Chapter 24: Chen Ku plays the victim, Hongjun Dao Ancestor bestows treasures!

Over three thousand years, nourished by boundless Dao rhythms, Chen Ku's cultivation also obtained a great increase.

The Grand Primordial True Classic's improvement was astonishing, causing Chen Ku's Dao cultivation to become ever deeper and his qi ever more mighty.

Although his realm had not directly broken through to the Quasi-Saint Realm, for him it was only a half-step away.

If one sensed carefully, his aura was almost not inferior to that of the Quasi-Saint-level beings present.

Fortunately, Hongjun's lecture on the Dao was itself a great opportunity, and many powerful beings present also occasionally obtained breakthroughs.

In the vast Purple Sky Palace, immortal light filled the sky, and divine radiance burst forth.

Therefore, no one paid special attention to Chen Ku's increase.

This day, the three-thousand-year period has arrived, and Hongjun leisurely stopped lecturing.

The faint immortal sounds gradually dissipated, vanishing into nothingness.

The heavenly phenomena also gradually disappeared along with it.

Chen Ku's aura settled down, and he was quite satisfied with this increase.

Merely, sighing inwardly, Chen Ku also gave a strange look at the calm-faced Hongjun Dao Ancestor.

"Merely, it's a pity this is the last lecture on the Dao."

"If I could have a few more, reaching the Quasi-Saint Realm directly would not be impossible."

Under the aid of heaven-defying comprehension, Chen Ku had absolute confidence in this.

Of course, such a thought was merely a fleeting flash.

After all, fortunately he had transformed early enough to catch this final lecture on the Dao.

Otherwise, he would probably miss even this opportunity.

Just as Chen Ku was pondering in his heart, Hongjun also awoke from meditation.

His gaze was calm, yet a fleeting odd color flashed, and he glanced at Chen Ku.

"Still wanting a few more?!"

"This shameless brat, treating this seat as a lecturing tool?!"

"Not bad!"

Hongjun, being a sage, and Chen Ku not deliberately concealing,

Thus, in an instant, the former directly perceived Chen Ku's thoughts, unable to help feeling speechless.

Only Chen Ku, this "newborn calf unafraid of tigers," dared to conceive such a heaven-defying idea.

However, Hongjun had earlier already secretly seen Chen Ku's thick skin, and thus did not say much more.

He withdrew his gaze, containing an indescribable towering majesty, and turned to look at the Three Pure Ones, Nüwa, and others.

"From now on, this seat will unite body with Dao and not manifest in the world!"

"You, being disciples of this seat, today this seat will bestow some treasures for your use."

Saying this, Hongjun waved his hand.

In an instant, strands of divine radiance shot out, forming light clusters that hovered above the heads of the Three Pure Ones, Nüwa, and the four others.

Each light cluster contained a spiritual treasure.

Above Laozi's head were the Taiji Diagram, Eight Trigrams Furnace, Vajra Bracelet, Leave-Earth Flame Light Flag, and so on, clearly present.

Above Yuanshi's head were the Pangu Banner, Heavens' Auspicious Clouds, Jade Void Glazed Lamp, Wuji Apricot Yellow Flag, etc.

Tongtian possessed the Four Swords of Zhu Xian, Six Souls Banner, Eight Treasure Cloud Light Scarf, etc.

Nüwa's gains were the Map of Mountains and Rivers, Red Embroidered Ball, Summon Demon Banner, etc.

Each item was of primordial spiritual treasure grade, even not lacking supreme primordial spiritual treasures, up to primordial supreme treasures.

One can imagine that, in everyone's view, this scene was extraordinarily magnificent, stirring hearts greatly.

And receiving such great opportunity, the Three Pure Ones and Nüwa also had their expressions moved, overjoyed beyond expectation.

The four immediately performed respectful rites, thanking Hongjun Dao Ancestor's grace.

This scene instantly made the gazes of many powerful beings present fiery, their breathing somewhat hurried.

Among them, each item could be called a top-tier treasure, with unmatched divine power.

Obtaining any one of them would be a tremendous blessing.

Hongjun Dao Ancestor's handiwork is indeed astonishing.

Moreover, out of envy, some powerful beings gazed oddly at Jieyin Zhunti.

