Chapter 53

I think you, Dao friend Zu Long, can also see that the three tribes will inevitably have a day of conflict.

Translation: "The third matter, I think Ancestral Dragon Dao friend should also be able to see it; the three clans will surely have a day of conflict."

But we need to use Zu Long to refer to the Ancestral Dragon, and 'Dao friend' to refer to a Dao friend.

"The third matter, I think Zu Long Dao friend should also be able to see it; the three clans will surely have a day of conflict."

Make sure it's one line.

Though I don't want to witness this, I still hope that, when the time comes, you will act for the sake of the Primordial Wilds and all living beings, and not let a Great Luo conflict break out within the Primordial Wilds.

Translation: "Although I do not wish to see this scene, I still hope that Dao friend, at that time, will consider the Primordial Wilds and all living beings, and not let a Great Luo conflict erupt within the Primordial Wilds."

We need to use Primordial Wilds for the concepts of primordial wilderness and primordial chaos, and Great Luo for the concept of Great Luo.

Thus: "Although I do not wish to see this scene, I still hope that Dao friend, at that time, will consider the Primordial Wilds and all living beings, and not let a Great Luo conflict erupt within the Primordial Wilds."

Whether Luo Tianzun or a Great Luo Golden Immortal, their destructive force within the Primordial Wilds is astonishing.

Translation: "Whether it is Luotian Zunshen or Great Luo Golden Immortal, their destructive power within the Primordial Wilds is astonishingly great."

We need Luotian Zunshen (romanized). Great Luo Golden Immortal translated.

Thus: "Whether it is Luotian Zunshen or Great Luo Golden Immortal, their destructive power within the Primordial Wilds is astonishingly great."

Qi gave a wry smile.

Translation: "Qi gave a bitter smile."

Zu Long heard this and burst into loud laughter.

Translation: "Zu Long heard this and burst out laughing."

Dao friend, you're overthinking; the tragic aftermath of the feral beast calamity is still vivid, the northern continent at least hasn't recovered, and despite long governance, the three tribes remain desperately poor.

Translation: "Dao friend, you worry too much; the tragic case of the feral beast calamity is still fresh in memory, the Bei Fang continent has not yet recovered at least, and though the three clans have governed for a long time, they remain extremely barren."

We should use Bei Fang for the north, retaining the term Bei Fang continent. The original phrase translates to feral beast calamity, and the word for tragic case gives us the phrase 'the tragic case of the feral beast calamity'.

We are ultimately innate divinities, cherished by heaven and earth, born and nurtured by them, children of the Primordial Wilds; how could a child bring itself to destroy its own mother?

Translation: "We are ultimately innate divine beings, favored by heaven and earth, born and nurtured by them; we are the children of the Primordial Wilds—how could a child bear to destroy its own mother?"

We need to use Primordial Wilds to refer to the primordial wilderness.

Furthermore, we are born with a debt to the Primordial Wilds' karma that we cannot repay; how could we take on more, letting karma bind us and leave no hope for the Dao?

Translation: "Moreover, we are born indebted to the Primordial Wilds' karma; we lack the strength to repay it, how could we incur more debt? Karma entangles us, leaving no hope for the Dao path."

We need Primordial Wilds' karma, and 'no hope for the Dao path'.

I, together with Yuan Feng and Ancestral Qilin, have long agreed that it's best to avoid conflict; if we must fight, we will retreat into chaos and do our utmost not to harm the Primordial Wilds.

Translation: "I, Yuan Feng, and Zu Qilin have already agreed: it is best not to contend; if we do contend, we will go into Chaos and try our utmost not to harm the Primordial Wilds."

We need Yuan Feng, Zu Qilin, Chaos, Primordial Wilds.

Qi stood, performed a salute, and said, "Good."

Translation: "Qi rose and performed a salute, saying: 'Good.'"

After Zu Long returned the salute, he extended his hand in invitation.

Translation: "Zu Long returned the salute and extended an invitation:"

Please.

Translation: "Please."

Please.

Translation: "Please."

Qi gave thanks.

Translation: "Qi thanked him for the salute."

The two walked toward the Dao discussion platform.

Translation: "The two walked toward the Dao discussion platform."

Below the platform were the Dragon tribe's Golden Immortals and higher, along with a great many beings from the Four Seas.

