lǐ fán jiàn zhuàng ， zhǐ shì xiào le xiào ， bù zài jiě shì 。
李凡见状，只是笑了笑，不再解释。
Li Fan merely smiled and didn't bother to explain further.
huáng fǔ sōng què bù dǎ suàn jiù zhè me qīng yì fàng guò tā ， jí biàn liǎng rén shí jì bìng méi yǒu duō shǎo jiāo jí 。
皇甫松却不打算就这么轻易放过他，即便两人实际并没有多少交集。
However, Huafu Song wasn't about to let him off so easily. Despite having little interaction with Li Fan in reality, he still tried his best to act like an old acquaintance, making small talk with great enthusiasm.
dàn yě bìng bù fáng ài tā yī fù gēn lǐ fán hěn shú luò de yàng zi ， yǒu de méi yǒu 、 rè qíng wú bǐ de tào zhe jìn hū 。
但也并不妨碍他一副跟李凡很熟络的样子，有的没有、热情无比的套着近乎。
"Senior Huafu, how often do you get to see Chief Lu?"
“ huáng fǔ qián bèi ， nǐ píng shí jiàn dào lù shǒu xí de jī huì duō me ？”
“皇甫前辈，你平时见到陆首席的机会多么？”
Li Fan responded nonchalantly. Seeing that Huafu Song wasn't going to stop, he interrupted and asked a question.
lǐ fán yǒu yī jù méi yī jù de huí yìng ， yǎn kàn huáng fǔ sōng méi wán méi liǎo ， bù yóu dì jiāng qí dǎ duàn ， wèn le yī jù 。
李凡有一句没一句的回应，眼看皇甫松没完没了，不由地将其打断，问了一句。
Huafu Song was taken aback.
huáng fǔ sōng bù jīn zhèng zhù 。
皇甫松不禁怔住。
He replied awkwardly, "Chief Lu has such an exalted status..."
yǒu xiē gān gà de huí dá dào ：“ lù shǒu xí hé děng shēn fèn ……”
有些尴尬的回答道：“陆首席何等身份……”
Before he could finish his sentence, Li Fan said with meaning, "If so, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. Senior Huafu, why not seize the moment to make a good impression?"
bù děng tā huà shuō wán ， lǐ fán biàn yì wèi shēn cháng dì shuō dào ：“ jì rú cǐ ， tiān cì liáng jī jiù zài yǎn qián 。 huáng fǔ qián bèi hái bù chèn jī biǎo xiàn yī fān ， liú gè hǎo yìn xiàng ？”
不等他话说完，李凡便意味深长地说道：“既如此，天赐良机就在眼前。皇甫前辈还不趁机表现一番，留个好印象？”
Huafu Song was slightly stunned before suddenly waking up.
huáng fǔ sōng wēi wēi yī lèng ， suí hòu rú mèng chū xǐng 。
皇甫松微微一愣，随后如梦初醒。
He exclaimed happily, "Young friend, your advice is spot on. If I could catch Chief Lu's eye, it would be a smooth path to success!"
dà xǐ dào ：“ xiǎo yǒu tí diǎn de shì 。 ruò shì yǒu xìng néng rù lù shǒu xí fǎ yǎn ， píng bù qīng yún jiù zài yǎn qián a ！”
大喜道：“小友提点的是。若是有幸能入陆首席法眼，平步青云就在眼前啊！”
"Haha, you can say that for now. But better to be cautious in front of outsiders," Li Fan reminded him again.
“ hē hē ， cǐ huà gēn wǒ shuō shuō wú fáng 。 ruò shì zài wài rén miàn qián ， hái shì jǐn shèn yì diǎn de hǎo 。” lǐ fán zài dù tí xǐng dào 。
“呵呵，此话跟我说说无妨。若是在外人面前，还是谨慎一点的好。”李凡再度提醒道。
"Understood, understood." Huafu Song nodded hastily and left quickly to find an opportunity to impress the chief.
