“ rú jīn de xiū xiān jiè ， yī wèi fán rén xiǎng yào xiū xiān ， bù wài hū jǐ gè xuǎn zé 。” kòu hóng nài xīn jiě shì 。
“如今的修仙界，一位凡人想要修仙，不外乎几个选择。”寇洪耐心解释。
"Nowadays, for a commoner to seek cultivation in the world of cultivators, there are generally only a few options," Cao Hong patiently explained.
“ yī shì jiā rù wàn xiān méng 。 wàn xiān méng nǎi shì zhòng duō xiū xiān zhě zǔ jiàn chéng de sōng sǎn lián méng ， zài lián méng zhōng kě yǐ kào jiē qǔ wán chéng rèn wù 、 huò zhě yǔ bié rén jiāo yì děng fāng shì huò dé gòng xiàn dù 。 píng jiè gòng xiàn dù jiù kě yǐ zài lián méng zhōng huàn qǔ xiū xiān de gōng fǎ yǔ zī yuán 。”
“一是加入万仙盟。万仙盟乃是众多修仙者组建成的松散联盟，在联盟中可以靠接取完成任务、或者与别人交易等方式获得贡献度。凭借贡献度就可以在联盟中换取修仙的功法与资源。”
"Firstly, joining the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. The alliance is a loosely formed group comprising many cultivators. Members can gain contribution points by completing tasks or trading with others. These contribution points can be used to exchange cultivation techniques and resources within the alliance."
“ èr shì wǔ lǎo huì 。 wǔ lǎo huì nǎi shì wǔ wèi dǐng jiān dà néng chuàng jiàn de zǔ zhī ， shì lì páng dà 。 zhǐ yào yǒu xiū xíng de zī zhì ， jiù néng zì yuàn jiā rù qí zhōng ， xuǎn zé xiū xíng gōng fǎ 。 dài jià zé shì xū yào qiān xià shén hún qì yuē ， wèi wǔ lǎo huì xiào mìng yí dìng de shí jiān 。”
“二是五老会。五老会乃是五位顶尖大能创建的组织，势力庞大。只要有修行的资质，就能自愿加入其中，选择修行功法。代价则是需要签下神魂契约，为五老会效命一定的时间。”
"Secondly, there's the Five Elders Association. This organization was founded by five top-tier experts, boasting immense power. Anyone with the potential for cultivation can voluntarily join, choosing a cultivation technique. The cost is signing a soul contract to serve the association for a certain period."
“ sān shì xuǎn zé jiā rù gè dì de běn tǔ shì lì ， suī rán zhè xiē shì lì bù néng yǔ shàng miàn de liǎng gè páng rán dà wù xiāng bǐ ， dàn shì běn tǔ shì lì wǎng wǎng bǐ jiào tuán jié ， yě jī běn bú huì yǒu shén me wēi xiǎn de rèn wù ， bǐ jiào shì hé xìng gé lǎn sǎn píng dàn zhī bèi 。 zhì yú qí tā mǒu xiē luàn qī bā zāo de zǔ zhī ， dōu bù zěn me kào pǔ ， bù tí yě bà 。” kòu hóng jiāng rú jīn xiū xiān jiè de dà zhì qíng xíng huǎn huǎn dào lái 。
“三是选择加入各地的本土势力，虽然这些势力不能与上面的两个庞然大物相比，但是本土势力往往比较团结，也基本不会有什么危险的任务，比较适合性格懒散平淡之辈。至于其他某些乱七八糟的组织，都不怎么靠谱，不提也罢。”寇洪将如今修仙界的大致情形缓缓道来。
"Thirdly, joining local native forces. Although these forces cannot compare to the two major powers above, they are often more united and generally don't have dangerous tasks. They suit those with lazy or laid-back personalities. Other miscellaneous organizations are unreliable and can be ignored," Cao Hong slowly detailed the current state of the world of cultivators.
lǐ fán wén yán zhòu méi ， yǒu xiē bù jiě ：“ cóng nǐ de miáo shù lái kàn ， wèi hé gǎn jué zài xiū xiān jiè gōng fǎ yě bú shì nà me xī quē de yàng zi ？”
李凡闻言皱眉，有些不解：“从你的描述来看，为何感觉在修仙界功法也不是那么稀缺的样子？”
Li Fan frowned upon hearing this, feeling somewhat puzzled: "Based on your description, why does it seem that cultivation techniques aren't scarce in the world of cultivators?"
