“ zhè jiù suàn shì nǐ shuō de mù dì dì ？”
“这就算是你说的目的地？”
"Is this your destination?"
shuō huà de ， shì nà shēn cái gāo tiǎo de miào líng shào nǚ ， cǐ shí ， qí nà fǎng fú héng gǔ bù huà de bīng hán qì zhì yě tòu chū jǐ fēn chà yì ， yòng de yì shì zhì wèn de yǔ qì 。!.23x.
说话的，是那身材高挑的妙龄少女，此时，其那仿佛恒古不化的冰寒气质也透出几分诧异，用的亦是质问的语气。!.23x.
The question came from the tall, youthful maiden. Her usually unchanging icy demeanor now showed a hint of surprise as she spoke in an interrogative tone.
páng biān ， nà bèi jiàn de zǐ yī shào nǚ zhuǎn guò tóu lú ， liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng tóng yàng chōng mǎn le yí huò ， měi lì de dà yǎn jīng zhōng yǐn yǐn yǒu hán máng shè chū 。
旁边，那背剑的紫衣少女转过头颅，脸上的表情同样充满了疑惑，美丽的大眼睛中隐隐有寒芒射出。
Beside her, the purple-robed maiden with a sword on her back turned her head, her expression filled with confusion. A faint cold glint appeared in her large, beautiful eyes.
ruò bú shì yī lù sì rén dōu bù céng fēn kāi guò ， tā jī hū yǐ wéi yǎn qián de shàng guān líng yǐ bèi duó shě 。
若不是一路四人都不曾分开过，她几乎以为眼前的上官翎已被夺舍。
If not for the fact that they had never been apart during their journey, she almost thought that Shangguan Ling had already undergone soul possession.
“ liǎng wèi jiě jiě hé bì yòng zhè yàng de yǎn shén kàn zhe wǒ ， yù tóng jiǎn zhōng què rán shì zhè yàng xiě de 。”
“两位姐姐何必用这样的眼神看着我，玉瞳简中确然是这样写的。”
"Two sisters, why look at me like that? The jade cylinder indeed states this," Shangguan Ying said calmly, as if indifferent. She passed the jade cylinder to her sister.
miàn duì liǎng wèi tóng jiē qiáng zhě de cāi yí ， shàng guān líng de biǎo xiàn què shì dàn rán chǔ zhī ， fǎng fú gēn běn jiù méi yǒu zài yì ， jiāng shǒu zhōng de yù tóng jiǎn dì le guò qù 。
面对两位同阶强者的猜疑，上官翎的表现却是淡然处之，仿佛根本就没有在意，将手中的玉瞳简递了过去。
Ice Phoenix did not refuse and took it with her delicate hand, releasing a faint spiritual sense. Then she handed it over to the purple-robed maiden beside her.
bīng fèng méi yǒu tuī cí ， yù shǒu jiē guò cǐ wù ， jiāng shén shí wēi wēi fàng chū 。
冰凤没有推辞，玉手接过此物，将神识微微放出。
"Ah, I see."
suí hòu yòu jiāng qí zhuǎn dì gěi le páng biān de zǐ yī shào nǚ 。
随后又将其转递给了旁边的紫衣少女。
After a long while, the maiden sighed. "A great sage hidden in plain sight—our lord truly has deep plans. Concealing such important materials here would never have occurred to anyone else."
“ yuán lái rú cǐ 。”
“原来如此。”
"That's because..." Shangguan Yan's eyes were filled with pride and admiration: "My master is so clever and versatile; he can outwit even the demons from beyond the heavens. How could he possibly guess my master's thoughts?"
liáng jiǔ ， shào nǚ tàn le kǒu qì ：“ dà yǐn yǐn yú shì ， méng zhǔ hái zhēn shì shēn móu yuǎn lüè ， jiāng zhòng yào wù zhì cáng zài cǐ děng suǒ zài ， páng rén shì wàn wàn yě liào xiǎng bú dào dì 。”
良久，少女叹了口气：“大隐隐于市，盟主还真是深谋远略，将重要物质藏在此等所在，旁人是万万也料想不到地。”
"Hmph, a fool."
