Chapter 196

After the farce ended, Qi spoke lightly:

"Let's talk: why did you come to Cloud Dream Marsh, and what ulterior motives do you harbor?"

"Moreover, where did the spiritual treasures you previously used come from, that they can actually contain your mottled power?"

"According to common reason, spiritual treasures value purity and clarity; you must never manipulate them, even those rare exotic treasures are no exception."

With a slight opening of his palm, the spiritual treasures in the hands of the four ferocious beasts were drawn over; Qi examined them carefully and said, "The grade of these spiritual treasures is not bad, only their restrictions are somewhat lacking; I advise you to speak up early to avoid suffering fleshly harm."

"The heavens possess the virtue of cherishing life; I too am unwilling to commit many acts of cruelty."

Qi infused divine power, casually waved, and divine light condensed upon the spiritual treasure, then fell into the cloud vapor, exploding into sheets of flying clouds.

Watching the mist surge roll within the grand formation, Qi's brow twitched slightly, somewhat surprised, he said:

"How can this power be so astonishing, when I have not even refined it?"

Qi again lifted it before him, divine light gathering in his eyes, he carefully inspected the internal structure of the spiritual treasure, his brow furrowed tightly.

Qi said no more, merely tossing it to Di Jun at his side, saying, "Try?"

Di Jun smiled, infused divine power into it, and struck Chaos directly, nearly splitting it in two.

Chaos let out a miserable cry and angrily cursed, "You madman, I haven't spoken, nor made any struggling motions, resigned to being a captive, yet you still humiliate me so."

"Although I am down on my luck, even at worst I am still one who has entered the Primordial Dao; such an action, is it not a loss of dignity?"

"Such ferocity and wickedness, how are you any different from us?"

Di Jun paid no heed to Chaos's words, replying:

"You lot, with unawakened spirits and deep-seated sins, how can you be called human?"

"Furthermore, although you have entered the Primordial Dao, you do not know the Great Dao, unaware of cultivating practice and mind; even now you still wear fur and armor, utterly lacking bearing."

"Having fallen into our hands, based solely on the karmic sins upon your persons, even if we were to beat or kill you it would be no matter; how dare you strike such a pose, putting on airs of the Primordial Dao?"

Chaos and the other three ferocious beasts, furious to the point of grotesque visages, yet not knowing how to rebut, their divine power and blood qi sealed, unable even to think of a counterstrike.

But Di Jun had not yet let them go; only hearing Di Jun continue: "If you possess even a semblance of humanity, know the heavenly numbers, and yearn for the Great Dao, I would still count you as cultivators, preserving some dignity."

"From your hearts' reckoning, can you discern the heavenly numbers? How many principles do you know? Do you possess even a hint of compassion? Have your past faults shown any remorse?"

The four ferocious beasts did not know how to retaliate; opening their mouths to argue, they found no foothold at all.

Di Jun saw this, snorted, and said: "Since you lack even a trace, what similarity is there between us? To say you are not human—have you ever felt even a hint of grievance?"

Di Jun saw the four ferocious beasts bury their heads and play dead, instantly finding it boring, and could not be bothered to say more.

Using Chaos to test the spiritual treasure's power was merely because I still remembered how Chaos sneak-attacked Cloud Dream Marsh, ambushed Taiyi, causing injury; now I just vent a little.

Now that the anger has been vented and the spiritual treasure tested, naturally I cannot be bothered to attend to them.

Qi looked at Di Jun and said:

"Have you noticed anything?"

Di Jun nodded, his eyes likewise flashing with disbelief, somewhat surprised, he said:

"This spiritual treasure differs greatly from those existing in the Primordial Wasteland; it cannot be refined, yet without refinement it can exert its full power."

"Its restrictions are few; although this reduces many effects, in combat it can react swiftly—I cannot tell whether this is an advantage or a drawback."

"Being unable to be refined means it cannot easily leave one's hand; otherwise, if it fell into another's grasp, it could not be retrieved."

"Without refinement, it can unleash its full power, which almost limits it to melee use; moreover, once disarmed by an opponent, it instantly turns into a weapon used against oneself."

"The drawbacks are too great, offering little use; only cultivators highly skilled in the way of combat can derive any benefit."

"But such people are exceedingly rare nowadays; to us, it is merely a rib of little value—eating it yields no meat, discarding it is a pity."

Di Jun's words, Qi largely agreed; his understanding was not far off, both believing it had little use for them.

Only those who cultivate the flesh and blood, adept at close-quarters combat, would favor this kind of spiritual treasure.

For Qi, or rather the vast majority of primordial deities, this thing is too stiff, lacking change, and of little use.

Qi again looked toward the four ferocious beasts and said:

"If you do not state your purpose for coming to Cloud Dream Marsh, and where these things come from, I fear I will truly be unable to keep you."

