fēn shēn xiāo fán de mú yàng ， hé fēn shēn lín fán nà lù rén yàng mào jié rán bù tóng 。
分身萧凡的模样，和分身林凡那路人样貌截然不同。
Vice Vassal Xiao Fan's appearance was vastly different from that of Vice Vassal Lin Fan, who looked like an ordinary passerby.
lǐ fán zài zhì zuò de shí hòu ， tè yì jiāng tā niē de shēn gāo bā chǐ 、 jiàn méi xīng mù 、 pí fū bái xī 、 yīng jùn wú bǐ 。
李凡在制作的时候，特意将他捏的身高八尺、剑眉星目、皮肤白皙、英俊无比。
Li Fan made sure to mold his clone to be eight feet tall, with a prominent brow and bright eyes. His skin was fair, and he appeared exceptionally handsome.
“ yuè yǐn rén zhù mù yuè hǎo 。 qù qǔ dé jí chéng xiān zūn de xuán shǎng ， rán hòu dài zhe zhòng rén de zhù yì ， qián wǎng yuán dào zhōu ba 。”
“越引人注目越好。去取得极成仙尊的悬赏，然后带着众人的注意，前往源道州吧。”
"Better the more attention-grabbing. Go get the reward for achieving great accomplishments as a仙尊, then draw everyone's attention by going to Source Dao Prefecture."
“ kàn kàn nà tóu pán jù zài yuán dào zhōu shàng kōng de guài wù ， jiū jìng shì bú shì zhēn de wú rén néng gòu chá jué 。”
“看看那头盘踞在源道州上空的怪物，究竟是不是真的无人能够察觉。”
"Let’s see if that monster hovering over Source Dao Prefecture is truly undetectable by anyone."
fēn shēn xiāo fán miàn dài wēi xiào ， diǎn diǎn le diǎn tóu 。
分身萧凡面带微笑，点点了点头。
Vice Vassal Xiao Fan smiled and nodded.
huà zuò yī lǚ lán guāng ， lí kāi le mì shì zhī zhōng 。
化作一缕蓝光，离开了密室之中。
He transformed into a streak of blue light and left the secret chamber.
lǐ fán méi yǒu mǎ shàng chū qù 。
李凡没有马上出去。
Li Fan did not leave immediately. He stayed in place for over a month, until the time reached the 29th year of his anchoring. Only then did he return to Heavenly Dao Prefecture.
ér shì zài yuán dì dài le yí gè duō yuè ， zhí dào shí jiān lái dào máo dìng 29 nián ， tā zhè cái shī shī rán fǎn huí tiān yǔ zhōu 。
而是在原地待了一个多月，直到时间来到锚定29年，他这才施施然返回天禹州。
During this period, the clone only had one task: obtaining legal membership in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
zhè duàn shí jiān lǐ ， fēn shēn zhǐ shì zài bàn yī jiàn shì ， qǔ dé wàn xiān méng de hé fǎ shēn fèn 。
这段时间里，分身只是在办一件事，取得万仙盟的合法身份。
After reaching the Golden Core Realm, joining the alliance was no longer as simple as finding someone to recommend him; it required more rigorous procedures.
xiū xíng dào jīn dān jìng hòu ， xiǎng yào zài jiā rù wàn xiān méng ， jiù bù xiàng zhī qián nà bān suí yì zhǎo rén yǐn jiàn jiù xíng le 。
修行到金丹境后，想要再加入万仙盟，就不像之前那般随意找人引荐就行了。
After all, cultivation was arduous. For a free-living cultivator to reach Foundation Establishment, let alone Golden Core, was extremely difficult.
bì jìng xiū xíng jiān nán ， sàn xiū xiū liàn dào zhù jī ， yǐ jīng shì qiān nán wàn nán 。
毕竟修行艰难，散修修炼到筑基，已经是千难万难。
Golden Core elixirs were indeed rare.
sàn xiū jīn dān ， kě shí zài shì bù cháng jiàn 。
散修金丹，可实在是不常见。
Although he did not have to undergo the same rigorous tests as those joining the official system, like the White Jade Heart-Testing Platform, some basic interrogations and trials were still necessary.
