suī rán lǐ fán zuǐ shàng shuō ， xiāng xìn zhào shī jiě jué bú huì gàn tōu zuò shǒu jiǎo de shì qíng 。
虽然李凡嘴上说，相信赵师姐绝不会干偷做手脚的事情。
Although Li Fan claimed to believe that Senior Sister Zhao would never do something underhanded, he did not return directly to the Spirit Wood Realm after leaving Jiuhuang Province. Instead, he quietly returned to Cunyun Sea.
dàn lí kāi jiǔ shān zhōu hòu ， tā què bìng méi yǒu zhí jiē huí dào líng mù jiè 。
但离开九山州后，他却并没有直接回到灵木界。
Apart from the truecause-and-effect induction and other treasures containing Celestial Lord power, all the regular supplies were handed over to his clone, Jia Shao Li. He planned to use the Heavenly Xuan Mirror to "whitewash" these items: sell them and then buy them back to remove any traces that might have remained.
ér shì qiāo qiāo huí le tàng cóng yún hǎi 。
而是悄悄回了趟丛云海。
Even the precious Void Brightness Stone Mother, which could be used to refine spatial artifacts, was not left behind. Although this would result in a loss of contribution points, it reduced the risk of being noticed by the Immortal Celestial Lord, making it worth the effort.
chú le zhēn shí yòu guǒ děng bāo hán tiān zūn lì liàng de bǎo wù yǐ wài ， qí yú cháng guī wù zī jiē shì jiāo gěi le fēn shēn jì shào lí 。
除了真实诱果等包含天尊力量的宝物以外，其余常规物资皆是交给了分身季绍离。
Of course, with the Great Sage Alliance and the Five Elders Association at war, Jia Shao Li might need some time to thoroughly "whitewash" these supplies without arousing suspicion. But with help from other members of Cunyun Mutual Aid Society, this process would not be too slow.
dǎ suàn lì yòng tiān xuán jìng ， duì zhè xiē wù pǐn “ xǐ bái ” yī fān ： mài chū zài mǎi huí 。
打算利用天玄镜，对这些物品“洗白”一番：卖出再买回。
"As for those treasures containing Celestial Lord power, involving the power of other Celestial Lords, Senior Sister Zhao will find it difficult to tamper with them," Li Fan mused. These were purelylaw creations he had also encountered in his previous life. After carefully pondering and confirming there was nothing amiss, he finally felt at ease.
chú qù qí shàng kě néng cún zài de hén jì 。
除去其上可能存在的痕迹。
While Li Fan appeared calm during the transaction, the sound of Senior Sister Zhao's voice echoing in his mind triggered memories from past illusions where they had been intimate. However, his resilience and the Heart Refining Secret Art allowed him to suppress these thoughts, avoiding any mishaps. Instead, he inadvertently revealed a deep understanding of the Unity Great Dao Sect, sowing doubt.
shèn zhì jiù lián nà jià zhí bù fēi ， kě yòng lái liàn zhì kōng jiān fǎ bǎo de kōng míng shí mǔ yě méi yǒu liú xià 。
甚至就连那价值不菲，可用来炼制空间法宝的空明石母也没有留下。
This weakened her subtle allure, giving Li Fan an upper hand.
rú cǐ zuò ， yī lái yī huí suī rán huì sǔn shī diǎn gòng xiàn dù 。
如此做，一来一回虽然会损失点贡献度。
"Truly worthy of the Immortal Celestial Lord; even just one body requires my full effort," Li Fan couldn't help but remark.
dàn néng jiàng dī bèi cháng shēng tiān zūn dīng shàng de fēng xiǎn ， hái shì zhí de de 。
但能降低被长生天尊盯上的风险，还是值得的。
He left someworry-free lattice and Human Path Star Dust on Haixuan Island. A month later, when most of the supplies had been "whitewashed," he returned to the Spirit Wood Realm with Lin Ling and Tianyang.
