Chapter Summaries

Xiao Chen remained at the Qi Refining First Layer for three years, drawing scorn from other Li Fire Sect disciples for his leisurely habits. He had chosen the Taking It Easy Hextech, which prevented him from cultivating for three years in exchange for advancing three minor realms and receiving Two Hundred Spirit Stones, and only one day remained until it took effect.

• Xiao Chen tested at the Qi Refining First Layer, prompting other disciples and the testing senior brother to remark on his lack of progress.
• The chapter described how Xiao Chen farmed, drank tea, and walked instead of cultivating, while Old Man Wu warned new chores disciples not to follow his example.
• Xiao Chen recalled that after joining Li Fire Sect, he had activated a Hextech choice and selected Taking It Easy over Axiomatic Arc I and Golden Rain.
• The Taking It Easy enhancement stopped Xiao Chen from cultivating or learning spells for three years and promised three minor realm advances and Two Hundred Spirit Stones afterward.
• Three years passed, and Xiao Chen had only one day left before the enhancement's restriction ended.

As the Three-Year Period arrived, Xiao Chen tried to make his long-awaited breakthrough seem less suspicious by acting unusually diligent in the Law Transmission Hall. After Ye Fei and Jiang Sixuan both advanced, Xiao Chen’s mana began circulating on its own, and he broke through from the Qi Refining First Layer to the Fourth Layer in rapid succession.

• Xiao Chen arrived early at the Law Transmission Hall and told Old Man Wu he intended to turn over a new leaf, but he could not answer a question about mana allocation because he still had only one strand of mana.
• Ye Fei attained Sudden Comprehension and broke through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, prompting Old Man Wu to tell the disciples to meditate.
• Jiang Sixuan also broke through while holding a Spirit Stone, and Old Man Wu praised her.
• At a quarter to eight, Xiao Chen’s Three-Year Period ended, and his single strand of mana began circulating through his body.
• Xiao Chen broke through three times in ten breaths, reaching the Qi Refining Fourth Layer and creating a spiritual energy vortex that drew everyone’s attention.

Xiao Chen entered Sudden Comprehension and stabilized his breakthrough with help from Jiang Sixuan, while Ye Fei and Jiang Sixuan agreed to meet him at a banquet. After Old Man Wu said he would report their breakthroughs, Xiao Chen examined a new set of three options.

• Xiao Chen entered Sudden Comprehension, startling Old Man Wu and the disciples in the Law Transmission Hall.
• Jiang Sixuan spent two Spirit Stones to supply Xiao Chen with spiritual energy, allowing him to condense eight strands of Mana and stabilize his realm.
• Xiao Chen thanked Jiang Sixuan and promised to repay her, but she declined and invited him and Ye Fei to a banquet at the White Jade Teahouse.
• Ye Fei accepted Jiang Sixuan's invitation, and Old Man Wu told the new breakthroughs to attend one more lesson before the Branch Academy collected them.
• Xiao Chen viewed three new options: a reward of Spirit Stones after reaching the Great Ascension Stage, a delayed Spirit Stone reward at the cost of Lifespan, or increased power for Yellow-grade techniques and spells.

Xiao Chen chose the Featherweight I Hextech and joined Branch 2, where he selected the Yellow-grade Yang Qi Breathing Technique for its potential to ease breakthroughs. The chapter ended with Ye Fei and Jiang Sixuan wondering why he had chosen a lesser technique, while Jiang Sixuan considered how to test him.

• Xiao Chen rejected Hextech options that demanded an unlikely level or traded away his lifespan, then chose Featherweight I for its tenfold boost to Yellow-grade cultivation speed and spell power.
• Manager Chen welcomed Xiao Chen, Ye Fei, and Jiang Sixuan into Branch 2 and explained their work choices and Outer Sect responsibilities.
• Ye Fei chose the Pill Refining Hall, Jiang Sixuan chose the Stone Quarry, and Xiao Chen chose to continue cultivating Spirit Fields.
• Xiao Chen searched the Scripture Pavilion's second floor and selected the Yang Qi Breathing Technique, which could improve his chances of breaking through to Late-Stage Qi Refining.
• Ye Fei and Jiang Sixuan were surprised that Xiao Chen chose a Yellow-grade technique, and Jiang Sixuan began thinking of a way to test him.

