cóng diào yú chí zhōng diào shàng bǎo wù pǐn zhì dì gài lǜ ， yǔ xiū wèi gāo dī wú guān 。
从钓鱼池中钓上宝物品质的概率，与修为高低无关。
The probability of reeling in treasure-grade items from the fishing pool was unrelated to one's cultivation level.
gèng duō zài yú diào zhī chéng 、 duì 【 diào 】 zhī yī dào de lǐ jiě 。
更多在于钓之诚、对【钓】之一道的理解。
More so, it depended on sincerity and understanding of the art of "fishing."
shèn zhì yuè shì yǒu suǒ qiú ， fǎn ér yào diào dào jì dìng mù biāo de kě néng xìng yuè xiǎo 。
甚至越是有所求，反而要钓到既定目标的可能性越小。
Even those who sought more were less likely to catch their desired targets.
zǒng zhī xuán zhī yòu xuán ， gēn xún cháng chuí diào lèi sì 。
总之玄之又玄，跟寻常垂钓类似。
In short, it was mysterious like any ordinary fishing endeavor.
shèng cháo chuí diào dà sài zhōng de shèng chū zhě ， jiāng huì bèi ān pái qián wǎng diào yú chí chuí diào 。
圣朝垂钓大赛中的胜出者，将会被安排前往钓鱼池垂钓。
Winners of the Imperial Fishing Contest would be arranged to fish in the pool.
zhè xiē rén dà duō bù guò liàn qì xiū wèi ， zuì gāo yě bù guò yuán yīng jìng jiè 。
这些人大多不过炼气修为，最高也不过元婴境界。
Most of these people had only cultivation at the Qi Condensation stage, with the highest reaching the Foundation Establishment realm.
yǐ tā men de jiàn wén rèn zhī 、 kǒng pà zěn me yě bú huì xiǎng dào ， zhè xiǎo xiǎo yī wāng bù qǐ yǎn de chí táng ， jìng rán huì shì xiān qì jí bié de cún zài 、 shèn zhì néng diào qǐ shì jiè jí de bǎo wù 。
以他们的见闻认知、恐怕怎么也不会想到，这小小一汪不起眼的池塘，竟然会是仙器级别的存在、甚至能掉起世界级的宝物。
Their limited knowledge and experience wouldn't allow them to imagine that this unremarkable pond could house treasures of Immortal grade or even world-class items.
tā men suǒ yǒu rén ， yǒu rèn hé shōu huò ， dū huì zì rán ér rán de jiāng qí rèn zuò shì wěi dà shèng huáng de shǎng cì 。
他们所有人，有任何收获，都会自然而然的将其认作是伟大圣皇的赏赐。
Any收获s they made would naturally be seen as rewards from the Great Holy Emperor.
ér qiě hái bù yòng dān xīn ， qí zhōng yǒu rén huì xiàng 119 shì de shí bǎn qián bèi yī yàng ， zuò sǐ jiè zhù diào yú chí 、 qù lǐng wù diào zhī yī dào 。 cóng ér yǐn qǐ bèi hòu wú míng zhēn xiān de fǎn yìng 、 fǎn bèi diào zǒu 。
而且还不用担心，其中有人会像119世的石板前辈一样，作死借助钓鱼池、去领悟钓之一道。从而引起背后无名真仙的反应、反被钓走。
Moreover, there was no need to worry about someone like their predecessor, the 119th Stone Tablet, risking death by using the fishing pool to understand the art of "fishing," only to attract the attention of a nameless True Immortal and end up being reeled in.
diào yú chí bèi diào shàng lái bǎo wù ， chú le jí gè bié cún zài ， lǐ píng huì dòng xīn 。 qí yú tā jiē huì jiāo yóu zhè xiē chuí diào zhě běn rén shǐ yòng 。 shèn zhì kě néng hái huì zhòng diǎn péi yǎng tā men 。
钓鱼池被钓上来宝物，除了极个别存在，李平会动心。其余他皆会交由这些垂钓者本人使用。甚至可能还会重点培养他们。
Li Ping would be the one to take interest in any items reeled from the pond, apart from a few exceptions. He would leave the rest for these fishermen to use, possibly even nurturing them.
