“ chì zhā shēn yuān ？ nà shì shén me dì fāng ？” tīng míng zì jiù tòu lù chū yī gǔ bù xiáng de qì xī ， lǐ fán bù jīn wèn dào 。
“叱吒深渊？那是什么地方？”听名字就透露出一股不祥的气息，李凡不禁问道。
"Challenging the Abyss? Where is that?" Hearing the name alone gave off an ominous vibe, Li Fan couldn't help but ask.
jì hóng dào huí guò tóu lái piē le yǎn lǐ fán ， xiào le xiào ：“ xiàn zài gào sù nǐ yě méi yòng ， děng dào le zhī hòu ， nǐ zì huì zhī xiǎo 。”
纪宏道回过头来撇了眼李凡，笑了笑：“现在告诉你也没用，等到了之后，你自会知晓。”
Ji Hongdiao turned his head to glance at Li Fan and smiled. "It's no use telling you now; you'll know once we get there."
“ suī rán yǒu diǎn wēi xiǎn ， bù guò nǐ men yě bù yòng guò fèn dān xīn 。”
“虽然有点危险，不过你们也不用过分担心。”
"While it might be a bit dangerous, don't worry too much about it."
“ yǒu wǒ men zhè xiē lǎo jiā huǒ zài ， chū bù liǎo shén me dà shì 。”
“有我们这些老家伙在，出不了什么大事。”
"With us old-timers around, nothing major will happen."
jì hóng dào xiǎn rán duì zì jǐ hěn yǒu xìn xīn ， bù yǐ wéi rán dào 。
纪宏道显然对自己很有信心，不以为然道。
Ji Hongdiao clearly had great confidence in himself, dismissing the matter.
jì rán jì hóng dào dōu zhè me shuō le ， lǐ fán zì rán yě bù hǎo jì xù zhuī wèn ， hé xuē mù tuì dào yī páng 。
既然纪宏道都这么说了，李凡自然也不好继续追问，和薛幕退到一旁。
Since Ji Hongdiao said so, Li Fan naturally didn't continue probing and retreated with Xue Mu to one side.
bù jiǔ zhī hòu ， huán yǔ bié yuàn zhōng céng jiàn guò yí miàn de shòu zi shàng guān shí ， yě dài zhe lìng wài wǔ rén lái dào chuán shàng 。
不久之后，寰宇别院中曾见过一面的瘦子上官石，也带着另外五人来到船上。
Not long after, the thin man named Shangguan Shi, whom Li Fan had met before at the All-Heaven Separate Courtyard, arrived on board with five others.
zhè wǔ rén dōu bú shì zhī qián jí xùn de chéng yuán ， shēn chuān wàn xiān méng zhì shì cháng páo ， miàn róng chéng shú ， jǔ zhǐ gàn liàn 。
这五人都不是之前集训的成员，身穿万仙盟制式长袍，面容成熟，举止干练。
None of these were part of the previous training group. They wore the uniformed robes of the Ten Thousand Immortals League and their mature expressions and efficient mannerisms suggested they weren't strangers to this flying boat.
tā men sì hū bú shì dì yī cì lái dào zhè sōu fēi zhōu shàng le ， duì qí jié gòu shí fēn shú xī 。
他们似乎不是第一次来到这艘飞舟上了，对其结构十分熟悉。
After exchanging greetings with Ji Hongdiao, they walked straight into the cabin.
gēn jì hóng dào héng guò lǐ hòu ， jìng zhí wǎng chuán cāng zhōng zǒu qù 。
跟纪宏道行过礼后，径直往船舱中走去。
When passing by Li Fan and Xue Mu, they nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
yǔ lǐ fán xuē mù cā jiān ér guò de shí hòu ， yě shì wēi wēi diǎn tóu shì yì 。
与李凡薛幕擦肩而过的时候，也是微微点头示意。
Xue Mu was momentarily taken aback by who these people were and stood there.
xuē mù yī shí méi yǒu fǎn yìng guò lái duì fāng de shēn fèn ， dāi zài yuán dì 。
薛幕一时没有反应过来对方的身份，呆在原地。
Li Fan greeted them warmly as well.
