Chapter Summaries

After the fourth Heaven and Earth Dao Sound, the Four Great Secret Realms prepared to send their disciples into the outside world as its laws stabilized. Lu Qing learned that the Demonic Cultivator knew methods for using Merit Light and successfully gained their insights, leaving him eager to explore them.

• Hanging Sky Mountain’s leaders decided to send disciples out to train and ordered Avici Pavilion to help capture Lu Qing and convert him.
• The Avici Pavilion Lord hoped the powerful forces outside would create a chance for his sect to escape Hanging Sky Mountain’s control.
• The Four Great Secret Realms agreed to send their disciples into the world to train and prepare for their sects’ emergence.
• Lu Qing and Wei Xinghe brought Wei Zihao and the others back to Nine Li Village, where Wei Zihao learned that the talisman had cost him lifespan but faced the loss calmly.
• Lu Qing taught Xiao Yan a Qi Eating Method and questioned the enslaved Demonic Cultivator about the Tian Yuan Great World.
• The Demonic Cultivator shared two methods for using Merit Light, and Lu Qing used his ability to simulate and learn them.

Lu Qing cultivated the Merit Garment after obtaining two methods for using Merit Light, then learned that the Four Great Secret Realms had emerged and begun claiming territory. He left Nine Li Village with Xiao Li for Western Province, disguising himself before heading toward Hanging Sky Mountain to strike first.

• Lu Qing chose to cultivate the Merit Garment and successfully condensed a golden Dharma robe that protected his mind and divine soul.
• Wei Xinghe told Lu Qing that powerful newcomers had unified Western Province in Hanging Sky Mountain’s name and that similar forces had emerged in several other provinces.
• Lu Qing warned Wei Xinghe to keep the villagers cultivating safely, then decided to attack Hanging Sky Mountain before it could secure its foothold.
• After Master returned and someone took charge of the grand formation, Lu Qing left Nine Li Village with Xiao Li and traveled toward Western Province.
• Lu Qing reached Western Province, prepared himself, and used martial transformation techniques, a Ghost Face Mask, and a changed divine soul aura to disguise himself.
• Lu Qing carried Xiao Li deeper into Western Province as Yan cautioned him about Hanging Sky Mountain’s ancient power.

Lu Qing infiltrated Hanging Sky Mountain’s construction site in the Spirit Mountain Range and learned that its elders planned to capture him after Avici Pavilion revealed his whereabouts. When Xuan Yi sensed him, Lu Qing launched a sudden blade strike at the monks, and blood sprayed as the attack swept through them.

• Lu Qing traveled to western West Province and secretly approached Hanging Sky Mountain’s Spirit Mountain stronghold with Xiao Li.
• Lu Qing discovered that Xuan Yi, Hanging Sky Mountain’s Great Elder, and other red-robed monks were overseeing construction and discussing the sect’s takeover of West Province.
• Lu Qing overheard the monks confirm that Avici Pavilion had reported his location and that Hanging Sky Mountain intended to capture and convert him.
• Lu Qing decided to attack Xuan Yi, drew his War Blade, and crept toward the monks with Xiao Li’s help.
• Xuan Yi sensed Lu Qing’s presence, and Lu Qing unleashed a powerful blade strike that swept through the monks and carved a deep scar into the cliff.

Lu Qing attacked Xuan Yi and the monks at Hanging Sky Mountain, revealing that he could identify Xuan Yi’s hidden cultivation and treasures. After Xuan Yi summoned a golden Buddha shadow and secretly called for reinforcements, Lu Qing unleashed his body-cultivation treasure light and vanished from sight, leaving Xuan Yi facing imminent danger.

• Lu Qing’s blade qi severed several monks at the waist, while Xuan Yi blocked the strike with a golden protective treasure.
• Lu Qing attacked the wounded monks, forcing Xuan Yi to shield them with golden light before Lu Qing rushed in with his treasure-grade War Blade.
• Xuan Yi stopped Lu Qing’s blade with a glowing palm and a massive golden Buddha shadow, but neither fighter could overcome the other.
• Xuan Yi asked Lu Qing why he had attacked Hanging Sky Mountain and secretly sent a ripple to summon reinforcements.
• Lu Qing sensed the call, revealed dense white treasure light from his body, and vanished as Xuan Yi felt an intense danger.

