zhā xiān zhōng xiǎng qǐ hòu sān gè yuè 。
吒仙钟响起后三个月。
Three months after the Zha Xiannzhong bell sounded.
zhēng xiān lìng rú yuē ér zhì 。
征仙令如约而至。
The Zhengxianding edict arrived as scheduled. The Daoist master and his apprentice gathered to discuss their strategy.
shēn huà dào shī tú xiāng jù yī chù ， shāng yì duì cè 。
身化道师徒相聚一处，商议对策。
Li Fan wanted to sneak over, but was pulled out by Senior Tianshang's stern expression.
lǐ fán yě xiǎng qiāo qiāo còu guò lái ， què bèi shī fù tiān yáng zi miàn sè yán sù de līn le chū qù 。
李凡也想悄悄凑过来，却被师父天阳子面色严肃的拎了出去。
He could only listen from outside, vaguely understanding what was going on.
zhǐ dé zài mén wài yǐn yuē tīng gè dà gài 。
只得在门外隐约听个大概。
"What a ridiculous Zhengxianding edict! Why should we bother with it? Those major sects have thousands of members. Sending some people is no big deal."
“ shén me gǒu pì zhēng xiān lìng ， lǐ tā gàn má ！ nà xiē dà pài chéng yuán dòng zhé chéng qiān shàng wàn ， pài qiǎn yī xiē rén zì rán wú fáng 。”
“什么狗屁征仙令，理它干嘛！那些大派成员动辄成千上万，派遣一些人自然无妨。”
"Daoist School of Body Transformation has just this many people. Are they supposed to go to the front lines? What's the logic behind that?"
“ wǒ men shēn huà dào zǒng gòng jiù zhè diǎn rén ， hái yào wǒ men shàng qián xiàn ？ zhè shì shén me dào lǐ ？”
“我们身化道总共就这点人，还要我们上前线？这是什么道理？”
...
……
……
The words of Second Elder were in sync.
èr shī xiōng de fā yán rú chū yī zhé 。
二师兄的发言如出一辙。
And the final outcome was consistent with Li Fan’s previous experiences.
ér zuì zhōng de jié guǒ ， yě shì gēn lǐ fán zhī qián de jīng lì yí zhì 。
而最终的结果，也是跟李凡之前的经历一致。
The eldest senior went into battle first.
dà shī xiōng shǒu xiān cān zhàn 。
大师兄首先参战。
Before departure, everyone bid tearful farewells.
lín xíng zhī qián ， zhòng rén huī lèi gào bié 。
临行之前，众人挥泪告别。
Li Fan asked who his eldest senior would fight.
lǐ fán wèn dà shī xiōng qù dǎ shuí 。
李凡问大师兄去打谁。
Star Constellation just smiled and patted Little Apprentice's head, saying he'd go to beat up bad guys.
sī xīng zhǐ shì xiào zhe mō liǎo liǎo mō xiǎo shī dì de tóu ， shuō qù dǎ huài rén 。
司星只是笑着摸了了摸小师弟的头，说去打坏人。
Then a green light streaked through the air as he left.
suí hòu shēn huà yī lǚ lǜ máng ， pò kōng ér qù 。
随后身化一缕绿芒，破空而去。
With the eldest senior gone,
shǎo le dà shī xiōng 。
少了大师兄。
the Daoist School of Body Transformation’s atmosphere became much more somber.
shēn huà dào píng rì lǐ de fēn wéi chén mèn le xǔ duō 。
身化道平日里的氛围沉闷了许多。
Fortunately, Second Elder brought some levity with his antics, often bringing laughter and joy.
hǎo zài hái yǒu èr shī xiōng zhè ge huó bǎo huó yuè qì fēn ， shí cháng yě néng dài lái huān shēng xiào yǔ 。
好在还有二师兄这个活宝活跃气氛，时常也能带来欢声笑语。
Li Fan's breakthrough into Foundation Establishment Realm also brought temporary jubilation to the Daoist School.
