kuáng fēng nù háo ， juǎn qǐ jīng tāo hài làng 。
狂风怒号，卷起惊涛骇浪。
Howling winds and surging waves.
kōng zhōng níng jù de hēi yún yù fā nóng hòu 。 rú gāo shān yì bān de yún céng zhōng ， bù shí yǒu dào dào shǎn diàn liàng qǐ ， zhāng xiǎn qí yùn hán de huǐ miè xìng lì liàng 。
空中凝聚的黑云愈发浓厚。如高山一般的云层中，不时有道道闪电亮起，彰显其蕴含的毁灭性力量。
The dark clouds in the sky grew denser, forming a mountain-like barrier. Lightning flashed intermittently within these clouds, showcasing their destructive power.
zhè chǎng hào dà de fēng bào ， què zài zhāng hào bō de shǒu zhōng ， wǎn ruò bèi jiāng shéng shuān zhù de yě mǎ yì bān ， zhǐ dé guāi guāi dì cháo zhe jì dìng de fāng xiàng huǎn huǎn yùn dòng 。
这场浩大的风暴，却在张浩波的手中，宛若被缰绳拴住的野马一般，只得乖乖地朝着既定的方向缓缓运动。
Despite the grand storm, Zhang Haobo's control over it was like that of a wild horse tethered by reins; it moved only as he directed.
“ kuī tiān dì zhī fǎ , yǐ liàn jīn dān ……”
“窥天地之法, 以炼金丹……”
"Observing heaven and earth... to refine the golden core..."
zhāng hào bō shēn chù bào fēng huán rào zhī zhōng ， huǎn huǎn sī suǒ 。
张浩波身处暴风环绕之中，缓缓思索。
Zhang Haobo pondered amidst the raging winds.
“ yǐ wǒ mù qián de shí lì ， xiǎng yào xíng jiān bìng zhī jǔ ， hái shì yǒu diǎn miǎn qiǎng 。”
“以我目前的实力，想要行兼并之举，还是有点勉强。”
"With my current strength, attempting an expansion would be quite challenging."
“ dàn méi yǒu jīn dān fǎ ， wǒ yě zhǐ néng bèi kùn zhù jī yuán mǎn ， bù dé cùn jìn 。”
“但没有金丹法，我也只能被困筑基圆满，不得寸进。”
"But without the Golden Core Technique, I can only remain at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, unable to advance further."
“ shí jiān jǐn pò , yǐ jīng bù róng xǔ wǒ qù màn màn zǎn gòng xiàn dù duì huàn jīn dān gōng fǎ le 。”
“时间紧迫, 已经不容许我去慢慢攒贡献度兑换金丹功法了。”
"The time is pressing; there's no longer room for me to slowly accumulate contributions and exchange for the Golden Core Technique."
“ wèi jīn zhī jì ， wéi yǒu ……”
“为今之计，唯有……”
"Thus, the only option now... is false core."
“ jiǎ dān 。”
“假丹。”
A determined glint flashed in Zhang Haobo’s eyes.
zhāng hào bō mù guāng zhōng shǎn guò yī sī jué jué 。
张浩波目光中闪过一丝决绝。
The False Core Technique involved using heavenly power to forcefully break through after reaching Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, forming a pseudo golden core within his dantian.
xíng jiǎ dān fǎ , jí shì zài zhù jī yuán mǎn hòu ， yǐ tiān dì zhī lì guàn zhù jǐ shēn ， qiáng xíng tū pò ， zài dān tián nèi xíng chéng yī méi yóu fǎ zé zhī lì gòu jiàn ér chéng de 、 xū huàn de jīn dān 。
行假丹法, 即是在筑基圆满后，以天地之力灌注己身，强行突破，在丹田内形成一枚由法则之力构建而成的、虚幻的金丹。
This would temporarily elevate him to the Golden Core realm.
cóng ér duǎn zàn de jiāng zì jǐ jìng jiè tí shēng dào jīn dān jìng 。
从而短暂的将自己境界提升到金丹境。
However, this technique was unsustainable and could only last for over thirty days at most.
jiǎ dān fǎ bù kě chí jiǔ ， zuì duō yě zhǐ néng chí xù sān shí duō tiān de shí jiān 。
假丹法不可持久，最多也只能持续三十多天的时间。
Its side effects were terrifying; even if he eventually succeeded in condensing a true golden core, it would leave irreversible damage, cutting him off from the path of cultivation.