Lu Qing killed Xuan Yi with a single strike that also split the Golden Buddha Shadow and the cliffside stone Buddha, then seized the Vajra Garment and escaped as a powerful Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator arrived. He withdrew into the forest to avoid fighting near the Hanging Sky Mountain Secret Realm, planning to face the pursuer from a safer distance.

• Lu Qing killed Xuan Yi with a devastating blade strike that cleaved the Golden Buddha Shadow and the stone Buddha on the cliff in two.
• Lu Qing seized the golden orb containing the Vajra Garment and used the Merit Heavenly Garment to repel its hidden Divine Soul attack.
• Sensing a powerful Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator approaching, Lu Qing killed the wounded Red-Robed Monks and fled into the forest with Xiao Li.
• The Gray-robed Old Monk arrived, questioned the craftsmen about Lu Qing's escape route, and pursued him.
• Lu Qing told Xiao Li they were making a strategic withdrawal and continued toward a safer place to confront the pursuer.

Lu Qing lured the gray-robed Kūróng Elder away from the Spirit Mountain Range and revealed that his domain and Earth Vein Yuan Magnetic Power could suppress the elder’s golden shuttle. The elder unleashed his full strength, but Lu Qing then increased the force acting on him and began pulling him down from the air.

• Lu Qing deliberately let the pursuing gray-robed monk sense his aura and led him farther from the Spirit Mountain Range.
• The gray-robed monk attacked Lu Qing with a golden shuttle, but Lu Qing knocked it aside with his War Blade.
• The monk empowered the shuttle with Divine Fusion with Heaven and Earth, and Lu Qing stopped it inside his three-zhang domain.
• Lu Qing identified the monk as Kūróng Elder of Hanging Sky Mountain, while the elder condemned Lu Qing for killing his disciples and released a stronger aura.
• Lu Qing reinforced his domain with Earth Vein Yuan Magnetic Power, suppressed the golden shuttle, and used his domain to make Kūróng Elder’s body more than ten times heavier.

Lu Qing used Earth Vein Yuan Magnetic Power to seize the Gray-robed Old Monk’s golden shuttle and then attacked with a fourteen-arrow array. After luring the monk within range of his power, Lu Qing dragged him toward the ground, but the monk revealed that he had been setting a trap as golden light descended above Lu Qing.

• The Gray-robed Old Monk broke free of Lu Qing’s Earth Vein Yuan Magnetic Power, allowing Lu Qing to seize his golden shuttle and store it in the Universe Qi Bag.
• The Gray-robed Old Monk realized Lu Qing possessed a spatial treasure and questioned whether he came from another great secret land.
• Lu Qing fired fourteen Magic Arrows in a linked array at the Gray-robed Old Monk, who dodged them while gradually descending closer to the ground.
• Lu Qing caught the Gray-robed Old Monk within the range of his Earth Vein Yuan Magnetic Power and dragged him toward the ground.
• The Gray-robed Old Monk’s panic vanished as he declared that Lu Qing had fallen for his scheme, and powerful golden light appeared above Lu Qing.

Lu Qing defeated and killed the gray-robed old monk of Hanging Sky Mountain, surviving his final divine soul attack with the protection of his Merit Garment. After sensing another dangerous presence approaching, Lu Qing fled and hid in a cave, where he began preparing to absorb the gains from the battle.

• The gray-robed old monk ambushed Lu Qing with a Buddha Dharma Idol palm, but Lu Qing revealed his Body Radiating Treasure Light state and shattered the attack with his fist.
• Lu Qing broke the old monk’s other Buddha arm, knocked him off the Golden Shuttle, seized the shuttle, and punched a hole through his chest.
• Lu Qing killed the old monk with another punch, and his Merit Garment burned away the old monk’s attempted divine soul attack.
• Lu Qing took a golden bead from the battlefield and fled with Xiao Li after sensing a dangerous aura approaching from the Spirit Mountain Range.
• After escaping for several hundred li, Lu Qing hid in a cave, concealed his aura with Jade Talismans, and took out the Golden Shuttle.

