zhòng xiū shì tīng wén lǐ fán zhī huà ， xiān shì jí tǐ lèng zhù ， suí hòu yī piàn huá rán ， fǎn yìng bù yī 。
众修士听闻李凡之话，先是集体愣住，随后一片哗然，反应不一。
The crowd of cultivators were initially stunned by Li Fan's words, then erupted into a cacophony of reactions.
yǒu de mǎn liǎn bù xiè ， gāo shēng cháo fěng ：“ nǎ lái de liàn qì xiǎo xiū shì ， zài zhè hú yán luàn yǔ ？”
有的满脸不屑，高声嘲讽：“哪来的炼气小修士，在这胡言乱语？”
Some mocked loudly: "What kind of lowly qi refinement cultivator dares to speak nonsense here?"
“ jiù shì ， hái ràng rén sàn gōng 。 nǐ zì jǐ zěn me bù sàn ？”
“就是，还让人散功。你自己怎么不散？”
"Exactly. Why don't you disperse your cultivation yourself? You're just asking others to do it."
yǒu de zé shì ruò yǒu suǒ sī ：“ nán dào ， dào yǒu de yì si shì ， nà míng shǒu chí mù gùn de guài wù ， zhǐ zhēn duì xiū shì 、 bù zhēn duì fán rén ？”
有的则是若有所思：“难道，道友的意思是，那名手持木棍的怪物，只针对修士、不针对凡人？”
Others seemed contemplative: "Could it be that the friend's meaning is that this monster only targets cultivators, not ordinary people?"
“ suī rán tīng shàng qù yǒu diǎn bù kě sī yì ， dàn yě bú shì méi yǒu zhè ge kě néng 。 zhè lǐ de qíng jǐng ， mǒu zhǒng chéng dù shàng gēn zōng mén yí jì zhōng de guǐ yì hěn xiāng sì le 。”
“虽然听上去有点不可思议，但也不是没有这个可能。这里的情景，某种程度上跟宗门遗迹中的诡异很相似了。”
"While it sounds a bit unbelievable, there might still be such a possibility. The scene here somewhat resembles the strange occurrences in sect ruins."
zhè zhǒng shuō fǎ dǎo shì yǐn qǐ le bù shǎo xiū shì de gòng míng 。
这种说法倒是引起了不少修士的共鸣。
This viewpoint resonated with many cultivators.
“ yǎn kàn zhè qīng niú lā chē jiù yào jìn rù yún shuǐ tiān gōng ， liú gěi wǒ men de shí jiān bù duō le 。 dí què kě yǐ shì yī shì 。”
“眼看这青牛拉车就要进入云水天宫，留给我们的时间不多了。的确可以试一试。”
"Since we can see the black bull-drawn carriage entering the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace any moment now, we don't have much time left. We should definitely give it a try."
“ kě nà mù bàng shí zài lì hài 。 shuō bù dìng shì wǒ men xiū wèi zài shēn ， cái néng bǎo zhù xìng mìng 。 ruò shì huà qù gōng lì ， biàn wèi fán rén ， gǎo bù hǎo huì zhí jiē bèi yī gùn zi dǎ sǐ 。”
“可那木棒实在厉害。说不定是我们修为在身，才能保住性命。若是化去功力，变为凡人，搞不好会直接被一棍子打死。”
"But that staff is really powerful. Perhaps only because of our cultivation foundation are we able to survive. If we disperse our cultivation and become ordinary people, we might be killed by one strike," someone said with a shudder.
