Chapter Summaries

Lu Xuan planted the rare Corpse Forest and Crossing Calamity Flower seeds, then planted the Buddha Mother Demon Seed in the Netherworld Spirit Field. When Sun Kai and Wu Peng arrived to pay their respects, Lu Xuan considered making the two evil cultivators his servants by implanting Parasitic Insect Demons in them.

• Lu Xuan planted the Corpse Forest seed in the Netherworld Spirit Field, nourishing it with demonic beast corpses.
• Lu Xuan identified the ordinary-looking seed as a seventh-grade Crossing Calamity Flower that could help him reach the Nascent Soul Realm, and planned to grow it in a Defective Grotto-heaven.
• Lu Xuan praised Ling Gu for finding the rare seeds and soil, and considered allowing his avatar to explore more distant secret realms.
• Lu Xuan planted the Buddha Mother Demon Seed in Cha Yin Soil and fed it a portion of flesh, blood, and soul from his avatar.
• Sun Kai and Wu Peng arrived at Lu Xuan's Cave Mansion, and Lu Xuan considered implanting Parasitic Insect Demons in them so he could keep them as servants.

Ling Gu decided to take in Sun Kai and Wu Peng as servants, requiring them to swallow Parasitic Insect Demons so he could control them and ensure their loyalty. After weighing the risks of refusing his protection, both rogue cultivators agreed to the condition.

• Ling Gu considered how Sun Kai and Wu Peng could gather Demonic Beast materials and handle everyday tasks for him.
• Sun Kai and Wu Peng introduced themselves as Foundation Establishment Middle Stage rogue cultivators and asked to serve Ling Gu for protection.
• Ling Gu offered them strange Treasures that would let him control their actions and thoughts, warning that their lives would rest on his decision.
• Sun Kai and Wu Peng hesitated over surrendering their freedom, but Ling Gu promised not to harm them if they remained loyal and obeyed him.
• After Ling Gu gave them ten breaths to decide, Sun Kai accepted the Treasure, and Wu Peng agreed as well.

Lu Xuan settled Sun Kai and Wu Peng under Ling Gu’s control, then returned to his routine at Thunder Fire Star Cave. When Jade Forest Rogue Cultivator told him that cultivators had discovered an entrance to the Azure Ripple Tree Realm, Lu Xuan recognized it as the home of the Profound Limit Tree Mother and her Little Tree Nymphs but chose not to intervene.

• Ling Gu gave Sun Kai and Wu Peng Parasitic Insect Demons, warned them to stay out of the forbidden area, and ordered them to settle in separate courtyards.
• Sun Kai and Wu Peng discovered the Blood Demon monster and a demon in the cave abode and grew more awed by Ling Gu.
• Lu Xuan returned to Thunder Fire Star Cave and resumed cultivating spirit plants, refining Still True Sword Liquid, and drawing Sword Talismans.
• Jade Forest Rogue Cultivator visited Lu Xuan and told him that cultivators had discovered an entrance to the Azure Ripple Tree Realm in Azure Wood Star Cave.
• Lu Xuan recognized the Tree Realm as the home of the Profound Limit Tree Mother and the Little Tree Nymphs, but decided he had no reason to get involved.

Lu Xuan traveled to the Defective Grotto-heaven to tend his high-grade spirit plants and witnessed the Void Cicada Wood complete its third molt. Its light orb granted him the first transformation of the ancient secret art Heavenly Cicada Six Transformations.

• Jade Forest Rogue Cultivator left Lu Xuan’s Cave Mansion after inviting him to visit her.
• Lu Xuan flew toward the Defective Grotto-heaven aboard the Giant Sword Boat and killed a starry beast, collecting its flesh and blood with the Gluttony Insect Pouch.
• Lu Xuan checked that no enemies were lying in wait outside the Defective Grotto-heaven, then passed through its restrictions and found the Void Cicada Wood ready for its third molt.
• The Void Cicada Wood shed its skin and evolved into a Third Grade Spirit Plant, producing a White Light Orb.
• Lu Xuan opened the orb and received the first transformation of Heavenly Cicada Six Transformations, an ancient secret art that improved concealment and held six transformations in total.

