Chapter 510

Wind blew through the bamboo grove, with a 'shush-shush' sound.

Translation: "Wind blew through the bamboo grove, with a 'shush-shush' sound."

Wind blew through the bamboo grove, with a 'shush-shush' sound.

Make sure it's one line.

Born with red lips and white teeth, delicate and fine like a white jade doll, You Ruo sat calmly behind the long table, gracefully yet swiftly devouring one exquisite dish after another.

Born with red lips and white teeth, delicate and fine like a porcelain doll, You Ruo sat calmly behind the long table, gracefully yet swiftly devouring one exquisite dish after another.

Make sure to keep "You Ruo". Use the name.

Each dish is crafted by top chefs using the finest spiritual ingredients of the Great Jin Divine Kingdom, blended with abundant divine medicines and rare treasures.

Translation: "Each dish was prepared by a top chef, using naturally the finest spiritual ingredients of the Great Jin Divine Kingdom, also blended with a large amount of divine medicines and rare treasures."

We need to keep "Great Jin Divine Kingdom". Use that term.

You Ruo's body, like that of a seven- or eight-year-old child, is a bottomless pit, effortlessly digesting these extremely rare divine medicines and treasures completely. His aura steadily grows, bit by bit.

Translation: "You Ruo's body, like that of a seven- or eight-year-old child, was like a bottomless pit, easily digesting these extremely rare divine medicines and treasures completely clean. His aura also gradually, obviously, kept increasing."

We need to keep "You Ruo". Also "aura" -> aura.

Back then, the Fuxi Divine Kingdom struck from underground, and You Ruo suffered a major defeat at Wu Tie's hands.

Translation: "Back then, the Fuxi Divine Kingdom launched a surprise attack from underground, and You Ruo suffered a great loss at Wu Tie's hands."

We need to use Wu Tie from glossary.

The temporarily manifested, mass-produced bodies are clearly inferior to the divine bodies formed by Sheng Yao and others, who used their own essence blood and were gestated in a human womb.

Translation: "The temporarily incarnated mass-produced bodies were obviously inferior to the divine bodies conceived in human wombs using their own essence blood, like those of Sheng Yao and others."

You Ruo suffered hardship, unaware of how much his thinking had changed; he paid a heavy price, sending a drop of his own essence blood to the Great Jin.

Translation: "You Ruo endured hardship, unaware of what ideological transformation he had undergone, and at great cost sent a drop of his own essence blood to the Great Jin."

We need "Great Jin". Use that.

Ling Qingqing carefully selected a human girl with terrifying talent for You Ruo, using her as the mother to gestate this divine body for him.

Translation: "Linghu Qingqing carefully selected a human girl with terrifying talent for You Ruo, using her as mother to conceive this divine body for You Ruo."

We need Linghu Qingqing from glossary.

In the womb, Ling Qingqing lavished vast quantities of rare treasures and divine medicines to strengthen You Ruo's body; his divine body's innate talent is monstrous among monsters, terrifying to the extreme.

Translation: "In the womb, Linghu Qingqing consumed vast quantities of rare treasures and divine medicines to strengthen You Ruo's body; the innate aptitude of this divine body of You Ruo could be called a monstrosity among monstrosities, terrifying to the extreme."

We need Linghu Qingqing, You Ruo.

Wu Tie posed as 'Huo Xiong', returned from the Demon-Suppressing Battlefield to the Great Jin, rejoined the Divine Martial Army, entered the Three Kingdoms battlefield, earned merit—only to have it claimed by Sima Yu—and was reassigned to Great Marsh Prefecture. After two or three years in those remote lands, a major battle won him extraordinary merit, and he returned to Peaceful Yang bearing the title of Duke of Yu Prefecture.

Translation: "Wu Tie posed as 'Huo Xiong', returned from the Demon-Suppressing Battlefield to the Great Jin, rejoined the Divine Martial Army, entered the Three Kingdoms battlefield, earned merit, but had his merit taken by Sima Yu, and was transferred to the Great Marsh Prefecture. After spending two or three years in those remote places, a great battle earned him extraordinary merit, and he returned to Peaceful Yang bearing the title of Duke of Yu Prefecture."