“ zhè yī shì ， jiù ràng wǒ kàn kàn zhè diào yú chí nèi bǎo wù ， shì fǒu zhēn de wú qióng wú jìn 。 yǐ jí ……”
“这一世，就让我看看这钓鱼池内宝物，是否真的无穷无尽。以及……”
"Let me see if this fishing pool truly holds endless treasures. And..."
“ zhū tiān zào huà ， shì fǒu néng gòu lì yā xuán huáng ！”
“诸天造化，是否能够力压玄黄！”
"The creation of all worlds, can it surpass Xuanhuang!"
shì xiàn luò zài shèng jīng chéng zhōng ， shàng wàn míng shǒu chí gè shì bù tóng yú gān 、 yuè yuè yù shì de diào yú zhě shēn shàng ， lǐ píng fǎng fú kàn dào le wú shù xīng kōng zhì bǎo 、 fēn fēn fēi rù shèng cháo de qíng xíng 。
视线落在圣京城中，上万名手持各式不同鱼竿、跃跃欲试的钓鱼者身上，李平仿佛看到了无数星空至宝、纷纷飞入圣朝的情形。
His gaze fell on the thousands of fishers eagerly holding their rods in the Holy Capital City. Li Ping imagined countless star treasures flying into the Holy Empire.
jiù zài shèng cháo chuí diào dà sài jǐn luó mì bù jǔ bàn de tóng shí 。
就在圣朝垂钓大赛紧罗密布举办的同时。
While the Imperial Fishing Contest was being held with great fervor,
yōng yùn zhōu xī běi biān chuí ， yī zuò huāng liáng xiǎo shān 。
雍韵州西北边陲，一座荒凉小山。
in the northwest border of Yongyun State, a desolate small mountain.
shān dǐng pò miào nèi ， huī le yī gān què kōng shǒu ér guī de zhōng shén tōng ， hū de gǎn dào yī sī kùn fá 。
山顶破庙内，挥了一杆却空手而归的钟神通，忽的感到一丝困乏。
In the dilapidated temple atop the mountain, Zhong Shen tong, who had failed to catch anything after his cast, suddenly felt drowsy.
zhèng yào hū huàn dào tóng liú lí ， què fā xiàn tā yě xiàn rù le hū hū dà shuì zhōng 。
正要呼唤道童琉璃，却发现她也陷入了呼呼大睡中。
Just as he was about to call for his disciple Lu Li, he noticed she was already fast asleep.
zhōng shén tōng xiào le xiào ， chá kàn le yī fān xiǎo miào fáng hù zhèn fǎ ， què bǎo méi yǒu chū shén me wèn tí hòu 。
钟神通笑了笑，查看了一番小庙防护阵法，确保没有出什么问题后。
Zhong Shen tong smiled and checked the protective array of the small temple. Ensuring there were no issues, he lazily dozed off in a recliner.
zhè cái lǎn yáng yáng dì ， zài tǎng yǐ shàng xiǎo qì qǐ lái 。
这才懒洋洋地，在躺椅上小憩起来。
After an indeterminate amount of time...
bù zhī guò le duō jiǔ ……
不知过了多久……
When he suddenly woke up, he found himself in a dark unknown space!
dāng tā mò míng jīng xǐng de shí hòu ， yǐ rán shēn chù yī piàn yōu àn wèi zhī kōng jiān lǐ ！
当他莫名惊醒的时候，已然身处一片幽暗未知空间里！
Instinctively reaching for his storage ring to retrieve his protective treasure, he realized that he was completely naked, exposed and vulnerable.
xià yì shí de xiǎng yào cóng chǔ wù jiè zhōng tāo chū zì jǐ yā xiāng dǐ de hù shēn zhī bǎo ， què fā xiàn zì jǐ bù zhī hé shí hún shēn yǐ jīng bèi bā le gè jīng guāng ， guāng liū liū yī piàn ！
下意识的想要从储物戒中掏出自己压箱底的护身之宝，却发现自己不知何时浑身已经被扒了个精光，光溜溜一片！
Zhong Shen tong's face twitched. He knew this was it; the other party had been too ruthless, leaving no room for him.
zhōng shén tōng liǎn chōu le chōu ， zhī dào zì jǐ zhè cì shì chè dǐ zāi le 。 duì fāng tài hěn ， yì diǎn jī huì dōu méi yǒu gěi 。
钟神通脸抽了抽，知道自己这次是彻底栽了。对方太狠，一点机会都没有给。
"However, I'm still alive, which means they don't intend to kill me. I'm just a destitute Qi Condensation cultivator nearing my end. It wouldn't make sense for them to go through such trouble. So, is it because of the fishing pool?"
