“ bù cuò ， lǎo fū zhǐ shì xī rì dà tǒng lǐng de yī lǚ jīng hún ér yǐ ， ruò xiǎo wú bǐ ， hǎo zài què yǒu tā quán bù de jì yì ， fǒu zé yòu hé bì yī fù yú nǐ 。。.23[x].”
“不错，老夫只是昔日大统领的一缕精魂而已，弱小无比，好在却有他全部的记忆，否则又何必依附于你。。.23[x].”
"Good, I am but a fragment of the former Grand Commander's spirit. Weak beyond measure, yet fortunate enough to retain all his memories. Otherwise, why would you have clung to me?"
nà cāng lǎo de shēng yīn jì xù chuán rù ěr duǒ ， lǐ miàn què chōng mǎn le fèn hèn zhī sè ：“ yuán běn wǒ men shuō hǎo de ， hù xiāng fú chí ， ruò yǒu zhāo yī rì ， nǐ néng gòu dá dào jǔ xiá fēi shēng de shí lì ， lǎo fū yě kě yǐ zhòng sù shēn tǐ ， huī fù qián shì de wú shàng mó lì ， zěn me ， nǐ rú jīn chì bǎng yìng le ， jiù xiǎng yào shí yán ér féi ？”
那苍老的声音继续传入耳朵，里面却充满了忿恨之色：“原本我们说好的，互相扶持，若有朝一日，你能够达到举霞飞升的实力，老夫也可以重塑身体，恢复前世的无上魔力，怎么，你如今翅膀硬了，就想要食言而肥？”
The old voice continued, laced with resentment: "We agreed to support each other. If one day you reach the strength to ascend into the clouds, I can also rebuild my body and restore my supreme demonic power from my past life. How is it that now your wings are hardened, and you wish to break our agreement?"
“ shí yán ér féi ， zhēn shì è rén xiān gào zhuàng ， táng táng zhēn xiān ， jìng rú cǐ wú chǐ 。”
“食言而肥，真是恶人先告状，堂堂真仙，竟如此无耻。”
"Breaking an agreement for personal gain—truly a wicked man complaining first. A true immortal should not be so shameless."
“ zhēn xiān ， nǐ shuō shén me ， wǒ tīng bù dǒng 。”
“真仙，你说什么，我听不懂。”
"What did you say? I don't understand."
“ hēng ， shì yǐ zhì cǐ ， yì fù nín lǎo rén jiā yòu hé bì jì xù wěi zhuāng xià qù ， nán dào nǐ rèn wéi hái kě yǐ jì xù qiǎo yán lìng sè ， mēng piàn yú wǒ ？” tián xiǎo jiàn bīng lěng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， zhè yì fù de chēng hū ， gèng shì chōng mǎn le cháo fěng 。
“哼，事已至此，义父您老人家又何必继续伪装下去，难道你认为还可以继续巧言令色，蒙骗于我？”田小剑冰冷的声音传入耳朵，这义父的称呼，更是充满了嘲讽。
"Hmph. With the situation as it stands, why continue this pretense, Father? Do you think you can still deceive me with your smooth talk?"
nà cāng lǎo de shēng yīn xiàn rù le chén mò 。
那苍老的声音陷入了沉默。
Field Sword's voice was cold and icy: "Father, what a mocking tone!"
zú zú guò le yī zhǎn chá de gōng fu ， cái shū le kǒu qì 。
足足过了一盏茶的功夫，才舒了口气。
The old voice fell silent.
“ nǐ shì shén me shí hòu fā xiàn dì ？”
“你是什么时候发现地？”
After a long while, it sighed in relief. "When did you discover my presence?"
tián xiǎo jiàn xiào le ：“ zhè me shuō ， nǐ chéng rèn le 。”
田小剑笑了：“这么说，你承认了。”
Field Sword smiled: "So you admit it."
