jì rán nòng míng bái le tā de bǎ xì ， zhè jiā huo jiù shì lóng zhōng niǎo ， wǎng zhōng yú ， xiū xiǎng táo chū zì jǐ de shǒu lǐ 。
既然弄明白了他的把戏，这家伙就是笼中鸟，网中鱼，休想逃出自己的手里。
Since he had figured out the trickster's plot, this fellow was now a caged bird and a fish in a net—no way to escape his clutches.
lín xuān de zuǐ jiǎo biān mǎn shì jī cháo zhī yì ：“ gé xià xiǎng yào jiāng lín mǒu chōu hún liàn pò ， kě zēng xiǎng guò dào zuì hòu ， zì jǐ què shì zhè me yī fān jié jú ？”
林轩的嘴角边满是讥嘲之意：“阁下想要将林某抽魂炼魄，可曾想过到最后，自己却是这么一番结局？”
Lin Xuan sneered: "Do you think that by extracting my soul and refining it, your end will be any better? Have you considered what lies ahead?"
“ lín mǒu yǐ jiāng gè zhōng yuán wěi jiě shì qīng chǔ ， dào yǒu bù yòng dài zhe mǎn dǔ zi yí huò ， dāng gè hú tú guǐ le ， rú hé ， dào yǒu xiàn zài kě yuàn yì jiāng xìng mìng jiāo fù yǔ wǒ ？”
“林某已将个中原委解释清楚，道友不用带着满肚子疑惑，当个糊涂鬼了，如何，道友现在可愿意将性命交付与我？”
"Lin Xuan has already explained the situation clearly. Fellow Daoist, there's no need for you to remain a confused ghost with all these doubts. Will you now willingly hand over your life to me?"
lín xuān yún dàn fēng qīng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， fǎng fú suǒ shuō ， bù guò shì yī jiàn wēi bù zú dào de xiǎo shì bà le ！
林轩云淡风轻的声音传入耳朵，仿佛所说，不过是一件微不足道的小事罢了！
Lin Xuan's voice was as calm and composed as the wind: "Boy, don't get too smug. Even if I am a ghost, I won't let you off."
“ xiǎo zi ， nǐ bié dé yì ， běn wáng biàn shì zuò guǐ yě bù fàng guò nǐ 。”
“小子，你别得意，本王便是做鬼也不放过你。”
The scorpion monster's face was full of venom. At this point, he knew that all his scheming had been in vain; his fate was sealed.
nà xiē guài de liǎn shàng mǎn shì yuàn dú ， dào le zhè yī bù ， tā zì rán míng bái suǒ yǒu de chóu móu ， zài méi yǒu fēn háo yòng chǔ ， zì jǐ shì zài jié nán táo le 。
那蝎怪的脸上满是怨毒，到了这一步，他自然明白所有的筹谋，再没有分毫用处，自己是在劫难逃了。
"Hmph, what use is your defiance?" Lin Xuan's cold voice echoed, showing no concern for the threat. Facing the Dark King of the Netherworld, he dared to snatch food from a tiger's mouth. What did this mere wraith matter?
“ hēng ， zuǐ yìng yòu yǒu hé yòng chù ？”
“哼，嘴硬又有何用处？”
Moreover, with him in one's grasp, even if he wanted to become a ghost, it was wishful thinking.
lín xuān bīng lěng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， yú duì fāng de wēi xié ， nà shì sī háo yě méi yǒu zài yì de ， miàn duì yōu míng àn wáng tā dōu gǎn hǔ kǒu duó shí ， qū qū yīn hún guǐ wù yòu suàn dé le shén me 。
林轩冰冷的声音传入耳朵，于对方的威胁，那是丝毫也没有在意的，面对幽冥暗王他都敢虎口夺食，区区阴魂鬼物又算得了什么。
Before Lin Xuan could finish speaking, he acted swiftly. The scorpion monster didn't move any slower; though transformed into a magical insect, he was a shrewd character. Seeing no chance of escape, his eyes flashed with determination.
