Chapter 259: with translation of chapter title

259. Chapter 259: Ao Xing's Reincarnation, Karmic Affinity Wager

Qi followed the tributary of Yunmze Marsh downstream, passing over seventy tribes along the way without stopping, until he reached a bend in a great river, where he halted.

until he reached a bend in a great river, where he stopped.

Thus: Qi followed the tributary of Cloud Dream Marsh downstream, passing over seventy tribes along the way without stopping, until he reached a bend in a great river, where he halted.

over seventy tribes

Taiyi had already returned to the Heavenly Court a hundred years earlier, and Qi left with him, not staying long in Cloud Dream Marsh.

Taiyi had already returned to the Heavenly Court a hundred years earlier, and Qi also left with him, not staying long in Cloud Dream Marsh.

Thus: Taiyi had already returned to the Heavenly Court a hundred years earlier, and Qi left with him, not staying long in Cloud Dream Marsh.

This time returning to the Primordial Wasteland, Qi had not forgotten his original goal; Ao Xing had died in the tribulation long ago, and it was time for his true spirit to undergo reincarnation.

This time returning to the Primordial Wasteland, as for its original goal, Qi had not forgotten it; Ao Xing had died in the tribulation long ago, and it was time for his true spirit to undergo reincarnation.

Thus: This time returning to the Primordial Wasteland, Qi had not forgotten his original goal; Ao Xing had died in the tribulation long ago, and it was time for his true spirit to undergo reincarnation.

Now the Dragon Clan's karma is entangled; Qi naturally would not let Ao Xing be reborn among the Dragon Clan, and his affinity with the Dragon Clan is exhausted; forcibly involving him would violate cultivation.

Now the Dragon Clan's karma is entangled; Qi naturally would not let Ao Xing be reborn among the Dragon Clan, and his affinity with the Dragon Clan is exhausted; forcibly involving him would violate cultivation.

Thus: Now the Dragon Clan's karma is entangled; Qi naturally would not let Ao Xing be reborn among the Dragon Clan, and his affinity with the Dragon Clan is exhausted; forcibly involving him would violate cultivation.

Qi stood on the clouds above the river bend, divine light flashing in his eyes, and descended into the river bend.

Qi stood on the clouds above the river bend, divine light flashing in his eyes, and fell into the river bend.

Thus: Qi stood on the clouds above the river bend, divine light flashing in his eyes, and fell into the river bend.

Within the river bend, two giant pythons were entwined; their scales were ferocious, one black and one white, with fine golden silk patterns intertwined, showing their extraordinariness.

Within the river bend, two giant pythons were entwined; their scales were ferocious, one black and one white, with fine golden silk patterns intertwined, showing their extraordinariness.

Thus: Within the river bend, two giant pythons were entwined; their scales were ferocious, one black and one white, with fine golden silk patterns intertwined, showing their extraordinariness.

In Qi's eyes, the origins of the two giant pythons were traced back to their source, following their karma to the origin.

In Qi's eyes, everything about the two giant pythons was traced back to the source, following their karma to advance toward the origin.

Thus: In Qi's eyes, everything about the two giant pythons was traced back to the source, following their karma to advance toward the origin.

On the Dragon-Phoenix battlefield, Ao Xing played with a silver rope in his hand; the rope was wrapped with golden silk and had a hint of wood grain texture, with two jade beads tied at the front, like snake eyes.

On the Dragon-Phoenix battlefield, Ao Xing played with a silver rope in his hand; the rope was wrapped with golden silk and had a hint of wood grain texture, with two jade beads tied at the front, like snake eyes.

Thus: On the Dragon-Phoenix battlefield, Ao Xing played with a silver rope in his hand; the rope was wrapped with golden silk and had a hint of wood grain texture, with two jade beads tied at the front, like snake eyes.

The red rope twisted casually in Ao Xing's hand, winding between his fingers; far away, the Qilin tribe had already sounded the war drums, and for a moment war smoke rose everywhere.

The red rope twisted casually in Ao Xing's hand, winding between his fingers; far away, the Qilin tribe had already sounded the war drums, and for a moment war smoke rose everywhere.

far away, the Chinese Unicorn tribe had already sounded the war drums, and war smoke rose everywhere.

