Chapter 346

The lakeside pavilion in the mountain ravine of Layered Peaks Mountain.

Translation: "The lakeside pavilion in the mountain ravine of Layered Peaks Mountain."

Check: "The lakeside pavilion in the mountain ravine of Layered Peaks Mountain." Means "The lakeside pavilion in the mountain ravine of Layered Peaks Mountain." Good.

Yunhe lay on a comfortable rocking chair, holding a book, gently rocking while casually picking a spirit fruit from the nearby table and stuffing it into his mouth.

Translation: "Yunhe lay on a comfortable rocking chair, holding a book in his hand, gently rocking while casually picking a spirit fruit from the nearby table and stuffing it into his mouth."

We need to keep same meaning, not add extra. Let's craft: "Yunhe lay on a comfortable rocking chair, holding a book, gently rocking while casually picking a spirit fruit from the nearby table and stuffing it into his mouth."

Check: original: Yunhe lay on a comfortable rocking chair, holding a book, gently rocking while casually picking a spirit fruit from the nearby table and stuffing it into his mouth. So translation: "Yunhe lay on a comfortable rocking chair, holding a book, gently rocking while casually picking a spirit fruit from the nearby table and stuffing it into his mouth." Good.

Meanwhile, Shen Xingrui was also pouring tea on the other side of the table, and she held a jade slip in her hand, as if reading, occasionally fiddling with the tea set.

Translation: "Meanwhile, Shen Xingrui was pouring tea on the other side of the table, also holding a jade slip in her hand, seemingly reading, occasionally fiddling with the tea set."

Check: "Meanwhile, Shen Xingrui was also pouring tea on the other side of the table, and she held a jade slip in her hand, as if reading, occasionally fiddling with the tea set." Good.

What the two were naturally looking at was the Book of Formation Dao.

Translation: "What they were naturally looking at was the book on formation dao."

Whether to speak or not, the two still had quite a bit to say and their own insights on the path of formation dao; some exchange could benefit them greatly.

Translation: "Whether to speak or not, the two still had quite a bit to say and their own insights on the path of formation dao, and some exchanges could benefit them greatly."

"Sir, thunder is produced when water and earth energies combine to create fire; wood assists from above, making it wood thunder. However, the yin thunder of yin wood is balanced by yang wood, yet the qi of wood thunder may also be suppressed?"

We need to keep the quotation marks? The line includes 「」. We should keep them? The instruction: translate lines, keep punctuation? We should translate the content, but we can keep the quotation marks as they are part of the line? Usually we translate the content inside quotes, but we can keep the quotes as they are. We'll translate the spoken line: ""Young master, thunder arises from the union of water and earth qi producing fire qi; wood assists above, thus it is wood thunder. Yet Yin Wood Thunder is yin thunder; suppressing it with wood yields yin-yang balance, yet the qi of wood thunder is also suppressed, right?""

But we need to be faithful: keep the meaning. Let's produce: ""Young master, thunder arises from the union of water and earth qi producing fire qi; wood assists above, thus it is wood thunder. Yet Yin Wood Thunder is yin thunder; suppressing it with wood yields yin-yang balance, yet the qi of wood thunder is also suppressed, right?""

We need to keep the opening 「 and closing 」? Probably we can keep them as part of the line: we can output: 「Young master, thunder arises from the union of water and earth qi producing fire qi; wood assists above, thus it is wood thunder. Yet Yin Wood Thunder is yin thunder; suppressing it with wood yields yin-yang balance, yet the qi of wood thunder is also suppressed, right? 」 But the instruction says translate lines; we should translate the Chinese to English, so the quotation marks should be English quotes? Usually we keep the original punctuation style? The Chinese uses 「」; we can replace with English quotes or keep them? The instruction didn't specify; but we should translate the content, not keep Chinese punctuation. I'd output using English double quotes. However to be safe, we can keep the Chinese quotes? The line is a spoken line; we can translate the content and keep the quotation marks as they are part of the line's formatting. I'd output with English double quotes.

Thus: "Young master, thunder arises from the union of water and earth qi producing fire qi; wood assists above, thus it is wood thunder. Yet Yin Wood Thunder is yin thunder; suppressing it with wood yields yin-yang balance, yet the qi of wood thunder is also suppressed, right?"

