Chapter 138

It looks like Brother Shuo has surely succeeded in treasure refining this time. After Yang Zheng sent You Lulai Te and Shi Di away, he was very interested in watching Zhou Shuo; if he hadn't succeeded in treasure refining, how could he have the mood to flirt with girls right after leaving seclusion?

We'll translate:

"Looks like Brother Shuo has successfully completed his treasure refining this time." After Yang Zheng sent Yoululai Te and the stone flute away, he was very interested in watching Zhou Shuo; if he hadn't succeeded in treasure refining, how could he have the mood to flirt with girls right after leaving seclusion?

But we need to be faithful, not add extra. Let's break down:

It looks like Brother Shuo has surely succeeded in treasure refining this time. After Yang Zheng sent You Lulai Te and Shi Di away, he was very interested in watching Zhou Shuo; if he hadn't succeeded in treasure refining, how could he have the mood to flirt with girls right after leaving seclusion?

We need to preserve meaning exactly.

Let's translate:

"Looks like Brother Shuo has definitely succeeded in treasure refining this time." After Yang Zheng sent Yoululai Te and the stone flute away, he was very interested in watching Zhou Shuo; if he hadn't succeeded in treasure refining, how could he have the mood to flirt with girls right after leaving seclusion?

But we need to keep the same structure: maybe two sentences.

We'll produce: "Looks like Brother Shuo has definitely succeeded in treasure refining this time." After Yang Zheng sent Yoululai Te and the stone flute away, he was very interested in watching Zhou Shuo; if he hadn't succeeded in treasure refining, how could he have the mood to flirt with girls right after leaving seclusion?

But we need to keep it as a single line. We'll combine.

Let's craft: "Looks like Brother Shuo has definitely succeeded in treasure refining this time." After Yang Zheng sent Yoululai Te and the stone flute away, he was very interested in watching Zhou Shuo; if he hadn't succeeded in treasure refining, how could he have the mood to flirt with girls right after leaving seclusion?

But we have two sentences; that's okay as long as it's one line.

He was very interested in watching Zhou Shuo.

If he hadn't succeeded in treasure refining, how could he have the mood to flirt with girls right after leaving seclusion?

Now line 2.

Success, but speaking of which, Brother Yi, you acted quickly this time—I now have to ask you to borrow something. Zhou Shuo nodded with a smile and glanced at Hong Yi.

Translate: "Success, but speaking of which, Brother Yi, you acted quickly this time—I now have to ask you to borrow something." Zhou Shuo nodded with a smile, and at the same time glanced at Hong Yi.

Success, but speaking of which, Brother Yi, you acted quickly this time—I now have to ask you to borrow something.

Zhou Shuo nodded with a smile and glanced at Hong Yi.

Combine.

"Brother Shuo wants the Evil God's Blood?" Hong Yi hesitated a little; the first thing that came to mind was the Holy Medicine, the Evil God's Blood, of the Essence Origin Divine Temple.

Translate: "Brother Shuo wants the Evil God's Blood?" Hong Yi hesitated a little; the first thing that came to mind was the Holy Medicine, the Evil God's Blood, from the Essence Origin Divine Temple.

the Holy Medicine, the Evil God's Blood, of the Essence Origin Divine Temple

Hehe, Brother Yi, you're joking—I have no use for that thing, I'm unattached. I want to borrow the Divine God's Soul Refining Record to take a look. Of course, I won't take it for nothing; I'll give you a protective Dharma treasure. Although its defensive power may be insufficient now, it fears no aura and can sense others' malice.

Translate: "Hehe, Brother Yi, you're joking—I have no use for that thing, I'm unattached, I just want to borrow the Underworld God Soul Refining Record for a look; of course, I won't take it for nothing—I'll give you a protective Dharma treasure. Although its protective power may be insufficient now, it fears no aura and can sense others' malice."

I'm unattached.

Zhou Shuo looked at the hesitant Hong Yi, curled his mouth, and took out a jade pendant refined from the leftover scraps of the Heavenly Pillar Divine Stone. The remnants of the Heavenly Pillar Divine Stone left after refining the Divine Ability Whip were still plentiful; he also refined several jade talismans, intending to give them to the sister flowers for protection.

