Chapter 499

That cracked gong voice and thick smoke fire rose together, like a deadly evil ghost talisman, instantly freezing all Gongsun family members in place!

Translation: That cracked gong voice and thick smoke fire rose together, like a deadly evil ghost talisman, instantly freezing all Gongsun family members in place!

That cracked gong voice and thick smoke fire rose together, like a deadly evil ghost talisman, instantly freezing all Gongsun family members in place!

We need to keep the exclamation mark.

Wugongzi, Yezimei, and Lijingfeng, along with a group of guests, were also startled.

Translation: Young Master Wu, Ye Zimei, Li Jingfeng, and the other guests were also startled.

The nearly thousand guests and courtesans in the hall turned pale, feeling restless and uneasy.

Translation: The nearly thousand guests in the hall and the brothel sisters all turned pale, feeling restless and uneasy.

Gongsun Lier trembled, crying out: "Impossible, impossible… Grandfather, how could the Nine Mechanisms Pavilion be set on fire? This is utterly absurd!"

Translation: Gongsun Li'er trembled, voice lost: "Impossible, impossible…… Grandfather, how could the Nine Mechanism Pavilion be set on fire? This is sheer absurdity!"

Gongsun Su glanced around, his face ashen, looking at Heng Xian on the beam as if seeing a primordial beast: "Who are you? How did you learn the weakness of our Gongsun family's vital Nine Mechanisms Pavilion?"

Translation: Gongsun Sou glanced around, his face ashen as paper, looking at Heng Xian on the beam, as if seeing some primordial beast: "Who are you? How did you know the weakness of our Gongsun family's vital Nine Mechanism Pavilion?"

Heng Xian stepped on the massive elliptical beam and the interlocking gear mechanism, marveling at the ingenious design of the Nine Mechanisms Pavilion; hearing Gongsun Su's words, he almost wanted to fan himself, saying: "Listen well, I am Heng Xian of the Tianyuan Sect; as for how I know the pavilion's weakness—simple! I figured it out!"

Translation: Heng Xian stepped on the massive elliptical beam and the tightly meshed gear expansion device, sighing that the Nine Mechanism Pavilion's design was ingenious. Hearing Gongsun Sou's words, he really wanted to wave a fan and said: "Listen up, I'm Heng Xian, Heng Xian of the Tianyuan Sect. As for how I know the weakness of the Nine Mechanism Pavilion? Simple! Figured it out?"

"What do you mean by analysis?" Gongsun Su snapped angrily.

Translation: "What do you mean by analysis?" Gongsun Sou snapped.

Heng Xian coughed lightly: "Analysis means breaking down a thing, concept, or phenomenon into simple components, then identifying the essential attributes of those parts and their relationships—remember, these are all free points!"

Translation: Heng Xian lightly coughed: "Analysis means breaking down a matter, concept, or phenomenon into simple components, then finding the essential attributes of those parts and their relationships. Remember, these are all free points!"

"Uh…"

Translation: "Uh……"

Everyone listening from all directions was left bewildered.

Translation: Everyone from all directions who listened seriously was left dazed.

Gongsun Su, unable to contain his anger, pointed upward, his aura of the Yuan Dan late stage surging to the heavens: "Nonsense, utter chaos—no matter who you are, you won't leave Nine Palaces City alive today!"

Translation: Gongsun Sou flew into a rage, pointing upward, his Primordial Elixir Late Stage aura surging to the heavens: "Nonsense, utter chaos, no matter who you are, today you won't leave Nine Palace City alive!"

"Whether I live or die is not for you to say!"

Translation: "Whether I live or die is not up to you!"

Heng Xian chuckled lightly, and a vast sword field spread around him, point by point, sheet by sheet, covering the heavens and earth, permeating the entire Nine Mechanisms Pavilion.

Translation: Heng Xian chuckled lightly, a vast sword field spreading around him, point by point, sheet by sheet, covering the sky and earth, permeating the entire Nine Mechanism Pavilion.

This is the sword aura field of the true form of the ancient sword sage—terrifying and archaic, making one's scalp tingle.

Translation: This is the sword aura field of the Primordial Sword Saint True Form, terrifying and ancient, making scalps tingle.

Gongsun Su froze for a moment.

Translation: Gongsun Sou stared blankly for a moment.

Meanwhile, Gongsun Lier, Wugongzi, and others exchanged glances, finally understanding what Lijingfeng and the other had said—this Heng Xian's sword is indeed terrifying!

Translation: Meanwhile, Gongsun Li'er, Young Master Wu, and the others exchanged glances, finally understanding what Li Jingfeng and the other had said: this Heng Xian's sword is indeed terrifying!

Gongsun Su took a deep breath, waved his hand: "Seize and kill that outsider!"

Translation: Gongsun Sou took a deep breath, waved his hand: "Seize and kill that person outside!"

"Yes!"

Translation: "Yes!"

Dozens of Gongsun family experts, brimming with killing intent, rushed toward the chaotic outside of the Nine Mechanisms Pavilion.