lǐ fán zé shì tóng yàng jí wéi shú luò de hé duì fāng dǎ zhe zhāo hū 。
李凡则是同样极为熟络的和对方打着招呼。
Once their figures disappeared from sight, Xue Mu's voice came through as a serious inquiry in his mind. "Friend Li Fan, it seems you know them? Could you tell me what their identities are?"
děng duì fāng de shēn yǐng xiāo shī zài shì xiàn zhī zhōng ， lǐ fán de ěr biān chuán lái le xuē mù rèn zhēn de qǐng jiào chuán yīn 。
等对方的身影消失在视线之中，李凡的耳边传来了薛幕认真的请教传音。
Li Fan shook his head immediately. "I don't recognize them. But we're all members of the Ten Thousand Immortals League; like one big family. Just greeting each other is normal."
“ lǐ fán dào yǒu ， nǐ sì hū hé tā men rèn shí ？ bù zhī dào zhè xiē rén ， shì shén me shēn fèn ？”
“李凡道友，你似乎和他们认识？不知道这些人，是什么身份？”
Xue Mu was momentarily speechless and didn't know how to refute it.
lǐ fán lián máng yáo tóu dào ：“ bù rèn shí 。 bù guò dà jiā dōu shì wàn xiān méng chéng yuán ， qīn rú yī jiā rén 。 jiàn miàn dǎ gè zhāo hū ér yǐ ， hěn zhèng cháng ba 。”
李凡连忙摇头道：“不认识。不过大家都是万仙盟成员，亲如一家人。见面打个招呼而已，很正常吧。”
Fortunately, Fat Huafu Song stepped in to save him.
xuē mù dùn shí yǎ rán ， yī shí jiān yě bù zhī gāi rú hé fǎn bó 。
薛幕顿时哑然，一时间也不知该如何反驳。
"Let's go. Don't just stand there. Everyone should be here by now, so we'll probably depart soon," Huafu Song glanced at Li Fan and grunted before giving instructions.
hǎo zài hái shì pàng zi huáng fǔ sōng gěi tā jiě le wéi 。
好在还是胖子皇甫松给他解了围。
Li Fan followed as a junior disciple would his senior, trailing behind Huafu Song.
“ zǒu ba ， bié shǎ zhàn zhe le 。 rén chà bu duō yǐ jīng dào qí ， gū jì jiù kuài chū fā le 。” huáng fǔ sōng kàn le lǐ fán yī yǎn ， hēng le shēng ， fēn fù dào 。
“走吧，别傻站着了。人差不多已经到齐，估计就快出发了。”皇甫松看了李凡一眼，哼了声，吩咐道。
Passing through the cabin corridor, Li Fan found that quite a few people were already gathered on this flying boat. It wasn't just the Array Makers from the Strategy Hall.
lǐ fán yī fù yǐ qián bèi mǎ shǒu shì zhān de yàng zi ， gēn zài le huáng fǔ sōng hòu miàn 。
李凡一副以前辈马首是瞻的样子，跟在了皇甫松后面。
The faint aura of blood and death emanating from some rooms made Li Fan realize that this mission might not be as easy as Ji Hongdiao had said.
chuān guò chuán cāng cháng láng ， lǐ fán fā xiàn zhè sōu fēi zhōu shàng zhī qián jiù yǐ jīng jù jí le bù shǎo rén 。
穿过船舱长廊，李凡发现这艘飞舟上之前就已经聚集了不少人。
---
sì hū bù jǐn jǐn zhǐ shì cè zhèn táng de zhèn fǎ shī 。
似乎不仅仅只是策阵堂的阵法师。
Following Huafu Song, they entered an empty cabin where no one was around.
mǒu xiē fáng jiān zhōng xiū shì shēn shàng yǐn yǐn chuán lái de sù shā xuè xīng qì xī ， ràng lǐ fán zhī dào ， gū jì zhè tàng de rèn wù kě néng bìng bú huì xiàng jì hóng dào shuō de nà me qīng sōng 。
某些房间中修士身上隐隐传来的肃杀血腥气息，让李凡知道，估计这趟的任务可能并不会像纪宏道说的那么轻松。
Li Fan smiled and approached Huafu Song for advice. "Senior Huafu, could you tell us what our task is?"
