Chapter Summaries

Zhou Ling and Wang Xin agreed to become betrothed so he could help her compete for a Wang Family Spirit Flame, and their families set the betrothal for three days later. While restoring Wang Xin’s Dark Fire Spirit Body meridians at the Dao Academy, Zhou Ling helped a Green Lotus Fire Seed form within them, and Wang Xin kissed him.

• Wang Yu explained that Wang Xin needed a family Spirit Flame to improve her chances of Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment, and Zhou Ling offered to help her collect one.
• Wang Yu proposed settling Zhou Ling and Wang Xin’s betrothal so Zhou Ling could join the Wang Family descendants’ Spirit Flame contest; both agreed.
• Li Ru and Wang Yu discussed the arrangement with their families and set the betrothal for three days later.
• Zhou Ling brought Wang Xin to the Dao Academy and nourished her meridians with the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame.
• Wang Xin sensed a Green Lotus Fire Seed forming in her meridians, thanked Zhou Ling with a kiss, and he pulled her into his arms.

Zhou Ling restored Wang Xin’s Dark Fire Spirit Body, and the two celebrated their engagement with family and guests. He then learned that Wang Qingshang, Wang Xin’s cousin and a Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment cultivator, was competing for the Wang Family’s subsidiary spirit flame and leading a pursuit of Blood Soul Sect remnants.

• Zhou Ling completed the treatment that restored Wang Xin’s spirit body, and she formed a Green Lotus Fire Seed that boosted her spiritual qi absorption.
• Zhou Ling and Wang Xin returned home for their engagement celebration, where Dean Zhong, Daoist Supervisor Zhang, and other guests congratulated them.
• He Zijian asked Zhou Ling to refine a second-grade mid-tier soul armor for an operation against Blood Soul Sect remnants, led by Wang Qingshang.
• Wang Xin explained that Wang Qingshang was her cousin and a leading candidate to merge with the Wang Family’s subsidiary spirit flame; Zhou Ling and Wang Xin then met her at a spirit herb shop.
• After Wang Qingshang exchanged contact information with them, Zhou Ling and Wang Xin bought ingredients and headed to the Dao Academy so he could refine soul armor and Soul Origin Pills.

Zhou Ling unlocked the Sword Qi Alchemy talent while learning to refine Soul Origin Pills, then received a Thunder Sword Soul Stone from He Zijian. His master Zi Ling summoned him to enter the Dao Academy’s selection contest for next year’s Four Great Daoist Academies combat competition, and he headed to the Affairs Hall to learn its details.

• Zhou Ling failed his first attempt at refining Soul Origin Pills with Azure Wood Sword Intent, unlocked Sword Qi Alchemy, and successfully refined two pill-patterned pills on his next try.
• Zhou Ling absorbed a Soul Origin Pill, improved his Soul Cultivation, and gave He Zijian a Soul Origin Pill and second-grade high-tier soul armor in exchange for two mid-grade Spirit Stones and a Thunder Sword Soul Stone.
• He Zijian told Zhou Ling that four Blood Soul Sect disciples had infiltrated Qingyun Immortal City and that Wang Qingshang had already killed one of them.
• Zhou Ling put away the Thunder Sword Soul Stone and asked Wang Xin for several second-grade pill formulas so he could practice sword qi pill refinement.
• Zi Ling told Zhou Ling to enter the selection contest in ten days for next year’s Four Great Daoist Academies combat competition, and he went to the Affairs Hall to ask about the rules.

Zhou Ling entered the Inner Academy competition, learned about its powerful contenders, and placed large bets on himself despite the poor odds. In his first match, he faced the Sword Forger Li Jing, and their sword attacks collided as the fight began.

• Zhou Ling learned the competition’s rewards included a Foundation Establishment Pill and decided to compete for one for his mother.
• Sun Dajie described the formidable late Foundation Establishment contenders, while Zhou Ling bet three mid-grade Spirit Stones on taking first place.
• Zhou Ling received medicinal ingredients from Wang Xin and spent the ten days before the competition preparing to refine pills.
• At the competition, Zhou Ling drew Li Jing, a Third Layer Foundation Establishment Sword Forger, as his first opponent and learned the odds of his reaching the top eight were one to eight.
• Li Jing urged Zhou Ling to concede, then attacked with mountain-shaped sword phantoms; Zhou Ling countered with his Fire Gang Sword and Furnace Sword Qi.

