yīn wèi hé wǔ lǎo huì lǐng dì jiē rǎng de yuán gù ， jiǔ shān zhōu suàn de shàng shì zhēn zhèng de zhàn zhēng qián xiàn 。
因为和五老会领地接壤的缘故，九山州算的上是真正的战争前线。
Because of its proximity to the territories of the Five Elders' Alliance, Jiushan State was considered a true front line in the war.
gèng shì zài qiān bǎi nián de zhàn zhēng zhōng ， guī shǔ quán jǐ fān yì shǒu 。
更是在千百年的战争中，归属权几番易手。
Over centuries of conflict, control over it had changed hands multiple times. Rather than expend effort on extensive construction only to benefit others, it made more sense to let it remain chaotic and serve as a buffer zone for both sides.
yǔ qí fèi jìn xīn sī dà gǎo jiàn shè ， zuì hòu fǎn dào chéng quán le bié rén 。
与其费劲心思大搞建设，最后反倒成全了别人。
This state of affairs was the result of mutual understanding between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders' Alliance. Jiushan State thus became known as a "land beyond the law."
bù rú jiù ràng tā zhè me hùn luàn xià qù ， chéng wéi shuāng fāng jiāo zhàn de huǎn chōng dì dài 。
不如就让它这么混乱下去，成为双方交战的缓冲地带。
Before entering Tiantang Mountain City, True Monarch Qingmu revealed his identity to all present.
zhèng shì wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì bǐ cǐ jiān xīn yǒu líng xī de gòng tóng kǎo lǜ ， zhè cái zào jiù le jiǔ shān zhōu zhè piàn “ fǎ wài zhī dì ” de cún zài 。
正是万仙盟和五老会彼此间心有灵犀的共同考虑，这才造就了九山州这片“法外之地”的存在。
After a moment, everyone collectively relaxed as they entered the city of Tiantang Mountain. Their tense nerves began to ease, and fatigue set in. They decided to rest for a while inside the city.
tiān zhǎng shān qián ， qīng mù zhēn jūn liàng míng liǎo shēn fèn 。
天长山前，青木真君亮明了身份。
Li Fan found it manageable since he was just an avatar; losing this one wouldn't be too much of a loss. Without feeling particularly tired, he wandered around Tiantang Mountain City.
guò le piàn kè ， jìn rù tiān zhǎng shān chéng de zhòng rén zhè cái jí tǐ sōng le yì kǒu qì ， jǐn bēng de shén jīng sōng chí xià lái 。
过了片刻，进入天长山城的众人这才集体松了一口气，紧绷的神经松弛下来。
The city was built along the mountain, with its layout differing significantly from other cities. It was divided into nine layers from top to bottom. The statue of the Teaching Supreme Monarch stood at the highest level, overlooking all below.
pí bèi zhàn jù xīn líng 。
疲惫占据心灵。
Below that were facilities such as the Martial Hall and the Celestial Mechanism Hall belonging to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
dà jiā fēn fēn jué dìng xiān qù chéng zhōng hǎo hǎo xiū yǎng yī xià 。
大家纷纷决定先去城中好好休养一下。
A clear boundary marked a dividing line between these official buildings and the city's core defensive array.
lǐ fán dǎo shì jué de hái hǎo ， bì jìng zhǐ shì yí gè fēn shēn ， sǐ le yě méi shén me tài dà sǔn shī 。
李凡倒是觉的还好，毕竟只是一个分身，死了也没什么太大损失。
The lower layers appeared more chaotic, filled with various shops and residences. From afar, Li Fan felt like the upper three levels of Tiantang Mountain City had been directly flown in and pressed onto the mountain, standing out from the rest of the architecture.
bù zěn me pí bèi de tā suǒ xìng zài zhè tiān zhǎng shān chéng zhōng xián guàng le qǐ lái 。
不怎么疲惫的他索性在这天长山城中闲逛了起来。
Unlike other cities within Jiushan State, there was no presence of the Celestial Mirror here. Before arriving, Li Fan knew that for safety reasons, no Celestial Mirrors would be available within this state.
tiān zhǎng shān chéng yī shān ér jiàn ， jiàn zhù bù jú hé qí tā tiān chéng dà bù xiāng tóng 。
天长山城依山而建，建筑布局和其他天城大不相同。
If neither party had a portable Celestial Mirror to carry, they could only settle transactions using spirit stones.
