Chapter 255

When Gu Xuan and the Azure Blue Ox Python had finished their preparations, within the enclosed space of the ancient banyan, the Azure Blue Ox Python began the process of sacrificing to become a soul spirit.

After Gu Xuan and the Azure Blue Ox Python had finished their preparations, within the enclosed space of Gu Rong, the Azure Blue Ox Python began the process of sacrificing to become a soul spirit.

We need to keep "within the enclosed space of Gu Rong" as "within the enclosed space of Gu Rong". Good.

Now line by line.

We must not add explanatory words. Keep concise.

Let's do each.

After Gu Xuan and the Azure Blue Ox Python had finished their preparations, within the enclosed space of Gu Rong, the Azure Blue Ox Python began the process of sacrificing to become a soul spirit.

=> After Gu Xuan and the Azure Blue Ox Python had finished their preparations, within Gu Rong's enclosed space, the Azure Blue Ox Python began the process of sacrificing to become a soul spirit.

Check: we added "Gu Rong's". Could also say "within the enclosed space of Gu Rong". Both fine.

Throughout this process, Gu Rong and Chen Xin remained fully vigilant; if the Azure Blue Ox Python or the Titan Giant Ape showed any abnormality, they would suppress it with thunderous means.

=> In this process, Gu Rong and Chen Xin also did not relax at all; as soon as the Azure Blue Ox Python and the Titan Giant Ape showed any abnormality, the two of them would suppress it with thunderous means.

We need to keep "thunderous means" as "thunderous means" or "thunderous methods". Keep.

At this moment, Gu Xuan had his martial soul attached, sitting cross-legged in the center of the Star Moon Lake; six soul rings—two yellow, one purple, two black, and one red—hovered silently around his body.

=> At this moment, Gu Xuan had his martial soul manifested, sitting cross-legged at the center of Star Moon Lake, with six soul rings—two yellow, one purple, two black, and one red—quietly hovering on his body surface.

We need to keep numbers exactly: two yellow, one purple, two black, one red.

The Azure Blue Ox Python also coiled Gu Xuan at the center of its body; its massive bull head gently touched Gu Xuan's forehead, and at the instant their foreheads met, a terrifying surge of soul power shot up into the sky.

=> The Azure Blue Ox Python also coiled Gu Xuan at the center of its body, its huge bovine head lightly touching Gu Xuan's forehead; at the moment their foreheads touched, a terrifying soul power surge shot up into the sky.

Fortunately, Gu Rong had sealed this place; even if Gu Xuan and the Azure Blue Ox Python made a huge commotion, nothing would leak out.

=> Fortunately, Gu Rong had already sealed this place; even if Gu Xuan and the Azure Blue Ox Python made a great commotion, nothing would leak out.

As the Azure Blue Ox Python's hundred‑year‑old soul power began to erupt, Gu Xuan started absorbing his seventh soul ring.

=> As the Azure Blue Ox Python's hundred-thousand-year soul power began to erupt, Gu Xuan also began absorbing his seventh soul ring.

The Azure Blue Ox Python is now offering itself sincerely as a sacrifice; first, only in this way can it be guaranteed to become Gu Xuan's soul spirit.

=> The Azure Blue Ox Python is now sincerely sacrificing, first because only this way can it be guaranteed to become Gu Xuan's soul spirit.

Second, because Gu Xuan promised it that Xiao Wu would also become a soul spirit, once Gu Xuan reaches that level he will be able to help them revive.

=> Second, because Gu Xuan promised it that Xiao Wu would also become a soul spirit, and once Gu Xuan reaches that level in the future, he can help them revive.

Even if Gu Xuan never reaches that level, they will not die; instead they will become eternal soul spirits, growing stronger as their host's power increases.

=> Even if Gu Xuan does not reach that level, they will not die; instead, they will become soul spirits and live forever, and as the host's strength grows, they will also become stronger!

From the Azure Blue Ox Python's perspective, Gu Xuan is very likely to reach that level, because besides his own extraordinary talent he also bears the inheritance of the two Dragon Kings.

=> However, in the Azure Blue Ox Python's view, Gu Xuan is very likely to reach that level in the future, because besides his own extraordinary talent, he also bears the inheritance of the two great Dragon Kings.

The sacrifice begins; Gu Xuan hardly needs to expend much mental effort—he only needs to wholeheartedly absorb and refine the power of the hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring.

