“ hàn bù wèi sǐ ， shě jǐ wèi rén ？”
“悍不畏死，舍己为人？”
"Unyielding in the face of death, risking one's life for others? That's not what I would do!"
“ ruò bú shì wǒ yǒu 【 hái zhēn 】， kě yǐ suí shí chóng xīn lái guò ， duàn rán bù kě néng zuò chū rú cǐ jué zé ！”
“若不是我有【还真】，可以随时重新来过，断然不可能做出如此抉择！”
"If it weren't for my [Truly Real Technique], allowing me to start over at any time, I wouldn't have made such a choice! It truly makes one feel uneasy."
“ zhēn de ràng rén xīn zhōng bù kuài ！”
“真的让人心中不快！”
Amidst the vast sea of mist and fog, Li Fan used Purple Void Divine Thunder遁术, transforming into a streak of purple light, swiftly heading towards the Eternal Immortal Barrier.
màn tiān wù hǎi zhōng ， lǐ fán shī zhǎn zǐ xiāo shén léi dùn ， huà zuò zǐ sè liú guāng ， fēi sù cháo zhe yǒng héng xiān lěi qián xíng 。
漫天雾海中，李凡施展紫霄神雷遁，化作紫色流光，飞速朝着永恒仙垒前行。
The pent-up frustration and depression lingered in his heart for a long time.
xīn zhōng biē mèn 、 yì yù zhī qì jiǔ jiǔ bù sàn 。
心中憋闷、抑郁之气久久不散。
Even the previously effective Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell was now operating abnormally slowly, as if it were a heavy millstone grinding his thoughts slowly after absorbing them.
ér xiān qián wú wǎng bù lì de xuán huáng liàn xīn zhòu ， jū rán yī fǎn cháng tài de yùn zhuàn jí qí huǎn màn 。
而先前无往不利的玄黄炼心咒，居然一反常态的运转极其缓慢。
Unlike before when he had mindlessly crushed everything that went against his Daoic principles, this time the Refining Heart Spell was transforming these rebellious emotions into cool, icy energies that seeped deep into his body and nourished him.
wǎn ruò yī zūn chén zhòng wú bǐ de mò pán ， jiāng nèi xīn sī xù xī rù hòu ， màn màn yán mó 。
宛若一尊沉重无比的磨盘，将内心思绪吸入后，慢慢研磨。
The cooling sensation slightly soothed his agitated heart.
hé zhī qián lǐ fán cuò wù xiū liàn 、 quán dōu cū bào niǎn suì bù yí yàng 。
和之前李凡错误修炼、全都粗暴碾碎不一样。
Reversely cultivating one's Daoic core meant actively seeking out [Hard to Forget].
cǐ shí de liàn xīn zhòu ， jiāng zhè xiē yīn wèi wéi bèi dào xīn ér chǎn shēng de nì fǎn qíng xù cuì liàn ， zhuǎn huà chéng sī sī bīng liáng qì xī ， liú rù shēn xīn shēn chù ， zī bǔ zhe lǐ fán 。
此时的炼心咒，将这些因为违背道心而产生的逆反情绪淬炼，转化成丝丝冰凉气息，流入身心深处，滋补着李凡。
This naturally made Li Fan, who had always acted on impulse, feel extremely uncomfortable.
qīng liáng de gǎn jué shāo wēi fǔ wèi tā fán zào de xīn xù 。
清凉的感觉稍微抚慰他烦躁的心绪。
However, the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell did not disappoint him.
nì liàn dào xīn ， shí zé jiù shì zhǔ dòng qù zhuī xún 【 yì nán píng 】。
逆练道心，实则就是主动去追寻【意难平】。
As he deeply sensed the effects of the cool energy on his body, Li Fan's heart suddenly trembled.
zhè zì rán ràng yì zhí yǐ lái dōu shì rèn xìng ér wèi de lǐ fán ， gǎn dào jí wéi nán shòu 。
这自然让一直以来都是任性而为的李凡，感到极为难受。
"This feeling..."
bù guò hǎo zài xuán huáng liàn xīn zhòu yě méi yǒu ràng lǐ fán shī wàng 。
不过好在玄黄炼心咒也没有让李凡失望。
"Is it similar to when I first took the [Desire Horse] and felt this way?!"
xì xì gǎn wù zhe bīng liáng qì xī duì zì jǐ shēn tǐ de zuò yòng ， bù jiǔ zhī hòu ， lǐ fán xīn shén jù zhèn 。
细细感悟着冰凉气息对自己身体的作用，不久之后，李凡心神剧震。
"While the Clearing Heart Spell could strengthen one's spirit awareness before, correctly cultivating the Refining Heart Spell actually strengthens one's soul?"