kòu hóng lěng hēng yī shēng ：“ nà shì yīn wèi ， tōng guò zhè zhǒng fāng fǎ huò dé de ， dōu shì cán quē de gōng fǎ 。”
寇洪冷哼一声：“那是因为，通过这种方法获得的，都是残缺的功法。”
Cao Hong snorted coldly: "That's because these are all incomplete techniques obtained through such methods."
“ cán quē ？” lǐ fán yī lèng ， suí hòu huǎng rán dà wù 。“ xiǎng yào huò dé gèng gāo yī céng de gōng fǎ ， jiù yào jì xù wèi tā men mài mìng ？”
“残缺？”李凡一愣，随后恍然大悟。“想要获得更高一层的功法，就要继续为他们卖命？”
"Incomplete?" Li Fan was taken aback and then suddenly understood. "Do I need to continue serving them to obtain higher-level techniques?"
“ bù cuò ！” kòu hóng hèn hèn dào 。“ zhè xiē gōng fǎ ， dōu shì zhè xiē nián lái jǐ dà shì lì xīn biān zuǎn de ， xiū liàn dào liàn qì dà yuán mǎn yǐ jīng shì jí xiàn le 。 xiǎng yào zài jìn yí bù zhù jiù dào jī ， jiù yào gēng huàn xīn yī céng cì de gōng fǎ 。 dào jī zhī shàng yì rán 。”
“不错！”寇洪恨恨道。“这些功法，都是这些年来几大势力新编纂的，修炼到炼气大圆满已经是极限了。想要再进一步筑就道基，就要更换新一层次的功法。道基之上亦然。”
"Exactly!" Cao Hong said with hatred. "These techniques were newly compiled by the major forces over the years, reaching the limit at Great Qi Perfection. To advance further and establish a Dao Foundation, one must switch to new levels of cultivation techniques. The same applies above the Dao Foundation."
“ gēng huàn gōng fǎ ？ rú guǒ měi tū pò yí gè jìng jiè dōu yào gēng huàn gōng fǎ cóng tóu xiū liàn de huà ， nà qǐ bù shì yì wèi zhe zhī qián de wàn bān nǔ lì quán dōu huà wéi wū yǒu le ？” lǐ fán yǒu xiē zhèn jīng 。
“更换功法？如果每突破一个境界都要更换功法从头修炼的话，那岂不是意味着之前的万般努力全都化为乌有了？”李凡有些震惊。
"Switching techniques? If every breakthrough in cultivation requires switching techniques from scratch, wouldn't all previous efforts be wasted?" Li Fan was shocked.
“ zhè dào bù huì 。” kòu hóng yáo yáo tóu 。“ fán xiū xíng zhī rén ， bì xiū 《 tài shàng yuán shǐ zhēn jīng 》。 chuán wén cǐ jīng nǎi shì shàng gǔ zhī shí tài shàng zōng de zhì gāo zhēn jīng 、 lì zōng zhī běn 。 dà jié zhī hòu ， tài shàng zōng huī fēi yān miè ， zhǐ liú dé 《 tài shàng yuán shǐ zhēn jīng 》 de cán piān yú shì 。 cǐ jīng bú shì shén me xiū xíng gōng fǎ ， ér shì gèng jiē jìn yī zhǒng mì fǎ 。 tā de zuò yòng jiù shì kě yǐ ràng xiū xíng zhī rén suí yì huà qù zì jǐ yī shēn fǎ lì jìng jiè ， ér méi yǒu tài dà de sǔn hào ， zài sàn gōng zhuǎn xiū qí tā gōng fǎ de zhī hòu néng gòu hěn kuài zhuī shàng yuán lái de jìng jiè 。”
“这倒不会。”寇洪摇摇头。“凡修行之人，必修《太上原始真经》。传闻此经乃是上古之时太上宗的至高真经、立宗之本。大劫之后，太上宗灰飞烟灭，只留得《太上原始真经》的残篇于世。此经不是什么修行功法，而是更接近一种秘法。它的作用就是可以让修行之人随意化去自己一身法力境界，而没有太大的损耗，在散功转修其他功法的之后能够很快追上原来的境界。”
"This won't happen," Cao Hong shook his head. "All cultivators must study 'The Supreme Primordial True Scripture'. Legend has it that this scripture is the highest true scripture of the Ancient Dao Sect, the foundation of its establishment. After a great calamity, the Ancient Dao Sect vanished, leaving only fragments of 'The Supreme Primordial True Scripture' in the world. This isn't a cultivation technique but more like a secret method. Its purpose is to allow cultivators to freely discard their current power levels with minimal loss, enabling them to quickly catch up after switching to other techniques."
