“ zhè ge ……” hùn yuán zhǎng lǎo shēn chū shǒu zhǐ ， zài zhuō shàng qīng qīng qiāo jī ， xīn zhōng què yǒu yī fān zì jǐ de kǎo lǜ 。
“这个……”混元长老伸出手指，在桌上轻轻敲击，心中却有一番自己的考虑。
"Ah, this…" Mixed Essence Elder extended his finger and lightly tapped on the table. In his heart, he had his own considerations.
mò yuè zú yǔ qín zú yǒu chóu méi cuò ， kě zhè xiē yīn hún yě bú shì shén me hǎo dōng xī ， sú huà shuō ， fēi wǒ zú lèi ， qí xīn bì yì ， yǔ tā men hé zuò ， wú yì yú yǔ hǔ móu pí 。
墨月族与秦族有仇没错，可这些阴魂也不是什么好东西，俗话说，非我族类，其心必异，与他们合作，无异于与虎谋皮。
The Moon Ink Clan indeed had a grudge against the Qin Clan, but these wraiths were not good either. As they say, those who are not of our kind must have different hearts; collaborating with them is like trying to skin a tiger.
xīn zhōng zhè yàng xiǎng zhe ， kě liǎn shàng què wán quán shì lìng wài yī fù biǎo qíng ， gǒng le gǒng shǒu ：“ xiè xiè guǐ dì bì xià de yī fān hǎo yì ， cóng wǒ gè rén lái shuō ， shì yuàn yì yǔ guì fāng hé zuò ， kě zī shì tǐ dà ， zài xià suī rán shì dà zhǎng lǎo ， què yě bù néng yī rén shuō le suàn ， xū yào yǔ gè bù luò de wū shī shāng liáng yī fān 。”
心中这样想着，可脸上却完全是另外一副表情，拱了拱手：“谢谢鬼帝陛下的一番好意，从我个人来说，是愿意与贵方合作，可兹事体大，在下虽然是大长老，却也不能一人说了算，需要与各部落的巫师商量一番。”
Though this was in his mind, his expression was entirely different on the surface. He bowed slightly and said, "Thank Your Imperial Majesty Ghost for your kindness. Personally, I am willing to cooperate with you, but such matters are significant. As the Great Elder, I cannot make decisions alone; I need to consult with the witchmasters of each tribe."
“ kě yǐ ， bù guò zhàn shì jǐn jí ， gū bìng bù néng děng tài jiǔ 。” guǐ dì tái qǐ tóu ， chén shēng tí xǐng le yī jù 。
“可以，不过战事紧急，孤并不能等太久。”鬼帝抬起头，沉声提醒了一句。
"Of course, but the situation is urgent, so I can't wait too long," Emperor Ghost raised his head and reminded in a low voice.
“ bì xià fàng xīn ， zài xià xīn zhōng yǒu shù 。”
“陛下放心，在下心中有数。”
"I understand Your Majesty's concerns. I have it under control."
liǎng rén yòu liáo le jǐ jù ， hào tiān guǐ dì jiù qǐ shēn gào cí 。
两人又聊了几句，昊天鬼帝就起身告辞。
After a few more words, Emperor Ghost got up to take leave.
hùn yuán zhǎng lǎo yě kè kè qì qì de xiāng sòng 。
混元长老也客客气气的相送。
Mixed Essence Elder also politely saw him off.
rán ér zǒu dào wú rén de jiǎo luò ， hào tiān guǐ dì liǎn shàng xī xiào de biǎo qíng tū rán xiāo shī ， liǎn shàng bèi yīn mái suǒ dài tì ， zhuǎn guò tóu ， wàng tiān xīng gōng de mǒu chù kàn le yī xià ， yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī tān lán zhī sè 。
然而走到无人的角落，昊天鬼帝脸上嬉笑的表情突然消失，脸上被阴霾所代替，转过头，望天星宫的某处看了一下，眼中闪过一丝贪婪之色。
However, when they reached an unoccupied corner, the playful expression on Emperor Ghost's face suddenly vanished, replaced by a gloomy one. He turned his head and glanced at some place in Sky Star Palace, his eyes flashing with greed.
