“ bù guò shì qǔ qiǎo bà le 。 shuò xiōng nǐ zhù jī qí wù 【 jiàn 】 bù shàn xiān gōng ， fáng yù fǎn jī nǎi shì yī jué 。 bù guò zhè 【 chōu sī 】 zhī shù ， mó páng shēng lǎo bìng sǐ 、 rén zhī biàn huà ， yǔ qí shuō shì gōng jī ， bù rú shuō shì shī jiā zhuàng tài 。 suǒ yǐ zhè cái méi yǒu chù fā 【 jiàn 】 de fǎn jī 。” yíng le bǐ shì ， lǐ fán liǎn shàng bìng wú ào sè ， ér shì zhǔ dòng wèi shuò fēng jiě shì dào 。
“不过是取巧罢了。朔兄你筑基奇物【剑】不善先攻，防御反击乃是一绝。不过这【抽丝】之术，模彷生老病死、人之变化，与其说是攻击，不如说是施加状态。所以这才没有触发【剑】的反击。”赢了比试，李凡脸上并无傲色，而是主动为朔锋解释道。
"Merely a trick. Brother Shuoxiong, your Foundation Establishment Treasure [Sword] excels in defense and counterattacks rather than initiating attacks. However, this technique of 'Extracting Threads' imitates the stages of life, death, sickness, and aging—more akin to applying a state than an attack." Li Fan explained to Shuoxiong without any arrogance after winning their duel.
dāng chū zài yùn yù wǔ xíng dòng tiān de tiān dì zhī gēn zhōng ， lǐ fán céng yǒu guò zì shēn rú xì xiàn biān zhī ér chéng de shēn tǐ ， bù duàn bèi chōu qǔ de jīng lì 。
当初在孕育五行洞天的天地之根中，李凡曾有过自身如细线编织而成的身体，不断被抽取的经历。
Back then, when he was in the primordial root of the Five Elements Heaven and Earth, Li Fan had experienced his body being woven like fine threads, constantly being extracted. At that time, he had already gained some insight into it.
nà shí jiù yǐn yǒu suǒ wù 。
那时就隐有所悟。
However, directly manifesting this power in the real world still required a significant leap. Only after taking control of the Heavenly Fortune of Beast Species Realm and advancing to late Foundation Establishment did Li Fan nearly become an existence akin to the Dao of a small world.
bù guò lí zài xiàn shí shì jiè zhōng zhí jiē shī zhǎn chū shén tōng de chéng dù ， hái chà shàng bù shǎo 。 zhí dào zhè cì ， zhí zhǎng shòu zhǒng jiè tiān yùn hòu 、 zài tū pò dào yuán yīng zhōng qī de guò chéng zhōng ， lǐ fán jìn hū chéng wéi xiǎo shì jiè tiān dào bān de cún zài 。
不过离在现实世界中直接施展出神通的程度，还差上不少。直到这次，执掌兽种界天运后、在突破到元婴中期的过程中，李凡近乎成为小世界天道般的存在。
Life and death were but a flicker for all things in the universe.
shì jiān wàn wù shēng sǐ ， dōu zhǐ zài yí niàn zhī jiān 。
世间万物生死，都只在一念之间。
Li Fan had gained a fresh, unique understanding of the composition and disintegration of objects. Thus, he created this technique of 'Extracting Threads'.
duì yú shì wù de gòu chéng 、 bēng huài ， lǐ fán yòu yǒu le quán xīn 、 dú dào de lǐ jiě 。
对于事物的构成、崩坏，李凡又有了全新、独到的理解。
Just as he said to Shuoxiong, strictly speaking, 'Extracting Threads' was not an offensive technique but rather a trend that accelerated the target's decomposition. This was a change in the target itself.
yú shì yǒu le zhè me yī shì 【 chōu sī 】 shén tōng 。
于是有了这么一式【抽丝】神通。
Like how humans age and die, all things eventually reach their end and dissipate into the heavens. 'Extracting Threads' sped up this process.
