“ dāng jīn zhè ge shí jiān diǎn ， xiān lù réng zài 。 hé dào zhī hòu ， biàn shì chéng xiān 。”
“当今这个时间点，仙路仍在。合道之后，便是成仙。”
In this moment, Li Bufan's control over the world seemed to have reached a new level. The forces he could command were almost indistinguishable from those in the true Sea of Mountains and Rivers.
jí biàn zhǐ shì xū shí xiàng shēng zhuàng tài zhōng de shān hǎi ， dàn gāi cún zài de 、 yě yī jiù huì cún zài 。
即便只是虚实相生状态中的山海，但该存在的、也依旧会存在。
"True or false? Real or illusory. How do we define these?" Li Bufan pondered as he sat above the Yellow-Emptiness World, observing the myriad beings below.
chù lì zài shén mù zhī diān de lǐ fán ， yǐn yǐn gǎn yìng dào le xiān jiè nà chù shǒu kě jí de qì xī 。 sì hū zhǐ yào zài nǔ nǔ lì ， biàn néng fēi shēng ér qù 。
矗立在神木之巅的李凡，隐隐感应到了仙界那触手可及的气息。似乎只要再努努力，便能飞升而去。
The first crucial memory node had been established, making the world seem more real than before. The forces of immortals he could manipulate were almost identical to those in the true Sea of Mountains and Rivers.
“ xiàn zhì dí què méi yǒu hòu lái nà me qiáng ， shì dàng zhēn kě yǐ chéng xiān de 。”
“限制的确没有后来那么强，是当真可以成仙的。”
"Perhaps I should speed things up," En Gui said with a laugh as he turned his gaze away from Li Bufan. Silence fell upon the other side once again.
“ zhǐ kě xī ， suí zhe xiān jiè xiān yù jiē lián pò miè ， jīng jù qún xiān wèi le xún qiú cún huó zhī dào ， duì xià jiè shì yàn chǎng yù fā jì yǐ hòu wàng 。”
“只可惜，随着仙界仙域接连破灭，惊惧群仙为了寻求存活之道，对下界试验场愈发寄以厚望。”
In the illusory Sea of Mountains and Rivers, within the Yellow-Emptiness World, the entire world seemed to have become more real after establishing this first crucial memory node. The forces of immortals that flowed through him were almost identical to those in the true Sea of Mountains and Rivers.
“ zhè cái zào chéng le làn kē dào chǎng zhōng yī qiè shēng líng ， chú le yǒu bèi jǐng 、 běn jiù lái zì xiān jiè de ， yì huò zhě bèi xuǎn zhōng de 。 qí yú hé dào ， gēn běn méi yǒu fēi shēng chéng gōng de kě néng 。 jiù suàn shí lì jìng jiè jiē zú gòu ， suǒ yíng jiē tā de ， yě wéi yǒu wú xiū wú zhǐ de tiān léi 。”
“这才造成了烂柯道场中一切生灵，除了有背景、本就来自仙界的，亦或者被选中的。其余合道，根本没有飞升成功的可能。就算实力境界皆足够，所迎接他的，也唯有无休无止的天雷。”
"True and false, reality and illusion. How do we distinguish them?" Li Bufan mused as he sat motionless above the Yellow-Emptiness World. His understanding deepened with each passing moment.
“ bù guò ， huà yòu shuō huí lái 。 làn kē dào chǎng ， yóu qí shì xuán huáng jiè ， nà kě shì zhū duō wú míng dōu jìng xiāng yù lái de zhēn zhèng bǎo dì 。 nà xiē fèi jìn xīn sī ， xiǎng yào fēi shēng lí qù de ， ruò shì zhī dào zhè ge zhēn xiàng ， yě bù zhī huì zuò hé gǎn xiǎng 。”
“不过，话又说回来。烂柯道场，尤其是玄黄界，那可是诸多无名都竞相欲来的真正宝地。那些费尽心思，想要飞升离去的，若是知道这个真相，也不知会作何感想。”
In the southeast corner of the Yellow-Emptiness World, a faint light appeared, indicating the arrival of an immortal from the upper realm. The immortal believed his actions were hidden, but every move and word was under Li Bufan's control.
