“ zhè lǐ jiù shì qīng yún shā mò ？”
“这里就是青云沙漠？”
"Is this the Qingyun Desert?"
lín xuān xuán fú zài bàn kōng ， nán nán de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， cǐ shí jù lí tā lí kāi tiān yīn gōng zǒng duò ， yǐ jīng bàn yuè yǒu yú le 。
林轩悬浮在半空，喃喃的声音传入耳朵，此时距离他离开天音宫总舵，已经半月有余了。
Lin Xuan hovered in mid-air, his voice barely audible as he spoke. It had been more than half a month since he left the main hall of Tianyin Palace.
dāng chū yǔ miào yīn xiān zi yuē dìng ， yì qǐ qù tàn xún zhēn xiān yí jì ， gǎn le zhè me jiǔ lù ， jù lí mù dì dì zhōng yú bù yuǎn le 。
当初与妙音仙子约定，一起去探寻真仙遗迹，赶了这么久路，距离目的地终于不远了。
Initially, Lin Xuan and Fairy妙音仙子had agreed to explore the traces of a true cultivator together. After such a long journey, they were finally close to their destination.
ér tā men shāng liáng de huì hé dì diǎn ， jiù zài qīng yún shā mò 。
而他们商量的汇合地点，就在青云沙漠。
Their meeting point was set in the Qingyun Desert.
shuō qǐ yǎn qián de shā mò ， zài tiān yīn jiè nà kě shì dà dà yǒu míng de 。
说起眼前的沙漠，在天音界那可是大大有名的。
Speaking of this desert, it was well-known throughout the Tianyin Realm.
lín xuān yě suàn jiàn wén guǎng bó ， rán ér kàn zhuó yǎn qián nà yí wàng wú jì de shā mò ， què yě liú lù chū le zàn tàn zhī sè 。
林轩也算见闻广博，然而看着眼前那一望无际的沙漠，却也流露出了赞叹之色。
Although Lin Xuan had seen much in his travels, he couldn't help but marvel at the vast expanse before him. This trip truly broadened his horizons.
zhè yī cì ， kě suàn shì dà kāi yǎn jiè le 。
这一次，可算是大开眼界了。
Ordinary deserts were usually uninhabited wastelands with extreme climates—cold at night and hot during the day. The air was thin of qi, making them a place most cultivators would avoid, even common folk.
pǔ tōng de shā mò ， tōng cháng dōu shì rén jì hǎn zhì zhī suǒ ， wǎn shàng lěng ， bái tiān rè ， qì hòu nà yě shì shí fēn è liè de 。
普通的沙漠，通常都是人迹罕至之所，晚上冷，白天热，气候那也是十分恶劣的。
But here in the Qingyun Desert, the climate was surprisingly mild. Lin Xuan took deep breaths as he felt the abundant primordial energy permeating everywhere, invigorating his body to its core.
zhì yú líng qì ， nà gèng shì jí wéi xī bó ， bié shuō fán rén ， biàn shì xiū xiān zhě ， tōng cháng yě huì jìng ér yuǎn zhī de 。
至于灵气，那更是极为稀薄，别说凡人，便是修仙者，通常也会敬而远之的。
Despite the sparse vegetation, low shrubs dotted the landscape, some bearing fist-sized berries. Occasionally, even agile rabbits could be spotted.
kě yǎn qián bù tóng ， qīng yún suī shì shā mò ， kě què jué méi yǒu qì hòu è liè yī shuō 。
可眼前不同，青云虽是沙漠，可却绝没有气候恶劣一说。
Indeed, rabbits—such creatures were unheard of in other deserts but here they were a common sight. This was nature's miracle; the desert had ceased being a禁区for life. As a result, colorful streaks of light frequently darted across the sky.
lín xuān shēn shēn hū xī ， dào chù dōu mí màn zhe chōng pèi de tiān dì yuán qì ， ràng rén hún shēn shū shuǎng yǐ jí 。
林轩深深呼吸，到处都弥漫着充沛的天地元气，让人浑身舒爽以极。
It was said that the Qingyun Desert was rich in resources and even yielded some spirit stones and crystal ores. However, if one truly believed it to be a paradise for cultivators, they would be gravely mistaken.
