Chapter Summaries

Jiang Lin completed the Azure Spirit Sword experiment on Hu Jia and nursed her through a painful recovery. Hu Jia awakened with a renewed body and control over the sword, while Xiao Yan realized future fights might become battles between magical artifacts.

• Jiang Lin used Wood Element Dou Qi and the Azure Spirit Sword to restore Hu Jia after the experiment, while Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er waited and recovered.
• After about half a day, Hu Jia woke with aching, charred skin and a bald head, and Jiang Lin told her she had been reborn and could have a much higher cultivation ceiling.
• Xiao Yan urged Hu Jia to examine her condition, and she sensed a glowing mass in her Dantian that she could control.
• Hu Jia summoned the Azure Spirit Sword into her hand, but Jiang Lin explained that her weak Soul Power made using it exhausting.
• Xiao Yan realized the sword could herald battles fought with flying Life Artifacts, and Gu Xun'er found the prospect terrifying.

Xiao Yan treated Hu Jia with secret pills while Jiang Lin supplied a Soul Pill, helping her recover from her injuries and strengthen her soul. As Hu Jia recovered in the Heavenly Incineration Artifact Forging Chamber, Jiang Lin asked whether she had named the little sword in her Dantian.

• Xiao Yan gave Hu Jia a Hair Growth Pill, and her hair began growing back as she refined its medicinal power.
• Xiao Yan offered Hu Jia several more pills, but Gu Xun'er noticed his reaction to the Bone Strengthening Pill and pressed him to give Hu Jia some when she was stronger.
• Jiang Lin gave Hu Jia a Soul Pill while Xiao Yan's pills and Jiang Lin's stat pills helped her recover over the course of a day.
• Hu Jia regained her appearance and improved her soul strength, partly because the utmost yin spiritual energy from the Heavenly Dao Lightning had enhanced her talent through her Life Artifact.
• Jiang Lin asked Hu Jia whether she had chosen a name for the little sword in her Dantian.

Jiang Lin explained how the Mysterious Sky Spirit-Slaying Sword reflected his new understanding of the artifact forging system. As he completed the Theory of Destiny Artifacts, he resolved that people of the present could create their own path to challenge the Ancient Artifacts.

• Hu Jia named her tiny Life Artifact the Mysterious Sky Spirit-Slaying Sword, and Jiang Lin approved of the imposing name.
• Jiang Lin reorganized the artifact forging system in his Theory of Destiny Artifacts, distinguishing artifacts of Dou Qi, mystery, spirit, and Dao.
• Jiang Lin argued that ancient Artifact Forgers had advanced under conditions unavailable to later generations, misleading modern forgers into pursuing Dao Artifacts before mastering simpler stages.
• Jiang Lin told Hu Jia that her Life Artifact could eventually carry her understanding of the Dao and stand alongside the Ancient Artifacts.
• Jiang Lin decided that the people of the present could become the Dao themselves and let the Mysterious Sword slay the heavens.

Jiang Lin explained Life Artifacts and tested Hu Jia’s Mysterious Sky Spirit-Slaying Sword, revealing its formidable power and potential to grow stronger. He sent Hu Jia, Xiao Yan, and Gu Xun'er away with daily cultivation pills, then realized Little Pei Xuan was missing.

• Jiang Lin discussed the Golden Emperor Blazing Heaven Flame with Gu Xun'er and explained how Heavenly Flames might form.
• Jiang Lin explained that Life Artifacts could evolve through their wielder’s will and described the cultivation needed to control them.
• Hu Jia summoned the Mysterious Sky Spirit-Slaying Sword, and Jiang Lin tested its speed, piercing power, and ability to condense Dou Qi into a blade.
• Jiang Lin gave Hu Jia, Xiao Yan, and Gu Xun'er daily Crystal Pills, Soul Pills, and Spirit Pills before sending them to rest.
• After the others left, Jiang Lin noticed Little Pei Xuan was missing.

Jiang Lin continued developing Life Artifacts at Jia Nan Academy, reached four-star Dou Wang, and forged a new artifact for Xiao Yan before beginning Gu Xun'er's commission. The chapter ended with Jiang Lin engraving a simple Spatial Spirit Mark for Gu Xun'er after Xiao Yan questioned its design.

