Chapter Summaries

Fang Xiao, a transmigrator seeking immortality, was recruited by Tianlan Sect after testing with an exceptional Earth-Metal Dual Spirit Root and a special physique. He traveled with the other new disciples toward the sect, where his group’s aptitude and temperament were recorded for their arrival.

• Fang Xiao learned that cultivators had arrived in Golden Jade City to recruit children, and his father told him to attend the aptitude test.
• Fang Xiao tested with an Earth-Metal Dual Spirit Root nearly comparable to a Heavenly Spiritual Root and a special physique, so the Immortal Masters selected him.
• Fang Xiao said farewell to Fang Yuan and departed with Senior Brother Huo, Senior Brother Wang, and Senior Sister Tian aboard a Spirit Boat.
• Fang Xiao read about the Taichang Realm, Tianlan Sect, and cultivation, and learned that the new recruits would begin in Mingxuan Outer Court.
• Senior Brother Cui brought the fifteen recruits aboard a colossal flying boat, where Martial Uncle Lin reviewed their records and ordered the return to the sect.

Fang Xiao arrived at Tianlan Sect and received guidance choosing cultivation methods suited to his sword-path aptitude. After learning how to begin cultivating, he returned to his residence and prepared to sense spiritual qi.

• Fang Xiao and the new disciples arrived at Tianlan Sect, where Senior Brother Zhao assigned them lodgings and explained the sect’s facilities and resources.
• Fang Xiao asked how to choose a cultivation method, then entered the Scripture Repository with the other new disciples.
• Fan Tingshu examined Fang Xiao’s aptitude, recommended the Soaring Sword Art and an incomplete Taibai Sword Art, and gave him both manuals.
• Fang Xiao selected the Heavenly Eye Technique, the Breath Concealment Technique, and the Object Manipulation Technique, then visited the Dharma Transmission Hall for guidance on meridians and acupoints.
• Fang Xiao returned to his residence, read the sect rules and Sect Handbook, and began studying how to sense spiritual qi.

Fang Xiao began cultivating the Soaring Sword Art and Taibai Sword Art, claimed a Spirit Field and servants, and rejected Zheng Daoxing’s invitation to pool resources. After reaching the Qi Condensation First Layer on the fourth day, he considered how to earn resources and planned to visit the Merit Hall.

• Fang Xiao entered meditation, drew in spiritual energy, and began cultivating both sword arts despite the slow progress they would bring.
• He claimed a Spirit Field, received Green Jade Corn seeds, and chose a married couple surnamed Li to tend the field and handle his daily needs.
• Zheng Daoxing invited Fang Xiao to join a group pooling resources to support one member’s cultivation, but Fang Xiao refused and kicked down one of Zheng Daoxing’s lackeys.
• Fang Xiao practiced cultivation and sword techniques until his spiritual power formed a strand, advancing him to the Qi Condensation First Layer on the fourth day.
• Fang Xiao decided to cultivate for a year before taking missions and planned to claim Qi Refining disciple benefits at the Merit Hall.

Fang Xiao collected his sect supplies, advanced rapidly in cultivation, and refined a Sword Nurturing Gourd before setting out for Mingyuan Market to prepare for his mandatory mission. As Zheng Daoxing and his companions pursued him, Fang Xiao stopped and waited for them to catch up.

• Fang Xiao collected his introductory supplies from Wen Zimo at the Merit Hall and returned to cultivate.
• After a year, Fang Xiao had reached the middle of the fifth level of Qi Refining and the second level of the Sword Dao Realm, and he prepared for his mandatory mission.
• Fang Xiao practiced carving inscriptions on bone gourds, then removed a rib and refined it into a Sword Nurturing Gourd, awakening a clear Sword Heart.
• After recovering from his injury, Fang Xiao set out for Mingyuan Market to buy supplies, while a follower notified Zheng Daoxing that he had left the Outer Court.
• Zheng Daoxing and his companions caught up to Fang Xiao, who noticed them and stopped to face them.