èr rén gēn zhe huáng fǔ sōng ， lái dào yī chù wú rén de kè cāng zuò xià 。
二人跟着皇甫松，来到一处无人的客舱坐下。
Huafu Song looked at Li Fan with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "You know your own fear now, huh?"
lǐ fán mǎn liǎn wēi xiào de gēn huáng fǔ sōng qǐng jiào qǐ lái ：“ huáng fǔ qián bèi ， kě fǒu tòu lù xià ， wǒ men cǐ cì de rèn wù mù biāo shì shén me ？”
李凡满脸微笑的跟皇甫松请教起来：“皇甫前辈，可否透露下，我们此次的任务目标是什么？”
Li Fan admitted openly, "My courage can never compare to yours, senior. After all, you've faced Tang Tai and others..."
huáng fǔ sōng sì xiào fēi xiào de dǎ liàng le yǎn lǐ fán ：“ nǐ zhè xiǎo zi ， yě zhī dào pà le ？”
皇甫松似笑非笑的打量了眼李凡：“你这小子，也知道怕了？”
"Stop! Stop!" Huafu Song's face changed slightly. "Why do you keep mentioning Tang Tai in three sentences?"
lǐ fán dà fāng chéng rèn ：“ wǎn bèi de dǎn liàng ， dāng rán bù kě néng gēn qián bèi nín xiāng bǐ 。 bì jìng qián bèi lián tán tái tāo tā men dōu ……”
李凡大方承认：“晚辈的胆量，当然不可能跟前辈您相比。毕竟前辈连澹台韬他们都……”
He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Li Fan carefully.
“ tíng ！ tíng ！” huáng fǔ sōng liǎn sè wēi biàn ，“ nǐ xiǎo zi ， zěn me sān jù huà bù lí tán tái tāo 。”
“停！停！”皇甫松脸色微变，“你小子，怎么三句话不离澹台韬。”
After a moment, Huafu Song reined in his murderous intent, his smile returning.
yǎn jīng wēi mī ， shǎn guò yī sī wēi xiǎn de guāng máng ， xì xì shěn shì le fān lǐ fán 。
眼睛微眯，闪过一丝危险的光芒，细细审视了番李凡。
"Hmph. I'll tell you anyway. Professor Ji won't because it's too long to explain."
guò le piàn kè ， huáng fǔ sōng zhè cái shōu qǐ xīn zhōng de shā yì ， xiào róng chóng xīn fú xiàn zài liǎn shàng 。
过了片刻，皇甫松这才收起心中的杀意，笑容重新浮现在脸上。
Huafu Song casually knocked on the table in front of him and took a sip from the suddenly appearing steaming spirit tea before continuing solemnly. "We're going to the depths of the White Mist."
“ hēng ， gào sù nǐ men yě wú fáng 。 jì yuàn zhǎng tā bù gēn nǐ shuō ， yě zhǐ shì shuō lái huà cháng ， jiě shì qǐ lái má fán ér yǐ 。”
“哼，告诉你们也无妨。纪院长他不跟你说，也只是说来话长，解释起来麻烦而已。”
"The depths of the White Mist?" Li Fan and Xue Mu exchanged glances, their hearts slightly alarmed.
huáng fǔ sōng dà dà liē liē qiāo le qiāo miàn qián de zhuō zi ， hē le yī kǒu nà tū rán fú xiàn de 、 hái mào zhe rè qì de líng chá ， zhè cái shén qíng yǒu xiē sù rán de shuō dào ：“ wǒ men cǐ xíng ， yào qián wǎng bái wù shēn chù 。”
皇甫松大大咧咧敲了敲面前的桌子，喝了一口那突然浮现的、还冒着热气的灵茶，这才神情有些肃然的说道：“我们此行，要前往白雾深处。”
But they didn't show it, tapping on the table lightly as Huafu Song did, drinking down the steaming spirit tea.
