Chapter Summaries

Zhang Qingyuan agreed to join the alliance against the Zhoushan Pirates and received guidance from the Jiang Family Grand Elder on cultivation before the planned gathering at Fei Ling Island. After seeing his guest off, he reviewed the Moon Liên Islands’ finances and considered how to spend his growing wealth.

• Zhang Qingyuan agreed to attend the alliance assembly at Fei Ling Island in half a year, where the Zhoushan Sea Domain’s True Essence Realm factions would target the Zhoushan Pirates and divide their interests.
• Zhang Qingyuan asked the Jiang Family Grand Elder for advice on strengthening his Half-step True Essence Realm foundation and breaking through to the True Essence Realm.
• The Jiang Family Grand Elder guided Zhang Qingyuan for more than a day, then stayed several days before leaving the island.
• Zhang Qingyuan saw the Jiang Family Grand Elder off at the harbor and returned to the Island Lord’s Mansion to review island affairs and business profits.
• Zhang Qingyuan calculated that he had accumulated around six to seven thousand Spirit Stones and began considering what to buy.

Zhang Qingyuan searched for the ingredients needed to refine a Condensing True Pill and acquired two more, leaving only the rare Flying Illusion Spirit Vine. With his Spirit Stones nearly gone, he set out to investigate a mysterious map he had obtained years earlier.

• Zhang Qingyuan searched marketplaces and auctions for Condensing True Pill ingredients, then bought a six-hundred-year-old Purple-Green Mystic Root and a seven-hundred-year-old Spirit Jasper Flower on Tiannan Island.
• Zhang Qingyuan realized that only the thousand-year-old Flying Illusion Spirit Vine remained, and decided to search for it for three years before attempting a breakthrough without a pill.
• Zhang Qingyuan returned to the Moon Liên Islands, briefly reviewed local affairs, and resumed cultivation and training.
• Zhang Qingyuan recalled the map he had taken from a rogue cultivator years earlier and decided to explore the place it marked.
• Zhang Qingyuan followed the map for half a month and reached a remote border region between the South Sea and Luoshui County.

Zhang Qingyuan entered the mist-shrouded forest marked on a map, suspecting it concealed True Essence-level ruins and an opportunity. After surviving poisonous beasts, he spent several days sweeping the forest’s outskirts for Spiritual Medicine and other useful materials.

• Zhang Qingyuan killed a Ninth Level demon bear and collected its paws before reaching the Misty Forest.
• He reasoned that the mapped location likely held ruins rather than a base, then entered despite the mist hindering his Spiritual Sense and sense of direction.
• Zhang Qingyuan killed a poisonous snake that attacked from behind and watched a black scorpion flee.
• He found and collected Hundred-year Earth Dragon Grass, deciding to gather the forest’s Spiritual Medicine for alchemy, sale, or cultivation near his Spirit Spring.
• Zhang Qingyuan searched the outer Misty Forest for several days, collecting Spiritual Medicine and poisonous creatures, and thoroughly swept the outskirts.

Zhang Qingyuan cleared Misty Forest of Spiritual Medicines, discovered and disabled a hidden explosive array, then reached a protected garden containing an eight- or nine-hundred-year-old Flying Illusion Spirit Vine. Unable to find a way through the garden’s Magic Array, he asked Little White to search for a shortcut.

• Zhang Qingyuan used Little White to find Spiritual Medicines throughout Misty Forest and uncovered a hidden Triggered Explosion Array left by the Rogue cultivator.
• Zhang Qingyuan destroyed the array’s power source, carefully searched the outer forest, and then crossed into a mist-free garden surrounded by Misty Forest.
• Zhang Qingyuan found plentiful Spiritual Medicines and an eight- or nine-hundred-year-old Flying Illusion Spirit Vine, one of the ingredients needed for the Condensing True Pill.
• Zhang Qingyuan spent several days probing the garden’s protective Magic Array but could not find its flaws or a safe way in.
• Zhang Qingyuan brought out Little White and asked it to find a shortcut through the Magic Array, promising a reward.

