shì jiǎo biàn huàn 。
视角变换。
The perspective shifted.
kuáng fēng nù hǒu ， juǎn qǐ jīng tāo hài làng 。
狂风怒吼，卷起惊涛骇浪。
Howling winds whipped up towering waves and surging tides. A faint light shield barely held the island together, trembling under the relentless battering of massive waves.
wēi ruò de fā guāng hù zhào jiāng dǎo yǔ hù zhù ， zài bù duàn pāi dǎ de jù làng miàn qián sè sè fā dǒu 。
微弱的发光护罩将岛屿护住，在不断拍打的巨浪面前瑟瑟发抖。
Ling qi surged wildly across the heavens and seas, like a mad beast running amok.
tiān dì jiān líng qì yě zài bào zǒu ， rú fā fēng de yě shòu bēn zǒu chōng zhuàng 。
天地间灵气也在暴走，如发疯的野兽奔走冲撞。
Endless gusts of wind emerged from nowhere, wreaking havoc between the sky and sea.
fēng 。 wú qióng wú jìn de fēng bù zhī cóng hé ér qǐ ， zài tiān kōng yǔ hǎi yáng zhī jiān sì nüè 。
风。无穷无尽的风不知从何而起，在天空与海洋之间肆虐。
This was just another ordinary scene of a windstorm in the Cunyun Sea.
zhè shì cóng yún hǎi zhōng ， yī chù pǔ tōng de fēng zāi xiàn chǎng 。
这是丛云海中，一处普通的风灾现场。
Amidst the howling hurricane, Zhang Haobo floated like a leaf caught in the wind, rising and falling continuously.
jù fēng hū xiào shēng zhōng ， zhāng hào bō rú tóng fēng zhōng fú píng ， bù duàn qǐ qǐ luò luò 。
飓风呼啸声中，张浩波如同风中浮萍，不断起起落落。
Zhang Haobo's aura had completely dissipated. But under Li Fan’s divine vision, he gradually began to emit a unique pattern of ling qi.
zhāng hào bō hún shēn qì xī quán wú 。 zhǐ shì zài tiān dì shì jiǎo xià ， lǐ fán yǐn yǐn kàn dào ， tā shēn shàng zhú jiàn yǒng xiàn chū yī zhǒng dú tè de líng qì yùn lǜ 。
张浩波浑身气息全无。只是在天地视角下，李凡隐隐看到，他身上逐渐涌现出一种独特的灵气韵律。
It seemed as if he was mimicking the omnipresent "wind" in the world.
sì hū zài mó fǎng zhe tiān dì jiān wú chǔ bù zài de “ fēng ”。
似乎在模仿着天地间无处不在的“风”。
With his heart and mind settled, Zhang Haobo closed his eyes to ponder.
zhāng hào bō xīn shén chén diàn ， bì yǎn gǎn wù 。
张浩波心神沉淀，闭眼感悟。
Only after the windstorm subsided did he open his eyes again. He lightly sensed for a moment before drifting off in a certain direction.
yì zhí dào fēng zāi jiàn jiàn xiāo sàn ， tā cái zhēng kāi le shuāng yǎn 。
一直到风灾渐渐消散，他才睁开了双眼。
There were no signs of ling qi fluctuations, but he moved with incredible speed.
wēi wēi gǎn yìng piàn kè ， suí hòu cháo zhe mǒu gè fāng xiàng piāo qù 。
微微感应片刻，随后朝着某个方向飘去。
Indeed, it was like a gentle breeze passing through the world.
yī rán méi yǒu líng qì bō dòng ， dàn què sù dù jí kuài 。
依然没有灵气波动，但却速度极快。
"His movement technique is quite impressive," Li Fan nodded slightly.
zhēn de hǎo sì yī zhèn qīng fēng ， wēi wēi zài tiān dì jiān fú guò 。
真的好似一阵清风，微微在天地间拂过。
"But what is he sensing? Isn't he supposed to be searching for a base-stone formation?"
“ zhè shēn fǎ ， bù cuò 。” lǐ fán wēi wēi diǎn tóu 。
“这身法，不错。”李凡微微点头。
Li Fan sensed that Zhang Haobo’s destination marked another brewing windstorm.
