qiǎo fù nán wéi wú mǐ zhī chuī 。
巧妇难为无米之炊。
A skilled cook cannot prepare a meal without ingredients.
cǐ shí cǐ kè ， zhēn líng zhī huǒ suǒ miàn duì de ， zhè shì bān gān gà de jú miàn le 。
此时此刻，真灵之火所面对的，这是般尴尬的局面了。
At this moment, the True Spirit Flame faced an awkward situation. It wanted to possess someone's body but needed something to possess first.
tā dǎo shì xiǎng yào duó shě ， dàn zǒng yě yào yǒu kě yǐ duó shě de dōng xī cái kě yǐ de 。
它倒是想要夺舍，但总也要有可以夺舍的东西才可以的。
The environment of the Spirit Wave Valley was unique; protected by the restrictions of the Arhat King, ordinary cultivators could not enter easily. Only every three thousand years, when the power of the array set up by the Arhat King weakened, outsiders had a chance to venture in—limited to those at the Profound Concealment and Division of Consciousness stages.
zhè líng bō gǔ huán jìng qí tè ， yīn wèi yǒu ā xiū luó wáng jìn zhì de shǒu hù ， yì bān rén gēn běn wú fǎ shè zú ， zhǐ yǒu měi guò sān qiān nián ， dāng ā xiū luó wáng suǒ bù xià de zhèn fǎ wēi lì shuāi jiǎn ， wài miàn de xiū xiān zhě cái yǒu jī huì jìn rù 。
这灵波谷环境奇特，因为有阿修罗王禁制的守护，一般人根本无法涉足，只有每过三千年，当阿修罗王所布下的阵法威力衰减，外面的修仙者才有机会进入。
Reasonably speaking, this was no small feat.
ér qiě yě jǐn xiàn yú dòng xuán yǔ fēn shén jìng jiè de xiū xiān zhě 。
而且也仅限于洞玄与分神境界的修仙者。
However, what was the True Spirit Flame? Once it awakened its spirit intelligence, its standards were incredibly high. The Profound Concealment stage was out of its sight; even Division of Consciousness beings did not catch its eye.
àn lǐ ， céng cì yě shì bù dī le 。
按理，层次也是不低了。
Even if it was willing to lower its demands for possession's sake, it would still be difficult to succeed due to the overwhelming power of the True Spirit Flame itself. Merging with it required conditions that were simply too high for a physical body.
rán ér zhēn líng zhī huǒ shì shén me ， yí dàn kāi qǐ le líng zhì ， tā de yǎn guāng gāo dé lí pǔ ， dòng xuán bú yòng shuō ， qū qū fēn shén jí bié de cún zài gēn běn jiù bù rù tā fǎ yǎn 。
然而真灵之火是什么，一旦开启了灵智，它的眼光高得离谱，洞玄不用说，区区分神级别的存在根本就不入它法眼。
What level was this?
tuì yī wàn bù shuō ， jiù suàn tā wèi le néng gòu duó shě ， yuàn yì jiāng yào qiú xiáng dī yī xiē ， yě yī jiù shì nán yǐ chéng háng ， wú tā ， zhēn líng zhī huǒ běn shēn tài qiáng dà 。
退一万步说，就算它为了能够夺舍，愿意将要求降低一些，也依旧是难以成行，无他，真灵之火本身太强大。
It was hard to say precisely.
xiǎng yào jiāng qí róng hé ， duì yú ròu shēn de tiáo jiàn gēn běn jiù gāo dé lí pǔ 。
想要将其融合，对于肉身的条件根本就高得离谱。
If one had to describe it, the strength of its physical form should not fall below that of a major demon race at the Tribulation Transcending stage.
dà gài xiāng dāng yú shén me shuǐ zhǔn ne ……
大概相当于什么水准呢……
Of course, early-stage Tribulation Transcending beings would suffice.
zhè dàng zhēn bù tài hǎo shuō 。
这当真不太好说。
But such a task was impossible. Demon races were naturally much stronger than human cultivators due to their innate talents.
rú guǒ yí dìng yào yǒu suǒ biǎo shù ， qí ròu shēn qiáng dù zhì shǎo bù néng dī yú dù jié jí bié de dà néng yāo zú 。
如果一定要有所表述，其肉身强度至少不能低于渡劫级别的大能妖族。
To be blunt,
dāng rán ， dù jié chū qī jiù kě yǐ le 。
当然，渡劫初期就可以了。
even Great Sage Nai Long and Fairy Hundred Flowers, late-stage Tribulation Transcenders, had physical strength far inferior to early-stage Tribulation Transcenders. The gap was significant.
