“ zěn me ， dào yǒu rèn shí zài xià ？”
“怎么，道友认识在下？”
"How could it be, friend, do you know me?"
nà huǒ líng mén de zhǎng lǎo yě shí fēn jī jǐng ， hěn kuài jiù xiàn lín xuān zài dǎ liàng tā 。
那火灵门的长老也十分机警，很快就现林轩在打量他。
The elder from the Fire Spirit Sect was quite alert and quickly realized that Lin Xuan was sizing him up.
“ méi yǒu ， bù guò zài xià jué de dào yǒu yǒu xiē miàn shú 。” lín xuān bù dòng shēng sè ， dàn rán huí dá ， fǎn zhèng zài yǎn zhōu zhī shí ， zì jǐ bù guò shì xiǎo zú zi ， duì fāng bù kě néng rèn shí zì jǐ 。
“没有，不过在下觉得道友有些面熟。”林轩不动声色，淡然回答，反正在兖州之时，自己不过是小卒子，对方不可能认识自己。
"No, but I feel a familiar face," Lin Xuan replied calmly. After all, he was just an insignificant figure in Yanzhou, so there was no way this elder would recognize him.
“ ó ， nà dìng shì wǒ liǎ yǒu yuán le ， zài xià huǒ líng mén lǐ yào tiān ， bù zhī dào yǒu zūn xìng dà míng ， zài hé chù xiū liàn ？”
“哦，那定是我俩有缘了，在下火灵门李耀天，不知道友尊姓大名，在何处修炼？”
"Oh, then we must be fated to meet. I am Li Yaotian from the Fire Spirit Sect. May I ask your esteemed surname and where you cultivate?"
“ xiǎo dì lín xuān ， yī jiè sàn xiū ér yǐ 。”
“小弟林轩，一介散修而已。”
"Little Brother Lin Xuan, a mere wandering cultivator."
liǎng rén yòu liáo le jǐ jù ， nà lǐ yào tiān de yán yǔ zhī zhōng ， míng xiǎn cún yǒu lā lǒng zhī yì ， lín xuān zé hán hú qí cí ， yìng fù liǎo shì 。
两人又聊了几句，那李耀天的言语之中，明显存有拉拢之意，林轩则含糊其辞，应付了事。
The two chatted for a few more moments. Li Yaotian's words clearly contained an attempt at flattery, but Lin Xuan was vague in his response, deferring to the matter.
tū rán ， yī dào huǒ guāng xiàng zhè biān fēi le guò lái ， wéi zhe lǐ yào tiān zhuǎn le jǐ quān ， tā shēn shǒu jiē zhù ， jiāng shén shí jìn rù 。
突然，一道火光像这边飞了过来，围着李耀天转了几圈，他伸手接住，将神识浸入。
Suddenly, a burst of firelight flew over and circled around Li Yaotian a few times before he caught it with his hand and immersed his divine sense into it.
hěn kuài ， lǐ yào tiān de yǎn dǐ ， liú lù chū yī sī xǐ sè ， cōng cōng bào quán ：“ bù hǎo yì sī ， lín dào yǒu ， zài xià shēn yǒu yào shì ， gào cí ， wǒ men hòu huì yǒu qī ， zài xià de dòng fǔ ， jiù zài zhè qián miàn de xiǎo huǒ shān lǐ ， dào yǒu yǒu kòng zhī shí ， qǐng lái lǐ mǒu fǔ dǐ zuò kè 。”
很快，李耀天的眼底，流露出一丝喜色，匆匆抱拳：“不好意思，林道友，在下身有要事，告辞，我们后会有期，在下的洞府，就在这前面的小火山里，道友有空之时，请来李某府邸做客。”
Li Yaotian's eyes lit up with joy as he quickly clasped his hands together and said, "Sorry, Lin Daoist, I have urgent matters to attend to. Farewell, we will meet again in the future. My cave dwelling is right ahead of that small volcano. Please come visit my residence when you are free."
