lín xuān yě céng chá guò diǎn jí ， tóng yǔ lán shāng méng xiāng guān de jì zǎi hěn duō ， rán ér qí jù tǐ lái lì ， què wú rén qīng chǔ 。
林轩也曾查过典籍，同雨岚商盟相关的记载很多，然而其具体来历，却无人清楚。
Lin Xuan had also consulted ancient texts, finding numerous records related to the Rain Mist Commerce Alliance. However, no one knew its exact origins.
yào shuō yì diǎn dōu bù hǎo qí ， nà kěn dìng shì piàn rén dì 。
要说一点都不好奇，那肯定是骗人地。
To say he wasn't curious would be a lie.
dàn zì jǐ tóng yǔ lán shāng méng yòu méi yǒu ēn yuàn jiū gé ， suǒ yǐ lín xuān yě jiù lǎn de qù fèi lì qì qù duō guǎn xián shì le 。
但自己同雨岚商盟又没有恩怨纠葛，所以林轩也就懒得去费力气去多管闲事了。
But since he had no grudges against the Rain Mist Commerce Alliance, Lin Xuan didn’t bother wasting energy on such trivial matters.
sú huà shuō ， shì jiān běn wú shì ， yōng rén zì rǎo zhī 。
俗话说，世间本无事，庸人自扰之。
As they say, there's nothing in this world that isn't peaceful; it’s just that ordinary people create trouble for themselves.
ruò shì jì xù zhuī chá xià qù ， wèi bì bù néng dé dào yí gè jié guǒ ， dàn yě jí yǒu kě néng yǔ zhè páng dà de zǔ zhī jiāo wù 。
若是继续追查下去，未必不能得到一个结果，但也极有可能与这庞大的组织交恶。
If he continued to investigate further, he might get a result. But there was also a high chance of offending the vast organization.
lín xuān kě bù xiǎng yīn wèi yī shí hào qí ， mò míng de wèi zì jǐ zhāo rě lái qiáng dí 。
林轩可不想因为一时好奇，莫名的为自己招惹来强敌。
Lin Xuan didn’t want to attract powerful enemies due to mere curiosity.
nà yàng de xíng wéi ， shì hěn yú chǔn dì 。
那样的行为，是很愚蠢地。
That would be foolish.
shì yì shí yí ， yī huǎng yǐ yǒu bǎi nián guò qù ， lín xuān yǐ yǔ yuè ér shùn lì xiāng yù ， xī rì tóng yǔ lán shāng méng de xiē xǔ jiāo jí ， yě zǎo bèi tā yí wàng dào le nǎo hòu qù 。
事易时移，一晃已有百年过去，林轩已与月儿顺利相遇，昔日同雨岚商盟的些许交集，也早被他遗忘到了脑后去。
A century had passed since then. Lin Xuan had successfully met Moon’s daughter, and his past encounters with the Rain Mist Commerce Alliance were long forgotten.
méi xiǎng dào jīn tiān què yǔ gāi pài de dì zǐ xiāng yù ， duì fāng hái zhǔ dòng shuō shì chū lái xún zhǎo zì jǐ ， lín xuān chà yì zhī yú ， liǎn shàng bù yóu de fú xiàn chū yī sī jǐng tì 。
没想到今天却与该派的弟子相遇，对方还主动说是出来寻找自己，林轩诧异之余，脸上不由得浮现出一丝警惕。
Unexpectedly, he now found himself meeting a disciple of that sect, who claimed to have come looking for him. Lin Xuan was surprised and couldn’t help but show some caution on his face.
“ ń ， yǔ lán shāng méng ， hǎo dà de míng qì ， bù guò lín mǒu yǔ guì pài xiàng lái bìng wú jiāo jí ， bù zhī dào gé xià lái zhǎo lín mǒu ， jiū jìng shì wèi le hé shì ？”
“嗯，雨岚商盟，好大的名气，不过林某与贵派向来并无交集，不知道阁下来找林某，究竟是为了何事？”
"Indeed, the Rain Mist Commerce Alliance has quite a reputation. However, I've had no dealings with your sect before. Might you tell me why you seek out this humble one?"