dàn zhè běn shēn jiù shì bù kě néng wán chéng de rèn wù ， yāo zú yīn wèi tiān fù ， ròu shēn yuán běn jiù bǐ rén lèi xiū shì yào qiáng dà tài duō 。
但这本身就是不可能完成的任务，妖族因为天赋，肉身原本就比人类修士要强大太多。
Even an old monster at the late-stage Tribulation Transcending level did not meet its requirements; trying to find a target among the Division of Consciousness and Profound Concealment cultivators entering the valley would be like a skilled cook struggling without ingredients.
shuō jù bú kè qì de yán yǔ 。
说句不客气的言语。
One after another, it waited and searched, only to face disappointment each time.
jiù suàn shì nài lóng zhēn rén ， bǎi huā xiān zi zhè yàng dù jié hòu qī de dà néng ， lùn ròu shēn qiáng dù ， yě yuǎn bù jí dù jié chū qī de yāo zú 。
就算是鼐龙真人，百花仙子这样渡劫后期的大能，论肉身强度，也远不及渡劫初期的妖族。
The True Spirit Flame's frustration was evident. But despair did not solve problems. It could not leave this True Spirit Realm until possession succeeded.
ér qiě chā jù bú shì yì diǎn bàn diǎn 。
而且差距不是一点半点。
Though it had no lifespan limit, it remained here year after year, from ancient times to the present.
lián dù jié hòu qī de lǎo guài wù ， ròu shēn qiáng dù ， dōu bù mǎn zú yāo qiú ， xiǎng yào cóng rù gǔ de fēn shén ， dòng xuán xiū shì zhōng xún zhǎo duó shě de mù biāo ， zhè bú shì qiǎo fù nán wéi wú mǐ zhī chuī shì shén me ？
连渡劫后期的老怪物，肉身强度，都不满足要求，想要从入谷的分神，洞玄修士中寻找夺舍的目标，这不是巧妇难为无米之炊是什么？
...
yī cì cì de děng dài ， yī cì cì de xún zhǎo ， huàn lái de què shì yī cì yòu yī cì de shī wàng 。
一次次的等待，一次次的寻找，换来的却是一次又一次的失望。
...
zhēn líng zhī huǒ xīn zhōng de fèn mèn bù yòng tí ， rán ér ào sàng jiě jué bù liǎo wèn tí ， zài duó shě chéng gōng yǐ qián ， tā gēn běn jiù wú fǎ cóng zhè zhēn líng kōng jiān zhōng chū qù 。
真灵之火心中的愤懑不用提，然而懊丧解决不了问题，在夺舍成功以前，它根本就无法从这真灵空间中出去。
...
zài yù mèn yě wéi yǒu shǒu hòu zài zhè lǐ ， hǎo zài tā bìng méi yǒu shòu yuán de xiàn zhì 。
再郁闷也唯有守候在这里，好在它并没有寿元的限制。
...
jiù zhè yàng yī nián yòu yī nián ， cóng shàng gǔ yì zhí děng dài dào le jīn tiān 。
就这样一年又一年，从上古一直等待到了今天。
It is said that where there is a will, there is a way. Perhaps due to divine favor, after enduring long waitings, it finally met Lin Xuan, an anomaly.
……
……
Due to its innate talent, the True Spirit Flame had some form of intuitive sense for cultivators who could meet its possession requirements.
sú huà shuō yǒu zhì zhě shì jìng chéng ， huò xǔ shì shàng tiān de juàn gù ， jīng lì le màn cháng de děng dài ， tā zhōng yú yíng lái le lín xuān zhè me yí gè guài tāi 。
俗话说有志者事竟成，或许是上天的眷顾，经历了漫长的等待，它终于迎来了林轩这么一个怪胎。
Of course, this did not mean that as soon as someone entered the Spirit Wave Valley, it would know. There was a distance factor; only when both parties approached each other sufficiently would the sensing take effect.