Fourteen-year-old Zhou Ling revealed that he had mastered Sword Soul, defeating Li Jing and then advancing past Lu Li in the Inner Academy competition. After winning both matches, he left the story having secured his place in the next round.

• Dean Zhong and the judges discussed Zhou Ling's likely chances in the practical combat competition, expecting his youth and limited experience to hold him back.
• Zhou Ling refined Li Jing's Thousand Mountain Sword Intent, then revealed his Furnace Sword Soul and forced Li Jing to concede.
• The spectators and judges reacted with shock at Zhou Ling's Sword Soul, while Sun Dajie told him that his next opponent, Lu Li, was a powerful Rune Master.
• Zhou Ling faced Lu Li, shattered his Fireball Talismans with Thousand Mountain Sword Intent, and destroyed two Azure Peak Sword Talismans with the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword.
• Lu Li's armor-shield Rune broke under Zhou Ling's attack, and he conceded as the judge declared Zhou Ling the winner.

Zhou Ling claimed the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword and advanced to the top thirty-two, drawing widespread attention to his swordsmanship. He then faced Yuan Shi, the Inner Academy's top Puppet Master, and revealed his own powerful puppet skills, forcing Yuan Shi to surrender.

• Zhou Ling claimed the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword, astonishing Dean Zhong, Daoist Supervisor Zhang, and the other judges.
• At his residence, Sun Dajie warned Zhou Ling that his next opponent, Yuan Shi, could control two Second-grade High-tier puppets.
• Zhou Ling studied recordings of other competitors before the top thirty-two matches began the next morning.
• Yuan Shi summoned his Blood Spider and Mysterious Armor Swordsman puppets, but Zhou Ling answered by forming a Five Elements Puppet Array with five puppets.
• As the two sides battled, Zhou Ling sent out a sixth puppet to attack Yuan Shi, who could not defend himself and admitted defeat.

Zhou Ling defeated Yuan Mu with a sword strike infused with the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword’s rules insight, then won the Inner Academy competition when Cang Zhi and Qian Huo conceded after their draw. He left the competition as champion despite being only at Foundation Establishment First Layer.

• Zhou Ling drew Yuan Mu as his opponent in the final four, and Yuan Mu challenged him to a sword-only duel.
• Yuan Mu unleashed Star River Falls Nine Heavens, but Zhou Ling’s Five Elements Profound Yang Sword formed a Fire Cloud giant sword infused with rules insight and overwhelmed the star river.
• Yuan Mu conceded before Zhou Ling’s remaining sword qi could hit him, accepting his defeat to the sword intent of the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword.
• Cang Zhi and Qian Huo fought to a draw after exhausting their energy, and both conceded rather than face Zhou Ling.
• Dean Zhong declared Zhou Ling the champion of the Inner Academy competition.

Zhou Ling received lavish rewards for winning the Inner Court Combat Power Competition and was invited by Dean Zhong to become a junior Instructor, leaving him to weigh that choice against joining the Heavenly Crafts Division. At home, he shared his rewards with his family and heard Wang Yu explain the upcoming Wang Family spirit flame fusion, which could help Wang Xin advance.

• Dean Zhong awarded Zhou Ling an Earth-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, two High-grade Spirit Stones, and five hundred Dao Academy points, then invited him to become a junior Instructor.
• Yuan Mu congratulated Zhou Ling after his loss, while Cang Zhi asked to see Qin's Sword Intent and Zhou Ling explained he could not reliably unleash that power again.
• Zhou Ling gave Li Ru the Foundation Establishment Pill and Wood Attribute High-grade Spirit Stone, then discussed Dean Zhong's invitation with his family and Wang Yu.
• Wang Yu explained that the Wang Family's spirit flame would produce one to three fire seeds and that eligible disciples needed to pass its trial and attract a seed through their bloodline and physique.
• Zhou Ling and Wang Xin listened as Wang Yu described the spirit flame fusion, scheduled for half a month later.

Zhou Ling met with Director Qin, who gave him resources and instruction to prepare for the Heavenly Crafts Division Heavenly Guard competition. Later, Wang Qingshang invited him to join the Evil Slaying Department, leaving Zhou Ling to consider whether its rewards justified the risks.

