dāng tòng chǔ bù zài ， suí zhī ér lái jiù shì shén hún de jí sù péng zhàng 。
当痛楚不再，随之而来就是神魂的急速膨胀。
When the old man's soul was almost completely consumed by these strange roots, only a hollow shell remained.
shì jiè yì zhì ， nǎ pà zhǐ shì yī zhōu zhī dì de cán cún ， duì yú xiū shì ér yán yě jué duì shì dà bǔ zhī wù 。
世界意志，哪怕只是一州之地的残存，对于修士而言也绝对是大补之物。
"Ah, this is what Elder Qingfeng said about the guards of the Clear Breeze Hall. Even with an婴灵 (yīng líng) cultivation base, he died for no reason," Old Man Lu shook his head.
guò wǎng shèng huáng lǐ píng zài dū chá jiān shì dà qǐ jìng nèi zhū duō shì wù de shí hòu ， yī jiù shì yǐ “ rén ” de shì jiǎo ， jiē shōu 、 chǔ lǐ wàn qiān suǒ suì zhī shì 。 dàn cóng jīn wǎng hòu ， xī shōu le cóng yún hǎi yì shí de lǐ píng ， huò xǔ yě néng gòu yǐ “ shì jiè běn shēn ” de fǔ shì jiǎo dù ， jiāng shèng cháo zhōng yī qiè xì jié jìn shōu yǎn dǐ 。
过往圣皇李平在督查监视大启境内诸多事务的时候，依旧是以“人”的视角，接收、处理万千琐碎之事。但从今往后，吸收了丛云海意识的李平，或许也能够以“世界本身”的俯视角度，将圣朝中一切细节尽收眼底。
He scanned the interior of the Clear Breeze Hall, and after a moment, found a hidden entrance. He increased his vigilance and stepped into this green gap.
cóng yún hǎi yì shí xiāo wáng hòu ， qī rì wú fēng 。
丛云海意识消亡后，七日无风。
A slightly spacious area greeted him.
lǐ píng jiù yì zhí chù lì zài hǎi tiān zhī jiān ， děng dài zhe róng hé chè dǐ wán chéng 。
李平就一直矗立在海天之间，等待着融合彻底完成。
"Thud! Thud! Thud..."
jí biàn méi yǒu kè yì qù zuò ， tūn shì le cóng yún hǎi yì shí de lǐ píng ， yī jiù kě yǐ qīng ér yì jǔ dì gǎn zhī dào cóng yún hǎi nèi fā shēng de měi yī jiàn shì 。
即便没有刻意去做，吞噬了丛云海意识的李平，依旧可以轻而易举地感知到丛云海内发生的每一件事。
The ground trembled with each step.
tā kàn dào nà xiē bèi mó liǎn yǐng xiǎng de xiū shì ， zài tā shōu le shén tōng zhī hòu ， jué dà duō shù yī jiù méi yǒu cóng fēng diān zhōng huī fù guò lái 。 cǐ jié guò hòu ， shàng qiě zhèng cháng de xiū shì bǎi bù cún yī 。
他看到那些被魔脸影响的修士，在他收了神通之后，绝大多数依旧没有从疯癫中恢复过来。此劫过后，尚且正常的修士百不存一。
Following the source of the sound, Old Man Lu saw that a tree had grown human-like legs. It was running on the ground. The center of the tree trunk revealed an old face, filled with endless terror.
tā kàn dào tiān kōng zhōng zhèng zài yùn niàng de tiān dì zhī pò chì yán ， yīn wèi cóng yún hǎi yì shí de xiāo wáng ， yě méi yǒu le yào jiàng lín fén hǎi de bì yào 。 níng jù de fǎ zé zhī lì qiǎo rán sàn qù 。
他看到天空中正在酝酿的天地之魄赤炎，因为丛云海意识的消亡，也没有了要降临焚海的必要。凝聚的法则之力悄然散去。
This tree person was running frantically, even falling and getting back up because its two legs couldn't support its body. But it kept moving without stopping.
tā kàn dào cóng yún hǎi zhōng yāng ， yuán běn jìn zhì sōng dòng 、 jí jiāng cóng fēng yìn zhōng fù xiàn de yún shuǐ tiān gōng ， zài shǎn guò yī sī shén mì de lán sè guāng yùn hòu ， zài dù xiàn rù le chén jì 。
他看到丛云海中央，原本禁制松动、即将从封印中复现的云水天宫，在闪过一丝神秘的蓝色光晕后，再度陷入了沉寂。
It muttered to itself: "Another calamity has come. I've never seen such a terrifying scene in Father's most vicious curse!"
