Recaps

Chu Xinghe tried to ensure the Vast Heaven Sect would fail its Spirit Cave mission, first by letting the other sects enter ahead of them and then by ordering his disciples to turn back as soon as they entered. His plan appeared to go awry when the group remained inside a ruined underground city lit by flickering green lights.

• Chu Xinghe learned the Spirit Cave would open the next day, and the Vast Heaven Sect disciples celebrated while he lamented that he had not missed the deadline.
• Chu Xinghe forgot Fan Sheng and Sun Xueheng’s names, distributed the agreed Stone-Breaking Pills, and saw the three sects privately confer while his disciples defended him.
• When the Spirit Cave opened, Chu Xinghe refused to let Ma Liang scout ahead, and all four sects waited until Fan Sheng finally led the other groups inside.
• Chu Xinghe waited until the runes were about to fade before leading the Vast Heaven Sect into the cave, then ordered everyone to turn back immediately.
• Chu Xinghe expected the group to leave the Spirit Cave, but they found themselves in a ruined underground city where green lights flickered.

Chu Xinghe tried to delay the Vast Heaven Sect’s progress through the Spirit Cavern, but his accidental shortcut brought them to the second level ahead of the other sects. After giving the three sects a map and choosing the seemingly safe route, he left them believing he was a coward while he continued trying to keep his own disciples from finding treasure.

• Chu Xinghe’s group appeared directly on the Spirit Cavern’s second level, and the disciples praised him for supposedly discovering a shortcut.
• Chu Xinghe sent disciples to scout, then explored the abandoned city with Wan Lin and Ma Liang before retreating from a guarded entrance lined with strange statues.
• Chu Xinghe deliberately wasted time and led his group on wrong turns, then organized a search when Mi Xue went missing and rescued her with the others.
• The three sects reached the second level, and Chu Xinghe gave them his map and apologized, leaving them confused by his generosity.
• At a fork, the three sects chose the dangerous road toward the city while Chu Xinghe led the Vast Heaven Sect down the other route; Fan Sheng called him a coward and a disgrace.

Chu Xinghe’s group found a pool of spirit liquid, and its power advanced him to the Third Rank Grand Martial Master while raising the other Vast Heaven Sect disciples’ cultivation. Though they could have left the three sects to die and taken the remaining liquid, Chu Xinghe chose to honor the sect’s promise and lead a rescue, leaving the battle’s outcome uncertain.

• Ma Liang found the spirit liquid, and Chu Xinghe’s group reached the pool while the three sects battled awakening monsters at the city gate.
• Chu Xinghe entered the pool first and broke through to the Third Rank Grand Martial Master; Ma Liang and the other Vast Heaven Sect disciples then cleansed their marrow and improved their cultivation.
• Chu Xinghe refused to take all the remaining spirit liquid and ordered the Vast Heaven Sect to save the three sects, citing their promise and their duty to stand together against the demonic path.
• As the monsters overwhelmed the three sects, Fan Sheng charged into the horde while Guo Qizhen and Sun Xueheng tried to retreat.
• Chu Xinghe sent the Flying Locust Sword’s yellow sword lights into the monsters to save Fan Sheng, then led the Vast Heaven Sect disciples into battle as Guo Qizhen and Sun Xueheng watched in astonishment.

Chu Xinghe led the Vast Heaven Sect to rescue Fan Sheng and the other sects, revealing the power of the Haotian Sword Casket as he defeated a giant monster with Thunder Shadow. After sharing the spiritual liquid with the rescued sects, he proposed dividing what remained equally, but Guo Qizhen insisted it all belonged to the Vast Heaven Sect.