=> The sacrifice began; Gu Xuan hardly needed to expend much mental effort, only needing to wholeheartedly absorb and refine the power of the hundred-thousand-year soul ring.

As the Azure Blue Ox Python automatically transfers all of its cultivation, which has reached a full hundred thousand years, into Gu Xuan's fusion, the sealed space is instantly filled with endless thunderstorms.

=> As the Azure Blue Ox Python automatically transferred all of its cultivation, which had reached a full hundred thousand years, into Gu Xuan's fusion, the sealed space instantly filled with endless thunderstorms.

We need to keep phrasing: "As the Azure Blue Ox Python automatically transferred all of its cultivation, which had reached a full hundred thousand years, into Gu Xuan's fusion".

Besides the thunderstorm, the Azure Blue Ox Python's body also begins to gradually turn into a spiritual form, and then a blood‑red soul ring appears, encircling Gu Xuan's body.

=> Besides the thunderstorm, the Azure Blue Ox Python's body also began to gradually become incorporeal, and then a blood-red soul ring encircled Gu Xuan's body surface.

This process lasts a full day, because Gu Xuan must completely fuse with the Azure Blue Ox Python; only then can it become his soul spirit and continue to exist in another way.

=> This process lasted a full day, because Gu Xuan needed to fully fuse with the Azure Blue Ox Python; only then could it become Gu Xuan's soul spirit and survive in another way.

As Gu Xuan and the Azure Blue Ox Python fuse, the Python's heart grows ever more excited, for it discovers that this method truly works.

=> And as the Azure Blue Ox Python fused with Gu Xuan, its heart grew increasingly excited, for it discovered that this method was indeed feasible.

Even if it ultimately becomes Gu Xuan's seventh soul ring, it can still survive as a spiritual entity, residing in Gu Xuan's sea of spirit, and can continue to advance as Gu Xuan's power grows.

=> Even if it ultimately became Gu Xuan's seventh soul ring, it could still survive as a soul, residing in Gu Xuan's mental sea, and could continue to progress as Gu Xuan's strength increased.

In the blink of an eye three days pass; the Azure Blue Ox Python that once circled Gu Xuan's body has completely vanished, replaced by a blood‑red soul ring taking the position of his seventh soul ring.

=> In the blink of an eye, three days passed; at this moment, the Azure Blue Ox Python that had encircled Gu Xuan's body had completely disappeared, replaced by a blood-red soul ring returning to the position of the seventh soul ring on Gu Xuan's body.

At this moment, Gu Xuan sits cross‑legged; when the soul ring returns to its place, he slowly opens his eyes, and red‑blue light flickers in his pupils.

=> At this moment, Gu Xuan sat cross-legged; when the soul ring returned to its place, he slowly opened his eyes, and red and blue light flickered in his pupils.

At the instant he opens his eyes, a magnificent, domineering aura sweeps over, astonishing Gu Rong and Chen Xin: Gu Xuan's soul power has reached rank seventy‑eight, and he is not far from breaking through to seventy‑nine.

=> Also accompanying the moment he opened his eyes, a magnificent, domineering aura swept over, astonishing Gu Rong and Chen Xin to find that Gu Xuan's soul power level had actually reached seventy-eight, and seemed not far from breaking through to seventy-nine.

Gu Rong and Chen Xin exchange a glance; the excitement in their eyes flashes and fades, for this shows that Gu Xuan has succeeded.

=> Gu Rong and Chen Xin exchanged a glance; the excitement in their eyes flashed and faded, for this meant Gu Xuan had succeeded.

The Titan Giant Ape beside them also feels nervous and delighted, for it can sense the aura of its elder brother.

=> Beside him, the Titan Giant Ape likewise felt its heart filled with tension and delight, for it could sense the aura of its elder brother.

Gu Xuan slowly rises to his feet; at this moment he is not wearing his martial soul, his height already two meters, making him look handsome and upright.

=> Gu Xuan slowly rose to his feet; at this moment, he had no martial soul manifested, and his height of two meters made him appear handsome and upright.

Gu Xuan looks at Gu Rong and Chen Xin and says, "Grandfather, Second Grandfather, we succeeded."

=> Gu Xuan looked at Gu Rong and Chen Xin and said, "Grandfather, Second Grandfather, we succeeded."

As Gu Xuan's words fall, his eyes flash with a green light, and a huge azure‑colored dragon soul thirty meters long suddenly appears behind him.