yīn wèi tiān fù de yuán gù ， zhēn líng zhī huǒ duì yú mǎn zú zì jǐ duó shě tiáo jiàn de xiū shì ， yǒu yī zhǒng lèi sì yú xīn líng gǎn yìng de dōng dōng 。
因为天赋的缘故，真灵之火对于满足自己夺舍条件的修士，有一种类似于心灵感应的东东。
Originally, Lin Xuan was hiding in the Nightmare Desert to refine himself. The True Spirit Flame had no idea about this, and they remained unbothered.
dāng rán ， yě bú shì shuō mǎn zú tiáo jiàn de rén yī jìn rù líng bō gǔ ， tā jiù zhī dào le ， zhè zhōng jiān yǒu jù lí de yīn shù ， jiǎn dān de shuō ， jiù shì shuāng fāng jiē jìn dào yí dìng chéng dù ， nà gǎn yìng cái huì fā huī xiào guǒ 。
当然，也不是说满足条件的人一进入灵波谷，它就知道了，这中间有距离的因数，简单的说，就是双方接近到一定程度，那感应才会发挥效果。
However, when Lin Xuan underwent Tribulation Transcendence and stirred up the primordial energy of heaven and earth, it was awakened.
yuán běn lín xuān duǒ zài mèng yǎn shā mò kǔ xiū ， nà zhēn líng zhī huǒ bìng bù xiǎo de ， shuāng fāng kě yǐ shuō shì xiāng ān wú shì de 。
原本林轩躲在梦魇沙漠苦修，那真灵之火并不晓得，双方可以说是相安无事的。
At first, it was surprised; then, it felt a great sense of wonder as it secretly came to investigate.
rán ér dāng lín xuān dù jié ， yǐn dòng tiān dì yuán qì ， què jiāng zhēn líng zhī huǒ gěi jīng dòng le 。
然而当林轩渡劫，引动天地元气，却将真灵之火给惊动了。
What a surprise!
zhè jiā huo xiān shì chà yì ， suí hòu dà gǎn jīng qí ， jiē xià lái biàn tōu tōu qián lái yī tàn jiū dǐ 。
这家伙先是诧异，随后大感惊奇，接下来便偷偷前来一探究底。
There was a cultivator here trying to advance to the Tribulation Transcending stage. More astonishingly, this person was clearly from the Human Race, yet their body's resilience barely met its requirements.
bù kàn bù zhī dào ， yī kàn xià yī tiào 。
不看不知道，一看吓一跳。
Opportunity knocks but once.
jū rán yǒu xiū xiān zhě zài zhè lǐ xiǎng yào jìn jiē dào dù jié qī ， gèng bù kě sī yì de shì ， zhè jiā huo míng míng shì yī rén zú ， rán ér shēn tǐ de jiān rèn chéng dù què miǎn qiǎng mǎn zú zì jǐ de yāo qiú 。
居然有修仙者在这里想要进阶到渡劫期，更不可思议的是，这家伙明明是一人族，然而身体的坚韧程度却勉强满足自己的要求。
Though Lin Xuan did not perfectly fit as an ideal candidate for possession, with the True Spirit Flame's high standards, his physical condition just barely qualified.
sú huà shuō ， jī bù kě shī shī bù zài lái 。
俗话说，机不可失失不再来。
But what of it? This was already a rare find.
suī rán jiù duó shě lái shuō ， cǐ rén bìng bú shì shàng shàng xuǎn zé ， zhēn líng zhī huǒ de yǎn guāng gāo dé lí pǔ ， lín xuān de shēn tǐ tiáo jiàn yě jiù miǎn qiǎng hé gé 。
虽然就夺舍来说，此人并不是上上选择，真灵之火的眼光高得离谱，林轩的身体条件也就勉强合格。
If this had happened several million years ago when it first awakened its spirit intelligence, the proud True Spirit Flame might have dismissed him. It would wait for better and more suitable vessels.
dàn nà yòu rú hé ， zhè yǐ jīng fēi cháng nán néng kě guì le 。
但那又如何，这已经非常难能可贵了。
However, there were no ifs...
rú guǒ fàng zài jǐ bǎi wàn nián qián ， tā gāng kāi qǐ líng zhì de nà yī kè ， jiāo ào de zhēn líng zhī huǒ huò xǔ huì bù xiè yī gù ， xiǎng yào děng dài gèng hǎo gèng hé shì de qū qiào 。
如果放在几百万年前，它刚开启灵智的那一刻，骄傲的真灵之火或许会不屑一顾，想要等待更好更合适的躯壳。
After enduring countless years of trials, its pride was long gone. Like a drowning man clutching at straws, any opportunity mattered.
