Chapter 56: with translation of chapter title

The qin's sound stopped abruptly.

Many people had already covered their faces and wept, wetting their clothes.

The qin's sound reverberated in their minds, lingering long without fading.

That stirring, heart-wrenching war, its tear-jerking ending, and its thought-provoking reflections.

It left them unable to calm down for a long time.

Dongfang Mo stared at Ye Qingran; his starry eyes seemed to hold all the light of the heavens, shining astonishingly.

What kind of qin skill could master such a stirring, heart-wrenching sound?

And what kind of experiences could forge such profound, weighty thoughts?

Ling Shaoyang had already lifted his head from the table as soon as Ye Qingran played the first note.

He saw her fingers fly like the wind, graceful as flowing water, pouring forth, grand and magnificent, as she played note after note that struck straight at the soul, presenting one image after another before their eyes.

He slightly opened his mouth, his gaze shocked as he stared at the white-clad woman still sitting cross-legged in the field.

He felt as if his usually calm heart-lake, like an ancient well without ripples, had been disturbed by a stone, sending out ripples.

Dongfang Qingxuan's hand hidden beneath the table was clenched tightly.

His hawk-like gaze locked onto Ye Qingran.

How could he not know that Ye Qingran possessed such talent?

One qin piece astonished the heavens, yet it was not like those soft, lingering, decadent tunes.

How magnificent her qin sound was!

He seemed to see a stunning, peerless female general of the world, spear in hand, amidst tumultuous ups and downs, her bare hands shaking the heavens and earth!

Ye Huanhuan nearly bit her silver teeth to pieces.

Even though she was unwilling in her heart by ten thousand counts, she had to admit that the gap between her and Ye Qingran in qin skill was like a heavenly chasm.

She had practiced the qin for a long time, preparing to astonish everyone at today's welcome banquet.

Who would have thought that Ye Qingran would appear out of nowhere!

This damned wretch, when on earth did she learn qin skill?!

To overshadow all her glory!

Before Ye Qingran, she was like a jumping clown!

Ye Huanhuan turned her head and saw that Dongfang Qingxuan's gaze was also locked on Ye Qingran, making her anger even greater.

Ye Qingran, that fox spirit, is seducing her man!

Die, Ye Qingran!

The rest of the people all showed shocked expressions.

Who could have imagined that, for so many years in Xiliang City, the unknown, good-for-nothing young lady actually possessed such astonishing talent?!

It is awe-inspiring to behold!

Ye Qingran rarely plays the qin.

It is not because she dislikes it, but because each time she plays, it draws her in.

Her teacher once said that it is a realm many dream of attaining.

Whatever scene she presents to others, she herself becomes part of it, experiencing those rises and falls, witnessing life and death, feeling despair.

She herself also needs time to walk out of it.

Perhaps the people of this world, especially the noble youths present, do not have such a deep understanding of war.

But she feels it deeply herself.

In the previous life, the opening of the Spirit Restoration Era and the decline of the Technological Era unknownly sparked how many wars.

All living beings suffered; everywhere one looked was hell!

War brings only suffering.

Regardless of rise or fall, only the common folk suffer!

Ye Qingran took a long breath, adjusting herself back to her state. She

Her gaze swept around, the corner of her mouth curling into a wanton arc.

"Looking at everyone's reaction, who wins or loses is surely beyond dispute."

Everyone had nothing to say.

Ye Qingran won.

"Xing Er, go collect all my spoils."

Those various treasures have now become Ye Qingran's spoils.

Ye Sisi and Mu Qingrou, among others, looked especially envious. Just Xiao Feng alone put forth ten million taels of gold; all these things together are practically worth a fortune!

"Xiao Feng, where are the ten million taels of gold?"

Xiao Feng gritted his teeth and said unhappily, "How could the young master possibly carry that much money when going out? Our Xiao Family is the richest; we won't be short of this ten million!"

Xiao Feng felt as unpleasant as having eaten a fly.

