“ jiù mìng zhī ēn ， wú yǐ wéi bào 。 fù tāng dǎo huǒ ， zài suǒ bù cí ！” lǐ fán gǒng shǒu huí yìng 。 shuō huà de tóng shí ， lǐ fán chá kàn le zì jǐ hái zhēn miàn bǎn shàng de shǔ xìng 。
“救命之恩，无以为报。赴汤蹈火，在所不辞！”李凡拱手回应。说话的同时，李凡查看了自己还真面板上的属性。
"Alright, let's get started. When can we begin our operation?"
shèng yú shòu mìng cóng zhī qián de shí nián ， bào zhǎng dào le wǔ bǎi duō nián 。 zú yǐ kě jiàn 【 jūn tiān shén shù 】 de qiáng hàn zhī chù 。
剩余寿命从之前的十年，暴涨到了五百多年。足以可见【均天神术】的强悍之处。
"From a theoretical perspective, the more powerful the Star Sea becomes, the better," said Li Fan. However, he quickly dismissed his own judgment: "No, if the Star Sea grows stronger, its future retaliation will also become more powerful. If we are too greedy, it might exceed what we can bear."
“ bèi shī zhǎn shén shù hòu ， wǒ de shòu yuán ， yīng dāng jiù gēn zhè xiē xiān zhōu zhǎng lǎo yī yàng le 。”
“被施展神术后，我的寿元，应当就跟这些仙舟长老一样了。”
Zhong Daocong agreed and said, "Therefore, we need to choose an optimal timing." He continued, "The Star Boat has already established a dedicated organization with rotating elders using the Tai Jia Divine Technique to approach and observe the Star Sea's consciousness. According to our predictions, the best time will arrive within thirty years."
“ wǔ bǎi duō nián ， bù duō 、 dàn yě bù suàn shǎo 。 zuì zhòng yào de shì ……” lǐ fán zǐ xì chá yàn cǐ kè zì jǐ shēn tǐ zhuàng tài 。
“五百多年，不多、但也不算少。最重要的是……”李凡仔细查验此刻自己身体状态。
"During this period, the power of the Star Sea and the remnants of True Immortal energy will influence each other, forming a delicate balance." Zhong Daocong paused before adding, "After that... the True Immortal remnants might gradually disappear in the Star Sea."
mò dì ， tā yǎn shén wēi wēi níng ：“ zhè duō chū lái de shòu mìng ， bìng bù wěn dìng ？” zhī qián dōu shì jiàn kāng 、 zhèng cháng de shēn tǐ ， gù ér lǐ fán hěn mǐn ruì de jiù chá jué dào le ， xiàn zài zì jǐ zhè bèi jūn tiān shén shù qiáng xíng nì tiān gǎi mìng 、 yán shòu ér chéng de qū tǐ ， tā de shuāi lǎo sù dù míng xiǎn bú zhèng cháng de kuài 。
蓦地，他眼神微微凝：“这多出来的寿命，并不稳定？”之前都是健康、正常的身体，故而李凡很敏锐的就察觉到了，现在自己这被钧天神术强行逆天改命、延寿而成的躯体，它的衰老速度明显不正常的快。
Li Fan nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, since I have sufficient lifespan now, I also have enough time to wait."
shì zhèng cháng shù bèi yǒu yú 。 yǒu shí hòu ， hái huì hū de mò míng tiào yuè jiǎn shǎo 。 ér zhèng zài lǐ fán guān chá de shí hòu ， hái zhēn miàn bǎn shàng nà tū rán biàn dòng de nián líng shù zì ， yě wú yí yìn zhèng le tā de cāi cè 。
是正常数倍有余。有时候，还会忽的莫名跳跃减少。而正在李凡观察的时候，还真面板上那突然变动的年龄数字，也无疑印证了他的猜测。
"What else do you need me to prepare?" Li Fan asked proactively.
lǐ fán bìng méi yǒu yǎn shì zì jǐ shén qíng de biàn huà 。 yīn ér zhōng dào gōng yě kàn chū le lǐ fán xīn zhōng de yí huò ：“ tiān dào wú cháng ， liú zhuǎn bù dìng 。 biàn huà shì yǒng héng de ， jūn héng shì yī shí de 。”
李凡并没有掩饰自己神情的变化。因而钟道恭也看出了李凡心中的疑惑：“天道无常，流转不定。变化是永恒的，均衡是一时的。”
Zhong Daocong pondered for a moment and suggested, "Firstly, try to increase the number of people under the ritual's influence as much as possible. Although there is some risk involved, if we are careful enough, it should be manageable. However, do not repeat this more than once; doing so will ensure that you don't regret your actions later."
