duì fāng yuán běn de tài dù hái jiào wéi hé shàn ， dàn jiàn lǐ fán tí chū zhè ge wèn tí zhī hòu ， què shì liǎn sè wēi biàn 。
对方原本的态度还较为和善，但见李凡提出这个问题之后，却是脸色微变。
The other party's original attitude was relatively amiable, but after Li Fan raised this question, his expression changed slightly.
“ hē hē ， dào yǒu pà shì tīng cuò le ， shén me zuì chū de chuán dào dì diǎn ， wǒ bù zhī dào ！” tā lián máng bǎi shǒu ， yī fù nǐ zhǎo cuò le rén de yàng zi 。
“呵呵，道友怕是听错了，什么最初的传道地点，我不知道！”他连忙摆手，一副你找错了人的样子。
"Haha, friend Daoist, you must have misunderstood. I don't know anything about the initial place of transmission!" He hurriedly waved his hand, as if he had been mistaken for someone else.
yě bù děng lǐ fán yǒu suǒ huí yìng ， jìng zhí cháo zhe yuǎn fāng fēi dùn ér qù 。
也不等李凡有所回应，径直朝着远方飞遁而去。
Without waiting for Li Fan to respond, he flew off towards the distance at a rapid speed, even faster than ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.
sù dù zhī kuài ， jìng rán bǐ qǐ xún cháng de yuán yīng xiū shì hái yào gèng shèng jǐ fēn 。
速度之快，竟然比起寻常的元婴修士还要更胜几分。
Li Fan was fortunate enough to have found a knowledgeable person. How could he let this lead slip away?
lǐ fán hǎo bù róng yì yù dào gè zhī qíng rén ， zěn me kě néng huì ràng xiàn suǒ jiù zhè me liū diào 。
李凡好不容易遇到个知情人，怎么可能会让线索就这么溜掉。
He immediately followed closely but not too tightly, hanging back from afar while continuously sending sound waves: "Friend Daoist, please don't misunderstand me. I have no ill intentions. I'm just very interested in what you said."
dāng jí lián máng gēn shàng ， bù guò yě méi yǒu gēn de tài jǐn ， zhǐ shì yuǎn yuǎn de diào zài hòu miàn 。
当即连忙跟上，不过也没有跟的太紧，只是远远的吊在后面。
The other party didn't respond at all; instead, he sped up even more, trying to leave Li Fan behind.
tóng shí bù duàn chuán yīn dào ：“ dào yǒu bié wù huì ， wǒ méi yǒu è yì 。 zhǐ shì duì nǐ gāng gāng suǒ yán ， shí fēn gǎn xìng qù ér yǐ 。”
同时不断传音道：“道友别误会，我没有恶意。只是对你刚刚所言，十分感兴趣而已。”
Li Fan kept following closely, persistently pleading his case.
qián miàn nà rén fēi dàn méi yǒu huí yīn ， fǎn ér yòu jiā kuài le jǐ fēn sù dù ， shì tú shuǎi kāi lǐ fán 。
前面那人非但没有回音，反而又加快了几分速度，试图甩开李凡。
After a full day and night, the other party finally stopped when they couldn't shake off Li Fan.
lǐ fán zé shì shǐ zhōng jǐn jǐn gēn zài hòu miàn ， qiè ér bù shě de quàn shuō dào 。
李凡则是始终紧紧跟在后面，锲而不舍的劝说道。
Surveying the surroundings, seeing no one around, his expression fluctuated. After hesitating for a moment, he whispered: "This isn't a place to speak. Please follow me!"
zú zú guò le dà bàn tiān shí jiān ， duì fāng jiàn yì zhí bǎi tuō bù liǎo lǐ fán ， cái zhōng yú zhú jiàn tíng le xià lái 。
足足过了大半天时间，对方见一直摆脱不了李凡，才终于逐渐停了下来。
Li Fan smiled slightly and bowed: "Thank you for your understanding."
