Chapter 269

"The sect disciples, affecting an archaic speech, chatted with the scholar in a chaotic mess, making one's teeth sour."

"The sect disciples, affecting an archaic speech, chatted with the scholar in a chaotic mess, making one's teeth sour."

Same.

Thus line 1: "The sect disciples, affecting an archaic speech, chatted with the scholar in a chaotic mess, making one's teeth sour."

"However, except for a few unlucky ignoramuses who were truly ignorant, got led by the scholar's rhythm and then burned to death by inner fire, most people were orderly... and yet were finding fault with the scholar."

"However, except for a few unlucky ignoramuses who were led by the scholar's rhythm and then burned to death by inner fire, most people were orderly... and yet were finding fault with the scholar."

"Heng Xian lightly shook his head and stepped forward on the rope."

Translation: "Heng Xian lightly shook his head and stepped onto the rope, moving forward."

"Afterward, the path was smooth, with nothing strange appearing."

Translation: "Afterwards, the path was smooth, with nothing strange appearing."

"When they had walked halfway, the sect disciples behind them suddenly caught up, their eyes burning with fervor."

Translation: "When he had walked halfway, the sect disciples behind him finally came rushing up, their eyes burning with fervor."

"Ye Hongxue laughed loudly: 'Cat-face guy, you really have something! Saying you're sly seems a bit off—I think you're very smart, a promising talent!'"

Translation: "Ye Hongxue laughed loudly: 'Cat-faced Man, you really have something! Saying you're sly seems a bit off—I think you're very clever, a promising talent!'"

"Yu Qiuyi also smiled: 'Which sect are you from? Why hide your head and show your tail? Better to show your true self, let's be friends—if we truly meet an opportunity, I'll stick close to you, how about that?'"

Translation: "Yu Qiuyi also smiled: 'Which sect are you from? Why hide your head and show your tail? Better to show your true self, let's be friends. If we truly encounter fate, we'll rely on you—how about that?'"

"Heng Xian lazily responded, not even bothering with any extra movement."

Translation: "Heng Xian couldn't be bothered to respond, not even making an unnecessary move."

"Jiang Ruyan smiled and said: 'You're not old, your cultivation is already strong, with plenty of clever schemes—you're a likable smart person; I wonder if you have a dao companion?'"

Translation: "Jiang Ruoyan laughed: 'You're not old, your cultivation is already not weak, and with your myriad schemes, you're a likable clever person—I wonder if you have a dao companion?'

"I have many female cultivator friends from various sects who have gone through hardships together, each of extraordinary talent—shall I introduce them to you?"

Translation: "I have many female cultivator friends from various sects who have shared hardships with me, each of peerless talent—shall I introduce them to you?"

"'Senior Sister Jiang, you have quite the means!' Shen Qiong chuckled, then looked at Heng Xian, who still showed no reaction, and frowned: 'We want to speak freely with you, but are you being this arrogant too rude?'"

Translation: "'Senior Sister Jiang, you have quite the means!' Shen Qiong chuckled, then looked at Heng Xian. Seeing he still showed no reaction, she frowned: 'We want to speak openly with you, but are you being this arrogant too rude?'"

"Heng Xian still couldn't be bothered to respond; this group had lost their rhythm."

Translation: "Heng Xian still couldn't be bothered to pay attention; this group's rhythm is no longer needed."

"At that moment, Huangfu Taiqing lightly tapped the rope with one foot, using a simple jumping technique to leap several times to Heng Xian's side, looked at him, and said: 'I only want to know how you figured out the scholar's secret; I've thought about it for a long time, but the scholar shows no flaw, so I have no starting point.'"

Translation: "At this moment, Huangfu Taiqing lightly tapped the rope with one foot, using a pure jumping technique, leapt several times to Heng Xian's side, looked at him, and said: 'I only want to know how you figured out that scholar's secret; I've pondered it for a long time, but the scholar shows no flaw, so I have no starting point!'"

