Chapter Summaries

After being forced out of his cave dwelling early, Wang Chen went to the Yunyang Sect Outer Sect Main Hall to choose a cultivation method suited to his attributes. He chose the later layers of the Five Elements Technique and received them through a Jade Slip.

• The cave dwelling steward cut Wang Chen's allotted time short, and Wang Chen left without arguing while remembering the man's appearance.
• Wang Chen went to the Hall of Inherited Teachings and asked the Elder to test his Bone and Root Attributes.
• The Elder found Wang Chen had low-grade, five-element Bone and Root Attributes, with fire as his chief aspect, and explained that his one hundred Merit Points could buy only the Blazing Fire Art.
• The Elder recommended the Five Elements Technique as an alternative, and Wang Chen chose it over the Blazing Fire Art.
• Wang Chen pressed the cultivation method Jade Slip to his brow and absorbed the secrets for the fourth through ninth layers of the Five Elements Technique.

Wang Chen left the Hall of Inherited Teachings and searched Yunyang City for an affordable body-refining technique. At the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, he bought the first three levels of the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma and was offered Vajra Butter to aid his cultivation.

• Wang Chen formed a Law Seed containing the Five Elements Technique and discovered it was bound by an Oath Seal Curse that prevented him from passing it on.
• Wang Chen explored the bustling streets of Yunyang City and entered the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce to buy cultivation techniques.
• Manager Jin recommended several body-refining techniques, but Wang Chen could not afford them.
• Manager Jin offered the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma for thirty lower spirit stones and explained its cultivation limitations.
• Wang Chen bought the technique, and Manager Jin offered to sell him Vajra Butter as a cultivation aid.

Wang Chen bought the first three levels of the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma, Vajra Butter, and two spells from the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, then spent nearly all his remaining money on Demonic Beast Meat and components for a hand-crank rice milling machine. He returned home with the machine parts and supplies, ready to make processing Spirit Rice more efficient.

• Wang Chen bought the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma, two bottles of Vajra Butter, the Spirit Eye Technique, and the Object Manipulation Technique from Manager Jin.
• Wang Chen learned that cultivation technique Jade Slips carried Oath Seal Curses and that higher-level slips could be activated fewer times.
• Wang Chen commissioned a blacksmith to forge components for a hand-crank rice milling machine and bought seasonings and fifty jin of Demonic Beast Meat.
• Wang Chen tested the machine components with the Hammer Master, who fixed several minor problems, then rode home with his purchases.

After tending his Spirit Field, Wang Chen assembled a Rice Milling Machine and shared a comforting meal with Xiao Bai before resuming cultivation. The next day, Old Sun told him that a Purple Mansion cultivator was coming to clear pests from the fields, leaving Wang Chen uneasy about the arrangement.

• Wang Chen cleared weeds from his Spirit Field, then realized he had left Xiao Bai waiting without food.
• Wang Chen assembled the Rice Milling Machine, milled Spirit Rice, and cooked a meal of rice and roasted Demonic Beast Meat for himself and Xiao Bai.
• Wang Chen cultivated with the later portions of the Five Elements Technique and advanced its experience to Level 4.
• The next morning, Wang Chen cultivated and worked in his Spirit Field instead of taking a job clearing Earth Rhinoceroses.
• Old Sun told Wang Chen that the Village Chief had handed out Formation Flags and that a Purple Mansion cultivator would clear insect pests that day.

Wang Chen learned the Spirit Eye Technique and practiced the Object Manipulation Technique before a Yunyang Sect flying ship appeared over the Spirit Fields and destroyed the demonized insects. He suspected the attack was not over as onlookers rushed to collect the corpses.

• Wang Chen mastered the Spirit Eye Technique at Beginner level and began studying the more difficult Object Manipulation Technique.
• Wang Chen repeatedly failed to lift a Shattered Spirit with the Object Manipulation Technique, then stopped practicing to rest.
• A Yunyang Sect flying ship appeared nearby, and Old Sun hurried out to watch while Wang Chen chose a distant hill for safety.
• The flying ship activated the Formation Flags across the Spirit Fields, and its power killed the airborne black beetles and demonized Earth Rhinoceroses.
• Onlookers scrambled to collect the fallen Insect Corpses, while Wang Chen wondered whether the attack was really over.

