zhèng yīn wèi tā men duì běn zōng zhè wèi chuán shuō zhōng de qiáng zhě yín xīn shí zú ， fǒu zé ， gēn jù qián fāng dì zǐ chuán huí lái de xiāo xī ， líng guǐ zōng xiàn zài shuō bù dìng yǐ fēn bēng lí xī 。
正因为他们对本宗这位传说中的强者狺心十足，否则，根据前方弟子传回来的消息，灵鬼宗现在说不定已分崩离析。
Because of their intense admiration for this legendary powerhouse within their sect, otherwise, according to the reports from disciples ahead, Linggui Sect might already be in disarray.
zhè huà ， jué bú shì kuā dà qí cí 。
这话，绝不是夸大其词。
This statement was not an exaggeration. After all, a fire cannot be concealed by paper; although Lin Xuan did not intend to reveal his sect's intentions too early, plotting against Linggui Sect was such a significant matter that it required extensive mobilization and involved numerous disciples.
xū zhī ， zhǐ bāo bú zhù huǒ ， lín xuān suī rán wú yì guò zǎo bào lù běn mén de yì tú ， rán ér xiǎng yào tú móu líng guǐ zōng ， shì hé děng dà shì ， zhè zhōng jiān xū yào diào dòng ， qiān chě dào de dì zǐ tài duō 。
须知，纸包不住火，林轩虽然无意过早暴露本门的意图，然而想要图谋灵鬼宗，是何等大事，这中间需要调动，牵扯到的弟子太多。
As the saying goes, many mouths can spread rumors. Even though he and the other two Supreme Elders had already issued edicts to ensure strict confidentiality among their subordinates, over time, some inevitably leaked information.
sú huà shuō ， rén duō kǒu zá ， suī rán tā yǔ lìng wài liǎng wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo yǐ jīng zhuàn xià fǎ yù ， ràng xià miàn de dì zǐ wù bì yán gé bǎo mì ， kě suí zhe shí jiān de tuī yí ， hái shì nán miǎn yǒu kǒu fēng bù jǐn de jiā huo zǒu lòu le xiāo xī 。
俗话说，人多口杂，虽然他与另外两位太上长老已经传下法谕，让下面的弟子务必严格保密，可随着时间的推移，还是难免有口风不紧的家伙走漏了消息。
The Three Factions Alliance was terrified by Lin Xuan's actions, so they dispatched numerous spies to observe Linggui Sect's movements.
sān pài lián méng yǐ bèi lín xuān jiāng dǎn xià pò ， suǒ yǐ tā men dōu pài chū le dà liàng de mì tàn lái dǎ liàng yún yǐn zōng de dòng xiàng rú hé 。
三派联盟已被林轩将胆吓破，所以他们都派出了大量的密探来打量云隐宗的动向如何。
Upon learning of Lin Xuan's intentions, reactions varied. Taixuan Sect and Tianjing Valley rejoiced, while Linggui Sect lived in constant fear.
dé zhī lín xuān de tú móu yǐ hòu ， zì rán shì yǒu rén huān xǐ yǒu rén chóu 。
得知林轩的图谋以后，自然是有人欢喜有人愁。
They were simultaneously fortifying their defenses and seeking aid from the other two factions.
tài xuán mén ， tiān jīng gǔ jiē qìng xìng bù yǐ ， líng guǐ zōng zé fēng shēng hè lì 。
太玄门，天晶谷皆庆幸不已，灵鬼宗则风声鹤唳。
Unfortunately, both Taixuan Sect and Tianjing Valley were now too terrified to face him, content with merely hoping he would not cause trouble. How could they dare to provoke such a formidable opponent?
yī biān bù zhì fáng yù ， yī biān xiàng lìng wài liǎng pài qiú yuán 。
一边布置防御，一边像另外两派求援。
Although they knew that if Linggui Sect fell, it was only a matter of time before their turn came, facing a powerful enemy still left them without any confidence.
