shuāng fāng bù zài jué lì ， diào yú chí shuǐ suí jí màn màn píng jìng xià lái 。
双方不再角力，钓鱼池水随即慢慢平静下来。
After the battle, everything seemed to be in place. The scene unfolded as planned: the battlefield was filled with the cries of the dying and the desperate struggle for survival. However, just when victory appeared within reach, an unexpected twist occurred.
yǒu zhe lǐ fán lì liàng héng jiā zǔ gé ， cǐ chù shān hǎi yú chǎng yě jiù méi yǒu zài fēng bì 。 shān hǎi xū yǐng de zǒu xiàng ， zhōng yú zài dù gēn lì shǐ tiē hé 。
有着李凡力量横加阻隔，此处山海渔场也就没有再封闭。山海虚影的走向，终于再度跟历史贴合。
The leader of the Woodland Sect, sensing something amiss, suddenly noticed that the roots of the giant tree had stopped moving. It was too late; the roots, seemingly endowed with a will of their own, rapidly multiplied and invaded the bodies of the Woodland Sect disciples. At this moment, they were still alive in body but dead in spirit.
yuán běn jí jiāng bēng kuì de yī qiè ， yòu huí guī wěn dìng 。
原本即将崩溃的一切，又回归稳定。
The leaders of the Woodland Sect, sensing that their juniors' lives were safe, no longer had any reservations. They fought back against the invaders with all their might, even at the cost of the tree's essence energy. Both sides were fighting for survival, regardless of right or wrong.
lǐ fán fāng cái àn zì sōng le kǒu qì 。
李凡方才暗自松了口气。
As the bloodshed reached its peak, the sky turned crimson under the weight of the carnage. The battle was so intense that both sides began to consider retreating. It was then that Li Bofan, who had been watching from the shadows, finally took action.
“ xiǎn xiē chū chǒu le 。” bǐ àn zhōng ， tā yī liǎn cán kuì dào 。
“险些出丑了。”彼岸中，他一脸惭愧道。
With his current strength, he could easily subdue the Woodland Sect even without using the power of its disciples. Under his manipulation, the tree suddenly showed signs of decay. A strong wind blew, and countless withered leaves fell like a rainstorm.
“ shān hǎi xū yǐng zhōng ， bú huì zhēn yǒu shèng zhě chū xiàn 。 dàn shān hǎi jì yì ， què shì huì běn néng de ， biǎo xiàn yī qiè yuán běn mú yàng 。 yě jiù yì wèi zhe ， cǐ chù yú chǎng suī shì jiǎ ， dàn tā zài gāng gāng suǒ bèng fā de qiān yǐn lì ， què shì gēn zhēn zhèng shān hǎi yú chǎng wú yì 。 néng yǐ yī dào tóu rù yì niàn ， gēn qí jué lì jiāng chí zhè me jiǔ ， yǐ jīng pǒ wèi bù yì le 。” shǒu qiū dào 。
“山海虚影中，不会真有圣者出现。但山海记忆，却是会本能的，表现一切原本模样。也就意味着，此处渔场虽是假，但它在刚刚所迸发的牵引力，却是跟真正山海渔场无异。能以一道投入意念，跟其角力僵持这么久，已经颇为不易了。”守丘道。
This scene shocked both sides into silence. The Woodland Sect members felt a chill down their spines, while the followers of Ruo Mu were invigorated by the prospect of victory. With Li Bofan's mysterious influence, the tide of battle shifted dramatically. The defenses of the Woodland Sect crumbled like snow, turning the battlefield from a two-way fight into one-sided slaughter.
“ shān hǎi xū yǐng yīng shì zài mó fǎng nà wèi chuí diào wēng 。 shàng gōu yú ér ， yuè shì zhēng zhá ， tā běn rén yě jiù yuè shì huān xǐ 。 dàn ruò liè wù běn shēn píng píng wú qí ， tā fǎn dào huì shī qù xìng qù 。 shèn zhì huì zhí jiē fàng qì 。” lián shān xū yǐng yě gēn zhe jiě shì dào 。
“山海虚影应是在模仿那位垂钓翁。上钩鱼儿，越是挣扎，他本人也就越是欢喜。但若猎物本身平平无奇，他反倒会失去兴趣。甚至会直接放弃。”连山虚影也跟着解释道。
"Good, good, good!" Ruo Mu was elated as he saw his victory within reach. Even behind him, his true form could be faintly seen. Roots sprouted from all directions and tightly bound the isolated tree. They then broke through the trunk to root themselves in.
