“ dà qiān xǐ zhōng de fán rén shì zěn me lái dào xiān jué zhī dì de ？” huò xǔ shì cóng lái méi guān xīn guò zhè ge wèn tí ， kòu hóng tīng dào lǐ fán zhè me wèn hòu zhí jiē lèng zhù le 。
“大迁徙中的凡人是怎么来到仙绝之地的？”或许是从来没关心过这个问题，寇洪听到李凡这么问后直接愣住了。
"How did ordinary people manage to arrive in the Realm of Immortal Desolation during the Great Migration?" Cao Hong was taken aback when Li Fan asked this question.
“ dà wēn yì shí dài yǐ jīng guò qù le shù qiān nián ， dāng shí de qíng kuàng jù tǐ rú hé ， wǒ men yě bù qīng chǔ 。 guān yú dāng chū de zhǒng zhǒng ， wǒ men yě jī běn dōu shì dào tīng tú shuō bà le 。” sī liáng le piàn kè zhī hòu ， kòu hóng yáo le yáo tóu 。
“大瘟疫时代已经过去了数千年，当时的情况具体如何，我们也不清楚。关于当初的种种，我们也基本都是道听途说罢了。”思量了片刻之后，寇洪摇了摇头。
"Thousands of years have passed since the Great Plague era; we know little about what exactly happened back then. We mostly heard rumors and second-hand accounts," Cao Hong shook his head after a moment's thought.
“ zěn me ， nǐ hái bù sǐ xīn ？” kòu hóng kàn le kàn lǐ fán ， bù yóu de cháo fěng dào ，“ jiù suàn nǐ chū qù le yòu néng rú hé ？ qī shí suì de nián jì le ， hái xiǎng xiū xiān ……”
“怎么，你还不死心？”寇洪看了看李凡，不由得嘲讽道，“就算你出去了又能如何？七十岁的年纪了，还想修仙……”
"Is it that you're not ready to give up?" Cao Hong couldn't help mocking Li Fan, "Even if you managed to leave, how could you? At seventy years old, do you still wish to cultivate?"
tā shuō dào yí bàn ， què kàn dào lǐ fán bīng lěng de yǎn shén zài tā shēn shàng sì chù sǎo shì ， ér yī páng de jǐ gè kù lì yī fù chǔn chǔn yù dòng 、 hǔ shì dān dān de yàng zi ， bù yóu de dǎ le gè duō suo ， shàn shàn dì bǎ zuǐ bì shàng 。
他说到一半，却看到李凡冰冷的眼神在他身上四处扫视，而一旁的几个酷吏一副蠢蠢欲动、虎视眈眈的样子，不由得打了个哆嗦，讪讪地把嘴闭上。
Before he finished speaking, he noticed the icy gaze of Li Fan sweeping over him. The few torturers beside him looked eager and threatening. He shuddered and quickly closed his mouth.
kòu hóng yǐ jīng bèi lǐ fán cóng jiān láo lǐ fàng le chū lái 。
寇洪已经被李凡从监牢里放了出来。
Cao Hong had already been released from prison by Li Fan.
bèi lǐ fán kùn zài mì shì yòng xiān fán zhàng xǐ lǐ zhī hòu ， tā jiù xiū wèi jiù dà fú dào tuì ， zhí jiē diē luò dào le liàn qì chū qī 。
被李凡困在密室用仙凡瘴洗礼之后，他就修为就大幅倒退，直接跌落到了炼气初期。
After being confined in a secret room and subjected to the Immortal-Demon Mistbaptism, Cao Hong's cultivation level plummeted, directly dropping him to the initial stage of Qi Refining.
quán bù dào fǎ dōu wú fǎ shǐ yòng ， rú jīn de tā yě jiù shì yí gè shāo wēi qiáng dà diǎn de fán rén 。
全部道法都无法使用，如今的他也就是一个稍微强大点的凡人。
He could no longer use any Daoist techniques; he was merely an ordinary mortal who happened to be somewhat powerful.
bèi fú lǔ hòu ， yuán běn zuǐ lǐ hái yì zhí mà mà liē liē ， zài jīng guò jǐ fān yán xíng kǎo dǎ zhī hòu ， kòu hóng zhōng yú lǎo shí le 。
被俘虏后，原本嘴里还一直骂骂咧咧，在经过几番严刑拷打之后，寇洪终于老实了。
Captured, he had been cursing nonstop until several rigorous interrogations finally made him comply.
