Chapter 340: with translation of chapter title

Translation: "340. Chapter 340: The Three Pure Ones return to their holy thrones, Bai Ze enters the Dao Palace."

We need to keep the line number prefix 【1】 before translation. Output: 【1】 340. Chapter 340: The Three Pure Ones return to their holy thrones, Bai Ze enters the Dao Palace.

Make sure it's a single line.

Kunpeng's parting words left Bai Ze unable to refute them, and he believed that, regarding loyalty to the Heavenly Court, he was certainly superior.

Translation: "Kunpeng's words before leaving left Bai Ze unsure how to rebut; he believed that, regarding loyalty to the Heavenly Court, he was certainly superior."

Make concise: "Kunpeng's parting words left Bai Ze unsure how to rebut; he believed that, in terms of loyalty to the Heavenly Court, he was certainly superior."

However, compared to Kunpeng's actions, he had not devoted himself as fully to the wilderness and the Heavenly Court; indeed, his mind had become filled with too much darkness.

Translation: "Yet compared to their actions, he had indeed not done as Kunpeng did, devoting himself wholly to the Wilderness and the Heavenly Court; his mind truly held too much darkness."

Make concise: "Yet compared to their actions, he had indeed not done as Kunpeng did, devoting himself wholly to the Wilderness and the Heavenly Court; his mind truly held too much darkness."

Who would have thought that a sage renowned throughout the wilderness would become mired in power struggles, thereby losing his own wisdom.

Translation: "Who would have thought that a sage renowned across the Wilderness would fall into power struggles, thereby losing his wisdom."

Make concise: "Who would have thought a sage renowned across the Wilderness would fall into power struggles, thereby losing his wisdom."

After bidding farewell to the various sovereigns, Bai Ze reflected alone in his residence, thinking perhaps he should do something—though not seeking to become a mortal sage, at least to achieve something worthy of being remembered.

Translation: "After bidding farewell to the emperors, Bai Ze pondered alone in his mansion, thinking he should perhaps do something—though not seeking to become a sage, at least leave some memorable achievement."

Make concise: "After bidding farewell to the emperors, Bai Ze pondered alone in his mansion, thinking he should perhaps do something—though not seeking to become a sage, at least leave some memorable achievement."

Although the hall was brilliantly lit, the ornate decorations left Bai Ze feeling utterly empty; it seemed that after Kunpeng's departure, he had lost all motivation.

Translation: "The great hall shone brightly, yet its ornate decoration left Bai Ze feeling utterly empty; since Kunpeng's departure, he seemed to have lost all drive."

Make concise: "The great hall shone brightly, yet its ornate decoration left Bai Ze feeling utterly empty; since Kunpeng's departure, he seemed to have lost all drive."

Now the wilderness has returned to peace, and every department of the Heavenly Court runs smoothly; even if someone were missing, it would seem inconsequential—including himself.

Translation: "Now the Wilderness is at peace, the Heavenly Court's departments run smoothly; even if someone were missing, it would seem irrelevant, including himself."

Make concise: "Now the Wilderness is at peace, the Heavenly Court's departments run smoothly; even if someone were missing, it would seem irrelevant, including himself."

Bai Ze fell into deep thought, feeling that he lacked the wisdom that outsiders attributed to him.

Translation: "Bai Ze sank into contemplation, feeling he lacked the wisdom others attributed to him."

Make concise: "Bai Ze sank into contemplation, feeling he lacked the wisdom others attributed to him."

The long-held power had clouded his insightful mind; after much contemplation, Bai Ze decided to seek a teacher for guidance, hoping to find an answer for himself.

Translation: "Long-held authority had clouded his discerning heart; after much thought, Bai Ze decided to seek a teacher for answers."

Make concise: "Long-held authority had clouded his discerning heart; after much thought, Bai Ze decided to seek a teacher for answers."

Before reaching the Qi Emperor's palace, Bai Ze knocked on the door ring; after receiving permission, he pushed open the hall doors and entered.

Translation: "Before reaching Qi Huang's Palace, Bai Ze knocked on the door ring, gained permission, pushed the hall doors, and stepped inside."

Make concise: "Before reaching Qi Huang's Palace, Bai Ze knocked on the door ring, gained permission, pushed the hall doors, and stepped inside."

