Chapter 408

What do you think?

Translation: "What do you think?" (keeping quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks; we should keep them? The instruction: translate faithfully, preserve punctuation? Usually we keep the quotes as they are part of the line. We'll output: "What do you think?" but we need to keep the Chinese quotation marks? Better to translate to English quotes: "What do you think?" but we can just use English double quotes. The line originally had Chinese quotes 「」. We'll translate to English quotes: "What do you think?" We'll output: 【1】 "What do you think?" Actually we need to output 【1】 then space then translation. The translation should be a single line.

Yuanshi asked out of the blue.

Yuanshi asked out of the blue.

As brothers who had been together for who knows how many years, Morality and Numinous Treasure understood.

As brothers who had been together for who knows how many years, Morality and Numinous Treasure understood.

We think it's fine.

Translation: "We think it's fine."

But they have to get past this little obstacle first.

Translation: "But the premise is that they must pass this little hurdle first."

Morality added.

Translation: "Morality added."

Me too.

Translation: "Also."

Yuanshi pondered, then nodded.

Translation: "Yuanshi nodded while pondering."

Suddenly, he broke into a radiant smile, "I still have high hopes for them."

Translation: "Suddenly, his smile brightened, and he said, 'I still have high hopes for them.'"

Oh?

Translation: "Oh?"

Numinous Treasure frowned in confusion.

Translation: "Numinous Treasure frowned in doubt."

I was just thinking.

Translation: "I was thinking."

Yuanshi's smile gradually turned strange, "We, the wise after the fact, suspect that the ancestral witches are behind the dark machinations, and it's impossible without the support or tacit approval of Taiyi Daluo, whether overt or covert."

Yuanshi's smile gradually turned strange, "We, the wise after the fact, suspect that the dark machinations behind the ancestral witches' formation inevitably had the support or tacit approval of Taiyi Daluo, whether overt or covert."

We, the wise after the fact, speculate that the ancestral witches are behind the dark machinations, and it's impossible without the support or tacit approval of Taiyi Daluo, whether overt or covert.

And what about the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors?

Translation: "Then... what about the Five Direction Heavenly Emperors?"

Yuanshi said meaningfully, "Don't forget."

Translation: "Yuanshi said meaningfully, 'Don't forget.'"

This is a formidable figure who suppresses each of the five ancestral witches.

Translation: "These are the fierce figures who suppress each of the Five Ancestral Witches."

The Yanhuang gods are mysterious, the Qing Emperor just watches from the sidelines, but there are also the White and Black Emperors.

Translation: "The Yan and Huang deities are mysterious, the Green Emperor watches from the wall... but there are also the White and Black Emperors."

Which of the people present will they be connected with?

Translation: "Who among those present will they be connected with?"

Furthermore.

Translation: "Furthermore."

When Emperor Donghua visited my Kunlun Mountain, the top powers outside the wandering witch-demon camp formed a secret alliance; its core aim was not too biased toward Heaven, nor too biased toward the witch clan, nominally for self-preservation, linking each other's industries to safeguard their own interests... but behind the scenes, it was actually very favorable toward humanity!

Translation: "Back when the Donghua Emperor came to visit my Kunlun Mountain, it led the top powers unaffiliated with the monster-witch camps to build a secret alliance; its core aim was neither too biased toward the Heavenly Court nor too biased toward the Witch Clan, nominally for self-preservation, linking each other's industries to safeguard their own interests... but behind the scenes, it was actually very favorable to humanity!"

Even now, this emperor seems to have leaned toward Heaven, showing loyal devotion, meeting with the Dragon Ancestor... but he didn't hand over our group as a token of allegiance, tsk tsk!

Translation: "Even now, this emperor seems to have leaned toward the Heavenly Court, showing loyal devotion, arranging talks with the Dragon Ancestor... yet he didn't treat our collective as a token of allegiance to submit, tsk tsk!"

There are people with heart!

Translation: "There are people with 'heart'!"

You say, at the critical moment, what kind of bizarre thing could happen?

Translation: "You say, at the critical moment, what sort of bizarre thing will happen?"