“ zhè zhǒng gǎn jué ……”
“这种感觉……”
Li Fan's mind was overwhelmed with a tidal wave of emotions.
“ hé dāng chū fú yòng 【 yì mǎ 】 hòu ， jìng shì rú cǐ xiāng sì ？！”
“和当初服用【意马】后，竟是如此相似？！”
"That explains why its rank is higher than the Cloud Water Illusion Art in the Coiling Dao Technique."
“ xiān qián qīng xīn zhòu kě yǐ zhuàng dà shén shí ， ér zhèng què xiū xíng liàn xīn zhòu ， jìng rán kě yǐ zhuàng dà shén hún ？”
“先前清心咒可以壮大神识，而正确修行炼心咒，竟然可以壮大神魂？”
"I have seen some techniques that enhance spirit awareness in the special exchange list of the Heaven Xuan Mirror, but..."
lǐ fán xīn zhōng shà shí yǒng qǐ jīng tāo hài làng 。
李凡心中霎时涌起惊涛骇浪。
"But to strengthen one's soul..."
“ nán guài tā de gōng fǎ pǐn jí ， hái yào zài hé dào jí bié gōng fǎ de 《 yún shuǐ huàn mèng gōng 》 zhī shàng 。”
“难怪它的功法品级，还要在合道级别功法的《云水幻梦功》之上。”
"Is truly unheard of."
“ qiáng huà shén shí de gōng fǎ ， wǒ zài tiān xuán jìng zhōng gōng xūn tè shū duì huàn liè biǎo zhōng ， hái céng jiàn guò yī èr 。”
“强化神识的功法，我在天玄镜中功勋特殊兑换列表中，还曾见过一二。”
The soul is internal; the spirit is external.
“ dàn néng qiáng huà shén hún de ……”
“但能强化神魂的……”
As the soul strengthens, so does the spirit naturally.
“ dàng zhēn shì wén suǒ wèi wén 。”
“当真是闻所未闻。”
Spirit like muscles can be enhanced through cultivation and training.
shén hún wèi nèi ， shén shí wèi wài 。
神魂为内，神识为外。
But the soul is akin to bones, set at birth. Only breakthroughs in cultivation that nearly change one's very form or consuming treasures like the [Desire Horse] can strengthen it.
shén hún biàn qiáng ， shén shí zì rán yě huì tóng yàng xiāng yìng biàn qiáng 。
神魂变强，神识自然也会同样相应变强。
Zhang Ziliang, a transformed spirit cultivator, had once said that the [Desire Horse] was extremely precious for strengthening souls.
shén shí rú jī ròu ， kě yǐ tōng guò hòu tiān de duàn liàn yǔ xiū xíng ， bù duàn zēng qiáng 。
神识如肌肉，可以通过后天的锻炼与修行，不断增强。
While the [Desire Horse] is good, its effects are limited.
dàn shén hún rú gǔ ， xiān tiān dìng xíng 。 zhǐ yǒu dāng zì shēn jìng jiè fā shēng tū pò zhè děng jìn hū gǎi biàn shēng mìng xíng tài de shǒu duàn ， yì huò zhě tōng guò fú yòng 【 yì mǎ 】 nà yàng de tiān cái dì bǎo ， fāng cái néng duì qí jìn xíng qiáng huà 。
但神魂如骨，先天定型。只有当自身境界发生突破这等近乎改变生命形态的手段，亦或者通过服用【意马】那样的天材地宝，方才能对其进行强化。
But the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell enhances one's soul without any upper limit!
dāng chū huà shén xiū shì zhāng zhì liáng yě céng shuō guò ， néng gòu qiáng huà shén hún de 【 yì mǎ 】 shí fēn zhēn guì 。
当初化神修士张志良也曾说过，能够强化神魂的【意马】十分珍贵。
As long as he continues to reverse-cultivate his Daoic core, his soul seems to strengthen endlessly!
yì mǎ suī hǎo ， tí shēng xiào guǒ yě shì yǒu xiàn 。
意马虽好，提升效果也是有限。
Knowing that when the soul becomes strong enough, it can be used directly as a means of attack.
