yī lù fēng chén pū pū ， gǎn huí shān mén hòu ， lǐ fán hé zhào shī jiě èr rén bù jīn dà chī yī jīng 。
一路风尘仆仆，赶回山门后，李凡和赵师姐二人不禁大吃一惊。
Travelling through the dust and fatigue, Li Fan and Sister Zhao were greatly surprised upon rushing back to the sect.
mén nèi yī piàn sù gǎo ， zōng mén dì zǐ dōu shì mǎn liǎn de bēi tòng 。
门内一片素缟，宗门弟子都是满脸的悲痛。
Inside the temple grounds, everything was draped in white, with all the disciples wearing expressions of sorrow.
lián máng xún wèn xià ， tā men cái zhī dào fā shēng le shén me 。
连忙询问下，他们才知道发生了什么。
After hurriedly asking around, they found out what had happened. The Sect Leader, a Longevity Realm powerhouse Fang Dingge, had fallen.
dà dào zōng zhǎng mén ， cháng shēng jìng qiáng zhě fāng dìng gē ， yǔn luò le 。
大道宗掌门，长生境强者方定歌，陨落了。
Their hearts trembled as they pondered the mystery. The Heavens' Venerable was already the strongest in this world. As one of the Ten Immortal Sects, Fang Dingge's mastery over the Way and cultivation depth were beyond comprehension. Even among the Heavens' Venerables, he ranked among the top.
èr rén xīn zhōng zhèn dòng bù yǐ de tóng shí ， yòu shēng chū wú jìn de yí huò 。
二人心中震动不已的同时，又生出无尽的疑惑。
How could such a powerful figure simply fall?
cháng shēng tiān zūn ， yǐ jīng shì cǐ jiè zuì qiáng 。 ér fāng dìng gē zuò wéi xiān dào shí zōng zhī yī de zhí zhǎng zhě ， gōng cān zào huà 、 xiū wèi shēn bù kě cè 。
长生天尊，已经是此界最强。而方定歌作为仙道十宗之一的执掌者，功参造化、修为深不可测。
As they delved deeper into the matter, they found it even more bizarre. Not only was the cause of death for Fang Dingge mysterious, but his body had vanished without trace. It seemed more like a disappearance than a fall.
nǎ pà zài cháng shēng tiān zūn zhōng ， yì shì shǔ yī shǔ èr de cún zài 。
哪怕在长生天尊中，亦是数一数二的存在。
However, the shattered命灯 (Life Lamp) left behind by the temple confirmed that this Longevity Realm powerhouse had indeed passed away.
cǐ děng rén wù ， zěn me huì shuō yǔn luò jiù yǔn luò ne ？
此等人物，怎么会说陨落就陨落呢？
Despite their doubts and reluctance to accept it, they could not change this fact. In truth, the announcement of the Sect Leader's death was only decided after several intense discussions among the elders within the sect.
ér suí zhe liǎo jiě de yuè fā shēn rù ， tā men jiù yuè gǎn dào zhè qí zhōng de huāng dàn hé guǐ yì 。
而随着了解的越发深入，他们就越感到这其中的荒诞和诡异。
Such a significant matter couldn't be concealed; there were other Heavens' Venerables who had also passed away in various sects—Taiyi, Heavenly Sword, Crossing Calamity, and Beast Taming. The news was shocking, but despite strict secrecy by the Ten Immortal Sects, it spread quickly.
bù jǐn jǐn shì fāng dìng gē de sǐ yīn chéng mí ， lián tā de shī shǒu yě bú jiàn zōng yǐng 。
不仅仅是方定歌的死因成谜，连他的尸首也不见踪影。
So many Longevity Realm powerhouses falling at once—what could have caused this?
yǔ qí shuō shì yǔn luò ， gèng xiàng shì ……
与其说是陨落，更像是……
Li Fan and Sister Zhao immediately thought of the【Transmitting Teachings】(传法). These Venerables who had passed away were those who had been targeted to be assassinated by the Ten Immortal Sects over twenty years ago. Their sudden deaths made the Immortal Sage from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance a prime suspect.
