“ jù wǒ suǒ zhī ， chú le běn zōng gēn běn fǎ mén 《 jì shì cháng shēng jīng 》 wài ， dāng nián yǒu jǐ wèi shī xiōng dì ， xiū xíng de shì qí tā gōng fǎ 。”
“据我所知，除了本宗根本法门《济世长生经》外，当年有几位师兄弟，修行的是其他功法。”
"According to what I know, besides the fundamental technique of our sect, *The Scripture for Longevity and Universal Benefit*, there were a few senior brothers who practiced other mystical techniques back then."
“ ruò shì bǎ tā men tí qián huàn xǐng ， dào yě wèn tí bù dà 。”
“若是把他们提前唤醒，倒也问题不大。”
"If we could wake them up early, it wouldn't be much of an issue."
“ děng wǒ sōu jí dào zú gòu gōng fǎ ……”
“等我搜集到足够功法……”
"As soon as I gather enough mystical techniques..."
líng hú chāng zì gù zì de shuō dào ， què jiàn xiāo héng děng rén yòng qí guài de yǎn shén dǎ liàng zhe tā 。
令狐昌自顾自的说道，却见萧恒等人用奇怪的眼神打量着他。
Linghu Chang spoke to himself, but noticed that Xiao Heng and the others were looking at him with strange eyes.
bù jīn dùn zhù ， rěn bú zhù wèn dào ：“ zěn me ， xiāo dào yǒu ， shì wǒ de jì huà nǎ lǐ yǒu wèn tí me ？”
不禁顿住，忍不住问道：“怎么，萧道友，是我的计划哪里有问题么？”
He paused, unable to help asking, "What is it, Fellow Daoist Xiao? Is there something wrong with my plan?"
xiāo héng kǔ xiào yī shēng ：“ líng hú dào yǒu ， kǒng pà dāng jīn xiū xiān jiè de jú shì ， bìng bú shì nǐ xiǎng xiàng zhōng de nà me jiǎn dān 。”
萧恒苦笑一声：“令狐道友，恐怕当今修仙界的局势，并不是你想象中的那么简单。”
Xiao Heng smiled bitterly. "Fellow Daoist Linghu, I'm afraid the current situation in the world of cultivation isn't as simple as you imagine."
dāng xià ， xiāo héng bǎ wàn xiān méng 、 wǔ lǎo huì zhè liǎng gè lǒng duàn jī hū tiān xià suǒ yǒu gōng fǎ de páng dà dà wù de dà zhì qíng xíng ， jiǎng le chū lái 。
当下，萧恒把万仙盟、五老会这两个垄断几乎天下所有功法的庞大大物的大致情形，讲了出来。
Xiao Heng then explained to them the general situation of the *Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance* and the *Five Elders' Society*, which monopolized almost all mystical techniques across the land.
líng hú chāng miàn sè dùn shí biàn dé cāng bái wú bǐ 。
令狐昌面色顿时变得苍白无比。
Linghu Chang's face turned pale at this revelation.
“ zěn huì rú cǐ ？”
“怎会如此？”
"Why would it be like that?"
rú guǒ zhè xiē rén méi yǒu shuō jiǎ huà ， nà me wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì ， yǎn rán shì bǐ dāng nián de xiān dào shí zōng hái yào kě pà de cún zài 。
如果这些人没有说假话，那么万仙盟和五老会，俨然是比当年的仙道十宗还要可怕的存在。
If what these people said was true, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders' Society were far more terrifying than the ten sects of immortality from back then.
sū xiǎo mèi yě lián máng shuō dào ：“ wàn xiān méng kě bú shì shén me hǎo rén 。 rú guǒ zhī dào nǐ men yào wáng zōng mù qián de qíng kuàng ， wèi le zhè me duō bǎo bèi hái yǒu gōng fǎ ， kěn dìng bú huì fàng guò nǐ men de 。”
苏小妹也连忙说道：“万仙盟可不是什么好人。如果知道你们药王宗目前的情况，为了这么多宝贝还有功法，肯定不会放过你们的。”
Su Xiaomei quickly added, "The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance isn't a good bunch. If they knew about your current situation in the Medicine King Sect, for so many treasures and mystical techniques, they wouldn't hesitate to let you go."