ér gāng cái de jìng shì zhōng ， hùn yuán zhǎng lǎo yě biǎo qíng yán sù ， pāi le pāi shǒu ， yī shēn cái gāo shòu ， zhǎng zhe fù mǎ liǎn de wū shī jiù lái dào le fáng jiān le 。
而刚才的静室中，混元长老也表情严肃，拍了拍手，一身材高瘦，长着副马脸的巫师就来到了房间了。
Meanwhile, inside the quiet room, Mixed Essence Elder's expression was serious as he clapped his hands. A tall and thin witchmaster with a horse-like face came into the room.
wān yāo xíng le yī lǐ ：“ zhǎng lǎo ， yǒu hé fēn fù 。”
弯腰行了一礼：“长老，有何吩咐。”
He bowed respectfully: "Elder, what instructions do you have?"
“ chuán lìng xià qù ， tiāo yī xiē jī líng de wài mén dì zǐ jiān shì nà hào tiān guǐ dì 。”
“传令下去，挑一些机灵的外门弟子监视那昊天鬼帝。”
"Order some of the outer gate disciples to keep an eye on Emperor Ghost."
“ wài mén dì zǐ ？” mǎ liǎn wū shī chà yì 。 suǒ wèi dì wài mén dì zǐ 。 jiù shì méi yǒu líng gēn dì fán rén 。 píng shí cì hòu wū shī 。 zuò yī xiē zá yì 。
“外门弟子？”马脸巫师诧异。所谓地外门弟子。就是没有灵根地凡人。平时伺候巫师。做一些杂役。
"Outer gate disciples?" The horse-faced witchmaster was surprised. Outer gate disciples were ordinary people without spirit roots who served as errand boys for the witchmasters.
yóu yù le yī xià ：“ zhǎng lǎo 。 nín què dìng méi yǒu nòng cuò 。 zhēn dì yào pài nà xiē wài mén dì zǐ ？”
犹豫了一下：“长老。您确定没有弄错。真地要派那些外门弟子？”
After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Elder, are you sure about this? Should we really send those outer gate disciples?"
“ chǔn huò 。 nǐ dāng duì fāng shì shén me 。 guǐ dì 。 yǔ lǎo fū nǎi shì tóng yī gè děng jí 。 jiù shì pài níng dān qī dì wū shī 。 yī yàng táo bù guò tā dì shén shí 。 yǔ qí rú cǐ 。 hái bù rú pài fán rén lái zuò cǐ shì 。 fǎn ér bù róng yì yǐn qǐ duì fāng dì huái yí 。”
“蠢货。你当对方是什么。鬼帝。与老夫乃是同一个等级。就是派凝丹期地巫师。一样逃不过他地神识。与其如此。还不如派凡人来做此事。反而不容易引起对方地怀疑。”
"Fool! What do you think of them? Emperor Ghost is at the same level as me. Even if it were a condensation core stage witchmaster, his divine sense would still escape detection. It's better to use ordinary people for this; they are less likely to arouse suspicion."
“ yuán lái rú cǐ 。 shǔ xià míng bái le 。” nà mǎ liǎn xiū shì gōng jìng dì shī lǐ 。 wān yāo tuì le xià qù 。
“原来如此。属下明白了。”那马脸修士恭敬地施礼。弯腰退了下去。
"I see now, subordinates understand," the horse-faced cultivator bowed respectfully and stepped back.
“ hào tiān lǎo ér 。 nǐ dāng lǎo fū zhēn bù zhī nǐ lái cǐ dì mù dì ？” hùn yuán zhǎng lǎo shì zuǐ jiǎo liú lù chū yī sī jī cháo 。
“昊天老儿。你当老夫真不知你来此地目地？”混元长老是嘴角流露出一丝讥嘲。
"Old Ghost, do you really think I don't know your purpose here?" Mixed Essence Elder sneered at him.
