Chapter Summaries

Li Qi returned from the Sacred Flame Realm after Gaga broke through to seventh rank, defeated the Green Mountain God's commander, and became the new Sacred King. Back at the Imperial Academy, Li Qi helped his research team expand production with Mount Luofu's support, then heard someone call him “Son-in-law.”

• Gaga broke through during battle, killed the Green Mountain God's commander, and explained that he had chosen to stop the “car” rather than sacrifice anyone.
• Li Qi named Gaga the new Sacred King and asked Yang Ning to arrange Mount Luofu's contact with the Sacred Flame Realm and help establish its order.
• Li Qi returned to the Imperial Academy, where Bo Yue and Liu Shenzhi had struggled to continue their research without his True Knowledge Dao Charm.
• Li Qi, Bo Yue, and Liu Shenzhi increased production more than a thousandfold with Sacred Flame, time-shard experiments, and Tang Kingdom resources.
• Mount Luofu's Daoists took over production and sales work, and Li Qi gave Mount Luofu his share of the profits, helping reduce its debts and earn its trust.
• As Li Qi left Liu Shenzhi's courtyard, someone behind him called him “Son-in-law.”

Li Qi found that his Sacred Flame trade had brought in three Sixth-Rank Worlds but that his Witchcraft Silkworm business had hit a market bottleneck. He proposed going to the Eastern Sea to attract offers from people probing both sides of the war, while Shen Shuibi warned that his plan carried hidden risks.

• Geng Sangye delivered forty million blossoms of Sacred Flame and reported that Yang Ning planned to trade them for the Rain Praying Technique.
• Li Qi learned that his business had earned roughly three Sixth-Rank Worlds, but the tableware market in Chang'an was nearly saturated.
• Shen Shuibi explained that Mount Luofu had repaid some disciples’ debts and sent them away as insurance while planning to acquire new industries under Li Qi’s name.
• Li Qi suggested visiting the Eastern Sea during its war with the Tang Kingdom, hoping that interested parties would approach him and offer bait without his having to act.
• Shen Shuibi realized Li Qi intended to let both sides suspect he might be a double agent, and she urged him not to risk himself in the Eastern Sea.

Li Qi explained to Shen Shuibi that Mount Luofu could not wait a century and that his trip to the Eastern Sea would draw the true dragons into the struggle over the Sun and Moon Path. After months of ordinary work and study, he finished his Military School coursework and joined Plague Lord for a meal, where Plague Lord seemed to have something to tell him.

• Li Qi told Shen Shuibi that Mount Luofu needed to exploit the current political turmoil, and he planned to involve the Eastern Sea in the contest over the Sun and Moon Path.
• Shen Shuibi worried that Li Qi could not represent Wushen Mountain, but Li Qi trusted Zhu Fengdan to support him and asked her to stay behind and complete the formation.
• Shen Shuibi gave Li Qi a protective charm made with fur from her back, and he planned to travel alone to the Eastern Sea for about three months.
• Li Qi resumed his studies and work, and over half a year his assets grew to the equivalent of six or seven Sixth-Rank Worlds.
• Li Qi completed his Military School coursework with a first-grade upper result, then accepted Plague Lord's invitation to eat at the academy cafeteria.
• At the cafeteria, Li Qi noticed that Plague Lord seemed to have something he wanted to say.

At a farewell meal, Li Qi learned that Plague Lord would join the Tang Kingdom Ministry of War and received his method of fission reproduction. After Plague Lord left, Li Qi resolved to use the Eastern Sea and Wushen Mountain as leverage in a plan to preserve Mount Luofu’s people and secure the Sun and Moon Path.

• Li Qi attended a meal with his classmates, heard their plans after graduation, and said he intended to visit the Eastern Sea.
• After most guests left, Plague Lord told Li Qi he would graduate, join the Tang Kingdom Ministry of War, and avoid fighting him if they met on opposing sides.
• Plague Lord gave Li Qi a jade slip containing his fission-reproduction method, and Li Qi promised to fight him honorably if they ever became enemies.
• Plague Lord departed with Li Lieqi, whom Li Qi recognized as a Ministry of War member who had come to watch him.
• Li Qi concluded that involving the Eastern Sea and Wushen Mountain could pressure the Tang Kingdom into guaranteeing Mount Luofu’s survival in exchange for the Great Dao Opportunity.

Li Qi reflected on the conflicts among his Dao Lineages and decided that learning more on his journey to the Eastern Sea might help him find a way forward. After agreeing to collect ingredients for Guo Penghai, he traveled through Great Deer Kingdom and discovered that the Wave-Pushing Gang’s old base had changed hands.

