shí guāng rú shuǐ ， guāng yīn sì jiàn ， yī huǎng yǎn ， yòu shì sān nián 。
时光如水，光阴似箭，一晃眼，又是三年。
Time passed like flowing water, and before Lin Xuan knew it, another three years had slipped by.
sān nián ， yě jiù shì yī qiān yú tiān ， shuō duǎn bù duǎn ， lín xuān yì zhí sì chù yóu lì ， yī biān xún zhǎo zháo kě gōng zì jǐ xiū liàn ， tū pò píng jǐng de líng dì ， yī biān liú yì dǎ tàn zhe yōu míng àn wáng de xiāo xī 。
三年，也就是一千余天，说短不短，林轩一直四处游历，一边寻找着可供自己修炼，突破瓶颈的灵地，一边留意打探着幽冥暗王的消息。
Three years equated to over a thousand days. Though not short, this period was filled with Lin Xuan’s travels as he sought out spiritual lands where he could refine his cultivation and break through his current bottleneck. He also kept an eye out for any news on the Dark King of the Netherworld.
kě xī ， yì zhí méi yǒu tài dà de jìn zhǎn 。
可惜，一直没有太大的进展。
Unfortunately, there had been no significant progress.
lín xuān zhè yī cì jìn jí ， shì xiǎng yào mài rù dào dù jié qī ， nán dù zhī dà ， yǔ yǐ qián de píng jǐng xiāng bǐ ， nà shì bù kě tóng rì ér yǔ ， duì yú líng dì de yāo qiú ， zì rán yě jiù shì jí gāo dì 。
林轩这一次晋级，是想要迈入到渡劫期，难度之大，与以前的瓶颈相比，那是不可同日而语，对于灵地的要求，自然也就是极高地。
This time, Lin Xuan aimed to advance into the Tribulation Transcendence stage, a feat that was far more challenging than previous bottlenecks. The requirements for spiritual lands were naturally higher as well.
suī rán zhè shī luò de jiè miàn ， líng mài pǐn zhì yě shì bù sú ， rán ér nà xiē líng qì nóng yù de dòng tiān fú dì ， yòu zěn me kě néng wú zhǔ 。
虽然这失落的界面，灵脉品质也是不俗，然而那些灵气浓郁的洞天福地，又怎么可能无主。
Although this lost plane’s spirit veins were of decent quality, those rich in spiritual energy and blessed by divine realms had long been claimed by powerful sects and families.
quán dōu bèi yī xiē qiáng dà de zōng mén jiā zú ， suǒ zhàn jù 。
全都被一些强大的宗门家族，所占据。
Lin Xuan knew his strength was formidable, but he didn’t want to expose himself after recently provoking the Dark King of the Netherworld. Thus, it would be unwise for him to openly seek trouble with these sects and families at this moment.
lín xuān suī rán zì wèn ， shí lì yě fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， wèi bì biàn pà le zhè xiē zōng mén jiā zú ， dàn tā cái gāng gāng zhāo rě le yōu míng àn wáng zhè ge dà dí ， shēn fèn bù yí bào lù ， zhè zhǒng shí kè ， dāng rán yě jiù bù kě néng míng mù zhāng dǎn de qù zhǎo nà xiē zōng mén jiā zú de má fán 。
林轩虽然自问，实力也非同小可，未必便怕了这些宗门家族，但他才刚刚招惹了幽冥暗王这个大敌，身份不宜暴露，这种时刻，当然也就不可能明目张胆的去找那些宗门家族的麻烦。
He had considered sneaking into their recruitment ceremonies by concealing his cultivation level, but even though his recondite qi technique made that possible, what good would it do? A new recruit wouldn’t be assigned a prime spiritual land.
lín xuān yě bú shì méi yǒu xiǎng guò ， dāng nà xiē zōng mén jiā zú zhāo shōu dì zǐ de shí hòu ， shōu liǎn xiū wèi ， tōu tōu de qián jìn qù 。
林轩也不是没有想过，当那些宗门家族招收弟子的时候，收敛修为，偷偷的潜进去。
The best spirit veins were undoubtedly occupied by the sect’s top elders. This was beyond doubt. Moreover, such places were off-limits to other disciples unless summoned.
