ér tā men de mù dì zhǐ yǒu yí gè 。
而他们的目的只有一个。
Their sole objective was clear.
jiù shì zhēng duó wéi yī yí gè tīng qīng xiān zǐ dàn zòu xiān qū de míng é 。
就是争夺唯一一个听清仙子弹奏仙曲的名额。
It was to vie for the only slot where they could hear the immortal music played by the immortal musician.
sān nián cái yǒu yī cì ， jī huì nán dé 。
三年才有一次，机会难得。
This opportunity came once every three years, making it a rare chance indeed.
zhì yú zhēng duó de fāng shì ， yǔ pāi mài huì xiāng chà fǎng fú 。
至于争夺的方式，与拍卖会相差仿佛。
The method of competition mirrored that of an auction, but with a key difference: one had to present a treasure that would satisfy the immortal maiden.
wèi shén me shuō xiāng chà fǎng fú ne ？
为什么说相差仿佛呢？
Just offering crystal stones wouldn't suffice.
yīn wèi zhè yǔ pāi mài huì jià gāo zhě dé yòu jǐ fēn jiǒng yì zhī chù ， guān jiàn hái zài yú ， nǐ néng fǒu ná chū lìng nà wèi qīng xiān zi mǎn yì de bǎo wù 。
因为这与拍卖会价高者得又几分迥异之处，关键还在于，你能否拿出令那位清仙子满意的宝物。
Given her skill in playing the zither, which could enhance cultivation and help break through barriers, many cultivators were eager to participate. Each contest was fierce beyond measure.
jǐn jǐn shì jīng shí ， duì fāng kě bù yào de 。
仅仅是晶石，对方可不要的。
The elderly man in宽松 robes didn’t have much time left, so he proposed generous terms to reduce his competitors. Despite other Dan玄期 cultivators numbering over a dozen, he believed that only the one dressed in gray posed a serious threat. The others were no match for him; he had an 80% chance of securing this opportunity if he could persuade the gray-robed man not to compete.
ér cǐ nǚ de qín shēng rú cǐ liǎo de ， yǒu zēng jìn xiū wèi tū pò píng jǐng de xiào guǒ ， xiū xiān zhě men zì rán shì qū zhī ruò wù ， měi yī cì zhēng duó ， dōu jī liè dào wú yǐ fù jiā de dì bù 。
而此女的琴声如此了得，有增进修为突破瓶颈的效果，修仙者们自然是趋之若鹜，每一次争夺，都激烈到无以复加的地步。
The two used sound transmission techniques, so their exact conversation was unknown to others.
ér kuān páo lǎo zhě shòu yuán bù duō ， wèi le ràng jìng zhēng duì shǒu shǎo yì diǎn ， suǒ yǐ cái duì wū xìng xiū shì tí chū rú cǐ kuān hòu de tiáo jiàn 。
而宽袍老者寿元不多，为了让竞争对手少一点，所以才对乌姓修士提出如此宽厚的条件。
"Brother Wu, you don’t need to do anything. Just give up your competition with Zhao and this Fragrant Clear Jade Pill will be yours. My lifespan is short, but I can wait three years. If you help me now, it’s a huge favor I owe you."
suī rán chú le tā men liǎng rén zhī wài ， mù míng qián lái de dòng xuán qī xiū shì ， hái yǒu shí yú rén zhī duō 。
虽然除了他们两人之外，慕名前来的洞玄期修士，还有十余人之多。
"Agreed."
rán ér zài tā kàn lái ， yě jiù zhǐ yǒu nà shēn chuān huī yī de wū xìng xiū shì nǎi shì jìng dí ， qí tā rén ， dōu bù zú wèi jù ， zhǐ yào shuō dòng wū xìng xiū shì bù yǔ zì jǐ zhēng duó ， tā zhì shǎo yǒu bā chéng yǐ shàng de bǎ wò zhēng qǔ dào zhè yī cì líng tīng xiān qū de míng é 。
然而在他看来，也就只有那身穿灰衣的乌姓修士乃是劲敌，其他人，都不足为惧，只要说动乌姓修士不与自己争夺，他至少有八成以上的把握争取到这一次聆听仙曲的名额。
The gray-robed man showed signs of hesitation but finally agreed.
dāng rán ， liǎng rén shǐ yòng de shì chuán yīn rù mì zhī shù ， jiū jìng zài shuō xiē shén me ， qí tā rén bìng bù qīng chǔ 。
当然，两人使用的是传音入密之术，究竟在说些什么，其他人并不清楚。
The terms were too favorable to refuse, especially given the other's determination. He didn’t think he could outcompete them even if he joined in. It was better to be on the safe side and do a favor for someone.
