shù rì zhī hòu ， yī dào qīng sè de jīng hóng huà pò cháng kōng 。 yóu yuǎn chù fēi lüè ér lái 。 guāng huá shōu liǎn 。 xiàn chū le yī xiàng mào pǔ tōng de shào nián 。
数日之后，一道青色的惊虹划破长空。由远处飞掠而来。光华收敛。现出了一相貌普通的少年。
Several days later, a streak of green lightning pierced the sky from afar. Lin Xuan descended from it and looked around. He then took out an jade cylinder from his pocket and sank his divine sense into it.
zhèng shì lín xuān ！
正是林轩！
After a moment, Lin Xuan raised his head. Indeed, according to the map provided by Immortal Hundred Poison, the ancient teleportation array was located in Cangming Mountain ahead.
là xià dùn guāng yǐ hòu ， tā zhuǎn tóu kàn le kàn sì zhōu ， rán hòu yòu cóng huái zhōng qǔ chū yī méi yù tǒng jiǎn 。 jiāng shén shí chén rù lǐ miàn 。
落下遁光以后，他转头看了看四周，然后又从怀中取出一枚玉筒简。将神识沉入里面。
The Qinyin Mountains were boundless, vast beyond measure. No one could accurately gauge their size, not even the Mo Yue tribe of magicians who had lived there for over a million years.
piàn kè hòu 。 lín xuān tái qǐ tóu ， bù cuò ， àn zhào bǎi dú shén jūn suǒ tí gōng dì dì tú ， nà gǔ chuán sòng zhèn jiù zài qián fāng dì cāng míng shān zhōng 。
片刻后。林轩抬起头，不错，按照百毒神君所提供地地图，那古传送阵就在前方地沧溟山中。
They were formed from countless great mountain ranges, deep valleys, and intersecting paths. Many places were sparsely inhabited by numerous beasts, while others teemed with them. Cangming Mountain was one such place.
kuí yīn shān mài wú biān wú jì 。 guǎng kuò wú bǐ ， jù tǐ yǒu duō dà 。 bié shuō qín zú dì xiū shì ， jiù shì zài zhè lǐ jū zhù le shàng bǎi wàn nián de mò yuè zú wū shī ， yě yī yàng shuō bù qīng chǔ 。
奎阴山脉无边无际。广阔无比，具体有多大。别说秦族地修士，就是在这里居住了上百万年的墨月族巫师，也一样说不清楚。
The reason so many beasts gathered here was that it was a place where妖脉flourished, constantly emitting heavy beast qi throughout the year.
tā shì yóu wú shù dì jù dà shān mài ， xiá gǔ shēn gōu ， zòng héng jiāo cuò 。 lián jiē ér chéng dì ， hěn duō dì fāng rén jì hǎn zhì 。 fǎn ér yǒu wú shù yāo shòu zòng héng qī xī 。 zhè cāng míng shān jiù shì qí zhōng zhī yī 。
牠是由无数地巨大山脉，峡谷深沟，纵横交错。连接而成地，很多地方人迹罕至。反而有无数妖兽纵横栖息。这沧溟山就是其中之一。
Beast transformation and upgrading occurred much faster here than in other places—by several times. Even a fourth-stage transformed creature resided there.
zhī suǒ yǐ yǒu rú cǐ duō dì yāo shòu jù jí 。 shì yīn wèi nà lǐ shì yī chù yāo mài zhī dì ， zhōng nián sàn fà chū nóng zhòng dì yāo qì 。
之所以有如此多地妖兽聚集。是因为那里是一处妖脉之地，终年散发出浓重地妖气。
Some of this information had been relayed by Immortal Hundred Poison, while others were gathered from the market. After processing it all in his mind, Lin Xuan began to practice the收敛气术Concentration Technique from the Nine Heavens Profound Scripture.
yāo shòu jìn jiē shēng jí 。 yào bǐ qí tā dì fāng kuài shàng shù bèi yǒu yú 。
妖兽晋阶升级。要比其他地方快上数倍有余。
As his cultivation deepened, he found the technique easier to wield, quickly masking all traces of his essence energy on him.
