Chapter Summaries

Wang Ping sent Zhi Gong into the palace while monitoring him through a puppet bird, and Zhi Gong explored a blood-stained passage whose murals recorded the rise and wars of a Tiger Demon tribe. He reached a hall containing the formation’s energy channel and a mural of the Grand Celestial Venerable of Nine Heavens Yin Yang, leaving the palace’s secrets still unexplored.

• Zhi Gong explained the palace’s leyline Sealing Array, and Wang Ping agreed to let him scout inside while monitoring him through a puppet bird.
• Wang Ping brought Hong Ze into his Divine Kingdom and told him to contact his Master while Zhi Gong entered the palace.
• Zhi Gong examined murals depicting a black-trident-wielding Tiger Demon conquering tribes, ruling over Demon Race leaders, and fighting human Cultivators.
• Zhi Gong discovered flesh and blood trapped across the ceiling, which he suspected supplied energy to the leyline formation.
• Zhi Gong reached the hall at the passage’s end, identified a gravitational formation around a hole in the floor, and saw murals of the Grand Celestial Venerable of Nine Heavens Yin Yang, sect Cultivators, Demon Race figures, and beasts.

Zhi Gong explored the Earth Vein formation beneath the palace and found Ao Hong imprisoned at its core. With Wang Ping’s help, she freed him and transferred them out before the formation could trap them.

• Zhi Gong examined the murals and identified the Demon Emperor Yao Xi and the ten legendary True Lords depicted in the second mural.
• Zhi Gong entered the cavern beneath the energy pillar and discovered a formation core guarded by patrolling metal puppets.
• Zhi Gong found Ao Hong trapped in a gravity barrier that was draining the spiritual energy from his Qi Sea.
• Wang Ping used his Fortune Array to check the rescue plan, then promised to avenge Ao Hong if Zhi Gong betrayed him.
• Ao Hong released his spiritual energy as bait while Zhi Gong opened a gap in the barrier, and Wang Ping’s transfer formation carried them away.

Wang Ping rescued Ao Hong from the Earth Vein array and brought him to Thousand Wood Temple to recover. Ao Hong explained how he had been trapped, then settled in with Wang Ping while they discussed the underground array and the conflicts facing the cultivation world.

• Wang Ping used the transfer array to rescue Ao Hong and Zhi Gong from the Earth Vein cavern, then transported them to Thousand Wood Temple.
• Zhi Gong sensed that the underground array harnessed Earth Vein power and the laws of the universe, while Wang Ping's Sky-Veiling Talisman fusion progress rose to 54/100.
• Ao Hong told Wang Ping, Zhi Gong, and Yulian that his escape array had diverted him into the underground cavern, where he was caught in a gravitational seal until Hong Ze received his prayers.
• Zhi Gong speculated that the array might be powered by the flesh-and-blood spirituality of trapped Cultivators and possibly the body of a Demon Race True Lord.
• After Zhi Gong left, Ao Hong decided to recover at Wang Ping's dojo and asked him about current factional affairs as they played Go.
• Ao Hong and Wang Ping discussed the Central Province Divine Artifact, the Starry Sky Umbrella, Yuqing Sect's Fourth Realm slots, the First Day's advancement, and the unresolved matter left by Lord Liuyun.

Wang Ping left the northern drought and unrest largely to Liu Shuang while Ao Hong hid in Sanhe Prefecture to recover and plot against his third brother. Years later, as Thousand Wood Temple prepared to host a major sect competition, Liu Shuang gathered her fellow disciples and arranged a Spring Festival reunion with Wang Ping.

• Ao Hong offered to help Wang Ping investigate the Yuqing Sect, then revealed he planned to hide while helping counter his third brother’s schemes and asked Wang Ping to tell him if a chance arose to kill him.
• Yulian reported on Xiao Zhu’s disciples and Hu Qianqian’s disciple, and Wang Ping told her to arrange a congratulatory gift for the successful cultivator.
• Liu Shuang reported that drought-driven unrest continued in the north, and Wang Ping told her to maintain stability in the cultivation world and watch for families capable of controlling the Central Province Divine Artifact.
• Several years later, Liu Shuang discussed the worsening drought and the approaching Divine Artifact contest with Xia Weny, Hu Qianqian, and Xuan Ling, then invited them to celebrate Spring Festival with Wang Ping.
• Hu Qianqian agreed to invite Ruan Chunzi and Yuan Zheng and planned to visit Wang Ping the next day; after hearing that Hu Lin had bought roast chicken, she eagerly asked where it was.