“ sī ， zhè wèi dào yǒu shuō de yě bù wú dào lǐ 。”
“嘶，这位道友说的也不无道理。”
"Ah, this friend's words have some merit."
zhòng rén yì lùn fēn fēn ， yī shí jiān jìng méi yǒu yí gè gǎn shàng qián yī shì de 。
众人议论纷纷，一时间竟没有一个敢上前一试的。
The cultivators discussed heatedly, none daring to step forward for the test.
yóu yù bù dìng jiān ， yī míng chì fā de xiū shì sì hū yǒu diǎn shòu bù liǎo le 。 tā dà hǒu yī shēng ， bù shuǎng dì kàn zhe zhòng rén ：“ yǒu shén me hǎo jiū jié de ， bù jiù shì sàn gōng me ！ fǎn zhèng yǒu 《 tài shàng yuán shǐ zhēn jīng 》 zài ， hěn kuài jiù néng chóng xīn xiū huí lái 。 wǒ lái ！”
犹豫不定间，一名赤发的修士似乎有点受不了了。他大吼一声，不爽地看着众人：“有什么好纠结的，不就是散功么！反正有《太上原始真经》在，很快就能重新修回来。我来！”
Amidst their hesitation, a red-haired cultivator seemed unable to bear it. He roared loudly and looked displeased at everyone: "What's so hard about dispersing your cultivation? With *Supreme Primordial True Scripture*, we can quickly recover our cultivation."
shuō zhe ， tā fēi shēn jiàng luò dào máo cǎo wū qián 。 suí hòu 《 tài shàng yuán shǐ zhēn jīng 》 yùn zhuàn ， bù guò piàn kè ， yī shēn xiū wèi biàn jìn shù huà qù ， chéng wéi le fán rén 。
说着，他飞身降落到茅草屋前。随后《太上原始真经》运转，不过片刻，一身修为便尽数化去，成为了凡人。
With that, he leaped down to the thatched cottage. The *Supreme Primordial True Scripture* began to operate, and in no time his cultivation was completely dispersed, leaving him an ordinary person.
lǐ fán xīn zhōng yī dòng ， wú xiāng shā jī dùn shí jiāng qí suǒ dìng 。
李凡心中一动，无相杀机顿时将其锁定。
Li Fan's mind stirred as the formless killing intent immediately locked onto him.
chì fā xiū shì zhī qián hái yǒu diǎn dà dà liē liē ， cǐ kè yǐ fán rén zhī qū miàn duì miàn duì nà gāo dà 、 xiōng hàn de guài wù ， què shì bù yóu de biàn dé jǐn zhāng qǐ lái 。
赤发修士之前还有点大大咧咧，此刻以凡人之躯面对面对那高大、凶悍的怪物，却是不由得变得紧张起来。
The red-haired cultivator had been rather casual before but now, as a mere mortal facing that towering, fierce monster, he grew nervous. He swallowed hard and moved forward slowly.
tā yàn le yàn kǒu shuǐ ， yì diǎn yì diǎn xiàng qián nuó dòng zhe jiǎo bù 。
他咽了咽口水，一点一点向前挪动着脚步。
All eyes were on him. The surroundings fell silent.
zài chǎng suǒ yǒu rén de shì xiàn ， cǐ kè dōu jí zhōng zài le tā shēn shàng 。 shà shí jiān ， zhōu wéi yī piàn jì jìng 。
在场所有人的视线，此刻都集中在了他身上。霎时间，周围一片寂静。
Approaching the thatched cottage, the faceless creature still ignored him. The wooden staffed monster stared at him for a long time, raising its staff several times but never striking down.
huǎn huǎn jiē jìn máo cǎo wū ， nà wú zuǐ guài wù yī rán shì duì tā shú shì wú dǔ 。 ér mù gùn guài wù zé dīng zhe tā dǎ liàng le xǔ jiǔ ， shǒu zhōng de mù gùn jǐ cì yáng qǐ ， dàn shǐ zhōng dōu méi yǒu zá xià 。
缓缓接近茅草屋，那无嘴怪物依然是对他熟视无睹。而木棍怪物则盯着他打量了许久，手中的木棍几次扬起，但始终都没有砸下。
Thus, the red-haired man made it to the cottage door without incident.