rán ér méi yǒu rú guǒ ……
然而没有如果……
Possessing Lin Xuan was not the best choice, but what did it matter? Must it continue to be trapped in this cursed place?
zài jīng lì le màn cháng de suì yuè mó lì zhī hòu ， tā de ào qì zǎo yǐ yī sī yě wú ， jiù fǎng fú yí gè nì shuǐ zhě ， nǎ pà shì yī sī jī huì yě yào pīn mìng zhuā zhù 。
在经历了漫长的岁月磨砺之后，它的傲气早已一丝也无，就仿佛一个溺水者，哪怕是一丝机会也要拼命抓住。
Opportunity lost is opportunity gained. Without hesitation, it chose to possess Lin Xuan.
duó shě lín xuān duì tā lái shuō ， què shí suàn bù shàng shén me zuì hǎo de xuǎn zé ， rán ér nà yòu zěn me yàng ne ， nán dào zì jǐ hái yào jì xù bèi kùn zài zhè jiàn guǐ de dì fāng me ？
夺舍林轩对它来说，确实算不上什么最好的选择，然而那又怎么样呢，难道自己还要继续被困在这见鬼的地方么？
The act of possession wasn't as simple as rushing in; some strategy was involved.
sú huà shuō ， dāng duàn bù duàn fǎn shòu qí luàn ， yú shì ， tā háo bù yóu yù de xuǎn zé duó shě lín xuān 。
俗话说，当断不断反受其乱，于是，它毫不犹豫的选择夺舍林轩。
Just as Lin Xuan was about to advance to the Tribulation Transcending stage and had already successfully passed his first test, the Heavenly Tribulation was imminent.
suǒ wèi de duó shě ， yě bú shì suí biàn shǎ hū hū de chōng shàng qù jiù xíng le ， zhè zhōng jiàn huò duō huò shǎo ， yě yào jiǎng jiū nà me yī xiē cè lüè de 。
所谓的夺舍，也不是随便傻乎乎的冲上去就行了，这中间或多或少，也要讲究那么一些策略的。
At first glance, this seemed unrelated to its plan. However, it should not be forgotten that the Spirit Wave Valley originally belonged to the Nine-headed Bird; the True Spirit Flame knew this place intimately.
gāng hǎo zhè jiā huo zài chōng jī dù jié qī ， ér qiě dì yī guān ， yǐ jīng shí fēn shùn lì de dù le qù guò ， jiē xià lái ， jiù shì tiān jié jiàng lín 。
刚好这家伙在冲击渡劫期，而且第一关，已经十分顺利的度了去过，接下来，就是天劫降临。
Moreover, with its unique form, it could harness primordial energy from heaven and earth.
biǎo miàn shàng kàn ， yǔ zhēn líng zhī huǒ de jì huà méi yǒu duō dà guān xì ， rán ér bú yào wàng le ， líng bō gǔ yuán běn shì jiǔ tóu niǎo de lǐng dì ， zhēn líng zhī huǒ duì zhè lǐ ， bú shì yì bān de shú xī 。
表面上看，与真灵之火的计划没有多大关系，然而不要忘了，灵波谷原本是九头鸟的领地，真灵之火对这里，不是一般的熟悉。
In short, it was borrowing strength.
ér qiě tā xíng tài tè shū ， gāng hǎo kě yǐ róng hé tiān dì yuán qì 。
而且它形态特殊，刚好可以融合天地元气。
It couldn't summon so much primordial energy on its own. But when the Heavenly Tribulation arrived, it could rush in, using the gathered primordial energy to transform into a body of its own.
jiǎn dān de shuō ， jiù shì jiè lì 。
简单的说，就是借力。
This was borrowing power!
tā zì jǐ méi yǒu běn shì jiào lái nà me duō de tiān dì yuán qì ， rán ér dàng tiān jié dào lái de shí hòu tā què kě yǐ pū guò qù ， yòng huì jù chéng xíng de tiān dì yuán qì ， biàn huàn chū zì jǐ de shēn tǐ 。
它自己没有本事叫来那么多的天地元气，然而当天劫到来的时候它却可以扑过去，用汇聚成型的天地元气，变幻出自己的身体。
However, this body was ephemeral; unable to refine itself and would dissipate once the primordial energy was exhausted.
