Chapter 729

Xi Bubai lived his life with extreme caution.

Xi Bubai lived his life with extreme caution.

We must not add extra info. Keep same meaning.

Let's go line by line.

【1】 Xi Bubai lived his life with extreme caution.

Translation: Xi Bubai lived his life with extreme caution.

He constantly worried that one day he would suddenly fall while controlling the Black Palace.

Translation: He constantly worried that one day he would suddenly fall while controlling the Black Palace.

But need to keep "Black Palace" as "Black Palace". Also "suddenly fall" means "suddenly fall". So: He constantly worried that one day he would suddenly fall while controlling the Black Palace.

The Black Palace is of great importance, even being the primary "communication channel" between the Fuxi Divine Kingdom and the mortal world. Countless secret controls are in his hands; a slight loss would be a huge loss to the Fuxi Divine Kingdom.

Translation: The Black Palace is of great importance, even the main 'communication channel' between the Fuxi Divine State and the surface world; countless secrets are under his control, and any loss would be a huge loss to the Fuxi Divine State.

We need to keep quotes? The source has "communication channel". We can translate as "communication channel". Keep single quotes? We'll just use quotes.

Thus, at the top of the thirty-three-story stone palace at the Black Palace headquarters, a passage three hundred zhang long leads from Xi Bubai's office hall to his daily quarters, lined with eighteen exquisitely crafted lamp stands.

Translation: Therefore, at the top level of the Stone Palace on the thirty-third floor of the Black Palace headquarters, there is a passageway three hundred zhang long leading from Xi Bubai's office hall to his usual sleeping quarters, inside which stand eighteen exquisitely carved lamp stands.

We need to keep numbers exactly: three hundred zhang -> three hundred zhang. eighteen -> eighteen. Good.

In one of the lamp stands, inside the sixth lamp holder, a drop of pure Xi clan royal blood essence is added, mixed with the lamp oil, and burned quietly for a quarter hour, which opens a secret chamber on the ninth level of the stone palace.

Translation: In one of those lamp stands, inside the sixth lamp, a drop of essence blood containing the pure Xi Clan royal bloodline is dripped in, mixed with the lamp oil, and after burning quietly for a quarter hour, a secret hall is opened on the ninth layer of the Stone Palace.

We need to keep "a quarter hour" as "a quarter hour". Good.

This secret chamber has no other restrictions; the only condition is that if someone tries to break in by force, the chamber and everything inside will instantly turn to ash, completely protecting the stored secrets.

Translation: This secret hall has no other seals; the only thing is that if one attempts to enter by violent means, the secret hall and everything stored inside will instantly turn to ashes, completely protecting all the hidden secrets.

Only Xi Bubai and the loyal assassin he appointed know how to open this secret chamber.

Translation: Apart from Xi Bubai, only one trusted death warrior he arranged knows how to open this secret hall.

If Xi Bubai ever falls, his loyal assassin will immediately report to the Fuxi Divine Emperor, who will choose a reliable successor to inherit all the secrets of this chamber.

Translation: If one day Xi Bubai falls, that trusted death warrior will directly report this to the Fuxi Divine Emperor, who will select a reliable successor to take over all the secrets in that secret hall.

Xi Bubai was cautious all

Translation: Xi Bubai was cautious all his life, but he overlooked that when they were children, Xi You and Xi Yao had followed him playing inside and outside the Black Palace, and this secret matter was not hidden from the naturally gifted Xi You and Xi Yao who possessed extraordinary divine abilities.

We need to keep "extraordinary divine abilities" as "extraordinary divine abilities" or "unfathomable divine powers". We'll use "extraordinary divine abilities".

Although they hadn't personally seen how Xībái opened the secret hall, their innate divine abilities let them, via the faint lingering aura left in the void, fully know of the hall's existence and how to open it.

Translation: Although the two never personally saw how Xi Bubai opened the secret hall, their innate divine abilities allowed them to completely know of the secret hall's existence and opening method through the faint residual aura left in the void.

"Are you angry?" Xīyóu, hands behind his back, stood before Xībái and lightly shook his head. "Of course; if it were me, I'd be furious too. After all, what I've done is outright treason."

Translation: "Are you angry?" Xi You stood before Xi Bubai with his hands behind his back, gently shaking his head: "Of course, if it were me, I would also be angry. After all, what I have done is truly rebellious."

But if you knew why I did this, you'd surely understand.

Translation: "But if you knew why I did this, you would certainly understand me."