We need to use Wu Tie, Huo Xiong (treating Huo Xiong as the personal name), Sima Yu, Great Jin, Divine Martial Army, Three Kingdoms battlefield, Great Marsh Prefecture, Duke of Yu Prefecture, Peaceful Yang.

We need to keep the quote marks around Huo Xiong? The Chinese: 'Huo Xiong'. We'll keep quotes: 'Huo Xiong'.

Though You Ruo has only been 'born' for three months, plentiful rare treasures have nurtured his body to the level of an ordinary seven- or eight-year-old, and his cultivation has effortlessly reached the peak of the womb-storage realm.

Translation: "You Ruo has only been 'born' for three months, but with abundant rare treasures nourishing him, his body has developed to the level of an ordinary seven- or eight-year-old child, and his cultivation has easily reached the peak of the Fetal Storage Realm."

We need "You Ruo", "Fetal Storage Realm". Use that term.

Now You Ruo's "birth" was only three months ago, but under the nourishment of a large amount of rare treasures, his body has already developed to the level of an ordinary seven- or eight-year-old child, and his cultivation has easily reached the utmost peak of the Fetal Storage Realm.

Continual eating isn't just for boosting strength—it's essential for strengthening and developing the body. With a body like that of a seven- or eight-year-old, many actions are inconvenient.

Translation: "Constant eating not only increases strength, but more importantly strengthens the body and develops it. With such a seven- or eight-year-old child's body, many things are inconvenient to do."

Seeing Ling Qingqing kneel before him with deep respect, You Ruo leisurely ate a few bites of the honey-glazed white bear paw, took a warm towel from a maid, gently wiped his mouth, and then slowly raised his hand, saying, 'Get up.'

Translation: "Seeing Linghu Qingqing kneel respectfully on the ground, You Ruo leisurely swallowed a few bites of the white bear paw cooked with hundred-flower honey, took the warm towel handed by a maid, carefully wiped his mouth, then slowly raised his hand and said, 'Get up.'"

We need Linghu Qingqing, You Ruo.

Ling Qingqing rose with a smiling face, respectfully, slightly stooping, his gaze lowered as he looked at You Ruo's toes.

Translation: "Linghu Qingqing smiled, stood up, respectfully bent his waist slightly, lowered his gaze slightly, and looked at You Ruo's toes."

We need Linghu Qingqing, You Ruo.

Before the Great Jin's officials, Ling Qingqing stands supreme, controlling seventy percent of the generals and virtually holding the Great Jin's military power alone as the left chancellor. His old, ruthless, overbearing demeanor makes even ordinary civil and military officials unable to stand firm before him.

Translation: "Before the officials of the Great Jin, Linghu Qingqing was high and mighty, controlling seventy percent of the military gate, the Great Jin's military power almost solely in his hands as the Left Minister. That old, crafty, cold demeanor, with authority in all directions, made ordinary civil and military officials unable to stand firm before him."

We need Linghu Qingqing, Left Minister, Great Jin.

But before You Ruo, Ling Qingqing perfectly exemplifies what it means to be a 'Sunzi'.

Translation: "But before You Ruo, Linghu Qingqing perfectly embodied what is called 'Sunzi'."

We need Linghu Qingqing, You Ruo, Sunzi.

More respectful and obedient than Sunzi.

Translation: "More respectful and obedient than Sunzi."

'Anything?' You Ruo took the cup of clear tea from the maid and took a light sip.

Translation: "'Anything?' You Ruo took the cup of clear tea handed by the maid and lightly sipped it."

We need You Ruo.

Ling Qingqing smiled and nodded; with a flick of his right hand, a chillingly cold, transparent jade coffin appeared in his hand, which he gently placed before You Ruo.

Translation: "Linghu Qingqing smiled and nodded; his right hand flicked, and a transparent jade coffin exuding cold qi appeared in his hand. He gently placed this jade coffin before You Ruo."