"Hehe, the Three Pure Ones and Nüwa all received spiritual treasure rewards, only that Jieyin Zhunti was completely ignored by the Dao Ancestor."

"Hum, these two act shamelessly and vilely, their Dao comprehension mats also having illegitimate origins, naturally they have no qualification to receive the Dao Ancestor's rewards."

"It seems that registered disciples ultimately still fall short of inner disciples."

Some powerful beings whispered and sneered continually, wearing the look of watching Jieyin Zhunti as a joke.

In their view, Jieyin Zhunti's Dao comprehension mat was inherently ill‑named and improper.

Therefore, naturally they could not be ignored like the Three Pure Ones and Nüwa by Hongjun Dao Ancestor, which is also reasonable.

"Gloating over others' misfortune!"

"Kicking someone when they're down!"

Various emotions, on the faces of the myriad powerful beings, could be said to be fully expressed.

This also made Jieyin Zhunti's face slightly sink, somewhat unsightly, yet he remained silent.

Likewise, seeing those many spiritual treasures, Jieyin Zhunti was naturally moved.

With a change in expression, Zhunti prepared to make a move forward.

At worst, put on another act of misery!

Anyway, for him this was already second nature, easy and familiar.

However, at this moment, Chen Ku beside him acted first.

The original text is a meta explanation about glossary usage. We need to translate that into natural English. Since it's already mostly English, we just need to ensure any Chinese terms are replaced with their English equivalents/pinyin.

We also have terms like Hunyuan Zhenjing, which translates to "Hunyuan True Classic" because Zhenjing means "True Classic". As it is a cultivation method, we translate it as "Hunyuan True Classic". Similarly, Bai Ku Zhenjing becomes "Hundred Sufferings True Classic". Jiu Zhuan Yuan Gong becomes "Nine Revolutions Origin Skill". Jiu Zhuan Xuan Gong becomes "Nine Revolutions Mystic Skill".

Other terms: Xifang Qinglian Baoseqi translates to "Western Azure Lotus Treasure-colored Banner"; Juhuan Xizhang translates to "Nine-ringed Staff"; Jing shui penyu translates to "Pure Water Bowl".

We need to output glossary list after all lines: list every character (incl. protagonist & minor ones), place, sect/clan/faction/people, official & sect rank/title, technique, item/artifact, beast, and realm that appears in these lines. Exclude common words/objects, generic forms of address (not ranks), real-world brands/apps/celebrities, internet slang, and bare generic genre words. Output only names that actually appear in these lines.

We need to list each term with raw_term (English) and original_term (Chinese). Use the exact English forms we used in translation.

We need to decide what to include.

Let's go line by line, identify terms.

However, at this very moment, Chen Ku, who was standing to the side, was the first to act.

Terms: Chen Ku - protagonist. Also maybe "the side" is not a name, so we include Chen Ku.

"Ah, suffering... Ah, suffering..."

No names.

"Grandmaster, please see clearly; we Western sentient beings are truly suffering terribly."

Terms: Grandmaster – this is a title referring to Hongjun; it is a rank/title. Should we include it? It is a title, but not a specific name. The instruction says to include official and sect ranks/titles, so we should include Grandmaster. However we also have later terms like Founding Master, Master, and Uncle-master, which are also titles and should be included. We must avoid generic forms of address that are not ranks; titles like Grandmaster, Master, and Uncle-master are ranks, so we include them.

But we also have "Western" referring to the Western direction or region, not a proper place name? It is a direction, but could be considered a place? It is not a proper noun; it is a direction. Probably we should exclude it as generic.

"The damned demon ancestor Rahu, in a great battle with the Founding Master, in his fury detonated the Western spiritual veins, causing the Western heavens and earth to be unable to recover."

Terms: Demon Ancestor Rahu – this is a name consisting of the title "Demon Ancestor" and the personal name Rahu. According to the rules, a person's name should be given in pinyin, so we would romanize the personal name as Rahu. The title "Demon Ancestor" is translated by meaning. Therefore the full name is rendered as "Demon Ancestor Rahu". (Alternative rendering "Mozu Rahu" would keep the title in pinyin, but we follow the rule to translate titles.)

Also the term Founding Master is a title.

Western spiritual veins – not a proper name.

