TN: Unedited. Also, I found myself confused over whether theyâre sitting in a tower or on platforms in this chapter. The word tai (å°) is used a lot and itâs hard to tell. @[email protected]
Also, had to check up on a lot of terminology used, etc. (this is #1 reason why Iâve released this chapter a bit late). I think I got it right, but please correct me if Iâm wrong. ^^
Jue Di Gorge.
Jue Di Gorge covered the span of seven mountains in a chain, rising and falling and all covered with verdant growth. Among them were secret undercurrents, waterfalls and strange rocks, quiet and deep secluded valleys with tall peaks in disorderly confusion. As its name suggested, the terrain brought a feeling of being âpressed to an impasse,â but in the next moment letting someone see a road that showed that the heavens wouldnât seal off all exits.
In Shen Qingqiuâs view, even if it wasnât being used as the Immortal Alliance Conferenceâs opening venue, everyone would deem that it was a dangerous place to live.
The main force was the big four cultivation sects. Cang Qiong Mountain sect was in the lead, followed by Zhao Hua Temple, Tian Yi Overlook, and lastly Huan Hua Palace. [1]
Among the four sects, Cang Qiong Mountain sect was the most comprehensive. Each of its twelve peaks had their specialties, a multi-pronged approach forming a hodge-podge. The Temple and Overlook naturally were monastic and Daoist sects respectively; Huan Hua Palace was more complex, the sectâs guidance leaning more towards the militaristic school of thought and good at Qimendunjia divination [2]. They were also the ones who had the most contact with the world, the strength of their techniques unclear. However, they were without a doubt the richest. Huan Hua Palace took out the most money for the Immortal Alliance Conference every time.
Additionally, there were uncountable and numerous other small to middle-sized sects. Therefore, the total number of people who registered and gathered at Jue Di Gorge in the end would definitely be above ten thousand.
The formerly silent and cold entrance to the gorge was suddenly filled with an influx of thousands of people. The mountain animals who had never seen people were surprised out. On all sides, there was a sense of liveliness and activity.
The rookie cultivators of the Alliance were preparing to stand neatly in an array. Surrounding the mountain gorge was an immense natural stone platform.
There had long since been a high tower put up at the gorgeâs entrance for the cultivators who werenât participating in the Conference to observe everything, the colorful flags representing each sect high up on the roof, open and fluttering. The first-class spot reserved for sect leaders was on the highest floor; since Yue Qingyuan was the sect head of Cang Qiong Mountain sect, he led the group to sit at the highest floor.
Shen Qingqiu sat behind. Close to his left sat a poised and magnanimous old man with a hefa
hairstyle [3] whoâd given care towards everyone from Cang Qiong Mountain sect in the past. He also greeted him: âImmortal Master Chen.â [4]
The old head of Huan Hua Palace was also the shifu of Luo Bingheâs birth mother. Shen Qingqiu viewed him as something like a member of royalty as he paid his respects.
Soon, a member of Huan Hua Palace stepped onto the stone platform. Since they spent the most money, letting the major stockholder monopolize control of the ceremonies wasnât a big deal. The people below down in front of him gradually became quiet and attentive as they listened to him read the Conferenceâs rules and arrangements.
This personâs basic skills foundation was deep, his breath full and lasting a long time. From the gorge entrance to the highest level of the tower, all were able to hear his voice very clearly.
âThe Conference will be held for seven days. After everyone enters the gorge, a large enchantment will cover the entire Jue Di Gorge. Within seven days, all participants who have entered into Jue Di Gorge will have cut off all communication to the outside world. They will be unaware of the situation outside, but onlookers can freely soar through the skies of the gorge on spirit eagles to see the situation inside the field.
âHundreds of kinds of monsters have already been placed inside the gorge. There are nearly five thousand in total. With every monster taken down, a bead can be obtained from the body [5]. With the different levels of monsters, there will be a corresponding level of difference in the spiritual energy contained in the bead. Is everyone wearing a gold wire on their wrist?â
Everyone below the platform immediately revealed their wrists, showing the gold wires on them. It looked quite spectacular.
The master of ceremonies continued to speak: âAfter getting a bead and stringing it onto the gold wire, your grade will automatically be sorted on the ranking boards here.
The ranking boards hung opposite the high tower. Although there were eight boards, people were not interested in first or second place; rather, everyoneâs interest naturally focused on the first 100 names on the first ranking board. In particular, they focused on the first ten names. This was the reason for not caring about first or second place.
Finally, that Huan Hua sect person stressed severely: âIt is strictly forbidden for there to be fights between sects for beads! If a secret fight is found and despicable means used to snatch other peopleâs beads discovered, you will be immediately be stripped of your rights to participate in this Conference and will be banned from participating for three periods!â
Three periods meant twelve years.