Translation: "Below the platform were Dragon Clan members at the Golden Immortal Realm and above, as well as a great number of beings from the Four Seas."

Indeed, due to Qi's behavior along the way, the remaining three seas also saw many beings hurrying to hear the Dao.

Translation: "Indeed, because of Qi's conduct along the way, many beings from the Three Seas also rushed to come listen to the Dao."

Most of the gathered beings had already attained immortality; because of their numbers, the Dragon tribe even set aside a large portion for them, permitting only Golden Immortal tribe members to attend the lecture.

Translation: "Most of these gathered beings had already become immortals; due to their great number, the Dragon Clan even allotted a large share to them, allowing only Golden Immortal clan members to come listen to the lecture."

We need Golden Immortal clan members. We'll translate as "Golden Immortal clan members". Could also be "Golden Immortal beings". We'll keep as "Golden Immortal clan members".

Beneath the Dao lecture platform, bright yellow mats were densely packed, and seats were arranged by cultivation level, from nearest to farthest.

Translation: "Below the Dao discussion platform, bright yellow mats were densely packed, seats arranged by cultivation level from near to far."

At the spot closest to the Dao discussion platform, the Azure Dragon sat cross-legged.

Translation: "At the spot nearest the Dao discussion platform, Qing Long sat cross-legged."

Dao friend, please.

Translation: "Dao friend, please."

Zu Long issued the invitation, and Qi did not hesitate; although the caliber and number of these beings were the highest he had ever encountered in his Dao lectures.

Translation: "Zu Long extended the invitation; Qi did not shy away, for the quality and number of these beings were the highest he had ever seen in his Dao lectures."

As Qi spoke, the Dao resonance rang across the Eastern Sea, golden lotuses sprang up on the water, and heaven and earth answered his voice.

Translation: "As Qi opened his mouth, the Dao sound echoed through the East Sea; golden lotuses instantly bloomed on the water surface, and heaven and earth responded to his voice."

Those close by heard the Dao resonance loud and clear but not deafening; those farther away heard it soft and bright, like small jade rings chiming.

Translation: "Nearby, the Dao sound was loud yet not deafening; far away, it was light and bright, like small jade rings striking each other."

In the water, celestial maidens appeared, scattering countless petals with the Dao resonance; the petals fell and turned into rosy light, shining up from the water to illuminate the sky.

Translation: "Celestial maidens appeared in the water, scattering countless petals with the Dao sound; they fell and turned into rosy light, shining up from the depths to the sky."

First-time listeners to the Dao, witnessing the heavenly flower rain and the ground bursting with golden lotuses, felt as though they had entered a fairyland.

Translation: "Those who first heard the Dao, seeing the heavenly flowers raining down and golden lotuses welling up from the earth, felt as if they had entered a fairyland."

The rosy light entered the water, blended with it to form a thin mist that suffused the whole sea—neither clear nor unclear—as the clear light within the mist turned into plum blossoms.

Translation: "The rosy light entered the water, interacting with it to form a thin mist that spread across the sea—neither clear nor unclear; within the mist, the clear light transformed into plum blossoms."

The tide met the wind's color, waves struck wind-carved stones, sounding among the crowd; a subtle resonance spread widely, neither still nor restless, as the Dao fruition manifested a clear tone.

Translation: "The tide met the wind's hue, waves struck wind‑carved stones, and among the crowd a resonant sound played; the subtle tone spread widely—neither silent nor noisy—as the Dao fruition manifested a clear sound."

Qi's words were clear and distinct; amidst the harmony of heaven and earth, the Dao reasoning unfolded from shallow to deep, a pure divine light appeared on his hand, and heaven and earth suddenly fell silent.

Translation: "Qi's words were clear and distinct; amidst the harmonious resonance of heaven and earth, the Dao reasoning proceeded from shallow to deep, a pure divine light appeared on his hand, and heaven and earth suddenly fell still."

Everyone's minds flickered, as if placed in utter stillness; their primordial spirits rose from the depths of their hearts, outwardly calm but inwardly the mind-ape stirred, thoughts chaotic and disordered.

Translation: "Everyone's hearts shuddered, as if placed in utmost stillness; the primordial spirit rose from their hearts' depths, outwardly calm but inwardly the mind‑monkey leapt up, thoughts tangled without order."

