lǐ fán jià shǐ zhe tài yǎn zhōu ， huí dào le xū yuān shàng fāng 。
李凡驾驶着太衍舟，回到了墟渊上方。
Li Fan piloted the Taiyin Boat back to the Vast Abyss.
“ nà shì shén me guǐ dōng xī ……” lǐ fán miàn sè yǒu xiē yīn chén 。
“那是什么鬼东西……”李凡面色有些阴沉。
"That's some damned thing..." Li Fan's face was somewhat gloomy. Although he had used a bit of trickery to discern the monster's true form, he had no idea how to avoid its gaze and successfully cross through the Dark Layer.
suī rán shǐ le diǎn xiǎo jì liǎng ， kàn qīng le guài wù de yuán mào 。 dàn shì duì yú zěn me cái néng táo guò tā de shì xiàn ， chéng gōng chuān yuè hēi àn céng ， lǐ fán zé shì yì diǎn tóu xù dōu méi yǒu 。
虽然使了点小伎俩，看清了怪物的原貌。但是对于怎么才能逃过它的视线，成功穿越黑暗层，李凡则是一点头绪都没有。
"Such a huge whale, yet my tiny Taiyin Boat... every time I go past, it always manages to find me like a cat catching a mouse..." Li Fan was somewhat perplexed. "I can only try other methods now. Fortunately, I still have plenty of opportunities left."
“ nà jù jīng rú cǐ páng dà ， tài yǎn zhōu rú cǐ zhī xiǎo 。 piān piān měi cì wǒ yī guò qù ， tā jiù zǒng néng gēn māo jiàn dào hào zi shì de zhǎo dào wǒ ……” xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， lǐ fán yǒu xiē shāng nǎo jīn 。
“那巨鲸如此庞大，太衍舟如此之小。偏偏每次我一过去，它就总能跟猫见到耗子似的找到我……”想到这里，李凡有些伤脑筋。
...
“ zhǐ néng shì shì qí tā fāng fǎ le 。 hǎo zài wǒ hái yǒu zú gòu duō de cháng shì jī huì 。” lǐ fán wú nài de tàn le kǒu qì 。
“只能试试其他方法了。好在我还有足够多的尝试机会。”李凡无奈的叹了口气。
Fifteen years later, the anchor point set for thirty-five years.
……
……
Li Fan had already潜伏 into the Thunderstorm Layer early on.
yòu shí wǔ nián hòu ， máo dìng sān shí wǔ nián 。
又十五年后，锚定三十五年。
During these fifteen years, he had also attempted to forcefully breach the Dark Layer several times.
lǐ fán zǎo zǎo de biàn qián fú jìn le léi bào céng 。
李凡早早的便潜伏进了雷暴层。
However, as time passed, the whale's ability to locate him from within the Dark Layer greatly decreased. Given the Taiyin Boat’s speed, Li Fan couldn't escape in time. Thus, he could only return after a fierce battle with the whale.
zhè shí wǔ nián jiān ， tā yě céng shù cì cháng shì guò qiáng chuǎng hēi àn céng 。
这十五年间，他也曾数次尝试过强闯黑暗层。
"Only on days when the white mist dissipates will the whale seem delayed and eventually discover me. Perhaps I can fly down to the Vast Abyss."
dàn zài zhè xiē rì zi lǐ ， cóng tā jìn rù hēi àn céng dào bèi fā xiàn ， jù jīng suǒ yòng de shí jiān dà dà jiǎn shǎo 。 àn zhào tài yǎn zhōu de fēi xíng sù dù ， tā gēn běn lái bù jí táo lí 。 suǒ yǐ ， tā yě zhǐ néng měi měi zài hé jù jīng yóu dòu le yī fān hòu láng bèi de fǎn huí 。
但在这些日子里，从他进入黑暗层到被发现，巨鲸所用的时间大大减少。按照太衍舟的飞行速度，他根本来不及逃离。所以，他也只能每每在和巨鲸游斗了一番后狼狈的返回。
This time, Li Fan decided to take a desperate gamble, aiming to cross through the Dark Layer before the whale reacted.
