Chapter Summaries

Zhang Qingyuan spent his savings on a Spirit Stone, hoping it would activate his status panel, but the panel remained unchanged. He used the Spirit Stone to break through his cultivation bottleneck and reached Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level.

• Zhang Qingyuan exchanged 100 Sect Contribution Points for a Spirit Stone at the External Affairs Hall.
• Zhang Qingyuan entered a cultivation Secret Chamber and tried to recharge his status panel with the Spirit Stone, but it did not respond.
• Zhang Qingyuan recalled his transmigration, his modest family support, and the years he had spent cultivating without a functioning system.
• Zhang Qingyuan meditated with the Spirit Stone and used its spiritual energy to attack his bottleneck.
• Zhang Qingyuan broke through to Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level.

Zhang Qingyuan broke through to Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level and gained new insights and technique proficiency from Headmaster Liu’s lecture. The chapter ended with Dean Liu noticing Zhang Qingyuan’s diligence and rapid progress, and becoming interested in him.

• Zhang Qingyuan exhausted a Spirit Stone to break through to Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level, then consolidated his new cultivation in the Secret Chamber.
• Zhang Qingyuan joined the Seventeenth Branch of Xin District for Headmaster Liu’s quarterly lecture on arts and Martial Skills.
• Zhang Qingyuan listened carefully as Headmaster Liu taught the Manifestation Tracing Technique, gaining proficiency in several techniques and learning the new technique.
• Dean Liu noticed Zhang Qingyuan taking notes while the other disciples lost focus, and realized that Zhang had advanced rapidly despite having little family support.

Zhang Qingyuan revealed that he had reached the Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level and took the Seventeenth Branch’s twentieth seat, displacing Yao Ping. After Dean Liu announced the Outer Sect Grand Competition was six months away, Yao Ping threatened to reclaim his place after breaking through, while Zhang Qingyuan returned to his residence to cultivate.

• Dean Liu learned that Zhang Qingyuan had broken through to the Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level and raised his seat ranking to twentieth.
• Zhang Qingyuan took the twentieth seat, forcing Yao Ping to move back to the third row.
• Dean Liu announced that the Outer Sect Grand Competition would begin in half a year and warned that disciples who failed their final opportunity could lose their cultivation benefits and be sent to expand the sect’s territory.
• Yao Ping confronted Zhang Qingyuan and vowed to reach the Spirit Essence Late Stage soon and reclaim his ranking.
• Zhang Qingyuan refused to yield the seat and returned to his residence to cultivate the Manifestation Tracing Technique.

After Headmaster Liu’s lecture, Zhang Qingyuan practiced his spells for several days, mastering Manifestation Tracing Technique and improving his other skills and cultivation. With the Outer Sect Grand Competition half a year away and his resources nearly depleted, he went to the External Affairs Hall to seek missions.

• Zhang Qingyuan failed to cast Manifestation Tracing Technique seventeen times before succeeding and reaching Beginner level.
• Zhang Qingyuan continued training spells, martial skills, and his Water Essence Art, raising their proficiency over several days.
• Zhang Qingyuan raised Manifestation Tracing Technique to Level Two and resumed his usual cultivation routine.
• Zhang Qingyuan attended the Seventeenth Branch gathering, where an Outer Sect Deacon substituted for Headmaster Liu and led a brief group training session.
• Zhang Qingyuan learned that Yao Ping was in seclusion preparing to break through the Mid Spirit Essence Realm bottleneck.
• Zhang Qingyuan headed to the External Affairs Hall to take Outer Sect missions and obtain resources for his cultivation.

Zhang Qingyuan decided to take on combat missions for better cultivation resources and to gain experience, after years of choosing safer farming work. He found a low-risk Area B mission to hunt a Spirit Devouring Rat near Azure Mountain Town.

• Zhang Qingyuan considered the Area C missions but found none that suited his needs.
• He reflected on his cautious life in the Sect and concluded that he was not the protagonist of a fantasy novel.
• Zhang Qingyuan saw that his Spring Breeze Fine Rain Technique was close to its fourth level and resolved to seek combat missions.
• He entered Area B and selected Mission 89, which offered 200 Contribution Points, Spirit Grain seeds, and the right to keep the rat and its nest’s harvest.

Zhang Qingyuan accepted a mission to eliminate Spirit Devouring Rats, relying on his Manifestation Tracing Technique, and traveled to Azure Mountain Town. He arrived to find the Hu Clan Leader and his clansmen waiting for him.

