wēi fēng fú guò ， kōng qì zhōng yǐn yǐn chuán lái yī gǔ fǔ bài de qì xī 。
微风拂过，空气中隐隐传来一股腐败的气息。
A gentle breeze blew, carrying a faint stench of decay in the air.
kū yè sà sà zuò xiǎng ， ǒu yǒu jǐ piàn cóng shù shāo piāo luò ， zài luò dì zhī qián jiù yǐ jīng xiāo shī wú zōng 。
枯叶飒飒作响，偶有几片从树梢飘落，在落地之前就已经消失无踪。
Dry leaves rustled, occasionally falling from tree branches only to vanish before they hit the ground.
lǐ fán fēn míng kàn dào ， yè miàn shàng nà yī shǎn ér guò de ， shì yī zhāng zhāng niǔ qū ér tòng kǔ de miàn páng 。
李凡分明看到，叶面上那一闪而过的，是一张张扭曲而痛苦的面庞。
Li Fan clearly saw that the faces on the leaves were twisted and painful expressions.
àn zhào cháng lǐ lái jiǎng ， rèn hé rén jiàn dào rú cǐ guǐ yì de chǎng jǐng ， xīn zhōng nán miǎn dū huì yǒu xiē jīng sǒng 。
按照常理来讲，任何人见到如此诡异的场景，心中难免都会有些惊悚。
By common sense, anyone witnessing such an eerie scene would likely feel some degree of shock or fear.
dàn zài cǐ kè de lǐ fán yǎn zhōng ， zhè chù míng wèi 【 jiān rén shòu 】 dì fāng ， què shì shuō bù chū de měi miào 。
但在此刻的李凡眼中，这处名为【煎人寿】地方，却是说不出的美妙。
But for Li Fan at this moment, the place known as [Human Savoring] was indescribably beautiful.
shēn xī le kǒu qì ， xīng chòu de kōng qì jìn rù fèi zhōng ， dùn jué yǒu xiē xiāng tián 。
深吸了口气，腥臭的空气进入肺中，顿觉有些香甜。
He took a deep breath; the stench filled his lungs, but it felt sweet. He greedily inhaled more.
yú shì tān lán de yòu xī le jǐ kǒu 。
于是贪婪的又吸了几口。
Examining the cultivators on the trees, he noticed that their eyes were pitch black and they wore strange smiles.
zǐ xì guān chá zhe shù shàng de xiū shì men ， fā xiàn tā men quán dōu shuāng yǎn yī piàn qī hēi 、 kàn bù qīng tóng kǒng ， miàn dài guǐ yì de xiào róng 。
仔细观察着树上的修士们，发现他们全都双眼一片漆黑、看不清童孔，面带诡异的笑容。
Their hair and branches intertwined like ropes hanging them up.
tóu fà hé shù zhī zhǎng de lián jiē zài yì qǐ ， dàng zuò xuán guà yòng de shéng zi 。
头发和树枝长的连接在一起，当作悬挂用的绳子。
Some still had intact clothing, while others appeared to have been hung for a long time, with tattered garments.
yǒu de xiū shì shēn shàng de yī wù shàng qiě wán hǎo 。
有的修士身上的衣物尚且完好。
Decaying branches wrapped around their bodies, concealing parts of them as they sank deep into the flesh.
ér yǒu yī xiē zé sì hū bèi guà zài shù shàng yǒu diǎn nián tóu le ， yī wù zǎo yǐ bèi fǔ shí ， kàn shàng qù pò pò làn làn de 。
而有一些则似乎被挂在树上有点年头了，衣物早已被腐蚀，看上去破破烂烂的。
"Brilliant! Simply brilliant!"
yī xiē fǔ xiǔ de zhī yā zé shùn zhe tā men de shēn qū chán rào shàng qù ， jiāng *** dì fāng zhē bì de tóng shí ， shēn shēn de zhā jìn tā men de xuè ròu zhōng 。
一些腐朽的枝桠则顺着他们的身躯缠绕上去，将***地方遮蔽的同时，深深的扎进他们的血肉中。
Without Ruo Mu Dao Ren's introduction, Li Fan already understood everything happening here upon entering [Human Savoring].