què shuō lín xuān tuō xiǎn yǐ hòu 。 lì kè háo bù yóu yù dì huí dào le yì guǎn 。 pò kāi jìn zhì 。 jìn rù fáng jiān yǐ hòu 。 lín xuān zhǐ jué jiǎo xià yī ruǎn 。 tǎng dào zài le chuáng jiān 。
却说林轩脱险以后。立刻毫不犹豫地回到了驿馆。破开禁制。进入房间以后。林轩只觉脚下一软。躺到在了床间。
Lin Xuan, after escaping, immediately returned to the inn without hesitation. He broke through the restrictions and entered his room. Lin Xuan felt his legs go weak as he collapsed onto the bed.
hǎo xiǎn ！
好险！
How close it was!
hào tiān guǐ dì zěn me huì lái cǐ dì ？
昊天鬼帝怎么会来此地？
Why would Emperor Ghost come here?
nà chuán sòng zhèn míng míng yǐ jīng bèi zì jǐ pò huài le ， nán dào tā shì cóng kuí yīn shān mài de wài wéi ， yìng shēng shēng de shā le jìn lái 。
那传送阵明明已经被自己破坏了，难道他是从奎阴山脉的外围，硬生生的杀了进来。
He had destroyed the teleportation array, so how could he have broken through from outside the Quine Yin Mountains?
dào yě yǒu nà me jǐ fēn kě néng ， zhè lǐ suī rán wēi xiǎn ， dàn yǐ tā pì měi yuán yīng qī xiū shì de shén tōng 。 ruò shì yǎo yá yìng chuǎng ， yě bú shì bàn bú dào de shì 。
倒也有那么几分可能，这里虽然危险，但以他媲美元婴期修士的神通。若是咬牙硬闯，也不是办不到的事。
It was possible, but this place was dangerous. With his power comparable to a golden core cultivator, if he gritted his teeth and charged in, it wasn't impossible.
zhǐ shì zhè jiā huo lái zhè lǐ yǒu shén me mù dì ？
只是这家伙来这里有什么目的？
But what was his purpose here?
dàn hěn kuài ， lín xuān jiù yáo le yáo tóu ， zhè yǔ zì jǐ wú guān ， bù guǎn rú hé ， tā zǒng bù kě néng wèi wǒ zhè wú míng xiǎo zú ér lái 。
但很快，林轩就摇了摇头，这与自己无关，不管如何，他总不可能为我这无名小卒而来。
Lin Xuan quickly shook his head. This had nothing to do with him; no matter what, he couldn't have come for an insignificant person like me.
kàn lái guǐ luó chéng bèi gōng pò le ， fǒu tā guǐ dì zhī zūn ， jué bú huì dú zì yī rén ， shēn rù zhè yōu zhōu fù dì lái de 。
看来鬼罗城被攻破了，否他鬼帝之尊，绝不会独自一人，深入这幽州腹地来的。
It seemed that Ghost City had fallen. Even as a high-ranking ghost emperor, he wouldn't venture deep into the heart of Youzhou alone.
píng xīn ér lùn 。 jiàn dào zhè wēi xiǎn de jiā huo ， lín xuān shèn zhì dōu yǒu le dòng shēn lí kāi dì niàn tou ， wàn yī bèi tā xiàn ， zì jǐ kě jiù sǐ wú zàng shēn zhī dì le 。
平心而论。见到这危险的家伙，林轩甚至都有了动身离开地念头，万一被他现，自己可就死无葬身之地了。
To be honest, seeing this dangerous figure, Lin Xuan even considered leaving. If he were discovered, there would be no place to die in peace.
bù guò xīn zhōng suī rán huáng kǒng ， dàn lín xuān què hái shì yā xià le zhè zhǒng chōng dòng ， méi yǒu dì tú ， zì jǐ jiù suàn xiǎng zǒu ， yě wéi yǒu sǐ lù ， hé kuàng líng yào shàng wèi dào shǒu ， jiù zhè me zǒu le 。 huì hòu huǐ yì shēng yí shì de 。
不过心中虽然惶恐，但林轩却还是压下了这种冲动，没有地图，自己就算想走，也唯有死路，何况灵药尚未到手，就这么走了。会后悔一生一世的。
Though his heart was filled with fear, Lin Xuan still suppressed his impulse. Without a map, even if he wanted to leave, it would only lead to death. Besides, the spirit herbs hadn't been obtained yet; leaving now would bring regret for life.
