jì hóng dào fǎng fú méi yǒu kàn dào duì fāng xiāo shī yì bān ， réng rán zì gù zì dì shuō dào ：“ shǎo jūn suǒ gāi yōu lǜ de ， wú fēi shì shēn chù tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn zhōng ， shēn bù zì yóu ér yǐ 。”
纪宏道仿佛没有看到对方消失一般，仍然自顾自地说道：“少君所该忧虑的，无非是身处天玄锁灵阵中，身不自由而已。”
Ji Hongdao seemed to ignore the other party's disappearance and continued speaking as if nothing had happened. "The only thing Young Master should be concerned about is being trapped in the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array, unable to move freely."
“ ān quán fāng miàn ， zé wú xū dān xīn 。”
“安全方面，则无需担心。”
"Regarding safety, there’s no need to worry."
“ zhèng rú wàn xiān méng yì zhí xuān chuán de nà yàng ， hé dào xiū shì jiù yǐ jīng chāo chū tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn de néng lì fàn wéi le 。”
“正如万仙盟一直宣传的那样，合道修士就已经超出天玄锁灵阵的能力范围了。”
"Just like what the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has always been promoting, Dao practitioners who have achieved union with the Way are already beyond the capability range of the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array."
“ yǐ shǎo jūn nǐ de shí lì ， yīng gāi bù zhì yú duì yī qū qū zhèn fǎ ， gǎn dào jù pà ba ？”
“以少君你的实力，应该不至于对一区区阵法，感到惧怕吧？”
"With your strength, Young Master, you shouldn’t be afraid of a mere array technique, right?"
“ rú guǒ néng yǐ xiē xǔ zì yóu ， huàn qǔ zú gòu duō de hǎo chù ， xiāng xìn shǎo jūn nǐ shì yí dìng hěn lè yì de 。”
“如果能以些许自由，换取足够多的好处，相信少君你是一定很乐意的。”
"If it can bring enough benefits in exchange for some freedom, I believe Young Master would be more than willing to do so."
“ shēn yuān zhī xià 、 mí wù zhī wài jiū jìng cún zài zhe xiē shén me ， shǎo jūn nán dào zhēn de bù gǎn dào hào qí me ？”
“深渊之下、迷雾之外究竟存在着些什么，少君难道真的不感到好奇么？”
"Doesn't Young Master find it curious what lies beneath the Abyss and beyond the mist? Why not take a look?"
jì hóng dào yī xí huà shuō wán ， shǎo jūn nà niǔ qū de shēn yǐng biàn yòu chóng xīn chū xiàn zài le dù chén zhōu shàng 。
纪宏道一席话说完，少君那扭曲的身影便又重新出现在了渡尘舟上。
After Ji Hongdao finished speaking, Young Master's distorted figure reappeared on the Dust-Parting Vessel.
méi yǒu chū shēng ， zhǐ shì lěng lěng dì kàn zhe jì hóng dào ， děng dài zhe tā jiē xià lái de huà 。
没有出声，只是冷冷地看着纪宏道，等待着他接下来的话。
He remained silent, coldly staring at Ji Hongdao in anticipation of his next words.
jì hóng dào duì tā de qù ér fù fǎn méi yǒu gǎn dào yì wài ：“ tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn wán quán jiàn zào wán chéng hòu ， tiān xuán jìng yě jiāng wán chéng zài cì shēng huá 。”
纪宏道对他的去而复返没有感到意外：“天玄锁灵阵完全建造完成后，天玄镜也将完成再次升华。”
Ji Hongdao did not seem surprised by Young Master’s return. "Once the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array is fully constructed, the Heavenly Xuan Mirror will also complete its second transformation."
《 tà xīng 》
《踏星》
*The Star Treading*
“ dào shí hòu ， liǎng bǎi nián qián de wèi jǐn zhī shì ， huò xǔ yǒu jí dà jī huì ， kě yǐ chéng gōng 。”
“到时候，两百年前的未尽之事，或许有极大机会，可以成功。”
"By then, there might be a great chance to successfully accomplish what was left undone two hundred years ago."