“ zěn me yàng ， wū xiōng ， nǐ shén me yě bù yòng zuò ， zhǐ xū yào fàng qì yǔ zhào mǒu de zhēng duó ， zhè lì qīng xiāng suì yù dān jiù guī nǐ le ， dào yǒu shòu yuán suī rán bù duō ， dàn qū qū sān nián hái shì děng dé qǐ de ， zhǐ yào nǐ zhè cì chéng quán le wǒ ， zhè yī cì ， jiù suàn zhào mǒu qiàn nǐ yī dà rén qíng rú hé ？”
“怎么样，乌兄，你什么也不用做，只需要放弃与赵某的争夺，这粒清香碎玉丹就归你了，道友寿元虽然不多，但区区三年还是等得起的，只要你这次成全了我，这一次，就算赵某欠你一大人情如何？”
Such an opportunity doesn’t come around often; miss it now, and there’s no second chance.
“ hǎo 。”
“好。”
"I agree with you."
nà wū xìng xiū shì liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī zhēng zhá zhī sè ， dàn zuì hòu zhōng yú yǎo yǎo yá tóng yì le 。
那乌姓修士脸上闪过一丝挣扎之色，但最后终于咬咬牙同意了。
"Ha! Your wisdom is truly commendable, friend."
bì jìng duì fāng tí chū de tiáo jiàn yōu hòu yǐ jí ， tā shí zài bù xiǎng jù jué ， ér qiě kàn duì fāng zhì zài bì děi de yàng zi ， zì jǐ jiù suàn jiā rù zhēng duó ， yě bù yí dìng néng gòu shèng guò ， yǔ qí rú cǐ ， hái bù rú zuò yí gè shùn shuǐ rén qíng hǎo le 。
毕竟对方提出的条件优厚以极，他实在不想拒绝，而且看对方志在必得的样子，自己就算加入争夺，也不一定能够胜过，与其如此，还不如做一个顺水人情好了。
The elderly man in宽松 robes was overjoyed at this outcome. His efforts had paid off.
bù yòng rèn hé dài jià ， jiù néng dé dào dà liàng hǎo chù ， zhè yàng de jī huì kě bù duō 。 cuò guò zhè ge cūn 。 kě jiù méi yǒu zhè ge diàn le 。
不用任何代价，就能得到大量好处，这样的机会可不多。错过这个村。可就没有这个店了。
But before he could savor his victory, a sudden commotion arose. A strange laughter echoed: "Fragrant Clear Jade Pill, you have such an item? Iron’s luck must be good indeed. Why not give it to me?"
“ wū mǒu dā yìng nǐ le 。”
“乌某答应你了。”
Before anyone could react, thunder and lightning filled the air. A crimson cloud suddenly formed in the sky.
“ hā hā ， dào yǒu zhè me zuò ， jué duì shì míng zhì xuǎn zé 。”
“哈哈，道友这么做，绝对是明智选择。”
The cloud was several acres wide, raising temperatures around it significantly. Everyone turned pale as more experienced cultivators gasped.
nà kuān páo lǎo zhě ， liǎn shàng lù chū dà xǐ guò wàng zhī sè ， bù wǎng zì jǐ fèi yī fān chún shé ， zhōng yú dé dào le lìng rén mǎn yì de jié guǒ 。
那宽袍老者，脸上露出大喜过望之色，不枉自己费一番唇舌，终于得到了令人满意的结果。
"Red Fire Divine Technique! Could it be the Red Fire Old Monster from Jade Peak?"
