Chapter Text

Heads Up (=`ω´=)

Welcome! If this is your first time reading one of my uploads, just a heads-up—I'm only the translator ヾ( `ー´)シφ__

English isn’t my native language, so I apologize in advance if you come across the occasional grammar mistake, odd wording choice, or awkward phrasing. I do my best to keep the translation smooth and natural, but I’m still learning and improving with every project (´･ᴗ･`)

A Note on Titles Blurbs and Chapters

If you've already read a few of my projects, you might have noticed that I often use my own 'adopted' English title rather than a direct translation. There's a lot of thought behind this! Often, a direct title can be too generic, overly long, or just not capture the story's soul.

My goal is always to grab your attention with a title that's catchy, readable, and reflects the story's heart. And this philosophy doesn't stop there! I also write my own versions of the story blurb and chapter titles. If an original chapter title feels uninteresting or doesn't capture the chapter's essence, I'll craft one that does.

But don't worry—I'm always transparent about this. For the main title, I always include the original English title (the one you'd find on NU or other sites) right under my blurb on the NOTES section. So if you're curious, it's just a quick scroll away.

The original Chinese title and author are credited in the work details, along with additional source information for readers interested in exploring the original work more deeply. Supplementary translator notes and project-related references are also available via my Carrd and community spaces.

The Nuts & Bolts of My Translation

My Philosophy: Creative Translation & The Skeleton/Expansion Method

Like my other projects, this translation isn't word-for-word. My goal is to make the story flow smoothly in English and capture the emotions and spirit of the original, not just the literal words. This means I take creative liberties where I feel they're needed.

Let me be perfectly clear: my translation is a subjective interpretation, not a 100% identical copy. The journey you read here is filtered through my lens.

My process generally has two main steps:

1. Step 1: The Skeleton. This is the first translation pass. It establishes the core plot, dialogue, and all essential story beats. Even here, my choice of wording and interpretation is shaped by my own lens—it's not a literal, word-by-word conversion.

2. Step 2: The Expansion. This is where I take that skeleton and flesh it out. I smooth out the prose, draw out subtext, expand on scenes that felt rushed, and interpret tone and character dynamics to make the story feel alive and natural in English.

Most chapters or projects only receive this basic expansion, which stays very close to the original structure and intent. I would estimate that for these chapters, the final translation is about 85-90% faithful to the original story's meaning and events.

However, this "expansion" phase can sometimes go further. This is where I apply the "special treatment."

This "special treatment" can include:

• Writing and inserting entirely new, original chapters or extra scenes that don't exist in the source material.

• Changing a side character's gender.

• Interpreting a platonic relationship as having romantic potential and steering their interactions to have that nuance—or even developing it into a full-blown subplot.

A crucial reminder: I'M NOT THE AUTHOR. Even with these creative choices, this is fundamentally a translation crafted as a transformative work, not a full-blown original fanfiction. I will never change the main plot or the core heart of the story. The journey's destination and its major milestones belong to the original author; the scenic routes, the color commentary, and the lens through which you see the characters' inner lives are shaped by my work as a translator.

As such, this translation is a fan-created, transformative project. It is not intended as an official or authoritative version of the work, but as a creative bridge to it.

In short: think of it as a creative collaboration with the original text. The story's soul is preserved, but its voice in English is uniquely mine. You could call it 'Reiya's version' of the story—a transformative, adaptive translation that lives in the space between a literal conversion and a full fan adaptation.

A Final Note on Responsibility & Intent: This translation is presented as my own creative interpretation. The choice to create an adaptive, "creative translation"—rather than a strictly literal one—serves two purposes: to make the story more vibrant for English readers, and to operate thoughtfully within the space of fan-created content by adding a distinct interpretive layer. I am responsible for the words I write here on AO3 (as Psueds Rikhi) and on Webnovel (as Reiya_Alberich). I am not responsible for, and do not endorse, any reposting, plagiarism, or unauthorized commercial use of this work by any third party.

A Peek Into My (Chaotic) Process

As for my general workflow... it might be a bit unconventional, but it works for me. I'll be the first to admit that for casual reading, I usually rely on a Google Translate browser extension.

Yeah, that one. We all know how cursed it can be (ಥ﹏ಥ)

For translation, my process is a little more involved. I always have two browser tabs open for the same chapter: one with the original text and another with a machine translation. When I hit a wall or need a second perspective on a tricky sentence, I peek at the auto-translation to compare.