Upon these words, the four ferocious beasts instantly became much more alert, no longer lowering their heads to play dead, and stared at each other.

After a long while, Chaos finally explained:

"Our arrival at Cloud Dream Marsh was merely an accident; you may not believe it, but the fact is indeed so."

"After the great calamity of the ferocious beasts ended, we followed the arrangements of the God Rebel, wandering in Chaos."

"Later, yearning deeply for the Primordial Wasteland, we took advantage of the calamity, when calamitous and killing qi permeated and the Primordial Wasteland fell into chaos, no one would notice us, so we sneaked in."

"Along the way we were cautious, wandering everywhere; unknowingly we arrived at Cloud Dream Marsh, and this place has changed so greatly, completely unlike before; only after meeting you did we realize we had come here."

"As for those things, we obtained them in Chaos; because they resemble the innate spiritual treasures of the Primordial Wasteland, yet differ somewhat, we call them Chaos spiritual treasures."

"This thing does not reject our blood and turbid qi; as long as there is power to drive it, no matter what kind, it accepts."

"As for why this is so, we also do not know; anyway, it was like that when we first got it."

Qi felt Chaos's words somewhat reasonable, yet could not discern truth from falsehood; this seemingly plausible explanation gave Qi a headache.

Merely, although they are foolish, they have ultimately entered the Primordial Dao, fearing backlash, and cannot be easily investigated.

How to deal with them has, conversely, become a problem.

Looking at their current appearance, Qi suddenly had a flash of inspiration, thinking of an extremely suitable person.

After all, in the East, he is practically omnipotent; for any thorny problem, seek him, or directly entrust it to him—surely no mistake.

This is the best method proven on the Eastern Continent through countless yuanhui deliberations.

Having thought of this, Qi did not hesitate much; his finger traced in the air, and golden characters appeared. In a flourish, Qi recited the antecedents and consequences of this matter, waved his sleeves, and turned it into a golden letter, sending it toward Jade Capital Mountain.

Mount Buzhou

Hongjun watched wide-eyed as Qi sent the letter to Jade Capital Mountain, not knowing whether to pretend not to have seen it.

Before, he had intended to brush away the image, but with nothing happening either way, Hongjun also curious about what comes next, thus he again used the Jade Disc of Creation to present the events of Cloud Dream Marsh.

As earlier.

We'll produce: "【63】 Term: Hongjun (a name). Not in the glossary. It is a person's name, so we keep the pinyin Hongjun. According to the rules, personal names must be in pinyin and capitalized. So the raw term is Hongjun, corresponding to the original Hongjun."

"【65】 Also, the word 'letter/message' is a common word, not a name; 'now' is common. No other terms."

We'll produce: "【66】 Seeing Qi throw the difficult problem at him, yet still smugly boasting to himself, Hongjun felt for the first time that his past reputation was too good, which seemed not a good thing."

"【67】 Term: Qi (a name). It is a person's name, so we keep the pinyin Qi. According to the rules, personal names must be in pinyin and capitalized. So the raw term is Qi, corresponding to the original Qi."

"【69】 Also Hongjun again."

We'll produce: "【70】 'This humble priest wonders whether I have been overly concerned about the east these years; I don't know since when, but it seems that at the slightest stir in the East Continent, they all come to seek me.'"

We'll produce a translation of the meta line: Let's translate each Chinese term.

Also the east appears earlier in the same line: 'Being overly worried about the east.'

If it were Luo Hou instead, I suspect their so-called difficulties would not be difficult at all, would they?

Term: Luo Hou (Rahu). It is likely a deity's name; according to the rule, personal names must be rendered in pinyin, so Luo Hou.

Hongjun muttered to himself at the foot of Mount Buzhou.

Terms: Hongjun, Mount Buzhou (already in the glossary as Mount Buzhou). Use that.

Suddenly he seemed to sense something, focusing his gaze on the Creation Jade Disc, and said: 'I am not a person of strong curiosity; how could my monkey mind wander aimlessly? Perhaps you have played a part in this.'

Term: Creation Jade Disc. It is an item name meaning 'Creation Jade Disc' (or 'Jade Disc of Creation'). According to the rule, we translate its meaning: Creation Jade Disc.

Also, the term monkey mind is a Buddhist term meaning restless mind. It is a common concept; we translate it as monkey mind.

Creation Jade Disc showed no change, still releasing soothing purple light.

Term: Creation Jade Disc.

Hongjun glanced suspiciously a few times, seeing that the Creation Jade Disc indeed had not changed, he could only forcibly suppress his doubts and turned to go toward Cloud Dream Marsh.