ér lǐ fán chéng gōng tū pò dào zhù jī jìng ， yě ràng shēn huà dào shàng xià ， huān téng le yī duàn shí jiān 。
而李凡成功突破到筑基境，也让身化道上下，欢腾了一段时间。
But happiness was always fleeting.
dàn kuài lè zǒng shì duǎn zàn de 。
但快乐总是短暂的。
A year and three months after Star Constellation left,
sī xīng lí qù hòu yī nián líng sān gè yuè 。
司星离去后一年零三个月。
bad news arrived. The eldest senior had died on the battlefield.
è hào chuán lái 。
噩耗传来。
Second Elder was overwhelmed with grief. According to his private information, this was clearly due to the major sects underestimating their opponents.
dà shī xiōng mìng sàng zhàn chǎng 。
大师兄命丧战场。
At first, things went very smoothly.
èr shī xiōng bēi fèn bù yǐ ， jù tā sī xià dé dào de xiāo xī 。
二师兄悲愤不已，据他私下得到的消息。
The enemy retreated continuously.
zhè fēn míng shì shí dà xiān zōng qīng dí suǒ zhì 。
这分明是十大仙宗轻敌所致。
But the leadership of the ten major sects severely underestimated their opponent's hidden strength.
cǐ zhàn yī kāi shǐ jí wéi shùn lì 。
此战一开始极为顺利。
In a pursuit, they were caught off guard and suffered heavy losses. The front lines were in grave danger.
duì fāng jié jié bài tuì 。
对方节节败退。
Thus, another Zhengxianding edict was issued.
dàn shì shí dà xiān zōng lǐng dǎo de duì wǔ ， yán zhòng dī gū duì fāng qián cáng de lì liàng 。
但是十大仙宗领导的队伍，严重低估对方潜藏的力量。
Though they had many grievances against the major sects,
zài yī cì zhuī jī zhōng ， bèi mái fú de dǎ le gè cuò shǒu bù jí 。
在一次追击中，被埋伏的打了个措手不及。
under the immense pressure, as long as Daoist School of Body Transformation didn't want to be completely wiped out like other mountain sects,
sǔn shī cǎn zhòng ， qián xiàn jí jí kě wēi 。
损失惨重，前线岌岌可危。
they had no choice but to follow orders and rejoin the ranks.
yú shì xiān zōng zài fā zhēng xiān lìng 。
于是仙宗再发征仙令。
This time, Second Elder went to the front lines.
suī rán duì yú xiān zōng xīn zhōng yǒu yì bǎi gè yuàn hèn 。
虽然对于仙宗心中有一百个怨恨。
He even fought with Third Elder Ling Chang in a fierce battle.
dàn shì zài jué duì de wēi yā zhī xià ， zhǐ yào shēn huà dào bù xiǎng xiàng qí tā shān yě zōng mén yì bān ， chè dǐ bèi miè mén 。
但是在绝对的威压之下，只要身化道不想像其他山野宗门一般，彻底被灭门。
Previously, the two brothers sparred, with Third Elder often coming out slightly ahead.
dōu zhǐ hǎo tīng cóng mìng lìng ， zài cì rù wǔ yìng zhēng 。
都只好听从命令，再次入伍应征。
To avoid sending someone to their death, both took their true abilities.
zhè cì qián wǎng zhàn zhēng qián xiàn de ， shì èr shī xiōng 。
这次前往战争前线的，是二师兄。
However, this time it was Third Elder who lost.
wèi cǐ ， èr shī xiōng hái hé sān shī xiōng hěn hěn dǎ le yī jià 。
为此，二师兄还和三师兄狠狠打了一架。
Second Elder Ling Xiao was very strong. His妙笔生花(Magic Pen) drew dozens of flying swords in mid-air, which seemed real as they struck Ling Chang's protective bronze bell.
yǐ wǎng ， liǎng wèi shī xiōng dì qiē cuō ， dōu shì sān shī xiōng lián cháng lüè shèng yī chóu 。
以往，两位师兄弟切磋，都是三师兄连常略胜一筹。
The pen continued moving, and countless illusory magical tools showered down like celestial flowers, never ceasing to attack.
zhè cì ， wèi le bù ràng duì fāng sòng sǐ ， liǎng rén dōu ná chū le zhēn zhèng de běn shì 。
这次，为了不让对方送死，两人都拿出了真正的本事。
Ling Chang had no time to retaliate. He had been holding back for his younger brother all along.
rán ér ， zhè cì què shì lián cháng shū le 。
然而，这次却是连常输了。
Ling Chang was devastated.