“ tīng qǐ lái ， zhè shén me shān hǎi chuí diào wēng ， shì shì gè zhēn zhèng de diào yú lǎo 。 bù guò shān hǎi yǐ rán xiàn rù pò miè zhuàng tài ， tā hái yǒu xián xīn chuí diào zhū tiān ……” bǎi xiǎo dīng zhe shān hǎi yú chǎng ， yǔ qì mò míng de shuō zhe 。
“听起来，这什么山海垂钓翁，似是个真正的钓鱼佬。不过山海已然陷入破灭状态，他还有闲心垂钓诸天……”百晓盯着山海渔场，语气莫名的说着。
"If I can nourish myself with this wood, not only will my past injuries be healed but perhaps even more progress can be made!" Ruo Mu was daydreaming about his future when he failed to notice a subtle, eerie force entering his body along with the absorbed Woodland Sect energy.
tài yì wén yán qīng xiào yī shēng ：“ rén gè yǒu zhì bà le 。 chuí diào wēng xīn lǐ ， zhǐ yǒu diào zhī yī shì 。 qí yú nǎ pà shān hǎi bēng liè ， tā yě bù fàng zài xīn shàng 。 gèng bié tí shén me nì liú zhěng jiù shān hǎi le 。”
太易闻言轻笑一声：“人各有志罢了。垂钓翁心里，只有钓之一事。其余哪怕山海崩裂，他也不放在心上。更别提什么逆流拯救山海了。”
As the towering tree collapsed and turned into dust, signaling the end of the battle, Ruo Mu fulfilled his promise by distributing longevity fruits to several disciples.
bǎi xiǎo lěng hēng yī shēng ：“ ruò shì shān hǎi dàng zhēn jì miè ， zhè yú chǎng bù fù cún zài 、 tā yòu néng zài qù nǎ lǐ chuí diào ？”
百晓冷哼一声：“若是山海当真寂灭，这渔场不复存在、他又能再去哪里垂钓？”
---
“ guān yú zhè diǎn ， tā dǎo shì shuō guò 。 shān hǎi yú chǎng ， lián tōng gè duàn shān hǎi 。 ruò shì tā hái néng chuí diào bù jué ， nà jiù shuō míng ， zhěng duàn shān hǎi de zhuàng kuàng ， yuǎn méi yǒu kàn shàng qù nà me zāo gāo 。 rú guǒ nǎ tiān ， shān hǎi gè chù ， yì diǎn yú ér dōu diào bù shàng le ， nà tā zì rán huì chū shǒu 。” tài yì yáo tóu dào 。
“关于这点，他倒是说过。山海渔场，联通各段山海。若是他还能垂钓不绝，那就说明，整段山海的状况，远没有看上去那么糟糕。如果哪天，山海各处，一点鱼儿都钓不上了，那他自然会出手。”太易摇头道。
Afterward...
“ shén me wāi lǐ ……”
“什么歪理……”
Ruo Mu returned to his true form, savoring the fruits of his labor. However, he was startled to find a figure seated above him!
bǎi xiǎo wén yán ， hái yù zài shuō ， què bèi lián shān xū yǐng dǎ duàn ：“ bù shuō shān hǎi chuí diào wēng gēn wú děng shí lì xiāng dāng ， jí biàn tā shì yī jiè fán rén ， què yě bù biàn yǐ jiù shì zhī míng ， qiáng jiā yì yuàn 。 jiù xiàng shì nǐ ， ruò fēi nǐ yù xíng nà tōng xīng zhī shì ， jiù suàn nǐ àn kuī zhòng shēng yǐn mì 、 wú děng yě bú huì qiáng xíng guǎn nǐ 。”
百晓闻言，还欲再说，却被连山虚影打断：“不说山海垂钓翁跟吾等实力相当，即便他是一介凡人，却也不便以救世之名，强加意愿。就像是你，若非你欲行那通星之事，就算你暗窥众生隐秘、吾等也不会强行管你。”
"Since the Woodland Sect no longer exists, I'll take you as its replacement," Li Bofan said calmly.