「 miào ， miào a ！」
「妙，妙啊！」
Instead of feeling alarmed or fearful, he clapped and praised it enthusiastically.
bù yòng xiǔ mù dào rén kāi kǒu jiè shào ， zài jìn rù dào 【 jiān rén shòu 】 de shùn jiān ， lǐ fán yǐ jīng liǎo jiě le cǐ chù yùn zhuàn de yī qiè 。
不用朽木道人开口介绍，在进入到【煎人寿】的瞬间，李凡已经了解了此处运转的一切。
His tone even contained a hint of envy, as if all cultivators should be hung on branches.
ér miàn duì zhè shèn rén de jǐng xiàng ， lǐ fán bù jǐn méi yǒu gǎn dào jǐng tì hé jīng jù ， fǎn ér pāi shǒu chēng zàn 。
而面对这渗人的景象，李凡不仅没有感到警惕和惊惧，反而拍手称赞。
Being pierced by this withered tree was unimaginably glorious!
yǔ qì zhōng jìng rán hái yǒu yī sī xiàn mù 。
语气中竟然还有一丝羡慕。
"Friend Daoist Yu, I believe my words were true?" Ruo Mu Dao Ren seemed to grow weaker, coughing for a long time before recovering and asking.
fǎng fú shì jiān xiū shì ， běn jiù yīng gāi quán bèi guà zài zhī tóu cái duì 。
仿佛世间修士，本就应该全被挂在枝头才对。
"Indeed, friend Daoist!" Li Fan nodded in agreement.
ér néng bèi yǎn qián zhè kū shù zuān jìn xuè ròu lǐ ， gèng shì nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng de róng yào ！
而能被眼前这枯树钻进血肉里，更是难以想象的荣耀！
"This is truly a great creation! What should we call this tree?" He stared intently at the withered giant tree, his eyes filled with fascination.
「 zěn me yàng ， yú dào yǒu ， wǒ suǒ yán bù xū ba ？」 xiǔ mù dào rén sì hū shēn tǐ yuè fā xū ruò le ， yī lián ké sòu le xǔ jiǔ ， cái huǎn guò lái ， chū shēng wèn dào 。
「怎么样，于道友，我所言不虚吧？」朽木道人似乎身体越发虚弱了，一连咳嗽了许久，才缓过来，出声问道。
"It was originally called [Ruo Mu], but now..." Ruo Mu Dao Ren also looked up, his expression strange.
「 chéng zāi dào yǒu zhī yán ！」 lǐ fán diǎn tóu zàn tóng 。
「诚哉道友之言！」李凡点头赞同。
"Call it [Guanhuan Hengheng Yuan]."
「 dàng zhēn shì wěi dà zào wù ！ bù zhī cǐ shù gāi rú hé chēng hū ？」 jǐn jǐn dīng zhe kū wěi jù shù ， tā yǎn zhōng lù chū chī mí zhī sè 。
「当真是伟大造物！不知此树该如何称呼？」紧紧盯着枯萎巨树，他眼中露出痴迷之色。
This was a mouthful to say, but Li Fan understood its meaning the moment Ruo Mu Dao Ren spoke it.
「 yuán běn jiào 【 ruò mù 】， bù guò xiàn zài ma ……」 xiǔ mù dào rén yě shì tái qǐ tóu ， liǎn shàng shén qíng mò míng 。
「原本叫【若木】，不过现在嘛……」朽木道人也是抬起头，脸上神情莫名。
"From time immemorial, it has existed and will continue to exist forever. Standing above the river of life like a wall reaching the sky."