zhèng xiàng tā duì shuò fēng suǒ shuō de nà yàng ， yán gé lái jiǎng ，【 chōu sī 】 bù suàn shì gōng jī lèi shén tōng 。 ér shì duì mù biāo fù zhuó yí gè jiā sù bēng jiě de qū shì 。 zhè shǔ yú mù biāo zì shēn de biàn huà 。
正像他对朔锋所说的那样，严格来讲，【抽丝】不算是攻击类神通。而是对目标附着一个加速崩解的趋势。这属于目标自身的变化。
In his battle with Shuoxiong, 'Extracting Threads' manifested as Li Fan's full effort. Though its power was terrifying, it had a fatal flaw: the continuous casting required to maintain its effect. Once interrupted by external interference, the effectiveness would diminish significantly.
jiù xiàng fán rén huì shēng lǎo bìng sǐ yī yàng ， shì jiān wàn wù zuì zhōng dū huì zǒu xiàng zhōng jié 、 xiāo sàn yú tiān dì zhī jiān 。【 chōu sī 】 jiù shì jiā sù le zhè ge guò chéng 。
就像凡人会生老病死一样，世间万物最终都会走向终结、消散于天地之间。【抽丝】就是加速了这个过程。
Only against Shuoxiong, who excelled in defense and counterattacks, did this technique prove effective.
zài hé shuò fēng de zhàn dòu zhōng ，【 chōu sī 】 de biǎo xiàn shì lǐ fán quán lì shī wéi de xiào guǒ 。 wēi lì gù rán kě bù ， dàn shí zé yǒu gè zhì mìng de ruò diǎn 。 nà jiù shì shī zhǎn 【 chōu sī 】 de guò chéng ， xū yào chí xù shī fǎ 。 yí dàn bèi wài jiè gān rǎo 、 dǎ duàn ， xiào guǒ zé huì dà dǎ zhé kòu 。
在和朔锋的战斗中，【抽丝】的表现是李凡全力施为的效果。威力固然可怖，但实则有个致命的弱点。那就是施展【抽丝】的过程，需要持续施法。一旦被外界干扰、打断，效果则会大打折扣。
Thus, 'Extracting Threads' worked best when used subtly, slowly drawing out the "threads" of the target without their knowledge.
yě wéi yǒu duì fù shuò fēng zhè bān ， zhǔ fáng yù fǎn jī de qí pā ， cái yǒu qí xiào 。
也唯有对付朔锋这般，主防御反击的奇葩，才有奇效。
By stretching time, the target wouldn't appear with obvious injuries like Shuoxiong. Instead, they would feel a mysterious weakening and discomfort but never find the reason, ultimately watching their essence gradually fade until they died in agony.
suǒ yǐ ， qí shí 【 chōu sī 】 de zuì jiā shǐ yòng fāng fǎ ， bú shì gēn shuò fēng duì zhàn shí de nà bān xùn měng 、 bào liè 。 ér shì yú àn chù ， rùn wù wú shēng bān ， zài mù biāo wú suǒ chá jué de qíng kuàng xià ， huǎn màn jiāng qí “ xiàn tiáo ” bù duàn chōu chū 。
所以，其实【抽丝】的最佳使用方法，不是跟朔锋对战时的那般迅勐、爆裂。而是于暗处，润物无声般，在目标无所察觉的情况下，缓慢将其“线条”不断抽出。
The phrase 'life fades like threads being pulled' aptly described it.
jiāng shí jiān chǐ dù lā cháng ， mù biāo jiù bú huì xiàng shuò fēng nà bān ， shēn shàng chū xiàn míng xiǎn de shāng hén 。
将时间尺度拉长，目标就不会像朔锋那般，身上出现明显的伤痕。
It was indeed an excellent method for covert harm, surpassing even formless killing intent. Li Fan had always kept a reserve of techniques, so he concealed the true destructive nature of 'Extracting Threads'.
ér shì huì gǎn dào shēn tǐ mò míng shuāi ruò 、 hún shēn bù shì 。 dàn què shǐ zhōng wú fǎ zhǎo dào yuán yóu ， zuì zhōng zhǐ néng yǎn zhēng zhēng kàn zhe zì jǐ de jīng qì shén bù duàn shuāi bài 、 zuì hòu tòng kǔ sǐ qù 。
而是会感到身体莫名衰弱、浑身不适。但却始终无法找到缘由，最终只能眼睁睁看着自己的精气神不断衰败、最后痛苦死去。
"Brother Li, you once praised me as a prodigy, but your insight seems to be even better. This technique of 'Extracting Threads' is truly amazing!" Shuoxiong's attitude seemed to have become more enthusiastic after his defeat.