"Xīyáo is dead." Xīyóu stared straight at Xībái.

Translation: "Xi Yao is dead." Xi You stared fixedly at Xi Bubai.

Xībái's face suddenly shifted; he glared at Xīyóu with a hoarse voice: "Do you still have the nerve to return?"

Translation: Xi Bubai's face suddenly changed; he fiercely stared at Xi You and hoarsely said: "Then do you still have the face to come back?"

Xīyóu nodded seriously: "She's dead, and I'm heartbroken too. So I will be good to her two children."

Translation: Xi You nodded seriously: "She died, and I am also heartbroken. Therefore, I will surely treat her two children well."

"I'm the uncle of Baihe and Zhujiu; I'll see that they get the authority, status, and everything they deserve… I'll make them empresses who unite the three realms, and I'll let Xīyáo rest in peace underground."

Translation: "I am the uncle of Bai He and Zhu Chun; I will make sure they receive the power, status, and everything they deserve… I will make them empresses of the unified three kingdoms, and I will let Xi Yao rest in peace underground."

Xībái's face shifted as he stared at Xīyóu: "What are you saying? Xīyáo's children? What's their status? What are you planning?"

Translation: Xi Bubai's face changed as he looked at Xi You: "What are you saying? Xi Yao's children? What is their status? What do you intend to do?"

Xīyóu looked at the captive Xībái and smiled while disclosing the backgrounds of Xīyáo, Baihe, and Zhujiu.

Translation: Looking at the imprisoned Xi Bubai, Xi You smiled and revealed the identities and origins of Xi Yao, Bai He, and Zhu Chun.

Xībái flew into a hysterical rage: "Xīyóu, you scoundrel, you worthless fool, you want to use Fuxi God State's power to help them restore their country and seize the throne? Do you have any idea how many people this will get killed?"

Translation: Xi Bubai flew into a hysterical rage, shouting: "Xi You, you scoundrel, you unfilial fool, you want to use the power of the Fuxi Divine State to help them restore their country and vie for the throne? Do you know how many people this would kill?"

Xīyóu fell silent for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't care how many die. What do you four supremes think?"

Translation: Xi You pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't care how many people would die. What do you four Grand Elders think?"

The supremes of the Tusao clan, along with those of the Taotie, Hundun, and Qiongqi clans, all broke into a strange grin.

Translation: Taowu Ni, together with the Grand Elders of the Taotie Clan, Hundun Clan, and Qiongqi Clan, simultaneously grinned hideously.

They couldn't care less about how many would die.

Translation: They couldn't be bothered to care how many people would die.

The Fuxi God State is enormous, with countless mighty vassal tribes—let them fight to the death in the mortal world. If they succeed, Xiyou promises the four ferocious clans will become the state's guard families, thereafter rising in prominence, gaining illustrious status and limitless power.

Translation: The Fuxi Divine State is so vast, possessing countless powerful subordinate tribes; let them fight to the death in the surface world. If successful, Xi You promises that the Four Ferocious Clans will become the Fuxi Divine State's Imperial Guard family, from then on rising in status, gaining illustrious identities and endless power.

If they fail… well, the dead will merely be those vassal clans' folk.

Translation: If it fails… well, the dead will be the members of those vassal families.

Take the Wu clan, the Nuwa clan, and other big groups—if their people die, the more the better. Then the four fierce clans, who've always rivaled them, could simply take their land, women, wealth, and everything else.

Translation: For example, the Wu Clan, the Nuwa Clan, and other large ethnic groups—if their people die, the more the better. Then, as the Four Ferocious Clans have always competed with them, wouldn't they be able to seize their land, women, property, and everything else?

Victory would indeed please everyone.

Translation: Winning would surely make everyone happy.

Defeat could also be accepted willingly.

Translation: Losing could also be accepted gladly.

A win‑win deal—Tusao grinned broadly, reached out and lightly patted Xībái's cheek: "Hall Lord, you're wrong… Prince Xiyou's actions make him a true passionate, righteous hero; you ought to back him."

Translation: A profitable deal with no loss…… Taowu Ni laughed brightly, reached out, and gently patted Xi Bubai's cheek: "Palace Lord, you are mistaken…… Prince Xi You doing this is truly a passionate hero of loyalty and righteousness; you should support him."

Xiyou smiled: "I'm back, so I'm still the only choice for the next god‑emperor of Fuxi God State. I'm using the state's power to do something for myself—what's the problem?"