èr shī xiōng líng xiào ， hěn qiáng 。
二师兄陵笑，很强。
But Ling Xiao smiled and bid everyone farewell before leaving with a few unfinished works he had written but not yet sold.
shēng huā miào bǐ zài kōng zhōng pō mò huī wǔ ， shà shí jiān huà chū shù shí bǐng fēi jiàn 。
生花妙笔在空中泼墨挥舞，霎时间画出数十柄飞剑。
He warned Li Fan not to peek, reminding him to be careful if he couldn't resist.
suī shì huà bǐ gòu zhù ， què wǎn ruò zhēn shí cún zài yì bān 。
虽是画笔构筑，却宛若真实存在一般。
After a carefree departure, Second Elder Ling Xiao left the Daoist School of Body Transformation in silence.
hū xiào zhe zhuàng jī zài lián cháng de hù shēn tóng zhōng zhī shàng 。
呼啸着撞击在连常的护身铜钟之上。
Seeing his disciples leave one by one, Senior Tianshang seemed to age significantly.
huà bǐ bù tíng ， wú shù xū huàn fǎ qì yóu rú tiān nǚ sàn huā ， shí kè bù tíng 。
画笔不停，无数虚幻法器犹如天女散花，时刻不停。
Third Elder Ling Chang was already quiet and reserved. After being stimulated, he became even more focused on cultivation.
dǎ dī lián cháng jǐ wú huán shǒu zhī lì 。
打的连常几无还手之力。
Li Fan did too.
yuán lái ， tā zhī qián yì zhí dōu shì zài ràng zhe lián cháng shī dì ér yǐ 。
原来，他之前一直都是在让着连常师弟而已。
Two years and three months after Ling Xiao's departure,
lián cháng shī hún luò pò 。
连常失魂落魄。
another Zhengxianding edict arrived. But this time, Ling Xiao was gone for good.
líng xiào què xiào zhe hé zhòng rén dào bié 。
陵笑却笑着和众人道别。
Considering possible resistance, the ten major sects also sent a Zhengxianding envoy with orders to kill anyone who refused.
lín zǒu zhī qián ， tā jiāng zì jǐ shū xiě 、 hái wèi lái de jí shòu mài de jǐ shí běn zuò pǐn ， jiāo gěi le lǐ fán bǎo guǎn 。
临走之前，他将自己书写、还未来的及售卖的几十本作品，交给了李凡保管。
After some persuasion,
bìng dīng zhǔ tā bú yào tōu kàn 。
并叮嘱他不要偷看。
Senior Tianshang went to war.
rú guǒ shí zài rěn bú zhù ， yào zhù yì jié zhì 。
如果实在忍不住，要注意节制。
In Daoist School of Body Transformation’s cave, only Li Fan and Third Elder Ling Chang remained.
suí hòu xiāo sǎ lí qù 。
随后潇洒离去。
Though Li Fan knew what was coming,
èr shī xiōng líng xiào lí kāi hòu ， shēn huà dào jiù chè dǐ chén jì xià lái 。
二师兄陵笑离开后，身化道就彻底沉寂下来。
as a minor Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could he resist the overwhelming tide?
shī fù tiān yáng zi kàn zhe tú dì yí gè gè lí kāi zì jǐ ， yě fǎng fú cāng lǎo le xǔ duō 。
师父天阳子看着徒弟一个个离开自己，也仿佛苍老了许多。
He could only watch helplessly as events unfolded again.
