Chapter 339: with translation of chapter title

339. Chapter 339: Dao Palace, Kunpeng Enters Sainthood

=> "339. Chapter 339: Dao Palace, Kun Peng Enters Sainthood"

Only after the youth left did Sui Zu gradually regain calm; a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes, and only after a long while did he sigh.

=> "After the youth left, Sui Zu also gradually regained his calm; a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes, and only after a long while did he sigh:"

Only after the youth left did Sui Zu gradually regain calm; a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes, and only after a long while did he sigh.

We need to keep punctuation? We'll keep as is.

"My children, it's not that I'm greedy for power; it's just that the Wilderness is too vast, and the things hidden beneath the water are too perilous."

=> "\"My children, it's not that I'm greedy for power; it's just that the Wilderness is too vast, and the things hidden beneath the water are too dangerous. \""

the things hidden beneath the water are too dangerous

"I am merely a Supreme One; within the Yellow River basin I can still be considered a strong person, but if the scope were larger, what would my cultivation amount to?"

=> "\"I am merely a Taiyi; within the Yellow River Basin I can still be considered a strong person, but if the scope were any larger, what would my cultivation amount to? \""

Supreme One

Thus: "I am merely a Supreme One; within the Yellow River Basin I can still be considered a strong person, but if the scope were any larger, what would my cultivation amount to?"

But we need to keep "Supreme One" as a term? Let's decide: The rule: cultivation realms (Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul). So they gave examples: they translate cultivation realms. So we must translate Supreme One. What is the English meaning? Supreme One is often translated as "Supreme One" or "Great Ultimate". I'll use "Supreme One". Good.

"Even within the Yellow River, if outsiders knew our true situation, we would probably have been devoured down to nothing."

=> "\"Even within the Yellow River itself, if outsiders learned our true situation, we would probably have been devoured down to nothing. \""

"The Mother Goddess has never responded to our sacrifices, and as for Xuandu and Guang Chengzi, who followed those two adults away, they have never had the idea of returning to the tribe."

=> "\"The Mother Goddess has never answered our sacrifices; as for Xuandu and Guang Chengzi, who followed those two adults away, they have never had the idea of returning to the tribe. \""

Mother Goddess, Xuandu, Guang Chengzi

"Now we leverage their reputation to shelter humanity's expansion, and the limit is the entire Yellow River basin."

=> "\"Now we are leveraging their fame to protect humanity's expansion, and the limit is the entire Yellow River Basin. \""

"Any further increase would inevitably invite probing from the great clans, and such probing would be enough to overturn the tribe—a catastrophe capable of destroying the species."

=> "\"Any more would inevitably invite probing from the great clans, and such probing would be enough to overturn the tribe—a catastrophe capable of destroying the race. \""

"We cannot place our hope in those who abandon the tribe, nor rely on the Mother Goddess's awe; we stand tall and firm, and we can only believe in ourselves."

=> "\"We cannot place our hopes on those who have abandoned the tribe and left, nor can we rely on the Mother Goddess's dignity; we stand tall and firm, and we can only believe in ourselves. \""

"The responsibility is mine; your tribe will remember your sacrifice; I will not shirk the sins I have committed; I only hope you do not blame me."

=> "\"The responsibility is mine; the tribe will remember your sacrifice, and I will not shirk the sins I have committed—I only hope you do not blame me. \""

The responsibility is mine; the tribe will remember your sacrifice; I will not shirk the sins I have committed; I only hope you do not blame me.

Sui Zu's voice faded to inaudibility at the end; he personally pushed the youngsters he had watched grow up, who harbored endless enthusiasm for the tribe, onto a dead end, and Sui Zu suffered more than anyone.

=> "Sui Zu's voice had become inaudible at the end; he personally pushed the youngsters he had watched grow up, who harbored endless enthusiasm for the tribe, onto a dead end, and Sui Zu suffered more than anyone."

He personally pushed onto a dead end the youngsters he had watched grow up, who harbored endless enthusiasm for the tribe.

