Chapter Summaries

Zhou Ling studied the Essence Puppetry Art, received the Blood Lotus and Contribution Value for killing bandits, and visited the Heavenly Crafts Division to exchange for the Three Yang Art. He left with the second layer of the Great Yang Art, hoping to cultivate it himself and help his father advance as well.

• Zhou Ling drew three soul patterns while studying the Essence Puppetry Art, then fed the awakened Golden Fire Crow and Stone Rock Rat.
• He Zijian brought Zhou Ling two Blood Lotus and two Dharma robe artifacts, confirmed Zhou Ling received three hundred Contribution Value, and discussed their Dao Academy plans.
• Zhou Ling gave Wang Yu two Blood Lotus to refine pills and headed to the Heavenly Crafts Division to exchange his Contribution Value for a Body Tempering art.
• At the Scripture Repository, Zhou Ling chose the Three Yang Art, the second layer of the Great Yang Art, despite the old man's warning that few cultivators had succeeded in mastering it.

Zhou Ling learned the second layer of the Great Yang Art, cultivated the Three Yang Art, and awakened the [Blazing Sun Blood Moving] talent. He then sought Steward Qin’s advice on combining Engravings for He Zijian’s Golden Silk Magic Robe and received a Jade Slip to study.

• Zhou Ling heard that the Wine Workshop was thriving and learned that Huzi had been rejected after Li Ru introduced him to Aunt Xu’s niece.
• Zhou Ling analyzed He Zijian’s Golden Silk Magic Robe, found that the suitable Composite Engravings in his Compendium were too difficult, and decided to ask Steward Qin for guidance.
• Zhou Ling studied the second-layer cultivation method of the Great Yang Art overnight and discovered that his progress had reset as Three Yang Art Beginner 5/100.
• Zhou Ling practiced the Great Yang Fist, shattered wine jars with a punch, and awakened the [Blazing Sun Blood Moving] talent after meeting its cultivation requirement.
• Li Ru urged Zhou Ling not to overwork himself, while Zhou Ling considered finding a suitable cultivation method for his mother and waiting to teach his father the Three Yang Art.
• Zhou Ling visited Steward Qin, who gave him a Jade Slip on Composite Engravings, recommended pairing Gold Attribute Defense with Wood Attribute Spirit Gathering for the robe, and answered his questions about engraving nodes.

Zhou Ling awakened the Blazing Sun Blood Moving talent, condensed Sun Blood Essence, and improved his Great Yang Fist. After receiving pills to help fuse the Green Lotus Fire Seed, he returned home to attempt the dangerous fusion alone, as Zi Ling believed enduring it without assistance would strengthen his cultivation and foundation.

• Zhou Ling practiced the Great Yang Fist, awakened Blazing Sun Blood Moving, and condensed Sun Blood Essence, which increased his fist force but caused severe pain when he pushed its power.
• After six days of cultivation, Zhou Ling reached the Proficient realm in the Three Yang Art and believed he could trade blows with Li Mu.
• Wang Yu gave Zhou Ling a Blood Lotus Fire Melting Pill and a Blood Lotus Pill, then warned him that his fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivation might be insufficient to suppress the Green Lotus Fire Seed.
• Wang Yu explained that the Green Lotus Fire Seed might exceed the power of a Second-Grade Spirit Flame, and described how flame halos revealed a Spirit Flame's grade.
• Zi Ling told Zhou Ling to fuse the Green Lotus Fire Seed at home without relying on the Fire Spirit Maple Trees, saying the hardship would benefit his Five Elements Dry Yang True Art and foundation.
• Zhou Ling left Maple Leaf Courtyard to begin preparing for the fusion, while Zi Ling explained her reasoning to Wang Yu.

Zhou Ling refined the Green Lotus Fire Seed, reached the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, and gained control of the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame. Confident that his improved cultivation could help him qualify for Xuanyuan Daoist Academy, he began attempting the paired engravings He Zijian had requested.