“ bái wù shēn chù ？” lǐ fán hé xuē mù hù xiāng duì shì le yī yǎn ， xīn zhōng wēi jīng 。
“白雾深处？”李凡和薛幕互相对视了一眼，心中微惊。
They listened patiently as Huafu Song continued. "You know that there's a vast barrier of white mist spanning across the heavens and earth, dividing each state. Traveling through the white mist consumes your lifespan even if you use传送阵."
bù guò méi yǒu biǎo xiàn chū lái ， xué zhe huáng fǔ sōng de yàng zi ， qīng qiāo le xià zhuō miàn ， jiāng rè téng téng de líng chá yī yǐn ér jǐn 。
不过没有表现出来，学着皇甫松的样子，轻敲了下桌面，将热腾腾的灵茶一饮而尽。
"So, even for us cultivators, we don't move around frequently unless necessary."
nài xīn tīng zhe huáng fǔ sōng jiǎng shù 。
耐心听着皇甫松讲述。
Li Fan nodded in agreement.
“ nǐ men yě zhī dào ， shì jiān yǒu héng guàn tiān dì de 【 bái wù bì zhàng 】， jiāng měi gè zhōu fēn gē kāi lái 。 chuān xíng zài bái wù zhōng ， biàn yào sǔn hào shòu yuán 。 nǎ pà tōng guò chuán sòng zhèn yě wú fǎ bì miǎn 。”
“你们也知道，世间有横贯天地的【白雾壁障】，将每个州分割开来。穿行在白雾中，便要损耗寿元。哪怕通过传送阵也无法避免。”
"Because of this reason, our understanding of the White Mist is extremely limited."
“ suǒ yǐ jí biàn shì wǒ men xiū shì ， fēi bì yào de huà ， yě bù yuàn pín fán liú dòng 。”
“所以即便是我们修士，非必要的话，也不愿频繁流动。”
"Most people believe that the barrier only appears on the original land as a dividing line."
lǐ fán wēi wēi diǎn tóu ， biǎo shì zàn tóng 。
李凡微微点头，表示赞同。
"But actually..."
“ zhèng shì yīn wèi zhè ge yuán yīn ， dǎo zhì wǒ men duì yú bái wù de rèn zhī ， jí qí yǒu xiàn 。”
“正是因为这个原因，导致我们对于白雾的认知，极其有限。”
Huafu Song chuckled. "The white mist is far more extensive than we imagine."
“ dà duō shù rén rèn wéi ， bái wù bì zhàng jǐn jǐn shì chū xiàn zài yuán xiān de dà dì shàng ， zuò wéi fēn gē xiàn ér cún zài 。”
“大多数人认为，白雾壁障仅仅是出现在原先的大地上，作为分割线而存在。”
"So, don't randomly attempt to traverse it with your body; you might get lost in the vast white mist and even the Heavenly Sovereign cannot save you."
“ dàn shí jì shàng ……”
“但实际上……”
Xue Mu had heard of such incidents for the first time and his expression turned tense.
huáng fǔ sōng hēi rán yī xiào ：“ bái wù yuǎn bǐ wǒ men xiǎng xiàng de hái yào guǎng kuò 。”
皇甫松嘿然一笑：“白雾远比我们想象的还要广阔。”
Li Fan thought about it but wasn't intimidated by Huafu Song. "While there aren't many, the number of cultivators who traverse the White Mist barrier with their bodies each year is definitely not small."
“ suǒ yǐ méi shì de huà ， bié xīn xuè lái cháo ， wàng tú ròu shēn chuān yuè 。 fǒu zé shuō bù zhǔn jiù mí shī zài máng máng bái wù zhōng ， tiān zūn nán jiù le 。”
“所以没事的话，别心血来潮，妄图肉身穿越。否则说不准就迷失在茫茫白雾中，天尊难救了。”
"Perhaps the vast area you mentioned in the barrier only exists for a few."
xuē mù hái shì dì yī cì tīng shuō yǒu zhè zhǒng shì ， bù yóu dì shén qíng biàn dé yǒu xiē jǐn zhāng níng zhòng 。
薛幕还是第一次听说有这种事，不由地神情变得有些紧张凝重。
"But if it were really as dangerous as described, it would have been discovered long ago."
lǐ fán xiǎng le xiǎng ， méi yǒu bèi huáng fǔ sōng hǔ dào ， chū shēng dào ：“ měi nián ròu shēn chuān yuè bái wù bì zhàng de xiū shì ， suī shuō bù duō ， dàn yě jué duì bù shǎo 。”
李凡想了想，没有被皇甫松唬到，出声道：“每年肉身穿越白雾壁障的修士，虽说不多，但也绝对不少。”
Huafu Song's words stopped. He was embarrassed to be exposed.