rán ér zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， yì biàn tū qǐ 。 sī háo zhēng zhào yě wú ， yī gā gā de guài xiào shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ qīng xiāng suì yù dān ， dào yǒu jū rán yǒu cǐ wù ， kàn lái ， tiě mǒu de jī yuán hái zhēn bù cuò ， dào yǒu bù rú sòng yǔ wǒ 。”
然而这个念头尚未转过，异变突起。丝毫征兆也无，一嘎嘎的怪笑声传入耳朵：“清香碎玉丹，道友居然有此物，看来，铁某的机缘还真不错，道友不如送与我。”
"What on earth is that old monster doing here?"
huà yīn wèi luò 。 fēng léi shēng dà qǐ 。
话音未落。风雷声大起。
"He’s said to have one foot in the realm of spirit division."
yuán běn píng jìng de tiān kōng ， tū rán yǒu yī duǒ chì hóng sè de yún cǎi níng jù 。
原本平静的天空，突然有一朵赤红色的云彩凝聚。
"That’s true. I’ve heard his red fire divine technique is unparalleled, with unpredictable powers. Some say he can even rival a spirit division cultivator."
zú yǒu shù mǔ ， zhōu wéi yīn wèi zhè chì hóng yún cǎi de yuán gù ， wēn dù dōu shēng gāo le xǔ duō 。
足有数亩，周围因为这赤红云彩的缘故，温度都升高了许多。
"Is it true? Is the Red Fire Old Monster really so formidable?"
yī shí jiān ， rén rén biàn sè ， gèng yǒu jiàn shí guǎng bó zhī rén jīng jiào qǐ lái le 。
一时间，人人变色，更有见识广博之人惊叫起来了。
"Regardless of whether it’s true or not, Iron’s strength far exceeds ours!"
“ chì huǒ shén tōng ， nán dào shì cuì xiá shān de chì huǒ lǎo guài ？”
“赤火神通，难道是翠霞山的赤火老怪？”
...
“ tiān nǎ ， nà lǎo guài wù zěn me lái le ？”
“天哪，那老怪物怎么来了？”
The discussion continued as the cloud began to churn violently.
“ chuán shuō 。 tā kě shì yī zhī jiǎo tà rù fēn shén de rén wù 。”
“传说。他可是一只脚踏入分神的人物。”
A crimson hand suddenly shot out from the cloud and grabbed the elderly man.
“ bù cuò 。 wǒ yě tīng shuō ， cǐ rén suī rán shàng wèi jìn jí 。 dàn xiū liàn de chì huǒ xuán gōng wēi lì què wú yǐ lún bǐ ， yī shēn shén tōng biàn huà mò cè ， shèn zhì yǒu chuán yán shuō ， tā kě yǐ lì dí fēn shén jí bié de xiū xiān zhě 。”
“不错。我也听说，此人虽然尚未晋级。但修炼的赤火玄功威力却无以伦比，一身神通变化莫测，甚至有传言说，他可以力敌分神级别的修仙者。”
The other cultivator was shocked and angry but couldn’t summon his treasures in time. He threw an electric arc at the hand, which seemed powerful enough. However, it was like a stone hitting water; no effect at all.
“ zhēn de jiǎ de ， chì huǒ lǎo guài yǒu zhè me lì hài me ？”
“真的假的，赤火老怪有这么厉害么？”
In an instant, the hand reached over the old man’s head.
“ hēi ， cǐ shì bù guǎn shì zhēn shì jiǎ ， fǎn zhèng chì huǒ lǎo guài de shí lì ， jué duì bú shì wǒ děng kě yǐ pǐ dí de a ！”
“嘿，此事不管是真是假，反正赤火老怪的实力，绝对不是我等可以匹敌的啊！”
"Red Fire Old Monster! This is where the immortal maiden resides. How dare you hurt me here?"
……
……
"Hmph, just a little girl, what can she do? I’ll crush her to powder and take that girl too. Her music has some mysterious effects; with more exposure, I might reach spirit division."
zhè fān de yì lùn shēng shàng bù jué yú ěr duǒ ， tóu dǐng de wū yún ， yǐ kāi shǐ jù liè fān yǒng 。
这番的议论声尚不绝于耳朵，头顶的乌云，已开始剧烈翻涌。
"What...?"
chì máng dà zuò ， yī zhī huǒ hóng sè de jù shǒu cóng nà yún cǎi zhōng sà rán tàn chū ， cháo zhe xià fāng zhuā luò 。
赤芒大做，一只火红色的巨手从那云彩中飒然探出，朝着下方抓落。
All present were stunned.