Originally, ten million was nothing to him, but he originally didn't need to spend that much at all; it's all because Ye Qingran tricked him!

Ye Qingran deliberately tricked him!

"Thank you, Ninth Prince, for the Phoenix Tail Qin; it is now returned intact to its rightful owner."

Ye Qingran returned the Phoenix Tail Qin to Qing Shu's hands and thanked Dongfang Mo.

"Miss Ye's qin skill is astonishing; it is my honor."

"Ninth Prince, you overpraise me."

Ye Qingran nodded at Dongfang Mo and returned to her seat.

Seeing that the mood was right, Dongfang Qingxuan stood up.

Translation: Seeing that the atmosphere was about right, Dongfang Qingxuan stood up.

We need to keep it concise, natural. "Seeing that the atmosphere was about right" maybe "Seeing the atmosphere was about right". Could be "Seeing the atmosphere was about right, Dongfang Qingxuan stood up." That's fine.

A few days ago, Beast Valley sent me a spirit beast; I have brought it to the western suburb annex and placed it in the Phoenix Pavilion. Would any of you be interested in coming with me to see it?

Translation: "A few days ago, Beast Valley sent a spirit beast to My Palace; I brought it to the West Suburb Annex and placed it in the Phoenix Pavilion. Would anyone be interested in joining My Palace to view it?"

We need to keep quotes. Use double quotes as in Chinese? We'll keep English double quotes.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up slightly.

Translation: Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up slightly.

Spirit beast?

Translation: Spirit beast?

Spirit beasts are hard to capture; even the experienced and well‑trained people of Beast Valley often return empty‑handed.

Translation: Spirit beasts are hard to catch; even experienced, well-trained people from Beast Valley often return empty-handed.

I am in a good mood today; whoever has the ability to tame it, the spirit beast will belong to them.

Translation: "I'm pleased today; if anyone can tame it, the spirit beast will belong to them."

Dongfang Qingxuan added.

Translation: Dongfang Qingxuan added.

He knew everyone present and none of them were beast tamers, so his earlier words were merely flattering to appear generous.

Translation: He knows everyone present; there isn't a single beast tamer among them, so his earlier remark was just pleasant talk to show his generosity.

He dared to assert that no one could contract this spirit beast!

Translation: He dared to assert that no one could form a contract with this spirit beast!

His words caused an uproar.

Translation: As soon as he said that, an uproar broke out.

Everyone longs to own a spirit beast, but it's too difficult. Only disciples from powerful sects like the Xuan Yuan Sword School can, with their sect's assistance, contract a spirit beast.

Translation: Everyone longs to own a spirit beast, but it's extremely difficult; only disciples of powerful sects like the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, with the sect's aid, can contract a spirit beast.

They aren't beast tamers; at most they're just joining the fun.

Translation: They aren't beast tamers at most; they're just joining the fun.

The group rose and marched grandly toward the Phoenix Pavilion.

Translation: The crowd rose and marched in a mighty throng toward the Phoenix Pavilion.

"Ye Qingran, aren't you interested in the spirit beast?"

Translation: "Ye Qingran, aren't you interested in a spirit beast?"

Mu Qingrou raised his voice and said.

Translation: Mu Qingrou called out.

"Ye Qingran, someone like you probably never gets to see a spirit beast; why not take this opportunity? After this village there won't be another shop!"

Translation: "Ye Qingran, someone like you probably never sees a spirit beast ordinarily—don't miss this chance; once you pass this village, there's no next shop!"

Zhao Yan followed up with a taunt.

Translation: Zhao Yan chimed in with mockery.

"I think she's just timid; don't end up getting scared and wet, making a scene for everyone!"

Translation: "I think she's just timid; she'll probably piss herself scared and make a mess for everyone!"

Dongfang Ling'er wore a disdainful expression.

Translation: Dongfang Ling'er wore a look of disdain.

After they finished speaking, the three laughed and headed to the Phoenix Pavilion.

Translation: After saying that, the three laughed and headed to the Phoenix Pavilion.

Spirit beast?