Among the listeners, those with unsettled minds mostly furrowed their brows, the suffering of the six senses evident on their faces, and past events rose in their thoughts.

Translation: "Among those who listened to the Dao, those with flawed states of mind mostly frowned tightly; the suffering of the six senses showed on their faces, and past events surfaced in their minds."

Those with unstable minds mostly grew agitated, their faces flushed, the seven emotions and six desires no longer restrained, they gestured wildly and felt resentful and unsettled.

Translation: "Those with unstable states of mind mostly became agitated, faces flushed; the seven emotions and six desires no longer remained hidden, they gestured wildly and felt resentful and unsettled."

Qi then took out the Tranquility Bell and gently shook it.

Translation: "Qi then took out the Tranquil Heart Bell and gently shook it."

A clear chime rang out, the pure tone accompanying the Dao resonance spreading far and wide.

Translation: "A clear ding rang out, the pure tone blending with the Dao sound and spreading widely."

Everyone's state of mind calmed again, and their expressions became composed.

Translation: "Everyone's state of mind calmed again, their expressions becoming much more composed."

Zu Long and the Azure Dragon's eyes flashed with divine light; they felt some excitement, firmly remembering those who remained calm and composed from start to finish.

Translation: "Zu Long and Qing Long's eyes flashed with divine light; both felt some excitement, firmly remembering those who remained composed from start to finish."

These people are essentially the cultivation seeds of the Four Seas, with steadfast Dao hearts and fulfilled minds; if absorbed into the Dragon tribe, they will become the foundation that lets the Dragon tribe soar.

Translation: "These people are essentially the cultivation seeds of the Four Seas—those with firm Dao mind and complete state of mind; if absorbed into the Dragon Clan, they would become the foundation enabling the Dragon Clan to soar."

Furthermore, they firmly remembered those within the Dragon tribe who revealed their ugly nature; though they had thought them elite Dragon tribe members, after countless screenings, ordinary people still managed to slip in.

Translation: "Furthermore, they firmly remembered those in the Dragon Clan who revealed their ugly side; though they had thought them all elite Dragon Clan members, after countless selections, ordinary people still mingled among them."

This is an excellent opportunity to take stock; in this Dao lecture, the Dragon tribe can recruit most of the promising cultivation talents from the Four Seas.

Translation: "This is a good opportunity to take stock; in this Dao lecture, the Dragon Clan could gather most of the promising cultivation seedlings from the Four Seas."

Qi's Dao lecture this time lasted eleven thousand six hundred sixty-four years, and everyone who listened gained something.

Translation: "Qi's Dao lecture this time lasted a total of eleven thousand six hundred sixty‑four years; all who listened gained something."

As Qi stepped down from the Dao lecture platform, the Dao resonance between heaven and earth gradually faded, the waterborne celestial maidens disappeared, and the miraculous phenomena gradually dispersed.

Translation: "As Qi stepped down from the Dao discussion platform, the Dao sound between heaven and earth gradually ceased, the water‑borne celestial maidens vanished, and the miraculous signs faded away."

Zu Long and the Azure Dragon bowed their hands to Qi in salute, saying:

Translation: "Zu Long and Qing Long bowed their hands to Qi in salute, saying:"

Thank you, Dao friend, for generously imparting your teachings; the profundity and breadth of your purifying Dao now make us feel ashamed.

Translation: "Many thanks, Dao friend, for your generous teaching; the profundity and breadth of your purifying Dao now make us feel ashamed."

You two Dao friends overpraise me; I only wish not to embarrass myself.

Translation: "You two Dao friends overpraise me; I only wish not to make a fool of myself."

Qi modestly waved his hand, but the smile on his face could not be contained.

Translation: "Qi waved his hands modestly, but the smile on his face could not be suppressed."

Dao friend Qi, the banquet is now ready; please take your seats, enjoy the feast, and rest awhile. The elder brother's Dao lecture has been scheduled for a thousand years from now; there is still plenty of time.

Translation: "Qi Dao friend, the banquet is now ready; please take your seat, enjoy the feast, and rest awhile. The elder brother's Dao lecture has been scheduled for a thousand years hence; there is still ample time."

The Azure Dragon performed another salute.

Translation: "Qing Long performed another salute."

