Chapter Summaries

After hearing Chen Jinliang’s insights on forming a Golden Core, Song Qingming was summoned with the top Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Sword Discussion Assembly. Chen Jinliang offered them a Jade Dust Pill each if they joined him, Ma Hongshan, and Chu Fengping in hunting the Black Flame Tiger Demon King at Great Black Mountain.

• Song Qingming received Chen Jinliang’s summons and used a Teleportation Array at the Golden Cloud Pavilion to reach the gathering place.
• Song Qingming found Fang Wuqian and the other top-ranked Foundation Establishment Cultivators gathered with Chen Jinliang, Ma Hongshan, and Chu Fengping.
• Chen Jinliang announced that he planned to attack Great Black Mountain and promised a Jade Dust Pill to each cultivator who joined the hunt.
• Song Qingming and the other cultivators learned that their target was the powerful Black Flame Tiger Demon King, whose territory and possible alliances made the expedition dangerous.

Chen Jinliang gathered cultivators to hunt the Black Flame Tiger at Great Black Mountain, promising Jade Dust Pills to secure their aid. The expedition cornered the Demon King as it tried to escape, and Song Qingming and the others closed in to fight.

• Chen Jinliang explained why the Black Flame Tiger threatened Wei State and invited the gathered cultivators to join the hunt.
• Old Daoist Xue asked how Jade Dust Pills would be distributed, and Chu Fengping promised to make up any shortfall, persuading the cultivators to participate.
• Chen Jinliang set the expedition for five days later and assigned the Golden Core Cultivators and Foundation Establishment groups their roles.
• The cultivators traveled to Great Black Mountain, where the Black Flame Tiger scattered the lesser beasts and tried to slip away amid the chaos.
• Chen Jinliang spotted the fleeing Black Flame Tiger and struck to force it out of the swarm as Song Qingming and the others surrounded it.

Chen Jinliang and the Foundation Establishment cultivators used the Universe Wind and Cloud Formation to trap the Black Flame Tiger, while Ma Hongshan and Chu Fengping held off two other Demon Kings. After Chen Jinliang powered up and wounded the tiger, it injured two cultivators in a desperate escape attempt but was soon restrained again.

• Chen Jinliang and the ten cultivators used the Universe Wind and Cloud Formation to pin down the Black Flame Tiger, while Ma Hongshan and Chu Fengping fought two Demon Kings far from Great Black Mountain.
• The Black Flame Tiger summoned nearby demonic beasts, forcing Feng Yangde and the outer defenders to fight harder and drawing three formation controllers away.
• Chen Jinliang swallowed a red medicinal pill, raised his mana to the Ninth Level of Golden Core, and crushed one of the Black Flame Tiger’s claws with the Purple Gold Seal.
• Lin Yutian and Qiu Die attacked the tiger as it tried to escape, but it dodged and struck two cultivators with a claw before Song Qingming and the others retreated.
• Chen Jinliang warned the cultivators that the tiger was badly wounded, and they regrouped to restrain it as its aura weakened and the siege tightened.

Chen Jinliang used a powerful Golden Talisman to slay the Black Flame Tiger at Great Black Mountain, ending the Demon King’s long rule. After the group gathered spoils and spiritual items, Ma Hongshan and Chu Fengping warned that reinforcements were approaching, so everyone prepared to leave.

• The Black Flame Tiger unleashed its Natal Core Flame, killing one cultivator, but Chen Jinliang pinned the flame with his Purple Gold Seal.
• Chen Jinliang summoned a Golden Greatsword with a Golden Talisman and pierced the Black Flame Tiger, then struck it again to finish it off and took its inner core.
• Lin Yutian and the others congratulated Chen Jinliang, who promised to honor his reward after they returned.
• The leaderless Low-grade Demonic Beasts scattered, while the cultivators counted their dead and wounded and gathered Demonic Beast corpses.
• Chen Jinliang searched Great Black Mountain and found spiritual items, including a third-order spiritual herb.
• Ma Hongshan and Chu Fengping returned and reported that Demonic Beast reinforcements were approaching, prompting the group to collect valuable materials and prepare to leave.

