Chapter Summaries

Zhang Qingyuan escaped the collapsing Thick Earth Sect Secret Realm with its inheritance and treasures, then concealed what had happened from three hired cultivators outside. He flew away while the trio decided not to confront him and left after marking the ruined site.

• Zhang Qingyuan emerged from the Secret Realm as its entrance and space collapsed, reflecting that the inheritance and treasures he had gained were already enough.
• Zhang Qingyuan sensed three injured late True Essence Seventh Layer cultivators hiding nearby and challenged them over whether they planned to rob him.
• An old woman explained that the trio had been hired to deal with Liu Daoyan's reinforcements and asked what had happened to the Black-Robed Old Ghost.
• Zhang Qingyuan claimed he had only explored the Secret Realm and knew little, blaming its upheaval on the two dead cultivators before riding away on his sword.
• The bald, tattooed man suspected Zhang Qingyuan had taken the treasures, but the old man argued that attacking him risked Cloud Water Sect's retaliation.
• The three accepted their losses, left the Qingzhou Mountain Range, and marked the collapsed Secret Realm's location for a possible future search.

Zhang Qingyuan returned to Huashan County and told the Old Clan Leader that the Zhang Family’s hidden enemy had been eliminated. He then entered seclusion to sort through his spoils and stabilize his cultivation.

• Zhang Qingyuan reunited with the Old Clan Leader and explained that the enemy lurking in the shadows had died in the Secret Realm.
• The Zhang Family celebrated its freedom from suppression, while Zhang Qingyuan regarded the clan with goodwill but kept an emotional distance.
• Zhang Qingyuan entered seclusion to organize the inheritances and spoils he had obtained from Liu Daoyan and the Black Robe Old Daoist.
• Zhang Qingyuan discovered more than ten thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones and three High-grade Spirit Stones among the spoils.
• Zhang Qingyuan planned to use the High-grade Spirit Stones to stabilize his True Essence Seventh Layer cultivation and absorb the gains from his battle with Liu Daoyan.

After consolidating his True Essence Seventh Layer cultivation with High-grade Spirit Stones, Zhang Qingyuan planned to return to the Moon Liên Islands, prepare for an eventual expedition into the Outer Sea, and strengthen himself through study and cultivation. He recorded the Zhang Lineage’s inheritance but withheld the most valuable Thick Earth Sect techniques to protect the family from attracting danger.

• Zhang Qingyuan finished a month of cultivation, stabilized his True Essence Seventh Layer realm, and used up the last of his High-grade Spirit Stones.
• He concluded that advancing in the True Essence Realm Late Stage would require far greater resources and planned to seek opportunities in the Outer Sea.
• Zhang Qingyuan decided to return to the Moon Liên Islands to study cultivation records, develop Martial Skills, refine pills, and gather information before exploring the Outer Sea.
• After leaving seclusion, Zhang Qingyuan recorded the Zhang Lineage’s collections and gave most of the Thick Earth Sect inheritances to the Old Clan Leader.
• Zhang Qingyuan kept the most precious Thick Earth Sect inheritances for himself, judging that the Zhang Family was not strong enough to protect them.

Zhang Changyang worried that the Moon Liên Islands could not withstand the growing hostility of rival powers, even with Zhang Qingyuan expected to return. On a nearby island, those harmed by the islands’ prosperity began discussing a plan against Zhang Qingyuan.

• A patrol captain reported to Zhang Changyang that Sea Beast attacks and pirate activity near the Moon Liên Islands had increased, and Zhang Changyang ordered the guards to protect the island until Zhang Qingyuan returned.
• The captain eagerly welcomed Zhang Qingyuan’s return, while Zhang Changyang remained troubled by the years of sabotage and economic pressure from rival islands.
• Zhang Changyang recalled how the Moon Liên Islands’ industries and prosperity had drawn cultivators away from neighboring island cities and provoked covert attacks, poaching, and theft of secrets.
• On another island, a group of rival powers complained that Zhang Qingyuan’s return would threaten their interests, and one person announced that he had a plan.

Several cultivators plotted to use another Heaven's Chosen to oppose Zhang Qingyuan, whose influence threatened their interests. They sought out Fist Emperor Yang Yuntian, believing his recent advance to the True Essence Late Stage would let him defeat Zhang Qingyuan.

• The Feather-Clad Cultivator argued that the group should borrow another genius's strength rather than confront Zhang Qingyuan themselves.
• The group questioned whom Liu planned to recruit and doubted that an ordinary Heaven's Chosen could defeat Zhang Qingyuan, ranked forty-third on the Rising Star Ranking.
• Liu revealed that Fist Emperor Yang Yuntian, ranked ninety-first, was cultivating nearby at Stone Peak.
• The group learned that Yang Yuntian had once been crippled, rebuilt his body through cultivation, and risen to become a renowned South Sea fighter.
• Liu claimed Yang Yuntian had reached the True Essence Seventh Layer two years earlier and dismissed Zhang Qingyuan's ranking as the result of luck.