jiù zhè yàng ， chì fā nán zi yǒu jīng wú xiǎn de ， lái dào le máo cǎo wū mén kǒu 。
就这样，赤发男子有惊无险的，来到了茅草屋门口。
The faint reading sounds within abruptly ceased.
wū nèi yǐn yǐn de dú shū shēng dùn shí tíng le xià lái 。
屋内隐隐的读书声顿时停了下来。
The door creaked open, and an elderly voice sounded from inside: "Come in!"
dà mén hōng rán dǎ kāi ， yǒu diǎn cāng lǎo de shēng yīn zì qí nèi chuán lái 。
大门轰然打开，有点苍老的声音自其内传来。
The red-haired cultivator's face lit up as he strode into the cottage.
“ jìn lái ba ！”
“进来吧！”
The door closed behind him. The two gatekeepers continued to watch from outside with fierce eyes.
chì fā nán zi miàn lù xǐ sè ， kuò bù zǒu jìn wū nèi 。
赤发男子面露喜色，阔步走进屋内。
Outside the carriage, a bustling market-like scene erupted.
wū mén suí zhī guān bì ， liǎng zūn mén shén yī jiù hǔ shì dān dān de zài wài kān shǒu zhe 。
屋门随之关闭，两尊门神依旧虎视眈眈的在外看守着。
"Did it really work?!"
ér qīng niú lā chē zhōu wéi ， chà nà jiān biàn dé rú tóng cài shì chǎng yì bān rè nào 。
而青牛拉车周围，刹那间变得如同菜市场一般热闹。
"This lowly qi refinement... no, this friend is truly brilliant! How should I address you?"
“ zhēn de chéng gōng le ？！”
“真的成功了？！”
"Damn it, Li Zhi got there first. No way, I have to disperse my cultivation too!"
“ zhè wèi liàn qì xiǎo ... bù bù bù ， zhè wèi dào yǒu dàng zhēn shì cōng yǐng guò rén a ， bù zhī gāi rú hé chēng hū ？”
“这位炼气小...不不不，这位道友当真是聪颖过人啊，不知该如何称呼？”
Others remained calm: "No rush. Wait for Li Zhi to come out and see what kind of opportunity lies within the thatched cottage."
“ gāi sǐ ， gěi zhè liú zhì gěi qiǎng xiān yī bù 。 bù xíng ， wǒ yě yào huà gōng jìn qù ！”
“该死，给这刘志给抢先一步。不行，我也要化功进去！”
"Right, he's just an ordinary person now. He can't run away even if he wanted to."
dāng rán ， hái shì yǒu bù shǎo xiū shì bǎo chí zhe lěng jìng ：“ bù jí ， děng nà liú zhì chū lái zài shuō ， kàn zhè máo cǎo wū nèi ， jiū jìng shì shén me jī yuán 。”
当然，还是有不少修士保持着冷静：“不急，等那刘志出来再说，看这茅草屋内，究竟是什么机缘。”
...
“ bù cuò ， fǎn zhèng tā xiàn rú jīn yě shì gè fán rén 。 xiǎng pǎo yě pǎo bù liǎo 。”
“不错，反正他现如今也是个凡人。想跑也跑不了。”
Outside was chaos, but Li Fan frowned intensely, his gaze fixed on the thatched cottage.
……
……
For when Li Zhi entered the cottage, the formless killing intent that had been tracking him suddenly failed.
zhōu wéi yī piàn luàn zāo zāo de ， lǐ fán què shì méi tóu jǐn suǒ ， jǐn jǐn dīng zhe nà máo cǎo wū 。
周围一片乱糟糟的，李凡却是眉头紧锁，紧紧盯着那茅草屋。
Since Li Fan had mastered this divine technique, such a situation had never occurred before.
yīn wèi ， jiù zài nà liú zhì jìn rù wū nèi de yī chà nà ， suǒ dìng tā de wú xiāng shā jī ， shī xiào le 。
因为，就在那刘志进入屋内的一刹那，锁定他的无相杀机，失效了。
The formless killing intent, pseudo-divine mandate in use. It was always effective in various situations.