Yuanshi sent a laughing mental message.

Translation: "Yuanshi transmitted his voice with a laughing question."

Numinous Treasure blinked, then blinked again; for some reason, he suddenly recalled a certain obscure organization he had joined—the Five Fortunes Dao Lords Alliance!

Translation: "Numinous Treasure blinked, then blinked again; for some reason, he suddenly recalled a certain obscure organization he had joined—the Five Fortunes Dao Lord Alliance!"

"The Qi Fortune Dao Lord inside is not only Xihuang, but also the Qing Emperor!"

Translation: "'The Fortune Dao Lord inside is not only Xihuang, but also the Green Emperor!'"

"Qing Emperor, are you really just watching from the sidelines?"

Translation: "'Green Emperor, did you really just watch from the wall?'"

"If not... then who will be his pawn this time?"

Translation: "'If not... then who will be his pawn this time?'"

Thinking this, he couldn't help but look forward to that brutal, fiery battlefield.

Translation: "Thinking this, he couldn't help but look forward to that brutal, fiery battlefield."

Morality felt the same.

Translation: "Morality was the same."

……

Translation: "……" (just ellipsis). We'll output the ellipsis as is.

Xi He and Chang Xi went side by side, charging into the battlefield and immediately triggering a chain reaction.

Translation: "Xihe and Changxi walked side by side, charging into the battlefield, immediately triggering a chain reaction."

They weren't too particular, launching a two-on-one assault, directly facing the Queen Mother of the West, freeing the two great demon generals Fei Lian and Bi Fang, causing the Gold Mother to complain about 'plastic sisterhood'.

Translation: "They weren't too particular, launching a two-on-one assault, directly facing the Queen Mother of the West, freeing the two great Yao Marshals Feilian and Jifang, causing the Golden Mother to complain about 'plastic sisterhood'."

"Please forgive! Please forgive!" Xi He said with a chuckle, though she showed little remorse.

Translation: "'Sorry! Sorry!' Xihe said with a grin, though she showed little remorse."

"Hmph!" The Gold Mother, not very pleased, let out a muffled grunt, her battle power surging.

Translation: "'Hmph!' The Golden Mother, not very pleased, let out a muffled grunt, her battle power surging violently."

She was originally a powerhouse capable of single-handedly restraining two demon generals; although she hadn't yet reached the Taiyi Daluo level, she wasn't far off.

Translation: "She was originally a powerhouse capable of restraining two Yao Marshals single-handedly; although she hadn't yet reached the Taiyi Daluo level, she wasn't far off."

Compared to ordinary ancestral witches and demon generals, she was considerably stronger.

Translation: "Compared to ordinary ancestral witches and Yao Marshals, she was considerably stronger."

At this moment, exerting her full power, she instantly put immense pressure on the two goddesses Xi He and Chang Xi.

Translation: "At this moment, exerting her full strength, she instantly put immense pressure on the two goddesses Xihe and Changxi."

But they weren't too panicked.

Translation: "But they weren't too panicked."

Then Xi He took out a sun disc, Chang Xi took out a moon disc; the two radiant treasures shone with transcendent light, resonating together, their divine power shocking the world!

Translation: "Then Xihe took out a sun wheel, Changxi took out a moon wheel; the two radiant treasures circulated with transcendent light, combined and resonated, their divine power shocking the world!"

Sun-Moon Essence Wheel!

Translation: "Sun-Moon Essence Wheel!"

At this moment, the light of sun and moon blended into chaos, the scene was extraordinarily extraordinary.

Translation: "At this moment, the light of sun and moon blended into Chaos, its aspect extraordinarily remarkable."

The waxing and waning of sun and moon is time.

Translation: "The waxing and waning of sun and moon is time."

The essence of sun and the splendor of moon is vitality.

Translation: "The essence of sun and the splendor of moon is vitality."

Sun and moon in opposition is yin and yang.

Translation: "The opposition of sun and moon is yin and yang."

……

Translation: "……"

One kind of great way after another, thus evolving forth.

Translation: "One kind of Great Dao after another thus evolved."

