wàn xiān méng āi háo biàn dì 。
万仙盟哀嚎遍地。
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was in a state of woe and despair.
cóng yún hǎi yì shì rú cǐ 。
丛云海亦是如此。
In the Cunyun Sea, the situation was similar. Fortunately, several members of the Mutual Aid Association were closing themselves off to meditate and prepare for their exams on Haixuan Island, so there had been no outsiders visiting during this period. This allowed them to escape the perilous situation by chance.
hǎo zài hǎi xuān dǎo shàng ， yīn wèi liú xià lái de hù zhù huì jǐ rén ， yào bì guān bèi kǎo 。
好在海轩岛上，因为留下来的互助会几人，要闭关备考。
However, at this point, they had lost interest in further study.
suǒ yǐ zhè duàn shí jiān méi yǒu wài rén wǎng lái 。
所以这段时间没有外人往来。
Seasonal Shi closed the teleportation array and activated the island's protective barrier, completely sealing off contact with the outside world. He only monitored external developments through the Heavenly Xuan Small Mirror.
zhè cái jiǎo xìng táo de yī jié 。
这才侥幸逃的一劫。
"Indeed, it is a matter of timing and fate. Thankfully, I chose to meditate and prepare for my exams here on this day. Fellow Daoist Zhang Mu and Fellow Daoist Sun Ying have already given in and perished," Seasonal Shi said solemnly.
bù guò ， shì dào rú jīn ， tā men jǐ rén yǐ jīng wú xīn yán xí le 。
不过，事到如今，他们几人已经无心研习了。
Zhang Mu and Sun Ying were members of the Mutual Aid Association in Cunyun Sea. Out of the thirteen cultivators from the association who remained outside, two had already fallen. This was enough to demonstrate the terrifying destructive power of the Immortal-Demon Mist and the current state of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance under its onslaught.
fēn shēn jì shào lí guān bì chuán sòng zhèn 、 kāi qǐ dǎo shàng fáng hù dà zhèn ， chè dǐ fēng sǐ yǔ wài jiè lián xì 。
分身季绍离关闭传送阵、开启岛上防护大阵，彻底封死与外界联系。
"Other fellow daoists are also somewhat at risk; they can barely speak coherently."
zhǐ shì tōng guò tiān xuán xiǎo jìng ， shí kè guān zhù wài jiè xíng shì 。
只是通过天玄小镜，时刻关注外界形势。
"Although we are all brothers from the Mutual Aid Association, seeing them like this is painful. But if I let them in, it would be impossible," Seasonal Shi said gravely.
“ zhēn shì shí yě mìng yùn 。 xìng hǎo wǒ dāng rì xuǎn zé zài cǐ bì guān bèi kǎo 。 nà zhāng mù dào yǒu 、 sūn yīng dào yǒu ， yǐ jīng jiān chí bú zhù ， yǔn luò le 。”
“真是时也命运。幸好我当日选择在此闭关备考。那张牧道友、孙英道友，已经坚持不住，陨落了。”
"This Immortal-Demon Mist is unpredictable and perilous. We have yet to find an appropriate method of应对 it. There's nothing we can do."
“ qí yú hù zhù huì de xiōng dì ， yě shì zhèng zhuàng bù qīng ……” hé zhèng hào xīn yǒu yú jì dào 。
“其余互助会的兄弟，也是症状不轻……”何正浩心有余悸道。
Seasonal Shi paused, looking out at the sea beyond Haixuan Island with a strange expression.
zhāng mù 、 sūn yīng ， dōu shì cóng yún hù zhù huì de chéng yuán 。
张牧、孙英，都是丛云互助会的成员。
"Supposedly, the Immortal-Demon Mist can spread through spirit energy. I've sealed off all pathways between the island and the outside world. Fortunately, we have plenty of spirit stones stored here, so it shouldn't be an issue for now."
zài wài de hù zhù huì xiū shì ， zǒng gòng jiù shí sān míng xiū shì 。 jiù yǐ jīng yǒu liǎng wèi yǐ jīng yǔn luò 。
在外的互助会修士，总共就十三名修士。就已经有两位已经陨落。
"But if you want to cultivate, that's impossible. You can only勉强 maintain your survival," Seasonal Shi said, turning back to face everyone with a serious expression.
