Chapter 846

Xiao Laosan followed Xiaoye into seclusion, while Xiao Jiu stayed behind to collect his shed skin and tortoise shell.

Translation: Xiao Laosan followed Xiaoye into seclusion, while Xiao Jiu stayed behind to collect his shed skin and tortoise shell.

Check: "Xiaoye" is Xiaoye (provided). "seclusion" -> seclusion. "shed skin" -> shed skin. "tortoise shell" -> tortoise shell.

We must assign the name Xiao Laosan to the first character, Xiaoye to the second, Xiao Jiu to the third, and use 'his' when referring to the first character.

After this tribulation passed, two-thirds of the gold sand turned black, crumbling to powder at a touch.

Translation: After this tribulation passed, two-thirds of the gold sand turned black, crumbling to powder at a touch.

Note: "crumbling to powder at a touch". Keep meaning.

The remaining third wasn't of great quality either, but after refining it a bit, it should still fetch a decent sum when sold.

Translation: The remaining third wasn't of great quality either, but after refining it a bit, it should still fetch some money when sold.

But what Xiao Jiu didn't expect was that, after sifting through the entire pile of gold sand, she still couldn't find Xiao Laosan's shed skin.

Translation: But what Xiao Jiu didn't expect was that, after sifting through the entire pile of gold sand, she still couldn't find Xiao Laosan's shed skin.

Later she learned that Xiao Laosan had indeed shed his skin, but after pulling it off with his mouth, he immediately ate it to replenish his strength.

Translation: Later she learned that Xiao Laosan had indeed shed his skin, but after pulling it off with his mouth, he immediately ate it to replenish his strength.

That's why Xiao Jiu couldn't find the shed skin.

Translation: That's why Xiao Jiu couldn't find the shed skin.

Note: the term literally means 'skin bag', but we translate it as 'shed skin'; therefore the phrase meaning 'the shed skin' is used, so line 6 reads: "That's why Xiao Jiu couldn't find the shed skin."

However, Xiao Jiu had a better haul.

Translation: However, Xiao Jiu had a better harvest.

She sifted through the gold sand and found seventeen pieces of translucent tortoise shell, each a bit larger than a one-yuan coin.

Translation: In the gold sand pile, she sifted out a total of seventeen pieces of transparent tortoise shell, each a bit larger than a one-yuan coin.

Besides those, she also sifted out a small handful of tiny, dense black scales.

Translation: Besides those, she also sifted out a small handful of tiny black scales.

Those were Xiao Laosan's dragon scales!

Translation: Those were Xiao Laosan's dragon scales!

Xiao Laosan's dragon scales were too tiny, far inferior to his father's.

Translation: Xiao Laosan's dragon scales were too tiny, far inferior to his father's.

But they were still dragon scales!

Translation: But they were still dragon scales!

I'd guess Qiu Honglin didn't anticipate this either; otherwise, he wouldn't have wanted them.

Translation: Qiu Honglin probably didn't expect this either; otherwise, he wouldn't have wanted them?

I'd guess Qiu Honglin didn't anticipate this either; otherwise, he wouldn't have wanted them.

That small handful of dragon scales numbered two or three hundred pieces.

Translation: That small handful of dragon scales amounted to two or three hundred pieces.

Xiao Jiu thought, when Bai Shuolan returns, I'll give these dragon scales to her.

Translation: Xiao Jiu thought, when Bai Shulan returns, I'll give these dragon scales to her.

She will surely be delighted.

Translation: She will surely be delighted.

After settling things, Xiao Jiu returned to the Yin Dang Hang.

Translation: After settling things, Xiao Jiu returned to Yin Dang Hang.

She picked out seven pieces of tortoise shell, wrapped them in a cloth, and placed them in a square wooden box.

Translation: She picked out seven pieces of tortoise shell, wrapped them in a cloth, and placed them in a square wooden box.

This is the promised pawn gold.

Translation: This is the promised "pawn gold".

This is the promised pawn gold.

Xiao Jiu had thought Qiu Honglin would come for the tortoise shell after dawn, but he arrived even sooner than she expected.

Translation: Xiao Jiu had thought Qiu Honglin would come for the tortoise shell after dawn, but he was more urgent than she imagined.

That night, shortly after midnight, Qiu Honglin arrived.

Translation: That night, just past midnight, Qiu Honglin arrived.

His complexion looked worse; he seemed very sensitive to the cold, dressed heavily in a high-necked sweater and down jacket, bundling himself up tightly.

Translation: His complexion looked worse; he seemed to fear the cold, dressed thickly in a high-necked sweater and down jacket, wrapping himself up tightly.