“ bù chéng rèn yòu rú hé ， nǐ jì rán rèn dìng wǒ shì zhēn xiān ， nà fǒu rèn yòu yǒu shén me yì yì ？” cāng lǎo de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， méi yǒu le huì nù ， què dài zhe yī sī wǎn xī ， yuán běn jù lí zì jǐ de jì huà ， zhǐ shèng xià yī bù zhī yáo ér yǐ 。
“不承认又如何，你既然认定我是真仙，那否认又有什么意义？”苍老的声音传入耳朵，没有了恚怒，却带着一丝惋惜，原本距离自己的计划，只剩下一步之遥而已。
"Not admitting it would make no difference. Since you've deemed me a true immortal, denying it is meaningless," the old voice said, devoid of anger but tinged with regret. It was just one step away from achieving its plan.
“ zhè hái yǒu jǐ fēn qì dù ， rú guǒ nǐ yì zhí shǐ kǒu fǒu rèn jiù tài ràng wǒ shī wàng le 。”
“这还有几分气度，如果你一直矢口否认就太让我失望了。”
"This still shows some dignity. If you had denied it all along, I'd be disappointed."
“ xiǎo zi ， wǒ què shí xiǎo kàn le nǐ ， méi xiǎng dào yī xià jiè de cún zài ， xīn sī què rú cǐ zhěn mì ， nǐ jiū jìng shì shén me shí hòu fā xiàn wǒ bú shì mó zú dà tǒng lǐng fēn hún ， ér shì zhēn xiān dì ？”
“小子，我确实小看了你，没想到一下界的存在，心思却如此缜密，你究竟是什么时候发现我不是魔族大统领分魂，而是真仙地？”
"Youth, I underestimated you. I didn't expect an entity from beyond the mortal realm to have such meticulous thoughts. When did you realize that my soul wasn't a fragment of the demonic Grand Commander but a true immortal's?"
“ hēi hēi ， zhè hái yào tuō lín xiǎo zi de fú 。”
“嘿嘿，这还要托林小子的福。”
"Ha, this is thanks to Lin Xiao."
“ lín xuān ， zhè yǔ tā yòu yǒu shén me guān xì ？” nà cāng lǎo de shēng yīn mǎn shì chà yì 。
“林轩，这与他又有什么关系？”那苍老的声音满是诧异。
"Lin Xuan, what does he have to do with it?" The old voice was filled with surprise.
“ wǒ gàn má yào duì nǐ shuō ， zǒng ér yán zhī ， wǒ fā xiàn le nǐ de bù tuǒ ， nǐ bìng fēi mó zú dà tǒng lǐng de fēn hún ， ér shì zhēn xiān de hún pò 。 zhì yú jiǔ shèng zhēn mó gōng ， kǒng pà shì nǐ cóng sǐ qù de dà tǒng lǐng nà lǐ suǒ de ， rán hòu zài zhuǎn shòu yú wǒ 。”
“我干嘛要对你说，总而言之，我发现了你的不妥，你并非魔族大统领的分魂，而是真仙的魂魄。至于九圣真魔功，恐怕是你从死去的大统领那里所得，然后再转授于我。”
"Why should I tell you? In any case, I discovered your inconsistency. You are not a fragment of the demonic Grand Commander; rather, you are a true immortal's soul. As for the Nine Holy True Demonic Techniques, they likely came from the deceased Grand Commander and were then passed on to me."
“ bù cuò 。”
“不错。”
"Indeed."
shì yǐ zhì cǐ ， nà cāng lǎo de shēng yīn yě jiù hěn tǎn rán de chéng rèn le 。
事已至此，那苍老的声音也就很坦然的承认了。
With everything said, the old voice admitted openly: "For these thousand years, you have indeed taken care of me, guiding me in my cultivation to avoid detours. But your intentions weren't good; you merely wanted me to be a sacrificial lamb for you."
“ zhè qiān nián yǐ lái ， nǐ què shí duì wǒ bǎi bān zhào fú ， jiào wǒ zài xiū xíng zhī zhōng shǎo zǒu wān lù ， dàn nǐ bìng fēi ān zhe shén me hǎo yì ， bù guò shì xiǎng yào wǒ wèi nǐ zuò nà jià yī 。”
“这千年以来，你确实对我百般照拂，教我在修行之中少走弯路，但你并非安着什么好意，不过是想要我为你做那嫁衣。”
"Sacrificial lamb? Where do you get such an idea, Sword?"