“ zhǐ shì ， tā yòu zài gǎn wù zhe shén me ？ bú shì zài xún zhǎo tiān dì qí wù zhù jī me ？”
“只是，他又在感悟着什么？不是在寻找天地奇物筑基么？”
Zhang Haobo was chasing the wind.
lǐ fán yǐn yǐn chá jué dào ， zhāng hào bō qián wǎng de fāng xiàng ， yǒu lìng yī cháng fēng zāi zhèng zài yùn niàng 。
李凡隐隐察觉到，张浩波前往的方向，有另一场风灾正在酝酿。
"Interesting..."
zhāng hào bō ， zài zhuī fēng 。
张浩波，在追风。
It seemed like he had no immediate plans to establish his foundation.
“ yǒu yì si ……”
“有意思……”
Thus, most of Li Fan's attention returned to the Foundation Establishment Master.
kàn lái ， yī shí bàn huì tā hái méi yǒu zhù jī de dǎ suàn 。
看来，一时半会他还没有筑基的打算。
More than two weeks had passed since the last group of Qi Refinement cultivators successfully established their foundations and left.
yú shì ， lǐ fán de dà bù fèn zhù yì lì yòu huí dào le zhù jī dà shī zhè biān 。
于是，李凡的大部分注意力又回到了筑基大师这边。
Based on past experience, at least one or two more would come seeking fame every seven to eight days.
jù lí shàng yī pī lái de jǐ wèi liàn qì xiū shì chéng gōng zhù jī lí qù ， yǐ jīng guò qù yǒu shí jǐ tiān le 。
距离上一批来的几位炼气修士成功筑基离去，已经过去有十几天了。
But now, after ten days, no one had arrived.
àn zhào yǐ wǎng de jīng yàn lái kàn ， zuì qǐ mǎ měi qī bā tiān jiù huì guò lái yī liǎng gè mù míng qián lái de xiū shì 。
按照以往的经验来看，最起码每七八天就会过来一两个慕名前来的修士。
Something was amiss.
xiàn zài shí jǐ tiān guò qù le ， què dōu méi yǒu rén zài lái 。
现在十几天过去了，却都没有人再来。
The three people on the island grew restless, gathering daily to discuss something.
yǒu xiē bú zhèng cháng 。
有些不正常。
Li Fan, observing secretly, activated his Formless Killing Intent and locked onto a young man named Li Chenfeng, intending to see what they were up to.
yú shì ， dǎo shàng de sān rén yǒu xiē zuò bú zhù le 。
于是，岛上的三人有些坐不住了。
On this day, the trio met again in private within their room.
měi tiān dōu yào jù zài yì qǐ ， bù zhī dào zài shāng liáng zhe xiē shén me 。
每天都要聚在一起，不知道在商量着些什么。
Under Li Fan’s divine vision, he could see everything clearly inside.
àn zhōng guān chá de lǐ fán yú shì fā dòng liǎo wú xiāng shā jī ， suǒ dìng le nà míng jiào zuò lǐ chén fēng de qīng nián ， dǎ suàn kàn kàn tā men zài gǎo shén me míng táng 。
暗中观察的李凡于是发动了无相杀机，锁定了那名叫做李晨风的青年，打算看看他们在搞什么名堂。
The Foundation Establishment Master appeared agitated. He looked up with fear: "It's back, that feeling is back!"
zhè yī rì ， sān rén zài dù yú shì nèi mì móu 。
这一日，三人再度于室内密谋。
"Old man, are you really scared?" Li Chenfeng, though puzzled, was also serious.
lǐ fán tiān shì dì tīng ， shì nèi qíng kuàng yī lǎn wú yú 。
李凡天视地听，室内情况一览无余。
The Foundation Establishment Master shook his head: "You don’t understand. Although I stopped at late-stage Foundation Establishment, I have observed hundreds of cultivators successfully establish their foundations. The fluctuations in the laws of the cosmos are incredibly sensitive to me."
zhù jī dà shī shén qíng yǒu xiē jiāo zào bù ān ， tā yòu tái tóu kàn le yī yǎn ， biàn dé yǒu xiē huáng kǒng ：“ yòu lái le ， nà zhǒng gǎn jué yòu lái le ！”
筑基大师神情有些焦躁不安，他又抬头看了一眼，变得有些惶恐：“又来了，那种感觉又来了！”
"It can't be wrong, this feeling of being probed..."
