jiǎ xū hào jù diǎn nèi ， lǐ fán dǎ liàng zhe tiān xuán xiǎo jìng zhōng tóu shè chū de jīn bǎng míng dān 。
甲戌号据点内，李凡打量着天玄小镜中投射出的金榜名单。
In the Jiaxu Base, Li Fan examined the golden榜list projected by the Celestial Xuan Small Mirror.
“ zhè guō yè zhòng dào yě shì gè miào rén 。 rú guǒ bú shì yǒu tè shū yuán yīn de huà ， nà jiù shì wàn zhòng zhǔ mù xià gōng rán bǎi làn mō yú 。 zhè jiǎn zhí shì zài chì luǒ luǒ dǎ wàn xiān méng de liǎn 。”
“这郭叶仲倒也是个妙人。如果不是有特殊原因的话，那就是万众瞩目下公然摆烂摸鱼。这简直是在赤裸裸打万仙盟的脸。”
"Co Yeyong is quite a clever person. If it's not for some special reason, he's openly slacking off and fishing in plain sight. This is basically mocking the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
huí yì dāng chū jí xùn shí jiàn dào de guō yè zhòng ， wán quán píng píng wú qí de yàng zi 。
回忆当初集训时见到的郭叶仲，完全平平无奇的样子。
Recalling Co Yeyong as he was during their training session back then, Li Fan found him completely unremarkable.
“ rú guǒ dà bǐ jié shù zhī shí ， cǐ rén hái shì líng jī fēn de huà ， wǒ jiù jìng tā shì tiáo hàn zi 。”
“如果大比结束之时，此人还是零积分的话，我就敬他是条汉子。”
"If this person still has zero points when the Great Competition ends, I'll respect him for his grit."
ěr biān hū de zài cì yǐn yǐn xiǎng qǐ yuàn hèn ní nán zhī shēng ， jīng guò yī nián duō de shí jiān de mó lì ， lǐ fán zǎo yǐ jīng duì cǐ xí yǐ wéi cháng 。
耳边忽的再次隐隐响起怨恨呢喃之声，经过一年多的时间的磨砺，李凡早已经对此习以为常。
Suddenly, a faint murmur of resentment echoed in his ears. After more than a year of refinement, Li Fan had long gotten used to it.
miàn bù gǎi sè dì jiāng wū nèi yī zhǎn liú lí dēng diǎn liàng ， yāo yì de hēi sè huǒ yàn liàng qǐ ， lái zì shēn yuān de yì xiǎng shà shí jiān xiāo shī bú jiàn 。
面不改色地将屋内一盏琉璃灯点亮，妖异的黑色火焰亮起，来自深渊的异响霎时间消失不见。
With an unperturbed face, he lit up a lustrous lamp in the room, and a妖异的黑色火焰flared up, instantly silencing the strange sounds from the abyss.
“ zhè 【 jì miè liú lí zhǎn 】 jiù shì hǎo yòng 。” zài cì xiǎng shòu qǐ le nán dé de jì jìng ， lǐ fán bù jīn kuā zàn dào 。
“这【寂灭琉璃盏】就是好用。”再次享受起了难得的寂静，李凡不禁夸赞道。
"This [Silent Lustrous Lamp] is indeed useful," Li Fan praised as he once again enjoyed the难得的寂静.
jì miè liú lí zhǎn ， nǎi shì yǎn wǔ táng liǎng gè yuè qián sòng lái de xīn xíng xiāo yīn yì bǎo 。
寂灭琉璃盏，乃是演武堂两个月前送来的新型消音异宝。
The Silent Lustrous Lamp was a new sound-suppressing artifact sent by the Martial Arts Hall two months ago. It originated from the Western Ethereal State.
lái zì xī fāng piāo miǎo zhōu 。
来自西方缥缈州。
After igniting the silent ignition cord inside, it could emit black flames, turning all surrounding sounds into nothingness.