「 jiào zuò 【 gèn huán huán héng yuán 】。」
「叫做【亘洹桓恒垣】。」
"Not good, I still prefer its original name." Li Fan shook his head.
zhè shì yí gè shuō qǐ lái jí wéi ào kǒu de cí yǔ ， dàn xiǔ mù dào rén jiǎng chū tā de shùn jiān ， lǐ fán biàn yě míng bái le tā dài biǎo de yì si 。
这是一个说起来极为拗口的词语，但朽木道人讲出它的瞬间，李凡便也明白了它代表的意思。
Ruo Mu Dao Ren chuckled darkly, unbothered: "A name is just a code. Time flows, generations of living beings change, and so do their names."
「 zì gèn gǔ zhī shí ， jiù yǐ jīng chū xiàn ， bìng jiāng jì xù yǒng héng cún zài de 。 yì lì yú shēng mìng zhī hé zhī shàng ， rú qiáng chēng tiān 。」
「自亘古之时，就已经出现，并将继续永恒存在的。屹立于生命之河之上，如墙撑天。」
"But it doesn't affect its existence in any way."
「 bù hǎo ， wǒ hái shì xǐ huān tā yuán lái de nà ge míng zì 。」 lǐ fán yáo yáo tóu dào 。
「不好，我还是喜欢它原来的那个名字。」李凡摇摇头道。
For some reason, as he spoke this sentence, a shadow seemed to pass through Ruo Mu Dao Ren's eyes.
xiǔ mù dào yǒu fā chū yīn chén de xiào shēng ， bù yǐ wéi yì ：「 míng zì bù guò shì zhǒng dài hào 。 shí guāng liú zhuǎn ， shì jiān shēng líng huàn le yī chá yòu yī chá ， duì yú tā de chēng hū yě shì bù duàn zài biàn 。」
朽木道友发出阴沉的笑声，不以为意：「名字不过是种代号。时光流转，世间生灵换了一茬又一茬，对于它的称呼也是不断在变。」
Li Fan agreed, "While that may be true, times have changed."
「 dàn què bú huì duì tā de cún zài chǎn shēng rèn hé yǐng xiǎng 。」
「但却不会对它的存在产生任何影响。」
---
bù zhī wèi hé ， shuō dào cǐ jù de tóng shí ， xiǔ mù dào rén de yǎn zhōng shì shì shǎn guò yī sī yīn mái 。
不知为何，说到此句的同时，朽木道人的眼中似是闪过一丝阴霾。
Every moment here triggered numerous images in Li Fan's mind.
lǐ fán què zàn tóng dào ：「 huà suī rú cǐ ， què yě jīn shí bù bǐ wǎng rì 。」
李凡却赞同道：「话虽如此，却也今时不比往日。」
He naturally knew much related information.
zài zhè lǐ tíng liú de měi yí gè shùn jiān ， dū huì yǒu xǔ duō huà miàn zì fā de zuān jìn lǐ fán de nǎo hǎi zhōng 。
在这里停留的每一个瞬间，都会有许多画面自发的钻进李凡的脑海中。
With a wistful expression, he recited: "The earth gives birth to spirits; Ruo Mu cuts their lifespan. It draws life to prolong existence, and eating it can lead to immortality."
yú shì lǐ fán zì rán ér rán de ， jiù zhī dào le zhū duō xiāng guān de xìn xī 。
于是李凡自然而然的，就知道了诸多相关的信息。
Ruo Mu Dao Ren's cloudy eyes moved slightly in response to Li Fan's words, revealing a glimmer.
tā miàn lù yī sī miǎn huái zhī sè ， zì gù zì dé yín dào ：「 tiān dì dàn shēng líng ， ruò mù xuē qí shòu 。 jí mìng yǎn shòu guǒ ， fú zhī kě cháng shēng 。」
他面露一丝缅怀之色，自顾自得吟道：「天地诞生灵，若木削其寿。汲命衍寿果，服之可长生。」
After long periods of silence, they continued talking.
xiǔ mù dào rén hùn zhuó de yǎn zhū zhōng ， zài tīng dào lǐ fán kǒu zhōng suǒ shuō zhī shī jù hòu ， yě shì wēi wēi zhuǎn dòng ， fàn chū yī sī guāng zé 。
朽木道人混浊的眼珠中，在听到李凡口中所说之诗句后，也是微微转动，泛出一丝光泽。
"Friend Daoist Yu, you truly have great wisdom!" Ruo Mu Dao Ren suddenly sighed.
yì zhí chén mò le xǔ jiǔ ， liǎng rén fāng cái jì xù kāi shǐ le jiāo tán 。
一直沉默了许久，两人方才继续开始了交谈。
"Among the countless cultivators who've visited here before, few can change their thoughts so quickly."
