Chapter Summaries

At Xuan Ling’s celebratory dharma assembly, Wu Quan and Gan Qi reflected on the choices that had left them diminished in the cultivation world. After Xuan Ling visited Wang Ping, Wang Ping set the Taiyan Sect’s reorganization in motion and learned that Tong Jing was leading a rebellion within the Six Hearts Sect, while he prepared for the larger conflict ahead.

• Wang Ping dismissed the visiting headmasters’ calling cards as Yulian found one from Gan Qi, whom Wang Ping refused to meet.
• At Xuan Ling’s dharma assembly, Wu Quan regretted his past choices as he watched Liu Shuang and Zi Luan command the respect of powerful cultivators.
• Xuan Ling told Wang Ping that his advancement had brought no ancient memories, and Wang Ping ordered him to help reorganize the Taiyan Sect with Zi Luan.
• Wang Ping received word that someone in the Six Hearts Sect planned to rebel while Zi Luan was away, and he sent Xuan Ling to assist Zi Luan.
• Wang Ping told Yulian that Tong Jing, a former Six Hearts Sect overseer, was leading the rebellion and said he would prevent the Yuqing Sect from falling into chaos for now.

Tong Jing helped spark a rebellion within the Six Hearts Sect and fled, while Zi Luan revealed that he had orchestrated the unrest to expose his enemies and purge their supporters. As chaos spread through Nanlin Road, the Governor of Jinhuai Prefecture received word that Rebels had surrounded General Li’s army, leaving the response uncertain.

• Tong Jing abandoned the Six Hearts Sect after directing Zhi Shang to loot its treasures, then teleported north and arranged to flee through the Demon Domain to Zhongshan Kingdom.
• Zi Luan killed Zhi Shang, ordered the rebellion suppressed, and sent Qin Zifeng and Hong Yuan to purge the traitors and their families.
• Qin Zifeng interrogated the captured rebels, and the Prefectural Army executed tens of thousands of people accused of supporting the uprising.
• Ten days later, the Governor of Jinhuai Prefecture learned that Rebels had surrounded General Li and his three thousand soldiers near Ben'an County.
• Qin Zifeng warned Governor Yang against sending reinforcements while the city’s safety remained uncertain, and the Dao Palace representative said the Dao Palace could not intervene in a war among Mortals.

General Li faced a rebel siege in Ben'an County, then was arrested after the rebels withdrew and his troops were defeated. As Wang Ping and Lord Rongyang maneuvered around the Yuqing Sect and the northwest’s looming conflict, Zi Luan received orders to strengthen their alliances and inheritance.

• General Li rejected an immediate charge against the rebels, heard their offer to withdraw in exchange for reserve equipment, and allowed them time to retreat while his sick troops remained unable to fight.
• Qin Zifeng learned that General Li Xiang had been arrested and faced exile, while Zi Luan was ordered to tell Martial Uncle Taishan that his temple could become the Six Hearts Sect.
• Zi Luan met Wang Ping and Lord Rongyang, who sent him to the Taiyin Sect to consolidate their inheritance and told him to collect the True Sun Sect’s hidden pieces from Hua Yun.
• Wang Ping and Lord Rongyang discussed removing Prefect Yangde and considered striking first against the northwest, but Wang Ping chose to follow the original plan to avoid further harm to his reputation and cultivation.

Wang Ping watched rebellions spread across the realm while Hu Qianqian began a lengthy advancement under his protection. As unrest reached the northwest, he arranged for the Imperial Court and several sects to act, seeking grounds to intervene without undermining the Dao Palace's authority.