“ míng bái ， míng bái 。” huáng fǔ sōng lián máng diǎn tóu 。
“明白，明白。”皇甫松连忙点头。
This allowed Li Fan some peace and quiet.
zhī hòu biàn cōng cōng lí kāi le cǐ chù ， qù xún zhǎo “ biǎo xiàn de jī huì ” qù le 。
之后便匆匆离开了此处，去寻找“表现的机会”去了。
Knowing about Chief Lu's upcoming inspection was through Lu Xuejing's covert communication. However, that was as far as it went; he didn't ask her for more. It wasn't because of a sudden surge of benevolence from Li Fan but rather his deep understanding that any unusual behavior in front of such a top-tier powerhouse could be noticed.
lǐ fán zhè cái dé le qīng jìng 。
李凡这才得了清静。
While the Fisher Father’s methods were indeed ingenious, whether they could evade the scrutiny of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's elite was still uncertain. For his own safety, Li Fan was extremely cautious.
néng gòu tí qián dé zhī lù shǒu xí de xíng zōng ， zì rán shì tōng guò lù xuě jìng àn zhōng tōng fēng bào xìn 。
能够提前得知陆首席的行踪，自然是通过陆雪静暗中通风报信。
There was no question of setting up a trap; attempting to outsmart a Daoist Sage with Golden Core cultivation would be suicidal. Li Fan wouldn't be so foolish as to do that.
bù guò yě zhǐ yú cǐ le 。
不过也止于此了。
He merely created an opportunity for a chance encounter with Chief Lu.
bìng méi yǒu yāo qiú tā qù zuò gèng duō de shì 。
并没有要求她去做更多的事。
As for what happened after, it all depended on fate.
bú shì lǐ fán tū fā shàn xīn ， ér shì tā shēn kè de míng bái ， lù shǒu xí zhè děng tiān xià dǐng jiān de qiáng zhě miàn qián 。
不是李凡突发善心，而是他深刻的明白，陆首席这等天下顶尖的强者面前。
...
zhǐ yào shāo wēi biǎo xiàn de yì cháng ， dōu yǒu kě néng huì bèi chá jué 。
只要稍微表现的异常，都有可能会被察觉。
Since Eastern learned that Chief Lu was coming for an inspection, the atmosphere in Xuanhuang Stream changed dramatically.
yú fù de shǒu duàn dí què xuán miào bù jiǎ ， bù guò jiū jìng néng bù néng mán guò wàn xiān méng dǐng jí zhàn lì de chá tàn ， hái shàng wèi kě zhī 。
渔父的手段的确玄妙不假，不过究竟能不能瞒过万仙盟顶级战力的查探，还尚未可知。
Everyone was busy and serious. Li Fan repeatedly checked the completed parts of the array to ensure nothing went wrong. The tense preparation atmosphere made the guests accompanying Huafu Song restless. Seeing how even the usually lazy Huafu Song was now working hard, they quickly guessed that a high-ranking official might be inspecting them.
shè jí zì shēn ān wēi ， lǐ fán zì rán yào shèn zhī yòu shèn 。
涉及自身安危，李凡自然要慎之又慎。
They all volunteered to help, providing Li Fan with a batch of elite assistance.
suǒ wèi bù jú ， yě gēn běn tán bù shàng 。
所谓布局，也根本谈不上。
Eastern, who wasn't turned down by this offer, applied for a batch of [Living Spirit Pearls] so that the team could move freely.
jīn dān xiū wèi ， xiǎng yào qù suàn jì hé dào xiān zūn ， gēn běn jiù shì zì xún sǐ lù 。 lǐ fán zì rán bú huì shī zhì dào zhè zhǒng chéng dù 。
金丹修为，想要去算计合道仙尊，根本就是自寻死路。李凡自然不会失智到这种程度。
"This is what Senior Eastern Yao brought and distributed among you," said a seven-year-old boy in black and white robes. He was clear-eyed and well-spoken.
tā suǒ zuò de ， bù guò shì chuàng zào yí gè “ ǒu yù ” lù shǒu xí de jī huì ér yǐ 。
他所做的，不过是创造一个“偶遇”陆首席的机会而已。
He took out a jade bottle from his chest and handed out colorful, chaotic round pearls to everyone.
zhì yú jiàn dào zhī hòu yòu huì rú hé ， jiù xiàng lǐ fán xiān qián suǒ shuō 。
至于见到之后又会如何，就像李凡先前所说。
"Swallow them whole and place them in your dantian; they will allow you to sense the flow of spirit energy again." Despite looking young, he explained the usage and precautions of the Living Spirit Pearls with great expertise.
chéng yě bù chéng ， quán kàn zào huà le 。
成也不成，全看造化了。
Li Fan held one of the multicolored Living Spirit Pearls, examined it for a moment, but couldn't discern anything special. He swallowed it whole.