“ nà shì ……” shàng guān yàn de yǎn zhōng chōng mǎn liǎo de yì ， biǎo xiàn chū lái de qíng xù gèng shì qīn mù wú bǐ ：“ wǒ jiā shī zūn shì shén me rén ， cōng míng jī biàn ， nà kě shì tiān xià wú shuāng dì ， qū qū yù wài tiān mó ， zì rán shì bèi tā wán nòng yú gǔ zhǎng zhī shàng ， yòu zěn me kě néng cāi dào wǒ shī zūn de xīn lǐ 。”
“那是……”上官雁的眼中充满了得意，表现出来的情绪更是钦慕无比：“我家师尊是什么人，聪明机变，那可是天下无双地，区区域外天魔，自然是被他玩弄于鼓掌之上，又怎么可能猜到我师尊的心理。”
Ice Phoenix coldly snorted but did not refute further, her disdain evident.
“ hēng ， bái chī 。”
“哼，白痴。”
"You... what did you say?" Shangguan Yan was enraged.
nà bīng fèng què lěng hēng le yī jù ， suī rán méi yǒu duō zuò fǎn bó ， dàn bù xiè zhī qíng nà yě shì yì yú yán biǎo dì 。
那冰凤却冷哼了一句，虽然没有多做反驳，但不屑之情那也是溢于言表地。
"Enough sister, we must focus on the matter at hand; let's not engage in meaningless disputes," Shangguan Ying pulled her sister back. Despite Ice Phoenix’s lack of respect for Lin Xuan, it made Shangguan Ying angry as well. However, she understood the gravity of the situation.
“ nǐ …… nǐ shuō shén me ？”
“你……你说什么？”
They were executing an important mission and couldn't afford to be distracted by petty arguments. If they delayed their task, it would be too late to regret it. Any disagreements could wait until later.
shàng guān yàn bó rán dà nù 。
上官雁勃然大怒。
"But sister, she..."
“ hǎo le mèi mèi ， dà shì yào jǐn ， zuò shén me wú wèi de zhēng zhí 。”
“好了妹妹，大事要紧，做什么无谓的争执。”
"Have you forgotten what our master instructed us before we left? How can we face him if the mission fails?"
shàng guān líng què jiāng mèi mèi lā zhù ， jǐn guǎn duì fāng bù jìng lín xuān ， ràng tā yě xīn zhōng huì nù ， dàn cǐ nǚ què míng bái rú jīn de qīng zhòng huǎn jí shì shén me 。
上官翎却将妹妹拉住，尽管对方不敬林轩，让她也心中恚怒，但此女却明白如今的轻重缓急是什么。
"Oh!"
tā men zhèng zhí xíng zhòng yào rèn wù ， rú hé néng yīn wèi yī xiē kǒu shé zhī zhēng ér nào chū bù yú kuài ne ？
她们正执行重要任务，如何能因为一些口舌之争而闹出不愉快呢？
Seeing her sister's stern tone, Shangguan Yan did not dare speak again.
ruò shì dān gē le dà shì ， nà kě jiù zhuī huǐ mò jí 。 jiù suàn yào yǔ cǐ nǚ zhēng zhí ， nà yě shì yǐ hòu de shì 。
若是耽搁了大事，那可就追悔莫及。就算要与此女争执，那也是以后的事。
Ice Phoenix’s expression remained icy as ever, showing no concern. Honestly, she was not intentionally making enemies; as a young talent of Black Phoenix Valley, she had grown accustomed to being admired and respected. Her words were naturally unappealing, but it wasn't out of malice towards Shangguan sisters.
“ kě jiě jiě ， tā ……”
“可姐姐，她……”
Regardless of how others perceived her, Ice Phoenix’s temperament remained unchanged.
