Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao agrees to marry Lan Huaying in three days, with the Earth Abyss Purple Jade given as a betrothal gift.
• Li Shuidao visits the Li Clan, where he meets Li Tianjue, who reveals his identity and the formula for the Immortal Aperture Pill. Li Shuidao learns about the possible location of the Extreme Heaven Meteorite in Immortal Path City.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: Shows decisiveness and cunning in his dealings with the Lan and Li families. He prioritizes his own interests and is willing to betray either family if it benefits him.
• Li Tianjue: Reveals his true identity to Li Shuidao and provides him with the Immortal Aperture Pill formula and a Deep Sea Spirit Pearl. He admires Li Shuidao's selfishness and decisiveness.

Significant Themes

• Selfishness and self-interest: Both Li Shuidao and Li Tianjue prioritize their own interests above all else.
• Betrayal and loyalty: Li Shuidao is willing to betray either the Lan or Li family if it suits his purposes, while Li Tianjue is willing to betray his own family for power.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Lan Huaying: They interact affectionately, with Lan Huaying looking forward to their marriage, while Li Shuidao remains pragmatic and focused on his goals.
• Li Shuidao and Li Tianjue: They have a tense and revealing conversation, with Li Shuidao revealing Li Tianjue's identity and Li Tianjue providing Li Shuidao with valuable information and resources. Their interaction highlights their shared selfishness and cunning.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao attempts to merge with his Jade Toad Companion's "Inner Scenery" to open the "Virtual Realm" but fails.
• Li Shuidao leaves Qiu Lanying to embark on a journey to Immortal Path City, instructing her to expand the underground palace.
• Lan Huaying arrives at Taiyin Cold Sword Cave Abode to marry Li Shuidao. They depart in an Eight-bearer Sedan Chair and a Spirit Boat, amidst a grand wedding procession.
• The wedding ceremony takes place in the Purple Poison Forest, and Li Shuidao is left in the bridal chamber while Lan Huaying drinks with guests.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: Struggles with merging with his Companion's Inner Scenery and leaves Qiu Lanying to pursue his goals, showing determination and responsibility.
• Qiu Lanying: Demonstrates worry for her Master's safety and eagerness to follow his instructions, showing loyalty and diligence.
• Lan Huaying: Fulfills her responsibility to her family by successfully marrying Li Shuidao, showing determination and resilience.

Significant Themes

• Responsibility: Characters fulfill their duties and responsibilities, whether to family, disciples, or personal goals.
• Determination: Characters display unwavering resolve in pursuing their objectives, despite challenges and obstacles.
• Transformation and Growth: Li Shuidao's attempt to merge with his Companion's Inner Scenery signifies his ongoing cultivation and growth.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Qiu Lanying: Master and disciple share a heartfelt farewell, with Qiu Lanying expressing worry and Li Shuidao offering guidance and protection.
• Lan Huaying and Li Shuidao: They exchange vows and share a moment of satisfaction and excitement during their wedding ceremony, hinting at a growing connection.
• Lan Huaying and Wedding Guests: Lan Huaying entertains guests, fulfilling her role as the bride, while also expressing her satisfaction with the successful wedding.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lan Huaying, intoxicated, attempts to seduce Li Shuidao on their wedding night, but he rejects her due to her alcohol smell.
• Lan Huaying takes a cold shower in a natural spring, then approaches Li Shuidao in a seductive manner.
• Li Shuidao, while enjoying her submission, reminds her of Senior Sister Jiang Xue's fate and tortures her mentally and physically.
• They spend three days in intimate bliss, after which Li Shuidao leaves, leaving behind a letter and a bottle of "Spirit Milk" for Lan Huaying's cultivation.