"Everyone also stared intently at Heng Xian; this was the question on everyone's mind."

Translation: "Everyone also stared intently at Heng Xian; this was the question on everyone's mind."

"Heng Xian glanced at Huangfu Taiqing and calmly replied: 'Just a guess.'"

Translation: "Heng Xian glanced at Huangfu Taiqing and said calmly: 'Just a guess.'"

"'A guess...'"

Translation: "'A guess...'"

"Huangfu Taiqing furrowed his brow."

Translation: "Huangfu Taiqing furrowed his brows."

"Guessing means betting one's life against the scholar, but this guy just now was calm and composed, his tone unhurried—obviously it couldn't be a guess."

Translation: "Guessing means betting one's life against the scholar, but this guy just now was calm and composed, his tone unhurried—obviously he couldn't have been guessing."

"But since they don't want to say, he didn't feel right pressing further."

Translation: "But since they don't want to say, he also couldn't keep asking."

"Behind them, Ye Hongxue said: 'Senior Brother Huangfu, you don't need to ask him; he won't tell. I suggest we all work together later to capture him and pull off his mask, how about that?'"

Translation: "Behind them, Ye Hongxue said: 'Senior Brother Huangfu, you don't need to ask him; he won't tell. I suggest we all work together later to capture him and pull off his mask—how about that?'"

"Everyone looked toward the shore ahead, and their hearts leapt."

Translation: "Everyone looked toward the shore ahead, their hearts involuntarily fluttering."

"Heng Xian turned his head to look at Ye Hongxue and asked: 'Are you sure?'"

Translation: "Heng Xian turned his head to look at Ye Hongxue: 'Are you sure?'"

"'I...'"

Translation: "'I...'"

"Ye Hongxue swallowed the words that had risen to her throat, gazing into the eyes beneath the cat-face man's mask, feeling a chill rise from her core."

Translation: "Ye Hongxue swallowed the words that had risen to her throat, gazing into the eyes beneath the 'Cat-faced Man's' mask, feeling a chill rise from her core."

"Along this road, the cat-face man has tricked them too many times; in this eerie place, even if one's cultivation is higher, it's useless—most of the time it's not about cultivation, and if the cat-face man puts all his effort into trapping one person, then…"

Translation: "Along this way, the 'Cat-faced Man' has tricked me too many times; in this eerie place, even if one's cultivation is higher, it's useless—most of the time it's not about cultivation, and if the 'Cat-faced Man' uses all his strength to scheme against a single person, then..."

"It's practically a nightmare!"

Translation: "It's practically a nightmare!"

"Heng Xian turned his head away."

Translation: "Heng Xian turned his head away."

"Ye Hongxue's face burned hot; though she felt timid, her pride wouldn't let her back down, and she angrily shouted: 'A river of spring water flows eastward!'"

Translation: "Ye Hongxue's face burned hot; though she was timid, her pride was slightly hurt, and she involuntarily shouted: 'A river of spring water flows eastward!'"

"These words have no real power or meaning, but shouting them feels satisfying."

Translation: "These words have no lethal power nor any meaning, but shouting them feels relieving."

"The group continued forward, seeing that the shore was still more than ten zhang away, the opposite bank a picture of clear mountains and beautiful water—pleasant scenery. Yet suddenly, the rope beneath them underwent a violent jolt."

Translation: "The group continued forward; seeing that they were still over ten zhang from the shore, the opposite bank showed clear mountains and beautiful water, a pleasant sight. Yet the rope beneath their feet suddenly underwent violent shaking."

"Everyone swung back and forth on the rope like a swing, but the murderous qi in the river suppressed their cultivation, making their bodies feel heavy."

Translation: "Everyone swung back and forth on the rope like a swing, but the murderous qi in the river suppressed their cultivation, making their bodies feel heavy."