“ hǎo de ， yǒu jī huì yí dìng tāo rǎo dào yǒu ！” lín xuān hán xiào xiāng sòng 。
“好的，有机会一定叨扰道友！”林轩含笑相送。
"Of course, I will certainly trouble you!" Lin Xuan smiled as he bid farewell.
lǐ yào tiān zhāo le zhāo shǒu ， zhuǎn shēn huà wèi yī tuán huǒ qiú ， shǎn le jǐ shǎn ， rén jiù xiāo shī bú jiàn 。
李耀天招了招手，转身化为一团火球，闪了几闪，人就消失不见。
Li Yaotian waved his hand and turned into a ball of fire, vanishing in an instant.
lín xuān de liǎn sè jiàn jiàn yīn chén xià lái ， bù guò suí jí yòu huī fù le cháng sè ， yǐ tā rú jīn de shēn fèn xiū wèi ， zì rán bù yòng hài pà yí gè huǒ líng mén zhǎng lǎo ， dāng wù zhī jí ， hái shì wèi yuè ér liàn zhì líng dān 。
林轩的脸色渐渐阴沉下来，不过随即又恢复了常色，以他如今的身份修为，自然不用害怕一个火灵门长老，当务之急，还是为月儿炼制灵丹。
Lin Xuan's expression gradually darkened but quickly returned to normal. With his current status and cultivation, there was no need for him to fear this Fire Spirit Sect elder. The pressing matter now was to refine the spirit pill for Yue'er.
niàn jí zhì cǐ ， lín xuān hún shēn fǎ lì liú dòng ， chóng xīn huà wèi yī dào jīng hóng ， fēi xiàng le qián miàn de xiǎo shān 。
念及至此，林轩浑身法力流动，重新化为一道惊虹，飞向了前面的小山。
With that thought, Lin Xuan's mana flowed throughout his body as he transformed into a streak of lightning and flew towards the small mountain ahead.
zhuǎn shùn jí zhì ， zhè zuò shān bù guò bǎi yú zhàng gāo ér yǐ ， bù guò zhàn dì dǎo shì pǒ guǎng ， yuǎn yuǎn wàng qù ， gèng yǔ yī zuò tǔ qiū xiāng sì 。
转瞬即至，这座山不过百余丈高而已，不过占地倒是颇广，远远望去，更与一座土丘相似。
In an instant, the mountain stood only a hundred feet tall but covered a vast area; from afar, it resembled a small hill.
bù guò fēi dào jìn chù ， qì wēn míng xiǎn shēng gāo le ， chuán yán guǒ rán bù xū 。 zhè ér de dì huǒ zī yuán jiù suàn bù jí líng yào shān ， què yě bú huì xiāng chà tài yuǎn 。
不过飞到近处，气温明显升高了，传言果然不虚。这儿的地火资源就算不及灵药山，却也不会相差太远。
However, upon closer inspection, the temperature noticeably increased. The rumors were indeed true. Although this place lacked the spirit herb mountains, its geothermal resources were not far off.
yǔ zhī xiāng duì yīng de shì ， tiān kōng zhōng de dùn guāng yě duō le qǐ lái ， guǐ luó chéng de guǎn lǐ jiāng shān fù tāo kōng ， kāi pì chū shù bǎi jiān jiǎn lòu de shí shì ， zū gěi xū yào de xiū shì 。 měi nián guāng shì zhè yì diǎn 。 jiù néng zhuàn qǔ dà liàng dì jīng shí 。
与之相对应的是，天空中的遁光也多了起来，鬼罗城的管理将山腹掏空，开辟出数百间简陋的石室，租给需要的修士。每年光是这一点。就能赚取大量地晶石。
Correspondingly, more遁光 appeared in the sky as Ghost Net City had hollowed out the mountain's core and carved out hundreds of crude stone chambers for rent to cultivators. Each year alone, these rents generated a substantial amount of crystal stones.