hé kuàng luò zài zì jǐ de shǒu lǐ ， tā jí biàn xiǎng yào biàn guǐ ， nà yě shì shē wàng de 。
何况落在自己的手里，他即便想要变鬼，那也是奢望的。
Without further ado, his figure suddenly swelled, and the air around him shimmered with energy.
huà yīn wèi luò ， lín xuān dòng shǒu le ， rán ér tā kuài ， nà xiē guài de dòng zuò yě bù màn ， zhè jiā huo suī shì yī mó chóng biàn huà ér chéng de ， dàn yě shì xīn sī hěn lì de rén wù ， yǎn jiàn méi yǒu jī huì táo chū shēng tiān ， tā de yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī shí jué rán 。
话音未落，林轩动手了，然而他快，那蝎怪的动作也不慢，这家伙虽是一魔虫变化而成的，但也是心思狠厉的人物，眼见没有机会逃出生天，他的眼中闪过一时决然。
"Wanting to self-destruct?" Lin Xuan's vast knowledge showed in his face as it turned grim at this sight.
suí hòu yě bú jiàn tā duō yú de dòng zuò ， shēn xíng què zhòu rán péng zhàng qǐ lái le ， tóng shí háo guāng dà zuò 。
随后也不见他多余的动作，身形却骤然膨胀起来了，同时毫光大做。
"You brat, even if I can't defeat you, I won't let you have your way. Wanting to capture me alive and use soul-searching techniques to find a way out? Don't dream of it. You will be trapped here forever until the end of your days in this nightmare desert."
“ xiǎng yào zì bào me ？” lín xuān jiàn shí hé děng guǎng bó ， kàn jiàn zhè yí mù ， liǎn sè yě bù yóu de yī xià zi yīn chén xià lái le 。
“想要自爆么？”林轩见识何等广博，看见这一幕，脸色也不由得一下子阴沉下来了。
In just an instant, the scorpion monster's size had increased several times over, his maniacal laughter echoing.
“ xiǎo zi ， běn lǎo zǔ suī rán dǎ nǐ bù guò ， dàn yě bú huì ràng nǐ rú yuàn yǐ cháng de ， xiǎng yào jiāng wǒ shēng qín huó zhuō ， rán hòu yòng sōu hún zhī shù xún zhǎo dào rú hé lí kāi zhè lǐ de tú jìng me ， nǐ bié zuò mèng le ， zhè mèng yǎn shā mò ， nǐ shì wú lùn rú hé ， yě zǒu bù chū qù ， nǐ huì yǒng yuǎn bèi kùn zài zhè lǐ 。 zhí dào shòu yuán hào jìn zuò huà diào de ……”
“小子，本老祖虽然打你不过，但也不会让你如愿以偿的，想要将我生擒活捉，然后用搜魂之术寻找到如何离开这里的途径么，你别做梦了，这梦魇沙漠，你是无论如何，也走不出去，你会永远被困在这里。直到寿元耗尽坐化掉的……”
Lin Xuan was about 100 feet away from him; there wasn't enough time to stop him now. Unless he could break through spatial rules without any hindrance, which a mere one-transcendence cultivator couldn't achieve.
duǎn duǎn shùn xī de gōng fu ， xiǎo rén de tǐ jī ， yǐ jīng biàn dà le shù bèi yǒu yú ， fēng kuáng de xiào shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ lǐ 。
短短瞬息的功夫，小人的体积，已经变大了数倍有余，疯狂的笑声传入耳朵里。
The scorpion monster felt triumphant. Even if he failed, Lin Xuan wouldn't be the victor either. He was certain that this detestable fellow would die trapped in the desert.
