Chapter 524

Fellow cultivator, I'm Fan Danxing. Can I join your team for this Dragon Ascension gathering?

Translation: "Fellow cultivator, I am Fan Danxing. Can I team up with you for this Dragon Soaring Convention?"

We need to keep the quotes? The source includes Chinese quotation marks 「」. In English we can use quotes or not? The rule: we should not add explanatory words; we can keep the quoted speech as a quote. We'll keep English double quotes.

Thus: ""Fellow cultivator, I am Fan Danxing. Can I team up with you for this Dragon Soaring Convention?""

But we need to keep the content exactly; we can omit the Chinese quotes and use English quotes. That's fine.

The Dragon Ascension Nine Heavens Prodigy Assembly will commence at Buzhou Immortal Mountain in the first heavenly layer of the realm beyond the heavens.

Translation: "The Dragon Soaring Nine Heavens Heavenly Pride Convention opens in Buzhou Immortal Mountain on the first heavenly layer of Heaven Outside Heaven."

We need to keep "first heavenly layer". Could also be "first heaven". We'll use "first heavenly layer".

Its richly rewarding prizes have attracted many prodigies from the Upper Three Dao Domains and the realm beyond the heavens to participate.

Translation: "Its richly rewarding victory prize attracted many heavenly talents from the Upper Three Dao Domains and Heaven Outside Heaven to participate."

Upon hearing this, Ninth Prince Hongxiao of Shengli gave the newcomer a surprised once-over and asked, "Do you want to team up with us?"

Translation: "Upon hearing this, Ninth Prince Hongxiao of Shengli gave the newcomer a surprised once‑over and asked, "Do you want to team up with us?""

We need to keep "Ninth Prince Hongxiao of Shengli". Good.

This face was completely unfamiliar, and I don't recall ever seeing a prodigy with the surname Fan.

Translation: "This face was completely unfamiliar, and I don't recall any heavenly talent surnamed Fan."

Fan Danxing nodded, his gaze unintentionally falling on the figure ahead bathed in starlight—she wore a dazzling moonflower fairy robe, her three thousand strands of black hair dancing in the wind, every glance and smile exuding countless charms.

Translation: "Fan Danxing nodded, his gaze unintentionally falling on the figure ahead bathed in starlight—a dazzling moonflower fairy robe, three thousand strands of black hair dancing in the wind, every glance and smile exuding countless charms."

We need to keep "bathed in starlight". maybe "bathed in starlight". We'll keep as "bathed in starlight". "a dazzling moonflower fairy robe". "three thousand strands of black hair dancing in the wind". "every glance and smile exuding countless charms". Good.

Thump, thump.

Translation: ""Thump, thump.""

His usually calm mind rippled, and his heart beat anxiously, thumping away.

Translation: "His normally calm heart rippled, and his uneasy little heart thumped away."

"Hey, stop staring—that's our senior sister Murong Xue," Hongxiao snapped his fingers, breaking Fan Danxing's gaze.

Translation: ""Hey, stop staring—that's our senior sister Murong Xue," Hongxiao snapped his fingers to break Fan Danxing's gaze."

"It's just that her charm is too great; wherever she goes, she becomes the center of attention."

Translation: ""Her senior sister's charm is just too great; wherever she goes, she becomes the center of attention.""

"So her name is Murong Xue—what a lovely name," Fan Danxing thought to himself.

Translation: ""So her name is Murong Xue—what a lovely name," Fan Danxing thought to himself."

"Why are you still sneaking glances?" Hongxiao's face darkened as he again interrupted his view—what's up with this kid?

Translation: ""Why are you still sneaking a look?" Hongxiao's face darkened as he again cut off his gaze—what's up with this kid?"

"Sorry, fellow cultivator, I was rude."

Translation: ""Sorry, fellow cultivator—I was rude.""

Fan Danxing gave an embarrassed smile and sincerely said, "Indeed, I shouldn't have stared so blatantly at your senior sister; I was being forward."

Translation: "Fan Danxing gave an embarrassed smile and sincerely said, "Indeed, I shouldn't have stared so blatantly at your senior sister; it was my impropriety.""

"Fellow cultivator, let me introduce myself: I am the chief senior disciple of the Shenyuan Pill Pavilion, currently a six-star alchemist, and the designated future Pill Master of the Pavilion."

Translation: ""Fellow cultivator, let me introduce myself: I am the Chief Senior Disciple of the Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion, currently a Six‑Star Pill Master, and the appointed Pill Pavilion Heir for the next term.""

In order to team up with them, Fan Danxing gave a solemn self-introduction.

Translation: "In order to be able to team up with them, Fan Danxing gave a solemn self‑introduction."

"Oh? So you're the genius disciple the Shenyuan Pill Pavilion has been cultivating—no wonder your name sounds familiar."

Translation: ""Oh? So you're the genius disciple the Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion has been cultivating—no wonder your name sounds familiar.""

Hongxiao nodded in sudden realization; he had also heard from his royal elder brother that the next Pill Master of the Shenyuan Pill Pavilion is a prodigy not to be ignored.