• Li Qi recognized that conflicts within his Dao Path could eventually halt his cultivation, and resolved to seek answers by seeing more of the world.
• Guo Penghai asked Li Qi to buy Eastern Sea ingredients, gave him a list and payment in a Mustard Seed Bag, and Li Qi agreed.
• Li Qi chose to reach the Eastern Sea by traveling through Great Deer Kingdom and Baiyue, bringing Old Ma because of his abilities in water.
• Li Qi arrived in Great Deer Kingdom and found that its conditions and his old wanted posters had barely changed.
• Li Qi searched the docks for the Wave-Pushing Gang, then went to their former base and found that other people lived there.

Li Qi found that the Wave-Pushing Gang had moved outside Lizhou City and become the Wave-Pushing Sect, then followed them to their mountain estate. He disrupted Huang Si’s wedding after discovering the bride was distressed, and Huang Si recognized him as the chapter ended.

• Li Qi learned from the women living at the gang’s former riverbank that the Wave-Pushing Sect had moved twenty li beyond the south gate.
• Li Qi and Old Ma flew out of Lizhou City, and Li Qi’s glare scattered an eighth-rank official’s attack before the Thousand Mechanisms Sect master reported the encounter to the Prefect.
• Li Qi found the Wave-Pushing Sect’s mountain estate and concealed himself when he saw Huang Si’s wedding procession, where the veiled bride was sobbing and her family appeared unhappy.
• Li Qi revealed himself at the mountain gate, and Old Ma broke an attendant’s hand with a lightning-charged kick after the man attacked them.
• Huang Si recognized Li Qi and cried out, “Brother Li?!”

Li Qi returned to the Wave-Pushing Sect and discovered that Huang Si was about to marry Zhang Quanlie against her will. After ending the wedding and confronting the sect’s abuses, Li Qi went with Huang Si to meet Uncle Liu, while the returning brother’s arrival filled the mountain gate with celebration.

• Huang Si joyfully welcomed Li Qi back and revealed that he was about to marry his sixth wife.
• Li Qi questioned the wedding, and Huang Si attacked his own attendants when they tried to stop Li Qi from speaking with the bride.
• Zhang Quanlie explained that the Wave-Pushing Sect had been forcing women from nearby villages into marriages with its members.
• Li Qi told Zhang Quanlie she could refuse the marriage, then confronted Huang Si about taking civilian women by force.
• Li Qi ordered Huang Si to dismiss the wedding procession and bring the sect members to see Uncle Liu, and Huang Si agreed without resentment.
• Li Qi revealed that he had entered Xiantian, and the old members of the Wave-Pushing Gang rejoiced at his return.

Li Qi returned to the Wave-Pushing Sect and saw how its prosperity rested on the labor of the old gang members and the fear of its servants. He asked Uncle Liu to gather trustworthy people the next day so he could offer them a better future, then recognized that changing their situation would not be simple.

• Huang Si showed Li Qi the Wave-Pushing Sect’s wealth and explained that Uncle Liu had ordered wages above the market rate for the former gang members building its new towers.
• Uncle Liu and the old members welcomed Li Qi with a lavish feast, and Li Qi drank them all under the table.
• Li Qi told Uncle Liu that the Great Deer Kingdom had become dangerous for the gang and asked him to gather trustworthy people the next day, promising them a better future.
• Uncle Liu sensed that Li Qi had become extraordinarily powerful as Li Qi left to care for Old Ma.
• A frightened stablehand begged Li Qi not to brush the horse himself, so Li Qi ordered him to help with the water instead and saw how fear governed the servants.

Li Qi reflected on whether he followed his own Dao or the world’s, and the insight eased the conflict among the Dao Lineages in his body. He rewarded the stablehand with a modest cultivation opportunity, then summoned the Prefect of Li Prefecture to arrange a journey to the South Sea and East Sea and a caravan to the Song Kingdom.

• Li Qi concluded that even if his path might be mistaken, continuing to act still mattered, and his higher perspective helped the Dao Lineages within him coexist more naturally.
• Li Qi secretly bestowed divine qi and an Eighth Rank training method on the stablehand, hoping he would find his own Dao within the world.
• Li Qi summoned the Prefect of Li Prefecture and ordered him to arrange a ship for a journey to the South Sea and East Sea, along with a caravan to the Song Kingdom.
• The Prefect of Li Prefecture prepared to resist Li Qi’s demands, but changed his mind after finding a Seventh Rank magic robe in his hand and agreed to carry out the orders.
• Li Qi turned his thoughts to discussing a move with the Wave-Pushing Gang the next day.

Li Qi decided to give the Wave-Pushing Gang a chance to see other worlds and choose their own paths, so he proposed taking them to the Song Kingdom and later Annam. When the brothers asked why they should leave their homes, Li Qi demonstrated his power by flattening a mountain and declared that the Great Deer Kingdom was too small.

