Chapter 317: with translation of chapter title

"A concubine?" or "Concubine?" We'll output: 【2】 A concubine?

-> "Concubine?" (Keep question mark)

Translation: "In the cultivation world, concubines are actually not uncommon; they differ from Dao companions, or rather, their status is one level lower than that of Dao companions."

-> "In the cultivation world, concubines are actually not uncommon; they differ from Dao companions, or rather, their status is one level lower than that of Dao companions."

Same as 【4】 translation. Output same.

Translation: "If Dao companions are the main wife, then concubines are the concubine's quarters."

-> "If one says Dao companions are the main wife, then concubines are the concubine chambers."

Same as 【8】 translation? Actually the note says we will translate as "concubine's quarters". So output same: "If one says Dao companions are the main wife, then concubines are the concubine's quarters."

Translation: "Like many cultivation clan patriarchs and chiefs, who does not possess a large number of concubines?"

-> "Like many cultivation clan patriarchs and chiefs, who does not possess a large number of concubines?"

Same as 【12】 translation.

Translation: "Because only in this way can the family better propagate; after all, spiritual roots are rare, but if cultivators pair with cultivators, it is relatively easier to produce offspring with spiritual roots."

-> "Because only this way can the family better propagate; after all, spiritual roots are rare, but if cultivators pair with cultivators, it is relatively easier to produce offspring with spiritual roots."

Same as 【16】 translation.

Translation: "Exaggerating a bit, a family patriarch may have as many as ten or even over a hundred concubines; given cultivators' longer lifespans compared to mortals, this situation is not rare."

-> "Somewhat exaggerated clan patriarchs may have ten or even over a hundred concubines; given cultivators' longer lifespans compared to mortals, such a situation is not rare."

Same as 【20】 translation.

Translation: "However."

Same as 【24】 translation: "However."

Translation: "In the eyes of the people of the Ice Immortal Pavilion, Yunhe is a diligent cultivator regardless of outside rumors; he has no Dao companion, let alone a concubine."

-> "To the people of Ice Immortal Pavilion, Yunhe appears as a diligent cultivator regardless of outside rumors; he has no Dao companion, let alone a concubine."

Same as 【26】 translation.

Translation: "Thus, when Yunhe asked this question, the three women present were stunned."

-> "Thus, when Yunhe asked this question, the three women present were stunned."

Translation: "Especially Pearl."

-> "Especially Zhenzhu."

She is Yunhe's maidservant; one could say she is the person closest to Yunhe in the entire cultivation world nowadays. She clearly knows that Yunhe is not someone who indulges in female beauty; otherwise. her Pearl is absolutely a person of outstanding appearance, she herself claims not to be inferior to Dong Ning Xuan, but Yunhe has never laid a hand on her, so she understands that Yunhe's question must have a reason.

Translate: "She is Yunhe's maid; one could say she is the person closest to Yunhe in the entire cultivation world today. She clearly knows Yunhe is not one who indulges in female beauty; otherwise, her Pearl would absolutely be a person of outstanding appearance, she herself claims not to be inferior to Dong Ning Xuan, but Yunhe has never laid a hand on her, so she understands that Yunhe's asking this must have a reason."

We need to keep "her Pearl" as "her Pearl". We'll translate as "her Pearl". Also "she herself claims not to be inferior to Dong Ning Xuan". Good.

Seeing the reactions of the three, Yunhe, seated on the main seat, rested his hand on his forehead and gently rubbed his temples, smiling helplessly and said:

-> "Seeing the three's reaction, Yunhe, seated at the main seat, lightly rubbed his temples with a helpless smile and said:"

We need to keep colon at end? Chinese ends with "：" which is colon. We'll keep colon.

"These words of mine are indeed somewhat abrupt; they could also be considered not clearly stated."

-> "\"My words were indeed somewhat abrupt; I also did not explain clearly. \""

We need to keep quotation marks. We'll use English double quotes.

etc.