lǐ fán jiǎo cǎi shén mù ， rú cǐ sī cǔn zhe ， huǎn huǎn shēn xī yì kǒu qì 。
李凡脚踩神木，如此思忖着，缓缓深吸一口气。
"Truly free and carefree in adversity—how can one truly achieve freedom when caught in disaster?" the figure revealed himself as the Void Immortal, who had been singing to himself. His expression turned grave as he looked towards the upper realm.
shù shí wàn shén mù zōng xiū shì de xìng mìng 、 xiū wèi ， jiē bèi zài dù diào dòng 。 huǎn huǎn huà zuò lǐ fán tǐ nèi fǎn kuì xiū wèi 。
数十万神木宗修士的性命、修为，皆被再度调动。缓缓化作李凡体内反馈修为。
Due to the solidified memory segment, this scene was clearer than what Li Bufan had seen from the other side. The Void Immortal's face reflected his growing unease. He hurriedly approached the fishing pool and cast his line without sitting down, waiting for it to be reeled in.
suī yǐ jīng shì fán sú diān fēng ， jìng jiè yǐ jīng jìn wú kě jìn 。
虽已经是凡俗巅峰，境界已经进无可进。
The water of the fishing pool began to ripple as a force pulled him under. The Void Immortal did not resist but fell into the pool, disappearing from sight.
dàn gāi shōu de lì xī ， què réng yào yī kè bù tíng 。 diǎn diǎn dī dī ， yǐ jié shēn xū yǐng zhuàng tài ， zài lǐ fán dān tián nèi cún chǔ xià lái 。 yǐ bèi bù shí zhī xū 。
但该收的利息，却仍要一刻不停。点点滴滴，以劫身虚影状态，在李凡丹田内存储下来。以备不时之需。
On the other side of the Yellow-Emptiness World, something had happened that caused the passage to gradually close. Just as it seemed like history was repeating itself, Li Bufan took action.
“ suǒ wèi shùn qí zì rán ， zhǐ yǒu yòng zài zhè xū yǐng shān hǎi nèi suǒ dàn shēng de 、 shān hǎi běn shēn de lì liàng qù cāo zòng ， cái bú huì yǐn qǐ jǐng jué 。”
“所谓顺其自然，只有用在这虚影山海内所诞生的、山海本身的力量去操纵，才不会引起警觉。”
Stars began to appear in various parts of the Yellow-Emptiness World. This indicated that Li Bufan had already pushed his control to its limit.
“ bù guò …… zhǐ shì hé dào xiū wèi ， xiǎng yào fù xiàn mìng shū céng jīng suǒ zuò yī qiè ， què shì yǒu xiē chī lì 。”
“不过……只是合道修为，想要复现命枢曾经所做一切，却是有些吃力。”
Behind the fishing pool, a faint figure of an ancient sage could be seen. Although the true form of sages couldn't manifest within the illusory Sea of Mountains and Rivers, the Sea would simulate their presence based on instinctive memory. Li Bufan was cautious.
“ gāi xià yī bù xíng dòng le 。”
“该下一步行动了。”
As he tried to stop the closure of the passage, a force from beneath the water pulled him with an unexpected strength. Li Bufan almost lost his balance while sitting in the void. However, his preparations had been thorough.
