Chapter Summaries

Zhang Lingshan defeated Su Sheng, Wen Wanyu, and Liu Rui in the fifth trial by summoning three Extreme Cold Spirit Soldiers at once, securing the Heavenly Pride slot. The defeated disciples returned to the Council Hall, where the masters marveled at his strength and awaited his final reward.

• Zhang Lingshan invited Su Sheng, Wen Wanyu, and Liu Rui to fight him together in the fifth trial.
• Zhang Lingshan instantly summoned three Extreme Cold Spirit Soldiers and pinned all three opponents to the ground before they could attack.
• Liu Rui explained that Zhang Lingshan had defeated them all at once, and the three conceded and congratulated Senior Brother Li on winning the Heavenly Pride slot.
• Su Sheng, Wen Wanyu, and Liu Rui were expelled to the Council Hall, where they learned Zhang Lingshan's power had startled the gathered masters into overturning tables and chairs.
• Tie Zhengge declared that Ji Buyi could not compare with Li Xuanbing, while Sect Master Shen Zhixin said the Secret Realm's final reward would reveal Li Xuanbing's next opportunity.
• Shen Zhixin revealed that her granddaughter, not she, had discovered Li Xuanbing.

Zhang Lingshan entered the Frost Mist, comprehended powerful ice abilities, and returned to the Ice Spirit Sect as its top Heavenly Prodigy. After Shen Zhixin named him Saint Son and arranged his coronation, she privately asked whether he would appear as Li Xuanbing or reveal his true identity as Zhang Lingshan.

• Shen Zhixin proposed betrothing Kong Ruobing to Li Xuanbing, but then realized she could no longer sense him inside the Secret Realm.
• Zhang Lingshan entered the Frost Mist and used the Soul Tree and Derive Myriad Techniques to comprehend Frost Wings.
• Zhang Lingshan created an enhanced Extreme Cold Spirit Soldier and combined it with the Extreme Cold Ice Spear, then returned to the Council Hall.
• Zhang Lingshan reported that he had secured a Heavenly Prodigy spot, and Shen Zhixin agreed to his marriage to Kong Ruobing.
• Chang Songqing proposed naming Li Xuanbing the Ice Spirit Sect's Saint Son, and Shen Zhixin scheduled the coronation ceremony for the next day.
• After dismissing the others, Shen Zhixin asked Zhang Lingshan whether he would attend the coronation as Li Xuanbing or return to his true identity.

Zhang Lingshan revealed his origins and learned that his orthodox Spirit Root Planting could make him a target for evil cultivators, so Shen Zhixin gave him a disguise treasure. He then tried to persuade her to let him grow spirit rice at the Ice Spirit Sect, arguing that Pang Mancang’s method might produce Top-Grade Spirit Rice.

• Zhang Lingshan admitted that Li Xuanbing was his alias and revealed his identity as the Anning Army’s Pure Lotus Alchemist and the Pure Lotus Pill Pavilion’s master.
• Shen Zhixin explained the history and dangers of Spirit Root Planting, warning Zhang Lingshan to keep his planted roots secret and remain under the Li Xuanbing identity.
• Shen Zhixin gave Zhang Lingshan a Shadowless Gauze Garment so he could conceal his movements without implicating the Ice Spirit Sect.
• Zhang Lingshan asked Shen Zhixin where he could grow spirit rice, but she urged him to focus on cultivation and the sect’s Supreme Secret Technique instead.
• Zhang Lingshan cited Pang Mancang’s handbook and argued that its method might grow Top-Grade Spirit Rice, leaving Shen Zhixin momentarily unable to dismiss the possibility.

Zhang Lingshan secured Flowing Water Peak and went to ask Kong Ruobing about their betrothal, giving her a powerful Extreme Cold Spirit Soldier as a gift. He revealed his real identity to her and discovered a seal on her body that concealed her true energy.

