Chapter Summaries

After Xu Yi escaped the explosion, he hid in a mountainside chamber while planning to keep pursuing a secret treasure. The Heavenly Demon Jade Wall’s destruction revealed a wall of golden and purple gourds, but the gathered experts could only reach them with spiritual sense and could not take them.

• Wang Yao reeled from the explosion after it shattered his sword-intent shield, while the Third Holy Son despaired over the Holy Clan’s ruined plans and Qin Qing privately admired Xu Yi’s explosive escape.
• Xu Yi used five Raging Wind Talismans to flee five thousand li, hid in a mountainside chamber, and kept watch with his spiritual sense while studying Liao Chen’s incantation.
• A crack opened in the stone wall left by the Heavenly Demon Jade Wall, and a strange peak appeared before vanishing and leaving an endless blue wall of light.
• Countless radiant golden and purple gourds emerged on vines within the wall, driving the recovering point origin experts into a frenzy.
• The experts were thrown back by an invisible barrier, then used their spiritual senses to connect with the gourds but found they could not pluck them.

The Third Holy Son led the Daoist courts in cutting a golden gourd free, while a group of rogue cultivators became trapped by the vine and died. When purple streaks signaled the Heavenly God Hall’s imminent closure, he revealed the secret method and sent the Eight Great Immortal Sects to claim the Purple Light Gourds.

• The Third Holy Son combined the soul power of more than thirty Daoist-court cultivators into a black sickle that slowly cut into a golden gourd’s vine joint.
• The Lion-faced middle-aged man and four companions tried cutting another gourd without the proper method, became trapped by the vine’s suction, and died after their soul power ran out.
• The purple-robed elder took the five men’s Sumeru Rings as the Third Holy Son explained that the sacred vine’s prohibition trapped those who cut it incorrectly.
• When purple streaks appeared in the sky, the Third Holy Son sent the secret method to the crowd and urged the Eight Great Immortal Sects to claim the Purple Light Gourds before the hall closed.
• The Third Holy Son and the purple-robed elder lamented by thought-transmission that they had run out of time to obtain the other treasures.

After Heavenly God Hall sealed, Xu Yi realized he was trapped inside and began preparing to survive, while the Nameless One waited nearby, planning to outlast him and seize his jade tablet. Xu Yi had gained insight into the Nine Revolutions Saint Creation Art and summoned the Soul-Summoning Banner for protection.

• The point origin experts escaped as Heavenly God Hall closed, leaving Xu Yi and the Nameless One trapped inside.
• The Nameless One tracked Xu Yi's divine sense and decided to wait for the violent spiritual energy to wear Xu Yi down before taking his jade tablet.
• Xu Yi emerged from studying the Nine Revolutions Saint Creation Art, which described opening the three Dragon Gates and Origin Locks to cultivate through the body.
• Xu Yi noticed the purple patterns fading and realized he had missed the chance to escape, then returned to the boundary point to confirm it remained open.
• Xu Yi took out the Soul-Summoning Banner as an ally, since most of his other protective items had been used up.

Xu Yi uncovered a strange Dark Gourd beneath the countless radiant gourds at the former site of the Heavenly Demon Jade Wall and tried to claim it using Auspicious Duck and Liao Chen’s methods. When the Dark Gourd began devouring his split soul and spiritual power, he discovered that feeding it treasures eased its grip, leaving him to sacrifice his cultivation resources to survive.

• Xu Yi tested the strengthened Soul-Summoning Banner, then traveled to the former site of the Heavenly Demon Jade Wall to seek the Mystical Treasure Auspicious Duck had mentioned.
• Xu Yi recited Auspicious Duck’s secret method, causing the radiant gourds, Green Vine, and wall of light to vanish and reveal a small, inky-black Dark Gourd.
• Xu Yi failed to claim the Dark Gourd with Auspicious Duck’s method, then used Liao Chen’s split-soul technique to make it rise and spin.
• Xu Yi’s split soul established a slow connection with the Dark Gourd, but it began devouring his soul and spiritual power when he tried to withdraw.
• The Heavenly Demon Jade Token hummed and Xu Yi’s Sumeru Ring shattered; after two treasure weapons vanished into the Dark Gourd and eased the pressure, Xu Yi began feeding it his cultivation resources.

