TN/Foreword for those who haven't read the previous arcs and those who forgot: Lu Sheng recently became level 11 at the end of the Tournament arc AND unlocked new inherited teachings, memories and techniques of level 12. Lu Sheng, Wang He, and Duan Yifeng are disciples of Yang Yizhou. The latter three are highly powerful individuals. Wang He (Milway King) and Duan Yifeng (Wish Gale) are level 15 galaxy lords while Yang Yi-zhou (Willow Keel) is a level 16 star domain lord, the strongest martial artist we have heard of so far. These three used (and probably created) the Dream Space in order to nurture a super powerful individual who can collect memories, techniques, "inheritances" from countless martial artists, who can cultivate fast and who can maybe one day soon become stronger than them. They also shared their personal Daos with Lu Sheng, the Daos they spent thousands of years developing and perfecting. Lu Sheng follows these three Daos while also trying to create his own Dao and hoping to reach beyond level 16 and save the universe. [For now, this novel is on hiatus around chapter #660 and the universe isn't saved yet.] These three Daos are: 1) Wang He's Stellar Dao; Lu Sheng tries to turn all his cells into star seeds, miniature stars. 2) Duan Yifeng's Divine Crystal Dao. Lu Sheng developed psychic abilities and he can visualize and materialize powerful "crystals"; the last version was very powerful black crystals. 3) Yang Yizhou's Four-Extremes Dao. The four extremes and five elements will be discussed in later chapters. Thanks to them, Lu Sheng has complementary powerful enhanced/reinforced body states: the bright Stellar Form (protostar form, then main-sequence star form, then red-giant form), the shiny Golden Glazed Body and the hyper focused Martial God State. That's it for now, this chapter focuses on Duan Yifeng's Divine Crystal Dao, enjoy reading :) -- dhoo
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In order to regain the former glory of his Martial God State, Lu Sheng prioritized the cultivation of his spiritual power. He devoted the short remaining time of his trip to the teachings of the Divine Crystal Dao. After unlocking the inheritance of this martial Dao beyond Level 11 during the recent Interstellar Genius Martial Arts Exchange Tournament, Lu Sheng had never found the time to properly study the evolved techniques of this Dao. In particular, now that he had the opportunity, he could finally try to grasp the profound mysteries—beyond level 11—of the Crystal Visualization Technique.
Before level 12, this technique materialized through cosmic crystals of various materials and colors. They progressed layer by layer, continuously solidifying, sharpening, and strengthening. [TN: Transparent, diamond, gold, amethyst, white, and lately black crystals.] Upon reaching the Black Scythe Crystal form at level 11, these three aspects of crystal hardness, sharpness and strength seemed to have reached their pinnacle.
Sheng had initially assumed that the new level 12 Four-Color Crystals were merely a superior variant of the Black Scythe Crystals. But upon analyzing the memories he inherited, he discovered it was far more complex than he had imagined. The Four-Color Crystals visualized at level 12 possessed all the attributes of the level 11 Black Scythe Crystals, while also endowing Lu Sheng's spirit with a new quality: emotions.
Each of the four colors represented a distinct emotion: red signified rage, yellow... joy, blue... sorrow, and black... fear. In other words, by raising this technique at level 12, Lu Sheng's spiritual power gained the ability to manipulate and control these four emotions within his opponents. An unimaginably potent attribute.
"Before level 12, the effects [of the crystals] were purely physical. It seems from level 12 spiritual attack effects begin to manifest..."
Lu Sheng couldn't help but marvel at Duan Yifeng's extraordinary genius. The post-level-11 Divine Crystal Dao transcended physical slaying, ascending to the higher realm of emotional slaying. This would late become the blade of seven emotions [TN: but Lu Sheng didn't know that yet].
"No wonder [Duan Yifeng's Divine Crystal Dao] rivals Wang He's Stellar Dao. When two powerhouses clash, even the slightest fluctuation in mental state can directly sway the outcome. This ability to directly manipulate an opponent's emotions is truly monstrous."
Imagine two martial artists of comparable strength facing off: one as still as a frozen lake, the other constantly plagued by distracting thoughts. Constant errors in judgment would arise during combat. The former would undoubtedly prevail.
"Level 12... unless someone possesses an exceptionally strong psychic power, wouldn't I be able to make them cry or laugh at will?"
Sheng couldn't resist conducting an experiment. Adhering to the principle of proximity, his test subject naturally fell upon Babard, who was hanging in the aisle nearby.
Sheng merely extended his psychic energy toward him. Babard, who had been hanging from the ceiling with a gloomy expression, instantly transformed. His face broke into a broad smile, and he even giggled audibly. The laughter drew the attention of nearby passengers, who turned to look. There, dangling from the aisle ceiling, swaying back and forth, was a dark green creature with six tentacles, its mouth emitting a constant laughter.
The passengers' expressions instantly froze.
"Is hanging like this so much fun?"
But before long Babard's previously beaming face suddenly grew sorrowful. His eyelids fluttered, and large tears rolled down from his sockets. They streamed down his forehead, dripping onto the floor with a steady flow.