fù zuò yòng yě jí qí kě pà ， jiù suàn zhī hòu néng zhēn zhèng de chéng gōng níng jié jīn dān ， yě huì liú xià bù kě wǎn huí de àn shāng ， zì jué yú dào tú 。
副作用也极其可怕，就算之后能真正的成功凝结金丹，也会留下不可挽回的暗伤，自绝于道途。
He might be stuck at the Golden Core stage forever without further extraordinary opportunities.
ruò shì zhī hòu méi yǒu shén me qí tā qí yù ， yī bèi zi yě zhǐ néng zhǐ bù yú jīn dān qī le 。
若是之后没有什么其他奇遇，一辈子也只能止步于金丹期了。
But Zhang Haobo had no choice!
dàn zhāng hào bō què bié wú xuǎn zé ！
但张浩波却别无选择！
Defying fate was not an easy task.
nì tiān ér xíng ， qǐ shì yì shì ？
逆天而行，岂是易事？
Zhang Haobo covertly glanced up again, a bitter smile forming on his lips.
zhāng hào bō bù zhe hén jì dì yòu tái tóu kàn le yī yǎn ， xīn zhōng yī zhèn lěng xiào 。
张浩波不着痕迹地又抬头看了一眼，心中一阵冷笑。
Since his rebirth, he occasionally felt as if someone were secretly observing him, like needles pricking his back.
zì cóng chóng shēng yǐ lái , tā jiù ǒu ěr huì chǎn shēng yī zhǒng bèi tōu kuī de gǎn jué 。
自从重生以来, 他就偶尔会产生一种被偷窥的感觉。
This feeling had become clearer since entering the Foundation Establishment realm.
rú máng zài bèi ， xīn shēng bù shì 。
如芒在背，心生不适。
He knew that his numerous unusual actions since rebirth likely caught the attention of someone in the heavens.
yuán xiān hái yǐ wéi zhǐ shì mǒu zhǒng cuò jué , dàn tā tà rù zhù jī qī zhī hòu ， zhè zhǒng gǎn jué què biàn dé gèng jiā qīng xī qǐ lái 。
原先还以为只是某种错觉, 但他踏入筑基期之后，这种感觉却变得更加清晰起来。
The fates of countless beings in the Cunyun Sea were predetermined by heaven's will.
zhāng hào bō xīn zhōng míng bái , yīng gāi shì zì jǐ chóng shēng yǐ lái zhǒng zhǒng yì cháng de jǔ dòng ， yǐn qǐ le tiān shàng nà wèi de guān zhù 。
张浩波心中明白, 应该是自己重生以来种种异常的举动，引起了天上那位的关注。
To reverse his fate would face significant resistance, a fact he was well prepared for.
tiān fā shā jī ， cóng yún hǎi nèi yún yún zhòng shēng de mìng yùn , běn yīng zǎo yǐ zhù dìng 。
天发杀机，丛云海内芸芸众生的命运, 本应早已注定。
As his strength grew, so too did this opposition.
zì jǐ xiǎng yào nì zhuǎn mìng yùn , dìng rán huì yǒu chóng chóng zǔ lì 。
自己想要逆转命运, 定然会有重重阻力。
But he wasn't without support.
zhè yì diǎn ， tā zhāng hào bō ， zǎo yǐ zuò hǎo le chōng zú de xīn lǐ zhǔn bèi 。
这一点，他张浩波，早已做好了充足的心理准备。
Zhang Haobo subconsciously touched his chest where a faint blue translucent bead appeared intermittently.
kě yǐ yù liào de shì ， suí zhe tā de shí lì bù duàn zēng zhǎng ， zhè zhǒng zǔ náo zhī lì yě huì yuè fā qiáng dà 。
可以预料的是，随着他的实力不断增长，这种阻挠之力也会越发强大。
He wasn’t a water spirit.
dàn ， tā yě bú shì méi yǒu zhù lì 。
但，他也不是没有助力。
On this Cunyun Sea, he could freely use spiritual energy without worrying about depletion because of this mysterious artifact.