-> "He slightly straightened his posture, his gaze sweeping over the three women, finally landing on Dong Ning Xuan."

To be honest, there are many beautiful women in the Ice Immortal Pavilion; most women who can cultivate pay attention to their appearance; there are not few who say their looks are ordinary, but truly few who say they are ugly.

-> "Frankly speaking, Ice Immortal Pavilion has many beautiful women; among those who can cultivate, most pay attention to appearance; saying one's looks are ordinary is not uncommon, but saying one is truly ugly is rare."

Moreover, the cultivation technique of the Ice Immortal Pavilion causes women to involuntarily develop a fresh, transcendent temperament that is detached from worldly things; furthermore, this technique indeed brings certain benefits to women's appearance, so the disciples of the Ice Immortal Pavilion are mostly outstanding in looks.

-> "Moreover, the cultivation method of Ice Immortal Pavilion causes women to involuntarily develop a refined, transcendent temperament; furthermore, this method indeed brings certain benefits to women's appearance, so most disciples of Ice Immortal Pavilion have outstanding looks."

However, Dong Ning Xuan differs from these disciples.

-> "But Dong Ning Xuan differs from these disciples."

If we were to make an analogy, it would be like a phoenix standing among a flock of peacocks, naturally even more eye-catching.

-> "If one were to make an analogy, it would be like a phoenix standing among a flock of peacocks, naturally more eye-catching."

Dong Ning Xuan is also a well-known beauty in the Wu Kingdom and even the surrounding countries; otherwise there would not be so many families frequently coming to propose marriage, hoping their children could become her dao companions.

-> "Dong Ning Xuan is also considered a renowned beauty in the Wu Kingdom and surrounding regions; otherwise, there would not be so many families frequently coming to propose marriage, hoping their offspring could become Dao companions with her."

Only after Yunhe took up residence in the Ice Snow Pavilion did this situation change.

-> "Such situations only changed after Yunhe took residence in the Ice Snow Pavilion."

Of course, for Yunhe.

-> "Of course, for Yunhe."

Appearance and looks are secondary; he is wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao, though he does not reject female beauty, he is not particularly enamored with it; the reason he raises this question is also because he values Dong Ning Xuan's special qualities.

-> "Appearance and looks are secondary; he is single-mindedly devoted to the Dao, not averse to female beauty but not particularly enamored either; his raising this question is also because he values Dong Ning Xuan's special qualities."

He gave a light cough and spoke in a calm tone:

-> "He gave a light cough and spoke in a calm tone:"

"I need Fellow Daoist Dong's Ice Phoenix Spirit Body's spirit body qi."

-> "\"I need Fellow Daoist Dong's Ice Phoenix Spirit Body's spirit body qi. \""

We need to keep quotes around the term? We translate: "I need Fellow Daoist Dong's Ice Phoenix Spirit Body's spirit body qi."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood.

-> "Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood."

With her head lowered, Dong Ning Xuan's eyes showed a hint of desolation.

-> "With her head lowered, Dong Ning Xuan's eyes showed a hint of desolation."

Without letting her speak, Yunhe continued:

-> "Without waiting for her to speak, Yunhe continued:"

"Therefore, I can give you two choices. First, become my concubine. Second, make a transaction with me: I will extract a strand of your spirit body qi, and thereafter help you achieve Core Formation."

-> "\"So I can give you two choices. First, become my concubine. Second, make a transaction with me: I will intercept one strand of your spirit body qi, and thereafter help you achieve Core Formation. \""

We need to keep "First" and "Second". We'll translate as "First" and "Second". "thereafter" -> "thereafter". "help you achieve Core Formation" -> "help you achieve Core Formation".

At this point, Dong Ning Xuan's cultivation has already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment; what awaits her is an attempt to break through to Core Formation.

-> "At this moment, Dong Ning Xuan's cultivation base has already reached the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage; what awaits her is an attempt at Core Formation."

