cóng yún hǎi dǐ ， shù tiáo zhòng yào dì mài jiāo huì zhī chù 。
丛云海底，数条重要地脉交汇之处。
At the bottom of Cunyun Sea, where several important underground veins intersected.
dì mài zhī lì bēn téng xiōng yǒng ， sì hū bǐ qǐ yǐ wǎng yào bào zào xǔ duō 。
地脉之力奔腾汹涌，似乎比起以往要暴躁许多。
The power from these veins surged and roared, seemingly more turbulent than before.
jiè zhù zhè gǔ lì liàng ， lǐ fán bù xià le 【 dì huǒ guī yuán zhèn 】 hòu ， jiāng ān jìng de tiān yáng fàng zhì zài zhèn fǎ zhōng yāng 。
借助这股力量，李凡布下了【地火归元阵】后，将安静的天阳放置在阵法中央。
Taking advantage of this force, Li Fan set up the [Earth Fire Return Array] and placed the tranquil Tianyang in its center. He then sequentially added various materials such as "Eternal Calamity Golden Essence," "Celestial Light Crystal Stone," and "Purple Spirit Crystal Marrow" into the array.
zài zhú yī jiāng “ yǒng jié jīng jīn ”、“ hào tiān jīng shí ”、“ zǐ líng jīng suǐ ” děng zhū duō cái liào tóu rù zhèn zhōng 。
再逐一将“永劫精金”、“皓天晶石”、“紫灵晶髓”等诸多材料投入阵中。
It was like a giant furnace, where the intense heat of the earth fire began to fuse these materials with Tianyang's puppet body.
hǎo sì yí gè jù dà de róng lú ， zài sàn fà zhe chì rè guāng máng de dì huǒ zhī lì róng zhù xià ， zhè xiē cái liào màn màn hé tiān yáng de kuǐ lěi shēn qū jìn xíng róng hé 。
好似一个巨大的熔炉，在散发着炽热光芒的地火之力熔铸下，这些材料慢慢和天阳的傀儡身躯进行融合。
During the countless years when Tianyang was in deep slumber, it was this very array that allowed him to break through his own limits and ascend from mere Foundation Establishment realm to become an Immortal Fairy King.
tiān yáng xiàn rù chén shuì de wú shù nián jiān ， zhèng shì kào zhe zhè ge zhèn fǎ ， tā cái yóu qū qū zhù jī xiū wèi 、 tū pò zì shēn jí xiàn ， yì zhí jìn shēng chéng wéi huà shén xiān jūn 。
天阳陷入沉睡的无数年间，正是靠着这个阵法，他才由区区筑基修为、突破自身极限，一直晋升成为化神仙君。
However, due to the fact that the Dao of Body Transformation he inherited back then was just a minor sect, even if Tianyang had taken over all its assets, their financial resources were limited.
bù guò yóu yú dāng nián de shēn huà dào bù guò shì gè bù rù liú de zōng mén ， jiù suàn tiān yáng jì chéng le shēn huà dào de quán bù yí chǎn ， yě shì cái lì yǒu xiàn 。
不过由于当年的身化道不过是个不入流的宗门，就算天阳继承了身化道的全部遗产，也是财力有限。
Over thousands of years, achieving the Transcendent Realm was already his limit.
shù qiān nián yōu yōu shí guāng ， chéng jiù huà shén zhī jìng ， yǐ jīng shì tā de jí xiàn le 。
数千年悠悠时光，成就化神之境，已经是他的极限了。
Moreover, the strength of the puppet body was constrained by the inherent limitations of the materials used, with a low upper bound. While it performed well in contests against peers, attempting to kill enemies from other realms like true prodigies was extremely difficult.
