Chapter 54: with translation of chapter title

As the Ancestral Dragon spoke, the Eastern Sea's tide responded, pearls spat from mussels in the water, and the sea shone with radiant light.

Translation: As Zu Long opened his mouth, the sea's tide also responded, pearls spat from sea clams, the sea emitted radiant light.

Check: "the sea emitted radiant light". Good.

From a high vantage, the whole Eastern Sea shimmered with a faint glow, truly a sight of great beauty.

Translation: Looking from high above, the entire East Sea glimmered faintly, indeed extremely beautiful.

Sea mussel maidens dance, and heaven and earth answer their sincerity; countless ribbons of colored clouds glide in the water's reflection above the sky, making the horizon's clouds lose their glow.

Translation: The sea clam maiden presented a dance, heaven and earth responded to loyalty, myriad zhang of colorful clouds swam in the water's reflection above the sky, making the clouds at the horizon lose their luster.

Check: "myriad zhang of colorful clouds swam in the water's reflection above the sky". Might be awkward but okay.

The Dao's tone turned, waves surged, fish glided over the clear water, wandering the endless dance.

Translation: The Dao's sound reverberated, waves rose and fell, fish swam upon the white water, patrolling the boundless dance.

To behold the Dao is like standing before a deep abyss—you can see its width but not its depth, feel its difficulty but not know where it leads.

Translation: Observing the Dao, it is like approaching an abyss; seeing its breadth, yet not knowing its depth; knowing its arduousness, yet not knowing its course.

Heavenly maidens sing amid the sea, heavenly flowers shower down, but all beings cannot see or hear them, lost in the experience.

Translation: Heavenly maidens sang in the sea, heavenly flowers fell in profusion, yet beings could not see them, could not hear them, immersed therein.

All one sees is the sea's waves rising, unaware of the Dao's movement within.

Translation: Only see the sea's waves rising, unaware of the Dao's coming and going within.

Who would have immortals talk about coming and going? They merely look out from the mountains and hold their thoughts.

Translation: Where would immortals speak of coming and going? Only in the mountains, gazing and cherishing.

After long practice of the Dao, no one knows its condition; the heavens and earth's rosy light converge, and only golden lotuses bloom profusely.

Translation: Having practiced the Dao for a long time, people do not know its state; heaven and earth's rosy light gathered together, only seeing golden lotuses blooming one after another.

The Dao was discussed for thirty‑nine thousand four hundred twenty years, transforming in the water, with waves ebbing and flowing, the whole account told from the start.

Translation: Discussing the Dao for 39,420 years, undergoing changes in the water, waves ebbing and flowing, fully recounting from the beginning.

The Dao ceases here; those who attain it become like heavenly music, while those who do not merely see it and halt.

Translation: The Dao ends here; those who obtain it become like celestial music; those who do not, see it and halt.

Qi listened to the Dao, clapped his hands, and shouted:

Translation: Qi listened to this Dao, clapped both hands, and shouted:

"Excellent!"

Translation: "Good!"

When the Ancestral Dragon's discourse ended, the heavenly and earthly omens faded, and he rose from his seated posture, as if he had attained something.

Translation: As Zu Long's lecture ceased, the heavenly portents dissipated; Zu Long rose from his seated posture, seeming to have gained something.

One who expounds the Dao reviews the old and embraces the new; in teaching others they also examine themselves, find gaps and fill them, thus advancing the Dao's great prosperity.

Translation: Anyone who expounds the Dao, reviewing the old and warming the new, while teaching others also examines oneself, seeks gaps and fills them, further advancing the Dao's great fortune.

The Ancestral Dragon's discourse concluded, and the beings scattered.

Translation: Zu Long's lecture ended, and all beings dispersed.

"Qi, fellow Daoist, this discussion has been richly rewarding for both of us, yet ultimately it is a lecture held in the domain of my dragon clan."

