Chapter Summaries

Lu Xuan learned that Wan Zhong had failed his Nascent Soul breakthrough and considered whether his own cautious cultivation had left his will insufficiently tempered. A year later, he visited the recovering Wan Zhong with Zhou Chao, who had also come to see him.

• Mo Yuanfeng told Lu Xuan that Wan Zhong had failed the Heart Demon Tribulation during his Nascent Soul breakthrough and suffered severe soul damage.
• Lu Xuan reflected on the risks of his peaceful cultivation and drew confidence from his experiences, firm Dao-seeking heart, and soul-nurturing treasures.
• After a year of cultivating spirit plants and preparing for his own breakthrough, Lu Xuan visited Wan Zhong's Cave Mansion and met Zhou Chao there.
• Wan Zhong welcomed Lu Xuan and Zhou Chao, explaining that the cracked Ancient Bell at his waist was helping heal his damaged soul.

Lu Xuan entered Yellow Millet Dreamland with the Yellow Millet Jade Pillow and nearly lost himself in a fantasy of cultivating miraculous spirit plants and harvesting treasures. He found his way back to reality, strengthened his soul and resolve, and decided he could cautiously visit the dreamland again.

• Lu Xuan asked Wan Zhong about his recovery, and Wan Zhong said he was healing but would need time to prepare for another breakthrough.
• Lu Xuan returned to his Cave Mansion and used the Seventh Grade God Stealing Jade to strengthen his Divine Sense.
• Lu Xuan entered Yellow Millet Dreamland through the Yellow Millet Jade Pillow and found himself in a grotto-heaven filled with rare Spirit Seeds and treasured lands.
• Lu Xuan cultivated Innate Spirit Roots and Dao Fruits in the dream, then harvested White Light Orbs that produced powerful treasures.
• Lu Xuan recognized the grotto-heaven as an illusion, recovered his true heart, and escaped with a mass of Deep Yellow Smoke.
• Lu Xuan reflected on the benefits and dangers of Yellow Millet Dreamland and resolved to visit it cautiously from time to time.

Xu Wenbai discovered that Lu Xuan’s sword sheath had greatly improved the Sword Xuan Hedgehogs’ blades, so he and Chen Bingxue visited Lu Xuan to thank him and discuss compensation. Lu Xuan understood why they had come and, despite a brief flicker of embarrassment, anticipated the gifts they would bring.

• Xu Wenbai found that the Sword Xuan Hedgehogs had unusually sharp, high-quality blades and learned they had been visiting Lu Xuan’s Cave Mansion to use his sword sheath.
• Xu Wenbai reported the sword sheath’s effect to Chen Bingxue, who decided Hundred Crafts Sword Peak should thank Lu Xuan with a High-Level Spirit Seed.
• Chen Bingxue allowed Xu Wenbai to ask whether Lu Xuan would consider selling the sword sheath to Hundred Crafts Sword Peak.
• Three days later, Chen Bingxue and Xu Wenbai visited Lu Xuan at Still True Sword Peak to thank him.
• Lu Xuan realized the Sword Xuan Hedgehogs’ visits were the reason for their gratitude and looked forward to the promised gifts.

Chen Bingxue gave Lu Xuan a rare Seventh Grade Ten Thousand Refinements Spirit Wood in thanks for caring for the Sword Xuan Hedgehogs, and asked to buy his Yangxuan Sword Sheath. Lu Xuan refused to part with the sheath, then planted the seedling and began forging it.

• Chen Bingxue explained that the Ten Thousand Refinements Spirit Wood could grow into a powerful, easily controlled magical treasure through repeated forging.
• Lu Xuan agreed to keep nurturing the Sword Xuan Hedgehogs but refused Chen Bingxue's offer to trade for his Yangxuan Sword Sheath.
• Chen Bingxue warned Lu Xuan that cultivating the spirit wood required Artifact Refining skill, and Xu Wenbai offered to help if needed.
• After Chen Bingxue and Xu Wenbai left, Lu Xuan planted the seedling in his Spirit Field and learned its cultivation requirements.
• Lu Xuan used spiritual-energy hammers to forge the Ten Thousand Refinements Spirit Wood, which responded with delight as its vitality slowly rose.