To keep myself consistent, I use a simple notepad to jot down terms, names, or specific phrases I've translated. I have to confess, my system isn't perfect. Sometimes I delete an entry thinking a word was a one-time use, only to find it becomes important chapters later. The worst is when I simply not write it down at all.

This is especially true when I return to a novel after working on others, as I usually juggle multiple projects at the same time, which can get chaotic. In those cases, it's hard to remember the exact word I used, and I often end up making a new choice, which leads to inconsistencies. Of course, sometimes I just suddenly want to change a term I already used. For that, I sincerely apologize.

On the Tricky Subject of Names

I also have a specific weakness I want to confess: figuring out names that aren't standard Chinese ones. Whenever a character has a Western name, or one from another Asian country like Japan or Korea, I tend to struggle.

The original text writes these names in Chinese characters, and localizing them back to their "original" language is... tricky, to say the least. I even double-check with AI tools sometimes, and they often give me different suggestions!

A perfect example is from the novel 'My VR Games Terrify the World': I initially translated the character 杰明·沃克 (Jié Míng · Wò Kè) as something like "Jemin Walker." But after digging deeper, I realized the intended name was "Benjamin Walker," since the Chinese characters are a phonetic representation.

It gets even trickier when the author doesn't specify a nationality. For instance, in 'Reborn as the Fallen Idol, I Leaned Into the Chaos!', there's a character named 利贵勋 (Lì Guìxūn). Is he Japanese? Korean? I ended up with a few variations like Li Guixun, Lee Gwi-hoon, and others because there was no clear answer.

So, if you notice some inconsistency or a name that feels a bit off for a non-Chinese character, that's the main reason! (Well, that, and my sometimes-forgetful notepad system). I'm always working to improve this, but it will probably remain one of my weak points. Thanks for your understanding! (＞﹏＜)

On Cultural Specifics in Language: Siblings, Swears, & Exclamations

You might notice—especially in my newer projects or the later chapters of ongoing long series—that I keep certain Chinese terms in the dialogue. The most common are relationship terms like Jiejie (older sister), Gege (older brother), Meimei (younger sister), and Didí (younger brother).

I do this because these terms carry a cultural weight that gets lost in direct translation. In many Asian cultures, they're not just for blood relatives. They're used to show affection, respect, playful mockery, to establish social hierarchy, or even just basic politeness to a stranger.

Why "Jiejie" isn't just "Sis":
Calling someone "Lin-jie" is different from calling them "Miss Lin" or "Sister Lin"—it implies a specific kind of closeness or deference. Replacing it with a simple "Sis" or "Bro" flattens that meaning entirely. It's similar to how in Korean, calling someone 누나 (Noona) carries a different social weight than the English word "Sister."

A Broader Look from My Culture (Indonesian/Javanese):
This system of nuanced address is widespread. In my culture, we have a similar map:

• Mas is used for an older male where the age gap or status difference isn't vast.

• Mbak is used for an older female under the same conditions.
  
  Both Mas and Mbak can also be used among peers of similar age and, or status as a term of friendly closeness and respect—it doesn't always imply hierarchy.

• For someone younger, we use Dek (Adek), which is gender-neutral.
• There are also the more standard, neutral terms Kakak/Kak (older sibling) and Adik/Dik (younger sibling), which are also used for all genders.

The rules of this system can become even more intricate when family hierarchy overrides simple age.

For example, let's say my mother has an older brother, and he has a son who is younger than me. Despite being older than him, I would call him Mas, and he would call me Dek. Why? Because in our family hierarchy, he is from the generation of my mother (his father is my mother's older brother). His generational rank is higher, so I use the term for a slightly older male (Mas) out of respect for his position in the family tree, and he uses the term for a younger person (Dek) to acknowledge the difference.

This shows it's a multi-layered social GPS where factors like generational rank can override the simple fact of who is older.

This concept applies to extended family as well with terms like:

• Paklek / Bulek (from bapak cilik / ibu cilik). "Cilik" means "little" or "smaller." This is used for someone older than you and of higher status, but younger or of a slightly lower standing than your parents. It essentially means "respected person who is like a younger uncle/aunt."

• Pakde / Budhe (from bapak gedhe / ibu gedhe). "Gedhe" means "big" or "greater." This is used for someone of your parents' generation, age, or social status, or even higher/older. It means "respected person who is like a senior uncle/aunt."