“ cǐ suǒ wèi ， zhòng shēng jiē yǒu gè zì yuán fǎ 。 qiǎng qiú bù dé 。”
“此所谓，众生皆有各自缘法。强求不得。”
"What... are you?" Ruo Mu tried to speak but found himself unable to move! Roots sprouted from his body and grew wildly, replacing Ruo Mu in an instant. The Woodland Sect was destroyed, and the control of the Yellow-Flowered Spirit Vein returned to Ruo Mu.
bǎi xiǎo liǎn shàng shén qíng dùn shí jiāng zhù 。 xìng xìng bì zuǐ 。
百晓脸上神情顿时僵住。悻悻闭嘴。
Another predetermined fact had been completed, making the memory of the Yellow-Flower Sea even more stable. Li Bofan sat on top of Ruo Mu's head, using his power to take full control.
tài yì yòu xiào hē hē de dǎ yuán chǎng dào ：“ nǐ kě hái jì de ， dāng chū suǒ zài xiān jiè 【 jīng fén 】 dà shèng ？”
太易又笑呵呵的打圆场道：“你可还记得，当初所在仙界【经坟】大圣？”
"The current state of the Woodland Sect is far from its later decline."
“ rú hé bú jì dé ？ cǐ rén xiǎo xīn yǎn de hěn ， bù jiù shì bèi wǒ dào pò běn zūn ma ？ jiù yào mǎn shì jiè zhuī shā yú wǒ 。 wǒ chéng shèng hòu ， zhǐ gù zhe jiù shì ， què shì wàng jì huí qù zhǎo tā má fán le ……” bǎi xiǎo bàn kāi wán xiào de shuō dào 。
“如何不记得？此人小心眼的很，不就是被我道破本尊嘛？就要满世界追杀于我。我成圣后，只顾着救世，却是忘记回去找他麻烦了……”百晓半开玩笑的说道。
"It serves as a central node for the flow of life energy in the Yellow-Flowered Spirit Vein, capable of changing the four seasons at a fundamental level with just a thought."
“ jīng fén tā dāng chū ， biàn yǒu chéng shèng zhī zī 。 bù guò què tiān xìng sǎn màn ， bù yuàn bēi fù tài duō 。 nǎ pà yī jiè shì wù ， dōu yǐ jīng shì tā chéng shòu bú zhù 。 yú shì zhè me duō nián lái ， jìng jiè yì zhí tíng liú 。 běn lái wú děng hái shí bù shí quàn shuō yú tā ， fā xiàn wú yòng hòu ， biàn bù zài qù guǎn le 。 nǐ ruò zhēn xiǎng fǎn guò lái zhuī shā tā ， yě bú shì bù xíng 。 huò xǔ hái néng gěi tā yā lì ， zhù tā tà chū nà zuì hòu yī bù 。”
“经坟他当初，便有成圣之姿。不过却天性散漫，不愿背负太多。哪怕一界事务，都已经是他承受不住。于是这么多年来，境界一直停留。本来吾等还时不时劝说于他，发现无用后，便不再去管了。你若真想反过来追杀他，也不是不行。或许还能给他压力，助他踏出那最后一步。”
"Unfortunately, whether by choice or not, I've given away too many longevity fruits. This has led to a tragic future."
“ tā jiù cáng nì yú xiàn shí shān hǎi zhōng ， àn zì kuài huó 。 ruò shì nǐ rèn zhēn xún zhǎo ， yīng néng zhǎo dào 。” tài yì dàn dàn de shuō dào 。
“他就藏匿于现实山海中，暗自快活。若是你认真寻找，应能找到。”太易淡淡的说道。
"But it doesn't matter."