Among these new cultivators, there were many young people who hadnât experienced the world but the number of experienced old fritters [6] wasnât lacking either. They were afraid that some people would be shameless and things become a mess of unscrupulous bullying, crooked fishes and honest dragons mixed together. If there was no ban, he was afraid that this entire Conference would become extremely chaotic to the point that even human lives would be lost. Therefore, this stipulation was very necessary.
At this time, near the front there were a few female sect heads who were speaking as though they were secretively discussing their private desires.
âWhich sect is that disciple from? Heâs exceedingly handsome.â
âThat one in the white clothes, when compared, doesnât lose out to Senior Martial Brother Gongyi.â
âThe spiritual power of Senior Martial Brother Gongyi is very strong, how can you compare them?â
At once glance, Shen Qingqiu saw clearly that the white-clothed figure in the crowd that they were talking about was the clearly outstanding and out-of-this-world Luo Binghe.
In fact, it wasnât only them who were secretly looking and discussing. Even among the disciples participating in the Conference situated below the platform, there was no lack of young girls who were secretly paying attention to Luo Binghe, their two cheeks flaming crimson.
Though sounds were suppressed very low, all of those who were sitting were all capable cultivators and their five senses were extremely clear. How could they not hear? These young women were too young to take care and their words were heard by others. Fortunately, everyone was very polite and pretended that they didnât hear anything, their gazes not straying.
Some people, in order to break away from the embarrassment, coughed twice and smiled: âEveryone has come from all different directions; letâs calculate whether there are any new outstanding cultivators for this timeâs Immortal Alliance Conference?â
Shen Qingqiuâs spirits were immediately lifted by this topic!
The âcalculateâ mentioned wasnât really talking about any old calculations, but â gambling!
To say it bluntly, it was laying a bet on the young cultivator you looked favorably on.
Cultivators also needed a little entertainment. Moreover, they didnât stop at betting with tacky things like gold and silver. They bet with things like treasured cultivation techniques, spirit stones, and sending a disciple to the other personâs sect for training and boosting their reputation. They also wouldnât bet in earnest with important items, but it was still a traditional and fun event of the Immortal Alliance Conference.
Slightly older sect leaders like those of Yue Qingyuanâs generation wouldnât play with things like this, but naturally there would be people willing to join the fun. Not even a moment had passed when the viewing platform was bustling with activity. There was no lack of people laying down bets for their own sect or divisionâs promising disciples. For example, Qi Qingqi laid a bet down for Liu Mingyan.
Shen Qingqiu didnât need to consider anything at all and straightforwardly laid a bet of 1000 spirit stones on Luo Binghe!
This overly large move shocked everyone around.
Fellow sect members were all in their hearts muttering how they hadnât heard of this name Luo Binghe before. Actually, they couldnât be blamed. Luo Bingheâs temperament right now was rather modest and low-key. He wasnât willing to claim credit for himself and always did some good deed and silently left. His reputation just wouldnât grow, so that was why he didnât shine. The bystanders were unclear what kind of reason would let Shen Qingqiu be like a colorful painting and so inspired about his disciple.
And below the highest level, the master of ceremonies with great energy and breath concluded the details of the Conference, after letting all the new cultivators be sworn in and officially starting admissions.
Because there were so many people, they went in through twelve different exits in groups regardless of which sect they were from. The participating rookie cultivators all nervously stepped into the bounds of Jue Di Gorge. The event begun, the already famous and successful elders on the highest floor remained calm and unruffled in the chaos while idly chatting or eating melon seeds.
How did the people outside know the circumstances inside Jue Di Gorge then?
There were many hundreds of spirit eagles inside the enchantment. The spirit eagles were controlled by special staff to watch. On their claws were silver rings inlaid with a special crystal. When soaring, the entire panorama below was within their view and uploaded to the many crystal screens set in front of the high platform. There wasnât much difference compared to modern surveillance equipment.
Some people beamed radiantly: âSure enough, the opening ceremony is number one!â
On the red announcement, the names of the top ten were all in brilliant gold. At this moment, the name in first place had already become the characters for âGong Yixiao.â It was followed afterward by the number âTwelve.â
That is to say, within the short span of half a shichen [1 hour], he had already gotten rid of twelve monsters and gotten twelve beads!
Following close behind in second place was Liu Mingyan, who had gotten rid of monsters and attained six beads, a distance between them of twice the number.
The crystal screen reflected a handsome and light-spirited young teenager, his natural and unrestrained demeanor like drifting clouds and flowing water. When he made a move, it was like lightning. In a moment, the extremely sad spirits who came in front of him were chopped, vanishing like smoke and dispersing like clouds.
Why are you like this!
Shen Qingqiu smiled but didnât speak.
This Gong Yixiao looked like he was positively leaking with a domineering aura, but hehe, he was actually cannon fodder on par with himself.