After a nightmare in Yellow Millet Dreamland, Lu Xuan recovered by hammering the Ten Thousand Refinements Spirit Wood and welcomed Huo Liner back from the Unknown Grotto-heaven. The Purple Firmament Sword Master reflected on securing the grotto-heaven and prepared to challenge Still True Sword Peak in the next Sword Peak Competition.

• Lu Xuan awoke from a hostile Yellow Millet Dreamland in which allies betrayed him and his treasures were seized, then relieved his frustration by striking the Ten Thousand Refinements Spirit Wood with spiritual-energy hammers.
• Two months later, Sword Sect disciples and elders gathered to welcome back the teams that had opened a new grotto-heaven, led by the Purple Firmament Sword Master.
• Lu Xuan and Ge Pu spotted Huo Liner, welcomed him home, and invited him to Lu Xuan's Cave Mansion for drinks.
• Huo Liner told Lu Xuan and Ge Pu that the grotto-heaven expedition had been mostly smooth but that Evil Spirits had caused injuries and one disciple's death during a dangerous exploration.
• Huo Liner shared that he had acquired a Sixth Grade Treasure, three Fifth Grade Treasures, spirit ore, and spirit herbs.
• The Purple Firmament Sword Master discussed how capturing the grotto-heaven had strengthened Purple Cloud Sword Peak and resolved to outperform Still True Sword Peak in the next Sword Peak Competition.

Lu Xuan cultivated his Spirit Plants and inspected the creatures and sword grasses in his Cave Mansion as another year passed. At Heart Sword Lake Residence, he discovered that one of the seeds had become a Fifth Grade Thunder Abyss Sword Grass, leaving him delighted with the new breakthrough.

• Lu Xuan found that the White Ape had grown stronger while sparring with the Thunder Dragon Howl, then healed its injuries with Green Condensation Dew.
• Lu Xuan discovered that eight mutated Thousand Thunder Sword Grass plants were condensing seeds and planned to use the seeds to improve the Yangxuan Sword Sheath in Heart Sword Lake.
• Lu Xuan inspected his Spirit Field, where the Primal Spirit Ginseng grew toward maturity and several sword grasses approached harvest.
• Lu Xuan cultivated the Ten Thousand Refinements Spirit Wood as Tree Nymphs cheered, and maintained the sword grasses and Fangcun Wood.
• After another year, Lu Xuan shook Spirit Seeds from the Yangxuan Sword Sheath and identified a Fifth Grade Thunder Abyss Sword Grass among them.

Lu Xuan revealed that he had improved a new Fifth Grade Sword Grass, Thunder Abyss Sword Grass, and showed three plants to Yuan Rong and Sword Master Hai Zhen. Hai Zhen planned to have the Sword Palace inspect them, after which the variety could be added to the Sword Sect and Lu Xuan could receive a generous reward.

• Lu Xuan cultivated three Thunder Abyss Sword Grass Spirit Seeds and planned to present them at the next Sword Peak Competition.
• Yuan Rong visited to ask about Still True Sword Liquid, and Lu Xuan told her he had improved a new Fifth Grade Sword Grass.
• Yuan Rong summoned Sword Master Hai Zhen, who hurried to Lu Xuan's Cave Mansion to see the plants.
• Lu Xuan showed Yuan Rong and Sword Master Hai Zhen the three Thunder Abyss Sword Grasses and explained that he had improved them from Thousand Thunder Sword Grass.
• Sword Master Hai Zhen confirmed that the plants had Fifth Grade vitality and said the Sword Palace would inspect them before the Sword Sect accepted the new variety.

Lu Xuan showed Sword Palace elders Li Xuanchen and Gu Yun his new Fifth Grade Thunder Abyss Sword Grass and shared his Seed Condensation Method. Recognizing his contribution, they offered him a Seventh Grade Ice Soul Cold Light Sword Grass Spirit Seed as a reward, and Lu Xuan accepted.

• Li Xuanchen and Gu Yun arrived at Lu Xuan's Cave Mansion to examine the Thunder Abyss Sword Grass.
• Gu Yun inspected a seedling, and both elders confirmed it was a new Fifth Grade Sword Grass variety.
• Lu Xuan gave the elders his initial Seed Condensation Method, which they judged promising.
• Li Xuanchen invited Lu Xuan to join the Spirit Plant Hall, but Lu Xuan chose to remain on Still True Sword Peak while offering to visit for guidance.
• Gu Yun offered Lu Xuan a Seventh Grade Ice Soul Cold Light Sword Grass Spirit Seed as a reward, and Lu Xuan agreed to accept it.