ér xuán huáng liàn xīn zhòu zēng qiáng shén hún ， què shì yuǎn kàn bú dào shàng xiàn ！
而玄黄炼心咒增强神魂，却是远看不到上限！
For example, the infamous Thousand-Faced Demon Sovereign from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance openly abandoned its body and existed solely through its soul.
zhǐ yào bù tíng nì liàn dào xīn ， shén hún jiù sì hū néng wú zhǐ jìng de zēng qiáng ！
只要不停逆练道心，神魂就似乎能无止境的增强！
Relying on the strength of its soul, it could freely take over other bodies.
yào zhī dào ， dāng shén hún qiáng dào yí dìng chéng dù hòu ， shì zhí jiē kě yǐ dàng zuò miè dí shǒu duàn de 。
要知道，当神魂强到一定程度后，是直接可以当做灭敌手段的。
"If I continue cultivating the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell, my soul will become stronger. One day, even if there truly is a Thousand-Faced Demon Sovereign, it won't be a match for me."
bǐ rú wàn xiān méng guān xuān de jí wéi kě bù de qiān miàn mó zūn ， jiù shì bǐng qì le shēn qū ， zhí jiē yǐ shén hún shí tǐ cún zài 。
比如万仙盟官宣的极为可怖的千面魔尊，就是摒弃了身躯，直接以神魂实体存在。
"And..."
zhàng zhe zì jǐ shén hún qiáng dà ， sì yì xíng duó shě zhī shì 。
仗着自己神魂强大，肆意行夺舍之事。
"The [Truly Real Technique] and I are one. Every time I reincarnate, everything in this world returns to its original state."
“ wǒ xiū xíng xuán huáng liàn xīn zhòu ， shén hún bù duàn biàn qiáng ， zǒng yǒu yī tiān ， kǒng pà jiù suàn zhēn de cún zài qiān miàn mó zūn ， yě yuǎn bú shì wǒ duì shǒu 。”
“我修行玄黄炼心咒，神魂不断变强，总有一天，恐怕就算真的存在千面魔尊，也远不是我对手。”
"Only my changes persist."
“ ér qiě ……”
“而且……”
"Even if I choose nothing to retain, the same applies."
“【 hái zhēn 】 yǔ wǒ ， shí wèi yī tǐ 。 měi cì chóng xīn lún huí zhī hòu ， shì jiān yī qiè dōu fǎn huí xuǎn dìng máo diǎn 。”
“【还真】与我，实为一体。每次重新轮回之后，世间一切都返回选定锚点。”
Previously, as an ordinary person, his willpower grew stronger with each cycle of rebirths until he could even control the Taiyin Ship with a human body. This was evidence.
“ wéi yǒu wǒ zhī biàn huà ， yī rán cún zài 。”
“唯有我之变化，依然存在。”
Willpower and soul...
“ nǎ pà shén me dōu bù xuǎn zé bǎo liú ， yì shì rú cǐ 。”
“哪怕什么都不选择保留，亦是如此。”
Did this mean that everything in the world returned to its original state through his choices?
“ zhī qián hái shì fán rén zhī shí ， wǒ zài bù duàn lún huí zhōng ， yì zhì bù duàn biàn qiáng 。 dào le hòu lái shèn zhì néng yǐ fán rén zhī qū ， cāo zòng tài yǎn zhōu 。 zhè jiù shì zuǒ zhèng 。”
“之前还是凡人之时，我在不断轮回中，意志不断变强。到了后来甚至能以凡人之躯，操纵太衍舟。这就是左证。”
And his soul continued to grow.
“ yì zhì 、 shén hún ……”
“意志、神魂……”
One day, even if I don't choose to retain my cultivation, relying on the strength of my soul alone would be enough to overpower all?
“ nà qǐ bù shì yì wèi zhe ， shì jiān wàn wù dōu zài wǒ de yī cì cì xuǎn zé zhōng huí dào yuán diǎn 。”
“那岂不是意味着，世间万物都在我的一次次选择中回到原点。”
Li Fan found it increasingly unbelievable as he thought about it.
“ ér wǒ de shén hún ， què zài bù duàn zhuàng dà 。”
“而我的神魂，却在不断壮大。”
"The Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell is a divine technique that defies nature. It's hidden within the seemingly ordinary Clearing Heart Spell?"
