Chapter Summaries

Zhang Qingyuan fought Gao Wenhao to a standstill, matching the Ninth Stage Perfection cultivator despite being at Ninth Stage Mid-phase. As they faced off above the shattered arena, Wang Yuènián recognized Zhang Qingyuan’s unusually precise control of his power.

• Zhang Qingyuan and Gao Wenhao exchanged rapid attacks, shocking the watching sect disciples with the strength of their Sword Intent and Blade Intent.
• Gao Wenhao used Thunder Blade Intent and struck at Zhang Qingyuan, but his first slash hit only an afterimage.
• Zhang Qingyuan countered with a sweeping attack of water-charged Sword Light, and the two attacks collided with enough force to shatter more of the arena.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Gao Wenhao hovered opposite each other as their Auras and Artistic Conceptions divided the space above the plaza.
• Liu Caijiu watched the battle and realized that despite his year of effort, the gap between him and Zhang Qingyuan had grown.
• Wang Yuènián observed that Zhang Qingyuan was using Spiritual Sense to improve his control and understood how he had matched Gao Wenhao.

Zhang Qingyuan and Gao Wenhao agreed to settle their evenly matched battle with one decisive strike. Gao Wenhao unleashed Thunder Roars Across Nine Heavens, and Zhang Qingyuan met it with his Great Accomplishment Three Waves Covering the Sea as their attacks collided.

• Wang Yuènián recognized that Zhang Qingyuan's exceptional control of power let him match Gao Wenhao despite weaker attacks.
• After exchanging 137 moves without gaining an advantage, Gao Wenhao proposed deciding the battle with one move, and Zhang Qingyuan agreed.
• Gao Wenhao rose into the sky and gathered lightning into his War Blade before unleashing Thunder Roars Across Nine Heavens.
• Zhang Qingyuan released his Spirit Essence and stacked the three layers of Three Waves Covering the Sea into a single attack.
• Gao Wenhao's lightning slash and Zhang Qingyuan's palm strike collided.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Gao Wenhao in a destructive clash at Mid-mountain Plaza, shocking the newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples who had doubted he could overcome the gap in their cultivation. Zhang Qingyuan remained standing but exhausted, while Gao Wenhao lay defeated.

• Zhang Qingyuan and Gao Wenhao unleashed their strongest techniques, shaking Mid-mountain Plaza and forcing the watching disciples to retreat.
• Two passing Mystic Water Peak cultivators observed the commotion and discussed the strength of the new Inner Sect disciples.
• The battle's force faded across the mountain, and the clash ended with Gao Wenhao crashing into the ground while Zhang Qingyuan remained on one knee.
• The crowd watched in astonishment as they realized Zhang Qingyuan had defeated the Ninth Stage Perfection cultivator despite being only at the Ninth Stage Mid-phase.

Zhang Qingyuan won first place among Mystic Water Peak’s newly admitted Inner Sect disciples, earning widespread recognition and congratulations. Wang Yuènián rewarded him with a quasi-Yellow Tier water spell and revealed a cross-peak competition next year, which Zhang resolved to prepare for.

• After Zhang Qingyuan defeated Gao Wenhao, the disciples accepted him as the strongest among their newly admitted ranks, and Jiang Wenrong and Liu Caijiu abandoned thoughts of challenging him.
• Wang Zhiliang challenged Gao Wenhao instead of Zhang Qingyuan but lost to him again after Gao recovered, and the Year-end Minor Competition ended.
• News of Zhang Qingyuan’s victory spread beyond Mystic Water Peak, prompting Zhao Yuanyang, Shen Hongzhou, and Lin Yan to send congratulations.
• Wang Yuènián gave Zhang Qingyuan the Nine Dragon Black Water Cover spell art as his first-place reward and warned him not to grow complacent.
• Wang Yuènián told Zhang Qingyuan about next year’s cross-peak competition and its Condensing True Pill rewards, and Zhang vowed to work hard and aim for a high ranking.

After winning first place in the newly promoted inner sect disciples’ competition, Zhang Qingyuan exchanged his rewards for Mid-grade Spirit Stones and broke through to the late ninth stage. A message from Lin Yan then called him to Lieyang Peak to collect the finished Magic Tool-grade Alchemy Furnace.

• Zhang Qingyuan discussed the coming inner sect grand competition with Wang Yuènián and resolved to reach the late ninth stage to contend for a Condensing True Pill.
• Zhang Qingyuan exchanged his five Merit Points for Mid-grade Spirit Stones and gathered nearly ten stones to support his breakthrough.
• After two months of seclusion, Zhang Qingyuan broke through to the late ninth stage and felt his combat power had nearly doubled.
• Zhang Qingyuan spent another month consolidating his cultivation before Lin Yan sent word that his Magic Tool-grade Alchemy Furnace was finished.
• Zhang Qingyuan left his cave abode and headed for Lieyang Peak.

