ér zài lín xuān bì guān de zhè duàn shí jiān ， zhào guó yǎn zhōu de xiū zhēn jiè què fā shēng le dà biàn ， qǐ yīn shì liǎng gè xiū zhēn jiā zú de máo dùn 。
而在林轩闭关的这段时间，赵国兖州的修真界却发生了大变，起因是两个修真家族的矛盾。
During the time Lin Xuan was sequestered, significant changes occurred in the cultivation world of Zhao State's Yanzhou region. The root cause was a conflict between two cultivation families.
yàn jiā hé wāng jiā ！
燕家和汪家！
The Yan family and the Wang family!
wāng jiā zhǐ zé yàn tiān héng shā rén qiǎng bǎo ， bàn lù fú jī le tā men de dì zǐ 。
汪家指责燕天衡杀人抢宝，半路伏击了他们的弟子。
The Wang family accused Yan Tianheng of murder and robbery, alleging that he ambushed their disciples on the way.
ér yàn jiā yīn wèi jiā zhǔ shī zōng ， què fǎn guò lái huái yí yàn tiān héng qí shí shì zāo le wāng jiā de dú shǒu 。
而燕家因为家主失踪，却反过来怀疑燕天衡其实是遭了汪家的毒手。
In response, the Yan family suspected that Yan Tianheng had actually been poisoned by the Wang family due to the disappearance of their patriarch.
shuāng fāng gè zhí yī cí ， zhēng zhí bù xiū ……
双方各执一词，争执不休……
Both sides held firm positions, arguing endlessly...
yīn wèi yàn tiān héng zǎo yǐ sǐ zài le lín xuān de shǒu zhōng ， suǒ yǐ cǐ shì de zhēn xiàng jiū jìng rú hé ， shuāng fāng zài dǎ kǒu shuǐ zhàng ， yě dǎ bù chū gè jié guǒ 。
因为燕天衡早已死在了林轩的手中，所以此事的真相究竟如何，双方再打口水仗，也打不出个结果。
Since Yan Tianheng was already dead at Lin Xuan's hands, the truth of the matter remained unclear. No amount of verbal sparring could resolve it.
yuán běn suī rán hé sàn xiū xiāng bǐ ， xiū xiān jiā zú yǒu xiē shì lì ， dàn yǐng xiǎng lì yě shì shí fēn yǒu xiàn ， kě piān piān zhè liǎng gè jiā zú bèi hòu ， dōu hái yǒu yí gè zōng pài zuò wèi * shān 。
原本虽然和散修相比，修仙家族有些势力，但影响力也是十分有限，可偏偏这两个家族背后，都还有一个宗派做为*山。
Although cultivation families generally had some influence compared to lone cultivators, their power was still limited. However, both these families were backed by a sect as their *mountain*.
wāng jiā de zǔ xiān céng shì piāo yún gǔ zhǎng lǎo ， xiàn zài suī zì lì mén hù ， dàn yī rán yǒu xiāng huǒ zhī qíng ， ér yàn tiān héng de èr nǚ ér ， zé shì huǒ líng mén wéi yī yī wèi níng dān qī xiū shì shí fēn chǒng ài de xiǎo qiè 。
汪家的祖先曾是飘云谷长老，现在虽自立门户，但依然有香火之情，而燕天衡的二女儿，则是火灵门唯一一位凝丹期修士十分宠爱的小妾。
The ancestors of the Wang family once served as elders in Drifting Cloud Valley, and although they now operate independently, there is still a connection through ancestral ties. Yan Tianheng's second daughter, on the other hand, was a favored concubine to the only condensation core stage cultivator at Fire Spirit Sect.
