YMB - Translation notes

~ Beware—Spoilers ahead! ~

• Timeline 
• Cultivation terms
• Human cultivation and non-human creatures
• Naming organizations and groups
• About Yao
• Fox Yao
• Other Yao
• Righteous cultivators
• Demonic and Ghost Cultivators
• Royals and Unaffiliated Cultivators
• Mortals and Unknowns
• Sects and Organizations
• Geography
• Spiritual techniques
• Artifacts

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### Timeline

The two distinct time periods in the story — the rein of the Yao King and Bai Chen's childhood — will continue to confuse the reader in chapters to come.

Even though Bai Chen has been offline for 500 years, he never updates his language and continues to reference the era of the Yao King as having taken place a thousand years ago. For some reason, other people also use the same false dating. Perhaps the author wanted to reduce confusion due to shifting numbers, but the result is rather the opposite in my view.

"The fox yao of the Great Snow Mountain were well-known as direct descendants of the Yao King, and Bai Chen was the first Nine-tailed White Fox to appear in the world since the Yao King had passed away a thousand years ago.

But in the Bai family, once someone had grown a second tail, they’d typically reach the Wandering Immortal realm within five hundred years. More tails meant better odds of ascending for real. It was a kind of talent that human cultivators could only dream of.

The Bai family rarely conceived, and even when they did, the cubs were fragile. It was hard enough to carry one to term, let alone give birth to a healthy child. Whole centuries might pass without a single new fox. A multi-tailed cub was rare. A Nine-tailed White Fox? That was once in a millennium. Anyone born like that was sure to shake the world."

This creates a hole in the narrative: if Demon Venerable ruled during the reign of the Yao King, then there has been no sect leader during 1000 years, until He Huan rose to prominense soon after Bai Chen was born. Just a hundred years later He Huan was defeated by the Dao Lord (when Bai Chen was travelling with Li Wuming), and a hundred years more later he ascended (400 years ago). He Huan was followed by the unnamed Demon Leader who brokered peace with the Alliance, and then the current Demon Sect master Cun Jie. 

All the above make the task of constructing an accurate timeline quite daunting.

Assuming that "a thousand years ago" — most likely, a pretty phrase rather than a true number — remains a fixed reference relative to Bai Chen's birth year, we can still approximate the timeline of major events. 

    T-0: The story begins; Bai Chen, Li Wuming, Bai Yunce are ~600 years old.

    T-60: Lu Ren Wang and Lu Ren Yi are born. 

    T-200: Bai Chenzui is born.

    T–500: Bai Chen loses his yao core and dies. He Huan is defeated by the Dao Lord of Hidden Wisdom Sect.

    T–600: Bai Chen is born. Chang'an Uprising breaks out. Lu Wuming (~16) raises an army. He Huan finds a master.

    T-1500 (approx.): The Yao King appears and begins his war against humans. Demon Venerable devastates the human world. Heaven's Way Alliance is formed. The Yao King and the Demon Venerable are defeated by the Alliance. The Yao King is killed by the Sword Immortal Bai.

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### Cultivation terms

Cultivation is based on absorbing qi from various sources and transforming it internally (hence, internal alchemy).

* 氣 Qi [or aura] | Vital life force or energy that flows through the universe and all living things. Translated as aura in situations where the context implies the qi is externalized or detectable by others, or when the focus is on the presence, atmosphere, or pressure emitted by a being.

* 丹 (Dan) Core | The internal cultivation focus, the heart of the internal alchemy. It is responsible for storing and refining ambient qi. The refined version is known as true qi [真氣 Zhen Qi] for humans, or yao qi for yao, etc. Yao qi is more wild, attuned to their nature and the elements, and hence clashing with the human true qi. For this reason yao cannot cultivate using human cultivation techniques — but the half-blood offsprings of yao-human unions can.

* 丹田 Dantian | An internal organ in creatures capable of cultivation, housing the inner core; located in the lower abdomen for humans and yao. The dantian is like a womb, protecting the core and supplying it with qi provided by a network of meridians responsible for transporting, or circulating qi around the body. This womb analogy is especially apt when the core is upgrades into a Nascent Soul.

* 威壓 (Wei Ya) Oppressive presence [aura of dominance, intimidating pressure] | A powerful, overwhelming aura exuded by a strong being — so intense that it can suppress or intimidate others instinctively, especially those of weaker status or bloodline.

* 道 Dao | the Way, or path. Refers to the underlying principle of the universe and the natural order, which can be perceived and followed by sentient beings through cultivation and moral practice. In some traditions, it is also regarded as a transcendent essence or divine truth manifest in all things. Cultivators follow a personal Dao — their unique path to enlightenment, immortality, or power. This may be a philosophy (e.g., discarding emotions, known as Emotionless/Heartless/Ruthless Dao) or a specific practice or goal (e.g., double cultivation).

