Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu reveals his identity, astonishing Tianlie and Venerable Yuanxing.
• Yi Tianchou and Master Han, swindlers turned cultivators, are exposed as the true manipulators behind the Golden Light Bell.
• Zhong Shenxiu discovers that the bell harbors an evil entity and has sinister artifact refining techniques, likely stealing luck and cultivation from its owners.
• Zhong Shenxiu warns Yi Tianchou about the bell's spirit and leaves, absorbing more calamitous fortune.
• An inner disciple from the Heavenly Cauldron Sect, Qian Bukong, invites Zhong Shenxiu to the Golden Core Convention.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: Demonstrates his exceptional artifact refining skills and discovers the bell's true nature, further advancing his cultivation.
• Yi Tianchou and Master Han: Their true intentions are revealed, and they become increasingly anxious as Zhong Shenxiu exposes their scheme.
• Qian Bukong: Shows respect and eagerness to invite Zhong Shenxiu to the Golden Core Convention.

Significant Themes

• The dangers of demonic artifacts and the consequences of exploiting others for personal gain.
• The interconnectedness of cultivators' fates and the influence of calamitous fortune on Zhong Shenxiu's journey.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu and Yi Tianchou: Zhong Shenxiu subtly warns Yi Tianchou about the bell's spirit, hinting at the danger he and Master Han are in.
• Qian Bukong and Zhong Shenxiu: Qian Bukong expresses his admiration for Zhong Shenxiu's skills and invites him to the Golden Core Convention, hinting at potential future interactions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu, a rogue cultivator, arrives at the Heavenly Cauldron Sect's Golden Core Convention, entering through the mountain-protecting great formation.
• He is directed to the fifth level of the Heaven-Connecting Platform, where he meets Xie Xiangshan, a cultivator from Bibo Mansion of Qingyuan Mountain.
• Xie Xiangshan lectures Zhong Shenxiu on proper conduct, leading to a confrontation. Zhong Shenxiu's Green Sparrow, the Feathered Child, disrupts Xie Xiangshan, causing him to fall and make a scene.
• A powerful Sword Immortal, Li Qionghua, one of the Seven Swords of Heavenly Mountain, arrives, drawing everyone's attention.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: He is introduced as a rogue cultivator with a high-grade magic tool, the Five Elements Pearl, and a Golden Core great demon, the Feathered Child, as a pet. He is uninhibited and doesn't follow societal norms, showing disdain for those who do.
• Xie Xiangshan: He is a cultivator from a scholarly official family, known for his upright and rigid conduct. He lectures Zhong Shenxiu on proper behavior, leading to a confrontation.
• Li Qionghua: She is introduced as one of the Seven Swords of Heavenly Mountain, a powerful Sword Immortal with a top-grade Flying Sword and exquisite swordsmanship. Her arrival draws attention and awe from the other cultivators.

Significant Themes

• The theme of societal norms and expectations versus individual freedom is explored through Zhong Shenxiu's disregard for proper conduct and Xie Xiangshan's adherence to it.
• The theme of power and status is evident in the reactions to Li Qionghua's arrival and the awe she commands.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu and Xie Xiangshan: Their interaction highlights the contrast between Zhong Shenxiu's uninhibited behavior and Xie Xiangshan's rigid adherence to societal norms, leading to a confrontation.
• Zhong Shenxiu and Li Qionghua: Though they do not interact directly, Zhong Shenxiu observes Li Qionghua's arrival and is impressed by her power and status.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Qionghua, a prodigious disciple of the Heavenly Mountain Sword Sect, attends a Golden Core Convention at the Heavenly Cauldron Sect.
• Xu Yuan, a newly promoted Second-Rank Golden Core Ancestor, displays his extraordinary Golden Core and lectures on the Way of Stars and Alchemy.
• Cultivators are invited to share their insights on stage, with Xu Yuan offering prizes for the top three.
• Xie Xiangshan, a righteous gentleman from Azure Wave Manor, shares his sword arts lineage and challenges Zhong Shenxiu to a discussion on stage.