• Wang Ping monitored the rebels' victories on Nanlin Road and reflected on how power and greed consumed many who had risen in revolt.
• Wang Ping sensed Hu Qianqian's advancement at Baishui Lake, protected its phenomena with the Sky-Veiling Talisman, and calmed her before she began her transformation.
• Hu Qianqian absorbed Sun Moon Essence and spiritual energy to evolve her bloodline, while Wang Ping and Yulian watched over her and expected the process to take years.
• Wang Ping observed the Imperial Court's indecision over suppressing the southern rebels and noted that pirates had begun raiding ships in the Southeast Sea Region.
• After rebels seized a county office on Zhushan Road, Wang Ping ordered Liu Shuang, Yuan Zheng, and Dong Can to arrange military and sect actions that would give him grounds to intervene in the northwest.

Wang Ping navigated Dao Palace politics as the Earth Cave Sect’s blood sacrifices provoked arrests in Zhushan Road, while news arrived of upheaval within the Yuqing Sect. A message then revealed that Lord Liuyun’s chess piece was attempting to advance to the Fourth Realm—the slot the True Lords had promised Wang Ping.

• Ke Yue, Luo Feng, and Dong Can planned to manipulate a cultivator in the Earth Cave Sect to create a pretext for entering it, with Luo Feng estimating the plan would take two months.
• Liu Shuang told Wang Ping that Zhang Xinghuai had become the host of Zhongping Temple, which was seeking to join the Dao Palace, and reported that Daoist Priest Wu Quan wished to resign.
• Liu Shuang reported evidence that the Earth Cave Sect had conducted large-scale blood sacrifices, and Wang Ping ordered the authorities to proceed according to law and arrest those responsible.
• The Imperial Court arrested more than a thousand people, including two Immortal Realm cultivators, while the Earth Cave Sect’s Zhushan Road branch remained silent and Wang Ping’s Sky-Veiling Talisman fusion progress reached 18/100.
• A letter from Daoist Huai Mo reported that Prefect Yangde intended to purge Yuqing Sect cultivators with divided loyalties, and Cang Ji invited Wang Ping to investigate unusual movements there.
• A second Puppet bird brought a letter confirming that Lord Liuyun’s chess piece was attempting to advance to the Fourth Realm, the slot promised to Wang Ping.

Wang Ping learned that True Lord Yuanwu had ordered him to eliminate Yangde, while Zhi Gong’s chance to advance depended on keeping Liuyun’s Chess Piece from disturbing the earth veins. He summoned the Jimin Association for help, and Guan Xi agreed to act as ominous violet lightning flashed in the western sky.

• Lord Rongyang told Wang Ping that the campaign against the Yuqing Sect was aimed at killing Yangde and clearing a position, and that True Lord Xuanqing’s plans were tied to Wang Ping’s backing.
• Daoist Wanzhi informed Wang Ping that the earth veins had stabilized and Zhi Gong would take her critical step within two days, asking him to stop Liuyun’s Chess Piece from advancing and disrupting them.
• Wang Ping and Lord Rongyang suspected the Earth Cave Sect and Vajra Temple were plotting against them, but True Lord Yuanwu ordered Wang Ping to go to Hushan Kingdom and execute Yangde if he resisted.
• Wang Ping used his Divine Art to contact Liu Huaien, who traveled to East Continent and told Guan Xi about the crisis.
• Guan Xi agreed that the Jimin Association would handle Wang Ping’s request, as violet lightning flashed in the western sky.

Cang Ji confronted Yangde over his attack on the Yuqing Sect, while Prefect Yuxing tried to stop him and protect Sea City. Their clash escalated into a battle of divine abilities, leaving Yangde weakened but alive as Cang Ji moved to intervene.

• Cang Ji accused Yangde of killing two Yuqing Sect cultivators and trying to destroy Sea City, while Kai Yun defended him as an internal Yuqing Sect matter.
• Yangde declared that he would not surrender and called for Xuanqing, then fought Prefect Yuxing when she attacked him with the Star Sword.
• Yangde blocked Yuxing's swords with the Vast Shield and used Summon Wind and Rain and Turn Earth into Sea, but Yuxing countered with Stars Shift and the Five Elements.
• The Five Elements formation overwhelmed Yangde's defenses, while Wang Ping and Lord Rongyang discussed Yuqing's divine abilities and Yangde's ability to resurrect.
• As the blast weakened, Lord Rongyang pointed out Cang Ji's approaching purple lightning, indicating that the Taiyin Sect would take a greater role in the confrontation.

