Chapter 365

Madam Bai's tone became more ostentatious, more boastful, yet her boasting was of extremely high value.

Translate: "Madam Bai's tone grew more ostentatious, more boastful, yet her 'boasting' carried too much weight."

Madam Bai's tone grew more ostentatious, more boastful, yet her boasting was of extremely high value.

We need to keep single line.

One is an inner-door disciple of the Divine Blade Palace, another is a true successor of the Great Luo Holy Sect and an Earth Ranking disciple, both at the ninth level of the Sea of Qi Realm. Such status and cultivation have already surpassed most experts in the Twenty-One City Alliance; even the most fastidious person could not utter a single negative word.

Translate: "One inner disciple of the Divine Blade Palace, one true disciple and Earth Ranking disciple of the Da Luo Holy Sect, at the Ninth Level of the Qi Hai Realm! Such status and cultivation already surpassed most experts in the Twenty-One City Alliance; even the most fastidious person could not utter a single negative word."

could not utter a single negative word.

The ladies of all the families couldn't help but repeatedly urge and congratulate without cease.

Translate: "The ladies of all families present could not help but repeatedly urge and congratulate."

They waited for Bai Zixuan and Wang Ling to take their seats.

Translate: "Wait for Bai Zixuan and Wang Ling to take their seats."

A luxurious carriage, escorted by a group of guards, slowly approached and only stopped in front of the glazed tile platform and the tent; the curtains were drawn open, and two young ladies stepped down from the carriage.

Translate: "A luxurious carriage, escorted by a retinue of guards, slowly approached and only stopped before the glazed-tile platform and the tents; the curtains opened and two young women stepped down from the carriage."

stepped down from the carriage

Everyone present felt their eyes light up.

Translate: "Everyone present felt their eyes light up."

Especially one of them, tall and slender, with skin like smooth jade, a slightly baby‑faced face that nonetheless revealed a round, lustrous beauty; with every frown and smile she displayed a nation‑shattering loveliness and an extraordinary bearing.

Translate: "Especially one of them, tall and slender, with skin like congealed fat, a face slightly baby-faced yet revealing pearly roundness and jade-like luster; with every frown and smile she was a nation‑toppling beauty, her bearing extraordinary."

Song Dou'er, the top beauty of the Twenty-One Cities, is certainly no empty reputation.

Translate: "The number‑one beauty of the Twenty‑One City, Song Dou'er, is certainly no empty reputation."

As soon as she took her stand, she stunned everyone without saying a word.

Translate: "As soon as she stands there, without saying a word, she astonishes everyone."

However, Madam Song modestly introduced: "My little daughter Song Dou'er has a modest reputation; she is now cultivating at Maitreya Temple, and through her own effort she has become an outstanding lay disciple there, having reached the eighth level of the Sea of Qi Realm!"

Translate: "Yet Madam Song modestly introduced: 'My daughter Song Dou'er has a little fame; she now cultivates at the Maitreya Temple, and through her own effort she has become an outstanding lay disciple there, already at the Eighth Level of the Qi Hai Realm!'"

"Madam Song, what good fortune you have!"

Translate: "\"Madam Song, what good fortune! \"" (We need to keep quotes? The line includes quotes. We'll keep the quoted speech as is, but translate inside. So output: "\"Madam Song, what good fortune! \"").

"Miss Dou'er possesses heavenly beauty and extraordinary talent; she truly seems like a celestial being descended to earth!"

Translate: "\"Miss Dou'er, heavenly fragrance and national beauty, with extraordinary talent—truly a person descended from heaven! \"" (We need to keep quotes.)

The ladies and misses all around offered sincere praise.

Translate: "The ladies and misses all around offered sincere praise."

"You all have overpraised me!"

"You all flatter me!"

Not only was Madam Song beaming with pride, but even Song Nantian, who was drinking with others, gazed at his precious daughter with a face full of indulgence and self‑satisfaction.

Translate: "Not only was Madam Song full of pride, but even Song Nantian, while drinking with others, gazed at his precious daughter with a face full of indulgence and self‑satisfaction."

Song Dou'er is the pride of the entire Song family!

Translate: "Song Dou'er is the pride of the entire Song Clan!"

They waited for Song Dou'er and her companion Mu Lanqing to take their seats.

Translate: "Wait for Song Dou'er and her companion Mu Lanqing to sit down."

Outside the gate, another group of youths in splendid attire and spirited horses entered, their aura even more imposing.

