「 dòng zuò kuài diǎn ！ bié dōng zhāng xī wàng de ！」
「动作快点！别东张西望的！」
"Move faster! Stop looking around!"
wàn xiān dǎo jī hū bèi yí wéi píng dì ， wǔ lǎo huì de nà qún xiū shì kāi shǐ zài dì xià wā jué qǐ lái 。
万仙岛几乎被夷为平地，五老会的那群修士开始在地下挖掘起来。
Almost the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Island was flattened. The Five Elders Association's cultivators began to dig underground.
lǐ fán hái yù zài kàn ， què bèi jiǎ wèi xiū shì hē chì ， qiáng zhì zhuǎn yí le cǐ dì 。
李凡还欲再看，却被甲胃修士呵斥，强制转移了此地。
Li Fan wanted to observe further, but he was shouted at by a Cultivated Armor cultivator and forced to leave the area.
jǐ duì jiǎ wèi xiū shì jié chéng fǎ zhèn ， jiāng wàn xiān méng zhòng rén rú tóng yáng qún bān ， niǎn zhe dào dá le xiá gǔ dǐ bù de yī chù xiǎo dòng zhī wài 。
几队甲胃修士结成法阵，将万仙盟众人如同羊群般，撵着到达了峡谷底部的一处小洞之外。
Several teams of Cultivated Armor cultivators formed an array, herding everyone like sheep towards a small cave at the bottom of a valley.
dòng kǒu chù yāo fēng zhèn zhèn ， kàn shàng qù jiù tòu zhe yī gǔ yīn sēn kě bù de qì xī 。
洞口处妖风阵阵，看上去就透着一股阴森可怖的气息。
The entrance to the cave was surrounded by eerie winds, giving off a chilling aura.
「 jìn qù ！ mó cèng shén me ！」
「进去！磨蹭什么！」
"Go in! What are you waiting for!"
wéi shǒu de jiǎ wèi xiū shì jiāng shǒu zhōng wǔ qì zài dì miàn yī chǔ ， rú nù léi bān hè dào 。
为首的甲胃修士将手中武器在地面一杵，如怒雷般喝道。
The leader of the Cultivated Armor cultivators struck his weapon on the ground with a thunderous voice.
zhòng rén zhōng yǒu miàn lù bù fèn zhě ， tā men hù xiāng duì shì yī yǎn ， sì hū zài àn zhōng shāng yì zhe fǎn kàng shì yí 。
众人中有面露不忿者，他们互相对视一眼，似乎在暗中商议着反抗事宜。
Some of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators looked resentful. They exchanged glances as if secretly discussing how to resist.
bù guò què shì xíng shì bǐ rén qiáng ， zài yóu yù le yī zhèn hòu ， zuì zhōng tā men hái shì qū fú le 。
不过却是形势比人强，在犹豫了一阵后，最终他们还是屈服了。
However, circumstances were stronger than their wills. After some hesitation, they eventually submitted.
cì dì zǒu jìn yīn àn de shān dòng zhōng 。
次第走进阴暗的山洞中。
They entered the dark cave one by one.
lǐ fán bù guò shì jiè yòng de kuǐ lěi shēn qū ， zì rán méi yǒu duō shǎo wèi jù zhī qíng 。
李凡不过是借用的傀儡身躯，自然没有多少畏惧之情。
Li Fan was just using a puppet body and naturally had little fear.
bù guò wèi le bù xiǎn yǎn ， néng duō huó diǎn shí jiān ， tā yě zhuāng zuò shí fēn huáng kǒng de yàng zi ， gēn zài zhòng rén zhī hòu 。
不过为了不显眼，能多活点时间，他也装作十分惶恐的样子，跟在众人之后。
To avoid drawing attention and buying more time, he pretended to be extremely frightened and followed behind the others.
yī jiǎo tà rù shān dòng ， guāng míng xiāo shī yǎn qián 。
一脚踏入山洞，光明消失眼前。
As soon as his foot stepped into the cave, light vanished from his sight.
xià yī kè ， hé yù xiǎng zhōng jié rán bù tóng de chǎng jǐng chū xiàn zài zhòng rén yǎn qián 。
下一刻，和预想中截然不同的场景出现在众人眼前。
In the next moment, an entirely different scene unfolded before everyone's eyes.