Lu Xuan received the Seventh Grade Ice Soul Cold Light Sword Grass Spirit Seed as a reward for improving a new Fifth Grade Sword Grass. He planted it in his Spirit Field and learned its cultivation requirements and abilities.

• Gu Yun promised to deliver the Ice Soul Cold Light Sword Grass Spirit Seed to Lu Xuan and said the follow-up reward would take longer to finalize.
• Shi Tianxing learned that a Core Formation disciple from Still True Sword Peak had received the Seventh Grade Spirit Seed for improving a new Fifth Grade Sword Grass, then asked Li Xuanchen to prioritize him if another became available.
• Lu Xuan considered exchanging for a Fourth Grade Sword Grass Seed Condensation Method so he could improve new sword grasses without starting from scratch.
• A Sword Palace disciple delivered the Ice Soul Cold Light Sword Grass Spirit Seed to Lu Xuan.
• Lu Xuan planted the seed and learned that the mature Seventh Grade Sword Grass could produce a Mid-Grade Flying Sword Treasure with powerful freezing abilities.

Lu Xuan dominated the Spirit Brew and Spirit Plant contests at the Sword Peak Competition while earning a strong result in Talismans Crafting. Still True Sword Peak placed sixth, and Jian Hai Zhen mocked Purple Cloud Sword Peak for finishing eighth despite Purple Cloud Sword Master’s long campaign in a grotto-heaven.

• Lu Xuan inspected his Spirit Plants, including the growing Ice Soul Cold Light Sword Grass, before flying to the Sword Palace for the Sword Peak Competition.
• Lu Xuan earned a Grade A Top rating in Spirit Brew and Spirit Plants, plus a Grade A Middle rating in Talismans Crafting.
• Jian Hai Zhen and the other Sword Masters gathered in a hidden world to hear the Sword Peak rankings.
• The Sword Boy announced Still True Sword Peak in sixth place and Purple Cloud Sword Peak in eighth place.
• Jian Hai Zhen teased Purple Cloud Sword Master for risking his life in the grotto-heaven yet only rising one place.

After Still True Sword Peak placed sixth in the Sword Peak Competition, Jian Hai Zhen visited Lu Xuan and offered him a reward. Lu Xuan requested a high-rank Sword Grass Seed Condensation Method, while harvesting Thunder Sound Sword Grass revealed a Seventh Grade treasure.

• Still True Sword Peak rose to sixth place after Lu Xuan's improved Fifth Grade Thunder Abyss Sword Grass helped secure three First Class ratings.
• Jian Hai Zhen visited Lu Xuan, praised his contribution, and offered to obtain a reward for him.
• Lu Xuan asked Jian Hai Zhen to help him acquire a Seed Condensation Method for high-rank Sword Grass, and Jian Hai Zhen promised to submit an application.
• Lu Xuan harvested two mature Thunder Sound Sword Grasses and received a Seventh Grade treasure, the Eight Directions Thunder Marsh Seal.

Lu Xuan gained powerful treasures and the Sword Qi Thunder Sound divine ability from his mature Fifth Grade Sword Grasses while waiting for the Sword Palace to approve his request. Xu Yi arrived and told him he could choose any Fifth Grade Sword Grass Seed Condensation Method held by the sect.

• Lu Xuan touched a White Light Orb and gained the Sword Qi Thunder Sound divine ability, then tested it by blasting a boulder to powder.
• Sword Master Hai Zhen told Lu Xuan that the Sword Palace had preliminarily approved teaching him a Fifth Grade Sword Grass Seed Condensation Method.
• Lu Xuan harvested treasures from his mature Fifth Grade Sword Grasses, including the Profound Cave Realm Stele, Seven Kill Swords, Primal Crystal Sword Embryo, and Formless Ice Soul Sword Talisman.
• Lu Xuan watched the White Jade Sky Supporting Ape battle the Azure Peak Qilin, then returned to cultivating.
• Xu Yi told Lu Xuan that he could choose any Fifth Grade Sword Grass Seed Condensation Method held by the sect, greatly strengthening Lu Xuan’s loyalty to the Sword Sect.