Translate: "Zhou Shuo looked at the hesitant Hong Yi, curled his lips, and took out a jade pendant refined from the scraps of the Heavenly Pillar Divine Stone; the remnants of the Heavenly Pillar Divine Stone left after refining the Divine Ability Whip were still plentiful, and he also refined several jade talismans, intending to give them to the sister flowers for their protection."

the sister flowers

"This, Brother Shuo just wants to look at the Divine God's Soul Refining Record—just say the word." Seeing Zhou Shuo take out the jade pendant, Hong Yi felt a little surprised and also a bit embarrassed; the Evil God's Blood is extremely precious, and he doesn't want to give it away casually, even refusing to win over the Golden Spider Dharma King.

Translate: "This, Brother Shuo just wants to look at the Underworld God Soul Refining Record—just ask." Seeing Zhou Shuo take out the jade pendant, Hong Yi felt a little surprised and also a bit embarrassed; the Evil God's Blood is extremely precious, he doesn't want to give it away casually, even refusing to win over the Golden Spider Dharma King.

even refusing to win over the Golden Spider Dharma King

"Take it!" Zhou Shuo handed the jade pendant to Hong Yi, then took out another and gave it to the Jade Prince.

Translate: "Here you go!" Zhou Shuo handed the jade pendant to Hong Yi, then took out another and gave it to the Jade Prince.

I still have plenty of materials, Your Highness. Thank you for your care during this time; this also counts as a gift. Although this jade pendant's defensive power is not strong now, if you follow my method and pour your own qi and blood and thoughts into it, it can continue to be nourished and increase its power. Used for a few months, it can withstand a full-force strike from someone like the Grand Tutor Hong, an earthly immortal, without problem.

Translate: "I have plenty of materials left, Your Highness—thank you for your patronage these days; this also counts as a gift. Although this jade pendant's protective power is weak now, if you follow my method and pour your vital energy and thoughts into it, it can continue to be nurtured and strengthened; after a few months, blocking a full-force strike from a Human Immortal like Grand Tutor Hong is no problem."

Your Highness

Upon hearing Zhou Shuo's words, Yang Zheng and Hong Yi were both a little surprised. Know that earthly immortals also have ranks; Hong Xuanji's earthly immortal cultivation had just broken through, but his accumulation was extremely substantial. To withstand his full-force strike is a concept; even a Dharma treasure cultivated by a Fourth or Fifth Tribulation Ghost Immortal, with their thoughts infused, might not be able to block his strike.

Translate: "Facing Zhou Shuo's words, Yang Zheng and Hong Yi were a little surprised—after all, Human Immortals also have ranks; Hong Xuanji's Human Immortal cultivation had just broken through recently, but his foundation is extremely solid; what does it mean to block his full-force strike? Probably even a Dharma treasure cultivated by a Fourth or Fifth Tribulation Ghost Immortal, with their thoughts infused, might not be able to block his strike."

a Dharma treasure cultivated by a Fourth or Fifth Tribulation Ghost Immortal, with their thoughts infused

Zhou Shuo didn't display the Divine Ability Whip; instead, he gave Yang Zheng and Hong Yi each a protective jade talisman, explained the cultivation method once, then said nothing else, only taking the Divine God's Soul Refining Record from Hong Yi to look through once.

Translate: "Zhou Shuo didn't display the Divine Ability Whip, but instead gave Yang Zheng and Hong Yi each a jade talisman for protection, explained the cultivation method once, then said nothing else, only borrowing the Underworld God Soul Refining Record from Hong Yi to read through once."

The Divine God's Soul Refining Record is one of the supreme scriptures of the Essence Origin Divine Temple in the Huoluo State; its content discusses the marvel of exchanging essence and qi within the human body. However, this is of little use to Zhou Shuo, who has already cultivated a golden core; he only glanced at its heart method.

Translate: "The Underworld God Soul Refining Record is one of the supreme scriptures of the Essence Origin Divine Temple in the Huoluo State; its content discusses the marvel of exchanging essence and energy in the human body, but this is of no use to Zhou Shuo, who has already achieved Golden Core; he only glanced through its heart method."

one of the supreme scriptures of the Essence Origin Divine Temple in the Huoluo State

Life and destiny are interdependent; Zhou Shuo's life cultivation has reached the Five Qi Returning to Origin Pill, which is currently his limit. To advance further, he must cultivate his nature; once his nature cultivation is achieved, the limit of his life cultivation will increase.

Translate: "Life and fate depend on each other; Zhou Shuo's life cultivation has reached the Five Qi Returning to Origin Pill, which is currently his limit; to advance further, he must cultivate his nature cultivation, and only when nature cultivation is achieved does the limit of life cultivation increase."

Five Qi Returning to Origin Pill

Speaking of nature cultivation, it is profoundly mysterious; it is not merely about refining the spirit and soul, but also about tempering the mind, nature, and emotions. It is extremely internal; although the things to cultivate seem superficial, they are actually very difficult to achieve.