• Om / Tante (Uncle / Aunt) are also used as general, respectful terms for neighbors, shopkeepers, or any friendly elder, with no implication of blood relation.

You can call a neighbor "Paklek" or the shopkeeper "Tante" without implying any family tie. Choosing the right term isn't random—it conveys the exact nature of your relationship: the level of respect, the estimated age difference, and the social hierarchy between you. English collapses this entire system.

"Uncle" can't distinguish between your father's brother, a respected older neighbor, and a middle-aged stranger you're being polite to. That's what I mean by "flattening." The rich, contextual information embedded in the original term is erased.

Why Preserving This Nuance Matters:
Without this cultural layer, readers can get seriously confused. I once saw a story (likely a translation) in TikTok, where the female lead was in love with her "little uncle." The comments were flooded with "UNCLE???" and disgust, even though it was clearly stated he was adopted and their age gap was less than ten years. The English word "uncle" triggered a literal, biological alarm that the original term (which might have been something like "shushu" 叔叔) was never meant to convey. The cultural flavor wasn't just lost—it created a major plot misunderstanding.

The reason I'm currently focusing only on sibling terms in my translations is twofold:

1. My knowledge of the nuanced, context-dependent usage of extended familial terms in Chinese is still growing. I don't want to misuse them and create more confusion.

2. Terms like 姐 (jiě), 妹 (mèi), 弟 (dì), and 哥 (gē) already have relatively common recognition and usage among international readers.

I'm sticking to what I know I can handle accurately for now. However, in the future, I may expand this "no-translation" rule to include common extended terms like 叔叔 (shūshu, little uncle) / 阿姨 (āyí, little aunt) and 伯伯 (bóbo, big uncle) / 姑姑 (gūgu, big aunt) once I'm more confident in their precise application.

I hope you understand, and thank you for your patience as I learn! (´･ᴗ･`)

-

The same care applies to exclamations. You'll often see characters exclaim "Heavens!" or "My Heaven!" instead of "Oh my God." In xianxia and historical settings, "Heaven" (天, Tian) represents fate and the cosmic order—it's the culturally appropriate exclamation.

My goal is to preserve this flavor. I'll try add a translator's note the first time a key term appears (if I remember), but I'll keep the term itself in the text so you can feel the nuance in every interaction. This is a newer "rule" in my translation style, so you'll see it applied more consistently in works I start from now on.

On Telling Time: A Note on Zodiac Hours

When the text uses traditional Chinese Zodiac Hours (e.g., mao hour for 5 AM - 7 AM), I don't simply state the full two-hour range. Instead, I use contextual logic to determine a reasonable specific time within that range.

• I default to the mid-point of the range (e.g., "around 6 AM" for mao hour) unless the context strongly suggests an early or late time.

• I only state the full range (e.g., "between 5 and 7 AM") when the context doesn't allow for a rational estimate.

• The goal is to provide a natural, readable sense of time for the scene without getting bogged down in a technical explanation every time.

A quick note: This is a newly applied rule in my translation style. You may still see instances in older or previously translated chapters where I wrote the full range (e.g., "mao (rabbit) hour (5 AM - 7 AM)"). This is especially likely for scenes describing a ranged activity like "having breakfast during mao hour," where a specific time isn't critical. Going forward, I will use the more streamlined approach.

The Evolution of My Style

Translation is an evolving craft. Each novel and chapter teaches me something new. You might notice my translation style shift and refine over time—not just from one completed project to the next, but sometimes even within a single novel.

Let's say a novel has 800 chapters. The early chapters might feel a bit rougher, as they were my first steps in translating it. Then, by chapter 200 or 300, I might have developed a new preference for handling dialogue. By chapter 500, I might refine how I convey internal monologues and the general narrative style. Since I'm usually juggling multiple projects, a stylistic refinement that happens in one novel can also immediately influence a new project I start, making the newer one feel more polished from the get-go.

However, even as the surface-level style evolves, the core of my translation philosophy remains constant. If you read a few of my different projects, you'll probably start to recognize my distinctive 'voice' and approach underneath it all. The heart of how I interpret and connect with a story is the one thing that doesn't change.

Translator Notes & Extras

You’ll also see translator notes sprinkled here and there—usually for cultural context, terminology, or background info. Sometimes, I also make deliberate changes in the translation. This might be something small, like using a different English term, or it might be larger, such as rewriting a sentence or even adjusting the meaning of an entire paragraph if I feel it reads more naturally in English. When that happens, I'll usually include what the author originally wrote and explain my choice.