cóng shàng zhì xià cuò luò fēn wéi jiǔ céng 。
从上至下错落分为九层。
This avatar's mission was to purchase mystical techniques. After asking around, he quickly arrived at the Sixth Layer of the Ten Thousand Techniques Chamber.
chuán fǎ tiān zūn xiàng chù lì zài zuì gāo céng ， fǔ shì zhòng shēng 。
传法天尊象矗立在最高层，俯视众生。
A small but unremarkable building stood here, identifiable by the familiar "Ten Thousand" symbol on its flag. If not for that, Li Fan would have thought he had gone astray.
jiē xià lái yī céng ， zé shì yǎn wǔ táng 、 tiān jī táng děng wàn xiān méng guān fāng jiàn zhù 。
接下来一层，则是演武堂、天机堂等万仙盟官方建筑。
No one greeted him at the entrance. Entering the building, the light changed dramatically as he discovered a vast interior space. The noise and bustle of people filled his vision, like stepping into a bustling market where many cultivators set up stalls.
zài xià lái ， jiù shì yī tiáo míng xiǎn de fēn jiè xiàn ， nà shì hù chéng dà zhèn hé xīn suǒ zài 。
再下来，就是一条明显的分界线，那是护城大阵核心所在。
After observing for a moment, Li Fan noticed that groups were separated by flags displaying "Tools," "Arrays," "Pills," "Tokens," "Books," and "Miscellaneous."
ér zuì xià miàn jǐ céng ， jiù xiǎn de bǐ jiào líng luàn le 。
而最下面几层，就显得比较凌乱了。
At the center of all these trading areas stood an imposing building with a plaque reading "Techniques" hanging from its central position.
fēn bù zhe gè zhǒng diàn pù 、 zhù zhái 。
分布着各种店铺、住宅。
Li Fan pushed through the crowd towards the Ten Thousand Techniques Building. The building buzzed with activity as cultivators came and went.
yáo wàng tiān zhǎng shān chéng ， lǐ fán hū rán chǎn shēng le yī zhǒng ， shān chéng de shàng sān céng shì zhí jiē fēi lái 、 yā zài shān shàng de gǎn jué 。
遥望天长山城，李凡忽然产生了一种，山城的上三层是直接飞来、压在山上的感觉。
A robed Qi Refining cultivator greeted him warmly, "Sir, what are you looking for?"
hé qí tā de jǐ céng jiàn zhù jǐng guān xiāng bǐ ， xiǎn de gé gé bù rù 。
和其他的几层建筑景观相比，显得格格不入。
"Techniques, forbidden items, slaves?" he asked enthusiastically.
ér jiǔ shān zhōu nèi de chéng chí ， hé qí tā dì fāng xiāng bǐ ， zuì dà de bù tóng ， jiù shì chéng nèi méi yǒu tiān xuán jìng de cún zài 。
而九山州内的城池，和其他地方相比，最大的不同，就是城内没有天玄镜的存在。
"I'll just take a look around," Li Fan replied indifferently.
lái zhī qián lǐ fán jiù yǐ jīng zhī xiǎo ， huò xǔ shì chǔ yú ān quán kǎo lǜ ， zhè jiǔ shān zhōu nèi ， yī lǜ bú huì pèi bèi tiān xuán jìng 。
来之前李凡就已经知晓，或许是处于安全考虑，这九山州内，一律不会配备天玄镜。
The shopkeeper smiled and nodded, "Alright, go ahead. Let me know if you need anything."
ruò shì jiāo yì shuāng fāng dōu méi yǒu kě yǐ suí shēn xié dài de tiān xuán xiǎo jìng ， nà me zhǐ néng yòng líng shí lái jié suàn jiāo yì le 。
若是交易双方都没有可以随身携带的天玄小镜，那么只能用灵石来结算交易了。
Li Fan wandered through the Ten Thousand Techniques Building. According to signs within, the first floor sold only techniques for Foundation Establishment and below. Despite this limitation, the variety of items was impressive.
fēn shēn cǐ xíng ， shì lái gòu mǎi gōng fǎ de 。
分身此行，是来购买功法的。
Techniques were listed like books, detailing their effects; lifeless slaves standing motionlessly; specialized magical artifacts created by masters; storage rings containing items from fallen cultivators that had yet to be checked; even custom services for any type of artifact, slave, or technique one desired. All you needed to do was pay and the item would be delivered quickly.