* 道心 (Dao Xin) Dao heart | moral will, clarity of purpose, conviction in the Dao.

* 道侶 Dao companion | A life partner, often with soul-binding connotations.

High levels of cultivation will attract Heaven's wrath (since mortals are not allowed to reach too high) in the form of a lightening.

* 飛升之劫 (Fei Sheng Zhi Jie) Ascension tribulation/calamity | a series of powerful lightening strikes (often come in powers of 9, a sacred number) intended to wipe out the offending existence. Most cultivators die; those who survive get a serious upgrade in their cultivation through absorbing the massive amounts of qi supplied by the lightening. Some cultivators attempt to hitchhike other's tribulation (being greedy for a free lunch), usually with tragic results.

* 散仙 (San Xian) Wandering Immortal | Enlightened being, residing among mortals. These are cultivators who failed the tribulation but managed to keep their Dao heart intact. Still get a significant cultivation upgrade and a release from the ties of mortality. Basically, will live forever without aging, unless their cultivation is destroyed; can still be killed or die due to stupidity.

* 真仙 (Zhen Xian) True Immortal | Ascended being, residing in Heaven. These are cultivators who successfully passed the tribulation, and got both a power upgrade and a status upgrade. Heaven is an actual realm, separated from the mortal world. 

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### Human cultivation and non-human creatures

* 正道 (Zheng Dao) righteous, orthodox, upright path

* 魔道 (Mo Dao) demonic, unorthodox, evil path

* 神道 (Shen Dao) divine, heavenly path [usually related to gods]

* 天道 (Tian Dao) heavenly path [usually related to gods]

* 無情道 (Wu Qing Dao) the path of no emotions [Emotionless, Ruthless, Heartless, Merciless Dao]

Complimenting those is the case of non-cultivators:

* 人道 (Ren Dao) mortal path

Special existences are considered to have their own cultivation types:

* 鬼 (Gui) ghost, spirit | Typically evil due to cultivation practices such as blood drinking.

* 妖 yao — monster, demon, spirit, goblin, magical sentient beast or plant, supernatural creature | Neutral or evil, depending on the worldbuilding; cultivate generally by absorbing ambient qi.

Other sentient creature labels:

* 怪 (Guai) strange, unusual, weird; monster, beast, creature | All sorts of low-level sentient/semi-sentient existences not classified in the above. Chaotic neutral or chaotic evil.

* 精怪 (Jing Guai) spirit, supernatural beast | Powerful existences such as mountain gods — spirits born from the massive amounts of qi stored within the spiritual veins that exist in some mountains, or lesser existences such as plant and trees that gained sentience after absorbing qi over hundreds or thousands of years.

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### Naming organizations and groups

* 門派 (Men Pai) sects / schools / lineages / faction | The characters can also be usually used individually with the same general meaning.

* 教 (Jiao) sect / school / cult | Negative connotations

* 盟 (Meng) Alliance

* 堂 (Tang) Hall

* 府 (Fu) Manor/Mansion

* 山莊 (Shan Zhuang) Villa | Usually applies to female-only sects

* 書院 (Shu Yuan) Academy

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### About Yao

妖 Yao – In this story, those are sentient, shapeshifting beasts (e.g., foxes, wolves, deer) who cultivate spiritual power, form clans, and participate in societal structures similar to humans. They are not inherently evil or demonic. All beast yao are descendants of ancient powerful beasts, gaining their powers through bloodlines. Ordinary beasts won’t become yao even if they live a hundred years. Yao mature slowly, becoming adults at the age of 300.

In beast form, yao can only breed with similar yao. But once transformed into a human form, they can have children with any race. These children are born in a human form, only awakening their yao blood with age once they can transform back to the original form. The offsprings are usually given surnames from the parents' race, followed by an individual name to distinguish them.

Humans use the term "yao" for all supernatural creatures regardless of origin: shape-shifting beasts; the newly-discovered undersea creatures; flower, grass and tree spirits; mountain gods who arose from spiritual veins within mountains. Ghosts have a human origin and thus aren't considered yao. People sucked out by ghosts become ghouls (zombie monsters, not considered yao).

If a human is gifted, they can ascend to Heaven at the earliest in a hundred years. Those with noble bloodline of the yao race [e.g., Nine-tailed White Foxes, or Heavenly Wolves] can become immortals at the age of three hundred years. However, plants can only rely on hard work to accumulate spiritual energy little by little. It takes at least a thousand years to become a Wandering Immortal.

Long ago, when the yao ancestors learned to cultivate and soared across the sky and earth, the human race was weak and unknown. Three falling stars caused the extinction of the ancestors, allowing human cultivators to appear. But this cataclysmic event brought about the end of bloodlines. Humans and any later races cannot pass down power by blood, and their children rarely awaken abilities (as in, can become strong cultivators). Human qi clashes with yao qi, thus yao cannot cultivate human methods. But half-bloods (human-yao unions) can cultivate both ways once they awaken their yao blood.