zǐ xì xiǎng lái ， duì fāng yīng gāi bù kě néng zài wū fǎ dà huì shàng chū xiàn 。
仔细想来，对方应该不可能在巫法大会上出现。
After careful consideration, he decided to stay and take the risk. The temptation of those spirit herbs was too great.
yī lái ， tā bì jìng shì yīn hún 。 jiù suàn shí lì shēn hòu ， cóng biǎo miàn shàng kàn yǔ rén lèi méi yǒu qū bié 。 dàn wèi le yǐ fáng wàn yī ， duō bàn hái shì huì shēn jū jiǎn chū 。
一来，他毕竟是阴魂。就算实力深厚，从表面上看与人类没有区别。但为了以防万一，多半还是会深居简出。
However, Lin Xuan didn't dare go out again. He stayed quietly in the inn, resting. Nothing happened overnight, and on the next day, the witchcraft conference officially began.
èr lái 。 wū fǎ dà huì ， mù dì nǎi shì zhēng duó líng yào de guī shǔ 。 pài chū de bù guò shì gè bù luò nián qīng de wū shī ， xiū wèi yě jiù zài zhù jī qī zuǒ yòu ， guǐ dì yīng gāi bú huì duì zhè zhǒng děng jí bǐ shì gǎn xìng qù de 。
二来。巫法大会，目的乃是争夺灵药的归属。派出的不过是各部落年轻的巫师，修为也就在筑基期左右，鬼帝应该不会对这种等级比试感兴趣的。
First came a series of rituals honoring ancestors, hosted by several elders from the Quine Moon Clan.
jì rán zuò chū le zhè yàng de pàn duàn ， lín xuān jué dìng hái shì mào xiǎn liú xià lái 。
既然做出了这样的判断，林轩决定还是冒险留下来。
Lin Xuan's eyes moved as he looked at these old fellows. A chill ran down his spine; the Quine Moon Clan indeed had many spirit masters in the dantian stage among their members, especially that man right in the middle, who was at the peak of his realm. With a few more years of cultivation, he could enter seclusion and attempt to break through to the golden core realm.
nà líng yào duì tā de yòu huò kě shì fēi xiǎo 。
那灵药对他的诱惑可是非小。
Compared with the Sky Blue Clan, their strength was like night and day.
bù guò lín xuān què yě bù gǎn zài suí biàn chū qù ， jiù lǎo lǎo shí shí dì dāi zài yì guǎn xiū xī ， yī yè wú shì ， dì èr tiān ， wū fǎ dà huì zhèng shì kāi shǐ 。
不过林轩却也不敢再随便出去，就老老实实地呆在驿馆休息，一夜无事，第二天，巫法大会正式开始。
In fact, besides the Quine Moon Clan, there were still some large tribes that had recovered significantly after several years of rest. The number of witchmasters was on the rise.
qián miàn xiān jǔ xíng le yī xì liè jì diàn xiān zǔ de yí shì ， yóu kuí yuè bù de jǐ míng zhǎng lǎo zhǔ chí 。
前面先举行了一系列祭奠先祖的仪式，由奎月部的几名长老主持。
The withered leaf watched enviously. According to him, during the Age of Chaos, the Sky Blue Clan was also one of the few major tribes in the Moon Ink Clan, not inferior to the Quine Moon Clan. However, it had suffered heavy losses in its great battle against the Qin Clan.
lín xuān mù guāng zhuǎn dòng ， wàng zhe qián miàn de jǐ gè lǎo jiā huǒ ， xīn zhōng yī lǐn ， kuí yuè bù bù kuì zài shù shí gè bù luò zhōng jū dān qī de wū shī ， yóu qí shì zhōng jiān nà rén ， gèng shì dào le dǐng fēng de jìng jiè ， zhǐ xū yào zài xiū liàn jǐ nián ， jiù kě yǐ bì guān chōng jī yuán yīng jìng jiè 。
林轩目光转动，望着前面的几个老家伙，心中一凛，奎月部不愧在数十个部落中居丹期的巫师，尤其是中间那人，更是到了顶峰的境界，只需要再修炼几年，就可以闭关冲击元婴境界。
He placed high hopes on this grand test, hoping Lin Xuan could win several matches so that they could obtain more spirit herbs.