yǒu le zhè céng guān xì ， jiā shàng huǒ líng mén yǔ piāo yún gǔ yì zhí zhēng duó yǎn zhōu xiū zhēn jiè bà zhǔ de dì wèi ， běn jiù yǒu xián xì ， zhǐ bù guò hù xiāng gù jì ， píng shí jiāng bù mǎn yā le xià lái 。
有了这层关系，加上火灵门与飘云谷一直争夺兖州修真界霸主的地位，本就有嫌隙，只不过互相顾忌，平时将不满压了下来。
With this relationship, coupled with the long-standing rivalry between Fire Spirit Sect and Drifting Cloud Valley for dominance in Yanzhou's cultivation world, tensions had simmered beneath the surface. Now that each side was protecting its own interests, the other major sects in the region could not stay out of it. Some allied with Fire Spirit Sect while others maintained old ties with Drifting Cloud Valley, forming two opposing alliances.
xiàn zài dāng rán gè zì hù duǎn ， liǎng dà jù tóu yī dòng ， yǎn zhōu de qí tā mén pài zì rán bù kě néng dú shàn qí shēn le ， yǒu de yǔ huǒ líng mén jiāo hǎo ， yǒu de yǔ piāo yún gǔ yǒu jiù ， xíng chéng le liǎng dà duì zhì de lián méng 。
现在当然各自护短，两大巨头一动，兖州的其他门派自然不可能独善其身了，有的与火灵门交好，有的与飘云谷有旧，形成了两大对峙的联盟。
Initially, they engaged in verbal sparring. Then, their affiliated cultivation families began to clash. Thankfully, no major battles broke out among the major sects. However, over two years, things did not improve; instead, they escalated further.
qǐ chū hái shì dǎ kǒu shuǐ zhàng ， jiē zhe shì yī fù tā men de xiū xiān jiā zú kāi shǐ huǒ bìng ， hǎo zài gè dà mén pài dǎo shì méi yǒu dòng shǒu ， rán ér xiàn zài liǎng nián de shí jiān guò qù le ， shì qíng bù jǐn méi yǒu sī háo hǎo zhuǎn ， fǎn ér yù yǎn yù liè le 。
起初还是打口水仗，接着是依附他们的修仙家族开始火并，好在各大门派倒是没有动手，然而现在两年的时间过去了，事情不仅没有丝毫好转，反而愈演愈烈了。
The conflict between the Yan and Wang families was merely a catalyst. Now, Drifting Cloud Valley and Fire Spirit Sect were leading two large alliances of cultivators into direct confrontation.
yàn jiā hé wāng jiā de máo dùn jǐn jǐn shì dǎo huǒ suǒ ， xiàn zài zé shì yǐ piāo yún gǔ hé huǒ líng mén wéi shǒu de liǎng dà xiū zhēn lián méng zhēn de káng shàng le 。
燕家和汪家的矛盾仅仅是导火索，现在则是以飘云谷和火灵门为首的两大修真联盟真的扛上了。
However, both sides refrained from all-out war, as their strength was roughly equal. A full-scale battle would only result in mutual destruction, with neither side gaining any advantage.
bù guò shuāng fāng dào yě méi yǒu wú suǒ gù jì de dà dǎ chū shǒu ， bì jìng shuāng fāng de shí lì chà bu duō ， zhēn de dà guī mó huǒ bìng de huà zhǐ néng shì liǎng bài jù shāng ， shuí yě dé bú dào hǎo chù 。
不过双方倒也没有无所顾忌的大打出手，毕竟双方的实力差不多，真的大规模火并的话只能是两败俱伤，谁也得不到好处。
The high-ranking cultivators on both sides were not fools; they hated and despised each other, but they valued their lives too much to risk it!
shuāng fāng de gāo jiē xiū shì yě bú shì shǎ guā ， chóu guī chóu ， hèn guī hèn ， dàn zhè xiē xiū zhēn zhě gèng zhēn xī zì jǐ de xiǎo mìng a ！
双方的高阶修士也不是傻瓜，仇归仇，恨归恨，但这些修真者更珍惜自己的小命啊！
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shuāng fāng cǎi yòng de shì xiāo hào zhàn de fāng fǎ 。
双方采用的是消耗战的方法。
Both sides employed a strategy of attrition.