suī rán bù zhì yú rú tóng jiā rù tǐ zhì nèi bān ， hái yào jiē shòu bái yù wèn xīn tái de kǎo yàn 。
虽然不至于如同加入体制内般，还要接受白玉问心台的考验。
Fortunately, Li Fan had already investigated the process beforehand. Although it took some effort, he eventually succeeded in joining the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
dàn shì zuì qǐ mǎ de pán wèn 、 yī xiē kǎo yàn rèn wù hái shì xū yào de 。
但是最起码的盘问、一些考验任务还是需要的。
In the process, he also met Zhou Luo, the governor of Juyu Town in Heavenly Dao Prefecture.
hǎo zài lǐ fán yǐ jīng jiāng liú chéng tí qián dǎ tàn guò le 。
好在李凡已经将流程提前打探过了。
Zhou Luo was a late-stage元婴 cultivator, but because Vice Vassal Xiao Fan was young and still a free-living cultivator, he had already reached the Golden Core Realm. Therefore, he treated him with some respect.
suī rán fèi le yī fān zhōu zhé ， dàn zhōng jiū shì chéng gōng jiā rù le wàn xiān méng 。
虽然废了一番周折，但终究是成功加入了万仙盟。
After exchanging spirit tokens for communication, the clone used the teleportation array to first arrive at Heavenly Dao City as a transit point before heading directly towards Source Dao Prefecture.
hái shùn dài jié shí le tiān yǔ zhōu jù yú chéng zhèn shǒu ， zhōu luò 。
还顺带结识了天禹州句余城镇守，周洛。
The location of the reward for achieving great accomplishments was in that region.
zhōu luò nǎi shì yuán yīng hòu qī xiū shì ， dàn yīn wèi fēn shēn xiāo fán nián jì qīng qīng ， hái shì sàn xiū ， jiù yǐ jīng xiū xíng dào jīn dān jìng 。
周洛乃是元婴后期修士，但因为分身萧凡年纪轻轻，还是散修，就已经修行到金丹境。
Source Dao Prefecture had a close connection with the character "power" or "authority." Many important figures within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would establish their properties and build cave dwellings here, along with their relatives and subordinates. As a result, land prices in Source Dao Prefecture soared, making it a place where every inch was valuable.
suǒ yǐ tā duì fēn shēn hái suàn bǐ jiào kè qì 。
所以他对分身还算比较客气。
Unlike other prefectures that had vast stretches of wilderness, Source Dao Prefecture was dotted with private arrays indicating inhabited areas. Those who lived within the city were the elite among the elite.
liǎng rén hù xiāng liú le tōng xùn líng fú hòu ， fēn shēn biàn tōng guò chuán sòng zhèn ， xiān shì lái dào tiān yǔ chéng jìn xíng zhōng zhuǎn 。
两人互相留了通讯灵符后，分身便通过传送阵，先是来到天禹城进行中转。
The Heavenly Pole Academy of Immortal Virtue was located in the heart of Source Dao City.
suí hòu zhí bēn tiān quán zhōu ér qù 。
随后直奔天权州而去。
Li Fan's clone left the teleportation array and soon found out where the Heavenly Pole Academy was.
jí chéng xiān zūn de xuán shǎng cān jiā dì diǎn ， jiù zài nà lǐ 。
极成仙尊的悬赏参加地点，就在那里。
At the entrance, two cultivators dressed in gray robes stood on either side. Their cultivation level was clearly at the元婴 stage, with stern faces that exuded a "keep away" vibe. However, upon hearing that Li Fan had come to participate in the reward and bring an immortal longevity treasure, they immediately changed their demeanor into a very warm welcome.
tiān quán zhōu ， gù míng sī yì ， hé “ quán ” zì yǒu zhe qiān sī wàn lǚ de lián xì 。
天权州，顾名思义，和“权”字有着千丝万缕的联系。
A mirror light swept over the door, confirming his identity. One of them greeted him: "Vice Vassal Xiao Fan, please follow me."