• Zhang Qingyuan chose the Spirit Devouring Rat mission because the rats were weak in combat and his Manifestation Tracing Technique could help locate their hidden nests.
• Zhang Qingyuan accepted the mission, prepared his equipment, and traveled south toward Azure Mountain Town.
• Zhang Qingyuan improved his Light Body Technique and advanced Cloud Smoke Steps to minor accomplishment during the journey.
• Zhang Qingyuan learned that the Hu Family had claimed the local Spirit Spring generations ago and now paid half its Spirit Field harvest to Cloud Water Sect for recognition and protection.
• Zhang Qingyuan reached Azure Mountain Town before sunset, where the Hu Clan Leader and his clansmen were waiting for him.

Zhang Qingyuan met Hu Yong'an, the Hu Clan Leader, and went to inspect the Spirit Fields plagued by a Spirit Devouring Rat. After examining the damaged crops, Zhang Qingyuan used the Manifestation Tracing Technique to investigate the beast's traces.

• Hu Yong'an greeted Zhang Qingyuan with flattery and invited him to a feast, but Zhang Qingyuan asked to inspect the Spirit Fields instead.
• Hu Yong'an led Zhang Qingyuan through the formation concealing the Hu Family's fields outside Azure Mountain Town.
• Hu Yong'an explained that the Spirit Devouring Rat had damaged the crops and evaded the family's guards, cutting the season's output by at least thirty percent.
• Zhang Qingyuan examined gnawed Spirit Grain stalks and fragments, then cast the Manifestation Tracing Technique.

Zhang Qingyuan waited in ambush for the Spirit Devouring Rat in the Hu Family’s Spirit Fields and struck when it appeared. He pierced what seemed to be the fleeing rat, but its body vanished, revealing that it had used an Innate Spell to deceive him and escape.

• Zhang Qingyuan hid in a tree and watched the Spirit Fields after the Manifestation Tracing Technique failed to track the Spirit Devouring Rat.
• A Hu Clan guard spotted the rat among the Spirit Grain seedlings and alerted the other guards.
• The Spirit Devouring Rat dashed toward the forest, and Zhang Qingyuan leapt from his hiding place to attack it with his sword.
• Zhang Qingyuan’s strike cut through the rat’s apparent body and severed a tree behind it, impressing the Hu Family guards.
• Zhang Qingyuan realized the rat had used an Innate Spell to create a clone, and he found no sign of the real creature in the fields.

After the Spirit Devouring Rat escaped, Zhang Qingyuan found a fragment of decayed leaf and prepared a flour ring around the spirit field to lure it back. While he waited, he assessed his combat skills and resolved to strengthen his offensive methods, with the fourth layer of Water Origin Art close within reach.

• Zhang Qingyuan used Manifestation Tracing Technique to search for the Spirit Devouring Rat's escape route but found few clues because of its Concealment Talent.
• Zhang Qingyuan showed Hu Yong'an a tiny fragment of decayed leaf that had fallen from the Spirit Devouring Rat and proposed one final plan.
• Hu Yong'an ordered the Hu Family to scatter snowy-white flour in a complete ring around the spirit field and leave guards to watch it overnight.
• Zhang Qingyuan stayed behind to guard the field and reviewed his cultivation, realizing that Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles was his only offensive martial skill.
• Zhang Qingyuan resolved to acquire more combat methods and focused on Water Origin Art, which was one point away from reaching its fourth layer.

Zhang Qingyuan struggled to break through the Water Origin Art’s fourth level, then spotted a Spirit Devouring Rat damaging the Spirit Field. He used flour and the Manifestation Tracing Technique to follow the rat into the woods, leaving the Hu Family members to summon their Clan Leader.

• Zhang Qingyuan reflected on his ordinary aptitude and his year of diligent Water Origin Art practice, but remained stuck at proficiency 999 before the fourth-level bottleneck.
• Zhang Qingyuan heard rustling in the Spirit Field and spotted a Spirit Devouring Rat gnawing on the Spirit Grain seedlings.
• Zhang Qingyuan chased the rat, but it split into three afterimages and escaped into the forest.
• Zhang Qingyuan used the Manifestation Tracing Technique to follow flour marks he had arranged to stick to the rat.
• Zhang Qingyuan pursued the trail into the woods, and a Hu Family member hurried to find the Clan Leader.

While pursuing a Spirit Devouring Rat, Zhang Qingyuan was ambushed by an adult Crimson Fiend Yao Python and nearly strangled to death. At the brink of death, he comprehended the fourth layer of the Water Essence Art, escaped its coils, and killed the python.