dāng rán ， rú jīn zhèng zhí wàn xiān méng yǔ wǔ lǎo huì dà zhàn qī jiān 。
当然，如今正值万仙盟与五老会大战期间。
During this month, Pei Tu and others also got a glimpse of Lin Ling and Tianyang during their brief stay on the island.
wèi le bù yǐn qǐ huái yí ， jì shào lí jiāng zhè pī wù zī xǐ bái ， kě néng hái yào yòng diǎn shí jiān 。
为了不引起怀疑，季绍离将这批物资洗白，可能还要用点时间。
Their subtle aura still left the members of Cunyun Mutual Aid Society in awe. They were convinced that the mutual aid society was an immensely powerful organization, with just its Cunyun branch recently established.
bù guò yǒu cóng yún hǎi hù zhù huì de qí tā jǐ rén bāng máng ， zhè ge guò chéng yě bú huì tài màn 。
不过有丛云海互助会的其他几人帮忙，这个过程也不会太慢。
They rejoiced at being among the first to join and became even more loyal to the mutual aid society.
“ zhì yú nà xiē yùn hán tiān zūn lì liàng de zhì bǎo ， qiān shè dào qí tā tiān zūn zhī lì ， zhào shī jiě tā xiǎng yào zuò shǒu jiǎo 。 yě méi yǒu nà me róng yì 。”
“至于那些蕴含天尊力量的至宝，牵涉到其他天尊之力，赵师姐她想要做手脚。也没有那么容易。”
Meanwhile, during this month, the Five Elders Association seemed to heed Li Fan's advice and scaled back their attacks. The border skirmishes gradually ceased. However, the Five Elders did not idle; whispers of old grievances began to circulate in various states of the Great Sage Alliance.
zhè xiē dōu shì chún cuì de fǎ zé zào wù ， shàng yī shì lǐ fán yě dōu céng jiē chù guò 。
这些都是纯粹的法则造物，上一世李凡也都曾接触过。
For instance, a leader from the Jiuhuang Martial Hall was accused of killing an ordinary cultivator out of personal grudge. According to alliance law, he should have been dismissed and investigated, but this case had dragged on until it faded into obscurity. Recently, someone reminded everyone that this leader had lived well over these years, with only minor penalties.
zǐ xì tǐ wù yī fān ， què dìng yīng gāi méi shén me wèn tí hòu ， zhōng yú fàng xià xīn lái 。
仔细体悟一番，确定应该没什么问题后，终于放下心来。
Another example: a certain official from the Youzhou Administrative Hall was accused of dereliction of duty during his term, leading to a natural disaster and hundreds of cultivators' deaths. He was dismissed at the time but later resurfaced in Jiyu State with a new position, even with an improved rank!
bié kàn lǐ fán tā zài gāng gāng de jiāo yì shí hòu ， yī fù yóu rèn yǒu yú de mú yàng 。
别看李凡他在刚刚的交易时候，一副游刃有余的模样。
These old cases emerged all at once.
shí zé dāng zhào shī jiě de shēng yīn xiǎng qǐ ， bù duàn zài nǎo hǎi zhōng huí xiǎng de shí hòu 。
实则当赵师姐的声音响起，不断在脑海中回响的时候。
Most were unknown to Li Fan; they were forgotten black spots in history. Now, under some force, these memories suddenly revived.
guò wǎng zài huàn jìng zhōng ， gēn shī jiě ěr bìn sī mó de huà miàn ， què shì bù shòu kòng zhì de zì fā yǒng xiàn 。
过往在幻境中，跟师姐耳鬓厮磨的画面，却是不受控制的自发涌现。
The alliance's cultivators were furious. Although no immediate unrest occurred, whispers of "the Great Sage Alliance is corrupt and not worth our lives" and "let me die for you while you enjoy the fruits of your labor" began to circulate secretly.
hǎo zài lǐ fán xīn xìng jiān rèn ， yòu shēn huái liàn xīn mì shù 。
好在李凡心性坚韧，又身怀炼心秘术。
Despite the alliance's efforts to address this situation, it was difficult to silence such widespread discontent. The situation worsened instead, with more dark events surfacing.
