Chapter 182

"Dan Ding Si hopes the Dragon Lord remains Bai Lu," Xing said.

Translation: ""Dan Ding Si hopes the Dragon Lord remains Bai Lu," Xing said."

"Dan Ding Si hopes the Dragon Lord remains Bai Lu," Xing said.

We need to keep the quotes: Chinese uses 「」 for quotes; we can use English double quotes. We'll output: 【1】 "Dan Ding Si hopes the Dragon Lord remains Bai Lu," Xing said.

But we need to keep the outer quotes? The Chinese line includes outer 「」 as part of the dialogue marker. In translation we can just use English quotes. We'll output as above.

"These people claim orthodoxy. They believe Bai Lu was personally chosen as the successor by the previous Dragon Lord, and unless they commit a major mistake, the Dragon Masters have no right to choose another."

Translation: ""These people claim orthodoxy. They believe Bai Lu was personally chosen as the successor by the previous Dragon Lord, and unless they commit a major mistake, the Dragon Masters have no right to choose another.""

"These people claim orthodoxy. They believe Bai Lu was personally chosen as the successor by the previous Dragon Lord, and unless they commit a major mistake, the Dragon Masters have no right to choose another."

Thus: 【2】 "These people claim orthodoxy. They believe Bai Lu was personally chosen as the successor by the previous Dragon Lord, and unless they commit a major mistake, the Dragon Masters have no right to choose another."

"The pill-bearing dragon maiden possesses both the appearance of a dragon and inconceivable healing abilities. Some regard this as proof of the Dragon Lord, but the elders of the Dragon Masters who revere power refuse to accept it…"

Translation: ""Xian Yao Long Nu possesses both a dragon-like appearance and incredible healing power. Some regard this as proof of the Dragon Lord, but the elders of the Dragon Masters who revere power refuse to accept it……""

We need to keep the ellipsis. Chinese ends with 「……」. We'll translate as "……". So: 【3】 "Xian Yao Long Nu possesses both a dragon-like appearance and incredible healing power. Some regard this as proof of the Dragon Lord, but the elders of the Dragon Masters who revere power refuse to accept it……"

Jing Yuan turned his head to look at the distant Chilong Ancient Sea: "After you, the one known as the 'Dan Feng Reincarnation,' commanded the vast waters of the Bo Yue Ancient Sea before your eyes, those who defend the Dragon Lord's orthodoxy have become even more uneasy."

Translation: Jing Yuan turned his head to look at the distant Thus: Ancient Scale Abyss Sea: "After this 'Dan Feng Reincarnation' commanded the myriad hectares of water in the Bo Yue Ancient Sea, those who uphold the Dragon Lord's orthodoxy have become even more uneasy."

We need to keep quotes: Chinese uses 「」 for the quoted speech inside. We'll translate: Jing Yuan turned his head to look at the distant Thus: Ancient Scale Abyss Sea: "After this 'Dan Feng Reincarnation' commanded the myriad hectares of water in the Bo Yue Ancient Sea, those who uphold the Dragon Lord's orthodoxy have become even more uneasy."

Thus: 【4】 Jing Yuan turned his head to look at the distant Thus: Ancient Scale Abyss Sea: "After this 'Dan Feng Reincarnation' commanded the myriad hectares of water in the Bo Yue Ancient Sea, those who uphold the Dragon Lord's orthodoxy have become even more uneasy."

Jing Yuan had no opinion on the internal strife between the two factions within the Chi Ming; as a friend, he merely offered a friendly reminder: as long as Dan Heng, who bears the Dragon Lord's power, and Bai Lu, who bears the Dragon Lord's title, stand together in Luofu, the opposing voices within Chi Ming will not fade… even if this is not their fault.

Translation: Jing Yuan had no opinion on the internal strife between the two factions within Upholding Brightness; as a friend, he kindly reminded: As long as Dan Heng, who bears the Dragon Lord's power, and Bai Lu, who bears the Dragon Lord's title, stand together in Luofu for a day, the opposing voices within Upholding Brightness will not fade…… even if this is not their fault.

We need to keep ellipsis. So: 【5】 Jing Yuan had no opinion on the internal strife between the two factions within Upholding Brightness; as a friend, he kindly reminded: As long as Dan Heng, who bears the Dragon Lord's power, and Bai Lu, who bears the Dragon Lord's title, stand together in Luofu for a day, the opposing voices within Upholding Brightness will not fade…… even if this is not their fault.