“ zhǐ yǒu zài bái wù tuì sàn rì ， jù jīng cái huì fǎng fú bèi shén me dōng xī suǒ dān gē yī yàng ， guò yī zhèn zi cái fā xiàn wǒ 。 kào zhe zhè duō chū lái de yì diǎn shí jiān ， huò xǔ wǒ néng fēi dào xū yuān dǐ bù 。”
“只有在白雾退散日，巨鲸才会仿佛被什么东西所耽搁一样，过一阵子才发现我。靠着这多出来的一点时间，或许我能飞到墟渊底部。”
The wind began to pick up.
zhè cì ， lǐ fán jué dìng fàng shǒu yī bó ， yǐ zuì kuài de sù dù ， zài jù jīng fǎn yìng guò lái zhī qián chuān yuè hēi àn céng 。
这次，李凡决定放手一搏，以最快的速度，在巨鲸反应过来之前穿越黑暗层。
The Taiyin Boat's power was fully engaged, bursting into an astonishing speed.
dà fēng jiàn qǐ 。
大风渐起。
The illusory scenery grew closer and closer until it seemed within reach. However, just as he neared his goal, the whale’s terrifying roar approached rapidly.
tài yǎn zhōu dòng lì quán kāi ， bào fā chū jīng rén de sù dù 。
太衍舟动力全开，爆发出惊人的速度。
"Only about a quarter of the distance left... too late." Li Fan made his judgment.
xū huàn de guāng jǐng yuè lái yuè jìn ， yǎn kàn jiù yào dào dá ， jù jīng nà lìng rén kě bù de jiào shēng què zài cì xiǎng qǐ 。
虚幻的光景越来越近，眼看就要到达，巨鲸那令人可怖的叫声却再次响起。
Squinting his eyes, Li Fan was spurred by anger.
bìng qiě fēi kuài de jiē jìn 。
并且飞快的接近。
Instead of flying down to the Vast Abyss, he turned around and rammed into the direction from which the whale's roar came.
“ hái shèng dà yuē sì fēn zhī yī de jù lí ， lái bù jí le 。” lǐ fán xià le pàn duàn 。
“还剩大约四分之一的距离，来不及了。”李凡下了判断。
Unfortunately, this fierce determination proved futile. There was no collision; instead, Li Fan felt himself enveloped in darkness, realizing that once again, the whale had swallowed him whole.
mī le mī yǎn ， lǐ fán bèi jī qǐ le xiōng xìng 。
眯了眯眼，李凡被激起了凶性。
"Truly Real!"
suǒ xìng yě bù wǎng xū yuān dǐ bù fēi le ， fǎn ér zhuǎn guò tóu lái ， cháo zhe jù jīng jiào shēng chuán lái de fāng xiàng hěn hěn zhuàng qù 。
索性也不往墟渊底部飞了，反而转过头来，朝着巨鲸叫声传来的方向狠狠撞去。
Li Fan roared fiercely.
kě xī de shì ， fā hěn bìng méi yǒu shén me yòng chǔ 。
可惜的是，发狠并没有什么用处。
...
méi yǒu pèng zhuàng ， lǐ fán zhǐ gǎn jué sì zhōu yī hēi ， biàn zhī dào zì jǐ zài cì bèi jù jīng tūn le 。
没有碰撞，李凡只感觉四周一黑，便知道自己再次被巨鲸吞了。
【Simulation ended】
“ hái zhēn ！”
“还真！”
Li Fan sighed dejectedly and exhaled.
lǐ fán è hěn hěn de hǒu dào 。
李凡恶狠狠的吼道。
After much time to calm down, Li Fan chose to accelerate his energy recharge process.
【 běn cì mó nǐ jié shù 】
【本次模拟结束】
Realm: Mortal
lǐ fán yǒu xiē yù mèn dì tǔ le kǒu qì 。
李凡有些郁闷地吐了口气。
Physical Age: 20/86
yòng le xǔ jiǔ píng fù xià xīn qíng ， lǐ fán zhè cì xuǎn zé le jiā kuài chōng néng jìn dù 。
用了许久平复下心情，李凡这次选择了加快充能进度。
Psychological Age: 418/1116
xìng míng ： lǐ fán
姓名：李凡
His psychological age had reached its maximum limit and would not increase further.
jìng jiè ： fán rén
境界：凡人
"Fortunately, I still have 748 years to waste." Li Fan consoled himself.
shēng lǐ nián líng ：20/86
生理年龄：20/86
Ninth incarnation.
xīn lǐ nián líng ：368/1116
心理年龄：368/1116
...
xīn lǐ nián líng yǐ jīng chè dǐ dá dào shàng xiàn ， bú huì zài zēng jiā le 。
心理年龄已经彻底达到上限，不会再增加了。
Four years later, Li Fan reopened Qian Hong's Tomb.
“ hái hǎo hái yǒu 748 nián de shí jiān kě yǐ huī huò 。” lǐ fán zhǐ néng zhè me ān wèi zì jǐ 。
“还好还有748年的时间可以挥霍。”李凡只能这么安慰自己。
"Detected rechargeable item: Stopped Step Inscription (Damaged)."
dì bā shì 。
第八世。
"Should I perform the recharge?"
máo dìng sì nián 。
锚定四年。
Seeing the prompt for "Truly Real," Li Fan's mood improved slightly.
lǐ fán zài cì kāi qǐ qián hóng zhī mù 。
李凡再次开启钱宏之墓。
At this moment, the anchor point progress had reached 51%.
