xuán miào de tiān xiàng chí xù le xǔ jiǔ ， zú zú sān tiān sān yè yǐ hòu ， nà xuán wō cái jiàn jiàn de guī yú xū wú ， yún qì yě suí fēng xiāo sàn le 。
玄妙的天象持续了许久，足足三天三夜以后，那漩涡才渐渐的归于虚无，云气也随风消散了。
The mystical celestial phenomena persisted for a long time, lasting three days and three nights before the vortex gradually faded away, and the clouds dissipated with the wind.
tiān kōng chóng xīn huī fù le qīng míng zhī sè 。
天空重新恢复了清明之色。
The sky returned to its clear blue, stretching endlessly without a cloud in sight. The desert remained unchanged, vast and endless, filled only with some shrubs swaying gently in the breeze... A peaceful scene, as if nothing had happened.
bì kōng rú xǐ ， wàn lǐ wú yún 。
碧空如洗，万里无云。
"Phew!"
huāng mò hái shì nà ge huāng mò 。
荒漠还是那个荒漠。
The dozen or so cultivators looked up, including the most powerful old demon, Jia, all looking disheveled. According to logic, it was the cultivator's own experience that posed the greatest danger during anadvance process. A moment of carelessness could lead to irreparable consequences.
fàng yǎn wàng qù ， wú biān wú jì ， yìng rù yǎn lián de ， wéi yǒu yī xiē guàn mù lèi de zhí wù ér yǐ ， shù chǐ gāo de yě cǎo suí fēng yáo yè …… yī piàn píng hé ， fǎng fú shén me yě bù céng fā shēng guò 。
放眼望去，无边无际，映入眼帘的，唯有一些灌木类的植物而已，数尺高的野草随风摇曳……一片平和，仿佛什么也不曾发生过。
However, there were always exceptions. For these observers over the past three days, it had not been easy either; their power was sealed, and the terrifying spiritual pressure encompassed a radius of dozens of miles around them.
“ hū ！”
“呼！”
Perhaps due to the significant difference in cultivation levels, under that pressure, they even struggled to breathe, let alone move or leave this place.
nà shí jǐ míng xiū shì tái qǐ tóu lú ， bāo kuò xiū wèi zuì gāo de jiǎ lǎo mó ， rén rén dōu shì yī liǎn de láng bèi zhī sè ， àn lǐ ， xiū shì jìn jí ， běn rén de tǐ yàn cái shì zuì wēi xiǎn dì 。
那十几名修士抬起头颅，包括修为最高的贾老魔，人人都是一脸的狼狈之色，按理，修士晋级，本人的体验才是最危险地。
The difficult time finally passed. However, the cultivators exchanged glances and still hesitated to leave on their own. Otherwise, if they angered the mysterious senior cultivator, where would they have a chance to cry?
yí gè shū hū ， jiù yǒu kě néng wàn jié bù fù 。
一个疏忽，就有可能万劫不复。
That celestial phenomenon had been so magnificent; the strength of the opponent was beyond imagination. It was likely that it was a cultivator above the spirit division. Such beings, once enraged, could kill them as easily as crushing an ant.
rán ér fán shì jiē yǒu lì wài zhī chù ， guò qù de zhè sān tiān ， duì tā men zhè xiē páng guān zhě ér yán ， yě jué bù hǎo guò ， fǎ lì bèi jìn gù ， nà kě pà de líng yā ， jiāng zhè fāng yuán shù shí lǐ ， quán dōu lǒng zhào le jìn qù 。
然而凡事皆有例外之处，过去的这三天，对他们这些旁观者而言，也绝不好过，法力被禁锢，那可怕的灵压，将这方圆数十里，全都笼罩了进去。
They naturally dared not act rashly under any circumstances.