zì cóng lǐ fán lǐng wù chū zhè yī shì shén tōng yǐ lái ， hái cóng lái méi yǒu chū xiàn guò zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng 。
自从李凡领悟出这一式神通以来，还从来没有出现过这种情况。
But now...
wú xiāng shā jī ， wěi tiān mìng ér yòng 。 zài gè zhǒng chǎng hé ， dōu wú wǎng ér bù lì 。
无相杀机，伪天命而用。在各种场合，都无往而不利。
That thatched cottage might house an extremely terrifying existence.
ér xiàn zài ……
而现在……
Other cultivators were not as worried as Li Fan. Five more qi refinement cultivators rushed to enter the thatched cottage one after another.
zhè máo cǎo wū lǐ de ， kě néng shì xiāng dāng kǒng bù de yī zūn cún zài 。
这茅草屋里的，可能是相当恐怖的一尊存在。
Base foundation cultivators remained cautious andobserve; wait and see.
bié de xiū shì kě méi yǒu lǐ fán de zhè zhǒng dān yōu ， xiān hòu yòu yǒu wǔ míng liàn qì xiū shì zhēng xiān kǒng hòu dì jìn rù máo cǎo wū zhōng 。
别的修士可没有李凡的这种担忧，先后又有五名炼气修士争先恐后地进入茅草屋中。
Inside, nothing changed except for the faint, seemingly unchanging reading sounds echoing in everyone's hearts.
zhì yú nà xiē zhù jī xiū shì ， hái shì dōu jǐn shèn de chǔ yú guān wàng zhuàng tài 。
至于那些筑基修士，还是都谨慎的处于观望状态。
The sound seemed clearer than before but still indistinct, its content unclear.
máo cǎo wū nèi méi yǒu shén me biàn huà ， zhǐ yǒu nà fǎng fú wàn nián bù biàn de dú shū shēng huí dàng zài zhòng rén xīn jiān 。
茅草屋内没有什么变化，只有那仿佛万年不变的读书声回荡在众人心间。
Despite their impatience, the cultivators could only wait patiently.
zhè shēng yīn sì hū bǐ qǐ zuì chū tīng dào shí qīng xī le yì diǎn 。 dàn réng jiù tīng bù zhēn qiè ， fēn biàn bù chū jù tǐ nèi róng 。
这声音似乎比起最初听到时清晰了一点。但仍旧听不真切，分辨不出具体内容。
The next morning.
zhòng xiū shì suī rán xīn zhōng jiāo jí nàn nài ， què yě zhǐ néng xuǎn zé nài xīn děng dài 。
众修士虽然心中焦急难耐，却也只能选择耐心等待。
Without anyone noticing, the six who had entered yesterday suddenly appeared on the open ground outside the thatched cottage, lying everywhere with their breaths still present, seemingly in a deep sleep.
dì èr tiān zǎo shàng 。
第二天早上。
"Wait, didn't they all disperse their cultivation and become ordinary people? How did they regain their cultivation?"
zài suǒ yǒu rén dōu méi yǒu chá jué de qíng kuàng xià ， zuó tiān jìn rù de liù rén ， quán dōu tū rán chū xiàn zài le máo cǎo wū wài de kòng dì shàng 。
在所有人都没有察觉的情况下，昨天进入的六人，全都突然出现在了茅草屋外的空地上。
Soon, someone noticed something amiss.
héng qī shù bā tǎng le yī dì ， dàn shì qì xī dōu zài ， sì hū zhǐ shì xiàn rù le chén shuì zhī zhōng 。
横七竖八躺了一地，但是气息都在，似乎只是陷入了沉睡之中。
"Not only have their cultivation returned, but it seems each of them has advanced by one minor realm compared to before?"