In the end, one gives rise to myriad ways, interpreting the principles a complete universe should have, creating a vast expanse of heavens and myriad worlds; to emulate Emperor Jun and Taiyi suppressing Nüwa, we must bind and lock the Gold Mother!

Translation: "In the end, one Dao gives rise to myriad Daos, interpreting the principles a complete universe should have, creating a vast expanse of Myriad Heavens and Worlds; to emulate how Di Jun Taiyi suppressed Nüwa, they sought to bind and lock the Golden Mother!"

Such magnificence attracted the gazes of many ancient gods and sages, making them sigh with envy; Emperor Jun really struck it lucky, able to marry such outstanding, radiant sister flowers.

Translation: "Such magnificence attracted the gazes of many ancient gods and sages, making them sigh with envy; Di Jun this bastard really walked into dogshit luck, able to marry such outstanding, radiant sister flowers."

The principles of sun and moon have been touched upon by many cultivators.

Translation: "The principles of sun and moon have been touched upon by many cultivators."

Even among high-level Daluo masters, many have perceived its subtleties.

Translation: "Even among Daluo-level experts, many have discerned its subtleties."

Like the Kui Ox, which just endured the unbearable pain of divine birth, its fundamental cultivation of the six symbols, evolving wind, rain, thunder, lightning, sun and moon, thus possesses these two symbols.

Translation: "Like that Kui Ox, which had just endured the unbearable pain of divine birth, its fundamental cultivation of the Six Symbols, evolving wind, rain, thunder, lightning, sun and moon, thus possesses these two Dao symbols."

But, just as the truth that people are different.

Translation: "But, just as the truth that people differ from each other."

In their mastery of the Sun-Moon Dao, even Daluo beings differ.

Translation: "In their mastery of the Sun-Moon Dao, Daluo and Daluo are also different."

The two goddesses, originally from the Yin Star, are naturally attuned to this way, and have been deeply influenced.

Translation: "The two goddesses, originally born on the Yin Star, naturally attuned to this Dao, were deeply influenced."

Moreover, with the marriage settled, Emperor Jun was also magnanimous, turning the Sun Star into a dowry, gladly granting fundamental permission to Xi He, allowing this goddess to cultivate the transition from yin to yang, changing from moon goddess to sun goddess—no wonder she could reap the sister flowers; such generosity is hard to emulate.

Translation: "Moreover, with the marriage settled, Di Jun was also magnanimous, turning the sun star into a dowry, gladly opening the fundamental permission to Xihe, allowing this goddess to cultivate from yin extreme to yang, changing from moon goddess to sun goddess—truly a successful person who could reap such sister flowers, this generosity is hard to emulate."

Relying on a hundred million, drawing near to people!

Relying on a hundred million, drawing near to people.

Xi He and Chang Xi thus made extraordinary progress in the Sun-Moon Dao.

Translation: "Xihe and Changxi, therefore, had an extraordinary advancement in the Sun-Moon Dao."

When they wield the supreme treasure of this Dao, the Sun-Moon Essence Wheel, and rely on the sisterly harmony accumulated over countless years, even the Queen Mother of the West changes color, unable to break it in a short time.

Translation: "When they wielded the supreme treasure of this Dao—the Sun-Moon Essence Wheel—and relied on the tacit understanding of sisterly accord accumulated over countless years, even the Queen Mother of the West changed countenance, unable to break it in a short moment."

When they wielded the strongest spiritual treasure on this Dao—the Sun-Moon Essence Wheel—and relied on the tacit understanding accumulated over countless years of sisterly unity, they made even the Queen Mother of the West change countenance, unable to solve it in a short while.

She stood helplessly in the center of this prison cage, resentfully sighing, "You two, you've ruined the sisterly bond among us all!"

Your present actions, I will someday give you retribution!

"That's quite difficult." Chang Xi tilted his head, stuck out his tongue, "If you want to retaliate against us, you'd have to break through the Nine Heavens, smash the Golden Hall, before you could reach us."

As expected.

To take revenge on this pair of sisters, the difficulty is comparable to slaying a demon emperor.