jí shí jiāng zhè xiē xiá xiǎng yā xià ， zhè cái méi yǒu chū le pī lòu 。
及时将这些遐想压下，这才没有出了纰漏。
In seven days, fifteen days, a month...
gèng shì fǎn jiāng yī jūn ， bù jīng yì jiān tòu lù chū ， duì 【 wàn zhòng yī xīn dà dào zōng 】 shí fēn liǎo jiě de yàng zi 。
更是反将一军，不经意间透露出，对【万众一心大道宗】十分了解的样子。
The negative impact from these revelations persisted as new old cases emerged, leaving the Great Sage Alliance in disarray.
gù bù yí zhèn 。
故布疑阵。
Jia Shao Li gathered and meticulously recorded all this "black material," marveling at the Five Elders' tactics.
ràng zhào shī jiě kāi shǐ yí shén yí guǐ ， jiǎn ruò le zì shēn bù jīng yì jiān cháo wài sàn fà de nà zhǒng mèi huò zhī lì 。
让赵师姐开始疑神疑鬼，减弱了自身不经意间朝外散发的那种魅惑之力。
After a month and a half, the Great Sage Alliance finally responded. Their strategy surprised Li Fan but ultimately delighted him.
zhè cái ràng lǐ fán zhōng zhàn shàng fēng 。
这才让李凡终占上风。
"The alliance has talented individuals!" he exclaimed.
“ bù kuì shì cháng shēng tiān zūn ， jí biàn zhǐ shì qí zhōng yī jù shēn tǐ ， yě xū yào wǒ quán lì yǐ fù le 。” lǐ fán bù jīn wēi wēi gǎn tàn 。
“不愧是长生天尊，即便只是其中一具身体，也需要我全力以赴了。”李凡不禁微微感叹。
The alliance's response was simple: no restrictions on discussing related topics; just an announcement that the next major examination would be held six months earlier than usual to accommodate increased enrollment by fifty percent due to the Five Elders' attacks. The news caused a sensation, with everyone hating privilege but wanting it for themselves.
jiāng wú yōu jīng gé 、 rén dào xīng chén děng fēn chū yī xiē ， liú zài hǎi xuān dǎo shàng 。
将无忧晶格、人道星尘等分出一些，留在海轩岛上。
These whispers were complaints about injustice, yet excellent propaganda material. Were you a victim or an overlord? If you wanted to be an overlord, sign up!
zhí dào yí gè yuè hòu ， hù zhù huì chéng yuán men wán chéng le dà bàn wù zī de “ qīng xǐ ”。
直到一个月后，互助会成员们完成了大半物资的“清洗”。
With almost half the slots available, opportunities increased. Alliance cultivators eagerly prepared for the test.
lǐ fán zhè cái gēn lín líng 、 tiān yáng yì qǐ fǎn huí le líng mù jiè 。
李凡这才跟林灵、天阳一起返回了灵木界。
The storm would settle on its own.
ér zài dǎo shàng dòu liú de zhè ge yuè ， péi tuó 、 xiàng xīn děng rén ， yě zài jīng hóng yī piē zhōng ， yǒu xìng dé jiàn le lín líng 、 tiān yáng tā men 。
而在岛上逗留的这个月，裴陀、项心等人，也在惊鸿一瞥中，有幸得见了林灵、天阳他们。
(End of chapter)
Although Li Fan claimed to believe that Senior Sister Zhao would never do something underhanded, he did not return directly to the Spirit Wood Realm after leaving Jiuhuang Province. Instead, he quietly returned to Cunyun Sea.
Apart from the truecause-and-effect induction and other treasures containing Celestial Lord power, all the regular supplies were handed over to his clone, Jia Shao Li. He planned to use the Heavenly Xuan Mirror to "whitewash" these items: sell them and then buy them back to remove any traces that might have remained.