• Zhang Qingyuan followed the Spirit Devouring Rat's traces deep into the forest and found a bloodstained clearing where the trail ended.
• An adult Crimson Fiend Yao Python ambushed Zhang Qingyuan, striking with its fangs, poisonous mist, and entangling ability.
• As the python crushed him, Zhang Qingyuan had an epiphany and advanced the Water Essence Art to its fourth layer.
• Zhang Qingyuan used his transformed Spirit Essence to slip free of the python's coils.
• Zhang Qingyuan leapt onto the python and severed its head with his sword, then landed outside the battlefield, shaken and drenched in cold sweat.

After barely surviving a battle with the Crimson Fiend Yao Python, Zhang Qingyuan reflected on his mistakes and secured the area. He found the Spirit Devouring Rat’s hidden food stores and waited for Hu Yong'an and the Hu Family clansmen to arrive so they could help retrieve the python’s valuable corpse.

• Zhang Qingyuan realized his careless pursuit into the forest had nearly cost him his life and resolved to learn from the encounter.
• Zhang Qingyuan cautiously checked the surroundings, confirmed no other Demonic Beasts were nearby, and set up warnings.
• Zhang Qingyuan considered how to transport the Crimson Fiend Yao Python’s valuable corpse and decided to wait for the Hu Family clansmen.
• Zhang Qingyuan found the Spirit Devouring Rat’s body and discovered three jin of Spirit Grain and spirit fruit pits in its hidden hole.
• Zhang Qingyuan recovered his Spirit Essence while Hu Yong'an led the Hu Family clansmen to follow Zhang Qingyuan’s traces and find him.

Zhang Qingyuan reunited with Hu Yong'an after killing the Crimson Fiend Yao Python and let the Hu Family take its remains and blood-soaked soil. The Hu Family left the mountains in triumph, carrying their valuable spoils.

• Hu Yong'an found Zhang Qingyuan beside the dead Crimson Fiend Yao Python and was shocked by its lingering fiendish qi.
• Zhang Qingyuan explained that he had pursued the Spirit Devouring Rat and killed the python, then asked Hu Yong'an to handle its corpse.
• Hu Yong'an and the Hu Family members divided and tied up the python's body and collected the Spirit Devouring Rat.
• A Hu Family member asked whether they could take the blood-stained soil, and Zhang Qingyuan gave them permission.
• The Hu Family members scraped up the blood, scales, flesh, and stained earth, then carried their spoils out of the mountains.

After attending the Hu Family’s feast in Azure Mountain Town, Zhang Qingyuan agreed to take Hu Junshan back to the Cloud Water Sect after discovering the fifteen Spirit Stones Hu Yong'an had offered. He left town with Hu Junshan following him on the journey back to the sect.

• Hu Yong'an thanked Zhang Qingyuan at a feast for saving the Hu Family from the Spirit Devouring Rat and Crimson Fiend Yao Python.
• Zhang Qingyuan enjoyed the Spirit food feast and felt his recently reached Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level had stabilized.
• Hu Yong'an asked Zhang Qingyuan to take his nephew Hu Junshan as a servant and placed a Storage Talisman in Zhang Qingyuan’s hand.
• Zhang Qingyuan found fifteen Spirit Stones in the Storage Talisman and decided to accept Hu Junshan, planning to guide him toward next year’s Outer Sect assessment.
• The next morning, Zhang Qingyuan left Azure Mountain Town with Hu Junshan silently following behind him.

Hu Yong'an explained to Hu Junping why the Hu Family had spent heavily to befriend Zhang Qingyuan, judging him a rare talent likely to enter Cloud Water Sect's Inner Sect. The chapter ended with Hu Yong'an reflecting on his own failed Outer Sect career, while Zhang Qingyuan remained unaware of the high regard in which Hu Yong'an held him.

• Hu Junping questioned why Hu Yong'an had spent so much to curry favor with Zhang Qingyuan and sent Hu Junshan to serve him.
• Hu Yong'an taught Hu Junping that a small family had to treat cultivators cautiously and invest in promising connections to protect its future.
• Hu Yong'an cited Zhang Qingyuan's rapid rise to Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level and his killing of an adult Crimson Fiend Yao Python as proof of extraordinary talent.
• Hu Yong'an told Hu Junping that Zhang Qingyuan was likely to enter the Inner Sect within several years, making the family's investment worthwhile.
• After Hu Junping left, Hu Yong'an recalled his own failure in the Outer Sect and reaffirmed his belief that Zhang Qingyuan would soon shine.
• Zhang Qingyuan remained unaware that Hu Yong'an considered him a peerless genius.

After returning from Azure Mountain Town, Zhang Qingyuan settled Hu Junshan in his residence and went to the Outer Sect Marketplace to sell the Crimson Fiend Yao Python’s corpse. He rejected low offers and sold it with the Spirit Devouring Rat for twenty-seven Spirit Stones, leaving him with forty-two.