shén mù zōng suī tóng yàng yě yǒu hé dào xiū shì ， dàn hé dào gēn hé dào 、 yì bù kě tóng rì ér yǔ 。 lǐ fán guāng tiān huà rì zhī xià ， jiāng shén mù cǎi zài jiǎo xià xǔ jiǔ ， lèng shì méi yǒu shuí néng fā xiàn 。
神木宗虽同样也有合道修士，但合道跟合道、亦不可同日而语。李凡光天化日之下，将神木踩在脚下许久，愣是没有谁能发现。
The roots of the divine tree were deeply embedded in the Yellow-Emptiness World; all the immortals' treasures entangled various sects' fortunes; and the ancient sage array was now one with the Yellow-Emptiness World itself.
shèn zhì shén mù běn shēn ， dōu wēi wú suǒ jué 。
甚至神木本身，都微无所觉。
These forces now served as Li Bufan's hands, helping him stabilize his position despite the pull from the fishing pool.
zhǐ jiàn lǐ fán shēn xíng shǎn dòng ， zài yī shùn jiān ， zài shén mù shù diān lián tà bǎi bù 。
只见李凡身形闪动，在一瞬间，在神木树巅连踏百步。
However, the force in the pool exceeded what Li Bufan had anticipated. The resistance increased instead of decreasing when he tried to resist it. It seemed like this force was determined not to let go until it had caught its prey!
wǎn ruò xíng chéng yí gè xuán ào zhèn fǎ 。
宛若形成一个玄奥阵法。
Since Li Bufan was deeply bound to the Yellow-Emptiness World, it appeared that even the original possibilities were being slowly pulled into the fishing pool.
yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， xià fāng shù shí wàn shén mù xiū shì qì xī yě bèi yǐn dòng ， cháo zhe lǐ fán gǔn gǔn ér lái 。
与此同时，下方数十万神木修士气息也被引动，朝着李凡滚滚而来。
Despite his preparations, all his arrangements relied on the forces within the Yellow-Emptiness World. This was a limitation of the illusory memory itself.
jīng yóu shén mù shù qū ， pán xuán chán rào 。
经由神木树躯，盘旋缠绕。
How could he possibly resist such immense force?
wǎn ruò wú shù shéng suǒ jiāo jiā ， jǐn huì yú lǐ fán zhī shǒu 。
宛若无数绳索交加，尽汇于李凡之手。
Li Bufan's figure began to fall inch by inch towards the fishing pool as the world seemed to shift in color and become strange and peculiar.
“ qù ！”
“去！”
The beings in this world were unaware, but the ancient sages on the other side noticed the change immediately. If Li Bufan failed here, their efforts would be in vain.
suí zhe lǐ fán qīng qīng yī hē ， zhè xiē shéng suǒ biàn fēn bié gēn cǐ qián suǒ liú qīng tà xū yǐng lián jiē zài le yì qǐ 。
随着李凡轻轻一喝，这些绳索便分别跟此前所留轻踏虚影连接在了一起。
In a moment of crisis, Shan Sage made a decision and guided through telepathy: "Do not resist; use its weakness to turn the tide!"
“ xiū shì pán jù shén mù zhī shàng ， yǐ lì zuò shān zhī gōng 。”
“修士盘踞神木之上，以利坐山之功。”
Li Bufan's mind was suddenly enlightened as he withdrew some of his forces but did not completely abandon resistance. The balance seemed to shift slightly, causing the Yellow-Emptiness World to appear more submerged.
“ shén mù zhī qiáng ， shèng guò xiū shì qiān wàn bèi 。 gù ér kě wú shì xiū shì fù dān ， shèn zhì hái néng zài zì shēn chéng zhǎng de tóng shí tí xié 。 bù guò ……”
“神木之强，胜过修士千万倍。故而可无视修士负担，甚至还能在自身成长的同时提携。不过……”
The fishing pool remained the same size but looked deeper. As Li Bufan released his hold, the force from the Sea of Mountains and Rivers diminished. After a few tugs, it became clear that this was not "the big fish," so the force lost interest and completely abandoned its pull.
In this moment, Li Bufan's control over the world seemed to have reached a new level. The forces he could command were almost indistinguishable from those in the true Sea of Mountains and Rivers.