Thus: The red rope twisted casually in Ao Xing's hand, winding between his fingers; far away, the Chinese Unicorn tribe had already sounded the war drums, and for a moment war smoke rose everywhere.

Seeing this, Ao Xing tied the red rope around his wrist and hastily took the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum to rush to the battlefield.

Seeing this, Ao Xing tied the red rope around his wrist and hastily took the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum to rush to the battlefield.

Thus: Seeing this, Ao Xing tied the red rope around his wrist and hastily took the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum to rush to the battlefield.

The rumbling thunder echoed through the night sky, the dazzling lightning illuminated the entire battlefield; Ao Xing flew into the sky, and with every move, myriad thunder surrounded him, as if the vast battlefield allowed him to roam unhindered.

The rumbling thunder echoed through the night sky, the dazzling lightning illuminated the entire battlefield; Ao Xing flew into the sky, and with every move, myriad thunder surrounded him, as if the vast battlefield allowed him to roam unhindered.

Thus: The rumbling thunder echoed through the night sky, the dazzling lightning illuminated the entire battlefield; Ao Xing flew into the sky, and with every move, myriad thunder surrounded him, as if the vast battlefield allowed him to roam unhindered.

Such arrogant behavior naturally attracted the opponent's gaze; among the beast tribe, two came to block him, both Great Luo Golden Immortals.

Such arrogant behavior naturally attracted the opponent's gaze; among the beast tribe, two also came to block him, both Great Luo Golden Immortals.

Thus: Such arrogant behavior naturally attracted the opponent's gaze; among the beast tribe, two also came to block him, both Great Luo Golden Immortals.

Ao Xing had the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum to assist him, so he naturally feared no ordinary opponent; even if the two joined forces, they could only barely restrain his display.

Ao Xing had the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum to assist him, so he naturally feared no ordinary opponent; even if the two joined forces, they could only barely restrain his display.

Thus: Ao Xing had the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum to assist him, so he naturally feared no ordinary opponent; even if the two joined forces, they could only barely restrain his display.

A slight carelessness, a moment of laxity, and what awaited them was the divine thunder summoned by the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum.

A slight carelessness, a moment of laxity, and what awaited them was the divine thunder summoned by the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum.

Thus: A slight carelessness, a moment of laxity, and what awaited them was the divine thunder summoned by the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum.

The battle below gradually came to an end; the signal to recall troops sounded, and both sides slowly withdrew, leaving only a ruined battlefield and corpses strewn everywhere.

The battle below gradually came to an end; the recall signal sounded, and both sides slowly withdrew, leaving only a ruined battlefield and corpses strewn everywhere.

Thus: The battle below gradually came to an end; the recall signal sounded, and both sides slowly withdrew, leaving only a ruined battlefield and corpses strewn everywhere.

Such scenes happened countless times; the silver rope always remained entwined around Ao Xing's hand, accompanying him in countless battles, stained with the blood of countless immortals.

Such scenes happened countless times; the silver rope always remained entwined around Ao Xing's hand, accompanying him in countless battles, stained with the blood of countless immortals.

Thus: Such scenes happened countless times; the silver rope always remained entwined around Ao Xing's hand, accompanying him in countless battles, stained with the blood of countless immortals.

Naturally, Ao Xing's own blood was also among them; the silver rope, soaked in countless blood, turned crimson, and the two white jade beads became even more miraculous.

Naturally, Ao Xing's own blood was also among them; the silver rope, soaked in countless blood, turned crimson, and the two white jade beads became even more miraculous.

Thus: Naturally, Ao Xing's own blood was also among them; the silver rope, soaked in countless blood, turned crimson, and the two white jade beads became even more miraculous.

Until, in a great battle before meeting Shaohao, the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum again displayed its divine power; amidst the rumbling thunder, the red rope underwent a slight change.

Until, in a great battle before meeting Shaohao, the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum again displayed its divine power; amidst the rumbling thunder, the red rope underwent a slight change.

Thus: Until, in a great battle before meeting Shaohao, the Water Splendor Awakening World Drum again displayed its divine power; amidst the rumbling thunder, the red rope underwent a slight change.

Under the flashing lightning, the blood and vital energy stained on the red rope became active and scorching; Ao Xing sensed this, and in a moment of distraction, when the opponent seized the opportunity, he struck decisively.