Even though the Ice Immortal Pavilion's influence has greatly increased nowadays, after all Yunhe has only been here for a few decades; such accumulation is insufficient to transform into ample reserves for the Ice Immortal Pavilion, so even as a disciple of the pavilion master, Dong Ning Xuan's confidence in achieving Core Formation is not great.

-> "Even though Ice Immortal Pavilion's influence has greatly increased now, after all Yunhe has only been here for a few decades; this accumulation is insufficient to transform into ample foundation for Ice Immortal Pavilion, so even as a disciple of the pavilion chief, Dong Ning Xuan's confidence in achieving Core Formation is not great."

To be honest.

-> "Frankly speaking."

Although Yunhe gave two choices, in fact he did not give Dong Ning Xuan any room to object; it's either one or the other, with no third option.

-> "Although Yunhe gave two choices, in fact he did not give Dong Ning Xuan any room to object; it's either one or the other, with no third option."

Yet the three women present did not feel anything wrong with it.

-> "Yet the three women present did not feel anything improper about it."

In the monster world, monsters value strength above all; how is the cultivation world any different?

-> "In the Yao Shou Shijie, demon beasts value strength above all; how could the cultivation world be any different?"

As long as one is a realm higher, they can suppress others; moreover, Yunhe is now a Nascent Soul cultivator, while Dong Ning Xuan is merely at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

-> "As long as one is one realm higher, they can suppress others; moreover, Yunhe is now a Yuan Ying Cultivator, while Dong Ning Xuan is merely a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator."

"Even if this were to spread, others would only say that this Nascent Soul old ancestor is 'benevolent,' actually bestowing such a 'gift'."

-> "Even if this were spread abroad, others would only say that this Yuan Ying Ancestor is 'benevolent,' actually bestowing such a 'gift'."

Yes.

-> "Yes."

In the eyes of almost everyone, the choice Yunhe presented is precisely a 'gift'.

-> "In the view of almost everyone, Yunhe's proposed choice is precisely a 'gift'."

Because what a Nascent Soul old ancestor wants, a mere Foundation Establishment peak cultivator has neither the reason nor the ability to oppose.

-> "Because what a Yuan Ying Ancestor wants, what reason or ability does a mere Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator have to oppose?"

In fact, Yunhe also indeed did not prepare to interact with Dong Ning Xuan as an equal.

-> "In fact, Yunhe also indeed did not prepare to communicate equally with Dong Ning Xuan."

Ridiculous.

-> "Joke."

He painstakingly cultivated through life and death to reach the Nascent Soul stage, yet he still has to interact as an equal with a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator—what is he cultivating immortality for, what path is he following?

-> "He had painstakingly cultivated through life and death to reach the Yuan Ying Stage; yet he now has to communicate equally with a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator—what is he cultivating immortality for, what Dao is he attaining?"

Not resorting to forceful seizure is already considered being reasonable.

-> "Not resorting to plunder is already considered being reasonable."

Inside the hall, absolute silence fell.

-> "Inside the main hall, absolute silence fell."

After a while, the head-lowered Dong Ning Xuan looked up at Yunhe again, her pretty face flushed crimson, her teeth lightly biting, she whispered in a mosquito-like voice: 'I I am willing, willing to become the ancestor's concubine.'

-> "After a while, the head‑lowered Dong Ning Xuan looked up at Yunhe again, her pretty face flushed crimson, her teeth lightly biting, she whispered in a mosquito‑like voice: \"I I am willing, willing to become the ancestor's concubine. \""

We need to keep the stutter "I I am willing, willing to become". We'll translate as "I I am willing, willing to become". Keep punctuation.

"Good."

-> "\"Good. \""

Yunhe nodded satisfactorily.

-> "Yunhe nodded satisfactorily."

He took out a jade slip from his storage bag and flew it to Dong Ning Xuan's front.

-> "He took a Jade Slip from his Storage Bag and flew it before Dong Ning Xuan."