zhāng hào bō xià yì shí de mō le mō zì jǐ de xiōng kǒu ， nà lǐ ， yí gè dàn lán sè de tòu míng xiǎo zhū zi ， ruò yǐn ruò xiàn 。
张浩波下意识的摸了摸自己的胸口，那里，一个淡蓝色的透明小珠子，若隐若现。
Its name and origin were unknown to him.
tā kě bú shì shén me shuǐ líng tǐ 。
他可不是什么水灵体。
Only after breaking through to the Qi Refining stage did he discover the blue bead in his chest.
zài zhè cóng yún hǎi shàng ， tā zhī suǒ yǐ néng sì wú jì dàn de shǐ yòng líng qì ， ér bù yòng dān xīn xiāo hào 。
在这丛云海上，他之所以能肆无忌惮的使用灵气，而不用担心消耗。
Through experimentation, he learned its purpose: it allowed for an extremely rapid recovery of internal spiritual energy and easier comprehension of the laws of nature, especially those related to water and wind.
zhèng shì yīn wèi yǒu zhe zhè jiàn yì bǎo de cún zài 。
正是因为有着这件异宝的存在。
At times, images would appear in his mind, revealing hidden secrets within the Cunyun Sea.
zhè jiàn yì bǎo jiào shén me míng zì 、 rú hé ér lái ， tā shì yī gài bù zhī 。
这件异宝叫什么名字、如何而来，他是一概不知。
His ability to sense the space where Qingfeng clashed with the sword hilt and enter it unnoticed was due to this blue bead’s covert assistance.
zhǐ shì nà tiān ， tā zài tū pò dào liàn qì qī hòu ， cái fā xiàn le zì jǐ xiōng kǒu zhōng de zhè méi lán sè shuǐ zhū 。
只是那天，他在突破到炼气期后，才发现了自己胸口中的这枚蓝色水珠。
Without it, even a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator couldn’t have done so!
yī fān shì yàn hòu ， tā màn màn zhī dào le zhè shuǐ zhū de yòng chǔ 。
一番试验后，他慢慢知道了这水珠的用处。
This enigmatic artifact seemed to be part of his rebirth package—his means to defy fate in this life.
néng bāng tā yǐ yī zhǒng jí qí hài rén de sù dù ， huī fù tǐ nèi líng qì 。
能帮他以一种极其骇人的速度，恢复体内灵气。
...
hái shǐ tā néng gèng róng yì de gǎn wù tiān dì jiān de fǎ zé zhī lì ， yóu qí shì yǔ shuǐ 、 fēng xiāng guān de 。
还使他能更容易的感悟天地间的法则之力，尤其是与水、风相关的。
Li Fan could monitor Zhang Haobo's every move but couldn't read his thoughts.
bù shí nǎo hǎi zhōng ， hái huì fú xiàn chū yī dào dào yǐng xiàng , jiē shì zhe cóng yún hǎi zhōng de mǒu xiē yǐn mì 。
不时脑海中，还会浮现出一道道影像, 揭示着丛云海中的某些隐秘。
Thus, he was unaware of what transpired on Zhang Haobo.
zhī qián , tā zhī suǒ yǐ néng chá jué dào nà chù qīng fēng yǔ jiàn bǐng xiāng zhēng de qí yì kōng jiān ， bìng qiě jìn rù qí zhōng 、 bù bèi chá jué ， jiù shì zhè lán sè shuǐ zhū àn zhōng xiāng zhù 。
之前, 他之所以能察觉到那处青风与剑柄相争的奇异空间，并且进入其中、不被察觉，就是这蓝色水珠暗中相助。
Moreover, he had no time for such concerns now.
fǒu zé ， bú yào shuō dāng shí liàn qì hòu qī de xiū wèi le ， jiù suàn shì xiàn zài de zhù jī yuán mǎn ， yě gēn běn wú fǎ zuò dào ！
否则，不要说当时炼气后期的修为了，就算是现在的筑基圆满，也根本无法做到！
Since starting lessons with Zhang Ziliang on array techniques, he had no free time at all.
zhè jiàn ào miào wú qióng de yì bǎo ， yīng gāi jiù shì tā zuò wéi chóng shēng zhě zì dài de fú lì le 。
这件奥妙无穷的异宝，应该就是他作为重生者自带的福利了。
Zhang Ziliang would leave to handle other matters after teaching a while but left behind exercises for Li Fan to study before returning.