• Shen Zhixin let Zhang Lingshan claim Flowing Water Peak for planting Spirit Rice and arrange for his friends to live there, but refused to let him enter the Ice Spirit Sect's Secret Realm before reaching Immortal Monarch strength.
• Shen Zhixin sent Qian Dapo to take Zhang Lingshan to Kong Ruobing, where he announced that he was the Ice Spirit Sect's new Saint Son and had come to propose to her.
• Kong Ruobing welcomed Zhang Lingshan and accepted his proposal, then delightedly received the Extreme Cold Spirit Soldier he had prepared as a betrothal gift.
• Zhang Lingshan told Kong Ruobing that the spirit soldier could defeat any Golden Immortal and revealed that he was really Zhang Lingshan, though he would continue appearing as Li Xuanbing in public.
• After Kong Ruobing noticed Zhang Lingshan's aura resembled Qian Dapo's, he examined her with his Immortal Divine Sense and found a seal concealing the energy in her body.

Zhang Lingshan established himself at Flowing Water Peak, raised his Life Essence to Perfection, and created and nourished a paddy field while preparing a home for his companions. He was summoned to his Saint Son Coronation Ceremony, where Shen Zhixin asked him to demonstrate his abilities before the skeptical sect disciples.

• Zhang Lingshan went to Flowing Water Peak, which Shen Zhixin had assigned to him as Saint Son Peak, and declined Qian Dapo’s offer to provide servants.
• Zhang Lingshan raised his Life Essence to Perfection, formed a one-mu paddy field with his abilities, and nourished it with blood while setting up a Formation around the peak.
• Qian Dapo brought Zhang Lingshe to Flowing Water Peak, where Zhang Lingshan also released Zhang Zixin and Zhang Jinxuan and gave Zhang Lingshe a Cultivation Method to comprehend.
• Zhang Lingshan gave Zhang Zixin medicinal herbs and storage space for pill-making, then spent the night tending to his Spirit Rice plans.
• Qian Dapo summoned Zhang Lingshan to the Saint Son Coronation Ceremony, where the disciples questioned his worth and Shen Zhixin asked him to demonstrate his abilities.
• Zhang Lingshan knelt before Shen Zhixin and cast a Cold Ice Talisman beneath her seat.

Zhang Lingshan was crowned Saint Son of the Ice Spirit Sect and used eight Extreme Cold Spirit Soldiers to enlighten disciples and strengthen the sect. After carrying Kong Ruobing away and announcing their future wedding, he left Shen Zhixin and Qian Dapo to consider the sect’s need for scarce Immortal King slots and how to protect him from the Great Qing Dynasty.

• Shen Zhixin crowned Zhang Lingshan Saint Son with the Ice Spirit Profound Crown, and Zhang Lingshan pledged to restore the Ice Spirit Sect’s former glory.
• Zhang Lingshan created eight Extreme Cold Spirit Soldiers whose aura enlightened disciples and helped some break through to Mysterious Immortal Perfection.
• Zhang Lingshan announced that he and Kong Ruobing were a match made in heaven, then carried her to his Saint Son Peak to Shen Zhixin’s annoyance.
• Qian Dapo pointed out that Ji Buyi might soon break through to Immortal King, while Shen Zhixin worried the sect would struggle to secure the necessary Immortal King slots.
• Shen Zhixin warned that Kong Nangui could not be trusted to help, and he and Qian Dapo considered leaving the Great Qing Dynasty to seek a chance at Immortal Venerable cultivation.
• Shen Zhixin and Qian Dapo decided to keep Zhang Lingshan’s status quiet for as long as possible while using the sect’s growing momentum to support him.

Zhang Lingshan tried to cultivate Top-Grade Spirit Rice, discovered that it needed mixed qi and controlled celestial phenomena, and drove the rice to release dangerous Death Qi. After Zhang Zixin helped him recover with Spirit Rice Meal, he comprehended and advanced his Death Essence, leaving him to face the power of life and death.