“ zuò jià yī ， jiàn ér nǐ hé chù cǐ yǔ ？”
“做嫁衣，剑儿你何处此语？”
Now the old voice used this term with mockery.
rú jīn nà cāng lǎo de shēng yīn zài zuò cǐ chēng hū míng xiǎn dài zhe tiáo kǎn zhī yì 。
如今那苍老的声音再做此称呼明显带着调侃之意。
"If I truly reach the strength comparable to the demonic Grand Commander of yore, my soul might finally achieve perfection on the day I take over your body."
“ ruò wǒ zhēn xiū liàn dào néng yǔ dāng nián mó zú dà tǒng lǐng xiāng bǐ ， kǒng pà gōng dé yuán mǎn zhī shí 。 yě jiù shì nǐ duì wǒ duó shě zhī rì 。”
“若我真修炼到能与当年魔族大统领相比，恐怕功德圆满之时。也就是你对我夺舍之日。”
Field Sword's eyes gleamed with excitement. "That makes sense. You are indeed remarkable, far surpassing my expectations. I admit that I underestimated you. But isn't it strange? If I am a true immortal, why hide my identity and strength? Wouldn’t it be better to teach me the secrets of the celestial realm directly?"
tián xiǎo jiàn de mù guāng zhōng shǎn dòng zhe yì sè ， xiǎn rán xīn qíng yě shì pǒ wèi jī dòng de 。
田小剑的目光中闪动着异色，显然心情也是颇为激动的。
"I have puzzled over this. Please enlighten me, Father."
“ yán zhī yǒu lǐ ， jiàn ér nǐ guǒ rán liǎo de ， yuǎn chāo lǎo fū xiǎng xiàng xǔ duō ， wǒ chéng rèn ， dāng chū shì xiǎo kàn nǐ le ， dàn nǐ bù jué dé qí guài me ， ruò wǒ zhēn de shì zhēn xiān zhī yī ， yòu hé bì yǐn cáng zì jǐ de shēn fèn shí lì 。 zhí jiē dà dà fāng fāng jiào nǐ xiān jiè mì shù ， bù gèng hǎo me ， rú jīn nǐ yī shēn mó gōng ， jiù suàn wǒ jiāng nǐ duó shě 。 yòu yǒu shén me hǎo chù ， qǐ bù shì zuò jiǎn zì fù ？”
“言之有理，剑儿你果然了得，远超老夫想象许多，我承认，当初是小看你了，但你不觉得奇怪么，若我真的是真仙之一，又何必隐藏自己的身份实力。直接大大方方教你仙界秘术，不更好么，如今你一身魔功，就算我将你夺舍。又有什么好处，岂不是作茧自缚？”
Field Sword smiled.
“ zhè wǒ què rán bǎi sī bù dé qí jiě ， hái qǐng yì fù jiě huò 。”
“这我确然百思不得其解，还请义父解惑。”
"Rarely do you call me Father. Fine, let's make you a clear-headed ghost." The old voice continued: "Actually, I didn't deceive you entirely about my identity. I misled you by half."
tián xiǎo jiàn wēi xiào zhe shuō 。
田小剑微笑着说。
"Half?"
“ nán dé nǐ hái jiào wǒ yì fù ， hǎo ba 。 lǎo fū jiù ràng nǐ zuò yí gè míng bái guǐ hǎo le 。” cāng lǎo de shēng yīn zài cì chuán chū ：“ qí shí nǐ shuō lǎo fū yú shēn fèn yī shì shàng piàn nǐ ， yě bù jìn rán ， wǒ zuì duō zhǐ piàn le nǐ yí bàn 。”
“难得你还叫我义父，好吧。老夫就让你做一个明白鬼好了。”苍老的声音再次传出：“其实你说老夫于身份一事上骗你，也不尽然，我最多只骗了你一半。”
"Yes. Originally, I had some connection to the demonic Grand Commander. In that battle at the North Pole, three true immortals died or were injured, and one of them was me—Dharma Title withered prosperity."
“ yí bàn ？”
“一半？”
"Withered prosperity?"
