qiáng zhōng zì yǒu qiáng zhōng shǒu ， è rén hái xū è rén mó ， zhè yī quán de wēi lì yòng shí pò tiān jīng lái xíng róng yě méi yǒu cuò 。
强中自有强中手，恶人还需恶人磨，这一拳的威力用石破天惊来形容也没有错。
Strong within the strong, evil needs to be ground by evil. This punch's power is so formidable that even breaking heaven and earth cannot describe it.
suǒ yǒu rén dōu jīng dāi le 。
所有人都惊呆了。
Everyone was left speechless.
tiān dì èr lǎo wēi míng hè hè ， qí lián shǒu shī zhǎn chū lái de lǐng yù gèng jiā ràng rén zé shé 。
天地二老威名赫赫，其联手施展出来的领域更加让人咋舌。
The Two Elders of Heaven and Earth were renowned throughout the Three Realms, but their联手 exerted a domain that was even more astonishing.
wàn wàn bù céng xiǎng jū rán yī quán jiù bèi rén dǎ pò 。
万万不曾想居然一拳就被人打破。
No one ever imagined that such a powerful domain could be shattered with just one punch.
ruò fēi qīn yǎn mù dǔ ， shí nán xiāng xìn tiān xià jìng yǒu zhè bān rén wù ， nán dào shì sàn xiān yāo wáng jià lín dào le zhè lǐ me ？
若非亲眼目睹，实难相信天下竟有这般人物，难道是散仙妖王驾临到了这里么？
If not for witnessing this firsthand, it would have been hard to believe there existed such a formidable figure. Could it be that Sovereign Demon Tyrant King had arrived?
suǒ yǒu rén dōu kāi shǐ le chuǎi mó 。
所有人都开始了揣摩。
Everyone began speculating.
tiān dì èr lǎo gèng shì yòu jīng yòu nù ， bù guò yǔ yì wài xiàng bǐ ， xiū nǎo de chéng fèn gèng duō yī xiē ， bì jìng dāng zhe zhè me duō rén de miàn bèi rén jiàng lǐng yù pò chú ， nǐ ràng tā men de liǎn wǎng nǎ ér gē ？
天地二老更是又惊又怒，不过与意外相比，羞恼的成分更多一些，毕竟当着这么多人的面被人将领域破除，你让他们的脸往哪儿搁？
The Two Elders of Heaven and Earth were both shocked and angry. However, compared to the shock, their humiliation was more pronounced. After all, being publicly humiliated in front of so many people with your domain shattered—how could they face it?
ruò pèng shàng hǎo shì zhī tú suí kǒu luàn shuō ， liǎng rén fēi lún wèi sān jiè xiào bǐng bù kě 。
若碰上好事之徒随口乱说，两人非沦为三界笑柄不可。
If some nosy individuals spoke about this, the two would surely become laughingstocks across the Three Realms.
shì kě rěn ， shú bù kě rěn 。
是可忍，孰不可忍。
This was intolerable.
shí lì dào le tā men zhè ge děng jí ， duì yú miàn zi zì rán shì kàn zhòng wú bǐ 。
实力到了他们这个等级，对于面子自然是看中无比。
At their level, face meant everything to them.
gāng cái nà yī quán wēi lì suī rán lìng rén zé shé ， dàn néng gòu dǎ pò liǎng rén de lǐng yù yě shì yīn wèi yǒu tōu xí de xiào guǒ 。
刚才那一拳威力虽然令人咋舌，但能够打破两人的领域也是因为有偷袭的效果。
Although the first punch was impressive due to its sneak attack, the slap just now completely shattered their confidence.
suǒ yǐ tiān xuán liǎn shàng bìng wú tài duō de wèi jù zhī sè ， rèn zhēn kǎo jiū qǐ lái dǎo shì fèn nù gèng duō 。
所以天璇脸上并无太多的畏惧之色，认真考究起来倒是愤怒更多。
Strong within the strong; one mountain is always higher than another.
“ hé fāng shǔ bèi tōu xí yú wǒ ， gé xià jiù zhǐ dǒng de àn jiàn shāng rén me ？”
“何方鼠辈偷袭于我，阁下就只懂得暗箭伤人么？”
If not for a more formidable opponent, how could they have considered these two mere chickens and dogs?