diǎn rán dēng zhōng de jì miè yǐn shéng hòu ， kě zhàn fàng chū hēi sè huǒ yàn ， jiāng zhōu zāo yī qiè shēng yīn dōu huà zuò xū wú 。
点燃灯中的寂灭引绳后，可绽放出黑色火焰，将周遭一切声音都化作虚无。
Simple to use and highly effective, unlike other artifacts that might undergo mutations after absorbing too much magical sound.
jiǎn dān yì yòng ， xiào guǒ bá qún 。
简单易用，效果拔群。
This lustrous lamp would not be affected until its fuel was completely burned out. It could also be extinguished when not in use, extending its lifespan.
bìng qiě bù xiàng qí yú yì bǎo xī shōu mó yīn duō le hòu ， hái yǒu huì yì biàn de fēng xiǎn 。
并且不像其余异宝吸收魔音多了后，还有会异变的风险。
Among all sound-suppressing artifacts, the Silent Lustrous Lamp stood out as one of the best.
zhè liú lí dēng zài rán shāo dài jìn qián ， gēn běn bú huì shòu dào rèn hé yǐng xiǎng 。 wú xū shǐ yòng shí hái néng jiāng qí xī miè ， yán cháng shǐ yòng shòu mìng 。
这琉璃灯在燃烧殆尽前，根本不会受到任何影响。无需使用时还能将其熄灭，延长使用寿命。
Unfortunately, it required special craftsmanship for its key component [Silent Ignition Cord], making its production cycle long and highly precious.
zài suǒ yǒu xiāo yīn yì bǎo zhōng ， zhè jì miè liú lí zhǎn suàn shì zuì wèi chū zhòng de le 。
在所有消音异宝中，这寂灭琉璃盏算是最为出众的了。
Thus, only Li Fan and Xue Mu, among other array masters, carried them with them at all times. The Qingxuan Army would only use them in emergencies.
kě xī jù shuō guān jiàn bù jiàn 【 jì miè yǐn shéng 】 xū yào tè shū gōng yì páo zhì ， shēng chǎn zhōu qī jiào zhǎng ， jí wéi zhēn guì 。
可惜据说关键部件【寂灭引绳】需要特殊工艺炮制，生产周期较长，极为珍贵。
Since the sudden eruption of the magical sound tide fifteen days ago, this Jiaxu Base had lost contact with other bases and the Eternal Immortal Barrier.
suǒ yǐ yě zhǐ yǒu lǐ fán 、 xuē mù děng zhèn fǎ shī huì suí shēn pèi bèi 。
所以也只有李凡、薛幕等阵法师会随身配备。
Communications through spirit tokens or mystical messages were also impossible, even the Celestial Xuan Mirror.
qīng xuán jūn suǒ shǔ ， zhǐ yǒu zài wēi jī shí kè cái huì ná chū lái yìng duì nán guān 。
青玄军所属，只有在危机时刻才会拿出来应对难关。
In fact, the list Li Fan had just been looking at was data frozen before the tidal wave's outbreak.
rán ér lǐ fán cǐ kè diǎn rán jì miè liú lí zhǎn ， què yě bú shì tā pū zhāng làng fèi 。
然而李凡此刻点燃寂灭琉璃盏，却也不是他铺张浪费。
According to his Qingxuan veteran guard, Cold Yingyi, this tidal wave's strength was unprecedented in a century.
zì cóng shí wǔ tiān qián ， chì zhà shēn yuān de mó yīn dà cháo tū wù bào fā yǐ lái ， cǐ chù jiǎ xū hào jù diǎn ， jiù gēn qí tā jù diǎn yǐ jí yǒng héng xiān lěi dōu shī qù le lián xì 。
自从十五天前，叱咤深渊的魔音大潮突兀爆发以来，此处甲戌号据点，就跟其他据点以及永恒仙垒都失去了联系。
Based on Cold Yingyi’s experience, the duration of the magical sound tide was almost directly proportional to its power.
