Chapter Summaries

Wang Chen left the Mystic Tortoise after Yuan Yuan confronted it, and the old turtle later gave Yuan Yuan ten Vermilion Fruits. Wang Chen realized the fruits were powerful but let Yuan Yuan keep them as they continued toward Yunyang City.

• The Mystic Tortoise questioned Wang Chen’s motives for bringing it spirit fruits, and Wang Chen decided to leave.
• Yuan Yuan leaped onto the Mystic Tortoise and scratched inside the base of its neck, then returned to Wang Chen after the turtle asked to speak with it.
• The Mystic Tortoise drew in the spirit pears Wang Chen had brought and went back to sleep as Wang Chen departed for Yunyang City.
• Yuan Yuan presented Wang Chen with a Vermilion Fruit, whose spiritual aura caused him to experience Spirit Intoxication again.
• Yuan Yuan produced nine more Vermilion Fruits, and Wang Chen told it to keep all ten.

Wang Chen met Wei Xiong in Yunyang City, congratulated him on Wei Lian’s advancement, and gave him gifts before returning to Sunset Peak. There he met the newly settled Zhao Huai’an, whose cold manner made Wang Chen wary, and discovered Yuan Yuan had left five Vermilion Fruits for him.

• Wang Chen met Wei Xiong at a tavern, learned Wei Lian had reached the innate realm, and gave Wei Xiong two hundred jin of fragrant pears in an Essence Blood Storage Talisman.
• Wang Chen delivered fragrant pears to Cao Xiu at the outer sect Discipline Hall and returned to his estate on Sunset Peak.
• Wang Chen found Zhao Huai’an reclaiming fields beside his Spirit Field and recognized him as the rogue cultivator who had reported the Human Hunting Case.
• Wang Chen invited Zhao Huai’an to visit, but Zhao Huai’an remained cold, leaving Wang Chen irritated and suspicious of his new neighbor.
• Wang Chen returned home and found five Vermilion Fruits on the table after Yuan Yuan had slipped away.

After Vermilion Fruits improved Wang Chen’s Spiritual Root and accelerated his cultivation, he tried to keep his distance from wary neighbor Zhao Huai'an. Lu Hong’s follower Du Yuankui then ordered Wang Chen to spy on Zhao Huai'an, and Wang Chen went to visit his neighbor after accepting the surveillance tools.

• Wang Chen ate four Vermilion Fruits from Yuan Yuan, which strengthened his bones and raised his Spiritual Root by one point.
• Wang Chen found that his cultivation had become smoother and expected to attempt a breakthrough to the eighth level of Qi Condensation by early December.
• Wang Chen decided not to offer Zhao Huai'an farming advice, understanding that the disgraced cultivator had reason to distrust others.
• Du Yuankui visited Wang Chen on Lu Hong’s orders and told him to report Zhao Huai'an’s movements, giving him Ten-Hour Mandarin Duck Mirrors and Message Cranes.
• After Du Yuankui left, Wang Chen took the mirrors and headed to Zhao Huai'an’s house.

Wang Chen warned Zhao Huai'an about Lu Hong's surveillance scheme, and Zhao decided to leave Sunset Peak and pursue greater strength. After Zhao vanished, Du Yuankui reclaimed the Mandarin Duck Mirrors, leaving Wang Chen to consider the injustice a source of Heavenly Merit.

• Wang Chen told Zhao Huai'an that Lu Hong had sent him Mandarin Duck Mirrors to monitor him, and Zhao Huai'an said he would not put Wang Chen in a difficult position.
• Old Hu urged Zhao Huai'an to leave for the Outer Region, win the position of Sunset Peak's chief disciple, and pursue the Sect Master's disciple position to learn the Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations.
• Zhao Huai'an resolved to claim the chief disciple position and prepare for the threats surrounding him.
• Wang Chen watched his home for two days, confirmed Zhao Huai'an had fled, and sent a Crane Message to Du Yuankui.
• Du Yuankui took back the Mandarin Duck Mirrors despite having said they were a gift, and Wang Chen silently considered the unpaid labor and loss a source of Heavenly Merit.

Wang Chen harvested his Spirit Rice, shared the new crop with Yuan Yuan and Black Tortoise, and used the nourishing rice to support his cultivation. As his Five Elements Technique reached the peak of the seventh level, he began attempting to break through to the eighth.

• Wang Chen practiced his Flying Sword techniques until his Sword Control Technique reached 207/300, then returned to his manor with Yuan Yuan.
• Wang Chen hired two Valley Guests, who harvested and processed the fifty mu of Spirit Fields, yielding just over eight thousand jin of rice.
• Wang Chen steamed Yellow Millet Rice and Black Sesame Rice, shared the Yellow Millet Rice with Yuan Yuan, and prepared more for her to take to Black Tortoise.
• Wang Chen ate the Black Sesame Rice and recognized that the mid-grade Spirit Rice could help accelerate his cultivation.
• When the first winter snow fell, Wang Chen's Five Elements Technique reached 699/700, and he activated his Spirit Gathering Array to attempt a breakthrough to the eighth level.