yě shì zhè yī shì ， tā nì tiān gǎi mìng de yī zhàng ！
也是这一世，他逆天改命的依仗！
Li Fan barely finished these assignments when Zhang Ziliang returned.
zhāng hào bō sī xù fān yǒng ， zhú jiàn huī fù píng jìng 。
张浩波思绪翻涌，逐渐恢复平静。
After grading and explaining the exercises, Zhang Ziliang resumed his lessons without pause.
zuǒ shǒu shēn chū ， zhuō zhù le yī lǚ yuǎn chù chuán lái de fēng ， gǎn yìng zhe nà ge jí jiāng dàn shēng de chāo jí fēng zāi 。
左手伸出，捉住了一缕远处传来的风，感应着那个即将诞生的超级风灾。
This cycle repeated endlessly, leaving no time for rest.
bù duàn tiáo zhěng zhuó yǎn qián zì jǐ cāo zòng de xiǎo xíng fēng zāi de qián jìn sù dù yǔ fāng xiàng 。
不断调整着眼前自己操纵的小型风灾的前进速度与方向。
Zhang Ziliang would ignite a silver incense stick whenever he sensed Li Fan's mental fatigue reaching a certain point.
nǎo hǎi zhòng jì suàn mó nǐ liǎng tuán fēng bào pèng zhuàng hòu de kě néng 。
脑海中计算模拟两团风暴碰撞后的可能。
The aroma instantly cleared Li Fan’s mental exhaustion.
“ qīng fēng xiāng jiàn zhī rì ， jiù shì wǒ níng jù jiǎ dān zhī shí 。”
“青风相见之日，就是我凝聚假丹之时。”
Following Zhang Ziliang’s gaze, Li Fan continued to focus intently on his studies.
zhāng hào bō de yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī jīng guāng ， suí hòu zài fēng yǔ yǔ de yǎn yìng xià ， shēn xíng huǎn huǎn xiāo shī zài fēng bào zhī zhōng 。
张浩波的眼中闪过一丝精光，随后在风与雨的掩映下，身形缓缓消失在风暴之中。
This process seemed endless and made him feel time passed slowly.
……
……
Every moment spent studying array techniques was agonizing; he longed for it to end.
lǐ fán suī rán néng jiān shì zhāng hào bō de yī jǔ yī dòng ， què bù néng kàn tòu tā nèi xīn zhōng de xiǎng fǎ 。
李凡虽然能监视张浩波的一举一动，却不能看透他内心中的想法。
Had it not been for his strong will and the three trials of mental resilience he underwent from Qin Tang, his endurance would have faltered.
suǒ yǐ zì rán shì bù zhī dào zài zhāng hào bō shēn shàng fā shēng le hé shì 。
所以自然是不知道在张浩波身上发生了何事。
After an indeterminate period, Zhang Ziliang brought another student.
ér qiě ， xiàn zài tā yě méi kòng guān xīn zhè ge le 。
而且，现在他也没空关心这个了。
They didn't study together but split into identical shadows in the dark starry sky to teach separately.
zì cóng nà rì kāi shǐ gēn zhāng zhì liáng xué xí zhèn fǎ zhī hòu ， tā shì yì diǎn kòng xián de zì yóu shí jiān dōu méi yǒu 。
自从那日开始跟张志良学习阵法之后，他是一点空闲的自由时间都没有。
Li Fan realized that the one teaching him might not be a real person; the excuse of going out for other matters was just a pretext.
zhāng zhì liáng suī rán shòu kè yī duàn shí jiān hòu ， huì lí kāi yī zhèn ， bàn qí tā shì qíng 。
张志良虽然授课一段时间后，会离开一阵，办其他事情。
It seemed designed to test his diligence when unsupervised.
dàn shì zài zǒu zhī qián ， tā huì wèi lǐ fán liú xià xiāng yìng de zhèn fǎ xí tí ， mìng lǐ fán yán xí 。
但是在走之前，他会为李凡留下相应的阵法习题，命李凡研习。
Shaking his head, Li Fan ignored the other apprentice.
