Chapter Ninety-Nine: Heaven Beyond Heaven, Self Beyond Self
text you'd like me to translate!The bells of the Chengdao Temple rang nine times in succession, instantly startling the powerful figures throughout the Wangjiang City area.This is a translation servi...If there is any deity in theShan Hai Jing that no one can ignore,
Then there must only be the name "Candle Nine Yin".
Because every blink of its eyes, every breath it takes, affects the entire world of Shan Hai.
Everyone knows the Candle Nine Yin!
Chaos described Zhú Jiǔyīn's crimes, saying it "believed itself to be the highest. It defied Heaven's mandate and oppressed all gods."
It was also said that the World of Mountains and Seas would be destroyed by those foolish beings, and mention was made of the collapse of the Divine Era...
It seems there's a large shadow, being pulled out.
The Shanhai realm wasn't born purely because of the Tianjiao of the Chu region. This world wouldn't stop functioning just because people came to test themselves or didn't.
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It has its own rules.
The mountain gods and sea gods in the Shan Hai Jing are not just symbols or abstract representations. They are real beings with their own stories and lives.
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Like the Three Forks avenging their son, like Chaos's hatred for Zhu Jiuyin.
Those astonishing unknown changes have their own reasons behind them.
"What conflict do you have with that deity" Jiang Wang asked cautiously.
“Contradiction” Chaos seemed to be laughing, yet also crying. “Yes, what contradiction is there”
"I am the only one who is not subject to the world."
Its voice rose in indignation: “It is nothing but the misery of the world that keeps people silent. I alone cannot bear it, so I have established this South Abyss!”
It gasped violently several times, as if struggling against something. Then it said: "On the Seagod's Wall behind you, there are inscriptions I left behind... have you seen them"
Only then did Jiang Wang and the others turn back, and on the black Sea God Wall, they saw a line of characters appear—
"Here the mountains turn southwards, and of all the world's directions, only the south refuses to submit!"
This sentence has a special kind of rebelliousness, with the momentum of suddenly soaring into the sky.
It's almost imaginable, the kind of splendor and grandeur there was at that moment.
Look at this strange sea god before you, blind and with eyes that are unseeing, his moods changing whimsically and chaotically... It is inevitable to sigh in amazement.
The victor is king, the vanquished is a bandit. This holds true throughout the world.
"I see," Jiang Wang sighed. "Your Lordship is truly a pillar of heaven, standing tall and unyielding."
“Hmm, hmm…” The chaotic creature chuckled weirdly before catching its breath. "It's been ages since I've been praised. This feeling… how nostalgic! Young one, you need to know that in the battles that define life, you must win. If you lose, even the things you despise most won't deign to kiss your boots."
“I've learned a lot.” Jiang Wang said, “But I still want to emphasize that my admiration for you is completely sincere and without any flattery.”
"Hmph! Hmph!" Chaos said, "You keep reminding me that you have a request for me. A geezer who's been stuck in the Nan Yuan Abyss for nine hundred years is happy to prove his worth... but you lot are going to have to do something for me."
It repeated, "You have to do things for me."
“Emotionally, I'm happy to help, but…” Jiang Wang said with difficulty: “With Candle Nine Yin ruling this world, the entire Shan Hai Realm only you dare not submit. Our three people are even more mediocre in strength. If any mountain god comes knocking, we can’t handle it… What can we do for you”
Yue Tiannu and Zuo Guangshu both remained silent, allowing Jiang Wang to speak on their behalf.
No matter what different thoughts they have in their hearts, at this time, give Jiang Wang enough trust.
Chaos slowed his voice and said, "I'm fixed here, unable to move. But when Zhú Jiǔyīn invaded the south, I bit off its tail. It was also severely wounded."
"Outside, the weather is fine and the sun shines day and night. Candle Nine Yin doesn't look like it's injured…" Jiang Wang made a pained face: "Besides, even if it was seriously injured, it's still an existence that we couldn't withstand with just a breath."
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“Day and night, its duty is always there. How could it neglect it Not to mention just being injured, even if it's about to die, it has to persevere!” Chaos’ expression turned ugly as soon as he mentioned Zhú Jiǔyīn.
After a pause, he said, "I'm not asking you to directly confront it."
It opened its mouth and spat out a triangular, ghastly white spire. The spire floated up and drifted slowly toward Jiang Wang's front.