zhāng hào bō yě diǎn diǎn tóu ：“ wàn xiān méng duì yú gōng fǎ de guǎn kòng lì dù ， zhe shí kě pà 。 yóu qí líng hú dào yǒu nǐ suǒ xiū de gǔ fǎ ， dìng rán bù sú 。 zhí dá hé dào dìng rán bù chéng wèn tí 。 rú cǐ zhēn gōng ， yǐ wàn xiān méng de xíng shì fēng gé ， dìng rán bú huì ràng qí liú luò zài wài 。 yí dàn dé zhī xiāo xī ， kěn dìng huì pài chū hù fǎ táng xiū shì jìn xíng huí shōu 。”
张浩波也点点头：“万仙盟对于功法的管控力度，着实可怕。尤其令狐道友伱所修的古法，定然不俗。直达合道定然不成问题。如此真功，以万仙盟的行事风格，定然不会让其流落在外。一旦得知消息，肯定会派出护法堂修士进行回收。”
Zhang Haobo nodded. "The control over mystical techniques by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is truly terrifying. Especially Fellow Daoist Linghu's ancient technique; it must be quite powerful. Reaching the realm of union with dao shouldn't be a problem. Such genuine power, according to their style, wouldn't allow it to remain outside. Once they get wind of it, they would definitely send cultivators from the Protection Hall for recovery."
sān rén àn zhào zì jǐ xīn zhōng de wàn xiān méng xíng xiàng ， tiān yóu jiā cù dì wèi líng hú chāng jiǎng shù zhe wàn xiān méng de kǒng bù 。
三人按照自己心中的万仙盟形象，添油加醋地为令狐昌讲述着万仙盟的恐怖。
Following their own version of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, they embellished and added details to Linghu Chang's horror story.
suī rán líng hú chāng méi yǒu quán xìn ， dàn shì pǐ fū wú zuì 、 huái bì qí zuì de dào lǐ ， tā hái shì dǒng de 。
虽然令狐昌没有全信，但是匹夫无罪、怀璧其罪的道理，他还是懂得。
Although Linghu Chang didn't fully believe them, he understood the principle that "innocent until proven guilty" still applied.
ràng tā jiā rù wàn xiān méng ， bǎ chén mián zhōng de shù bǎi míng shī xiōng dì de xìng mìng jiāo gěi tā rén zhǎng kòng 。
让他加入万仙盟，把沉眠中的数百名师兄弟的性命交给他人掌控。
Having him join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and entrust the lives of hundreds of his fellow cultivators to others was something he couldn't do after receiving Master Liu Lvdun's final commission.
dé dào liǔ rú chén lín zhōng wěi tuō de líng hú chāng wú fǎ zuò dào 。
得到柳如尘临终委托的令狐昌无法做到。
After a moment’s thought, Linghu Chang solemnly bowed to Xiao Heng and company.
xiǎng le xiǎng ， tā zhèng zhòng de cháo zhe xiāo héng děng rén xíng le yī lǐ 。
想了想，他郑重的朝着萧恒等人行了一礼。
"I have been away from the Xuanhuang Realm for thousands of years. The changes in this world are unfamiliar to me."
“ wǒ lí kāi xuán huáng jiè yǐ jīng shù qiān zài ， cǐ jiān shì shì biàn huàn ， zhū duō shì wù duì yú wǒ ér yán ， dōu shì shí fēn mò shēng 。”
“我离开玄黄界已经数千载，此间世事变换，诸多事务对于我而言，都是十分陌生。”
"In order for my Medicine King Sect to live better in the future, I must rely on your help."
“ wèi le wǒ yào wáng zōng shàng xià jīn hòu gèng hǎo de huó xià qù 。 hái yào láo fán zhū wèi xiāng zhù le 。”
“为了我药王宗上下今后更好的活下去。还要劳烦诸位相助了。”
Xiao Heng repeatedly declined.
xiāo héng lián dào bù gǎn 。
萧恒连道不敢。
After dealing with the matters inside the cauldron, Linghu Chang and Xiao Heng three people flew out from the Medicine King Cauldron.
chǔ lǐ wán dǐng zhōng shì wù hòu ， líng hú chāng hé xiāo héng sān rén cóng yào wáng dǐng zhōng fēi chū 。
处理完鼎中事物后，令狐昌和萧恒三人从药王鼎中飞出。
Linghu Chang put away the Medicine King Cauldron.
líng hú chāng jiāng yào wáng dǐng shōu qǐ 。
令狐昌将药王鼎收起。
Then they followed their original plan to return to Stone Lin State.