bú shì qū zhé yōu àn de shān tǐ nèi tōng dào ， ér shì mò míng chū xiàn zài le yī chù lǜ yì àng rán de shān gǔ zhī zhōng 。
不是曲折幽暗的山体内通道，而是莫名出现在了一处绿意盎然的山谷之中。
Instead of winding dark tunnels within a mountain, they found themselves in a lush green valley.
yuǎn chù ， sì hū kě yǐ kàn dào yī zuò mù zhì gé lóu 。
远处，似乎可以看到一座木制阁楼。
In the distance, it seemed that there was a wooden pavilion. Dozens of people were seated on the ground in front of the pavilion, listening to a scholar-like cultivator speak.
yǒu shù shí rén zài gé lóu qián xí dì ér zuò ， tīng zhe yī wèi shū shēng mú yàng de xiū shì jiǎng zhe xiē shén me 。
有数十人在阁楼前席地而坐，听着一位书生模样的修士讲着些什么。
Seeing no signs of torture or interrogation, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators who had been restless and ready to resist also became more compliant.
jiàn sì hū bù xiàng shì yào shòu dào xíng xùn 、 kǎo dǎ de yàng zi ， yuán běn chǔn chǔn yù dòng 、 shì tú fǎn kàng de wàn xiān méng xiū shì men ， yě chóng xīn biàn dé ān fèn qǐ lái 。
见似乎不像是要受到刑讯、拷打的样子，原本蠢蠢欲动、试图反抗的万仙盟修士们，也重新变得安分起来。
They decided to observe the situation first before making any moves.
jué dìng xiān kàn kàn jù tǐ qíng kuàng ， zài jiàn jī xíng shì 。
决定先看看具体情况，再见机行事。
Under the guidance of the Cultivated Armor cultivators, everyone slowly approached the pavilion.
zài jiǎ wèi xiū shì de yā sòng xià ， zhòng rén cháo zhe gé lóu huǎn bù kào jìn 。
在甲胃修士的押送下，众人朝着阁楼缓步靠近。
Hidden among them, Li Fan敏锐ly sensed a change in his body. His expression changed slightly.
ér yǐn cáng zài zhòng rén zhōng de lǐ fán ， zé shì mǐn ruì de chá jué dào le zài zhè ge guò chéng zhōng shēn tǐ fā shēng de mǒu zhǒng biàn huà ， wēi wēi sè biàn 。
而隐藏在众人中的李凡，则是敏锐的察觉到了在这个过程中身体发生的某种变化，微微色变。
In fact, as they drew closer to the scholar, their bodies seemed to shrink continuously.
yuán lái ， dāng bù duàn kào jìn gé lóu shū shēng de tóng shí ， tā men de shēn tǐ sì hū yě zài bù duàn biàn xiǎo 。
原来，当不断靠近阁楼书生的同时，他们的身体似乎也在不断变小。
This change only affected those under the custody of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance; the Cultivated Armor cultivators and the scholar, along with the scenery around them, remained unchanged.
zhè zhǒng biàn huà jǐn xiàn yú bèi jū yā de wàn xiān méng zhī shǔ ， jiǎ wèi xiū shì 、 shū shēng ， nǎi zhì zhōu wéi shān gǔ zhōng de jǐng sè ， dōu méi yǒu sī háo gǎi biàn 。
这种变化仅限于被拘押的万仙盟之属，甲胃修士、书生，乃至周围山谷中的景色，都没有丝毫改变。
Thus, although they continued advancing at a steady pace, it felt like they were moving further away from their goal.
yú shì suī rán tā men qián jìn de sù dù bù jiǎn ， dàn shì què fǎng fú lí mù biāo yuè lái yuè yuǎn le 。
于是虽然他们前进的速度不减，但是却仿佛离目标越来越远了。
The unusual scene caused some stir among the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance group, but soon was quelled.
zhè yì cháng de jǐng xiàng shǐ de wàn xiān méng duì wǔ zhōng qǐ le yī sī sāo dòng ， bù guò hěn kuài jiù bèi zhèn yā 。
这异常的景象使得万仙盟队伍中起了一丝骚动，不过很快就被镇压。
"Move faster!"