Xu Yi desperately fed treasures into the Xuanhuang halo to keep his soul from being devoured by the Dark Gourd, using a trace of True Dragon Imperial Qi to restore himself. The two colors spread across most of the gourd’s lower half, but the halo rejected the remaining Origin Beads, Golden Soul Fruit, Primordial Sabertooth Tiger bloodline, and corpse.

• Xu Yi swallowed White Origin Beads, but their life force barely helped his weakening soul, so he continued feeding cultivation resources into the Xuanhuang halo.
• As his soul weakened, Xu Yi took a trace of True Dragon Imperial Qi from his Blood Concealment Ring and swallowed it, restoring his soul completely.
• The Dark Gourd began devouring Xu Yi’s soul even more fiercely, and he poured millions of Spirit Stones into the halo to balance the loss.
• Xu Yi fed the halo more Spirit Stones, talismans, a fourth-tier battle suit, the Exquisite Pagoda, and other Mystical Treasures, covering more than three-fifths of the gourd’s lower half.
• After the two colors spread over four-fifths of the lower half, Xu Yi tried feeding in Origin Beads, a Golden Soul Fruit, Sabertooth Tiger bloodline, and the corpse, but the halo bounced them all away.

Xu Yi exhausted his soul to activate the Mysterious Desolate Gourd, leaving him vulnerable to Nameless One’s attempt to possess his body. The Chiwu Worm attacked Nameless One inside Xu Yi’s spiritual platform as he tried to escape.

• Xu Yi fed the Mysterious Desolate Gourd his remaining treasures and a massive soul fragment, turning the gourd completely black and yellow.
• The Heavenly Demon Jade Token broke the soul bridge between Xu Yi and the gourd, and Xu Yi collapsed as the gourd and token clashed.
• Nameless One entered Xu Yi’s spiritual platform and moved to destroy his weakened soul so he could possess Xu Yi’s Immaculate Body.
• A Chiwu Worm appeared in the spiritual platform and repeatedly attacked Nameless One, who realized he had to flee.
• Nameless One tried to escape, angering the Chiwu Worm, which pursued him with its unmatched speed.

The Chiwu Worm devoured Nameless One but fled from Xu Yi after the Golden Lightning Mark appeared, while the Heavenly Demon Jade Wall shattered the world and sent Xu Yi into the void protected by the Mysterious Desolate Gourd. Xu Yi passed through a barrier as the gourds were drawn skyward, and the Third Holy Son was saved from despair by the white-faced Daoist before the Golden Light Gourd returned to him.

• The Chiwu Worm devoured Nameless One and tried to attack Xu Yi, but the Golden Lightning Mark drove it away.
• The Heavenly Demon Jade Token and the Mysterious Desolate Gourd collided until the Heavenly Demon Jade Wall shattered, casting Xu Yi into chaotic space-time.
• The Mysterious Desolate Gourd shielded Xu Yi with dark and yellow energy as the gourds were drawn toward a barrier above the world.
• Xu Yi passed through the barrier with the Mysterious Desolate Gourd, causing the Northern Sacred Court’s Great World to shake.
• The white-faced Daoist saved the Third Holy Son from a crisis of faith as the sky shook and then grew still.
• The Golden Light Gourd returned to the Third Holy Son, resisting the white-faced Daoist’s attempt to seize it.

Wang Laoshi and Madam Zhang hauled an unusually well-preserved, still-living corpse from the Azure Dragon River and agreed to try to save him. On the pleasure boat, the green-robed young lady approved of helping the stranger while her maid teased her about meeting Second Young Master Jiang at his birthday celebration.

