xǔ bái zǐ xì liǎo jiě liǎo shì qíng de yuán yóu hòu ， shǒu xiān bú shì sī kǎo de rú hé jiāng fèi fèi yáng yáng de yú lùn yā xià 。
许白仔细了解了事情的缘由后，首先不是思考的如何将沸沸扬扬的舆论压下。
Xu Bai carefully examined the situation and did not immediately think about suppressing the public opinion. Instead, he looked at his "Truly Real" panel from afar.
ér shì wàn lǐ zhī wài de běn zūn ， zhí jiē kàn qǐ le zì jǐ de 【 hái zhēn 】 miàn bǎn qǐ lái 。
而是万里之外的本尊，直接看起了自己的【还真】面板起来。
His physiological age limit hadn't decreased, but Xu Bai didn't believe Peng Qing's words were unfounded. The Immortal Origin Supreme had first achieved enlightenment in white mist. And it was well-known that the white mist, named "Sapient White Mist," could devour a cultivator’s lifespan.
shēng lǐ nián líng shàng xiàn ， bìng méi yǒu jiǎn shǎo 。
生理年龄上限，并没有减少。
Peng Qing's sudden death and his tragic state before dying mirrored those of other cultivators who died in the white mist. Such coincidences couldn't be explained by mere chance.
dàn xǔ bái què bìng bù rèn wéi ， péng qīng de huà nǎi shì wàng yán 。
但许白却并不认为，彭青的话乃是妄言。
To prevent the situation from escalating, Xu Bai first coerced and bribed the witnesses to seal their mouths. Then he dispatched cultivators to spread more bizarre and terrifying rumors. For example: a cultivator died just like Peng Qing, screaming before his death, "The one who destroys the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is the Supreme Lawgiver!"
wǎng shēng tiān zūn ， zuì chū zhèng dào yú bái wù zhī zhōng 。
往生天尊，最初证道于白雾之中。
Another rumor was that Peng Qing wasn't really Peng Qing. The real Peng Qing had already passed away years ago. The one who died in front of everyone was a clone created by the Fifth Elder Association's cultivator named [Thousand-Face Demon Emperor]. His intentions were unclear, attempting to sow chaos within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
ér zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī ， bái wù qí míng “ shì yuán bái wù ”， néng gòu tūn shì xiū shì shòu yuán 。
而众所周知，白雾其名“噬元白雾”，能够吞噬修士寿元。
...
péng qīng tū rán bào bì ， sǐ qián de cǎn zhuàng ， gēn sǐ zài bái wù zhōng de xiū shì jī hū rú chū yī zhé 。
彭青突然暴毙，死前的惨状，跟死在白雾中的修士几乎如出一辙。
In no time, the rumors spread widely and truth became hard to discern. Gradually, although the热度: popularity didn't wane, fewer people paid attention to Peng Qing’s final mad words before his death.
rú cǐ zhǒng zhǒng ， bìng fēi néng yòng qiǎo hé èr zì néng gòu jiě shì de 。
如此种种，并非能用巧合二字能够解释的。
This continued for over a dozen days until the matter was slowly forgotten. Fewer and fewer people discussed it, and eventually, public opinion completely subsided as if nothing had happened.
bù guò wèi le fáng zhǐ shì tài kuò dà huà ， xǔ bái xiān shì tōng guò wēi bī lì yòu ， jiāng dāng rì de mù jī zhě quán dōu fēng le kǒu 。
不过为了防止事态扩大化，许白先是通过威逼利诱，将当日的目击者全都封了口。
Xu Bai fulfilled his mission, and Nan Gong Shierong was very satisfied. He rewarded Xu Bai with commendations and contributions. More importantly, he gave him a decrepit statue.