• Chu Xinghe and the Vast Heaven Sect arrived to rescue Fan Sheng and the others, distributing Stone-Breaking Pills and organizing the battle.
• Chu Xinghe used Flying Locust and Thunder Shadow from the Haotian Sword Casket to kill the giant monster, sending the remaining monsters fleeing.
• Fan Sheng and the East Moon Pavilion disciples apologized to and praised Chu Xinghe, who welcomed the rescued sects to share the spiritual liquid.
• Chu Xinghe led everyone to the spiritual liquid and allowed the three sects to absorb it, then searched the city but found no treasure.
• Chu Xinghe proposed splitting the remaining spiritual liquid equally among the four sects, but Guo Qizhen declared that it should all go to the Vast Heaven Sect.

Chu Xinghe’s rescue of the three sects in the Spirit Grotto earned their gratitude, and they handed the remaining spirit liquid to the Vast Heaven Sect. After the sect elders learned what happened, they praised Chu Xinghe’s magnanimity, while he arrived in Yu City determined to spend his spirit stones to ease his frustration.

• The three sects refused to take the remaining spirit liquid, and Fan Sheng said accepting it would make them heartless and disloyal, so they gave it all to Ma Liang.
• After the Spirit Grotto exit opened, Guo Qizhen invited Chu Xinghe to the Star Moon Sect, but he declined; Fan Sheng and Sun Xueheng thanked him before returning to their sects.
• Chu Xinghe led the Vast Heaven Sect group toward Yu City as Ma Liang and the other disciples celebrated bringing back enough spirit liquid for Marrow-Cleansing Pills.
• A disciple reported to Gu Mingchao and the elders that Chu Xinghe had explored the second level, shared a map, rescued the three sects, and ultimately received all their remaining spirit liquid.
• Gu Mingchao and the elders praised Chu Xinghe’s conduct and entrusted Spirit Crane Palace with refining the spirit liquid into pills.
• In Yu City, Chu Xinghe decided to spend every spirit stone in his storage ring to vent his frustration.

Chu Xinghe went on a lavish shopping spree in Yu City, buying merchandise across seven districts to bring back as gifts for the Vast Heaven Sect. After learning that the sect’s western branch planned to profit from a huge stockpile of raw spirit stones, he ordered Qin Xiangqian to sell them to Jia Gui at a loss.

• Chu Xinghe told Ma Liang to summon the Vast Heaven Chamber of Commerce, then explained to Qin Xiangqian that he wanted gifts for everyone in the sect, including the outer disciples.
• Chu Xinghe bought nearly every item in shops across seven districts of Yu City, and Qin Xiangqian arranged for the group to stay at the chamber of commerce’s western branch.
• Qin Xiangqian explained that the branch had bought a large quantity of raw spirit stones and expected to make ten times its investment by selling them to the Shi Clan, while Jia Gui of Listening Snow Tower offered five times the original price.
• After seeing the mountains of raw stones in the warehouse, Chu Xinghe told Qin Xiangqian to sell them to Jia Gui.

Chu Xinghe ordered Qin Xiangqian to sell the Vast Heaven Sect’s raw stones to Jia Gui for a fraction of their potential value, prompting Qin to report him to the sect leadership. After Chu Xinghe admitted responsibility, a spirit bird delivered a message that changed the sect master and grand elder’s reaction, leaving Chu Xinghe uneasy.

• Chu Xinghe used an elder’s token to make Qin Xiangqian sell the raw stones to Jia Gui for five times their original price, and Qin vowed to report the decision.
• Jia Gui bought all the stones, while Chu Xinghe celebrated the loss he believed he had caused the sect and Qin remained furious.
• Chu Xinghe and the others returned to Haotian Palace, where the sect master and elders praised the disciples and welcomed them.
• Qin Xiangqian recounted Chu Xinghe’s order to the sect master and grand elder, and Chu Xinghe confirmed that he had done it.
• A golden spirit bird delivered an important message, after which Gu Mingchao and the grand elder laughed and praised Chu Xinghe, leaving him suspicious.