“ zǒng yǒu yī tiān ， jí shǐ wǒ bù xuǎn zé bǎo liú xiū wèi ， guāng píng qiáng dà de shén hún ， yě zú yǐ niǎn yā yī qiè ？”
“总有一天，即使我不选择保留修为，光凭强大的神魂，也足以碾压一切？”
"What exactly..."
wú cuò
无错
Instinctively, Li Fan believed there must be some conspiracy involved.
yuè xiǎng ， lǐ fán jiù yuè jué de bù kě sī yì 。
越想，李凡就越觉得不可思议。
Despite his doubts, after much deliberation, he decided to continue cultivating.
“ xuán huáng liàn xīn zhòu ， kān chēng nì tiān shén gōng ， jū rán àn cáng yú fán jiān suí chù kě jiàn de xuán huáng qīng xīn zhòu zhōng ？”
“玄黄炼心咒，堪称逆天神功，居然暗藏于凡间随处可见的玄黄清心咒中？”
"This kind of technique right in front of me; I can't possibly give it up."
“ zhè jiū jìng ……”
“这究竟……”
"Even if there are tricks, the enhancement of my soul is real."
běn néng de ， lǐ fán jiù rèn wéi zhè qí zhōng yīng gāi yǐn cáng zhe shén me yīn móu 。
本能的，李凡就认为这其中应该隐藏着什么阴谋。
"If this幕后黑手can ignore the [Truly Real Technique], so be it."
xīn zhōng jīng yí bù dìng ， bù guò jīng guò yī fān zhēng zhá hòu ， lǐ fán hái shì jué dìng xiū xíng xià qù 。
心中惊疑不定，不过经过一番挣扎后，李凡还是决定修行下去。
"But if they can't, all their schemes would be useless before the [Truly Real Technique]."
“ rú cǐ gōng fǎ fàng zài yǎn qián ， wǒ gēn běn bù kě néng fàng qì 。”
“如此功法放在眼前，我根本不可能放弃。”
With his decision made, Li Fan felt a sense of relief.
“ jiù suàn yǒu shén me guǐ jì ， wǒ shén hún zēng qiáng què shì shí dǎ shí de 。”
“就算有什么诡计，我神魂增强却是实打实的。”
The actual effects of the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell far exceeded his expectations.
“ tǎng ruò zhè mù hòu hēi shǒu zhēn de néng wú shì 【 hái zhēn 】 yǐng xiǎng ， wǒ yě jiù rèn le 。”
“倘若这幕后黑手真的能无视【还真】影响，我也就认了。”
"This reverse-cultivation method is indeed somewhat arduous."
“ ruò shì bù néng ， nà me zài duō suàn jì ，【 hái zhēn 】 miàn qián ， dōu shì wú yòng 。”
“若是不能，那么再多算计，【还真】面前，都是无用。”
Li Fan sensed that simply saying words against one's Daoic principles wouldn't suffice. One must align their actions with their Daoic core for it to nourish the soul.
xīn zhōng yǒu le jué duàn zhī hòu ， lǐ fán dùn shí sōng le yì kǒu qì 。
心中有了决断之后，李凡顿时松了一口气。
This was why he had ventured into the white fog alone.
zhè xuán huáng liàn xīn zhòu de shí jì xiào guǒ ， shǔ shí yuǎn chāo guò tā de yì liào zhī wài 。
这玄黄炼心咒的实际效果，属实远超过他的意料之外。
"To others, the combination of the Great Sound Tides and the Sapping White Fog is indeed perilous."
“ jiù shì zhè nì liàn dào xīn zhī fǎ ， yǒu xiē jiān áo 。”
“就是这逆练道心之法，有些煎熬。”
"But to me, the danger isn't as high."
lǐ fán yǐn yǐn gǎn dào ， bìng bú shì suí biàn shuō xiē gēn dào xīn xiāng wéi bèi de huà ， jiù kě yǐ xiū xíng de 。
李凡隐隐感到，并不是随便说些跟道心相违背的话，就可以修行的。
"The only thing I fear is a sudden loss of resistance."
bì xū zhī xíng hé yī ， zì shēn shí jì xíng dòng ， yě nì dào xīn 。
必须知行合一，自身实际行动，也逆道心。
"Whether facing the white fog or the Great Sound Tides. If there's any fatal danger, I have time to activate the [Truly Real Technique]."
fāng cái néng huà zuò zī yǎng shén hún de yǎng liào 。
方才能化作滋养神魂的养料。
"In all, this choice has more benefits than risks."
zhè yě shì wèi shén me tā huì zhī shēn chuǎng rù bái wù zhī zhōng de yuán yīn 。
这也是为什么他会只身闯入白雾之中的原因。
"On the contrary, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance territory, which seems safe at first glance, is fraught with dangers for reverse-cultivating one's Daoic core.