Translation: "Qi, fellow Daoist, in this Dao discussion we both gained abundantly, but no matter what, ultimately this Dao lecture is on the territory of my Dragon Clan."

"Of the benefit to heaven and earth, the dragon clan claims eight or nine tenths; the contents of this box rightly belong to you, fellow Daoist."

Translation: "Of the benefits to heaven and earth, the Dragon Clan occupies eight or nine tenths; the items in this box rightfully belong to you, fellow Daoist."

The Ancestral Dragon spoke with certainty, leaving Qi no room to refuse; in the ledger of cosmic cause and effect, what can be emitted is not absorbed.

Translation: Zu Long's words were firm, giving Qi no chance to refuse; the heavenly calculation of cause and effect: if it can be avoided, do not enter.

As for cause and effect, if you can avoid falling into debt, you should, since you cannot know how heavy the price of such debt will be.

Translation: Regarding cause and effect, if one can avoid owing, one should avoid it, for you do not know how great a price the debt of cause and effect will ultimately bring.

Thus, primordial deities are exceedingly wary of cause and effect; ideally they owe nothing to each other, and if a debt must exist, it is best not to be the one who owes.

Translation: Therefore, primordial divine sages are extremely cautious concerning cause and effect; it is best to mutually avoid debt, and if one party must incur debt, it is best not to be oneself.

This is also the reason the Ancestral Dragon presented the jade box.

Translation: This is also why Zu Long gave out the jade box.

Within this jade box lies a supreme primordial treasure—the Sea‑Covering Seal—combined with scales from a dragon clan golden immortal, forged into armor.

Translation: Inside this jade box is a top-grade innate spiritual treasure, the Cover Sea Seal, plus the scales of those above Golden Immortal of the Dragon Clan, forged into armor.

Both emotionally and rationally, this is more than enough to pay Qi for his lecture.

Translation: Whether by emotion or reason, it is sufficient to remunerate Qi for this Dao lecture.

Yet Qi dared not accept such a weighty gift, fearing he would fall into debt to the dragon clan.

Translation: However, Qi dared not accept such a heavy gift, and also worried about incurring debt to the Dragon Clan.

Such a lavish offering is not fitting at this moment; he should accept it only if the dragon clan vows not to make any demands because of it.

Translation: Such a generous gift is not what he should accept at this time, unless the Dragon Clan themselves promise not to demand anything in return for these things.

"Ancestral Dragon, fellow Daoist, this jade box is too heavy for my discourse; I would feel unworthy to receive it."

Translation: "Zu Long, fellow Daoist, this jade box is too heavy for my Dao lecture; I would feel ashamed to accept it."

Qi said this with a grave countenance.

Translation: Qi said with a solemn expression.

In this discourse, Qi had hoped for nothing, merely doing his duty; accepting such a heavy gift from the dragon clan would deviate from his true intent.

Translation: In this Dao lecture, Qi originally expected no gain, merely fulfilling duty; if he accepted the Dragon Clan's such heavy gift, it would deviate from his original intention.

"Qi, fellow Daoist, the dragon clan's gifts are never reclaimed, and this was not given for this lecture alone."

Translation: "Qi, fellow Daoist, the gifts given by the Dragon Clan have never been taken back, and furthermore this was not given for this Dao lecture."

"It is meant for you, fellow Daoist, who has been teaching the Dao to all beings on your journey, for the great righteousness of heaven and earth, as the chief of the scaled armor, you deserve it."

Translation: "Rather, it is for you, fellow Daoist, who has lectured beings along the way, for the great righteousness of heaven and earth, as the leader of the scaled armor, one ought to give."

"It is not merely this; though the Dao is profound, it is not enough here—for the benefit of all beings, fellow Daoist, you deserve such a reward."

Translation: "Not only that, although the Dao is weighty, it is insufficient here; for the sake of beings, fellow Daoist ought to have such a harvest."

The Ancestral Dragon's words were somewhat grave, setting aside the cause‑and‑effect argument and speaking only of the burden incumbent upon a primordial deity.

