sūn èr láng yǐn bì zhe ， guān chá zhe wǔ lǎo huì xiū shì gēn dà yuán hóu jiāo zhàn de guò chéng ， màn màn de ， xīn zhōng bù yóu shēng chū jǐ fēn níng zhòng 。
孙二郎隐蔽着，观察着五老会修士跟大猿猴交战的过程，慢慢的，心中不由生出几分凝重。
Sun Bin listened intently, his eyes narrowing as he heard the conversation. "So, Brother Xu, how do you find the Five Elders' Alliance compared to the Immortal Sects Alliance?"
「 hǎo qiáng ……」
「好强……」
The four men were dressed in striking, uniform dark green robes that looked like prison uniforms. A middle-aged man with a long beard asked his companion.
zhè shì tā duì yǎn qián zhè duì xiū shì de píng jià 。
这是他对眼前这队修士的评价。
Xu's appearance was pale and he seemed to be recovering from serious injuries. He coughed lightly before replying, "Compared to the Immortal Sects Alliance, it is indeed much more free and relaxed."
méi yǒu líng lì bō dòng ， bìng qiě shuāng fāng zhāo shì de pò huài fàn wéi yě bèi jú xiàn zài yí dìng de kōng jiān nèi ， sūn èr láng wú fǎ gǎn zhī tā men de jù tǐ xiū wèi 。
没有灵力波动，并且双方招式的破坏范围也被局限在一定的空间内，孙二郎无法感知他们的具体修为。
Another young man chimed in, "Although we have to sign that soul contract, when we were at the Immortal Sects Alliance, even without the binding of the contract, wouldn't we still have to obey any orders from them? In my opinion, there's not much difference between the two."
dàn jǐn jǐn shì cóng xiū shì jiàn zuò zhàn de bǐ cǐ pèi hé ， yǐ jí lín zhàn bù jù 、 lěng jìng miàn duì gè zhǒng wēi jī děng zhàn dòu sù yǎng lái kàn ， zhè duì xiū shì de shuǐ píng ， shí nǎi tā shēng píng jǐn jiàn 。
但仅仅是从修士间作战的彼此配合，以及临战不惧、冷静面对各种危机等战斗素养来看，这队修士的水平，实乃他生平仅见。
The long-bearded man, named Wang Yang, looked displeased but had to agree with their points. "It seems Brother Yang still harbors illusions about the Immortal Sects Alliance!"
jí biàn suàn shàng tā zài huà dào shí mó nǐ shì jiè zhōng suǒ zāo yù dào de ， zhè duì xiū shì yě réng jiù shì jí qí dǐng jiān de cún zài 。
即便算上他在化道石模拟世界中所遭遇到的，这队修士也仍旧是极其顶尖的存在。
Xu smiled derisively at him and said, "Do you remember the Immortal Sects Alliance? Do they remember you? I've never heard of any Immortal Sects Alliance member who managed to escape from the Five Elders' Alliance after being captured."
gèng ràng sūn èr láng jīng yì de ， shì tā men de gōng jī yǐ jí liáo shāng shǒu duàn 。
更让孙二郎惊异的，是他们的攻击以及疗伤手段。
"Even if you did manage to escape by chance, the Immortal Sects Alliance would likely see you as a spy and arrest you," Wang Yang said with a frown.
chú le gè zhǒng fǎ qì yǐ wài ， zhè duì xiū shì ǒu ěr hái huì shǐ yòng chū yī xiē pǒ wèi qí tè de dào jù 。 bǐ rú shū 、 jiǔ bēi ， nǎi zhì xiàng liàn děng 。 duì jǐ fāng zào chéng zēng yì de tóng shí ， duì dà yuán hóu shī jiā gè zhǒng fù miàn xiào guǒ 。
除了各种法器以外，这队修士偶尔还会使用出一些颇为奇特的道具。比如书、酒杯，乃至项链等。对己方造成增益的同时，对大猿猴施加各种负面效果。
The group fell into an awkward silence. "Speaking of which, that high-ranking official mentioned earlier that every state's cultivators have the opportunity to directly meet the Heavenly Lord. I wonder if it's true or not."