Character Developments

• Li Qionghua: A talented and powerful cultivator, known for her 'Qionghua Sword' and 'Myriad Flower Sword Art'. She is one of the Seven Swords of Heavenly Mountain.
• Xu Yuan: A young and powerful cultivator, he has achieved a high-grade Golden Core with seven points of starlight, nearly reaching the first grade. He is ambitious and confident, displaying his power and knowledge at the convention.
• Xie Xiangshan: A righteous gentleman with a strong sense of honor. He is skilled in sword arts and seeks to challenge Zhong Shenxiu on stage to save face.

Significant Themes

• Power and Prestige: The convention showcases the power and influence of various sects and cultivators, with Xu Yuan's display of his Golden Core being a prime example.
• Competition and Rivalry: The convention encourages cultivators to share their insights and compete for prizes, fostering a spirit of rivalry.
• Face and Reputation: Xie Xiangshan's challenge to Zhong Shenxiu highlights the importance of face and reputation among cultivators.

Character Interactions

• Li Qionghua and Xu Yuan: Though not directly interacting, their presence and achievements are compared, with Xu Yuan's Golden Core being praised as exceptional.
• Xie Xiangshan and Zhong Shenxiu: Xie challenges Zhong to a discussion on stage, aiming to expose Zhong's lack of skill and save face for himself and his sect.
• Various Sects and Cultivators: The convention brings together cultivators from different sects and backgrounds, fostering interaction and competition among them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xie Xiangshan, seeking revenge, attempts to attack Zhong Shenxiu using his sect's secret Flying Sword.
• Zhong Shenxiu uses his Five Fire Seven Feather Fan, a powerful Magic Treasure, to destroy Xie Xiangshan's Flying Sword.
• Xie Xiangshan is devastated by the loss of his Flying Sword, which was a collective effort of his sect over a hundred years.
• Zhong Shenxiu is invited to the stage to give a lecture on the Outer Path Golden Core Method.

Character Developments

• Xie Xiangshan: Shows arrogance and carelessness, leading to the loss of his sect's precious Flying Sword, causing him great distress.
• Zhong Shenxiu: Demonstrates his power and status as a Grandmaster of Artifact Refining, impressing the audience with his Five Fire Seven Feather Fan.
• Old Ancestor Golden Cauldron: Shows compassion towards Xie Xiangshan, offering him a piece of cold iron as consolation.

Significant Themes

• The power and significance of Magic Treasures in cultivation.
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponent.
• The value of hard work and collective effort, as seen in the creation of the Purple Cloud Flying Sword.

Character Interactions

• Xie Xiangshan vs. Zhong Shenxiu: Xie Xiangshan's attempt to attack Zhong Shenxiu results in the destruction of his Flying Sword and his own humiliation.
• Old Ancestor Golden Cauldron and Xie Xiangshan: Old Ancestor Golden Cauldron shows sympathy towards Xie Xiangshan, offering him a piece of cold iron after his loss.
• Old Ancestor Hundred Beasts and the female Cultivator from Pure Heart Palace: They discuss Zhong Shenxiu and his spirit beast, expressing curiosity and anticipation for his lecture.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu, having achieved his Dao through external elixirs, creates an 'External Dao Golden Core' method, which allows cultivators to form a Golden Core using the inner cores of demonic beasts or other substitutes.
• He shares this method at the Heavenly Cauldron Sect's Golden Core Convention, causing a stir among cultivators, especially rogue cultivators who see it as a lifeline.
• The Heavenly Cauldron Sect's Ancestor Xu Yuan and other sect leaders, fearing the method's potential misuse, attempt to seize control and restrict its distribution.
• Zhong Shenxiu reveals he's also a Golden Core ancestor but uses his Green Sparrow familiar to steal Xu Yuan's Golden Core, demonstrating his power and intent to resist control.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: Reveals his external elixir cultivation method, demonstrates his power and resolve, and shows compassion for cultivators struggling to form a Golden Core.
• Ancestor Xu Yuan: Reveals his true nature as a power-hungry sect leader, attempts to control the External Dao Golden Core method, and suffers the loss of his Golden Core.