“ fā xiàn kě chōng néng wù pǐn ： zhǐ bù cán bēi （ sǔn ）。”
“发现可充能物品：止步残碑（损）。”
"At least it wasn't a waste of time." Li Fan said with self-deprecation.
“ shì fǒu jìn xíng chōng néng 。”
“是否进行充能。”
Five years later on a day when the white mist dissipated, the Huaxu Recharge Progress was nearly 90%. However, falling short of 100% made no difference to Li Fan. He could only wait patiently.
jiàn dào 【 hái zhēn 】 de tí shì ， lǐ fán de xīn qíng zhōng yú hǎo le diǎn 。
见到【还真】的提示，李凡的心情终于好了点。
Twenty years later, Li Fan tried and failed.
cǐ kè ， dìng máo chōng néng jìn dù yǐ jīng lái dào le 51%。
此刻，定锚充能进度已经来到了51%。
Thirty-five years later, he attempted again but still failed.
“ zuì qǐ mǎ méi yǒu bái lái zhè yī shì ……” lǐ fán yǒu xiē zì cháo de shuō dào 。
“最起码没有白来这一世……”李凡有些自嘲的说道。
However, these attempts were not entirely useless; at least his control over the Taiyin Boat had become more proficient, allowing him to endure longer under the whale's pursuit.
máo dìng wǔ nián ， bái wù tuì sàn rì ， huà xū chōng néng jìn dù yǐ jīng kuài jiē jìn 90% le 。 dàn shì bú dào 100% duì lǐ fán lái shuō méi yǒu tài dà de qū bié 。 zhǐ néng xuǎn zé nài xīn děng dài 。
锚定五年，白雾退散日，化虚充能进度已经快接近90%了。但是不到100%对李凡来说没有太大的区别。只能选择耐心等待。
Fifty years later, Li Fan did not choose to forcefully breach the Dark Layer. He was too old, with significantly diminished reaction and mental faculties. It would be impossible for him to succeed.
máo dìng èr shí nián ， lǐ fán cháng shì ， shī bài 。
锚定二十年，李凡尝试，失败。
So he chose to meet his two old friends and see if they could provide any clues.
máo dìng sān shí wǔ nián ， lǐ fán zài cì cháng shì ， hái shì shī bài 。
锚定三十五年，李凡再次尝试，还是失败。
On the day of Li Fan's seventieth birthday, Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi arrived on time.
bù guò ， zhè jǐ cì cháng shì yě bìng fēi wán quán méi yǒu yòng chǔ ， zuì qǐ mǎ tā duì yú tài yǎn zhōu de cāo kòng yuè lái yuè xián shú ， yě néng zài jù jīng de zhuī shā xià jiān chí gèng duō de shí jiān 。
不过，这几次尝试也并非完全没有用处，最起码他对于太衍舟的操控越来越娴熟，也能在巨鲸的追杀下坚持更多的时间。
"Dao Xuanzi, you shouldn't overstep your bounds!"
máo dìng wǔ shí nián ， lǐ fán méi yǒu xuǎn zé zài cì qiáng chuǎng hēi àn céng 。
锚定五十年，李凡没有选择再次强闯黑暗层。
...
tā yǐ jīng lǎo le ， fǎn yìng hé jīng shén dōu yǒu le dà fú dù de shuāi tuì 。 qù yě méi yǒu kě néng chéng gōng 。
他已经老了，反应和精神都有了大幅度的衰退。去也没有可能成功。
Listening to this, Li Fan felt a hint of nostalgia.
suǒ yǐ tā xuǎn zé lái jiàn jiàn liǎng wèi lǎo péng yǒu ， kàn kàn néng bù néng cóng tā men kǒu zhōng dé dào shén me xiàn suǒ 。
所以他选择来见见两位老朋友，看看能不能从他们口中得到什么线索。
Using the name of Golden Core Techniques to lure them to Taiyi Mansion, after several rounds of drinking, Li Fan took out a scroll.
lǐ fán qī shí dà shòu zhè tiān ， kòu hóng yǔ dào xuán zi zhǔn shí dào lái 。
李凡七十大寿这天，寇洪与道玄子准时到来。
The painting was old and depicted a terrifying and immense whale hidden in darkness, only revealing its monstrous mouth, ready to devour anyone who came near.
“ dào xuán zi ， nǐ bú yào qī rén tài shèn ！”
“道玄子，你不要欺人太甚！”
"Have either of you seen such monsters? Our ancestors once said that if given the chance to escape this desolate place, there would be no need to worry about anything else. With our sect's Taiyin Boat protecting us, we should be safe. The only layer with a whale lurking requires extra caution." Li Fan asked.
