sūn lù yuǎn jiē guò míng dān yī kàn ， dà chī yī jīng 。
孙路远接过名单一看，大吃一惊。
Sun Luoyuan took the list and was greatly surprised.
shàng miàn chú le wàn xiān méng gè dà jiā zú tiān fù chū zhòng zǐ dì zhī wài ， hái yǒu zhū duō zài wàn xiān méng gè gè guān jiàn wèi zhì rèn zhí de xiū shì 。
上面除了万仙盟各大家族天赋出众子弟之外，还有诸多在万仙盟各个关键位置任职的修士。
Besides the outstanding young members from various major families of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, there were also many cultivators holding key positions in different sectors within the alliance.
yǒu xiē sūn lù yuǎn bìng bù mò shēng ， dàn yǒu xiē shì àn zhōng guà zhí 、 jiù lián tā yě bù shèn qīng chǔ 。
有些孙路远并不陌生，但有些是暗中挂职、就连他也不甚清楚。
Some were familiar to Sun Luoyuan, but others were secretly serving their roles, even he wasn't entirely clear about them.
“ zhè shàng miàn de rén ， nǐ dōu jǐn kě néng cè fǎn 。”
“这上面的人，你都尽可能策反。”
"Try to turn as many of these people as possible."
“ yě bù xū rú hé fèi jìn ， zhǐ yào zhǎo gè jiè kǒu 、 bǎ tā men piàn ……”
“也不需如何费劲，只要找个借口、把他们骗……”
"You don’t need to exert too much effort. Just find an excuse and lure them..."
“ bǎ tā men dài guò lái jiù xíng 。 jiàn dào le wǒ men shèng cháo de wēi wēi qì xiàng ， tā men kěn dìng gēn nǐ yī yàng ， shùn jiān jiù huì mí tú zhī fǎn ！”
“把他们带过来就行。见到了我们圣朝的巍巍气象，他们肯定跟你一样，瞬间就会迷途知返！”
"Just bring them over here. Once they see the grandeur of our Holy Dynasty, they will surely return to the right path just like you!"
“ nǐ yě bú yào zháo jí 。 xú xú tú zhī jí kě ， yǐ miǎn lù chū pò zhàn 。” ōu shàng tiān dào 。
“你也不要着急。徐徐图之即可，以免露出破绽。”欧尚天道。
"Don't rush it. Take your time," said Ou Shangtian.
“ měi chéng gōng yī lì ， dōu suàn nǐ de gōng xūn 。 wǒ men shèng cháo bǎo kù nèi de ， hǎo dōng xī kě bù shǎo 。 nǐ nà bīng fēng wàn nián jiàn ， yě suàn bù dé dǐng jiān 。”
“每成功一例，都算你的功勋。我们圣朝宝库内的，好东西可不少。你那冰封万年剑，也算不得顶尖。”
"Every successful case counts as your merit. Our Holy Dynasty's treasure vault has plenty of good things. Your Ice-Sealed Ten Thousand Year Sword isn’t top-tier."
ōu shàng tiān de huà ràng sūn lù yuǎn pēng rán xīn dòng 。
欧尚天的话让孙路远怦然心动。
Ou Shangtian’s words made Sun Luoyuan feel a surge of excitement.
tiān xuán jìng zhōng ， suī rán yě hào chēng shén me dōu kě yǐ duì huàn 。
天玄镜中，虽然也号称什么都可以兑换。
Although the Heavenly Mysteries Mirror claimed that anything could be exchanged, everyone knew that true treasures couldn't be obtained with contribution points. Either they required extremely high levels of merit or had strict exchange conditions.
dàn míng yǎn rén dōu zhī dào ， zhēn zhèng de bǎo bèi 、 gēn běn shì yòng gòng xiàn dù huàn bú dào de 。
但明眼人都知道，真正的宝贝、根本是用贡献度换不到的。
The sword he held, which could easily endanger an entire region’s safety, was only within reach for core institutions like the Martial Arts Hall and Defense Academy in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
yào me jiù shì gōng xūn děng jí de yāo qiú jí gāo ， yào me jiù shì yǒu zhǒng zhǒng yán kē de duì huàn tiáo jiàn yāo qiú 。
要么就是功勋等级的要求极高，要么就是有种种严苛的兑换条件要求。
"Work hard," said Ou Shangtian with a weathered pat on Sun Luoyuan's shoulder.
xiàng tā shǒu zhōng zhè bǐng néng gòu qīng yì wēi hài yī zhōu zhī dì ān wēi de shén jiàn ， fàng zài wàn xiān méng zhōng ， jué duì zhǐ yǒu yǎn wǔ táng 、 wèi shù yuàn děng jī gòu de hé xīn cái yǒu jī huì yōng yǒu 。
像他手中这柄能够轻易危害一州之地安危的神剑，放在万仙盟中，绝对只有演武堂、卫戍院等机构的核心才有机会拥有。
"I can't let you embarrass me before my master," he added with a meaningful tone.
