zhěng gè guò chéng chí xù le bàn zhǎn chá de gōng fu ， rán ér gěi rén de gǎn jué ， què shì màn cháng dào wú yǐ fù jiā de dì bù 。
整个过程持续了半盏茶的功夫，然而给人的感觉，却是漫长到无以复加的地步。
The entire process lasted half a cup of tea, but it felt like an eternity.
hǎo zài suǒ yǒu de yī qiè dōu yǐ jīng chéng guò qù 。
好在所有的一切都已经成过去。
Fortunately, all that was in the past.
He had successfully passed through the three critical stages to break through the Tribulation Period, despite the immense effort and hardship. However, something left Lin Xuan speechless.
chōng jī dù jié qī de sān gè guān kǒu ， zì jǐ suī lì jīng qiān xīn wàn kǔ ， dàn zǒng suàn shì yī yí dù guò 。
冲击渡劫期的三个关口，自己虽历经千辛万苦，但总算是一一度过。
Indeed, he did pass those three difficult stages, yet his strength increase compared to before was barely noticeable. This contradicted what was recorded in the classics.
rán ér ràng lín xuān wú yǔ de shì qíng fā shēng le 。
然而让林轩无语的事情发生了。
After all, the Tribulation Period marked a turning point; it was entirely different from previous realms. One should have experienced a significant leap after advancing successfully. It was inconceivable that he would only see minor growth.
tā shì dù guò le sān dà nàn guān méi cuò ， kě lín xuān fā xiàn zì jǐ de shí lì yǔ chōng jī píng jǐng qián xiāng bǐ ， suī yǒu yī xiē zēng fú ， dàn què shì bìng bù zěn me míng xiǎn de 。
他是度过了三大难关没错，可林轩发现自己的实力与冲击瓶颈前相比，虽有一些增幅，但却是并不怎么明显的。
In other words, even though he had overcome those three stages, the benefits he expected did not materialize. Whether or not he had truly advanced to the Tribulation Period was uncertain.
zhè yǔ diǎn jí zhōng de jì zǎi ， kě shì yán zhòng bù fú 。
这与典籍中的记载，可是严重不符。
Why was this happening?
yào zhī dào ， dù jié qī nǎi shì fēn shuǐ lǐng ， yǔ qián miàn de jìng jiè ， wán quán bù tóng ， jìn jiē chéng gōng yǐ hòu ， fǎ lì yīng gāi shì yǒu yí gè fēi yuè cái duì de 。
要知道，渡劫期乃是分水岭，与前面的境界，完全不同，进阶成功以后，法力应该是有一个飞跃才对的。
Lin Xuan raised his head and gazed at the True Spirit Flame nearby.
This guy was undoubtedly the special aspect of his tribulation. Due to its existence, his heavenly tribulation became different from others—extremely powerful yet without the benefits of the Classic of Washing Essence. It was a waste.
wú lùn rú hé ， yě bù kě néng xiàng zì jǐ xiàn zài zhè yàng ， zhǐ yǒu xiē wēi zēng zhǎng 。
无论如何，也不可能像自己现在这样，只有些微增长。
These thoughts left Lin Xuan feeling extremely frustrated. It was pointless to do something with no reward.
huàn jù huà shuō ， zì jǐ suī jiāng sān dà nàn guān chuǎng guò ， yīng gāi shōu huò de hǎo chù ， què shì bìng méi yǒu dé dào de ， suàn bù suàn jìn jiē dào dù jié qī ， yě bù tài hǎo shuō 。
换句话说，自己虽将三大难关闯过，应该收获的好处，却是并没有得到的，算不算进阶到渡劫期，也不太好说。
However, what use was it to be depressed? Could he attempt the heavenly tribulation again?
zěn me huì zhè yàng ne ？
怎么会这样呢？
Even if he was willing and did not mind enduring more hardships, there had to be a heavenly tribulation for him to face.
lín xuān tái qǐ tóu lú ， mù guāng kàn xiàng le qián miàn bù yuǎn chù de zhēn líng zhī huǒ 。
林轩抬起头颅，目光看像了前面不远处的真灵之火。
Tribulations were a source of fear for cultivators and ancient demons alike. Not everyone could encounter one at will.
Everything had its rules. Lin Xuan couldn't help but feel a bitter smile on his face.