Translate: "Nature cultivation sounds profoundly mysterious; it is not merely the technique of cultivating the spirit, but also the tempering of mind, nature, and emotions—something deeply internal; although what is cultivated seems superficial, it is actually extremely difficult to achieve."

the tempering of mind, nature, and emotions

The method of cultivating nature is simple: in Journey to the West, Sun Wukong cultivates his nature by traveling, hence he is called the Pilgrim; Old Pig's nature cultivation barrier is discipline—refraining from gluttony, idle talk, and lust—so his nickname is Eight Precepts.

Translate: "The method of cultivating nature cultivation is simple: in Journey to the West, Sun Wukong cultivates his nature by traveling, so he is called the Wanderer; Old Pig's barrier to cultivating nature is the precepts—refraining from gluttony, idle talk, and lust—so his nickname is the Eight Precepts."

refraining from gluttony, idle talk, and lust

Discipline, asceticism, meditation, and nurturing qi—these superficial things best reveal the profundity of nature cultivation; however, they are often easy to learn but hard to master, and ordinary beings who practice always advance one step and retreat ten, just like Hong Yi.

Translate: "Precepts, ascetic practice, meditation, and nurturing qi—these superficial things best reveal the profundity of nature cultivation; however, they are often easy to learn but hard to master, and ordinary beings who practice always advance one step and retreat ten, just like Hong Yi."

ordinary beings who practice always advance one step and retreat ten

When Zhou Shuo first met Hong Yi at sea, he was an earnest, idealistic youth who spoke fluently; but now, having returned to Yujing, although he appears respectful on the surface, his heart has gradually grown arrogant, his belly full of schemes. Once his examination essays stir the hundred sages, this arrogance will become uncontrollable, and he will truly regard himself as a sage.

Translate: "When Zhou Shuo first met Hong Yi at sea, he was still an earnest, idealistic youth who spoke fluently; but now, returning to Jade Capital, although he appears respectful on the surface, his heart has already begun to grow arrogant, his belly full of schemes; once his examination essay astonishes the Hundred Saints, this arrogance will become uncontrollable, truly regarding himself as a sage."

an earnest, idealistic youth who spoke fluently

The higher one's cultivation, the harder it is to restrain oneself; the realm of nature cultivation regresses in a straight line. When luck is good, it's still okay, but when luck turns bad, bad karma approaches, and everything one does ends in utter failure; encountering anyone feels like meeting a star of misfortune. This applies not only to Hong Yi but also to Zhou Shuo himself, so he began to explore nature cultivation.

Translate: "The higher one's cultivation, the harder it is to restrain oneself; the realm of nature cultivation regresses in a straight line; when luck is good it's bearable, but when luck turns bad, bad karma approaches, and whatever one does ends in utter defeat, encountering anyone feels like meeting a declining star—this applies not only to Hong Yi but also to Zhou Shuo himself, so he began to seek out nature cultivation."

bad karma approaches

"Huh!" Zhou Shuo looked at the stiff-seeming bronze pages in his hand, couldn't help but raise his eyebrows; the heart method in the Divine God's Soul Refining Record, after a brief look, he could only describe it as: heterodox and unorthodox.

Translate: "Hmm!" Zhou Shuo looked at the stiff-seeming bronze pages in his hand, couldn't help raising his eyebrows; the heart method in the Underworld God Soul Refining Record, after a brief look, he summed it up in one phrase: Heterodox and Unorthodox Ways.

stiff-seeming bronze pages

Whether Buddhist or Daoist, using precepts, meditation, sitting and forgetting, etc., to let one's thoughts become tranquil, making the nature light as clear as water; whereas the Divine God's Soul Refining Record is different—its cultivation is about enjoying pleasure.

Translate: "Whether Buddhist or Daoist, using precepts, meditation, sitting and forgetting, etc., to let one's thoughts calm down, making one's nature light as clear as water; whereas the Underworld God Soul Refining Record is different—its cultivation is enjoying pleasure."

nature light

No matter the method—beauty or slaughter—taking the pleasure one enjoys and using it to nourish one's inner self, strengthening one's thoughts, such a cultivation method is like using paint to pollute that pure lake in the heart.