• Zhang Lingshan began transplanting Top-Grade Spirit Rice while Zhang Zixin cooked and Kong Ruobing watched him.
• Zhang Lingshan’s pure Life Essence failed to mature even Low-Grade Spirit Rice, so he spent months studying the field’s mixed qi.
• Zhang Lingshan used wind, rain, lightning, clouds, and sunlight to nurture the rice, which grew firm and showed flecks of gold.
• Death Qi surged from the paddy field and forced Zhang Lingshan beyond the Formation, so he warned Kong Ruobing and Zhang Zixin to stay back.
• Zhang Zixin cooked Spirit Rice Meal with Zhang Lingshan’s Qi and Blood Flame, helping him recover while he comprehended Death Essence.
• Zhang Lingshan used his Energy Points to raise Death Essence to Minor Accomplishment.

Zhang Lingshan successfully grew a stalk of Top-Grade Spirit Rice, but its cooked rice tasted bitter and lacked spirituality, prompting him to seek answers in ancient records. Before leaving Saint Son Peak for Anyuan City, he advanced his Immortal Divine Sense to Level Nine and gained Absolute Clarity while preserving his memories through the Soul Tree.

• Zhang Lingshan cultivated Death Essence to Minor Accomplishment and planted High-Grade Spirit Rice before resuming his attempt to grow Top-Grade Spirit Rice.
• After another half year, Zhang Lingshan succeeded in producing a stalk of Purple Aura Spirit Rice and carefully harvested its grains.
• Zhang Zixin cooked one grain, but Zhang Lingshan found the rice bitter and burned it for its remaining energy after deciding to research the problem.
• Zhang Lingshan broke through to Level Nine Immortal Divine Sense, used the Soul Tree to retain his memories, and gained Absolute Clarity.
• Zhang Lingshan told Kong Ruobing he would return to Anyuan City to consult the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce's records and repay Bai Wanxi's favor.

Zhang Lingshan, Kong Ruobing, and Zhao Xingqiu traveled to Anyuan City, where Tao Mingguan used Bai Lang and the promise of a Golden Immortal Quota to pressure the Bai Family into handing over Bai Wanxi. Zhang Lingshan intervened just as Tao Mingguan reached for her, freezing and moving aside a Bai Family Golden Immortal who tried to stop them.

• Kong Ruobing decided to return to Anyuan City and appoint Zhao Xingqiu as its Ice Chamber Chief, and Zhang Lingshan took them there on a Flying Ship.
• Tao Mingguan and Bai Lang arrived at the Bai Family, where Bai Lang dismissed the younger generation before promising Bai Lingfeng a Golden Immortal Quota.
• Tao Mingguan demanded Bai Wanxi, and Bai Lang threatened to cut off the Bai Family's future quotas if Bai Changdu refused.
• Bai Lingfeng urged Bai Changdu to agree, and Bai Wanxi accepted the demand to protect the family's access to Golden Immortal Quotas.
• Tao Mingguan reached for Bai Wanxi, but Zhang Lingshan, Kong Ruobing, and Zhao Xingqiu arrived, and Zhang Lingshan froze and shifted aside the Bai Family Golden Immortal who confronted them.

Zhang Lingshan returned to the Bai Family as Li Xuanbing, froze the Golden Immortal who opposed him, and stopped Tao Mingguan from forcing Bai Wanxi into marriage. After Bai Lang recognized him as the Ice Spirit Sect’s Saint Son and promised the family four Golden Immortal Quotas, Zhang Lingshan offered Bai Wanxi a cultivation treasure in repayment for her kindness.