huò xǔ shì yīn wèi jìng jiè xiāng chà tài duō ， zài nà gǔ líng yā xià ， tā men lián hū xī dōu hěn jí cù ， gèng bié shuō yí dòng jiǎo bù ， lí kāi zhè lǐ le 。
或许是因为境界相差太多，在那股灵压下，他们连呼吸都很急促，更别说移动脚步，离开这里了。
Waiting now seemed their only choice.
rú jīn ， nán áo de shí jiān zhōng yú guò qù ， rán ér zhòng xiū shì miàn miàn xiāng qù ， yī jiù bù gǎn shàn zì lí kāi zhè lǐ 。
如今，难熬的时间终于过去，然而众修士面面相觑，依旧不敢擅自离开这里。
Of course, the anxiety in their hearts was indescribable; being on tenterhooks accurately described their state.
fǒu zé ， wàn yī jī nù le nà wèi shén mì de qián bèi xiū xiān zhě ， qǐ bù shì lián kū dōu méi yǒu dì fāng kū ？
否则，万一激怒了那位神秘的前辈修仙者，岂不是连哭都没有地方哭？
Especially Jia, who regretted it bitterly. If he had known there was such a formidable figure here, he would rather have let the Ethereal Fairy Palace people go than get involved in this mess.
gāng gāng nà jìn jí de tiān xiàng rú cǐ páng bó ， duì fāng shí lì zhī qiáng ， kǒng pà tā men gēn běn jiù nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng ， duō bàn shì fēn shén yǐ shàng de dà néng xiū xiān zhě ， zhè zhǒng cún zài ， yí dàn fā nù ， miè shā tā men ， jiù yǔ niē sǐ yī zhī mǎ yǐ xiāng chà fǎng fú 。
刚刚那晋级的天象如此磅礴，对方实力之强，恐怕他们根本就难以想象，多半是分神以上的大能修仙者，这种存在，一旦发怒，灭杀他们，就与捏死一只蚂蚁相差仿佛。
Now that they hadn't found the treasure but were dragged into trouble themselves, whether they could turn danger to safety remained uncertain.
tā men zì rán shì wú lùn rú hé ， yě bù gǎn qīng jǔ wàng dòng de 。
他们自然是无论如何，也不敢轻举妄动的。
There was no "if"… Neither in the mundane world nor in the realm of cultivation did regrets exist. He had been blinded by greed and now had to pay the price.
rú jīn děng dài ， yǐ chéng le wéi yī de xuǎn zé 。
如今等待，已成了唯一的选择。
The hunter became the hunted. His fate now depended on his luck.
dāng rán ， xīn zhōng de tǎn tè ， nà yě shì nán yǐ yán shù ， yòng tí xīn diào dǎn lái xíng róng ， nà yě shì fēn háo bù dài kuā zhāng de 。
当然，心中的忐忑，那也是难以言述，用提心吊胆来形容，那也是分毫不带夸张的。
As for the cultivators from the Ethereal Fairy Palace, their expressions were also filled with anxiety. However, compared to Jia, they seemed much more composed.
tè bié shì jiǎ lǎo mó ， xīn zhōng hòu huǐ dé cháng zi dōu qīng le 。
特别是贾老魔，心中后悔得肠子都青了。
If not for this unexpected turn of events, they would have already gone to the underworld. Now, picking up a small life was no exaggeration; how bad could it get?
zǎo zhī dào zhè lǐ yǒu zhè me yī wèi shà xīng cún zài zhe ， zì jǐ qíng yuàn jiāng piāo miǎo xiān gōng zhī rén fàng guò ， yě jué bù lái tāng zhè hún shuǐ 。
早知道这里有这么一位煞星存在着，自己情愿将缥缈仙宫之人放过，也绝不来蹚这浑水。
Everyone's thoughts varied, but all were eagerly and anxiously waiting, silent as if awaiting fate's decision.
rú jīn bǎo wù méi zhǎo zháo ， què jiāng zì jǐ yě dā le jìn qù ， néng fǒu huà xiǎn wéi yí ， yī jiù shì liǎng shuō zhī shì 。
如今宝物没找着，却将自己也搭了进去，能否化险为夷，依旧是两说之事。
Meanwhile, Lin Xuan remained seated cross-legged in his cave abode.
