zhèng shì nà jiāo xiū yuǎn de shī shēn 。
正是那焦修远的尸身。
It was the body of Jia Xiuyuan.
rú jīn guò qù sān yuè shí jiān ， què shì jiàn jiàn xiǎn lù chū le bù tóng xún cháng de dì fāng 。
如今过去三月时间，却是渐渐显露出了不同寻常的地方。
Three months had passed, and something unusual began to manifest in his body. Unlike normal flesh and blood, it seemed more like a withered tree, turning yellowish-brown. Li Fan kicked at it, and the sound echoed like kicking wood.
bù xiàng zhèng cháng de xuè ròu ， fǎn dào shì xiàng kū mù yì bān ， chéng xiàn chū kū huáng zhī sè 。
不像正常的血肉，反倒似像枯木一般，呈现出枯黄之色。
At this moment, a voice came from behind Li Fan.
lǐ fán yòng jiǎo tī le tī ， shēng yīn gēn tī zài mù tou shàng yī mú yī yàng 。
李凡用脚踢了踢，声音跟踢在木头上一模一样。
"This is just a puppet; not his true form. This is Jia Xiuyuan's usual tactic. There's no need for you to be surprised."
jiù zài zhè shí ， yí gè shēng yīn zì lǐ fán shēn hòu chuán lái 。
就在这时，一个声音自李凡身后传来。
Li Fan turned around and saw that the speaker was also an Air Condensing Realm cultivator.
“ zhè zhǐ shì yī jù kuǐ lěi bà le ， bú shì zhēn shēn 。 shì zhè jiāo xiū yuǎn de guàn yòng shǒu duàn le ， dào yǒu bù bì jīng yà 。”
“这只是一具傀儡罢了，不是真身。是这焦修远的惯用手段了，道友不必惊讶。”
He bowed respectfully: "Thank you, friend, for your guidance. Are you from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?"
lǐ fán zhuǎn guò qù tóu qù ， zhǐ jiàn shuō huà de yě shì yī liàn qì qī xiū shì 。
李凡转过去头去，只见说话的也是一炼气期修士。
The man nodded: "Indeed, my name is Chen An, and I've been a member of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for over thirty years."
dāng jí gǒng le gǒng shǒu ：“ duō xiē dào yǒu zhǐ diǎn 。 dào yǒu yě shì wàn xiān méng zhōng rén ？”
当即拱了拱手：“多些道友指点。道友也是万仙盟中人？”
"I am Li Fan. From what you said, it seems like you know Jia Xiuyuan quite well?"
nà rén diǎn le diǎn tóu ：“ bù cuò ， zài xià chén ān ， jiā rù wàn xiān méng yǐ yǒu sān shí yú nián le 。”
那人点了点头：“不错，在下陈安，加入万仙盟已有三十余年了。”
Chen An smiled: "Not particularly familiar, but after living on the island for so long, one knows some things."
“ zài xià lǐ fán 。 tīng dào yǒu huà lǐ de yì si ， sì hū duì zhè jiāo xiū yuǎn pǒ wèi shú xī ？”
“在下李凡。听道友话里的意思，似乎对这焦修远颇为熟悉？”
"For instance, Chen An runs a general store called 'Thousand Mile Hall' where he sells everything. It's rumored that his business has official backing from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, and occasionally, he can sell good items."
chén ān xiào le xiào ：“ shú xī dào yě tán bù shàng 。 bù guò ma ， zài dǎo shàng shēng huó le zhè me jiǔ ， gāi zhī dào de yī xiē shì qíng hái shì zhī dào de 。”
陈安笑了笑：“熟悉倒也谈不上。不过嘛，在岛上生活了这么久，该知道的一些事情还是知道的。”
"Besides, he often engages in intelligence work but never puts himself at risk; always using puppets as a front."
“ jiù ná zhè chén ān lái shuō ， zài dǎo shàng kāi le jiān jiào zuò qiān lǐ táng de zá huò pù ， shén me dōu mài 。 jù shuō bèi hòu yǒu zhe wàn xiān méng guān fāng de lù zi ， ǒu ěr yě néng mài chū diǎn hǎo dōng xī 。”
“就拿这陈安来说，在岛上开了间叫做千里堂的杂货铺，什么都卖。据说背后有着万仙盟官方的路子，偶尔也能卖出点好东西。”
Hearing this, Li Fan nodded slowly: "So, greedy for wealth and afraid of death? That makes sense."