But Sui Zu understood that only thus could he suppress the voices within the tribe advocating continued expansion, thereby preventing catastrophe for the tribe.

=> "But Sui Zu understood that only thus could he suppress the voices within the tribe advocating continued expansion, thereby preventing the tribe from suffering a catastrophe."

As for their sacrifice, Sui Zu believed it was worthwhile—for humanity, for the tribe—and thus he could only act this way.

=> "As for the sacrifice of those people, Sui Zu believed it was worthwhile—for humanity, for the tribe—he could only do this."

When Sui Zu stepped out of his dwelling and crossed the threshold, he remained the pillar of heaven and earth, the leader who had gradually strengthened the Sui clan, showing no sign of weakness.

=> "Sui Zu stepped out of his dwelling; at the moment he crossed the threshold, he remained that pillar of heaven and earth, the leader who had gradually strengthened the Sui clan, showing no sign of weakness."

Sui clan, pillar of heaven and earth, the leader who had gradually strengthened the Sui clan, showing no sign of weakness

In the following period, the Sui clan's external campaigns suddenly became fierce, inflicting heavy losses on the tribe, yet they managed to secure their current territory.

=> "In a period afterward, the Sui clan's external campaigns suddenly became fierce; the tribe suffered huge losses, but fortunately it still consolidated its current territory."

Similarly, the You Chao clan and the Zhi Yi clan, also residing in the Yellow River basin, were likewise affected; due to this severe depletion of human vitality, the entire Yellow River basin entered a prolonged peace.

=> "Similarly, the You Chao clan and the Zhi Yi clan, also residing in the Yellow River Basin, were the same; due to this massive blow to humanity's vital energy, the entire Yellow River Basin entered a long period of peace."

Nest clan and Dark cloth clan

Thus: "Similarly, the Nest clan and the Dark cloth clan, also residing in the Yellow River Basin, were the same; due to this massive blow to humanity's vital energy, the entire Yellow River Basin entered a long period of peace."

But we need to keep "Nest clan" and "Dark cloth clan" as clan names; translating meaning yields "Nest clan" and "Dark cloth clan". That seems fine.

For the peoples living together within the Yellow River basin, they also witnessed humanity's iron-blooded ruthlessness and external harshness, which secured human hegemony over the Yellow River basin for a long time to come.

=> "But for the peoples living together within the Yellow River Basin, they also witnessed humanity's iron-blooded ruthlessness and harsh exterior, which secured humanity's hegemony over the Yellow River Basin for a long time to come."

They were adept at discovering and learning from other tribes' strengths, full of wisdom; although most were weak, their vast numbers compensated for their basic shortcomings.

=> "They were adept at discovering and learning the strengths of other peoples, full of wisdom; although most were weak, their vast numbers also compensated for their basic shortcomings."

Their rule over the Yellow River basin was undoubtedly the most steadfast in history, their prestige even surpassing that of the dragon tribe during the era of the three tribes.

=> "Their rule over the Yellow River Basin was undoubtedly the most steadfast of any tribe in history, their prestige even surpassing that of the dragon tribe during the era of the three tribes."

They emulated the Heavenly Court's governance of the Wilderness, taking the three major tribes as cores and continually enfeoffing small tribes to maintain human dominion over this land.

=> "They emulated the Heavenly Court's governance of the Wilderness, taking the three great tribes as core, continually enfeoffing small tribes to maintain humanity's dominion over this land."

During this relatively peaceful period, humanity continued to expand its living range in an orderly fashion, venturing beyond the Yellow River basin; though they did not establish rule there, they became one of the region's most renowned tribes.

=> "During this relatively peaceful time, humanity continued to expand its living range in an orderly manner; they ventured beyond the Yellow River Basin, and although they did not establish rule there, they became one of the most renowned tribes locally."

Even in the Cloud Dream Marsh, the finest part of the Wilderness, traces of humanity appeared; they set up shops there and spread human ideals.