ér qiě tā men de liáo shāng sù dù yě kuài de xià rén 。
而且他们的疗伤速度也快的吓人。
One of the younger men suggested, "Brother Zhang, don't worry about it. I've already investigated this matter and can confirm its authenticity. However, the methods for meeting the Heavenly Lords vary from place to place, and all are extremely difficult—only the most exceptional cultivators can achieve it."
xīn fǎ xiū shì shēn jì dòng tiān ， dāng shēn qū bèi huǐ zhī hòu cóng dòng tiān zhōng chóng shēng ， zuì qǐ mǎ yě xū yào jǐ xī de shí jiān 。
新法修士身寄洞天，当身躯被毁之后从洞天中重生，最起码也需要几息的时间。
"Take the One Mind Immortal Sect for example," Xu explained, "if you win twenty consecutive battles without any rivals in their domain, there's a high chance of being summoned before the One Mind Heavenly Lord."
dàn zhè qún rén què zhǐ shì yī dào bái guāng shǎn guò ， zài zhòng de shāng shì dōu néng shùn jiān fù yuán 。 qián yī kè bèi dà yuán hóu de gōng jī mìng zhòng ， shēng mìng chuí wēi 。 xià yī miǎo zài bái guāng de yìng zhào xià jiù yòu biàn dé shēng lóng huó hǔ qǐ lái 。
但这群人却只是一道白光闪过，再重的伤势都能瞬间复原。前一刻被大猿猴的攻击命中，生命垂危。下一秒在白光的映照下就又变得生龙活虎起来。
"And here in the True Realm State, they say that sitting under the true fruit tree and meditating can lead to enlightenment. The longer you persist, the greater your chances of receiving guidance from the Heavenly Lord," Xu continued.
nà dà yuán hóu zòng shǐ zài zěn me pí cāo ròu hòu ， yě jīng bù qǐ rú cǐ zhè fān xiāo hào 。
那大猿猴纵使再怎么皮糙肉厚，也经不起如此这番消耗。
"Have I tried it myself? Yes! It's incredibly difficult!" Xu paused dramatically before continuing, "Sitting under a fruit tree is like becoming an omnipotent creator god. You need to fabricate a false world out of thin air."
bìng qiě guài yì de shì ， zhè yāo shòu sǐ xīn yǎn yì bān 、 yě bù zhī dào táo pǎo 。
并且怪异的是，这妖兽死心眼一般、也不知道逃跑。
Shen Yang interrupted, "But are there any restrictions on creating this world? If we use the unique features of the True Realm as inspiration, wouldn't it be easier?"
yì zhí zhàn dòu dào shēng mìng de zuì hòu yí kè ， hōng rán dǎo dì 。
一直战斗到生命的最后一刻，轰然倒地。
Xu shook his head, "In the True Realm, no actual small worlds from the Yellow World can appear in the fruit's illusion. It's like…"
dà yuán hóu sǐ wáng de shùn jiān ， huà zuò yào yǎn de jīn guāng ， yǒng rù jiāng tā jī shā de nà duì xiū shì tǐ nèi 。
大猿猴死亡的瞬间，化作耀眼的金光，涌入将它击杀的那队修士体内。
He hesitated before saying, "It's similar to the principle that 'one cannot practice all techniques.' A world created by imitating something will vanish as soon as it takes shape. Only a fully fabricated world can endure and pass the test."
nà qún rén dùn shí fā chū yī zhèn huān hū 。
那群人顿时发出一阵欢呼。
Shen Yang frowned, "Why does the Heavenly Lord do this? What is his purpose?"
「 zhè cì shuā chū lái de tóu mù ， zhēn tā niáng de xuè hòu 。 hái hǎo wǒ men zhǔn bèi de bǔ jǐ zú gòu duō ， yào bù rán tiě dìng zāi le 。」
「这次刷出来的头目，真他娘的血厚。还好我们准备的补给足够多，要不然铁定栽了。」
Xu scoffed, "Purpose? Why worry about that? All I know is that completing the test not only won't bring any harm but may even lead to enlightenment. Such a privilege would be reserved for very few in the Immortal Sects Alliance, but here in the Five Elders' Alliance, everyone has an opportunity."
