Chapter 126

Ding! Your pet peregrine falcon Little Grey has earned the title "Flying Eagle Sword Knight," congratulations, you receive the reward: Constitution +1!

Translation: "Ding! Your pet Peregrine Falcon Little Gray has earned the title 'Flying Eagle Sword Hero', congratulations on receiving the reward: Physique+1!"

We need to keep the punctuation? Probably keep as is. Use English. Use exact glossary: Peregrine Falcon Little Gray (from glossary line2). Flying Eagle Sword Hero. Physique+1.

A mechanical, cold voice rang in his mind, startling Wang Ping'an, who was tallying the rewards from this good deed; a smile lit his face as he said proudly:

Translation: "A mechanically cold, mechanical-sounding voice rang out in his mind, startling Wang Ping'an, who had been tallying up the gains from this good deed, his small face full of joy, he said proudly:"

But need to be faithful, not add extra. Let's translate more directly: "A mechanically cold voice sounded in his mind, startling Wang Ping'an, who was tallying the gains from this good deed, his small face full of joy, he said proudly:"

said proudly:

"I didn't expect it, truly didn't expect it—this time, after doing a good deed, that little rascal Little Grey actually earned a title!"

Translation: "'I never expected, I really never expected, that this time doing good deeds, this little guy actually also earned a title!'"

But need to keep quotes? Chinese uses 【】 for quotes. We can use double quotes or single. Probably use double quotes. Keep exclamation.

However.

Translation: "However."

At the thought of the title "Flying Eagle Sword Knight," a strange glint flashed in Wang Ping'an's eyes; logically, that title should belong to him.

Translation: "Upon thinking of the title 'Flying Eagle Sword Hero', a strange look flashed in Wang Ping'an's eyes; logically, this title should have been his."

He can both command Little Grey the falcon and wield sword qi.

Translation: "He could both command Peregrine Falcon Little Gray and control Sword Qi."

He never saw it coming…

Translation: "He never would have imagined..."

This title was actually snatched away by Little Grey the falcon!

Translation: "This title was actually snatched away by Peregrine Falcon Little Gray!"

Of course.

Translation: "Of course."

He isn't jealous, because the title is a good thing for Little Grey, whether for himself or for the falcon.

Translation: "He wasn't jealous, because giving this title to Peregrine Falcon Little Gray is also a good thing, for both him and Peregrine Falcon Little Gray."

From now on, whenever Little Grey does a good deed and spreads the name, he'll earn a "Constitution +1" reward each day.

Translation: "In the future, whenever Peregrine Falcon Little Gray does good deeds and spreads its name, it will receive the Physique+1 reward every day."

Just like the Black Cat Detective!

Translation: "Just like Hei Mao Bu Tou!"

These past days, it has frequently received the villagers of Hǔtóugōu's heartfelt gratitude, with rewards skyrocketing, which is why it has advanced so rapidly, half a step into the threshold of a spiritual beast.

Translation: "These days, it often receives sincere gratitude from the villagers of Hutou Gou, rewards skyrocketing; that's why it has progressed so quickly, half a foot stepping into the threshold of spirit beasts."

Unfortunately.

Translation: "Unfortunately."

Little Grey wants to spread his "Flying Eagle Sword Knight" title and earn others' heartfelt gratitude, but it won't be as simple as it was for the Black Cat Detective.

Translation: "Peregrine Falcon Little Gray wants to spread its 'Flying Eagle Sword Hero' name and earn sincere gratitude from others, but it won't be as simple as Hei Mao Bu Tou."

The Black Cat Detective only needed to deal with the mice in the granary to earn sincere thanks, whereas Little Grey has to risk his life to rescue people from danger; besides earning heartfelt gratitude,

Translation: "Who let Hei Mao Bu Tou only need to solve the mice in the granary to earn sincere gratitude, while Peregrine Falcon Little Gray must risk life and limb to rescue people from danger, but besides gaining sincere gratitude,"

he can also gain a large amount of merit!

Translation: "it can also gain a large amount of Merit!"

For example, this time, besides the black‑clad leader contributing a full 1,000 merit points, the other black‑clad individuals contributed fewer merit points, likely due to the misdeeds they've committed.

Translation: "For example, this time, besides the Black Clothes faction leader contributing a full thousand points of Merit to him, the other Black Clothes members, although contributing little Merit, likely related to the bad deeds they have done."

The more misdeeds they commit, the more merit they earn; clearly, a black‑clad person who contributed a thousand merit points at once is a creature fit for the eighteenth level of hell.

Translation: "The more bad deeds one does, the more Merit one gains; thus, the Black Clothes member who contributed a thousand points of Merit all at once is a beast worthy of the Eighteen Levels of Hell."

The other black‑clad individuals contributed roughly five to six hundred merit points; combined with the leader's thousand, that's enough to raise one skill from Mastery to the Small Accomplishment stage, and to upgrade another five or six skills to Mastery.