dǎ liàng zuǒ yòu ， jiàn sì zhōu wú rén ， tā liǎn shàng yīn qíng bù dìng 。
打量左右，见四周无人，他脸上阴晴不定。
Following this person, they flew westward for several hundred miles before diving into the sea.
yóu yù le huì ， fāng cái xiǎo shēng shuō dào ：“ cǐ chù bú shì shuō huà de dì fāng ， dào yǒu gēn wǒ lái ba ！”
犹豫了会，方才小声说道：“此处不是说话的地方，道友跟我来吧！”
They arrived at a building that resembled a crystal palace.
lǐ fán wēi wēi yī xiào ， gǒng shǒu dào ：“ rú cǐ ， xiān xiè guò dào yǒu le !”
李凡微微一笑，拱手道：“如此，先谢过道友了!”
The other party invited Li Fan to sit in a room deep within his cave dwelling. He sighed lightly: "I wasn't willing to tell you earlier, but I was afraid of causing trouble by speaking."
gēn zhe cǐ rén ， yī lù xiàng xī ， fēi xíng le shù bǎi lǐ hòu ， qián rù hǎi dǐ 。
跟着此人，一路向西，飞行了数百里后，潜入海底。
"How should I address you?" Li Fan nodded and didn't rush to delve deeper, instead asking for the other's name.
lái dào le yī zuò wǎn ruò shuǐ jīng gōng de jiàn zhù lǐ miàn 。
来到了一座宛若水晶宫的建筑里面。
"I am called Longkong司马!" The other party waved his hand, and a servant with an upper body like a human and lower body like a fish appeared.
yāo qǐng lǐ fán lái dào dòng fǔ shēn chù yī chù fáng jiān zuò xià ， duì fāng wēi wēi yī tàn ：“ bú shì wǒ xiān qián bù kěn xiāng gào ， shí zài shì pà huò cóng kǒu chū a ！”
邀请李凡来到洞府深处一处房间坐下，对方微微一叹：“不是我先前不肯相告，实在是怕祸从口出啊！”
He served them tea and then bowed out of sight.
“ dào yǒu rú hé chēng hū ？” lǐ fán diǎn tóu ， méi yǒu jí zhe shēn jiū ， ér shì xiān xún wèn le duì fāng xìng míng 。
“道友如何称呼？”李凡点头，没有急着深究，而是先询问了对方姓名。
Li Fan couldn't help but glance at this servant.
“ zài xià sī mǎ cháng kōng ！” duì fāng yī huī shǒu ， jìng rán yǒu yī wèi shàng bàn shēn shì rén 、 xià bàn shēn shì yú de pú cóng chū xiàn 。
“在下司马长空！”对方一挥手，竟然有一位上半身是人、下半身是鱼的仆从出现。
"Merely a beast race. A personal preference that I hope you won't find amusing!" Longkong司马 took a sip, his expression unchanged as he said: "Beast race..."
wèi èr rén zhēn le liǎng zhǎn chá hòu ， gōng shēn tuì xià 。
为二人斟了两盏茶后，躬身退下。
Li Fan's eyes flickered. He had once seen those half-human, half-animal skeletons in Master Bai's underground cellar in Ningyuan City. Chapter Brother Zhang also called them that.
lǐ fán bù jīn piē le yǎn nà wèi pú cóng yī yǎn 。
李凡不禁撇了眼那位仆从一眼。
He thought they were long extinct but hadn't expected to see them again.
“ shòu zhǒng ér yǐ ， sī rén de pǐ hào ， ràng dào yǒu jiàn xiào le ！” sī mǎ cháng kōng qiǎn zhuó yī kǒu ， miàn bù gǎi sè de shuō dào 。
“兽种而已，私人的癖好，让道友见笑了！”司马长空浅酌一口，面不改色的说道。
However, Li Fan didn't have any sympathy; he merely nodded and brought the conversation back on track.
