shān hǎi shēng líng wǎn ruò cuī huà jì bān ， yòu jìn yí bù jiā sù le shān hǎi xiāng róng de guò chéng 。
山海生灵宛若催化剂般，又进一步加速了山海相融的过程。
The situation with the virtual realm's forces surrounding and attacking the segmented sea was not much worse than when they had faced the avatar of the virtual realm before. The reason for this deteriorating state was due to the severe invasion by the Deyuan (the essence of decay), which, even with their protection, could not prevent the gradual decline of the segmented sea.
shèng jí ér shuāi ， jié nàn zhōng zhì 。
盛极而衰，劫难终至。
The Xuanji Ring emitted a warm white light that covered the entire segmented sea. However, it was visibly undergoing constant distortions and oscillations as if being manipulated by an invisible hand, changing its shape unpredictably. The Xuanji Ring itself seemed fragile like a bubble, precarious and at any moment ready to burst.
dì yī cì de dào yān jiū jìng cóng hé ér lái ， jiù suàn yǐ rán zhèng dào de sān shèng dōu wú cóng chá jué 。
第一次的道湮究竟从何而来，就算已然证道的三圣都无从察觉。
"Indeed, the Deyuan is extremely rare," one of the sages remarked. "Even in the memory of Sage Lianshan, such a gathering of Deyuan was very uncommon. This explains why it's said that once we pass this barrier, our path will be smooth."
fǎng fú píng kōng ér shēng ， hū rán yuè chū 。
仿佛凭空而生，忽然跃出。
In the midst of this, the sages felt the immense pressure from outside the segmented sea for the first time and began to think about their strategies.
zhǐ shì bǐ cǐ shān hǎi shàng hái chù zài dǐng shèng shí qī ， xiē xǔ kě néng xìng de xiāo shī ， zhèng hǎo shì rén lèi rì cháng tuō lí máo fà 。 bìng bù néng zhēn de shuō míng shén me 。
只是彼此山海尚还处在鼎盛时期，些许可能性的消失，正好似人类日常脱离毛发。并不能真的说明什么。
"Only those who can match the strength of the segmented sea can bear the weight of Deyuan. Previously, when we were in dire straits, there were fewer sages. Now, with my true essence infused into the divine arts, as long as I maintain the segmented sea's existence, I can create enough sages to counteract the Deyuan's pressure," Li Fan said softly.
zhí dào dào yān làng cháo ， suí zhe shí jiān de liú tǎng ， shǐ zhōng bàn suí shān hǎi zuǒ yòu 。
直到道湮浪潮，随着时间的流淌，始终伴随山海左右。
However, he quickly added that this was only a last resort because infusing his true essence required an appropriate target and there were not many cultivators at the threshold of sagehood. Moreover, they did not have much time left.
zhōng yī rì ， chéng qì hòu 。
终一日，成气候。
Sage Lianshan nodded in agreement with Li Fan's keen observation: "The pressure from the virtual realm has intensified due to the departure of 'Seeker.' The avatar forces are now more numerous as the segmented sea must be completely taken over."
bù zhī bù jué ， jìng yǐ jīng chéng zhǎng dào gēn shān hǎi néng gòu jué lì de dì bù 。 rú guǐ yǐng bān shū rán piāo chū ， gēn shān hǎi duì zhì 。
不知不觉，竟已经成长到跟山海能够角力的地步。如鬼影般倏然飘出，跟山海对峙。
Indeed, the white light outside the Xuanji Ring suddenly twisted violently. Even the sages seated within felt a sudden jolt.
suǒ dào zhī chù ， kě néng xìng qīng bēng ， dà dào bù cún 。
所到之处，可能性倾崩，大道不存。
Looking up, they saw countless figures descending from the dark void like an army advancing to attack.
shān hǎi wèi zhī gé duàn 。
山海为之隔断。
"Avatar of the virtual realm..."
yuán běn zhěng tǐ lián xù de cún zài ， bèi qiáng zhì qiē gē chéng liǎo wú shù fèn 。
原本整体连续的存在，被强制切割成了无数份。
The three sages frowned in unison. Previously, the virtual realm had been willing to deploy several avatar forces to block Li Fan and his companions. Now that they needed to completely control this segment of the segmented sea, more forces would be drawn from the virtual realm, especially after 'Seeker' was forced back by Li Fan.
