Chapter Summaries

At Spirit Creek Market, Wang Cheng'an asked True Person Moxuan to investigate a cultivator who appeared to turn mid-grade goods into high-grade ones. Moxuan agreed the ability could bring enormous wealth, and Wang Cheng'an asked whether they should try to learn it without breaking the market's rules.

• Wang Cheng'an showed True Person Moxuan a cosmetic mirror and a timepiece sold by three newcomers, and Moxuan praised the timepiece's usefulness and reasonable price.
• Wang Cheng'an reported that Shen bought large quantities of mid-grade pills, talismans, and Law Artifacts while selling nearly identical goods in high grade.
• Wang Cheng'an identified Shen as a recently advanced Qi Refinement Fifth Layer cultivator who claimed to come from an unknown Shen Household, accompanied by the Xiao Household's third princess and her maid.
• True Person Moxuan suspected Shen could raise the grade of low-grade goods, but found no known explanation for the ability.
• Wang Cheng'an showed Moxuan a pill and reported that he had tested the sold pills, talismans, and Law Artifacts, confirming they were genuinely high grade.
• Wang Cheng'an asked whether they could learn Shen's method while honoring Moxuan's rule against secretly targeting customers.

True Person Moxuan decided to invite Shen Jingchuan for a private conversation after suspecting there was something unusual behind his dealings. While shopping, Shen Jingchuan discovered Spirit Testing Stones and decided to buy one so he could check whether the women and girls around him, including Meng Ke, had ever had their Spirit Roots tested.

• True Person Moxuan told Wang Cheng'an that he had been wrong to think Shen Jingchuan could raise low-grade items to a higher grade, then decided to invite him for a face-to-face talk.
• Wang Cheng'an signaled Accountant Wu, who questioned a market patrolman and went searching for Shen Jingchuan.
• Shen Jingchuan ate breakfast with Xiao Mingshu and Huan'er, then went openly around the market trading goods and earning over twenty thousand Spirit Stones in an hour.
• At the Hundred Refinements Pavilion, Shen Jingchuan learned from a clerk that the stones on display were used to test Spirit Roots and claimed his clan elders tested people with Divine Sense instead.
• The clerk assumed Shen Jingchuan came from a powerful clan and treated him with greater respect.
• Shen Jingchuan wondered whether the women and girls around him, including Meng Ke, had been tested, and asked the clerk to explain the Spirit Testing Stones.

Shen Jingchuan learned that only Supreme-Grade Spirit Testing Stones could detect Hidden Spirit Roots and decided to buy a High-Grade stone, planning to upgrade it later. As he prepared to pay, Accountant Wu entered the shop.

• The attendant explained the three grades of Spirit Testing Stones and their prices to Shen Jingchuan.
• The shopkeeper told Shen Jingchuan that Supreme-Grade stones could detect Hidden Spirit Roots, though most were difficult to cultivate and rarely worth the expense.
• Shen Jingchuan decided he could upgrade a High-Grade Spirit Testing Stone in his Heaven and Earth Ring to detect Hidden Spirit Roots among the children in his Lineage.
• The shopkeeper handed Shen Jingchuan a High-Grade Spirit Testing Stone, and Shen Jingchuan was about to pay with Qi Condensing Pills when Accountant Wu entered.

Shen Jingchuan met True Person Moxuan, the Golden Core owner of Spirit Creek Market, who praised his business plans before questioning him about trading high-grade pills and talismans for mid-grade goods. Moxuan asked Shen to explain why he repeatedly exchanged items of the same kind, leaving Shen under scrutiny.

• Shen Jingchuan bought a spirit-testing stone and followed Accountant Wu to meet Steward Wang.
• Steward Wang introduced Shen Jingchuan to True Person Moxuan, the owner of Spirit Creek Market.
• True Person Moxuan praised Shen Jingchuan’s plans to open a restaurant and sell timepieces and makeup mirrors with the market.
• True Person Moxuan showed Shen Jingchuan a bottle of high-grade pills and confirmed that Shen had sold them to the Gathering Pills Pavilion.
• True Person Moxuan described Shen Jingchuan’s pattern of selling high-grade pills or talismans while buying mid-grade goods of the same type.
• True Person Moxuan asked Shen Jingchuan to explain why he was making those trades.