“ yuán lái gāo gāo zài shàng de xiū xiān zhě ， shī qù le xiū wèi zhī hòu ， yě hé wǒ men zhè xiē fán rén méi shén me liǎng yàng 。 shèn zhì ， hái bù rú wǒ men yǒu gǔ qì ne 。” yī páng de yī wèi kù lì yīn yáng guài qì dào 。
“原来高高在上的修仙者，失去了修为之后，也和我们这些凡人没什么两样。甚至，还不如我们有骨气呢。”一旁的一位酷吏阴阳怪气道。
"Originally, those high and mighty cultivators are just like us mortals once they lose their cultivation. In fact, you might even lack the backbone," one of the torturers sneered.
“ shì a ， zhè wèi zài wǒ men shǒu xià kě shì lián yí gè shí chén dōu méi jiān chí zhù 。” lìng yī wèi kù lì yě fù hè dào 。
“是啊，这位在我们手下可是连一个时辰都没坚持住。”另一位酷吏也附和道。
"Yes, this fellow couldn't even last a single hour under our hands," another torturer agreed.
kòu hóng dǎo shì shí fēn tǎn rán ：“ hǎo sǐ bù rú lài huó zhe 。 zài shuō le ， xiū xiān jiè zhōng ， shēng sǐ chéng bài nǎi shì xún cháng 。 suī shuō nǐ shì yī jiè fán rén ， dàn shì nǐ shǒu duàn xīn zhì jiē shì bù sú ， bèi nǐ àn suàn ， wǒ men xiōng dì liǎng dào yě wú huà kě shuō 。 jì bù rú rén bà le ！”
寇洪倒是十分坦然：“好死不如赖活着。再说了，修仙界中，生死成败乃是寻常。虽说你是一介凡人，但是你手段心志皆是不俗，被你暗算，我们兄弟两倒也无话可说。技不如人罢了！”
Cao Hong was surprisingly candid: "Better to die than live in shame. Besides, in the world of cultivators, life and death are common occurrences. Though you're just an ordinary mortal, your skills and willpower aren't bad. We can't blame you for trying to outsmart us; it's simply a matter of skill."
“ nǐ bù hèn wǒ ？” lǐ fán yǒu xiē hào qí 。
“你不恨我？”李凡有些好奇。
"Do you hate me?" Li Fan was curious.
“ hèn ， dāng rán hèn ！” kòu hóng hěn hěn yǐn le yī kǒu lǐ fán wèi tā zhǔn bèi de měi jiǔ ，“ kě nà yòu néng rú hé ne ？ rú jīn nǐ wèi dāo zǔ ， wǒ wèi yú ròu ， nán bù chéng hái yào duì nǐ fàng hěn huà ？ zhè qǐ bù shì qǔ sǐ zhī dào ？”
“恨，当然恨！”寇洪狠狠饮了一口李凡为他准备的美酒，“可那又能如何呢？如今你为刀俎，我为鱼肉，难不成还要对你放狠话？这岂不是取死之道？”
"Of course I do!" Cao Hong took a hearty sip from the fine wine prepared by Li Fan, "But what good would that do? Now you're the butcher and I'm the fish. Do you think I'd threaten you? That's just asking for death!"
“ nǐ dǎo shì huò dá ！” lǐ fán shěn rán yī xiào 。
“你倒是豁达！”李凡哂然一笑。
"You are quite open-minded!" Li Fan chuckled.