tā hái kàn dào ， cóng yún hǎi de yì dòng ， yǐn qǐ le xuán huáng jiè mǒu xiē cún zài de zhù yì 。 jǐ dào páng dà de shén shí shà shí jiàng lín 、 sǎo guò zhè piàn hǎi yáng 。 dàn cǐ kè de lǐ píng qǔ cóng yún hǎi yì shí ér dài ， wán měi de róng rù yú tiān dì nèi 。 zì shēn zhèn fǎ jiā shàng xuán huáng tiān dào de gòng tóng zhē yǎn ， shǐ de lǐ píng bìng méi yǒu bèi fā xiàn 。
他还看到，丛云海的异动，引起了玄黄界某些存在的注意。几道庞大的神识霎时降临、扫过这片海洋。但此刻的李平取丛云海意识而代，完美的融入于天地内。自身阵法加上玄黄天道的共同遮掩，使得李平并没有被发现。
"But nothing happened!"
……
……
"It wasn't fake! It wasn't fake!"
suī rán zàn shí mán le guò qù ， dàn lǐ píng xīn zhōng yǐn yǐn de wēi jī gǎn què méi yǒu xiāo shī 。
虽然暂时瞒了过去，但李平心中隐隐的危机感却没有消失。
...
“ kàn lái ， cǐ chù fēi jiǔ liú zhī dì le 。” chè dǐ jiāng cóng yún hǎi yì shí xī shōu 、 xiāo huà wán bì de lǐ píng ， xīn zhōng àn dào 。
“看来，此处非久留之地了。”彻底将丛云海意识吸收、消化完毕的李平，心中暗道。
The tree person was babbling incoherently, contradicting itself, making no sense at all.
bù guò ， zài fǎn huí shèng cháo dà qǐ zhī qián ， tā hái yào gàn yī jiàn shì 。
不过，在返回圣朝大启之前，他还要干一件事。
But it was deeply immersed in its own delusion. Even when Old Man Lu tried to communicate with it, it remained unresponsive.
shēn xíng shǎn dòng ， lǐ píng shùn xī jiān lái dào le cóng yún hǎi 、 liú yún dǎo fù jìn de hǎi dǐ 。
身形闪动，李平瞬息间来到了丛云海、流云岛附近的海底。
"Sixth Brother is crazy."
zài zhè lǐ de hǎi dǐ yuān xì zhī zhōng ， cún zài zhe yí gè qí tè de xuán wō 。
在这里的海底渊隙之中，存在着一个奇特的漩涡。
Suddenly, a clear female voice sounded in his ear.
xuán wō zhōng yāng ， yī kē dàn lán de zhū zi sàn fà zhe wēi ruò de guāng máng 。
旋涡中央，一颗淡蓝的珠子散发着微弱的光芒。
"Hmm?" Old Man Lu was startled.
“ cāng hǎi zhū 。”
“沧海珠。”
He had thoroughly searched the area and found no one except this tree person. But then he remembered Elder Qingfeng's mission.
zuò wéi cóng yún hǎi yì shí liǎng tóu xià zhù de yī bù fèn ， cāng hǎi zhū shì cóng yún hǎi gěi zì jǐ zhǔn bèi de zuì hòu qiú shēng zhī lù 。
作为丛云海意识两头下注的一部分，沧海珠是丛云海给自己准备的最后求生之路。
"Is it Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze?"
lǐ píng yī shēn shǒu ， nà dàn lán sè zhū biàn cóng hǎi dǐ xuán wō zhōng fēi chū ， lái dào le tā de zhǎng xīn 。
李平一伸手，那淡蓝色珠便从海底旋涡中飞出，来到了他的掌心。
The woman didn't respond.