shā mò zhōng zhí bèi suī rán bù duō ， dàn bù shí yě kě yǐ kàn jiàn dī ǎi de guàn mù lèi zhí wù ， bù shǎo hái jié zhe quán tou dà xiǎo de jiāng guǒ ， ǒu ěr shèn zhì kě yǐ kàn jiàn jǐ zhī huó pō de yě tù 。
沙漠中植被虽然不多，但不时也可以看见低矮的灌木类植物，不少还结着拳头大小的浆果，偶尔甚至可以看见几只活泼的野兔。
In fact, this desert was among the most terrifying forbidden zones in the Tianyin Realm. Deep within its sands lay countless fearsome legends that had never been confirmed. Yet, the number of high-ranking cultivators who perished while exploring them was beyond count. Some even claimed that a senior elder from Tianyin Palace once laid his bones here ten thousand years ago.
méi cuò ， yě tù ， zhè fàng zài qí tā de shā mò ， gēn běn jiù shì bù kě sī yì zhī wù ， rán ér zài qīng yún ， què shì zài zhèng cháng bù guò 。
没错，野兔，这放在其他的沙漠，根本就是不可思议之物，然而在青云，却是再正常不过。
The peril was evident; it could claim the lives of even those on the verge of transcendence. Nonetheless, every year, countless cultivators still ventured into this desert.
zhè shì dà zì rán de qí jì ， shā mò bù zài shì shēng mìng de jìn qū ， gù ér bù shí kě yǐ kàn jiàn wǔ yán liù sè de dùn guāng zài tiān kōng zhōng huá guò 。
这是大自然的奇迹，沙漠不再是生命的禁区，故而不时可以看见五颜六色的遁光在天空中划过。
Peril and opportunity coexisted. Ancient cultivator's dwellings dotted the Qingyun Desert. Finding one would be enough to elevate a common cultivator to new heights.
jù shuō ， qīng yún shā mò wù chǎn fēng fù ， shèn zhì hái fā xiàn guò jǐ tiáo líng shí jīng kuàng lái zhe 。
据说，青云沙漠物产丰富，甚至还发现过几条灵石晶矿来着。
Cultivation was perilous everywhere; hence, despite knowing that the Qingyun Desert wasn't safe, thousands of cultivators still came here year after year.
rán ér ruò zhēn rèn wéi qīng yún shā mò shì xiū shì de tiān táng ， nà kě jiù dà cuò tè cuò 。
然而若真认为青云沙漠是修士的天堂，那可就大错特错。
The ancient dwellings were indeed captivating, but many plants growing in this desert could also be used for refining elixirs. As long as one didn't overreach, venturing deep into the sands wouldn't be too risky. It all depended on how one managed it.
qià qià xiāng fǎn ， zhè piàn shā mò zài tiān yīn jiè nǎi shì zuì wèi kě pà de jìn qū 。
恰恰相反，这片沙漠在天音界乃是最为可怕的禁区。
Unlike other places, the sand here had a dark green hue. In his hands, it seemed to retain traces of primordial energy.
shā mò de shēn chù ， yǒu zhe wú shù kě pà de chuán shuō ， suī rán cóng lái méi yǒu rén néng gòu zhèng shí 。 rán ér gǎn qù tàn xiǎn de gāo jiē xiū shì ， yǔn luò de què shǔ bù shèng shǔ 。
沙漠的深处，有着无数可怕的传说，虽然从来没有人能够证实。然而敢去探险的高阶修士，陨落的却数不胜数。
Unfortunately, this energy was far too thin and inferior compared to even the lowest-grade spirit stones. It couldn't be used for cultivation or meditation.
shèn zhì yǒu chuán shuō ， zài shí wàn nián qián ， tiān yīn gōng de yī wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo ， yě mái gǔ zài cǐ shā mò de shēn chù 。
甚至有传说，在十万年前，天音宫的一位太上长老，也埋骨在此沙漠的深处。
However, what he saw before him was already remarkable. There existed such deserts in the world. Lin Xuan's confidence in Fairy妙音 increased as he thought that if there were true cultivator remnants here, it might indeed have something to do with that place.