“ bù guò gǒu qiě tōu shēng bà le ！” kòu hóng lěng hēng yī shēng 。
“不过苟且偷生罢了！”寇洪冷哼一声。
"Merely surviving at all costs!" Cao Hong snorted coldly.
“ ruò shì nǐ néng huí dào xiū xiān jiè ， hái néng jì xù xiū liàn me ？” chén mò le piàn kè ， lǐ fán tū rán wèn dào 。
“若是你能回到修仙界，还能继续修炼么？”沉默了片刻，李凡突然问道。
"Could you continue cultivating if you returned to the world of cultivators?" After a moment, Li Fan suddenly asked.
“ shén me ……” kòu hóng yī shí méi yǒu fǎn yìng guò lái 。
“什么……”寇洪一时没有反应过来。
"What...?" Cao Hong was momentarily taken aback.
“ ruò shì nǐ néng bāng wǒ zhǎo dào qián wǎng xiū xiān jiè de fāng fǎ ， huò xǔ dào shí hòu wǒ huì dài zhe nǐ yì qǐ qù 。” lǐ fán chéng nuò dào 。
“若是你能帮我找到前往修仙界的方法，或许到时候我会带着你一起去。”李凡承诺道。
"If you can help me find a way to the world of cultivators, perhaps I'll take you with me," Li Fan promised.
“ nǐ zhè jiān zhà xiǎo rén ， hái xiǎng kuāng piàn wǒ ？” kòu hóng dà nù ， dàn hěn kuài tā jiù lěng jìng le xià lái ， hěn hěn dì kàn zhe lǐ fán 。
“你这奸诈小人，还想诓骗我？”寇洪大怒，但很快他就冷静了下来，狠狠地看着李凡。
"You're just trying to deceive me!" Cao Hong roared in anger but quickly regained his composure and glared at Li Fan.
lǐ fán miàn sè píng jìng ：“ zhēn huà yě hǎo ， jiǎ huà yě bà ， zhōng jiū shì yí gè xī wàng 。 nǐ yuàn yì fàng qì zhè tiáo shēng lù ， jiù zhè me lǎo sǐ zài zhè fāng cùn zhī dì me ？”
李凡面色平静：“真话也好，假话也罢，终究是一个希望。你愿意放弃这条生路，就这么老死在这方寸之地么？”
Li Fan's expression remained calm: "Whether it's the truth or not, there is still a hope. Are you willing to give up this chance of survival and die here?"
tīng dào lǐ fán de huà ， kòu hóng chén mò le xià lái 。
听到李凡的话，寇洪沉默了下来。
Hearing Li Fan's words, Cao Hong fell silent. His face changed dramatically as he struggled internally.
tā de miàn sè jī liè biàn huà ， xiǎn rán qí nèi xīn jí qí zhēng zhá 。
他的面色激烈变化，显然其内心极其挣扎。
After a long time, he finally sighed deeply.
guò le xǔ jiǔ ， tā zhōng yú cháng tàn yī shēng 。
过了许久，他终于长叹一声。
"Alright! I'll agree!"
“ hǎo ！ wǒ dā yìng nǐ ！”
“好！我答应你！”
"Don't worry; my word is worth a thousand gold," Li Fan said solemnly.
“ fàng xīn ， wǒ lǐ fán xiàng lái yí nuò qiān jīn 、 shuō yī bù èr 。” lǐ fán chén shēng shuō dào 。
“放心，我李凡向来一诺千金、说一不二。”李凡沉声说道。
The torturers beside him straightened their faces and lowered their heads in respect.
yī páng de kù lì cǐ shí miàn sè yī sù ， dī xià tou qù 。
一旁的酷吏此时面色一肃，低下头去。
Everyone knew that the current Grand Tutor was unyielding: if he said you were to be killed, your entire family would be executed!
mǎn cháo wén wǔ ， shuí rén bù zhī ， dāng cháo tài shī ， shuō yī bù èr ： shuō shā nǐ quán jiā ， jiù shā nǐ quán jiā ！
满朝文武，谁人不知，当朝太师，说一不二：说杀你全家，就杀你全家！
"You don't need to paint me any rosy pictures; I'm willing to help just for a chance of survival," Cao Hong sneered.