Legend says that a million years ago, stars frequently fell from the sky. The fragments blanketed the heavens, glaciers covered the world, and countless yao beasts faced extinction. The heavenly maiden Lady Ba, a mythological drought deity, descended and melted the ice with her spiritual domain, taking a million years to bring the world back to life. Only two snow-covered places remain to prove that desolate era once existed: one is today’s Great Snow Mountain, the other is the endless snowy plains in the extreme north — the ancient habitat of the Nine-colored Deer. [Is this legend connected to the previous legend of three falling stars?]

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### Fox Yao

* 九尾白狐 (Jiu Wei Bai Hu) Nine-tailed White Fox.

* 白狐族 (Bai Hu Zhu) White Fox clan | Originally the only yao fox clan with multiple tails. According to legend, all Nine-tailed White Foxes come from the union between the heavenly maiden Lady Tushan and a great primordial yao. The Lady's blessing let each of their tails deflect one deadly calamity. She also predicted world-wide changes accompanying the birth of a nine-tailed fox: ‘When the ninth tail appears, chaos returns and a king will rise.’

* 赤狐族 (Chi Hu Zu) Red Fox clan | Bai Chenzui's father is the clan leader, residing on the Clear Sky Peak, south of the Heavenly Wolf clan's grounds.

* 赤水狐  (Chi Shui Hu) Red River Fox | The full name of the Red Fox clan

* 玄狐族 (Xuan Hu Zu) Black Fox clan | Bai Yunce's father's tribe.

* 白微 Bai Wei | The name of the Yao King a thousand years ago.

* 妖王 (Yao Wang) Yao King | Originally a single-tailed white fox yao, existing 1000 years before Bai Chen's birth. A disciple of Sword Immortal Bai, gained a great power and became a Nine-tailed White Fox. Used ruthless means to subjugate other yao clans, enslaving those who opposed him via the heart-stealing technique, or outright annihilating entire clans. 

When the Demon Venerable had gone on a killing spree across the human world, the Yao King took advantage of the chaos to lead a large-scale invasion. But before they could capture even a few cities, the Demon Venerable turned his forces against the Yao. This gave the righteous sects enough breathing room to form the Heaven's Way Alliance, which eventually turned the tide and defeated both the Yao King and the Demon Venerable. 

The Yao King was killed by Sword immortal Bai. He had multiple progeny with numerous yao clans; all descendants were killed by Sword Immortal Bai, except for the elder son, the Fox Immortal. The Yao King plundered humans, but also flayed and stripped rebellious Yao to use as spoils. His treasure has never been found (assumed to be on the Great Snow Mountain with his only son of same surname).

* 白氏 (Bai Shi) Bai tribe | The only surviving lineage of the Nine-tailed White Fox clan. All males are cursed to be gay, hence only female can have children; the children are always raised by the mother's tribe and retain the clan surname.

* 狐仙 (Hu Xian) Fox Immortal | First ruler of the Great Snow Mountain and the tribe leader of the Bai tribe. The elder son of the Yao King and the only one to bear his surname. Considered the least favorite son; sent away from the battle into seclusion on the Great Snow Mountain. The only descendent of the Yao King who was spared by Sword Immortal Bai. Found and raised Bai Chen (hence called Grandfather by him). Presided over Bai Chen's posthumorous wedding with Li Wuming and passed away peacefully that night.

* 白辰 Bai Chen | Nine-tailed White fox and designated heir of the Great Snow Mountain. Bai Chen was born in Chang'an to a white fox father (how? what about the curse?). His birth coincided with the start of the Chang'an Uprising; "ghosts and gods appeared" (unexplained); the Demon Lord He Huan became a disciple, and the imperial dynasty changed. Li Wuming was fleeing the chaos of the rebellion. Bai Chen was separated from his parents while still blind (but in a human form, transformed by his father for safety). He was saved by an unknown boy whose heart gave Bai Chen his human form. Bai Chen was later taken in and raised by the Fox Immortal, who also made a fur coat from his father's pelt. After Bai Chen's death 500 years ago, no White Foxes have ever been born again.

Bai Chen is highly intelligent and well-read; he loves philosophy and is good at strategy. Before his death he befriended many key figures in the human world, including Demon Lord He Huan and the Sword Lord. Bai Chen also brokered a peace pack with the Hidden Wisdom Sect; after that the yao sealed off the Great Snow Mountain and there had been no conflict with the humans for all these years.

When Bai Chen was young, although there was a lot of snow in the Great Snow Mountain, there were always a few days of clear weather every month. Since he lost his yao core, there have been fewer and fewer sunny days. After he died, there has been no sunshine. "It's really like the sky has darkened for him."