"Waaah..."
The onlookers' expressions shifted again.
"Holy crap. Turns out he's crazy! Laughing and crying at the same time—no wonder he preferred hanging from the ceiling over sitting in a seat."
Lu Sheng enthusiastically unleashed all four emotional powers of the multicolored crystal on Babard one after another. Soon, Babard dangling from the ceiling was seen crying one moment, laughing the next, then raging, then screaming.
When the ship docked at the next station, many passengers aboard the Big Fish spacecraft witnessed a green-skinned creature tearfully laughing hysterically as it frantically charged toward the ship's exit.
"Hurry! Let me off! Hahahaha! Dammit, I'm not crazy! Waaah! Help! There's a ghost on this ship! Hahahaha!"
Lu Sheng was thoroughly satisfied with the effect. [TL note: Sheng is heartless, enthusiastically harassing poor Babard :/ At least, the manhua author(s) decided that Babard deserved a gift to thank him for being a good guinea pig, but the novel author did not.]
"Emotion is the sharpest weapon... But I wonder how effective it would be against martial artists of level 12 or higher..."
Two hours passed in a flash.
"This stop is planet Moordoor. Passengers disembarking at planet Moordoor, please remember to take all your belongings. The Big Fish spacecraft thanks you for your patronage..."
While listening to this polite announcement, Lu Sheng followed the crowd off the ship. Moordoor was a trading planet roughly twenty times the size of the azure planet. Ports and docks dotted the planet's surface. Ships like the Big Fish were everywhere, alongside numerous merchant vessels from trading caravans.
Lu Sheng glanced at his watch and, seeing there was enough time left, just hailed a flying taxi to Port 119. After another half hour, finally, he arrived at his destination. He paid the fare, stepped out of the taxi, and scanned the area, intending to board a ship resembling a gray disc.
The vessel looked somewhat aged, its hull even showing patches of peeling paint. It bore no name, only a brief designation: "FZ495." Lu Sheng knew, however, that this unassuming ship was his target, a recruitment vessel going to the interdimensional battlefield of the Hundred Great star district.
He stepped forward, instantly materializing before the ship. Just as he pondered how to board, the ship's hatch automatically opened. A middle-aged woman with a cold, stern demeanor, emerged from within. She narrowed her eyes at Lu Sheng, her gaze sweeping over him like a knife.
"Looking for something?"
Sheng remained composed, shedding his disguise to reveal his tall body and handsome face. He presented his ID card, "I'm here to board."
The woman took the card, studying Lu Sheng.
"Level 11?" She snorted lightly, sneering coldly. "Think this is some kind of amusement park?"
But she said nothing more, merely flicking the card back to Lu Sheng and stating flatly, "Go on up. Find a place to stay put. Don't wander off."
Lu Sheng boarded the ship without incident. The interior of the cabin was far more spartan than he had imagined. Checking his ID card, he realized the woman had already encoded information onto it during their exchange. There was now a room number.
He followed the directions to the assigned quarters. Just before entering, he glimpsed the adjacent, open door. A handsome youth with orange hair and clad in black combat gear emerged. This young man radiated a vibrant, powerful aura, like a burning nebula.
He noticed Lu Sheng, his gaze lingering briefly on him. After sensing Sheng's cultivation level, he quickly looked away, passing by with an indifferent expression. Sheng paid him no mind and entered his room.
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Translation notes by dhoo
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The Interstellar Genius Martial Arts Exchange Tournament, aka the Tournament
This tournament in which Sheng participated was the main subject of the previous arc of this story. My translation here is very straightforward:
星际天才武道交流大赛 (trad. 星際天才武道交流大賽), xīngjì tiāncái wǔdào jiāoliú dàsài: 星際 interstellar 天才 genius 武道 martial arts 交流 exchange 大賽 competition, tournament
I found 62 occurrences of 大賽 in chapters 500 (x3), 501 (x7), ..., 514 (x4), 515 (x3), 517 (x6), ..., 527 (x8), 528, 532, 534, 553, 576 (x2).
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The Divine Crystal Dao aka the Way/Path/Dao of the Divine Crystal
神晶之道 (trad. idem), shén jīng zhī dào: 神 divine, 晶 crystal, 之 's, 道 way/path/Dao
It is martial artist Duan Yifeng's Dao.
The Crystal Visualization Technique, aka Crystal Contemplation Method, is a part of this Dao.
I found 19 occurrences of 神晶之道 in chapters 514, 521 (x2), 532 (x3), 544 (x2), 569, 571 (x3), 572, 576, 580 (x2), 583, 584, 614.
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Martial God State
武神状态 (trad.武神狀態), wǔ shén zhuàngtài: 武 martial 神 god 状态 state
A state that "allows Lu Sheng to perfectly control every bit of power within his body". (chap. 563)
I found 16 occurrences of 武神狀態 in chapters 513, 528 (x6), 532, 563, 568 (x3), 576, 583 (x3).