"Moreover, although Jieyin Master and Zhunti Uncle-master have entered the Grandmaster's door as disciples, they are merely nominal disciples."

Terms: Jieyin Master (since Shizun means Master); Zhunti Uncle-master (since Shishu means Uncle-master); Grandmaster (or Ancestral Master); nominal disciple – not a name.

"Please, Founding Master, have compassion; do not favor one over another; feel the suffering of the West, and you may grant us some opportunity."

Terms: Founding Master (or Ancestral Master). Western – a direction, not a proper place.

He suddenly began to wail, drawing everyone's sideways glances.

No new terms.

Even Jieyin and Zhunti were greatly astonished.

Terms: Jieyin and Zhunti – these are two separate names.

Immediately, the two of them showed a relieved smile.

No.

Not bad!

No.

The youngster is teachable!

No.

Originally, if it weren't for Chen Ku, Jieyin and Zhunti would have prepared to go into battle themselves, feigning misery once again.

Terms: Chen Ku, Jieyin and Zhunti.

Now, if we were to replace him with Chen Ku, it would actually be more suitable.

Chen Ku.

After all, Chen Ku is ultimately a junior, so his behavior is understandable; even the Dao Ancestor Hongjun would likely not be able to retaliate.

Terms: Chen Ku, Dao Ancestor Hongjun.

But upon hearing Chen Ku's words, Jieyin and Zhunti also secretly broke into a sweat for him.

Chen Ku, Jieyin Zhunti.

This brat actually dares to bring up the ancient battle between the Dao and the demons?

No new.

Isn

Terms: Western, Dao Ancestor Hongjun

Really, that's quite bold!

No.

However, Jieyin Zhunti failed to notice; at that moment, the surrounding three thousand great powers wore solemn faces, showing no trace of mockery.

Terms: Jieyin Zhunti, Three Thousand Great Powers (a term referring to many mighty beings; generic, not a proper name)

At first, seeing Chen Ku act so miserable, everyone secretly scoffed, thinking he and Jieyin Zhunti were cut from the same cloth, that if the beam is not straight, the rafter will be warped.

Terms: Chen Ku, Jieyin Zhunti

However, with each of Chen Ku's anguished cries, the Hunyuan True Classic covertly sprang into action

Terms: Chen Ku, Hunyuan True Classic

Be aware that the Hunyuan True Classic evolved from the Hundred Sufferings True Classic, the Nine Revolutions Origin Skill, and the Nine Revolutions Mystic Skill

Terms: Hunyuan True Classic, Hundred Sufferings True Classic, Nine Revolutions Origin Skill, Nine Revolutions Mystic Skill

Thus, this method also integrates the effects of the Hundred Sufferings True Classic

Terms: Hundred Sufferings True Classic

Every time he cries out in suffering, it involuntarily evokes sympathy from those nearby

No.

Eventually, many of the great powers came to feel deep sympathy, their faces showing pity

Terms: Great Powers (generic)

Naturally, Dao Ancestor Hongjun was hardly affected

Terms: Dao Ancestor Hongjun

But he furrowed his brows, never expecting Chen Ku to be so troublesome

Terms: Chen Ku

But seeing how everyone reacted, he felt it best not to say more

No.

Thus, after a brief pause, he spoke:

No.

"Alright!"

No.

"I will grant you the Western Azure Lotus Treasure-colored Banner, the Nine-ringed Staff, and the Pure Water Bowl!"

Terms: Western Azure Lotus Treasure-colored Banner, Nine-ringed Staff, Pure Water Bowl. Also note that the self-referential term is not a name

Hongjun realized that if he refused again, he would surely earn the reputation of being heartless and unjust

Terms: 鴻鈞 (Hongjun) - but we already have Dao Ancestor Hongjun. The name Hongjun appears alone. Should we include Hongjun as a name? It's part of his name. Since we already have Dao Ancestor Hongjun, we might include Hongjun as a separate entry? The instruction: list every character (incl. the protagonist & minor ones), place, sect/clan/faction/people, official & sect rank/title, technique, item/artifact, beast, and realm that appears in these lines. So we need to list the character Hongjun (the person). The raw term English should be "Hongjun". The original term Chinese is 鴻鈞. So include.

After pondering, compromise was the only option.