Chapter Summaries

Xiao Chen attended the Su Family’s Whole Fish Feast at South Lake, where Su Huaitao introduced him to the local Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Su Wanqing explained the backgrounds of the Red Maple Twin Swords and the Little Chess Saint of Li Province, leaving Xiao Chen familiar with the distinguished guests around him.

• Xiao Chen arrived at South Lake for the Su Family’s annual Whole Fish Feast and showed his invitation to a Su Family disciple.
• Su Huaitao personally welcomed Xiao Chen and introduced him to the guests on the viewing platform as a newly advanced Foundation Establishment Cultivator who oversaw the Li Fire Sect’s Demon Subduing Hall.
• Su Huaitao asked Su Wanqing to accompany Xiao Chen, and she relaxed as soon as her father left.
• Su Wanqing explained that the Red Maple Twin Swords were Cheng Family cultivators who had both reached Foundation Establishment and described the other distinguished guests.
• Su Wanqing told Xiao Chen that Black White Child was called the Little Chess Saint after a Golden Core True Person beat him in three chess games.

At the Su Family’s Whole Fish Feast, Xiao Chen discussed the chaos in He Province and learned about the banquet’s hidden coin prizes. Su Wanqing found the Gold Coin, but Old Master Su claimed the prize was meant for Xiao Chen and summoned him to make a deal.

• Xiao Chen told the gathered cultivators that the Li Fire Sect would not allow heretical cultivators to operate within its territory.
• The Whole Fish Feast served a procession of fish dishes while maidservants performed a carp-themed dance.
• Su Wanqing explained that Copper Coins won a Second-Order Spirit Fish and the Gold Coin won a valuable grand prize.
• Su Wanqing found the Gold Coin in the Lotus Seedpod Fish Parcel Xiao Chen had given her, and Su Huaitao said the prize should still go to Xiao Chen.
• Su Huaitao led Xiao Chen to meet Su Ruihe, who presented him with a gift list, a contract, and a marriage contract before proposing a deal.

Su Ruihe offered Xiao Chen a vast collection of treasures and family assets in exchange for guarding South Lake or marrying Su Wanqing, but Xiao Chen refused both deals. Su Ruihe then gave him the gifts anyway, betting that Xiao Chen would rise to great heights and remember the investment.

• Su Ruihe recalled the Su Family’s declining strength and his worries about South Lake and the next generation, then decided Xiao Chen could help protect the family.
• Su Ruihe offered Xiao Chen the Gift List in exchange for either signing a fifty-year guarding pact or marrying Su Wanqing.
• Xiao Chen rejected the transaction and said he would keep its details confidential before preparing to leave.
• Su Ruihe withdrew the pact and marriage certificate, then gave Xiao Chen the Gift List as a prize.
• Su Ruihe resolved to gamble that Xiao Chen would become powerful and repay the family’s trust in the future.

Xiao Chen tested the Hidden Fire Treasure Gourd and other new magical artifacts, then prepared for an investigation mission after an Inner Sect Disciple went missing in He Yang County. He learned that Huang Haoran was away escorting disciples to the Sword Carving Secret Realm, leaving Xiao Chen to discuss the mission with Mei Yong.

• Xiao Chen swallowed a Mind-Boosting Pill and tested the Hidden Fire Treasure Gourd, which spewed Mysterious Fire and absorbed Poison Crow Black Fire and Mystic Yang Fire.
• Xiao Chen discovered that the gourd could store Li Fire Thunders and filled it with seventy-two for rapid attacks.
• Xiao Chen tested the Tassel-Edged Brocade Handkerchief's Five Elements Shield Light, bought a High-Grade Magic Tool Flying Sword, and practiced Seven Stars Swordplay.
• After more than ten days, news arrived that an Inner Sect Disciple was suspected to have met with trouble in He Yang County, prompting the Demon Subduing Hall to investigate possible Demonic Cultivator involvement.
• Xiao Chen asked Mei Yong why Huang Haoran was not going, and Mei Yong explained that Huang Haoran and Fu had escorted sect disciples to the Sword Carving Secret Realm.

