cóng dì tú shàng kàn ， lǐ fán yǔ mù dì dì de jù lí ， jī hū héng kuà le dà bàn gè shuǐ dòng tiān 。
从地图上看，李凡与目的地的距离，几乎横跨了大半个水洞天。
From the map, Li Fan's distance from his destination spanned almost half of Water Cave Heaven.
lǐ fán gū jì ， ruò shì guāng kào zì jǐ fēi dùn ， méi yǒu yī liǎng gè yuè ， gēn běn bié xiǎng gǎn guò qù 。
李凡估计，若是光靠自己飞遁，没有一两个月，根本别想赶过去。
Li Fan estimated that if he relied solely on flying, it would take him at least one or two months to reach there. However, with the help of the遁天梭 (Heaven-Piercing Shuttle), he arrived in less than a day.
rán ér píng jiè zhe dùn tiān suō ， lián yī tiān shí jiān dōu méi yào 。
然而凭借着遁天梭，连一天时间都没要。
Seven and a half hours later, Li Fan reached his destination. His speed gradually slowed down as the black-goldish fluid around his body slowly returned to normal. When he stopped, it transformed back into a small droplet-shaped object, stored within his dantian.
qī gè shí chén duō yì diǎn ， lǐ fán jiù dào dá le biāo jì suǒ zài 。
七个时辰多一点，李凡就到达了标记所在。
Li Fan surveyed his upcoming work environment. Below was still an endless expanse of azure waters. Above, it seemed almost within reach. A branch from the giant tree hanging upside down from the sky canopy made contact with the water attribute heaven. However, what surprised Li Fan was that after the vibrant trees came into contact with the water, they should have become even more lively and thriving. But the large branch in front of him appeared completely desolate and corrupt.
sù dù zhú jiàn jiǎn huǎn ， shēn tǐ zhōu wéi de hēi jīn sè liú tǐ màn màn fù yuán 。
速度逐渐减缓，身体周围的黑金色流体慢慢复原。
The grayish-yellow trunk was incomplete, riddled with many hollows, as if it would break or fall at any moment. Li Fan wondered if he had been staring for too long, causing his perception to be skewed. From those dead branches, he could see faint images of "humans." When he turned away and looked again later, that feeling disappeared.
dāng lǐ fán tíng xià lái hòu ， tā yòu chóng xīn biàn chéng le xiǎo xiǎo de shuǐ dī zhuāng wù jiàn ， bèi shōu yú dān tián zhī zhōng 。
当李凡停下来后，它又重新变成了小小的水滴装物件，被收于丹田之中。
Li Fan shook his head, took out the督天录 (Supreme Heaven Record), and carefully studied the construction plan once more. During the time he inspected his surroundings, the plan had already been updated. Five additional cultivators were now assisting him, carrying supplies to catch up.
lǐ fán huán shì zhe jiē xià lái yī duàn shí jiān zì jǐ de gōng zuò huán jìng 。
李凡环视着接下来一段时间自己的工作环境。
Li Fan did not wait for them. A beam of light from the督天录 directed towards the sky. After confirming the coordinates, Li Fan began constructing the lock spirit array without delay. Unlike in the Challenging Abyss where he had to guard against devouring essence white mist and abyssal sounds, this water attribute heaven posed no significant danger. The abundant spiritual energy was even more conducive to array construction.
xià fāng yī rán shì yí wàng wú yín de wèi lán shuǐ yù 。
下方依然是一望无垠的蔚蓝水域。
Without any hindrance, Li Fan could fully unleash his skills. After years of heavy training, his normal setup speed had improved significantly. It felt like a natural instinct, requiring no thought. He effortlessly constructed the arrays as he pleased, with each one completed in an instant. Li Fan remained indifferent, pushing forward at an incredibly efficient and terrifying pace.
