Chapter 80

Zhuangzi, devoid of self, merit, and name, wanders freely between heaven and earth.

Translation: Zhuang Zhou, with no self, no merit, no name, wanders freely between heaven and earth.

But we need to keep "wanders freely between heaven and earth" meaning "wanders freely between heaven and earth". Could be "roams carefree between heaven and earth". We'll choose "wanders freely between heaven and earth". Keep as single line.

Although he attained the Dao later than many half-ancestors, his strength is not the greatest among them.

Translation: As a half-ancestor-level expert, although he attained the Dao later than many half-ancestors, his strength is not the strongest among them.

However, judging solely by spiritual cultivation, he is the strongest among the many half-ancestors in the Longevity Realm, already approaching and nearly comparable to an ancestor god.

Translation: However, if only considering spiritual cultivation, he is the strongest existence among the many half-ancestors in the Longevity Realm, having already approached, even nearly comparable to an Ancestral God.

In the original story, before an otherworldly ancestor god perished, he transmuted his own ancestor‑god body into a heaven‑shattering, earth‑annihilating ancestor corpse poison that swept across the whole Longevity Realm, aiming to destroy this heaven and earth outright.

Translation: In the original work, before an Ancestral God from another realm fell, he transformed his own Ancestral God's body into a heaven‑destroying, earth‑annihilating ancestral corpse poison that swept across the entire Longevity Realm, intending to directly destroy this heaven and earth.

To safeguard the Longevity Realm, Shennong made his body into a furnace, turned himself into mountains and rivers, refined the ancestor corpse poison, and thus dispelled the danger.

Translation: To protect the Longevity Realm, Shennong used his body as a furnace, transformed himself into mountains and rivers, smelted the ancestral corpse poison, and eliminated the crisis.

Yet he too perished in the process, leaving only a fragment of his consciousness lingering between heaven and earth.

Translation: But he too fell because of this, leaving only a fragment of his spiritual awareness existing between heaven and earth.

Zhuangzi's spiritual state has attained the realization that heaven and earth are born with him and all things are one with him; he directly contacted Shennong's lingering consciousness, using his own body as a conduit to gather and draw it back.

Translation: And Zhuang Zhou's spiritual realm has reached the level of "Heaven and earth are born with me, all things are one with me," directly communicating with Shennong's remnant spiritual awareness and using his own body as a guide to gather and draw it back.

Given enough time, Zhuangzi could easily attain the realm of an ancestor god.

Translation: It can be said that, given Zhuang Zhou time, becoming an Ancestral God in the future is not difficult for him.

After all, at his present stage, his spiritual realm matters far more than his personal cultivation.

Translation: After all, at his current level, spiritual cultivation is far more important than his own cultivation.

Cultivation is essentially mind‑training, and in the later stages raising one's spiritual realm is far more difficult than improving personal cultivation.

Translation: Cultivation is cultivation of the mind; especially in the later stages of training, raising one's spiritual realm is far harder than increasing one's cultivation.

For instance, Xiao Chen in the original story used the Holy Sacrifice Great Divine Ability to first elevate his physique and combat power to a level on par with an ancestor god, yet he still could not break through to become a true ancestor god, because his spiritual cultivation never reached the ancestor‑god level and he failed to comprehend the great cosmic laws.

Translation: For example, Xiao Chen in the original work, relying on the Holy Sacrifice Great Divine Ability, first raised his physique and combat power to a level comparable to that of an Ancestral God, yet even so he still could not break through that barrier to become a true Ancestral God, precisely because his own spiritual cultivation failed to reach the Ancestral God realm and he did not comprehend the great cosmic law.

This also demonstrates the profundity of Zhuangzi's spiritual realm.

Translation: This also shows the profundity of Zhuang Zhou's spiritual cultivation.

As thoughts stirred in Feng Yi's mind, the butterfly into which Zhuangzi had transformed flew before him, circling him repeatedly, as if checking something.

