zhèng rú zhū shèng suǒ yù jiàn nà bān 。
正如诸圣所预见那般。
As the sages had foreseen,
suǒ wǎng yī lún yòu yī lún de chōng jī ， rú liè huǒ liàn jīn ， màn màn zào jiù le yī zhī míng fù qí shí de bǎi zhàn zhī shī 。
索网一轮又一轮的冲击，如烈火炼金，慢慢造就了一支名副其实的百战之师。
Net after net of the Net's assaults refined it into a truly formidable army of veterans.
cóng zuì kāi shǐ cún huó dào xiàn zài de jūn shì ， yǐ bù zú bǎi míng 。
从最开始存活到现在的军士，已不足百名。
Only less than a hundred soldiers remained from those who had survived since the beginning.
But their combat prowess in the face of life and death was incomparable to that under normal circumstances.
They could always hold their own against a hundred enemies, unleashing terrifying power.
dàn tā men zài shēng sǐ jué jìng qián suǒ néng zhǎn xiàn chū lái de zhàn lì ， jué bù kě yǐ xún cháng zhuàng tài xià lùn zhī 。
但他们在生死绝境前所能展现出来的战力，绝不可以寻常状态下论之。
Around these elite warriors, the Imperial Army gradually swelled into an invincible legion. The soldiers with lower fighting abilities made up most of this army, but they contributed more overall in battle compared to the elite veterans.
měi měi dōu néng yǐ yī dāng bǎi ， bào fā chū jīng rén de kě bù lì liàng 。
每每都能以一当百，爆发出惊人的可怖力量。
Next were the ordinary soldiers who formed the largest and most numerous group. They could be replenished quickly after battles like a filter slowly breaking down the Net's impact while refining it into a more formidable force.
yǐ zhè xiē jīng ruì zhōng de jīng ruì wèi hé xīn ， shèng cháo jiàng shì màn màn péng zhàng chéng yī zhī suǒ xiàng pī mǐ de jūn tuán 。 jūn tuán zhōng jiān lì liàng biàn shì zhàn dòu tiān fù dī shàng yī xiē de bīng shì ， bù guò xiāng jiào bǎi zhàn jīng ruì ， tā men de shù liàng zhòng duō 。 zǒng tǐ suàn xià lái zài zhàn zhēng zhōng de gòng xiàn ， fǎn ér gèng shèng yī chóu 。
以这些精锐中的精锐为核心，圣朝将士慢慢膨胀成一支所向披靡的军团。军团中间力量便是战斗天赋低上一些的兵士，不过相较百战精锐，他们的数量众多。总体算下来在战争中的贡献，反而更胜一筹。
Even though Emperor Taiwei was still just an ordinary mortal, as long as he sat in command of his army, no one in this world could harm him!
zài qí cì biàn shì zuì wèi guǎng dà ， xiāo hào zuì duō 。 yě shì néng zài zhàn hòu dé dào xùn sù bǔ chōng de xún cháng shì bīng 。
再其次便是最为广大，消耗最多。也是能在战后得到迅速补充的寻常士兵。
From the moment of his arrival, Emperor Taiwei had not shown any special divine abilities.
He relied on the inherent logic of the Primordial Immortal World to guide events and used his countless years as a king to navigate them successfully.
Now, it seemed he was about to establish himself as the ruler in this world woven by the Net.
rú yī céng céng guò lǜ wǎng ， jiāng suǒ wǎng dài lái de chōng jī màn màn huà jiě 。
如一层层过滤网，将索网带来的冲击慢慢化解。
According to the existing rules of the Net, Emperor Taiwei's power had grown too much for him to be overthrown.
Even if more creations were spun out, they would only serve as resources for the Imperial Army's growth.
tóng shí guò lǜ chū ， zhàn dòu 、 yìng duì yuè lái yuè cóng róng de wēi wǔ zhī shī 。
同时过滤出，战斗、应对越来越从容的威武之师。
"Net, you can't possibly not see this."
jí biàn tài wēi shèng dì yī jiù zhǐ shì fán rén zhuàng tài ， dàn tā zhǐ yào duān zuò jūn zhōng ， nà me cǐ jiè jiù wú rén kě yǐ shāng tā ！
即便太微圣帝依旧只是凡人状态，但他只要端坐军中，那么此界就无人可以伤他！
So, the predator decided to reweave his hunting net.
cóng jiàng lín zhì shǐ ， tài wēi shèng dì jiù méi yǒu biǎo xiàn chū shén me zì shēn tè yì shén tōng 。
从降临至始，太微圣帝就没有表现出什么自身特意神通。
The killing aura in the Primordial Immortal World instantly dissipated.