* 白雲策 Bai Yunce | Eight-tailed Black Fox, appointed Fox King. Bai Chen's contemporary (also born 600 years ago) he also raised by the Fox Immortal and hence considered a family member (similar to the generational relationships between disciplines under the same master in a sect). Straightforward and simple in personality.

* 白沉醉 Bai Chenzui | Six-tailed Red Fox, future Fox King. Born after Bai Chen's death (200 years ago), and raised by his father's Red Fox clan against the tradition of the Bai tribe.

* 花間狐 Hua Jian Hu | Child of a red fox and a butterfly yao. Father of Chenzui, clan leader of the Red Fox Clan.

* 舍迦狐 She Jia Hu | Child of a red fox and a rabbit yao. Ex-lover of Bai Chenzui's father; married his brother when he was forced to marry into the Bai tribe. Ten years ago, when the two brothers competed for the position of clan leader and Bai Chenzui's father's won due to his marriage alliance with the Bai tribe, she rebelled and tried to kill the new leader. Was sentenced to exile rather than death due to old feelings and because she was pregnant.

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### Other Yao

* 塗山氏 (Tu Shan Shi) Lady Tushan [lit. The Lady of Mount Tu] | A mythological figure often associated with fox spirits. The Great Mother (progenitor) of all Nine-tailed White Foxes.

* 巨熊族 (Ju Xiong Zu) Great Bear clan.

* 英熊 Ying Xiong [lit. Heroic Bear] | Current Bear Clan head

* 天狼一族 (Tian Lang Yi Zu) Heavenly Wolf clan.

* 吞月天狼 (Tun Yue Tian Lang) Moon-Swallowing Heavenly Wolf | General of the Yao king, ancestor of the Heavenly Wolf clan. Grandfather of Starbreaker.

* 碎星 (Sui Xing) Starbreaker | Clan leader of the Heavenly Wolf clan.

* 獨孤侯  Dugu Hou | Silver-backed shrew, solitary yao who accepted Bai Chen as Yao King

* 九色鹿族 (Jiu Se Lu Zu) Nine-colored Deer clan | Born with the power to purify, and famed for their insight; for these reasons worshipped by humans as divine beasts. Wiped out by the Yao King for siding with humans.

* 九色鹿 (Jiu Se Lu) Nine-colored Deer (aka Lu Lang) | The last survivor of the clan; father of the Lu Ren brothers. Impersonated a human man (Lu Lang) and married a woman of the Deer-Bear tribe in order to revive his bloodline, 60 years ago. Abandoned his family and followed a white fox yao 50 years ago when the children failed to display their yao blood. Intends to bring back the glory of his clan.

* 鹿人王, 鹿人乙, Lu Ren Wang (elder) and Lu Ren Yi (younger) [lit. Deer Man King and Deer Man Second] | Sons of the Nine-colored Deer (Lu Lang), born 60 years ago. Awakened their yao blood after seing their mother's suicide. Were sold to a demonic cultivator by their tribe, and had their miasma-cleansing antlers cut off. Escaped and later joined the Demon Sect hiding their half-yao identity. The elder brother was murdered in Yinrong.

* 山神羅 (Shan Shen Luo) Mountain God Luo | The spirit of the Yonggu mountain, born of its spiritual veins. Raises cypress trees. Forcefully conscripted by the Yao King; went by the title General Qingshan. The special wood of his trees was burned to drive the defenders of Jiushan Pass insane.

* 青山将 (Qing Shan Jiang) General Qingshan [lit. Green Mountain General] | The name under which Mountain God Luo was known in the Yao King's army.

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### Righteous cultivators

* 神道盟 (Shen Dao Meng) Heaven's Way Alliance | Governs all righteous sects in the realm. Its top ten sects formed the Ten Seats, jointly deciding matters of national importance through a voting system. The organization was founded by the Hidden Wisdom Sect, which once held the top seat. But three hundred years ago, the newly formed Unknown Truth Sect rose to dominate the alliance.

* 不知門 (Bu Zhi Men) Unknown Truth Sect | Dedicated to research into the esoteric, especially cultivation and yao bloodlines. Established and continue to finance the universal cultivation education degree. 1st seat in the Heaven's Way Alliance. Recognize neither etiquette nor hierarchy; pursue their research of truth without limits. 

* 風十七 Feng Shiqi | Current sect master of the Unknown Truth Sect. Sworn brother with Fu Hongye.

* 萬寶堂 (Wan Bao Tang) Myriad Treasures Hall | Wealthy business-focused sect, skillful artifact crafters. 2nd seat in the Heaven's Way Alliance. Signed a treaty with the Ghost Realm for mining spiritual stones on the sea bed. Always intermarry with the Illusory Moon Villa.