Xiao Chen chose a residence and used his savings to buy the damaged Azure Gourd, a custom magic item that suited him and could be repaired. Jiang Sixuan noticed he had more resources than she had assumed and planned to have her brother probe him at the evening banquet.

• Xiao Chen chose a small courtyard in the southeast corner of Branch 2, while Jiang Sixuan chose one on the south side and told him about discounted Custom Magic Tools.
• Xiao Chen collected his two hundred Spirit Stones from a reward and thirty-five saved Spirit Stones from the Merit Hall.
• At the Merit Hall, Xiao Chen chose the damaged Azure Gourd for one hundred and eighty Spirit Stones and learned that Azure Wood Spiritual Liquid could help repair it.
• Jiang Sixuan saw the Azure Gourd at Xiao Chen's waist and decided to invite her elder brother to probe him at the evening banquet.

Jiang Cungang assessed Xiao Chen and Ye Fei at Jiang Sixuan’s banquet, judging Ye Fei a promising ally and Xiao Chen an ordinary cultivator who had gotten lucky. Jiang Sixuan chose to focus on cultivation and cultivate ties with Ye Fei, though she still felt she might have missed an opportunity with Xiao Chen.

• Jiang Cungang, Jiang Sixuan, and Jiang Ruyue learned that Ye Fei was eighteen and Xiao Chen was twenty-one, and Jiang Cungang dismissed Xiao Chen’s prospects.
• At Jiang Sixuan’s banquet, Jiang Cungang gave the guests Qi Nourishing Pills and observed their reactions to gauge their backgrounds.
• Xiao Chen acted delighted to receive the pills so Jiang Cungang would see him as an ordinary cultivator, while Ye Fei remained calm.
• Jiang Cungang used his Black Jade Disc to judge Ye Fei worth recruiting and concluded that Xiao Chen had no notable background or potential.
• Jiang Ruyue advised Jiang Sixuan to focus on cultivation and cultivate Ye Fei as an ally, and Jiang Sixuan resolved to follow her advice while keeping Xiao Chen at a distance.

Xiao Chen used the Yang Qi Breathing Technique and his tenfold Cultivation Speed to cultivate far more efficiently than other Outer Sect Disciples, breaking through to the Qi Refining Fifth Layer. At the Autumn Exchange Meeting, Manager Chen and the other disciples were stunned by how quickly Xiao Chen had advanced.

• Xiao Chen learned the Yang Qi Breathing Technique and converted his Mana in half a day despite his Spirit Field duties.
• Over the next two months, Xiao Chen cultivated intensely and found that the Branch Disciples' advice at the Summer Exchange Meeting did not apply to his unusually efficient routine.
• After hearing a senior brother explain how to use Qi Nourishing Pills, Xiao Chen took the pills and broke through to the Qi Refining Fifth Layer on the ninth night.
• Two and a half months later, Xiao Chen neared the sixth layer and bought another bottle of Qi Nourishing Pills at the Merit Hall.
• Xiao Chen attended the Autumn Exchange Meeting, where Manager Chen and the other Branch Disciples were shocked to see his breakthrough.

Xiao Chen broke through to Qi Refining Fifth Layer and was made to explain his rapid cultivation to the Branch Academy disciples. Jiang Sixuan concluded that he was preparing for the Outer Sect Trial, but believed his Yellow-grade Technique would doom him because the trial had changed to Spirit Beast combat.

• Manager Chen learned that Xiao Chen had reached Qi Refining Fifth Layer through Sudden Comprehension and asked him to share his cultivation methods.
• Xiao Chen improvised a speech about cultivating diligently, and the disciples listened with interest.
• Jiang Sixuan compared Xiao Chen's progress with her own and guessed that he had chosen the Yang Qi Breathing Technique to advance quickly before the Outer Sect Trial.
• Jiang Sixuan recalled that the trial would now test combat against Spirit Beasts, making Xiao Chen's Yellow-grade Technique a disadvantage.
• Jiang Sixuan considered warning Ye Fei about the new trial format and decided Xiao Chen would fade into obscurity after misjudging it.