“ děng děng ， tā men bú shì quán dōu huà qù xiū wèi ， biàn chéng fán rén le ma ？ zěn me xiàn zài quán dōu xiū wèi jǐn fù le ？”
“等等，他们不是全都化去修为，变成凡人了嘛？怎么现在全都修为尽复了？”
"Yes. Li Zhi was at the initial stage of qi refinement yesterday. Just one night later, he's now in the middle stage!"
hěn kuài ， jiù yǒu xiū shì chá jué dào le bú duì jìn de dì fāng 。
很快，就有修士察觉到了不对劲的地方。
"The mid-stage cultivator also broke through to late-stage qi refinement!"
“ bù guāng guāng shì xiū wèi jǐn fù ， hǎo xiàng ， tā men de xiū wèi quán dōu bǐ qǐ zhī qián yào gāo le yí gè xiǎo jìng jiè ？”
“不光光是修为尽复，好像，他们的修为全都比起之前要高了一个小境界？”
"Late-stage qi refinement still didn't break through but his aura has become much more solid. There must be some benefits."
“ méi cuò ， zhè liú zhì zhī qián shì liàn qì chū qī 。 zhǐ yī yè guò qù ， xiàn zài biàn chéng liàn qì zhōng qī le ！”
“没错，这刘志之前是炼气初期。只一夜过去，现在变成炼气中期了！”
Amidst their exclamations, everyone's gaze towards the thatched cottage had changed.
“ zhè wèi liàn qì zhōng qī de yě tū pò dào liàn qì hòu qī le ！”
“这位炼气中期的也突破到炼气后期了！”
Opportunity! A great opportunity!
“ liàn qì hòu qī de nà wèi dǎo shì méi yǒu tū pò 。 bù guò qì xī què yě níng shí le bù shǎo ， xiǎng lái hǎo chù zǒng guī shì yǒu de 。”
“炼气后期的那位倒是没有突破。不过气息却也凝实了不少，想来好处总归是有的。”
A universal increase in cultivation by one minor realm could save so many resources and time!
zhòng rén de jīng tàn shēng zhōng ， kàn xiàng máo cǎo wū de yǎn shén yǐ rán wán quán bù tóng 。
众人的惊叹声中，看向茅草屋的眼神已然完全不同。
The higher the cultivation, the greater the value!
jī yuán ， dà jī yuán a ！
机缘，大机缘啊！
...
wú chā bié de qiáng xíng tí shēng yí gè xiǎo jìng jiè ， kě yǐ jié shěng duō shǎo zī yuán yǔ shí jiān ！
无差别的强行提升一个小境界，可以节省多少资源与时间！
Unable to wait any longer, the cultivators woke up the six and asked about what happened inside yesterday.
xiū wèi yuè gāo ， jià zhí yuè gāo ！
修为越高，价值越高！
Their accounts were consistent but left everyone puzzled.
jí bù kě nài zhī xià ， zhòng xiū shì jiāng zhè liù rén huàn xǐng ， xún wèn qǐ le zuó rì máo cǎo wū nèi fā shēng de shì qíng 。
急不可耐之下，众修士将这六人唤醒，询问起了昨日茅草屋内发生的事情。
"Did they just read books all day?"
liù rén de shuō cí yí zhì ， dàn què ràng zài chǎng zhòng rén miàn miàn xiāng qù 。
六人的说辞一致，但却让在场众人面面相觑。
"Were the teachers floating wooden slips in mid-air?"
“ jiù zài lǐ miàn gēn zhe dú le yī tiān shū ？”
“就在里面跟着读了一天书？”
"What did they read? I can't even remember now."
“ jiāo shū de shì juǎn fú zài kōng zhōng de mù jiǎn ？”
“教书的是卷浮在空中的木简？”
...
“ dú de shì shén me nèi róng yě dōu jì bù qīng le ？”
“读的是什么内容也都记不清了？”
It was indeed strange, but it seemed no one had lied.