Thousand Wood Temple hosted a five-day sect competition, then Wen Hai visited Wang Ping at the Mountain Top Dojo. As the disciples gathered there, Wang Ping watched Xia Weny and Xuan Ling’s rivalry and had Liu Shuang stop their duel in a draw.

• Liu Shuang and the other representatives watched the Immortal Realm finals, where Wang Yuqin defeated a True Sun Sect disciple with her sword and Wood Soldier techniques.
• The five-day competition ended with a Nine Tripod Sect Artifact Cultivator taking first place, Zhao Mingming taking second, and an Earth Cave Sect disciple taking third.
• Wen Hai visited Wang Ping at the Mountain Top Dojo, where the gathered disciples and guests played Go, made music, and shared food.
• Yuan Zheng explained why he doubted he could cultivate the Fourth Realm, and Wang Ping and Ruan Chunzi urged him to use his long life to try.
• Wang Ping watched Xia Weny and Xuan Ling duel, and Liu Shuang ended their contest in a draw after Yulian spoke to her.

Wang Ping completed Yulian’s Flowing Feather Ball and received Guan Xi’s request to help deal with Southern Sea Daoist. After consulting True Lord Yuanwu, he headed to Jinhuai City, resolved to follow his own path while keeping his distance from the wider conflict.

• Wang Ping reflected on his cultivation and, with Yulian’s counsel, accepted that human desires and emotions were part of his nature.
• The Emperor and Grand Empress Dowager Liu Qing died, leaving the court unstable as rebellion broke out again in the north.
• Dong Can told Wang Ping that the Cultivators of 'First Day' were abandoning their Central Province strongholds and delivered Daoist Ke Yue’s letter warning of turmoil within True Sun Sect.
• Wang Ping finished Yulian’s Flowing Feather Ball after the Star God’s consciousness yielded, then received Guan Xi’s invitation to discuss dealing with Southern Sea Daoist.
• Wang Ping’s divination was blocked, so he visited True Lord Yuanwu, who approved his plan to confront Southern Sea Daoist and warned him about Vajra Temple.
• Wang Ping flew to Jinhuai City with Yulian and decided to follow his own path rather than use his authority to eliminate possible future opponents.

In Jinhuai City, Guan Xi shared what the Jimin Association had learned about the Star God Alliance and Southern Sea Daoist’s history. He revealed that Southern Sea Daoist was hiding at a Vajra Temple station in outer space, and Wang Ping agreed to join an expedition to capture him.

• Wang Ping met Guan Xi at the Shangfang teahouse, where Guan Xi explained that the Star God Alliance’s internal supervisors secretly made dissatisfied members disappear, including Fourth Realm Star Gods.
• Guan Xi said the Star God Alliance forbade discussion of Wei Kong, and Wang Ping decided they should stay alert and wait for the alliance to reveal its purpose.
• Guan Xi recounted Southern Sea Daoist’s rise from an unorthodox cultivator and revealed that Vajra Temple had supported him.
• Guan Xi told Wang Ping and Yulian that Southern Sea Daoist was at Vajra Temple’s outer-space transfer station and asked Wang Ping to help the group travel there without being marked by the True Lords’ formations.
• Wang Ping agreed to join the expedition and planned to call Zhi Gong and Rongyang as additional allies.

Wang Ping met with Rongyang, Zhi Gong, and the Jimin Association to prepare for their expedition against the Southern Sea Daoist, then traveled into outer space with Yulian, Guan Xi, and Chongyun. After Yulian demonstrated her powerful extreme-cold spell, the group tested a Jimin Association artifact whose vibrations made metal disintegrate, leaving its full purpose unclear.

• Wang Ping surveyed the drought-stricken northern regions, then recruited Rongyang and Zhi Gong for his cooperation with the Jimin Association; Zhi Gong agreed to remain behind.
• Wang Ping prepared battle supplies and inscribed a prophecy of the Southern Sea Daoist's death on the Sky-Veiling Talisman.
• Wang Ping and Rongyang met Guan Xi and Chongyun at the tea house and transferred to outer space, where Yulian demonstrated her Heaven Breaking spell and an improved space-freezing attack.
• Guan Xi led the group through the Star Sea toward the Southern Sea Daoist while Wang Ping dropped marked Transfer Talismans along their route.
• Chongyun tested a wind-chime-like artifact, whose ringing caused space to ripple, while Guan Xi showed Wang Ping and Rongyang a metal strip that crumbled to dust amid the ripples.