“ nǐ wàng le lí kāi yǐ qián ， shī zūn shì zěn me fēn fù ， ruò shì rèn wù shī bài ， wǒ men yǒu hé miàn mù qù jiàn tā lǎo rén jiā ne ？”
“你忘了离开以前，师尊是怎么吩咐，若是任务失败，我们有何面目去见他老人家呢？”
Fortunately, Shangguan Ying kept the bigger picture in mind, averting a potential dispute.
jiàn jiě jiě jí yán lì sè ， shàng guān yàn bù gǎn zài shuō 。
见姐姐疾言厉色，上官雁不敢再说。
The purple-robed maiden ignored everything and flew forward. The other three maidens followed suit, each displaying their own abilities.
ér nà bīng fèng de liǎn shàng ， yī jiù shì yī fù dī shuǐ chéng bīng de liǎn sè ， fǎng fú shén me yě bù zài hū 。
而那冰凤的脸上，依旧是一副滴水成冰的脸色，仿佛什么也不在乎。
About an hour later, they landed in a forest clearing. Looking up, they could see a city nestled among the vast mountains.
píng xīn ér lùn ， tā yě bú shì yǒu yì yǔ duì fāng jiāo wù 。 zhǐ shì zuò wèi hēi fèng gǔ nián qīng yí dài de tiān cái ， jí wàn qiān chǒng ài ， xīn gāo qì ào guàn le ， tā běn shēn shuō huà jiù shì zhè me bù tǎo xǐ ， dào bú shì yǒu yì qù kāi zuì shàng guān jiě mèi dì 。
平心而论，她也不是有意与对方交恶。只是做为黑凤谷年轻一代的天才，集万千宠爱，心高气傲惯了，她本身说话就是这么不讨喜，倒不是有意去开罪上官姐妹地。
They were currently outside this city, but it was not a place for cultivators. There wasn't a single cultivator in the entire city.
bù zài yì duì fāng kàn fǎ rú hé 。
不在意对方看法如何。
It was a city of ordinary people, albeit one with considerable size that could accommodate over a million inhabitants. The bustling streets gave an impression of extraordinary prosperity.
bīng fèng de pí qì xiàng lái biàn shì zhè yàng de 。
冰凤的脾气像来便是这样的。
Since the demons from beyond the heavens ignited the war between the three realms, not only did cultivators suffer but ordinary people also faced hardships. These foreign demons were extremely vicious and unpredictable.
hǎo zài shàng guān líng gù quán dà jú ， dào miǎn le yī cháng zhēng zhí yǔ fēng yǔ 。
好在上官翎顾全大局，倒免了一场争执与风雨。
In previous battles in the cultivation world, ordinary people generally weren't affected, as it was meaningless to them. However, these demons paid no heed to such considerations. Since their arrival, countless cultivators and monsters had perished, and many ordinary people suffered as well.
“ zǒu ba ！”
“走吧！”
It was beyond description.
nà zǐ yī nǚ zǐ duì zhè yī qiè shì ruò wú dǔ ， dāng xiān xiàng qián fēi qù le 。
那紫衣女子对这一切视若无睹，当先向前飞去了。
But compared to cultivators, things were much better.
qí tā sān nǚ zì rán yě bú huì yǒu shén me duō yú de dòng zuò ， tóng yàng gè zhǎn shén tōng ， jǐn suí qí hòu 。
其他三女自然也不会有什么多余的动作，同样各展神通，紧随其后。
Although the foreign demons were vicious, they did not actively seek trouble with ordinary people; they only dealt with them when encountered.
dà yuē yí gè shí chén zhī hòu 。 tā men zài yī piàn shù lín jiàng luò 。
大约一个时辰之后。他们在一片树林降落。
This made sense. Just like how a person wouldn't go out of their way to step on an ant unless bored.
tái yǎn wàng qù ， kě yǐ kàn jiàn yī zuò zài cāng máng dà shān yǎn yìng xià de chéng guō 。
抬眼望去，可以看见一座在苍茫大山掩映下的城郭。
Thus, while many cities suffered casualties, some managed to survive.
cǐ shí ， tā men zài zhè zuò chéng chí de jiāo wài 。
此时，她们在这座城池的郊外。
This was one such city, which explained why Ice Phoenix and the purple-robed maiden were surprised.