zú yǐ kě jiàn biàn yì xiān fán zhàng de kě bù shā shāng lì 。
足以可见变异仙凡瘴的可怖杀伤力。
"Being able to find a safe place is already fortunate. We just need to hold on until the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance comes up with specific countermeasures." The cultivators all sighed in agreement.
yǐ jí rú jīn wàn xiān méng zài xiān fán zhàng sì nüè xià de cǎn zhuàng 。
以及如今万仙盟在仙凡瘴肆虐下的惨状。
"What exactly is this Immortal-Demon Mist? It's said that it exists within humans, but it has no form or smell and no实体. How could it spread so quickly across the world in such a short time?" After a moment of silence, He Zhenghao asked with confusion, his eyes filled with worry.
“ qí tā dào yǒu yě shì yǒu diǎn wēi xiǎn ， huà dōu shuō bù lì suǒ le 。”
“其他道友也是有点危险，话都说不利索了。”
Seasonal Shi and everyone else present were unable to answer. They remained silent.
“ suī rán dōu shì hù zhù huì xiōng dì ， kàn zhe tā men nà yàng ， wǒ xīn lǐ yě nán shòu 。 dàn ruò shì fàng tā men jìn lái ， kě shì wàn wàn bù xíng 。” jì shào lí cǐ shí chén shēng dào 。
“虽然都是互助会兄弟，看着他们那样，我心里也难受。但若是放他们进来，可是万万不行。”季绍离此时沉声道。
What exactly was the Immortal-Demon Mist?
“ zhè xiān fán zhàng guǐ jué 、 xiōng xiǎn ， mù qián hái méi yǒu zhǎo dào hé shì de yìng duì zhī fǎ 。 wǒ men yě wú néng wéi lì 。”
“这仙凡瘴诡谲、凶险，目前还没有找到合适的应对之法。我们也无能为力。”
Li Fan also wanted to know the answer to this question.
jì shào lí dùn le dùn ， kàn xiàng hǎi xuān dǎo zhī wài ， shén qíng mò míng 。
季绍离顿了顿，看向海轩岛之外，神情莫名。
"Ahem... Are you two alright?" He squinted at Tianyang and Lin Ling, who were both in good spirits, and asked reluctantly.
“ jù shuō xiān fán zhàng ， hái néng tōng guò líng qì chuán bō 。 wǒ yǐ jīng jiāng dǎo yǔ gēn wài jiè de líng qì tōng dào chè dǐ fēng suǒ 。 hǎo zài wǒ dǎo shàng cháng bèi le xiē líng shí ， duǎn shí jiān nèi yìng gāi wèn tí bù dà 。”
“据说仙凡瘴，还能通过灵气传播。我已经将岛屿跟外界的灵气通道彻底封锁。好在我岛上常备了些灵石，短时间内应该问题不大。”
"Fellow Senior, it's better not to talk too much. Rest well," Tianyang advised with concern.
“ bù guò zhū wèi xiǎng yào xiū liàn ， shì bù kě néng le 。 zhǐ néng miǎn qiǎng wéi chí shēng cún 。” jì shào lí huí guò tóu lái ， kàn zhe zhòng rén ， miàn sè yán sù 。
“不过诸位想要修炼，是不可能了。只能勉强维持生存。”季绍离回过头来，看着众人，面色严肃。
"I'm fine... Ahem..."
“ néng dé yī ān shēn zhī suǒ ， yǐ jīng shì wàn xìng le 。 zhǐ yào néng chēng dào xiān méng jù tǐ de yìng duì cuò shī chū lái jiù xíng 。” zhòng xiū shì quán dōu gǎn tàn dào 。
“能得一安身之所，已经是万幸了。只要能撑到仙盟具体的应对措施出来就行。”众修士全都感叹道。
Before he could finish speaking, Li Fan erupted into a violent coughing fit. It seemed as if his internal organs were being torn apart and expelled from his body. Despite appearing critically ill, Li Fan was not worried. Instead, he calmly observed the changes happening within his body.