ér kuǐ lěi de shēn qū qiáng dù gèng shì shòu dào cái liào de xiān tiān zhì yuē ， shàng xiàn bù gāo 。 gēn tóng jìng jiè bǐ dòu shí hái hǎo ， xiǎng yào xiàng zhēn zhèng tiān jiāo nà bān kuà jìng jiè shā dí ， zé shì wàn fēn miǎn qiǎng le 。
而傀儡的身躯强度更是受到材料的先天制约，上限不高。跟同境界比斗时还好，想要像真正天骄那般跨境界杀敌，则是万分勉强了。
However, under Li Fan's assistance, all this would change.
bù guò ， zài rú jīn lǐ fán de zhù lì xià ， zhè yī qiè dōu jiāng chè dǐ gǎi biàn 。
不过，在如今李凡的助力下，这一切都将彻底改变。
With so many precious treasures poured into the array, even just creating a simple puppet could rival ordinary Dao Companions in battle.
zhè me duō tiān cái dì bǎo zá xià qù ， nǎ pà zhǐ shì dǎ zào chū dān chún de kuǐ lěi ， yě zú yǐ gēn xún cháng de hé dào xiū shì dòu shàng yī dòu 。
这么多天材地宝砸下去，哪怕只是打造出单纯的傀儡，也足以跟寻常的合道修士斗上一斗。
Furthermore, with Tianyang's indomitable spirit and willpower, he might survive against Mo Shā, that ultimate cosmic soul.
zài jiā shàng tiān yáng nà bù qū de jīng shén yì zhì ， wèi bì bù néng zài mò shā zhè yī jiū jí tiān dì zhī pò shǒu shàng cún huó xià lái 。
再加上天阳那不屈的精神意志，未必不能在墨杀这一究极天地之魄手上存活下来。
Li Fan’s youthful eyes reflected the intense glow of the [Earth Fire Return Array] as he stood there for several days, noticing a slight delay compared to his expectations.
lǐ fán de tóng kǒng zhōng yìng zhào chū 【 dì huǒ guī yuán zhèn 】 de xióng xióng guāng máng ， chù lì guān chá le jǐ rì ， fā xiàn jìn dù bǐ qǐ yù xiǎng zhōng de yào màn le nà me jǐ fēn 。
李凡的童孔中映照出【地火归元阵】的熊熊光芒，矗立观察了几日，发现进度比起预想中的要慢了那么几分。
"Little junior brother, let me add some fuel."
“ xiǎo shī dì ， shī xiōng zài gěi nǐ jiā bǎ huǒ 。”
“小师弟，师兄再给你加把火。”
With this, Li Fan threw in numerous top-grade spirit stones imbued with pure spiritual energy.
shuō bà ， yī duī yòu yī duī yùn hán zhe jù liàng jīng chún líng qì de jí pǐn líng shí ， bèi lǐ fán tóu rù zhèn zhōng 。
说罢，一堆又一堆蕴含着巨量精纯灵气的极品灵石，被李凡投入阵中。
Like dry wood meeting fierce fire or strong wind, the array's efficiency doubled almost immediately.
rú gān chái yù liè huǒ ， rú liè huǒ yù dōng fēng 。
如干柴遇烈火，如烈火遇东风。
Li Fan stared at Tianyang within the array, his gaze deep and contemplative.
jī hū shì lì gān jiàn yǐng ， dì huǒ guī yuán zhèn de yùn zhuàn xiào lǜ shùn jiān bǐ zhī qián gāo le yí bèi yǐ shàng 。
几乎是立竿见影，地火归元阵的运转效率瞬间比之前高了一倍以上。
---
lǐ fán zé shì dīng zhe zhèn fǎ zhōng de tiān yáng ， mù guāng yōu yōu 。
李凡则是盯着阵法中的天阳，目光幽幽。
Ten days passed quickly.
-----------------
-----------------
Soon, the friendly exchange event in Tianling State began. To prevent any unforeseen incidents, the entire state was sealed off, including all teleportation arrays, to keep out idle spectators.
shí tiān shí jiān ， cōng cōng ér guò 。
十天时间，匆匆而过。
Thus, the opening ceremony and mutual display of "world-defending supreme artifacts" were beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
hěn kuài ， tiān líng zhōu de yǒu hǎo jiāo liú huì jiù lā kāi le xù mù 。
很快，天灵州的友好交流会就拉开了序幕。
A world-defending supreme artifact referred to powerful magical treasures that could sway the course of war between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association.
