hóng huāng shàng gǔ ， hùn dùn chū kāi ， tiān dì yī jiù shì yī piàn xū wú 。
洪荒上古，混沌初开，天地依旧是一片虚无。
In the primordial age, when the混沌初开, the world was still a vast expanse of nothingness.
huī méng méng de kōng jiān zhōng ， bù shí yǒu tiān dì zhī wēi jiàng luò ， shǎn diàn 、 léi huǒ ， zài zhè xū wú de hùn dùn zhōng sì lüè zhe 。
灰蒙蒙的空间中，不时有天地之威降落，闪电、雷火，在这虚无的混沌中肆掠着。
Grayish space crackled with the might of heaven and earth. Lightning and fiery bolts roamed freely in this chaotic void.
yī dào huà pò cāng qióng de léi huǒ ， jī zhòng le yī jié kū mù ， dùn shí rán qǐ le xióng xióng dà huǒ 。
一道划破苍穹的雷火，击中了一截枯木，顿时燃起了熊熊大火。
A bolt of lightning-fire slashed through the sky, striking a withered branch that burst into flames.
suí hòu yú nà léi huǒ zhī jīng zhōng dàn shēng le yī yōng yǒu jiǔ gè nǎo dài de guài wù 。
随后于那雷火之jīng中诞生了一拥有九个脑袋的怪物。
From the heart of that bolt emerged a monstrous creature with nine heads.
sì chì ， liù zú ， gù pàn zhī jiān ， zì yǒu yī gǔ pì nì de wèi dào mí sàn ér chū 。
四翅，六足，顾盼之间，自有一股睥睨的味道弥散而出。
With four wings and six legs, it exuded an air of superiority as it moved.
zhè jiù shì jiǔ tóu niǎo de shǐ zǔ 。
这就是九头鸟的始祖。
This was the primordial phoenix.
suí hòu tā zài màn cháng de suì yuè zhōng tǔ nà ， bù tíng de xī shōu zhe rì yuè jīng huá 。
随后它在漫长的岁月中吐纳，不停的吸收着rì月jīng华。
Over countless eons, it inhaled and exhaled, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. It grew larger and stronger.
màn màn zhǎng dà 。
慢慢长大。
...
……
……
Suddenly, the scene before him shifted. A million years had passed. The world was no longer chaotic but still devoid of cultivators. However, strange creatures that were unknown to modern times now roamed the three realms.
tū rán ， yǎn qián de chǎng jǐng yī biàn ， sì hū yǐ jīng guò qù le bǎi wàn nián ， tiān dì jiān ， bù zài shì hùn dùn de yī piàn ， rán ér yī jiù bú jiàn xiū xiān zhě ， bù guò zài sān jiè zhōng ， dǎo shì duō chū le yī xiē xiàn zài wén suǒ wèi wén de guài wù 。
突然，眼前的场景一变，似乎已经过去了百万年，天地间，不再是混沌的一片，然而依旧不见修仙者，不过在三界中，倒是多出了一些现在闻所未闻的怪物。
These beasts were much larger than their contemporary counterparts: a giant ape towering over a hundred feet tall; rats as large as oxen; and serpents with three heads coiled like mountains.
tā men de tǐ xíng yuǎn dà yú xiàn zài de yāo zú 。
它们的体型远大于现在的妖族。
Primordial monsters!
shēn gāo bǎi zhàng de jù yuán 。
身高百丈的巨猿。
Even in ancient texts, few records of them existed. In the world of cultivation, only vague legends remained.
bǐ niú hái dà de lǎo shǔ 。
比牛还大的老鼠。
It was said that these creatures had existed for longer than cultivators themselves.
hái yǒu zhǎng zhe sān gè tóu lú ， pán qǐ lái xiàng shān yì bān gāo de mǎng shé 。
还有长着三个头颅，盘起来像山一般高的蟒蛇。
Not only were they massive, but many possessed extraordinary talents. If resurrected today, even great sages would not dare to underestimate them.
hóng huāng gǔ shòu ！
洪荒古兽！
Kwak!
