Chapter 782: with translation of chapter title

When Xiao Jiu fell into the dream, she was still burning up and dazed.

Translation: When Xiao Jiu fell into the dream, she was still burning up and dazed.

When Xiao Jiu fell into the dream, she was still burning up and dazed.

When she opened her eyes, the dream was a vast white.

Translation: Upon opening her eyes, the dream was a vast white expanse.

When she opened her eyes, the dream was a vast white.

Gradually, color appeared in her vision.

Translation: Gradually, color appeared in her vision.

Or "Gradually, she began to see color." We'll do: "Gradually, color appeared in her vision."

Towering trees rose from the ground, various trees and grasses grew underfoot, birdsong filled her ears, and faintly she could hear the roars of distant beasts...

Towering trees rose from the ground, various grasses and trees grew underfoot, birdsong filled her ears, and faintly she could hear the roars of distant beasts...

Towering trees rose from the ground, various trees and grasses grew underfoot, birdsong filled her ears, and faintly she could hear the roars of distant beasts...

All of this made Xiao Jiu feel a sense of déjà vu.

Translation: All of this made Xiao Jiu feel a sense of déjà vu.

Or "All of this gave Xiao Jiu a feeling of having seen it before." We'll do: "All of this made Xiao Jiu feel a sense of déjà vu."

Memories kept surging, and some dusty past events rose to her mind.

Translation: Memories kept surging, and some dust-covered past events rose to her mind.

Or "Memories kept rolling, and some sealed past events surged into her mind." We'll do: "Memories kept surging, and some dust-covered past events rose to her mind."

Xiao Jiu instinctively stepped toward the southwest.

Translation: Xiao Jiu instinctively lifted her foot and walked toward the southwest.

Or "Xiao Jiu instinctively stepped toward the southwest." We'll do: "Xiao Jiu instinctively stepped toward the southwest."

The farther she walked, the more familiar the surroundings felt.

Translation: The further she walked, the more familiar the surroundings felt.

Or "The farther she went, the more she felt the scenery was familiar." We'll do: "The farther she walked, the more familiar the surroundings felt."

Until a large patch of messy thorns appeared lying on the stone wall ahead; she picked up a stick and gently lifted a corner of the thorn pile.

Translation: Until a large patch of tangled thorns appeared lying on the stone wall ahead; she picked up a stick and gently lifted a corner of the thorn pile.

Until a large patch of messy thorns appeared lying on the stone wall ahead; she picked up a stick and gently lifted a corner of the thorn pile.

Behind the thorn thicket, a hidden cave appeared.

Translation: Behind the thicket of thorns, a concealed cave indeed appeared.

Or "Behind the thorn thicket, a hidden cave indeed appeared." We'll do: "Behind the thorn thicket, a hidden cave indeed appeared."

Xiao Jiu's heart suddenly raced.

Translation: Xiao Jiu's heart suddenly began to race.

Or "Xiao Jiu's heart suddenly started pounding." We'll do: "Xiao Jiu's heart suddenly started pounding."

She carefully crawled inside, restored the thorn thicket, then turned and walked deeper into the cave.

Translation: She carefully crawled inside, restored the thorn thicket, then turned and walked deeper into the cave.

She carefully crawled inside, restored the thorn thicket, then turned and walked deeper into the cave.

After walking about fifty meters, a scent of grilled fish came from ahead; Xiao Jiu took a deep breath… she could only stay calm by continuously breathing deeply.

Translation: After walking about fifty meters, a scent of grilled fish came from ahead; Xiao Jiu took a deep breath… she could only keep calm by continuously breathing deeply.

After walking about fifty meters, a scent of grilled fish came from ahead; Xiao Jiu took a deep breath… she could only stay calm by continuously breathing deeply.

After she rounded the cave corner, she saw the dim, flickering firelight ahead… and a man sitting by the fire, intently grilling fish.

Translation: When she turned the corner of the cave, she saw the flickering yellow firelight ahead… and a man sitting before the fire, intently grilling fish.

We need to keep the ellipsis. So: "When she turned the corner of the cave, she saw the flickering yellow firelight ahead… and a man sitting before the fire, intently grilling fish."

Xiao Jiu stood frozen, unable to come to her senses for a long time.

Translation: Xiao Jiu stood frozen in place, unable to come to her senses for a long time.

Or "Xiao Jiu stood frozen, unable to regain her senses for a long time." We'll do: "Xiao Jiu stood frozen in place, unable to regain her senses for a long time."

Dream.

Translation: Dream.