ér zài shàng fāng ， sì hū chù shǒu kě jí zhī chù 。
而在上方，似乎触手可及之处。
Lost in this state, when the support team arrived, they saw Li Fan meticulously constructing the lock spirit array, akin to painting freely on a blank canvas.
tiān mù shàng dào xuán jù shù shēn chū de yī gēn zhī yā ， yǔ shuǐ shǔ xìng dòng tiān lái le gè qīn mì jiē chù 。
天幕上倒悬巨树伸出的一根枝桠，与水属性洞天来了个亲密接触。
They had participated in array construction before but never with someone as skilled as this white-haired golden core cultivator. The five men exchanged glances.
zhǐ shì ràng lǐ fán gǎn dào yǒu xiē yì wài de shì ， shēng jī àng rán de shù mù yǔ shuǐ jiē chù hòu ， lǐ yīng gèng jiā shēng jī bó bó cái duì 。
只是让李凡感到有些意外的是，生机盎然的树木与水接触后，理应更加生机勃勃才对。
"Is he really only at the Golden Core stage?"
dàn shì lǐ fán miàn qián de jù dà shù zhī ， què shì wán quán de kū jì fǔ bài zhī xiāng 。
但是李凡面前的巨大树枝，却是完全的枯寂腐败之相。
"Li Fan... He seems familiar. Wait, could it be that Li Fan?"
huī huáng sè de shù mù ， cán quē bù quán ， biàn bù zhe xǔ duō kōng dòng 。
灰黄色的树木，残缺不全，遍布着许多空洞。
"It must be him. No wonder he's always on the front lines building lock spirit arrays. His array-setting skills are truly awe-inspiring."
sì hū suí shí huì yào duàn liè 、 diào là xià lái 。
似乎随时会要断裂、掉落下来。
"Amen to that. It’s a blessing to work with him."
bù zhī shì bú shì lǐ fán dīng zhe kàn le xǔ jiǔ ， cóng ér chǎn shēng de cuò jué 。
不知是不是李凡盯着看了许久，从而产生的错觉。
The five men communicated telepathically and then refrained from disturbing Li Fan, starting their own base construction below the water surface. Although they knew Li Fan was extremely hardworking and could work without rest, this temporary resting point was necessary for emergencies.
cóng nà xiē bèi sǐ jì kěn shí 、 cán cún de shù zhī zhōng ， tā jìng rán kàn chū le xǔ duō “ rén ” de cán quē shēn yǐng 。
从那些被死寂啃食、残存的树枝中，他竟然看出了许多“人”的残缺身影。
After all, none of them could handle continuous labor for years. Their task was straightforward, and with teamwork, it took just three days to complete a small floating base above the water.
shōu huí shì xiàn ， děng huì zài kàn shí 。
收回视线，等会再看时。
Next, they began verifying each array unit according to Li Fan's already completed designs. The results surpassed their expectations. They had heard tales of some prodigious array masters before, but the complexity of the lock spirit array, containing countless units and influenced by external factors, meant that even talented individuals could make mistakes. However, none of these errors appeared in Li Fan’s arrays.
nà zhǒng gǎn jué què yòu xiāo shī bú jiàn le 。
那种感觉却又消失不见了。
He was tireless, efficient, and precise—everything happening to an elderly golden core cultivator on his last legs. It was unbelievable, leaving the five men in awe.
lǐ fán yáo yáo tóu ， qǔ chū dū tiān lù ， zài cì zǐ xì yán dú qǐ le jiàn zào jì huà 。
李凡摇摇头，取出督天录，再次仔细研读起了建造计划。
As time passed, the area covered by Li Fan's completed arrays rapidly expanded. With each new array node constructed, the five men grew increasingly respectful of Li Fan’s relentless work ethic. He truly lived up to the rumors—never tiring and working without rest. Even they were starting to feel the strain but dared not complain.