“ zài zhě shuō ， shēng huá hòu de tiān xuán jìng xiǎng yào gèng jìn yí bù de huà ， chú le qīn zhàn wǔ lǎo huì de dì pán ， wú fēi jiù shì cháo zhe jiè wài jìn xíng tàn suǒ le 。”
“再者说，升华后的天玄镜想要更进一步的话，除了侵占五老会的地盘，无非就是朝着界外进行探索了。”
"Moreover, for the Heavenly Xuan Mirror to advance further after its transformation, it can only do so by either occupying the territory of the Five Elders Association or exploring beyond the boundaries."
“ shì yuán bái wù zuò wéi yí gè tū pò kǒu ， tā zì rán bú huì qīng yì fàng qì 。”
“噬元白雾作为一个突破口，它自然不会轻易放弃。”
"The White Mist Devouring Essence serves as an entry point. It won’t easily give up."
“ zhǐ yào tā téng chū jīng lì lái ， shì yuán bái wù dìng rán lán bú zhù 。 wú fēi jiù shì hào fèi shí jiān duō shǎo bà le 。”
“只要它腾出精力来，噬元白雾定然拦不住。无非就是耗费时间多少罢了。”
"As long as it has the energy, the White Mist Devouring Essence will definitely not stop you. Only time is a factor."
“ shǎo jūn yào zuò de ， jiù shì nài xīn děng dài 。”
“少君要做的，就是耐心等待。”
"What Young Master needs to do is be patient and wait."
“ zhè me duō nián yǐ jīng guò lái le ， hái zài hū zhè yī shí me 。”
“这么多年已经过来了，还在乎这一时么。”
"After all these years, does it really matter?"
shǎo jūn sì hū méi yǒu bèi jì hóng dào suǒ gǔ huò ， shēng yīn lüè dài zhe diǎn cháo fěng ：“ jì hóng dào ， nǐ hái zhēn shì yì diǎn dōu méi biàn a 。”
少君似乎没有被纪宏道所蛊惑，声音略带着点嘲讽：“纪宏道，你还真是一点都没变啊。”
Young Master did not seem swayed by Ji Hongdao’s words, his voice tinged with sarcasm: "Ji Hongdao, you haven’t changed at all."
yě bù děng duì fāng huí yìng ， shēn xíng jiù zhí jiē zài dù xiāo shī 。
也不等对方回应，身形就直接再度消失。
Without waiting for a response, he disappeared again.
jì hóng dào huǎn huǎn zhuǎn guò tóu qù ， chóng xīn wàng xiàng yuǎn chù xiān lěi nèi máng lù de xiū shì ， zuǐ jiǎo fú xiàn chū dàn dàn de xiào yì 。
纪宏道缓缓转过头去，重新望向远处仙垒内忙碌的修士，嘴角浮现出澹澹的笑意。
Ji Hongdao slowly turned his head and looked back towards the busy cultivators inside the Eternal Immortal Barrier. A faint smile played on his lips.
dì èr tiān ， lǐ fán zài chì zhā shēn yuān de xīn kǔ láo zuò jiù zhèng shì kāi shǐ le 。
第二天，李凡在叱吒深渊的辛苦劳作就正式开始了。
The next day, Li Fan's arduous work in the Abyss of Roaring began formally.
fù zé xié tóng jiàn zào tiān xuán suǒ líng zhèn de zhèn fǎ shī ， chú le xuē mù zhī wài ， hái yǒu tiān yǔ zhōu cè zhèn táng suǒ shǔ de wǔ wèi xiū shì 。
负责协同建造天玄锁灵阵的阵法师，除了薛幕之外，还有天禹州策阵堂所属的五位修士。
Apart from Xue Mu, the array masters responsible for constructing the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array included five cultivators from the Strategy Hall of Heaven’s Virtue State.