Having said that, Jing Yuan then supported his aching waist and went back to recuperate.

Translation: After saying that, Jing Yuan went back to nurse his old waist injury.

Thus: 【6】 After saying that, Jing Yuan went back to nurse his old waist injury.

The two continued forward and arrived at the seaside, where they saw Huan Xi waiting there. When Dan Heng expressed his determination to meet one last time, she merely gave a bitter smile and shook her head, offering no further obstruction. Instead, a group of Chi Ming people quickly came up behind Dan Heng, radiating hostility and declaring they would drive him out of the Chilong Abyss.

Translation: The two continued forward, arriving at the seaside where Huan Xi was waiting. When Dan Heng expressed his determination to meet one more time, she merely gave a bitter smile and shook her head, offering no further obstruction. Soon after, a group of Upholding Brightness tribespeople came from behind Dan Heng, aggressively declaring they would drive him out of the Scale Abyss Realm.

Thus: 【7】 The two continued forward, arriving at the seaside where Huan Xi was waiting. When Dan Heng expressed his determination to meet one more time, she merely gave a bitter smile and shook her head, offering no further obstruction. Soon after, a group of Upholding Brightness tribespeople came from behind Dan Heng, aggressively declaring they would drive him out of the Scale Abyss Realm.

"Even if he isn't Dan Feng, the Chi Ming clan cannot tolerate such a monster!" the leader said aggressively.

Translation: "Even if he isn't Dan Feng, the Upholding Brightness Tribe cannot tolerate such a monster!" the leader said aggressively.

Thus: 【8】 "Even if he isn't Dan Feng, the Upholding Brightness Tribe cannot tolerate such a monster!" the leader said aggressively.

Blessings upon a beautiful world—

Translation: Blessings for a wonderful world——

Thus: 【9】 Blessings for a wonderful world——

Huh? A monster?

Translation: "Huh? A monster?"

Thus: 【10】 "Huh? A monster?"

If someone as handsome as Dan Heng is called a monster, then what does that make someone like Huo Zhen? Hui Hui slammed her beer mug onto the wooden table of the tavern, shaking so hard that several empty cups jumped up.

Translation: "If someone like Handsome Dan Heng is called a monster, what does that make He Zhen?" Hui Hui slammed her beer mug onto the wooden table of the tavern, shaking so that several empty cups jumped up.

Thus: 【11】 "If someone like Handsome Dan Heng is called a monster, what does that make He Zhen?" Hui Hui slammed her beer mug onto the wooden table of the tavern, shaking so that several empty cups jumped up.

"Hey hey, I think I heard someone talking bad about me." Huo Zhen walked in through the tavern's main door. He glanced up at the canopy, then looked at the overly excited Hui Hui, saying, "Are you still infatuated with another world again? I remember last time it was Jing Yuan, the time before that it was Rakshasa… this time it's back to Dan Heng?"

Translation: "Hey hey, I seem to hear someone talking bad about me." He Zhen walked in through the tavern's front door. He glanced up at the sky canopy, then at the overly excited Hui Hui, "Are you again obsessing over someone from another world? I remember last time it was Jing Yuan, the time before that it was a Rakshasa… this time it's back to Dan Heng?"

Thus: 【12】 "Hey hey, I seem to hear someone talking bad about me." He Zhen walked in through the tavern's front door. He glanced up at the sky canopy, then at the overly excited Hui Hui, "Are you again obsessing over someone from another world? I remember last time it was Jing Yuan, the time before that it was a Rakshasa… this time it's back to Dan Heng?"

"Even if they were wonderful, you could never touch them, right? What's the point of being so obsessed with them?"

Translation: "……Even if it's better, you can't touch them, right? What's the point of being so obsessed with them?"

Thus: 【13】 "……Even if it's better, you can't touch them, right? What's the point of being so obsessed with them?"

Of course it's meaningful! At least this is the manifestation of my refined taste. Hui Hui, whose cheeks were slightly flushed from drinking, lifted her head proudly, saying, "Unlike someone else, whose aesthetic standards are so low that even the madam at the succubus shop would consider her a beauty!"

Translation: "Of course it's meaningful! At least this is an expression of my refined taste." Hui Hui, whose cheeks flushed slightly from drinking, lifted her head proudly, "Unlike someone, whose taste is so low that even the old lady at the succubus shop thinks she's a beauty!"