xǔ duō zài wàn xiān méng shēn jū yào zhí de xiū shì ， dū huì zài cǐ zhōu zhì bàn chǎn yè ， jiàn zào dòng fǔ 。
许多在万仙盟身居要职的修士，都会在此州置办产业，建造洞府。
He led Li Fan into the Heavenly Pole Academy.
lián dài zhe tā men de qīn shǔ 、 bù xià ， yě wǎng wǎng huì gēn suí zuǒ yòu 。
连带着他们的亲属、部下，也往往会跟随左右。
After winding through several corridors, they arrived at a grand hall where many cultivators were gathered, all their eyes fixed on a mirror hanging in the center of the room.
gù cǐ ， tiān quán zhōu dì jià shuǐ zhǎng chuán gāo ， kě wèi shì cùn tǔ cùn jīn 。
故此，天权州地价水涨船高，可谓是寸土寸金。
Li Fan looked and saw that it displayed the names of various cultivators along with the immortal longevity treasures they had contributed. The murmurs among the cultivators revealed why.
bù shì qí tā zhōu hái yǒu lián mián de huāng yě kòng dì ， zhè lǐ fàng yǎn wàng qù ， ruò dà de tiān quán zhōu ， yě wài dōu bèi yí gè yòu yí gè de sī rén zhèn fǎ lǒng zhào ， biāo shì zhe cǐ chù yǒu rén jū zhù 。
不似其他州还有连绵的荒野空地，这里放眼望去，偌大的天权州，野外都被一个又一个的私人阵法笼罩，标示着此处有人居住。
It turned out that the reward had attracted too much attention, drawing not only many cultivators to bring their treasures but also some discontented individuals. They believed that the opportunity to use the衍法珏 was a reward for the great efforts of Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes and a symbol of honor. But now, in order to survive, he had chosen to pass on this honor to others, which was an insult to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's glory!
ér néng zhù zài tiān quán chéng nèi de ， zé shì quán guì zhōng de quán guì 。
而能住在天权城内的，则是权贵中的权贵。
It was clear that these statements were deliberately provocative.
jí chéng xiān zūn de tiān jí yuàn ， jiù wèi yú tiān quán chéng zhōng 。
极成仙尊的天极院，就位于天权城中。
Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes had held command for over five hundred years and, despite his high status, inevitably made many enemies. With his severe injuries and impending end, his former subordinates naturally sought to stir up trouble.
lǐ fán fēn shēn chū le chuán sòng zhèn ， shāo yī dǎ tīng ， jiù zhī xiǎo le tiān jí yuàn de wèi zhì 。
李凡分身出了传送阵，稍一打听，就知晓了天极院的位置。
Although they would not engage in open conflict for the sake of the greater good and the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's reputation, they could still cause some discomfort behind the scenes.
dào le mén kǒu ， liǎng wèi shēn chuān huī sè cháng páo de xiū shì fēn bié chù lì yú mén de liǎng páng 。
到了门口，两位身穿灰色长袍的修士分别矗立于门的两旁。
Thus, various rumors spread almost overnight, all from a righteous perspective, criticizing Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes. The situation became so serious that there were even whispers outside about how he had already pre-arranged the use of three衍法珏 for other immortals' descendants to maintain peace.
guān qí xiū wèi ， jìng rán dōu shì yuán yīng qī de xiū shì 。
观其修为，竟然都是元婴期的修士。
The cultivators who submitted their longevity treasures felt like they were just doing others' work in vain.
miàn sè lěng jùn ， sàn fà chū shēng rén wù jìn de qì xī 。
面色冷峻，散发出生人勿近的气息。
Although these rumors were obviously false, many still believed them due to repeated circulation. Many cultivators began to lose interest.