Xiao Chen investigated He Yang County after the sect’s sentries disappeared and found the town deserted and contaminated by Soul Confusion Incense. He destroyed the demonic lair beneath the Xuan Family residence and followed its hidden passage toward the two cultivators behind the scheme.

• Xiao Chen arrived in deserted He Yang County and headed to the Xuan Family residence for clues.
• Two cultivators watched Xiao Chen from the Bell Tower, confident that Soul Confusion Incense would turn him into a puppet.
• Xiao Chen found a Li Fire Sect Inner Sect Disciple consuming human remains and burned him with Blazing Sunset.
• Xiao Chen discovered the cellar was a Demon Cave filled with the town’s missing people and creatures, then used Mysterious Fire to destroy its contents and markings.
• Xiao Chen followed a hidden passage for about two li and sensed the tall and short cultivators near its exit.

Xiao Chen uncovered a demonic altar in the city and destroyed the giant formed by its ritual, then found a manual describing a cruel method of pursuing Foundation Establishment. He rescued three surviving girls and returned to the Li Fire Sect, bringing a mysterious Jade Bone to Elder Chen for identification.

• Xiao Chen forced two cultivators to lead him to the city’s central courtyard, where an illusion concealed a wooden figure and an altar.
• The tall cultivator transformed into a giant as blood and Er Dan were drawn into the ritual, but Xiao Chen destroyed the altar with Li Fire Thunders and Mystic Yang Fire.
• Xiao Chen found a Jade Bone amid the ruins and discovered a manual explaining how to make Blood Spirit Medicine from captured cultivators’ Spiritual Power.
• Xiao Chen freed more than ten chained women in West City and gave Grain Avoidance Pills to the three younger girls who remained alive.
• Xiao Chen returned to the Li Fire Sect and took the Jade Bone to Elder Chen for identification.

Xiao Chen brought an unusually durable Jade Bone to Elder Chen and Chen Tianfeng, but neither could identify it. After Chen Tianfeng agreed to research it, Xiao Chen returned to Emerald Valley and unexpectedly saw Ye Fei.

• Elder Chen examined Xiao Chen’s Jade Bone and took him to the Weapon Forging Hall to consult Chen Tianfeng.
• Chen Tianfeng initially dismissed the Jade Bone as an ordinary beast bone and accused Xiao Chen of making a fool of him.
• Xiao Chen demonstrated that his sword could not damage the Jade Bone, and Chen Tianfeng’s hammer and Mystic Iron Nail also failed to leave a mark.
• Chen Tianfeng apologized, admitted his Object Identification Art could not identify the Jade Bone, and asked to study it using relevant records.
• After Chen Tianfeng began searching through reference books, Elder Chen took Xiao Chen away, and Xiao Chen later saw Ye Fei at Emerald Valley.

Ye Fei returned to the sect with Miao Yuqing and intelligence that helped launch a purge of Luo Tian Sect strongholds, while Xiao Chen cultivated until he reached Foundation Establishment Stage 3. The chapter ended with Chen Tianfeng reporting that Xiao Chen’s Jade Bone was a specially made Buddha Bone.

• Ye Fei introduced Miao Yuqing to Xiao Chen and asked him to arrange for them to take missions together, offering him Six Harmonies Divine Water.
• Ye Fei submitted a map of a suspected Luo Tian Sect stronghold, prompting Mei Yong to verify it and the sect to launch a purge operation.
• Xiao Chen captured nine Qi Refining Demonic Cultivators during his missions, then returned to Emerald Valley to cultivate with Six Harmonies Divine Water.
• Xiao Chen’s cultivation advanced to Foundation Establishment Stage 3, and he continued practicing the Seven Stars Swordplay.
• A disciple summoned Xiao Chen to the Weapon Forging Hall, where Chen Tianfeng told him that the Jade Bone was a specially made Buddha Bone.

Xiao Chen refined a Buddha Bone and absorbed its Gold Essence, greatly strengthening his body. He learned the Yellow Wind Valley Mutual Aid Society was the next day and hurried there to seek high-tier Spirit Liquid for cultivation.

