Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xuanchen hid in the Myriad Spirit Ring after escaping deeper into the Dark Night Forest, while the demon leaders discussed plans for a Beast Tide against the Human Race. Learning that the invasion might begin in thirty to fifty years, Zhang Xuanchen resolved to strengthen the Zhang Family before war came.

• Zhang Xuanchen fled inward and hid in a concealed rock crack, entering the Myriad Spirit Ring with Xuanjing concealing its aura.
• Snake Lady, Bear Sect, and a Great Peng gathered at the Ink Crystal Python's blood, and the Great Peng ordered the demons to pursue the intruders toward the outskirts.
• The Great Peng revealed that the Demon Race planned to unleash a Beast Tide within thirty to fifty years, with the Azure Nether Mountain Range and Purple Cloud Mountain Range joining the Dark Night Forest.
• Qing Snake and Bai Snake searched the inner region but passed by the Myriad Spirit Ring without noticing it.
• After Xuanjing relayed what he had heard, Zhang Xuanchen worried about the coming war and considered whether the monsters from the forbidden grounds were involved.
• Luo Lingshuang suggested the Zhang Family could retreat into the Myriad Spirit Ring, but Zhang Xuanchen hoped they would gain Immortal Opportunities and reach Nascent Soul before the Beast Tide.

Zhang Xuanchen encouraged Luo Lingshuang to surpass Ancestor Luo Tianhua, then traveled with her and Great Sage to a Jadeite Vein. He forced the Jadeite Spirit Insect leader to submit and contracted it, naming it Zhang Xuanmo.

• Zhang Xuanchen told Luo Lingshuang that her Great Dao Golden Core and his special physique could help her reach Nascent Soul before the age of sixty, and she promised to work hard.
• Great Sage found the Jadeite Spirit Insect leader at the Jadeite Vein, subdued it with his demonic aura, and tossed it to Zhang Xuanchen.
• Zhang Xuanchen threatened the leader with the Dragon Abyss Sword until it agreed to submit.
• Zhang Xuanchen formed a Master-Servant Contract with the Jadeite Spirit Insect leader, which shrank to palm size and called him Master.
• Zhang Xuanchen named the insect Zhang Xuanmo and told it to call him Boss.

Zhang Xuanchen learned that Xiao Mo and his guards had mutated into Jadeite Spirit Insects, gaining powerful abilities through Jadeite Essence. He put the swarm to work mining and breeding, then discussed keeping their existence secret with Luo Lingshuang before asking Xuanjing about the outside.

• Xiao Mo explained that his Jadeification Domain could petrify weaker cultivators and that Jadeite Beetles needed rare Jadeite Essence to mutate.
• Xiao Mo described how his swarm searched for a hundred years and lost most of its members before he and ten guards mutated.
• Zhang Xuanchen reassured Xiao Mo that he would spare the swarm and assigned them to mine Jadeite and White Crystal veins in exchange for Jadeite Pearls and spiritual herbs.
• Zhang Xuanchen told Xiao Mo to settle the swarm and produce more Jadeite Spirit Insects, then left the area for the courtyard.
• Luo Lingshuang warned Zhang Xuanchen that the Zhang Family could attract danger if others learned it possessed Jadeite Spirit Insects, and he proposed disguising the source of the Jadeite Pearls.
• Zhang Xuanchen asked Xuanjing how things were outside the ring.

Zhang Xuanchen and Luo Lingshuang hid inside the Myriad Spirit Ring while he cultivated and Snake Lady eventually abandoned her search. Elsewhere, Xu Yanran, awakened to the God-Slaying Devil Physique, fled Lei Zheng and Shangguan Qingyue toward the Dark Abyss Forbidden Land.

• Zhang Xuanchen decided to remain hidden for a month and cultivate while Luo Lingshuang practiced Water Moon Fragrance.
• Zhang Xuanchen trained the Great Sun Flame Sword and other techniques, though he had not yet mastered the fifth-grade movement technique or Nine Dragon Swords.
• Snake Lady returned to the Ink Crystal Python's Fall Place, found no trace of the two humans, and ordered Qing Snake and Bai Snake to return to the clan.
• Zhang Xuanchen learned Snake Lady had given up searching but chose to stay inside the Myriad Spirit Ring for another half month.
• Lei Zheng and Shangguan Qingyue cornered the wounded Xu Yanran and demanded the Devil Gourd Fragmented Map, revealing that her parents had sacrificed themselves to awaken her God-Slaying Devil Physique.
• Xu Yanran attacked Lei Zheng and Shangguan Qingyue, then rushed toward the Dark Abyss Forbidden Land as Shangguan Qingyue summoned a Life-Snatching Shuttle.

