huà shuō dào zhè yī bù ， jiē xià lái yě méi yǒu shén me hǎo tǎo lùn le ， lín xuān yǔ liǎng rén dá chéng le yí zhì ， sān pài lián méng ， tā men jiāng xiān duì fù líng guǐ zōng 。
话说到这一步，接下来也没有什么好讨论了，林轩与两人达成了一致，三派联盟，他们将先对付灵鬼宗。
By this point, there was little left to discuss. Lin Xuan reached an agreement with the two individuals; they would form a tripartite alliance and first address the Linggui Sect.
suí hòu xū yào què dìng de ， jiù shì yī xiē xì jié shàng de wèn tí 。
随后需要确定的，就是一些细节上的问题。
The next step involved determining some finer details. However, everyone agreed on one thing: speed was of the essence. They could not afford to give the Linggui Sect any breathing room.
bù guò yǒu yì diǎn ， dà jiā de kàn fǎ shì yī yàng dì 。
不过有一点，大家的看法是一样地。
As the saying goes, "Opportunity knocks but once," and dragging things out would be detrimental to their own sect. After all, although the Linggui Sect lacked a leader and was in disarray, it still harbored unpredictable elements. If time were to slip away, the major cultivation families within the sect might settle matters and choose new leaders, adding unforeseen variables to this conflict.
bīng guì shén sù ， bù néng gěi líng guǐ zōng yǐ chuǎn qì zhī xī 。
兵贵神速，不能给灵鬼宗以喘气之息。
While Lin Xuan had some confidence in facing them head-on, the losses would undoubtedly be significant. It would be much more convenient and efficient to exploit their internal contradictions instead.
sú huà shuō ， jī bù kě shī ， shī bù zài lái ， tuō yán xià qù ， duì běn mén bù lì 。
俗话说，机不可失，失不再来，拖延下去，对本门不利。
Their consensus on this point made things easier. They wasted no time, issuing instructions for the disciples to rest and recuperate where they were while also safeguarding the mine veins. Lin Xuan then set off with his senior brothers and sisters towards the main base, traveling at a breakneck pace without pause.
bì jìng líng guǐ zōng suī qún lóng wú shǒu ， luàn chéng le yī guō zhōu ， dàn yě cún zài zhe biàn shù 。
毕竟灵鬼宗虽群龙无首，乱成了一锅粥，但也存在着变数。
The three, all being Spirit Cultivators of the Separated Consciousness Stage, had varying levels of power but moved swiftly in their ethereal forms. Describing them as moving like wind and lightning was apt.
ruò shì shí jiān bù xiǎo xīn tuō jiǔ le yì diǎn ， gāi pài de jǐ dà xiū xiān jiā zú ， yǐ jué chū shèng fù ， chóng xīn xuǎn chū le xīn de zōng zhǔ ， nà duì yú cǐ yì de shèng fù jiù huì zēng tiān xīn de biàn shù 。
若是时间不小心拖久了一点，该派的几大修仙家族，已决出胜负，重新选出了新的宗主，那对于此役的胜负就会增添新的变数。
In just a few days, they crossed countless mountains and rivers, returning to Cloud Concealment Sect.
yìng pèng yìng lín xuān suī rán yě yǒu bǎ wò ， dàn sǔn shī kěn dìng yào dà dé duō ， nǎ jí dé shàng lì yòng duì fāng de máo dùn ， huǒ zhōng qǔ lì ， lái de fāng biàn kuài jié ne ？
硬碰硬林轩虽然也有把握，但损失肯定要大得多，哪及得上利用对方的矛盾，火中取栗，来得方便快捷呢？
Upon seeing the three senior elders return safely, the Cloud Concealment Sect cultivators were overjoyed. After all, for a sect, while the senior elders rarely intervened in daily affairs, serving as mere deterrents, their involvement was crucial during times of life and death. Their loss would be devastating to the sect.
