“ fǎn gōng xiū xiān jiè a ……”
“反攻修仙界啊……”
"Reversing the tide in the world of cultivation..."
sī mǎ cháng kōng yǎn jīng wēi mī ， sì hū zài huí yì xiē shén me 。
司马长空眼睛微眯，似乎在回忆些什么。
Masayang Changkong's eyes narrowed slightly, as if recalling something.
guò le piàn kè ， tā cái huǎn huǎn shuō dào ：“ rú jīn tí qǐ zhè jiàn shì ， xiū shì men duō yǐ nào jù chēng zhī 。 dàn shí jì shàng ， xiǎo shì jiè lián jūn de guī mó ， kě bù jǐn jǐn shì nào jù nà me jiǎn dān 。”
过了片刻，他才缓缓说道：“如今提起这件事，修士们多以闹剧称之。但实际上，小世界联军的规模，可不仅仅是闹剧那么简单。”
After a moment, he slowly said, "Nowadays, many cultivators refer to this incident as a farce. But in reality, the scale of the coalition from the Little World is not just a simple farce."
“ fǒu zé ， yòu hé zhì yú lián yí xiàng dí duì de wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì dōu yào lián hé qǐ lái ne ？”
“否则，又何至于连一向敌对的万仙盟和五老会都要联合起来呢？”
"Otherwise, why would even the long-standing enemies, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association, have to join forces?"
lǐ fán yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī dào wēi bù kě jué de jīng guāng ， còu shàng qián qù ， yòng hán hú bù qīng de yǔ qì wèn dào ：“ lián hé ？ jiù shì wèi le duì fù xiǎo shì jiè lián jūn ？”
李凡眼中闪过一道微不可觉的精光，凑上前去，用含糊不清的语气问道：“联合？就是为了对付小世界联军？”
A faint glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes as he moved closer with an unclear tone of voice. "Joining forces? Just to fight against the coalition from the Little World?"
“ sī mǎ dào yǒu bú huì shì jì cuò le ba ？ bú shì shuō ， zhè xiē xiǎo shì jiè zhōng de ， dōu shì xiē bèi fàng zhú de fán rén me ？”
“司马道友不会是记错了吧？不是说，这些小世界中的，都是些被放逐的凡人么？”
"Is it possible that my friend Masayang has forgotten something? Didn't they say these beings from the Little World were all exiled mortals?"
“ duì fù zhè qún lóu yǐ ， wǒ bèi xiū shì yān huì rú cǐ chī lì ？ zài zhě shuō ， wǒ men hái yǒu cháng shēng tiān zūn héng yā tiān xià 。 tā men hái néng zhēn yíng le wǒ men bù chéng ？”
“对付这群蝼蚁，我辈修士焉会如此吃力？再者说，我们还有长生天尊横压天下。他们还能真赢了我们不成？”
"Dealing with such insignificant creatures, how could we cultivators find it so difficult? Moreover, we have the Heavenly Longevity Venerable suppressing everything. Can they really defeat us?"
sī mǎ cháng kōng jiàn lǐ fán mǎn liǎn de bù xìn ， yě bù shēng qì 。
司马长空见李凡满脸的不信，也不生气。
Seeing Li Fan's disbelief, Masayang Changkong did not get angry.
ér shì wēi wēi yī xiào ， qū zhǐ qīng dàn ， yī dī xuè yè jiù fēi xiàng èr rén zhī jiān 。
而是微微一笑，屈指轻弹，一滴血液就飞向二人之间。
Instead, he smiled slightly and flicked his fingers, sending a drop of blood flying between them.
xuè dī wǎn ruò huó wù ， zài kōng zhōng tíng zhì ， zhī hòu rú dòng zhe cháo shàng xià sì fāng shēn zhǎn 。
血滴宛若活物，在空中停滞，之后蠕动着朝上下四方伸展。
The blood droplet seemed to be alive as it hovered in the air before slowly spreading outwards. It transformed into a canvas made of blood mist.