「 dòng zuò kuài diǎn ！」
「动作快点！」
To these cultivators, the Cultivated Armor cultivators had grown as large as small mountains in their eyes. They showed no mercy and continued urging them on.
jiǎ wèi xiū shì zài tā men de yǎn zhōng ， shēn xíng yǐ jīng péng zhàng dé rú tóng xiǎo shān yì bān 。
甲胃修士在他们的眼中，身形已经膨胀得如同小山一般。
Seeing the world through the eyes of true ants for the first time, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance group found it hard to maintain composure.
méi yǒu sī háo lián mǐn ， bù duàn cuī cù zhe 。
没有丝毫怜悯，不断催促着。
Their faces gradually turned pale, and they subconsciously obeyed the Cultivated Armor cultivators' commands.
dì yī cì yǐ zhēn zhèng de lóu yǐ shì jiǎo shì rén ， wàn xiān méng zhòng rén nán yǐ bǎo chí zhèn dìng 。
第一次以真正的蝼蚁视角视人，万仙盟众人难以保持镇定。
As they continued advancing, their shrinking did not stop.
miàn sè zhú jiàn fā bái ， xià yì shí de tīng cóng zhe jiǎ wèi xiū shì men de bǎi bù 。
面色逐渐发白，下意识的听从着甲胃修士们的摆布。
After nearly ten days, when everyone finally reached the pavilion, the scholar appeared as towering as mountains in their eyes.
bù duàn qián xíng zhōng ， tǐ xíng de suō xiǎo réng rán méi yǒu tíng zhǐ 。
不断前行中，体型的缩小仍然没有停止。
"Sit down," the scholar said gently.
dāng huā fèi le jìn hū shí jǐ tiān de shí jiān ， zhòng rén zhōng yú lái dào gé lóu zhī qián de shí hòu 。
当花费了近乎十几天的时间，众人终于来到阁楼之前的时候。
But to them, his words echoed like a great bell, filling the air and reverberating in their minds. They seemed to penetrate deep into their souls, making it impossible for anyone to ignore what the scholar had said.
shū shēng zài tā men yǎn lǐ ， yǐ jīng rú tóng shān yuè yī yàng ， chēng tiān zhǔ dì 。
书生在他们眼里，已经如同山岳一样，撑天拄地。
Thus, they lost control of their bodies and obediently sat on the ground.
「 zuò ba 。」 shū shēng yǔ qì wēn róu de shuō dào 。
「坐吧。」书生语气温柔的说道。
"What kind of divine power is this?"
dàn luò zài zhòng rén ěr zhōng ， què hǎo sì hóng zhōng dà lǚ 、 chōng sè tiān dì 。
但落在众人耳中，却好似洪钟大吕、充塞天地。
Everyone was shocked.
bù duàn zài tā men xīn zhōng huí dàng 。
不断在他们心中回荡。
The Cultivated Armor cultivators bowed respectfully to the scholar. Seeing that everyone from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was seated, they quietly left.
sì hū yào zhí dá líng hún shēn chù ， nǎ pà zhòng rén gé jué zì wǒ gǎn zhī ， yě yī rán wú fǎ zǔ dǎng huì de zài nǎo hǎi zhōng tīng dào shū shēng de huà 。
似乎要直达灵魂深处，哪怕众人隔绝自我感知，也依然无法阻挡会的在脑海中听到书生的话。
The scholar looked at them and sighed: "Another group of lost lambs."
yú shì tā men fēn fēn shī qù le shēn tǐ de kòng zhì ， guāi guāi de xí dì ér zuò 。
于是他们纷纷失去了身体的控制，乖乖的席地而坐。
"But since you have a chance to come here, I won't let you stray again."
