míng míng zì jǐ zuò shōu yú wēng zhī lì ， yǐ liè rén shēn fèn yōu zāi chū chǎng 。 dàn xiàn zài ， què dǒu rán jiān shēng jī jǐn sàng 、 wèi lái sǐ lù yī tiáo ！
明明自己坐收渔翁之利，以猎人身份悠哉出场。但现在，却陡然间生机尽丧、未来死路一条！
Clearly, the battle with the Saint of Thieving Mechanism was far more intense than expected. Despite his efforts to maintain the True Self transformation and deceive the Three Sages, he had suffered significant backlash from the extreme breaking and absorption of true souls.
ér zǎo yǐ bèi zì jǐ shì zuò náng zhōng zhī wù de zhòu huí ， què fǎn ér chéng wéi le liè shǒu 。 qì jī bù kě chuǎi duó ， jué wú xìng mìng zhī yōu 。
而早已被自己视作囊中之物的宙廻，却反而成为了猎手。气机不可揣度，绝无性命之忧。
He shook his head gently, trying to expel the sensation of a foreign object being inserted into his mind. He felt somewhat relieved looking at the source of the flames representing his True Path, feeling grateful for having survived this ordeal.
zhè yī qiè de biàn huà ， fā shēng de shì rú cǐ xùn sù 。
这一切的变化，发生的是如此迅速。
He hadn't anticipated that the Saint of Thieving Mechanism's power would be so terrifying. Not only could he withstand the True Self transformation for a long time, but he could even sense and deprive him of his True Soul!
yǐ jí bù kě sī yì 。
以及不可思议。
Although he ultimately failed, it still left Eron with lingering fear. "I was too complacent."
yǐ zhì yú qiè jī běn rén jí biàn qīn yǎn mù dǔ ， dōu yǒu le nà me piàn kè de lèng shén 。
以致于窃机本人即便亲眼目睹，都有了那么片刻的愣神。
"The True Self transformation is beneficial against those below the Sage rank; in an instant, it can strip away their true essence and reduce them to mere mortals. But for the Sages of the Sea and Mountains..."
tā shí zài xiǎng bù tōng ， yǐ jīng xū ruò zhì bīn sǐ zhuàng tài de lǐ fán ， jiū jìng rú hé cái néng zuò dào jué dì fān pán 。
他实在想不通，已经虚弱至濒死状态的李凡，究竟如何才能做到绝地翻盘。
"The accumulation of a Sage over countless years in the Sea and Mountains is truly abundant. Even if they cannot be exempt from the effects of True Self and False Self, this still allows them to persist for some time. In the competition between Sages, within this period, anything could happen."
bù guò méi guān xì ， hěn kuài lǐ fán jiù jiāng dá àn jiē xiǎo le 。
不过没关系，很快李凡就将答案揭晓了。
Eron took a deep breath.
“ zhēn zuò jiǎ shí ……”
“真作假时……”
Given that even the Saint of Thieving Mechanism had been so formidable, how much more would the stronger Sages like Lian Shan, Gui Hai, and Tai Yi be capable of?
“ jiǎ yì zhēn 。”
“假亦真。”
"Fortunately, the Three Sages currently seem to have some moral principles. As long as I continue to maintain the True Self infusion and my identity as a Sea and Mountain Wanderer, I should be safe."
yī jù kōng líng piāo miǎo de dī yín ， shì yǒu chuān tòu xū jiè de mó lì ， shū rán jiān zài qiè jī ěr biān xiǎng qǐ 。
一句空灵缥缈的低吟，似有穿透虚界的魔力，倏然间在窃机耳边响起。
While contemplating this, Eron didn't forget to absorb the remnants of the Saint of Thieving Mechanism.
qiè jī suī bù jiě qí yì ， dàn běn néng biàn jué qí fēi fán 。
窃机虽不解其意，但本能便觉其非凡。
Although the Saint of Thieving Mechanism had self-immolated, the Sea and Mountains Thieving Mechanism path still existed. It seemed weak compared to the formidable Saint of Thieving Mechanism, but it was still there.
xīn zhōng yī jǐn ， jí qiè xiǎng jiāng lǐ fán zhèn yā 。
心中一紧，急切想将李凡镇压。
Eron's thoughts flickered, and the faint flames vanished abruptly.
dàn ……
但……
On the True Path section labeled "Return to True," several characters suddenly appeared, representing his current gains: Suijun (岁钧) and Tiejie (窃机).
lǐ fán měng dì shēn chū shuāng shǒu ， chà nà jiān fǎn guò lái jiāng qiè jī suǒ zhù ， shǐ qí dòng tán bù dé 。
李凡猛地伸出双手，刹那间反过来将窃机锁住，使其动弹不得。
The light flowed around, inscribing themselves into the True Path.