After the raw stones proved worthless, Chu Xinghe was praised for supposedly discovering the problem and received a cultivation reward, while Qin Xiangqian was blamed for the trouble. Chu Xinghe secretly forgave Qin and then distributed blind-box gifts throughout the Vast Heaven Sect, winning even more affection from its members.

• A spirit bird reported that the raw stones sold to the ten great sects contained only low-grade spirit stones, and the Listening Snow Pavilion suffered especially heavy losses.
• The grand elder and sect master assumed Chu Xinghe had used the Medicine Saint Inheritance to detect the problem, praised him, and dismissed Qin Xiangqian's complaint.
• The Misfortune Compass rewarded Chu Xinghe with peak third-grade cultivation, and Chu Xinghe learned Qin Xiangqian had secretly kept one tenth of the raw stones.
• Chu Xinghe told Qin Xiangqian to cover the loss and keep the matter quiet, and Qin Xiangqian left sincerely devoted to him.
• The Haotian Caravan delivered blind boxes, which Chu Xinghe distributed equally to the sect's elders and disciples; Gu Mingchao treasured the grasshopper doll he received.

Chu Xinghe refined top-grade Marrow-Cleansing Pills for the sect, then learned that Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace would challenge the Vast Heaven Sect. Expecting to represent his sect, he planned to lose convincingly, confident that he could finally control the outcome.

• The Vast Heaven Sect celebrated Chu Xinghe’s blind-box gifts and his recovery of spiritual liquid, while Chu Cheng smashed his gift and was beaten by Liu Bo and the other outer sect disciples.
• The grand elder assigned Chu Xinghe to refine every Marrow-Cleansing Pill, and he spent two months refining them until his alchemy reached the fifth grade.
• After leaving the Medicine King Palace, Chu Xinghe learned from Feng Fei that Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace were coming to challenge the sect’s disciples.
• Feng Fei warned that Chu Xinghe would likely represent the sect against Zheng Yu, who had obtained Martial Emperor City’s Seven-Colored Glazed Body.
• Chu Xinghe vowed to accept the challenge and secretly resolved to lose to both rival sects.

Chu Xinghe, Wan Lin, and Ma Liang were chosen to represent the Vast Heaven Sect in contests against Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace. While the others mistook his calm for confidence, Chu Xinghe planned to lose spectacularly to Zheng Yu and win the separate Heavenly Medicine Palace contest; both visiting groups arrived three days later.

• The sect summoned Chu Xinghe, Wan Lin, and Ma Liang and selected them to compete for the Vast Heaven Sect when Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace arrived.
• Wan Lin and Ma Liang worried about disgracing the sect, while Chu Xinghe told them not to fear defeat; the elders overheard and praised his outlook.
• The sect learned the selected disciples were widely considered deserving, and Chu Xinghe's senior brothers and the grand elder gave him information about Zheng Yu and the Seven-Colored Glazed Body.
• Chu Xinghe decided Zheng Yu was strong enough to make his defeat convincing and resolved to lose in a way that would cost the sect face.
• The grand elder expected Chu Xinghe to win the contest against the Heavenly Medicine Palace and bring glory to the sect, while Chu Xinghe privately welcomed the chance to disappoint him.
• Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace arrived at the Vast Heaven Sect three days later.

The Vast Heaven Sect welcomed Cheng Xiaotian and the other visitors before preparing for a martial competition against Martial Emperor City. Chu Xinghe hoped the sect would lose, and the chapter ended as Wan Lin stepped onto the platform for the opening match against Xiao Ling.