“ bù guò wǒ xiàn zài hái huó zhe ， shuō míng duì fāng méi yǒu yào qǔ wǒ xìng mìng de yì si 。 wǒ biǎo miàn shàng bù guò yī dà xiàn jiāng zhì 、 qióng kùn liáo dǎo de liàn qì xiū shì ， xiǎng yào duì fù wǒ gēn běn bù rú dà fèi zhōu zhāng 。 suǒ yǐ shì wèi le diào yú chí ？”
“不过我现在还活着，说明对方没有要取我性命的意思。我表面上不过一大限将至、穷困潦倒的炼气修士，想要对付我根本不如大费周章。所以是为了钓鱼池？”
Zhong Shen tong's mind raced, quickly understanding but unable to fathom how this secret had leaked.
zhōng shén tōng xīn niàn jí zhuǎn ， shùn jiān míng bái guò lái 。 dàn rèn píng tā xiǎng pò le nǎo dài ， yě xiǎng bù chū zhè yī zhì bǎo de xiāo xī shì zěn me zǒu lòu de 。
钟神通心念急转，瞬间明白过来。但任凭他想破了脑袋，也想不出这一至宝的消息是怎么走漏的。
There were no signs at all!
quán rán méi yǒu yù zhào ！
全然没有预兆！
"Wait, where’s Lu Li?"
“ duì le ， liú lí ne ？”
“对了，琉璃呢？”
He regarded her as his only family after she was transformed from the fishing pool. Now that he was in trouble, she must be in grave danger...
duì yú zhè qīn shǒu cóng diào yú chí zhōng diào shàng lái 、 huà xíng de xiǎo wá wá ， zhōng shén tōng yǐ jīng jī hū bǎ tā dàng zuò zì jǐ wéi yī de qīn rén kàn dài 。 rú jīn zì jǐ shēn xiàn líng yǔ ， xiǎng lái tā yě xiōng duō jí shǎo ……
对于这亲手从钓鱼池中钓上来、化形的小娃娃，钟神通已经几乎把她当做自己唯一的亲人看待。如今自己身陷囹圄，想来她也凶多吉少……
Just when Zhong Shen tong's mind was in turmoil, a cold voice echoed through the darkness.
zhèng dāng zhōng shén tōng xīn luàn rú má de shí hòu ， zhè qī hēi kōng jiān zhōng ， hū de xiǎng qǐ yī dào bīng lěng wú bǐ de shēng yīn 。
正当钟神通心乱如麻的时候，这漆黑空间中，忽的响起一道冰冷无比的声音。
"Break to Foundation Establishment within seven days."
“ qī rì zhī nèi ， tū pò dào zhù jī qī 。”
“七日之内，突破到筑基期。”
"Or else, die!"
“ fǒu zé ， sǐ ！”
“否则，死！”
No further words were spoken, but the chilling intent surrounding him made it clear this wasn't a test. If he failed, he would truly be killed!
méi yǒu gēn zhōng shén tōng jiāo liú de yì si ， zhǐ shuō le zhè liǎng jù huà ， jiù zài yě méi le dòng jìng 。
没有跟钟神通交流的意思，只说了这两句话，就再也没了动静。
"I've been stuck at late Qi Condensation for fifty years. On the surface, I'm old and with no hope of advancement. Anyone sane wouldn't ask me to do such a thing unless..."
bù guò nà huán rào sì zhōu 、 wǎn ruò shí zhì dì bīng lěng shā yì ， ràng zhōng shén tōng míng bái ， zhè bìng bú shì shén me shì tàn 。
不过那环绕四周、宛若实质的冰冷杀意，让钟神通明白，这并不是什么试探。
"He suspects that my cultivation is the [Life-Death Xuan Technique]!"
ruò shì méi néng chéng gōng tū pò ， zhēn de huì bèi shā ！
若是没能成功突破，真的会被杀！
The more Zhong Shen tong thought about it, the deeper he felt this mysterious figure's incomprehensible depth.
