Chapter Summaries

Xiao Chen survived the Blood Plague Demon’s attack, absorbed the purified Blood Plague as Spiritual Power, and broke through to Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer. After Ding Sanlei died and the Secret Realm closed, Elder Liu began seeing Xiao Chen as a peerless prodigy and considered winning him over for the Liu Family, just as Huang Haoran and Mei Yong arrived.

• Ding Sanlei sent a Blood Plague Demon tentacle into Xiao Chen, but the Divinity Veil blocked the infection and converted the Blood Plague into Spiritual Power.
• Xiao Chen absorbed the Spiritual Power and broke through to Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer while Elder Liu watched in shock.
• Ding Sanlei died from his injuries, and the Secret Realm rift closed, forcing the tentacle to retreat.
• Xiao Chen told Elder Liu that a secret art let him resist plagues, while Elder Liu concluded that Xiao Chen was a monstrous prodigy and considered recruiting him for the Liu Family.
• Huang Haoran and Mei Yong hurried over and asked Xiao Chen and Elder Liu if they were all right.

After killing Ding Sanlei, Xiao Chen searched the spoils and found rare ingredients for a breakthrough pill, then learned the Ascension Ceremony would be a major trading event where he might find the last ingredient he needed. He traveled with the Li Fire Sect to Thousand Bamboo Market, where the Three Great Sects arrived to congratulate Bright Moon True Person on forming his Golden Core.

• Xiao Chen joined Elder Liu in telling Mei Yong and Elder Fu that the demonic cultivator was dead, while concealing that he had personally killed Ding Sanlei.
• Xiao Chen inspected Ding Sanlei and Ding Silei’s Storage Bags, finding Mutton Fat Jade Dew, a Second-grade Xia Ku Cao, and Pill Recipes for the Three Revolutions Mysterious Origin Pill.
• Elder Chen told Xiao Chen that the Ascension Ceremony would include a major trade fair, and Xiao Chen hoped to find a spiritual object with Yin Contains Yang for the pill.
• Mei Yong received an invitation to Gu Lihui’s Ascension Ceremony, and Xiao Chen prepared a Four-Leaf Golden Peach as a congratulatory gift.
• Xiao Chen joined ninety-three Li Fire Sect Foundation Establishment Cultivators aboard Bright Flame True Person’s Spirit Boat and traveled to Thousand Bamboo Market.
• The Li Fire Sect, Azure Flame Sect, and Four Seas Sect arrived at Thousand Bamboo Market and congratulated Bright Moon True Person on attaining the Golden Core.

Xiao Chen attended Bright Moon True Person’s Ascension Ceremony, consigned seven Foundation Establishment Pills, and surveyed the auction goods. After Azure Flame Sect’s Lu Wuqiang recognized him and resolved to eliminate him later, the auction began with a costly bidding contest, leaving Xiao Chen waiting for the Six Harmonies Divine Water.

• Xiao Chen noticed the Four Seas Sect had brought fewer Foundation Establishment cultivators and wondered if they had gone to fight the Divine Fire Sect in He Province.
• Xiao Chen consigned seven Foundation Establishment Pills and examined the auction goods, where Xiong Qiming, Xiong Qiliang, Ji Ziheng, and Tian Jianning recognized him from Crushed Stone Valley.
• Lu Wuqiang recognized Xiao Chen as the cultivator who had thwarted the Azure Flame Sect’s Pruning Plan and decided to arrange another attempt on his life after the ceremony.
• Xiao Chen joined Manager Chen’s table, reviewed the auction booklet, and watched Bright Moon True Person, Gu Lihui, greet the guests before the auction began.
• Bidders from the Four Seas Sect and Azure Flame Sect drove the Wind Fire Three Folding Fan’s price to 66,600 Spirit Stones, and the Four Seas Sect won it.
• The auction moved on to cheaper items, and Xiao Chen waited for the Six Harmonies Divine Water he wanted.