• Bai Wanxi recognized Li Xuanbing as Zhang Lingshan and explained to Bai Changdu that he was her old friend who had become a Golden Immortal.
• Zhang Lingshan said he had come to resolve Bai Wanxi’s troubles, and Bai Lang knelt to greet him as the Ice Spirit Sect’s Saint Son.
• Tao Mingguan tried to flee, but Zhang Lingshan froze him into an ice sculpture.
• Bai Lang promised the Bai Family four Golden Immortal Quotas, including one for Bai Wanxi, and Bai Wanxi forgave his involvement with Tao Mingguan.
• At Zhang Lingshan’s order, Bai Lang killed Bai Lingfeng, who had helped Tao Mingguan and betrayed Bai Wanxi.
• Zhang Lingshan offered Bai Wanxi a treasure to aid her cultivation in repayment for her past kindness, and she agreed to go with him.

Zhang Lingshan protected Bai Wanxi, killed Chen Baiyi, and went to the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce to investigate Top-Grade Spirit Rice and refine the Yama Ghost Realm. Three days later, Tao Yunlu came to appease him with Spirit Stones and finally offered the high-grade stones he had saved for his own breakthrough.

• Zhang Lingshan helped Bai Wanxi reach the Golden Immortal Peak, then froze Chen Baiyi into fragments to silence him.
• Bai Changdu confirmed that the Lei Family and Yu Family had helped the Bai Family, and Zhang Lingshan left the Tao Family's fate in his hands after Tao Mingguan's death.
• Zhang Lingshan searched the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce for Top-Grade Spirit Rice and found a Ghost Mask suited to his Yama Ghost Realm.
• Over three days, Zhang Lingshan studied records and worked to improve the Yama Ghost Realm while remaining at the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce.
• Tao Yunlu visited with Spirit Stones to seek Zhang Lingshan's forgiveness, and Zhang Lingshan secretly shielded their conversation from the chamber of commerce.
• Tao Yunlu handed Zhang Lingshan his treasured high-grade Spirit Stones, which he had intended to use for an Immortal Monarch breakthrough.

Zhang Lingshan accepted Tao Yunlu’s Spirit Stones and a pledge to help him obtain more, then discovered that growing Top-Grade Spirit Rice required rare Immortal Qi stored in Immortal Crystals. As he prepared to return to the Ice Spirit Sect to ask Shen Zhixin about them, he spotted Chu Heng and recognized an old enemy who had reached Golden Immortal Perfection.

• Zhang Lingshan crushed and absorbed a high-grade Spirit Stone, accepted Tao Yunlu’s offering, and gave him a Cold Ice Jade Pendant for contact.
• Tao Yunlu proposed using Zhang Lingshan’s authority to obtain more high-grade Spirit Stones, and Zhang Lingshan gave him a Little Ice Man as a written order with a warning not to act on his own.
• Over the next month, Tao Yunlu delivered doubled Spirit Stones and a few dozen more high-grade Spirit Stones, pleasing Zhang Lingshan.
• Zhang Lingshan found that Top-Grade Spirit Rice required Immortal Qi, learned that Immortal Crystals contained it, and decided to ask Shen Zhixin whether she had any.
• As Zhang Lingshan prepared to leave the tea room, he spotted Chu Heng, who had recovered and advanced to Golden Immortal Perfection.

Zhang Lingshan planted a Formation Qi Stream on Chu Heng and put the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce’s Ghost Mask in Chu Heng’s Storage Ring, forcing him to flee before his ring could be inspected. Zhang Lingshan then went to the valley where they first met and waited to confront Chu Heng.

• Zhang Lingshan noticed Chu Heng had marked him with a fragment of Immortal Divine Sense and secretly marked Chu Heng in return while opening a breach in his Storage Ring.
• Zhang Lingshan stole the Ghost Mask from the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce and placed it in Chu Heng’s ring, triggering an alarm and a search of customers’ rings.
• Chu Heng escaped through a window using a golden-light magical treasure, and the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce stewards failed to catch him and decided to conceal the theft.
• Zhang Lingshan recalled Zhu Bin’s role in Ding Dasheng’s death and resolved to deal with Chu Heng before he could reach Immortal Monarch.
• Zhang Lingshan traveled to the remote valley where he had first met Chu Heng and waited there; Chu Heng arrived and asked if he had been waiting for him.