Xiao Chen refused Manager Chen’s offer to change his technique and continued cultivating until the sect announced an early start to the Outer Sect Trial. He joined Jiang Sixuan’s group on the journey and reached the Flying Rainbow Mountain Range with them.

• Manager Chen Tianyang rejected Manager Chen Zhi'an’s request to cultivate Xiao Chen, leaving extra support dependent on Xiao Chen’s performance in the trial.
• Outer Sect Disciples discussed Xiao Chen’s consecutive Sudden Comprehensions while he ignored their attention and resumed cultivating.
• Xiao Chen refused Manager Chen’s offer to choose a Mysterious-grade technique because Hextech worked only with Yellow-grade Techniques.
• After consuming two bottles of Qi Nourishing Pills, Xiao Chen neared the 6th level of Qi Refining, but the sect announced that the Outer Sect Disciples had to travel on foot to the Flying Rainbow Mountain Range three days early.
• Jiang Sixuan invited Xiao Chen to travel with her group, and he accepted.
• Xiao Chen, Jiang Sixuan, Ye Fei, and the other two disciples reached the trial gathering point at noon on the third day.

Chen Tianyang warned that the sect had stocked the Flying Rainbow Mountain Range with dangerous Spirit Beasts as the Li Fire Sect prepared for a possible Demonic Calamity. Xiao Chen entered Branch 2’s Trial confident in his spells, but the chapter ended with news that a Branch 1 disciple had been killed by a Ghost Face Spider.

• Chen Tianyang learned that a Late-Stage Qi Refining Ghost Face Spider had been released into the mountain range and hurried to warn the disciples.
• The sect explained the Trial rules and rewards, and Chen Tianyang urged the disciples to value specialized spells.
• Xiao Chen reviewed his minor spells and felt confident because his Hextech enhancement had made his Fireball Art unusually powerful.
• Junior Brother Liu told Xiao Chen that earning six Points required killing a Spirit Beast at the 6th level of Qi Refining and that Branch 1 had suffered casualties.
• Manager Chen announced that a Branch 1 disciple had been severely injured and another, at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, had been killed by a Ghost Face Spider.

Xiao Chen prepared for the more dangerous sect trial and bought Light Body Talismans from Chen Guangyu at the regular price. Chen Guangyu offered to buy any extra Points Jade Tokens Xiao Chen collected, and Xiao Chen secured his promise before leaving.

• After hearing that Ghost Face Spiders feared fire, Xiao Chen decided to stay alert and buy protective supplies before the trial.
• Xiao Chen found fire Talismans sold at inflated prices and bought five Light Body Talismans from Chen Guangyu for one Spirit Stone.
• Chen Guangyu offered Xiao Chen three Spirit Stones for each extra Point Jade Token he collected, hoping to strengthen his ranking bid.
• Xiao Chen agreed to gather tokens and returned to confirm Chen Guangyu would buy however many he brought.
• Chen Guangyu assured Xiao Chen he would accept all the tokens, while privately doubting Xiao Chen could earn many Points.

Xiao Chen entered the Flying Rainbow Mountain Range for the Trial and discovered that his Fireball Art could kill a Twin-Tail Scorpion in a single strike. He collected its five-Point Jade Token and realized the Trial could earn him a great deal of Spirit Stones.

• Branch 2 disciples drew lots and spread out through the mountain range, with most choosing to hunt alone.
• Ye Fei killed a Mystic Armor Turtle after a difficult fight and earned five Points.
• Xiao Chen encountered the injured Junior Brother Zhang, who warned him about a dangerous Twin-Tail Scorpion near the stream.
• Xiao Chen prepared his Golden Light Art and Light Body Talisman, then tried to detour around the scorpion.
• The Twin-Tail Scorpion ambushed Xiao Chen, but his Golden Light Art blocked its attack and his Fireball Art killed it instantly.
• Xiao Chen retrieved the scorpion's Jade Token, confirmed it held five Points, and thought about the Spirit Stones those Points were worth.