• Zhou Ling swallowed the Blood Lotus Fire Melting Pill and drank the True Haze Spirit Spring before breaking the seal on the Green Lotus Fire Seed and drawing its flames into his body.
• Zhou Ling endured the fire's assault on his meridians and Sea of Consciousness until the Sunbird Fire Melting Technique absorbed and fused the flames.
• Zhou Ling opened seven spiritual acupoints, reached the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, and discovered that the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame had formed a Water Attribute meridian and strengthened his Wood Attribute cultivation.
• Zhou Ling identified the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame as a Profound Grade Spirit Flame and compared its potential with the more immediately useful Beast Flame.
• Zhou Ling checked his improved attributes, prepared Spirit Paper and inks, and began drawing the Golden Armor Engraving and Wood Origin Engraving.

Zhou Ling completed a Gold-Wood Composite Engraving and learned that becoming a first-grade Inscription Master in the Heavenly Crafts Division required a scarce assessment quota. Steward Qin offered to recommend him for this year's quota if he passed the Six Great Daoist Academies Assessment.

• Zhou Ling analyzed his failed attempts, practiced through the night, and successfully inscribed the Gold-Wood Composite Engraving by dawn.
• Zhou Shan told Zhou Ling and Li Ru that Shopkeeper Zhao wanted Yuan Hu to marry his niece and become a live-in son-in-law, and that Yuan Hu wanted Zhou Ling's opinion.
• Zhou Ling brought a Golden Silk Magic Robe to the Heavenly Crafts Division, where Steward Qin praised his Inscription skill and explained how difficult it was to obtain an assessment quota.
• Steward Qin said he would try to give Zhou Ling Lingxia Immortal City's sole annual quota if Zhou Ling passed the Six Great Daoist Academies Assessment.
• Zhou Ling thanked Steward Qin, asked about Engravings, and left to cultivate at Maple Leaf Mountain and tell his master about fusing the Green Lotus Fire Seed.

Zhou Ling discussed the Five Elements Dry Yang True Art and the possibility of achieving a high-grade Foundation Establishment with Zi Ling, who gave him a matching Five Elements Sword Scripture to prepare for the Six Great Daoist Academies’ assessments. After studying it and beginning cultivation, Zhou Ling found that the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame greatly improved his cultivation speed and spiritual power.

• Zi Ling told Zhou Ling that balancing all five attributes and gathering five Spirit Flames could help him pursue Heaven-Grade Foundation Establishment, while urging him to focus first on combat ability and the upcoming academy assessments.
• Zi Ling gave Zhou Ling the Five Elements Sword Scripture and advised him to reach its first layer before the assessment.
• Zhou Ling studied the scripture, planned to cultivate its five sword arts in the order of his opened meridians, and recognized that it could complement his Five Elements Dry Yang True Art.
• Zhou Ling began cultivating beneath the Fire Spirit Maple Tree and found that the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame increased his absorption of spiritual energy and strengthened his spiritual power.
• Zhou Ling concluded that his improved cultivation might let him pursue Earth-Grade Foundation Establishment and resolved to progress steadily while continuing to prioritize Artifact Crafting if he entered the Xuanyuan Daoist Academy.

Zhou Ling trained for the Six Great Daoist Academies Assessment while Wang Yu explained its requirements and rules. He chose to bring a Heavenly Crafts Division Profound Robe, and Wang Yu asked him to spar with Wang Xin to test her Portable Formation.

• Zhou Ling spent a month cultivating the Five Elements Dry Yang True Art, the Five Elements Sword Art, and control of the Five Elements Spirit Flame.
• Wang Yu gave Zhou Ling his assessment jade token and explained that the assessment was half a month away, with demanding requirements for techniques, Engravings, and spell combat.
• Wang Yu explained that competitors could bring one First-Grade Magic Artifact and one First-Grade auxiliary item into each spell-combat match.
• Zhou Ling decided to bring a Heavenly Crafts Division Profound Robe and offered to prepare one for Wang Xin, while Wang Yu planned to provide them with Qi Gathering Pills.
• Wang Yu told Zhou Ling that Wang Xin would use a Portable Formation as her auxiliary item and asked him to spar with her to test it.

Wang Xin sparred with Zhou Ling using her Portable Hundred Sword Formation, and Wang Yu and Zi Ling assessed their skills. Wang Xin then taught Zhou Ling the formation, which he rapidly mastered and combined with the Five Elements Sword Art; he left confident about the upcoming assessment but still needed more magic swords.