Guan Xi explained the Jimin Association’s plan to use the Wind Bell and Wang Ping’s talismans to trap Southern Sea Daoist before he could alter fate with Jia Shang Ling Si. Wang Ping went to watch Vajra Temple’s transfer station for Southern Sea Daoist, while Guan Xi and the others prepared to activate the Wind Bell.

• Guan Xi demonstrated the Wind Bell’s destructive sound waves and explained that it could suppress spell rules but could not distinguish friend from foe.
• Guan Xi told Wang Ping to locate Southern Sea Daoist and stop him from using Jia Shang Ling Si while the others attacked; the group then traveled to meet Minghui.
• Minghui joined the group and urged them to follow the plan, while Guan Xi sent Wang Ping to investigate Vajra Temple’s transfer station.
• Wang Ping concealed himself near the asteroid station and watched the stone building where Southern Sea Daoist was believed to be staying.
• After Wang Ping waited and circled the asteroid, five Second Realm cultivators arrived through a transfer tower carrying Storage Bags and headed toward the stone building.

Wang Ping and the Jimin Association captured Southern Sea Daoist, exposed the conflict with Vajra Temple, and fought its Fourth Realm cultivators. As the battle escalated, Wang Ping’s Sky-Veiling Talisman fusion advanced, and he discovered Kai Yun was using a Taiyin cultivator’s Primordial Spirit in an artifact formation.

• Wang Ping identified Southern Sea Daoist emerging from secluded cultivation and alerted Guan Xi, who coordinated the capture.
• Wang Ping’s group collapsed the Ecological Zone’s barrier, and Chongyun used a seal to immobilize Southern Sea Daoist before transporting him away.
• Rongyang collected the energy crystals while Wang Ping confronted Kai Yun, Lingyuan, and Lingzong, who objected to the deaths of the Ecological Zone’s inhabitants.
• Lingyuan attacked Minghui, Guan Xi joined the fight, and Rongyang pursued Kai Yun while Wang Ping destroyed the teleportation towers to block reinforcements.
• Wang Ping’s Sky-Veiling Talisman fusion progress rose to 64/100, and he distorted Kai Yun’s thoughts, revealing the Netherworld Barrier and the trapped Primordial Spirit powering it.

Rongyang and Kai Yun’s battle ended when True Lord Yuanwu’s strange Propagation ability erased their attacks and forced both sides to stand down. After returning to Thousand Wood Temple, Wang Ping learned that a disciple had used a secret art he once devised to conduct blood sacrifices and help someone reach the Third Realm.

• Rongyang revealed his Golden Crow true body and attacked Kai Yun while Wang Ping disrupted Kai Yun’s focus and Yulian froze his barrier.
• True Lord Yuanwu’s Propagation ability erased the flames and Gold Spirit formations, stopping the battle and sending Kai Yun, Lingyuan, and Lingzong away.
• Guan Xi and Minghui departed after Guan Xi promised to deliver Wang Ping’s reward to Thousand Wood Temple, and Wang Ping, Yulian, and Rongyang divided hundreds of Storage Bags taken from the Vajra Temple monks.
• Mimi told Yulian that Liu Shuang had led Thousand Wood Temple cultivators to stop blood sacrifices at a fortress on the Haizhou Road–Hushan Kingdom border.
• Wang Ping discovered that a Thousand Wood Temple disciple had obtained his abandoned secret art, used blood sacrifices to refine it, and helped someone advance to the Third Realm.

Wang Ping’s group uncovered the scale of Wang Sen’s blood sacrifices and recovered his leaked cultivation method, Heavenly Change, while Wang Ping weighed Thousand Wood Temple’s role in the coming political struggle. Guan Xi then delivered Jia Shang Ling Si, the sealed Mask of Faces, and Wang Ping accepted it as the story turned toward what to do while Vajra Temple’s Fourth Realm cultivators were delayed.

• Wang Sen dismissed most of his followers, placed his Heavenly Change method on an altar, and vanished as his underground stronghold collapsed; Rongyang captured him for the True Sun Sect.
• Wang Ping studied the shifting divine kingdom map and told Liu Shuang that Thousand Wood Temple should retrieve Heavenly Change while preparing for conflict over the divine artifact and Linshui Prefecture.
• Liu Shuang reported that Wang Sen’s sacrifices had left numerous altars and that his method had spread, then accepted Wang Ping’s instructions on the Wang Family estate and the temple’s future struggles.
• Guan Xi brought Wang Ping Jia Shang Ling Si, the sealed Mask of Faces, and warned that refining it would require careful preparation.
• Guan Xi told Wang Ping that Vajra Temple’s three Fourth Realm cultivators would need at least a month to return after their teleportation formation was severed, then asked about his plans.