“ duì yú páng rén lái shuō ， mó yīn dà cháo hé shì yuán bái wù de zǔ hé ， dí què shì xiǎn zhī yòu xiǎn 、 jiǔ sǐ yì shēng zhī dì 。”
“对于旁人来说，魔音大潮和噬元白雾的组合，的确是险之又险、九死一生之地。”
"One misstep and we might attract the attention of a Coiling Dao powerhouse."
“ dàn duì wǒ lái jiǎng ， wēi xiǎn dù què bìng méi yǒu nà me gāo 。”
“但对我来讲，危险度却并没有那么高。”
...
“ wǒ wéi yī jù pà de ， zhǐ shì shùn jiān ràng wǒ shī qù dǐ kàng néng lì de shǒu duàn 。”
“我唯一惧怕的，只是瞬间让我失去抵抗能力的手段。”
As Li Fan thought about these things, he continued flying towards his destination.
“ wú lùn shì miàn duì bái wù ， yì huò zhě shì mó yīn 。 ruò zhēn de yù dào shén me zhì mìng wēi xiǎn ， wǒ dōu yǒu shí jiān cóng róng fā dòng hái zhēn 。”
“无论是面对白雾，亦或者是魔音。若真的遇到什么致命危险，我都有时间从容发动还真。”
With the Black Death Talisman protecting him from the Sapping White Fog, the only thing he needed to worry about was the occasional Great Sound Tides that suddenly attacked.
“ zǒng de lái kàn ， cǐ cì jué zé ， shōu yì yuǎn dà yú fēng xiǎn 。”
“总的来看，此次抉择，收益远大于风险。”
Whenever he heard faint whispers in his ears, he would stop and ignite the Annihilation Crystal Lamp, waiting for the sounds to subside before resuming flight.
“ fǎn ér píng shí kàn shàng qù méi shén me fēng xiǎn de wàn xiān méng lǐng dì ， xiǎng yào nì liàn dào xīn ， què shì wēi jī chóng chóng 。”
“反而平时看上去没什么风险的万仙盟领地，想要逆练道心，却是危机重重。”
Despite the dangers surrounding him, Li Fan managed to travel safely through the white fog for two days.
“ yī bù liú shén ， huò xǔ jiù huì zhāo rě dào hé dào qiáng zhě de cún zài 。”
“一不留神，或许就会招惹到合道强者的存在。”
The five elements within his body formed a unified system, so he didn't need to worry about energy depletion.
……
……
However, his expression gradually became more serious as he pondered further.
lǐ fán yī biān sī suǒ zhe ， yī biān cháo zhe mù dì dì fēi xíng 。
李凡一边思索着，一边朝着目的地飞行。
"If this level of threat is enough, Cold Yingyi wouldn't have had an issue."
yǒu zhe hēi sǐ fú hù shēn ， jiāng shì yuán bái wù zǔ dǎng zài wài ， lǐ fán wéi yī suǒ yào dān xīn de ， jiù shì shí bù shí huì tū rán xí jī de mó yīn dà cháo 。
有着黑死符护身，将噬元白雾阻挡在外，李凡唯一所要担心的，就是时不时会突然袭击的魔音大潮。
"What did he encounter that made him stay away for so long?"
měi dāng ěr biān chuán lái ní nán dī yǔ de shí hòu ， wěn tuǒ qǐ jiàn ， lǐ fán dū huì tíng zhǐ fēi xíng 。
每当耳边传来呢喃低语的时候，稳妥起见，李凡都会停止飞行。
"And where does the growing unease in my heart come from?"
diǎn rán jì miè liú lí zhǎn ， jìng dài mó yīn jiǎn ruò ， zài dù chū fā 。
点燃寂灭琉璃盏，静待魔音减弱，再度出发。
Li Fan grew increasingly cautious and released his divine sense to probe around.
zhōu wéi suī shì wēi jī sì fú ， dàn zài lǐ fán de xiǎo xīn xíng shì xià ， què yě yī lù dōu shì píng ān wú shì 。
周围虽是危机四伏，但在李凡的小心行事下，却也一路都是平安无事。
But in the sea of white fog without the Great Sound Tides, it was silent.
hěn kuài ， lǐ fán jiù yǐ jīng zài bái wù zhōng fēi xíng le liǎng tiān yǒu yú 。
很快，李凡就已经在白雾中飞行了两天有余。
After a thorough search, no source of threat could be found.
tǐ nèi wǔ xíng zhī lì zì chéng yī tǐ ， dào yě bù yòng dān xīn líng lì bù zhī 。
体内五行之力自成一体，倒也不用担心灵力不支。
Li Fan had no choice but to deal with each situation as it arose, continuing towards the direction he sensed the Eternal Immortal Barrier.
zhǐ shì lǐ fán de shén sè què màn màn de yán sù qǐ lái 。
只是李凡的神色却慢慢的严肃起来。
Two more days passed.
