zhì yú zhàn zhēng de zhēn xiàng jiū jìng rú hé ， jiù bú shì lǐ fán mù qián suǒ néng zhī xiǎo de le 。
至于战争的真相究竟如何，就不是李凡目前所能知晓的了。
The truth of the war, however, was beyond Li Fan's current understanding.
dāng lǒng zhào zài zhòng rén tóu shàng de yīn yún zhú jiàn sàn qù ， dāng bèi zhēng diào de xiū shì huí dào jiā xiāng 。
当笼罩在众人头上的阴云逐渐散去，当被征调的修士回到家乡。
As the dark clouds that had hung over everyone gradually dissipated and the summoned cultivators returned to their hometowns, this eight-month-long battle left a dream-like impression on people. It seemed as if it never happened at all.
zhè chǎng chí xù bā gè duō yuè de dà zhàn ， gěi rén de yìn xiàng wǎn rú huàn mèng yì bān ， sì hū cóng wèi fā shēng guò 。
这场持续八个多月的大战，给人的印象宛如幻梦一般，似乎从未发生过。
Only when mentioning those friends who were forever lost in the war could one vaguely recall its brutality.
zhǐ yǒu ǒu ěr tí jí nà xiē yǒng yuǎn xiāo shī de xiū shì péng yǒu shí ， cái néng huǎng hū jiān huí yì qǐ zhè chǎng cǎn liè de zhàn zhēng 。
只有偶尔提及那些永远消失的修士朋友时，才能恍惚间回忆起这场惨烈的战争。
Li Fan naturally also knew some familiar cultivators who had fallen in the war.
lǐ fán zì rán yě yǒu shú zhī de xiū shì zài zhàn zhēng zhōng yǔn luò 。
李凡自然也有熟知的修士在战争中陨落。
Without discussing Chen Ying from the Medicine Hall, who died early due to a sneak attack by the Five Elders Association, Jiang Zhengji and Du Xing昌 both perished. The Strategy Array Hall suffered heavy losses as well, with three individuals being drafted. Palace Elder Boyu and another named Mu Wenbo, an Incubation Array Mage, were unable to escape the devastation caused by the clash between two Divine Beasts. Only Zhang Ziliang survived.
bù tán zǎo zǎo jiù sǐ zài wǔ lǎo huì tōu xí zhōng de yào táng chén yīng 。
不谈早早就死在五老会偷袭中的药堂陈英。
Numerous cultivators who had held positions on Ten Thousand Immortals Island but only met Li Fan once before their demise in this war could be counted on one's fingers.
cóng yún hǎi yǎn wǔ táng ， jiāng zhèng jì 、 dōu xīng chāng èr rén shuāng shuāng yǔn mìng 。
丛云海演武堂，江正寂、都兴昌二人双双殒命。
The brutality of the battle in Heavenly Spirit Province was evident.
cè zhèn táng yě shì sǔn shī cǎn zhòng 。
策阵堂也是损失惨重。
Fortunately, this world never lacked for those willing to sacrifice themselves and fight desperately. With a notice from the Sky Mirror, people quickly put aside thoughts of the war and its casualties. For three years, cultivators could purchase techniques at a 70% discount. Each person was limited to one, and it couldn't be transferred.
bèi zhēng diào sān rén 。
被征调三人。
The news cheered up many cultivators who had been moping about their losses. Those with just enough contribution points to afford a technique after the discount immediately purchased what they desired, deliriously starting their cultivation. Others, lacking sufficient contribution points but hoping to scrape by over three years, began working tirelessly to accumulate more. And those with no remaining contribution points and no hope of improvement in three years turned to desperate measures like loans or sudden wealth.
gōng bó yǔ hé lìng wài yī wèi jiào zuò mù bó wén de yuán yīng zhèn fǎ shī ， bèi huà shén qiáng zhě de dà zhàn bō jí ， méi néng xìng miǎn yú nán 。
宫伯羽和另外一位叫做牧博文的元婴阵法师，被化神强者的大战波及，没能幸免于难。
The famous method for quick riches from Congyunhai, the "Fixed Fish" (定鱼), attracted a much larger crowd than usual. The island was packed with people eager to see who would win the grand prize.