“ bù yòng wèi wǒ huà dà bǐng ， wǒ yuàn yì bāng nǐ ， bù guò shì dǔ nà yī xiàn shēng jī bà le 。” kòu hóng lěng xiào 。
“不用为我画大饼，我愿意帮你，不过是赌那一线生机罢了。”寇洪冷笑。
Seeing this, Li Fan didn't explain further but directly shared his conjectures.
lǐ fán jiàn zhuàng ， yě bù gēn tā jiě shì ， ér shì zhí jiē xiàng tā chǎn shù le zì jǐ de cāi xiǎng 。
李凡见状，也不跟他解释，而是直接向他阐述了自己的猜想。
"If my guess is correct, the flying boats and shuttles used by cultivators during the migration were likely some kind of magical artifacts. In ancient times, with many cultivators and numerous sects, such transportation tools were quite common. Unfortunately, after the great changes in the world, cultivators became wary of each other, and solo travel became the norm, so these flying vessels are rarely seen now," Cao Hong replied slowly.
“ ruò shì wǒ cāi de méi cuò de huà ， dāng nián zhòng xiū xiān zhě yòng lái qiān xǐ fán rén de ， yīng dāng shì lèi sì yú fēi zhōu 、 fēi suō zhī lèi de fǎ qì 。 shàng gǔ zhī shí ， xiū xiān jiè rén shù zhòng duō ， zōng mén lín lì ， fán huá wú bǐ ， cǐ zhǒng yùn shū lèi fǎ qì hěn shì shèng xíng 。 kě xī hòu lái tiān dì jù biàn ， xiū xiān zhě rén rén zì wēi ， wǎng hòu xíng shì jī běn dōu shì dú lái dú wǎng ， fēi zhōu fēi suō zhè xiē jiù hěn shǎo kàn dào le 。” kòu hóng tīng wán ， huǎn huǎn huí yìng dào 。
“若是我猜的没错的话，当年众修仙者用来迁徙凡人的，应当是类似于飞舟、飞梭之类的法器。上古之时，修仙界人数众多，宗门林立，繁华无比，此种运输类法器很是盛行。可惜后来天地巨变，修仙者人人自危，往后行事基本都是独来独往，飞舟飞梭这些就很少看到了。”寇洪听完，缓缓回应道。
"Was the great change referring to that mysterious Great Plague?" Li Fan asked.
“ tiān dì jù biàn ， shì zhǐ nà chǎng guǐ yì de dà wēn yì me ？” lǐ fán wèn dào 。
“天地巨变，是指那场诡异的大瘟疫么？”李凡问道。
"The Immortal-Demon Mist might be strange, but it didn't shake the foundation of cultivators. In fact, the widespread spread of the Immortal-Demon Mist was due to most cultivators perishing in a major calamity. The decline in cultivation power made them unable to effectively combat the Immortal-Demon Mist," Cao Hong shook his head, looking serious.
“ xiān fán zhàng suī rán guǐ yì ， dàn shì què dòng yáo bù liǎo xiū xiān zhě gēn běn 。 shì shí shàng ， xiān fán zhàng zhī suǒ yǐ néng gòu héng xíng ， shì yīn wèi tiān dì jiān jué dà bù fèn de xiū shì ， zài yī cháng dà jié zhōng jìn shù yǔn luò le 。 xiū xiān jiè shí lì dà diē ， zhè cái wú fǎ yǒu xiào yìng duì xiān fán zhàng 。” kòu hóng yáo le yáo tóu ， shén sè yǒu xiē níng zhòng 。
“仙凡瘴虽然诡异，但是却动摇不了修仙者根本。事实上，仙凡瘴之所以能够横行，是因为天地间绝大部分的修士，在一场大劫中尽数陨落了。修仙界实力大跌，这才无法有效应对仙凡瘴。”寇洪摇了摇头，神色有些凝重。
"Major Calamity?" Li Fan suddenly recalled the ruined mountain gate he had seen deep in Voiddepth and felt a stir of emotion, "Could it be that cultivators can't practice multiple immortal techniques simultaneously?"