In the Three Realms, who wouldn’t want to avoid tribulations? It was rare to find someone like him, eagerly wanting another chance to undergo the heavenly tribulation.
yào shuō zì jǐ zhè yī cì dù jié yǒu shén me tè bié zhī chù ， kěn dìng jiù shì zhè jiā huo 。
要说自己这一次渡劫有什么特别之处，肯定就是这家伙。
Frustrating!
yīn wèi tā de cún zài ， ràng zì jǐ de tiān jié ， biàn dé yǔ bié rén bù tóng ， qiáng dé lí pǔ ， què méi yǒu yì jīng xǐ suǐ de hǎo chù ， suàn shì bái bái dù guò 。
因为它的存在，让自己的天劫，变得与别人不同，强得离谱，却没有易经洗髓的好处，算是白白度过。
But what could he do about it?
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， lín xuān xīn zhōng jǔ sàng yǐ jí ， fèi lì bù tǎo hǎo mò guò yú cǐ 。
想到这里，林轩心中沮丧以极，费力不讨好莫过于此。
Lin Xuan didn’t know.
It was clear that after overcoming those three stages, he should have advanced successfully. Yet, due to some unforeseen circumstances, he ended up in this situation—hardly fair from heaven’s perspective.
rán ér yù mèn yòu yǒu shén me yòng chǔ ， nán bù chéng zì jǐ hái néng chóng xīn dù yī cì tiān jié ？
然而郁闷又有什么用处，难不成自己还能重新渡一次天劫？
Complaining wouldn't help. Lin Xuan's gaze fell back on the True Spirit Flame.
Rationally, he knew tribulations couldn’t be avoided, and only its creator could resolve it. The awkward situation was caused by the True Spirit Flame; thus, he had to find a solution from it.
jiù suàn zì jǐ yuàn yì ， bù jiè yì duō chī yī xiē kǔ ， dàn zǒng yě yào yǒu tiān jié kě dù 。
就算自己愿意，不介意多吃一些苦，但总也要有天劫可渡。
But how should he proceed? Swallowing it whole?
tiān jié ， xiū xiān zhě wú bù tán zhī biàn sè， dàn yě bú shì nǐ xiǎng yù jiù néng yù jiàn de 。
天劫，修仙者无不谈之变sè，但也不是你想遇就能遇见的。
The experience earlier still left him shaken. However, quickly, he felt relieved. The danger came from an external demon, and now that his heart demon was vanquished, there was no need to fear anymore.
Such a scene couldn’t repeat itself.
fán shì jiē yǒu qí guī zé ， xiǎng dào cǐ chù ， lín xuān liǎn shàng bù yóu de lù chū yī sī kǔ xiào zhī sè。
凡事皆有其规则，想到此处，林轩脸上不由得露出一丝苦笑之sè。
The True Spirit Flame lacked consciousness; everything just now was merely its illusory manifestation.
With this thought, Lin Xuan’s expression became resolute again.
One must enter the tiger's den to catch a tiger.
fàng yǎn sān jiè ， bù lùn xiū shì hái shì gǔ mó ， shuí bú shì kàn jiàn tiān jié jiù xiǎng duǒ ， bā bù dé tā yǒng yuǎn dōu bú yào jiàng luò ， xiàng zì jǐ zhè yàng ， yǎn bā bā xiǎng yào zài dù yī cì tiān jié de xiū xiān zhě ， fàng yǎn gǔ jīn ， zòng héng sān jiè ， kǒng pà yě shì jué wú jǐn yǒu le 。
放眼三界，不论修士还是古魔，谁不是看见天劫就想躲，巴不得它永远都不要降落，像自己这样，眼巴巴想要再渡一次天劫的修仙者，放眼古今，纵横三界，恐怕也是绝无仅有了。
Although it entailed some risk, how could he be content with failing? He had to take a chance. Otherwise, he would never be satisfied.
kū xiào bù dé ！
哭笑不得！
Taking a deep breath, Lin Xuan extended his divine sense. Even though he was determined, being cautious couldn’t hurt. He wanted to check if there were any issues with the True Spirit Flame.
rán ér wú nài zhī hòu zì jǐ yòu néng zěn me bàn ne ？
然而无奈之后自己又能怎么办呢？
However, his divine sense was immediately repelled and could not probe further.
Lin Xuan’s expression remained unchanged; this outcome was expected. He had only hoped for a miracle earlier. Failure wasn’t something to be regretted.
lín xuān shì zhēn bù xiǎo de 。
林轩是真不晓得。
Despite the setback, Lin Xuan’s face showed no signs of fear or hesitation.
