Chapter Summaries

Zhang Qingyuan met with Elder Xu to discuss clearing Demonic Beasts from a Spirit Land in exchange for rare materials and information. After Xu Biyun challenged his confidence, Zhang Qingyuan offered to fight him while suppressing his strength, and the chapter ended as their confrontation began.

• Elder Xu asked Zhang Qingyuan to help clear Demonic Beasts from a newly discovered Spirit Land, offering Crimson Flame True Gold and information about White Porcelain Three Yin Earth.
• Zhang Qingyuan dismissed the need for additional help despite reports of at least three Ninth Level Yao Beasts.
• Xu Biyun questioned Zhang Qingyuan's ability, and Zhang challenged him to force him back half a step while he suppressed his strength to the Spirit Essence Early Stage.
• Zhang Qingyuan swept Elder Xu aside with one palm, shocking both Elder Xu and Xu Biyun.
• Zhang Qingyuan called Xu Biyun to begin the fight.

Zhang Qingyuan demonstrated his precise control of power by breaking Xu Biyun’s full-force attack with a finger strike using only Spirit Essence Realm Third Level strength. Enraged and refusing to accept the defeat, Xu Biyun unleashed a storm of attacks against him.

• Xu Biyun charged Zhang Qingyuan with a full-force punch powered by his Spirit Essence Realm Sixth Level cultivation.
• Zhang Qingyuan calmly met the punch with one finger, suppressing his power to the Spirit Essence Realm Third Level.
• Zhang Qingyuan’s finger pierced through Xu Biyun’s attack, shocking Xu Biyun, Elder Xu, and the onlookers.
• Zhang Qingyuan told Xu Biyun that he was simply too weak, provoking Xu Biyun’s rage.
• Xu Biyun roared and unleashed a barrage of fist shadows at Zhang Qingyuan.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Xu Biyun, a Spirit Essence Realm Sixth Level cultivator, while using only Third Level strength, then traveled with Elder Xu and the unconscious Xu Biyun to Xu Family Town. The next day, he set out to complete his mission and claim the Crimson Flame True Gold.

• Zhang Qingyuan used the battle to test his precise control of Spirit Essence and calmly broke Xu Biyun’s attacks until the younger cultivator lost confidence.
• Zhang Qingyuan struck Xu Biyun’s chest with a controlled finger attack, ending the fight and leaving him unconscious without serious injury.
• Elder Xu recognized that Zhang Qingyuan had shown mercy and hoped Xu Biyun would learn from the defeat.
• After more than ten days of travel, Zhang Qingyuan and Elder Xu arrived at Xu Family Town with Xu Biyun still unconscious.
• Zhang Qingyuan refused the steward’s offer to rest longer and asked the Xu Family to lead him to his mission target so he could obtain the Crimson Flame True Gold and leave.

Zhang Qingyuan accepted the Xu Family’s offer to clear a newly discovered Spirit Land occupied by powerful Demonic Beasts. After investigating the valley and confirming its dangers, he prepared to confront its three Ninth Level beasts.

• The Xu Family hired Zhang Qingyuan to clear a valley Spirit Land near Xu Family Town, offering him the beasts’ remains and any treasures found there.
• Zhang Qingyuan rested briefly at the Xu Family residence, then joined a party of more than a hundred people heading into the mountain forest.
• The group reached the valley, established a nearby base, and began scouting the area and clearing Low-level Demonic Beasts.
• After two days, Zhang Qingyuan confirmed that the valley held three Ninth Level Demonic Beasts: an Ironback Yao Pig, a Crimson Fiend Yao Python, and a Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow.
• Zhang Qingyuan decided to clear the three beasts and vanished into the forest to begin the fight.

Zhang Qingyuan fought the Crimson Fiend Yao Python, Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow, and Ironback Yao Pig after the three Demonic Beasts coordinated their attacks. He overwhelmed them in battle but could not quickly defeat them, and he wondered how different Demonic Beast races had learned to cooperate.

• Zhang Qingyuan tried to provoke the Ironback Yao Pig, but it detected him and charged as the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow and Crimson Fiend Yao Python attacked in coordination.
• Zhang Qingyuan dodged the beasts’ joint assault and countered with the Heavenly Eagle Hand and a kick, sending the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow and Crimson Fiend Yao Python flying.
• The Ironback Yao Pig joined the fight, leaving Zhang Qingyuan to battle all three valley overlords at once.
• After more than ten exchanges, Zhang Qingyuan struck the Ironback Yao Pig’s head and sent it tumbling, then questioned how the three Demonic Beasts cooperated.