“ rú guǒ zhǐ shì zhè diǎn chéng dù de wēi xié ， lěng yīng yī bù kě néng chū shì 。”
“如果只是这点程度的威胁，冷应衣不可能出事。”
Suddenly, Li Fan stopped mid-flight. His expression turned grim.
“ tā chí chí wèi guī ， yù dào le shén me ？”
“他迟迟未归，遇到了什么？”
"I finally understand why Cold Yingyi didn't return. It's like this."
“ ér qiě ， wǒ zhè xīn zhōng yuè lái yuè qiáng de bù ān ， yòu lái zì hé chù ？”
“而且，我这心中越来越强的不安，又来自何处？”
At his current speed, flying and stopping occasionally, he should have reached the Eternal Immortal Barrier in two days at most.
lǐ fán xīn zhōng zhú jiàn jǐng tì ， fàng chū shén shí ， chá tàn sì zhōu 。
李凡心中逐渐警惕，放出神识，查探四周。
But four days had already passed since he left the Jiaxu Base.
rán ér méi yǒu le mó yīn dà cháo de wù hǎi zhōng ， jì jìng yī piàn 。
然而没有了魔音大潮的雾海中，寂静一片。
In his感应, the Eternal Immortal Barrier was indeed just ahead.
sōu xún xǔ jiǔ ， yě méi yǒu zhǎo dào wēi xié de lái yuán 。
搜寻许久，也没有找到威胁的来源。
But...
lǐ fán zhǐ néng jiàn zhāo chāi zhāo ， jì xù cháo zhe gǎn yìng zhōng yǒng héng xiān lěi de fāng xiàng fēi qù 。
李凡只能见招拆招，继续朝着感应中永恒仙垒的方向飞去。
Even a short distance seemed insurmountable.
rú cǐ ， yòu guò le liǎng tiān 。
如此，又过了两天。
"Clearly only an inch away, but it feels like a vast chasm. How can I cross? We call these locations within the white fog barrier [Misty Regions]."
kuài sù fēi dùn de lǐ fán hū de tíng zhù 。
快速飞遁的李凡忽的停住。
Huafu Song's words echoed in Li Fan's ears.
tā de liǎn sè biàn dé nán kàn qǐ lái 。
他的脸色变得难看起来。
He temporarily abandoned flying and stood in mid-air, his expression fluctuating between calm and tense.
“ zhōng yú zhī dào wèi shén me lěng yīng yī yī qù bù huí le 。 yuán lái shì zhè yàng 。”
“终于知道为什么冷应衣一去不回了。原来是这样。”
"Outside the Challenging Abyss, on the path from Jiaxu Base to the Eternal Immortal Barrier, a new Misty Region has appeared without anyone noticing."
àn zhào tā de sù dù ， yī lù fēi fēi tíng tíng 。
按照他的速度，一路飞飞停停。
"Sneaky and silent."
yuán běn yīng dāng zuì duō liǎng tiān shí jiān ， jiù néng gǎn dào yǒng héng xiān lěi 。
原本应当最多两天时间，就能赶到永恒仙垒。
"Cold Yingyi must have gotten lost in one of these regions."
dàn shì xiàn zài jù lí lǐ fán lí kāi jiǎ xū hào jù diǎn yǐ jīng guò qù le sì tiān 。
但是现在距离李凡离开甲戌号据点已经过去了四天。
"I'm in the same situation now."
zài tā de gǎn yìng zhōng ， yǒng héng xiān lěi yě dí què jiù zài qián fāng bù yuǎn chù 。
在他的感应中，永恒仙垒也的确就在前方不远处。
Li Fan looked ahead as if he could see the massive green stone palm blocking his path.
dàn ……
但……
But he couldn't reach it.
jiù shì zhè me yì diǎn jù lí ， wú lùn tā zěn me fēi ， dōu wú fǎ kuà yuè 。
就是这么一点距离，无论他怎么飞，都无法跨越。
"An inch away, yet a world apart..."