jí biàn zài zuì gǔ lǎo de diǎn jí zhōng ， yě xiǎn yǒu jì zǎi ， zài xiū xiān jiè ， zhǐ shì liú xià le yī xiē xū wú piāo miǎo de chuán shuō 。
即便在最古老的典籍中，也鲜有记载，在修仙界，只是留下了一些虚无缥缈的传说。
The primordial phoenix's cry echoed as it fought with a giant serpent with three heads.
jù shuō tā men cún zài de shí jiān ， yuǎn bǐ xiū xiān zhě hái yào jiǔ yuǎn 。
据说它们存在的时间，远比修仙者还要久远。
This phoenix was much stronger than in the beginning of creation, yet still had not produced true spirit flames.
zhè xiē jiā huo bù jǐn tǐ xíng páng bó ， ér qiě tōng cháng hái dài yǒu yī xiē liǎo bù qǐ de tiān fù ， jiǎ rú xiàn zài fù huó ， jiù suàn shì nà xiē dà néng cún zài yě jué bù gǎn yǒu bàn fēn xiǎo kàn de 。
这些家伙不仅体型磅礴，而且通常还带有一些了不起的天赋，假如现在复活，就算是那些大能存在也绝不敢有半分小看的。
Each head of the serpent could wield different types of divine arts. With its immense strength and thick hide, the phoenix found itself in a tough battle.
“ gū ！”
“呱！”
The fight lasted for three days and nights before the phoenix emerged victorious.
jiǔ tóu niǎo de míng jiào chuán rù ěr duǒ ， suí hòu biàn jiàn tā yǔ yōng yǒu sān gè tóu lú de jù mǎng sī dǎ qǐ lái le 。
九头鸟的鸣叫传入耳朵，随后便见它与拥有三个头颅的巨蟒撕打起来了。
But it was hardly unscathed; it was nearly covered in wounds.
cǐ shí de jiǔ tóu niǎo ， bǐ qǐ hùn dùn chū shēng shí yǐ qiáng dà le xǔ duō ， rán ér yī jiù méi yǒu yùn yù chū zhēn líng zhī huǒ 。
此时的九头鸟，比起混沌初生时已强大了许多，然而依旧没有孕育出真灵之火。
Pecking through the corpse, the primordial phoenix discovered round balls the size of dragon eyes in each head. Without hesitation, it devoured these, then found a place to rest and recover its power.
ér nà jù mǎng de měi yí gè tóu lú ， jiē néng qū shǐ bù tóng shǔ xìng de shén tōng ， jiā shàng tā lì dà wú qióng ， pí cāo ròu hòu， jiǔ tóu niǎo xiàn rù le kǔ dòu 。
而那巨蟒的每一个头颅，皆能驱使不同属xìng的神通，加上它力大无穷，皮糙肉hòu，九头鸟陷入了苦斗。
...
zhè yī zhàn chí xù le sān tiān sān yè zhī jiǔ ， zuì hòu yǐ jiǔ tóu niǎo de shèng lì ér gào zhōng 。
这一战持续了三天三夜之久，最后以九头鸟的胜利而告终。
Such battles were not uncommon in the primordial age. Various strange and powerful creatures roamed freely. While there were no cultivators back then, the world was still perilous. The phoenix often hunted these ancient beasts but also became prey itself on several occasions.
dàn tā yě bù hǎo guò ， jī hū kě yǐ shuō shì biàn tǐ lín shāng le 。
但它也不好过，几乎可以说是遍体鳞伤了。
After much hardship, it finally survived to tell the tale.
jiǔ tóu niǎo zhuó kāi duì fāng de shī tǐ ， jù mǎng měi yí gè tóu lú zhōng ， jiē yǒu yī lóng yǎn dà xiǎo de yuán qiú ， yán sè gè bù xiāng tóng ， rú guǒ méi yǒu liào cuò ， nà yīng gāi shì lèi sì yú yāo dān de dōng dōng 。
九头鸟啄开对方的尸体，巨蟒每一个头颅中，皆有一龙眼大小的圆球，颜sè各不相同，如果没有料错，那应该是类似于妖丹的东东。
Lin Xuan, though an observer, felt a profound connection as he witnessed all this. Many reflections!