Fang Xiao killed three bandit cultivators, traded their spoils for a Silver Edge Sword, and bought Golden Corn seeds before confronting two more followers. He defeated them but suffered a serious shoulder injury and retreated to a cave to recover.

• Fang Xiao killed Lackey, Zheng Daoxing, and their companion, then burned their bodies and collected their possessions.
• Fang Xiao sold unwanted loot at Myriad Treasures Pavilion and bought the Silver Edge Sword, then purchased Golden Corn seeds and a spell manual at the Market.
• Fang Xiao lured a Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivator into a valley and killed him with the Silver Edge Sword as a Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivator arrived.
• Fang Xiao resisted the Seventh Layer cultivator's mind attack, damaged his bronze bell, and killed him, but the cultivator's hammer shattered Fang Xiao's shoulder bones.
• Fang Xiao used a Rejuvenation Talisman to stop the bleeding, fled to a cave, set Alarm Talismans, killed a Blind Bear, and began treating his injuries.

While recovering in his cave, Fang Xiao examined the bandits’ spoils, discovered recipes for Spirit Wine, and found that several wines could heal injuries, strengthen his foundation, and boost cultivation. After rising to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, he decided the cave was unsafe and set out for the sect’s Outer Court.

• Fang Xiao reflected on his overconfidence and resolved to improve his combat abilities and remain more cautious.
• Fang Xiao sorted the bandits’ belongings, finding Mid-grade Spirit Stones, four High-grade magic tools, Spirit Wine Recipes, and the Five Elements Sect’s Earth Subduing Technique.
• Fang Xiao drank Golden Wind Wine and found that it helped heal his injuries.
• Fang Xiao tried Azure Origin Wine and Spirit Milk Wine, then broke through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.
• Fang Xiao drank Essence Blood Wine and discovered that it temporarily increased his cultivation speed and strengthened his body.
• Fang Xiao judged the cave unsafe, activated the Jade Boat, and flew toward the Outer Court.

Fang Xiao brewed Spirit Wine, accepted an investigation mission, and traveled to the Song Family to investigate a series of disappearances. He discovered traces of Yin Energy and confronted a Yin Soul, which fled as he pursued it to find out whether someone was controlling it.

• Fang Xiao arranged for Li Jun and his wife to switch from Green Jade Corn to Golden Corn, then used the harvested grain to brew Spirit Wine.
• After his injuries improved, Fang Xiao visited the External Affairs Hall, spoke with Huo Daochen about Xiao Yan and their cultivation, and chose an investigation mission.
• Fang Xiao traveled to the Song Family, where Song Qingshu explained that family members had been disappearing from forests and homes.
• Fang Xiao found a faint wisp of Yin Energy at the disappearance sites and suspected a Ghost, then decided to wait through the night for it to appear.
• A Yin Soul attacked a household, and Fang Xiao dispersed its Yin Energy with his flying sword before pursuing it to learn whether someone was controlling it.

Fang Xiao killed the White Tiger Demon that had sent Yin Souls to prey on the Song Family, then returned to the Market to sell its remains and acquire supplies and powerful magic items. He left the Market still searching for something.

• Fang Xiao followed a Yin Soul to a valley, where the White Tiger Demon ambushed him and unleashed its ghostly servants.
• Fang Xiao stunned the White Tiger Demon and its servants with the bronze bell, killed them, and collected valuable materials from the tiger’s corpse.
• The White Tiger Demon’s enormous winged parent in the Southern Wilderness sensed its child’s death and sent nearby Demon Beasts fleeing toward the Tianshan Mountain Range.
• Fang Xiao reassured Song Qingshu that the haunting had ended, accepted fifty Spirit Stones, and headed for the Market.
• Fang Xiao tested his Green Jade Corn Spirit Wine and considered his cultivation and sword-path progress as he traveled to the Market.
• At Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Fang Xiao sold the White Tiger’s remains, bought spirit herbs and materials, and chose a Light Condensing Mirror and a Profound Heavy Seal Talisman Treasure before searching the Market.