lián dù jié qī cún zài dōu yǒu kě néng yǔn luò ， qí wēi xiǎn kě xiǎng ér zhī le 。
连渡劫期存在都有可能陨落，其危险可想而知了。
...
rán ér měi nián ， yī jiù yǒu wú shù de xiū shì lái dào zhè lǐ 。
然而每年，依旧有无数的修士来到这里。
Lin Xuan pondered this but remained silent on the surface. He shot through the desert, his body enveloped by a green glow.
wēi xiǎn yǔ jī yù shì bìng cún de 。
危险与机遇是并存的。
As he traveled, more and more cultivators appeared. This wasn't unusual; the outermost one hundred miles of the desert were generally safe.
zài qīng yún shā mò zhōng ， fēn bù zhe xǔ duō shàng gǔ shí qī de yí jì 。
在青云沙漠中，分布着许多上古时期的遗迹。
Even low-ranking cultivators and those at the condensation core stage came here to take their chances, hoping to find some valuable spirit herbs or simply satisfy their curiosity.
gǔ xiū shì de dòng fǔ ， zhǐ yào néng zhǎo dào yí gè 。 chuán chéng qí yī bō ， jiù zú yǐ ràng yí gè yuán běn píng fán de xiū shì yī fēi chōng tiān le 。
古修士的洞府，只要能找到一个。传承其衣钵，就足以让一个原本平凡的修士一飞冲天了。
Watching the busy cultivators, a sense of nostalgia flashed across Lin Xuan's face. Once upon a time, he too had traveled far for a single precious herb. Times changed; now as a realm-transcender, he knew how hard his current cultivation was and that he must strive harder.
xiū xiān xiū xiān ， nǎ lǐ yòu méi yǒu wēi xiǎn ， gù ér míng zhī dào qīng yún shā mò bìng fēi shàn dì ， měi nián yī jiù yǒu shù yǐ wàn jì de xiū shì 。 qián pū hòu jì de lái dào zhè lǐ 。
修仙修仙，哪里又没有危险，故而明知道青云沙漠并非善地，每年依旧有数以万计的修士。前仆后继的来到这里。
Suddenly, a scream pierced through the air.
gǔ xiū shì dòng fǔ ， gù rán lìng rén shén wǎng yǐ jí ， ér zài shā mò zhōng suǒ shēng zhǎng de zhí wù ， yǒu bù shǎo yě shì néng gòu yòng lái liàn zhì líng dān miào yào dì 。
古修士洞府，固然令人神往以极，而在沙漠中所生长的植物，有不少也是能够用来炼制灵丹妙药地。
Lin Xuan turned to see a group of cultivators scatter in panic. Behind them, a buzzing black-red insect cloud emerged, covering several acres. Its presence was terrifyingly loud.
zhǐ yào bù tān xīn ， qián wǎng shā mò de shēn chù ， wēi xiǎn qí shí yě bìng bù lí pǔ ， zhè zhōng jiān 。 zhǔ yào kàn nǐ zěn me bǎ wò 。
只要不贪心，前往沙漠的深处，危险其实也并不离谱，这中间。主要看你怎么把握。
The insects' flight speed far surpassed those of the cultivators. They were about to be engulfed.
yǔ bié de dì fāng bù tóng ， zhè lǐ de shā lì ， yě chéng xiàn chū yī zhǒng àn qīng zhī sè ， ná zài shǒu lǐ 。 yǐn yǐn gǎn jué dào qí zhōng yǒu tiān dì líng qì cán cún zhe 。
与别的地方不同，这里的沙粒，也呈现出一种暗青之色，拿在手里。隐隐感觉到其中有天地灵气残存着。
Lin Xuan sighed. He didn't usually intervene in others' affairs but felt it was unjust to see people die without helping them.
zhǐ kě xī tài guò xī bó ， bǐ qǐ zuì dī jiē de líng shí dōu chà le xǔ duō ， bù néng yòng yú xiū liàn huò shì dǎ zuò 。
只可惜太过稀薄，比起最低阶的灵石都差了许多，不能用于修炼或是打坐。
He raised his hand and a small flame appeared, emitting an ominous aura.
