ér jiù zài zhòng rén yǐ wéi jú shì jí jiāng yí miàn dǎo de shí hòu ……
而就在众人以为局势即将一面倒的时候……
And just as everyone thought the situation was about to turn in one direction...
yī duì yòu yī duì de hēi yī xiū shì ， tōng guò gè zhōu chuán sòng zhèn ， dǐ dá zhàn chǎng 。
一队又一队的黑衣修士，通过各州传送阵，抵达战场。
Another group of black-robed cultivators arrived at the battlefield through various传送 arrays, each state.
zhè xiē xiū shì ， bù zhī lái lì 。
这些修士，不知来历。
These cultivators came from unknown origins but were all at least at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Among them were Core Formation Pillars and even some who had reached the Dao Union stage, leading them to display formidable combat power.
dàn gè gè dōu zuì dī dōu shì yuán yīng jìng jiè 。 huà shén zhōng jiān 、 hé dào wéi shǒu 。
但各个都最低都是元婴境界。化神中坚、合道为首。
After centuries of peace in the Xuanhuang World, these cultivators seemed like seasoned veterans with their heavy killing aura. Their coordination was impeccable, and their attacks were swift and precise. A team of four or five Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators could easily surround and kill a Core Formation Pillar. The leading Dao Union cultivator's move alone forced the Five Elders Alliance to retreat in disarray.
biǎo xiàn chū lái de zhàn lì yě jí wéi kě pà 。
表现出来的战力也极为可怕。
The battle instantly turned around as Li Fan, hiding in Stone Arrival State, witnessed this group of black-robed cultivators' actions. What left the deepest impression on him was the leading Dao Union cultivator who seemed to condense lightning into a long spear and wielded it with such power that the entire Stone Arrival State lit up.
yào zhī dào ， xuán huáng jiè yǐ jīng shù bǎi nián méi yǒu dà de zhàn shì le 。
要知道，玄黄界已经数百年没有大的战事了。
The silver spear moved like a dragon, stirring the heavens and earth. Even Li Fan, watching from afar, felt its impact as if he were in the midst of a storm, surrounded by the sharp cries of spirit energy surging around him. His own spirit energy was forced to resonate with it, making his movements sluggish.
rán ér zhè xiē xiū shì ， què hǎo sì shēn jīng bǎi zhàn bān ， shā lù qì xī jí zhòng 。
然而这些修士，却好似身经百战般，杀戮气息极重。
Before this attack could even be fully unleashed, a group of Five Elders Alliance cultivators plummeted from the sky. A wooden fan finally blocked the silver lightning, averting total annihilation for the Five Elders Alliance.
pèi hé wú jiàn 、 chū shǒu líng lì 。
配合无间、出手凌厉。
"Something familiar about that move. Wu?" Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
yī duì sì wǔ rén de yuán yīng ， jiù kě wéi shā huà shén 。
一队四五人的元婴，就可围杀化神。
Before he could think further, another unexpected change occurred on the battlefield. The slightly hindered Five Elders Alliance chose to retreat en masse without hesitation, as if they had a pre-planned strategy. Besides the Dao Union cultivator with the wooden fan, another man seated in a wooden wheelchair unfolded an array diagram, setting up several arrays that slowed down and blocked the Ten Thousand Immortals League's pursuit.
ér lǐng duì de hé dào xiū shì chū shǒu ， gèng shì néng dǎ dī wǔ lǎo huì hé dào jié jié bài tuì 。
而领队的合道修士出手，更是能打的五老会合道节节败退。
The Five Elders Alliance, well-trained, retreated like a tide of water, leaving only devastation behind.
zhàn jú shùn jiān niǔ zhuǎn 。
战局瞬间扭转。
"More of a probing attack than a full-scale war. If we can take them in one battle, better."
duǒ cáng zài shí lín zhōu de lǐ fán ， qià hǎo kàn jiàn le zhè qún hēi yī xiū shì de chū shǒu 。
躲藏在石临州的李凡，恰好看见了这群黑衣修士的出手。
"If not, they'll retreat at the first sign." Li Fan observed the survivors of the Ten Thousand Immortals League, who were still shaken from their ordeal.
ràng tā yìn xiàng zuì wèi shēn kè de ， zì rán jiù shì wéi shǒu de hé dào le 。
让他印象最为深刻的，自然就是为首的合道了。
The black-robed cultivators did not pursue the orderly retreating Five Elders Alliance but stood in the air for a while to prevent any ambush. Only after reinforcing their defenses did they retreat as dark light.