shān hǎi shàng néng yī kào zì jǐ nèi zài mài luò ， wéi chí míng míng zhōng lián xì 。
山海尚能依靠自己内在脉络，维持冥冥中联系。
The sheer number of avatar forces now present...
dàn shì shān hǎi nèi shēng líng ， zé zài shí jiān céng jiān shàng ， bèi fēn chéng liǎo duàn liè pò suì de gè tǐ 。
但似山海内生灵，则在时间层间上，被分成了断裂破碎的个体。
"Any ideas?"
bù jǐn shí lì dà dǎ zhé kòu ！
不仅实力大打折扣！
The sages were momentarily at a loss for solutions.
shèn zhì jiù lián yǒu xiē jì yì dōu shòu dào yǐng xiǎng ， biàn dé niǔ qū ér bù wán zhěng 。
甚至就连有些记忆都受到影响，变得扭曲而不完整。
"I have an idea. I wonder if it's feasible," said Shouchou Gong, representing Li Fan's thoughts.
yǐ sān shèng shì jiǎo huí wàng shān hǎi guò qù qiān yì shí guāng de zhū shèng ， jīng cháng huì yù dào mǒu xiē fǎng fú méng shàng le yī céng huī bái sè de jì yì piàn duàn 。
以三圣视角回望山海过去千亿时光的诸圣，经常会遇到某些仿佛蒙上了一层灰白色的记忆片段。
"Go ahead and speak freely."
nà biàn shì zāo shòu shān hǎi zhé duàn ér quē shī ， ér hòu bèi sān shèng zì wǒ guān xiǎng bǔ quán de bù fèn 。
那便是遭受山海折断而缺失，而后被三圣自我观想补全的部分。
From the memories of the three sages, they had seen how the segmented sea transformed due to external forces. This segment was where the life essence of the segmented sea resided...
zài sān shèng de jì yì gǎn zhī lǐ ， cóng dào yān dì yī cì chū xiàn dào rú jīn ， zhè qí zhōng jīng guò le wǔ bǎi yì nián de màn cháng shí guāng 。
在三圣的记忆感知里，从道湮第一次出现到如今，这其中经过了五百亿年的漫长时光。
Perhaps by tapping into the inherent power of the segmented sea itself, they could counteract the Deyuan's overwhelming force.
shí zài tài guò màn cháng 。
实在太过漫长。
"Indeed, your idea is brilliant," Li Fan said firmly in support of Shouchou Gong. "What do you think about this, sages?"
jiā zhī sān shèng yì niàn ， yě fēi shì dān chún gè tǐ 。 ér shì huà shēn yì wàn ， jī hū biàn bù suǒ yǒu kě néng xìng zhī zhōng 。
加之三圣意念，也非是单纯个体。而是化身亿万，几乎遍布所有可能性之中。
Moral also voiced his agreement, and the other two sages raised concerns, prompting the three to take action.
bāo hán shān hǎi jué dà bù fèn wén míng 、 shèng líng 、 dào tú 。
包含山海绝大部分文明、圣灵、道途。
"Sage Shouchou has spent countless years observing the segmented sea and now understands its mysteries even more deeply," Sage Lianshan said. "From a certain perspective, you are correct."
shù jù zhī páng dà ， nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng 。 ruò fēi sān shèng yǒu yì duì qí jìn xíng le mó hú chǔ lǐ ， zhè wǔ bǎi yì nián jì yì hóng liú zú yǐ jiāng wéi guān zhū shèng de rén gé ， dōu jìn xíng yí dìng chéng dù de chōng shuā 、 niǔ qū 、 gǎi xiě 。
数据之庞大，难以想象。若非三圣有意对其进行了模糊处理，这五百亿年记忆洪流足以将围观诸圣的人格，都进行一定程度的冲刷、扭曲、改写。
"All that is attached to the segmented sea cannot represent it itself."
suī shì xū huà tiào yuè ， què bìng bù fáng ài zhū shèng dàng zhēn tǐ yàn le sān shèng céng jīng zǒu guò lǚ tú 。
虽是虚化跳跃，却并不妨碍诸圣当真体验了三圣曾经走过旅途。
Since the first life form was created with inherent viciousness, the segmented sea had to destroy it. The perfect state of the segmented sea would be like the eternal time after the initial divine realm's destruction.
zhǐ bù guò bìng méi yǒu xì huà zài shān hǎi nèi de wú shù kě néng xìng shàng ， ér shì jù jiāo yú shān hǎi suǒ jīng lì shí jiān zhěng tǐ 。
只不过并没有细化在山海内的无数可能性上，而是聚焦于山海所经历时间整体。
"Life and civilization in the segmented sea are merely manifestations of its essence, representing a loss of power," Li Fan said slowly, recalling his memories of the star descending and consuming everything.