“ hǎo hǎo gàn 。” ōu shàng tiān lǎo qì héng qiū de pāi le pāi sūn lù yuǎn de jiān bǎng 。
“好好干。”欧尚天老气横秋的拍了拍孙路远的肩膀。
Sun Luoyuan nodded repeatedly. After being sent away, Sun Luoyuan felt as if he had just woken from an odd dream when he returned to the Xuanhuang Realm.
“ kě bù néng ràng wǒ zài shī zūn miàn qián diū liǎn a 。” tā yǒu xiē yì wèi shēn cháng de shuō dào 。
“可不能让我在师尊面前丢脸啊。”他有些意味深长的说道。
Only his core’s icy sword reminded him that everything wasn’t false.
sūn lù yuǎn lián lián diǎn tóu 。
孙路远连连点头。
"Brother, you came back so quickly? How are things?"
bìng méi yǒu néng zài shèng cháo duō dài ， sūn lù yuǎn jiē zhe jiù bèi dǎ fā lí kāi 。
并没有能在圣朝多待，孙路远接着就被打发离开。
In the secret chamber of the Sun family, younger brother Sun Luoyuan couldn't wait to ask.
děng fǎn huí xuán huáng jiè zhōng ， sūn lù yuǎn wǎn ruò zuò le yī cháng lí qí zhī mèng 。
等返回玄黄界中，孙路远宛若做了一场离奇之梦。
Sun Luoyuan didn't mention his difficulties but instead took out the Ice-Sealed Ten Thousand Year Sword.
wéi yǒu dān tián nèi nà bǐng zhì hán zhī jiàn ， tí xǐng zhe tā zhè yī qiè bìng bú shì xū jiǎ de 。
唯有丹田内那柄至寒之剑，提醒着他这一切并不是虚假的。
"The Holy Dynasty's foundation is even stronger than we imagined. There’s a Longevity Immortal stationed there. The emperor's strength is beyond comprehension."
“ gē ， huí lái zhè me kuài ？ qíng kuàng zěn me yàng le ？”
“哥，回来这么快？情况怎么样了？”
"Such treasures, they just give them away like that."
sūn jiā mì shì zhōng ， dì di sūn lù yáo pò bù jí dài dì wèn dào 。
孙家密室中，弟弟孙路遥迫不及待地问道。
"In comparison, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is nothing," Sun Luoyuan said with a sigh.
sūn lù yuǎn bìng méi yǒu jiāng zì jǐ zāo yù de láng bèi shuō chū lái ， zhǐ shì jiāng bīng fēng wàn nián jiàn qǔ chū 。
孙路远并没有将自己遭遇的狼狈说出来，只是将冰封万年剑取出。
...
“ nà shèng cháo dà qǐ de dǐ yùn ， bǐ wǒ men xiǎng xiàng de hái yào qiáng dà 。 jū rán yǒu cháng shēng xiū shì zuò zhèn 。 ér nà wèi shèng huáng de xiū wèi ， yě shì zhuō mō bù tòu 、 gēn běn kàn bù qīng 。”
“那圣朝大启的底蕴，比我们想象的还要强大。居然有长生修士坐镇。而那位圣皇的修为，也是捉摸不透、根本看不清。”
As he listened to his brother, Sun Luoyuan heard the voice of Senior Phantom.
“ zhè yàng de bǎo bèi ， shuō sòng jiù sòng le 。”
“这样的宝贝，说送就送了。”
"Did I tell you something interesting? Haha."
“ xiāng jiào ér yán ， wàn xiān méng zhēn de shá yě bú shì 。”
“相较而言，万仙盟真的啥也不是。”
"No matter what decision you make, I will always support you," said Sun Luoyuan, his expression complex as he declared his stance.