Xiao Chen won the Six Harmonies Divine Water and Five Lights Profound Water at the auction, then collected the proceeds from selling Foundation Establishment Pills and decided to pursue the Wind Thunder Pair Swords. He borrowed Spirit Stones from the Chen Family and Elder Liu, leaving himself ready for the second half of the auction with enough funds to bid.

• Xiao Chen outbid Zhang Ruihao for the Six Harmonies Divine Water, then secured the Five Lights Profound Water after other bidders backed down.
• Xiao Chen’s seven Foundation Establishment Pills sold for high prices, and he collected seventeen thousand four hundred and fifty Spirit Stones after the handling fee.
• Yao Hua of Ten Thousand Flowers Valley arrived to congratulate Thousand Bamboo True Person, and Xiao Chen noticed the second-half catalog included a Five-Colored Golden Lotus and the Wind Thunder Pair Swords.
• Xiao Chen decided to raise funds for the paired swords, and Elder Chen, Manager Chen, and Chen Zhiquan lent him a total of ten thousand Spirit Stones.
• Elder Liu lent Xiao Chen his Storage Bag containing forty-eight thousand Spirit Stones, while telling Liu Shiqing that the Liu Family would buy fewer items at the auction.

Xiao Chen competed for the Wind Thunder Pair Swords at the auction, prompting Zhang Ruihao to challenge whether he could pay for his bid. Elder Liu vouched for Xiao Chen, who raised the price to seventy thousand Spirit Stones, and Zhang Ruihao left to seek a loan from Yan Hui.

• Xiao Chen bought the Five-Colored Golden Lotus for four thousand Spirit Stones after Zhang Ruihao raised the bid to provoke him.
• Yun Ruoyan judged Xiao Chen’s Low-Grade Wood Spiritual Root would prevent him from reaching Golden Core, while Yun Jingxing expressed interest in him.
• The auctioneer unveiled the Wind Thunder Pair Swords, and Cheng Qihong, Yun Jingxing, Zhang Ruihao, and Xiao Chen entered the bidding.
• Zhang Ruihao accused Xiao Chen of maliciously raising the price and demanded asset verification, but Elder Liu vouched for Xiao Chen on behalf of the Plains Liu Clan.
• Chen Tianyuan gave Xiao Chen access to forty thousand Spirit Stones, and Xiao Chen raised his bid to seventy thousand, surpassing Zhang Ruihao’s offer.
• Unable to afford a higher bid from his own funds, Zhang Ruihao went to discuss borrowing Spirit Stones from Yan Hui.

At Bright Moon True Person’s Ascension Ceremony, Xiao Chen outbid Zhang Ruihao for the Wind Thunder Pair Swords and drew widespread attention, while observers mistook him for a wealthy, promising alchemist. Back in Emerald Valley, Xiao Chen discovered the swords could transform his Mana between them and prepared to use them as he worried about the demonic path and trouble in He Province.

• Zhang Ruihao borrowed forty thousand Spirit Stones from the Yuyu Merchant Guild and bid against Xiao Chen, who won the Wind Thunder Pair Swords for one hundred and eight thousand Spirit Stones.
• Jiang Changhua feared Xiao Chen would retaliate against the Jiang Family, Lu Wuqiang plotted to rob him, and Yun Jingxing and Yun Ruoyan speculated that Xiao Chen was a gifted Alchemist.
• At the ceremony’s conclusion, Jade Bloom True Person guessed that Xiao Chen was Bright Flame True Person’s Golden Core Seedling, while Bright Flame True Person questioned Xiao Chen about his rapid cultivation and his plans to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.
• Rumors about Xiao Chen’s wealth and background spread through Li Province after the ceremony, and he returned to Emerald Valley with the Wind Thunder Pair Swords.
• Xiao Chen found that Mana flowed and transformed between the swords, giving him a new means of attack, and he worried that danger from the demonic path might soon reach He Province.

Xiao Chen sought Elder Chen’s alchemy notes, then took the Bloodspike Pill assignment at the Pill Refining Hall. He demonstrated a perfect pill formation rate before the gathered alchemists, leaving them grateful for his guidance and Jiang Shize silenced.

