Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning harvested treasures from two islands in Yang Lake Grotto-heaven until its will warned him to stop, then returned to the Royal Capital with his Yin Yang Dao Fetus formed. He entered the city undetected, wary that Ji Xuan might retaliate for the Grey-robed Old Man’s death.

• Jiang Ning gathered Spiritual Plants and ores from the first island, then stripped a second, smaller island of its abundant herbs and Blazing Sun Stones.
• Jiang Ning headed toward a larger island but obeyed the Grotto-heaven Will’s warning not to disturb the grotto-heaven further.
• Jiang Ning opened the spatial rift and left Yang Lake Grotto-heaven, resolving to return to the Royal Capital and prepare for the Dao Fetus to mature.
• Jiang Ning hurried toward the Royal Capital while considering the threat Ji Xuan posed and the need to discuss countermeasures with Su Qingying.
• Jiang Ning reached the Royal Capital and passed through its protective formation without being detected.

Jiang Ning returned to the Imperial Advisor’s Residence after completing the Nine Profound Transformation and learned that Ji Xuan had clashed with the Yellow Sky Daoist and likely suffered a serious defeat. He told Su Qingying he was close to reaching the Nascent Soul realm, then took her Life-Bound Sword outside to test it.

• Jiang Ning arrived at the Imperial Advisor’s Residence, where Qing He told him that Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming had come to pay their respects and that Su Qingying wanted to see him.
• Su Qingying told Jiang Ning that Ji Xuan had gone south to fight the Yellow Sky Daoist, returned to the Royal Capital three days earlier, and had since withdrawn from public affairs.
• Jiang Ning learned that Ji Xuan had likely suffered a serious loss and considered the danger the Yellow Sky Sect could pose to Zeshan Province.
• Jiang Ning told Su Qingying that he had succeeded in his cultivation and would soon enter the Nascent Soul realm.
• Su Qingying brought out her Life-Bound Sword, and Jiang Ning took it outside to practice while she watched from the bamboo steps.

Jiang Ning tested Su Qingying’s Life-Bound Sword, checked on the residents of the Imperial Advisor’s Residence, and learned of unrest in the Royal Capital as he prepared for threats from Ji Xuan and the Yellow Sky Sect. He refined the treasures from Yang Lake Grotto-heaven until his Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill reached its limit, then spent fifty Origin Points to trigger another breakthrough.

• Jiang Ning wielded Su Qingying’s sword, Qingying, and demonstrated a strike that showed his growing mastery of the sword Dao; Su Qingying urged him to recuperate while his Nascent Soul neared formation.
• Jiang Ning visited the residents of the Imperial Advisor’s Residence and found Ji Mingyue dispirited because Emperor Changning remained unconscious and Eighth Prince Ji Minghao had not visited her.
• Jiang Ning considered the coming Yellow Sky Sect campaign and Ji Xuan’s absence, then ordered Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming to watch the Royal Capital’s factions and gather information about the Yellow Sky Sect.
• Jiang Ning refined the treasures from Yang Lake Grotto-heaven for a day, raising his Origin Points to 131.7 and his Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill to 60000/60000.
• Jiang Ning used fifty Origin Points on the skill’s plus sign to begin another breakthrough.

Jiang Ning spent fifty Origin Points to awaken the Great Sun Divine Body, gaining immense physical power and a connection to the sun. After restoring his damaged courtyard, he continued preparing for his Nascent Soul breakthrough and wondered whether sunlight could increase his Origin Points.

• Jiang Ning’s body transformed as Great Sun Essence Qi awakened the Great Sun Divine Body, covering him in natural Dao Marks and melting the courtyard around him.
• Jiang Ning tested the constitution’s power and discovered enhanced strength, defense, and the ability to draw nourishment from the sun.
• Su Qingying reported that the Court Assembly had not been held, Ji Xuan had sent no news, and Xisha County remained calm; Jiang Ning decided to continue secluding himself.
• Jiang Ning restored the courtyard’s scorched ground and dead plants, then noticed his Divine Power accumulation had improved.
• Jiang Ning gained 0.1 Origin Points while absorbing sunlight and decided to focus on advancing the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill while awaiting his Nascent Soul breakthrough.