bù bǐ zài xún cháng zhōu yù ， zhǐ xū kǎo lǜ zhèn fǎ de jiàn zào ， ér bù yòng cāo xīn ān quán wèn tí 。
不比在寻常州域，只需考虑阵法的建造，而不用操心安全问题。
Unlike in Search City Territory, they only needed to focus on building the array without worrying about safety issues.
zài zhè chì zhā shēn yuān wài jiàn zào suǒ líng zhèn ， kě wèi shì jǔ bù wéi jiān ， fēi zhòng duō bù mén hé lì bù kě 。
在这叱吒深渊外建造锁灵阵，可谓是举步维艰，非众多部门合力不可。
Constructing a Locking Spirit Array outside the Roaring Abyss was no easy feat; it required the combined efforts of numerous departments.
xiān shì zhù zhā yǒng héng xiān lěi de shǒu jūn ， míng wèi 【 qīng xuán 】， zài céng céng fáng hù xià ， yú bái wù zhōng jiān nán kāi pì chū kě yǐ bù zhèn de kòng bái tōng dào 。
先是驻扎永恒仙垒的守军，名为【青玄】，在层层防护下，于白雾中艰难开辟出可以布阵的空白通道。
Firstly, the eternal immortal barrier's garrison forces, named [Qingxuan], under multiple layers of protection, cleared out a blank channel in the white mist.
suí hòu yóu tiān jī táng de xiū shì chū miàn ， zài tōng dào zhōng tiāo xuǎn hé shì wèi zhì 。
随后由天机堂的修士出面，在通道中挑选合适位置。
Next, cultivators from the Heaven’s Will Hall selected suitable positions within the channel.
yǎn wǔ táng xiū shì pèi hé qīng xuán shǒu jūn ， zài bái wù shōu fù shī dì qián ， xùn sù dǎ zào chū shù shí gè luò jiǎo diǎn 。
演武堂修士配合青玄守军，在白雾收复失地前，迅速打造出数十个落脚点。
The martial arts hall cultivators worked with the Qingxuan troops to quickly establish dozens of resting points before the white mist could reclaim lost ground.
zhè xiē luò jiǎo diǎn ， jiù shì lǐ fán tā men měi cì bù zhèn hòu de xiū qì zhī suǒ le 。
这些落脚点，就是李凡他们每次布阵后的休憩之所了。
These resting points served as Li Fan and his team's places of rest after each array setup.
wèi le tí gāo jiàn zào xiào lǜ ， zài yī wèi jīng yàn fēng fù de zhèn fǎ shī dòu xīng sī de jiàn yì xià ， lǒng zhào chì zhā shēn yuān de suǒ líng zhèn ， cǎi yòng duō diǎn kāi huā 、 tóng shí jiàn zào de fāng fǎ 。
为了提高建造效率，在一位经验丰富的阵法师窦兴思的建议下，笼罩叱吒深渊的锁灵阵，采用多点开花、同时建造的方法。
To increase efficiency, under the suggestion of experienced array master Dou Xingsi, the Locking Spirit Array covering the Roaring Abyss was constructed using a multi-point approach simultaneously from different directions.
qī wèi zhèn fǎ shī ， gè zì cóng yí gè fāng xiàng kāi shǐ cháo wài kuò jiàn ， zuì zhōng wài wéi zhèn shì hé lǒng hòu 。
七位阵法师，各自从一个方向开始朝外扩建，最终外围阵势合拢后。
Seven array masters started expanding outward from their respective directions. Once the outer layers were complete,
zài xiàng nèi gòu zào zhōng yāng hé xīn zhèn fǎ 。
再向内构造中央核心阵法。
they would construct the central core array inward.
zuì hòu ， dāng yī qiè wán bèi zhī hòu ， zài ān zhì hé xīn zhèn shū ， zuò zuì hòu de tiáo shì 。
最后，当一切完备之后，再安置核心阵枢，做最后的调试。
Finally, once everything was ready, they would install the core array hub and make final adjustments.