Lu Xuan inspected and cultivated the high-grade spirit plants in the Defective Grotto-heaven, then accelerated the Thick Earth Palace until it bloomed. He harvested the Seventh Grade Treasure Five Directions Divine Sand, which could improve earth-rich lands and help refine a Personal Space.

• Lu Xuan nourished the Twin White Lotus with Ink Yin Spring and tended the Burning Lamp Ancient Grass, Flawless Spirit Wood, and Incense Offering Myriad Tree.
• Lu Xuan planted the Crossing Calamity Flower and noted that he lacked True Spirit Essence Blood to cultivate the Nine True Spirit Leaf.
• Lu Xuan decided to mature the Eightfold Palace to obtain Exotic Treasures that could help solve the inconvenience of traveling between his cultivation sites.
• Lu Xuan used the Divine Wood Azure Kettle's Vegetation Spiritual Energy to accelerate the Thick Earth Palace until its second spirit flower bloomed.
• Lu Xuan harvested the flower's light orb and obtained the Seventh Grade Treasure Five Directions Divine Sand.

Lu Xuan cultivated spirit plants in his Defective Grotto-heaven, then went to the Thousand Treasure True River to fish and learned that a spiritual tide would arrive in three months. He decided to stay and try his luck when it came.

• Lu Xuan received Five Directions Divine Sand from the Thick Earth Palace and continued cultivating spirit plants and practicing secret arts in his Defective Grotto-heaven.
• Lu Xuan observed that the Eightfold Palace had reached its third level, Ze Water Palace, and learned it needed high-grade water-element treasures to grow.
• Lu Xuan traveled to the Thousand Treasure True River and met Shi Zichen, who recounted his recent fishing successes and near miss.
• After half a month, Lu Xuan caught a Fourth Grade spirit fish, drawing Shi Zichen’s envy.
• Shi Zichen told Lu Xuan that a spiritual tide would strike the Thousand Treasure True River in three months, bringing rare spirit fish and possibly treasures.
• Lu Xuan thanked Shi Zichen and decided to remain by the river until the spiritual tide arrived.

Lu Xuan and Shi Zichen traveled to a bend in the Thousand Treasure True River to fish during the approaching True River Spirit Tide. They settled among the Rogue Cultivators near several major sects, where Shi Zichen prepared to compare his superior fishing equipment with Lu Xuan’s skill.

• Shi Zichen warned Lu Xuan that the spirit tide would make fish more violent and bring dangerous demons and Evil Spirits out of the river.
• Lu Xuan stayed by the river for three months, caught several Fourth Grade spirit fish, and gave Shi Zichen over a thousand jin of fish meat for sharing news of the tide.
• Shi Zichen led Lu Xuan to a True River alluvial area and described the major sects occupying its best fishing spots.
• Lu Xuan and Shi Zichen chose a corner where they could fish together and look out for each other.
• Shi Zichen set out his fifth-grade fishing rod and premium bait, confident that his better equipment would let him outperform Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan used specially prepared bait to catch several Silver Horn Giant Fish during the spirit tide, far outpacing the other cultivators. He then discovered a rare fifth-grade Chi Tiger Fish below and prepared Myriad Manifestation Grass to lure it.

• Lu Xuan used Thunderstorm Lotus Seed bait to catch a massive Silver Horn Giant Fish, drawing envious attention from nearby cultivators.
• Over the following days, Lu Xuan caught more Silver Horn Giant Fish, while most nearby cultivators caught none; Shi Zichen eventually hooked one as well.
• Lu Xuan sensed a rare fifth-grade Chi Tiger Fish, also known as the Treasure Swallowing Fish, near his hook.
• When ordinary bait failed to attract the Chi Tiger Fish, Lu Xuan retrieved Myriad Manifestation Grass from his Gluttony Insect Pouch to use as bait.

