“ yún shuǐ tiān gōng ， guī shé tài yī ……”
“云水天宫，龟蛇太一……”
"Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, Tortoise Snake Taiyi..."
lǐ fán wēi wēi sī suǒ le yī fān ， xīn zhōng yǒu le dìng jì 。
李凡微微思索了一番，心中有了定计。
Li Fan pondered for a moment and formulated his plan.
tā dāng rán bù kě néng qīn shēn fàn xiǎn ， qù tài yī diàn qīn zì shì yī shì tiān shā jiàn de wēi lì 。
他当然不可能亲身犯险，去太一殿亲自试一试天煞剑的威力。
Of course, he wouldn't personally risk himself to test the power of the Heaven Saber Sword at Taiyi Hall. However, with the formless killing mechanism, he didn’t need to face danger directly either.
bù guò yǒu zhe wú xiāng shā jī ， tā yě wán quán bù yòng qīn lín xiǎn jìng 。
不过有着无相杀机，他也完全不用亲临险境。
He deployed his clone and made some arrangements outside. Meanwhile, Li Fan's main body quietly approached the entrance of Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, waiting like a rabbit by a tree stump for its prey.
dòng yòng fēn shēn ， wài chū zuò le yī fān bù zhì 。
动用分身，外出做了一番布置。
Soon, an unknown exploration guide for Cloud Water Heavenly Palace spread throughout Cunyun Sea.
lǐ fán běn zūn zé shì qiǎo rán lái dào le yún shuǐ tiān gōng qián ， shǒu zhū dài tù 。
李凡本尊则是悄然来到了云水天宫前，守株待兔。
Initially, cultivators were skeptical about the content in this "guide." But as some tested it with their lives and truly obtained the传承功法 (transmitted techniques), the accuracy of the guide was finally verified. With a grasp of the strange patterns, casualties could be almost avoided.
hěn kuài ， yī fèn bù zhī cóng hé ér lái de ， tàn suǒ yún shuǐ tiān gōng de gōng lüè ， chuán biàn le zhěng gè cóng yún hǎi 。
很快，一份不知从何而来的，探索云水天宫的攻略，传遍了整个丛云海。
As a result, Cloud Water Heavenly Palace became even more bustling than before. Not only did reckless lone cultivators venture there, but members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, who had previously been cautious about preserving their lives, couldn't resist the temptation after obtaining "the通关答案" (passing answer). They all rushed to explore the palace in search of their own opportunities.
yī kāi shǐ ， xiū shì men duì zhè “ gōng lüè ” zhōng de nèi róng ， dōu shì bǎo chí huái yí tài dù de 。
一开始，修士们对这“攻略”中的内容，都是保持怀疑态度的。
Li Fan, waiting for a long time, selected those with good fortune and used the formless killing mechanism to lock onto them. He would use them as his eyes to probe into the mysteries of the Heaven Saber Sword. The guide clearly stated how to approach Taiyi Hall and awaken the tortoise-snake monster but didn't mention any opportunities that could be obtained there.
bù guò ， suí zhe yī xiē xiū shì qīn zì yòng xìng mìng zuò le shì yàn ， què què shí shí de dé dào le gōng fǎ chuán chéng hòu 。
不过，随着一些修士亲自用性命做了试验，确确实实的得到了功法传承后。
Following the normal logic, the deeper one went in Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, the more valuable the opportunities would be. Many adventurers were naturally filled with exploratory spirits.
gōng lüè de zhèng què xìng zhōng yú dé dào le yàn zhèng 。
攻略的正确性终于得到了验证。
Under Li Fan's watchful eye, nearly a dozen people, after reaping benefits from various parts of the palace, still weren't satisfied and ventured towards Taiyi Hall.
zhǎng wò le guǐ yì de guī lǜ ， jiù jī hū kě yǐ bì miǎn shāng wáng 。
掌握了诡异的规律，就几乎可以避免伤亡。
They arrived at the sword forest before long. Although the pain of being pierced by swords was terrifying, they focused on the treasures that lay ahead, making their pain seem less unbearable.