jì huà méi yǒu shén me dà wèn tí ， dàn shí jì shī gōng de shí hòu ， què shì jiān xīn wú bǐ 。
计划没有什么大问题，但实际施工的时候，却是艰辛无比。
The plan seemed straightforward, but actual construction proved incredibly arduous.
ráo shì lǐ fán zhè děng jiān rèn zhī bèi ， yě jī hū bèi zhè jiàn zào zhèn fǎ de guò chéng gǎo dé pí bèi bù yǐ 。
饶是李凡这等坚韧之辈，也几乎被这建造阵法的过程搞得疲惫不已。
Even Li Fan, known for his resilience, found himself nearly worn out by the process of setting up the arrays in the white mist.
jǔ gè lì zi ， xiǎng yào zài bái wù zhōng bù zhì zhèn fǎ jié diǎn ， jiù xiān yào jiāng shì yuán bái wù qū zhú 。
举个例子，想要在白雾中布置阵法节点，就先要将噬元白雾驱逐。
For instance, to set up an array node in the white mist, they first had to drive away the Essence Devouring White Mist.
qīng xuán jūn kāi pì de zhēn kōng dì dài bìng bù néng cháng jiǔ 。
青玄军开辟的真空地带并不能长久。
The vacuum created by Qingxuan forces was temporary. Before the white mist returned, Li Fan had to complete a small array node quickly so it could connect with other structures later.
zài bái wù guī lái zhī qián ， lǐ fán bì xū zhēng fēn duó miǎo ， wán chéng yí gè xiǎo xíng zhèn fǎ jié diǎn de zhì zào ， yǐ biàn zhī hòu gēn qí tā zhèn fǎ jié gòu lián jiē 。
在白雾归来之前，李凡必须争分夺秒，完成一个小型阵法节点的制造，以便之后跟其他阵法结构连接。
If he made a mistake or faced an unexpected situation that left him only half-finished within the time limit, facing the surging Essence Devouring White Mist again meant starting over from scratch.
ruò shì shī wù huò zhě yì wài dǎo zhì zài guī dìng shí jiān nèi zhǐ wán chéng le bàn chéng pǐn ， miàn duì xiōng xiōng fù fǎn de shì yuán bái wù ， lǐ fán yě zhǐ dé zàn qiě tuì bì 。
若是失误或者意外导致在规定时间内只完成了半成品，面对汹汹复返的噬元白雾，李凡也只得暂且退避。
The already constructed array nodes, now submerged in thick white mist, required Li Fan to venture into it under the supervision of several cultivators whenever they needed repairs or inspections.
jiù xiāng dāng yú qián gōng jìn qì ， xià cì hái yào chóng xīn lái guò 。
就相当于前功尽弃，下次还要重新来过。
Moreover, throughout the process, they had to constantly guard against the Abyssal Sounds.
ér zhī qián yǐ jīng jiàn zào wán chéng de zhèn fǎ jié diǎn ， yóu yú yǐ jīng yān mò zài nóng nóng bái wù zhī zhōng 。
而之前已经建造完成的阵法节点，由于已经淹没在浓浓白雾之中。
Most of the time, the sounds followed a pattern like tides. The Qingxuan forces provided the times when these sound waves would arrive so Li Fan and his team could avoid them.
yí dàn chū xiàn shén me wèn tí ， xū yào jiǎn xiū de huà ， jiù yòu yào lǐ fán mào zhe shēng mìng wēi xiǎn ， zài shù míng xiū shì de péi tóng xià ， shēn rù bái wù ， jìn xíng chá tàn 。
一旦出现什么问题，需要检修的话，就又要李凡冒着生命危险，在数名修士的陪同下，深入白雾，进行查探。
However, there were sudden emergencies where the Abyssal Sound Tides struck unexpectedly.