Jiang Ning increased his cultivation by absorbing Great Sun Essence Qi, then took Xiao Doubao, Zhong Ling, and Ji Mingyue on a peaceful outing through the Royal Capital. He spotted a mysterious purple-skirted maiden on a painted boat and, near the Imperial Advisor's Residence on the way home, stopped to deal with something alone.

• Jiang Ning’s Great Sun Divine Body greatly increased the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill’s experience as he absorbed the morning sun’s essence.
• Jiang Ning took Xiao Doubao, Zhong Ling, and Ji Mingyue out to explore the Royal Capital, where the women gradually became more cheerful.
• At Rain-Listening Bridge, Jiang Ning saw a purple-skirted maiden on a painted boat who recognized him, though Zhong Ling and Ji Mingyue could not see her.
• Jiang Ning heard tea drinkers discuss the Shoulder-to-Shoulder King’s Manor and King Beicang’s increased visits to the palace, then continued the outing without engaging in the rumors.
• On the way back, Jiang Ning stopped less than a li from the Imperial Advisor’s Residence and sent Ji Mingyue, Zhong Ling, and Xiao Doubao ahead without him.

Jiang Ning defeated the Heaven Cry Sect Saintess Xi Yan when she tried to ensnare him, then returned safely to the Imperial Advisor's Residence. That night, he trained his Indestructible Vajra Body and found that his experience gains had increased, possibly because of his Great Sun Divine Body.

• Xi Yan, the Heaven Cry Sect Saintess, met Jiang Ning in an illusion and offered to end the curse threat in exchange for spending a night with him.
• Jiang Ning resisted Xi Yan's charm, seized her, and broke her body; he learned that her mother, the Heaven Cry Sect Leader, had controlled her body and that Xi Yan had two souls sharing one body.
• Jiang Ning killed Xi Yan, burned her remains, and resolved to seek Heaven Cry Mountain.
• Jiang Ning returned to the Imperial Advisor's Residence, reassured Liu Wanwan, Ji Mingyue, Zhong Ling, and Xiao Doubao, and joined them for dinner.
• That night, Jiang Ning cultivated the Indestructible Vajra Body and noticed that his experience gains had risen above twenty points, which he suspected was connected to his Great Sun Divine Body.

Jiang Ning was summoned to the Shangyang Inner Scenery alongside six other Direct Disciples by the Ten Great Sequence True Disciples. After the group introduced themselves and discussed the sect’s hierarchy, they prepared to climb a cloud ladder and learn why they had been called.

• Jiang Ning trained the Indestructible Vajra Body, watched its experience points rise, and noted that his progress was increasingly limited by his shortage of Origin Points.
• Jiang Ning’s Shangyang Direct Disciple Token activated and pulled him from the Imperial Advisor’s Residence into the Shangyang Inner Scenery, where he met Shen Yue Ru, Bai Li, Lu Xun, Ning Ke, Lin Yuexi, and Shi Jun.
• Jiang Ning and the others exchanged names, affiliations, and cultivation realms, while Shen Yue Ru and Lu Xun recognized each other’s reputations.
• A voice summoned the seven Direct Disciples to ascend a cloud ladder, and Lu Xun explained that the Ten Great Sequence True Disciples held authority above the sect’s Elders.
• Bai Li proposed that the group climb the ladder and ask the summoning Sequence True Disciple why they had been called.

The seven Shangyang Immortal Sect Direct Disciples climbed the Cloud Ladder and met Haoyang Direct Disciple, a Nascent Soul Immortal with a Superior Immortal Foundation. He summoned them to establish mutual aid across the ten domains and gave each a Patrol Envoy token capable of cross-domain communication and, once charged, opening a passage.

• Lu Xun, Lin Yuexi, Bai Li, Shen Yue Ru, Ning Ke, Jiang Ning, and Shi Jun climbed the Cloud Ladder and entered Shangyang Hall.
• Ning Ke, Lin Yuexi, and Lu Xun questioned Haoyang Direct Disciple, who revealed that he was a Nascent Soul Immortal and had achieved a Superior Immortal Foundation.
• Haoyang Direct Disciple explained that he wanted the Shangyang Immortal Sect’s Direct Disciples to share information and resources and help one another across their separate domains.
• Haoyang Direct Disciple gave the seven Patrol Heaven tokens and explained that they could send messages across domains and open a passage after charging for about ten years.
• Jiang Ning and the others accepted their tokens, left their marks on them, and gained command of their functions.