“ zhì yú ma lǎo tóu ， nǐ jiù zhè me hài pà ？” lǐ chén fēng suī rán yǒu xiē bù jiě ， dàn yě shì yī liǎn níng zhòng 。
“至于吗老头，你就这么害怕？”李晨风虽然有些不解，但也是一脸凝重。
"Someone of great power must be watching us..." The Foundation Establishment Master’s wrinkled face turned pale.
zhù jī dà shī yáo yáo tóu ：“ nǐ men bù dǒng ， wǒ suī rán jìng jiè zhǐ bù yú zhù jī hòu qī 。 dàn shì guān mó guò shù bǎi míng xiū shì zhù jī chéng gōng chǎng jǐng ， duì yú tiān dì fǎ zé de bō dòng wú bǐ mǐn gǎn 。”
筑基大师摇摇头：“你们不懂，我虽然境界止步于筑基后期。但是观摩过数百名修士筑基成功场景，对于天地法则的波动无比敏感。”
"This is a warning? Or...?" He grew increasingly fearful as he pondered.
“ jué bú huì cuò ， zhè zhǒng bèi kuī tàn gǎn ……”
“绝不会错，这种被窥探感……”
"Enough with that self-indulgent fear! If the matter really gets exposed, someone would have come to kill us all long ago!" Li Chenfeng impatiently thumped the table, steadying their spirits.
“ yí dìng shì mǒu wèi dà néng zài zhù shì zhe zhè lǐ ……” zhù jī dà shī mǎn shì zhòu wén de liǎn yǐn yǐn yǒu xiē fā bái 。
“一定是某位大能在注视着这里……”筑基大师满是皱纹的脸隐隐有些发白。
"But, your worries are not unfounded," Li Chenfeng changed his tone.
“ yī cì liǎng cì huò xǔ shì wú yì jiān piē guò ， dàn zhè yǐ jīng shì hǎo duō cì le 。 zhè shì jǐng gào ？ hái shì ……” zhù jī dà shī yuè xiǎng yuè hài pà 。
“一次两次或许是无意间瞥过，但这已经是好多次了。这是警告？还是……”筑基大师越想越害怕。
"Our principle has always been to avoid staying in one place for too long. We move on after making a profit. But this Cunyun Sea is vast, and there are many Foundation Establishment cultivators each year, so we’ve stayed here longer."
“ xíng le ， bié zài nà zì jǐ xià zì jǐ le ！ yào shì shì qíng zhēn de bài lù ， zǎo yǒu rén shàng mén lái bǎ wǒ men dōu gěi miè le ！” lǐ chén fēng bù nài fán de pāi le pāi zhuō zi ， wěn dìng jūn xīn 。
“行了，别在那自己吓自己了！要是事情真的败露，早有人上门来把我们都给灭了！”李晨风不耐烦的拍了拍桌子，稳定军心。
"Originally, we planned to leave after seven or eight years. Now it seems our profits have attracted attention from others."
“ bù guò ， lǎo tóu nǐ de dān yōu yě bù wú dào lǐ 。” lǐ chén fēng huà fēng yī zhuǎn 。
“不过，老头你的担忧也不无道理。”李晨风话锋一转。
Li Chenfeng analyzed calmly: "Given that, let's leave sooner rather than later. Pack up our things and head out tomorrow morning. We'll go north to Yongliang State. It’s within the territory of the Five Elders Alliance. Once we get there, even if the Ten Thousand Immortals League tries to cause trouble, it won't be easy."
“ wǒ men de zōng zhǐ xiàng lái dōu shì bù zài yí gè dì fāng duō dài ， lāo yī bǐ jiù pǎo 。 zhǐ bù guò zhè cóng yún hǎi yù guǎng kuò ， měi nián zhù jī de xiū shì shù liàng shí zài shì bù shǎo ， zhè cái zài zhè lǐ dài le zhè me jiǔ 。”
“我们的宗旨向来都是不在一个地方多待，捞一笔就跑。只不过这丛云海域广阔，每年筑基的修士数量实在是不少，这才在这里待了这么久。”
The man surnamed Xiao agreed: "That's right. After that, we can change our appearance and try again."