“ jū rán yǒu rú cǐ shén qí de fǎ mén 。” lǐ fán zàn tàn dào 。“ zhǐ shì zhè cán piān chū xiàn de zhēn shì qià dào hǎo chù ， wéi yǒu rú cǐ ， cái néng ràng tiān xià zhòng duō xiū xiān zhě néng gòu jiē shòu bù tíng gǎi huàn gōng fǎ 。”
“居然有如此神奇的法门。”李凡赞叹道。“只是这残篇出现的真是恰到好处，唯有如此，才能让天下众多修仙者能够接受不停改换功法。”
"Such a miraculous path," Li Fan marveled. "But this fragment appeared just at the right time, allowing countless cultivators to accept constant changes in cultivation techniques."
lǐ fán lěng xiào dào ：“ yī wǒ kàn lái ， zhè 《 tài shàng yuán shǐ zhēn jīng 》 yě wèi bì zhǐ shèng xià cán piān ， kǒng pà shì mù hòu zhī rén zhǐ yuàn fàng chū sàn gōng chóng xiū zhè bù fèn bà le 。”
李凡冷笑道：“依我看来，这《太上原始真经》也未必只剩下残篇，恐怕是幕后之人只愿放出散功重修这部分罢了。”
Li Fan sneered: "In my view, 'The Supreme Primordial True Scripture' might not be just fragments; perhaps thebehind the scenes master only released parts for retraining."
kòu hóng cháng tàn ：“ zhè ge dào lǐ ， shuí yòu bù zhī ne 。 kě nà yòu néng rú hé ？ zhēn gōng nán qiú ， bèi rén xī xuè suī rán wú nài ， dàn shì hǎo dǎi yě yǒu gè kàn dé dào de mù biāo yǔ tú jìng 。 nǔ nǔ lì ， hái shì néng gòu dé zhe de 。 bù yuàn yī bèi zi shòu zhì yú rén ， yuàn yì mào zhe yǔn luò de fēng xiǎn qù gè zhǒng mì jìng 、 shàng gǔ zōng mén xún qiú jī yuán de ， bì jìng shì shǎo shù 。”
寇洪长叹：“这个道理，谁又不知呢。可那又能如何？真功难求，被人吸血虽然无奈，但是好歹也有个看得到的目标与途径。努努力，还是能够得着的。不愿一辈子受制于人，愿意冒着陨落的风险去各种秘境、上古宗门寻求机缘的，毕竟是少数。”
Cao Hong sighed deeply: "This truth is known by all. But what can we do? Genuine techniques are hard to come by. Even if one is drained of their essence, it's still better than nothing. With effort, one might still achieve something. Those willing to risk everything to seek opportunities in secret realms or ancient sects are few."
lǐ fán diǎn diǎn tóu ， dà zhì liǎo jiě liǎo dàng jīn xiū xiān jiè de xíng shì 。 zhè gēn zì jǐ xiǎng xiàng zhōng nà zhǒng wú jū wú shù 、 yī xīn qiú cháng shēng de xiān dào wán quán bù tóng ， fǎn dào shì yǔ zì jǐ chuān yuè zhī qián de shì jiè yǒu xiē xǔ xiāng sì 。
李凡点点头，大致了解了当今修仙界的形势。这跟自己想象中那种无拘无束、一心求长生的仙道完全不同，反倒是与自己穿越之前的世界有些许相似。
Li Fan nodded, gaining a basic understanding of the current state of the world of cultivators. It was vastly different from his imagined realm where cultivation was unbound and solely focused on eternal life. Instead, it resembled his world before he had come through.