“ yǒu běn shì ， jiù chū lái yǔ wǒ míng dāo míng qiāng de dòng shǒu ， duǒ zài àn chù suàn shén me yīng xióng ？”
“有本事，就出来与我明刀明枪的动手，躲在暗处算什么英雄？”
Despite their anger, they were already reconsidering their options.
rán ér huà yīn wèi luò ，“ pā ” de yī shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， táng táng jué shì qiáng zhě ， jū rán bèi yí gè ěr guāng shuǎi fēi diào le 。
然而话音未落，“啪”的一声传入耳朵，堂堂绝世强者，居然被一个耳光甩飞掉了。
But with so many pairs of eyes watching, how could they back down?
“ liǎng gè dà nán rén ， lián shǒu qī fù yī ruò nǚ zǐ ， yì diǎn dōu bù dǒng de hài sào ， hái gǎn zài zhè lǐ tián bù zhī chǐ de hú shuō bā dào 。”
“两个大男人，联手欺负一弱女子，一点都不懂得害臊，还敢在这里恬不知耻的胡说八道。”
The burden of a false reputation was indeed heavy.
qíng kōng wàn lǐ ， lǎn yáng yáng de shēng yīn cóng tiān ér luò 。
晴空万里，懒洋洋的声音从天而落。
…
nà shēng yīn fǎng fú shì lái zì sì miàn bā fāng de ， jù tǐ fāng wèi gēn běn jiù biàn bù qīng chǔ 。
那声音仿佛是来自四面八方的，具体方位根本就辨不清楚。
Lin Xuan observed from the sidelines, his heart filled with shock.
suǒ yǒu rén wéi zhī chēng mù ， qí jiān suān kè bó ， gèng ràng tiān dì èr lǎo tiào jiǎo 。 chà diǎn lián dù pí yě qì pò diào 。
所有人为之瞠目，其尖酸刻薄，更让天地二老跳脚。差点连肚皮也气破掉。
Today he realized that he had been looking at things from a confined perspective. He originally thought that advancing to late Transcendence Stage would allow him to dominate the Three Realms without fear. Even if he couldn't match a Loose Immortal or Demon King, facing the Ice-Spirit Serpent should still be within his capabilities. If not, he could always escape.
bù kàn bù zhī dào ， yī kàn xià yī tiào ， ruò fēi qīn yǎn mù dǔ ， shuí néng xiǎng xiàng shēng míng xiǎn hè de tiān xuán zūn zhě huì luò dào rú cǐ dì bù 。
不看不知道，一看吓一跳，若非亲眼目睹，谁能想象声名显赫的天璇尊者会落到如此地步。
But now he realized how naive this idea was.
rú māo xì lǎo shǔ ， wán nòng yú gǔ zhǎng zhī shàng le 。
如猫戏老鼠，玩弄于鼓掌之上了。
It was almost arrogant.
jiàn guò xiāo zhāng de xiū xiān zhě 。 méi jiàn guò shuí xiāo zhāng dào rú cǐ chéng dù 。
见过嚣张的修仙者。没见过谁嚣张到如此程度。
Not just Loose Immortals and Demon Kings; even ordinary domain masters were too much for him to handle.
dàn běn lǐng què shí ràng rén zé shé ， zuì chū de yī quán hái kě yǐ shuō shì qǔ qiǎo ， dàn gāng gāng nà ge ěr guāng ， kě jiù jiāng tiān dì èr lǎo de xìn xīn chè dǐ fěn suì 。
但本领确实让人咋舌，最初的一拳还可以说是取巧，但刚刚那个耳光，可就将天地二老的信心彻底粉碎。
The trouble he had caused was severe. Although Lin Xuan never regretted it, if not for Fairy Hundred Flowers arriving in time, he would have met his end at the hands of Earth Core Loose Immortal.
qiáng zhōng zì yǒu qiáng zhōng shǒu ， yī shān hái bǐ yī shān gāo 。
强中自有强中手，一山还比一山高。
This was no exaggeration but a result of careful assessment.