Shen Jingchuan defended his trading practices when True Person Moxuan and Wang Cheng'an confronted him with suspicions that the Shen Household could upgrade pills and talismans. He invoked his Household’s power and demanded an end to their questioning, leaving the meeting poised for a break.

• Shen Jingchuan laughed off the accusation that selling pills in the market had broken any rules, and Wang Cheng'an confirmed that his goods were genuine.
• Wang Cheng'an questioned why Shen Jingchuan sold high-grade goods while buying the same types in mid-grade, and Shen Jingchuan claimed he was pursuing ordinary business profits.
• Wang Cheng'an said he suspected Shen Jingchuan or the Shen Household had a method to raise the grade of pills and talismans.
• Shen Jingchuan dismissed the claim as absurd and revealed that the Shen Household’s patriarch was a Nascent Soul great cultivator.
• Shen Jingchuan rebuked Wang Cheng'an, warned that the Shen Household could not be bullied, and said he would leave if they had no more questions.

Shen Jingchuan bluffed True Person Moxuan and Wang Cheng'an into believing he had powerful backing, refusing their offer to escort him from Spirit Creek Market. He accepted a protective jade pendant, gave Wang the restaurant renovation plans, and said he would leave soon to deal with the people following him.

• Shen Jingchuan threatened True Person Moxuan and Wang Cheng'an after they questioned him about his purchases and sales.
• Wang Cheng'an explained that their people had discovered someone following Shen Jingchuan, and True Person Moxuan offered to escort him and confront the pursuers.
• Shen Jingchuan claimed his Shen Household could protect him and warned that its people might mistake market escorts for his enemies and hurt them by mistake.
• True Person Moxuan gave Shen Jingchuan a jade pendant that could block a full-force Foundation Establishment strike, and Shen accepted it.
• Shen Jingchuan handed Wang Cheng'an the plans for renovating the restaurant's kitchen and workshop, then announced he would leave the market soon.
• Wang Cheng'an said the renovation would take about two months, and Shen Jingchuan left the office without accepting an escort.

Shen Jingchuan profited from the market, then realized his trading had disrupted local supplies and prepared to leave for Azure Cloud Stronghold. He left Xiao Mingshu and Huan'er in the market to cultivate while he set out alone.

• Shen Jingchuan gave Xian'er forty thousand Spirit Stones and pills and talismans, and she used some stones to improve the Heaven and Earth Ring's space.
• Shen Jingchuan noticed prices and buyers' offers had shifted after his frantic trading, so he stopped making deals and returned to the cave abode.
• Shen Jingchuan traveled to the modern world, reunited with Meng Ke, and spent the evening having dinner and watching a movie with her.
• Shen Jingchuan decided he needed to return to watch over Azure Cloud Stronghold in case the Great Qian court sent cultivators to intervene.
• Shen Jingchuan told Xiao Mingshu and Huan'er to stay in the market and cultivate while he went back alone, and Huan'er asked to accompany him.

Shen Jingchuan was ambushed by three cultivators on the road and used his aircraft cannon and Five Elements Heaven and Earth Ring to fight back. The battle was still unfolding as he sent the rings spinning toward the two attackers.

• Shen Jingchuan prepared his carriage and aircraft cannon before setting out from the market checkpoint.
• Three cultivators caught up with Shen Jingchuan, and their Qi Refining Great Perfection leader ordered the other two to capture him alive.
• Shen Jingchuan fired the aircraft cannon at the two attackers, forcing them to use a shield and a Golden Armor Talisman.
• Shen Jingchuan summoned his Five Elements Heaven and Earth Ring and sent its five interlocking rings spinning toward the two cultivators.