Significant Themes

• The struggle to form a Golden Core and the desperation it causes among cultivators.
• The tension between rogue cultivators and sect-affiliated cultivators, with sects trying to control powerful methods.
• The consequences of power and greed, as seen in Ancestor Xu Yuan's downfall.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu interacts with the rogue cultivators, showing empathy and willingness to help them.
• Ancestor Xu Yuan interacts with other sect leaders, forming an alliance to control the External Dao Golden Core method.
• Zhong Shenxiu and Ancestor Xu Yuan have a tense confrontation, leading to Xu Yuan's loss of his Golden Core.
• The Green Sparrow familiar demonstrates its power and loyalty to Zhong Shenxiu.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu, a Form Elixir demon cultivator with a secret elixir snatching art, challenges the Heavenly Cauldron Sect.
• The Heavenly Cauldron Sect's Old Ancestor Golden Cauldron summons dozens of Golden Core cultivators to defend their sect.
• Old Ancestor Hundred Beasts from the Beast Taming Sect offers assistance to the Heavenly Cauldron Sect but is killed by the Feathered Child using Zhong Shenxiu's lent Five Fire Seven Feather Fan.
• Zhong Shenxiu easily defeats several Golden Core cultivators from other sects, revealing his immense power.
• The Heavenly Cauldron Sect activates their Heavenly Cauldron Great Formation, which is later shattered by Zhong Shenxiu's Poison Dragon Sword.
• Many rogue cultivators escape through the opened pathways, while the Heavenly Cauldron Sect's Returning Elixir ancestor awakens.
• Zhong Shenxiu confronts the Heavenly Cauldron Sect's Returning Elixir ancestor and defeats him with a single strike.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: Reveals himself as a powerful Returning Elixir cultivator, showcasing immense strength and confidence.
• The Feathered Child: Transforms into a massive crow and uses the Five Fire Seven Feather Fan to defeat Old Ancestor Hundred Beasts.
• Old Ancestor Golden Cauldron: Summons Golden Core cultivators to defend the Heavenly Cauldron Sect and later activates the sect's ancestral formation.
• Old Ancestor Hundred Beasts: Dies after being struck by the Feathered Child's Five Fire Seven Feather Fan.
• The Heavenly Cauldron Sect's Returning Elixir ancestor: Awakens and confronts Zhong Shenxiu, but is defeated in a single strike.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and the struggle for resources among sects.
• The importance of Divine Abilities and cultivation levels in determining strength.
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponent.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu and the Feathered Child: Zhong Shenxiu lends the Feathered Child the Five Fire Seven Feather Fan, allowing it to defeat Old Ancestor Hundred Beasts.
• Zhong Shenxiu and the Heavenly Cauldron Sect: Zhong Shenxiu challenges the Heavenly Cauldron Sect, leading to a confrontation with their Returning Elixir ancestor.
• Old Ancestor Golden Cauldron and other sects: Old Ancestor Golden Cauldron seeks assistance from other sects, but some choose to remain neutral or flee when Zhong Shenxiu's power is revealed.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu leaves the Heavenly Cauldron Sect with the Jade Liquid Returning Elixir True Scripture, having manipulated the sect into attacking him first to justify his actions.
• He arrives at Xu Guo's cave dwelling, revealing he has a Golden Core and the External Golden Core Method for Xu Guo.
• Zhong Shenxiu offers to take Xu Guo as his student and help him refine the Golden Core, ensuring it reaches the third grade.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: He continues to manipulate situations to his advantage, displaying his cunning and ambition. He decides to take Xu Guo as his student to control the external core method's development.
• Xu Guo: Xu Guo's life takes a significant turn as he becomes Zhong Shenxiu's student. His desire for revenge is fulfilled, and he now seeks a better future for his daughter through Zhong Shenxiu's teachings.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception: Zhong Shenxiu uses these tactics to achieve his goals, such as when he manipulated the Heavenly Cauldron Sect into attacking him first.
• Ambition: Zhong Shenxiu's grand plans for the future, including creating a new path for cultivators and becoming the ancestor of unorthodox Loose Immortals, highlight his ambition.
• Redemption and second chances: Xu Guo's life improves significantly after meeting Zhong Shenxiu, giving him a second chance at a better life for himself and his daughter.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu and Xu Guo: Zhong Shenxiu takes Xu Guo as his student, offering him a new path in life. Their relationship is one of teacher and student, with Zhong Shenxiu holding the power in their dynamic.
• Xu Guo and Xu Xin'er: Xu Guo's primary concern is his daughter's future. He hopes that she will also join Zhong Shenxiu's teachings to secure a better life for her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xu Guo successfully merges his outer and inner cores, advancing to the Golden Core stage, and gains a powerful divine ability, the Seven Star Formation.
• Zhong Shenxiu, Xu Guo's teacher, undergoes a Nine Fire Divine Thunder tribulation, demonstrating his prowess and advancing his cultivation.
• Xu Guo learns that his teacher is exploring a new path for cultivators to reach the Primordial Spirit stage, offering hope for rogue cultivators with lower-grade cores.

