Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ping'an secretly mastered the Azure Nether Illusory Array Canon’s early Qi Refining method but decided to pretend to study it for several days. Yu Lianhua brought him provisions, shared wine and conversation with him, and left wondering what scheme lay behind her master’s order for her to serve him.

• Jiang Ping'an comprehended the cultivation method using Proficiency Points and resolved to delay beginning cultivation so others would think he was still studying.
• Jiang Ping'an asked Ziling to arrange regular food and drink from Biyou Peak, and Yu Lianhua later offered Spirit Wine, Spirit Fruit, rice, and pastries on a limited schedule.
• Jiang Ping'an and Yu Lianhua drank Spirit Wine and chatted about his new cave abode and its flying spring.
• Yu Lianhua left thinking Jiang Ping'an was handsome and impressive, but suspected her master's order for her to serve him concealed a deeper scheme.

Yu Lianhua discovered that Jiang Ping'an's Golden Marrow Pills were of perfect quality and decided to sell his goods herself at Fulong Daping Valley Market. Her stall drew a crowd, and she began selling the rare pills at a premium.

• Yu Lianhua examined Jiang Ping'an's Spirit Talismans and Golden Marrow Pills, realized the pills were perfect quality, and suspected he had refined them himself.
• Yu Lianhua decided to set up a stall personally to earn more spirit stones and impress Jiang Ping'an, then took Ziling to Fulong Daping Valley Market.
• Yu Lianhua and Ziling opened a stall on Jadeite Street, where cultivators gathered to see Yu Lianhua and bought eight Cannon Stone Talismans for thirty-two spirit stones.
• Yu Lianhua revealed that she was selling perfect-quality Golden Marrow Pills for twenty-four spirit stones per bottle, and Young Master Song bought three bottles.
• Ziling displayed the pills for the crowd, and Yu Lianhua explained that their perfect quality made them worth the high price.

Jiang Ping'an received the proceeds from Yu Lianhua’s sale of his pills, then accepted her guidance on refining True Qi while both she and Wang Zhongyou questioned how much he truly understood. He began refining Nether True Qi in his cultivation chamber, where its power immediately assaulted his consciousness with illusions and the wails of the dead.

• Yu Lianhua gave Jiang Ping'an 117 spirit stones from selling his goods, and he returned 17 to her as a reward.
• Wang Zhongyou checked on Jiang Ping'an and asked about his understanding of the second realm’s cultivation method, while Jiang Ping'an concealed his uncertainty.
• Yu Lianhua explained how to refine True Qi into the body, then privately told Wang Zhongyou she suspected Jiang Ping'an might have been pretending not to understand.
• Jiang Ping'an began refining a thread of Nether True Qi, and it filled his mind with illusions, regrets, and the wails of dead souls.

Jiang Ping'an refined Nether True Qi and advanced to the Qi Refining Realm, gaining Nether abilities and Shadow Escape. He strengthened Shadow Escape into three greater divine abilities and discovered his Spiritual Sense could now strike with formidable force, though he resolved to conceal it from True Lord Xuan Luo.

• Jiang Ping'an refined a portion of Nether True Qi over twenty-seven days and advanced to the Qi Refining Realm, beginning to form a Nether Dao Body.
• Jiang Ping'an discovered his Nether Eyes, Breath Concealment, Yin Sha Immunity, Soul Freezing spiritual power, and command over Yin souls and Sha Corpses.
• Jiang Ping'an used Shadow Escape to pass through stone doors and identified the need to take mild Yang-aspected medicines to counter Nether True Qi's effects.
• Jiang Ping'an spent ten million Proficiency Points on Shadow Escape and comprehended Thousand Shadow Illusion Body, Nether Shadow Crossing, and Mysterious Yin Painting Domain.
• Jiang Ping'an manifested a golden Spiritual Sense palm that struck a deep print into the floor, then resolved not to use Spiritual Sense against enemies before True Lord Xuan Luo acted.

Jiang Ping'an returned after successfully refining Nether True Qi and advancing to the Qi Refining Realm, then discussed his condition and living arrangements with Wang Zhongyou. Wang Zhongyou ordered Yu Lianhua to seduce Jiang Ping'an within a month, and she began by visiting him and offering to accompany him to register as an Outer Sect Disciple.