ruò bú shì bǐ tā men gèng kě pà de qiáng zhě ， yòu zěn me kě néng jiāng liǎng rén shì zuò tǔ jī wǎ gǒu ne ？
若不是比他们更可怕的强者，又怎么可能将两人视做土鸡瓦狗呢？
He could indeed challenge opponents from higher levels.
liǎng rén fèn nù guī fèn nù 。 dàn xīn zhōng ， qí shí yǐ jīng kāi shǐ dǎ gǔ 。
两人愤怒归愤怒。但心中，其实已经开始打鼓。
But among those who had mastered domains, few were weaker than him. His advantage in facing them was insignificant and insufficient as a basis for confidence.
dàn zhōu wéi zhè me duō shuāng yǎn jīng kàn zhe ， tā men yòu zěn me kě néng tuì suō 。
但周围这么多双眼睛看着，他们又怎么可能退缩。
Anyone can challenge an opponent from a lower level; what's the big deal?
shì chéng qí hǔ ， zhè jiù shì xū míng de lèi rén zhī chù 。
势成骑虎，这就是虚名的累人之处。
As domain masters themselves, there were clear differences in strength. Fairy Hundred Flowers and the Two Elders of Heaven and Earth were formidable, but against True Dragon Real Master, who could name a realm after himself, the gap was evident.
……
……
In front of him, True Dragon Real Master was actually toying with Elder Heavenly璇. If not for the difference in their levels, how could he have done so?
ér lín xuān lěng yǎn páng guān ， xīn zhōng tóng yàng chōng mǎn le zhèn hàn 。
而林轩冷眼旁观，心中同样充满了震撼。
Lin Xuan's heart was filled with desire; he wished to become stronger.
jīn tiān cái zhī dào zì jǐ shì zài zuò jǐng guān tiān 。
今天才知道自己是在坐井观天。
But this trouble had far from ended.
yuán běn yǐ wéi jìn jiē dù jié hòu qī ， yǐ néng zài sān jiè zhōng zòng héng wú dí 。 jiù suàn bù jí sàn xiān yāo wáng ， dàn miàn duì bǎo shé bīng pò ， miǎn qiǎng yě yǒu yī zhàn zhī lì le ， dǎ bù guò ， táo zǒng shì méi yǒu wèn tí de 。
原本以为进阶渡劫后期，已能在三界中纵横无敌。就算不及散仙妖王，但面对宝蛇冰魄，勉强也有一战之力了，打不过，逃总是没有问题的。
The Two Elders of Heaven and Earth were in a precarious situation. They couldn't advance or retreat, standing there awkwardly.
kě xiàn zài cái xiǎo de ， zhè ge xiǎng fǎ shí zài shì tài tiān zhēn le 。
可现在才晓得，这个想法实在是太天真了。
After a moment of silence, Elder Heavenly璇 finally spoke again:
shuō yè láng zì dà yě bù wèi guò 。
说夜郎自大也不为过。
"Which friend is it who opposes our Rain Mist Business Alliance? You can look down on my brother and me, but what about Fairy Rain桐? Do you not respect her?"
bié shuō sàn xiān yāo wáng ， zhēn mó shǐ zǔ 。 zì jǐ lián zuì pǔ tōng de lǐng yù qiáng zhě dōu dǎ bù guò 。
别说散仙妖王，真魔始祖。自己连最普通的领域强者都打不过。
This was a strategic move; it neither lowered their status nor invoked the power of Rain桐.
zhè cì chuǎng xià de huò duān fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， suī rán lín xuān bù céng hòu huǐ guò ， dàn ruò bú shì bǎi huā xiān zi jí shí lái dào cǐ chù ， zì jǐ duō bàn yǐ zài dì jī sàn rén de shǒu xià yǐn hèn le 。
这次闯下的祸端非同小可，虽然林轩不曾后悔过，但若不是百花仙子及时来到此处，自己多半已在地玑散人的手下饮恨了。
Fairy Rain桐's name was one that no one in the Three Realms could ignore. Even Loose Immortals would give her some face.