ér tīng shuō lǐ fán shì lái cān jiā xuán shǎng ， shēn huái yán shòu yì bǎo zhī hòu ， què yòu lì mǎ huàn shàng le lìng wài yī fù jí wéi rè qíng de miàn kǒng 。
而听说李凡是来参加悬赏，身怀延寿异宝之后，却又立马换上了另外一副极为热情的面孔。
Finally, Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes spoke up: "The so-called pre-arrangement is completely unfounded."
mén shàng yī mǒ jìng guāng sǎo guò ， què rèn le fēn shēn de shēn fèn 。
门上一抹镜光扫过，确认了分身的身份。
"To ensure fairness and transparency, the evaluation of longevity treasures will be conducted by the Heavenly Dao Mirror, avoiding any backroom dealings," he added.
qí zhōng yī rén lì mǎ zhāo hū dào :“ xiāo fán dào yǒu shì ba ， zhè biān qǐng 。”
其中一人立马招呼道:“萧凡道友是吧，这边请。”
Hearing this, the cultivators calmed down. The Heavenly Dao Mirror would surely not be fake.
suí hòu jiāng lǐ fán lǐng jìn tiān jí yuàn zhōng 。
随后将李凡领进天极院中。
Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes also promised that even if the contributors did not place in the top three, he would still offer a reward at twice the market price.
qī zhuǎn bā rào zhī hòu ， lái dào le yī chù dà tīng nèi 。
七转八绕之后，来到了一处大厅内。
With the old immortal's personal promise, more participants joined the competition.
lǐ miàn yǐ jīng jù jí le bù shǎo xiū shì ， shì xiàn quán dōu jí zhōng zài dà tīng zhōng yāng guà zhe de yī kuài jìng miàn shàng 。
里面已经聚集了不少修士，视线全都集中在大厅中央挂着的一块镜面上。
As the deadline for the reward approached, they stayed in the hall, constantly watching the rankings on the Heavenly Dao Mirror.
lǐ fán wàng qù ， zhǐ jiàn shàng miàn yī xíng xíng hè rán xiě zhe xiū shì de míng zì ， yǔ jìn xiàn de yán shòu bǎo wù 。
李凡望去，只见上面一行行赫然写着修士的名字，与进献的延寿宝物。
Li Fan also looked at the list. The first name was unclear, but he knew what the longevity fruit was: a Longevity Fruit that extended life by 500 years.
xiū shì de yì lùn shēng zhōng ， lǐ fán zhī xiǎo le yuán yīn 。
修士的议论声中，李凡知晓了原因。
The second place was much lower.
yuán lái shì cǐ cì xuán shǎng nào chū de dòng jìng tài dà ， chú le xī yǐn wú shù xiū shì qián lái sòng bǎo zhī wài ， gèng yǐn qǐ le yī xiē rén de bù mǎn 。
原来是此次悬赏闹出的动静太大，除了吸引无数修士前来送宝之外，更引起了一些人的不满。
"万煜, Green Wood Elixir of Immortality. It can extend life by 286 years."
tā men rèn wéi ， yǎn fǎ jué de shǐ yòng jī huì ， shì wàn xiān méng duì jí chéng xiān zūn láo kǔ gōng gāo de jiǎng shǎng 。
他们认为，衍法珏的使用机会，是万仙盟对极成仙尊劳苦功高的奖赏。
Seeing this, Li Fan felt relieved.
shì róng yào de xiàng zhēng 。
是荣耀的象征。
"I didn't expect my Rebirth Life Fruit to be ranked second. What luck!"
dàn xiàn zài jí chéng xiān zūn wèi le huó mìng ， jìng rán xuǎn zé jiāng zhè fèn róng yào zhuǎn jiāo gěi qí tā rén 。
但现在极成仙尊为了活命，竟然选择将这份荣耀转交给其他人。
Continuing down the list, he saw that most of the longevity treasures were unfamiliar.
zhè shì duì wàn xiān méng róng yào de xiè dú ！
这是对万仙盟荣耀的亵渎！
"Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes has consumed too many immortal longevity treasures; only these rare and hard-to-replicate items are effective."
míng yǎn rén dōu kě yǐ kàn chū ， zhè shuō cí gēn běn jiù shì gù yì tiāo shì de 。
明眼人都可以看出，这说辞根本就是故意挑事的。
Just as he was pondering this, another cultivator entered the hall. He ignored everyone else and walked straight to under the Heavenly Dao Mirror.
jí chéng xiān zūn zhí zhǎng wèi shù yuàn wǔ bǎi yú zài ， suī shuō wèi gāo quán zhòng ， dàn shì yě bù kě bì miǎn de jié xià le xǔ duō chóu jiā 。
极成仙尊执掌卫戍院五百余载，虽说位高权重，但是也不可避免的结下了许多仇家。
He took out a purple wooden box and slowly opened it.