ér hòu yòu pài chū xiū shì ， sàn bō gè zhǒng gèng jiā lí qí 、 sǒng rén tīng wén de yán lùn 。
而后又派出修士，散播各种更加离奇、悚人听闻的言论。
"This is..." Xu Bai held the statue in his hand, feeling an inexplicable sensation. It felt like holding another version of himself.
bǐ rú ： mǒu dì yǒu xiū shì sǐ qián ， rú péng qīng yì bān qī cǎn 。 tóng shí kǒu zhōng dà hǎn ：“ miè wàn xiān méng zhě ， chuán fǎ tiān zūn yě 。”
比如：某地有修士死前，如彭青一般凄惨。同时口中大喊：“灭万仙盟者，传法天尊也。”
"This is the 'Decree for Rebirth,'" Nan Gong Shierong proudly explained. "A few days ago, I received three from above. One to keep as a backup, and the rest were useless with me. Since you've made such significant contributions, I'll give it to you."
yòu bǐ rú ， péng qīng shí fēi péng qīng 。 zhēn zhèng de péng qīng zǎo yǐ jīng zài duō nián qián sǐ qù 。 dāng rì sǐ yú zhòng rén yǎn qián de ， nǎi shì wǔ lǎo huì ， míng wèi 【 qiān miàn mó zūn 】 de xiū shì chuàng zào de fēn shēn 。 jū xīn pǒ cè ， wàng tú zài wàn xiān méng zhōng zhì zào hùn luàn 。
又比如，彭青实非彭青。真正的彭青早已经在多年前死去。当日死于众人眼前的，乃是五老会，名为【千面魔尊】的修士创造的分身。居心叵测，妄图在万仙盟中制造混乱。
"With this, even if you unfortunately perish, you can immediately be reborn."
……
……
Xu Bai smiled gratefully: "Thank you, sir!"
yī shí jiān ， zhòng shuō fēn yún ， zhēn jiǎ mò biàn 。
一时间，众说纷纭，真假莫辨。
As an inter-state liaison officer for the Rebirth Mansion, Xu Bai had never found a way to obtain its treasures. Although when the announcement was made, everyone could get them with enough contributions.
jiàn jiàn dì ， suī rán shì qíng de rè dù méi yǒu jiǎn ruò 。 dàn shì guān yú péng qīng lín sǐ qián zhēn shí de fēng diān yán lùn ， què shì méi yǒu duō shǎo rén zài yì le 。
渐渐地，虽然事情的热度没有减弱。但是关于彭青临死前真实的疯癫言论，却是没有多少人在意了。
But the gates of the Rebirth Mansion in each state were tightly shut. Even Xu Bai himself couldn't enter, let alone exchange for items from within.
rú cǐ ， yòu zú zú guò le shí duō tiān 。
如此，又足足过了十多天。
Despite the many grievances among cultivators across the land, the Rebirth Mansion wasn’t controlled by any state. It simply used the excuse that its treasures weren’t ready to deflect questions.
guān yú péng qīng shì jiàn ， yě màn màn bèi zhòng rén yí wàng 。 tǎo lùn de rén yuè lái yuè shǎo 。 zuì zhōng yú lùn wán quán píng xī 。
关于彭青事件，也慢慢被众人遗忘。讨论的人越来越少。最终舆论完全平息。
Xu Bai carefully put away the "Decree for Rebirth" and left. On his way out, he suddenly asked: "Sir Nan Gong, did Peng Qing really have someone cut off his lifespan..."
jiù xiàng shì shàng gēn běn méi yǒu fā shēng guò cǐ shì yì bān 。
就像世上根本没有发生过此事一般。
"Was it true?" Xu Bai lowered his voice.
xǔ bái xìng bù rǔ mìng ， nán gōng shì róng yě shí fēn mǎn yì 。
许白幸不辱命，南宫士荣也十分满意。
"If it was true, we could suppress it temporarily but not forever."
nán dé dà fāng yī huí ， shǎng cì le bù shǎo gōng xūn yǐ jí gòng xiàn dù 。
难得大方一回，赏赐了不少功勋以及贡献度。
Nan Gong Shierong fell silent for a moment before shaking his head slightly. "Since everyone can be reborn, the concept of lifespan isn't as important anymore."
gèng jiāo gěi le xǔ bái yī zūn diāo xiàng 。
更交给了许白一尊凋像。
"For us, achieving immortality is just an unreachable dream. So why should we care?"