Translate: "Whatever the method, be it beauty or slaughter, taking the enjoyment gained and using it to nourish one's inner heart, strengthening one's thoughts—such a cultivation method is like using paint to pollute the pure lake of the heart."

beauty or slaughter

"Although I've gone down a side path, I like this method." Looking at the Divine God's Soul Refining Record, Zhou Shuo couldn't help but think that he really favored this practice; however, it's a pity that he didn't start cultivating with this secret manual, and now he doesn't really want to spend time cultivating this heart method. This nature cultivation, once he started, already feels meaningless, and delving deeper into it also lacks significance and prospects.

Translate: "Although I've gone down a side path, I like this cultivation method." Zhou Shuo looked at the Underworld God Soul Refining Record and couldn't help thinking that he was very fond of this method, but unfortunately he hadn't started cultivating with this secret manual, and now he doesn't really want to spend time cultivating this heart method; this nature cultivation, once practiced, has become uninteresting, and to delve deeper into it is meaningless, with insufficient prospects.

he hadn't started cultivating with this secret manual

Pleasure doesn't offer much of a future; on the contrary, pain and hatred hold greater potential—transforming the pain one endures into strength, using it to nourish one's inner self, arousing the ferocity, ruthlessness, and unscrupulousness in one's character—that is truly a boundless future.

Translate: "Enjoyment doesn't offer much of a future; on the contrary, pain and hatred hold greater potential—transforming the pain one suffers into power, using it to nourish one's inner heart, stimulating the ferocity, ruthlessness, and unscrupulousness in one's character—that is truly limitless future."

the ferocity, ruthlessness, and unscrupulousness in one's character

In fact, whether it's pleasure or the cultivation of hatred, there is a prerequisite: one must keep a pure clarity in the heart. At the final moment, one can lay down the butcher's knife, letting the heart's spring eye burst forth, washing away all colors—this is also the sole opportunity for the heterodox path to seek the ultimate, but it's useless.

Translate: "In fact, whether it's enjoyment or the cultivation of hatred, there is a prerequisite: one must keep a pure clarity in the heart; at the final moment one can lay down the butcher's knife, letting the heart's spring surge forth, washing away all colors—this is also the sole opportunity for the Heterodox and Unorthodox Ways to seek the ultimate, but it's useless."

spring eye

Laying down the butcher's knife can indeed make one become a Buddha instantly, but there is a clear prerequisite: the hatred held when raising the knife must be let go, and the karmic debt incurred when raising the knife must also be repaid; only then can one truly become a Buddha. So the question arises: what was the meaning of initially raising the butcher's knife? Apart from a momentary impulse, it was just a momentary brain fever.

Translate: "Laying down the butcher's knife can indeed make one a Buddha instantly, but there is a clear prerequisite: the hatred held when raising the butcher's knife must be let go, and the karmic debt incurred when raising the butcher's knife must also be repaid; only then can one truly become a Buddha. So the question arises: what was the significance of initially raising the butcher's knife? Apart from a momentary impulse, it was just a momentary brain fever."

karmic debt

A sheep intestine trail or something—

Translate: "A sheep intestine trail or something—just a glance is enough. After Zhou Shuo finished reading the Underworld God Soul Refining Record and returned it to Hong Yi, he went out for a trip, delivering two protective jade talismans to Yao Yue Ting at the Natural Dwelling, then returned to the Prince's Mansion to prepare for further cultivation, but he didn't expect that the jade talismans would be sent back to him the next day, and the one sending them back was a subordinate of the Champion Marquis: the Divine Eagle King."

We need to keep "A sheep intestine trail or something". We'll translate as "A sheep intestine trail or something". Good.

"My lord the Marquis is waiting for you at Jade Dragon Mountain." The Divine Eagle King looked at Zhou Shuò, who had taken back the jade talisman, and uttered a sentence.

Translate: "My lord the Marquis awaits you at Jade Dragon Mountain." The Divine Eagle King looked at Zhou Shuo, who had retrieved the jade talismans, and uttered a sentence.

We need to keep "My lord the Marquis". We'll translate as "My lord the Marquis". Good.

"Did your lord the Marquis let you speak or not? How did this jade talisman come about?" Zhou Shuò looked at the jade talisman in his hand, raised his head and looked at the grim-faced eagle-nosed man.

Translate: "Did your lord the Marquis allow you to speak, or not—how did these jade talismans come about?" Zhou Shuo looked at the jade talisman in his hand, raised his head, and gazed at the grim-faced eagle-nosed man.

We need to keep "grim-faced eagle-nosed man". We'll translate as "grim-faced eagle-nosed man". Good.

"It was personally delivered by the Sect Leader of Yao, and accompanying him were the Grand Net Sect Leader and his wife, as well as Elder Wu of the Marquis Wuwen Manor." The Divine Eagle King glanced sideways and threw out a few names.