A swarm of Earth Rhinoceroses formed a giant that slaughtered Outer Sect cultivators and drove back the Yunyang flying ship. Wang Chen witnessed Mu Qingqiu destroy the creature with a sword strike, leaving him shaken by its power.

• Earth Rhinoceroses erupted from the Spirit Fields, swarmed cultivators, and formed an Insect Giant that devoured several people.
• The Insect Giant struck the Yunyang flying ship and rampaged through the Spirit Fields, killing cultivators who tried to fight it.
• Wang Chen watched from a distant hill and realized the Purple Mansion cultivators were using Outer Sect cultivators as cannon fodder.
• The Yunyang flying ship blasted the Insect Giant apart, but another one formed from the ground.
• A sword gleam from the north pierced the new Insect Giant and annihilated it, and Wang Chen recognized the strike as Mu Qingqiu's.

After witnessing the battle, Wang Chen grew more determined to become stronger and advanced his Object Manipulation Technique. Old Sun came to his home drunk and grieving Old Lu’s death, but a shadowy tentacle tried to enter Old Sun’s ear before a bell drove it away.

• Guard Hall disciples secured the battlefield while Wang Chen returned home and resolved to grow stronger.
• Wang Chen used his Divine Soul and Mana to lift an oil lamp, reaching beginner level in the Object Manipulation Technique.
• Old Sun arrived drunk, mourned Old Lu’s death, and blamed himself for urging him to go.
• Wang Chen carried Old Sun home, where the old man warned him not to believe something before drifting back to sleep.
• A black tentacle reached toward Old Sun’s ear, but the Dog Hour bell made it recoil and a gust shut the window.

After the Earth Rhinoceros plague ended, the Guard Hall forced spirit farmers to pay Spirit Stones for the Formation Flags, while Wang Chen suspected the disaster had been part of a larger scheme. He returned to studying the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma, still unable to comprehend its diagram, before the Big White Rat arrived with her missing husband.

• The Guard Hall collected Spirit Stones from farmers who had received Formation Flags, threatening those who could not pay.
• Old Sun begged Wang Chen for a loan, but Wang Chen showed him his nearly empty Storage Bag and refused to help.
• Wang Chen hid his valuables, returned home, and considered whether the plague and the sect’s response had been arranged as part of a game of chess.
• Wang Chen resumed trying to comprehend the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon True Form Diagram but made no progress.
• The Big White Rat entered the quiet room with the Brocade Mouse, and Wang Chen realized the pair had reunited.

The Big White Rat and Brocade Mouse told Wang Chen they were leaving because their home was no longer safe, but he decided to stay and build his strength. After saying goodbye to the mice, Wang Chen began cultivating the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma and successfully reached its first level.

• The Big White Rat and Brocade Mouse told Wang Chen they planned to move and invited him to leave with them.
• Wang Chen decided he could not abandon his nearly ripe Spirit Fields or survive safely beyond the sect, so he would stay and wait while growing stronger.
• Wang Chen gave the mice a small Storage Bag packed with dried Demonic Beast Meat and Spirit Grain, and the couple left through their tunnel.
• That night, Wang Chen grasped the first mysteries of the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma and applied Vajra Butter to cultivate it.
• Wang Chen endured the painful body-tempering process, gained one point of Physique, and initiated the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma at Level 1.

Wang Chen strengthened his body with the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma, then sold a Magic Sword to fund his costly training and buy food. After purchasing Vajra Butter and White Corn in Yunyang City, he still had more shopping to do.

• Wang Chen gained strength from the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma, endured intense hunger, and ate all his remaining Demonic Beast Meat.
• Wang Chen practiced the Vajra Fist and discovered it appeared on his Cultivation Panel as an immortal art.
• Wang Chen disguised himself with the Thousand Transformations Mask and sold his Magic Sword at a Four Seas Chamber of Commerce branch for one hundred and seventy-five Lower Spirit Stones.
• Wang Chen exchanged seventy-five Lower Spirit Stones for eight bottles of Vajra Butter.
• Wang Chen bought one thousand jin of White Corn at the increased price of sixty Lower Spirit Stones, then continued shopping.

Wang Chen settled into a quiet routine of farming, cultivation, and studying talisman-making while raising chicks at home. When Grain-Eating Birds attacked his nearly ripe Spirit Grain, he killed three with Gengjin Finger but realized he needed help guarding the fields.