Character Developments

• Xu Guo: Advances to the Golden Core stage, gains a powerful divine ability, and expresses awe and respect for his teacher's ambition.
• Zhong Shenxiu: Successfully overcomes his tribulation, advances his cultivation, and reveals his intention to find a new path for cultivators to reach the Primordial Spirit stage.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and innovation in cultivation: Zhong Shenxiu's pursuit of a new path for cultivators to reach the Primordial Spirit stage.
• The value of hard work and perseverance: Xu Guo's dedication in refining the Seven Star Bright Jade Elixir to advance his cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Xu Guo and Zhong Shenxiu: Xu Guo pays respect to his teacher and expresses admiration for his ambition. Zhong Shenxiu shares his plans with Xu Guo, indicating trust and a mentor-student relationship.
• Xu Guo and Xu Xin'er: Xu Guo sends Xu Xin'er away when Zhong Shenxiu is about to undergo his tribulation, showing consideration for her safety.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu, in seclusion, concludes that the world's changed Vital Energy requires a new cultivation method to refine a Primordial Spirit.
• He introduces the 'Yin God Attainment Method', which uses external elixirs to purify the Vital Energy, shatter the core, and form a 'Yin God' containing the world's Dao charm, aiming to dispel Yin energy and achieve a Primordial Spirit.
• Zhong Shenxiu teaches this method to Xu Guo, who agrees to test it and spread the External Path Golden Core Method to his daughter, Xu Xin'er.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: Becomes the first pioneer of the New Method, creating the External Path Golden Core Method and the Yin God Attainment Method.
• Xu Guo: Accepts the Yin God Attainment Method from Zhong Shenxiu, determined to test it and pass on the External Path Golden Core Method to his daughter.

Significant Themes

• Adaptation to change: The world's altered Vital Energy necessitates a new cultivation method.
• Pioneering innovation: Zhong Shenxiu's methods challenge traditional cultivation paths.
• Legacy and succession: Xu Guo's desire to pass on his knowledge to his daughter.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu and Xu Guo: Teacher-student relationship; Zhong Shenxiu teaches Xu Guo the Yin God Attainment Method, and Xu Guo agrees to test it and teach his daughter the External Path Golden Core Method.
• Xu Guo and Xu Xin'er: Implicit father-daughter bond; Xu Guo wants to ensure his daughter's cultivation path is secure by teaching her the Jade Liquid Returning Elixir True Scripture.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Eighteen years pass since the last chapter. Xu Guo and Zhong Shenxiu have been in seclusion.
• Xu Guo finally achieves the Yin God realm, but it's a watered-down version due to the toxic world.
• Xu Guo's Yin God is nearly indestructible but struggles with maintaining its humanity due to the Yin nature's contamination.
• Zhong Shenxiu tests Xu Guo's power, revealing that his Yin God is equivalent to a third-turn Returning Elixir.