• Wang Laoshi spotted a corpse drifting toward his boat and told the purple-clad maid about it.
• The purple-clad maid paid Wang Laoshi to haul the corpse aboard and instructed him to try to keep it alive with chicken broth.
• Wang Laoshi discovered that the corpse was still warm and had a heartbeat, while the purple-clad maid noticed its unrotted skin.
• The purple-clad maid returned to the pleasure boat and found her young lady finishing the Cold Autumn Distant River Painting.
• The green-robed young lady agreed that saving the stranger was worthwhile, and the purple-clad maid teased her about attending Master Jiang's birthday and seeing Second Young Master Jiang.

Xu Yi regained consciousness after eating enough to recover and used a Green Origin Bead to restore some strength. He discovered that his True Spirit Circle had turned pure gold, then noticed an unfamiliar object on his chest.

• Wang Laoshi and Li-shi fed the revived Xu Yi until he devoured food meant for more than thirty people, then fled when he kept looking hungry.
• Xu Yi swallowed a Green Origin Bead and repeatedly pierced his fingers to direct its healing power into his wounds, recovering some strength and awareness.
• Xu Yi realized that his soul had grown stronger after traveling through time and space, as it had when he first arrived in Great Yue.
• Xu Yi discovered that the True Spirit Circle above his soul had turned pure gold, a sign of True Essence Fifth Turn.
• Xu Yi felt an unfamiliar object on his chest and was startled that it had appeared without his knowledge.

Xu Yi woke with the Dark Gourd around his neck and was rescued by a maid who brought him to her young lady, the Green-clad woman. He met his benefactor and admired her painting, but stopped short of offering her a gift when he realized his treasures could bring her danger.

• Xu Yi discovered the Dark Gourd had returned to him, then remembered his promise to give it to Auspicious Duck in exchange for news of Xia Zimo.
• The purple-clad maid entered the cabin, questioned Xu Yi about his strange condition, and told him that her young lady had rescued him.
• The maid carried Xu Yi to the deck and brought him to meet the Green-clad woman, who brushed off his thanks.
• Xu Yi admired the Green-clad woman's painting and recited a poem that delighted her, though he could not name its author.
• Xu Yi began to offer his benefactor a treasure, then stopped when he realized his possessions from the Heavenly God Hall could put her in danger.

Xu Yi stayed with the Wen family, recovered his soul, and learned that Miss Wen hoped to marry Second Young Master Jiang of the Spring Alliance. He wrote poems for her paintings and prepared a gift as the Spring Alliance’s grand birthday banquet began.

• The Green-clad woman offered Xu Yi work with the Wen family, and he stayed to recover and repay her for saving his life.
• Over seven days, Xu Yi restored his soul and learned that Wen Zhongdao led the fleet to Golden Lion City, the seat of Huaidong Prefecture.
• Xu Yi learned that Miss Wen hoped to marry Second Young Master Jiang and saw a chance to help her.
• Xu Yi gave Zijuan poems for three of Miss Wen’s paintings and asked her to deliver a small bamboo cage to Miss Wen.
• On the autumn equinox, the Spring Alliance’s grand banquet began at Seven Treasures Manor.

At Jiang Tingyu’s sixtieth-birthday banquet, Miss Wen followed a plan arranged with her elder brother as the Jiang family invited young women to display their talents, creating a chance to attract Jiang Yulang. She overcame her nerves and stepped forward, ready to compete for him.

• Miss Wen entered the Spring Alliance banquet with Wen Zhongdao and nervously surveyed the gathering of powerful Star Officials.
• The Eldest Young Master Wen told Miss Wen that everything was arranged and urged her to stay alert.
• Miss Wen joined the group of young masters and ladies before Jiang Yulang arrived and drew their admiration.
• Jiang Yulang’s maternal uncle announced that young women could showcase their talents at the banquet, hinting that the Jiang family would choose a match for him.
• Miss Wen steadied herself, remembered that she had to fight for Jiang Yulang, and stepped before the crowd.