Wang Ping and his allies pursued Yangde and Cang Ji into outer space after their artifacts devastated Sea City and threatened the Central Continent. As the Fourth Realm cultivators revealed their enormous True Forms, Wang Ping positioned his companions for battle, and Yangde charged at Lord Rongyang’s Fire Spirit Golden Crow.

• Cang Ji’s Netherworld Aura struck Yangde, and the clash of their powers devastated Sea City before Prefect Yuxing and Wang Ping diverted the remaining aura and aided survivors.
• Yangde revealed the Starry Sky Umbrella, and Cang Ji brought forth the Life and Death Banner, prompting Kai Yun and the others to pursue them into outer space.
• Wang Ping used transfer talismans to catch up with Lord Rongyang and Prefect Yuxing, but Cang Ji shattered his talisman and transformed into a colossal Netherworld form.
• Prefect Yuxing told Lord Rongyang to use his full Fire Spirit state and Wang Ping to protect them, then Wang Ping transferred them into positions to surround their targets.
• Lord Rongyang and Prefect Yuxing revealed their True Forms as Cang Ji and Yangde also manifested theirs, and Yangde charged at Lord Rongyang’s Golden Crow with a turbulent galaxy behind him.

Wang Ping joined Cang Ji, Prefect Yuxing, and Lord Rongyang in pursuing Yangde through the universe, while his Sky-Veiling Talisman gained new powers. They finally caught Yangde in a coordinated ambush, but he began breaking through their restraints.

• Yangde escaped the Golden Crow’s flames and fled through space as Cang Ji, Prefect Yuxing, Wang Ping, and Lord Rongyang pursued him.
• Wang Ping’s Sky-Veiling Talisman progress rose after Lord Liuyun’s Chess Piece and Wu Fu’s fates changed, granting him the ability to conceal part of the Heavenly Secrets.
• Wang Ping used the new ability to hide his group’s transfer, allowing Prefect Yuxing’s flying swords to shatter Yangde’s star-river escape route and disrupt his consciousness with the Heaven Connecting Talisman.
• Prefect Yuxing immobilized Yangde while Lord Rongyang and Cang Ji closed in, but Yangde broke the technique and tried to escape with the Galaxy Umbrella and Vast Shield.
• Yangde discovered that Wang Ping had laid a transfer formation throughout the battlefield, preventing his star-river passage from expanding.

Yangde’s attempt to resist the other cultivators failed, and Prefect Yuxing trapped him in a sealing array that began refining his body and Primordial Spirit. Before the gray-black current consumed him, Yangde condemned the Human Way and warned Wang Ping and Lord Rongyang that another destructive war would come to Central Province.

• Yangde tried to fuse the phenomena of his Golden Core laws and detonate his Golden Core, but Prefect Yuxing’s arrays, Lord Rongyang’s Golden Crow flames, and Cang Ji’s Life and Death Banner stopped him.
• Prefect Yuxing twisted space to isolate Yangde, then used a connected Sealing Array to trap him in another dimension and draw in spiritual energy.
• Wang Ping deduced that Yangde had acted with backing from powerful figures and adjusted Yangde’s fate with the Sky-Veiling Talisman.
• Prefect Yuxing’s array produced a gray-black current that corroded Yangde’s defenses, while Yangde accused Xuanqing of ordering his execution.
• Cang Ji accused Yangde of acting from jealousy and selfish desire, and Yangde argued that the Human Way had repeatedly damaged the world and stolen their inheritances.
• Yangde released his defenses, let the gray-black current engulf him, and warned Wang Ping and Lord Rongyang that Central Province would soon face another war of destruction.