mù biāo zhèng shì kuān páo lǎo zhě 。
目标正是宽袍老者。
This old monster was incredibly bold. The immortal maiden’s music had such skill, though they couldn’t be sure, it seemed likely she was a disciple of the Heavenly Sound Palace traveling outside. Everyone coveted her skills but no one dared to challenge her until now; Iron’s audacity was shocking.
duì fāng zì rán yòu jīng yòu nù ， dàn zhè shí hòu jì chū bǎo wù yǐ lái bù jí ， huāng zhāng zhī xià ， dān shǒu yī yáng ， fàng chū yī dào shù zhàng zhǎng de diàn hú lái ， hěn hěn jī dào dà shǒu yī cè 。
对方自然又惊又怒，但这时候祭出宝物已来不及，慌张之下，单手一扬，放出一道数丈长的电弧来，狠狠击到大手一侧。
Before anyone could react, a deafening boom echoed. The hand clenched and punched down.
shēng wēi kàn shàng qù yě shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， rán ér jié guǒ què méi yǒu fēn háo yòng chǔ ， rú ní niú rù hǎi ， bú jiàn bàn diǎn bō lán 。
声威看上去也是非同小可，然而结果却没有分毫用处，如泥牛入海，不见半点波澜。
The elderly man’s power wasn’t weak either, but he couldn’t dodge it. He was crushed into powder, his soul unable to escape.
yī zhǎ yǎn ， nà jù shǒu jiù lái dào le lǎo zhě tóu dǐng shàng kōng 。
一眨眼，那巨手就来到了老者头顶上空。
The Fragrant Clear Jade Pill, which had caused trouble, fell into the other’s hands.
lǎo zhě yī jiàn zhī xià ， shì zhēn de huāng le ：“ chì huǒ lǎo guài ， zhè lǐ shì qīng xiān zi yǐn jū de dòng tiān fú dì ， nǐ gǎn zài zhè lǐ shāng wǒ ？”
老者一见之下，是真的慌了：“赤火老怪，这里是清仙子隐居的洞天福地，你敢在这里伤我？”
A single strike killed a peer cultivator in an ambush; such a feat was not within the capabilities of ordinary cultivators.
“ hēng ， qū qū yí gè xiǎo yā tou ， yòu suàn dé le shén me ， lǎo fū bù jǐn yào jiāng nǐ niǎn wèi fěn mò ， yī huì er yě huì yào jiāng nà xiǎo yā tou zhuā zǒu de ， tīng shuō tā de qín shēng pǒ yǒu yī xiē shén miào de xiào guǒ ， xiǎng lái duō tīng jǐ cì ， lǎo fū yě jiù néng jìn jiē dào fēn shén qī le 。”
“哼，区区一个小丫头，又算得了什么，老夫不仅要将你碾为粉末，一会儿也会要将那小丫头抓走的，听说她的琴声颇有一些神妙的效果，想来多听几次，老夫也就能进阶到分神期了。”
With the pill and weapon taken, the red cloud churned again.
“ shén me ……”
“什么……”
Hundreds of light blades shot out, enveloping all present. No one could escape unscathed as they struggled to defend against the attacks.
zài chǎng de xiū shì wú bù chēng mù jié shé 。
在场的修士无不瞠目结舌。
Taking advantage of this moment, the red cloud rushed forward like a bamboo house.
zhè lǎo guài wù hái zhēn shì dǎn dà bāo tiān dào jí chù ， qīng xiān zi de qín shēng ， yǒu rú cǐ zào yì ， suī bù gǎn jiù cǐ kěn dìng shén me ， dàn yě kě yǐ tuī cè ， qí jí yǒu kě néng shì tiān yīn gōng zài wài yóu lì de dì zǐ 。
这老怪物还真是胆大包天到极处，清仙子的琴声，有如此造诣，虽不敢就此肯定什么，但也可以推测，其极有可能是天音宫在外游历的弟子。
Swoosh...