Translate: "Outside the gate, another group of youths in splendid attire and spirited horses entered, their aura even more imposing."

Leading them were two youths: one tall and sturdy with a square face, smiling gently; the other had a delicate appearance but an icy countenance as cold as a sword.

Translate: "Leading them were two youths: one tall and sturdy with a square face, smiling gently; the other handsome in appearance, but his complexion was icy cold, as cold as a sword."

The nearly bursting‑with‑suppressed‑emotion matriarch of the Mu family from Muqing City smiled before speaking: "Let you all see the results—these two: one is my good‑for‑nothing son Mu Ti, only twenty‑three years old, an inner‑door disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect, having reached the second level of the Condensed Qi Realm!"

Translate: "The Madam Mu of Mu Qing City, nearly bursting with suppressed emotion, laughed before speaking: 'Let everyone see the effect—these two: one is my good‑for‑nothing son Mu Ti, just twenty‑three years old, an inner disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect, at the Second Level of Condensing Qi!'"

nearly bursting with suppressed emotion

The other, hehehe, said: "I am my maternal nephew—Xiao Yujian of Qu Feng City, a true disciple of Fall Sunset Valley, second in the Earth Ranking, a great expert of the Primordial Dan Realm, possessing the Ancient Candle Dragon Bloodline; if nothing unexpected happens, I will become a guardian of a region!"

Translate: "The other, hehehe, I am my maternal nephew's son—Xiao Yujian of Qu Feng City, a true disciple of Fall Sunset Valley, second in the Earth Ranking, a great expert of the Primordial Dan Realm, possessing the Ancient Candle Dragon Bloodline; if nothing unexpected happens, he will become a guardian of a region!"

The other, hehehe, I am my maternal nephew—Xiao Yujian of Qu Feng City, a true disciple of Fall Sunset Valley, second in the Earth Ranking, a great expert of the Primordial Dan Realm, possessing the Ancient Candle Dragon Bloodline; if nothing unexpected happens, he will become a guardian of a region!

"Boom..."

Translate: "\"Boom—\""

Nearly everyone present rose to their feet, including City Lord Song Nantian and his wife of Nan Yan City.

Translate: "Almost everyone present rose to their feet, including the Lord of Nan Yan City, Song Nantian, and his wife."

This is a sign of respect for a Primordial Dan Realm expert!

Translate: "This is respect for a Primordial Dan Realm expert!"

Out of a thousand people, only one can qualify to cultivate to the Condensed Qi Realm; out of a thousand Condensed Qi cultivators, only one can break through to the Sea of Qi Realm; and out of a thousand Sea of Qi cultivators, only one can break through to the Primordial Dan Realm.

Translate: "Out of a thousand people, only one can qualify to cultivate to the Condensing Qi Realm; out of a thousand Condensing Qi cultivators, only one can break through to the Qi Hai Realm; out of a thousand at the Qi Hai Realm, only one can break through to the Primordial Dan Realm."

With such daunting odds and such talent, it is no surprise that not only will the Mu family share in the glory, but it can be determined that the Xiao family of Qu Feng City will surely rise to prominence!

Translate: "With such terrifying odds and such talent, it is no surprise that not only the Mu Clan gains glory, but we can even determine that the Xiao Clan of Qu Feng City will surely rise to prominence!"

"Brother! Cousin!"

"Brother! Cousin!"

Mu Lanqing's eyes sparkled with stars as she frantically waved her hands.

Translate: "Mu Lanqing's eyes sparkled with stars as she frantically waved her hands."

Beside her, Song Dou'er also rose to her feet, her gaze toward Xiao Yujian gaining extra brilliance.

Translate: "Beside her, Song Dou'er also rose to her feet, her gaze toward Xiao Yujian gaining extra spirit."

In the world of cultivation, the measure of a man's worth is not how wealthy he is or how good his background, but how high his talent and how high his cultivation.

Translate: "In the cultivation world, the standard for judging a man's worth is not how wealthy he is or how good his background, but how high his talent and how high his cultivation."

Once talent and cultivation are attained, everything else follows!

Translate: "Once talent and cultivation are attained, everything is possessed!"

A person like Xiao Yujian, even if he talked until the end of the heavens, is undoubtedly a promising man—hard not to attract attention!

Translate: "A person like Xiao Yujian, even if he talked about the heavens, is undoubtedly a promising prospect—hard not to attract attention!"

