“ cǐ huán zhōng ， shì yǒu bié yàng ào miào 。” lǐ fán pǒ yǒu xiē yì wèi shēn cháng de shuō le jù 。
“此环中，似有别样奥妙。”李凡颇有些意味深长的说了句。
"In the ancient sea, the three sages are about to fall," said the Sage of the Sea, his expression solemn. The other sages who had been brought back by the Three Sages looked at him with a mix of surprise and concern.
tài yì xū yǐng zhèng yù jiě shì ， què méi xiǎng dào lǐ fán xià yī kè jìng zhí jiē zǒu le jìn qù ， bù yóu zhèng zhù 。
太易虚影正欲解释，却没想到李凡下一刻竟直接走了进去，不由怔住。
"Indeed, this Sage of the Sea speaks truly?" one of them asked, his eyes narrowing as he processed what he was hearing.
“ zhè yī wèi ， dào yě shì gè miào rén ……” tā àn zì yáo tóu ， jǐn suí qí rù 。
“这一位，倒也是个妙人……”他暗自摇头，紧随其入。
The Sage of the Sea nodded. "I have a plan to solve everyone's worries."
xuán jī huán zhōng ， bǐ àn zhū shèng de shì xiàn jiē luò yú lǐ fán shēn shàng 。
璇玑环中，彼岸诸圣的视线皆落于李凡身上。
"Oh? Please tell us," said the Sage of Taiyi, his brows furrowed in curiosity.
lǐ fán zǎo méi liǎo dàng chū dì yī cì miàn jiàn zhū shèng shí hòu de tǎn tè wèi jù ， ér shì dàn rán shòu zhī 。
李凡早没了当初第一次面见诸圣时候的忐忑畏惧，而是淡然受之。
"Before the avatar from the virtual realm arrives, we need to reunite the ancient sea as soon as possible," replied the Sage of the Sea calmly.
yǐ shān hǎi sù yǐng ， chéng jiù shèng zhě zhī jìng 。 jù tǐ zhàn lì bù hǎo shuō ， zuì qǐ mǎ jué bú huì bèi zài chǎng yī zhòng shèng zhě kàn chuān 。
以山海塑影，成就圣者之境。具体战力不好说，最起码绝不会被在场一众圣者看穿。
The Sage of Taiyi frowned. "Even with your help, reuniting the ancient sea is not something that can be done alone..."
jí biàn duì fāng shì sān shèng dāng miàn ， yì shì rú cǐ 。
即便对方是三圣当面，亦是如此。
"The power of the accumulated true spirits is inexhaustible," said the Sage of the Sea confidently. "But only by transforming them into sages can they truly serve us."
“ shān hǎi jiān yǒu rú cǐ shèng zhě xīn dàn ， nǎi wú děng zhī xìng yě 。” lián shān xū yǐng shuài xiān yī jù ， dǎ pò le chǎng zhōng píng jìng 。
“山海间有如此圣者新诞，乃吾等之幸也。”连山虚影率先一句，打破了场中平静。
"Indeed! The more, the better!" agreed the Sage of the Sea as he looked at the real ancient sea.
“ wú cún xù wàn gǔ ， què cóng méi yǒu xiǎng dào ， yǒu rén néng píng 【 shān hǎi 】 zhèng dào 。 bù zhī dào yǒu jiū jìng shì rú hé zuò dào de ， kě fǒu cì jiào ？” guī hǎi xū yǐng yī gǎi yǐ wǎng de chén mò guǎ yán ， zhí jiē kāi kǒu wèn dào 。
“吾存续万古，却从没有想到，有人能凭【山海】证道。不知道友究竟是如何做到的，可否赐教？”归海虚影一改以往的沉默寡言，直接开口问道。
He scanned his gaze, searching for something specific. "Could it be..." the other sages seemed to guess what was happening but were still in disbelief, waiting silently for the performance.
“ shuō nán yě nán ， shuō yì yě yì 。 bù guò 【 jǐn guān shān hǎi 】 sì zì bà le 。” lǐ fán dào méi yǒu jù jué ， dàn dàn shuō le zhè me yī jù 。
“说难也难，说易也易。不过【尽观山海】四字罢了。”李凡倒没有拒绝，淡淡说了这么一句。
"I have a method to infuse the accumulated true spirits from the virtual realm into the body of a sage and use them to create a new sage," said the Sage of the Sea as he found Jien Gui. The immortal had been in an elevated state for countless years, just one step away from becoming a sage but unable to cross the gap.