……
……
With the opportunity before them, many qi refinement cultivators hesitated for a moment before dispersing their cultivation and entering the cottage.
què shí yǒu xiē guǐ yì ， dàn yīng dāng méi yǒu shuō huǎng 。
确实有些诡异，但应当没有说谎。
Chen An was about to go forward when he glanced at Li Fan. Seeing him not move, he felt curious.
jī yuán zài qián ， chóu chú le piàn kè zhī hòu ， zài chǎng de zhòng duō liàn qì xiū shì ， quán dōu huà gōng jìn rù wū zhōng 。
机缘在前，踌躇了片刻之后，在场的众多炼气修士，全都化功进入屋中。
He asked respectfully: "Li Daoist, is there anything unusual inside?"
chén ān zhèng yù shàng qián ， huí tóu kàn le lǐ fán yī yǎn ， jiàn què tā méi yǒu dòng zuò ， bù yóu de yǒu xiē qí guài 。
陈安正欲上前，回头看了李凡一眼，见却他没有动作，不由得有些奇怪。
Li Dan shook his head: "There shouldn't be any issues. However, I'm already in late-stage qi refinement here, so the opportunity isn't much use to me. You can go in if you wish; no need to worry about me. I'll observe for a while."
xū xīn qǐng jiào qǐ lái ：“ lǐ dào yǒu ， zhè lǐ miàn shì fǒu yǒu shén me gǔ guài ？”
虚心请教起来：“李道友，这里面是否有什么古怪？”
Chen An hesitated but eventually bowed to Li Fan and entered the cottage.
lǐ dān yáo le yáo tóu ：“ yīng dāng méi yǒu shén me wèn tí 。 bù guò wǒ mù qián yǐ jīng liàn qì hòu qī le ， zhè lǐ de jī yuán duì wǒ lái shuō yòng chǔ bù dà 。 dào yǒu kě zì xíng jìn qù ， bù bì guǎn wǒ 。 wǒ zài guān chá yī zhèn 。”
李丹摇了摇头：“应当没有什么问题。不过我目前已经炼气后期了，这里的机缘对我来说用处不大。道友可自行进去，不必管我。我再观察一阵。”
The base foundation cultivators still lingered uncertainly.
chén ān yóu yù le piàn kè ， hái shì xiàng lǐ fán gǒng le gǒng shǒu ， suí jí jìn rù le máo cǎo wū zhōng 。
陈安犹豫了片刻，还是向李凡拱了拱手，随即进入了茅草屋中。
Zhou Ningchang explained the reason to Li Fan.
ér zhù jī xiū shì men ， dōu hái chí chí méi yǒu dòng zuò 。
而筑基修士们，都还迟迟没有动作。
It turned out that above base foundation cultivation, one could disperse their cultivation using *Supreme Primordial True Scripture*, but their dao base remained intact. Thus, they wouldn't be completely stripped of their cultivation.
zhōu níng chāng xiàng lǐ fán jiě shì le yuán yóu 。
周宁昌向李凡解释了缘由。
Their hesitation was due to uncertainty about whether this would make them ordinary people and so everyone was waiting.
yuán lái ， zhù jī yǐ shàng xiū wèi xiū shì ， suī rán kě yǐ tōng guò 《 tài shàng yuán shǐ zhēn jīng 》 sàn qù yī shēn xiū wèi ， dàn shì zì shēn dào jī hái zài ， chǔ yú xū shí zhī jiān ， bú huì bèi huà qù 。
原来，筑基以上修为修士，虽然可以通过《太上原始真经》散去一身修为，但是自身道基还在，处于虚实之间，不会被化去。
After a long wait, a base foundation cultivator finally couldn't hold back.
suǒ yóu yù de jiù shì bù zhī dào rú cǐ huì bú huì bèi dàng zuò fán rén ， yú shì dà jiā dōu zài guān wàng 。
所犹豫的就是不知道如此会不会被当做凡人，于是大家都在观望。
He tried first.