cǐ wèi jiè lì ！
此为借力！
But that mattered not. As long as it worked temporarily, it sufficed.
rán ér zhè shēn tǐ bì jìng shì xū wàng zhī wù ， jì bù néng xiū liàn ， dàng tiān dì yuán qì xiāo hào yī kōng yě jiù yān xiāo yún sàn diào le 。
然而这身体毕竟是虚妄之物，既不能修炼，当天地元气消耗一空也就烟消云散掉了。
Its strategy was shrewd.
rán ér méi yǒu guān xì ， zhǐ yào lín shí néng ná lái yòng jiù zú yǐ 。
然而没有关系，只要临时能拿来用就足以。
By going through such a ruse, it replaced the Heavenly Tribulation. All that remained was to bind its target and possess him.
tā de dǎ suàn shì hěn jīng míng dì 。
它的打算是很jīng明地。
While possession would be difficult, success would grant it a true body and allow it to leave this place.
jīng guò rú cǐ yī fān zuò zuò ， tā jiù jiāng tiān jié gěi qǔ dài le ， suí hòu zì jǐ zhǐ yào jiāng kàn zhòng de zhè xiǎo jiā huo shù fù ， jiù kě yǐ duó shě 。
经过如此一番做作，它就将天劫给取代了，随后自己只要将看中的这小家伙束缚，就可以夺舍。
Indeed, the True Spirit Flame's plans were sound. However, there is an old saying: planning lies with man, but success depends on heaven. With Lin Xuan's nature, he would not be easily manipulated, and his strength far exceeded expectations.
duó shě huì chī yī xiē kǔ ， dàn zhǐ yào chéng gōng ， jiù néng yōng yǒu zhēn zhèng de shēn tǐ ， qiě lí kāi zhè ge dì fāng le 。
夺舍会吃一些苦，但只要成功，就能拥有真正的身体，且离开这个地方了。
After a fierce battle, the True Spirit Flame did not bind Lin Xuan; instead, its painstakingly gathered body was obliterated.
bù dé bù shuō ， zhēn líng zhī huǒ de suàn pán dǎ dé bù cuò ， rán ér yǒu yī jù huà ， bù zhī dào tā yǒu méi yǒu tīng guò ， móu shì zài rén chéng shì zài tiān ， yǐ lín xuān de xìng gé ， yòu zěn me huì rèn rén bǎi bù ， ér qiě tā de shí lì ， yě hěn lí pǔ ， yuǎn yuǎn chāo guò zhēn líng zhī huǒ de yù jì xǔ duō 。
不得不说，真灵之火的算盘打得不错，然而有一句话，不知道它有没有听过，谋事在人成事在天，以林轩的xìng格，又怎么会任人摆布，而且他的实力，也很离谱，远远超过真灵之火的预计许多。
Its despair was palpable at that moment.
yī fān dà zhàn zhī hòu ， zhēn líng zhī huǒ bù jǐn méi yǒu jiāng lín xuān gěi shù fù ， tā nà xīn xīn kǔ kǔ níng jù qǐ lái de shēn tǐ ， fǎn ér bèi hōng shā diào le 。
一番大战之后，真灵之火不仅没有将林轩给束缚，它那辛辛苦苦凝聚起来的身体，反而被轰杀掉了。
But no matter how one looked at it, after such long waitings, to end up with this result—how could it accept defeat?
wàn niàn jù huī shì tā dāng shí xīn qíng zuì hǎo de xiě zhào le 。
万念俱灰是它当时心情最好的写照了。
No, it refused to accept defeat. It even doubted what had just happened. Normally, it should have fled like the Nine-headed Bird did when the Arhat King killed it in ancient times—to escape being caught.
rán ér huà shì zhè me méi cuò ， kě cháng jiǔ de děng dài ， zuì hòu què huàn lái zhè yàng yí gè jié guǒ ， zhēn líng zhī huǒ yòu zěn me kě néng gān xīn ne ？
然而话是这么没错，可长久的等待，最后却换来这样一个结果，真灵之火又怎么可能甘心呢？
But it didn't; perhaps too eager, it not only failed to run but flew towards Lin Xuan instead.
