Chapter Summaries

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.

Lu Xuan agreed to help the Profound Limit Tree Mother secretly close the passage into the Tree Realm after she offered him a Seventh Grade Wood Element Treasure. He planned to prepare before heading to Azure Wood Star Cave, and then harvested a White Light Orb left by the Little Tree Nymph.

• The Profound Limit Tree Mother explained that she could only possess the Little Tree Nymph with Lu Xuan’s consent and asked him to lay Restrictions near the passage into the Tree Realm.
• Lu Xuan worried about the danger and the consequences of helping, but the Tree Mother promised secrecy and offered a Seventh Grade Wood Element Treasure and gifts from Grass and Wood Monsters.
• Lu Xuan accepted, reasoning that the Tree Realm was the Little Tree Nymphs’ homeland and that he should protect it.
• The Tree Mother told Lu Xuan to bring the Little Tree Nymph to the Tree Realm, where she would guide him to the Restrictions and explain how to set them.
• The Tree Mother withdrew from the Little Tree Nymph, and Lu Xuan told her to familiarize herself with her newly increased strength.
• After the Little Tree Nymph returned to her companions, Lu Xuan noticed a White Light Orb where she had been and prepared to harvest its reward.

Lu Xuan harvested a Sixth Grade treasure from a Little Tree Nymph, then joined Guo Bingqiu and the others on a trip to the Tree Realm in Azure Wood Star Cave. There, the group encountered Lu Xuan’s fearsome avatar, Ling Gu, and continued on their way.

• Lu Xuan received a Millennial Ancient Tree Heart when a Little Tree Nymph advanced to Fifth Grade, then decided to store the treasure for later.
• Lu Xuan contacted his avatar Ling Gu in Fengyuan Star Cave and agreed to explore the Tree Realm with Guo Bingqiu’s group.
• Lu Xuan met Guo Bingqiu, Ye Xuanyin, and three other Core Formation cultivators, and they traveled together toward the passage to the Tree Realm.
• The group spotted Ling Gu beside the passage, surrounded by killing intent and accompanied by a Big Meatball, then moved on without confronting him.
• Guo Bingqiu told the group about Ling Gu’s deadly reputation, and Ye Xuanyin warned Lu Xuan to avoid the Evil Cultivator in the Tree Realm.

Lu Xuan entered the Tree Realm with five cultivators while secretly keeping his incarnation, Ling Gu, far behind. He met the Tree Mother through the Little Tree Nymph and learned how to use seven Exquisite Tree Wheels to seal the passage, then became separated from the others during a vine demon attack.

• Lu Xuan and the group entered the Tree Realm through a passage guarded by Core Formation Cultivators, while he considered how to close it.
• Guo Bingqiu invited Lu Xuan to travel with him, but Lu Xuan declined, and the six cultivators split up to search the region.
• A Sixth Grade vine demon attacked the group, forcing them to dodge its many deep-black vines until they were separated by several dozen li.
• The Little Tree Nymph revealed that the Tree Mother had sent a faint wisp of divine sense to meet Lu Xuan.
• The Tree Mother told Lu Xuan to find and bury seven Exquisite Tree Wheels near the passage so she could activate them and close it.

Lu Xuan retrieved seven Exquisite Tree Wheels from the underground tree spirits and began installing them around the Tree Realm Core Area. When patrolling cultivators neared the fifth site, he arranged a distraction by having Ling Gu attack them with blood-path techniques, leaving the cultivators convinced that an Evil Cultivator had ambushed them.

• The Little Tree Nymph led Lu Xuan underground, where the tree spirits gave him seven Exquisite Tree Wheels they had been nurturing.
• Lu Xuan told Guo Bingqiu he was trapped by a restriction, then avoided the other cultivators and returned to the Tree Realm Core Area.
• Lu Xuan used the Little Tree Nymph's guidance to install the first four Exquisite Tree Wheels, concealing his aura and waiting for each one to merge into the ground.
• At the fifth site, Lu Xuan noticed three patrolling cultivators would pass over the buried wheel and sent Ling Gu to draw them away with a blood-path attack.
• The patrol leader recognized the attack as a Blood Path Secret Technique and accused the apparent Evil Cultivator of attacking them.