wǎng wǎng huán méi děng lǐ fán jiāng zhè xiē xí tí wán chéng ， zhāng zhì liáng biàn fǎn huí le 。
往往还没等李凡将这些习题完成，张志良便返回了。
Setting a two-year reminder, he focused solely on studying array techniques.
pī gǎi 、 jiǎng jiě xí tí zhī hòu ， zhāng zhì liáng yòu kāi shǐ le shòu kè 。
批改、讲解习题之后，张志良又开始了授课。
Time passed without notice.
rú cǐ xún huán wǎng fù ， jìng rán shì yì diǎn xiū xī de shí jiān bù liú 。
如此循环往复，竟然是一点休息的时间不留。
One day, as Li Fan frowned in thought, his expression suddenly changed dramatically.
zhāng zhì liáng zài gǎn jué dào lǐ fán de jīng shén pí juàn dào yí dìng de chéng dù hòu ， biàn huì diǎn rán yī zhǒng yín sè de xiāng liào 。
张志良在感觉到李凡的精神疲倦到一定的程度后，便会点燃一种银色的香料。
His mind felt like it had been struck by an immense object; dizziness and stars filled his vision.
xiāng qì miǎo miǎo ， lǐ fán wén hòu ， jīng shén shàng de juàn dài lì kè yī sǎo ér kōng 。
香气渺渺，李凡闻后，精神上的倦怠立刻一扫而空。
Blood dripped from his nose and eyes, looking quite alarming.
suí hòu zài zhāng zhì liáng de yǎn shén shì yì xià ， jì xù qián xīn xué xí 。
随后在张志良的眼神示意下，继续潜心学习。
Zhang Ziliang appeared.
zhè ge guò chéng ， méi yǒu jìn tóu yì bān 。
这个过程，没有尽头一般。
He looked at Li Fan curiously but didn’t ask further.
shèn zhì ràng lǐ fán chǎn shēng le shí jiān guò dé hěn màn de cuò jué 。
甚至让李凡产生了时间过得很慢的错觉。
Instead, he ignited the silver incense stick again.
yán jiū zhèn fǎ de měi yī fēn yī miǎo ， dōu shì jiān áo 。
研究阵法的每一分一秒，都是煎熬。
This time, the aroma was more intense than usual.
hèn bù dé néng zǎo rì jié shù 。
恨不得能早日结束。
The mental injury caused by a previous exercise quickly healed as he absorbed it.
ruò bú shì tā běn shēn jiù xīn zhì jiān dìng ， zài jiā shàng zhī qián yú qín táng chù jiē shòu le sān mén xīn xìng shì liàn ， chéng shòu néng lì gèng shì yuǎn chāo cháng rén ， kǒng pà hái zhēn bù yí dìng néng jiān chí xià lái 。
若不是他本身就心志坚定，再加上之前于秦堂处接受了三门心性试炼，承受能力更是远超常人，恐怕还真不一定能坚持下来。
By midday, Li Fan felt fully recovered.
rú cǐ bù zhī guò le duō jiǔ ， zhāng zhì liáng yòu dài huí le yī rén 。
如此不知过了多久，张志良又带回了一人。
Only then did he check the final image transmitted to his mind.
jìn dù bù tóng ， méi yǒu yì qǐ shòu kè 。
进度不同，没有一起授课。
"Zhang Haobo has reached the Golden Core realm?"
zhǐ shì zài zhè hēi àn xīng kōng zhōng fēn chū le yī dào wán quán xiāng tóng de xū yǐng ， fēn kāi lái wèi nà rén jiǎng kè 。
只是在这黑暗星空中分出了一道完全相同的虚影，分开来为那人讲课。
He turned his head and gazed into the distance with an enigmatic expression.
Howling winds and surging waves.
The dark clouds in the sky grew denser, forming a mountain-like barrier. Lightning flashed intermittently within these clouds, showcasing their destructive power.
Despite the grand storm, Zhang Haobo's control over it was like that of a wild horse tethered by reins; it moved only as he directed.
"Observing heaven and earth... to refine the golden core..."
Zhang Haobo pondered amidst the raging winds.
"With my current strength, attempting an expansion would be quite challenging."
"But without the Golden Core Technique, I can only remain at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, unable to advance further."
"The time is pressing; there's no longer room for me to slowly accumulate contributions and exchange for the Golden Core Technique."
