Chapter Summaries

After defeating Han Pengshan, Ji Haoyuan learned that the Han Family planned to stir up rivals against the Ji Family, then discovered a mysterious map while searching Han Pengshan’s Storage Pouch. His elder brother Ji Haohuan delivered the Ji Family’s Hundred Arts of Cultivation, and Ji Haoyuan promised to seek a way to extend his brother’s dwindling lifespan.

• Han Penghu refused to let the dispute with Ji Haoyuan go, but ordered Han Pengfeng to spread word of the Cloud Iron Ore Vein and draw the Zhang and Liu Families and other Ji Family rivals into the conflict.
• Ji Haoyuan removed Han Pengshan’s Spiritual Sense imprint from his Storage Pouch and found an incomplete map made from the hide of a Rank 2 demonic beast.
• Ji Haoyuan sensed someone disturbing the restrictions of his Temporary Cave Dwelling and found his elder brother Ji Haohuan waiting outside with the Ji Family’s Hundred Arts of Cultivation.
• Ji Haoyuan saw that Ji Haohuan had grown frail and urged him to stay with the family and care for his health.
• Ji Haoyuan promised to search the major markets and Crimson Cloud Immortal City for spiritual treasures that could extend Ji Haohuan’s lifespan.

Ji Haoyuan studied formations and artifact refining, rapidly reaching Tier 1 high-grade in both arts and improving the Cloud Iron Ore Vein’s formation. After enhancing his Crimson Flame Pattern Spear, he received a message that hinted at new developments.

• Ji Haohuan refused Ji Haoyuan’s offer to help extend his life and asked him to look after Ji Qingfei, which Ji Haoyuan promised to do.
• Ji Haohuan returned to the Ji Family of Ganyang Mountain, and Ji Haoyuan began studying the formation and artifact-refining inheritances he had brought.
• Within a few months, Ji Haoyuan became a Tier 1 high-grade Formation Master and artifact refiner, then improved the repaired formation so it could withstand several attacks from a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
• Ji Haoyuan fused Blazing Gold Red Iron into his Crimson Flame Pattern Spear, raising it from Tier 2 low-grade to Tier 2 middle-grade.
• Ji Haoyuan received a Message Talisman and raised his brows after reading its contents.

Ji Haoyuan accepted Liu Hongyu’s invitation and traveled to the Autumn Forest Mountain Range, where he met Feng Wanqing of the Feng Family. Liu Hongyu revealed that the opportunity she wanted to share was an Earthen Profound Fruit, a rare treasure with great value to Ji Haoyuan.

• Ji Haoyuan received Liu Hongyu’s message inviting him to meet at the Autumn Forest Mountain Range and decided to go despite suspecting she had a reason to seek his help.
• Ji Haoyuan gave Ji Yunfeng and the others instructions, then traveled toward the mountain range.
• Three days later, Ji Haoyuan met Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing, a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Feng Family.
• Ji Haoyuan and Feng Wanqing exchanged polite greetings and became acquainted through their shared conflict with the Han Family.
• Liu Hongyu told Ji Haoyuan that the fortuitous opportunity was an Earthen Profound Fruit, a rare Earth-element treasure.

Ji Haoyuan, Liu Hongyu, and Feng Wanqing waited for seven Earthen Profound Fruits to mature while concealing their auras from the Earth Spirit Demonic Python. When the fruits ripened, they rushed to claim them, and the python attacked with earth spikes.

• Liu Hongyu invited Ji Haoyuan and Feng Wanqing to join forces against the Earth Spirit Demonic Python and proposed dividing the Earthen Profound Fruits according to their contributions.
• Liu Hongyu gave Ji Haoyuan Second Order Breath Concealing Powder, and the three used it to approach the cliff without alerting nearby Demon Beasts.
• The three found seven immature Earthen Profound Fruits and the Earth Spirit Demonic Python guarding them, then waited nearby for four days.
• The fruits matured, and Ji Haoyuan, Liu Hongyu, and Feng Wanqing rushed toward them from three directions.
• The Earth Spirit Demonic Python roared, released a ring of yellow light that weighed down the three, and sent a storm of earth spikes at them.