rán ér méi yǒu rú guǒ …… bù lùn fán sú hái shì xiū xiān jiè ， yě méi yǒu hòu huǐ yào yī shuō ， shuí ràng tā dāng chū lì yù xūn xīn ne ， rú jīn jiù yào fù chū dài jià 。
然而没有如果……不论凡俗还是修仙界，也没有后悔药一说，谁让他当初利欲熏心呢，如今就要付出代价。
Unlike his stern expression during the influx of essence energy, Lin Xuan now wore a look of peace and joy. However, his eyes remained closed; he was using Inner Vision to probe his body’s condition.
liè rén biàn chéng le liè wù ， rú jīn tā mìng yùn rú hé ， yě wéi yǒu kàn zì jǐ de yùn qì le 。
猎人变成了猎物，如今他命运如何，也唯有看自己的运气了。
To be honest, Lin Xuan had not expected such a convoluted outcome from consuming the refined peach to challenge his limits. He thought it would take at least half a year or more than a month, but it ended up taking a hundred years of effort.
zhì yú piāo miǎo xiān gōng de xiū xiān zhě ， biǎo qíng yě mǎn shì tǎn tè ， rán ér xiāng duì lái shuō ， xīn tài fǎn ér bǐ jiǎ lǎo mó hǎo shàng xǔ duō 。
至于缥缈仙宫的修仙者，表情也满是忐忑，然而相对来说，心态反而比贾老魔好上许多。
This was entirely unforeseen by him. If he had known it would take so long, he might have hesitated about advancing here.
ruò bú shì zhè yì wài biàn gù ， tā men zǎo yǐ hún guī dì fǔ ， rú jīn zhè tiáo xiǎo mìng ér shuō shì jiǎn de yě bù wèi guò ， zài zāo yòu néng zāo dào shén me dì bù ne ？
若不是这意外变故，他们早已魂归地府，如今这条小命儿说是拣的也不为过，再糟又能遭到什么地步呢？
Fortunately, despite the twists and turns, his efforts were not in vain… No, to be precise, they surpassed his initial expectations significantly. The hundred years hadn't been wasted.
zhòng rén de xiǎng fǎ gè bù xiāng tóng ， dàn dōu shì qī dài ér tǎn tè ， yě bù shuō huà ， fǎng fú zài jìng jìng de děng dài mìng yùn de jué zé 。
众人的想法各不相同，但都是期待而忐忑，也不说话，仿佛在静静的等待命运的抉择。
Not only did Lin Xuan's main spirit core successfully advance into the middle spirit division; his second spirit core and demon nucleus also advanced simultaneously, especially the second spirit core, which leaped several stages, almost crossing a major realm barrier, entering the spirit division with the demon nucleus.
…… yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， lín xuān yī jiù yú dòng fǔ zhōng pán xī ér zuò 。
……与此同时，林轩依旧于洞府中盘膝而坐。
Though it was still in its early stage, such results were beyond Lin Xuan's expectations. His two cores and one nucleus now had him at the middle spirit division, his main spirit core, second spirit core, and demon nucleus all in their initial stages. His essence energy had grown exponentially.
rán ér yǔ gāng gāng líng qì guàn tǐ shí de yán sù biǎo qíng bù tóng ， rú jīn lín xuān shì yī liǎn de píng ān xǐ lè 。
然而与刚刚灵气灌体时的严肃表情不同，如今林轩是一脸的平安喜乐。
This wasn't exaggeration; Lin Xuan roughly sensed that compared to a hundred years ago, his essence energy's richness had increased by more than three times.