“You just need to place this withered tower on the peak of Zhongshan Mountain.”
Jiang Wang looked at Zuo Guangshu.
Left Guangshu opened his mouth and explained: "Zhú Jiuyīn sits in charge of the two Shénshān Mountains, one is Zhāng Wěi Mountain, and the other is Zhōng Mountain. I think it's similar to Tāng Gǔ and Yú Yuān, one for sunrise and the other for sunset. Because Zhú Jiuyīn also governs the changes between day and night..."
Chaos has already spat the tower out, so there's no room for refusal.
...it's not entirely impossible to just put the Withering Tower in one place...
The dilapidated tower before me is oddly shaped, with jagged bone-like spikes at its peak. However, there's no strange odor, and it's surprisingly clean.
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But when Jiang Wang thought about this thing coming out of the belly of Chaos, he had a slimy feeling that wouldn't go away.
A smile graced his face as he rummaged through the storage box, finding an outer garment at random. He carefully wrapped the small tower in it, offering it with the reverence of a priest. Trying to put it away in the storage box, but it wouldn't fit. He could only wrap it in another layer and tuck it into his bosom.
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Then he said sadly, “I feel like I’ve known you my whole life, and I’m willing to do anything for you. However, the journey to Zhōngshān is fraught with danger. Today may be our last parting, and I fear that I am not strong enough to help you with your important task.”
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It's better if you could first help us get the Nine Phoenix Seal. When we have strengthened ourselves, then we can go to Zhongshan. As the saying goes, sharpening your tools won't delay chopping wood. With your wisdom, you must know this principle.”
He calmly replaced "providing clues about the Nine Phoenix Seal" with "helping to obtain the Nine Phoenix Seal".
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"Hmm, sharpening the knife... yes, I understand," Chaos's speech was somewhat disordered now, as if his thoughts were beginning to clash again.
"It spoke in a strained voice, "Leave this place and head towards the direction of the Poseidon Wall. Keep walking, and you will see Ji Xuan. As for the Nine Phoenix Chapter... you will learn more from him. This place is filled with dark thoughts, all banished pain inflicted by Zhú Jiuyīn. However, with the Withering Tower on you, you'll be safe on your journey."
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If one were to meet Jiā Xuán, one of the Nine Phoenixes, then the clues about the chapter of the Nine Phoenixes would naturally be more reliable.
Jiang Wang was overjoyed: “Thank you, honored god!”
Chaos panted, "Go...go."
“Besides…it’s really embarrassing to say.” Jiang Wang said with embarrassment, but then cheekily added, “Your Poseidon Wall, could I dig a piece away I really need this kind of material. It would be very helpful for me going to Zhongshan afterwards.”
Chaos was stunned for a moment, probably unable to react: "Me, you, this..."
Jiang Wang immediately said, "If it's really inconvenient for you, I'll just dig one piece!"
“Well... alright, let's just dig one piece.” Chaos said.
This is a test.
It seemed completely oblivious, Jiang Wang never gave it the option to refuse.
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The conflict of thoughts is now very intense.
This side of Chaos agreed, Jiang Wang had already appeared beside the Sea God Wall, and the Samādhi True Fire directly burned upwards.
"The process of attaining 'its three mysteries' is gradual, but progress is nonetheless being made."
And the circled area... is a bit too big.
"Wait a minute."
Chaos suddenly spoke.
The true fire of Samadhi on the wall of the Sea God extinguished instantly.
A fist-sized piece of flowing sand wood broke off and landed in Jiang Wang's hand.
"Here, go." Chaos said.
Although it was already so rude, Jiang Wang still enthusiastically bid farewell: "Then we won't disturb you any further. May the Divine Lord recover his body soon, defeat Zhu Jiu Yin, and rebuild his glory!"
After throwing out a few polite words that cost nothing, he then called upon Zu Guangshu and Yue Tiannu to leave.
Before he left, he saw that its bloated belly rose high, with a shadow of something moving around inside, as if it were about to burst...
What has twisted the chaos into this form
Jiang Wang didn't dare to look any longer, nor did he turn back.
Di Nan Yuan is a deep and mysterious sea.
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No sooner had the three left Chaos than they began to feel the presence of the sea.
It was as if I had crossed an invisible barrier, from a waterless environment to being immersed in water.