Under the flashing lightning, the blood and vital energy stained on the red rope became active and scorching; Ao Xing sensed this, and in a moment of distraction, when the opponent seized the opportunity, he struck decisively.

Thus: Under the flashing lightning, the blood and vital energy stained on the red rope became active and scorching; Ao Xing sensed this, and in a moment of distraction, when the opponent seized the opportunity, he struck decisively.

The red rope was struck down, broken into two sections, scattered across the battlefield; Ao Xing's wrist also bore a wound, skin torn, white bone exposed to the air.

The red rope was struck down, broken into two sections, scattered across the battlefield; Ao Xing's wrist also bore a wound, skin torn, white bone exposed to the air.

Thus: The red rope was struck down, broken into two sections, scattered across the battlefield; Ao Xing's wrist also bore a wound, skin torn, white bone exposed to the air.

Ao Xing merely frowned slightly, then refocused his attention on the opponent; although he liked this red rope, which he had worn for a long time, survival was undoubtedly more important now.

Ao Xing merely frowned slightly, then refocused his attention on the opponent; although he liked this red rope, which he had worn for a long time, survival was undoubtedly more important now.

Thus: Ao Xing merely frowned slightly, then refocused his attention on the opponent; although he liked this red rope, which he had worn for a long time, survival was undoubtedly more important now.

The two severed sections of the red rope fell into the water, drifting with the waves, unknown where they ended up.

The two severed sections of the red rope fell into the water, drifting with the waves, unknown where they ended up.

Thus: The two severed sections of the red rope fell into the water, drifting with the waves, unknown where they ended up.

The red string's fortune-bringing opportunity was severed; it should have turned back into lifeless matter, but before its spiritual opportunity dissipated, it was swallowed into the belly of a carp.

While the carp inhaled and exhaled the essence of sun and moon in its cultivation, the two halves of the red string also received some nourishment, and within the fish's belly they nurtured blood qi.

The two sections of red string were originally wooden bodies, the wood-heart of mountain spiritual roots, but they inadvertently attracted thunder and fire, which damaged them.

Fortunately, a sliver of life remained; as a result, Ao Xing noticed it, found it quite splendid, and took it to make a hand‑rope.

After becoming a hand‑rope, it also gained an opportunity; following Ao Xing onto the battlefield, it was bathed in untold amounts of immortal blood and dragon blood, gaining a trace of fortune.

Unfortunately, fortune toyed with people; at the most crucial moment it was severed by someone, and though it seemed all vitality would be lost, at the end it fortunately entered a fish's belly.

Under the lasting nourishment of sun‑and‑moon essence, within the carp's flesh and blood sustenance, the large amount of blood qi that had stained the two halves of the red string was nurtured into red jade.

Later, during the carp's yin‑yang union, it absorbed a bit of essence, gained spiritual opportunity, cooperated in the yin‑yang harmony affinity, and the blood jade merged into a fleshy body.

Moreover, because of the dragon blood, they acquired a dragon form, but being conceived by a carp caused them to falter; ultimately they could only settle for second best, being forged into snake bodies.

The two snakes, inside the mother fish, consumed her essence and grew thereby; when the time of birth arrived, they were unwilling to leave, lingering within her body, causing the mother fish great suffering, though she could do nothing about it.

Ultimately, to outsiders it appeared merely as an emaciated carp from elsewhere, except for its hugely swollen belly—an ugly carp with limp tail fin, disordered scales, and dull eyes.

Burdened by the two offspring in its belly, the mother fish could not forage; it swallowed sun‑and‑moon essence but gained no benefit, and its own essence‑blood was also devoured by the two offspring.

Previously, the mother fish had obtained fortune by eating the red string, and ultimately was taken by the two offspring transformed from the red string, besides suffering manifold tribulations.

Qi witnessed this scene, feeling no particular emotion in his heart; this red string was born amid a great calamity, and thus naturally bore calamitous qi.

Moreover, it had been bathed in vast amounts of immortal blood, its cultivation level uneven, accepting all comers, extremely chaotic, accustomed to slaughter, and thus inherently an evil entity.

The mother consuming the child attains the Dao, the child consuming the mother nurtures its body—this is truly a karmic bond; the cause and effect are entangled, so even Qi does not know how to judge it.

Finally the mother fish died, and the two snakes burst from her belly—one male, one female, one black, one white—thus they may be considered a primordial anomalous species.