After returning from the battle at Great Black Mountain, Song Qingming met Fang Wuqian for drinks and learned that Feng Yangde was preparing to form a False Core. Their conversation revealed that Chen Jinliang had killed the Black Flame Tiger and secured support for Tuoyun Mountain to protect it during a future Demonic Beast Turmoil.

• Song Qingming returned to Tuoyun Mountain with Chen Jinliang’s group while the cultivators unloaded Demonic Beast spoils from the Flying Boats.
• Song Qingming accepted Fang Wuqian’s invitation to drink at a tavern near Tuoyun Mountain Market.
• Song Qingming and Fang Wuqian discussed the Sword Discussion Assembly and agreed that Feng Yangde was a formidable fighter.
• Fang Wuqian explained that Feng Yangde planned to refine a Demonic Beast Inner Core to form a False Core, with Chen Jinliang’s support.
• Fang Wuqian revealed that Chen Jinliang had killed the Black Flame Tiger and gained the Carefree Sect’s support to strengthen Tuoyun Mountain’s defenses.

Song Qingming returned to Funiu Mountain after his trip to Tuoyun Mountain and discussed the clan’s sole Foundation Establishment Pill with Song Qingyu. They agreed to gather the family elders and decide who should receive it.

• Song Qingming left Tuoyun Mountain after bidding farewell to Fang Wuqian and the other cultivators he had met.
• Song Qingming returned safely to Funiu Mountain and learned from Song Qingyu that the clan’s affairs had remained stable while he was away.
• Song Qingming gave Song Qingyu cultivation pills and asked about He Mengxin’s seclusion and plans to travel to the East Sea.
• Song Qingming asked Song Qingyu to advise him on which clan member should receive the Foundation Establishment Pill earned with the clan’s Merit Points.
• Song Qingyu judged Song Xintang and Song Xinhe unsuitable and suggested waiting for Song Yuan Li, but Song Qingming worried about keeping the pill from the clan.
• Song Qingming asked Song Qingyu to notify Song Qingshi and the elders so they could discuss the recipient in the Council Hall in two days.

Song Qingming convened the Song Family elders to decide who should receive the Foundation Establishment Pill he had obtained from the Carefree Sect. The elders debated the merits of Song Xintang, Song Xin He, and Song Yuan Li, but the meeting ended without a final decision from Song Qingming.

• Song Qingming told the elders he had obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill with family Merit Points and asked them to recommend a recipient.
• Song Qingshi identified Song Xintang, Song Xin He, and Song Yuan Li as the leading candidates, noting Yuan Li’s stronger Spirit Root but much lower cultivation.
• Song Changxiong argued that Song Xintang’s long service and contributions to the family deserved priority.
• Song Qingsi supported weighing Spirit Root talent and favored saving the pill for Song Yuan Li, while Song Qingshi agreed that Yuan Li had the best odds of Foundation Establishment.
• Song Qinghe and Shi Chun supported Song Changxiong’s position that Song Xintang should receive the pill, and Song Qingming had yet to announce his decision.

Song Qingming prepared the Song Family to upgrade Funiu Mountain’s spiritual vein and weighed the family’s Foundation Establishment opportunity. After Song Xinhe lost his chance at the pill, he set out to travel and train, while He Mengxin emerged from seclusion having advanced to Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

• Song Qingming announced plans to upgrade Funiu Mountain’s spiritual vein, and the elders and Foundation Establishment Cultivators donated treasures and Spirit Stones toward the cost.
• Song Qingming agreed with Song Qingshi to organize another donation gathering, record every contribution, and treat donations from lower-ranking cultivators as loans to be repaid.
• Song Qingming told Song Qingshi he had decided to give the Foundation Establishment Pill to Song Xintang and promised to make arrangements for Yuan Li later.
• Song Xinhe asked Song Qingming for permission to travel, and Song Qingming gave him Spirit Stones and Spirit Talismans before seeing him off.
• Song Qingyu congratulated He Mengxin on breaking through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and He Mengxin told her to praise Song Qingming instead.