lín xuān àn zhào nà yāo pái shàng suǒ zhǐ ， hěn róng yì jiù zhǎo dào le zì jǐ zū yòng de nà jiān 。
林轩按照那腰牌上所指，很容易就找到了自己租用的那间。
Following the directions on his waistband, Lin Xuan easily found the cave he rented.
jǐn jǐn shì yī guāng tū tū de shān dòng ér yǐ ， zài shān dòng de zhōng yāng ， yǒu yí gè jīn shǔ suǒ zhù de shòu ， zuǐ bā zhāng kāi ， zhè yì diǎn shè jì ， dào yǔ líng yào shān yī yàng 。
仅仅是一光秃秃的山洞而已，在山洞的中央，有一个金属所铸的兽，嘴巴张开，这一点设计，倒与灵药山一样。
It was merely an empty cavern with a metal beast in its center, mouth wide open—a design similar to that of the spirit herb mountains.
shān dòng de sì zhōu ， yě fù dài yǒu zhèn fǎ jìn zhì 。 bù guò pǒ wèi jiǎn lòu jiù shì ， zuì duō qǐ yì diǎn yù jǐng dì xiào guǒ 。
山洞的四周，也附带有阵法禁制。不过颇为简陋就是，最多起一点预警地效果。
The cave was also surrounded by array formations and restrictions. However, they were quite rudimentary, serving only as early warning signals.
lín xuān zì rán shì èr huà bù shuō ， xiān jiāng jí yīn è líng zhèn bù xià ， rán ér cái fàng xīn dà dǎn dì lái dào shí dòng shēn chù ， shén shí tàn rù chǔ wù dài ， jiāng nà yù píng qǔ le chū lái 。
林轩自然是二话不说，先将极阴恶灵阵布下，然而才放心大胆地来到石洞深处，神识探入储物袋，将那玉瓶取了出来。
Lin Xuan did not hesitate; first, he set up the Extreme Yin Evil Spirit Array. Only after feeling secure did he enter his storage bracelet, taking out a jade bottle.
bá kāi píng sāi ， cóng lǐ miàn dào chū yī kē lóng yǎn dà xiǎo nèi dān ， rán ér yòu qǔ chū cóng fāng shì zhōng mǎi lái de qí tā cái liào ， yī dào fǎ jué mò rù shòu 。 jiāng dì mài zhī huǒ yǐn chū ， kāi shǐ liàn dān 。
拔开瓶塞，从里面倒出一颗龙眼大小内丹，然而又取出从坊市中买来的其他材料，一道法诀没入兽。将地脉之火引出，开始炼丹。
He uncorked it and poured out an inner spirit pill the size of a dragon's eye. Then, he took other materials purchased from the marketplace and channeled a spell into the beast to draw geothermal flames, beginning the refining process.
zhè yī bì guān jiù shì qī qī sì shí jiǔ tiān ， lín xuān bù shí zài dì mài zhī huǒ zhōng ， jiā rù chún yáng dān huǒ ， yǐ tí gāo tā de wēn dù 。
这一闭关就是七七四十九天，林轩不时在地脉之火中，加入纯阳丹火，以提高他的温度。
Sealing himself in for forty-nine days, Lin Xuan periodically added pure yang dan fire to raise its temperature.
zhōng yú 。 shēn qián de xiǎo dǐng lǐ kāi shǐ mí màn chū xiāng qì 。
终于。身前的小鼎里开始弥漫出香气。
Finally, a fragrant mist began to emanate from the small cauldron before him.
zhè yǎng yuán dān zhǐ shì cái liào nán xún 。 liàn zhì de fāng fǎ dǎo shì shí fēn jiǎn dān 。
这养元丹只是材料难寻。炼制的方法倒是十分简单。
This Nourishing Essence Pill was simple to refine but difficult to obtain materials for.
lín xuān liǎn shàng xǐ sè yī shǎn ér xiàn ， qīng qīng yī huī shǒu 。 shù dào guāng huá cóng xiù zhōng fēi lüè ér chū ， mò rù dào le nà dǐng lú lǐ miàn 。
林轩脸上喜色一闪而现，轻轻一挥手。数道光华从袖中飞掠而出，没入到了那鼎炉里面。
Lin Xuan's face lit up as he waved his hand, sending several beams of light into the cauldron.