shén me shì xiāo hào zhàn ne ？
什么是消耗战呢？
What is an attrition war?
zhè yào cóng xiū zhēn jiè de chuán tǒng jiǎng qǐ ， rén men zhuī qiú xiān dào yě yǒu shù wàn nián de lì shǐ ， zhè qí jiān yě yǒu bù shǎo dà dà xiǎo xiǎo de mén pài fā shēng chōng tū 。
这要从修真界的传统讲起，人们追求仙道也有数万年的历史，这其间也有不少大大小小的门派发生冲突。
This requires understanding the traditional methods in the cultivation world. The pursuit of immortality has a history spanning tens of thousands of years, during which many small and large sects have clashed.
chōng tū de xíng shì fēn liǎng zhǒng ， yī zhǒng shì bù sǐ bù xiū ， zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng yì bān fā shēng zài yī fāng qiáng ， lìng yī fāng ruò ， huò zhě shuāng fāng yǒu jiě bù kāi de xuè chóu zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng 。
冲突的形势分两种，一种是不死不休，这种情况一般发生在一方强，另一方弱，或者双方有解不开的血仇这种情况。
The forms of conflict can be categorized into two types: one where neither side backs down until one is completely defeated, typically occurring when one side is significantly stronger than the other or when there are deep-seated blood feuds. In such cases, they would gather all their forces for a decisive battle, killing so many that it darkens the sky and obscures the sun. The victorious side would then storm into the losing side's headquarters to finish them off.
jì rán bù gòng dài tiān ， nà yě jiù bù yòng zhē zhē yǎn yǎn ， zhí jiē jù jí qǐ suǒ yǒu xiū shì ， huǒ bìng ， shā dé shì tiān dì biàn sè ， rì yuè wú guāng ， rán hòu huò shèng de yī fāng chōng jìn duì fāng zǒng tán ， jiāng duì fāng shā gè jīng guāng 。
既然不共戴天，那也就不用遮遮掩掩，直接聚集起所有修士，火并，杀得是天地变色，日月无光，然后获胜的一方冲进对方总坛，将对方杀个精光。
This type of conflict is large-scale but short-lived, often concluding within months, leading to the downfall of one sect.
zhè zhǒng chōng tū guī mó hóng dà ， bù guò xiāo hào de shí jiān què duǎn ， tōng cháng shù yuè jiù néng fēn chū shèng fù ， yí gè mén pài cóng cǐ yǔn luò 。
这种冲突规模宏大，不过消耗的时间却短，通常数月就能分出胜负，一个门派从此陨落。
The other form is attrition warfare.
hái yǒu yī zhǒng jiù shì xiāo hào zhàn 。
还有一种就是消耗战。
This typically occurs when two equally matched sects have a significant dispute that isn't a matter of life and death. Neither side wants an all-out war nor a peaceful resolution; what do they do?
cǐ qíng kuàng tōng cháng fā shēng zài liǎng gè mén pài shí lì chà bu duō ， tóng shí máo dùn yě bìng fēi bù gòng dài tiān de sǐ chóu ， shuāng fāng dōu bù yuàn bù sǐ bù xiū ， dàn yě bù yuàn yì tán pàn shàn le ， nà zěn me bàn ne ？
此情况通常发生在两个门派实力差不多，同时矛盾也并非不共戴天的死仇，双方都不愿不死不休，但也不愿意谈判善了，那怎么办呢？
They drag it out, fighting slowly over time.
tuō zhe ， màn màn dǎ bei ！
拖着，慢慢打呗！
In such cases, they would declare the other sect and its allies as enemies, killing them on sight without attacking their headquarters. Essentially, they wouldn't attack each other's main bases but would hunt down individual members of the opposing side.
zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng xià ， shuāng fāng bú huì jù jí xiū shì ， dà guī mó xiè dòu ， shèn zhì gāo jiē xiū shì dòu fǎ huǒ bìng de jī huì yě shǎo 。
这种情况下，双方不会聚集修士，大规模械斗，甚至高阶修士斗法火并的机会也少。
This type of fight doesn't cause serious harm but is incredibly resource-consuming. Cultivation experts from both sides might engage in minor skirmishes or use low-grade talismans to harass each other.