Even the precious Void Brightness Stone Mother, which could be used to refine spatial artifacts, was not left behind. Although this would result in a loss of contribution points, it reduced the risk of being noticed by the Immortal Celestial Lord, making it worth the effort.
Of course, with the Great Sage Alliance and the Five Elders Association at war, Jia Shao Li might need some time to thoroughly "whitewash" these supplies without arousing suspicion. But with help from other members of Cunyun Mutual Aid Society, this process would not be too slow.
"As for those treasures containing Celestial Lord power, involving the power of other Celestial Lords, Senior Sister Zhao will find it difficult to tamper with them," Li Fan mused. These were purelylaw creations he had also encountered in his previous life. After carefully pondering and confirming there was nothing amiss, he finally felt at ease.
While Li Fan appeared calm during the transaction, the sound of Senior Sister Zhao's voice echoing in his mind triggered memories from past illusions where they had been intimate. However, his resilience and the Heart Refining Secret Art allowed him to suppress these thoughts, avoiding any mishaps. Instead, he inadvertently revealed a deep understanding of the Unity Great Dao Sect, sowing doubt.
This weakened her subtle allure, giving Li Fan an upper hand.
"Truly worthy of the Immortal Celestial Lord; even just one body requires my full effort," Li Fan couldn't help but remark.
He left someworry-free lattice and Human Path Star Dust on Haixuan Island. A month later, when most of the supplies had been "whitewashed," he returned to the Spirit Wood Realm with Lin Ling and Tianyang.
During this month, Pei Tu and others also got a glimpse of Lin Ling and Tianyang during their brief stay on the island.
Their subtle aura still left the members of Cunyun Mutual Aid Society in awe. They were convinced that the mutual aid society was an immensely powerful organization, with just its Cunyun branch recently established.
They rejoiced at being among the first to join and became even more loyal to the mutual aid society.
Meanwhile, during this month, the Five Elders Association seemed to heed Li Fan's advice and scaled back their attacks. The border skirmishes gradually ceased. However, the Five Elders did not idle; whispers of old grievances began to circulate in various states of the Great Sage Alliance.
For instance, a leader from the Jiuhuang Martial Hall was accused of killing an ordinary cultivator out of personal grudge. According to alliance law, he should have been dismissed and investigated, but this case had dragged on until it faded into obscurity. Recently, someone reminded everyone that this leader had lived well over these years, with only minor penalties.
Another example: a certain official from the Youzhou Administrative Hall was accused of dereliction of duty during his term, leading to a natural disaster and hundreds of cultivators' deaths. He was dismissed at the time but later resurfaced in Jiyu State with a new position, even with an improved rank!
These old cases emerged all at once.
Most were unknown to Li Fan; they were forgotten black spots in history. Now, under some force, these memories suddenly revived.
The alliance's cultivators were furious. Although no immediate unrest occurred, whispers of "the Great Sage Alliance is corrupt and not worth our lives" and "let me die for you while you enjoy the fruits of your labor" began to circulate secretly.
Despite the alliance's efforts to address this situation, it was difficult to silence such widespread discontent. The situation worsened instead, with more dark events surfacing.
In seven days, fifteen days, a month...
The negative impact from these revelations persisted as new old cases emerged, leaving the Great Sage Alliance in disarray.
Jia Shao Li gathered and meticulously recorded all this "black material," marveling at the Five Elders' tactics.
After a month and a half, the Great Sage Alliance finally responded. Their strategy surprised Li Fan but ultimately delighted him.
"The alliance has talented individuals!" he exclaimed.
The alliance's response was simple: no restrictions on discussing related topics; just an announcement that the next major examination would be held six months earlier than usual to accommodate increased enrollment by fifty percent due to the Five Elders' attacks. The news caused a sensation, with everyone hating privilege but wanting it for themselves.
These whispers were complaints about injustice, yet excellent propaganda material. Were you a victim or an overlord? If you wanted to be an overlord, sign up!
With almost half the slots available, opportunities increased. Alliance cultivators eagerly prepared for the test.
The storm would settle on its own.
(End of chapter)