“ jì rán yǐ jīng huà zuò xuán huáng tiān dào de yī bù fèn ， nà jiù gēn guò qù chè dǐ duàn jué ba 。”
“既然已经化作玄黄天道的一部分，那就跟过去彻底断绝吧。”
"I've been sent by Elder Qingfeng to take you back."
jīn sè de néng liàng jiāng cāng hǎi zhū lǒng zhào ， ér hòu měng dì guàn zhù 。
金色的能量将沧海珠笼罩，而后猛地灌注。
"He said that this mad spirit tree can't use its internal channels, so Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze is trapped here," Old Man Lu explained as he carefully observed his surroundings to locate the position of "Clear Breeze."
děng guāng máng sàn qù zhī hòu ， lǐ píng shǒu zhōng de zhū zi yǐ jīng cóng dàn lán biàn dé wèi lán yī piàn 。
等光芒散去之后，李平手中的珠子已经从淡蓝变得蔚蓝一片。
Despite his Daode realm's keen observation skills, he found no trace.
què méi yǒu le zhī qián de líng dòng 。
却没有了之前的灵动。
"Sixth Brother is crazy."
què shì lǐ píng jiāng cāng hǎi zhū nèi ， cóng yún hǎi zuì hòu cán cún de yī sī wēi ruò yì niàn ， yě gěi chè dǐ mǒ chú le 。
却是李平将沧海珠内，丛云海最后残存的一丝微弱意念，也给彻底抹除了。
The woman didn't respond directly. She repeated her statement.
“ cóng jīn wǎng hòu ， cāng hǎi zhū jiù shì dān chún de cāng hǎi zhū ， gēn cóng yún hǎi yě méi yǒu shén me guān lián le 。”
“从今往后，沧海珠就是单纯的沧海珠，跟丛云海也没有什么关联了。”
Old Man Lu frowned. Could this female cultivator have also been affected by the Face of Despair and gone mad?
lǐ píng bìng méi yǒu bǎ nà zhū zi shōu qǐ ， ér shì qū zhǐ yī dàn 、 jiāng qí suí jī shè xiàng cóng yún hǎi jiǎo luò lǐ ， yǐ dài yǒu yuán rén 。
李平并没有把那珠子收起，而是屈指一弹、将其随机射向丛云海角落里，以待有缘人。
"Sixth Brother was my best friend. Now that it's gone crazy, who will play with me?"
zuò le zhè yī qiè ， lǐ píng cái zuì zhōng lí kāi zhè piàn hǎi yáng 。
做了这一切，李平才最终离开这片海洋。
Her voice echoed in the small space, intertwining with the tree person's cries, sending shivers down Old Man Lu's spine.
yī zhōu zhī dì de xiū shì ， jìn shù biàn wèi bái chī 。
一州之地的修士，尽数变为白痴。
He felt a familiar sense of dread from his time wandering through the Great State of Virtue.
dāng wàn xiān méng zhōng yú chá jué cóng yún hǎi de biàn gù zhī hòu ， zhèn nù yì cháng 。
当万仙盟终于察觉丛云海的变故之后，震怒异常。
"Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze..." Old Man Lu cleared his throat and said softly.
pài rén qián lái de diào chá de tóng shí ， rú hé chǔ lǐ zhè xiē wēi xiǎn de fēng diān xiū shì ， yě shì chéng le gè nán tí 。
派人前来的调查的同时，如何处理这些危险的疯癫修士，也是成了个难题。
Although he didn't know the relationship between Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze and Elder Qingfeng, the fact that this usually stern and unyielding Elder Qingfeng had personally asked him to come made it clear they were close.
zuì hòu hái shì wǔ míng hé dào lián shǒu ， cái miǎn qiǎng jiāng cóng yún hǎi luàn jú shōu shí hǎo 。
最后还是五名合道联手，才勉强将丛云海乱局收拾好。
Fortunately, things didn't develop as Old Man Lu had feared.
zhè wǔ rén zhōng ， qià hǎo yǒu sūn jiā jiā zhǔ sūn lù yuǎn 。
这五人中，恰好有孙家家主孙路远。
Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze seemed to sob quietly for a moment before finally coming out of her sorrow.
zhī qián tā fèi jǐn le gè zhǒng fāng fǎ ， zhōng yú lián xì shàng le kōng yōu xiān zi 。
之前他费尽了各种方法，终于联系上了空幽仙子。
"Turns out you're sent by Little Virtue. I see he hasn't forgotten me."
sūn lù yuǎn zhī qián yǐ jīng xiáng xì diào chá le kōng yōu de dǐ xì ， zhī dào tā xìng qíng dān chún 、 xǐ nù xíng yú sè 。 ér yòu piān piān duì xīn qí de shì wù gǎn dào shí fēn hào qí ， suǒ yǐ sūn lù yuǎn biān zào le yí gè bàn zhēn bàn jiǎ de huǎng yán 。
孙路远之前已经详细调查了空幽的底细，知道她性情单纯、喜怒形于色。而又偏偏对新奇的事物感到十分好奇，所以孙路远编造了一个半真半假的谎言。
Old Man Lu's hair stood on end at Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's words.
