Chapter 1

Great Summer World, Ancheng Commandery city.

But need to keep punctuation and spacing similar? The instruction: Keep each translation on a SINGLE output line (no line breaks inside one 【N】). No preamble. So we output exactly "【N】 translation". Must preserve meaning.

Let's translate each.

Great Summer World, the prefectural city of Ancheng Commandery.

the prefectural city of Ancheng Commandery.

Inside the Headmaster's Hall of the Black-White Academy.

=> "Inside the main hall of the Heibai Xuegong's headmaster."

Headmaster's Hall.

"Ji Ning, are you willing to become my disciple?"

=> "\"Ji Ning, are you willing to become my disciple? \""

"Disciple Ji Ning, I pay my respects to you, Master."

=> "\"Disciple Ji Ning pays respects to his master. \""

Ji Ning looked at the figure ahead wearing a dark black Daoist robe and, without hesitation, performed the disciple's kowtow.

=> "At that moment, Ji Ning saw the figure ahead wearing a mysterious black Dao robe, and without hesitation he performed the disciple's kowtow."

without hesitation

He also has a slight understanding of the information he currently possesses, regarding the immortals of the Black-White Academy.

=> "The information he currently possesses also gives him a slight understanding of the immortals of Heibai Xuegong."

This Sweet Dew Immortal before him is absolutely the most mysterious and unfathomable presence in the Black-White Academy.

=> "This \"Qian Yu Immortal\" before him is absolutely the most mysterious and unfathomable existence within Heibai Xuegong."

Sweet Dew Immortal, a wandering immortal who has lived for over three million years.

=> "Qian Yu Immortal, a wandering immortal who has lived for over three million years."

For cultivators, disaster strikes every three hundred years and calamity every nine hundred years; disasters can be avoided, but calamities cannot be escaped.

=> "Cultivators face a calamity every three hundred years and a tribulation every nine hundred years; calamities can be avoided, but tribulations cannot be escaped."

If one does not become a heavenly immortal, the endless cycle of three disasters and nine calamities will continue to come knocking; just imagine how powerful an immortal who has truly lived over three million years must be.

=> "If one does not become a heavenly immortal, the endless cycle of three calamities and nine tribulations will keep coming; just imagine how powerful an immortal who has truly lived over three million years must be."

Today is the day Ji Ning joins the Black-White Academy; according to the rules, either a primordial spirit Daoist or an earth immortal wandering immortal will take him as a disciple.

=> "Today is the day Ji Ning joins Heibai Xuegong; according to the rules, either a Primordial Spirit Daoist or an Earth Immortal/Wandering Immortal will take him as a disciple."

Ji Ning never expected that the one who would finally take on a disciple would be the "Sweet Dew Immortal".

=> "Ji Ning never expected that the one who would finally take on a disciple would be the \"Qian Yu Immortal\"."

At this moment, the other primordial spirit Daoists, wandering immortals, and earth immortals of the Black-White Academy are equally astonished and disbelieving; they never expected that the long‑absent "ancestral master" would suddenly appear and accept a mere Purple‑Abode cultivator as a disciple.

=> "At this moment, the other Primordial Spirit Daoists, wandering immortals, and earth immortals of Heibai Xuegong were equally astonished and incredulous; they never imagined that the long‑absent \"grandmaster\" would suddenly appear and accept a mere Purple Mansion cultivator as a disciple."

You should know that this person has spent over three million years in the Black-White Academy; in the past, he hardly ever showed his face, let alone taken on disciples, so most people merely knew that such an ancestral master existed within the academy.

=> "You should know that this person has remained in Heibai Xuegong for over three million years; in the past, he hardly ever showed his face, let alone take on disciples, so most people merely knew that such a grandmaster still existed within the sect."

"Rise."

=> "\"Rise. \""

Zhou Yu waved his hand, using his mana to lift Ji Ning up; looking at the still‑youthful boy, his heart was filled with emotion.

=> "Zhou Yu waved his hand, using his power to lift Ji Ning up; looking at the still‑youthful boy, his heart was filled with emotion."

After waiting over three million years, he finally got what he was waiting for.

=> "After waiting over three million years, he finally got what he was waiting for."

Having transmigrated into this world for a full 3.19 million years, he spent the first 30,000 years on the path of cultivation, showing considerable talent, yet when he finally faced the heavenly tribulation, he failed just like the vast majority of returning void earth immortals, becoming a wandering immortal.

=> "Having transmigrated into this world for a full 3,190,000 years, he spent the first 30,000 years on the path of cultivation, showing decent talent, but at the final tribulation he, like the vast majority of Return Void Earth Immortals, failed and became a wandering immortal."

Zhou Yu naturally was unwilling to simply die amidst endless disasters and calamities, so reincarnation became his only option.