We need Linghu Qingqing, Cold Qi (from glossary), You Ruo.

'Tsk!' You Ruo pursed his lips: 'I'm eating, and you bring over a coffin…… Ling Qingqing, are you trying to disgust me on purpose?'

Translation: "'Tsk!' You Ruo pursed his lips: 'I'm eating, why bring a coffin over… Linghu Qingqing, are you trying to disgust me on purpose?'"

We need You Ruo, Linghu Qingqing.

Perhaps because his veins carry the essence blood of his human mother, You Ruo now shows a hint of mortal worldliness, even having learned to speak playfully.

Translation: "Perhaps because his veins carry the essence blood of the human mother, You Ruo's demeanor now has a hint of mortal world warmth, and he has even learned to speak playfully."

We need You Ruo.

'I dare not, I dare not.' Ling Qingqing gently lifted the coffin lid with both hands, revealing the quietly lying Zhao Xiu inside.

Translation: "'No, no.' Linghu Qingqing gently lifted the coffin lid with both hands, revealing Zhao Xiu lying still inside."

We need Linghu Qingqing, Zhao Xiu.

"Don't dare, don't dare." Linghu Qingqing gently lifted the coffin lid with both hands, revealing Zhao Xiu lying still inside.

Zhao Xiu was washed clean, his body hair completely shaved smooth, and a fine layer of ointment was delicately applied, maintaining him like a porcelain figurine fired from white clay, his whole body emitting a faint light and exuding a subtle fragrance.

"Huh, what is this?" You Ruo narrowed his eyes, glanced at Zhao Xiu's body, and said, "I like beautiful girls; I'm not interested in men, right?"

Linghu Qingqing pointed at Zhao Xiu and smiled, saying, "God Lord, he possesses the Nine Apertures Exquisite Heart, a top-tier rare bloodline of humanity; hehe, I suppose it will be of great use to you, God Lord."

You Ruo's pupils suddenly turned tile-blue, and an ultimate cold light shot from his eyes, swiftly enveloping Zhao Xiu's body.

"The Nine Apertures Exquisite Heart, it is said to have many wonderful uses, such as thoughts flying, multitasking, never forgetting what one sees, writing as soon as one speaks, and so on; huh, the best benefit is that one's divine soul is innately several times stronger than an ordinary person's, and the divine soul's power grows extremely swiftly—the Nine Apertures Exquisite Heart?"

You Ruo's body sprayed out tiny ice crystals bit by bit, and with a hint of ecstasy he softly asked.

"Yes, that is the Nine Apertures Exquisite Heart." Linghu Qingqing smiled and said, "The Zhao family's military lineage has protected him extremely well; even the Zhao family's ancestor used great divine powers to obscure his soul, causing his monstrous talent to be able to exert less than ten percent of it, yet even so he is a rare top talent among the younger generation of Great Jin."

"However, the Zhao family's military lineage being so cautious cannot escape this old man." Linghu Qingqing laughed and said, "This time I seized the opportunity, deliberately captured him alive, and presented him to the God Lord."

According to the battle report of the Exterminate Wu Army Vanguard Regiment, Zhao Xiu, who had already fallen on the front lines, was unexpectedly taken by Linghu Qingqing as a gift and sent here!

I do not know how Princess Jing Sheng, who is weeping bitterly in the Nine Heavens Hall, will think or act upon learning of this matter.

"Speak, what do you want?" You Ruo nodded in satisfaction.

These "spirits" not only collect the essence refined from human souls, but also treat various rare bloodlines and monstrous talents as rare treasures to be constantly plundered.

The Nine Apertures Exquisite Heart is recorded in their secret canon as a certain top-tier monstrous bloodline talent of humanity.

However, over the years, it is rumored that merely tens of thousands of years ago, the Light God Clan collected from the bloodline of the Great Wei imperial family a princess who possessed the Nine Apertures Exquisite Heart.

Subsequently, the leader of the Light God Clan, Sheng Rong, saw his strength growth rate suddenly surpass that of You Ruo and the others, and now he has steadily suppressed the rulers of the other major god clans who were originally his equals here.