“ zhè shì ……” xǔ bái jiāng diāo xiàng wò zài shǒu xīn ， yī gǔ xuán miào de gǎn jué yóu rán ér shēng 。
“这是……”许白将凋像握在手心，一股玄妙的感觉油然而生。
Nan Gong Shierong paused and then continued: "However, not all cultivators are as open-minded as me. Eventually, someone will notice this and won’t be able to suppress it."
jiù xiàng shì wò zhe zì jǐ de lìng wài yī fù shēn qū bān 。
就像是握着自己的另外一副身躯般。
"We must ensure that such a thing doesn't start in our Tianliang Prefecture."
“ zhè jiù shì 【 wǎng shēng chì lìng 】 le 。” nán gōng shì róng miàn yǒu dé sè de jiè shào dào 。
“这就是【往生敕令】了。”南宫士荣面有得色的介绍道。
Nan Gong Shierong said coldly.
“ qián bù jiǔ ， wǒ dé dào shàng miàn shǎng cì sān zūn 。 yī zūn liú zhe zì jǐ bèi yòng ， duō yú de dài zài shēn biān yě shì wú yì 。 zhè cì nǐ lì xià dà gōng ， suǒ xìng jiù shǎng gěi nǐ le 。”
“前不久，我得到上面赏赐三尊。一尊留着自己备用，多余的带在身边也是无益。这次你立下大功，索性就赏给你了。”
His words confirmed the truth of Peng Qing's final words. Xu Bai remained silent but nodded firmly.
“ yǒu le zhè dōng xī ， jiù suàn bù xìng yǔn luò ， yě néng lì kè zhuǎn shì fù huó 。”
“有了这东西，就算不幸陨落，也能立刻转世复活。”
On his way out, he thought: "Cut off his lifespan..."
xǔ bái miàn lù xǐ sè ：“ duō xiè dà rén hòu ài ！”
许白面露喜色：“多谢大人厚爱！”
"Is it because the Immortal Origin Supreme has incompletely reversed the natural order to complete true soul resurrection?"
wǎng shēng fǔ shè lì zhì jīn ， xǔ bái shēn wèi yī zhōu lián tōng shǐ ， yě méi dǎ tīng chū néng gòu huò dé wǎng shēng fǔ zhōng zhū duō bǎo wù fāng fǎ 。
往生府设立至今，许白身为一州联通使，也没打听出能够获得往生府中诸多宝物方法。
"Or is he imitating the ancient Ifu tree?"
suī rán dāng chū zhāo gào tiān xià de shí hòu ， shuō zhǐ yào gòng xiàn dù ， rén rén dōu néng huò qǔ 。
虽然当初昭告天下的时候，说只要贡献度，人人都能获取。
The Immortal Origin Supreme's actions from revealing himself to openly reversing the natural order were peculiar.
dàn shì gè zhōu wǎng shēng fǔ dà mén jǐn bì 。
但是各州往生府大门紧闭。
"The Heavenly Mirror takes the heavens."
bié shuō xún cháng xiū shì le ， jiù suàn shì xǔ bái ， yě shì gēn běn méi fǎ jìn rù 。
别说寻常修士了，就算是许白，也是根本没法进入。
"The Immortal Origin Supreme replaces the Ifu tree."
gèng bié tí duì huàn wǎng shēng fǔ zhōng zhǒng zhǒng wù zī le 。
更别提兑换往生府中种种物资了。
...
suī rán tiān xià xiū shì yǒu zhū duō bù mǎn ， dàn wǎng shēng fǔ bù shòu gè zhōu jié zhì 。
虽然天下修士有诸多不满，但往生府不受各州节制。
Xu Bai suddenly thought of something and froze, just like the previous Purple Dome Supreme. He looked up slightly towards the sky, then quickly lowered his head and hurried away.