jù tǐ de zuò fǎ shì xuān bù duì fāng de mén pài jí qí méng yǒu ， shì zì jǐ zhè biān de dí rén le ， jiàn zhe yǐ hòu ， shā wú shè 。
具体的做法是宣布对方的门派及其盟友，是自己这边的敌人了，见着以后，杀无赦。
Historically, two hostile sects could engage in such small-scale conflicts for thousands of years, spanning generations. High-ranking cultivators might not die many, but the number of lower-ranked cultivators killed over the years could reach into the tens of thousands.
yě jiù shì shuō ， tā men bú huì gōng jī duì fāng zǒng tán ， zhǐ shì hù xiāng liè shā duì fāng luò dān de xiū shì 。
也就是说，他们不会攻击对方总坛，只是互相猎杀对方落单的修士。
Upon learning that Drifting Cloud Valley and Fire Spirit Sect were engaged in an attrition war, Lin Xuan's expression was grim. He nearly cursed out loud. The reason? With no attacks on each other's main bases, staying within their sects would be safe. However, once outside, they became targets at any moment.
zhè zhǒng dǎ dòu ， bú huì shāng jīn dòng gǔ ， rán ér xiāo hào de shí jiān ， què lìng rén zhà shé ， xiū zhēn jiè céng jīng chū xiàn ， liǎng gè dí shì de mén pài ， xiǎo dǎ xiǎo nào le shàng qiān nián ， mián yán shù dài ， gāo jiē xiū shì méi sǐ duō shǎo ， kě suì yuè yōu yōu ， zhè me duō nián lái bèi duì fāng liè shā de dī jiē xiū zhēn zhě ， què dá dào le shàng wàn zhī duō 。
这种打斗，不会伤筋动骨，然而消耗的时间，却令人乍舌，修真界曾经出现，两个敌视的门派，小打小闹了上千年，绵延数代，高阶修士没死多少，可岁月幽幽，这么多年来被对方猎杀的低阶修真者，却达到了上万之多。
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dāng dé zhī zì jǐ zhè biān de mén pài piāo yún gǔ yǔ huǒ líng mén fā shēng xiāo hào zhàn yǐ hòu ， lín xuān liǎn sè nán kàn dé yào sǐ ， chà diǎn pò kǒu dà mà qǐ lái ， yuán yīn wú tā ， xiāo hào zhàn yī kāi ， yóu yú hù bù gōng jī duì fāng de zǒng tán ， zhǐ yào duǒ zài mén pài lǐ miàn ， jiù ān quán wú yú ， kě yí dàn chū qù ， què huì biàn dé wēi xiǎn wú bǐ ， suí shí kě néng chéng wéi duì fāng de mù biāo ， liè shā duì xiàng 。
当得知自己这边的门派飘云谷与火灵门发生消耗战以后，林轩脸色难看得要死，差点破口大骂起来，原因无他，消耗战一开，由于互不攻击对方的总坛，只要躲在门派里面，就安全无虞，可一旦出去，却会变得危险无比，随时可能成为对方的目标，猎杀对象。
However, he had to venture out again.
kě xiàn zài zì jǐ yòu bù dé bù chū qù yī tàng 。
可现在自己又不得不出去一趟。
After reaching the peak of the Flexible Spirit Period, Lin Xuan's next goal was to successfully establish his foundation.
jìn rù líng dòng qī dà yuán mǎn jìng jiè yǐ hòu ， lín xuān jiē xià lái de mù biāo ， zì rán shì zhù jī chéng gōng 。
进入灵动期大圆满境界以后，林轩接下来的目标，自然是筑基成功。
Technically speaking, a cultivator in the Flexible Spirit Period wasn't truly an immortal; their lifespan remained similar to ordinary mortals. Only after establishing a foundation could they be considered true cultivators.