“ 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】。”
Li Fan sighed slightly.
huáng fǔ sōng céng jīng shuō guò de huà ， dùn shí zài lǐ fán ěr biān xiǎng qǐ 。
皇甫松曾经说过的话，顿时在李凡耳边响起。
Though caught in a dead end, Li Fan wouldn't immediately activate the [Truly Real Technique].
tā zàn shí fàng qì le fēi xíng ， zhàn lì yú xū kōng zhōng ， miàn sè yīn qíng bù dìng 。
他暂时放弃了飞行，站立于虚空中，面色阴晴不定。
There were still many unfinished matters in this world. Giving up so easily would be a pity.
“ zài chì zhā shēn yuān zhī wài ， jiǎ xū hào jù diǎn hé yǒng héng xiān lěi de bì jīng zhī lù shàng ， jū rán bù zhī bù jué jiān yòu dàn shēng le yí gè mí yù 。”
“在叱吒深渊之外，甲戌号据点和永恒仙垒的必经之路上，居然不知不觉间又诞生了一个迷域。”
It fit his character to never give up until reaching the Yellow River.
“ qiāo wú shēng xī ， wú rén zhī xiǎo 。”
“悄无声息，无人知晓。”
So he decided to see if there was any way to cross this newly formed Misty Region before his resources ran out.
“ lěng yīng yī yīng gāi jiù shì mí shī zài le cǐ chù mí yù zhōng 。”
“冷应衣应该就是迷失在了此处迷域中。”
In essence, a Misty Region was just an expansive space.
“ rú jīn wǒ yě yī yàng 。”
“如今我也一样。”
Not absolutely lethal.
"Unyielding in the face of death, risking one's life for others? That's not what I would do!"
"If it weren't for my [Truly Real Technique], allowing me to start over at any time, I wouldn't have made such a choice! It truly makes one feel uneasy."
Amidst the vast sea of mist and fog, Li Fan used Purple Void Divine Thunder遁术, transforming into a streak of purple light, swiftly heading towards the Eternal Immortal Barrier.
The pent-up frustration and depression lingered in his heart for a long time.
Even the previously effective Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell was now operating abnormally slowly, as if it were a heavy millstone grinding his thoughts slowly after absorbing them.
Unlike before when he had mindlessly crushed everything that went against his Daoic principles, this time the Refining Heart Spell was transforming these rebellious emotions into cool, icy energies that seeped deep into his body and nourished him.
The cooling sensation slightly soothed his agitated heart.
Reversely cultivating one's Daoic core meant actively seeking out [Hard to Forget].
This naturally made Li Fan, who had always acted on impulse, feel extremely uncomfortable.
However, the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell did not disappoint him.
As he deeply sensed the effects of the cool energy on his body, Li Fan's heart suddenly trembled.
"This feeling..."
"Is it similar to when I first took the [Desire Horse] and felt this way?!"
"While the Clearing Heart Spell could strengthen one's spirit awareness before, correctly cultivating the Refining Heart Spell actually strengthens one's soul?"
Li Fan's mind was overwhelmed with a tidal wave of emotions.
"That explains why its rank is higher than the Cloud Water Illusion Art in the Coiling Dao Technique."
"I have seen some techniques that enhance spirit awareness in the special exchange list of the Heaven Xuan Mirror, but..."
"But to strengthen one's soul..."
"Is truly unheard of."
The soul is internal; the spirit is external.
As the soul strengthens, so does the spirit naturally.
Spirit like muscles can be enhanced through cultivation and training.
But the soul is akin to bones, set at birth. Only breakthroughs in cultivation that nearly change one's very form or consuming treasures like the [Desire Horse] can strengthen it.
Zhang Ziliang, a transformed spirit cultivator, had once said that the [Desire Horse] was extremely precious for strengthening souls.
While the [Desire Horse] is good, its effects are limited.
But the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell enhances one's soul without any upper limit!
As long as he continues to reverse-cultivate his Daoic core, his soul seems to strengthen endlessly!
Knowing that when the soul becomes strong enough, it can be used directly as a means of attack.
For example, the infamous Thousand-Faced Demon Sovereign from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance openly abandoned its body and existed solely through its soul.
Relying on the strength of its soul, it could freely take over other bodies.
"If I continue cultivating the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell, my soul will become stronger. One day, even if there truly is a Thousand-Faced Demon Sovereign, it won't be a match for me."
"And..."
"The [Truly Real Technique] and I are one. Every time I reincarnate, everything in this world returns to its original state."
"Only my changes persist."