“ jūn tiān xià ， běn jiù shì nì tiān ér xíng 。 wǒ xiǎng nǎ pà shì zhēn zhèng xiān rén suǒ shū jiù zhēn xiān zhuàn zì ， yě wèi bì néng yì zhí wéi chí 【 jūn 】 de zhuàng tài 。 gèng hé kuàng wǒ men ne ？ suǒ yǐ nǐ yě bù bì yí lǜ ， cóng 【 jūn 】 tài diē luò ， shí zài shì zhèng cháng xiàn xiàng 。”
“均天下，本就是逆天而行。我想哪怕是真正仙人所书就真仙篆字，也未必能一直维持【均】的状态。更何况我们呢？所以你也不必疑虑，从【均】态跌落，实在是正常现象。”
Zhong Daocong was very satisfied with Li Fan’s response and said, "The number of ritual sacrifices is crucial. Doubling the number increases our chances by ten percent. Please take care to handle this matter carefully."
“ yǒu liǎng zhǒng fāng fǎ kě yǐ huǎn jiě 。 yī shì zài qù 【 gǔ 】 zì fú zhēn jì 。 duǎn zàn de huí sù ， néng gòu yán huǎn diē luò de sù dù 。”
“有两种方法可以缓解。一是再去【古】字符真迹。短暂的回溯，能够延缓跌落的速度。”
"Understood," replied Li Fan, his expression serious as he considered how to implement it.
“ èr ma ， zé shì děng dào nǐ zài dù shòu jǐn de shí hòu ， jì xù shī zhǎn 【 jūn tiān shén shù 】。 shì shí shàng ， zhè yě shì xiān zhōu zhǎng lǎo huì men zhèng zài zuò de 。”
“二嘛，则是等到你再度寿尽的时候，继续施展【均天神术】。事实上，这也是仙舟长老会们正在做的。”
"Regarding the second point..." Zhong Daocong paused before continuing, "You can do this in passing; if successful, that's great. If not, there won't be much impact. It is merely a backup plan."
“ yǐ zhòng rén zhī shòu ， yán gè rén zhī shòu 。 rén rén zhù wǒ ， wǒ yì zhù rén rén 。” zhōng dào gōng kàn xiàng zhōu wéi de yī zhòng zhǎng lǎo ， xiào zhe shuō dào 。
“以众人之寿，延个人之寿。人人助我，我亦助人人。”钟道恭看向周围的一众长老，笑着说道。
Li Fan asked curiously, "Oh? Elder Zhong, could you elaborate?"
lǐ fán huǎng rán ，
李凡恍然，
Zhong Daocong explained using the Derivative Simulation technique: "The key to the ritual’s success lies in creating a fake version of a cultivation world within the Star Sea." He continued, "You know that all worlds in the Star Sea are already shattered. Apart from your Great Start..."
“ jì rú cǐ ， wǒ jiù fàng xīn le 。” tàn le kǒu qì ， lǐ fán yòu gǎn tàn dào ：“ zǒng suàn zhī dào ， xiān zhōu zhǎng lǎo suī rán bǐ cǐ jiān sì hū yì jiàn bù yī 、 dàn zài dà shì què shǐ zhōng néng bǎo zhèng jí tǐ gòng tóng qián jìn fāng xiàng de yuán yīn le 。”
“既如此，我就放心了。”叹了口气，李凡又感叹道：“总算知道，仙舟长老虽然彼此间似乎意见不一、但在大事却始终能保证集体共同前进方向的原因了。”
"But your Great Start is not inferior to our Star Boat in terms of strength. Attempting to occupy it and use it as a ready-made disguise would likely trigger a major conflict, which would be unwise."