• Li Qi planned to send the Wave-Pushing Gang to the Song Kingdom, then Annam, so its members could choose where to settle and what Dao to pursue.
• Uncle Liu gathered the trusted members, introduced Li Qi as their former strategist, and urged them to listen carefully to him.
• Li Qi saw how much the gang had dwindled, and Uncle Liu explained that they had provided for the families of fallen brothers.
• Li Qi told the gang he wanted to take them to the Song Kingdom for several years, then send them to Annam, prompting Zhang Erdi to ask for a reason.
• Liu Bo answered Li Qi's question about the Great Deer Kingdom's size, and Li Qi used his dharma manifestation to smash a nearby mountain flat.
• Li Qi told the stunned gang that the Great Deer Kingdom was far too small.

Li Qi demonstrated his overwhelming power to the Wave-Pushing Gang, defeated the Prefect of Li Prefecture, and repaired a mountain that concealed damage to the Prefect’s formation. He arranged for the gang to travel to the Song Kingdom to broaden their horizons, then prepared to depart for the Eastern Sea.

• Li Qi’s Dharma form flattened a mountain, drawing the Prefect of Li Prefecture to confront him while Uncle Liu pleaded for Li Qi’s life.
• Li Qi seized the Prefect, stripped away his geographical advantage, and defeated him in a single move.
• Li Qi restored the mountain and warned the Prefect that the Thousand Mechanisms Sect had secretly damaged its roots, prompting the Prefect to leave and investigate.
• Li Qi explained to Uncle Liu that the Great Deer Kingdom was small, then asked the Wave-Pushing Gang to leave with him; they agreed and began treating him as a new idol.
• Li Qi spent several days returning seized property and arranging paid work, then prepared for the gang to travel to the Song Kingdom and set out for the Eastern Sea.

Li Qi traveled down the Li River toward the Eastern Sea and decided to visit the Spirit of the Lishui River to repay an old kindness. After learning the temple’s requirements, he used an edict to summon a water spirit and obtain a naturally formed water treasure, leaving his companions astonished.

• The Prefect of Li Prefecture arranged a treasure ship and seasoned boatmen to carry Li Qi toward the Eastern Sea.
• Li Qi asked the Boat Gangs' chief to stop at Qinghua Palace so he could visit the Spirit of the Lishui River and pay his respects.
• The boatmaster explained the temple’s rules and requirements, including a grand sacrificial ritual and a naturally formed water-aspected spiritual object of at least Spirit Intent rank.
• Li Qi cast an edict into the river and commanded a local water spirit to bring him naturally born water qi.
• The water spirit delivered a wisp of Eighth Rank naturally born water qi, which Li Qi accepted in exchange for his cultivation.

Li Qi uncovered the Spirit of the Lishui River’s disguise, saved the boat captain, and confronted the god over his contempt for mortals. After the Spirit attacked, Li Qi removed his divine position and entrusted it to a Li River water spirit, then continued toward the Eastern Sea.

• Li Qi recognized that the boat captain was concealing the Spirit of the Lishui River and revealed the god with his inner heaven and earth.
• The Spirit of the Lishui River emerged from the captain, but Li Qi used innate water qi and his True Knowledge Dao Charm to save the captain from dying.
• Li Qi rejected the god’s claim that mortals were beneath him and told him to leave, prompting the Spirit of the Lishui River to attack with towering waves.
• Li Qi defeated the Spirit of the Lishui River and stripped him of his divine protection, leaving the Li River basin poised for change.
• A day later, Li Qi encouraged a Li River water spirit to awaken and take over the divine position, then ordered the boatmen to sail straight for the Eastern Sea.

Li Qi traveled from the Li River to the East Sea, where he learned about its dangers and sought directions to East Isle. The chapter ended with an old man approaching him from a floating boat-island and asking where he came from.

• Li Qi left the treasure ship at the South Sea after the captain said it could not sail the deep ocean, then rode Old Ma along the coast toward the East Sea.
• Li Qi reached the East Sea and dodged a gigantic Sea Loach that rose from the water beneath him.
• Li Qi recalled that East Isle was a harbor and supply station, and considered the East Sea’s Demon Dragons, treasure seekers, and the dangers left by the dead East Sea Dragon Lord.
• Li Qi and Old Ma approached a floating island made from boats to ask for directions.
• An old man standing on a great fish came out to meet Li Qi, who explained that he had come from the western lands and wanted directions.

Li Qi found a floating sea community, learned its navigation method at a glance, and corrected the old man's calculations before setting off alone for East Isle. After Li Qi departed, the ship-island and its inhabitants vanished, revealing a mirage clam.