yòu guò piàn kè 。 zhěng gè dòng fǔ lǐ miàn de xiāng qì yuè lái yuè nóng ， bú yòng shuō ， zhè zì rán shì dān chéng de xiān zhào ， lín xuān jiāng dì mài zhī huǒ yī shōu ， rán hòu zhāng kāi zuǐ ， dàn jīn sè de huǒ yàn pēn tǔ ér chū ， yòng chún yáng zhēn huǒ ， duì yǎng yuán dān zuò zuì hòu dì cuì liàn 。
又过片刻。整个洞府里面的香气越来越浓，不用说，这自然是丹成的先兆，林轩将地脉之火一收，然后张开嘴，淡金色的火焰喷吐而出，用纯阳真火，对养元丹做最后地淬炼。
After some time, the fragrance in the entire cave grew stronger. It was clear that the pill had been successfully refined. Lin Xuan withdrew the geothermal flames and exhaled a pale golden flame to further refine the Nourishing Essence Pill with pure yang true fire.
“ yuè ér ， chū lái le 。”
“月儿，出来了。”
"Yue'er, it's out."
“ ń 。” shào nǚ yīng le yī shēng ， rán hòu jiāo róu de shēn yǐng jiù màn màn fú xiàn zài le lín xuān de miàn qián ， liǎn sè yī jiù cāng bái ， bù guò yǔ yí gè duō yuè qián xiāng bǐ ， shāng shì fǎn ér lüè yǒu hǎo zhuǎn ， zhè zì rán shì yóu yú fú shí le yīn líng dān 。
“嗯。”少女应了一声，然后娇柔的身影就慢慢浮现在了林轩的面前，脸色依旧苍白，不过与一个多月前相比，伤势反而略有好转，这自然是由于服食了阴灵丹。
"Mmm," the girl responded as she slowly materialized before him. Her face was still pale but showed some improvement compared to over a month ago—due to consuming the Yin Spirit Pill.
bì jìng shì huā le shù qiān jīng shí ， jiù suàn zhì bù hǎo ， kěn dìng duō shǎo yě yǒu xiào 。
毕竟是花了数千晶石，就算治不好，肯定多少也有效。
Even though it cost thousands of crystal stones, even if it didn't cure her, it would surely have some effect.
lín xuān shēn chū yòu shǒu ， qīng qīng yì diǎn ， nà xiǎo dǐng de gài zi jiù zì dòng xiān kāi ， yī kē lóng yǎn dà xiǎo ， mò hēi sè de yào wán fēi le qǐ lái 。
林轩伸出右手，轻轻一点，那小鼎的盖子就自动掀开，一颗龙眼大小，墨黑色的药丸飞了起来。
Lin Xuan extended his right hand and gently tapped on the cauldron's lid, which automatically lifted. A black pill the size of a dragon's eye flew out.
bié kàn cǐ yào bù qǐ yǎn ， lǐ miàn yùn hán de yīn líng qì què jīng rén yǐ jí 。
别看此药不起眼，里面蕴含的阴灵气却惊人以极。
Though unremarkable in appearance, this pill contained an astonishing amount of Yin spirit energy.
yuè ér kàn kàn líng yào ， kàn kàn shào yé ， yǎn zhōng shǎn dòng zhe gǎn dòng de guāng máng ， rán hòu zhāng kāi xiǎo zuǐ ， qīng qīng yī xī ， nà yào wán dùn shí huà wèi le yī dào hēi sè de wù qì ， bèi tā xī rù le shēn tǐ lǐ 。
月儿看看灵药，看看少爷，眼中闪动着感动的光芒，然后张开小嘴，轻轻一吸，那药丸顿时化为了一道黑色的雾气，被她吸入了身体里。
Yue'er looked at the spirit herb, then at her master, eyes filled with gratitude before she opened her mouth and gently sucked it in, turning it into a black mist that entered her body.
rán ér yuè ér de qiào liǎn zhú jiàn hóng rùn ， qì sè yě hǎo le xǔ duō ， kàn lái shì nà líng dān kāi shǐ huī zuò yòng le 。“ shào yé ……”
然而月儿的俏脸逐渐红润，气色也好了许多，看来是那灵丹开始挥作用了。“少爷……”
Her rosy cheeks gradually returned as her complexion improved. It seemed the spirit pill was starting to take effect. "Master..."