=> "Even in the Cloud Dream Marsh, the very essence of the Wilderness, traces of humanity appeared; they set up shops there and spread human ideals."

Cloud Dream Marsh

They also brought advanced techniques from the Cloud Dream Marsh to improve their people's lives; though not exceptionally strong in today's Wilderness, they have shown the potential to become a top-tier tribe.

=> "They also brought back advanced skills from the various peoples of the Cloud Dream Marsh to improve their people's lives; their strength in the present Wilderness, though not exceptionally great, already showed the potential to become a top-tier tribe."

Since Nüwa attained sainthood and Ming He created the Asura clan, the Wilderness finally witnessed a major event: countless heavenly blossoms fell, and the Dao's voice echoed throughout the Wilderness.

=> "Since Nüwa attained Sainthood and Ming He created the Asura clan, the Wilderness finally witnessed a major event: countless heavenly blossoms fell, and the Dao's voice echoed throughout the Wilderness."

Nüwa attained sainthood, Ming He created the Asura clan, heavenly blossoms fell in profusion, and the Dao's voice echoed.

Kunpeng's voice rang through the heavens, countless meritorious golden clouds gathered, and he spoke: "The Heavenly Way is above; I, Kunpeng, feel that communication among the myriad tribes of the Wilderness is complex and difficult, while the practice of the Great Dao is limited to speech; divine symbols, though they point directly to the Great Dao, are inevitably too profound."

=> "Kun Peng's voice rang through the heavens, countless merit-golden clouds coalesced, and all that was heard was his words: \"Heavenly Dao above, I, Kun Peng, feel that communication among the myriad tribes of the Wilderness is complex and difficult, while the practice of the Great Dao is limited to speech; divine symbols, though they point directly to the Great Dao, are inevitably too profound. \""

divine symbols, though they point directly to the Great Dao, are inevitably too profound

"Although the Empress has the Cloud Seal as a supplement, it is also exceedingly complex, with multiple meanings per character, few in number, and not conducive to the development of written language."

=> "\"Although the Empress possesses Cloud Seal as a supplement, it too is immensely complex, with multiple meanings per character, scarce in number, and not conducive to the development of civilization. \""

the Empress, Cloud Seal

"Today I, Kunpeng, inaugurate the humanities, creating thirty thousand characters that directly express their meaning; I hope Heaven and Earth will bear witness."

=> "\"Today I, Kun Peng, have inaugurated civilization, creating thirty thousand characters that directly express their meaning; I hope Heaven and Earth will bear witness. \""

directly express their meaning; I hope Heaven and Earth will bear witness

As Kunpeng's words faded, the mist of meritorious golden clouds in the sky transformed into individual

=> "As Kun Peng's words fell, the merit-golden clouds filling the sky transformed into individual characters, blanketing the entire heavens."

All who see it among the wilderness beings understand its meaning; although it contains only thirty thousand characters, it is enough to explain myriad things.

=> "All beings of the Wilderness who saw them understood their meaning; although only thirty thousand characters, they were sufficient to explain all things."

【98】

=> "At this moment, any being of the Wilderness who saw the floating characters in the sky could instantly learn them, comprehend their meaning, and firmly remember them forever."

For those who come later, they need instruction to understand its meaning.

=> "As for later generations, they need someone to teach them in order to understand the meaning."

【102】

=> "The characters created by Kun Peng are extremely concise; their completeness far surpasses any other script in the present Wilderness aside from the divine symbols."

The humanities introduced by Kunpeng caused virtually all the wilderness tribes to abandon their own writing, leaving only a few top-tier great tribes whose scripts are naturally suited to them and passed down through bloodline, rendering this unnecessary.

=> "The emergence of the civilization founded by Kun Peng basically caused all the myriad tribes of the Wilderness to abandon their own scripts, leaving only a few top-tier great clans whose scripts are inherently well-suited to themselves and also have bloodline inheritance, so they need not do so."

【106】

=> "Retaining their own scripts also serves as a threshold they set against the myriad tribes of the Wilderness, better guaranteeing their status and preventing their mystic arts and divine abilities from leaking outward into the Wilderness."