「 yú dào yǒu ， nǐ dí què shì yǒu dà huì gēn zhī rén a ！」 xiǔ mù dào rén hū de cháng tàn yī shēng dào 。
「于道友，你的确是有大慧根之人啊！」朽木道人忽的长叹一声道。
Li Fan narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice: "It's not because I'm wise; they are simply foolish."
「 guò wǎng lái zhè cān guān guò de xiū shì chéng qiān shàng wàn ， dàn xiàng dào yǒu zhè bān sī xiǎng zhuǎn huàn rú cǐ xùn sù de ， hái zhēn shì jí wéi hǎn jiàn nà 。」
「过往来这参观过的修士成千上万，但像道友这般思想转换如此迅速的，还真是极为罕见那。」
"What makes these cultivators any different from other living beings?"
lǐ fán zé shì yǎn shén wēi mī ， chén shēng dào
李凡则是眼神微眯，沉声道
"Fruits come from trees; honey comes from flowers. Animals give birth to live young; birds lay eggs."
：「 fēi shì wǒ yǒu huì gēn ， ér shì tā men běn jiù yú mèi 。」
：「非是我有慧根，而是他们本就愚昧。」
"People take them for food, considering it normal. Why is it so hard to accept when the roles are reversed?"
「 cǐ jiān xiū shì ， yòu gēn qí tā shēng líng yǒu hé běn zhì shàng de qū bié ？」
「此间修士，又跟其他生灵有何本质上的区别？」
"Do you really think you're a spirit of the earth or ruler of all things?"
「 shù yǒu guǒ ， huā yǒu mì 。 shòu shēng tāi ， qín xià dàn 。」
「树有果，花有蜜。兽生胎，禽下蛋。」
Li Fan sneered.
「 rén men qǔ qí shí zhī ， jiē yǐ wéi xún cháng zhī shì 。 wèi hé bèi qǔ zhī rén huàn zuò zì jǐ ， jiù fēi yào nán yǐ jiē shòu ne ？」
「人们取其食之，皆以为寻常之事。为何被取之人换做自己，就非要难以接受呢？」
Ruo Mu Dao Ren's prepared response was preempted by Li Fan's words, leaving him momentarily speechless.
「 hái zhēn yǐ wéi zì jǐ shì tiān dì zhī líng 、 wàn wù zhǔ zǎi bù chéng ？」
「还真以为自己是天地之灵、万物主宰不成？」
"It’s just survival of the fittest."
lǐ fán lěng hēng dào 。
李凡冷哼道。
"Feeling this now is satisfying. If someone were to eat me someday, don't complain!"
xiǔ mù dào rén yuán běn zhǔn bèi hǎo de shuō cí ， jìng rán yǒu xiē qiǎng xiān bèi duì fāng shuō le ， yī shí jiān yǒu xiē yǎ rán 。
朽木道人原本准备好的说辞，竟然有些抢先被对方说了，一时间有些哑然。
"The heavens are fair; retribution never fails!"
「 wǒ kàn ， bù guò ruò ròu qiáng shí sì zì ér yǐ 。」
「我看，不过弱肉强食四字而已。」
Li Fan nodded and seemed deeply immersed in his thoughts.
