Chapter 47: with translation of chapter title

Until Jieyin and his two companions completely disappeared from sight.

Translation:... (they gave a translation but not output)

But we need to ensure...

We'll output: 【1】 Until the three of Jieyin completely vanished without a trace.

The celestial court's crowd remained deathly silent.

Translation:...

Naturally, nobody believed the words of Jieyin and Chen Ku.

Translation:...

But without evidence, they naturally couldn't raise objections.

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Moreover, the Golden Toad Old Ancestor lurked in secret, intending harm to Jieyin and his companions, which itself was in the wrong.

Translation:...

Beside the Eastern Duke, the Yellow Springs Daoist came to his senses and spoke in a low voice:

Translation:...

"Why don't we forcibly detain Jieyin and his companions?!"

Translation: "\"Why don't we forcibly detain those three of Jieyin?! \""

We need to keep quotes? The Chinese includes 「」. We'll keep English quotes. We'll output: 【7】 "Why don't we forcibly detain those three of Jieyin?!"

The Yellow Springs Daoist asked, somewhat surprised.

Translation:...

Without a doubt, they coveted the Primordial Purple Qi of Jieyin and the spiritual treasure in Chen Ku's hands immensely.

Translation:...

Moreover, the Yellow Springs Daoist naturally thought that they were guarding this place precisely to detain Jieyin and his companions.

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Most importantly, the celestial court side had over a dozen top-tier experts present.

Translation: "Most importantly, the Xiating side actually had more than ten top-tier powerhouses present." We'll output: 【11】 Most importantly, the Xiating side actually had more than ten top-tier powerhouses present.

In the Yellow Springs Daoist's view, even though Jieyin is immensely powerful, could he possibly stand against our side's dozen or so mighty beings?!

Translation:...

No matter how tough he is, could he crush a few nails?!

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But earlier, the Eastern Duke's conduct was overly courteous.

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This left the Yellow Springs Daoist both puzzled and resentful!

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Upon hearing his words, the Eastern Duke gave him a meaningful glance and then spoke:

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"As far as I know, earlier the Linglong Old Ancestor and five other mighty beings joined forces, seeking to seize Jieyin's Primordial Purple Qi."

Translation:...

"And the Golden Toad Old Ancestor, nursing a grudge, hid in the chaos, waiting for an opportunity to act."

Translation:...

"Yet now, Jieyin and his companions have returned unharmed."

Translation: "\"However, the three of Jieyin have now returned safe and sound. \"" We'll output: 【19】 "However, the three of Jieyin have now returned safe and sound."

"Presumably, those six mighty beings either perished or were dealt with by Jieyin and his associates through unknown means."

Translation:...

"Since we haven't yet clarified the circumstances, we must not act rashly."

Translation: "\"Since we haven't yet clarified the circumstances, we must not act rashly. \"" We'll output: 【21】 "Since we haven't yet clarified the circumstances, we must not act rashly."

As the Eastern Duke spoke, his eyes also betrayed a hint of apprehension.

Translation:...

In fact, the plot of the Linglong Old Ancestor and company wasn't particularly covert.

Translation:...

Therefore, the Eastern Duke was also aware of it.

Translation:...

He waited here precisely to see whether the Linglong Old Ancestor and company could succeed.

Translation:...

Yet he never expected that what eventually arrived was Jieyin and his companions returning unscathed.

Translation:...

This made his heart sink, unable to comprehend how Jieyin and his companions faced the siege of six quasi-sages and escaped.

Translation:...

Upon hearing his words, the Yellow Springs Daoist asked again:

Translation:...

"What should we do now?!"

Translation: "\"What should we do now?! \""

We'll output: 【29】 "What should we do now?!"

In response, the Eastern Duke merely gazed deeply toward the direction beyond the chaos and continued:

Translation:...

"Wait!"

Translation:...

"Wait for the Golden Toad Old Ancestor to return, and all will become clear!"

Translation:...

Not to mention the Linglong Old Ancestor and company, the Eastern Duke had no doubt that if the Golden Toad Old Ancestor was still alive, he would surely find this place.

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However, after waiting a while, everyone began to show impatience and agitation.

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Yet the Golden Toad Old Ancestor's figure never appeared!

Translation:...

Even when the Eastern Duke extended his divine sense and probed in every way, he could not detect the Golden Toad Old Ancestor's aura.

Translation:...

Gradually, the Eastern Duke's heart grew heavier!

Translation:...

"Damn it!"

Translation:...

"Could they have been completely wiped out?!"

Translation: "\"Could it be that they have all been wiped out?! \""

We'll output: 【39】 "Could it be that they have all been wiped out?!"

Even though the Eastern Duke was reluctant to accept it, he couldn't help but entertain that thought.

Translation:...

Upon hearing this, the celestial court's strongmen's faces changed dramatically.