He greatly admired Qi's conduct of lecturing the Dao without reservation, something he himself could not do; he regarded Qi as embodying the way of a gentleman, a highly moral person, and thus held his words and deeds in high esteem.

Translation: "He greatly admired Qi's conduct of not withholding anything in his Dao lecture, something he himself could not do; he regarded Qi as a gentleman of virtue, a truly moral person, and thus held his words and deeds in high esteem."

Good.

Translation: "Good."

Qi responded readily.

Translation: "Qi responded readily."

Actually, Zu Long's original Dao lecture plan was not like this; but since Qi had set a precedent, he could not simply go through the motions.

Translation: "Actually, Zu Long's original Dao lecture plan was not like this; but with Qi setting a high standard beforehand, he could not simply go through the motions."

Therefore, he postponed the Dao lecture to allow himself some preparation, so as not to lose the Dragon tribe's dignity, nor to give everything away completely.

Translation: "Therefore he postponed the lecture to buy time to prepare, so as not to lose the Dragon Clan's dignity, nor to give away everything outright."

In that case, it would be very difficult to surpass the content Qi spoke of.

Translation: "Thus it would be difficult to surpass the content Qi had spoken."

Although Zu Long felt considerably troubled, he was not angry; he merely realized that he had been too narrow-minded before, judging a gentleman's heart with a petty mind.

Translation: "Although Zu Long felt considerably bothered, he was not angry; he merely realized that he had been too narrow‑minded, judging a gentleman's belly with a petty heart."

Discussing the Dao ought to be like this; hiding and concealing makes the Dao discussion lose its fundamental meaning and purpose, turning it into a mere social tool.

Translation: "Dao discussion ought to be just this; hiding and concealing makes it lose its most basic meaning and purpose, turning it into a mere social tool."

However, the gift originally intended for Dao friend Qi's Dao lecture is now inappropriate, as the other party does not withhold anything and speaks of the great Dao.

Translation: "However, the gift originally prepared for Qi Dao friend is now inappropriate, for he does not withhold anything and his lecture is on the Great Dao."

Although beneficial to heaven and earth, which will naturally reward it, the owner of this sea region is ultimately the Dragon tribe; having listened to another's Dao and gained an advantage, the Dragon tribe must keep this in mind.

Translation: "Although beneficial to heaven and earth, which will reward it on its own, the owner of this sea region is ultimately the Dragon Clan; having gained an advantage by listening to another's Dao, they must keep his feelings in mind."

Thus, the value of this Dao lecture's gift cannot be repaid by a mere middle-grade innate spiritual treasure; it must be increased further.

Translation: "Therefore the value of this lecture's gift cannot be repaid by a mere medium‑grade innate spiritual treasure; it must be increased further."

After long contemplation, he took from the treasure store a dragon-scale robe and a small seal, hesitated a moment, then placed both inside a jade case and brought them to the banquet.

Translation: "After long contemplation, he took from the treasury a Dragon Scale Treasure Robe and a Small Seal, hesitated a moment, yet still placed both inside a Jade Gate and brought them to the banquet."

Daoist friend, you've waited long; I'm late, and I'll punish myself with three cups.

Zulong rushed over.

Only Qi, Qinglong, and Zulong were present here; the gathering wasn't suitable for too many people, and they had just finished listening to the lecture, so they should also digest it a bit.

They also discussed the lecture just given, exchanging some strange tales from the primordial era.

Unfortunately, their time together was short; Qinglong had to handle dragon clan affairs, Zulong had to prepare the lecture content, so they all went their separate ways, leaving only Qi to rest.

However, Qi also enjoyed his freedom, occasionally wandering the seabed, until the date of Zulong's lecture approached, then he finally settled down.

"Daoist friend Qi, your previous lecture was outstanding; this time you've added considerable pressure on me."

Zulong sighed.

"Daoist friend Zulong, you're being modest; I merely cast a brick to attract jade earlier, and in truth, it still depends on you."

Qi laughed while offering praise.

The time had come; Zulong no longer responded, rose, walked to the lecture platform, and sat cross-legged on the futon.

PS: Chapter 1, please vote, please support.

I wrote until 3 a. m., finally finished; by the way, I have good news to tell everyone: the book has been recommended for the third round, and it will officially enter the third round on the 19th.

PS: Sudden gathering, the second chapter may be very late.

(End of chapter)