gèng bié tí ， suǒ yǒu de guò chéng zhōng ， dōu yào shí kè xiǎo xīn dī fáng shēn yuān mó yīn de qīn xí 。
更别提，所有的过程中，都要时刻小心提防深渊魔音的侵袭。
Although Li Fan's position was already outside the Roaring Abyss, most of the sound’s power had been absorbed by the Eternal Immortal Barrier. Still, facing it directly left him feeling like a flame that could be extinguished at any moment.
mó yīn de bào fā dà bù fèn qíng kuàng xià ， rú tóng cháo xī yì bān ， yǒu zhe guī lǜ kě xún 。
魔音的爆发大部分情况下，如同潮汐一般，有着规律可循。
The hateful and terrifying sounds surrounded him, threatening to cloud his mind.
qīng xuán jūn huì tí gōng měi cì yīn cháo lái lín de shí jiān ， ràng lǐ fán tā men guī bì 。
青玄军会提供每次音潮来临的时间，让李凡他们规避。
On one occasion, even the protective energy from the True Reality shield dropped significantly.
dàn shì yě yǒu tū fā qíng kuàng ， mó yīn dà cháo tū rán lái xí 。
但是也有突发情况，魔音大潮突然来袭。
Thankfully, the Qingxuan forces were professionals in dealing with Abyssal Sounds. During these critical moments, they remained calm despite the danger.
suī shuō lǐ fán jiàn zhèn suǒ chù de wèi zhì ， yǐ jīng shì chì zhā shēn yuān zhī wài ， mó yīn jīng guò yǒng héng xiān lěi ， jué dà bù fèn wēi néng yǐ jīng bèi xī shōu 。
虽说李凡建阵所处的位置，已经是叱吒深渊之外，魔音经过永恒仙垒，绝大部分威能已经被吸收。
They positioned themselves around Li Fan, each taking out their unique sound-absorbing treasures.
dàn zhēn zhèng zhí miàn mó yīn kuáng cháo shí ， lǐ fán cái zhēn zhèng gǎn jué shén me shì bào fēng zhōng suí shí huì xī miè de huǒ yàn 。
但真正直面魔音狂潮时，李凡才真正感觉什么是暴风中随时会熄灭的火焰。
One was a peculiar black stone covered in hollows, another had two earless faces, and there were green grasses that danced to the sounds.
nà xiē yuàn zēng 、 jiān ruì kě bù de shēng xiǎng ， huán rào tā de shēn biān 。
那些怨憎、尖锐可怖的声响，环绕他的身边。
These and more, all designed to suppress the sounds. Even the red-haired beasts from Wanlai Island occasionally appeared, showing remarkable effects.
ràng tā de shén zhì dōu yào mí shī 。
让他的神智都要迷失。
Once activated, the once overwhelming sounds vanished instantly.
yǒu yī cì de wēi xiǎn chéng dù ， shèn zhì lián 【 hái zhēn 】 de hù tǐ chōng néng ， dōu zhòu jiàng le jǐ gè bǎi fēn diǎn 。
有一次的危险程度，甚至连【还真】的护体充能，都骤降了几个百分点。
However, Li Fan noticed that after absorbing a certain amount of sound, these treasures and creatures would sometimes undergo changes—becoming more agitated and harder to control, or emitting strange sounds spontaneously.
hǎo zài qīng xuán jūn zài duì fù shēn yuān mó yīn fāng miàn ， yě shì zhuān yè de 。
好在青玄军在对付深渊魔音方面，也是专业的。
Thus, the Qingxuan forces replaced their treasures periodically. When supplies ran low, they needed to replenish them at the Eternal Immortal Barrier.
měi měi zhè xiē wēi jí shí kè ， tā men dōu suī jīng bù luàn 。
每每这些危急时刻，他们都虽惊不乱。
In addition to sound-absorbing treasures, maintaining outposts and ensuring cultivators could survive in the Essence Devouring White Mist required [Black Death Talismans], which were also consumables.