kě xī bù lùn tài xuán mén hái shì tiān jīng gǔ ， duì lín xuān jiē shì wén fēng sàng dǎn le ， zhǐ qiú tā bù lái zhǎo má fán jiù yǐ jīng xīn mǎn yì zú ， rú hé hái gǎn zhǔ dòng qù luō hǔ xū ne ？
可惜不论太玄门还是天晶谷，对林轩皆是闻风丧胆了，只求他不来找麻烦就已经心满意足，如何还敢主动去捋虎须呢？
As the saying goes, "live day by day." Regardless of how Linggui Sect's envoy tried to persuade them with logic and emotion, or even with incentives, they remained tight-lipped, unwilling to provoke Lin Xuan again.
jǐn guǎn tā men yě xīn lǐ yǒu shù ， líng guǐ zōng ruò shì bù bǎo ， jiē xià lái lún dào de kě jiù shì zì jǐ le 。
尽管他们也心里有数，灵鬼宗若是不保，接下来轮到的可就是自己了。
Indeed, the two factions' fear was justified, but it wasn't the only reason. They had their own calculations.
kě qīng chǔ guī qīng chǔ ， xiǎng yào miàn duì qiáng dí yī jiù shì yì diǎn 、 xìn xīn yě wú 。
可清楚归清楚，想要面对强敌依旧是一点、信心也无。
After all, attacking a sect's main base and mining operations were different matters. During the mining operation, although they had set up multiple layers of defenses, it was done hastily. However, Linggui Sect’s main base was different; this sect originated from ancient times and was one of the foremost families in Baifan County.
sú huà shuō dé guò qiě guò ， bù guǎn líng guǐ zōng de shǐ zhě zěn yàng quàn shuō ， xiǎo zhī yǐ lǐ ， dòng zhī yǐ qíng ， hái shì yòu zhī yǐ lì ， tā men dōu jǐn yǎo kǒu fēng ， jué bù yuàn yì zài qù zhāo rě lín xuān le 。
俗话说得过且过，不管灵鬼宗的使者怎样劝说，晓之以理，动之以情，还是诱之以利，他们都紧咬口风，绝不愿意再去招惹林轩了。
Moreover, their main base remained unchanged for millennia, located deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains. Over generations, various array formations and traps were established, making its power far surpass that of Linggui's Five Elements Great Array.
shuō qǐ lái ， liǎng pài xiū shì dǎn qiè hài pà gù rán méi cuò ， rán ér què bú shì quán bù yuán yóu 。
说起来，两派修士胆怯害怕固然没错，然而却不是全部缘由。
Linggui Sect had both terrain advantage and human support, so even if Lin Xuan was strong, it would not be easy to conquer this tough nut.
tā men yě yǒu zì jǐ de suàn jì 。
他们也有自己的算计。
If he broke two of their teeth, they could still hope for a mutual destruction. Although the Three Factions Alliance was united, at such times, Taixuan Sect and Tianjing Valley naturally prioritized their own interests.
bì jìng jìn gōng yī pài de zǒng duò yǔ kuàng mài yī yì shì wán quán bù yí yàng dì 。
毕竟进攻一派的总舵与矿脉一役是完全不一样地。
Linggui Sect, now reduced to mere remnants, had already been abandoned by them as a lost cause. The two factions were content with watching from the sidelines.
kuàng mài zhī shí ， suī rán tā men yě zuò xià le céng céng bù zhì ， rán ér bì jìng shì cāng cù wèi zhī ， ér líng guǐ zōng zǒng duò bù tóng ， yào zhī dào ， gāi pài yě shì chuán chéng zì shàng gǔ 。
矿脉之时，虽然他们也做下了层层布置，然而毕竟是仓促为之，而灵鬼宗总舵不同，要知道，该派也是传承自上古。
The surviving old monsters of Linggui Sect were not fools; they knew what their allies intended. Their situation was dire indeed, and if it weren't for Old Master Zhong's trump card, this sect might have collapsed like a tree felled by a gale.
nǎi shì bái fán jùn shǒu qū yī zhǐ de zōng mén jiā zú 。
乃是白凡郡首屈一指的宗门家族。
Old Master Zhong had been in seclusion at the Xuan Yin Cold Spring for ten thousand two hundred years. While time seemed too long, from another perspective, his prolonged seclusion suggested that he was about to achieve something extraordinary.