……
……
"That vast and empty space actually has such a fierce beast?" Cao Hong looked at the painting, furrowing his brows in disbelief. "I didn't see it."
lǐ fán tīng zhe ， hū rán jué de hái yǒu xiē huái niàn 。
李凡听着，忽然觉得还有些怀念。
"Could it be..." Dao Xuanzi seemed to recall something.
yī rán shì yòng jīn dān gōng fǎ de míng tóu jiāng èr rén hū yōu zhì tài shī fǔ ， jiǔ guò sān xún zhī hòu ， lǐ fán ná chū yī fù huà juàn 。
依然是用金丹功法的名头将二人忽悠至太师府，酒过三巡之后，李凡拿出一副画卷。
"Oh? Fellow Daoist, do you know of this creature?" Li Fan asked with anticipation.
huà kàn shàng qù yǒu xiē nián tóu le ， shàng miàn miáo shù de shì yī tóu kě bù ér páng dà de jù jīng ， yǐn cáng zài hēi àn zhī hòu ， zhǐ lù chū zhēng níng de jù kǒu ， yù zé rén ér shì 。
画看上去有些年头了，上面描述的是一头可怖而庞大的巨鲸，隐藏在黑暗之后，只露出狰狞的巨口，欲择人而噬。
Dao Xuanzi shook his head: "Only a brief mention in an ancient text. It is said that during the ancient times, there was a sect called Beast Tamer. Though they had no profound techniques, they could control and command various beasts for battle using their Beast Taming Technique. At its peak, this sect was on par with top-tier sects like Supreme Dao and Great Dao."
“ liǎng wèi kě zēng jiàn guò cǐ děng guài wù ？ xiān zǔ lín zhōng shí céng yán ， rì hòu ruò dé jī huì táo lí cǐ chù jué dì ， qí yú jiē bù yòng dān xīn 。 yǒu wǒ zōng tài yǎn zhōu hù yòu ， zì dāng wú yàng 。 wéi dú zuì hòu yī céng ， yǒu jù jīng qián fú ， xū shèn zhī yòu shèn 。” lǐ fán xún wèn dào 。
“两位可曾见过此等怪物？先祖临终时曾言，日后若得机会逃离此处绝地，其余皆不用担心。有我宗太衍舟护佑，自当无恙。唯独最后一层，有巨鲸潜伏，需慎之又慎。”李凡询问道。
"Unfortunately, due to the great calamity of the heavens, the Beast Tamer Sect perished quickly."
“ nà yī piàn qī hēi de kōng kuàng zhī dì jū rán yǒu rú cǐ xiōng shòu ？” kòu hóng kàn le huà yī kàn ， méi tóu wēi zhòu ， yǒu xiē bù xìn ，“ wǒ zěn me méi yǒu jiàn dào 。”
“那一片漆黑的空旷之地居然有如此凶兽？”寇洪看了画一看，眉头微皱，有些不信，“我怎么没有见到。”
"That Beast Tamer Sect seemed to have controlled several famous beasts, including such whales."
“ mò fēi shì ……” dào xuán zi què fǎng fú xiǎng qǐ le shén me 。
“莫非是……”道玄子却仿佛想起了什么。
"You mentioned it, and I remember now. It's called the Boundary Splitting Whale?" Cao Hong clapped his hands and hurriedly said.
“ ó ？ dào yǒu sì hū zhī dào cǐ shòu ？” lǐ fán yǒu xiē qī dài de wèn dào 。
“哦？道友似乎知道此兽？”李凡有些期待的问道。
Li Fan's heart stirred; he immediately asked: "Do either of you know how to avoid this Boundary Splitting Whale?"
dào xuán zi yáo le yáo tóu ：“ zhǐ shì zài yī piān gǔ jí zhōng jiàn guò xiāng guān de jì zǎi 。 jù shuō shàng gǔ zhī shí ， yǒu zōng míng yuē yù shòu 。 yù shòu zōng bìng wú shén me gāo shēn gōng fǎ ， què píng jiè yī shǒu yù shòu jué ， néng gòu kòng zhì tiān dì jiān de yì shòu wèi qí suǒ zhàn 。 yù shòu zōng zuì wèi qiáng shèng zhī shí ， jù shuō zú yǐ gēn tài shàng 、 dà dào děng dǐng jiān zōng mén xiāng tí bìng lùn 。”
道玄子摇了摇头：“只是在一篇古籍中见过相关的记载。据说上古之时，有宗名曰御兽。御兽宗并无什么高深功法，却凭借一手御兽决，能够控制天地间的异兽为其所战。御兽宗最为强盛之时，据说足以跟太上、大道等顶尖宗门相提并论。”
Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi both chuckled: "We've only heard bits and pieces. Such a beast has been extinct in the cultivation world for thousands of years. How could we possibly know its habits?"