xiàng lù rén dǎ tīng le yī fān ， lǐ fán hěn kuài lái dào le dì liù céng de wàn fǎ shāng huì 。
向路人打听了一番，李凡很快来到了第六层的万法商会。
Items could only be viewed but not touched. A faint light barrier separated visitors from them. By focusing his divine sense on an item, text appeared on the screen. To purchase, he just had to call a shopkeeper who would use the Celestial Mirror to process payment with contribution points.
yī dòng bù zěn me qǐ yǎn de xiǎo lóu ， ruò fēi mén kǒu piāo yáng de qí zhì shàng ， xiù zhe yí gè shí fēn shú xī de wàn zì 。
一栋不怎么起眼的小楼，若非门口飘扬的旗帜上，绣着一个十分熟悉的万字。
Once purchased, the display would instantly switch to another item, ensuring no stalls were left empty.
lǐ fán jī hū yǐ wéi zhǎo cuò le dì fāng 。
李凡几乎以为找错了地方。
Li Fan wandered around and recalled his experience shopping in malls before. While it was less convenient than purchasing through the Celestial Mirror, this method seemed to boost consumer desire more effectively.
mén kǒu yě méi yǒu rén jiē dài ， lǐ fán zǒu jìn zhī hòu ， guāng xiàn zhòu biàn 。
门口也没有人接待，李凡走进之后，光线骤变。
Passing through a barrier, he arrived at the second floor of the Ten Thousand Techniques Building. According to signs within, cultivators could only enter floors corresponding to their cultivation level plus one. The second floor offered items related to Golden Core Realm techniques.
zhè cái fā xiàn xiǎo lóu nèi bié yǒu dòng tiān 。
这才发现小楼内别有洞天。
This was the highest level Li Fan could reach. The types and quantity of goods were similar to those on the first floor but in smaller numbers. The shopkeepers here were Foundation Establishment cultivators, still smiling and polite.
xuān nào cáo zá zhī shēng yuǎn yuǎn chuán lái ， rù mù suǒ jí ， jìn shì xī xī rǎng rǎng de rén qún 。
喧闹嘈杂之声远远传来，入目所及，尽是熙熙攘攘的人群。
After a while, he stopped at a technique called "Waves of Smoke Over Miles." His divine sense locked onto it as text appeared.
páng fó lái dào le yī piàn rè nào de jí shì ， xǔ duō xiū shì zài cǐ bǎi tān 。
彷佛来到了一片热闹的集市，许多修士在此摆摊。
"Water attribute Golden Core Technique."
lüè wēi guān chá piàn kè ， lǐ fán fā xiàn ， rén qún jù jí chù ， bèi jǐ gēn qí zhì ， xiān míng de fēn gē kāi lái 。
略微观察片刻，李凡发现，人群聚集处，被几根旗帜，鲜明的分割开来。
"After cultivation, your body's spirit energy will be like an endless lake. Unexhaustible; your form will be ethereal smoke, unpredictable to gods and demons."
qí zi shàng fēn bié xiě zhe “ qì ”、“ zhèn ”、“ dān ”、“ fú ”、“ shū ”、“ zá ” děng zì yàng 。
旗子上分别写着“器”、“阵”、“丹”、“符”、“书”、“杂”等字样。
"Selling price: 70,000 contribution points."
ér zài suǒ yǒu jiāo yì jí shì de zuì zhōng yāng ， yī chuáng gāo lóu wēi rán yì lì 。
而在所有交易集市的最中央，一幢高楼巍然屹立。
"Buyout price: 140,000 contribution points."
gāo lóu zhōng yāng guà zhe yī kuài pái biǎn ， shàng miàn hè rán xiě zhe yí gè “ fǎ ” zì 。
高楼中央挂着一块牌匾，上面赫然写着一个“法”字。
The buyout price was something new in the first floor listings. Curious, he asked the shopkeeper.
lǐ fán chuān guò yōng jǐ de rén qún ， cháo zhe wàn fǎ lóu zǒu qù 。
李凡穿过拥挤的人群，朝着万法楼走去。
After an explanation, Li Fan understood that when a technique was sold, it only transferred the right to use it. The Ten Thousand Techniques Building still retained backups of the techniques. If no one cultivated it for thirty years, the building would resell it.