Lu Xuan completed the burial of all seven Exquisite Tree Wheels, triggering the Profound Limit Tree Mother's plan to close the passage into the Tree Realm. The passage collapsed, the Tree Mother expelled the invading cultivators, and Lu Xuan was sent outside the realm.

• Lu Xuan used Ling Gu's incarnation to draw three Core Formation Cultivators away while he buried an Exquisite Tree Wheel.
• Lu Xuan carefully avoided nearby cultivators and buried the final two Exquisite Tree Wheels at the locations designated by the Tree Mother.
• The Profound Limit Tree Mother battled six Nascent Soul True Lords while hoping Lu Xuan would complete his mission.
• The buried tree wheels released emerald lines that battered and dimmed the passage's light curtain, alerting the Nascent Soul True Lords that something had changed.
• The Profound Limit Tree Mother used her restored control over the Tree Realm to send the invading cultivators outside, and Lu Xuan left with the Little Tree Nymph.

After the Tree Realm expelled its visitors, Lu Xuan reunited with his companions and later returned in secret to meet the Profound Limit Tree Mother. She rewarded him with the Seventh Grade Azure Emperor Longevity Leaf and explained its powers.

• Lu Xuan met Guo Bingqiu and the other five Rogue Cultivators outside the Tree Realm, and they discussed the sudden expulsion.
• The group split up, and Lu Xuan visited Jade Forest Rogue Cultivator to exchange spirit-plant cultivation knowledge for nearly three days.
• Lu Xuan entered the forest and met Little Tree Nymph, who brought him to the Profound Limit Tree Mother.
• The Profound Limit Tree Mother gave Lu Xuan the Azure Emperor Longevity Leaf, a Seventh Grade Wood Element Treasure, and described its potent vitality.

Lu Xuan received the Azure Emperor Longevity Leaf for helping the Profound Limit Tree Mother close the passage into the Tree Realm, then departed with a generous gift of Primal Chaos Tree Sap. Outside the Tree Realm, he evaded a Nascent Soul cultivator who was monitoring the area and flew toward the Azure Wood Star Cave’s entrance.

• The Profound Limit Tree Mother gave Lu Xuan the Azure Emperor Longevity Leaf and explained that closing the passage would make it much harder for sect forces to enter the Tree Realm.
• More than a hundred Grass and Wood Monsters gathered to bid Lu Xuan farewell and refined their essence into over a hundred drops of Primal Chaos Tree Sap for him.
• Lu Xuan thanked the monsters, stored the sap, and left the Tree Realm with the Little Tree Nymph.
• Lu Xuan sensed a cultivator monitoring the area and used the Minor Teleportation Art to disappear before the approaching Nascent Soul Early Stage old man could find him.
• Lu Xuan unfurled his silver-white wings and flew toward the entrance of the Azure Wood Star Cave.

Lu Xuan tested the Azure Emperor Longevity Leaf on the Divine Wood Azure Kettle and used Primal Chaos Tree Sap to ripen Dragon Transformation Grass. Harvesting the grass granted him Seventh Grade True Dragon Essence Blood, while he planned to return to the sword sect and seek a way to restore the kettle.

• Lu Xuan returned to his Cave Mansion, fed his Spirit Beasts, and began nourishing the Divine Wood Azure Kettle with the Azure Emperor Longevity Leaf.
• After more than a month, Lu Xuan gained seven Spirit Seeds from two Primal Spirit Ginseng and received the Fifth Grade Green Condensation Dew Formula when a Little Tree Nymph advanced to Fifth Grade.
• Lu Xuan found that the Azure Emperor Longevity Leaf had strengthened the kettle's Vegetation Spiritual Energy but had not restored its missing origin, so he decided to seek help from the Divine Wood Sect.
• Lu Xuan applied two drops of Primal Chaos Tree Sap to the Sixth Grade Dragon Transformation Grass, rapidly ripening it.
• Lu Xuan harvested the Dragon Transformation Grass and obtained a Seventh Grade treasure: True Dragon Essence Blood.

