Chapter Summaries

Zhang Qingyuan ventured into Yin Feng Valley, where deadly beasts, ghosts, and Bone Demons attacked him as he searched for spirit items. He found the over-century-old Ghostly Soul Grass he had come for, marking his arrival at the valley’s core, while two members of a hostile sect followed behind him intending to capture or kill him.

• Two hidden men suspected Zhang Qingyuan was investigating their sect and decided to follow him and kill him if necessary.
• Zhang Qingyuan entered Yin Feng Valley and killed a venomous scorpion that burst from the ground.
• As he explored deeper, Zhang Qingyuan fought off venomous creatures, man-eating plants, ghostly souls, and Bone Demons, finding spirit items near the monsters he defeated.
• Zhang Qingyuan discovered and collected a human-tier Ghostly Soul Grass more than a hundred years old, entering Yin Feng Valley’s core.

Zhang Qingyuan lured away and killed the demons guarding a Bone Wasteland, gradually thinning their numbers without alerting the Bone Demon Leader. The elites began investigating the disappearances, but none returned, while their leader continued sleeping atop Bone Mountain.

• Zhang Qingyuan assessed the Bone Demon Leader and decided to clear away its surrounding demons before confronting it.
• Zhang Qingyuan used sounds, wild grass, and the Object Manipulation Technique to lure groups of low-level demons away from the valley and kill them.
• Zhang Qingyuan steadily reduced the more than a hundred wraiths and Bone Demons to only a few without drawing notice.
• The Elite Bone Demons and Elite Wraiths noticed their underlings had vanished and sent several of their own to investigate.
• Each elite demon that left the valley disappeared, while the Bone Demon Leader remained asleep atop Bone Mountain.

Zhang Qingyuan fought the Bone Demon Leader in the empty valley, dodging its attacks and landing a powerful sword strike that severely injured it. The Bone Demon Leader unleashed its Innate Spell, and Zhang Qingyuan answered with Three Waves Covering the Sea.

• The Bone Demon Leader woke to Zhang Qingyuan's arrival, called for its minions, and watched the sole Bone Demon minion trip and break its neck.
• The Bone Demon Leader attacked Zhang Qingyuan with its bone blade, but Zhang Qingyuan evaded the strike with his perfected Cloud Smoke Steps.
• Zhang Qingyuan exploited the Bone Demon Leader's recovery after its attack and struck it with Sword Drawing Technique, severely injuring it.
• The Bone Demon Leader unleashed an Innate Spell that raised bone spikes and swirling bone dragons throughout the valley.
• Zhang Qingyuan leaped above the bone spikes, gathered Heaven and Earth Momentum, and struck down with Three Waves Covering the Sea.

Zhang Qingyuan killed the Bone Demon Leader with Three Waves Covering the Sea and found another graded Ghostly Soul Grass. When two hidden cultivators ambushed him as he tried to harvest it, he evaded their attack and countered with his Sword Drawing Technique, knocking them out of concealment.

• Zhang Qingyuan crushed the already injured Bone Demon Leader with one palm, destroying the White Bone Mountain and its bone spikes.
• He assessed how his cultivation, Water Intent, and Three Waves Covering the Sea had enabled him to kill the Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level Early-phase demon.
• Zhang Qingyuan found another graded Ghostly Soul Grass and moved to harvest it.
• He dodged thorny vines and spells launched by two enemies concealed with Invisibility Talismans.
• Zhang Qingyuan rushed at the exposed attackers and struck them with his Sword Drawing Technique, sending both flying out of concealment.

Zhang Qingyuan discovered two cultivators tracking him in Yin Feng Valley and killed them after they ambushed him. Their belongings identified them as members of the hostile Vast Sea Sect, leaving him suspicious of their purpose as he considered using their Mid-grade Spirit Stone to break through to the Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level.

• Zhang Qingyuan used himself as bait, then severely wounded the two cultivators who had been following him.
• Zhang Qingyuan killed the fleeing cultivator with his Qi Breaking Needle and broke the other attacker’s neck.
• Zhang Qingyuan took the attackers’ belongings, buried their bodies, uprooted the Ghostly Soul Grass, and left the valley.
• Zhang Qingyuan found a Vast Sea Sect token in their Storage Bags and wondered why members of the hostile sect were in Cloud Water Sect territory.
• Zhang Qingyuan found seven hundred Spirit Stones, including a Mid-grade Spirit Stone, and considered using it to break through to the Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level.

After completing the Ghostly Soul Grass mission, Zhang Qingyuan reported the Vast Sea Sect conspiracy to Wang Yuènián and received a powerful movement martial skill as a reward. Back in his cave abode, he prepared materials for the Hundred Herbs Pill and began studying Wind Cloud Formless Body.

