Chapter 254: with translation of chapter title

254. Chapter 254: The Ancestral Dragon Speaks

Translation: "Chapter 254: Ancestral Dragon Opens Its Mouth"

Though Jieyin and Zhunti wept bitterly, feeling sorrow and seeing no hope ahead, they were resolute; after a glimpse of their true emotions surfaced, they regained their composure.

Check: Though Jieyin and Zhunti wept bitterly, feeling sorrow and seeing no hope ahead, they were resolute; after a glimpse of their true emotions surfaced, they regained their composure.

We'll translate: "Although Jieyin and Zhunti wept bitterly, feeling sorrowful and hopeless, they were also people of firm resolve; after revealing a bit of true emotion, they again rallied."

Make sure not to add extra. Keep meaning.

Though relocating these heavenly treasures involves a significant loss, it is not beyond their capacity; given their present dilemma, they have no better recourse.

Translation: "Although moving those heavenly treasures and earthly riches now entails great loss, it is not unbearable; they also have no good solution to the present predicament."

They ultimately decided that Jieyin should go into retreat first to pierce the Mixed Yuan Dao, for they are only Heavenly Lord Gods lacking sufficient power, making all else illusory.

Translation: "In the end they decided that Jieyin would first enter seclusion to break through the Primordial Dao, for after all they are merely Lofty Heaven Revered Gods, their strength insufficient, and everything is illusory."

Junior brother, I'll impose on you for a while; I'll strive to break through soon so you can devote yourself to cultivation.

Translation: "\"Junior Brother, I'll have to trouble you during this period; I will certainly break through soon so you can focus on your cultivation. \""

Jieyin is near the Mixed Yuan Dao, and the two can trust each other completely, so they won't quarrel over anything else.

Translation: "Jieyin is now not far from the Primordial Dao; the two can confide in each other, so they naturally will not dispute other matters."

Had they not feared letting the Wu clan and heavenly court forces run amok in the West, the two would probably have already gone into retreat.

Translation: "If they did not dare let the Wu Clan and Immortal Court run wild in the West, the two would probably have already entered seclusion."

Senior brother, stay at ease in your retreat; don't let any blemishes mar your practice, for the Great Dao's road is long and fraught, admitting no oversight—I'll take care of matters in the West.

Translation: "\"Senior Brother, rest easy in your seclusion; do not leave flaws in your cultivation, for the path of the Great Dao is long and obstructed, allowing no negligence; I will handle the affairs of the West. \""

Zhunti's face is firm; even though he now sees the heavenly court's calculations, they cannot let the Wu clan run wild in the West.

Translation: "Zhunti's expression is resolute; even if he now understands the Heavenly Court's scheming, they cannot allow the Wu Clan to run rampant in the West."

They realize this is the heavenly court's open scheme, openly desiring both sides to lose, yet they currently lack the power to oppose it.

Translation: "Knowing this is the Heavenly Court's open plot, openly wishing to see both sides lose, but they currently lack the strength to oppose."

For Jieyin and Zhunti, the current course is to feign ignorance, go along with the heavenly court's plan, and quietly build up strength for later.

Translation: "For Jieyin and Zhunti, what they need to do now is to feign ignorance, follow the Heavenly Court's plan, and secretly accumulate strength for the future."

Now the wilderness itself is caught in undercurrents; when the heavenly court announced that the three sovereigns Qi, Emperor Jun, and Nüwa would go into retreat, countless ambitious beings sprang into action.

Translation: "At this time the Wilderness also fell into undercurrents; as the Heavenly Court announced that the three sovereigns Qi, Di Jun, and Nüwa would enter seclusion, countless ambitious minds immediately began to stir."

At the East Sea's eye, Yinglong stands outside the eye, constantly relaying to the Ancestral Dragon the information he has gathered from the heavenly court.

Translation: "At the East Sea Eye, Yinglong stood outside the eye and continually informed the Ancestral Dragon of the information he had obtained from the Heavenly Court during this period."

Elder brother, the wilderness is now in such turmoil; I too have gone to the Phoenix clan's Immortal Flame Mountain to investigate.