shī zōng 。
失踪。
However, this didn't make sense either. The【Transmitting Teachings】had not yet ascended to Longevity Realm. If he truly had the power to shatter the heavens and kill Venerables, he would have taken advantage of his victory to rally all cultivators against the Ten Immortal Sects long ago.
dàn mén nèi liú cún de tā de mìng dēng de suì liè ， què shì zhè wèi cháng shēng jìng qiáng zhě yǐ jīng shì qù de tiě zhèng 。
但门内留存的他的命灯的碎裂，却是这位长生境强者已经逝去的铁证。
But this Venerable only appeared occasionally during initial teachings and at rare intervals; otherwise, he was nowhere to be found. Perhaps after killing the Venerables from the Ten Immortal Sects, he had sustained severe injuries and had to go into hiding?
jiù suàn yǒu zài duō yí huò hé bù gān ， yě wú fǎ gǎi biàn zhè ge shì shí 。
就算有再多疑惑和不甘，也无法改变这个事实。
Even so, he could have informed the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance of his achievements to boost morale.
shì shí shàng ， zhǎng mén sǐ xùn de duì wài gōng bù ， yě shì jīng guò mén nèi zhǎng lǎo shù lùn jī liè tǎo lùn hòu ， cái zuì zhōng dìng xià de 。
事实上，掌门死讯的对外公布，也是经过门内长老数论激烈讨论后，才最终定下的。
However, according to Li Fan's knowledge, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was also shocked by the Venerables' collective demise. They seemed unaware of it as well.
zhè me dà de shì qíng ， jí biàn xiǎng mán ， yě mán bú zhù 。
这么大的事情，即便想瞒，也瞒不住。
The entire incident exuded mystery and absurdity. After learning this news, Li Fan and Sister Zhao struggled for a long time to come to terms with it.
yīn wèi shì qù de cháng shēng jìng qiáng zhě ， bìng fēi zhǐ yǒu dà dào zōng fāng dìng gē yī rén 。
因为逝去的长生境强者，并非只有大道宗方定哥一人。
Their pursuit of Longevity Realm had turned out so fragile? Could cultivation still hold any meaning?
tài shàng 、 tiān jiàn 、 dù è 、 yù shòu ……
太上、天剑、渡厄、御兽……
Amidst endless confusion, they spent several days in dual cultivation before finally recovering.
jù shuō zhè xiē zōng mén nèi ， dōu yǒu cháng shēng jìng qiáng zhě yǔn luò 。
据说这些宗门内，都有长生境强者陨落。
"Such matters are never as simple as they seem. I believe they have broken free from their shackles and transcended the boundaries," Sister Zhao said calmly.
zhè ge xiāo xī tài guò hài rén 。
这个消息太过骇人。
"Shackles?" Li Fan asked for the first time hearing this term.
suī rán shí dà xiān zōng yán gé fēng suǒ ， dàn yě wú fǎ zǔ zhǐ tā de xùn sù liú chuán 。
虽然十大仙宗严格封锁，但也无法阻止它的迅速流传。
"Back then, Master once casually mentioned it to me." Sister Zhao frowned, trying to recall.
zhè me duō de cháng shēng jìng qiáng zhě ， qí qí yǔn luò 。
这么多的长生境强者，齐齐陨落。
"At that time, when I asked Master what true freedom meant, he remained silent for a long moment and sighed. 'The heavens lock all beings; no one can escape. Even Longevity Realm powerhouses are still confined,' " she recalled. "I was about to ask more but he wouldn't say any more."
jiū jìng shì shuí gàn de ？
究竟是谁干的？
Li Fan's heart trembled: "Longevity Realm powerhouses, still not free?"
lǐ fán hé zhào shī jiě dì yī shí jiān ， jiù xiǎng dào le nà wèi 【 chuán fǎ 】。
李凡和赵师姐第一时间，就想到了那位【传法】。
Sister Zhao comforted him by saying, "Their collective disappearance might be a good thing. At the very least, it shows that Longevity Realm powerhouses can break their shackles and truly transcend."