Qi felt some hesitation upon seeing this; if one follows the heavenly secrets as revealed, Ao Xing ought to seek reincarnation here.

"The heavenly secrets work such wickedness; these two snakes are even more chaotic and base, though they are a primordial anomalous species, they are also rootless evil entities—how could Ao Xing be destined to appear here!!"

"They were originally siblings of the same womb, yet they devoured their mother and disrupted ethical union; although their origin is somewhat excellent, they are certainly not a good choice."

Qi again carefully examined the heavenly secrets, hoping to find a better option, but discovered that these two snakes were actually the best choice among them.

Divine power gathered in his eyes; carefully observing the two snakes, Qi then understood why the heavenly secrets were thus.

Those two snakes already had little lifespan left; their union also sorted their own blood qi, and the originally chaotic and disordered sources of blood qi gradually became orderly in the union.

Among the large amounts of blood qi that the red string had stained in war, the portion belonging to Ao Xing had gradually formed and was beginning to coordinate the various blood qi.

Qi silently watched the black and white snakes' union, feeling that it possessed a subtle profundity within, encompassing the cultivation of the Great Dao of heaven and earth.

The essence, energy, and spirit of the black and white snakes gradually merged into one through their union, mutually nourishing each other and becoming stronger and clearer.

The calamitous and resentful qi innate to them were also dispelled thereby, so that the originally licentious scene, in Qi's gaze, faintly turned pure.

"They conform to yin and yang; this method does have some reference value, but they are ultimately just a strange beast, with a lowly perspective, which also leaves loopholes in this method."

"If one's will is not firm, following this cultivation method would likely cause them to sink into carnal desire, just like these two beasts, thereby losing the true meaning thereof."

When Qi thought the two snakes had sunk into depravity, he saw the white snake suddenly turn vicious, biting the black snake's head and swallowing its head into its mouth; the black snake instantly awoke and began to struggle wildly, the two snake bodies twisting and grappling, entwining each other, attempting to sever each other's tendons and bones.

With the black snake's head already swallowed, it could not possibly block the white snake's incessant devouring; no matter how it struggled, it was ultimately difficult to escape the fate of being devoured.

As the black snake's body gradually vanished, the white snake's belly became swollen and distended, and the riverbank, previously disturbed by their entanglement, gradually returned to calm.

Qi saw that, as the black snake was devoured, the white snake's breath gradually expanded, continually pushing it toward a higher realm.

Qi naturally understood why this was so; the two snakes were originally one entity, despite differing in sex, color, and Dao.

Yet ultimately their origin stems from the red string's evolution; although years of separation produced some differences, their union also caused those differences to gradually disappear.

Merely, the black snake was not entirely without gain; although it lost its life here, Qi saw that from within the black snake's body a thread of essence merged with the white snake.

After the white snake fell into deep sleep, Qi then took a thread of the black snake's qi mechanism, and from the standpoint of cause and effect investigated why the two were thus.

Qi saw through this thread of qi mechanism that the two snakes had long ago made an agreement: the black snake wanted the white snake to bear offspring, to continue his bloodline, then devour her, letting the primordial source return to a single body.

The white snake also wanted to reunite the primordial source, but she worried that bearing offspring would repeat the fish mother's mistake, or be devoured by the black snake.

Thus the two made a wager, competing via the cultivation way of union.

The white snake made no preparations, letting the black snake act; if it could make her pregnant, she would bear offspring and then let the black snake devour her, so that the primordial source would return to a single entity.

During this period, the black snake may not attack the white snake, while the white snake may freely attack the black snake; if the black snake is inferior in skill, he must also let the white snake devour him, so that the primordial source returns to a single entity.

Qi witnessed the scene of the two making their oath, and then understood why the black snake, after its entire body entered the white snake's mouth, did not struggle any further.

Otherwise, if the black snake fought desperately, given that both are Taiyi Golden Immortals in strength, it would not end so simply.

Indeed, after the white snake awoke, she took human form—a woman in plain clothes, her appearance splendid—and she also sensed where the vital essence resided within her body.

But after repeated hesitation, the white snake ultimately took no action, letting that vital essence gestate within her body.

Seeing this, Qi could only sigh inwardly, then he placed Ao Xing's true spirit into the white snake's belly, letting it gestate within her.