suǒ wèi “ mìng qù rú chōu sī ”， biàn shì rú cǐ 。
所谓“命去如抽丝”，便是如此。
The fleeting cold intent had vanished as if it never existed.
shí zài shì àn zhōng shāng rén de bù èr miào fǎ ， nǎ pà bǐ qǐ wú xiāng shā jī ， yě yào shèng guò jǐ fēn 。 lǐ fán xiàng lái yǒu liú yī shǒu de xí guàn ， gù ér zhè cì zài hé shuò fēng de jiāo shǒu zhōng ， yě shì jiāng 【 chōu sī 】 de zhēn zhèng shā shāng xíng shì ， gěi yǐn cáng le qǐ lái 。
实在是暗中伤人的不二妙法，哪怕比起无相杀机，也要胜过几分。李凡向来有留一手的习惯，故而这次在和朔锋的交手中，也是将【抽丝】的真正杀伤形式，给隐藏了起来。
"I flatter you, Brother Shuoxiong. It was just a chance discovery during my travels," Li Fan smiled slightly.
】
】
"Brother Li, there is no need for modesty! In the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, countless claim to be prodigies, but few can independently understand such techniques!" Shuoxiong patted his body, and a flash of white light appeared as he changed into new clothes. Leading Li Fan up the mountain to a small pavilion, he invited him to sit down.
“ lǐ xiōng yuán xiān hái kuā wǒ shì tiān zòng zhī cái ， wǒ kàn nǐ zhī wù xìng ， hái yào shèng guò wǒ jǐ fēn 。 zhè zhāo 【 chōu sī 】， miào bù kě yán a ！” bèi lǐ fán jī bài ， shuò fēng bù jǐn méi yǒu nǎo nù ， fǎn ér tài dù yǐn yǐn biàn dé gèng jiā rè qíng le 。
“李兄原先还夸我是天纵之材，我看你之悟性，还要胜过我几分。这招【抽丝】，妙不可言啊！”被李凡击败，朔锋不仅没有恼怒，反而态度隐隐变得更加热情了。
The yellow-robed female cultivator left for a moment before returning with two cups of spirit tea.
xiān qián yī shǎn ér guò de bīng lěng shā yì ， yě fǎng fú cóng lái méi yǒu chū xiàn guò yì bān 。
先前一闪而过的冰冷杀意，也仿佛从来没有出现过一般。
The aroma invigorated their spirits.
“ shuò xiōng miù zàn le ， bù guò yóu lì sì fāng ， ǒu rán dé zhī bà le 。” lǐ fán wēi wēi yī xiào dào 。
“朔兄谬赞了，不过游历四方，偶然得之罢了。”李凡微微一笑道。
Shuoxiong said, "Brother Li, I haven't yet found a way to counter your technique. If I have an epiphany in the future, I'll definitely seek your advice again!"
“ lǐ xiōng bù bì zì qiān ！ wàn xiān méng nèi zì chēng tiān jiāo zhě wú shù ， néng xiàng nǐ zhè bān ， zì xíng lǐng wù zhè děng shén tōng zhě ， shǎo zhī yòu shǎo ！” shuò fēng wǎng shēn shàng pāi le pāi ， shà shí jiān yī dào bái guāng shǎn guāng ， huàn le shēn yī fú 。
“李兄不必自谦！万仙盟内自称天骄者无数，能像你这般，自行领悟这等神通者，少之又少！”朔锋往身上拍了拍，霎时间一道白光闪光，换了身衣服。
Li Fan nodded slightly: "Then I will wait."
zài qián fāng dài lù ， jiāng lǐ fán lǐng dào shān diān yī chù xiǎo lóu nèi ， shuò fēng zhāo hū rù zuò 。
在前方带路，将李凡领到山巅一处小楼内，朔锋招呼入座。
"Great! Brother Li's temperament truly suits me!" Shuoxiong laughed heartily. "Much better than those who are always submissive and lack ability but curry favor."
huáng qún nǚ xiū lí kāi le yī huì ， suí hòu wèi èr rén gè zì qī shàng le yī wǎn líng chá 。
黄裙女修离开了一会，随后为二人各自沏上了一碗灵茶。
Li Fan did not respond, instead changing the subject: "Speaking of currying favor, there is actually something else I need your help with, Brother Shuoxiong."