wèi le fáng zhǐ yì wài qíng kuàng fā shēng ， cǐ shí de tiān líng zhōu yǐ jīng quán jìng quán bèi fēng suǒ ， jiù lián yī qiè chuán sòng fǎ zhèn dōu shī qù le xiào yòng 。 bù ràng xián zá rén děng rù nèi dǎ rǎo 。
为了防止意外情况发生，此时的天灵州已经全境全被封锁，就连一切传送法阵都失去了效用。不让闲杂人等入内打扰。
According to rumors, each side displayed one such artifact. Those who saw them were all shocked by their terrifying power, which made them reconsider any further conflicts. However, due to confidentiality requirements, they couldn't reveal more about these artifacts' specific effects, leaving everyone eager for details.
yú shì kāi mù yí shì yǐ jí “ zhèn shì jué qì ” de xiāng hù zhǎn chū ， xún cháng xiū shì què shì wú yuán qīn yǎn dé jiàn le 。
于是开幕仪式以及“镇世绝器”的相互展出，寻常修士却是无缘亲眼得见了。
The day after the opening ceremony, the much-anticipated competition phase began.
suǒ wèi “ zhèn shì jué qì ”， jiù shì wàn xiān méng yǐ jí wǔ lǎo huì duì yú nà xiē néng gòu yǐng xiǎng shuāng fāng zhī jiān zhàn zhēng zǒu xiàng de 、 wēi lì chāo jué de qiáng dà fǎ bǎo de tǒng chēng 。
所谓“镇世绝器”，就是万仙盟以及五老会对于那些能够影响双方之间战争走向的、威力超绝的强大法宝的统称。
---
jù xiǎo dào xiāo xī liú chuán ， cǐ cì shuāng fāng gè zì zhǎn chū le yī jiàn zhèn shì jué qì 。 fán kàn guò zhī rén ， quán dōu zhèn jīng yú tā men suǒ néng zhǎn xiàn chū de kě bù lì liàng 。 wú bù dǎ xiāo le zài qǐ zhēng duān de niàn tou 。 bù guò yīn wèi bǎo mì xìng de yāo qiú ， duì yú zhè liǎng jiàn zhèn shì jué qì de jù tǐ gōng xiào ， què bù néng duō shuō 。
据小道消息流传，此次双方各自展出了一件镇世绝器。凡看过之人，全都震惊于它们所能展现出的可怖力量。无不打消了再启争端的念头。不过因为保密性的要求，对于这两件镇世绝器的具体功效，却不能多说。
Dharma, martial arts, weapons; formations, elixirs, talismans.
zhǐ yǐn dé zhòng rén xīn lǐ zhí yǎng yǎng 。
只引得众人心里直痒痒。
Each day featured a single event, with three prodigies from each side competing.
kāi mù huì hòu de dì èr tiān ， wàn zhòng zhǔ mù dì bǐ shì jiē duàn ， jiù zhèng shì kāi shǐ le 。
开幕会后的第二天，万众瞩目的比试阶段，就正式开始了。
First up was the [Martial Combat], which attracted the most attention.
dào 、 wǔ 、 qì ， zhèn 、 dān 、 fú 。
道、武、器，阵、丹、符。
Now, countless cultivators in Tianling State watched through the Sky Viewing Mirrors as the first representative stepped onto the stage.
měi tiān zhǐ jǔ bàn yí gè xiàng mù ， wàn xiān méng yǔ wǔ lǎo huì gè zì pài chū sān wèi tiān jiāo jìn xíng bǐ shì 。
每天只举办一个项目，万仙盟与五老会各自派出三位天骄进行比试。
The youth looked to be around ten years old, gender indeterminable. He wore a white robe and had a red ribbon tied in his hair, looking exceptionally handsome.
shǒu xiān jìn xíng de ， yě shì zuì xī yǐn rén yǎn qiú de 【 wǔ zhī dòu 】。
首先进行的，也是最吸引人眼球的【武之斗】。
A corresponding description appeared on the viewing mirrors.
cǐ kè ， wàn xiān méng shàng xià wú shù xiū shì ， tōng guò tiān líng guān jǐng jìng ， kàn dào le dì yī wèi dài biǎo de dēng cháng 。
此刻，万仙盟上下无数修士，通过天灵观景镜，看到了第一位代表的登场。
"Sixth Wu."
guān qí yàng mào ， bù guò shí lái suì de shào nián ， fēn bù qīng nán nǚ 。 shēn chuān yī xí bái yī ， tóu zhā hóng sè piāo dài ， kàn shàng qù jùn qiào fēi fán 。
观其样貌，不过十来岁的少年，分不清男女。身穿一袭白衣，头扎红色飘带，看上去俊俏非凡。
This was the name of this young man.
xiāng yìng de shuō míng yě qià shí fú xiàn zài guān jǐng jìng shàng 。
相应的说明也恰时浮现在观景镜上。
Instantly, cultivators murmured in surprise.
