Chapter Summaries

Song Qingming rebuffed Zhang Tieyang’s effort to arrange a marriage between Zhang Yurong and Song Yuanhao, then encountered Liu Qingyin, who suspected he might be the rogue cultivator she had seen near Ma Wuchen’s cave. Song Qingming and his companions crossed the dangerous Outer Sea aboard a high-tier Treasure Ship and reached the Leiyuan Sea Cultivation World.

• Zhang Tieyang proposed that Zhang Yurong marry Song Yuanhao, but Song Qingming explained that Yuanhao already loved Xu Qingyin and suggested the juniors get to know each other without pressure.
• Song Qingming encountered Liu Qingyin and Gu Xiaoling at a winehouse, where Liu Qingyin learned his name and later wondered whether he was the disguised rogue cultivator Luo Yulong who had looted Ma Wuchen’s cave.
• Song Qingming kept out of Liu Qingyin’s way until the Carefree Sect group boarded a high-tier Treasure Ship bound for the Leiyuan Sea Trade Fair.
• Song Qingming told Song Yuanhao about Zhang Tieyang’s proposal and asked him to reject Zhang Yurong tactfully, and Yuanhao agreed.
• The Treasure Ship crossed the perilous Outer Sea, survived repeated demonic beast attacks and a siege led by a Nascent Soul Demon Emperor, and entered the Leiyuan Sea Cultivation World.
• After another half month of sailing, the Treasure Ship neared a large inhabited island, and the cultivators aboard eagerly anticipated their arrival.

Song Qingming and his group reached Tianxin Island to attend its once-a-century Trade Convention, but struggled to sell their spiritual items amid a glut of goods. At Qingxin Pavilion, Song Qingming tried to sell magic treasures under a disguise, only for the sect’s Golden Core elder to recognize him as Fellow Daoist Jin and reveal herself as an old acquaintance.

• Song Qingming and his companions arrived in Tianxin City and rented Cave Abodes while waiting for the Trade Convention to begin.
• Song Yuanqian and Song Yuanhao had trouble selling their goods until Zhang Yurong directed them to Qingxin Pavilion, where they sold most of their items.
• Song Qingming warned his family to stay cautious, then returned to Qingxin Pavilion in disguise to offer three magic treasures for Spirit Stones.
• The shop’s elder Long recognized Song Qingming through his disguise and asked whether he had more treasures to sell.
• The veiled woman identified Song Qingming as Fellow Daoist Jin, removed her veil, and surprised him by revealing herself as an old acquaintance.

Song Qingming reunited with Shen Yun, who revealed that she was Long Ziyun of the Azure Dragon Sect, and sold his surplus treasures to Qingxin Pavilion for Spirit Stones. He then joined the Tianxin City Trade Convention with the Carefree Sect group, entered the inner-city auction, and watched Chu Fengping bid on the opening item.

• Song Qingming recognized Shen Yun from the Wind Thunder Island secret realm, and she explained her connection to Pure Heart Pavilion and recalled their past conflict with Luofeng Valley.
• Song Qingming agreed to trade with Shen Yun after she promised to buy his items discreetly, and she revealed her true name as Long Ziyun.
• Song Qingming sold his surplus magic treasures and spiritual medicines to Long Ziyun for more than a hundred thousand Spirit Stones, but refused to sell his White Lion Puppet Beast and Crimson Heart Sword of Departing Fire.
• More than two months later, Song Qingming joined Song Yuanhao and the Carefree Sect group at the Tianxin City Trade Convention, gave his companions Spirit Stones, and entered the inner-city auction.
• The auction opened with a Grade 3 High-grade Defensive Magic Treasure, the Purple Cloud Banner, and Chu Fengping began bidding while Song Qingming held back.

Song Qingming attended the Tianxin City auction, secured a high-grade alchemy furnace for Huang Siyuan, and yielded a rare Dragon Pattern Pill to Chu Fengping. Chu Fengping won the pill with Bai Yuxian’s help and withdrew from further bidding, while Song Qingming waited for the auction’s remaining treasures.