“ qián bèi bù yòng xīn jí ， wǎn bèi fèng mìng qián lái zhǎo xún yú nǐ ， zì rán shì yǒu yào shì ， yǔ qián bèi shāng yì 。”
“前辈不用心急，晚辈奉命前来找寻于你，自然是有要事，与前辈商议。”
The thin man smiled warmly, "I have been tasked to find you, so there must be important matters we need to discuss."
nà shòu xuē hàn zi mǎn liǎn xiào yì ， biǎo qíng nà jiào yí gè hé shàn yǐ jí ：“ wǎn bèi gǎn wèn yī jù ， sān gè yuè qián ， luò yè chéng miàn lín jù dà de wēi jī ， chà diǎn bèi yí wéi píng dì ， kě shì qián bèi dà zhǎn shén wēi ， jiù le mǎn chéng de fán rén yǔ xiū shì ？”
那瘦削汉子满脸笑意，表情那叫一个和善以极：“晚辈敢问一句，三个月前，落叶城面临巨大的危机，差点被夷为平地，可是前辈大展神威，救了满城的凡人与修士？”
Lin Xuan nodded, his expression blank as he recalled the events of three months ago.
“ bù cuò ， lín mǒu jī yuán qiǎo hé ， què rán céng jīng chū shǒu guò 。”
“不错，林某机缘巧合，确然曾经出手过。”
...
lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī máng rán zhī sè ， diǎn diǎn tóu biǎo shì chéng rèn le 。
林轩脸上露出一丝茫然之色，点点头表示承认了。
Three months ago, Lin Xuan was traveling around. He enjoyed exploring and searching for the Seven Treasures of Deva and various cultivation techniques.
ér tā zuǐ shàng zhè yàng shuō ， nǎo hǎi zhōng de sī xù ， yě jiù zì rán ér rán de piāo dào sān gè yuè qián le 。
而他嘴上这样说，脑海中的思绪，也就自然而然的飘到三个月前了。
He eventually arrived in Fallen Leaf City.
……
……
The Rain Pine Realm was vast, with countless cities. Fallen Leaf City was just one insignificant one among them—larger in size but not much more.
sān gè yuè qián ， lín xuān zì rán shì zài sì chù yóu lì 。
三个月前，林轩自然是在四处游历。
It wasn’t a purely immortal city; many ordinary people lived there alongside cultivators.
yī biān yóu shān wán shuǐ ， yī biān xún zhǎo zháo xiū luó qī bǎo yǔ gōng fǎ de xià luò 。
一边游山玩水，一边寻找着修罗七宝与功法的下落。
This wasn't unusual to Lin Xuan, as he had seen such cohabitation before. After long travels, he felt weary and decided to stay for a while in Fallen Leaf City.
suí hòu tā biàn lái dào luò yè chéng le 。
随后他便来到落叶城了。
He enjoyed the local cuisine and strolled through the bustling markets, enjoying a comfortable life.
yǔ tóng jiè miàn jī guǎng bó ， gè zhǒng chéng chí shǔ bù shèng shǔ ， luò yè chéng yě bù guò shì qí zhōng bù qǐ yǎn de yī zuò 。
雨桐界面积广博，各种城池数不胜数，落叶城也不过是其中不起眼的一座。
Of course, he couldn’t stay indefinitely. After ten days, he prepared to leave.
rú guǒ yí dìng yào shuō 。 yě jiù shì zhàn dì miàn jī jiào guǎng bà le 。
如果一定要说。也就是占地面积较广罢了。
But just as he was about to depart, something unexpected happened.
hái yǒu jiù shì zhè bú shì yī zuò chún cuì de xiān chéng 。
还有就是这不是一座纯粹的仙城。
The sky suddenly darkened with fierce winds. Chaotic demonic energy spread out ominously.