zài zhè yì diǎn shàng ， sān gè rén de kàn fǎ ， shì yí zhì de 。
在这一点上，三个人的看法，是一致的。
For days, the sect had been on edge, but now that they returned safely, there was much rejoicing among the disciples. They finally lowered their guard and paid them due respect.
nà jiē xià lái jiù hǎo bàn le 。
那接下来就好办了。
In response to this enthusiasm, Lin Xuan and his companions could not ignore it; they patiently reassured the disciples before summoning the leaders of the five major peaks for a detailed discussion on attacking the Linggui Sect.
tā men yì diǎn shí jiān yě bù dān gē ， chuán xià fǎ yù ， ràng zhòng dì zǐ liú zài yuán dì hǎo hǎo yǎng shāng xiū xī ， tóng shí duì kuàng mài ， yě shì yī zhǒng kān hù ， ér lín xuān zé yǔ shī xiōng shī jiě shàng lù ， mǎ bù tíng tí de gǎn huí zǒng duò 。
他们一点时间也不耽搁，传下法喻，让众弟子留在原地好好养伤休息，同时对矿脉，也是一种看护，而林轩则与师兄师姐上路，马不停蹄的赶回总舵。
Meanwhile, several thousand miles west of Cloud Concealment Sect's main base lay the notorious Ten Thousand Mountains in Baifan County. The towering peaks extended endlessly, shrouded year-round with thick miasma, making it an uninhabited and treacherous place. Even locals avoided venturing deep into these mountains due to the noxious air. Legends spoke of a connection to the Netherworld at the heart of the range, where countless malevolent spirits roamed, and even blood-sucking zombies occasionally appeared.
sān rén jiē shì fēn shén qī xiū xiān zhě ， shí lì shén tōng ， huò xǔ gè bù xiāng tóng ， dàn dùn guāng de sù dù ， dōu shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， zhè yī quán lì gǎn lù ， yòng fēng chí diàn chè lái xíng róng ， yě háo bù wèi guò 。
三人皆是分神期修仙者，实力神通，或许各不相同，但遁光的速度，都是非同小可，这一全力赶路，用风驰电掣来形容，也毫不为过。
Despite the rare treasures and herbs found within, few dared to venture in, knowing that none returned once they ventured inside… Thus, Ten Thousand Mountains became forbidden territory. Yet, unbeknownst to most people, it was actually the main base of the Linggui Sect, one of the superpowers in Baifan County.
bù guò shù rì gōng fu ， sān rén jiù yuè guò le qiān shān wàn shuǐ ， huí dào le yún yǐn zōng 。
不过数日功夫，三人就越过了千山万水，回到了云隐宗。
The so-called ghosts and zombies were merely illusions created by minor array formations. After all, what ordinary cultivators could do in this realm?
jiàn sān wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo píng ān guī lái ， yún yǐn zōng xiū shì wú bù kuáng xǐ ， yào xiǎo de ， duì yí gè zōng mén lái shuō ， tài shàng zhǎng lǎo píng rì lǐ suī rán hěn shǎo guò wèn zōng mén shì wù ， zhǐ shì zuò wèi yī zhǒng wēi shè xìng cún zài ， wéi yǒu zài shēng sǐ cún wáng guò tóu ， cái huì chū shǒu 。
见三位太上长老平安归来，云隐宗修士无不狂喜，要晓得，对一个宗门来说，太上长老平日里虽然很少过问宗门事物，只是做为一种威慑性存在，唯有在生死存亡过头，才会出手。
Even if ordinary cultivators ventured here, they would likely face a near-certain death. The Linggui Sect practiced ghostly arts, known for their eerie and mysterious nature. Although Baifan County was not vast within the Dragon's Lair Realm, its cultivation power was middling, but the Linggui Sect ranked first among superpowers there, giving them the right to be domineering.