hé tiān cāng bù xiāng bǐ ， liǎng de shí lì jiǎn zhí pàn ruò yún ní 。
和天苍部相比，两的实力简直判若云泥。
Apart from small clans like the Sky Blue Clan, larger tribes sent multiple participants.
qí shí chú le kuí yuè bù ， hái yǒu yī xiē dà de bù zú ， jīng guò zhè xiē nián de xiū yǎng shēng xī yǐ hòu ， shí lì yě dōu huī fù le xǔ duō ， wū shī shù liàng gèng shì jié jié pān shēng
其实除了奎月部，还有一些大的部族，经过这些年的休养生息以后，实力也都恢复了许多，巫师数量更是节节攀升
With dozens of tribes combined, nearly a hundred witchmasters were to compete. Their cultivation levels varied; due to age restrictions, there couldn't be any condensation core stage experts.
kàn dé páng biān dì kū yè yǎn rè bù yǐ ， jù tā ér yán ， zài hóng huāng shí qī ， tiān cāng bù běn yě shì mò yuè zú qū zhǐ kě shǔ de dà bù luò ， bù bǐ kuí yuè bù xùn sè ， zhǐ bù guò zài yǔ qín zú de dà zhàn zhōng sǔn shī tài cǎn zhòng le 。
看得旁边地枯叶眼热不已，据他而言，在洪荒时期，天苍部本也是墨月族屈指可数的大部落，不比奎月部逊色，只不过在与秦族的大战中损失太惨重了。
But ninety percent of them were at the foundation establishment stage, and only a dozen or so flexible spirit stage witchmasters felt embarrassed to take part in the competition. The gap in their cultivation was too great, making success impossible. Rather than risk being thrown off the stage and losing face, these guys simply quit.
duì yú zhè cì dà shì ， tā gèng shì jì yǐ hòu wàng ， xī wàng lín xuān néng gòu duō shèng jǐ chǎng ， zhè yàng jiù néng gòu fēn de gèng jiā chōng zú de líng yào le 。
对于这次大试，他更是寄以厚望，希望林轩能够多胜几场，这样就能够分得更加充足的灵药了。
Losing once wasn't a big deal; they could come back stronger next time.
chú le tiān cāng bù zhè yàng de xiǎo bù luò ， qí tā dà yī diǎn de bù zú ， cān jiā bǐ shì de dōu bù zhǐ yī rén 。
除了天苍部这样的小部落，其他大一点的部族，参加比试的都不止一人。
Of course, the poor performance of several tribes meant that there were no spirit herbs left for those who hadn't won any matches. They used a lottery system to ensure fairness, as cheating was not allowed during the witchcraft conference.
shù shí gè bù luò jiā zài yì qǐ ， yào dēng tái bǐ shì de wū shī zú yǒu jìn bǎi zhī duō ， tā men de xiū wèi yě dōu cēn cī bù qí ， yóu yú yǒu nián líng xiàn zhì ， zì rán bù kě néng yǒu níng dān qī de gāo shǒu 。
数十个部落加在一起，要登台比试的巫师足有近百之多，他们的修为也都参差不齐，由于有年龄限制，自然不可能有凝丹期的高手。
Several disciples from larger tribes included some formidable figures. Although they didn't have experts at the ultimate realm, several had reached the late foundation establishment stage.