“ wǒ zhī qián tīng wén ， xiān zi nǐ céng jīng jiāng yí gè wàng ēn fù yì de nán xiū shì biàn chéng le gǒu ， rì yè zhé mó ？”
“我之前听闻，仙子你曾经将一个忘恩负义的男修士变成了狗，日夜折磨？”
"Llittle Virtue? Elder Qingfeng?"
“ nà fù chǎng jǐng ， dàng zhēn bù rěn zhí shì 。 shuō lái yě qiǎo ， wǒ zhī qián yóu lì mǒu gè xiǎo shì jiè de shí hòu ， yě céng yù dào guò lèi sì de chǎng jǐng 。 tóng yàng shì jiāng zuì fàn yì huà chéng yì shòu mú yàng ， dàng zuò chéng chǔ de shǒu duàn ……”
“那副场景，当真不忍直视。说来也巧，我之前游历某个小世界的时候，也曾遇到过类似的场景。同样是将罪犯异化成异兽模样，当做惩处的手段……”
He almost thought he had misunderstood the name.
sūn lù yuǎn jiāng shèng cháo dà qǐ nèi de jiàn wén ， tiāo le yī xiē jiǎng shù 。
孙路远将圣朝大启内的见闻，挑了一些讲述。
Elder Qingfeng had been the Chief of the Protection Hall for over 3,000 years and was a true old monster. This young-sounding girl called him Little Virtue...
“ zhè xiǎo shì jiè dì wáng ， xiǎng fǎ jū rán gēn wǒ bù móu ér hé ？ yǒu qù 。”
“这小世界帝王，想法居然跟我不谋而合？有趣。”
If she wasn't crazy, how old could she be?
“ ér qiě tīng nǐ de miáo shù ， zhè xiǎo shì jiè fā zhǎn chéng dù hái bù yī bān ……”
“而且听你的描述，这小世界发展程度还不一般……”
What exactly was Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's identity?
jǐ cì bù jīng yì de tí qǐ hòu ， kōng yōu guǒ rán bèi xī yǐn 。
几次不经意的提起后，空幽果然被吸引。
A myriad of thoughts flashed through Old Man Lu's mind as he became more cautious.
dā yìng le yǐ hòu ruò shì yǒu jī huì ， gēn qí tā jǐ wèi méng nèi shú luò zhī rén ， gòng tóng qù yóu wán yī fān 。
答应了以后若是有机会，跟其他几位盟内熟络之人，共同去游玩一番。
He no longer referred to her as "Fellow Daoist," but instead asked carefully: "Senior, why don't you show yourself? Is there anything I did wrong?"
jiàn shì yǐ chéng ， sūn lù yuǎn zì shì dà xǐ guò wàng 。
见事已成，孙路远自是大喜过望。
There was a momentary silence before Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's voice sounded behind him.
shèn zhì hái xiǎng zhe bù rú zhè yī cì jiè zhe kōng yōu xiān zi de míng tóu ， duō kuāng piàn xiē wàn xiān méng jùn jié guò qù 。
甚至还想着不如这一次借着空幽仙子的名头，多诓骗些万仙盟俊杰过去。
"I've always been here, haven't I?"
shuí céng xiǎng jì huà hái méi shí shī ， wàn xiān méng jiù tū fā cǎn jù 。 hǒng piàn jì huà yě bù dé bù zàn qiě zhōng zhǐ 。
谁曾想计划还没实施，万仙盟就突发惨剧。哄骗计划也不得不暂且中止。
"Oh, right. I forgot that most people can't see me."
yuán běn cóng yún hǎi zhè luàn tān zi ， shì gēn tā chě bù shàng guān xì de 。
原本丛云海这乱摊子，是跟他扯不上关系的。
Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's words made Old Man Lu break out in cold sweat.
bù guò hù fǎ táng shǒu xí xū yuān xiàn ， què shì sī xià gěi le tā gè rèn wù 。
不过护法堂首席虚渊献，却是私下给了他个任务。
"Elder Qingfeng said he would send someone to handle this mad spirit tree later. Please take me back with you for now," Old Man Lu quickly said.
sūn lù yuǎn zhè cái bù dé bù xīn kǔ dà lǎo yuǎn pǎo yī tàng 。
孙路远这才不得不辛苦大老远跑一趟。
"Ah! That's great. I knew Sixth Brother could save it." Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze sounded like a happy little girl, jumping up and down.