tōng xùn líng fú 、 fǎ shù chuán xùn ， nǎi zhì yú tiān xuán jìng ， dōu wú fǎ hé wài jiè lián jiē 。
通讯灵符、法术传讯，乃至于天玄镜，都无法和外界连接。
The sudden eruption caught everyone by surprise. The base's supplies were running low, including the Black Death Token that sustained survival in the devouring white fog.
shì shí shàng ， gāng gāng lǐ fán bǎi wú liáo lài zhī xià suǒ kàn de bǎng dān ， yě zhǐ shì dà cháo bào fā qián dìng gé de shù jù ér yǐ 。
事实上，刚刚李凡百无聊赖之下所看的榜单，也只是大潮爆发前定格的数据而已。
Thus, Cold Yingyi led three subordinates into the risk of falling to retrieve supplies from the Eternal Immortal Barrier after the tidal wave’s lull period.
àn zhào hù wèi tā de qīng xuán lǎo bīng 、 yuán yīng xiū shì lěng yīng yī de shuō fǎ ， cǐ cì dà cháo wēi shì zhī qiáng ， bǎi nián yī yù 。
按照护卫他的青玄老兵、元婴修士冷应衣的说法，此次大潮威势之强，百年一遇。
However, they had not returned yet.
gēn jù lěng yīng yī de jīng yàn ， mó yīn cháo de chí xù shí jiān ， jī hū gēn qí wēi néng chéng zhèng bǐ 。
根据冷应衣的经验，魔音潮的持续时间，几乎跟其威能成正比。
While Li Fan was puzzled as to why he happened to encounter such a rare event, given its rarity.
dà cháo de zhòu rán bào fā ， zài suǒ yǒu rén de yì liào zhī wài 。
大潮的骤然爆发，在所有人的意料之外。
But judging by current circumstances, the base seemed relatively safe, so there was no need for alarm.
jù diǎn zhōng de yī gān wù zī ， bāo kuò wéi xì zài shì yuán bái wù zhōng shēng cún de 【 hēi sǐ fú 】， chǔ liàng fēn fēn gào jí ， dōu xū yào jí shí bǔ chōng 。
据点中的一干物资，包括维系在噬元白雾中生存的【黑死符】，储量纷纷告急，都需要及时补充。
Under the dual influence of the magical sound tide and white fog, not only communications but even the flow of spiritual energy had become chaotic.
yú shì ， zhí zé suǒ zài de lěng yīng yī dài lǐng sān míng shǒu xià ， mào zhe yǔn luò de fēng xiǎn ， zài mó yīn cháo bào fā hòu de kōng dàng qī ， fǎn huí yǒng héng xiān lěi qù xún qiú bǔ jǐ 。
于是，职责所在的冷应衣带领三名手下，冒着陨落的风险，在魔音潮爆发后的空荡期，返回永恒仙垒去寻求补给。
Li Fan's mind could not focus; forcing his cultivation would cause erratic movement of energy within his body, damaging his vital essence.
rán ér zhì jīn wèi huí 。
然而至今未回。
Unable to practice, this usually diligent Li Fan found himself idle.
suī rán lǐ fán yǒu diǎn nà mèn ， wèi shén me bǎi nián nán dé yī yù de dà cháo piān piān bèi zì jǐ yù shàng le 。
虽然李凡有点纳闷，为什么百年难得一遇的大潮偏偏被自己遇上了。
He tried to perform rituals to enter the陨仙境but failed multiple times due to the weak connection in the white fog.
bù guò àn zhào mù qián de qíng kuàng lái kàn ， jù diǎn nèi hái suàn ān quán ， dào yě bù bì jīng huāng 。
不过按照目前的情况来看，据点内还算安全，倒也不必惊慌。
He ended up dizzy and disoriented.
jiù shì zài dà cháo hé bái wù de shuāng chóng yǐng xiǎng xià ， bù jǐn jǐn shì tōng xùn ， lián líng qì yě biàn dé wěn luàn 。
就是在大潮和白雾的双重影响下，不仅仅是通讯，连灵气也变得紊乱。
So he gave up on that path.