Lu Xuan harvested Dragon Transformation Grass and evaluated how Primal Chaos Tree Sap could accelerate his Spirit Plants. Before returning to the Profound Cave Sword Sect with Wen Qian to open a shop, he decided to recruit trustworthy cultivators in the Li Yang Domain to help manage his businesses.

• Lu Xuan chose to save the Seventh Grade True Dragon Essence Blood for the Nine True Spirit Leaf and stored the Dragon Transformation Grass after harvesting its Light Orb reward.
• Lu Xuan assessed the Primal Chaos Tree Sap’s ripening effect and decided to wait before using the remaining drops on his Spirit Plants.
• Lu Xuan planned to bring Wen Qian to the Profound Cave Sword Sect to manage a shop, but realized he needed more helpers for both locations.
• Lu Xuan decided to seek Foundation Establishment cultivators from among Rogue Cultivators or Small Family Disciples, prioritizing trustworthy character and withholding important responsibilities until they earned his confidence.

Lu Xuan began recruiting Foundation Establishment cultivators to expand his general store and asked Daoist Mu to help screen applicants. The hiring notice drew widespread attention across Li Yang Domain, and cultivators were eager for the generous pay, treasures, and protection associated with working for Lu Xuan.

• Lu Xuan asked Daoist Mu to help find and judge potential hires after explaining the store’s requirements and benefits.
• Lu Xuan asked Qi Wuheng, Guo Bingqiu, Ye Xuanyin, and other Rogue Cultivators to spread news of the hiring.
• Hong Qinghai posted the recruitment notice outside the general store in Star Plucking Tower, advertising three to five positions and a monthly base salary of four thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
• Cultivators gathered to discuss the valuable benefits and Lu Xuan’s reputation, while those below Foundation Establishment regretted being ineligible.

Bai Li Jian Qing learned that Lu Xuan was recruiting Foundation Establishment Cultivators at his shop in Li Yang Domain and decided to travel there with Xiong Feng. He resolved to meet his old friend despite feeling ashamed of the gap between their cultivation levels.

• Bai Li Jian Qing tempered his flying sword while Xiong Feng visited him after recovering from his injuries.
• Xiong Feng told Bai Li Jian Qing that a shop in Li Yang Domain offered generous pay and benefits to Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
• Bai Li Jian Qing learned that the shop belonged to Lu Xuan, his former companion from the Heaven Sword Sect, and that Lu Xuan had reached Late Stage Core Formation.
• Bai Li Jian Qing overcame his embarrassment about their different levels of cultivation and agreed to travel with Xiong Feng to Li Yang Domain.

Daoist Mu screened Foundation Establishment Cultivators for the General Store and noticed Bai Li Jian Qing’s connection to Lu Xuan. Lu Xuan hurried to meet his old fellow disciple, and they reunited at the Sea Pavilion Merchant Guild.

• Daoist Mu rejected Cold Moon True Person’s request and continued screening applicants according to their backgrounds, age, cultivation methods, appearance, and temperament.
• Daoist Mu found Bai Li Jian Qing’s jade slip and learned that he had once belonged to the Heaven Sword Sect, like Lu Xuan.
• Lu Xuan recognized Bai Li Jian Qing’s name and recalled their close friendship from their days in the Heaven Sword Sect.
• Daoist Mu narrowed the applicants to fifty finalists, including Bai Li Jian Qing, while Xiong Feng was eliminated for practicing a heretical secret art.
• Lu Xuan appeared before Bai Li Jian Qing at the Sea Pavilion Merchant Guild and greeted him after their long separation.