Zhang Qingyuan broke the garden’s chaotic Magic Array with Little White’s help and collected its Spiritual Medicine and the former owner’s belongings. He left the cottage unaware that the Linghai Token briefly glowed after he departed.

• Zhang Qingyuan used Little White’s Spiritual energy perception to find a weak point and break the garden’s Magic Array.
• Zhang Qingyuan entered the garden, uprooted all the Spiritual Medicine, and took the Flying Illusion Spirit Vine.
• Zhang Qingyuan searched the cottage and found pills, Spirit Stones, garments, a Linghai Token, and Jade Slips about cultivating Spiritual Medicine.
• Zhang Qingyuan cleaned the cottage, bowed to its former owner, and left the courtyard.
• After Zhang Qingyuan departed, the Linghai Token in his Storage Bag briefly lit up.

Zhang Qingyuan discovered that Essence of Gui Water rapidly increased the Flying Illusion Spirit Vine’s medicinal power, giving him confidence that it would mature into the ingredient he needed for a Condensing True Pill within about a year. With the Alliance Assembly two months away, he shifted his focus toward refining his sword arts and creating a stronger killing move.

• Zhang Qingyuan planted his harvested Spiritual Medicine near the Spirit Spring and used diluted Essence of Gui Water to restore its vitality.
• Zhang Qingyuan nourished the Flying Illusion Spirit Vine with Essence of Gui Water and found that its medicinal power increased by more than ten years per drop each day.
• Zhang Qingyuan refined more than ten drops of Essence of Gui Water over a month, then reduced his trips to the water vein after the Jiang Family Grand Elder reminded him to prepare for the Alliance Assembly.
• Zhang Qingyuan reflected that his Sword Drawing Technique had evolved into a Sword Nurturing Technique suited to his own cultivation.
• Zhang Qingyuan planned to perfect his Triple Sword Drawing Technique by mastering Three Waves Covering the Sea and combining the accumulated power into a single strike.

Zhang Qingyuan realized that he had transformed the Sword Drawing Technique into a personal path of hiding and nurturing sword power, with his Proficiency Panel helping him refine martial arts beyond their original forms. Convinced he could create or improve methods, he considered how to overcome the limits of his perfected technique.

• Zhang Qingyuan reread the Sword Drawing Technique and concluded that concealing power, rather than drawing the sword, was its true essence.
• He recalled how he had developed the technique from hiding the sword to nurturing it, eventually cultivating Water Sword Intent and using it to kill a Rogue cultivator.
• Zhang Qingyuan recognized that he had been adapting his techniques and martial arts to himself, using the Proficiency Panel to verify his improvements.
• He realized that his approach to cultivation was a form of creating methods and stopped worrying about whether he could create one.
• Zhang Qingyuan concluded that his perfected Sword Drawing Technique had reached its limit and began considering how to overcome the limitations of human ability.

Zhang Qingyuan conceived the Seed Sword Technique as a way to surpass the limits of his Sword Nurturing Technique, but he realized that creating true life within a sword seed was beyond his current cultivation. He then found a more attainable approach by imitating how plants grow, and began developing the technique with help from an unexpected change in his Proficiency Panel.

• Zhang Qingyuan decided he could not improve his Sword Nurturing Technique by relying on a stronger body, so he searched for a new principle behind it.
• After several days of thought, Zhang Qingyuan conceived the Seed Sword Technique, which would plant Sword Intent in his dantian and let it grow into a sword seed.
• Zhang Qingyuan spent half a month trying to create the technique, then realized that bringing life from a sword’s deathly nature required a level of understanding he did not possess.
• After more than ten days of further thought, Zhang Qingyuan turned to bionics and planned to imitate plant growth using his knowledge of cells and mitosis.
• Zhang Qingyuan began creating the Seed Sword Technique, and his Proficiency Panel underwent an unexpected change.