“ zhè xiān fán zhàng ， jiū jìng shì shén me ？ jù shuō fán rén tǐ nèi cún zài ， kě yòu wú xíng wú wèi ， méi yǒu shí tǐ 。 jū rán néng mán guò xiān méng ， zài rú cǐ duǎn shí jiān nèi jiù chuán biàn tiān xià ？” ān jìng le piàn kè hòu ， hé zhèng hào yòu mǎn shì bù jiě de wèn dào 。
“这仙凡瘴，究竟是什么？据说凡人体内存在，可又无形无味，没有实体。居然能瞒过仙盟，在如此短时间内就传遍天下？”安静了片刻后，何正浩又满是不解的问道。
This impressed Tianyang greatly.
yǎn jīng shēn chù ， yòu shǎn guò yī sī dān yōu 。
眼睛深处，又闪过一丝担忧。
"The symptoms of Young Master Shang Tianshi seem milder than mine, but they are still uncomfortable."
zài chǎng zhòng rén ， bāo kuò jì shào lí ， quán dōu bù néng huí dá 。
在场众人，包括季绍离，全都不能回答。
His divine sense searched through his body, but it could find no trace of the Immortal-Demon Mist.
mò rán wú yǔ 。
默然无语。
Li Fan gave up and began to ponder instead. "It has no实体, yet it can carry humans, cultivators, and spirit energy."
xiān fán zhàng jiū jìng shì shén me ？
仙凡瘴究竟是什么？
"Even after a thousand years, it has managed to mutate."
cǐ kè lǐ fán yě xiǎng zhī dào zhè ge wèn tí de dá àn 。
此刻李凡也想知道这个问题的答案。
"Is this Immortal-Demon Mist truly a product that defies natural laws?" Li Fan wondered.
“ hāi hāi …… nǐ men liǎng méi shì ？” tā mī zhuó yǎn jīng ， kàn zhe yī zuǒ yī yòu ， jù shì jīng shén dǒu sǒu de tiān yáng 、 lín líng ， yǒu xiē bù gān xīn de wèn dào 。
“咳咳……你们两没事？”他眯着眼睛，看着一左一右，俱是精神抖擞的天阳、林灵，有些不甘心的问道。
After some thought, he took out the communication spirit token left for Yin Yuzhen and contacted him.
“ shī xiōng ， hái shì shǎo shuō liǎng jù ba 。 hǎo hǎo xiū xī 。” tiān yáng yǒu xiē dān xīn de quàn jiè dào 。
“师兄，还是少说两句吧。好好休息。”天阳有些担心的劝诫道。
Half a cup of tea later, Yin Yuzhen's voice responded. "Friend Daoist Li Fan, are you calling me because of the Immortal-Demon Mist?"
“ wǒ méi shì …… hāi hāi ……”
“我没事……咳咳……”
"Ahem... You're not affected at all? Fellow Daoist Yin?" Li Fan was surprised to see that his counterpart seemed in good health.
huà hái méi shuō wán ， lǐ fán jiù bào fā chū yī zhèn měng liè de ké sòu 。
话还没说完，李凡就爆发出一阵猛烈的咳嗽。
"Haha, I'm different from you guys. Perhaps due to my long-term exposure to the Immortal-Demon Mist, I only felt uncomfortable for a couple of days before bouncing back fully!" Yin Yuzhen said with a smile.
sì hū wǔ zàng liù fǔ dōu yào suì le ， qí qí tǔ le chū lái 。
似乎五脏六腑都要碎了，齐齐吐了出来。
Li Fan's eyes flashed as he spoke: "Fellow Daoist, you truly have good luck. I'm not so fortunate; I am growing weaker and may not survive this ordeal..."
suī rán yī fù bìng rù gāo huāng de mú yàng ， dàn lǐ fán xīn zhōng què méi yǒu sī háo dān yōu 。
虽然一副病入膏荒的模样，但李凡心中却没有丝毫担忧。
"Fellow Daoist, don't scare yourself. Rest well; you will recover," Yin Yuzhen said disbelievingly.