dàn bú yào wù huì ， zhè lǐ kě bú shì shén me xiū xiān zhě de jū suǒ 。 zhěng zuò chéng chí ， lián yí gè xiū xíng zhě dōu méi yǒu de 。
但不要误会，这里可不是什么修仙者的居所。整座城池，连一个修行者都没有的。
Such important supplies were hidden in a city of ordinary people?
zhè shì yī zuò fán rén de chéng chí 。
这是一座凡人的城池。
Incredible!
dāng rán ， guī mó yě shì mán dà dì ， zú kě yǐ róng nà bǎi wàn rén zhī jù 。
当然，规模也是蛮大地，足可以容纳百万人之巨。
But upon reflection, Lin Xuan's cunning became apparent. A great sage hidden in plain sight—this choice seemed dangerous but was actually very safe. The foreign demons would never notice or imagine such a place.
lǐ miàn xī xī rǎng rǎng 。 gěi rén de gǎn jué nà shì fán shèng yì cháng 。
里面熙熙攘攘。给人的感觉那是繁盛异常。
Now that all their resources were concentrated on Cloud Concealment Mountain, this city appeared dangerous but was actually an oasis of peace.
zì cóng yù wài tiān mó diǎn rán le sān jiè de zhàn huǒ ， xiū xíng dào bǎo shǒu tú dú bù shuō ， fán rén yì bù hǎo guò 。 zhè xiē tiān wài mó tóu qióng xiōng jí è ， bù kě chuāi zhī yǐ cháng lǐ 。
自从域外天魔点燃了三界的战火，修行道保守荼毒不说，凡人亦不好过。这些天外魔头穷凶极恶，不可揣之以常理。
Impressive!
yǐ wǎng xiū xiān jiè dà zhàn ， yì bān lái shuō ， fán rén dōu bú huì shòu dào yāng jí ， bì jìng nà méi yǒu yì yì ， rán ér zhè xiē yù wài tiān mó ， què bù guǎn nà me duō ， zì cóng tā men jiàng lín yǐ lái ， líng jiè de xiū shì ， yāo zú gù rán sǐ shāng wú shù ， fán rén yīn cǐ ér bèi yāng jí de ， nà yī yàng shì shǔ bù shèng shǔ 。
以往修仙界大战，一般来说，凡人都不会受到殃及，毕竟那没有意义，然而这些域外天魔，却不管那么多，自从他们降临以来，灵界的修士，妖族固然死伤无数，凡人因此而被殃及的，那一样是数不胜数。
The maidens then concealed their presence.
nán yǐ yòng yán yǔ jì shù ！
难以用言语记述！
While theoretically there should be no foreign demons here, being discovered as cultivators could still cause trouble. To ensure safety, they suppressed their aura and used their expertise in disguise to make themselves look unremarkable.
bù guò xiāng duì yú xiū shì lái shuō ， qíng kuàng hái shì yào hǎo xǔ duō 。
不过相对于修士来说，情况还是要好许多。
If they didn't change their appearance, standing among ordinary people would have been too conspicuous—like a crane among chickens. It might still attract unwanted attention.
bì jìng yù wài tiān mó suī rán qióng xiōng jí è ， dàn yě bú huì zhǔ dòng qù zhǎo fán rén de má fán ， zhǐ shì pèng jiàn de shí hòu ， shùn shǒu miè chú 。
毕竟域外天魔虽然穷凶极恶，但也不会主动去找凡人的麻烦，只是碰见的时候，顺手灭除。
After checking each other for any flaws, the four maidens walked towards the city gate. Although unable to fly, their steps were light and quick; in half an hour, they reached the city.
zhè yě shì hěn hǎo lǐ jiě de 。
这也是很好理解的。
The grand city exuded a heavy atmosphere but was far less impressive compared to the cities of cultivators. The maidens entered without much concern.