……
……
Thinking that his younger brother was worried about his uncertain future, Sun Luoyuan comforted him.
sūn lù yáo tīng zhe gē gē de huà ， ěr biān què shì xiǎng qǐ le xū yǐng qián bèi de shēng yīn 。
孙路遥听着哥哥的话，耳边却是响起了虚影前辈的声音。
After leaving the secret chamber, Sun Luoyuan finally couldn't hold back and asked, "Senior, how much do you know about this Holy Dynasty?"
“ wǒ shuō de rú hé ？ hē hē 。”
“我说的如何？呵呵。”
The mysterious phantom had accurately predicted Sun Luoyuan's journey to the Holy Dynasty, so he must have known its true nature.
“ gē ， wú lùn nǐ zuò shén me jué dìng 。 wǒ dōu yǒng yuǎn zhī chí nǐ 。” sūn lù yáo shén sè yǒu xiē fù zá ， biǎo míng liǎo zì jǐ de lì chǎng 。
“哥，无论你做什么决定。我都永远支持你。”孙路遥神色有些复杂，表明了自己的立场。
Li Fan’s spirit form pretended to ponder before saying seriously, "Your family's decision is wise. That emperor of Great启is no weaker than me."
ér sūn lù yuǎn hái yǐ wéi dì di shì dān yōu qián chéng wèi bǔ ， yòu shì hǎo shēng ān wèi le yī dùn 。
而孙路远还以为弟弟是担忧前程未卜，又是好生安慰了一顿。
"He is an invincible existence in the Xuanhuang Realm because it cannot transmit teachings."
dài dào sūn lù yuǎn lí kāi mì shì zhī hòu ， sūn lù yáo zhōng yú rěn bú zhù kāi kǒu wèn dào ：“ qián bèi ， nǐ duì zhè shèng cháo dà qǐ ， liǎo jiě duō shǎo ？”
待到孙路远离开密室之后，孙路遥终于忍不住开口问道：“前辈，你对这圣朝大启，了解多少？”
These words made Sun Luoyuan's heart race.
zhè shén mì xū yǐng duì sūn lù yuǎn shèng cháo yī xíng zuò chū le jīng zhǔn yù cè ， hěn xiǎn rán ， tā jué duì shì liǎo jiě shèng cháo xū shí de 。
这神秘虚影对孙路远圣朝一行做出了精准预测，很显然，他绝对是了解圣朝虚实的。
Even though he had already guessed at the phantom’s power, hearing it confirmed by the phantom himself was still shocking.
lǐ fán fēn shén zhuāng mú zuò yàng ， chén yín le yī fān 。
李凡分神装模作样，沉吟了一番。
"Do you know that the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao also has its own desires like a cultivator?"
ér hòu yǔ qì níng zhòng ：“ nǐ men sūn jiā de jué zé ， nǎi shì míng zhì zhī jǔ 。 nà dà qǐ shèng huáng ， shí lì bù zài wǒ zhī xià 。”
而后语气凝重：“你们孙家的抉择，乃是明智之举。那大启圣皇，实力不在我之下。”
"This emperor might be the manifestation of the benevolent sentiment in the Xuanhuang Realm. His goal is to correct the world corrupted by teachings."
“ xuán huáng jiè chuán fǎ bù chū ， tā jiù shì wú dí de cún zài 。”
“玄黄界传法不出，他就是无敌的存在。”
Sun Luoyuan's heart trembled again when he heard this.
zhè huà lǐ de yì si ， ràng sūn lù yáo xīn zhōng kuáng tiào 。
这话里的意思，让孙路遥心中狂跳。
The manifestation of the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao?
jí biàn zǎo yǐ jīng duì shén mì xū yǐng de shí lì yǒu suǒ cāi cè ， dàn cǐ kè zhōng yú dé dào duì fāng qīn kǒu zhèng shí ， yě shì zhèn hàn fēi cháng 。
即便早已经对神秘虚影的实力有所猜测，但此刻终于得到对方亲口证实，也是震撼非常。
This origin was too astonishing.
“ nǐ kě zhī ， xuán huáng tiān dào yě gēn xiū shì yī yàng ， yǒu zhe zì jǐ de yù niàn ？”
“你可知，玄黄天道也跟修士一样，有着自己的欲念？”
His thoughts were momentarily chaotic, but soon, as if remembering something, Sun Luoyuan asked, "Manifestation of benevolence? Could it be that Senior means there’s also a manifestation of malevolence in the Xuanhuang Realm?"