Shen Jingchuan struggled to control his Heaven and Earth Rings and autocannon against Zhou Li and Wang Chongming as the rings drained his Spiritual Power. With his opponents distracted and the fight turning against him, he activated his supreme-grade Purple Lightning Talisman, filling the valley with thunderous lightning.

• Wang Chongyue's shield shattered under the linked rings and autocannon fire, and he was blasted into the roadside grass.
• Zhou Li entered the fight and broke the rings' formation with his ghost-head saber, while Shen Jingchuan recalled them and kept Wang Chongming pinned with the autocannon.
• Wang Chongming raised an earth wall and attacked with fire and wind talismans, while Shen Jingchuan protected himself and the autocannon with Vajra Talismans.
• Shen Jingchuan realized the rings consumed Spiritual Power too quickly, then used two attack talismans to distract Zhou Li and Wang Chongming.
• As Zhou Li knocked two rings aside and coveted the treasure, Shen Jingchuan secretly activated his supreme-grade Purple Lightning Talisman, unleashing a bolt of purple lightning across the valley.

Shen Jingchuan killed Zhou Li, Wang Chongming, and Wang Chongyue, then returned safely to Yuxi Prefecture and fed the Chaos Heaven and Earth Ring twenty thousand Spirit Stones. The ring recovered enough to let people enter its space, while Xian'er urged him to keep supplying it with Spirit Stones or a Spirit Vein.

• Shen Jingchuan confirmed the three attackers were dead, collected their belongings, and left their bodies on the mountain road as a warning.
• Shen Jingchuan reached Yuxi Prefecture and checked the Shen Residence before opening the three Storage Rings.
• Shen Jingchuan found only a modest haul and fed the pills and twenty thousand Spirit Stones to the Chaos Heaven and Earth Ring.
• The ring expanded and regained Spiritual Qi, and Xian'er's soul appeared in its restored space.
• Shen Jingchuan entered the ring and learned from Xian'er that continued feeding would help it recover further, though she could not recall how much it needed.

Shen Jingchuan learned that the Heaven and Earth Ring’s hidden entrance could be detected by a powerful expert, while the space could now support spirit crops and house his horses. After returning to Azure Cloud Stronghold, he reunited with his family and brought out an upgraded Spirit Testing Stone to test everyone’s Spirit Roots.

• Xian'er explained that the ring became a concealed speck of dust outside the space and warned Shen Jingchuan to avoid entering near powerful experts; she also showed him the space’s spirit farmland and horse pasture.
• Shen Jingchuan retrieved the ring, waited until night, and flew to Azure Cloud Stronghold, where Yue'er, Su Qingshu, and Su Qinghua greeted him.
• Shen Jingchuan shared modern snacks with the girls and reunited with Lin Qingyao and Bai Ruoli, who asked about the third princess and his trip to the market.
• Lin Qingyao told Shen Jingchuan that the government troops had attacked once and been repelled, with her second brother using her submachine gun to help defend the stronghold.
• Shen Jingchuan revealed that his Spirit Testing Stone had been upgraded to top-grade and invited everyone to test their Spirit Roots.

Shen Jingchuan tested Lin Qingyao and Bai Ruoli for Spirit Roots, discovering that Lin Qingyao had a difficult-to-cultivate Hidden Five Spirit Root while Bai Ruoli possessed a rare Ice Spirit Root. He told Bai Ruoli her aptitude was exceptionally good and prepared to continue testing the others.

• Shen Jingchuan explained the Spirit Testing Stone and let Lin Qingyao test first.
• The stone revealed Lin Qingyao's faint Hidden Five Spirit Root, and Shen Jingchuan promised to help her open her Spirit Veins and cultivate.
• Bai Ruoli tested next, and the stone shone with a clear blue-white light.
• Shen Jingchuan asked Xian'er about Bai Ruoli's Spirit Root and learned it was a rare Ice Spirit Root on the level of a Heaven Spirit Root.
• Shen Jingchuan embraced Bai Ruoli and told her that her Spirit Root was exceptionally rare and good.