zhū shèng kàn dào ， zuì chū dào yān zhī huò ， dí què kě yǐ hū lüè bù jì 。
诸圣看到，最初道湮之祸，的确可以忽略不计。
"The more powerful the civilization and life forms in the segmented sea, the weaker the segmented sea itself becomes."
bèi dào yān qīn shí ér xiāo shī de kě néng xìng ， shèn zhì bù rú shān hǎi zì shēn yǎn biàn xiāo wáng zhōng wàn yī 。
被道湮侵蚀而消失的可能性，甚至不如山海自身演变消亡中万一。
Li Fan paused, thinking deeply. He had an idea but was hesitant to speak about it prematurely.
bù guò dà dào zhī zhēng ， cǐ xiāo bǐ zhǎng 。
不过大道之争，此消彼长。
"From this perspective, our presence has only been harmful," he said slowly. "The ideal outcome for the segmented sea's division would be a new deity. Even if that is not possible, maintaining its initial eternal state would still be the best option."
bēng huài qū shì yí dàn dàn shēng ， ruò bù zhì zhǐ ， jiù zhù dìng huì wú zhǐ jìng de zēng zhǎng xià qù 。
崩坏趋势一旦诞生，若不制止，就注定会无止境的增长下去。
Sage Lianshan nodded in agreement: "Since the first life form was created and imbued with innate viciousness, the segmented sea had to destroy it. The perfect state of the segmented sea would be like the eternal time after the initial divine realm's destruction.
zài xiǎo de biàn liàng ， dié jiā shù bǎi yì de màn cháng shí guāng hòu ， dū huì biàn chéng tiān wén shù zì bān de cún zài 。
再小的变量，迭加数百亿的漫长时光后，都会变成天文数字般的存在。
"Life and civilization in the segmented sea are merely manifestations of its essence, representing a loss of power."
dào rú jīn ， bèi dào yān suǒ qīn shí xíng chéng xū jiè ， yǐ rán néng gēn shān hǎi fēn tíng kàng lǐ 。
到如今，被道湮所侵蚀形成虚界，已然能跟山海分庭抗礼。
Li Fan paused, recalling his memories of the star descending and consuming everything. "The segmented sea's transformations and the movements of celestial light... "
nǎi zhì yú gèng jiā yáo yuǎn de shí guāng zhī mò ， shān hǎi de xiāo wáng ， sì hū dōu yǐ jīng chéng wéi le dìng jú 。
乃至于更加遥远的时光之末，山海的消亡，似乎都已经成为了定局。
Sage Lianshan continued without noticing Li Fan's inner turmoil: "Your idea is indeed good. The segmented sea can now mobilize its forces against the avatar forces. However, the key question is..."
……
……
"How do we achieve this?"
yī cháng màn cháng lǚ tú ， xú xú zǒu xiàng le zhōng diǎn 。
一场漫长旅途，徐徐走向了终点。
"Behind the virtual realm, there seems to be a guiding will, but for the segmented sea..."
dāng cóng sān shèng jì yì zhōng tuì chū hòu ， zhū shèng yòng le xǔ jiǔ ， mù guāng cái yòu chóng xīn biàn dé qīng míng qǐ lái 。
当从三圣记忆中退出后，诸圣用了许久，目光才又重新变得清明起来。
Sage Lianshan shook his head. "Since the segmented sea's eternal state collapsed, I haven't felt its true intent for a long time. Even when I can sense it, it is only instinctual."
“ suī shì céng jīng lái shí lù ， dàn yī xiǎng dào hái yào nì xíng yī biàn ， zhōng jiū shì rěn bú zhù tóu pí fā má 。”
“虽是曾经来时路，但一想到还要逆行一遍，终究是忍不住头皮发麻。”
"Inertial instincts might help in facing crises and rising to the challenge, but they cannot coordinate forces or adapt as the virtual realm does. This might be why the segmented sea is at a disadvantage," he concluded.
The situation with the virtual realm's forces surrounding and attacking the segmented sea was not much worse than when they had faced the avatar of the virtual realm before. The reason for this deteriorating state was due to the severe invasion by the Deyuan (the essence of decay), which, even with their protection, could not prevent the gradual decline of the segmented sea.