Looking at the Qi Emperor before him, Bai Ze bowed and said:

Translation: "Facing Qi, Bai Ze bowed and said:"

Make concise: "Facing Qi, Bai Ze bowed and said:"

Bai Ze pays his respects to His Majesty the Qi Emperor.

Translation: "\"Bai Ze pays his respects to His Majesty Qi Huang. \""

Make concise: "\"Bai Ze pays his respects to His Majesty Qi Huang. \""

Seeing Bai Ze's worried expression, the Qi Emperor understood he had something on his mind and spoke:

Translation: "Qi, seeing Bai Ze's worried look, knew he had something on his mind and spoke:"

Make concise: "Qi, seeing Bai Ze's worried look, knew he had something on his mind and spoke:"

The construction of the Daoist palace proceeds orderly, the progress is gratifying, the Heavenly Court advances steadily, and visible merit is soon to arrive—why do you appear thus?

Translation: "\"The Dao Palace's construction proceeds orderly, its progress gratifying; the Heavenly Court advances steadily, visible merit is imminent—why do you look thus? \""

Make concise: "\"The Dao Palace's construction proceeds orderly, its progress gratifying; the Heavenly Court advances steadily, visible merit is imminent—why do you look thus? \""

Bai Ze forced a smile and spoke lightly: "I harbor doubts in my heart that I cannot dispel; I am obsessed with worldly things, losing my freedom, and though I know I stand upon the Great Dao, I cannot perceive the vastness of heaven and earth."

Translation: "Bai Ze forced a smile, feigning ease, and said: \"My lord, doubt lingers in my heart, I cannot free myself; I am absorbed in worldly things, lost my freedom; though I know I stand upon the Great Dao, I see no distance between heaven and earth. \""

Make concise: "Bai Ze forced a smile, feigning ease, and said: \"My lord, doubt lingers in my heart, I cannot free myself; I am absorbed in worldly things, lost my freedom; though I know I stand upon the Great Dao, I see no distance between heaven and earth. \""

Having pondered this repeatedly without resolution, I have come to seek Your Majesty's advice; you are renowned throughout the wilderness as a wise teacher, which is why I pose this question today.

Translation: "\"After much thought I found no answer, so I came to ask Your Majesty for advice; you are known in the Wilderness as a worthy teacher, hence my question. \""

Make concise: "\"After much thought I found no answer, so I came to ask Your Majesty for advice; you are known in the Wilderness as a worthy teacher, hence my question. \""

Hearing this, the Qi Emperor felt somewhat surprised; Bai Ze, a servant of Emperor Jun who often confers with Fuxi, now has doubts yet does not consult them but comes to him instead, leaving the Qi Emperor puzzled.

Translation: "Qi heard this, somewhat surprised; Bai Ze, a servant of Di Jun who often consulted with Fuxi, now had doubts yet came to him instead of them, leaving Qi puzzled."

Make concise: "Qi heard this, somewhat surprised; Bai Ze, a servant of Di Jun who often consulted with Fuxi, now had doubts yet came to him instead of them, leaving Qi puzzled."

Nevertheless, as the head of the Heavenly Court's officials after Kunpeng's departure, the Qi Emperor, though perplexed, remained patient and said: "This is rather interesting; you are famed for your wisdom, your reputation spreads throughout the wilderness, yet now you too are troubled."

Translation: "Nevertheless, as the head of Heavenly Court officials after Kunpeng's departure, Qi, though perplexed, retained patience and said: \"How interesting—you are famed for wisdom across the Wilderness, yet now you too are bewildered. \""

Make concise: "Nevertheless, as the head of Heavenly Court officials after Kunpeng's departure, Qi, though perplexed, retained patience and said: \"How interesting—you are famed for wisdom across the Wilderness, yet now you too are bewildered. \""

Since you have come to seek me, I am willing to hear you out; just remember that our paths differ, so if you are not afraid of disappointment, please proceed.

Translation: "\"Since you have come to me, I will gladly listen; our paths differ, but if you fear no disappointment, let us speak. \""

Make concise: "\"Since you have come to me, I will gladly listen; our paths differ, but if you fear no disappointment, let us speak. \""

Bai Ze bowed again and said: "Your Majesty, thank you."

Translation: "Bai Ze bowed again and said: \"Sir, thank you, Your Majesty. \""

Make concise: "Bai Ze bowed again and said: \"Sir, thank you, Your Majesty. \""

After organizing his thoughts, Bai Ze respectfully said: "Your Majesty, since the departure of the sage Kunpeng, I have been utterly bewildered by his parting words, which have weighed upon me, and only now have I realized the magnitude of the problem, for which I am deeply ashamed."