sān shī xiōng lián cháng běn jiù chén mò guǎ yán 。
三师兄连常本就沉默寡言。
This battle seemed even more brutal than before.
shòu dào cì jī zhī hòu ， fā fēng shì de kè kǔ xiū liàn qǐ lái 。
受到刺激之后，发疯似的刻苦修炼起来。
Six months later, the weary Zhengxianding envoy returned with orders from the ten major sects.
lǐ fán yì shì rú cǐ 。
李凡亦是如此。
"This is the most critical moment of this war."
líng xiào lí qù hòu liǎng nián líng sān gè yuè 。
陵笑离去后两年零三个月。
"All sects and scattered cultivators must unite to overcome these hard times."
zhēng xiān lìng zài zhì 。
征仙令再至。
"Those who disobey, delay, spread rumors, or defect will be executed without mercy."
líng xiào shī xiōng què yī qù bù fù fǎn 。
陵笑师兄却一去不复返。
The majesty of divine power was evident. The envoy threatened Li Fan, the youngest in Daoist School of Body Transformation.
sì hū shì kǎo lǜ dào kě néng de fǎn kàng ， zhè cì shí dà xiān zōng ， hái pài chū le yī míng zhēng xiān shǐ zhě 。
似乎是考虑到可能的反抗，这次十大仙宗，还派出了一名征仙使者。
He offered some empty promises before Ling Chang finally agreed.
ruò yǒu bù cóng ， gé shā wù lùn 。
若有不从，格杀勿论。
Before leaving, Ling Chang left an jade slip for Li Fan, filled with the experiences of Daoist School’s ancestors.
hé zhī qián de jīng lì yī yàng ， jīng guò yī fān quàn shuō 。
和之前的经历一样，经过一番劝说。
He instructed Li Fan not to venture out and sealed the entrance before departing decisively.
tiān yáng zi ， shàng zhàn chǎng 。
天阳子，上战场。
Daoist School of Body Transformation was once again left only with Li Fan.
shēn huà dào dòng fǔ zhōng ， zhǐ shèng xià le lǐ fán hé sān shī xiōng lián cháng liǎng rén 。
身化道洞府中，只剩下了李凡和三师兄连常两人。
Returning to his original path, Li Fan felt a mix of helplessness.
lǐ fán suī rán zǎo yǐ dé zhī shì qíng de zǒu xiàng 。
李凡虽然早已得知事情的走向。
While he had done well,
dàn shì tāo tāo dà shì ， tā fù shēn bù guò yī xiǎo xiǎo de zhù jī xiū shì ， rú hé néng dǐ dǎng ？
但是涛涛大势，他附身不过一小小的筑基修士，如何能抵挡？
relying on the "危" (Wēi) method from medical texts, he managed to escape slumber and spent some happy times with fellow cultivators.
zhǐ dé yǎn zhēng zhēng de kàn zhe shì qíng zài yí cì fā shēng 。
只得眼睁睁的看着事情再一次发生。
He could change one person's fate,
zhè yī cì de zhàn dòu ， sì hū bǐ qián liǎng cì jiā qǐ lái hái yào cán kù 。
这一次的战斗，似乎比前两次加起来还要残酷。
but not many.
jǐn jǐn liù gè yuè hòu ， mǎn shì pí bèi de zhēng xiān shǐ zhě ， yòu dài zhe shí dà xiān zōng de mìng lìng lái le 。
仅仅六个月后，满是疲惫的征仙使者，又带着十大仙宗的命令来了。
The ancient battle involved the entire cultivation world. Even Eternal Heaven Sage was caught in the vortex of war.
“ cǐ zhàn yǐ dào le zuì wèi guān jiàn shí kè 。”
“此战已到了最为关健时刻。”
Li Fan couldn't affect any changes.
“ tiān xià zōng mén 、 huāng yě sàn xiū ， wù bì qí xīn xié lì ， gòng kè shí jiān 。”
“天下宗门、荒野散修，务必齐心协力，共克时艰。”
What was Senior Tianshang’s执念 (zhíniàn) then?