In fact, he seemed composed!
shuō qǐ lái ， zì jǐ sān dà nàn guān dōu yǐ jīng chuǎng guò ， míng míng yīng gāi shì jìn jí chéng gōng le de ， què yīn cuò yáng chà ， luò de zhè yàng yí gè jié guǒ ， jiù suàn shì hǎo shì duō mó ， shàng tiān yě dài zì jǐ tài bù gōng píng le 。
说起来，自己三大难关都已经闯过，明明应该是晋级成功了的，却yīn错阳差，落得这样一个结果，就算是好事多磨，上天也待自己太不公平了。
Because apart from pain, his body still functioned normally, and his power flowed freely as before—completely different from when facing his heart demon. Moreover, this pain wasn’t due to a struggle for control over his body; in other words, the entity didn’t possess him.
kě bào yuàn yòu yǒu shén me yòng chǔ ， zuì hòu ， lín xuān de mù guāng hái shì luò zài nà zhēn líng zhī huǒ 。
可抱怨又有什么用处，最后，林轩的目光还是落在那真灵之火。
This sensation was similar to what he experienced during the Classic of Washing Essence.
lǐ zhì shàng tā zhī dào tiān jié bù kě néng jiàng luò ， nà jiě líng jiù hái xū xì líng rén le 。
理智上他知道天劫不可能降落，那解铃就还须系铃人了。
Indeed, it was the Classic of Washing Essence!
zì jǐ rú jīn miàn duì de gān gà jú miàn shì zhēn líng zhī huǒ zào chéng de ， yě jiù zhǐ yǒu cóng tā shēn shàng ， qù xún zhǎo jiě jué zhī cè 。
自己如今面对的尴尬局面是真灵之火造成的，也就只有从它身上，去寻找解决之策。
After confirming this, Lin Xuan, despite still shivering from the pain, wore a joyful expression.
When the road seems blocked, there is always another path.
zhǐ shì gāi zěn me bàn ne ？
只是该怎么办呢？
At that moment, these lines perfectly described his current state.
Having successfully passed through the three critical stages to break through the Tribulation Period, yet failing to advance, it was due to an error during the heavenly tribulation.
jiāng tā yī kǒu tūn xià róng hé ？
将它一口吞下融合？
Lin Xuan’s frustration was understandable. He didn’t want to see all his efforts go to waste. Thus, he took a desperate gamble and swallowed the True Spirit Flame, hoping that its effects would be similar to those of the Classic of Washing Essence.
xiǎng xiǎng gāng cái de jīng lì lín xuān dōu hái yǒu xiē xīn yǒu yú jì de 。
想想刚才的经历林轩都还有些心有余悸的。
The risks were high, but Lin Xuan wasn’t afraid. As long as it brought him further on the path to immortality, he was willing to take this chance.
bù guò hěn kuài ， tā yòu shì rán ， gāng gāng de jīng xiǎn ， shì yīn wèi tiān wài mó tóu de yuán gù ， rú jīn xīn mó yǐ jīng bèi zì jǐ zhǎn chú ， nà zì rán jiù méi yǒu bì yào jì xù dān xīn hài pà le 。
不过很快，他又释然，刚刚的惊险，是因为天外魔头的缘故，如今心魔已经被自己斩除，那自然就没有必要继续担心害怕了。
Without much ado, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged and began meditating, allowing his power to work with the True Spirit Flame for better results from the Classic of Washing Essence.
tóng yàng de yí mù ， shì bù kě néng zài chóng fù shàng yǎn de 。
同样的一幕，是不可能再重复上演的。
Time slowly passed.
zhēn líng zhī huǒ bìng méi yǒu líng zhì ， gāng gāng suǒ yǒu de yī qiè ， bù guò shì zhēn líng zhī huǒ huàn huà chū lái de jiǎ xiàng bà le 。
真灵之火并没有灵智，刚刚所有的一切，不过是真灵之火幻化出来的假象罢了。
...
nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， lín xuān de biǎo qíng ， yě jiù chóng xīn biàn dé jiān dìng qǐ lái le 。
脑海中念头转过，林轩的表情，也就重新变得坚定起来了。
Six months later.
bù rù hǔ xué yān dé hǔ zi 。
不入虎穴焉得虎子。
Six months—over a hundred days—for a cultivator at his current stage was like a blink.
However, enduring the pain of the Classic of Washing Essence wasn’t easy, especially over such an extended period.
suī rán zhè yàng zuò ， yě yào mào yī xiē fēng xiǎn ， dàn lín xuān zěn me gān xīn ， jiù zhè yàng jìn jí shī bài ne ？
虽然这样做，也要冒一些风险，但林轩怎么甘心，就这样晋级失败呢？
Fortunately, hard work paid off. After much effort, Lin Xuan finally advanced to the Tribulation Period.