jiǔ tóu niǎo méi yǒu kè qì ， měi měi de xiǎng yòng le cǐ wù ， suí hòu biàn zhǎo le yí gè dì fāng xiū yǎng shēng xī ， huī fù fǎ lì 。
九头鸟没有客气，美美的享用了此物，随后便找了一个地方修养生息，恢复法力。
The old saying that "heaven does not drop pies" was indeed true. Whether for his own path or for the primordial phoenix, becoming a true spirit required immense effort and hardship.
zhè yàng de zhàn dòu bìng bù xiǎn jiàn ， zài hóng huāng shàng gǔ ， gè zhǒng xī qí gǔ guài ， shí lì chū zhòng de guài wù kě yǐ shuō shì shù liàng fán duō 。
这样的战斗并不鲜见，在洪荒上古，各种稀奇古怪，实力出众的怪物可以说是数量繁多。
But Lin Xuan was more than just an observer. As he experienced these events firsthand, the phoenix's knowledge and experiences were absorbed into his mind, transforming into his own.
ér nà shí hòu suī rán méi yǒu xiū xiān zhě ， dàn xiǎn è què bìng bù bǐ xiàn zài de xiū xiān jiè xùn sè， ruò ròu qiáng shí ， jiǔ tóu niǎo zài bǔ shí zhè xiē hóng huāng gǔ shòu de tóng shí ， yě shí cháng chéng wéi duì fāng de liè wù 。
而那时候虽然没有修仙者，但险恶却并不比现在的修仙界逊sè，弱肉强食，九头鸟在捕食这些洪荒古兽的同时，也时常成为对方的猎物。
This was the magic of true spirit flames: passing down memories from one generation to another in this manner yielded the best results.
hǎo jǐ cì dōu chà diǎn yǔn luò ， lì jīng qiān xīn wàn kǔ ， cái zhōng yú xiǎn sǐ hái shēng lái zhe 。
好几次都差点陨落，历经千辛万苦，才终于险死还生来着。
...
ér lín xuān suī shì páng guān zhě ， dàn dāng zhè xiē jì yì yǒng mǎo rù tā de nǎo hǎi de shí hòu ， què yě yǔ shēn lín qí jìng chà bu duō 。
而林轩虽是旁观者，但当这些记忆涌冇入它的脑海的时候，却也与身临其境差不多。
The scene before him changed again.
pǒ duō gǎn chù ！
颇多感触！
After countless efforts and twists and turns, the primordial phoenix finally produced true spirit flames. It had achieved perfection and became a powerful true spirit.
gǔ yǔ shuō ， tiān shàng bú huì diào xiàn bǐng guǒ rán méi cuò ， bié shuō zì jǐ de xiū xiān zhī lù ， jiù suàn shì jiǔ tóu niǎo zhè yàng de tiān dì líng wù ， xiǎng yào chéng wéi zhēn líng ， yī yàng jīng lì le qiān xīn wàn kǔ 。
古语说，天上不会掉馅饼果然没错，别说自己的修仙之路，就算是九头鸟这样的天地灵物，想要成为真灵，一样经历了千辛万苦。
The exact duration of these events was hard to calculate.
……
……
At that time, it was still the primordial age, but cultivators had finally appeared on the scene. The ancient beasts were fewer in number; survival of the fittest was nature's choice.
ér lín xuān yòu bù jǐn jǐn shì páng guān zhě 。
而林轩又不仅仅是旁观者。
While the ancient beasts were formidable, they also had weaknesses: their massive size made it difficult to find food, and their low intelligence left them far behind even ordinary demons when compared to humans.
zài shēn lín qí jìng mù dǔ zhè yī qiè de tóng shí ， jiǔ tóu niǎo de jīng yàn ， jiǔ tóu niǎo de zhī shí ， yě bèi tā yī yī xī nà dào le nǎo hǎi lǐ 。
在身临其境目睹这一切的同时，九头鸟的经验，九头鸟的知识，也被他一一吸纳到了脑海里。
Thus, these creatures gradually faded away, becoming increasingly rare in the world of cultivation.