• Gu Mingchao placed Chu Xinghe behind him as chief disciple while welcoming Cheng Xiaotian, Zheng Yu, Xiao Ling, Zheng Bo, and Luo Ying'er.
• At the banquet, Chu Xinghe met the visiting disciples, while Luo Ying'er and Wan Lin both showed unusual interest in Zheng Yu.
• The Grand Elder told Chu Xinghe that Wan Lin would face Xiao Ling, Ma Liang would face Zheng Bo, and Chu Xinghe would fight Zheng Yu; Chu Xinghe secretly looked forward to the Vast Heaven Sect losing.
• The Grand Elder and the other disciples encouraged Chu Xinghe, believing he could defeat Zheng Yu, while Chu Xinghe planned to lose badly.
• The martial competition began at the Vast Heaven Sect's arena, and Wan Lin stepped onto the platform carrying her Coiling Dragon Three-Section Staff to face Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling defeated Wan Lin with one overwhelming strike of Sword Intent, but Chu Xinghe’s comfort unexpectedly led Wan Lin to comprehend the powerful Staff Intent, Nine Nines Return to One. When Xiao Ling offered a rematch, Chu Xinghe refused on behalf of the Vast Heaven Sect and accepted the agreed result.

• Xiao Ling’s Sword Intent shattered Wan Lin’s attack and knocked her off the stage in a single strike.
• Chu Xinghe comforted the distraught Wan Lin, and she entered sudden enlightenment after he explained Staff Intent.
• Wan Lin comprehended Nine Nines Return to One Staff Intent and thanked Chu Xinghe for his guidance.
• Xiao Ling challenged Wan Lin to fight again, but Chu Xinghe declared that the Vast Heaven Sect accepted its defeat and would honor the wager.

Chu Xinghe stopped Wan Lin from demanding a rematch, preserving the Vast Heaven Sect’s reputation after her loss to Xiao Ling. After Ma Liang’s match with Zheng Bo ended in a draw, Chu Xinghe faced Zheng Yu, whose Seven-Colored Glazed Body and divine forms turned the arena into a sea of fire; Chu Xinghe answered with the Vermilion Bird and Haotian Battle Intent before Zheng Yu split into four and Chu Xinghe launched Flying Locust.

• Chu Xinghe argued that Wan Lin could not fight Xiao Ling again after losing, and the great elder declared Martial Emperor City the winner of the first match.
• Ma Liang failed to break through Zheng Bo’s Dragon Rhinoceros Bloodline defense, and Gu Mingchao and Cheng Xiaotian agreed to call their match a draw.
• The great elder comforted Ma Liang, while Chu Xinghe and Zheng Yu prepared to face each other in the third match.
• Zheng Yu activated the Scarlet Flame color of his Seven-Colored Glazed Body and summoned the Zhurong Divine Form, engulfing the arena in fire.
• Chu Xinghe summoned a Vermilion Bird and unleashed Haotian Battle Intent, which shielded him from Zheng Yu’s Zhurong Divine Fire.
• Zheng Yu invoked Mysterious God Plumbs the Profound and split into four identical forms, while Chu Xinghe launched the Haotian Sword Casket’s Flying Locust.

Chu Xinghe unexpectedly defeated Zheng Yu during their match, though he believed they were both trying to stage a convincing loss. Zheng Yu accepted defeat and came to regard Chu Xinghe as an unfathomably powerful rival, while Chu Xinghe remained confused about how he had won.

• Chu Xinghe used Flying Locust against Zheng Yu's four identical forms, but the attack seemed to rebound and disrupt Chu Xinghe's battle intent.
• As the four Zheng Yus rushed him, Chu Xinghe tried to strike himself with Purple Lightning Flash, but the lightning instead scorched three forms and sent the real Zheng Yu off the platform.
• Big Rhinoceros charged at Chu Xinghe to avenge Zheng Yu, and Chu Xinghe's next Purple Lightning Flash gravely injured him and shattered Xiao Ling's Sword Intent, leaving her injured as well.
• Zheng Yu thanked Chu Xinghe for showing mercy, accepted his defeat, and asked how Chu Xinghe had seen through his Star Shifting Technique.
• Zheng Yu concluded that Chu Xinghe was unfathomably strong and vowed to make him his lifelong rival, while Chu Xinghe still could not understand what had happened.