“ é …… nà hái shì suàn le 。” bù zhī xiǎng qǐ le shén me ， bǎi xiǎo yǎn zhōng jìng yǒu jì dàn shén qíng yī shǎn ér guò ， xìng xìng dào 。
“额……那还是算了。”不知想起了什么，百晓眼中竟有忌惮神情一闪而过，悻悻道。
With a flicker of his thoughts, Li Bofan detected where Ruo Mu had distributed those longevity fruits.
……
……
"The opportunity for immortality cannot be lightly entrusted to others."
yī zhèn xuān nào guò hòu ， bǐ àn zhōng yòu zài dù ān jìng xià lái 。
一阵喧闹过后，彼岸中又再度安静下来。
"Though I can't alter their fates..."
shì shí zhèng míng ， lǐ fán suǒ zhǎng jì yì xū yǐng de jìn dù ， zài zhū shèng zhōng yě shǔ qián liè 。
事实证明，李凡所掌记忆虚影的进度，在诸圣中也属前列。
"I can use them as pawns."
zài tā wěn zhù tài shì hòu ， xū jiè zhōng fāng cái yǒu shí zhì xìng guāng máng jiē lián chuán lái 。 zhè xiē dōu shì zhū shèng wán chéng shān hǎi zhǔ yào jì yì mài luò de zhēng zhào 。
在他稳住态势后，虚界中方才有实质性光芒接连传来。这些都是诸圣完成山海主要记忆脉络的征兆。
The essence energy from the fruits, now subtly transformed into puppet-like poisons by Li Bofan's influence, affected the recipients without their knowledge. Their actions and thoughts were subtly influenced by him.
lǐ fán xīn shén huí guī 。
李凡心神回归。
Previously, although Li Bofan had great power, he still needed to intervene with his own strength to manipulate the Yellow-Flowered Spirit Vein. However, with these longevity realm pawns in place, he could silently change the state of the spirit vein through mere thought.
xū yǐng xuán huáng jiè zhōng ， tā jiē xià lái ， biàn yào zhǔ dǎo shén mù zōng de fù miè 。
虚影玄黄界中，他接下来，便要主导神木宗的覆灭。
With absolute influence, the outcome was set. The game of the Yellow-Flowered Spirit Vein no longer required Li Bofan's direct intervention; it would follow his thoughts.
zhè duì yú zǎo jiù jiāng shén mù shè fú de lǐ fán lái shuō ， zì rán gèng shì qīng ér yì jǔ 。
这对于早就将神木慑服的李凡来说，自然更是轻而易举。
Now, all that remained was the final and most crucial step: reenacting the scene where the Lifepivot captured an unknown divine object.
“ zhèng hǎo jiāng shén mù lì liàng yóu míng huà àn ， chè dǐ wèi wǒ suǒ yòng 。”
“正好将神木力量由明化暗，彻底为我所用。”
"Recreating the scene is straightforward, but recreating the subtle fluctuations during their struggle is challenging," Li Bofan frowned slightly.
“ zhì yú shén mù zōng zhòng rén ……”
“至于神木宗众人……”
Even the Observers on the other side of the boundary felt a sense of awe when witnessing these fluctuations.
“ gāi sǐ de ， zǒng guī yào sǐ de 。”
“该死的，总归要死的。”
"To achieve such realism and even deceive the Yellow-Flower Sea itself..."
lǐ fán shén qíng dàn mò ， yǐ rán jué dìng hǎo le huáng huáng yī zōng 、 bǎi wàn xiū shì jiē xià lái de mìng yùn 。
李凡神情淡漠，已然决定好了煌煌一宗、百万修士接下来的命运。
Li Bofan slowly recalled what he had seen, while his true form in the outer world observed him without speaking.
yī qiè zhèng rú lì shǐ shān hǎi shàng céng jīng suǒ fā shēng de nà yàng 。
一切正如历史山海上曾经所发生的那样。
He thought about how the Yellow-Flower Sea's roots had spontaneously generated a pulling force for the fishing grounds.
