Chapter Summaries

Fang Xi faced You Kun’s assault on Dragon Fish Island and revealed that the island’s defenses included a second array unaffected by the Seal Spirit Stakes. The battle continued as Fang Xi destroyed one of You Kun’s fire dragons with his Green Grain Sword, while You Kun prepared to press the attack.

• You Kun used the Seal Spirit Stakes to seal Dragon Fish Island’s earth veins and weaken its island-protecting array.
• Fang Xi lured You Kun through a Forbidden Breaking Talisman into the Nine Nether Profound Wood Great Array, where You Kun discovered Old Demon Ling and the Yao Mo Tree.
• Fang Xi’s puppets formed the Heavenly Wolf Battle Array, which clashed with You Kun’s empowered fire dragons.
• You Kun sent three fire dragons after Fang Xi and the Yao Mo Tree, but Fang Xi’s sword qi drew one away and destroyed another.
• Fang Xi’s remaining sword qi struck You Kun’s True Sun Fire Cover, and You Kun poured his magical power into his last fire dragon.

Fang Xi defeated You Kun after the Supreme Elder of Yiling Valley sacrificed his lifespan to restore his power, then killed him with the Withered Glory Profound Light. After learning that Ancestor Yan was occupied and Yiling Valley posed little immediate threat, Fang Xi considered pursuing Core Formation and claimed the Black Wood Seal as his Life and Death Seal.

• You Kun self-destructed his three-headed fire dragon, destroying the Heavenly Wolf Battle Array and badly injuring Old Demon Ling while Fang Xi survived behind the Yao Mo Tree.
• You Kun used a secret technique that traded his lifespan to restore his magic power and unleash nine fire dragons through the Nine Dragon Pearl.
• Fang Xi activated the Black Wood Seal through the Yao Mo Tree and killed You Kun by draining his remaining lifespan with the Withered Glory Profound Light.
• Fang Xi searched You Kun's soul and learned that Ancestor Yan was attacking Qing Mu Sect and that travel between the Three Kingdoms Cultivation World and Yuan Country was difficult.
• Fang Xi renamed the Black Wood Seal the Life and Death Seal and took it into his dantian as his Natal Magic Treasure.
• Fang Xi brought You Kun's Nine Dragon Pearl and storage bag before him.

Fang Xi killed You Kun, took his treasures, and declared Dragon Fish Island and Yiling Valley enemies for life. Yiling Valley discovered its Supreme Elder’s death, while Zhan Tu escaped the besieged mine after its attackers abruptly retreated.

• Fang Xi sealed the Nine Dragon Pearl beneath the Yao Mo Tree, then took You Kun’s storage bag, the True Sun Fire Cover, and three Seal Spirit Stakes.
• Fang Xi told Yuan Feihong, Zhong Hongyu, and Taishu Hong that he had killed You Kun and that Dragon Fish Island was now at war with Yiling Valley.
• A You Household guard found You Kun’s life tablet shattered in Yiling Valley’s Patriarch Hall, and mournful bells rang throughout the valley.
• Yiling Valley cultivators pursued the wounded Zhan Tu through the besieged Spirit Stone Mine, while the Old Ghost urged him to flee or allow possession.
• After hearing a message from pursuing cultivators, the Yiling Valley forces abruptly withdrew, and Zhan Tu later emerged from the mine to find the battlefield deserted.

After killing Yiling Valley’s Supreme Elder, Fang Xi sealed Dragon Fish Island and prepared for Core Formation while the three kingdoms settled into an uneasy truce. The chapter ended with him beginning his final meditation beneath the Yao Mo Tree.

• Yiling Valley withdrew from the two kingdoms after its Supreme Elder died, then named Elder Yan its guest Supreme Elder and restored a tense peace.
• Fang Xi told the island masters that he would seal Dragon Fish Island and enter seclusion, and the island’s cultivators mostly stayed despite the offer to relocate.
• Fang Xi activated the Nine Nether Profound Wood Great Array, and messengers from the Profound Heaven Sect and Qing Mu Sect left after failing to reach him.
• Fang Xi studied You Kun’s jade slips and found his magical power had solidified to three-tenths, the apparent limit of the Yi Wood Dharma Body.
• A year later, Fang Xi went beneath the Yao Mo Tree, secured the area, and began preparing himself for Core Formation.

Dragon Fish Island held its long-awaited Treasure Contest, with Qi Refining cultivators competing for a Foundation Establishment Spirit Item. After the rules were announced, the first matches began, leaving the contest underway.