yú shì ， yuán běn jiù hěn yì zhí xī yǐn xiū shì qián wǎng tàn suǒ de yún shuǐ tiān gōng ， biàn dé gèng jiā rè nào qǐ lái 。
于是，原本就很一直吸引修士前往探索的云水天宫，变得更加热闹起来。
With gritted teeth, they endured the excruciating pain almost to the point of collapse as they stood in front of Taiyi Hall's square and shouted according to the guide:
bù zhǐ shì yī xiē bó mìng de sàn xiū ， lián yǐ wǎng jǐn shèn bǎo mìng wéi zhǔ de wàn xiān méng chéng yuán men ， zài dé dào le “ tōng guān dá àn ” hòu ， yě rěn bú zhù yòu huò 。
不止是一些搏命的散修，连以往谨慎保命为主的万仙盟成员们，在得到了“通关答案”后，也忍不住诱惑。
"Cloud Water Heavenly Palace 167th generation disciple, seeking audience with Taiyi Ancestor!"
fēn fēn qián wǎng yún shuǐ tiān gōng tàn suǒ ， xiǎng yào xún qiú zì shēn jī yuán 。
纷纷前往云水天宫探索，想要寻求自身机缘。
"Please come out, Taiyi Ancestor!"
ér zǎo yǐ děng hòu duō shí de lǐ fán ， zé shì tiāo xuǎn zhe qì yùn shàng jiā zhě ， yòng wú xiāng shā jī suǒ dìng 。
而早已等候多时的李凡，则是挑选着气运上佳者，用无相杀机锁定。
The shouts echoed throughout the hall.
yǐ tā men zuò wéi zì shēn shuāng yǎn ， chá tàn tiān shā jiàn de ào mì 。
以他们作为自身双眼，查探天煞剑的奥秘。
"Boom!"
yīn wèi zài gōng lüè zuì hòu ， qīng chǔ de shuō míng le jiē jìn tài yī diàn 、 huàn xǐng guī shé guài wù de bàn fǎ 。
因为在攻略最后，清楚的说明了接近太一殿、唤醒龟蛇怪物的办法。
The earth trembled as Taiyi Hall rose into the air. Under everyone's shocked and expectant gazes, the tortoise-snake monster truly appeared. It looked around in confusion for a long time before finally reacting.
què méi yǒu tí jí néng zài tài yī diàn chù suǒ huò dé de jī yuán 。
却没有提及能在太一殿处所获得的机缘。
A few more perceptive cultivators activated the transmitted techniques they had obtained from Cloud Water Heavenly Palace to prove their identities. The others quickly followed suit.
suǒ wèi dé lǒng wàng shǔ 。
所谓得陇望蜀。
In an instant, various beams of light from different cultivation techniques illuminated Taiyi as they were confirmed.
àn zhào zhèng cháng sī wéi ， yún shuǐ tiān gōng yuè shēn chù ， dìng rán néng huò dé de jī yuán yuè bǎo guì 。
按照正常思维，云水天宫越深处，定然能获得的机缘越宝贵。
"Are you all..."
zhè me duō de tàn xiǎn zhě ， zì rán bù fá chōng mǎn tàn suǒ jīng shén de yǒng shì 。
这么多的探险者，自然不乏充满探索精神的勇士。
The sluggish tortoise-snake monster finally regained its senses.
yú shì ， zài lǐ fán de zhù shì xià 。
于是，在李凡的注视下。
"Cloud Water Heavenly Palace disciples?" It scanned the crowd and confirmed each one.
jiāng jìn shí jǐ hào rén ， yún shuǐ tiān gōng gè chù dé dào le hǎo chù zhī hòu ， réng bù mǎn zú de ， cháo zhe tài yī diàn jìn fā 。
将近十几号人，云水天宫各处得到了好处之后，仍不满足的，朝着太一殿进发。
Its hazy eyes filled with sighs and joy as it looked at the cultivators before it.