niàn jí zhǒng zhǒng ， lǐ fán xīn zhōng yī zhèn lěng xiào 。
念及种种，李凡心中一阵冷笑。
Thinking about this, Li Fan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
kòu hóng dǎo shì méi chá jué cǐ shí lǐ fán de yì yàng ， ér shì bù yóu zì zhǔ de gǎn tàn zhe ：“ dào xuán zi dào sǐ dōu bù zhī dào ， wǒ zhī suǒ yǐ qiǎng le gōng fǎ jiù pǎo ， bù jǐn jǐn shì yīn wèi nà shì yī mén jié dān gōng fǎ ， ér shì yīn wèi nà shì yī mén néng gòu zhí zhǐ yuán yīng jìng de zhēn gōng a 。”
寇洪倒是没察觉此时李凡的异样，而是不由自主的感叹着：“道玄子到死都不知道，我之所以抢了功法就跑，不仅仅是因为那是一门结丹功法，而是因为那是一门能够直指元婴境的真功啊。”
Cao Hong didn't notice Li Fan's unusual behavior at the moment; instead, he sighed: "Even to the end, Dao Xuanzi never knew that I snatched a cultivation technique and ran because it was not just a Dan Formation technique. It was a true technique capable of directly reaching the Core Formation realm."
“ ruò zhēn shì jié dān gōng fǎ ， wǒ yě xǔ hái néng zì zhì 。 kě nà bì jìng shì yuán yīng zhēn gōng a ……” kòu hóng fǎn fù shuō zhe 。
“若真是结丹功法，我也许还能自制。可那毕竟是元婴真功啊……”寇洪反复说着。
"If it were merely a Dan Formation technique, perhaps I could have made one myself," Cao Hong repeated. "But it's an actual Core Formation true technique..."
lǐ fán wén yán ， zé xīn zhōng yī dòng ， mō le mō zì jǐ shǒu shàng dài de nà méi jiè zhǐ 。
李凡闻言，则心中一动，摸了摸自己手上戴的那枚戒指。
Upon hearing this, Li Fan's mind flickered as he touched the ring on his finger.
kòu hóng hé dào xuán zi de wù pǐn yǐ jīng bèi tā jìn shù shōu jiǎo ， shōu yú zhè méi chǔ wù jiè zhōng 。 huò xǔ shì tā jīng lì duō cì lún huí ， jīng shén lì liàng yuǎn chāo cháng rén de yuán gù ， zhè méi yuán běn xū yào liàn qì qī xiū liàn chū shén shí cái néng shǐ yòng de chǔ wù jiè ， tā jìng rán yě néng shǐ yòng zì rú 。 zhǐ bù guò ， ruò shì zhǎo bù chū lí kāi xiān jué zhī dì de fāng fǎ ， zhè xiē dōng xī duì tā lái shuō yě quán wú yòng chǔ ， suǒ yǐ tā yě hái méi yǒu xīn sī yī yī chá kàn 。
寇洪和道玄子的物品已经被他尽数收缴，收于这枚储物戒中。或许是他经历多次轮回，精神力量远超常人的缘故，这枚原本需要炼气期修炼出神识才能使用的储物戒，他竟然也能使用自如。只不过，若是找不出离开仙绝之地的方法，这些东西对他来说也全无用处，所以他也还没有心思一一查看。
Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi's items had all been confiscated by him and stored in this storage ring. Due to his multiple lifetimes of experience and far greater spiritual strength than ordinary people, he could use the ring freely despite its requirement for a Qi Formation cultivator to manifest their spirit essence. However, without finding a way out of the Realm of Immortal Desolation, these items would be useless to him.
jiē xià lái ， kòu hóng yòu xiàng lǐ fán jiè shào le zhū rú xiū xiān zhě yǔn luò hòu huì yǐn dòng yí dìng fàn wéi nèi de tiān xiàng zhī lèi de xiū xiān jiè cháng shí zhī hòu ， zhōng yú zhòng guī le zhèng tí ， tán qǐ le lǐ fán guān yú dà qiān xǐ shí dài yí liú fēi zhōu de kě néng xìng 。
接下来，寇洪又向李凡介绍了诸如修仙者陨落后会引动一定范围内的天象之类的修仙界常识之后，终于重归了正题，谈起了李凡关于大迁徙时代遗留飞舟的可能性。
After introducing various common knowledge about the world of cultivators, such as how the death of a cultivator could trigger certain celestial phenomena, Cao Hong finally returned to discussing the possibility of ancient flying boats from the Great Migration era.