「 zhè shì shén me shén tōng ？」
「这是什么神通？」
The self-proclaimed members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance felt naturally不服.
zhòng rén jǐn jiē xīn xià hài rán 。
众人尽皆心下骇然。
"According to your eyes, what is our Five Elders Association like?" The scholar asked softly at this moment.
jiǎ wèi xiū shì men fēn fēn cháo zhe shū shēng xíng le yī lǐ ， jiàn wàn xiān méng zhòng rén yǐ jīng jiù zuò ， suí hòu jiù qiǎo rán lí qù 。
甲胃修士们纷纷朝着书生行了一礼，见万仙盟众人已经就坐，随后就悄然离去。
"We control cultivators through soul contracts. It's utterly evil!"
shū shēng kàn le yǎn zhòng rén ， qīng tàn yī shēng ：「 yòu shì yī qún mí tú gāo yáng 。」
书生看了眼众人，轻叹一声：「又是一群迷途羔羊。」
"It will be destroyed by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance within a thousand years."
「 bù guò ， nǐ men jì rán yǒu yuán zhì cǐ ， wǒ jiù bú huì ràng nǐ men fù rù qí tú 。」
「不过，你们既然有缘至此，我就不会让你们复入歧途。」
"Stupid and backward!"
yǐ wàn xiān méng xiū shì zì jū de zhòng rén ， tīng wén cǐ yán ， xīn zhōng zì rán mǎn shì bù fú 。
以万仙盟修士自居的众人，听闻此言，心中自然满是不服。
"Although not virtuous, we have managed to resist them for so long, there must be something commendable about us."
「 zài nǐ men yǎn lǐ ， wǒ men wǔ lǎo huì shì hé děng mú yàng ？」 jiù zài zhè shí ， shū shēng qīng shēng wèn dào 。
「在你们眼里，我们五老会是何等模样？」就在这时，书生轻声问道。
...
「 yǐ hún qì cāo zòng xiū shì ， xié è zhì jí ！」
「以魂契操纵修士，邪恶至极！」
The scholar asked questions, and everyone responded.
「 gǒu yán cán chuǎn ， bù chū qiān nián ， bì huì bèi wàn xiān méng suǒ miè 。」
「苟延残喘，不出千年，必会被万仙盟所灭。」
But their shocked expressions clearly showed that they were not actively responding of their own accord.
「 yú mèi ， luò hòu ！」
「愚昧，落后！」
Not all cultivators lost control in response to the scholar's questioning. At least Li Fan’s puppet body was unaffected.
「 suī rán bú shì shén me shàn lèi ， dàn néng gēn wǒ men wàn xiān méng kàng héng zhè me jiǔ ， yě bì rán yǒu qí kě qǔ zhī chù 。」
「虽然不是什么善类，但能跟我们万仙盟抗衡这么久，也必然有其可取之处。」
Some元婴 cultivators also resisted the scholar's manipulation with furrowed brows.
……
……
"This is like the group version of Heavenly Doctor's [Question] technique, isn't it?" Li Fan was equally alarmed.
shū shēng xún wèn zhī xià ， zhòng rén fēn fēn kāi kǒu ， shuō chū zì jǐ xīn zhōng de dá ān 。
书生询问之下，众人纷纷开口，说出自己心中的答桉。
"Even though its power seems weaker than when Heavenly Doctor performs it himself, at least there are so many targets."
dàn shì tā men liǎn shàng hài rán de biǎo qíng ， hěn míng xiǎn shì zài shuō míng ， tā men cǐ shí de huí dá ， bìng bú shì zì jǐ zhǔ dòng suǒ wèi 。
但是他们脸上骇然的表情，很明显是在说明，他们此时的回答，并不是自己主动所为。
Li Fan remained highly vigilant, ready to abandon his puppet body at any moment.
bù guò miàn duì shū shēng de zhì wèn ， bìng fēi suǒ yǒu xiū shì dōu shì shī qù le kòng zhì ér zhǔ dòng huí dá 。
不过面对书生的质问，并非所有修士都是失去了控制而主动回答。
Fortunately, the scholar did not pay much attention to him.
zuì qǐ mǎ lǐ fán suǒ jì jū de zhè jù kuǐ lěi ， jiù méi yǒu shòu dào yǐng xiǎng 。
最起码李凡所寄居的这具傀儡，就没有受到影响。
Everyone responded one after another.
hái yǒu yī xiē yuán yīng xiū wèi de xiū shì ， yě shì zài méi tóu jǐn suǒ zhōng ， dǐ yù le shū shēng de cāo zòng 。
还有一些元婴修为的修士，也是在眉头紧锁中，抵御了书生的操纵。
The scholar smiled and listened intently.