“ kě xī tiān dì dà jié ， zhǐ xiū yī mén gōng fǎ de yù shòu zōng miè wáng de yě shì zuì kuài 。”
“可惜天地大劫，只修一门功法的御兽宗灭亡的也是最快。”
Li Fan felt somewhat disappointed.
“ nà yù shòu zōng kòng zhì de zuì wèi chū míng de jǐ zhǒng yì shòu zhōng ， sì hū jiù yǒu zhè zhǒng jù jīng 。”
“那御兽宗控制的最为出名的几种异兽中，似乎就有这种巨鲸。”
In the end, it would still depend on him?
“ nǐ zhè me yī shuō ， wǒ dǎo shì xiǎng qǐ lái le 。 hǎo xiàng jiào shén me liè jiè jīng ？” kòu hóng yī pāi shǒu ， lián máng shuō dào 。
“你这么一说，我倒是想起来了。好像叫什么裂界鲸？”寇洪一拍手，连忙说道。
Handing over The Thousand Mechanism Jade Circle Seal to Dao Xuanzi, he dismissed them and ended this incarnation.
lǐ fán xīn zhōng yī dòng ， gǎn máng wèn dào ：“ bù zhī èr wèi kě zhī dào rú hé fāng néng bì guò zhè liè jiè jīng ？”
李凡心中一动，赶忙问道：“不知二位可知道如何方能避过这裂界鲸？”
...
kòu hóng hé dào xuán zi jù shì shàn shàn yī xiào ：“ yě zhǐ shì tīng shuō guò zhī yán piàn yǔ ér yǐ 。 rú cǐ yì shòu ， zǎo yǐ xiāo shī yú xiū xiān jiè shù qiān nián 。 wǒ děng yòu rú hé néng zhī qí xí xìng ？”
寇洪和道玄子俱是讪讪一笑：“也只是听说过只言片语而已。如此异兽，早已消失于修仙界数千年。我等又如何能知其习性？”
Name: Li Fan
lǐ fán bù miǎn yǒu xiē shī wàng 。
李凡不免有些失望。
Realm: Mortal
dào tóu lái ， hái shì yào kào zì jǐ me ？
到头来，还是要靠自己么？
Physical Age: 20/86
jiāng 《 qiān jī yù huán jīn zhāng 》 jiāo gěi dào xuán zi ， dǎ fā zǒu èr rén hòu ， lǐ fán xuǎn zé jié shù le zhè yī shì 。
将《千机玉寰金章》交给道玄子，打发走二人后，李凡选择结束了这一世。
Psychological Age: 418/1116
xìng míng ： lǐ fán
姓名：李凡
This time, Li Fan opened Qian Hong's Tomb again to absorb the Stopped Step Inscription for energy recharge. Unfortunately, "Truly Real" showed no reaction.
jìng jiè ： fán rén
境界：凡人
Although he was disappointed, Li Fan had prepared himself mentally.
shēng lǐ nián líng ：20/86
生理年龄：20/86
Thus, the "Truly Real" anchor point progress remained at 51%.
xīn lǐ nián líng ：418/1116
心理年龄：418/1116
At twenty years, thirty-five years, and fifty years later, Li Fan tried various methods but failed to breach the Dark Layer under the whale's watchful eye.
dì jiǔ shì ！
第九世！
Sixty-five years later, Li Fan was eighty-five years old, nearing his end.
zhè yī shì ， lǐ fán zài cì dǎ kāi le qián hóng zhī mù ， xiǎng yào xī shōu zhǐ bù cán bēi jìn xíng chōng néng 。
这一世，李凡再次打开了钱宏之墓，想要吸收止步残碑进行充能。
He did not choose to end early because he didn't know how many more attempts it would take to pass through this Celestial Desolation Array.
kě xī de shì ，【 hái zhēn 】 háo wú fǎn yìng 。
可惜的是，【还真】毫无反应。
It was better to try once more.
suī rán xīn zhōng yí hàn ， kě lǐ fán yě zǎo yǐ yǒu le xīn lǐ zhǔn bèi 。
虽然心中遗憾，可李凡也早已有了心理准备。
Unfortunately, he was too old now; his thoughts had become slow, and his reactions were sluggish.
yóu cǐ ，【 hái zhēn 】 de dìng máo chōng néng jìn dù jiù dìng gé zài le 51%。
由此，【还真】的定锚充能进度就定格在了51%。
Unable to outwit the whale, Li Fan did not force himself. Instead, he completely abandoned control of the Taiyin Boat, letting it drift slowly towards the Vast Abyss.