suī rán yǐ tā de liǎn qì shù ， yào zuò dào zhè yì diǎn ， bìng bù nán 。
虽然以他的敛气术，要做到这一点，并不难。
Although Lin Xuan had an 80% chance of successfully infiltrating, what would he do after that? Sneakily advancing his cultivation?
rán ér jìn qù le yòu rú hé ？
然而进去了又如何？
Breaking through a bottleneck wasn’t something one could achieve overnight, especially in the final stages which often attracted massive celestial omens. His identity would be exposed then.
yī míng gāng rù mén de dì zǐ ， néng fēn pài dào shén me hǎo líng dì ？
一名刚入门的弟子，能分派到什么好灵地？
Moreover, advancing to Tribulation Transcendence was not only difficult but dangerous, with heavenly tribulations and heart demons arriving as scheduled. Unlucky enough, even summoning an external demon might happen.
bù lùn zōng mén hái shì jiā zú ， zuì hǎo de líng mài zhī suǒ ， kěn dìng dū shì bèi gāi pài de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo suǒ zhàn jù 。
不论宗门还是家族，最好的灵脉之所，肯定都是被该派的太上长老所占据。
At such a moment, Lin Xuan was at his weakest. He couldn’t even muster a single defense. His abilities were severely diminished, making it uncertain whether he could protect himself if the sects and families had ill intentions.
zhè yì diǎn jué wú kě yí 。
这一点绝无可疑。
Given Lin Xuan’s cautious nature, he was unwilling to take such risks.
ér qiě zhè yàng de dì fāng ， běn mén dì zǐ wèi dé zhào huàn ， kěn dìng yě shì bù néng shàn chuǎng dì 。
而且这样的地方，本门弟子未得召唤，肯定也是不能擅闯地。
The unclaimed spiritual lands were of too low quality.
suī rán lín xuān yě yǒu bā chéng yǐ shàng de bǎ wò qián rù ， rán ér jiē xià lái yòu rú hé ， tōu tōu mō mō zài nà lǐ jìn jí me ？
虽然林轩也有八成以上的把握潜入，然而接下来又如何，偷偷摸摸在那里晋级么？
With no suitable spiritual land available, Lin Xuan found himself in a difficult situation. However, he did not lose heart.
yào xiǎo de ， tū pò píng jǐng kě bú shì yī zhāo yī xī ， tè bié shì zài zuì hòu jiē duàn ， kěn dìng huì yǐn qǐ guī mó páng dà de tiān zhào dì 。
要晓得，突破瓶颈可不是一朝一夕，特别是在最后阶段，肯定会引起规模庞大的天兆地。
Difficulties were nothing new; since embarking on his cultivation path, countless obstacles had been overcome. Compared to previous dangers, this minor issue was hardly worth mentioning.
nà shí hòu ， zì jǐ de shēn fèn kě jiù bào lù wú yí 。
那时候，自己的身份可就暴露无遗。
Man proposes, God disposes. The lost plane spanned vast areas. With diligence and effort, Lin Xuan would surely find something.
ér qiě jìn jí dù jié ， bù jǐn jiān nán ， hái hěn wēi xiǎn ， tiān jié xīn mó 。 quán dōu huì rú yuē ér zhì ， yùn qì bù hǎo ， jiù suàn yǐn lái tiān wài mó tóu yě bù xī qí 。
而且晋级渡劫，不仅艰难，还很危险，天劫心魔。全都会如约而至，运气不好，就算引来天外魔头也不稀奇。
Although eager for advancement, he could afford to wait a few more days.
zhè zhǒng shí kè ， lín xuān zuì wèi xū ruò ， bù shuō fēn háo huán shǒu zhī lì yě wú ， dàn yī shēn běn shì ， yě shèng bù xià xǔ duō ， rú guǒ zài zhè zhǒng shí kè 。 nà zōng mén jiā zú zài bù huái hǎo yì ， jí biàn shì zì jǐ ， néng bù néng zì bǎo ， yě jiù bù tài shuō dé qīng dì 。
这种时刻，林轩最为虚弱，不说分毫还手之力也无，但一身本事，也剩不下许多，如果在这种时刻。那宗门家族再不怀好意，即便是自己，能不能自保，也就不太说得清地。
The sun hung high as Lin Xuan flew over the sea. The shimmering waves of blue water were beautiful, but strictly speaking, this was not an actual ocean; it resembled a large lake instead.