"Even if I choose nothing to retain, the same applies."
Previously, as an ordinary person, his willpower grew stronger with each cycle of rebirths until he could even control the Taiyin Ship with a human body. This was evidence.
Willpower and soul...
Did this mean that everything in the world returned to its original state through his choices?
And his soul continued to grow.
One day, even if I don't choose to retain my cultivation, relying on the strength of my soul alone would be enough to overpower all?
Li Fan found it increasingly unbelievable as he thought about it.
"The Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell is a divine technique that defies nature. It's hidden within the seemingly ordinary Clearing Heart Spell?"
"What exactly..."
Instinctively, Li Fan believed there must be some conspiracy involved.
Despite his doubts, after much deliberation, he decided to continue cultivating.
"This kind of technique right in front of me; I can't possibly give it up."
"Even if there are tricks, the enhancement of my soul is real."
"If this幕后黑手can ignore the [Truly Real Technique], so be it."
"But if they can't, all their schemes would be useless before the [Truly Real Technique]."
With his decision made, Li Fan felt a sense of relief.
The actual effects of the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Spell far exceeded his expectations.
"This reverse-cultivation method is indeed somewhat arduous."
Li Fan sensed that simply saying words against one's Daoic principles wouldn't suffice. One must align their actions with their Daoic core for it to nourish the soul.
This was why he had ventured into the white fog alone.
"To others, the combination of the Great Sound Tides and the Sapping White Fog is indeed perilous."
"But to me, the danger isn't as high."
"The only thing I fear is a sudden loss of resistance."
"Whether facing the white fog or the Great Sound Tides. If there's any fatal danger, I have time to activate the [Truly Real Technique]."
"In all, this choice has more benefits than risks."
"On the contrary, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance territory, which seems safe at first glance, is fraught with dangers for reverse-cultivating one's Daoic core.
"One misstep and we might attract the attention of a Coiling Dao powerhouse."
...
As Li Fan thought about these things, he continued flying towards his destination.
With the Black Death Talisman protecting him from the Sapping White Fog, the only thing he needed to worry about was the occasional Great Sound Tides that suddenly attacked.
Whenever he heard faint whispers in his ears, he would stop and ignite the Annihilation Crystal Lamp, waiting for the sounds to subside before resuming flight.
Despite the dangers surrounding him, Li Fan managed to travel safely through the white fog for two days.
The five elements within his body formed a unified system, so he didn't need to worry about energy depletion.
However, his expression gradually became more serious as he pondered further.
"If this level of threat is enough, Cold Yingyi wouldn't have had an issue."
"What did he encounter that made him stay away for so long?"
"And where does the growing unease in my heart come from?"
Li Fan grew increasingly cautious and released his divine sense to probe around.
But in the sea of white fog without the Great Sound Tides, it was silent.
After a thorough search, no source of threat could be found.
Li Fan had no choice but to deal with each situation as it arose, continuing towards the direction he sensed the Eternal Immortal Barrier.
Two more days passed.
Suddenly, Li Fan stopped mid-flight. His expression turned grim.
"I finally understand why Cold Yingyi didn't return. It's like this."
At his current speed, flying and stopping occasionally, he should have reached the Eternal Immortal Barrier in two days at most.
But four days had already passed since he left the Jiaxu Base.
In his感应, the Eternal Immortal Barrier was indeed just ahead.
But...
Even a short distance seemed insurmountable.
"Clearly only an inch away, but it feels like a vast chasm. How can I cross? We call these locations within the white fog barrier [Misty Regions]."
Huafu Song's words echoed in Li Fan's ears.
He temporarily abandoned flying and stood in mid-air, his expression fluctuating between calm and tense.
"Outside the Challenging Abyss, on the path from Jiaxu Base to the Eternal Immortal Barrier, a new Misty Region has appeared without anyone noticing."
"Sneaky and silent."
"Cold Yingyi must have gotten lost in one of these regions."
"I'm in the same situation now."
Li Fan looked ahead as if he could see the massive green stone palm blocking his path.
But he couldn't reach it.
"An inch away, yet a world apart..."
Li Fan sighed slightly.
Though caught in a dead end, Li Fan wouldn't immediately activate the [Truly Real Technique].
There were still many unfinished matters in this world. Giving up so easily would be a pity.
It fit his character to never give up until reaching the Yellow River.
So he decided to see if there was any way to cross this newly formed Misty Region before his resources ran out.
In essence, a Misty Region was just an expansive space.
Not absolutely lethal.