For readers who know my style, you've probably also noticed that I like giving nicknames to contracted companions or pets (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧. I usually do this when the author only refers to a pet by its species name. Whenever that happens, I'll add a footnote explaining the original wording and the nickname I chose.

These "translator notes" usually appear right within the chapter text, marked with a clear divider (===) so they're easy to spot. I'm just so used to this system, and I find it's much clearer for readers, especially when the notes get long. Sometimes I might also use AO3's 'Notes' section for extra comments, but the main footnotes with cultural explanations or translation choices will almost always be in the chapter body with my trusty divider.

A Quick Note on Posting Schedules & Offline Reading

I originally thought AO3 had a scheduled publishing feature like Webnovel… turns out it doesn’t (╯▽╰ )

So, my update rhythm here will be a bit different. On Webnovel, I can stockpile chapters and set a regular timer. Here, since I'm juggling multiple active projects, my AO3 updates might be more chaotic. Sometimes I might do a “chapter dump” with a lot of updates at once, then go quiet for a few days or maybe more than a week before dropping another batch. (´･ω･) It really depends on which project I'm hyper-focused on at the moment. I hope you’ll understand!

Also, for those who prefer offline reading, I upload the completed translations for each novel on Gdrive and Terabox. You can find the links on my Carrd.

And for a super detailed, behind-the-scenes look at all my projects, you can check out my public Notion page! It's my personal hub where I keep a full catalog of everything I'm translating, complete with summaries and—of course—my own rambling opinions and notes on each one. Consider it the ultimate, constantly-updated guide to my translation world!
➡️ Reiya's Translation Catalog

Let's Chat on Discord! (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ)

Oh, and before I forget, I recently made a Discord server! It's still a bit of a ghost town right now, but I wanted to create a cozy corner where readers and fans of my work can hang out.

Since my hobbies are split between translating and making character bots on C.ai, this server is the "home" where both of those worlds come together. It's a shared space for us all to interact, chat about the novels, share memes, or just talk about random stuff. It's also the perfect place to connect with other readers since my projects are spread across different platforms.

I'd love to see you there! You can join the server using the link below:
➡️ https://discord.gg/75sprU6DdD

My Handbooks - Your Reading Companions! (´･ᴗ･`)

To help everyone (and myself!) navigate the often complex worlds of these novels, I've put together a series of handbooks. They started as my private glossaries, but I've officially published them on Webnovel so they're easy to find and reference. Think of them as your personal cheat sheets for cultivation terms, historical titles, and webnovel slang. I keep them updated as I go!

A quick note on access: I've just finished migrating The Xianxia Handbook here to AO3! My plan is to eventually move all the handbooks over. For now, the others remain on my Webnovel account, but AO3 will be my main site for all new projects and completed works, including these resources.

✨ New & Improved on AO3! ✨

The Xianxia Handbook: A Guide to Cultivation and Beyond

This is your go-to guide for all things Cultivation. Entries cover key concepts like world hierarchy, the Heavenly Dao, the evolution of cultivation systems, the Dao, Laws, realms and stages, sect structure, and terms like 'Luck' and the often misunderstand 'Dual Cultivation'.

If you've read the Webnovel version—or found it a bit too dense—I highly recommend checking out this new AO3 version! I've not only made some changes and added information, but I've also reformatted it with bullet points and clearer headings to make it much easier to digest and use as a quick reference.

I personally feel this handbook now encompasses the core and most important elements of the Xianxia genre. Future updates will likely be minor, focusing mainly on adding more cultivation stages or formal titles, as the foundational knowledge is all there!

Still on Webnovel (For Now!):

• The Imperial Handbook: A Practical Guide to Ancient Chinese Society
  In short: for historical topics, harem system, courts, bureaucracy, nobility, titles, and common institutions. Expect concise explanations of offices and ranks, and how local government worked.

  A quick note: For now, the entries are heavily focused on the nobility and imperial family, reflecting the current themes of the novels I'm translating. I'll be steadily adding more about the lives of common folks and merchants once I pick up a project where they take the spotlight as the MCs!

• The Webnovel Handbook: A Guide to Slang, Tropes, and Inside Jokes
  In short: for community slang, memes, running jokes, and fan culture. Such as "Golden Thigh," "Eating Melon," “Rainbow Fart,” “Green Hat,” and other fun terms. Note: This one is just starting out, but I'll be steadily adding more fun terms and tropes!