bù cuò ， tā bù gān xīn ， shèn zhì bù xiāng xìn gāng gāng suǒ fā shēng de yí mù ， yuán běn zhè shí hòu tā yīng gāi táo de ， jiù xiàng shàng gǔ ， jiǔ tóu niǎo bèi ā xiū luó wáng zhǎn shā de nà yī cì ， gǎn kuài pǎo ， miǎn de bèi duì fāng gěi zhuā zhù 。
不错，它不甘心，甚至不相信刚刚所发生的一幕，原本这时候它应该逃的，就像上古，九头鸟被阿修罗王斩杀的那一次，赶快跑，免得被对方给抓住。
At this moment, catching it was easy for Lin Xuan, yet he did not do so. In a critical moment, he also made a mistake.
rán ér tā méi yǒu zhè me zuò ， huò xǔ shì tài bù gān xīn suǒ yǐ zuò shǎ shì le ， tā bù jǐn méi yǒu pǎo ， fǎn ér xiàng lín xuān fēi le guò qù 。
然而它没有这么做，或许是太不甘心所以做傻事了，它不仅没有跑，反而像林轩飞了过去。
A wise man may err once in a thousand plans. The ancients spoke the truth.
zhè shí hòu ， lín xuān xiǎng yào jiāng tā zhuō zhù hěn róng yì ， kě lín xuān méi yǒu zhè me zuò ， zài zhè guān jiàn shí kè tā jū rán yě fàn shǎ le 。
这时候，林轩想要将它捉住很容易，可林轩没有这么做，在这关键时刻他居然也犯傻了。
Lin Xuan was indeed clever, but he was no god. He could not fathom the intricate details of what happened.
zhì zhě qiān lǜ bì yǒu yī shī ， gǔ rén chéng bù qī wǒ 。
智者千虑必有一失，古人诚不欺我。
The True Spirit Flame recognized Lin Xuan but did not intend to capture it, unaware that this creature sought possession.
lín xuān shì hěn cōng míng méi cuò ， dàn tā yòu bú shì shén xiān ， zhè zhōng jiān de lái lóng qù mài ， zhè zhōng jiān de qū zhé ， tā rú hé qīng chǔ 。
林轩是很聪明没错，但他又不是神仙，这中间的来龙去脉，这中间的曲折，他如何清楚。
Seeing it approach, he secretly rejoiced, thinking his fortune had come.
zhēn líng zhī huǒ lín xuān shì yǐ jīng rèn chū ， dàn gēn běn jiù méi yǒu xiǎng guò qù jiāng tā zhuō zhù ， gèng bù xiǎo de zhè jiā huo xiǎng yào duì zì jǐ jìn xíng duó shě 。
真灵之火林轩是已经认出，但根本就没有想过去将它捉住，更不晓得这家伙想要对自己进行夺舍。
Then, seeing it enter through his brow, he made no resistance, leading to the current outcome.
A skilled cook cannot prepare a meal without ingredients.
At this moment, the True Spirit Flame faced an awkward situation. It wanted to possess someone's body but needed something to possess first.
The environment of the Spirit Wave Valley was unique; protected by the restrictions of the Arhat King, ordinary cultivators could not enter easily. Only every three thousand years, when the power of the array set up by the Arhat King weakened, outsiders had a chance to venture in—limited to those at the Profound Concealment and Division of Consciousness stages.
Reasonably speaking, this was no small feat.
However, what was the True Spirit Flame? Once it awakened its spirit intelligence, its standards were incredibly high. The Profound Concealment stage was out of its sight; even Division of Consciousness beings did not catch its eye.
Even if it was willing to lower its demands for possession's sake, it would still be difficult to succeed due to the overwhelming power of the True Spirit Flame itself. Merging with it required conditions that were simply too high for a physical body.
What level was this?
It was hard to say precisely.
If one had to describe it, the strength of its physical form should not fall below that of a major demon race at the Tribulation Transcending stage.
Of course, early-stage Tribulation Transcending beings would suffice.
But such a task was impossible. Demon races were naturally much stronger than human cultivators due to their innate talents.
To be blunt,
even Great Sage Nai Long and Fairy Hundred Flowers, late-stage Tribulation Transcenders, had physical strength far inferior to early-stage Tribulation Transcenders. The gap was significant.