“ chú cǐ zhī wài ， hái jīng cháng zuò xiē qíng bào shēng yì 。 zhǐ shì zhè xiǎo zi cóng lái dōu bù yǐ shēn fàn xiǎn ， dōu shì yòng kuǐ lěi kāi lù 。”
“除此之外，还经常做些情报生意。只是这小子从来都不以身犯险，都是用傀儡开路。”
Chen An laughed heartily: "Friend, you've summed it up perfectly! Greedy for wealth and afraid of death aptly describe Jia Xiuyuan!"
lǐ fán wén yán ， huǎn huǎn diǎn tóu ：“ tān cái pà sǐ me ， yuán lái rú cǐ 。”
李凡闻言，缓缓点头：“贪财怕死么，原来如此。”
After the laughter, Chen An suddenly said: "Earlier when I was copying techniques in the library, I noticed everyone would take breaks after a while. They'd rest to conserve their strength before continuing. But you didn't stop at all for three months. I greatly admire your dedication."
chén ān hā hā dà xiào ：“ dào yǒu zǒng jié de jí shì ！ tān cái pà sǐ zhè sì zì yòng lái xíng róng jiāo xiū yuǎn zài qià dàng bù guò ！”
陈安哈哈大笑：“道友总结的极是！贪财怕死这四字用来形容焦修远再恰当不过！”
"But what's the deeper meaning behind this? If we only consider speed, surely you wouldn't be able to match those who took regular breaks due to fatigue."
xiào guò zhī hòu ， chén ān què shì tū rán shuō dào ：“ zhī qián zài nà shū gé chāo lù gōng fǎ zhī shí ， wǒ jiàn bié rén dōu shì chāo xiě yī zhèn ， lèi le jiù xiū xī huì 。 yǎng jīng xù ruì hòu zài chāo lù 。 wéi yǒu dào yǒu ， sān yuè bù xiē 。 zài xià shèn shì jìng pèi ！”
笑过之后，陈安却是突然说道：“之前在那书阁抄录功法之时，我见别人都是抄写一阵，累了就休息会。养精蓄锐后再抄录。唯有道友，三月不歇。在下甚是敬佩！”
"Could you enlighten me?" Chen An asked humbly.
“ què yòu bù zhī ， dào yǒu cǐ jǔ ， yòu yǒu shén me shēn yì ？ ruò guāng lùn chāo xiě sù dù ， dào yǒu hòu lái yīn wèi shēn xīn pí juàn de yuán yīn ， dìng rán shì bǐ bù guò shí cháng xiū xī de nà xiē rén de 。”
“却又不知，道友此举，又有什么深意？若光论抄写速度，道友后来因为身心疲倦的原因，定然是比不过时常休息的那些人的。”
Li Fan pondered briefly before speaking: "I can’t say there’s a deep meaning. It was just an instinctual feeling."
“ bù zhī dào yǒu kě fǒu wèi wǒ jiě huò ？” chén ān gōng shēn qǐng jiào dào 。
“不知道友可否为我解惑？”陈安躬身请教道。
"The first test, as Qin Tang said, is about 'concentration.'"
lǐ fán chén yín le piàn kè ， fāng cái kāi kǒu ：“ shēn yì bù gǎn shuō ， zhǐ shì xīn zhōng zhí jué bà le 。”
李凡沉吟了片刻，方才开口：“深意不敢说，只是心中直觉罢了。”
"Concentration means focusing without distraction. Only when one isn't disturbed by anything external can they be truly focused. Does fatigue count as a distraction? If you stop because of it, does that mean you're no longer ‘focused’?"
“ nà qín táng suǒ shuō dì yī zhòng kǎo yàn ， nǎi shì zhuān 。”
“那秦堂所说第一重考验，乃是专。”
"Just my humble opinion; take it for what it's worth."