Haoyang Direct Disciple told Jiang Ning and the others that the Ten Domains would gradually merge, then founded a cross-realm Heavenly Court alliance with them. After returning to the Imperial Advisor's Residence, Jiang Ning considered the coming Golden Age and resumed cultivation.

• Haoyang Direct Disciple explained that Heaven and Earth were recovering and that the Ten Domains would eventually connect and merge.
• He proposed founding a Heavenly Court alliance, with himself as Solar Emperor and the Patrol Angel Tokens enabling communication and mutual aid.
• Lin Yuexi, Lu Xun, Ning Ke, Shi Jun, Bai Li, Shen Yue Ru, and Jiang Ning accepted the alliance and chose their titles.
• Haoyang Direct Disciple warned that Realm Rifts and active ancient ruins were already appearing, and the group exchanged information about their respective realms.
• Haoyang Direct Disciple sent Jiang Ning back to the Imperial Advisor's Residence, where Jiang Ning resolved to grow stronger and began cultivating again.

Jiang Ning moved into the Dongling Marquis Mansion and revived an ancient pine, but learned that the resources sent from Guangning Prefecture had been robbed. The loss threatened his plans to advance his cultivation, and the chapter ended with him facing the news.

• Jiang Ning considered how to obtain Origin Points and decided to rely on cultivation and future opportunities rather than trade with Shangyang’s Direct Disciples.
• Jiang Ning thanked Su Qingying and moved from the Imperial Advisor's Residence into the Dongling Marquis Mansion with his companions.
• Jiang Ning explored the mansion, chose the East Courtyard as his main residence, and remembered Wang Qingtan while inspecting the grounds.
• Jiang Ning restored vitality to the ancient pine in the East Courtyard, extending its life by several hundred years.
• Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming arrived and told Jiang Ning that bandits had robbed the resources being escorted from Guangning Prefecture to the Royal Capital.

Jiang Ning investigated the ambush at Nine-Layer Mountain, healed Xie Xiaojiu and Feng Jiuge, and decided to confront the mysterious Master of Nine-Layer Mountain. He set out at dawn with Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming to reclaim his resources.

• Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming reported that a powerful masked bandit had robbed Jiang Ning's supply convoy and wounded them, while sparing their lives.
• Jiang Ning concluded the attack was a deliberate attempt to lure him to Nine-Layer Mountain and ordered Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming to accompany him there the next day.
• Jiang Ning traveled to Guangning City, healed Xie Xiaojiu and Feng Jiuge, and learned that the masked bandits had openly targeted his goods.
• Shen Wenyuan and Ye Zhengqi warned Jiang Ning that Nine-Layer Mountain was a trap, but he insisted on going and asked them to guard Guangning Prefecture and Zeshan Province against the Yellow Sky Sect.
• At dawn, Jiang Ning left the Royal Capital with Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming, moving so swiftly that Jing Wuming struggled to keep up.

Jiang Ning confronted the Master of Nine-Layer Mountain over the stolen convoy supplies and fought him to a draw before learning he was the Dragon Head of the Eighteen Dragon Heads. The Dragon Head explained that he had intercepted the convoy on behalf of an unknown Blessed Grotto-heavens to test Jiang Ning’s Curse Kill, but Jiang Ning rejected his apology and demanded more than a Five-Hundred-Year Profound Heart Fruit.

• Jiang Ning used a single stomp and shout to summon the bandits at Tiger Leap Cliff.
• The Dragon Head of the Eighteen Dragon Heads met Jiang Ning’s challenge, and they fought a fierce physical battle that ended in a draw.
• The Dragon Head revealed his identity, and Jiang Ning recognized Long Xingyun, Long Xiaofeng, and Wang Wenzong among his companions.
• The Dragon Head admitted that an unknown Blessed Grotto-heavens had commissioned him to test whether Jiang Ning’s Curse Kill remained, and said the convoy’s supplies were still on the mountain.
• The Dragon Head offered Jiang Ning a Five-Hundred-Year Profound Heart Fruit as an apology, but Jiang Ning said it was not enough.