chéng nèi chú le xiū xiān zhě ， hái yǒu dà liàng de fán rén zài zhè lǐ jū zhù 。
城内除了修仙者，还有大量的凡人在这里居住。
Sure enough, chaotic demonic energy could only be wielded by true spirits or late-stage demons.
dàn zhè yuán běn yě méi yǒu shén me chū qí ， fán rén yuán běn jiù shì xiū xiān jiè de jī chǔ ， xiū xiān zhě yǔ fán rén zài yī zuò chéng chí jū zhù lín xuān yǐ qián bìng fēi méi yǒu jiàn guò 。
但这原本也没有什么出奇，凡人原本就是修仙界的基础，修仙者与凡人在一座城池居住林轩以前并非没有见过。
Lin Xuan was shocked. Then, a nine-eyed blood toad appeared in the distance.
ér zhǎng shí jiān de gǎn lù ， ràng lín xuān yě yǒu xiē pí bèi le 。
而长时间的赶路，让林轩也有些疲惫了。
Yes, the nine-eyed blood toad, one of the ancient true spirits. Though its strength couldn’t match that of a true dragon or phoenix, it was undoubtedly much more powerful than the Golden Jade True Toad.
suǒ yǐ tā bìng méi yǒu guò chéng bù rù ， ér shì zài xuǎn zé zài luò yè chéng tíng liú le yī duàn shí jiān de 。
所以他并没有过城不入，而是在选择在落叶城停留了一段时间的。
The sudden appearance left everyone stunned.
chī chī měi shí ， guàng guàng fāng shì ， dù guò le yī duàn pǒ wèi qiè yì de shēng huó 。
吃吃美食，逛逛坊市，度过了一段颇为惬意的生活。
It was well-known that true spirits could roam between the three realms, but most of their time was spent in their own spirit spaces.
dāng rán ， lín xuān yě bù kě néng yì zhí zài zhè lǐ dòu liú ， shí yú rì zhī hòu 。 yě jiù zhǔn bèi lí kāi le 。
当然，林轩也不可能一直在这里逗留，十余日之后。也就准备离开了。
Why had they come here? And the ferocious aura emanating from this toad clearly indicated ill intentions. With such power, a small city wouldn’t stand a chance.
rán ér piān piān jiù zài zhè shí ， què yù jiàn le chū rén yì liào de biàn gù 。
然而偏偏就在这时，却遇见了出人意料的变故。
Lin Xuan was greatly surprised, as such an unexpected event was far beyond his expectations.
jiù zài lín xuān dǎ suàn lí kāi de qián yī kè ， yuán běn qíng lǎng de tiān kōng ， tū rán yīn chén xià lái le 。
就在林轩打算离开的前一刻，原本晴朗的天空，突然阴沉下来了。
All the cultivators of Fallen Leaf City were speechless.
kuáng fēng dà zuò ， suí hòu kě pà de hùn dùn yāo qì mí sàn ér chū 。
狂风大作，随后可怕的混沌妖气弥散而出。
Fortunately, Rain Pine Realm was known as the first spiritual realm, and even a small city had its hidden talents. Lin Xuan’s arrival coincided with the emergence of another late-stage cultivator—just at the right moment to save the city from disaster.
méi cuò ， hùn dùn yāo qì ， zhēn líng huò zhě dù jié hòu qī de yāo zú ， cái néng gòu yù shǐ de 。
没错，混沌妖气，真灵或者渡劫后期的妖族，才能够驭使的。
Though only in the early stages of transformation, his presence brought great joy to all the cultivators. The old monster didn’t retreat when he saw the nine-eyed blood toad and bravely stepped forward.
zhè yàng de biàn gù ， lín xuān yě dà gǎn è rán 。
这样的变故，林轩也大感愕然。
Several spirit realm cultivators joined him, and the entire city rallied to support them.