「 zhè bú shì qún tǐ bǎn tiān yī de 【 wèn 】 zhī shù ma ？」 lǐ fán yě shì xīn jīng bù yǐ 。
「这不是群体版天医的【问】之术嘛？」李凡也是心惊不已。
After a long while, everyone finished speaking. The pavilion outside slowly fell silent.
「 jí shǐ wēi lì sì hū bù rú tiān yī qīn zì shī zhǎn ， dàn bì jìng shī fǎ duì xiàng shì zhè me duō rén 。」
「即使威力似乎不如天医亲自施展，但毕竟施法对象是这么多人。」
The scholar shook his head and said: "That is wrong!"
lǐ fán gāo dù jiè bèi ， suí shí zhǔn bèi fàng qì kuǐ lěi shēn qū 。
李凡高度戒备，随时准备放弃傀儡身躯。
"Do you know where our Five Elders Association originated?"
hǎo zài shū shēng bìng méi yǒu duì lǐ fán guò duō de guān zhù 。
好在书生并没有对李凡过多的关注。
Everyone shook their heads.
zhòng rén nǐ yī yán ， wǒ yī yǔ huí dá zhe 。
众人你一言，我一语回答着。
"After the transmission of new cultivation methods by the Transmission Sage, relying on astonishingly fast cultivation speeds, scattered cultivators launched an assault on immortal sects."
shū shēng zé shì miàn lù wēi xiào ， cè ěr qīng tīng 。
书生则是面露微笑，侧耳倾听。
"Inside the sects, two factions split apart and fought each other ceaselessly."
xǔ jiǔ zhī hòu ， zhòng rén yǔ bì ， gé lóu wài màn màn ān jìng le xià lái 。
许久之后，众人语毕，阁楼外慢慢安静了下来。
"But before we could settle the matter..."
shū shēng zé shì yáo yáo tóu ， dào ：「 dà miù yě ！」
书生则是摇摇头，道：「大谬也！」
The scholar did not directly answer but instead narrated history.
「 nǐ men kě zhī ， wǒ men wǔ lǎo huì yuán yú hé chù ？」
「你们可知，我们五老会源于何处？」
"The Great Tribulation descended upon the world. Cultivation methods could no longer be practiced together."
zhòng rén jiē shì yáo tóu 。
众人皆是摇头。
"Immortal sects suffered devastating blows, with only a tiny fraction surviving."
「 chuán fǎ tiān zūn chuàng lì xīn fǎ zhī hòu ， zhàng zhe hài rán tīng wén de xiū xíng sù dù ， tiān xià sàn xiū fā dòng le duì xiān dào zōng mén de chōng jī 。」
「传法天尊创立新法之后，仗着骇然听闻的修行速度，天下散修发动了对仙道宗门的冲击。」
"But they ruled over the Xuan Huang realm for ten thousand years and had deep foundations."
「 ér zōng mén nèi bù ， yě shì fēn liè chéng liǎng pài ， zhēng dòu 、 sī shā bù yǐ 。」
「而宗门内部，也是分裂成两派，争斗、厮杀不已。」
"Some surviving sects managed to avoid this calamity. They retreated into seclusion, waiting for the storm to pass."
「 rán ér ， hái méi děng wǒ men chè dǐ fēn chū gè shèng fù ……」
「然而，还没等我们彻底分出个胜负……」
"When the slaughter ended and darkness vanished, they united again."
shū shēng méi yǒu zhí jiē huí dá ， ér shì wèi zhòng rén jiǎng shù qǐ le lì shǐ 。
书生没有直接回答，而是为众人讲述起了历史。
"This is how our Five Elders Association took shape."
「 tiān dì dà jié jiàng lín ， fǎ bù kě tóng xiū 。」
「天地大劫降临，法不可同修。」
Despite their stunned reactions, the scholar spoke slowly.