• Chu Fengping won the Purple Cloud Banner for forty-two thousand Spirit Stones, while Zhang Tieyang and Yun Nishang stopped bidding on a Wind Origin Pill when its price climbed too high.
• Chen Xuanxin failed to win the Azure Water Sword on the first day, then bought another Low-grade Level Four flying sword on the seventh day with help from Bai Yuxian and his fellow disciples.
• Song Qingming bought the Mysterious Fire Golden Dragon Cauldron for thirty-seven thousand Spirit Stones to fulfill his promise to find Huang Siyuan a high-tier alchemy furnace.
• Song Qingming agreed not to compete with Chu Fengping for the Dragon Pattern Pill, which could help Golden Core Cultivators break through bottlenecks.
• Bai Yuxian offered Chu Fengping additional Spirit Stones, and he won the Dragon Pattern Pill for forty-eight thousand Spirit Stones before announcing he would stop bidding.

Song Qingming attended the final days of the Leiyuan Sea Trade Fair hoping to obtain a Nascent Soul Pill, and he won one after pawning several treasured magic weapons to raise enough Spirit Stones. As the auction ended, he left to seek funds to redeem the weapons, but a familiar figure appeared before him.

• The auction entered its final days, and the Liuyun Sect offered ten Nascent Soul Pills, assigning bidders randomly so each could compete for only one.
• Song Qingming watched Chen Xuanxin and Bai Yuxian enter separate contests, then pawned the Golden Radiance Treasure Ring, White Dragon Ruler, and Mo Bai Sword to raise more Spirit Stones.
• Song Qingming won the eighth Nascent Soul Pill for 248,000 Spirit Stones and hurried backstage to collect it.
• The final Nascent Soul Pill sold for nearly 280,000 Spirit Stones, while Song Qingming and the others kept their results secret from Zhang Tieyang.
• After the auction, Song Qingming left to find Song Yuanhao and gather Spirit Stones to redeem his pawned magic weapons, but a familiar figure appeared before him.

Song Qingming reunited with Liu Yang at the Leiyuan Sea Trade Fair and borrowed the Spirit Stones needed to redeem his mortgaged magic treasures. At the Auction’s exchange meeting, he recognized a veiled Nascent Soul Cultivator who might be Xia Mo and watched the cultivators trade without taking the stage himself.

• Liu Yang left his companions to meet Song Qingming privately, and they discussed their fellow disciples and the absence of Daoist Lingxu and Li Xuanyi.
• Song Qingming told Liu Yang he had won a Nascent Soul Pill and mortgaged magic treasures to pay for it, and Liu Yang lent him thirty thousand Spirit Stones.
• Song Qingming redeemed his magic treasures and returned to the Auction, where he kept his Grade 4 Spiritual Medicines hidden rather than risk attracting attention.
• A veiled white-robed Nascent Soul Cultivator offered a Grade 4 Low-grade spiritual fruit for a water-attribute Defensive Magic Treasure, and Song Qingming suspected she was Xia Mo.
• Bai Yuxian failed to trade for the Spirit Talisman she wanted, while Zheng Zitong successfully exchanged for a medicinal pill; Song Qingming remained a spectator as Golden Core Cultivators took the stage.

Song Qingming returned from the Leiyuan Sea Trade Fair with a Nascent Soul Pill and other rare items after surviving dangers on the voyage home. Back at Funiu Mountain, he reunited with Huang Siyuan, and they discussed the pill’s secrecy before he asked about Song Qingyu and Song Changze.

• Song Qingming and the other cultivators escaped a devastating Black Hurricane before their Treasure Ship reached Windless Island.
• Song Qingming gave Xu Ziyan the spiritual items he had bought for her, and she later advanced to the Golden Core Sixth Layer.
• On the way back to Funiu Mountain, Song Qingming sent Song Yuanhao to help Song Xuanqing investigate bandit cultivators near Chiyan Market.
• Huang Siyuan welcomed Song Qingming home, examined the Mysterious Fire Golden Dragon Cauldron, and learned that he had bought a Nascent Soul Pill.
• Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan agreed to keep the Nascent Soul Pill secret, then he asked about Song Qingyu and Song Changze’s cultivation.

