Chapter Summaries

Zhou Ling repaired a Heavy Armor Puppet and crafted an Earth Attribute Spirit Sword, then advanced his Sword Control talent and strengthened the Five Elements Sword Formation. When crisis deductions revealed that the Blood Beast Sect Master was lying in wait and the Black Water Sect’s Third Elder was approaching, Zhou Ling chose to stay and defend Purple Cloud Mountain and its residents, setting out to hunt the Blood Beast Sect Master.

• Zhou Ling repaired a mid Second-tier Heavy Armor Puppet and prepared his puppets and other combat methods for the journey to Black Mountain Valley.
• Zhou Ling used Dry Yang True Fire to craft an Earth Attribute Spirit Sword, and [Sword Control] advanced to [Sword Follows Will], letting him control swords within one hundred zhang.
• Zhou Ling learned that a Late Second-tier Body Cultivator was spying outside the sect and that the Blood Beast Sect Master planned to ambush him on his westward journey, so he postponed his departure.
• [Crisis Avoidance Deduction] warned Zhou Ling that the Black Water Sect’s Third Elder was heading to Purple Cloud Mountain to join forces with the Blood Beast Sect Master.
• Zhou Ling decided to protect Purple Cloud Mountain, Liu Yue'er, and the other woman, then sent the Golden Fire Crow and Stone Rock Rat to search for the Blood Beast Sect Master before heading down the mountain himself.

Zhou Ling killed Du Sheng with the Five Elements Sword Formation and found a rich haul in the Blood Beast Sect Master's Storage Ring. After two quiet days, he flew to Black Mountain Valley to search for a spirit flame, where he learned a Third-order Fire Scale Beast guarded the caverns ahead.

• Zhou Ling intimidated Du Sheng with claims that Purple Cloud Fairy was alive, then killed him using the Five Elements Sword Formation and the Golden Fire Crow.
• A Black Water Sect elder saw Zhou Ling's sword qi, assumed Purple Cloud Fairy had returned, and fled west.
• Zhou Ling recovered and sorted Du Sheng's treasures, then considered giving the Blood Ape Body Refining Art and Mountain Moving Art to his father.
• After two calm days, Zhou Ling rode the Golden Fire Crow to Black Mountain Valley, where his deductions revealed a spirit flame and a dangerous Third-order Fire Scale Beast in the caverns.

Zhou Ling found the weakened Earth Spirit Land Fire in an underground magma cavern guarded by a Third-order Fire Scale Beast, then collected it by luring the beast away and suppressing the flame. He also discovered a Fourth-grade Burning Flame Essence Stone and left the cavern before the Fire Scale Beast could return.

• Zhou Ling followed the Stone Rock Rat through the cavern and located the Earth Spirit Land Fire beside a magma river.
• Zhou Ling spotted the weakened Fire Scale Beast beneath the magma and decided to draw it away with his Beast Flame.
• The Fire Scale Beast chased the Beast Flame while Zhou Ling used his Five Elements Spirit Flame and Dry Yang True Fire to suppress and seal the Earth Spirit Land Fire in the Purple Gold Cauldron.
• Zhou Ling discovered and collected a Fourth-grade Burning Flame Essence Stone after his Melting Furnace Sword barely cracked it.
• Zhou Ling called for the Stone Rock Rat and left the underground cavern with the Earth Spirit Land Fire and the Burning Flame Essence Stone.

Zhou Ling refined the weakened Earth Spirit Land Fire, enduring its violent flames before absorbing it and advancing his cultivation. He condensed two drops of liquid spiritual power and prepared to pursue a Foundation Establishment Pill through the upcoming Dao Academy competition.

• Zhou Ling returned to Purple Cloud Mountain, sealed the Earth Spirit Land Fire in the Purple Gold Cauldron, and refined a large amount of Burning Extinction Essence Gold from a Burning Flame Essence Stone.
• After more than twenty days, Zhou Ling prepared Spirit Liquid and Blood Crystals, then drew the weakened Earth Spirit Land Fire into his body.
• The Earth Spirit Land Fire erupted inside Zhou Ling, but his other Spirit Flames gradually subdued it as his physique and fire-attribute spiritual power improved.
• Zhou Ling condensed two drops of liquid spiritual power, reached the perfection of the Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation, and strengthened his Five Elements Thunder Gang Physique.
• Zhou Ling discovered that the Earth Spirit Land Fire could temper spiritual power and protect his soul, then resolved to seek a Foundation Establishment Pill at the coming Golden Core Seed Competition.