「 xiān dào zōng mén zāo shòu le huǐ miè xìng de dǎ jī ， bǎi bù cún yī 。」
「仙道宗门遭受了毁灭性的打击，百不存一。」
"The conflict between Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association is essentially a struggle between new and old cultivation forces."
「 dàn bì jìng tǒng zhì xuán huáng jiè wàn nián ， dǐ yùn shēn hòu 。」
「但毕竟统治玄黄界万年，底蕴深厚。」
"All conflicts in this world stem from the oppression of pioneers over later generations."
「 hái yǒu yī xiē xìng cún de zōng mén ， duǒ guò le zhè chǎng jié nàn 。 tā men bì shì bù chū ， děng dài xīng fēng xuè yǔ de guò qù 。」
「还有一些幸存的宗门，躲过了这场劫难。他们避世不出，等待腥风血雨的过去。」
"Thus, it has continued for thousands of years without end."
「 dāng shā lù jié shù ， hēi àn xiāo shī 。 zài yī piàn fèi xū zhī shàng ， tā men zài dù lián hé qǐ lái 。」
「当杀戮结束，黑暗消失。在一片废墟之上，他们再度联合起来。」
"It will not cease until one side emerges victorious."
「 zhè ， yě jiù shì rú jīn wǔ lǎo huì de chú xíng le 。」
「这，也就是如今五老会的雏形了。」
"You were misled while in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. It's normal and you shouldn't blame yourselves," said the scholar with a compassionate expression.
bù gù mù dèng kǒu dāi de fǎn yìng ， shū shēng huǎn huǎn shuō dào 。
不顾目瞪口呆的反应，书生缓缓说道。
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators seated on the ground, listening to the scholar, all showed shock.
「 wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì zhī zhēng ， shí zé réng rán shì xiū xiān xīn lǎo shì lì zhī zhēng 。」
「万仙盟和五老会之争，实则仍然是修仙新老势力之争。」
Although they had long been accustomed to the Five Elders Association’s existence, hearing about its origins for the first time was new to them.
「 shì jiān suǒ yǒu zhēng dòu ， dōu dà dǐ yuán zì xiān xíng zhě duì hòu lái zhě de yā pò 。」
「世间所有争斗，都大抵源自先行者对后来者的压迫。」
Li Fan wasn’t as surprised as other cultivators. One of the Five Elders Association's five Immortal Sage elders, Sister Zhao, was once the patriarch of one of the ten immortals sects—Great Dao Sect. Thus, Li Fan had long guessed that the Five Elders Association was composed of survivors from those sects.
"Move faster! Stop looking around!"
Almost the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Island was flattened. The Five Elders Association's cultivators began to dig underground.
Li Fan wanted to observe further, but he was shouted at by a Cultivated Armor cultivator and forced to leave the area.
Several teams of Cultivated Armor cultivators formed an array, herding everyone like sheep towards a small cave at the bottom of a valley.
The entrance to the cave was surrounded by eerie winds, giving off a chilling aura.
"Go in! What are you waiting for!"
The leader of the Cultivated Armor cultivators struck his weapon on the ground with a thunderous voice.
Some of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators looked resentful. They exchanged glances as if secretly discussing how to resist.
However, circumstances were stronger than their wills. After some hesitation, they eventually submitted.
They entered the dark cave one by one.
Li Fan was just using a puppet body and naturally had little fear.
To avoid drawing attention and buying more time, he pretended to be extremely frightened and followed behind the others.
As soon as his foot stepped into the cave, light vanished from his sight.
In the next moment, an entirely different scene unfolded before everyone's eyes.
Instead of winding dark tunnels within a mountain, they found themselves in a lush green valley.
In the distance, it seemed that there was a wooden pavilion. Dozens of people were seated on the ground in front of the pavilion, listening to a scholar-like cultivator speak.
Seeing no signs of torture or interrogation, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators who had been restless and ready to resist also became more compliant.
They decided to observe the situation first before making any moves.
Under the guidance of the Cultivated Armor cultivators, everyone slowly approached the pavilion.
Hidden among them, Li Fan敏锐ly sensed a change in his body. His expression changed slightly.
In fact, as they drew closer to the scholar, their bodies seemed to shrink continuously.