• Pei Xuan transformed into little Ghost and followed Yao Chen, while Jiang Lin organized his artifact-forging theories and traded Pay-to-Win Gift Packs with Zi Yan.
• Jiang Lin warned Hu Jia that her Life Artifact could be stolen and treated like a Magic Core, then broke through to three-star Dou Wang.
• Jiang Lin chose not to forge the Fire Spirit Colored Lotus and Formless Divine Iron yet, and instead reforged Xiao Yan's Mysterious Flame Xuan Heavy Cannon, engraving its Spatial Spirit Mark in the shape of a potato.
• Jiang Lin completed Xiao Yan's Life Artifact, endured five of its six Lightning Tribulation bolts, and sent the cannon to Xiao Yan's Dantian; Xiao Yan praised its smooth Dou Qi gathering.
• Jiang Lin reached four-star Dou Wang and began forging Gu Xun'er's Life Artifact, giving her a simple Spatial Spirit Mark at her request.

Jiang Lin forged Gu Xun'er’s powerful Void Heaven Realm Wheel as it endured a dangerous seven-bolt Artifact Lightning tribulation. Gu Xun'er survived with Xiao Yan’s help, and Yao Chen recognized the Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill he used as one Han Feng had refined.

• Jiang Lin explained that Gu Xun'er’s Void Heaven Realm Wheel was an attribute-less support Life Artifact based on a Gu Clan research blueprint and designed to absorb and amplify energy.
• The Void Heaven Realm Wheel’s seven-bolt Artifact Lightning struck, leaving Jiang Lin in pain and nearly blasting the breath from Gu Xun'er despite his protection.
• Gu Xun'er endured the first Lifeforce Lightning with a life-force-rich liquid she had prepared, but the tribulation left her badly charred.
• Xiao Yan fed Gu Xun'er a Yin Yang Profound Dragon Pill, and her body began to recover.
• Jiang Lin recognized the pill’s Sea Heart Flame scent, and Yao Chen confirmed Han Feng had refined it and wondered whether Han Feng had placed restrictions in Gu Xun'er’s body.

Jiang Lin discussed Gu Xun'er’s sealed Divine Bloodline and the possible pressures behind her choice to forge a powerful Life Artifact. While considering his own first Life Artifact, he learned that the Nine-Touring Feather could sense wind and help materialize it.

• Yao Chen and Jiang Lin discussed the life-preserving restriction in Gu Xun'er’s body, which Jiang Lin had isolated using the protection of the Divine Essence Spirit Fire.
• Jiang Lin revealed that Gu Xun'er had a sealed Divine Bloodline and speculated that marriage arrangements might be a source of pressure for her.
• Jiang Lin decided not to weaponize the Fire Spirit Colored Lotus, which he valued as a rare companion Life Artifact.
• Jiang Lin asked Pei Xuan about the Nine-Touring Feather, and Pei Xuan explained that it sensed wind, including faint wind in space, and could help materialize wind.

Jiang Lin learned from Pei Xuan that Nine-Touring Feather could help him find and gather Nine-Touring Fuyao Wind. Pei Xuan revealed that the wind lay within a high-altitude layer of void storms, leaving Jiang Lin with a possible path to obtain it if he could find a suitable vessel and survive the trial.

• Pei Xuan explained that Nine-Touring Feather came from the extinct Nine-Touring Roc and could sense Exotic Wind.
• Jiang Lin considered using the corpse of a powerful magical beast as a vessel, while reflecting on his plans to expand the Spirit Artisan's influence through Jia Nan Academy.
• Pei Xuan named several Exotic Winds, and Jiang Lin challenged him to offer a practical option.
• Pei Xuan revealed that Nine-Touring Fuyao Wind was tied to the Nine-Touring Roc and was prized for its speed.
• Pei Xuan said Jiang Lin could reach the wind by flying into the void-storm layer, passing its trial, and using Nine-Touring Feather as a conduit to gather wind seeds.