After reaching the eighth level of Qi Condensation, Wang Chen faced a shortage of Spirit Stones and Merit Points and decided to take sect missions to earn the points required to remain in the Inner Sect. He advanced his body-refining art to its fourth layer, suppressed the Heavenly Dragon True Form with the Primordial Dao Stele, and achieved a Vajra Indestructible body.

• Wang Chen reached the eighth level of Qi Condensation and spent two days consolidating his realm.
• Wang Chen realized his Spirit Stones and Merit Points were nearly exhausted and that he needed to earn at least one thousand Merit Points through sect missions.
• Wang Chen used 1 point of Heavenly Merit to advance the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma to its fourth layer.
• The Heavenly Dragon True Form surged against Wang Chen's Dao heart during the breakthrough, so he brought out the Dragon-Subduing Sarira.
• The Primordial Dao Stele absorbed the Sarira and suppressed the Heavenly Dragon True Form, leaving Wang Chen with a flawless fit between his Physique and Divine Soul.
• Wang Chen gained two Physique points and achieved a Vajra Indestructible body.

The theft of the Great Majestic Heavenly Dragon’s reverse scale forced Heavenly Dragon Temple to stop promoting the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma, while Wang Chen gained an unexplained 500,000 Unsealing Points. After selling his possessions to buy Vajra Butter and stabilizing his Vajra Indestructible body, Wang Chen went to accept a sect mission.

• The abbot calmed the rampaging Heavenly Dragon in the True Soul Painting and discovered its reverse scale had been stolen.
• The abbot ordered Heavenly Dragon Temple to recall copies of the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Righteous Dharma and raised the price of Vajra Butter fivefold.
• Wang Chen saw that the Primordial Dao Stele had gained 500,000 Unsealing Points after he suppressed the Heavenly Dragon True Form.
• Wang Chen sold possessions across Yunyang City and the Outer Sect cities, then used the proceeds to buy 176 bottles of Vajra Butter.
• Wang Chen spent three days stabilizing his Vajra Indestructible body before heading to the Sect Affairs Hall to accept a mission.

Wang Chen traveled to a Ruined City to hunt Evil Spirits for sect contributions, but rejected the city itself as too dangerous. He found a Black tier Ghost Groom leading a wedding procession and killed it with the Fire Crow Sword.

• Wang Chen accepted long-term tasks to hunt Gray-Eyed Bandits and collect Yin Qi Beads, then headed for the Ruined City.
• Wang Chen waited until nightfall and saw ghostly lanterns reveal a bustling illusion inside the ruins, but decided the spirit there was not a suitable target.
• Wang Chen encountered a Ghost Groom leading a wedding procession toward the Ruined City and recognized it as a Black tier malevolent spirit.
• Wang Chen attacked with the Fire Crow Sword, burned through the Ghost Groom's defenses, and killed it along with its white horse.
• Wang Chen gained 95 Human Virtue.

Wang Chen destroyed Ghost Groom and the wedding procession’s Evil Spirits, then fled when a colossal being emerged from Ruined City to avenge the groom. He escaped the first strike, but the massive threat remained behind him.

• Wang Chen killed Ghost Groom with the Fire Crow Flying Sword and gained Sword Control Technique experience.
• Wang Chen used Exorcism Talismans and Vajra Fist to kill the Shapeshifting Fiends and pursue the fleeing Lantern Puppets, raising his Human Virtue points above three hundred.
• The Ghost Matchmaker ambushed Wang Chen with Yin Baleful spikes, but he trapped and destroyed her with the Heavenly Net to Punish Evil, which yielded a Yin Qi Bead.
• Wang Chen stopped pursuing the remaining Lantern Puppets when they fled into Ruined City and chose to retreat.
• A colossal being burst out of the ground in Ruined City and roared that someone had killed its groom.
• Wang Chen fled northwest with Shadowless Divine Movement as the being’s enormous palm smashed down where he had stood.

A giant Grudge-level Evil Spirit sent Gray-Eyed Bandits after Wang Chen to capture him alive. Wang Chen prepared the battlefield with Exorcism Talismans and attacked with fire crows, but the bandits evaded some of his spells and surrounded him with Wind Blades.

• A giant Evil Spirit emerged from the earth near Ruined City, released Gray-Eyed Bandits from blood cocoons, and ordered them to bring Wang Chen back alive.
• Wang Chen fled into the wilderness, sensed pursuers closing in, and recognized a chance to gain Human Virtue points by fighting them.
• Wang Chen scattered Exorcism Talismans to fill the battlefield with pure Yang energy and summoned six fire crows with the Fire Crow Technique.
• The fire crows struck three Gray-Eyed Bandits, while the others dodged and launched a barrage of Wind Blades at Wang Chen.
• Wang Chen blocked the Wind Blades with a spiritual shield as more Gray-Eyed Bandits appeared around him.