suí hòu 。 tā biàn kàn jiàn jiǔ mù xuè chán chū xiàn zài le tiān biān 。
随后。他便看见九目血蟾出现在了天边。
The Cold Heaven Immortal had his own plans. While the nine-eyed blood toad was weaker among true spirits, with the help of all the city’s cultivators, he might be able to defeat it.
méi cuò ， jiǔ mù xuè chán ， shàng gǔ zhēn líng zhī yī ， shí lì suī rán wú fǎ yǔ zhēn lóng cǎi fèng xiāng bǐ 。 dàn kěn dìng yào bǐ jīn yuè zhēn chán qiáng dà dé duō dì 。
没错，九目血蟾，上古真灵之一，实力虽然无法与真龙彩凤相比。但肯定要比金玥真蟾强大得多地。
After all, a true spirit was a treasure trove; such an opportunity was hard to come by.
tū rán de biàn gù ， ràng suǒ yǒu rén dōu jīng dāi le 。
突然的变故，让所有人都惊呆了。
Secondly, taking down a true spirit alone would boost his reputation and save the city. He couldn’t afford to back down for public or personal reasons.
zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī ， zhēn líng suī rán néng gòu zài sān jiè yóu yì ， dàn jué dà bù fèn shí jiān 。 dōu shì dāi zài zhēn líng kōng jiān lǐ 。
众所周知，真灵虽然能够在三界游弋，但绝大部分时间。都是呆在真灵空间里。
Though the risks were significant, the potential rewards justified them.
duì fāng wèi hé huì lái zhè lǐ ？
对方为何会来这里？
However, when he actually engaged in battle, Cold Heaven Immortal realized how naive he had been.
ér qiě cóng tā shēn shàng suǒ sàn fà chū lái de kuáng bào zhī qì ， xiǎn rán shì lái zhě bù shàn dì 。
而且从它身上所散发出来的狂暴之气，显然是来者不善地。
The nine-eyed blood toad was far more terrifying than described in ancient texts. As a late-stage cultivator, he couldn’t even defend himself and was quickly defeated.
yǐ zhēn líng zhī wēi ， xiǎo xiǎo yī zuò chéng chí 。 hái bù bèi yí píng le qù ？
以真灵之威，小小一座城池。还不被夷平了去？
Seeing his life in danger, he fled the scene.
lín xuān xīn zhōng jīng chà yǐ jí ， yǐ tā jiàn shí guǎng bó ， zhè yàng de biàn gù ， xiǎn rán yě shì dà chū yù liào de 。
林轩心中惊诧以极，以他见识广博，这样的变故，显然也是大出预料的。
Late-stage cultivators, regardless of their cultivation techniques, always had some survival skills. Cold Heaven Immortal managed to escape but Fallen Leaf City suffered greatly.
mǎn chéng xiū shì chēng mù jié shé 。
满城修士瞠目结舌。
Lin Xuan watched from the sidelines, having long noticed something amiss with the nine-eyed blood toad. True spirits weren’t demons, yet this one seemed more like a beast.
hǎo zài yǔ tóng jiè hào chēng líng jiè dì yī jiè miàn ， què rán shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， xiǎo xiǎo yī zuò chéng chí ， jū rán yě cáng lóng wò hǔ ， chú le lín xuān jī yuán qiǎo hé lái dào cǐ chù ， guān jiàn shí kè ， jū rán yòu bèng chū le yī míng dù jié qī xiū xiān zhě 。
好在雨桐界号称灵界第一界面，确然是非同小可，小小一座城池，居然也藏龙卧虎，除了林轩机缘巧合来到此处，关键时刻，居然又蹦出了一名渡劫期修仙者。
Lin Xuan confirmed his suspicions—had it been corrupted by demonic energy?
suī rán zhǐ shì dù jié chū qī ， dàn yě ràng mǎn chéng de xiū shì wèi zhī dà xǐ 。
虽然只是渡劫初期，但也让满城的修士为之大喜。
Could ordinary demons be transformed into true spirits by demonic energy!