bù guò tā shuāng mù yī jiù shì jǐn bì zhe ， rú jīn lín xuān zhèng shī zhǎn nèi shì zhī shù ， chá tàn zhe tǐ nèi de qíng kuàng lái zhe 。
不过他双目依旧是紧闭着，如今林轩正施展内视之术，查探着体内的情况来着。
Moreover, his physical strength and vitality also improved slightly. Every time a cultivator advances, both the body and spirit core are re-cultivated with spiritual energy, enhancing various functions.
píng xīn ér yán ， lín xuān yě bù céng xiǎng guò ， zhè cì fú yòng tí chún hòu de pán táo chōng jī píng jǐng ， zuì hòu de jié guǒ huì rú cǐ yī bō sān zhé 。
平心而言，林轩也不曾想过，这次服用提纯后的蟠桃冲击瓶颈，最后的结果会如此一波三折。
This advancement was particularly evident through the physical body. This time, it was essence energy infusion, which significantly strengthened the body.
yuán běn ， lín xuān yǐ wéi zhǎng zé bàn zǎi ， duǎn zé yuè yú ， jiù néng yǒu jié guǒ ， nǎ xiǎo de ， jū rán zhěng zhěng huā le bǎi nián de gōng fu 。
原本，林轩以为长则半载，短则月余，就能有结果，哪晓得，居然整整花了百年的功夫。
In short, Lin Xuan's cultivation had taken a substantial leap in strength. While still far from a heavenly tribulation cultivator, other spirit division cultivators seemed insignificant to him now.
zhè shì tā shì xiān wán quán bù céng yù liào dào de 。
这是他事先完全不曾预料到的。
At this moment, he used Inner Vision.
fǒu zé ， lín xuān ruò shì zhī dào huì xiāo hào zhè me zhǎng de shí jiān ， huì fǒu xuǎn zé zài cǐ dì jìn jí ， kǒng pà yě shì liǎng shuō zhī shì 。
否则，林轩若是知道会消耗这么长的时间，会否选择在此地晋级，恐怕也是两说之事。
The area of the spiritual energy lake in his dantian expanded significantly; the essence energy was incredibly thick and full of vitality. The blue star sea was similarly transformed, with more light points turning blue. Although the number still fell short compared to the blue ones, it had reached about a quarter of the star sea's volume, a remarkable progress that made Lin Xuan very happy.
hǎo zài ， guò chéng suī rán qū zhé ， dàn zǒng suàn méi yǒu bái máng huó …… bù ， zhèng què de shuō ， shì bǐ zì jǐ zuì chū de yù jì ， hái yào hǎo shàng xǔ duō 。
好在，过程虽然曲折，但总算没有白忙活……不，正确的说，是比自己最初的预计，还要好上许多。
Regarding his two spirit cores, their appearance remained unchanged, but upon closer inspection, they seemed more solidified. Their movements and actions now exuded a different kind of pressure from before.
bǎi nián de guāng yīn méi yǒu bái bái dù guò 。
百年的光阴没有白白度过。
As for the demon nucleus, it had turned pale silver, similar in size to a dragon's eye, slowly rotating above both spirit cores. Each rotation emitted multicolored light, with hundreds of arcane runes flowing out from its surface.
lín xuān bù zhǐ shì zhǔ yuán yīng shùn lì jìn jí ， mài rù le fēn shén zhōng qī 。
林轩不止是主元婴顺利晋级，迈入了分神中期。
These runes were only as big as rice grains but each seemed highly intricate… Lin Xuan wore a satisfied expression.
dì èr yuán yīng yǔ yāo dān yě rú yuàn yǐ cháng de tóng shí jìn jí ， yóu qí shì dì èr yuán yīng ， lián jìn shù jiē ， jī hū shì zhěng zhěng kuà yuè le yí gè dà jìng jiè ， yǔ yāo dān yì qǐ ， yóu dòng xuán mài rù le fēn shén 。
第二元婴与妖丹也如愿以偿的同时晋级，尤其是第二元婴，连晋数阶，几乎是整整跨越了一个大境界，与妖丹一起，由洞玄迈入了分神。
Such changes in the demon nucleus were unforeseen by him; could it be related to his cultivation of Phoenix Dance Nine Heavens Technique?