suí hòu tā men àn zhào yuán lù ， jì huà fǎn huí shí lín zhōu 。
随后他们按照原路，计划返回石临州。
Throughout the journey, everyone kept a low profile while flying.
yī lù shàng ， zhòng rén jiē shì dī diào fēi xíng 。
一路上，众人皆是低调飞行。
Seeing the magnificent celestial cities along the way and the many Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators in them, Linghu Chang became even more cautious.
líng hú chāng zài kàn dào yán tú de yī zuò zuò xióng wěi tiān chéng ， yǐ jí chéng zhōng zhòng duō de wàn xiān méng xiū shì zhī hòu 。
令狐昌在看到沿途的一座座雄伟天城，以及城中众多的万仙盟修士之后。
...
gèng shì jiān xìn le zì jǐ de pàn duàn ， yù fā xiǎo xīn jǐn shèn 。
更是坚信了自己的判断，愈发小心谨慎。
At the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the Museum of Divine Treasures.
……
……
Following the guide's instructions, Li Fan had already arrived at this grand building.
wàn xiān méng zǒng bù 。
万仙盟总部。
He paused as he was about to continue his tour.
bó wù shén cáng guǎn 。
博物神藏馆。
The解说员 in front of him looked surprised.
dé dào lǐng lù rén zhǐ yǐn ， lǐ fán cǐ kè yǐ jīng lái dào le zhè zuò huī hóng wú bǐ de jiàn zhù nèi 。
得到领路人指引，李凡此刻已经来到了这座恢弘无比的建筑内。
"Is there a place for rest here?"
cǐ shí tā zhèng zài cān guān de jiǎo bù wēi wēi yī dùn 。
此时他正在参观的脚步微微一顿。
Li Fan said apologetically.
qián fāng de jiě shuō yuán yǒu xiē chà yì de kàn zhe tā 。
前方的解说员有些诧异的看着他。
The black-robed 解说员, seeing the white-haired and visibly old Li Fan, showed understanding.
“ zhè lǐ yǒu xiū xī de dì fāng me ？”
“这里有休息的地方么？”
She led him into a sealed space.
lǐ fán yǒu xiē qiàn yì dì shuō dào 。
李凡有些歉意地说道。
Simple decorations but with complete furniture.
yī xí hēi yī de jiě shuō yuán kàn zhe bái fà cāng cāng 、 lǎo tài bì xiǎn de lǐ fán ， lù chū le lǐ jiě de shén qíng 。
一袭黑衣的解说员看着白发苍苍、老态毕显的李凡，露出了理解的神情。
"You can rest here."
suí jí jiāng tā dài dào le yī chù mì bì kōng jiān zhōng 。
随即将他带到了一处密闭空间中。
"When you want to visit again, just contact me through this jade token."
zhuāng shì jiǎn dān ， què zhuō yǐ jù quán 。
装饰简单，却桌椅俱全。
Handing over a jade token inscribed with "Bing Yin", she quietly left.
“ nǐ zài cǐ xiū qì jí kě 。”
“你在此休憩即可。”
Li Fan took a deep breath and digested the information relayed by Xiao Heng and company.
“ shén me shí hòu xiǎng yào zài cì cān guān ， tōng guò zhè méi yù pái lián xì wǒ jiù xíng 。”
“什么时候想要再次参观，通过这枚玉牌联系我就行。”
"Immortal Wasteland?"
jiāng kè zhe 【 bǐng yín 】 zì yàng de yù pái jiāo gěi lǐ fán ， jiě shuō yuán qiǎo rán lí qù 。
将刻着【丙寅】字样的玉牌交给李凡，解说员悄然离去。
His eyes narrowed.
lǐ fán shēn xī yì kǒu qì ， xiāo huà zhe cóng xiāo héng děng rén chù chuán huí lái de xìn xī 。
李凡深吸一口气，消化着从萧恒等人处传回来的信息。
"Their pull is extremely strong, devouring everything."
“ xiān xū ？”
“仙墟？”
"Even space-time can be distorted. Once you get close, it's like a thousand years in an instant."
tā yǎn jīng wēi mī 。
他眼睛微眯。
"What is this..."
“ xī yǐn lì jí qiáng ， tūn shì yī qiè 。”
“吸引力极强，吞噬一切。”
"A black hole?"
“ lián shí kōng dōu néng niǔ qū 。 kào jìn zhī hòu ， yī shùn qiān nián 。”
“连时空都能扭曲。靠近之后，一瞬千年。”
"Or perhaps, something very similar to a black hole."