Zhang Qingyuan spent two months creating the Seed Sword Technique while continuing to cultivate, then left the Moon Liên Islands to attend the Alliance Assembly on Fei Ling Island. He met the Jiang Family Grand Elder and two allied island masters, who recognized his growing strength and reputation, and the four set sail for Fei Ling Island.

• Zhang Qingyuan discovered that his Proficiency Panel now tracked his progress in creating the Seed Sword Technique and devoted himself to developing it.
• Zhang Qingyuan received a Messaging Talisman from the Jiang Family Grand Elder, left the Moon Liên Islands, and traveled toward the meeting place.
• Zhang Qingyuan met the Jiang Family Grand Elder and Island Masters Sun Tianyu and Wei Qingnan, who were impressed by his cultivation and his victory over the Third Chief of the Eighteen Great Pirates of Zhoushan.
• Zhang Qingyuan and the three cultivators built rapport over a banquet and were treated as allies.
• Zhang Qingyuan boarded the Jiang Family Grand Elder's ship with the others and sailed toward Fei Ling Island.

Zhang Qingyuan attended the Alliance Assembly on Fei Ling Island and tried to keep a low profile, but Senior Brother Peng recognized him and revealed their connection through the Mystic Water Lineage. Zhang Qingyuan was left stunned when Peng's meeting gift turned out to be a Condensing True Pill.

• The Jiang Family Grand Elder and his party arrived at Fei Ling Island, where Peng and the other organizers welcomed them.
• Peng recognized Zhang Qingyuan for defeating a True Essence Realm Cultivator at the Spirit Essence Realm, and Zhang Qingyuan tried to dismiss the feat as good fortune.
• Peng revealed that he was Zhang Qingyuan's senior brother in the Mystic Water Lineage and that their master, Daoist Ming Shui, had asked him to look after Zhang Qingyuan.
• Peng explained why True Essence Mid-Stage disciples often left the Sect to cultivate and gain experience, then gave Zhang Qingyuan a jade bottle as a meeting gift.
• Zhang Qingyuan discovered that the jade bottle contained a Condensing True Pill.

Zhang Qingyuan received a precious Condensing True Pill from Senior Brother Peng and used Peng Li's guidance to deepen his understanding of cultivation. As Zhang Qingyuan suppressed his urge to break through and kept out of Fei Ling Island's social bustle, Peng Li became astonished by the depth of his talent and mastery.

• Zhang Qingyuan felt deeply grateful for the Condensing True Pill Senior Brother Peng had given him, recognizing its value as a safeguard for his future breakthrough.
• True Essence cultivators gathered on Fei Ling Island made connections before the Alliance Assembly, while Zhang Qingyuan stayed in his room and avoided the socializing.
• Peng Li tutored Zhang Qingyuan on breakthroughs, techniques, martial arts, and cultivation methods, helping him resolve doubts and feel his realm stirring.
• Zhang Qingyuan suppressed his urge to break through because his preparations were incomplete and Fei Ling Island was not a suitable place.
• Peng Li discovered that Zhang Qingyuan had mastered nearly all his techniques and martial arts to Perfection or Great Accomplishment, leaving him shocked by Zhang Qingyuan's potential.

Zhang Qingyuan received guidance from Peng Li, attended the Zhoushan Sea Domain Alliance Assembly, and learned the Great River Sword Technique before preparing to return home. As he left Fei Ling Island, his Spiritual Sense warned him that danger lay ahead.

• Peng Li was astonished by Zhang Qingyuan's mastery of martial skills and the fourth layer of the One Origin Gui Water Scripture, then guided him as he consolidated his gains.
• More than thirty True Essence Realm cultivators gathered for the Zhoushan Sea Domain Alliance Assembly and formed a plan to eradicate pirates and divide responsibilities and spheres of influence.
• Zhang Qingyuan stayed unnoticed at the peaceful assembly, which ended without interference from the Eighteen Great Pirates of Zhoushan.
• Peng Li taught Zhang Qingyuan the Great River Sword Technique, a foundation for the Heaven-Piercing Sword and the Great River Heaven-Piercing Sword.
• After spending more than half a month on Fei Ling Island, Zhang Qingyuan prepared to return home, but his Spiritual Sense warned him of danger on the way.