“ yuán běn jì huà shì zài gàn gè qī bā nián jiù zǒu de 。 xiàn zài kàn lái ， kěn dìng shì wǒ men huò lì pǒ fēng ， yǐn qǐ bié rén zhù yì le 。”
“原本计划是再干个七八年就走的。现在看来，肯定是我们获利颇丰，引起别人注意了。”
Li Chenfeng suddenly lowered his voice and asked quietly: "Old man, how much more do you need before we can exchange for the Swallowing Sea Longevity Technique?"
lǐ chén fēng lěng jìng dì fēn xī dào ：“ jì rán rú cǐ ， bù rú zǎo diǎn chè 。 shōu shí dōng xī ， míng zǎo jiù dòng shēn 。 jiē xià lái ， wǒ men wǎng běi ， qù yōng liáng zhōu 。 nà lǐ shì wǔ lǎo huì de dì pán ， dào le nà lǐ zhī hòu ， jiù suàn wàn xiān méng de rén xiǎng zhǎo wǒ men má fán ， yě méi nà me róng yì le 。”
李晨风冷静地分析道：“既然如此，不如早点撤。收拾东西，明早就动身。接下来，我们往北，去雍良州。那里是五老会的地盘，到了那里之后，就算万仙盟的人想找我们麻烦，也没那么容易了。”
The Foundation Establishment Master narrowed his eyes: "We're close. With a bit of caution, in another fifty or so years, we should be able to make the exchange."
nà xìng xiào de nán zi yě fù hè dào ：“ bù cuò ， dào nà zhī hòu ， wǒ men zài gǎi tóu huàn miàn ， gù jì zhòng shī 。”
那姓肖的男子也附和道：“不错，到那之后，我们再改头换面，故技重施。”
Sighing, the man surnamed Xiao said: "It’s truly not easy. Your Excellency has been away from your homeland for nearly a hundred and twenty years?"
lǐ chén fēng hū rán yā dī shēng yīn ， xiǎo shēng wèn dào ：“ lǎo tóu ， lí duì huàn 《 tūn hǎi cháng shēng gōng 》， hái chà duō shǎo ？”
李晨风忽然压低声音，小声问道：“老头，离兑换《吞海长生功》，还差多少？”
The old man sighed too: "Yes. Back then, I endured countless hardships to break through the Great Desolation Array and enter the world of cultivation. It's been over ninety-eight years since then."
zhù jī dà shī yǎn jīng yī mī ：“ kuài le 。 wǒ men xiǎo xīn diǎn ， zài gàn gè wǔ shí jǐ nián ， yīng gāi jiù néng duì huàn le 。”
筑基大师眼睛一眯：“快了。我们小心点，再干个五十几年，应该就能兑换了。”
Li Chenfeng said solemnly: "A true union technique is no small matter. To be able to exchange for it in just a hundred years is already a stroke of luck."
xiào xìng nán zi gǎn tàn dào ：“ zhēn bù róng yì a 。 zhù lǎo nǐ bèi jǐng lí xiāng zhì cǐ ， yīng gāi chà bu duō yǒu yì bǎi duō nián le ？”
肖姓男子感叹道：“真不容易啊。祝老你背井离乡至此，应该差不多有一百多年了？”
The old man felt ashamed: "Still, I owe much to Master Li’s wisdom. This method saved us ten years’ worth of effort in one year."
zhù lǎo yě shì bù shèng xī xū ：“ shì a 。 dāng nián wǒ fèi jìn qiān xīn wàn kǔ ， tū pò xiān jué dà zhèn shēn lín xiū xiān jiè 。 jù jīn yǐ jīng jiǔ shí bā nián yǒu yú le 。”
祝老也是不胜唏嘘：“是啊。当年我费劲千辛万苦，突破仙绝大阵身临修仙界。距今已经九十八年有余了。”
The man surnamed Xiao praised repeatedly.
lǐ chén fēng chén shēng dào ：“ hé dào zhēn gōng ， dāng rán fēi tóng xiǎo kě 。 zhǐ yòng le yì bǎi duō nián shí jiān ， jiù néng bǎ tā duì huàn chū lái ， yǐ jīng shì wàn xìng le 。”
李晨风沉声道：“合道真功，当然非同小可。只用了一百多年时间，就能把它兑换出来，已经是万幸了。”
Li Chenfeng's face showed no signs of pride; instead, he said gravely: "The more we near our goal, the more careful we must be. After a century of planning and countless sacrifices, we cannot let anything ruin it."
zhù lǎo yǒu xiē cán kuì ：“ hái shì duō kuī le lǐ shī nǐ jī zhì ， xiǎng chū le zhè me yí gè hǎo fāng fǎ 。 yī nián jiù shèng guò wǒ guò qù shí nián suǒ de 。”
祝老有些惭愧：“还是多亏了李师你机智，想出了这么一个好方法。一年就胜过我过去十年所得。”
The old man agreed solemnly: "Master Li is right."