To be safe, Qi also employed some measures to ensure that Ao Xing's true spirit would not be harmed even if the white snake had second thoughts.

"Having endured many aeons, you have finally welcomed the chance of reincarnation; the burden in my heart can finally be set down."

"Just hope you won't disappoint me; if you can truly inherit my Yunmeng Marsh's Dao lineage, then I can fulfill the promise I made years ago."

Qi's words faded, his figure gradually disappearing; the white snake far below seemed to hear something, feeling as if someone were speaking to her, yet it seemed unrelated to her.

Regarding this, the white snake felt extremely doubtful; after repeated hesitation, she entered the river bend, took out the accumulated aeons, sought a secluded direction, and then drifted away with the current.

As the white snake walked forward, she suddenly saw a small lake in which a white lotus bloomed, emitting a lustrous clear light, a faint fragrance drifting over.

"Spirit root!!"

"I never expected that I, Wu Sheng, would also have such fortune, to find a low-grade innate spirit root; oh vast heavens, you are not stingy with me!"

Just Wu Sheng saw that this white lotus had no accompanying items, and she felt somewhat doubtful.

A low-grade innate spirit root actually lacked any protective formation, nor any accompanying lotus leaves or rhizomes; regarding this, she couldn't help but worry, fearing it might be a lost item of some Daluo Golden Immortal.

But to let her give up was impossible; in just a moment, Wu Sheng collected the lotus and immediately fled into the water.

Regardless of whether anyone would come looking for it, Wu Sheng fled at top speed toward the distance.

Like these ordinary primordial beings, even if they belong to heaven-earth rare species, an innate spirit root, even if low-grade, is almost unseen.

Below the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, there is almost no way to preserve it; after all, the function of an innate spirit root is extraordinary, already sufficient as a clan's treasure of inheritance.

At this time, Qi had already returned home, heading toward Yunmeng Marsh; the matter of Ao Xing is settled, and the rest depends on his own fortune.

Relying on the blood qi within the white snake's body, Ao Xing, upon birth, could likely easily achieve a Golden Immortal body.

Such advantage, if he cannot reach Daluo Golden Immortal, penetrate the mystery of the womb, relying on the Daluo Dao fruit to find his true self, then he is not worthy to inherit the Yunmeng Marsh Dao lineage.

After all, the situation now is not the same as before; one is merely a substitute for the calamity, while the other is his true heir.

The purpose of taking disciples differs, so the requirements naturally go without saying; this may seem somewhat blunt and utilitarian, but the fact is indeed so.

Even figures like Hongjun, Rahu, Yangmei and others only entered the Three Sovereigns' notice after first revealing their talents, allowing them to follow and study.

Qi had just returned to the great marsh, and then entered a lengthy wait, both awaiting Yinglong's arrival to report and discuss his journey to Penglai Island.

Also awaiting the Heavenly Court's Fuxi to give a decision, to determine how to drive Penglai Immortal Island to Xifang Dalu so that the Wu Clan would be unable to speak.

Due to the boring life, Qi could only toil himself; in the meantime, he summoned fine wine and music, waiting quietly.

In the East Sea, Yinglong at this moment is just a step away from the Hunyuan Dao; he resides in the sea's eye, so that Zu Long may act to conceal the heavenly secrets.

He does not fear that someone will disrupt his breakthrough of Hunyuan Dao; rather, he worries that someone might discern his foundation through the heavenly secrets.

After all, his current life cultivation was ultimately obtained by trickery; the demonic path's methods are too heterodox, so it's best not to let outsiders know.

"Since you already have confidence, begin then; as elder brother, I will guard your Dao, ensuring no one disturbs you."

"As for the heavenly secrets, rest assured; although my power cannot easily manifest in the primordial world, within this sea's eye outsiders will surely be unable to detect it."

Zu Long spoke calmly; although he has fallen to this state and lost some of his life cultivation, as long as he remains in Hunyuan Dao, for the current primordial world he still stands at the pinnacle.

Seeing Zu Long have such confidence, Yinglong no longer hesitated; after nodding, he cleared his distracting thoughts and entered a state of deep tranquility.

Zu Long saw this and smiled faintly; even the mighty water currents tearing at his wound, continually rending flesh and bone, seemed unable to affect his pleasant mood at this moment. (End of chapter)