Shangguan Qingyue killed Xu Yanran and took the final Devil Gourd Fragmented Map, but a mysterious monster revived her, while Jun Xiaoyao discovered an extraterrestrial presence in the Dark Abyss Forbidden Land. Fifteen days later, Zhang Xuanchen left Dark Night Forest with Luo Lingshuang and the others and set off for Heavenly Craft Pavilion.

• Shangguan Qingyue's Life-Snatching Shuttle pierced Xu Yanran's chest, and Lei Zheng recovered the Devil Gourd Fragmented Map from her thigh.
• A strange roar from the Dark Abyss drove Shangguan Qingyue to flee with the unconscious Lei Zheng before he could burn Xu Yanran's body.
• A mysterious monster used blood mist and its own origin to restore Xu Yanran's heart and reattach her severed thigh.
• Jun Xiaoyao used the Great Reincarnation Technique to view the past, detected foreign World Force, and concluded that an extraterrestrial race was hiding in the Dark Abyss Forbidden Land.
• Fifteen days later, Zhang Xuanchen left Dark Night Forest after gathering thirteen spiritual treasures, released Luo Lingshuang, Great Sage, and Xiao Mo, and prepared to travel to Heavenly Craft Pavilion by flying ship.

During the journey across the Endless Sea, Zhang Xuanchen learned of a chance to obtain a Buddhist secret technique by rescuing Wuxin, a Disciple of Buddha pursued by two Evil Cultivators. Fourteen days later, Wuxin was nearly defeated as his pursuers closed in.

• Zhang Xuanchen's group spent five months traveling by Flying Boat, and the Great Sage killed eight groups of Robber Cultivators they encountered.
• Zhang Xuanchen learned that Wuxin would be hunted on Bihua Island and that rescuing him or killing his pursuers could earn a Sarira containing the Three Lives Borrowing Strength Great Technique.
• Zhang Xuanchen directed Little Lotus to adjust the Flying Boat and warned the group to prepare for battle.
• Luo Lingshuang said she had stabilized her Golden Core Mid Stage cultivation but expected it would take at least ten years to reach Late Golden Core, and Zhang Xuanchen encouraged her to keep working toward her goals.
• Fourteen days later, Wuxin, badly wounded after killing seven Golden Core Evil Cultivators, tried to persuade his two remaining pursuers to take refuge in Buddha.
• The two Evil Cultivators rejected Wuxin's plea and prepared to attack him.

Wuxin the Monk fled two Evil Cultivators toward Zhang Xuanchen’s Flying Boat, and Zhang chose to confront them. Zhang, Luo Lingshuang, and the Great Sage overwhelmed the pursuers, killing Lao Si and leaving Lao Cao badly wounded.

• Wuxin summoned a wrathful Buddha and used the Great Fearless Seal to repel the Evil Cultivators’ attacks, but he was left gravely injured and nearly out of spiritual power.
• Wuxin spotted Zhang Xuanchen’s Flying Boat and headed toward it, while Lao Cao and Lao Si decided to pursue him and attack the people aboard.
• After hearing the Evil Cultivators threaten the boat’s passengers, Zhang turned the Flying Boat toward them and ordered Luo Lingshuang and the Great Sage to strike with full force.
• Zhang’s Great Sun Flame Sword and Luo Lingshuang’s Sword Rain shattered the Evil Cultivators’ defenses and blasted both into the sea.
• The Great Sage pursued Lao Cao and Lao Si underwater and killed Lao Si with a single punch that also destroyed his divine soul.

Zhang Xuanchen killed Lao Cao and accepted Wuxin the Monk’s offer to become his subordinate after Wuxin discovered Zhang’s cultivation secret. Wuxin explained that he feared death and hoped following Zhang and Luo Lingshuang would let him see a broader world.

• Zhang Xuanchen killed Lao Cao with wind blades and burned away his divine soul, then took his Storage Ring.
• Zhang Xuanchen promised to help Great Sage temper his Talent Skill during the journey to Heavenly Craft Pavilion.
• Wuxin the Monk realized Zhang Xuanchen had reached Golden Core and suspected he possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root.
• Wuxin offered Zhang an ancient Buddha Sarira, swore a Heavenly Dao Oath, and pledged allegiance to him.
• Wuxin told Zhang that he had joined out of fear and ambition, since half-step Nascent Soul would otherwise be his limit at Tianluo Temple.