Wang Chen fought off a coordinated group of Gray-Eyed Bandits, using Meteor Fire Talismans and the Fire Crow Sword to slaughter most of them. After killing an assassin who attacked from behind, Wang Chen faced the six remaining bandits and prepared to strike with his Fire Crows.

• The Gray-Eyed Bandits surrounded Wang Chen with coordinated attacks, and he used twelve Meteor Fire Talismans to disrupt their formation.
• Wang Chen controlled the Fire Crow Sword to kill more than ten bandits, earning Human Virtue points as his mana rapidly drained.
• Wang Chen replenished his mana with the Evil-Exorcising Net and continued cutting down the bandits, deepening his mastery of the Sword Control Technique.
• An assassin attacked Wang Chen from behind, but the Evil-Dispelling Talisman slowed him, allowing Wang Chen to kill him with a Vajra Fist strike.
• Wang Chen recalled the Fire Crow Sword after most of the bandits had fallen, then raised his arms and summoned Fire Crows against the six remaining attackers.

Wang Chen finished defeating the Gray-Eyed Bandits, collected their heads, and returned to the Yunyang Sect with a huge haul he planned to turn in discreetly. Back at Sunset Peak, he spent his Human Virtue improving his combat skills and resolved to keep strengthening his Flying Sword.

• Wang Chen killed the last Gray-Eyed Bandit with the Evil-Exorcising Net and confirmed that all thirty-seven had been Evil Spirits.
• Wang Chen packed the thirty-five surviving heads separately, burned the headless corpses, and left Ruined City despite an enraged roar from the Evil Nest.
• Wang Chen returned to the Yunyang Sect and submitted only one head at the Sect Affairs Hall, planning to turn in the rest gradually.
• Wang Chen returned to Sunset Peak and set aside 1,110 Human Virtue for future Sword Control Technique upgrades.
• Wang Chen used his remaining Human Virtue to raise Fire Crow Technique, Basic Talisman Crafting, and Object Manipulation Technique to Great Perfection.

Wang Chen tested the Great Perfection Fire Crow Technique and practiced swordsmanship in a secluded valley when Elder Chang Chun unexpectedly appeared. Chang Chun offered to take Wang Chen as his true disciple for five thousand Lower Spirit Stones, then left after Wang Chen refused, warning him not to practice swordsmanship because it was too noisy.

• Wang Chen unleashed a Heavy-Winged Fire Crow that shattered a massive boulder, demonstrating the power of his Great Perfection Fire Crow Technique.
• Wang Chen practiced the Sword Control Technique and refined his swordsmanship with his Fire Crow Sword in the valley.
• Elder Chang Chun appeared and asked whether Wang Chen was a disciple of Sunset Peak.
• Chang Chun recognized Wang Chen's talent and offered to make him a true disciple for five thousand Lower Spirit Stones.
• Wang Chen said he could not pay, and Chang Chun departed after warning him not to practice swordsmanship because it was too noisy.

After Changchun departed, Wang Chen continued practicing the Sword Control Technique and later attended Sunset Peak’s annual Dharma Discussion. There, he met Pang Zitong while sharing snacks and books, just as the event began.

• Wang Chen reflected on Changchun’s conduct, moved to a secluded spot, and continued cultivating the Sword Control Technique until the peak discussion approached.
• Wang Chen arrived early at Sunset Peak’s training ground, concealed his presence, and settled down with a stool, books, and sunflower seeds.
• Pang Zitong asked Wang Chen for pumpkin seeds, sat beside him, and tried to learn what he was reading.
• Wang Chen introduced himself to Pang Zitong, and they chatted while cracking seeds and sharing Wang Chen’s Spirit Peaches.
• The Hour of the Snake bell rang, officially opening Sunset Peak’s annual Dao Discussion.

At Sunset Peak’s discourse contest, Zhao Huai'an challenged Lu Hong and defeated him with a single sword strike, overturning the peak’s balance of power. Wang Chen watched Zhao Huai'an’s victory and sensed an unusual aura of fate around him.

• Wang Chen and Pang Zitong stopped eating sunflower seeds and sat quietly when a Purple Mansion Elder began the contest.
• The elder explained that disciples could challenge last year’s representatives for a place among the top ten and true disciple status.
• Zhao Huai'an challenged Lu Hong, renewing their well-known rivalry before the assembled disciples.
• Lu Hong accepted the challenge, but Zhao Huai'an defeated him with one sword strike and left him badly injured.
• The elder declared Zhao Huai'an the winner, and Wang Chen sensed that a dazzling aura of fate surrounded him.