The Chongxuan environment here is upside down and chaotic, making one's body also fluctuate. But the seawater here is calm. It seems that the Chongxuan power that fluctuates between heavy and light only affects outsiders like Jiang Wang.
Large clumps of seaweed floated, like some kind of aggregated insect, bringing a sinister feeling.
The three of them remained silent, and as Chaos had instructed, they walked in the direction facing the Shenbi of the Withering South Abyss.
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They left the deep water area and walked on the sea surface as easily as stepping on stairs.
A kind of cold, watchful presence that appeared and never left. And the watching eyes grew more numerous... Jiang Wang could feel the weight of those gazes, and he could also sense the malice within them.
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Chaos said, those were the pains banished by Zhú Jiǔyīn.
Even in a clean and tidy city, there are drains. Under the sunlight, there are still shadows. The dark side of the world always exists.
Besides vigilance and response, there's no other way.
Leaving the deep water area and walking up to the surface of the sea, the feeling of oppression did not disappear at all.
The sky was overcast, and the sea was gloomy.
The heavy mood, like an eternity. Continuously accumulating, continuously accumulating...
It makes you want to go crazy, give up, and... die.
Die here, or be set free.
All life is suffering, what's the point of being born
Fortunately, Jiang Wang's will was as strong as ever. Yue Tiannu had her own Zen heart, and Zuo Guangshu also had his own ways of dealing with such situations.
That chaotic, evil and depraved atmosphere could not invade this squad.
Even in everlasting silence, there's inevitably a sense of withering.
"I've traveled far, so far that Zuo Guangshu finally spoke: 'I've established a connection with this body of water. But the range is small, the water here isn't pure, there are many forces pulling…it's not just because the divine artifact is being controlled.'"
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The team seemed to have come back to life.
As an elite team, they have certainly been fighting back in their own way.
Left Guangshu successfully established a connection with Shuiyu, fundamentally speaking, he fought for a private domain within Di Nanyan.
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Let the people around you be more free and at ease.
“This place is filled with resentment,” Yue Tiannu said.
"Di Nan Yuan fought the entire Shan Hai Jing with his own power, casualties were bound to be heavy." Zuo Guang Shu said: "After all, Chaos became like that, and there were other existences killed or exiled by Zhu Jiu Yin... resentment is inevitable."
>If he were in a different place, communicating across the water would not be this difficult.
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Jiang Wang only advised, "Don't try to resolve it. Don't throw sparks into the frying pan."
“Of course I'm aware of that.” Yutian Slave looked around, sighed and said, “Furthermore, with my current cultivation level, I can’t resolve it. This place... has accumulated too much and been entangled for far too long.”
Jiang Wang pondered for a moment and asked, "Master Yue has seen much of the world. Are there any similar places in the present world"
Yue Tiannu fell silent for a moment, then said: "Bane."
"Master, how did the previous generations deal with this"
“This is a long story, not something that can be explained in a short time.” Yue Tiannu said, “We can only say that the current peace of the Huoshu Water Realm is due to the suppression of the Sanxing Palace and the management of the Xuehe Sect.”
"Blood River Sect" Jiang Wang's brows furrowed slightly.
He first heard the name because of the Heart Eater Demon Bear asking. The former Ninth Demon who died under his gun, was a castaway from Xue He Sect.
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The second time I heard about it was that Xue He Zhenjun, as Shen Du Zhenjun's assistant, attacked Wantu together and beheaded Longjiao. During that turmoil in the realm of illusion, Xue He Zhenjun wanted to take Chongxuan Zun as his disciple.
He smiled: "Speaking of which, I always thought this was a left-leaning sect before. Later on, I finally understood and knew it was also one of the biggest sects in the world today. But I didn't expect that it would bear such a heavy responsibility…"
Yutian, the slave of the moon, said calmly: "There's no need to beat around the bush. Many of the Blood River Sect's magical techniques are indeed rather brutal and prone to leading one astray. However, a technique is simply a tool; it can be used for good or evil depending on the wielder's intentions."
"I've learned something." Jiang Wang bowed her head slightly.
"The most important thing is," Yue Tiannu said, "when a sect is labeled as an outlier, it means it loses its voice. In essence, it loses its strength. Such a sect cannot last long, nor can it grow and prosper."