=> As Gu Xuan's words fell, his eyes flashed with azure light, and a huge azure dragon spirit thirty meters long suddenly appeared behind him.

This dragon soul differs greatly from the Azure Blue Ox Python's former body; although it is still entirely azure, the Python has now fully draconified, growing four claws on its belly and turning the horns on its ox head into fierce, domineering dragon horns.

=> This dragon spirit differed considerably from the Azure Blue Ox Python's former body; although still entirely azure, the Azure Blue Ox Python had now fully draconified, growing four claws on its belly and turning the horns on its ox head into ferocious, domineering dragon horns.

Although it still falls short of the ultimate Azure God Dragon from the original story, it is already very close.

=> Although it still falls short of the Azure Blue God Dragon it becomes after full dragonification in the original story, it is now very close.

As long as Gu Xuan eventually becomes a god, the Azure Blue Ox Python can still complete its evolution and become a true Azure God Dragon.

=> As long as Gu Xuan ultimately becomes a god, the Azure Blue Ox Python can still complete its evolution and become a true Azure Blue God Dragon.

The Titan Giant Ape exclaims joyfully, "Big brother!"

=> The Titan Giant Ape exclaimed delightedly, "Elder Brother!"

The Azure Blue Ox Python also slowly opens its eyes; its green pupils flash with excitement and fervor, showing no sorrow at having become a human's soul ring.

=> The Azure Blue Ox Python likewise slowly opened its eyes; a flash of excitement and excitement passed through its azure pupils, showing no sorrow at becoming a human's soul ring.

For it has now become the soul spirit of a soul ring; it has died, yet it still lives on.

=> Because it has now become a soul spirit of a soul ring, it is dead, yet it still lives.

Only after becoming Gu Xuan's soul spirit does it realize how extraordinarily talented Gu Xuan truly is.

=> Only after becoming Gu Xuan's soul spirit did it realize how heaven-defying Gu Xuan's talent truly is.

It not only senses the aura of the two ancestors—the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings, who could be considered the progenitors of soul beasts—but also detects another terrifying presence within Gu Xuan's sea of spirit.

=> For it not only sensed the auras of the two ancestors (the Ice Fire Dragon King, which should count as the ancestors of soul beasts, right?), but also sensed another terrifying presence in Gu Xuan's mental sea.

Although both reside as souls in Gu Xuan's sea of spirit, a single glance from that being makes the Azure Blue Ox Python feel chilled to the bone, revealing just how powerful that entity is.

=> Although both reside as souls in Gu Xuan's mental sea, a single glance from that being makes the Azure Blue Ox Python feel chilled to the bone, enough to see how powerful that being truly is.

At this moment, the Azure Blue Ox Python calmly says, "Older brother, from today onward, I will wholeheartedly assist Gu Xuan; the entire Star Dou Great Forest will spread the soul‑spirit method, which will not only improve relations between humans and soul beasts but also guarantee the continuation of our soul‑beast race."

=> At this moment, the Azure Blue Ox Python calmly said, "Second Brother, from today onward, wholeheartedly assist Gu Xuan's people throughout the Star Dou Great Forest in popularizing the soul spirit method; this will not only improve relations between humans and soul beasts, but also ensure the continuation of our soul beast race."

Feeling the Azure Blue Ox Python's excitement, the Titan Giant Ape nods heavily and replies, "Older brother, I understand."

=> Feeling the Azure Blue Ox Python's excitement, the Titan Giant Ape gave a heavy nod in reply, "Elder Brother, I understand."

Like the Azure Blue Ox Python, Gu Xuan is also filled with excitement, for after fusing with the Python's soul ring his gains are enormous.

=> Like the Azure Blue Ox Python, Gu Xuan at this moment also wore an expression of excitement, for after fusing with the Azure Blue Ox Python's soul ring, his gains were also immensely huge.

Not only has his soul power peaked at rank seventy‑eight, but after fusing with the Python's soul ring and soul bone, Gu Xuan can now face a Titled Douluo head‑on even if he encounters one.

=> Not only had his soul power reached the peak of seventy-eight, but after fusing with the Azure Blue Ox Python's soul ring and soul bone, Gu Xuan could now face a Titled Douluo head-on even if he encountered one.

This is not arrogance on Gu Xuan's part; he is simply that strong now.

=> This is not arrogance on Gu Xuan's part; he is simply too strong now.