Wuxin joined Zhang Xuanchen’s group after revealing Tianluo Temple’s motives and possible alliance against the Zhang Family. Zhang Xuanchen accepted him, chose the Daoist title Blazing Firmament True Person, and gave him Thousand-year Stone Milk to treat his injuries.

• Wuxin explained that he wanted to follow Zhang Xuanchen and Luo Lingshuang, and Zhang Xuanchen accepted him after confirming his sincerity.
• Wuxin revealed that Tianluo Temple had sought to win over the Zhang Family before Qingming True Lord’s arrival changed its plans, and that Tianluo Temple might have cooperated with seven Golden Core forces against the Zhang Family.
• Luo Lingshuang suggested the Daoist title Blazing Firmament True Person, and Zhang Xuanchen chose it while deciding to keep it secret.
• The Great Sage asked Zhang Xuanchen to help hone his Talent Skill, and Zhang Xuanchen considered having Wuxin participate.
• Zhang Xuanchen gave Wuxin two drops of Thousand-year Stone Milk to aid his recovery, and Wuxin gratefully accepted them.

After Wuxin recovered, he joined Zhang Xuanchen’s group and helped Great Sage hone his Talent Skill. The group traveled to the Casting Star Islands, where Wuxin killed a Qiao Family young master and his guards after they harassed Luo Lingshuang, while a richly dressed young man began investigating them.

• Wuxin recovered fully after three days and took Zhang Xuanchen’s place helping Luo Lingshuang train Great Sage.
• Over the next ten days, Wuxin grew close to Zhang Xuanchen’s group, and Zhang learned why Tianluo Temple had expelled him.
• Zhang Xuanchen, Luo Lingshuang, Wuxin, Great Sage, and Xiao Mo arrived at the Casting Star Islands and set out for Tiangong Immortal City.
• A purple-robed young man riding a Blazing Flame Lion insulted Zhang Xuanchen and tried to entice Luo Lingshuang to leave with him.
• Zhang Xuanchen ordered Wuxin to kill the young man, his lion, and twenty guards; Wuxin killed them and burned their bodies.
• A richly dressed young man ordered A Yuan to investigate Zhang Xuanchen’s group and warned the Qiao Family not to seek revenge without his approval.

Zhang Xuanchen and his companions left Donghua Market after learning that the Starry Secret Realm would open in three months, while the Tianyuan Sect warned the Qiao Family against seeking revenge for the Third Young Master's death. The group reached Tiangong Immortal City, where Zhang Xuanchen observed its abundant Fire Spiritual Power.

• The Tianyuan Sect's Young Sect Master learned that Zhang Xuanchen's group was powerful and ordered an investigation into their identities and reasons for visiting.
• Zhang Xuanchen and Luo Lingshuang learned about the Starry Secret Realm and left Donghua Market for Tiangong Immortal City through a teleportation array.
• Qiao Mingwang flew into a rage over his third son's death, and Eldest Master Qiao offered to lead men to find the murderer.
• Zizhu warned Qiao Mingwang that the Tianyuan Sect would not help the Qiao Family and offered them a chance to survive if they found Zhang Xuanchen and sincerely repented.
• Zhang Xuanchen and his companions arrived in Tiangong Immortal City, where he noticed the city's red buildings and strong Fire Spiritual Power.

Zhang Xuanchen’s group arrived in Tiangong Immortal City, where he learned that Li Xiu would trade the damaged Qian Yuan Ding the next day. While Wuxin and the Great Sage found their way around, a pharmacy owner grew suspicious that they might be connected to the sealed Starry Secret Realm.

• Zhang Xuanchen learned that Li Xiu would offer the damaged Qian Yuan Ding at a trade fair in Tianxing Inn, and considered its value for alchemy and defense.
• Zhang Xuanchen told Wuxin and the Great Sage to find Tianxing Inn while he and Luo Lingshuang bought pastries.
• Wuxin accidentally startled the Tianyang Pharmacy shopkeeper, apologized, and gave him Spirit Stones before asking for directions.
• The shopkeeper gave Wuxin maps of Tiangong Immortal City and the Casting Star Islands, then decided to report the visitors to his sect because he suspected they might be connected to the Starry Secret Realm.
• Wuxin returned the maps to Zhang Xuanchen, who memorized them and shared Purple Sun Cakes and Flame Corn Sticks with Wuxin and the Great Sage.