Terms: Hongjun, Creation Jade Disc, Cloud Dream Marsh. It is a place name meaning 'Cloud Dream Marsh' (or 'Yunmze Marsh'). According to the rule, we translate its meaning: Cloud Dream Marsh.

At his current level, any movement of his monkey mind is never random agitation; it must have a cause.

Term: monkey mind.

What could arouse his curiosity must necessarily be something with which he has karmic ties; what puzzles Hongjun is that he does not know what kind of karma he could have with the Four Great Ferocious Beasts.

Terms: Hongjun, Four Great Ferocious Beasts. It refers to four beasts; we translate its meaning as Four Great Ferocious Beasts.

In others' eyes, the fearsome Four Great Ferocious Beasts are, to Hongjun, merely slightly stronger ants.

Terms: Four Great Ferocious Beasts, Hongjun, ants.

Whether Shen Ni is present or not, the situation is the same; and to have karma with ants, how could Hongjun not be puzzled? But if Hongjun truly knew the source of that karma, he would likely have the heart to crush the Four Great Ferocious Beasts to ashes.

Also Hongjun, Four Great Ferocious Beasts.

Also Hongjun, Four Great Ferocious Beasts.

After all, because of these four ants, his true core spirit treasure, the Creation Jade Disc, forever lost the chance to return to completeness.

Terms: four ants, core spirit treasure, Creation Jade Disc.

Cloud Dream Marsh.

Term: Cloud Dream Marsh.

Di Jun has already risen, heading toward Mount Buzhou, praying that Qi will see him off for seven days, crossing countless mountains and rivers before returning to the Dao Chang.

Terms: Di Jun, Mount Buzhou, Qi, Dao Chang.

The Four Great Ferocious Beasts were suppressed by Qi in the water eye, bearing the waters of Cloud Dream Marsh; even without sealing their power, escaping would be extremely difficult.

Terms: Four Great Ferocious Beasts, Qi, water eye, Cloud Dream Marsh.

Now, without anyone's strength, they are in the water eye, unable even to twitch, constantly injured and healed in the tug of the water vapor, cycling endlessly.

Term: water eye.

'By now, Shaohao should have already returned to the Western Continent, though I do not know how many tribespeople will migrate this time.'

Terms: Shaohao, Western Continent.

'Currently, the Eastern Continent lacks birds and beasts extremely; if the Tiger Clan can enter the Eastern Continent this time, perhaps later it could also draw from the Western and Southern regions to revive the Eastern Continent's ecology.'

Terms: Eastern Continent, Tiger Clan, West, South, Eastern Continent.

Qi alone in the quiet chamber pondered the opportunities, after all, since he plans to someday rule the entire Primordial Continent, he naturally must also contribute to its development.

Terms: Qi, quiet chamber, Primordial Continent.

While Qi was pondering, the Dao resonance suddenly sounded in heaven and earth; countless heavenly flowers rained down, blanketing the entire Primordial Wilderness.

Terms: Qi, Dao resonance, Primordial Wilderness.

'Listen, as the voice rang out: 'The Heavenly Dao is above; I am the chief of the Black Tortoise Clan, the ancestor of the Black Tortoise, Xuanwu Zhiming; now I feel the suffering of the northern beings, having endured calamities, unable to be freed, I deeply feel sorrow.'

Terms: Heavenly Dao, Black Tortoise Clan, ancestor of the Black Tortoise, Xuanwu Zhiming, the north.

'I wish to guard the North Pole of Heaven and Earth, oversee wind and rain, to alleviate the northern calamity, seek a glimmer of life for them; thus the Black Tortoise hides from the world, not involved in the Primordial Wilderness's karma.'

Terms: North Pole of Heaven and Earth, the north, Black Tortoise hides from the world, Primordial Wilderness.

'May the Heavenly Dao have mercy and allow this; this oath, sworn before Heaven and Earth, shall be witnessed!'

Term: Heavenly Dao.

Suddenly countless spiritual rains fell

"Terms: spiritual rain, gentle wind (not a name)."

"The raindrops fell, turning the white land into fertile soil; where the gentle wind passed, the northern glaciers melted, revealing countless greens, and the north saw a scene of vibrant life."

"Terms: the north, northern land (maybe 'Northern Land'). Not a proper name."

"Qi saw this, rose from his seated position, bowed with hands clasped, and said: 'Lord Zhiming, your righteousness is lofty! Performing such great compassion, you shall surely enjoy great merit.'"

"Terms: Qi, Lord Zhiming (title: 'Lord Zhiming'), merit (from glossary)."

"'I order that, from now on, anyone who encounters a Black Tortoise in Cloud Dream Marsh must not harm, imprison, or detain it, in respect of Lord Zhiming's righteousness!'"