gāo lóu nèi bù shí yǒu xiū shì jìn jìn chū chū ， xiǎn de jí wéi máng lù 。
高楼内不时有修士进进出出，显得极为忙碌。
The buyout price allowed complete ownership once purchased; after which, the building would not retain any copies. The buyer had full rights over the technique and could not reclaim it if lost or if the buyer died without leaving a legacy.
jìn qù zhī hòu ， yī wèi shēn chuān fǎ páo de liàn qì xiū shì ， lián máng shàng qián lái dǎ zhāo hū 。
进去之后，一位身穿法袍的炼气修士，连忙上前来打招呼。
"Interesting... Buying out techniques..."
“ zhè wèi kè guān ， nǐ lái shì mǎi xiē shén me de ？”
“这位客官，你来是买些什么的？”
"The price is double the normal selling price..."
“ gōng fǎ ， jìn wù ， nú lì ？”
“功法，禁物，奴隶？”
"It's hard to say whether it’s worth it."
tā rè qíng de zhāo hū dào 。
他热情的招呼道。
Not rushing to buy, Li Fan wondered why he hadn't seen any "forbidden items" as mentioned by the shopkeeper. He asked, "The forbidden items in this building aren’t necessarily expensive."
“ wǒ xiān suí biàn guàng guàng 。” lǐ fán dàn dàn de shuō dào 。
“我先随便逛逛。”李凡澹澹的说道。
"Just because of various reasons, they can't be openly sold," the shopkeeper explained.
zhè diàn xiǎo èr wēi xiào zhe diǎn tóu ：“ hǎo lēi ， nín qǐng biàn 。 yǒu shén me xū yào ， suí shí gēn wǒ men shuō 。”
这店小二微笑着点头：“好勒，您请便。有什么需要，随时跟我们说。”
Li Fan signed a confidentiality agreement without hesitation and received a golden "Techniques" talisman from the shopkeeper. A layer of gold light enveloped both of them before he appeared on another unknown floor.
lǐ fán zài zhè wàn fǎ lóu nèi xián guàng qǐ lái 。
李凡在这万法楼内闲逛起来。
Here, there were even fewer customers and items. Li Fan looked around with interest.
gēn jù lóu nèi bù shí kě jiàn de tí shì ， lǐ fán zhī dào ， dì yī céng fàn mài de shāng pǐn ， dōu zhǐ shì zhù jī qī jí yǐ xià de 。
根据楼内不时可见的提示，李凡知道，第一层贩卖的商品，都只是筑基期及以下的。
No wonder they called these forbidden items. The first thing he saw sparked his curiosity: "The Diagram of the Teaching Supreme Monarch's Forced Acquisition of the Supreme Primordial True Scripture."
Because of its proximity to the territories of the Five Elders' Alliance, Jiushan State was considered a true front line in the war.
Over centuries of conflict, control over it had changed hands multiple times. Rather than expend effort on extensive construction only to benefit others, it made more sense to let it remain chaotic and serve as a buffer zone for both sides.
This state of affairs was the result of mutual understanding between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders' Alliance. Jiushan State thus became known as a "land beyond the law."
Before entering Tiantang Mountain City, True Monarch Qingmu revealed his identity to all present.
After a moment, everyone collectively relaxed as they entered the city of Tiantang Mountain. Their tense nerves began to ease, and fatigue set in. They decided to rest for a while inside the city.
Li Fan found it manageable since he was just an avatar; losing this one wouldn't be too much of a loss. Without feeling particularly tired, he wandered around Tiantang Mountain City.
The city was built along the mountain, with its layout differing significantly from other cities. It was divided into nine layers from top to bottom. The statue of the Teaching Supreme Monarch stood at the highest level, overlooking all below.
Below that were facilities such as the Martial Hall and the Celestial Mechanism Hall belonging to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
A clear boundary marked a dividing line between these official buildings and the city's core defensive array.
The lower layers appeared more chaotic, filled with various shops and residences. From afar, Li Fan felt like the upper three levels of Tiantang Mountain City had been directly flown in and pressed onto the mountain, standing out from the rest of the architecture.
Unlike other cities within Jiushan State, there was no presence of the Celestial Mirror here. Before arriving, Li Fan knew that for safety reasons, no Celestial Mirrors would be available within this state.