Song Qingyu told He Mengxin how Song Qingming obtained the Foundation Establishment Pill that enabled him to establish the family’s fortunes. As He Mengxin explored Mugu Town and met a girl from Liu Family Village, Song Xintang arrived at Song Qingming’s cave abode to receive the pill secured for him.

• Song Qingyu recounted how Song Qingming found a Carefree Sect cultivator’s Storage Bag and exchanged it for a Foundation Establishment Pill, and He Mengxin accepted the story after questioning its unlikely luck.
• Song Qingyu thanked He Mengxin for rescuing her during her first training journey, then gave her a Jade Tile identifying her as a Song Family elder.
• He Mengxin wandered through Mugu Town and met a little girl who led her toward the girl’s teacher in Liu Family Village.
• Song Changxiong urged Song Xintang to live up to the Foundation Establishment Pill Song Qingming had obtained for him, and Song Qingming opened his cave abode to them.

Song Qingming gave Song Xintang a Foundation Establishment Pill and heard that He Mengxin had visited Liu Family Village. As He Mengxin prepared to leave for the East Sea with Song Qingyu, she invited Song Qingming on a walk that brought them to the village, where she asked about its Liu residents.

• Song Qingming gave Song Xintang a Foundation Establishment Pill and told him to prepare for Foundation Establishment in half a year.
• Song Changxiong reported that He Mengxin had visited Liu Family Village, and Song Qingming learned that the village’s residents were descendants of a Liu family resettled by nearby families.
• Song Qingming completed a Grade 2 Mid-grade Spirit Gathering Array for Funiu Mountain.
• He Mengxin told Song Qingming she would return to the East Sea the next day and asked him to walk with her before leaving; Song Qingyu would travel with her.
• He Mengxin and Song Qingming reached Liu Family Village, where she asked why so many of its mortals bore the Liu surname.
• Song Qingming explained that the Carefree Sect had exiled the Liu Family’s cultivators, and the Song Family had taken in some of their unprotected mortals.

He Mengxin revealed her connection to the Liu Family, which the Carefree Sect had destroyed, and asked Song Qingming to help a young girl with a Spirit Root leave Qinghe County with her. Song Qingming saw He Mengxin and Song Qingyu off, urging his sister to stay safe and remember that coming back mattered most.

• He Mengxin questioned Song Qingming about the Carefree Sect's destruction of the Liu Family, and he told her that Du Yucheng had informed on them before joining the sect.
• He Mengxin mourned the Liu Family's fate and asked Song Qingming to let her take a little girl with a Spirit Root away from the village.
• Song Qingming agreed and promised to arrange matters for the girl's family, while He Mengxin thanked him.
• The next morning, He Mengxin and Song Qingyu left Funiu Mountain with two others, and Song Qingming escorted them part of the way.
• Song Qingming gave Song Qingyu several Level 2 Talismans and urged her to listen to He Mengxin, avoid danger, and come back safely.

Song Qingming met Feng He at Willow Wind Hall, where Feng He ended their Soul Contract before leaving on a long journey and entrusted the shop to him. More than ten years later, Song Qingming emerged from unsuccessful seclusion at Foundation Establishment Layer 8 and discussed handing family responsibilities to younger members with Song Qingshi.

