Chapter 108

In a moment, Shen Qinghuang gave Shen Kuo a thumbs up!

Note: There might be a typo—'Shen Qinghuang' perhaps should be 'Shen Qingli', but the line says 'Shen Qinghuang'. The glossary only lists 'Shen Qingli', yet the line uses 'Shen Qinghuang' (possibly a misprint). We must translate exactly what's given, so we treat 'Shen Qinghuang' as a name (a variant). We'll romanize it as 'Shen Qinghuang'. The glossary doesn't include it, but we still romanize it. Although this may be an error, we follow the source.

The line means: 'In a moment, Shen Qinghuang gave Shen Kuo a thumbs up!'

We must keep it single line.

From childhood they've been raising a husband for A Li; this idea of the young uncle works.

'A childhood groom?' someone shouted.

Everyone present stared at Emperor Jin with odd looks, scanning him up and down, especially the female cultivators!

Translation: ""Childhood husband?" Someone shouted out."

Of course, the female cultivators had been looking all along; before they only glanced secretly, now they look openly.

Translation: "Everyone present looked at Di Jin with strange gazes, scanning him up and down, especially the female cultivators!"

After all, with such a striking face, it's hard not to notice; I thought he was a Shen clan young master, but didn't expect he's the young lord's childhood groom.

Translation: "Of course, the female cultivators had actually been looking all along; before they only peeked secretly, now they look openly."

Regret and envy filled their eyes.

Translation: "After all, with such a striking face, it's hard not to notice; I originally thought it was some son of the Shen clan, but I never expected it to be the young lord Shen's childhood husband!"

Even earlier, Xu Yanshu's face changed as he guarded against Emperor Jin.

Translation: "Regret and envy filled their eyes."

He just knew this kid would be his rival.

Translation: "And Pei Jianshu, who had been wary of Di Jin, saw his expression change!"

'Uncle,'

Translation: "He just knew this kid would be his formidable rival."

'Stop.'

Translation: "Uncle,"

Shen Kuo interrupted Xu Yanshu's any words.

Translation: "Stop."

'The husband I'm raising for A Li is handsome and obedient, being raised according to the standards of a live‑in son‑in‑law. You all should know that the daughters of my Shen clan do not marry out.'

Translation: "Shen Kuo cut off any words Pei Jianshu was about to say."

'A Li is not only the young lord but also the designated clan head, making it even more impossible for her to marry out. Therefore, what we Shen clan daughters want has always been a live‑in son‑in‑law, not a useless one.'

Translation: ""The dao companion I'm raising for A Li is good-looking and obedient, raised according to the standard for a live-in son-in-law. You all should know that the daughters of my Shen clan do not marry out."

This lofty discussion is flawless!

Translation: ""A Li is not only the young lord but also the designated clan head, making it even more impossible for her to marry out. Therefore, what our Shen clan daughters have always wanted is a live-in son-in-law, and he cannot be a good-for-nothing."

Everyone fell silent, even Bai Ji.

Translation: "This lofty talk is flawless!"

Only Emperor Jin spoke proudly, 'Exactly, I am my sister's childhood groom, the Shen clan's live‑in son‑in‑law should be just like me.'

Translation: "Everyone fell silent, even Ji Bai kept his mouth shut."

'He's young, fit, talented, good‑natured, especially obedient and understanding. Most importantly, his eyes aren't blind—he only likes the prettiest version of my sister. Other vulgar beauties like Su Chacha or the little junior sister, I wouldn't even glance at.'

Translation: "Only Di Jin spoke complacently: "Exactly, I am the elder sister's childhood husband; the Shen clan's live-in son-in-law must be someone like me!"

The

Translation: "Young, strong, talented, good-natured, especially obedient and understanding. Most importantly, my eyes aren't blind—I only like the best-looking me, my sister. Other vulgar fans, like Su Chacha or the junior sister, I disdain to even glance at."