zhǐ yǒu zhāng zhì liáng yī rén cún huó 。
只有张志良一人存活。
Li Fan was among them. He clearly remembered that the champion fish this time was a white pomfret. Although his contribution points were sufficient for now, Li Fan wouldn't miss any opportunity to increase his wealth.
qí yú zài wàn xiān dǎo gè gè zhí wèi rèn zhí ， xiān qián gēn lǐ fán zhǐ shì yǒu guò yí miàn zhī yuán 、 ér zài cǐ zhàn zhōng yǔn luò de xiū shì 。
其余在万仙岛各个职位任职，先前跟李凡只是有过一面之缘、而在此战中陨落的修士。
He selected his target and placed his bet. The 27-day observation period passed quickly. Soon, it was the day when the lake water would erupt, and the grand prize would be announced.
gèng shì shǔ bù shèng shǔ 。
更是数不胜数。
Most cultivators had red-rimmed eyes and tense expressions, not daring to make a sound as they stared intently at the fish in the lake, fighting for supremacy.
tiān líng zhōu dà zhàn de cǎn liè kě jiàn yī bān 。
天灵州大战的惨烈可见一斑。
To Li Fan's surprise, the champion wasn't the white pomfret he remembered. Instead, it was a long-tailed tuna gleaming with golden light.
hǎo zài ， zhè ge shì jiè zuì bù quē de ， jiù shì qián pū hòu jì 、 pīn sǐ zhèng mìng de xiū shì le 。
好在，这个世界最不缺的，就是前仆后继、拼死挣命的修士了。
"Got it! Got it!"
suí zhe tiān xuán jìng de yī dào tōng zhī ， hěn kuài ， zhàn zhēng yǐ jí qí dài lái de sǐ wáng ， jiù bèi dà jiā pāo zài nǎo hòu 。
随着天玄镜的一道通知，很快，战争以及其带来的死亡，就被大家抛在脑后。
Amidst the sighs and curses of the cultivators, an extremely excited voice stood out.
sān nián nèi ， měi wèi xiū shì dōu kě yǐ àn zhào yuán jià qī zhé gòu mǎi gōng fǎ 。
三年内，每位修士都可以按照原价七折购买功法。
Following the sound, Li Fan saw a messy-haired young cultivator, dressed in tattered clothes, who looked ecstatic. His face was flushed red.
měi rén xiàn gòu yī bù ， bù kě zhuǎn zèng 。
每人限购一部，不可转赠。
"First prize! I got it! First prize!"
xiāo xī yī chū ， yuán běn hái yǒu diǎn àn zì shén shāng de xiū shì men ， quán dōu dǎ qǐ le jīng shén 、 zhèn fèn le qǐ lái 。
消息一出，原本还有点暗自神伤的修士们，全都打起了精神、振奋了起来。
He shouted wildly as if to ensure everyone knew. Ignoring the many hostile gazes, he laughed loudly, acting like a madman.
gòng xiàn dù yuán běn jiù chà nà me yì diǎn 、 dǎ zhé hòu gāng hǎo néng gòu rù shǒu de ， zì rán shì dì yī shí jiān jiù jiāng xīn xīn niàn niàn de gōng fǎ gòu rù náng zhōng ， xǐ bù zì shèng de kāi shǐ xiū liàn 。
贡献度原本就差那么一点、打折后刚好能够入手的，自然是第一时间就将心心念念的功法购入囊中，喜不自胜的开始修炼。
"Wow, isn't this Han Yi? Heard that he lost everything to some Foundation Establishment Sage in recent years and lived a miserable life. Never thought he would turn his luck around today and win first prize!"
ér gòng xiàn dù chà shàng bù shǎo ， dàn shì sān nián shí jiān pīn yī pīn ， yě miǎn qiǎng néng mǎi de shàng gōng fǎ de 。
而贡献度差上不少，但是三年时间拼一拼，也勉强能买的上功法的。
"What kind of bad luck is this?"
zé shì kāi shǐ fēng kuáng de zuò rèn wù 、 jī zǎn gòng xiàn dù 。
则是开始疯狂的做任务、积攒贡献度。
"Why not me? I just managed to save up several hundred contribution points, but now they're all gone again!"
zuì hòu ， zé shì nà xiē méi shén me gòng xiàn dù shèng yú ， sān nián shí jiān zài zěn me nǔ lì yě méi xì de xiū shì 。
最后，则是那些没什么贡献度剩余，三年时间再怎么努力也没戏的修士。
"With so many people here, the first prize. Winner takes it all. It's year-end, clearing out the usual prize pool..."