• Jiang Ping'an visited Wang Zhongyou, who congratulated him on entering the Qi Refining Realm and advised him to ignore the ghostly murmurs and take yang-natured spirit pills for his yin chill.
• Jiang Ping'an said he planned to leave Biyou Peak, but Wang Zhongyou persuaded him to stay in Feiquan Cave Mansion and said Nie Jianyuan had been sent away to stand on his own.
• After Jiang Ping'an left, Wang Zhongyou ordered Yu Lianhua to make Jiang Ping'an like her and cultivate with him within one month.
• Yu Lianhua told Wang Zhongyou she lacked confidence, but he refused to grant her more time, and she reluctantly agreed.
• Yu Lianhua visited Jiang Ping'an, congratulated him, and offered her Jade Luo Incense Silk Scarf as a gift, but he refused to take her protective Magic Tool.
• Yu Lianhua offered to accompany Jiang Ping'an to Azure Origin Peak to register as an Outer Sect Disciple, and he accepted.

Jiang Ping'an registered as an Outer Sect Disciple and went with Yu Lianhua to seek the Yang He Pill recipe, but its cost forced him to buy pills at the market instead. There he encountered Shen Jing, who felt bitter seeing him with Yu Lianhua, one of the Top Ten Fairies.

• Yu Lianhua took Jiang Ping'an to Azure Origin Peak, where he registered as an Outer Sect Disciple and received new robes and an Identity Jade Token.
• Jiang Ping'an learned that the Yang He Pill recipe cost more merit and spirit stones than he had, so he decided to buy pills at Fulong Daping Valley Market.
• Jiang Ping'an and Yu Lianhua attracted attention at the market, and Outer Sect Disciples respectfully greeted Jiang Ping'an after recognizing him as the Menial Disciple Competition champion who had entered the Qi Refining Realm.
• Jiang Ping'an bought two bottles of Yang He Pills from Pill Treasure Pavilion.
• Shen Jing congratulated Jiang Ping'an on entering the Qi Refining Realm, met Yu Lianhua, and felt bitter seeing the two together.

Jiang Ping'an bought Yang He Pills and Golden Marrow Pill ingredients, then considered how to reduce the Dream Realm's suppression of his Divine Soul and whether to seek out women. The next day, Yu Lianhua brought him a congratulatory gift, and he asked to borrow her spirit boat, leaving her to delay while she sought Wang Zhongyou's instructions.

• Jiang Ping'an bought Yang He Pills and Golden Marrow Pill ingredients, intending to visit Dangjin Mountain, explain his missed deliveries, and return the Dangjin Peak Token.
• Jiang Ping'an invited Yu Lianhua into his cave abode for spirit tea, then took a Yang He Pill and thought about bringing Xiu Yun and Xuan Shuang into the Azure Origin Sect or seeking out Dongfang Jintang.
• Jiang Ping'an decided that pursuing female cultivators might help him unite yin and yang while delaying cultivation, and Yu Lianhua visited him the next day with a congratulatory gift.
• Jiang Ping'an refused Yu Lianhua's gift but asked to borrow her spirit boat for three months instead.
• Yu Lianhua worried Jiang Ping'an might use the spirit boat to flee and delayed lending it until the day after tomorrow so she could ask Wang Zhongyou for instructions.

Yu Lianhua shared Hundred Flower Spirit Wine with Jiang Ping'an and told him about the other Top Ten Fairies, while he remained oblivious to her advances. She later lent him a Spirit Boat, which he quietly used to leave Biyou Peak for Mirror Lake Mountain as Wang Zhongyou followed him.

• Yu Lianhua offered Jiang Ping'an her homemade Hundred Flower Spirit Wine, and they drank together.
• Jiang Ping'an asked Yu Lianhua about the other Top Ten Fairies, and she introduced them, including Yue Qingning and Xue Luoyi.
• Yu Lianhua told Jiang Ping'an she was no worse than the other Fairies, but he only agreed that she was beautiful.
• Yu Lianhua obtained Wang Zhongyou's permission to lend Jiang Ping'an a Spirit Boat and taught him its control incantation.
• Late that night, Jiang Ping'an piloted the Spirit Boat from Biyou Peak toward Mirror Lake Mountain while Wang Zhongyou followed at a distance.