「 gěi de lì liàn yě bù shǎo ， wǒ kuài yào tū pò xià gè jìng jiè le 。」
「给的历练也不少，我快要突破下个境界了。」
"The true fruit tree sprouts and blossoms in every city," Xu continued, "anyone with interest can meditate under it."
「 kě xī de shì ， tú jiàn lǐ tā nà jiàn 【 xuě yuán shèng jiǎ 】 méi diào luò ， yào bù rán zán men zhè cì zhēn fā dá le 。」
「可惜的是，图鉴里它那件【雪猿圣甲】没掉落，要不然咱们这次真发达了。」
Sun Bin listened intently. "So coincidentally? Just as I was about to fall asleep, someone brings a pillow? Could this be some kind of trap?"
cǐ yán yī chū ， yǐn dé xiǎo duì zhòng rén fēn fēn zàn tóng 、 tàn xī 。
此言一出，引得小队众人纷纷赞同、叹息。
Sun Bin's mind raced through possibilities. "No, the Master must have known in advance that there are methods for direct meetings with the Heavenly Lords in each state. That's why he sent me on this mission."
sūn èr láng què shì tīng zhe zhè fān wán quán yì yì bù míng de huà ， shén sè yǒu xiē wēi miào 。
孙二郎却是听着这番完全意义不明的话，神色有些微妙。
"True fruit tree," Sun Bin thought to himself. He had experienced the simulation world and knew about the rules of creation. This should give him an advantage.
「 zǒu ba ， zhè fù jìn méi shén me hǎo dōng xī le 。 xiān huí 【 lè tǔ 】 zài shuō 。」
「走吧，这附近没什么好东西了。先回【乐土】再说。」
"I'll try it first, and if it doesn't work, I can think of other methods." With his mind made up, Sun Bin waited patiently.
「 zhè 【 xuán huáng jiè 】 dí què bú shì rén dài de dì fāng ， ruò bú shì rèn wù xū yào ， zhēn bù xiǎng lái zhè lǐ 。」
「这【玄黄界】的确不是人待的地方，若不是任务需要，真不想来这里。」
After another twenty days, a commotion suddenly erupted in the city one day. A shadow spread rapidly from the center of the city.
xiǎo duì xiū shì yú guàn fēi rù tiān kōng zhōng de jiàn chuán ， yì lùn fēn fēn 。
小队修士鱼贯飞入天空中的舰船，议论纷纷。
It covered the entire city.
jiàn chuán yī zhèn cǎi guāng lǒng zhào ， fǎng fú shùn yí bān ， xiāo shī zài tiān mù shàng 。
舰船一阵彩光笼罩，仿佛瞬移般，消失在天幕上。
A large tree sprouted from the shadow, appearing real and ethereal at the same time. The branches were laden with green fruits that seemed to draw people's attention.
sūn èr láng dīng zhe tā men lí qù de wèi zhì ， nǎo hǎi zhōng huà dào shí zé shì bù duàn huí fàng zhe gāng gāng jì lù de huà miàn 。
孙二郎盯着他们离去的位置，脑海中化道石则是不断回放着刚刚记录的画面。
"True fruit tree appears for seven days and nights. All living beings in this state can seek enlightenment under it."
「 lè tǔ ……」
「乐土……」
A clear bell rang out, echoing into the distance.
「 yīng gāi shì nà wèi wú yōu tiān zūn de shì lì fàn wéi 。 sì hū gēn xuán huáng jiè qí tā dì fāng dōu yǒu xiē bù yí yàng 。」
「应该是那位无忧天尊的势力范围。似乎跟玄黄界其他地方都有些不一样。」
A loud voice came from above, reverberating in everyone's ears.
「 jū rán chēng xuán huáng jiè wèi ‘ bú shì rén dài de dì fāng " me …… yǒu yì si 。」
「居然称玄黄界为‘不是人待的地方"么……有意思。」
"Thank the Heavenly Lord for his grace!"