yīn wèi zhè xiē shì qù de cháng shēng tiān zūn men ， hè rán jiù shì èr shí duō nián qián ， gè zōng yuē dìng yào lián hé qǐ lái jū shā 【 chuán fǎ 】 de nà xiē rén 。
因为这些逝去的长生天尊们，赫然就是二十多年前，各宗约定要联合起来狙杀【传法】的那些人。
After much thought, Li Fan nodded. "Sister, when we both achieve enlightenment together, let's transcend this world. In Xuanhuang, our story will be legendary."
rú jīn tā men tū rán bào bì ， wàn xiān méng de chuán fǎ xiān zūn ， zì rán shì xián yí zuì dà de rén 。
如今他们突然暴毙，万仙盟的传法仙尊，自然是嫌疑最大的人。
Sister Zhao blushed.
dàn zhè cóng dào lǐ shàng yòu shuō bù tōng 。
但这从道理上又说不通。
Their passion led them to resume cultivation.
【 chuán fǎ 】 shàng wèi jìn shēng cháng shēng jìng ， rú guǒ tā zhēn de zhàn lì zhèn gǔ shuò jīn 、 néng gòu yǐ hé dào zhǎn cháng shēng 。
【传法】尚未晋升长生境，如果他真的战力震古烁今、能够以合道斩长生。
---
xiàn zài zǎo jiù yīng gāi chèn zhe dà shèng zhī wēi ， yī gǔ zuò qì ， hào zhào tiān xià xiū shì lián hé qǐ lái 、 tuī fān xiān dào shí zōng de cún zài le 。
现在早就应该趁着大胜之威，一鼓作气，号召天下修士联合起来、推翻仙道十宗的存在了。
The disappearance of the Venerables had a profound impact on the current state of Xuanhuang. After completing funeral arrangements, the Taiyi Sect plunged into a struggle for the position of Sect Leader.
kě cóng shǐ zhì zhōng ， zhè wèi 【 chuán fǎ xiān zūn 】 zhǐ zài zuì chū chuán dào shí ， yǐ jí jí shǎo shí jiān jié diǎn lù guò miàn 。
可从始至终，这位【传法仙尊】只在最初传道时，以及极少时间节点露过面。
The sudden incident likely caught even Fang Dingge off guard; thus, there was no successor appointed yet. His direct disciple, only at the Transcendence Realm, couldn't possibly take on such a heavy responsibility.
qí yú shí hòu ， dōu yǎo wú yīn xùn 、 bù zhī shēn chù hé chù ， shén mì zhì jí 。
其余时候，都杳无音讯、不知身处何处，神秘至极。
After two elder Venerables declined to inherit the position, the remaining elders vied for it with fierce competition.
yòu huò zhě shuō ， chuán fǎ běn rén zài zhǎn shā xiān dào shí zōng de cháng shēng tiān zūn hòu ， yě shēn shòu zhòng shāng ， bù dé bù zhé fú qǐ lái ？
又或者说，传法本人在斩杀仙道十宗的长生天尊后，也身受重伤，不得不蛰伏起来？
Master Zhang Wangshuang, Sister Zhao's mentor, had recently advanced to the Fusion Realm and harbored ambitions of becoming the next Sect Leader. Power struggles were often brutal.
jiù suàn rú cǐ ， tā yě kě yǐ jiāng zì jǐ de zhuàng jǔ gào zhī wàn xiān méng 、 yǐ zhèn shì qì 。
就算如此，他也可以将自己的壮举告之万仙盟、以振士气。
A year later, the dust settled. Due to his sect's limited resources, Master Zhang Wangshuang lost out. The new Sect Leader was Ji Changxi from the Tianchen lineage.
dàn jù lǐ fán suǒ zhī ， wàn xiān méng fāng miàn ， duì yú cháng shēng tiān zūn de qí qí yǔn luò ， yě biǎo xiàn de shí fēn zhèn jīng 。
但据李凡所知，万仙盟方面，对于长生天尊的齐齐陨落，也表现的十分震惊。
Internal conflicts within the sect inevitably weakened its strength. However, under the new leader, reforms were minimal; instead, he focused on recuperation and rejuvenation to restore the sect’s power.
sì hū tā men duì cǐ yě bù zhī qíng 。
似乎他们对此也不知情。
To address the dwindling number of disciples, he relaxed the criteria for outer sect members to advance and held a grand internal competition every three years, making disciple cultivation quality an important assessment criterion.