“ jǐn guān shān hǎi ？” zhū shèng xū yǐng jiē wēi wēi yī zhì ， shén qíng gè yì ， sì hū zài chuǎi mó qí zhōng shēn yì 。
“尽观山海？”诸圣虚影皆微微一窒，神情各异，似乎在揣摩其中深意。
Seeing the other sages on the other side, Jien Gui quickly bowed. Before he could finish his bow, the Sage of the Sea slapped him hard on the head.
“ jǐn guān shān hǎi 、 hǎo yí gè jǐn guān shān hǎi 。 qióng jìn wú děng zhī néng ， jiā shàng qíng tiān zào huà ， yě bù guò yī de lián shān 、 yī de guī hǎi 。 ér dào yǒu qīng miáo dàn xiě sì gè zì ， jiù jiāng wú děng qīng yì bǐ le xià qù 。 dào yǒu hǎo dà de shén tōng ！” guī hǎi yáng shēng zàn shǎng dào 。
“尽观山海、好一个尽观山海。穷尽吾等之能，加上擎天造化，也不过一得连山、一得归海。而道友轻描淡写四个字，就将吾等轻易比了下去。道友好大的神通！”归海扬声赞赏道。
"Please witness this," said the Sage of the Sea as the accumulated true spirits seemed to come alive and flooded into Jien Gui's body!
huà yǔ jiān què yǒu xiē zhēn fēng xiāng duì de yì si 。
话语间却有些针锋相对的意思。
Under the gaze of the sages, a piece of stone gradually transformed into jade! Soon, a new sage named Jien Gui was born in the virtual realm.
yě bù guài guī hǎi shèng zhě de tài dù yǒu xiē guǐ jué 。
也不怪归海圣者的态度有些诡谲。
"Thank you for your enlightenment!" the newly created Jien Gui said gratefully. The other sages were speechless, their eyes wide with shock at what they had just witnessed.
sān shèng zì shān hǎi chū chuàng shí de tài chū xiān jiè cún zài zhì jīn ， lì jīng nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng de màn cháng suì yuè ， mù dǔ guò wú shù shēng líng de dàn shēng yǔ huǐ miè 。
三圣自山海初创时的太初仙界存在至今，历经难以想象的漫长岁月，目睹过无数生灵的诞生与毁灭。
The Sage of the Sea had brought so many shocks to them: becoming a sage from the ancient sea, his ability to penetrate the virtual realm and reach even older parts of the ancient sea, and his power to summon accumulated true spirits. And he could even use these spirits to create sages!
zì yǐ wéi duì yú shān hǎi shēng líng suǒ néng dá dào de jí xiàn ， yǐ liǎo rán yú xiōng 。
自以为对于山海生灵所能达到的极限，已了然于胸。
All of this was impressive in itself, but it was even more astonishing that all of these abilities were concentrated in one person.
néng cóng fán rén ， jìn shēng shèng zhě zhī jìng ， yǐ shì shū wèi bù yì 。
能从凡人，晋升圣者之境，已是殊为不易。
"Time is running out; the three sages are not far from their demise," sighed the Sage of the Sea, interrupting the sages' thoughts. The newly created Jien Gui was startled by this news but did not know how to react, so he remained silent.
ér xiàng lǐ fán zhè yàng de zhèng dào fāng shì ……
而像李凡这样的证道方式……
The Three Sages finally made a decision: "Let's reunite the ancient sea as soon as possible."
jiǎn zhí wén suǒ wèi wén 、 guān jiàn gèng shì bù fú cháng lǐ ！
简直闻所未闻、关键更是不符常理！
Since becoming a sage from the ancient sea in this world, the Sage of the Sea had become more adept at using accumulated true spirits. He didn't feel any strain even after just creating Jien Gui. As before, he found Dao and Bai Xia, and infused them with the power to create sages.
nán bù chéng shān hǎi zhōng dàng zhēn cún zài zhè yàng de yāo niè ？ yì huò zhě shì ……
难不成山海中当真存在这样的妖孽？亦或者是……
With the combined strength of all the sages, they quickly succeeded in reuniting the ancient sea. The rumbling sound echoed as life returned to the ancient sea. All the sages benefited greatly from this, but their expressions did not lighten up.
sān shèng bù yóu běn néng huái yí qǐ lái 。
三圣不由本能怀疑起来。
"Three sages' demise is imminent," said the Sage of the Sea as he looked at a section of the more ancient sea ahead.