suī rán shì chū qī ， dàn zhè yàng de jié guǒ ， yǐ ràng lín xuān shì mǎn yì yǐ jí 。
虽然是初期，但这样的结果，已让林轩是满意以极。
Lin Xuan pondered, but now was not the time for conclusions. Detailed observation would yield results. However, one thing was certain: the demon nucleus's changes were beneficial, which delighted Lin Xuan.
rú jīn tā de shuāng yīng yī dān ， zhǔ yuán yīng fēn shén zhōng qī ， dì èr yuán yīng yǔ yāo dān jiē shì chū qī ， fǎ lì hé zhǐ zēng zhǎng le bèi xǔ 。
如今他的双婴一丹，主元婴分神中期，第二元婴与妖丹皆是初期，法力何止增长了倍许。
Next, he used Inner Vision to examine his limbs and entire body; everything was in excellent condition, far exceeding his expectations.
zhè kě bú shì kuā dà qí cí ， lín xuān dà gài gǎn yìng le yī xià ， yǔ bǎi nián qián jìn jiē qián xiāng bǐ ， zì jǐ fǎ lì de chún hòu chéng dù ， zhì shǎo zēng jiā le sān bèi yǒu yú 。
这可不是夸大其词，林轩大概感应了一下，与百年前进阶前相比，自己法力的淳厚程度，至少增加了三倍有余。
After half an hour, Lin Xuan slowly raised his head and opened his eyes.
bù jǐn rú cǐ ， lián shēn tǐ de qiáng dù yǔ lì qì ， yě duō shǎo zēng jiā le yī xiē ， bì jìng měi yī cì jìn jí ， xiū shì de ròu shēn yǔ yuán yīng ， dū huì yóu líng lì chóng xīn cuì liàn 。
不仅如此，连身体的强度与力气，也多少增加了一些，毕竟每一次晋级，修士的肉身与元婴，都会由灵力重新淬炼。
"Not bad, not bad."
gè fāng miàn de jī néng ， zì rán huì zēng jiā yī xiē 。
各方面的机能，自然会增加一些。
Lin Xuan examined his palm. Compared to before, it seemed slightly whiter, but with a tight fist, a surge of vigorous power arose. He didn't strike; just the grip tightened enough to distort the nearby space.
The mystical celestial phenomena persisted for a long time, lasting three days and three nights before the vortex gradually faded away, and the clouds dissipated with the wind.
The sky returned to its clear blue, stretching endlessly without a cloud in sight. The desert remained unchanged, vast and endless, filled only with some shrubs swaying gently in the breeze... A peaceful scene, as if nothing had happened.
"Phew!"
The dozen or so cultivators looked up, including the most powerful old demon, Jia, all looking disheveled. According to logic, it was the cultivator's own experience that posed the greatest danger during anadvance process. A moment of carelessness could lead to irreparable consequences.
However, there were always exceptions. For these observers over the past three days, it had not been easy either; their power was sealed, and the terrifying spiritual pressure encompassed a radius of dozens of miles around them.
Perhaps due to the significant difference in cultivation levels, under that pressure, they even struggled to breathe, let alone move or leave this place.
The difficult time finally passed. However, the cultivators exchanged glances and still hesitated to leave on their own. Otherwise, if they angered the mysterious senior cultivator, where would they have a chance to cry?
That celestial phenomenon had been so magnificent; the strength of the opponent was beyond imagination. It was likely that it was a cultivator above the spirit division. Such beings, once enraged, could kill them as easily as crushing an ant.
They naturally dared not act rashly under any circumstances.
Waiting now seemed their only choice.
Of course, the anxiety in their hearts was indescribable; being on tenterhooks accurately described their state.
Especially Jia, who regretted it bitterly. If he had known there was such a formidable figure here, he would rather have let the Ethereal Fairy Palace people go than get involved in this mess.