Translation: "\"Elder Brother, the Wilderness is now in such chaos, and I have also gone to explore the Undying Volcano of the Phoenix Clan. \""

The Yuan Phoenix hardly ever stirs; in a yuan cycle it might not awaken at all, and if it does occasionally gain clarity, it can utter only a few words before lapsing back into silence.

Translation: "\"The Primordial Phoenix now rarely awakens; within an aeon it may not wake even once, and if it occasionally does, it can only utter a few words before falling back into silence. \""

However, among the five chiefs of the Phoenix lineage's branches, the Qingluan has long joined the heavenly court and become Nüwa's mount.

Translation: "\"However, among the five chiefs of the Phoenix Clan's branches, Qingluan has long since joined the Heavenly Court, becoming Nüwa's mount. \""

Although it seldom returns to the Phoenix clan, some incense still lingers; thanks to Nüwa's prestige, the Phoenix clan, though frail, still retains a spark of vitality.

Translation: "\"Although it rarely returns to the Phoenix Clan, fortunately it still retains some incense; relying on Nüwa's prestige, the Phoenix Clan, though weakened, still preserves a bit of primordial energy. \""

As for the Kunlun Mountain Qilin clan, they are all but wiped out.

Translation: "\"As for the Qilin Clan of Kunlun Mountain, they are nearly extinct. \""

After repeated inquiries and consulting the heavenly court's records, I finally grasped the whole story.

Translation: "\"After several investigations, and after querying information from the Heavenly Court, I finally understood the circumstances. \""

Originally, the primal Qilin was mighty and highly cultivated, thus oppressing the Three Pure Ones; after the great calamity ended, the Qilin clan collapsed and the Three Pure Ones settled the karmic debts.

Translation: "\"Previously the Primordial Qilin was powerful and strong in cultivation, thus bullying the Three Pure Ones; after the Great Calamity ended, the Qilin Clan collapsed, and the Three Pure Ones settled the karmic accounts. \""

The primal Qilin turned to stone, sealing the earth's veins; after the cavern ended, Yuanshi sliced off its head with one sword, and it returned to the Dao and died.

Translation: "\"The Primordial Qilin turned into stone, suppressing the earth's veins; after the underground caverns ended, Yuanshi beheaded it with a single sword, and it departed the Dao. \""

Soon after, the gods stormed in; all clan members carrying karmic debt died, leaving only a few of pure blood, who were taken as mounts.

Translation: "\"Immediately thereafter the gods broke in; those of the clan bearing karmic debt all perished, leaving only a few with pure bloodlines, who were taken as mounts. \""

Now, the pure bloodline of the Qilin clan that still walks the wilderness exists only in the Qilin Cliff beneath the Three Pure Ones—the transformed skull of the primal Qilin.

Translation: "\"Now, among the Qilin Clan wandering the Wilderness, the only pure bloodline remaining is the Qilin Cliff beneath the Three Pure Ones, formed from the skull of the Primordial Qilin. \""

Today, the Qilin clan has entirely exited the wilderness's historical stage, with no hope of revival.

Translation: "\"To this day, the Qilin Clan has completely withdrawn from the stage of Wilderness history, with no chance of resurgence. \""

Yinglong didn't wait for the Ancestral Dragon's response, but went on to explain the present state of the Western continent; regarding the dragon clan, he added nothing further.

Translation: "Yinglong did not wait for the Ancestral Dragon's reply, but proceeded to detail the current situation in Xifang Dalu; as for the Dragon Clan, he said nothing more."

The dragon clan still has Yinglong upholding it; as the commander of the heavenly court's battle division, he can at least safeguard it should the dragons remain hidden.

Translation: "The Dragon Clan still has him supporting it; in his capacity as Chief of the Heavenly Court's Battle Division, he can at least guarantee its protection should the Dragon Clan not emerge."

Although the dragon clan maintains a low profile, its strength still ranks among the wilderness's elite; its influence, though waned, still far exceeds that of the Ji clan.

Translation: "Although the Dragon Clan keeps a low profile, at least its strength remains among the top tier in the Wilderness; its influence, though greatly diminished, still surpasses that of its peers."