yán gé shuō lái ， líng dòng qī zhè yàng de dī jiē xiū shì ， bìng bù suàn zhēn zhèng tà rù le xiān dào ， tā men de shòu yuán ， yī rán hé pǔ tōng de fán rén chà bu duō ， zhǐ yǒu zhù jī yǐ hòu ， cái suàn shì zhēn zhèng de xiū zhēn zhě 。
严格说来，灵动期这样的低阶修士，并不算真正踏入了仙道，他们的寿元，依然和普通的凡人差不多，只有筑基以后，才算是真正的修真者。
But it wasn't easy. In Drifting Cloud Valley, only one-tenth of all disciples were at the Foundation Establishment stage, making it clear how difficult this was.
kě nǎ yǒu nà me róng yì ， fàng yǎn piāo yún gǔ ， zhù jī qī xiū shì yě jǐn yǒu suǒ yǒu dì zǐ shù liàng de shí fēn zhī yī ， qí nán dù kě xiǎng ér zhī 。
可哪有那么容易，放眼飘云谷，筑基期修士也仅有所有弟子数量的十分之一，其难度可想而知。
Although Lin Xuan had the ability to purify and consume large amounts of medicinal pills, the effects of these drugs weren't omnipotent. The pills he currently took still hadn't enabled him to establish a foundation.
lín xuān suī rán yǒu tí chún de běn lǐng ， kě yǐ dà liàng fú yòng dān yào ， kě yào lì bì jìng bú shì wàn néng de ， zhì shǎo tā xiàn zài fú yòng de zhè zhǒng ， hái bù zú yǐ lìng tā zhù jī chéng gōng 。
林轩虽然有提纯的本领，可以大量服用丹药，可药力毕竟不是万能的，至少他现在服用的这种，还不足以令他筑基成功。
In fact, the pills Lin Xuan consumed were already quite precious. After entering the peak stage, his cultivation power and the volume of Star Sea in his dantian had significantly increased. Even middle-grade pills could be purified now, let alone high-grade Essence Cleansing Pills.
qí shí lín xuān fú de yào yǐ jīng fēi cháng bǎo guì le ， jìn rù dà yuán mǎn zhī jìng yǐ hòu ， tā bù lùn shì fǎ lì hái shì dān tián nèi xīng hǎi de tǐ jī ， dōu yǔ yǐ qián bù kě tóng rì ér yǔ ， bié shuō zhōng pǐn dān ， shèn zhì lián shàng pǐn xǐ suǐ dān yě néng tí chún chū lái 。
其实林轩服的药已经非常宝贵了，进入大圆满之境以后，他不论是法力还是丹田内星海的体积，都与以前不可同日而语，别说中品丹，甚至连上品洗髓丹也能提纯出来。
For most cultivators, taking a high-grade pill and putting in some effort would easily lead to foundation establishment. Such pills were rare even among major sects, and ordinary cultivators would be overjoyed just from tasting a middle-grade pill.
rú guǒ huàn yí gè rén ， fú yòng shàng pǐn dān ， zài jiā shàng yí dìng de nǔ lì ， zhù jī shì hěn róng yì de shì ， bì jìng zhè yàng de dān yào ， biàn shì míng mén dà pài ， yě shǎo zhī yòu shǎo ， pǔ tōng de xiū shì ， zhè yī shēng néng chī dào zhōng pǐn dān ， jiù huì jī dòng dé rè lèi yíng kuàng 。
如果换一个人，服用上品丹，再加上一定的努力，筑基是很容易的事，毕竟这样的丹药，便是名门大派，也少之又少，普通的修士，这一生能吃到中品丹，就会激动得热泪盈眶。
However, Lin Xuan's situation was different. He was merely an ordinary person without a spirit root. Even with high-grade Essence Cleansing Pills and effort, he still couldn't establish his foundation.