chá xiāng sì yì ， lìng rén jīng shén yī zhèn 。
茶香四溢，令人精神一振。
"Oh? What is it? Speak freely."
shuò fēng shuō dào ：“ lǐ xiōng cǐ shì shén tōng ， wǒ zàn qiě hái méi yǒu xiǎng dào pò jiě zhī fǎ 。 děng rì hòu wǒ yǒu líng gǎn le ， yí dìng yào zài xiàng nǐ tǎo jiào yī fān ！”
朔锋说道：“李兄此式神通，我暂且还没有想到破解之法。等日后我有灵感了，一定要再向你讨教一番！”
Li Fan expressed his desire to elevate his merit rank.
lǐ fán wēi wēi diǎn tóu ：“ nà wǒ kě děng zhe le 。”
李凡微微点头：“那我可等着了。”
"The insufficient permissions are truly frustrating. Everywhere feels restricted!" Li Fan lamented.
shuò fēng hā hā dà xiào dào ：“ shuǎng kuài ！ lǐ xiōng pí xìng ， dàng zhēn duì wǒ wèi kǒu ！ bǐ nà xiē wéi wéi nuò nuò ， méi shén me běn shì yòu yào qū yán fù shì de jiā huo ， qiáng duō le ！”
朔锋哈哈大笑道：“爽快！李兄脾性，当真对我胃口！比那些唯唯诺诺，没什么本事又要趋炎附势的家伙，强多了！”
Shuoxiong shrugged indifferently: "Hmph, merely a threshold set by the Immortal Alliance to consolidate its rule. For true rulers, there's no need for such step-by-step advancement."
lǐ fán méi yǒu jiē huà ， ér shì zhuǎn yí le huà tí ：“ shuō dào qū yán fù shì ， qí shí wǒ hái zhēn yǒu lìng wài yī shì ， yào láo fán shuò xiōng 。”
李凡没有接话，而是转移了话题：“说道趋炎附势，其实我还真有另外一事，要劳烦朔兄。”
"Since Brother Li has this requirement, it's easy enough. Zhi Jin..."
“ ó ？ shén me shì ？ dàn shuō wú fáng 。”
“哦？什么事？但说无妨。”
The yellow-robed female cultivator responded immediately.
lǐ fán yú shì biǎo shì le zì jǐ xiǎng yào tí shēng gōng xūn děng jí de yì yuàn 。
李凡于是表示了自己想要提升功勋等级的意愿。
"Are there any vacant guest scholar positions?" Shuoxiong asked.
“ quán xiàn děng jí bù gòu ， zhe shí lìng rén nǎo huǒ 。 chù chù shòu xiàn ， hǎo bù zì zài ！” lǐ fán gǎn tàn dào 。
“权限等级不够，着实令人恼火。处处受限，好不自在！”李凡感叹道。
"There are three open slots this year. However..." Zhi Jin glanced at Li Fan and hesitated.
shuò fēng tīng wán ， bù yǐ wéi yì dào ：“ hēng ， bù guò shì xiān méng wèi le gǒng gù zì shēn tǒng zhì ， tè yì shè zhì de mén kǎn bà le 。 nà xiē zhēn zhèng de zhǎng quán zhě ér yán ， nǎ lǐ xū yào àn bù jiù bān de wǎng shàng pān pá 、 tí shēng quán xiàn děng jí ……”
朔锋听完，不以为意道：“哼，不过是仙盟为了巩固自身统治，特意设置的门槛罢了。那些真正的掌权者而言，哪里需要按部就班的往上攀爬、提升权限等级……”
"It's because your cultivation doesn't meet the requirements, right." Shuoxiong smirked. "No problem. Special cases can be handled specially. Just say it was my recommendation."
“ bù guò jì rán lǐ xiōng yǒu cǐ xū qiú ， yě hǎo bàn 。 zhī jǐn ……”
“不过既然李兄有此需求，也好办。知瑾……”
Zhi Jin nodded slightly and disappeared in a blur of motion.
huáng qún nǚ xiū dāng jí yīng shēng 。
黄裙女修当即应声。
Only then did Shuoxiong explain: "As a guest scholar at our household, you will have basic permissions of thirty. You'll also receive fixed merit points annually."