Translation: As thoughts turned in Feng Yi's mind, the butterfly transformed from Zhuang Zhou flew to his front, circling him continuously, as if confirming something.

Being a top half‑ancestor whose spiritual realm matches that of an ancestor god, the black‑robed youth before him ought not to be able to fool his spiritual sense.

Translation: As a top half-ancestor whose spiritual cultivation is comparable to an Ancestral God, logically this youth in dark robes before him should not be able to deceive his spiritual perception.

Yet no matter how Zhuangzi probes, he cannot discern the true nature of that black‑robed figure, whose aura is not especially strong.

Translation: But for some reason, no matter how Zhuang Zhou probed, he could never see clearly the true state of that dark‑robed figure whose aura was not particularly strong.

Faintly, a hazy flame appears to shroud his side, like a veil of mist that hides everything about him.

Translation: Vaguely, it seemed as if a hazy firelight enveloped his side, like a layer of mist that concealed everything about him.

More importantly, the instant his spiritual sense picks up that flame, Zhuangzi senses a blood‑line resonance and instinctively feels a hint of reverence.

Translation: More importantly, upon sensing that firelight with his spiritual awareness, Zhuang Zhou felt a resonance arising from his bloodline, and unconsciously a hint of respect arose.

Suiren Shi

Translation: 'Suiren Shi' (actually "Suiren" is a person name; we need to romanize: Suiren Shi? The term is Suiren Shi, a legendary figure. According to rules, person's name -> pinyin. So "Suiren Shi". We'll output as Suiren Shi.

At the instant this thought surfaced in his mind, Zhuangzi's heart rang with a lingering melody, like the heavenly tone spontaneously born of the Great Dao, as if it were the very first sound when heaven and earth were first created.

Translation: The moment this thought arose in his mind, Zhuang Zhou's heart suddenly rang with a lingering lute sound, like the heavenly tone naturally formed by the Great Dao, as if it were the first sound when heaven and earth were first opened.

In the next moment, his mind and spirit were attracted to an ancient, unadorned stone zither, from which he felt an indescribable sense of oppression, as if facing a supreme entity.

Translation: The next moment, his mind and spirit were drawn to an ancient, simple stone lute, from which he sensed an indescribable oppressive feeling, as if facing an ultimate existence.

Fuxi Qin

Translation: "Fuxi Qin". Actually Fuxi Qin is Fuxi's lute; we translate it as Fuxi Qin, using the personal name Fuxi.

The butterfly's almost transparent wings suddenly vibrated, shattering the surrounding space outright.

Translation: The butterfly's nearly transparent wings violently vibrated, directly shattering the surrounding space.

But the next moment, as the butterfly fluttered, illusory ripples arose and the shattered space dissolved like a dream‑like bubble into nothing.

Translation: However, the next moment, as the butterfly danced, illusory undulations appeared, and the shattered space dissipated like a dreamy bubble.

The butterfly flew back to Feng Yi's side and uttered a faintly illusory voice: 'Have you met the ancestor god Fuxi?'

Translation: The butterfly flew again to Feng Yi's front and emitted a slightly illusory voice: "Greetings, Ancestral God Fuxi!"

Feng Yi quietly observed the scene, his expression barely changing until

Translation: Feng Yi silently watched the scene, his expression hardly changing until the butterfly's sound reached his ears, whereupon he gathered his scattered thoughts and calmly said, "Daoist Zhuang Zhou?"

It's me.

Translation: "It is me."

As the butterfly fluttered and danced, it seemed like just a fleeting dream, its voice carrying an ethereal tone: "Fuxi Ancestral God, your condition seems a bit off?"

Translation: As the butterfly fluttered, it seemed like a mere phantom, its voice carrying a sense of unreality: "Ancestral God Fuxi, your condition seems not quite right?"

Hmm.

Translation: "Hmm."

Fengyi nodded, speaking vaguely: "In a way, it's like starting over!"

Translation: Feng Yi nodded, speaking vaguely: "In a certain sense, one could say it's a fresh start!"

Starting over.

Translation: "A fresh start."