Translation: "Hongxiao nodded in sudden realization; he had also heard this from his imperial elder brother—the next‑term Pill Pavilion Heir of the Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion is an unsurpassable heavenly talent."

However, due to his disinterest in fame and fortune, his reputation remains low—what's going on today?

Translation: "Although he keeps a low profile regarding fame and fortune, why is he acting like this today?"

At that moment, Murong Xue ahead noticed the situation and walked over slowly, saying, "Little Xiao, is this your friend?"

Translation: "At that moment, Murong Xue ahead noticed the situation and walked over slowly, saying, "Little Hongxiao, is this your friend?""

As the beauty arrived, her faint fragrance drifted on the breeze, leaving Fan Danxing flustered—his heart had never felt so stirred!

Translation: "When the beauty arrived, her faint fragrance drifted on the breeze, leaving Fan Danxing utterly flustered—his heart had never been so agitated!"

Hongxiao paused before replying, "Yes, senior sister, this is an old friend I haven't seen in years—a childhood playmate, the chief senior disciple of the Shenyuan Pill Pavilion, Fan Danxing."

Translation: "Hongxiao paused before replying, "Exactly, senior sister—this is an old friend I haven't seen in years, a childhood playmate, the iron‑buddy chief disciple of the Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion, Fan Danxing.""

He played at his house, I played at mine—saying we played together makes sense, right?

Translation: ""He played at his house, I played at mine—saying we played together actually makes sense, right?""

"Senior sister, my friend says he wants to team up with us for the Dragon Ascension gathering—is that okay?"

Translation: ""Senior sister, my friend says he wants to join our team for the Dragon Soaring Convention—is that all right?""

While speaking, Hongxiao also slung his arm over Fan Danxing's shoulder.

Translation: "While speaking, Hongxiao slung his arm over Fan Danxing's shoulder."

Seeing their familiar, brotherly pose of arms around each other's shoulders, one might truly mistake them for blood brothers.

Translation: "Seeing their shoulder‑to‑shoulder, back‑to‑back familiarity, one might truly mistake them for blood brothers."

"Since he's your old friend, Little Xiao, there's certainly no problem—the Dragon Ascension gathering is about to start; let's go quickly," Murong Xue said with a charming smile, then turned and led the way forward.

Translation: ""Since you're Little Hongxiao's old friend, of course there's no problem—the Dragon Soaring Convention is about to start; let's go," Murong Xue said with a sweet smile, then turned and led the way forward."

She didn't even give the old friend Hongxiao mentioned a second glance; the status of chief senior disciple of the Shenyuan Pill Pavilion wasn't enough to impress her.

Translation: "As for the old friend Hongxiao mentioned, she didn't even give him a second glance—the status of Chief Disciple of the Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion meant nothing to her."

Although Fan Danxing felt surprised inwardly, he still gave Hongxiao a grateful look—this brother is reliable!

Translation: "Although Fan Danxing felt surprised, he still gave Hongxiao a grateful look—this brother is reliable!"

The Dragon Ascension Prodigy Assembly proceeded smoothly, and Fan Danxing also learned from others the identity of his beloved: the little princess of the Murong Ancient Clan from the realm beyond the heavens! Such a status is awe‑inspiringly high!

Translation: "The Dragon Soaring Heavenly Pride Convention proceeded smoothly, and Fan Danxing also learned from others the identity of his beloved: the little princess of the Murong Ancient Clan in Heaven Outside Heaven—a status so lofty it's frightening!"

He also silently vowed to strive diligently in cultivation, for only then would he be worthy of the beauty.

Translation: "He also silently vowed to strive in his cultivation, for only then would he be worthy of the beauty."

In the days that followed, Fan Danxing clung to her like a stubborn plaster, constantly fawning over her; thanks to his connection with Hongxiao he could often see Murong Xue, but her attitude toward him remained consistently cold.

Translation: "Over the following days, Fan Danxing clung to her like a dog‑skin plaster, constantly fawning; thanks to his connection with Hongxiao he could often see Murong Xue, but her attitude toward him remained consistently cold."

Whenever he saw Murong Xue treating Hongxiao differently from everyone else, he would console himself: "Hongxiao is Little Xue's junior brother; it's only natural for her to show him extra care."

Translation: "Whenever he saw Murong Xue treating Hongxiao differently from everyone else, he would console himself: "Hongxiao is Little Xue's junior brother; it's only natural for her to show him extra care.""

One day, Hongxiao's few words shattered his fantasy: "Fan brother, what you're doing is useless; senior sister likes me—you can't possibly not see that, can you?"

Translation: "One day, Hongxiao's few words shattered his fantasy: "Brother Fan, what you're doing is useless—Senior Sister likes me; you can't not see that, can you?""

"No! Impossible!" Fan Danxing shook his head, jumped to his feet in agitation, and clenched his fists.

Translation: ""No! Impossible!" Fan Danxing shook his head, rose to his feet in agitation, and clenched his fists."

"That day, Xue gave me an extra glance—she definitely has feelings for me!"

Translation: "That day, Little Xue gave me an extra glance—she absolutely has feelings for me!"

"There's nothing impossible, Fan brother—don't deceive yourself. If you agree to one thing for me, I'll step aside and let you have senior sister—how about that?"