But we need to output as 【6】 followed by translation. We'll include the quotes.

Shen Xingrui browsed while hesitantly voicing her opinion.

Translation: "Shen Xingrui browsed while hesitantly voicing her opinion."

Upon hearing this, Yunhe paused, showed a thoughtful expression, pondered for a long while, then nodded solemnly.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Yunhe's motion paused, he showed a thoughtful expression, after pondering for a long time, he solemnly nodded."

"Good."

Translation: ""Good.""

His agreement made Shen Xingrui involuntarily smile, but she soon showed a look of doubt and slowly asked:

Translation: "His agreement made Shen Xingrui involuntarily smile, but she soon showed a doubtful look and slowly asked:"

"But this yin wood thunder is guided by metal; where does the metal qi come from?"

Translation: ""But this Yin Wood Thunder is guided by metal; where does the metal qi come from?""

This is what she couldn't understand.

Translation: "This is what she couldn't understand."

"Metal essence produces white; white qi comes from the west." Yunhe's answer this time was very confident.

Translation: ""Metal essence gives rise to white; white qi comes from the west."" Yunhe's answer this time was very definite.

Shen Xingrui's eyes lit up, somewhat excitedly saying: "Ah, I see!"

Translation: "Shen Xingrui's eyes lit up, somewhat excitedly saying: ""So that's how it is!"""

Yunhe's formation dao level, over these past ten or so years, rapidly improved through continual contemplation of the "Solitary Offering Formation" and the many formations left by the Floating Cloud Senior.

Translation: "Yunhe's formation dao level, over these past ten or so years, through constantly contemplating the Lone Offering Formation and the many formations left by Floating Cloud Shangren, his formation dao level rapidly improved."

He once thought formation dao was like mathematics: you either know it or you don't. But as he delved deeper into study and practice, he realized formation dao is not merely mathematics; it also encompasses astronomy, geography, the eight trigrams and yin-yang. Although it became more difficult, it also provided many more references to draw upon.

Translation: "He once thought formation dao was like mathematics—if you know it, you know it; if not, you don't—but as he continually studied and learned formation dao, he discovered it was not merely mathematics; it also included astronomy, geography, and the eight trigrams and cosmic forces, making it more difficult yet offering many more references to draw upon."

It's unclear whether it's due to his strong divine sense or his improved comprehension and cognition, but his rate of progress in formation dao left Shen Xingrui astonished.

Translation: "It's unclear whether it's due to his strong divine sense or his improved comprehension and cognition, but his rate of progress in formation dao left Shen Xingrui astonished."

Originally, in their exchanges, Shen Xingrui's formation dao level was somewhat higher, because she specialized in this path, her foundation far more solid than Yunhe's.

Translation: "Originally, their exchanges still had Shen Xingrui's formation dao level a bit higher, because she specialized in this path, her foundation was far more solid than Yunhe's."

But after so much time has passed, Yunhe's formation dao level has now surpassed hers.

Translation: "But after so much time has passed, Yunhe's formation dao level has now surpassed hers."

However, Shen Xingrui also understands that her cultivation and divine sense are too great a shackle for her.

Translation: "However, Shen Xingrui also understood that her cultivation base and divine sense were too great a limitation for her."

Even if borrowing the "consciousness allocation" of the Twin Lotus Body, her divine sense still far exceeds that of an ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Translation: "Even with the 'mind allocation' of the Twin Lotus United Body, her divine sense far exceeds that of an ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator."

As she read, Shen Xingrui suddenly put down the jade slip in her hand, showing a hint of reluctance, and whispered:

Translation: "As they read, Shen Xingrui suddenly put down the jade slip in her hand, showing a hint of reluctance, and softly said:"

"Sir."

Translation: ""Young master.""

Seeing her like this, Yunhe naturally knew what she wanted to say, patted her head, and said:

Translation: "Seeing her like this, Yunhe naturally knew what she wanted to say, he patted her head and said:"

"It's fine. Go."

Translation: ""It's fine. Go.""