“ bié shuō huà ， pán xī zuò xià ， jiāng yào lì liàn huà ， wǒ lái bāng hù fǎ 。”
“别说话，盘膝坐下，将药力炼化，我来帮护法。”
"Do not speak; kneel and refine the medicinal power. I will protect you."
xiǎo yā tou hěn tīng huà ， pán xī zuò hǎo ， shí zhǐ yǔ mǔ zhǐ xiāng kòu ， shuāng shǒu gè niē le yí gè fǎ jué ， kāi shǐ yùn zhuàn xuán mó **。
小丫头很听话，盘膝坐好，食指与拇指相扣，双手各捏了一个法诀，开始运转玄魔**。
The little girl obediently knelt down, fingers interlocked, and began circulating the Profound Demon Technique with both hands.
kàn le yuè ér yī yǎn ， lín xuān liǎn shàng dì biǎo qíng zhōng yú qīng sōng xià lái 。
看了月儿一眼，林轩脸上地表情终于轻松下来。
After a glance at Yue'er, Lin Xuan's expression finally relaxed.
xiǎo yā tou zhè cì shàn zì chōng jī níng dān ， líng lì fǎn shì ， suǒ shòu dào de shāng hài zhe shí bù xiǎo ， bù guò àn zhào nà gǔ yù tǒng suǒ zài ， yǒu le yǎng yuán dān ， huī fù rú chū yīng gāi shì méi yǒu shén me xuán niàn 。
小丫头这次擅自冲击凝丹，灵力反噬，所受到的伤害着实不小，不过按照那古玉筒所载，有了养元丹，恢复如初应该是没有什么悬念。
This time, Yue'er had attempted to break through the condensation core stage on her own, suffering significant backlash. However, according to the ancient jade cylinder, with the Nourishing Essence Pill, recovery should be swift.
fàng xià xīn shì ， lín xuān yě yī páng zuò xià ， yòng gōng xiū liàn 。
放下心事，林轩也一旁坐下，用功修炼。
With his worries laid aside, Lin Xuan sat down and focused on cultivation.
shuō qǐ lái ， zì cóng níng dān chéng gōng yǐ hòu ， zì jǐ zhū shì chán shēn ， hái zhēn méi yǒu hǎo hǎo xiū liàn guò ， jìng jiè suī rán wěn dìng le ， bù guò yī rán shì zài dì yī céng pái huái 。
说起来，自从凝丹成功以后，自己诸事缠身，还真没有好好修炼过，境界虽然稳定了，不过依然是在第一层徘徊。
Since successfully breaking through the condensation core, he had been preoccupied with various matters and hadn't properly cultivated for a long time. Although his realm was stable, he still hovered around the first layer.
dàn huà yòu shuō huí lái ， yǐ zì jǐ de zī zhì ， jiù suàn shì tiān tiān dǎ zuò ， bù fēn bái zhòu hēi yè de kǔ xiū ， kǒng pà yě hěn nán yǒu xiào guǒ 。
但话又说回来，以自己的资质，就算是天天打坐，不分白昼黑夜的苦修，恐怕也很难有效果。
However, given his talent, even if he meditated day and night without rest, it would likely be ineffective.