But right now, a Nine Apertures Exquisite Heart lies before You Ruo.

Once he thoroughly studies the secret on Zhao Xiu's body… hehe.

You Ruo smiled with satisfaction, the transparent coffin silently vanished, and he stored it away most appropriately.

"The Sima clan… is no longer fit to be the lord of Great Jin." Linghu Qingqing laughed brightly and bowed deeply to You Ruo, saying, "The Linghu clan shall be able to replace them. What I now fear is only the deities of Sima lineage and the national treasures they hold."

You Ruo narrowed his eyes and his fingers tapped lightly on the long table.

"You, do you want to be emperor?" You Ruo also laughed brightly: "Truly a vile and greedy humanity; after all these years, finally among you there has appeared someone sufficiently greedy."

"Great Wei and Great Wu have both experienced ministerial rebellions, but only Great Jin has been deathly still for so many years." You Ruo narrowed his eyes, dangerous cold light flashing in his pupils, the azure cold light bathing the entire bamboo grove in a blue hue.

"The several upheavals of Great Wei and Great Wu, with warfare continuing for millennia, killed until mountains of corpses and seas of blood, slaughtering countless humans… those upheavals all brought us abundant gains."

You Ruo sighed, saying, "Only Great Jin… this time I do not hesitate to use my own essence and blood to incarnate a divine body and descend to the mortal world; I never expected to also encounter such an interesting matter."

Glancing askance at Linghu Qingqing, You Ruo said coldly, "Then, is there going to be a great war?"

Linghu Qingqing solemnly said, "There will certainly be a great war."

You Ruo nodded and said, "It won't end too quickly, will it?"

Linghu Qingqing smiled: "It won't end too quickly… the Linghu clan will raise troops everywhere; the Sima clan has so many enfeoffed kings, and in their various fiefdoms there are also many 'loyal ministers' and 'virtuous ministers'; knocking them down one by one won't end quickly… and I, the old man, will not let them end quickly either."

Linghu Qingqing looked at You Ruo and smiled, saying, "There will surely be mountains of corpses and seas of blood, there will surely be spirits everywhere, and only when you, God Lord, are satisfied and content will I withdraw my troops… sheathe the sword!"

You Ruo nodded in satisfaction and said, "The past few God Emperors of Great Jin have been overly dim-witted; their sacrifices to us gods have also been merely perfunctory."

Linghu Qingqing looked at You Ruo and smiled, saying, "I understand, especially the incident of the deceased crown prince six thousand years ago; Sima Sheng actually dared to destroy the shrines, to destroy the sacrifices and offerings to the heavenly gods—such things will never happen again in the future."

Linghu Qingqing pondered slightly, gritted his teeth, and said in a low voice, "In the future, the Linghu clan's realm will increase its offerings to the heavenly gods by… thirty percent."

Linghu Qingqing's forehead beaded with cold sweat, and only with difficulty did he utter those last two words.

Now each year, Great Jin's offerings to those lofty spirits have already become an astronomical figure, and also a tremendous pressure on the state treasury.

Adding another thirty percent… heh, it will be unavoidable that the future Linghu realm will frequently have to do what Linghu Qingqing is now ordering, and it will be unavoidable to from time to time forcibly conscript the populace, especially the great households.

Anyway, the Linghu clan's own food, drink, and expenses will not be lacking, so all that can be done is to exhaust the people's strength to win the favor of the heavenly gods.

"Very good, Linghu Qingqing, you……very good." You Ruo looked satisfied at Linghu Qingqing: "If you can fulfill what you promised, those Sima clan-born gods who have already ascended to the divine palace will all die!"

You Ruo raised her eyebrows, smiling at Linghu Qingqing: "Or perhaps there will be an even better way to deal with them—refine them into puppets, then hand them over to you to use against the Sima royal family? Wouldn't that be more interesting?"

Linghu Qingqing smiled until his face was full of wrinkles: "Indeed, that is indeed much more interesting……Then, the only concern is……the Sima clan's nation-protecting divine artifact."