gù ér rén rén dōu duì tā de qín yì chuí xián sān chǐ ， dàn zhè me duō nián lái ， què wú rén gǎn yǒu bù jìng zhī jǔ ， chì huǒ lǎo guài gǎn zhè me zuò ， dǎn zi wèi miǎn yě tài dà le 。
故而人人都对她的琴艺垂涎三尺，但这么多年来，却无人敢有不敬之举，赤火老怪敢这么做，胆子未免也太大了。
The ordinary green bamboo couldn’t withstand it and scattered.
zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， jiù tīng “ hōng ” de yī shēng jù xiǎng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， nà jù shǒu wǔ zhǐ jǐn wò ， yī quán cháo zhe xià biān hōng luò 。
这个念头尚未转过，就听“轰”的一声巨响传入耳朵，那巨手五指紧握，一拳朝着下边轰落。
A young woman in white court attire appeared. She was small with a veil over her face; one could not tell her age but she seemed very young.
kuān páo lǎo zhě shén tōng yě shì bù sú ， rán ér zhè yī jī què duǒ wú kě duǒ ， zhí jiē bèi yī quán hōng wèi fěn mò ， lián yuán yīng dōu méi yǒu jī huì táo tuō 。
宽袍老者神通也是不俗，然而这一击却躲无可躲，直接被一拳轰为粉末，连元婴都没有机会逃脱。
She played a vertical zither with her jade fingers, producing musical notes that sounded like pearls falling into a jade plate. The notes transformed into various weapons—swords, spears, and shields—which struck the cloud fiercely.
zhì yú nà zhāo zāi rě huò de qīng xiāng suì yù dān ， yě jiù luò dào le duì fāng shǒu lǐ miàn 。
至于那招灾惹祸的清香碎玉丹，也就落到了对方手里面。
"Hmph! Fiddling in front of experts!"
yī jī ， jiù miè shā le yī míng tóng jiē xiū xiān zhě ， suī shì tōu xí ， dàn rú cǐ zhàn jì ， yě què rán bú shì pǔ tōng xiū shì néng gòu zuò dào dì 。
一击，就灭杀了一名同阶修仙者，虽是偷袭，但如此战绩，也确然不是普通修士能够做到地。
A cold voice from the cloud followed by a whirlwind appearance. The cloud vanished, replaced by a crimson hurricane that enveloped her.
ér duì fāng qiǎng lái le líng dān bǎo wù ， yě bìng bù bà shǒu ， nà chì hóng sè de yún cǎi yī zhèn fān yǒng 。
而对方抢来了灵丹宝物，也并不罢手，那赤红色的云彩一阵翻涌。
All attacks were ineffective; they shattered upon contact with the hurricane.
sōu sōu de pò kōng shēng dà zuò ， shù yǐ bǎi jì de guāng rèn yóu lǐ miàn jī shè ér chū 。
嗖嗖的破空声大做，数以百计的光刃由里面激射而出。
"Your sound wave technique is impressive but your power is still too shallow compared to mine."
zhè yī cì ， suǒ yǒu de xiū shì jiē bèi lǒng zhào zhù 。
这一次，所有的修士皆被笼罩住。
The Red Fire Old Monster’s voice was filled with triumph as he conjured a chain to bind her. The hurricane carried her away, flying off into the distance.
wú rén kě yǐ xìng miǎn ， nà xiē xiū shì jīng nù zhī yú ， máng gè zhǎn shén tōng ， dǐ dǎng gōng jī ， yī shí jiān ， rén rén láng bèi yǐ jí 。
无人可以幸免，那些修士惊怒之余，忙各展神通，抵挡攻击，一时间，人人狼狈以极。
PS: Chapter 3/3, I’ve kept my promise. Please give me more recommendation votes! They are desperately needed!
Their sole objective was clear.
It was to vie for the only slot where they could hear the immortal music played by the immortal musician.
This opportunity came once every three years, making it a rare chance indeed.
The method of competition mirrored that of an auction, but with a key difference: one had to present a treasure that would satisfy the immortal maiden.
Just offering crystal stones wouldn't suffice.
Given her skill in playing the zither, which could enhance cultivation and help break through barriers, many cultivators were eager to participate. Each contest was fierce beyond measure.
The elderly man in宽松 robes didn’t have much time left, so he proposed generous terms to reduce his competitors. Despite other Dan玄期 cultivators numbering over a dozen, he believed that only the one dressed in gray posed a serious threat. The others were no match for him; he had an 80% chance of securing this opportunity if he could persuade the gray-robed man not to compete.