"This thrilling, dangerous situation hardly needs mentioning."

Translation: "This thrilling, dangerous excitement need not be mentioned."

"'What's going on?' Hebizhi shouted loudly."

Translation: "'What's going on?' He Bizi shouted loudly."

"No one answered; nobody knew what had happened."

Translation: "No one answered; nobody knew what had happened."

"Then, at that moment, each person saw a pile of strange things appear directly beneath them—"

Translation: "Then, at that moment, directly beneath each person, a pile of strange things appeared—"

"treasure swords, technique jade slips, spiritual armor, various magical artifacts—"

Translation: "treasure swords, technique jade slips, spiritual armor, various magical artifacts—"

"all lifelike and radiant, exuding potent spiritual energy."

Translation: "all lifelike and radiant, exuding potent spiritual energy."

"Crucially, they were swept up by the waves and within easy reach."

Translation: "Crucially, they were swept up by the waves and within easy reach."

"Almost everyone had the same thought: this was the reward and opportunity after crossing the rope."

Translation: "Almost everyone had the same thought: this is the reward and fate awaiting after crossing the rope."

"Instantly, half of them steadied themselves and reached out to grab."

Translation: "Instantly, half of them steadied their bodies and reached out to grab."

"But just as they were about to touch them, all the treasures vanished instantly; in the bloody water, a huge monster appeared, jaws full of fangs, ferocious and evil-looking, gulping down a person whole—or half—and tearing at them."

Translation: "But just as they were about to touch, all the treasures vanished in an instant; in the bloody water, a huge monster appeared, jaws full of fangs, ferocious and terrifying, gulping down a person whole—or half—and tearing them apart."

"In an instant, cries of anguish, falling sounds, and the snapping of ropes filled the air."

Translation: "For a moment, everywhere echoed with screams, falling sounds, and the snapping of ropes."

"Those who restrained their greed or merely watched were left stunned, mouths agape."

Translation: "Those who remained, having restrained their greed or merely watched, were left stunned in shock."

"Such an illusion is too direct and brutal, not standing up to scrutiny, yet it instantly attracts many people's greed."

Translation: "Such an illusion is too direct and brutal, and cannot withstand scrutiny, yet it instantly attracts many people's greed."

"'Ah…'"

Translation: "'Ah...'"

"Wails and splashing sounds continued without cease."

Translation: "Screams and splashing sounds continued without cease."

"A group of people couldn't even muster their spiritual power, relying solely on brute strength, and were utterly unable to resist."

Translation: "A group of people couldn't even muster their spiritual power, relying solely on brute strength, utterly unable to resist."

"'Junior Brother…'"

Translation: "'Junior Brother...'"

"'Junior Sister…'"

Translation: "'Junior Sister...'"

"Core formation experts from various sects exerted themselves to rescue."

Translation: "Core Formation experts from various sects exerted themselves to rescue."

"Ye Ling'er of the Tian Yuan Sect also felt greed, reaching out to pinch a jade slip, but the instant she tried to touch it, an hideous crocodile monster bit her wrist and violently dragged her down."

Translation: "Ye Ling'er of the Tianyuan Sect also felt greed, reaching out to pinch a jade slip, but just as she was about to touch it, an hideously ugly crocodile monster bit her wrist and violently dragged her down."

"It happened too suddenly, leaving her completely unable to resist."

Translation: "It happened too suddenly, leaving her completely unable to resist."

"In the instant she fell into the blood river, her face paled, and helplessly she reached out her other hand toward Lin Xiuyu on the nearby rope, crying: 'Senior Sister, save me!'"

Translation: "In the instant she fell into the blood river, her face paled, and helplessly she stretched out her other hand toward Lin Shuyu on the nearby rope: 'Senior Sister, save me!'"

"Lin Xiuyu without hesitation whipped a strip of white silk around the rope, pulled on the silk, swiftly descended, and grabbed Ye Ling'er's hand, wrapping it in the silk."