Three years ago, after Huaxin bade farewell to Yunhe, she left this place.

Translation: "Three years ago, after Huaxin bade farewell to Yunhe, she left this place."

Because she had fully absorbed the Variegated Purple Gold Flower, her cultivation had greatly increased, and she was not far from perfecting her Golden Core; she needed to go seek the opportunity to condense a Nascent Soul.

Translation: "Because she had completely absorbed the Variegated Purple Gold Flower, her cultivation base greatly increased, and she was not far from perfecting Golden Core; she needed to go continue seeking her Nascent Soul opportunity."

And now, Shen Xingrui and Shen Mu also prepared to leave.

Translation: "And now, Shen Xingrui and Shen Mu also prepared to leave."

Actually, with Yunhe's current ability, helping a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator break through to Golden Core is not particularly difficult.

Translation: "Actually, with Yunhe's current ability, helping a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator break through to Golden Core is not particularly difficult."

However, Shen Xingrui and Shen Mu are somewhat special; their way of increasing cultivation differs somewhat from ordinary cultivators, so even after a brief understanding of their situation, Yunhe could not offer much help.

Translation: "However, Shen Xingrui and Shen Mu, this sibling pair, are somewhat special; their way of increasing cultivation also differs somewhat from ordinary cultivators, so after simply understanding their situation, Yunhe could not offer much help."

In short.

Translation: "In short."

Cultivation cultivates, what is cultivated is oneself.

Translation: "Cultivating, cultivating—what is cultivated is oneself."

They each have their own opportunities; even if Yunhe could protect them for a while, could he protect them for a lifetime?

Translation: "They each have their own opportunities; even if Yunhe could protect them for a while, could he protect them for a lifetime?"

"Like Huaxin, I will give you a 'golden voucher' and several talismans."

Translation: ""Like Huaxin, I will give you a 'Golden Voucher' and a few talismans.""

Yunhe took out the things he had prepared earlier and placed them on the table.

Translation: "Yunhe took out the things he had long prepared and placed them on the table."

The "golden voucher" contains a wisp of his divine sense; when facing an unbeatable opponent, perhaps the reputation of a Nascent Soul cultivator could still be of some use.

Translation: "That 'Golden Voucher' contains a wisp of his divided spirit; when facing an unbeatable opponent, perhaps his title as a Yuan Ying Cultivator could still be of some use."

This is the Nascent Soul Edict commonly given by Nascent Soul cultivators to their juniors or disciples.

Translation: "This is the 'Yuan Ying Edict' commonly given by Yuan Ying Cultivators to juniors or disciples."

Those talismans were drawn by Yunhe himself; aside from two Cloud Escape Talismans for protection, the rest are fourth-grade talismans of the Five Elements that he personally crafted, valuable and effective.

Translation: "Those talismans were drawn by Yunhe himself; besides two 'Cloud Escape Talismans' for preserving life, the rest are also Fourth Level Spirit Talismans of the Five Elements type that he personally drew, valuable and effective."

That's all he can do.

Translation: "That's all he could do."

"Thank you, sir!" Shen Xingrui, understanding the value of these items, excitedly rose and bowed to Yunhe.

Translation: ""Thank you, Young Master!"" Shen Xingrui understood the value of these items, excitedly rose and saluted Yunhe."

"Thank you, sir!"

Translation: ""Thank you, Young Master!""

Shen Mu, standing off to the side, spoke in a gruff voice.

Translation: "Shen Mu, standing to the side, also spoke in a muffled voice."

After several years of Shen Xingrui's "guidance," Shen Mu finally gained some understanding of their relationship with Yunhe.

Translation: "After several years of Shen Xingrui's 'guidance,' Shen Mu finally came to some understanding of their relationship with Yunhe."

Yunhe waved his hand.

Translation: "Yunhe waved his hand."

"I won't give you elixirs; they wouldn't help you much, so I'll give you this bag of demon beast meat instead."

Translation: ""I won't give you elixirs; they wouldn't be of much use to you—this bag of monster beast meat will do.""

Upon hearing this, Shen Mu grinned with a simple, honest smile.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Shen Mu grinned with a simple, honest smile."