ér yǐ lín xuān jǐn xiǎo shèn wēi de xìng gé ， zhè yàng de xiǎn ， zì rán shì bù yuàn yì mào de 。
而以林轩谨小慎微的性格，这样的险，自然是不愿意冒的。
Despite its size and saltwater content, some called it an ocean due to its vastness. Lin Xuan paid little mind to it; with his elusiveness techniques, crossing the lake would take only two or three days.
wú zhǔ de líng dì dōu pǐn zhì tài dī 。
无主的灵地都品质太低。
Though there were somedemon race in the water, their presence posed no threat given his strength.
pǐn zhì fú hé zì jǐ yāo qiú de líng dì yòu zǎo yǐ bèi zhàn jù 。
品质符合自己要求的灵地又早已被占据。
Unperturbed, he still released his divine sense habitually. Suddenly, his brows furrowed as his flight halted abruptly.
lín xuān rú jīn ， shì xiàn rù le liǎng nán de jìng dì 。
林轩如今，是陷入了两难的境地。
A crimson light approached from afar, while behind it, dark clouds and black qi pursued relentlessly.
bù guò tā dào yě bìng bù qì něi 。
不过他倒也并不气馁。
Though far away, Lin Xuan could see a robed old man with white hair and beard, exuding an imposing presence. Behind him was a monstrous crab-like creature towering over a thousand feet tall, resembling a small mountain.
kùn nán yòu rú hé ， zì jǐ zì cóng tà shàng xiū xiān zhī lù ， jiān nán xiǎn zǔ 。 nà shì shǔ bù shèng shǔ ， yǔ yǐ qián yù jiàn de yī xiē wēi xiǎn xiāng bǐ ， yǎn qián zhè diǎn nán tí 。 wěi shí bù zhí yī tí 。
困难又如何，自己自从踏上修仙之路，艰难险阻。那是数不胜数，与以前遇见的一些危险相比，眼前这点难题。委实不值一提。
"Mountain-crushing Crab!"
shì zài rén wéi ， shī luò de jiè miàn miàn jī guǎng kuò ， zì jǐ zhǐ yào yòng xīn xún fǎng ， zǒng huì yǒu shōu huò 。
事在人为，失落的界面面积广阔，自己只要用心寻访，总会有收获。
Lin Xuan’s pupils constricted. He had only seen such creatures in ancient texts; they were long extinct in the current spiritual realm. Legend spoke of their immense strength and thick skin, comparable to an infant cultivator at the Yuanxian stage. However, with every blessing came a curse.
lín xuān suī rán xiǎng yào kuài diǎn jìn jí ， dàn zhè diǎn shí jiān ， què yě děng dé qǐ 。
林轩虽然想要快点晋级，但这点时间，却也等得起。
Despite its formidable power, this Mountain-crushing Crab did not enter the Transcendent Tribulation stage like otherdemon race after reaching the Transformation phase. It required much more stringent conditions to gain spiritual intelligence, needing to transform into a human form as a great demon.
cǐ shí tài yáng gāo xuán ， lín xuān zhèng fēi guò hǎi miàn 。
此时太阳高悬，林轩正飞过海面。
However, even if the Mountain-crushing Crab was exceptionally gifted, advancing to the Tribulation stage would be no easy feat.
bō guāng lín lín ， wèi lán de hǎi shuǐ shèn shì hǎo kàn ， bù guò yán gé lái shuō 。 zhè bìng bú shì zhēn zhèng de dà hǎi ， jiǎng chéng hú pō gèng wéi shì hé 。
波光粼粼，蔚蓝的海水甚是好看，不过严格来说。这并不是真正的大海，讲成湖泊更为适合。
The crab before him was extraordinary; its spiritual pressure indicated it was at the late Formation Stage. In terms of cultivation level, it was on par with Lin Xuan.