“ qīng fēng táng 。 jiù shì zhè lǐ le 。”
“清风堂。就是这里了。”
"It was that scary scene from the end of times that scared it into silence. If not for your arrival, no one would have spoken to me for a long time."
jiāng nà xiē jiàn rén jiù gōng jī de fēng diān xiū shì quán dōu zhì fú 、 shōu lǒng qǐ lái zhī hòu ， sūn lù yuǎn lái dào le wàn xiān dǎo shàng zhè zuò jiàn zhù nèi 。
将那些见人就攻击的疯癫修士全都制服、收拢起来之后，孙路远来到了万仙岛上这座建筑内。
Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's voice grew closer until it seemed to be on his back.
méi yǒu zài lǐ miàn gǎn shòu dào huó zhe shēng líng de qì xī 。
没有在里面感受到活着生灵的气息。
"Alright. I'll follow Little Virtue and leave this place for now."
ér děng sūn lù yuǎn zhēn zhèng zǒu jìn qù hòu ， kàn qīng le nèi bù de zhuàng kuàng hòu ， fāng cái tóng kǒng zhòu rán yī suō 。
而等孙路远真正走进去后，看清了内部的状况后，方才瞳孔骤然一缩。
"The atmosphere here has changed, becoming less comfortable."
yī wèi tǎng zài mù yǐ shàng de lǎo zhě ， quán shēn gè chù dōu zhǎng chū shù mù gēn xū bān ， bèi sǐ sǐ chán rào 、 gù dìng zài le dì miàn shàng 。
一位躺在木椅上的老者，全身各处都长出树木根须般，被死死缠绕、固定在了地面上。
Feeling the weight on his back, Old Man Lu's heart raced as he wiped away a cold sweat from his forehead.
lǎo zhě suī rán méi yǒu wán quán sǐ qù ， réng yǒu yī sī qì xī shàng cún 。 dàn zài sūn lù yuǎn kàn lái ， yǐ jīng gēn sǐ rén méi yǒu qū bié le 。
老者虽然没有完全死去，仍有一丝气息尚存。但在孙路远看来，已经跟死人没有区别了。
"Do I just walk?" he asked tentatively.
fǎng fú shén hún dōu bèi zhè guǐ yì de gēn xū xī shí gān jìng ， zhǐ shèng xià le yī jù kōng ké 。
仿佛神魂都被这诡异的根须吸食干净，只剩下了一具空壳。
"Yes, I'm already on your back," Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze confirmed.
“ zhè jiù shì xū zhǎng lǎo suǒ shuō de qīng fēng táng kān shǒu le ， hǎo dǎi yě yǒu yuán yīng xiū wèi ， jiù zhè me bù míng bù bái sǐ le 。”
“这就是虚长老所说的青风堂看守了，好歹也有元婴修为，就这么不明不白死了。”
Old Man Lu didn't dare linger and left this eerie space. The mad spirit tree's voice continued to echo.
sūn lù yuǎn wēi wēi yáo tóu 。
孙路远微微摇头。
"Should we go back to the Immortal Alliance headquarters?" On his way out of the Clear Breeze Hall as a streak of light, Old Man Lu asked.
shì xiàn cóng lǎo zhě shēn shàng lí kāi ， zài qīng fēng táng nèi bù sǎo shì 。
视线从老者身上离开，在清风堂内部扫视。
"No, that place is uncomfortable for me. We'll head to Smoke State," Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze said with a cheerful tone.
piàn kè zhī hòu ， biàn fā xiàn le yí gè yǐn cáng de rù kǒu 。
片刻之后，便发现了一个隐藏的入口。
"Smoke State?" Old Man Lu nodded.
tí gāo le jǐng tì ， sūn lù yuǎn cóng ruò yǐn ruò xiàn de lǜ sè fèng xì zhōng kuò bù jìn rù 。
提高了警惕，孙路远从若隐若现的绿色缝隙中阔步进入。
Elder Qingfeng's mission was simply to bring Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze out and settle her in the Clear Breeze Hall of another state.
yī piàn lüè xiǎn kōng kuàng de kōng jiān 。
一片略显空旷的空间。
Old Man Lu didn't hesitate as he headed towards Smoke State, pondering the identity of this strange entity on his back.