“ cǐ jūn tiān shén shù ， dàng zhēn shì xuán miào fēi cháng ！ nǎ pà zài dà qǐ ， yě jué duì suàn de shàng shì zuì dǐng jiān de shén tōng le ！” lǐ fán shèng zàn zhī xià ， zhōng dào gōng què bìng méi yǒu miàn lù dé sè ， ér shì yǎn shén zhōng shǎn guò yī sī kǔ xiào ：“ bù dé yǐ ér wéi zhī bà le 。 shòu zhì yú yǒu xiàn zī yuán ， xiān zhōu rén kǒu shǐ zhōng wéi chí zài yí gè jiào dī shuǐ píng 。 rén cái gēng dié de sù dù huǎn màn ， xiǎng yào zài zhè zhì àn xīng hǎi shēng cún xià qù ， jiù bì xū wéi chí zhǎng lǎo huì chéng yuán de shù liàng 。”
“此均天神术，当真是玄妙非常！哪怕在大启，也绝对算的上是最顶尖的神通了！”李凡盛赞之下，钟道恭却并没有面露得色，而是眼神中闪过一丝苦笑：“不得已而为之罢了。受制于有限资源，仙舟人口始终维持在一个较低水平。人才更迭的速度缓慢，想要在这至暗星海生存下去，就必须维持长老会成员的数量。”
"Thus, using the remnants of shattered worlds as disguises can serve as an alternative method." He pointed at the ruins of the broken world known as the Remnant World Great Wall.
“ yán jiū zhēn xiān zhuàn zì ， yě shì wēi jī chóng chóng 。 shāo yǒu bù shèn ， jiù huì bèi zhēn xiān zhī lì bō jí 。 lì shǐ shàng yīn cǐ shēn yǔn de zhǎng lǎo ， zhe shí bù zài shǎo shù 。 dàn yòu shì guān xiān zhōu qián tú mìng mài ， jué bù kě fàng qì 。”
“研究真仙篆字，也是危机重重。稍有不慎，就会被真仙之力波及。历史上因此身陨的长老，着实不在少数。但又事关仙舟前途命脉，绝不可放弃。”
"Ah?" Li Fan seemed confused. "What exactly are these traces left by the collapse of the Heavenly Dao?"
“ gù ér měi yī wèi zhǎng lǎo ， dōu shì xiān zhōu zuì bǎo guì de cái fù ……” duì yú zhōng dào gōng de shuō cí ， lǐ fán bù zhì kě fǒu 。
“故而每一位长老，都是仙舟最宝贵的财富……”对于钟道恭的说辞，李凡不置可否。
Zhong Daocong extended his hand and took out a small object that resembled amber but had the appearance of white jade, seamlessly formed with no signs of carving. It was shaped like an umbrella.
tā kě shì zhī dào xiān zhōu shàng yǒu 【 dào dān 】 mì shù ， néng jiāng tiān cái liàn zhì hòu tūn fú ， jiāng qí tiān fù quán dōu zhàn wèi jǐ yǒu 。
他可是知道仙舟上有【道丹】秘术，能将天才炼制后吞服，将其天赋全都占为己有。
"This is the only remaining item from a cultivation world after its destruction. We obtained it in the void space after the Star Sea's anomalies subsided," Zhong Daocong explained.
“ xiān zhōu zhè xiē nián yǒng xiàn chū de tiān cái ， kǒng pà yě jué bù zài shǎo shù 。 zhǐ kě xī ， xiǎng yào chéng wéi xīn de zhǎng lǎo ， jué duì bú shì guāng kào tiān fù jiù néng xíng de 。 xiān zhōu zhǎng lǎo ， shí zé gēn xuán huáng jiè fán rén yǒu xiē xiāng sì 。 jì bù néng tài duō ， yě bù néng tài shǎo 。 xū yào wéi chí yí gè wēi miào de píng héng 。” lǐ fán xīn zhōng àn zì sī cǔn ， què méi yǒu jiāng qí shuō pò 。
“仙舟这些年涌现出的天才，恐怕也绝不在少数。只可惜，想要成为新的长老，绝对不是光靠天赋就能行的。仙舟长老，实则跟玄黄界凡人有些相似。既不能太多，也不能太少。需要维持一个微妙的平衡。”李凡心中暗自思忖，却没有将其说破。
"If you search carefully, there will likely be many similar objects within the ruins of the broken worlds. Your divine concealment techniques are unparalleled; searching for these items would be much easier for you." He quickly put away the white jade umbrella.