dàn zhè zhǒng zhí zé bìng bù fáng ài qí chéng wéi yí gè zōng mén de zhǔ xīn gǔ ， tài shàng zhǎng lǎo ruò shì yǔn luò ， zōng mén yě jiù xiāng dāng yú shī qù le kě yǐ yī tuō de bì hù ， duì qí dǎ jī ， jué duì shì huǐ miè xìng dì 。
但这种职责并不妨碍其成为一个宗门的主心骨，太上长老若是陨落，宗门也就相当于失去了可以依托的庇护，对其打击，绝对是毁灭性地。
However, no matter how powerful a sect might be, it faced occasional setbacks. Currently, several elders of the Linggui Sect gathered near a frigid spring, their faces filled with anxiety and even fear. The fall of the sect's leaders had placed them in dire straits, facing both internal turmoil and external threats. However, contrary to Lin Xuan’s expectations, the major cultivation families did not rush to seize power.
zhè xiē rì zi yǐ lái ， yún yǐn zōng shàng xià dōu kě yǐ shuō shì tí xīn diào dǎn ， sān rén de píng ān guī lái zì rán shì yǐn dé què yuè shēng yī piàn 。
这些日子以来，云隐宗上下都可以说是提心吊胆，三人的平安归来自然是引得雀跃声一片。
The reason was that while the main leaders were gone, the Zhong family still held a dominant position due to their strength. Even if other families combined forces, they could not match them. With this in mind, there was no point in fighting over anything.
zhòng dì zǐ xuán zhe de xīn ， zǒng suàn shì fàng le xià lái 。
众弟子悬着的心，总算是放了下来。
Lin Xuan's plan had completely failed. However, it was understandable given the limited time and information available. Even with ample time, the Zhong family’s hidden power remained a closely guarded secret of the Linggui Sect, unknown to outsiders.
duì zhe sān rén dà lǐ cān bài 。
对着三人大礼参拜。
Despite his failure, Lin Xuan's strength was formidable. The battle at the mine veins had already frightened the remaining elders into submission. From their perspective, they would never dare challenge him and could only wait for the legendary powerhouse within their sect to emerge from seclusion.
miàn duì zhòng dì zǐ de rè qíng ， lín xuān sān rén yě bù hǎo qì zhī bù gù ， zhǐ hǎo nài zhe xìng zi lüè zuò ān fǔ ， dài zhòng dì zǐ tuì qù yǐ hòu ， cái chuán zhào wǔ mài fēng zhǔ ， qián wǎng dà diàn jù tǐ shāng yì jìn gōng líng guǐ zōng de xì jié le 。
面对众弟子的热情，林轩三人也不好弃之不顾，只好耐着性子略作安抚，待众弟子退去以后，才传召五脉峰主，前往大殿具体商议进攻灵鬼宗的细节了。
The frigid spring was eerily silent as several Spirit Cultivators of the Separated Consciousness Stage seemed to hold their breaths. The atmosphere was tense. After waiting for a while, someone finally broke the silence.
zhè zhōng jiān de guò chéng zàn qiě bù tí 。
这中间的过程暂且不提。
A silver-haired elder spoke up: "Elder Zhong has been in seclusion for about ten thousand years!"
qiě shuō jù lí yún yǐn zōng zǒng duò shù qiān wàn lǐ wài de bái fán jùn yǐ xī ， yǒu shí wàn dà shān è míng zhāo zhāng yǐ jí 。
且说距离云隐宗总舵数千万里外的白凡郡以西，有十万大山恶名昭彰以极。
"Indeed, exactly ten thousand two hundred and forty years."
yī zuò zuò xiǎn è de shān fēng mián yán bù jué 。
一座座险恶的山峰绵延不绝。
A robed cultivator beside him interjected.
zhōng nián huán rào zhe nóng zhòng de zhàng qì ， cǐ nǎi rén jì hǎn zhì de jué dì 。
终年环绕着浓重的瘴气，此乃人迹罕至的绝地。
"After so many years, I wonder how powerful Elder Zhong has become. Can he handle Lin Xuan?"