Lu Xuan chose the White Bone Killing Sword Grass Seed Condensation Method and learned that its spirit seeds were condensed in a killing-intent treasure land within Heart Sword Lake. He assessed his preparations for reaching the Nascent Soul Realm and planned to visit the Defective Grotto-heaven to ripen the Crossing Calamity Flower.

• Xu Yi presented Lu Xuan with the Seed Condensation Methods for thirteen Fifth Grade Sword Grasses, and Lu Xuan chose White Bone Killing Sword Grass.
• Xu Yi explained the dangers of Heart Sword Lake's killing-intent treasure land and gave Lu Xuan a bone sword token for entry.
• Lu Xuan invited Xu Yi to taste Spirit Brews, then noted that his Light Splitting Shadowing Sword Grass had matured and yielded two Primal Crystal Sword Embryos and three Formless Ice Soul Sword Talismans.
• Lu Xuan checked his twenty-six Primal Spirit Ginseng plants and estimated that they would mature in about three months, providing cultivation that could help him reach the Nascent Soul Realm.
• Lu Xuan resolved to visit the Defective Grotto-heaven soon to ripen the Crossing Calamity Flower and harvest its Light Orb reward.
• Lu Xuan sensed the White Ape replaying its recent battle and moved it over to him.

Lu Xuan returned to the Defective Grotto-heaven and used Vegetation Spiritual Energy and Primal Chaos Tree Sap to ripen the Seventh Grade Crossing Calamity Flower, obtaining a Superior Grade Crossing Calamity Pill. He then began accelerating the growth of the Void Cicada Wood.

• Lu Xuan left the Profound Cave Sword Sect and told the White Ape to guard the Cave Mansion and turn away visitors while he was gone.
• After reaching the Defective Grotto-heaven, Lu Xuan checked that its Spirit Plants were safe and entered through the Zhou Tian Star Fighting Sword Formation.
• Lu Xuan used the Divine Wood Azure Kettle's Vegetation Spiritual Energy and five drops of Primal Chaos Tree Sap to mature the Crossing Calamity Flower.
• Lu Xuan harvested the Crossing Calamity Flower and received a Superior Grade Crossing Calamity Pill, which could slightly improve the chance of breaking through to Nascent Soul.
• Lu Xuan inspected the Void Cicada Wood and fed it a drop of Primal Chaos Tree Sap to accelerate its growth.

Lu Xuan harvested the evolved Void Cicada Wood and matured the Yin-Yang Palaces, gaining the second and third transformations of Heavenly Cicada Six Transformations and a wisp of Seventh Grade Innate Yin-Yang Energy. He tended his other high-grade spirit plants and left with his Nascent Soul breakthrough abnormality soothed.

• Lu Xuan harvested the Fifth Grade Void Cicada Wood and obtained the second and third transformations of Heavenly Cicada Six Transformations.
• Lu Xuan examined the Seventh Grade Celestial Cicada Spirit Leaf and planned to restore it using his new understanding of the art.
• Lu Xuan used three drops of Primal Chaos Tree Sap to mature the Yin-Yang Palaces and harvested Seventh Grade Innate Yin-Yang Energy.
• Lu Xuan stored the Innate Yin-Yang Energy and considered finding the remaining treasures needed to refine his Defective Grotto-heaven into a Personal Space.
• Lu Xuan nurtured the Spirit Marvelous Soul Nourishing Tea and inspected the Light Hong Immortal Feather, whose spiritual light calmed his mind and removed the abnormality from preparing to break through to Nascent Soul.

Lu Xuan prepared his Spirit Plants and returned to the Profound Cave Sword Sect, where he decided to attempt his Nascent Soul breakthrough under the sect’s protection. He ended the chapter ready to harvest three Primal Spirit Ginsengs and begin.

• Lu Xuan nurtured the Burning Lamp Ancient Grass, Twin White Lotus, Incense Offering Myriad Tree, and other Spirit Plants in the Defective Grotto-heaven.
• Lu Xuan planted the Rank 8 Nine True Spirit Leaf and fed it True Dragon, Heavenly Phoenix, and Mystic Tortoise Essence Blood.
• Lu Xuan returned to Still True Sword Peak, rewarded the White Ape, and learned that visitors had left after hearing he was preparing to break through to Nascent Soul.
• Lu Xuan weighed the risks and chose to attempt his breakthrough inside the Sword Sect’s protected forbidden ground.
• Lu Xuan found that the Progress Bars beneath three Primal Spirit Ginsengs were full and prepared to harvest them.

