Chapter Summaries

Xiao Chen and Lin Ping'an joined forces to enter an ancient palace, with Xiao Chen evading its statue guards while Lin Ping'an broke the gate’s restriction. They found that the palace’s magical artifacts had decayed, then headed to a study room to look for spells.

• Lin Ping'an told Xiao Chen that his divination had named Xiao Chen as his destined helper and offered to split the palace’s treasures with him.
• Xiao Chen agreed to lure the four statue guards away while Lin Ping'an worked on the Bronze Gate’s restriction.
• Lin Ping'an needed extra time to break the restriction, so Xiao Chen kept evading the guards for longer than planned before entering the palace.
• The guards returned to their posts as Stone Sculptures, and Xiao Chen and Lin Ping'an explored the palace’s halls and warehouse.
• Lin Ping'an found that the magical artifacts had decayed, and he led Xiao Chen to a study room to search for stored spells.

Xiao Chen traded the Earth-grade Mysterious Gate Divination Art to Lin Ping'an for techniques, a Clear Jade Talisman Ginseng, and other compensation, gaining a Wood Foundation Spirit Item for his plans to achieve Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment. After searching the palace and collecting its remaining Fire Flame Crystals, Xiao Chen returned to Lin Ping'an, who offered to take him to a Flame Lake for Body Tempering.

• Lin Ping'an offered Xiao Chen Spirit Stones and a Flame Light Mirror for the Mysterious Gate Divination Art, then added the Clear Jade Talisman Ginseng to secure the exchange.
• Xiao Chen accepted the deal, receiving nine hundred Spirit Stones, one hundred Fire Flame Crystals, the ginseng, and the study's other techniques and spells.
• Lin Ping'an began refining the jade slip while Xiao Chen searched the palace, finding a total of one thousand one hundred Fire Flame Crystals in its Fire Room and a hidden chest.
• Xiao Chen returned to the study room, where Lin Ping'an thanked him and offered to take him to a special Flame Lake for Body Tempering.

After mastering the Azure Thorn Technique in the Flame Pool, Xiao Chen and Lin Ping'an headed back through the Secret Realm. Meanwhile, Ye Fei’s group became trapped by Two-Headed Lions, but a sudden attack by emerald brambles offered them a chance to survive.

• Xiao Chen endured the Flame Pool with ease and practiced the Azure Thorn Technique while Lin Ping'an watched in disbelief.
• Xiao Chen used Thorn Vines to destroy Two-Headed Lions on the way back, and Lin Ping'an learned he had entered the Secret Realm at Qi Refining Layer Eight.
• Ye Fei’s group entered the inner layer seeking Fire Flame Crystals, but more than thirty Two-Headed Lions trapped them in a mountain cave.
• Song Zhongwen prepared the group for a desperate breakout and handed out Wooden Vine Talismans and Earth Shield Talismans despite Chen Guangyu’s doubts about Wood Element attacks.
• Dozens of emerald brambles swept over the Lion Group, binding the Two-Headed Lions as the trapped disciples watched in shock.

Xiao Chen used the Azure Thorn Technique to defeat the Two-Headed Lions and lead the trapped disciples out of the Secret Realm. When the disciples asked to trade for Fire Flame Crystals, he revealed a box full of them and offered to handle their requests one at a time.

• Xiao Chen destroyed the Two-Headed Lions blocking the cave with the Azure Thorn Technique, astonishing Lin Ping'an and the disciples inside.
• Su Wanqing welcomed Xiao Chen, and the group realized he had defeated the lions after reaching the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.
• Xiao Chen led the disciples through the Secret Realm, killing more Two-Headed Lions with his thorns along the way.
• Xiao Chen escorted the group safely out of the Secret Realm and back to the Flying Boat.
• Ye Fei, Liu Shiqing, Song Zhongwen, and Su Wanqing asked Xiao Chen to trade them Fire Flame Crystals, and he revealed a box filled with them.

Xiao Chen sold Fire Flame Crystals to the other disciples and revealed a mine’s location to Elder Liu and Elder Fu. The elders recorded his route for future verification, leaving Xiao Chen wondering whether he would receive any reward before then.