“ ń ？！”
“嗯？！”
Third Suijun, Fourth Tiejie.
qiè jī zhè cái jīng hài fā xiàn ， duì fāng kàn shì zhòng shāng 、 dàn shí zé jiē shì biǎo xiàng ！
窃机这才惊骇发现，对方看似重伤、但实则皆是表象！
Eron's heart overflowed with joy as he looked at the gradually filling section of his True Path. Suddenly, he noticed that these long characters seemed to be changing.
shèn zhì zhè zhòu huí dǒu rán jiān bào fā chū de lì liàng ， bù zài zì jǐ zhī xià 。
甚至这宙廻陡然间爆发出的力量，不在自己之下。
Seven colors danced like flowing water, subtly shifting and moving.
shuāng fāng jué lì ， jìng yī shí xiàn rù jiāng chí zhuàng tài 。
双方角力，竟一时陷入僵持状态。
Tiejie moved forward, seemingly aiming for first place.
“ nán dào shuō ， zhòu huí yì zhí zài yǐn cáng shí lì ？” qiè jī xīn zhōng jīng nù yī shǎn ér shì 。
“难道说，宙廻一直在隐藏实力？”窃机心中惊怒一闪而逝。
"Thieving Mechanism, Universe Mechanism, Suijun, Xuanpin..."
dàn suí hòu ， ràng tā gèng jiā kǒng jù de shì qíng fā shēng le 。
但随后，让他更加恐惧的事情发生了。
"Do they follow the order of strength?" Eron vaguely sensed a pattern.
yīn wèi tā hòu zhī hòu jué ， fāng cái fā xiàn ， bìng fēi shì duì fāng xiān qián yǎn shì le xiū wèi 。 ér shì ……
因为他后知后觉，方才发现，并非是对方先前掩饰了修为。而是……
But then he remembered something and frowned. "Maybe it's based on sequence."
zì jǐ biàn ruò le 。
自己变弱了。
"Deep in the depths, there is an inherent destiny."
yī shùn zhī jiān ， shí lì píng kōng xiāo shī jiāng jìn dà bàn ， biàn dé gēn xīn jìn shèng zhě yì bān xiū wèi 。
一瞬之间，实力凭空消失将近大半，变得跟新晋圣者一般修为。
"The sequence has its own profound principles. As for strength..."
tiān dǐ xià jū rán huì chū xiàn zhè bān huāng dàn 、 lí qí zhī shì ！
天底下居然会出现这般荒诞、离奇之事！
"Strength and weakness have no set rules. My consecutive victories against Suijun and Tiejie today are a testament to this!"
kǒng jù zài qiè jī xīn zhōng zī shēng ， bù guò tā hěn kuài jiù qiáng xíng jiāng qí yā xià ， zài bù kě néng zhōng jié lì xún zhǎo zì jǐ yī xiàn chū lù 。
恐惧在窃机心中滋生，不过他很快就强行将其压下，在不可能中竭力寻找自己一线出路。
Eron proudly declared.
tā xiǎng qǐ le gāng gāng zhòu huí suǒ yín sòng de nà jù huà 。
他想起了刚刚宙廻所吟诵的那句话。
It seemed as if he sensed Eron's resolute thoughts; the flowing light on his True Path paused momentarily before returning to its original state.