「 rú jīn tūn shí ， zhǐ jué tòng kuài 。 yǒu zhāo yī rì bèi rén shí ， bú yào bào yuàn jiù shì 。 tiān dào hǎo huán ， bào yìng bù shuǎng ！」
「如今吞食，只觉痛快。有朝一日被人食，不要抱怨就是。天道好还，报应不爽！」
Ruo Mu Dao Ren stared at Li Fan for a moment before realizing something.
lǐ fán yáo tóu huàng nǎo ， pǒ wèi chén jìn dào 。
李凡摇头晃脑，颇为沉浸道。
"Originally, you didn’t change your mind; it was always like this."
xiǔ mù dào rén dīng zhe lǐ fán kàn le huì ， hū de míng bái guò lái 。
朽木道人盯着李凡看了会，忽的明白过来。
"A pity, a pity!"
「 yuán lái bú shì gǎi biàn le guān niàn ， ér shì běn jiù zhè me xiǎng de 。」
「原来不是改变了观念，而是本就这么想的。」
Ruo Mu Dao Ren shook his head slightly.
「 kě xī ， kě xī a ！」
「可惜，可惜啊！」
But Li Fan ignored him as if he hadn't heard anything, still staring at the withered Ruo Mu tree as if there were something deeply intriguing about it.
xiǔ mù dào rén wēi wēi yáo tóu 。
朽木道人微微摇头。
"An anomaly among cultivators..." Ruo Mu Dao Ren frowned, seemingly lost in thought.
ér lǐ fán què zhǐ shì zhì ruò wǎng wén ， gēn běn méi yǒu tīng dào lǎo zhě de huà yī yàng 。
而李凡却只是置若罔闻，根本没有听到老者的话一样。
"Cough... cough..."
réng rán dīng zhuó yǎn qián zhè kē kū wěi de ruò mù ， fǎng fú zhè qí zhōng yǒu shén me zài shēn shēn xī yǐn zhe tā 。
仍然盯着眼前这颗枯萎的若木，仿佛这其中有什么在深深吸引着他。
He suddenly began to cough violently, green blood trickling from his mouth.
「 bù guò xiū shì zhōng jū rán dàn shēng le rú cǐ yì lèi ……」 xiǔ mù dào rén méi tóu wēi zhòu ， sì hū zài xiǎng xiē shén me 。
「不过修士中居然诞生了如此异类……」朽木道人眉头微皱，似乎在想些什么。
The withered Ruo Mu tree swayed without wind, countless dry leaves falling.
「 hāi hāi ……」
「咳咳……」
"A good death! A good death!"
tā hū de fā chū yī zhèn jù liè de ké sòu shēng ， zuǐ jiǎo yǐn yuē dōu néng kàn jiàn lǜ sè zhī xuè liú chū 。
他忽的发出一阵剧烈的咳嗽声，嘴角隐约都能看见绿色之血流出。
Ruo Mu Dao Ren's face suddenly contorted into a grimace as he laughed wildly: "Indeed, the heavens are fair; evil people have their own grinders!"
tóu dǐng ruò mù yě shì wú fēng zì dòng ， wú shù kū yè suí zhī piāo luò 。
头顶若木也是无风自动，无数枯叶随之飘落。
---
「 hǎo sǐ ， hǎo sǐ ！」
「好死，好死！」
"This child is useless here. Return him to cause trouble!"
bù zhī kàn dào le shén me chǎng jǐng ， xiǔ mù dào rén de liǎn shàng hū de shǎn guò yī sī zhēng níng 。
不知看到了什么场景，朽木道人的脸上忽的闪过一丝狰狞。
"Retribution, everything is retribution!"
jì ér fàng sì dì dà xiào qǐ lái ：「 guǒ zhēn shì tiān dào hǎo huán ， è rén gèng yǒu è rén mó ！」
继而放肆地大笑起来：「果真是天道好还，恶人更有恶人磨！」
...
「 cǐ zi liú zài wǒ zhè lǐ fǎn dào shì wú yòng ， bù rú hái huí qù huò hài ！」
「此子留在我这里反倒是无用，不如还回去祸害！」
After going mad for some time, Ruo Mu Dao Ren gradually calmed down.
「 bào yìng ， yī qiè dōu shì bào yìng ！」
「报应，一切都是报应！」
He returned to his usual demeanor when meeting Li Fan outside.