Jiu Li couldn't bear to look any longer, even covering its ears! It just knew...

Translation: "Jiu Li could no longer bear to watch, even covering its ears! It just knew……"

Shen Qingli rubbed his forehead and secretly sent a voice transmission: "Enough, the act is over—just pretend."

Translation: "Shen Qingli, meanwhile, was rubbing her forehead and secretly sending a voice transmission: "Enough, the act is over, just pretend."

"Everything I said is true!" Emperor Jin stressed, "Have you seen me looking at them that much?"

Translation: ""Everything I said is true!" Di Jin emphasized, "Have you seen me looking at them more?"

Shen Qingli:...

Translation: "Shen Qingli: ……"

Though she was speechless, upon subconscious reflection she realized there really wasn't any.

Translation: "Although speechless, she subconsciously recalled and found that indeed she hadn't."

But that's normal—her younger brother is actually quite arrogant, his standards sky‑high.

Translation: "But it's also normal; her younger brother is actually quite arrogant, with eyes set above the top."

At this point, everyone felt rather uneasy about Emperor Jin's proclamation of self‑cultivation as a childhood groom.

Translation: "At this moment, everyone was made to feel rather subtle by Di Jin's childhood husband self-cultivation declaration."

Female cultivators envy Shen Qingli all the more!

Translation: "As for the female cultivators, they envied Shen Qingli even more!"

Male cultivators merely feel he's far too conscious of his role as a son‑in‑law.

Translation: "As for the male cultivators, they just felt this guy had too much live-in son-in-law awareness."

As for Pei Yanshu, who was the target of that subtle jab, he's already fuming and clenching his fists!

Translation: "As for the deeply offended Pei Jianshu, he was so angry he was clenching his fists again!"

But what use is anger? Who made him so lacking in spirit before...

Translation: "But what good is anger? Who made him himself previously lack ambition……"

"I hope the Hunyuan Sect and Qingyun Realm will stop fabricating baseless marriage contracts just to disgust me, Shen Kuo. A child's marriage is a parent's command—I, as his father, am still alive, and Ah Li's betrothal is not for you to scheme and trade."

Translation: ""I hope the Primordial Origin Sect and the Azure Cloud Realm will no longer take out some illusory marriage contracts to disgust me, Shen Kuo. Marriage contracts for children are parental orders; I, this father, am still alive, and A Li's marriage cannot be bargained and traded by you lot."

Shen Kuo's ringing statement made clear his deep displeasure with this marriage contract—do they regard his own father as dead? Time and again they scheme over his daughter's marriage.

Translation: "Shen Kuo's ringing declaration showed his severe dissatisfaction with this marriage contract! Do they treat this father of his as dead? Again and again they scheme over his daughter's marriage."

"Whether by seniority or by sect, my daughter Shen Qingli could never—and will never—have any marriage pact with the Pei clan."

Translation: ""Whether from seniority or from the sect, my daughter Shen Qingli could never, and absolutely will not, have any marriage pact with the Pei clan!"

"The Hunyuan Sect's Tianxing lineage once aided my father and daughter in danger, and we did consider joining it—but we haven't fully done so, and even if we had, the Hunyuan Sect would have no authority to pledge Ah Li to the Pei clan of the Qingyun Realm."

Translation: "The Primordial Origin Sect's Heavenly Star Lineage once helped my father and daughter in danger; we also intended to join the Heavenly Star Lineage, but first we haven't fully joined, and second even if we did, the Primordial Origin Sect has no right to betroth A Li to the Pei clan of the Azure Cloud Realm."

That's all been said.

Translation: "The words have come to this point."

Moreover, the Pei clan has business dealings with the Shen clan in the Su'nv Sect's territory...

Translation: "Plus, the Pei clan has interests dealings with the Shen clan in the territory of the Su Nv Sect……"

"In that case," Pei Heng said regretfully, glancing at Pei Yanshu, "the only recourse is to ask the Hunyuan Sect to rename a suitable female disciple as Shen Qingli and marry her to my son."