Ji Haoyuan, Liu Hongyu, and Feng Wanqing fought the Earth Spirit Demonic Python over the seven Earthen Profound Fruits. After the women trapped the python, Ji Haoyuan killed it by piercing its eyes with his spear and sword.

• Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing defended against the earth spikes as the Earth Spirit Demonic Python attacked with its tail and yellow flames.
• Ji Haoyuan withdrew his mana and let himself be thrown backward while Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing seized the seven Earthen Profound Fruits.
• The Earth Spirit Demonic Python attacked the women, slowing their mana and threatening them with its tail.
• Ji Haoyuan intercepted the python's strike and asked Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing to trap it.
• Liu Hongyu bound the python with a net while Feng Wanqing immobilized it with a seal, giving Ji Haoyuan time to pierce its eyes and kill it.

Ji Haoyuan, Liu Hongyu, and Feng Wanqing were ambushed by two Demonic Cultivators who trapped them in a Nether Fiend Formation. While Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing fought the attackers, Ji Haoyuan studied the formation, found its weaknesses, and turned his attention toward a spot inside it.

• After the Earth Spirit Demonic Python fell, Ji Haoyuan used his spear and sword to intercept two Demonic Cultivators sneaking up behind Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing.
• The Bald Man and the Hooked Nose Man revealed their plan to use the Nether Fiend Formation to kill the three cultivators and conceal what happened.
• The two Demonic Cultivators set up the formation, cutting off outside Spiritual Energy and weakening Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing as they fought back.
• Ji Haoyuan observed the formation, gained insight into its workings, and found its flaws and weaknesses.
• After realizing his formation attainments had improved, Ji Haoyuan looked toward a particular spot inside the formation.

Ji Haoyuan broke the Nether Fiend Formation and joined Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing in defeating the Bald Man and Hooked Nose Man. Afterward, he accepted three of the seven Earthen Profound Fruits, leaving the remaining four with Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing.

• Ji Haoyuan used Formation Flags and hand seals to weaken and break the Nether Fiend Formation while Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing held off the Bald Man and Hooked Nose Man.
• Ji Haoyuan trapped the two men with a temporary formation and attacked alongside Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing, grievously wounding them.
• Ji Haoyuan killed the Bald Man and Hooked Nose Man with his Crimson Flame Pattern Spear and an azure Sword Light, then collected their Storage Pouches.
• Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing thanked Ji Haoyuan and offered him the seven Earthen Profound Fruits they had acquired.
• Ji Haoyuan took three Earthen Profound Fruits and said that everyone had contributed in defeating the Earth Spirit Demonic Python.

Ji Haoyuan, Liu Hongyu, and Feng Wanqing divided the spoils from the Earth Spirit Demonic Python and discussed the suspicious Demonic Cultivators they had encountered. Before parting, Liu Hongyu warned Ji Haoyuan that the Zhang Family might target his family over its Cloud Iron Ore Vein.

• Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing gave Ji Haoyuan another Earthen Profound Fruit and declined a share of the other spoils.
• Ji Haoyuan gave Liu Hongyu and Feng Wanqing one spiritual artifact each to compensate them for their help.
• Ji Haoyuan, Liu Hongyu, and Feng Wanqing suspected the orthodox Demonic Cultivators had a larger plan but chose not to report it.
• Feng Wanqing exchanged Message Jade Talismans with Ji Haoyuan and invited him to visit the Feng Family.
• Liu Hongyu warned Ji Haoyuan that the Zhang Family's returning prodigy and its interest in the Ji Family's Cloud Iron Ore Vein could bring trouble.

After discovering a Demonic Cultivator cultivation art among the spoils, Ji Haoyuan fused it with his own art and used Earthen Profound Fruits to greatly strengthen his mana. He planned to acquire a fire-attribute spiritual treasure before breaking through, but someone disturbed the restrictions around his Cave Mansion.