zhǐ yǐ zhǒng zhǒng bǎo wù méi yǒu zhǔn bèi hǎo wèi yóu ， jiāng jié wèn dǎ fā huí lái 。
只以种种宝物没有准备好为由，将诘问打发回来。
---
zhèng zhòng wú bǐ de jiāng 【 wǎng shēng chì lìng 】 shōu qǐ ， xǔ bái lí qù zhī qián ， hū de yòu wèn dào ：“ nán gōng dà rén ， péng qīng sǐ qián ， suǒ shuō de ， yǒu zéi rén xuē qí shòu ……”
郑重无比的将【往生敕令】收起，许白离去之前，忽的又问道：“南宫大人，彭青死前，所说的，有贼人削其寿……”
In the Shuo Feng Pavilion in Tianquan Prefecture,
“ shì fǒu zhēn yǒu qí shì ？” xǔ bái yā dī le shēng yīn 。
“是否真有其事？”许白压低了声音。
"Brother Li?"
“ rú guǒ shì zhēn ， nà me zhǐ yā dé le yī shí ， yā bù liǎo yī shì a 。”
“如果是真，那么只压得了一时，压不了一世啊。”
Shuo Feng's surprised voice came. During their recent sparring match, he was enjoying himself. But suddenly, Li Fan seemed to be lost in thought. His attacks that could have been easily dodged hit him directly. The vast sword energy cut his lower body into nothingness.
nán gōng shì róng chén mò le piàn kè ， wēi wēi yáo tóu ：“ jì rán rén rén dōu kě fù huó ， shòu mìng shén me de ， yě jiù méi nà me zhòng yào le 。”
南宫士荣沉默了片刻，微微摇头：“既然人人都可复活，寿命什么的，也就没那么重要了。”
Fortunately, it was the new era of techniques. This minor injury posed no significant threat to an Immortal Core cultivator. Within a breath, Li Fan's body quickly healed as the cave realm rumbled slightly.
“ duì yú wǒ děng ér yán ， zhèng dào zhǎng shēng ， gēn běn shì yáo bù kě jí huàn xiǎng 。 jì rú cǐ ， yòu hé bì zài hū zhè xǔ duō ？”
“对于我等而言，证道长生，根本是遥不可及幻想。既如此，又何必在乎这许多？”
Li Fan apologized: "I just mastered this life-claiming technique recently and have been sparring with you for days. I've become somewhat distracted."
nán gōng shì róng dùn le dùn ， huà fēng yī zhuǎn ：“ bù guò ， wèi bì tiān xià suǒ yǒu xiū shì ， dōu néng xiàng wǒ zhè bān huò dá 。 gè dì chí zǎo huì yǒu rén chá jué cǐ shì 。 yā bú zhù de 。”
南宫士荣顿了顿，话锋一转：“不过，未必天下所有修士，都能像我这般豁达。各地迟早会有人察觉此事。压不住的。”
Shuo Feng suddenly understood: "It was my oversight. I got carried away and forgot how much energy such a top-tier technique consumes."
“ wǒ men yào zuò de ， jiù shì jiān jué bù néng ràng zhè jiàn shì ， zài wǒ men tiān liáng zhōu zuì kāi shǐ bào fā 。”
“我们要做的，就是坚决不能让这件事，在我们天凉州最开始爆发。”
"Ha, it's all because of my excitement. It’s been ages since I encountered such a miraculous skill."
nán gōng shì róng lěng shēng dào 。
南宫士荣冷声道。
"Even the control over my 'sword' is affected..." Shuo Feng praised.
tā zhè fān huà ， wú yì shì kěn dìng le péng qīng lín sǐ qián yán yǔ de zhēn shí xìng 。
他这番话，无异是肯定了彭青临死前言语的真实性。
"Brother Li, take a rest for a moment."
xǔ bái chén mò bù yǔ ， chóng chóng diǎn tóu 。
许白沉默不语，重重点头。
As he spoke, sword light flashed, and Shuo Feng cut off a few strands of white hair from his head. He then roared loudly, shedding his old, worn-out body like a snake sheds its skin. A rejuvenated Shuo Feng flexed his fingers, turning the old body into ashes.
gào cí lí kāi de lù shàng ， xǔ bái nǎo hǎi zhōng sī xù fān téng ：“ xuē qí shòu ……”
告辞离开的路上，许白脑海中思绪翻腾：“削其寿……”
"Your 'thread-pulling life-claiming' technique is truly remarkable," he sighed. "In terms of practical effect, it’s unparalleled in my lifetime."