This is a dream.

Translation: This is a dream.

Xiao Jiu repeatedly told herself in her heart, this is a dream, not reality.

Translation: Xiao Jiu repeatedly told herself in her heart, this is a dream, not reality.

Xiao Jiu repeatedly told herself in her heart, this is a dream, not reality.

Perhaps it was because her fever this time was too high.

Translation: Perhaps it was because this fever burned her too severely.

Or "Maybe it's because this fever got too bad." We'll do: "Perhaps it was because this fever burned her too severely."

When people are at their weakest, they are prone to delusions.

Translation: When people are at their weakest, they are prone to foolish thoughts.

Or "At their weakest, people easily give rise to delusions." We'll do: "When people are at their weakest, they are prone to foolish thoughts."

Xiao Jiu thought she probably missed Liu Junyan too much, which is why she returned to this cave in her dream.

Translation: Xiao Jiu thought she probably missed Liu Junyan too much, which is why she returned to this cave in the dream.

We need to use Liu Junyan. So: "Xiao Jiu thought she probably missed Liu Junyan too much, which is why she returned to this cave in the dream."

This cave is where Feng Li Slave and Liu Junyan first met.

Translation: This is the cave where Feng Li Nu and Liu Junyan first met.

We need to use Feng Li Nu (pinyin) and Liu Junyan. So: "This is the cave where Feng Li Nu and Liu Junyan first met."

And Feng Li Slave is also herself.

Translation: And Feng Li Nu is also herself.

Or "And Feng Li Nu is herself as well." We'll do: "And Feng Li Nu is also herself."

Xiao Jiu remembered that when she was training in these deep mountains, she was attacked by several demon beasts, suffered some injuries, was tired and hungry, and by chance discovered this cave, where she met Liu Junyan.

Translation: Xiao Jiu remembered that when she first trained in these deep mountains, she was attacked by several demon beasts, suffered some injuries, was tired and hungry, and by chance discovered this cave and met Liu Junyan.

We need to use Liu Junyan. So: "Xiao Jiu remembered that when she first trained in these deep mountains, she was attacked by several demon beasts, suffered some injuries, was tired and hungry, and by chance discovered this cave and met Liu Junyan."

At that time, Liu Junyan was just sitting by the fire, intently grilling fish.

Translation: Back then, Liu Junyan sat just like this before the fire, intently grilling fish.

We need Liu Junyan. So: "Back then, Liu Junyan sat just like this before the fire, intently grilling fish."

That fish was grilled by him to a crisp outside and tender inside, its aroma filling the air, making people drool.

Translation: That fish was grilled by him to a crisp outside and tender inside, its aroma filling the air, making people drool.

That fish was grilled by him to a crisp outside and tender inside, its aroma filling the air, making people drool.

She asked him for a fish to eat, but he completely ignored her.

Translation: She asked him for some fish to eat, but he completely ignored her.

We'll do: "She asked him for some fish to eat, but he completely ignored her."

She then tried to take it, they fought, and the grilled fish ended up falling into the fire and getting burnt.

Translation: She then went to grab it, they fought, and the grilled fish ended up falling into the fire and burning to a crisp.

We'll do: "She then went to grab it, they fought, and the grilled fish ended up falling into the fire and burning to a crisp."

They could be said to have become acquainted through fighting.

Translation: They could be considered acquaintances made through fighting.

Or "They could be said to have become acquainted through fighting." We'll do: "They could be considered acquaintances made through fighting."

The scene replayed, but this time Xiao Jiu's gaze locked onto Liu Junyan, not even glancing at the grilled fish.

Translation: The scene replayed, but this time Xiao Jiu's gaze locked onto Liu Junyan, not even glancing at the grilled fish.

We need Liu Junyan. So: "The scene replayed, but this time Xiao Jiu's gaze locked onto Liu Junyan, not even glancing at the grilled fish."

The man leisurely grilled the fish, seemingly unaware that someone had entered, staring at him.

Translation: The man leisurely grilled the fish, seemingly unaware that someone had entered, staring at him.

The man leisurely grilled the fish, seemingly unaware that someone had entered, staring at him.

The fire in the pit gradually weakened, the man slowly turned the skewer holding the fish in his hand, the fish went from golden-brown to charred black, and then with a poof it burst into flames…

Translation: The fire in the pit gradually weakened, the man kept slowly turning the spit holding the fish, the fish in his hand went from yellow-brown to charred black, and finally with a bang it burst into flame and burned…

We need to keep ellipsis. So: "The fire in the pit gradually weakened, the man kept slowly turning the spit holding the fish, the fish in his hand went from yellow-brown to charred black, and finally with a bang it burst into flame and burned…"

Xiao Jiu was startled and instantly came to her senses.