He was that sort of representative for âlooks handsome, good family, high talent, liked by sisters, high-spirited and vigorous, successful young man. But unfortunately, the protagonist is here. You must become cannon fodder for the protagonist.â Despite being the person that the majority of those present thought would become first on the list, he sadly and unfortunately wouldnât able to be in the lead for long before Luo Binghe kicked him down.
Luo Bingheâs name was now ranked in the middle, the second digit was only a âone.â
Shen Qingqiu wasnât worried in the slightest.
He knew that when night arrived, there wouldnât be anyone able to ward off Luo Bingheâs unstoppable force on the list.
At that moment, a profoundly affecting big â¡â¡ riot, a frightening plot, was about to have its curtains drawn open!
The Immortal Alliance Conference, the first day, only a few minutes away and drawing near the time of jin [11:00PM-1:00AM].
The sky was dark blue, a round full moon hanging high in the sky. The high platform was ablaze with lights.
Shen Qingqiu always had his mouth closed without a word, pretending to be meditating but actually conserving strength and storing up energy. Then he finally opened his eyes. Within the myriad crystal screens, he finally found a mirror that reflected out Luo Bingheâs situation at the moment.
Luo Binghe was slowly proceeding in the forest, carrying his sword across his back, his body spotless, looking completely unwearied. His eyes were like stars and seemed like they could pierce straight through the crystal screen.
However, he wasnât alone.
A great number of people moved alone or partnered with someone they were familiar with. At most there were three disciples in a group. Of course, there were also very powerful female cultivators but speaking of the whole, their raw physical and psychological strength were not enough. Often, they needed to be helped by other people. In this group, they were all elder and younger martial sisters with good relations. All along the road, they seemed like a huge joke and didnât fit the situation at all. Also, there were too many people and their individual strengths indeterminable; how would the bead be split between them? This was also a complicated question.
On Luo Bingheâs side, seven or eight people followed. If they werenât weak women then they were very young disciples. This scene was very attention-grabbing. Immediately, some people even left off watching Gongyi Xiaoâs figure and turned around to look at the sight of this strangely bloated team.
Among them, the one who walked closest to Luo Binghe was a figure in light yellow clothes, a Huan Hua Palace disciple holding up a Night Pearl [7].
âEnd Chapter 22â
[1] Cang Qiong Mountain sect... Zhao Hua Temple, Tian Yi Overlook, and Huan Hua Palace: Iâve mentioned what Cang Qiong Mountainâs name means in Chinese, so Iâll move onto the other three. Zhao Hua Temple (æè¯å¯º) = âClear Flowerâ Temple (âtempleâ as in the monastery sense). Tian Yi Overlook (天ä¸è§) = âOne Heavenâ Overlook but literally âsky/heaven one look.â Huan Hua Palace (å¹»è±å®®) = âImaginary Flowerâ Palace.â
[2] Qimendunshu divination (å¥ééè¡): I... have no idea what this is other than some kind of ancient Chinese divination tradition. I think. This is the closest thing I could find in my dictionary.
[3] Hefa hairstyle (鶴髮): Some kind of hairstyle. Literally translates to âcrane hairstyle.â I tried Google Images but all of them were... really weird. Just know itâs an ancient Chinese hairstyle.
[4] Immortal Master Chen (æ²ä»å¸«): âChenâ is the old manâs surname. âImmortal Masterâ (xianshi) is something like Immortal Master/Master Immortal and a respectful way to call a high-ranking cultivator. I was tempted to use the pinyin âChen xianshiâ but went with âImmortal Master Chen.â If you prefer the pinyin version, drop me a comment and let me know. Iâll change it if enough people vote for it, otherwise Iâll assume what Iâve done is fine.
[5] Monsters (éç©) and beads (念ç ): I was very tempted to translate this as âdemonic/magic creatureâ, but Google-sensei threw me âmonster.â And the character âwuâ (éç©) threw me for a loop because it means âmatter,â âthing,â or âobjectâ and thatâs not what you call something that can chew on you. Iâll be using âmonsterâ for now though. It seems to fit best. As for beads (念ç ) or nianzhu, Iâm assuming this is NOT a beast core; like the literal translation âprayer bead,â itâs referring to something probably artificially made for the Conference and put on the monsters for the kiddy cultivators to collect.
[6] Experienced old fritters: Meaning experienced people, but I wanted to keep the funny common language used here at least in feeling. Actual term used is lao you tiao (èæ²¹æ¢) which literally refers to these yummy fried dough stick things. Theyâre usually on the salty side and if you leave them out too long, they tend to get chewy (but still delicious). Hereâs what they look like:
[7] Night Pearl (å¤æç ): Some kind of pearl thatâs supposed to glow in the dark. Theyâre using it as a flashlight here.
Also: Gongyi Xiao (å ¬åè) resulted in yet another edit lol. His name means âpublic ceremonyâ and the last part âmournful/sad.â What an ominous name...