ér zǒng duò yòu jī hū bù céng biàn qiān guò ， yì zhí wèi yú shí wàn dà shān shēn chù ， jīng guò gāi pài lì dài zǔ shī de jīng yíng ， gè zhǒng zhèn fǎ xiàn jǐng shù zhī bù jìn ， lùn wēi lì jué duì hái zài líng guǐ wǔ xíng dà zhèn zhī shàng de 。
而总舵又几乎不曾变迁过，一直位于十万大山深处，经过该派历代祖师的经营，各种阵法陷阱数之不尽，论威力绝对还在灵鬼五行大阵之上的。
Three days ago, they received news of Lin Xuan's possible intentions against their sect and immediately sent a specially crafted sound transmission talisman with the details and urgency of the situation deep into Xuan Yin Cold Spring.
líng guǐ zōng zhàn jù dì lì ， bèi shuǐ yī zhàn ， zì rán yòu yǒu le rén hé ， jiù suàn lín xiǎo zi zài qiáng ， xiǎng kěn xià zhè yìng gǔ tou yě bú shì nà me róng yì de 。
灵鬼宗占据地利，背水一战，自然又有了人和，就算林小子再强，想啃下这硬骨头也不是那么容易的。
By rights, Old Master Zhong should have already received it. Why had he shown no signs?
ruò bēng huài tā liǎng kē yá ， shuāng fāng pīn gè liǎng bài jù shāng ， zì jǐ zōng mén bù jiù yǒu le xī wàng 。
若崩坏他两颗牙，双方拼个两败俱伤，自己宗门不就有了希望。
Had something unexpected happened to him? Or was he in a critical phase of his seclusion?
sān pài suī rán lián méng ， dàn zhè zhǒng shí kè ， bù lùn tài xuán mén ， hái shì tiān jīng gǔ ， zì rán dōu shì wèi běn mén zì jǐ kǎo lǜ de 。
三派虽然联盟，但这种时刻，不论太玄门，还是天晶谷，自然都是为本门自己考虑的。
The old monsters were increasingly uneasy as they pondered these possibilities. Regardless of which scenario played out, it would be akin to an impending disaster for their sect.
dǎo méi de líng guǐ zōng ， yǐ bèi tā men shì wèi le qì zi 。
倒霉的灵鬼宗，已被他们视为了弃子。
As time passed, the anxious atmosphere grew thicker. Although all present were high-ranking old monsters, some began to lose patience.
liǎng pài zì rán bù yuàn yì xiāng zhù ， miàn shì dǎ suàn zài yī páng zuò shān guān hǔ dòu de 。
两派自然不愿意相助，面是打算在一旁坐山观虎斗的。
"Old Master Zhong hasn't emerged yet; did the sound transmission talisman not reach him?"
líng guǐ zōng xìng cún de fēn shén qī lǎo guài wù yòu bù shǎ ， méng yǒu men dǎ dī shén me zhǔ yì ， qǐ huì xīn lǐ bù zhī dào a ！
灵鬼宗幸存的分神期老怪物又不傻，盟友们打的什么主意，岂会心里不知道啊！
"It's impossible; our sect crafted this talisman specifically. Such a short distance—how could it fail? There must be another reason," said an elderly man with silver hair, shaking his head confidently.
tā men miàn lín de xíng shì ， kě yǐ shuō bù lì dào jí chù ， ruò bú shì yǒu zhōng lǎo zhè shā shǒu jiǎn ， gāi zōng pài shuō bù dìng zhēn yǐ jīng shù dào hú méi sàn le a ！
他们面临的形势，可以说不利到极处，若不是有钟老这杀手锏，该宗派说不定真已经树倒糊梅散了啊！
"Could the situation have been explained clearly in the sound transmission talisman?"