“ shì wǎng shēng tiān zūn nì lǐ bù wán quán ， wán chéng xiū shì zhēn líng fù huó de bì xū shǒu duàn 。”
“是往生天尊逆理不完全，完成修士真灵复活的必须手段。”
"If not for my unique constitution, I wouldn’t have been able to fight you so freely."
“ hái shì ……”
“还是……”
"Ordinary cultivators struck by your technique would likely die within a few hours." Li Fan said with a sigh.
“ yǒu yì xiào páng shàng gǔ shí qī de ruò mù ？”
“有意效彷上古时期的若木？”
Shuo Feng shook his head: "Brother Li, there's no need to be modest. Rebirth..."
zhè wèi wǎng shēng tiān zūn ， cóng lù chū zōng jì ， dào zhèng shì nì lǐ 。
这位往生天尊，从露出踪迹，到正式逆理。
"Humph."
dōu tòu lù zhe sī sī gǔ guài 。
都透露着丝丝古怪。
"True power in the world will definitely not ignore this technique. Just this move alone has already surpassed countless self-proclaimed heroes."
“ tiān xuán jìng qǔ tiān ér dài 。”
“天玄镜取天而代。”
"Yes, you deserve better treatment. Being just a junior attendant is a bit of an insult."
“ wǎng shēng tiān zūn ， qǔ ruò mù ér dài 。”
“往生天尊，取若木而代。”
Shuo Feng stroked his chin and said slowly.
Xu Bai carefully examined the situation and did not immediately think about suppressing the public opinion. Instead, he looked at his "Truly Real" panel from afar.
His physiological age limit hadn't decreased, but Xu Bai didn't believe Peng Qing's words were unfounded. The Immortal Origin Supreme had first achieved enlightenment in white mist. And it was well-known that the white mist, named "Sapient White Mist," could devour a cultivator’s lifespan.
Peng Qing's sudden death and his tragic state before dying mirrored those of other cultivators who died in the white mist. Such coincidences couldn't be explained by mere chance.
To prevent the situation from escalating, Xu Bai first coerced and bribed the witnesses to seal their mouths. Then he dispatched cultivators to spread more bizarre and terrifying rumors. For example: a cultivator died just like Peng Qing, screaming before his death, "The one who destroys the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is the Supreme Lawgiver!"
Another rumor was that Peng Qing wasn't really Peng Qing. The real Peng Qing had already passed away years ago. The one who died in front of everyone was a clone created by the Fifth Elder Association's cultivator named [Thousand-Face Demon Emperor]. His intentions were unclear, attempting to sow chaos within the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
...
In no time, the rumors spread widely and truth became hard to discern. Gradually, although the热度: popularity didn't wane, fewer people paid attention to Peng Qing’s final mad words before his death.
This continued for over a dozen days until the matter was slowly forgotten. Fewer and fewer people discussed it, and eventually, public opinion completely subsided as if nothing had happened.
Xu Bai fulfilled his mission, and Nan Gong Shierong was very satisfied. He rewarded Xu Bai with commendations and contributions. More importantly, he gave him a decrepit statue.
"This is..." Xu Bai held the statue in his hand, feeling an inexplicable sensation. It felt like holding another version of himself.
"This is the 'Decree for Rebirth,'" Nan Gong Shierong proudly explained. "A few days ago, I received three from above. One to keep as a backup, and the rest were useless with me. Since you've made such significant contributions, I'll give it to you."