Translation: "After organizing his thoughts, Bai Ze respectfully said: \"Your Majesty, since Kunpeng the Sage departed, his parting words have left me utterly bewildered, weighing upon me; only then did I realize the gravity of the problem, truly ashamed. \""

Make concise: "After organizing his thoughts, Bai Ze respectfully said: \"Your Majesty, since Kunpeng the Sage departed, his parting words have left me utterly bewildered, weighing upon me; only then did I realize the gravity of the problem, truly ashamed. \""

Although Kunpeng's departure should have benefited me and made me happy, I find that I seem to have lost my purpose, and everything feels dull.

Translation: "\"Kunpeng the Sage has left; I ought to be glad as one who should benefit, yet I find myself aimless, finding nothing interesting. \""

Make concise: "\"Kunpeng the Sage has left; I ought to be glad as one who should benefit, yet I find myself aimless, finding nothing interesting. \""

Looking back on the past, I see that I have achieved nothing; I have been immersed in strife, which has blinded my eyes and robbed me of wisdom.

Translation: "\"Looking back, I see no achievement; lost in strife, my vision clouded, my wisdom gone. \""

Make concise: "\"Looking back, I see no achievement; lost in strife, my vision clouded, my wisdom gone. \""

This is not what I desire; therefore, I am filled with doubt, wishing to accomplish something, yet I cannot see a way forward.

Translation: "\"This is not what I desire; therefore I harbor myriad doubts, wishing to earn merit, yet see no path forward. \""

Make concise: "\"This is not what I desire; therefore I harbor myriad doubts, wishing to earn merit, yet see no path forward. \""

Although I still walk upon the Great Dao, I have no regrets about the past; yet having obtained all my wishes in a moment, I feel utterly empty, so I today ask Your Majesty for instruction.

Qi nodded, thought a moment, understood his request, and said: "You previously took fellow Daoist Kunpeng as your target, often contending with him, believing that their conflict better accords with Di Jun's intention."

Thus you became immersed in scheming; one day someone exposed it, you suddenly awakened, and only then do you have today's doubt.

Now you wish to establish merit, to make up for past mistakes, yet you hesitate before an unclear path; you have come specially to seek me—does this fit?

Bai Ze respectfully said: "Your Majesty's words are utterly correct; this is my predicament."

Qi saw that the guess was correct, and continued: "Since you now see the vastness of heaven and earth, and wish to establish merit, I naturally have no reason to refuse here; this too is what the Heavenly Court would gladly see."

But all actions are driven by the original heart; the Great Dao walks alone, must come from oneself—how could others help? You yourself is still unclear, so how could others' words conform to your heart's desire?

However, since you have come to me, the only thing I can do is to vouch for you a little, letting you shed your own responsibility and seek the Great Dao.

I will myself speak to Di Jun about you, and Qiming Changeng will also bear your responsibility; then go to the Wilderness to seek, for the Wilderness is vast and spacious, containing the principles of heaven and earth.

With your wisdom, I believe you will surely gain something; in my view, your confusion stems from fellow Daoist Kunpeng, and you should also seek the answer therein.

After leaving the Heavenly Court, you might go to the Dao Palace and try serving as an instructor, facing all beings; only then can you perceive its true meaning.

As for the merit you seek, it too lies therein; heaven and earth's every sip and bite have their own principle, cause and effect intertwined—nothing is otherwise.

Bai Ze, upon hearing this, fell into thought; after a long while, he bowed and said:

"Bai Ze thanks Your Majesty for the guidance; I will now go to the Dao Palace."

Qi nodded in satisfaction, gave a soft hum; after Bai Ze took his leave, he then went to find Di Jun.

The chief of officials temporarily departed, with no set return date; Qi naturally had to explain himself personally.

As for Bai Ze, he had already gone early to the Dao Palace, not even returning to his own mansion, just as when he joined the Heavenly Court—he came lightly and left lightly.

East Kunlun, the Moral Daoist and the Primordial Daoist faced each other in a game; on the board, black and white pieces mutually occupied territories; the Mysterious Capital and the Vast Perfected One were cultivating at the mountain's foot, and did not attend to the left and right; the two's thoughts were also not on the board.