xīn shén wú fǎ jí zhōng ， ruò shì qiáng xíng yùn gōng ， hái huì dǎo zhì líng qì zài tǐ nèi bù guī lǜ cuàn dòng ， qì xuè shòu sǔn 。
心神无法集中，若是强行运功，还会导致灵气在体内不规律窜动，气血受损。
The only way to pass time was by chatting with other cultivators at the base.
wú fǎ xiū liàn ， zhè ràng yí xiàng qín miǎn de lǐ fán yě biàn dé wú suǒ shì shì qǐ lái 。
无法修炼，这让一向勤勉的李凡也变得无所事事起来。
However, as days passed, Li Fan noticed a dwindling supply of resources within the base, while Cold Yingyi showed no signs of returning.
tā yě céng cháng shì guò fā dòng yí shì jìn rù yǔn xiān jìng 。
他也曾尝试过发动仪式进入陨仙境。
Everyone grew somewhat heavy-hearted, and idle chatter gradually decreased.
kě shì zài zhè bái wù zhī zhōng ， gēn yǔn xiān jìng de lián xì yě dōu guò yú bó ruò 。
可是在这白雾之中，跟陨仙境的联系也都过于薄弱。
The flickering black flames cast an ominous glow on his face.
shù cì dōu wú fǎ chéng gōng jìn rù ， fǎn ér gǎo dé lǐ fán shén hún zhèn dàng 、 tóu yūn mù xuàn 。
数次都无法成功进入，反而搞得李凡神魂震荡、头晕目眩。
"Could this be where my world ends?"
suǒ yǐ yě bù dé bù fàng qì 。
所以也不得不放弃。
After staying for too long, he occasionally wondered if that was true.
wéi yī néng dǎ fā shí jiān de ， jiù shì gēn jù diǎn nèi qí yú xiū shì dōng lā xī chě 、 tán tiān shuō dì le 。
唯一能打发时间的，就是跟据点内其余修士东拉西扯、谈天说地了。
Taking a deep breath, he habitually chanted the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell to suppress any stray thoughts.
bù guò suí zhe shí jiān yī tiān tiān guò qù ， yǎn jiàn zhe jù diǎn nèi de wù zī yuè lái shǎo ， ér lěng yīng yī yī rán méi yǒu fǎn huí de zhào tou 。
不过随着时间一天天过去，眼见着据点内的物资越来少，而冷应衣依然没有返回的兆头。
With nothing else to do, Li Fan decided to focus all his energy on refining the spell.
dà jiā dōu biàn dé yǒu xiē xīn qíng chén zhòng ， xián liáo yě zhú jiàn shǎo le qǐ lái 。
大家都变得有些心情沉重，闲聊也逐渐少了起来。
Since achieving cultivation, although he had made it an instinctive part of his life, there was still a difference between full concentration and gradual practice.
hēi huǒ míng miè bù dìng ， bù duàn tiào dòng 。
黑火明灭不定，不断跳动。
This was the first time in years that Li Fan seriously refined the Refining Heart Spell.
jiāng lǐ fán de liǎn sè yě yìng zhào de yǒu xiē yīn chén 。
将李凡的脸色也映照的有些阴沉。
When he was just a commoner, the Clearing Mind Spell was his hope to break through the barrier between mortal and immortal.
“ gāi bú huì ， cǐ shì jiù zài zhè lǐ zhōng jié le ba ？”
“该不会，此世就在这里终结了吧？”
He had been willing to endure hardships for years.
dāi de jiǔ le ， tā xīn zhōng yě bù jīn huì ǒu ěr tiào chū zhè ge niàn tou 。
呆的久了，他心中也不禁会偶尔跳出这个念头。
But after breaking into the Qi Cultivation Stage, the spell transformed into the Refining Heart Spell, its purpose becoming vague.
shēn xī yì kǒu qì ， xí guàn xìng de yùn zhuàn xuán huáng liàn xīn zhòu ， jiāng zá niàn yā xià 。
深吸一口气，习惯性的运转玄黄炼心咒，将杂念压下。
It no longer helped with cultivation; it only suppressed杂念.