Character Developments

• Xu Guo: Achieves the Yin God realm but struggles with maintaining his humanity. Realizes his power is limited due to the world's toxicity.
• Zhong Shenxiu: Admits his experimental method for achieving the Yin God was a failure. Assesses Xu Guo's power and explains the limitations of his Yin God.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between maintaining humanity and cultivating power.
• The toxicity of the world and its impact on cultivation.
• The consequences of experimental cultivation methods.

Character Interactions

• Xu Guo and Zhong Shenxiu: Teacher and student interact, with Zhong Shenxiu testing Xu Guo's power and explaining the limitations of his cultivation.
• Xu Guo and Xu Xin'er: Briefly interact, with Xu Guo retreating to his cave dwelling after his test.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu teaches Xu Guo a method to achieve the Yin God, but warns him it has no future.
• Xu Guo accepts the method, gaining thousands of years of lifespan but acknowledging its limitations.
• Zhong Shenxiu teaches Xu Guo the 'When fighting, it's better to cultivate the Dao than to rely on magical power' lesson, emphasizing longevity and caution.
• Zhong Shenxiu leaves, and Xu Guo decides to return to the Heavenly Cauldron Sect to settle debts.
• Zhong Shenxiu reflects on the failure of the Yin God method and decides to study the three souls and seven spirits to find a new path to the Primordial Spirit.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: Realizes the limitations of his Yin God method, decides to study the three souls and seven spirits for a new breakthrough.
• Xu Guo: Accepts the Yin God method, acknowledges its drawbacks, and decides to return to the Heavenly Cauldron Sect.
• Xu Xin'er: Xu Guo's daughter, mentioned but doesn't have significant development in this chapter.

Significant Themes

• The limitations and dangers of external elixirs for cultivation breakthroughs.
• The importance of longevity and caution in cultivation, as taught by Zhong Shenxiu.
• The study of the three souls and seven spirits as a potential path to the Primordial Spirit.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu teaches and advises Xu Guo, eventually deciding to part ways.
• Xu Guo interacts with his daughter, Xu Xin'er, discussing their future plans.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu decides to target the Six Great Orthodox Sects after the Five Great Experts of the World sects.
• He learns about Corpse Yin Secret Sect, which specializes in refining zombies and souls for magic tools and treasures.
• Zhong Shenxiu visits Yin Province's Song Family Market, affiliated with Corpse Yin Secret Sect, to gather information.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: He shows interest in Corpse Yin Secret Sect's research on souls and spirits for his own purposes.
• The Feathered Child: It transforms into a Chinese hwamei bird, showing its adaptability and playfulness.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between sects and the influence of ancient traditions.
• The consequences of setbacks in cultivation, as seen in Li Qionghua's case.
• The arrogance and confidence of young geniuses, exemplified by Mo Xiaochou, the Dragon Slaying Sword.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu interacts with a waiter at the Song Family Teahouse, who provides him with information about recent cultivation world events.
• Zhong Shenxiu learns about the Dragon Slaying Sword's challenge to Old Ancestor Creation, setting up a potential future conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Heavenly Secrets Sect revises its rankings, placing Mo Xiaochou among the top five on the Golden Core Ranking.
• Li Kunlun, a prodigious cultivator, is mentioned as potentially having reached the Returning Elixir stage.
• Zhong Shenxiu learns about Yi Tianchou, who uses a Demonic Treasure to absorb the cultivation and luck of Artifact Refining Masters, causing their deaths.
• Zhong Shenxiu travels to Yin Province and witnesses a unique tax collection method involving coffins.

Character Developments

• Mo Xiaochou gains recognition as a top Golden Core cultivator.
• Li Kunlun's extraordinary talent and cultivation progress are highlighted.
• Zhong Shenxiu demonstrates his interest in the cultivation world's happenings and his willingness to investigate unusual events.

Significant Themes

• The theme of talent and its recognition (Mo Xiaochou, Li Kunlun).
• The dark side of the cultivation world, with cultivators exploiting others for personal gain (Yi Tianchou).
• The harsh reality of life for commoners under oppressive governance (the tax collection method in Yin Province).