“ zhè shì ……”
“这是……”
"The mysterious existence above Dao Source State—does it have anything to do with the Immortal Wasteland?"
“ hēi dòng ？”
“黑洞？”
While sorting through the information, Li Fan suddenly paused.
“ huò zhě shuō ， gēn hēi dòng jí wéi xiāng sì de lì liàng 。”
“或者说，跟黑洞极为相似的力量。”
"Wait, the Immortal Wasteland and the Xuanhuang Realm that is constantly being sucked in."
“ dào yuán zhōu shàng kōng nà mò míng de cún zài ， yòu hé xiān xū yǒu méi yǒu guān xì ？”
“道源州上空那莫名的存在，又和仙墟有没有关系？”
"And the anomalies in the Xuanhuang Realm after cultivators die..."
zhèng zài shū lǐ xìn xī de lǐ fán hū de wēi wēi yī lèng 。
正在梳理信息的李凡忽的微微一愣。
...
“ děng děng ， xiān xū 、 xià fāng suí shí huì bèi xī yǐn tūn shì de xuán huáng jiè 。”
“等等，仙墟、下方随时会被吸引吞噬的玄黄界。”
In an instant, combining his experiences from Tianlin State, all the clues formed a coherent conclusion in Li Fan's mind.
“ yǐ jí xiū shì sǐ hòu xuán huáng jiè de yì dòng 。”
“以及修士死后玄黄界的异动。”
It fully explained the doubts he had before.
……
……
"To avoid the entire Xuanhuang Realm being devoured by the Immortal Wasteland above, one needs to maintain a certain level of [weight]."
chà nà jiān ， jié hé tiān líng zhōu de jiàn wén 。
刹那间，结合天灵州的见闻。
"Cultivators are an extremely important part of that weight..."
suǒ yǒu de xiàn suǒ chuàn chéng le yī tiáo xiàn 。
所有的线索串成了一条线。
"When large numbers of cultivators die, the Xuanhuang Realm becomes lighter."
yí gè néng gòu luó jí zì qià de jié lùn chū xiàn zài lǐ fán nǎo hǎi zhōng 。
一个能够逻辑自洽的结论出现在李凡脑海中。
"Thus, slightly drawn in by the [Immortal Wasteland], it gets closer."
zú yǐ hé lǐ de 、 wán quán de jiě kāi lǐ fán xiān qián xīn zhōng de yí huò 。
足以合理的、完全的解开李凡先前心中的疑惑。
"..."
“ wèi le bì miǎn xuán huáng jiè zhěng tǐ bèi shàng fāng xiān xū tūn shì de mìng yùn ， xū yào wéi chí zì shēn yí dìng de 【 zhòng liàng 】。”
“为了避免玄黄界整体被上方仙墟吞噬的命运，需要维持自身一定的【重量】。”
"If the number of cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm drops to a certain point, then the entire realm will irreversibly."
“ ér xiū shì ， yě shì 【 zhòng liàng 】 jí qí zhòng yào de yī huán ……”
“而修士，也是【重量】极其重要的一环……”
"Fall into the [Immortal Wasteland]."
“ dāng xiū shì dà guī mó sǐ wáng zhī hòu ， xuán huáng jiè wèi zhī yī qīng 。”
“当修士大规模死亡之后，玄黄界为之一轻。”
"At that time, even the Celestial Immortal would find it hard to escape the fate of destruction."
“ yú shì shāo wēi bèi 【 xiān xū 】 xī fù zhuó ， kào jìn le yī sī jù lí 。”
“于是稍微被【仙墟】吸附着，靠近了一丝距离。”
"This is why Ji Hong Dao's threat works."
“……”
“……”
"[Mutual annihilation]."
“ rú guǒ xuán huáng jiè de xiū shì shù liàng jiàng dī dào yí dìng chéng dù ， nà me zhěng gè xuán huáng jiè ， jiāng huì bù kě nì de 。”
“如果玄黄界的修士数量降低到一定程度，那么整个玄黄界，将会不可逆的。”
"And this is also why there can't be too few cultivators."
“ chè dǐ zhuì xiàng 【 xiān xū 】。”
“彻底坠向【仙墟】。”
Li Fan's thoughts raced as he connected them with his sister's actions. He felt that this judgment was getting closer to the truth.