jiù zài gāng gāng tā shì chá sì zhōu de gōng fu ， jì huà yǐ jīng jìn xíng le yī cì gēng xīn 。
就在刚刚他视察四周的功夫，计划已经进行了一次更新。
A year passed quietly. When the area covered by his completed arrays reached a radius of five thousand miles from the original node, their assigned tasks were nearly complete.
duō le wǔ míng xiū shì zuò wéi tā de zhù shǒu ， zhèng xié dài zhe hòu qín wù zī gǎn guò lái 。
多了五名修士作为他的助手，正携带着后勤物资赶过来。
"Originally planned for three years, we didn't expect it to be finished in just one."
lǐ fán méi yǒu děng dài tā men 。
李凡没有等待他们。
Yan Hang, an元婴 (Foundation Establishment) cultivator named Yan Hang, looked at the array in the sky and sighed. "Finally, we can rest a bit now."
dū tiān lù shì fàng chū yī dào guāng huá ， dìng xiàng kōng zhōng 。
督天录释放出一道光华，定向空中。
He was exhausted, his face etched with weariness. The others nodded in agreement.
què dìng le zuò biāo jié diǎn hòu ， lǐ fán biàn jìng zhí kāi shǐ le suǒ líng zhèn de jiàn zào gōng zuò 。
确定了坐标节点后，李凡便径直开始了锁灵阵的建造工作。
However, after Li Fan finished constructing the final array, he paused in mid-air but showed no intention of resting. Instead, he continued expanding the outermost part of the array.
yǔ zài chì zhā shēn yuān shí kè xū yào fáng bèi shì yuán bái wù yǐ jí shēn yuān mó yīn bù tóng 。
与在叱吒深渊时刻需要防备噬元白雾以及深渊魔音不同。
"What is Master Li doing? That's clearly not our work area!"
cǐ chù shuǐ shǔ xìng dòng tiān jī hū háo wú wēi xiǎn kě yán 。
此处水属性洞天几乎毫无危险可言。
Yan Hang, who had been preparing to relax, called out in surprise.
líng qì nóng hòu ， gèng shì lì yú zhèn fǎ jiàn zào 。
灵气浓厚，更是利于阵法建造。
"Wait..."
méi yǒu chè zhǒu ， lǐ fán dé yǐ jìn qíng shī wéi 。
没有掣肘，李凡得以尽情施为。
"Check the督天录 (Supreme Heaven Record), the construction plan has been updated!"
jīng guò le jǐ nián de fù zhòng xùn liàn hòu ， lǐ fán cǐ shí zài cháng tài xià de bù zhèn sù dù ， zài dù shàng le yí gè tái jiē 。
经过了几年的负重训练后，李凡此时在常态下的布阵速度，再度上了一个台阶。
"Master Li volunteered to help other array masters with their constructions?"
wǎn ruò kè zài líng hún shēn chù de běn néng bān ， gēn běn bù xū sī kǎo 。
宛若刻在灵魂深处的本能般，根本不需思考。
"We must cooperate and not slack off?"
xìn shǒu niān lái ， yì zhī suǒ jí ， chà nà zhèn chéng 。
信手拈来，意之所及，刹那阵成。
The five men exchanged worried glances. Their spirits sank as they realized what was happening.
lǐ fán xīn zhōng wú bēi wú xǐ ， zhǐ shì yǐ yī zhǒng jué duì gāo xiào 、 kǒng bù de sù dù ， tuī jìn zhe zhèn fǎ de bù zhì 。
李凡心中无悲无喜，只是以一种绝对高效、恐怖的速度，推进着阵法的布置。
Yan Hang gritted his teeth, encouraging them: "If Master Li is putting in such effort, we have no reason to refuse."
yī shí ， xiàn rù le wàng wǒ zhī zhōng 。
一时，陷入了忘我之中。
"Brothers, let's push through a bit longer."