jiù xiàng yí gè rén ， chú fēi shì qióng jí wú liáo ， fǒu zé yòu zěn me huì zhǔ dòng qù cǎi sǐ mǎ yǐ ne ？
就像一个人，除非是穷极无聊，否则又怎么会主动去踩死蚂蚁呢？
Inside, they saw a cobblestone street with buildings lining both sides. Laughter and chatter echoed from taverns, indeed a bustling scene.
suǒ yǐ ， fán rén yì sǐ shāng cǎn zhòng ， dàn xìng cún xià lái de chéng chí yě shì hěn duō 。
所以，凡人亦死伤惨重，但幸存下来的城池也是很多。
But these four girls were not interested in admiring it. They moved swiftly, turning left and right until they reached a wider street.
yǎn qián ， biàn shì qí zhōng de yí gè 。
眼前，便是其中的一个。
The road was broad, and the buildings on either side were significantly taller. The sound of vendors never ceased; this was a market district.
yě jiù nán guài bīng fèng yǔ nà zǐ yī shào nǚ huì gǎn jué jīng è 。
也就难怪冰凤与那紫衣少女会感觉惊愕。
Unlike those in the cultivation world, it was a place where ordinary merchants gathered, with goods from all directions, so numerous that one could say they vied for attention.
zhè me zhòng yào de wù zī ， jū rán huì cáng nì zài yī zuò fán rén de chéng chí lǐ ？
这么重要的物资，居然会藏匿在一座凡人的城池里？
"Master said the supplies are hidden somewhere here. Where exactly?"
bù kě sī yì ！
不可思议！
Shangguan Yan's voice echoed as she referred to the simple map within the jade cylinder. The exact location of the supplies was personally told by Lin Xuan to his beloved disciple.
dàn zǐ xì yī xiǎng ， què yòu bù dé duì lín xuān de xīn jī gǎn jué pèi fú ， dà yǐn yǐn yú shì ， yǎn qián bù jiù shì zuì hǎo de quán shì ， kàn shì wēi xiǎn de xuǎn zé ， qí shí què fēi cháng de ān quán 。
但仔细一想，却又不得对林轩的心机感觉佩服，大隐隐于市，眼前不就是最好的诠释，看似危险的选择，其实却非常的安全。
This ensured that even if attacked, the jade cylinder wouldn't reveal their whereabouts. Lin Xuan’s planning was meticulous.
yù wài tiān mó jué bú huì zhù yì ， yě xiǎng xiàng bú dào zhè lǐ 。
域外天魔绝不会注意，也想象不到这里。
PS: Third chapter completed. I promised and delivered—three chapters today! Please support me with a monthly vote for Hundred Refinements! (To be continued...)
"Is this your destination?"
The question came from the tall, youthful maiden. Her usually unchanging icy demeanor now showed a hint of surprise as she spoke in an interrogative tone.
Beside her, the purple-robed maiden with a sword on her back turned her head, her expression filled with confusion. A faint cold glint appeared in her large, beautiful eyes.
If not for the fact that they had never been apart during their journey, she almost thought that Shangguan Ling had already undergone soul possession.
"Two sisters, why look at me like that? The jade cylinder indeed states this," Shangguan Ying said calmly, as if indifferent. She passed the jade cylinder to her sister.
Ice Phoenix did not refuse and took it with her delicate hand, releasing a faint spiritual sense. Then she handed it over to the purple-robed maiden beside her.
"Ah, I see."
After a long while, the maiden sighed. "A great sage hidden in plain sight—our lord truly has deep plans. Concealing such important materials here would never have occurred to anyone else."
"That's because..." Shangguan Yan's eyes were filled with pride and admiration: "My master is so clever and versatile; he can outwit even the demons from beyond the heavens. How could he possibly guess my master's thoughts?"
"Hmph, a fool."
Ice Phoenix coldly snorted but did not refute further, her disdain evident.
"You... what did you say?" Shangguan Yan was enraged.
"Enough sister, we must focus on the matter at hand; let's not engage in meaningless disputes," Shangguan Ying pulled her sister back. Despite Ice Phoenix’s lack of respect for Lin Xuan, it made Shangguan Ying angry as well. However, she understood the gravity of the situation.