While flying toward the Moon Liên Islands, Zhang Qingyuan cultivated the Great River Sword Technique and gained another powerful combat skill. Two True Essence Realm pirates intercepted him at sea, and their leader, Sun Xiuren, prepared to kill him for the deaths of three sworn brothers.

• Zhang Qingyuan spent several days on Fei Ling Island handling unknown matters before departing for the Moon Liên Islands on the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow.
• During a month of travel, Zhang Qingyuan cultivated the Great River Sword Technique to minor accomplishment, drawing on his perfected Cloud Water Thirteen Sword Styles.
• Zhang Qingyuan sensed two hidden opponents and ordered the Silver Luan Mountain Sparrow to stop.
• Sun Xiuren and a one-eyed pirate revealed themselves as True Essence Realm cultivators and confronted Zhang Qingyuan.
• Sun Xiuren blamed Zhang Qingyuan for killing three of his sworn brothers and unleashed killing intent as he declared Zhang Qingyuan would die.

Zhang Qingyuan fought Sun Xiuren and the one-eyed pirate, enduring their combined killing moves until he broke through Wind Cloud Formless Body to perfection. He used his new mastery to decapitate the one-eyed pirate, while Sun Xiuren remained nearby.

• Zhang Qingyuan blocked the one-eyed pirate’s golden-hook strike with Great River Sword Technique, surprising the True Essence First Layer Late Stage cultivator.
• The one-eyed pirate activated Blood Fiend Body Refining Technique and attacked Zhang Qingyuan with a powerful punch as Sun Xiuren unleashed Netherworld Hand.
• Zhang Qingyuan countered both attacks with Three Waves Covering the Sea, but the collision sent him flying and damaged his Profound Origin Bodyguard Armor.
• While being thrown backward, Zhang Qingyuan gained insight and advanced Wind Cloud Formless Body to perfection.
• Zhang Qingyuan merged with the wind, evaded the one-eyed pirate’s reach, and cut through his neck, killing him.

Zhang Qingyuan perfected his Wind Cloud Formless Body in battle and killed the middle-aged one-eyed pirate, then survived Sun Xiuren’s powerful attack. He escaped a follow-up strike by using his newly perfected movement skill to retreat a hundred yards.

• With Peng Li’s guidance and pressure from the fight, Zhang Qingyuan broke through to perfection in the Wind Cloud Formless Body.
• Zhang Qingyuan used his perfected movement skill to behead the middle-aged one-eyed pirate, leaving Sun Xiuren as the remaining attacker.
• Sun Xiuren unleashed Heavenly Net Hand, and Zhang Qingyuan met it with Nine Dragon Black Water Cover.
• The clash injured Zhang Qingyuan and showed him that Sun Xiuren’s True Essence Second Layer strength was beyond what he could easily face head-on.
• Sun Xiuren fired a swift follow-up attack, but Zhang Qingyuan used Wind Cloud Formless Body to evade and flash a hundred yards away.

Zhang Qingyuan struggled against Sun Xiuren’s superior True Essence cultivation and chose to use his own trump card rather than keep evading. As Sun Xiuren’s Great Luo Heaven Palm descended, Zhang Qingyuan awakened a seed in his dantian, unleashing a sword light that pierced the sky.

• Zhang Qingyuan realized that his Spirit Essence was draining too quickly to withstand Sun Xiuren’s attacks for long.
• Zhang Qingyuan sensed a hidden presence watching the battle and decided he had to kill Sun Xiuren quickly.
• Sun Xiuren unleashed the Great Luo Heaven Palm, a powerful attack that threatened to crush Zhang Qingyuan.
• Zhang Qingyuan stopped dodging, connected with the seed in his dantian, and released a brilliant sword light as a tender sprout emerged.