=> "Zhou Yu naturally was unwilling to just die beneath the endless calamities and tribulations, so reincarnation became his only option."

But seeking reincarnation without any backing is a near‑suicidal endeavor, and even if successful, there's no guarantee one can truly pass the tribulation and become an immortal.

=> "But seeking reincarnation without any backing is a near‑certain death, and even if reincarnation succeeds, there's no guarantee one can truly pass the tribulation and become an immortal."

The stronger the wandering immortal's reincarnation, the greater the heavenly immortal tribulation they must face; this karmic link cannot be escaped.

=> "The stronger the wandering immortal's reincarnation, the greater the heavenly immortal tribulation they face; this karmic link cannot be escaped."

Thus Zhou Yu decided to find a patron for himself.

=> "Thus Zhou Yu decided to find a backer for himself."

Ordinary heavenly gods and true immortals are not enough for him to rely on.

=> "An ordinary heavenly god true immortal is someone he cannot rely on."

As a transmigrator, Zhou Yu naturally set his sights on the promising prospect Ji Ning; shortly after his tribulation failure, his second primordial spirit arrived in Ancheng Commandery, seeking to join the Black-White Academy and wait.

=> "As a transmigrator, Zhou Yu naturally set his sights on the promising Ji Ning; not long after his tribulation failure, his second primordial spirit arrived in Ancheng Commandery, seeking to join Black-White Academy and wait."

To be frank, Zhou Yu is gambling, because he has no idea when Ji Ning will appear, and in the vast Great Summer World there is nothing to reference for timing.

=> "To be frank, Zhou Yu was gambling, because he had no idea when Ji Ning would appear, and in the vast Great Summer World there was nothing to let him confirm the timing."

But the facts prove that he won the bet.

=> "But the facts proved he won the bet."

Zhou Yu stubbornly lived for three million years, waiting for this promising prospect Ji Ning.

=> "Zhou Yu stubbornly lived for three million years, waiting for this promising Ji Ning."

"It's also fate; if I had to wait another one or two million years without a major breakthrough, I would have no choice but to reincarnate." Zhou Yu thought.

=> "\"It's also fate; if I had to wait another one or two million years without a major breakthrough, I would have to go through reincarnation. \" Zhou Yu thought."

"Ji Ning, come with me."

=> "\"Ji Ning, come with me. \""

Having said that, Zhou Yu immediately took Ji Ning and they flew away on clouds.

=> "Zhou Yu said that, and immediately he brought Ji Ning away on clouds."

Soon, the news that the Sweet Dew Immortal had taken on a disciple spread throughout Ancheng Commandery like a wild wind.

=> "Soon, the news of Thousand Rain Immortal taking a disciple spread through Ancheng Commandery like a raging wind."

Not to mention the earth immortals and wandering immortals; even the Heavenly Immortal of the North Mountain clan who carries the mountain pays close attention to Zhou Yu.

=> "Not to mention the earth immortals and wandering immortals, even the North Mountain Heavenly Immortal of the Ancheng North Mountain Clan paid close attention to Zhou Yu."

The strength of wandering immortals varies greatly; those under one million years differ significantly every hundred thousand years, while a million‑year wandering immortal is said to rival a heavenly immortal.

=> "The strength of wandering immortals varies greatly; those under one million years differ significantly every hundred thousand years, and a million‑year wandering immortal is even said to rival a heavenly immortal."

However, for an ordinary million‑year wandering immortal, the North Mountain Heavenly Immortal doesn't care, since such an immortal at most reaches the heavenly immortal threshold; but Zhou Yu is different—his longevity means his strength is sufficient.

=> "But for an ordinary million‑year wandering immortal, the Load‑Mountain Heavenly Immortal doesn't care, since an ordinary million‑year wandering immortal at most reaches the heavenly immortal threshold; however Zhou Yu is different—living longer means his strength is sufficient."

Zhou Yu's strength could even surpass that of an ordinary heavenly immortal, which is why the North Mountain Heavenly Immortal values him greatly.

=> "Zhou Yu's strength might even surpass that of an ordinary heavenly immortal, which is why the Load‑Mountain Heavenly Immortal takes him seriously."

After all, such a powerful wandering immortal resides within Ancheng Commandery, which is the territory of the North Mountain clan.

=> "After all, such a powerful wandering immortal is within Ancheng Commandery, and Ancheng Commandery is the territory of his North Mountain Clan."

"Could it be that this Sweet Dew Immortal feels he can't hold on and is looking for an heir?" the North Mountain Heavenly Immortal wondered.

=> "\"Could it be that this Qian Yu Immortal feels he can't hold on and is looking for an heir? \" the Load‑Mountain Heavenly Immortal wondered."

It's not strange that a wandering immortal surviving over three million years is already heaven‑defying; how long can he keep going?