shén mù bèi huāng shén zhòng chuāng ， shén mù zōng bèi pò gè chù xún zhǎo yī zhì shén mù fāng fǎ de xiāo xī ， zài xuán huáng jiè bù jìng ér zǒu 。
神木被荒神重创，神木宗被迫各处寻找医治神木方法的消息，在玄黄界不胫而走。
"It doesn't have to exist; it just needs to feel like it exists."
yǒu rén zhī xīn ， chǔn chǔn yù dòng 。
有人之心，蠢蠢欲动。
"I can play the role of Lifepivot. The other..."
qí zhōng yǐ ruò mù wèi shèn 。
其中以若木为甚。
Just as Li Bofan was pondering, he felt a faint ripple deep within his mind.
zuò wéi xuán huáng shēng mìng yuán tóu 、 bǎi mù zhī zǔ 。 tiān wài shén mù de dào lái yǔ zhuàng dà ， dì yí gè zhēn zhèng wēi xié dào de jiù shì tā 。
作为玄黄生命源头、百木之祖。天外神木的到来与壮大，第一个真正威胁到的就是他。
So subtle that it was barely noticeable compared to his own mental fluctuations, but unmistakably not from him.
zhǐ kě xī zuì kāi shǐ de tā bìng méi yǒu zài yì ， děng dào fā jué qí wēi xié xìng ， què shì yǐ jīng lái bù jí le 。
只可惜最开始的他并没有在意，等到发觉其威胁性，却是已经来不及了。
"Is this... really?"
zhé fú děng dài zhè me duō nián ， zhōng yú yíng lái liáng jī 。
蛰伏等待这么多年，终于迎来良机。
Li Bofan's exterior remained calm, but internally, he was suppressing excitement and trying to guess the intentions behind "really."
yú shì bù zài yóu yù 。
于是不再犹豫。
The ripple vanished quickly. However, it wasn't without purpose.
wú shù shān jīng mù líng ， zhē tiān bì rì ， zì xuán huáng gè jiè ér lái 。 jiāng shén mù zōng tuán tuán wéi zhù 。
无数山精木灵，遮天蔽日，自玄黄各界而来。将神木宗团团围住。
"I must have triggered their awareness of my thoughts just now."
qí zhōng gèng càn zá yǐn nì zhe bù shǎo shòu dào ruò mù “ zēng jiā shòu yuán ” yòu huò de hé dào xiū shì ， yǐ jí bǐng chí zhe chèn huǒ dǎ jié niàn tou de páng guān sàn xiū 。
其中更掺杂隐匿着不少受到若木“增加寿元”诱惑的合道修士，以及秉持着趁火打劫念头的旁观散修。
"Just now..."
shén mù zōng xiū shì tóng chóu dí kài ， qí xīn yù dí 。
神木宗修士同仇敌忾，齐心御敌。
"I wanted to perfectly recreate that fluctuation."
dǐng jiān zhàn lì suī bù duō ， dàn jīn dān zhì huà shén qī xiū shì de zǒng liàng ， què shì bèi shèng lái fàn zhī dì 。
顶尖战力虽不多，但金丹至化神期修士的总量，却是倍胜来犯之地。
"Does 'really' mean this is dangerous?"
After the battle, everything seemed to be in place. The scene unfolded as planned: the battlefield was filled with the cries of the dying and the desperate struggle for survival. However, just when victory appeared within reach, an unexpected twist occurred.
The leader of the Woodland Sect, sensing something amiss, suddenly noticed that the roots of the giant tree had stopped moving. It was too late; the roots, seemingly endowed with a will of their own, rapidly multiplied and invaded the bodies of the Woodland Sect disciples. At this moment, they were still alive in body but dead in spirit.
The leaders of the Woodland Sect, sensing that their juniors' lives were safe, no longer had any reservations. They fought back against the invaders with all their might, even at the cost of the tree's essence energy. Both sides were fighting for survival, regardless of right or wrong.
As the bloodshed reached its peak, the sky turned crimson under the weight of the carnage. The battle was so intense that both sides began to consider retreating. It was then that Li Bofan, who had been watching from the shadows, finally took action.