“ zhè wèi shèng huáng ， hěn yǒu kě néng jiù shì xuán huáng jiè shàn niàn huà shēn 。 wèi de jiù shì jiāng bèi chuán fǎ cuàn gǎi de tiān dì ， bō luàn fǎn zhèng 。”
“这位圣皇，很有可能就是玄黄界善念化身。为的就是将被传法篡改的天地，拨乱反正。”
Li Fan's spirit remained silent and did not respond.
sūn lù yáo wén yán ， xīn zhōng zài dù měng zhèn 。
孙路遥闻言，心中再度猛震。
...
xuán huáng jiè tiān dào huà shēn ？
玄黄界天道化身？
On the far side of the starry sea.
zhè ge lái lì ， kě tài ràng rén chī jīng le 。
这个来历，可太让人吃惊了。
In the depths of the Remnant Sea, inside the Xuan Shang Boat.
sī xù xiàn rù le duǎn zàn de hùn luàn ， bù jiǔ zhī hòu ， fǎng fú xiǎng qǐ le shén me 、 sūn lù yáo yòu wèn dào ：“ shàn niàn huà shēn ？ nán dào qián bèi de yì si shì ， xuán huáng jiè hái yǒu è niàn huà shēn ？”
思绪陷入了短暂的混乱，不久之后，仿佛想起了什么、孙路遥又问道：“善念化身？难道前辈的意思是，玄黄界还有恶念化身？”
With the Spirit Soul Round Fusion Technique, Zhao Xian’s cultivation speed surged at an alarming rate, breaking through the Foundation Establishment stage.
lǐ fán fēn shén mò rán bù yǔ ， méi yǒu huí yìng 。
李凡分神默然不语，没有回应。
He successfully condensed a Golden Core.
……
……
The shock from his breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm finally disturbed his master, Zhao Wujie.
yáo yuǎn de xīng hǎi bǐ duān 。
遥远的星海彼端。
Upon discovering Zhao Xian's terrifying progress, Zhao Wujie was shocked instead of pleased.
lián mián de yí wù zhī hǎi shēn chù ， xuán shāng zhōu zhōng 。
连绵的遗物之海深处，玄商舟中。
"Why?" asked Zhao Xian with resentment.
kào zhe líng shén yuán róng gōng ， zhào xián de xiū xíng sù dù yǐ jīng rén de sù dù kuáng biāo tū jìn ， yǐ jīng dǎ pò le zhù jī qī de zhì gù 。
靠着灵神圆融功，赵闲的修行速度以惊人的速度狂飙突进，已经打破了筑基期的桎梏。
Zhao Wujie did not report Zhao Xian’s success to the academy. Instead, he actively suppressed and concealed it, which made Zhao Xian extremely dissatisfied. He even considered revealing everything he had seen in his dreams.
chéng gōng níng jié le jīn dān 。
成功凝结了金丹。
However, after experiencing many things in his dream, he knew that his master was trustworthy.
tū pò zhì jīn dān jìng zào chéng de zhèn dòng ， zhōng yú jīng rǎo le zhào xián de shī zūn zhào wú jí 。
突破至金丹境造成的震动，终于惊扰了赵闲的师尊赵无极。
Taking a deep breath, he calmed down and asked, "You’re advancing too quickly, Xian. If you were just at the late Foundation Establishment stage, but directly jumped to the Golden Core Realm..."
zài fā xiàn zhào xián rú cǐ kǒng bù de jìn bù sù dù zhī hòu ， zhào wú jí bù xǐ fǎn jīng 。
在发现赵闲如此恐怖的进步速度之后，赵无极不喜反惊。
Zhao Wujie looked worried as he finally revealed the matter under Zhao Xian's persistent questioning.