Song Qingming visited Song Changze’s secluded Core Formation site and discussed the Song Family’s possible future departure from Wei State if he reached the Nascent Soul Realm. After returning to Funiu Mountain, he entered seclusion and broke through to the Ninth Level of Golden Core, where Huang Siyuan congratulated him.

• Huang Siyuan told Song Qingming that Song Changze had been in seclusion at Cangyuan Mountain for a year, with Song Qingyu guarding him.
• Song Qingming examined the Spiritual Energy around Song Changze’s cave and concluded that Changze had not yet reached the Condensing Core stage.
• Song Qingming, Song Qingyu, and Huang Siyuan discussed moving the family out of Wei State if Song Qingming formed a Nascent Soul and the Carefree Sect could not tolerate the family’s rise.
• Song Qingming returned to Funiu Mountain, settled family affairs with Song Yuanfang, and began seclusion to break through the Ninth Level of Golden Core.
• After nearly two years of cultivation, Song Qingming broke through to the Ninth Level of Golden Core, and Huang Siyuan arrived to congratulate him.

After emerging from seclusion at Foundation Establishment Layer 9, Song Qingming paid respects to his mortal family and learned that Song Changze had failed to form his core. The Carefree Sect summoned its elders under the pretext of dealing with demonic cultivators, then prepared to strike the Nine Yuan Sect, and a concealed Flying Boat departed Mount Guyang.

• Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan discussed Song Changze’s failed core formation and the limits of the Song Family’s support for future attempts.
• Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan visited the graves of Song Qingming’s parents and relatives, and Song Qingming decided their remains should stay in Mujiao Town.
• Song Qingyu returned from Cangyuan Mountain with news that Song Changze had survived his failed attempt and would recover at White Lion Marketplace.
• Song Qingming and Song Qingyu answered a summoning order and learned that the Carefree Sect’s real goal was to attack the Nine Yuan Sect over its long-standing grudge.
• Li Mufeng declared that the Carefree Sect would reclaim its honor, and a concealed Flying Boat departed Mount Guyang under cover of night.

Song Qingming and the Carefree Sect launched a prepared assault on Nanyue Marketplace, a major Nine Yuan Sect holding, using demonic cultivators as a pretext to provoke a clash. As the marketplace’s defenses weakened and Liu Jinhe fled toward its Teleportation Array, Song Qingyu pursued him.

• Fang Baixuan captured a black-robed demonic cultivator in the Sparrow Mountain Range, and Li Wutong confirmed that the Carefree Sect was ready to begin its operation.
• The Carefree Sect reached Nanyue Marketplace, where disguised attackers killed a guard and broke the gate array before fleeing into the crowded marketplace.
• The Carefree Sect accused the Nine Yuan Sect of sheltering demonic cultivators, and the two sides fought until Nine Yuan Sect forces retreated behind the Mountain Protection Array.
• Song Qingyu wounded Liu Jinhe, the marketplace’s False Core elder, as Carefree Sect cultivators began battering the array with overwhelming force.
• Li Wutong threw a Grade 3 Formation Breaking Bead, and Liu Jinhe abandoned the defenders to flee through the marketplace’s Teleportation Array.
• Song Qingyu arrived at the Teleportation Platform and attacked Liu Jinhe as he prepared to escape.

The Carefree Sect captured Nanyue Marketplace, but the Nine Yuan Sect swiftly counterattacked with a much larger force. After two days of fighting, the Carefree Sect was pushed behind the marketplace’s Mountain Protection Array, just as reinforcements appeared behind the besieging enemy.