• Wang Yu had Wang Xin test her Portable Hundred Sword Formation against Zhou Ling, who dodged her twenty sword lights and helped her gain combat experience.
• Wang Yu praised Zhou Ling's practical skills, while Zi Ling advised Wang Xin to improve her tactics and promised Zhou Ling a Lingbo Art Jade Slip.
• Wang Yu let Wang Xin teach Zhou Ling the formation, and Wang Xin gave him a sword ring she had prepared for him.
• Zhou Ling used the ring to control eight magic swords and unleash forty sword lights, quickly improving his Hundred Sword Formation proficiency.
• Zhou Ling incorporated the Five Elements Sword Art into the formation, greatly increased its power, and decided he still needed to find eight magic swords.

Zhou Ling searched several markets and gathered five high-grade first-tier magic swords, then prepared for the spell-combat assessment after learning the first-round matchups. He felt confident about reaching the top eight but grew more wary after the He siblings revealed their breakthroughs and cautioned him about his opponent and the other contestants.

• Zhou Ling searched Market Street in West, South, and East City, buying three high-grade first-tier magic swords and repairing the flawed ones at home.
• Over the next ten days, Zhou Ling gathered five high-grade first-tier magic swords and raised the Hundred Sword Formation's sword radiance to more than seventy strands.
• He Zijian and He Lingyun visited Zhou Ling and revealed they had reached the Ninth and Eighth Layers of Qi Condensation, respectively.
• He Zijian gave Zhou Ling the first-round matchup list, showing that Zhou Ling would face An Ping, a Seventh Layer Qi Condensation cultivator.
• He Lingyun warned Zhou Ling that An Ping cultivated the balanced Primal Chaos Art and might have powerful treasures, while He Zijian advised him to conceal his abilities when possible.
• The He siblings discussed likely later opponents with Zhou Ling, including Jin Sheng as He Zijian's foremost rival.

Zhou Ling prepared for the Six Great Daoist Academies Assessment, then chose the harder bonus engraving when the Technique Assessment began. His first attempt failed, but his quick study drew the judges’ attention as he started again.

• Wang Yu advised Zhou Ling and Wang Xin on their spell-duel strategies, gave them Qi Gathering Pills, and urged them to strive for first place.
• Zhou Ling’s family encouraged him at home, while Zhou Shan stopped him from betting on his own match through black-market gambling houses.
• On June 7, Zhou Ling and his family arrived at Lingxia Mountain for the assessment, where Wang Yu introduced him to the instructors and judges.
• At the Technique Assessment, Zhou Ling chose the difficult Golden Light Engraving instead of the easier Firewood Engraving and began working after observing and analyzing it.
• Zhou Ling’s first attempt at the Golden Light Engraving failed, but he quickly studied the mistake and began refining his approach.
• Lu Yunxi told Instructor Hu about Zhou Ling’s Five Elements Spirit Flame, and the judges watched him closely as he continued.

Zhou Ling completed the Golden Light Engraving, then used his Second-Grade Five Elements Spirit Flame to begin inscribing a jade sword, astonishing the judges. The judges learned he had a Low-Grade Spiritual Root but recognized his exceptional flame control and Inscription skill as they watched him work.

• Zhou Ling completed the Golden Light Engraving after three attempts, then meditated and restored his spiritual power with a Qi Gathering Pill.
• Zhou Ling began inscribing a jade sword with Metal-Attribute Spirit Ink and his Five Elements Spirit Flame.
• Instructor Hu, Instructor Xiao, Instructor Gu, and the other judges were astonished by Zhou Ling's Second-Grade Five Elements Spirit Flame and debated recruiting him to their academies.
• The judges checked Zhou Ling's records and discovered he had a Low-Grade Spiritual Root, tempering their eagerness to recruit him.
• Zhou Ling deftly carved the Golden Light Engraving onto the sword, and the judges and Lu Yunxi recognized his advanced Inscription skills.

Zhou Ling completed the inscription assessment by crafting an exceptionally powerful Golden Jade Sword, earning Grade A marks from all four judges. Instructor Hu offered him Xuanyuan Daoist Academy’s special recruitment assessment, and Zhou Ling accepted the challenge to repair a damaged second-grade engraving.