• Xiao Chen exchanged Fire Flame Crystals with Ye Fei and other disciples, then opened a second chest so everyone could trade for some.
• Jiang Cungang told Jiang Sixuan that Xiao Chen’s rise needed to be reported to the family before he reached Foundation Establishment.
• Elder Fu and Elder Liu asked Xiao Chen how he had obtained so many Fire Flame Crystals, and Xiao Chen marked the mine’s location on the Secret Realm Map.
• Elder Liu had Xiao Chen fill in landmarks and paths, then promised the sect would remember his contribution after a future expedition verified the route.
• Elder Fu put away the Route Map and ordered everyone to board the Flying Boat.

After Xiao Chen reached Qi Refining Great Perfection and his feats in the Secret Realm spread through the Li Fire Sect, the Chen and Jiang families considered how to respond to his rapid rise. The Jiang family chose to have a rogue Foundation Establishment Cultivator kill Xiao Chen, leaving his danger unresolved.

• Xiao Chen’s accomplishments spread through the Li Fire Sect, where disciples began treating his cultivation methods as lessons to imitate.
• Shen Siyue, Elder Qi, and Elder Chen were astonished by Xiao Chen’s strength and rapid progress, while Elder Chen worried about securing his loyalty to the Chen Family.
• Elder Chen urged Chen Tianyuan to prepare a Foundation Establishment Pill for Xiao Chen before other families could interfere.
• After hearing Jiang Cungang’s account, Jiang Changhua convened the Jiang Family elders to decide whether to reconcile with Xiao Chen or eliminate him.
• The Jiang Family elders rejected offering Xiao Chen their Foundation Establishment Pill, and Jiang Changhua decided to hire a rogue Foundation Establishment Cultivator seeking the family’s favor to kill him.

Su Wanqing learned that Xiao Chen could reach Foundation Establishment soon, while Dark Hall Elder Lu Wuqiang discovered how much his spies had missed about Xiao Chen. Fearing Xiao Chen would become a threat, Lu Wuqiang ordered the Tian Family Three Brothers to kill him with their full strength.

• Su Wanqing asked Su Ruihe how long Foundation Establishment took and learned Xiao Chen might break through within a year if he had the necessary support.
• Su Ruihe recognized Xiao Chen as the rapidly rising disciple who could soon give the Chen Family another Foundation Establishment cultivator.
• Lu Wuqiang learned his informants had failed to track Xiao Chen and that their Captain had disappeared with their supplies.
• Lu Wuqiang ordered the messenger to bring back the missing Captain's wife's head, then read the information about Xiao Chen.
• Lu Wuqiang sent the Tian Family Three Brothers to kill Xiao Chen, authorizing them to use their Talismans and Demonic Art.

Xiao Chen spent a month away from Azure Water Peak cultivating five spells, then returned and was lured by Junior Brother Zhang with an offer to buy a Five-Colored Golden Lotus. Zhang’s urgency made Xiao Chen suspicious, and he questioned what Zhang was so anxious about.

• Xiao Chen cultivated the Golden Armor Art and four other spells by the river, avoiding invitations from other disciples.
• After a month, Xiao Chen had mastered all five spells to the beginner stage, while Junior Brother Zhang repeatedly searched for him under pressure from the Tian Family Three Brothers.
• Junior Brother Zhang, an informant for the Dark Hall of Azure Flame Sect, told Xiao Chen that he could arrange a private purchase of a Five-Colored Golden Lotus.
• Xiao Chen considered the offer as a way to secure a Foundation Establishment Pill, but decided to investigate Zhang before agreeing.
• When Xiao Chen proposed leaving in a couple of days, Zhang insisted that it would be too late, prompting Xiao Chen to ask why he was so anxious.

Junior Brother lured Xiao Chen to a secluded forest to meet the Tian Family Three Brothers, hoping to earn a thousand Spirit Stones and obtain an antidote. The brothers sprang an ambush on Xiao Chen, ending the chapter as spells and a hidden lightning strike converged on him.