Translation: Xiao Jiu was startled, and instantly came to her senses.

We'll do: "Xiao Jiu was startled, and instantly came to her senses."

She looked in surprise at the burning grilled fish, feeling a bit dazed.

Translation: She looked in surprise at the burning grilled fish, feeling a bit dazed.

We'll do: "She looked in surprise at the burning grilled fish, feeling a bit dazed."

How could this happen?

Translation: How could this happen?

We'll do: "How could this happen?"

Can a dream… change?

Translation: Dream……will it change?

We'll keep ellipsis: "Dream……will it change?"

It probably can, after all it's just a dream.

Translation: It probably will, after all it's just a dream.

We'll do: "It probably will, after all it's just a dream."

Xiao Jiu did not step forward to reveal herself, nor did she remind Liu Junyan that the fish had burned to charcoal.

Translation: Xiao Jiu did not step forward to reveal herself, nor did she remind Liu Junyan that the grilled fish had burned to charcoal.

We need Liu Junyan. So: "Xiao Jiu did not step forward to reveal herself, nor did she remind Liu Junyan that the grilled fish had burned to charcoal."

She simply found a stone in a corner of the cave, sat there, quietly watched Liu Junyan, and waited for the dream to end naturally.

Translation: She simply found a stone in a corner of the cave, sat there, and quietly watched Liu Junyan, waiting for the dream to end naturally.

We need Liu Junyan. So: "She simply found a stone in a corner of the cave, sat there, and quietly watched Liu Junyan, waiting for the dream to end naturally."

It had been over five years since she last saw Liu Junyan, not even once in her dreams.

Translation: She hadn't seen Liu Junyan for over five years, and even in the dream he never came once.

We need Liu Junyan. So: "She hadn't seen Liu Junyan for over five years, and even in the dream he never came once."

She was afraid.

Translation: She was afraid.

Afraid that if she spoke, the dream would shatter.

Translation: Afraid that if she spoke, the dream would shatter.

We'll do: "Afraid that if she spoke, the dream would shatter."

The fish wasn't large; the fire soon died out, Liu Junyan poked the embers with a bare branch, sparks flew wildly, then quickly died out.

Translation: The fish wasn't large; the fire soon died out, Liu Junyan poked the embers with a bald stick, sparks flew wildly, then quickly died out.

We need Liu Junyan. So: "The fish wasn't large; the fire soon died out, Liu Junyan poked the embers with a bald stick, sparks flew wildly, then quickly died out."

When the fire pit lost all light and the whole cave plunged into darkness, the dream finally ended.

Translation: When the firepit lost all light and the whole cave fell into darkness, the dream finally ended.

We'll do: "When the firepit lost all light and the whole cave fell into darkness, the dream finally ended."

Xiao Jiu knew she had awakened, and she also heard the voices of Bai Shulan and Li Qingying.

Translation: Xiao Jiu knew she had awakened, and she also heard the voices of Bai Shulan and Li Qingying.

We need Bai Shulan and Li Qingying exactly as given: Bái Sōnglán and Li Qingying. Note the tone marks. We must use exactly those strings. So: "Xiao Jiu knew she had awakened, and she also heard the voices of Bai Shulan and Li Qingying."

She knew it must have been Li Qingying who discovered her fever and fetched Bai Shulan to check on her.

Translation: She knew it must be Li Qingying who had noticed her fever and fetched Bai Shulan to check on her.

We need Li Qingying and Bai Shulan. So: "She knew it must be Li Qingying who had noticed her fever and fetched Bai Shulan to check on her."

Xiao Jiu felt dazed, and she sensed they had given her medicine, but this time the medicine seemed ineffective, and she just couldn't wake up.

Translation: Xiao Jiu felt dazed, and also felt they had given her medicine, but this medicine seemed ineffective, and she just couldn't wake up.

We'll do: "Xiao Jiu felt dazed, and also felt they had given her medicine, but this medicine seemed ineffective, and she just couldn't wake up."

Not knowing how long had passed, Xiao Jiu fell into the dream again.

Translation: No one knew how long had passed before Xiao Jiu fell into the dream again.

We'll do: "No one knew how long had passed before Xiao Jiu fell into the dream again."

It was the exact same dream, and she experienced it once more.

Translation: Exactly the same dream, she experienced it once more.