huàn yí gè rén ， yīng gāi yǐ jīng hěn mǎn zú ， bì jìng méi yǒu líng gēn ， hái jīn dān dà chéng ， fàng yǎn xiū zhēn jiè bǎi wàn nián de lì shǐ ， zì jǐ yě shì dì yí gè ， kě yǐ shuō kāi chuàng le xiān hé 。
换一个人，应该已经很满足，毕竟没有灵根，还金丹大成，放眼修真界百万年的历史，自己也是第一个，可以说开创了先河。
Another person might already be satisfied; after all, without spirit roots, reaching Golden Core stage was unprecedented in the million-year history of cultivation. He had indeed broken new ground.
rán ér lín xuān bìng bù mǎn zú ， tā dì xià yī mù biāo shì yuán yīng jìng jiè 。
然而林轩并不满足，他地下一目标是元婴境界。
But Lin Xuan was not content; his next goal was the yuan baby realm.
kě xiǎng xiǎng róng yì ， zhēn yào zuò què kùn nán wú bǐ ， bié shuō méi yǒu líng gēn dì zì jǐ ， jiù suàn shì chāo jí tiān cái ， xiǎng yào jié chéng yuán yīng ， yě yào yǒu nì tiān de jī yù 。
可想想容易，真要做却困难无比，别说没有灵根地自己，就算是超级天才，想要结成元婴，也要有逆天的机遇。
Though easy to think about, actually doing it was incredibly difficult. Even for super geniuses, forming an yuan baby required a miraculous opportunity.
xiǎng xiǎng zì jǐ xiū xiān yǐ lái suǒ zǒu guò dì dào lù ， qín fèn bú yòng shuō ， lín xuān bù pà de jiù shì chī kǔ ， bǎi zhé bù náo ， shī bài le zài chóng xīn pá qǐ lái guò 。
想想自己修仙以来所走过地道路，勤奋不用说，林轩不怕的就是吃苦，百折不挠，失败了再重新爬起来过。
Reflecting on his path since becoming a cultivator, Lin Xuan was no stranger to hardship and perseverance. He feared nothing but hard work, never giving up even after failures.
rán ér guāng yǒu zhè yàng shì bù gòu dì ， duì tā bāng zhù zuì dà de hái shì lán sè xīng hǎi ， fǒu zé rén lì bìng bù néng shèng tiān 。
然而光有这样是不够地，对他帮助最大的还是蓝色星海，否则人力并不能胜天。
However, this alone was insufficient; the Blue Star Sea had been his greatest help. Otherwise, human effort could not overcome nature's will.
lín xuān fǎ lì de tí shēng quán kào jiāng líng yào dāng táng wán 。
林轩法力的提升全靠将灵药当糖丸。
Lin Xuan's mana increase relied entirely on consuming spirit herbs as if they were candy pills.
rán ér zhè zhǒng tí shēng xiū wèi de fāng shì zài líng dòng qī zì rán méi yǒu wèn tí ， xǐ suǐ dān de fèi dān kě yǐ shuō dào chù dōu shì ， qū qū yí gè piāo yún gǔ de guǎn shì jiù jiě jué le zhè ge wèn tí 。
然而这种提升修为的方式在灵动期自然没有问题，洗髓丹的废丹可以说到处都是，区区一个飘云谷的管事就解决了这个问题。
This method of cultivation worked well in the灵动期, where waste spirit pills from washing away impurities were abundant and easily resolved by a mere manager from the Cloudy Mountain.
jìn rù zhù jī qī ， suī rán yào nán yī xiē ， dàn yī kào líng yào shān shù qiān nián de jī lěi ， lín xuān hái shì shùn lì jìn jí 。
进入筑基期，虽然要难一些，但依靠灵药山数千年的积累，林轩还是顺利晋级。
Entering the筑基期 was more challenging but with the accumulated knowledge from the spirit herb mountains over thousands of years, Lin Xuan still managed to advance smoothly.
kě níng dān chéng gōng yǐ hòu ， lín xuān zé bù dé bù miàn duì hěn xiàn shí de wèn tí 。
可凝丹成功以后，林轩则不得不面对很现实的问题。
However, after successfully breaking through the condensation core, he faced very real challenges.