Translation: "Pei Heng regretfully glanced at Pei Jianshu: "In that case, all we can ask is for the Primordial Origin Sect to rename a suitable female disciple as Shen Qingli and marry her to my son."

Pei Yanshu suddenly raised his eyes to look at his father.

Translation: "Pei Jianshu suddenly lifted his gaze, looking at his father."

Pei Heng shook his head at him—though this prospective daughter‑in‑law is quite nice, there simply is no fate between them.

Translation: "Pei Heng shook his head at him; although this daughter-in-law is quite good, there really is no affinity."

Since Shen Kuo has already brought up the prearranged marriage by matching fingers, it's hardly appropriate to press the matter further.

Translation: "Since Shen Kuo has already brought up the prearranged marriage by touching thumbs, it's indeed inappropriate to press further."

"I'm afraid it's still not proper—let's discuss it later," Ji Bai said, looking troubled. "My disciple really caused a mess, though he did pay with his life, am I right? Young Master Shen."

Translation: ""I'm afraid it's still not proper; let's discuss it long-term." Ji Bai said with a troubled face, "My disciple really caused a mess, but he also paid with his life, right? Young Lord Shen."

"You killed our Hunyuan Sect's sect master; since you are not a disciple of our sect, it's not appropriate to deal with it privately under our rules. Let's discuss it now, with all the immortals of Longevity Heaven present."

Translation: ""You killed the case of my Primordial Origin Sect's sect leader; since you are not a disciple of my Primordial Origin Sect, you are not suitable for private handling under the sect rules, so with all the lords of Sheng Long Tian present, let's speak a bit."

The crowd of heroes gasped in astonishment!

Translation: "The assembled heroes were stunned!"

"She killed him?"

Translation: ""She killed him?"

Old Dog Huang blurted out the question, his voice breaking.

Translation: "Huang Lao Gou blurted out the question with a cracked voice."

Shen Kuo snorted even more, "What joke is Sect Leader Ji making? Do you think Ah Li is the master of the Divine Eye?"

Translation: "Shen Kuo snorted even more, "What joke is Sect Leader Ji spouting? Do you think A Li is the master of that divine eye?"

The venue erupted in boos, as everyone thought the Hunyuan Sect was trying to pull a stunt on the Changshui Shen clan—utterly ridiculous.

Translation: "The venue filled with boos, everyone feeling the Primordial Origin Sect was trying to pull tricks on the Changshui Shen clan, utterly ridiculous."

"Father, perhaps the Hunyuan Sect thinks my pupil technique resembles that Divine Eye. Maybe… maybe my pupil technique really is connected to that being."

Translation: ""Father, perhaps the Primordial Origin Sect thinks my pupil technique resembles that divine eye. Maybe, maybe my pupil technique really could be related to that one."

"As far as I know, when you saw the Divine Eye outside, it was precisely when I was training my pupil technique—surely I didn't attract that attention. If that's true, then Sect Leader Li's death might indeed have something to do with me," Shen Qingli said with a teasing tone.

Translation: ""As far as I know, when you lot saw the divine eye outside, it was exactly when I was training my pupil technique; it wouldn't be me attracting the attention, right? If that's the case, the death of Sect Leader Li really would have something to do with me." Shen Qingli said with a playful tone."

"Sect Leader Ji must have gone into seclusion and become muddled—how could this be blamed on Young Master Shen?" Old Dog Huang was the first to speak.

Translation: ""Sect Leader Ji must have gone into seclusion and become muddled; how could this be blamed on Young Lord Shen?" Huang Lao Gou spoke first."

Pei Heng also spoke up, "Indeed, it's a stretch."

Translation: "Pei Heng also spoke, "Indeed it's a stretch."

"That's excessive," said the Fengchen Jiang clan in agreement.

Translation: ""Excessive." The Sealed Dust Jiang Clan also echoed."