biàn chéng le yī kuài yóu xuè wù zǔ chéng de huà bù 。
变成了一块由血雾组成的画布。
Scenes from the battle unfolded on this canvas one after another.
huà bù shàng ， yí mù mù jīng xīn dòng pò de chǎng jǐng cì dì xiǎn xiàn 。
画布上，一幕幕惊心动魄的场景次第显现。
One side of the battle should have been the cultivators from the Xuanhuang World.
zhàn dòu de yī fāng ， yīng gāi jiù shì xuán huáng jiè de xiū shì le 。
战斗的一方，应该就是玄黄界的修士了。
But the other side could fly and move freely, clearly not ordinary mortals either.
dàn lìng yī fāng ， tóng yàng néng gòu fēi tiān dùn dì ， xiǎn rán yě bú shì shén me fán rén 。
但另一方，同样能够飞天遁地，显然也不是什么凡人。
Although their combat methods varied, they were able to hold their own against the cultivators. Some relied on sheer physical strength, resisting attacks from flying swords and Daoist techniques. Others positioned themselves in the rear, controlling strange energy beams that descended from the sky to target and attack cultivators precisely.
tā men zuò zhàn shǒu duàn suī rán gè bù xiāng tóng ， què yě néng hé xiū shì men dǎ dī yǒu lái yǒu huí 。
他们作战手段虽然各不相同，却也能和修士们打的有来有回。
There were even those who lacked human form, appearing as transparent white skin. They drifted around the battlefield, attaching themselves to severely injured individuals. Those who had been near death suddenly regained their vitality, even regenerating lost limbs after being covered by the white skin.
yǒu quán píng ròu shēn ， yìng kàng xiū shì fēi jiàn dào fǎ gōng jī 。 qī shēn jìn qián ， chì shǒu kōng quán jiù bǎ xiū shì men sī dé fěn suì 。
有全凭肉身，硬抗修士飞剑道法攻击。欺身近前，赤手空拳就把修士们撕得粉碎。
Li Fan's expression grew increasingly serious as he stared at the changing scenes in the blood canvas.
yě yǒu wèi yú hòu fāng ， yáo yáo kòng zhì yī dào dào guǐ yì de néng liàng ， cóng tiān ér jiàng ， suǒ dìng xiū shì 、 dìng diǎn dǎ jī 。
也有位于后方，遥遥控制一道道诡异的能量，从天而降，锁定修士、定点打击。
"Where are our high-ranking cultivators from Xuanhuang World? Are they just watching us fight while remaining indifferent?" Li Fan said with some resentment.
gèng yǒu shèn zhě ， bù chéng rén xíng ， zhǐ shì tòu míng de bái sè rén pí mú yàng 。 piāo dàng 、 yóu zǒu zài zhàn chǎng zhōng yāng 。 yǒu shēn shòu zhòng shāng zhě ， tā men biàn zhěng gè tiē shàng 。
更有甚者，不成人形，只是透明的白色人皮模样。飘荡、游走在战场中央。有身受重伤者，它们便整个贴上。
Masayang Changkong shook his head slightly. "No, no. They do have their own opponents."
yuán xiān hái bīn sǐ 、 bù néng dòng tán de nà qún rén ， jìng rán zhuǎn shùn jiān jiù biàn chóng xīn biàn dé shēng lóng huó hǔ qǐ lái 。
原先还濒死、不能动弹的那群人，竟然转瞬间就变重新变得生龙活虎起来。
"Although our ancestors were limited by their realm and could not witness the battles firsthand, it is said that Xuanhuang World suffered heavy losses as well."
nǎ pà quē gē bó shǎo tuǐ ， zài bèi bái sè rén pí fù zhuó hòu ， yě néng duàn zhī chóng shēng 、 huī fù zhàn lì 。
哪怕缺胳膊少腿，在被白色人皮附着后，也能断肢重生、恢复战力。
Masayang Changkong sighed, saying, "This led to a five-hundred-year period of no more disputes between both sides, focusing instead on recuperation."
lǐ fán dīng zhe xuè mù zhōng bù duàn biàn huàn de chǎng jǐng ， miàn sè yě shì màn màn níng zhòng qǐ lái 。
李凡盯着血幕中不断变幻的场景，面色也是慢慢凝重起来。
Li Fan was surprised. "So strong? Are these people really from the Little World?"