cǐ shí cǐ kè ， lín xuān yǔ tā zhī jiān dà yuē yǒu bǎi zhàng de jù lí ， wú lùn rú hé ， yě lái bù jí zǔ zhǐ 。
此时此刻，林轩与他之间大约有百丈的距离，无论如何，也来不及阻止。
But just as he thought this, a pair of hands suddenly emerged from the surrounding void and grabbed his soul.
chú fēi duì fāng néng wú shì zhè shí kōng de jù lí ， jiāng liǎng rén jiān de kōng jiān guī zé zhǎn pò 。 dàn qū qū yī fēn shén qī xiū xiān zhě ， zěn me kě néng zuò dào zhè yì diǎn ne ？
除非对方能无事这时空的距离，将两人间的空间规则斩破。但区区一分神期修仙者，怎么可能做到这一点呢？
A terrifying force emanated from those fingers; he felt all his strength vanish.
xiē guài hěn dé yì ， tā suī rán shī bài le ， dàn lín xuān ， yě bú huì shì shèng lì zhě ， tā jiān xìn zhè kě wù de jiā huo ， yí dìng huì bèi kùn sǐ zài zhè shā mò 。
蝎怪很得意，他虽然失败了，但林轩，也不会是胜利者，他坚信这可恶的家伙，一定会被困死在这沙漠。
Not only couldn't he self-destruct, but he couldn't even move.
rán ér piān piān jiù zài cǐ kè ， yī shuāng shǒu què měng rán cóng páng biān de xū kōng lǐ tàn chū ， yī bǎ jiāng tā de shén hún zhuā zhù 。
然而偏偏就在此刻，一双手却猛然从旁边的虚空里探出，一把将他的神魂抓住。
How was this possible?
suí hòu kě pà de fǎ lì 。 yóu nà shuāng shǒu de zhǐ zhǎng jiān mí sàn ér chū ， tā gǎn jué hún shēn de lì qì ， xiāo shī dé yī fēn yě wú 。
随后可怕的法力。由那双手的指掌间弥散而出，他感觉浑身的力气，消失得一分也无。
With full curiosity, using his last bit of strength, he turned to see that detestable brat standing beside him. Wasn't it his hand holding him tightly now?
bié shuō zì bào 。 gēn běn jiù dòng tán bù dé 。
别说自爆。根本就动弹不得。
In an instant... no, not instantly; rather, completely disregarding spatial rules—this wasn't something even a teleportation spell could achieve.
zhǐ shì ， zhè …… zhè zěn me kě néng ne ？
只是，这……这怎么可能呢？
Did the other party already master space laws?
tā dài zhe mǎn xīn de yí huò ， yòng jǐn zuì hòu yì diǎn lì liàng ， miǎn qiǎng zhuǎn guò tóu lú ， jiù kàn jiàn nà kě wù de xiǎo zi ， zhèng zhàn zài zì jǐ shēn cè ， cǐ shí jiāng zì jǐ láo láo zhuā zhù de ， kě bù jiù shì tā de shǒu me ？
他带着满心的疑惑，用尽最后一点力量，勉强转过头颅，就看见那可恶的小子，正站在自己身侧，此时将自己牢牢抓住的，可不就是他的手么？
How was this possible?
qǐng kè jiān ， bù …… bú duì 。 bú shì qǐng kè ， ér shì wán quán wú shì shí kōng de guī zé ， zhè jué bú shì qū qū shùn yí lèi fǎ shù néng gòu zuò dé dào de 。
顷刻间，不……不对。不是顷刻，而是完全无视时空的规则，这绝不是区区瞬移类法术能够做得到的。
The magical insect's realm might be hard to gauge, but its strength surely surpassed that of ordinary one-transcendence cultivators. He knew well that controlling such laws required old monsters at the tribulation stage.
nán dào shuō ， duì fāng yǐ jīng zhǎng wò le kōng jiān fǎ zé ？
难道说，对方已经掌握了空间法则？
Space rules were notoriously difficult and profound; how could a mere one-transcendence cultivator master them?