The Shenmu Lin clan also said, "Sect Leader Ji, you must not jump to conclusions."

Translation: "The Divine Pasture Lin Clan also said, "Sect Leader Ji, don't rashly draw conclusions."

Having wiped out a Su'nv Sect, the Changshui Shen clan secured the backing of three major powers.

Translation: "Having destroyed a Su Nv Sect, they gained the support of the three major powers for the Changshui Shen clan."

Ji Bai saw this, realizing that Yuan Changzai's primary and secondary orders could not be fulfilled.

Translation: "Ji Bai saw this, knowing Yuan Changzai's primary and secondary instructions could not be fulfilled."

In that case, Shen Qingli cannot be allowed to remain.

Translation: "If so, Shen Qingli cannot be allowed to stay."

The Changshui Shen clan has already become a formidable rival; thus, a youthful leader destined to lead that rival to greater heights must be eliminated.

Translation: "The Changshui Shen clan has already become a formidable rival; therefore, a tender leader destined to lead that rival to greater heights must be eradicated."

Otherwise, the Hunyuan Sect will surely be trampled underfoot by the Changshui Shen clan.

Translation: "Otherwise, the Primordial Origin Sect will surely be trampled underfoot by the Changshui Shen clan."

"With everyone here as witnesses, it appears I, Sect Leader Ji, have been in seclusion too long, merely listening to reports from below and failing to scrutinize matters. Young Master Shen, I apologize."

Translation: ""With everyone as witnesses, it seems I, Ji, have been in seclusion too long, merely listening to reports from below, lacking careful observation. Young Lord Shen, I apologize."

Ji Bai, capable of both yielding and firmness, bowed his hands in apology: "To show sincerity, our sect will, as Young Master Shen wishes, if he wins first place, unconditionally allow any willing members of the Tianxing lineage to leave the sect."

Translation: "Ji Bai can bend and stretch; he directly clasped his hands in apology: "To show sincerity, my sect will, as Young Lord Shen wishes, if Shen Qingli takes first place, my sect will unconditionally allow all who willingly wish to leave the Heavenly Star Lineage to depart the sect."

"They even added a precondition of voluntary departure." Di Jin nitpicked, "They won't threaten them to stop them from leaving voluntarily, will they!"

"Of course not," Ji Bai said, sizing up Emperor Jin. In truth he really did have that plan—but it's only a minor detail, and now that it's been seen through, he doesn't mind.

"All right, I, the junior, trust Sect Leader Ji's word as bond; I suppose I won't be coerced by the sect elders either," Shen Qingli added, wrapping up his thoughts.

"Shall we begin the contest?" Ji Bai glanced at the alchemy platform, "The auspicious time is nearly past, Cave Heaven Old Ancestor—I'm truly sorry."

"It's fine, just too many trivial matters," the Cave Heaven Old Ancestor said, gazing at Shen Qingli. "Truly, the blue surpasses the indigo; the Shen clan now lets the juniors handle affairs, while I, this old man, am still struggling to sustain the Cave Heaven realm."

This remark is actually a veiled jab at the arrogance of the Changshui Shen clan—even the imperial envoy isn't taken seriously.

At such a grand gathering, the elders of all powers have come, yet the Shen clan sent only a wet‑behind‑the‑ears girl.

"There's no way around it—my older sister is just too talented; the capable bear more work." Emperor Jin, seemingly missing the Cave Heaven Old Ancestor's implication, laughed lightly: "Older sister, don't forget to use the Nine Heavens Mystic Cauldron."

Shen Qingli originally only had this one medicinal cauldron, so of course she must use it—though this cauldron might actually be from the Pei clan? After all, the mystic emissaries of Xuan Shan all come from the Pei clan.

However, when she stepped onto the alchemy platform, took out the Nine Heavens Mystic Cauldron, and activated the inherited fire of the Five‑Element Phoenix Immortals, preparing to concoct pills, she discovered the situation had changed!