“ ruò yǒu wéi lìng bù cóng zhě 、 yán wù zhàn jī zhě 、 sàn bō yáo yán zhě 、 sì jī tóu dí zhě 。”
“若有违令不从者、延误战机者、散播谣言者、伺机投敌者。”
While meditating, Li Fan pondered.
“ shā wú shè 。”
“杀无赦。”
"Senior Tianshang's life was no less than that of others..."
xiān wēi lǐn rán 。
仙威凛然。
Slowly, he had his own hypothesis.
zhēng xiān shǐ zhě gèng yǐ shēn huà dào zhōng zuì wèi nián yòu de lǐ fán wèi xié pò 。
征仙使者更以身化道中最为年幼的李凡为胁迫。
When young, Tianshang watched his master and seniors bravely die on the battlefield to protect each other.
suí hòu yòu xǔ xià le ruò gān kōng tóu hǎo chù 。
随后又许下了若干空头好处。
As the weakest in the sect, protected by everyone,
lián cháng shuāng quán jǐn wò ， zuì zhōng hái shì dā yìng le zhēng xiān shǐ zhě 。
连常双拳紧握，最终还是答应了征仙使者。
he alone survived.
lín xíng zhī qián ， lián cháng jiāng yī méi yù jiǎn liú gěi le lǐ fán 。
临行之前，连常将一枚玉简留给了李凡。
This was all due to his "weakness."
qí zhōng dōu shì xiē shēn huà dào lì dài zǔ shī de xiū xíng jīng yàn 。
其中都是些身化道历代祖师的修行经验。
Tianshang felt immense guilt and regret.
dīng zhǔ lǐ fán bú yào qīng yì wài chū ， suí hòu jiāng dà mén fēng bì ， jué rán ér qù 。
叮嘱李凡不要轻易外出，随后将大门封闭，决然而去。
If he were stronger back then,
shēn huà dào zài cì zhǐ shèng xià le lǐ fán yī rén 。
身化道再次只剩下了李凡一人。
stronger than his seniors,
chóng xīn huí dào le lì shǐ yuán běn de guǐ dào shàng lái 。
重新回到了历史原本的轨道上来。
wouldn't he have replaced them on the battlefield?
huí gù zhè yī cì 【 nǐ huà 】， lǐ fán xīn zhōng yě yǒu xiē xǔ wú nài 。
回顾这一次【拟化】，李凡心中也有些许无奈。
Wouldn't he have seen fewer of his seniors die one after another?
píng xīn ér lùn ， tā yǐ jīng zuò dé de bù cuò le 。
平心而论，他已经做得的不错了。
Wouldn't at least one senior have a chance to survive?
píng jiè zhe yī jīng zhōng de “ wēi ” zì fǎ ， tā chéng gōng de bǎi tuō le chén shuì 。
凭借着医经中的“危”字法，他成功的摆脱了沉睡。
...
hé shēn huà dào zhòng rén yì qǐ dù guò le yī duàn kuài lè de shí guāng 。
和身化道众人一起度过了一段快乐的时光。
Perhaps, this was Tianshang's simple and pure执念 (zhíniàn).
tā yǒu zhe xiān zhī xiān jué zhī néng 。
他有着先知先觉之能。
As Li Fan continued his cultivation, time passed.
kě yǐ gǎi biàn yí gè rén de mìng yùn 。
可以改变一个人的命运。
Five years and three months after Ling Chang left,
dàn què wú fǎ gǎi biàn xǔ duō rén de mìng yùn 。
但却无法改变许多人的命运。
the Daoist School of Body Transformation’s cave opened.
shàng gǔ zhī zhàn ， zhěng gè xiū xiān jiè dōu qiān chě qí zhōng 。
上古之战，整个修仙界都牵扯其中。
Seven cultivators attempted to seize the school but failed as Li Fan, still unable to break through to Golden Core despite years of sitting in meditation, remained stuck at Foundation Establishment.