Miss Wen tried to impress Jiang Yulang with her painting, but Miss Mei upstaged her by displaying her Soul Sensing Realm cultivation and causing Miss Wen to ruin her work. As the hall waited for Jiang Yulang to judge the paintings, Miss Mei privately offered to become his Dao companion and promised a Heaven Soul Talisman as her dowry.

• Miss Wen began painting the Three Stars Bringing Longevity, drawing Jiang Yulang's attention and the admiration of the crowd.
• A woman in red brought Miss Mei forward to compete with Miss Wen, and the middle-aged man in finery urged Jiang Yulang to favor Miss Mei because of her influential family.
• Miss Mei sent out her Yin Soul to control the paper and ink, revealing that she had reached the Soul Sensing Realm and astonishing the hall.
• Overwhelmed by the noise and Miss Mei's display, Miss Wen's brush slipped and stained the face of the God of Longevity in her painting.
• Miss Mei finished a phoenix painting, while the crowd praised her and the woman in red publicly asked Jiang Yulang to choose the better work.
• Miss Mei privately told Jiang Yulang she admired him and offered a Heaven Soul Talisman if he agreed to become her Dao companion.

Jiang Yulang chose Miss Mei’s painting and sought her Heaven Soul Talisman, while Miss Wen and her family were humiliated. Jiang Tingyu expelled the Wen Family from the Spring Alliance, leaving them facing ruin.

• Jiang Yulang declared Miss Mei the winner and dismissed Miss Wen, who collapsed into Eldest Young Master Wen’s arms.
• Jiang Tingyu arrived with Wen Zhongdao and praised Miss Wen’s painting before seeing the ruined artwork and the siblings’ distress.
• The middle-aged man in fine clothes told Jiang Tingyu that Miss Mei had offered a Heaven Soul Talisman as her dowry.
• Jiang Tingyu accused Wen Zhongdao of using Miss Wen’s painting to insult him and ordered him and his daughter to leave.
• Jiang Tingyu expelled Wen Zhongdao and his family from the Spring Alliance, and Miss Wen blamed herself for bringing disaster on them.

At Jiang Tingyu’s celebration, Household Registration Department officials arrived and paid their respects to Wen Cai, shocking the Jiang family and everyone in attendance. The officials confirmed they had not mistaken her, though they themselves did not know why the Director had ordered them to honor her.

• Miss Wen tried to atone for the trouble she had caused her family by threatening to kill herself, but Jiang Tingyu took away her dagger and ordered the Wen family out.
• Jiang Tingyu learned that three Household Registration Department stewards had arrived and celebrated the honor their visit would bring the Jiang family.
• Steward Zhang and the other officials ignored the Jiang family’s welcome and asked for Miss Wen Cai, saying they had come to pay their respects.
• A young man identified Wen Cai, and the officials bowed to her and apologized for failing to welcome her properly.
• Jiang Tingyu suggested the officials had mistaken Wen Cai for someone else and privately urged the Wen family to cooperate, but Steward Zhang confirmed they had not made a mistake.

Miss Wen received lavish gifts and the attention of powerful officials, leaving the guests and Jiang Tingyu scrambling to understand her influence. Elder Xia arrived and offered to take her as his disciple, promising to help her reach the Soul Sensing Realm within ten years.

• Deputy Director Zhao arrived with more than a dozen Star Officials and presented Miss Wen with priceless treasures for calligraphy and painting.
• Jiang Tingyu realized Miss Wen had powerful backing and urged Jiang Yulang to placate her, but Jiang Yulang hesitated to abandon his refined gentlemanly image.
• The guest receiving the crowd announced Elder Xia's arrival, and Deputy Court Envoy Mei brought Miss Mei and Jiang Yulang to greet him.
• Elder Xia brushed aside Miss Mei and Jiang Yulang, then called Miss Wen forward while Jiang Tingyu and Deputy Director Zhao stood aside.
• Elder Xia praised Miss Wen's composure and offered to make her his disciple, promising to bring her into the Soul Sensing Realm within ten years.