ér shì shén sè zì ruò ， xì xì tǐ wù zhe shēn tǐ fā shēng de biàn huà 。
而是神色自若，细细体悟着身体发生的变化。
"Having been infected for such a long time, yet still able to speak normally indicates that the situation is not severe. Those with serious cases would be on the brink of death within three to five days," Yin Yuzhen explained using his professional knowledge.
zhè ràng yī páng de tiān yáng kàn le ， bù jīn gǎn dào shí fēn pèi fú 。
这让一旁的天阳看了，不禁感到十分佩服。
"I'll take your good wishes then." Li Fan nodded.
“ shāng tiān cì nà xiǎo zi de zhèng zhuàng ， sì hū bǐ wǒ qīng diǎn 。 dàn réng rán yǒu xiē bù hǎo shòu 。”
“商天赐那小子的症状，似乎比我轻点。但仍然有些不好受。”
After another bout of coughing, he asked again: "Fellow Daoist Yin, if anyone in this world has studied the Immortal-Demon Mist more than you, it would be hard to find. What exactly is this Immortal-Demon Mist? How could it remain terrifying even after existing for thousands of years?"
shén shí zài tǐ nèi sì chù sōu suǒ ， què gēn běn méi yǒu zhǎo dào zuì kuí huò shǒu xiān fán zhàng de hén jì 。
神识在体内四处搜索，却根本没有找到罪魁祸首仙凡瘴的痕迹。
Yin Yuzhen remained silent for a moment before softly saying: "The Immortal-Demon Mist might be a product of cultivators defying natural laws."
lǐ fán guǒ duàn fàng qì ， zhuǎn ér sī suǒ dào 。
李凡果断放弃，转而思索道。
"Even humans can kill immortals."
“ méi yǒu shí tǐ 。 dàn fán rén 、 xiū shì 、 líng qì ， dōu shì qí zài tǐ 。”
“没有实体。但凡人、修士、灵气，都是其载体。”
"It ignores strength and weakness."
“ cán cún qiān nián zhī hòu ， jū rán hái néng fā shēng biàn yì 。”
“残存千年之后，居然还能发生变异。”
Li Fan had more questions. "If that's the case, what about this mutated version of the Immortal-Demon Mist? How could it change after defying nature?"
“ zhè xiān fán zhàng ， dàng zhēn shì nì tiān dì zhī lǐ de chǎn wù ma ？” lǐ fán xīn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī yí huò 。
“这仙凡瘴，当真是逆天地之理的产物嘛？”李凡心中闪过一丝疑惑。
Yin Yuzhen shook his head. "The changes are only in appearance. The laws being defied haven't changed."
chén yín piàn kè ， tā tāo chū le liú gěi yīn shàng rén de tōng xùn líng fú ， lián xì qǐ lái 。
沉吟片刻，他掏出了留给殷上人的通讯灵符，联系起来。
"Perhaps the ratio of cultivators to ordinary people is even higher now than during ancient times, so the destructive power of the Immortal-Demon Mist has surpassed what it was before."
xiǎo bàn zhǎn chá zhī hòu ， yīn shàng rén de shēng yīn xiǎng qǐ 。
小半盏茶之后，殷上人的声音响起。
Li Fan pondered Yin Yuzhen's words and suddenly had an idea.
“ lǐ fán dào yǒu ， zhǎo wǒ kě shì wèi le xiān fán zhàng ？”
“李凡道友，找我可是为了仙凡瘴？”
"Fellow Daoist Yin, if you say that the Immortal-Demon Mist was created to protect ordinary people and suppress cultivators, then wouldn't this resurgence and mutation mean that the immortal who defied nature still exists?"
“ hāi hāi …… yīn dào yǒu nǐ jū rán méi shì ？” lǐ fán kàn zhe duì fāng nà zhōng qì shí zú de yàng zi ， bù jīn yǒu xiē chà yì 。
“咳咳……殷道友你居然没事？”李凡看着对方那中气十足的样子，不禁有些诧异。
"Why have we never heard of this emperor's name?"