“ shī fù ， wèi shén me ？” zhào xián mǎn shì bù fèn de wèn dào 。
“师父，为什么？”赵闲满是不忿的问道。
"Like you, true geniuses are rare in our academy, but they do exist. My senior sister back then was a true prodigy."
zhào wú jí bìng méi yǒu jiāng zhào xián chéng gōng tū pò de xiāo xī shàng bào gěi xué gōng ， shèn zhì hái zhǔ dòng yā zhì 、 yǐn mán 。
赵无极并没有将赵闲成功突破的消息上报给学宫，甚至还主动压制、隐瞒。
"She was even faster than you. Without the process of accumulation and breakthrough, she went from Qi Condensation to Golden Core Fulfillment within just three years."
zhè ràng zhào xián zì rán shí fēn bù mǎn ， shèn zhì yǒu xiē chōng dòng zhī xià 、 dōu xiǎng jiāng zì jǐ mèng zhōng suǒ jiàn zhī jǐng dōu quán pán tuō chū 。
这让赵闲自然十分不满，甚至有些冲动之下、都想将自己梦中所见之景都全盘托出。
This naturally caused a stir at the academy, and...
bù guò bì jìng zài mèng zhōng jīng lì le xǔ duō shì qíng ， zhī dào zì jǐ zhè wèi shī fù shì zhí de xìn lài de 。
不过毕竟在梦中经历了许多事情，知道自己这位师父是值得信赖的。
Zhao Xian's expression turned serious upon hearing this.
shēn xī kǒu qì ， yā xià xīn zhōng de fèn nù 、 chén shēng wèn dào 。
深吸口气，压下心中的愤怒、沉声问道。
He had never heard of such a figure existing in the academy before.
“ tài kuài le ， xián ér nǐ xiū xíng de shí zài tài kuài le 。 ruò zhǐ shì zhù jī hòu qī hái hǎo ， zhí jiē jiù tiào dào le jīn dān jìng ……” zhào wú jí mǎn liǎn chóu róng 。
“太快了，闲儿你修行的实在太快了。若只是筑基后期还好，直接就跳到了金丹境……”赵无极满脸愁容。
"Senior sister was summoned. From then on, there were no news about her, and her fate is unknown," said Zhao Wujie with a long sigh.
zài zhào xián de yī zài bī wèn zhī xià ， zhào wú jí fāng cái shuō chū shì qíng 。
在赵闲的一再逼问之下，赵无极方才说出事情。
"Summoned? Summoned to where?" asked Zhao Xian, slightly stunned.
“ xiàng nǐ zhè bān ， zhēn zhèng de tiān cái ， yǐ wǎng wǒ men xué gōng zhōng suī shuō jí shǎo 、 què yě yǒu guò 。 wèi shī dāng nián ， yǒu yī wèi shī jiě 。”
“像你这般，真正的天才，以往我们学宫中虽说极少、却也有过。为师当年，有一位师姐。”
For a long time, there had been no real battles in the Immortal Vessel.
“ tā yě shì zhēn zhèng de tiān zī zhuó jué 。 shèn zhì bǐ nǐ xiū xíng de hái yào kuài ， méi yǒu hòu jī bó fā de guò chéng ， jǐn jǐn sān nián shí jiān ， jiù cóng liàn qì zhí rù jīn dān yuán mǎn zhī jìng 。”
“她也是真正的天资卓绝。甚至比你修行的还要快，没有厚积薄发的过程，仅仅三年时间，就从炼气直入金丹圆满之境。”
He couldn't understand what his master meant by "summon."
“ zì rán yǐn qǐ le xué gōng hōng dòng ， rán hòu ……”
“自然引起了学宫轰动，然后……”
Zhao Wujie hesitated before finally saying under Zhao Xian's intense gaze, first setting up barriers and sealing off the area.
zhào xián wén yán ， shén qíng yě biàn dé yǒu xiē níng zhòng 。
赵闲闻言，神情也变得有些凝重。
"Xian, do you know why our Enlightenment Academy holds such a supreme position? Even the Immortal Pivot Institute dares not offend us?"
yīn wèi tā gēn běn jiù cóng lái méi yǒu tīng shuō guò ， xué gōng nèi hái yǒu zhè yàng de rén wù cún zài 。
因为他根本就从来没有听说过，学宫内还有这样的人物存在。
Following what he had learned earlier, Zhao Xian replied, "Of course, because our Enlightenment Academy is the source of Daoist techniques for the Immortal Vessel."
“ shī jiě jiù bèi zhēng zhào le 。 cóng cǐ zhī hòu ， yǎo wú yīn xùn ， shēng sǐ bù zhī 。” zhào wú jí cháng tàn dào 。
“师姐就被征召了。从此之后，杳无音讯，生死不知。”赵无极长叹道。
"But then, why is it called the source of Daoist techniques?"