Lu Xuan used specially prepared bait to catch two rare Chi Tiger Fish, finding a Sixth Grade Bronze Lock inside the first one. After he refused to sell his bait or fishing spot, a muscular cultivator confronted him and demanded that he leave.

• Lu Xuan caught a Chi Tiger Fish and cut open its belly, revealing a Sixth Grade Bronze Lock that he refused to sell.
• Cultivators rushed to bait the waters, but over the next three days Lu Xuan caught no other Chi Tiger Fish.
• Lu Xuan caught a second Chi Tiger Fish and stored it without dissecting it, while refusing requests to sell his bait or fishing spot.
• A tall, bald cultivator claimed Lu Xuan had taken his reserved spot and threatened him, but Lu Xuan calmly refused to leave.

Lu Xuan killed Qin Tao after the bald cultivator tried to seize his fishing spot, then resumed catching Chi Tiger Fish as his reputation spread. Shi Qian of Jinghai Gate approached on behalf of a Nascent Soul cultivator, seeking Lu Xuan’s fishing method and offering sect protection in return.

• Qin Tao attacked Lu Xuan over the fishing spot, but Lu Xuan used Buddhist divine power, sword arts, and spirit lightning to destroy Qin Tao’s body and divine soul.
• Shi Zichen thanked Lu Xuan for acknowledging his attempt to defend him, and Lu Xuan returned to fishing after the surrounding cultivators abandoned their greedy designs.
• Lu Xuan continued catching spirit fish, including more Chi Tiger Fish, and his growing reputation drew the attention of sects in the central area.
• Shi Qian of Jinghai Gate asked Lu Xuan to share his method of catching Chi Tiger Fish on behalf of Nascent Soul Cultivator Martial Uncle Wen, offering to take him into the sect and protect him.

Lu Xuan weighed his chances against Jinghai Gate and refused Shi Qian’s demand to join the sect, despite the threat of a Nascent Soul True Lord. A Taiyi Dao Sect disciple recognized Lu Xuan and appeared to intervene, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Lu Xuan assessed his treasures, divine powers, and escape options, deciding he could briefly contend with an early-stage Nascent Soul True Lord but preferred not to reveal his trump cards.
• The nearby Rogue Cultivators criticized Jinghai Gate for trying to seize Lu Xuan’s fishing method, but Shi Qian silenced them with a challenge.
• Lu Xuan told Shi Qian that he would not leave his current sect or join Jinghai Gate, and Shi Qian grew angry on behalf of Martial Uncle Wen.
• A young disciple of the Taiyi Dao Sect emerged, greeted Lu Xuan as an acquaintance from the Li Yang Dao Sect, and pointedly asked whether Shi Qian had invited him to join Jinghai Gate.

After Lu Xuan’s identity as an Inner Sect Disciple of the Profound Cave Sword Sect was revealed, cultivators at the spirit tide apologized and treated him with deference. Wen Qingshan of Jinghai Gate made peace with Lu Xuan and gave him twenty High-Grade Spirit Stones.

• Xu Weijing identified Lu Xuan as a disciple of the Profound Cave Sword Sect, and Shi Qian apologized before leaving in disgrace.
• Xu Weijing invited Lu Xuan to meet Grand Pivot Elder at the Taiyi Dao Sect’s camp, where the Nascent Soul elders welcomed him.
• Grand Pivot Elder offered to help Lu Xuan resolve his friction with Wen Qingshan, but Lu Xuan declined, calling it a minor misunderstanding.
• Wen Qingshan visited Lu Xuan, apologized for Shi Qian’s conduct, and presented him with twenty High-Grade Spirit Stones.
• Lu Xuan accepted Wen Qingshan’s gift after politely protesting its value.

