Chapter 37

Fortunes shift, the Heavenly Dao loves cycles.

Fortunes shift, the Heavenly Dao loves cycles.

In a previous ancient era, the Dragon and Phoenix clans were overwhelmingly supreme, becoming the dominant rulers of the primordial world, almost invincible.

Translation: "In the previous ancient era, the Dragon and Phoenix clans were overwhelmingly supreme, the hegemons of the Honghuang world, nearly unrivaled." Need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "In the last ancient era, the Dragon and Phoenix clans were overwhelmingly dominant, the hegemons of the Honghuang world, nearly unrivaled."

But unfortunately, due to a devastating calamity, they lost that status.

Translation: "But unfortunately, due to a calamitous catastrophe, they lost that status." Keep: "But sadly, because of a terrible calamity, they lost that position."

All the countless resources they once controlled were lost in bankruptcy liquidation, nearly wiped clean.

Translation: "The countless resources they once controlled were also nearly wiped out by bankruptcy liquidation." Keep: "The vast resources they once controlled were also nearly lost to bankruptcy liquidation."

Losing the hegemony is one thing, but lacking resources… that's truly a matter of life and death!

Translation: "Losing the hegemony is one thing, but lacking resources… that's truly deadly!" Keep: "Losing the hegemonic status is fine, but having no resources… that's truly a matter of life and death!"

Indeed.

Translation: "Indeed."

The Dragon and Phoenix clans are two supremely powerful innate divine holy clans of the same form, born with boundless potential.

Translation: "The Dragon and Phoenix clans are two supremely powerful innate divine holy races of the same form, born with boundless potential." Keep: "The Dragon and Phoenix clans are two supremely powerful innate divine holy races of the same form, born with boundless potential."

As long as they survive the growth period and mature, even the least talented can attain the cultivation of a Golden Immortal.

Translation: "As long as they survive the growth period and mature, even the worst can achieve Golden Immortal cultivation." Keep: "As long as they can get through the growth period and let themselves mature, even the worst can attain Golden Immortal cultivation."

This is an achievement that countless ordinary beings could never dare to dream of, even after a lifetime of cultivation.

Translation: "This is an achievement that countless ordinary beings dare not even dream of after a lifetime of cultivation." Keep: "This is an achievement that countless ordinary beings, after a lifetime of cultivation, still dare not even think of."

But!

Translation: "But!"

But their maturation period is far too long!

Translation: "Their maturation period, however, is far too long!" Keep: "Their maturation period, however, is excessively long!"

In fact, this is also a dilemma faced by many divine beasts and divine birds.

Translation: "In fact, this is also a problem that many divine beasts and divine birds are agonizing over." Keep: "In fact, this is also a problem that many divine beasts and divine birds are troubled by."

They have high growth potential, but the growth period is lengthy.

Translation: "High growth potential, but the growth period is long." Keep: "High growth potential, but the growth period is long."

At this point, countless resources are needed to shorten that time.

Translation: "At this point, countless resources are needed to shorten this time." Keep: "At this point, countless resources are needed to shorten this time."

In the past, the Dragon and Phoenix clans controlled the vast majority of resource production in the primordial world.

Translation: "In the past, the Dragon and Phoenix clans controlled the vast majority of Honghuang's resource output." Keep: "In the past, the Dragon and Phoenix clans mastered the vast majority of Honghuang's resource output."

Even after giving a large share to the allied innate divinities, the remaining fraction—no matter how small—was still enough to fill them to bursting.

Translation: "Even after giving a large share to allied innate divinities, the leftover, even if just a fraction, was enough to fill them." Keep: "Even if a large portion had to be given to the allied innate divinities, the remainder, even if only a fraction, was enough to let them eat their fill."

But now? No longer possible.

Translation: "But now? No longer possible." Keep: "But now? Not possible."

They can only seek their own way, rely on themselves, trade with the outside world using their abilities to gain as many resources as possible, so that their hungry young can grow up.