“ hē hē ， wǒ bù xiàng nǐ men 。 huò xǔ shì wǒ cháng nián gēn xiān fán zhàng jiē chù de yuán yīn ， zhǐ bù guò bù shì le yī liǎng tiān ， mǎ shàng jiù yòu shēng lóng huó hǔ le ！” yīn shàng rén xiào zhe shuō dào 。
“呵呵，我不像你们。或许是我常年跟仙凡瘴接触的原因，只不过不适了一两天，马上就又生龙活虎了！”殷上人笑着说道。
After a brief silence, Yin Yuzhen hesitated before answering: "I already have some ideas about this."
lǐ fán wén yán ， mù guāng shǎn dòng ：“ dào yǒu dàng zhēn shì hǎo yùn qì 。 wǒ jiù bù xíng le ， yuè lái yuè xū ruò ， kǒng pà nán táo cǐ jié ……”
李凡闻言，目光闪动：“道友当真是好运气。我就不行了，越来越虚弱，恐怕难逃此劫……”
"But I cannot verify them yet."
“ dào yǒu bú yào zì jǐ xià zì jǐ le 。 hǎo hǎo xiū xī ， zì huì quán yù 。” yīn shàng rén yǒu xiē bù yǐ wéi rán dào 。
“道友不要自己吓自己了。好好休息，自会痊愈。”殷上人有些不以为然道。
"However, if we can discover the identity of this emperor, then we will be closer to uncovering the secrets of the Immortal-Demon Mist."
“ nǐ yǐ jīng gǎn rǎn le zhè me zhǎng shí jiān ， jì rán hái néng zhèng cháng shuō huà 。 jiù shuō míng wèn tí bù dà 。 zhēn zhèng yán zhòng de ， sān dào wǔ tiān zhī nèi ， jiù yǐ jīng huì mìng xuán yī xiàn le 。” yīn shàng rén yòng tā nà zhuān yè de zhī shí jiě shì qǐ lái 。
“你已经感染了这么长时间，既然还能正常说话。就说明问题不大。真正严重的，三到五天之内，就已经会命悬一线了。”殷上人用他那专业的知识解释起来。
Yin Yuzhen's voice sounded uncertain.
“ nà jiù jiè dào yǒu jí yán le 。” lǐ fán diǎn tóu dào 。
“那就借道友吉言了。”李凡点头道。
Li Fan narrowed his eyes but did not press further.
yòu ké sòu le yī zhèn ， huǎn le huǎn de lǐ fán zài dù tí wèn ：“ yīn dào yǒu ， ruò lùn duì xiān fán zhàng de yán jiū ， kǒng pà shì jiān méi yǒu jǐ rén néng chāo guò nǐ 。 zhè xiān fán zhàng jiū jìng shì hé wù ？ jū rán cán cún shù qiān nián ， yī jiù rú cǐ kě bù ？”
又咳嗽了一阵，缓了缓的李凡再度提问：“殷道友，若论对仙凡瘴的研究，恐怕世间没有几人能超过你。这仙凡瘴究竟是何物？居然残存数千年，依旧如此可怖？”
After a moment, he turned back to Yin Yuzhen and asked about the general trend of the widespread outbreak of the Immortal-Demon Mist.
yīn shàng rén chén mò le piàn kè ， fāng cái qīng shēng dào ：“ xiān fán zhàng ， kǒng pà shì xiū shì nì lǐ de chǎn wù 。”
殷上人沉默了片刻，方才轻声道：“仙凡瘴，恐怕是修士逆理的产物。”
"Fellow Daoist, there is no need for you to worry. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has some experience in dealing with the Immortal-Demon Mist."
“ suī fán rén ， yì kě shā xiān 。”
“虽凡人，亦可杀仙。”
"Currently, it's just that we haven't found a way to suppress the mutated version yet, so we appear passive."