xiào xìng nán zi yě shì lián lián chēng zàn 。
肖姓男子也是连连称赞。
The man surnamed Xiao whispered: "As long as we can bring back this Swallowing Sea Longevity Technique, all these sacrifices will have been worth it."
lǐ chén fēng liǎn shàng méi yǒu shén me zì dé de shén qíng ， ér shì yán sù dì shuō dào ：“ yuè shì gōng chéng shí kè ， yuè yào xiǎo xīn jǐn shèn 。 bǎi nián móu huà ， wú shù rén de xī shēng ， jué bù néng huǐ zài wǒ men shǒu shàng 。”
李晨风脸上没有什么自得的神情，而是严肃地说道：“越是功成时刻，越要小心谨慎。百年谋划，无数人的牺牲，绝不能毁在我们手上。”
Li Chenfeng sighed: "I wonder how many Leviathan whales the empire has raised over these years. The Empress Dowager estimated that a group of ten thousand Leviathans could counteract the pull of the cultivation world on their homeland. Thirty years ago when I left, there were only about seven thousand Leviathans in the group."
zhù lǎo yě shì shén qíng yī sù ：“ lǐ shī shuō de shì 。”
祝老也是神情一肃：“李师说的是。”
"Thirty years, three thousand..."
xiào xìng nán zi dī shēng shuō dào ：“ zhǐ yào néng bǎ zhè mén 《 tūn hǎi cháng shēng gōng 》 dài huí qù ， nà me suǒ yǒu de xī shēng de dōu shì zhí de de 。”
肖姓男子低声说道：“只要能把这门《吞海长生功》带回去，那么所有的牺牲的都是值得的。”
"It's tough!" Li Chenfeng shook his head.
lǐ chén fēng zé shì tàn le kǒu qì ：“ yě bù zhī dào zhè xiē nián guò qù ， liè jiè jīng dào dǐ péi yǎng le duō shǎo tiáo chū lái 。 dāng shí dì nǚ tuī suàn ， shí wàn tóu liè jiè jīng zǔ chéng de jīng qún hé lì ， cái néng dǐ xiāo xiū xiān jiè duì jiā xiāng de xī fù 。 sān shí nián zhī qián ， wǒ lí kāi jiā xiāng shí ， jīng qún de guī mó yě cái qī wàn duō tiáo ér yǐ 。”
李晨风则是叹了口气：“也不知道这些年过去，裂界鲸到底培养了多少条出来。当时帝女推算，十万头裂界鲸组成的鲸群合力，才能抵消修仙界对家乡的吸附。三十年之前，我离开家乡时，鲸群的规模也才七万多条而已。”
The old man comforted: "If the number of Leviathans isn't enough, we can continue to raise them. As long as we bring back this true union technique, it will help the Empress Dowager subdue other rebellious forces."
“ sān shí nián ， sān wàn ……”
“三十年，三万……”
"Then, with full imperial resources, we can push for the empire's departure from the cultivation world within ten years."
“ nán a ！” lǐ chén fēng yáo le yáo tóu 。
“难啊！”李晨风摇了摇头。
"With the establishment of our Dao lineage through the Swallowing Sea Longevity Technique, free from the constraints of techniques not being able to be practiced simultaneously..."
zhù lǎo ān wèi dào ：“ liè jiè jīng de shù liàng bù gòu ， kě yǐ yǐ hòu zài màn màn péi yǎng ma 。 zhǐ yào wǒ men bǎ hé dào zhēn gōng dài huí qù ， jiù néng bāng zhù dì nǚ shōu fú qí tā nà xiē fǎn fù de shì lì 。”
祝老安慰道：“裂界鲸的数量不够，可以以后再慢慢培养嘛。只要我们把合道真功带回去，就能帮助帝女收服其他那些反复的势力。”
"The empire will see an increasing number of cultivators."
“ dào shí hòu ， jǔ quán dì guó zhī lì 。 dìng rán néng zài shí nián nèi ， quán lì tuī dòng dì guó tuō lí cǐ chù xiū xiān jiè 。”
“到时候，举全帝国之力。定然能在十年内，全力推动帝国脱离此处修仙界。”
"An optimistic future awaits the empire!"