Jiang Lin questioned Pei Xuan about how to travel through the void and whether anyone had ever reached its edge. Pei Xuan explained how the Nine-Touring Feather could guide Jiang Lin toward the void storm layer, leaving Jiang Lin suspecting Pei Xuan was connected to the Dragon Abyss Soul-Slaying Sword.

• Jiang Lin wondered whether anyone had flown beyond the void, and Pei Xuan said he did not know, though the Nine-Touring Roc might have been able to do so.
• Pei Xuan explained that the Nine-Touring Feather could sense wind fields and guide a traveler through the void, helping Jiang Lin reach the void storm layer in less than a month.
• Jiang Lin questioned whether Pei Xuan was setting him up, but Pei Xuan insisted he had no reason to strand him in the void.
• Jiang Lin recalled Pei Xuan's claims about his past and considered that Pei Xuan might be the soul connected to the Dragon Abyss Soul-Slaying Sword.

Jiang Lin completed Gu Xun’er’s Void Heaven Realm Wheel Life Artifact and then focused on cultivation and expanding his plans. After reaching five-star Dou Wang, he established a Qi Gathering Array at the Black Emperor Sect and gave Lu Protector a method to improve his soul.

• Gu Xun’er tested her Void Heaven Realm Wheel and found that it enhanced her Dou Qi while weakening others within its domain.
• Jiang Lin sent Xiao Yan and Gu Xun’er away to cultivate, then chose to prioritize advancing his own realm before pursuing the Exotic Wind.
• Jiang Lin cultivated in seclusion for a month and broke through to five-star Dou Wang.
• Jiang Lin brought Jia Nan Academy’s artifact-forging elders and disciples to build a Nine-One Qi Gathering Array at the Black Emperor Sect.
• Jiang Lin entrusted Lu Protector with managing the array and gave him a soul secret manual and two Special Lightning Inducers to address his soul problems.

Jiang Lin explained why Jia Nan Academy needed to cooperate with Soul Hall over the Nine-One Qi Gathering Array and outlined plans to profit from its Soul Tax and a tax-free cultivation area. He left the academy’s elders preparing to expand Spirit Furnace production while waiting for Hun Ke’er to return and help secure the arrangement.

• Lu Protector escorted Jiang Lin and the others to Jia Nan Academy’s territory, then departed, prompting Hu Qian and Elder Yan to ask why Jiang Lin wanted to cooperate with Soul Hall.
• Jiang Lin explained that Elder Yan had discovered a Spirit Furnace blueprint and was producing Spirit Furnaces and Spirit Stones for Jia Nan Academy.
• Jiang Lin warned that Soul Hall would target Jia Nan Academy if it alone collected the Nine-One Qi Gathering Array’s Soul Tax after opening the array to the public.
• Jiang Lin described a tax-free area within the array for talented cultivators, with admission paid for through money, Spirit Stones, and resources.
• Jiang Lin said Soul Hall should receive the Soul Tax while Jia Nan Academy expanded Spirit Furnace production and collected a separate Spirit Stone tax.
• Jiang Lin privately anticipated Hun Ke’er’s return, since he needed a powerful backer before he could maximize the profits.

Hun Ke'er returned to the Western Regions Soul Hall and found that Spirit Artisan had transformed its gloomy headquarters and persuaded its members to become good people. She questioned how the Soul Hall could remain respectable while meeting its soul-collection quotas, and Lu Protector began to explain their approach.

• Hun Ke'er arrived at the renovated Western Regions Soul Hall and mistook its bright, auspicious appearance for evidence that another faction had taken over.
• Lu Protector and the other Soul Hall members welcomed Hun Ke'er in white-and-gold robes and explained that Spirit Artisan had led the renovation.
• Lu Protector told Hun Ke'er that the members agreed with Spirit Artisan’s belief that their old surroundings had encouraged evil behavior, and that they now wanted to be good people.
• Hun Ke'er reminded Lu Protector that the Soul Hall had to meet its soul-collection quotas and doubted that their new appearance would convince anyone.
• Lu Protector reassured Hun Ke'er that the quotas would not be delayed and began explaining how they would carry out their mission.