After receiving the tortoise shell, he thanked Xiao Jiu and turned to leave.

Translation: After receiving the tortoise shell, he thanked Xiao Jiu and turned to leave.

As he twisted his neck, Xiao Jiu seemed to catch a glimpse of a scar peeking from the edge of his high-necked sweater.

Translation: As he turned his neck, Xiao Jiu seemed to catch a glimpse of a scar peeking from the edge of his high-necked sweater.

It flashed by too quickly to be seen clearly.

Translation: It flashed by, indistinct.

After Qiu Honglin left, Xiao Jiu gave Hei Mo Qiong a glance; he understood immediately and silently followed.

Translation: After Qiu Honglin left, Xiao Jiu gave Hui Moqiong a look; he understood immediately and followed silently.

If Qiu Honglin had any ulterior motive, he would certainly take further action after obtaining the tortoise shell.

Translation: If Qiu Honglin had a problem, he would necessarily take further action after obtaining the tortoise shell.

Keeping an eye on him now would surely reveal some clue.

Translation: Keeping an eye on him now would surely reveal some clues.

Although Xiao Laosan safely survived this tribulation, it doesn't mean the danger is over.

Translation: Although Xiao Laosan safely survived this tribulation, it doesn't mean the crisis is over.

If stored properly, the aura on the tortoise shell can persist for a long time.

Translation: If stored properly, the aura on the tortoise shell can persist for a long time.

Someone with ill intent could use that aura to harm Xiao Laosan.

Translation: Someone with ill intent could use that aura to do harm to Xiao Laosan.

That said, anyone capable of scheming against Xiao Laosan in such a bold manner would hardly be an ordinary person.

Translation: But having the capability to scheme against Xiao Laosan and commit crimes against the wind—such a person would certainly not be an ordinary nobody.

What Xiao Jiu fears most is actually the ancient great demon sealed beneath the Sui Di waters.

Translation: What Xiao Jiu fears most is actually the ancient great demon sealed beneath the Suedi waters.

Two days later, Hei Mo Qiong returned with definite news.

Translation: Two days later, Hui Moqiong returned with definite news.

"That old thing definitely has a problem," Hei Mo Qiong said angrily. "He split the tortoise shell into two parts: one part with only two pieces, which he indeed ground into powder to use as a medicine guide; the remaining five pieces he took to refine into pills."

Translation: "That old thing certainly has a problem," Hui Moqiong said angrily. "He divided the tortoise shell into two parts: one part with only two pieces, which he indeed ground into powder to use as a medicinal guide; the remaining five pieces he used to refine pills."

Xiao Jiu frowned: "Do you know what kind of pill he's trying to make?"

Translation: Xiao Jiu frowned: "Do you know what kind of pill he's refining?"

Hei Mo Qiong said: "It seems to be a kind of solid-yuan pill, made with potent ingredients, all of them good stuff."

Translation: Hui Moqiong replied: "It seems to be a Solid Origin Pill, made with potent ingredients—nothing but good stuff."

Xiao Jiu gave it careful thought.

Translation: Xiao Jiu thought carefully.

Whether he's using it as a medicine guide or refining it into pills, as long as Qiu Honglin uses all seven pieces of tortoise shell, we can rule out the possibility of him harming Xiao Laosan with it.

Translation: Whether used as a medicinal guide or refined into pills, as long as Qiu Honglin used all seven pieces of tortoise shell, the possibility of harming Xiao Laosan with it can be ruled out.

Refining pills takes a long time—at least a hundred days, sometimes up to three or five years.

Translation: Refining pills takes a long time— as short as a hundred days, as long as three to five years.

In the short term, there's no need to worry about this.

Translation: In the short term, there's no need to worry about this.

Xiao Jiu had Hei Mo Qiong send people to secretly monitor Qiu Honglin, preparing for a protracted struggle.

Translation: Xiao Jiu had Hui Moqiong send people to secretly monitor Qiu Honglin, preparing for a protracted struggle.

Xiao Laosan entered seclusion.

Translation: Xiao Laosan entered seclusion.

Liu Junyan also entered seclusion.

Translation: Liu Junyan also entered seclusion.

Xiao Jiu's days suddenly relaxed.

Translation: Xiao Jiu's days suddenly relaxed.

Li Qingying kept an eye on her to ensure she rested well; during this period, Xiao Jiu would meditate whenever she had free time to improve her cultivation.

Translation: Li Qingying watched over her as she rested properly; during this period, Xiao Jiu would meditate when she had nothing to do, making slight progress in her cultivation.