Even an old monster at the late-stage Tribulation Transcending level did not meet its requirements; trying to find a target among the Division of Consciousness and Profound Concealment cultivators entering the valley would be like a skilled cook struggling without ingredients.
One after another, it waited and searched, only to face disappointment each time.
The True Spirit Flame's frustration was evident. But despair did not solve problems. It could not leave this True Spirit Realm until possession succeeded.
Though it had no lifespan limit, it remained here year after year, from ancient times to the present.
...
...
...
...
It is said that where there is a will, there is a way. Perhaps due to divine favor, after enduring long waitings, it finally met Lin Xuan, an anomaly.
Due to its innate talent, the True Spirit Flame had some form of intuitive sense for cultivators who could meet its possession requirements.
Of course, this did not mean that as soon as someone entered the Spirit Wave Valley, it would know. There was a distance factor; only when both parties approached each other sufficiently would the sensing take effect.
Originally, Lin Xuan was hiding in the Nightmare Desert to refine himself. The True Spirit Flame had no idea about this, and they remained unbothered.
However, when Lin Xuan underwent Tribulation Transcendence and stirred up the primordial energy of heaven and earth, it was awakened.
At first, it was surprised; then, it felt a great sense of wonder as it secretly came to investigate.
What a surprise!
There was a cultivator here trying to advance to the Tribulation Transcending stage. More astonishingly, this person was clearly from the Human Race, yet their body's resilience barely met its requirements.
Opportunity knocks but once.
Though Lin Xuan did not perfectly fit as an ideal candidate for possession, with the True Spirit Flame's high standards, his physical condition just barely qualified.
But what of it? This was already a rare find.
If this had happened several million years ago when it first awakened its spirit intelligence, the proud True Spirit Flame might have dismissed him. It would wait for better and more suitable vessels.
However, there were no ifs...
After enduring countless years of trials, its pride was long gone. Like a drowning man clutching at straws, any opportunity mattered.
Possessing Lin Xuan was not the best choice, but what did it matter? Must it continue to be trapped in this cursed place?
Opportunity lost is opportunity gained. Without hesitation, it chose to possess Lin Xuan.
The act of possession wasn't as simple as rushing in; some strategy was involved.
Just as Lin Xuan was about to advance to the Tribulation Transcending stage and had already successfully passed his first test, the Heavenly Tribulation was imminent.
At first glance, this seemed unrelated to its plan. However, it should not be forgotten that the Spirit Wave Valley originally belonged to the Nine-headed Bird; the True Spirit Flame knew this place intimately.
Moreover, with its unique form, it could harness primordial energy from heaven and earth.
In short, it was borrowing strength.
It couldn't summon so much primordial energy on its own. But when the Heavenly Tribulation arrived, it could rush in, using the gathered primordial energy to transform into a body of its own.
This was borrowing power!
However, this body was ephemeral; unable to refine itself and would dissipate once the primordial energy was exhausted.
But that mattered not. As long as it worked temporarily, it sufficed.
Its strategy was shrewd.
By going through such a ruse, it replaced the Heavenly Tribulation. All that remained was to bind its target and possess him.
While possession would be difficult, success would grant it a true body and allow it to leave this place.
Indeed, the True Spirit Flame's plans were sound. However, there is an old saying: planning lies with man, but success depends on heaven. With Lin Xuan's nature, he would not be easily manipulated, and his strength far exceeded expectations.
After a fierce battle, the True Spirit Flame did not bind Lin Xuan; instead, its painstakingly gathered body was obliterated.
Its despair was palpable at that moment.
But no matter how one looked at it, after such long waitings, to end up with this result—how could it accept defeat?
No, it refused to accept defeat. It even doubted what had just happened. Normally, it should have fled like the Nine-headed Bird did when the Arhat King killed it in ancient times—to escape being caught.
But it didn't; perhaps too eager, it not only failed to run but flew towards Lin Xuan instead.
At this moment, catching it was easy for Lin Xuan, yet he did not do so. In a critical moment, he also made a mistake.
A wise man may err once in a thousand plans. The ancients spoke the truth.
Lin Xuan was indeed clever, but he was no god. He could not fathom the intricate details of what happened.
The True Spirit Flame recognized Lin Xuan but did not intend to capture it, unaware that this creature sought possession.
Seeing it approach, he secretly rejoiced, thinking his fortune had come.
Then, seeing it enter through his brow, he made no resistance, leading to the current outcome.