Translation: Xi You smiled: "I have returned, so I remain the sole candidate for the next Fuxi Divine Emperor. I am using the power of the Fuxi Divine State to do something for myself—what's wrong with that?"

Xībái gave Xīyóu a strange look and said slowly: "Maybe you're no longer the sole candidate for the next god‑emperor."

Translation: Xi Bubai looked at Xi You with a strange expression and slowly said: "Perhaps you are no longer the sole candidate for the next Divine Emperor."

Xiyou's face shifted abruptly: "There's still this kind of thing?"

Translation: Xi You's face suddenly changed: "There's still this kind of thing?"

He turned his gaze to Tusao and the others.

Translation: He looked toward Taowu Ni and the others.

The four Tusao members exchanged glances, momentarily unable to speak.

Translation: Taowu Ni and the four others stared at each other, unable to speak for a moment.

Only a few top supremes inside the Fuxi God State know of Xīwǔlè's existence. As vassals of the state, the four fierce clans lack prestige— which Xī clan supreme would be so stupid as to broadcast Xīwǔlè's affairs to these vassals?

Translation: The existence of Xi Wule is known only to a group of top Grand Elders within the upper echelons of the Fuxi Divine State. As a vassal tribe of the Fuxi Divine State, the Four Ferocious Clans' reputation is not good; which Xi Clan Grand Elder, with a broken mind, would go about telling these vassals about Xi Wule?

Thus, while Xīwǔlè is extraordinarily gifted, outsiders remain unaware that the Fuxi God State's heir has already been replaced.

Translation: Therefore, although Xi Wule has astonishing talent, outsiders do not know that the heir of the Fuxi Divine State has already been changed.

"It looks like while I've been gone, someone's had the wrong ideas… someone wants to steal what's mine?" Xiyou gave a cold smile: "I'm the emperor's finest son; my father is the Fuxi God Emperor, I'm his best child, and the throne rightfully belongs to me."

Translation: "It seems that in these years I've been away, someone has harbored thoughts they shouldn't… someone wants to seize what belongs to me?" Xi You gave a cold smile: "I am the father emperor's most outstanding son; my father is the Fuxi Divine Emperor, I am his finest child, and the position of Divine Emperor certainly belongs to me."

Xībái said solemnly: "The Xī clan's god‑emperor throne has never been passed from father to son; each generation chooses the most worthy."

Translation: Xi Bubai said solemnly: "The throne of the Divine Emperor of the Xi Clan has never followed a father‑to‑son tradition; each generation selects the best."

Xiyou sneered: "So you're claiming there's a more outstanding youngster who can match me?"

Translation: Xi You sneered: "So you're saying there is a more outstanding young person who can be compared with me?"

Xībái said coldly: "Maybe his talent equals yours, but his character outshines yours by a hundred or a thousandfold."

Translation: Xi Bubai said coldly: "Perhaps his talent is only comparable to yours, but in character he is a hundred, even a thousand times stronger than you."

Xiyou flared with anger, got in Xībái's face, and shouted, spitting: "I don't believe anyone could be a hundred or a thousand times better than me!"

Translation: Xi You grew angry, he moved close to Xi Bubai, spat, and shouted: "I don't believe it—who could be a hundred, even a thousand times better than me?"

Xībái's cutting remark pierced Xīyóu's chest: "At least he wouldn't act recklessly and kill his own sister."

Translation: Xi Bubai's sharp tongue like a dagger pierced Xi You's chest with one sentence: "At the very least, he would not recklessly cause harm and kill his own sister."

Xiyou's face went ashen; he staggered back three steps, swaying, and with difficulty lowered himself into the big chair Xībái normally used for official business.

Translation: Xi You's face turned deathly pale; his body swayed, he stumbled back three steps, shaking, and with difficulty sat in the large chair Xi Bubai usually used for handling affairs.

The Qiongqi clan's supreme elder, Qiongji (pronounced zun), snorted coldly, thrust his right index and middle fingers like swords into Xībái's side. With a dull thud, three of Xībái's ribs shattered, Qiongji's fingers plunged into his chest and violently churned inside.

Translation: Qiongqi Grand Elder Qiongqi Zun snorted coldly, his right index and middle fingers like swords, he viciously stabbed into Xi Bubai's side. With a dull thud, three of Xi Bubai's ribs broke, Qiongqi Zun's fingers sank into his chest cavity and violently stirred inside.

Intense pain washed over him; Xībái's face went pale, he raised his head and let out a low groan.