• Liu Jinhe sacrificed himself to help his disciples escape through the Teleportation Array, and Song Qingyu killed him before destroying the array and ordering his body buried.
• Li Wutong organized the Carefree Sect’s occupation of Nanyue Marketplace, while Song Qingming repaired its formation and other elders subdued nearby families and seized the Spirit Stone Mine.
• Yue Wuji led eight Nine Yuan Sect Golden Core Elders and thousands of cultivators to retake the marketplace, where Song Qingming and the Carefree Sect elders fought them to a temporary standstill.
• The Nine Yuan Sect renewed its attack at dawn with reinforcements, forcing the Carefree Sect to retreat behind the Mountain Protection Array as the enemy breached a corner.
• A large force of Carefree Sect cultivators appeared behind the Nine Yuan Sect attackers while the marketplace’s defenses were on the verge of collapse.

Carefree Sect reinforcements helped secure Nanyue Marketplace, and both sects launched a larger battle the next morning. As their Golden Core cultivators clashed and the Wind Spirit Sword Formation threatened the damaged defenses, Li Mufeng and Wu Jiuyuan faced off above the battlefield and agreed to leave the fight to their subordinates.

• Chen Xuanxin arrived with reinforcements, drove Nine Yuan Sect cultivators from the breach, and helped the Carefree Sect restore most of the marketplace’s formation.
• Yue Wuji rallied the Nine Yuan Sect, revealed that Ma Qiudie and additional reinforcements would arrive, and arranged for Linghu Jie and a Lu-surnamed cultivator to restrain Song Qingming.
• The next morning, the two sects fought again as Yue Wuji challenged the Carefree Sect’s claim to Nanyue Marketplace and Li Wutong demanded Ma Qiudie in return for the surviving Ma Family member.
• Song Qingming and Golden Wind battled Linghu Jie and the Lu-surnamed cultivator while the Wind Spirit Sword Formation struck the damaged marketplace defenses; Jin Ziyuan, Zhang Tieyang, and Song Qingming’s Golden Illusion Butterflies held it back.
• Li Mufeng blocked Wu Jiuyuan north of the marketplace, denied that the Carefree Sect had started the war, and confirmed that Nascent Soul Cultivators would not intervene directly.

Song Qingming and the Carefree Sect fought the Nine Yuan Sect over Nanyue Marketplace until northern Demon Race incursions forced both sects to accept a truce. After the Carefree Sect secured the marketplace and its resources, Song Qingming and the others repelled Golden Feather Mountain’s advance, leaving the Carefree Sect stronger but heavily wounded and bereaved.

• Song Qingming destroyed Linghu Jie’s Puppet Beast and helped force him and the Lu-surnamed Golden Core Cultivator onto the defensive, while Yue Wuji used a Level 4 Talisman to seriously injure Chen Xuanxin.
• Song Qingming switched opponents with Chen Xuanxin, and the battle ended at night with heavy losses on both sides; the Nine Yuan Sect chose to attack again the next day.
• After several more days of fighting and mounting casualties, the Nine Yuan Sect withdrew, and Bai Yuxian warned the Carefree Sect not to pursue because the Demon Race was invading from the north.
• The Myriad Spirits Sect mediated a truce, and the Carefree Sect gained Nanyue Marketplace, nearby territory, and its mines while the Nine Yuan Sect redeployed to fight the Demon Race.
• Song Qingming and the Carefree Sect returned to Wei State and helped drive back Golden Feather Mountain’s Demonic Beast Army, while the Nine Yuan Sect suffered further losses in Yue State.
• The Nine Yuan Sect lost its strength to challenge the Carefree Sect, which gained influence among nearby states despite losing Jin Ziyuan and many cultivators and suffering injuries to Chen Xuanxin and others.

Three years after the Carefree Sect’s expansion, Song Qingming emerged from seclusion to answer a crisis near Qinghe County, where Song Family cultivators faced a powerful Giant Black Crab. He killed the beast and left the family to handle its aftermath.