suí hòu zhuǎn huà wèi zì jǐ de dōng xī 。
随后转化为自己的东西。
The world of cultivation at that time was vastly different from what Lin Xuan knew. The three realms were still forming, but the environment for cultivation was much better than today. While not everywhere was teeming with spirit herbs and divine materials, various cultivation resources could be found easily.
zhè jiù shì zhēn líng zhī huǒ de qí miào zhī chù ， yòng zhè yàng de fāng shì jiāng shàng dài zhēn líng de jì yì chuán chéng xià qù ， xiào guǒ shì zuì hǎo de 。
这就是真灵之火的奇妙之处，用这样的方式将上代真灵的记忆传承下去，效果是最好的。
Spirit energy was abundant; the quality and quantity of spirit veins far exceeded current standards.
……
……
What amazed him even more was that during this era, resources were plentiful, and prodigies emerged like stars in the sky.
suí hòu yǎn qián de chǎng jǐng yòu biàn huàn le 。
随后眼前的场景又变幻了。
Cold Immortal, Flower Fairy, Asura...
jīng guò wú shù de nǔ lì ， wú shù de qū zhé ， jiǔ tóu niǎo zhōng yú yùn yù chū le zhēn líng zhī huǒ ， gōng dé yuán mǎn ， chéng wéi le zhēn líng zhè zhǒng jí wéi qiáng dà de cún zài 。
经过无数的努力，无数的曲折，九头鸟终于孕育出了真灵之火，功德圆满，成为了真灵这种极为强大的存在。
Solitary Wild Goose, Li Yutong, and Nai Long...
zhì yú qián hòu huā le duō zhǎng shí jiān ， zé nán yǐ jì suàn 。
至于前后花了多长时间，则难以计算。
Countless names came to mind. Some he had never heard of, while others were household names.
ér zhè shí hòu de shí jiān ， yǔ hóng huāng shí yòu bù yī bān 。
而这时候的时间，与洪荒时又不一般。
It turned out that the three Loose Immortals and the three demon kings already existed back then.
zhè shí hòu ， hái shì shàng gǔ ， bù guò xiū xiān zhě zhōng yú fěn mò dēng chǎng le ， zhì yú hóng huāng gǔ shòu ， zé shǎo le xǔ duō ， yōu shèng liè tài ， shì zì rán jiè de xuǎn zé 。
这时候，还是上古，不过修仙者终于粉墨登场了，至于洪荒古兽，则少了许多，优胜劣汰，是自然界的选择。
The true demons like Treasure Snake and Frost Soul also made their debut in this era.
hóng huāng gǔ shòu suī rán qiáng dà ， dàn ruò diǎn yě hěn míng xiǎn ， tǐ xíng tài dà nàn yú xún zhǎo dào shí wù ， zhì shāng yě tài dī ， bié shuō yǔ rén lèi xiāng bǐ ， yǒu de shèn zhì hái bù jí pǔ tōng de yāo zú 。
洪荒古兽虽然强大，但弱点也很明显，体型太大难于寻找到食物，智商也太低，别说与人类相比，有的甚至还不及普通的妖族。
Lin Xuan was filled with emotion. The path of cultivation was forged by them; the eight stages of refinement had been gradually perfected through their efforts.
suǒ yǐ tā men jiàn jiàn de yǔn luò ， zài xiū xiān jiè shì yuè lái yuè nán yǐ jiàn dào tā men de zōng yǐng le 。
所以它们渐渐的陨落，在修仙界是越来越难以见到它们的踪影了。
The primordial phoenix did not merely observe from a distance. It had battled some of the best, even being slain by Li Yutong's sword.
ér zhè shí hòu de xiū xiān jiè ， yě yǔ lín xuān suǒ rèn zhī de bù tài xiāng tóng 。
而这时候的修仙界，也与林轩所认知的不太相同。
Li Yutong was someone Lin Xuan had never met but whose name he knew well. She was one of the three Loose Immortals and the only woman among them.
nà shí hòu sān jiè sì hū dōu hái bú shì hěn qīng chǔ ， xiū xiān de huán jìng zé yuǎn shèng xiàn zài xǔ duō ， bù shuō dào chù dōu shì líng cǎo xiān wù 。
那时候三界似乎都还不是很清楚，修仙的环境则远胜现在许多，不说到处都是灵草仙物。
Unfortunately, she was elusive, rarely making an appearance at events like Nai Long's wedding. Lin Xuan only knew her by reputation.