Furthermore, in the face of the heavenly court's present strength, many once‑hostile myriad clans now appear to be quietly leaning toward an alliance with the dragon clan.

Translation: "Moreover, facing the current might of the Heavenly Court, many tribes that were once opposed now seem to have a faint tendency to gravitate toward the Dragon Clan."

Only Yinglong stays clear‑minded; whenever he notices something, he personally intervenes to rouse them.

Translation: "Only Yinglong can remain clear‑minded; whenever he senses it, he personally strikes to awaken them."

Since the post‑calamity suicide wave subsided, far more dragon clan members have died at Yinglong's hands than at the hands of outsiders.

Translation: "Since the suicide wave after the Great Calamity subsided, the number of Dragon Clan members slain by Yinglong's hand far exceeds those killed by outsiders."

The primordial dragon clan gave up too much just to escape the earlier vortex, and its effects linger to this day.

Translation: "The Dragon Clan once sacrificed too much to barely escape the previous vortex, and its effects have not yet been severed."

Yet those ancient sinners still dream of reviving the dragon clan's past glory, hoping to plunge the dragons into an abyss.

Translation: "Yet those ancient sinners still fantasize about restoring the Dragon Clan's former glory, seeking to drag it into the abyss."

The dragon clan can no longer withstand turmoil; even a minor disturbance will draw a fatal strike from the heavenly court.

Translation: "The Dragon Clan can no longer endure any turmoil; even a slight disturbance will bring a fatal blow from the Heavenly Court."

Yinglong will not tolerate those who cannot see the facts, who seek to pull the dragon clan into a new vortex, their vision clouded by the dragon clan's former might.

Translation: "Yinglong absolutely will not tolerate those who cannot see the facts, who try to drag the Dragon Clan into a new vortex, their eyes blinded by the past might of the Dragon Clan."

It is precisely because Yinglong dealt such a harsh blow that the heavenly court overlooks the dragon clan's minor moves.

Translation: "It is precisely because Yinglong has dealt such a harsh hand that the Heavenly Court turns a blind eye to the Dragon Clan's minor maneuvers."

Among some dragon folk, Yinglong is no longer seen as their lord but as a heavenly court battle‑division god, a lackey of the celestial realm.

Translation: "In the mouths of some Dragon Clan folk, Yinglong is no longer the clan's lord but has become the Heavenly Court's Battle Division Heavenly God, a lackey of Heaven."

As always, Yinglong tells the Ancestral Dragon everything he knows, without awaiting a reply, and prepares to turn and leave.

Translation: "Yinglong, as usual, informed the Ancestral Dragon of everything he knew, without expecting a reply, and prepared to turn away."

He has repeated this many times; now he comes to tell the Ancestral Dragon about the wilderness, unsure whether he aims to inform the Ancestral Dragon or simply to find an outlet for his feelings.

Translation: "He has done this many times; now he comes to tell the Ancestral Dragon about the Wilderness, not knowing himself whether it is to let the Ancestral Dragon understand or merely to find a place to confide."

As Yinglong turned to leave, the Ancestral Dragon, silent for dozens of yuan assemblies, finally spoke: "Fourth brother, please wait a moment."

Translation: "Just as Yinglong turned away, the Ancestral Dragon, silent for dozens of aeons, finally spoke: \"Fourth Brother, please wait a moment. \""

Yinglong was startled to hear the Ancestral Dragon speak, feeling both astonished and agitated, yet unsure what to say.

Translation: "Yinglong suddenly heard the Ancestral Dragon speak, feeling somewhat incredulous, his emotions stirred, yet he did not know how to respond."

The Ancestral Dragon's single utterance made the turning Yinglong's eyes redden, and he blurted in disbelief: "Elder brother?! Is it really you? Have you finally decided to speak?!"

Translation: "The Ancestral Dragon's single word made Yinglong, who was turning, his eyes redden with disbelief as he cried: \"Elder Brother?! Is it really you? Have you finally agreed to speak?! \"

Yinglong's words held too much meaning; he wished to say much more, but ultimately only these two questions remained.