• Director Qin urged Zhou Ling to compete for the Heavenly Crafts Division Heavenly Guard slot and explained that he needed more than one thousand Contribution Value.
• Director Qin gave Zhou Ling a Jade Slip containing Third Order inscription seals and a Seal-Control Method, along with Cloudmist Tea, and arranged to ease his steward duties.
• Wang Qingshang invited Zhou Ling to dinner with He Zijian, whose Mystic Robe had protected him from a late Foundation Establishment Blood Soul remnant.
• Wang Qingshang asked Zhou Ling to join the Evil Slaying Department, citing his three spirit flames, the department's authority, and its rewards of points and military merit.
• Zhou Ling asked for a few days to consider joining and said he would give Wang Qingshang an answer that afternoon.

Zhou Ling decided to join the Evil Slaying Department to earn military merit and studied Director Qin’s Seal Control Technique, beginning work on a Third-Order sword seal. After officially joining the understaffed department in Qingyun Immortal City, he learned about its mission to hunt Blood Soul Sect remnants and obtained battle footage to analyze their techniques.

• Zhou Ling learned that military merit required participation in a realm-opening war, then chose to join the Evil Slaying Department and received Wang Qingshang’s approval.
• Zhou Ling studied the Seal Control Technique and the Third-Order Thousand Fire Sword Seal, but his first attempt failed; his practice improved his proficiency and brought him closer to mastering it.
• Zhou Ling completed the procedures to join the Evil Slaying Department and met Wang Qingshang, He Zijian, and Han Qingyi.
• Wang Qingshang explained the department’s rewards and its need to hunt Blood Soul Sect remnants, including a late Foundation Establishment fugitive in Qingyun Immortal City.
• Zhou Ling learned how Blood Soul Sect cultivators used soul attacks and absorbed blood essence, then asked Wang Qingshang for battle footage to study their techniques.

Wang Qingshang, Zhou Ling, and He Zijian followed Mu Xuanwei’s signal to a hidden Blood Soul Sect stronghold in a valley near Qingyun Immortal City. As they cautiously approached the enemy, Zhou Ling discovered and easily burned a Blood Corpse, while the three prepared to confront the sect’s cultivators and remaining puppets.

• Wang Qingshang learned that Mu Xuanwei had gone to West Yan Mountain and received no reply to her message, so she set out with Zhou Ling and He Zijian to find him.
• Wang Qingshang detected a Shielding Array at the valley and used the Evil Slaying Department’s Tracking Jade to locate Mu Xuanwei inside.
• Zhou Ling’s Danger Avoidance Deduction warned him that three Blood Soul Sect disciples were hiding in the valley, including one at late Foundation Establishment, and that they had several Blood Corpse Soul Puppets.
• Wang Qingshang assigned herself the late Foundation Establishment cultivator, while Zhou Ling agreed to handle the Blood Corpses and He Zijian joined him against the other enemies.
• Zhou Ling led the group into the valley, spotted a second-rank Blood Corpse hiding behind a boulder, and destroyed it with Earth Spirit Land Fire.

Zhou Ling, Wang Qingshang, and He Zijian fought through Blood Soul Sect blood corpses and reached the trapped Mu Jianshi. Inside a Third-Tier Blood Fiend Soul Array, Zhou Ling found its array eyes and shattered the formation, leaving the injured sect leader and the remaining blood corpses exposed.

• Zhou Ling used his Spirit Flames to silently kill blood corpses as the trio advanced through the valley, eventually eliminating eight.
• When more blood corpses attacked, Zhou Ling revealed that he possessed five Spirit Flames and burned them away while Wang Qingshang promised him two Fire Sword Grass plants.
• The trio reached Mu Jianshi, who was trapped before dozens of coffins with three Blood Soul Sect remnants nearby, and the men activated the Blood Fiend Soul Array around them.
• Wang Qingshang, He Zijian, and Zhou Ling fought off three Mid Second-tier blood corpses while Zhou Ling's Beast Flame cleared a small area of blood mist.
• Zhou Ling located three array eyes inside Blood Coffins about fifty zhang away and used three spirit swords paired with Spirit Flames to destroy them.
• The Blood Fiend Soul Array collapsed, and the white-robed man controlling it spat blood and was visibly injured.

Zhou Ling fought and killed the late Foundation Establishment leader of the Blood Soul Sect using his five Spirit Flames and the Five Elements Spirit Flame Array. After the others defeated the remaining sect members, Wang Qingshang accepted the leader’s Storage Ring and credited Zhou Ling with the greatest merit for destroying the stronghold.