“ tiān dì dà jié ？” lǐ fán hū de xiǎng qǐ le zhī qián yú xū yuān shēn chù wàng jiàn de nà chù pò bài shān mén de jǐng xiàng ， bù yóu de xīn zhōng yī dòng ，“ nán dào shì ， xiān fǎ bù kě tóng xiū ？”
“天地大劫？”李凡忽的想起了之前于墟渊深处望见的那处破败山门的景象，不由得心中一动，“难道是，仙法不可同修？”
Cao Hong looked at Li Fan in surprise, not understanding how he came to this conclusion.
kòu hóng chà yì de kàn le lǐ fán yī yǎn ， bù míng bái tā shì zěn me xiǎng dào de 。
寇洪诧异的看了李凡一眼，不明白他是怎么想到的。
"Yes, cultivators can't practice multiple immortal techniques," Cao Hong sighed deeply.
“ bù cuò ， xiān fǎ bù kě tóng xiū ！” kòu hóng cháng tàn le yì kǒu qì 。
“不错，仙法不可同修！”寇洪长叹了一口气。
"In ancient times, there were no such restrictions. Back then, countless great sects opened their doors and accepted disciples. Cultivators had mentors guiding them; they could seek advice whenever they encountered difficulties and exchange ideas with fellow practitioners of the same technique. The world of cultivators was once so vibrant!" Cao Hong spoke wistfully.
“ shàng gǔ zhī shí ， bìng wú zhè zhǒng xiàn zhì 。 nà shí hòu ， máng máng duō de xiū xiān dà pài guǎng kāi zōng mén ， shōu tú shòu yì 。 xiū xiān zhě men yǒu zhe shī zūn zhǐ yǐn ， yù dào xiū xíng kùn nán zhī chù kě yǐ suí shí qǐng jiào ， gēn kě yǐ hé xiū xíng xiāng tóng gōng fǎ de shī xiōng dì xiāng hù qiē cuō tǎo jiào 。 nà shí hòu ， zhěng gè xiū xiān jiè shì hé děng shēng jī bó bó de qì pài jǐng xiàng ！” kòu hóng shuō zhe ， yǎn shì bú zhù de xiàng wǎng 。
“上古之时，并无这种限制。那时候，茫茫多的修仙大派广开宗门，收徒授艺。修仙者们有着师尊指引，遇到修行困难之处可以随时请教，跟可以和修行相同功法的师兄弟相互切磋讨教。那时候，整个修仙界是何等生机勃勃的气派景象！”寇洪说着，掩饰不住的向往。
"Unfortunately! After the great changes, cultivators suddenly found that their cultivation efficiency dropped significantly. During practice, they sensed a connection to other cultivators practicing the same techniques across the entire world. They were shocked to discover that more people practicing the same technique meant lower individual cultivation efficiency," Cao Hong spoke softly with a hint of fear in his eyes.
“ kě xī ！ tiān dì jù biàn ！ xiū xiān zhě men mǒu tiān tū rán fā jué ， zì jǐ yùn xíng gōng fǎ xiū liàn de xiào lǜ dà dà jiàng dī 。 zài xiū liàn shí ， hái huì xīn yǒu suǒ gǎn ， zhěng gè xiū xiān jiè tóng shí yǒu duō shǎo rén zài xiū liàn tóng yàng de fǎ mén 。 tā men hái hài rán de fā xiàn ， tóng shí xiū liàn tóng yī mén gōng fǎ de rén yuè duō ， suǒ yǒu xiū liàn zhè mén gōng fǎ de rén de xiū liàn xiào lǜ yě jiù yuè dī 。” kòu hóng dī shēng huǎn huǎn sù shuō zhe ， yǎn shén zhōng shǎn guò yī sī kǒng jù 。
“可惜！天地巨变！修仙者们某天突然发觉，自己运行功法修炼的效率大大降低。在修炼时，还会心有所感，整个修仙界同时有多少人在修炼同样的法门。他们还骇然的发现，同时修炼同一门功法的人越多，所有修炼这门功法的人的修炼效率也就越低。”寇洪低声缓缓诉说着，眼神中闪过一丝恐惧。
"At first, everyone tried to maintain restraint and find a solution. But over decades, countless cultivators were stuck at their current level, unable to advance. As the deadline approached, hidden hatreds could no longer be concealed."