In the stillness of heaven and earth, all things stopped moving.
A new set of rules seemed to be forming.
quán píng cǐ fāng tài chū xiān jiè gù yǒu dào lǐ yīn shì lì dǎo ， jiā zhī zì jǐ wèi dì wú shù zài de jià yù jīng yàn ， bù jǐn chéng gōng huó le xià lái 。
全凭此方太初仙界固有道理因势利导，加之自己为帝无数载的驾驭经验，不仅成功活了下来。
With the Net's abilities, changing course was a mere momentary affair.
shèn zhì yǎn kàn zhe ， jiù yào zài zhè zhāng suǒ xīn kǔ biān zhī de wǎng zhōng zhàn dì chēng wáng le 。
甚至眼看着，就要在这张索辛苦编织的网中占地称王了。
This was Taiwei's opportunity!
yǐ suǒ zhī wǎng jì dìng de xiàn yǒu guī zé ， yīng shì ná bù xià dà shì yǐ chéng de tài wēi shèng dì le 。
以索之网既定的现有规则，应是拿不下大势已成的太微圣帝了。
Emperor Taiwei, who had been seated with his eyes closed in the Imperial Army, suddenly stood up.
He looked at the myriad soldiers surrounding him and asked without expression: "Soldiers, are you willing to die for me?"
hòu miàn jiù suàn yǎn huà zài duō zào wù ， yě bù guò dōu shì huì huà zuò shèng cháo jūn tuán chéng zhǎng de zī liáng 。
后面就算衍化再多造物，也不过都是会化作圣朝军团成长的资粮。
Though his voice was soft, it reverberated like thunder in the ears of the Imperial soldiers.
【 suǒ 】 bù kě néng zhè diǎn dōu kàn bù míng bái 。
【索】不可能这点都看不明白。
Without hesitation or defiance, all the soldiers knelt down instantly. They roared together:
yú shì zhè wèi bǔ shí zhě ， hěn kuài jiù jué dìng chóng xīn biān zhī bǔ shí zhī wǎng 。
于是这位捕食者，很快就决定重新编织捕食之网。
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
cǐ fāng tài chū xiān jiè zhōng ， yuán běn mí màn de shā fá zhī qì dùn shí wèi zhī yī xiāo 。
此方太初仙界中，原本弥漫的杀伐之气顿时为之一消。
Their voices echoed through the Primordial Immortal World as their bodies transformed into a thousand bloodstains, rushing towards Emperor Taiwei at the center.
tiān dì sù jìng zhōng ， wàn shì wàn wù dōu tíng zhǐ le yùn zhuàn 。
天地肃静中，万事万物都停止了运转。
The Imperial Army, once a hundred-strong lion of war, was now dissolving.
Emperor Taiwei's aura rapidly expanded.
He had arrived with minimal loss when he first appeared and had absorbed much nourishment from this world after the fierce battle.
tóng shí sì hū yǒu mǒu zhǒng xīn de guī zé ， zhèng zài yùn yù 。
同时似乎有某种新的规则，正在孕育。
All his power had been dispersed among thousands of soldiers before, but now it converged back into him.
yǐ suǒ zhī néng ， zòng shǐ gǎi xián gēng zhāng ， yě bù guò xū yú zhī jiān 。
以索之能，纵使改弦更张，也不过须臾之间。
A mountain-sea sage suddenly descended.
Wearing a long robe, he was the black emperor adorned with countless golden dragons. His twelve-ridge imperial crown and dark jade curtains concealed the sharp light that flashed in his eyes.
jī huì shāo zòng jí shì ， zhèng shì tài wēi shèng dì děng dài xǔ jiǔ de pò jú liáng jī ！
机会稍纵即逝，正是太微圣帝等待许久的破局良机！
As the Net's rules were shifting, Emperor Taiwei waved his sleeves.
The sun and moon embroidered on his robes instantly emitted intense energy.
He seemed to have seized a hidden entity behind the Net and tore it apart with all his might!
zhǐ jiàn shèng cháo jūn zhōng ， shǐ zhōng bì mù duān zuò de tài wēi shèng dì mò rán qǐ shēn 。
只见圣朝军中，始终闭目端坐的太微圣帝蓦然起身。
The world twisted and shattered into pieces.
tā kàn xiàng wéi rào zì jǐ de wàn qiān jiàng shì ， miàn wú biǎo qíng 。
他看向围绕自己的万千将士，面无表情。
In the beyond, the light of the sages dimmed.