“ zuì jìn shì fǒu yǒu kè qīng míng é kōng xià ？” shuò fēng wèn dào 。
“最近是否有客卿名额空下？”朔锋问道。
Li Fan did not show joy but frowned instead: "Thank you, Brother Shuoxiong. But I'm used to being idle..."
“ jīn nián shàng yǒu sān gè kòng quē 。 bù guò ……” zhī jǐn kàn le yǎn lǐ fán ， yù yán yòu zhǐ 。
“今年尚有三个空缺。不过……”知瑾看了眼李凡，欲言又止。
Shuoxiong waved his hand dismissively: "No problem. Just a nominal position. People like us are not those who willingly accept constraints!"
“ xiū wèi dá bú dào yāo qiú shì ba 。” shuò fēng shěn rán yī xiào ，“ méi guān xì 。 tè shì tè bàn ma ， jiù shuō shì wǒ zhǐ dìng de 。 nǐ qù dǎ shēng zhāo hū jiù xíng 。”
“修为达不到要求是吧。”朔锋哂然一笑，“没关系。特事特办嘛，就说是我指定的。你去打声招呼就行。”
"However..."
zhī jǐn wēi wēi diǎn tóu ， shēn xíng mó hú ， shùn jiān xiāo shī zài chǎng zhōng 。
知瑾微微点头，身形模湖，瞬间消失在场中。
Shuoxiong looked at Li Fan with a hint of challenge in his eyes: "If you ever get itchy and want to find someone to spar, don't refuse me!"
zhè shí hòu shuò fēng cái jiě shì dào ：“ dān rèn wǒ jiā kè qīng ， huì yǒu yǎn sān shí de jī chǔ quán xiàn 。 měi nián yě huì yǒu gù dìng de gōng xūn pài fā 。”
这时候朔锋才解释道：“担任我家客卿，会有衍三十的基础权限。每年也会有固定的功勋派发。”
Li Fan sighed in relief and clasped his hands in gratitude: "Then I thank Brother Shuoxiong."
lǐ fán wén yán ， què méi yǒu biǎo xiàn chū xǐ sè 。 ér shì zhòu méi dào ：“ duō xiè shuò xiōng le 。 bù guò wǒ xián sǎn guàn le ， ruò shì ……”
李凡闻言，却没有表现出喜色。而是皱眉道：“多谢朔兄了。不过我闲散惯了，若是……”
Shuoxiong was indeed an elite second-generation immortal. His efficiency was high.
shuò fēng bǎi le bǎi shǒu ：“ méi shì 。 wú xū nǐ zuò rèn hé shì qíng ， zhǐ guà gè xū zhí jiù kě 。 nǐ wǒ yì qì xiāng tóu ， yòu qǐ shì nà zhǒng gān yuàn bèi shù fù de rén wù ？”
朔锋摆了摆手：“没事。无需你做任何事情，只挂个虚职就可。你我意气相投，又岂是那种甘愿被束缚的人物？”
Before the spirit tea was finished, Zhi Jin returned.
“ bù guò ma ……”
“不过嘛……”
Handing Li Fan a snowflake-shaped ice crystal jade talisman, she indicated that his guest scholar position had been registered.
shuò fēng kàn xiàng lǐ fán ， yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī zhàn yì ：“ ruò shì nǎ tiān shǒu yǎng le ， xiǎng yào zhǎo rén qiē cuō ， nǐ kě bù néng gù yì tuī cí ！”
朔锋看向李凡，眼中闪过一丝战意：“若是哪天手痒了，想要找人切磋，你可不能故意推辞！”
"Brother Li can check the effect," Shuoxiong tapped the table with his index finger, and a small mirror appeared before Li Fan.
lǐ fán rú shì zhòng fù ， dāng jí gǒng shǒu dào ：“ nà me jiù xiān xiè guò shuò xiōng le ！”
李凡如释重负，当即拱手道：“那么就先谢过朔兄了！”
Li Fan checked his information in the mirror and indeed found an additional title of 'Xuan Family Guest Scholar'.
shuò fēng bù kuì shì xiān méng dǐng jí xiān èr dài 。 bàn shì xiào lǜ jí gāo 。
朔锋不愧是仙盟顶级仙二代。办事效率极高。
The permission level was as Shuoxiong had said—directly raised to thirty. However, it noted that this permission level was bound to the position of guest scholar; once he lost the title, the permissions would vanish.