zhǐ bù guò tā yào bǐ yì bān de hú pō dà dé duō ， ér qiě hú shuǐ yě shì xián de ， suǒ yǐ ， yě yǒu rén jiāng tā dàng zuò dà hǎi 。
只不过它要比一般的湖泊大得多，而且湖水也是咸的，所以，也有人将它当做大海。
Honestly speaking, such a grade of Mountain-crushing Crab was rare.
lín xuān dào yě bìng bù zěn me zài yì 。 tā kàn guò yù tóng jiǎn ， yǐ zì jǐ de dùn sù ， chuān yuè cǐ hú ， bù guò huā fèi liǎng sān tiān de gōng fu 。
林轩倒也并不怎么在意。他看过玉瞳简，以自己的遁速，穿越此湖，不过花费两三天的功夫。
Lin Xuan turned his gaze to the fleeing old man, whose cultivation was also at the late Formation Stage. Although their levels were similar, his strength was slightly inferior.
hú shuǐ zhōng suī rán yě yǒu yī xiē yāo zú ， dàn yǐ lín xuān de shí lì 。 zì rán bú huì fàng zài yǎn lǐ 。
湖水中虽然也有一些妖族，但以林轩的实力。自然不会放在眼里。
Seeing Lin Xuan, he was overjoyed.
yī lù wú shì ， bù guò lín xuān hái shì xí guàn xìng de jiāng shén shí fàng chū ， tū rán ， tā méi tóu yī tiāo ， dùn guāng yě zhòu rán tíng le xià lái 。
一路无事，不过林轩还是习惯性的将神识放出，突然，他眉头一挑，遁光也骤然停了下来。
"Friend, please assist me. I will certainly reward you handsomely."
zhǐ jiàn yuǎn chù ， fēi lái le yī dào hóng guāng ， ér zài tā hòu miàn ， wū yún hēi qì ， kuáng zhuī bù zhǐ 。
只见远处，飞来了一道红光，而在他后面，乌云黑气，狂追不止。
The robed old man shouted loudly and stopped running. He turned around, raised his right hand, and instantly summoned a ring-shaped treasure that grew to the size of a house before slamming it at the crab.
suī rán jù lí shàng yuǎn ， bù guò lín xuān yǐ jīng kàn de qīng chǔ ， shì yī shēn chuān zào páo de lǎo zhě ， bái fà bái xū ， què shén tài wēi měng 。
虽然距离尚远，不过林轩已经看得清楚，是一身穿皂袍的老者，白发白须，却神态威猛。
Unfazed, the Mountain-crushing Crab lifted its front claws, and black light flashed as it struck back against the opponent’s treasure.
ér hòu miàn nà wū yún zhōng de yāo zú ， jū rán shì yī xíng rú páng xiè de guài wù ， bù guò què dà dé lí pǔ ， shēn gāo qiān zhàng yǒu yú ， yī yǎn wàng qù ， hēi yā yā de ， jiù yǔ yī zuò xiǎo shān xiāng sì 。
而后面那乌云中的妖族，居然是一形如螃蟹的怪物，不过却大得离谱，身高千丈有余，一眼望去，黑压压的，就与一座小山相似。
Boom!
“ kāi shān xiè ！”
“开山蟹！”
The explosion echoed in Lin Xuan's ears. The waves surged over a hundred feet high, causing palpitations. Two late Formation Stage beings fighting was no trivial matter.
lín xuān tóng kǒng wēi suō ， zhè páng xiè shì de guài wù tā yǐ qián yě jǐn jǐn zài diǎn jí shàng jiàn guò ， zài rú jīn de líng jiè ， zǎo yǐ miè jué 。
林轩瞳孔微缩，这螃蟹似的怪物他以前也仅仅在典籍上见过，在如今的灵界，早已灭绝。
Lin Xuan frowned but did not act rashly. The old man and the crab fought fiercely, but he was clearly at a disadvantage.
chuán shuō qí lì dà wú qióng ， pí cāo ròu hòu ， jī hū shì yī shēng xià lái ， shí lì jiù xiāng dāng yú yuán yīng jí bié de xiū xiān zhě ， shuō tiān fù yì bǐng yě bù wèi guò ， rán ér yǒu shī jiù yǒu dé ， fǎn guò lái yě shì yī yàng de 。
传说其力大无穷，皮糙肉厚，几乎是一生下来，实力就相当于元婴级别的修仙者，说天赋异禀也不为过，然而有失就有得，反过来也是一样的。
"Friend, why are you still hesitating? I promised substantial rewards."