“ wǒ men xuán huáng jiè gāo jiē xiū shì hé zài ？ hé dào 、 cháng shēng jìng qiáng zhě ， jiù kàn zhe wǒ men zhè yàng yǔ rén sī shā ， ér wú dòng yú zhōng ma ？” lǐ fán yǔ qì yǒu xiē bù fèn 。
“我们玄黄界高阶修士何在？合道、长生境强者，就看着我们这样与人厮杀，而无动于衷吗？”李凡语气有些不忿。
"Yes and no," Masayang Changkong called for some mermaid beasts and refilled their cups before continuing.
sī mǎ cháng kōng wēi wēi yáo tóu ：“ fēi yě ， fēi yě 。 tā men zì rán yě yǒu tā men de duì shǒu 。”
司马长空微微摇头：“非也，非也。他们自然也有他们的对手。”
"They are merely pawns controlled by someone else."
“ suī rán nà shí xiān zǔ yīn wèi jìng jiè yǒu xiàn ， bù néng qīn yǎn mù dǔ qiáng zhě men zhàn dòu shí de chǎng jǐng 。 dàn jù shuō ， wǒ men xuán huáng jiè ， yě shì sǔn shī cǎn zhòng nà 。”
“虽然那时先祖因为境界有限，不能亲眼目睹强者们战斗时的场景。但据说，我们玄黄界，也是损失惨重那。”
"The true masterminds behind this are others."
sī mǎ cháng kōng xī xū dào ：“ yǐ zhì yú jìn wǔ bǎi nián lái ， shuāng fāng dōu bù yuàn zài qǐ zhēng duān 。 yǐ xiū yǎng shēng xī wéi zhǔ 。”
司马长空唏嘘道：“以致于近五百年来，双方都不愿再启争端。以休养生息为主。”
Li Fan's eyes widened as he became more alert. "What do you mean?"
lǐ fán bù jīn yà rán ：“ zhè me qiáng ma ？ zhè xiē rén ， zhēn de shì lái zì xiǎo shì jiè ？”
李凡不禁讶然：“这么强吗？这些人，真的是来自小世界？”
"Their origins seem to date back to the early days of the Great Tribulation, but our ancestors did not record much about it."
“ shì ， yě bú shì 。” sī mǎ cháng kōng huàn lái rén yú shòu zhǒng ， yòu wèi èr rén zhēn mǎn 。
“是，也不是。”司马长空唤来人鱼兽种，又为二人斟满。
"However, according to fragmented post-war interviews, they appear to be a group of [gone and returned] individuals."
zhè cái jiē zhe shuō dào ：“ tā men zhǐ bù guò ， shì shòu rén kòng zhì de qí zi bà le 。”
这才接着说道：“他们只不过，是受人控制的棋子罢了。”
Masayang Changkong looked puzzled as he spoke slowly.
“ zhēn zhèng de mù hòu zhǔ shǐ ， lìng yǒu qí rén 。”
“真正的幕后主使，另有其人。”
"Not only do the Xuanhuang World's coalescence cultivators call them traitors, but even those who don't know their identities naturally feel intense hatred towards them upon seeing them."
lǐ fán wēi wēi yī zhèn ， lái le jīng shén ：“ cǐ huà zěn jiǎng ？”
李凡微微一震，来了精神：“此话怎讲？”
"During battles, there were instances of lightning striking these individuals from the sky."
“ tā men de yuān yuán ， sì hū yào zhuī sù dào shàng gǔ dà jié gāng gāng jiàng lín zhī shí 。 jù tǐ rú hé ， xiān zǔ què yě méi yǒu jì zǎi 。”
“他们的渊源，似乎要追溯到上古大劫刚刚降临之时。具体如何，先祖却也没有记载。”
"They seem to be universally despised by the Xuanhuang World."