“ yī kāi shǐ ， dà jiā hái bǎo chí zhe kè zhì ， xiǎng yào zhǎo chū jiě jué wèn tí de bàn fǎ 。 kě shì suí hòu shù shí nián ， wú shù xiū shì bèi kùn yuán dì 、 xiū wèi bù dé cùn jìn 。 zhí zhì dà xiàn jiāng zhì ， zài yě yǐn cáng bú zhù nèi xīn de shā yì 。”
“一开始，大家还保持着克制，想要找出解决问题的办法。可是随后数十年，无数修士被困原地、修为不得寸进。直至大限将至，再也隐藏不住内心的杀意。”
"A calamity swept through the entire world of cultivators. Anyone practicing the same technique was an obstacle on one's path; it became a matter of life and death! Former mentors and disciples, brothers and sisters, all turned into mortal enemies in an instant!" Cao Hong spoke with a sense of fear.
“ yī cháng xí juǎn zhěng gè xiū xiān jiè de hào jié kāi shǐ le 。 zhǐ yào gēn wǒ xiū xíng de shì tóng yī fǎ mén ， jiù shì zǔ wǒ dào tú ， jiù shì bù sǐ bù xiū ！ wǎng xī de shī zūn tú dì 、 shī xiōng jiě mèi ， qǐng kè jiān quán bù biàn chéng le shēng sǐ chóu dí ！ jiù suàn yǒu rén xīn zhōng bù yuàn shā lù ， kě shì dà shì zhī xià ， yòu rú hé bǎo zhèng duì fāng yě shì zhè me xiǎng de ？ shuí yòu gǎn bǎo zhèng duì fāng bú huì tū rán bào qǐ tǒng nǐ yī dāo ？ suǒ yǒu de xiū xiān zhě dōu xiàn rù liǎo wú jǐn de cāi yí zhī zhōng ， rén men wéi yī néng xìn dé guò de ， zhǐ yǒu zì jǐ ！”
“一场席卷整个修仙界的浩劫开始了。只要跟我修行的是同一法门，就是阻我道途，就是不死不休！往昔的师尊徒弟、师兄姐妹，顷刻间全部变成了生死仇敌！就算有人心中不愿杀戮，可是大势之下，又如何保证对方也是这么想的？谁又敢保证对方不会突然暴起捅你一刀？所有的修仙者都陷入了无尽的猜疑之中，人们唯一能信得过的，只有自己！”
"Initially, everyone tried to maintain restraint but eventually, as time passed, the killing began. No one could guarantee that others wouldn't suddenly attack them. All cultivators fell into endless suspicion; the only thing they trusted was themselves."
“ dāng shí suǒ yǒu zōng mén dōu zài chà nà jiān biàn chéng le liàn yù 。 ér nà xiē duǒ cáng zài shēn shān mì jìng zhī zhōng shì tú bì nàn de sàn xiū ， yě bù néng xìng miǎn 。 yīn wèi ， xiū xíng tóng yī gōng fǎ de xiū xiān zhě men ， hái huì hù xiāng gǎn yìng bǐ cǐ de wèi zhì ！”
“当时所有宗门都在刹那间变成了炼狱。而那些躲藏在深山秘境之中试图避难的散修，也不能幸免。因为，修行同一功法的修仙者们，还会互相感应彼此的位置！”
"At that time, all sects turned into hells in an instant. Even those scattered practitioners hiding in remote secret realms were not spared because cultivators of the same technique still sensed each other's positions," Cao Hong narrated.