ér zhè wèi lǎo guài wù yǎn jiàn jiǔ mù xuè chán yóu yì dào cǐ chù ， jū rán yě bìng wèi tuì suō ， yǒng gǎn de zhàn chū lái le 。
而这位老怪物眼见九目血蟾游弋到此处，居然也并未退缩，勇敢的站出来了。
If that was true, Cloud Fairy’s plot would be terrifying.
yǔ tā yī tóng chū zhàn de hái yǒu jǐ wèi fēn shén qī xiū xiān zhě 。
与他一同出战的还有几位分神期修仙者。
Emotionally and logically, Lin Xuan couldn’t ignore the situation. Regardless of the specifics, saving the lives in Fallen Leaf City was the right thing to do.
mǎn chéng xiū shì yě dōu jìn qí suǒ néng de wèi qí tí gōng bāng zhù 。
满城修士也都尽其所能的为其提供帮助。
So, Lin Xuan acted.
zhè wèi tiān lěng zhēn rén kě shì yǒu zì jǐ dǎ suàn de 。
这位天冷真人可是有自己打算的。
The details weren’t necessary; with his current strength, he could easily handle a phoenix true dragon but the nine-eyed blood toad posed no challenge. Even if it had been corrupted by demonic energy, its power was still insufficient compared to his.
yī lái jiǔ mù xuè chán guī gēn jié dǐ ， zài zhēn líng zhōng de shí lì yě shì piān ruò 。
一来九目血蟾归根结底，在真灵中的实力也是偏弱。
There was no suspense as the nine-eyed blood toad was defeated and the lives of Fallen Leaf City were saved.
dān dǎ dú dòu zì jǐ shí lì huò xǔ shāo yǒu bù zú ， dàn huò dé mǎn chéng xiū shì de bāng zhù zé dà yǒu kě néng zhǎn shā diào cǐ wù 。
单打独斗自己实力或许稍有不足，但获得满城修士的帮助则大有可能斩杀掉此物。
Afterward, Lin Xuan didn’t linger in Fallen Leaf City; winning a battle against such a creature was trivial. He continued his travels.
kāi wán xiào ， zhēn líng yī shēn shì bǎo ， zhè yàng de jī yuán nǎ lǐ qù zhǎo 。
开玩笑，真灵一身是宝，这样的机缘哪里去找。
Three months passed, and he almost forgot about it, but today, this matter had been brought up, involving the Rain Mist Commerce Alliance—a significant entity. Even after countless oddities, how could Lin Xuan remain unmoved? (To be continued...)
Lin Xuan had also consulted ancient texts, finding numerous records related to the Rain Mist Commerce Alliance. However, no one knew its exact origins.
To say he wasn't curious would be a lie.
But since he had no grudges against the Rain Mist Commerce Alliance, Lin Xuan didn’t bother wasting energy on such trivial matters.
As they say, there's nothing in this world that isn't peaceful; it’s just that ordinary people create trouble for themselves.
If he continued to investigate further, he might get a result. But there was also a high chance of offending the vast organization.
Lin Xuan didn’t want to attract powerful enemies due to mere curiosity.
That would be foolish.
...
A century had passed since then. Lin Xuan had successfully met Moon’s daughter, and his past encounters with the Rain Mist Commerce Alliance were long forgotten.
Unexpectedly, he now found himself meeting a disciple of that sect, who claimed to have come looking for him. Lin Xuan was surprised and couldn’t help but show some caution on his face.
"Indeed, the Rain Mist Commerce Alliance has quite a reputation. However, I've had no dealings with your sect before. Might you tell me why you seek out this humble one?"
The thin man smiled warmly, "I have been tasked to find you, so there must be important matters we need to discuss."
Lin Xuan nodded, his expression blank as he recalled the events of three months ago.
...
Three months ago, Lin Xuan was traveling around. He enjoyed exploring and searching for the Seven Treasures of Deva and various cultivation techniques.
He eventually arrived in Fallen Leaf City.