Translation: "Lin Shuyu hesitated not, waving a length of white silk wrapped around the rope, pulling the silk, she swiftly descended, grabbing Ye Ling'er's hand and entwining it in the silk."

"However, the crocodile was too huge and strong, its jaws locked onto Ye Ling'er's other hand and would not let go."

Translation: "However, the crocodile was too huge, its strength greater, biting Ye Ling'er's other hand and refusing to let go."

Creak...

Translation: "'Creak—'"

The white gauze is stretched tight; the rope on it has snapped two fine strands, and it looks like it's about to break.

Translation: "The white silk was pulled taut, the rope above it fraying in two strands, about to snap."

"Senior Sister Lin." Ye Ling'er gazed at the rope, as if she had suddenly understood again, and gave a sad smile, "In the Tian Yuan Sect, my greatest blessing is having met you and Master; don't worry about me, go up."

Translation: "'Senior Sister Lin.' Ye Ling'er looked at the rope, as if in that instant she had let go, giving a bleak smile: 'In the Tianyuan Sect, my greatest fortune has been knowing you and my master; forget me, go up.'"

Saying that, she was about to undo the white gauze.

Translation: "Saying this, she was about to undo the white silk."

Lin Shuyu's brow furrowed slightly, she said coldly: "Don't talk nonsense, hold on!"

Speaking, she loosened the white gauze, lessened the rope's burden, and fell straight down, swinging her sword with her right hand, heavily stabbing into the left eye of the crocodile monster below.

The crocodile monster winced in pain and suddenly opened its mouth.

Lin Shuyu seized the moment, tapping the crocodile monster's head with her toes, using the force to lift Ye Ling'er and shoot upward.

Who would have thought that just as she had gotten halfway up, the crocodile monster let out an angry roar, leapt out of the water again with even greater ferocity, and bit down hard on Lin Shuyu's bare foot.

Lin Shuyu made a show of resisting, but she simply couldn't muster any strength.

"Creak!"

The rope above snapped halfway.

"Senior sister!" Ye Ling'er gasped in shock.

Lin Shuyu's breathing grew rough; she suddenly grabbed Ye Ling'er's waist and shoved her upward with force.

Ye Ling'er rushed straight for the rope above, while she was dragged by the crocodile toward the Blood River.

"Senior sister!" Ye Ling'er grabbed the rope with one hand and let out a fierce roar, lowering her head.

She wanted to follow Lin Shuyu down to rescue her, but her whole body had no strength at all.

"Junior sister Lin!" Niu Wanli, Liu Yu, and others not far away shouted in alarm.

"Xiao Yu!" At that moment, Huo Yuanqing hooked his foot onto the rope, pulling another Tianyuan Sect disciple below, caught in a dilemma, he stared fixedly at Lin Shuyu as she was about to fall into the Blood River, his eyes bloodshot and veins bulging on his forehead.

Lin Shuyu looked at the crowd, gave a light smile, her appearance gentle and beautiful: "Having heard the Dao in the morning, I can die content in the evening. Please tell my master, at the Remote Heaven Hut, leave a thatched shed, plant a single white angelica flower; Shuyu will someday return her soul to fulfill filial duty."

Saying this, she ceased resistance, closed her eyes, and sank with the crocodile monster into the Blood River.

However, at that moment, her waist tightened, and she was embraced by a pair of large hands.

A voice sounded in her ear: "Again jumping into the river to be swallowed by a fish—I'm increasingly convinced that karma is real!"

Lin Shuyu snapped her eyes open to see a person beside her, wearing a cat-face mask and a bamboo hat, his right arm locked around her waist, his scorching breath blowing on her face.

The breath smelled wonderful and familiar—this was a kind of bodily fragrance produced after circulating the five viscera through some high-level primary cultivation method!

"It's you…" she suddenly widened her eyes.

(End of chapter)