rán ér lín xuān de qíng kuàng bù yí yàng ， tā jǐn jǐn shì yí gè méi yǒu líng gēn de pǔ tōng rén ér yǐ ， jiù suàn shì shàng pǐn xǐ suǐ dān ， jiā shàng nǔ lì ， yě tóng yàng bù zú yǐ lìng tā zhù jī 。
然而林轩的情况不一样，他仅仅是一个没有灵根的普通人而已，就算是上品洗髓丹，加上努力，也同样不足以令他筑基。
Initially, Lin Xuan wasn't discouraged. However, after failing dozens of times and reaching this conclusion, it left him feeling frustrated.
kāi shǐ ， lín xuān hái bù sǐ xīn ， dàn zài shī bài le shù shí cì ， dé chū zhè ge jié lùn yǐ hòu ， zhe shí lìng tā ào nǎo bù yǐ 。
开始，林轩还不死心，但在失败了数十次，得出这个结论以后，着实令他懊恼不已。
But Lin Xuan's mind far surpassed that of the average person; he would never give up. With a glimmer of hope, he even ventured to Heart Refinement Path, returning to the place with terrifying illusory realms but abundant qi. He took high-grade pills and attempted to push his foundation establishment again.
bù guò lín xuān xīn zhì yuǎn shèng cháng rén ， yǒng yuǎn yě bú huì fàng qì ， huái zhe yī sī xī wàng ， tā shèn zhì lián liàn xīn lù dōu qù le ， zài yí cì pǎo dào nà yōng yǒu kǒng bù huàn jìng ， què líng qì chōng zú de kě pà zhī dì ， fú yòng shàng pǐn dān xiàng zhù jī jìng jiè fā qǐ chōng jī 。
不过林轩心智远胜常人，永远也不会放弃，怀着一丝希望，他甚至连炼心路都去了，再一次跑到那拥有恐怖幻境，却灵气充足的可怕之地，服用上品丹像筑基境界发起冲击。
However, it simply didn't work. Human effort has its limits; no matter how hard Lin Xuan tried or how many high-grade pills he consumed, he still couldn't establish a foundation.
rán ér bù xíng jiù shì bù xíng ， rén lì yǒu shí ér jǐn ， lín xuān zài zěn me nǔ lì ， zài fú yòng duō shǎo shàng pǐn dān ， hái shì wú fǎ zhù jī 。
然而不行就是不行，人力有时而尽，林轩再怎么努力，再服用多少上品丹，还是无法筑基。
It seemed that the only hope left was...
During the time Lin Xuan was sequestered, significant changes occurred in the cultivation world of Zhao State's Yanzhou region. The root cause was a conflict between two cultivation families.
The Yan family and the Wang family!
The Wang family accused Yan Tianheng of murder and robbery, alleging that he ambushed their disciples on the way.
In response, the Yan family suspected that Yan Tianheng had actually been poisoned by the Wang family due to the disappearance of their patriarch.
Both sides held firm positions, arguing endlessly...
Since Yan Tianheng was already dead at Lin Xuan's hands, the truth of the matter remained unclear. No amount of verbal sparring could resolve it.
Although cultivation families generally had some influence compared to lone cultivators, their power was still limited. However, both these families were backed by a sect as their *mountain*.
The ancestors of the Wang family once served as elders in Drifting Cloud Valley, and although they now operate independently, there is still a connection through ancestral ties. Yan Tianheng's second daughter, on the other hand, was a favored concubine to the only condensation core stage cultivator at Fire Spirit Sect.
With this relationship, coupled with the long-standing rivalry between Fire Spirit Sect and Drifting Cloud Valley for dominance in Yanzhou's cultivation world, tensions had simmered beneath the surface. Now that each side was protecting its own interests, the other major sects in the region could not stay out of it. Some allied with Fire Spirit Sect while others maintained old ties with Drifting Cloud Valley, forming two opposing alliances.
Initially, they engaged in verbal sparring. Then, their affiliated cultivation families began to clash. Thankfully, no major battles broke out among the major sects. However, over two years, things did not improve; instead, they escalated further.