The business at Yin Dang Hang proceeded as usual; lately there have been few big orders, and Xiao Jiu was happy to have some leisure.

Translation: The business at Yin Dang Hang proceeded as usual; lately there have been few big orders, so Xiao Jiu also enjoyed the leisure.

When people suddenly find themselves idle, they often pick up all the things they previously neglected.

Translation: When people suddenly find themselves idle, many things they previously overlooked are now picked up.

For example, Xiao Jiu suddenly thought of Bai Shuolan.

Translation: For example, Xiao Jiu suddenly thought of Bai Shulan.

Since receiving her letter, a little over half a month has passed; shouldn't she be back by now?

Translation: Since receiving her letter, another half month has passed; she should be back by now, right?

Xiao Jiu specifically asked Bai Qiong, who was even more puzzled: "I've been wondering too—my family's immortals left the Ten Thousand Great Mountains half a month ago, and she sent me word saying she's suffered some injuries, needs to go into seclusion to heal for a while, and asked us not to disturb her."

Translation: Xiao Jiu specifically went to ask Bai Qiong; Bai Qiong was even more bewildered: "I've been wondering too—my Immortal Clan left the Ten Thousand Great Mountains half a month ago, she sent me a message saying she'd suffered some injuries, needs to seclude herself to heal for a while, and asked us not to disturb her."

Xiao Jiu wondered: "Doesn't she usually go into seclusion to heal in a private room at the medical hall?"

Translation: Xiao Jiu wondered: "Isn't she usually in a private room at the infirmary when she secludes to heal?"

"Exactly, that's been the case for the past ten-odd years," Bai Qiong said. "I hadn't seen her return, so I contacted the Qinling side, thinking perhaps she had gone there to seclude, but they replied she never set foot in Qinling territory."

Translation: "Exactly, that's how it's been for over ten years," Bai Qiong said. "I just hadn't waited for her to return, so I contacted the Qinling side, thinking she might have gone there to seclude—but the people there told me she never set foot in Qinling territory."

A hiss…

Translation: Hiss…

Xiao Jiu sucked in a breath of cold air, feeling that something was wrong.

Translation: Xiao Jiu sucked in a breath of cold air, feeling that something was wrong.

How could she feel that Bai Shuolan was… hiding from someone?

Translation: How could she feel that Bai Shulan was… hiding from someone?

She told Bai Qiong not to panic, that she would send someone to investigate.

Translation: She told Bai Qiong not to panic, that she would send people to investigate.

After that inquiry, another half month passed with still no word.

Translation: After that inquiry, another half month passed with still no news.

Bai Shuolan seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Translation: Bai Shulan seemed to have vanished into thin air.

At this moment, even Xiao Jiu inexplicably felt a little panicked.

What annoyed her even more was that Guyun Que had suddenly brought the Yin Dang Hang.

Xiao Jiu immediately thought of the letter Bai Shulan had given her, and her gaze toward Guyun Que grew warm.

This is a blood relative of the Shaman Spirit!

Xiao Jiu thought Guyun Que had come to pick up the silver box, or perhaps to make contact with relatives would also be fine.

In the end, Guyun Que's first words were: 'Xiao Jiu Zhanggui, may I ask… where is Bai… Bai Shulan?'

Wow!

This little brat, you don't even use the proper title for Bai senior?

You just blurt out Bai Shulan?

What exactly did those two go through in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains?

Could it be… that true fate has arrived?

Actually, to speak frankly, if Xiao Jiu knew where Bai Shulan was right now, she would probably tell Guyun Que.

After all, it's true love.

Xiao Jiu doesn't mind going with the flow.

The crucial thing now is, she doesn't know!

Only now did Xiao Jiu fully realize that Bai Shulan's vigilance toward Guyun Que was truly tighter than guarding against thieves.

She even guarded against herself and Bai Qiong alike.

Xiao Jiu told the truth.

Then she watched helplessly as the light in Guyun Que's clear eyes faded bit by bit.

Unable to bear it, Xiao Jiu quickly produced the silver box and handed it to Guyun Que: 'This is something Shulan-jie left with me before heading to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains; she told me to give it to you when you arrived, after all, it might be important to you.'

Guyun Que didn't immediately take the silver box, but said: 'Someone as calculating as she wouldn't have decided beforehand, before heading to the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, to give this silver box to me; after all, back then she hadn't yet confirmed my identity, so she later contacted you, right?'

Damn!

Xiao Jiu really wants to curse someone!

Are youngsters these days this hard to fool?

A boy just experiencing his first stirrings of love and with a love‑addled brain—shouldn't he be dense?