Translation: Dozens of Gongsun family experts, killing intent surging, rushed toward the chaotic outside of the Nine Mechanism Pavilion.

However, as the group stepped out, a stout figure leapt through the rooftop window onto the interior beam, wobbling as he stood not far from Heng Xian, hands on his hips, eyes gleaming with excitement at the crowd below: "I am Sun Bufan, known as Yuan Tong, here! Don't underestimate the poor youth—I will pierce the heavens!"

Translation: However, just as the group went out, a plump figure leapt through the roof window onto the interior beam, swaying as he stood not far from Heng Xian, hands on his fat waist, eyes excited as he looked down at the crowd: "I, Sun Bufan, alias Yuan Tong, have arrived! Don't underestimate a poor youth, I, Sun Bufan, sweep the heavens!"

"You're overdoing the act—don't fall and get chopped!" Heng Xian warned.

Translation: "You're overdoing the act, don't fall and get chopped!" Heng Xian warned.

Sun Bufan laughed: "When it's time to show off, just do it—don't wait for some blind fool to do it, isn't that what you said?"

Translation: Sun Bufan laughed: "When it's time to act, just act; don't wait for some nonsense to act, isn't that what you said?"

The two laughed heedlessly, which to the onlookers seemed the most childish yet malicious provocation; Gongsun Su glanced at the growing flames around them, the fatal weakness of the Nine Mechanisms Pavilion exposed in an instant—once ignited, the fire cannot be quenched, a curse and karma of the Gongsun family for a thousand years.

Translation: The two laughed heedlessly, to the onlookers below like the world's most childish yet also most evil provocation. Gongsun Sou glanced at the growing flames around; the fatal weakness of the Nine Mechanism Pavilion was pointed out, once ignited the fire cannot be extinguished—this is the Gongsun family's thousand-year curse and karma.

Unexpectedly, the karma appeared today; he pointed at Heng Xian and the other, his voice almost changing tone: "Kill these two!"

Translation: Unexpectedly, the karma appeared today; he pointed at Heng Xian and the other, his voice almost changing: "Kill these two!"

Having spoken, he moved first, his aura soaring as he leapt upward.

Translation: Having said that, he moved first, his aura soaring to the heavens as he leapt up.

Gongsun Lier, dozens of Gongsun family experts, guest officials, and Wugongzi likewise launched their attacks.

Translation: Gongsun Li'er, dozens of Gongsun family experts, guest officials, and Young Master Wu likewise attacked.

"Uh…" Sun Bufan, who had been laughing triumphantly, paused, looking at Heng Xian: "When we came out, you didn't tell us you had a plan daring enough to drag the whole world down—now what do we do?"

Translation: "Uh……" Sun Bufan, who had been laughing complacently, paused, looking at Heng Xian: "When we came out, you didn't tell us you had such a daring plan to drag the whole world down; now what do we do?"

Heng Xian replied: "You don't even know how I'm preparing to do this, yet you're just tagging along?"

Translation: Heng Xian said: "You don't even know how I'm preparing to do this, yet you just follow along?"

He really just came to look at the women of the pleasure house, taking things step by step; after all, the best choice was to wait for the demon realm to open, to be used as a vanguard of the ultimate slayer, then go in and see.

Translation: He really just came to look at the women in the flower building, taking things step by step; after all, the best choice is to wait for the Yao Domain Realm to open, then be regarded as a vanguard of the Extreme Slaughter Warrior and go in to have a look,

However, when Jinzhi kissed him, exposing him completely, he realized there was nothing to be done—only to seek guidance from the heavenly divination, which then gave him this path.

Translation: However, when Jinzhi kissed him and completely exposed him, he knew there was no way out; he could only seek guidance from the Heavenly Hexagram, and the Heavenly Hexagram gave him this path.

Sun Bufan forced a smile: "You are the wise elder, all-powerful—don't joke!"

Translation: Sun Bufan forced a smile: "You are the Wise Sir, omnipotent, don't mess around!"

Heng Xian looked at the ever-approaching crowd below, the immense aura, the myriad magical devices and arts, took a deep breath: "Old man, if you don't help us open the passage to the demon realm's gate, don't ask me where your granddaughter is!"

Translation: Heng Xian looked at the ever-approaching crowd below, the vast aura and myriad magical devices and arts, took a deep breath: "Old Man Dao, if you don't help us open the passage to the Yao Domain Realm's gate, where is your granddaughter? Don't ask me!"

As his words fell, the old man appeared on the nearby beam, a horse-faced visage full of resentment: "How do you know I have the ability to open the demon realm? I've told no one!"

Translation: As his words fell, Old Man Dao appeared on the nearby beam, a horse-faced visage full of resentment: "How do you know I have the ability to open the Yao Domain Realm? I've told no one!"

The crowd below had already reached them, the massive magical shockwave striking the three's faces.

Translation: The crowd below had already reached them, the vast magical energy wave striking the three's faces.