Cloud seal script is used only by cultivators and remains extremely obscure.

=> "As for Cloud Seal, it remains used only among cultivators and is still hardly circulated."

【110】

=> "The difference in scripts also became a means for the various tribes of the Wilderness to distinguish class; they use their own clan's script for inheritance, teach the accustomed use of Cloud Seal, and only when communicating with outsiders do they use the civilization created by Kun Peng."

The writing formed from the merit-gold cloud lingered in the wilderness skies for ten thousand years, allowing all beings to study it; the Dao sound that accompanied Kunpeng also echoed through heaven and earth for ten thousand years.

=> "The characters transformed from merit-golden clouds remained suspended in the Wilderness's sky for ten thousand years, ensuring that all beings could study them; and the Dao's voice that came with Kun Peng also resonated throughout heaven and earth for ten thousand years."

【114】

=> "Although its sound is faint, one need only listen closely for it to reach the ears of the Wilderness's beings; as for what the Dao's voice says, it is merely the reading of those thirty thousand characters."

He hoped the characters in the sky would fade, re-form as merit-gold cloud, and fly straight to Kunpeng; as the merit entered his body, Kunpeng's aura continually rose.

=> "Gazing at the characters in the sky gradually dissipating and re-converging into merit-golden clouds that streamed straight toward Kun Peng, as the merit entered his body, Kun Peng's aura continually rose."

【118】

=> "Unfortunately, it did not directly elevate him to the ranks of Saints, but Kun Peng seemed to have anticipated this; after all the merit had entered his body, he continued to speak:"

"Heaven's Way is above; I, Kunpeng, today inaugurate the Way of Humanities, taking it upon myself to teach and transmit humanities, using the Dao Palace as the place of instruction, reaching all beings of the wilderness, to fulfill the duty of educating and transforming them."

=> "\"Heavenly Dao above, I, Kun Peng, today inaugurate the Way of Civilization, taking the teaching and transmission of civilization as my duty, using the Dao Palace as the place of instruction, extending to the myriad beings of the Wilderness, to fulfill the responsibility of educating and transforming beings. \""

【122】

"All tribes may attend and speak freely there to promote their own ideas; the Dao Palace stands independent of the myriad tribes, not participating in their affairs—may heaven and earth bear witness!"

=> "\"All tribes may enroll, speak freely within to exalt their own ideals; the Dao Palace stands apart from the myriad tribes, not participating in their affairs—may Heaven and Earth bear witness! \""

【127】

=> "Qi, Fuxi, Di Jun, and Taiyi appeared beside him, saying nothing, merely watching this scene quietly."

Note: We treat the name as Qi, Fuxi, Di Jun, and Taiyi (keeping pinyin for these personal names/deities), and translate the phrase meaning "watching quietly" as "watching quietly".

【130】

=> "The Dao's voice resonating in the sky and the heavenly blossoms scattered throughout the Wilderness undoubtedly represented the Heavenly Dao's response."

As Kunpeng's voice grew louder, countless purple vapors turned into azure clouds that came, nearly covering half of the wilderness. The azure clouds then turned into countless merits that fell into Kunpeng's body, and his breath continued to rise until he attained the saint's Dao fruit, after which it gradually eased.

=> "As Kun Peng's voice grew louder and louder, countless purple vapors transformed into azure clouds that came, nearly covering half of the Wilderness; the azure clouds then turned into countless merit, which entered Kun Peng's body, and his breath continued to rise until he attained the Saint's Dao fruition, after which it gradually subsided."

【134】

The merit-gold cloud that covered half of the wilderness still had one-third left hanging in the sky; Kunpeng saw this and immediately understood it was reserved for those who would later construct the Dao Palace.

=> "The merit-golden clouds that had covered half of the Wilderness still had one-third remaining, suspended in the sky; Kun Peng saw this and immediately understood that it was left for those who would later build the Dao Palace."