fǎng fú bǎ tiān shàng léi tíng níng chéng yī bǐng cháng qiāng ， wò zài shǒu zhōng 。
仿佛把天上雷霆凝成一柄长枪，握在手中。
Although the timely appearance of the black-robed cultivators prevented a complete collapse, the swift defeat still enraged the Ten Thousand Immortals League. The protective arrays were quickly replaced from the Heavenly Origin Array to the Ten Thousand Miles River and Mountain Array for better defense. The Strategy Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortals League began an internal investigation.
zhěng gè shí lín zhōu dōu zài chà nà jiān biàn zhào liàng 。
整个石临州都在刹那间便照亮。
The泄密of the protective array was undoubtedly linked to high-ranking officials in the Strategy Hall, who knew all its vulnerabilities. If such a person were not removed, any future changes to the defensive formations would be as transparent to enemies as they could be!
yín qiāng rú lóng ， jiǎo dòng tiān dì 。
银枪如龙，搅动天地。
The severity of this situation was clear. Not only did the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals League see many array cultivators taken for investigation, but so did the Strategy Halls in various states.
jiù lián yuǎn yuǎn guān wàng de lǐ fán ， dōu bèi bō jí 。 hǎo sì shēn chù kuáng fēng jù làng zhī zhōng ， zhōu wéi jìn shì líng qì bào dòng chuán lái de jiān xiào 。 tǐ nèi líng lì gèng shì bèi pò yǔ zhī gòng míng ， yùn xíng chí zhì 。
就连远远观望的李凡，都被波及。好似身处狂风巨浪之中，周围尽是灵气暴动传来的尖啸。体内灵力更是被迫与之共鸣，运行迟滞。
Although the Five Elders Alliance had temporarily withdrawn, the entire league was thrown into turmoil.
cǐ jī shàng wèi fā chū ， jiù yǐn dé yī qún qún wǔ lǎo huì xiū shì cóng tiān shàng zhuì luò 。
此击尚未发出，就引得一群群五老会修士从天上坠落。
On Cunyun Sea, at Haixuan Island,
zuì zhōng hái shì yī bǐng mù shàn ， jiāng yín sè léi tíng dǎng xià 。
最终还是一柄木扇，将银色雷霆挡下。
Ji Shao Li warmly greeted the arriving Cunyun Sea cultivators. Most were island governors or held positions on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, busy with their duties in these tense times. Their presence for today's feast was already a sign of respect.
zhè cái bì miǎn le wǔ lǎo huì nà biān zhí jiē quán jūn fù mò de mìng yùn 。
这才避免了五老会那边直接全军覆没的命运。
"Unfortunately, our fellow array cultivators couldn't make it today," Ji Shao Li's doppelganger said with regret.
“ zhè yī zhāo ， yǒu diǎn yǎn shú 。 wǔ ？” lǐ fán bù jīn mī qǐ le yǎn jīng 。
“这一招，有点眼熟。武？”李凡不禁眯起了眼睛。
"Haha, they're too busy dealing with various reviews and inspections." A cultivator quickly explained.
bù děng tā jì xù sī suǒ ， zhàn chǎng shàng yòu fā shēng le yì xiǎng bù dào de biàn huà 。
不等他继续思索，战场上又发生了意想不到的变化。
"No one could have imagined that even the protective array, such a secret, would be betrayed. It shows how corrupt the Strategy Hall has become."
xíng dòng shāo wēi shòu cuò de wǔ lǎo huì ， jìng rán shì dì yī shí jiān jiù lì mǎ xuǎn zé le jí tǐ chè tuì 。
行动稍微受挫的五老会，竟然是第一时间就立马选择了集体撤退。
"Apparently, to calm this situation, Chief Array Cultivator Lu Xichan of the Strategy Hall voluntarily resigned. Sigh..."
sī háo bù tuō ní dài shuǐ ， sì hū zǎo yǒu yù àn bān 。
丝毫不拖泥带水，似乎早有预案般。
"In my opinion, it's not just the Strategy Hall; the entire league is in trouble..."