Now that they hadn't found the treasure but were dragged into trouble themselves, whether they could turn danger to safety remained uncertain.
There was no "if"… Neither in the mundane world nor in the realm of cultivation did regrets exist. He had been blinded by greed and now had to pay the price.
The hunter became the hunted. His fate now depended on his luck.
As for the cultivators from the Ethereal Fairy Palace, their expressions were also filled with anxiety. However, compared to Jia, they seemed much more composed.
If not for this unexpected turn of events, they would have already gone to the underworld. Now, picking up a small life was no exaggeration; how bad could it get?
Everyone's thoughts varied, but all were eagerly and anxiously waiting, silent as if awaiting fate's decision.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuan remained seated cross-legged in his cave abode.
Unlike his stern expression during the influx of essence energy, Lin Xuan now wore a look of peace and joy. However, his eyes remained closed; he was using Inner Vision to probe his body’s condition.
To be honest, Lin Xuan had not expected such a convoluted outcome from consuming the refined peach to challenge his limits. He thought it would take at least half a year or more than a month, but it ended up taking a hundred years of effort.
This was entirely unforeseen by him. If he had known it would take so long, he might have hesitated about advancing here.
Fortunately, despite the twists and turns, his efforts were not in vain… No, to be precise, they surpassed his initial expectations significantly. The hundred years hadn't been wasted.
Not only did Lin Xuan's main spirit core successfully advance into the middle spirit division; his second spirit core and demon nucleus also advanced simultaneously, especially the second spirit core, which leaped several stages, almost crossing a major realm barrier, entering the spirit division with the demon nucleus.
Though it was still in its early stage, such results were beyond Lin Xuan's expectations. His two cores and one nucleus now had him at the middle spirit division, his main spirit core, second spirit core, and demon nucleus all in their initial stages. His essence energy had grown exponentially.
This wasn't exaggeration; Lin Xuan roughly sensed that compared to a hundred years ago, his essence energy's richness had increased by more than three times.
Moreover, his physical strength and vitality also improved slightly. Every time a cultivator advances, both the body and spirit core are re-cultivated with spiritual energy, enhancing various functions.
This advancement was particularly evident through the physical body. This time, it was essence energy infusion, which significantly strengthened the body.
In short, Lin Xuan's cultivation had taken a substantial leap in strength. While still far from a heavenly tribulation cultivator, other spirit division cultivators seemed insignificant to him now.
At this moment, he used Inner Vision.
The area of the spiritual energy lake in his dantian expanded significantly; the essence energy was incredibly thick and full of vitality. The blue star sea was similarly transformed, with more light points turning blue. Although the number still fell short compared to the blue ones, it had reached about a quarter of the star sea's volume, a remarkable progress that made Lin Xuan very happy.
Regarding his two spirit cores, their appearance remained unchanged, but upon closer inspection, they seemed more solidified. Their movements and actions now exuded a different kind of pressure from before.
As for the demon nucleus, it had turned pale silver, similar in size to a dragon's eye, slowly rotating above both spirit cores. Each rotation emitted multicolored light, with hundreds of arcane runes flowing out from its surface.
These runes were only as big as rice grains but each seemed highly intricate… Lin Xuan wore a satisfied expression.
Such changes in the demon nucleus were unforeseen by him; could it be related to his cultivation of Phoenix Dance Nine Heavens Technique?
Lin Xuan pondered, but now was not the time for conclusions. Detailed observation would yield results. However, one thing was certain: the demon nucleus's changes were beneficial, which delighted Lin Xuan.
Next, he used Inner Vision to examine his limbs and entire body; everything was in excellent condition, far exceeding his expectations.
After half an hour, Lin Xuan slowly raised his head and opened his eyes.
"Not bad, not bad."
Lin Xuan examined his palm. Compared to before, it seemed slightly whiter, but with a tight fist, a surge of vigorous power arose. He didn't strike; just the grip tightened enough to distort the nearby space.