Guan Xi explained the Jimin Association’s plan to seize Xuanqing’s spiritual physical body from Shangqing Sect in West Continent and asked Wang Ping to help divert Linshui Prefecture and Taiyin Sect. Wang Ping began testing his allies’ positions, while Rongyang agreed to ask True Monarch Lieyang what he intended.

• Guan Xi told Wang Ping that Vajra Temple was backing Shangqing Sect in West Continent and that the sect held Xuanqing’s spiritual physical body, a path to the Fourth Realm.
• Guan Xi asked Wang Ping to draw Linshui Prefecture and Taiyin Sect’s attention so the Jimin Association could seize the spiritual physical body, promising it to Wang Ping; he gave him three days to decide.
• Wang Ping asked Ao Hong to serve as the vanguard, but Ao Hong refused because he could not eliminate Ao Bing and instead offered a way to keep daoist priest Ru Hui from intervening.
• Yulian urged Wang Ping to consult Rongyang and Zhi Gong to test their attitudes, and Wang Ping summoned them to the Mountain Top Dojo.
• After hearing the plan, Rongyang said Kai Yun could not decide the matter alone and agreed to ask True Monarch Lieyang about his true position.

Wang Ping ordered Liu Shuang to pressure Linshui Prefecture, and the campaign began with the True Sun Sect mobilizing against its cultivators in Qingpu Road. Zi Luan and Que Cai agreed to help, but planned to use the coming bloodshed for their own advancement.

• Rongyang confirmed that the plan would proceed, and Wang Ping instructed Liu Shuang to act swiftly against Linshui Prefecture while using her allies across several regions.
• Liu Shuang sent orders to Zi Luan and Que Cai, who received instructions to use force against Linshui Prefecture’s cultivators within three days.
• Le Xin arrived at Plum Mountain and told Zi Luan and Que Cai that the True Sun Sect would begin an encirclement and suppression in Qingpu Road within two hours, accusing its targets of colluding with the Taiyin Evil Cultivator.
• Zi Luan and Que Cai agreed to prevent Linshui Prefecture’s cultivators from escaping, while Le Xin outlined the True Sun Sect’s wider campaign through Pingzhou Road, Liangjiang, and the Southeast Islands.
• After Le Xin left, Zi Luan revealed a Divine Art blood sacrifice formation and discussed using the operation to improve their chances of advancing.
• Zi Luan and Que Cai teleported to the eastern coast, divided their patrol areas, and deployed Golden Armored Puppets to monitor Qingpu Road.

The True Sun Sect swept through Qingpu Road and Pingzhou Road, driving Linshui Prefecture’s cultivators south as the conflict spread to Anmu Island and the Southeast Sea Region. The chapter ended with nearly a million civilians caught beneath the standoff at Guest Pass while the Third Seat conference remained deadlocked.

• Zi Luan absorbed the spirituality of Linshui Prefecture cultivators fleeing across the eastern sea, then discussed the True Sun Sect’s assault with Que Cai.
• The True Sun Sect cleared Linshui Prefecture’s cultivators from Pingzhou Road and advanced toward Guest Pass, where both sides hesitated to fight above the trapped civilians.
• Li Miaolin ended his two-day use of a Transfer Secret Art at Anmu Island and ordered two naval Generals to push the campaign deeper into the Southeast Sea Region.
• Li Miaolin urged Ming Xing to use the conflict to stabilize his divine soul through a blood sacrifice array, but Ming Xing declined to commit to that path.
• Ao Hong told Hong Ze to continue preparing Ao Bing’s Divine Art Array while avoiding contact with Ao Bing, and Hong Ze later learned of the standoff and the deadlocked Third Seat conference.

Wang Ping watched the standoff at Guest Pass as True Sun Sect attacked Linshui Prefecture with fire despite the fleeing commoners below. Yue Ziyu and his companions escaped south by carriage, while Linshui Prefecture unleashed the Water Spirit Formation at the river behind them.

• Wang Ping monitored the turmoil in Central Province and concluded that True Sun Sect would pursue its goal of ruling the region despite the danger to commoners.
• Wang Ping sent his consciousness to Guest Pass, where Yue Ziyu and Xiang'er traveled south with a carriage through a crowd of fleeing civilians.
• Yue Ziyu killed two ruffians who were robbing an old man, then urged Xiang'er to keep the carriage moving and ignore the battle above.
• True Sun Sect cultivators ignited the spiritual energy overhead, and their flames struck Linshui Prefecture's barrier while fire and shockwaves killed and injured commoners.
• Yue Ziyu's carriage crossed a river bridge and continued south as Linshui Prefecture activated the Water Spirit Formation, flooding the channel behind them.