Jiang Ping'an visited Dongfang Jintang, but their meeting turned into an argument and a brief fight when he tried to leave. They put their weapons away, and Dongfang Jintang undressed and allowed Jiang Ping'an to embrace her.

• Jiang Ping'an arrived at Mirror Lake Mountain and found Dongfang Jintang drinking alone in her cave abode.
• Jiang Ping'an told Dongfang Jintang he was now a Registered Disciple of True Lord Xuan Luo and said he would leave when she continued to regard him with killing intent.
• Dongfang Jintang shut the cave abode gates, and Jiang Ping'an demanded she open them before kicking the gates in anger.
• Dongfang Jintang attacked Jiang Ping'an with the Ice Crystal Sword, and their fight stalled when his lightning spell struck his own shield.
• Jiang Ping'an and Dongfang Jintang stopped fighting, and Dongfang Jintang undressed and let him pull her into his embrace.

Jiang Ping'an ended his encounter with Dongfang Jintang and focused on refining Golden Marrow Pills, while asking He Zudao about Yue Qingning and her dangerous sect. He later returned his Dangjin Peak Token and sold Wei Tongcheng ten bottles of pills, then planned to stay in his cave abode and continue refining more.

• Jiang Ping'an stayed with Dongfang Jintang after their exchange, then left the next afternoon and returned to Biyou Peak.
• Jiang Ping'an refined a batch of Golden Marrow Pills and visited He Zudao with wine and food, asking him about Yue Qingning.
• He Zudao shared what he knew about Yue Qingning and warned Jiang Ping'an that Joyful Union Peak cultivators could be dangerous.
• Yu Lianhua visited Jiang Ping'an at Feiquan Cave Mansion, and he finished refining ten bottles of Golden Marrow Pills several days later.
• Jiang Ping'an returned the Dangjin Peak Token to Wei Tongcheng and sold him the ten bottles of Golden Marrow Pills for one hundred seventy spirit stones.

Jiang Ping'an accepted a formation-refining task and received a generous reward and monthly allowance from True Lord Xuan Luo. Though he promised to cultivate diligently, he privately sought ways to accelerate his Spiritual Sense and delay Foundation Establishment, before Yu Lianhua arrived at his cave abode.

• Jiang Ping'an accepted a task to refine Bewildering Trail Array Flags and collected the materials from Lesser Xuan Peak, where he met manager Zhou Yunan.
• Qingyuan summoned Jiang Ping'an to Biguang Cave Mansion, where Wang Zhongyou gave him five hundred spirit stones and three thousand merit points bestowed by True Lord Xuan Luo.
• Wang Zhongyou told Jiang Ping'an that True Lord Xuan Luo would also provide him with one hundred spirit stones and three hundred merit points each month, with larger allowances as his cultivation advanced.
• Jiang Ping'an returned to Feiquan Cave Mansion and privately resolved to find a long-term dual cultivation partner and obtain the Union with the Heavenly Dao technique to grow his Spiritual Sense faster.
• Yu Lianhua arrived at Jiang Ping'an's cave abode dressed more revealingly than usual.

Jiang Ping'an welcomed Yu Lianhua, who had been ordered by Wang Zhongyou to draw close to him, and their flirtation turned into a kiss before Wang Yichen interrupted them. Jiang Ping'an let Yu Lianhua change clothes and waited as Wang Yichen attacked his cave abode’s Defense Array.

• Jiang Ping'an told Yu Lianhua that True Lord Xuan Luo had offered to support his cultivation.
• Yu Lianhua confessed that she missed Jiang Ping'an, then danced for him and drew him into an embrace.
• Yu Lianhua kissed Jiang Ping'an, and he returned the kiss before Wang Yichen demanded an audience from outside.
• Yu Lianhua warned Jiang Ping'an that Wang Yichen was arrogant and might attack him, then went to change clothes.
• Wang Yichen attacked Jiang Ping'an's Defense Array, but the formation held without affecting the cave abode's interior.