They were executing an important mission and couldn't afford to be distracted by petty arguments. If they delayed their task, it would be too late to regret it. Any disagreements could wait until later.
"But sister, she..."
"Have you forgotten what our master instructed us before we left? How can we face him if the mission fails?"
"Oh!"
Seeing her sister's stern tone, Shangguan Yan did not dare speak again.
Ice Phoenix’s expression remained icy as ever, showing no concern. Honestly, she was not intentionally making enemies; as a young talent of Black Phoenix Valley, she had grown accustomed to being admired and respected. Her words were naturally unappealing, but it wasn't out of malice towards Shangguan sisters.
Regardless of how others perceived her, Ice Phoenix’s temperament remained unchanged.
Fortunately, Shangguan Ying kept the bigger picture in mind, averting a potential dispute.
"Let's go!"
The purple-robed maiden ignored everything and flew forward. The other three maidens followed suit, each displaying their own abilities.
About an hour later, they landed in a forest clearing. Looking up, they could see a city nestled among the vast mountains.
They were currently outside this city, but it was not a place for cultivators. There wasn't a single cultivator in the entire city.
It was a city of ordinary people, albeit one with considerable size that could accommodate over a million inhabitants. The bustling streets gave an impression of extraordinary prosperity.
Since the demons from beyond the heavens ignited the war between the three realms, not only did cultivators suffer but ordinary people also faced hardships. These foreign demons were extremely vicious and unpredictable.
In previous battles in the cultivation world, ordinary people generally weren't affected, as it was meaningless to them. However, these demons paid no heed to such considerations. Since their arrival, countless cultivators and monsters had perished, and many ordinary people suffered as well.
It was beyond description.
But compared to cultivators, things were much better.
Although the foreign demons were vicious, they did not actively seek trouble with ordinary people; they only dealt with them when encountered.
This made sense. Just like how a person wouldn't go out of their way to step on an ant unless bored.
Thus, while many cities suffered casualties, some managed to survive.
This was one such city, which explained why Ice Phoenix and the purple-robed maiden were surprised.
Such important supplies were hidden in a city of ordinary people?
Incredible!
But upon reflection, Lin Xuan's cunning became apparent. A great sage hidden in plain sight—this choice seemed dangerous but was actually very safe. The foreign demons would never notice or imagine such a place.
Now that all their resources were concentrated on Cloud Concealment Mountain, this city appeared dangerous but was actually an oasis of peace.
Impressive!
The maidens then concealed their presence.
While theoretically there should be no foreign demons here, being discovered as cultivators could still cause trouble. To ensure safety, they suppressed their aura and used their expertise in disguise to make themselves look unremarkable.
If they didn't change their appearance, standing among ordinary people would have been too conspicuous—like a crane among chickens. It might still attract unwanted attention.
After checking each other for any flaws, the four maidens walked towards the city gate. Although unable to fly, their steps were light and quick; in half an hour, they reached the city.
The grand city exuded a heavy atmosphere but was far less impressive compared to the cities of cultivators. The maidens entered without much concern.
Inside, they saw a cobblestone street with buildings lining both sides. Laughter and chatter echoed from taverns, indeed a bustling scene.
But these four girls were not interested in admiring it. They moved swiftly, turning left and right until they reached a wider street.
The road was broad, and the buildings on either side were significantly taller. The sound of vendors never ceased; this was a market district.
Unlike those in the cultivation world, it was a place where ordinary merchants gathered, with goods from all directions, so numerous that one could say they vied for attention.
"Master said the supplies are hidden somewhere here. Where exactly?"
Shangguan Yan's voice echoed as she referred to the simple map within the jade cylinder. The exact location of the supplies was personally told by Lin Xuan to his beloved disciple.
This ensured that even if attacked, the jade cylinder wouldn't reveal their whereabouts. Lin Xuan’s planning was meticulous.
PS: Third chapter completed. I promised and delivered—three chapters today! Please support me with a monthly vote for Hundred Refinements! (To be continued...)