Hun Ke'er learned that Spirit Artisan had developed the Nine-One Qi Gathering Array, allowing Soul Hall to collect Soul Tax from living cultivators, and traveled to meet him in Black Seal City. After Spirit Artisan and the factions completed the citywide array, Jiang Lin and the builders commemorated their work with a stone tablet bearing their names.

• Lu Protector explained to Hun Ke'er that Spirit Artisan's Nine-One Qi Gathering Array quietly drew Soul Power from cultivators, and that Soul Hall was cooperating with Jia Nan Academy to collect Soul Tax.
• Hun Ke'er was surprised to learn how thoroughly Spirit Artisan had won over Western Regions Soul Hall and asked where he was.
• Lu Protector said Spirit Artisan was building a massive array in Black Seal City with Soul Hall's materials and help from Dou Emperor elders and deacons.
• Spirit Artisan, Jiang Lin, Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and allied cultivators completed the giant Nine-One Qi Gathering Array surrounding Black Seal City after more than half a month of construction.
• Jiang Lin ordered a Builder's Stone Tablet, carved Spirit Artisan's name onto it, and watched the gathered Dou Emperors, Dou Kings, and Dou Lings add their own names.

Jiang Lin organized the Black Corner Region’s forces around the Nine-One Qi Gathering Array, offering them a share of Spirit Stone Tax proceeds while reserving Soul Tax negotiations for himself and the Soul Hall. As the new arrangement began to unite the region, Gu Xun’er arrived in Black Seal City and saw how quickly Jiang Lin had built his influence.

• Jiang Lin planned to share Spirit Stone Tax benefits with Jia Nan Academy and regional powers that helped maintain the Nine-One Qi Gathering Array, while limiting the Soul Tax to himself and the Soul Hall.
• Jiang Lin reasoned that the taxes would provide resources to strengthen him before he challenged the Soul Hall and other powerful factions directly.
• Jiang Lin used his Spirit Artisan reputation to gather the Black Corner Region’s forces into a massive interest group, despite lacking enough Spirit Furnaces and Spirit Stones to fulfill his promises yet.
• Gu Xun’er left her name on the stone stele beside Xiao Yan and was stunned by the many Dou Emperors and Dou Wangs already aligned with Jiang Lin.
• The region’s forces began favoring cooperation and the array’s cultivation benefits over the violence they had relied on to obtain resources.

The Black Corner Region’s Spirit Stone and Soul taxes united its factions and drew the attention of Gu Xun’er and the Thunder Clan. Gu Xun’er arranged to request a stronger Gu Clan representative, while Thunder Clan members began investigating the Spirit Artisan’s plans near their territory.

• Xiao Yan observed that the Black Corner Region’s factions were cooperating during construction and that former enemies had apologized to him.
• The Black Seal City Lord offered other major factions shares of the city’s future Soul Stone Tax, helping fund the Nine-One Qi Gathering Array.
• Gu Xun’er decided to have Ling Ying contact the Gu Clan and ask Gu Yuan to send a Dou Zun clansman to represent the Gu Clan.
• Thunder Clan members noticed the Black Corner Region’s rapid changes near their territory.
• Lei Lie asked Brother Jie whether the Spirit Artisan’s growing influence signaled a Soul Clan plot, and Brother Jie told him to keep watching.

Jiang Lin met Hun Ke'er in the Black Corner Region, where she praised his artifact-forging skill and recognized his growing mastery of his own Grandmaster path. The chapter explained how Great Artifact Forging Grandmasters could disrupt the continent and why the major powers imposed safety clauses on their research, while Jiang Lin’s identity as Spirit Artisan let him evade their scrutiny.

• Hun Ke'er examined Jiang Lin’s crystalline high-grade Spirit Stone and praised how he used it with Spirit Ascension artifacts.
• Jiang Lin greeted Hun Ke'er affectionately, then stiffened when she appeared before him and teased him about his principles.
• Hun Ke'er said Jiang Lin’s artifact-forging attainments were nearly catching up to hers, and the chapter described their status as Great Artifact Forging Grandmasters.
• The chapter explained that Great Artifact Forging Grandmasters could unsettle the Dou Qi Continent through their influential research, prompting the Soul Hall and Alchemist Guild to impose safety clauses.
• Jiang Lin continued exploiting his Spirit Artisan identity, while the major powers remained unsure which faction had approved his actions in the Black Corner Region.