“ zhēn zuò jiǎ shí jiǎ yì zhēn 、 zhēn zuò jiǎ shí jiǎ yì zhēn ……”
“真作假时假亦真、真作假时假亦真……”
Everything was based on Eron's will.
mò dì ， qiè jī shēn qū wēi wēi yī chàn 。
蓦地，窃机身躯微微一颤。
The light settled, no longer moving.
zài lián xiǎng qǐ xiān qián zhòu huí gēn suì jūn dòu fǎ huà miàn ， shùn jiān míng bái le shén me 。
再联想起先前宙廻跟岁钧斗法画面，瞬间明白了什么。
However, instead of leaving the virtual realm, Eron first tended to his injuries. This battle had been fierce indeed.
“ kàn shì shì guāng yīn liú shì suǒ dài lái yī qiè fù miàn xiào guǒ quán dōu xiāo shī ， quán rán bù qǐ xiào yòng 。 shí zé shì ， yú shuāi bài shēn qū shàng ， zài zào quán xīn zì jǐ 。 yí niàn zhī jiān ， yóu jiǎ jí zhēn 。 suì jūn zhī lì ， jí biàn zhū shèng yě yào jì dàn jǐ fēn 。 què zhōng jiū shì yǒu xiāo hào de 。”
“看似是光阴流逝所带来一切负面效果全都消失，全然不起效用。实则是，于衰败身躯上，再造全新自己。一念之间，由假及真。岁钧之力，即便诸圣也要忌惮几分。却终究是有消耗的。”
Although he successfully acquired the paths of Suijun and Tiejie, he had suffered considerable backlash from the intense breaking and absorption of true souls.
“ yòu rú hé dǐ dé zhè wú qióng wú jìn de shēng zào ？”
“又如何抵得这无穷无尽的生造？”
For instance, the blows from Shou Qiu during their act were particularly severe. Not to mention the near-exhausting efforts in his confrontation with Suijun and Tiejie.
“ zhè biàn shì 【 jiǎ yì zhēn 】 zhī biàn ！ ér xiàn zài ……”
“这便是【假亦真】之变！而现在……”
"Pushing my limits to break and absorb true souls is putting a strain on my body. I can feel a loss of true essence symptoms. It will require time to recover."
“ wǒ de shèng zhě jìng jiè 、 xiū wèi 、 shí lì 、 qì yùn 、 mìng shù ， wú shù nián de jī lěi ， yī zhāo lún sàng 。 rú cǐ bù kě sī yì ， rú cǐ bù jiǎng dào lǐ ……”
“我的圣者境界、修为、实力、气运、命数，无数年的积累，一朝沦丧。如此不可思议，如此不讲道理……”
"Moreover..."
“ zhēn yì jiǎ ！”
“真亦假！”
Eron stretched out both arms, observing them carefully, his expression serious.
cóng yī kāi shǐ jiù méi yǒu shén me 【 zhòu huí 】 shèng zhě ， ér shì 【 zhēn jiǎ 】 shèng zhě 。
从一开始就没有什么【宙廻】圣者，而是【真假】圣者。
"While not obvious, I can still sense it."
chán dòu zhōng ， nòng qīng chǔ cǐ zhōng xuán miào de qiè jī ， fēi dàn méi yǒu jué wàng 。 fǎn ér shuāng mù bèng fā chū qián suǒ wèi yǒu de guāng máng 。 xīn zàng yě xǔ jiǔ méi yǒu guò de měng liè tiào dòng qǐ lái 。
缠斗中，弄清楚此中玄妙的窃机，非但没有绝望。反而双目迸发出前所未有的光芒。心脏也许久没有过的猛烈跳动起来。
"As if existing between True and False, almost there but not quite, almost present but not really."
tā dàng zhēn kàn dào le zì jǐ de yī xiàn shēng jī suǒ zài ！
他当真看到了自己的一线生机所在！
"This is the price for my hasty use of the True Self transformation to defend myself."
“ zhēn jiǎ dà dào 、 zhēn jiǎ dà dào 。 méi xiǎng dào shān hǎi jiān ， jìng rán dàng zhēn cún zài rú cǐ bù sī yì dào zé 。”
“真假大道、真假大道。没想到山海间，竟然当真存在如此不思议道则。”
"Originally, if things had gone smoothly, I wouldn't have suffered such a strong backlash. However, Tiejie's ferocity far exceeded my expectations."
