Chapter Summaries

Ji An’s cultivation methods accelerated the growth of his spirit trees, while sect duties kept him on Crimson Flame Peak. Liu Yu arrived with a Blazing Gold Wheel and rare beast materials, and Ji An prepared for combat training and stronger talismans, though future supplies would require bartering high-level spiritual items.

• Ji An used his perfected cultivation methods to nourish his spirit trees, saw several advance in grade, and continued improving his Five Directions Spirit Gathering Art.
• Ye Changqing removed Ji An from the list of cultivators for external assignments because his spirit-tree work on Crimson Flame Peak was too important.
• Liu Yu arrived on the Blazing Gold Wheel and said he would rest on Crimson Flame Peak for a month while nurturing the artifact there.
• Ji An told Liu Yu he planned to enter the Three Sects Competition and asked to spar, while Liu Yu resolved to make the fight convincing enough to discourage him.
• Liu Yu gave Ji An the hides and blood essence of two Foundation Establishment Late Stage Fire Element demonic beasts, but warned that further supplies would require high-level spiritual items for barter.

Ji An traded spiritual materials with Liu Yu and demonstrated his cultivation, spell comprehension, and combat preparation. After Liu Yu showed him how to shape offensive spells and challenged him to spar, Ji An was blasted into the Blazing Gold Wheel’s grasp but demanded to continue.

• Ji An exchanged Blazing Flame Crystals, Crimson Flame Iron, and Spirit Stones with Liu Yu for two beast hides and two jars of Monster Beast Essence Blood.
• Liu Yu noticed Ji An’s body refinement and advised him not to neglect his main cultivation, while Ji An explained that his training method was a costly shortcut.
• Liu Yu sensed Ji An’s cultivation disturbing the Clear Spirit Bamboo and congratulated him on resonating with his cultivation method and the surrounding environment.
• Ji An accompanied Liu Yu up Crimson Flame Peak to extract Metal Element Essence for his Copper Pattern Mulberry trees, then practiced the Five Directions Spirit Gathering Art near the summit.
• Liu Yu tested Ji An’s Explosive Fireball, demonstrated how Fire Element spells could be reshaped, and suggested Ji An could qualify for the Foundation Establishment Early Stage competition.
• During their spar, Liu Yu’s Blazing Gold Wheel pursued Ji An, Liu Yu’s fireball blasted him flying, and the spirit artifact caught him as Ji An called for them to continue.

Ji An trained with Liu Yu, then spent a month learning to make Explosion Talismans from Foundation Establishment Late Stage beast hide. He produced forty-five Top-Grade talismans, sold twenty-five to Liu Yu, and Liu Yu left Crimson Flame Peak.

• Ji An endured Liu Yu's Blazing Gold Wheel attacks and showed that his defenses and combat skills could let him face a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage demonic beast.
• Liu Yu told Ji An that the Three Sects Competition selection might take a different form because the three sects were preparing a major assault near Crying Phoenix Peak.
• Ji An asked Xia Yuhan to mix talisman ink, practiced with Explosive Flame Talismans, and began drawing Explosion Talismans on high-grade beast hide.
• Ji An's first Explosion Talisman destabilized and exploded, burning part of the beast hide, but he continued practicing and reviewing each attempt.
• After a month, Ji An had made forty-five Top-Grade Explosion Talismans and sold twenty-five to Liu Yu for fifty Spirit Stones each.
• Liu Yu left to report to the Enforcement Hall, and Ji An promised that Liu Yu would get to eat fresh mulberries next time.

Ji An cultivated Grade 1 High-tier Jade Leaf Mulberries, arranged to sell their leaves to Jiang Wanrong, and bought White Jade Bees to produce flower honey. He left the new bee colony with Xia Yuhan and her sister to raise as the mulberry field began flowering.

• Ji An discovered that twenty-three Jade Leaf Mulberries had reached Grade 1 High-tier after his cultivation spells, and he summoned Jiang Wanrong to discuss selling their leaves.
• Ji An and Jiang Wanrong agreed on a price of one Spirit Stone per hundred jin of high-tier mulberry leaves and signed a sales agreement.
• Ji An visited the Beast Taming Hall and bought a White Jade Bee queen, a colony of eggs, food, and a beekeeping manual for two thousand Contribution Points.
• Ji An gave Xia Yuhan and her sister the bee colony and manual, offering them extra monthly pay and rewards for producing honey.