• Wang Chen returned with supplies for cultivation and talisman-making, then released five chicks into his courtyard and prepared to raise them.
• Wang Chen planted vegetables and followed a steady routine of farmwork, cultivation, practicing skills, and studying basic talismans for half a month.
• Wang Chen spotted Grain-Eating Birds stealing rice from his Spirit Field with the Summer Harvest approaching.
• Wang Chen killed three Grain-Eating Birds with Gengjin Finger, while one escaped, and concluded that he needed a helper to guard the fields.

Wang Chen made a scarecrow, gave it spiritual nature with his blood and protected it with an Exorcism Talisman, then planted it in his Spirit Field. After a scarecrow killed Chen Si and took his talisman, it returned to the rice field stronger.

• Wang Chen crafted a scarecrow, smeared his blood on its forehead, pressed an Exorcism Talisman onto it, and planted it in his Spirit Field.
• Scarecrows appeared throughout the Yunyang Spirit Land Region and drove birds away from the rice fields.
• A girl stopped her little brother from tearing the talisman off a scarecrow and frightened him into believing the Grass Head Immortal would eat him.
• After returning late from Yunyang City, Chen Si encountered a hat-wearing scarecrow on a dark road and tried to ward it off with an Exorcism Talisman.
• The scarecrow ambushed Chen Si, pierced and bound him with straw ropes, and drained his blood.
• The scarecrow picked up Chen Si's fallen Exorcism Talisman, pasted it onto its forehead, and returned to the rice field stronger.

Wang Chen turned down Granny Wang’s attempt to match him with Widow Fan’s fourteen-year-old daughter, claiming his cultivation required him to preserve his chastity. Just as he settled down to cultivate, another visitor began pounding on his gate.

• Wang Chen finished practicing Vajra Fist, fed his chickens, and prepared to cultivate.
• Granny Wang visited and asked whether Wang Chen was betrothed, then offered to arrange a match with Widow Fan’s daughter.
• Wang Chen refused, saying the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma required him to preserve his virginity.
• Granny Wang left disappointed, and Wang Chen resolved to focus on cultivation.
• Someone pounded on Wang Chen’s courtyard gate, and he went to open it.

Wang Chen was recruited into the Fourth Night Patrol Team of Guard Post Yi-10 and learned what to expect from Grand Uncle Sun. After considering his available skills and Human Virtue points, he began choosing two spells to learn before reporting the next morning.

• Grand Uncle Sun delivered Wang Chen a Guard Hall order recruiting him into the Fourth Night Patrol Team, which he had to join before the Hour of the Snake the next morning.
• Grand Uncle Sun explained the Night Watchmen’s duties, risks, rewards, and right to choose two middle Qi Condensation stage spells.
• Grand Uncle Sun caught Old Sun loitering and chased him away with his staff for shirking work and possibly visiting the Gathering of Beauties Pavilion.
• Wang Chen reviewed his Skill Bar and decided to save his 14 Human Virtue points rather than use them to advance his spells.
• Wang Chen settled on preliminary ideas for which two spells to choose, though he had not yet named them.

Wang Chen reported to Guard Post Yi-10 and joined the conscripts assigned to night patrol duty. After Guard Captain Li Wuji punished three late arrivals, Wang Chen collected his spells and equipment and returned home, aware that he needed to obey orders.

• Wang Chen arrived at Guard Post Yi-10 and met Wang Tieniu, who said he was assigned to the Ninth Squad while Wang Chen was in the Fourth Night Patrol Team.
• Guard Captain Li Wuji conducted roll call and found that three of the eighty conscripts were missing.
• When the three late conscripts arrived, Li Wuji ordered them seized and gave each thirty strokes with a Water-Fire Cudgel.
• Li Wuji declared punctuality and obedience essential for Night Watchmen and ordered everyone to gather again in three days.
• Wang Chen chose two middle Qi Condensation stage spells, collected his Night Watchman equipment, and went home.

Wang Chen received gear, supplies, manuals, and two spells for his compulsory night patrol assignment, and he became wary of the dangers behind the guard station’s generous provisions. After seeking Grand Uncle Sun’s advice, Wang Chen learned Spirit Light Shield Armor in two days and had one more day to improve it before patrol.