Translation: Zu Long's words were somewhat heavy, also setting aside the discussion of cause and effect, only speaking of the burden borne as a primordial divine sage.

This gave Qi no grounds to refuse, for the other side had said they would no longer keep score of cause and effect, speaking only of the duty owed as the chief of the scaled armor.

Translation: This left Qi with no reason to refuse, after all the other party had said they would no longer calculate cause and effect, only speaking of the responsibility that should be borne as the leader of the scaled armor.

"Then I thank you, Ancestral Dragon, fellow Daoist; I feel unworthy to receive it."

Translation: "Then Qi thanks Zu Long, fellow Daoist; Qi feels ashamed to accept it."

Qi said this a little embarrassed.

Translation: Qi said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Why speak of guilt? Your discourse benefits heaven and earth greatly; this is exactly what you deserve."

Translation: "Where does this talk of shame come from? Fellow Daoist's lecturing brings great benefit to heaven and earth; this is what the fellow Daoist deserves."

The Azure Dragon expressed modest admiration.

Translation: Qing Long showed slight approval.

"Qi, I thank the two fellow Daoists here for their favor."

Translation: "Qi, here I thank the two fellow Daoists for their kindness."

They then bid farewell to the dragon clan and set off toward the qilin tribe.

Translation: Thus he bade farewell to the Dragon Clan and proceeded toward the direction of the Qilin clan.

Heavenly and earthly merit has not yet been bestowed; many beings weep for joy, since no reward has come from heaven and earth, showing that Qi's lecture tour is not yet over.

Translation: Heaven and earth's merit has not been withdrawn; many beings wept with joy, for heaven and earth gave no reward, thus indicating that Qi's Dao lecture journey has not yet ended.

Qi had just departed the Eastern Sea's shore, riding the White Spirit, still within the Eastern Sea's limits, when two Great Luo Golden Immortal‑level qilin followed him.

Translation: Qi had just left the shore of the East Sea, riding the White Spirit, still within the East Sea's range, when two Great Luo Golden Immortal realm Qilin followed him.

As he traveled, teaching the Dao, wherever he went the fields sprouted abundant lingzhi, heavenly maidens accompanied him scattering celestial blossoms, and the sky was clear and the earth bright.

Translation: Along the way lecturing the Dao, wherever he passed, the plains grew fragrant herbs, heavenly maidens accompanied, heavenly flowers scattered; every place he experienced became clear skies and bright earth.

After more than twenty gatherings, he arrived at the Qilin Cliff; the Primordial Qilin had greeted him from billions of miles away, and together with all beings they listened to Qi's three discourses.

Translation: After more than twenty yuan meetings, he finally reached Qilin Cliff; the Primordial Qilin had welcomed him from billions of miles away, and together with beings listened to Qi's three Dao lectures.

The Primordial Qilin personally tends to anyone who is troubled.

Translation: For any who were troubled, the Primordial Qilin personally attended to them.

"Fellow Daoist, I have come here for three main reasons: first, to fulfill our earlier promise to discuss the Dao together; second, moved by the difficulty all beings face in seeking the Dao, I wish to open a sliver of life for them."

Translation: "Fellow Daoist, I have come here mainly for three reasons: one is to fulfill our prior Dao discussion agreement with you; two is to feel the difficulty of beings seeking the Dao, wishing to open a sliver of vitality for them."

"Primordial Qilin, fellow Daoist, as the chief of all terrestrial beasts, I wish to join you in exploring the future Dao of all beings, performing a great meritorious deed for heaven and earth."

Translation: "Primordial Qilin, fellow Daoist, as the leader of all terrestrial beasts, Qi wishes to join you in participating in the future Dao of beings, carrying out the great merit of heaven and earth."

"Third, for the future of the three tribes, I hope that if they ever come into conflict, they will remember the primordial beings."

Translation: "Three is for the future of the three tribes; hoping that in the future, should the three tribes ever clash, they may remember the beings of the Primordial Wilderness one or two."