“ bù guò gēn jù zhàn hòu líng líng suì suì de fǎng wèn ， kě yǐ zhī dào ， tā men sì hū shì yī qún 【 qù ér fù fǎn 】 zhī rén 。”
“不过根据战后零零碎碎的访问，可以知道，他们似乎是一群【去而复返】之人。”
"Gone and returned, traitors..." Li Fan fell into deep thought after hearing this.
sī mǎ cháng kōng miàn lù jǐ fēn yí huò ， huǎn huǎn shuō dào 。
司马长空面露几分疑惑，缓缓说道。
Combining what Masayang Changkong had described with his previous experiences in Ougesi's illusionary realm, Li Fan began to form some hypotheses.
“ bù jǐn jǐn shì gēn tā men zhàn dòu de xuán huáng jiè hé dào xiū shì chēng hū tā men wèi pàn tú ， jiù lián nà xiē bù zhī dào tā men shēn fèn de xiū shì men ， zài kàn dào tā men de shùn jiān ， xīn zhōng yě huì zì rán ér rán de chǎn shēng wú bǐ de yuàn hèn 。”
“不仅仅是跟他们战斗的玄黄界合道修士称呼他们为叛徒，就连那些不知道他们身份的修士们，在看到他们的瞬间，心中也会自然而然的产生无比的怨恨。”
Initially, when the various calamities of the Immortal Tribulation descended together, the Ten Immortal Sects had planned to unite and face them collectively.
“ shèn zhì zhàn dòu guò chéng zhōng ， yǒu léi tíng tiān jiàng ， pī zài zhè xiē rén shēn shàng 。”
“甚至战斗过程中，有雷霆天降，劈在这些人身上。”
But the situation deteriorated too quickly for the sects to help each other. Some sects were completely destroyed by internal strife, while others sealed themselves off and survived in seclusion.
“ tā men ， sì hū shòu dào zhěng gè xuán huáng jiè de zēng wù 。”
“他们，似乎受到整个玄黄界的憎恶。”
However, some chose to leave Xuanhuang World altogether, like Nanying's Beast Mountain and Heavenly Sword Sect.
“ qù ér fù fǎn ， pàn tú ……” lǐ fán wén yán ， bù jīn xiàn rù shēn sī 。
“去而复返，叛徒……”李凡闻言，不禁陷入深思。
"As Emperor Yi said, individuals from a clan have their own choices. There is no absolute leader who can make everyone act with the same will."
cóng sī mǎ cháng kōng miáo shù de chǎng jǐng ， zài jié hé zhī qián zài zhào shī jiě huàn jìng zhōng de jiàn wén ， lǐ fán bù jīn yǒu le xiē cāi cè 。
从司马长空描述的场景，再结合之前在赵师姐幻境中的见闻，李凡不禁有了些猜测。
"It makes sense that cultivators would choose differently."
dāng chū fǎ bù kě tóng xiū 、 xiān fán zhàng děng zhū duō jié nàn qí qí jiàng lín ， xiān dào shí zōng men ， zuì chū shì yǒu lián hé qǐ lái 、 gòng dù nán guān de jì huà de 。
当初法不可同修、仙凡瘴等诸多劫难齐齐降临，仙道十宗们，最初是有联合起来、共度难关的计划的。
"When they left, perhaps they took something with them, causing even Xuanhuang World itself to hold grudges against them."
kě hòu lái jú shì bēng huài de tài kuài ， zhòng zōng mén zì gù bù xiá ， gèng bié tí hù zhù le 。
可后来局势崩坏的太快，众宗门自顾不暇，更别提互助了。
"I wonder why they came back. But their return from the powerful suction of the Immortal Wasteland indicates that their strength is not weak."
dà nàn lín tóu ， mìng yùn gè yǒu bù tóng 。
大难临头，命运各有不同。
Li Fan's thoughts gradually calmed as he turned his gaze towards Masayang Changkong, his eyes burning with intensity.