The Moral Daoist leisurely placed a stone, seemingly unrelated to the overall situation; yet the board position thus continued, the stone landing far away, and he remained tranquil outside.

The Primordial Daoist, meanwhile, adapted to the changing board, his moves often meticulous, shifting with the situation, firmly grasping the changes within the position and acting accordingly.

Seeing this, the Moral Daoist leisurely spoke:

"Your board position follows the heavens, seeking progress within stability, changing with the times—this shows the vastness of the Great Dao."

The Primordial Daoist's countenance was solemn, his gaze focused, as if his mind were wholly on the board; facing the Moral Daoist's words, he calmly replied: "To expound the Heavenly Dao and go with the flow is the correct principle; we cultivators ought to be thus."

"But elder brother, your move is transcendent and detached, though it appears carefree and self-satisfied, it still lies within the position; viewed this way, you actually lose your original heart."

As the Primordial Daoist placed a stone, the board's position was settled; seeing this, the Moral Daoist helplessly said:

"Second Brother, your skill surpasses mine; though it appears leisurely and transcendent, you remain within the Heavenly Dao and cannot escape."

The Primordial Daoist flicked his finger, and the board instantly cleared; the two resumed placing stones, and the Moral Daoist continued: "Given the current state of the Wilderness, our Great Dao must necessarily lie within the human realm; observing Nüwa and Kunpeng, the principle of proving the Dao is likewise thus." "One applies to humanity, opening the seven orifices and standing tall between heaven and earth—this is the merit attested by creation."

"One applies to the myriad people, dwelling within culture, widely bestowing teaching—this is something we cannot attain."

The Primordial Daoist then calmly said:

"Our Dao should lie among humanity; this is what we two have seen; the human path of the Wilderness will surely also apply here in the future."

"But I differ from elder brother; I ought not be limited to the human realm alone, for what elder brother seeks is not the same as mine, and the vitality of humanity should also not be attainable by us."

"My Great Dao lies in elaboration, to expound the principles of the Heavenly Dao and follow the heavenly timing; as for humanity, let it be left to elder brother."

The Moral Daoist, in response, lightly laughed and said: "Good."

The Primordial Daoist paid no heed, merely gazing at the azure clouds on the horizon, his expression solemn, he said: "Surveying today's sky, it precisely accords with our Great Dao; the day of achieving the Dao will surely be this moment."

The Moral Daoist continued: "Good, it ought to be so."

The two rose slowly from the rush mat, the Moral Daoist taking the first step, his vital energy linking to the Heavenly Dao, and he spoke: "The Heavenly Dao is above; I am Pangu, the Supreme Pure One, Moral Heavenly Venerable; now in the Wilderness Continent, humanity ought to emerge as sages, thus there is great merit; today we establish the Ren Sect, to educate humanity and widely spread the principles of morality."

In establishing the Golden Core Great Dao, to bear the Dao's function, all those affiliated with mortals can practice this Great Dao, in order to educate sentient beings.

Using the primordial supreme treasure, the Taiji Diagram, to suppress the Ren Sect's qi fortune, from today onward, the Ren Sect is established!

The voice of morality spread widely throughout the wilderness; the Dao's music resounded in Tian Ji; the cultivation method of the Golden Core Great Dao also followed and spread into the wilderness.

All those with human form have gained something; countless heavenly flowers fell, azure clouds transformed into merit; the Daoist of morality ascended the azure clouds and attained the position of sage.

A mighty pressure covered the wilderness heaven and earth, announcing to all beings: today another sage has returned to his position.

The beings knelt and bowed, saying: "We congratulate the Morality Heavenly Venerable on attaining the sage's position; may the Heavenly Venerable enjoy myriad blessings."

The Dao's sound continued unabated, the heavenly flowers had not yet ceased; just as the beings had barely risen, another voice echoed throughout heaven and earth.

Only hearing that the Yuanshi Daoist was likewise, he opened his mouth and said: "The Heavenly Dao is above; I am Pangu's Jade Pure Yuanshi Tianzun; from now on, I establish the Jie Sect, following Heaven's course, expounding the Heavenly Dao, using the Pangu banner to suppress the qi fortune, establishing the Jie Sect; may Heaven and Earth bear witness."

Yuanshi Tianzun's words were much shorter; compared to the Morality Heavenly Venerable, he undoubtedly had more confidence in his heart, thus he spoke briefly and cautiously.