yī xiē “ jiè dài ”“ yī yè bào fù ” de shǒu duàn ， zé chéng le tā de jiù mìng dào cǎo 。
一些“借贷”“一夜暴富”的手段，则成了他的救命稻草。
"F*ck, the final reward must be at least a million contribution points!"
zuò wéi cóng yún hǎi zuì fù shèng míng de bào fù shǒu duàn ， máo dìng 16 nián mò de 【 dìng yú 】， xī yǐn le bǐ wǎng cháng duō shàng hǎo jǐ bèi de xiū shì cān yù 。
作为丛云海最负盛名的暴富手段，锚定16年末的【定鱼】，吸引了比往常多上好几倍的修士参与。
After estimating, the cultivators' looks towards Han Yi changed.
dǎo yǔ shàng kōng ， hēi yā yā de jǐ mǎn le qián lái còu rè nào de rén men 。
岛屿上空，黑压压的挤满了前来凑热闹的人们。
Realizing he had won the top prize and becoming somewhat delirious with excitement, Han Yi finally noticed something was amiss. With more eyes on him, his expression turned nervous.
lǐ fán zì rán yě shēn zài qí zhōng 。
李凡自然也身在其中。
Fortunately, the rules of "Fixed Fish" still applied. In broad daylight, with so many people watching, the safety of a winner was assured. Otherwise, such easy killings would deter future participants. Instead, the organizers decided to publicize this event to attract more cultivators in the future.
tā qīng chǔ de jì de ， zhè cì de yú kuí ， shì yī tóu bái sè chāng yú 。
他清楚的记得，这次的鱼魁，是一头白色鲳鱼。
The penniless Foundation Establishment cultivator, now on the brink of despair, had gambled everything and won big. He could now rise from poverty and aspire to Incubation or even Divine Beast realms.
suī shuō shēn shàng de gòng xiàn dù mù qián yǐ jīng zú gòu yòng le ， dàn lǐ fán kě bù huì fàng guò rèn hé yí gè cái fù zēng zhǎng de jī huì 。
虽说身上的贡献度目前已经足够用了，但李凡可不会放过任何一个财富增长的机会。
What promotional slogan was more compelling than a real-life example?
xuǎn dìng mù biāo ， xià zhù 。
选定目标，下注。
The organizers exchanged glances and quickly brought Han Yi to the center of attention. After some calculations, they transferred one million five hundred sixty thousand contribution points to him on the spot.
èr shí qī tiān de guān chá qī yī shǎn ér guò 。
二十七天的观察期一闪而过。
Han Yi, upon receiving the reward, didn't show much excitement but appeared somewhat dazed, as if he couldn't believe it was real. The greedy looks in the eyes of the surrounding cultivators were even more terrifying.
hěn kuài jiù dào le hú shuǐ cháo tiān pēn fā ， dà jiǎng dàn shēng de nà tiān 。
很快就到了湖水朝天喷发，大奖诞生的那天。
To ensure Han Yi's safety, the organizers decided to personally escort him back to Ten Thousand Immortals Island. Those who had lost all their chips to Han Yi followed reluctantly.
xiū shì men dà duō shuāng yǎn tōng hóng 、 shén qíng jǐn zhāng ， bù gǎn fā chū yī sī yì cháng de shēng yīn ， zhǐ shì sǐ sǐ dīng zhe xià fāng hú shuǐ zhōng wú shù tiáo bǐ cǐ xiāng zhēng de yú lèi 。
修士们大多双眼通红、神情紧张，不敢发出一丝异常的声音，只是死死盯着下方湖水中无数条彼此相争的鱼类。
Soon, with everyone's support, Han Yi left the area. Only the champion long-tailed tuna and Li Fan remained.
zuì zhōng de jié guǒ ràng lǐ fán yì wài 。
最终的结果让李凡意外。
Watching the champion fish's strength steadily increase, Li Fan fell into deep thought.
zhè cì de yú kuí ， jū rán bú shì lǐ fán jì zhù de nà tiáo bái sè chāng yú 。
这次的鱼魁，居然不是李凡记住的那条白色鲳鱼。
"Why are the results of this world different from my experiences?"