bìng qiě chú le shǒu chí mù shàn de hé dào xiū shì ， hái yǒu lìng wài yī míng zuò zài mù zhì lún yǐ shàng de nán zi ， bù xú bù jí dì zhǎn kāi yī juàn zhèn tú 。
并且除了手持木扇的合道修士，还有另外一名坐在木制轮椅上的男子，不徐不疾地展开一卷阵图。
"Eh, Daoist Zhang, be careful with your words..."
zài qǐng kè jiān yú zhàn chǎng shàng bù xià ruò gān zhèn fǎ ， yán huǎn 、 zǔ zhǐ wàn xiān méng de zhuī jī 。
在顷刻间于战场上布下若干阵法，延缓、阻止万仙盟的追击。
The cultivators, all within the Ten Thousand Immortals League system, began a heated discussion as Ji Shao Li started the conversation.
wǔ lǎo huì xùn liàn yǒu sù ， bù guò xū yú ， biàn yǐ jīng rú cháo shuǐ bān tuì qù 。
五老会训练有素，不过须臾，便已经如潮水般退去。
As the topic became more sensitive and taboo, they stopped.
zhǐ liú xià mǎn dì de chuāng yí ， sù shuō zhe gāng gāng bù jiǔ de zhàn zhēng 。
只留下满地的疮痍，诉说着刚刚不久的战争。
"Speaking of which, have you changed your ways, Ji Daoist? There used to be many beautiful female cultivators around. Why are there none today?"
“ yǔ qí shuō shì quán miàn zhàn zhēng ， gèng xiàng shì yī cì shì tàn 。 ruò shì yī zhàn jiù néng ná xià gèng hǎo 。”
“与其说是全面战争，更像是一次试探。若是一战就能拿下更好。”
"Haha, Ji Daoist dismissed some recently. I thought he had found new company, but it's been a long time without any action. It is quite strange."
“ fǎn zhī ， jiù yī chù jí zǒu 。” lǐ fán kàn zhe shí lín zhōu dà dì shàng ， jié hòu yú shēng 、 mǎn liǎn jīng hún wèi dìng de wàn xiān méng xiū shì ， ruò yǒu suǒ sī dào 。
“反之，就一触即走。”李凡看着石临州大地上，劫后余生、满脸惊魂未定的万仙盟修士，若有所思道。
Facing the curious and inquiring gazes of his peers, Ji Shao Li sighed: "No other reason, just tired of all this!"
ér qián lái zhī yuán de hēi yī xiū shì men ， miàn duì yǒu xù chè tuì de wǔ lǎo huì ， yě bìng wèi xuǎn zé zhuī jī 。
而前来支援的黑衣修士们，面对有序撤退的五老会，也并未选择追击。
"After indulging in pleasure, one eventually feels empty."
chù lì zài bàn kōng xǔ jiǔ ， fáng zhǐ duì miàn shā gè huí mǎ qiāng 。
矗立在半空许久，防止对面杀个回马枪。
"Especially after the mysterious outbreak of war, my friend from Stone Arrival State suddenly died, which made me realize how important cultivation is."
zhí dào qián fāng fáng xiàn chóng xīn zǔ zhī wán shàn ， tā men cái huà zuò hēi guāng dùn zǒu 。
直到前方防线重新组织完善，他们才化作黑光遁走。
"Compared to enjoyment, personal cultivation and realm are more crucial."
suī rán hēi yī xiū shì de jí shí chū chǎng ， bì miǎn le zhàn jú de quán miàn bēng pán 。 dàn cǐ qián rú cǐ xùn sù de kuì bài ， hái shì ràng zhěng gè wàn xiān méng gǎn dào wú bǐ zhèn nù 。
虽然黑衣修士的及时出场，避免了战局的全面崩盘。但此前如此迅速的溃败，还是让整个万仙盟感到无比震怒。
"With the situation changing daily, no one knows where it will go. The higher your realm, the better your chances of survival!"
shǒu xiān shì gè dì de fáng hù dà zhèn ， huǒ sù yóu 【 tiān yuán huà shēng zhèn 】， gǎi huàn wèi le gèng zhù fáng shǒu 【 wàn lǐ shān hé zhèn 】。
首先是各地的防护大阵，火速由【天元化生阵】，改换为了更注防守【万里山河阵】。
Ji Shao Li's words gained many supporters.