“ dì lù wǔ 。”
“第陆武。”
The delegation from the Five Elders Association also looked displeased.
zhè jiù shì yǎn qián zhè wèi shào nián de míng zì 。
这就是眼前这位少年的名字。
"What does that mean? Sending such a child to represent us at such an important event?"
yī shí jiān ， xiū shì fēn fēn huá rán 。
一时间，修士纷纷哗然。
"Do they think we have no one else?"
ér wǔ lǎo huì nà biān de dài biǎo tuán ， yī shí jiān yě shì liǎn sè nán kàn 。
而五老会那边的代表团，一时间也是脸色难看。
...
“ shén me yì si ？ zhè me zhòng yào de chǎng hé ， jiù pài yí gè xiǎo máo hái shàng lái ？”
“什么意思？这么重要的场合，就派一个小毛孩上来？”
The present cultivators were all of high cultivation levels and could easily tell that Sixth Wu was not maintaining his youthful form as he grew. He was indeed under ten years old.
“ dàng zhēn qī wǒ wǔ lǎo huì wú rén bù chéng ？”
“当真欺我五老会无人不成？”
No matter how talented, what could he possibly achieve in so little time?
……
……
The cultivators from the Five Elders Association looked extremely displeased. A young man in a green robe stepped forward, looking indignant and with murderous intent.
zài chǎng xiū shì quán dōu xiū wèi bù fán ， tā men zì rán néng kàn chū ， zhè wèi jiào zuò dì lù wǔ de shào nián ， bú shì chéng nián hòu wéi chí le yòu shí tǐ xíng 。 ér shì de dí què què bù mǎn shí suì de yàng zi 。
在场修士全都修为不凡，他们自然能看出，这位叫做第陆武的少年，不是成年后维持了幼时体型。而是的的确确不满十岁的样子。
"Gu Zhi, don't be careless!"
jiù suàn zài zěn me tiān cái ， zhǐ huó le zhè me diǎn shí jiān ， yòu néng qiáng dào nǎ lǐ qù ？
就算再怎么天才，只活了这么点时间，又能强到哪里去？
A woman who appeared to be a village farmer suddenly shouted among the Five Elders Association members.
wǔ lǎo huì nà biān xiū shì liǎn sè quán dōu yīn chén zhì jí ， dāng xià jiù yǒu yī wèi chí jiàn qīng shān shào nián chū liè ， fèn fèn bù píng 、 yǎn dài shā yì 。
五老会那边修士脸色全都阴沉至极，当下就有一位持剑青衫少年出列，愤愤不平、眼带杀意。
This middle-aged woman seemed to have some special status as the green-robed youth named Xu Guzhi solemnly nodded.
“ gù zhī ， bù kě dà yì ！”
“顾之，不可大意！”
He then floated over to Sixth Wu.
wǔ lǎo huì xiū shì zhōng ， yī wèi kàn shàng qù gēn shān cūn nóng fù bān wú yì de dà mā ， hū de hǎn dào 。
五老会修士中，一位看上去跟山村农妇般无异的大妈，忽的喊道。
"Let's exchange blows!" Xu Guzhi narrowed his eyes, pointing his sword at Sixth Wu.
zhè wèi zhōng nián fù nǚ de shēn fèn sì hū jí wéi tè shū ， míng jiào xú gù zhī de qīng yī shào nián zhèng zhòng de diǎn le diǎn tóu 。
这位中年妇女的身份似乎极为特殊，名叫徐顾之的青衣少年郑重的点了点头。
The battle was about to begin. The Sky Viewing Mirrors showed their respective information.
suí hòu cái piāo rán lái dào dì lù wǔ miàn qián 。
随后才飘然来到第陆武面前。
Both were Transcendent Realm peak cultivators: Sixth Wu nine years old, and Xu Guzhi fifty-six years old.