• Chen Tianfeng explained that the Buddha Bone likely contained Gold Essence from a Golden Body Arhat and was better suited to refining as a spirit object than as Artifact Refining Material.
• Xiao Chen spent forty-nine hours refining the Buddha Bone until it released golden radiance, then inhaled the Gold Essence into his bones.
• After enduring delayed pain, Xiao Chen discovered his body had gained strength comparable to a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Body Cultivator.
• Xiao Chen realized the Yellow Wind Valley Mutual Aid Society was the next day and hoped to trade for Spirit Liquid to speed his cultivation.
• Xiao Chen informed Mei Yong that he was leaving and hurried toward Yellow Wind Valley.

Xiao Chen visited Yellow Wind Valley, where cultivators had gathered to trade, and bought several sets of magical flower vases after discovering that his own Celestial Net Star Flower Seeds were unusually valuable. He left the market with plans to try growing the seeds in Emerald Valley.

• Xiao Chen arrived at crowded Yellow Wind Valley, concealed his face with a Stealth Cloak, and prepared to sell spoils from his Storage Bags.
• Xiao Chen gave a Spirit Stone to a girl who needed Returning Spring Pills for her injured mother.
• Xiao Chen browsed the increasingly valuable stalls and learned that a cultivator was offering to sell herself as a servant.
• Xiao Chen recognized the Celestial Net Star Flower Seeds on a stall as similar to the larger, more precious seeds he had obtained from Scarface.
• Xiao Chen decided to try growing his seeds and bought twelve specially made flower vases from the beautiful flower seller for three hundred Spirit Stones.

Xiao Chen searched the market in Yellow Wind Valley for valuable cultivation supplies, buying Five Lights Profound Water and a large batch of Spirit Pearls. He finally found the Twin Stem Cyan Lotus he had come for, but after its masked seller tried to probe his Stealth Cloak, Xiao Chen warned him off and heard the asking price: three thousand Spirit Stones.

• Xiao Chen bought the Bat Pavilion's only bottle of Five Lights Profound Water for two thousand Spirit Stones.
• Xiao Chen bought four Wood Spirit Pearls, five Fire Spirit Pearls, and a Water Spirit Pearl from an old Foundation Establishment Late Stage vendor for six thousand Spirit Stones, and received an underaged Wood Spirit Pearl for free.
• Xiao Chen searched the market, meditated through two Great Heavenly Cycles, and returned to find more vendors had arrived.
• Xiao Chen found a masked cultivator selling the second order Wood Element Top-Grade Twin Stem Cyan Lotus he had sought.
• The masked cultivator tried to probe Xiao Chen's Stealth Cloak with Spiritual Sense, so Xiao Chen swept it away and warned him not to be too curious.
• The masked cultivator restrained himself and asked three thousand Spirit Stones for the Cyan Lotus.

Xiao Chen bought a Twin Stem Cyan Lotus from Wen Shishi, who repeatedly raised the price and tried to sell him only half. After he paid six thousand Spirit Stones and followed her to the valley entrance, Wen Shishi escaped with a spectacular display of sword techniques.

• Xiao Chen offered three thousand Spirit Stones for the Twin Stem Cyan Lotus, but Wen Shishi raised the price to four thousand.
• Wen Shishi gave Xiao Chen only one lotus and demanded another three thousand Spirit Stones for the other half, then settled for two thousand more.
• Xiao Chen paid for the remaining lotus and followed Wen Shishi instead of leaving, drawing the attention of nearby cultivators.
• Wen Shishi walked toward the valley exit as a growing crowd followed them, eventually gathering more than two thousand cultivators.
• Wen Shishi split her Flying Sword into sixty-four swords and flew away while the crowd watched in astonishment.

Xiao Chen chased down Wen Shishi and defeated her in a sword duel after she tried to escape with the Spirit Stones she had taken. The chapter ended with him killing her and taking her Storage Bag.