"Terms: Cloud Dream Marsh, Black Tortoise (beast), Lord Zhiming again."

"Like Qi, countless great gods of the Primordial Wilderness have issued similar orders, after all, this is a great merit; only those of virtuous character would not abandon such deeds."

"Terms: Qi, Primordial Wilderness, great gods (not a name), merit."

"Xuanwu Zhiming differs from the Azure Dragon; one is to repay the karma of Heaven and Earth for the Dragon Clan, to eliminate their karmic obstacles, and thus he must do so."

"Terms: Xuanwu Zhiming again, Azure Dragon (beast), Dragon Clan (faction). Also Heaven and Earth karma (not a name)."

"Such conduct, the gods naturally will not respect his merit; at most they will merely not oppose him."

"Terms: merit."

"One reason is for the beings of the northern land; feeling their suffering, full of disasters and hardships, compassion arises; although he has a stronger option for himself, he ultimately still chooses to remain trapped at the North Pole."

"Terms: northern land, North Pole (not names)."

"Such virtue, the gods naturally will hold him in respect and will help him to the extent of their ability."

"Terms: virtue (not a name)."

"With Zhiming's return to the North Pole, the entire Primordial Wilderness heaven and earth seemed to feel a sense of joy, spiritual energy became abundant, and among the beings there was a little more ease."

"Terms: Zhiming (part of name), North Pole, Primordial Wilderness, heaven and earth (not a name)."

"'The change of the four poles of Heaven and Earth has indeed brought more vitality to the current Primordial Wilderness; the earth's veins are no longer as fragile as before, easily breaking.'"

"Terms: four poles of Heaven and Earth (not a name), Primordial Wilderness, earth veins (not a name)."

"Qi truly felt it, sensing that heaven and earth were stable, like Luo Hou's deed in the past; now it is probably difficult to repeat."

"Terms: Qi, heaven and earth, Luo Hou again."

"Any change will be sensed by the four poles; unfortunately, the western and southern poles have not yet returned to their positions; if they did, the Primordial Wilderness heaven and earth would likely not be easily broken."

"Terms: four poles, West, South, Primordial Wilderness, heaven and earth."

"Like the past act of tearing space to rush along, such a feat will probably not be possible anymore."

"Terms: tearing space (not a name)."

"'In the future, those Taiyi who wish to wander the Primordial Wilderness will no longer be able to do so as easily as we once did; they will have to rely entirely on the technique of flying ascension, and wandering the Primordial Wilderness will be difficult.'"

"Terms: Taiyi (title), Primordial Wilderness, technique of flying ascension (not a name)."

"Qi sighed a little, but also felt some schadenfreude; nevertheless, space has become much more stable, which is beneficial for the Primordial Wilderness."

"Terms: Qi, space stability (not a name), Primordial Wilderness."

"At least the battles between Luo Tianzun and the gods will no longer shatter heaven and earth as before, leaving cracks everywhere and giving mortal beings a chance to breathe."

"Terms: Luo Tianzun, heaven and earth, mortal beings (not a name)."

"The starry sky."

"Term: starry sky (not a name)."

"The Vermilion Bird still hesitated; initially, in the north, she was besieged by many innate deities, but the arrival of the Yuan Huang in time let her avoid the calamity of dissolving into the Dao."

"Terms: Vermilion Bird (beast), the north, Yuan Huang (person's name, pinyin), calamity of dissolving into the Dao (not a name)."

"But the path was cut off, her cultivation fell, and to this day she has not even recovered to her original state at birth."

"Terms: Dao path, cultivation level (not a name)."

"After Xuanwu Zhiming guarded the North Pole, she also sensed the responsibility she bore, yet she remained unwilling, stubbornly staying in the South Pole."

"Terms: Xuanwu Zhiming, North Pole, South Pole."

"After all, saying it is long-lasting is almost the same as eternity; if heaven and earth do not undergo great change, there will be no emergence."

"Terms: eternity, heaven and earth (not a name)."

"'How should I choose? One path is eternal solitude, yet it allows me to resume the Great Dao.'"

"Terms: Great Dao (from glossary)."

"'One path is only to endure waiting, continuing to stay here; although free, hope for the Great Dao is slim.'"

"Terms: Great Dao."

"'To me, none are ideal; initially I chose to enter the Primordial Wilderness, which was truly a step wrong, step after step wrong!'"

"Terms: Primordial Wilderness."

"The Vermilion Bird's inner struggle and conflict are unknown to outsiders, but anyone who still harbors even a slightest delusion about the Great Dao will eventually make a choice."

"Terms: Vermilion Bird, Great Dao."

"The Heavenly Dao still has a glimmer of life, but it does not save those who abandon themselves."

"Terms: Heavenly Dao."

(End of Chapter)