• Zhang Qingyuan found the remaining Ghostly Soul Grass in Yin Feng Valley and returned to the sect with ten stalks to obtain the Hundred Herbs Pill recipe.
• Zhang Qingyuan reported the Vast Sea Sect token and the deaths of the two suspected spies to Wang Yuènián, who recognized the deed as a Yellow Tier Mission.
• Zhang Qingyuan requested a stronger movement martial skill, and Wang Yuènián rewarded him with the Jade Slip for Wind Cloud Formless Body.
• After Wang Yuènián hurried toward the Main Peak, Zhang Qingyuan grew concerned about the sect’s situation and resolved to strengthen himself quickly.
• Zhang Qingyuan ordered materials for the Hundred Herbs Pill from Qian Sen and began studying Wind Cloud Formless Body in his cave abode.

Zhang Qingyuan mastered the Wind Cloud Formless Body and then shifted his focus to alchemy after receiving the Spiritual Medicine he had ordered. He steadily raised his Hundred Herbs Pill success rate above ninety percent and considered whether alchemy could offer a safer way to earn a living.

• Zhang Qingyuan used his perfected Cloud Smoke Steps as a foundation to learn the Wind Cloud Formless Body, reaching minor accomplishment in half a month.
• After stabilizing the movement technique, Zhang Qingyuan reduced his practice time and shifted his focus to other pursuits.
• Qian Sen delivered the Spiritual Medicine Zhang Qingyuan had ordered from Tianmu Peak, and Zhang Qingyuan returned to his Inner Sect Cave Abode with the supplies.
• Zhang Qingyuan began refining Hundred Herbs Pills, failed on his first attempt, and succeeded on his third.
• Over the next month, Zhang Qingyuan used careful analysis to raise his Hundred Herbs Pill success rate above ninety percent and considered becoming an Alchemist if he needed a safer source of income.

After months of alchemy and cultivation, Zhang Qingyuan felt his bottleneck loosening and prepared to break through to the Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level. He settled his affairs, then began closed-door cultivation with a Mid-grade Spirit Stone.

• Zhang Qingyuan used up most of his spiritual medicines making Hundred Herbs Pills, earning more than six hundred Spirit Stones and raising his alchemy proficiency past fifty.
• Zhang Qingyuan sensed an opportunity to break through but postponed closed-door cultivation until his state of mind had settled.
• Zhang Qingyuan sold his pills in the Inner Sect marketplace and exchanged contact information with several small powers seeking to recruit him as an Alchemist.
• Zhang Qingyuan learned from Lin Yan that Zhao Yuanyang and his companions had returned injured and empty-handed from the Cave Abode Ruins.
• Zhang Qingyuan heard that the Law Enforcement Hall had purged several western family powers over suspected spies from a hostile sect.
• Zhang Qingyuan entered closed-door cultivation with a Mid-grade Spirit Stone to push toward the Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level, and half a month passed.

Zhang Qingyuan broke through to the Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level and strengthened his cultivation before leaving seclusion to attend Wang Yuènián’s annual gathering for the newly promoted Inner Sect disciples. The chapter ended as Wang Yuènián arrived at Cloud Stone Peak to address the thirty-two disciples.

• Zhang Qingyuan broke through to the Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level after a year of cultivation.
• He spent more than ten days stabilizing his breakthrough and deepening his cultivation, reaching the Ninth Level Early-phase and gaining confidence in his strength.
• Zhang Qingyuan recalled his past defeat by Fu Hongtian and resolved to defeat him when they met again.
• After learning that Wang Yuènián had summoned the new disciples for an annual lecture and duels, Zhang Qingyuan left his cave dwelling for Cloud Stone Peak.
• Wang Yuènián arrived by Sword Flight as the thirty-two Newly Promoted Inner Sect Disciples of Mystic Water Peak stood and greeted him.

Wang Yuènián lectured the Mystic Water Peak disciples for more than ten days, then announced rankings and a three-day challenge period to determine their resource allocations. Jiang Wenrong saw Zhang Qingyuan ranked twenty-first and, jealous of his rapid advance to the Ninth Level, abandoned his plan to challenge him.

• Wang Yuènián delivered a long lecture on late-stage cultivation, combat skills, and the Hundred Arts, giving Zhang Qingyuan insight into reaching the True Essence Realm.
• Wang Yuènián ended the lecture and announced that the disciples would be ranked, with three days to challenge those above them before resource allocations were finalized.
• Wang Yuènián displayed the rankings, placing Zhang Qingyuan twenty-first at the Ninth Level Early-phase and Jiang Wenrong twenty-second at Eighth Level Perfection.
• Jiang Wenrong recalled delaying his planned challenge to Zhang Qingyuan while spending more than half a year celebrating his Inner Sect status back home.
• Jiang Wenrong felt jealous when he learned Zhang Qingyuan had advanced to the Ninth Level, but he did not dare challenge someone a realm above him.