“ bù cuò 。 lǎo fū yuán běn jiù yǔ mó zú dà tǒng lǐng yǒu zhe qiān sī wàn lǚ de qiān lián ， dāng chū běi jí yuán guāng diàn yī zhàn ， sān wèi zhēn xiān yī sǐ liǎng shāng ， lǎo fū biàn shì qí zhōng yí gè ， dào hào kū róng shàng xiān 。”
“不错。老夫原本就与魔族大统领有着千丝万缕的牵连，当初北极元光殿一战，三位真仙一死两伤，老夫便是其中一个，道号枯荣上仙。”
"That's related to my cultivation techniques. No need to elaborate now. Back then, severely wounded, I sought a quiet place for recovery alongside companions. But that demonic Grand Commander came looking for us. After a fierce battle, we both perished, and the small interface was destroyed. I ended up in the mortal realm as Penglai Mountain."
“ kū róng ？”
“枯荣？”
"What? You three all died?"
“ bù cuò ， zhè yǔ wǒ xiū liàn de gōng fǎ dà yǒu guān xì ， zhè lǐ yě bù bì duì nǐ xiáng tán ， dāng nián wǒ shēn shòu zhòng shāng ， yǔ tóng bàn xiǎng yào xún zhǎo yī pì jìng de dì fāng xiū yǎng ， nǎ zhī dào nà mó zú dà tǒng lǐng què zhǎo shàng mén lái ， yī fān dà zhàn ， què shì tóng guī yú jìn de jié guǒ ， lián suǒ zài de xiǎo jiè miàn yì bèi huǐ qù ， luò dào xià jiè ， shì wèi péng lái shān 。”
“不错，这与我修炼的功法大有关系，这里也不必对你详谈，当年我身受重伤，与同伴想要寻找一僻静的地方修养，哪知道那魔族大统领却找上门来，一番大战，却是同归于尽的结果，连所在的小界面亦被毁去，落到下界，是为蓬莱山。”
"Yes, but my companion's soul was completely destroyed, while the demonic Grand Commander's body and essence were annihilated, leaving his soul barely intact."
“ shén me ， nǐ men sān rén tóng guī yú jìn le ？”
“什么，你们三人同归于尽了？”
"Then what happened afterward?"
“ bù cuò ， zhǐ bù guò wǒ nà tóng bàn shì shén hún jǐn huǐ ， ér wǒ mó zú dà tǒng lǐng ， sān rén ròu shēn yuán yīng jǐn jiē yǔn luò ， hǎo dǎi hún pò què yī xī shàng cún zhe 。”
“不错，只不过我那同伴是神魂尽毁，而我魔族大统领，三人肉身元婴尽皆陨落，好歹魂魄却一息尚存着。”
"Afterward, hahaha... I didn't want to continue fighting. After all, it would only lead to a soul-shattering outcome. But that demonic Grand Commander was mad. With just a fragment of his soul left, he still tried to bite me."
“ hòu lái rú hé ？”
“后来如何？”
"Bite you?"
“ hòu lái ， hēi hēi …… lǎo fū zì rán shì bù xiǎng zài dǎ xià qù ， bì jìng nà zhǐ huì luò de yí gè hún fēi pò sàn de jié jú ， kě nà mó zú dà tǒng lǐng què shì fēng zi ， míng míng zhǐ shèng xià yī lǚ hún pò ， què guò lái yǎo wǒ 。”
“后来，嘿嘿……老夫自然是不想再打下去，毕竟那只会落得一个魂飞魄散的结局，可那魔族大统领却是疯子，明明只剩下一缕魂魄，却过来咬我。”
Field Sword was stunned before realizing: "You mean soul consumption?"
“ yǎo nǐ ？”
“咬你？”
"Yes, that fellow's bravery is commendable, but he lacked strategy and was foolish. His strength might be formidable, but as a true immortal, I would have more spiritual power than him."
tián xiǎo jiàn yī dāi ， suí jí xǐng wù guò lái ：“ nǐ shì shuō hún pò tūn shì me ？”
田小剑一呆，随即醒悟过来：“你是说魂魄吞噬么？”
"So you took advantage of the situation, consumed his soul, gained his memories, and thus could teach me the Nine Holy True Demonic Techniques."