cǐ shì jiàn ， cóng tóu dào wěi ， dōu xiǎn lù chū shén mì yǔ huāng dàn 。
此事件，从头到尾，都显露出神秘与荒诞。
Under these circumstances, Sister Zhao's consistent victories in competitions gradually made her stand out as a shining star among the younger generation of Taiyi Sect.
lǐ fán hé zhào shī jiě zài dé zhī xiāo xī hòu ， yě shì xǔ jiǔ méi yǒu huǎn guò lái 。
李凡和赵师姐在得知消息后，也是许久没有缓过来。
In contrast, Li Fan, who had fewer wins than losses, seemed to fade into obscurity.
tā men kǔ kǔ suǒ qiú de cháng shēng jìng ， jìng rán yě rú cǐ cuì ruò ？ shuō yǔn luò jiù yǔn luò le ？
他们苦苦所求的长生境，竟然也如此脆弱？说陨落就陨落了？
The best gem deserved the strongest hero. Li Fan’s mediocre performance and constant shadowing of Sister Zhao annoyed some disciples within the sect.
hé xún cháng xiū shì yòu yǒu shén me qū bié ？
和寻常修士又有什么区别？
Many talented individuals ignored him and pursued Sister Zhao with vigor. Even Master Zhang Wangshuang, who had previously shown a somewhat favorable attitude towards Li Fan, began to change his stance.
tā men de xiū xíng ， hái yǒu yì yì ma ？
他们的修行，还有意义吗？
Perceiving the danger, Li Fan made a decisive move. On a sunny afternoon, he proposed marriage to Sister Zhao.
wú jìn de mí wǎng zhōng ， liǎng rén yī lián shuāng xiū shù rì ， cái zuì zhōng huǎn le guò lái 。
无尽的迷惘中，两人一连双修数日，才最终缓了过来。
Without any precious treasures or legendary artifacts, he simply gazed deeply into her eyes and said, "Sister, be my Dao Companion. From now on, we will hold hands and seek immortality together."
「 zhè jiàn shì ， dìng rán bù xiàng kàn shàng qù zhè me jiǎn dān 。 yǔ qí shuō yǔn luò ， wǒ gèng xiāng xìn ， tā men zhǎn duàn jiā suǒ 、 pò jiè ér qù le 。」 zhào shī jiě shén sè chén wěn ， huǎn shēng shuō dào 。
「这件事，定然不像看上去这么简单。与其说陨落，我更相信，他们斩断枷锁、破界而去了。」赵师姐神色沉稳，缓声说道。
Without hesitation, Sister Zhao agreed.
Travelling through the dust and fatigue, Li Fan and Sister Zhao were greatly surprised upon rushing back to the sect.
Inside the temple grounds, everything was draped in white, with all the disciples wearing expressions of sorrow.
After hurriedly asking around, they found out what had happened. The Sect Leader, a Longevity Realm powerhouse Fang Dingge, had fallen.
Their hearts trembled as they pondered the mystery. The Heavens' Venerable was already the strongest in this world. As one of the Ten Immortal Sects, Fang Dingge's mastery over the Way and cultivation depth were beyond comprehension. Even among the Heavens' Venerables, he ranked among the top.
How could such a powerful figure simply fall?
As they delved deeper into the matter, they found it even more bizarre. Not only was the cause of death for Fang Dingge mysterious, but his body had vanished without trace. It seemed more like a disappearance than a fall.
However, the shattered命灯 (Life Lamp) left behind by the temple confirmed that this Longevity Realm powerhouse had indeed passed away.
Despite their doubts and reluctance to accept it, they could not change this fact. In truth, the announcement of the Sect Leader's death was only decided after several intense discussions among the elders within the sect.
Such a significant matter couldn't be concealed; there were other Heavens' Venerables who had also passed away in various sects—Taiyi, Heavenly Sword, Crossing Calamity, and Beast Taming. The news was shocking, but despite strict secrecy by the Ten Immortal Sects, it spread quickly.
So many Longevity Realm powerhouses falling at once—what could have caused this?