“ dào shí hòu ， nǎ pà shì cháng shēng tiān zūn ， kǒng pà yě nán táo miè wáng de jié jú 。”
“到时候，哪怕是长生天尊，恐怕也难逃灭亡的结局。”
But then a question came immediately.
“ zhè jiù shì jì hóng dào de wēi shè zhī suǒ yǐ qǐ zuò yòng de yuán yīn 。”
“这就是纪宏道的威慑之所以起作用的原因。”
Why did cultivators have [weight]?
“【 tóng guī yú jìn 】。”
“【同归于尽】。”
It could be understood if it referred to the weight of the heavens and earth, but how about their physical bodies...
“ zhè yě shì wèi hé 【 xiū shì de shù liàng bù kě tài shǎo 】。”
“这也是为何【修士的数量不可太少】。”
Suddenly, like a lightning bolt splitting through fog, Li Fan instantly understood.
lǐ fán sī xù jí zhuǎn ， lián xiǎng dào zhào shī jiě de yán xíng ， xīn zhōng yǐn yǐn jué de zhè ge pàn duàn yǐ jīng jí dù jiē jìn zhēn xiàng le 。
李凡思绪急转，联想到赵师姐的言行，心中隐隐觉得这个判断已经极度接近真相了。
"If ancient technique cultivators are concerned, naturally, they can't talk about weight."
kě wèn tí jǐn jiē zhe lái le 。
可问题紧接着来了。
"But new technique cultivators, seizing heaven and earth."
wèi shén me ， xiū shì huì yǒu 【 zhòng liàng 】 ne ？
为什么，修士会有【重量】呢？
"Absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, borrowing its wonders,窥探天地之法,夺天地之精,抽天地之髓..."
tiān dì yǒu zhòng liàng shàng hái kě yǐ lǐ jiě 。
天地有重量尚还可以理解。
"Taking a part of this world and incorporating it into themselves."
xiū shì ròu shēn ， yòu rú hé ……
修士肉身，又如何……
"So naturally, they also gain the attribute of [weight] from the world."
chà nà jiān ， fǎng fú yī dào shǎn diàn pī kāi mí wù 。
刹那间，仿佛一道闪电劈开迷雾。
The weight of Golden Core cultivators and below was not obvious.
lǐ fán shùn jiān míng bái le 。
李凡瞬间明白了。
But once they reached the realm of primordial spirit, swallowing the original domain of heaven and earth to form their own territories, it made perfect sense.
“ ruò shì gǔ fǎ xiū shì ， zì rán shì tán bù shàng zhòng liàng de 。”
“若是古法修士，自然是谈不上重量的。”
"Domain..."
“ kě shì xīn fǎ xiū shì ， lüè tiān duó dì 。”
“可是新法修士，掠天夺地。”
"The weight of the world..."
“ xī tiān dì zhī líng 、 jiǎ tiān dì zhī qí 、 kuī tiān dì zhī fǎ 、 duó tiān dì zhī jīng 、 chōu tiān dì zhī suǐ ……”
“吸天地之灵、假天地之奇、窥天地之法、夺天地之精、抽天地之髓……”
Li Fan thought of more.
“ jiāng shì jiè de yī bù fèn ， xī shōu huà zuò běn shēn 。”
“将世界的一部分，吸收化作本身。”
According to Linghu Chang's experiences in the Medicine King Sect,
“ yú shì ， zì rán yě jiù dé dào le shì jiè 【 zhòng liàng 】 de shǔ xìng 。”
“于是，自然也就得到了世界【重量】的属性。”
The Immortal Wasteland above Xuanhuang Realm should have existed long before new techniques spread.
jīn dān jí yǐ xià xiū shì shàng bù míng xiǎn 。
金丹及以下修士尚不明显。
Back then, the ten sects of immortality had united to avoid the fate of being devoured by the Immortal Wasteland.
děng dào yuán yīng xiū wèi zhī hòu ， jiāng yuán běn shǔ yú tiān dì de 【 dòng tiān 】 tūn shì ， huà zuò zì shēn lǐng yù 。
等到元婴修为之后，将原本属于天地的【洞天】吞噬，化作自身领域。
What did those top cultivators from the world of cultivation do back then?
zhè jiù zài hǎo lǐ jiě bù guò le 。
这就再好理解不过了。
Thinking about the current state of the Xuanhuang Realm, a bold guess flashed through Li Fan's mind.
“ dòng tiān ……”
“洞天……”
"Back when I learned the path of new technique cultivation from *The Five Sensory Qi Technique*, I had doubts."