yǒu de yīn wèi mén rén de hù xiāng shā lù ， chè dǐ xiāo shī zài lì shǐ cháng hé zhōng 。
有的因为门人的互相杀戮，彻底消失在历史长河中。
No wonder he was known as a historian in the world of cultivation.
yǒu de zé shì fēng suǒ zōng mén 、 bì shì bù chū ， gǒu yán cán chuǎn 。
有的则是封锁宗门、避世不出，苟延残喘。
Over nearly a thousand years, many forgotten events from Xuanhuang World's history could be found here.
dàn yě yǒu de ， jiù xiàng nán míng yāo shòu shān 、 tiān jiàn zōng yī yàng ， xuǎn zé gān cuì táo lí xuán huáng jiè 。
但也有的，就像南冥妖兽山、天剑宗一样，选择干脆逃离玄黄界。
After returning to Tianling State, Li Fan had come to Masayang Changkong's underwater crystal cave to avoid being caught up in the war. Relying on his previous knowledge and Li Fan's vast learning, they quickly became good friends.
“ jiù xiàng dì yī suǒ shuō ， zú qún de gè tǐ ， dōu yǒu gè zì de xuǎn zé 。 méi yǒu jué duì de lǐng xiù ， shì bù kě néng zuò dào tóng yī gè yì zhì xíng shì de 。”
“就像帝一所说，族群的个体，都有各自的选择。没有绝对的领袖，是不可能做到同一个意志行事的。”
They spent their days drinking and talking about Xuanhuang World's past, enjoying themselves immensely.
“ xiū shì men gè yǒu jué zé ， yě shì yīng yǒu zhī lǐ 。”
“修士们各有抉择，也是应有之理。”
To prevent outsiders from disturbing them and gain more information, Li Fan had proactively offered to help set up concealment and protective arrays for Masayang Changkong's crystal cave.
“ zhè xiē rén táo lí de shí hòu ， huò xǔ hái dài zǒu le xiē shén me 。 yǐ zhì yú lián xuán huáng jiè běn shēn ， dōu duì tā men chǎn shēng le yuàn hèn 。”
“这些人逃离的时候，或许还带走了些什么。以致于连玄黄界本身，都对他们产生了怨恨。”
Seeing how enthusiastic he was, Masayang Changkong felt that this person could be a good friend indeed. Their relationship grew even closer.
“ jiù shì bù zhī dào ， tā men wèi hé qù ér fù fǎn 。 bù guò néng cóng 【 xiān xū 】 nà qiáng dà de xī lì xià ， ān rán fǎn huí 。 tā men de shí lì yě dìng rán bù ruò jiù shì 。”
“就是不知道，他们为何去而复返。不过能从【仙墟】那强大的吸力下，安然返回。他们的实力也定然不弱就是。”
"Peace is temporary; war is the eternal topic of history," Masayang Changkong suddenly said with a sigh after a long silence, putting down his nearly raised cup and looking listless.
lǐ fán sī xù huǎn huǎn píng fù ， zhuǎn tóu kàn xiàng sī mǎ cháng kōng de yǎn shén ， gèng jiā chì liè 。
李凡思绪缓缓平复，转头看向司马长空的眼神，更加炽烈。
"Why do you say such things..." Li Fan suddenly realized.
bù kuì wèi xiū xiān jiè de shǐ guān 。
不愧为修仙界的史官。
"Has the war between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association officially begun?"
jìn qiān nián lái ， xuán huáng jiè lì shǐ shàng zhū duō bèi fēng cún 、 yí wàng zhī shì ， sī mǎ cháng kōng zhè lǐ dà duō néng zhǎo dào dá àn 。
近千年来，玄黄界历史上诸多被封存、遗忘之事，司马长空这里大多能找到答案。
Masayang Changkong nodded heavily. "Who knows how many cultivators will lose their lives on the battlefield."