However, aside from Mu Ti's constant smiling and various courteous replies, Xiao Yujian's face showed hardly any expression at all.

Translate: "However, aside from Mu Ti's constant smiling salutations, Xiao Yujian's face showed hardly any expression."

Whether polite or not, he doesn't care, nor does he need to; being able to come to this winter hunting ground is already due to being coerced by his parents and family!

Translate: "Whether polite or not, he doesn't care, nor does he need to; being able to come to this Winter Hunting Grounds is already due to being coerced by his parents and family!"

Wait for the two of them to take their seats.

Translate: "Wait for the two to take their seats."

Madam Bai suddenly turned to the silent Heng Yue Ruo on the low stool and said: "Madam Iron, where are your children? I heard your maternal nephews are quite good!"

Translate: "Madam Bai suddenly looked at the silent Heng Yue Ruo on the low stool ahead: 'Iron Lady, where is your child? I heard your maternal nephews are quite good!'"

In her words, she directly ignored Wang Qing and the others.

Translate: "In her speech she directly ignored Wang Qing and the others."

Heng Yue Ruo slightly furrowed her brows.

Translate: "Heng Yue Ruo frowned slightly."

Beside them, Wang Qing and his companions' faces turned a dark purple; they had originally been senior sect disciples, but after their matriarch passed away a few years ago they returned to observe mourning for three years, and their cultivation has not kept up.

Translate: "Beside them, Wang Qing and a few others' faces turned purplish; they had originally been disciples of a great sect, but after their matriarch passed away a few years ago they returned to observe mourning for three years, and their cultivation has not kept up."

"What's wrong? Madam Iron seems unusually quiet today!" the matriarch of the Mu family also laughed.

Translate: "\"What's wrong? Iron Lady seems especially quiet today! \" Madam Mu also laughed."

Heng Yue Ruo gritted her teeth and finally looked at Wang Qing, asking: "How has Heng Xian been these past years?"

Translate: "Heng Yue Ruo gritted her teeth, finally looking at Wang Qing: 'How has Heng Xian been these past years?'"

Wang Qing furrowed his brow and replied softly: "Auntie, I've told you, you need to hold on—when I returned three years ago, I heard he originally had decent talent, but it seems he did something wrong and was hunted by the various sects; these past years, we're in a remote place and no news has reached us, so I don't know!"

Translate: "Wang Qing furrowed his brow, replying in a low voice: 'Aunt, I've told you—you must hold on. When I returned three years ago, I heard he originally had decent talent, but it seems he did something wrong and was hunted by the great sects; these past years, we're in a backwater, no news has reached us, so I don't know!'"

Heng Yue Ruo suddenly realized that her nephew had not sent any letters in years, possibly indicating more misfortune than good; moreover, she did not want her husband's family nor her own to lack a capable child, and her body involuntarily swayed a few times.

Translate: "Heng Yue Ruo suddenly thought that her nephew had not sent a letter in all these years, likely more misfortune than fortune; moreover, she did not want her natal and marital families to have not a single promising child, and her body swayed involuntarily."

"Auntie!" several young ladies of the Wang family hurried to support her.

Translate: "\"Aunt! \" several young ladies of the Wang Clan hurried to support her."

"Pfft!" upon seeing this, the ladies behind could not help but burst out laughing.

Translate: "\"Pfft! \" Upon seeing this, the ladies behind could not help but laugh out loud."

At that moment, City Lord Song Nantian of Nan Yan City, seeing that the time was about right, rose and gave a light cough, saying: "Everyone who could make it here are members of our Twenty-One City Alliance; the winter hunt is not merely hunting, but also a test of the cultivation, talent, courage, and valor of our young men and women!"

Translate: "At this moment, the Lord of Nan Yan City, Song Nantian, seeing that the time was about right, rose and gave a light cough: 'Everyone! Those who could make it here are all members of the Twenty‑One City Alliance; the winter hunt is not merely hunting, but also a test of the cultivation, talent, courage and valor of the youths and maidens of the Twenty‑One Cities!'"

"This has nothing to do with rankings or competition; we simply wish to give full play to our abilities, so that the Twenty-One Cities may have successors!"

Translate: "This has nothing to do with rankings or competition; I only wish for everyone to give their all, to show that the Twenty‑One Cities have successors……"

The yin-yang master delivered an opening remark that lasted half an incense stick's time, with a hesitant, staggered tone.

Translate: "Yin Yang Dun Cuo delivered an opening remark that lasted half an incense stick's time."

Having finished, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd.