“ shòu zhǒng ……” lǐ fán mù guāng shǎn shuò 。
“兽种……”李凡目光闪烁。
"Friend Daoist Zhou..." Longkong司马 revealed Li Fan's outer identity.
céng jīng zài níng yuǎn chéng bái xiān shēng de dì xià shì zhōng fā xiàn de nà xiē bàn shòu bàn rén de shī gǔ ， zhāng shī xiōng yě céng zhè me chēng hū guò 。
曾经在宁远城白先生的地下室中发现的那些半兽半人的尸骨，章师兄也曾这么称呼过。
"Now in my private residence, I can speak freely."
yuán yǐ wéi yǐ jīng jué jì ， méi xiǎng dào rú jīn hái néng dé jiàn 。
原以为已经绝迹，没想到如今还能得见。
"Why is the Ten Thousand Immortals Island called that?" Longkong司马 asked.
bù guò lǐ fán yě méi yǒu shén me dǎ bào bù píng de xiǎng fǎ ， zhǐ shì wēi wēi diǎn tóu ， jiāng huà tí yǐn huí zhèng guǐ 。
不过李凡也没有什么打抱不平的想法，只是微微点头，将话题引回正轨。
Li Fan had also wondered about this. Each state's capital city was named after its state—such as Dao Source City, Stone Arrival City, and Heavenly Fortune City. But the residence in Cunyun Sea wasn't called Cunyun City or an island; it was known as Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
“ zhōu dào yǒu shì ba ……” sī mǎ cháng kōng yī yǔ dào pò le lǐ fán wài zài xiǎn lù de fēn shēn shēn fèn 。
“周道友是吧……”司马长空一语道破了李凡外在显露的分身身份。
He had checked ancient texts but found no special records, so he long believed it was a common name. Now, it seemed there were hidden secrets here.
“ rú jīn zài wǒ sī rén fǔ dǐ ， yě jiù chàng suǒ yù yán le 。”
“如今在我私人府邸，也就畅所欲言了。”
"I am eager to hear more," Li Fan said seriously, listening intently.
“ nǐ kě zhī ， wàn xiān dǎo ， wèi hé bèi chēng zhī wèi wàn xiān dǎo ？”
“你可知，万仙岛，为何被称之为万仙岛？”
"Long ago, when Cunyun Sea was still a plain, there was a large lake."
sī mǎ cháng kōng wèn dào 。
司马长空问道。
"In the middle of this lake lay islands. The first transmission by the Heavenly Daoist occurred here for all to receive teachings."
guān yú zhè ge wèn tí ， lǐ fán yě céng yǒu guò yí huò 。
关于这个问题，李凡也曾有过疑惑。
"At that time, thousands upon thousands of cultivators and ordinary people gathered here to listen to the teachings of the Immortal Daoist."
yīn wèi gè zhōu tiān chéng ， jiē shì yǐ zhōu wèi míng 。
因为各州天城，皆是以州为名。
"Ultimately, they all understood the Immortal Daoist's techniques, forming the initial foundation of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
bǐ rú dào yuán chéng 、 shí lín chéng 、 tiān yùn chéng děng děng 。
比如道源城、石临城、天运城等等。
Longkong司马 continued: "Perhaps with the Heavenly Daoist's protection, after countless changes in the land and sea, this island remained unchanged.
dàn wéi dú zhè cóng yún hǎi de zhù dì ， bù jiào cóng yún chéng huò zhě dǎo ， ér jiào wàn xiān dǎo 。
但唯独这丛云海的驻地，不叫丛云城或者岛，而叫万仙岛。
"Only a few thousand years later, when the current Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was established, they chose this island to honor the Heavenly Daoist. In some sense, this island could be considered the origin of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
bù guò tā yě biàn chá guò diǎn jí ， jiē méi yǒu fā xiàn yǒu shén me tè bié de jì zǎi ， yú shì zhǎng shí jiān yǐ lái ， zhǐ rèn wéi shì yuē dìng sú chēng de jiào fǎ 。
不过他也遍查过典籍，皆没有发现有什么特别的记载，于是长时间以来，只认为是约定俗称的叫法。
Longkong司马 explained succinctly and took another sip of tea, secretly observing Li Fan.
xiàn zài kàn lái ， zhè lǐ miàn sì hū lìng yǒu yǐn mì 。
现在看来，这里面似乎另有隐秘。
Li Fan carefully pondered Longkong司马's words, frowning slightly: "If it is indeed the origin of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and where the Heavenly Daoist first transmitted teachings, why is it so little known today?"