The butterfly kept fluttering, its voice hinting at realization: "Ah, I see!"

Translation: The butterfly kept fluttering, its voice carrying a hint of realization: "Ah, I see!"

At this point, Zhuang Zhou's voice suddenly rose, his tone becoming somewhat expectant: "Fuxi Ancestral God, can you still display the power of an ancestral god now?"

Translation: Having said that, Zhuang Zhou's voice suddenly rose, his tone becoming somewhat expectant: "Ancestral God Fuxi, can you still manifest Ancestral God power now?"

Ancestral god's power.

Translation: "Ancestral God power."

After glancing at Zhuang Zhou, Fengyi linked his inner spark with the Fuxi lute, his breath shifting slightly as he whispered: "I can manifest Fuxi's power for a short time, but not for long; after all, I am essentially reborn, everything must start anew, and I cannot endure the original power in this world for long."

Translation: After glancing at Zhuang Zhou, Feng Yi linked his mind and spirit to the inner fire and the Fuxi Qin, his breath undergoing subtle changes, and he softly said: "I can display Fuxi's power for a short time, but not for long; after all, I am now a rebirth, everything must start anew, and I cannot bear the original power in the world for long."

Having said that, Fengyi stopped speaking, offering no further explanation, letting the other party imagine as they wished.

Translation: Having said that, Feng Yi stopped speaking, offered no further explanation, and let the other party imagine as they wished.

Is that so?

Translation: "Is that so?"

Zhuang Zhou murmured softly, then spoke more solemnly: "Fuxi Ancestral God, to be frank, I have already communicated and gathered the scattered spiritual consciousness of the Shennong Ancestral God within the Realm of Longevity, using my own body as a conduit to revive it."

Translation: Zhuang Zhou murmured to himself, then his tone turned somewhat solemn as he said: "Ancestral God Fuxi, to be frank, I have already communicated and gathered the scattered spiritual awareness of the Ancestral God Shennong in the Longevity Realm, using my own body as a guide to revive it."

Having said that, Zhuang Zhou paused, glanced unintentionally at the fuzzy white creature on the figure's shoulder, but considering its kind, he continued: "I, together with Shennong Ancestral God, Sun Wu, Confucius, and others, have set up a scheme."

Translation: Having said that, Zhuang Zhou paused, unconsciously glanced at the fuzzy white little beast on the figure's shoulder, but considering the other's race, he continued: "I, together with Ancestral God Shennong, Sun Wu, Confucius, and others, have set up a scheme."

Before Zhuang Zhou finished speaking, Fengyi's eyes flashed with a glint as he replied: "You intend to show weakness to lure the half-ancestral experts from the other world, to annihilate them completely—and perhaps even slay that embodiment of ultimate emptiness?"

Translation: Before Zhuang Zhou's words had finished, Feng Yi's eyes flashed with a gleam, and he interjected: "You intend to show weakness to lure the half‑ancestor experts left by the other world into a trap, annihilate them completely, and even take the chance to slay that Utmost Emptiness?"

In the current era of civilization, the gap in strength between Kyushu and the other world is so vast it cannot be measured in trifles; to say they are worlds apart is no exaggeration, as they exist on entirely different levels.

Translation: In the current civilizational era, the strength gap between Kyushu and the other world is so vast that it cannot be measured in millimeters; saying it is worlds apart is not an exaggeration, as the two are not on the same level at all.

For Kyushu, ancestral‑god‑level beings are already exceedingly rare, but for the other world, which has undergone countless civilizational eras, ancestral gods are merely mid‑tier, with the numbers of stone beings and supreme ancestral gods surpassing those of Kyushu's ancestral gods.

Translation: For Kyushu, Ancestral God‑level beings are already extremely rare, but for the other world, which has developed countless civilizational eras, Ancestral Gods are merely mid‑tier, and the numbers of stone beings and supreme Ancestral Gods exceed those of Kyushu's Ancestral Gods.