“ yě xǔ dí què yǒu zhè zhǒng kě néng 。” kòu hóng zǐ xì sī suǒ le liáng jiǔ ， fāng cái shuō dào 。
“也许的确有这种可能。”寇洪仔细思索了良久，方才说道。
"Perhaps there is indeed such a possibility," Cao Hong thought deeply for a long time before saying. "I've heard rumors that over thousands of years, some commoners who were exiled to the Realm of Immortal Desolation have secretly returned to the world of cultivators. However, most are just gossip without concrete evidence."
“ wǒ céng jīng tīng guò mǒu zhǒng chuán wén ， shù qiān nián lái ， lù lù xù xù yǒu dāng nián bèi fàng zhú dào xiān jué zhī dì de fán rén tōu tōu fǎn huí xiū xiān jiè 。 zhǐ shì dà duō dōu shì fāng jiān bǔ fēng zhuō yǐng de xián tán ， méi yǒu shén me shí chuí de zhèng jù 。”
“我曾经听过某种传闻，数千年来，陆陆续续有当年被放逐到仙绝之地的凡人偷偷返回修仙界。只是大多都是坊间捕风捉影的闲谈，没有什么实锤的证据。”
"Where there's smoke, there's fire; sometimes rumors can be the truth," Li Fan's heart leaped with hope. "After all, there is a thread connecting commoners and cultivators. It was normal for cultivators to leave a backdoor for their families. These people likely returned through such means left by ancient cultivators."
“ wú fēng bù qǐ làng ， yǒu shí hòu chuán wén wǎng wǎng jiù shì shì qíng de zhēn xiàng 。” lǐ fán xīn zhōng yī zhèn ，“ bì jìng ， fán rén yǔ xiū xiān zhě zhī jiān yǒu zhe qiān sī wàn lǚ de lián xì 。 dāng chū yǒu xiū xiān zhě wèi zì jǐ de fán rén jiā zú liú tiáo hòu lù ， yě shì zhèng cháng 。 xiǎng lái zhè xiē fán rén jiù shì tōng guò dāng chū zhè xiē xiū xiān zhě liú xià de hòu shǒu fāng néng fǎn huí de 。”
“无风不起浪，有时候传闻往往就是事情的真相。”李凡心中一振，“毕竟，凡人与修仙者之间有着千丝万缕的联系。当初有修仙者为自己的凡人家族留条后路，也是正常。想来这些凡人就是通过当初这些修仙者留下的后手方能返回的。”
Cao Hong remained pessimistic: "Even so, it has been thousands of years. This world is vast; the chances are too slim."
kòu hóng què bù zěn me lè guān ：“ jí biàn rú cǐ ， yǐ jīng guò qù le shù qiān nián zhī jiǔ 。 cǐ jiè yòu pǒ wèi guǎng kuò ， néng zhǎo dào de kě néng xìng tài xiǎo tài xiǎo 。”
寇洪却不怎么乐观：“即便如此，已经过去了数千年之久。此界又颇为广阔，能找到的可能性太小太小。”
"Even if there's just a glimmer of hope, I won't give up," Li Fan said resolutely.
“ zhǐ yào yǒu yī xiàn xī wàng ， wǒ dōu bú huì fàng qì 。” lǐ fán zhǎn dīng jié tiě dào 。
“只要有一线希望，我都不会放弃。”李凡斩钉截铁道。
"I wonder how this old man can still be so restless..." Cao Hong muttered under his breath.
