Chapter 9: with translation of chapter title

Qingyun Island, a third-tier cloud island under Yunhai City, also governs five fourth-tier cloud islands.

Translation: "Azure Cloud Island, a third-grade cloud island under Cloud Sea City, also governs five fourth-grade cloud islands."

it also governs five fourth-grade cloud islands.

In the Cloud Immortal Realm, islands that rely on the Yunhai formation, nested like matryoshka dolls, are countless. Those at Golden Core stage and above are eligible to apply; although establishing an island consumes resources that are truly heartbreaking, for cultivators with ambition, having a piece of land that belongs to them is crucial.

Translation: "In the Cloud Immortal Realm, islands that rely on the Cloud Sea Formation, like nesting dolls, are countless. Those at Golden Core Stage and above are eligible to apply; although establishing an island consumes resources that are truly heartbreaking, for cultivators with ambition, a piece of land that belongs to them is crucial."

a piece of land that belongs to them is crucial.

Especially under the protection of the great Yunhai formation, ordinary petty thieves dare not come to cause trouble; compared to that, the trifling amount of cloud qi handed over each year is utterly insignificant.

Translation: "Especially under the protection of the Cloud Sea Grand Formation, ordinary petty thieves dare not come to cause trouble; compared to that, the trifling amount of cloud qi handed over each year is utterly insignificant."

ordinary petty thieves dare not come to cause trouble; compared to that, the trifling amount of cloud qi handed over each year is utterly insignificant.

Qingyun Island has no special products, is not on any major route, lies in a very remote location, and is rather useless.

Translation: "Azure Cloud Island has no special products, is not on any major route, and its location is extremely remote, making it rather useless."

rather useless.

Precisely for this reason, it has become a paradise for rogue cultivators. Major merchant guilds find the profit too minor, smaller guilds covet it but cannot earn money from it, and only those wandering cultivators in the Cloud Sea thrive.

Translation: "Precisely for this reason, it has become a paradise for rogue cultivators. The major merchant guild finds the profit too trivial, the small merchant guild covets it but cannot earn money from it, and only these rogue cultivators wandering the cloud sea thrive."

only those wandering cultivators in the Cloud Sea thrive.

Fu Feng and Xiao Yi changed clothes, concealed their auras, disguised themselves as fellow sect brothers, and followed the crowd into the bustling Qingyun Island.

Translation: "Fu Feng and Xiao Yi changed clothes, concealed their auras, disguised themselves as fellow sect brothers, and followed the crowd into the bustling Azure Cloud Island."

disguised themselves as fellow sect brothers.

Avoiding the crowded throng, Xiao Yi followed the doorplate number in his hand to find a temporary stronghold.

Translation: "Avoiding the lively crowd, Xiao Yi followed the doorplate number in his hand to find a temporary stronghold."

followed the doorplate number in his hand to find a temporary stronghold.

He swiped the token across the door, the seal shut, and the two hurried inside.

Translation: "He swiped the token across the door, the seal shut, and the two hurried inside."

He swiped the token across the door, the seal shut.

I couldn't help but be afraid!

I couldn't help but be afraid!

Along the way we encountered no fewer than five waves of Yunhai City's war camps searching for remnants of the Demonic Cult, and even ran into an ill‑intentioned group of rogue cultivators; if the Yunhai City personnel hadn't just left, we would have been done for.

Translation: "Along the way we encountered no fewer than five waves of Cloud Sea City's war camps searching for remnants of the Demonic Cult, and even ran into a ill-intentioned group of rogue cultivators; if it weren't for the fact that Cloud Sea City's people had just left, we would have been done for."

Along the way we encountered no fewer than five waves of Yunhai City's war camps searching for remnants of the Demonic Cult, and even ran into an ill‑intentioned group of rogue cultivators; if the Yunhai City personnel hadn't just left, we would have been done for.

Fortunately I'm not actually a member of the Demonic Cult.

Translation: "Fortunately I'm not really a member of the Demonic Cult*2"

The "*2" maybe a footnote marker; we keep as is? Probably keep "*2". We'll output same.

Both thought the same thing, but fortunately this demonic fiend can really hide; otherwise I wouldn't be able to explain myself.

Translation: "Both thought the same thing, but fortunately this demonic fiend can really hide; otherwise I wouldn't be able to explain myself."

this demonic fiend.

"Sir, I'll go out to scout a bit," Xiao Yi said to Fu Feng.

Translation: "\"Sir, I'll go out to scout a bit. \" Xiao Yi said to Fu Feng."

"Sir, I'll go out to scout a bit," Xiao Yi said to Fu Feng.

Fu Feng's heart jolted—this guy wouldn't be trying to sell me out, would he? Oh well, we'll take it step by step.