Translation: "The words in Yinglong's mouth held too much meaning; what he wanted to say was far more than this, yet in the end only these two questions remained."

The Ancestral Dragon in the sea eye gave a long sigh; his scales were broken and his dragon skin almost gone—if an outsider saw him, they would not recognize him as the former lord of the dragon clan.

Translation: "The Ancestral Dragon in the sea eye let out a long sigh; his scales were shattered, his dragon skin nearly gone—if an outsider saw him, they would not recognize him as the former lord of the Dragon Clan."

The Ancestral Dragon surveyed himself, his eyes full of undisguised scorn; as the foremost of scaled armor, he had become a skinless dragon, like a horned loach stripped of its skin.

Translation: "The Ancestral Dragon gazed upon himself, his eyes full of undisguised mockery; as the foremost of scaled armor, he is now a skinless dragon, like a loach stripped of its skin and left with horns."

His flesh lay bare, his sinews and bones exposed, karmic sin entwined, his cultivation stalled— the Ancestral Dragon gazed at himself and asked:

Translation: "Flesh and blood lay bare, sinews and bones exposed, karmic sin entangled, cultivation stalled, the Ancestral Dragon looked at himself and asked himself:"

"Do you regret it? To have brought yourself to this state and plunged the dragon clan into a bottomless abyss."

Translation: "\"Do you regret it? To have brought yourself to this state, and led the Dragon Clan into a bottomless abyss. \""

Yet upon reflecting on his life, he found that even if he lived it again, he would still resolutely set out on this road to supremacy.

Translation: "Yet upon reviewing his life, he found that even if he repeated it, he would still resolutely embark again on the path of hegemony."

Yinglong waited outside for a long reply that never came, but his steps did not falter; the Ancestral Dragon's earlier words made him feel as if he had found a steadfast support amid the storm.

Translation: "The outside world awaited Yinglong's reply for a long time, but his steps did not waver; the Ancestral Dragon's earlier words made him feel as if, amidst wind and rain, he had found his backbone."

Faced with Yinglong, who had been waiting outside the sea eye, the Ancestral Dragon finally emerged from his contemplation and spoke calmly:

Translation: "Facing Yinglong, who had been waiting outside the sea eye, the Ancestral Dragon also finally came to from his scrutiny and spoke calmly:"

"Of course it's me; with the dragon clan as it is, outsiders already scorn it, so how could they even consider intervening?"

Translation: "\"Naturally it is me; given the present Dragon Clan, outsiders disdain it to such an extent that they would not even think of interfering. \""

Yinglong didn't know what to say, but the Ancestral Dragon didn't wait for his reply and went on: "As you said, the outside world presents a change unseen in the wilderness for ages; that you have kept the dragon clan alive to this point is already no small achievement."

Translation: "Yinglong did not know how to respond, but the Ancestral Dragon did not wait for his reply and continued: \"As you said, the outside world is a change the Wilderness has never seen in ages; to have kept the Dragon Clan until now is no small feat. \""

"Joining the heavenly court and occupying a high position in its halls is a brilliant move; in my view, it even surpasses the method of transforming into a dragon."

Translation: "\"To be able to join the Heavenly Court and occupy a high position in the Imperial Court is a brilliant move; in my view, it is even superior to the Dragon Transformation Method. \""

"The matter of the three clans need not be brought up again; it's already dead and buried. No matter who governs the wilderness, they won't give us another chance to rise, so there's no point worrying about it further."

Translation: "\"The affair of the three clans need not be mentioned further; it is already dry bones in the grave, and no matter who rules the Wilderness, they cannot give us a chance to revive, so there is no need to worry about it thereafter. \""

"You remain a Heavenly Lord God; in this upheaval it's natural to feel somewhat lacking in strength, and though you're the chief god of the battle division, you're still quite weak."

Translation: "\"You are still at the level of Lofty Heaven Revered God; in such a changing situation, you are bound to feel insufficiently strong, and although you are Chief God of the Battle Division, you are still rather weak. \""

"It appears that the seal placed on you earlier was my error, which held back your cultivation."