Translation: Intense pain surged; Xi Bubai's face turned ashen, he lifted his head and let out a muffled groan.

Qiongji's face twisted into a grin: "Xībái, toward the Prince… you ought to be more polite. We don't know who could outshine the Prince… heh, anyway, we don't recognize the person you spoke of."

Translation: Qiongqi Zun's twisted face broke into a laugh: "Xi Bubai, regarding Your Highness… you should be more polite. We don't know who could surpass Your Highness in excellence… heh heh, anyway, we refuse to acknowledge the person you mentioned."

Tusao and the others also hastily nodded.

Translation: Taowu Ni and the others also hurriedly nodded.

"Right, where did a genius suddenly pop up? Dare to compare him with the Prince?"

Translation: "Indeed, where did a genius suddenly appear? Dare to compare with Your Highness?"

"Though we're vassals of the Xī clan, whoever ascends the throne ought to at least listen to our views."

Translation: "Although we are vassals of the Xi Clan, whoever takes the throne should at least hear our opinions."

"Isn't that so? In our hearts, only the Prince is the sole choice for god‑emperor; anyone else, we don't accept, we don't accept… hehe."

Translation: "Isn't that right? In our hearts, only Your Highness is the sole candidate for Divine Emperor… we refuse to acknowledge anyone else… heh heh."

The numerous divine‑realm elders of the Four Ferocious Clans who had stormed the Black Hall were shouting all over.

Translation: The many Divine Realm Ancestors of the Four Ferocious Families who had infiltrated the Black Palace were shouting in unison.

Xiyou, face grim, stared at Xībái for a long time, then slowly nodded: "Be careful—don't let him get away. Hmm, bring those items over; let me look at them carefully."

Translation: Xi You then stared gloomily at Xi Bubai for a while, finally nodding: "Be careful, don't give him a chance to escape. Hmm, bring those things over; let me examine them closely."

Volume after volume, beautifully bound and guarded with assorted secret medicines and seals, these confidential files—able to endure tens of thousands of years undamaged—were taken from the secret hall and laid before Xiyou.

Translation: Volume after volume, exquisitely bound and carefully protected with various secret medicines and seals, enough to remain uncorrupted and intact for tens of thousands of years, the confidential documents were taken from the Secret Hall and placed before Xi You.

Xiyou smirked and hurled over a dozen thick volumes of secrets concerning the four ferocious clans at Tusao and the others.

Translation: Xi You sneered, and threw more than ten thick volumes of confidential documents concerning the Four Ferocious Clans to Taowu Ni and the others.

"These are high‑ranking spies the Black Hall planted in your clans—heh, some are even your own elders—deal with them yourselves; this counts as a little advance perk I'm giving your four ferocious clans."

Translation: "These are high‑level spies planted by the Black Palace in your clans, hehe—some of them are actually elders in your own clans… deal with them yourselves; this counts as a down‑payment of favor I'm giving the Four Ferocious Clans."

Xībái, overcome with pain, shut his eyes.

Translation: Xi Bubai closed his eyes in pain.

These spies embedded in the four ferocious clans are all elite agents placed by successive Black Hall masters, who poured countless thoughts and endless energy into planting them. To bribe or station these high‑level spies, how much effort has the Fuxi God State expended?

Translation: These spies planted in the Four Ferocious Clans are all elite agents installed by generations of Black Palace Palace Lords, costing countless efforts and endless energy. To bribe or install such high‑level spies, how much painstaking work has the Fuxi Divine State expended?

Yet Xiyou, seeking to win over the four ferocious clans, simply handed over these secrets to them.

Translation: Yet, in order to win over the Four Ferocious Clans, Xi You directly handed over those secrets to them.

Those spies… are as good as dead.

Translation: Those spies… are doomed to die.

Just look at the savage expressions on the faces of those divine‑realm elders of the four ferocious clans, and you know they're doomed.

Translation: Just look at the ferocious expressions on the faces of the Four Ferocious Clans' Divine Realm Ancestors, and you know they are doomed.

Xi Bu Bai clenched his teeth desperately, blood continually seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"Hmm, this record is interesting." Xi You suddenly sneered: "Wu Tie, his birth father Wu Zhan, is the direct line of the Wu clan……His woman is actually the female head of a branch tribe of the Wa clan? Interesting, interesting, that bunch of psychologically twisted women."

"Yo, he also has a full-blooded younger sister called Wa Xiao Xi? Moreover, Wa Xiao Xi's talent is extraordinarily astonishing?"