“ shā lù ， wú jìn de shā lù 。 bù zhī dào chí xù le duō jiǔ ， cái zhú jiàn píng xī 。 ér cǐ shí ， yuán běn fán shèng wú bǐ de xiū xiān jiè yǐ jīng biàn dé wú bǐ diāo bì ， suǒ yǒu zōng mén bù fù cún zài ， zhǐ shèng xià dú lái dú wǎng de yí gè gè xiū xiān zhě men 。” kòu hóng jiāng zhè yī xiū xiān jiè de shàng gǔ jù biàn wěi wěi dào lái 。
“杀戮，无尽的杀戮。不知道持续了多久，才逐渐平息。而此时，原本繁盛无比的修仙界已经变得无比凋敝，所有宗门不复存在，只剩下独来独往的一个个修仙者们。”寇洪将这一修仙界的上古巨变娓娓道来。
The world of cultivators, once so prosperous, became desolate and barren with no more sects; only solitary cultivators remained.
lǐ fán tīng dé yě shì xīn cháo qǐ fú ， dàn gèng dà de yí wèn yě suí zhī ér lái 。
李凡听得也是心潮起伏，但更大的疑问也随之而来。
Li Fan was moved by this ancient transformation but even more questions arose in his mind.
jì rán xiān fǎ bù kě tóng xiū ， nà me rú jīn de xiū xiān zhě yòu shì rú hé xiū xíng de ne ？ rú jīn de xiū xiān jiè ， yòu jiū jìng shì zěn yàng yī fān jǐng xiàng ne ？
既然仙法不可同修，那么如今的修仙者又是如何修行的呢？如今的修仙界，又究竟是怎样一番景象呢？
If immortal techniques couldn't be practiced simultaneously, how did the current cultivators manage to cultivate? What was the state of the world of cultivators now?
"How did ordinary people manage to arrive in the Realm of Immortal Desolation during the Great Migration?" Cao Hong was taken aback when Li Fan asked this question.
"Thousands of years have passed since the Great Plague era; we know little about what exactly happened back then. We mostly heard rumors and second-hand accounts," Cao Hong shook his head after a moment's thought.
"Is it that you're not ready to give up?" Cao Hong couldn't help mocking Li Fan, "Even if you managed to leave, how could you? At seventy years old, do you still wish to cultivate?"
Before he finished speaking, he noticed the icy gaze of Li Fan sweeping over him. The few torturers beside him looked eager and threatening. He shuddered and quickly closed his mouth.
Cao Hong had already been released from prison by Li Fan.
After being confined in a secret room and subjected to the Immortal-Demon Mistbaptism, Cao Hong's cultivation level plummeted, directly dropping him to the initial stage of Qi Refining.
He could no longer use any Daoist techniques; he was merely an ordinary mortal who happened to be somewhat powerful.
Captured, he had been cursing nonstop until several rigorous interrogations finally made him comply.
"Originally, those high and mighty cultivators are just like us mortals once they lose their cultivation. In fact, you might even lack the backbone," one of the torturers sneered.
"Yes, this fellow couldn't even last a single hour under our hands," another torturer agreed.
Cao Hong was surprisingly candid: "Better to die than live in shame. Besides, in the world of cultivators, life and death are common occurrences. Though you're just an ordinary mortal, your skills and willpower aren't bad. We can't blame you for trying to outsmart us; it's simply a matter of skill."
"Do you hate me?" Li Fan was curious.
"Of course I do!" Cao Hong took a hearty sip from the fine wine prepared by Li Fan, "But what good would that do? Now you're the butcher and I'm the fish. Do you think I'd threaten you? That's just asking for death!"
"You are quite open-minded!" Li Fan chuckled.
"Merely surviving at all costs!" Cao Hong snorted coldly.