Jiang Ning reconciled with Dragon Head after recovering the stolen supplies, then explained that he had chosen peace because he could not be sure of defeating Dragon Head or preventing his escape. As Jiang Ning hurried back toward the Royal Capital, Dragon Head recognized his extraordinary physique and rapid growth, and warned his brothers against making him an enemy.

• Dragon Head apologized to Jiang Ning with the Mystic Heart Fruit and three drops of Three-Thousand-Year Spirit Marrow, and returned four chests of supplies.
• Jiang Ning accepted the gifts and supplies, ended the dispute, and left Nine-Layer Mountain with Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming.
• Jiang Ning told Chen Canghai that Dragon Head had held back and that reconciliation was wiser than risking a battle without certainty of victory.
• Jiang Ning reflected that other Immortal Sect Grotto-heavens might be testing him and hurried toward the Royal Capital, feeling his strength was not yet enough.
• Dragon Head told his brothers that Jiang Ning's physique might surpass his own and that his resistance to the Curse Killing Art, rapid growth, allies, and hidden strength made him too dangerous to antagonize.
• Dragon Head ordered his brothers to tell the Blessed Grotto-heaven that had commissioned them the truth.

Jiang Ning refined a Five-Hundred-Year Profound Heart Fruit and all three drops of Three-Thousand-Year Spirit Marrow, strengthening his body, Spirit Soul, and Divine Power. He then examined the recovered resources and began eating the rare ores to further build his foundation.

• Jiang Ning hung the Ten Domains Patrol Envoy token in the sun and reflected on the strength of the Dragon Head he had fought.
• Jiang Ning consumed the Profound Heart Fruit and refined three drops of Three-Thousand-Year Spirit Marrow, increasing his Divine Power and Indestructible Vajra Body experience.
• Jiang Ning checked his Panel and found 147.3 Origin Points and 5237 Divine Power, then estimated that he could reach Great Completion of the Unity Realm within a month.
• Jiang Ning opened the four recovered chests and found valuables, pills, medicinal herbs, and rare ores.
• Jiang Ning began chewing and swallowing the ores, refining their energy to increase his Origin Points and strengthen his Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

Jiang Ning spent Origin Points to advance the Indestructible Vajra Body, gaining the Mount Buzhou Spine trait as he awaited his Nascent Soul’s emergence. When the Demon Country Delegation arrived in the Royal Capital, he sensed a powerful Demon King among its escorts, while the silver-haired princess recognized Jiang Ning as an exceptional expert.

• Jiang Ning used 100 Origin Points to advance the Indestructible Vajra Body and gained the pale-gold Mount Buzhou Spine trait, strengthening his physique.
• Jiang Ning practiced the Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword while waiting for his Dao Fetus to mature and learned that the Demon Country Delegation had arrived in the Royal Capital.
• Jiang Ning watched the delegation pass along Vermilion Bird Avenue and noticed that the veiled silver-haired princess seemed familiar.
• Jiang Ning sensed great strength in the black-robed escort, who looked back at him before the procession continued toward the Court of State Ceremonial.
• The black-robed escort told the princess that Jiang Ning was the first true expert they had encountered in the city, and she wondered how such a powerful expert had appeared.

Jiang Ning learned that a Demon King had entered the capital with the Demon Race Delegation, and the palace summoned him to a Court Assembly the next morning. Expecting danger and needing to break through a bottleneck, he secretly visited Ji Minghao, who agreed to open his Inner Treasury and help him obtain treasures.

• Linglong told Jiang Ning that a Demon King had appeared in the city, and Jiang Ning suspected it was the black-robed man accompanying the Demon Race Delegation.
• An Imperial Guard informed Jiang Ning that Ji Xuan had ordered a Court Assembly for the next morning and that all officials, including Jiang Ning, had to attend.
• Jiang Ning asked Luyi to prepare court robes and arrange for Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming to protect his family, then left the mansion secretly to visit Ji Minghao.
• Ji Minghao warned Jiang Ning that Qi Consort's matter had spread through the Imperial Clan, but Jiang Ning said he had come seeking Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to strengthen himself.
• Ji Minghao led Jiang Ning to the Inner Treasury, where Jiang Ning remained invisible and undetectable as they passed the estate's guards.