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Dao, Path, Way
道, dào: dao, path, way
The Dao, aka the Way, is the core concept of Daoism, a philosophy associated with legendary philosopher Laozi. "Along with Confucianism, Daoism (sometimes called Taoism) is one of the two great indigenous philosophical traditions of China." It is beautiful, complex, mysterious. "Dao is the process of reality itself, the way things come together, while still transforming."
Another bonus quote from that very interesting page: "Confucius and his followers wanted to change the world and be proactive in setting things straight. They wanted to tamper, orchestrate, plan, educate, develop, and propose solutions. Daoists, on the other hand, take their hands off of life when Confucians want their fingerprints on everything. Imagine this comparison. If the Daoist goal is to become like a piece of unhewn and natural wood, the goal of the Confucians is to become a carved sculpture."
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Daos: The different martial paths mentioned in this story, which Lu Sheng first encounters in the Dreamverse, are different ways to decrypt reality, different paths towards enlightenment, aka strength.
I'll often capitalize the names of martial arts techniques and methods, like the Daos.
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Wang He, Duan Yifen, and Yang Yizhou: Milway King, Wish Gale, and Willow Keel. [TN by dhoo: I made these English names up, like many others in this translation, based on the Chinese characters' meaning.]
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Wang He's Stellar Dao
王河 (trad. idem), wáng hé: 王 king 河 river, Milky Way
恒星之道 (trad. 恆星之道), héngxīng zhī dào: 恆星 fixed star 之 's 道 dao
Wang He aka King of the Milky Way or Milway King or Celestial Serpent Lord is a level 15 martial artist (galaxy lord level) and he is a student of Yang Yizhou (alongside Duan Yifeng and Lu Sheng). The Stellar Dao aka Star Dao which he developed was inherited by Lu Sheng.
I found 24 occurrences of 王河 in chapters 512, 523, 528 (x7), 532, 569, 580 (x3), 597, 607, 613 (x3), 614 (x5). I found 66 occurrences of 恆星之道 in chapters 501, ..., 528 (x4), 532, ..., 571 (x3), ..., 604 (x4), ..., 607 (x6), 611, 613 (x4), 614 (x6), 616 (x2), 619 (x6), 637 (x2).
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Duan Yifeng's Divine Crystal Dao
段意风 (trad. 段意風), duàn yì fēng: 段 section/division 意 wish, intention, etc. 风 wind, etc.
神晶之道, hén jīng zhī dào: 神 god 晶 crystal 之 's 道 dao > Divine Crystal Dao
Duan Yifeng aka WishGale is a level 15 martial artist (galaxy lord level) and he is a student of Yang Yizhou (alongside Wang He and Lu Sheng). The Divine Crystal Dao which he developed was inherited by Lu Sheng. It contains the Crystal Visualization technique.
I found 8 occurrences of 段意風 in chapters 521, 523, 532, 569, 576, 597, 614 (x2). I found 19 occurrences of 神晶之道 in chapters 514, 521 (x2), 532 (x3), 544 (x2), 569, 571 (x3), 572, 576, 580 (x2), 583, 584, 614.
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Yang Yizhou's Four-Extremes Dao
杨一舟 (trad. 楊一舟), yáng yī zhōu: 杨 aspen, willow tree 一 one 舟 boat
四极之道 (trad. 四極之道), sìjí zhī dào: 四 four 极 pole, extreme 之 's 道 dao
Yang Yizhou aka (One) Willow Keel is a level 16 martial artist Yang Yizhou. His disciples include Wang He, Duan Yifeng, and Lu Sheng. The Four-Extreme Dao which he developed was inherited by Lu Sheng.
I found 18 occurrences of 楊一舟 in chapters 523, 569 (x6), ..., 599 (x3), 614 (x2). I found 18 occurrences of 四極之道 in chapters 569 (x3), 597 (x5), 598 (x6), 599 (x3), 614.
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Lu Sheng, Wang He, Duan Yifen, and Yang Yizhou are male martial artists. If I keep translating beyond this arc, I might make one of them a female martial artist, for the sake of balance. There is a few powerful female characters in this novel, but there is still a really big imbalance. Which should it be? Milway King, Wish Gale, or (One) Willow Keel? I'd say Wish Gale or Willow Keel. Or both, then with Lu Sheng and Milway King it'd be 50/50 :)
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More info on this story's wiki on fandom.com
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The azure planet aka planet Azure
The planet where Lu Sheng's was born. See chapter 530.
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A middle-aged woman with a cold, stern demeanor
This was originally: "A middle-aged man standing 2.5 meters tall [8 feet] with a cold, stern demeanor". Well, now it's a woman whose height I did not specify. As far as I know, she could be 8 feet tall too. I gave more explanations on why I changed his gender (and how the manhua drawers did something weird here) in my notes for chapters #533 (and #535).
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Links shared in comments:
https://iep.utm.edu/daoismdaoist-philosophy/
https://logging10000yearsintothefuture.fandom.com/wiki/Spiritual_Master
https://logging10000yearsintothefuture.fandom.com/wiki/Yang_Yizhou