zhǐ shì zhè zěn me kě néng ne ？
只是这怎么可能呢？
Apart from astonishment, his reluctance was even more pronounced.
yǎn qián mó chóng de jìng jiè suī rán mǎo bù hǎo shuō ， dàn shí lì jué duì yào qiáng yú yì bān de fēn shén qī xiū xiān zhě 。 tā dāng rán xiǎo de ， cāo kòng guī zé ， nà shì dù jié jí bié de lǎo guài wù cái yǒu kě néng zuò dào de 。
眼前魔虫的境界虽然冇不好说，但实力绝对要强于一般的分神期修仙者。他当然晓得，操控规则，那是渡劫级别的老怪物才有可能做到的。
But no matter how reluctant he was, failure was still failure—something he couldn't change.
ér kōng jiān guī zé ， nǎi shì tiān dì fǎ zé zhōng ， yě shì yǐ jiān nán shēn ào chū míng de 。 zěn me kě néng bèi qū qū yī fēn shén qī xiū shì suǒ zhǎng wò 。
而空间规则，乃是天地法则中，也是以艰难深奥出名的。怎么可能被区区一分神期修士所掌握。
After that scene, Lin Xuan had no interest in wasting words. He directly extracted the soul and refined it.
chú le jīng è hái shì jīng è ， tā de bù gān xīn gèng bù bì shuō 。
除了惊愕还是惊愕，他的不甘心更不必说。
This wasn't to torment him; Lin Xuan hadn't become bored enough for that. Rather, as suspected by the scorpion monster, Lin Xuan wanted to glean useful clues from his soul—such as how to leave this desert.
rán ér zài bù gān yòu rú hé ， shī bài zhě jiù shì shī bài zhě ， zhè yì diǎn shì tā wú lùn rú hé ， yě jué bù kě néng gǎi biàn de 。
然而再不甘又如何，失败者就是失败者，这一点是他无论如何，也绝不可能改变的。
Facing such an eerie illusionary restriction, there was nothing he could do but hope that as a local, the scorpion monster knew exactly how to escape. After all, it had lived here for countless eons; he should know the way out.
ér jīng lì le gāng cái nà yí mù ， lín xuān yě zài méi yǒu xìng qù yǔ tā duō fèi chún shé ， zhí jiē chōu hún liàn pò 。
而经历了刚才那一幕，林轩也在没有兴趣与他多费唇舌，直接抽魂炼魄。
However, this was just speculation. In the world of cultivators, things were often unpredictable.
zhè dào bú shì wèi le zhé mó duì fāng ， lín xuān hái méi yǒu wú liáo dào nà ge dì bù ， ér shì rú xiē guài de cāi cè ， lín xuān xiǎng yào cóng tā de shén hún zhōng ， liǎo jiě yī xiē yǒu yòng de xiàn suǒ 。
这倒不是为了折磨对方，林轩还没有无聊到那个地步，而是如蝎怪的猜测，林轩想要从他的神魂中，了解一些有用的线索。
After about a cup of tea's time, Lin Xuan released his grip. His face was dark with disappointment. The scorpion monster's soul had been thoroughly searched, leaving him in tatters.
bǐ rú shuō ， rú hé lí kāi zhè ge shā mò 。
比如说，如何离开这个沙漠。
But he still hadn't found what he wanted.
miàn duì zhè guǐ yì de huàn shù jìn zhì lín xuān yě shì wú kě nài hé ， zhǐ néng jì xī wàng yú tā zhè dì tóu shé ， bì jìng yǎn qián de xiē guài ， kě shì zài zhè lǐ shēng huó le bù zhī dào duō shǎo wàn nián ， yú qíng yú lǐ ， gāi rú hé lí kāi cǐ dì ， duì fāng yīng gāi shì yì qīng èr chǔ dì 。
面对这诡异的幻术禁制林轩也是无可奈何，只能寄希望于他这地头蛇，毕竟眼前的蝎怪，可是在这里生活了不知道多少万年，于情于理，该如何离开此地，对方应该是一清二楚地。
At this point, the other party couldn't seal memories through spells.