Translation: Spirit beast?

Ye Qingran raised her dark eyebrows slightly.

Translation: Ye Qingran raised her brows slightly.

What spirit beast? Is her little cub tiger any more powerful?

Translation: What spirit beast? Her family's Xiao Naihu is fiercer.

However, the little cub tiger has a naturally formed bloodline seal inside, causing it to fall into sleep from time to time.

Translation: However, Xiao Naihu has a naturally formed bloodline seal within its body, causing it to fall into sleep from time to time.

She rescued this creature from a dangerous area at the border of the four nations, and she doesn't even know what kind of spirit beast the cub tiger is. In any case, when she found it, it was just a tiny cub tiger, about the size of her fist.

Translation: She picked this creature up from a dangerous place at the border of the four countries; she isn't even sure what kind of spirit beast Xiao Naihu is. Anyway, when she found it, it was just a little Xiao Naihu, the size of her fist.

After a few years, it has grown a bit, but it's still very small.

Translation: After several years, it has grown a bit, but it's still quite small.

That said, spirit beasts with naturally formed bloodline seals are at least six‑star level.

Translation: That said, spirit beasts with a naturally formed bloodline seal are at least of six-star bloodline level.

A spirit beast's bloodline star rating is defined by the purity of its ancient bloodline.

Translation: A spirit beast's bloodline star level is defined by the purity of its ancient bloodline.

Today's continent's spirit beasts are all descendants of the legendary ancient spirit beasts of myth.

Translation: The spirit beasts on the continent today are mostly descendants of the legendary ancient spirit beasts spoken of in myths.

The vast majority inherit only a trace of the bloodline; only the top‑tier pyramid spirit beasts inherit a pure bloodline.

Translation: The vast majority of spirit beasts inherit only a meager bloodline; only the pinnacle spirit beasts inherit a pure bloodline.

From one‑star to seven‑star, the higher the star, the purer the bloodline. Spirit beasts that fully inherit the bloodline are called ancient pure‑blood.

Translation: From one star to seven, the higher the star, the purer the bloodline. Spirit beasts that fully inherit the bloodline are called pure ancient bloodline.

"The spirit beast Qingxuan brought is said to have three‑star bloodline purity, with power at the upper‑quality king rank—quite impressive. However, that beast has lost its sanity, is brutal and ferocious, and can only be used for display."

Translation: "The spirit beast that Qing Xuan brought is said to have three-star bloodline purity and strength at the Upper Grade King Tier—quite impressive. However, that spirit beast has lost its reason, is brutal and vicious, and can only be used for viewing."

The king rank corresponds to the Xuan King among human cultivators.

Translation: King Tier is equivalent to the Profound King among human cultivators.

A voice as warm as jade reached Ye Qingran from beside her; she looked up and met eyes that seemed to scatter stars across the ground.

Translation: A warm, jade-like voice came from beside Ye Qingran; she lifted her gaze and met a pair of eyes scattered with stars like fallen constellations.

Ye Qingran felt as if a spring breeze brushed her face, refreshing her heart.

Translation: Ye Qingran instinctively felt a spring breeze brush her face, refreshing her heart and mind.

She couldn't help but think to herself that this Ninth Prince truly was like jade.

Translation: She couldn't help but marvel, this Ninth Prince truly is like jade.

"Since that's the case, shall Qingran join the Ninth Prince for some fun?"

Translation: "In that case, Qingran, let's go with the Ninth Prince to join the fun."

Dongfang Mo Qian raised his lips and said, "Please."

Translation: Dongfang Mo lightly curled his lips: "Please."

Ye Qingran stood up, lowered her gaze, and looked at Ling Shaoyang, who was still lying on the table pretending to sleep.

Translation: Ye Qingran then rose, lowering her gaze to look at Ling Shaoyang, who was still pretending to sleep, slumped on the table.

"Aren't you going to see the spirit beast?"

Translation: "You're not going to look at the spirit beast?"

"Boring!"

Translation: "Boring!"

Alright, you're the big boss!