“ wǒ zhì liú zài liàn qì hòu qī ， yǐ jīng zú zú wǔ shí duō nián 。 biǎo miàn shàng kàn chuí chuí lǎo yǐ ， gēn běn tū pò wú wàng 。 dàn fán zhèng cháng diǎn de rén ， dōu bú huì duì wǒ tí chū zhè yàng de yāo qiú 。 chú fēi ……”
“我滞留在炼气后期，已经足足五十多年。表面上看垂垂老矣，根本突破无望。但凡正常点的人，都不会对我提出这样的要求。除非……”
...
“ tā cāi cè dào wǒ xiū xíng de shì 【 shēng sǐ xuán gōng 】！”
“他猜测到我修行的是【生死玄功】！”
While Zhong Shen tong was in an endless state of fear,
yuè xiǎng ， zhōng shén tōng jiù yuè jué de zhè mù hòu hēi shǒu de shēn bù kě cè 。 míng míng cǐ qián cóng wèi jiàn guò ， dàn duì fāng sì hū duì zì jǐ de yī qiè dōu liǎo ruò zhǐ zhǎng bān 。
越想，钟神通就越觉得这幕后黑手的深不可测。明明此前从未见过，但对方似乎对自己的一切都了若指掌般。
in another dark space, Lu Li, the young disciple, was still fast asleep.
……
……
Suddenly appearing before her, Li Ping quietly observed.
zhèng dāng zhōng shén tōng xiàn rù liǎo wú jǐn huáng kǒng zhī zhōng de shí hòu 。
正当钟神通陷入了无尽惶恐之中的时候。
After a long moment, he said calmly, "Friend from the Hundred Flowers Sect, please reveal yourself."
lìng wài yī chù qī hēi kōng jiān ， dào tóng liú lí sì hū réng rán méi yǒu chá jué dào wēi jī de jiàng lín 。 réng zài hū hū dà shuì 。
另外一处漆黑空间，道童琉璃似乎仍然没有察觉到危机的降临。仍在呼呼大睡。
Silence greeted him.
lǐ píng dǒu rán chū xiàn zài tā de miàn qián ， jìng jìng dǎ liàng zhe 。
李平陡然出现在她的面前，静静打量着。
Li Ping narrowed his eyes: "Do I have to say it again? The Supreme Prosperity Realm's Heavenly Lotus Sect Master?"
liáng jiǔ ， lǐ píng dàn dàn dì shuō dào ：“ bǎi huā dào yǒu ， hái qǐng xiàn shēn ba 。”
良久，李平淡淡地说道：“百花道友，还请现身吧。”
His tone was light but like thunder to some ears.
jìng qiāo qiāo yī piàn ， méi yǒu yìng dá 。
静悄悄一片，没有应答。
Finally, the hidden figure revealed itself as a golden glow enveloped Lu Li.
lǐ píng mī qǐ le yǎn jīng ：“ hái yào wǒ shuō dì sān biàn me ， wàn shèng jiè 、 tiān lián zōng zōng zhǔ ？”
李平眯起了眼睛：“还要我说第三遍么，万盛界、天莲宗宗主？”
"Who are you?" the Hundred Flowers Daoist stared at Li Ping intently.
yǔ qì hěn qīng ， dàn shì luò zài mǒu xiē rén ěr zhōng ， què bù chì yú jīng léi yì bān 。
语气很轻，但是落在某些人耳中，却不啻于惊雷一般。
She had never seen this person before, yet he could accurately identify her identity...
zhōng yú bù zài yǐn cáng ， zhèn zhèn jīn guāng shǎn yào ， yī dào shēn yǐng zì dào tóng liú lí shēn shàng fú xiàn 。
终于不再隐藏，阵阵金光闪耀，一道身影自道童琉璃身上浮现。
In an instant, numerous faces flashed through her mind, none matching.
bǎi huā dào rén sǐ sǐ dīng zhe lǐ píng ：“ nǐ jiū jìng shì shuí ？”
百花道人死死盯着李平：“你究竟是谁？”
"Just another star wanderer like me. The past is over; why delve into it?"