Translation: "The other Black Clothes members likely contributed five or six hundred Merit; adding the leader's thousand Merit, he has enough to raise one skill from Mastery to Minor Completion, and raise another five or six skills to Mastery."

Wang Ping'an summoned the panel, and as he stared at the dazzling array of numbers, an unmistakable joy lit his face; his peripheral vision caught "Merit: 1702," and his eyes shone even brighter.

Translation: "Wang Ping'an summoned the panel, seeing the dazzling numbers on it, his face full of undisguised delight; in his peripheral vision he saw 'Merit: 1702', his glowing eyes growing ever brighter."

His gaze lingered on the glowing gold "+" that appeared after "Skill: Sword Nurturing 【Mastery】"; beyond the Small Accomplishment skill, all other talents, skills, and techniques…

Translation: "His gaze lingered on the flashing golden '+' that appeared after 'Skill: Sword Nurturing Technique 【Mastery】', besides skills of Minor Completion, the remaining talents, skills, cultivation methods, etc."

All the others also have a gold‑flashing "+" sign.

Translation: "Afterward, all of them had a flashing golden '+' sign."

In other words, aside from Small Accomplishment level, skills of other levels can be upgraded, which also shows that 1,000 merit points aren't enough to upgrade a Small Accomplishment‑level skill.

Translation: "That is to say, except for the Minor Completion level, skills of other levels can be upgraded; likewise, this indicates that a thousand Merit is insufficient to upgrade a Minor Completion-level skill."

"Could it be that upgrading a Small Accomplishment‑level skill requires ten thousand merit points?"

Translation: "'Could it be that upgrading a Minor Completion-level skill requires ten thousand Merit?'"

Wang Ping'an recalled the skill level upgrades from Beginner to Small Accomplishment, which are:

Translation: "Wang Ping'an recalled that skill level advancement, from Entry Level to Minor Completion, respectively are:"

Ten merit points, one hundred merit points, and one thousand merit points!

Translation: "Ten Merit, one hundred Merit, and one thousand Merit!"

Although.

Translation: "Although."

Wang Ping'an was quite surprised that upgrading a Small Accomplishment‑level skill would require so many merit points, but he's still young, with many years ahead, plenty of opportunities to earn merit, so a mere ten thousand points aren't a big deal.

Translation: "Wang Ping'an was greatly surprised that upgrading a Minor Completion-level skill would require so much Merit, but he is still young, with a long life ahead, many opportunities to gain Merit, so ten thousand Merit is nothing."

Currently.

Translation: "Currently."

The most important thing is to upgrade the skill "Sword Nurturing" from Mastery to Small Accomplishment, then find another six or seven skills to upgrade to Mastery.

Translation: "Most importantly, he still needs to upgrade the Skill: Sword Nurturing Technique from Mastery to Minor Completion, then seek to upgrade another six or seven skills to Mastery."

Just as Wang Ping'an was about to mentally confirm the "+" after "Sword Nurturing," his peripheral vision caught the recently appeared technique "Moon Worship Sutra," and his mind instantly recalled the "Purple Sun Sutra."

Translation: "Just as Wang Ping'an was about to confirm with his intent the '+' after the Skill: Sword Nurturing Technique, his peripheral vision caught the recently appeared 'Moon Worship Sutra' on the cultivation methods, and immediately he recalled the 'Purple Yang Sutra' in his mind."

His internal meridians hadn't fully formed, so he couldn't open a dantian, but since he upgraded the "Purple Sun Sutra" to Small Accomplishment, a synthetic dantian appeared inside him, supplying a constant flow of magical energy. However,

Translation: "His meridians had not yet fully formed, his dantian could not be opened, but after he upgraded the Purple Yang Sutra to Minor Completion, an artificial dantian appeared inside him, providing a continuous supply of magical power. However,"

each time he practices the "Purple Sun Sutra," he converts spiritual energy into magical power stored in the synthetic dantian, no longer being devoured by his body, which prevents him from continuing to receive rewards.

Translation: "Each time he cultivates the Purple Yang Sutra, converting spiritual energy into magical power stored in the artificial dantian, no longer being devoured by his physique, resulting in him no longer being able to continue gaining rewards."

One could say it's a trade‑off!

Translation: "It's truly a case of gain entailing loss!"

However, he can clearly feel that the gains far outweigh the losses—by tenfold, twentyfold, or even more.

Translation: "However, he can clearly feel that the gain outweighs the loss by tenfold, twentyfold, or even more."

The continuously stored magical power in his body allows him to casually use one skill after another without having to rely on ambient spiritual energy, which previously tied a skill's strength to the strength of the surrounding qi.

Translation: "The continuously stored magical power within his body allows him to casually use one skill after another, without needing to rely on heavenly and earthly spiritual energy as before, which made skill power dependent on the strength of that spiritual energy."