“ zhēn bù zhī dào nǐ yī xíng jiāng jiù mù de lǎo tóu ， zěn me hái néng zhè me zhē teng ……” kòu hóng xiǎo shēng dū nóng le jù 。
“真不知道你一行将就木的老头，怎么还能这么折腾……”寇洪小声嘟哝了句。
Li Fan pretended not to hear and solemnly told Cao Hong: "If you help me find a way into the world of cultivators, I will release you and let you return with me. I'll also return everything you and Dao Xuanzi have."
lǐ fán zhuāng zuò méi tīng dào ， zhèng zhòng de duì kòu hóng shuō dào ：“ zhǐ yào nǐ bāng wǒ zhǎo dào qián wǎng xiū xiān jiè de fāng fǎ ， wǒ bù jǐn huì fàng le nǐ ， ràng nǐ gēn wǒ yì qǐ huí qù ， nǐ hé dào xuán zi de dōng xī ， wǒ yě dōu jìn shù fèng huán 。”
李凡装作没听到，郑重的对寇洪说道：“只要你帮我找到前往修仙界的方法，我不仅会放了你，让你跟我一起回去，你和道玄子的东西，我也都尽数奉还。”
"Including that Core Formation true technique!"
“ bāo kuò nà mén jié yīng zhēn gōng ！”
“包括那门结婴真功！”
"Is this true?" Cao Hong suddenly lifted his head, hope flickering in his eyes.
“ cǐ huà dàng zhēn ？！” kòu hóng měng dì tái tóu ， yǎn zhōng dǒu rán mào chū le yī sī xī wàng 。
“此话当真？！”寇洪猛地抬头，眼中陡然冒出了一丝希望。
"Of course," Li Fan nodded.
“ dāng rán 。” lǐ fán diǎn tóu 。
“当然。”李凡点头。
"Good... If so, I will do my utmost to help." Cao Hong clenched his teeth, finally making up his mind.
“ hǎo …… jì rú cǐ ， wǒ biàn jìn quán lì bāng nǐ 。” kòu hóng yǎo yǎo yá ， zhōng shì xià dìng le jué xīn 。
“好……既如此，我便尽全力帮你。”寇洪咬咬牙，终是下定了决心。
Although he had been deceived by Li Fan several times and was unsure of the credibility of his promises, Cao Hong, like Li Fan, wouldn't give up even if there was just a sliver of hope.
tā suī rán bèi lǐ fán kēng guò shù cì ， bù zhī dào lǐ fán de xǔ nuò jiū jìng yǒu jǐ fēn kě xìn ， kě tā yě gēn lǐ fán yī yàng ， zhǐ yào nǎ pà yǒu yī sī xī wàng ， tā dōu bù yuàn fàng qì 。
他虽然被李凡坑过数次，不知道李凡的许诺究竟有几分可信，可他也跟李凡一样，只要哪怕有一丝希望，他都不愿放弃。
Trapped here for decades, then dying in old age...
kùn yú cǐ dì shù shí zài ， rán hòu lǎo sǐ 。
困于此地数十载，然后老死。
This was not what Cao Hong wanted!
zhè shí fēi tā kòu hóng suǒ yuàn ！
这实非他寇洪所愿！
...
……
……
With Cao Hong's help, Li Fan gathered historical texts and records from across the land, searching for any clues about the Great Migration era among ancient writings.
yú shì ， zài kòu hóng de bāng zhù xià ， lǐ fán sōu jí tiān xià shǐ shū diǎn jí ， lì qiú cóng shàng gǔ jì zǎi de zhī yán piàn yǔ zhōng ， xún zhǎo dào guān yú dāng chū dà qiān xǐ shí dài de xiàn suǒ 。
于是，在寇洪的帮助下，李凡搜集天下史书典籍，力求从上古记载的只言片语中，寻找到关于当初大迁徙时代的线索。
Meanwhile, he also mobilized his army to excavate ancient tombs on a large scale, hoping to find some hints. Despite causing widespread public resentment and daily petitions from officials urging him to stop, he forcibly suppressed all of them.
tóng shí ， lǐ fán hái dòng yòng jūn duì ， dà sì wā jué gǔ mù ， shì tú cóng zhōng zhǎo dào xiē xǔ zhū sī mǎ jì 。 suī rán yǐn dé mín yuàn fèi téng 、 bǎi guān rì rì shàng shū quàn jiè ， dàn dōu bèi tā yī yī qiáng xíng yā xià 。
同时，李凡还动用军队，大肆挖掘古墓，试图从中找到些许蛛丝马迹。虽然引得民怨沸腾、百官日日上书劝诫，但都被他一一强行压下。
Unfortunately, too much time had passed since the Great Migration era, and his remaining lifespan in this world was too short.