“ zhuān zhě ， xīn wú páng wù yě 。 bù bèi rèn hé wài wù suǒ rǎo ， fāng néng chēng de shàng zhì zhuān 。 shēn xīn pí juàn ， shì fǒu yě shì gān rǎo de wài wù ？ ruò shì yīn zhī tíng zhǐ ， shì bú shì jiù bù zài ‘ zhuān ’ le ？”
“专者，心无旁骛也。不被任何外物所扰，方能称得上至专。身心疲倦，是否也是干扰的外物？若是因之停止，是不是就不再‘专’了？”
Li Fan modestly said.
“ yì diǎn yú jiàn ér yǐ ， dào yǒu tīng tīng jiù hǎo 。”
“一点愚见而已，道友听听就好。”
Chen An seemed deep in thought after hearing this.
lǐ fán qiān xū dào 。
李凡谦虚道。
Without saying more, Li Fan returned to the room to rest.
chén ān wén yán ， ruò yǒu suǒ sī 。
陈安闻言，若有所思。
The next day, Qin Tang did not appear again. The others didn't dare to wander around and waited patiently inside the building.
lǐ fán yě bù zài shuō huà ， huí dào wū zhōng xiū xī 。
李凡也不再说话，回到屋中休息。
On the third morning, Qin Tang appeared before them, swaying as he drank from a bottle of wine.
dì èr tiān ， nà qín táng guǒ rán méi yǒu zài chū xiàn 。
第二天，那秦堂果然没有再出现。
"Fine wine! Fine wine!"
zhòng rén yě bù gǎn luàn pǎo ， zhǐ shì zài jiàn zhù nèi nài xīn děng dài 。
众人也不敢乱跑，只是在建筑内耐心等待。
He belched loudly, then looked around at the cultivators with narrowed eyes.
dì sān tiān yī zǎo ， qín táng yī biān hē zhe jiǔ ， yī biān liàng qiàng zhe chū xiàn zài zhòng rén miàn qián 。
第三天一早，秦堂一边喝着酒，一边踉跄着出现在众人面前。
"The second test begins today!"
“ hǎo jiǔ ， hǎo jiǔ a ！”
“好酒，好酒啊！”
"This time, I will test your courage!"
dǎ le gè bǎo gé ， tā mī yǎn dǎ liàng zhe yī zhòng xiū shì 。
打了个饱嗝，他眯眼打量着一众修士。
"In this long journey to immortality, there are countless hardships. Do you have the courage to face them all?"
“ jīn tiān ， kāi shǐ dì èr chóng kǎo yàn ！”
“今天，开始第二重考验！”
Qin Tang smiled slightly as everyone's faces turned to each other in confusion.
“ zhè yī cì ， wǒ yào kǎo yàn nǐ men de yǒng qì ！”
“这一次，我要考验你们的勇气！”
A bold person stepped forward and took a step into the sea. The water instantly froze, holding him steady.
“ xiān dào màn màn ， yǒu wú shù jiān nán kùn kǔ ， nǐ men shì fǒu yǒu yǒng qì yī yí miàn duì ne ？”
“仙道漫漫，有无数艰难困苦，你们是否有勇气一一面对呢？”
The man was elated and walked further until he disappeared from sight.
qín táng wēi wēi yī xiào 。
秦堂微微一笑。
The rest rushed into the sea, eager not to be outdone.
zhòng rén zhǐ jué de yǎn qián yī huā ， zhuǎn shùn jiān biàn yǐ lí kāi gé lóu ， chū xiàn zài hǎi biān 。
众人只觉的眼前一花，转瞬间便已离开阁楼，出现在海边。
Li Fan noticed that Bai Li尘 also entered the sea.
ér zì jǐ yī shēn fǎ lì jìng jiè jiē bèi fēng suǒ ， biàn dé hé fán rén wú yì 。
而自己一身法力境界皆被封锁，变得和凡人无异。
However, Sīkōng Yí remained by the shore, hesitating to move.
qín táng què shì bú jiàn le zōng yǐng 。
秦堂却是不见了踪影。
Li Fan paid no mind and focused his mind as he stepped onto the ice.
zhǐ yǒu tā de shēng yīn yuǎn yuǎn chuán lái 。
只有他的声音远远传来。
Underfoot, the ice formed, but the others were nowhere to be seen.