Elder Xia defended Miss Wen and revealed his formidable cultivation, but the Prefect’s Third Young Master arrived to request one of her paintings on his father’s behalf. Miss Wen accepted while exposing how the Wen family had been driven out, bringing the hall’s conflict to a climax.

• Elder Xia slapped Deputy Court Envoy Mei for interrupting Miss Wen and declared that he had reached True Spirit Circle Great Perfection three years earlier.
• Jiang Tingyu claimed Miss Wen would gladly accept Elder Xia’s favor and join his sect.
• The Prefect’s Third Young Master arrived on his father’s behalf and requested a painting from Miss Wen for Happy Heaven.
• Miss Wen agreed to provide a painting but told the Third Young Master that the venue’s master had driven her family out and made them wait.
• Jiang Tingyu nearly fell as the crowd reacted to Miss Wen’s public accusation.

Miss Wen exposed the Jiang household’s treatment of Miss Mei and rejected Jiang Tingyu’s attempt to appease her, prompting a violent scramble to avoid blame. Elder Xia ordered an investigation into the Jiang household, and Deputy Director Zhao had its members seized as the birthday banquet collapsed into chaos.

• Jiang Tingyu tried to persuade Miss Wen to stay and teach Jiang Yulang, but she asked whether Jiang Yulang was willing and brought up Miss Mei and his earlier words.
• Deputy Court Envoy Mei struck Miss Mei, then crippled the woman in red by shattering her Qi Sea Realm.
• Jiang Tingyu slapped Jiang Yulang and then crippled his brother-in-law, blaming him for the events that had humiliated Miss Wen.
• Miss Wen left with Wen Zhongdao and the Eldest Young Master Wen after thanking Elder Xia and promising to fulfill the Mansion Lord’s instructions.
• Elder Xia called for an investigation into the Spring Alliance and the Jiang household, and Deputy Director Zhao ordered Star Officials to seize the Jiang family for questioning.

Miss Wen discovered Xu Yi had left her a note and a voice-transmitting pearl, while Xu Yi arranged for the Wen family to receive protection. Lord Lu arrived and demanded that Xu Yi remove the Heart-Devouring Worm, which Xu Yi drew out and sealed in a vial.

• Miss Wen realized the mysterious man might have been responsible for the strange events and hurried to Xu Yi's room.
• Miss Wen found Xu Yi's bamboo cage and read his wish for her happiness, but Wen Zhongdao stopped her from using the voice-transmitting pearl.
• Xu Yi told the Wind Observer Envoy to protect the Wen family and said Miss Wen was connected to Lord Lu.
• The Wind Observer Envoy told Xu Yi that Lord Lu had arrived in Golden Lion City, and Xu Yi met him at a private residence.
• Lord Lu demanded that Xu Yi remove the Heart-Devouring Worm, and Xu Yi drew it from Lord Lu's nostrils into a vial.

Xu Yi removed the Heart-Devouring Worm from Lord Lu but kept a Shadow-Sound Pearl recording as leverage. He then gave Lord Lu a White Origin Bead, easing their resentment and leaving them reconciled.

• Lord Lu came to confront Xu Yi and demand that he remove the Heart-Devouring Worm.
• Xu Yi removed the worm and showed Lord Lu a Shadow-Sound Pearl recording of the act, explaining that it gave him leverage without threatening Lord Lu's life.
• Lord Lu gave up on opposing Xu Yi and decided to keep his distance from him.
• Xu Yi offered Lord Lu a White Origin Bead as thanks for helping him in Huaidong Prefecture.
• Lord Lu accepted the bead, let go of his resentment, and agreed to look ahead with Xu Yi.