shèn zhì yǒu yī tóu sì jiē huà xíng qī de guài wù yě jū zhù zài nà lǐ 。
甚至有一头四阶化形期的怪物也居住在那里。
He then cast the lightness technique upon himself and unfolded the Wind Control Art. His figure flickered as he drifted towards the distant horizon.
zhè xiē qíng bào ， yǒu xiē shì bǎi dú shén jūn zhuǎn shù ， yǒu xiē shì cóng fāng shì zhōng dǎ tīng lái de ， lín xuān jiāng qí zài nǎo hǎi zhōng zhuǎn le yī quān zhī hòu ， jiù shī zhǎn qǐ jiǔ tiān xuán gōng zhōng de liǎn qì shù 。
这些情报，有些是百毒神君转述，有些是从坊市中打听来的，林轩将其在脑海中转了一圈之后，就施展起九天玄功中的敛气术。
The reason for abandoning the遁光concealing light was to avoid drawing attention. Relations between humans and beasts were not cordial.
suí zhe tā xiū wèi rì shēn ， zhè mì fǎ shī zhǎn qǐ lái yě jiù biàn dé yuè fā dì dé xīn yìng shǒu ， hěn kuài jiù yǎn gài le lín xuān shēn shàng suǒ yǒu dì líng lì bō dòng 。
随着他修为日深，这秘法施展起来也就变得越发地得心应手，很快就掩盖了林轩身上所有地灵力波动。
Cangming Mountain stood several thousand feet high, and after two hours, Lin Xuan reached its midsection.
rán hòu lín xuān yòu wèi zì jǐ shī jiā le yí gè qīng shēn shù ， zhè cái zhǎn kāi yù fēng jué ， shēn xíng huǎng le jǐ huǎng 。 piāo xiàng yuǎn fāng 。
然后林轩又为自己施加了一个轻身术，这才展开御风诀，身形晃了几晃。飘向远方。
The journey had been relatively smooth. The rumors proved true; the distribution of beasts here was dense. He encountered several groups but managed to evade them all.
zhī suǒ yǐ fàng qì dùn guāng ， ér gǎi yòng dī jiē dì fǎ shù ， zì rán shì bù xiǎng bào lù shēn xíng de yuán gù 。 rén lèi hé yāo shòu dì guān xì kě tán bù shàng shén me hé máng 。
之所以放弃遁光，而改用低阶地法术，自然是不想暴露身形的缘故。人类和妖兽地关系可谈不上什么和忙。
Lin Xuan stopped and took out the jade cylinder again, checking it.
cāng míng shān yuē yǒu shù qiān zhàng gāo 。 liǎng gè shí chén yǐ hòu 。 lín xuān yǐ lái dào le bàn shān yāo shàng 。
沧溟山约有数千丈高。两个时辰以后。林轩已来到了半山腰上。
Suddenly, he raised his eyebrows as if sensing something, glanced back, then formed a seal with both hands. A green mist enveloped his body, making him vanish into thin air. In his place was an unremarkable sapling.
zhè yī lù hái suàn shùn lì 。 chuán yán guǒ rán bù xū ， yāo shòu zài zhè lǐ dì fēn bù shí fēn mì jí 。 lín xuān yī lián zhuàng shàng le shù qǐ ， hǎo zài dōu chéng gōng duǒ le guò qù 。
这一路还算顺利。传言果然不虚，妖兽在这里地分布十分密集。林轩一连撞上了数起，好在都成功躲了过去。
This was already quite a sophisticated illusion.
lín xuān tíng xià shēn xíng 。 zài cì cóng huái zhōng qǔ chū yù tǒng jiǎn ， chá kàn qǐ lái 。
林轩停下身形。再次从怀中取出玉筒简，查看起来。
A moment later, a red cloud drifted over from afar and landed beside Lin Xuan. The mist dispersed to reveal two people.