The entire process lasted half a cup of tea, but it felt like an eternity.
Fortunately, all that was in the past.
He had successfully passed through the three critical stages to break through the Tribulation Period, despite the immense effort and hardship. However, something left Lin Xuan speechless.
Indeed, he did pass those three difficult stages, yet his strength increase compared to before was barely noticeable. This contradicted what was recorded in the classics.
After all, the Tribulation Period marked a turning point; it was entirely different from previous realms. One should have experienced a significant leap after advancing successfully. It was inconceivable that he would only see minor growth.
In other words, even though he had overcome those three stages, the benefits he expected did not materialize. Whether or not he had truly advanced to the Tribulation Period was uncertain.
Why was this happening?
Lin Xuan raised his head and gazed at the True Spirit Flame nearby.
This guy was undoubtedly the special aspect of his tribulation. Due to its existence, his heavenly tribulation became different from others—extremely powerful yet without the benefits of the Classic of Washing Essence. It was a waste.
These thoughts left Lin Xuan feeling extremely frustrated. It was pointless to do something with no reward.
However, what use was it to be depressed? Could he attempt the heavenly tribulation again?
Even if he was willing and did not mind enduring more hardships, there had to be a heavenly tribulation for him to face.
Tribulations were a source of fear for cultivators and ancient demons alike. Not everyone could encounter one at will.
Everything had its rules. Lin Xuan couldn't help but feel a bitter smile on his face.
In the Three Realms, who wouldn’t want to avoid tribulations? It was rare to find someone like him, eagerly wanting another chance to undergo the heavenly tribulation.
Frustrating!
But what could he do about it?
Lin Xuan didn’t know.
It was clear that after overcoming those three stages, he should have advanced successfully. Yet, due to some unforeseen circumstances, he ended up in this situation—hardly fair from heaven’s perspective.
Complaining wouldn't help. Lin Xuan's gaze fell back on the True Spirit Flame.
Rationally, he knew tribulations couldn’t be avoided, and only its creator could resolve it. The awkward situation was caused by the True Spirit Flame; thus, he had to find a solution from it.
But how should he proceed? Swallowing it whole?
The experience earlier still left him shaken. However, quickly, he felt relieved. The danger came from an external demon, and now that his heart demon was vanquished, there was no need to fear anymore.
Such a scene couldn’t repeat itself.
The True Spirit Flame lacked consciousness; everything just now was merely its illusory manifestation.
With this thought, Lin Xuan’s expression became resolute again.
One must enter the tiger's den to catch a tiger.
Although it entailed some risk, how could he be content with failing? He had to take a chance. Otherwise, he would never be satisfied.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Xuan extended his divine sense. Even though he was determined, being cautious couldn’t hurt. He wanted to check if there were any issues with the True Spirit Flame.
However, his divine sense was immediately repelled and could not probe further.
Lin Xuan’s expression remained unchanged; this outcome was expected. He had only hoped for a miracle earlier. Failure wasn’t something to be regretted.
Despite the setback, Lin Xuan’s face showed no signs of fear or hesitation.
In fact, he seemed composed!
Because apart from pain, his body still functioned normally, and his power flowed freely as before—completely different from when facing his heart demon. Moreover, this pain wasn’t due to a struggle for control over his body; in other words, the entity didn’t possess him.
This sensation was similar to what he experienced during the Classic of Washing Essence.
Indeed, it was the Classic of Washing Essence!
After confirming this, Lin Xuan, despite still shivering from the pain, wore a joyful expression.
When the road seems blocked, there is always another path.
At that moment, these lines perfectly described his current state.
Having successfully passed through the three critical stages to break through the Tribulation Period, yet failing to advance, it was due to an error during the heavenly tribulation.
Lin Xuan’s frustration was understandable. He didn’t want to see all his efforts go to waste. Thus, he took a desperate gamble and swallowed the True Spirit Flame, hoping that its effects would be similar to those of the Classic of Washing Essence.
The risks were high, but Lin Xuan wasn’t afraid. As long as it brought him further on the path to immortality, he was willing to take this chance.
Without much ado, Lin Xuan sat cross-legged and began meditating, allowing his power to work with the True Spirit Flame for better results from the Classic of Washing Essence.
Time slowly passed.
...
Six months later.
Six months—over a hundred days—for a cultivator at his current stage was like a blink.
However, enduring the pain of the Classic of Washing Essence wasn’t easy, especially over such an extended period.
Fortunately, hard work paid off. After much effort, Lin Xuan finally advanced to the Tribulation Period.