Fang Xiao brought his damaged Spirit Bewildering Bell to Master Xu, who upgraded it into a Top-grade magic tool. After collecting it and learning that his Jade Boat could not be improved, Fang Xiao left the Market to return to the Outer Court.

• Fang Xiao visited Xu's Artifact Forging Shop and asked Master Xu to assess the damaged Spirit Bewildering Bell.
• Master Xu agreed to repair and upgrade the bell for four hundred Spirit Stones, and Fang Xiao returned to his lodgings to cultivate while the work was underway.
• Fang Xiao collected the upgraded Spirit Bewildering Bell the next day and confirmed that it could withstand a strike from his Silver Edge Sword.
• Master Xu examined Fang Xiao's Jade Boat and said its ordinary materials left no room for an upgrade.
• Fang Xiao left the Market and headed back to the Outer Court.

Fang Xiao returned to the Outer Court, learned that the Sect Minor Competition would begin in a month, and resolved to compete for Merit Points and prepare for the future Sect Grand Competition. After a month of cultivation and brewing Tiger Bone Wine, he registered for the minor competition three days before it began.

• Fang Xiao submitted his mission to Huo Daochen, who awarded him one hundred Merit Points and explained that the Sect Grand Competition offered Foundation Establishment Pills to the top thirty disciples of each Outer Court.
• Huo Daochen told Fang Xiao that the Sect Minor Competition would begin in a month and advised him to compete for Merit Points.
• Fang Xiao collected his monthly resources, learned that the Green Jade Corn had ripened, and continued cultivating while planning to seek Sword Cultivator's Insights.
• Fang Xiao spent the next month brewing spirit wine, completed a mission, and successfully made Tiger Bone Wine for late Qi Refining stage cultivators.
• The sect announced the minor competition's rules and rewards, and Fang Xiao registered for the lottery-based arena tournament.

Fang Xiao entered the Sect Minor Competition and defeated a body cultivator in his first duel, establishing himself as the strongest fighter in the Jiachen Group. After collecting his winnings, he bought information on other disciples and returned to his residence to cultivate.

• Fang Xiao drew number thirty-six in the Jiachen Group and watched several unremarkable duels while waiting for his turn.
• Fang Xiao bet five hundred Spirit Stones on himself, but Fatty Han accepted only three hundred and gave him a betting slip.
• Fang Xiao dodged the Iron Tower Giant’s attacks, then struck him with Sword Qi until the giant surrendered.
• Fang Xiao collected six hundred Spirit Stones from Fatty Han and asked him to gather information on the other disciples.
• Fatty Han gave Fang Xiao a Jade Slip of intelligence, and Fang Xiao returned to his residence to cultivate.

Fang Xiao defeated Lei Ming in the Sect Minor Competition, exposing the need to strengthen his defenses against mind attacks. After the match, he chose to cultivate the Upper Elixir Condensing Spirit Refining Method and turn his Sword Nurturing Gourd into a Soul Nurturing Gourd once he reached the late Qi Condensation Stage.

• Fang Xiao advanced through his group as most opponents surrendered, then faced Lei Ming on the third day of the competition.
• Lei Ming attacked with spirit talismans, lightning arts, and magic tools, while Fang Xiao countered with sword techniques and the Spirit Bewildering Bell.
• Fang Xiao resisted Lei Ming's mind attack, struck back with one of his own, and nearly hit Lei Ming with his sword before a Foundation Establishment Cultivator stopped the fight and declared Fang Xiao the winner.
• Fang Xiao considered the match's risks and decided his Sword Heart alone could not adequately defend his sea of consciousness.
• Fang Xiao chose to pursue the Upper Elixir Condensing Spirit Refining Method and use the Sword Nurturing Gourd to protect his soul, giving up the path to a Great White Sword Pellet.

Fang Xiao advanced to the final three of the Sect Minor Competition and defeated Ye Qingqing and Li Daozhen in succession. He claimed the championship after using the Light Condensing Mirror to stop Li Daozhen's trump card and secure the decisive strike.