• Zhong Hongyu and Taishu Hong discussed the island’s spatial barrier and Fang Xi’s seclusion as they arrived at the contest venue.
• Yuan Feihong presented the refined Black Wind Sha Qi and confirmed that he had completed Fang Xi’s assignment.
• Long Feng prepared to compete despite damaging his meridians with a Blustering Wind Pill, while Long Qin and Hai Daniu discussed the leading contestants.
• Yuan Feihong announced the contest rules, including that fighters bore no grudges over life or death and could not use second-grade talismans or powerful one-use artifacts.
• Taishu Hong called Tu Sha and Zhong Hongding to the platform, where Tu Sha defeated Zhong Hongding and was declared the winner.

Hai Daniu won the Treasure-Seizing Assembly by defeating Xiahhou Lie and received the Black Wind Sha Qi Essence, a Foundation Establishment spirit item. Just as he was urged to enter seclusion, Dragon Fish Island shook and the Island Master began forming a Golden Core, revealing a spectacular Core Formation phenomenon.

• Taishu Hong and Zhong Hongyu discussed the contest and the rumors surrounding the Island Master's possessions as the Treasure-Seizing Assembly continued.
• Hai Daniu defeated Zhong Lingxiu and reached the final against Xiahhou Lie, while Long Feng and Long Qin watched.
• Hai Daniu endured Xiahhou Lie's attacks and knocked him unconscious, winning the assembly and the Black Wind Sha Qi Essence.
• Yuan Feihong urged Hai Daniu to rent a second-tier cave abode and establish his foundation before others could target him.
• Dragon Fish Island shook as the mist parted around the Yao Mo Tree and a vast Spiritual Energy vortex formed, signaling that the Island Master was breaking through to Core Formation.

Fang Xi broke through to Core Formation beneath the Yao Mo Tree, overcoming the trials of his body, Magical Power, and divine sense to form a flawless Withered Glory Golden Core. He remained in seclusion to stabilize his new realm and refine his magic treasures.

• Fang Xi activated a Spirit Gathering Formation and began forming his Golden Core by circulating the fourteenth layer of the Withered Glory Art.
• Fang Xi endured the violent surge of Spiritual Energy as his Yi Wood Dharma Body protected and strengthened his body.
• Fang Xi fused his green and withered-yellow Magical Power into a purple-gold Golden Core, then forced his divine sense through its resistance and transformed it.
• Fang Xi used High-grade Spirit Stones to stabilize his cultivation and smooth the cracks in his Golden Core until it became flawless.
• Fang Xi examined his new Pill Fire and used it to refine the Green Grain Sword, the Life and Death Seal, the True Sun Fire Cover, and the Seal Spirit Stakes.

After forming his Golden Core, Fang Xi tested the Myriad Heavens Treasure Mirror and learned he could now travel to the Fragment World, though he would need to retrieve its Bronze Fragment to unlock a third world. He left seclusion, revealed his breakthrough to Dragon Fish Island’s cultivators, and received their congratulations.

• Fang Xi assessed his new Golden Core abilities, lifespan, and the limits of cultivating above Dragon Fish Island’s Second-grade Spirit Vein.
• Fang Xi used his Core Formation magical power to contact the Myriad Heavens Treasure Mirror and unlocked travel to the Fragment World, where he expected to face the Witch Queen Danya.
• Fang Xi considered how to approach Danya and planned around the risks of crossing over, including breaking his cultivation cycle with the Yao Mo Tree.
• Fang Xi sensed Hai Daniu undergoing Foundation Establishment and found Yuan Feihong and other cultivators waiting outside the restricted area.
• Fang Xi left seclusion and confirmed to Yuan Feihong that he had achieved Great Completion of the Golden Core, prompting the cultivators to bow and congratulate him.

After forming his Golden Core, Fang Xi created a Core Formation-level puppet from You Kun and the Nine Dragon Pearl, then considered his growing combat strength and whether to hold a Golden Core Ceremony. Ancestor Zhang traveled to Myriad Islands Lake to congratulate him and hinted that the Nine Leaf Sect ruins might explain Fang Xi’s success.