• Li Qi asked the old man for directions to East Isle and gave him a pig and a spirit herb in exchange for passage aboard the floating ship-island.
• Li Qi explored the sea community, observing its people, crafts, and coexistence with demons and spirit beasts.
• The old man used a compass to calculate the route to East Isle, and Li Qi learned the navigation method by watching him once.
• Li Qi reproduced the calculation and pointed out that the old man had made an error that would send them three hundred li off course.
• Li Qi declined to travel with the old man, revealed that he was seventh rank, thanked him, and left with Old Ma.
• The floating island and its people turned into green smoke, revealing an enormous mirage clam.

Li Qi saw through a Mirage Castle and learned that a powerful flood dragon was preparing to undertake a perilous water passage to become a true dragon. He continued toward East Isle, marveling at the Eastern Sea’s creatures and sights, and grew more eager to explore its Dao Lineage.

• The flood dragon used Mirage Maiden to test Li Qi, then decided it could choose its water-passage route after learning that Li Qi had not recognized the Mirage Castle.
• Li Qi revealed that he had seen through the illusion and judged the flood dragon to be near the limit of the fifth rank, with little chance of surviving Dragon Transformation.
• Li Qi decided to stay wary of the flood dragon, travel to East Isle, and rent a boat to reach the deep sea.
• On the way to East Isle, Li Qi encountered numerous enormous sea creatures, unusual fish and birds, violent waves, and a glowing underwater forest.
• Li Qi reflected that the Eastern Sea’s Way of Evolution drove its creatures toward Dragon Transformation and became more curious about East Isle.

Li Qi reached East Isle 4632, a colossal walking puppet that served as a bustling gateway to the Eastern Sea. While registering with its modified Human Race attendants, he discovered their magic treasures could repel his True Knowledge Dao Charm, leaving him wondering what they were.

• After two and a half days of travel, Li Qi arrived at East Isle 4632 and saw that it was a giant humanoid puppet carrying five city-filled disks.
• Li Qi observed the high level of cultivation among the visitors and learned that ships were the most practical way to travel through the Eastern Sea.
• A giant whale summoned first-time visitors to register, and Li Qi followed its call to the attendants on its back.
• Li Qi recognized the attendants as heavily modified Human Race members and suspected the Reason Way managed the registration process.
• When Li Qi tried to examine an attendant with his True Knowledge Dao Charm, a special barrier repelled it for the first time.

Li Qi met Wang Dun, a Reason Way staff member, who identified Li Qi’s information-flow vision as a Dao Rule Reader and explained the Spirit Dao’s pursuit of pure spirit. The chapter ended with Wang Dun revealing that Spirit Dao people use Dao Rule Readers to sense matter after abandoning their physical bodies.

• Li Qi registered his aura, and Wang Dun recognized him as a Shaman with a Dao Rule Reader.
• Wang Dun left his post and invited Li Qi to discuss the unusual ability in private.
• Li Qi and Wang Dun walked to a secluded corner, where Li Qi asked Wang Dun to explain the Dao Rule Reader.
• Wang Dun explained that the Spirit Dao pursued pure spirit independent of matter and had abandoned physical bodies and divine souls.
• Wang Dun said the Dao Rule Reader let Spirit Dao people sense matter despite having no physical bodies.

Li Qi learned from Wang Dun that the Spirit Path used the Dao Rule Reader and public logic to confirm the existence of other minds. He revealed that he had created his own reader after surviving contact with purified Five Aggregates Demonic Blood, then agreed to explain his method to Wang Dun’s association on East Isle.

• Wang Dun explained that pure spirits could perceive only themselves and that the Spirit Path relied on the Dao Rule Reader to perceive other minds and the material world.
• Li Qi reasoned that shared rules of language and logic made communication public, rendering doubts about other minds meaningless and deepening his understanding of information flow.
• Wang Dun pressed Li Qi to explain why a Shaman possessed a Dao Rule Reader, and Li Qi connected it to a predicament he had faced.
• Li Qi recounted surviving a drop of purified Five Aggregates Demonic Blood, which had obscured his five aggregates and deprived him of perception.
• Li Qi named Black Heaven as the one who had purified the blood, then explained that the ordeal had driven him to develop his Dao Rule Reader.
• Li Qi agreed to share his method with Wang Dun’s association on East Isle, and his expression darkened as he turned away.

Li Qi explored East Isle, discovered that its submerged body housed an underwater city, and hired a young merman to guide him around. As she led him and Old Ma beneath the water, he saw that the stars and full moon overhead were projections from countless pearls.

• Li Qi decided to associate with the Reason Way while staying alert, then entered East Isle’s bustling marketplace atop its left hand.
• A young merman offered Li Qi bright pearls, and he discovered that East Isle’s submerged body contained a thriving underwater city.
• Li Qi traded two Ninth Rank Magic Treasures for one hundred pearls and seven days of guidance from the merman.
• Li Qi and Old Ma followed the merman underwater, where they saw stars and a full moon formed by the light of countless pearls.