zhè jué fēi wàng zì fěi bó ， ér shì zǐ xì píng gū hòu suǒ de chū lái de zhèng què jié guǒ 。
这绝非妄自菲薄，而是仔细评估后所得出来的正确结果。
Li Yutong, one of the three Loose Immortals.
zì jǐ shì néng gòu yuè jí tiǎo zhàn méi cuò 。
自己是能够越级挑战没错。
Among Loose Immortals and Demon Kings, her reputation was the smallest; perhaps she couldn't compare to Frosty Moon Real Master or Nine-Tailed Sky Fox…
dàn néng gòu cān wù lǐng yù de ， nǎ yí gè yòu bú shì yuǎn shèng tóng bèi cún zài xǔ duō ， zì jǐ de zhè ge yōu shì ， zài miàn duì tā men zhī shí ， gēn běn jiù bù zú yǐ zuò wéi zì xìn yǔ píng zhàng de 。
但能够参悟领域的，哪一个又不是远胜同辈存在许多，自己的这个优势，在面对他们之时，根本就不足以作为自信与凭仗的。
But sometimes, fame didn't necessarily correlate with strength.
yuè jí tiǎo zhàn ， dà jiā dōu kě yǐ 。 zhè yòu yǒu shén me liǎo bù qǐ ？
越级挑战，大家都可以。这又有什么了不起？
In ancient times, during the Three Realms War, she single-handedly faced the Demon Lord's chief commander. Although she didn't gain an advantage, he also didn't get one either. It was a close match!
ér tóng wèi lǐng yù qiáng zhě ， qí shí yě yǒu qiáng yǒu ruò ， bǎi huā xiān zi yǔ tiān dì èr lǎo suī rán liǎo de ， dàn miàn duì nài lóng zhēn rén zhè zhǒng néng yòng zì jǐ míng zì lái mìng míng yí gè jiè miàn de dǐng jí cún zài ， chā jù yòu hěn míng xiǎn 。
而同为领域强者，其实也有强有弱，百花仙子与天地二老虽然了得，但面对鼐龙真人这种能用自己名字来命名一个界面的顶级存在，差距又很明显。
After millions of years, who knew how far she had advanced?
xiàng yǎn qián 。 nài lóng zhēn rén jū rán xì shuǎ qǐ tiān xuán zūn zhě ， ruò fēi shí lì chà le yí gè jí shù ， zěn me kě néng zuò dào ne ？
像眼前。鼐龙真人居然戏耍起天璇尊者，若非实力差了一个级数，怎么可能做到呢？
She might even rival Arrogant Deva from those days.
lín xuān xīn zhōng chōng mǎn le kě wàng ， tā xī wàng biàn dé gèng qiáng 。
林轩心中充满了渴望，他希望变得更强。
Of course, this was all speculation.
ér yǎn qián de má fán ， yě bìng méi yǒu gào yí duàn luò 。
而眼前的麻烦，也并没有告一段落。
Li Yutong wasn't well-known among ordinary cultivators; unless they were truly ignorant, everyone knew that she was the foremost figure in Spirit Realm. The Rain Mist Business Alliance's leader!
tiān dì èr lǎo de chǔ jìng ， gān gà yǐ jí ， jìn yě bú shì ， tuì yě bú shì ， lèng zài le nà lǐ 。
天地二老的处境，尴尬以极，进也不是，退也不是，愣在了那里。
Otherwise, if not for Li Yutong's fame intimidating the other heroes, who would give her any face? How could the business of the Rain Mist Business Alliance grow to such an extent and be unimpeded across the Three Realms?
chén mò piàn kè ，， tiān xuán cái zhōng yú chóng xīn kāi kǒu le ：
沉默片刻，，天璇才终于重新开口了：
Even the Six Kings of阴司 didn't want to offend such a formidable opponent.