“ qǐng cì jiào ！” xú gù zhī yǎn jīng mī qǐ ， yī bǐng jiàn zhí zhǐ dì lù wǔ 。
“请赐教！”徐顾之眼睛眯起，一柄剑直指第陆武。
The world's cultivators were all shocked.
dà zhàn yī chù jí fā ， wàn xiān méng de xiū shì yě kàn dào le liǎng rén de xìn xī jiè shào 。
大战一触即发，万仙盟的修士也看到了两人的信息介绍。
"A Transcendent at just nine? I must be seeing things."
tóng yàng shì huà shén diān fēng xiū wèi ， dì lù wǔ jiǔ suì ， xú gù zhī wǔ shí liù suì 。
同样是化神巅峰修为，第陆武九岁，徐顾之五十六岁。
"Even if he started from the womb, it's impossible to progress so quickly!"
mù dǔ cǐ jǐng de tiān xià xiū shì ， fēn fēn zhèn jīng bù yǐ 。
目睹此景的天下修士，纷纷震惊不已。
"Is this real? Is Sixth Wu the fastest cultivator in history? How did he do that?"
“ jiǔ suì de huà shén ？ wǒ méi kàn cuò ba ？”
“九岁的化神？我没看错吧？”
...
“ jiù suàn cóng niáng tāi lǐ kāi shǐ xiū liàn ， yě bù kě néng zhè me kuài a ！”
“就算从娘胎里开始修炼，也不可能这么快啊！”
Before the battle began, the event sparked intense public debate. Cultivators were speculating about Sixth Wu’s background.
“ zhè shì zhēn shí cún zài de ma ？ zhè dì lù wǔ shì bú shì lì shǐ shàng xiū liàn zuì kuài de xiū shì le ？ tā shì zěn me zuò dào de ？”
“这是真实存在的嘛？这第陆武是不是历史上修炼最快的修士了？他是怎么做到的？”
Even Li Fan felt a mix of surprise and admiration.
“ xiǎng wǒ rú jīn yǐ jīng sān bǎi qī shí bā suì le ， què réng rán zài yuán yīng jìng pái huí 。 rén yǔ rén zhī jiān de chā jù ， zhēn shì ràng rén gǎn dào jué wàng 。”
“想我如今已经三百七十八岁了，却仍然在元婴境徘回。人与人之间的差距，真是让人感到绝望。”
After all, a Transcendent peak at nine was beyond normal limits.
“ hē hē ， nǐ dōu yuán yīng jìng le 。 wǒ xiǎo xiǎo de zhù jī xiū shì shuō shén me le ma ？”
“呵呵，你都元婴境了。我小小的筑基修士说什么了嘛？”
"Could it be reincarnation like Chapter Brother's method? Or perhaps the soul transfer rebirth from the Xuan Tian Sect?"
bǐ dòu hái méi kāi shǐ ， jiù yǐn bào le tiān xià yú lùn ， yī shí jiān xiū shì men yì lùn fēn fēn ， cāi cè zhè wèi dì lù wǔ de lái lì 。
比斗还没开始，就引爆了天下舆论，一时间修士们议论纷纷，猜测这位第陆武的来历。
Li Fan stared intently at Sixth Wu’s expressionless face. He suddenly felt familiar.
jiù lián lǐ fán ， yǎn zhōng dū shǎn guò yī sī jīng yàn hé chà yì 。
就连李凡，眼中都闪过一丝惊艳和诧异。
"Divine Artisan?"
wú tā ， shí zài shì jiǔ suì de huà shén diān fēng ， shí zài yǒu xiē chāo chū cháng lǐ le 。
无他，实在是九岁的化神巅峰，实在有些超出常理了。
"Is this Sixth Wu from the [Age]?"
“ nán bù chéng ， shì zhāng shī xiōng nà bān de zhuǎn shì chóng xiū zhī fǎ 。 yì huò shì ， xuán tiān jiào fǎ wáng de duó shě chóng shēng ？”
“难不成，是章师兄那般的转世重修之法。亦或是，玄天教法王的夺舍重生？”
As Li Fan pondered, Xu Guzhi moved.
“ yòu huò zhě ……”
“又或者……”
He swung his straight sword, instantly forming a massive shadow of a sword that descended from the sky.
lǐ fán sǐ sǐ dīng zhe dì lù wǔ liǎn shàng nà shǐ zhì zhōng dōu lěng mò wú bǐ de biǎo qíng ， hū de gǎn dào yǒu xiē shú xī 。
李凡死死盯着第陆武脸上那始至终都冷漠无比的表情，忽的感到有些熟悉。
"A thousand swords never cease, extending like mountains."