……
……
"Friend Daoist Yu, after seeing it in person, you must have a good idea of our product quality."
diān kuáng le xǔ jiǔ ， xiǔ mù dào rén zhú jiàn huī fù le píng jìng 。
癫狂了许久，朽木道人逐渐恢复了平静。
"Can we continue the previous transaction?" He asked with a twisted smile.
yòu biàn dé gēn lǐ fán zài wài jiè huì miàn shí de yī yàng 。
又变得跟李凡在外界会面时的一样。
"Transaction?" Li Fan turned around, dazed.
「 yú dào yǒu ， jì rán yǐ jīng shí dì kàn guò ， xiǎng bì nǐ duì wǒ men de chǎn pǐn zhì liàng rú hé ， xīn lǐ yě yǒu gè shù le 。」
「于道友，既然已经实地看过，想必你对我们的产品质量如何，心里也有个数了。」
"Oh, that matter! No rush!" He waved his hand and surprisingly rejected the offer.
「 zhī qián de jiāo yì ， kě yǐ jì xù le ba 。」 tā guài xiào zhe wèn dào 。
「之前的交易，可以继续了吧。」他怪笑着问道。
"Hahaha..."
「 jiāo yì ？」 lǐ fán zhuǎn guò tóu lái ， yī zhèn huǎng hū 。
「交易？」李凡转过头来，一阵恍忽。
Ruo Mu Dao Ren let out an unpleasant laugh: "Though this place is good, it's not where you should be."
「 ó ， nà jiàn shì a ！ bù jí ！」 tā bǎi le bǎi shǒu ， jìng rán zhǔ dòng jù jué le zhè ge tí yì 。
「哦，那件事啊！不急！」他摆了摆手，竟然主动拒绝了这个提议。
"I think the Yellow-White World outside would suit you better."
「 jié jié ……」
「桀桀……」
Just as Li Fan was about to object, Ruo Mu Dao Ren grabbed his shoulder.
xiǔ mù dào rén zài dù fā chū nán tīng de xiào shēng ：「 zhè lǐ suī hǎo ， què bú shì nǐ gāi dài de dì fāng 。」
朽木道人再度发出难听的笑声：「这里虽好，却不是你该待的地方。」
Gray fog emerged from beneath his feet and began to envelop him again.
「 wài miàn de xuán huáng jiè ， wǒ kàn cái gèng shì hé nǐ 。」
「外面的玄黄界，我看才更适合你。」
"Why are you so eager to send me away?" Li Fan asked anxiously.
lǐ fán zhèng yù fǎn bó ， què bèi xiǔ mù dào rén yī bǎ zhuā zhù jiān bǎng 。
李凡正欲反驳，却被朽木道人一把抓住肩膀。
Ruo Mu Dao Ren smiled coldly but didn't answer.
gǔn gǔn huī wù zì jiǎo dǐ yǒng xiàn ， yǎn kàn jiù yào chóng xīn bǎ tā bāo wéi 。
滚滚灰雾自脚底涌现，眼看就要重新把他包围。
"You wanted a Golden Core, right? I'll give it to you for free!"
「 dào yǒu wèi hé zhè me zhe jí gǎn wǒ zǒu a ？」 lǐ fán jí dào 。
「道友为何这么着急赶我走啊？」李凡急道。
The gray fog completely blocked his vision. Li Fan heard Ruo Mu Dao Ren whisper in his ear.
xiǔ mù shěn rán yī xiào ， méi yǒu dá huà 。
朽木哂然一笑，没有答话。
A moment later, he stumbled and found himself back in the lecture hall's courtyard of Heavenly Spirit State.