jiāng lǐ fán hù wèi zài zhōng yāng ， tóng shí gè zì qǔ chū tūn shì shēng yīn de yì bǎo 。
将李凡护卫在中央，同时各自取出吞噬声音的异宝。
If supplies were delayed for any reason, construction would have to halt.
yī zhǒng qí tè de hēi sè shí tou ， shàng miàn zhǎng mǎn kōng dòng 。
一种奇特的黑色石头，上面长满空洞。
Overall, constructing the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array in the white mist was far more challenging than in Search City Territory.
zhǐ zhǎng zhe liǎng shuāng ěr duǒ de wú miàn rén liǎn 。
只长着两双耳朵的无面人脸。
Perhaps because of this, despite the slow progress, Li Fan’s ranking on the Golden List remained relatively stable, consistently around the top hundred.
lǜ sè de suí yīn qǐ wǔ de xiǎo cǎo 。
绿色的随音起舞的小草。
The score gap hadn’t widened much; the top ten were constantly swapping positions.
zhū rú cǐ lèi ， pǐn zhǒng fán duō 。
诸如此类，品种繁多。
However, what garnered more attention was the 783rd position—the Dao practitioner Guo Yezhong.
shèn zhì wàn lài dǎo shàng de nà xiē hóng máo yì shòu ， lǐ fán dōu jiàn guò jǐ cì 。
甚至万籁岛上的那些红毛异兽，李凡都见过几次。
Almost a year had passed since the major competition began, yet his score remained at zero. He was the only one on the list with such a score, making him stand out even more than the first-place holder.
xiào guǒ yě jí qí xiǎn zhe 。
效果也极其显着。
Speculation among cultivators suggested that Guo Yezhong might be missing or trapped somewhere, or he could have defected directly.
Ji Hongdao seemed to ignore the other party's disappearance and continued speaking as if nothing had happened. "The only thing Young Master should be concerned about is being trapped in the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array, unable to move freely."
"Regarding safety, there’s no need to worry."
"Just like what the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has always been promoting, Dao practitioners who have achieved union with the Way are already beyond the capability range of the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array."
"With your strength, Young Master, you shouldn’t be afraid of a mere array technique, right?"
"If it can bring enough benefits in exchange for some freedom, I believe Young Master would be more than willing to do so."
"Doesn't Young Master find it curious what lies beneath the Abyss and beyond the mist? Why not take a look?"
After Ji Hongdao finished speaking, Young Master's distorted figure reappeared on the Dust-Parting Vessel.
He remained silent, coldly staring at Ji Hongdao in anticipation of his next words.
Ji Hongdao did not seem surprised by Young Master’s return. "Once the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array is fully constructed, the Heavenly Xuan Mirror will also complete its second transformation."
*The Star Treading*
"By then, there might be a great chance to successfully accomplish what was left undone two hundred years ago."
"Moreover, for the Heavenly Xuan Mirror to advance further after its transformation, it can only do so by either occupying the territory of the Five Elders Association or exploring beyond the boundaries."
"The White Mist Devouring Essence serves as an entry point. It won’t easily give up."
"As long as it has the energy, the White Mist Devouring Essence will definitely not stop you. Only time is a factor."
"What Young Master needs to do is be patient and wait."
"After all these years, does it really matter?"
Young Master did not seem swayed by Ji Hongdao’s words, his voice tinged with sarcasm: "Ji Hongdao, you haven’t changed at all."
Without waiting for a response, he disappeared again.
Ji Hongdao slowly turned his head and looked back towards the busy cultivators inside the Eternal Immortal Barrier. A faint smile played on his lips.
...
The next day, Li Fan's arduous work in the Abyss of Roaring began formally.
Apart from Xue Mu, the array masters responsible for constructing the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array included five cultivators from the Strategy Hall of Heaven’s Virtue State.
Unlike in Search City Territory, they only needed to focus on building the array without worrying about safety issues.
Constructing a Locking Spirit Array outside the Roaring Abyss was no easy feat; it required the combined efforts of numerous departments.