In ancient times, the other world deployed only a fraction of its force, yet Kyushu suffered a crushing defeat, the four realms fell, and Kyushu was split apart.

Translation: In ancient times, the other world dispatched only a small fraction of its force, whereupon Kyushu suffered a crushing defeat, the four directions fell, and Kyushu was divided.

To preserve itself, Kyushu instituted a seal, completely severing its connection with the four realms.

Translation: To preserve itself, Kyushu then carried out a seal, completely cutting off its connection with the four directions.

After the other world occupied the four realms, it carried out various experiments, studying many paths, including one based on the thoughts of all beings that turns the illusory into the real—the way of false gods.

Translation: After the other world occupied the four directions, it carried out various experiments, researching many paths, among which was the false‑god way that takes sentient beings' thoughts as its basis and turns the illusory into the real.

In this process, numerous false gods sprang from the collective thoughts of beings, including the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, the Sect Leader of the Way of Heaven, Zhunti, the Solar Holy God, and other half‑ancestors now renowned in the Realm of Longevity, as well as the half‑forms of Laozi and the Buddha, and even an ancestral‑god‑level embodiment of ultimate emptiness, Hun Dun.

Translation: In this process, numerous false gods were born from sentient beings' thoughts, including the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, Tongtian Jiaozhu, Zhunti, Solar Holy God, etc., who are half‑ancestors renowned in the Longevity Realm, as well as the half‑forms of Laozi and the Buddha, and even an Ancestral‑God‑level Utmost Emptiness named Hun Dun was born.

Of course, Fengyi clearly understands that the true form of Hun Dun is a Stone‑Person‑King‑level entity; the so‑called false god Hun Dun is merely a special incarnation formed from a wisp of its divine will combined with the other world's experiment.

Translation: Of course, Feng Yi clearly knows that the true form of that Hun Dun is a Stone‑Person‑King‑level entity, and the so‑called false god Hun Dun is merely a special incarnation formed by a wisp of his divine thought combined with the other world's experiment.

Even the true form of the Sect Leader of the Way of Heaven is a powerful being treading the path of the Stone‑Person King.

Translation: Even the true form of Tongtian Jiaozhu is a powerful being who walks the path of the Stone‑Person King.

As an ancestral‑god‑level embodiment of ultimate emptiness born from the other world's trials, this false god Hun Dun, to a certain extent, also monitors Kyushu and the four realms.

Translation: As an Ancestral‑God‑level Utmost Emptiness born in the other world's experiments, this false god Hun Dun, to a certain extent, is also monitoring Kyushu and the four directions.

Precisely for this reason, he has long been the major enemy that Kyushu seeks to eliminate.

Translation: Precisely for this reason, he is the great enemy that Kyushu has long wished to eliminate.

However, Kyushu's ancestral gods have either perished or been weakened, and only by feigning weakness before the other world has this embodiment of ultimate emptiness been allowed to persist to the present day.

Translation: However, Kyushu's Ancestral Gods are dead or crippled, and they must still show weakness to the other world, which is why this Utmost Emptiness has persisted to the present day.

But now, with a great calamity approaching, Shennong, Zhuang Zhou, Sun Wu, Confucius, and others wish first to eliminate Kyushu and the four realms' greatest hidden danger—slay that embodiment of ultimate emptiness, thereby also destroying the many half‑ancestors the other world left behind in the four realms.

Translation: But now that a great calamity is approaching, Shennong, Zhuang Zhou, Sun Wu, Confucius, and others wish first to eliminate Kyushu and the four directions' greatest hidden danger, to slay that Utmost Emptiness and thereby also destroy the many half‑ancestors the other world has left in the four directions.

Indeed, nothing can be hidden from Fuxi Ancestral God; no wonder you appear on this Devil's Plain!

Translation: "Indeed, nothing can be hidden from Ancestral God Fuxi; no wonder you appear on this Devil's Plain!"

Zhuang Zhou's voice rang out, tinged with realization, as he continued: "We truly intended to use the Lost Paradise beneath the Devil's Plain to set a trap, making those who watch over the Realm of Longevity believe our half‑ancestors have all fallen, thereby drawing them in."