• The Carefree Sect buried Jin Ziyuan, then celebrated Luo Qingyun’s advancement to the Golden Core Realm as the sect’s population and strength continued to grow.
• Three years later, Song Linyuan trained Song Sibai near Qinghe County, where they defeated two Giant Black Crabs before a Foundation Establishment beast attacked.
• Song Linyuan split from Song Sibai to draw the pursuing crab away, while Song Xuanqing sent a plea for help after finding the beast was at the Late Foundation Establishment level.
• Song Qingming arrived at the river and killed the Giant Black Crab with a strike of sword light.
• Song Qingming told Song Xuanqing and the others to treat their injuries, then plunged into the Qinghe River.

Song Qingming dealt with a demonic beast’s attack, arranged family affairs, and celebrated Song Yuanhao and Xu Qingyin’s union. After receiving a summons from Taiyi Sect, he left for the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom Cultivation World to investigate his path toward the Nascent Soul Realm.

• Song Qingming sealed the riverbed cave after inspecting it, then learned that a Peak Foundation Establishment demonic beast from Yunwu Mountain had killed Song Sibai and injured Song Xuanqing’s patrol party.
• Song Qingming ordered an investigation upstream, arranged for Song Xuanqing to return to Funiu Mountain, and told Song Yuanfang to prepare Bai Jingyun for Foundation Establishment.
• Huang Siyuan and Song Qingyu reported that Song Yuanhao and Xu Qingyin had agreed to become Dao companions, and Song Qingming organized a grand ceremony for them at Funiu Mountain.
• Song Yuanhao and Xu Qingyin held their Dual Cultivation Ceremony before guests from across the region, while Zhang Yurong watched them with a trace of sorrow.
• Song Qingming received a summons through his Taiyi Sect token and told Huang Siyuan and Song Qingyu he would travel to the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom Cultivation World to consult the sect about forming the Nascent Soul.
• Song Qingming departed Funiu Mountain and carried Song Qingyu’s letter for her senior sister, Li Xuanyi.

Song Qingyu rescued Yinfeng Ridge from a Golden Core Demon King, then discovered signs of a Nascent Soul battle deep in Yunwu Mountain and was summoned by a mysterious woman who recognized her sword. She returned to Funiu Mountain two days later concealing what had happened, carrying an ancient bamboo scroll.

• Song Yuanfang told Song Qingyu that a Golden Core Demon King was attacking Yinfeng Ridge, and Song Qingyu left alone to help.
• Song Qingyu killed the White Sheep Demon King, drove off its beasts, and followed their trail into Yunwu Mountain to investigate.
• Song Qingyu found a vast battlefield that appeared to have been made by Nascent Soul Cultivators and hurried to leave.
• A white-clothed woman spotted Song Qingyu with a bronze mirror and sent her purple-robed disciple to bring her in.
• The purple-robed disciple subdued Song Qingyu with the Huntian Rope, took her to her master, and the white-clothed woman recognized the Profound Nether Golden Light Sword.
• Song Qingyu returned to Funiu Mountain two days later, gave Huang Siyuan the Demon King Inner Core, and privately took out an ancient bamboo scroll.

Song Qingming returned the belongings of Five Thunder Sect Elder Chen Mengtang and received the Seven-Colored Lightning Lamp from Zhao Mengyang, which could store Heaven and Earth Divine Thunder. Meanwhile, Li Xuanyi returned to Jade Profound Island and reunited with Liu Yang and Daoist Lingxu, who questioned why she had stayed away so long.

• Song Qingming brought Chen Mengtang's Elder Token and other belongings to Five Thunder Pavilion, where Zhao Mengyang recognized them as his missing junior brother's possessions.
• Song Qingming told Zhao Mengyang how Chen Mengtang had died and where his remains were buried, allowing Zhao Mengyang to fulfill his promise to his late master.
• Song Qingming asked for a treasure to contain Heaven and Earth Divine Thunder, and Zhao Mengyang obtained a Seven-Colored Lightning Lamp for him without taking payment.
• Song Qingming tested the Seven-Colored Lightning Lamp and found that it could draw white divine thunder into itself and calm it.
• Li Xuanyi arrived at Jade Profound Island, greeted Liu Yang and Jin Yao, and asked about Song Qingming before going to meet Daoist Lingxu.
• Daoist Lingxu sat with Li Xuanyi by the sea and asked whether she would have returned if he had not sent word for her.