• Xiao Chen asked Elder Chen for Second-Order Pill Recipes, received his alchemy notes, and identified the correct theory for an incomplete recipe.
• Xiao Chen went to the Pill Refining Hall to earn Spirit Stones toward his debts and chose the Bloodspike Pill assignment.
• Jiang Shize challenged Xiao Chen’s right and ability to take the assignment, but Xiao Chen revealed a bottle of five Bloodspike Pills.
• Xiao Chen demonstrated his refining process to the assembled alchemists and produced five pills with a one-hundred-percent formation rate.
• The Guest Elders and Chen Tianyuan thanked Xiao Chen for his guidance, then went to try out what they had learned.

Xiao Chen completed a flawless run of Bloodspike Pill orders, received a Su Family dividend, and set out with Lin Ping'an to find a Secret Realm rumored to hold a Core Formation opportunity. While Lin Ping'an repaired its entrance, Lu Wuqiang attacked Xiao Chen for the Wind Thunder Pair Swords, but Xiao Chen defeated and killed him.

• Xiao Chen refined fifty batches of Bloodspike Pills without error, collected his reward, and asked Chen Tianyuan about orders for rare Second-Order Spirit Pills.
• Su Wanqing delivered Xiao Chen a dividend of 2,182 Spirit Stones and offered to tend the Heavenly Net Star seedlings in his courtyard.
• Lin Ping'an joined Xiao Chen on March 10, and the two followed a treasure map west to a collapsed Secret Realm entrance in a volcanic crater.
• Lin Ping'an began repairing the restriction while Xiao Chen stood guard, and Lu Wuqiang arrived and demanded the Wind Thunder Pair Swords.
• Lu Wuqiang attacked Xiao Chen with Spirit Fire, a Yellow Turban Warrior, Golden Melon Thunder Hammers, and other techniques, but Xiao Chen countered them with his magical artifacts and fire soldiers.
• Lu Wuqiang tried to flee, recognized Xiao Chen as a Golden Light Rogue Cultivator, and was beheaded after resisting for half an hour.

Xiao Chen entered the Profound Heaven Immortal Palace’s assessment and took first place, while Lin Ping'an and other cultivators faced the trials. After claiming two bottles of Pure Wood Essence, Xiao Chen used one to break through to Foundation Establishment Stage 6, and the assessment ended as he was about to use the second.

• Xiao Chen defeated Lu Wuqiang, recovered several treasures, and entered the Profound Heaven Immortal Palace with Lin Ping'an after the Secret Realm opened.
• Xiao Chen passed the puppet trial and the Heart Questioning Hall quickly, taking first place and choosing two bottles of Pure Wood Essence and a Lotus Jade Scepter among his rewards.
• Lin Ping'an passed the trials and took second place, while Chu Yuebin also advanced and wondered who Chen Xiao was.
• Xiao Chen consumed a bottle of Pure Wood Essence, deepened his understanding of the Way of Wood, and broke through to Foundation Establishment Stage 6, raising his Mana capacity to 135 strands.
• The assessment concluded, and Xiao Chen was instructed to follow the corridor to the Enlightenment Stele.

Xiao Chen discovered and comprehended the hidden Profound Heaven Ingestion Secret Method on the Wordless Stele while the other cultivators saw only a blank tablet. After six days, he awakened with the method in his sea of consciousness, and the stele crumbled as cultivators began to suspect his role.

• Xiao Chen passed the first three trials and found that the Enlightenment Steles offered diagrams rather than written Core Formation methods.
• Xiao Chen went to the Wordless Stele and saw its hidden inscription and the Profound Heaven Ingestion Secret Method, then spent three days comprehending it.
• Wen Ruoxi warned cultivators that copying the steles or studying the Wordless Stele was futile, while Zhao Yangming mocked the rogue cultivators and claimed there were nine legacies.
• Zhao Yangming approached Xiao Chen to question him, but the Immortal Palace formation expelled him; he told Zhao Pengze that Xiao Chen had been meditating before the Wordless Stele.
• The nearby Great Powers sealed the Nether Sky Sea and began searching for the cultivator who had entered through the leftmost passage.
• On the sixth day, Xiao Chen awakened with the secret method in his sea of consciousness, and the Wordless Stele crumbled into sand, drawing suspicious looks from the other cultivators.