Ji An completed the Bronze Armor stage of the Gilded Bone Art and improved his Five Directions Spirit Gathering Art while gathering Metal and Fire Element Essence at Crimson Flame Peak. When Ye Changqing visited about the sect’s annual rent, they discussed the peak’s growing spirit-mulberry business and Ji An’s newly completed Top-Grade talismans, leaving Ji An eager to accept the sect’s talisman-making assignment.

• Ji An harvested Metal Element Essence and Fire Element Essence, noting his improved spell efficiency and plans to use the fire essence to nurture Crimson Cloud Pines.
• Ji An received Ye Changqing’s message and hurried down from Crimson Flame Peak to meet him about the annual rent.
• Ye Changqing explained that he had twice blocked the Enforcement Hall from assigning Ji An to outpost duty, and Ji An offered him White Jade Bee honey in thanks.
• Ji An described the flowering Jade Leaf Mulberries, their grades, and his plans to scale up honey and wine production; Ye Changqing praised his progress.
• Ji An delivered high-grade Explosive Flame Talismans and showed Ye Changqing a Top-Grade Explosion Talisman.
• Ye Changqing offered Ji An a task drawing Top-Grade talismans using sect-provided materials, and Ji An eagerly accepted.

Ji An turned in his mission supplies, claimed beast hides for talisman crafting, and visited Ge Ying, who praised his spirit-farming progress and confirmed that Crimson Flame Peak would not erupt again. Later, his cultivation and discoveries brought him a string of good news, ending with the Fire Crystal Ant Queen announcing a large brood.

• Ye Changqing rewarded Ji An with Contribution Points for his higher-quality supplies, and Ji An claimed two Late Foundation Establishment beast hides at the Labor-Study Hall.
• Ji An visited Ge Ying with honey and Jade Leaf Mulberries; she told him to keep the Crimson Flame Peak matter quiet and praised his farming skill.
• Ji An cultivated by the cold pool, drawing mist and spiritual energy toward him as Xia Yulian and Liang Qiu noticed the spectacle.
• Golden Fur showed Ji An that two Earth Spirit Fruit Trees had reached top-grade flowering, promising a valuable harvest for the Golden Spotted Spider.
• Ji An nourished his spirit trees with Metal Element Essence and Fire Element Essence, and the Fire Crystal Ant Queen told him she had given birth to many young.

Ji An practiced making Explosion Talismans and Talisman Soldiers, then gave Xia Yuhan a Bronze Armor Talisman Soldier and tested its combat strength. After Wei Songnian delivered rare materials and reported that higher-grade supplies were scarce in the shops, Ji An learned he would need to seek them at trade fairs or auctions.

• Ji An inspected the growing Fire Crystal Ant colony and considered how its development could help control the Red-tailed Squirrel population.
• Ji An drew Explosion Talismans and crafted two Explosion Talisman Disks before spending two days making a Bronze Armor Talisman Soldier.
• Ji An gave Xia Yuhan the Talisman Soldier and tested it, finding that it could attack and withstand a powerful spell before dispersing.
• Wei Songnian delivered metal powders, Mysterious Yellow Earth, and Spirit Stones from selling Explosive Flame Talismans, while Xia Yulian confirmed the quantities.
• Wei Songnian told Ji An that the shops lacked the spiritual materials he sought and that rare, higher-grade items would require attending trade fairs or auctions.

Ji An broke through to Silver Armor body refinement, then waited for the Earth Spirit Fruits to ripen. He invited Liu Su Yun to Crimson Flame Peak, where she discovered his top-grade fruit trees and assessed how much they could restore her Golden Spotted Spider.

• Ji An endured an icy, scorching breakthrough and reached Silver Armor, then used Grain Abstinence Pills and a feast to recover from overwhelming hunger.
• Ji An inspected his stronger, metallic-looking skin and muscles after the breakthrough.
• Six months later, Golden Fur tried to keep a ripe top-grade Earth Spirit Fruit, but Ji An took it for the Golden Spotted Spider and promised the rat other fruit in the future.
• Ji An summoned Liu Su Yun to Crimson Flame Peak after the Earth Spirit Fruits began ripening.
• Liu Su Yun saw Ji An's two top-grade and two high-grade Earth Spirit Fruit Trees and estimated their fruits could restore about sixty percent of her Golden Spotted Spider's vital essence.