After Yangde fell in outer space, Prefect Yuxing divided his treasures among Wang Ping and Lord Rongyang, and Wang Ping returned to Crouching Dragon Mountain. There, Lord Rongyang recounted the North-South War and revealed that the True Lords had ended it by sacrificing the Star God Alliance to the Outer Realm front.

• Yangde dissolved his body into golden lightning, but Prefect Yuxing preserved his Golden Core and sealed it; Wang Ping gained five points of fusion progress from deducing Yangde's fate.
• Prefect Yuxing gave Lord Rongyang the Starry Sky Umbrella and Wang Ping the Vast Shield, then agreed to meet Cang Ji at her Dao Palace in five years.
• Wang Ping and Lord Rongyang returned to Central Continent Star after being away for half a year, and Wang Ping learned that Daoist Wanzhi had resolved the matter involving Liuyun's Chess Piece.
• At Crouching Dragon Mountain, Wang Ping learned that his karma with Daoist Wanzhi had ended, and Yulian prompted Lord Rongyang to explain the North-South War.
• Lord Rongyang described how Yuqing Sect's interference in Taiyin Sect's split escalated into war, and how the True Lords ended the conflict by using the Star God Alliance as a force against Outer Realm Demonic Creatures.

Wang Ping met with Guan Xi to learn about the failed attempt to restrain him and to discuss the Jimin Association’s plans. He agreed to help capture the Southern Sea Daoist in roughly a hundred and fifty years, while Yulian flew off to find fresh shrimp.

• Lord Rongyang told Wang Ping that the True Sun Sect’s alliance with the Yuqing Sect would continue and proposed driving the Earth Cave Sect’s Fourth Realm cultivators from Central Province.
• Guan Xi reported that Zen Master Lingyuan and two Earth Cave Sect cultivators had been involved in the attempt to intercept Wang Ping, and he said the Jimin Association had dealt with the Third Realm cultivator threatening a Fourth Realm slot.
• Guan Xi asked Wang Ping to help conceal the Heavenly Secrets, raise the Southern Sea Daoist’s forces at the Second Seat meeting, and establish a transfer formation for a future siege.
• Guan Xi revealed that the Jimin Association had tracked the Southern Sea Daoist and offered Wang Ping Jia Shang Ling Si, but said they needed about a hundred and fifty years to prepare a counter-artifact.
• Wang Ping agreed to help capture the Southern Sea Daoist, and Yulian flew toward a nearby river to look for fresh shrimp.

Wang Ping watched Zhi Gong begin her Earth Cave Sect advancement at Crouching Dragon Mountain, where she endured the mountain’s violent resistance and a strange lightning strike. Months later, as True Monarch Diwen drained Earth Spirit Qi across the Central Continent, Daoist Wanzhi sacrificed her Earth Spirit body and consciousness to aid Zhi Gong, whose advancement remained unresolved.

• Wang Ping arranged discreet aid for First Day and learned that Wen Hai, Guan Xi, and Lin Chen had advanced to the Third Realm.
• Zhi Gong began her advancement on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, and after nine failed attempts she extracted Crouching Dragon Mountain’s earth vein and began forming an Earth Spirit.
• Crouching Dragon Mountain’s earth vein consciousness attacked Zhi Gong with pitch-black lightning, while Wang Ping concealed the mountain and other Second Seat members probed from afar.
• The Yuqing Sect split into the Yuqing Sect and Shangqing Sect, and Wang Ping’s Sky-Veiling Talisman merging progress reached (30/100).
• Wang Ping sensed True Monarch Diwen drawing Earth Spirit Qi from the Central Continent, and Daoist Wanzhi gave her Earth Spirit body and consciousness to Zhi Gong.

Wang Ping returned to Baishui Lake, gained a major increase in his Sky-Veiling Talisman fusion, and prepared for the Second Seat meeting as the Yuqing Sect disputed who could claim its vacant Fourth Realm slot. At the meeting, the factions agreed on measures for Hushan Kingdom and a new supply transit station, while the Shangqing Sect’s application failed and Ao Bing proposed sending two Earth Cave Sect cultivators to guard Moon Outpost.