kě xī de shì ， jù lí dà qiān xǐ shí dài yǐ jīng guò qù le tài jiǔ ， ér cǐ shì tā shèng xià de shòu mìng yě tài guò duǎn zàn 。
可惜的是，距离大迁徙时代已经过去了太久，而此世他剩下的寿命也太过短暂。
Sixteen years later, as Li Fan's life approached its 66th year, he still found nothing.
shí liù nián zhī hòu ， máo dìng 66 nián ， lǐ fán dà xiàn jiāng zhì ， què réng rán yī wú suǒ huò 。
十六年之后，锚定66年，李凡大限将至，却仍然一无所获。
Ordering Cao Hong released, Li Fan stood alone in a secret underground chamber of the Chancellor’s Mansion.
mìng rén jiāng kòu hóng fàng zǒu ， lǐ fán gū shēn yī rén lái dào tài shī fǔ de dì xià mì shì zhōng 。
命人将寇洪放走，李凡孤身一人来到太师府的地下密室中。
With a mental command, Li Fan took out all items from his storage ring and laid them out sequentially.
shén niàn yī dòng ， lǐ fán jiāng chǔ wù jiè zhǐ zhōng de wù pǐn quán bù qǔ chū ， yī cì bǎi kāi 。
神念一动，李凡将储物戒指中的物品全部取出，依次摆开。
First, his gaze focused on an emerald glimmering faintly within a jade slip.
shǒu xiān ， lǐ fán de shì xiàn jiù jù jiāo zài nà méi sàn fà zhe wēi ruò jīn sè guāng máng de yù jiǎn zhī shàng 。
首先，李凡的视线就聚焦在那枚散发着微弱金色光芒的玉简之上。
This was the Core Formation technique that had caused Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi to fall out.
"Nowadays, for a commoner to seek cultivation in the world of cultivators, there are generally only a few options," Cao Hong patiently explained.
"Firstly, joining the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. The alliance is a loosely formed group comprising many cultivators. Members can gain contribution points by completing tasks or trading with others. These contribution points can be used to exchange cultivation techniques and resources within the alliance."
"Secondly, there's the Five Elders Association. This organization was founded by five top-tier experts, boasting immense power. Anyone with the potential for cultivation can voluntarily join, choosing a cultivation technique. The cost is signing a soul contract to serve the association for a certain period."
"Thirdly, joining local native forces. Although these forces cannot compare to the two major powers above, they are often more united and generally don't have dangerous tasks. They suit those with lazy or laid-back personalities. Other miscellaneous organizations are unreliable and can be ignored," Cao Hong slowly detailed the current state of the world of cultivators.
Li Fan frowned upon hearing this, feeling somewhat puzzled: "Based on your description, why does it seem that cultivation techniques aren't scarce in the world of cultivators?"
Cao Hong snorted coldly: "That's because these are all incomplete techniques obtained through such methods."
"Incomplete?" Li Fan was taken aback and then suddenly understood. "Do I need to continue serving them to obtain higher-level techniques?"
"Exactly!" Cao Hong said with hatred. "These techniques were newly compiled by the major forces over the years, reaching the limit at Great Qi Perfection. To advance further and establish a Dao Foundation, one must switch to new levels of cultivation techniques. The same applies above the Dao Foundation."
"Switching techniques? If every breakthrough in cultivation requires switching techniques from scratch, wouldn't all previous efforts be wasted?" Li Fan was shocked.
"This won't happen," Cao Hong shook his head. "All cultivators must study 'The Supreme Primordial True Scripture'. Legend has it that this scripture is the highest true scripture of the Ancient Dao Sect, the foundation of its establishment. After a great calamity, the Ancient Dao Sect vanished, leaving only fragments of 'The Supreme Primordial True Scripture' in the world. This isn't a cultivation technique but more like a secret method. Its purpose is to allow cultivators to freely discard their current power levels with minimal loss, enabling them to quickly catch up after switching to other techniques."