• Fang Xi used You Kun, a Wood Puppet, to activate the Nine Dragon Pearl and turn him into a Core Formation-level puppet, then tested its abilities and limitations.
• Fang Xi gave You Kun the True Sun Fire Cover and concluded that his two Natal Magic Treasures and new puppet made him formidable even against mid-stage Core Formation Cultivators.
• Yan Ying told Fang Xi that Guest Official Hong had asked when he would hold a Golden Core Ceremony, and Fang Xi said he would consider it.
• Ancestor Zhang arrived near Myriad Islands Lake with Xuan Xuanzi to attend Fang Xi’s Golden Core celebration, despite his lingering injuries.
• Zhang Zhusheng dismissed the idea that the Mysterious Water Liquid alone had enabled Fang Xi’s Core Formation and reminded Xuan Xuanzi of the Nine Leaf Sect ruins in Myriad Islands Lake.

Fang Xi received Zhang Zhusheng and the Profound Heaven Sect delegation after forming his core, and learned that Hun Yuan Sect was unlikely to intervene in the three countries. Zhang Zhusheng offered him Bai Ze Immortal City as a congratulatory gift, leaving Fang Xi to recognize the political trap and the shortage of suitable cultivation sites.

• Zhang Zhusheng arrived at Dragon Fish Island with Xuan Xuanzi, Yan Changkong, and Zhan Tu to congratulate Fang Xi on forming his core.
• Fang Xi hosted the delegation at Evergreen Pavilion, where Zhang Zhusheng recounted how You Kun and Old Ghost Yan had betrayed him and Old Ancestor Qing during the battle at Bai Ze Immortal City.
• Fang Xi questioned Zhang Zhusheng about the risk of retaliation from Hun Yuan Sect, and Zhang Zhusheng said the sect was unlikely to send Core Formation cultivators to support the wounded Old Ghost Yan.
• Zhang Zhusheng offered Bai Ze Immortal City to Fang Xi as a gift, and Fang Xi realized that accepting it would place him at the front of conflicts with Wu Country and Old Ghost Yan.
• Fang Xi considered the lack of other available Third-grade Spirit Veins and recognized that his own actions had helped leave Moon Gazing Mountain with only a Second-grade Spirit Vein.

Fang Xi confronted the remnant soul possessing Zhan Tu and learned that it was an Old Ghost from the Nine Leaf Sect who knew the higher chapters of the Withered Glory Art. The Old Ghost offered Fang Xi the Nascent Soul-stage method in exchange for a promise to retrieve something from a ruin once Fang Xi reached Core Formation Late Stage.

• Fang Xi summoned Zhan Tu to Evergreen Pavilion and revealed that he knew someone was inside him.
• The Old Ghost took control of Zhan Tu and explained that he was a remnant soul of the Nine Leaf Sect, not a ghost cultivator, and did not intend to seize Zhan Tu's body.
• Fang Xi asked whether the Old Ghost possessed the Withered Glory Art's cultivation method beyond Core Formation.
• The Old Ghost described the Nine Leaf Sect's origins and claimed the Withered Glory Art came from the ancient Azure Emperor Mountain, whose lineage traced back to the Earth Immortal Realm.
• Fang Xi asked what the Old Ghost wanted in exchange for the method, and the Old Ghost requested that Fang Xi retrieve something from a ruin after reaching Core Formation Late Stage.
• The Old Ghost gave Fang Xi a jade slip containing the Withered Glory Art's Nascent Soul chapter and related secrets.

Fang Xi learned that advancing the Withered Glory Art required the Yi Wood Dharma Body and agreed to consider a future trip to a ruin with the old ghost. Half a month later, he celebrated his Golden Core formation, while leaving his Daoist title undecided.

• Fang Xi discovered that the Withered Glory Art required the Longevity Technique and Yi Wood Dharma Body for Nascent Soul advancement, then heard the old ghost explain that Nine Heavens Pure Radiance Water in a ruin could promote Spiritual Root growth.
• The old ghost proposed meeting Fang Xi at Evergreen Pavilion a century later to explore the ruin, and Fang Xi let Zhan Tu leave after their discussion.
• Fang Xi reflected that he had already refined the Yi Wood Dharma Body and considered investigating Emerald Island and the Nine Leaf Sect's origins.
• Half a month later, Fang Xi held a Golden Core celebration on Dragon Fish Island, and Zhang Zhusheng congratulated him on behalf of the Profound Heaven Sect with five High-grade Spirit Stones.
• Zhang Zhusheng suggested Daoist titles for Fang Xi, but Fang Xi declined to choose one and silently blamed Big Azure for not advancing into a third-rank Dragon Seed.

Fang Xi celebrated his Core Formation with powerful guests, including Lu Qing of the Qing Mu Sect, whose gift hinted at a grave secret. The gathering ended with a message from Ruan Xingling: a jar of Green Bamboo Wine and an improved recipe, while she remained away seeking her own chance at Core Formation.