* 林開天 Lin Kaitian | Son and heir to the sect master of the Myriad Treasures Hall.

* 蒼天府 (Cang Tian Fu) Azure Heaven Manor | A sect specializing in mechanical puppets. Originally tea dealers. 3rd seat in the Heaven's Way Alliance.

* 水月山莊 (Shui Yue Shan Zhuang) Illusory Moon Villa [lit. Water Moon Villa] | Female-only sect. Constant marriage partners of the Myriad Treasures Hall.

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* 天書閣 (Tian Shu Ge) Scripture Pavilion | Once great sect, now declined or gone

* 金丹仙門 (Jin Dan Xian Men) Golden Core Immortal Sect | Once great sect, now declined or gone

 

* 太清門 (Tai Qing Men) Great Clarity Sect | Once great sect, now declined or gone

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* 玄門 (Xuan Men) Hidden Wisdom Sect | Direct successor of the Dao Ancestor who lay the basis for nearly all modern cultivation methods. Once the gold standard of righteous cultivation, following the spirit of chivalry. Its sect masters were all exceptionally morally upright and died young protecting the people. Only the Dao Lord was stopped from dying for the cause by his disciples He Huan and the Sword Lord. The sect used to be the 1st seat in the Heaven's Way Alliance, and brokered a peace pact with the Great Snow Mountain when Bai Chen was alive. Currently holds the 7th seat. 

Located at the summit of Yuncheng mountain, with Lofty Immortal Lake at its center, the sect extends outward in accordance with the principles of the Eight Trigrams, dividing into four halls and eight palaces.

- 少陰殿 Shaoyin Hall | Preserved every surviving ancient text and oracle inscription, including the Dao Ancestor’s methods. 

- 太陰殿 Taiyin Hall | Preserves texts and inscriptions from burial goods unearthed from tombs, steeped in toxins or curses, dangerous for ordinary people to touch.

- 離火宮 Lihuo Palace | A subdivision of Hidden Wisdom Sect, the origin of Bu Tiange's father.

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* 道祖 (Dao Zu) Dao Ancestor | Founder of the Hidden Wisdom Sect. Laid the basis for nearly all modern cultivation methods. A true immortal who descended from Heaven to defeat the Yao King. Died at Lofty Immortal Lake in the sect. 

* 打漁人 Da Yuren [lit. The Fisherman] | Probably the Dao name of the Dao Ancestor.

* 仙子 (xiānzǐ) Immortal Maiden | Of the Hidden Wisdom Sect; returned to her sect until she died of old age. True immortal.

* 道君青虛 (Dao Jun Qingxu) Dao Lord Qingxu | Previous sect master [#2 or #3?], Yao Jianke’s master. Defeated He Huan 500 years ago. 

* 劍君 (Jian Jun) Sword Lord | One of three greatest cultivators ever known. Bai Chen's friend; before ascending instructed the sect to look after the Great Snow Mountain.

* 付紅葉 Fu Hongye | The former sect master [#4]. Reputed to be the strongest Wandering Immortal in the human realm. Supposedly dead, in truth revived by Feng Shiqi. A 5000-years-old spirit existence, not a human.

* 步天歌 Bu Tiange | Current sect master [#5] of the Hidden Wisdom Sect. Mother: Bu Lingyun. Father: an unnamed elder of Lihuo Palace; killed by an underwater yao in the North Sea.

* 步淩雲 Bu Lingyun | Daughter of Yao Jianke. Previously the enforcement officer of the sect after her father.

* 邀劍客 Yao Jianke | Disciple of the Dao Lord. Previously the enforcement officer of the Hidden Wisdom Sect. Was exiled from the sect for framing the Demon Lord He Huan. Escaped to the North sea, supposedly to hunt yao, and disappeared 500 years ago. Connected to the three strongest cultivators (Dao Lord, He Huan, Sword Lord) from the Hidden Wisdom Sect.

* 陸問 Lu Wen | The cultivator who took Bai Chen's yao core. Supposedly saved the newborn Bai Chen. Senior disciple of the Hidden Wisdom Sect’s Dao Lord. Was adopted by Yao Jianke at the age of three. Discovered by Bai Chen in Sky-Shielding Town, then abducated by He Huan and supposedly killed in the battle between He Huan and the Dao Lord. Blood-related to the shapeshifter yao, the Yao King's heir.

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### Demonic Cultivators

* 魔教 (Mo Jiao) Demon Sect | A sect collecting all demonic cultivators except for the ghosts. Located in the Northern Wastes. Wants to form an alliance with the Ghost Realm to balance out the Heaven's Way Alliance. The criteria for choosing the head of the Demon Sect is the ability to destroy the world. 