Translation: ""Nothing is impossible, Brother Fan—don't deceive yourself. If you agree to one thing for me, I'll step aside and let you have Senior Sister, how about that?""

"Really… really?" Upon hearing this, Fan Danxing, whose mood had been complex, lit up—he even wondered if he'd misheard.

Translation: ""Really… really?" Upon hearing this, Fan Danxing, whose mood had been complicated, lit up—he even wondered if he'd misheard."

"Absolutely certain—I need you to devote all the Pill Pavilion's strength to aid me. Once you take the Pill Master's seat, you must obey my commands."

Translation: ""Absolutely certain—I need you to devote all the Pill Pavilion's strength to help me; once you take the Pill Heir's seat, you must obey my orders.""

"Of course, I won't shortchange you—each time you complete a task I assign, I'll let you have a private date with senior sister. How does that sound?"

Translation: ""Of course, I won't short‑change you—each time you complete a task I assign, I'll let Senior Sister have a private date with you, how's that?""

Hongxiao looked at the person before him with a smile in his eyes, his tone firm: "This Pill Master position of the Pavilion is as good as mine."

Translation: "Hongxiao looked at the person before him with a smile in his eyes, his tone firm: "This Pill Pavilion Heir is as good as mine!""

Taking the throne of the Shengli Divine Lord is a foregone conclusion, but my ambitions go further—I aim to rule the Upper Three Dao Domains, and the Shenyuan Pill Pavilion would be a valuable ally.

Translation: ""Sitting on the throne of Divine Lord of Shengli is a foregone conclusion, but my ambitions don't stop there—to rule the entire Upper Three Dao Domains, the Divine Abyss Pill Pavilion would be a great help.""

As for the sister's side, I have plenty of schemes—though she is the little princess of the Murong Ancient Clan, could she mobilize her whole family to help me? Obviously not.

Translation: "As for the senior sister's side, I have plenty of plans—though she is the little princess of the Murong Ancient Clan, could she mobilize the whole clan's power to aid me? That's obviously impossible."

Upon hearing it, Fan Danxing's eyes widened in shock: "You…!"

Translation: "Upon hearing it, Fan Danxing's eyes widened in shock: "You…!""

The memory ends here; in the reception hall of Penglai Immortal Island, after recalling that ten‑year‑old pact, Fan Danxing's condition grew ever more deranged.

Translation: "The memory cut off there; in the reception hall of Penglai Immortal Island, after recalling that ten‑year‑old pact, Fan Danxing's state grew ever more deranged."

"Scoundrels! All scoundrels! Murong Xue! I don't even know how much I've sacrificed for you over these ten years, yet you died for that beast Hongxiao!"

Translation: ""Scoundrels! All scoundrels! Murong Xue—I don't know how much I've sacrificed for you over these ten years, yet you died for that beast Hongxiao!""

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Translation: "Smack! Smack! Smack!"

After saying that, he regretted it and slapped himself three times hard across the face.

Translation: "After saying that, he regretted it and slapped himself three hard blows across the face."

"Sorry, Xue! I truly deserve to die—I was speaking nonsense!"

Translation: ""I'm sorry, Little Xue—I truly deserve to die; I was speaking nonsense!""

"Exactly! This is all the fault of the Qingyun Immortal Sect! Blame them! I'll make them bury themselves with you!"

Translation: ""Exactly! All of this is the fault of the Azure Cloud Immortal Sect—blame them! I'll make them bury themselves with you!""

Time flew by, and the moment for the Alchemy Conference to begin—three o'clock in the afternoon—has arrived.

Translation: "Time flew by, and the moment the Pill Alchemy Convention was to begin—the third quarter of the Shen hour—had arrived."

At the island's center, this is the dedicated alchemy zone.

Translation: "At the island's center, this is the dedicated pill‑alchemy zone."

Countless alchemy platforms rise on this vast open plain, stretching as far as the eye can see; here the spiritual energy is exceptionally rich, ideal for alchemists to exert their abilities.

Translation: "Countless pill‑alchemy platforms rose on the boundless open ground, stretching as far as the eye could see; here the immortal spirit qi was richest, ideal for pill‑alchemists to exert themselves."

Around the alchemy zone stretch beautiful pavilions and towers, forming the spectator stands.

Translation: "Around the pill‑alchemy zone stood magnificent pavilions and terraces, serving as spectator seats."

At this moment, representatives of all factions have taken their seats in the stands, including the elders of major sects and the heads of great clans.

Translation: "At this moment, representatives of all powers had taken their seats in the spectator area—there were elders from the great sects and chiefs of the vast clans."

They all came here with a common purpose, all hoping to recruit a few powerful alchemists at the conference, or to dig up a few promising talents, to add strength to their own forces.

The host of the conference and several important elders of the judging panel have already taken their seats.

The host is personally undertaken by Divine Master Ziyan of Penglai Immortal Island, and the authoritative elders of the judging panel are three elders from God Abyss Pill Pavilion and two renowned god-rank alchemists in the alchemy world.

ps: Big shots, give a little push for updates; tomorrow's extra chapter will aim to finish this arc quickly.