• Zhang Qingyuan turned in his mission, received 203 Sect Contribution Points and Spirit Grain seeds, and brought Hu Junshan to stay in his residence.
• Zhang Qingyuan told Hu Junshan to remain indoors and planned to guide his cultivation so he could attempt next year’s Outer Sect entrance examination.
• Zhang Qingyuan visited a sect shop, rejected its offer of eighteen Spirit Stones for the Crimson Fiend Yao Python’s corpse, and went to the independent vendors’ square.
• Zhang Qingyuan turned down offers up to twenty-two Spirit Stones while waiting for a better price.
• The next morning, Zhang Qingyuan sold the Crimson Fiend Yao Python’s corpse together with the Spirit Devouring Rat for twenty-seven Spirit Stones, bringing his total to forty-two.

After earning a fortune from selling the Crimson Fiend Yao Python, Zhang Qingyuan decided to invest in a stronger weapon rather than spend his Spirit Stones on cultivation. He bought the Silver Shadow sword, whose power and potential suited his Cloud Water Art, and left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion feeling both pained by the cost and pleased with the purchase.

• Zhang Qingyuan considered how dangerous hunting Demonic Beasts could be and decided to buy a Magic Tool to improve his combat strength.
• Zhang Qingyuan visited the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and asked its old proprietor to recommend a Magic Tool costing less than forty Spirit Stones.
• The old man showed Zhang Qingyuan Silver Shadow, a Low-grade Magic Tool forged from Century Cold Iron that resonated with the Cloud Water Art and could potentially be upgraded.
• Zhang Qingyuan paid forty Spirit Stones for Silver Shadow and sensed it resonating with his Spirit Essence as he left the pavilion.

Zhang Qingyuan tested Silver Shadow and discovered that it strengthened his swordsmanship and let his Water Essence Art’s cold, supple Spirit Essence build up unnoticed in an opponent. After half a month of cultivation, he reached the peak of the Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level Early Stage and prepared to pursue a higher ranking in the Outer Sect Grand Competition.

• Zhang Qingyuan tested Silver Shadow, found it helped him practice the Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles, and recognized how its cold aura could enhance his Water Essence Art in prolonged fights.
• Zhang Qingyuan resolved to keep cultivating toward the Outer Sect Grand Competition and spent the next half month practicing his sword styles and refining his realm with two Spirit Stones.
• Zhang Qingyuan raised the Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles to Great Accomplishment and advanced his cultivation to the peak of the Spirit Essence Realm Seventh Level Early Stage.
• Hu Junshan managed the Inner Residence and planted Spirit Grain seeds in a barren Spirit Field as Zhang Qingyuan had instructed.
• Zhang Qingyuan was pleased with Hu Junshan’s work and gave him cultivation guidance when he had spare time.

Zhang Qingyuan attended Dean Liu’s lecture on martial skills, gaining proficiency in the Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist and Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles. When Yao Ping challenged him afterward, Zhang Qingyuan dodged Yao Ping’s opening punch and counterattacked, leaving the outcome of their duel unresolved.

• Jiang Yuan warned Zhang Qingyuan that Yao Ping had advanced to the Late Spirit Essence Realm and planned to challenge him over the seat and resources he had lost.
• Dean Liu lectured the Outer Sect Disciples on martial skills, focusing on the Nine Refinements Bone Forging Fist and Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles, and Zhang Qingyuan gained proficiency in both.
• Yao Ping challenged Zhang Qingyuan before Dean Liu, who allowed them to begin their fight.
• Yao Ping opened with a powerful Heavenly Dipper Dragon Tiger Fist and drew praise from the watching disciples.
• Zhang Qingyuan evaded Yao Ping’s punch and countered with a palm strike aimed at his chest.

Zhang Qingyuan faced Yao Ping in a challenge match, where Yao Ping’s fierce attacks initially seemed to put him at a disadvantage. Wang Weifeng judged that Zhang Qingyuan’s greater stamina would likely let him win, leaving the bout still underway.

• Yao Ping blocked Zhang Qingyuan’s opening palm strike and admitted he had underestimated him.
• Yao Ping unleashed his strongest strength with the Black Fiend Tiger Essence Art and pressed Zhang Qingyuan with a sustained assault.
• Zhang Qingyuan calmly defended and countered as the two Spirit Essence Late Stage cultivators fought to a stalemate.
• Outer Sect Disciples expected Yao Ping to win, judging Zhang Qingyuan’s techniques ordinary.
• Headmaster Liu asked Wang Weifeng who would win, and Wang Weifeng predicted Zhang Qingyuan would prevail because Yao Ping would run out of Spirit Essence first.