* 魔尊 (Mó Zūn) Demon Venerable | Sect founder, #1. Halved the world’s population in just a few years. Fought the Yao King. Was defeated by the newly-created Heaven's Way Alliance.  

* 魔君 (Mó Jūn) Demon Lord | The title used for He Huan.

* 何欢 He Huan | Sect master #2. One of three greatest cultivators ever known. His Endless Land of Filth technique destroys everything it touches including the soul; it can annihilate the spiritual veins of an entire mountain. Originated from the Hidden Wisdom Sect, appeared when Bai Chen was born. After being defeated and captured by the Dao Lord, he renounced the demonic path and rejoined the Hidden Wisdom Sect. Bai Chen's friend; before ascending 400 years ago he left many gifts for the Great Snow Mountain. 

* 魔魁 (Mó Kuí) Demon Leader | Sect master #3. Negotiated peace with the Heaven’s Way Alliance. Could release a hundred thousand heart demons. 

* 小劾 Cun Jie | Sect master #4. The greatest poison master under heaven. 

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* 萬鬼書院 (Wan Gui Shu Yuan) Ten Thousand Ghosts Academy | Ghost-oriented sect located in the Ghost Realm beyond the North sea. 

* 鬼策士 Gui Ceshi [lit. Ghost Strategist] | A ghost connected with the Ten Thousand Ghosts Academy, a disciple of the Mourning Deity of the Ghost Realm. Supposedly only recently learned to control his killing aura well enough to be released. Currently a disciple of Cun Jie.

His true form is an ancient tomb guardian; the body of a crane with blood-red feathers, dark-patterned wings, round antlers and hook-like claws. Can command the dead and traverse between Yin and Yang.

* 方相 Fang Xiang [lit. Exorcist] | Chosen alias of Gui Ceshi.

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### The Underworld

* 鬼域三神 — Three Gods of the Ghost Realm

* 賦喪神 (Fu Sang Shen) Ghost God Fusang | [God of Funeral Inscriptions, God of Bestowing Mourning, God of Funeral Lament, God of Mourning Rites]. One of the three ghost gods. Attracts dead souls into the Underworld. Predicted a calamity approaching the mortal world.

[ch4]

* 迎喜神 (Ying Xi Shen) Ghost God Yingxi | [God of Welcoming Joy, God of Festive Blessings, God of Auspicious Celebrations] One of the three ghost gods. Feels that his  killing aura has been surging abnormally in recent years, predicting a calamity.

* 喜喪神 (Xi Sang Shen) Ghost God Xisang | [God of Joyful Funerals, God of Auspicious Funerals, God of Blessed Passing] One of the three ghost gods? A good painter.

All three Ghost Deities were born of disasters and human suffering — they are attuned to chaos in the mortal realm. They were cast off by Heaven and can never reincarnate, remaining trapped in the Ghost Realm.

* 地府之主 (Di Fu Zhi Zhu) Lord of the Underworld | Basically, a Death God. One of Bai Chen's husband candidates. Created a stone statue in his memory at the Gates of Hell and has been making memorial sacrifices for 500 years ["if not due to love, then due to guilt?"].

* 幽冥君 (You Ming Jun) Lord of the Underworld (same as above)

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### Royals and Unaffiliated Cultivators

* 白劍仙 (Bai Jian Xian) Sword Immortal Bai | Li Wuming’s master. Lives in seclusion on the Great Snow Mountain; at least 1500 years old. (Possibly originally from the Hidden Wisdom sect?) Accepted the future Yao King as a disciple when the latter was only a regular fox yao, and later fell in love with him. Killed the Yao King for his betrayal. Killed all the descendants of the Yao King except for the Fox Immortal.

* 白危月 Bai Weiyue | The name of Sword Immortal Bai

* 李無名  Li Wuming [lit. Li the Nameless] | Sword Immortal, disciple of Sword Immortal Bai. Bai Chen’s Dao companion.

西梁 (Xi Liang) Western Liang | The previous dynasty/kingdom.

Six hundred years ago, the Zhao clan of Western Liang kingdom fell into a succession crisis. Eight regional princes rose up to seize the throne, and flames of war engulfed the land. This is the Chang'an Uprising. In the third year of the Eight Princes’ Rebellion, the Prince of Liang retreated and tried to flee to the sea through Jiangdu, drafting every able-bodied man in the city to cover his escape. The Prince of Cheng gave chase and besieged the city, intent on taking the Prince of Liang's head and ending the threat.

To save the city, Li Wuming — then known as Li Jiuzhou [apparently, self-named; 李九州, lit. Nine Provinces (of China), meaning more or less All Under Heaven; a proud name befitting an emperor], then a boy not yet 16, took up the role of a militia leader. He held Liang hostage, forced him to scuttle his ship and stay to defend the city, and then led the militia to repel thirty thousand of Cheng’s elite troops. Establishing himself as a capable general, he declared his elder brother Li Wuxie [李無邪 – lit. Li the Righteous, likely an imperial name rather than his true name] as the new emperor, and from Jiangdu marched all the way back to Chang’an, establishing the current Li Dynasty. Was venerated for some time in Jiangdu for saving the city.