zuǒ yòu méi yǒu qí tā shì ， xiǎng le xiǎng ， lǐ fán suǒ xìng tóu rù quán bù xīn shén ， xiū xíng zhè liàn xīn zhòu lái 。
左右没有其他事，想了想，李凡索性投入全部心神，修行这炼心咒来。
In this world where heart nature was not emphasized in cultivation, it was nearly useless.
zì cóng xiū wèi yǒu chéng yǐ lái ， suī shuō yùn zhuàn xuán huáng liàn xīn zhòu yǐ jīng huà zuò tā hū xī bān de běn néng 。
自从修为有成以来，虽说运转玄黄炼心咒已经化作他呼吸般的本能。
Moreover, Li Fan's willpower was exceptionally strong, rarely troubled by mental demons.
dàn bì jìng quán shēn xīn de gǎn wù xiū xíng hé běn néng màn màn xiū liàn ， hái shì yǒu suǒ chā bié de 。
但毕竟全身心的感悟修行和本能慢慢修炼，还是有所差别的。
Thus, for him, the spell’s value was minimal.
cǐ kè yě shì lǐ fán cháng jiǔ yǐ lái ， dì yī cì zài dù rèn zhēn xiū xíng liàn xīn zhòu 。
此刻也是李凡长久以来，第一次再度认真修行炼心咒。
However, if not for his gut feeling and the top ranking of the True Zen Panel, he might have abandoned the spell long ago.
dāng hái shì yī míng fán rén shí ， qīng xīn zhòu shì tā dǎ pò xiān fán zhī gé de xī wàng 。
当还是一名凡人时，清心咒是他打破仙凡之隔的希望。
After temporarily setting aside all else to immerse himself in the spell again, Li Fan gradually gained some insight.
suǒ yǐ tā néng fèi qǐn wàng shí ， jiān chí kǔ xiū shù zài 。
所以他能废寝忘食，坚持苦修数载。
"Refining the heart."
dàn dāng tū pò dào liàn qì qī ， qīng xīn zhòu zhuǎn huà wèi liàn xīn zhòu hòu 。
但当突破到炼气期，清心咒转化为炼心咒后。
"How to refine it is already second nature to me."
tā de zuò yòng jiù biàn dé mó hú qǐ lái 。
它的作用就变得模糊起来。
"But what form should I strive for? What is the ultimate goal?"
wú fǎ tí shēng yī sī yī háo de xiū wèi ， míng miàn shàng de zuò yòng zhǐ yǒu yā zhì niǎn suì xīn zhōng zá niàn 。
无法提升一丝一毫的修为，明面上的作用只有压制碾碎心中杂念。
"This may be why my progress with the Refining Heart Spell has been stagnant over these years."
zhè zài rú jīn zhè ge xiū xíng bìng bù kàn zhòng xīn xìng de xiū xiān jiè ， jī hū děng yú méi yǒu yòng chǔ 。
这在如今这个修行并不看重心性的修仙界，几乎等于没有用处。
"What am I refining for?
zài jiā shàng lǐ fán běn jiù xīn zhì jiān rèn yì cháng ， jī hū bù huì yù dào xīn mó kùn rǎo 。
再加上李凡本就心志坚韧异常，几乎不会遇到心魔困扰。
...
suǒ yǐ duì yú lǐ fán ér yán ， liàn xīn zhòu de zuò yòng gèng shì wēi hū qí wēi 。
所以对于李凡而言，炼心咒的作用更是微乎其微。
This question was too profound, leaving even Li Fan, who thought he had a good grasp of things, in a quandary.
rú guǒ bú shì xīn zhōng zhí jué yǐ jí hái zhēn miàn bǎn gōng fǎ dì yī de pái liè shùn xù ， cóng cè miàn shuō míng le liàn xīn zhòu de jià zhí 。
如果不是心中直觉以及还真面板功法第一的排列顺序，从侧面说明了炼心咒的价值。
Time passed slowly as he pondered this issue.