Translation: Zhuang Zhou's voice rang out, carrying a hint of realization, and he continued: "We indeed intended to use the Lost Paradise beneath the Devil's Plain to set a scheme, making those who monitor the Longevity Realm believe our half‑ancestors have all perished, thus luring them over."

Not just that, Daoist Zhuang, you also hope to use this to have those false‑god half‑ancestors cut through illusion and attain reality, right?

Translation: "Isn't there more, Daoist Zhuang Zhou? You also want to use this to have those false‑god half‑ancestors cut away the illusory and gain the real, right?"

After glancing at the other party, Fengyi turned his gaze toward the distant, somewhat strange plain and said: "But, Daoist Zhuang, do you think your scheme can deceive that embodiment of ultimate emptiness?"

Translation: After glancing at the other party, Feng Yi turned his gaze toward the distant, somewhat strange plain and said: "But Daoist Zhuang Zhou, do you think your scheme can deceive that Utmost Emptiness?"

This

Translation: "This"

Zhuang Zhou stared for a moment, then realized and said: "Fuxi Ancestral God, have you deduced something?"

Translation: Zhuang Zhou stared blankly for a moment, then reacted: "Ancestral God Fuxi, have you deduced something?"

Truly attaining reality is not that simple, and that embodiment of ultimate emptiness is unlikely to fall for it so easily.

Translation: "Truly obtaining the real is not that simple, and moreover that Utmost Emptiness probably would not fall for it so easily."

Having said that, after a pause, Fengyi glanced at the other party and continued: "More importantly, do you assume our world lacks any ancestral gods from the other world?"

Translation: Having said that, after a pause, Feng Yi glanced at the other party and continued: "More importantly, do you think our world lacks any Ancestral Gods from the other world?"

Ancestral God of Another World.

Zhuang Zhou's voice carried a hint of solemnity as he spoke: "Fuxi ancestral god, you mean, besides that utmost void, there are otherworld ancestral gods remaining in the four directions, not having left?"

He nodded, Feng Yi said in a low voice: "Yes, and there is more than one!"

Feng Yi, who understands the original story, naturally understands that the layout of Shennong and Zhuang Zhou and others ultimately can be said to have completely ended in failure.

Their layout not only failed to lure the false god Hongjun and slay him, but instead attracted two other otherworld ancestral gods, causing many true half-ancestors of the Longevity Realm to fall.

Even if not for Xiao Chen ultimately wearing the Twenty-Four Battle Swords to block the ancestral god, the so-called layout of showing weakness to the enemy would have truly become inviting wolves into the house.

"This"

Zhuang Zhou stood stunned in place, seemingly not expecting that there would be more than one otherworld ancestral god.

After a long while, he finally came to his senses and sighed: "I never imagined that in this day and age, otherworld ancestral gods still remain; no wonder that the utmost void dares to single-handedly intimidate the four directions and monitor their movements."

"Fortunately, thanks to your reminder, Fuxi ancestral god, otherwise the so-called layout would probably have become a joke."

Saying this, his tone carried a hint of unwillingness as he asked: "Fuxi ancestral god, are we really just going to abandon this layout like that?"

"We've come this far; of course we cannot give up."

He shook his head, Feng Yi said with a hint of emotion: "The great calamity is approaching; being able to eliminate a portion of the otherworld half-ancestors in advance is also a good thing."

Upon hearing Feng Yi's words, Zhuang Zhou first froze, then spoke: "Fuxi ancestral god, you mean the layout should continue."

"Hmm"

Feng Yi nodded and said: "Although I am now considered a rebirth, I can still briefly display Fuxi's power; dealing with one ancestral god is no problem, and with Shennong, if we strike unexpectedly, perhaps we can directly slay one."

"Moreover, I also need the illusory-real power of those false gods to complete an experiment."