yī lù lái dào le jiàn lín zhī qián 。
一路来到了剑林之前。
"Our Cloud Water Heavenly Palace hasn't been this lively in a long time."
jiàn cì chuān xīn zhī tòng ， suī rán kě pà 。
剑刺穿心之痛，虽然可怕。
"Since..."
dàn shì xiǎng zhe qián fāng tuò shǒu kě dé de bǎo wù ， téng tòng yě jiù bù yóu de jiǎn qīng le xǔ duō 。
但是想着前方唾手可得的宝物，疼痛也就不由得减轻了许多。
"Wait, I seem to have forgotten something important."
yī xíng rén yǎo yá qiáng rěn zhe jù tòng ， jìn hū xū tuō de lái dào le tài yī diàn qián de guǎng chǎng shàng 。
一行人咬牙强忍着剧痛，近乎虚脱的来到了太一殿前的广场上。
The tortoise-snake's tone changed abruptly, its gaze suddenly becoming confused. Then, as if remembering something, its expression drastically changed.
fēn fēn àn zhào gōng lüè ， dà hū xiǎo jiào qǐ lái 。
纷纷按照攻略，大呼小叫起来。
The ground trembled violently and Taiyi Hall shook fiercely. The tortoise-snake monster’s massive body began uncontrollably trembling.
“ yún shuǐ tiān gōng dì yì bǎi liù shí qī dài dì zǐ ， qiú jiàn tài yī zǔ shī ！”
“云水天宫第一百六十七代弟子，求见太一祖师！”
"Children..."
“ tài yī zǔ shī ， hái qǐng chū lái yī jiàn ！”
“太一祖师，还请出来一见！”
It struggled to speak in a quivering voice.
hū hǎn shēng chuán biàn dà diàn shàng kōng 。
呼喊声传遍大殿上空。
"Run!"
“ hōng ！”
“轰！”
The cultivators who had been eagerly awaiting this moment were now stunned. They thought they had misunderstood something.
dà dì zhèn chàn ， tài yī diàn téng kōng ér qǐ 。
大地震颤，太一殿腾空而起。
"What does it mean for us to run?"
zài zhòng rén yòu shì jīng jù 、 yòu shì qī dài de mù guāng zhōng ， guī shé guài wù zhēn de chū xiàn le 。
在众人又是惊惧、又是期待的目光中，龟蛇怪物真的出现了。
They exchanged glances, puzzled. But as the tremors grew more intense and violent, they finally realized something was wrong.
tā yǒu xiē mí máng de dǎ liàng zhuó yǎn qián de zhòng rén ， guò le xǔ jiǔ yě méi yǒu fǎn yìng guò lái 。
它有些迷茫的打量着眼前的众人，过了许久也没有反应过来。
"Run!"
hái shì yǒu jǐ gè jiào wéi jī líng de xiū shì de 。
还是有几个较为机灵的修士的。
Taiyi's despairing voice echoed again. As it shouted, a faint blue light began to appear on the cultivators' bodies—precisely that which could instantly teleport them out of Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
tā men yùn zhuàn qǐ le cóng yún shuǐ tiān gōng chù huò dé de chuán chéng gōng fǎ ， zhāng xiǎn zhèng míng zhe zì jǐ shēn fèn 。
他们运转起了从云水天宫处获得的传承功法，彰显证明着自己身份。
However, just as this light was about to form, a black sword, radiating with煞气 (evil qi), suddenly appeared.
qí yú rén yě dùn shí huǎng rán ， lián máng zhào zuò 。
其余人也顿时恍然，连忙照做。
This time, instead of summoning countless virtual swords to pierce the tortoise-snake monster, it seemed to be trying to break free from Taiyi's body. A sharp and unpleasant scraping sound filled the air as Taiyi emitted a painful cry.
yī shí jiān ， guǎng chǎng shàng ， gè zhǒng gōng fǎ yùn zhuàn de bù tóng guāng máng jiē lián shǎn yào ， yìng zhào zài tài yī shēn shàng 。
一时间，广场上，各种功法运转的不同光芒接连闪耀，映照在太一身上。
The teleportation blue light was interrupted.