“ wú shì qiáng ruò 。”
“无视强弱。”
"But I believe this will change soon."
lǐ fán yòu yǒu bù jiě ：“ jì rán rú cǐ ， zhè biàn yì de xiān fán zhàng yòu shì zěn me huí shì ？ nì lǐ zhī hòu ， qǐ néng zài biàn ？”
李凡又有不解：“既然如此，这变异的仙凡瘴又是怎么回事？逆理之后，岂能再变？”
"With the right method, the outcome of the Immortal-Demon Mist will be the same as thousands of years ago—disappearing again. It will only exist within ordinary people as a deterrent," Yin Yuzhen said with a melancholic tone.
yīn shàng rén yáo yáo tóu ：“ biàn de bù guò shì wài zài xíng shì 。 suǒ nì zhī lǐ ， yòu nǎ lǐ yǒu biàn huà le ？”
殷上人摇摇头：“变的不过是外在形式。所逆之理，又哪里有变化了？”
His words seemed to carry some hidden emotion.
“ zhǐ bù guò ， huò xǔ shì rú jīn xiū shì shù liàng yǔ fán rén shù liàng de bǐ lì ， shèn zhì hái yào dà yú shàng gǔ shí qī 。 suǒ yǐ xiān fán zhàng de shā shāng biǎo xiàn ， yuǎn shèng cóng qián le 。”
“只不过，或许是如今修士数量与凡人数量的比例，甚至还要大于上古时期。所以仙凡瘴的杀伤表现，远胜从前了。”
Li Fan was deep in thought.
lǐ fán sī suǒ zhe yīn shàng rén zhè fān huà lǐ de yì si 。
李凡思索着殷上人这番话里的意思。
(End of chapter)
The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance was in a state of woe and despair.
In the Cunyun Sea, the situation was similar. Fortunately, several members of the Mutual Aid Association were closing themselves off to meditate and prepare for their exams on Haixuan Island, so there had been no outsiders visiting during this period. This allowed them to escape the perilous situation by chance.
However, at this point, they had lost interest in further study.
Seasonal Shi closed the teleportation array and activated the island's protective barrier, completely sealing off contact with the outside world. He only monitored external developments through the Heavenly Xuan Small Mirror.
"Indeed, it is a matter of timing and fate. Thankfully, I chose to meditate and prepare for my exams here on this day. Fellow Daoist Zhang Mu and Fellow Daoist Sun Ying have already given in and perished," Seasonal Shi said solemnly.
Zhang Mu and Sun Ying were members of the Mutual Aid Association in Cunyun Sea. Out of the thirteen cultivators from the association who remained outside, two had already fallen. This was enough to demonstrate the terrifying destructive power of the Immortal-Demon Mist and the current state of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance under its onslaught.
"Other fellow daoists are also somewhat at risk; they can barely speak coherently."
"Although we are all brothers from the Mutual Aid Association, seeing them like this is painful. But if I let them in, it would be impossible," Seasonal Shi said gravely.
"This Immortal-Demon Mist is unpredictable and perilous. We have yet to find an appropriate method of应对 it. There's nothing we can do."
Seasonal Shi paused, looking out at the sea beyond Haixuan Island with a strange expression.
"Supposedly, the Immortal-Demon Mist can spread through spirit energy. I've sealed off all pathways between the island and the outside world. Fortunately, we have plenty of spirit stones stored here, so it shouldn't be an issue for now."
"But if you want to cultivate, that's impossible. You can only勉强 maintain your survival," Seasonal Shi said, turning back to face everyone with a serious expression.
"Being able to find a safe place is already fortunate. We just need to hold on until the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance comes up with specific countermeasures." The cultivators all sighed in agreement.
"What exactly is this Immortal-Demon Mist? It's said that it exists within humans, but it has no form or smell and no实体. How could it spread so quickly across the world in such a short time?" After a moment of silence, He Zhenghao asked with confusion, his eyes filled with worry.
Seasonal Shi and everyone else present were unable to answer. They remained silent.
What exactly was the Immortal-Demon Mist?
Li Fan also wanted to know the answer to this question.
"Ahem... Are you two alright?" He squinted at Tianyang and Lin Ling, who were both in good spirits, and asked reluctantly.