"True or false? Real or illusory. How do we define these?" Li Bufan pondered as he sat above the Yellow-Emptiness World, observing the myriad beings below.
The first crucial memory node had been established, making the world seem more real than before. The forces of immortals he could manipulate were almost identical to those in the true Sea of Mountains and Rivers.
"Perhaps I should speed things up," En Gui said with a laugh as he turned his gaze away from Li Bufan. Silence fell upon the other side once again.
In the illusory Sea of Mountains and Rivers, within the Yellow-Emptiness World, the entire world seemed to have become more real after establishing this first crucial memory node. The forces of immortals that flowed through him were almost identical to those in the true Sea of Mountains and Rivers.
"True and false, reality and illusion. How do we distinguish them?" Li Bufan mused as he sat motionless above the Yellow-Emptiness World. His understanding deepened with each passing moment.
In the southeast corner of the Yellow-Emptiness World, a faint light appeared, indicating the arrival of an immortal from the upper realm. The immortal believed his actions were hidden, but every move and word was under Li Bufan's control.
"Truly free and carefree in adversity—how can one truly achieve freedom when caught in disaster?" the figure revealed himself as the Void Immortal, who had been singing to himself. His expression turned grave as he looked towards the upper realm.
Due to the solidified memory segment, this scene was clearer than what Li Bufan had seen from the other side. The Void Immortal's face reflected his growing unease. He hurriedly approached the fishing pool and cast his line without sitting down, waiting for it to be reeled in.
The water of the fishing pool began to ripple as a force pulled him under. The Void Immortal did not resist but fell into the pool, disappearing from sight.
On the other side of the Yellow-Emptiness World, something had happened that caused the passage to gradually close. Just as it seemed like history was repeating itself, Li Bufan took action.
Stars began to appear in various parts of the Yellow-Emptiness World. This indicated that Li Bufan had already pushed his control to its limit.
Behind the fishing pool, a faint figure of an ancient sage could be seen. Although the true form of sages couldn't manifest within the illusory Sea of Mountains and Rivers, the Sea would simulate their presence based on instinctive memory. Li Bufan was cautious.
As he tried to stop the closure of the passage, a force from beneath the water pulled him with an unexpected strength. Li Bufan almost lost his balance while sitting in the void. However, his preparations had been thorough.
The roots of the divine tree were deeply embedded in the Yellow-Emptiness World; all the immortals' treasures entangled various sects' fortunes; and the ancient sage array was now one with the Yellow-Emptiness World itself.
These forces now served as Li Bufan's hands, helping him stabilize his position despite the pull from the fishing pool.
However, the force in the pool exceeded what Li Bufan had anticipated. The resistance increased instead of decreasing when he tried to resist it. It seemed like this force was determined not to let go until it had caught its prey!
Since Li Bufan was deeply bound to the Yellow-Emptiness World, it appeared that even the original possibilities were being slowly pulled into the fishing pool.
Despite his preparations, all his arrangements relied on the forces within the Yellow-Emptiness World. This was a limitation of the illusory memory itself.
How could he possibly resist such immense force?
Li Bufan's figure began to fall inch by inch towards the fishing pool as the world seemed to shift in color and become strange and peculiar.
The beings in this world were unaware, but the ancient sages on the other side noticed the change immediately. If Li Bufan failed here, their efforts would be in vain.
In a moment of crisis, Shan Sage made a decision and guided through telepathy: "Do not resist; use its weakness to turn the tide!"
Li Bufan's mind was suddenly enlightened as he withdrew some of his forces but did not completely abandon resistance. The balance seemed to shift slightly, causing the Yellow-Emptiness World to appear more submerged.
The fishing pool remained the same size but looked deeper. As Li Bufan released his hold, the force from the Sea of Mountains and Rivers diminished. After a few tugs, it became clear that this was not "the big fish," so the force lost interest and completely abandoned its pull.