zhè kāi shān xiè de shí lì suī rán fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， què bù xiàng qí tā de yāo zú ， jìn rù huà xíng qī yǐ hòu ， líng zhì jiù néng kāi qǐ 。
这开山蟹的实力虽然非同小可，却不像其他的妖族，进入化形期以后，灵智就能开启。
The voice reached Lin Xuan’s ears; the old man seemed anxious. Although Lin Xuan had used disguise techniques to change his appearance, he did not hide his cultivation level. If they joined forces, they would surely defeat the Mountain-crushing Crab.
tā yào xiǎng kāi qǐ líng zhì ， tiáo jiàn yào kē kè xǔ duō ， chú fēi shì chéng wéi dù jié jí bié de dà néng yāo zú ， cái néng tuì qù yāo shēn ， huà wéi rén xíng 。
它要想开启灵智，条件要苛刻许多，除非是成为渡劫级别的大能妖族，才能退去妖身，化为人形。
Lin Xuan sighed and changed his mind. He flicked his sleeve, and a fiery red divine sword flew out from his sleeve. The Nine Palaces Sword was too conspicuous for such a minordemon race; a random treasure would suffice.
rán ér jiù suàn kāi shān xiè tiān fù yì bǐng ， xiǎng yào jìn rù dù jié qī ， yòu nǎ yǒu nà me róng yì ？
然而就算开山蟹天赋异禀，想要进入渡劫期，又哪有那么容易？
Seeing Lin Xuan join the battle, the old man breathed a sigh of relief. He shook his hand and threw a transparent, fist-sized orb at the opponent.
bù guò yǎn qián zhè tóu páng xiè ， què shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， sàn fà chū lái de líng yā ， jū rán yǐ shì fēn shén hòu qī ， cóng jìng jiè lái shuō ， yǐ yǔ zì jǐ xiāng chà fǎng fú 。
不过眼前这头螃蟹，却是非同小可，散发出来的灵压，居然已是分神后期，从境界来说，已与自己相差仿佛。
"Quickly!"
píng xīn lái shuō ， zhè zhǒng děng jí de kāi shān xiè ， yǐ shì bù duō jiàn le 。
平心来说，这种等级的开山蟹，已是不多见了。
Lin Xuan pointed his finger, and the fiery red divine sword instantly grew to over a hundred times its size before fiercely slashing towards the opponent.
Time passed like flowing water, and before Lin Xuan knew it, another three years had slipped by.
Three years equated to over a thousand days. Though not short, this period was filled with Lin Xuan’s travels as he sought out spiritual lands where he could refine his cultivation and break through his current bottleneck. He also kept an eye out for any news on the Dark King of the Netherworld.
Unfortunately, there had been no significant progress.
This time, Lin Xuan aimed to advance into the Tribulation Transcendence stage, a feat that was far more challenging than previous bottlenecks. The requirements for spiritual lands were naturally higher as well.
Although this lost plane’s spirit veins were of decent quality, those rich in spiritual energy and blessed by divine realms had long been claimed by powerful sects and families.
Lin Xuan knew his strength was formidable, but he didn’t want to expose himself after recently provoking the Dark King of the Netherworld. Thus, it would be unwise for him to openly seek trouble with these sects and families at this moment.
He had considered sneaking into their recruitment ceremonies by concealing his cultivation level, but even though his recondite qi technique made that possible, what good would it do? A new recruit wouldn’t be assigned a prime spiritual land.
The best spirit veins were undoubtedly occupied by the sect’s top elders. This was beyond doubt. Moreover, such places were off-limits to other disciples unless summoned.
Although Lin Xuan had an 80% chance of successfully infiltrating, what would he do after that? Sneakily advancing his cultivation?
Breaking through a bottleneck wasn’t something one could achieve overnight, especially in the final stages which often attracted massive celestial omens. His identity would be exposed then.