Lu Xuan harvested Primal Spirit Ginseng and absorbed its rewards, gaining enough cultivation to prepare for his Nascent Soul breakthrough. With Jian Hai Zhen’s support, he entered the Sword Sect’s finest spiritual land and assembled his treasures before beginning the breakthrough.

• Lu Xuan harvested three mature Primal Spirit Ginsengs and gained a Primal Spirit Pill, pill-recipe experience, and fifty years of cultivation from their orbs.
• Lu Xuan told Jian Hai Zhen that he planned to break through to Nascent Soul, and Jian Hai Zhen promised to arrange a superior spiritual land and personally protect him.
• After another month, Lu Xuan harvested fifteen Primal Spirit Ginsengs, receiving pills, recipe experience, and more than two hundred years of Spiritual Power from their orbs.
• Lu Xuan left White Ape to guard his Cave Mansion and went to the spiritual land the Sword Sect had prepared for his breakthrough.
• Lu Xuan entered the Spirit Gathering Array and brought out the Yin Yang Divine Relief Elixir, Thunder Marsh Divine Sand, Crossing Calamity Pill, God Stealing Jade, and Yellow Millet Jade Pillow.

Lu Xuan began his Nascent Soul breakthrough with Jian Hai Zhen guarding him as cultivators across the Sword Sect watched. He successfully entered the Nascent Soul Conception stage and began nurturing the Nascent Soul.

• Lu Xuan reviewed his strong spiritual power, body, divine soul, and accumulated resources before beginning his breakthrough.
• Lu Xuan activated the Spirit Gathering Array, swallowed the Yin Yang Divine Relief Elixir, and transformed spiritual power into True Essence Magic Power.
• Jian Hai Zhen guarded Lu Xuan while the Purple Firmament Sword Master, Pure Yang Sword Master, Wan Zhong, Ge Pu, Huo Liner, and others followed the attempt.
• Lu Xuan entered his Golden Core with Divine Sense and awoke in a realm of golden phenomena, where a spark of spirituality appeared.
• Lu Xuan recognized that he had entered Nascent Soul Conception and still needed to nurture a complete Nascent Soul and cross the tribulation.

Lu Xuan shattered his Golden Core and formed a Nascent Soul, then faced heart demons that tried to ensnare him with poverty, fear, power, and lust. He saw through the illusions and passed the Heart Demon Tribulation, leaving the heavenly lightning tribulation ahead.

• Lu Xuan drew on his abundant Spiritual Power, Divine Sense, and vital essence to nurture the Nascent Soul inside his Golden Core, while Jian Hai Zhen watched over his breakthrough.
• Lu Xuan took the Crossing Calamity Pill, shattered his Golden Core, and formed a Nascent Soul wrapped in pale black spiritual qi.
• Black Qi pulled Lu Xuan into an illusion where a landlord named Fellow Daoist Li took his spirit grass, prompting him to consider entering the Wilderness to earn Spirit Stones.
• Lu Xuan rejected an illusion of absolute power and beautiful women, recognizing it as empty temptation.
• Lu Xuan overcame the heart demons, and the Black Qi dissipated.

Lu Xuan passed the Heart Demon Tribulation and endured all nine bolts of the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation. He successfully advanced to Nascent Soul, with his new Nascent Soul carrying the marks and treasures that helped him survive.

• Lu Xuan awoke from an illusion of his former ordinary life and found that his Nascent Soul had formed after he passed the Heart Demon Tribulation.
• Jian Hai Zhen saw the thundercloud gather and prepared to keep others away while waiting to rescue Lu Xuan if needed.
• Lu Xuan used the Southern Bright Thunder Fire Jade Tablet, Yin Yang Yuan Magnetic Divine Needle, and his physical body to withstand the first six thunderbolts.
• Lu Xuan combined the Five Thunder Lock Immortal Bracelet and the Blood Flood Dragon Sword Talisman to weaken the seventh thunderbolt.
• Lu Xuan released Thunder Marsh Divine Sand and his phoenix power to counter the eighth and ninth thunderbolts.
• Lu Xuan survived the final thunderbolt, examined the Nascent Soul in his dantian, and realized he had advanced to Nascent Soul.