nǎ pà cháng shēng tiān zūn ， yě shēn xiàn zhàn zhēng de xuán wō zhī zhōng ， nán yǐ bì kāi 。
哪怕长生天尊，也深陷战争的漩涡之中，难以避开。
The world of拟化 (nǐhuà) vanished, and Li Fan returned to the real cultivation world.
lǐ fán gēn běn wú fǎ yǐng xiǎng gǎi biàn zhè yī qiè 。
李凡根本无法影响改变这一切。
Tianshang’s Eternal Remembrance could now only be used once.
nà me ， tiān yáng de zhí niàn dào dǐ shì shén me ne ？
那么，天阳的执念到底是什么呢？
However, Li Fan discovered something unexpected.
lǐ fán yī biān zài sī suǒ zhōng ， yī biān xiū liàn 。
李凡一边在思索中，一边修炼。
Those dozens of works Ling Xiao had left behind before leaving appeared in his mind.
“ tiān yáng yī shēng ， bù ruò yú rén ……”
“天阳一生，不弱于人……”
After much contemplation, Li Fan realized that Tianshang's执念 (zhíniàn) was also about not being able to properly accompany his seniors during their final moments.
màn màn de ， lǐ fán yǒu le zì jǐ de cāi cè 。
慢慢的，李凡有了自己的猜测。
He returned to the Ten Thousand Daoist Isles and uploaded those works under Ling Xiao’s name.
dāng chū nián yòu de tiān yáng ， yǎn zhēng zhēng de kàn zhe zì jǐ de shī fù 、 shī xiōng ， wèi le bǎo hù bǐ cǐ 。
当初年幼的天阳，眼睁睁的看着自己的师父、师兄，为了保护彼此。
Thus, this author from thousands of years ago began updating again.
Three months after the Zha Xiannzhong bell sounded.
The Zhengxianding edict arrived as scheduled. The Daoist master and his apprentice gathered to discuss their strategy.
Li Fan wanted to sneak over, but was pulled out by Senior Tianshang's stern expression.
He could only listen from outside, vaguely understanding what was going on.
"What a ridiculous Zhengxianding edict! Why should we bother with it? Those major sects have thousands of members. Sending some people is no big deal."
"Daoist School of Body Transformation has just this many people. Are they supposed to go to the front lines? What's the logic behind that?"
...
The words of Second Elder were in sync.
And the final outcome was consistent with Li Fan’s previous experiences.
The eldest senior went into battle first.
Before departure, everyone bid tearful farewells.
Li Fan asked who his eldest senior would fight.
Star Constellation just smiled and patted Little Apprentice's head, saying he'd go to beat up bad guys.
Then a green light streaked through the air as he left.
With the eldest senior gone,
the Daoist School of Body Transformation’s atmosphere became much more somber.
Fortunately, Second Elder brought some levity with his antics, often bringing laughter and joy.
Li Fan's breakthrough into Foundation Establishment Realm also brought temporary jubilation to the Daoist School.
But happiness was always fleeting.
A year and three months after Star Constellation left,
bad news arrived. The eldest senior had died on the battlefield.
Second Elder was overwhelmed with grief. According to his private information, this was clearly due to the major sects underestimating their opponents.
At first, things went very smoothly.
The enemy retreated continuously.
But the leadership of the ten major sects severely underestimated their opponent's hidden strength.
In a pursuit, they were caught off guard and suffered heavy losses. The front lines were in grave danger.
Thus, another Zhengxianding edict was issued.
Though they had many grievances against the major sects,
under the immense pressure, as long as Daoist School of Body Transformation didn't want to be completely wiped out like other mountain sects,
they had no choice but to follow orders and rejoin the ranks.
This time, Second Elder went to the front lines.
He even fought with Third Elder Ling Chang in a fierce battle.
Previously, the two brothers sparred, with Third Elder often coming out slightly ahead.
To avoid sending someone to their death, both took their true abilities.
However, this time it was Third Elder who lost.