“ nǐ men ……”
“你们……”
"Zhen!"
sī wéi chí dùn de guī shé guài wù zhōng yú huǎn guò shén lái 。
思维迟钝的龟蛇怪物终于缓过神来。
The broken Heaven Saber Sword was about to completely detach from Taiyi.
“ dōu shì wǒ yún shuǐ tiān gōng dì zǐ ？”
“都是我云水天宫弟子？”
"No!" The tortoise-snake monster roared, its body sinking suddenly. An immense suction force seemed to emanate from within it. The sword inch by inch re-entered its body.
mù guāng sǎo guò ， zhú yī què rèn 。
目光扫过，逐一确认。
This action of the tortoise-snake Taiyi seemed to infuriate the Heaven Saber Sword. Countless sword shadows rained down, mercilessly piercing through Taiyi's body.
kàn zhuó yǎn qián shén sè gè yì de xiū shì men ， tā hún zhuó de yǎn zhōng mǎn shì xī xū hé gāo xìng 。
看着眼前神色各异的修士们，它浑浊的眼中满是唏嘘和高兴。
Taiyi emitted a painful cry but didn't let go. From the Heaven Saber Sword revealing its true form to the tortoise-snake using its body as a sheath to block the Heaven Saber’s aggression, it all happened in an instant.
“ wǒ men yún shuǐ tiān gōng ， hǎo jiǔ méi yǒu zhè me rè nào guò le 。”
“我们云水天宫，好久没有这么热闹过了。”
In Taiyi's mournful cries, the cultivators on the square finally woke up and tried to flee in fear. However, with the sword forest blocking their path, they found it difficult to escape even now.
“ zì cóng ……”
“自从……”
Just when they had barely passed half of the distance covered by the sword spirit, the Heaven Saber Sword finally broke free from Taiyi's body.
“ děng děng ， wǒ hǎo xiàng wàng jì le shén me zhòng yào de shì qíng 。”
“等等，我好像忘记了什么重要的事情。”
"Zhen!"
guī shé yǔ qì yī biàn ， yǎn shén hū rán biàn dé mí máng 。
龟蛇语气一变，眼神忽然变得迷茫。
The sword’s ringing echoed again. Instead of pointing at the fleeing cultivators, the tip of the Heaven Saber pointed towards a certain area behind Taiyi Hall.
suí hòu fǎng fú xiǎng dào le shén me ， shén qíng jù biàn 。
随后仿佛想到了什么，神情剧变。
The sound of the sword spread.
guǎng chǎng zhèn chàn ， tài yī diàn zài jù liè yáo huàng 。
广场震颤，太一殿在剧烈摇晃。
"Pang!"
guī shé guài wù páng dà de shēn qū ， bù zhī wèi hé ， kāi shǐ bù shòu kòng zhì de zhàn lì qǐ lái 。
龟蛇怪物庞大的身躯，不知为何，开始不受控制的颤栗起来。
"Pang!"
“ hái zi men ……”
“孩子们……”
"Pang!"
tā yòng chàn dǒu de shēng yīn ， jiān nán de sī hǒu dào 。
它用颤抖的声音，艰难的嘶吼道。
...
“ kuài pǎo ！”
“快跑！”
The heads of the cultivators running for their lives exploded like watermelons. Their headless bodies continued to move forward before collapsing far away.
tài yī diàn qián ， yuán běn jí wéi qī dài de xiū shì men ， cǐ kè quán dōu lèng zhù le 。
太一殿前，原本极为期待的修士们，此刻全都愣住了。
Meanwhile, Li Fan instantly lost sight of Taiyi Hall's front. Through the perspectives of other explorers, he vaguely saw a blue giant hand suddenly appear behind Taiyi Hall, grabbing the sword and forcefully reinserting it into the tortoise-snake’s body.