rán ér yǎn qián de yí mù ， yǐ jīng gòu lìng rén nà hǎn le 。 tiān xià jiān ， jū rán huì yǒu zhè yàng de shā mò 。 lín xuān duì yú miào yīn suǒ shuō ， bù yóu de píng tiān le jǐ fēn xìn xīn ， ruò shuō zhè qí guài de dì fāng ， huì yǒu zhēn xiān yí jì ， nà hái zhēn yǒu kě néng ， qīng yún shā mò huì yǒu rú cǐ duō yǔ zhòng bù tóng zhī chù ， yě xǔ jiù yǔ nà wèi zhēn xiān dà yǒu guān xì de 。
然而眼前的一幕，已经够令人纳罕了。天下间，居然会有这样的沙漠。林轩对于妙音所说，不由得平添了几分信心，若说这奇怪的地方，会有真仙遗迹，那还真有可能，青云沙漠会有如此多与众不同之处，也许就与那位真仙大有关系的。
"Go!"
……
……
With a light command, the illusory heavenly fire whirled before shooting forward.
lín xuān xīn zhōng rú cǐ xiǎng zhe ， biǎo miàn què bù dòng shēng sè ， hún shēn qīng máng yì qǐ ， jiù xiàng shā mò zhōng fēi qù 。
林轩心中如此想着，表面却不动声色，浑身青芒一起，就像沙漠中飞去。
"Boom!"
yī lù shàng ， xiū shì jū rán shì yuè lái yuè duō 。
一路上，修士居然是越来越多。
The flame seemed insignificant at first glance. But upon contact with the insect cloud, it ignited everything, turning countless demonic insects to dust in mere moments.
bù guò zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng dào yě bù xī qí ， shā mò biān yuán de yì bǎi wàn lǐ ， dà tǐ shì ān quán dì 。
不过这种情况倒也不稀奇，沙漠边缘的一百万里，大体是安全地。
All those saved were left speechless, staring dumbfoundedly at Lin Xuan without a word of gratitude.
bié shuō gāo jiē xiū xiān zhě ， shèn zhì lián yī xiē zhù jī ， níng dān jí bié de cún zài ， dōu lái zhè lǐ pèng yùn qì ， tā men dào yě bù shē wàng zhǎo xún dào gǔ xiū shì yí zhǐ ， nǎ pà cǎi zhāi dào yī liǎng zhū hái suàn zhēn guì de líng yào yě jiù bù xū cǐ xíng 。
别说高阶修仙者，甚至连一些筑基，凝丹级别的存在，都来这里碰运气，他们倒也不奢望找寻到古修士遗址，哪怕采摘到一两株还算珍贵的灵药也就不虚此行。
Lin Xuan paid them no mind and vanished into the desert.
kàn zháo máng máng lù lù de xiū xiān zhě ， lín xuān liǎn shàng yě bù yóu de shǎn guò yī sī miǎn huái zhī sè ， céng jǐ hé shí ， zì jǐ yě rú zhè xiē rén yì bān ， wèi xún zhǎo yī zhū líng cǎo bēn bō ， shì yì shí yí ， zì jǐ yǐ shì dù jié qī ， rán ér rú jīn de xiū wèi lái zhī bù yì ， zì jǐ gèng yào nǔ lì 。
看着忙忙碌碌的修仙者，林轩脸上也不由得闪过一丝缅怀之色，曾几何时，自己也如这些人一般，为寻找一株灵草奔波，事易时移，自己已是渡劫期，然而如今的修为来之不易，自己更要努力。
The cultivators finally reacted, paying their respects to his retreating figure.
tū rán ， yī zhèn jīng jiào shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
突然，一阵惊叫声传入耳朵。
...
lín xuān zhuǎn guò tóu lú ， jiāng shén shí fàng chū ， zhǐ jiàn qián fāng dà yuē shí yú lǐ yuǎn chù ， yī qún xiū shì zhèng shì sì sàn ér táo 。
林轩转过头颅，将神识放出，只见前方大约十余里远处，一群修士正是四散而逃。
As the sun set behind the hills, after a long journey, Lin Xuan arrived at Fairy妙音's designated meeting point. It was deep within the Qingyun Desert.