“ bù cuò ， nà jiā huo de yǒng měng bù bì shuō ， kě xī què shì yǒu yǒng wú móu de chǔn huò ， tā shí lì suī rán bù sú ， dàn lǎo fū bì jìng shì zhēn xiān ， zěn me shuō ， shén hún zhī lì yě huì bǐ tā duō shàng yì diǎn 。”
“不错，那家伙的勇猛不必说，可惜却是有勇无谋的蠢货，他实力虽然不俗，但老夫毕竟是真仙，怎么说，神魂之力也会比他多上一点。”
"Indeed. But I chose to do so because your body is that of a true demon, making this technique easier for you to master."
“ suǒ yǐ nǐ jiāng jì jiù jì ， tūn shì le mó zú dà tǒng lǐng de hún pò ， huò dé le tā de jì yì ， guài shuō bù dé néng gòu jiào wǒ jiǔ shèng zhēn mó gōng le 。”
“所以你将计就计，吞噬了魔族大统领的魂魄，获得了他的记忆，怪说不得能够教我九圣真魔功了。”
"After I achieve perfection, you can take over my body."
“ bù cuò ， dàn lǎo fū zhī suǒ yǐ zuò chū zhè yàng de xuǎn zé ， hái shì yīn wèi nǐ shì zhēn mó zhī tǐ ， xiū liàn cǐ gōng fǎ shì bàn gōng bèi 。”
“不错，但老夫之所以做出这样的选择，还是因为你是真魔之体，修炼此功法事半功倍。”
"Correct, but it's still one step short," the old voice said with frustration.
“ rán hòu yí dàn wǒ xiū liàn dào gōng dé yuán mǎn ， nǐ jiù kě yǐ fǎn kè wéi zhǔ ， jiāng wǒ duó shě 。”
“然后一旦我修炼到功德圆满，你就可以反客为主，将我夺舍。”
"Hmm, indeed, if my strength cannot match the demonic Grand Commander from before, this body wouldn't be able to withstand your spiritual power. Thus, you made a critical mistake."
“ bù cuò ， kě xī hái shì chà le zuì hòu yī bù 。” nà cāng lǎo de shēng yīn ào nǎo de shuō 。
“不错，可惜还是差了最后一步。”那苍老的声音懊恼的说。
"A critical mistake, young Field, you're too smug."
“ hēng ， què rán chà le yì diǎn ， rú guǒ wǒ de shí lì bù néng yǔ xī rì mó zú dà tǒng lǐng xiāng bǐ ， zhè jù shēn tǐ xiǎng bì gēn běn jiù chéng shòu bù liǎo nǐ de shén hún zhī lì ， suǒ yǐ nǐ qí chà yī zhe 。”
“哼，确然差了一点，如果我的实力不能与昔日魔族大统领相比，这具身体想必根本就承受不了你的神魂之力，所以你棋差一着。”
The old voice cackled: "I admit I was thwarted in my plan, but don't think I will let you manipulate me. Remember, with the demonic Grand Commander's strength and true demon body, taking over your soul carries risks, but it's better than doing nothing. I won't allow a thousand years of effort to be wasted."
“ qí chà yī zhe ， xìng tián de xiǎo jiā huo ， nǐ tài dé yì le 。”
“棋差一着，姓田的小家伙，你太得意了。”
Just as he spoke, "bang" sounded in his ears. Behind Field Sword appeared a swirling mass of clouds.
nà cāng lǎo de shēng yīn què jié jié de guài xiào qǐ lái le ：“ wǒ chéng rèn ， nǐ pò huài le wǒ de jì huà ， dàn nǐ bú huì rèn wéi ， lǎo fū huì rèn nǐ bǎi bù ， bié wàng le ， nǐ rú jīn yǐ yǒu mó zú dà tǒng lǐng jiǔ chéng de shí lì ， yòu shì zhēn mó zhī tǐ ， duó shě nǐ ， suī rán yào mào yí dìng de fēng xiǎn ， dàn bù guǎn rú hé ， zǒng shèng guò bái máng huó ， lǎo fū shì bú huì rèn zhè qiān nián de xīn kǔ ， fù zhū dōng liú de 。”
那苍老的声音却桀桀的怪笑起来了：“我承认，你破坏了我的计划，但你不会认为，老夫会任你摆布，别忘了，你如今已有魔族大统领九成的实力，又是真魔之体，夺舍你，虽然要冒一定的风险，但不管如何，总胜过白忙活，老夫是不会任这千年的辛苦，付诸东流的。”
The cloud expanded into an old face. No, not exactly old; it was a strange face with one side smooth and rosy, while the other was dry and ancient-looking.