ér shì yī tiáo hún shēn jīn guāng shǎn shǎn ， shén qì shí zú de cháng qiāng yú 。
而是一条浑身金光闪闪，神气十足的长枪鱼。
"Where is the turning point?"
“ wǒ zhōng le ！ wǒ zhōng le ！”
“我中了！我中了！”
Although he felt little emotional disturbance over losing a big prize, Li Fan was genuinely interested in why the outcomes differed.
zài xiū shì men cǐ qǐ bǐ fú de tàn xī yǔ zhòu mà shēng zhōng ， yī dào jí wéi jī dòng de hū háo shēng ， shèn zhì xiǎn yǎn 。
在修士们此起彼伏的叹息与咒骂声中，一道极为激动的呼嚎声，甚至显眼。
"From what I understand, there shouldn't be any significant changes with more participants."
shùn zhe shēng yīn wàng qù ， lǐ fán kàn jiàn yī wèi tóu fà luàn zāo zāo de qīng nián xiū shì ， yī shān pò làn ， cǐ kè què wú bǐ xīng fèn ， liǎn sè zhǎng dé tōng hóng 。
顺着声音望去，李凡看见一位头发乱糟糟的青年修士，衣衫破烂，此刻却无比兴奋，脸色涨得通红。
Li Fan stood still and pondered for a long time but couldn't come up with a satisfactory answer. He then used the secret technique "One of the Dao of Transformation" to repeatedly play the scene of the "Fixed Fish" in his mind.
“ tóu cǎi ！ wǒ zhōng le ！ tóu cǎi ！”
“头彩！我中了！头彩！”
Slowly, Li Fan began to see some patterns. What he considered "no significant changes" was viewed from the perspective of cultivators. However, for the countless fish participating, there were numerous variables at play.
shēng pà bié rén bù zhī dào shì de ， tā fēng kuáng de hǎn jiào zhe 。
生怕别人不知道似的，他疯狂的喊叫着。
Perhaps a discarded item by a cultivator caused water currents to change. Or perhaps a fish altered its path due to being intimidated by a cultivator's aura...
wú shì xǔ duō néng gòu shā sǐ rén de mù guāng ， qīng nián xiū shì yǎng tóu dà xiào ， zhuàng ruò fēng diān 。
无视许多能够杀死人的目光，青年修士仰头大笑，状若疯癫。
Because the fish were too weak and the cultivators too powerful, they could not protect themselves but had to follow the flow of events, manipulated by so-called variables.
“ wǒ qù ， zhè bú shì hán yì me ？ tīng shuō qián jǐ nián bèi shén me zhù jī dà shī bǎ lǎo běn dōu piàn guāng le ， huó de qī cǎn wú bǐ 。 méi xiǎng dào jīn tiān jū rán shí lái yùn zhuǎn ， zhōng le tóu cǎi ！”
“我去，这不是韩易么？听说前几年被什么筑基大师把老本都骗光了，活的凄惨无比。没想到今天居然时来运转，中了头彩！”
Li Fan gained some insight.
The truth of the war, however, was beyond Li Fan's current understanding.
As the dark clouds that had hung over everyone gradually dissipated and the summoned cultivators returned to their hometowns, this eight-month-long battle left a dream-like impression on people. It seemed as if it never happened at all.
Only when mentioning those friends who were forever lost in the war could one vaguely recall its brutality.
Li Fan naturally also knew some familiar cultivators who had fallen in the war.
Without discussing Chen Ying from the Medicine Hall, who died early due to a sneak attack by the Five Elders Association, Jiang Zhengji and Du Xing昌 both perished. The Strategy Array Hall suffered heavy losses as well, with three individuals being drafted. Palace Elder Boyu and another named Mu Wenbo, an Incubation Array Mage, were unable to escape the devastation caused by the clash between two Divine Beasts. Only Zhang Ziliang survived.
Numerous cultivators who had held positions on Ten Thousand Immortals Island but only met Li Fan once before their demise in this war could be counted on one's fingers.
The brutality of the battle in Heavenly Spirit Province was evident.
Fortunately, this world never lacked for those willing to sacrifice themselves and fight desperately. With a notice from the Sky Mirror, people quickly put aside thoughts of the war and its casualties. For three years, cultivators could purchase techniques at a 70% discount. Each person was limited to one, and it couldn't be transferred.