máo dìng èr shí nián 、 máo dìng máo dìng sān shí wǔ nián 、 máo dìng wǔ shí nián ， lǐ fán cháng shì le gè zhǒng fāng fǎ ， jūn bù néng zài jù jīng de hǔ shì dān dān xià chōng guò hēi àn céng 。
锚定二十年、锚定锚定三十五年、锚定五十年，李凡尝试了各种方法，均不能在巨鲸的虎视眈眈下冲过黑暗层。
罡风层、幻光层、颠倒层、流火层、玄冰层、雷暴层、黑暗层...
máo dìng liù shí wǔ nián ， lǐ fán yǐ jīng bā shí wǔ suì gāo líng ， jiē jìn yóu jǐn dēng kū 。
锚定六十五年，李凡已经八十五岁高龄，接近油尽灯枯。
Li Fan dozed off and woke up to find that the Taiyin Boat was nearly at the bottom of the Vast Abyss!
tā zhè cì méi yǒu zǎo zǎo de xuǎn zé jié shù ， yīn wèi tā bù zhī dào hái yào jīng guò duō shǎo cì de cháng shì cái néng chuǎng guò zhè xiān jué dà zhèn 。
他这次没有早早的选择结束，因为他不知道还要经过多少次的尝试才能闯过这仙绝大阵。
"What's going on? Why didn't the Boundary Splitting Whale appear this time?" Li Fan was utterly confused, but it did not hinder him from accelerating his power and heading towards the faint light.
néng duō shì yī cì zǒng guī shì hǎo de 。
能多试一次总归是好的。
However, as he sped up, the whale’s roar suddenly appeared!
kě xī de shì tā zhè cì yǐ jīng tài lǎo le ， sī wéi biàn dé huǎn màn ， fǎn yìng yě biàn dé chí dùn 。
可惜的是他这次已经太老了，思维变得缓慢，反应也变得迟钝。
"Why did it find me now?" Li Fan deeply furrowed his brows.
méi fǎ zài gēn jù jīng dòu zhì dòu yǒng ， lǐ fán yě bù qiǎng qiú ， suǒ xìng wán quán fàng qì le duì tài yǎn zhōu de cāo zòng ， ràng qí yī kāi shǐ jiù màn màn cháo zhe xū yuān xià fāng huàng dàng guò qù 。
没法再跟巨鲸斗智斗勇，李凡也不强求，索性完全放弃了对太衍舟的操纵，让其一开始就慢慢朝着墟渊下方晃荡过去。
Then, a lightning bolt illuminated the night sky. Suddenly, Li Fan understood.
gāng fēng céng 、 huàn guāng céng 、 diān dǎo céng 、 liú huǒ céng 、 xuán bīng céng 、 léi bào céng 、 hēi àn céng ……
罡风层、幻光层、颠倒层、流火层、玄冰层、雷暴层、黑暗层……
"Ah! The Boundary Splitting Whale ignores or fails to notice objects moving at a constant speed! As long as I maintain a steady speed, I can safely pass through this Celestial Desolation Array!"
lǐ fán mí mí hū hū shuì le yī jiào ， děng xǐng lái shí ， què jīng è de fā xiàn tài yǎn zhōu yǐ rán kuài yào fēi dào le xū yuān zuì dǐ bù ！
李凡迷迷糊糊睡了一觉，等醒来时，却惊愕的发现太衍舟已然快要飞到了墟渊最底部！
Realizing this, Li Fan couldn't help but laugh loudly.
“ zěn me huí shì ？ wèi shén me zhè cì liè jiè jīng méi yǒu chū xiàn ？” lǐ fán wàn fēn bù jiě ， dàn shì bìng bù fáng ài tā jiā kuài dòng lì ， quán sù shǐ xiàng nà xīng xīng diǎn diǎn guāng máng chū xiàn de dì fāng 。
“怎么回事？为什么这次裂界鲸没有出现？”李凡万分不解，但是并不妨碍他加快动力，全速驶向那星星点点光芒出现的地方。
With the last barrier to leaving the Celestial Desolation fully removed!
dàn suí zhe lǐ fán de jiā sù ， jù jīng de hǒu jiào què tū rán chū xiàn le ！
但随着李凡的加速，巨鲸的吼叫却突然出现了！
In his laughter and the whale's roar, the Taiyin Boat broke through the boundary between worlds and was about to return to the cultivation world.
“ wèi shén me zhè shí hòu yòu tū rán fā xiàn wǒ le ？” lǐ fán shēn shēn zhòu qǐ le méi tóu 。
“为什么这时候又突然发现我了？”李凡深深皱起了眉头。
The surroundings became blurry as if crossing several worlds in an instant. Under immense pressure, Li Fan let out a闷哼, blood flowing from his nose and eyes.
suí hòu ， fǎng fú yī dào shǎn diàn zhào liàng le yè kōng ， lǐ fán dùn shí xǐng wù guò lái 。
随后，仿佛一道闪电照亮了夜空，李凡顿时醒悟过来。
But he paid no heed.