Like fireflies, they flickered weakly before finally extinguishing.
The beam from Taiwei's realm vanished as well.
zhǐ wèn le yī jù ：“ zhū jiàng shì ， kě yuàn wèi zhèn fù sǐ ？”
只问了一句：“诸将士，可愿为朕赴死？”
"What is this..."
shēng yīn suī qīng ， shèng cháo jiàng shì ěr zhōng ， què rú dào dào jīng léi 。
声音虽轻，圣朝将士耳中，却如道道惊雷。
The sages were startled, looking towards Emperor Taiwei.
méi yǒu yóu yù ， méi yǒu wéi nì 。
没有犹豫，没有违逆。
"Taiwei has worked hard."
suǒ yǒu bīng shì chà nà jiān guì le yī dì ， qí shēng hōng míng dào 。
所有兵士刹那间跪了一地，齐声轰鸣道。
Mountain Sage said, sending a stream of energy.
“ nuò ！”
“诺！”
Li Fan noticed that after the Net revealed its true form, Taiwei's avatar was instantly devoured and his main body seemed to be injured.
He then delivered a ball of accumulated true spirit essence.
“ nuò ！”
“诺！”
"The Net is known for its ferocity in the beginning. Taiwei only sent a part of himself, so it's normal for him to lose quickly," Mountain Sage said nonchalantly.
“ nuò ！”
“诺！”
"Although Taiwei failed at the last moment, he revealed the Net's presence. This is crucial. It will be our key to breaking through."
jiàng shì wǎn ruò jīng léi zhī shēng ， shàng huí dàng yú tài chū xiān jiè tiān kōng zhōng 。
将士宛若惊雷之声，尚回荡于太初仙界天空中。
Ocean Sage spoke as light flared in hisHeavenly Robe Jade ring.
It was what happened just before the Net was torn apart and the Primordial Immortal World plunged into darkness.
tā men shēn qū zé yǐ jīng huà zuò wàn qiān xuè guāng ， qí qí cháo zhe zhōng yāng tài wēi shèng dì yǒng qù 。
他们身躯则已经化作万千血光，齐齐朝着中央太微圣帝涌去。
Though somewhat blurry, it showed a figure hovering outside the world, observing the beings within the Net.
Its edges were adorned with countless shadowy tentacles that drifted aimlessly.
shèng cháo yī zhī bǎi zhàn xióng shī ， jiù cǐ xiāo sàn 。
圣朝一支百战雄狮，就此消散。
Despite its lofty position, it appeared disoriented because of the tearing of the same hidden Net.
ér tài wēi shèng dì shēn shàng qì xī ， què shì yǐ mǒu zhǒng jīng rén de sù dù ， wú xiàn péng zhàng qǐ lái 。
而太微圣帝身上气息，却是以某种惊人的速度，无限膨胀起来。
"Even though the Net can devour mountains and seas, it is destined to remain in shadows and cannot appear before others."
yào zhī dào tài wēi shèng dì zuì chū jiàng lín zhī jì ， shí lì jiù méi yǒu shén me tài dà de sǔn hào 。
要知道太微圣帝最初降临之际，实力就没有什么太大的损耗。
"If exposed, not only will its abilities be severely affected, but even its temporary power to devour mountains and seas would diminish," Ocean Sage explained why the Net was so agitated.
jīng guò yī fān sǐ dòu ， gèng shì cóng cǐ jiān tài chū xiān jiè jí qǔ le dà liàng de yǎng fèn 。
经过一番死斗，更是从此间太初仙界汲取了大量的养分。
Seeing some confusion among the sages, he continued: "This can be seen as a flaw of its mountain-sea devouring ability. Most powerful beings in the beginning had similar weaknesses."
zhǐ bù guò xiān qián zhè xiē lì liàng quán dōu fēn sàn zài le wàn qiān jūn shì shēn shàng ， cǐ kè quán bù lì liàng 、 zài dù huì ， zhòng guī tài wēi shèng dì 。
只不过先前这些力量全都分散在了万千军士身上，此刻全部力量、再度汇，重归太微圣帝。
"The root cause is the backlash from trying to extend their path beyond the mountains and seas."
yī zūn shān hǎi shèng zhě ， shū rán jiàng lín 。
一尊山海圣者，倏然降临。
Ocean Sage did not elaborate further but focused on the captured image.