Ji An agreed to help the sect grow Bloodthirsty Vines after discussing spirit fruits, spider silk, and the costs of preparing the Apricot Yellow Banner with Liu Su Yun. The planting was scheduled to begin in four or five days at Wei Songnian’s valley, with Ji An tending the vines while the sect supplied beast flesh.

• Liu Su Yun explained that top-grade Earth Spirit Fruits would do little to restore her Golden Spotted Spider’s vitality, then asked to stay until the fruits ripened, and Ji An agreed.
• Ji An and Liu Su Yun settled the spirit-fruit and spider-silk exchange, and Ji An paid 1,900 Spirit Stones toward the Apricot Yellow Banner’s remaining materials and weaving fee.
• Ye Changqing and Wei Songnian arrived with an urgent sect mission for Ji An to help grow Bloodthirsty Vine seeds for use in about half a year.
• Ji An agreed to cast Farming Spells every two or three days while the sect supplied fresh blood and composted beast flesh.
• Wei Songnian said planting would begin in four or five days, after his Spirit Grain and Talisman Grass harvest began.

Ji An helped Wei Songnian plant Bloodthirsty Vines in Green Bamboo Valley, then spent half a year cultivating and improving his spells. After receiving the sect’s order to gather at Sunrise Peak and march into the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, Ji An prepared talismans for the coming journey.

• Liu Su Yun left after thanking Ji An for his hospitality and promising a discount on future supplies.
• Ji An and Wei Songnian used spells and hired Spirit Farmers to sow Bloodthirsty Vine seeds across Green Bamboo Valley.
• Ji An’s cultivation advanced over half a year, and his Thick Earth Return Origin Spell approached Merit Perfection.
• Wei Songnian visited Ji An after receiving the sect’s order to gather at Sunrise Peak in one month and march into the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
• Ji An told Wei Songnian that he had received the order and was making talismans in preparation.

Ji An learned that the Golden Spirit Sect was conscripting most of its cultivators to prepare them for the coming Demon Catastrophe, while he made his own preparations and continued tending Crimson Flame Peak. During his evening patrol, he discovered that a Crimson Cloud Pine had reached the lower grade of the second tier.

• Ji An, Wei Songnian, and Zeng Rui discussed their conscription orders and speculated that the sect would assign noncombatants to suitable duties.
• Lin Jiuxiao and Mu Songde confirmed that the sect had conscripted most Foundation Establishment cultivators and thousands of Qi Condensation disciples for combat training, while protecting production-type cultivators from assault missions.
• Ji An stocked up on talismans and talisman soldiers as others he knew received conscription orders, then continued cultivating and maintaining Crimson Flame Peak.
• Ji An received his master's message ordering him to gather at Condensing Emerald Cliff at noon the next day.
• During his nightly patrol, Ji An discovered that a Crimson Cloud Pine had become a lower-grade second-tier spirit tree and celebrated its growth.

Ji An visited Ge Ying and his fellow disciples at Condensing Emerald Cliff before the sect’s coming campaign in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, bringing gifts and discussing the dangers ahead. Afterward, he learned several basic spells while waiting for Du Huaiyuan to retrieve spirit wine from his cold pool.

• Ji An marked two Crimson Cloud Pines that were nearing second-rank and told the Fire Crystal Ant queen where they were.
• Ji An visited Ge Ying at Condensing Emerald Cliff, greeted his fellow disciples, and distributed pine nuts and spirit wine as gifts.
• Li Lingyu and Liu Yu discussed the coming campaign, and Liu Yu estimated that the fighting and defense would likely keep the cultivators away for at most half a month.
• Ge Ying urged Ge Luoying to rely on her connections and seek help when needed, while Ge Luoying said she could flee if a fight became impossible.
• Ji An asked Du Huaiyuan to retrieve spirit wine from the cold pool, then learned the Water Control Art, Fire Control Art, and Entangle Art while he waited.