Translation: "They can only seek their own way, be self-reliant, rely on their own abilities to trade with the outside world, striving to earn as many resources as possible so that the wailing young clansmen can grow up." Keep: "They can only seek their own way, be self-reliant, rely on their own abilities to trade with the outside world, striving to earn as many resources as possible so that the wailing young clansmen can grow up."

Initially, appearing as the manual labor and mounts of powerful divine beings was a normal occurrence.

Translation: "Initially, serving as manual labor and mounts for powerful divine abilities was a normal phenomenon." Keep: "Initially, serving as manual labor and mounts for powerful divine abilities was a normal phenomenon."

Being able to use members of the ancient era's dominant clans as mounts pleased the powerful divine beings, who paid generously.

Translation: "Being able to use members of the ancient era's hegemonic clans as mounts pleased the powerful divine beings, who also paid generously." Keep: "Being able to use members of the ancient era's hegemonic clans as mounts pleased the powerful divine beings, who also paid generously."

——Money, of course, had to be paid.

Translation: "——Money, of course, had to be paid." Keep: "——Money, of course, had to be paid."

The top experts of the Dragon and Phoenix clans aren't all dead; even if they've lost their great Luo, they still have a chance to return.

Translation: "The top experts of the Dragon and Phoenix clans aren't all dead; even if they've lost their great Luo, they still have a chance to return later." Keep: "The top experts of the Dragon and Phoenix clans aren't all dead; even if they've lost their great Luo, they still have a chance to return later."

Offending those powerful beings over a few young dragons and phoenixes… isn't worth it.

Translation: "To offend those powerful beings to death just for a few young dragons and phoenixes… isn't worth it." Keep: "To offend those powerful beings to death just for a few young dragons and phoenixes… isn't worth it."

Not only must resources be given to the clans' high ranks, but during the mount rental period they also must not be mistreated excessively—they deserve wages as well.

Translation: "Not only must resources be given to the clans' upper echelons, but during the mount rental period they also must not be mistreated excessively, and must be paid wages." Keep: "Not only must resources be given to the clans' upper echelons, but during the mount rental period they also must not be mistreated excessively, and must be paid wages."

There was a time when Dragon and Phoenix mounts were so abundant they almost became a hallmark of powerful divine beings.

Translation: "There was a time when Dragon and Phoenix mounts were so common they almost became a symbol of powerful divine beings." Keep: "There was a time when Dragon and Phoenix mounts were so common they almost became a symbol of powerful divine beings."

But now…

Translation: "But now……" Keep: "But now……"

"This market is quickly being cornered by the Dragon Clan…… the Phoenix Clan has almost completely withdrawn." Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu clicked his tongue in lament, "It's not because the Dragon Clan is suppressing them, but because the Phoenix lineage has found a better way to make money."

We need to keep quotes and speaker tags. Translate: ""This market is quickly being cornered by the Dragon Clan…… the Phoenix Clan has almost completely withdrawn." Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu clicked his tongue in lament, "It's not because the Dragon Clan is suppressing them, but because the Phoenix lineage has found a better way to make money."

"Changing industries?" A string of question marks seemed to appear on Fengxi's forehead.

Translate: "Changing industries?" A string of question marks seemed to pop up on Fengxi's forehead.

"Processing! Feather garments!" Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu explained, "This is a new source of wealth opened up by the Phoenix lineage."

Translate: "Processing! Feather garments!" Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu explained, "This is a new source of wealth opened up by the Phoenix lineage."

"You know…… the herbs for alchemy are best from the east; the ores for forging must be sought from western veins." Di Jiang said meaningfully, "Then, after gathering the materials for alchemy and forging, what about the fire source?"

Translate: ""You know…… the herbs for alchemy are best from the east; the ores for forging must be sought from western veins." Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu said meaningfully, "Then, after gathering the materials for alchemy and forging, what about the fire source?"" Use exact.

"The five directions and five elements…… east is wood, west is gold, north is water, south is fire, center is earth."

Translate: ""The five directions and five elements…… east is wood, west is metal, north is water, south is fire, center is earth."" Keep.