yī xí cháng páo ， xuán mò wèi dì ， qí shàng wàn qiān biān zhī wàn qiān jīn lóng 。 shí èr liú dì wáng guān miǎn ， xuán yù zhū lián chuí luò é qián ， què zhē bú zhù tài wēi shèng dì yǎn zhōng dǒu rán bào fā de yī lǚ jīng guāng 。
一袭长袍，玄墨为帝，其上万千编织万千金龙。十二旒帝王冠冕，玄玉珠帘垂落额前，却遮不住太微圣帝眼中陡然爆发的一缕精光。
"Hmm, it seems Net was not so decisive after all, coming into the chaotic mountain-sea."
cǐ kè suǒ zhī wǎng zhèng chù zài guī zé biàn huàn jiàn xì ， tài wēi shèng dì dà xiù yī huī 。
此刻索之网正处在规则变幻间隙，太微圣帝大袖一挥。
"The current Net is not its true form. It's a part that has gathered most of its power."
páo biān suǒ fèng rì yuè ， shà shí qì xī fēng kuáng yǒng dòng 。
袍边所缝日月，霎时气息疯狂涌动。
"Such a degree of extraction would mean the Net could do nothing in the beginning and had to retreat. For the Net, this can be seen as a last-ditch effort."
tiān dì wèi zhī biàn le yán sè 。
天地为之变了颜色。
The three sages spoke with amusement, relieved.
fǎng fú tài wēi shèng dì zài cǐ kè jǐn jǐn zhuā zhù le nà yǐn nì zài suǒ wǎng bèi hòu de shén mì cún zài ， ér hòu fèn lì yī sī ！
仿佛太微圣帝在此刻紧紧抓住了那隐匿在索网背后的神秘存在，而后奋力一撕！
"The mountain-sea are one entity. As it exposed itself here, someone in the Primordial Immortal World must have known of its weakened state."
shì jiè niǔ qū ， ér hòu cùn cùn pò suì ！
世界扭曲，而后寸寸破碎！
"It won't be long before it has to leave."
bǐ àn zhī zhōng ， zhū shèng suǒ jiàn guāng yǐng dǒu rán àn dàn le xià lái 。
彼岸之中，诸圣所见光影陡然黯淡了下来。
Mountain Sage added: "Based on my understanding, he is now hesitating whether to return or not. A little more pressure and the mountain-sea will surely be freed."
ér hòu rú yíng huǒ bān ， zhǐ tiào dòng zhēng zhá le jǐ fēn ， zuì zhōng wú nài xī miè 。
而后如萤火般，只跳动挣扎了几分，最终无奈熄灭。
The sages were relieved upon hearing this.
lái zì tài wēi shèng cháo de guāng shù tóu shè ， yě qǐng kè xiāo shī 。
来自太微圣朝的光束投射，也顷刻消失。
With the previous probes by Thieves of Light, Fangzhen, Taiwei, and Li Fan, the Net's true form was mostly clear.
They had no qualms about becoming the next lucky candidate.
“ zhè shì ……”
“这是……”
Thus, under the starlight, the next being captured by the Heaven-Wisdom Mountain Sea's Life Path...
zhū shèng yī jīng ， kàn xiàng tài wēi shèng dì suǒ zài 。
诸圣一惊，看向太微圣帝所在。
was Li Fan.
As the sages had foreseen,
Net after net of the Net's assaults refined it into a truly formidable army of veterans.
Only less than a hundred soldiers remained from those who had survived since the beginning.
But their combat prowess in the face of life and death was incomparable to that under normal circumstances.
They could always hold their own against a hundred enemies, unleashing terrifying power.
Around these elite warriors, the Imperial Army gradually swelled into an invincible legion. The soldiers with lower fighting abilities made up most of this army, but they contributed more overall in battle compared to the elite veterans.
Next were the ordinary soldiers who formed the largest and most numerous group. They could be replenished quickly after battles like a filter slowly breaking down the Net's impact while refining it into a more formidable force.
Even though Emperor Taiwei was still just an ordinary mortal, as long as he sat in command of his army, no one in this world could harm him!
From the moment of his arrival, Emperor Taiwei had not shown any special divine abilities.
He relied on the inherent logic of the Primordial Immortal World to guide events and used his countless years as a king to navigate them successfully.
Now, it seemed he was about to establish himself as the ruler in this world woven by the Net.