"Thus, the only option now... is false core."
A determined glint flashed in Zhang Haobo’s eyes.
The False Core Technique involved using heavenly power to forcefully break through after reaching Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, forming a pseudo golden core within his dantian.
This would temporarily elevate him to the Golden Core realm.
However, this technique was unsustainable and could only last for over thirty days at most.
Its side effects were terrifying; even if he eventually succeeded in condensing a true golden core, it would leave irreversible damage, cutting him off from the path of cultivation.
He might be stuck at the Golden Core stage forever without further extraordinary opportunities.
But Zhang Haobo had no choice!
Defying fate was not an easy task.
Zhang Haobo covertly glanced up again, a bitter smile forming on his lips.
Since his rebirth, he occasionally felt as if someone were secretly observing him, like needles pricking his back.
This feeling had become clearer since entering the Foundation Establishment realm.
He knew that his numerous unusual actions since rebirth likely caught the attention of someone in the heavens.
The fates of countless beings in the Cunyun Sea were predetermined by heaven's will.
To reverse his fate would face significant resistance, a fact he was well prepared for.
As his strength grew, so too did this opposition.
But he wasn't without support.
Zhang Haobo subconsciously touched his chest where a faint blue translucent bead appeared intermittently.
He wasn’t a water spirit.
On this Cunyun Sea, he could freely use spiritual energy without worrying about depletion because of this mysterious artifact.
Its name and origin were unknown to him.
Only after breaking through to the Qi Refining stage did he discover the blue bead in his chest.
Through experimentation, he learned its purpose: it allowed for an extremely rapid recovery of internal spiritual energy and easier comprehension of the laws of nature, especially those related to water and wind.
At times, images would appear in his mind, revealing hidden secrets within the Cunyun Sea.
His ability to sense the space where Qingfeng clashed with the sword hilt and enter it unnoticed was due to this blue bead’s covert assistance.
Without it, even a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator couldn’t have done so!
This enigmatic artifact seemed to be part of his rebirth package—his means to defy fate in this life.
...
Li Fan could monitor Zhang Haobo's every move but couldn't read his thoughts.
Thus, he was unaware of what transpired on Zhang Haobo.
Moreover, he had no time for such concerns now.
Since starting lessons with Zhang Ziliang on array techniques, he had no free time at all.
Zhang Ziliang would leave to handle other matters after teaching a while but left behind exercises for Li Fan to study before returning.
Li Fan barely finished these assignments when Zhang Ziliang returned.
After grading and explaining the exercises, Zhang Ziliang resumed his lessons without pause.
This cycle repeated endlessly, leaving no time for rest.
Zhang Ziliang would ignite a silver incense stick whenever he sensed Li Fan's mental fatigue reaching a certain point.
The aroma instantly cleared Li Fan’s mental exhaustion.
Following Zhang Ziliang’s gaze, Li Fan continued to focus intently on his studies.
This process seemed endless and made him feel time passed slowly.
Every moment spent studying array techniques was agonizing; he longed for it to end.
Had it not been for his strong will and the three trials of mental resilience he underwent from Qin Tang, his endurance would have faltered.
After an indeterminate period, Zhang Ziliang brought another student.
They didn't study together but split into identical shadows in the dark starry sky to teach separately.
Li Fan realized that the one teaching him might not be a real person; the excuse of going out for other matters was just a pretext.
It seemed designed to test his diligence when unsupervised.
Shaking his head, Li Fan ignored the other apprentice.
Setting a two-year reminder, he focused solely on studying array techniques.
Time passed without notice.
One day, as Li Fan frowned in thought, his expression suddenly changed dramatically.
His mind felt like it had been struck by an immense object; dizziness and stars filled his vision.
Blood dripped from his nose and eyes, looking quite alarming.
Zhang Ziliang appeared.
He looked at Li Fan curiously but didn’t ask further.
Instead, he ignited the silver incense stick again.
This time, the aroma was more intense than usual.
The mental injury caused by a previous exercise quickly healed as he absorbed it.
By midday, Li Fan felt fully recovered.
Only then did he check the final image transmitted to his mind.
"Zhang Haobo has reached the Golden Core realm?"
He turned his head and gazed into the distance with an enigmatic expression.