kě néng lǐ fán zǎo jiù jiāng qí fàng qì le 。
可能李凡早就将其放弃了。
After thirty-six days since the tidal wave's outbreak, Li Fan stopped his cultivation and instead walked around the base, listening, observing, feeling, and thinking.
bì jìng tú lóng shù zài zěn me lì hài ， ruò shì shì shàng běn jiù méi lóng de huà ， yě jiù shì gè wú yòng zhī gōng ， gēn běn bù zhí dé làng fèi shí jiān 。
毕竟屠龙术再怎么厉害，若是世上本就没龙的话，也就是个无用之功，根本不值得浪费时间。
Compared to ten days ago, Jiaxu Base had undergone some subtle changes within a short period.
rán ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， dāng lǐ fán zài dù zàn shí fàng xià yī qiè ， chén jìn liàn xīn zhī hòu ， tā zhú jiàn ruò yǒu suǒ wù 。
然而此时此刻，当李凡再度暂时放下一切，沉浸炼心之后，他逐渐若有所悟。
The closed environment, uncertain future, and sporadic magical sound tides, along with dwindling survival resources, made each day feel like an eternity for the cultivators.
“ liàn xīn ， liàn xīn 。”
“炼心，炼心。”
Li Fan, who could read people's minds, was the first to notice this.
“ rú hé liàn wǒ yǐ jīng làn shú yú xiōng 。”
“如何炼我已经烂熟于胸。”
"Three Golden Core cultivators, six Gold丹cultivators."
“ dàn shì yào liàn chéng shén me yàng ， zuì zhōng de mù dì shì shén me ， wǒ què háo wú tóu xù 。”
“但是要炼成什么样，最终的目的是什么，我却毫无头绪。”
"I am the weakest in strength, but if I play the pig and wait for others to make mistakes, I should be able to survive until the end."
“ huò xǔ zhè yě shì wǒ zhè me duō nián lái ， liàn xīn zhòu xiū liàn jìn dù yì zhí qūn xún bù quán de yuán yīn 。”
“或许这也是我这么多年来，炼心咒修炼进度一直逡巡不全的原因。”
This was Li Fan’s initial thought.
“ suǒ liàn wèi hé ne ？”
“所炼为何呢？”
(End of Chapter)
In the Jiaxu Base, Li Fan examined the golden榜list projected by the Celestial Xuan Small Mirror.
"Co Yeyong is quite a clever person. If it's not for some special reason, he's openly slacking off and fishing in plain sight. This is basically mocking the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
Recalling Co Yeyong as he was during their training session back then, Li Fan found him completely unremarkable.
"If this person still has zero points when the Great Competition ends, I'll respect him for his grit."
Suddenly, a faint murmur of resentment echoed in his ears. After more than a year of refinement, Li Fan had long gotten used to it.
With an unperturbed face, he lit up a lustrous lamp in the room, and a妖异的黑色火焰flared up, instantly silencing the strange sounds from the abyss.
"This [Silent Lustrous Lamp] is indeed useful," Li Fan praised as he once again enjoyed the难得的寂静.
The Silent Lustrous Lamp was a new sound-suppressing artifact sent by the Martial Arts Hall two months ago. It originated from the Western Ethereal State.
After igniting the silent ignition cord inside, it could emit black flames, turning all surrounding sounds into nothingness.
Simple to use and highly effective, unlike other artifacts that might undergo mutations after absorbing too much magical sound.
This lustrous lamp would not be affected until its fuel was completely burned out. It could also be extinguished when not in use, extending its lifespan.
Among all sound-suppressing artifacts, the Silent Lustrous Lamp stood out as one of the best.
Unfortunately, it required special craftsmanship for its key component [Silent Ignition Cord], making its production cycle long and highly precious.
Thus, only Li Fan and Xue Mu, among other array masters, carried them with them at all times. The Qingxuan Army would only use them in emergencies.