If these resources help you, please consider adding my Handbook Series to your library! Your ratings, reviews, and shares mean the world. Your comments also help me refine examples and fill gaps, making these guides better for everyone!

Final Housekeeping

Originally, I started uploading my translation project on my Webnovel account, but I reached the maximum number allowed. That's why I'm now sharing my work here on AO3 as well!

The Big Picture: Two Versions, One Journey

Here's how I see and organize my projects now:

• AO3 is the "Polished Home": This is now the primary home for my translations. It hosts the rewritten and polished versions of my completed works, and it's where I will publish all new projects with my current, refined style from the start. Think of it as the "director's cut" and the main stage for my best work. (Of course, my style is always evolving, so even here it may grow more refined over time).

• Webnovel is for the "Living Archive": My Webnovel account (capped at 20 titles) houses my initial uploads. It's a snapshot of my translation journey—you can see the early experiments, the evolving style, and the gradual polish that eventually led to the refined AO3 versions.

My Current Roadmap (As of Dec, 2025)

1. Active Rewrites: I am currently rewriting The Cube Queen's Apocalypse Feast and When Everyone Cultivates, polishing them up to their latest posted chapters for AO3.

2. Notice for Readers: Whenever I begin rewriting a project for AO3, I will add a clear notice at the top of first chapter of the story. I will also publish a temporary "Update" chapter to notify anyone who has bookmarked the story. Once the rewrite is complete, I will delete that "in-progress" update chapter and publish a final "Rewrite Complete!" update. After about a week, I will delete that final update chapter as well to keep the story's chapter list tidy.

3. Next Phase: After these, I'll move through my other completed AO3 projects, giving each one this same "polish and republish" treatment.

4. Ongoing Updates: Once the AO3 back-catalog is updated, I'll rotate between posting new chapters for ongoing AO3 series and continuing my active Webnovel projects.

5. Future Cycle: Whenever an AO3 story catches up to the latest Webnovel chapter, I'll pick another completed Webnovel project, rewrite it, and publish the polished version here.

So, in the end, each story will exist in two places: a refined version on AO3 and its original, evolving form on Webnovel. If you’d like to know more about my projects or how to support my work, you can find all the details on my Carrd. Everything here will always stay free to read!

Disclaimer & A Note on the Original Work:
This is an unofficial, non-profit, fan-created translation. I do not own the rights to the original story. All credit and ownership belong to the original author. This work is shared strictly for the purpose of introducing this wonderful story to a wider English-speaking audience.

About This Translation (Transformative Work):
This project is best understood as a transformative work under AO3's framework—specifically, a creative, interpretive translation. It is not a word‑for‑word conversion but a subjective adaptation shaped for readability, tone, atmosphere, and emotional flow in English.

Consequently, the text you are reading is a hybrid work: fundamentally the author’s story, but also distinctly my version of it. I act as both a translator and a creative partner to the text, remaining faithful to the core plot, spirit, and emotional intent while intentionally shaping phrasing, presentation, and stylistic choices for an immersive English reading experience.

Supporting the Work:

• The Author: If you enjoy this story, the best way to support its creator is to access it through official channels. My hope is that this translation acts as a gateway—please seek out the original work.
• The Translator (Me): This translation will never be put behind a paywall. Translation is a significant labor of love, done because I am passionate about sharing stories. Your comments, kudos, and bookmarks mean the world to me and keep me going. Thank you for being here.

Legal & Ethical Notice:
This translation is provided freely for personal enjoyment and non-commercial sharing. It is created with respect for the original author's copyright and presented as a transformative fanwork.

• Commercial Use is Strictly Prohibited: I do not authorize anyone to sell, monetize, distribute for profit, or commercially exploit this translation in any way. Any third party doing so acts without my consent and assumes full legal responsibility.
• Sharing & Credit: Non-commercial sharing is permitted only with clear and proper credit to me as the translator (Psueds Rikhi on AO3 / Reiya_Alberich on Webnovel) and a link back to this original posting whenever possible. Uncredited reposting, plagiarism, or unauthorized redistribution is not permitted. I bear no responsibility for the actions of third parties who misuse this work.

Additional Projects & Community:
You can find my other translation projects, general updates, translation-related content, and community spaces through my public pages:

• Carrd
• Discord Server

Thank you so much for reading, and I truly hope you enjoy this novel as much as I did when I first discovered it (｡•ㅅ•｡)♡