• Fang Xiao received a bye, then defeated three opponents who surrendered and advanced to the final three alongside Ye Qingqing and Li Daozhen.
• Fang Xiao broke through Ye Qingqing's Wave Listening Sword Art and Crystal Shield with his twin swords, defeating her quickly.
• Fang Xiao and Li Daozhen clashed with sword torrents and flames, but their attacks crossed and struck their defenses instead of each other.
• Fang Xiao's Spirit Bewildering Bell affected Li Daozhen despite his Heart Protecting Mirror, prompting Li Daozhen to unleash a secret art that produced crimson-gold True Fire.
• Fang Xiao scattered Li Daozhen's first crimson-gold fireball, but the flames vaporized his High-grade Flying Sword, so he used the Light Condensing Mirror to freeze Li Daozhen and land the decisive strike.
• Fang Xiao defeated Li Daozhen and became the Sect Minor Competition champion.

After winning the Sect Minor Competition, Fang Xiao focused on improving his cultivation and obtained a disguise artifact from Elder Fan. He bought a Meridian Protection Pill at the Market and successfully broke through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

• Fang Xiao visited Elder Fan, borrowed Sword Cultivator's Insights, and accepted a Human Skin Mask that concealed his appearance from cultivators less than one major realm above him.
• After three months of cultivation, Fang Xiao reached the peak of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer but stopped his breakthrough attempt to avoid damaging his meridians.
• Fang Xiao disguised himself and went to the Market, where he bought Spirit Honey and a Purple Qi Meridian Protection Pill from Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
• The shopkeeper told Fang Xiao that the Myriad Treasures Merchant Association would hold an Auction in Wuji Immortal City in a year and a half, and Fang Xiao considered seeking a Supreme Flying Sword and soul-nourishing materials there.
• Back at his residence, Fang Xiao swallowed the Purple Qi Meridian Protection Pill and used its effects to break through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

Fang Xiao broke through to Sword Energy Thunderous Sound and demonstrated the strength of his sword strike to an Enforcement Hall cultivator, destroying his Silver Edge Sword in the process. After days of cultivation, he received a summons from Old Man Fan and headed to the Scripture Repository, leaving the Sword Nurturing Gourd matter for later.

• Fang Xiao entered a sword-practicing state and broke through to Sword Energy Thunderous Sound, accidentally shattering his courtyard formation with a strike.
• An Enforcement Hall Foundation Establishment Cultivator challenged Fang Xiao to prove his account, and Fang Xiao’s attack cracked the cultivator’s Black Spirit Shield while destroying the Silver Edge Sword.
• The Foundation Establishment Cultivator gave Fang Xiao an earth attribute Top-grade Flying Sword and said the sect would repair the formation at Fang Xiao’s expense.
• Fang Xiao continued cultivating and practicing swordsmanship while planning to transfer his Sword Embryo into the Sword Nurturing Gourd.
• Old Man Fan messaged Fang Xiao and summoned him to the Scripture Repository, so Fang Xiao went there before beginning the gourd-related method.

Fang Xiao received a Taibai Sword Pellet from Old Man Fan and refined his Sword Nurturing Gourd into a Soul Nurturing Gourd before beginning to nurture the pellet in his dantian. After drawing challenges from fellow disciples, he proposed wagered duels and went to find Fatty Han to help organize them.

• Old Man Fan told Fang Xiao that a powerful Sword Cultivator had chosen him as a Nominal Disciple and gave him a Taibai Sword Pellet to refine after he reached Foundation Establishment.
• Fang Xiao transformed his Sword Nurturing Gourd into a Soul Nurturing Gourd and began the month-long process of refining his soul into it.
• Fang Xiao used the Great White Gourd Sword Art to bind the Sword Pellet in his dantian and practiced the Nine Refinements Soaring Sword Record until his Soaring Sword Energy took shape.
• More than a dozen disciples delivered challenge letters to Fang Xiao, who offered to duel them for compensation if he won.
• Fang Xiao decided to find Fatty Han so they could arrange betting pools for the proposed duels.