After Chu Xinghe defeated Zheng Yu and Martial Emperor City's other two fighters, Martial Emperor City admitted defeat and left the Vast Heaven Sect. The victory made Chu Xinghe famous as the younger generation’s strongest, though he learned that Zheng Yu’s Star Shifting Technique had secretly redirected damage and left him wishing he had lost.

• Cheng Xiaotian rejected the Grand Elder’s draw and led Zheng Yu, Big Rhinoceros, and Xiao Ling away after conceding Martial Emperor City’s defeat.
• The Vast Heaven Sect held a celebratory banquet, where Chu Xinghe asked the Grand Elder about the Star Shifting Technique and learned it transferred damage through a hidden puppet.
• Chu Xinghe realized Zheng Yu had redirected their injuries with the technique, explaining why Thunder Shadow’s Purple Lightning Flash had defeated him so decisively.
• Ma Liang and Wan Lin praised Chu Xinghe, while his drunken pleas to lose were mistaken by the other disciples for humility and wisdom.
• News of the battle spread, making Chu Xinghe the imagined rival whom young cultivators across the world hoped to defeat.
• Chu Cheng complained that he should be the number one, but a Fathead Fish broke in and had him beaten again.

After Chu Xinghe defeated Zheng Yu, he faced Luo Ying'er in an alchemy contest between the Vast Heaven Sect and the Heavenly Medicine Palace. Chu Xinghe engineered extra obstacles to ensure he would lose, and the chapter ended when Luo Ying'er revealed her Qilin True Fire.

• Luo Ying'er skipped the victory banquet and resolved to defeat Chu Xinghe, while Wan Lin comforted her in the pill room.
• Chu Xinghe and Luo Ying'er met at the Medicine King Palace as the alchemy contest began under the great elder and Wu Qun.
• The great elder announced that they would refine a Feather Ascension Pill, and Chu Xinghe proposed that each contestant add an ingredient chosen by the other.
• Luo Ying'er added sea-blue stone to Chu Xinghe's ingredients, while Chu Xinghe chose the relatively harmless plantain herb for her.
• Luo Ying'er summoned Qilin True Fire, shocking the spectators and delighting Chu Xinghe, who thought the contest was finally certain to end in his defeat.

Chu Xinghe expected his pill-refining attempt to end in a furnace explosion, but it unexpectedly produced a divine-grade Feather Ascension Pill. The chapter leaves the sect convinced he mastered Water-Fire Fusion, while Chu Xinghe remained bewildered by the result.

• Luo Ying'er refined a supreme-grade Feather Ascension Pill using the plantain herb Chu Xinghe had prepared.
• Chu Xinghe added the aquamarine stone to his Vermilion Bird Furnace, which began shaking violently as he intensified the Vermilion Bird Spirit Fire.
• The furnace exploded, but its flames and the water-element power from within formed a harmonious Water-Fire Fusion around it.
• A golden divine-grade pill emerged, and lightning struck it before it descended intact into the Medicine King Palace.
• Wu Qun, the Great Elder, and the disciples believed Chu Xinghe had mastered Water-Fire Fusion, while Chu Xinghe wondered how his attempt to cause an explosion had made a divine pill.
• Luo Ying'er stared at Chu Xinghe with awe and found herself thinking he was handsome.

Chu Xinghe accidentally refined a divine pill and helped the Vast Heaven Sect defeat the Heavenly Medicine Palace in an alchemy contest, though he privately lamented his success. The next morning, he learned Qin Xiangqian had brought important news to Haotian Palace, leaving Chu Xinghe hopeful that the report might finally bring a setback to the sect.