Translate: "It was personally sent by Sect Leader Yao, accompanied by the Grand Net Sect Leader and his wife, as well as Mr. Wu Da from the Marquis Wuwen Manor." The Divine Eagle King's gaze shifted slightly, and he threw out several names.

We need to keep "the Grand Net Sect Leader and his wife". We'll translate as "the Grand Net Sect Leader and his wife". Good.

"The Sect Leader of Yao, Zhao Fei'er, Yan Zhenzong, and the steward of the Marquis Wuwen Manor, Wu Wenhui—I understand. It seems the two great marquises who are the pillars of present-day Great Qian all intend to act against me." Zhou Shuò tossed the jade talisman in his hand, gave a firm nod; only Hong Xuanji could possibly move Yao Qinghui and the Grand Net Sect Leader Zhao Fei'er.

Translate: "Sect Leader Yao, Zhao Fei'er, the True Yan Sect, and the steward of the Marquis Wuwen Manor, Wu Wenhui—I understand; it looks like the two marquis who are the pillars of the Great Qian dynasty are both planning to move against me." Zhou Shuo tossed the jade talisman in his hand, nodded affirmatively; only Hong Xuanji could mobilize Yao Qinghui and the Grand Net Sect Leader Zhao Fei'er.

We need to keep "the steward of the Marquis Wuwen Manor, Wu Wenhui". We'll translate as "the steward of the Marquis Wuwen Manor, Wu Wenhui". Good.

"Is True Person Zhou going?" The Divine Eagle King did not deny it, but instead showed a strange smile.

Translate: "Is True Person Zhou going?" The Divine Eagle King didn't deny it, but instead revealed a strange smile.

We need to keep "True Person Zhou". We'll translate as "True Person Zhou". Good.

"Going, of course I will go, but there's a matter: I want to ask the Divine Eagle King for a favor—to have him deliver these two jade talismans to the Yao Chi Sect in Yinzhou, handing them over to Miss Yao Yue Ru." Zhou Shuò handed the jade talisman back to the Divine Eagle King, and without waiting for a reply, he continued.

Translate: "Of course, naturally I must go; however, there is a matter: I ask the Divine Eagle King to do me a favor—deliver these two jade talismans to the Jade Pool Sect in Silver Prefecture, handing them over to Miss Yao Yue Ru." Zhou Shuo returned the jade talismans to the Divine Eagle King's face, and without waiting for his reply, he continued.

We need to keep "handing them over to Miss Yao Yue Ru". We'll translate as "handing them over to Miss Yao Yue Ru". Good.

"As a condition, I won't kill you."

Translate: "As a condition, I will not kill you."

"..." Facing Zhou Shuò's words, the Divine Eagle King's face twitched slightly, looking at the jade talisman in Zhou Shuò's palm, after thinking it over repeatedly, he reached out and took it back.

Translate: "……" Facing Zhou Shuo's words, the Divine Eagle King's face twitched slightly, looking at the jade talisman in Zhou Shuo's palm, after thinking it over three times, he reached out and took it back.

We need to keep "face". We'll translate as "face". Good.

"All right, you may go. By the way, regarding Jade Dragon Mountain, I'll head there right away, just like last time, okay?" Zhou Shuò looked at the eagle-nosed man who had taken the jade talisman, nodded in satisfaction, and at the same time recalled something.

Translate: "All right, you may go—by the way, I'll head to Jade Dragon Mountain right away, just like last time, okay?" Zhou Shuo looked at the eagle-nosed man who had taken the jade talisman, nodded satisfactorily, and at the same time recalled something.

We need to keep "eagle-nosed man". We'll translate as "eagle-nosed man". Good.

"Exactly." The Divine Eagle King nodded.

Translate: "Exactly." The Divine Eagle King nodded.

"Well then, let's go now!" Zhou Shuò felt there was nothing wrong; the other party daring to send a challenge letter must have everything ready, only lacking this final push from him—what else is he waiting for!

Translate: "Hmm, good, let's go now!" Zhou Shuo felt there was nothing wrong; the other party daring to send a challenge letter meant everything was ready, only lacking this east wind—what more could he wait for?

We need to keep "send a challenge letter". We'll translate as "send a challenge letter". Good.

Zhou Shuo didn't even greet Prince Yu, nor did he greet Hong Yi; this sort of thing neither of them could get involved in, and even if they could, they might not be willing to take that risk, so everything still relied on himself; coincidentally, he also needed to find someone to practice his divine whip with.