tū rán ， tā méi tóu yī tiāo 。 xiàng shì gǎn yìng dào shén me shì de xiàng hòu wàng le yī yǎn ， rán hòu shuāng shǒu qiā jué ， yī tuán lǜ sè de wù qì bāo guǒ zhù lín xuān de shēn qū 。 tā de shēn tǐ píng kōng xiāo shī 。 qǔ ér dài zhī dì shì yī kē bù qǐ yǎn dì xiǎo shù 。
突然，他眉头一挑。像是感应到什么似的像后望了一眼，然后双手掐诀，一团绿色的雾气包裹住林轩的身躯。他的身体凭空消失。取而代之地是一棵不起眼地小树。
"Brother, we've been traveling for so long; let's take a break," said the middle-aged man in black robes with a somewhat sinister expression. He was tall and thin, his forehead adorned with two inch-long black horns, and strange scaled-like objects on his neck and wrists.
zhè yǐ jīng shì fēi cháng gāo míng de zhàng yǎn fǎ le 。
这已经是非常高明的障眼法了。
Beastfolk!
piàn kè yǐ hòu ， yī duǒ hóng yún cóng yuǎn chù piāo le guò lái 。 wú qiǎo bù qiǎo ， zhèng hǎo luò zài lín xuān de shēn biān ， wù qì sàn kāi ， xiàn chū le liǎng gè rén lái 。
片刻以后，一朵红云从远处飘了过来。无巧不巧，正好落在林轩的身边，雾气散开，现出了两个人来。
Lin Xuan's pupils constricted slightly. The other party had already shed its beast form to take human shape. Could it be a transformed creature?
“ dà gē 。 gǎn le zhè me jiǔ de lù 。 wǒ men xiē xiē hǎo le 。”
“大哥。赶了这么久的路。我们歇歇好了。”
But Lin Xuan quickly put aside such thoughts. Based on the essence energy fluctuations, their cultivation was still inferior to his; they were merely third-stage beasts.
yī shēn chuān hēi páo ， miàn mù yǒu xiē yīn sēn de zhōng nián rén kāi kǒu dào 。 cǐ rén shēn cái shòu gāo ， é tóu shàng shēng yǒu liǎng gè cùn xǔ zhǎng de hēi sè jiān jiǎo ， jǐng bù yǐ jí shǒu wàn chù dōu yǒu yī xiē lín piàn yàng de qí guài zhī wù 。
一身穿黑袍，面目有些阴森的中年人开口道。此人身材瘦高，额头上生有两个寸许长的黑色尖角，颈部以及手腕处都有一些鳞片样的奇怪之物。
The world teemed with spiritual beings. While it was common for fourth-stage beasts to possess the ability to transform into humans, some special beast races could acquire this unique power at the third stage.
lín xuān tóng kǒng wēi wēi shōu suō 。 duì fāng yǐ jīng néng gòu tuō qù shòu shēn ， biàn huà rén xíng 。 nán dào shì huà xíng qī dì guài wù ？
林轩瞳孔微微收缩。对方已经能够脱去兽身，变化人形。难道是化形期地怪物？
Beside him stood a large man two meters tall, his face covered in stubble. A black and glossy tail like a steel whip sprouted from his back.
bù guò suí jí 。 lín xuān jiù fàng xià le xīn sī 。
不过随即。林轩就放下了心思。
The two seemed to have traveled far, their faces showing signs of fatigue as they searched for a place nearby to sit down.
cóng líng lì bō dòng lái kàn 。 duì fāng de xiū wèi hái bù jí zì jǐ 。 yīng gāi zhǐ shì sān jiē yāo shòu ér yǐ 。
从灵力波动来看。对方的修为还不及自己。应该只是三阶妖兽而已。
"This time, Fairy Peacock's seclusion has brought her great gains," the man with the sinister face licked his lips, speaking enviously. "Of course. The Peacock tribe is originally a distant relative of the divine bird phoenix, inheriting its noble bloodline from ancient times. As such, it belongs to this world's celestial spirit race. Moreover, before she entered seclusion, Fairy Peacock was already at the peak of the initial stage of transformation. After a century-long seclusion, she naturally advanced to the middle stage."