“ xiǎng lái qián bèi suǒ shuō de ， bái wù bì zhàng zhōng cún zài de liáo kuò qū yù ， yě zhǐ shì jí shǎo shù cái duì 。”
“想来前辈所说的，白雾壁障中存在的辽阔区域，也只是极少数才对。”
But he immediately retorted coldly, "How many cultivators who never return from the white mist hold the same mindset as you?"
“ fǒu zé ruò shì zhēn xiàng qián bèi suǒ miáo shù de nà me xiōng xiǎn ， zǎo jiù bèi rén chá jué le 。”
“否则若是真像前辈所描述的那么凶险，早就被人察觉了。”
"If you're not afraid of death, go ahead and try."
huáng fǔ sōng de huà dùn shí zhǐ zhù ， bèi lǐ fán jiē chuān ， yǒu xiē gān gà 。
皇甫松的话顿时止住，被李凡揭穿，有些尴尬。
"Even if it seems just a short distance away, it’s like an insurmountable chasm. You can't cross it. We call these locations within the barrier 'Misty Zones.'"
bù guò mǎ shàng jiù lěng xiào zhe fǎn bó dào ：“ bù zhī dào duō shǎo zài bái wù zhōng yī qù bù huí de xiū shì ， jiù shì bào zhe gēn nǐ yī yàng de xiǎng fǎ de 。”
不过马上就冷笑着反驳道：“不知道多少在白雾中一去不回的修士，就是抱着跟你一样的想法的。”
"The number of known Misty Zones I cannot reveal at present, but they far exceed your imagination," Huafu Song saw Li Fan nod in agreement and stopped being obstinate.
“ ruò shì nǐ bù pà sǐ ， jǐn kě yǐ dà dǎn qù cháng shì 。”
“若是你不怕死，尽可以大胆去尝试。”
Continuing, he said, "Our destination is the [Challenging Abyss], a mysterious zone discovered long ago."
“ míng míng sì hū zhǐ shì chí chǐ zhī yáo ， dàn què rú tiān qiàn yì bān ， zěn me yě wú fǎ chuān yuè 。 wǒ men bǎ bái wù bì zhàng zhōng de zhè xiē dì diǎn ， jiào zuò 【 mí yù 】。”
“明明似乎只是迟尺之遥，但却如天堑一般，怎么也无法穿越。我们把白雾壁障中的这些地点，叫做【迷域】。”
"From its name, it's an area where space infinitely extends downward, bottomless and endless."
“ mù qián tàn míng de mí yù shù liàng ， wǒ zàn shí bù néng tòu lù 。 bù guò jué duì yuǎn chāo xiǎo zi nǐ de xiǎng xiàng 。”
“目前探明的迷域数量，我暂时不能透露。不过绝对远超小子你的想象。”
"Periodically, strange sounds of shock, despair, and faint murmurs are heard from the abyss. Different noises come from the depths at different times."
huáng fǔ sōng jiàn lǐ fán diǎn tóu tóng yì ， bù zài zuǐ yìng ， xīn zhōng dùn shí yī zhèn shū shuǎng 。
皇甫松见李凡点头同意，不再嘴硬，心中顿时一阵舒爽。
"Ordinary cultivators or those with unstable minds may fall into madness if tempted by these sounds; their cultivation might regress."
fāng cái jiē zhe shuō dào ：“ wǒ men cǐ xíng de mù dì dì ，【 chì zhā shēn yuān 】， jiù shì yī chù hěn jiǔ zhī qián jiù bèi fā xiàn de mí yù 。”
方才接着说道：“我们此行的目的地，【叱吒深渊】，就是一处很久之前就被发现的迷域。”
"But in severe cases, they lose their sanity and become monstrous beings only capable of killing."
“ gù míng sī yì ， nà shì yī chù zài kōng jiān wú xiàn xiàng xià yán zhǎn de qū yù ， shēn bù kě cè 、 méi yǒu jìn tóu 。”
“顾名思义，那是一处在空间无限向下延展的区域，深不可测、没有尽头。”
Huafu Song seemed to recall something, his eyes flashing with fear.