zì lǐ fán cóng tiān líng zhōu fǎn huí hòu ， wèi le duǒ bì zhàn zhēng de bō jí ， tā jiù lái dào le sī mǎ cháng kōng zhè chù hǎi dǐ shuǐ jīng dòng fǔ zhōng 。
自李凡从天灵州返回后，为了躲避战争的波及，他就来到了司马长空这处海底水晶洞府中。
"This is a constant of nature; we are not the Heavenly Longevity Venerable, so how can we resist? Drink, drink!" Li Fan refilled Masayang Changkong's cup and comforted him.
kào zhe xiān qián fēn shēn duì tā de shú xī ， zài jiā shàng lǐ fán běn jiù xué shí yuān bó 、 zhū duō yǐn mì xìn shǒu niān lái 。
靠着先前分身对他的熟悉，再加上李凡本就学识渊博、诸多隐秘信手拈来。
"Your words are true," Masayang Changkong drank it all in one go, swallowing both the fine wine and his reflections.
yú shì hěn kuài bó qǔ le tā de hǎo gǎn 。
于是很快博取了他的好感。
Li Fan changed the subject to other matters.
liǎng rén rì rì bǎ jiǔ yán huān ， chàng tán xuán huáng jiè wǎng shì ， hǎo bù kuài huó 。
两人日日把酒言欢，畅谈玄黄界往事，好不快活。
Time passed quickly. A year had gone by.
wèi le bù ràng wài rén dǎ rǎo ， yǐ biàn cóng sī mǎ cháng kōng zhè lǐ tào dào gèng duō xìn xī ， lǐ fán hái zhǔ dòng tí chū ， bāng tā zhè chù shuǐ jīng dòng fǔ bù zhì yǐn nì 、 fáng hù zhèn fǎ 。
为了不让外人打扰，以便从司马长空这里套到更多信息，李凡还主动提出，帮他这处水晶洞府布置隐匿、防护阵法。
The war between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association had reached its peak intensity, but Li Fan remained in Masayang Changkong's residence for a full year without leaving once.
jiàn duì fāng rú cǐ rè xīn cháng ， sī mǎ cháng kōng gèng jué de cǐ rén kě shēn jiāo 。
见对方如此热心肠，司马长空更觉得此人可深交。
There is still one more chapter to go later on...
liǎng rén de guān xì yú shì yù fā róng qià 。
两人的关系于是愈发融洽。
(End of Chapter)
"Reversing the tide in the world of cultivation..."
Masayang Changkong's eyes narrowed slightly, as if recalling something.
After a moment, he slowly said, "Nowadays, many cultivators refer to this incident as a farce. But in reality, the scale of the coalition from the Little World is not just a simple farce."
"Otherwise, why would even the long-standing enemies, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association, have to join forces?"
A faint glint flashed in Li Fan's eyes as he moved closer with an unclear tone of voice. "Joining forces? Just to fight against the coalition from the Little World?"
"Is it possible that my friend Masayang has forgotten something? Didn't they say these beings from the Little World were all exiled mortals?"
"Dealing with such insignificant creatures, how could we cultivators find it so difficult? Moreover, we have the Heavenly Longevity Venerable suppressing everything. Can they really defeat us?"
Seeing Li Fan's disbelief, Masayang Changkong did not get angry.
Instead, he smiled slightly and flicked his fingers, sending a drop of blood flying between them.
The blood droplet seemed to be alive as it hovered in the air before slowly spreading outwards. It transformed into a canvas made of blood mist.
Scenes from the battle unfolded on this canvas one after another.
One side of the battle should have been the cultivators from the Xuanhuang World.
But the other side could fly and move freely, clearly not ordinary mortals either.
Although their combat methods varied, they were able to hold their own against the cultivators. Some relied on sheer physical strength, resisting attacks from flying swords and Daoist techniques. Others positioned themselves in the rear, controlling strange energy beams that descended from the sky to target and attack cultivators precisely.
There were even those who lacked human form, appearing as transparent white skin. They drifted around the battlefield, attaching themselves to severely injured individuals. Those who had been near death suddenly regained their vitality, even regenerating lost limbs after being covered by the white skin.
Li Fan's expression grew increasingly serious as he stared at the changing scenes in the blood canvas.