Lu Xuan reunited with Bai Li Jian Qing, recruited five Foundation Establishment cultivators for his shops, and offered his former junior a choice between returning to the Profound Cave Sword Sect or working for him. Bai Li Jian Qing chose to follow Lu Xuan, who gave him several powerful treasures to improve his ability to protect himself.

• Lu Xuan welcomed Bai Li Jian Qing and told the gathered cultivators he would recruit five shop workers, while still choosing Bai Li Jian Qing first without taking one of those spots.
• Lu Xuan selected five Foundation Establishment cultivators from the applicants and asked Wen Qian to receive them.
• Lu Xuan brought Bai Li Jian Qing upstairs and heard how he had settled in the Star Cloud Domain and reached Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
• Lu Xuan offered Bai Li Jian Qing the choice of returning to the Profound Cave Sword Sect or continuing to work for him, and Bai Li Jian Qing chose to follow him.
• Lu Xuan gave Bai Li Jian Qing two Profound Yin Sword Talismans, two True Fiend Sword Talismans, and a Fifth Grade Primal Spirit Ginseng.

Lu Xuan prepared to return to the Profound Cave Sword Sect with Bai Li Jian Qing and planned which spirit plants and beasts to bring. Before leaving Thunder Fire Star Cave, he used three drops of Primal Chaos Tree Sap to ripen the Yellow Millet Dreamwood and experienced its vivid illusions.

• Lu Xuan gave Bai Li Jian Qing a Fifth Grade Primal Spirit Ginseng and four Fifth Grade Sword Talismans, then told him to prepare to leave for the Profound Cave Sword Sect within half a month.
• Lu Xuan introduced Bai Li Jian Qing to Wen Qian and assigned Bai Li Jian Qing to assist him at the Sword Sect's new shop.
• Lu Xuan returned to Thunder Fire Star Cave and considered which spirit plants and spirit beasts he would bring to the Profound Cave Sword Sect, leaving others to guard or remain in the cave mansion.
• Lu Xuan decided to ripen the Sixth Grade Yellow Millet Dreamwood before leaving and entered the illusionary realm it created.
• Lu Xuan used three drops of Primal Chaos Tree Sap to bring the Yellow Millet Dreamwood to maturity, witnessing rapidly shifting scenes that felt almost real.

Lu Xuan harvested a Yellow Millet Dreamwood and obtained the Seventh Grade Yellow Millet Jade Pillow, then set out for Profound Cave Sword Sect with Wen Qian and three other cultivators aboard the Giant Sword Boat. When a Star Beast attacked, the boat’s ripple destroyed it instantly, leaving the travelers stunned by Lu Xuan’s power.

• Lu Xuan harvested the Sixth Grade Yellow Millet Dreamwood and received the Seventh Grade Yellow Millet Jade Pillow, which could guide its user into Yellow Millet Dreamland and protect the soul.
• Lu Xuan stored the jade pillow and Spirit Tree, then prepared to travel to Profound Cave Sword Sect with Wen Qian, Bai Li Jian Qing, Shen Hai, and Liu Su Su.
• Lu Xuan summoned the Giant Sword Boat and launched it into the void with the four passengers aboard.
• Wen Qian, Bai Li Jian Qing, Shen Hai, and Liu Su Su watched the void and marveled at the boat’s protection as they traveled.
• A Star Beast rushed toward the Giant Sword Boat, but a transparent ripple from the vessel shattered it and its remains disappeared.

Lu Xuan returned to the Profound Cave Sword Sect after killing a Star Beast and settling his four subordinates outside the sect’s protective formation. At his Cave Mansion, he reunited with the White Ape and introduced it to the Spirit Beasts he had brought back, including a vastly grown Fat Bird.