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu interacts with a waiter at a teahouse, learning about recent cultivation world events.
• Zhong Shenxiu converses with an old man in a village, learning about the unique tax collection method in Yin Province.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tian Dachuan, an outer disciple of the Corpse Yin Secret Sect, is in charge of tax collection in Yin Moon City, specifically collecting corpses for the sect.
• He encounters Liang Xiao, an inner sect True Disciple, who is searching for the demonic cultivator Yi Tianchou, one of the Demonic Bell Twin Fiends.
• Liang Xiao shows Tian Dachuan a portrait of Yi Tianchou and asks if he's seen him, to which Tian Dachuan denies any knowledge.

Character Developments

• Tian Dachuan: Despite being an outer disciple with poor cultivation aptitude, he has secured a position of power in the mortal world. He dreams of refining his own magic tools secretly.
• Liang Xiao: A True Disciple of the Corpse Yin Secret Sect, he possesses the powerful Myriad Souls Banner. He is on a mission to capture Yi Tianchou and is willing to spare cultivators who surrender their magic treasures.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The relationship between the Corpse Yin Secret Sect and the mortal world is one of exploitation, with the sect taking corpses as 'tax'.
• Cultivation World Hierarchy: Liang Xiao's attitude towards Tian Dachuan reflects the hierarchy within the sect, with True Disciples holding significant power and status.
• The Nature of 'Righteous' Sects: The Corpse Yin Secret Sect considers itself righteous, despite its reliance on the souls of the dead for cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Tian Dachuan and Liang Xiao interact with clear power dynamics at play. Tian Dachuan, despite his position in the mortal world, shows deference to Liang Xiao, acknowledging his status as a True Disciple.
• Liang Xiao's interaction with Tian Dachuan is brief and dismissive, reflecting his disinterest in mundane affairs and his focus on his mission.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu, a rogue cultivator at the peak of Refining Gang, is near the Corpse Yin Secret Sect, seeking materials for a Five Poisons Sha Qi Pill.
• Liang Xiao and other inner disciples mistake him for Yi Tianchou, a wanted criminal, and approach him.
• Zhong Shenxiu reveals his true intentions, and Liang Xiao sees an opportunity to capture a Golden Core demon for his Myriad Souls Banner.
• A communication talisman alerts Liang Xiao to Yi Tianchou's location, but before he can leave, Zhong Shenxiu's Feathered Child attacks.
• Liang Xiao uses his Myriad Souls Banner to summon Yin soldiers and generals, engaging in a battle with Zhong Shenxiu's Feathered Child.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: Maintains his facade as a rogue cultivator, seeking materials for an external elixir, but is actually a powerful demon.
• Liang Xiao: Shows arrogance and ambition, aiming to capture a Golden Core demon to strengthen his Myriad Souls Banner.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and resources, even at the cost of morality and ethics.
• The divide between the Orthodox Path and the Demonic Path, with each having their own methods and beliefs.
• The struggle for survival and dominance in the cultivation world.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu and Liang Xiao: Their interaction is marked by deception and ambition, with Zhong Shenxiu trying to mislead Liang Xiao, and Liang Xiao seeing an opportunity to capture a powerful demon.
• Liang Xiao and his junior brothers and sisters: They follow Liang Xiao's lead, but some express internal discontent with his actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Liang Xiao, a true disciple of the Corpse Yin Secret Sect, encounters Zhong Shenxiu, who reveals himself as Old Ancestor Creation, the founder of the External Elixir method.
• Zhong Shenxiu, recognizing Liang Xiao's potential, asks him to lead the way to Little Wind Mountain, where Yi Tianchou, a Nascent Soul demon bird controller, is trapped by the sect's Myriad Souls Great Formation.
• Upon arrival, they find Yi Tianchou engaged in a fierce battle with a Yaksha tribe Golden Core old ancestor and his Golden Corpse.