"Where are our high-ranking cultivators from Xuanhuang World? Are they just watching us fight while remaining indifferent?" Li Fan said with some resentment.
Masayang Changkong shook his head slightly. "No, no. They do have their own opponents."
"Although our ancestors were limited by their realm and could not witness the battles firsthand, it is said that Xuanhuang World suffered heavy losses as well."
Masayang Changkong sighed, saying, "This led to a five-hundred-year period of no more disputes between both sides, focusing instead on recuperation."
Li Fan was surprised. "So strong? Are these people really from the Little World?"
"Yes and no," Masayang Changkong called for some mermaid beasts and refilled their cups before continuing.
"They are merely pawns controlled by someone else."
"The true masterminds behind this are others."
Li Fan's eyes widened as he became more alert. "What do you mean?"
"Their origins seem to date back to the early days of the Great Tribulation, but our ancestors did not record much about it."
"However, according to fragmented post-war interviews, they appear to be a group of [gone and returned] individuals."
Masayang Changkong looked puzzled as he spoke slowly.
"Not only do the Xuanhuang World's coalescence cultivators call them traitors, but even those who don't know their identities naturally feel intense hatred towards them upon seeing them."
"During battles, there were instances of lightning striking these individuals from the sky."
"They seem to be universally despised by the Xuanhuang World."
"Gone and returned, traitors..." Li Fan fell into deep thought after hearing this.
Combining what Masayang Changkong had described with his previous experiences in Ougesi's illusionary realm, Li Fan began to form some hypotheses.
Initially, when the various calamities of the Immortal Tribulation descended together, the Ten Immortal Sects had planned to unite and face them collectively.
But the situation deteriorated too quickly for the sects to help each other. Some sects were completely destroyed by internal strife, while others sealed themselves off and survived in seclusion.
However, some chose to leave Xuanhuang World altogether, like Nanying's Beast Mountain and Heavenly Sword Sect.
"As Emperor Yi said, individuals from a clan have their own choices. There is no absolute leader who can make everyone act with the same will."
"It makes sense that cultivators would choose differently."
"When they left, perhaps they took something with them, causing even Xuanhuang World itself to hold grudges against them."
"I wonder why they came back. But their return from the powerful suction of the Immortal Wasteland indicates that their strength is not weak."
Li Fan's thoughts gradually calmed as he turned his gaze towards Masayang Changkong, his eyes burning with intensity.
No wonder he was known as a historian in the world of cultivation.
Over nearly a thousand years, many forgotten events from Xuanhuang World's history could be found here.
After returning to Tianling State, Li Fan had come to Masayang Changkong's underwater crystal cave to avoid being caught up in the war. Relying on his previous knowledge and Li Fan's vast learning, they quickly became good friends.
They spent their days drinking and talking about Xuanhuang World's past, enjoying themselves immensely.
To prevent outsiders from disturbing them and gain more information, Li Fan had proactively offered to help set up concealment and protective arrays for Masayang Changkong's crystal cave.
Seeing how enthusiastic he was, Masayang Changkong felt that this person could be a good friend indeed. Their relationship grew even closer.
"Peace is temporary; war is the eternal topic of history," Masayang Changkong suddenly said with a sigh after a long silence, putting down his nearly raised cup and looking listless.
"Why do you say such things..." Li Fan suddenly realized.
"Has the war between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association officially begun?"
Masayang Changkong nodded heavily. "Who knows how many cultivators will lose their lives on the battlefield."
"This is a constant of nature; we are not the Heavenly Longevity Venerable, so how can we resist? Drink, drink!" Li Fan refilled Masayang Changkong's cup and comforted him.
"Your words are true," Masayang Changkong drank it all in one go, swallowing both the fine wine and his reflections.
Li Fan changed the subject to other matters.
Time passed quickly. A year had gone by.
The war between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association had reached its peak intensity, but Li Fan remained in Masayang Changkong's residence for a full year without leaving once.
There is still one more chapter to go later on...
(End of Chapter)