duì yú yǎn qián zhè rén ， bǎi huā kěn dìng shì cóng lái méi yǒu jiàn guò de 。 dàn tā què néng gòu zhǔn què wú wù de shuō chū zì jǐ de shēn fèn ……
对于眼前这人，百花肯定是从来没有见过的。但他却能够准确无误的说出自己的身份……
A single sentence made her imagine the terrifying moments of the world's destruction.
chà nà jiān ， bǎi huā nǎo hǎi zhōng shǎn xiàn guò zhū duō rén yǐng 。 què wú yī néng gòu duì de shàng hào 。
刹那间，百花脑海中闪现过诸多人影。却无一能够对的上号。
"More importantly, the future." His next words completely captured her attention.
“ bù guò shì tóng wèi shī qù gù tǔ de xīng kōng liú làng zhě bà le 。 wǎng zhě yǐ yǐ ， dào yǒu yòu hé bì shēn jiū ？”
“不过是同为失去故土的星空流浪者罢了。往者已矣，道友又何必深究？”
"The future?"
yī jù huà ， ràng bǎi huā dào rén gèng jiā fú xiǎng lián piān 。 sì hū yòu huí dào le guò qù miè shì zāi huò jiē lián bào fā de kǒng bù shí kè 。
一句话，让百花道人更加浮想联翩。似乎又回到了过去灭世灾祸接连爆发的恐怖时刻。
"Now, in this Sinking Sea, only here counts as a sanctuary. But Xuanhuang Realm isn't what it used to be. Over these years, through piecing together and merging with remnants of other realms, this new Xuanhuang has long transcended the concept of a cultivation realm," Li Ping said softly.
“ gèng zhòng yào de ， shì wèi lái 。” ér duì fāng jiē xià lái de yī jù huà ， zé shì chè dǐ xī yǐn le bǎi huā de xīn shén 。
“更重要的，是未来。”而对方接下来的一句话，则是彻底吸引了百花的心神。
"If you search carefully, you might find remnants of the old Supreme Prosperity Realm."
“ wèi lái ？”
“未来？”
Huanghua Daoist's face changed: "What do you want to say?"
“ rú jīn chén lún xīng hǎi zhōng ， zhǐ shèng xià zhè lǐ suàn shì wéi yī jìng tǔ 。 dàn cǐ kè de xuán huáng jiè ， yě bú shì zhī qián de xuán huáng jiè le 。 zhè me duō nián ， jīng yóu zhū jiè cán piàn bù duàn pīn còu 、 róng hé 。 zhè xīn xuán huáng jiè ， zǎo yǐ jīng tuō lí le yì bān xiū xiān jiè de gài niàn fàn chóu 。” lǐ píng yǔ qì yōu yōu 。
“如今沉沦星海中，只剩下这里算是唯一净土。但此刻的玄黄界，也不是之前的玄黄界了。这么多年，经由诸界残片不断拼凑、融合。这新玄黄界，早已经脱离了一般修仙界的概念范畴。”李平语气幽幽。
"Since Xuanhuang absorbed remnants from other realms... then this new Xuanhuang should also have a place for us. If they don't agree, we must fight for it," Li Ping said proudly.
“ ruò shì dào yǒu zǐ xì xún zhǎo de huà ， shuō bù dìng hái néng zhǎo dào xī rì wàn shèng jiè de cán piàn le 。”
“若是道友仔细寻找的话，说不定还能找到昔日万盛界的残片了。”
"The native forces in Xuanhuang are too powerful; we can only succeed by uniting."
bǎi huā liǎn sè yī biàn ：“ dào yǒu jiū jìng xiǎng yào shuō shén me ？”
百花脸色一变：“道友究竟想要说什么？”
"Besides the Supreme Prosperity Realm, I've found allies from the Celestial Oracle Realm..."
“ jì rán xuán huáng jiè xī shōu le zhū jiè cán piàn …… nà me xīn xuán huáng jiè ， lǐ yīng yě gāi yǒu wǒ men de yī xí zhī dì 。 tā men ruò shì bù yǔn ， nà me jiù yào wǒ men zì jǐ qù zhēng 。” lǐ píng ào rán dào 。
“既然玄黄界吸收了诸界残片……那么新玄黄界，理应也该有我们的一席之地。他们若是不允，那么就要我们自己去争。”李平傲然道。
Li Ping spoke confidently.