……
……
The various hues of light emerged from within the pearl, spreading throughout his body like a medicinal guide. The spirit energy suppressed by Xuanhuang Stream began to regain vitality. Although still far from its full potential, it was enough to sustain daily operations.
zì cóng dōng fāng dé zhī lù shǒu xí jí jiāng qián lái shì chá de xiāo xī hòu ， zhěng zuò huà líng jiàn de gōng zuò fēn wéi dùn shí wèi zhī yī biàn 。
自从东方得知陆首席即将前来视察的消息后，整座化灵涧的工作氛围顿时为之一变。
"It's more like a catalyst that enhances the reaction of spirit energy."
shàng shàng xià xià dōu kàn bú dào yí gè xián zhe de rén 。
上上下下都看不到一个闲着的人。
"Thus partially offsetting the deadening effect of Xuanhuang Stream."
měi gè xiū shì dōu shì jiǎo bù cōng cōng 、 miàn sè níng zhòng 。
每个修士都是脚步匆匆、面色凝重。
"Speaking of which, if these Living Spirit Pearls are taken in normal regions outside, wouldn't..."
tā běn rén gèng shì yī biàn yòu yī biàn de jiǎn chá zhe zhèn fǎ yǐ jīng wán gōng de bù fèn ， shēng pà chū xiàn shén me pī lòu 。
他本人更是一遍又一遍的检查着阵法已经完工的部分，生怕出现什么纰漏。
Li Fan pondered as he felt the strange spirit energy within his body.
chén zhòng de bèi zhàn fēn wéi ， ràng gēn suí huáng fǔ sōng qián lái zuò kè de gè gè xiū shì men yě yǒu xiē zuò bú zhù le 。
沉重的备战氛围，让跟随皇甫松前来做客的各个修士们也有些坐不住了。
Just then, the boy said, "The effects of the Living Spirit Pearls will last for thirty days. You must pay attention to their expiration date."
zài jiā shàng kàn dào yí xiàng yǒu xiē lǎn sǎn de huáng fǔ sōng jū rán yě pò tiān huāng de máng lù zhe 。
再加上看到一向有些懒散的皇甫松居然也破天荒的忙碌着。
"Once before, a cultivator was so engrossed in work that they forgot about the duration. When the effect expired, their spiritual power vanished completely, and they fell from the sky, dying on impact."
dōu bú shì yú dùn zhī rén ， lì mǎ cāi dào kě néng huì yǒu dà rén wù lái shì chá le 。
都不是愚钝之人，立马猜到可能会有大人物来视察了。
"If you want to stop using them halfway through, simply expel the remaining ones by circulating your spirit energy."
yú shì fēn fēn zì gào fèn yǒng ， bāng qǐ máng lái 。
于是纷纷自告奋勇，帮起忙来。
The cultivators nodded.
píng bái dé le yī pī jīng ruì zhù lì ， míng dōng fāng de jīng shòu nán zi zì rán bú huì jù jué 。
平白得了一批精锐助力，名东方的精瘦男子自然不会拒绝。
"By the way, one more thing. Before leaving Xuanhuang Stream, either wait for the effects to fully wear off or directly expel the Living Spirit Pearls."
huà líng jiàn nèi ， méi yǒu tè shū yìng duì zhī fǎ ， jiù suàn shì xiū shì yě shì cùn bù nán xíng 。
化灵涧内，没有特殊应对之法，就算是修士也是寸步难行。
With the help of the Living Spirit Pearls, everyone became lively again and immediately threw themselves into supporting the array construction.
wèi cǐ ， dōng fāng jǐn jí shēn qǐng le yī pī 【 shēng líng zhū 】， hǎo ràng lǐ fán tā men néng gòu xíng dòng zì rú 。
为此，东方紧急申请了一批【生灵珠】，好让李凡他们能够行动自如。
After a day, Li Fan felt something and stopped his work, looking up. A rainbow beam streaked across the sky, breaking through the crimson of the vast Burnt Sands, heading straight for Xuanhuang Stream.