“ wǒ zài hǎi de duì àn děng nǐ men 。 yòng nǐ men de yǒng qì ， kuà guò zhè piàn dà hǎi ba ！”
“我在海的对岸等你们。用你们的勇气，跨过这片大海吧！”
On this vast expanse of ocean, Li Fan was alone in an instant.
zhòng rén wén yán ， miàn miàn xiāng qù 。
众人闻言，面面相觑。
He walked steadily forward, with the sun rising and setting overhead, unaware how much time passed.
yǒu dǎn dà zhī rén ， zǒu dào hǎi biān ， yī jiǎo tà chū 。
有胆大之人，走到海边，一脚踏出。
The scenery before him remained unchanged; the sea seemed endless. Even though he knew the answer beforehand, his heart still felt a sense of helplessness and doubt.
hǎi shuǐ dùn shí níng jié chéng bīng ， jiāng nà rén wěn wěn jiē zhù 。
海水顿时凝结成冰，将那人稳稳接住。
At this moment, Li Fan could feel the ice beneath his feet gradually thinning.
nà rén dà xǐ ， bù duàn wǎng qián zǒu zhe ， hěn kuài jiù xiāo shī zài le zhòng rén de shì xiàn zhōng 。
那人大喜，不断往前走着，很快就消失在了众人的视线中。
Taking a deep breath, he pushed away his doubts and continued resolutely forward.
yú xià zhòng rén jiàn bèi rén qiǎng xiān ， yě fēn fēn jí bù kě nài de zǒu jìn le hǎi zhōng 。
余下众人见被人抢先，也纷纷急不可耐的走进了海中。
The ice underfoot thickened again.
lǐ fán piē jiàn ， bǎi lǐ chén yě shì rú cǐ ， gēn zhe zǒu jìn hǎi lǐ 。
李凡瞥见，百里尘也是如此，跟着走进海里。
This second test was about 'courage.'
zhǐ shì nà sī kōng yí què yī rán tíng liú zài hǎi biān ， chí chí méi yǒu dòng zuò 。
只是那司空宜却依然停留在海边，迟迟没有动作。
Not only facing external challenges but also confronting one's inner fears.
lǐ fán yě bù zài zhù yì ， zhǐ shì shōu liǎn xīn shén ， huǎn huǎn tà shàng hǎi miàn 。
李凡也不再注意，只是收敛心神，缓缓踏上海面。
Walking for what felt like an eternity on this endless sea, Li Fan wondered if he had lost his way. Would the sea ever end? Would he lose heart and give up?
jiǎo xià níng shuǐ chéng bīng ， shì yě zhōng què shì méi le qí yú rén de zōng yǐng 。
脚下凝水成冰，视野中却是没了其余人的踪影。
Step by step, Li Fan tested his own resolve.
máng máng dà hǎi zhī shàng ， chà nà jiān zhǐ yú xià le zì jǐ gū shēn yī rén 。
茫茫大海之上，刹那间只余下了自己孤身一人。
Even after countless lifetimes, he had never faced such a test before—putting aside all external distractions to walk forward and ponder.
lǐ fán miàn sè rú cháng ， yí bù yí bù xiàng qián zǒu qù 。
李凡面色如常，一步一步向前走去。
This ice passage was like the path of immortality itself: endless and uncertain.
tóu dǐng rì shēng yuè luò ， yě bù zhī guò le duō jiǔ 。
头顶日升月落，也不知过了多久。
Halfway through, looking around, one could easily lose their way.
lǐ fán suǒ jiàn de jǐng sè ， què shǐ zhōng yī chéng bù biàn 。
李凡所见的景色，却始终一成不变。
From start to finish, it was just him alone, with no support.
zhè piàn dà hǎi sì hū méi yǒu jìn tóu 。
这片大海似乎没有尽头。
Time passed, seeming to stretch on forever.
nǎ pà lǐ fán yǐ jīng tí qián zhī dào le dá àn ， yě hái shì bù yóu de xīn zhōng shēng qǐ zhǒng zhǒng wú lì yǔ chí yí 。
哪怕李凡已经提前知道了答案，也还是不由的心中升起种种无力与迟疑。
...