Zhou Ling prepared for Xuanyuan Daoist Academy’s Golden Core Seed Assessment, reunited with his family, and learned news from Lingxia Immortal City before entering the multi-day competition. He chose an assessment platform suited to his strengths, while the judges wondered how he had reached Qi Condensation Peak with a Low-Grade Spiritual Root.

• Instructor Hu gave Zhou Ling his assessment jade token, warned him about the test’s difficulty, and advised him to make use of his skill at forging treasure swords.
• Zhou Ling brought his parents Blood Crystal Stones, Body Tempering manuals, and Spirit Rice, and Zhou Shan chose to cultivate the Mountain Moving Art.
• Li Ru told Zhou Ling that Uncle Chu had failed Foundation Establishment and that Huzi’s wife was pregnant.
• Dean Zhong announced the Golden Core Seed Assessment, and Zhou Ling entered after seeing Liu Yu, Ye Zhilan, and other disciples arrive.
• Zhou Ling used his observations to compare the assessment platforms and selected one in the eastern area with abundant spiritual energy.
• Dean Zhong, Daoist Supervisor Zhang, Instructor Hu, and the Inner Academy judges expressed surprise at Zhou Ling’s cultivation progress and discussed whether he might possess a Hidden Spirit Body.

Zhou Ling dominated the assessment’s materials contest with his powerful Soul Blade, defeating challenges from Liu Yu, Zhao Ze Zheng, and others. He continued collecting a large supply of materials for his planned spiritual swords, leaving the judges uncertain how he intended to refine them all within three days.

• Zhou Ling ignored Liu Yu’s complaint and used his divine sense to collect rare ores, overwhelming other disciples who tried to contest them.
• The judges recognized that Zhou Ling’s Soul Cultivation had reached Foundation Establishment-level strength, while Instructor Hu defended his abilities despite concerns about his heavy material gathering.
• Zhao Ze Zheng and two disciples challenged Zhou Ling for an Ironwood, but Zhou Ling’s split Soul Blades shattered their attacks and forced them to retreat.
• Liu Yu watched Zhou Ling defeat Zhao Ze Zheng’s group and felt relieved that he had not provoked him.
• Zhou Ling identified and collected Water, Earth, and other materials, along with ingredients for Spirit Ink, while the judges wondered whether he could refine such a large haul in time.

Zhou Ling used his efficient fire control and artifact-refining techniques to forge two spirit swords in less than a day, astonishing the judges and spectators. He rested after completing the Fire Sword and Ironwood Sword, leaving the assessment ongoing with more than two days remaining.

• Zhou Ling selected materials and prepared to forge five Five Elements Spirit Swords, aiming to secure a top-three result and a Golden Core Seed slot.
• Zhou Ling used Earth Fire and Dry Yang True Fire to refine materials and completed the Departing Fire Sword in just over two hours.
• Zhou Ling recovered quickly, then used Five Elements Spirit Flame to forge an Ironwood Sword, finishing his second spirit sword before nightfall.
• Dean Zhong, Daoist Supervisor Zhang, and the other judges were astonished by Zhou Ling’s speed, and Dean Zhong suspected he intended to forge all five Five Elements Spirit Swords.
• Li Ru, Zhou Shan, Wang Xin, and Sun Dajie watched Zhou Ling’s second sword being completed and marveled at his progress.
• Zhou Ling decided to stop for the day and began recovering his spiritual energy and soul with the remaining ironwood.

Zhou Ling completed five powerful Five Elements Spirit Swords in two days, impressing the judges and securing first place in the Golden Core Seed Assessment. The chapter ended with the plaza celebrating his victory as he became champion again.

• Zhou Ling refined the Mysterious Gold Sword and completed the remaining Earth and Water Spirit Swords, forming a Five-Colored Sword Rhyme with all five weapons.
• The judges inspected Zhou Ling’s Spirit Swords, found that they could form a Five Elements Sword Formation with power comparable to a top-grade Spirit Sword, and unanimously recommended him as champion.
• Zhou Ling returned to the resting area, received praise and food from Sun Dajie and his family, then watched the other disciples’ progress while recovering.
• Dean Zhong ended the assessment and announced Zhou Ling as first place in the Golden Core Seed Assessment.
• Sun Dajie excitedly congratulated Zhou Ling on becoming champion again, and Zhou Ling chuckled at how natural victory felt.