zhuō shàng de líng chá hái wèi hē wán ， zhī jǐn jiù yǐ jīng fǎn huí le 。
桌上的灵茶还未喝完，知瑾就已经返回了。
His personal merit points would start accumulating from the beginning with the Derivative System.
dāng yī méi xuě huā bīng jīng zhuàng de yù fú jiāo gěi lǐ fán ， biǎo shì lǐ fán kè qīng de rèn zhí yǐ jīng dēng lù zài ān le 。
当一枚雪花冰晶状的玉符交给李凡，表示李凡客卿的任职已经登录在桉了。
Both were independent.
“ lǐ xiōng kě yǐ kàn kàn xiào guǒ 。” shuò fēng shí zhǐ qīng qiāo zhuō miàn ， yī méi tiān xuán xiǎo jìng jiù chū xiàn zài lǐ fán miàn qián 。
“李兄可以看看效果。”朔锋食指轻敲桌面，一枚天玄小镜就出现在李凡面前。
This was in line with Li Fan's expectations, but what mattered more was 'Xuan Family Guest Scholar'.
lǐ fán zài tiān xuán jìng zhōng chá kàn zì jǐ xìn xī de shí hòu ， guǒ rán fā xiàn zì jǐ duō le gè “ xuán jiā kè qīng ” de tóu xián 。
李凡在天玄镜中查看自己信息的时候，果然发现自己多了个“玄家客卿”的头衔。
"Xuan Family?" Li Fan looked at Shuoxiong curiously.
quán xiàn děng jí ， guǒ zhēn rú shuò fēng suǒ shuō de nà yàng ， zhí jiē tí shēng dào le sān shí jí 。
权限等级，果真如朔锋所说的那样，直接提升到了三十级。
Shuoxiong did not shy away and said frankly: "My mother is named Xuan. As for my name..."
bù guò yě yǒu shuō míng ， cǐ quán xiàn děng jí shì gè “ kè qīng ” de zhí wù suǒ bǎng dìng de 。 yí dàn shī qù “ kè qīng ” tóu xián ， quán xiàn děng jí yě huì suí zhī xiāo shī 。
不过也有说明，此权限等级是个“客卿”的职务所绑定的。一旦失去“客卿”头衔，权限等级也会随之消失。
He shrugged, appearing unsure.
ér gè rén suǒ huò gōng xūn ， jiāng huì cóng yǎn yī kāi shǐ lěi jiā 。
而个人所获功勋，将会从衍一开始累加。
Li Fan nodded and did not press further.
"Merely a trick. Brother Shuoxiong, your Foundation Establishment Treasure [Sword] excels in defense and counterattacks rather than initiating attacks. However, this technique of 'Extracting Threads' imitates the stages of life, death, sickness, and aging—more akin to applying a state than an attack." Li Fan explained to Shuoxiong without any arrogance after winning their duel.
Back then, when he was in the primordial root of the Five Elements Heaven and Earth, Li Fan had experienced his body being woven like fine threads, constantly being extracted. At that time, he had already gained some insight into it.
However, directly manifesting this power in the real world still required a significant leap. Only after taking control of the Heavenly Fortune of Beast Species Realm and advancing to late Foundation Establishment did Li Fan nearly become an existence akin to the Dao of a small world.
Life and death were but a flicker for all things in the universe.
Li Fan had gained a fresh, unique understanding of the composition and disintegration of objects. Thus, he created this technique of 'Extracting Threads'.
Just as he said to Shuoxiong, strictly speaking, 'Extracting Threads' was not an offensive technique but rather a trend that accelerated the target's decomposition. This was a change in the target itself.
Like how humans age and die, all things eventually reach their end and dissipate into the heavens. 'Extracting Threads' sped up this process.
In his battle with Shuoxiong, 'Extracting Threads' manifested as Li Fan's full effort. Though its power was terrifying, it had a fatal flaw: the continuous casting required to maintain its effect. Once interrupted by external interference, the effectiveness would diminish significantly.
Only against Shuoxiong, who excelled in defense and counterattacks, did this technique prove effective.
Thus, 'Extracting Threads' worked best when used subtly, slowly drawing out the "threads" of the target without their knowledge.