After leaving the Profound Heaven Immortal Palace, Xiao Chen evaded the cultivators searching for Chen Xiao and discovered that Lu Wuqiang’s Dark Codex implicated the Azure Flame Sect in attacks against him. He refined a Cloud Leopard Inner Core to greatly expand his Mana capacity, then learned that the Ji Family or Guo Family might possess more Inner Cores.

• Xiao Chen left the Immortal Palace through a different exit, while Golden Core True Persons questioned the others and began searching for Chen Xiao.
• Xiao Chen returned to the Li Fire Sect with Lin Ping'an, and the Azure Flame Sect’s monitoring disciple reported his return.
• Xiao Chen found the Dark Codex in Lu Wuqiang’s Storage Bag and concluded that the Azure Flame Sect had arranged attacks against him.
• Xiao Chen discovered a Cloud Leopard Inner Core in the Storage Bag and refined it, increasing his Inner Core’s capacity to eighty-four Strands of Mana.
• Xiao Chen asked Elder Chen about Inner Cores and learned that the Ji Family or Guo Family might raise Second-Order Spirit Beasts.

Xiao Chen searched Li Province for Killing Intent to advance his chances of forming a core, then followed an ancient record to a basin where he found Heavenly Flame Fiend being collected by two Luo Tian Sect cultivators. After killing them and suppressing the Sha Qi that entered his body, he left with the Killing Intent gourd.

• Xiao Chen exchanged Spirit Stones for the Receive Fire Treasure Talisman and decided to prioritize finding Killing Intent over his other cultivation plans.
• Xiao Chen searched Li Province using sect records, found a piece of Blood Jade, and discovered that suitable Five Elements Sars was difficult to locate.
• Xiao Chen found an ancient account of Killing Intent in a southern basin with hot springs and located the basin after searching for half a month.
• Xiao Chen discovered that Old Wang and Qian Yong were collecting Heavenly Flame Fiend for Luo Yun Wanderer, then confronted them.
• Xiao Chen absorbed Qian Yong’s flames, killed him with the Lotus Jade Scepter, and defeated Old Wang after suppressing the Sha Qi entering his dantian.
• Xiao Chen examined the gourd and confirmed it contained Heavenly Flame Fiend.

After learning that a Four Directional Traveler might be operating in Li Province, Xiao Chen investigated the massacre in Zhu County and found a clue pointing toward the Blood Plague Secret Realm. He reached the secret realm ahead of the Chen family and encountered the Eastern Traveler, who mistook him for an ally and claimed the Blood Plague Demon had once helped him.

• Ye Fei warned Xiao Chen that the Divine Fire Sect had sent elite agents into Li Province, and Mei Yong explained that the Four Directional Travelers were deadly Foundation Establishment cultivators.
• Mei Yong arranged for Chen Zhixuan to join the Demon Subduing Hall, while Xiao Chen continued cultivating toward the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
• The Sun Clan Leader reported that Demonic Cultivators had slaughtered Zhu County and gave the sect a Connecting Cloud Flying Boat in exchange for protection for his two grandsons.
• Xiao Chen entered Zhu County that night, found its inhabitants and livestock drained of blood, and discovered a message directing the Demonic Cultivators to meet at Ten Thousand Demon Mountain.
• While the Chen family searched Zhu County for Xiao Chen, he went to the Blood Plague Secret Realm and hid when an old man arrived to offer blood to it.
• The Eastern Traveler found Xiao Chen and claimed the Blood Plague Demon had helped him, urging him to oppose the Li Fire Sect.

Xiao Chen pretended to join Eastern Traveler’s plan to attack the Su Family, extracting the names of his allies and learning the Blood Refinement Divine Art’s secrets. After Cao Honghai recognized him, Xiao Chen revealed his strength, defeated both demonic cultivators, and prepared to use the Blood Extraction Great Art on Eastern Traveler.