• Xiao Chen pursued Wen Shishi faster than her Sword Light, astonishing the cultivators watching from Yellow Wind Valley.
• After reaching the mountains, Xiao Chen overtook Wen Shishi and blocked her escape.
• Wen Shishi challenged Xiao Chen with her Flying Swords, but he broke through her attacks and wounded her with Seven Stars Swordplay.
• Wen Shishi removed her veil and begged Xiao Chen to spare her, offering to become his servant.
• Xiao Chen killed Wen Shishi with Tian Ji, took her Storage Bag, and reminded her that his money was not easy to take.

After finding Azure Lotus Seeds and an Earth Grade Sword Dao Inheritance among Wen Shishi’s belongings, Xiao Chen sought an Ice Element Flying Sword to complete her Minor Three Talents Sword Formation. Chen Tianfeng agreed to order one from Spirit Origin Sect, then Xiao Chen learned that Spirit Origin Sect was fighting the Divine Fire Sect and was summoned to meet the Sect Master.

• Xiao Chen searched Wen Shishi’s Storage Bag and found twelve Azure Lotus Seeds, her Earth Grade Sword Dao Inheritance, and a Minor Three Talents Sword Formation Diagram.
• Xiao Chen learned that Wen Shishi’s two Flying Swords were a Wind Sword and a Thunder Sword, and that he needed an Ice Sword to use the formation.
• Xiao Chen searched the sect’s Merit Hall and Li Fire Market but found no suitable Ice Element Flying Sword.
• Xiao Chen asked Chen Tianfeng for help, and Chen Tianfeng offered to order a High-Grade Ice Sword from Spirit Origin Sect.
• Chen Tianfeng revealed that Spirit Origin Sect was fighting the Divine Fire Sect and warned Xiao Chen to keep the news secret.
• A disciple summoned Chen Tianfeng and Xiao Chen to meet the Sect Master.

Mei Yong told the sect’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators that Gu Lihui had received a Purple Fire Golden Marrow Pill and might soon form a Golden Core, requiring them to prepare congratulatory gifts. He also warned them about the dangerous Golden Light Rogue Cultivator, whose portrait Xiao Chen recognized as his own, while the sect speculated about the stranger’s strength.

• Mei Yong announced that Gu Lihui had obtained the Purple Fire Golden Marrow Pill and was expected to attempt forming a Golden Core within the next month.
• Chen Tianfeng told Xiao Chen that they would need to attend Gu Lihui’s Golden Core ceremony and advised him to give a gift worth at least one thousand Spirit Stones.
• Mei Yong warned the gathered cultivators about two mysterious outsiders who had clashed at a Black Market Gathering in Yellow Wind Valley and distributed their portraits.
• Mei Yong described the Golden Light Rogue Cultivator’s exceptional Golden Escape Technique and violent reputation, and Xiao Chen realized the portrait showed him.
• The sect’s cultivators speculated that the Golden Light Rogue Cultivator was a powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator with formidable magical artifacts and years of experience.

Xiao Chen advanced Blazing Sky of Rosy Clouds to the Proficiency Realm after contemplating clouds in his courtyard, then considered strengthening his Mystic Fire Crow. Su Wanqing visited him for Laba Festival and explained that she was delaying Foundation Establishment to pursue the Chief Disciple title and win the Three Sects Joint Tournament.

• Mei Yong warned Xiao Chen and Ye Fei to be careful while handling Demon Subduing Hall business, and Xiao Chen checked the hall before returning to Emerald Valley.
• Xiao Chen planted twelve spirit flowers, tidied his courtyard, and used an Azure Lotus Seed to help him understand the mental art of Blazing Sky of Rosy Clouds.
• After several days of contemplation, Xiao Chen reached the Proficiency Realm in Blazing Sky of Rosy Clouds and decided to use his Flame Light Spirit Sand to improve the Mystic Fire Crow.
• Su Wanqing invited Xiao Chen to share Laba Congee and said she was postponing Foundation Establishment so she could become Chief Disciple and win the Three Sects Joint Tournament.
• Xiao Chen learned that the Sect Tournament awarded a choice of cultivation technique, while first place in the Three Sects Joint Tournament earned a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Xiao Chen defeated Ding Silei despite the Yellow Springs Demonic Art’s tongue-pulling spell, leaving Huang Haoran stunned by his strength and immunity. Huang Haoran learned Xiao Chen had reached the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer and began addressing him as Senior Brother.