huà yīn wèi luò ，“ pēng ” de yī shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， tián xiǎo jiàn de shēn tǐ hòu miàn ， jū rán mào chū yī tuán yīn yūn de xiá wù 。
话音未落，“嘭”的一声传入耳朵，田小剑的身体后面，居然冒出一团氤氲的霞物。
This was the true form of Withered Prosperity.
suí hòu nà yún xiá kuò zhǎn kāi ， huàn huà chū yī cāng lǎo de róng yán 。
随后那云霞扩展开，幻化出一苍老的容颜。
With a sinister expression, he lunged at Field Sword.
bù ， bú shì cāng lǎo ， ér shì yī zhāng hěn qí guài de rén liǎn ， yī biān jī fū guāng jié rú yù ， qì xuè bǎo mǎn ， lìng wài yī biān ， què shì qì xuè gān kū ， cāng lǎo dào le jí diǎn 。
不，不是苍老，而是一张很奇怪的人脸，一边肌肤光洁如玉，气血饱满，另外一边，却是气血干枯，苍老到了极点。
Field Sword would not sit idly by. He flicked his sleeves, revealing seven-colored ice fire that formed a wall of flames in front of him.
bú yòng shuō ， zhè jiù shì kū róng shàng xiān de zhēn miàn mù 。
不用说，这就是枯荣上仙的真面目。
However, Withered Prosperity ignored it and charged into the fiery sea, as if the strange fire that had incinerated tens of thousands of demonic elites was useless against him.
tā de liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī níng sè ， è hěn hěn de xiàng zhe tián xiǎo jiàn pū guò qù le 。
他的脸上露出一丝狞色，恶狠狠的向着田小剑扑过去了。
"Fool, I taught you this secret technique. You use it against me—don't you think that's too foolish?"
tián xiǎo jiàn zì rán bú huì zuò yǐ dài bì ， xiù páo yī shuǎi ， qī sè xuán bīng huǒ fú xiàn chū lái ， huà wèi yī dǔ huǒ qiáng ， dǎng yú shēn qián 。
田小剑自然不会坐以待毙，袖袍一甩，七色玄冰火浮现出来，化为一堵火墙，挡于身前。
As he spoke, the face transformed from a soul to rush three feet in front of Field Sword.
"Good, I am but a fragment of the former Grand Commander's spirit. Weak beyond measure, yet fortunate enough to retain all his memories. Otherwise, why would you have clung to me?"
The old voice continued, laced with resentment: "We agreed to support each other. If one day you reach the strength to ascend into the clouds, I can also rebuild my body and restore my supreme demonic power from my past life. How is it that now your wings are hardened, and you wish to break our agreement?"
"Breaking an agreement for personal gain—truly a wicked man complaining first. A true immortal should not be so shameless."
"What did you say? I don't understand."
"Hmph. With the situation as it stands, why continue this pretense, Father? Do you think you can still deceive me with your smooth talk?"
Field Sword's voice was cold and icy: "Father, what a mocking tone!"
The old voice fell silent.
After a long while, it sighed in relief. "When did you discover my presence?"
"Me?"
Field Sword smiled: "So you admit it."
"Not admitting it would make no difference. Since you've deemed me a true immortal, denying it is meaningless," the old voice said, devoid of anger but tinged with regret. It was just one step away from achieving its plan.
"This still shows some dignity. If you had denied it all along, I'd be disappointed."
"Youth, I underestimated you. I didn't expect an entity from beyond the mortal realm to have such meticulous thoughts. When did you realize that my soul wasn't a fragment of the demonic Grand Commander but a true immortal's?"