Translation: "Fu Feng's heart jolted—this guy wouldn't be trying to sell me out, would he? Oh well, we'll take it step by step."

Fu Feng's heart jolted—this guy wouldn't be trying to sell me out, would he? Oh well, we'll take it step by step.

"Hmm, keep your identity concealed and closely monitor any news about my Holy Cult," Fu Feng said calmly; he had already given up struggling.

Translation: "\"Mm, keep your identity concealed and closely monitor any news about my Holy Cult. \" Fu Feng said calmly; he had already given up struggling."

"Hmm, keep your identity concealed and closely monitor any news about my Holy Cult," Fu Feng said calmly; he had already given up struggling.

"Yes." Xiao Yi respectfully closed the door.

Translation: "\"Yes. \" Xiao Yi respectfully closed the door."

Xiao Yi respectfully closed the door.

With his divine sense confirming the other had indeed left, Fu Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief; this half day had been truly tormenting.

Translation: "With his divine sense confirming the other had indeed left, Fu Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief; this half day had been truly tormenting."

With his divine sense confirming the other had indeed left, Fu Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief; this half day had been truly tormenting.

Outside the door, Xiao Yi also let out a breath; being with this Sir was too stressful, fearing that any misstep would get him sacrificed, but fortunately, as a newcomer to the Cloud Immortal Realm, he was still needed for errands—this Demonic Cult is no place for humans, he muttered to himself.

Translation: "Outside the door, Xiao Yi also let out a breath; being with this lord was too stressful, fearing that if anything displeased him he'd be sacrificed, but fortunately he had just arrived in the Cloud Immortal Realm and still needed someone to order around—this Demonic Cult is no place for humans, he muttered to himself."

We need to keep meaning. Let's craft: "Outside the door, Xiao Yi also let out a breath; staying with this lord was too stressful, fearing that if anything displeased him he'd be sacrificed, but fortunately he had just arrived in the Cloud Immortal Realm and still needed someone to order around—this Demonic Cult is no place for humans, he muttered to himself."

This was his first time playing an undercover role, and he lacked experience; fortunately his superiors knew the situation, so they didn't make him do overly difficult tasks, only having him follow Fu Feng's actions while they handled the rest of the intelligence.

Translation: "This was his first time playing an undercover role, and he lacked experience; fortunately his superiors also knew the situation, so they didn't make him do anything overly difficult, only having him follow Fu Feng's actions, while the rest of the intelligence was handled by them."

This was his first time playing an undercover role, and he lacked experience; fortunately his superiors knew the situation, so they didn't make him do overly difficult tasks, only having him follow Fu Feng's actions while they handled the rest of the intelligence.

At the temporary stronghold, Fu Feng went straight into the seclusion chamber; his upcoming actions were absolutely shameful.

Translation: "At the temporary stronghold, Fu Feng went straight into the seclusion chamber; his upcoming actions were absolutely shameful."

seclusion chamber; his upcoming actions were absolutely shameful.

Exactly! That's opening the system.

Translation: "Exactly! That was opening the system."

He skipped over his bodily attributes; although he gained several skills, they were all passive and required no worry. Overall he was quite satisfied with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, especially his body refinement, which he had finally achieved.

Translation: "He skipped over his bodily attributes; although he gained several skills, they were all passive and required no worry. Overall he was quite satisfied with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, especially his body refinement, which he had finally achieved."

He skipped over his bodily attributes; although he gained several skills, they were all passive and required no worry. Overall he was quite satisfied with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, especially his body refinement, which he had finally achieved.

Through indirect questioning of Xiao Yi, he gained a rough understanding of the cultivation ranks in this world.

Translation: "Through earlier indirect questioning of Xiao Yi, he had a rough understanding of the cultivation ranks in this world."

Through indirect questioning of Xiao Yi, he gained a rough understanding of the cultivation ranks in this world.

It remains Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation; after experiencing the hundred‑year transitional period known as the Tribulation Transcendence Stage, one can become a True Immortal and stand at the pinnacle of the Cloud Immortal Realm.

Translation: "It is still Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation; after experiencing the hundred-year transitional period known as the Tribulation Transcendence Stage, one can become a True Immortal and stand at the pinnacle of the Cloud Immortal Realm."

It remains Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation; after experiencing the hundred‑year transitional period known as the Tribulation Transcendence Stage, one can become a True Immortal and stand at the pinnacle of the Cloud Immortal Realm.

To be honest, this is all too illusory for Fu Feng; he simply cannot grasp what qi, gods, and such are.

Translation: "To be honest, for Fu Feng this is all too illusory; he completely fails to grasp what qi, gods, and such are."