“ yuàn wén qí xiáng 。” lǐ fán miàn sè zhèng zhòng ， xǐ ěr qīng tīng 。
“愿闻其详。”李凡面色郑重，洗耳倾听。
"Even relevant records are hard to find."
“ xǔ jiǔ zhī qián ， cóng yún hǎi zhè lǐ hái shì yī piàn píng yuán de shí hòu ， yǒu yī zuò dà hú 。”
“许久之前，丛云海这里还是一片平原的时候，有一座大湖。”
"Moreover, it was poorly guarded and directly taken by someone?"
“ hú zhōng yǒu dǎo yǔ 。 xī rì chuán fǎ tiān zūn shǒu cì xiàng zhòng rén chuán dào ， jiù zài cǐ chù 。”
“湖中有岛屿。昔日传法天尊首次向众人传道，就在此处。”
Li Fan shook his head, seemingly not believing Longkong司马's words.
“ dāng shì shí ， chéng qiān shàng wàn de xiū shì 、 fán rén ， qún jù yú cǐ ， líng tīng xiān zūn jiào huì 。”
“当是时，成千上万的修士、凡人，群聚于此，聆听仙尊教诲。”
Longkong司马 sighed deeply: "This is why I didn't want to speak about it earlier."
“ zuì zhōng jiē shì lǐng wù tiān zūn xiān fǎ ， chéng jiù le wàn xiān méng zuì chū de gēn jī 。”
“最终皆是领悟天尊仙法，成就了万仙盟最初的根基。”
He paused for a moment before saying in a low voice: "Countless ancestors risked their lives to spread the new Heavenly Daoist techniques. This is what formed today's Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
sī mǎ cháng kōng wěi wěi shuō dào 。
司马长空娓娓说道。
"This was originally an event worthy of being recorded and remembered by all cultivators."
“ huò xǔ shì yǒu tiān zūn bì yòu ， ér hòu shān hé biàn qiān 、 cāng hǎi sāng tián ， zhè dǎo yǔ què shǐ zhōng bù yì qí xíng 。”
“或许是有天尊庇佑，而后山河变迁、沧海桑田，这岛屿却始终不易其形。”
"But now, it has been cold-shouldered and even sealed away."
“ zhí dào shù qiān nián hòu ， rú jīn de wàn xiān méng chéng lì ， tiāo xuǎn zhōu chéng wèi zhì de shí hòu ， wèi le biǎo dá duì chuán fǎ tiān zūn de jìng yì ， jiù xuǎn zé le zhè zuò dǎo yǔ 。”
“直到数千年后，如今的万仙盟成立，挑选州城位置的时候，为了表达对传法天尊的敬意，就选择了这座岛屿。”
"Essentially, this is because the Heavenly Daoist hasn't appeared for many years. Those currently in control of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance are not the original few thousand transmitters from long ago."