Leaving aside the boost the Python's hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring and soul bone give his body, the two hundred‑thousand‑year soul skills attached to the soul bone and the effect of the seventh soul ring's martial soul true form are enough to completely transform Gu Xuan's power.

=> Without even mentioning how much the Azure Blue Ox Python's hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone enhance his body, the two hundred-thousand-year soul skills attached to the soul bone and the effect of the seventh soul ring's martial soul true form alone are enough to cause an earth-shaking change in Gu Xuan's strength.

"Grandfather, I have gained a lot this time; I need some time to digest this surge of power. Please personally oversee the matters I discussed with Big Ming and Second Ming earlier. Although Gu Xuan's face shows excitement, he remains calm in handling the follow‑up affairs."

=> "Grandfather, my gains this time are not small; I need some time to comprehend my surging strength. Please personally urge the matters I previously discussed with Da Ming and Er Ming." Gu Xuan's face, though excited, remained calm as he handled the follow-up affairs.

The reason I ask Gu Rong to personally supervise is naturally to prevent any abnormalities among the soul‑beast clan.

=> The reason for having Gu Rong personally supervise is naturally also to prevent any abnormality among the soul beast race.

Although Gu Xuan has now fused with the Azure Blue Ox Python, frankly speaking, he still does not fully trust it.

=> Although Gu Xuan has now fused with the Azure Blue Ox Python, frankly speaking, it is because he has not yet fully trusted it.

Although Gu Xuan does not know whether the Azure Blue Ox Python has any contact with the hidden true ruler of the Star Dou Great Forest, leaving a backup plan is still necessary.

=> Although Gu Xuan does not know whether the Azure Blue Ox Python has any contact with the hidden true hegemon within the Star Dou Great Forest, leaving a backup is still necessary.

If the Azure Blue Ox Python has already established ties with Emperor Tian and his allies, then keeping Gu Rong nearby remains necessary for me.

=> If, as of now, the Azure Blue Ox Python already has some connection with Di Tian and his ilk, then keeping Gu Rong is still necessary for me.

Because, although Gu Rong's strength is surely no match for Emperor Tian, his mastery of spatial power guarantees that escape would be absolutely no problem.

=> Because, given Gu Rong's current strength, although he is certainly no match for Di Tian, his mastery of spatial power makes escape absolutely unproblematic.

Afterward, Gu Xuan explained many details to Gu Rong and the Titan Giant Ape, then he, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, while the Titan Giant Ape stayed in the Star Dou Great Forest to prepare for its unification.

=> Afterwards, Gu Xuan explained many details to Gu Rong and the Titan Giant Ape, then returned with Chen Xin and Gu Rong to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, while the Titan Giant Ape remained in the Star Dou Great Forest to prepare for its unification.

After all, although it is a single beast with great strength, it is isolated and weak, and indeed needs some loyal subordinates to help it.

=> After all, although it is a single beast with great strength, it is weak in numbers and indeed needs some loyal subordinates to lend a hand.

As for how to earn loyalty, for soul beasts it is simple: when you meet them, ask if they submit; if they don't, make them submit by force.

=> As for the issue of loyalty, for soul beasts it is simple: upon meeting, ask if you submit; if not, then beat you into submission.

Gu Xuan needs to enter seclusion to comprehend his surge of power, and at the same time he must bring people to the Star Dou Great Forest to begin the unification plan, so he directly returns to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.

=> And Gu Xuan needs to retreat into seclusion to comprehend his surging strength, while also needing to bring people to the Star Dou Great Forest to begin the unification plan, so he directly returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect.

Gu Rong returns because Gu Jian and the others, moving from the Sunset Forest to the Star Dou Great Forest, have a large target and need him to initiate the spatial gate escort.

=> Gu Rong's reason for returning is that Gu Jian and company's migration from the Setting Sun Forest to the Star Dou Great Forest is too large a target, requiring him to escort the spatial gate's opening.

Chen Xin returns naturally because he must guard the sect; after all, as long as he is present, together with the current Ning Fengzhi's assistance, even a rank‑ninety‑nine Ultimate Douluo would dare to fight him.

=> Chen Xin's return is naturally because he needs to guard the sect; after all, as long as he is in the sect, plus the current assistance of Ning Fengzhi, even a ninety-nine-ranked Peerless Douluo, Chen Xin dares to go up and fight!

ps: Typos will be corrected later.

=> ps: Typos will be corrected later.

(End of chapter)