After Jinghai Gate apologized to Lu Xuan, he shared his Myriad Manifestation Grass bait method with True Lord Tai Shu. The Taiyi Dao Sect prepared to use a huge net to catch spirit fish, leaving Lu Xuan marveling at its scale and mocking the fishing-obsessed cultivator who devised it.

• Wen Qingshan apologized to Lu Xuan on Jinghai Gate’s behalf, gave him twenty High-Grade Spirit Stones, and invited him to visit.
• Lu Xuan gave True Lord Tai Shu three bottles of Fifth Grade spirit brew and ten bottles of Fourth Grade spirit brew.
• True Lord Tai Shu asked how Lu Xuan had caught Chi Tiger Fish so efficiently, and Lu Xuan attributed it to using high-quality Myriad Manifestation Grass in his bait.
• True Lord Tai Shu invited Lu Xuan to watch the Taiyi Dao Sect’s fish encirclement operation and said he could take some fish afterward.
• The Taiyi Dao Sect deployed a giant net made from Dragon Tendons of Sixth Grade Flood Dragons, and True Lord Tai Shu explained how the sect had developed it for spirit tides.
• Lu Xuan marveled at the giant net’s scale and called the Nascent Soul True Lord who devised it the disgrace of fishing addicts.

Lu Xuan watched the Taiyi Dao Sect use a giant net to capture spirit fish during the spirit tide. After the sect discovered two unknown Spirit Seeds in a Chi Tiger Fish, it gifted them to Lu Xuan along with a large amount of fish meat.

• Xu Weijing explained how the Dao Sect's Flood Dragon tendon net could capture many spirit fish during the spirit tide, and three Nascent Soul True Lords and more than ten Core Formation cultivators deployed it.
• The cultivators hauled up a catch of more than thirty large spirit fish, along with a giant turtle and a low-level Demon, while Lu Xuan spotted six Fifth Grade Chi Tiger Fish.
• The Dao Sect dissected the Chi Tiger Fish and found valuable treasures, including two strange Spirit Seeds.
• Xia Fei delivered Lu Xuan over a thousand jin of spirit fish meat and gave him the two Spirit Seeds at Grand Pivot Elder's request.

After leaving the spirit-fishing grounds, Lu Xuan was pursued by three Core Formation Completion cultivators who hoped to rob him. Flower Enchantress revealed their pursuit, and Lu Xuan slowed down to meet them.

• Lu Xuan left the Taiyi Dao Sect's territory and said farewell to Shi Zichen before flying away.
• Three cultivators used Daoist Zhang's Listening Wind Beast to track Lu Xuan and agreed to kill him for his treasures and Chi Tiger Fish.
• Lu Xuan noticed the three pursuers in images sent by Flower Enchantress and confirmed they kept following when he changed direction.
• After learning that all three pursuers were at Core Formation Completion, Lu Xuan slowed down and waited for them to approach.

Lu Xuan killed three cultivators who ambushed him and searched their belongings, discovering the juvenile Listening Wind Beast they had used to track him. He decided to subdue and raise the Seventh Grade Spirit Beast for its powerful abilities and future Light Orb reward.

• Three Core Formation Completion cultivators ambushed Lu Xuan, but he used the Minor Teleportation Art, Yin Yang Yuan Magnetic Divine Needle, Southern Bright Thunder Fire Jade Tablet, and Immovable Wisdom King Seal to kill them.
• Lu Xuan collected the cultivators’ souls, bodies, Storage Bags, and treasures, including a Dharma robe and a jade slip containing the Swift Travel Art.
• Lu Xuan opened a Spirit Beast Bag and revealed the strange eight-eared beast that had helped the cultivators follow him.
• Lu Xuan identified the beast as a juvenile Seventh Grade Listening Wind Beast and decided to subdue and raise it.