• Wang Chen memorized Record of Demonic Oddities, On Malevolent Spirits, and Night Watchman's Talk to prepare for the patrol.
• Wang Chen received the Fire Crow Technique and Spirit Light Shield Armor for free, then focused on mastering the defensive spell because he suspected the patrol would be dangerous.
• Wang Chen visited Grand Uncle Sun with Cloud Mist Spirit Tea and asked for guidance on Spirit Light Shield Armor and the Fire Crow Technique.
• Grand Uncle Sun answered Wang Chen’s questions about Spirit Light Shield Armor but could not advise him on the fire spell because his affinity was water.
• Wang Chen returned home and successfully cast Spirit Light Shield Armor, adding it to his Skill Bar at initial mastery.

Wang Chen reported to Guard Post Yi-10 and joined the newly organized Fourth Night Patrol Team, where he met his leaders and teammates. An encounter with the Inner Sect cultivator Xie Yaoxiu left him with a warning about using his Spirit Eye Technique and drew the team into gossip before they were ordered to assemble.

• Wang Chen arrived at Guard Post Yi-10 and learned that Yao Mingjie would lead the Fourth Night Patrol Team while Guo Ping served as deputy.
• Wang Chen ate dinner while secretly cultivating, and he judged that Jiang Cong had likely advanced through pills and that the team was poorly suited to night patrols.
• Li Wuji escorted Xie Yaoxiu and several other cultivators out of the guard post, and Xie Yaoxiu's sharp gaze nearly brought Wang Chen to tears when he used his Spirit Eye Technique on her.
• Jiang Cong identified Xie Yaoxiu as one of the Seven Beauties of Tianyun and recounted how she defeated a suitor with a single sword strike.
• A copper bell rang, and the Fourth Night Patrol Team was ordered to assemble.

Wang Chen joined the Fourth Night Patrol Team and learned about the dangers of patrolling the Yunyang Sect’s Outer Mountain Gate, while staying alert and training as the others grew complacent. On the team’s tenth night patrol, a crossbow bolt struck a young cultivator in the neck, signaling an enemy attack.

• Yao Mingjie led Wang Chen and the other new Night Watchmen on their first patrol while Guo Ping explained the threats posed by bandits and Evil Spirits.
• The team reached the boundary of the sect grounds, where Wang Chen saw the Outer Region, then returned to Guard Post Yi-10 without encountering danger.
• During the following patrols, Wang Chen sensed he was being watched and continued training in the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma and Fire Crow Technique.
• On the team’s tenth night patrol, a crossbow bolt suddenly pierced a young cultivator’s neck, and the team called out that they were under attack.

The Fourth Night Patrol Team was ambushed by armed cultivators, and Wang Chen used talismans and spells to survive the opening attack. After retreating from the chaos, he killed a black-robed pursuer and fled with the man’s Storage Bag.

• A spell-empowered crossbow bolt killed a young Night Watchman, while Wang Chen activated a Protection Talisman and a Jia Ma Talisman.
• The ambushers fired another volley, and Guo Ping evaded the bolts by using a young cultivator as a human shield.
• Wang Chen cast Spirit Light Shield Armor and retreated as Yao Mingjie summoned wind and lightning, killing at least three ambushers.
• The attackers rushed Yao Mingjie and hunted down fleeing rookies, leaving the Night Patrol Team in disarray.
• A black-robed cultivator caught Wang Chen, but Wang Chen struck him with golden energy and killed him.
• Wang Chen activated a Dust Smoke Talisman, took the dead cultivator’s Storage Bag, and ran.

Wang Chen escaped an attack on the night patrol and realized the Yunyang Sect outer sect was under a large-scale invasion, possibly by the Gray-Eyed Bandits. After encountering Child Demons, he was ambushed by a scarecrow evil spirit and attacked it with Exorcism Talismans and his Geng Metal Sword Finger.

• Wang Chen fled more than twenty li with a Jia Ma Talisman and saw distress signals and Radiant Pillars rising across the Yunyang Sect outer sect.
• Wang Chen found a Storage Bag marked with a vertical-eye insignia and suspected the Gray-Eyed Bandits had attacked the patrol team, so he decided to take it back to the Guard Post unopened.
• Wang Chen saw several Child Demons playing in a Spirit Field, but they vanished when the hour-of-the-Tiger bell rang.
• Wang Chen's Cloud Light Robe warned him of danger behind him, and he turned to find a scarecrow evil spirit reaching for him with straw tendrils.
• Wang Chen struck the scarecrow with an Exorcism Talisman and his Geng Metal Sword Finger, then lunged forward to attack it with another Exorcism Talisman.