Translate: "Upon finishing, the audience burst into thunderous applause."

Immediately, a senior steward of the Song family stepped forward and shouted loudly: "Begin!"

Translate: "Immediately, a steward of the Song Clan stepped forward and shouted loudly: 'Begin!'"

"Dong dong..."

Translate: "\"Thud—thud—\""

A deep, muffled drumbeat sounded, and the vast hunting ground instantly changed its atmosphere.

Translate: "The dull drumbeats sounded, and the vast hunting ground's atmosphere instantly changed."

First, a group of Song cultivators, bare-chested, dressed as ancient hunters, ran onto the field to dance and sang a hunting song that made the blood surge.

Translate: "First, a group of Song Clan cultivators bared their upper bodies, dressed as ancient hunters, ran to the field to dance, and sang a stirring hunting song that made the blood surge."

Next, hundreds of martial artists lifted up more than twenty different styles of bows and arrows, along with countless arrows, onto the field.

Translate: "Next, hundreds of martial artists lifted twenty‑odd varieties of bows and arrows, along with countless arrows, onto the field."

The Song family steward then loudly announced: "In this winter hunt, there are twenty-one bows, all of ancient design, straight-pull bows, including the one‑stone, three‑stone, five‑stone, ten‑stone, twenty‑stone, thirty‑stone…"

Translate: "The Song Clan steward then loudly announced: 'In this winter hunt there are twenty‑one bows, all ancient‑style straight‑pull bows, divided into one‑stone bows, three‑stone bows, five‑stone bows, ten‑stone bows, twenty‑stone bows, thirty‑stone bows……'"

the one‑hundred‑stone, two‑hundred‑stone, three‑hundred‑stone…

Translate: "hundred‑stone bows, two‑hundred‑stone bows, three‑hundred‑stone bows……"

the thousand‑stone bow! Heaven‑piercing bow! Treasure‑hawk bow! Heaven‑crossbow! Divine‑strength bow!

Translate: "thousand‑stone bow! Heaven‑shooting bow! Precious‑hawk bow! Heaven crossbow! Divine‑power bow!"

The last one is the treasure of our Nan Yan City Song family, the Shock‑Slaying Divine Bow!

Translate: "The final one is the treasure that guards our Nan Yan City Song Clan manor—the Thunder‑slaying divine bow!"

When the formation is activated shortly, various ferocious beasts and demonic beasts of all levels will charge forth; you may freely choose which bow to use to slay them!

Translate: "When the formation opens later, various fierce beasts and demonic beasts of all levels will charge forth; each of you may choose whichever bow to use for shooting them down!"

But, careful selection above the thousand‑stone bow easily harms oneself! Especially the Tremor‑Killing Divine Bow!

Just as the words fell, not far away, the eldest son of the Mu family, Mu Tixiao, said with a smile: 'It is said that whoever can draw the Thunder-Slaying Divine Bow, if under forty years old, may marry Miss Song Dou'er? Whether true or not?'

Swish——

All eyes turned toward the Song family and Song Dou'er.

Song Dou'er's expression shifted slightly, yet her appearance grew all the more enticing.

Song Nantian laughed loudly to the heavens: "Hahaha, well said, young man, but you must measure your strength; the Thunder-Slaying Divine Bow is our Song family's ancestral divine artifact, used to suppress the scene! It weighs 6,900 stone, with a draw force of 850,000 jin, requiring not only divine strength but also a terrifying physique!"

Even ancestors below the Post-Primordial Core realm and the legendary Nascent Soul stage could not draw it; otherwise, a backlash from the bow's power would cause anything from severe injury to death!

Of course, if there were any Post-Primordial Core or Nascent Soul ancestors under forty willing to draw the bow, what would this old man have to say about marrying off his daughter?

'Father!' Song Dou'er exclaimed angrily.

'Hehehe...' Song Nantian stroked his beard and laughed long.

Mu Tixiao found it boring, sullenly shut his mouth; let alone needing a divine body to draw the Thunder-Slaying Divine Bow, even a draw force of 850,000 jin would cost him his life!

No! Even a draw force of 100,000 jin, he could barely pull!

At that moment, the chief steward again shouted: 'Open the formation!'

'Yes!'

Those who had been dancing and singing the hunting song withdrew, as hundreds of Song family experts rushed toward the opposite lake and forest, opening the defensive formation.

'Roar...'

Myriad beasts roared, charging forth in a frenzy.

(End of Chapter)