“ zhè xiē shì dōng fāng yào qián bèi lǐng lái ， fēn pèi gěi nǐ men de 。” yí gè shēn chuān hēi bái dào páo de qī bā suì dà xiǎo de tóng zi ， méi qīng mù xiù 。
“这些是东方曜前辈领来，分配给你们的。”一个身穿黑白道袍的七八岁大小的童子，眉清目秀。
The calm green river seemed to sense something, creating ripples without wind. The suppression suddenly intensified, leaving those who could only move with the Living Spirit Pearls in a state of panic as their spiritual power fluctuated, nearly causing them to fall from the sky.
cóng huái zhōng tāo chū yī méi bái yù píng ， cóng zhōng qǔ chū yī kē kē sè cǎi bān lán 、 hùn dùn nán fēn de yuán zhū ， fēn fā gěi zhòng rén 。
从怀中掏出一枚白玉瓶，从中取出一颗颗色彩斑斓、混沌难分的圆珠，分发给众人。
Suddenly, Li Fan saw countless transparent patterns emanating from the rainbow beam, expanding outward like a giant curtain, instantly enveloping Xuanhuang Stream.
“ kǒu fú tūn xià ， zhì yú dān tián 。 biàn kě chóng xīn gǎn yìng líng qì liú dòng 。” tóng zi suī rán kàn shàng qù nián jì jí xiǎo ， dàn què pǒ wèi lǎo liàn de jiāo dài zhe shēng líng zhū de shǐ yòng fāng fǎ yǔ zhù yì shì xiàng 。
“口服吞下，置于丹田。便可重新感应灵气流动。”童子虽然看上去年纪极小，但却颇为老练的交代着生灵珠的使用方法与注意事项。
"Array?"
lǐ fán jiāng zhè qī cǎi shēng líng zhū ná zài shǒu zhōng ， guān chá le piàn kè ， zàn shí méi kàn chū shén me míng táng 。
李凡将这七彩生灵珠拿在手中，观察了片刻，暂时没看出什么名堂。
Li Fan looked up, his eyes flashing. The patterns formed into an array in an instant. The turbulent green river seemed to be compressed, becoming calm and even slightly lowering its surface level.
yī kǒu tūn xià 。
一口吞下。
The cultivators within the array felt their bodies relax as if the suppression of Xuanhuang Stream had vanished instantly.
shēng líng zhū rù fù ， gè sè guāng huá zì qí zhōng yǒng chū ， biàn jí quán shēn 。
生灵珠入腹，各色光华自其中涌出，遍及全身。
Surrounded by over a dozen black-robed cultivators, Lu Xi Chan, dressed in white robes, stepped onto the rainbow beam and descended before everyone.
fǎng fú yào yǐn bān ， yǐn dòng tǐ nèi sǐ jì de líng qì 。
仿佛药引般，引动体内死寂的灵气。
"Salute Chief!"
yuán běn shòu dào huà líng jiàn yā zhì de líng qì ， yě dōu zài chà nà jiān huí fù le huó lì 。
原本受到化灵涧压制的灵气，也都在刹那间回复了活力。
Eastern Yao and Huafu Song hurriedly flew forward to greet her respectfully.
suī rán hé wài jiè wán quán fā huī réng yǒu chā jù ， dàn yě miǎn qiǎng néng gòu zhī chēng qǐ rì cháng gōng zuò suǒ xū le 。
虽然和外界完全发挥仍有差距，但也勉强能够支撑起日常工作所需了。
Lu Xi Chan's gaze swept over them, her expression cold.
“ yǔ qí shuō shì jiě chú le yā zhì zhuàng tài ， dào bù rú shuō shì rú tóng cuī huà jì yì bān ， tí gāo le líng qì de fǎn yìng xiào lì 。”
“与其说是解除了压制状态，倒不如说是如同催化剂一般，提高了灵气的反应效力。”
"Let's go; show me how the array construction is progressing."
“ cóng ér bù fèn dǐ xiāo le huà líng jiàn de sǐ jì xiào guǒ 。”
“从而部分抵消了化灵涧的死寂效果。”
(End of Chapter)
Li Fan merely smiled and didn't bother to explain further.
However, Huafu Song wasn't about to let him off so easily. Despite having little interaction with Li Fan in reality, he still tried his best to act like an old acquaintance, making small talk with great enthusiasm.
"Senior Huafu, how often do you get to see Chief Lu?"
Li Fan responded nonchalantly. Seeing that Huafu Song wasn't going to stop, he interrupted and asked a question.
Huafu Song was taken aback.
He replied awkwardly, "Chief Lu has such an exalted status..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Li Fan said with meaning, "If so, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. Senior Huafu, why not seize the moment to make a good impression?"
Huafu Song was slightly stunned before suddenly waking up.
He exclaimed happily, "Young friend, your advice is spot on. If I could catch Chief Lu's eye, it would be a smooth path to success!"
"Haha, you can say that for now. But better to be cautious in front of outsiders," Li Fan reminded him again.