• Zhou Ling finished the Golden Light Engraving on a Golden Jade Sword in just over half an hour and submitted it for judging.
• The judges tested the sword’s half-zhang Golden Sword Beam and each awarded Zhou Ling Grade A.
• Instructor Hu offered Zhou Ling Xuanyuan Daoist Academy’s special recruitment assessment, and Zhou Ling agreed to attempt it.
• Instructor Hu set Zhou Ling the task of repairing the damaged engraving on a second-grade low-tier Yuanhe Five Extremes Seal within two hours.
• Zhou Ling returned to the assessment platform with the seal, while Lu Yunxi promised Steward Qin she would give Zhou Ling her recommendation quota if he passed.
• Wang Yu told Li Ru and Zhou Shan that Zhou Ling had received a special admission opportunity, and they celebrated his achievement.

Zhou Ling discovered that the damaged Yuanhe Five Extremes Seal’s engraving nodes were compatible with his Five Elements Spirit Flame, then repaired the seal during the special recruitment assessment. The judges confirmed he had passed the Xuanyuan Daoist Academy assessment, and he left to share the news with his parents.

• Zhou Ling examined the Yuanhe Five Extremes Seal and identified how its fire-leaning engraving nodes had become damaged.
• Zhou Ling recovered his spiritual power, used his Five Elements Spirit Flame to repair the engraving, and paused to take a Qi Gathering Pill after completing two nodes.
• Zhou Ling finished repairing the seal, causing five-colored radiance to flow across its surface.
• Instructor Hu inspected the seal and announced that Zhou Ling had passed the Xuanyuan Daoist Academy’s special recruitment assessment.
• Zhou Ling thanked the judges and hurried away to tell his parents the good news.

After passing Xuanyuan Daoist Academy’s special recruitment assessment, Zhou Ling chose to enter the spell-duel matches to improve his combat skills and help Wang Xin advance. The chapter ended as he began his first match against An Ping, a Seventh Layer of Qi Condensation cultivator, while the judges watched with growing interest.

• Zhou Ling told his family that he had passed Xuanyuan Daoist Academy’s special recruitment assessment, and Wang Xin said she had received Grade A.
• Zhou Ling decided to compete in the spell duels to help Wang Xin and to stop Li Yinfeng from reaching the top eight.
• Zhou Ling’s family celebrated at home as neighbors and West Gorge Daoist Academy instructors, including Instructor Fang, came to congratulate him.
• The next morning, Zhou Ling arrived at Lingxia Sect and learned that An Ping was his first opponent in the spell-duel matches.
• Zhou Ling and An Ping took their places at Arena Seventeen, and the judges discussed Zhou Ling’s chances against the stronger cultivator.

Zhou Ling defeated An Ping in one punch during their first-round match, surprising the judges and the crowd with his combat skill. The chapter ended with spectators recognizing him as the Inscription Master who had passed Xuanyuan Daoist Academy's special recruitment assessment.

• An Ping entered the match confident in his Thick Earth Art and decided not to use his Mountain Rune against Zhou Ling.
• An Ping opened with Thick Earth Fist, but Zhou Ling used Observation and Analysis to identify its trajectory and weak point.
• Zhou Ling dodged the attack with Lingbo Step and countered with Great Yang Fist, blasting An Ping off the platform.
• The judges were astonished by Zhou Ling's control, Body Tempering achievements, and precise timing.
• The judge declared Zhou Ling the winner, and the crowd reacted in disbelief when they recognized him.

After winning his first match, Zhou Ling studied the other contestants and learned that Li Yinfeng possessed a rare Blood Spiritual Root, making the path to the top eight more difficult than he had expected. He helped Wang Xin prepare to face a Vajra cultivator, then entered the second round against a rune-using opponent.

• Zhou Ling returned to his family after quickly defeating An Ping, while Wang Xin and He Zijian also won their opening matches.
• Zhou Ling observed a Vajra cultivator's defensive weakness and a talisman user's fighting style as he assessed possible future opponents.
• He Zijian identified Jin Sheng as a Ninth Layer of Qi Condensation cultivator with a Fire Attribute Sword Body and revealed that he had comprehended sword intent himself.
• Zhou Ling watched Li Yinfeng defeat his opponent and learned that his Eighth Layer cultivation and Blood Spiritual Root strengthened his blood qi and techniques.
• After Wang Xin recovered, Zhou Ling privately told her how to break the Vajra cultivator's protective aura, and she trusted his advice.
• The second-round bell rang, and Zhou Ling faced the Seventh Layer of Qi Condensation youth who had won on Arena Number Eighteen using runes.