ér sì hū kàn chū le sān shèng xīn zhōng de yí lǜ ， lǐ fán tǎn rán zhèng sè dào ：“ duō dà shén tōng ， dào yě tán bù shàng 。 suī yǐ shān hǎi chéng shèng ， què zhǐ néng dé shān hǎi zhī xíng 。 ér bù shì lián shān 、 guī hǎi èr shèng ， néng dé shān hǎi zhī shén 。”
而似乎看出了三圣心中的疑虑，李凡坦然正色道：“多大神通，倒也谈不上。虽以山海成圣，却只能得山海之形。而不似连山、归海二圣，能得山海之神。”
The Three Sages sensed for a moment and nodded in agreement. "An avatar from the virtual realm has likely arrived. However, our deaths will not come immediately; we need to plan carefully."
“ lián shān ér zhù gǔ ， guī hǎi ér xǐ xīn 。 chù lì shān hǎi zhī diān ， huò yǒu gèng jìn yí bù kě néng 。 ér wǒ ……”
“连山而铸骨，归海而洗心。矗立山海之巅，或有更进一步可能。而我……”
"Although we can gain some benefits from the creation of the ancient sea, there is no certainty that we will win. Of course, if we get your help again..." said the Sage of Taiyi, looking at the Sage of the Sea.
lǐ fán yáo tóu qīng tàn ：“ shàng xiàn bù guò shì yǔ shān hǎi tóng bà le 。”
李凡摇头轻叹：“上限不过是与山海同罢了。”
"I still have the strength," replied the Sage of the Sea. "I can transform all the talented individuals here into sages with our combined efforts. However..."
yī fù tòng xīn jí shǒu ， jí wéi wǎn xī de yàng zi 。
一副痛心疾首，极为惋惜的样子。
The Sage of the Sea paused before saying seriously, "As the Sage of Hui said, fighting against an avatar from the virtual realm is not a matter that can be resolved in a day or two. Six sages battling each other without protection could endanger the ancient sea."
lǐ fán yǐ shān hǎi zhèng dào ， dí què nán yǐ chāo tuō shān hǎi 、 gèng jìn yí bù 。
李凡以山海证道，的确难以超脱山海、更进一步。
"Moreover..."
dàn zhè huà shuō de ， yě shì fèi huà 。
但这话说的，也是废话。
"The avatar from the virtual realm has come to kill the three sages of the ancient sea. If we assist them and fail, who knows if stronger avatars will be sent? Do we have the strength for a second battle or even a third?"
fàng yǎn zhěng gè shān hǎi ， chú le nà chuán shuō zhōng de 【 shén 】 zhī wài ， shuí gǎn shuō zì jǐ shì wèi yú shān hǎi zhī shàng ？
放眼整个山海，除了那传说中的【神】之外，谁敢说自己是位于山海之上？
The sages fell silent in response to this question. After all, none of them had ever seen an avatar from the virtual realm except the Three Sages.
néng lì shān hǎi dǐng fēng ， mò fēi hái bù zhī zú ？
能立山海顶峰，莫非还不知足？
"The Sage of Dao's considerations are indeed thorough," said the Sage of Hui with a smile. "But please rest assured; if we temporarily kill the avatar from the virtual realm, it will not immediately reappear. At least, it will give us some breathing room. This time is measured in the time scale of the ancient sea, which is an extremely long period for us."
xuán jī huán zhōng ， yǒu mò míng qí tè fēn wéi zhú jiàn yùn niàng 。
璇玑环中，有莫名奇特氛围逐渐酝酿。
"Regarding the potential impact on the ancient sea..."
zhū shèng duì yú lǐ fán zhè yī wèi zhǎn xiàn nì tiān zī zhì 、 hū ér zhèng dào de shān hǎi shèng zhě ， xīn sī gè yì 。
诸圣对于李凡这一位展现逆天资质、忽而证道的山海圣者，心思各异。
The Three Sages looked at each other and then at the Sage of the Sea. "An avatar from the virtual realm was specifically sent to deal with us; it should be handled by us," they said.
dàn hěn kuài tā men de zhù yì lì ， jiù bèi jiē xià lái lǐ fán suǒ zhǎn xiàn huà miàn gěi shēn shēn xī yǐn le 。
但很快他们的注意力，就被接下来李凡所展现画面给深深吸引了。
"With you safeguarding the ancient sea, we believe that will ensure its safety."
hè rán shì yī juàn wú jìn shān hǎi tú ！
赫然是一卷无尽山海图！
Their answers were as expected, but the Sage of the Sea shook his head slightly. "I can create sages, but I cannot protect the ancient sea."