"Familiarize yourself with the method contained in this jade slip."

-> "\"Familiarize yourself with the method contained in this Jade Slip. \""

After receiving the jade slip and scanning it with her divine sense, she, whose face was already flushed with embarrassment, turned even redder, the color reaching the roots of her ears.

-> "After taking the Jade Slip, Dong Ning Xuan's divine sense swept over it; already flushed with shame, she now blushed all the way to her ears."

Phoenix and Mandarin Duck Inverted Technique!

-> "Mandarin Duck Phoenix Inversion Technique!"

Originating from the storage bag of Su Wanning, disciple of the Yue Moon Immortal, the ancestor of the Hehuan Sect from the Upper Cloud Realm, this is a dual cultivation technique.

-> "Originating from the disciple of the Upper Cloud Realm's Harmony Union Sect ancestor Smoke Moon Immortal, Su Wanning's Storage Bag contains a Dual Cultivation Technique."

Yunhe rose and walked toward the training chamber.

-> "Yunhe rose and headed toward the Cultivation Chamber."

"Seven days later, Pearl, go fetch Fellow Daoist Dong up again."

-> "\"In seven days, Zhenzhu, please go fetch Fellow Daoist Dong up again. \""

"Yes, young master."

-> "\"Yes, Young Master. \""

The three all bowed to Yunhe, watching him enter the training chamber.

-> "The three all bowed to Yunhe, seeing him off as he entered the Cultivation Chamber."

After he left, the three women glanced at each other, feeling that the atmosphere was a little strange.

-> "After he left, the three women glanced at each other, feeling the atmosphere was just a little strange."

In the end, none of them spoke.

-> "In the end, none of them spoke."

Ten days later.

-> "Ten days later."

Refreshed and clear-headed, Yunhe walked out of his quarters, casually cast a spell, and strengthened the surrounding wards.

To say or not to say.

Although he is not enamored with women, it is true that he hasn't had any for many years, so this time he indeed wants a bit more.

Even though Dong Ning Xuan is a cultivator, his mortal body's resilience is no joke.

"Truly worthy of being the extremely rare 'Ice Phoenix Spirit Body', even at merely a Foundation Establishment completion stage, it can still bring considerable benefit to my Cultivation Base."

He turned back and glanced at the living quarters.

"But she gains an even greater benefit."

He did not treat Dong Ning Xuan as a furnace to draw from at will, but instead employed the 'Luan‑Phoenix Inverted Technique' for dual cultivation, which grants both parties substantial benefit.

Given the gap in Cultivation Base between him and Dong Ning Xuan, the reverse feeding through dual cultivation caused Dong Ning Xuan's magical power to surge, and now she has already begun forming a Dan!

It should not be long before Dong Ning Xuan can appear in the Ice Snow Pavilion as an early-stage Dan-forming cultivator.

"It's a one‑time effort, each getting what they need."

As for the concubine, Yunhe cannot claim indifference, yet he does not regard her as highly as a Dao companion.

If it can be helped with a casual effort, he'll lend a hand; if it demands a huge personal cost or even risking his life, then it's not worth it.

In short, from his perspective, this still feels more like a 'transaction'.

Of course, if Dong Ning Xuan is sensible and truly talented, Yunhe wouldn't mind gaining an extra helping hand in the future.

He spread his palm, and as magical power surged within, a vivid ice‑crystal phoenix appeared in his palm, accompanied by threads of icy spiritual aura, giving it a decidedly genuine Ice Phoenix bearing.

"Not bad."

Gazing at the Ice Phoenix, Yunhe displayed a look of satisfaction.

That is his purpose.

Beyond that.

Yunhe could also sense a clear, crisp chill in his mind, allowing his consciousness to remain sufficiently clear before the chill faded, and giving the inner demon fewer chances to strike.

"No wonder the disciples of the Ice Immortal Pavilion are so sought after; the technique of the Ice Immortal Pavilion is indeed rather unique."