Speaking of this, she said with a knowing look: "So, there is no such thing as a left path in the world What's called an alternative way is mostly because they can't get on stage."
The profound Dharma teachings of Master Yue Chan, as he expressed them, were beyond Jiang Wang's expectations.
When people talk about Buddhism, they all say it's about compassion. But to think that they are not clear-headed is a huge mistake.
Left Guangxu shook his head: "Then is there no distinction between right and wrong, good and evil"
This is actually the question Jiang Wang wanted to ask.
However, on second thought, even a cult like the White Bone Path, for the most part, its followers also believed they were saving the world and seeking to spread "fairness."
“Of course we should distinguish. Without distinctions between black and white, how would we have day and night Without distinctions between good and evil, how could there be clarity” Yue Tiānu said: “However, the ways of the world cannot remain constant. Even a single person has both good and evil within them. How much more so for a powerful force or an entire region Think carefully, is there any major sect that is purely evil, or any great nation that is completely wicked”
Zuo Guangshu was speechless for a moment and could only say, "Buddhism often talks about cause and effect. I think the master sees things in black and white."
“In this world, black and white are so intertwined. How can I dare to claim I see things clearly I often... am uncertain of right and wrong.” Yue Tiannu sighed, then said, “Look at us now in Di Nuan Yuan, is it black or white What about the current Shan Hai Jing And this present world, is it black or white One stands tall amidst a thousand burdens, heaven beyond heaven, body beyond body… how can one discern”
“A single body stands here worth ten thousand times over, heaven beyond the heavens, a body beyond bodies.” This verse is a famous saying left behind by Master Sumis Mountain who achieved enlightenment in Zen.
It's said that it's actually very difficult for a person to distinguish between right and wrong. In different "heavens" relative to different "bodies," perhaps there would be completely different answers.
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A world of three thousand resides in the palm of your hand. A clap, the simplest of actions, could destroy billions of lives.
Jiang Wang said calmly, "The master has made it clear."
Yue Tiannu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly clasped her hands together and laughed, “Master Jiang is right.”
Wherever you are, ask where you are. That is all.
When Master Zhaowu wrote this verse, he was simply expressing the true nature of one's mind.
Such questions, after all, have no constant answers.
The three people, having reached today's level of cultivation, have long since contemplated their own path and will not be easily persuaded or changed by anyone.
Thus, it was merely a skimming over the surface, and it passed by.
Zuo Guangshu asked again, "These birds - Fei Que, Jia Xuan, Kong Yuan, Lian Hong - have never been known to the world. Are they truly Phoenixes This classification of nine types of Phoenix is also something I've never heard before. It seems... Chaos is not very clear."
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"Do you know the clues to the Jiufeng Chapter" Jiang Wang asked.
"Are you Chaos' opponent" Jiang Wang asked again.
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Neither the left nor the right can answer.
Jiang Wang then said, "Whatever it says is fine. If there are any questions, we can wait until we see Jia Xuan."
This dark stretch of ocean seems to conceal some unknown danger.
This is stranger than any environment they have ever experienced in the Shan Hai Realm.
Gloom, silence, and coldness.
It seems like the root of everything is destruction, there's not a single place that's worth longing for.
The azure sea and sky outside the abyss, along with the exotic flowers and stones, form a striking contrast.
Perhaps only in such a place, only under such an extremely harsh environment, could one be truly "unsubmissive" to the Nine Yin Scriptures.
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Does not correspond to the rules of Shan Hai Jing.
Therefore, there was no alternation of day and night, only eternal darkness.
The long night is dark, and the sea is silent.
Walking on the murky seabed, every step I take is cautious. I can clearly feel that something terrifying is watching me, but I can't see anything.
The wilting tower hidden in his embrace, Jiang Wang had not touched it again, but he could feel that this outwardly unremarkable object guaranteed the smoothness of his path ahead.
This indicates that even within the chaotic abyss, there remains a vestige of authority.
“The Tower of Withering is like the decree of the Sea God, all evils tremble and dare not invade.” Zuo Guangshu smiled and said, “Now, are we also bathed in divine light”
Jiang Wang said calmly, "Even Chaos, who gave the Withering Tower, seems unable to stay awake for long. So, how long this Withering Tower is useful for is also questionable..."
“The inscription on the Poseidon Wall reminded me of something,” said Zuo Guangshu at this moment.