• Zhi Gong recovered from the dangerous stage of her advancement, and Wang Ping left Liu Shuibin to guard her during her long cultivation.
• Wang Ping returned to Baishui Lake, where the Sky-Veiling Talisman’s fusion progress rose to 37 after Zhi Gong’s advancement, strengthening his ability to conceal his aura.
• After learning the Yuqing Sect would award its vacant Fourth Realm slot to whichever disciple first became capable of advancing, Wang Ping pledged support to Daoist Huai Mo and ordered Liu Shuang to help him.
• At the Second Seat meeting, the attendees approved a boundary-based ceasefire for the Taiyin Sect and Yuqing Sect in Hushan Kingdom, with two Third Seats assigned to supervise.
• The meeting approved a new supply transit station in Linshui Prefecture, but the Shangqing Sect’s application to enter the Dao Palace stalled over Third Seat positions.
• Ao Bing proposed that Yun Song and Bai Wan guard the damaged Moon Outpost, and Bu Qiong cautiously supported considering the arrangement.

Wang Ping and Lord Rongyang discussed abandoning the Moon Outpost in favor of a secret space passage, while Ao Bing later secured a change in its defenders. Hu Qianqian advanced and displayed her new abilities, and the year ended with news of several cultivators advancing and Guangxuan’s death.

• Lord Rongyang explained that Fourth Realm cultivators needed energy from outer space and proposed going to the Moon Outpost, but Wang Ping persuaded him to plan a secret transmission passage instead.
• Two years later, Daoist Bai Wan volunteered for the Outer Realm Border, leaving Daoist Yunsong at the Moon Outpost, while the Shangqing Sect’s application to join the Dao Palace was rejected.
• Hu Qianqian absorbed her solidified Yao Core, advanced, and demonstrated her new starlight illusion techniques against Yulian.
• Wen Hai advanced and invited others to a celebratory Dharma assembly at Pingdong Gate, and Old Daoist Wu and Lin Chen later advanced as well.
• Wang Ping learned that Guangxuan had passed away in meditation at Sanhe Temple.

After Emperor Wen Qing’s death, Wang Yun ascended the throne while Liu Qing took charge of state affairs. As Thousand Wood Temple moved Taiyan cultivators from the Southeast Islands, Xuan Ling’s group confronted Linshui Prefecture and launched a surprise attack, leaving the battle spreading across the sea.

• Liu Qing secured an imperial edict naming Wang Yun emperor and granting her authority to administer military and state affairs, and officials accepted the succession.
• At an Earth Cave Sect gathering, Wen Hai and Old Daoist Wu discussed the Datong Dynasty’s instability and Thousand Wood Temple’s growing influence before sensing a Third Realm battle in the southeast.
• Xuan Ling and Chi Lan argued over Linshui Prefecture’s inspection of Thousand Wood Temple’s migration convoy as Hong Ze fought a cultivator under the Third Prince.
• Xuan Ling ordered Dong Can to withdraw the lower-realm cultivators and recalled Hong Ze, while Hong Ze urged him to exploit the chance to aid the Seventh Prince.
• With Zi Luan’s advice and Hu Qianqian’s assent, Xuan Ling’s group attacked; Zi Luan’s bronze bell forced Chi Lan’s cultivators to scatter, and the two sides pursued their chosen targets.

Xuan Ling returned to Thousand Wood Temple after escorting Taiyan cultivators from the Southeast Sea Region toward Central Province, and he and Liu Shuang arranged their settlement on Shangyang Mountain. Queen Xia Yao and Feng Miao arrived to visit, and Hu Qianqian and Xuan Ling welcomed them into the sect.