After killing the gray-robed old monk and the Hanging Sky Mountain Elders, Lu Qing claimed the Golden Shuttle and examined his other spoils. He assessed his strength and prepared to continue ambushing Hanging Sky Mountain in Western Province.

• Lu Qing refined the ownerless Golden Shuttle, deciding to save its first flight until the danger outside had passed.
• Lu Qing inspected the Vajra Garment, Vajra Relic, and Buddha Bone Golden Shuttle, then stored the Buddhist treasures because he could not activate their full power.
• Lu Qing reviewed his battle with the gray-robed old monk and concluded that, without his innate divine abilities, he could match an ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator at Completion.
• Lu Qing entered cultivation to prepare for another ambush and resolved to crush Hanging Sky Mountain's plans to unite Western Province and establish Buddhist faith.

Lu Qing rode his Golden Shuttle across Western Province, destroying Hanging Sky Mountain strongholds and killing disciples as he searched for the reason the sect had concealed his earlier victory. As reports reached the sect, its elders suspected rival hidden sanctuaries and Holy Mountain, but they still did not know who the Ghost-Faced attacker was.

• Lu Qing destroyed a Buddha statue under construction and killed a middle-stage Innate Realm disciple at a Hanging Sky Mountain stronghold.
• After raiding four cities, Lu Qing realized the disciples seemed unaware that he had killed the gray-robed Grand Elder, and he wondered why Hanging Sky Mountain had hidden the news.
• Lu Qing continued his rampage, destroying temples and Buddha statues and killing resisting disciples until he had swept through more than half of Hanging Sky Mountain's Western Province strongholds in one day.
• Rumors of the Ghost-Faced Man riding a Golden Shuttle spread through Western Province and toward the other provinces.
• Red Heart Elder told several elders through a jade token that the attacker had killed ordinary disciples and that Ku Rong had left no useful information behind.
• The elders speculated that Green Goat Temple or Holy Mountain was responsible for the attacks.

After Lu Qing’s attacks forced Hanging Sky Mountain to retreat into the Spirit Mountain Range, news of the Ghost Face Man spread across the world, drawing scouts and disciples to Western Province. Lu Qing remained hidden with Yan and Xiao Li, content to disrupt Hanging Sky Mountain’s plans while waiting to see how it would respond.

• Hanging Sky Mountain’s Abbot and other Divine Soul fluctuations agreed to capture the Ghost Face Man and restore their prestige.
• The Old Taoist learned of the attacks in Western Province, and Taoist Yang Ming suspected Lu Qing before volunteering to investigate.
• The Old Taoist gave Taoist Yang Ming a protective object and permission to take artifacts to Western Province.
• The secret realms and other major forces sent scouts and disciples to Western Province as Hanging Sky Mountain’s disciples retreated and the Ghost Face Man vanished.
• Lu Qing told Yan that he had spared some disciples because he sensed danger and wanted to observe Hanging Sky Mountain’s strange actions.
• Lu Qing explained that his goal was to delay Hanging Sky Mountain from taking control of Western Province and threatening Nine Li Village, not to destroy the secret realm.

Lu Qing learned that Hanging Sky Mountain remained hidden in the Spirit Mountain Range and decided to make his move despite Yan warning that the Li Fire Cauldron would become unusable for a time. He flew toward the mountain range in a streak of golden light, drawing spies who expected a major confrontation.

• The Red-Faced Old Monk kept Hanging Sky Mountain hidden in the Spirit Mountain Range because Ghost Face Man could not be found or divined.
• Taoist Yang Ming arrived near the mountain range and wondered whether Hanging Sky Mountain was hiding out of fear or pursuing a conspiracy.
• Lu Qing heard that Hanging Sky Mountain still refused to emerge and told Yan to prepare to act according to the plan.
• Yan warned Lu Qing that the Li Fire Cauldron would be unusable for some time, but Lu Qing insisted and promised to help it recover afterward.
• Lu Qing left the city, put on his mask, boarded the Golden Shuttle, and flew toward the Spirit Mountain Range.
• Spies from many factions spotted Lu Qing's golden streak and hurried after him, anticipating a major event.