Yang Yuntian emerged from seclusion and demonstrated overwhelming fist power before the Feather-Clad Cultivator and his companions. After learning they had come to manipulate him into dealing with Zhang Qingyuan, he punished them with a single punch and flew off to seek Zhang.

• Yang Yuntian endured the waterfall’s immense force, then punched upward and blasted the thousand-zhang cascade into vapor.
• The Feather-Clad Cultivator’s group watched Yang Yuntian’s display and learned he already knew Zhang Qingyuan was coming.
• Yang Yuntian said Senior Nangong’s guidance had earned his gratitude and declared he would seek Zhang Qingyuan for a spar.
• Yang Yuntian accused the group of trying to use him to kill Zhang Qingyuan and demanded they take one punch as payment for the deception.
• The Feather-Clad Cultivator and his companions unleashed their defenses, but Yang Yuntian’s punch crushed them into the ground and sent them flying.
• Yang Yuntian flew away toward the direction the group had come from, while the battered survivors watched him depart.

Yang Yuntian arrived at the prosperous Moon Liên Islands, eager to defeat Zhang Qingyuan and make his name across Yuzhou. He challenged Zhang Qingyuan aloud, disrupting the islands’ orderly routine.

• Yang Yuntian celebrated reaching True Essence Seventh Layer and resolved to use Zhang Qingyuan as the first step toward greater fame.
• Yang Yuntian entered the Moon Liên Islands, confident he could defeat Zhang Qingyuan, whom he believed was only at True Essence Sixth Layer.
• The chapter described the islands’ bustling trade and industrial production, including the Magic Tool Zhang Qingyuan had made to extract Essence of Gui Water.
• Yang Yuntian’s thunderous voice rang across the islands as he challenged Zhang Qingyuan to face him.

Yang Yuntian attacked the Moon Liên Islands, and his first punch nearly shattered the Island Protection Array. Zhang Changyang faced the overwhelming assault as Yang Yuntian continued smashing through the defenses to reach him.

• Yang Yuntian descended from the sky and struck the Moon Liên Islands with a punch that shook the island and the fleets at sea.
• The attack shattered more than half the Island Protection Array’s layers, frightening the residents and cultivators who witnessed it.
• Zhang Changyang hurried to the formation core and recognized that the attacker was a True Essence Realm Late Stage expert.
• Yang Yuntian dismissed the formation’s resilience and launched another punch, breaking through layer after layer of its light curtains.
• Yang Yuntian pressed deeper into the array, intending to defeat Zhang Changyang and make his name known throughout Yuzhou.

Yang Yuntian shattered the Moon Liên Islands’ protective array and prepared to destroy the island, but Zhang Qingyuan arrived in time to block his attack. Zhang Qingyuan challenged Yang Yuntian to survive one move, then launched a sword strike that transformed into a vast, lotus-like tsunami.

• Yang Yuntian broke the Island Protection Array and hurled a devastating punch toward the island.
• Zhang Changyang, injured and holding a shattered Formation Disk, feared for the island but took comfort that Zhang Qingyuan was absent.
• Zhang Qingyuan emerged from the void and stopped Yang Yuntian’s punch with a sword strike.
• Zhang Qingyuan told Yang Yuntian he would spare his life if he survived one move.
• Zhang Qingyuan thrust his sword, sending out a Green Lotus-like Sword Light that surged toward Yang Yuntian as a tsunami.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Yang Yuntian with a single sword strike and stopped the resulting tsunami from damaging the Moon Liên Islands. He left Yang Yuntian gravely wounded but alive, having promised to use only one move.

• Yang Yuntian unleashed his strongest punch against Zhang Qingyuan’s overwhelming sword strike.
• The collision split the sea with a vast sword mark and unleashed a tsunami toward the Moon Liên Islands.
• Zhang Qingyuan cut through the rampaging power and stopped the waves, protecting the islands and the ships at sea.
• Zhang Qingyuan saw Yang Yuntian bleeding and near death, with his meridians and future cultivation severely damaged.
• Zhang Qingyuan kept his promise to use only one move, then descended to the Moon Liên Islands.

Zhang Qingyuan returned to the Moon Liên Islands, subdued looters with his spiritual sense, and treated Zhang Changyang after the Island Lord was injured. After reporting that the Zhang Family’s troubles had been resolved, Zhang Qingyuan asked why a True Essence Seventh Layer Cultivator had attacked the islands, and Zhang Changyang began explaining what had happened during his absence.