“ cóng mǒu zhǒng chéng dù shàng lái jiǎng ， zhè zuò dǎo yǔ kě yǐ shuō shì wàn xiān méng de qǐ yuán zhī dì yě bù wèi guò 。 suǒ yǐ zhòng rén jiāng qí chēng wéi ，【 wàn xiān dǎo 】。”
“从某种程度上来讲，这座岛屿可以说是万仙盟的起源之地也不为过。所以众人将其称为，【万仙岛】。”
Longkong司马 finished his tea and said: "The conflict between new and old laws has been more severe than we imagined. The ancient sects, faced with a threat to their rule, wouldn't hesitate to use force."
sī mǎ cháng kōng yán jiǎn yì gāi de wèi lǐ fán jiě shì le lái lóng qù mài ， shēn yǐn le yī bēi chá ， àn zhōng dǎ liàng zhe lǐ fán 。
司马长空言简意赅的为李凡解释了来龙去脉，深饮了一杯茶，暗中打量着李凡。
"Most of the true transmitters sacrificed themselves in their struggles against the original sects."
lǐ fán xì xì pǐn wèi zhe sī mǎ cháng kōng huà zhōng de yì si ， méi tóu wēi zhòu ：“ jì shì wàn xiān méng qǐ yuán zhī dì 、 tiān zūn chū chuán fǎ zhī suǒ ， wèi hé rú jīn xiǎn yǒu rén zhī ？”
李凡细细品味着司马长空话中的意思，眉头微皱：“既是万仙盟起源之地、天尊初传法之所，为何如今鲜有人知？”
"Only those who seized power have survived."
“ shèn zhì lián xiāng guān zī liào dōu nán yǐ zhǎo dào 。”
“甚至连相关资料都难以找到。”
Longkong司马's tone revealed his disdain.
“ bù jǐn rú cǐ ， hái shū yú fáng bèi ， zhí jiē bèi rén lǔ zǒu ？”
“不仅如此，还疏于防备，直接被人掳走？”
...
lǐ fán yáo tóu ， shì shì bù tài xiāng xìn sī mǎ cháng kōng de huà 。
李凡摇头，似是不太相信司马长空的话。
Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly. This explanation was somewhat acceptable.
sī mǎ cháng kōng zé shì cháng tàn yī shēng ：“ zhè jiù shì wǒ xiān qián bù yuàn duō yán de yuán yīn le 。”
司马长空则是长叹一声：“这就是我先前不愿多言的原因了。”
In a human dynasty, the replacement of power often led to the forgetting or even distortion of the image of former heroes, which wasn't new.
tā dùn le dùn ， chén mò le piàn kè 。
他顿了顿，沉默了片刻。
This principle still applied in the cultivation world.
zhī hòu dī shēng tǎn yán ：“ shù wàn xiān bèi ， shě shēng wàng sǐ ， chuán bō tiān zūn xīn fǎ 。 zhè cái yǒu le rú jīn de wàn xiān méng jī yè 。”
之后低声坦言：“数万先辈，舍生忘死，传播天尊新法。这才有了如今的万仙盟基业。”
"Having withstood countless changes and remained unchanged, this Ten Thousand Immortals Island might indeed hold some secrets."
“ zhè yuán běn shì yī jiàn zhí de dà shū tè shū ， ràng xiàn zài suǒ yǒu xiū shì dōu míng jì de zhuàng liè shì yè 。”
“这原本是一件值得大书特书，让现在所有修士都铭记的壮烈事业。”
"The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance must have thoroughly investigated it before dismissing it. But recently, the Five Elders' Association received information, which is why they risked a full-scale war to forcibly take the island."
“ dàn rú jīn què bèi lěng chǔ lǐ ， shèn zhì fēng cún 。”
“但如今却被冷处理，甚至封存。”
Li Fan's thoughts raced.