With his current strength, he could easily subdue the Woodland Sect even without using the power of its disciples. Under his manipulation, the tree suddenly showed signs of decay. A strong wind blew, and countless withered leaves fell like a rainstorm.
This scene shocked both sides into silence. The Woodland Sect members felt a chill down their spines, while the followers of Ruo Mu were invigorated by the prospect of victory. With Li Bofan's mysterious influence, the tide of battle shifted dramatically. The defenses of the Woodland Sect crumbled like snow, turning the battlefield from a two-way fight into one-sided slaughter.
"Good, good, good!" Ruo Mu was elated as he saw his victory within reach. Even behind him, his true form could be faintly seen. Roots sprouted from all directions and tightly bound the isolated tree. They then broke through the trunk to root themselves in.
"If I can nourish myself with this wood, not only will my past injuries be healed but perhaps even more progress can be made!" Ruo Mu was daydreaming about his future when he failed to notice a subtle, eerie force entering his body along with the absorbed Woodland Sect energy.
As the towering tree collapsed and turned into dust, signaling the end of the battle, Ruo Mu fulfilled his promise by distributing longevity fruits to several disciples.
---
Afterward...
Ruo Mu returned to his true form, savoring the fruits of his labor. However, he was startled to find a figure seated above him!
"Since the Woodland Sect no longer exists, I'll take you as its replacement," Li Bofan said calmly.
"What... are you?" Ruo Mu tried to speak but found himself unable to move! Roots sprouted from his body and grew wildly, replacing Ruo Mu in an instant. The Woodland Sect was destroyed, and the control of the Yellow-Flowered Spirit Vein returned to Ruo Mu.
Another predetermined fact had been completed, making the memory of the Yellow-Flower Sea even more stable. Li Bofan sat on top of Ruo Mu's head, using his power to take full control.
"The current state of the Woodland Sect is far from its later decline."
"It serves as a central node for the flow of life energy in the Yellow-Flowered Spirit Vein, capable of changing the four seasons at a fundamental level with just a thought."
"Unfortunately, whether by choice or not, I've given away too many longevity fruits. This has led to a tragic future."
"But it doesn't matter."
With a flicker of his thoughts, Li Bofan detected where Ruo Mu had distributed those longevity fruits.
"The opportunity for immortality cannot be lightly entrusted to others."
"Though I can't alter their fates..."
"I can use them as pawns."
The essence energy from the fruits, now subtly transformed into puppet-like poisons by Li Bofan's influence, affected the recipients without their knowledge. Their actions and thoughts were subtly influenced by him.
Previously, although Li Bofan had great power, he still needed to intervene with his own strength to manipulate the Yellow-Flowered Spirit Vein. However, with these longevity realm pawns in place, he could silently change the state of the spirit vein through mere thought.
With absolute influence, the outcome was set. The game of the Yellow-Flowered Spirit Vein no longer required Li Bofan's direct intervention; it would follow his thoughts.
Now, all that remained was the final and most crucial step: reenacting the scene where the Lifepivot captured an unknown divine object.
"Recreating the scene is straightforward, but recreating the subtle fluctuations during their struggle is challenging," Li Bofan frowned slightly.
Even the Observers on the other side of the boundary felt a sense of awe when witnessing these fluctuations.
"To achieve such realism and even deceive the Yellow-Flower Sea itself..."
Li Bofan slowly recalled what he had seen, while his true form in the outer world observed him without speaking.
He thought about how the Yellow-Flower Sea's roots had spontaneously generated a pulling force for the fishing grounds.
"It doesn't have to exist; it just needs to feel like it exists."
"I can play the role of Lifepivot. The other..."
Just as Li Bofan was pondering, he felt a faint ripple deep within his mind.
So subtle that it was barely noticeable compared to his own mental fluctuations, but unmistakably not from him.
"Is this... really?"
Li Bofan's exterior remained calm, but internally, he was suppressing excitement and trying to guess the intentions behind "really."
The ripple vanished quickly. However, it wasn't without purpose.
"I must have triggered their awareness of my thoughts just now."
"Just now..."
"I wanted to perfectly recreate that fluctuation."
"Does 'really' mean this is dangerous?"