“ dāng nián nà ge chuán shuō ， jū rán shì zhēn de 。”
“当年那个传说，居然是真的。”
"I can use an excuse of severe injury in front of Shou Qiu and the Beyond Sages. But this mark might not be hidden from Lian Shan and his companions."
“ sǐ zhī jué dì ， zì yǒu dà jī yuán àn cáng 。 jiù suàn 【 zhēn jiǎ 】 shì nǐ de dào tú ， wǒ yě wèi bì bù néng jiāng qí qiǎng duó huí lái ！”
“死之绝地，自有大机缘暗藏。就算【真假】是你的道途，我也未必不能将其抢夺回来！”
"It seems that this life is over for me."
yǎn zhōng tān lán shā yì ， rú chì liè huǒ guāng xióng xióng rán shāo 。
眼中贪婪杀意，如炽烈火光熊熊燃烧。
Fortunately, Eron had no intention of returning to the original Sea and Mountains realm; he just wanted to report back to the Three Sages.
qiè jī yī kǒu zhǎng qì tǔ chū ， qǐng kè jiān yǒu qiān wàn dào guāng huá ， cóng tā de shēn shàng sì sàn táo kāi 。
窃机一口长气吐出，顷刻间有千万道光华，从他的身上四散逃开。
"Absorbing all these remaining Sages here will suffice."
zhè xiē dōu shì tā wú shù nián lái jī lěi suǒ xī qǔ de gè zhǒng qì yùn ， yǒu lái zì fán rén 、 yǒu lái zì zhēn xiān ， hái yǒu lái zì shān hǎi shèng zhě 。
这些都是他无数年来积累所吸取的各种气运，有来自凡人、有来自真仙，还有来自山海圣者。
Eron sat in the virtual realm, using the True Self transformation to repair his severely damaged body. It seemed as if there were a flaw due to the previous foreign object insertion, making the repairs particularly difficult.
zhèng shì zhè xiē dǐ yùn ， fāng cái zhù jiù le tā qiè jī de hè hè wēi míng 。
正是这些底蕴，方才筑就了他窃机的赫赫威名。
With his mind divided, Eron effortlessly comprehended the new paths of Suijun and Tiejie he had acquired.
dàn xiàn zài ， tōng tōng dōu bèi qiè jī suǒ pāo qì ！
但现在，通通都被窃机所抛弃！
Both paths seemed to still carry remnants of their former owners' final thoughts.
tā yào zuì hòu wáng mìng yī bó ， yǐ chún cuì de “ qiè ” zhī lǐ ， jiāng 【 zhēn jiǎ 】 dà dào cóng duì fāng shēn shàng duó qǔ guò lái 。
他要最后亡命一搏，以纯粹的“窃”之理，将【真假】大道从对方身上夺取过来。
While Suijun was not discussed in detail, Eron found himself more interested in Tiejie.
“ ruò dé zhēn jiǎ ……”
“若得真假……”
"Vastly establishing the foundation of all things, obscurely generating the changes between true and false, clearly hanging over myriad wonders..."
“ biàn dé shān hǎi ！”
“便得山海！”
"This should be the True Self transformation, right?"
dé le zì yóu de wàn bān qì yùn ， sì sàn táo lí 。 rú tóng fēi lóng zài tiān ， jiǎo dé xū jiè yī zhèn dòng dàng 。
得了自由的万般气运，四散逃离。如同飞龙在天，搅得虚界一阵动荡。
After pondering for a moment, Eron slightly paused. "Remarkably deeper than what I've understood?"
Clearly, the battle with the Saint of Thieving Mechanism was far more intense than expected. Despite his efforts to maintain the True Self transformation and deceive the Three Sages, he had suffered significant backlash from the extreme breaking and absorption of true souls.
He shook his head gently, trying to expel the sensation of a foreign object being inserted into his mind. He felt somewhat relieved looking at the source of the flames representing his True Path, feeling grateful for having survived this ordeal.
He hadn't anticipated that the Saint of Thieving Mechanism's power would be so terrifying. Not only could he withstand the True Self transformation for a long time, but he could even sense and deprive him of his True Soul!
Although he ultimately failed, it still left Eron with lingering fear. "I was too complacent."