“ jiū qí yuán yīn ， zé shì yīn wèi tiān zūn duō nián bù chū shì 。 ér xiàn jīn zhǎng kòng wàn xiān méng bǐng quán de ， yě zǎo yǐ bú shì dāng nián zuì chū de shù wàn chuán fǎ zhě men le 。”
“究其原因，则是因为天尊多年不出世。而现今掌控万仙盟柄权的，也早已不是当年最初的数万传法者们了。”
After a while, he looked at Longkong司马, who was still fuming: "Friend Daoist Longkong, you seem to know quite a bit about the hidden aspects of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
sī mǎ cháng kōng jiāng shèng yú de chá shuǐ yī yǐn ér jǐn ， dào ：“ xīn jiù fǎ zhī zhēng ， shí zé bǐ qǐ wǒ men xiǎng xiàng de gèng yào cǎn liè 。 xī rì zōng mén ， miàn duì zhè zú yǐ dòng yáo zì shēn tǒng zhì de cún zài ， zì rán shì bú huì lìn sè shǒu zhōng de tú dāo 。”
司马长空将剩余的茶水一饮而尽，道：“新旧法之争，实则比起我们想象的更要惨烈。昔日宗门，面对这足以动摇自身统治的存在，自然是不会吝啬手中的屠刀。”
"However, according to your explanation, the symbolic value of this island seems greater than its practical worth. It doesn't seem worth such great risk by the Five Elders' Association. What do you think?"
“ zhēn zhèng chún cuì de chuán fǎ zhě men ， jī hū dōu zài hé dāng chū zōng mén de kàng zhēng zhōng xī shēng le 。”
“真正纯粹的传法者们，几乎都在和当初宗门的抗争中牺牲了。”
Longkong司马's expression turned serious.
“ rú jīn gǒu huó de ， bù guò shì qiè tiān zūn bǐng quán de xiāo xiǎo zhī bèi 。”
“如今苟活的，不过是窃天尊柄权的宵小之辈。”
He thought for a moment before saying in a calm voice: "I have an idea."
sī mǎ cháng kōng yǔ qì zhōng liú lù chū yī sī bù xiè 。
司马长空语气中流露出一丝不屑。
"The initial transmitters, due to their rapid cultivation, had similar ideas and habits to ordinary people."
……
……
"After death, humans say 'fallen leaves return to the roots.'"
lǐ fán zé shì yǎn jīng wēi mī 。
李凡则是眼睛微眯。
"So, when the transmitters died in battles against Immortal Daoist sects, their remains were often sent back to Ten Thousand Immortals Island by their companions for burial."
The other party's original attitude was relatively amiable, but after Li Fan raised this question, his expression changed slightly.
"Haha, friend Daoist, you must have misunderstood. I don't know anything about the initial place of transmission!" He hurriedly waved his hand, as if he had been mistaken for someone else.
Without waiting for Li Fan to respond, he flew off towards the distance at a rapid speed, even faster than ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Li Fan was fortunate enough to have found a knowledgeable person. How could he let this lead slip away?
He immediately followed closely but not too tightly, hanging back from afar while continuously sending sound waves: "Friend Daoist, please don't misunderstand me. I have no ill intentions. I'm just very interested in what you said."
The other party didn't respond at all; instead, he sped up even more, trying to leave Li Fan behind.
Li Fan kept following closely, persistently pleading his case.
After a full day and night, the other party finally stopped when they couldn't shake off Li Fan.
Surveying the surroundings, seeing no one around, his expression fluctuated. After hesitating for a moment, he whispered: "This isn't a place to speak. Please follow me!"
Li Fan smiled slightly and bowed: "Thank you for your understanding."
Following this person, they flew westward for several hundred miles before diving into the sea.
They arrived at a building that resembled a crystal palace.
The other party invited Li Fan to sit in a room deep within his cave dwelling. He sighed lightly: "I wasn't willing to tell you earlier, but I was afraid of causing trouble by speaking."
"How should I address you?" Li Fan nodded and didn't rush to delve deeper, instead asking for the other's name.
"I am called Longkong司马!" The other party waved his hand, and a servant with an upper body like a human and lower body like a fish appeared.
He served them tea and then bowed out of sight.
Li Fan couldn't help but glance at this servant.
"Merely a beast race. A personal preference that I hope you won't find amusing!" Longkong司马 took a sip, his expression unchanged as he said: "Beast race..."
Li Fan's eyes flickered. He had once seen those half-human, half-animal skeletons in Master Bai's underground cellar in Ningyuan City. Chapter Brother Zhang also called them that.