“ ér yǒu le 《 tūn hǎi cháng shēng gōng 》 lì xià de dào tǒng ， méi le xiū fǎ bù kě tóng xiū de zhì gù 。”
“而有了《吞海长生功》立下的道统，没了修法不可同修的桎梏。”
The old man’s words left Li Chenfeng and the man surnamed Xiao in a state of hopeful anticipation.
“ dì guó jiāng yǒng xiàn chū yuè lái yuè duō de xiū xiān zhě 。”
“帝国将涌现出越来越多的修仙者。”
After a long while, they clasped hands tightly.
“ dì guó de wèi lái ， yī piàn guāng míng a ！”
“帝国的未来，一片光明啊！”
"For the empire! For the Empress Dowager!"
zhù lǎo yī xí huà ， ràng lǐ chén fēng hé xiào xìng nán zi quán dōu xiàn rù le duì wèi lái de měi hǎo chōng jǐng zhōng 。
祝老一席话，让李晨风和肖姓男子全都陷入了对未来的美好憧憬中。
Their faces showed intense fervor as they echoed each other.
liáng jiǔ ， sān rén jiāng shǒu láo láo wò zài yì qǐ 。
良久，三人将手牢牢握在一起。
...
“ wèi le dì guó ， wèi le dì nǚ ！”
“为了帝国，为了帝女！”
"The empire, thieves of techniques, leaving the cultivation world..." Li Fan watched this scene from afar with an inexplicable expression in his eyes.
sān rén de liǎn shàng fú xiàn chū wú bǐ de kuáng rè ， tóng shēng shuō dào 。
三人的脸上浮现出无比的狂热，同声说道。
"Looks like those small worlds and caves where humans migrated back then weren't all devoid of ling qi like Daxuan."
……
……
"Or perhaps they were. But over a few thousand years, some changes could have occurred."
“ dì guó ， dào fǎ zhě ， tuō lí xiū xiān jiè ……” lǐ fán yuǎn yuǎn kàn zhe mì shì zhōng de zhè yí mù ， yǎn shén zhōng lù chū mò míng de shén qíng 。
“帝国，盗法者，脱离修仙界……”李凡远远看着密室中的这一幕，眼神中露出莫名的神情。
"The ability to raise and control ten thousand Leviathans..."
“ kàn lái dāng chū fán rén qiān yí de nà xiē xiǎo shì jiè 、 dòng tiān ， yě bìng fēi quán dōu shì rú tóng dà xuán yì bān ， méi yǒu sī háo líng qì 。”
“看来当初凡人迁移的那些小世界、洞天，也并非全都是如同大玄一般，没有丝毫灵气。”
"This so-called empire is not weak. I wonder what methods they use."
The perspective shifted.
Howling winds whipped up towering waves and surging tides. A faint light shield barely held the island together, trembling under the relentless battering of massive waves.
Ling qi surged wildly across the heavens and seas, like a mad beast running amok.
Endless gusts of wind emerged from nowhere, wreaking havoc between the sky and sea.
This was just another ordinary scene of a windstorm in the Cunyun Sea.
Amidst the howling hurricane, Zhang Haobo floated like a leaf caught in the wind, rising and falling continuously.
Zhang Haobo's aura had completely dissipated. But under Li Fan’s divine vision, he gradually began to emit a unique pattern of ling qi.
It seemed as if he was mimicking the omnipresent "wind" in the world.
With his heart and mind settled, Zhang Haobo closed his eyes to ponder.
Only after the windstorm subsided did he open his eyes again. He lightly sensed for a moment before drifting off in a certain direction.
There were no signs of ling qi fluctuations, but he moved with incredible speed.
Indeed, it was like a gentle breeze passing through the world.
"His movement technique is quite impressive," Li Fan nodded slightly.
"But what is he sensing? Isn't he supposed to be searching for a base-stone formation?"
Li Fan sensed that Zhang Haobo’s destination marked another brewing windstorm.
Zhang Haobo was chasing the wind.
"Interesting..."
It seemed like he had no immediate plans to establish his foundation.
Thus, most of Li Fan's attention returned to the Foundation Establishment Master.
More than two weeks had passed since the last group of Qi Refinement cultivators successfully established their foundations and left.
Based on past experience, at least one or two more would come seeking fame every seven to eight days.
But now, after ten days, no one had arrived.
Something was amiss.
The three people on the island grew restless, gathering daily to discuss something.
Li Fan, observing secretly, activated his Formless Killing Intent and locked onto a young man named Li Chenfeng, intending to see what they were up to.
On this day, the trio met again in private within their room.