Second Elder Ling Xiao was very strong. His妙笔生花(Magic Pen) drew dozens of flying swords in mid-air, which seemed real as they struck Ling Chang's protective bronze bell.
The pen continued moving, and countless illusory magical tools showered down like celestial flowers, never ceasing to attack.
Ling Chang had no time to retaliate. He had been holding back for his younger brother all along.
Ling Chang was devastated.
But Ling Xiao smiled and bid everyone farewell before leaving with a few unfinished works he had written but not yet sold.
He warned Li Fan not to peek, reminding him to be careful if he couldn't resist.
After a carefree departure, Second Elder Ling Xiao left the Daoist School of Body Transformation in silence.
Seeing his disciples leave one by one, Senior Tianshang seemed to age significantly.
Third Elder Ling Chang was already quiet and reserved. After being stimulated, he became even more focused on cultivation.
Li Fan did too.
Two years and three months after Ling Xiao's departure,
another Zhengxianding edict arrived. But this time, Ling Xiao was gone for good.
Considering possible resistance, the ten major sects also sent a Zhengxianding envoy with orders to kill anyone who refused.
After some persuasion,
Senior Tianshang went to war.
In Daoist School of Body Transformation’s cave, only Li Fan and Third Elder Ling Chang remained.
Though Li Fan knew what was coming,
as a minor Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could he resist the overwhelming tide?
He could only watch helplessly as events unfolded again.
This battle seemed even more brutal than before.
Six months later, the weary Zhengxianding envoy returned with orders from the ten major sects.
"This is the most critical moment of this war."
"All sects and scattered cultivators must unite to overcome these hard times."
"Those who disobey, delay, spread rumors, or defect will be executed without mercy."
The majesty of divine power was evident. The envoy threatened Li Fan, the youngest in Daoist School of Body Transformation.
He offered some empty promises before Ling Chang finally agreed.
Before leaving, Ling Chang left an jade slip for Li Fan, filled with the experiences of Daoist School’s ancestors.
He instructed Li Fan not to venture out and sealed the entrance before departing decisively.
Daoist School of Body Transformation was once again left only with Li Fan.
Returning to his original path, Li Fan felt a mix of helplessness.
While he had done well,
relying on the "危" (Wēi) method from medical texts, he managed to escape slumber and spent some happy times with fellow cultivators.
He could change one person's fate,
but not many.
The ancient battle involved the entire cultivation world. Even Eternal Heaven Sage was caught in the vortex of war.
Li Fan couldn't affect any changes.
What was Senior Tianshang’s执念 (zhíniàn) then?
While meditating, Li Fan pondered.
"Senior Tianshang's life was no less than that of others..."
Slowly, he had his own hypothesis.
When young, Tianshang watched his master and seniors bravely die on the battlefield to protect each other.
As the weakest in the sect, protected by everyone,
he alone survived.
This was all due to his "weakness."
Tianshang felt immense guilt and regret.
If he were stronger back then,
stronger than his seniors,
wouldn't he have replaced them on the battlefield?
Wouldn't he have seen fewer of his seniors die one after another?
Wouldn't at least one senior have a chance to survive?
...
Perhaps, this was Tianshang's simple and pure执念 (zhíniàn).
As Li Fan continued his cultivation, time passed.
Five years and three months after Ling Chang left,
the Daoist School of Body Transformation’s cave opened.
Seven cultivators attempted to seize the school but failed as Li Fan, still unable to break through to Golden Core despite years of sitting in meditation, remained stuck at Foundation Establishment.
The world of拟化 (nǐhuà) vanished, and Li Fan returned to the real cultivation world.
Tianshang’s Eternal Remembrance could now only be used once.
However, Li Fan discovered something unexpected.
Those dozens of works Ling Xiao had left behind before leaving appeared in his mind.
After much contemplation, Li Fan realized that Tianshang's执念 (zhíniàn) was also about not being able to properly accompany his seniors during their final moments.
He returned to the Ten Thousand Daoist Isles and uploaded those works under Ling Xiao’s name.
Thus, this author from thousands of years ago began updating again.