After three months in seclusion, Zhang Qingyuan remained unaware of the attention his rapid rise had drawn from the Zhang Family and others. He met Lin Yan to collect his Magic Tool-grade alchemy furnace, tested it successfully, and prepared to refine Gui Water Pills for his cultivation.

• The Zhang Family learned of Zhang Qingyuan's achievements, but its elders' meeting ended without resolving how to bring him closer to the family.
• Zhang Qingyuan visited Lin Yan at Lieyang Peak and noticed that Lin Yan's cultivation had advanced to the late ninth stage and that he regarded Zhang Qingyuan as an equal.
• Lin Yan gave Zhang Qingyuan the Magic Tool-grade alchemy furnace and modified Qi Breaking Needles, and they agreed to travel to the Profound Water Dark River several months later.
• Zhang Qingyuan tested the new furnace by refining Thick Qi Pills and succeeded on his first attempt.
• Zhang Qingyuan planned to begin refining Gui Water Pills for his cultivation.

Zhang Qingyuan spent more than half a year in secluded cultivation in the Profound Water Dark River, refining Gui Water Pills to accelerate his progress and practicing the Nine Dragon Black Water Cover. He reached the Late Ninth Stage Peak and gained confidence in facing Half-step True Essence Realm cultivators.

• Zhang Qingyuan bought materials through Qian Sen's channels, entered the Profound Water Dark River, and extracted ten drops of Essence of Gui Water.
• Zhang Qingyuan refined Gui Water Pills after seven failed portions and found that a pill boosted his cultivation and improved his One Origin Gui Water Scripture proficiency.
• Zhang Qingyuan continued cultivating in seclusion for more than half a year, while visitors found his Cave Dwelling sealed and spread word of his diligence.
• Zhang Qingyuan used the pills to reach the Late Ninth Stage Peak and improved his Alchemy proficiency through repeated refining.
• Zhang Qingyuan gained an initial grasp of the Nine Dragon Black Water Cover, whose first uncontrolled casting nearly wrecked his cavern.
• Zhang Qingyuan continued practicing his other techniques and became confident he could battle Half-step True Essence Realm cultivators.

Zhang Qingyuan assessed his chances in the upcoming Grand Competition and accepted that reaching the top ten was a more realistic goal than claiming first place. He joined Lin Yan to explore the Profound Water Dark River, and the two entered the dangerous Outer Domain beyond the sect’s protective formation.

• Zhang Qingyuan concluded that he lacked time to break through before the Grand Competition and decided to aim for the top ten and its Condensing True Pill reward.
• Lin Yan contacted Zhang Qingyuan to arrange their expedition into the Profound Water Dark River, and they set out together several days later.
• Zhang Qingyuan explained the Dark River’s layers, protective formation, and Outer Domain to Lin Yan as they traveled.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan registered at the formation’s entrance and passed through the protective barrier.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan plunged into the dark current and entered the Underground Water Domain.

Yao Pojun and several Yao Family Disciples fled a powerful demonic beast in the Underground Water Domain after its recent mutation made even the outskirts dangerous. With his escape talisman depleted and the beast closing in, he called to two approaching figures for help.

• Yao Pojun struck the pursuing demonic beast with an iron hammer Magic Tool, then detonated it to wound the beast and buy time for the group to escape.
• Yao Pojun regretted leading the Lineage juniors into the Underground Water Domain, recalling that he had ignored signs of a mutation because he feared losing face.
• A Ninth Stage Perfection demonic beast attacked the group in the outskirts, and Yao Pojun's Water Talisman ran out of Spiritual Power.
• Yao Pojun prepared to fight the beast with the Lineage juniors, then spotted two figures approaching and called out for their help.

Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan came to the aid of Yao Pojun and his family, who were being pursued by a Ninth Stage Perfection Demonic Beast. Zhang Qingyuan killed the beast with one strike, leaving Yao Pojun stunned.

• Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan heard cries for help and found Yao Pojun's group fleeing an injured Demonic Beast.
• Lin Yan and Yao Pojun recognized each other as Cloud Water Sect disciples and agreed to face the beast together.
• Zhang Qingyuan stepped forward alone and unleashed the Nine Dragon Black Water Cover.
• The nine Water Dragons overwhelmed the Demonic Beast and smashed it into the river wall, killing it in one move.
• Yao Pojun watched Zhang Qingyuan's display of power in disbelief.