ér hòu xiān méng cè zhèn táng ， gèng shì kāi shǐ le yī lún zì shàng ér xià de zì wǒ diào chá 。
而后仙盟策阵堂，更是开始了一轮自上而下的自我调查。
"We Cunyun Sea may be on the border, but we're close to the Five Elders Alliance territory. We must prepare for any possibility."
háo wú wú yí wèn ， cǐ cì wǔ lǎo huì néng gòu qīng ér yì jǔ dì gōng pò wàn xiān méng fáng xiàn ， gēn fáng hù dà zhèn de xiè mì tuō bù liǎo gān xì 。
毫无无疑问，此次五老会能够轻而易举地攻破万仙盟防线，跟防护大阵的泄密脱不了干系。
However, this also made some cultivators look worried: "Most of us are only at Foundation Establishment or Golden Core Realm. If a major war breaks out, we might just be like leaves in the wind..."
xún cháng zhèn fǎ shī ， zhǐ néng zhī xiǎo dà zhèn yì yú 。
寻常阵法师，只能知晓大阵一隅。
Ji Shao Li sighed: "Life and death are not in our hands!"
ér néng gòu duì fáng hù dà zhèn de gè gè lòu dòng rú cǐ qīng chǔ ……
而能够对防护大阵的各个漏洞如此清楚……
This statement resonated with everyone present.
dìng rán shì xiān méng cè zhèn táng gāo céng ！
定然是仙盟策阵堂高层！
Their expressions varied.
cǐ rén ruò shì bù chú ， jīn hòu wú lùn zěn me biàn huàn fáng hù fǎ zhèn ， zài dí rén yǎn jīng lǐ ， wú yí dōu gēn tòu míng yì bān ！
此人若是不除，今后无论怎么变幻防护法阵，在敌人眼睛里，无疑都跟透明一般！
"Another reason I invited you all is that I recently won first place in the [Fixed Fish] lottery and have considerable wealth."
cǐ shì de yán zhòng chéng dù kě xiǎng ér zhī 。
此事的严重程度可想而知。
The cultivators' attention was immediately drawn. Indeed, without such a large sum of money, they wouldn't be so accommodating to Ji Shao Li.
bù jǐn jǐn shì xiān méng zǒng bù ， gè zhōu yù cè zhèn táng ， dōu néng kàn dào yǒu zhèn fǎ shī bèi dài zǒu jiē shòu diào chá 。
不仅仅是仙盟总部，各州域策阵堂，都能看到有阵法师被带走接受调查。
They were hoping for some contribution points during critical times.
wǔ lǎo huì suī rán zàn shí chè tuì ， dàn wàn xiān méng què shì xiàn rù le jù liè de dòng dàng zhī zhōng 。
五老会虽然暂时撤退，但万仙盟却是陷入了剧烈的动荡之中。
"I also know a bit about investment. Although I've spent much on pleasure over the years, my assets have doubled."
cóng yún hǎi ， hǎi xuān dǎo shàng 。
丛云海，海轩岛上。
Ji Shao Li said with satisfaction.
jì shào lí zhèng rè qíng zhāo hū zhe qián lái cān jiā jù huì de cóng yún hǎi xiū shì men 。
季绍离正热情招呼着前来参加聚会的丛云海修士们。
(End of Chapter)
And just as everyone thought the situation was about to turn in one direction...
Another group of black-robed cultivators arrived at the battlefield through various传送 arrays, each state.
These cultivators came from unknown origins but were all at least at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Among them were Core Formation Pillars and even some who had reached the Dao Union stage, leading them to display formidable combat power.
After centuries of peace in the Xuanhuang World, these cultivators seemed like seasoned veterans with their heavy killing aura. Their coordination was impeccable, and their attacks were swift and precise. A team of four or five Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators could easily surround and kill a Core Formation Pillar. The leading Dao Union cultivator's move alone forced the Five Elders Alliance to retreat in disarray.
The battle instantly turned around as Li Fan, hiding in Stone Arrival State, witnessed this group of black-robed cultivators' actions. What left the deepest impression on him was the leading Dao Union cultivator who seemed to condense lightning into a long spear and wielded it with such power that the entire Stone Arrival State lit up.
The silver spear moved like a dragon, stirring the heavens and earth. Even Li Fan, watching from afar, felt its impact as if he were in the midst of a storm, surrounded by the sharp cries of spirit energy surging around him. His own spirit energy was forced to resonate with it, making his movements sluggish.
Before this attack could even be fully unleashed, a group of Five Elders Alliance cultivators plummeted from the sky. A wooden fan finally blocked the silver lightning, averting total annihilation for the Five Elders Alliance.