“ tiān shù shì ？”
“天术士？”
On the viewing mirrors, an explanation appeared simultaneously.
“ zhè dì lù wǔ ， shì lái zì 【 shí dài 】？”
“这第陆武，是来自【时代】？”
Countless giant swords surrounded Sixth Wu from all directions, pressing down on him.
jiù zài lǐ fán de cāi xiǎng zhōng ， xú gù zhī dòng le 。
就在李凡的猜想中，徐顾之动了。
There was no thunderous sound; just a continuous barrage of swords as heavy as mountains, creating unparalleled pressure.
shǒu zhōng zhí jiàn huī chū ， qǐng kè jiān huàn huà chū yī dào jù dà jiàn yǐng ， cóng tiān kōng zhōng dāng tóu yā xià 。
手中直剑挥出，顷刻间幻化出一道巨大剑影，从天空中当头压下。
In the midst of this sword storm, Sixth Wu seemed to be stunned, frozen in place and at a loss.
“ qiān jiàn bù jué ， mián yán rú shān 。”
“千剑不绝，绵延如山。”
The hearts of the cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance were suddenly gripped.
guān jǐng jìng zhōng ， shà shí tóng bù fú xiàn chū yī jù jiě shuō 。
观景镜中，霎时同步浮现出一句解说。
Just as countless giant swords were about to strike, Sixth Wu acted.
chóng chóng dié dié ， qiān wàn dào jù jiàn sì miàn bā fāng ， qí qí cháo zhe dì lù wǔ niǎn yā ér qù 。
重重叠叠，千万道巨剑四面八方，齐齐朝着第陆武碾压而去。
A silver dragon appeared like lightning, illuminating the sky.
méi yǒu shén me jīng tiān dòng dì de shēng xiǎng ， zhǐ shì dà qiǎo bù gōng de lián mián jiàn yǐng 、 shì rú shān yuè ， dài lái wú yǔ lún bǐ de yā pò gǎn 。
没有什么惊天动地的声响，只是大巧不工的连绵剑影、势如山岳，带来无与伦比的压迫感。
He quickly passed through the encircling swords before anyone could react.
ér zhòng jiàn bāo wéi zhōng de dì lù wǔ ， fǎng fú bèi xià shǎ le yì bān ， yī dòng bù dòng 、 bù zhī suǒ cuò 。
而众剑包围中的第陆武，仿佛被吓傻了一般，一动不动、不知所措。
Before any of the cultivators could process what happened, he had pierced Xu Guzhi's chest.
At the bottom of Cunyun Sea, where several important underground veins intersected.
The power from these veins surged and roared, seemingly more turbulent than before.
Taking advantage of this force, Li Fan set up the [Earth Fire Return Array] and placed the tranquil Tianyang in its center. He then sequentially added various materials such as "Eternal Calamity Golden Essence," "Celestial Light Crystal Stone," and "Purple Spirit Crystal Marrow" into the array.
It was like a giant furnace, where the intense heat of the earth fire began to fuse these materials with Tianyang's puppet body.
During the countless years when Tianyang was in deep slumber, it was this very array that allowed him to break through his own limits and ascend from mere Foundation Establishment realm to become an Immortal Fairy King.
However, due to the fact that the Dao of Body Transformation he inherited back then was just a minor sect, even if Tianyang had taken over all its assets, their financial resources were limited.
Over thousands of years, achieving the Transcendent Realm was already his limit.
Moreover, the strength of the puppet body was constrained by the inherent limitations of the materials used, with a low upper bound. While it performed well in contests against peers, attempting to kill enemies from other realms like true prodigies was extremely difficult.
However, under Li Fan's assistance, all this would change.
With so many precious treasures poured into the array, even just creating a simple puppet could rival ordinary Dao Companions in battle.
Furthermore, with Tianyang's indomitable spirit and willpower, he might survive against Mo Shā, that ultimate cosmic soul.
Li Fan’s youthful eyes reflected the intense glow of the [Earth Fire Return Array] as he stood there for several days, noticing a slight delay compared to his expectations.