• Zhou Ling told Wang Qingshang and He Zijian to fight the other two Blood Soul Sect cultivators while he faced their late Foundation Establishment leader.
• Zhou Ling used his Beast Flame to suppress the leader’s Blood Seal as Wang Qingshang and He Zijian battled the other cultivators and blood corpses.
• The leader drew Blood Fiend Qi from coffins and spent his essence blood to strengthen his attacks, but Zhou Ling trapped him in the Five Elements Spirit Flame Array.
• Zhou Ling combined the flame array with his Five Elements Profound Yang Sword to destroy the leader’s Third-Tier Blood Talisman attack and kill him.
• Wang Qingshang and He Zijian defeated the other two Blood Soul Sect cultivators, and Wang Qingshang took the leader’s Storage Ring and praised Zhou Ling for earning the greatest credit.

Zhou Ling helped Wang Qingshang and the others destroy a Blood Soul Sect stronghold, then refined its Blood Fiend Crystal Stones to advance his body tempering. The chapter ended with him wondering whether the remaining crystals could help his father reach Mid Second-tier Body Tempering.

• Zhou Ling accepted the damaged Blood Seal from Wang Qingshang as a reward for helping defeat the Blood Soul Sect fiends.
• Zhou Ling found the Blood Coffin Fiend-Gathering Array, collected twelve high-grade Blood Fiend Crystal Stones and a Third Order Spirit-Gathering Stone, then destroyed the array.
• Wang Qingshang credited Zhou Ling with destroying the fiend vein and promised that his actions would count toward his military merit before the group left the valley.
• Zhou Ling inspected the Blood Flood Dragon Seal and began refining Blood Fiend Crystal Stones with Beast Flame, using their blood qi to cultivate.
• After absorbing six crystals over three days, Zhou Ling advanced to Late Second-tier Body Tempering and found that his Two Suns True Body could withstand a strike from the Fire Gang Sword.
• Zhou Ling used Azure Lotus Spirit Flame to remove the fiendish aura from another crystal and considered whether the remaining six could raise his father's cultivation to Mid Second-tier Body Tempering.

Zhou Ling gave his father three high-grade Blood Crystal Stones and learned that Uncle Chu planned to visit Qingyun Immortal City. At the Evil Slaying Department, Wang Qingshang promoted Zhou Ling to Second-grade Evil Slaying Guard, awarded him eight hundred and thirty military merits and Fire Sword Grass, then asked him to help suppress a Wang Family Ancestral Flame Seed alongside Wang Xin.

• Zhou Ling gave Zhou Shan three high-grade Blood Crystal Stones, and Zhou Shan told him Uncle Chu planned to come to Qingyun Immortal City after his failed Foundation Establishment attempt.
• Wang Qingshang told Zhou Ling that his role in destroying the Blood Soul Sect stronghold earned him promotion to Second-grade Evil Slaying Guard and eight hundred and thirty military merits.
• Wang Qingshang gave Zhou Ling the promised Third Order Fire Sword Grass, which he accepted, then learned he would help Wang Xin collect a flame seed at the Wang Family next month.
• Wang Qingshang asked Zhou Ling to help her suppress an Ancestral Flame Seed, offering to lend him a secret art for achieving a Heaven-Grade Golden Core.
• Zhou Ling agreed to help Wang Qingshang only if the Ancestral Flame produced at least two seeds and he had already finished helping Wang Xin suppress hers.

Zhou Ling accompanied Wang Xin to the Wang Family ancestral ceremony, where she sought to fuse with an Ancestral Flame Seed. After the Golden Soul Burning Heaven Flame began its trial, Zhou Ling’s Spirit Flames absorbed its aura, and he helped Wang Xin withstand the pressure as other disciples were expelled.

• Wang Yu brought Zhou Ling and Wang Xin to the Wang Family ancestral land in Qingyang Immortal City for the annual ancestral ceremony.
• Patriarch Wang Sixian led the clan in worship and announced that eligible young disciples would face the Ancestral Flame’s trial before entering its domain to seek Flame Seeds.
• Wang Qingshang reminded Zhou Ling of their agreement, and Zhou Ling promised to help Wang Xin through the dangerous fusion.
• The ancestral land opened and transported the disciples before the Golden Soul Burning Heaven Flame, whose pressure made Zhou Ling’s five Spirit Flames tremble.
• Zhou Ling’s Spirit Flames absorbed the Golden Soul Burning Heaven Flame’s aura, and he circulated five-colored firelight around Wang Xin to ease her pressure.
• The Golden Soul Burning Heaven Flame intensified its suppression, expelling disciples whose defensive treasures could not protect them.