• Ji Haoyuan told Ji Bochang about the Demonic Cultivators, and they suspected the Crimson Cloud Sect might be their target and ordered the family to watch for them.
• Ji Haoyuan searched the Demonic Cultivators’ Storage Pouches and found formation materials that made him suspect they intended to break formations.
• Ji Haoyuan found the incomplete Second Order Thick Earth Art, learned it, and fused it with the Profound Nether Blazing Fire Art to create the Profound Fire Thick Earth Art.
• Ji Haoyuan swallowed two Earthen Profound Fruits, raising his mana to at least the level of a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator.
• Ji Haoyuan decided to seek a fire-attribute spiritual treasure before breaking through, then noticed that someone had disturbed the restrictions around his Cave Mansion.

The Zhang Family visited the Ji Family with Zhang Zhilong, a Crimson Cloud Sect disciple and Golden Core cultivator Yan Huo’s direct disciple, to claim the Ji Family’s Cloud Iron Ore Vein. The chapter ended with Zhou Haifeng offering only ten thousand Spirit Stones, payable in several years, for the vein.

• Ji Bochang told Ji Haoyuan that Zhang Mingyuan and Zhang Zhilong were coming to the Ji Family, apparently to pursue the Cloud Iron Ore Vein.
• Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang arrived at the Guest Reception Hall and met Zhang Mingyuan, Zhang Zhilong, and Crimson Cloud Sect steward Zhou Haifeng.
• Zhang Mingyuan introduced Zhang Zhilong as True Person Yan Huo’s direct disciple and Zhou Haifeng as his protector.
• Zhou Haifeng asked whether the Ji Family had discovered a Cloud Iron Ore Vein, and Ji Bochang confirmed that it had.
• Zhou Haifeng proposed that Zhang Zhilong’s family acquire the vein for ten thousand Spirit Stones, to be paid several years later.

Ji Haoyuan rejected Zhou Haifeng and Zhang Zhilong’s offer to buy the Ji Family’s Cloud Iron Ore Vein and warned them by revealing how he had crippled Han Pengshan. Ji Bochang eased the confrontation with gifts of Spirit Stones, and after leaving Ganyang Mountain, Zhou Haifeng confronted Zhang Mingyuan about the Zhang Family’s concealed information.

• Ji Haoyuan refused to sell the Cloud Iron Ore Vein after Zhou Haifeng offered ten thousand Spirit Stones.
• When Zhang Zhilong insisted on buying the vein, Ji Haoyuan revealed that he had crippled Han Pengshan and warned the visitors not to threaten the Ji Family’s livelihood.
• Ji Bochang offered Zhang Zhilong and Zhou Haifeng four thousand Spirit Stones each, giving them a way to end the confrontation.
• Zhou Haifeng accepted the gift, called the dispute a misunderstanding, and left Ganyang Mountain with Zhang Zhilong and Zhang Mingyuan.
• After they had flown away, Zhou Haifeng accused Zhang Mingyuan of hiding the Ji Family’s conflict with the Han Family.

After the Ji Family sent Zhou Haifeng and Zhang Zhilong away, Ji Haoyuan warned that Zhang Zhilong might later become a threat and proposed strengthening the clan by giving Ji Yunfan a secret cultivation art. Ji Yunfan received the Azure Wood Eternal Spring Art, and Ji Haoyuan affirmed that he intended to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill for him.

• Zhang Zhilong left with Zhou Haifeng, and Zhang Mingyuan realized that Zhilong had grown resentful toward the Zhang Family.
• Ji Haoyuan warned Ji Bochang that Zhang Zhilong might reconcile with the Zhang Family and eventually turn against the Ji Family.
• Ji Bochang approved passing the Azure Wood Eternal Spring Art to Ji Yunfan under strict secrecy, and Ji Yunfan swore not to reveal it.
• Ji Haoyuan transmitted the art to Ji Yunfan, who was shocked by its potential and thanked him for the gift.
• Ji Haoyuan promised to seek a Foundation Establishment Pill for Ji Yunfan and told Ji Bochang that the family needed another Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Ji Haoyuan strengthened the Cloud Iron Ore Vein’s formation before traveling to Crimson Cloud Immortal City to trade, seek cultivation resources, and ask about Foundation Establishment Pills. He hired the low-level cultivator Bai Qingshuang as his guide and chose to visit the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion first.