“ shì jiè de 【 zhòng liàng 】……”
“世界的【重量】……”
"The cultivators are so powerful, seizing heaven and earth. It’s hard to believe this world can still persist for so long."
lǐ fán jiē zhe yòu xiǎng dào le gèng duō 。
李凡接着又想到了更多。
"After delving deeper into the secrets of Xuanhuang Realm, I also had suspicions."
àn zhào yào wáng zōng líng hú chāng de jiàn wén 。
按照药王宗令狐昌的见闻。
"There are too many domains and small worlds in Xuanhuang Realm."
xuán huáng jiè shàng kōng de 【 xiān xū 】， zǎo zài xīn fǎ liú chuán kāi zhī qián ， yīng gāi jiù yǐ jīng cún zài le 。
玄黄界上空的【仙墟】，早在新法流传开之前，应该就已经存在了。
"Too many to count."
nà shí hòu ， xiān dào shí zōng lián shǒu ， bì miǎn le xuán huáng jiè bèi tūn shì de mìng yùn 。
那时候，仙道十宗联手，避免了玄黄界被吞噬的命运。
"The Great Xuan, the separation from the realm. Countless additional realms, each with different shapes."
dāng nián zhàn zài xiū xiān jiè dǐng duān de qiáng zhě men ， jiū jìng zuò le shén me ne ？
当年站在修仙界顶端的强者们，究竟做了什么呢？
"Now it seems these places might not originally belong to Xuanhuang Realm."
xiǎng dào rú jīn xuán huáng jiè de xiàn zhuàng ， yí gè dà dǎn de cāi cè bù jīn chū xiàn zài lǐ fán nǎo hǎi zhōng 。
想到如今玄黄界的现状，一个大胆的猜测不禁出现在李凡脑海中。
"They were captured by the cultivators of the ten sects of immortality to avoid being devoured by the Immortal Wasteland."
“ dāng chū cóng 《 wǔ líng gǎn qì fǎ 》 dé zhī xīn fǎ xiū xíng zhī dào hòu ， wǒ xīn zhōng jiù yǒu yí huò 。”
“当初从《五灵感气法》得知新法修行之道后，我心中就有疑惑。”
(End of Chapter)
"According to what I know, besides the fundamental technique of our sect, *The Scripture for Longevity and Universal Benefit*, there were a few senior brothers who practiced other mystical techniques back then."
"If we could wake them up early, it wouldn't be much of an issue."
"As soon as I gather enough mystical techniques..."
Linghu Chang spoke to himself, but noticed that Xiao Heng and the others were looking at him with strange eyes.
He paused, unable to help asking, "What is it, Fellow Daoist Xiao? Is there something wrong with my plan?"
Xiao Heng smiled bitterly. "Fellow Daoist Linghu, I'm afraid the current situation in the world of cultivation isn't as simple as you imagine."
Xiao Heng then explained to them the general situation of the *Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance* and the *Five Elders' Society*, which monopolized almost all mystical techniques across the land.
Linghu Chang's face turned pale at this revelation.
"Why would it be like that?"
If what these people said was true, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders' Society were far more terrifying than the ten sects of immortality from back then.
Su Xiaomei quickly added, "The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance isn't a good bunch. If they knew about your current situation in the Medicine King Sect, for so many treasures and mystical techniques, they wouldn't hesitate to let you go."
Zhang Haobo nodded. "The control over mystical techniques by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is truly terrifying. Especially Fellow Daoist Linghu's ancient technique; it must be quite powerful. Reaching the realm of union with dao shouldn't be a problem. Such genuine power, according to their style, wouldn't allow it to remain outside. Once they get wind of it, they would definitely send cultivators from the Protection Hall for recovery."
Following their own version of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, they embellished and added details to Linghu Chang's horror story.
Although Linghu Chang didn't fully believe them, he understood the principle that "innocent until proven guilty" still applied.
Having him join the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and entrust the lives of hundreds of his fellow cultivators to others was something he couldn't do after receiving Master Liu Lvdun's final commission.
After a moment’s thought, Linghu Chang solemnly bowed to Xiao Heng and company.
"I have been away from the Xuanhuang Realm for thousands of years. The changes in this world are unfamiliar to me."
"In order for my Medicine King Sect to live better in the future, I must rely on your help."
Xiao Heng repeatedly declined.