“ xuán huáng jiè běn tǔ shì lì tài guò páng dà ， wǒ men wéi yǒu lián hé qǐ lái ， cái yǒu kě néng qǔ huí zì jǐ de dōng xī 。”
“玄黄界本土势力太过庞大，我们唯有联合起来，才有可能取回自己的东西。”
Huanghua Daoist was visibly intrigued.
“ chú le wàn shèng jiè zhī wài ， wǒ hái zhǎo dào le tiān jī jiè de dào yǒu ……”
“除了万盛界之外，我还找到了天机界的道友……”
"If Xuanhuang truly absorbed remnants of our world to resist the Immortal Void, then this could indeed be my new home."
lǐ píng kǎn kǎn ér tán 。
李平侃侃而谈。
A surge of emotion welled up in her. It had been years since she found a place after wandering for so long.
bǎi huā dào rén zé shì míng xiǎn yǒu xiē yì dòng le 。
百花道人则是明显有些意动了。
"But... Xuanhuang Realm's cultivators aren't easily swayed." After pondering, Huanghua Daoist was still hesitant. She vaguely remembered how that lone Immortal blocked them from entering back then.
“ rú guǒ xuán huáng jiè ， zhēn de xī shōu le wǒ men shì jiè de cán piàn ， yòng lái dǐ kàng xiān xū de huà 。 nà me zhè lǐ yě dí què suàn de shàng wǒ xīn jiā le 。”
“如果玄黄界，真的吸收了我们世界的残片，用来抵抗仙墟的话。那么这里也的确算的上我新家了。”
Though times have changed and the immortal has disappeared, a new Teaching Celestial Venerable has emerged...
bǎi huā xīn zhōng hū de yǒng qǐ yī sī jì dòng ， nà shì piāo bó wú guī duō nián ， hū yòu zhǎo dào le xīn de róng shēn zhī suǒ hòu de nán yǐ yì zhì de qíng gǎn 。
百花心中忽的涌起一丝悸动，那是漂泊无归多年，忽又找到了新的容身之所后的难以抑制的情感。
Would they truly fare well under His hand?
“ kě …… xuán huáng jiè xiū shì kě bú shì nà me róng yì shuō huà de 。” zài sī cǔn zhī hòu ， bǎi huā dào rén yī jiù yǒu xiē chí yí 。 tā yī xī hái jì de ， dāng nián nà wèi sàn xiān dú zì yī rén ， jiāng tā men nà xiē zhū jiè xìng cún zhě zǔ lán zài wài de qíng xíng 。
“可……玄黄界修士可不是那么容易说话的。”在思忖之后，百花道人依旧有些迟疑。她依稀还记得，当年那位散仙独自一人，将他们那些诸界幸存者阻拦在外的情形。
(End of Chapter)
The probability of reeling in treasure-grade items from the fishing pool was unrelated to one's cultivation level.
More so, it depended on sincerity and understanding of the art of "fishing."
Even those who sought more were less likely to catch their desired targets.
In short, it was mysterious like any ordinary fishing endeavor.
Winners of the Imperial Fishing Contest would be arranged to fish in the pool.
Most of these people had only cultivation at the Qi Condensation stage, with the highest reaching the Foundation Establishment realm.
Their limited knowledge and experience wouldn't allow them to imagine that this unremarkable pond could house treasures of Immortal grade or even world-class items.
Any收获s they made would naturally be seen as rewards from the Great Holy Emperor.
Moreover, there was no need to worry about someone like their predecessor, the 119th Stone Tablet, risking death by using the fishing pool to understand the art of "fishing," only to attract the attention of a nameless True Immortal and end up being reeled in.
Li Ping would be the one to take interest in any items reeled from the pond, apart from a few exceptions. He would leave the rest for these fishermen to use, possibly even nurturing them.
"Let me see if this fishing pool truly holds endless treasures. And..."
"The creation of all worlds, can it surpass Xuanhuang!"
His gaze fell on the thousands of fishers eagerly holding their rods in the Holy Capital City. Li Ping imagined countless star treasures flying into the Holy Empire.