tiān dì jiān líng wù zhòng duō 。 suī rán àn zhào cháng lǐ 。 yào sì jí yāo shòu cái jù yǒu biàn huà rén xíng de běn lǐng 。 dàn yī xiē tè shū de yāo shòu zhǒng zú ， zhǐ xū yào sān jiē ， jiù kě yǐ tí qián yōng yǒu zhè zhǒng dú tè de shén tōng 。
天地间灵物众多。虽然按照常理。要四级妖兽才具有变化人形的本领。但一些特殊的妖兽种族，只需要三阶，就可以提前拥有这种独特的神通。
Transformation middle-stage! Lin Xuan's eyebrows furrowed. That was a master who could match an intermediate婴灵中期old monster. His lips curled into a bitter smile. He hadn't expected the dominant beast in Cangming Mountain to be so much more powerful than he had anticipated. It seemed he would have to be even more cautious on his journey.
“ hǎo ba ！”
“好吧！”
"Fairy Peacock's seclusion is over, and that's good," sighed the man with the sinister face. "Over these past hundred years, we've suffered greatly from other territories' beasts."
páng biān yī shēn gāo liǎng mǐ 。 mǎn liǎn héng ròu dì dà hàn diǎn le diǎn tóu ， tā de bèi hòu ， yǒu yī tiáo wū hēi yóu liàng de wěi ba 。 yóu rú gāng biān yī yàng 。
旁边一身高两米。满脸横肉地大汉点了点头，他的背后，有一条乌黑油亮的尾巴。犹如钢鞭一样。
...
liǎng rén sì hū shì yuǎn dào ér lái ， liǎn shàng dōu yǒu xiē pí lèi zhī sè 。 yú shì biàn zài fù jìn xún le yī kuài dì fāng zuò xià 。
两人似乎是远道而来，脸上都有些疲累之色。于是便在附近寻了一块地方坐下。
The two chatted for about half an hour before leaving.
“ dà gē ， zhè cì kǒng què xiān zi chū guān 。 xiū wèi tīng shuō dà zhǎng le bù shǎo 。” nà miàn mù yīn sēn de zhōng nián rén tiǎn le tiǎn zuǐ jiǎo ， yǒu xiē xiàn mù dì kāi kǒu dào 。
“大哥，这次孔雀仙子出关。修为听说大涨了不少。”那面目阴森的中年人舔了舔嘴角，有些羡慕地开口道。
A wave of air ruffled as the tree transformed into Lin Xuan's true form, which stood still, lost in thought.
“ zhè shì zì rán 。 kǒng què yī zú ， yuán běn jiù shì shén niǎo fèng huáng de yuǎn qīn ， zì yuǎn gǔ shí qī chuán chéng xià lái dì gāo guì xuè tǒng 。 shǔ yú zhè yī jiè dì tiān dì líng zú 。 hé kuàng xiān zi zài bì guān yǐ qián ， jiù yǐ jīng shì huà xíng qī chū jiē de dǐng fēng ， rú jīn zhè bǎi nián bì guān zhī hòu 。 zì rán shì jìn jí dào huà xíng zhōng jiē le 。”
“这是自然。孔雀一族，原本就是神鸟凤凰的远亲，自远古时期传承下来地高贵血统。属于这一界地天地灵族。何况仙子在闭关以前，就已经是化形期初阶的顶峰，如今这百年闭关之后。自然是晋级到化形中阶了。”
From what those two had said, Lin Xuan learned some unexpected information. Since that fifth-stage divine dragonfly ascended to the spirit realm, the beasts in the Qinyin Mountains were leaderless. After countless years of chaos, they divided into several territories.
huà xíng zhōng jiē 。 lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo 。 nà kě shì néng yǔ yuán yīng zhōng qī lǎo guài pì měi de gāo shǒu ， zuǐ jiǎo yuè fā kǔ sè ， méi xiǎng dào cāng míng shān bà zhǔ de xiū wèi 。 hái yuǎn zài zì jǐ yù liào zhī shàng 。 kàn lái jīn hòu de lù tú ， dé yuè fā de xiǎo xīn le 。
化形中阶。林轩眉头一挑。那可是能与元婴中期老怪媲美的高手，嘴角越发苦涩，没想到沧溟山霸主的修为。还远在自己预料之上。看来今后的路途，得越发的小心了。
Each territory's dominant beast was a transformed creature.