bié shuō wài lái zhě ， jiù suàn shì dāng dì rén yě bù gǎn shēn rù ， zhàng qì yě jiù bà le ， chuán shuō shān mài shēn chù ， nǎi shì lián tōng le yōu míng dì fǔ 。
别说外来者，就算是当地人也不敢深入，瘴气也就罢了，传说山脉深处，乃是连通了幽冥地府。
The silver-haired elder's face showed signs of fear when mentioning Lin Xuan, clearly shaken by the encounter.
xiōng hún è guǐ shǔ bù shèng shǔ 。
凶魂恶鬼数不胜数。
"…."
shèn zhì hái yǒu xī xuè chī rén de jiāng shī chū mò 。
甚至还有吸血吃人的僵尸出没。
The other cultivators fell silent. They had all witnessed Lin Xuan’s formidable power firsthand; none dared to challenge such a terrifying Separated Consciousness Stage cultivator. However, Elder Zhong was the father of the late sect leader and one of the most talented individuals in their lineage over the past million years. Although he did not reach the Transcendence Stage, his strength far exceeded that of ordinary Separated Consciousness Stage cultivators.
shēn rù shān mài zhōng yǒu bù shǎo zhēn xī de yào cái ， rén shēn yě bù hǎn jiàn ， dàn shuí ruò gǎn qù zhāi cǎi bì dìng shì yǒu qù wú lái …，
深入山脉中有不少珍稀的药材，人参也不罕见，但谁若敢去摘采必定是有去无来…，
If he had not already renounced fame and cared little for it, the so-called Immortal-Devouring Old Monster would never have claimed to be the first in this realm’s Transcendence Stage. With him, ten such monsters could easily be defeated.
jiǔ ér jiǔ zhī ， shí wàn dà shān chéng le jìn dì ， rén men wú bù zhù zú ， rán ér fán rén men yòu qǐ huì qīng chǔ nà lǐ gēn běn jiù yǔ yīn cáo dì fǔ sī háo guān lián yě wú ， qí shí shì bái fán jùn chāo jí dà pài líng guǐ zōng de zǒng duò 。
久而久之，十万大山成了禁地，人们无不驻足，然而凡人们又岂会清楚那里根本就与阴曹地府丝毫关联也无，其实是白凡郡超级大派灵鬼宗的总舵。
Over a thousand years ago, Elder Zhong had sealed himself within the Xuan Yin Cold Spring, remaining there for countless years, supposedly practicing an extremely dangerous secret technique. Although they did not know its specifics, his talent required him to rest for thousands of years. The power he wielded was beyond description.
By this point, there was little left to discuss. Lin Xuan reached an agreement with the two individuals; they would form a tripartite alliance and first address the Linggui Sect.
The next step involved determining some finer details. However, everyone agreed on one thing: speed was of the essence. They could not afford to give the Linggui Sect any breathing room.
As the saying goes, "Opportunity knocks but once," and dragging things out would be detrimental to their own sect. After all, although the Linggui Sect lacked a leader and was in disarray, it still harbored unpredictable elements. If time were to slip away, the major cultivation families within the sect might settle matters and choose new leaders, adding unforeseen variables to this conflict.
While Lin Xuan had some confidence in facing them head-on, the losses would undoubtedly be significant. It would be much more convenient and efficient to exploit their internal contradictions instead.
Their consensus on this point made things easier. They wasted no time, issuing instructions for the disciples to rest and recuperate where they were while also safeguarding the mine veins. Lin Xuan then set off with his senior brothers and sisters towards the main base, traveling at a breakneck pace without pause.
The three, all being Spirit Cultivators of the Separated Consciousness Stage, had varying levels of power but moved swiftly in their ethereal forms. Describing them as moving like wind and lightning was apt.
In just a few days, they crossed countless mountains and rivers, returning to Cloud Concealment Sect.
Upon seeing the three senior elders return safely, the Cloud Concealment Sect cultivators were overjoyed. After all, for a sect, while the senior elders rarely intervened in daily affairs, serving as mere deterrents, their involvement was crucial during times of life and death. Their loss would be devastating to the sect.