“ yuán lái rú cǐ ！ zhè liè jiè jīng kàn bú dào huò zhě shuō huì hū shì yún sù yùn dòng de wù tǐ ！ zhǐ yào yì zhí bǎo chí tóng yī gè sù dù ， jiù néng ān quán wú yàng de tōng guò zhè xiān jué dà zhèn ！”
“原来如此！这裂界鲸看不到或者说会忽视匀速运动的物体！只要一直保持同一个速度，就能安全无恙的通过这仙绝大阵！”
Looking back at the Celestial Desolation from which he came, due to the vast distance and the elevated perspective, Li Fan saw a scene that would stay with him for life:
xiǎng tōng le cǐ zhōng guān jié ， lǐ fán rěn bú zhù dà xiào 。
想通了此中关节，李凡忍不住大笑。
Hundreds, thousands of Boundary Splitting Whales, forming groups and working day and night to carve out dark spaces in the void.
zhì cǐ ， lí kāi zhè xiān jué zhī dì de zuì hòu yī dào jiā suǒ ， yě bèi chè dǐ jiě kāi ！
至此，离开这仙绝之地的最后一道枷锁，也被彻底解开！
The place where Li Fan had come from was getting farther and farther away from this cultivation world.
Li Fan piloted the Taiyin Boat back to the Vast Abyss.
"That's some damned thing..." Li Fan's face was somewhat gloomy. Although he had used a bit of trickery to discern the monster's true form, he had no idea how to avoid its gaze and successfully cross through the Dark Layer.
"Such a huge whale, yet my tiny Taiyin Boat... every time I go past, it always manages to find me like a cat catching a mouse..." Li Fan was somewhat perplexed. "I can only try other methods now. Fortunately, I still have plenty of opportunities left."
...
Fifteen years later, the anchor point set for thirty-five years.
Li Fan had already潜伏 into the Thunderstorm Layer early on.
During these fifteen years, he had also attempted to forcefully breach the Dark Layer several times.
However, as time passed, the whale's ability to locate him from within the Dark Layer greatly decreased. Given the Taiyin Boat’s speed, Li Fan couldn't escape in time. Thus, he could only return after a fierce battle with the whale.
"Only on days when the white mist dissipates will the whale seem delayed and eventually discover me. Perhaps I can fly down to the Vast Abyss."
This time, Li Fan decided to take a desperate gamble, aiming to cross through the Dark Layer before the whale reacted.
The wind began to pick up.
The Taiyin Boat's power was fully engaged, bursting into an astonishing speed.
The illusory scenery grew closer and closer until it seemed within reach. However, just as he neared his goal, the whale’s terrifying roar approached rapidly.
"Only about a quarter of the distance left... too late." Li Fan made his judgment.
Squinting his eyes, Li Fan was spurred by anger.
Instead of flying down to the Vast Abyss, he turned around and rammed into the direction from which the whale's roar came.
Unfortunately, this fierce determination proved futile. There was no collision; instead, Li Fan felt himself enveloped in darkness, realizing that once again, the whale had swallowed him whole.
"Truly Real!"
Li Fan roared fiercely.
...
【Simulation ended】
Li Fan sighed dejectedly and exhaled.
After much time to calm down, Li Fan chose to accelerate his energy recharge process.
Name: Li Fan
Realm: Mortal
Physical Age: 20/86
Psychological Age: 418/1116
His psychological age had reached its maximum limit and would not increase further.
"Fortunately, I still have 748 years to waste." Li Fan consoled himself.
Ninth incarnation.
...
Four years later, Li Fan reopened Qian Hong's Tomb.
"Detected rechargeable item: Stopped Step Inscription (Damaged)."
"Should I perform the recharge?"
Seeing the prompt for "Truly Real," Li Fan's mood improved slightly.
At this moment, the anchor point progress had reached 51%.
"At least it wasn't a waste of time." Li Fan said with self-deprecation.
Five years later on a day when the white mist dissipated, the Huaxu Recharge Progress was nearly 90%. However, falling short of 100% made no difference to Li Fan. He could only wait patiently.
Twenty years later, Li Fan tried and failed.
Thirty-five years later, he attempted again but still failed.
However, these attempts were not entirely useless; at least his control over the Taiyin Boat had become more proficient, allowing him to endure longer under the whale's pursuit.
Fifty years later, Li Fan did not choose to forcefully breach the Dark Layer. He was too old, with significantly diminished reaction and mental faculties. It would be impossible for him to succeed.