“ zhū wèi qiě kàn ， zhè jiù shì wǒ zhèng dào zhī zī ！” lǐ fán qīng qīng yī huī shǒu ， jiāng yī fù huà juàn dǒu kāi 。
“诸位且看，这就是我证道之资！”李凡轻轻一挥手，将一副画卷抖开。
"Firstly, continuous creation has made the ancient sea somewhat depleted. Secondly, just like what you saw earlier, the map only shows the shadow of the ancient sea and not its true form. To resist the aftermath of a battle..."
guāng yǐng lián mián ， rú mèng shì huàn 。 yì zhēn yì jiǎ ， nán biàn xū shí 。
光影连绵，如梦似幻。亦真亦假，难辨虚实。
"There may be limits to our strength," said the Sage of the Sea honestly.
yī shí jiān jìng jiāng xuán jī huán bái guāng gěi yā xià ， shǐ de zài chǎng zhū shèng dàng zhēn wǎn ruò zhì shēn shān hǎi zhī zhōng 。
一时间竟将璇玑环白光给压下，使得在场诸圣当真宛若置身山海之中。
The sages were silent as they considered his words. After all, none of them had ever seen an avatar from the virtual realm except the Three Sages.
“ cǐ nǎi ……”
“此乃……”
"The Sage of Dao's considerations are indeed thorough. Please rest assured; if we temporarily kill the avatar from the virtual realm, it will not immediately reappear. At least, it will give us some breathing room," explained the Sage of Hui.
“ wú yǎn zhōng zhī shān hǎi ！”
“吾眼中之山海！”
"Regarding the potential impact on the ancient sea..."
“ zhū wèi yǐ wéi rú hé ？”
“诸位以为如何？”
The Three Sages looked at each other and then at the Sage of the Sea. "An avatar from the virtual realm was specifically sent to deal with us; it should be handled by us."
wú jìn shān hǎi tú qián ， lǐ fán fù shǒu ér lì 。
无尽山海图前，李凡负手而立。
"With you safeguarding the ancient sea, we believe that will ensure its safety," they said.
dàn dàn shēng xiǎng ， zài xuán jī huán nèi jiǔ jiǔ huí dàng bù xiē 。
淡淡声响，在璇玑环内久久回荡不歇。
Their answers were as expected, but the Sage of the Sea shook his head slightly: "I can create sages, but I cannot protect the ancient sea."
"In the ancient sea, the three sages are about to fall," said the Sage of the Sea, his expression solemn. The other sages who had been brought back by the Three Sages looked at him with a mix of surprise and concern.
"Indeed, this Sage of the Sea speaks truly?" one of them asked, his eyes narrowing as he processed what he was hearing.
The Sage of the Sea nodded. "I have a plan to solve everyone's worries."
"Oh? Please tell us," said the Sage of Taiyi, his brows furrowed in curiosity.
"Before the avatar from the virtual realm arrives, we need to reunite the ancient sea as soon as possible," replied the Sage of the Sea calmly.
The Sage of Taiyi frowned. "Even with your help, reuniting the ancient sea is not something that can be done alone..."
"The power of the accumulated true spirits is inexhaustible," said the Sage of the Sea confidently. "But only by transforming them into sages can they truly serve us."
"Indeed! The more, the better!" agreed the Sage of the Sea as he looked at the real ancient sea.
He scanned his gaze, searching for something specific. "Could it be..." the other sages seemed to guess what was happening but were still in disbelief, waiting silently for the performance.
"I have a method to infuse the accumulated true spirits from the virtual realm into the body of a sage and use them to create a new sage," said the Sage of the Sea as he found Jien Gui. The immortal had been in an elevated state for countless years, just one step away from becoming a sage but unable to cross the gap.