"Could you continue cultivating if you returned to the world of cultivators?" After a moment, Li Fan suddenly asked.
"What...?" Cao Hong was momentarily taken aback.
"If you can help me find a way to the world of cultivators, perhaps I'll take you with me," Li Fan promised.
"You're just trying to deceive me!" Cao Hong roared in anger but quickly regained his composure and glared at Li Fan.
Li Fan's expression remained calm: "Whether it's the truth or not, there is still a hope. Are you willing to give up this chance of survival and die here?"
Hearing Li Fan's words, Cao Hong fell silent. His face changed dramatically as he struggled internally.
After a long time, he finally sighed deeply.
"Alright! I'll agree!"
"Don't worry; my word is worth a thousand gold," Li Fan said solemnly.
The torturers beside him straightened their faces and lowered their heads in respect.
Everyone knew that the current Grand Tutor was unyielding: if he said you were to be killed, your entire family would be executed!
"You don't need to paint me any rosy pictures; I'm willing to help just for a chance of survival," Cao Hong sneered.
Seeing this, Li Fan didn't explain further but directly shared his conjectures.
"If my guess is correct, the flying boats and shuttles used by cultivators during the migration were likely some kind of magical artifacts. In ancient times, with many cultivators and numerous sects, such transportation tools were quite common. Unfortunately, after the great changes in the world, cultivators became wary of each other, and solo travel became the norm, so these flying vessels are rarely seen now," Cao Hong replied slowly.
"Was the great change referring to that mysterious Great Plague?" Li Fan asked.
"The Immortal-Demon Mist might be strange, but it didn't shake the foundation of cultivators. In fact, the widespread spread of the Immortal-Demon Mist was due to most cultivators perishing in a major calamity. The decline in cultivation power made them unable to effectively combat the Immortal-Demon Mist," Cao Hong shook his head, looking serious.
"Major Calamity?" Li Fan suddenly recalled the ruined mountain gate he had seen deep in Voiddepth and felt a stir of emotion, "Could it be that cultivators can't practice multiple immortal techniques simultaneously?"
Cao Hong looked at Li Fan in surprise, not understanding how he came to this conclusion.
"Yes, cultivators can't practice multiple immortal techniques," Cao Hong sighed deeply.
"In ancient times, there were no such restrictions. Back then, countless great sects opened their doors and accepted disciples. Cultivators had mentors guiding them; they could seek advice whenever they encountered difficulties and exchange ideas with fellow practitioners of the same technique. The world of cultivators was once so vibrant!" Cao Hong spoke wistfully.
"Unfortunately! After the great changes, cultivators suddenly found that their cultivation efficiency dropped significantly. During practice, they sensed a connection to other cultivators practicing the same techniques across the entire world. They were shocked to discover that more people practicing the same technique meant lower individual cultivation efficiency," Cao Hong spoke softly with a hint of fear in his eyes.
"At first, everyone tried to maintain restraint and find a solution. But over decades, countless cultivators were stuck at their current level, unable to advance. As the deadline approached, hidden hatreds could no longer be concealed."
"A calamity swept through the entire world of cultivators. Anyone practicing the same technique was an obstacle on one's path; it became a matter of life and death! Former mentors and disciples, brothers and sisters, all turned into mortal enemies in an instant!" Cao Hong spoke with a sense of fear.
"Initially, everyone tried to maintain restraint but eventually, as time passed, the killing began. No one could guarantee that others wouldn't suddenly attack them. All cultivators fell into endless suspicion; the only thing they trusted was themselves."
"At that time, all sects turned into hells in an instant. Even those scattered practitioners hiding in remote secret realms were not spared because cultivators of the same technique still sensed each other's positions," Cao Hong narrated.
The world of cultivators, once so prosperous, became desolate and barren with no more sects; only solitary cultivators remained.
Li Fan was moved by this ancient transformation but even more questions arose in his mind.
If immortal techniques couldn't be practiced simultaneously, how did the current cultivators manage to cultivate? What was the state of the world of cultivators now?