While the Imperial Fishing Contest was being held with great fervor,
in the northwest border of Yongyun State, a desolate small mountain.
In the dilapidated temple atop the mountain, Zhong Shen tong, who had failed to catch anything after his cast, suddenly felt drowsy.
Just as he was about to call for his disciple Lu Li, he noticed she was already fast asleep.
Zhong Shen tong smiled and checked the protective array of the small temple. Ensuring there were no issues, he lazily dozed off in a recliner.
After an indeterminate amount of time...
When he suddenly woke up, he found himself in a dark unknown space!
Instinctively reaching for his storage ring to retrieve his protective treasure, he realized that he was completely naked, exposed and vulnerable.
Zhong Shen tong's face twitched. He knew this was it; the other party had been too ruthless, leaving no room for him.
"However, I'm still alive, which means they don't intend to kill me. I'm just a destitute Qi Condensation cultivator nearing my end. It wouldn't make sense for them to go through such trouble. So, is it because of the fishing pool?"
Zhong Shen tong's mind raced, quickly understanding but unable to fathom how this secret had leaked.
There were no signs at all!
"Wait, where’s Lu Li?"
He regarded her as his only family after she was transformed from the fishing pool. Now that he was in trouble, she must be in grave danger...
Just when Zhong Shen tong's mind was in turmoil, a cold voice echoed through the darkness.
"Break to Foundation Establishment within seven days."
"Or else, die!"
No further words were spoken, but the chilling intent surrounding him made it clear this wasn't a test. If he failed, he would truly be killed!
"I've been stuck at late Qi Condensation for fifty years. On the surface, I'm old and with no hope of advancement. Anyone sane wouldn't ask me to do such a thing unless..."
"He suspects that my cultivation is the [Life-Death Xuan Technique]!"
The more Zhong Shen tong thought about it, the deeper he felt this mysterious figure's incomprehensible depth.
...
While Zhong Shen tong was in an endless state of fear,
in another dark space, Lu Li, the young disciple, was still fast asleep.
Suddenly appearing before her, Li Ping quietly observed.
After a long moment, he said calmly, "Friend from the Hundred Flowers Sect, please reveal yourself."
Silence greeted him.
Li Ping narrowed his eyes: "Do I have to say it again? The Supreme Prosperity Realm's Heavenly Lotus Sect Master?"
His tone was light but like thunder to some ears.
Finally, the hidden figure revealed itself as a golden glow enveloped Lu Li.
"Who are you?" the Hundred Flowers Daoist stared at Li Ping intently.
She had never seen this person before, yet he could accurately identify her identity...
In an instant, numerous faces flashed through her mind, none matching.
"Just another star wanderer like me. The past is over; why delve into it?"
A single sentence made her imagine the terrifying moments of the world's destruction.
"More importantly, the future." His next words completely captured her attention.
"The future?"
"Now, in this Sinking Sea, only here counts as a sanctuary. But Xuanhuang Realm isn't what it used to be. Over these years, through piecing together and merging with remnants of other realms, this new Xuanhuang has long transcended the concept of a cultivation realm," Li Ping said softly.
"If you search carefully, you might find remnants of the old Supreme Prosperity Realm."
Huanghua Daoist's face changed: "What do you want to say?"
"Since Xuanhuang absorbed remnants from other realms... then this new Xuanhuang should also have a place for us. If they don't agree, we must fight for it," Li Ping said proudly.
"The native forces in Xuanhuang are too powerful; we can only succeed by uniting."
"Besides the Supreme Prosperity Realm, I've found allies from the Celestial Oracle Realm..."
Li Ping spoke confidently.
Huanghua Daoist was visibly intrigued.
"If Xuanhuang truly absorbed remnants of our world to resist the Immortal Void, then this could indeed be my new home."
A surge of emotion welled up in her. It had been years since she found a place after wandering for so long.
"But... Xuanhuang Realm's cultivators aren't easily swayed." After pondering, Huanghua Daoist was still hesitant. She vaguely remembered how that lone Immortal blocked them from entering back then.
Though times have changed and the immortal has disappeared, a new Teaching Celestial Venerable has emerged...
Would they truly fare well under His hand?
(End of Chapter)