Thus: 【14】 "Of course it's meaningful! At least this is an expression of my refined taste." Hui Hui, whose cheeks flushed slightly from drinking, lifted her head proudly, "Unlike someone, whose taste is so low that even the old lady at the succubus shop thinks she's a beauty!"

"That's… because they use magic to make themselves look good!" Huo Zhen blushed as he defended himself.

Translation: "That's… because they use magic to make themselves look good!" He Zhen blushed and defended himself.

Thus: 【15】 "That's… because they use magic to make themselves look good!" He Zhen blushed and defended himself.

At that moment, Dackeniss, who had been quietly drinking juice beside them, suddenly spoke up: "Actually… I think Huo Zhen isn't that bad…" Her face inexplicably turned red, "Although he doesn't compare to Lord Dan Heng, occasionally… very occasionally, he has a little bit of handsomeness…"

Translation: At that moment, Dakuneis, who had been quietly drinking juice on the side, suddenly said: "Actually… I think He Zhen isn't that bad either……" Her face inexplicably turned red, "Although he doesn't compare to Lord Dan Heng, occasionally… very occasionally, he has a bit of handsomeness……"

Thus: 【16】 At that moment, Dakuneis, who had been quietly drinking juice on the side, suddenly said: "Actually… I think He Zhen isn't that bad either……" Her face inexplicably turned red, "Although he doesn't compare to Lord Dan Heng, occasionally… very occasionally, he has a bit of handsomeness……"

Aqua beside them nearly burst out laughing, and the three of them simultaneously turned to Dackeniss, wearing expressions of disbelief.

Translation: Beside them, Aqua nearly spat out her drink, and the three of them turned simultaneously to Dakuneis, wearing expressions of disbelief.

Thus: 【17】 Beside them, Aqua nearly spat out her drink, and the three of them turned simultaneously to Dakuneis, wearing expressions of disbelief.

"Dackeniss, you're not running a fever, are you?" Aqua reached out to touch her forehead.

Translation: "Dakuneis, you're not running a fever, are you?" Aqua reached out to touch her forehead.

Thus: 【18】 "Dakuneis, you're not running a fever, are you?" Aqua reached out to touch her forehead.

"No, I think she must have been hit in the head by some tentacle monster today." Hui Hui said seriously.

Translation: "No, I think she was hit on the head by some tentacle monster today." Hui Hui said solemnly.

Thus: 【19】 "No, I think she was hit on the head by some tentacle monster today." Hui Hui said solemnly.

Huo Zhen, moved, grasped Dackeniss's hand: "Finally! There's still someone with normal vision in this team!"

Translation: He Zhen, moved, grasped Dakuneis's hand: "Finally! There's still someone with normal taste in this party!"

Thus: 【20】 He Zhen, moved, grasped Dakuneis's hand: "Finally! There's still someone with normal taste in this party!"

Dackeniss's face reddened further, and she stammered: "I, I'm just speaking the truth… Of course, most of the time you're still a hopeless scoundrel…"

Translation: Dakuneis's face reddened further, and she stammered: "I, I'm just speaking the truth… Of course, most of the time you're still an irredeemable scumbag……"

Thus: 【21】 Dakuneis's face reddened further, and she stammered: "I, I'm just speaking the truth… Of course, most of the time you're still an irredeemable scumbag……"

After saying that, those people revealed their assassin identities and all attacked Dan Heng, but their strength was utterly insignificant before the Dragon Lord, and Dan Heng easily resolved the matter.

Translation: After saying that, those people revealed their assassin identities and all attacked Dan Heng, but their strength was utterly insignificant before the Dragon Lord, and Dan Heng easily resolved it with a light touch.

Thus: 【22】 After saying that, those people revealed their assassin identities and all attacked Dan Heng, but their strength was utterly insignificant before the Dragon Lord, and Dan Heng easily resolved it with a light touch.

After dealing with those lackeys, Dan Heng and Xing then followed Huan Xi to the Xianlong Grand Altar.

Translation: "After dealing with those lackeys, Dan Heng and Xing followed Huan Xi to the Manifest Dragon Grand Sacrifice Hall."

Thus: 【23】 "After dealing with those lackeys, Dan Heng and Xing followed Huan Xi to the Manifest Dragon Grand Sacrifice Hall."