Zhang Qingyuan realized that three powerful Demonic Beasts were coordinating too precisely to be acting on instinct, and decided to kill them before their strange cooperation could threaten him. He unleashed Overturning Sea Threefold Wave, and the Ironback Yao Pig charged head-on into the descending attack with its Innate Spell.

• Zhang Qingyuan noticed that the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow, Crimson Fiend Yao Python, and Ironback Yao Pig were coordinating like they were being directed.
• Zhang Qingyuan evaded the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow and Crimson Fiend Yao Python, then decided to end the fight quickly.
• Zhang Qingyuan unleashed Overturning Sea Threefold Wave, combining three layers of palm force into a towering attack against the Demonic Beasts.
• The Ironback Yao Pig activated its Innate Spell, raised its defenses, and charged into Zhang Qingyuan's descending Palm Seal.

Zhang Qingyuan used Three Waves Covering the Sea to severely injure the Ironback Yao Pig, then fought off attacks from the Crimson Fiend Yao Python and Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow. Protected by his Profound Origin Bodyguard Armor, he recovered and killed the python with one sword strike before charging toward the sparrow.

• Zhang Qingyuan struck the Ironback Yao Pig with Three Waves Covering the Sea, leaving it badly injured and unable to move.
• Zhang Qingyuan dodged the Crimson Fiend Yao Python's bite and slammed its head into the ground with a kick.
• The Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow attacked Zhang Qingyuan from above, but his Profound Origin Bodyguard Armor absorbed most of the blow.
• Zhang Qingyuan recovered in the smoke and dust, then cut off the Crimson Fiend Yao Python's head with one sword strike.
• Zhang Qingyuan stepped off the falling snake head and surged toward the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow.

Zhang Qingyuan was attacked by a Remnant Soul that tried to seize his body, but the vast information in his mind overwhelmed the intruder. He survived and completely absorbed the Remnant Soul.

• Zhang Qingyuan pierced the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow with Silver Shadow, but a black gleam escaped its head and entered his mind.
• The Remnant Soul tried to occupy Zhang Qingyuan's Sea of Consciousness and claim his body.
• Zhang Qingyuan's memories and knowledge overwhelmed the Remnant Soul, severely injuring it.
• Zhang Qingyuan used his spiritual power to overwhelm and absorb the Remnant Soul, then confirmed that it was gone.

After absorbing Zong Yueyun’s Remnant Soul, Zhang Qingyuan learned how the Beast Taming Sect disciple had controlled the Demonic Beasts and tried to seize his body. Zhang Qingyuan searched Zong Yueyun’s hidden Cave Dwelling and left with modest supplies and a valuable remnant of the Taiyi Spirit Refining Technique.

• Zhang Qingyuan confirmed Zong Yueyun’s Remnant Soul was dead and learned that Zong Yueyun had controlled the three Demonic Beasts to attack him and take his body.
• Zhang Qingyuan collected the Demonic Beast corpses, temporarily controlled the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow, and followed Zong Yueyun’s memories to the hidden Cave Dwelling.
• Zhang Qingyuan searched the temporary Cave Dwelling and found medicinal pills, Spirit Stones, and Jade Slips, but no Magic Tools or Martial Skills.
• Zhang Qingyuan discovered a remnant of the Taiyi Spirit Refining Technique and recognized it as his greatest reward.
• Zhang Qingyuan secured the Jade Slip, confirmed the Cave Dwelling held nothing else, and departed.

Zhang Qingyuan subdued the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow, cleared the valley, and collected his reward from the Xu Family. He returned to Mystic Water Peak, while the Xu Family began developing the spirit land and confined Xu Biyun for three years.

• Zhang Qingyuan used the Beast Taming Art to control the wounded Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow and stored it in a Spirit Beast Bag.
• Zhang Qingyuan finished clearing the valley and collected its spirit items before leaving.
• Zhang Qingyuan told the Xu Family that the valley was safe and requested the Crimson Flame True Gold and White Porcelain Three Yin Earth as his reward.
• Zhang Qingyuan declined the Xu Family Old Ancestor's invitation and departed for Mystic Water Peak.
• The Xu Family Old Ancestor confined Xu Biyun for three years as the family turned its attention to developing the valley spirit land.

Zhang Qingyuan learned that Zong Yueyun’s past attack on the Xu family had helped set off a chain of events that led to the family’s decline, while the Xu family’s descendants had now unknowingly brought about Zong Yueyun’s final destruction. As he returned to the Cloud Water Sect, Zhang Qingyuan suddenly realized that the war three hundred years ago might hold a crucial connection.