The news cheered up many cultivators who had been moping about their losses. Those with just enough contribution points to afford a technique after the discount immediately purchased what they desired, deliriously starting their cultivation. Others, lacking sufficient contribution points but hoping to scrape by over three years, began working tirelessly to accumulate more. And those with no remaining contribution points and no hope of improvement in three years turned to desperate measures like loans or sudden wealth.
The famous method for quick riches from Congyunhai, the "Fixed Fish" (定鱼), attracted a much larger crowd than usual. The island was packed with people eager to see who would win the grand prize.
Li Fan was among them. He clearly remembered that the champion fish this time was a white pomfret. Although his contribution points were sufficient for now, Li Fan wouldn't miss any opportunity to increase his wealth.
He selected his target and placed his bet. The 27-day observation period passed quickly. Soon, it was the day when the lake water would erupt, and the grand prize would be announced.
Most cultivators had red-rimmed eyes and tense expressions, not daring to make a sound as they stared intently at the fish in the lake, fighting for supremacy.
To Li Fan's surprise, the champion wasn't the white pomfret he remembered. Instead, it was a long-tailed tuna gleaming with golden light.
"Got it! Got it!"
Amidst the sighs and curses of the cultivators, an extremely excited voice stood out.
Following the sound, Li Fan saw a messy-haired young cultivator, dressed in tattered clothes, who looked ecstatic. His face was flushed red.
"First prize! I got it! First prize!"
He shouted wildly as if to ensure everyone knew. Ignoring the many hostile gazes, he laughed loudly, acting like a madman.
"Wow, isn't this Han Yi? Heard that he lost everything to some Foundation Establishment Sage in recent years and lived a miserable life. Never thought he would turn his luck around today and win first prize!"
"What kind of bad luck is this?"
"Why not me? I just managed to save up several hundred contribution points, but now they're all gone again!"
"With so many people here, the first prize. Winner takes it all. It's year-end, clearing out the usual prize pool..."
"F*ck, the final reward must be at least a million contribution points!"
After estimating, the cultivators' looks towards Han Yi changed.
Realizing he had won the top prize and becoming somewhat delirious with excitement, Han Yi finally noticed something was amiss. With more eyes on him, his expression turned nervous.
Fortunately, the rules of "Fixed Fish" still applied. In broad daylight, with so many people watching, the safety of a winner was assured. Otherwise, such easy killings would deter future participants. Instead, the organizers decided to publicize this event to attract more cultivators in the future.
The penniless Foundation Establishment cultivator, now on the brink of despair, had gambled everything and won big. He could now rise from poverty and aspire to Incubation or even Divine Beast realms.
What promotional slogan was more compelling than a real-life example?
The organizers exchanged glances and quickly brought Han Yi to the center of attention. After some calculations, they transferred one million five hundred sixty thousand contribution points to him on the spot.
Han Yi, upon receiving the reward, didn't show much excitement but appeared somewhat dazed, as if he couldn't believe it was real. The greedy looks in the eyes of the surrounding cultivators were even more terrifying.
To ensure Han Yi's safety, the organizers decided to personally escort him back to Ten Thousand Immortals Island. Those who had lost all their chips to Han Yi followed reluctantly.
Soon, with everyone's support, Han Yi left the area. Only the champion long-tailed tuna and Li Fan remained.
Watching the champion fish's strength steadily increase, Li Fan fell into deep thought.
"Why are the results of this world different from my experiences?"
"Where is the turning point?"
Although he felt little emotional disturbance over losing a big prize, Li Fan was genuinely interested in why the outcomes differed.
"From what I understand, there shouldn't be any significant changes with more participants."
Li Fan stood still and pondered for a long time but couldn't come up with a satisfactory answer. He then used the secret technique "One of the Dao of Transformation" to repeatedly play the scene of the "Fixed Fish" in his mind.
Slowly, Li Fan began to see some patterns. What he considered "no significant changes" was viewed from the perspective of cultivators. However, for the countless fish participating, there were numerous variables at play.
Perhaps a discarded item by a cultivator caused water currents to change. Or perhaps a fish altered its path due to being intimidated by a cultivator's aura...
Because the fish were too weak and the cultivators too powerful, they could not protect themselves but had to follow the flow of events, manipulated by so-called variables.
Li Fan gained some insight.