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One must know that in the present world, there are only tens of thousands of Golden Immortals of the Great Luo, and quasi-sage experts are even rarer.

Translation:...

Now six quasi-sages have supposedly perished in the chaos beyond?!

Translation:...

This is astonishing, even shocking to hear!

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Everyone's hearts filled with unease; provoking Jieyin and his companions—could that truly be a good thing for the celestial court?!

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Of course, nobody knew that the Golden Toad Old Ancestor and the Corpse Puppet Daoist had both been slain by Chen Ku alone.

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Otherwise, if they learned this information, those present would likely be shocked to the point of jaw-dropping terror.

Translation:...

The Yellow Springs Daoist also immediately flew into a rage.

Translation:...

"What?"

Translation:...

"So you're saying that Daoist Golden Toad was killed by Jieyin and his group?"

Translation:...

"If that's true, how could we possibly let it go?!"

Translation:...

"The fall of a quasi-sage is a tremendous loss for the celestial court."

Translation:...

"Moreover, the Yellow Springs Daoist and the Golden Toad Old Ancestor were on good terms ordinarily."

Translation:...

"Thus, he is now furious beyond restraint, even appearing ready to take revenge on Jieyin and his companions."

Translation:...

The Eastern Duke, without turning his head, already perceived the Yellow Springs Daoist's thoughts.

Translation:...

He solemnly warned:

Translation:...

"Do not act impulsively!"

Translation:...

After a pause, he continued thoughtfully:

Translation:...

"Earlier, that brat Chen Ku's aura was extraordinarily vast; he has already reached the quasi-sage realm."

Translation:...

At present, the Western sect's three quasi-saints are certainly not the sort of people one would want to associate with.

Moreover, Jieyin and Zhunti are nominal disciples of the Dao Ancestor, possessing the opportunity to prove the Dao and become sages.

If we become enemies with them, once those two attain sagehood, then for our Xiating...

Not bad!

Earlier, Dong Wanggong had already sensed the overwhelming strength of Chen Ku's aura, having already fully stepped into the Quasi-Saint realm.

One family, three people, each a Quasi-Saint, each capable of standing alone!

Even if Xiating were to provoke them, it would not be so easy to win.

Dong Wanggong's words were not finished, but everyone already understood his implied meaning.

To offend two future sages?

Just thinking about it makes everyone's scalp go numb, hearts pounding with fear.

And some low-level cultivators of Xiating even more so had their faces fluctuate, alternating between green and red, their inner unease spilling out.

As the words fell, Yun Zhongjun on the other side also spoke thoughtfully:

"His Majesty the Donghua Emperor is correct!"

"Right now, our Xiating side is inherently incompatible with the Wu and Yao tribes, not knowing when a battle will break out."

"To offend Jieyin and Zhunti again would undoubtedly be adding frost to snow."

"If we lack absolute certainty, we should still try to avoid provoking those three from the West as much as possible."

"Donghua Emperor" is precisely the respectful title that the people of Xiating use for Dong Wanggong.

Yun Zhongjun's considerations are also quite thorough.

Upon hearing this, the originally fierce Huangquan Daoist, feeling somewhat unwilling, retracted his aura; his gaze toward the West, however, remained filled with resentment.

Soon after, Yun Zhongjun let out another regretful sigh.

"It's a pity… Daoist Queen Mother of the West is unwilling to join our Xiating."

"Otherwise, if the male and female immortal leaders gathered together, they could certainly draw more strong ones into our ranks."

"Xiating could become even stronger and unmatched; why then be so hesitant?!"

Yun Zhongjun gazed toward the direction of West Kunlun.

That is precisely where the Queen Mother of the West's Daoist abode lies.

When Xiating was first founded, Dong Wanggong had once gone to West Kunlun, inviting the Queen Mother of the West to join Xiating, to jointly govern the world's cultivators.

However, perhaps because she is a woman, the Queen Mother of the West does not care for such worldly prestige and fame.

Thus, she politely declined Dong Wanggong's invitation, simply wishing to remain a lone cultivator, not participating in any faction's power struggles.

Upon hearing this, Dong Wanggong also couldn't help but show a hint of helplessness.

"This matter… can only be left for future planning."

"If the opportunity arises, I will personally go to West Kunlun again and see if I can persuade the Queen Mother of the West Daoist."

Right now, the third lecture on the Dao has just ended.

Everyone still needs to return, enter seclusion to digest the gains from this listening to the Dao.

Moreover, the spiritual treasures just obtained also need to be refined to remove innate restrictions, and so on.

Therefore, persuading the Queen Mother of the West cannot be rushed.

By this time, Jin Chan Lao Zu has still not returned.

Needless to say, everyone already knows the outcome in their hearts.

Finally, after a heavy-faced glance outward beyond Chaos, everyone fell silent.

At Dong Wanggong's order, the people of Xiating immediately turned and left, vast and mighty, returning to Penglai Island.