• Zhang Qingyuan used his spiritual sense to knock unconscious people taking advantage of the chaos to steal across the Moon Liên Islands.
• Zhang Qingyuan inspected the islands, found little damage, and hurried to the Island Lord’s Mansion after sensing that Zhang Changyang was injured.
• Zhang Qingyuan gave Zhang Changyang a Green Healing Pill and told him that the intruder had been driven away and the Zhang Family’s troubles had been settled.
• Zhang Qingyuan told Zhang Changyang that he had placed the basic Secret Realm inheritance in the Family Scripture Pavilion but kept the high-level inheritance for safekeeping.
• Zhang Qingyuan asked why a True Essence Seventh Layer Cultivator had attacked the Moon Liên Islands, and Zhang Changyang began recounting the events of the past several years.

After Zhang Qingyuan killed Yang Yuntian with one sword, the people who had incited the attack gathered to discuss fleeing the Zhoushan Region. Zhang found them before they could leave, and the feather-clad cultivator immediately begged for mercy and offered their service.

• The conspirators discussed Yang Yuntian’s death and feared Zhang Qingyuan would trace his attack back to them.
• The feather-clad cultivator admitted that he had misjudged Zhang Qingyuan’s strength and regretted inciting Yang Yuntian.
• The group agreed to abandon their businesses and leave the Zhoushan Region to avoid Zhang Qingyuan.
• Zhang Qingyuan shattered the hall’s roof with a sword strike and confronted the conspirators over their attack on his enterprise.
• The feather-clad cultivator knelt and begged Zhang Qingyuan to spare them, offering that they become his servants.

At the Cloud Water Sect, a powerful senior discussed Zhang Qingyuan’s reputation and his flight to the Wilderness Zone, while Yang Tianlie secretly listened. On the Moon Liên Islands, Zhang Qingyuan confronted cultivators who had used Yang Yuntian in a plot to distract him and steal the islands’ business secrets.

• At the Cloud Water Sect, a seated figure dismissed the Yuzhou Newcomer Ranking and discussed Zhang Qingyuan’s strength and his departure overseas.
• The figure said he would not force Zhang Qingyuan into his plans and warned that the Wilderness Zone was dangerous; Yang Tianlie secretly listened.
• Zhang Qingyuan confronted the feather-clad cultivators and asked why they had borrowed Yang Yuntian’s power to try to defeat him.
• The leading cultivator explained that they had hoped Zhang Qingyuan would focus on regaining his standing instead of managing the Moon Liên Islands.
• The cultivators admitted that they had been exploiting the distraction to steal the islands’ secret techniques and business experience.

Zhang Qingyuan spared the Zhoushan family leaders and bound them to serve him, then restored the Moon Liên Islands’ protective array as he prepared for future exploration of the deep sea. Just as the islands returned to normal, he learned that Daoist Ming Shui had entered Death Seclusion with no known date of emergence.

• Zhang Qingyuan learned that Zhoushan family powers had stolen island secrets and systems while he was away, and he spared their leaders in exchange for Dao Heart Oaths and service.
• Zhang Qingyuan returned to the Moon Liên Islands and planned to cultivate in seclusion before exploring the Deep Sea Zone with the Zhoushan Lineages’ help.
• Zhang Qingyuan restored the Island Protection Array using Master Lu’s Jade Slip and the Great Evolution Technique, improving his formation skills in the process.
• Zhang Qingyuan received a message from Senior Disciple Brother Wang Yuènián that Daoist Ming Shui had entered Death Seclusion for an uncertain length of time.

After learning that Daoist Ming Shui had entered Death Seclusion, Zhang Qingyuan set aside his questions about his master and focused on his own cultivation. He returned his attention to the Moon Liên Islands, which Zhang Changyang showed had grown into a thriving center of cultivation commerce.

• Zhang Qingyuan received Wang Yuènián's news that Daoist Ming Shui had entered Death Seclusion and wondered about his master's motives and his own distant relationship with the sect.
• Zhang Qingyuan decided to stop dwelling on sect affairs, sent Wang Yuènián a Messaging Talisman in reply, and finished repairing the Island Protection Array.
• Zhang Qingyuan began reviewing the Moon Liên Islands' development over the five years he had been away and learned that they had expanded more than tenfold.
• Zhang Changyang showed Zhang Qingyuan the islands' large-scale Demonic Beast farms and explained how teams were rewarded for developing breeding projects using the Beast Taming Secret Technique.
• Zhang Changyang reported that the Big-Foot Rabbits had earned more than ninety thousand Spirit Stones in the previous month's sales, and Zhang Qingyuan thanked him for his work.