Lu Qing arrived above Spirit Mountain and unleashed the Li Fire Cauldron against Hanging Sky Mountain. The fleeing disciples and the Red-Faced Old Monk faced the descending spirit artifact as it struck toward the mountain.

• Lu Qing flew to the Spirit Mountain Range in the Golden Shuttle, deliberately letting people see him heading there.
• Lu Qing summoned the Li Fire Cauldron and drew in the surrounding spiritual energy as Hanging Sky Mountain disciples recognized him.
• The Red-Faced Old Monk realized Lu Qing wielded a spirit artifact and ordered the disciples to flee.
• The Red-Faced Old Monk raised an array around his mountain peak while the disciples scattered.
• Lu Qing expanded the Li Fire Cauldron and sent it crashing toward the ground in a blaze of flames.

Lu Qing used the Li Fire Cauldron to devastate Hanging Sky Mountain’s peak, killing its disciples and badly injuring the Red-Faced Old Monk before reinforcements arrived. Lu Qing fled, while Taoist Yang Ming watched from afar and wondered who the Ghost Face Man was.

• Lu Qing unleashed the Li Fire Cauldron’s Earth-Shattering Strike, shattering Hanging Sky Mountain’s formation and setting the peak ablaze with Spirit Fire.
• The Li Fire Cauldron’s attack killed the disciples and left the Red-Faced Old Monk gravely injured, though he survived with help from a protective treasure.
• Lu Qing attacked the Red-Faced Old Monk with blade qi, but the Golden Bell Elder’s bell arrived and shielded him.
• Lu Qing fled as Hanging Sky Mountain’s reinforcements arrived, and the Red-Faced Old Monk warned them not to pursue because Lu Qing possessed a Spirit Artifact.
• The Red-Faced Old Monk told the other monks that the weapon was the Li Fire Cauldron, while Taoist Yang Ming observed the destruction and wondered about the Ghost Face Man’s identity.

Lu Qing escaped after striking Hanging Sky Mountain with the Li Fire Cauldron, then hid and began recovering while the wounded sect withdrew into its secret realm. News of the attack spread across the world, emboldening Western Province’s factions and alarming the other secret realms as they weighed the rise of a mysterious Spirit Artifact wielder.

• Lu Qing hid in a remote mountain forest after confirming no one pursued him, then entered seclusion to recover his spiritual power while Xiao Li stood guard.
• News of Lu Qing’s attack and Hanging Sky Mountain’s devastating losses spread through Western Province, where the sects rejoiced and began reconsidering their submission.
• Disciples from the Cloud Water Secret Realm surveyed the ruined Spirit Mountain Range, decided not to visit Hanging Sky Mountain, and returned to their sect.
• Senior Brother Wang warned the Cold Water Palace disciples that Hanging Sky Mountain’s Grand Elders remained a threat and ordered them not to investigate the mysterious attacker.
• Hanging Sky Mountain’s disciples stayed hidden as the fires died down, and news of the attack spread from Western Province until the whole world was shaken.

Lu Qing returned from Western Province after forcing Hanging Sky Mountain to retreat into its Secret Realm, then reunited with Xiao Yan and told Old Doctor what he had done. News of the battle reached Cang Province days later, leaving Wei Shanhai and Wei Xinghe to suspect that Lu Qing had wielded the Giant Cauldron.

• Lu Qing left the Spirit Mountain Range after confirming that Hanging Sky Mountain would not emerge, and traveled back to Cang Province without using the Golden Shuttle.
• Lu Qing returned to Nine Li Village and found Xiao Yan clinging to him; he reassured her and told Old Doctor that he had settled matters in Western Province.
• Old Doctor warned Lu Qing that his attack on Hanging Sky Mountain had been reckless, and Lu Qing explained that he had acted to prevent the sect from threatening them while the Avici Pavilion assassin remained at large.
• Several days later, Wei Shanhai and Wei Xinghe heard rumors of a mysterious expert using a Giant Cauldron to kill Hanging Sky Mountain disciples and Elders, and suspected Lu Qing had been responsible.