“ zhēng zhào ？ zhēng zhào dào nǎ lǐ ？” zhào xián wēi wēi yī lèng 。
“征召？征召到哪里？”赵闲微微一愣。
Zhao Wujie's question left Zhao Xian speechless.
xiān zhōu hěn zhǎng shí jiān ， dōu méi yǒu guò zhēn zhèng de zhàn shì le 。
仙舟很长时间，都没有过真正的战事了。
"Because our academy provided crucial theoretical support for the survival of the Immortal Vessel after the Great Tribulation," said Zhao Wujie seriously.
tā wú fǎ lǐ jiě shī fù suǒ shuō de zhēng zhào yī cí 。
他无法理解师父所说的征召一词。
"The true power that caused boundless calamity requires absolute talent to comprehend. Ordinary cultivators can't grasp it. Our academy..."
zhào wú jí yù yán yòu zhǐ 。
赵无极欲言又止。
"Has the most outstanding scholars in terms of natural talent across the entire Immortal Vessel."
zuì hòu zài zhào xián zhuó zhuó de mù guāng bī wèn zhōng ， xiān shì lián bù xià jìn zhì ， jiāng cǐ chù fēng suǒ 。
最后在赵闲灼灼的目光逼问中，先是连布下禁制，将此处封锁。
"Talent is a crucial resource for the Immortal Vessel, regardless if these geniuses are willing or not. Once they show their abilities, they will be tightly controlled."
ér hòu cái chuán yīn dào ：“ xián ér ， nǐ kě zhī wǒ men zhèng dào xué gōng ， wèi hé dì wèi rú cǐ chāo qún ？ jí biàn shì xiān shū yuàn ， yě bù gǎn guò fèn dé zuì wǒ men ？”
而后才传音道：“闲儿，你可知我们证道学宫，为何地位如此超群？即便是仙枢院，也不敢过分得罪我们？”
"And even stripped away from them, no longer belonging to them."
zhào xián àn zhào cǐ qián xué dào de ， huí dá dào ：“ zì rán shì yīn wèi wǒ men zhèng dào xué gōng nǎi shì xiān zhōu dào fǎ zhī yuán 。”
赵闲按照此前学到的，回答道：“自然是因为我们证道学宫乃是仙舟道法之源。”
Zhao Wujie's words made Zhao Xian shiver with cold.
Sun Luoyuan took the list and was greatly surprised.
Besides the outstanding young members from various major families of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, there were also many cultivators holding key positions in different sectors within the alliance.
Some were familiar to Sun Luoyuan, but others were secretly serving their roles, even he wasn't entirely clear about them.
"Try to turn as many of these people as possible."
"You don’t need to exert too much effort. Just find an excuse and lure them..."
"Just bring them over here. Once they see the grandeur of our Holy Dynasty, they will surely return to the right path just like you!"
"Don't rush it. Take your time," said Ou Shangtian.
"Every successful case counts as your merit. Our Holy Dynasty's treasure vault has plenty of good things. Your Ice-Sealed Ten Thousand Year Sword isn’t top-tier."
Ou Shangtian’s words made Sun Luoyuan feel a surge of excitement.
Although the Heavenly Mysteries Mirror claimed that anything could be exchanged, everyone knew that true treasures couldn't be obtained with contribution points. Either they required extremely high levels of merit or had strict exchange conditions.
The sword he held, which could easily endanger an entire region’s safety, was only within reach for core institutions like the Martial Arts Hall and Defense Academy in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
"Work hard," said Ou Shangtian with a weathered pat on Sun Luoyuan's shoulder.
"I can't let you embarrass me before my master," he added with a meaningful tone.
Sun Luoyuan nodded repeatedly. After being sent away, Sun Luoyuan felt as if he had just woken from an odd dream when he returned to the Xuanhuang Realm.
Only his core’s icy sword reminded him that everything wasn’t false.
"Brother, you came back so quickly? How are things?"
In the secret chamber of the Sun family, younger brother Sun Luoyuan couldn't wait to ask.
Sun Luoyuan didn't mention his difficulties but instead took out the Ice-Sealed Ten Thousand Year Sword.
"The Holy Dynasty's foundation is even stronger than we imagined. There’s a Longevity Immortal stationed there. The emperor's strength is beyond comprehension."
"Such treasures, they just give them away like that."
"In comparison, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is nothing," Sun Luoyuan said with a sigh.
...
As he listened to his brother, Sun Luoyuan heard the voice of Senior Phantom.