We'll do: "Exactly the same dream, she experienced it once more."

Still the same mountain.

Translation: Still that same mountain.

Still the same cave.

Translation: Still that same cave.

Inside the cave, the man was intently grilling fish.

Translation: Inside the cave, the man was intently grilling fish.

After entering, Xiao Jiu still sat on that stone, staring blankly at the man, until the fire died out and the dream ended.

Translation: After entering, Xiao Jiu still sat on that stone, foolishly gazing at the man until the fire died out and the dream ended.

We'll do: "After entering, Xiao Jiu still sat on that stone, foolishly gazing at the man until the fire died out and the dream ended."

Then came the third, fourth, fifth…

Translation: Then came the third, fourth, fifth times…

We'll keep ellipsis: "Then came the third, fourth, fifth times…"

Over and over, the cycle made Xiao Jiu realize that this dream might not be a simple one.

Translation: Over and over the cycle repeated, letting Xiao Jiu realize that this dream might not be a simple dream.

We'll do: "Over and over the cycle repeated, letting Xiao Jiu realize that this dream might not be a simple dream."

Or had she been burned silly?

Translation: Or had she been burned silly?

We'll do: "Or had she been burned silly?"

Or had she fallen into her inner demon and couldn't escape?

Translation: Or had she fallen into a heart demon and couldn't escape?

We'll do: "Or had she fallen into a heart demon and couldn't escape?"

Or perhaps… it was some kind of trial?

Translation: Or perhaps……it was some kind of trial?

We'll keep ellipsis: "Or perhaps……it was some kind of trial?"

Before came the gold and silver jewels swept up by the waves of the Pearl Coil River, and after came Shan Shan trapped in the Nirvana Fire Domain awaiting rescue; these two have already been confirmed as trials for Xiao Jiu.

Translation: Before came the gold and silver jewels swept up by the waves of the Pearl Coil River, and after came Shan Shan trapped in the Nirvana Fire Domain awaiting rescue; these two have already been confirmed as trials for Xiao Jiu.

Before came the gold and silver jewels swept up by the waves of the Pearl Coil River, and after came Shan Shan trapped in the Nirvana Fire Domain awaiting rescue; these two have already been confirmed as trials for Xiao Jiu.

So, Xiao Jiu finally concluded that this time should be the same.

Liu Junyan is the person she loves the most.

No matter how indifferent she acted after his ascension, deep in her heart she could never truly let go of Liu Junyan.

But Xiao Jiu didn't understand what this dream was testing her for.

She didn't rush over to see Liu Junyan, nor did she go to grab his grilled fish; she clearly did nothing at all!

If it was a test, Xiao Jiu felt she should have passed and could go through smoothly.

Why on earth is this happening?

For the sixth time, Xiao Jiu stood again in that forest.

This time she didn't move.

She didn't follow her memory to look for that thicket of brambles, nor did she enter the cave.

She just stood in place, not thinking about anything, not interfering with anything in the dream, until the dream disappeared and she withdrew.

Li Qingying's anxious and worried voice sounded in her ear: "Shulan, what on earth is wrong with Xiao Jiu? I've fed her medicine, given her injections, brought down the fever only for it to flare up again, over and over—if this continues, Xiao Jiu will be burned into stupidity."

Bai Shulan didn't speak.

Xiao Jiu knew she was definitely in trouble as well.

Over these years, Bai Shulan's cultivation has risen by who knows how many levels, she's solved countless difficult ailments, even the problem of Bai Jingming's cursed skin that would rot over time—she solved them all.

Only then was Bai Jingming able to return to the hospital to hold consultations.

But this time, despite all her efforts, she couldn't cure Xiao Jiu.

Li Qingying sighed and complained: "How strange, I called Xingchen, but Xingchen didn't care; A Cheng usually calls her 'older sister', but this time I asked him to come tell Xiao Jiu's fortune and do some rituals, yet he didn't come either—everyone had agreed to help, yet no one cares whether Xiao Jiu lives or dies..."

Saying she isn't sad is impossible; Li Qingying feels the most heartache for Xiao Jiu.

Even though she now has two litters of cubs, Xiao Jiu still holds the top place in her heart.

Bai Shulan shook her head and said: "Qingying, perhaps we should let things take their natural course; Xiao Jiu isn't sick, she... might be undergoing tribulation."

"Tribulation?" Li Qingying didn't understand, "What kind of tribulation would burn someone like this to undergo it? Why would Xiao Jiu need to undergo tribulation? Could it be... she also needs to ascend?"