"That's not necessarily so." the Queen Mother of the West said calmly, "Karmic grudges, if not found on you, can be found on your descendants."

Father's debts are repaid by the son!

As for you two, if you have children, you'd better make them careful.

The Queen Mother of the West said this in a low, lingering tone.

What fleeing the moon, what shooting the sun…… there's plenty of drama.

This goddess now revealed a strong, overbearing side.

In front of the great assembly, she directly spoke threats.

"Golden Mother, you've gone too far." Xi He's expression turned solemn, killing intent flowing, Chang Xi was the same.

Who can obstruct the great undertaking of my Wu Clan with such face, and not pay a price?

Golden Mother raised her head, "Our Wu Clan has come to rebel!"

As ancestral Wu, failure is a major vital injury.

And those great Wu must also face the risk of sleeping through infinite Great Calamity time, danger of losing us.

Having one's home ransacked and clan exterminated are routine operations.

Our defeat ends like this.

You have lost, you deserve the same treatment.

How noble can the Heavenly Court's princes and princesses be?!

Since one can enjoy transcendent benefits due to status, when losing power and facing blades, one shouldn't have many complaints.

If still unwilling, one can simply use strength to resist, striving for a sliver of survival.

Xi He heard this, fell slightly silent.

Then she softly laughed, "It seems our Heavenly Court must redouble efforts to kill you rebels all."

"If you can do it, then go ahead." Jin Mu's tone was resonant and forceful.

"Rest assured, you will see." Xi He curled her lips, "Not speaking of far off, it's now."

Fei Lian Bi Fang, killing ordinary great Wu, don't be too easy about it.

These two liberated Yao Marshals have already stepped onto the path to transcend divinity!

Besides, Hong Yun has also entered the fray……

Xi He gave a heart‑piercing reminder.

Golden Mother abruptly turned, coldly eyeing the collapsing situation, her gaze icy, "They won't stay pleased for long!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Xi He, basking in the light of the sun‑essence wheel, said offhand, "I'm quite curious…… will Zhu Rong and Tiānwú come out? Can they really turn the tide?"

Xi He's gaze was somewhat strange.

Golden Mother was likewise.

They unconsciously gazed at the largest battlefield, where Nüwa was trapped.

It seemed they were all silently waiting for something.

……

Nüwa, Di Jun, and Taiyi, the 'great battle' continues.

They fought until heaven and earth were overturned, battled until the cosmos collapsed.

But this is both real fighting and feigned fighting.

"Is the lady still waiting?" Di Jun chuckled lowly, in a communication unknown to outsiders, "You truly have patience."

Not releasing Tiānwú and Zhu Rong, but stubbornly hoarding them…… this fishing, even as an opponent I feel a thrill of dread.

Is this because the lady's mind is as deep as an abyss, willing to pay the cost to reveal the Five Direction Heavenly Emperors? Or is it that the Five Direction Heavenly Emperors are merely a facade, meant to preserve Tiānwú and Zhu Rong as two pawns, deeming their use greater?

You guess?

Nüwa remained calm, her gaze shifting at times, sometimes doubtful, sometimes steady, "Guess right, no reward."

"I need not guess." Di Jun smiled faintly, "Who exactly are the Five Direction Heavenly Emperors?"

I don't care at all.

They're not my kind, not the fish I'm after…… that's for you, the lady, to worry about.

As for me, the true fish I'm after are some ill‑intentioned figures within the Heavenly Court.

Appearing to side with my demon race, but in their hearts they constantly tally small accounts.

Perfect, this time using the critical juncture of the great battle, secretly observing their performance…… who let water through is obvious at a glance.

Screening them out early also helps to prepare defenses beforehand.

Otherwise, I worry.

Worrying that after defeating your Wu Clan in the future, on the road to attack the Heavenly Dao, we would suffer the most vicious backstab and fall before the gates of the Zixiao Palace.

"Oh?" Nüwa then became curious.

Those once scattered, standing outside the Wu and demon realms, great beings…… though in the end they joined my Heavenly Court and usually appear honest." Di Jun said leisurely, "But I always sense a hidden resistance in the dark, as if something is being linked, organized."