Zhang Lingshan lured Chu Heng and Leng Yan into a sealed valley, then revealed his Ghost Mask and Yin Ghost powers. After Chu Heng was dragged into the Red Lacquer Gate and transformed into a ghostly ally, Zhang Lingshan sent him to attack Leng Yan, who resisted with her Cold Ice Domain.

• Zhang Lingshan revealed that he had concealed Chu Heng’s location and sealed Abyss Valley, keeping the Ice Spirit Sect’s Immortal King protector from finding them.
• Leng Yan confronted Zhang Lingshan, but he summoned Red Lacquer Gates and swarms of Yin Ghosts around her and Chu Heng.
• Chu Heng discovered that Zhang Lingshan had emptied his Storage Ring and stolen the Qingyun Chamber of Commerce’s Ghost Mask, then ghosts dragged him through a Red Lacquer Gate.
• Chu Heng returned transformed into a calm ghostly being, and Leng Yan warned him away when he approached her.
• Zhang Lingshan gave Chu Heng the Ghost Mask and Soul Guiding Banner and ordered him to draw Leng Yan into the Yama Ghost Realm.
• Leng Yan resisted the ghosts’ attempts to bewitch her mind and blasted them back with her Immortal Monarch aura.

Zhang Lingshan subdued Leng Yan, revealed his identity to her and Chu Heng, and hurried with them to Anning City as the Dali Dynasty threatened the region. After Leng Yan went to the Anning Army, City Lord Luo Wenyuan learned of her arrival and led his officials there, furious that she had bypassed his mansion.

• Zhang Lingshan used Extreme Cold Spirit Soldiers to defeat Leng Yan, sent her through the Great Red Gate, and made her his subordinate.
• Zhang Lingshan revealed to Leng Yan and Chu Heng that he was Zhang Lingshan, then decided to reach Anning City before the Dali Dynasty could seize it.
• Leng Yan piloted Chu Heng's Flying Magic Treasure into Anning City and told the guards she had come to discuss the Golden Immortal Quota with the Anning Army.
• Luo Wenyuan's officials urged him to consider surrendering to the Dali Dynasty while he worried about the fate of his family in the capital.
• After receiving word of Leng Yan's visit, Luo Wenyuan led his officials toward the Anning Army, intending to confront her and Zuo Sining.

Lu Zhaohe and Zuo Sining each suspected the other of trading Anning Army assets for an Immortal Monarch Quota, while Leng Yan’s arrival drew every major power in Anning City to the Alchemy Pavilion. Zhang Lingshan waited aboard her Flying Boat until they had gathered, then his laughter revealed that a man was with Leng Yan, leaving the assembled leaders alarmed.

• Lu Zhaohe praised Tang Feiling for reaching the early Golden Immortal Realm and sent him to claim the Water Field Domain’s Domain Lord post.
• After learning that Leng Yan had come to Anning City, Lu Zhaohe suspected Zuo Sining was negotiating away the Water Field Domain and decided to offer Leng Yan a better deal.
• Zuo Sining heard that Leng Yan’s Flying Boat was heading for the Alchemy Pavilion and suspected Lu Zhaohe planned to trade the pavilion for an Immortal Monarch Quota.
• Zuo Sining, Luo Wenyuan, Ding Yangshuo, and other leaders gathered at the Alchemy Pavilion to welcome Leng Yan.
• Zhang Lingshan delayed the Flying Boat’s arrival until the city’s powers had gathered, then laughed from inside it, prompting them to realize a man was aboard with Leng Yan.

Zhang Lingshan arrived in Anning City, emptied everyone’s rings, and used his Ghost Realm to kill the city’s leaders and seize their people. He singled out Lu Zhaohe as his true target and confronted her with Ember Bone Poison Fire.