Translation: "\"It seems that the seal placed on you back then was my mistake, delaying your cultivation. \""

Yinglong quickly reassured him: "Elder brother, you did it for the dragon clan's sake; I hold no grudge, and I myself have not slackened—I am not far from the Mixed Yuan Dao."

Translation: "Yinglong hurriedly comforted him: \"Elder Brother, you acted for the Dragon Clan; I bear no grudge, and I myself have not slackened—I am not far from the Primordial Dao. \""

Although the Ancestral Dragon remains in the sea eye with his cultivation stalled, a single glance was enough for him to discern Yinglong's true and false condition.

Translation: "Although the Ancestral Dragon remains in the sea eye with no cultivation progress, a single glance sufficed for him to perceive Yinglong's true and false Dao."

"No need to make excuses for me; in that era, you are indeed not far off—thirty yuan assemblies would suffice to bring you to completion and hope for the Mixed Yuan Great Dao."

Translation: "\"No need to excuse me; for the era back then, you are indeed not far off—thirty aeons would be enough for you to perfect your attainment and hope for the Great Primordial Dao. \""

"But with the present state of heaven and earth, this is undoubtedly too slow; if we wait thirty yuan assemblies, by then there may be no place left for the dragon clan in the world."

Translation: "\"But given the current state of heaven and earth, this is undoubtedly too slow; if you wait thirty aeons, by then there may be no place left for the Dragon Clan in the world. \""

Hearing the Ancestral Dragon's words, Yinglong felt somewhat embarrassed; cultivation of life and destiny requires accumulation, and this can only rely on one's own step-by-step progress.

If there is nothing else of the refined essence of heaven and earth, unless one turns to cultivate the Dao of Immortals, how could one easily step into the Dao of Mixed Origin?

Given the current fortune of the dragon clan, let alone the refined essence of heaven and earth, Yinglong cannot even find a low-grade innate spiritual treasure or spiritual root.

If it weren't for joining the Heavenly Court, after announcing withdrawal from the wilderness, the dragon clan's vital energy would be greatly injured; he probably couldn't even eat a top-grade innate spiritual fruit.

But thinking of the current dragon clan, Yinglong could only grit his teeth and say: 'If it really doesn't work, then I will turn to cultivate the Dao of Immortals; with my ability, I will certainly be able to enter the quasi-sage in a short time, enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Dao of Mixed Origin.'

Ancestral Dragon merely shouted in anger: 'Foolish! With the current foundation of the dragon clan, how could it supply your subsequent cultivation? The widely spread corpse‑slaying method in the wilderness all requires reliance on a spiritual treasure.'

Aside from your Yinglong Mysterious Heaven Sword, do you have anything else to serve as a vessel? Given the dragon clan's foundation, could it again provide you with a top‑grade innate spiritual treasure?

For the sake of the dragon clan, you abandon your own Great Dao without regard; how can such conduct be called that of a cultivator?

Ancestral Dragon's voice was full of resentment at his lack of fighting spirit, but regarding this, Yinglong also felt wronged and said: 'If I do not turn to cultivate the Dao of Immortals, will the dragon clan still have a time of prosperity? With my current strength, the great upheaval has not yet fully arrived; I can still barely support.'

But if the upheaval truly arrives, in an era of great contention, how could the Chief God of the Strife Department be so easily obtained? Without this position, one would be cut off from the core of the Heavenly Court.

Let me ask you: without this fortune, without the protection of this status, how can the dragon clan cope?

Could it be that we want the dragon clan to be like the Qilin tribe, left to be slaughtered? Let me, like the Qingluan, beg the Heavenly Emperor to take me as a mount, in exchange for a chance for the dragon clan to catch its breath.

Second elder brother Zhulong has disappeared without a trace; to this day we don't know where he is trapped. Third elder brother Qinglong is trapped in the East Pole, unable to go out at all.

Eldest brother, you are even more trapped in the Sea Eye; once you go out, you will surely suffer heavenly punishment. In such a situation, the dragon clan rests on me alone; what can I do? (End of chapter)