Zhou Ling received the Golden Core Seed Champion’s rewards and continued searching for a Water Attribute Spirit Flame so he could pursue Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment. His master, Zi Ling, arrived in Qingyun Immortal City and gave him a Mysterious Ice Crystal Flame, completing his set of five elemental Spirit Flames and bringing Foundation Establishment within reach.

• Dean Zhong awarded Zhou Ling a Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, thirty mid-grade Spirit Stones, and a month of free use of the Dao Academy’s Fourth-Tier Spirit Land Cultivation Room, but Zhou Ling refused Instructor Chen’s offer to trade for Earth-Grade pills.
• Zhou Ling told Wang Xin he planned to keep searching for a Water Attribute Spirit Flame before attempting Foundation Establishment, and Wang Xin said her mother believed Zi Ling had gone looking for Spirit Flames for him.
• During the next three months, Zhou Ling stabilized his Qi Condensation Peak cultivation, advanced his Five Elements Sword Art, and searched unsuccessfully for a Water Attribute Spirit Flame.
• Wang Xin invited Zhou Ling to Fragrance-Filled Tower, where he reunited with Zi Ling and learned she would stay at the Inner Academy of Xuanyuan Daoist Academy.
• Zi Ling gave Zhou Ling a Jade Slip of Foundation Establishment experiences and revealed a third-grade Mysterious Ice Crystal Flame, the Water Attribute Spirit Flame he needed, warning him to refine it carefully.

Zhou Ling began Foundation Establishment in a Fourth-Tier Spirit Vein Cave Mansion after months of preparation, refining the Mysterious Ice Crystal Flame and using a Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill. As his Five Elements Spiritual Power condensed into a vast sea of Spirit Liquid, a five-colored vortex made the Dao Academy suspect he was achieving Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment.

• Zhou Ling secured a month in a Fourth-Tier Spirit Vein Cave Mansion after Daoist Supervisor Zhang cautioned him against attempting Foundation Establishment so early.
• Zhou Ling refined the Mysterious Ice Crystal Flame, which strengthened his Five Elements Thunder Gang Physique and made his Spiritual Power denser and purer.
• Zhou Ling took the Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill and passed the Blood Qi, Mana, and Spiritual Sense Gates while condensing a vast quantity of Five-Colored Spirit Liquid.
• Zhou Ling used his Five Elements Spirit Flames to purify the Spirit Liquid as a massive five-colored Spiritual Energy Vortex formed above the cave mansion.
• Daoist Supervisor Zhang identified Zhou Ling as the cultivator attempting Foundation Establishment, leaving Dean Zhong and the instructors astonished that a Low-Grade Spiritual Root could produce a Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment vortex.

Zhou Ling achieved Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment and rejected the Dao Academy instructors’ offers because he had already chosen Instructor Zi Ling as his master. He returned home to share the news with Li Ru and Zhou Shan, who began preparing a celebration with Wang Xin’s family.

• Zhou Ling completed Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment, greatly increasing his spiritual power, divine sense, and Qi Sea.
• Dean Zhong, Daoist Supervisor Zhang, Instructor Lin, and other instructors offered to take Zhou Ling as their disciple, but he said Instructor Zi Ling was already his master.
• Zhou Ling left the Dao Academy and returned home, where he told Li Ru and Zhou Shan that he had established his foundation.
• Li Ru and Zhou Shan celebrated Zhou Ling’s achievement, and Li Ru asked him to invite Wang Xin and Aunt Wang to dinner.
• Zhou Ling sent Wang Xin a message, and she agreed to come over with Aunt Wang for the celebration.

Zhou Ling achieved Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment, entered the Inner Academy, and formally became Zi Ling’s disciple. As He Zijian learned of Zhou Ling’s achievement and invited him to celebrate, Zhou Ling began studying the Five Elements Spirit Flame Array his master had given him.

• The Dao Academy announced Zhou Ling’s Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment, astonishing the disciples and disappointing Liu Yu, Ye Zhilan, and Wang Duan, who had expected to achieve it themselves.
• Zhou Ling visited Zi Ling, completed the ceremony to become her formal disciple, and received a Jade Slip containing the Five Elements Spirit Flame Array.
• Zhou Ling completed his Inner Academy procedures and moved into a larger lodge prepared for him by the Dao Academy.
• He Zijian learned that Zhou Ling had achieved Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment and was being called the Four Great Daoist Academies’ Number One Genius, then agreed to visit Zhou Ling with Ling Yun to celebrate.
• Zhou Ling examined the Five Elements Spirit Flame Array and studied its offensive Five Elements Fire form and supportive Five Elements cycle form.