“ xiān zi chū guān ， zhè jiù hǎo le 。 zhè bǎi nián lái ， wǒ men kě méi yǒu shǎo shòu qí tā lǐng dì yāo shòu dì qī fù 。” nà zhōng nián rén qīng qīng tàn xī ， pǒ yǒu xiē yáng méi tǔ qì 。
“仙子出关，这就好了。这百年来，我们可没有少受其他领地妖兽地欺负。”那中年人轻轻叹息，颇有些扬眉吐气。
And this area was led by a beast named "Fairy Peacock." However, she had been secluding herself for over a century and only recently completed her seclusion.
……
……
The beasts under her command all rushed to congratulate her upon hearing of her emergence. No wonder he encountered so many along the way.
liǎng rén duàn duàn xù xù dì liáo le yuē bàn gè shí chén ， zhè cái lí qù 。
两人断断续续地聊了约半个时辰，这才离去。
If he had known this earlier, he wouldn't have lingered in Tiancang Prefecture for half a year. After returning from Mo Yue City, he should have left using the ancient teleportation array immediately; it would have been much safer. Lin Xuan bitterly smiled at his regret.
kōng qì yī zhèn bō dòng 。 nà kē shù yòu biàn huà chū le lín xuān dì zhēn shēn 。 rán ér què zhàn zài yuán dì 。 dāi dāi dì chū shén 。
空气一阵波动。那棵树又变化出了林轩地真身。然而却站在原地。呆呆地出神。
However, with the situation as it was, wallowing in despair wouldn't solve anything. He could only be more careful.
cóng gāng cái nà liǎng gè jiā huo dì kǒu zhōng ， lín xuān liǎo jiě dào yī xiē lìng zì jǐ yì wài dì qíng kuàng 。
从刚才那两个家伙地口中，林轩了解到一些令自己意外地情况。
Lin Xuan's journey slowed significantly for the rest of the way, fully opening his divine sense and proceeding cautiously. Despite this, he encountered several dangers, but thanks to his quick reactions, no major trouble ensued.
zì cóng nà wǔ jiē shén jiāo fēi shēng líng jiè yǐ hòu ， kuí yīn shān mài de yāo shòu qún lóng wú shǒu 。 zài hùn luàn liǎo wú shù suì yuè yǐ hòu 。 fēn chéng le shù kuài lǐng dì 。
自从那五阶神蛟飞升灵界以后，奎阴山脉的妖兽群龙无首。在混乱了无数岁月以后。分成了数块领地。
By dusk, Lin Xuan finally approached his destination. The terrain was peculiar; he was close to the summit now.
měi kuài lǐng dì shàng dì bà zhǔ ， fēn bié shì yī tóu huà xíng qī dì yāo shòu 。
每块领地上地霸主，分别是一头化形期地妖兽。
A clear lake appeared ahead, not large—only a few hundred feet in diameter. Beside it stood an approximately seventy-foot-tall steep stone wall.
ér zì jǐ xiàn zài suǒ zài de fàn wéi 。 shì yóu yī wèi míng jiào “ kǒng què xiān zi ” dì yāo zú gāo shǒu tǒng lǐng zhe ， rán ér zhè bǎi nián yǐ lái 。 tā yì zhí dōu zài bì guān 。 zuì jìn gāng gāng gōng dé yuán mǎn 。
而自己现在所在的范围。是由一位名叫“孔雀仙子”地妖族高手统领着，然而这百年以来。她一直都在闭关。最近刚刚功德圆满。
This must be it!
shǒu xià dì yāo shòu tīng shuō kǒng què xiān zi chū lái ， quán dōu gǎn qù cháo hè ， guài bù dé zì jǐ yī lù shàng yù jiàn le nà me duō 。
手下地妖兽听说孔雀仙子出来，全都赶去朝贺，怪不得自己一路上遇见了那么多。
Lin Xuan observed the surroundings and compared them with the jade cylinder again. Then, he raised his hand and released a faint blue protective barrier that enveloped him before leaping into the lake.