You Ruo narrowed her eyes, thinking calmly for a moment: "This, indeed is a major problem. Nation-protecting divine artifacts, innate spiritual treasures—for my Ice Spirit Divine Clan's heavenly divine artifact, if the heavenly divine artifact's main body descends, then Great Jin's nation-protecting divine artifact is nothing much."

"The only problem is……the main body of the heavenly divine artifact has absolutely no chance of descending."

You Ruo opened her eyes, staring at Linghu Qingqing in a cold voice: "The Heaven Crystal Divine Clan constantly monitors Mu Dalu; their knowledge of Mu Dalu far surpasses ours. Only the Heaven Crystal Divine Clan knows where Mu Dalu nurtures innate spiritual treasures comparable to Great Jin's nation-protecting divine artifact."

"If we could obtain some information from the Heaven Crystal Divine Clan, your Linghu clan's foundation could be increased quickly." You Ruo said slowly: "But those greedy goods of the Heaven Crystal Divine Clan, wanting to make them speak, heh."

Shaking her head, a flash of greedy ferocity flickered in You Ruo's eyes: "Especially, they want to scan the mountains and rivers around Great Jin, consuming a great deal, very large, extremely huge……They might not be willing to do that."

Linghu Qingqing took a deep breath, he smiled at You Ruo: "If I, the old man, promise, I will continuously send Great Jin's elite troops to the southwest, and ensure they are continuously annihilated……I don't know……"

You Ruo nodded with a smile: "You are a smart person; then there's no problem. I won't let you suffer a loss; I will go and discuss a fair and reasonable price with that bunch of stone lumps, so I won't let your elite troops be wiped out."

You Ruo pointed at Linghu Qingqing with a smile: "When your Linghu clan comes to power, you will inevitably need to cleanse Great Jin from top to bottom; therefore, having Great Martial help you wield the knife is also a good thing."

With a cold snort, You Ruo's face became twisted and ferocious.

He recalled the losses he suffered in the battle earlier, when he plotted to seize the stellar essence to cleanse the fetus on the counteroffensive ground of the Fuxi Divine Kingdom.

Pursing her lips, You Ruo said calmly: "Great Jin……is stagnant and lethargic, and moreover ineffective at suppressing demons; my incarnations that descended, even my split spirits, were destroyed……Changing to a different family ruling, changing to a more obedient, more reverent family, this is a good thing."

"I think the other heavenly deities will also agree." You Ruo reached out and lightly touched Linghu Qingqing's brow: "However, remember, the main force helping you this time is my Ice Spirit Divine Clan."

"So, from now on, your offerings to the heavenly deities will mainly be for my Ice Spirit Divine Clan."

"If you voluntarily increase your offerings by thirty percent, it's enough that I know; you don't need to tell the other heavenly deities, understand?" You Ruo smiled especially brightly.

Linghu Qingqing also smiled especially brightly, but a sheet of cold sweat uncontrollably seeped out from his back.

Linghu Qingqing, actually he was also afraid.

Linghu Qingqing understood clearly the meaning behind You Ruo's words.

The powerful cultivators of the Three Kingdoms, upon reaching the extreme of the fetal storage realm, face the hurdle of the divine manifestation realm. Ordinary people cannot possibly pass it; they are certain to turn to ashes. Only those fortunate enough to obtain the heavenly divine decree can break through the divine manifestation realm and ascend to become gods.

Becoming a god and ascending to the divine palace allows one to enjoy an almost limitless lifespan.

Among the things Linghu Qingqing fears most are those Sima clan gods who have ascended to the divine palace; if they were to descend again, or do something else……Linghu Qingqing dares not imagine the consequences.

But in You Ruo's words, those Sima clan gods who have ascended are practically like lambs awaiting slaughter……

Linghu Qingqing dares not imagine what is hidden herein.

But he knows that obedience, as long as it is sufficient, will allow him to obtain much, much from You Ruo.

As for the rest……having come this far, Linghu Qingqing also does not wish to stop.