The two used sound transmission techniques, so their exact conversation was unknown to others.
"Brother Wu, you don’t need to do anything. Just give up your competition with Zhao and this Fragrant Clear Jade Pill will be yours. My lifespan is short, but I can wait three years. If you help me now, it’s a huge favor I owe you."
"Agreed."
The gray-robed man showed signs of hesitation but finally agreed.
The terms were too favorable to refuse, especially given the other's determination. He didn’t think he could outcompete them even if he joined in. It was better to be on the safe side and do a favor for someone.
Such an opportunity doesn’t come around often; miss it now, and there’s no second chance.
"I agree with you."
"Ha! Your wisdom is truly commendable, friend."
The elderly man in宽松 robes was overjoyed at this outcome. His efforts had paid off.
But before he could savor his victory, a sudden commotion arose. A strange laughter echoed: "Fragrant Clear Jade Pill, you have such an item? Iron’s luck must be good indeed. Why not give it to me?"
Before anyone could react, thunder and lightning filled the air. A crimson cloud suddenly formed in the sky.
The cloud was several acres wide, raising temperatures around it significantly. Everyone turned pale as more experienced cultivators gasped.
"Red Fire Divine Technique! Could it be the Red Fire Old Monster from Jade Peak?"
"What on earth is that old monster doing here?"
"He’s said to have one foot in the realm of spirit division."
"That’s true. I’ve heard his red fire divine technique is unparalleled, with unpredictable powers. Some say he can even rival a spirit division cultivator."
"Is it true? Is the Red Fire Old Monster really so formidable?"
"Regardless of whether it’s true or not, Iron’s strength far exceeds ours!"
...
The discussion continued as the cloud began to churn violently.
A crimson hand suddenly shot out from the cloud and grabbed the elderly man.
The other cultivator was shocked and angry but couldn’t summon his treasures in time. He threw an electric arc at the hand, which seemed powerful enough. However, it was like a stone hitting water; no effect at all.
In an instant, the hand reached over the old man’s head.
"Red Fire Old Monster! This is where the immortal maiden resides. How dare you hurt me here?"
"Hmph, just a little girl, what can she do? I’ll crush her to powder and take that girl too. Her music has some mysterious effects; with more exposure, I might reach spirit division."
"What...?"
All present were stunned.
This old monster was incredibly bold. The immortal maiden’s music had such skill, though they couldn’t be sure, it seemed likely she was a disciple of the Heavenly Sound Palace traveling outside. Everyone coveted her skills but no one dared to challenge her until now; Iron’s audacity was shocking.
Before anyone could react, a deafening boom echoed. The hand clenched and punched down.
The elderly man’s power wasn’t weak either, but he couldn’t dodge it. He was crushed into powder, his soul unable to escape.
The Fragrant Clear Jade Pill, which had caused trouble, fell into the other’s hands.
A single strike killed a peer cultivator in an ambush; such a feat was not within the capabilities of ordinary cultivators.
With the pill and weapon taken, the red cloud churned again.
Hundreds of light blades shot out, enveloping all present. No one could escape unscathed as they struggled to defend against the attacks.
Taking advantage of this moment, the red cloud rushed forward like a bamboo house.
Swoosh...
The ordinary green bamboo couldn’t withstand it and scattered.
A young woman in white court attire appeared. She was small with a veil over her face; one could not tell her age but she seemed very young.
She played a vertical zither with her jade fingers, producing musical notes that sounded like pearls falling into a jade plate. The notes transformed into various weapons—swords, spears, and shields—which struck the cloud fiercely.
"Hmph! Fiddling in front of experts!"
A cold voice from the cloud followed by a whirlwind appearance. The cloud vanished, replaced by a crimson hurricane that enveloped her.
All attacks were ineffective; they shattered upon contact with the hurricane.
"Your sound wave technique is impressive but your power is still too shallow compared to mine."
The Red Fire Old Monster’s voice was filled with triumph as he conjured a chain to bind her. The hurricane carried her away, flying off into the distance.
PS: Chapter 3/3, I’ve kept my promise. Please give me more recommendation votes! They are desperately needed!