"Little junior brother, let me add some fuel."
With this, Li Fan threw in numerous top-grade spirit stones imbued with pure spiritual energy.
Like dry wood meeting fierce fire or strong wind, the array's efficiency doubled almost immediately.
Li Fan stared at Tianyang within the array, his gaze deep and contemplative.
---
Ten days passed quickly.
Soon, the friendly exchange event in Tianling State began. To prevent any unforeseen incidents, the entire state was sealed off, including all teleportation arrays, to keep out idle spectators.
Thus, the opening ceremony and mutual display of "world-defending supreme artifacts" were beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
A world-defending supreme artifact referred to powerful magical treasures that could sway the course of war between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association.
According to rumors, each side displayed one such artifact. Those who saw them were all shocked by their terrifying power, which made them reconsider any further conflicts. However, due to confidentiality requirements, they couldn't reveal more about these artifacts' specific effects, leaving everyone eager for details.
The day after the opening ceremony, the much-anticipated competition phase began.
---
Dharma, martial arts, weapons; formations, elixirs, talismans.
Each day featured a single event, with three prodigies from each side competing.
First up was the [Martial Combat], which attracted the most attention.
Now, countless cultivators in Tianling State watched through the Sky Viewing Mirrors as the first representative stepped onto the stage.
The youth looked to be around ten years old, gender indeterminable. He wore a white robe and had a red ribbon tied in his hair, looking exceptionally handsome.
A corresponding description appeared on the viewing mirrors.
"Sixth Wu."
This was the name of this young man.
Instantly, cultivators murmured in surprise.
The delegation from the Five Elders Association also looked displeased.
"What does that mean? Sending such a child to represent us at such an important event?"
"Do they think we have no one else?"
...
The present cultivators were all of high cultivation levels and could easily tell that Sixth Wu was not maintaining his youthful form as he grew. He was indeed under ten years old.
No matter how talented, what could he possibly achieve in so little time?
The cultivators from the Five Elders Association looked extremely displeased. A young man in a green robe stepped forward, looking indignant and with murderous intent.
"Gu Zhi, don't be careless!"
A woman who appeared to be a village farmer suddenly shouted among the Five Elders Association members.
This middle-aged woman seemed to have some special status as the green-robed youth named Xu Guzhi solemnly nodded.
He then floated over to Sixth Wu.
"Let's exchange blows!" Xu Guzhi narrowed his eyes, pointing his sword at Sixth Wu.
The battle was about to begin. The Sky Viewing Mirrors showed their respective information.
Both were Transcendent Realm peak cultivators: Sixth Wu nine years old, and Xu Guzhi fifty-six years old.
The world's cultivators were all shocked.
"A Transcendent at just nine? I must be seeing things."
"Even if he started from the womb, it's impossible to progress so quickly!"
"Is this real? Is Sixth Wu the fastest cultivator in history? How did he do that?"
...
Before the battle began, the event sparked intense public debate. Cultivators were speculating about Sixth Wu’s background.
Even Li Fan felt a mix of surprise and admiration.
After all, a Transcendent peak at nine was beyond normal limits.
"Could it be reincarnation like Chapter Brother's method? Or perhaps the soul transfer rebirth from the Xuan Tian Sect?"
Or...
Li Fan stared intently at Sixth Wu’s expressionless face. He suddenly felt familiar.
"Divine Artisan?"
"Is this Sixth Wu from the [Age]?"
As Li Fan pondered, Xu Guzhi moved.
He swung his straight sword, instantly forming a massive shadow of a sword that descended from the sky.
"A thousand swords never cease, extending like mountains."
On the viewing mirrors, an explanation appeared simultaneously.
Countless giant swords surrounded Sixth Wu from all directions, pressing down on him.
There was no thunderous sound; just a continuous barrage of swords as heavy as mountains, creating unparalleled pressure.
In the midst of this sword storm, Sixth Wu seemed to be stunned, frozen in place and at a loss.
The hearts of the cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance were suddenly gripped.
Just as countless giant swords were about to strike, Sixth Wu acted.
A silver dragon appeared like lightning, illuminating the sky.
He quickly passed through the encircling swords before anyone could react.
Before any of the cultivators could process what happened, he had pierced Xu Guzhi's chest.