yǔ qián liǎng gè jìng jiè bù tóng ， tà rù le níng dān qī jiù yì wèi zhe chéng wéi gāo jiē xiū shì ， ér zài xiū zhēn jiè ， xiū shì de shù liàng jiù xiàng jīn zì tǎ ， yuè wǎng shàng yuè shǎo 。
与前两个境界不同，踏入了凝丹期就意味着成为高阶修士，而在修真界，修士的数量就像金字塔，越往上越少。
Unlike the previous two realms, entering the condensation core stage meant becoming a high-ranking cultivator. In the cultivation world, the number of cultivators was like a pyramid—fewer at higher levels.
líng dòng qī ， jiù suàn shì yī xiǎo mén pài huò dà yī diǎn de jiā zú kǒng pà yě yǒu jǐ qiān dì zǐ ， ér zhù jī qī xiū shì de shù liàng zé shǎo le xǔ duō ， tōng cháng jǐ bǎi gè líng dòng qī dì zǐ zhī zhōng ， cái yǒu yí gè néng gòu zhù jī chéng gōng 。
灵动期，就算是一小门派或大一点的家族恐怕也有几千弟子，而筑基期修士的数量则少了许多，通常几百个灵动期弟子之中，才有一个能够筑基成功。
At the灵动期, even small sects or larger families might have several thousand disciples, but only one out of hundreds of 灵动期 cultivators would succeed in forming a筑基 core.
ér níng dān qī de gāo jiē xiū shì ， zé kě yòng fèng máo lín jiǎo lái xíng róng 。
而凝丹期的高阶修士，则可用凤毛麟角来形容。
High-ranking condensation core cultivators were so rare they could be counted on the fingers.
"How could it be, friend, do you know me?"
The elder from the Fire Spirit Sect was quite alert and quickly realized that Lin Xuan was sizing him up.
"No, but I feel a familiar face," Lin Xuan replied calmly. After all, he was just an insignificant figure in Yanzhou, so there was no way this elder would recognize him.
"Oh, then we must be fated to meet. I am Li Yaotian from the Fire Spirit Sect. May I ask your esteemed surname and where you cultivate?"
"Little Brother Lin Xuan, a mere wandering cultivator."
The two chatted for a few more moments. Li Yaotian's words clearly contained an attempt at flattery, but Lin Xuan was vague in his response, deferring to the matter.
Suddenly, a burst of firelight flew over and circled around Li Yaotian a few times before he caught it with his hand and immersed his divine sense into it.
Li Yaotian's eyes lit up with joy as he quickly clasped his hands together and said, "Sorry, Lin Daoist, I have urgent matters to attend to. Farewell, we will meet again in the future. My cave dwelling is right ahead of that small volcano. Please come visit my residence when you are free."
"Of course, I will certainly trouble you!" Lin Xuan smiled as he bid farewell.
Li Yaotian waved his hand and turned into a ball of fire, vanishing in an instant.
Lin Xuan's expression gradually darkened but quickly returned to normal. With his current status and cultivation, there was no need for him to fear this Fire Spirit Sect elder. The pressing matter now was to refine the spirit pill for Yue'er.
With that thought, Lin Xuan's mana flowed throughout his body as he transformed into a streak of lightning and flew towards the small mountain ahead.
In an instant, the mountain stood only a hundred feet tall but covered a vast area; from afar, it resembled a small hill.
However, upon closer inspection, the temperature noticeably increased. The rumors were indeed true. Although this place lacked the spirit herb mountains, its geothermal resources were not far off.
Correspondingly, more遁光 appeared in the sky as Ghost Net City had hollowed out the mountain's core and carved out hundreds of crude stone chambers for rent to cultivators. Each year alone, these rents generated a substantial amount of crystal stones.
Following the directions on his waistband, Lin Xuan easily found the cave he rented.
It was merely an empty cavern with a metal beast in its center, mouth wide open—a design similar to that of the spirit herb mountains.
The cave was also surrounded by array formations and restrictions. However, they were quite rudimentary, serving only as early warning signals.