Thousand Wood Temple prepared a swift campaign against Linshui Prefecture, and Zi Luan planned a blood sacrifice targeting only the Third Prince’s islands while coordinating with Le Xin. Wang Ping learned of the plan and approved the Taiyan factions’ cooperation, expecting it to draw out Ao Bing and create an opening for Guan Xi.

• Liu Shuang mobilized aquatic clans, summoned reinforcements, and sent Zi Luan to command the front lines against Linshui Prefecture.
• After learning that Vajra Temple’s Fourth Realm cultivators had vanished, Zi Luan proposed using a blood sacrifice formation in the Southeast Islands and asking the True Sun Sect to bear the karmic consequences.
• Que Cai warned Zi Luan against targeting Linshui Prefecture indiscriminately, so he limited the plan to the Third Prince’s islands and assigned Que Cai to consult Xuan Ling and Xia Weny.
• Zi Luan went to meet Le Xin while Li Miaolin began preparations on Anmu Island and was told to leave Dongfeng Island untouched.
• Wang Ping learned of Zi Luan’s plan through Xuan Ling and Xia Weny, approved their actions, and agreed with Yulian that the plan could force Ao Bing and the Taiyin Sect cultivators to appear, giving Guan Xi an opening.

Feng Miao watched the True Sun Sect prepare to invade Linshui Prefecture, then led a combat group through a teleportation network to reinforce Nanlin Island. She reached the ruined battlefield and saw an enormous flying vessel on the western horizon.

• Feng Miao bought Linshui Prefecture Spirit Crystals and watched two True Sun Sect flying vessels pass over Dalin Prefecture City.
• Feng Miao recalled Wang Ping’s influence on the campaign and told her Disciple to stay cautious during the attack.
• Feng Miao received orders to lead twenty Immortal Realm cultivators to reinforce Nanlin Island, where fighting had already begun.
• Feng Miao teleported to Nanlin Island, collected Earth Vein Talismans and Communication Tokens, and changed out of her True Sun Sect uniform.
• Feng Miao led Class B-39 toward Area Six through the ruined port city and saw an enormous flying vessel in the western sky.

Daoist Zi Chen and the True Sun Sect forces attacked Linshui Prefecture on Nanlin Island until a massive Water Spirit Formation engulfed the battlefield. Feng Miao led her squad through the freezing formation, but a Third Realm cultivator’s attack killed most of them before Daoist Master Zichen intervened and ordered the survivors to withdraw.

• Daoist Zi Chen explained that Linshui Prefecture was caught between the True Sun Sect’s invasion, Thousand Wood Temple, and uncertainty over Earth Cave Sect’s involvement.
• A huge Water Spirit Formation rose over Nanlin Island, severing Feng Miao’s Communication Token signal and spreading freezing energy across the island.
• Feng Miao used an Earth Vein talisman and a flame barrier to lead her squad through the formation, while her companions rescued a demonic soldier struck by an Ice Spike.
• Feng Miao regained contact with her squad after escaping the frozen region and saw Linshui Prefecture cultivators retreat as a Third Realm cultivator arrived.
• Two flying daggers shattered the members of Feng Miao’s second squad, but they suddenly turned back when Daoist Master Zichen and five other cultivators appeared.
• Daoist Master Zichen ordered the surviving Immortal Realm and Second Realm cultivators to withdraw.

Daoist Zi Chen and the True Sun Sect fought Linshui Prefecture’s cultivators over their demand to hand over disciples accused of atrocities. After Chun Song countered Zi Chen’s fire formations with a devastating water technique, Chi Lan agreed to prepare a deadly formation, committing both sides to escalate the battle.

• Feng Miao retreated as Daoist Zi Chen and five companions engaged the opposing cultivators, and the battle’s shock waves devastated Nanlin Island.
• Daoist Zi Chen used three Sun Flower-patterned disks and linked Fire Spirit Formations to melt the Artifact Cultivator who had attacked him.
• Chun Song arrived and rejected Zi Chen’s demand to surrender the accused disciples and the Taiyin Evil Cultivator, then fought him with Water Spirit techniques.
• Chun Song’s ‘Water Droplet Pierces Stone’ technique forced Zi Chen and his companions to retreat behind the flying vessel’s barrier.
• Chi Lan joined Chun Song and agreed to prepare a deadly formation, while Chun Song said he had arranged for Thousand Wood Temple to commit more forces.