zǎo zhī rú cǐ ， gēn běn jiù bù gāi zài tiān cāng bù dān gē shàng bàn nián ， cóng kuí yuè chéng huí lái yǐ hòu 。 lì kè jiù gāi cóng gǔ chuán sòng zhèn lí kāi ， nà shí hòu yào ān quán dé duō ， lín xuān yǒu xiē ào nǎo dì kǔ xiào zhe 。
早知如此，根本就不该在天苍部耽搁上半年，从奎月城回来以后。立刻就该从古传送阵离开，那时候要安全得多，林轩有些懊恼地苦笑着。
Slowly, Lin Xuan sank to the bottom.
rán ér shì yǐ zhì cǐ 。 jǔ sàng yě bù jiě jué wèn tí 。 zhǐ yǒu zì jǐ wàn shì duō jiā xiǎo xīn yī xiē 。
然而事已至此。沮丧也不解决问题。只有自己万事多加小心一些。
Indeed, he had to thank Immortal Hundred Poison. When he discovered this ancient teleportation array, he thought it might be useful in the future. Initially, he planned to conceal it with an illusion technique.
xià miàn de lù chéng 。 lín xuān sù dù màn le xǔ duō ， shén shí quán kāi ， xiǎo xīn yì yì ， jiù zhè yàng ， hái yù jiàn le jǐ cì wēi xiǎn 。 hǎo zài tā zǒng suàn fǎn yìng kuài ， zuì zhōng méi yǒu niàng chéng shén me dà de má fán 。
下面的路程。林轩速度慢了许多，神识全开，小心翼翼，就这样，还遇见了几次危险。好在他总算反应快，最终没有酿成什么大的麻烦。
However, this place was home to a fourth-stage transformed creature—Fairy Peacock—and her race possessed natural spiritual vision that could easily penetrate illusions. Doing so would only backfire.
zhí dào huáng hūn shí fēn 。 lín xuān cái zhōng yú jiē jìn le mù dì dì 。 zhè ér dì xíng qí tè ， jù lí shān dǐng yǐ jīng bù yuǎn le 。
直到黄昏时分。林轩才终于接近了目的地。这儿地形奇特，距离山顶已经不远了。
After much deliberation, he used his great power to create a large lake around the teleportation array without damaging it. This approach seemed more secure.
Several days later, a streak of green lightning pierced the sky from afar. Lin Xuan descended from it and looked around. He then took out an jade cylinder from his pocket and sank his divine sense into it.
After a moment, Lin Xuan raised his head. Indeed, according to the map provided by Immortal Hundred Poison, the ancient teleportation array was located in Cangming Mountain ahead.
The Qinyin Mountains were boundless, vast beyond measure. No one could accurately gauge their size, not even the Mo Yue tribe of magicians who had lived there for over a million years.
They were formed from countless great mountain ranges, deep valleys, and intersecting paths. Many places were sparsely inhabited by numerous beasts, while others teemed with them. Cangming Mountain was one such place.
The reason so many beasts gathered here was that it was a place where妖脉flourished, constantly emitting heavy beast qi throughout the year.
Beast transformation and upgrading occurred much faster here than in other places—by several times. Even a fourth-stage transformed creature resided there.
Some of this information had been relayed by Immortal Hundred Poison, while others were gathered from the market. After processing it all in his mind, Lin Xuan began to practice the收敛气术Concentration Technique from the Nine Heavens Profound Scripture.
As his cultivation deepened, he found the technique easier to wield, quickly masking all traces of his essence energy on him.
He then cast the lightness technique upon himself and unfolded the Wind Control Art. His figure flickered as he drifted towards the distant horizon.
The reason for abandoning the遁光concealing light was to avoid drawing attention. Relations between humans and beasts were not cordial.
Cangming Mountain stood several thousand feet high, and after two hours, Lin Xuan reached its midsection.
The journey had been relatively smooth. The rumors proved true; the distribution of beasts here was dense. He encountered several groups but managed to evade them all.
Lin Xuan stopped and took out the jade cylinder again, checking it.
Suddenly, he raised his eyebrows as if sensing something, glanced back, then formed a seal with both hands. A green mist enveloped his body, making him vanish into thin air. In his place was an unremarkable sapling.