「 cǐ shì huò xǔ yīng gāi shàng bào gěi shī zūn 。」
「此事或许应该上报给师尊。」
Countless lives in the True Realm State bowed in gratitude.
sūn èr láng xīn zhōng rú cǐ xiǎng zhe ， què shì méi yǒu zhuī zōng nà qí tè de jiàn chuán 。
孙二郎心中如此想着，却是没有追踪那奇特的舰船。
After three rounds of bows, the ceremony concluded. Cultivators began to sit under the tree and meditate.
jǐn jì zhe shī zūn suǒ jiāo dài de rèn wù ， jì xù cháo zhe zhēn shí zhī guó jìn fā 。
谨记着师尊所交代的任务，继续朝着真实之国进发。
The city became unusually quiet as people avoided disturbing the cultivators undergoing their tests.
sān tiān zhī hòu ， dāng chuān yuè yī dào bái wù bì zhàng ， sūn èr láng míng xiǎn de gǎn jué dào tiān dì jiān yǒu shén me dōng xī fā shēng le biàn huà 。….
三天之后，当穿越一道白雾壁障，孙二郎明显的感觉到天地间有什么东西发生了变化。….
Sun Bin followed the group from the Immortal Sects Alliance who were also heading towards the true fruit tree.
「 wǒ gāng gāng suǒ zài de zhōu yù ， shì shǔ yú 【 rén dào tiān jìng 】。 zhì yú zhè lǐ ， zé yīng gāi jiù shì 【 zhēn shí zhī guó 】 le 。」
「我刚刚所在的州域，是属于【人道天境】。至于这里，则应该就是【真实之国】了。」
No one stopped him on his way there. The Heavenly Lord's statement that all living beings could try it was indeed not empty talk.
sūn èr láng zhī dào ， zhēn shí zhī guó jìng nèi ， tiān zūn zhī lǐ fǎ zé lǒng zhào xià ， suǒ yǒu xiū shì dōu wú fǎ biān zào huǎng yán 。
孙二郎知道，真实之国境内，天尊之理法则笼罩下，所有修士都无法编造谎言。
Under the tree, Sun Bin saw not only humans but also some insects and animals had claimed their spots in the shade.
gù ér tā yù fā xiǎo xīn jǐn shèn 。
故而他愈发小心谨慎。
This unusual scene left a deep impression on Sun Bin.
chū lái zhà dào ， duì yú zhè lǐ yī qiè dōu shí fēn mò shēng 。 sūn èr láng jué dìng xiān dǎ tàn yī fān qíng kuàng ， zài xún zhǎo miàn jiàn tiān zūn de fāng fǎ 。
初来乍到，对于这里一切都十分陌生。孙二郎决定先打探一番情况，再寻找面见天尊的方法。
"According to ancient sages, they taught without discrimination. Not just humans, but all life forms can receive their teachings. This True Heavenly Lord has a certain charm."
zhēn shí zhī guó xiāng jiào yú rén dào tiān jìng ， xiǎn de gèng jiā píng hé 。 hěn shǎo jiàn dào xún shì de wǔ lǎo huì xiū shì 。
真实之国相较于人道天境，显得更加平和。很少见到巡视的五老会修士。
Following everyone's example, Sun Bin sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
jìng nèi fán rén 、 xiū shì zhī jiān de jiè xiàn ， yě bú shì tè bié de míng xiǎn 。
境内凡人、修士之间的界限，也不是特别的明显。
In an instant, the world around him seemed to vanish.
yuǎn yuǎn kě yǐ kàn dào tā men jū zhù zài tóng yī gè
远远可以看到他们居住在同一个
The faint sounds of the city disappeared completely.
chéng chí lǐ de qíng xíng 。
城池里的情形。
Though he was still blindfolded, Sun Bin felt as if he had opened his eyes.
「 nà xiē dí què dōu shì fán rén ， méi yǒu xiū wèi zài shēn 。 sì hū shì xiān fán zhàng de lì liàng ， zài zhè lǐ shòu dào le yā zhì 。」
「那些的确都是凡人，没有修为在身。似乎是仙凡瘴的力量，在这里受到了压制。」
Before him was a vast expanse of emptiness.
jīng guò zǐ xì de guān chá hòu ， sūn èr láng dé chū liǎo jié lùn 。
经过仔细的观察后，孙二郎得出了结论。
"Creating a world…"
gèng ràng tā gǎn dào yǒu xiē xīn qí de shì ， zhè lǐ bìng bù yīn xiū wèi de gāo dī ér jué dìng shí jì de zūn bēi 。
更让他感到有些新奇的是，这里并不因修为的高低而决定实际的尊卑。
Numerous rules and information appeared in Sun Bin's mind.