Li Xuanyi left the Taiyi Sect to face trouble within her family, and Daoist Lingxu gave her the complete Tai Xu Sword Art before she departed. Song Qingming arrived at Jade Profound Island as the seal on a True Demon weakened, learned the sect planned to reinforce it, and received guidance about his future Nascent Soul breakthrough before an azure snake slipped into the sea.

• Li Xuanyi told Daoist Lingxu she had decided to leave the sect, and he gave her the complete Tai Xu Sword Art while affirming she would always be his disciple.
• Song Qingming arrived at Jade Profound Island and joined Liu Yang and other disciples in helping reinforce the loosening seal on the True Demon in the back-mountain gorge.
• Daoist Lingxu explained the history of the sealed True Demon and said the sect would prepare a new Demon Extermination Great Formation within a year.
• Song Qingming repaid Liu Yang the Spirit Stones he had borrowed and learned that Li Xuanyi had visited the sect two months earlier before leaving again.
• Daoist Lingxu offered Song Qingming access to the sect's Nascent Soul records and promised to guide him, while requiring him to remain at the sect during the preparations.
• An azure snake emerged from a forest on Jade Profound Island and disappeared beneath the water.

A purple-robed disciple of the White-clothed Nascent Soul expert arrived at Chiyan Market and told Song Qingyu that she must accompany them to a cave site in three months. Meanwhile, Song Qingming continued preparing for the Nascent Soul Realm at Taiyi Sect, where Daoist Lingxu gathered the disciples to prepare for the Demon Extermination Great Formation.

• The purple-robed woman named Zilan rented Class A Cave Mansion No. 1 at Chiyan Market, prompting Song Qingyu to come investigate.
• Zilan told Song Qingyu that her master wanted her to accompany them to the previously discussed location in three months, then gave her the next portion of the Golden Core cultivation method.
• Song Qingyu recalled that the White-clothed Woman had recognized her Sword Cultivator inheritance, freed her, and given her a compatible cultivation method, though Song Qingyu remained wary of their plans.
• Song Qingming spent months studying Taiyi Sect records on forming the Nascent Soul and seeking guidance from Zheng Xingyun while carrying out his worldly cultivation in Yanhu Village.
• Song Qingming promised an elderly woman he would deliver shoes to her son Wang Qingyun, then returned to the sect after Zheng Xingyun reported that Daoist Lingxu had summoned them.
• Liu Yang told Song Qingming that the disciples were preparing to set up the Demon Extermination Great Formation against an Upper Realm True Demon, and Daoist Lingxu arrived at the main hall.

Song Qingming and the Taiyi Sect cultivators began activating the Heavenly Dipper Demon Subduing Great Formation to seal the Upper Realm True Demon, but a coalition of powerful Demonic Cultivators infiltrated the sect and attacked. The chapter ended as a violent clash erupted in the gorge, sending a devastating sword strike and a giant skull into the sky.

• Daoist Lingxu led Song Qingming and the other chosen cultivators in forming the Heavenly Dipper Demon Subduing Great Formation above Demon Sealing Valley.
• A woman and two Demonic Cultivators discussed their plan to exploit the sealing ritual and free the True Demon, while Liu Yang secretly let the woman’s little green snake into Taiyi Sect.
• Daoist Lingxu descended into the gorge to open the seal, and the True Demon’s Primordial Spirit attacked the formation team’s minds before they regained control.
• White Bone Old Demon and Yang Baixuan arrived with dozens of Demonic Cultivators, while Daoist Lingxu’s External Incarnation fought the two Spirit Transformation leaders.
• Yang Baixuan’s Myriad Swords Spirit Devouring Formation broke through the weakened Mountain Protection Array, allowing him, White Bone Old Demon, and their strongest followers to enter the gorge.
• Fu Jinglong led fellow Nascent Soul cultivators down to intervene, but a powerful sword strike burst from the gorge, followed by another strike and a massive skull.