• After Zhang Qingyuan left, the Xu family searched the valley and gathered its remaining spirit items.
• Zhang Qingyuan recalled how the Xu family had preserved the Crimson Flame True Gold and learned where to find White Porcelain Three Yin Earth, while also recognizing the value of Zong Yueyun’s knowledge and Spirit Refining Technique remnant.
• While examining Zong Yueyun’s memories, Zhang Qingyuan learned that Zong Yueyun had attacked the Xu family more than three hundred years earlier, prompting the Cloud Water Sect to pursue and kill him.
• Zhang Qingyuan pieced together how Zong Yueyun’s attack and the Xu family’s losses in the war against the Vast Sea Sect had contributed to the family’s decline.
• Zhang Qingyuan returned to the Cloud Water Sect and, upon seeing its gate, suddenly remembered the great war three hundred years ago.

Zhang Qingyuan reflected on the devastation caused by the war between Yuzhou and Haizhou three hundred years earlier and worried that another conflict might be coming. He returned to secluded cultivation to strengthen himself, trained the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow as a Blood Pact Demonic Beast, and began cultivating the Taiyi Spirit Refining Technique.

• Zhang Qingyuan connected several Cave Abode Ruins and fallen True Essence Realm cultivators to the war three hundred years earlier, realizing how devastating the conflict had been.
• Zhang Qingyuan recalled encountering two Vast Sea Sect cultivators in Yin Feng Valley and worried their presence could signal another war, so he resolved to improve his strength.
• Zhang Qingyuan canceled his task and returned to his Inner Sect Cave Abode to cultivate.
• Zhang Qingyuan learned the Beast Taming Art, refined the recovering Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow into a Blood Pact Demonic Beast, and confirmed it could carry him faster than he could fly alone.
• Zhang Qingyuan made Healing Pills for the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow and fed it ruined pills as daily feed while it recovered.
• Zhang Qingyuan postponed searching the Monster Beast Mountain Range for White Porcelain Three Yin Earth and began cultivating the Taiyi Spirit Refining Technique.

Zhang Qingyuan studied the remnant Taiyi Spirit Refining Technique for over a month, improving his control of Spiritual Sense without fully mastering it. He then traveled to the Monster Beast Mountain Range to find White Porcelain Three Yin Earth and discovered that the valley’s Demonic Beast overlord had changed since the old intelligence was gathered.

• Zhang Qingyuan read the Taiyi Spirit Refining Technique Remnant and began cultivating its difficult method of refining Spiritual Sense.
• After over a month of practice, Zhang Qingyuan still had not entered the gate, but he sensed that his control of Spiritual Sense had improved.
• Zhang Qingyuan traveled to a Cultivation City near the Monster Beast Mountain Range, gathered information, and left without drawing attention.
• Following the Xu Family’s map, Zhang Qingyuan searched for several days and found traces of White Porcelain Three Yin Earth in a secluded valley.
• Zhang Qingyuan realized the Demonic Beast ruling the valley could not be the Ninth Stage Perfection Demon Scorpion described in the three-hundred-year-old intelligence.

Zhang Qingyuan used fire and a feint to kill the White-Headed Spider Demon Leader and clear the spider colony guarding the White Porcelain Three Yin Earth. After collecting the demons’ remains and tracking the Spirit Material, he found the White Porcelain Three Yin Earth and completed his mission.

• Zhang Qingyuan set the spiders’ cobwebs ablaze and used Spirit Essence to fan the fire toward their colony.
• The White-Headed Spider Demon Leader suppressed the flames with Demonic Qi and rallied the spiders to spit venomous mist.
• Zhang Qingyuan used Three Waves Covering the Sea as a feint, then killed the airborne leader with his concealed Qi Breaking Needle.
• Zhang Qingyuan collected the spider demons’ remains and continued searching for the White Porcelain Three Yin Earth.
• Zhang Qingyuan found the Spirit Material in a damp, shadowy spot and fulfilled the purpose of his trip.

After finding White Porcelain Three Yin Earth, Zhang Qingyuan was ambushed by two Rogue Cultivators but killed them and claimed the bounty on them. He returned to his cave abode, entered seclusion, and advanced the Taiyi Spirit Refining Technique to Entry as the Year-End Small Competition approached.

• Zhang Qingyuan found White Porcelain Three Yin Earth and left the Monster Beast Mountain Range.
• Two Rogue Cultivators ambushed Zhang Qingyuan, but he killed them with his Sword Drawing Technique and Object Manipulation Technique.
• Zhang Qingyuan took the bandits' bodies to the City Lord Mansion and collected the two-thousand-Spirit-Stone bounty.
• Zhang Qingyuan returned to his cave abode and secluded himself to break through the Taiyi Spirit Refining Technique's bottleneck.
• After more than ten days, Zhang Qingyuan advanced the Taiyi Spirit Refining Technique to Entry and believed he could contend for first place in the Year-End Small Competition.