zhōng lǎo zài xuán yīn hán tán bì guān ， lì shí yǐ yī wàn liǎng qiān nián ， píng xīn lái shuō ， shí jiān shì yǒu xiē tài jiǔ le ， rán ér huàn yí gè jiǎo dù ， néng zhè me jiǔ bì guān bù chū ， suǒ xiū liàn de shén tōng yě jiù gèng jiā lìng rén qī dài dào jí chù 。
钟老在玄阴寒潭闭关，历时已一万两千年，平心来说，时间是有些太久了，然而换一个角度，能这么久闭关不出，所修炼的神通也就更加令人期待到极处。
"Yes, including the peril to our sect and how the sect leaders perished at the hands of that Lin Xuan."
sān tiān qián ， tā men dé dào lín xuān kě néng tú móu běn zōng de xiāo xī ， lì kè yòng yī zhǒng tè zhì de chuán yīn fú ， jiāng qiú yuán de xìn xī ， lián tóng shì qíng de jīng guò fā wǎng xuán yīn hán tán de shēn chù 。
三天前，他们得到林轩可能图谋本宗的消息，立刻用一种特制的传音符，将求援的信息，连同事情的经过发往玄阴寒潭的深处。
The silver-haired old man's voice was firm. He had personally overseen this matter with utmost caution; any mistake would be impossible.
àn lǐ ， zhōng lǎo zài zǎo jiù yīng gāi shòu dào le ， wèi hé què yì diǎn dòng jìng yě wú 。
按理，钟老在早就应该受到了，为何却一点动静也无。
The old monsters fell into silence again.
nán dào tā yù jiàn shén me yì wài bù chéng me ？
难道他遇见什么意外不成么？
Old Master Zhong, being the oldest member of their sect, held deep feelings for Linggui Sect. The deceased sect leaders were his own son and daughter-in-law. Their deaths at Lin Xuan's hands made it unreasonable to ignore them.
huò zhě ， zhèng bì guān dào bù néng dòng tán de jǐn yào shí kè 。
或者，正闭关到不能动弹的紧要时刻。
With these two pieces of news, he should have immediately reacted with anger and determination, vowing to extract Lin Xuan’s soul. Why was there no response?
zhòng xiū shì xīn zhōng tǎn tè de xiǎng zhe 。
众修士心中忐忑的想着。
Was the misfortune indeed as they feared, preventing him from emerging from his seclusion or had something unexpected happened to him?
bù lùn shì nǎ yī zhǒng cāi cè shí xiàn le ， duì běn mén lái shuō ， dōu yǔ miè dǐng zhī zāi xiāng chà fǎng fú 。
不论是哪一种猜测实现了，对本门来说，都与灭顶之灾相差仿佛。
The old monsters' faces turned pale at these thoughts but found themselves without any other options except to wait like fools.
suí zhe shí jiān de tuī yí ， bù ān de qì fēn yuè fā nóng chuí ， zài chǎng děng dài de suī rán dōu shì fēn shén jí bié de lǎo guài wù ， rán ér jiàn jiàn de ， yě yǒu xiē chén bú zhù qì le 。
随着时间的推移，不安的气氛越发浓垂，在场等待的虽然都是分神级别的老怪物，然而渐渐的，也有些沉不住气了。
Time passed slowly.
“ zhōng lǎo zěn me hái bù chū lái ， nán dào chuán yīn fú méi yǒu shōu dào me ？”
“钟老怎么还不出来，难道传音符没有收到么？”
Ordinary moments seemed unbearable in their current state. Finally, two more days passed.
“ bù kě néng ， chuán yīn fú nǎi shì běn mén tè zhì zhī wù ， zhè me duǎn de jù lí ， rú hé huì chū chā cuò ， yí dìng shì yǒu bié de yuán gù 。” páng biān yī yín fā lǎo zhě yáo le yáo tóu ， mǎn liǎn kěn dìng de shuō 。
“不可能，传音符乃是本门特制之物，这么短的距离，如何会出差错，一定是有别的缘故。”旁边一银发老者摇了摇头，满脸肯定的说。
Despite not leaving the Xuan Yin Cold Spring, reports from outside continued to trickle in, detailing the worsening situation. Linggui Sect could only sit and await its fate, being devoured by Lin Xuan piece by piece.