"Something familiar about that move. Wu?" Li Fan narrowed his eyes.
Before he could think further, another unexpected change occurred on the battlefield. The slightly hindered Five Elders Alliance chose to retreat en masse without hesitation, as if they had a pre-planned strategy. Besides the Dao Union cultivator with the wooden fan, another man seated in a wooden wheelchair unfolded an array diagram, setting up several arrays that slowed down and blocked the Ten Thousand Immortals League's pursuit.
The Five Elders Alliance, well-trained, retreated like a tide of water, leaving only devastation behind.
"More of a probing attack than a full-scale war. If we can take them in one battle, better."
"If not, they'll retreat at the first sign." Li Fan observed the survivors of the Ten Thousand Immortals League, who were still shaken from their ordeal.
The black-robed cultivators did not pursue the orderly retreating Five Elders Alliance but stood in the air for a while to prevent any ambush. Only after reinforcing their defenses did they retreat as dark light.
Although the timely appearance of the black-robed cultivators prevented a complete collapse, the swift defeat still enraged the Ten Thousand Immortals League. The protective arrays were quickly replaced from the Heavenly Origin Array to the Ten Thousand Miles River and Mountain Array for better defense. The Strategy Hall of the Ten Thousand Immortals League began an internal investigation.
The泄密of the protective array was undoubtedly linked to high-ranking officials in the Strategy Hall, who knew all its vulnerabilities. If such a person were not removed, any future changes to the defensive formations would be as transparent to enemies as they could be!
The severity of this situation was clear. Not only did the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Immortals League see many array cultivators taken for investigation, but so did the Strategy Halls in various states.
Although the Five Elders Alliance had temporarily withdrawn, the entire league was thrown into turmoil.
On Cunyun Sea, at Haixuan Island,
Ji Shao Li warmly greeted the arriving Cunyun Sea cultivators. Most were island governors or held positions on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, busy with their duties in these tense times. Their presence for today's feast was already a sign of respect.
"Unfortunately, our fellow array cultivators couldn't make it today," Ji Shao Li's doppelganger said with regret.
"Haha, they're too busy dealing with various reviews and inspections." A cultivator quickly explained.
"No one could have imagined that even the protective array, such a secret, would be betrayed. It shows how corrupt the Strategy Hall has become."
"Apparently, to calm this situation, Chief Array Cultivator Lu Xichan of the Strategy Hall voluntarily resigned. Sigh..."
"In my opinion, it's not just the Strategy Hall; the entire league is in trouble..."
"Eh, Daoist Zhang, be careful with your words..."
The cultivators, all within the Ten Thousand Immortals League system, began a heated discussion as Ji Shao Li started the conversation.
As the topic became more sensitive and taboo, they stopped.
"Speaking of which, have you changed your ways, Ji Daoist? There used to be many beautiful female cultivators around. Why are there none today?"
"Haha, Ji Daoist dismissed some recently. I thought he had found new company, but it's been a long time without any action. It is quite strange."
Facing the curious and inquiring gazes of his peers, Ji Shao Li sighed: "No other reason, just tired of all this!"
"After indulging in pleasure, one eventually feels empty."
"Especially after the mysterious outbreak of war, my friend from Stone Arrival State suddenly died, which made me realize how important cultivation is."
"Compared to enjoyment, personal cultivation and realm are more crucial."
"With the situation changing daily, no one knows where it will go. The higher your realm, the better your chances of survival!"
Ji Shao Li's words gained many supporters.
"We Cunyun Sea may be on the border, but we're close to the Five Elders Alliance territory. We must prepare for any possibility."
However, this also made some cultivators look worried: "Most of us are only at Foundation Establishment or Golden Core Realm. If a major war breaks out, we might just be like leaves in the wind..."
Ji Shao Li sighed: "Life and death are not in our hands!"
This statement resonated with everyone present.
Their expressions varied.
"Another reason I invited you all is that I recently won first place in the [Fixed Fish] lottery and have considerable wealth."
The cultivators' attention was immediately drawn. Indeed, without such a large sum of money, they wouldn't be so accommodating to Ji Shao Li.
They were hoping for some contribution points during critical times.
"I also know a bit about investment. Although I've spent much on pleasure over the years, my assets have doubled."
Ji Shao Li said with satisfaction.
(End of Chapter)