"Ha, this is thanks to Lin Xiao."
"Lin Xuan, what does he have to do with it?" The old voice was filled with surprise.
"Why should I tell you? In any case, I discovered your inconsistency. You are not a fragment of the demonic Grand Commander; rather, you are a true immortal's soul. As for the Nine Holy True Demonic Techniques, they likely came from the deceased Grand Commander and were then passed on to me."
"Indeed."
With everything said, the old voice admitted openly: "For these thousand years, you have indeed taken care of me, guiding me in my cultivation to avoid detours. But your intentions weren't good; you merely wanted me to be a sacrificial lamb for you."
"Sacrificial lamb? Where do you get such an idea, Sword?"
Now the old voice used this term with mockery.
"If I truly reach the strength comparable to the demonic Grand Commander of yore, my soul might finally achieve perfection on the day I take over your body."
Field Sword's eyes gleamed with excitement. "That makes sense. You are indeed remarkable, far surpassing my expectations. I admit that I underestimated you. But isn't it strange? If I am a true immortal, why hide my identity and strength? Wouldn’t it be better to teach me the secrets of the celestial realm directly?"
"I have puzzled over this. Please enlighten me, Father."
Field Sword smiled.
"Rarely do you call me Father. Fine, let's make you a clear-headed ghost." The old voice continued: "Actually, I didn't deceive you entirely about my identity. I misled you by half."
"Half?"
"Yes. Originally, I had some connection to the demonic Grand Commander. In that battle at the North Pole, three true immortals died or were injured, and one of them was me—Dharma Title withered prosperity."
"Withered prosperity?"
"That's related to my cultivation techniques. No need to elaborate now. Back then, severely wounded, I sought a quiet place for recovery alongside companions. But that demonic Grand Commander came looking for us. After a fierce battle, we both perished, and the small interface was destroyed. I ended up in the mortal realm as Penglai Mountain."
"What? You three all died?"
"Yes, but my companion's soul was completely destroyed, while the demonic Grand Commander's body and essence were annihilated, leaving his soul barely intact."
"Then what happened afterward?"
"Afterward, hahaha... I didn't want to continue fighting. After all, it would only lead to a soul-shattering outcome. But that demonic Grand Commander was mad. With just a fragment of his soul left, he still tried to bite me."
"Bite you?"
Field Sword was stunned before realizing: "You mean soul consumption?"
"Yes, that fellow's bravery is commendable, but he lacked strategy and was foolish. His strength might be formidable, but as a true immortal, I would have more spiritual power than him."
"So you took advantage of the situation, consumed his soul, gained his memories, and thus could teach me the Nine Holy True Demonic Techniques."
"Indeed. But I chose to do so because your body is that of a true demon, making this technique easier for you to master."
"After I achieve perfection, you can take over my body."
"Correct, but it's still one step short," the old voice said with frustration.
"Hmm, indeed, if my strength cannot match the demonic Grand Commander from before, this body wouldn't be able to withstand your spiritual power. Thus, you made a critical mistake."
"A critical mistake, young Field, you're too smug."
The old voice cackled: "I admit I was thwarted in my plan, but don't think I will let you manipulate me. Remember, with the demonic Grand Commander's strength and true demon body, taking over your soul carries risks, but it's better than doing nothing. I won't allow a thousand years of effort to be wasted."
Just as he spoke, "bang" sounded in his ears. Behind Field Sword appeared a swirling mass of clouds.
The cloud expanded into an old face. No, not exactly old; it was a strange face with one side smooth and rosy, while the other was dry and ancient-looking.
This was the true form of Withered Prosperity.
With a sinister expression, he lunged at Field Sword.
Field Sword would not sit idly by. He flicked his sleeves, revealing seven-colored ice fire that formed a wall of flames in front of him.
However, Withered Prosperity ignored it and charged into the fiery sea, as if the strange fire that had incinerated tens of thousands of demonic elites was useless against him.
"Fool, I taught you this secret technique. You use it against me—don't you think that's too foolish?"
As he spoke, the face transformed from a soul to rush three feet in front of Field Sword.