rú jīn tā shēn shòu zhòng shāng ， cí qù zǒng zhǐ huī yī zhí ， gèng shì yǎn kàn shòu yuán jiāng jìn 。
如今他身受重伤，辞去总指挥一职，更是眼看寿元将近。
"I have a Heaven Capital Feather Transforming Pill that can extend life by 800 years. I am offering it to Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes, sir!"
nà xiē chóu jiā men zì rán yào chū lái xīng fēng zuò làng yī fān 。
那些仇家们自然要出来兴风作浪一番。
Though his voice was soft, it sounded like thunder in the ears of everyone present, causing them to stand up and look at this newcomer.
suī rán wèi le dà jú ， yǐ jí wàn xiān méng de liǎn miàn zhuó xiǎng ， bú huì zhēn dāo zhēn qiāng de dǎ qǐ lái 。
虽然为了大局，以及万仙盟的脸面着想，不会真刀真枪的打起来。
Li Fan also couldn't help but focus on him.
dàn shì míng lǐ àn lǐ ， ě xīn xià jí chéng tiān zūn ， hái shì néng zuò dào de 。
但是明里暗里，恶心下极成天尊，还是能做到的。
"Heaven Capital Feather Transforming Pill? From Source Dao Prefecture?"
yú shì hū ， gè zhǒng fēng yán fēng yǔ jī hū jiù shì yī yè jiān jiù mào le chū lái 。
于是乎，各种风言风语几乎就是一夜间就冒了出来。
"Wait, isn’t he... somehow familiar?"
dōu shì zhàn zài dà yì de jiǎo dù ， zhǐ zé jí chéng xiān zūn 。
都是站在大义的角度，指责极成仙尊。
In an instant, Li Fan recognized the cultivator. It was Han Yi, who had won the定鱼 Head Prize in the 16th year of his anchoring and raked in 1.56 million contributions in the Cunyun Sea.
Vice Vassal Xiao Fan's appearance was vastly different from that of Vice Vassal Lin Fan, who looked like an ordinary passerby.
Li Fan made sure to mold his clone to be eight feet tall, with a prominent brow and bright eyes. His skin was fair, and he appeared exceptionally handsome.
"Better the more attention-grabbing. Go get the reward for achieving great accomplishments as a仙尊, then draw everyone's attention by going to Source Dao Prefecture."
"Let’s see if that monster hovering over Source Dao Prefecture is truly undetectable by anyone."
Vice Vassal Xiao Fan smiled and nodded.
He transformed into a streak of blue light and left the secret chamber.
Li Fan did not leave immediately. He stayed in place for over a month, until the time reached the 29th year of his anchoring. Only then did he return to Heavenly Dao Prefecture.
During this period, the clone only had one task: obtaining legal membership in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
After reaching the Golden Core Realm, joining the alliance was no longer as simple as finding someone to recommend him; it required more rigorous procedures.
After all, cultivation was arduous. For a free-living cultivator to reach Foundation Establishment, let alone Golden Core, was extremely difficult.
Golden Core elixirs were indeed rare.
Although he did not have to undergo the same rigorous tests as those joining the official system, like the White Jade Heart-Testing Platform, some basic interrogations and trials were still necessary.
Fortunately, Li Fan had already investigated the process beforehand. Although it took some effort, he eventually succeeded in joining the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
In the process, he also met Zhou Luo, the governor of Juyu Town in Heavenly Dao Prefecture.
Zhou Luo was a late-stage元婴 cultivator, but because Vice Vassal Xiao Fan was young and still a free-living cultivator, he had already reached the Golden Core Realm. Therefore, he treated him with some respect.
After exchanging spirit tokens for communication, the clone used the teleportation array to first arrive at Heavenly Dao City as a transit point before heading directly towards Source Dao Prefecture.
The location of the reward for achieving great accomplishments was in that region.
Source Dao Prefecture had a close connection with the character "power" or "authority." Many important figures within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would establish their properties and build cave dwellings here, along with their relatives and subordinates. As a result, land prices in Source Dao Prefecture soared, making it a place where every inch was valuable.