děng le xǔ jiǔ ， zhōng shì yǒu yī wèi zhù jī xiū shì àn nè bú zhù 。
等了许久，终是有一位筑基修士按讷不住。
With his cultivation fully dispersed, nothing unexpected happened as he entered the cottage safely.
zuì xiān cháng shì 。
最先尝试。
This pleased all the base foundation cultivators, who followed him inside.
xiū wèi jǐn sàn hòu ， méi yǒu chū xiàn yì wài ， hái shì dé yǐ ān quán de jìn rù máo cǎo wū zhōng 。
修为尽散后，没有出现意外，还是得以安全的进入茅草屋中。
Even the lone late-stage true cultivar in the middle succumbed to temptation and entered.
yú shì yī zhòng zhù jī xiū shì fēn fēn dà xǐ ， quán dōu gēn zhe zǒu le jìn qù 。
于是一众筑基修士纷纷大喜，全都跟着走了进去。
The six who had already entered yesterday wanted to try again for a minor realm increase.
lián chǎng zhōng wéi yī de nà míng jīn dān zhēn rén ， yě méi néng rěn zhù yòu huò 。
连场中唯一的那名金丹真人，也没能忍住诱惑。
As expected, they were beaten with random strikes.
zhì yú zuó tiān yǐ jīng jìn rù de nà liù míng xiū shì ， hái xiǎng zhe gù jì zhòng shī ， zài tí shēng yí gè xiǎo jìng jiè 。
至于昨天已经进入的那六名修士，还想着故技重施，再提升一个小境界。
They left, hoping to bring their family and friends here before the black bull-drawn carriage entered Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
bù chū yì liào de ， zhí jiē bèi luàn gùn dǎ chū 。
不出意料的，直接被乱棍打出。
Soon, outside the thatched cottage, only Li Fan remained.
The crowd of cultivators were initially stunned by Li Fan's words, then erupted into a cacophony of reactions.
Some mocked loudly: "What kind of lowly qi refinement cultivator dares to speak nonsense here?"
"Exactly. Why don't you disperse your cultivation yourself? You're just asking others to do it."
Others seemed contemplative: "Could it be that the friend's meaning is that this monster only targets cultivators, not ordinary people?"
"While it sounds a bit unbelievable, there might still be such a possibility. The scene here somewhat resembles the strange occurrences in sect ruins."
This viewpoint resonated with many cultivators.
"Since we can see the black bull-drawn carriage entering the Cloud Water Heavenly Palace any moment now, we don't have much time left. We should definitely give it a try."
"But that staff is really powerful. Perhaps only because of our cultivation foundation are we able to survive. If we disperse our cultivation and become ordinary people, we might be killed by one strike," someone said with a shudder.
"Ah, this friend's words have some merit."
The cultivators discussed heatedly, none daring to step forward for the test.
Amidst their hesitation, a red-haired cultivator seemed unable to bear it. He roared loudly and looked displeased at everyone: "What's so hard about dispersing your cultivation? With *Supreme Primordial True Scripture*, we can quickly recover our cultivation."
With that, he leaped down to the thatched cottage. The *Supreme Primordial True Scripture* began to operate, and in no time his cultivation was completely dispersed, leaving him an ordinary person.
Li Fan's mind stirred as the formless killing intent immediately locked onto him.
The red-haired cultivator had been rather casual before but now, as a mere mortal facing that towering, fierce monster, he grew nervous. He swallowed hard and moved forward slowly.
All eyes were on him. The surroundings fell silent.
Approaching the thatched cottage, the faceless creature still ignored him. The wooden staffed monster stared at him for a long time, raising its staff several times but never striking down.
Thus, the red-haired man made it to the cottage door without incident.
The faint reading sounds within abruptly ceased.
The door creaked open, and an elderly voice sounded from inside: "Come in!"
The red-haired cultivator's face lit up as he strode into the cottage.
The door closed behind him. The two gatekeepers continued to watch from outside with fierce eyes.
Outside the carriage, a bustling market-like scene erupted.
"Did it really work?!"