Ji An practiced the Water Control Art and received spirit wine from Du Huaiyuan before traveling with Wei Songnian and Zeng Rui to Sunrise Peak for Golden Spirit Sect’s expedition. After the sect’s forces assembled and Lin Jiuxiao announced the mission, Ji An discovered that his assigned Foundation Establishment team consisted entirely of poorly equipped Spirit Farmers.

• Ji An practiced the Water Control Art at the cold pool, improving its progress from Beginner 1% to 4%.
• Du Huaiyuan brought Ji An thirty jars of spirit wine, and Ji An paid him three mid-grade Spirit Stones.
• Ji An, Wei Songnian, and Zeng Rui arrived at Sunrise Peak, where Lin Jiuxiao announced a joint expedition by Golden Spirit Sect, Falling Maple Valley, and Harmony Peak to establish a stronghold in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
• Ji An boarded his assigned flying boat and met Han Qingshan and other Spirit Farmers, who admitted they had little combat ability or equipment.
• Jia Yu arrived on the flying boat and ordered the Foundation Establishment Cultivators into the cabin to receive their missions.

Ji An joined the Golden Spirit Sect’s campaign against the demonic wolves at Crying Phoenix Peak, where he was assigned to help lead Qi Condensation disciples and plant Bloodthirsty Vines after the fighting. As the battle began, the sect’s main force attacked the mountain while Jia Yu watched for powerful beasts fleeing downhill.

• Jia Yu briefed the Foundation Establishment cultivators on their duties, and Ji An teamed up with Han Qingshan and Enforcement Hall cultivator Zhong Yue.
• Ji An revealed that he had perfected Explosive Fireball, impressing Zhong Yue and reassuring Han Qingshan.
• Ji An used the Stone Turtle to improve his Golden Light Art, Explosive Fireball, Mountain Stabilizing Art, and Cold Wind Art during the flight to the battle site.
• The cultivators watched an Origin Seeking Sword Cultivator and other forces descend toward Crying Phoenix Peak before the flying ships reached the foot of the mountain.
• The formations advanced against the Black Wind Wolves, and Jia Yu circled overhead to intercept Foundation Establishment Late Stage beasts fleeing the main assault.

The cultivators launched their assault on the wolf packs after the Wolf King was slain, and Ji An helped hold the defensive line by killing a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Black Wind Wolf. That night, the squads reported their casualties, and Zhong Yue bragged that his squad had slain the powerful wolf with few losses.

• Jia Yu ordered the forces to advance after the Wolf King's howl fell silent and a sword cry announced its death.
• Li Haoran cut down Black Wind Wolves as the cultivators drove the pack toward their formations, while Jia Yu raised stone walls to slow their charge.
• Ji An blasted a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Black Wind Wolf with two Explosive Fireballs, and Zhong Yue used his Fire Cloud Gourd to burn several other wolves.
• Zhong Yue went to support Han Qingshan, who was surrounded by Foundation Establishment Early Stage Black Wind Wolves.
• Jia Yu announced that all Origin Seeking wolf demons had been slain and collected casualty reports at the camp that night.
• Zhong Yue told the other Enforcement Hall cultivators that his squad had killed a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Black Wind Wolf and suffered few casualties.

Ji An acquired Purple Fire Gourd seeds from Zhong Yue and demonstrated his skill at restoring their vitality before joining the next day’s patrol. The patrol encountered a wounded Foundation Establishment Late Stage Black Wind Wolf fleeing Ge Luoying, and Zhong Yue and Ji An moved to stop it.

• Jia Yu assigned the cultivators to search for Black Wind Wolves or survey earth veins, and Ji An spoke with Zhong Yue about his Fire Cloud Gourd.
• Zhong Yue gave Ji An his remaining Purple Fire Gourd seeds, which Ji An revived with his Azure Wood Life Creation Art and Blazing Fire Spell.
• Ji An offered spirit wine to Zhong Yue and Han Qingshan in return, and the group set out on patrol the next day.
• Ge Luoying pursued a wounded Foundation Establishment Late Stage Black Wind Wolf toward the patrol and warned the cultivators to watch out.
• Zhong Yue used his Fire Cloud Gourd to block the wolf while Ji An moved into position to attack, but the wolf split the flames with its Wind Roar and leaped at Zhong Yue.