“ chuán yīn fú zhōng ， kě jiāng qíng kuàng shuō qīng chǔ ？”
“传音符中，可将情况说清楚？”
With no confidence against such a formidable opponent, they hoped for Old Master Zhong's intervention but found themselves without any news.
“ shuō qīng chǔ le ， bāo kuò běn mén de wēi jī ， yǐ jí zōng zhǔ fū fù dōu yǔn luò zài nà lín xiǎo zi de shǒu lǐ 。”
“说清楚了，包括本门的危机，以及宗主夫妇都陨落在那林小子的手里。”
"Enough! We can't wait anymore; time is running out. Let’s breach the seclusion!" The silver-haired old man broke the silence, his words shocking everyone present.
yín fā lǎo zhě de shēng yīn què dìng yǐ jí ， cǐ shì běn lái jiù shì yóu tā fù zé ， wàn bān xiǎo xīn xià zì rán bù kě néng chū chā cuò 。
银发老者的声音确定以极，此事本来就是由他负责，万般小心下自然不可能出差错。
"Breach the seclusion? Senior Wang, did you just say that? That’s a grave offense."
zhòng lǎo guài wù zài cì xiàn rù le chén mò 。
众老怪物再次陷入了沉默。
The alarmed cry from the robed elder echoed in their ears, and other disciples were equally stunned. Their reactions were understandable; disturbing an enshrouded master was extremely dangerous. Any external noise could jeopardize his efforts, potentially leading to irreversible consequences.
zhōng lǎo shēn wèi běn mén zuì nián zhǎng de xiū shì ， duì yú líng guǐ zōng de gǎn qíng ， nà shì bù róng zhì yí ， ér yǐ gù de zōng zhǔ fū fù ， shì tā de qīn shēng ài zi yǔ ér xí ， liǎng rén yǔn luò zài lín xiǎo zi de shǒu lǐ ， yú qíng yú lǐ ， tā gèng méi yǒu bù guǎn bù wèn de dào lǐ 。
钟老身为本门最年长的修士，对于灵鬼宗的感情，那是不容置疑，而已故的宗主夫妇，是他的亲生爱子与儿媳，两人陨落在林小子的手里，于情于理，他更没有不管不问的道理。
The silver-haired old man's proposal was too bold. Rushing in might doom Old Master Zhong to irreparable harm. Even if they succeeded, such actions would be unforgivable. With the current enemy threatening them, even if Old Master Zhong did not hold grudges now, once Lin Xuan retreated, each of them would face severe consequences.
Because of their intense admiration for this legendary powerhouse within their sect, otherwise, according to the reports from disciples ahead, Linggui Sect might already be in disarray.
This statement was not an exaggeration. After all, a fire cannot be concealed by paper; although Lin Xuan did not intend to reveal his sect's intentions too early, plotting against Linggui Sect was such a significant matter that it required extensive mobilization and involved numerous disciples.
As the saying goes, many mouths can spread rumors. Even though he and the other two Supreme Elders had already issued edicts to ensure strict confidentiality among their subordinates, over time, some inevitably leaked information.
The Three Factions Alliance was terrified by Lin Xuan's actions, so they dispatched numerous spies to observe Linggui Sect's movements.
Upon learning of Lin Xuan's intentions, reactions varied. Taixuan Sect and Tianjing Valley rejoiced, while Linggui Sect lived in constant fear.
They were simultaneously fortifying their defenses and seeking aid from the other two factions.
Unfortunately, both Taixuan Sect and Tianjing Valley were now too terrified to face him, content with merely hoping he would not cause trouble. How could they dare to provoke such a formidable opponent?
Although they knew that if Linggui Sect fell, it was only a matter of time before their turn came, facing a powerful enemy still left them without any confidence.
As the saying goes, "live day by day." Regardless of how Linggui Sect's envoy tried to persuade them with logic and emotion, or even with incentives, they remained tight-lipped, unwilling to provoke Lin Xuan again.
Indeed, the two factions' fear was justified, but it wasn't the only reason. They had their own calculations.