For days, the sect had been on edge, but now that they returned safely, there was much rejoicing among the disciples. They finally lowered their guard and paid them due respect.
In response to this enthusiasm, Lin Xuan and his companions could not ignore it; they patiently reassured the disciples before summoning the leaders of the five major peaks for a detailed discussion on attacking the Linggui Sect.
Meanwhile, several thousand miles west of Cloud Concealment Sect's main base lay the notorious Ten Thousand Mountains in Baifan County. The towering peaks extended endlessly, shrouded year-round with thick miasma, making it an uninhabited and treacherous place. Even locals avoided venturing deep into these mountains due to the noxious air. Legends spoke of a connection to the Netherworld at the heart of the range, where countless malevolent spirits roamed, and even blood-sucking zombies occasionally appeared.
Despite the rare treasures and herbs found within, few dared to venture in, knowing that none returned once they ventured inside… Thus, Ten Thousand Mountains became forbidden territory. Yet, unbeknownst to most people, it was actually the main base of the Linggui Sect, one of the superpowers in Baifan County.
The so-called ghosts and zombies were merely illusions created by minor array formations. After all, what ordinary cultivators could do in this realm?
Even if ordinary cultivators ventured here, they would likely face a near-certain death. The Linggui Sect practiced ghostly arts, known for their eerie and mysterious nature. Although Baifan County was not vast within the Dragon's Lair Realm, its cultivation power was middling, but the Linggui Sect ranked first among superpowers there, giving them the right to be domineering.
However, no matter how powerful a sect might be, it faced occasional setbacks. Currently, several elders of the Linggui Sect gathered near a frigid spring, their faces filled with anxiety and even fear. The fall of the sect's leaders had placed them in dire straits, facing both internal turmoil and external threats. However, contrary to Lin Xuan’s expectations, the major cultivation families did not rush to seize power.
The reason was that while the main leaders were gone, the Zhong family still held a dominant position due to their strength. Even if other families combined forces, they could not match them. With this in mind, there was no point in fighting over anything.
Lin Xuan's plan had completely failed. However, it was understandable given the limited time and information available. Even with ample time, the Zhong family’s hidden power remained a closely guarded secret of the Linggui Sect, unknown to outsiders.
Despite his failure, Lin Xuan's strength was formidable. The battle at the mine veins had already frightened the remaining elders into submission. From their perspective, they would never dare challenge him and could only wait for the legendary powerhouse within their sect to emerge from seclusion.
The frigid spring was eerily silent as several Spirit Cultivators of the Separated Consciousness Stage seemed to hold their breaths. The atmosphere was tense. After waiting for a while, someone finally broke the silence.
A silver-haired elder spoke up: "Elder Zhong has been in seclusion for about ten thousand years!"
"Indeed, exactly ten thousand two hundred and forty years."
A robed cultivator beside him interjected.
"After so many years, I wonder how powerful Elder Zhong has become. Can he handle Lin Xuan?"
The silver-haired elder's face showed signs of fear when mentioning Lin Xuan, clearly shaken by the encounter.
"…."
The other cultivators fell silent. They had all witnessed Lin Xuan’s formidable power firsthand; none dared to challenge such a terrifying Separated Consciousness Stage cultivator. However, Elder Zhong was the father of the late sect leader and one of the most talented individuals in their lineage over the past million years. Although he did not reach the Transcendence Stage, his strength far exceeded that of ordinary Separated Consciousness Stage cultivators.
If he had not already renounced fame and cared little for it, the so-called Immortal-Devouring Old Monster would never have claimed to be the first in this realm’s Transcendence Stage. With him, ten such monsters could easily be defeated.
Over a thousand years ago, Elder Zhong had sealed himself within the Xuan Yin Cold Spring, remaining there for countless years, supposedly practicing an extremely dangerous secret technique. Although they did not know its specifics, his talent required him to rest for thousands of years. The power he wielded was beyond description.