bèi shī zhǎn jūn tiān shén shù hòu ， zhōu wéi zhū wèi zhǎng lǎo duì tā de tài dù yě fā shēng le wēi miào de biàn huà 。 rú guǒ shuō lǐ fán zhī qián jǐn jǐn shì chū yú lì yì 、 biǎo xiàn ， ér yíng dé tā men de zàn tóng de huà 。
被施展钧天神术后，周围诸位长老对他的态度也发生了微妙的变化。如果说李凡之前仅仅是出于利益、表现，而赢得他们的赞同的话。
"However, we don't need to force it. In our secret storage, there are still some such Heavenly Dao traces. They should suffice for the disguise," Zhong Daocong concluded.
"Alright, let's get started. When can we begin our operation?"
"From a theoretical perspective, the more powerful the Star Sea becomes, the better," said Li Fan. However, he quickly dismissed his own judgment: "No, if the Star Sea grows stronger, its future retaliation will also become more powerful. If we are too greedy, it might exceed what we can bear."
Zhong Daocong agreed and said, "Therefore, we need to choose an optimal timing." He continued, "The Star Boat has already established a dedicated organization with rotating elders using the Tai Jia Divine Technique to approach and observe the Star Sea's consciousness. According to our predictions, the best time will arrive within thirty years."
"During this period, the power of the Star Sea and the remnants of True Immortal energy will influence each other, forming a delicate balance." Zhong Daocong paused before adding, "After that... the True Immortal remnants might gradually disappear in the Star Sea."
Li Fan nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, since I have sufficient lifespan now, I also have enough time to wait."
"What else do you need me to prepare?" Li Fan asked proactively.
Zhong Daocong pondered for a moment and suggested, "Firstly, try to increase the number of people under the ritual's influence as much as possible. Although there is some risk involved, if we are careful enough, it should be manageable. However, do not repeat this more than once; doing so will ensure that you don't regret your actions later."
Zhong Daocong was very satisfied with Li Fan’s response and said, "The number of ritual sacrifices is crucial. Doubling the number increases our chances by ten percent. Please take care to handle this matter carefully."
"Understood," replied Li Fan, his expression serious as he considered how to implement it.
"Regarding the second point..." Zhong Daocong paused before continuing, "You can do this in passing; if successful, that's great. If not, there won't be much impact. It is merely a backup plan."
Li Fan asked curiously, "Oh? Elder Zhong, could you elaborate?"
Zhong Daocong explained using the Derivative Simulation technique: "The key to the ritual’s success lies in creating a fake version of a cultivation world within the Star Sea." He continued, "You know that all worlds in the Star Sea are already shattered. Apart from your Great Start..."
"But your Great Start is not inferior to our Star Boat in terms of strength. Attempting to occupy it and use it as a ready-made disguise would likely trigger a major conflict, which would be unwise."
"Thus, using the remnants of shattered worlds as disguises can serve as an alternative method." He pointed at the ruins of the broken world known as the Remnant World Great Wall.
"Ah?" Li Fan seemed confused. "What exactly are these traces left by the collapse of the Heavenly Dao?"
Zhong Daocong extended his hand and took out a small object that resembled amber but had the appearance of white jade, seamlessly formed with no signs of carving. It was shaped like an umbrella.
"This is the only remaining item from a cultivation world after its destruction. We obtained it in the void space after the Star Sea's anomalies subsided," Zhong Daocong explained.
"If you search carefully, there will likely be many similar objects within the ruins of the broken worlds. Your divine concealment techniques are unparalleled; searching for these items would be much easier for you." He quickly put away the white jade umbrella.
"However, we don't need to force it. In our secret storage, there are still some such Heavenly Dao traces. They should suffice for the disguise," Zhong Daocong concluded.