zhè shí hòu ， lǐ fán biàn néng gǎn jué dào jiǎo xià de bīng miàn hòu dù zài zhú jiàn jiǎn shǎo 。
这时候，李凡便能感觉到脚下的冰面厚度在逐渐减少。
Could he still hold onto his resolve and never lose heart?
shēn xī le yì kǒu qì ， lǐ fán jiāng xīn zhōng de yí jù qū zhú 。
深吸了一口气，李凡将心中的疑惧驱逐。
Even knowing that this test would eventually end, Li Fan wavered in his heart.
jì xù jiān jué de cháo qián fāng zǒu qù 。
继续坚决的朝前方走去。
This journey across the sea had been too long—years, decades...
jiǎo xià de bīng yòu chóng xīn biàn dé hòu shí qǐ lái 。
脚下的冰又重新变得厚实起来。
His hair turned white, his body bent with age. He continued walking without stopping until his body could no longer bear it.
zhè dì èr guān ， kǎo yàn de shì “ yǒng ”。
这第二关，考验的是“勇”。
Falling to the ice, his vision blurred as he lost consciousness, Li Fan seemed to see Qin Tang standing alone on a distant shore in a white robe, raising an empty wine bottle in greeting and taking a sip.
bù guāng shì kǎo yàn miàn duì wài wù de yǒng qì ， gèng shì kǎo yàn zhí miàn zì jǐ nèi xīn de yǒng qì 。
不光是考验面对外物的勇气，更是考验直面自己内心的勇气。
...
máng máng dà hǎi zhī shàng ， zǒu le xǔ jiǔ ， dōu méi yǒu kàn dào duì miàn de hǎi àn 。
茫茫大海之上，走了许久，都没有看到对面的海岸。
Opening his eyes, Li Fan found himself still inside the building. Many others were also disoriented, their faces showing confusion after what felt like a long time.
nǐ shì fǒu huì xīn shēng yí lǜ ， zì jǐ shì bú shì yǐ jīng mí shī le fāng xiàng ？
你是否会心生疑虑，自己是不是已经迷失了方向？
After a while, they regained clarity.
nǐ shì fǒu yòu huì xīn shēng jiāo lǜ ， zhè piàn dà hǎi dào dǐ yòng méi yǒu jìn tóu ？
你是否又会心生焦虑，这片大海到底用没有尽头？
"Crossing the River of Nine Hells is easy; crossing the sea within one's heart is hard."
shì fǒu yòu huì xīn shēng huáng kǒng ， sàng shī le qián jìn de yǒng qì 。
是否又会心生惶恐，丧失了前进的勇气。
"The second test, the trial of courage, has ended."
yì huò zhě zì bào zì qì ， bù zài qián xíng ？
亦或者自暴自弃，不再前行？
"In the morning tomorrow, we will face our final challenge."
lǐ fán yí bù yí bù zǒu zhe ， yě zài kǎo wèn zì jǐ de nèi xīn 。
李凡一步一步走着，也在拷问自己的内心。
With that, Qin Tang left with his ever-present wine bottle, swaying as he went.
It was the body of Jia Xiuyuan.
Three months had passed, and something unusual began to manifest in his body. Unlike normal flesh and blood, it seemed more like a withered tree, turning yellowish-brown. Li Fan kicked at it, and the sound echoed like kicking wood.
At this moment, a voice came from behind Li Fan.
"This is just a puppet; not his true form. This is Jia Xiuyuan's usual tactic. There's no need for you to be surprised."
Li Fan turned around and saw that the speaker was also an Air Condensing Realm cultivator.
He bowed respectfully: "Thank you, friend, for your guidance. Are you from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance?"
The man nodded: "Indeed, my name is Chen An, and I've been a member of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance for over thirty years."
"I am Li Fan. From what you said, it seems like you know Jia Xiuyuan quite well?"
Chen An smiled: "Not particularly familiar, but after living on the island for so long, one knows some things."
"For instance, Chen An runs a general store called 'Thousand Mile Hall' where he sells everything. It's rumored that his business has official backing from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, and occasionally, he can sell good items."