• Junior Brother met the Tian Family Three Brothers in the woods and told them Xiao Chen would come to buy the Five-Colored Golden Lotus the next morning.
• Tian Laoda promised Junior Brother a thousand Spirit Stones if he brought Xiao Chen to them, but gave him no antidote.
• Junior Brother spent the night dreaming of what he could buy with the reward, while Xiao Chen counted his savings and prepared for the transaction.
• Junior Brother led Xiao Chen from Azure Water Peak to a secluded forest forty-four li from the Li Fire Sect.
• Junior Brother called for Tian Laoda, and an ambush erupted: wooden vines, ice arrows, and wind blades attacked as a streak of purple lightning shot toward Xiao Chen's heart.

Xiao Chen and Junior Zhang were ambushed by the Tian Family Three Brothers, who used the Mystic Three Talents Formation and a demonic blood sacrifice to try to kill them. Xiao Chen destroyed the brothers before their summoned Demon could fully form and sent the Azure Wood Divine General into the flames to retrieve their Storage Bags.

• Xiao Chen protected himself and Junior Zhang from the brothers’ ambush, while Junior Zhang realized they had poisoned him and never intended to give him an antidote.
• The Tian Family Three Brothers trapped Xiao Chen in their Mystic Three Talents Formation and unleashed its lightning attacks, but his golden armor and Earth Shield Art withstood them.
• The brothers forced out their Essence Blood to summon a powerful Demon, while Xiao Chen used the Azure Thorn Technique to pin them in place.
• Xiao Chen repeatedly unleashed the Great Fire Crow Formation, killing the Tian Family Three Brothers and dispersing the unfinished Demon.
• Xiao Chen sent the Azure Wood Divine General into the burning area to retrieve the three Storage Bags.

Xiao Chen searched the three Storage Bags and found Azure Wood Primal Fluid, notes on Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, a coded cookbook, and a flyer for a distant Trade Fair. He decided to travel to Crushed Stone Valley to investigate why the men who tried to kill him had come from so far away.

• Xiao Chen refined the three Storage Bags and found Spirit Stones, ordinary talisman supplies, and a bottle of Azure Wood Primal Fluid.
• Xiao Chen learned from Tian Laoer's notes about the importance of spirit-item order during Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment and the possibility of refining a Demonic Beast Inner Core into a Pseudo-Core.
• Xiao Chen recognized the cookbook as a Dark Codex used to decipher Secret Orders and kept it for possible future use.
• Xiao Chen read a flyer announcing the Xiong Family's Trade Fair in Crushed Stone Valley, where Foundation Establishment Spirit Items and Top-Grade Magical Artifacts might be auctioned.
• Xiao Chen decided to travel to Crushed Stone Valley to investigate the trade fair and why the three attackers had traveled so far to target him.

Xiao Chen examined the Blood Refinement Divine Art, recognized it as a Demonic Art, and kept its life-saving Blood Escape Secret Technique despite the risks. After preparing for a long journey and informing Elder Chen and Shen Siyue, he traveled to Crushed Stone Valley in search of Foundation Establishment Spirit Items.

• Xiao Chen read about the Blood Extraction Great Art, Blood Drinking Great Art, and Blood Escape Secret Technique, and decided to keep the Blood Escape technique for now.
• Xiao Chen told Elder Chen he planned to travel, and Elder Chen gave him Detoxification Pills and advised him to study the sect's combat manuals.
• Xiao Chen informed Shen Siyue of his journey, then sold excess supplies and bought Grain Avoidance Pills at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
• Xiao Chen set out for Crushed Stone Valley and arrived after half a month of travel.

Xiao Chen sampled the specialties at Often Visit Quarter and overheard news about the Xiong Family’s auction and arena competition. He recognized two diners as likely brothers of Scarface, who might each carry a Spirit Accumulating Snow Lotus.