Character Developments

• Liang Xiao: Recognizes Zhong Shenxiu and reveals his past mistakes in cultivation, switching to the External Elixir method. He expresses regret but hopes for a path to higher cultivation with Zhong Shenxiu's help.
• Zhong Shenxiu (Old Ancestor Creation): Shows interest in Liang Xiao's potential and Myriad Souls branch methods. He remains mysterious about his intentions and abilities.
• Yi Tianchou: Struggles against the Yaksha tribe old ancestor, revealing his Form Elixir level magic power and the ferocity of his demonic nature.

Significant Themes

• Cultivation Path and Limitations: Liang Xiao's regret and hope for a higher cultivation path despite his damaged foundation and switch to External Elixir.
• Power Dynamics: The fear and respect shown towards Zhong Shenxiu as Old Ancestor Creation, highlighting the power imbalance in the cultivation world.
• Unorthodox Cultivation Methods: The mention of the Demonic Path and External Elixir methods, emphasizing the diversity and controversy in cultivation practices.

Character Interactions

• Liang Xiao and Zhong Shenxiu: Liang Xiao shows deference to Zhong Shenxiu, while Zhong Shenxiu expresses interest in Liang Xiao's potential and knowledge.
• Liang Xiao and Corpse Yin Sect Disciples: Liang Xiao interacts with his sect mates, showing his authority as a True Transmission Senior Brother.
• Yi Tianchou and Yaksha Tribe Old Ancestor: Their battle showcases Yi Tianchou's strength and the Yaksha tribe's unique corpse refinement method.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Qi, a Golden Core elder of the Corpse Yin Secret Sect, battles Yi Tianchou, who is at the Cosmic Qi External Elixir stage.
• Wu Qi uses his powerful Divine Ability, Asura Blood Transformation, and his Golden Corpse to gain the upper hand.
• Liang Xiao, using the Myriad Souls Great Formation, defeats Wu Qi by sacrificing the formation and the Golden Corpse.
• Zhong Shenxiu appears, takes Wu Qi captive, and interrogates him with the help of the Feathered Child.

Character Developments

• Wu Qi: Reveals his sinister and venomous Divine Ability and the power of his Golden Corpse. He underestimates Liang Xiao and pays the price.
• Yi Tianchou: Struggles against Wu Qi but is eventually saved by Zhong Shenxiu. He reveals his investigation into the Mysterious Mechanism Hundred Refinements Sect and his suspicions about the Six Great Orthodox Sects.
• Liang Xiao: Shows his loyalty to Zhong Shenxiu by using the Myriad Souls Great Formation to defeat Wu Qi. He remains indifferent to Yi Tianchou's accusations.
• Zhong Shenxiu: Reveals his true power and takes charge of the situation. He listens to Yi Tianchou's revelations and plans to investigate further.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics among sects and their hidden agendas.
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponents.
• The pursuit of power and the corruption it can lead to.

Character Interactions

• Wu Qi vs. Yi Tianchou: A battle of power and strategy, with Wu Qi initially having the upper hand.
• Liang Xiao vs. Wu Qi: Liang Xiao uses the Myriad Souls Great Formation to defeat Wu Qi, revealing his loyalty to Zhong Shenxiu.
• Yi Tianchou vs. Liang Xiao: Yi Tianchou accuses Liang Xiao of being involved in the scheme, but Liang Xiao remains indifferent.
• Zhong Shenxiu with Yi Tianchou and Liang Xiao: Zhong Shenxiu listens to Yi Tianchou's revelations and plans to investigate further, with Liang Xiao's help.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu learns that the Demonic Treasures were released by the Six Great Orthodox Sects to refine a Spirit Treasure, not just the ancient bell.
• Zhong Shenxiu considers that the Mysterious Mechanism Hundred Refinements Sect might be "crowdfunding" a Spirit Treasure by distributing Demonic Treasure embryoes.
• Liang Xiao offers the true inheritance of the Myriad Souls Department to become Zhong Shenxiu's disciple.
• Yi Tianchou also asks to become Zhong Shenxiu's disciple, seeking revenge against the Six Great Orthodox Sects.
• Zhong Shenxiu teaches Yi Tianchou the dangerous Three Corpses Primordial Spirit Method.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: Shows his artifact refining prowess and interest in the Demonic Treasures' purpose. He accepts Liang Xiao and Yi Tianchou as disciples, teaching them advanced techniques.
• Yi Tianchou: Seeks revenge against the Six Great Orthodox Sects and becomes Zhong Shenxiu's disciple, learning the Three Corpses Primordial Spirit Method.
• Liang Xiao: Betrays his sect and offers their true inheritance to Zhong Shenxiu, becoming his disciple.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and the refinement of Ancient Spirit Treasures as the ultimate goal of sects.
• The danger and difficulty of refining Spirit Treasures and the gap between Spirit Treasures and Great Perfection Magic Treasures.
• The theme of revenge and the consequences of pursuing it, as seen in Yi Tianchou's character arc.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu interacts with Liang Xiao and Yi Tianchou, accepting them as disciples and teaching them advanced techniques.
• Yi Tianchou interacts with Zhong Shenxiu, seeking revenge and learning the dangerous Three Corpses Primordial Spirit Method.
• Liang Xiao interacts with Zhong Shenxiu, offering his sect's true inheritance and becoming his disciple.