"Such a miraculous path," Li Fan marveled. "But this fragment appeared just at the right time, allowing countless cultivators to accept constant changes in cultivation techniques."
Li Fan sneered: "In my view, 'The Supreme Primordial True Scripture' might not be just fragments; perhaps thebehind the scenes master only released parts for retraining."
Cao Hong sighed deeply: "This truth is known by all. But what can we do? Genuine techniques are hard to come by. Even if one is drained of their essence, it's still better than nothing. With effort, one might still achieve something. Those willing to risk everything to seek opportunities in secret realms or ancient sects are few."
Li Fan nodded, gaining a basic understanding of the current state of the world of cultivators. It was vastly different from his imagined realm where cultivation was unbound and solely focused on eternal life. Instead, it resembled his world before he had come through.
Thinking about this, Li Fan couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Cao Hong didn't notice Li Fan's unusual behavior at the moment; instead, he sighed: "Even to the end, Dao Xuanzi never knew that I snatched a cultivation technique and ran because it was not just a Dan Formation technique. It was a true technique capable of directly reaching the Core Formation realm."
"If it were merely a Dan Formation technique, perhaps I could have made one myself," Cao Hong repeated. "But it's an actual Core Formation true technique..."
Upon hearing this, Li Fan's mind flickered as he touched the ring on his finger.
Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi's items had all been confiscated by him and stored in this storage ring. Due to his multiple lifetimes of experience and far greater spiritual strength than ordinary people, he could use the ring freely despite its requirement for a Qi Formation cultivator to manifest their spirit essence. However, without finding a way out of the Realm of Immortal Desolation, these items would be useless to him.
After introducing various common knowledge about the world of cultivators, such as how the death of a cultivator could trigger certain celestial phenomena, Cao Hong finally returned to discussing the possibility of ancient flying boats from the Great Migration era.
"Perhaps there is indeed such a possibility," Cao Hong thought deeply for a long time before saying. "I've heard rumors that over thousands of years, some commoners who were exiled to the Realm of Immortal Desolation have secretly returned to the world of cultivators. However, most are just gossip without concrete evidence."
"Where there's smoke, there's fire; sometimes rumors can be the truth," Li Fan's heart leaped with hope. "After all, there is a thread connecting commoners and cultivators. It was normal for cultivators to leave a backdoor for their families. These people likely returned through such means left by ancient cultivators."
Cao Hong remained pessimistic: "Even so, it has been thousands of years. This world is vast; the chances are too slim."
"Even if there's just a glimmer of hope, I won't give up," Li Fan said resolutely.
"I wonder how this old man can still be so restless..." Cao Hong muttered under his breath.
Li Fan pretended not to hear and solemnly told Cao Hong: "If you help me find a way into the world of cultivators, I will release you and let you return with me. I'll also return everything you and Dao Xuanzi have."
"Including that Core Formation true technique!"
"Is this true?" Cao Hong suddenly lifted his head, hope flickering in his eyes.
"Of course," Li Fan nodded.
"Good... If so, I will do my utmost to help." Cao Hong clenched his teeth, finally making up his mind.
Although he had been deceived by Li Fan several times and was unsure of the credibility of his promises, Cao Hong, like Li Fan, wouldn't give up even if there was just a sliver of hope.
Trapped here for decades, then dying in old age...
This was not what Cao Hong wanted!
...
With Cao Hong's help, Li Fan gathered historical texts and records from across the land, searching for any clues about the Great Migration era among ancient writings.
Meanwhile, he also mobilized his army to excavate ancient tombs on a large scale, hoping to find some hints. Despite causing widespread public resentment and daily petitions from officials urging him to stop, he forcibly suppressed all of them.
Unfortunately, too much time had passed since the Great Migration era, and his remaining lifespan in this world was too short.
Sixteen years later, as Li Fan's life approached its 66th year, he still found nothing.
Ordering Cao Hong released, Li Fan stood alone in a secret underground chamber of the Chancellor’s Mansion.
With a mental command, Li Fan took out all items from his storage ring and laid them out sequentially.
First, his gaze focused on an emerald glimmering faintly within a jade slip.
This was the Core Formation technique that had caused Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi to fall out.