"So…… the south is the place with the highest quality fire source!"

Translate: ""So…… the south is the place with the highest-quality fire source!"" Keep.

"Among them, the undying fire vein suppressed by the Phoenix Ancestor beneath Mount Fengqi is the best!"

Translate: "Among them, the undying fire vein suppressed by the Phoenix Ancestor beneath Mount Fengqi is the best!"

Fengxi clicked his tongue.

Translate: "Fengxi clicked his tongue." Keep.

"Fuxi drives the Phoenix lineage to utilize the fire vein suppressed by the Phoenix Ancestor, and by corresponding to the heavenly stars above and matching the geography below, humans have crafted a heavenly earth furnace capable of elevating creation to craft."

Translate: "Fuxi drives the Phoenix lineage to utilize the fire vein suppressed by the Phoenix Ancestor, and by corresponding to the heavenly stars above and matching the geography below, humans have crafted a heavenly earth furnace capable of elevating creation to craft."

"Even mighty Golden Immortals refining pills and artifacts could use some help…… with such a blessed land in hand, how could the Phoenix lineage not start anew?"

Translate: ""Even a Great Luo expert refining pills and artifacts could get some help from it…… With such a blessed land in hand, how could the Phoenix lineage not rise again?"" Keep.

"Moreover, relying on the racial talent of 'hundreds of birds paying homage to the phoenix,' they gather countless divine birds from the world, giving the Phoenix Clan a new source of wealth—plucking wool!"

Translate: "Moreover, relying on the racial talent of 'hundreds of birds paying homage to the phoenix,' they gather countless divine birds from the world, giving the Phoenix Clan a new source of wealth—plucking wool!"

"No, it should be said as plucking bird feathers…… every so often, the Phoenix clan mobilizes en masse and gets busy."

Translate: ""No, it should be said plucking bird feathers…… Every so often, the Phoenix populace mobilizes en masse and gets busy."" Use "plucking bird feathers". Keep.

"They run around Mount Fengqi collecting the shed feathers of divine birds and strange birds from molting, then weave and refine them into feather garments for sale abroad."

Translate: ""They run around Mount Fengqi, collecting the old feathers shed by divine birds and strange birds during molting, then weave and refine them into feather garments for sale to the outside world."" Use "feather garments". Keep.

"Those feather garments are divided into as many as thirty-six grades, able to meet the needs of different groups."

Translate: ""Those feather garments are divided into as many as thirty-six grades, able to meet the needs of different groups."" Keep.

Di Jiang knows the Phoenix lineage's business inside out, clear as day—obviously he's studied it thoroughly.

Translate: "Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu knows the Phoenix lineage's business like the back of his hand, clear as can be, obviously having studied it in depth." Use exact name.

"Feather garments are not only beautiful and attractive, but also very practical…… gathered from countless divine birds, then skillfully combined, they provide significant boosts to defense and flight."

Translate: ""Feather garments are not only beautiful and attractive, but also very practical…… gathered from countless divine birds, then skillfully combined, they provide considerable boosts to defense and flight."" Keep.

"The processing and feather garment business has made the Phoenix lineage rich again, returning to the days of the ancient era when they would 'not rest without a parasol tree, not eat without refined solids, not drink without sweet spring.'"

Translate: ""The businesses of processing and feather garments have made the Phoenix lineage wealthy again, returning them to the days of the ancient era when they would 'not rest unless on a parasol tree, not eat unless the fruit was refined, not drink unless the spring was sweet.'"" Need to keep the quoted Chinese idiom? We'll translate the meaning: "not rest unless on a parasol tree, not eat unless the fruit is refined, not drink unless the spring is sweet." Keep quotes.

Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu's eyes deep and profound, "Why is the first place we witches visit set here?"

Translate: "Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu's eyes deep and profound, he asked, "Why is the first place we Wu Clan visit set here?"" Use exact name.

"One of the deepest hidden reasons is that we need their industrial support in these two aspects!"