• Ding Silei used his Yellow Springs Demonic Art to silence Huang Haoran, but Huang Haoran shielded Xiao Chen from Ding Silei’s attack.
• Xiao Chen spoke and struck Ding Silei with the Seven Stars Swordplay, surprising both Ding Silei and Huang Haoran.
• Ding Silei tried the Tongue-Pulling Secret Art on Xiao Chen again, but Xiao Chen spoke and killed him with a second sword strike.
• Huang Haoran regained his voice and realized Xiao Chen had reached the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer and could defeat a stronger opponent.
• Huang Haoran thanked Xiao Chen and changed how he addressed him, while Xiao Chen said they should look after one another as fellow disciples.

Xiao Chen and Huang Haoran rushed toward Elder Liu after a pillar of fire signaled that he was in danger. Xiao Chen reached the battle and saw Elder Liu trapped in a draining defensive fight against Ding Sanlei, who urged him to surrender to the Divine Fire Sect.

• Xiao Chen and Huang Haoran heard distant explosions and headed toward the disturbance, believing Elder Liu had found the demonic cultivators.
• Huang Haoran recognized the Heavenly Mystic Fire Pillar as a distress signal and urged Xiao Chen to return for reinforcements.
• Xiao Chen revealed his concealment art and Top-Grade Magical Artifact, then sent Huang Haoran to seek aid while he went ahead.
• Xiao Chen reached the Blood Plague Secret Realm cave and saw Elder Liu relying on the Heavenly Mystic Fire Pillar and shields to defend against Ding Sanlei's repeated attacks.
• Ding Sanlei taunted Liu Zhishui about the mana-draining Yellow Springs Hungry Ghost and offered him a chance to join the Divine Fire Sect.

Xiao Chen intervened in Ding Sanlei and Elder Liu's fight, shrugged off Ding Sanlei's mana-draining ghost, and defeated his strongest sword strike with the Seven Stars Swordplay. Ding Sanlei then created eighteen incarnations and charged through Xiao Chen's Blazing Sunset clouds, triggering a mass explosion.

• Xiao Chen jumped from the woods to help Elder Liu, who warned him that Ding Sanlei was a Demonic Cultivator capable of draining mana.
• Ding Sanlei sent the Yellow Springs Hungry Ghost to drain Xiao Chen, but the Divinity Veil negated its attack.
• Ding Sanlei used Yellow Springs Crossing, but Xiao Chen's Seven Stars Swordplay—Yuheng erased the strike and astonished both Ding Sanlei and Elder Liu.
• Ding Sanlei split into eighteen Yellow Springs Incarnations and charged at Xiao Chen, who blocked their paths with twenty-seven clouds of Blazing Sunset.
• All eighteen incarnations entered the Blazing Sunset together, and eighteen clouds exploded at once.

Xiao Chen and Elder Liu trapped Ding Sanlei in the cave, but Ding Sanlei activated a modified Eight Demons Blood Refinement Formation. Xiao Chen destroyed it with his Li Fire Thunders, only for blood light from the captives and Demonic Cultivators to open a hole in the Blood Plague Secret Realm and unleash a powerful demonic presence.

• Xiao Chen revealed that he had hidden a Crimson Flame Rosy Cloud inside every Blazing Sunset and blasted Ding Sanlei back to the cave entrance.
• Ding Sanlei activated his modified Eight Demons Blood Refinement Formation, trapping Xiao Chen and Elder Liu inside.
• Elder Liu's Formation Breaking Talisman failed to destroy the formation, so Xiao Chen used his Hidden Fire Treasure Gourd to strike its weakened point.
• Xiao Chen unleashed the Li Fire Thunders again and shattered the formation, sending Ding Sanlei flying.
• Ding Sanlei vowed that no one would leave alive, and blood light from the Demonic Cultivators and captured rogue cultivators opened a hole in the Blood Plague Secret Realm.