• Sect and family representatives brought lavish gifts to Fang Xi's celebration, while Zhang Zhusheng guessed that Fang Xi was also Wood Daoist and toasted their past cooperation.
• Hai Daniu congratulated Fang Xi and thanked him for helping him establish his foundation, and Fang Xi sent him to take his seat.
• Lu Qing arrived from the Qing Mu Sect, and Fang Xi sensed that the Core Formation cultivator had only a few years left to live.
• Lu Qing gave Fang Xi a jade slip as his congratulatory gift, and Fang Xi found it extraordinarily valuable while Zhang Zhusheng worried about the Qing Mu Sect's intentions.
• Ruan Xiuxiu delivered Ruan Xingling's gift and explained that the Island Master had left years earlier to seek an opportunity to reach Core Formation.
• Fang Xi discovered that Ruan Xingling's gift contained Green Bamboo Wine and an improved wine recipe, then drank the wine and called it bitter.

Fang Xi mourned Ruan Xingling’s uncertain fate, rejected Lu’s offer to join Qing Mu Sect, and later refused Zhang Zhusheng’s proposal from Profound Heaven Sect. He chose to travel freely in search of greater cultivation opportunities, while Lu and Zhang discussed his departure and Lu’s hidden hopes for the Nine Dragon Pearl.

• Fang Xi drank alone beneath the moon and reflected on Ruan Xingling’s journey to seek Core Formation, hoping she had found a chance to succeed.
• Fang Xi revived the withered peach trees with Yi Wood Divine Light and spoke with Lu, who offered him a place as Qing Mu Sect’s future Supreme Elder in exchange for oaths protecting the sect’s Dao Lineage.
• Fang Xi declined Lu’s offer, explaining that he wanted to travel to Yuan Country and seek a path to a higher realm; Lu gave him a map instead.
• Fang Xi rejected Zhang Zhusheng’s proposal from Profound Heaven Sect the next day, choosing to cultivate independently even if his progress slowed.
• After Fang Xi left, Lu and Zhang discussed his refusal, his freedom to travel, and the possibility that they might have tried to keep him if Old Ghost Yan had joined them.
• Lu privately hoped that Fang Xi’s Nine Dragon Pearl would eventually pass into Qing Mu Sect after Fang Xi’s death.

Fang Xi abandoned his hopes of cultivating the Eternal Evergreen Body, severed his connection to the Yao Mo Tree, and refined the tree into his Life and Death Seal. He pretended to leave Dragon Fish Island for a long journey, handed its affairs to Zhong Hongyu, then secretly turned back toward Myriad Islands Lake.

• Fang Xi concluded that the Eternal Evergreen Body was beyond his reach and cut the Longevity Technique connection between himself and the Yao Mo Tree.
• Fang Xi absorbed the Yao Mo Tree into the Life and Death Seal and spent several months refining the strengthened magical treasure.
• Fang Xi told Zhong Hongyu, Yuan Feihong, Taishu Hong, and the island's stewards that he was leaving for the central Southern Barrens, then entrusted island affairs and the Mysterious Wood Great Array to Zhong Hongyu.
• Fang Xi departed Dragon Fish Island on the Green Horn Fish Dragon while the cultivators saw him off.
• After leaving Myriad Islands Lake, Fang Xi put away the Green Horn Fish Dragon, concealed his escaping light, and secretly headed back toward the lake.

Fang Xi explored Emerald Island by sending You Kun ahead, where the puppet encountered two Core Formation ghost cultivators. After luring them away from the island, Fang Xi revealed himself and struck them with Yi Wood Divine Thunder.

• Fang Xi visited Peach Blossom Island and Maple Leaf Island before heading north to Emerald Island, reflecting on Ruan Xingling's pursuit of Core Formation.
• Fang Xi used his Core Formation domain to clear ghost cultivators from his path and sent You Kun into Emerald Island to investigate.
• You Kun fought through the island's ghostly mist with the Nine Dragon Pearl and Three Sun Fire Cover, and Fang Xi discovered a rare third-grade spirit wood.
• Two Core Formation ghost cultivators ambushed You Kun, but Fang Xi exploded several fire dragons to break their attacks and retreat from the island.
• The ghost cultivators pursued You Kun beyond Emerald Island, and Fang Xi appeared behind them and unleashed Yi Wood Divine Thunder.