• Zhang Lingshan’s formation sealed Anning City as he emptied the rings of Luo Wenyuan, Zuo Sining, and the others.
• Ding Hong recognized Zhang Lingshan, and Lin Bai recalled how he had stolen the Bronze Chariot Horse from Ding Dasheng’s ring.
• Zhang Lingshan killed Luo Wenyuan with the Great Red Gate after condemning him for mistreating ascenders.
• Zhang Lingshan sent Zuo Sining and crowds of Anning City residents into his Ghost Realm as Ghost Slaves.
• Zhang Lingshan called out Lu Zhaohe, whose attempt to use Tang Feiling as a shield failed when Ghost Slaves carried Tang Feiling away.
• Zhang Lingshan confronted Lu Zhaohe and cast Ember Bone Poison Fire onto her.

Zhang Lingshan destroyed Anning City and sent its inhabitants through the Ghost Realm Gate to become ghost slaves, while rescuing people from his past whom he chose to spare. The chapter ended with another former acquaintance asking him for a place aboard the Flying Boat.

• Zhang Lingshan poisoned Lu Zhaohe into charred coal, and Leng Yan summoned Anning City's inhabitants into the Ghost Realm Gate.
• Zhang Lingshan saved Sima Yue, Qi Shuyan, and their friends, and Sima Yue introduced himself to them as Qi Shuyan's master.
• Zhang Lingshan sent Huoran, Wei Zhongqian, and Gu Nanxiang into the Ghost Realm Gate, but rescued Zhao Chuanying and let him board the Flying Boat.
• Zhang Lingshan spared Pei Daoming and Jiang Yan because of their past connections to him.
• Another former acquaintance reminded Zhang Lingshan that he had helped when Zhang Lingshan ascended and pleaded to be saved.

Zhang Lingshan saved Yi Fengliu to learn about the Yi Family, then looted Anning City and established Lingshan Village near the Ice Spirit Sect. He promised Chu Heng a chance to become an Immortal Monarch and began demonstrating how he could reunite a soul with a body.

• Zhang Lingshan spared Yi Fengliu for the time being after Yi Fengliu promised to help him gain control of Yi Chen's Mortal Realm and share information about the Yi Family.
• Zhang Lingshan and Leng Yan collected the Ghost Slaves and moved Anning City's buildings, treasures, and Ascension Array into his Pouch Space before leaving.
• Zhang Lingshan brought his group to a mountain hollow near the Ice Spirit Sect, gave Qi Shuyan artifact-refining materials, and named their new settlement Lingshan Village.
• Zhang Lingshan appointed Leng Yan village chief and Chu Heng deputy village chief, promising to find a way for Chu Heng to reach Immortal Monarch.
• Zhang Lingshan claimed he could restore unity between Chu Heng's soul and body, then summoned a body and a Ghost Slave soul to demonstrate.

Zhang Lingshan restored Tang Feiling’s body and soul, then assigned her to make pills and gave Leng Yan and Chu Heng Dao inheritances to strengthen Lingshan Village. He asked Shen Zhixin for Immortal Crystals to grow Immortal Rice Grain, but left doubting the sect’s supply and resolved to secure an Immortal Monarch Quota himself.

• Zhang Lingshan reunited Tang Feiling’s soul and body, then made her refine pills for Lingshan Village as repayment for her past actions.
• Zhang Lingshan gave Leng Yan the Talismans Dao inheritance and Chu Heng parts of the Formation Dao inheritance, then left them to develop the village.
• Qian Dapo brought Zhang Lingshan to Sect Master Peak, where he asked Shen Zhixin whether the Ice Spirit Sect had Immortal Crystals for growing Immortal Rice Grain.
• Shen Zhixin said Zhang Lingshan could search the sect’s Inheritance Secret Realm for Immortal Crystals after reaching Immortal Monarch, and promised to secure him a quota.
• Zhang Lingshan learned that the sect was prioritizing an Immortal King Quota for Ji Buyi, so he decided to ask Leng Yan whether she could help him obtain an Immortal Monarch Quota.