Ye Fei found another Sharp-Haired Bear already killed and suspected an outsider was interfering with the Trial, while Xiao Chen’s relentless hunting left Spirit Beasts scarce. After Xiao Chen took a pangolin Su Wanqing had nearly defeated, she recognized him as the hunter behind the huge haul and stopped him as he tried to leave.

• Ye Fei found a Sharp-Haired Bear stripped of its Points Jade Token and Bear Gallbladder, but discovered no signs of a fight and suspected someone had secretly interfered with the Trial.
• Xiao Chen spent five days hunting Spirit Beasts with Golden Light Art and Fireball Art, filling two bundles with spoils and leaving few beasts for other disciples.
• Su Wanqing caught up using her Wind Riding Sword, nearly defeated a 6th-level Qi Refining pangolin, and watched Xiao Chen finish it with a fireball.
• Xiao Chen apologized for calling Su Wanqing Junior Sister, acknowledged that she had found the pangolin first, and tried to leave without taking it.
• Su Wanqing noticed Xiao Chen’s bundles of fox pelts and the clattering Jade Tokens, realized he was the prolific hunter, and called him back as he walked away.

After Xiao Chen displayed his strength, Su Wanqing tried to recruit him into a deal by offering him a Stealth Cloak. He agreed to sell her Jade Tokens but grew wary when she asked for his future support in becoming Chief Disciple.

• Su Wanqing recognized that Xiao Chen had killed the pangolin with a powerful Fireball Art and followed him, hoping to learn how he hunted Spirit Beasts.
• Xiao Chen refused to reveal his methods, but Su Wanqing showed him a Stealth Cloak that disguised its wearer's appearance and aura and warned of probing Foundation Establishment cultivators.
• Su Wanqing offered the cloak in exchange for Jade Tokens and Xiao Chen's future support in her bid to become Chief Disciple.
• Xiao Chen agreed to sell her half his Jade Tokens at three Spirit Stones per Point, then questioned whether her request for support concealed some catch.

After trading with Su Wanqing, Xiao Chen used his new Stealth Cloak to seek out more disciples and trade away his surplus Points. He found a Senior Brother who appeared to be tied up, only to discover that a Ghost Face Spider was lurking inside him and attacking.

• Xiao Chen and Su Wanqing agreed that he would keep her secret and support her bid to become Chief Disciple, then sealed the deal with Dao Heart Oaths and exchanged items.
• Xiao Chen refined the Stealth Cloak, tested its disguise, and decided to use it to trade Points with other disciples while keeping his identity hidden.
• Xiao Chen followed footprints to a Senior Brother in the grass, who appeared bound and made muffled noises when Xiao Chen approached.
• Xiao Chen realized the Senior Brother was signaling that the culprit was not nearby, but he kept his Golden Light Art active as he moved closer.
• A Ghost Face Spider hidden inside the Senior Brother launched its mouthpart at Xiao Chen, but the Golden Light Art held firm.

Xiao Chen killed a powerful Ghost Face Spider with a rapid barrage of Fireballs and discovered a suspected Inner Core, a Points Jade Token, and a Harmony Origin Pill inside its body. He stored his gains and headed for the sect's gathering point, confident the pill could help him break through to the 6th level of Qi Refining.

• The Ghost Face Spider attacked Xiao Chen, but he burned it to death with three rapidly cast Fireballs.
• Xiao Chen inspected the corpse and found a heavy Golden Orb that he suspected was a Spirit Beast's Inner Core, so he wrapped it up without swallowing it.
• Xiao Chen retrieved the Ghost Face Spider's Points Jade Token and found a corroded Sect Standard Flying Sword and a spiritual jade box inside its belly.
• Xiao Chen opened the jade box with Mana and discovered a Harmony Origin Pill, which he believed could help him reach the 6th level of Qi Refining.
• Xiao Chen stored his discoveries, put on his cloak, and headed to the sect's gathering point.