Not only does it consume a huge amount of mental stamina, but each skill execution is also painfully slow.

Translation: "Not to mention the enormous consumption of mental power, each time he executes a skill it is extremely slow."

There are still many skills he cannot use.

Translation: "Furthermore, many skills cannot be used."

Compared to now freely using magical power to cast skills, the difference is night and day.

Translation: "Compared to now casually using magical power to execute skills, it is completely a world of difference."

A flash of insight flickered in Wang Ping'an's mind, and he mused: "If I upgrade the Moon Worship Sutra to Small Accomplishment, will a synthetic dantian appear as well?"

Translation: "A flash of inspiration passed through Wang Ping'an's mind; he pondered: 'If I upgrade the Moon Worship Sutra to Minor Completion, would it likewise produce an artificial dantian?'"

This wasn't a wild guess; it was a hunch he got while practicing the Moon Worship Sutra last night.

Translation: "This thought is not random speculation; it is a vague guess he had while cultivating the Moon Worship Sutra last night."

Last night, while practicing the Moon Worship Sutra, the celestial qi and lunar energy he attracted seeped through his pores into his body, but unlike the Purple Sun Sutra, it wasn't converted into magical power stored in the dantian.

Translation: "Last night, while cultivating the Moon Worship Sutra, the attracted heavenly and earthly spiritual energy and lunar energy seeped into his body through his pores, unlike the Purple Yang Sutra, it was not transformed into magical power and stored in the dantian."

This novel you have reached

instead, it was devoured by his body!

but was devoured by the physique!

Translation: "but rather being devoured by his physique!"

Faintly.

Translation: "Vaguely."

His synthetic dantian has a repelling effect on the energy drawn in by the Moon Worship Sutra, preventing it from being converted into magical power and stored, causing it to be devoured by his body.

Translation: "His internal artificial dantian has a sense of rejection toward the energy drawn in by cultivating the Moon Worship Sutra; it cannot be transformed into magical power and stored in the dantian, which is why it gets devoured by his physique."

Perhaps.

Translation: "Perhaps."

That synthetic dantian inside him is exclusive to the Purple Sun Sutra and can only store the magical power obtained from practicing it.

Translation: "This artificial dantian within him belongs exclusively to the Purple Yang Sutra, capable only of storing the magical power gained from cultivating the Purple Yang Sutra."

For a moment, Wang Ping'an was indecisive, unsure whether to upgrade the skill Sword Nurturing to Small Accomplishment or the technique Moon Worship Sutra to Small Accomplishment.

Translation: "For a moment, Wang Ping'an hesitated, unsure whether to upgrade the Skill: Sword Nurturing Technique to Minor Completion, or to upgrade the Cultivation Method: Moon Worship Sutra to Minor Completion."

Whether it's the skill Sword Nurturing or the technique Moon Worship Sutra, upgrading either to Small Accomplishment would bring him enormous benefits.

Translation: "Whether it is the Skill: Sword Nurturing Technique or the Cultivation Method: Moon Worship Sutra, upgrading them to Minor Completion brings tremendous benefits for him."

Upgrading Sword Nurturing to Small Accomplishment would let him earn merit much faster, but even the most notorious evil cultivators he's encountered…

Translation: "Upgrading the Skill: Sword Nurturing Technique to Minor Completion would allow him to gain Merit more quickly, yet the villains he has encountered lately, even notorious Evil Cultivators, are powerless before his Sword Qi within his body."

are powerless to retaliate.

Translation: "They have no ability to fight back."

even when they ambush him.

Translation: "Although this is when he ambushes them."

Therefore,

Translation: "Therefore."

the Mastery‑level Sword Nurturing skill still seems sufficient!

Translation: "The Mastery-level Skill: Sword Nurturing Technique seems sufficient!"

If he upgrades the Moon Worship Sutra to Small Accomplishment, it might give him another synthetic dantian.

Translation: "If he upgrades the Moon Worship Sutra to Minor Completion, it is likely to give him another artificial dantian inside his body."

Don't underestimate it just because he only recently gained a synthetic dantian; since then, the benefits have far exceeded his expectations.

Translation: "Don't think that just because he only recently obtained an artificial dantian, but since gaining another one, the benefits have simply surpassed his imagination."

Both scenarios have their advantages, so how could he possibly not be hesitant?

Translation: "Both situations bring benefits; how could he not hesitate?"

Just as Wang Ping'an hesitated, out of the corner of his eye he saw one talisman after another, his gaze lingering on the treasure: the talisman case, his eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had thought of something, he exclaimed delightedly: "How could I not have thought of that?"

A talisman box can be made from spirit wood, and he happens to have a pile of spirit wood in his storage bag; when the time comes, he can make one, give it to Peregrine Falcon Little Gray and Hei Mao Bu Tou to wear, fill it with thunder-strike talismans, and then he won't have to worry about encountering strong enemies.

(End of chapter)