"What's up" Jiang Wang asked casually.
“Brother Jiang, as a scholar who has read extensively in history, should be aware of this,” said Zuo Guangxu. “During the peak of the Jing Dynasty, it was also like this... The world was under its sway, with only Nan refusing to submit.”
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He emphasized: "Only Chu shall not submit."
Jiang Wang glanced at him: "You're saying... Di Nang Yuan to Zhu Jiu Yin, is just like ancient Chu to Jing"
"Quite similar, wouldn't you say"
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"I think most people from Chu would make this connection," Jiang Wang said. "It's just a matter of whether that character was left behind by Huang Wei herself, or by Chaos itself."
“Huang Wei Zhen” Zuo Guangshu asked in confusion, “Wasn’t it Chaos who showed us How could it be Huang Wei Zhen Did you recognize it from the handwriting”
Jiang Wang thought to himself, the Wall of Mountain God and the Wall of Sea God were the best embodiment of Huang Wei's true will. Passing the Bi Fang Seal and the Disaster Seal through the Wall of Mountain God was proof of this.
It would be hard for Chaos to leave a mark on that.
But all he said was, “I have no ability to tell. Since the Shan Hai Jing is so closely related to Huang Wei, it stands to reason that he left this line of characters, entrusting his feelings for Chu State. Chaos lets us see these characters to illustrate its ambition, but it doesn't say that it itself carved them.”
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"That makes sense..." Zuo Guangshu said, "Brother Jiang, are we going to help Chaos"
"It would be difficult for someone from Chu not to be moved by such spirit," Jiang Wang smiled and said, "Let's first meet Ji Xuan and find the Nine Phoenix Chapter before we talk."
Chaos only said to keep walking in the direction of Poseidon's Wall and didn't say how long to walk for.
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For it, time was probably not something important. Or perhaps, within its constantly clashing thoughts, the concept of time had already been lost.
Day and night blurred into one for the trio journeying south, time measured only in their hearts.
They spoke less and less, growing ever more silent. Even with the Withered Tower's aid, they had to devote increasingly more of their energy to fighting against the encroaching influence of the South Abyss.
It is not merely the extremely chaotic and profound environment, nor is it merely the oppressive and deadening emotions that permeate.
Sometimes, there are gusts of cold wind that blow by like blades.
The sea is mostly deathly still, but sometimes it suddenly “collapses.” Like quicksand in the desert, there are sunken spots in the water.
Zu Guangshu only felt that on the other side of the "sinking pit," there was a terrifying aura, but he couldn't examine it closely.
Later on, they no longer stepped on water, but walked directly on air. In this way, when confronting the extreme environment of profound darkness, they would undoubtedly consume even more Spirit Stones.--
To Zu Guangshu, this wasn't something he cared about at all.
But it didn't dare fly too high, for the sky was terribly dark. And in that low-hanging mist, one could clearly see things filled with malice lurking about.
Just keep walking forward like that.
...until a certain moment—Left Guangshu remembered, it was after a full thirty-five hours.
They did indeed see the phoenix.
At that time, the sky was dark and the sea was unclear.
They were all feeling tired, but no one complained. They just trudged on silently.
Then, as he raised his eyes, his entire field of vision was taken up.
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It was a black phoenix, a hundred zhang tall.
Having the head of a deer, tail of a deer, head of a snake, tail of a fish, dragon scales and turtle shell, beak of a swallow and comb of a rooster.
Its body has five markings, resembling Chinese characters and being very apparent.
The first inscription is "De," the second is "Shun," the third is "Yi," the fourth is "Xin," and the fifth is "Ren."
Noble, mysterious, magnificent...
But it had been dead for many years.
Ps: Regarding Zhu Jiuyin, the original text in Shan Hai Jing only mentions two locations. In Haibei Jing (Overseas North Scripture), it says Zhongshan and Chu Yin. In Dahuang Beijng (Great Wilderness North Scripture), it says Zhangwei Mountain and Zhu Jiuyin and Zhu Long. The rest of the descriptions of its appearance and abilities are consistent, so this must be a mistake. Here's a synthesis of the information.ter him in Linzi, beating him up, and threatening anyone who dared to intervene, only Jiang Wang, who at the time had no real power base in Qi, stepped forward to ease the situation, giving both sides...