“ měi gé yī duàn shí jiān ， jiù yǒu mò míng de jīng chà shēng ， jué wàng de sī hǒu shēng ， huǎng hū de ní nán shēng 。 děng děng bù tóng de shēng xiǎng cóng shēn yuān dǐ bù chuán chū 。”
“每隔一段时间，就有莫名的惊诧声，绝望的嘶吼声，恍忽的呢喃声。等等不同的声响从深渊底部传出。”
"Because this Misty Zone is too peculiar, it was closely monitored by the Ten Thousand Immortals League once discovered."
“ pǔ tōng xiū shì 、 xīn zhì bù jiān dìng zhě ， yí dàn bèi shēng yīn yòu huò ， qīng zé zǒu huǒ rù mó 、 xiū wèi dào tuì 。”
“普通修士、心智不坚定者，一旦被声音诱惑，轻则走火入魔、修为倒退。”
"So within the league, we've found that the sounds coming from Challenging Abyss are getting louder."
“ zhòng zé shén zhì jǐn shī ， jī biàn wèi zhǐ zhī shā lù de fēi rén guài wù 。”
“重则神智尽失，畸变为只知杀戮的非人怪物。”
Xue Mu exclaimed in surprise, "Getting louder?"
huáng fǔ sōng sì hū huí xiǎng qǐ le shén me ， yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī jīng jù 。
皇甫松似乎回想起了什么，眼中闪过一丝惊惧。
Huafu Song nodded. "Affected by this, the eternal immortal barrier set up outside Challenging Abyss has been forced to move upward year after year."
“ yīn wèi cǐ chù mí yù tài guò guǐ yì ， yī jīng fā xiàn ， jiù bèi wàn xiān méng zhòng diǎn jiān kòng 。”
“因为此处迷域太过诡异，一经发现，就被万仙盟重点监控。”
"But to contain the demonic voices within the Challenging Abyss, that barrier can no longer retreat further."
“ suǒ yǐ méng nèi yě dé yǐ fā xiàn ， cóng chì zhā shēn yuān zhōng chuán lái de shēng yīn ， yuè lái yuè xiǎng le 。”
“所以盟内也得以发现，从叱吒深渊中传来的声音，越来越响了。”
"So a hundred years ago, the league began trying special means to combat the demonic sounds coming from the abyss's depths."
xuē mù wén yán ， bù yóu jīng hū ：“ yuè lái yuè xiǎng ？”
薛幕闻言，不由惊呼：“越来越响？”
"Special means? Could it be..." Li Fan suddenly recalled something and his heart raced.
"Challenging the Abyss? Where is that?" Hearing the name alone gave off an ominous vibe, Li Fan couldn't help but ask.
Ji Hongdiao turned his head to glance at Li Fan and smiled. "It's no use telling you now; you'll know once we get there."
"While it might be a bit dangerous, don't worry too much about it."
"With us old-timers around, nothing major will happen."
Ji Hongdiao clearly had great confidence in himself, dismissing the matter.
Since Ji Hongdiao said so, Li Fan naturally didn't continue probing and retreated with Xue Mu to one side.
Not long after, the thin man named Shangguan Shi, whom Li Fan had met before at the All-Heaven Separate Courtyard, arrived on board with five others.
None of these were part of the previous training group. They wore the uniformed robes of the Ten Thousand Immortals League and their mature expressions and efficient mannerisms suggested they weren't strangers to this flying boat.
After exchanging greetings with Ji Hongdiao, they walked straight into the cabin.
When passing by Li Fan and Xue Mu, they nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Xue Mu was momentarily taken aback by who these people were and stood there.
Li Fan greeted them warmly as well.
Once their figures disappeared from sight, Xue Mu's voice came through as a serious inquiry in his mind. "Friend Li Fan, it seems you know them? Could you tell me what their identities are?"
Li Fan shook his head immediately. "I don't recognize them. But we're all members of the Ten Thousand Immortals League; like one big family. Just greeting each other is normal."
Xue Mu was momentarily speechless and didn't know how to refute it.
Fortunately, Fat Huafu Song stepped in to save him.
"Let's go. Don't just stand there. Everyone should be here by now, so we'll probably depart soon," Huafu Song glanced at Li Fan and grunted before giving instructions.