=> "It's not strange either, for a wandering immortal to survive over three million years is already heaven‑defying; if he does endure, how long can he last?"

"Hmm, this person called Ji Ning," the North Mountain Heavenly Immortal had someone investigate, and he soon smiled with satisfaction.

=> "\"Hmm, this person called Ji Ning, \" the Load‑Mountain Heavenly Immortal had someone investigate, and he soon smiled with satisfaction."

This Ji Ning not only has no grudge against the North Mountain clan, but actually gets along very well with the North Mountain disciple North Mountain Baiwei.

=> "This Ji Ning not only has no grudge against his North Mountain Clan, but actually gets along very well with the North Mountain Clan disciple North Mountain Baiwei."

"If that's the case, then there's no need to worry further." the North Mountain Heavenly Immortal gave it no more thought.

=> "\"If that's the case, then there's no need to worry further. \" the Load‑Mountain Heavenly Immortal gave it no more thought."

。。。

=> "......"

We need to keep the ellipsis as is? The line is "。。." which is three fullwidth periods. We'll translate as "......" maybe three dots. We'll output: "......"

Three days later.

=> "Three days later."

Within the Black-White Academy lies a mountain peak designated as an absolute forbidden zone.

=> "Within Heibai Xuegong there is a mountain peak listed as an absolute forbidden zone."

From the outside it appears only about a hundred zhang tall, but its interior space is astonishingly vast, spanning tens of thousands of li in every direction.

=> "From the outside it appears only about a hundred zhang in size, but its interior space is astonishingly large, spanning ten thousand li in radius."

This is the "Nine Extremes Yin-Yang Grand Formation" laid down by Zhou Yu, a formation that encapsulates the essence of his millions of years of cultivation.

=> "This is the \"Nine Absolutes Heaven and Earth Grand Formation\" laid down by Zhou Yu, a formation that contains the essence of his millions of years of cultivation."

He began cultivating from childhood, stepped onto the Yin‑Yang Grand Path at age thirty, and for tens of thousands of years thereafter he roamed freely relying on that path.

=> "He cultivated from childhood, setting foot on the Heaven and Earth Grand Dao at thirty, and for over ten thousand years thereafter he roamed freely relying on that Dao."

After failing his tribulation, Zhou Yu, through long‑term cultivation, gradually embarked on another path—the Way of Formations.

=> "After failing his tribulation, Zhou Yu, through long years of cultivation, gradually embarked on another path—the Formation Dao."

Although the Way of Formations is vast and intricate, Zhou Yu's talent in it is extraordinarily high; as he studied it, his insight into formations swiftly caught up with the Yin‑Yang Grand Path, and he combined the two paths.

=> "Although the Formation Dao is vast and intricate, Zhou Yu's talent in it is remarkably high; as he studied it, his insight into the Formation Dao swiftly caught up with the Heaven and Earth Grand Dao, and he combined the two."

Thanks to this, he is able to survive to the present day.

=> "Thanks to that, he is able to survive to this day."

Considering only the mastery of the Yin‑Yang Grand Path and the Way of Formations, Zhou Yu is merely a bit stronger than an ordinary million‑year wandering immortal.

=> "Considering only his mastery of the Heaven and Earth Grand Dao and the Formation Grand Dao, Zhou Yu is only slightly stronger than an ordinary million‑year wandering immortal."

But when the two paths are combined, they elevate him to a higher level.

=> "But combining the two Dao lets him reach a higher level."

…

=> "…"

"Ji Ning is already on the right track; from now on it's just a matter of letting him grow slowly," Zhou Yu mused while sitting alone in a pavilion.

=> "\"Ji Ning is already on the right track; from now on it's just a matter of letting him grow slowly, \" Zhou Yu thought, sitting alone in a pavilion."

He dare not try to rush his growth, fearing he might ruin this promising prospect Ji Ning.

=> "He also dared not pull up the seedlings, fearing he would ruin this promising Ji Ning."

In fact, Zhou Yu also realizes he's overthinking it; since Ji Ning has this potential, slight changes to his growth trajectory won't affect the overall situation.

=> "In fact Zhou Yu also understood that he was overthinking; since Ji Ning has this potential, altering his growth trajectory a little wouldn't affect the big picture."

But after all, it concerns the future, so he cannot be careless.

=> "But after all, it concerns the future, so he dare not be careless."

Putting it bluntly, if Ji Ning fails to grow, not only would Zhou Yu's reincarnation and retrial be impossible, but the entire three realms might well collapse.

=> "Putting it bluntly, if Ji Ning fails to grow, not to mention Zhou Yu's own reincarnation and retribulation, the entire Three Realms might well collapse."