To be honest, this is all too illusory for Fu Feng; he simply cannot grasp what qi, gods, and such are.

Fortunately the system can directly pour cultivation methods into his mind like water; however, this might mean that Foundation Establishment is his ceiling. After all, Foundation Establishment lays the Dao foundation, and only after clarifying which Dao to cultivate can one achieve Golden Core and embark on the true path of cultivation.

Translation: "Fortunately the system can directly pour cultivation methods into his mind like water; however, this might mean that Foundation Establishment is his ceiling. After all, Foundation Establishment lays the Dao foundation; only after clarifying which Dao to cultivate can one achieve Golden Core and embark on the true path of cultivation."

Fortunately the system can directly pour cultivation methods into his mind like water; however, this might mean that Foundation Establishment is his ceiling. After all, Foundation Establishment lays the Dao foundation, and only after clarifying which Dao to cultivate can one achieve Golden Core and embark on the true path of cultivation.

"Well, thinking about that is too distant for now; let's just focus on surviving first."

Translation: "\"Well, thinking about that is too distant for now; let's just focus on surviving first. \""

"Well, thinking about that is too distant for now; let's just focus on surviving first."

Opening the system mall, the points shop remained the same—a pile of obscure techniques with exorbitant prices that instantly killed Fu Feng's interest.

Translation: "Opening the system mall, the points shop was still the same—a pile of obscure techniques coupled with exorbitant prices instantly killed Fu Feng's interest."

Opening the system mall, the points shop remained the same—a pile of obscure techniques with exorbitant prices that instantly killed Fu Feng's interest.

As for items, aside from that Cloud Sea worth a hundred billion, there was nothing else.

Translation: "As for items, aside from that Cloud Sea worth a hundred billion, there was nothing else."

Aside from that Cloud Sea worth a hundred billion, there was nothing else.

What remained was the achievements shop, filled with a dense array of buffs that was dazzling.

Translation: "All that remained was the achievements shop, whose dense array of buffs was dazzling."

What remained was the achievements shop, filled with a dense array of buffs that was dazzling.

Spiritual qi refinement speed +1%, worth one achievement point (no limit).

Translation: "Spiritual Qi Refining Speed +1%, worth one achievement point (no limit)."

Fortune +1, worth ten achievement points (no limit).

Translation: "Fortune +1, worth ten achievement points (no limit)."

Heaven‑earth affinity +1, worth ten achievement points (no limit).

Translation: "Heaven-Earth Affinity +1, worth ten achievement points (no limit)."

Wait, wait—Fu Feng skimmed through quickly and found hardly anything usable; these things may be useful, but he currently has no use for them.

Translation: "Wait, wait—Fu Feng skimmed through quickly and found hardly anything usable. These things may be useful, but he currently has no use for them."

Wait, wait—Fu Feng skimmed through quickly and found hardly anything usable; these things may be useful, but he currently has no use for them.

It was even more useless than useless, yet he kept searching despite his complaints.

Translation: "This was even more useless than useless, yet he kept searching despite his complaints."

This was even more useless than useless, yet he kept searching despite his complaints.

He found it! At last he actually found something usable right now—investigation.

Translation: "He found it! At last he actually found something usable right now—investigation."

He found it! At last he actually found something usable right now—investigation.

Its effect is to view target information; the limitation is that one must see the target with one's own eyes, and the target's life level cannot exceed one's own.

Translation: "Its effect is to view target information; the limitation is that one must see the target with one's own eyes, and the target's life level cannot exceed one's own."

Its effect is to view target information; the limitation is that one must see the target with one's own eyes; and the target's life level cannot exceed one's own.

This is practically a newbie bonus—it costs only two achievement points. He earned one point from his first kill, and later, when he inexplicably gained a bunch of points, he also snagged a ten‑kill achievement without noticing; now it comes in handy.

Translation: "This is practically a newbie bonus—the key is it costs only two achievement points; he earned one achievement point from his first kill, and later, when he inexplicably gained a bunch of points, he also snagged a ten-kill achievement without noticing, which now comes in handy."

This is practically a newbie bonus—it costs only two achievement points. He earned one point from his first kill, and later, when he inexplicably gained a bunch of points, he also snagged a ten‑kill achievement without noticing; now it comes in handy.

Without further ado, Fu Feng promptly purchased the investigation technique, but nothing happened afterward.

Translation: "Without a word, Fu Feng immediately purchased investigation, and then nothing happened."

Just as he wondered whether something was wrong, a message suddenly appeared in his mind.

Translation: "Just as he thought something might be wrong, a message suddenly appeared in his mind."

In the cultivation chamber, the spiritual energy concentration doubled.

Translation: "Training chamber, spiritual qi concentration doubled."