ér tā men de shēn hòu ， wēng míng shēng dà zuò ， jū rán yǒu yī duǒ hēi hóng sè de chóng yún fú xiàn ér chū 。
而他们的身后，嗡鸣声大做，居然有一朵黑红色的虫云浮现而出。
For ordinary cultivators, reaching such distant lands would be incredibly challenging. Along the way, Lin Xuan encountered some formidable beasts, even ones that could match spirit realm cultivators in strength.
nà chóng yún zú yǒu shù mǔ ， shēng shì kàn shàng qù jīng rén dào jí chù 。
那虫云足有数亩，声势看上去惊人到极处。
To him, they were mere trifles and were easily dispatched on the spot.
lùn fēi xíng sù dù ， gèng bǐ nà xiē xiū shì kuài dé duō ， yǎn kàn jiù yào jiāng tā men lǒng zhào zhù 。
论飞行速度，更比那些修士快得多，眼看就要将他们笼罩住。
Had he been more cautious, he could have arrived sooner. But fate had led him to discover an ancient cultivator's dwelling along the way.
lín xuān tàn le kǒu qì ， tā yuán běn bù xǐ huān duō guǎn xián shì ， rán ér jì rán yù jiàn le ， jiàn sǐ bù jiù yě shuō bù guò qù 。
林轩叹了口气，他原本不喜欢多管闲事，然而既然遇见了，见死不救也说不过去。
Lin Xuan came here seeking true cultivator treasures; ordinary relics held no appeal for him.
yú shì lín xuān shǒu yī tái 。
于是林轩手一抬。
However, waste was not a virtue. Since he stumbled upon it, he might as well search for some valuable items.
zhǎng xīn zhōng chū xiàn le yī tuán jī dàn dà xiǎo de huǒ yàn 。
掌心中出现了一团鸡蛋大小的火焰。
The simple restrictions were easily broken with brute force, and Lin Xuan entered the ancient dwelling.
wǔ sè liú lí ， sàn fà chū jí wéi kě pà de qì xī 。
五色琉璃，散发出极为可怕的气息。
In the end, his efforts weren't in vain; several ancient treasures had significant power, and the techniques and methods within were worth studying. It wasn't a complete waste of time.
“ qù ！”
“去！”
After thoroughly looting the entire dwelling, he headed straight to this location.
lín xuān yī shēng qīng chì ， huàn líng tiān huǒ dī liū liū yī zhuǎn zhī hòu ， lì kè cháo zhe qián fāng jī shè ér chū 。
林轩一声轻叱，幻灵天火滴溜溜一转之后，立刻朝着前方激射而出。
Now, as the sun completely set behind the hills, all surroundings remained clear under Lin Xuan's divine sense. He flew directly towards the small valley ahead. (To be continued)
"Is this the Qingyun Desert?"
Lin Xuan hovered in mid-air, his voice barely audible as he spoke. It had been more than half a month since he left the main hall of Tianyin Palace.
Initially, Lin Xuan and Fairy妙音仙子had agreed to explore the traces of a true cultivator together. After such a long journey, they were finally close to their destination.
Their meeting point was set in the Qingyun Desert.
Speaking of this desert, it was well-known throughout the Tianyin Realm.
Although Lin Xuan had seen much in his travels, he couldn't help but marvel at the vast expanse before him. This trip truly broadened his horizons.
Ordinary deserts were usually uninhabited wastelands with extreme climates—cold at night and hot during the day. The air was thin of qi, making them a place most cultivators would avoid, even common folk.
But here in the Qingyun Desert, the climate was surprisingly mild. Lin Xuan took deep breaths as he felt the abundant primordial energy permeating everywhere, invigorating his body to its core.
Despite the sparse vegetation, low shrubs dotted the landscape, some bearing fist-sized berries. Occasionally, even agile rabbits could be spotted.
Indeed, rabbits—such creatures were unheard of in other deserts but here they were a common sight. This was nature's miracle; the desert had ceased being a禁区for life. As a result, colorful streaks of light frequently darted across the sky.