• Ji Bochang agreed to support Ji Haoyuan’s decisions and said they would seek a Foundation Establishment Pill together if an opportunity arose.
• Ji Haoyuan upgraded the Cloud Iron Ore Vein’s formation to Second Order using materials from Demonic Cultivators and the Earth Spirit Demonic Python.
• Ji Haoyuan traveled to Crimson Cloud Immortal City to sell unneeded items, buy Fire Attribute Spirit Objects, and seek news and inheritances.
• Bai Qingshuang offered to guide Ji Haoyuan through the city, and he hired her for three Spirit Stones.
• Bai Qingshuang recommended the Crimson Cloud Treasure Tower and Exquisite Treasure Pavilion, and Ji Haoyuan chose to visit the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion.

Ji Haoyuan brought demonic cultivator items to the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion, where manager Xue Yuling agreed to buy them for four thousand Spirit Stones. He then offered meat from a Second Order Earth Spirit Demonic Python, and Xue Yuling assured him the pavilion would pay at least as much as the restaurants.

• Bai Qingshuang led Ji Haoyuan to the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion, where Xue Yuling, the manager, invited him to discuss his goods in a Private Room.
• Xue Yuling served Ji Haoyuan Osmanthus Spirit Fragrance Tea and offered him a packet to take away.
• Ji Haoyuan showed Xue Yuling demonic cultivator materials and a Soul Capturing Banner, and she offered four thousand Spirit Stones for the lot.
• Ji Haoyuan accepted Xue Yuling's offer and then asked whether the pavilion would buy meat from a Second Order Earth Spirit Demonic Python.
• Xue Yuling agreed to buy the python meat and promised the pavilion's price would not be lower than the restaurants' offers.

Ji Haoyuan traded Earth Spirit Demonic Python meat to Xue Yuling and bought a Lava Vermillion Fruit to strengthen his cultivation. He then examined the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion’s Second Order Hundred Arts of Cultivation inheritances and asked Xue Yuling the price for all of them.

• Xue Yuling offered Ji Haoyuan five Spirit Stones per pound of Earth Spirit Demonic Python meat, and Ji Haoyuan agreed to sell her four hundred pounds.
• Ji Haoyuan asked Xue Yuling for a Fire Attribute Spirit Object, and she showed him a Fire True Pill, a Crimson Jade Snake Flower, and a Lava Vermillion Fruit.
• Ji Haoyuan chose the Lava Vermillion Fruit, and Xue Yuling sold it to him for 3,500 Spirit Stones.
• Ji Haoyuan asked Xue Yuling about a Foundation Establishment Pill and Rank 2 Hundred Arts of Cultivation inheritances; she explained that the guild could not publicly sell the pill but brought out several inheritance Jade Slips.
• Ji Haoyuan reviewed the Jade Slips and asked Xue Yuling how much it would cost to buy all of them.

Ji Haoyuan bought a collection of Second Order Hundred Arts of Cultivation inheritances from Xue Yuling and received an Exclusive Identity Jade Token from the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion. He visited Moon Gazing Tower with Bai Qingshuang and learned that a Foundation Establishment trade fair would be held there in half a year.

• Ji Haoyuan paid Xue Yuling ten thousand Spirit Stones for the scattered cultivation inheritances.
• Xue Yuling gave Ji Haoyuan an Exclusive Identity Jade Token that offered discounts and notices about new goods, auctions, and Foundation Establishment Pills.
• Ji Haoyuan asked Bai Qingshuang to show him around Crimson Cloud Immortal City and take him to Moon Gazing Tower.
• Ji Haoyuan entered the restaurant after revealing a trace of his aura, ordered several dishes, and asked about its services for cultivators.
• A Moon Gazing Tower attendant told Ji Haoyuan that a Foundation Establishment trade fair would take place there in half a year and gave him a jade plaque for entry.