dàn gè zhǒng yòng yú xiū xiān de cái liào hái shì hěn róng yì zhǎo xún de 。
但各种用于修仙的材料还是很容易找寻的。
The first primordial phoenix fell, and it now had a fixed abode—the true spirit space. The true spirit flames returned there, waiting for another suitable phoenix to arrive.
líng qì gèng shì chōng zú ， líng mài bù lùn pǐn zhì hái shì shù liàng dōu yuǎn shèng xiàn zài xǔ duō 。
灵气更是充足，灵脉不论品质还是数量都远胜现在许多。
Through inheritance and fusion, a new true spirit was born. A million years had passed in the world of cultivation.
ér gèng ràng rén jīng yà de shì ， nà shí hòu ， xiū xiān jiè bù jǐn zī yuán chōng zú ， tiān cái ， yě rú tóng yī kē kē yào yǎn de xīng chén bān yǒng xiàn ér chū 。
而更让人惊讶的是，那时候，修仙界不仅资源充足，天才，也如同一颗颗耀眼的星辰般涌现而出。
Suddenly, memories flooded Lin Xuan's mind as a new scene unfolded before him.
guǎng hán zhēn rén ， bǎi huā xiān zi ， ā xiū luó ……
广寒真人，百花仙子，阿修罗……
...
gū hóng zi ， lǐ yǔ tóng ， hái yǒu nài lóng ……
孤鸿子，李雨桐，还有鼐龙……
Time flowed like water; this time, his unconsciousness lasted several years. While not short, it was insignificant compared to the countless lifetimes he experienced with the true spirit flames.
shǔ bù shèng shǔ 。
数不胜数。
Finally, Lin Xuan woke up, and the true spirit flames had imprinted themselves on his soul.
yǒu de míng zì ， lín xuān bù céng tīng guò ， dàn yǒu de míng zì ， què shì rú léi guàn ěr le 。
有的名字，林轩不曾听过，但有的名字，却是如雷贯耳了。
His face bore the marks of a long journey as he slowly raised his hand. His arm seemed unchanged, but his skin appeared slightly paler.
yuán lái sān dà sàn xiān ， sān dà yāo wáng zài nà shí hòu jiù yǐ jīng cún zài 。
原来三大散仙，三大妖王在那时候就已经存在。
Lin Xuan clenched his fist and subtly summoned power; red spiritual runes appeared on his skin, followed by a layer of silver.
yuán lái bǎo shé ， bīng pò zhè yàng de zhēn mó shǐ zǔ ， yě tóng yàng shì zài nà shí hòu zhǎn lù tóu jiǎo de 。
原来宝蛇，冰魄这样的真魔始祖，也同样是在那时候崭露头角的。
"Rise!"
lín xuān gǎn kǎi wàn qiān 。
林轩感慨万千。
With lightning speed, Lin Xuan's left hand struck, summoning a dark green divine sword that sliced fiercely towards his right hand.
In the primordial age, when the混沌初开, the world was still a vast expanse of nothingness.
Grayish space crackled with the might of heaven and earth. Lightning and fiery bolts roamed freely in this chaotic void.
Zzzz...
A bolt of lightning-fire slashed through the sky, striking a withered branch that burst into flames.
From the heart of that bolt emerged a monstrous creature with nine heads.
With four wings and six legs, it exuded an air of superiority as it moved.
This was the primordial phoenix.
Over countless eons, it inhaled and exhaled, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. It grew larger and stronger.
...
Suddenly, the scene before him shifted. A million years had passed. The world was no longer chaotic but still devoid of cultivators. However, strange creatures that were unknown to modern times now roamed the three realms.
These beasts were much larger than their contemporary counterparts: a giant ape towering over a hundred feet tall; rats as large as oxen; and serpents with three heads coiled like mountains.
Primordial monsters!
Even in ancient texts, few records of them existed. In the world of cultivation, only vague legends remained.
It was said that these creatures had existed for longer than cultivators themselves.