He thought they were long extinct but hadn't expected to see them again.
However, Li Fan didn't have any sympathy; he merely nodded and brought the conversation back on track.
"Friend Daoist Zhou..." Longkong司马 revealed Li Fan's outer identity.
"Now in my private residence, I can speak freely."
"Why is the Ten Thousand Immortals Island called that?" Longkong司马 asked.
Li Fan had also wondered about this. Each state's capital city was named after its state—such as Dao Source City, Stone Arrival City, and Heavenly Fortune City. But the residence in Cunyun Sea wasn't called Cunyun City or an island; it was known as Ten Thousand Immortals Island.
He had checked ancient texts but found no special records, so he long believed it was a common name. Now, it seemed there were hidden secrets here.
"I am eager to hear more," Li Fan said seriously, listening intently.
"Long ago, when Cunyun Sea was still a plain, there was a large lake."
"In the middle of this lake lay islands. The first transmission by the Heavenly Daoist occurred here for all to receive teachings."
"At that time, thousands upon thousands of cultivators and ordinary people gathered here to listen to the teachings of the Immortal Daoist."
"Ultimately, they all understood the Immortal Daoist's techniques, forming the initial foundation of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
Longkong司马 continued: "Perhaps with the Heavenly Daoist's protection, after countless changes in the land and sea, this island remained unchanged.
"Only a few thousand years later, when the current Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was established, they chose this island to honor the Heavenly Daoist. In some sense, this island could be considered the origin of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
Longkong司马 explained succinctly and took another sip of tea, secretly observing Li Fan.
Li Fan carefully pondered Longkong司马's words, frowning slightly: "If it is indeed the origin of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and where the Heavenly Daoist first transmitted teachings, why is it so little known today?"
"Even relevant records are hard to find."
"Moreover, it was poorly guarded and directly taken by someone?"
Li Fan shook his head, seemingly not believing Longkong司马's words.
Longkong司马 sighed deeply: "This is why I didn't want to speak about it earlier."
He paused for a moment before saying in a low voice: "Countless ancestors risked their lives to spread the new Heavenly Daoist techniques. This is what formed today's Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
"This was originally an event worthy of being recorded and remembered by all cultivators."
"But now, it has been cold-shouldered and even sealed away."
"Essentially, this is because the Heavenly Daoist hasn't appeared for many years. Those currently in control of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance are not the original few thousand transmitters from long ago."
Longkong司马 finished his tea and said: "The conflict between new and old laws has been more severe than we imagined. The ancient sects, faced with a threat to their rule, wouldn't hesitate to use force."
"Most of the true transmitters sacrificed themselves in their struggles against the original sects."
"Only those who seized power have survived."
Longkong司马's tone revealed his disdain.
...
Li Fan narrowed his eyes slightly. This explanation was somewhat acceptable.
In a human dynasty, the replacement of power often led to the forgetting or even distortion of the image of former heroes, which wasn't new.
This principle still applied in the cultivation world.
"Having withstood countless changes and remained unchanged, this Ten Thousand Immortals Island might indeed hold some secrets."
"The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance must have thoroughly investigated it before dismissing it. But recently, the Five Elders' Association received information, which is why they risked a full-scale war to forcibly take the island."
Li Fan's thoughts raced.
After a while, he looked at Longkong司马, who was still fuming: "Friend Daoist Longkong, you seem to know quite a bit about the hidden aspects of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
"However, according to your explanation, the symbolic value of this island seems greater than its practical worth. It doesn't seem worth such great risk by the Five Elders' Association. What do you think?"
Longkong司马's expression turned serious.
He thought for a moment before saying in a calm voice: "I have an idea."
"The initial transmitters, due to their rapid cultivation, had similar ideas and habits to ordinary people."
"After death, humans say 'fallen leaves return to the roots.'"
"So, when the transmitters died in battles against Immortal Daoist sects, their remains were often sent back to Ten Thousand Immortals Island by their companions for burial."