"Sir, this is the scroll of all the formation arts Shen Xingrui has learned over the years; I hope it may be of some help to you."

Translation: ""Young master, this is the formation dao scroll of all the formations Xingrui has studied over the years; I hope it may be of some help to you.""

Shen Xingrui's eyes slightly reddened; she took out two jade slips from her storage bag and carefully placed them on the table.

Translation: "Shen Xingrui's eye sockets slightly reddened, she took out two jade slips from her storage bag and carefully placed them on the table."

To be frank, given her formation dao level, if this scroll of formations appeared in a market town or immortal city, it would surely be snatched up.

Translation: "To speak frankly, given her formation dao level, if this volume of formation writings were to appear in a market town or immortal city, it would surely be snatched up."

Because it contains fourth-grade formations!

Translation: "Because it contains no shortage of fourth-level formations!"

Moreover, each formation can be said to have been confidently deduced and created by her; the more people who know it, the safer the formation.

Translation: "Moreover, each formation can basically be said to be confidently deduced and created by her; those who know it represent that the formation is safer."

"There is also another portion, consisting of insights I gained from the patterns on the puppet fragments you gave me over the years."

Translation: ""There is also another portion, derived from the patterns on the puppet fragments you have given me over the years.""

Yunhe gathered the two jade slips and gave a slight nod.

Translation: "Yunhe gathered the two jade slips and gave a slight nod."

"Thank you for your thought."

Translation: ""That's thoughtful.""

After doing this, the red-eyed Shen Xingrui took Shen Mu and left.

Translation: "After doing these, the red-eyed Shen Xingrui left with Shen Mu."

When they arrived.

Translation: "When they arrived."

In this mountain ravine there were four people; now only he remains.

Translation: "In this mountain ravine there were four people when they came; now only he remains."

However, Yunhe has long been accustomed to this.

Translation: "However, Yunhe had long grown accustomed to this."

The great path is lonely; to go against the norm is to go alone; nothing more than that.

Translation: "The great path is solitary; acting out of step is nothing unusual."

Of course, that doesn't mean they won't have a chance to meet again later.

If in a few years, decades, or even hundreds of years later, Huaxin, Shen Xingrui, and Shen Muneng could break through Nascent Soul, there would still be a chance to meet them.

By then, they will surely truly become Yunhe's capable aides.

Hualala—

In the lake, the Cold Chant Flood Dragon rushed out of the water with a 'hualah' sound.

Master, I'm still here.

It fawningly approached Yunhe.

Seeing this, Yunhe couldn't help but laugh, "Good, good, good, very good."

Speaking of it, although flood dragons are long-lived, the Cold Chant Flood Dragon's age is not considered great; it has long dwelt in the deep abyss cold pool, and its mind is likewise not mature.

"Master, they've all left; what about us? Do we also have to leave?" the Cold Chant Flood Dragon couldn't help but ask.

It also didn't feel bored staying here.

Because this layered mountain range is also a fairly extensive area where demon beasts roam, it often goes out for no particular reason.

Not in a hurry.

The advancement of the Corpse Soul Gu has not yet finished.

In his spare time, the first layer of his Vajra Wrathful Gaze is already complete, and he is preparing to begin cultivating the second layer.

In the subsequent techniques of the Great Longevity Five Elements True Scripture, there are also some spells and secret arts that need to be studied.

Dragon Scale Pattern, Phoenix Feather Pattern, and Body Talisman, along with the remaining relatively common but practical Fourth Level Five Elements technique talismans in the cultivation method, are also part of his plan.

Given his current cultivation base and training speed, wanting to achieve a substantial improvement in a short time is somewhat difficult.

And since his magical treasures are also undergoing a long process of refinement, he currently has no intention of crafting other treasures in the short term; thus these secret symbols, Talisman Script, and formations are a good channel for enhancing his strength.

If he wishes to re-enter the Heavenly Insect Sect ruins, he must strive to enhance his own strength as much as possible, as well as the means and abilities to cope with special circumstances.

Ao.

The Cold Chant Flood Dragon nodded its large head in a half-understanding way.

After rolling its eyes around, it said, "Master, I'm going out to check on my few 'friends'."