rán ér zhè zhǐ shì àn cháng lǐ tuī cè ， xiū xiān jiè yǒu xiē shì qíng ， yǒng yuǎn shì chū hū yì liào de 。
然而这只是按常理推测，修仙界有些事情，永远是出乎意料的。
However, to Lin Xuan's frustration, there were no clues about how to leave the desert in his memory.
dà yuē guò le yī zhǎn chá de gōng fu ， lín xuān sōng kāi le shǒu ， rán ér tā de liǎn shàng què mǎn shì yīn mái zhī sè ， nà xiē guài de yuán shén zài jīng guò yī fān sōu hún zhī hòu ， zì jǐ yǐ hún fēi pò sàn diào le 。
大约过了一盏茶的功夫，林轩松开了手，然而他的脸上却满是阴霾之色，那蝎怪的元神在经过一番搜魂之后，自己已魂飞魄散掉了。
Just as he had suspected, these scorpions were indeed native to this place. The scorpion monster was the strongest among them; by chance, it gained sentience but that was all.
kě ， zì jǐ què bìng méi yǒu dé dào xiǎng yào de xiàn suǒ 。
可，自己却并没有得到想要的线索。
The existence of this desert far predated the scorpions. After gaining sentience, the scorpion monster had also tried leaving but failed every time.
dào le zhè yī bù ， duì fāng yǐ bù kě néng yòng fǎ shù jiāng jì yì fēng zhù 。
到了这一步，对方已不可能用法术将记忆封住。
Over countless millennia, no matter which direction it went, it couldn't leave. Every time the entrance to Lingyun Valley opened, cultivators would accidentally or by chance enter the desert.
kě ràng lín xuān yù mèn de shì ， tā de jì yì lǐ ， gēn běn jiù méi yǒu xiàn suǒ ， yīng gāi rú hé lí kāi zhè shā mò 。
可让林轩郁闷的是，他的记忆里，根本就没有线索，应该如何离开这沙漠。
But none survived; once inside, they were inevitably killed by the scorpion monster and its minions. They became food for the scorpions.
zhèng rú zì jǐ de tuī cè ， zhè xiē dú xiē guǒ rán shì tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎng de ， zhì yú nà xiē guài zé shì qí zhōng zuì wèi qiáng dà de yī zhī ， jī yuán qiǎo hé ， kāi qǐ le líng zhì ， dàn yě jǐn cǐ ér yǐ 。
正如自己的推测，这些毒蝎果然是土生土长的，至于那蝎怪则是其中最为强大的一只，机缘巧合，开启了灵智，但也仅此而已。
The other party's memory was genuine. Lin Xuan's face contorted with frustration.
zhè shā mò cún zài de shí jiān ， yuǎn bǐ tā men gèng jiǔ yuǎn ， xiē guài líng zhì kāi qǐ hòu ， yě céng xiǎng guò lí kāi cǐ chù ， què shì gēn běn bàn bú dào de 。
这沙漠存在的时间，远比它们更久远，蝎怪灵智开启后，也曾想过离开此处，却是根本办不到的。
He had thought this desert was tough to navigate but never imagined it would be so inescapable—no cultivator had ever left once inside.
shù wàn nián lǐ ， bù lùn tā wǎng nǎ ge fāng xiàng zǒu ， dōu wú fǎ lí kāi cǐ chù ， ér dāng líng bō gǔ de rù kǒu kāi qǐ zhī hòu ， měi yī huí ， yě miǎn bù liǎo yǒu xiū shì jī yuán qiǎo hé ， huò zhě shuō guǐ shǐ shén chāi de chuǎng jìn zhè shā mò 。
数万年里，不论它往哪个方向走，都无法离开此处，而当灵波谷的入口开启之后，每一回，也免不了有修士机缘巧合，或者说鬼使神差的闯进这沙漠。
Would he, too, be trapped forever until his lifespan expired? This strange place might or might not offer a chance to transcend the primordial energy tribulation and extend his life. He couldn't say for sure.