Ji An and Zhong Yue’s group helped Ge Luoying bring down a wounded Black Wind Wolf, though Zhang Cheng died in its attack. After the group continued onward, Golden Fur led Ji An to a cluster of Mystic Leaf Sword Bamboo.

• Ji An and Zhong Yue attacked the pursuing Black Wind Wolf from different angles, and Zhong Yue’s fire cloud set its fur ablaze.
• The Black Wind Wolf charged Ji An, but Ji An endured its Wind Roar and killed it with a golden crescent blade launched into its mouth.
• Ge Luoying arrived too late to deliver the fatal strike and left the Black Wind Wolf’s spoils to Ji An.
• Zhong Yue learned that Zhang Cheng had been killed and began harvesting the wolf’s valuable materials, including its Demon Core.
• An hour later, Golden Fur led Ji An to a shining cluster of Mystic Leaf Sword Bamboo.

Ji An and his team discovered Mystic Leaf Sword Bamboo at Crying Phoenix Peak, and the sect began securing the mountain and planting Bloodthirsty Vines. Lin Jiuxiao announced plans to establish Mount Mingfeng Immortal City and a Slaughter Ranking that would determine who competed in the Three Sects Competition.

• Ji An identified the Mystic Leaf Sword Bamboo, and Li Haoran arrived after the team sent a signal and promised to report the discovery for a reward.
• Ji An reunited with the injured Zeng Rui, then led Spirit Farmers and disciples in planting and watering four hundred thousand jin of Bloodthirsty Vine seeds.
• The cultivators completed a mountain-protecting formation around Crying Phoenix Peak, while Ji An and Zeng Rui discussed cultivation and finding partners.
• Lin Jiuxiao announced that the sects would establish Mount Mingfeng Immortal City and award Three Sects Competition eligibility to the top ten Foundation Establishment cultivators in each stage group on the Slaughter Ranking.

Ji An gave up the tournament to protect his cultivation and farming work on Crimson Flame Peak, but the sect assigned him to draw Spirit Sealing Talismans before he could return. Afterward, he helped transplant Mystic Leaf Sword Bamboo on Crying Phoenix Peak, where Liu Qingfeng approached him, impressed by his spells.

• Ji An decided not to participate in the demon-beast tournament and traded Zhong Yue fifteen Explosion Talismans for the Black Wind Wolf's materials.
• Jia Yu recruited Ji An and other Talismans Crafters to produce Spirit Sealing Talismans, and Ji An drew them for ten days until the supply was sufficient.
• Han Qingshan told Ji An that the Spirit Farmers were preparing to leave Crying Phoenix Peak, but Ji An still had to help transplant the remaining spiritual plants.
• Ji An used the Blazing Fire Spell and Thick Earth Return Origin Spell to soften the ground around the Mystic Leaf Sword Bamboo so it could be transplanted.
• Liu Qingfeng introduced himself to Ji An and asked his name after witnessing his skill.

Ji An returned safely from the mission at Crying Phoenix Peak, exchanged Contribution Points for Mystic Leaf Sword Bamboo shoots, and resumed managing Crimson Flame Peak. Half a month later, news spread that the three major sects would auction many Foundation Establishment Pills at Crying Phoenix Peak, leaving independent cultivators astonished by the opportunity.

• Ji An advised Han Qingshan to build his combat skills, then slept through the flying vessel’s return journey to the sect.
• Ji An helped unload the spirit plants and exchanged Contribution Points for five Mystic Leaf Sword Bamboo shoots after agreeing to prioritize the sect’s Artifact Refiners.
• Ji An told Jia Yu that he had cultivated low-grade second-tier Crimson Cloud Pine and planned to submit pine nuts, then returned to Crimson Flame Peak and planted the bamboo shoots.
• Ji An reunited with Liang Qiu and the others, released his spirit beasts, and instructed Huang Feihu to cut down spirit trees affected by the nearby Crimson Cloud Pine.
• At a Small Market, Old Liu told Old Zhang that Crying Phoenix Peak would auction fifty Foundation Establishment Pills annually for three years, followed by ten per year, while sect pill shops would also sell pills refined from Demon Cores.