Shen Jingchuan tested the maids and the Su sisters with the Spirit Testing Stone, revealing that Bai Ruoli had a rare single Ice Spirit Root while several others had Five Spirit Roots or none. The Su sisters both discovered they could cultivate and celebrated together.

• Shen Jingchuan explained that Bai Ruoli's bright result meant she had a precious single Ice Spirit Root, and Lin Qingyao and the maids congratulated her.
• Yue'er tested as a Five Phases Spirit Root, while Qinghe showed no Spirit Root and Bai Ruoli comforted her.
• Ju'er also showed no Spirit Root and returned disappointed to Lin Qingyao's side.
• Shen Jingchuan told Su Qingshu and Su Qinghua to call him Brother and Lin Qingyao and Bai Ruoli Sisters-in-law.
• Su Qinghua and Su Qingshu each showed five distinct colors on the Spirit Testing Stone, confirming that both had Five Spirit Roots, and the sisters hugged in delight.

Shen Jingchuan comforted Qinghe and Ju'er after their Hidden Spirit Roots failed to bring them the cultivation they hoped for, then shared affectionate farewells with Lin Qingyao and Bai Ruoli. He went to move Big Black, Little Black, and Treading Snow, discovering that their horns had grown and that bulges on their backs suggested wings were about to emerge.

• Shen Jingchuan reassured Qinghe and Ju'er that life could remain as it had been even if they could not cultivate, and Lin Qingyao and Yue'er helped cheer them up.
• Shen Jingchuan told Lin Qingyao he would visit that night, then kissed Bai Ruoli after the others left the courtyard.
• Shen Jingchuan told Liu Hu he planned to take Big Black, Little Black, and Treading Snow away, and tested Liu Hu's hand with the Spirit Testing Stone, which showed no reaction.
• Shen Jingchuan visited the stable, where Big Black, Little Black, and Treading Snow greeted him affectionately.
• Shen Jingchuan inspected the horses and found their horns had grown, while bulges near their shoulder blades showed that wings were beginning to form.

Shen Jingchuan brought Big Black, Little Black, and Treading Snow into the Heaven and Earth Ring, where Xian'er explained their potential and taught him an ice-type cultivation method for Ruoli. He upgraded the horses’ feed and headed to Lin Qingyao’s house.

• Shen Jingchuan took the three horses into the Heaven and Earth Ring, where Xian'er said their Heavenly Horse blood and emerging horns could lead them to become powerful Demon Beasts.
• Xian'er told Shen Jingchuan to plant grass in the space and gather more Spirit Stones, then passed him the Profound Ice Soul Condensation Instruction for Ruoli.
• Shen Jingchuan promised to help Xian'er rebuild her physical body, then left the horses in her care and returned to Liu Hu.
• Shen Jingchuan reassured Liu Hu that the horses had been moved somewhere better and took all the stable's feed and hay into the ring to be improved.
• Shen Jingchuan cleaned himself with a Cleaning Technique and headed to Lin Qingyao's house.

Shen Jingchuan helped Lin Qingyao open her meridians and begin cultivating after discovering her Hidden Spirit Root. He left her meditating with Spirit Stones and went to Bai Ruoli's courtyard.

• Shen Jingchuan explained Lin Qingyao's Hidden Spirit Root and taught her the Five Elements Qi Refining Instruction.
• Shen Jingchuan gave Lin Qingyao a high-grade Vein Opening Pill and guided its medicinal power through her meridians.
• Lin Qingyao opened her meridians, drew Qi into her body, and reached the Qi Refining First Layer.
• Shen Jingchuan gave Lin Qingyao Spirit Stones to stabilize her cultivation, and she entered meditation.
• Shen Jingchuan told Ju'er to guard Lin Qingyao and left for Bai Ruoli's courtyard.