tā shèn zhì néng kàn dào yī nián qīng de jīn dān xiū shì ， duì zhe fán rén lǎo zhě gōng jìng xíng lǐ de huà miàn 。
他甚至能看到一年轻的金丹修士，对着凡人老者恭敬行礼的画面。
"First, set up the general situation of the world."
bù jīn ràng tā zé zé chēng qí 。
不禁让他啧啧称奇。
Sun Bin followed the simulation world from the Daoist Stone to recreate it. The blank world took on color.
àn zhōng guān chá le sān tiān de shí jiān ， suī rán duì zhēn shí zhī guó de fēng tǔ rén qíng yǒu le dà zhì de liǎo jiě ， què réng rán méi yǒu zhǎo dào shén me hé shì de tū pò kǒu 。
暗中观察了三天的时间，虽然对真实之国的风土人情有了大致的了解，却仍然没有找到什么合适的突破口。
However, something unexpected happened just as the world was about to take shape—it crumbled like sandcastles.
「 zǒng bù néng zhí jiē zài dà jiē shàng gāo hū ， wǒ shì lái qiú jiàn zhēn shí tiān zūn de ba ？」
「总不能直接在大街上高呼，我是来求见真实天尊的吧？」
It reverted back to a blank state.
jiù zài sūn èr láng yī chóu mò zhǎn de shí hòu ， zhè yī tiān ， tā què tū rán fā jué le jǐ míng gēn tā yī yàng de wài lái zhě 。
就在孙二郎一筹莫展的时候，这一天，他却突然发觉了几名跟他一样的外来者。
"Even a modified version based on the Yellow World doesn't work?"
「 wàn xiān méng de rén ？」 sūn èr láng mī qǐ le yǎn jīng 。
「万仙盟的人？」孙二郎眯起了眼睛。
"Completely fabricated world?" Sun Bin frowned slightly but then had an idea. He recalled the example his master used when teaching him—materialism over immateriality.
gēn zài hòu miàn tōu tīng le yī zhèn ， sūn èr láng dùn shí liǎo rán 。
跟在后面偷听了一阵，孙二郎顿时了然。
"Immaterial Dao does not manifest, material reality endures."
zhè sì míng xiū shì ， shì zài wǔ lǎo huì gēn wàn xiān méng de chōng tū zhōng ， bèi fú huò ， rú jīn zhèng chù zài kǎo yàn qī de guī huà zhě 。
这四名修士，是在五老会跟万仙盟的冲突中，被俘获，如今正处在考验期的归化者。
39314608.
Sun Bin listened intently, his eyes narrowing as he heard the conversation. "So, Brother Xu, how do you find the Five Elders' Alliance compared to the Immortal Sects Alliance?"
The four men were dressed in striking, uniform dark green robes that looked like prison uniforms. A middle-aged man with a long beard asked his companion.
Xu's appearance was pale and he seemed to be recovering from serious injuries. He coughed lightly before replying, "Compared to the Immortal Sects Alliance, it is indeed much more free and relaxed."
Another young man chimed in, "Although we have to sign that soul contract, when we were at the Immortal Sects Alliance, even without the binding of the contract, wouldn't we still have to obey any orders from them? In my opinion, there's not much difference between the two."
The long-bearded man, named Wang Yang, looked displeased but had to agree with their points. "It seems Brother Yang still harbors illusions about the Immortal Sects Alliance!"
Xu smiled derisively at him and said, "Do you remember the Immortal Sects Alliance? Do they remember you? I've never heard of any Immortal Sects Alliance member who managed to escape from the Five Elders' Alliance after being captured."
"Even if you did manage to escape by chance, the Immortal Sects Alliance would likely see you as a spy and arrest you," Wang Yang said with a frown.
The group fell into an awkward silence. "Speaking of which, that high-ranking official mentioned earlier that every state's cultivators have the opportunity to directly meet the Heavenly Lord. I wonder if it's true or not."
One of the younger men suggested, "Brother Zhang, don't worry about it. I've already investigated this matter and can confirm its authenticity. However, the methods for meeting the Heavenly Lords vary from place to place, and all are extremely difficult—only the most exceptional cultivators can achieve it."