Zhang Qingyuan used his Seed Sword Technique to kill Sun Xiuren, then faced the powerful Old Ghost Ouyang as the latter attacked him. Peng Li emerged from the void and intercepted the attack, leaving Zhang Qingyuan protected by an ally.

• Zhang Qingyuan unleashed the Seed Sword Technique, tore apart Sun Xiuren’s ultimate move, and killed him.
• Exhausted, Zhang Qingyuan sensed that a more powerful enemy stood behind the two cultivators who had ambushed him.
• Old Ghost Ouyang of the Vast Sea Sect appeared and attacked Zhang Qingyuan with a giant palm that sealed off his escape.
• Peng Li stepped out of the void and struck back at Old Ghost Ouyang’s attack.

Zhang Qingyuan watched Peng Li drive off Old Monster Ouyang after Zhang had defeated Sun Xiuren and another True Essence Realm cultivator. Peng Li praised Zhang’s strength and potential, leaving Zhang with a renewed desire to reach higher realms.

• Zhang Qingyuan felt the immense force of Peng Li and Old Monster Ouyang’s clash and recognized the gap between his own strength and theirs.
• Old Monster Ouyang tried to recruit Peng Li and threaten Zhang Qingyuan, but Peng Li refused and challenged him to fight.
• Old Monster Ouyang withdrew after warning that the war would bring them together again and that the Cloud Water Sect would be destroyed.
• Peng Li told Zhang Qingyuan that he had secretly protected him while allowing him to face danger and gain experience.
• Peng Li praised Zhang Qingyuan for killing two True Essence Realm enemies and commended the potential of his final sword strike.

Peng Li escorted Zhang Qingyuan back to the Moon Liên Islands, gave him a sword-insight Jade Slip and a protective Magic Array, and reassured him that the Vast Sea Sect assassin would flee. Half a year later, news revealed that the Cloud Water Sect and Vast Sea Sect had gone to war after widespread attacks on Cloud Water Sect prodigies.

• Peng Li praised Zhang Qingyuan's sword talent and gave him a Jade Slip containing sword-path insights from a friend linked to the Water Sword Immortal.
• Peng Li explained that Old Ghost Ouyang would have to flee and gave Zhang Qingyuan a Magic Array capable of holding off a True Essence Late Stage cultivator until help arrived.
• Peng Li escorted Zhang Qingyuan to the Moon Liên Islands, where Zhang set up the Magic Array and reflected on the unexpected assassination attempt.
• Half a year later, Zhang Qingyuan learned that the Vast Sea Sect had attacked Cloud Water Sect prodigies, including Yan Kuangtu, Bing Yuyao, and Fu Qiaolei.
• The Cloud Water Sect retaliated, and both sects mobilized tens of thousands of cultivators as battles erupted along the Yuzhou-Haizhou border.

After being ambushed, Zhang Qingyuan stayed in the Moon Liên Islands and focused on cultivation, leaving local affairs to Zhang Changyang. As the war between Cloud Water Sect and Vast Sea Sect spread across the border and the South Sea, Zhang Qingyuan continued preparing to strengthen himself and refine Condensing True Pills.

• Zhang Qingyuan decided to remain within the Moon Liên Islands, wary of becoming a target after the ambush and Yan Kuangtu’s severe injuries.
• Zhang Qingyuan handed the islands’ affairs to Zhang Changyang, who welcomed the chance to manage them while Zhang Qingyuan cultivated.
• Zhang Qingyuan began using Essence of Gui Water to ripen the Flying Illusion Spirit Vine and cultivated near the Spirit Spring Mouth as he gathered materials for Condensing True Pills.
• Large battles erupted along the Cloud Water Sect and Vast Sea Sect border, while cultivators fought in smaller units across the region.
• Vast Sea Sect cultivators appeared along the South Sea’s maritime border, and Cloud Water Sect coordinated a purge of pirates to secure the region.