The conflict between the Yan and Wang families was merely a catalyst. Now, Drifting Cloud Valley and Fire Spirit Sect were leading two large alliances of cultivators into direct confrontation.
However, both sides refrained from all-out war, as their strength was roughly equal. A full-scale battle would only result in mutual destruction, with neither side gaining any advantage.
The high-ranking cultivators on both sides were not fools; they hated and despised each other, but they valued their lives too much to risk it!
---
Both sides employed a strategy of attrition.
What is an attrition war?
This requires understanding the traditional methods in the cultivation world. The pursuit of immortality has a history spanning tens of thousands of years, during which many small and large sects have clashed.
The forms of conflict can be categorized into two types: one where neither side backs down until one is completely defeated, typically occurring when one side is significantly stronger than the other or when there are deep-seated blood feuds. In such cases, they would gather all their forces for a decisive battle, killing so many that it darkens the sky and obscures the sun. The victorious side would then storm into the losing side's headquarters to finish them off.
This type of conflict is large-scale but short-lived, often concluding within months, leading to the downfall of one sect.
The other form is attrition warfare.
This typically occurs when two equally matched sects have a significant dispute that isn't a matter of life and death. Neither side wants an all-out war nor a peaceful resolution; what do they do?
They drag it out, fighting slowly over time.
In such cases, they would declare the other sect and its allies as enemies, killing them on sight without attacking their headquarters. Essentially, they wouldn't attack each other's main bases but would hunt down individual members of the opposing side.
This type of fight doesn't cause serious harm but is incredibly resource-consuming. Cultivation experts from both sides might engage in minor skirmishes or use low-grade talismans to harass each other.
Historically, two hostile sects could engage in such small-scale conflicts for thousands of years, spanning generations. High-ranking cultivators might not die many, but the number of lower-ranked cultivators killed over the years could reach into the tens of thousands.
Upon learning that Drifting Cloud Valley and Fire Spirit Sect were engaged in an attrition war, Lin Xuan's expression was grim. He nearly cursed out loud. The reason? With no attacks on each other's main bases, staying within their sects would be safe. However, once outside, they became targets at any moment.
---
However, he had to venture out again.
After reaching the peak of the Flexible Spirit Period, Lin Xuan's next goal was to successfully establish his foundation.
Technically speaking, a cultivator in the Flexible Spirit Period wasn't truly an immortal; their lifespan remained similar to ordinary mortals. Only after establishing a foundation could they be considered true cultivators.
But it wasn't easy. In Drifting Cloud Valley, only one-tenth of all disciples were at the Foundation Establishment stage, making it clear how difficult this was.
Although Lin Xuan had the ability to purify and consume large amounts of medicinal pills, the effects of these drugs weren't omnipotent. The pills he currently took still hadn't enabled him to establish a foundation.
In fact, the pills Lin Xuan consumed were already quite precious. After entering the peak stage, his cultivation power and the volume of Star Sea in his dantian had significantly increased. Even middle-grade pills could be purified now, let alone high-grade Essence Cleansing Pills.
For most cultivators, taking a high-grade pill and putting in some effort would easily lead to foundation establishment. Such pills were rare even among major sects, and ordinary cultivators would be overjoyed just from tasting a middle-grade pill.
However, Lin Xuan's situation was different. He was merely an ordinary person without a spirit root. Even with high-grade Essence Cleansing Pills and effort, he still couldn't establish his foundation.
Initially, Lin Xuan wasn't discouraged. However, after failing dozens of times and reaching this conclusion, it left him feeling frustrated.
But Lin Xuan's mind far surpassed that of the average person; he would never give up. With a glimmer of hope, he even ventured to Heart Refinement Path, returning to the place with terrifying illusory realms but abundant qi. He took high-grade pills and attempted to push his foundation establishment again.
However, it simply didn't work. Human effort has its limits; no matter how hard Lin Xuan tried or how many high-grade pills he consumed, he still couldn't establish a foundation.
It seemed that the only hope left was...