• Gu Mingchao and the Vast Heaven Sect elders witnessed the divine pill appear and celebrated Chu Xinghe’s achievement as proof that the sect had found a peerless talent.
• The grand elder presented the divine pill to Wu Qun, who conceded the Heavenly Medicine Palace’s defeat, while Luo Ying'er praised Chu Xinghe and left with Wu Qun.
• The Vast Heaven Sect preserved the lightning-blasted hole in the Medicine King Palace, and news of Chu Xinghe’s victories over Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace spread.
• The Spirit Crane Palace held a feast for Chu Xinghe, who later mourned his unwanted triumphs and blamed Zheng Yu and Luo Ying'er for thwarting his plans to fail.
• The next morning, Chu Xinghe learned the grand elder had gone to Haotian Palace after Qin Xiangqian reported important news to Gu Mingchao and the palace heads.

The Vast Heaven Sect learned that its No. 1 Spirit Mine had run dry and struggled to find someone willing to select a replacement. Chu Xinghe seized the chance to volunteer, and the chapter left Qin Xiangqian stunned when the Great Elder calmly confirmed Chu Xinghe’s mention of the sect’s secret.

• Qin Xiangqian reported that the No. 1 Spirit Mine had produced no spirit stones for more than half a month, and Gu Mingchao asked the elders to choose a replacement.
• The elders hesitated to take responsibility for selecting such an expensive and consequential spirit mine, so Gu Mingchao postponed the decision.
• Qin Xiangqian told Chu Xinghe about the exhausted mine and suggested that Chu Xinghe choose a new one because of his skill at judging raw stones.
• Chu Xinghe urged Qin Xiangqian to bring the proposal before the sect leaders and dragged him into the Haotian Grand Hall.
• The Great Elder let Chu Xinghe speak despite his interruption, and Chu Xinghe mentioned the No. 1 Spirit Mine’s exhaustion; the Great Elder confirmed it, shocking Qin Xiangqian.

Chu Xinghe was entrusted with choosing a replacement for the depleted No. 1 Spirit Mine, receiving full authority from the Vast Heaven Sect. He gathered a group of troublesome but devoted disciples and prepared to leave for Spirit Vein Mountain.

• Qin Xiangqian told the sect master and elders that Chu Xinghe's raw-stone appraisal ability made him the best candidate to select a replacement spirit vein.
• Gu Mingchao and the elders agreed to let Chu Xinghe handle the mine matter, deciding that the experience would be worthwhile even if he made a mistake.
• Gu Mingchao gave Chu Xinghe the Haotian Token and authorized him to act without reporting back to the sect.
• Chu Xinghe recruited Ma Liang, Wan Lin, and other troublesome disciples to accompany him.
• Chu Xinghe received supplies from disciples across the sect, and the sect master arranged a teleportation formation for their departure.

Chu Xinghe traveled to Spirit Vein Mountain with Qin Xiangqian and took charge of the Vast Heaven Sect’s search for a replacement spirit mine. He insisted on buying the supposedly exhausted Tianyi Spirit Mine, and Qin Xiangqian completed the purchase from the Shi Clan.

• Chu Xinghe arrived at Spirit Vein Mountain with Qin Xiangqian and told his junior brothers and sisters the purpose of their trip.
• Qin Xiangqian’s staff questioned why Chu Xinghe had been entrusted with the No. 1 Spirit Mine matter, then showed him information about available mines.
• Chu Xinghe rejected the promising options and demanded to buy the Tianyi Spirit Mine after learning the Shi Clan was about to remove it from sale.
• Qin Xiangqian followed Chu Xinghe’s order despite his deputies’ concerns and went to negotiate with the Shi Clan.
• The Shi Clan’s representative eagerly agreed to sell the supposedly dead mine, completing the transaction on Chu Xinghe’s first day in Spirit City.

Chu Xinghe bought the supposedly worthless Tianyi Spirit Mine, prompting widespread disbelief while Zheng Yu recognized the purchase as a sign of hidden value and moved to acquire a neighboring mine. The Vast Heaven Sect’s elders chose to trust Chu Xinghe, who eagerly pushed to pay for the mine so he could finally earn punishment, though the Misfortune Compass had not reacted.