• Xuan Ling’s forces defeated Linshui Prefecture cultivators, capturing one and killing another before withdrawing with the Taiyan cultivators.
• Zi Luan warned that the Southeast Sea Region was not yet theirs to target and said the Central Province Divine Artifact would undergo succession in another Hundred Years.
• Xuan Ling reached Thousand Wood Temple and reported to Liu Shuang, who ordered the Taiyan cultivators settled on Shangyang Mountain while they sought their Teacher’s view on its plaque.
• Liu Shuang learned that Queen Xia Yao and Feng Miao had arrived and sent Hu Qianqian and Xuan Ling to receive them with formal honors.
• Hu Qianqian and Xuan Ling welcomed Xia Yao and Feng Miao and escorted them into Thousand Wood Temple, where Xia Yao reminisced about her past in the region.

Xia Yao visited Thousand Wood Temple and reunited with Xia Weny, her great-grandson, while Feng Miao asked Liu Shuang to help her obtain an advancement quota. Liu Shuang arranged to approach the True Sun Sect, and the chapter ended with Wang Ping monitoring Yulian as she grew within the underground river during his seclusion.

• Xia Yao and Feng Miao arrived at Thousand Wood Temple, where Liu Shuang welcomed them and explained that the Dharma assembly celebrated Xia Weny's advancement to the Third Realm.
• Xuan Ling summoned Xia Weny from his dojo, and Xia Weny left his Disciple Xia Qin studying the Annotation of Heaven and Man before heading to the front hall.
• Xia Weny greeted Xia Yao as his great-grandmother, and their meeting eased some of his resentment over the calamity that had destroyed the Xia Dynasty.
• Feng Miao asked Liu Shuang for an advancement quota, and Liu Shuang sent Hu Qianqian to inquire about one through the True Sun Sect's station.
• Liu Shuang discussed using Feng Miao as an ally and noted that Senior Zhi Gong would emerge from seclusion within a few years while the Central Province Divine Artifact seemed unstable.
• Wang Ping communicated with Yulian in the underground river, where she continued absorbing Water Spirit Qi and had grown to nearly a hundred zhang.

Yulian completed her evolution and tested her new strength in outer space, where she demonstrated the powerful frost spell Heaven Breaking. Wang Ping then took her to Bright Moon Pool to pay respects to Xin Shi, and she reunited with Yuanyuan, but their parents had already disappeared.

• Yulian awakened after her inner core merged with her Spirit Vein, and she eagerly challenged her mother to a fight.
• Wang Ping removed the formations sustaining Yulian's evolution, then took her to the outer-space transit station to test her new abilities.
• Yulian reached one percent of the speed of light and used Heaven Breaking to freeze a vast region of space, while Wang Ping tested the spell against Iron Bamboo and the Vast Shield.
• Wang Ping told Yulian that Xin Shi had passed away, and she concluded that Yuxiao was no longer in a normal state of life.
• Yulian dove into Bright Moon Pool to pay her respects to Xin Shi, then emerged and captured Yuanyuan to ask where their parents were.
• Yulian and Yuanyuan flew to find Zizhu and Lanyang, but the two had already vanished.

Shen Xiaozhu accepted two young disciples and went to see Wang Ping, who emerged from seclusion and bestowed secret arts on Xuan Ling and Xia Weny. As the temple discussed political and sect affairs, Wang Ping sensed that Xu Chun had advanced to the Fourth Realm.

• Liu Shuang brought two Young Disciples to Shen Xiaozhu, who accepted them as her students despite remembering Mu Yun.
• Wang Ping discussed the Dao with Xuan Ling and Xia Weny, then gave Xuan Ling the Body Outside Technique and Xia Weny the Transfer Secret Art.
• Yulian arranged a partnership between her younger sister Yuanyuan and Xia Weny, who agreed to call her Martial Uncle.
• Wang Ping advised Shen Xiaozhu on her cultivation and told Liu Shuang to decide whether Thousand Wood Temple should accept the Taiyan cultivators' plaque and to avoid intervening further in the Great Harmony Imperial House.
• Wang Ping sensed a dense Fire Spirit aura and identified it as Xu Chun's successful advancement to the Fourth Realm.