【139】

=> "A pressure rose upon Kun Peng's body, covering the entire Wilderness, as if the Wilderness proclaimed the birth of a new Saint; the common folk rejoiced thereby, while Qi and the others were compelled to perform a half salute."

【142】

=> "Before long, the pressure on Kun Peng's body dissipated, whereupon Qi and the others were able to rise; Kun Peng looked at Qi and the others before him and bowed slightly, saying:"

"Your Majesties, please forgive Kunpeng for no longer being able to serve the heavenly court; I fear I must thereafter dwell in chaos like Empress Nüwa, never to return."

=> "\"Your Majesties, forgive me for no longer being able to serve the Heavenly Court henceforth; I fear I shall henceforth reside in Chaos like Empress Nüwa, never to return. \""

【146】

"I hope Your Majesties will, in consideration of Kunpeng's past earnest efforts, show some leniency toward the northern continent; Kunpeng is deeply grateful."

=> "\"I also hope that Your Majesties, in consideration of my past wholehearted efforts, will show some leniency toward the Bei Fang Continent; Kun Peng will be deeply grateful. \""

【150】

"As for constructing the Dao Palace, I hope Your Majesties will give it some thought; although the Dao Palace lies outside the wilderness tribes, it remains under the heavenly court's jurisdiction."

=> "\"As for the matter of constructing the Dao Palace, I hope Your Majesties will devote some thought; although the Dao Palace lies far beyond the myriad tribes of the Wilderness, it is still under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court. \""

【155】

=> "Di Jun smiled and said in congratulations: \"Congratulations, Dao friend Kun Peng, on your long accumulation; in a single moment you have ascended to heaven and attained the Saint's Dao fruition, thereafter free from calamity for myriad aeons. \""

A Dao friend, after long accumulation, can in a single moment ascend to heaven, attain the Saint's Dao fruition, and thereafter be free from calamity for myriad aeons.

【158】

=> "\"As for the matter of constructing the Dao Palace, Dao friend Kun Peng, please rest assured; the Heavenly Court will naturally keep it in mind. \""

After Qi, Taiyi, Fuxi, and Di Jun had finished speaking, they also congratulated Kunpeng, for his attainment of the Saint's Dao fruition was likewise a joyous occasion for the heavenly court.

=> "After Qi, Taiyi, Fuxi, and Di Jun had finished speaking, they too offered congratulations to Kun Peng, for his attainment of the Saint's Dao fruition was likewise a joy for the Heavenly Court."

【162】

Kunpeng responded: "I am grateful for the past Majesties' care and trust in me, for having been entrusted with important duties in the heavenly court without the slightest injustice; I thank Your Majesties."

=> "Kun Peng responded: \"Thanks to the past Majesties' care and trust in me, and to the important tasks entrusted to me in the Heavenly Court—never having suffered the slightest injustice—I thank Your Majesties here. \""

【166】

When Kunpeng spoke these words again, his gaze remained fixed on Di Jun; he and Di Jun can indeed be considered a model ruler‑minister pair in the wilderness.

=> "As Kun Peng spoke these words, his gaze remained fixed on Di Jun; he and Di Jun could also be considered a model ruler-minister pair in the Wilderness."

【170】

=> "As a minister, he was loyal and steadfast, never failing his lord's trust above nor the common people below."

A ruler who places extra trust in his subordinates and bestows upon them unsurpassed grace is indeed a model for those in authority.

=> "As a ruler, he showed even greater trust, bestowing unparalleled grace and honor, thus setting the standard for those above."

A ruler who deepens trust and bestows unparalleled grace and honor is the model for those in authority.

Di Jun, facing Kunpeng's gaze, was also deeply moved, but ultimately still opened his mouth to say: "You and I, ruler and subject, do not betray each other; the myriad people of the wilderness also feel gratitude toward you, Dao friend; for every important matter, we rise early and stay late, forsaking sleep and food, deeming that I ought to thank you, Dao friend."

Just as the two were preparing to continue their conversation, two figures came flying from the sky; Hongjun held a bamboo staff, just as before.