• Song Qingming visited Feng He at Willow Wind Hall and received returned magic artifacts, two high-quality second-level Puppet Beasts, and the Soul Contract Feng He had partly dissolved.
• Feng He told Song Qingming he was leaving on a long journey, asked him to keep Willow Wind Hall running, and promised to help him pursue a False Core if needed.
• Feng He left Qinghe Market, and Song Qingming arranged for Shi Chun to oversee Willow Wind Hall before returning to Funiu Mountain to cultivate.
• Song Qingming broke through to Foundation Establishment Layer 8 six years later, but after more than ten years he failed to reach Layer 9 and left seclusion to seek a breakthrough pill.
• Song Qingshi visited Song Qingming, and they agreed that Qingsi would assist with family affairs while Xin Tong gained experience in the Treasury Pavilion.

Song Qingming learned that the Song Family had remained peaceful while he was in seclusion, though Song Xintang continued to struggle with the failure of his Foundation Establishment attempt. He also learned that Huang Shengxin had died after failing to reach Core Formation, while Huang Mengde had successfully established his foundation.

• Song Qingshi told Song Qingming that demonic beasts had harassed White Sheep Mountain, and Song Qingming ordered Song Xintang to be relieved from his post and return to rest.
• Song Qingming reflected on Funiu Mountain’s upgraded spirit vein and the Song Family’s growth over the past decade.
• Song Xintang had failed to reach Foundation Establishment despite receiving a Foundation Establishment Pill, and he continued to burden himself with family missions out of guilt.
• Huang Shengxin had failed at the final step toward Core Formation and died in his cave abode, leaving Huang Shengyue as Huang Family head.
• Huang Mengde had reached Foundation Establishment before turning forty, and Song Qingming suspected the Huang Family obtained his Foundation Establishment Pill at the Tuoyun Mountain Trade Fair.

Song Qingming received the Jade Dust Pill from Tuoyun Mountain and left Funiu Mountain to seek a Moon Gazing Pill at Yangshan Marketplace. Meanwhile, two Black-robed Figures were confronted by cultivators near a marketplace, and their purpose remained unclear.

• Gao Yubai advanced to Foundation Establishment Layer 7 while the Gao Family remained stable, but the Lu Family’s chosen Foundation Establishment seed failed and its fortunes worsened.
• Feng Yangde formed an external core using the Black Flame Tiger’s inner core, leaving Tuoyun Mountain’s future uncertain.
• Lin Yutang delivered the promised Jade Dust Pill to Funiu Mountain, and Song Qingming focused on preparing to challenge the Golden Core bottleneck.
• Song Qingming left a message for Song Qingshi and departed alone for Yangshan Marketplace to seek a Moon Gazing Pill.
• More than a dozen cultivators surrounded two Black-robed Figures near a marketplace, and the pair refused to explain why they were there.

A black-robed Golden Core Cultivator investigated the death of his Ninth Junior Brother, killing Carefree Sect cultivators while seeking answers. In Yangshan Marketplace, Song Qingming failed to find breakthrough pills, but a letter from Mount Guyang brought him good news.

• The Black-robed Figure unleashed a blood mist and his black python killed more than a dozen cultivators, then he waited for a more informative target.
• The Grey-robed Elder arrived to investigate the missing Law Enforcement Team, but the Black-robed Figure defeated him and interrogated him about Ninth Junior Brother's death.
• The Black-robed Figure learned that the Carefree Sect had no known connection to Ninth Junior Brother's death and resolved to continue investigating before leaving Wei State.
• Song Qingming asked Yin Ling for Grade 2 breakthrough pills, but she had none available because supplies were tight ahead of the Demonic Beast Turmoil.
• A Carefree Sect cultivator delivered Song Qingming a letter from Mount Guyang, and Song Qingming read it with delight.

Song Qingming traded a Grade 2 Defensive Magic Tool for a Moon Gazing Pill and extra Spirit Stones, then prepared to enter seclusion at Yangshan Marketplace to advance his cultivation. He rented Cave Abode Number Eleven for half a year.

