà zhǒng sān sì liú de mén pài ， shí lì yǔ tā men xīng yuè chéng xiāng bǐ ， suī rán yuǎn yuǎn bù jí ， dàn zài nài lóng jiè ， yě suàn shuō dé guò qù 。
虽然宗mén家族为了壮大，若有机会，也会招揽一些高阶散修加入，但能够成为太上长老的情况毕竟寥寥可数，云隐宗可不是那种三四流的mén派，实力与他们星月城相比，虽然远远不及，但在鼐龙界，也算说得过去。
Venerable Jingkong showed reluctance and tried to dissuade them, but the Dragon-named youth shook his head. If there were any other options, they wouldn’t want Lin Xuan to face the Old Monster from Heaven’s End in a duel; wasn’t this an option?
xiàng zhè zhǒng zōng mén， néng gòu zhāo lǎn dào tài shàng zhǎng lǎo ， yǐ jīng hěn lìng rén jīng qí le ， ér xīn rù mén de zhǎng lǎo ， jū rán hái gǎn tiǎo zhàn tiān jué lǎo guài ， nà jiù shí zài shì yǒu xiē ……
像这种宗mén，能够招揽到太上长老，已经很令人惊奇了，而新入mén的长老，居然还敢挑战天绝老怪，那就实在是有些……
"Very well, since both of you have made up your minds, let’s go to the arena."
yú shì liǎng rén cái pò lì lái dāng zhè píng pàn shǐ ， mù dì jiù shì kàn yī kàn ， nà wèi jiào lín xuān de shén mì xiū shì ， shì bú shì yǒu sān tóu liù bì 。
于是两人才破例来当这评判使，目的就是看一看，那位叫林轩的神秘修士，是不是有三头六臂。
Venerable Jingkong sighed and led the way. Lin Xuan and the others followed him through winding corridors and past various restrictions until they arrived at another teleportation array.
rán ér wén míng bù rú jiàn miàn …… bù ， zhè huà yīng gāi fǎn guò lái ， yuán běn tā men xīn zhōng hěn shì qī dài ， kě jiàn le zhēn rén ， què shì shī wàng yǐ jí 。
然而闻名不如见面……不，这话应该反过来，原本他们心中很是期待，可见了真人，却是失望以极。
However, the current array was much more complex than before.
duì fāng jū rán jǐn shì qū qū yī míng fèn shén chū qī de xiū shì 。
对方居然仅是区区一名分神初期的修士。
Seeing Lin Xuan’s puzzled expression, Venerable Jingkong explained, "Both of you are Spirit Formation Realm cultivators; this duel will be incredibly powerful. A regular place might suffer repercussions. Thus, this arena is set within a sealed spatial rift."
zhè bú shì kāi wán xiào me ， jiù suàn shì fēn shén hòu qī dà chéng de xiū xiān zhě ， duì shàng tiān jué lǎo guài ， nà yě shì bàn fēn jī huì yě wú ， duì fāng de wēi míng shì shā chū lái de 。
这不是开玩笑么，就算是分神后期大成的修仙者，对上天绝老怪，那也是半分机会也无，对方的威名是杀出来的。
"Ah, I see."
xiàng zhè me yí gè gāng tà rù fēn shén jìng jiè de xiū xiān zhě ， cóng jué duì shí lì lái shuō ， yě bù néng shuō ruò ， dàn yǔ tiān jué lǎo guài xiàng bǐ ， nà shí zài bú shì yí gè shù liàng jí 。
像这么一个刚踏入分神境界的修仙者，从绝对实力来说，也不能说弱，但与天绝老怪相比，那实在不是一个数量级。
Lin Xuan nodded. Spatial rifts could serve as underground dwellings or secret storage areas, and naturally, they could also function as arenas.
"Senior Brother, you flatter me," Lin Xuan waved his hand and did not take credit for the matter.
After a few more words, he bid farewell and returned to the pavilion.
The exterior of this building was small yet exquisite, but inside it was vast and spacious, with its restrictions being quite impressive as well. Once activated, unless one was an old monster from the Tribulation Period, no other existence could pry into what transpired within.
Lin Xuan arrived in his bedroom and lay down on the bed, falling asleep soundly.
The Dragon-named youth had spoken correctly; there were only a few days left until the duel. Resting and accumulating strength was now top priority.
After all, the outcome of this battle could not be taken lightly. Although Lin Xuan's abilities far surpassed those of his peers, he couldn't say with certainty that he would definitely triumph over the Old Monster from Heaven’s End.
However, for Lin Xuan, even if he lost, it wouldn’t matter much. With Senior Immortal Qingling’s promise, no matter how this battle turned out, he could be assured of safety and security.
Of course, if that were to happen, the Cloud Concealing Sect would face significant trouble, turning the promised treasure materials into mere fantasies. These two points were things Lin Xuan did not wish to see; therefore, as long as there was a chance, he still aimed for victory. He needed to rest well now so that he could be ready when the moment came.
Another two days passed quickly.
As the sun rose early in the morning, the Dragon-named youth arrived at the pavilion where Lin Xuan resided.
He looked at the building enveloped by a pale blue light, took a deep breath, and calmed his nerves. Today was the decisive moment for the fate of the Cloud Concealing Sect; he hoped that his junior brother could turn things around.
With a wave of his sleeve, a flash of fire shot out from his sleeve.
It was a sound transmission talisman!
Soon, the light dissipated, and Lin Xuan emerged from the building.
"Junior Brother, how have you been resting these few days?" The Dragon-named youth stepped forward two steps with some urgency in his voice.