Nüwa wore splendid attire, beyond precious, with her hands resting on her abdomen; although she was in the phoenix carriage, her nobility could still be discerned.

Seeing the two arrive, Kunpeng could only pause temporarily, turned and said to Hongjun and Nüwa: 'Kunpeng pays respects to my teacher, Empress Nüwa.'

Hongjun merely nodded and gave a soft hum; Nüwa then spoke in reply:

"Kunpeng, Dao friend, you have now attained the exalted rank of Saint; there is no hierarchy between us, so from now on we may address each other as Dao friends. We are both members of the Profound Gate and serve together in the Heavenly Court; henceforth we should grow closer."

Kunpeng showed a slight smile, bowed slightly, and said: "That is naturally appropriate; henceforth I still need Elder Sister Nüwa to give me much guidance. Our bond from the Heavenly Court must not grow estranged."

From within the phoenix carriage came Nüwa's voice, softly saying: "Good."

Seeing that everyone had finished catching up, Hongjun then slowly spoke: "Now that you have attained the exalted rank of Saint, you also bear the responsibility of teaching all beings; you may thereafter travel between the Wilderness and Chaos."

"However, you have only just ascended to the Saint's position and still need to consolidate yourself in Chaos; as for constructing the Dao Palace, you may entrust that to a trusted person."

"Once your realm is stabilized, you can open a day within Chaos to facilitate future travel between the Wilderness; for now, first enter Chaos together with this humble Daoist."

Kunpeng respectfully said: "Student thanks the teacher for the instruction; I will naturally obey the teacher's orders."

Hongjun merely nodded, uttered a 'good', and then led the way back into Chaos; as for Kunpeng, he went together with Nüwa, bidding farewell one by one to Qi He, Di Jun, and the others.

Before departing, Kunpeng specially summoned his former retinue, urging them to serve the Heavenly Court wholeheartedly and no longer hold grudges from their past conflicts with Bai Ze.

Regarding the tasks entrusted by Your Majesties and Bai Ze, they must be fulfilled with utmost effort; they must not rely on their own seniority to look down on Bai Ze.

Although I have now become a Saint, I can no longer look after them as before; henceforth they must walk their own path independently.

Di Jun just silently watched this scene, neither speaking out to interfere nor saying anything to reassure Kunpeng; after he left, he would certainly attend to the remarks.

Kunpeng's present actions are motivated by concern for the Heavenly Court; he does not wish to see, after his departure, a situation rife with internal strife left behind.

Di Jun understands his intention, and since this benefits the Heavenly Court, he naturally will not step forward to play the good guy; compared with a temporary recentering, Di Jun still prefers a Heavenly Court without any division.

Kunpeng basically only exchanged a few words with his many subordinates, except when facing Bai Ze, when he slightly stood up.

Only when Bai Ze took the initiative to perform a salute and speak did Kunpeng have a response; one saw Bai Ze respectfully perform a salute and say:

"Bai Ze congratulates Kunpeng on attaining Sainthood; having achieved the Great Dao in a single morning, he will henceforth wander freely in the Wilderness."

Seeing this, Kunpeng showed a faint smile, waited a moment, had Bai Ze bow a little longer, then spoke rather sternly:

"Do you not know that, although you possess wisdom, I have in fact never liked you in the past; your schemes are too many, and you have lost a measure of sincerity."

"In the past, when you and I contended, I actually know this was not your original intention; it was merely that your thoughts were too dark, you felt that our conflict was a scene the Sovereign more desired to watch."

"I usually cannot be bothered to quarrel with you, and I also wanted to put the Sovereign's mind at ease, which is why I have repeatedly let you off lightly."

"But you must understand that the Sovereign's heart is as vast as the sky, able to contain the sun and moon, and also to embrace those stars that do not shine."

"Now I am about to depart; thereafter the Heavenly Court will be entrusted to you. I hope you can assist the Sovereign well, harbor fewer dark thoughts, and henceforth conduct yourself properly." (End of chapter)