"Fellow Senior, it's better not to talk too much. Rest well," Tianyang advised with concern.
"I'm fine... Ahem..."
Before he could finish speaking, Li Fan erupted into a violent coughing fit. It seemed as if his internal organs were being torn apart and expelled from his body. Despite appearing critically ill, Li Fan was not worried. Instead, he calmly observed the changes happening within his body.
This impressed Tianyang greatly.
"The symptoms of Young Master Shang Tianshi seem milder than mine, but they are still uncomfortable."
His divine sense searched through his body, but it could find no trace of the Immortal-Demon Mist.
Li Fan gave up and began to ponder instead. "It has no实体, yet it can carry humans, cultivators, and spirit energy."
"Even after a thousand years, it has managed to mutate."
"Is this Immortal-Demon Mist truly a product that defies natural laws?" Li Fan wondered.
After some thought, he took out the communication spirit token left for Yin Yuzhen and contacted him.
Half a cup of tea later, Yin Yuzhen's voice responded. "Friend Daoist Li Fan, are you calling me because of the Immortal-Demon Mist?"
"Ahem... You're not affected at all? Fellow Daoist Yin?" Li Fan was surprised to see that his counterpart seemed in good health.
"Haha, I'm different from you guys. Perhaps due to my long-term exposure to the Immortal-Demon Mist, I only felt uncomfortable for a couple of days before bouncing back fully!" Yin Yuzhen said with a smile.
Li Fan's eyes flashed as he spoke: "Fellow Daoist, you truly have good luck. I'm not so fortunate; I am growing weaker and may not survive this ordeal..."
"Fellow Daoist, don't scare yourself. Rest well; you will recover," Yin Yuzhen said disbelievingly.
"Having been infected for such a long time, yet still able to speak normally indicates that the situation is not severe. Those with serious cases would be on the brink of death within three to five days," Yin Yuzhen explained using his professional knowledge.
"I'll take your good wishes then." Li Fan nodded.
After another bout of coughing, he asked again: "Fellow Daoist Yin, if anyone in this world has studied the Immortal-Demon Mist more than you, it would be hard to find. What exactly is this Immortal-Demon Mist? How could it remain terrifying even after existing for thousands of years?"
Yin Yuzhen remained silent for a moment before softly saying: "The Immortal-Demon Mist might be a product of cultivators defying natural laws."
"Even humans can kill immortals."
"It ignores strength and weakness."
Li Fan had more questions. "If that's the case, what about this mutated version of the Immortal-Demon Mist? How could it change after defying nature?"
Yin Yuzhen shook his head. "The changes are only in appearance. The laws being defied haven't changed."
"Perhaps the ratio of cultivators to ordinary people is even higher now than during ancient times, so the destructive power of the Immortal-Demon Mist has surpassed what it was before."
Li Fan pondered Yin Yuzhen's words and suddenly had an idea.
"Fellow Daoist Yin, if you say that the Immortal-Demon Mist was created to protect ordinary people and suppress cultivators, then wouldn't this resurgence and mutation mean that the immortal who defied nature still exists?"
"Why have we never heard of this emperor's name?"
After a brief silence, Yin Yuzhen hesitated before answering: "I already have some ideas about this."
"But I cannot verify them yet."
"However, if we can discover the identity of this emperor, then we will be closer to uncovering the secrets of the Immortal-Demon Mist."
Yin Yuzhen's voice sounded uncertain.
Li Fan narrowed his eyes but did not press further.
After a moment, he turned back to Yin Yuzhen and asked about the general trend of the widespread outbreak of the Immortal-Demon Mist.
"Fellow Daoist, there is no need for you to worry. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance has some experience in dealing with the Immortal-Demon Mist."
"Currently, it's just that we haven't found a way to suppress the mutated version yet, so we appear passive."
"But I believe this will change soon."
"With the right method, the outcome of the Immortal-Demon Mist will be the same as thousands of years ago—disappearing again. It will only exist within ordinary people as a deterrent," Yin Yuzhen said with a melancholic tone.
His words seemed to carry some hidden emotion.
Li Fan was deep in thought.
(End of chapter)