That explains it—it felt like he had originally known it but forgotten, and seeing it brought the memory back naturally.

Translation: "That makes sense—it felt like something he had known but forgotten, and upon seeing it he naturally recalled it."

Fu Feng understood, but then grew anxious, wondering if someone had tampered with his memory—after all, he still remembered the incident where his memory had been partially obscured.

Translation: "Fu Feng understood, then grew anxious, wondering if someone had tampered with his memory—after all, he still remembered the incident where his memory had been partially obscured."

Fu Feng understood, but then grew anxious, wondering if someone had tampered with his memory—after all, he still remembered the incident where his memory had been partially obscured.

He circulated the Refining Spirit Grand Method again to calm his mind, Fu Feng settled down, and he now had no grounds for worry.

Translation: "He circulated the Refining Spirit Grand Method again to calm his mind; Fu Feng settled down, and he now had no grounds for worry."

He circulated the Refining Spirit Grand Method again to calm his mind, Fu Feng settled down, and he now had no grounds for worry.

Finally he went to the mall again, spent six hundred points to buy three basic techniques—one for refining spiritual qi, one for refining cloud qi, and one for the cloud riding art.

Translation: "Finally he went to the mall again and spent six hundred points to buy three basic techniques, one for refining spiritual qi, one for refining cloud qi, and one for the cloud riding art."

Finally he went to the mall again, spent six hundred points to buy three basic techniques—one for refining spiritual qi, one for refining cloud qi, and one for the cloud riding art.

Fu Feng felt the benefits of his powerful divine sense; he mastered the three basic techniques in just over an hour and refined his own spiritual qi into a spiritual cloud.

Translation: "Fu Feng felt the benefits of his powerful divine sense; the three basic techniques were mastered in just over an hour, and he refined his own spiritual qi into a spiritual cloud."

Fu Feng felt the benefits of his powerful divine sense; he mastered the three basic techniques in just over an hour and refined his own spiritual qi into a spiritual cloud.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw Xiao Yi waiting for him in the room.

Translation: "As soon as he stepped out, he saw Xiao Yi waiting for him in the room."

"He didn't just run away; it seems this kid isn't truly stupid or is hiding something from me." Fu Feng thought, then used the investigation technique on him.

Translation: "\"He didn't just run away—looks like this kid isn't truly stupid or is hiding something from me. \" Fu Feng thought, then used investigation technique on him."

"He didn't just run away; it seems this kid isn't truly stupid or is hiding something from me." Fu Feng thought, then used the investigation technique on him.

Human cultivator, Foundation Establishment Stage—no other information was available.

Translation: "Human cultivator, Foundation Establishment Stage—aside from that, there was no other information."

Human cultivator, Foundation Establishment Stage—no other information was available.

Fu Feng asked, "Did the investigation turn up any information?"

Translation: "Fu Feng asked: \"Did you get any news from the investigation? \""

He had just asked casually; on the way here he had heard from other cultivators how remote this place was, and if nothing unexpected happened he planned to lie low here for half a year.

Translation: "He had just asked casually; on the way here he had heard from other cultivators how remote this place was, and if nothing unexpected happened he planned to lie low here for half a year."

He had just asked casually; on the way here he had heard from other cultivators how remote this place was, and if nothing unexpected happened he planned to lie low here for half a year.

He didn't expect Xiao Yi's one sentence to prove him wrong.

Translation: "He never expected Xiao Yi's single sentence to slap him in the face."

"I seem to have found traces of Holy Cult activity," Xiao Yi exclaimed, startled; this place wasn't chosen by the city lord's mansion, so how could there really be Demonic Cult members?

Translation: "\"I seem to have found traces of Holy Cult activity. \" Xiao Yi was also startled at the time—this place wasn't selected by the city lord's mansion, so how could there really be Demonic Cult people?"

"I seem to have found traces of Holy Cult activity," Xiao Yi exclaimed, startled; this place wasn't chosen by the city lord's mansion, so how could there really be Demonic Cult members?

"Have you been in contact with them?" Fu Feng asked.

Translation: "\"Have you been in contact with them? \" Fu Feng asked."

"No, I dare not act on my own," Xiao Yi hurriedly replied.

Translation: "\"No, subordinate dare not act on his own. \" Xiao Yi hurriedly said."

"That's good; for now it's not advisable to contact others." Fu Feng flicked his sleeve and returned to the secret chamber.

Translation: "\"Good, for now it's inadvisable to contact others. \" Fu Feng flicked his sleeve and returned to the secret chamber."

"These days you should listen and watch more, and don't get involved in unnecessary matters!"

Translation: "\"These days you should listen and watch more, and not get involved in unnecessary matters! \""

I understand.