dàn bǎi fēn zhī jiǔ shí yě dōu zài zhù jī zuǒ yòu ， jǐn shèng xià lái dì shí yú gè líng dòng qī wū shī ， zì jǐ dōu bù hǎo yì sī shàng tái bǐ shì ， bì jìng xiū wèi chā jù tài dà ， kě yǐ shuō yì diǎn xī wàng yě méi yǒu ， yǔ qí bèi dǎ xià tái diū liǎn ， zhè xiē jiā huo gān cuì hěn guāng gùn de qì quán 。
但百分之九十也都在筑基左右，仅剩下来地十余个灵动期巫师，自己都不好意思上台比试，毕竟修为差距太大，可以说一点希望也没有，与其被打下台丢脸，这些家伙干脆很光棍的弃权。
These few were directly skipped in the first round and served as seed players; whoever faced them in the second round would be lucky to escape their wrath.
shū yī huí méi shén me liǎo bù qǐ ， xià yī cì zài juǎn tǔ cóng lái jiù shì 。
输一回没什么了不起，下一次再卷土从来就是。
Lin Xuan looked calmly ahead. Yes, on the first day, the Great Elders of the alliance indeed did not appear, nor was there any trace of Emperor Ghost. As long as these old monsters didn't show up, he wouldn't face exposure.
dāng rán ， zhè jǐ gè bù luò biǎo xiàn tài chà ， zì rán shì yì diǎn líng yào yě méi yǒu shèng xià le dì wū shī ， cǎi qǔ chōu qiān de fāng shì ， zhè yàng bǐ jiào gōng píng ， zài wū fǎ dà huì shàng ， jué bù róng xǔ rén zuò bì 。
当然，这几个部落表现太差，自然是一点灵药也没有剩下了地巫师，采取抽签的方式，这样比较公平，在巫法大会上，绝不容许人作弊。
There were several competition venues with large protective barriers raised. Since Quine Yin Mountains lacked crystals, they didn't use them to set up restrictions but instead had high-level witchmasters standing by, continuously supplying mana.
jǐ gè dà bù luò pài chū lái dì dì zǐ ， gèng yǒu yī xiē kě quān kě diǎn de hěn jué sè ， suī rán méi yǒu dà yuán mǎn jìng jiè dì gāo shǒu ， dàn yě yǒu jǐ rén dá dào zhù jī hòu qī de shuǐ zhǔn le 。
几个大部落派出来地弟子，更有一些可圈可点的狠角色，虽然没有大圆满境界地高手，但也有几人达到筑基后期的水准了。
Light flashed continuously; spirit weapons soared into the sky, and explosions echoed in his ears almost from the start of the competition. It was immediately lively and bustling.
"Ah, this…" Mixed Essence Elder extended his finger and lightly tapped on the table. In his heart, he had his own considerations.
The Moon Ink Clan indeed had a grudge against the Qin Clan, but these wraiths were not good either. As they say, those who are not of our kind must have different hearts; collaborating with them is like trying to skin a tiger.
Though this was in his mind, his expression was entirely different on the surface. He bowed slightly and said, "Thank Your Imperial Majesty Ghost for your kindness. Personally, I am willing to cooperate with you, but such matters are significant. As the Great Elder, I cannot make decisions alone; I need to consult with the witchmasters of each tribe."
"Of course, but the situation is urgent, so I can't wait too long," Emperor Ghost raised his head and reminded in a low voice.
"I understand Your Majesty's concerns. I have it under control."
After a few more words, Emperor Ghost got up to take leave.
Mixed Essence Elder also politely saw him off.
However, when they reached an unoccupied corner, the playful expression on Emperor Ghost's face suddenly vanished, replaced by a gloomy one. He turned his head and glanced at some place in Sky Star Palace, his eyes flashing with greed.
Meanwhile, inside the quiet room, Mixed Essence Elder's expression was serious as he clapped his hands. A tall and thin witchmaster with a horse-like face came into the room.
He bowed respectfully: "Elder, what instructions do you have?"
"Order some of the outer gate disciples to keep an eye on Emperor Ghost."
"Outer gate disciples?" The horse-faced witchmaster was surprised. Outer gate disciples were ordinary people without spirit roots who served as errand boys for the witchmasters.
After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Elder, are you sure about this? Should we really send those outer gate disciples?"
"Fool! What do you think of them? Emperor Ghost is at the same level as me. Even if it were a condensation core stage witchmaster, his divine sense would still escape detection. It's better to use ordinary people for this; they are less likely to arouse suspicion."