By stretching time, the target wouldn't appear with obvious injuries like Shuoxiong. Instead, they would feel a mysterious weakening and discomfort but never find the reason, ultimately watching their essence gradually fade until they died in agony.
The phrase 'life fades like threads being pulled' aptly described it.
It was indeed an excellent method for covert harm, surpassing even formless killing intent. Li Fan had always kept a reserve of techniques, so he concealed the true destructive nature of 'Extracting Threads'.
"Brother Li, you once praised me as a prodigy, but your insight seems to be even better. This technique of 'Extracting Threads' is truly amazing!" Shuoxiong's attitude seemed to have become more enthusiastic after his defeat.
The fleeting cold intent had vanished as if it never existed.
"I flatter you, Brother Shuoxiong. It was just a chance discovery during my travels," Li Fan smiled slightly.
"Brother Li, there is no need for modesty! In the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, countless claim to be prodigies, but few can independently understand such techniques!" Shuoxiong patted his body, and a flash of white light appeared as he changed into new clothes. Leading Li Fan up the mountain to a small pavilion, he invited him to sit down.
The yellow-robed female cultivator left for a moment before returning with two cups of spirit tea.
The aroma invigorated their spirits.
Shuoxiong said, "Brother Li, I haven't yet found a way to counter your technique. If I have an epiphany in the future, I'll definitely seek your advice again!"
Li Fan nodded slightly: "Then I will wait."
"Great! Brother Li's temperament truly suits me!" Shuoxiong laughed heartily. "Much better than those who are always submissive and lack ability but curry favor."
Li Fan did not respond, instead changing the subject: "Speaking of currying favor, there is actually something else I need your help with, Brother Shuoxiong."
"Oh? What is it? Speak freely."
Li Fan expressed his desire to elevate his merit rank.
"The insufficient permissions are truly frustrating. Everywhere feels restricted!" Li Fan lamented.
Shuoxiong shrugged indifferently: "Hmph, merely a threshold set by the Immortal Alliance to consolidate its rule. For true rulers, there's no need for such step-by-step advancement."
"Since Brother Li has this requirement, it's easy enough. Zhi Jin..."
The yellow-robed female cultivator responded immediately.
"Are there any vacant guest scholar positions?" Shuoxiong asked.
"There are three open slots this year. However..." Zhi Jin glanced at Li Fan and hesitated.
"It's because your cultivation doesn't meet the requirements, right." Shuoxiong smirked. "No problem. Special cases can be handled specially. Just say it was my recommendation."
Zhi Jin nodded slightly and disappeared in a blur of motion.
Only then did Shuoxiong explain: "As a guest scholar at our household, you will have basic permissions of thirty. You'll also receive fixed merit points annually."
Li Fan did not show joy but frowned instead: "Thank you, Brother Shuoxiong. But I'm used to being idle..."
Shuoxiong waved his hand dismissively: "No problem. Just a nominal position. People like us are not those who willingly accept constraints!"
"However..."
Shuoxiong looked at Li Fan with a hint of challenge in his eyes: "If you ever get itchy and want to find someone to spar, don't refuse me!"
Li Fan sighed in relief and clasped his hands in gratitude: "Then I thank Brother Shuoxiong."
Shuoxiong was indeed an elite second-generation immortal. His efficiency was high.
Before the spirit tea was finished, Zhi Jin returned.
Handing Li Fan a snowflake-shaped ice crystal jade talisman, she indicated that his guest scholar position had been registered.
"Brother Li can check the effect," Shuoxiong tapped the table with his index finger, and a small mirror appeared before Li Fan.
Li Fan checked his information in the mirror and indeed found an additional title of 'Xuan Family Guest Scholar'.
The permission level was as Shuoxiong had said—directly raised to thirty. However, it noted that this permission level was bound to the position of guest scholar; once he lost the title, the permissions would vanish.
His personal merit points would start accumulating from the beginning with the Derivative System.
Both were independent.
This was in line with Li Fan's expectations, but what mattered more was 'Xuan Family Guest Scholar'.
"Xuan Family?" Li Fan looked at Shuoxiong curiously.
Shuoxiong did not shy away and said frankly: "My mother is named Xuan. As for my name..."
He shrugged, appearing unsure.
Li Fan nodded and did not press further.