Unlike other prefectures that had vast stretches of wilderness, Source Dao Prefecture was dotted with private arrays indicating inhabited areas. Those who lived within the city were the elite among the elite.
The Heavenly Pole Academy of Immortal Virtue was located in the heart of Source Dao City.
Li Fan's clone left the teleportation array and soon found out where the Heavenly Pole Academy was.
At the entrance, two cultivators dressed in gray robes stood on either side. Their cultivation level was clearly at the元婴 stage, with stern faces that exuded a "keep away" vibe. However, upon hearing that Li Fan had come to participate in the reward and bring an immortal longevity treasure, they immediately changed their demeanor into a very warm welcome.
A mirror light swept over the door, confirming his identity. One of them greeted him: "Vice Vassal Xiao Fan, please follow me."
He led Li Fan into the Heavenly Pole Academy.
After winding through several corridors, they arrived at a grand hall where many cultivators were gathered, all their eyes fixed on a mirror hanging in the center of the room.
Li Fan looked and saw that it displayed the names of various cultivators along with the immortal longevity treasures they had contributed. The murmurs among the cultivators revealed why.
It turned out that the reward had attracted too much attention, drawing not only many cultivators to bring their treasures but also some discontented individuals. They believed that the opportunity to use the衍法珏 was a reward for the great efforts of Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes and a symbol of honor. But now, in order to survive, he had chosen to pass on this honor to others, which was an insult to the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's glory!
It was clear that these statements were deliberately provocative.
Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes had held command for over five hundred years and, despite his high status, inevitably made many enemies. With his severe injuries and impending end, his former subordinates naturally sought to stir up trouble.
Although they would not engage in open conflict for the sake of the greater good and the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's reputation, they could still cause some discomfort behind the scenes.
Thus, various rumors spread almost overnight, all from a righteous perspective, criticizing Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes. The situation became so serious that there were even whispers outside about how he had already pre-arranged the use of three衍法珏 for other immortals' descendants to maintain peace.
The cultivators who submitted their longevity treasures felt like they were just doing others' work in vain.
Although these rumors were obviously false, many still believed them due to repeated circulation. Many cultivators began to lose interest.
Finally, Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes spoke up: "The so-called pre-arrangement is completely unfounded."
"To ensure fairness and transparency, the evaluation of longevity treasures will be conducted by the Heavenly Dao Mirror, avoiding any backroom dealings," he added.
Hearing this, the cultivators calmed down. The Heavenly Dao Mirror would surely not be fake.
Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes also promised that even if the contributors did not place in the top three, he would still offer a reward at twice the market price.
With the old immortal's personal promise, more participants joined the competition.
As the deadline for the reward approached, they stayed in the hall, constantly watching the rankings on the Heavenly Dao Mirror.
Li Fan also looked at the list. The first name was unclear, but he knew what the longevity fruit was: a Longevity Fruit that extended life by 500 years.
The second place was much lower.
"万煜, Green Wood Elixir of Immortality. It can extend life by 286 years."
Seeing this, Li Fan felt relieved.
"I didn't expect my Rebirth Life Fruit to be ranked second. What luck!"
Continuing down the list, he saw that most of the longevity treasures were unfamiliar.
"Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes has consumed too many immortal longevity treasures; only these rare and hard-to-replicate items are effective."
Just as he was pondering this, another cultivator entered the hall. He ignored everyone else and walked straight to under the Heavenly Dao Mirror.
He took out a purple wooden box and slowly opened it.
"I have a Heaven Capital Feather Transforming Pill that can extend life by 800 years. I am offering it to Immortal Virtue of Great Extremes, sir!"
Though his voice was soft, it sounded like thunder in the ears of everyone present, causing them to stand up and look at this newcomer.
Li Fan also couldn't help but focus on him.
"Heaven Capital Feather Transforming Pill? From Source Dao Prefecture?"
"Wait, isn’t he... somehow familiar?"
In an instant, Li Fan recognized the cultivator. It was Han Yi, who had won the定鱼 Head Prize in the 16th year of his anchoring and raked in 1.56 million contributions in the Cunyun Sea.