As a Spirit Formation Realm powerhouse, he should remain calm even if Mount Tai were to fall before him. However, at this moment, he could not maintain composure; his anxiety was evident. After all, the fate of tens of thousands of disciples within the sect and the continuation of the sect hung in the balance.
"Fine."
Lin Xuan wore a faint smile on his face. After several days of adjustment, his spirit energy, physical strength, and magical power had all reached their peak.
"Since you’ve rested well, let’s go then," he said nonchalantly.
The Dragon-named youth called for an animal-drawn carriage and headed towards the central building in the city.
Soon they arrived at a massive temple floating mid-air. The structure was imposing with faint spiritual light emanating from its surface.
"This Law Emperor Pavilion is where the duel takes place," the Dragon-named youth, who knew his way around, said. This duel was of great importance, and he had gathered all the necessary information.
"Hmm."
Lin Xuan nodded indifferently as they flew up together.
From a close distance, the building appeared even more imposing, almost built for giants. It had three levels, each towering at over a hundred feet high. Even standing there as a cultivator, one felt a sense of grandeur and an inexplicable pressure.
They did not linger on the first floor but directly used the teleportation array to reach the topmost level.
As the light from the array dispersed, Lin Xuan discovered two cultivators waiting outside.
One was a balding old monk in a large red robe, towering in height. The other was a scholar dressed in a robe, his face still young, but upon closer inspection, fine lines around his eyes revealed his age.
"Venerable Jingkong and Daoist Lu, why have you come personally?"
Seeing their faces clearly, the Dragon-named youth was startled and quickly bowed to them. His demeanor seemed extremely respectful.
"Haha, your esteemed sect’s Daoist Lin has challenged the Old Monster from Heaven’s End; we two are curious about this. We don’t know when a powerful cultivator like you emerged in your sect. So, we volunteered as judges. I hope you won’t mind our presence," the old monk said with a gentle smile.
"Venerable, where could you be mistaken? Having two of you as judges is something I would have wished for; how can there be any objection?" The Dragon-named youth’s face lit up in joy. From his tone, it seemed he had some connection to these two individuals.
"This must be Daoist Lin?"
The old monk exchanged pleasantries with him before turning to Lin Xuan, who was the main participant. His expression was filled with surprise. Beside him, Daoist Lu also wore a similar expression.
Both were important figures in Starlight City and usually kept themselves aloof from worldly affairs, often secluding themselves within the city for meditation. However, they had been informed by their junior disciples that there would be an important duel soon, where someone dared to challenge the Old Monster from Heaven’s End.
This surprised them greatly.
They were contemporaries with the Old Monster and had once fought against him in a battle of wits. They knew well that fame was not empty; the title of the top Tribulation Period cultivator was no exaggeration. Who could dare to provoke such an old monster?
Upon further inquiry, they learned that it wasn’t one of their familiar senior elders who challenged the Old Monster but someone else.
Although major sects and families would occasionally recruit high-ranking wandering cultivators for expansion, becoming a senior elder was rare. The Cloud Concealing Sect was not a third-rate faction; while its strength fell far short of Starlight City’s, it still held considerable sway in the Dragon Realm.
For such a sect to attract a senior elder was already remarkable, and a new entry challenging the Old Monster from Heaven’s End was even more... intriguing.
Thus, they came as judges to see if this mysterious cultivator named Lin Xuan had six arms.
However, seeing is believing… or rather, it should be the opposite. Initially, they were quite eager but were deeply disappointed upon meeting him in person.
The other party turned out to be merely a Spirit Formation Realm cultivator at the initial stage.
Wasn’t this a joke? Even a late-stage Spirit Formation Realm cultivator would have no chance against the Old Monster from Heaven’s End; his reputation was earned through battles.
A newly initiated Spirit Formation Realm cultivator, even if not weak in absolute terms, was still far inferior to the Old Monster from Heaven’s End.
"Junior Brother Lin, this is Venerable Jingkong and Daoist Lu Yun. They are among the six senior elders of Starlight City; their reputations you must have heard about," the Dragon-named youth introduced them enthusiastically without noticing their expressions.
"Pleasure to meet."
Lin Xuan returned a bow, his attitude neither arrogant nor humble. The two seniors’ cultivation was indeed formidable, both at late-stage Spirit Formation Realm. This also showed that Starlight City’s strength was not to be underestimated.
"Are you really going to duel the Old Monster from Heaven’s End?" Daoist Lu Yun asked, though his divine sense detected some differences in Lin Xuan compared to other cultivators of similar rank. However, given his low cultivation level, he had no chance of victory.
"Senior Brother Long..."
Venerable Jingkong showed reluctance and tried to dissuade them, but the Dragon-named youth shook his head. If there were any other options, they wouldn’t want Lin Xuan to face the Old Monster from Heaven’s End in a duel; wasn’t this an option?
"Very well, since both of you have made up your minds, let’s go to the arena."
Venerable Jingkong sighed and led the way. Lin Xuan and the others followed him through winding corridors and past various restrictions until they arrived at another teleportation array.
However, the current array was much more complex than before.
Seeing Lin Xuan’s puzzled expression, Venerable Jingkong explained, "Both of you are Spirit Formation Realm cultivators; this duel will be incredibly powerful. A regular place might suffer repercussions. Thus, this arena is set within a sealed spatial rift."
"Ah, I see."
Lin Xuan nodded. Spatial rifts could serve as underground dwellings or secret storage areas, and naturally, they could also function as arenas.