Fang Xi fought two ghost cultivators after they emerged from the Netherworld Earth Vein, defeating the Core Formation Mid Stage ghost cultivator and then killing the one attacking You Kun. He found a Soul Crystal on the first ghost cultivator but gained little from the second, and the chapter ended with him heading deeper into the ghost mist.

• Fang Xi confronted the Core Formation Mid Stage ghost cultivator while the hook-nosed ghost cultivator attacked You Kun.
• Fang Xi used his Yi Wood Divine Swords and Green Grain Sword to break the ghost cultivator’s defenses and destroy its Three Yin White Bone Banner’s attack.
• Fang Xi struck the Core Formation Mid Stage ghost cultivator with Primordial Demon Stab, then crushed him with the Life and Death Seal and sealed his magic treasures.
• Fang Xi’s Green Horn Fish Dragon retrieved a Soul Crystal from the defeated ghost cultivator.
• Fang Xi charged into the ghost mist and killed the ghost cultivator fighting You Kun, but found no Soul Crystal or magic treasures on him.

Fang Xi fled Emerald Island after a powerful ghost cultivator struck back at his Purple Qi Heavenly Eye, then traveled to the Great Liang World to check on the Martial God Sect and the Yao Mo Tree. In Tianliang City, he learned that the sect had endured a succession struggle after his disappearance and that Zhang Mingding had become its Second Generation Martial God Sect Master.

• Fang Xi used the Purple Qi Heavenly Eye to peer into Emerald Island, but a powerful ghost cultivator injured his eye, so he left without entering the Netherworld Earth Vein.
• Fang Xi hid in a cave abode, ordered Da Qing to guard him, and traveled through the Myriad Heavens Treasure Mirror to the Great Liang World, where he left Tai Sui at his foothold.
• Fang Xi wondered whether the Martial God Sect still existed and considered seeking the Ancestor Yao Mo Tree, which might have reached the World-Destroying level.
• In Tianliang City, Fang Xi listened as teahouse patrons discussed Long Yujiao, the Martial God Sect, and the declining Martial God Great Pill.
• A Horse-faced Elder recounted the sect’s succession struggle and said that Zhang Mingding had become the Second Generation Martial God Sect Master, prompting Fang Xi to recognize him and suspect Liu Ruyan had lost to him.

Fang Xi learned how the Martial God Sect’s split arose from its dispute over human-pill refining, then revealed his overwhelming strength by killing the Anti-God Association’s Monk Jie Sha. He left for Wujing to meet Zhang Mingding, while Murong Ting was left with a Beast Blood Pill and questions about Fang Xi’s identity.

• The Horse-faced Elder, who revealed himself as Ma Luoshen, explained that the Anti-God Association used human beings to refine Martial God Pills and that the sect forbade the practice.
• Ma Luoshen and several Martial Saints confronted the Thin Bamboo Pole, whom they identified as an Anti-God Association member, and Murong Ting carried Fang Xi away from the battle.
• Monk Jie Sha appeared in a Martial God True Body, announced that he had killed the City Lord, and threatened to slaughter the city and the Martial God Sect’s future talents.
• Fang Xi stepped forward and killed Monk Jie Sha with a Green Rainbow Sword Qi, leading Ma Luoshen to suspect he was the former sect master.
• Fang Xi gave Murong Ting a Beast Blood Pill and departed for Wujing to meet Zhang Mingding, while Murong Ting wondered who he really was.

Fang Xi tested Zhang Mingding, the Martial God Sect’s new master, and confirmed that he had advanced beyond the Martial God realm through blood qi forming a core. After defeating him and accepting his service, Fang Xi discovered that Zhang Mingding’s Blood Dan was a dead core that had cut off his prospects for further advancement.

• Fang Xi sensed Zhang Mingding’s Blood Dan and watched him pursue the mysterious figure beyond Wujing.
• Fang Xi attacked Zhang Mingding with a giant Yi Wood Divine Light body, and Zhang Mingding shattered its fist with his strength.
• Fang Xi overwhelmed Zhang Mingding with a Thousand-Handed Buddha’s weapon storm, flattening a small mountain before Zhang Mingding survived and emerged from the rubble.
• Zhang Mingding recognized Fang Xi, knelt, and offered to return control of the Martial God Sect, but Fang Xi confirmed him as sect master and asked about his path and the Yao Mo Tree.
• Fang Xi examined Zhang Mingding’s Blood Dan and explained that it was a dead core lacking living qi, leaving him with no prospects for further advancement.