Zhou Ling defeated Bai Yuan in the tournament by using the Five Elements Spirit Flame to strengthen his Palm Thunder, impressing the judges and confirming Xuanyuan Daoist Academy’s interest in him. He returned to the resting area and began recovering for the next battle.

• Bai Yuan accused Zhou Ling of relying on luck and attacked him with sword talismans, but Zhou Ling countered with Palm Thunder.
• Bai Yuan used a Yellow Earth Shield Rune and a Divine Movement Rune to rush Zhou Ling, but Zhou Ling evaded his sword strike with swift footwork.
• Zhou Ling infused his Palm Thunder with the Five Elements Spirit Flame and overwhelmed Bai Yuan’s defenses, sending him off the arena.
• The judges praised Zhou Ling’s control of the Five Elements Spirit Flame, and Instructor Hu refused Instructor Xiao’s attempt to recruit him.
• Zhou Ling reassured Li Ru that he was unhurt, took a Qi Gathering Pill, and meditated to recover his mana.

Zhou Ling and Wang Xin advanced through the third round of the Lingxia Sect competition, and Zhou Ling drew Li Yinfeng as his opponent for the next day. After simulating a fight with Li Yinfeng, Zhou Ling awakened Tier 2 Blazing Sun Blood Moving and condensed Sun Power.

• Zhou Ling analyzed Wang Xin's next opponent and predicted she could win by using her Portable Sword Formation.
• Zhou Ling defeated Chen Nan and his injured Demon Beasts, while Wang Xin used the sword formation to defeat Cao Jin and reach the top sixteen.
• The judges announced that Zhou Ling would face Li Yinfeng in the battle for the top eight the next day.
• Zhou Ling activated Illusion Simulation and discovered that Li Yinfeng's Blood Spiritual Root strengthened his Black Fiend Fist with a power that devoured blood qi.
• After the simulation nearly overwhelmed him, Zhou Ling gained Tier 2 Blazing Sun Blood Moving, condensed one hundred drops of Sun Blood Essence, and unlocked Sun Power.

Zhou Ling refined his blood qi into Sun Blood Essence, deepened his understanding of the Great Yang Fist, and prepared to face Li Yinfeng. Their tournament match began with Zhou Ling repelling Li Yinfeng’s Black Fiend Fist, leaving the judges and spectators astonished.

• Zhou Ling realized his Sun Blood Essence could form a powerful trump card and used the Clear Radiance Spirit Nurturing Art to recover his depleted divine sense.
• Zhou Ling arrived at the Lingxia Sect plaza with his family and greeted Wang Xin, her daughter, He Zijian, and his sister before the matches began.
• Zhou Ling faced Li Yinfeng on Arena Six, where Li threatened to cripple him over their old grudge.
• Li Yinfeng opened with his Black Fiend Fist, but Zhou Ling countered with the Great Yang Fist and drove Li back toward the arena’s edge.
• The judges marveled that Zhou Ling had repelled Li Yinfeng’s powerful attack despite being two minor realms lower.

Zhou Ling defeated Li Yinfeng by countering the Blood Sea Phenomenon with his Great Yang Fist and secretly using Beast Flame to break Li Yinfeng’s protective robe, leaving his meridians badly damaged. The judges declared Zhou Ling the winner, while Li Mu carried the unconscious Li Yinfeng away.

• Li Yinfeng unleashed the Black Fiend Blood Sea, but Zhou Ling met his attack with the second layer of the Great Yang Fist and blocked it using Sun Power.
• Li Yinfeng intensified the Blood Sea Phenomenon, and Zhou Ling used the Lion’s Roar and Sun Power to dispel its blood fiend energy.
• Zhou Ling burned his remaining Sun Blood Essence to shatter Li Yinfeng’s Blood Sea attack and used Beast Flame to break through his Silver Crystal Robe and injure him.
• The judges examined Li Yinfeng and found his meridians badly torn, while Zhou Ling claimed he had needed to use all his strength to escape the blood fiend suppression.
• Li Yinfeng rejected his defeat and fainted after Instructor Xiao warned that his damaged meridians made further cultivation dangerous.
• The referee declared Zhou Ling the winner, and Li Mu carried Li Yinfeng away as Zhou Ling left the platform with Blood Origin Pills from Instructor Hu.