“ dōng ！ dōng ！ dōng ……”
“咚！咚！咚……”
He had seen countless things with the Immortal Mirror of Limitless Power at home, but nothing like Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze. He couldn't even determine her strength.
dà dì zhèn chàn de shēng yīn bù duàn chuán lái 。
大地震颤的声音不断传来。
Was Elder Qingfeng's concern that she might be trapped the reason for sending him so far?
sūn lù yuǎn shùn zhe dòng jìng de lái yuán wàng qù ， jìng rán shì yī zhū dà shù zhǎng chū le rén lèi de liǎng zhǐ jiǎo 。
孙路远顺着动静的来源望去，竟然是一株大树长出了人类的两只脚。
From this perspective, Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's power wouldn't be very high.
zài dì miàn shàng bēn zǒu 。
在地面上奔走。
But her strange words and odd behavior made Old Man Lu feel uneasy.
dà shù de zhōng yāng shù gàn chù ， hè rán yǒu zhe yī zhāng kàn shàng qù cāng lǎo wú bǐ de miàn páng 。
大树的中央树干处，赫然有着一张看上去苍老无比的面庞。
Clearly, Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze was not an ordinary entity; she was complex.
cǐ kè zhè shù liǎn shàng ， chōng chì zhe wú jìn de jīng kǒng 。
此刻这树脸上，充斥着无尽的惊恐。
Old Man Lu inwardly groaned as he sped up, hoping to complete the task quickly and escape.
zhè kē dà shù yī biān kuáng zào zhì jí de jí sù pǎo dòng zhe ， shèn zhì yīn wèi zì jǐ de liǎng zhǐ jiǎo bìng bù zú yǐ zhī chēng shēn tǐ ， dǎo zhì tā bù tíng dì shuāi dǎo 、 pá qǐ 。 dàn tā què shǐ zhōng méi yǒu tíng zhǐ zì jǐ bēn zǒu de xíng wéi 。
这颗大树一边狂躁至极的急速跑动着，甚至因为自己的两只脚并不足以支撑身体，导致他不停地摔倒、爬起。但他却始终没有停止自己奔走的行为。
Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze remained silent throughout their journey.
tā zuǐ lǐ nán nán zì yǔ dào ：“ yòu yī cì ， jié nàn lái lín liǎo 。 zhè kǒng bù de jǐng xiàng ， jí biàn zài fù qīn zuì è dú de zǔ zhòu zhōng ， yě bù céng kàn dào guò ！”
它嘴里喃喃自语道：“又一次，劫难来临了。这恐怖的景象，即便在父亲最恶毒的诅咒中，也不曾看到过！”
He was getting closer to Smoke State.
“ dàn gēn běn méi yǒu fā shēng guò ！”
“但根本没有发生过！”
As relief seemed within reach, Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze suddenly said: "You're a bit impatient."
“ bú shì jiǎ de 、 bú shì jiǎ de ！”
“不是假的、不是假的！”
"Indeed, not many people are kind to me in this world," she added.
……
……
Old Man Lu felt a chill rise from his heart. Although Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze didn't say anything else, his unease grew stronger.
shù rén yǔ wú lún cì ， yán yǔ zì xiāng máo dùn 、 wán quán wú fǎ tīng chū tā huà lǐ de yì si 。
树人语无伦次，言语自相矛盾、完全无法听出他话里的意思。
"What's wrong?"
rán ér tā hái shēn shēn xiàn rù le zì wǒ de yì zhèng dāng zhōng ， jí biàn sūn lù yuǎn cháng shì gēn tā gōu tōng ， yě wú jì yú shì 。
然而它还深深陷入了自我的癔症当中，即便孙路远尝试跟他沟通，也无济于事。
He knew something was changing within him but couldn't pinpoint the specifics.
“ ā liù fēng le 。”
“阿六疯了。”
Only when he arrived at Smoke State and glanced down did he realize what was happening.
jiù zài zhè shí ， yī dào qīng cuì de nǚ shēng hū de zài sūn lù yuǎn ěr biān xiǎng qǐ 。
就在这时，一道清脆的女声忽的在孙路远耳边响起。
He was very close to the ground.