Just as Zhou Yu was pondering this, suddenly—

=> "And just as Zhou Yu was pondering, suddenly——"

【All-Heavens Simulation loading complete, gained one free simulation opportunity. Start simulation?】

"Hm?"

Zhou Yu was stunned; at that moment, a flood of information surged into his mind.

"Is it really a golden finger? Not an illusion?" Zhou Yu couldn't believe it; this Celestial Simulation had loaded three million years?

"So I survived those three million years; what if I died?" Zhou Yu felt rather speechless.

But at that moment he honestly began to comprehend the information flooding his mind.

Although with Ji Ning's help, Zhou Yu estimated there was an eighty‑to‑ninety percent chance of successfully reincarnating and overcoming the tribulation, it would of course be better if he could do it on his own.

"The Celestial Simulation can conduct virtual life simulations within the Myriad Celestial Realms; if the simulation goal is ultimately achieved, the illusory experiences can be made real, granting him a new duplicate in the world where the simulation takes place."

"Furthermore, if the simulation succeeds, one can obtain the unique talents possessed in that simulated life."

Zhou Yu quickly reasoned that the Celestial Simulation seemed unable to give him direct aid, yet it was truly extraordinary.

As long as the simulation succeeds, one can directly obtain a duplicate, which is equivalent to gaining an extra life in another world.

"Then let's try it." Zhou Yu made his decision quickly.

With a thought, he immediately used that free simulation opportunity.

【Extracting simulation world…】

"I hope to draw the Hopeful Yellow Era World I'm currently in," Zhou Yu thought.

If he draws the Hopeful Yellow Era World and the simulation succeeds, it would be as if he directly gains another duplicate.

No need for reincarnation; he would directly have another chance to overcome the tribulation.

According to known information, each simulation draw has a fairly decent chance of landing on a world where he already has a duplicate; it's not like searching for a needle in the ocean.

While Zhou Yu waited, the draw finally yielded a result.

【Draw successful: target world, Devouring Starry Sky World!】

"Hm? Didn't get it?" Zhou Yu didn't think much; the Devouring Starry Sky World wasn't bad either.

【Extracting initial talent—】

【Draw successful; please choose one of the following three talents.】

【1. Son of the Law — Top‑tier affinity with the Ten Great Laws】

【2. Fortune Amplification — Significantly increased chance of encountering opportunities and turning misfortune into fortune】

【3. Potential Boost — During refinement, comprehension is more easily enhanced】

"Hm? These three talents"

Zhou Yu fell into contemplation.

Undoubtedly, he eliminated the first outright, because the talent he chose would, after the simulation, sync to him depending on the completion level.

The first talent was clearly only useful in the Devouring Starry Sky World, its use too narrow, so Zhou Yu dismissed it.

The second and third were both important, and Zhou Yu wanted them both.

But he could only choose one.

"Then the third it is," Zhou Yu finally decided.

Choosing the second couldn't be controlled, it relied entirely on luck, which didn't suit his temperament.

Zhou Yu liked control, just like his specialty "Formation Dao", requiring perfect mastery of every detail; any slightest oversight meant failure.

After Zhou Yu selected the talent, lines of text appeared rapidly.

【Please choose one of the following simulation goals.】

【1. Reach the Realm Master Apex within 100,000 years — upon completion, obtain a Realm Master Apex duplicate and the "Potential Boost" talent at 50% effectiveness.】

【2. Attain Immortality within 1,000,000 years — upon completion, obtain an Immortal duplicate and the full "Potential Boost" talent.】

【3. Break through to become the Master of the Universe within 100,000,000 years — upon completion, obtain a Master of the Universe duplicate and the "Potential Boost" talent at 300% effectiveness.】

"These simulation goals"

Zhou Yu was secretly shocked; each goal was more twisted than the last. He said nothing about the third, its feasibility left to fate.

Even the second goal was difficult.

Becoming immortal in the Devouring Starry Sky World wouldn't be simpler than his own tribulation‑to‑immortality path; if the simulation granted him memories of the Hopeful Yellow Era World, there was hope.

But the fact was that the simulation lacked any memories after his crossing into the Hopeful Yellow Era World, only pre‑crossing memories.

Under these circumstances, attaining immortality was too hard; any mishap could cause failure.

Not to mention, it even imposed a time limit.

"As for the simplest Goal One, it's not that simple at all," Zhou Yu frowned, thought for a moment, and made his choice.

"Goal Two — Attain Immortality!"

"Achieving the goal grants the full 'Potential Boost' talent, which is decent; the reward for Goal Three is good, but however you think, the probability is too low," Zhou Yu shook his head.

Choosing the second was a safe bet; in Zhou Yu's view, the difficulty and the post‑simulation reward were both acceptable to him.

At that moment, after Zhou Yu made all his selections, an invisible force enveloped him, time around him froze completely, and the simulation began.

(End of Chapter)