Jiang Ping'an let Wang Yichen exhaust himself attacking the Defense Array while he calmly drank tea with Yu Lianhua, then provoked him once the array opened. Wang Zhongyou arrived just as Wang Yichen prepared to use a talisman treasure, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Yu Lianhua confirmed Wang Yichen had pursued her, and Jiang Ping'an asked her to protect him when the array opened.
• Jiang Ping'an brewed tea while Wang Yichen attacked the Defense Array, then urged Yu Lianhua to strike first because Wang Yichen had tired himself out.
• Jiang Ping'an opened the array, and Wang Yichen flew in to find him and Yu Lianhua drinking tea together.
• Wang Yichen attacked Jiang Ping'an with a Supreme flying sword, but Yu Lianhua blocked it with her Jade Luo Incense Scarf.
• Jiang Ping'an taunted Wang Yichen about his jealousy, prompting Wang Yichen to prepare a talisman treasure.
• Wang Zhongyou appeared and ordered Wang Yichen to stop before he could use the talisman treasure.

Wang Zhongyou stopped Wang Yichen from attacking Jiang Ping'an and negotiated a punishment that would keep Wang Yichen far from him. Wang Zhongyou exiled his grandson to Nanshui County, Bing Prefecture, confiscated his Spirit Boat, and ordered him never to return to the Azure Origin Sect.

• Wang Zhongyou halted Wang Yichen, sent him to await punishment, and accepted Yu Lianhua's apology for protecting Jiang Ping'an.
• Jiang Ping'an asked to leave Biyou Peak, warning Wang Zhongyou that Wang Yichen might threaten his life again.
• Wang Zhongyou promised to cripple Wang Yichen, but Jiang Ping'an objected and instead secured Wang Yichen's exile and confiscation of his Spirit Boat.
• Wang Zhongyou reprimanded Wang Yichen in his cave abode, and Wang Yichen pleaded for his life.
• Wang Yichen surrendered his Top-grade Spirit Boat and accepted exile to Nanshui County, Bing Prefecture, for the rest of his life.

Jiang Ping'an received Wang Yichen’s superior Spirit Boat and learned that Wang Yichen had been expelled from the Azure Origin Sect. After He Zudao told him Yue Qingning might attend a Dao Discussion Meeting, Jiang Ping'an prepared to go with him and set out the next morning.

• Jiang Ping'an returned Yu Lianhua’s Spirit Boat, then accepted Wang Yichen’s better Spirit Boat from Qingyuan and learned Wang Yichen had left the sect with his family displaced from Biyou Peak.
• Jiang Ping'an wondered why Wang Zhongyou had instructed Yu Lianhua to act affectionately toward him and suspected she had been sacrificed to strengthen surveillance.
• He Zudao told Jiang Ping'an that Yue Qingning might attend Cui Xiao'er’s Dao Discussion Meeting, and Jiang Ping'an offered to pay He Zudao’s admission fee so they could go together.
• Jiang Ping'an exchanged three thousand merit points for the Yang He Pill Recipe but postponed buying ingredients to avoid drawing Wang Zhongyou’s attention.
• The next morning, Jiang Ping'an flew toward the meeting place on his Top-grade Spirit Boat, making He Zudao envy his transportation.

Jiang Ping'an and He Zudao attended Joyful Union Peak’s Dao Discussion Meeting, where He sought a Cultivation Partner and Jiang hoped to meet Yue Qingning. Jiang paid for a choice riverside pavilion seat and drew the attention of several female cultivators, leaving him surrounded by potential acquaintances as the gathering continued.

• Jiang Ping'an brought He Zudao to Yusun Peak, where they paid the entrance fee and gave their names.
• Jiang Ping'an and He Zudao separated inside the Dao Discussion Venue so they could meet female cultivators more easily.
• Jiang Ping'an paid Miao Shangyun two hundred spirit stones for a prime seat and asked whether Yue Qingning would attend.
• After Cui Xiao'er paused her lecture, Gu Ying'er approached Jiang Ping'an and recognized him as the Menial Disciple Competition's first-place winner.
• Two other female cultivators interrupted Gu Ying'er to introduce themselves to Jiang Ping'an.