Lu Xuan brought the Listening Wind Beast into his Defective Grotto-heaven and planted the Sixth Grade Kui Water Gourd seeds gifted by the Taiyi Dao Sect. He examined treasures recovered from Chi Tiger Fish and ended by feeding the beast spirit fish meat.

• Lu Xuan offered the Listening Wind Beast Spirit Treasures, fine food, and Strange Wind, and it agreed to follow him.
• Lu Xuan planted the two Kui Water Gourd seeds in the grotto-heaven’s lake and nourished them with Spirit Spring water.
• Lu Xuan gave the Listening Wind Beast a Thunderstorm Lotus Seed, then gutted three Chi Tiger Fish and collected a crimson broken blade, a Sixth Grade medicinal pill, and a Sixth Grade spirit ore.
• Lu Xuan prepared spirit fish meat and tossed pieces into the air, and the Listening Wind Beast gathered them with gusts of Spirit Wind.

After returning to Thunder Fire Star Cave, Lu Xuan cared for his spirit beasts and plants while waiting four years for the Star Fruits to ripen. Harvesting them gave him the final four Star Fighting Flags, allowing him to assemble all nine and prepare to protect the Defective Grotto-heaven.

• Lu Xuan returned to Thunder Fire Star Cave with the Listening Wind Beast and introduced it to his spirit beasts.
• Lu Xuan resumed tending his spirit plants in Thunder Fire Star Cave and continued visiting Fengyuan Star Cave and the Sea Pavilion Merchant Guild over the next four years.
• The Sea Pavilion Merchant Guild found Lu Xuan Heavenly One Profound Water, which he delivered to the Defective Grotto-heaven to nurture Ze Water Palace.
• Lu Xuan harvested fifteen ripe Star Fruits, including four of superior quality, and opened their White Light Orbs.
• The Star Fruit rewards improved Lu Xuan's formation and cultivation knowledge and gave him four more Star Fighting Flags, completing his set of nine.

Lu Xuan harvested a large crop of Ice Firefly Grass and ripened a Primal Spirit Ginseng, gaining enough cultivation rewards to reach Core Formation Completion. He turned his attention to preparing for the far more difficult breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm.

• Lu Xuan planned how to obtain the Zhou Tian Star Fighting Sword to complete the Seventh Grade Zhou Tian Star Fighting Sword Formation.
• He harvested more than eighty Ice Firefly Grass plants and gained over fifty years of cultivation along with several treasures and recipe experience packs.
• Lu Xuan used the Divine Wood Azure Kettle to ripen one of his Primal Spirit Ginsengs and harvested a light orb that granted fifty years of cultivation.
• After absorbing the reward, Lu Xuan broke through to Core Formation Completion.
• Lu Xuan resolved to focus on advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm, relying on his Yin Yang Divine Relief Elixir and the future harvest of his Crossing Calamity Flower.

Lu Xuan heard that the Azure Wood Star Cave’s Tree Realm had opened to more cultivators and worried about the Profound Limit Tree Mother, but chose not to get involved. Months later, the Tree Mother possessed a tree nymph in Lu Xuan’s Cave Mansion and asked him for help, while Lu Xuan demanded an explanation for taking over the nymph’s body.

• At a gathering of Core Formation Cultivators, Lu Xuan heard that the Tree Realm passage had stabilized and that a powerful tree spirit lived at its center.
• Lu Xuan suspected the tree spirit was the Profound Limit Tree Mother, but decided not to interfere in a conflict involving Nascent Soul cultivators.
• After more than two months, a tree nymph in Lu Xuan’s Cave Mansion absorbed spiritual energy and broke through, then began radiating a mysterious aura.
• The Profound Limit Tree Mother possessed the tree nymph and explained that she had sensed the nymph’s Tree Realm aura from the Azure Wood Star Cave.
• Lu Xuan agreed to help the Tree Mother if he could, but asked her to explain why she had taken over the tree nymph he had raised.