The Xuanji Ring emitted a warm white light that covered the entire segmented sea. However, it was visibly undergoing constant distortions and oscillations as if being manipulated by an invisible hand, changing its shape unpredictably. The Xuanji Ring itself seemed fragile like a bubble, precarious and at any moment ready to burst.
"Indeed, the Deyuan is extremely rare," one of the sages remarked. "Even in the memory of Sage Lianshan, such a gathering of Deyuan was very uncommon. This explains why it's said that once we pass this barrier, our path will be smooth."
In the midst of this, the sages felt the immense pressure from outside the segmented sea for the first time and began to think about their strategies.
"Only those who can match the strength of the segmented sea can bear the weight of Deyuan. Previously, when we were in dire straits, there were fewer sages. Now, with my true essence infused into the divine arts, as long as I maintain the segmented sea's existence, I can create enough sages to counteract the Deyuan's pressure," Li Fan said softly.
However, he quickly added that this was only a last resort because infusing his true essence required an appropriate target and there were not many cultivators at the threshold of sagehood. Moreover, they did not have much time left.
Sage Lianshan nodded in agreement with Li Fan's keen observation: "The pressure from the virtual realm has intensified due to the departure of 'Seeker.' The avatar forces are now more numerous as the segmented sea must be completely taken over."
Indeed, the white light outside the Xuanji Ring suddenly twisted violently. Even the sages seated within felt a sudden jolt.
Looking up, they saw countless figures descending from the dark void like an army advancing to attack.
"Avatar of the virtual realm..."
The three sages frowned in unison. Previously, the virtual realm had been willing to deploy several avatar forces to block Li Fan and his companions. Now that they needed to completely control this segment of the segmented sea, more forces would be drawn from the virtual realm, especially after 'Seeker' was forced back by Li Fan.
The sheer number of avatar forces now present...
"Any ideas?"
The sages were momentarily at a loss for solutions.
"I have an idea. I wonder if it's feasible," said Shouchou Gong, representing Li Fan's thoughts.
"Go ahead and speak freely."
From the memories of the three sages, they had seen how the segmented sea transformed due to external forces. This segment was where the life essence of the segmented sea resided...
Perhaps by tapping into the inherent power of the segmented sea itself, they could counteract the Deyuan's overwhelming force.
"Indeed, your idea is brilliant," Li Fan said firmly in support of Shouchou Gong. "What do you think about this, sages?"
Moral also voiced his agreement, and the other two sages raised concerns, prompting the three to take action.
"Sage Shouchou has spent countless years observing the segmented sea and now understands its mysteries even more deeply," Sage Lianshan said. "From a certain perspective, you are correct."
"All that is attached to the segmented sea cannot represent it itself."
Since the first life form was created with inherent viciousness, the segmented sea had to destroy it. The perfect state of the segmented sea would be like the eternal time after the initial divine realm's destruction.
"Life and civilization in the segmented sea are merely manifestations of its essence, representing a loss of power," Li Fan said slowly, recalling his memories of the star descending and consuming everything.
"The more powerful the civilization and life forms in the segmented sea, the weaker the segmented sea itself becomes."
Li Fan paused, thinking deeply. He had an idea but was hesitant to speak about it prematurely.
"From this perspective, our presence has only been harmful," he said slowly. "The ideal outcome for the segmented sea's division would be a new deity. Even if that is not possible, maintaining its initial eternal state would still be the best option."
Sage Lianshan nodded in agreement: "Since the first life form was created and imbued with innate viciousness, the segmented sea had to destroy it. The perfect state of the segmented sea would be like the eternal time after the initial divine realm's destruction.
"Life and civilization in the segmented sea are merely manifestations of its essence, representing a loss of power."
Li Fan paused, recalling his memories of the star descending and consuming everything. "The segmented sea's transformations and the movements of celestial light... "
Sage Lianshan continued without noticing Li Fan's inner turmoil: "Your idea is indeed good. The segmented sea can now mobilize its forces against the avatar forces. However, the key question is..."
"How do we achieve this?"
"Behind the virtual realm, there seems to be a guiding will, but for the segmented sea..."
Sage Lianshan shook his head. "Since the segmented sea's eternal state collapsed, I haven't felt its true intent for a long time. Even when I can sense it, it is only instinctual."
"Inertial instincts might help in facing crises and rising to the challenge, but they cannot coordinate forces or adapt as the virtual realm does. This might be why the segmented sea is at a disadvantage," he concluded.