"Take the One Mind Immortal Sect for example," Xu explained, "if you win twenty consecutive battles without any rivals in their domain, there's a high chance of being summoned before the One Mind Heavenly Lord."
"And here in the True Realm State, they say that sitting under the true fruit tree and meditating can lead to enlightenment. The longer you persist, the greater your chances of receiving guidance from the Heavenly Lord," Xu continued.
"Have I tried it myself? Yes! It's incredibly difficult!" Xu paused dramatically before continuing, "Sitting under a fruit tree is like becoming an omnipotent creator god. You need to fabricate a false world out of thin air."
Shen Yang interrupted, "But are there any restrictions on creating this world? If we use the unique features of the True Realm as inspiration, wouldn't it be easier?"
Xu shook his head, "In the True Realm, no actual small worlds from the Yellow World can appear in the fruit's illusion. It's like…"
He hesitated before saying, "It's similar to the principle that 'one cannot practice all techniques.' A world created by imitating something will vanish as soon as it takes shape. Only a fully fabricated world can endure and pass the test."
Shen Yang frowned, "Why does the Heavenly Lord do this? What is his purpose?"
Xu scoffed, "Purpose? Why worry about that? All I know is that completing the test not only won't bring any harm but may even lead to enlightenment. Such a privilege would be reserved for very few in the Immortal Sects Alliance, but here in the Five Elders' Alliance, everyone has an opportunity."
"The true fruit tree sprouts and blossoms in every city," Xu continued, "anyone with interest can meditate under it."
Sun Bin listened intently. "So coincidentally? Just as I was about to fall asleep, someone brings a pillow? Could this be some kind of trap?"
Sun Bin's mind raced through possibilities. "No, the Master must have known in advance that there are methods for direct meetings with the Heavenly Lords in each state. That's why he sent me on this mission."
"True fruit tree," Sun Bin thought to himself. He had experienced the simulation world and knew about the rules of creation. This should give him an advantage.
"I'll try it first, and if it doesn't work, I can think of other methods." With his mind made up, Sun Bin waited patiently.
After another twenty days, a commotion suddenly erupted in the city one day. A shadow spread rapidly from the center of the city.
It covered the entire city.
A large tree sprouted from the shadow, appearing real and ethereal at the same time. The branches were laden with green fruits that seemed to draw people's attention.
"True fruit tree appears for seven days and nights. All living beings in this state can seek enlightenment under it."
A clear bell rang out, echoing into the distance.
A loud voice came from above, reverberating in everyone's ears.
"Thank the Heavenly Lord for his grace!"
Countless lives in the True Realm State bowed in gratitude.
After three rounds of bows, the ceremony concluded. Cultivators began to sit under the tree and meditate.
The city became unusually quiet as people avoided disturbing the cultivators undergoing their tests.
Sun Bin followed the group from the Immortal Sects Alliance who were also heading towards the true fruit tree.
No one stopped him on his way there. The Heavenly Lord's statement that all living beings could try it was indeed not empty talk.
Under the tree, Sun Bin saw not only humans but also some insects and animals had claimed their spots in the shade.
This unusual scene left a deep impression on Sun Bin.
"According to ancient sages, they taught without discrimination. Not just humans, but all life forms can receive their teachings. This True Heavenly Lord has a certain charm."
Following everyone's example, Sun Bin sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
In an instant, the world around him seemed to vanish.
The faint sounds of the city disappeared completely.
Though he was still blindfolded, Sun Bin felt as if he had opened his eyes.
Before him was a vast expanse of emptiness.
"Creating a world…"
Numerous rules and information appeared in Sun Bin's mind.
"First, set up the general situation of the world."
Sun Bin followed the simulation world from the Daoist Stone to recreate it. The blank world took on color.
However, something unexpected happened just as the world was about to take shape—it crumbled like sandcastles.
It reverted back to a blank state.
"Even a modified version based on the Yellow World doesn't work?"
"Completely fabricated world?" Sun Bin frowned slightly but then had an idea. He recalled the example his master used when teaching him—materialism over immateriality.
"Immaterial Dao does not manifest, material reality endures."
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