Moreover, advancing to Tribulation Transcendence was not only difficult but dangerous, with heavenly tribulations and heart demons arriving as scheduled. Unlucky enough, even summoning an external demon might happen.
At such a moment, Lin Xuan was at his weakest. He couldn’t even muster a single defense. His abilities were severely diminished, making it uncertain whether he could protect himself if the sects and families had ill intentions.
Given Lin Xuan’s cautious nature, he was unwilling to take such risks.
The unclaimed spiritual lands were of too low quality.
With no suitable spiritual land available, Lin Xuan found himself in a difficult situation. However, he did not lose heart.
Difficulties were nothing new; since embarking on his cultivation path, countless obstacles had been overcome. Compared to previous dangers, this minor issue was hardly worth mentioning.
Man proposes, God disposes. The lost plane spanned vast areas. With diligence and effort, Lin Xuan would surely find something.
Although eager for advancement, he could afford to wait a few more days.
The sun hung high as Lin Xuan flew over the sea. The shimmering waves of blue water were beautiful, but strictly speaking, this was not an actual ocean; it resembled a large lake instead.
Despite its size and saltwater content, some called it an ocean due to its vastness. Lin Xuan paid little mind to it; with his elusiveness techniques, crossing the lake would take only two or three days.
Though there were somedemon race in the water, their presence posed no threat given his strength.
Unperturbed, he still released his divine sense habitually. Suddenly, his brows furrowed as his flight halted abruptly.
A crimson light approached from afar, while behind it, dark clouds and black qi pursued relentlessly.
Though far away, Lin Xuan could see a robed old man with white hair and beard, exuding an imposing presence. Behind him was a monstrous crab-like creature towering over a thousand feet tall, resembling a small mountain.
"Mountain-crushing Crab!"
Lin Xuan’s pupils constricted. He had only seen such creatures in ancient texts; they were long extinct in the current spiritual realm. Legend spoke of their immense strength and thick skin, comparable to an infant cultivator at the Yuanxian stage. However, with every blessing came a curse.
Despite its formidable power, this Mountain-crushing Crab did not enter the Transcendent Tribulation stage like otherdemon race after reaching the Transformation phase. It required much more stringent conditions to gain spiritual intelligence, needing to transform into a human form as a great demon.
However, even if the Mountain-crushing Crab was exceptionally gifted, advancing to the Tribulation stage would be no easy feat.
The crab before him was extraordinary; its spiritual pressure indicated it was at the late Formation Stage. In terms of cultivation level, it was on par with Lin Xuan.
Honestly speaking, such a grade of Mountain-crushing Crab was rare.
Lin Xuan turned his gaze to the fleeing old man, whose cultivation was also at the late Formation Stage. Although their levels were similar, his strength was slightly inferior.
Seeing Lin Xuan, he was overjoyed.
"Friend, please assist me. I will certainly reward you handsomely."
The robed old man shouted loudly and stopped running. He turned around, raised his right hand, and instantly summoned a ring-shaped treasure that grew to the size of a house before slamming it at the crab.
Unfazed, the Mountain-crushing Crab lifted its front claws, and black light flashed as it struck back against the opponent’s treasure.
Boom!
The explosion echoed in Lin Xuan's ears. The waves surged over a hundred feet high, causing palpitations. Two late Formation Stage beings fighting was no trivial matter.
Lin Xuan frowned but did not act rashly. The old man and the crab fought fiercely, but he was clearly at a disadvantage.
"Friend, why are you still hesitating? I promised substantial rewards."
The voice reached Lin Xuan’s ears; the old man seemed anxious. Although Lin Xuan had used disguise techniques to change his appearance, he did not hide his cultivation level. If they joined forces, they would surely defeat the Mountain-crushing Crab.
Lin Xuan sighed and changed his mind. He flicked his sleeve, and a fiery red divine sword flew out from his sleeve. The Nine Palaces Sword was too conspicuous for such a minordemon race; a random treasure would suffice.
Seeing Lin Xuan join the battle, the old man breathed a sigh of relief. He shook his hand and threw a transparent, fist-sized orb at the opponent.
"Quickly!"
Lin Xuan pointed his finger, and the fiery red divine sword instantly grew to over a hundred times its size before fiercely slashing towards the opponent.