Firstly, the eternal immortal barrier's garrison forces, named [Qingxuan], under multiple layers of protection, cleared out a blank channel in the white mist.
Next, cultivators from the Heaven’s Will Hall selected suitable positions within the channel.
The martial arts hall cultivators worked with the Qingxuan troops to quickly establish dozens of resting points before the white mist could reclaim lost ground.
These resting points served as Li Fan and his team's places of rest after each array setup.
To increase efficiency, under the suggestion of experienced array master Dou Xingsi, the Locking Spirit Array covering the Roaring Abyss was constructed using a multi-point approach simultaneously from different directions.
Seven array masters started expanding outward from their respective directions. Once the outer layers were complete,
they would construct the central core array inward.
Finally, once everything was ready, they would install the core array hub and make final adjustments.
The plan seemed straightforward, but actual construction proved incredibly arduous.
Even Li Fan, known for his resilience, found himself nearly worn out by the process of setting up the arrays in the white mist.
For instance, to set up an array node in the white mist, they first had to drive away the Essence Devouring White Mist.
The vacuum created by Qingxuan forces was temporary. Before the white mist returned, Li Fan had to complete a small array node quickly so it could connect with other structures later.
If he made a mistake or faced an unexpected situation that left him only half-finished within the time limit, facing the surging Essence Devouring White Mist again meant starting over from scratch.
The already constructed array nodes, now submerged in thick white mist, required Li Fan to venture into it under the supervision of several cultivators whenever they needed repairs or inspections.
Moreover, throughout the process, they had to constantly guard against the Abyssal Sounds.
Most of the time, the sounds followed a pattern like tides. The Qingxuan forces provided the times when these sound waves would arrive so Li Fan and his team could avoid them.
However, there were sudden emergencies where the Abyssal Sound Tides struck unexpectedly.
Although Li Fan's position was already outside the Roaring Abyss, most of the sound’s power had been absorbed by the Eternal Immortal Barrier. Still, facing it directly left him feeling like a flame that could be extinguished at any moment.
The hateful and terrifying sounds surrounded him, threatening to cloud his mind.
On one occasion, even the protective energy from the True Reality shield dropped significantly.
Thankfully, the Qingxuan forces were professionals in dealing with Abyssal Sounds. During these critical moments, they remained calm despite the danger.
They positioned themselves around Li Fan, each taking out their unique sound-absorbing treasures.
One was a peculiar black stone covered in hollows, another had two earless faces, and there were green grasses that danced to the sounds.
These and more, all designed to suppress the sounds. Even the red-haired beasts from Wanlai Island occasionally appeared, showing remarkable effects.
Once activated, the once overwhelming sounds vanished instantly.
However, Li Fan noticed that after absorbing a certain amount of sound, these treasures and creatures would sometimes undergo changes—becoming more agitated and harder to control, or emitting strange sounds spontaneously.
Thus, the Qingxuan forces replaced their treasures periodically. When supplies ran low, they needed to replenish them at the Eternal Immortal Barrier.
In addition to sound-absorbing treasures, maintaining outposts and ensuring cultivators could survive in the Essence Devouring White Mist required [Black Death Talismans], which were also consumables.
If supplies were delayed for any reason, construction would have to halt.
Overall, constructing the Heavenly Xuan Locking Spirit Array in the white mist was far more challenging than in Search City Territory.
Perhaps because of this, despite the slow progress, Li Fan’s ranking on the Golden List remained relatively stable, consistently around the top hundred.
The score gap hadn’t widened much; the top ten were constantly swapping positions.
However, what garnered more attention was the 783rd position—the Dao practitioner Guo Yezhong.
Almost a year had passed since the major competition began, yet his score remained at zero. He was the only one on the list with such a score, making him stand out even more than the first-place holder.
Speculation among cultivators suggested that Guo Yezhong might be missing or trapped somewhere, or he could have defected directly.