Jiang Ning accepted six treasures from Ji Minghao and returned to his estate, where he consumed them to build up Origin Points before the coming Court Assembly. Ji Minghao suspected Jiang Ning had ties to an immortal grotto-heaven and worried about what that could mean for Ji Mingyue; Jiang Ning ended with 102.1 Origin Points, enough for his planned breakthrough.

• Ji Minghao offered Jiang Ning six Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, along with Divine Weapons, but Jiang Ning took only the treasures and left the weapons and his late mother's mirror.
• Ji Minghao escorted Jiang Ning out and privately wondered whether Jiang Ning had joined an immortal grotto-heaven, while worrying that Ji Mingyue could be hurt by the arrangement.
• Jiang Ning returned to his estate, asked Linglong to conceal the courtyard's aura, and checked that his Nascent Soul was close to its final breakthrough.
• Jiang Ning consumed the Five-Orifice Fire Lotus, Cold Marrow Jade Liquid, and Star Fruit, raising his Origin Points to 97.
• Jiang Ning consumed the Mirage Essence Tear Bead, Soul-Nourishing Wood Heart, and Golden Dragon Vine, bringing his Origin Points to 102.1.

Jiang Ning broke through the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill and formed a Deep Gold Dragon Tiger Golden Elixir, which transformed his body and granted him a temporary surge of power. He recovered much of his True Essence and looked ahead to the next day's Court Assembly with new confidence.

• Jiang Ning spent Origin Points to break through the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill, forming the Dragon Tiger Golden Elixir amid a spectacular display of golden and purple energy.
• The breakthrough strengthened Jiang Ning's body, True Essence, and Dao Fetus, while its light rain also advanced Linglong's and Old Turtle's cultivation.
• Jiang Ning activated Dragon Tiger Convergence and felt his Essence, Qi, and Spirit briefly sublimate, giving him enough power to defeat Dragon Head with a single punch.
• Jiang Ning found that Dragon Tiger Convergence lasted about as long as a cup of tea and could not be used again immediately, while his Dragon Tiger Golden Elixir rapidly replenished his True Essence.
• Jiang Ning considered the Demon King's arrival, Ji Xuan's emergence from seclusion, and the court's unrest before the next day's Court Assembly, confident that his new strength would help him face them.

Jiang Ning practiced the Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword and met Bai Li, the Demon Country Princess, who revealed that she was the sister of the Bai Li he had encountered in the Shangyang Inner Scenery Ground. She explained why ancient Demon Kings and immortals had vanished from the world, then left after arranging to see him again in Taiji Hall the next day.

• Jiang Ning trained beneath the moon and saw his Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword experience points rise by nearly a thousand.
• Bai Li visited Jiang Ning alone and confirmed that her elder brother had told her about him.
• Jiang Ning and Bai Li discussed his cautious rise to power, and Bai Li described him as a Dao-born prodigy surrounded by purple qi.
• Bai Li explained that powerful immortals were confined to grotto-heavens, while sleeping Demon Kings could still wield formidable strength in the present world.
• Bai Li removed her veil for Jiang Ning, then left and told him they would meet the next day in Taiji Hall.

After meeting Bai Li, Jiang Ning practiced through the night and traveled to the Court Assembly, where he faced Ji Xuan and the Demon Country delegation. The Demon King revealed himself and challenged Ji Xuan’s courtesy, leaving Jiang Ning to witness the power of Ji Xuan’s Imperial Ultimate Heaven Domain.

• Jiang Ning reflected on Bai Li’s visit and the dangers posed by the powerful forces beyond Great Xia, then continued practicing his Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword through the night.
• Jiang Ning rode to the Imperial Palace for the Court Assembly, aware that he would soon face Ji Xuan, and arrived at Taiji Hall as dawn broke.
• Ji Xuan welcomed the Demon Country delegation led by Bai Li, who presented a Nine-Leaf Profound Ice Ganoderma as a gift.
• The Dark-Robed Sinister Man released overwhelming Demon Qi and demanded a seat, prompting Xiang Yuan to identify him as the Demon King.
• Ji Xuan quelled the pressure with his Imperial Ultimate Heaven Domain, and the Demon King recognized his ability before withdrawing his aura.
• Bai Li recognized Jiang Ning in the hall and briefly met his gaze.