Zhang Qingyuan assessed how the Taiyi Spirit Refining Technique had strengthened his control over Water Essence and his combat abilities. After feeding the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow, he headed to Lieyang Peak to ask Lin Yan about refining a Magic Tool-grade alchemy furnace.

• Zhang Qingyuan realized that his improved spiritual sense let him use the Water Control Technique with greater mastery, making him confident he could contend with Gao Wenhao and Wang Zhiliang if they had not reached the Half-step True Essence Realm.
• The Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow returned to Zhang Qingyuan and begged for food, so he gave it a basin of Qi Gathering Pills.
• Zhang Qingyuan refused the bird's further pleas after it finished the pills and warned it not to stray too far from Mystic Water Peak.
• The next day, Zhang Qingyuan took the Crimson Flame True Gold and White Porcelain Three Yin Earth to Lieyang Peak to find Lin Yan and arrange the alchemy furnace before the Ranking Battles.

Zhang Qingyuan arranged for Lin Yan to forge an alchemy furnace and needle-shaped magic tools, agreeing to help him search for water-attribute spirit materials in the Profound Water Dark River. As Zhang attended the Inner Sect’s year-end lecture and awaited the competition, fellow disciples discussed the Ten Prodigies’ breakthroughs and achievements.

• Lin Yan praised Zhang Qingyuan’s materials and agreed to forge an alchemy furnace, asking Zhang to guide him through the Profound Water Dark River to find spirit materials.
• Zhang Qingyuan paid Lin Yan three hundred spirit stones and provided a spider demon’s corpse and venom sacs for additional needle-shaped magic tools; they reached an agreement.
• Wang Yuènián announced that the annual cultivation question-and-answer lecture for newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples would begin in five days.
• Zhang Qingyuan arrived early for the lecture and heard disciples discuss Bing Yuyao, Fu Qiaolei, Xuan Dutian, and Chen Jian breaking through to the True Essence Realm.
• The disciples recounted Yan Kuangtu’s clashes with older Inner Sect members and discussed the Ten Prodigies’ achievements, while predicting little change in Mystic Water Peak’s Year-End Small Competition.

Zhang Qingyuan attended Wang Yuènián’s half-month lecture for newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples and strengthened his cultivation foundation by asking questions and learning from others’ answers. The lecture ended with the Year-end Minor Competition about to begin, where the disciples would contest their rankings.

• Fellow disciples praised Zhang Qingyuan’s talent and predicted he would stand out at the Year-end Small Competition, while Zhang Qingyuan overheard them with his Spiritual Sense.
• Zhang Qingyuan acknowledged that the Ten Prodigies were still beyond him and vowed to defeat Fu Hongtian if Fu had made little progress.
• Wang Yuènián arrived and began instructing the newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples, answering their questions about cultivation.
• Zhang Qingyuan asked Wang Yuènián several questions, gained insight from the lecture, and improved his techniques, martial arts, and One Origin Gui Water Scripture proficiency.
• After the half-month lecture ended, the disciples prepared for the Year-end Minor Competition and its ranking contest.

The Inner Sect year-end ranking matches began, and Zhang Qingyuan surprised the crowd by challenging first-ranked Gao Wenhao. Gao Wenhao accepted and launched a powerful opening strike at Zhang Qingyuan.

• Wang Yuènián announced that the first-place disciple would be rewarded with a chance to learn a quasi-Yellow Tier technique or martial art.
• The newly inducted Inner Sect disciples began challenging one another, but the rankings changed only slightly.
• Liu Caijiu resolved to defeat Zhang Qingyuan after a year of hard cultivation and prepared to challenge him.
• Zhang Qingyuan entered the arena and challenged Gao Wenhao for first place, startling the crowd.
• Gao Wenhao accepted and immediately attacked Zhang Qingyuan with a War Blade strike carrying the force of wind and thunder.

Gao Wenhao unleashed his Blade Intent against Zhang Qingyuan, who answered with his perfected Sword Drawing Technique. Their clash escalated into a fierce exchange of techniques, with neither fighter gaining a clear advantage.

• Gao Wenhao attacked Zhang Qingyuan with a powerful blade strike, revealing the Blade Intent he had comprehended.
• Wang Zhiliang observed that Gao Wenhao had grown stronger since their duel a year earlier.
• Zhang Qingyuan drew his sword and met Gao Wenhao's strike with his perfected Sword Drawing Technique, sending destructive force through the arena.
• Gao Wenhao used Thunder Dragon Rampage, and Zhang Qingyuan charged into the air to counter with his sword.
• Gao Wenhao and Zhang Qingyuan exchanged rapid attacks amid bursts of dazzling light, leaving the outcome unresolved.