So he chose to meet his two old friends and see if they could provide any clues.
On the day of Li Fan's seventieth birthday, Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi arrived on time.
"Dao Xuanzi, you shouldn't overstep your bounds!"
...
Listening to this, Li Fan felt a hint of nostalgia.
Using the name of Golden Core Techniques to lure them to Taiyi Mansion, after several rounds of drinking, Li Fan took out a scroll.
The painting was old and depicted a terrifying and immense whale hidden in darkness, only revealing its monstrous mouth, ready to devour anyone who came near.
"Have either of you seen such monsters? Our ancestors once said that if given the chance to escape this desolate place, there would be no need to worry about anything else. With our sect's Taiyin Boat protecting us, we should be safe. The only layer with a whale lurking requires extra caution." Li Fan asked.
"That vast and empty space actually has such a fierce beast?" Cao Hong looked at the painting, furrowing his brows in disbelief. "I didn't see it."
"Could it be..." Dao Xuanzi seemed to recall something.
"Oh? Fellow Daoist, do you know of this creature?" Li Fan asked with anticipation.
Dao Xuanzi shook his head: "Only a brief mention in an ancient text. It is said that during the ancient times, there was a sect called Beast Tamer. Though they had no profound techniques, they could control and command various beasts for battle using their Beast Taming Technique. At its peak, this sect was on par with top-tier sects like Supreme Dao and Great Dao."
"Unfortunately, due to the great calamity of the heavens, the Beast Tamer Sect perished quickly."
"That Beast Tamer Sect seemed to have controlled several famous beasts, including such whales."
"You mentioned it, and I remember now. It's called the Boundary Splitting Whale?" Cao Hong clapped his hands and hurriedly said.
Li Fan's heart stirred; he immediately asked: "Do either of you know how to avoid this Boundary Splitting Whale?"
Cao Hong and Dao Xuanzi both chuckled: "We've only heard bits and pieces. Such a beast has been extinct in the cultivation world for thousands of years. How could we possibly know its habits?"
Li Fan felt somewhat disappointed.
In the end, it would still depend on him?
Handing over The Thousand Mechanism Jade Circle Seal to Dao Xuanzi, he dismissed them and ended this incarnation.
...
Name: Li Fan
Realm: Mortal
Physical Age: 20/86
Psychological Age: 418/1116
Ninth incarnation!
This time, Li Fan opened Qian Hong's Tomb again to absorb the Stopped Step Inscription for energy recharge. Unfortunately, "Truly Real" showed no reaction.
Although he was disappointed, Li Fan had prepared himself mentally.
Thus, the "Truly Real" anchor point progress remained at 51%.
At twenty years, thirty-five years, and fifty years later, Li Fan tried various methods but failed to breach the Dark Layer under the whale's watchful eye.
Sixty-five years later, Li Fan was eighty-five years old, nearing his end.
He did not choose to end early because he didn't know how many more attempts it would take to pass through this Celestial Desolation Array.
It was better to try once more.
Unfortunately, he was too old now; his thoughts had become slow, and his reactions were sluggish.
Unable to outwit the whale, Li Fan did not force himself. Instead, he completely abandoned control of the Taiyin Boat, letting it drift slowly towards the Vast Abyss.
罡风层、幻光层、颠倒层、流火层、玄冰层、雷暴层、黑暗层...
Li Fan dozed off and woke up to find that the Taiyin Boat was nearly at the bottom of the Vast Abyss!
"What's going on? Why didn't the Boundary Splitting Whale appear this time?" Li Fan was utterly confused, but it did not hinder him from accelerating his power and heading towards the faint light.
However, as he sped up, the whale’s roar suddenly appeared!
"Why did it find me now?" Li Fan deeply furrowed his brows.
Then, a lightning bolt illuminated the night sky. Suddenly, Li Fan understood.
"Ah! The Boundary Splitting Whale ignores or fails to notice objects moving at a constant speed! As long as I maintain a steady speed, I can safely pass through this Celestial Desolation Array!"
Realizing this, Li Fan couldn't help but laugh loudly.
With the last barrier to leaving the Celestial Desolation fully removed!
In his laughter and the whale's roar, the Taiyin Boat broke through the boundary between worlds and was about to return to the cultivation world.
The surroundings became blurry as if crossing several worlds in an instant. Under immense pressure, Li Fan let out a闷哼, blood flowing from his nose and eyes.
But he paid no heed.
Looking back at the Celestial Desolation from which he came, due to the vast distance and the elevated perspective, Li Fan saw a scene that would stay with him for life:
Hundreds, thousands of Boundary Splitting Whales, forming groups and working day and night to carve out dark spaces in the void.
The place where Li Fan had come from was getting farther and farther away from this cultivation world.