After achieving Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment, Zhou Ling learned about a scarce Heavenly Crafts Division assessment and the Xuanyuan Daoist Academy’s Sword Forest, then prepared to pursue both opportunities. He shared his Foundation Establishment insights with his friends and encouraged He Zijian and Wang Xin as they planned their own breakthroughs.

• Zhou Ling celebrated his Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment with his friends, and Lu Yunxi explained that he could compete for one of five Heavenly Crafts Division training slots after first passing Qingyun Immortal City’s assessment.
• Instructor Hu told Zhou Ling about the Sword Forest, where Xu Baoyuan had gained Sword Intent, and Zhou Ling decided to earn the remaining points he needed to enter.
• He Zijian said he planned to attempt Earth-Grade Foundation Establishment at year’s end, and Zhou Ling advised him that his cultivation was ready and gave him, He Lingyun, and Wang Xin Jade Slips containing his Foundation Establishment insights.
• Wang Xin told Zhou Ling that her mother believed her restored spirit body could give her a chance at Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment, and Zhou Ling encouraged her to focus on doing her best.

Zhou Ling received the Dao Academy’s rewards for achieving Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment and used his Profound-grade selection to obtain the incomplete Earth-grade Five Elements Essence Puppetry Art. After discovering its potential to create autonomous puppets that could farm and assist with cultivation, he planned to begin making them for the Heavenly Cloud Realm.

• Instructor Hu told Zhou Ling that his Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment earned him three hundred points and other rewards, and that Instructor Hu had also gained a chance to enter the Inner Academy.
• At the Affairs Hall, Zhou Ling collected his points, Spirit Gathering Pills, Soul Origin Pills, and fifty mid-grade Spirit Stones, then went to the Scripture Pavilion to choose a technique.
• Zhou Ling used his reward to obtain the incomplete Earth-grade Five Elements Essence Puppetry Art, which Instructor Hu questioned him about before Zhou Ling explained that he needed puppets for wilderness work.
• At his residence, Zhou Ling studied the art and learned that its Five Elements Puppets could carry out tasks autonomously, including farming and assisting their master’s cultivation.
• Zhou Ling planned to buy materials the next day and craft several first-grade Spirit Farmer Puppets for Purple Cloud Sect, while considering the costs and materials required for higher-grade puppets.

Zhou Ling forged five Five Elements Puppets, activated the Golden Armor Puppet, and consumed a Soul Origin Pill that advanced his Clear Radiance Spirit Nurturing Art to its second level. He gained new soul techniques and left Golden Armor to guard and maintain his cottage.

• Zhou Ling completed five Five Elements Puppets, including a second-grade mid-tier Golden Armor Puppet, and activated it with five mid-grade spirit stones.
• Zhou Ling ordered Golden Armor to cultivate and confirmed that its ordinary actions did not consume spirit stones, then considered improving his Soul Cultivation to protect their soul connection.
• Zhou Ling swallowed a Two Pill Patterns Soul Origin Pill and endured its surging power while refining it with the Clear Radiance Spirit Nurturing Art.
• Zhou Ling advanced the Clear Radiance Spirit Nurturing Art to its second level, increasing his divine sense to five hundred zhang and learning the Spirit Splitting Technique, Soul Merging Technique, and Divine Spirit Slash.
• Zhou Ling named the puppet Golden Armor and ordered it to guard the cottage and handle household chores, and it began sweeping the courtyard.

Zhou Ling registered to enter the Sword Forest and joined the Inner Academy Sword Forging Division after learning its members could avoid Pioneering Domain expeditions. He entered the Sword Pavilion with six other disciples and began exploring its treasure swords, hoping to temper his Sword Intent.

• Zhou Ling read about the Sword Forest and decided to use its treasure swords to improve his Sword Intent when it reopened.
• At the Inner Academy Affairs Office, Zhou Ling registered for the Sword Forest and paid three hundred points.
• Chen Bai invited Zhou Ling to join the Sword Forging Division, explaining that members completed one commission per month and could avoid Pioneering Domain expeditions; Zhou Ling accepted.
• Instructor Wu recorded each disciple's Sword Intent and sword-control ability, and Zhou Ling revealed his powerful Furnace Sword Intent.
• Instructor Wu led the seven disciples into the Sword Pavilion and reminded them they had four hours to explore; Zhou Ling paused to survey the rows of treasure swords.