"We should be able to avoid Great Luo‑level clashes within the primordial wilderness, resolving them instead in chaos, and strive to keep such conflicts from arising there."

Translation: "If conflicts of the Great Luo realm can be avoided within the Primordial Wilderness, they can all be resolved in Chaos; as much as possible, do not let them occur in the Primordial Wilderness."

Qi spoke sincerely.

Translation: Qi said sincerely.

"Qi, fellow Daoist, I have heard your words; concerning the world, I pledge the third point, and as a primordial deity I will surely uphold it."

Translation: "Qi, fellow Daoist, I have already known your words; concerning the world, I pledge the third clause, as a primordial divine sage, I will certainly abide by it."

"Second, as I am the chief of all terrestrial beasts, this undertaking is certainly my duty; I hope to join you, fellow Daoist, in seeking a sliver of life for all beings."

Translation: "Second, as I am the leader of all terrestrial beasts, this undertaking shall certainly not shirk responsibility; I hope to join with you, fellow Daoist, to work for the beings of the world and seek a sliver of vitality."

"First, our meeting is owed to fate; though we have not met before, our spirits have long been in communion; I will surely not betray the trust placed in me, and wish to jointly follow the great Dao."

Translation: "First, our affinity brought us together; although we have not previously met, our spirits have long been in communion; I will surely not betray the trust, wishing to jointly participate in the Great Dao."

The Primordial Qilin's words were weighty, answering Qi's requests point by point, with a most earnest demeanor.

Translation: The Primordial Qilin's words were weighty, responding item by item to Qi's requests, with an extremely earnest attitude.

"Excellent!"

Translation: "Good!"

Qi clapped his hands in accord.

Translation: Qi clapped his hands in agreement.

The two expounded the Dao at the Qilin Cliff before a great audience; all who could come were free to listen.

Translation: The two lectured Dao at Qilin Cliff; the audience was numerous, and all who could attend faced no obstruction.

Heaven and earth responded, and the Dao joined with all beings.

Translation: Heaven and earth responded; the Dao united with beings.

Together they expounded the Dao for more than fifty thousand years, during which they enjoyed modest prosperity.

Translation: The two lectured Dao together for over fifty thousand years, during which they enjoyed mutual affection.

The Dao lecture ended, the Qilin clan presented a top-grade innate spiritual root for Dao rites, one stalk, and a set of ritual robes woven from the hair of myriad beasts, one piece, as a token of thanks.

A top-grade innate spiritual root is an immortal pear tree called Peaceful Mountain Thick Soil Pear.

Ordinary beings who hear of it gain three thousand years of lifespan; eating one fruit lets them instantly become immortal and hear the Great Dao.

The tree flowers once every ten thousand years, bears fruit once every ten thousand years, ripens once every ten thousand years, and each fruiting yields twelve fruits, corresponding to the twelve double-hours of the day.

Striking the fruit requires a jade tablet; otherwise, if the fruit meets metal or stone, it melts into refined iron and cannot be eaten.

If the fruit touches wood, it turns into a tree knot, returns to its source, and cannot be eaten.

If the fruit falls to the ground, it sinks below, becomes dregs, turns into earth fertilizer, and cannot be eaten.

All heavenly-earthly spiritual treasures have specific demands for their acquisition; without meeting them, gaining anything is difficult, and in the end it's just wasted labor.

After all, the essence of heaven and earth is hard to come by, which is normal.

After parting with the Auspicious Beast Tribe, I once again set out for the Phoenix Tribe's territory, departing from the Nan Fang Immortal Volcano.

On the road, colorful phoenixes accompany me, flying and dancing while singing clearly.

PS: I drank a lot today, sorry for the delay, but I'm still putting up two chapters.

Later I still need to write another chapter for tomorrow; I hope you'll all support more, please vote and recommend.

The Phoenix King thanks everyone here.

(End of Chapter)