It was said that the Qingyun Desert was rich in resources and even yielded some spirit stones and crystal ores. However, if one truly believed it to be a paradise for cultivators, they would be gravely mistaken.
In fact, this desert was among the most terrifying forbidden zones in the Tianyin Realm. Deep within its sands lay countless fearsome legends that had never been confirmed. Yet, the number of high-ranking cultivators who perished while exploring them was beyond count. Some even claimed that a senior elder from Tianyin Palace once laid his bones here ten thousand years ago.
The peril was evident; it could claim the lives of even those on the verge of transcendence. Nonetheless, every year, countless cultivators still ventured into this desert.
Peril and opportunity coexisted. Ancient cultivator's dwellings dotted the Qingyun Desert. Finding one would be enough to elevate a common cultivator to new heights.
Cultivation was perilous everywhere; hence, despite knowing that the Qingyun Desert wasn't safe, thousands of cultivators still came here year after year.
The ancient dwellings were indeed captivating, but many plants growing in this desert could also be used for refining elixirs. As long as one didn't overreach, venturing deep into the sands wouldn't be too risky. It all depended on how one managed it.
Unlike other places, the sand here had a dark green hue. In his hands, it seemed to retain traces of primordial energy.
Unfortunately, this energy was far too thin and inferior compared to even the lowest-grade spirit stones. It couldn't be used for cultivation or meditation.
However, what he saw before him was already remarkable. There existed such deserts in the world. Lin Xuan's confidence in Fairy妙音 increased as he thought that if there were true cultivator remnants here, it might indeed have something to do with that place.
...
Lin Xuan pondered this but remained silent on the surface. He shot through the desert, his body enveloped by a green glow.
As he traveled, more and more cultivators appeared. This wasn't unusual; the outermost one hundred miles of the desert were generally safe.
Even low-ranking cultivators and those at the condensation core stage came here to take their chances, hoping to find some valuable spirit herbs or simply satisfy their curiosity.
Watching the busy cultivators, a sense of nostalgia flashed across Lin Xuan's face. Once upon a time, he too had traveled far for a single precious herb. Times changed; now as a realm-transcender, he knew how hard his current cultivation was and that he must strive harder.
Suddenly, a scream pierced through the air.
Lin Xuan turned to see a group of cultivators scatter in panic. Behind them, a buzzing black-red insect cloud emerged, covering several acres. Its presence was terrifyingly loud.
The insects' flight speed far surpassed those of the cultivators. They were about to be engulfed.
Lin Xuan sighed. He didn't usually intervene in others' affairs but felt it was unjust to see people die without helping them.
He raised his hand and a small flame appeared, emitting an ominous aura.
"Go!"
With a light command, the illusory heavenly fire whirled before shooting forward.
"Boom!"
The flame seemed insignificant at first glance. But upon contact with the insect cloud, it ignited everything, turning countless demonic insects to dust in mere moments.
All those saved were left speechless, staring dumbfoundedly at Lin Xuan without a word of gratitude.
Lin Xuan paid them no mind and vanished into the desert.
The cultivators finally reacted, paying their respects to his retreating figure.
...
As the sun set behind the hills, after a long journey, Lin Xuan arrived at Fairy妙音's designated meeting point. It was deep within the Qingyun Desert.
For ordinary cultivators, reaching such distant lands would be incredibly challenging. Along the way, Lin Xuan encountered some formidable beasts, even ones that could match spirit realm cultivators in strength.
To him, they were mere trifles and were easily dispatched on the spot.
Had he been more cautious, he could have arrived sooner. But fate had led him to discover an ancient cultivator's dwelling along the way.
Lin Xuan came here seeking true cultivator treasures; ordinary relics held no appeal for him.
However, waste was not a virtue. Since he stumbled upon it, he might as well search for some valuable items.
The simple restrictions were easily broken with brute force, and Lin Xuan entered the ancient dwelling.
In the end, his efforts weren't in vain; several ancient treasures had significant power, and the techniques and methods within were worth studying. It wasn't a complete waste of time.
After thoroughly looting the entire dwelling, he headed straight to this location.
Now, as the sun completely set behind the hills, all surroundings remained clear under Lin Xuan's divine sense. He flew directly towards the small valley ahead. (To be continued)