Shen Jingchuan comforted Yue'er over the loss of her parents and helped her open her meridians and begin cultivating. After she excitedly confessed that she wanted him to take her too, he refused because she was too young, then left the matter open and urged her to practice.

• Shen Jingchuan found Yue'er crying in the courtyard and learned that her parents had died years earlier.
• Yue'er told Shen Jingchuan that discovering she had a Spirit Root had made her happy, and he promised to teach her to cultivate.
• Shen Jingchuan helped Yue'er use a Vein Opening Pill and Spirit Stones to open her meridians and establish Spiritual Qi in her Dantian.
• Yue'er threw herself into Shen Jingchuan's arms and asked him to take her too, but he stopped her from undressing and said she was too young.
• Shen Jingchuan reassured Yue'er that he was concerned about her age, then gave her ten Spirit Stones and told her to cultivate.

Shen Jingchuan visited Bai Ruoli, comforted her, and passed on the Profound Ice Soul Condensation Instruction despite exhausting his Divine Sense. He began guiding her first cultivation session, where her Heaven Spirit Root absorbed Spiritual Qi with remarkable speed.

• Shen Jingchuan arrived at Bai Ruoli's room, and she welcomed him warmly after Qinghe withdrew.
• Shen Jingchuan and Bai Ruoli embraced, and he told her he had found a Cultivation Method suited to her Spirit Root.
• Shen Jingchuan passed the Profound Ice Soul Condensation Instruction into Bai Ruoli's mind, exhausting his Divine Sense and restoring it with a High-Grade Spirit Concentrating Pill.
• Shen Jingchuan gave Bai Ruoli Spirit Stones, activated the Spirit Gathering Formation Plate, and guided her in circulating Spiritual Qi.
• Bai Ruoli's Heaven Spirit Root rapidly drew Spiritual Qi through her meridians and into her Dantian.

Bai Ruoli successfully reached Qi Refining First Layer but quickly used up ten Spirit Stones, prompting Shen Jingchuan to worry about the cost of supporting his household’s cultivation. He found Lin Qingyao cultivating through the night, set a four-hour daily limit for her, and left her more Spirit Stones.

• Bai Ruoli completed her first Greater Celestial Circuit, absorbed ten Spirit Stones, and reached Qi Refining First Layer.
• Shen Jingchuan and Bai Ruoli woke late, then joined Yue'er, Su Qingshu, and Su Qinghua for lunch preparations.
• Shen Jingchuan learned Lin Qingyao was still cultivating and waited until she finished her session.
• Shen Jingchuan told Lin Qingyao to cultivate no more than four hours a day and left her fifty Spirit Stones.

Shen Jingchuan returned to the gathering hall, where he told Hu Tieniu, Lin Shan, and Lin Yue that several women in the family had begun cultivating and tested the three men for Spirit Roots. After learning none of them could cultivate, they went to fetch their children for testing, while Hu Tieniu urged Shen Jingchuan to break through the government troops’ siege after describing the famine and suffering outside the stronghold.

• Shen Jingchuan arrived at the gathering hall and promised Lin Shan that Lin Qingyao’s submachine gun could be given to him because she had begun cultivating.
• Shen Jingchuan told Hu Tieniu, Lin Shan, and Lin Yue that Lin Qingyao, Lin Yue, and Bai Ruoli had drawn Qi into their bodies, and that he planned to help Qingshu and Qinghua cultivate next.
• Shen Jingchuan tested Hu Tieniu, Lin Shan, and Lin Yue with the Spirit Testing Stone, but none of them had Spirit Roots.
• Lin Yue and Lin Shan hurried off to bring their children for testing, while Hu Tieniu lamented that he had no wife or children.
• Hu Tieniu told Shen Jingchuan that the besieging troops were exhausting local food supplies and that desperate people were selling their children, then suggested fighting their way down the mountain.