Zhang Qingyuan reviewed the prosperous industries of the Moon Liên Islands, refined their management systems, and handed their affairs back to Zhang Changyang. He then entered seclusion to absorb his accumulated knowledge and strengthen his techniques, expecting the cultivation to take several years.

• Zhang Qingyuan toured the islands with Zhang Changyang and learned that their industries now produced over three thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones in monthly net profit.
• Zhang Qingyuan optimized the islands' regulations and instructed Zhang Changyang to seek Precious Spiritual Medicine and treasures for their cultivation resources.
• After six months of overseeing the islands' development, Zhang Qingyuan handed their affairs to Zhang Changyang, who promised to manage them while Zhang Qingyuan cultivated.
• Zhang Qingyuan entered a Secret Chamber to organize his collected records and consider combining his four powers into new techniques.
• Zhang Qingyuan began a prolonged period of Seclusion Hard Cultivation to improve his strength and refine his Martial Skills.

During several years of seclusion, Zhang Qingyuan helped establish a prosperous, orderly Zhoushan Area while deepening his cultivation and knowledge. He reached True Essence Seventh Layer Mid-Stage and successfully cultivated the Earth Covering Seal, though the chapter ended before describing the full extent of his mastery.

• Zhang Qingyuan's rule brought the Zhoushan Area greater order and prosperity, and the subdued Lineages benefited by adopting the Moon Liên Islands' methods and technologies.
• Zhang Qingyuan spent most of the following years in seclusion, using the Great Evolution Technique to absorb cultivation knowledge and develop new ideas about the Path of Dongzhen.
• Zhang Qingyuan polished his cultivation to True Essence Seventh Layer Mid-Stage and greatly increased his True Essence, divine sense, and physical strength.
• Zhang Qingyuan absorbed the Earth Attribute Supreme Treasure and successfully cultivated the incomplete Profound Tier Secret Technique, the Earth Covering Seal.

After years of seclusion, Zhang Qingyuan emerged with a powerful new technique and turned his focus to advancing his cultivation. Troubled by signs of unrest in the sect, he decided to investigate a dangerous treasure map, but powerful visitors arrived at the Moon Liên Islands before he could depart.

• Zhang Qingyuan reviewed his gains, including mastering the incomplete Profound Tier Earth Covering Seal, and acknowledged the techniques he had yet to improve.
• Zhang Qingyuan emerged from seclusion, sensed trouble within the sect, and resolved to focus on cultivation until he was strong enough to take part.
• Zhang Qingyuan sought resources for advancing his realm and examined the incomplete treasure map he had taken from Liu Daoyan.
• Zhang Qingyuan decided to investigate the map's location in the Deep Sea Zone near the South Sea despite suspecting it concealed a trap.
• Several powerful auras approached the Moon Liên Islands as Zhang Qingyuan considered his preparations.

Zhang Qingyuan welcomed Peng Li and his companions to Moon Liên Islands, where he reunited with his old senior brother and agreed to spar with Liang Long. Peng Li postponed their match until after they completed their business, and Zhang Qingyuan invited the group inside.

• Zhang Qingyuan sensed powerful cultivators approaching Moon Liên Islands and went to the harbor to greet them.
• Zhang Qingyuan recognized Peng Li, who had once saved him from an ambush, and the two warmly recalled their past.
• Peng Li introduced Liang Long, who challenged Zhang Qingyuan to exchange blows.
• Zhang Qingyuan accepted Liang Long’s challenge, and the two quickly treated each other as brothers.
• Peng Li told them to wait until their business was done before fighting, and Zhang Qingyuan led the group onto the island.

Peng Li invited Zhang Qingyuan to a South Sea cultivation convention and explained the region’s history of conflict with the Sea Clan. Zhang Qingyuan connected the Sea Clan’s defeat to other major events from three hundred years earlier, while Peng Li’s purpose remained tied to the Sea Clan.

• Zhang Qingyuan hosted Peng Li and Liang Long with rare Spirit Fruits and wine, and the three shared a banquet and discussed the Cultivation World.
• Peng Li invited Zhang Qingyuan to attend a South Sea cultivation convention taking place in a few years.
• Peng Li explained that the South Sea had originally belonged to the Sea Clan, who fought human expansion and were driven into the deep sea.
• Zhang Qingyuan recalled other major events from three hundred years earlier and silently wondered how they were connected to the Sea Clan’s defeat.
• Peng Li described how the Cloud Water Sect’s forces eventually subdued the South Sea and confirmed that his visit was related to the Sea Clan.