After dealing with the matters inside the cauldron, Linghu Chang and Xiao Heng three people flew out from the Medicine King Cauldron.
Linghu Chang put away the Medicine King Cauldron.
Then they followed their original plan to return to Stone Lin State.
Throughout the journey, everyone kept a low profile while flying.
Seeing the magnificent celestial cities along the way and the many Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators in them, Linghu Chang became even more cautious.
...
At the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, the Museum of Divine Treasures.
Following the guide's instructions, Li Fan had already arrived at this grand building.
He paused as he was about to continue his tour.
The解说员 in front of him looked surprised.
"Is there a place for rest here?"
Li Fan said apologetically.
The black-robed 解说员, seeing the white-haired and visibly old Li Fan, showed understanding.
She led him into a sealed space.
Simple decorations but with complete furniture.
"You can rest here."
"When you want to visit again, just contact me through this jade token."
Handing over a jade token inscribed with "Bing Yin", she quietly left.
Li Fan took a deep breath and digested the information relayed by Xiao Heng and company.
"Immortal Wasteland?"
His eyes narrowed.
"Their pull is extremely strong, devouring everything."
"Even space-time can be distorted. Once you get close, it's like a thousand years in an instant."
"What is this..."
"A black hole?"
"Or perhaps, something very similar to a black hole."
"The mysterious existence above Dao Source State—does it have anything to do with the Immortal Wasteland?"
While sorting through the information, Li Fan suddenly paused.
"Wait, the Immortal Wasteland and the Xuanhuang Realm that is constantly being sucked in."
"And the anomalies in the Xuanhuang Realm after cultivators die..."
...
In an instant, combining his experiences from Tianlin State, all the clues formed a coherent conclusion in Li Fan's mind.
It fully explained the doubts he had before.
"To avoid the entire Xuanhuang Realm being devoured by the Immortal Wasteland above, one needs to maintain a certain level of [weight]."
"Cultivators are an extremely important part of that weight..."
"When large numbers of cultivators die, the Xuanhuang Realm becomes lighter."
"Thus, slightly drawn in by the [Immortal Wasteland], it gets closer."
"..."
"If the number of cultivators in the Xuanhuang Realm drops to a certain point, then the entire realm will irreversibly."
"Fall into the [Immortal Wasteland]."
"At that time, even the Celestial Immortal would find it hard to escape the fate of destruction."
"This is why Ji Hong Dao's threat works."
"[Mutual annihilation]."
"And this is also why there can't be too few cultivators."
Li Fan's thoughts raced as he connected them with his sister's actions. He felt that this judgment was getting closer to the truth.
But then a question came immediately.
Why did cultivators have [weight]?
It could be understood if it referred to the weight of the heavens and earth, but how about their physical bodies...
Suddenly, like a lightning bolt splitting through fog, Li Fan instantly understood.
"If ancient technique cultivators are concerned, naturally, they can't talk about weight."
"But new technique cultivators, seizing heaven and earth."
"Absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, borrowing its wonders,窥探天地之法,夺天地之精,抽天地之髓..."
"Taking a part of this world and incorporating it into themselves."
"So naturally, they also gain the attribute of [weight] from the world."
The weight of Golden Core cultivators and below was not obvious.
But once they reached the realm of primordial spirit, swallowing the original domain of heaven and earth to form their own territories, it made perfect sense.
"Domain..."
"The weight of the world..."
Li Fan thought of more.
According to Linghu Chang's experiences in the Medicine King Sect,
The Immortal Wasteland above Xuanhuang Realm should have existed long before new techniques spread.
Back then, the ten sects of immortality had united to avoid the fate of being devoured by the Immortal Wasteland.
What did those top cultivators from the world of cultivation do back then?
Thinking about the current state of the Xuanhuang Realm, a bold guess flashed through Li Fan's mind.
"Back when I learned the path of new technique cultivation from *The Five Sensory Qi Technique*, I had doubts."
"The cultivators are so powerful, seizing heaven and earth. It’s hard to believe this world can still persist for so long."
"After delving deeper into the secrets of Xuanhuang Realm, I also had suspicions."
"There are too many domains and small worlds in Xuanhuang Realm."
"Too many to count."
"The Great Xuan, the separation from the realm. Countless additional realms, each with different shapes."
"Now it seems these places might not originally belong to Xuanhuang Realm."
"They were captured by the cultivators of the ten sects of immortality to avoid being devoured by the Immortal Wasteland."
(End of Chapter)