At one point Li Wuming had a conflict with the emperor and commanded troops without permission. In punishment, the emperor removed him from the commanding position and renamed him as Li Shouzhong [李守忠, lit. Loyal Defender] as a warning. Later still Li Wuming killed several court officials. The emperor punished him by a life exile to the Great Snow Mountain, and once again renamed him as Li Zixing [李自省, lit. Self-reflection]. In response, he decided to discard names altogether and now goes by Li Wuming [Nameless].

Three hundred years ago, the Heaven's Way Alliance used an imperial decree to depose the reigning emperor. After that, the Li family lost control of the army and cabinet. Every emperor since has been a mere figurehead. That decree was forged by Li Wuming to end the decaying Li dynasty with his own hand, preventing another war.

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### Mortals and Unknowns

* 水子流 Shui Ziliu | A powerful cultivator, possibly with strong political ties. Was considered for a marriage alliance by Bai Chen before his death.

* 陸郎 Lu Lang | Originally a human cultivator, was killed and impersonated by the last Nine-colored Deer yao.

* 鹿熊氏 (Lu Xiong Shi) Deer-Bear tribe | Humans worshipping a deer-headed, bear-bodied totem. Lived in the Northern Wastes alongside the Nine-colored Deer yao.

* 唐懷玉 Tang Huaiyu | The magistrate of Jiangdu. Knows Li Wuming in his role of General Li, the dynasty establishing general.

* 孫得才 Sun Decai | Supposedly a scribe, the adopted son of the Elderly Village's leader (the Mountain God Luo).

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### Geography

* 大雪山 (Da Xue Shan) Great Snow Mountain | A wide mountain range extending over more than a hundred peaks. A yao sanctuary, home of the Bai clan. Located at the edge of Jiangnan? Should be far from Jiangnan (chapter 20) but close to Yinrong, while Yinrong is already the edge of Jiangnan. Jiangdu is the opposite end of Jiangnan?

* 明珠峰 (Ming Zhu Feng) Pearl Peak | The residence of the current Fox King Bai Yunce.

* 放晴峰 (Fang Qing Feng) Clear Weather Peak | The residence of the Red Fox clan head, Bai Chenzui's father.

* 玉泉 (Yu Quan) Jade Spring | Hot springs on the Great Snow Mountain; a matchmaking venue for cultivators.

* 冰崖 (Bing Ya) Ice Cliff | the entire western side of the Mountain, abandoned for over a thousand years. Impossible to ascend from the valley below and additionally closed off by a formation from above; hence can only be descended.

* 冰谷 (Bing Gu) Ice Valley | located under the Ice Cliff; serves as the exile ground for criminal yao, since it's impossible to ascend from it. The valley's only exit leads to the Yinrong. In ancient times the valley was a river; later it froze and never thawed. Filled with lingering miasma from dead ancient beasts, making it deadly for human cultivators and unbearable to all yao except for the filth-purifying Nine-colored Deer.

* 銀容界 (Yin Rong Jie) Yinrong [lit. Silver-glow Realm] | the nearest town to the Great Snow Mountain. Located at the edge of Jiangnan, it serves as a buffer zone between yao and human territories. Both the righteous and the demonic sects stationed guards there annually to deter yao incursions. Greatly developed by Myriad Treasures Hall over the years.

* 天地酒家 (Tiandi Jiujia) Heaven-Earth tavern | Brand stores of the Myriad Treasures Hall. Located in many towns and known for their quality food.

* 漠北 (Mo Bei) Northern Wastes [Lit. North of the Desert] | elevated, desolate snow plains. Were uninhabited before Bai Chen's death; currently the domain of the Demon sect. 

On a modern map, Mo Bei corresponds to regions within Mongolia north of the Gobi desert. However, we also know that the human Deer-Bear tribe resides in the snow plains by the North Sea. Hence Northern Wastes are probably a wide geographical region bordering the Central Plains from the north — covering Inner Mongolia and the top-most part of the Northern China plains — and extending eastwards towards the Bohai sea.

* 岐水 Qishui [lit. Forked/diverging/branching River] | A city implied to lie within or close to the Northern Wastes, on the banks of the Taolong River itself or one of its important tributaries (hence the name). Forms a connection between the Northern Wastes and Jiangdu. Contested via a formal duel between the Demon Sect and the Heaven's Way Alliance.

* 長安 Chang’an | Capital of the human world, birth place of Bai Chen. Lies between the Northern Wastes and the Great Snow Mountain. Lies in the northwest region of the Central Plains?