「 nǐ yào jīn dān shì ba ， suǒ xìng hǎo rén zuò dào dǐ ， zhè cì wǒ jiù miǎn fèi sòng nǐ xiē ！」
「你要金丹是吧，索性好人做到底，这次我就免费送你些！」
Ruo Mu Dao Ren, [Guanhuan Hengheng Yuan], and all the cultivators hanging from branches had vanished instantly.
huī wù chè dǐ zhē bì le shì xiàn ， lǐ fán yǐn yuē tīng dào xiǔ mù dào rén zài ěr biān rú cǐ shuō dào 。
灰雾彻底遮蔽了视线，李凡隐约听到朽木道人在耳边如此说道。
Everything seemed like a hallucination to Li Fan, except for a withered branch on the table that proved something.
yǎn qián yī huā ， lǐ fán yí gè liàng qiàng ， chóng xīn huí dào le tiān líng zhōu lùn dào lóu bié yuàn zhōng 。
眼前一花，李凡一个踉跄，重新回到了天灵州论道楼别院中。
Without Ruo Mu's influence, Li Fan regained his normal thoughts.
xiǔ mù dào rén 、【 gèn huán huán héng yuán 】， yǐ jí nà wú shù bèi guà zài zhī tóu de xiū shì ， qǐng kè jiān jiù yǐ jīng xiāo shī bú jiàn 。
朽木道人、【亘洹桓恒垣】，以及那无数被挂在枝头的修士，顷刻间就已经消失不见。
Recalling his encounter, he felt as if he was in winter again.
yī qiè dōu fǎng fú zhǐ shì lǐ fán de huàn jué yì bān 。
一切都仿佛只是李凡的幻觉一般。
He tried to suppress his fear and maintain composure, fearing Ruo Mu Dao Ren might still be watching him.
zhǐ shì zhuō shàng jìng jìng bǎi fàng zhe de yī gēn kū huáng shù zhī ， zài zhèng míng zhe shén me 。
只是桌上静静摆放着的一根枯黄树枝，在证明着什么。
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méi yǒu le ruò mù de yǐng xiǎng ， lǐ fán yǐ jīng huī fù le zhèng cháng de sī xù 。
没有了若木的影响，李凡已经恢复了正常的思绪。
Free Reading.
A gentle breeze blew, carrying a faint stench of decay in the air.
Dry leaves rustled, occasionally falling from tree branches only to vanish before they hit the ground.
Li Fan clearly saw that the faces on the leaves were twisted and painful expressions.
By common sense, anyone witnessing such an eerie scene would likely feel some degree of shock or fear.
But for Li Fan at this moment, the place known as [Human Savoring] was indescribably beautiful.
He took a deep breath; the stench filled his lungs, but it felt sweet. He greedily inhaled more.
Examining the cultivators on the trees, he noticed that their eyes were pitch black and they wore strange smiles.
Their hair and branches intertwined like ropes hanging them up.
Some still had intact clothing, while others appeared to have been hung for a long time, with tattered garments.
Decaying branches wrapped around their bodies, concealing parts of them as they sank deep into the flesh.
"Brilliant! Simply brilliant!"
Without Ruo Mu Dao Ren's introduction, Li Fan already understood everything happening here upon entering [Human Savoring].
Instead of feeling alarmed or fearful, he clapped and praised it enthusiastically.
His tone even contained a hint of envy, as if all cultivators should be hung on branches.
Being pierced by this withered tree was unimaginably glorious!
"Friend Daoist Yu, I believe my words were true?" Ruo Mu Dao Ren seemed to grow weaker, coughing for a long time before recovering and asking.
"Indeed, friend Daoist!" Li Fan nodded in agreement.
"This is truly a great creation! What should we call this tree?" He stared intently at the withered giant tree, his eyes filled with fascination.
"It was originally called [Ruo Mu], but now..." Ruo Mu Dao Ren also looked up, his expression strange.
"Call it [Guanhuan Hengheng Yuan]."
This was a mouthful to say, but Li Fan understood its meaning the moment Ruo Mu Dao Ren spoke it.
"From time immemorial, it has existed and will continue to exist forever. Standing above the river of life like a wall reaching the sky."
"Not good, I still prefer its original name." Li Fan shook his head.
Ruo Mu Dao Ren chuckled darkly, unbothered: "A name is just a code. Time flows, generations of living beings change, and so do their names."
"But it doesn't affect its existence in any way."