Zhao Huai'an dominated Sunset Peak's Dao discussion, defeating every challenger and claiming the chief true disciple position. Wang Chen arranged for Pang Zitong to make him a low-cost mechanical puppet to tend his Spirit Fields, while Zhao Huai'an's sudden rise left Wang Chen wary but uninvolved.

• Zhao Huai'an defeated Lu Hong and three other challengers with a single move each, taking the foremost seat at the Dao discussion.
• Wang Chen learned that Pang Zitong, a member of the Purple Mansion Pang Clan, specialized in mechanical puppets and offered to build one for his Spirit Fields.
• Pang Zitong agreed to make Wang Chen a budget spirit-planting puppet for one thousand Lower Spirit Stones, with rice and spirit fruits accepted as payment.
• The Dao discussion resumed the next morning and ended quickly, with Zhao Huai'an claiming a place among the ten disciples and taking Lu Hong's chief true disciple position.
• Wang Chen noted that Zhao Huai'an had reached the ninth layer of Qi Condensation in a few months and agreed with Pang Zitong that his future could go either way.

Wang Chen watched the Nine Peaks Dao Discussion conclude, where Zhao Huai'an, Lin Feng, Xiao Hongyi, and other prodigies earned places among the ten true disciples. Afterward, he prepared for the Tianyun Immortal Gathering by crafting talismans and improving his Object Manipulation and Sword Control techniques, but became so absorbed in training that he nearly missed the gathering.

• The Nine Peaks Dao Discussion showcased prodigies including Lin Feng and Xiao Hongyi, who defeated their opponents and entered the top ten alongside Zhao Huai'an.
• Sect Master Ji Guantao presented rewards to the ten new true disciples and named them candidates to become his disciples.
• Wang Chen reflected on the spectacle and on his acquaintance with Pang Zitong, who had told him about the other prodigies.
• Wang Chen found that Grand Completion Basic Talisman Crafting reduced his material and mana costs but barely improved the power of his talismans, so he prepared a batch to sell at the Tianyun Immortal Gathering.
• Wang Chen raised Object Manipulation Technique to Grand Completion and Sword Control Technique to Great Accomplishment, doubling his Flying Sword's control range and increasing its power.
• Wang Chen became so engrossed in practicing Flying Sword techniques that he nearly missed the Tianyun Immortal Gathering.

Wang Chen tallied his talisman earnings before Pang Zitong delivered the Spirit Plant Puppet, which Wang Chen paid for in full and named Wood Kui. After sharing a hotpot meal, Wang Chen tested the puppet with Yuan Yuan, leaving him with a new helper for his spirit plants.

• Wang Chen counted the Spirit Stones from his talisman sales and realized material costs had consumed most of his earnings.
• Pang Zitong visited Wang Chen in the snow and delivered the Spirit Plant Puppet.
• Pang Zitong showed Wang Chen how to activate and control the puppet, and Wang Chen paid him seven hundred Spirit Stones and spirit rice worth three hundred Spirit Stones.
• Wang Chen invited Pang Zitong to stay for hotpot, and the two ate, drank Spirit Rice Wine, and chatted.
• Wang Chen tested the puppet with Yuan Yuan, then named it Wood Kui.

Wang Chen celebrated New Year's Eve with Yuan Yuan and used Wood Kui to make spring planting far easier. When countless large fish flooded the creek to eat spiritually rich peach blossoms, he followed the stream into a nearby valley to investigate.

• Wang Chen prepared a lavish New Year's Eve feast, and he and Yuan Yuan watched the stars until the new year arrived.
• Wood Kui plowed and sowed all fifty mu of Wang Chen's Spirit Fields, leaving him more time to cultivate and fish.
• Wang Chen and Yuan Yuan found the creek crowded with river fish, including large black carp leaping onto the bank.
• Wang Chen followed the stream upstream and discovered the fish were fighting over peach blossom petals from a valley.
• Wang Chen recognized the petals' strong water spiritual energy, caught a carp that swallowed one, and entered the valley with Yuan Yuan to look for peach trees.

Wang Chen became trapped in a peach blossom formation in Nameless Valley, but Yuan Yuan led him through it to a hidden tomb. He discovered the tomb belonged to Changchun’s late wife, and Changchun appeared, moved by the poem Wang Chen had offered.

• Wang Chen entered a peach blossom formation and found that he could neither walk out nor fly away on the Willow Leaf Flying Boat.
• Wang Chen followed Yuan Yuan underground and escaped the formation into the valley’s deepest part, where he found a waterfall, a pool, and a stone pavilion.
• Wang Chen read the tombstone naming Huang Yuqiu and respectfully offered a poem before preparing to leave.
• Changchun appeared and recited the poem’s lines, then asked Wang Chen who had written it.