"What a fine person, ah, the Xi clan and the Wa clan were originally one; such a wonderfully talented little woman, to be my concubine, no……to be my consort, is qualified enough."

Xi You said coldly: "Chiefs, thank you, send an elite squad to sneak attack this Wa Valley, bring Wu Tie's mother and sister over, huh? Remember, they must be alive; as long as those two are alive, the others inside Wa Valley can be disposed of as you wish."

Taotie Ni looked at Xi You with hesitation: "The Wa clan……is not easy to provoke, Your Highness, can we really dispose of them as we wish?"

Xi You coldly glanced at Taotie Ni: "With me blocking for you, unless the Wa clan wants all-out war with our Xi clan, otherwise, wiping out one of their small branch tribes, what can they do to you?"

Taotie Ni and Qiong Qi Teng, etc., then laughed.

Even though they are Grand Elders of the Four Fiends tribes, they still feel wary of the mysterious, seemingly loose Wa clan.

Those women are not to be provoked; offending them easily leads to mysterious death or inexplicable misfortune.

But with Xi You's endorsement, there's no problem.

The Xi clan and the Wa clan were originally one; with the Xi clan stepping forward, what can the Wa clan do even if they are furious?

"Then, each of us will send out an elite squad." Taotie Ni said enthusiastically: "Make sure not to let any of those Wa Valley women escape. Hey, what was the name of Wu Tie's mother again?"

Wa Valley.

In the extremely deep underground, at the center of the vast fertile land, beneath the towering divine statue, various offerings are stacked on the altar.

Wa Mu wore splendid robes, adorned with dozens of antiquely styled jade ornaments, holding a staff, leading the Wa Valley Elders, she was paying homage to the divine statue.

After not seeing her for years, Wa Mu's cultivation had unknowingly entered the Womb Storage Realm.

Her aura became increasingly solemn and miraculous, her appearance ever more youthful and handsome; in every gesture, a primordial mysterious aura naturally emanated.

Accompanied by a mysterious, prolonged chant, a thread of Wa Mu's soul power was sucked into the divine statue.

In the immeasurable void, countless threads like Wa Mu's—each a fragment of soul from the Wa clan matriarchs conducting the great sacrifice—gathered here. Countless information was exchanged in an instant; the stronger the matriarch's soul, the more benefits she could draw from this boundless information torrent.

In this void, some matriarchs' soul fragments are like a bright moon hanging high in the void, their aura as mighty as a deity, preventing other matriarchs' soul fragments from approaching even a bit.

Moreover, some matriarchs' soul fragments are pitifully weak, like a single firefly, flickering with a dim light in the void.

Wa Mu's strength, among those countless matriarchs' soul fragments, is only medium among the lower tier. She cautiously and humbly emanated her soul fluctuations, diffusing some information from around Wa Valley into the void.

The speed of soul communication is extremely fast; after a snap of the fingers, the information torrent had already dissipated.

In the void, threads of pure soul-origin power descended, gently bestowing upon each matriarch's soul fragment, nourishing them so their souls gradually grew stronger.

Strands of wondrous Dao resonance seeped from the void, gradually merging into each matriarch's soul fragment, helping their Dao cultivation rise swiftly.

The wondrous chant seemed to have traversed the river of ages, from the primordial mythic era all the way to today.

Every matriarch, including those as mighty as a bright moon hanging in the void, eternally enduring, was immersed in some kind of wondrous emotion.

Various divine marvels and abilities naturally manifested; Wa Mu's true form suddenly opened her eyes, two strands of chaotic divine light shooting far from her pupils——with the aid of the Wa clan's mysterious matriarch space power, Wa Mu caught a glimpse of the future.

Powerful enemies are approaching; terrifying danger is descending.

Wa Mu saw blood, fire, and horrifying death……that blood and fire were rapidly descending; just as the Wa Valley was about to be crushed into powder, a burly figure stepped in front of those terrible calamities.

"Wu Tie……my son……"

Wa Mu whispered her call.

Through an unknown distant distance, Wa Mu's voice, laden with worry, sounded right beside Wu Tie's ear.

Before Wu Tie's eyes, he likewise saw the terrifying scene Wa Mu had seen.

Wu Tie's complexion abruptly changed; the Five Elements Daoist, Yin-Yang Daoist, and Great Sea Daoist beside him simultaneously turned into flowing light and fled.

As they flew away, they also took with them three hundred Divine Master Realm experts beside Wu Tie, and a million newly forged Giant Divine Warriors.