“ jiū jìng shì nǎ wèi dào yǒu ， wèi hé yǔ wǒ yǔ lán shāng méng wèi dí ， wǒ xiōng dì èr rén ， nǐ kě yǐ kàn bù qǐ ， dàn yǔ tóng xiān zi ， gé xià mò fēi yě bù fàng zài yǎn lǐ ？”
“究竟是哪位道友，为何与我雨岚商盟为敌，我兄弟二人，你可以看不起，但雨桐仙子，阁下莫非也不放在眼里？”
Although the Two Elders of Heaven and Earth held great power within the Rain Mist Business Alliance, the true decision-makers were Li Yutong.
zhè fān huà jí yǒu cè lüè ， jì bù diào jià ， tóng shí yòu chě qǐ hǔ pí zuò dà qí 。
这番话极有策略，既不掉价，同时又扯起虎皮做大旗。
Elder Heavenly璇 was truly cunning. By bringing out this trump card, he could make even rebellious strongholds submit.
yǔ tóng xiān zi ， zhè ge míng zì sān jiè zhī zhōng méi yǒu shuí gǎn hū shì 。
雨桐仙子，这个名字三界之中没有谁敢忽视。
Sure enough, the area around them became eerily silent. Elder Heavenly璇 thought he had succeeded and was preparing to say something to save face, but just then, that lazy voice spoke again: "Fairy Rain桐, pfft, I've teased her before too. Do you think threatening me with her will work?"
zhè me shuō ba ， jiù shì zhēn xiān xià jiè yě yào gěi jǐ fēn miàn zi 。
这么说吧，就是真仙下界也要给几分面子。
Silence, dead silence; the room was so quiet that a needle could be heard falling…
lǐ yǔ tóng ， sān dà sàn xiān zhī yī 。
李雨桐，三大散仙之一。
Everyone thought they had misheard.
zài sàn xiān yāo wáng zhī zhōng ， tā de míng qì shì zuì xiǎo dì ， huò xǔ yuǎn méi yǒu bàn fǎ yǔ guǎng hán zhēn rén ， jiǔ wěi tiān hú xiāng bǐ ……
在散仙妖王之中，她的名气是最小地，或许远没有办法与广寒真人，九尾天狐相比……
What did that guy just say? It seemed… he had offended Fairy Rain桐 badly in the past and still lived to tell about it. Now, daring to attend the Peach Banquet?
dàn yǒu shí hòu ， míng qì yǔ shí lì bìng bù yí dìng chéng zhèng bǐ 。
但有时候，名气与实力并不一定成正比。
Such audacity, such brazenness—across the Three Realms, throughout history, only one person came to mind.
shàng gǔ zhī shí ， sān jiè dà zhàn kāi qǐ ， tā jiù dān rén dú jiàn ， yǔ mó zú dà tǒng lǐng xiá lù xiāng yù 。
上古之时，三界大战开启，她就单人独剑，与魔族大统领狭路相遇。
Many hadn't met him face-to-face, but his name was well-known; his identity was clear…
suī rán méi néng zhàn dào shàng fēng ， dàn duì fāng yě tóng yàng méi yǒu tǎo zhe shén me pián yi 。
虽然没能占到上风，但对方也同样没有讨着什么便宜。
Postscript: This chapter wasn't easy to write. It took me roughly twice as long as usual to complete it because I wanted to capture True Dragon Real Master's dominance and had to think carefully about how to do so!
Strong within the strong, evil needs to be ground by evil. This punch's power is so formidable that even breaking heaven and earth cannot describe it.
Everyone was left speechless.
The Two Elders of Heaven and Earth were renowned throughout the Three Realms, but their联手 exerted a domain that was even more astonishing.
No one ever imagined that such a powerful domain could be shattered with just one punch.
If not for witnessing this firsthand, it would have been hard to believe there existed such a formidable figure. Could it be that Sovereign Demon Tyrant King had arrived?
Everyone began speculating.
The Two Elders of Heaven and Earth were both shocked and angry. However, compared to the shock, their humiliation was more pronounced. After all, being publicly humiliated in front of so many people with your domain shattered—how could they face it?
If some nosy individuals spoke about this, the two would surely become laughingstocks across the Three Realms.
This was intolerable.
At their level, face meant everything to them.
Although the first punch was impressive due to its sneak attack, the slap just now completely shattered their confidence.
Strong within the strong; one mountain is always higher than another.
If not for a more formidable opponent, how could they have considered these two mere chickens and dogs?
Despite their anger, they were already reconsidering their options.