Zhang Xuanchen and his companions reached Tianxing Inn and enjoyed its Spirit Meals. Their meal was interrupted when Gu Ran sought Zhang Xuanchen’s help against Wei Youqian, but Zhang Xuanchen sent her back to him.

• Zhang Xuanchen reassured Wuxin about a minor incident, then joked with him as they chased each other toward Tianxing Inn.
• Zhang Xuanchen booked a private room and two superior rooms at Tianxing Inn, where he and his companions ate the inn’s Spirit Meals.
• Wei Youqian accused Gu Ran of owing him service after he spent thirty thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones to redeem her from Heavenly Fragrance Tower.
• Wei Youqian slapped Gu Ran and threatened her while the other guests looked away.
• Gu Ran ran to Zhang Xuanchen and begged him to save her, but he used spiritual power to shove her into Wei Youqian’s arms and told her to get lost.

Zhang Xuanchen rejected Gu Ran’s plea for help and befriended Wei Youqian, arranging to meet him at Tianxing Inn’s trade fair the next day. After Wei Youqian left, Zhang asked Luo Lingshuang what she thought of his handling of the incident, and she affirmed his choice while hiding her jealousy.

• Gu Ran begged Zhang Xuanchen to save her from Wei Youqian, but Zhang warned Wei that she was scheming instead.
• Wei Youqian introduced himself as a member of the Eastern Lan Wei Family and invited Zhang Xuanchen to dine at Horizon Restaurant, but Zhang suggested they meet at the next day’s trade fair.
• Wei Youqian agreed to meet Zhang at the trade fair, took Gu Ran away, and paid for Zhang’s expenses at the inn.
• Luo Lingshuang told Zhang that Gu Ran had tried to provoke a conflict so she could escape, and privately admitted she was jealous of Gu Ran’s advances.

Zhang Xuanchen and Luo Lingshuang spent the night together before heading to Tianxing Inn for the trade fair and the Qian Yuan Ding. There, Zhang noticed Wei Youqian with a formidable young man from the Wei Family.

• Zhang Xuanchen scolded Wuxin for stealing his Spirit Chicken Leg, and Luo Lingshuang pinched him in anger before he tried to coax her into sharing her soup.
• After dinner, Zhang Xuanchen and Luo Lingshuang went to their room together, while Xiao Mo entered the Myriad Spirit Ring to look for the Insect Concubine.
• Gu Ran urged Wei Youqian to seek justice against Zhang Xuanchen, but Wei Youqian slapped her, warned her to know her place, and decided to summon his older brother Wei Tian instead of telling the Wei Family Lineage.
• Wei Youqian ordered Wei Da to send a message to Wei Tian and began preparing spiritual items and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.
• The next morning, Zhang Xuanchen and Luo Lingshuang went to Tianxing Inn, where Zhang saw Wuxin and the Great Sage talking with Wei Youqian and noticed a cold, powerful young man in a black robe beside him.

Wei Tian recognized Zhang Xuanchen and Luo Lingshuang’s connections, then discreetly explained why he believed they had come to Heavenly Craft Pavilion. When the Great Sage revealed they knew nothing about the Starry Secret Realm, Wei Tian agreed to tell them about the faint Spiritual Power Tide that had drawn the region’s five great powers.

• Wei Tian inferred Zhang Xuanchen’s identity and connections, and greeted him and Luo Lingshuang without publicly revealing her identity.
• Wei Youqian introduced Wei Tian to Zhang Xuanchen, who asked him to keep Luo Lingshuang’s identity quiet.
• Zhang Xuanchen searched the hall for the Qian Yuan Ding’s seller while Wei Tian sealed the room’s sound and asked whether they had come for the Starry Secret Realm.
• The Great Sage said they had come to Heavenly Craft Pavilion to refine magical artifacts and had never heard of the secret realm.
• Wei Tian decided to explain the secret realm, telling them that a faint Spiritual Power Tide had arisen half a year earlier and drawn the ancestors of five great powers to the area.