Lin Xuan did not hesitate; first, he set up the Extreme Yin Evil Spirit Array. Only after feeling secure did he enter his storage bracelet, taking out a jade bottle.
He uncorked it and poured out an inner spirit pill the size of a dragon's eye. Then, he took other materials purchased from the marketplace and channeled a spell into the beast to draw geothermal flames, beginning the refining process.
Sealing himself in for forty-nine days, Lin Xuan periodically added pure yang dan fire to raise its temperature.
Finally, a fragrant mist began to emanate from the small cauldron before him.
This Nourishing Essence Pill was simple to refine but difficult to obtain materials for.
Lin Xuan's face lit up as he waved his hand, sending several beams of light into the cauldron.
After some time, the fragrance in the entire cave grew stronger. It was clear that the pill had been successfully refined. Lin Xuan withdrew the geothermal flames and exhaled a pale golden flame to further refine the Nourishing Essence Pill with pure yang true fire.
"Yue'er, it's out."
"Mmm," the girl responded as she slowly materialized before him. Her face was still pale but showed some improvement compared to over a month ago—due to consuming the Yin Spirit Pill.
Even though it cost thousands of crystal stones, even if it didn't cure her, it would surely have some effect.
Lin Xuan extended his right hand and gently tapped on the cauldron's lid, which automatically lifted. A black pill the size of a dragon's eye flew out.
Though unremarkable in appearance, this pill contained an astonishing amount of Yin spirit energy.
Yue'er looked at the spirit herb, then at her master, eyes filled with gratitude before she opened her mouth and gently sucked it in, turning it into a black mist that entered her body.
Her rosy cheeks gradually returned as her complexion improved. It seemed the spirit pill was starting to take effect. "Master..."
"Do not speak; kneel and refine the medicinal power. I will protect you."
"Mmm."
The little girl obediently knelt down, fingers interlocked, and began circulating the Profound Demon Technique with both hands.
After a glance at Yue'er, Lin Xuan's expression finally relaxed.
This time, Yue'er had attempted to break through the condensation core stage on her own, suffering significant backlash. However, according to the ancient jade cylinder, with the Nourishing Essence Pill, recovery should be swift.
With his worries laid aside, Lin Xuan sat down and focused on cultivation.
Since successfully breaking through the condensation core, he had been preoccupied with various matters and hadn't properly cultivated for a long time. Although his realm was stable, he still hovered around the first layer.
However, given his talent, even if he meditated day and night without rest, it would likely be ineffective.
Another person might already be satisfied; after all, without spirit roots, reaching Golden Core stage was unprecedented in the million-year history of cultivation. He had indeed broken new ground.
But Lin Xuan was not content; his next goal was the yuan baby realm.
Though easy to think about, actually doing it was incredibly difficult. Even for super geniuses, forming an yuan baby required a miraculous opportunity.
Reflecting on his path since becoming a cultivator, Lin Xuan was no stranger to hardship and perseverance. He feared nothing but hard work, never giving up even after failures.
However, this alone was insufficient; the Blue Star Sea had been his greatest help. Otherwise, human effort could not overcome nature's will.
Lin Xuan's mana increase relied entirely on consuming spirit herbs as if they were candy pills.
This method of cultivation worked well in the灵动期, where waste spirit pills from washing away impurities were abundant and easily resolved by a mere manager from the Cloudy Mountain.
Entering the筑基期 was more challenging but with the accumulated knowledge from the spirit herb mountains over thousands of years, Lin Xuan still managed to advance smoothly.
However, after successfully breaking through the condensation core, he faced very real challenges.
Unlike the previous two realms, entering the condensation core stage meant becoming a high-ranking cultivator. In the cultivation world, the number of cultivators was like a pyramid—fewer at higher levels.
At the灵动期, even small sects or larger families might have several thousand disciples, but only one out of hundreds of 灵动期 cultivators would succeed in forming a筑基 core.
High-ranking condensation core cultivators were so rare they could be counted on the fingers.