After dining with Bai Qingshuang, Ji Haoyuan sensed someone watching him but left Crimson Cloud Immortal City without investigating. Han Pengshan recruited two Foundation Establishment cultivators to attack him, and after Ji departed the city, the three followed him until he detected their concealment.

• Ji Haoyuan accepted a token, tipped the bearer a Spirit Stone, and shared a meal with Bai Qingshuang that increased her spiritual power.
• Ji Haoyuan sensed a figure watching him outside Moon Gazing Tower and left with Bai Qingshuang without pursuing it.
• Han Pengshan asked the Black-robed Man and the blue-robed man to help him deal with Ji Haoyuan, offering them the spoils and a larger share of their mineral-deposit profits.
• Ji Haoyuan gave Bai Qingshuang a pouch of Spirit Stones, left her behind, and flew out of Crimson Cloud Immortal City on the Crimson Flame Pattern Spear.
• After flying for about an incense stick's time, Ji Haoyuan called out Han Pengshan and the two cultivators following him, surprising them by seeing through their concealment.

Ji Haoyuan fought Han Pengshan and his two allies, killing the blue-robed man and Han Pengshan in succession. The Black-robed Man tried to escape with a blood-colored Talisman as Ji Haoyuan’s sword qi exploded around him.

• Han Pengshan attacked Ji Haoyuan with six Dark Light Blades while the Black-robed Man and the blue-robed man joined the fight with a sickle and Bewildering Flute.
• Ji Haoyuan used his Round Shield to block Han Pengshan’s blades, then pierced the blue-robed man through with a flaming spear despite his Silver Talisman barrier.
• Ji Haoyuan formed a sword formation with Supreme Yuan Sword Finger, leaving Han Pengshan and the Black-robed Man struggling to withstand its attacks.
• Ji Haoyuan’s sword qi pierced Han Pengshan’s glabella and killed him.
• The Black-robed Man took out a blood-colored Talisman to escape, but Ji Haoyuan’s surrounding sword qi exploded.

Ji Haoyuan defeated the Black-robed Man and searched the three Storage Pouches, discovering valuable Taiyin Spirit Copper, a fragmentary Divine Sense Secret Art, and an escape talisman. After months of cultivation, he broke through from the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

• The Black-robed Man failed to activate his Blood-colored Talisman, and Ji Haoyuan seized it, looted the three Storage Pouches, and burned the corpses.
• Ji Haoyuan found ten thousand Spirit Stones, several spirit artifacts, and large quantities of Taiyin Spirit Copper, prompting him to plan an investigation into its source and the other cultivators' origins.
• Ji Haoyuan discovered an incomplete Phantom God Stab secret art in Cultivator Wei's Storage Pouch and a Blood Burning Escape Talisman in Cultivator Zhu's Storage Pouch.
• Ji Haoyuan used the Lava Vermillion Fruit to complete his fire-attribute spiritual power, then spent another half year refining his fire and earth spiritual power.
• Ji Haoyuan broke through the Foundation Establishment Late Stage in less than a year.

After three years of seclusion, Ji Haoyuan emerged at Foundation Establishment Late Stage with powerful spell Dharma Seals, a new defensive spirit artifact, and mastery of the Phantom God Stab. He learned that demonic cultivators had appeared across Ji Family territory and among neighboring families, and asked whether anyone had been captured.

• Ji Bochang sealed the aura from Ji Haoyuan's breakthrough and told Ji Yunfan to keep it secret.
• During three years of seclusion, Ji Haoyuan reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage, advanced his weapon-refining skills to Second Order, and cultivated the Phantom God Stab.
• Ji Haoyuan emerged from seclusion, shared the general course of his earlier experiences with Ji Bochang and Ji Yunfan, and asked what had happened to the Ji Family.
• Ji Yunfan reported demonic cultivator traces near Luohe Market Town, West River Market Town, and the Cloud Iron Ore Vein, as well as signs among the Liu and Zhang Families.
• Ji Haoyuan suspected the demonic cultivators might be preparing for war against the Crimson Cloud Sect and asked Ji Yunfan whether anyone had been captured.