"With this, even if you unfortunately perish, you can immediately be reborn."
Xu Bai smiled gratefully: "Thank you, sir!"
As an inter-state liaison officer for the Rebirth Mansion, Xu Bai had never found a way to obtain its treasures. Although when the announcement was made, everyone could get them with enough contributions.
But the gates of the Rebirth Mansion in each state were tightly shut. Even Xu Bai himself couldn't enter, let alone exchange for items from within.
Despite the many grievances among cultivators across the land, the Rebirth Mansion wasn’t controlled by any state. It simply used the excuse that its treasures weren’t ready to deflect questions.
Xu Bai carefully put away the "Decree for Rebirth" and left. On his way out, he suddenly asked: "Sir Nan Gong, did Peng Qing really have someone cut off his lifespan..."
"Was it true?" Xu Bai lowered his voice.
"If it was true, we could suppress it temporarily but not forever."
Nan Gong Shierong fell silent for a moment before shaking his head slightly. "Since everyone can be reborn, the concept of lifespan isn't as important anymore."
"For us, achieving immortality is just an unreachable dream. So why should we care?"
Nan Gong Shierong paused and then continued: "However, not all cultivators are as open-minded as me. Eventually, someone will notice this and won’t be able to suppress it."
"We must ensure that such a thing doesn't start in our Tianliang Prefecture."
Nan Gong Shierong said coldly.
His words confirmed the truth of Peng Qing's final words. Xu Bai remained silent but nodded firmly.
On his way out, he thought: "Cut off his lifespan..."
"Is it because the Immortal Origin Supreme has incompletely reversed the natural order to complete true soul resurrection?"
"Or is he imitating the ancient Ifu tree?"
The Immortal Origin Supreme's actions from revealing himself to openly reversing the natural order were peculiar.
"The Heavenly Mirror takes the heavens."
"The Immortal Origin Supreme replaces the Ifu tree."
...
Xu Bai suddenly thought of something and froze, just like the previous Purple Dome Supreme. He looked up slightly towards the sky, then quickly lowered his head and hurried away.
---
In the Shuo Feng Pavilion in Tianquan Prefecture,
"Brother Li?"
Shuo Feng's surprised voice came. During their recent sparring match, he was enjoying himself. But suddenly, Li Fan seemed to be lost in thought. His attacks that could have been easily dodged hit him directly. The vast sword energy cut his lower body into nothingness.
Fortunately, it was the new era of techniques. This minor injury posed no significant threat to an Immortal Core cultivator. Within a breath, Li Fan's body quickly healed as the cave realm rumbled slightly.
Li Fan apologized: "I just mastered this life-claiming technique recently and have been sparring with you for days. I've become somewhat distracted."
Shuo Feng suddenly understood: "It was my oversight. I got carried away and forgot how much energy such a top-tier technique consumes."
"Ha, it's all because of my excitement. It’s been ages since I encountered such a miraculous skill."
"Even the control over my 'sword' is affected..." Shuo Feng praised.
"Brother Li, take a rest for a moment."
As he spoke, sword light flashed, and Shuo Feng cut off a few strands of white hair from his head. He then roared loudly, shedding his old, worn-out body like a snake sheds its skin. A rejuvenated Shuo Feng flexed his fingers, turning the old body into ashes.
"Your 'thread-pulling life-claiming' technique is truly remarkable," he sighed. "In terms of practical effect, it’s unparalleled in my lifetime."
"If not for my unique constitution, I wouldn’t have been able to fight you so freely."
"Ordinary cultivators struck by your technique would likely die within a few hours." Li Fan said with a sigh.
Shuo Feng shook his head: "Brother Li, there's no need to be modest. Rebirth..."
"Humph."
"True power in the world will definitely not ignore this technique. Just this move alone has already surpassed countless self-proclaimed heroes."
"Yes, you deserve better treatment. Being just a junior attendant is a bit of an insult."
Shuo Feng stroked his chin and said slowly.