"Understood, understood." Huafu Song nodded hastily and left quickly to find an opportunity to impress the chief.
This allowed Li Fan some peace and quiet.
Knowing about Chief Lu's upcoming inspection was through Lu Xuejing's covert communication. However, that was as far as it went; he didn't ask her for more. It wasn't because of a sudden surge of benevolence from Li Fan but rather his deep understanding that any unusual behavior in front of such a top-tier powerhouse could be noticed.
While the Fisher Father’s methods were indeed ingenious, whether they could evade the scrutiny of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's elite was still uncertain. For his own safety, Li Fan was extremely cautious.
There was no question of setting up a trap; attempting to outsmart a Daoist Sage with Golden Core cultivation would be suicidal. Li Fan wouldn't be so foolish as to do that.
He merely created an opportunity for a chance encounter with Chief Lu.
As for what happened after, it all depended on fate.
...
Since Eastern learned that Chief Lu was coming for an inspection, the atmosphere in Xuanhuang Stream changed dramatically.
Everyone was busy and serious. Li Fan repeatedly checked the completed parts of the array to ensure nothing went wrong. The tense preparation atmosphere made the guests accompanying Huafu Song restless. Seeing how even the usually lazy Huafu Song was now working hard, they quickly guessed that a high-ranking official might be inspecting them.
They all volunteered to help, providing Li Fan with a batch of elite assistance.
Eastern, who wasn't turned down by this offer, applied for a batch of [Living Spirit Pearls] so that the team could move freely.
"This is what Senior Eastern Yao brought and distributed among you," said a seven-year-old boy in black and white robes. He was clear-eyed and well-spoken.
He took out a jade bottle from his chest and handed out colorful, chaotic round pearls to everyone.
"Swallow them whole and place them in your dantian; they will allow you to sense the flow of spirit energy again." Despite looking young, he explained the usage and precautions of the Living Spirit Pearls with great expertise.
Li Fan held one of the multicolored Living Spirit Pearls, examined it for a moment, but couldn't discern anything special. He swallowed it whole.
The various hues of light emerged from within the pearl, spreading throughout his body like a medicinal guide. The spirit energy suppressed by Xuanhuang Stream began to regain vitality. Although still far from its full potential, it was enough to sustain daily operations.
"It's more like a catalyst that enhances the reaction of spirit energy."
"Thus partially offsetting the deadening effect of Xuanhuang Stream."
"Speaking of which, if these Living Spirit Pearls are taken in normal regions outside, wouldn't..."
Li Fan pondered as he felt the strange spirit energy within his body.
Just then, the boy said, "The effects of the Living Spirit Pearls will last for thirty days. You must pay attention to their expiration date."
"Once before, a cultivator was so engrossed in work that they forgot about the duration. When the effect expired, their spiritual power vanished completely, and they fell from the sky, dying on impact."
"If you want to stop using them halfway through, simply expel the remaining ones by circulating your spirit energy."
The cultivators nodded.
"By the way, one more thing. Before leaving Xuanhuang Stream, either wait for the effects to fully wear off or directly expel the Living Spirit Pearls."
With the help of the Living Spirit Pearls, everyone became lively again and immediately threw themselves into supporting the array construction.
After a day, Li Fan felt something and stopped his work, looking up. A rainbow beam streaked across the sky, breaking through the crimson of the vast Burnt Sands, heading straight for Xuanhuang Stream.
The calm green river seemed to sense something, creating ripples without wind. The suppression suddenly intensified, leaving those who could only move with the Living Spirit Pearls in a state of panic as their spiritual power fluctuated, nearly causing them to fall from the sky.
Suddenly, Li Fan saw countless transparent patterns emanating from the rainbow beam, expanding outward like a giant curtain, instantly enveloping Xuanhuang Stream.
"Array?"
Li Fan looked up, his eyes flashing. The patterns formed into an array in an instant. The turbulent green river seemed to be compressed, becoming calm and even slightly lowering its surface level.
The cultivators within the array felt their bodies relax as if the suppression of Xuanhuang Stream had vanished instantly.
Surrounded by over a dozen black-robed cultivators, Lu Xi Chan, dressed in white robes, stepped onto the rainbow beam and descended before everyone.
"Salute Chief!"
Eastern Yao and Huafu Song hurriedly flew forward to greet her respectfully.
Lu Xi Chan's gaze swept over them, her expression cold.
"Let's go; show me how the array construction is progressing."
(End of Chapter)