For some reason, as he spoke this sentence, a shadow seemed to pass through Ruo Mu Dao Ren's eyes.
Li Fan agreed, "While that may be true, times have changed."
---
Every moment here triggered numerous images in Li Fan's mind.
He naturally knew much related information.
With a wistful expression, he recited: "The earth gives birth to spirits; Ruo Mu cuts their lifespan. It draws life to prolong existence, and eating it can lead to immortality."
Ruo Mu Dao Ren's cloudy eyes moved slightly in response to Li Fan's words, revealing a glimmer.
After long periods of silence, they continued talking.
"Friend Daoist Yu, you truly have great wisdom!" Ruo Mu Dao Ren suddenly sighed.
"Among the countless cultivators who've visited here before, few can change their thoughts so quickly."
Li Fan narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice: "It's not because I'm wise; they are simply foolish."
"What makes these cultivators any different from other living beings?"
"Fruits come from trees; honey comes from flowers. Animals give birth to live young; birds lay eggs."
"People take them for food, considering it normal. Why is it so hard to accept when the roles are reversed?"
"Do you really think you're a spirit of the earth or ruler of all things?"
Li Fan sneered.
Ruo Mu Dao Ren's prepared response was preempted by Li Fan's words, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"It’s just survival of the fittest."
"Feeling this now is satisfying. If someone were to eat me someday, don't complain!"
"The heavens are fair; retribution never fails!"
Li Fan nodded and seemed deeply immersed in his thoughts.
Ruo Mu Dao Ren stared at Li Fan for a moment before realizing something.
"Originally, you didn’t change your mind; it was always like this."
"A pity, a pity!"
Ruo Mu Dao Ren shook his head slightly.
But Li Fan ignored him as if he hadn't heard anything, still staring at the withered Ruo Mu tree as if there were something deeply intriguing about it.
"An anomaly among cultivators..." Ruo Mu Dao Ren frowned, seemingly lost in thought.
"Cough... cough..."
He suddenly began to cough violently, green blood trickling from his mouth.
The withered Ruo Mu tree swayed without wind, countless dry leaves falling.
"A good death! A good death!"
Ruo Mu Dao Ren's face suddenly contorted into a grimace as he laughed wildly: "Indeed, the heavens are fair; evil people have their own grinders!"
---
"This child is useless here. Return him to cause trouble!"
"Retribution, everything is retribution!"
...
After going mad for some time, Ruo Mu Dao Ren gradually calmed down.
He returned to his usual demeanor when meeting Li Fan outside.
"Friend Daoist Yu, after seeing it in person, you must have a good idea of our product quality."
"Can we continue the previous transaction?" He asked with a twisted smile.
"Transaction?" Li Fan turned around, dazed.
"Oh, that matter! No rush!" He waved his hand and surprisingly rejected the offer.
"Hahaha..."
Ruo Mu Dao Ren let out an unpleasant laugh: "Though this place is good, it's not where you should be."
"I think the Yellow-White World outside would suit you better."
Just as Li Fan was about to object, Ruo Mu Dao Ren grabbed his shoulder.
Gray fog emerged from beneath his feet and began to envelop him again.
"Why are you so eager to send me away?" Li Fan asked anxiously.
Ruo Mu Dao Ren smiled coldly but didn't answer.
"You wanted a Golden Core, right? I'll give it to you for free!"
The gray fog completely blocked his vision. Li Fan heard Ruo Mu Dao Ren whisper in his ear.
A moment later, he stumbled and found himself back in the lecture hall's courtyard of Heavenly Spirit State.
Ruo Mu Dao Ren, [Guanhuan Hengheng Yuan], and all the cultivators hanging from branches had vanished instantly.
Everything seemed like a hallucination to Li Fan, except for a withered branch on the table that proved something.
Without Ruo Mu's influence, Li Fan regained his normal thoughts.
Recalling his encounter, he felt as if he was in winter again.
He tried to suppress his fear and maintain composure, fearing Ruo Mu Dao Ren might still be watching him.
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Free Reading.