"The True Self transformation is beneficial against those below the Sage rank; in an instant, it can strip away their true essence and reduce them to mere mortals. But for the Sages of the Sea and Mountains..."
"The accumulation of a Sage over countless years in the Sea and Mountains is truly abundant. Even if they cannot be exempt from the effects of True Self and False Self, this still allows them to persist for some time. In the competition between Sages, within this period, anything could happen."
Eron took a deep breath.
Given that even the Saint of Thieving Mechanism had been so formidable, how much more would the stronger Sages like Lian Shan, Gui Hai, and Tai Yi be capable of?
"Fortunately, the Three Sages currently seem to have some moral principles. As long as I continue to maintain the True Self infusion and my identity as a Sea and Mountain Wanderer, I should be safe."
While contemplating this, Eron didn't forget to absorb the remnants of the Saint of Thieving Mechanism.
Although the Saint of Thieving Mechanism had self-immolated, the Sea and Mountains Thieving Mechanism path still existed. It seemed weak compared to the formidable Saint of Thieving Mechanism, but it was still there.
Eron's thoughts flickered, and the faint flames vanished abruptly.
On the True Path section labeled "Return to True," several characters suddenly appeared, representing his current gains: Suijun (岁钧) and Tiejie (窃机).
The light flowed around, inscribing themselves into the True Path.
Third Suijun, Fourth Tiejie.
Eron's heart overflowed with joy as he looked at the gradually filling section of his True Path. Suddenly, he noticed that these long characters seemed to be changing.
Seven colors danced like flowing water, subtly shifting and moving.
Tiejie moved forward, seemingly aiming for first place.
"Thieving Mechanism, Universe Mechanism, Suijun, Xuanpin..."
"Do they follow the order of strength?" Eron vaguely sensed a pattern.
But then he remembered something and frowned. "Maybe it's based on sequence."
"Deep in the depths, there is an inherent destiny."
"The sequence has its own profound principles. As for strength..."
"Strength and weakness have no set rules. My consecutive victories against Suijun and Tiejie today are a testament to this!"
Eron proudly declared.
It seemed as if he sensed Eron's resolute thoughts; the flowing light on his True Path paused momentarily before returning to its original state.
Everything was based on Eron's will.
The light settled, no longer moving.
However, instead of leaving the virtual realm, Eron first tended to his injuries. This battle had been fierce indeed.
Although he successfully acquired the paths of Suijun and Tiejie, he had suffered considerable backlash from the intense breaking and absorption of true souls.
For instance, the blows from Shou Qiu during their act were particularly severe. Not to mention the near-exhausting efforts in his confrontation with Suijun and Tiejie.
"Pushing my limits to break and absorb true souls is putting a strain on my body. I can feel a loss of true essence symptoms. It will require time to recover."
"Moreover..."
Eron stretched out both arms, observing them carefully, his expression serious.
"While not obvious, I can still sense it."
"As if existing between True and False, almost there but not quite, almost present but not really."
"This is the price for my hasty use of the True Self transformation to defend myself."
"Originally, if things had gone smoothly, I wouldn't have suffered such a strong backlash. However, Tiejie's ferocity far exceeded my expectations."
"I can use an excuse of severe injury in front of Shou Qiu and the Beyond Sages. But this mark might not be hidden from Lian Shan and his companions."
"It seems that this life is over for me."
Fortunately, Eron had no intention of returning to the original Sea and Mountains realm; he just wanted to report back to the Three Sages.
"Absorbing all these remaining Sages here will suffice."
Eron sat in the virtual realm, using the True Self transformation to repair his severely damaged body. It seemed as if there were a flaw due to the previous foreign object insertion, making the repairs particularly difficult.
With his mind divided, Eron effortlessly comprehended the new paths of Suijun and Tiejie he had acquired.
Both paths seemed to still carry remnants of their former owners' final thoughts.
While Suijun was not discussed in detail, Eron found himself more interested in Tiejie.
"Vastly establishing the foundation of all things, obscurely generating the changes between true and false, clearly hanging over myriad wonders..."
"This should be the True Self transformation, right?"
After pondering for a moment, Eron slightly paused. "Remarkably deeper than what I've understood?"