But with so many pairs of eyes watching, how could they back down?
The burden of a false reputation was indeed heavy.
…
Lin Xuan observed from the sidelines, his heart filled with shock.
Today he realized that he had been looking at things from a confined perspective. He originally thought that advancing to late Transcendence Stage would allow him to dominate the Three Realms without fear. Even if he couldn't match a Loose Immortal or Demon King, facing the Ice-Spirit Serpent should still be within his capabilities. If not, he could always escape.
But now he realized how naive this idea was.
It was almost arrogant.
Not just Loose Immortals and Demon Kings; even ordinary domain masters were too much for him to handle.
The trouble he had caused was severe. Although Lin Xuan never regretted it, if not for Fairy Hundred Flowers arriving in time, he would have met his end at the hands of Earth Core Loose Immortal.
This was no exaggeration but a result of careful assessment.
He could indeed challenge opponents from higher levels.
But among those who had mastered domains, few were weaker than him. His advantage in facing them was insignificant and insufficient as a basis for confidence.
Anyone can challenge an opponent from a lower level; what's the big deal?
As domain masters themselves, there were clear differences in strength. Fairy Hundred Flowers and the Two Elders of Heaven and Earth were formidable, but against True Dragon Real Master, who could name a realm after himself, the gap was evident.
In front of him, True Dragon Real Master was actually toying with Elder Heavenly璇. If not for the difference in their levels, how could he have done so?
Lin Xuan's heart was filled with desire; he wished to become stronger.
But this trouble had far from ended.
The Two Elders of Heaven and Earth were in a precarious situation. They couldn't advance or retreat, standing there awkwardly.
After a moment of silence, Elder Heavenly璇 finally spoke again:
"Which friend is it who opposes our Rain Mist Business Alliance? You can look down on my brother and me, but what about Fairy Rain桐? Do you not respect her?"
This was a strategic move; it neither lowered their status nor invoked the power of Rain桐.
Fairy Rain桐's name was one that no one in the Three Realms could ignore. Even Loose Immortals would give her some face.
Li Yutong, one of the three Loose Immortals.
Among Loose Immortals and Demon Kings, her reputation was the smallest; perhaps she couldn't compare to Frosty Moon Real Master or Nine-Tailed Sky Fox…
But sometimes, fame didn't necessarily correlate with strength.
In ancient times, during the Three Realms War, she single-handedly faced the Demon Lord's chief commander. Although she didn't gain an advantage, he also didn't get one either. It was a close match!
After millions of years, who knew how far she had advanced?
She might even rival Arrogant Deva from those days.
Of course, this was all speculation.
Li Yutong wasn't well-known among ordinary cultivators; unless they were truly ignorant, everyone knew that she was the foremost figure in Spirit Realm. The Rain Mist Business Alliance's leader!
Otherwise, if not for Li Yutong's fame intimidating the other heroes, who would give her any face? How could the business of the Rain Mist Business Alliance grow to such an extent and be unimpeded across the Three Realms?
Even the Six Kings of阴司 didn't want to offend such a formidable opponent.
Although the Two Elders of Heaven and Earth held great power within the Rain Mist Business Alliance, the true decision-makers were Li Yutong.
Elder Heavenly璇 was truly cunning. By bringing out this trump card, he could make even rebellious strongholds submit.
Sure enough, the area around them became eerily silent. Elder Heavenly璇 thought he had succeeded and was preparing to say something to save face, but just then, that lazy voice spoke again: "Fairy Rain桐, pfft, I've teased her before too. Do you think threatening me with her will work?"
Silence, dead silence; the room was so quiet that a needle could be heard falling…
Everyone thought they had misheard.
What did that guy just say? It seemed… he had offended Fairy Rain桐 badly in the past and still lived to tell about it. Now, daring to attend the Peach Banquet?
Such audacity, such brazenness—across the Three Realms, throughout history, only one person came to mind.
Many hadn't met him face-to-face, but his name was well-known; his identity was clear…
Postscript: This chapter wasn't easy to write. It took me roughly twice as long as usual to complete it because I wanted to capture True Dragon Real Master's dominance and had to think carefully about how to do so!