The sound of the Great Dao was much louder; moreover, unlike the former Morality Heavenly Venerable, on the Heavenly Dao, Yuanshi Tianzun's doctrine obviously conformed more to the principle of heaven and earth.

The beings had no choice but to kneel and bow again:

"We congratulate Yuanshi Tianzun on attaining the sage's position; may the Heavenly Venerable enjoy myriad blessings."

Just after Yuanshi Tianzun's words fell, the people had not yet had time to rise; only seeing in the sky another voice resounded, and they heard its words: "The Heavenly Dao is above; I am Pangu's Supreme Pure Lingbao Tianzun; from now on, I establish the Jie Sect."

"The Great Dao is fifty, the Heavenly Derivation is forty-nine, with one evaded; thus all things have a sliver of life's chance; the meaning of the Jie Sect is to take that sliver of life's chance as its principle."

"The Jie Sect teaches without discrimination; whether flying birds and beasts, or grasses and trees, any kind of living being, as long as they have the heart toward the Dao, may enter the sect."

"Using the Qingping Sword and the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram as objects to suppress the qi fortune, the Jie Sect is established! May Heaven and Earth bear witness."

As a mighty pressure spread throughout the wilderness, all beings were shocked; one day, three sages — what a fortunate event!

Although the beings had no choice but to perform the rites again, out of respect for the sages, yet facing the heavenly flowers continually falling from the sky and the Dao's sound echoing all around, the myriad creatures of heaven and earth all rejoiced.

Even after waiting for the Lingbao Tianzun's voice to fade, the beings still held expectations, feeling that perhaps another sage might appear.

Only regrettably, until the great sun set, aside from the heavenly flowers and the Dao's sound, there remained no abnormality in heaven and earth; only then did the beings return disappointed.

Merely, the legend of this one day with three sages will likely cause the beings to talk about it with delight for a long time to come.

Since the Three Pure Ones were far away in the wilderness, Qi and the others also found it inconvenient to go voluntarily to congratulate them; they merely saw the phoenix carriage, together with a raging wind, drive from Chaos into the wilderness, with endless purple qi spreading at the horizon.

Immediately, Qi and the others saw the scene of the Three Pure Ones entering Chaos together; the purple qi that pervaded the heavens was indeed noble and extraordinary.

Qi gazed at Di Jun and Fuxi nearby; after a long while he finally spoke: "The six sages are about to return to their positions; it seems the great calamity is not far off; we too must prepare early, lest we make mistakes in the rush."

Di Jun merely nodded in response, without speaking; only the solemnity shown in his eyes indicated that at this moment he was not as calm as his appearance suggested.

Fuxi shook his head and said: "The great calamity is not worth our attention; we should rather pay heed to those sages, for the heavenly king's position they have not yet relinquished."

"Before this, I did not feel it, but after a long time, it is inevitable that complications arise; there is no venerable above the sages, and this is no empty talk."

"Perhaps the favors and righteousness could exchange for a temporary peace, but we have now been placed upon heaven; wanting to keep our feet on the ground is difficult."

Qi turned his head to look at Taiyi and asked:

"If we speak solely of life cultivation, we ought to be the foremost of this age; given your present realm, how far are you still from the Hunyuan Wuji Luo Tianzun God?"

Taiyi's face grew somewhat heavy, but in the end he still said: "At least before the great calamity begins, I have no confidence whatsoever; one could even say I have no hope at all."

"But facing only a single sage, I am not afraid; in the short term, I can at least hold out for a while; if I exert all my strength, I will inevitably have to endure some hardship."

Qi gave a slight nod; Taiyi's situation matched his estimation exactly, and upon hearing Taiyi's words, he felt no disappointment at all.

"My situation is similar to yours; if we wish to attain the Hunyuan Wuji Luo Tianzun God, we must at least wait until the end of the great calamity, when, relying on favorable timing and location, there will be a slight possibility."

"The accumulation of life cultivation admits no shortcut whatsoever; perhaps there are differences in speed, but those differences will never exceed what we expect."

"However, if we cannot become the ultimate victor, we at least must not become losers; it is also fitting to take this opportunity to shed our burdens."

Fuxi showed a look of helplessness; Di Jun remained silent on this matter, his heart seemingly still reluctant; Taiyi paid attention to this as well, even revealing a sense of ease.

Qi gazed at the people before him, also understanding why they were thus; alas, the overall situation is such that none of them can escape. (End of chapter)