Jiang Lin learned that his Dual Taxation Law would eventually face restrictions, but the Spirit Clan's support gave him time to profit. Hun Ke'er told him about the upcoming Ancient Sea Trial, where the Stone Race had unexpectedly withdrawn.

• Hun Ke'er warned Jiang Lin that other factions would eventually restrict the Dual Taxation Law, though it might remain permitted throughout the Western Domain.
• Hun Ke'er removed Jiang Lin's Mystic Pattern Mask and discovered Pei Xuan's blinking Bean Eyes mask beneath it, then put the first mask back.
• Hun Ke'er told Jiang Lin that the Grandmaster was in seclusion and wanted him to join the Ancient Sea Trial in a little over a year.
• Hun Ke'er explained that the Ancient Sea Secret Realm's Life Origin Fluid required kills, and that only one Imperial Clan participated each time.
• Hun Ke'er said the Stone Race was due to enter the Ancient Sea Secret Realm but had announced its withdrawal.

Jiang Lin learned that the Ancient Sea Secret Realm might hold secrets about the world and prepared to enter it after resolving his Life Artifact wings. He arranged a trip with Hun Ke'er to find Xiao Yi Xian and bring her back, while assigning others to continue expanding the Nine-One Qi Gathering Array.

• Hun Ke'er told Jiang Lin that a Xiao Clan ancestor had once cleared the Ancient Sea Secret Realm and discovered clues about the world and methods related to Heavenly Flames.
• Jiang Lin decided to prepare for the Ancient Sea Secret Realm and planned to resolve his Life Artifact wings before entering it.
• Jiang Lin asked Hun Ke'er for permission to travel to the Chu Yun Empire, saying he could solve Xiao Yi Xian's Calamity Poison Body problem.
• Hun Ke'er agreed to accompany Jiang Lin, and they arranged to meet in Black Seal City in three days.
• Jiang Lin instructed Jia Nan Academy and the Western Regions Soul Hall to keep expanding the Nine-One Qi Gathering Array while he was away.

Jiang Lin traveled with Hun Ke'er to the Falling Goose Empire and advanced to Seven-star Dou King, drawing her attention to his unusual cultivation and body. Hun Ke'er revealed her interest in refining him into a living puppet and wondered whether biting him would improve her cultivation.

• Jiang Lin returned to Black Seal City and met Hun Ke'er, then chose the Falling Goose Empire as their destination.
• A month later, Jiang Lin broke through to Seven-star Dou King while Hun Ke'er watched and marveled at his cultivation method.
• Hun Ke'er admitted that Jiang Lin would make an excellent foundation for a Ling Kui, a controllable living puppet that could grow without killing its original owner.
• Hun Ke'er examined Jiang Lin's aura and body, likened him to a supreme spiritual herb, and asked whether taking a bite would increase her cultivation.
• Jiang Lin warned that biting him would probably shatter Hun Ke'er's teeth and swatted her hand away from his chest.

After Jiang Lin stabilized his cultivation at Seven-star Dou King, Hun Ke'er explained the Transcendental Path and asked about his Path of the Grandmaster. She demonstrated her Ling Kui technique by taking control of a Gale Wyvern King, then challenged Jiang Lin to show his own Grandmaster path as the wyvern attacked him.

• Hun Ke'er praised Jiang Lin for completing the Path of Sacred Artifacts and flew with him toward the Chu Yun Empire to see his girlfriend.
• Hun Ke'er explained that Transcendental Artifact Forgers followed unique Paths of the Grandmaster, and Jiang Lin learned how Saint Artifacts and Soul Artifacts had helped make his Destiny Artifact Ideology possible.
• Hun Ke'er identified her own Grandmaster path as Ling Kui and found a Gale Wyvern King after leaving the Falling Goose Empire.
• Hun Ke'er linked the Gale Wyvern King's core meridians with black threads, demonstrating how Ling Kui controlled living creatures like puppets.
• Hun Ke'er made the Gale Wyvern King attack Jiang Lin and challenged him to reveal his own Path of the Artifact Forging Grandmaster.