"This lowly qi refinement... no, this friend is truly brilliant! How should I address you?"
"Damn it, Li Zhi got there first. No way, I have to disperse my cultivation too!"
Others remained calm: "No rush. Wait for Li Zhi to come out and see what kind of opportunity lies within the thatched cottage."
"Right, he's just an ordinary person now. He can't run away even if he wanted to."
...
Outside was chaos, but Li Fan frowned intensely, his gaze fixed on the thatched cottage.
For when Li Zhi entered the cottage, the formless killing intent that had been tracking him suddenly failed.
Since Li Fan had mastered this divine technique, such a situation had never occurred before.
The formless killing intent, pseudo-divine mandate in use. It was always effective in various situations.
But now...
That thatched cottage might house an extremely terrifying existence.
Other cultivators were not as worried as Li Fan. Five more qi refinement cultivators rushed to enter the thatched cottage one after another.
Base foundation cultivators remained cautious andobserve; wait and see.
Inside, nothing changed except for the faint, seemingly unchanging reading sounds echoing in everyone's hearts.
The sound seemed clearer than before but still indistinct, its content unclear.
Despite their impatience, the cultivators could only wait patiently.
The next morning.
Without anyone noticing, the six who had entered yesterday suddenly appeared on the open ground outside the thatched cottage, lying everywhere with their breaths still present, seemingly in a deep sleep.
"Wait, didn't they all disperse their cultivation and become ordinary people? How did they regain their cultivation?"
Soon, someone noticed something amiss.
"Not only have their cultivation returned, but it seems each of them has advanced by one minor realm compared to before?"
"Yes. Li Zhi was at the initial stage of qi refinement yesterday. Just one night later, he's now in the middle stage!"
"The mid-stage cultivator also broke through to late-stage qi refinement!"
"Late-stage qi refinement still didn't break through but his aura has become much more solid. There must be some benefits."
Amidst their exclamations, everyone's gaze towards the thatched cottage had changed.
Opportunity! A great opportunity!
A universal increase in cultivation by one minor realm could save so many resources and time!
The higher the cultivation, the greater the value!
...
Unable to wait any longer, the cultivators woke up the six and asked about what happened inside yesterday.
Their accounts were consistent but left everyone puzzled.
"Did they just read books all day?"
"Were the teachers floating wooden slips in mid-air?"
"What did they read? I can't even remember now."
...
It was indeed strange, but it seemed no one had lied.
With the opportunity before them, many qi refinement cultivators hesitated for a moment before dispersing their cultivation and entering the cottage.
Chen An was about to go forward when he glanced at Li Fan. Seeing him not move, he felt curious.
He asked respectfully: "Li Daoist, is there anything unusual inside?"
Li Dan shook his head: "There shouldn't be any issues. However, I'm already in late-stage qi refinement here, so the opportunity isn't much use to me. You can go in if you wish; no need to worry about me. I'll observe for a while."
Chen An hesitated but eventually bowed to Li Fan and entered the cottage.
The base foundation cultivators still lingered uncertainly.
Zhou Ningchang explained the reason to Li Fan.
It turned out that above base foundation cultivation, one could disperse their cultivation using *Supreme Primordial True Scripture*, but their dao base remained intact. Thus, they wouldn't be completely stripped of their cultivation.
Their hesitation was due to uncertainty about whether this would make them ordinary people and so everyone was waiting.
After a long wait, a base foundation cultivator finally couldn't hold back.
He tried first.
With his cultivation fully dispersed, nothing unexpected happened as he entered the cottage safely.
This pleased all the base foundation cultivators, who followed him inside.
Even the lone late-stage true cultivar in the middle succumbed to temptation and entered.
The six who had already entered yesterday wanted to try again for a minor realm increase.
As expected, they were beaten with random strikes.
They left, hoping to bring their family and friends here before the black bull-drawn carriage entered Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
Soon, outside the thatched cottage, only Li Fan remained.