This change only affected those under the custody of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance; the Cultivated Armor cultivators and the scholar, along with the scenery around them, remained unchanged.
Thus, although they continued advancing at a steady pace, it felt like they were moving further away from their goal.
The unusual scene caused some stir among the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance group, but soon was quelled.
"Move faster!"
To these cultivators, the Cultivated Armor cultivators had grown as large as small mountains in their eyes. They showed no mercy and continued urging them on.
Seeing the world through the eyes of true ants for the first time, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance group found it hard to maintain composure.
Their faces gradually turned pale, and they subconsciously obeyed the Cultivated Armor cultivators' commands.
As they continued advancing, their shrinking did not stop.
After nearly ten days, when everyone finally reached the pavilion, the scholar appeared as towering as mountains in their eyes.
"Sit down," the scholar said gently.
But to them, his words echoed like a great bell, filling the air and reverberating in their minds. They seemed to penetrate deep into their souls, making it impossible for anyone to ignore what the scholar had said.
Thus, they lost control of their bodies and obediently sat on the ground.
"What kind of divine power is this?"
Everyone was shocked.
The Cultivated Armor cultivators bowed respectfully to the scholar. Seeing that everyone from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was seated, they quietly left.
The scholar looked at them and sighed: "Another group of lost lambs."
"But since you have a chance to come here, I won't let you stray again."
The self-proclaimed members of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance felt naturally不服.
"According to your eyes, what is our Five Elders Association like?" The scholar asked softly at this moment.
"We control cultivators through soul contracts. It's utterly evil!"
"It will be destroyed by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance within a thousand years."
"Stupid and backward!"
"Although not virtuous, we have managed to resist them for so long, there must be something commendable about us."
...
The scholar asked questions, and everyone responded.
But their shocked expressions clearly showed that they were not actively responding of their own accord.
Not all cultivators lost control in response to the scholar's questioning. At least Li Fan’s puppet body was unaffected.
Some元婴 cultivators also resisted the scholar's manipulation with furrowed brows.
"This is like the group version of Heavenly Doctor's [Question] technique, isn't it?" Li Fan was equally alarmed.
"Even though its power seems weaker than when Heavenly Doctor performs it himself, at least there are so many targets."
Li Fan remained highly vigilant, ready to abandon his puppet body at any moment.
Fortunately, the scholar did not pay much attention to him.
Everyone responded one after another.
The scholar smiled and listened intently.
After a long while, everyone finished speaking. The pavilion outside slowly fell silent.
The scholar shook his head and said: "That is wrong!"
"Do you know where our Five Elders Association originated?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"After the transmission of new cultivation methods by the Transmission Sage, relying on astonishingly fast cultivation speeds, scattered cultivators launched an assault on immortal sects."
"Inside the sects, two factions split apart and fought each other ceaselessly."
"But before we could settle the matter..."
The scholar did not directly answer but instead narrated history.
"The Great Tribulation descended upon the world. Cultivation methods could no longer be practiced together."
"Immortal sects suffered devastating blows, with only a tiny fraction surviving."
"But they ruled over the Xuan Huang realm for ten thousand years and had deep foundations."
"Some surviving sects managed to avoid this calamity. They retreated into seclusion, waiting for the storm to pass."
"When the slaughter ended and darkness vanished, they united again."
"This is how our Five Elders Association took shape."
Despite their stunned reactions, the scholar spoke slowly.
"The conflict between Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association is essentially a struggle between new and old cultivation forces."
"All conflicts in this world stem from the oppression of pioneers over later generations."
"Thus, it has continued for thousands of years without end."
"It will not cease until one side emerges victorious."
"You were misled while in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. It's normal and you shouldn't blame yourselves," said the scholar with a compassionate expression.
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators seated on the ground, listening to the scholar, all showed shock.
Although they had long been accustomed to the Five Elders Association’s existence, hearing about its origins for the first time was new to them.
Li Fan wasn’t as surprised as other cultivators. One of the Five Elders Association's five Immortal Sage elders, Sister Zhao, was once the patriarch of one of the ten immortals sects—Great Dao Sect. Thus, Li Fan had long guessed that the Five Elders Association was composed of survivors from those sects.