• Chu Xinghe bought the Tianyi Spirit Mine for the Vast Heaven Sect, and people across Spirit City called him a fool for spending a fortune on a worthless mine.
• Zheng Yu dismissed the rumors, concluded Chu Xinghe must have uncovered a secret, and ordered his steward to secure the neighboring small mine with the Martial Emperor Token.
• Shi Qingshan and the Shi Clan elders celebrated the sale until Shi Qingteng burst in warning that the Tianyi Spirit Mine was an unparalleled mine, and they had him dragged away.
• The Vast Heaven Sect’s elders received news of the purchase, but the sect master persuaded them to wait and trust that Chu Xinghe had a reason for his decision.
• Chu Xinghe kissed the purchase contract and urged Qin Xiangqian to complete the payment, wondering why the Misfortune Compass had not reacted.

Chu Xinghe discovered that Vast Heaven Sect miner disciples lived in slave-like conditions and ordered their treatment improved, despite Qin Xiangqian warning that every sect would oppose the change. He promised the miners that they would receive meat every day, whether he stayed or not.

• The Vast Heaven Sect paid for the Tianyi Spirit Mine, and the Shi Clan withdrew as the sect took ownership.
• Chu Xinghe visited a spirit mine with Qin Xiangqian and saw that miner disciples lived in squalor and were forced to toil without rest.
• Qin Xiangqian explained that competition among sects had driven miner disciples' benefits down until they were treated like slaves.
• Chu Xinghe used the Haotian Token to order better treatment and meals for all Vast Heaven Sect miner disciples, despite the risk of angering other sects.
• After Tieniu said the miners only got meat while a big shot was present, Chu Xinghe promised they would eat meat every day and threatened anyone who withheld their due.

Chu Xinghe radically improved the Vast Heaven Sect miners’ food, rest, uniforms, resources, and cultivation opportunities, despite Qin Xiangqian warning that the changes would sharply reduce the sect’s spirit-stone supply. The miners learned that Chu Xinghe’s promises were real and began to believe they could pursue advancement in the sect.

• Chu Xinghe took the unlucky Wang Tieniu under his wing, hoping Tieniu’s bad luck would counter his own extraordinary fortune.
• Chu Xinghe gave the miners an hour of rest after lunch and arranged new uniforms, then raised their benefits until they consumed thirty percent of the spirit mine’s annual output.
• Qin Xiangqian warned that the changes would cut the sect’s spirit-stone supply and provoke unrest, but Chu Xinghe had Ma Liang post the plan under the Haotian Token’s authority.
• Miners across the Vast Heaven Sect’s spirit mines gathered around Ma Liang, who confirmed the benefits and praised Chu Xinghe’s achievements.
• The miners realized Chu Xinghe had restored their chance to advance, study stronger techniques, and potentially become outer sect or inner sect disciples.

Chu Xinghe’s new benefits for the Vast Heaven Sect’s miner disciples inspired them and sparked unrest among miners at other sects. As the Vast Heaven Sect’s leaders debated the backlash, the sect master defended Chu Xinghe’s intentions and refused to let the great elder rush in to suppress the matter, leaving the sect’s response unresolved.

• The Vast Heaven Sect’s miner disciples read Chu Xinghe’s notice, knelt in gratitude, and celebrated their chance to pursue cultivation and their dreams.
• Wan Lin, Ma Liang, and the other disciples realized how narrow their earlier thinking had been and vowed to follow Chu Xinghe.
• News of Chu Xinghe’s benefits spread to other sects, whose miner disciples refused to work and demanded equal treatment until rumors of his impending punishment temporarily quieted them.
• The great elder and the other leaders told the sect master that other powers demanded Chu Xinghe’s punishment and that his policies would cost the sect more than half its annual spirit stones.
• The great elder offered to go to the mine and handle the crisis, but the sect master warned that doing so would harm Chu Xinghe’s standing and praised his benevolent intentions.