rán ér méi yǒu xìng cún zhě ， yīn wèi tā men jìn lái yǐ hòu ， jiù zài yě chū bù qù le ， zuì hòu wú bù bèi xiē guài shuài lǐng tā de shǒu xià miè chú ， zuò le dú xiē de pán zhōng wù 。
然而没有幸存者，因为他们进来以后，就再也出不去了，最后无不被蝎怪率领它的手下灭除，做了毒蝎的盘中物。
Such an outcome was utterly unacceptable.
duì fāng de jì yì ， bú huì yǒu jiǎ ， lín xuān de liǎn sè nán kàn dé wú yǐ fù jiā 。
对方的记忆，不会有假，林轩的脸色难看得无以复加。
Since embarking on the path of cultivation, Lin Xuan had faced countless challenges—icy spirits, Dark King of the Netherworld—but he could escape them. But now, before him, he was at a loss.
tā xiǎng guò zhè shā mò hěn nán chán ， dàn zuò mèng yě méi xiǎng dào ， huì dào zhè ge chéng dù ， néng jìn què bù néng chū ， cóng lái méi yǒu xiū xiān zhě néng lí kāi cǐ chù 。
他想过这沙漠很难缠，但做梦也没想到，会到这个程度，能进却不能出，从来没有修仙者能离开此处。
The problem he faced was getting lost; no matter how clever his plans, it seemed not even sheer strength could solve this.
nán dào shuō zì jǐ yě huì rú tā men yì bān ， yǒng yuǎn bèi kùn zài zhè lǐ ， zhí dào shòu yuán hào jìn yǔn luò ， zhè guǐ yì de dì fāng ， yǒu méi yǒu jī huì dù yuán qì zhī jié ， zēng jiā shòu mìng ， hái zhēn bù hǎo shuō 。
难道说自己也会如他们一般，永远被困在这里，直到寿元耗尽陨落，这诡异的地方，有没有机会渡元气之劫，增加寿命，还真不好说。
Of course, if one were truly as powerful as an Immortal or True Demon Ancestor, they could use their domain to either break the illusionary array in the desert or tear through space and leave. Lin Xuan believed such power would be enough.
ér zhè zhǒng jié guǒ ， zì rán shì wú lùn rú hé dōu bù gān xīn de 。
而这种结果，自然是无论如何都不甘心的。
The issue was that while they might succeed, he didn't have that kind of ability.
Since he had figured out the trickster's plot, this fellow was now a caged bird and a fish in a net—no way to escape his clutches.
Lin Xuan sneered: "Do you think that by extracting my soul and refining it, your end will be any better? Have you considered what lies ahead?"
"Lin Xuan has already explained the situation clearly. Fellow Daoist, there's no need for you to remain a confused ghost with all these doubts. Will you now willingly hand over your life to me?"
Lin Xuan's voice was as calm and composed as the wind: "Boy, don't get too smug. Even if I am a ghost, I won't let you off."
The scorpion monster's face was full of venom. At this point, he knew that all his scheming had been in vain; his fate was sealed.
"Hmph, what use is your defiance?" Lin Xuan's cold voice echoed, showing no concern for the threat. Facing the Dark King of the Netherworld, he dared to snatch food from a tiger's mouth. What did this mere wraith matter?
Moreover, with him in one's grasp, even if he wanted to become a ghost, it was wishful thinking.
Before Lin Xuan could finish speaking, he acted swiftly. The scorpion monster didn't move any slower; though transformed into a magical insect, he was a shrewd character. Seeing no chance of escape, his eyes flashed with determination.
Without further ado, his figure suddenly swelled, and the air around him shimmered with energy.
"Wanting to self-destruct?" Lin Xuan's vast knowledge showed in his face as it turned grim at this sight.