dōu yǐ wéi zì jǐ tīng cuò le 。
都以为自己听错了。
The sharp scraping sound filled Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
“ ràng wǒ men kuài pǎo ， shì shén me yì si ？”
“让我们快跑，是什么意思？”
All cultivators exploring inside the palace groaned as they were injured to varying degrees. They all looked shocked.
zhòng rén miàn miàn xiāng qù ， bù dé qí jiě 。
众人面面相觑，不得其解。
Along with the unpleasant grinding sound, came the tortoise-snake Taiyi's extremely painful cries.
dàn suí zhe dà dì de chàn dǒu yuè lái yuè míng xiǎn ， yuè lái yuè měng liè 。
但随着大地的颤抖越来越明显，越来越猛烈。
"Hanhai..."
zhòng rén zhōng yú chá jué chū bú duì jìn de dì fāng 。
众人终于察觉出不对劲的地方。
The voice echoed like a闷雷 (thunder).
“ pǎo a ！”
“跑啊！”
In its pain, it seemed to sigh and breathe a sigh of relief but without any resentment.
guī shé tài yī jué wàng de shēng yīn zài cì xiǎng qǐ 。
龟蛇太一绝望的声音再次响起。
With control regained over the Heaven Saber Sword, the sword shadows gradually disappeared. Amidst the rumbling sounds, Taiyi Hall descended again, and tortoise-snake Taiyi fell into another deep sleep. Everything returned to calm.
suí zhe tā de nà hǎn ， yī zhòng xiū shì shēn shàng ， kāi shǐ fú xiàn chū dàn dàn de lán guāng 。
随着它的呐喊，一众修士身上，开始浮现出淡淡的蓝光。
But that blue giant hand slowly turned as black as the Heaven Saber Sword.
"Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, Tortoise Snake Taiyi..."
Li Fan pondered for a moment and formulated his plan.
Of course, he wouldn't personally risk himself to test the power of the Heaven Saber Sword at Taiyi Hall. However, with the formless killing mechanism, he didn’t need to face danger directly either.
He deployed his clone and made some arrangements outside. Meanwhile, Li Fan's main body quietly approached the entrance of Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, waiting like a rabbit by a tree stump for its prey.
Soon, an unknown exploration guide for Cloud Water Heavenly Palace spread throughout Cunyun Sea.
Initially, cultivators were skeptical about the content in this "guide." But as some tested it with their lives and truly obtained the传承功法 (transmitted techniques), the accuracy of the guide was finally verified. With a grasp of the strange patterns, casualties could be almost avoided.
As a result, Cloud Water Heavenly Palace became even more bustling than before. Not only did reckless lone cultivators venture there, but members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, who had previously been cautious about preserving their lives, couldn't resist the temptation after obtaining "the通关答案" (passing answer). They all rushed to explore the palace in search of their own opportunities.
Li Fan, waiting for a long time, selected those with good fortune and used the formless killing mechanism to lock onto them. He would use them as his eyes to probe into the mysteries of the Heaven Saber Sword. The guide clearly stated how to approach Taiyi Hall and awaken the tortoise-snake monster but didn't mention any opportunities that could be obtained there.
Following the normal logic, the deeper one went in Cloud Water Heavenly Palace, the more valuable the opportunities would be. Many adventurers were naturally filled with exploratory spirits.
Under Li Fan's watchful eye, nearly a dozen people, after reaping benefits from various parts of the palace, still weren't satisfied and ventured towards Taiyi Hall.
They arrived at the sword forest before long. Although the pain of being pierced by swords was terrifying, they focused on the treasures that lay ahead, making their pain seem less unbearable.
With gritted teeth, they endured the excruciating pain almost to the point of collapse as they stood in front of Taiyi Hall's square and shouted according to the guide:
"Cloud Water Heavenly Palace 167th generation disciple, seeking audience with Taiyi Ancestor!"
"Please come out, Taiyi Ancestor!"
The shouts echoed throughout the hall.
"Boom!"
The earth trembled as Taiyi Hall rose into the air. Under everyone's shocked and expectant gazes, the tortoise-snake monster truly appeared. It looked around in confusion for a long time before finally reacting.