Fang Xiao organized a series of duels to draw in challengers and betting money, then concealed his strength while defeating opponents of lower cultivation. He decisively injured Zhao Yunlong with his Great White Sword Pellet, and Xu Qing forfeited rather than face him.

• Fang Xiao agreed to take forty percent of the betting pool and asked Fatty Han to gather intelligence on Qi Refining Ninth Layer opponents.
• Fatty Han delivered reports on Chen Jiuling, a Sound Cultivator, and Zhao Yunlong, a Spear Cultivator, while Li Daoyuan chose to let the duels proceed under supervision.
• Fang Xiao defeated the Qi Refining Seventh and Eighth Layer challengers while pretending to struggle and recover between matches.
• Fang Xiao defeated Chen Jiuling by breaking through his sound-wave and Mind Attacks with Soaring Sword Energy while feigning exhaustion.
• Zhao Yunlong challenged Fang Xiao to reveal his true strength, and Fang Xiao's Great White Sword Pellet shattered Zhao Yunlong's spear and injured him before Yan Tingyun intervened.
• Xu Qing refused to fight and admitted defeat, then left the square in disgrace.

Fang Xiao collected his duel winnings and partnered with Fatty Han to sell Spirit Wine, then resumed cultivation with stronger wine and pills. He realized his powerful spiritual energy was straining his meridians and decided to pursue Body Refining and prepare carefully for Foundation Establishment.

• Fang Xiao received the challengers’ wagers, leaving him with over thirteen thousand Merit Points and more than twenty thousand Spirit Stones.
• Fatty Han gave Fang Xiao his share of their earnings, and Fang Xiao declined his extra gift while asking him to help sell Spirit Wine.
• Fang Xiao explained his Spirit Wine business plan, and he and Fatty Han divided the work between brewing and purchasing materials and sales.
• Fang Xiao combined late-stage Azure Origin Wine with a Qi Condensation Pill and circulated the resulting surge of spiritual qi through the Twin Sword Art.
• Fang Xiao recognized that his meridians could not keep pace with his strengthening spiritual power and planned to cultivate a Body Refining technique after reaching Foundation Establishment.

Fang Xiao prepared to travel to Wuji Immortal City, reflecting on his cultivation and growing Spirit Wine business as he reunited with Xiao Yan and strengthened their partnership with Fatty Han. The group departed under Court Master Li Daoyuan’s leadership aboard his Mysterious Sky Crane, heading toward the city.

• Fang Xiao arranged for Fatty Han to expand Spirit Wine production and purchase materials while he planned to seek pills in Wuji Immortal City.
• Fang Xiao met Xiao Yan at the departure plaza, and the two agreed to work together with Fatty Han on spirit pills and Spirit Wine.
• Court Master Li Daoyuan arrived and brought out his Fifth Order Mysterious Sky Crane.
• The disciples boarded the crane, and Li Daoyuan led them toward Wuji Immortal City.

Fang Xiao arrived at Wuji Immortal City with Li Daoyuan and the other Outer Court disciples for an upcoming Auction, then set out to buy formations for traveling and secluded cultivation. He purchased two Second-Order formations and left Star Mansion Pavilion with their artifacts and setup instructions.

• Li Daoyuan brought the disciples into Wuji Immortal City, where Qi Tianxing welcomed them and arranged their stay at Wangshu Pavilion.
• After Li Daoyuan left to visit Senior Yunxia, Fang Xiao and his companions decided to explore separately, and Fang Xiao sought a Second-Order Formation.
• Xu Kun guided Fang Xiao to Star Mansion Pavilion and told him about the upcoming Auction, Black Markets, and Private Trading Fairs.
• A Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Wang recommended the Four Spirits Soaring Array and the Five Elements Reversal Array to Fang Xiao.
• Fang Xiao bought both formations for a discounted total of twenty-six thousand Spirit Stones and left with the artifacts and setup methods.