děng dào zhī yuán wǔ rén zǔ gǎn dào shí ， kàn dào de biàn shì lǐ fán zhuān zhù wú bǐ 、 rú sì yì pō mò bān suí yì jiàn zào suǒ líng zhèn de chǎng jǐng 。
等到支援五人组赶到时，看到的便是李凡专注无比、如肆意泼墨般随意建造锁灵阵的场景。
One of the men sighed: "We can only do this. If we back out now, it might be ridiculed."
tā men yě bú shì dì yī cì cān yù zhèn fǎ de jiàn zào le 。
他们也不是第一次参与阵法的建造了。
"I don't mind much. The main concern is for Master Li. Haven’t you noticed he seems more aged?"
dàn shì zhī qián jiē chù de zhèn fǎ shī ， wú lùn shì bù zhèn de sù dù ， yǐ jí xiāo sǎ chéng dù 。
但是之前接触的阵法师，无论是布阵的速度，以及潇洒程度。
After this reminder, the others realized and carefully observed that figure, still standing tall despite his age.
xiǎn rán dōu yuǎn bù néng hé yǎn qián zhè wèi bái fà jīn dān zhèn fǎ shī xiāng tí bìng lùn 。
显然都远不能和眼前这位白发金丹阵法师相提并论。
"Indeed."
wǔ rén miàn miàn xiāng qù 。
五人面面相觑。
"He has so little time left, but he’s pushing himself so hard. His life span will surely diminish even faster."
“ cǐ rén zhēn de zhǐ yǒu jīn dān xiū wèi ？”
“此人真的只有金丹修为？”
"What should we do?"
“ lǐ fán …… sì hū yǒu diǎn yǎn shú 。 děng děng ， nán dào shì nà ge lǐ fán ？”
“李凡……似乎有点眼熟。等等，难道是那个李凡？”
The men exchanged glances.
“ cuò bù liǎo le 。 bù kuì shì dào sǐ dōu yào fèn dòu zài jiàn zào suǒ líng zhèn dì yī xiàn de rén 。 bù zhèn zhī shú liàn ， jiǎn zhí jīng shì hài sú 。”
“错不了了。不愧是到死都要奋斗在建造锁灵阵第一线的人。布阵之熟练，简直惊世骇俗。”
"We can’t just watch him die before our eyes."
“ hū ， cǐ fān néng hé tā pèi hé ， yě shì wǒ děng zhī fú 。”
“呼，此番能和他配合，也是我等之福。”
"Report this immediately!"
wǔ rén yòng shén shí hù xiāng jiāo liú yī fān 。
五人用神识互相交流一番。
Yan Hang said sternly.
From the map, Li Fan's distance from his destination spanned almost half of Water Cave Heaven.
Li Fan estimated that if he relied solely on flying, it would take him at least one or two months to reach there. However, with the help of the遁天梭 (Heaven-Piercing Shuttle), he arrived in less than a day.
Seven and a half hours later, Li Fan reached his destination. His speed gradually slowed down as the black-goldish fluid around his body slowly returned to normal. When he stopped, it transformed back into a small droplet-shaped object, stored within his dantian.
Li Fan surveyed his upcoming work environment. Below was still an endless expanse of azure waters. Above, it seemed almost within reach. A branch from the giant tree hanging upside down from the sky canopy made contact with the water attribute heaven. However, what surprised Li Fan was that after the vibrant trees came into contact with the water, they should have become even more lively and thriving. But the large branch in front of him appeared completely desolate and corrupt.
The grayish-yellow trunk was incomplete, riddled with many hollows, as if it would break or fall at any moment. Li Fan wondered if he had been staring for too long, causing his perception to be skewed. From those dead branches, he could see faint images of "humans." When he turned away and looked again later, that feeling disappeared.
Li Fan shook his head, took out the督天录 (Supreme Heaven Record), and carefully studied the construction plan once more. During the time he inspected his surroundings, the plan had already been updated. Five additional cultivators were now assisting him, carrying supplies to catch up.