Wang Yuènián announced that the newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples would receive Merit Points based on their year-end rankings, prompting Zhang Qingyuan to resolve to claim a top-ten spot. The ranking battles began when Liang Jifang challenged Fu Yang for fourteenth place.

• Zhang Qingyuan reflected on how his hard work had widened the gap between himself and Jiang Wenrong.
• Wang Yuènián announced monthly Contribution Point rewards and additional Merit Points for the top ten, available during the disciples' first three years in the Inner Sect.
• A disciple explained that Merit Points could be exchanged for Mid-grade Spirit Stones and valuable sect techniques, and Zhang Qingyuan resolved to place in the top ten.
• Wang Yuènián declared the ranking battles open, and Liang Jifang challenged Fu Yang for fourteenth place.
• Liang Jifang and Fu Yang entered the arena to begin their match.

Zhang Qingyuan challenged ninth-ranked Liu Caijiu, a late Ninth Stage cultivator, despite being ranked twenty-first and newly advanced to the Ninth Stage. Liu Caijiu opened with a powerful Heavenly Star Finger, and Zhang Qingyuan answered with Three Waves Covering the Sea as their battle began.

• Fu Yang defeated his Spirit Essence Realm Ninth Level Mid-phase opponent by half a move, but was left unable to continue fighting.
• Ten intense battles took place over half a day, while the top two contestants and Zhang Qingyuan waited to act.
• Zhang Qingyuan stood and challenged Liu Caijiu, ranked ninth, surprising the crowd by skipping the mid-phase contestants.
• Liu Caijiu accepted the challenge, privately angered that Zhang Qingyuan had chosen him as a stepping stone.
• Liu Caijiu attacked first with Heavenly Star Finger, and Zhang Qingyuan countered with Three Waves Covering the Sea.

Zhang Qingyuan matched Liu Caijiu’s powerful attacks despite being at an earlier stage of the Ninth Stage, then used his movement technique to evade Liu Caijiu’s spear assault with ease. Wang Yuènián recognized the technique as Wind Cloud Formless Body, which he had given Zhang Qingyuan.

• Zhang Qingyuan’s Three Waves Covering the Sea clashed evenly with Liu Caijiu’s Heavenly Star Finger, sending a destructive shockwave through the arena.
• Liu Caijiu acknowledged Zhang Qingyuan’s strength, then summoned a divine spear and launched a relentless barrage of thrusts.
• Zhang Qingyuan evaded Liu Caijiu’s attacks and deflected some with punches and palm strikes, astonishing the onlookers with his superior movement.
• The crowd speculated that Zhang Qingyuan’s movement technique was a high-level martial skill he had cultivated to minor accomplishment.
• Wang Yuènián identified Zhang Qingyuan’s technique as Wind Cloud Formless Body, the movement skill he had given him several months earlier.

Zhang Qingyuan stopped evading Liu Caijiu and revealed the perfected Sword Drawing Technique, defeating his stronger opponent in a decisive clash. The crowd was left in uproar as Zhang Qingyuan stood victorious with his sword at Liu Caijiu’s neck.

• Wang Yuènián reflected that Zhang Qingyuan was a junior highly valued by his Master.
• Liu Caijiu grew furious and challenged Zhang Qingyuan to fight him head-on after failing to land a hit.
• Zhang Qingyuan stopped moving and drew his sword, unleashing the perfected Sword Drawing Technique and its terrifying Water Sword Intent.
• Zhang Qingyuan’s sword clashed with Liu Caijiu’s final spear attack, blasting apart the plaza.
• When the smoke cleared, Zhang Qingyuan held his sword to Liu Caijiu’s neck, and the crowd erupted as Liu Caijiu’s defeat became clear.

Zhang Qingyuan defeated Liu Caijiu in a higher-level challenge, convincing the assembled disciples that his strength rivaled the Outer Sect Ten Prodigies. His victory raised him from twenty-first to ninth place, and the ranking battles later advanced into the top ten.

• The disciples recognized that Zhang Qingyuan had defeated Liu Caijiu through strength rather than clever tactics and speculated he could have become one of the Outer Sect Ten Prodigies.
• Wang Yuènián announced Zhang Qingyuan’s victory, and Zhang rose from twenty-first to ninth in the rankings.
• Zhang assessed his chances against late ninth-stage cultivators and valued the Merit Points he gained for their exchange value in Mid-grade Spirit Stones.
• Wang Yuènián repaired the shattered plaza with True Essence, and the first day’s ranking challenges concluded.
• On the second day, battles among the top ten began, with late ninth-stage cultivators fighting fierce matches that often lasted over an hour.