中原 (Zhong Yuan) Central Plains | In the modern world, a fertile land encircled by mountains, the heart of the Chinese civilization. The central and eastern areas of the Central Plains form part of the North China Plain, surrounding the lower and middle reaches of the Yellow River. The Yellow river flows through the region from west to east. Several other major rivers well as tributaries of the Yangtze River, also pass through the Central Plains.

* 鬼域 (Gui Yu) Ghost Realm | The dwelling place of the ghosts [vengeful human souls], ruled by the three Ghost Deities. Lies in the region beyond the North Sea, close to the Jiangdu. Opened trade with the Myrian Treasures Hall by mining spiritual stones on the sea bed.

* 鬼門關 (Gui Men Guan) Gates of Hell | Entrance to the Underworld. Not connected directly to the Ghost Realm. Leads to the Well of Rebirth.

* 地府 (Di Fu) Underworld | The place where the souls of the dead reside before reincarnation. "the soul says farewell to its family before stepping through the Gates of Hell to the Underworld to reincarnate".

* 幽冥 (You Ming) Underworld | Another name for the same location.

* 輪回井 (Lun Hui Jing) Well of Rebirth

* 北海 (Bei Hai) North Sea.

* 南極海 (Nan Ji​ Hai) South Sea. 

* 東海 (Dong Hai) East Sea

* 擡龍江 (Tai Long Jiang) Tailong River [lit. Dragin-lifting River] | The largest river in the region.

* 江南 Jiangnan [lit. South of the River] | Lands south of the Tailong River, rich in grain and fish.

* 江都 Jiangdu [lit. River Capital] | A port at the mouth of the Tailong River, lying on the shore of the East Sea. Five hundred years ago it was a small port mainly used for trading spices with the South Sea islands. Gained a high strategic importance similar only to the capital Chang'an due to the spiritual stones trade — it is the only port from which the Ghost Realm can be reached. Has a constant presence of alliance-connected cultivators; was greatly developed by the Myriad Treasures Hall.

* 永孤山 (Yunggu Shan) Yonggu Mountain [lit. Mountain of Eternal Loneliness] | Deep in the mountain area, situated between Jiangdu and Yuncheng; houses the Elderly Village at its peak, the domain of Mountain God Luo. The Great Snow Mountain lies far in the northeast.

* 老翁村 (Lao Weng Cun) Elderly Village [lit. Old Men Village] | The hiding place of Mountain God Luo

* 雲城 Yuncheng [lit. Cloud City] | A mountain housing the Hidden Wisdom Sect. Sits high upon the southern plateau.

* 鄰安城 (Lin’an Cheng) Lin’an | A city where the meeting of the Heaven's Way Alliance is held.

* 九山關 (Jiu Shan Guan) Juishan Pass [lit. Nine Mountain Pass] | The last stand of humanity against the Yao King; was originally built to protect against the then-reigning Demon Lord [#1].

* 遮天鎮 (Zhe Tian Zhen) Zhetian [lit. Sky-blocking/shielding/covering Town] | The place where the Demon Lord [#3] He Huan met Bai Chen. Also the place where Bai Chen and Li Wuming met Lu Wen.

* 不似城 (Bu Si Cheng) Busi city | Homeground of the Unknown Truth Sect

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### Spiritual techniques

* 心 (Xin) Heart | In literary or metaphysical contexts often carries broader meanings such as: Mind, Spirit, Will, Emotions, Consciousness.

* 探心術 (Tan Xin Shu) Mind-probing Technique | Reading or probing someone’s thoughts, intentions or memories. Unique to foxes.

* 奪心術 (Duo Xin Shu) Mind-stealing Technique | Based on captivating, charming, or manipulating someone's emotions. Unique to foxes. Used to a terrifying effect by the Yao King who could completely enslave others.

* 銷魂煙 (Xiao Hun Yan) Soul-Scattering Smoke | Fox yao confusion technique

* 噬心咒 (Shi Xin Zhou) Mind-eating Curse | Destroys the mind, making it impossible to extract any memories.

* 無盡穢土 (Wujin Huitu) Endless Land of Filth | Demon Lord He Huan’s life-saving technique. Wherever it passes, all living things turn to white bones and fall into the endless purgatory; not even a soul remains.

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### Artifacts

* 上皇劍 (Shang Huang Jian) Supreme Emperor Sword | A powerful sword passed down from Sword Immortal Bai to Li Wuming.

* 無字天書 (Wu Zi Tianshu) Divine Wordless Book | A powerful artifact gifted by the immortals from the Hidden Wisdom Sect to human emperors as a nation-stabilizing treasure. Was lost six hundred years ago during the Chang'an rebellion. Recently recovered by the Hidden Wisdom Sect on the seabed of North Sea.