Xiao Chen reached the northern exit of the Flying Rainbow Mountain Range and sold some of his excess points to Branch 2 disciples before bringing seventy-two points to Chen Guangyu’s stall. Chen Guangyu tried to buy only fifty points and offered an IOU for the rest, leaving Xiao Chen to decide whether to accept.

• Xiao Chen offered Branch 2 disciples Jade Tokens at three Spirit Stones per point, and five of them pooled their money to buy a five-point token.
• Wang Shixiong warned Li Shidi not to target Xiao Chen because his many Jade Tokens suggested he was dangerous and might not even be an Outer Sect Disciple.
• Xiao Chen removed his Stealth Cloak and went to Chen Guangyu’s stall, where he presented a bundle containing seventy-two points.
• Chen Guangyu realized the points could lift him into the top three, then asked to take only fifty points and write an IOU for the remaining Spirit Stones.

Xiao Chen sold Jade Tokens to other disciples, secured sixth place in the Trial, and used a Harmony Origin Pill to break through to the 6th level of Qi Refining. After cultivating until the Trial ended, he gathered with Branch 2 as Manager Chen prepared to announce the rankings.

• Xiao Chen sold more Jade Tokens, including fifty Points' worth to Chen Guangyu and forty-six Points' worth to other secluded stall owners.
• Song Zhongming bought one hundred Points from Xiao Chen for three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and Xiao Chen added two Points as a gift.
• Xiao Chen checked the rankings, submitted sixty-five Points to secure sixth place, and sold his remaining nine Points the next morning.
• Xiao Chen sold the Trial's spiritual materials, returned to the Camp, and swallowed a Harmony Origin Pill.
• Xiao Chen broke through to the 6th level of Qi Refining and cultivated until Manager Chen gathered Branch 2's disciples to announce the rankings.

Xiao Chen placed ninth in the trial, becoming an Inner Sect Seed, then chose the Star Gazing Qi Observation Technique instead of the popular Three Stars Synergy Technique. His unexpected ranking and unconventional spell choice left the disciples speculating about him, while Su Wanqing was stunned that he had ranked only ninth.

• Song Zhongming, Liu Benxin, and Jiang Sixuan took the top three places, while Xiao Chen claimed ninth and Chen Guangyu fell to fourth.
• Manager Chen distributed the spell rewards, and Xiao Chen chose the Star Gazing Qi Observation Technique to improve his detection abilities.
• Xiao Chen's choice drew attention, and disciples speculated that he had a hidden background, a powerful artifact, or had cheated.
• Jiang Sixuan attributed Xiao Chen's success to luck, while Liu Benxin credited his diligence and hard work.
• Su Wanqing heard that Xiao Chen had placed ninth and wondered what extraordinary people had ranked above him.

Su Wanqing concluded that Xiao Chen had gained a powerful inheritance and arranged to monitor his progress. After returning from the trial, Xiao Chen revealed he had reached Qi Refining Sixth Layer, astonishing Manager Chen and the other disciples by claiming another Sudden Comprehension.

• Su Wanqing inferred that Xiao Chen had obtained a powerful inheritance and ordered a clan member to watch him, predicting he would reach Qi Refining Sixth Layer within a month.
• Three days after the trial, Xiao Chen and the other disciples returned to the Li Fire Sect, while the Inner Sect Disciples rode back on a Flying Boat.
• At an exchange meeting, Li Shidi questioned how Xiao Chen had killed Spirit Beasts at the 6th level of Qi Refining while supposedly at Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
• Xiao Chen released the aura of Qi Refining Sixth Layer and said he had broken through during the trial, prompting Manager Chen to reprimand him for breaking through in danger.
• When Manager Chen asked whether Xiao Chen had experienced another Sudden Comprehension, Xiao Chen agreed, leaving the disciples and Manager Chen stunned.