• Lu Xuan killed a Star Beast with his Splitting Light Shadowing Sword Art and collected its flesh and blood with the Gluttony Insect Pouch.
• Lu Xuan showed Wen Qian and the other three the Ten Directions Absolute Extinction Sword Formation, then settled them in a nearby city because they lacked Sword Sect Identity Tokens.
• Lu Xuan returned to his Cave Mansion, where the White Ape greeted him with relief and told him about visitors, including True Lord Yuan Rong, Ge Pu, and a Sword Peak Nascent Soul True Lord.
• The White Ape told Lu Xuan that Huo Liner was preparing to attempt Core Formation again and that Sword Flood Dragon Senior had asked after him.
• Lu Xuan brought the White Ape to meet Wind Falcon, Cloud Stepping Lynx, Listening Wind Beast, Thunder Dragon Howl, and Azure Peak Qilin, and the White Ape was shocked by Fat Bird’s enormous size.

White Ape returned to Lu Xuan’s Cave Mansion and discovered that his former companions and other Spirit Beasts had grown remarkably powerful. Lu Xuan resumed caring for the Sword Grass at Still True Sword Peak and handed Yuan Rong the Sword Talismans and Still True Sword Liquid he had prepared.

• White Ape greeted Fat Bird and learned that the Cloud Stepping Lynx had also reached Fifth Grade, while other Spirit Beasts at the Cave Mansion displayed even more impressive auras.
• Lu Xuan warned White Ape to get along with the Tree Nymphs and his other Spirit Beasts.
• Lu Xuan inspected and cultivated the Sword Grass, restoring the plants he had neglected while away from the Sword Sect.
• Yuan Rong visited Lu Xuan, who gave her eighty-three Fifth Grade Sword Talismans and forty-five bottles of Still True Sword Liquid.
• Lu Xuan agreed to sell the items to Still True Sword Peak at their previously agreed prices and described his work as fitting for a life-type cultivator.

Lu Xuan received Sword Seals, arranged to open a shop outside the Sword Sect, and gained a Millennial Ancient Tree Heart when a Little Tree Nymph advanced. Huo Liner visited after successfully forming his Core, thanked Lu Xuan for the Saint Infant Pill, and invited him to a banquet.

• Yuan Rong gave Lu Xuan 24,250 Sword Seals and explained how to open a shop in one of the cities outside the Sword Sect.
• Lu Xuan completed the shop procedures at the Sword Palace and later watched a Little Tree Nymph break through to Fifth Grade, yielding a Millennial Ancient Tree Heart.
• Huo Liner visited Lu Xuan and thanked him for the Saint Infant Pill that had helped him successfully break through to the Core Formation Realm.
• Lu Xuan asked Huo Liner to collect rare Spirit Seeds for him if he came across any.
• Huo Liner invited Lu Xuan to a banquet three days later with Ge, Jian Wuxia, and other former fellow disciples, and Lu Xuan agreed to attend.

Lu Xuan gave Huo Liner rare spirit brews to celebrate his breakthrough, then opened You Jian General Store in Sword Abyss City. The shop drew crowds after White Ape advertised its wares, and an extraordinary procession of Sword Sect figures arrived to support Lu Xuan.

• Lu Xuan congratulated Huo Liner on reaching Core Formation and gave him Still True Sword Liquid and Green Condensation Dew.
• Lu Xuan joined Ge Pu, Wu Xia, and other guests at Huo Liner's celebration, where they recalled their days in Heaven Sword Sect and mourned Zhong Jingshan.
• Lu Xuan opened You Jian General Store in Sword Abyss City, and White Ape advertised its spirit plants, spirit brews, sword talismans, discounts, and prize drawing.
• Wan Zhong and Zhou Chao arrived to congratulate Lu Xuan, followed by Sword Son Mo Yuanfeng and several Nascent Soul True Lords.
• Sword Master Hai Zhen arrived to support Lu Xuan, shocking the onlookers and drawing more curious cultivators toward the shop.