Zhou Ling inspected swords in the Sword Pavilion, claimed the Chongyang Sword long enough to extract its Pure Yang Sword Soul Stone, and continued searching for a suitable weapon. He found a half-finished Five Elements Profound Yang Sword containing Five Elements Sword Intent and a Golden Core cultivator’s Mysterious Silk Edict.

• Zhou Ling used his talents to inspect the Azure Rainbow Sword and Blood Mark Sword, then passed on them because they were unsuitable or incompatible.
• Chen Bai failed to claim the Profound Light Sword despite its Star Radiance Sword Intent and his star attribute.
• Zhou Ling claimed the Chongyang Sword and used Furnace Sword Intent and Beast Flame to extract its Pure Yang Sword Soul Stone, then returned the dimmed sword to its platform.
• Zhou Ling continued inspecting swords and followed a Mountain Treasure Hunt prompt to a dull, half-finished Five Elements Profound Yang Sword.
• Zhou Ling learned that the third-grade sword contained Five Elements Sword Intent and a Mysterious Silk Edict bestowed after a Golden Core tribulation.

Zhou Ling suppressed the powerful Sword Intents inside the semi-finished Five Elements Profound Yang Sword and unexpectedly condensed a Furnace Sword Soul while overcoming its fire attribute. He left the Sword Forest with the sword, while the other disciples believed he had taken a Third-Tier Treasure Sword.

• Zhou Ling analyzed the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword and discovered it contained metal, wood, and fire Sword Intents, along with a fire-attributed Mysterious Silk Edict.
• Zhou Ling subdued the Golden Sword Intent with his Furnace Sword Intent and suppressed the defensive Azure Wood Sword Intent with his Golden Dragon Sword Intent.
• Zhou Ling struggled against the strengthened Fire Cloud Sword Intent, then condensed a Furnace Sword Soul as his Furnace Sword Intent surged.
• Zhou Ling gained control of the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword and found that his Sword Qi had become several times stronger.
• The other disciples felt Zhou Ling's sword aura, and Chen Bai and the others congratulated him for taking a Third-Tier Treasure Sword.
• Zhou Ling asked Chen Bai about his sword, and Chen Bai said he had taken a Second-grade High-tier treasure sword before they joined Instructor Wu.

Zhou Ling claimed the unfinished Five Elements Profound Yang Sword and revealed a newly comprehended Furnace Sword Soul, impressing Instructor Wu and the other disciples. Instructor Wu gave Zhou Ling two Jade Slips, including an Azure Wood Sword Art that could refine pills, and Zhou Ling left to study it.

• Instructor Wu explained that Qin Haoran had forged the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword with his help and that no disciple had suppressed it in two hundred years.
• Zhou Ling described how he endured the sword’s three sword intents and displayed his Furnace Sword Soul, convincing Instructor Wu of his talent.
• Instructor Wu told Zhou Ling the sword could be completed with two more sword seals and challenged him to prove his strength before claiming them.
• Instructor Wu gave Zhou Ling a Jade Slip listing the sword’s materials and seals and another containing the Azure Wood Sword Art, which could refine pills.
• The disciples congratulated Zhou Ling, and he left the Sword Forest planning to study the pill-refining sword art.

Zhou Ling tested the Azure Wood Sword Art and discovered that its Green Wood Sword Qi could refine pills when combined with his Azure Lotus Spirit Flame. He successfully made three patterned High-grade Qi Gathering Pills with Wang Xin and confirmed that they were unusually potent, while Wang Xin explained that her Foundation Establishment plans depended on her Dark Fire Spirit Body recovering and possibly receiving the Wang Family’s Spirit Flame.

• Zhou Ling practiced Sword Heart Like Soul with the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword, then studied the Azure Wood Sword Art and fused its Green Wood Sword Qi with his Azure Lotus Spirit Flame.
• Zhou Ling visited Wang Xin and learned that she was waiting for her Dark Fire Spirit Body’s meridians to recover before attempting Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment, though she was reluctant to rely on the Wang Family’s Spirit Flame.
• Wang Xin prepared Qi Gathering Pill ingredients and her cauldron while Zhou Ling used Green Wood Sword Qi to refine them, successfully producing three High-grade pills with one pill pattern each.
• Zhou Ling examined and tasted one pill, confirming that its medicinal power exceeded that of ordinary Qi Gathering Pills, and Wang Xin marveled that sword qi could refine pills.