Zhou Ling helped Wang Xin and Wang Qingshang endure the Golden Soul Burning Heaven Flame’s trial, then accepted the flame’s offer to fuse with its Spirit Soul. The fusion proved perilous, and the chapter left him enduring its violent power as his fusion progress began.

• Wang Sixian learned Zhou Ling was Wang Xin’s fiancé and reviewed his records, discovering that he had achieved Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment.
• Zhou Ling used his five Spirit Flames to help Wang Qingshang withstand the golden flames while he and Wang Xin continued absorbing their qi.
• After the trial ended, nine Wang Family clansmen remained alongside Zhou Ling, and Wang Sixian told them to recover before entering the Flame Domain.
• The Golden Soul Burning Heaven Flame offered Zhou Ling its Spirit Soul, and he agreed to fuse with it.
• The golden Spirit Soul battered Zhou Ling’s body and shattered his Spirit Flames, but his panel showed his fusion progress increasing and a cool current restored some sensation.

Zhou Ling fused the Golden Soul Burning Heaven Flame’s spirit soul into his Dry Yang True Fire, raising its grade and advancing his cultivation to the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment. Wang Xin then fused with the Ancestral Flame Seed almost instantly, earning the Wang Family Patriarch’s recognition as a Deity Transformation seed.

• Zhou Ling learned that the Golden Soul Burning Heaven Flame’s spirit soul had upgraded his Dry Yang True Fire and granted it artifact-crafting abilities, then returned from the Ancestral Flame Domain.
• Zhou Ling relayed his experience to Wang Xin before the Golden Soul Burning Heaven Flame sent her and the other Wang Family disciples into its flame domain.
• Zhou Ling returned to the Wang Family Square, discovered he had advanced to the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment, and began recovering his cultivation.
• Wang Xin emerged shortly after entering the domain and told Wang Yu and Zhou Ling that a golden light had entered her body and formed a flame seed without difficulty.
• Wang Yu confirmed the golden flame in Wang Xin’s hand was the Ancestral Flame Seed, astonishing the Wang Family disciples and Patriarch Wang Sixian.
• Patriarch Wang Sixian praised Wang Xin’s compatibility with the Ancestral Flame Seed and declared her a Deity Transformation seed whose resources would match those of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Zhou Ling met Patriarch Wang, who asked him to marry into the Wang Family, while Wang Xin rejected the idea of becoming family head and prepared for Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment. Wang Xin planned to remain with Zhou Ling, and he returned to Qingyun Immortal City ahead of his Heavenly Guard assessment.

• Patriarch Wang welcomed Zhou Ling and asked whether he would marry into the Wang Family, but Zhou Ling said he needed to discuss the matter with his parents.
• Wang Xin told Patriarch Wang she did not want Zhou Ling to marry into the family or to compete for the position of Patriarch.
• Patriarch Wang gave Wang Xin a Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill and supporting materials, and arranged for her to prepare in the family’s ancestral grounds.
• Wang Xin told Wang Yu she did not want to stay with the Wang Family, while Zhou Ling promised to find the resources she needed if she chose to leave.
• Wang Yu advised Wang Xin to remain with the Wang Family until she completed Foundation Establishment, and Zhou Ling returned to Qingyun Immortal City to prepare for his Heavenly Guard assessment.

Zhou Ling condensed the Five Elements Heart Fire and considered refining it into his Natal Spirit Flame before the Heavenly Crafts Division assessment. After visiting his family and hearing their views on a Wang Family marriage proposal, he went to meet Wang Qingshang, who had advanced to late Foundation Establishment and gave him a secret art for forming a Heaven-Grade Golden Core.

• Zhou Ling condensed the Five Elements Heart Fire and planned to refine it into a Natal Spirit Flame ahead of the Heavenly Crafts Division Heavenly Guard assessment.
• Zhou Ling visited his family, gave Li Ru materials for Foundation Establishment Pills, and heard Chu Xing explain his plan to seek a better pill and try Foundation Establishment again.
• Zhou Ling told Zhou Shan and Li Ru that Patriarch Wang had proposed he marry into the Wang Family, and they firmly rejected the idea.
• Wang Qingshang summoned Zhou Ling to the Evil Slaying Department, where he discovered she had advanced to late Foundation Establishment.
• Wang Qingshang gave Zhou Ling the Spirit Flame Golden Core Art and asked him about his experience controlling spirit flames.