According to the existing rules of the Net, Emperor Taiwei's power had grown too much for him to be overthrown.
Even if more creations were spun out, they would only serve as resources for the Imperial Army's growth.
"Net, you can't possibly not see this."
So, the predator decided to reweave his hunting net.
The killing aura in the Primordial Immortal World instantly dissipated.
In the stillness of heaven and earth, all things stopped moving.
A new set of rules seemed to be forming.
With the Net's abilities, changing course was a mere momentary affair.
This was Taiwei's opportunity!
Emperor Taiwei, who had been seated with his eyes closed in the Imperial Army, suddenly stood up.
He looked at the myriad soldiers surrounding him and asked without expression: "Soldiers, are you willing to die for me?"
Though his voice was soft, it reverberated like thunder in the ears of the Imperial soldiers.
Without hesitation or defiance, all the soldiers knelt down instantly. They roared together:
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
Their voices echoed through the Primordial Immortal World as their bodies transformed into a thousand bloodstains, rushing towards Emperor Taiwei at the center.
The Imperial Army, once a hundred-strong lion of war, was now dissolving.
Emperor Taiwei's aura rapidly expanded.
He had arrived with minimal loss when he first appeared and had absorbed much nourishment from this world after the fierce battle.
All his power had been dispersed among thousands of soldiers before, but now it converged back into him.
A mountain-sea sage suddenly descended.
Wearing a long robe, he was the black emperor adorned with countless golden dragons. His twelve-ridge imperial crown and dark jade curtains concealed the sharp light that flashed in his eyes.
As the Net's rules were shifting, Emperor Taiwei waved his sleeves.
The sun and moon embroidered on his robes instantly emitted intense energy.
He seemed to have seized a hidden entity behind the Net and tore it apart with all his might!
The world twisted and shattered into pieces.
In the beyond, the light of the sages dimmed.
Like fireflies, they flickered weakly before finally extinguishing.
The beam from Taiwei's realm vanished as well.
"What is this..."
The sages were startled, looking towards Emperor Taiwei.
"Taiwei has worked hard."
Mountain Sage said, sending a stream of energy.
Li Fan noticed that after the Net revealed its true form, Taiwei's avatar was instantly devoured and his main body seemed to be injured.
He then delivered a ball of accumulated true spirit essence.
"The Net is known for its ferocity in the beginning. Taiwei only sent a part of himself, so it's normal for him to lose quickly," Mountain Sage said nonchalantly.
"Although Taiwei failed at the last moment, he revealed the Net's presence. This is crucial. It will be our key to breaking through."
Ocean Sage spoke as light flared in hisHeavenly Robe Jade ring.
It was what happened just before the Net was torn apart and the Primordial Immortal World plunged into darkness.
Though somewhat blurry, it showed a figure hovering outside the world, observing the beings within the Net.
Its edges were adorned with countless shadowy tentacles that drifted aimlessly.
Despite its lofty position, it appeared disoriented because of the tearing of the same hidden Net.
"Even though the Net can devour mountains and seas, it is destined to remain in shadows and cannot appear before others."
"If exposed, not only will its abilities be severely affected, but even its temporary power to devour mountains and seas would diminish," Ocean Sage explained why the Net was so agitated.
Seeing some confusion among the sages, he continued: "This can be seen as a flaw of its mountain-sea devouring ability. Most powerful beings in the beginning had similar weaknesses."
"The root cause is the backlash from trying to extend their path beyond the mountains and seas."
Ocean Sage did not elaborate further but focused on the captured image.
"Hmm, it seems Net was not so decisive after all, coming into the chaotic mountain-sea."
"The current Net is not its true form. It's a part that has gathered most of its power."
"Such a degree of extraction would mean the Net could do nothing in the beginning and had to retreat. For the Net, this can be seen as a last-ditch effort."
The three sages spoke with amusement, relieved.
"The mountain-sea are one entity. As it exposed itself here, someone in the Primordial Immortal World must have known of its weakened state."
"It won't be long before it has to leave."
Mountain Sage added: "Based on my understanding, he is now hesitating whether to return or not. A little more pressure and the mountain-sea will surely be freed."
The sages were relieved upon hearing this.
With the previous probes by Thieves of Light, Fangzhen, Taiwei, and Li Fan, the Net's true form was mostly clear.
They had no qualms about becoming the next lucky candidate.
Thus, under the starlight, the next being captured by the Heaven-Wisdom Mountain Sea's Life Path...
was Li Fan.