• Eastern Traveler mistook Xiao Chen for a Wild Demonic Cultivator, offered him the complete Blood Refinement Divine Art, and pressured him into drinking poisoned Blood Wine.
• Xiao Chen agreed to join Eastern Traveler’s scheme against the Su Family and learned that Cui Chongyun and Cao Honghai would join the attack in October.
• Eastern Traveler taught Xiao Chen the Yellow Springs Demonic Fetus Great Art, concealing its fatal flaw, before Cao Honghai arrived and recognized Xiao Chen as an ally of the Li Fire Sect.
• Xiao Chen exposed himself, trapped Cao Honghai with a Sword Formation, and resisted Eastern Traveler’s poisoned wine and Soul Severing Needle.
• Eastern Traveler attempted to escape using the Blood Transformation of the Nine Heavens, but Xiao Chen struck him down with the Golden Melon Thunder Hammer.
• Xiao Chen healed Eastern Traveler’s heart meridian and prepared to use the Blood Extraction Great Art on him.

After killing the Eastern Traveler and Cao Honghai, Xiao Chen concealed what had happened and learned that a major demonic invasion threatened He Province. When Spirit Origin Sect offered valuable rewards for reinforcements, Xiao Chen broke through to Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer, preparing to pursue the prizes and face the danger.

• Xiao Chen looted the Eastern Traveler's and Cao Honghai's Storage Bags, discovered detailed plans to hunt Old Master Su, and erased traces of his Sword Formation.
• Xiao Chen told Mei Yong that the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Range held no sign of demonic cultivators, then studied the Yellow Wind Flowing Sand Formation he had taken.
• Xiao Chen learned that the Three Sects Joint Tournament had been postponed because the Divine Fire Sect was advancing in He Province and Spirit Origin Sect was seeking reinforcements.
• After waiting for confirmation of the rewards, Xiao Chen learned Spirit Origin Sect would offer three True Essence Convergence Pills and six Demonic Beast Inner Cores, despite the threat of a Demonic Golden Core.
• Xiao Chen consumed his last bottle of Pure Wood Essence and broke through to Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer.

After breaking through, Xiao Chen chose Night's Edge, prepared to travel to He Province, and uncovered rumors about the Divine Fire Sect's attack method by secretly delivering its manual to Mei Yong. After hearing reports of He Province's rewards and prosperity, he confirmed he would go as cultivators across Li Province began setting out in large numbers.

• Xiao Chen chose the [Not Today] Hextech, gaining Night's Edge and a powerful life-saving effect, then told Elder Chen he intended to go to He Province.
• Elder Chen urged Xiao Chen to reconsider after a Li Fire Sect Guest Elder was killed by a Soul Chasing Shuttle and rumors spread that the Divine Fire Sect could pierce defensive magic tools.
• Xiao Chen delivered a copy of Blood Sacrifice Secret Art: Soul Severing Needle to Mei Yong, who concluded that the mysterious giver was the Golden Light Rogue Cultivator from Quanzhou.
• Xiao Chen reaffirmed his decision to travel to He Province, and Elder Chen and other elders briefed him on the region's wealth, resources, and cultivation traditions.
• Elder Chai returned with a Red Cherry Spear awarded by the Spirit Origin Sect, and reports of rewards and gains in He Province spurred cultivators across Li Province to prepare for the journey.

Xiao Chen prepared to leave for He Province, where he met fellow cultivators aboard the Spirit Boat and learned about the region’s unusual goods and powerful young talents. The journey began with rumors of Shao Mingyou’s extraordinary combat strength, while Xiao Chen quietly considered refining his Wind Thunder Pair Swords into Spirit Tools through his Pseudo-Core.