Friends?

This came as somewhat of a surprise to Yunhe.

However, he didn't say anything, just waved his hand and continued reading the formation manual in his hand.

Yao Shou Shijie

Ten Thousand Li Great Mountain

After recuperating, Yunhe arrived at the territory originally belonging to the Fourth Level demon beast, the Land Mountain Turtle.

Without the interference of the Fourth Level demon beast, this place has once again returned to the scene where demon beasts ran rampant.

However

The number of Third Level demon beasts has obviously decreased greatly.

And he did not linger long on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Li Great Mountain, but headed straight for its center, where the earth-attribute spiritual energy is the strongest.

That was the true nest of the Land Mountain Turtle back then.

Merely, when Yunhe came to the central region of the Ten Thousand Li Great Mountain and extended his Demon Sense, a strange expression appeared on his face.

"Occupying the magpie's nest"—that move has been figured out by you, you little mouse.

He, hanging in midair, no longer concealed his form and fell straight downward.

At the same time.

In the mountain hollow, an earth rat that was crawling on the ground searching for food seemed to sense something; upon looking up, it saw Yunhe falling from the sky, and it instantly shivered, darting at top speed into a narrow passage not far away.

And as its squeak squeak squeak echoed through the extremely tangled underground passage, the whole ground actually began to tremble slightly.

In his Demon Sense, thousands upon thousands of earth rats surged frenziedly underground.

The number of these rat-like demon beasts was so great that even his Demon Sense could not fully count them.

"No wonder that old Turtle could hide so well in the Ten Thousand Li Great Mountain."

With so many rat-like demon beasts, the underground passage so tangled that even Yunhe felt his scalp go numb, describing the Land Mountain Turtle with the phrase 'a crafty rabbit has three burrows' seems somewhat inappropriate.

These rat-like demon beasts cover an area sufficient to encompass the entire Ten Thousand Li Great Mountain; any slight disturbance within this region would be known to them immediately.

However

Yunhe is neither the Land Mountain Turtle nor Xiong Wuji or Zhuan Choujun; to him, these complex passages pose no obstacle.

"Do you want me to come find you myself, or will you come out yourself?"

His Demon Sense covered a vast area.

sususu—

Soon, the ground swiftly writhed, and a fat old rat bigger than an ox burrowed out, its eyes toward Yunhe full of fear and reverence, its forepaws clasped together, bowing deeply.

It was quite evident that, as the sole remaining subordinate of a late-stage Third Level demon beast under the Land Mountain Turtle, the Thick Earth Rat clearly knew of Yunhe's presence.

Moreover, it had once been chased by Yunhe and managed to escape successfully; although there were many reasons, few demon beasts can escape from Yunhe's grasp, or rather it is the first and currently the only one to have done so.

Even when Yunhe was still at late-stage Third Level, it was no match for him; now that Yunhe has broken through to Fourth Level, it naturally has no thought of resistance.

"Not bad, it's still somewhat sensible."

I suppose the Thick Earth Rat also knows that the Land Mountain Turtle has already perished.

"Take me to the Land Mountain Turtle's lair." Yunhe's form blurred, and in an instant he took on a human appearance.

His head crowned with majesty, he wore a ceremonial robe, hands clasped behind his back, his aura stern.

The Thick Earth Rat kept nodding its head, basically not daring to have the slightest intention of defiance.

It could clearly sense that Yunhe's bloodline level was something the Land Mountain Turtle could not compare to.

Thus

Under the guidance of the Thick Earth Rat, they sank all the way downwards.

After passing through a barrier formed by special earth-attribute demonic power, they arrived at the lair of the Land Mountain Turtle, a place that resembled an underground palace.

"Actually, it has a bit of a formation's feel."

No wonder his Demon Sense couldn't reach the deepest part.

After passing through that "barrier," Yunhe's Demon Sense unfolded once again.

Suddenly.

From his storage bag, a yellowish-brown pearl shot out swiftly.

Wuji Apricot Yellow Pearl!

At the same time.

Yunhe also finally sensed the secret deep within this vast mountain range.

"Five-Colored Stone?!"

(End of Chapter)