Frankly, this covert underground intelligence capability truly impresses me." This demon sovereign's mood is not pleasant, "If not for me having risen from this bowl of rice, I might not even notice these clues."

This is someone capable behind the scenes directing it.

Life is not easy, Di Jun sighed.

"You suspect those dangerous elements are Hongjun's arrangement?" Nüwa's eyes lit up.

"Not bad." Di Jun openly admitted, "Making Hongjun the suspect is something I had no choice but to do... Who let me count over and over, look horizontally and vertically, for now, this Daozu is the only one capable of arranging the pieces."

"The earliest era's chancellor was the person who handled many of my whistleblowing materials back then, the superior in charge of the Censor's work... For connecting personnel and building an organization, he is well-versed in these inner workings, knows all the tricks, and has the ability to operate like this."

"Honghuang is so vast, there are only a few experts in this field... I have no reason not to suspect him."

"Moreover, the most crucial point is... his motive is also sufficient."

Di Jun chuckled, "Our Monster Clan Heavenly Court's ultimate goal is to achieve 'the Holy Way's ancestor governing in repose,' leaving all affairs of Honghuang to us wise ministers, while the Daozu simply maintains the server, always ready to update and upgrade."

"This trivial matter, the Daozu is not unaware of it... but forced by your Wu Clan's existence, he had no choice but to appoint us."

"As the saying goes, 'when the rabbit is dead, the hound is cooked; when the birds are gone, the bow is stored'... some precautionary work is something he will inevitably do, just waiting to finally gather the fruits of victory into his hands."

"Isn't there already a Saint?" Nüwa chuckled lightly.

"A Saint, what can they really do?" Di Jun shook his head, not too concerned, "Just to exert some educational effect... when it really comes to a critical moment, at most they just do some publicity."

"Want to kill our Heavenly Court's 'powerful ministers'? How can you do it without a knife?"

"Besides that, we also need to prepare the backup—after killing the ministers, we must be able to dispatch personnel immediately to take over and govern the human realm."

"If we pacify the human realm well, letting the myriad peoples live without worry and cultivate smoothly, they will no longer constantly miss the good old days of the former court."

"That way, even if we slaughter the Heavenly Court's nobles until heads roll and mountains of corpses and seas of blood appear, the human realm won't intervene."

"The purged ministers would then have no chance to feign death and strike back."

Di Jun exhaled, "I'm quite curious about the identity of a certain someone."

"That Haotian... just who exactly is he?"

Di Jun smiled and said to Nüwa, "In the matter of fishing, our two families have happily reached an agreement."

"You're fishing for the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors."

"I'm fishing for Haotian the Supreme Heavenly Emperor."

"Every family has its own difficult sutra to chant; our opponents are not just each other!"

"Exactly! Exactly!" Nüwa clapped in agreement, "Nowadays, there are far too many who want to be the fisherman's gain."

"However, we should tell them, the true fisherman's gain... just who exactly is it!"

She coldly gazed at the battlefield, taking in all changes.

From Xihe and Changxi joining the battlefield, to the many allies of the Heavenly Court such as the Holy Red Cloud and the Great Immortal Zhenyuan, etc., participating in the encirclement and slaughter of the Wu Clan, it looks like the Wu Clan's situation is about to collapse completely.

Of course, Nüwa has been holding the Killer's Trick; even if she catches no fish, the Wu Clan will at most suffer minor losses.

The Great Array of Heavenly Gods and Slaughter is building up, the true form of Pangu is about to condense, enough to compel the Demon Race to deploy the Zhou Tian Star Dipper Great Array, mutually checking each other.

Without the Zhou Tian Star Gods, the remaining Golden Immortals naturally balance out.

"Just that way, the painstakingly placed pieces I buried will lose their effect!"

Nüwa let out a soft sigh from the depths of her heart.

"Furthermore."

"Being on the same human faction... the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors have been holding back, watching me charge ahead, fighting to the death—does that even make sense!"

"If today a few guys don't come out with their backup plans, I'll have to seriously think about whether my hard work is worth it."

(End of chapter)