Wei Tian explained the rules for entering the Starry Secret Realm and sold Zhang Xuanchen an external aid slot. Zhang prepared to enter in three months, while keeping his plan to bring Luo Lingshuang and Wuxin into the realm hidden.

• Wei Tian told Zhang Xuanchen that the Starry Secret Realm would open in three months, allowed only entrants under a hundred, and favored the Vermilion Bird Sea Domain’s younger Golden Core cultivators.
• Zhang Xuanchen realized Luo Lingshuang and Wuxin could not enter through ordinary channels, then raised his aura to Foundation Establishment Late Stage and asked Wei Tian to sell him a slot.
• Wei Tian offered one of his three external aid slots for ten thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones and required thirty percent of Zhang’s gains, while stating that only Zhang could enter.
• Zhang Xuanchen paid the price and accepted the Wei Family’s External Aid Token, secretly planning to bring Luo Lingshuang and Wuxin inside and evade the Wei Family’s claim to his treasures.
• Wei Tian and Wei Youqian departed, and Zhang Xuanchen decided he would enter the Starry Secret Realm despite wondering whether Wei Tian suspected his true strength.

Zhang Xuanchen and his companions joined the trade fair, where he sensed an Immortal Opportunity and spotted Yang Shen arguing with Ming Yu'er over a damaged tripod. He decided to intervene in their wager, believing the two had feelings for each other.

• Zhang Xuanchen told Luo Lingshuang, Wuxin, and Great Sage they would enter the Starry Secret Realm and keep its best spiritual materials while giving the Wei Family lesser ones.
• Zhang Xuanchen led Luo Lingshuang into the trade fair as Wuxin and Great Sage wandered through the stalls.
• Luo Lingshuang asked whether the Immortal Opportunity Zhang Xuanchen sensed would appear at the fair, and he said he had found its location without waking Xuanjing.
• Ming Yu'er accused Yang Shen of overpricing his damaged tripod, slapped him after he stared at her, and challenged him to sell it for five hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones.
• Yang Shen wagered that if someone bought the tripod for five hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones, Ming Yu'er would become his bride.
• Zhang Xuanchen stopped to tell Luo Lingshuang that he would bring Yang Shen and Ming Yu'er together.

Yang Shen and Ming Yu'er settled a wager while Ma Rulong left the inn in anger, and Zhang Xuanchen bought the Qian Yuan Ding and an ancient porcelain vase before leaving for Heavenly Craft Pavilion. Yang Shen then persuaded Ming Yu'er to become his cultivation partner and promised to propose within a month.

• Ma Rulong confronted Yang Shen over his disrespect toward Ming Yu'er, but Yang Shen called him a coward for never confessing his feelings.
• Ming Yu'er accepted Yang Shen's wager, and Ma Rulong left the inn without confronting them further.
• Zhang Xuanchen bought Yang Shen's broken tripod and ancient porcelain vase for seven hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones, then left with Luo Lingshuang for Heavenly Craft Pavilion.
• Yang Shen asked Ming Yu'er to become his cultivation partner, and she agreed while warning that Ma Rulong might cause trouble.
• Yang Shen gave Ming Yu'er a Second-tier Top-grade Fire Spirit Shield and said he would visit Heavenly Craft Pavilion to propose within a month.

Zhang Xuanchen brought Luo Lingshuang, Wuxin, and Great Sage to Heavenly Craft Pavilion to commission a magical artifact, and his advice led Wuxin to a Buddhist revelation. Inside the pavilion, Seventh Supreme Elder Zhou Qingcang prepared to welcome Zhang Xuanchen and considered offering him a place in the Starry Secret Realm amid growing dangers and conflict.

• Zhang Xuanchen and his group admired Heavenly Craft Pavilion’s scenery, and Wuxin explained Tianluo Temple’s influence in the western desert and his departure from the temple.
• Zhang Xuanchen urged Wuxin to establish a Buddhist sect true to his ideals, and Wuxin declared that he had attained enlightenment.
• Zhang Xuanchen led Luo Lingshuang, Wuxin, and Great Sage up the mountain to meet the pavilion’s Ancestor about refining a magical artifact.
• Pavilion Master Xue Li and five elders watched the visitors, and Xue Li sent the elders away before Seventh Supreme Elder Zhou Qingcang appeared.
• Zhou Qingcang told Xue Li to invite Zhang Xuanchen and his companions into the Main Hall and considered offering Zhang Xuanchen a place in the Starry Secret Realm.