This was already quite a sophisticated illusion.
A moment later, a red cloud drifted over from afar and landed beside Lin Xuan. The mist dispersed to reveal two people.
"Brother, we've been traveling for so long; let's take a break," said the middle-aged man in black robes with a somewhat sinister expression. He was tall and thin, his forehead adorned with two inch-long black horns, and strange scaled-like objects on his neck and wrists.
Beastfolk!
Lin Xuan's pupils constricted slightly. The other party had already shed its beast form to take human shape. Could it be a transformed creature?
But Lin Xuan quickly put aside such thoughts. Based on the essence energy fluctuations, their cultivation was still inferior to his; they were merely third-stage beasts.
The world teemed with spiritual beings. While it was common for fourth-stage beasts to possess the ability to transform into humans, some special beast races could acquire this unique power at the third stage.
"Alright!"
Beside him stood a large man two meters tall, his face covered in stubble. A black and glossy tail like a steel whip sprouted from his back.
The two seemed to have traveled far, their faces showing signs of fatigue as they searched for a place nearby to sit down.
"This time, Fairy Peacock's seclusion has brought her great gains," the man with the sinister face licked his lips, speaking enviously. "Of course. The Peacock tribe is originally a distant relative of the divine bird phoenix, inheriting its noble bloodline from ancient times. As such, it belongs to this world's celestial spirit race. Moreover, before she entered seclusion, Fairy Peacock was already at the peak of the initial stage of transformation. After a century-long seclusion, she naturally advanced to the middle stage."
Transformation middle-stage! Lin Xuan's eyebrows furrowed. That was a master who could match an intermediate婴灵中期old monster. His lips curled into a bitter smile. He hadn't expected the dominant beast in Cangming Mountain to be so much more powerful than he had anticipated. It seemed he would have to be even more cautious on his journey.
"Fairy Peacock's seclusion is over, and that's good," sighed the man with the sinister face. "Over these past hundred years, we've suffered greatly from other territories' beasts."
...
The two chatted for about half an hour before leaving.
A wave of air ruffled as the tree transformed into Lin Xuan's true form, which stood still, lost in thought.
From what those two had said, Lin Xuan learned some unexpected information. Since that fifth-stage divine dragonfly ascended to the spirit realm, the beasts in the Qinyin Mountains were leaderless. After countless years of chaos, they divided into several territories.
Each territory's dominant beast was a transformed creature.
And this area was led by a beast named "Fairy Peacock." However, she had been secluding herself for over a century and only recently completed her seclusion.
The beasts under her command all rushed to congratulate her upon hearing of her emergence. No wonder he encountered so many along the way.
If he had known this earlier, he wouldn't have lingered in Tiancang Prefecture for half a year. After returning from Mo Yue City, he should have left using the ancient teleportation array immediately; it would have been much safer. Lin Xuan bitterly smiled at his regret.
However, with the situation as it was, wallowing in despair wouldn't solve anything. He could only be more careful.
Lin Xuan's journey slowed significantly for the rest of the way, fully opening his divine sense and proceeding cautiously. Despite this, he encountered several dangers, but thanks to his quick reactions, no major trouble ensued.
By dusk, Lin Xuan finally approached his destination. The terrain was peculiar; he was close to the summit now.
A clear lake appeared ahead, not large—only a few hundred feet in diameter. Beside it stood an approximately seventy-foot-tall steep stone wall.
This must be it!
Lin Xuan observed the surroundings and compared them with the jade cylinder again. Then, he raised his hand and released a faint blue protective barrier that enveloped him before leaping into the lake.
Slowly, Lin Xuan sank to the bottom.
Indeed, he had to thank Immortal Hundred Poison. When he discovered this ancient teleportation array, he thought it might be useful in the future. Initially, he planned to conceal it with an illusion technique.
However, this place was home to a fourth-stage transformed creature—Fairy Peacock—and her race possessed natural spiritual vision that could easily penetrate illusions. Doing so would only backfire.
After much deliberation, he used his great power to create a large lake around the teleportation array without damaging it. This approach seemed more secure.