Not only were they massive, but many possessed extraordinary talents. If resurrected today, even great sages would not dare to underestimate them.
Kwak!
The primordial phoenix's cry echoed as it fought with a giant serpent with three heads.
This phoenix was much stronger than in the beginning of creation, yet still had not produced true spirit flames.
Each head of the serpent could wield different types of divine arts. With its immense strength and thick hide, the phoenix found itself in a tough battle.
The fight lasted for three days and nights before the phoenix emerged victorious.
But it was hardly unscathed; it was nearly covered in wounds.
Pecking through the corpse, the primordial phoenix discovered round balls the size of dragon eyes in each head. Without hesitation, it devoured these, then found a place to rest and recover its power.
...
Such battles were not uncommon in the primordial age. Various strange and powerful creatures roamed freely. While there were no cultivators back then, the world was still perilous. The phoenix often hunted these ancient beasts but also became prey itself on several occasions.
After much hardship, it finally survived to tell the tale.
Lin Xuan, though an observer, felt a profound connection as he witnessed all this. Many reflections!
The old saying that "heaven does not drop pies" was indeed true. Whether for his own path or for the primordial phoenix, becoming a true spirit required immense effort and hardship.
...
But Lin Xuan was more than just an observer. As he experienced these events firsthand, the phoenix's knowledge and experiences were absorbed into his mind, transforming into his own.
This was the magic of true spirit flames: passing down memories from one generation to another in this manner yielded the best results.
...
The scene before him changed again.
After countless efforts and twists and turns, the primordial phoenix finally produced true spirit flames. It had achieved perfection and became a powerful true spirit.
The exact duration of these events was hard to calculate.
At that time, it was still the primordial age, but cultivators had finally appeared on the scene. The ancient beasts were fewer in number; survival of the fittest was nature's choice.
While the ancient beasts were formidable, they also had weaknesses: their massive size made it difficult to find food, and their low intelligence left them far behind even ordinary demons when compared to humans.
Thus, these creatures gradually faded away, becoming increasingly rare in the world of cultivation.
The world of cultivation at that time was vastly different from what Lin Xuan knew. The three realms were still forming, but the environment for cultivation was much better than today. While not everywhere was teeming with spirit herbs and divine materials, various cultivation resources could be found easily.
Spirit energy was abundant; the quality and quantity of spirit veins far exceeded current standards.
What amazed him even more was that during this era, resources were plentiful, and prodigies emerged like stars in the sky.
Cold Immortal, Flower Fairy, Asura...
Solitary Wild Goose, Li Yutong, and Nai Long...
Countless names came to mind. Some he had never heard of, while others were household names.
It turned out that the three Loose Immortals and the three demon kings already existed back then.
The true demons like Treasure Snake and Frost Soul also made their debut in this era.
Lin Xuan was filled with emotion. The path of cultivation was forged by them; the eight stages of refinement had been gradually perfected through their efforts.
The primordial phoenix did not merely observe from a distance. It had battled some of the best, even being slain by Li Yutong's sword.
Li Yutong was someone Lin Xuan had never met but whose name he knew well. She was one of the three Loose Immortals and the only woman among them.
Unfortunately, she was elusive, rarely making an appearance at events like Nai Long's wedding. Lin Xuan only knew her by reputation.
The first primordial phoenix fell, and it now had a fixed abode—the true spirit space. The true spirit flames returned there, waiting for another suitable phoenix to arrive.
Through inheritance and fusion, a new true spirit was born. A million years had passed in the world of cultivation.
Suddenly, memories flooded Lin Xuan's mind as a new scene unfolded before him.
...
Time flowed like water; this time, his unconsciousness lasted several years. While not short, it was insignificant compared to the countless lifetimes he experienced with the true spirit flames.
Finally, Lin Xuan woke up, and the true spirit flames had imprinted themselves on his soul.
His face bore the marks of a long journey as he slowly raised his hand. His arm seemed unchanged, but his skin appeared slightly paler.
Lin Xuan clenched his fist and subtly summoned power; red spiritual runes appeared on his skin, followed by a layer of silver.
"Rise!"
With lightning speed, Lin Xuan's left hand struck, summoning a dark green divine sword that sliced fiercely towards his right hand.