• Xiao Chen ordered Volcanic Ant Wine and local dishes at Often Visit Quarter, then learned he could buy only one small flask per day.
• Xiao Chen overheard diners say the Xiong Family was recruiting rogue cultivators for a consignment auction and holding an arena competition to find a husband for its young lady.
• Xiao Chen learned the restaurant’s steamed perch came from the Su Family’s South Lake and recalled Su Wanqing’s reaction to his fish soup.
• Two unfamiliar men arrived with wine gourds, and Xiao Chen recognized them as likely Scarface’s brothers, who might each have a Spirit Accumulating Snow Lotus.

Xiao Chen rented a remote courtyard near Crushed Stone Valley and used it to lure One-Eye and Biao Zi into an ambush. He killed both robbers and cleaned up the evidence, leaving himself ready for the Trade Fair.

• One-Eye identified Xiao Chen as an easy target and offered to show him a courtyard, but Xiao Chen refused while One-Eye resolved to follow him.
• Xiao Chen rented an isolated courtyard and waited there for One-Eye and Biao Zi to break in.
• One-Eye escaped Xiao Chen’s vines with the Soul Severing Demonic Blade, but Xiao Chen trapped him between his magical weapons.
• Xiao Chen blocked One-Eye’s attack with the Golden Armor Art and killed him with the Evergreen Sword and Azure Thorn Technique.
• The Golden Light Pearl smashed Biao Zi’s chest, and Xiao Chen collected their Storage Bags and removed all traces of the fight.

Xiao Chen repaired the Azure Gourd with Azure Wood Spiritual Liquid, restoring it to a Mid-Grade Magic Tool and giving it two Azure Wood Divine Generals. He then went to the Crushed Stone Valley Trade Fair, where the Xiong Family began its public auction.

• Xiao Chen found Foundation Establishment Spirit Items, a Mysterious-grade Nether Severing Divine Saber, and other belongings in One-Eye’s Storage Bags, then concealed his involvement when the steward asked about the sounds of fighting.
• Xiao Chen refined three streams of Azure Wood Spiritual Liquid into the Azure Gourd, restoring its rank and producing two armed Azure Wood Divine Generals.
• Xiao Chen left for the Trade Fair, while an old cultivator warned his granddaughter not to approach him because he carried a Storage Bag and seemed to be attending the auction for treasures.
• Xiong Qiming learned from Xiong Qiliang which families had sent representatives and discussed the Xiong Family’s plans to restore its standing in Crushed Stone Valley.
• Xiong Qiming addressed the gathered cultivators, explained that auction payments and goods would be exchanged on the spot, and announced the start of the auction.

Xiao Chen attended the auction and spent four thousand Spirit Stones to secure the Thousand-Year Sword Bamboo, a Gold Element Foundation Establishment Spirit Item he needed for Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment. The auction ended with the rogue cultivators stunned by his lavish spending.

• Young Master Ji won the Thick Earth Robe for six hundred Spirit Stones, while Xiao Chen held back his funds for the Foundation Establishment Spirit Items.
• The Ji Family, Du Family, Guo Family, and Tian Family claimed several Mid-Grade Magic Tools, and Miss Guo bought the Five-Colored Flowing Immortal Dress for nine hundred and sixty Spirit Stones.
• The Auctioneer unveiled the Thousand-Year Sword Bamboo, and Xiao Chen immediately bid two thousand Spirit Stones.
• Tian Jianning raised the bid on behalf of Tian Xunjian, who wanted to become a Sword Cultivator, but Xiao Chen's bids of three thousand and then four thousand Spirit Stones drove them to withdraw.
• Xiao Chen paid four thousand Spirit Stones for the Sword Bamboo, leaving the auction crowd and the young girl attending with her grandfather astonished.

After learning that disasters and robber attacks had caused a Spirit Herb shortage, Xiao Chen left Crushed Stone Valley and discovered Demonic Cultivators attacking a village near Wind Howl Mountain. He found signs that Li Fire Sect cultivators had fought there and sensed six Late-Stage Qi Refining enemies inside the village.