There, Bai Lu had been waiting for them for a long time, her chubby little face full of impatience. But when she turned and saw Xing, her eyebrows instantly relaxed and her voice rose a few pitches: "Hey there, Xing! Long time no see, how come you're here too?"

Translation: There, Bai Lu had been waiting for them a long time, her chubby little face full of impatience. But when she turned and saw Xing, her eyebrows instantly relaxed and her voice rose several degrees: "Hey there, Xing! Long time no see—how come you're here too?"

Thus: 【24】 There, Bai Lu had been waiting for them a long time, her chubby little face full of impatience. But when she turned and saw Xing, her eyebrows instantly relaxed and her voice rose several degrees: "Hey there, Xing! Long time no see—how come you're here too?"

Huan Xi explained that the two had encountered assassins on the road, these people attempted to assassinate Dan Heng… presumably also to protect Bai Lu's Dragon Lord orthodoxy.

Translation: Huan Xi explained that on the way they encountered assassins who tried to kill Dan Heng…… presumably also to protect Bai Lu's orthodoxy as Dragon Lord.

Thus: 【25】 Huan Xi explained that on the way they encountered assassins who tried to kill Dan Heng…… presumably also to protect Bai Lu's orthodoxy as Dragon Lord.

When she heard the words "Dragon Sovereign," Bai Lu's eyebrows drooped again and she impatiently hummed, "What does that have to do with me? I said from the start, whoever wants to be the Dragon Sovereign can go ahead. That title isn't something I have to choose."

Upon seeing Dan Heng, Bai Lu first wore a look of surprise, then curiosity… especially after confirming that Dan Heng is Dan Feng's reincarnation, her gaze couldn't help but glance at the space behind Dan Heng.

"Oh dear, you're different from me—how come you don't have a tail?" Bai Lu said with a smile, "If I let you become the Dragon Sovereign, would you grow a tail?"

"…Uh," Dan Heng unusually showed an embarrassed expression.

He stated that he had no intention of getting involved in the Dragon Sovereign succession; this trip was to repair the Jianmu Seal and, in passing, chat with Bai Lu about the old events, hoping to try doing something.

Dan Heng's frankness earned Bai Lu's favor, and she said she could accompany him to take a walk through the Scale Abyss Realm.

When the two arrived at the entrance of the Scale Abyss Realm, they could see the dragon‑shaped roots from afar. Bai Lu sighed, then complained that the elders had never told her about the Jianmu Seal. This shows they had long known they were unfit for the Dragon Sovereign position.

"Since I'm completely unqualified, why did Dan Feng choose me back then?" Bai Lu looked up at Dan Heng with curiosity.

A certain scientific railgun—

"Eh? The only two members of the Chiming Clan who manifested the dragon aspect don't want to be Dragon Sovereigns?"

In a park within Academy City, Mikoto Misaka was sitting on a bench, watching the two "Dragon Sovereigns" on the screen.

"Yo, isn't that Bilibili? You're also watching those two?"

A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. Mikoto Misaka looked up and saw the shadow of a hedgehog‑haired boy enveloping her from behind, perfectly blocking the harsh sunlight.

"It's not Bilibili, it's Mikoto Misaka!" Misaka's forehead bulged with veins, and a few strands of blue‑white electricity flickered uncontrollably through her bangs.

Touma laughed, raising both hands in surrender: "Just kidding, just kidding, Misaka‑senpai. Didn't expect you to be so keen on Dan Heng either?"

"Not just me; the higher‑ups also care about his ability."

Mikoto Misaka let out a light hum, gazing at the ancient seas on the two sides of the Scale Abyss Realm, "An ability of this caliber, within Academy City it would be far beyond Level 6; calling it a miracle wouldn't be an overstatement… how could those guys not care?"

"But I don't want to dwell on that now; it's just irritating to see each of them trying to dodge the Dragon Sovereign's responsibility."

"Huh? Isn't that only natural?" Touma Kamijou said, looking at the backs of the two on the screen, "Being forced with such a duty, developing resistance is normal, right? Besides, these two never wanted to be Dragon Sovereigns from the start."

"But you can't just run away, can you?" Mikoto Misaka frowned, "Although being forced to accept it is indeed painful, the fated encounter has already found her; that can't change. Rather than scheming to escape, I think… better to first learn how to be a good Dragon Sovereign, then gradually change the current situation."

"…As a Level 5, I understand that greater power brings greater responsibility."