“ ń ？” sūn lù yuǎn yī jīng 。
“嗯？”孙路远一惊。
Above him, a bright sun shone.
yīn wèi tā cǐ qián yǐ jīng xiáng xì de sōu suǒ le yī fān ， zhè lǐ chú le nà shù rén zhī wài ， sì hū bìng méi yǒu qí tā rén 。
因为他此前已经详细的搜索了一番，这里除了那树人之外，似乎并没有其他人。
But there was no shadow on the ground.
dàn xuán jí ， sūn lù yuǎn jiù xiǎng dào le zhè yī cì xū zhǎng lǎo wěi tuō de rèn wù 。
但旋即，孙路远就想到了这一次虚长老委托的任务。
Old Man Lu clearly hadn’t used any spells to conceal his form, but his shadow had vanished.
dāng jí jiù kāi kǒu wèn dào ：“ kě shì qīng fēng dào yǒu ？”
当即就开口问道：“可是清风道友？”
He stretched out his arms in confusion.
nà nǚ shēng méi yǒu huí yìng 。
那女声没有回应。
He seemed to be becoming ethereal, losing his existence.
“ wǒ shòu xū zhǎng lǎo zhī tuō ， lái dài nǐ huí qù 。”
“我受虚长老之托，来带你回去。”
Soon he would become as无形无相 (xíng wú wú xiàng) as Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze.
“ jù tā suǒ shuō ， zhè líng mù fā fēng ， tā tǐ nèi de tōng dào wú fǎ shǐ yòng ， suǒ yǐ qīng fēng dào yǒu bèi kùn zài cǐ dì 。”
“据他所说，这灵木发疯，它体内的通道无法使用，所以清风道友被困在此地。”
The sudden change was too fast for Old Man Lu to feel fear. His mind went blank.
sūn lù yuǎn yī biān shuō zhe ， yī biān zǐ xì guān chá sì zhōu 。
孙路远一边说着，一边仔细观察四周。
Just when Old Man Lu felt the connection between him and this world fading...
xiǎng yào què rèn zhè 【 qīng fēng 】 de wèi zhì 。
想要确认这【清风】的位置。
A blazing golden light suddenly erupted from within him.
dàn ráo shì tā hé dào jìng jiè de guān chá lì ， què yī jiù méi yǒu bàn diǎn shōu huò 。
但饶是他合道境界的观察力，却依旧没有半点收获。
(To be continued)
When the old man's soul was almost completely consumed by these strange roots, only a hollow shell remained.
"Ah, this is what Elder Qingfeng said about the guards of the Clear Breeze Hall. Even with an婴灵 (yīng líng) cultivation base, he died for no reason," Old Man Lu shook his head.
He scanned the interior of the Clear Breeze Hall, and after a moment, found a hidden entrance. He increased his vigilance and stepped into this green gap.
A slightly spacious area greeted him.
"Thud! Thud! Thud..."
The ground trembled with each step.
Following the source of the sound, Old Man Lu saw that a tree had grown human-like legs. It was running on the ground. The center of the tree trunk revealed an old face, filled with endless terror.
This tree person was running frantically, even falling and getting back up because its two legs couldn't support its body. But it kept moving without stopping.
It muttered to itself: "Another calamity has come. I've never seen such a terrifying scene in Father's most vicious curse!"
"But nothing happened!"
"It wasn't fake! It wasn't fake!"
...
The tree person was babbling incoherently, contradicting itself, making no sense at all.
But it was deeply immersed in its own delusion. Even when Old Man Lu tried to communicate with it, it remained unresponsive.
"Sixth Brother is crazy."
Suddenly, a clear female voice sounded in his ear.
"Hmm?" Old Man Lu was startled.
He had thoroughly searched the area and found no one except this tree person. But then he remembered Elder Qingfeng's mission.
"Is it Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze?"
The woman didn't respond.
"I've been sent by Elder Qingfeng to take you back."
"He said that this mad spirit tree can't use its internal channels, so Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze is trapped here," Old Man Lu explained as he carefully observed his surroundings to locate the position of "Clear Breeze."
Despite his Daode realm's keen observation skills, he found no trace.
"Sixth Brother is crazy."
The woman didn't respond directly. She repeated her statement.
Old Man Lu frowned. Could this female cultivator have also been affected by the Face of Despair and gone mad?