Jiang Ping'an attended a Dao Discussion Meeting, then returned to Feiquan Cave Mansion and received Spirit Wine and Spirit Fruit from Ziling. Yu Lianhua ordered Ziling to go serve him that night, and Ziling accepted despite her distress.

• Yuan Zilin and Jiang Yanping approached Jiang Ping'an at the meeting, while Chen Qiming and Zhang Zhongzhi speculated that he was interested in Yue Qingning.
• Jiang Ping'an waited all day, but Yue Qingning never appeared, so he left with He Zudao, who had enjoyed talking with a female cultivator from Joyful Union Peak.
• Ziling delivered Yu Lianhua's Spirit Wine and Spirit Fruit to Jiang Ping'an, who gave her two fruits and asked after Yu Lianhua.
• After Ziling reported Jiang Ping'an's inquiry, Yu Lianhua dismissed her concern that he did not care for her and ordered Ziling to serve him that night.
• Yu Lianhua told Ziling to prepare herself and said she might as well die at Feiquan Cave Mansion if Jiang Ping'an refused her; Ziling obeyed.

Yu Lianhua sent her maid Ziling to Jiang Ping'an, who used dual cultivation with her while planning to play along with True Lord Xuan Luo and Wang Zhongyou. Ziling returned to Yu Lianhua before dawn and reported that she had benefited from the experience, and Yu Lianhua told her to visit Jiang again the following night.

• Yu Lianhua first excused Ziling from attending Jiang Ping'an, but agreed to send her after Ziling insisted she wanted to share her burdens.
• Ziling went to Jiang Ping'an's cave, declared that she wished to warm his bed, and willingly became intimate with him.
• Jiang Ping'an used his dual cultivation technique with Ziling, intending to maintain the appearance of cooperation while preparing to escape True Lord Xuan Luo's trap.
• Before dawn, Ziling returned to Yu Lianhua and reported that Jiang's technique had benefited her cultivation rather than diminishing it.
• Yu Lianhua ordered Ziling to return to Jiang's cave the next night and questioned her about the experience.

At the Dao Discussion Grounds, Jiang Ping'an publicly asked Yue Qingning to discuss the Dual Cultivation Technique, provoking other cultivators to attack him. Protected by True Lord Xuan Luo’s jade talisman, he left with Yue Qingning, who warned him to have a truly outstanding technique.

• Jiang Ping'an attended the Dao discussion and waited for Yue Qingning to arrive, while most of the gathering went out to welcome her.
• After the discussion paused, Jiang Ping'an asked Yue Qingning in front of everyone to discuss the Dual Cultivation Technique.
• Several male cultivators attacked Jiang Ping'an, but he activated True Lord Xuan Luo's jade talisman, forcing the hall to its knees and knocking the attackers' swords down.
• Yue Qingning agreed to Jiang Ping'an's request, and the two left the hall together on his spirit boat.
• After Jiang Ping'an explained that his public request was meant as respect, Yue Qingning warned him that True Lord Xuan Luo might not protect him if his technique was unimpressive.

Jiang Ping'an met Yue Qingning to discuss exchanging cultivation manuals, but learned that the manual he sought was unavailable and unsuitable for him. After deciding to focus on Spiritual Sense and arrays to overcome his predicament, he returned to Biyou Peak, where Ziling joined him for the night.

• Jiang Ping'an met Yue Qingning at Mirror Lake Mountain and offered to exchange the Ode to Yin-Yang Bliss for her peak's Dual Cultivation Manual for Union with the Heavenly Dao.
• Yue Qingning refused, explaining that the manual was secret and unsuitable for male cultivators, and proposed that they keep in frequent contact.
• Jiang Ping'an suspected Yue Qingning shared his dangerous predicament and concluded that mastering Spiritual Sense and arrays offered his best chance against stronger opponents.
• Jiang Ping'an returned to Flying Spring Cave on Biyou Peak, where Ziling arrived and attended to him.
• Jiang Ping'an and Ziling spent the night together, and he agreed to punish her by having her ride the wooden donkey.