The Rain Pine Realm was vast, with countless cities. Fallen Leaf City was just one insignificant one among them—larger in size but not much more.
It wasn’t a purely immortal city; many ordinary people lived there alongside cultivators.
This wasn't unusual to Lin Xuan, as he had seen such cohabitation before. After long travels, he felt weary and decided to stay for a while in Fallen Leaf City.
He enjoyed the local cuisine and strolled through the bustling markets, enjoying a comfortable life.
Of course, he couldn’t stay indefinitely. After ten days, he prepared to leave.
But just as he was about to depart, something unexpected happened.
The sky suddenly darkened with fierce winds. Chaotic demonic energy spread out ominously.
Sure enough, chaotic demonic energy could only be wielded by true spirits or late-stage demons.
Lin Xuan was shocked. Then, a nine-eyed blood toad appeared in the distance.
Yes, the nine-eyed blood toad, one of the ancient true spirits. Though its strength couldn’t match that of a true dragon or phoenix, it was undoubtedly much more powerful than the Golden Jade True Toad.
The sudden appearance left everyone stunned.
It was well-known that true spirits could roam between the three realms, but most of their time was spent in their own spirit spaces.
Why had they come here? And the ferocious aura emanating from this toad clearly indicated ill intentions. With such power, a small city wouldn’t stand a chance.
Lin Xuan was greatly surprised, as such an unexpected event was far beyond his expectations.
All the cultivators of Fallen Leaf City were speechless.
Fortunately, Rain Pine Realm was known as the first spiritual realm, and even a small city had its hidden talents. Lin Xuan’s arrival coincided with the emergence of another late-stage cultivator—just at the right moment to save the city from disaster.
Though only in the early stages of transformation, his presence brought great joy to all the cultivators. The old monster didn’t retreat when he saw the nine-eyed blood toad and bravely stepped forward.
Several spirit realm cultivators joined him, and the entire city rallied to support them.
The Cold Heaven Immortal had his own plans. While the nine-eyed blood toad was weaker among true spirits, with the help of all the city’s cultivators, he might be able to defeat it.
After all, a true spirit was a treasure trove; such an opportunity was hard to come by.
Secondly, taking down a true spirit alone would boost his reputation and save the city. He couldn’t afford to back down for public or personal reasons.
Though the risks were significant, the potential rewards justified them.
However, when he actually engaged in battle, Cold Heaven Immortal realized how naive he had been.
The nine-eyed blood toad was far more terrifying than described in ancient texts. As a late-stage cultivator, he couldn’t even defend himself and was quickly defeated.
Seeing his life in danger, he fled the scene.
Late-stage cultivators, regardless of their cultivation techniques, always had some survival skills. Cold Heaven Immortal managed to escape but Fallen Leaf City suffered greatly.
Lin Xuan watched from the sidelines, having long noticed something amiss with the nine-eyed blood toad. True spirits weren’t demons, yet this one seemed more like a beast.
Lin Xuan confirmed his suspicions—had it been corrupted by demonic energy?
Could ordinary demons be transformed into true spirits by demonic energy!
If that was true, Cloud Fairy’s plot would be terrifying.
Emotionally and logically, Lin Xuan couldn’t ignore the situation. Regardless of the specifics, saving the lives in Fallen Leaf City was the right thing to do.
So, Lin Xuan acted.
The details weren’t necessary; with his current strength, he could easily handle a phoenix true dragon but the nine-eyed blood toad posed no challenge. Even if it had been corrupted by demonic energy, its power was still insufficient compared to his.
There was no suspense as the nine-eyed blood toad was defeated and the lives of Fallen Leaf City were saved.
Afterward, Lin Xuan didn’t linger in Fallen Leaf City; winning a battle against such a creature was trivial. He continued his travels.
Three months passed, and he almost forgot about it, but today, this matter had been brought up, involving the Rain Mist Commerce Alliance—a significant entity. Even after countless oddities, how could Lin Xuan remain unmoved? (To be continued...)