Li Fan followed as a junior disciple would his senior, trailing behind Huafu Song.
Passing through the cabin corridor, Li Fan found that quite a few people were already gathered on this flying boat. It wasn't just the Array Makers from the Strategy Hall.
The faint aura of blood and death emanating from some rooms made Li Fan realize that this mission might not be as easy as Ji Hongdiao had said.
---
Following Huafu Song, they entered an empty cabin where no one was around.
Li Fan smiled and approached Huafu Song for advice. "Senior Huafu, could you tell us what our task is?"
Huafu Song looked at Li Fan with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "You know your own fear now, huh?"
Li Fan admitted openly, "My courage can never compare to yours, senior. After all, you've faced Tang Tai and others..."
"Stop! Stop!" Huafu Song's face changed slightly. "Why do you keep mentioning Tang Tai in three sentences?"
He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Li Fan carefully.
After a moment, Huafu Song reined in his murderous intent, his smile returning.
"Hmph. I'll tell you anyway. Professor Ji won't because it's too long to explain."
Huafu Song casually knocked on the table in front of him and took a sip from the suddenly appearing steaming spirit tea before continuing solemnly. "We're going to the depths of the White Mist."
"The depths of the White Mist?" Li Fan and Xue Mu exchanged glances, their hearts slightly alarmed.
But they didn't show it, tapping on the table lightly as Huafu Song did, drinking down the steaming spirit tea.
They listened patiently as Huafu Song continued. "You know that there's a vast barrier of white mist spanning across the heavens and earth, dividing each state. Traveling through the white mist consumes your lifespan even if you use传送阵."
"So, even for us cultivators, we don't move around frequently unless necessary."
Li Fan nodded in agreement.
"Because of this reason, our understanding of the White Mist is extremely limited."
"Most people believe that the barrier only appears on the original land as a dividing line."
"But actually..."
Huafu Song chuckled. "The white mist is far more extensive than we imagine."
"So, don't randomly attempt to traverse it with your body; you might get lost in the vast white mist and even the Heavenly Sovereign cannot save you."
Xue Mu had heard of such incidents for the first time and his expression turned tense.
Li Fan thought about it but wasn't intimidated by Huafu Song. "While there aren't many, the number of cultivators who traverse the White Mist barrier with their bodies each year is definitely not small."
"Perhaps the vast area you mentioned in the barrier only exists for a few."
"But if it were really as dangerous as described, it would have been discovered long ago."
Huafu Song's words stopped. He was embarrassed to be exposed.
But he immediately retorted coldly, "How many cultivators who never return from the white mist hold the same mindset as you?"
"If you're not afraid of death, go ahead and try."
"Even if it seems just a short distance away, it’s like an insurmountable chasm. You can't cross it. We call these locations within the barrier 'Misty Zones.'"
"The number of known Misty Zones I cannot reveal at present, but they far exceed your imagination," Huafu Song saw Li Fan nod in agreement and stopped being obstinate.
Continuing, he said, "Our destination is the [Challenging Abyss], a mysterious zone discovered long ago."
"From its name, it's an area where space infinitely extends downward, bottomless and endless."
"Periodically, strange sounds of shock, despair, and faint murmurs are heard from the abyss. Different noises come from the depths at different times."
"Ordinary cultivators or those with unstable minds may fall into madness if tempted by these sounds; their cultivation might regress."
"But in severe cases, they lose their sanity and become monstrous beings only capable of killing."
Huafu Song seemed to recall something, his eyes flashing with fear.
"Because this Misty Zone is too peculiar, it was closely monitored by the Ten Thousand Immortals League once discovered."
"So within the league, we've found that the sounds coming from Challenging Abyss are getting louder."
Xue Mu exclaimed in surprise, "Getting louder?"
Huafu Song nodded. "Affected by this, the eternal immortal barrier set up outside Challenging Abyss has been forced to move upward year after year."
"But to contain the demonic voices within the Challenging Abyss, that barrier can no longer retreat further."
"So a hundred years ago, the league began trying special means to combat the demonic sounds coming from the abyss's depths."
"Special means? Could it be..." Li Fan suddenly recalled something and his heart raced.