Under Li Fan’s divine vision, he could see everything clearly inside.
The Foundation Establishment Master appeared agitated. He looked up with fear: "It's back, that feeling is back!"
"Old man, are you really scared?" Li Chenfeng, though puzzled, was also serious.
The Foundation Establishment Master shook his head: "You don’t understand. Although I stopped at late-stage Foundation Establishment, I have observed hundreds of cultivators successfully establish their foundations. The fluctuations in the laws of the cosmos are incredibly sensitive to me."
"It can't be wrong, this feeling of being probed..."
"Someone of great power must be watching us..." The Foundation Establishment Master’s wrinkled face turned pale.
"This is a warning? Or...?" He grew increasingly fearful as he pondered.
"Enough with that self-indulgent fear! If the matter really gets exposed, someone would have come to kill us all long ago!" Li Chenfeng impatiently thumped the table, steadying their spirits.
"But, your worries are not unfounded," Li Chenfeng changed his tone.
"Our principle has always been to avoid staying in one place for too long. We move on after making a profit. But this Cunyun Sea is vast, and there are many Foundation Establishment cultivators each year, so we’ve stayed here longer."
"Originally, we planned to leave after seven or eight years. Now it seems our profits have attracted attention from others."
Li Chenfeng analyzed calmly: "Given that, let's leave sooner rather than later. Pack up our things and head out tomorrow morning. We'll go north to Yongliang State. It’s within the territory of the Five Elders Alliance. Once we get there, even if the Ten Thousand Immortals League tries to cause trouble, it won't be easy."
The man surnamed Xiao agreed: "That's right. After that, we can change our appearance and try again."
Li Chenfeng suddenly lowered his voice and asked quietly: "Old man, how much more do you need before we can exchange for the Swallowing Sea Longevity Technique?"
The Foundation Establishment Master narrowed his eyes: "We're close. With a bit of caution, in another fifty or so years, we should be able to make the exchange."
Sighing, the man surnamed Xiao said: "It’s truly not easy. Your Excellency has been away from your homeland for nearly a hundred and twenty years?"
The old man sighed too: "Yes. Back then, I endured countless hardships to break through the Great Desolation Array and enter the world of cultivation. It's been over ninety-eight years since then."
Li Chenfeng said solemnly: "A true union technique is no small matter. To be able to exchange for it in just a hundred years is already a stroke of luck."
The old man felt ashamed: "Still, I owe much to Master Li’s wisdom. This method saved us ten years’ worth of effort in one year."
The man surnamed Xiao praised repeatedly.
Li Chenfeng's face showed no signs of pride; instead, he said gravely: "The more we near our goal, the more careful we must be. After a century of planning and countless sacrifices, we cannot let anything ruin it."
The old man agreed solemnly: "Master Li is right."
The man surnamed Xiao whispered: "As long as we can bring back this Swallowing Sea Longevity Technique, all these sacrifices will have been worth it."
Li Chenfeng sighed: "I wonder how many Leviathan whales the empire has raised over these years. The Empress Dowager estimated that a group of ten thousand Leviathans could counteract the pull of the cultivation world on their homeland. Thirty years ago when I left, there were only about seven thousand Leviathans in the group."
"Thirty years, three thousand..."
"It's tough!" Li Chenfeng shook his head.
The old man comforted: "If the number of Leviathans isn't enough, we can continue to raise them. As long as we bring back this true union technique, it will help the Empress Dowager subdue other rebellious forces."
"Then, with full imperial resources, we can push for the empire's departure from the cultivation world within ten years."
"With the establishment of our Dao lineage through the Swallowing Sea Longevity Technique, free from the constraints of techniques not being able to be practiced simultaneously..."
"The empire will see an increasing number of cultivators."
"An optimistic future awaits the empire!"
The old man’s words left Li Chenfeng and the man surnamed Xiao in a state of hopeful anticipation.
After a long while, they clasped hands tightly.
"For the empire! For the Empress Dowager!"
Their faces showed intense fervor as they echoed each other.
...
"The empire, thieves of techniques, leaving the cultivation world..." Li Fan watched this scene from afar with an inexplicable expression in his eyes.
"Looks like those small worlds and caves where humans migrated back then weren't all devoid of ling qi like Daxuan."
"Or perhaps they were. But over a few thousand years, some changes could have occurred."
"The ability to raise and control ten thousand Leviathans..."
"This so-called empire is not weak. I wonder what methods they use."