Saying this, Feng Yi reached out, and an ancient-looking book appeared before him, exuding an inexplicable illusory aura, instantly drawing Zhuang Zhou's gaze.

"This is."

The butterfly that Zhuang Zhou had transformed into continuously fluttered around the book, seemingly very interested in it.

"This is a special item I condensed by chance, containing the rule of turning the void into substance, and also possessing the characteristic of the collective consciousness of all beings; to some extent, this item is similar to those false gods born from the collective thoughts of beings, and I wish to borrow the power of those false gods, using this book as the source, to conduct an experiment."

"If the experiment succeeds, these false gods born from the collective thoughts of beings in the otherworld trials could perhaps become allies of our Kyushu, and even if we continue researching along this otherworld path, we might gain other benefits, greatly strengthening our Kyushu's strength."

Saying this, Feng Yi's heart stirred, the book automatically opened to the page about the Longevity Realm.

Countless words flowed upon it, with wisps of firelight flickering within, faintly bearing the traces of the river of civilization, causing the words to transform into countless different scenes, like a world that, though illusory, continues to evolve according to some rule.

Seeing this, the butterfly that Zhuang Zhou had transformed into instantly flew onto the page, as if touring that illusory world.

Zhuang Zhou dreams of a butterfly, butterfly dreams of Zhuang Zhou!

Real? False!

At this moment, Zhuang Zhou seemed to have turned into an illusory dream, flowing between reality and illusion.

Seeing this, Feng Yi pointed, and the countless words on the book continually combined, outlining a towering figure with one hand holding the firewood and the other wielding an ink blade, like the source of civilization.

"Suiren"

A somewhat illusory voice sounded, and the butterfly that Zhuang Zhou had transformed into flew out: "Fuxi ancestral god, have you seen Suiren? Does he still exist in the world?"

"I have indeed seen Suiren."

Saying this, before Zhuang Zhou could feel joy, Feng Yi added: "However, he remains only as a lingering obsession, unable to leave his current state, so he cannot temporarily become our ally."

Pointing to the figure on the book, Feng Yi continued: "This figure is precisely formed by relying on the firewood gifted by Suiren, condensing the illusory-real power of the book, thereby evolving into an illusory existence; if it obtains the collective power of all beings' consciousness, perhaps it could truly manifest in the world."

"So, I need the power of those false gods to study, in the otherworld trials, the concrete situation of false gods born from the collective thoughts of beings, and ultimately turn the research results from the otherworld into fruits for our Kyushu."

"I see."

Zhuang Zhou nodded and said: "I understand; indeed, as Fuxi ancestral god said, this book is an extraordinarily miraculous divine object, and perhaps it truly can be done."

"By the way, Fuxi ancestral god, our original plan was to rely on Lost Paradise's power to seal the cultivation of all beings, luring many false god half-ancestors into"

After detailing the original plan in full, Zhuang Zhou asked: "Fuxi ancestral god, what else needs to be changed?"

After hearing Zhuang Zhou's explanation, Feng Yi thought for a moment, then smiled and said: "This plan is not bad; it can conveniently use Lost Paradise's rules to gather the power of those false god half-ancestors, study their fundamental principles, and I also happen to have a suitable candidate to undertake this plan."

As his words fell, Feng Yi reached out, an ancient brush appeared in his hand, and he wrote a name on the book: Xiao Chen.

【As the "protagonist", how could one not undergo some hardship!】

With thoughts turning in his mind, Feng Yi gently rotated the brush in his hand, and character by character appeared on the book, forming a story.

As the story took shape, a mysterious force flowed through heaven and earth, as if tugging at the threads of fate, turning the story into reality.

Great Shang, Yin Capital

Arriving here, Xiao Chen, unable to find any trace of Feng Yi, was about to leave when he happened to hear the news that a peerless divine treasure would soon appear on the Devil's Plain.

【Peerless divine treasure?】

【Will Big Brother Feng go?】

This thought arose in his mind; without thinking too much, Xiao Chen instinctively followed the crowd to the Devil's Plain.

(End of chapter)