Seeing the other sages on the other side, Jien Gui quickly bowed. Before he could finish his bow, the Sage of the Sea slapped him hard on the head.
"Please witness this," said the Sage of the Sea as the accumulated true spirits seemed to come alive and flooded into Jien Gui's body!
Under the gaze of the sages, a piece of stone gradually transformed into jade! Soon, a new sage named Jien Gui was born in the virtual realm.
"Thank you for your enlightenment!" the newly created Jien Gui said gratefully. The other sages were speechless, their eyes wide with shock at what they had just witnessed.
The Sage of the Sea had brought so many shocks to them: becoming a sage from the ancient sea, his ability to penetrate the virtual realm and reach even older parts of the ancient sea, and his power to summon accumulated true spirits. And he could even use these spirits to create sages!
All of this was impressive in itself, but it was even more astonishing that all of these abilities were concentrated in one person.
"Time is running out; the three sages are not far from their demise," sighed the Sage of the Sea, interrupting the sages' thoughts. The newly created Jien Gui was startled by this news but did not know how to react, so he remained silent.
The Three Sages finally made a decision: "Let's reunite the ancient sea as soon as possible."
Since becoming a sage from the ancient sea in this world, the Sage of the Sea had become more adept at using accumulated true spirits. He didn't feel any strain even after just creating Jien Gui. As before, he found Dao and Bai Xia, and infused them with the power to create sages.
With the combined strength of all the sages, they quickly succeeded in reuniting the ancient sea. The rumbling sound echoed as life returned to the ancient sea. All the sages benefited greatly from this, but their expressions did not lighten up.
"Three sages' demise is imminent," said the Sage of the Sea as he looked at a section of the more ancient sea ahead.
The Three Sages sensed for a moment and nodded in agreement. "An avatar from the virtual realm has likely arrived. However, our deaths will not come immediately; we need to plan carefully."
"Although we can gain some benefits from the creation of the ancient sea, there is no certainty that we will win. Of course, if we get your help again..." said the Sage of Taiyi, looking at the Sage of the Sea.
"I still have the strength," replied the Sage of the Sea. "I can transform all the talented individuals here into sages with our combined efforts. However..."
The Sage of the Sea paused before saying seriously, "As the Sage of Hui said, fighting against an avatar from the virtual realm is not a matter that can be resolved in a day or two. Six sages battling each other without protection could endanger the ancient sea."
"Moreover..."
"The avatar from the virtual realm has come to kill the three sages of the ancient sea. If we assist them and fail, who knows if stronger avatars will be sent? Do we have the strength for a second battle or even a third?"
The sages fell silent in response to this question. After all, none of them had ever seen an avatar from the virtual realm except the Three Sages.
"The Sage of Dao's considerations are indeed thorough," said the Sage of Hui with a smile. "But please rest assured; if we temporarily kill the avatar from the virtual realm, it will not immediately reappear. At least, it will give us some breathing room. This time is measured in the time scale of the ancient sea, which is an extremely long period for us."
"Regarding the potential impact on the ancient sea..."
The Three Sages looked at each other and then at the Sage of the Sea. "An avatar from the virtual realm was specifically sent to deal with us; it should be handled by us," they said.
"With you safeguarding the ancient sea, we believe that will ensure its safety."
Their answers were as expected, but the Sage of the Sea shook his head slightly. "I can create sages, but I cannot protect the ancient sea."
"Firstly, continuous creation has made the ancient sea somewhat depleted. Secondly, just like what you saw earlier, the map only shows the shadow of the ancient sea and not its true form. To resist the aftermath of a battle..."
"There may be limits to our strength," said the Sage of the Sea honestly.
The sages were silent as they considered his words. After all, none of them had ever seen an avatar from the virtual realm except the Three Sages.
"The Sage of Dao's considerations are indeed thorough. Please rest assured; if we temporarily kill the avatar from the virtual realm, it will not immediately reappear. At least, it will give us some breathing room," explained the Sage of Hui.
"Regarding the potential impact on the ancient sea..."
The Three Sages looked at each other and then at the Sage of the Sea. "An avatar from the virtual realm was specifically sent to deal with us; it should be handled by us."
"With you safeguarding the ancient sea, we believe that will ensure its safety," they said.
Their answers were as expected, but the Sage of the Sea shook his head slightly: "I can create sages, but I cannot protect the ancient sea."