Heng Xian said: "Quick!"

Translation: Heng Xian said: "Quick!"

The old man, reluctant but unwilling, swiftly formed seals with his hands, emitting waves of restrictive seals; behind the three, a column of light suddenly appeared, like the one in the Great Zhou's "Wangsheng Prison".

Translation: Old Man Dao, unwilling but compelled, swiftly formed seals with his hands, emitting wave after wave of restrictive ripples; behind the three, a column of light suddenly appeared, just like the one in the Great Zhou's Rebirth Prison.

As the heaven‑covering spells and weapons were about to strike, the three dove in; with Sun Bufan's cry "We're leaving too," they vanished instantly.

Translation: As the sky-filling arts and devices were about to strike, the three dove in, and with Sun Bufan's words "We're leaving too!", they vanished instantly.

The trio's escape was like opening an endless road in a sky‑filled sea of fire, disappearing in an instant.

Translation: The trio's escape was like opening an endless road in a sky of fire, vanishing in an instant.

Such an escape method—never seen, never even heard of!

Translation: Such an escape method—never seen, never even heard of!

The sky‑filling spells and weapons struck nothing.

Translation: The heavens' arts and devices struck nothing.

The Gongsun family and the group of guests stared at each other in silence.

Translation: The Gongsun family and the group of guests faced each other in silence.

Gongsun Su pondered, then immediately looked toward the depths of the Nine Mechanisms Pavilion: "Force open the demon realm's gate—quickly!"

Translation: Gongsun Sou pondered, then immediately looked toward the depths of the Nine Mechanism Pavilion: "Force open the Yao Domain Realm's gate, quickly!"

……

Translation: …… (ellipsis)

This is a lush, green place!

Translation: This is a place of lush greenery!

It's called lush green because the ground beneath Heng Xian and his two companions is filled with green mist, and the surrounding air has a faint green hue.

Translation: It's called lush green because the ground beneath Heng Xian and the others is filled with green smoke mist, and the surrounding air also has a faint green tint.

Sun Bufan glanced around and exclaimed: "What kind of ghostly place is this?"

Translation: Sun Bufan looked around and exclaimed in shock: "What kind of ghostly place is this?"

Heng Xian said: "If nothing unexpected happens, this is an island!"

Translation: Heng Xian said: "No surprise, it's an island!"

The ground beneath their feet isn't large—about a li in length and width—like a floating island in midair.

Translation: The ground beneath their feet isn't large, about a li in length and width, like an island floating in midair.

"This isn't an island; it's the departure point for opening the nine gates of the demon realm!" the old man said coldly, then turned to Heng Xian: "You little brat, how did you know I have the means to get here? You've been swaggering around playing with those people for half a hour, yet your confidence and reliance are actually me!"

Translation: "This isn't an island; it's the departure gate for opening the nine gates of the Yao Domain Realm!" Old Man Dao said coldly, then looked at Heng Xian: "You little brat, how do you know I have the means to come here? You've been acting all high and mighty, playing with those people for half a hour, yet your confidence and reliance are actually me!"

Heng Xian rolled up his sleeves, of course not telling the old man about his heavenly divination: "Simple! Who are you, old man? I know only one who practices the inverted dipper; since you've come here, you must be for the demon realm!"

Translation: Heng Xian rolled up his sleeves, of course not telling Old Man Dao that he had a Heavenly Hexagram: "Simple! Who are you, Old Man Dao? I know only one who practices inverted divination, and since you're here, it's naturally for the Yao Domain Realm!"

After all this time, you've surely dug a hole—you went to become an ultimate slayer warrior, perhaps because it's the last demon stone you can't open!

Translation: "After so long, you must have already bored a hole; the reason you ran off to become an Extreme Slaughter Warrior is probably because you couldn't break the final demon stone, and you still can't!"

The old man stared at him for a while: "I've met countless people, but I can't make sense of this youngster—I'm convinced!"

Translation: Old Man Dao stared at him for a while: "I've met countless people, I don't understand this youngster, I'm convinced!"

Sun Bufan, feeling proud, said: "You old stick, of course you can't understand—who is this wise elder? Someone who, in his early teens, slept with eighteen girls in one night!"

Translation: Sun Bufan, feeling pleased, said: "You old stick, of course you can't understand; who is the Wise Sir? Someone who, in his early teens, slept with eighteen girls in one night!"

The old man's eyes narrowed slightly: "I don't believe it! Isn't your waist sore?"

Translation: Old Man Dao's eyes narrowed slightly: "I don't believe it! Isn't your waist sore?"

"A true hero doesn't brag about past courage—if not mentioned, it's fine!"

Translation: "A true hero doesn't boast of past courage, nor does he need to!"

Heng Xian felt a bit embarrassed, pointing around, asked the old man: "Are you sure this is the departure point?"

Translation: Heng Xian felt a bit embarrassed, pointing around, asked Old Man Dao: "Are you sure this is the departure gate?"

(End of chapter)