Translate: ""One of the deepest hidden reasons is that we need their industrial support in these two aspects!"" Keep.

"Using their boilers, we can massively upgrade soldiers' weapons."

Translate: ""Borrow their furnaces to massively upgrade and replace soldiers' weapons."" Keep.

"Purchasing their feather garments adds an extra layer of protection and a bit of vitality to our witch youths on the future battlefield."

Translate: ""Purchase their feather garments to add an extra layer of protection for the Wu Clan's youths on the future battlefield, giving them a bit more vitality."" Keep.

"Even if we can't drag Fuxi and Nüwa onto our side, we must strike a deal, obtaining what we need at a price far better than market rates."

Translate: ""Even if we cannot drag Fuxi and Nüwa onto the same battlefront as us, we must strike a deal, obtaining what we need at a price far more favorable than the market."" Use exact names.

"Is that so?" Fengxi's face shifted, utterly astonished—he had thought it was simple diplomacy, but behind it lay such an arms deal.

Translate: ""Is that so?" Fengxi's face shifted, quite astonished——he had thought it was simple diplomacy, but behind it lay such an arms deal?" Use Fengxi.

"Can it succeed?" He felt a bit worried——"Will the two demon race sovereigns agree to sell these things?"

Translate: "Can it succeed?" He felt a bit worried——"Will the two demon race sovereigns agree to sell these things?"

Di Jiang laughed inexplicably, "I'm very confident."

Translate: "Thus line: "Di Jiang Zu Wu laughed inexplicably, "I'm very confident."" Use exact name.

"As for the arms dealers' integrity…… you needn't worry at all; it will never disappoint you."

Translate: ""As for the morals of arms dealers…… you needn't worry at all; it will absolutely not disappoint you."" Keep.

"Moreover, even if those two outwardly refuse, there's nothing their little phoenix subordinates can't negotiate."

Translate: ""Moreover, even if those two openly disagree, their little phoenix subordinates…… there's nothing that can't be negotiated."" Keep.

Fengxi's mouth twitched, he had nothing to say.

Translate: "Fengxi's mouth twitched; he was speechless." Use Fengxi.

This makes the phoenix seem like a profiteer, chasing money, leaving him unsure what to say.

Translate: "This made the Phoenix seem somewhat like a profiteer, chasing money, leaving him unsure what to say." Keep.

But thinking about it, the Dragon clan, once glorious alongside the Phoenix clan… hmm, perhaps the Phoenix group might still enjoy this as well.

Translate: "But thinking about it, the Dragon Clan, once glorious alongside the Phoenix Clan…… Hmm, perhaps the Phoenix populace might also enjoy this." Keep.

What's integrity got to do with it… is it more important than having a meal?

Translate: ""Morals and all…… can they be as important as having a meal?"" Keep.

Those noble phoenixes have long been buried in the dust of time.

Translate: "Those phoenixes of noble virtue have long been buried in the dust of ages." Keep.

In the primordial world, the weak are slaughtered, the backward are beaten!

Translate: "In the Honghuang world, the weak are slaughtered, the backward are beaten!" Keep.

Honghuang world, the weak are slaughtered, the backward get beaten!

Don't spare any means to hasten the strengthening of yourself and your kin... Perhaps tomorrow, among the withered bones covering the earth, there will be a pile that belongs to you!

Against this backdrop, one's integrity... let's just set it aside for now.

When the world is at peace, we'll pick it up again; wipe it clean, and it can still battle for another three thousand years!

Fengxi was sighing; survival in the Honghuang world is not easy.

Suddenly, Di Jiang let out a soft "yi": "Interesting."

"What's wrong?" Fengxi looked bewildered.

"Nothing..." Di Jiang chuckled, "Just a bit surprised, what a grand spectacle."

"Aren't you curious about the peak grandeur of the Phoenix Perch Bird Scene? Then you'd better take a good look now..."

"Back when the Primordial Phoenix Ancestor traveled, his entourage was the most splendid and magnificent, awe‑inspiring!"

(End of chapter)