Key Plot Points and Events

1. Yi Tianchou receives the 'Three Corpses Seven Kill' method from Zhong Shenxiu and departs after kowtowing eight times.
2. Liang Xiao, Zhong Shenxiu's other disciple, learns the 'Seven Kill Primordial Spirit Method' and leaves to cultivate in the mortal world.
3. The Feathered Child, another disciple, is offered two cultivation methods by Zhong Shenxiu but declines both.

Character Developments

1. Yi Tianchou: Determined to cultivate the 'Three Corpses Seven Kill' method to avenge his hatred.
2. Liang Xiao: Eager to cultivate the 'Seven Kill Primordial Spirit Method' to break through to the Primordial Spirit stage.
3. The Feathered Child: Reluctant to accept the offered cultivation methods due to their perceived difficulty and danger.

Significant Themes

1. Revenge vs. Self-Preservation: Yi Tianchou seeks power for revenge, while Liang Xiao focuses on self-preservation.
2. Risk vs. Reward: Both Yi Tianchou and Liang Xiao are willing to take significant risks for their goals.
3. The Mortal World: Liang Xiao plans to enter the mortal world to cultivate, contrasting with the aloofness of most cultivators.

Character Interactions

1. Teacher-Student Relationship: Zhong Shenxiu imparts cultivation methods to his disciples, each tailored to their nature and abilities.
2. Yi Tianchou and Liang Xiao: Both disciples receive unique methods from Zhong Shenxiu, reflecting their different goals and natures.
3. Zhong Shenxiu and the Feathered Child: The Feathered Child's reluctance to accept offered methods highlights Zhong Shenxiu's willingness to push his disciples to their limits.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhong Shenxiu travels to Blazing State, home to the Mysterious Mechanism Hundred Refinements Sect, for their Sword Refining Convention.
• The sect's location is chosen for its abundance of cultivation resources, particularly the nine Primordial Earth Lung Poison Fires beneath Nine Flame Mountain.
• The sect invites artifact refining Grandmasters to create Flying Swords, which will be judged and bestowed upon the fated cultivators.

Character Developments

• Zhong Shenxiu: A rogue cultivator who seeks to participate in the Sword Refining Convention.
• Floating Cloud Master (Feng Mei): A scholar from the Heavenly Secrets Sect who joins Zhong Shenxiu on his journey. He is nearsighted due to his cultivation of spiritual eye techniques.

Significant Themes

• Fate and destiny, as seen in the selection of cultivators for the Flying Swords.
• The power of spiritual flames and their importance in artifact refinement.
• The reputation and influence of the Mysterious Mechanism Hundred Refinements Sect.

Character Interactions

• Zhong Shenxiu and Floating Cloud Master travel together, sharing information about the Sword Refining Convention and the various sects of the cultivation world.
• Zhong Shenxiu and Floating Cloud Master discuss the power of spiritual flames and the Ancient Spirit Treasures of the Five Great Experts of the World.