After all, attacking a sect's main base and mining operations were different matters. During the mining operation, although they had set up multiple layers of defenses, it was done hastily. However, Linggui Sect’s main base was different; this sect originated from ancient times and was one of the foremost families in Baifan County.
Moreover, their main base remained unchanged for millennia, located deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains. Over generations, various array formations and traps were established, making its power far surpass that of Linggui's Five Elements Great Array.
Linggui Sect had both terrain advantage and human support, so even if Lin Xuan was strong, it would not be easy to conquer this tough nut.
If he broke two of their teeth, they could still hope for a mutual destruction. Although the Three Factions Alliance was united, at such times, Taixuan Sect and Tianjing Valley naturally prioritized their own interests.
Linggui Sect, now reduced to mere remnants, had already been abandoned by them as a lost cause. The two factions were content with watching from the sidelines.
The surviving old monsters of Linggui Sect were not fools; they knew what their allies intended. Their situation was dire indeed, and if it weren't for Old Master Zhong's trump card, this sect might have collapsed like a tree felled by a gale.
Old Master Zhong had been in seclusion at the Xuan Yin Cold Spring for ten thousand two hundred years. While time seemed too long, from another perspective, his prolonged seclusion suggested that he was about to achieve something extraordinary.
Three days ago, they received news of Lin Xuan's possible intentions against their sect and immediately sent a specially crafted sound transmission talisman with the details and urgency of the situation deep into Xuan Yin Cold Spring.
By rights, Old Master Zhong should have already received it. Why had he shown no signs?
Had something unexpected happened to him? Or was he in a critical phase of his seclusion?
The old monsters were increasingly uneasy as they pondered these possibilities. Regardless of which scenario played out, it would be akin to an impending disaster for their sect.
As time passed, the anxious atmosphere grew thicker. Although all present were high-ranking old monsters, some began to lose patience.
"Old Master Zhong hasn't emerged yet; did the sound transmission talisman not reach him?"
"It's impossible; our sect crafted this talisman specifically. Such a short distance—how could it fail? There must be another reason," said an elderly man with silver hair, shaking his head confidently.
"Could the situation have been explained clearly in the sound transmission talisman?"
"Yes, including the peril to our sect and how the sect leaders perished at the hands of that Lin Xuan."
The silver-haired old man's voice was firm. He had personally overseen this matter with utmost caution; any mistake would be impossible.
The old monsters fell into silence again.
Old Master Zhong, being the oldest member of their sect, held deep feelings for Linggui Sect. The deceased sect leaders were his own son and daughter-in-law. Their deaths at Lin Xuan's hands made it unreasonable to ignore them.
With these two pieces of news, he should have immediately reacted with anger and determination, vowing to extract Lin Xuan’s soul. Why was there no response?
Was the misfortune indeed as they feared, preventing him from emerging from his seclusion or had something unexpected happened to him?
The old monsters' faces turned pale at these thoughts but found themselves without any other options except to wait like fools.
Time passed slowly.
Ordinary moments seemed unbearable in their current state. Finally, two more days passed.
Despite not leaving the Xuan Yin Cold Spring, reports from outside continued to trickle in, detailing the worsening situation. Linggui Sect could only sit and await its fate, being devoured by Lin Xuan piece by piece.
With no confidence against such a formidable opponent, they hoped for Old Master Zhong's intervention but found themselves without any news.
"Enough! We can't wait anymore; time is running out. Let’s breach the seclusion!" The silver-haired old man broke the silence, his words shocking everyone present.
"Breach the seclusion? Senior Wang, did you just say that? That’s a grave offense."
The alarmed cry from the robed elder echoed in their ears, and other disciples were equally stunned. Their reactions were understandable; disturbing an enshrouded master was extremely dangerous. Any external noise could jeopardize his efforts, potentially leading to irreversible consequences.
The silver-haired old man's proposal was too bold. Rushing in might doom Old Master Zhong to irreparable harm. Even if they succeeded, such actions would be unforgivable. With the current enemy threatening them, even if Old Master Zhong did not hold grudges now, once Lin Xuan retreated, each of them would face severe consequences.