"Did I tell you something interesting? Haha."
"No matter what decision you make, I will always support you," said Sun Luoyuan, his expression complex as he declared his stance.
Thinking that his younger brother was worried about his uncertain future, Sun Luoyuan comforted him.
After leaving the secret chamber, Sun Luoyuan finally couldn't hold back and asked, "Senior, how much do you know about this Holy Dynasty?"
The mysterious phantom had accurately predicted Sun Luoyuan's journey to the Holy Dynasty, so he must have known its true nature.
Li Fan’s spirit form pretended to ponder before saying seriously, "Your family's decision is wise. That emperor of Great启is no weaker than me."
"He is an invincible existence in the Xuanhuang Realm because it cannot transmit teachings."
These words made Sun Luoyuan's heart race.
Even though he had already guessed at the phantom’s power, hearing it confirmed by the phantom himself was still shocking.
"Do you know that the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao also has its own desires like a cultivator?"
"This emperor might be the manifestation of the benevolent sentiment in the Xuanhuang Realm. His goal is to correct the world corrupted by teachings."
Sun Luoyuan's heart trembled again when he heard this.
The manifestation of the Xuanhuang Heavenly Dao?
This origin was too astonishing.
His thoughts were momentarily chaotic, but soon, as if remembering something, Sun Luoyuan asked, "Manifestation of benevolence? Could it be that Senior means there’s also a manifestation of malevolence in the Xuanhuang Realm?"
Li Fan's spirit remained silent and did not respond.
...
On the far side of the starry sea.
In the depths of the Remnant Sea, inside the Xuan Shang Boat.
With the Spirit Soul Round Fusion Technique, Zhao Xian’s cultivation speed surged at an alarming rate, breaking through the Foundation Establishment stage.
He successfully condensed a Golden Core.
The shock from his breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm finally disturbed his master, Zhao Wujie.
Upon discovering Zhao Xian's terrifying progress, Zhao Wujie was shocked instead of pleased.
"Why?" asked Zhao Xian with resentment.
Zhao Wujie did not report Zhao Xian’s success to the academy. Instead, he actively suppressed and concealed it, which made Zhao Xian extremely dissatisfied. He even considered revealing everything he had seen in his dreams.
However, after experiencing many things in his dream, he knew that his master was trustworthy.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed down and asked, "You’re advancing too quickly, Xian. If you were just at the late Foundation Establishment stage, but directly jumped to the Golden Core Realm..."
Zhao Wujie looked worried as he finally revealed the matter under Zhao Xian's persistent questioning.
"Like you, true geniuses are rare in our academy, but they do exist. My senior sister back then was a true prodigy."
"She was even faster than you. Without the process of accumulation and breakthrough, she went from Qi Condensation to Golden Core Fulfillment within just three years."
This naturally caused a stir at the academy, and...
Zhao Xian's expression turned serious upon hearing this.
He had never heard of such a figure existing in the academy before.
"Senior sister was summoned. From then on, there were no news about her, and her fate is unknown," said Zhao Wujie with a long sigh.
"Summoned? Summoned to where?" asked Zhao Xian, slightly stunned.
For a long time, there had been no real battles in the Immortal Vessel.
He couldn't understand what his master meant by "summon."
Zhao Wujie hesitated before finally saying under Zhao Xian's intense gaze, first setting up barriers and sealing off the area.
"Xian, do you know why our Enlightenment Academy holds such a supreme position? Even the Immortal Pivot Institute dares not offend us?"
Following what he had learned earlier, Zhao Xian replied, "Of course, because our Enlightenment Academy is the source of Daoist techniques for the Immortal Vessel."
"But then, why is it called the source of Daoist techniques?"
Zhao Wujie's question left Zhao Xian speechless.
"Because our academy provided crucial theoretical support for the survival of the Immortal Vessel after the Great Tribulation," said Zhao Wujie seriously.
"The true power that caused boundless calamity requires absolute talent to comprehend. Ordinary cultivators can't grasp it. Our academy..."
"Has the most outstanding scholars in terms of natural talent across the entire Immortal Vessel."
"Talent is a crucial resource for the Immortal Vessel, regardless if these geniuses are willing or not. Once they show their abilities, they will be tightly controlled."
"And even stripped away from them, no longer belonging to them."
Zhao Wujie's words made Zhao Xian shiver with cold.