And also.

After this matter, Yunhe could still sense.

The faint, lingering strange sensation in his heart also faded.

After a moment's thought, he understood the cause.

"It appears that even after crossing the 'Heart Demon Tribulation', the 'thing' lingering in my subconscious is still there. Was the matchmaking in my past life my 'inner demon'?"

He couldn't help but let out a low laugh.

He found it somewhat amusing.

"However, I didn't expect that by sheer coincidence it eliminated the last lingering effect of the 'Heart Demon Tribulation' on me, and my thoughts became clear."

"Thus, sometimes, unblocking is less effective than easing, cutting is less effective than continuing; the path I practice is not about pure abstinence, merely seeking a single thought of clarity."

He walked toward the Refining Chamber.

"Young Master."

Seeing Yunhe step out of the living quarters, Zhenzhu offered a graceful bow, her expression slightly complex.

"Zhenzhu, my seclusion this time will not be brief. When Daoist Dong awakens, you may ask her intention for me; if she wishes to stay here, grant her a dwelling and tell her some rules; if not, she may return to her own quarters in the pavilion."

After a pause, Yunhe continued: "Allow her, each time I emerge from seclusion, to ask three questions about cultivation."

Hearing this, Zhenzhu was startled.

Is this a concubine?

If she encounters a problem during cultivation, provided the young master is not in seclusion, she may freely inquire.

With that in mind, Zhenzhu smiled again and hurriedly said:

"Zhenzhu understands, Young Master."

Yunhe nodded and re-entered the Refining Chamber.

With a flick of his sleeve, a pair of deep‑blue wings materialized before him.

These are the wings of a mid‑stage third‑rank Winding Water Beast.

"They're quite good for practice."

Yunhe is preparing to forge the 'Ice Phoenix Twin Wings' and has already gathered all the materials, yet he lacks full confidence, so he plans to first practice with this pair of wings.

Luan‑Phoenix wings, a demonic‑race refining technique, combined with Yunhe's own grasp of the Way of Artifacts.

After a long while.

"A third‑rank middle‑grade treasure, just one step away from third‑rank upper‑grade; this counts as fully utilizing this pair of 'Winding Water Beast' wings."

Gazing at the pair of small wings hovering before him, glowing with a blue aura, Yunhe nodded contentedly.

Given his proficiency in the Way of Artifacts, forging such a treasure is naturally not difficult.

"However, it does differ slightly from my initial conception, so I'll try again."

As he spoke, he retrieved a pair of snow‑white wings, belonging to a mid‑stage third‑rank Snow‑Feather Beast, which, in terms of beast attributes, are more akin to the 'Ice Phoenix Twin Wings'.

This forging was more adept than the previous attempt, and also corrected many of Yunhe's earlier misconceptions, remedying the deficiencies.

Having successfully forged two flying treasures, Yunhe now possessed a solid confidence.

After Yunhe took a short rest, a pair of frost‑white wings floated before him, the piercing cold compelling him to summon magical power just to withstand it.

The greatest challenge in forging these 'Ice Phoenix Twin Wings' lies in how to refine them.

After all, even the flames produced by Yunhe's 'Minor Five‑Elements Mutual Generation Array' struggle to scorch the wings, and relying solely on his Nascent Soul True Fire may still be insufficient.

However.

Yunhe clasped his hands, and a strand of Ice Phoenix qi surged from his palm.

With this spirit qi derived from the 'Ice Phoenix Spirit Body', there is a significant difference.

Ling!!!

In the dim, mysterious depths.

A resonant, icy phoenix cry echoed within the refining room.

Instantly, a more biting, chilling cold aura rose and drifted within the refining room.

The mana swirling around Yunhe's body also surged, becoming even more turbulent.

But Yunhe did not show tension or surprise; instead, he revealed a smile.

"Indeed, with the Ice Phoenix Spirit Body's qi activated, these wings have come alive, making things much easier."

(End of chapter)