If neither party had a portable Celestial Mirror to carry, they could only settle transactions using spirit stones.
This avatar's mission was to purchase mystical techniques. After asking around, he quickly arrived at the Sixth Layer of the Ten Thousand Techniques Chamber.
A small but unremarkable building stood here, identifiable by the familiar "Ten Thousand" symbol on its flag. If not for that, Li Fan would have thought he had gone astray.
No one greeted him at the entrance. Entering the building, the light changed dramatically as he discovered a vast interior space. The noise and bustle of people filled his vision, like stepping into a bustling market where many cultivators set up stalls.
After observing for a moment, Li Fan noticed that groups were separated by flags displaying "Tools," "Arrays," "Pills," "Tokens," "Books," and "Miscellaneous."
At the center of all these trading areas stood an imposing building with a plaque reading "Techniques" hanging from its central position.
Li Fan pushed through the crowd towards the Ten Thousand Techniques Building. The building buzzed with activity as cultivators came and went.
A robed Qi Refining cultivator greeted him warmly, "Sir, what are you looking for?"
"Techniques, forbidden items, slaves?" he asked enthusiastically.
"I'll just take a look around," Li Fan replied indifferently.
The shopkeeper smiled and nodded, "Alright, go ahead. Let me know if you need anything."
Li Fan wandered through the Ten Thousand Techniques Building. According to signs within, the first floor sold only techniques for Foundation Establishment and below. Despite this limitation, the variety of items was impressive.
Techniques were listed like books, detailing their effects; lifeless slaves standing motionlessly; specialized magical artifacts created by masters; storage rings containing items from fallen cultivators that had yet to be checked; even custom services for any type of artifact, slave, or technique one desired. All you needed to do was pay and the item would be delivered quickly.
Items could only be viewed but not touched. A faint light barrier separated visitors from them. By focusing his divine sense on an item, text appeared on the screen. To purchase, he just had to call a shopkeeper who would use the Celestial Mirror to process payment with contribution points.
Once purchased, the display would instantly switch to another item, ensuring no stalls were left empty.
Li Fan wandered around and recalled his experience shopping in malls before. While it was less convenient than purchasing through the Celestial Mirror, this method seemed to boost consumer desire more effectively.
Passing through a barrier, he arrived at the second floor of the Ten Thousand Techniques Building. According to signs within, cultivators could only enter floors corresponding to their cultivation level plus one. The second floor offered items related to Golden Core Realm techniques.
This was the highest level Li Fan could reach. The types and quantity of goods were similar to those on the first floor but in smaller numbers. The shopkeepers here were Foundation Establishment cultivators, still smiling and polite.
After a while, he stopped at a technique called "Waves of Smoke Over Miles." His divine sense locked onto it as text appeared.
"Water attribute Golden Core Technique."
"After cultivation, your body's spirit energy will be like an endless lake. Unexhaustible; your form will be ethereal smoke, unpredictable to gods and demons."
"Selling price: 70,000 contribution points."
"Buyout price: 140,000 contribution points."
The buyout price was something new in the first floor listings. Curious, he asked the shopkeeper.
After an explanation, Li Fan understood that when a technique was sold, it only transferred the right to use it. The Ten Thousand Techniques Building still retained backups of the techniques. If no one cultivated it for thirty years, the building would resell it.
The buyout price allowed complete ownership once purchased; after which, the building would not retain any copies. The buyer had full rights over the technique and could not reclaim it if lost or if the buyer died without leaving a legacy.
"Interesting... Buying out techniques..."
"The price is double the normal selling price..."
"It's hard to say whether it’s worth it."
Not rushing to buy, Li Fan wondered why he hadn't seen any "forbidden items" as mentioned by the shopkeeper. He asked, "The forbidden items in this building aren’t necessarily expensive."
"Just because of various reasons, they can't be openly sold," the shopkeeper explained.
Li Fan signed a confidentiality agreement without hesitation and received a golden "Techniques" talisman from the shopkeeper. A layer of gold light enveloped both of them before he appeared on another unknown floor.
Here, there were even fewer customers and items. Li Fan looked around with interest.
No wonder they called these forbidden items. The first thing he saw sparked his curiosity: "The Diagram of the Teaching Supreme Monarch's Forced Acquisition of the Supreme Primordial True Scripture."