"Sixth Brother was my best friend. Now that it's gone crazy, who will play with me?"
Her voice echoed in the small space, intertwining with the tree person's cries, sending shivers down Old Man Lu's spine.
He felt a familiar sense of dread from his time wandering through the Great State of Virtue.
"Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze..." Old Man Lu cleared his throat and said softly.
Although he didn't know the relationship between Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze and Elder Qingfeng, the fact that this usually stern and unyielding Elder Qingfeng had personally asked him to come made it clear they were close.
Fortunately, things didn't develop as Old Man Lu had feared.
Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze seemed to sob quietly for a moment before finally coming out of her sorrow.
"Turns out you're sent by Little Virtue. I see he hasn't forgotten me."
Old Man Lu's hair stood on end at Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's words.
"Llittle Virtue? Elder Qingfeng?"
He almost thought he had misunderstood the name.
Elder Qingfeng had been the Chief of the Protection Hall for over 3,000 years and was a true old monster. This young-sounding girl called him Little Virtue...
If she wasn't crazy, how old could she be?
What exactly was Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's identity?
A myriad of thoughts flashed through Old Man Lu's mind as he became more cautious.
He no longer referred to her as "Fellow Daoist," but instead asked carefully: "Senior, why don't you show yourself? Is there anything I did wrong?"
There was a momentary silence before Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's voice sounded behind him.
"I've always been here, haven't I?"
"Oh, right. I forgot that most people can't see me."
Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's words made Old Man Lu break out in cold sweat.
"Elder Qingfeng said he would send someone to handle this mad spirit tree later. Please take me back with you for now," Old Man Lu quickly said.
"Ah! That's great. I knew Sixth Brother could save it." Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze sounded like a happy little girl, jumping up and down.
"It was that scary scene from the end of times that scared it into silence. If not for your arrival, no one would have spoken to me for a long time."
Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's voice grew closer until it seemed to be on his back.
"Alright. I'll follow Little Virtue and leave this place for now."
"The atmosphere here has changed, becoming less comfortable."
Feeling the weight on his back, Old Man Lu's heart raced as he wiped away a cold sweat from his forehead.
"Do I just walk?" he asked tentatively.
"Yes, I'm already on your back," Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze confirmed.
Old Man Lu didn't dare linger and left this eerie space. The mad spirit tree's voice continued to echo.
"Should we go back to the Immortal Alliance headquarters?" On his way out of the Clear Breeze Hall as a streak of light, Old Man Lu asked.
"No, that place is uncomfortable for me. We'll head to Smoke State," Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze said with a cheerful tone.
"Smoke State?" Old Man Lu nodded.
Elder Qingfeng's mission was simply to bring Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze out and settle her in the Clear Breeze Hall of another state.
Old Man Lu didn't hesitate as he headed towards Smoke State, pondering the identity of this strange entity on his back.
He had seen countless things with the Immortal Mirror of Limitless Power at home, but nothing like Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze. He couldn't even determine her strength.
Was Elder Qingfeng's concern that she might be trapped the reason for sending him so far?
From this perspective, Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze's power wouldn't be very high.
But her strange words and odd behavior made Old Man Lu feel uneasy.
Clearly, Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze was not an ordinary entity; she was complex.
Old Man Lu inwardly groaned as he sped up, hoping to complete the task quickly and escape.
Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze remained silent throughout their journey.
He was getting closer to Smoke State.
As relief seemed within reach, Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze suddenly said: "You're a bit impatient."
"Indeed, not many people are kind to me in this world," she added.
Old Man Lu felt a chill rise from his heart. Although Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze didn't say anything else, his unease grew stronger.
"What's wrong?"
He knew something was changing within him but couldn't pinpoint the specifics.
Only when he arrived at Smoke State and glanced down did he realize what was happening.
He was very close to the ground.
Above him, a bright sun shone.
But there was no shadow on the ground.
Old Man Lu clearly hadn’t used any spells to conceal his form, but his shadow had vanished.
He stretched out his arms in confusion.
He seemed to be becoming ethereal, losing his existence.
Soon he would become as无形无相 (xíng wú wú xiàng) as Fellow Daoist Clear Breeze.
The sudden change was too fast for Old Man Lu to feel fear. His mind went blank.
Just when Old Man Lu felt the connection between him and this world fading...
A blazing golden light suddenly erupted from within him.
(To be continued)