Since the sudden eruption of the magical sound tide fifteen days ago, this Jiaxu Base had lost contact with other bases and the Eternal Immortal Barrier.
Communications through spirit tokens or mystical messages were also impossible, even the Celestial Xuan Mirror.
In fact, the list Li Fan had just been looking at was data frozen before the tidal wave's outbreak.
According to his Qingxuan veteran guard, Cold Yingyi, this tidal wave's strength was unprecedented in a century.
Based on Cold Yingyi’s experience, the duration of the magical sound tide was almost directly proportional to its power.
The sudden eruption caught everyone by surprise. The base's supplies were running low, including the Black Death Token that sustained survival in the devouring white fog.
Thus, Cold Yingyi led three subordinates into the risk of falling to retrieve supplies from the Eternal Immortal Barrier after the tidal wave’s lull period.
However, they had not returned yet.
While Li Fan was puzzled as to why he happened to encounter such a rare event, given its rarity.
But judging by current circumstances, the base seemed relatively safe, so there was no need for alarm.
Under the dual influence of the magical sound tide and white fog, not only communications but even the flow of spiritual energy had become chaotic.
Li Fan's mind could not focus; forcing his cultivation would cause erratic movement of energy within his body, damaging his vital essence.
Unable to practice, this usually diligent Li Fan found himself idle.
He tried to perform rituals to enter the陨仙境but failed multiple times due to the weak connection in the white fog.
He ended up dizzy and disoriented.
So he gave up on that path.
The only way to pass time was by chatting with other cultivators at the base.
However, as days passed, Li Fan noticed a dwindling supply of resources within the base, while Cold Yingyi showed no signs of returning.
Everyone grew somewhat heavy-hearted, and idle chatter gradually decreased.
The flickering black flames cast an ominous glow on his face.
"Could this be where my world ends?"
After staying for too long, he occasionally wondered if that was true.
Taking a deep breath, he habitually chanted the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell to suppress any stray thoughts.
With nothing else to do, Li Fan decided to focus all his energy on refining the spell.
Since achieving cultivation, although he had made it an instinctive part of his life, there was still a difference between full concentration and gradual practice.
This was the first time in years that Li Fan seriously refined the Refining Heart Spell.
When he was just a commoner, the Clearing Mind Spell was his hope to break through the barrier between mortal and immortal.
He had been willing to endure hardships for years.
But after breaking into the Qi Cultivation Stage, the spell transformed into the Refining Heart Spell, its purpose becoming vague.
It no longer helped with cultivation; it only suppressed杂念.
In this world where heart nature was not emphasized in cultivation, it was nearly useless.
Moreover, Li Fan's willpower was exceptionally strong, rarely troubled by mental demons.
Thus, for him, the spell’s value was minimal.
However, if not for his gut feeling and the top ranking of the True Zen Panel, he might have abandoned the spell long ago.
After temporarily setting aside all else to immerse himself in the spell again, Li Fan gradually gained some insight.
"Refining the heart."
"How to refine it is already second nature to me."
"But what form should I strive for? What is the ultimate goal?"
"This may be why my progress with the Refining Heart Spell has been stagnant over these years."
"What am I refining for?
...
This question was too profound, leaving even Li Fan, who thought he had a good grasp of things, in a quandary.
Time passed slowly as he pondered this issue.
After thirty-six days since the tidal wave's outbreak, Li Fan stopped his cultivation and instead walked around the base, listening, observing, feeling, and thinking.
Compared to ten days ago, Jiaxu Base had undergone some subtle changes within a short period.
The closed environment, uncertain future, and sporadic magical sound tides, along with dwindling survival resources, made each day feel like an eternity for the cultivators.
Li Fan, who could read people's minds, was the first to notice this.
"Three Golden Core cultivators, six Gold丹cultivators."
"I am the weakest in strength, but if I play the pig and wait for others to make mistakes, I should be able to survive until the end."
This was Li Fan’s initial thought.
(End of Chapter)