Zhang Qingyuan finished ninth in the year-end ranking battles, earning Contribution Points and a Merit Point that he exchanged for a Mid-grade Spirit Stone. After finding that his cultivation and other paths of advancement had stalled, he received a Messaging Talisman at his Cave Dwelling.

• Wang Zhiliang narrowly defeated Gao Wenhao in the final battle and claimed first place in the rankings.
• Wang Yuènián distributed the ranking rewards, and Zhang Qingyuan received eighty-four thousand Contribution Points and one Merit Point.
• Zhang Qingyuan exchanged his Merit Point for a Mid-grade Spirit Stone and decided to save Contribution Points for an Intermediate Pill Recipe.
• After a month of cultivation, Zhang Qingyuan found his progress toward the next level slow and his other paths of advancement stalled.
• A Messaging Talisman flew through the Magic Array outside Zhang Qingyuan's Cave Dwelling.

Zhang Qingyuan accepted Zhao Yuanyang’s invitation to join an expedition to an Alchemist’s cave abode, hoping to obtain Pill Recipes and improve his strength. He met the other six cultivators and agreed that the group would distribute the ruins’ contents according to contribution, while everyone could copy the alchemy materials.

• Zhao Yuanyang told Zhang Qingyuan that his group had found an Alchemist’s cave abode containing unknown Puppets and invited him to join their next attempt to explore it.
• Zhang Qingyuan decided to leave the Inner Sect because his cultivation had reached a bottleneck and he wanted to grow stronger through exploration.
• Zhang Qingyuan met Zhao Yuanyang and the other five members of the expedition at a pavilion in a desolate mountain range.
• Zhang Qingyuan offered to ask only for copies of the Pill Recipes and alchemy-related jade slips because he had joined the expedition late.
• Jin Tiefeng and the others confirmed that the cave’s remaining treasures would be divided by contribution, while the alchemy materials could be copied freely.

Zhang Qingyuan joined Zhao Yuanyang’s group for an expedition to an alchemist’s cave dwelling beyond the Cloud Water Sect’s territory. As they set out, Zhang Qingyuan learned about the dangers and power structures outside the sect’s lands and sensed an unexplained gaze following him.

• Zhang Qingyuan offered to take a share of the harvest according to his contributions, easing the group’s reluctance to include him.
• Zhao Yuanyang welcomed Zhang Qingyuan into the group and privately marveled at how much his strength had grown.
• Zhao Yuanyang led the group toward the cave dwelling ruins beyond the Cloud Water Sect’s territory.
• Zhang Qingyuan considered the expedition a chance to learn about the outside Cultivation World and noticed what seemed to be a gaze roaming over his back.

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhao Yuanyang’s group reached a hidden cave dwelling in the Wilderness Area and broke through its final protective array. The six guardian puppets awakened and attacked as Zhao Yuanyang led the group into battle.

• A middle-aged cultivator who had been secretly watching Zhang Qingyuan wondered whether Zhang had noticed him, then disappeared.
• Zhang Qingyuan traveled with Zhao Yuanyang’s group through the Wilderness Area, where they defeated a Demon Wolf Pack and a demon tiger.
• Zhao Yuanyang led the group to a concealed valley and, with Wu Qin’s guidance, they entered the cave dwelling behind an illusion array.
• The group reached an ancient Stone Gate guarded by six Humanoid Puppets and broke the final Magic Array protecting it.
• The Humanoid Puppets awakened, and Zhao Yuanyang ordered the group to attack before striking the foremost puppet himself.

Zhao Yuanyang and the others battled six awakened puppets guarding the Stone Gate and were overwhelmed by their strength and durability. Zhang Qingyuan defeated a puppet by tearing open its shell and removing its Mid-grade Spirit Stones, leaving the rest of the melee unresolved.

• Zhao Yuanyang's strike awakened six puppets, which immediately attacked the group as Wu Qin withdrew to protect herself with a formation.
• Zhao Yuanyang and the others fought the puppets, but their attacks barely harmed them while the puppets steadily suppressed the cultivators.
• Zhao Yuanyang saw Jin Tiefeng struggling against a Ninth Stage Mid-phase puppet and prepared to use a costly trump card.
• Zhang Qingyuan slipped behind a puppet, tore open its exposed armpit with Heavenly Eagle Hand, and removed three Mid-grade Spirit Stones, disabling it.
• Zhao Yuanyang was momentarily distracted by Zhang Qingyuan's victory and nearly took a hit from the puppet he was fighting.