• Xiao Chen read about He Province’s refined spiritual materials, prepared for his departure, and accepted a handmade Peace Knot from Su Wanqing.
• Mei Yong worried about the Li Fire Sect’s future as Bright Flame True Person advised him to focus on forming his core.
• Xiao Chen boarded the Spirit Boat with hundreds of Foundation Establishment Cultivators and showed the Wind Thunder Pair Swords to Liu Feng and the others.
• Liu Feng explained that the paired swords might become Spirit Tools if refined as a Golden Core cultivator’s Natal Flying Sword, and Xiao Chen considered using his Pseudo-Core to achieve a similar result.
• Cultivators shared rumors about Spirit Origin Sect’s Daoist Ning and Azure Sky Sect’s Shao Mingyou, whose five Top-Grade Magical Artifacts had reportedly let him kill a Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer Demonic Cultivator.

Xiao Chen and the other cultivators reached Spirit Origin Sect territory, where Elder Song explained the war zones, reward system, and a new Demonic Golden Core threat. After seeing the sect’s giant guardian puppet, Xiao Chen prepared to pursue independent missions hunting infiltrating Demonic Cultivators for Points.

• Cultivators discussed Shao Mingyou’s Five Elements Robe and debated the strength of the Ten Heroes of Li Province and the Four Directional Travelers during the journey.
• Elder Song avoided fighting a flock of Black Eagles, explaining that their ancient-bloodline Eagle King had once attacked Azure Sky Sect disciples for years after being provoked.
• Elder Song showed the cultivators Spirit Origin Sect’s war map and explained task rotations, Points, and the requirements for becoming a Demon Slayer Guard.
• Elder Song reported that a fourth Demonic Golden Core had appeared at Seeking Plum Mountain but had been driven back by Sword-Bearing True Person.
• Xiao Chen decided to seek Demon Slayer Guard status and hunt isolated Demonic Foundation Establishment cultivators, using his artifacts, mana, and movement skills.
• The Spirit Boat arrived at Spirit Origin Sect, where Xiao Chen saw its towering Sect-Protecting Divine General before the sect began assigning garrison duties.

Xiao Chen was assigned to guard Cyan Sun Spirit Mine, where he prepared defenses and gathered intelligence while hoping to fight Divine Fire Sect Demonic Cultivators. After learning that a few infiltrators remained, he stayed bored at the mine as Peng Dawei and his companions planned to ambush Chang Shunping near Cyan Sun County.

• Yao Dehai and the Spirit Origin Sect Elders assigned cultivators to posts, and Gu Qiuling sent Xiao Chen to guard Cyan Sun Spirit Mine instead of Looking Swallow Mountain.
• Xiao Chen took charge of the mine, found its Warning Formation unusable, chose a lookout point, and set up the Yellow Wind Flowing Sand Formation.
• Chang Shunping repeatedly invited Xiao Chen to a feast, then shared intelligence about He Province, the Divine Fire Sect, and infiltrating Demonic Cultivators.
• Xiao Chen learned that most of the Demonic Cultivators from Looking Swallow Mountain had been captured, leaving him disappointed that he might not get a chance to fight them.
• Peng Dawei received secret intelligence from an old woman disguised as a mortal and decided to ambush Chang Shunping on his way back to Cyan Sun County.

Xiao Chen rescued Chang Shunping from three Demonic Cultivators and killed all three, including their leader, then discovered a map marking a possible White Bone Gate stronghold. He considered investigating it before Spirit Origin Sect’s envoy arrived.

• Yao Dehai ordered a search for infiltrated Demonic Cultivators while worrying that forces near Qiu Ping County were stretched thin.
• Chang Shunping refused Xiao Chen’s offer to help guard the Cyan Sun Spirit Mine, then was ambushed by Peng Dawei and two other Demonic Cultivators.
• Xiao Chen arrived in time to save Chang Shunping, killed two attackers with his sword, and pursued Peng Dawei as he fled.
• Xiao Chen returned with Peng Dawei’s head, and he and Chang Shunping agreed to report that the three Demonic Cultivators had attacked the Cyan Sun Spirit Mine.
• Xiao Chen searched the Demonic Cultivators’ belongings and found a valuable Blood Red Stone, black-red pills, and a map marked with a skull near Qingyang Mountain and Qiu Ping County.
• Xiao Chen suspected the marker showed a White Bone Gate stronghold and considered visiting it to gain more Points.