Lu Qing reached Qi Refining Completion while anticipating the fifth Heaven and Earth Dao Sound and the changes it might bring. At the Half-Mountain Courtyard, he learned that the Old Doctor had broken through to Foundation Establishment, then sensed a familiar presence outside Nine Li Village.

• Lu Qing absorbed the gathered spiritual energy and reached Qi Refining Completion.
• Lu Qing considered how the fifth Heaven and Earth Dao Sound might raise the limits of cultivation and resolved to gain strength before the coming changes.
• Lu Qing returned to the Half-Mountain Courtyard and waited while the Old Doctor recovered from his breakthrough.
• The Old Doctor said that insights from the runes on Wei Zihao and the others had helped him understand Foundation Establishment and break through.
• Lu Qing sensed a familiar aura outside Nine Li Village and told the Old Doctor they had a guest.

Lin Zhi Rui visited Nine Li Village to ask for Plum Tea and was shocked to learn that Xiao Yan had reached the Innate Realm. He told Lu Qing and Old Doctor that Central Province had descended into conflict over newly discovered ancient cave abodes, explaining why he had left to avoid the turmoil.

• Lin Zhi Rui arrived at Nine Li Village and waited at the entrance after sensing the village's extraordinary protective power.
• Lu Qing and Old Doctor welcomed Lin Zhi Rui, and he reunited with Xiao Yan at the Half-Mountain Courtyard.
• Lin Zhi Rui sensed Xiao Yan's aura and was stunned when Lu Qing told him she had reached the Innate Realm.
• Lin Zhi Rui explained that spiritual energy in Central Province had risen and some Innate Realm experts had learned to cultivate spiritual power.
• Lin Zhi Rui described how the latest Heaven and Earth Dao Sound revealed treasures and Ancient Cave Abodes, sparking battles and alliances among Central Province's sects.
• Lin Zhi Rui said his master had sent him out to travel because factions were pressuring Heaven's Secret Pavilion to join their struggles.

Lin Zhi Rui explained that Heaven's Secret Pavilion had withdrawn from Central Province's turmoil after the Holy Masters stopped appearing, and Lu Qing invited him to stay in Nine Li Village. As Lin Zhi Rui settled in, he discovered the village's Plum Tea could aid cultivation and witnessed Lu Qing tending a Spirit Field with a spell.

• Lin Zhi Rui told Lu Qing that Heaven's Secret Pavilion had dispersed its people and ordered them to avoid Central Province's sect disputes because the Holy Masters had vanished from public view.
• Lu Qing and the Old Doctor invited Lin Zhi Rui to stay in Nine Li Village, and he accepted after tasting Plum Tea that could speed his conversion of true qi into spiritual power.
• Wei Shanhai and the others visited Lin Zhi Rui to thank him for his past help to the Wei Clan and offered to arrange his stay.
• The next morning, Lin Zhi Rui watched Lu Qing use a spell to water a Spirit Field and realized firsthand that the path of immortal cultivation was taking shape.

Lu Qing explained basic cultivation knowledge to Lin Zhi Rui and offered to teach him a spell. Meanwhile, two Golden Core cultivators escaped into the Starry Sky with a Purity Lotus stolen from the Heavenly Dao Alliance, leaving them hopeful of improving their Golden Cores.

• Lu Qing used the Little Cloud-Rain Technique to water the Spirit Field and offered to teach it to Lin Zhi Rui after he converted his Innate True Qi into spiritual power.
• Lu Qing explained the different schools of cultivation to Lin Zhi Rui, who listened eagerly.
• A battered Void Flying Boat appeared on a barren meteor beyond Lu Qing's world, and two injured cultivators emerged after escaping Sword One of the Heavenly Dao Alliance.
• The White Robe Youth and Gray Robe Man examined the Purity Lotus they had stolen and discussed refining it into Purity Spirit Pills.
• The Gray Robe Man put the lotus away, and the two disciples realized they might improve their Golden Cores before asking where they had landed.