Li Fan and Sister Zhao immediately thought of the【Transmitting Teachings】(传法). These Venerables who had passed away were those who had been targeted to be assassinated by the Ten Immortal Sects over twenty years ago. Their sudden deaths made the Immortal Sage from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance a prime suspect.
However, this didn't make sense either. The【Transmitting Teachings】had not yet ascended to Longevity Realm. If he truly had the power to shatter the heavens and kill Venerables, he would have taken advantage of his victory to rally all cultivators against the Ten Immortal Sects long ago.
But this Venerable only appeared occasionally during initial teachings and at rare intervals; otherwise, he was nowhere to be found. Perhaps after killing the Venerables from the Ten Immortal Sects, he had sustained severe injuries and had to go into hiding?
Even so, he could have informed the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance of his achievements to boost morale.
However, according to Li Fan's knowledge, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was also shocked by the Venerables' collective demise. They seemed unaware of it as well.
The entire incident exuded mystery and absurdity. After learning this news, Li Fan and Sister Zhao struggled for a long time to come to terms with it.
Their pursuit of Longevity Realm had turned out so fragile? Could cultivation still hold any meaning?
Amidst endless confusion, they spent several days in dual cultivation before finally recovering.
"Such matters are never as simple as they seem. I believe they have broken free from their shackles and transcended the boundaries," Sister Zhao said calmly.
"Shackles?" Li Fan asked for the first time hearing this term.
"Back then, Master once casually mentioned it to me." Sister Zhao frowned, trying to recall.
"At that time, when I asked Master what true freedom meant, he remained silent for a long moment and sighed. 'The heavens lock all beings; no one can escape. Even Longevity Realm powerhouses are still confined,' " she recalled. "I was about to ask more but he wouldn't say any more."
Li Fan's heart trembled: "Longevity Realm powerhouses, still not free?"
Sister Zhao comforted him by saying, "Their collective disappearance might be a good thing. At the very least, it shows that Longevity Realm powerhouses can break their shackles and truly transcend."
After much thought, Li Fan nodded. "Sister, when we both achieve enlightenment together, let's transcend this world. In Xuanhuang, our story will be legendary."
Sister Zhao blushed.
Their passion led them to resume cultivation.
---
The disappearance of the Venerables had a profound impact on the current state of Xuanhuang. After completing funeral arrangements, the Taiyi Sect plunged into a struggle for the position of Sect Leader.
The sudden incident likely caught even Fang Dingge off guard; thus, there was no successor appointed yet. His direct disciple, only at the Transcendence Realm, couldn't possibly take on such a heavy responsibility.
After two elder Venerables declined to inherit the position, the remaining elders vied for it with fierce competition.
Master Zhang Wangshuang, Sister Zhao's mentor, had recently advanced to the Fusion Realm and harbored ambitions of becoming the next Sect Leader. Power struggles were often brutal.
A year later, the dust settled. Due to his sect's limited resources, Master Zhang Wangshuang lost out. The new Sect Leader was Ji Changxi from the Tianchen lineage.
Internal conflicts within the sect inevitably weakened its strength. However, under the new leader, reforms were minimal; instead, he focused on recuperation and rejuvenation to restore the sect’s power.
To address the dwindling number of disciples, he relaxed the criteria for outer sect members to advance and held a grand internal competition every three years, making disciple cultivation quality an important assessment criterion.
Under these circumstances, Sister Zhao's consistent victories in competitions gradually made her stand out as a shining star among the younger generation of Taiyi Sect.
In contrast, Li Fan, who had fewer wins than losses, seemed to fade into obscurity.
The best gem deserved the strongest hero. Li Fan’s mediocre performance and constant shadowing of Sister Zhao annoyed some disciples within the sect.
Many talented individuals ignored him and pursued Sister Zhao with vigor. Even Master Zhang Wangshuang, who had previously shown a somewhat favorable attitude towards Li Fan, began to change his stance.
Perceiving the danger, Li Fan made a decisive move. On a sunny afternoon, he proposed marriage to Sister Zhao.
Without any precious treasures or legendary artifacts, he simply gazed deeply into her eyes and said, "Sister, be my Dao Companion. From now on, we will hold hands and seek immortality together."
Without hesitation, Sister Zhao agreed.