• Xiao Chen learned that an eruption at Big Foot Basin and robber attacks on Plain had caused Spirit Herb supplies to dry up and pill prices to double.
• Lu Wuqiang arrived at Xiao Chen’s former lodging after Xiao Chen had left, punished his subordinates, and ordered them to contact the Tian Family Three Brothers.
• Twelve days later, Xiao Chen reached Wind Howl Mountain and saw black clouds, Poison Smoke, dead villagers, and Demonic Cultivators collecting blood.
• Xiao Chen used the Star Gazing Qi Observation Technique and found three Mid-stage Qi Refining Demonic Cultivators at the village entrance and six Late-Stage Qi Refining spiritual-qi clusters inside.

After the Li Fire Sect launched a sweep against the Divine Fire Sect, Su Yuanpeng and Su Wanqing’s squad was trapped at a hidden stronghold. Xiao Chen destroyed the Ten Thousand Souls Formation, exposed Yin Biqin’s betrayal, and captured her for questioning.

• The Li Fire Sect spent twelve days searching its territory for Divine Fire Sect Demonic Cultivators, and Su Wanqing exposed a disguised Demonic Cultivator near Wind Howl Mountain.
• Several Demonic Cultivators surrounded Su Yuanpeng, Su Wanqing, and five Inner Sect Disciples, trapping them behind defensive magic tools inside a Ten Thousand Souls Formation.
• Xiao Chen captured three rogue cultivators sent to collect blood, then used thirty-six Li Fire Thunders to shatter the formation and disperse its poisonous fog.
• Yin Biqin stabbed Su Yuanpeng with a blood-red dagger as the formation broke, then tried to flee while the exposed Demonic Cultivators ran in separate directions.
• Xiao Chen intercepted Yin Biqin, resisted her attacks, bound her with a vine, and decided to hand her over to the Law Enforcement Hall.

Xiao Chen saved Su Yuanpeng after Yin Biqin’s blood dagger caused an unstoppable wound, and the group discovered Yin Biqin had no way to stop the bleeding. Su Yuanpeng recovered after consuming Xiao Chen’s Clear Jade Talisman Ginseng, while Yin Biqin was left wounded and begging for help.

• Su Wanqing and the junior brothers failed to stop Su Yuanpeng’s bleeding, while Yin Biqin claimed she alone knew the cure and demanded to be released.
• Su Yuanpeng refused to bargain with Yin Biqin, then stabbed her with the blood dagger to force her to reveal the cure.
• Su Yuanpeng realized Yin Biqin could not stop the bleeding and entrusted the dagger to Xiao Chen before beginning to entrust Su Wanqing to him.
• Xiao Chen gave Su Yuanpeng a Clear Jade Talisman Ginseng, which healed his wound and restored his strength.
• Su Wanqing and Su Yuanpeng thanked Xiao Chen, while Yin Biqin begged him to save her and offered to serve him; Xiao Chen refused.

After Demonic Cultivators attacked Li Fire Sect disciples and the Su Family, the sect armed its disciples and launched a sweeping purge that exposed the Divine Fire Sect’s infiltration. Blackwind Wanderer abandoned his attempt to kill Xiao Chen and withdrew until the danger passed.

• Xiao Chen returned to the Li Fire Sect with the Su Siblings, then learned that Ye Fei’s team had been ambushed and six Inner Sect Disciples were missing.
• Xiao Chen handed Elder Chen Yin Biqin’s Blood-Colored Dagger and other evidence, while news arrived that Old Master Su had killed a Foundation Establishment Demonic Cultivator attacking the Su Family’s Spirit Fish warehouse.
• The Chen Elders gave Xiao Chen and the other core disciples Tracking Compasses and Thunderclap Pearls to help them locate one another and summon aid.
• The Li Fire Sect traced the attacks to the Divine Fire Sect, captured a traitorous disciple, and launched a purge that caught more than three hundred Demonic Cultivators and uncovered four Foundation Establishment agents.
• Blackwind Wanderer, who had come to kill Xiao Chen at Jiang Changhua’s invitation, withdrew rather than risk being caught by the Li Fire Sect.