Li Fan did not wait for them. A beam of light from the督天录 directed towards the sky. After confirming the coordinates, Li Fan began constructing the lock spirit array without delay. Unlike in the Challenging Abyss where he had to guard against devouring essence white mist and abyssal sounds, this water attribute heaven posed no significant danger. The abundant spiritual energy was even more conducive to array construction.
Without any hindrance, Li Fan could fully unleash his skills. After years of heavy training, his normal setup speed had improved significantly. It felt like a natural instinct, requiring no thought. He effortlessly constructed the arrays as he pleased, with each one completed in an instant. Li Fan remained indifferent, pushing forward at an incredibly efficient and terrifying pace.
Lost in this state, when the support team arrived, they saw Li Fan meticulously constructing the lock spirit array, akin to painting freely on a blank canvas.
They had participated in array construction before but never with someone as skilled as this white-haired golden core cultivator. The five men exchanged glances.
"Is he really only at the Golden Core stage?"
"Li Fan... He seems familiar. Wait, could it be that Li Fan?"
"It must be him. No wonder he's always on the front lines building lock spirit arrays. His array-setting skills are truly awe-inspiring."
"Amen to that. It’s a blessing to work with him."
The five men communicated telepathically and then refrained from disturbing Li Fan, starting their own base construction below the water surface. Although they knew Li Fan was extremely hardworking and could work without rest, this temporary resting point was necessary for emergencies.
After all, none of them could handle continuous labor for years. Their task was straightforward, and with teamwork, it took just three days to complete a small floating base above the water.
Next, they began verifying each array unit according to Li Fan's already completed designs. The results surpassed their expectations. They had heard tales of some prodigious array masters before, but the complexity of the lock spirit array, containing countless units and influenced by external factors, meant that even talented individuals could make mistakes. However, none of these errors appeared in Li Fan’s arrays.
He was tireless, efficient, and precise—everything happening to an elderly golden core cultivator on his last legs. It was unbelievable, leaving the five men in awe.
As time passed, the area covered by Li Fan's completed arrays rapidly expanded. With each new array node constructed, the five men grew increasingly respectful of Li Fan’s relentless work ethic. He truly lived up to the rumors—never tiring and working without rest. Even they were starting to feel the strain but dared not complain.
A year passed quietly. When the area covered by his completed arrays reached a radius of five thousand miles from the original node, their assigned tasks were nearly complete.
"Originally planned for three years, we didn't expect it to be finished in just one."
Yan Hang, an元婴 (Foundation Establishment) cultivator named Yan Hang, looked at the array in the sky and sighed. "Finally, we can rest a bit now."
He was exhausted, his face etched with weariness. The others nodded in agreement.
However, after Li Fan finished constructing the final array, he paused in mid-air but showed no intention of resting. Instead, he continued expanding the outermost part of the array.
"What is Master Li doing? That's clearly not our work area!"
Yan Hang, who had been preparing to relax, called out in surprise.
"Wait..."
"Check the督天录 (Supreme Heaven Record), the construction plan has been updated!"
"Master Li volunteered to help other array masters with their constructions?"
"We must cooperate and not slack off?"
The five men exchanged worried glances. Their spirits sank as they realized what was happening.
Yan Hang gritted his teeth, encouraging them: "If Master Li is putting in such effort, we have no reason to refuse."
"Brothers, let's push through a bit longer."
One of the men sighed: "We can only do this. If we back out now, it might be ridiculed."
"I don't mind much. The main concern is for Master Li. Haven’t you noticed he seems more aged?"
After this reminder, the others realized and carefully observed that figure, still standing tall despite his age.
"Indeed."
"He has so little time left, but he’s pushing himself so hard. His life span will surely diminish even faster."
"What should we do?"
The men exchanged glances.
"We can’t just watch him die before our eyes."
"Report this immediately!"
Yan Hang said sternly.