"Besides, he often engages in intelligence work but never puts himself at risk; always using puppets as a front."
Hearing this, Li Fan nodded slowly: "So, greedy for wealth and afraid of death? That makes sense."
Chen An laughed heartily: "Friend, you've summed it up perfectly! Greedy for wealth and afraid of death aptly describe Jia Xiuyuan!"
After the laughter, Chen An suddenly said: "Earlier when I was copying techniques in the library, I noticed everyone would take breaks after a while. They'd rest to conserve their strength before continuing. But you didn't stop at all for three months. I greatly admire your dedication."
"But what's the deeper meaning behind this? If we only consider speed, surely you wouldn't be able to match those who took regular breaks due to fatigue."
"Could you enlighten me?" Chen An asked humbly.
Li Fan pondered briefly before speaking: "I can’t say there’s a deep meaning. It was just an instinctual feeling."
"The first test, as Qin Tang said, is about 'concentration.'"
"Concentration means focusing without distraction. Only when one isn't disturbed by anything external can they be truly focused. Does fatigue count as a distraction? If you stop because of it, does that mean you're no longer ‘focused’?"
"Just my humble opinion; take it for what it's worth."
Li Fan modestly said.
Chen An seemed deep in thought after hearing this.
Without saying more, Li Fan returned to the room to rest.
The next day, Qin Tang did not appear again. The others didn't dare to wander around and waited patiently inside the building.
On the third morning, Qin Tang appeared before them, swaying as he drank from a bottle of wine.
"Fine wine! Fine wine!"
He belched loudly, then looked around at the cultivators with narrowed eyes.
"The second test begins today!"
"This time, I will test your courage!"
"In this long journey to immortality, there are countless hardships. Do you have the courage to face them all?"
Qin Tang smiled slightly as everyone's faces turned to each other in confusion.
A bold person stepped forward and took a step into the sea. The water instantly froze, holding him steady.
The man was elated and walked further until he disappeared from sight.
The rest rushed into the sea, eager not to be outdone.
Li Fan noticed that Bai Li尘 also entered the sea.
However, Sīkōng Yí remained by the shore, hesitating to move.
Li Fan paid no mind and focused his mind as he stepped onto the ice.
Underfoot, the ice formed, but the others were nowhere to be seen.
On this vast expanse of ocean, Li Fan was alone in an instant.
He walked steadily forward, with the sun rising and setting overhead, unaware how much time passed.
The scenery before him remained unchanged; the sea seemed endless. Even though he knew the answer beforehand, his heart still felt a sense of helplessness and doubt.
At this moment, Li Fan could feel the ice beneath his feet gradually thinning.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed away his doubts and continued resolutely forward.
The ice underfoot thickened again.
This second test was about 'courage.'
Not only facing external challenges but also confronting one's inner fears.
Walking for what felt like an eternity on this endless sea, Li Fan wondered if he had lost his way. Would the sea ever end? Would he lose heart and give up?
Step by step, Li Fan tested his own resolve.
Even after countless lifetimes, he had never faced such a test before—putting aside all external distractions to walk forward and ponder.
This ice passage was like the path of immortality itself: endless and uncertain.
Halfway through, looking around, one could easily lose their way.
From start to finish, it was just him alone, with no support.
Time passed, seeming to stretch on forever.
...
Could he still hold onto his resolve and never lose heart?
Even knowing that this test would eventually end, Li Fan wavered in his heart.
This journey across the sea had been too long—years, decades...
His hair turned white, his body bent with age. He continued walking without stopping until his body could no longer bear it.
Falling to the ice, his vision blurred as he lost consciousness, Li Fan seemed to see Qin Tang standing alone on a distant shore in a white robe, raising an empty wine bottle in greeting and taking a sip.
...
Opening his eyes, Li Fan found himself still inside the building. Many others were also disoriented, their faces showing confusion after what felt like a long time.
After a while, they regained clarity.
"Crossing the River of Nine Hells is easy; crossing the sea within one's heart is hard."
"The second test, the trial of courage, has ended."
"In the morning tomorrow, we will face our final challenge."
With that, Qin Tang left with his ever-present wine bottle, swaying as he went.