Zhang Qingyuan killed a Ninth Stage Perfection Demonic Beast with one strike, saving Yao Pojun and his group and earning their respect. After learning that the Underground Water Domain had grown increasingly unstable, Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan continued into the Deep Water Domain, while Yao Ping concealed his complicated reaction to Zhang Qingyuan’s strength.

• Zhang Qingyuan killed the Ninth Stage Perfection Demonic Beast with a single palm strike, astonishing Lin Yan and the Yao Family Disciples.
• Yao Pojun addressed Zhang Qingyuan as Senior Brother, invited him and Lin Yan to his cave dwelling, and exchanged Contact Methods with them after Zhang declined the invitation.
• Yao Pojun told Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan that the Underground Water Domain had been unstable for about a year, with more irritable Demonic Beasts and roaming Underground Water Race creatures.
• Yao Pojun advised Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan to return to the sect, but Zhang gave no firm answer and prepared to leave with Lin Yan.
• After Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan departed into the Deep Water Domain, Yao Pojun noticed Yao Ping’s unusual expression, but Yao Ping dismissed it as shock at Zhang Qingyuan’s strength.

After parting with Yao Pojun’s group, Zhang Qingyuan continued exploring the Underground Water Domain with Lin Yan, but growing signs of a Demonic Beast disturbance made him want to retreat. Lin Yan asked to search for two more days, and Zhang Qingyuan agreed on the condition that they would leave if they found nothing.

• Yao Ping watched Zhang Qingyuan leave and recognized how far the man had surpassed him, letting go of his ambition to catch up.
• Zhang Qingyuan put his old conflict with Yao Ping behind him and focused on the Underground Water Domain.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan continued exploring, but they encountered stronger, more violent Demonic Beasts that had left their territories.
• Zhang Qingyuan warned Lin Yan that the changes might signal a Demonic Beast Tide and said they should stop going deeper.
• Lin Yan asked to search for two more days, and Zhang Qingyuan agreed that they would retreat if they still found nothing.

Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan searched the Underground Water Domain as the Demonic Beasts grew increasingly violent, prompting the sect to order everyone to evacuate. Lin Yan revealed that he was searching for an important item near a Millennium Azure Water Green Lotus, and Zhang Qingyuan agreed to keep looking in exchange for the lotus.

• Zhang Qingyuan killed a late ninth-stage Demonic Beast while Lin Yan searched nearby, and Zhang Qingyuan urged him to return to the sect.
• Law Enforcement Hall cultivators announced that an upheaval had occurred in the Underground Water Domain and ordered all personnel to return.
• Zhang Qingyuan warned Lin Yan that the disturbance could lead to a Demonic Beast Tide and said he would not risk staying.
• Lin Yan revealed that his map led to an important item growing near a Millennium Azure Water Green Lotus and offered the entire lotus to Zhang Qingyuan as payment.
• Zhang Qingyuan considered the lotus’s value and agreed to continue searching with Lin Yan.

Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan searched the Underground Water Domain for the hidden Azure Water Green Lotus using clues from a damaged Jade Slip. As sect warnings and signs of danger mounted, Zhang Qingyuan discovered a concealed opening that might lead to the lotus.

• Zhang Qingyuan examined Lin Yan's damaged Jade Slip and learned that a senior had hidden an injured Azure Water Green Lotus in the outer Underground Water Domain.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan used the journal's landmarks to narrow their search, while Zhang Qingyuan chose not to ask about the other information Lin Yan had withheld.
• The two searched for three more days and pretended to obey orders from passing Law Enforcement Cultivators, then resumed searching after they left.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan noticed that the Demonic Beasts were growing more violent and felt that something was going wrong in the Underground Water Domain.
• On the fourth day, Zhang Qingyuan sensed a hidden opening beside a boulder and detected a faint ripple from deep within it.

Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan reached an underground lake containing the Millennium Azure Water Green Lotus, with Lin Yan’s hidden prize beneath it. When Zhang tested the area, a mass of deadly Serpentine Vines attacked them, and he struck back with Three Waves Covering the Sea.

• Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan emerged at a vast underground lake after following a hidden passage.
• They spotted the Azure Water Green Lotus, and Lin Yan revealed that the item he sought lay beneath it.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan sensed a hidden threat near the lotus and suspected the senior’s protective methods had failed.
• Zhang Qingyuan sent Qi Breaking Needles toward the lotus, drawing black shadows from the lake’s soft sand.
• The lake’s water plants came alive as thorn-covered Serpentine Vines surged toward the two men.
• Zhang Qingyuan unleashed Three Waves Covering the Sea against the attacking vines.

Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan fought the regenerating plant demons in the underground lake, and Lin Yan identified their roots as their weakness. When the Thorn Snake revealed its Half-step True Essence strength, Zhang Qingyuan met its attack with the Nine Dragon Black Water Cover, and their clash shattered the underground lake.

• Zhang Qingyuan tore through the vines with a palm strike, but the plant demons regenerated and filled the gap.
• Lin Yan recognized the creatures as plant demons and explained that destroying their roots might defeat them.
• Zhang Qingyuan sent Lin Yan back and cut through the vines with the Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles.
• The Thorn Snake burst from the rock strata in its true form, revealing Half-step True Essence strength.
• Zhang Qingyuan unleashed the Nine Dragon Black Water Cover, and his water dragons collided with the Thorn Snake's attack, shattering the underground lake.

Zhang Qingyuan killed the injured Thorn Snake Plant Demon and reunited with Lin Yan, who had recovered a True Disciple Token of the ancient Taiyi Sect. As they prepared to take the Azure Water Green Lotus and leave the dangerous Underground Water Domain, several newcomers flew toward them.

• Zhang Qingyuan used the Wind Cloud Formless Body and Sword Drawing Technique to kill the Thorn Snake Plant Demon, then stored its severed true body.
• Lin Yan seized an ancient Token amid the collapsing rocks, and his master identified it as a True Disciple Token of the Taiyi Sect.
• Lin Yan flew to Zhang Qingyuan and praised him for defeating a Half-step True Essence Realm Demonic Beast.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan agreed to take the Azure Water Green Lotus and leave, but several streaks of light approached them.

Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan were confronted by Steward Wan and his Law Enforcement Disciples, who wanted to seize their Millennium Azure Water Green Lotus. Lin Yan stopped Zhang Qingyuan from attacking and tried to reason with them, but Steward Wan’s men accused them of being Vast Sea Sect spies.

• Steward Wan arrived with several Law Enforcement Disciples and spotted the Millennium Azure Water Green Lotus beside Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan.
• Steward Wan ordered Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan to leave immediately, claiming they had disobeyed the sect’s order to withdraw from the Underground Water Domain.
• Steward Wan’s lackeys insulted the pair and made clear they intended to take the Green Lotus for themselves.
• Zhang Qingyuan grew furious and prepared to fight, but Lin Yan stopped him and urged him to avoid provoking the Law Enforcement Hall.
• Lin Yan admitted they had failed to withdraw on time and asked for a quarter of an hour to pack up, but Steward Wan refused.
• Steward Wan’s men accused Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan of being Vast Sea Sect spies, and Steward Wan saw the accusation as a way to justify taking action against them.

Zhang Qingyuan struck Law Enforcement Disciples who tried to arrest him and Lin Yan, then fought Steward Wan after Wan attacked him. Their powerful techniques collided, and Zhang Qingyuan felt his cultivation bottleneck begin to loosen.

• Steward Wan ordered two Law Enforcement Disciples to arrest Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan as hostile sect spies, hoping to claim the Azure Water Green Lotus.
• Zhang Qingyuan struck the two disciples with a palm, sending them crashing into a rock formation.
• Steward Wan accused Zhang Qingyuan and Lin Yan of defying the sect and attacked Zhang Qingyuan with the Flying Sky Great Capturing Hand.
• Zhang Qingyuan decided to make the confrontation public rather than let Steward Wan frame and imprison them, then countered with Three Waves Covering the Sea.
• Zhang Qingyuan's palm force clashed with Steward Wan's dragon-claw attack in a massive explosion, while Zhang Qingyuan sensed his bottleneck nearing a breakthrough.

Zhang Qingyuan fought Steward Wan in the Underground Water Domain, matching his strength and evading his barrage of attacks. The chapter ended as their Heavenly Eagle Hand and Mountain Breaking Strike collided, sending shockwaves through the surrounding rock.

• Steward Wan accused Zhang Qingyuan of being a Vast Sea Sect spy and charged at him with killing intent.
• Zhang Qingyuan and Steward Wan traded punches, and neither gained the upper hand.
• Steward Wan realized Zhang Qingyuan’s strength rivaled that of a Half-step True Essence Realm cultivator and launched a barrage of Spirit Essence spheres.
• Zhang Qingyuan used Wind Cloud Formless Body to weave through the attacks and close in on Steward Wan.
• Zhang Qingyuan struck with Heavenly Eagle Hand, and Steward Wan countered with Mountain Breaking Strike, shaking the surrounding rock with their collision.