• Song Xinyu brought Xu Liangjian, a Carefree Sect Inner Disciple and Alchemist, to meet Song Qingming and trade for the Moon Gazing Pill.
• Song Qingming exchanged his jade pendant for the Moon Gazing Pill and two hundred and sixty Spirit Stones.
• Song Qingming told Song Xinyu he planned to remain in Yangshan Marketplace and enter seclusion, but declined Song Xinyu's offer to guard him.
• Song Qingming left the inn and rented Cave Abode Number Eleven for half a year despite the clerk recommending a longer rental.

Song Qingming rented a cave abode at Yangshan Marketplace and began seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment Layer 9. After several months, he succeeded and emerged at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm, resolved to continue pursuing the Dao.

• Song Qingming rented cave abode Number Eleven and received its Restriction Token from the old man at Yangshan Marketplace.
• Song Qingming found the cave abode’s abundant Spiritual Energy satisfactory and prepared for his breakthrough with a Calming Heart Talisman and the Jade Profound Scripture.
• Song Qingming swallowed a Moon Gazing Pill and focused his Mana on breaking through the final Foundation Establishment bottleneck.
• After several months, Song Qingming emerged from seclusion having reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
• Song Qingming looked down at Yangshan Marketplace and reflected on his path, reaffirming his resolve to pursue the Dao.

After breaking through, Song Qingming met with Song Xinyu, who asked about the demonic cultivators responsible for Song Qingze’s death after hearing of new attacks near Black Stone Valley. Song Qingming concealed what he knew and urged patience, leaving them uncertain whether the new demon was the same one.

• Song Qingming summoned Song Xinyu after stabilizing his breakthrough and praised his cultivation progress.
• Song Xinyu asked whether Song Qingze had died in Black Stone Valley and explained that demonic cultivators had recently killed more than a dozen sect disciples and Senior Brother Ma there.
• Song Qingming concealed the Demon Suppressing Pagoda and the demonic cultivator’s true background, warning Song Xinyu that they lacked the strength to seek justice.
• Song Xinyu described the demon’s blood-consuming methods, which resembled those of Song Qingze’s killer.
• Song Qingming said the similarities could not prove the demon was the same person and suggested waiting for Martial Uncle Li’s investigation.

Song Qingming discussed demonic cultivators and the Song Family’s need for a Foundation Establishment Pill with Song Xinyu, then visited Hu Wanqing to ask about the upcoming auction. Hu Wanqing revealed that the auction might feature a spiritual item useful for forming a Golden Core.

• Song Qingming warned Song Xinyu not to pursue the demonic cultivator who had killed a Foundation Establishment cultivator and asked him to report any news from the Law Enforcement Hall.
• Song Qingming asked Song Xinyu whether he had found a Foundation Establishment Pill, but Song Xinyu had heard of none available for trade.
• Song Qingming instructed Song Xinyu on cultivation and techniques after they discussed the Song Family’s promising young cultivator, Song Yuanli.
• Song Qingming visited Hu Wanqing at the Heavenly Pill Pavilion and asked whether the upcoming auction would offer a Foundation Establishment Pill.
• Hu Wanqing said she had heard rumors about a spiritual item useful for forming a Golden Core and advised Song Qingming to prepare Spirit Stones and spiritual items for the auction.

Song Qingming attended the Heavenly Pill Alliance Auction, where an expected core-forming spiritual item drew an unusually large crowd of Foundation Establishment Cultivators. He bought a Mysterious Soul Pill and considered how it might further strengthen his already powerful divine soul.

• Song Qingming returned to his rented cave abode to cultivate while he waited for the Heavenly Pill Alliance Auction.
• Song Qingming arrived at the auction wearing his Pig-Head Mask, and Yin Ling led him to his usual private room.
• Song Qingming observed that more than fifty Foundation Establishment Cultivators had gathered, apparently drawn by the promised core-forming spiritual item.
• Song Qingming bid on the final Mysterious Soul Pill and secured it for six hundred and fifty Spirit Stones.
• Song Qingming received the pill and reflected that it could strengthen his divine soul, which he had already cultivated with the Soul Devouring Art.