A few more perceptive cultivators activated the transmitted techniques they had obtained from Cloud Water Heavenly Palace to prove their identities. The others quickly followed suit.
In an instant, various beams of light from different cultivation techniques illuminated Taiyi as they were confirmed.
"Are you all..."
The sluggish tortoise-snake monster finally regained its senses.
"Cloud Water Heavenly Palace disciples?" It scanned the crowd and confirmed each one.
Its hazy eyes filled with sighs and joy as it looked at the cultivators before it.
"Our Cloud Water Heavenly Palace hasn't been this lively in a long time."
"Since..."
"Wait, I seem to have forgotten something important."
The tortoise-snake's tone changed abruptly, its gaze suddenly becoming confused. Then, as if remembering something, its expression drastically changed.
The ground trembled violently and Taiyi Hall shook fiercely. The tortoise-snake monster’s massive body began uncontrollably trembling.
"Children..."
It struggled to speak in a quivering voice.
"Run!"
The cultivators who had been eagerly awaiting this moment were now stunned. They thought they had misunderstood something.
"What does it mean for us to run?"
They exchanged glances, puzzled. But as the tremors grew more intense and violent, they finally realized something was wrong.
"Run!"
Taiyi's despairing voice echoed again. As it shouted, a faint blue light began to appear on the cultivators' bodies—precisely that which could instantly teleport them out of Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
However, just as this light was about to form, a black sword, radiating with煞气 (evil qi), suddenly appeared.
This time, instead of summoning countless virtual swords to pierce the tortoise-snake monster, it seemed to be trying to break free from Taiyi's body. A sharp and unpleasant scraping sound filled the air as Taiyi emitted a painful cry.
The teleportation blue light was interrupted.
"Zhen!"
The broken Heaven Saber Sword was about to completely detach from Taiyi.
"No!" The tortoise-snake monster roared, its body sinking suddenly. An immense suction force seemed to emanate from within it. The sword inch by inch re-entered its body.
This action of the tortoise-snake Taiyi seemed to infuriate the Heaven Saber Sword. Countless sword shadows rained down, mercilessly piercing through Taiyi's body.
Taiyi emitted a painful cry but didn't let go. From the Heaven Saber Sword revealing its true form to the tortoise-snake using its body as a sheath to block the Heaven Saber’s aggression, it all happened in an instant.
In Taiyi's mournful cries, the cultivators on the square finally woke up and tried to flee in fear. However, with the sword forest blocking their path, they found it difficult to escape even now.
Just when they had barely passed half of the distance covered by the sword spirit, the Heaven Saber Sword finally broke free from Taiyi's body.
"Zhen!"
The sword’s ringing echoed again. Instead of pointing at the fleeing cultivators, the tip of the Heaven Saber pointed towards a certain area behind Taiyi Hall.
The sound of the sword spread.
"Pang!"
"Pang!"
"Pang!"
...
The heads of the cultivators running for their lives exploded like watermelons. Their headless bodies continued to move forward before collapsing far away.
Meanwhile, Li Fan instantly lost sight of Taiyi Hall's front. Through the perspectives of other explorers, he vaguely saw a blue giant hand suddenly appear behind Taiyi Hall, grabbing the sword and forcefully reinserting it into the tortoise-snake’s body.
The sharp scraping sound filled Cloud Water Heavenly Palace.
All cultivators exploring inside the palace groaned as they were injured to varying degrees. They all looked shocked.
Along with the unpleasant grinding sound, came the tortoise-snake Taiyi's extremely painful cries.
"Hanhai..."
The voice echoed like a闷雷 (thunder).
In its pain, it seemed to sigh and breathe a sigh of relief but without any resentment.
With control regained over the Heaven Saber Sword, the sword shadows gradually disappeared. Amidst the rumbling sounds, Taiyi Hall descended again, and tortoise-snake Taiyi fell into another deep sleep. Everything returned to calm.
But that blue giant hand slowly turned as black as the Heaven Saber Sword.