"You brat, even if I can't defeat you, I won't let you have your way. Wanting to capture me alive and use soul-searching techniques to find a way out? Don't dream of it. You will be trapped here forever until the end of your days in this nightmare desert."
In just an instant, the scorpion monster's size had increased several times over, his maniacal laughter echoing.
Lin Xuan was about 100 feet away from him; there wasn't enough time to stop him now. Unless he could break through spatial rules without any hindrance, which a mere one-transcendence cultivator couldn't achieve.
The scorpion monster felt triumphant. Even if he failed, Lin Xuan wouldn't be the victor either. He was certain that this detestable fellow would die trapped in the desert.
But just as he thought this, a pair of hands suddenly emerged from the surrounding void and grabbed his soul.
A terrifying force emanated from those fingers; he felt all his strength vanish.
Not only couldn't he self-destruct, but he couldn't even move.
How was this possible?
With full curiosity, using his last bit of strength, he turned to see that detestable brat standing beside him. Wasn't it his hand holding him tightly now?
In an instant... no, not instantly; rather, completely disregarding spatial rules—this wasn't something even a teleportation spell could achieve.
Did the other party already master space laws?
How was this possible?
The magical insect's realm might be hard to gauge, but its strength surely surpassed that of ordinary one-transcendence cultivators. He knew well that controlling such laws required old monsters at the tribulation stage.
Space rules were notoriously difficult and profound; how could a mere one-transcendence cultivator master them?
Apart from astonishment, his reluctance was even more pronounced.
But no matter how reluctant he was, failure was still failure—something he couldn't change.
After that scene, Lin Xuan had no interest in wasting words. He directly extracted the soul and refined it.
This wasn't to torment him; Lin Xuan hadn't become bored enough for that. Rather, as suspected by the scorpion monster, Lin Xuan wanted to glean useful clues from his soul—such as how to leave this desert.
Facing such an eerie illusionary restriction, there was nothing he could do but hope that as a local, the scorpion monster knew exactly how to escape. After all, it had lived here for countless eons; he should know the way out.
However, this was just speculation. In the world of cultivators, things were often unpredictable.
After about a cup of tea's time, Lin Xuan released his grip. His face was dark with disappointment. The scorpion monster's soul had been thoroughly searched, leaving him in tatters.
But he still hadn't found what he wanted.
At this point, the other party couldn't seal memories through spells.
However, to Lin Xuan's frustration, there were no clues about how to leave the desert in his memory.
Just as he had suspected, these scorpions were indeed native to this place. The scorpion monster was the strongest among them; by chance, it gained sentience but that was all.
The existence of this desert far predated the scorpions. After gaining sentience, the scorpion monster had also tried leaving but failed every time.
Over countless millennia, no matter which direction it went, it couldn't leave. Every time the entrance to Lingyun Valley opened, cultivators would accidentally or by chance enter the desert.
But none survived; once inside, they were inevitably killed by the scorpion monster and its minions. They became food for the scorpions.
The other party's memory was genuine. Lin Xuan's face contorted with frustration.
He had thought this desert was tough to navigate but never imagined it would be so inescapable—no cultivator had ever left once inside.
Would he, too, be trapped forever until his lifespan expired? This strange place might or might not offer a chance to transcend the primordial energy tribulation and extend his life. He couldn't say for sure.
Such an outcome was utterly unacceptable.
Since embarking on the path of cultivation, Lin Xuan had faced countless challenges—icy spirits, Dark King of the Netherworld—but he could escape them. But now, before him, he was at a loss.
The problem he faced was getting lost; no matter how clever his plans, it seemed not even sheer strength could solve this.
Of course, if one were truly as powerful as an Immortal or True Demon Ancestor, they could use their domain to either break the illusionary array in the desert or tear through space and leave. Lin Xuan believed such power would be enough.
The issue was that while they might succeed, he didn't have that kind of ability.