"I see now, subordinates understand," the horse-faced cultivator bowed respectfully and stepped back.
"Old Ghost, do you really think I don't know your purpose here?" Mixed Essence Elder sneered at him.
Lin Xuan, after escaping, immediately returned to the inn without hesitation. He broke through the restrictions and entered his room. Lin Xuan felt his legs go weak as he collapsed onto the bed.
How close it was!
Why would Emperor Ghost come here?
He had destroyed the teleportation array, so how could he have broken through from outside the Quine Yin Mountains?
It was possible, but this place was dangerous. With his power comparable to a golden core cultivator, if he gritted his teeth and charged in, it wasn't impossible.
But what was his purpose here?
Lin Xuan quickly shook his head. This had nothing to do with him; no matter what, he couldn't have come for an insignificant person like me.
It seemed that Ghost City had fallen. Even as a high-ranking ghost emperor, he wouldn't venture deep into the heart of Youzhou alone.
To be honest, seeing this dangerous figure, Lin Xuan even considered leaving. If he were discovered, there would be no place to die in peace.
Though his heart was filled with fear, Lin Xuan still suppressed his impulse. Without a map, even if he wanted to leave, it would only lead to death. Besides, the spirit herbs hadn't been obtained yet; leaving now would bring regret for life.
After careful consideration, he decided to stay and take the risk. The temptation of those spirit herbs was too great.
However, Lin Xuan didn't dare go out again. He stayed quietly in the inn, resting. Nothing happened overnight, and on the next day, the witchcraft conference officially began.
First came a series of rituals honoring ancestors, hosted by several elders from the Quine Moon Clan.
Lin Xuan's eyes moved as he looked at these old fellows. A chill ran down his spine; the Quine Moon Clan indeed had many spirit masters in the dantian stage among their members, especially that man right in the middle, who was at the peak of his realm. With a few more years of cultivation, he could enter seclusion and attempt to break through to the golden core realm.
Compared with the Sky Blue Clan, their strength was like night and day.
In fact, besides the Quine Moon Clan, there were still some large tribes that had recovered significantly after several years of rest. The number of witchmasters was on the rise.
The withered leaf watched enviously. According to him, during the Age of Chaos, the Sky Blue Clan was also one of the few major tribes in the Moon Ink Clan, not inferior to the Quine Moon Clan. However, it had suffered heavy losses in its great battle against the Qin Clan.
He placed high hopes on this grand test, hoping Lin Xuan could win several matches so that they could obtain more spirit herbs.
Apart from small clans like the Sky Blue Clan, larger tribes sent multiple participants.
With dozens of tribes combined, nearly a hundred witchmasters were to compete. Their cultivation levels varied; due to age restrictions, there couldn't be any condensation core stage experts.
But ninety percent of them were at the foundation establishment stage, and only a dozen or so flexible spirit stage witchmasters felt embarrassed to take part in the competition. The gap in their cultivation was too great, making success impossible. Rather than risk being thrown off the stage and losing face, these guys simply quit.
Losing once wasn't a big deal; they could come back stronger next time.
Of course, the poor performance of several tribes meant that there were no spirit herbs left for those who hadn't won any matches. They used a lottery system to ensure fairness, as cheating was not allowed during the witchcraft conference.
Several disciples from larger tribes included some formidable figures. Although they didn't have experts at the ultimate realm, several had reached the late foundation establishment stage.
These few were directly skipped in the first round and served as seed players; whoever faced them in the second round would be lucky to escape their wrath.
Lin Xuan looked calmly ahead. Yes, on the first day, the Great Elders of the alliance indeed did not appear, nor was there any trace of Emperor Ghost. As long as these old monsters didn't show up, he wouldn't face exposure.
There were several competition venues with large protective barriers raised. Since Quine Yin Mountains lacked crystals, they didn't use them to set up restrictions but instead had high-level witchmasters standing by, continuously supplying mana.
Light flashed continuously; spirit weapons soared into the sky, and explosions echoed in his ears almost from the start of the competition. It was immediately lively and bustling.