Character Developments

• Lan Huaying: Initially, she's confident and dominating, but Li Shuidao's actions strip her of her control, making her submissive and dependent. She becomes deeply attached to Li Shuidao.
• Li Shuidao: He maintains a cold and guarded demeanor, using Lan Huaying's desire for him to manipulate her. He's driven by a desire to avenge Senior Sister Jiang Xue.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The chapter explores the power dynamics between Li Shuidao and Lan Huaying, with Li Shuidao asserting dominance and manipulating Lan Huaying.
• Cultivation vs. Desire: Li Shuidao prioritizes cultivation, using it as an excuse to leave Lan Huaying, while she becomes consumed by her desire for him.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Lan Huaying: Their interactions are intense and manipulative, with Li Shuidao using Lan Huaying's feelings for him to control her and avenge his senior sister. Lan Huaying, in turn, becomes deeply attached to Li Shuidao.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao meets Nangong Qin in the Purple Poison Forest, returns the Poison Dispelling Pearl in a peculiar manner, and departs.
• Li Shuidao travels to Ink Wash Immortal City, passing through Cuiping Mountain and following the Waterfall River.
• In Ink Wash Immortal City, Li Shuidao encounters Lin Tieming, who tells him about a possible Extreme Heaven Meteorite at Cui Xin Pavilion.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: Shows his cunning and manipulative side when dealing with Nangong Qin, demonstrating his prowess in cultivation and his determination to find the Extreme Heaven Meteorite.
• Nangong Qin: Initially wary of Li Shuidao, she becomes flustered and embarrassed by his actions, showing her naivety and inexperience.
• Lin Tieming: Proves to be a local expert on Ink Wash Immortal City, sharing information about the city's customs and a potential lead on the Extreme Heaven Meteorite.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and treasure, as Li Shuidao relentlessly searches for the Extreme Heaven Meteorite to improve his cultivation.
• The contrast between Li Shuidao's cunning and manipulative behavior and his polite and respectful demeanor when interacting with others.
• The allure of wealth and status, as seen in the high-end auctions frequented by High-Tier Cultivators and the extravagant gifts given to courtesans.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Nangong Qin: Their interaction is tense and filled with mistrust, with Li Shuidao manipulating Nangong Qin into swallowing the Poison Dispelling Pearl.
• Li Shuidao and Lin Tieming: They form a quick friendship, with Li Shuidao seeking information about the city and Lin Tieming sharing his knowledge of local customs and a potential lead on the Extreme Heaven Meteorite.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao and Lin Tieming visit Cui Xin Pavilion, a brothel in the Immortal City.
• Li Shuidao requests to meet Lianyun Fairy, the top courtesan, offering a treasure from beyond the heavens.
• Lianyun Fairy reveals she sold a Heavenly Machine Stone, a Third-Tier Spirit Material, to a pawnshop.
• Li Shuidao buys the Heavenly Machine Stone and learns about an immortal elder, Daoist Master Divine Calculation, who might know how to refine a Divination Artifact.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: Displayed his calm and composed demeanor even when faced with scorn and mockery. Showed his strength by breaking the maces of two guards with ease. Revealed his resourcefulness and impulsive nature in buying the Heavenly Machine Stone.
• Lianyun Fairy: Initially flustered and scared, she later revealed her cunning side, trying to keep Li Shuidao at the brothel to meet the immortal elder.
• Lin Tieming: Enjoyed the brothel's services with the Spirit Stones Li Shuidao gave him.

Significant Themes

• The value of treasures and their acquisition, often involving deception and manipulation.
• The power dynamics between cultivators and their interactions with the less powerful.
• The role of companions and their significance to cultivators.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Lin Tieming: Li Shuidao treats Lin Tieming to a night at the brothel, showing generosity but also using him as an excuse to enter Cui Xin Pavilion.
• Li Shuidao and Lianyun Fairy: Li Shuidao uses his strength and cunning to obtain the Heavenly Machine Stone from Lianyun Fairy. Their interaction is tense, with Li Shuidao threatening to use Soul Searching, and Lianyun Fairy trying to deceive him.
• Lianyun Fairy and the procuress: They work together to try and deceive Li Shuidao, with the procuress initially trying to scam him and Lianyun Fairy later trying to keep him at the brothel.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Tieming, a young cultivator, is captured and tortured at Cui Xin Pavilion after being framed by Lianyun Fairy for stealing her Heavenly Machine Stone.
• Lianyun Fairy hires Li Banxian, a Divine Calculator Daoist, to divine the location of the thief, Li Shuidao, using his Heavenly Machine Deduction Art.
• Li Banxian initially refuses due to lack of clues but is forced to calculate under threat of being boiled alive.

Character Developments

• Lin Tieming: Initially carefree and indulgent, he is now suffering due to his association with Li Shuidao.
• Li Banxian: Initially portrayed as a fraudulent fortune-teller, he is revealed to have genuine abilities and is forced to use them under duress.
• Lianyun Fairy: Shows ruthlessness and greed, willing to boil Li Banxian alive to get what she wants.

Significant Themes

• Greed and its consequences (Lianyun Fairy's desire for the Heavenly Machine Stone leads to suffering for others and herself).
• The power of knowledge and its responsible use (Li Banxian's Heavenly Machine Deduction Art can be used for good or ill).
• The consequences of one's actions (Lin Tieming's kindness to Li Shuidao leads to his current predicament).

Character Interactions

• Lin Tieming and Li Shuidao: Their chance encounter leads to Lin Tieming's suffering.
• Lianyun Fairy and Li Banxian: Their interaction highlights Lianyun Fairy's ruthlessness and Li Banxian's reluctance to use his powers.
• Li Banxian and the guards/torturer: Li Banxian's pleas for mercy are ignored, showing the guards' loyalty to Lianyun Fairy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Banxian, a Daoist master, is captured and threatened with boiling in an iron pot by Li Shuidao, who seeks information about the Extreme Heaven Meteorite.
• Li Banxian reveals that the Heavenly Machine Stone can be used to refine a Peace Jade Pendant, which can ward off misfortune and seek good fortune.
• Li Shuidao extinguishes the fire and takes Li Banxian to his temple, where they collaborate to refine a Peace Jade Pendant over ten days.

Character Developments

• Li Banxian: Initially arrogant and deceitful, he becomes cooperative and fearful after facing Li Shuidao's threat. He reveals his knowledge of artifact refining and assists Li Shuidao in crafting the Peace Jade Pendant.
• Li Shuidao: Displaying his expertise in artifact refining, he skillfully crafts the Peace Jade Pendant using a green flame and Li Banxian's guidance. He shows patience and determination in refining the intricate artifact.

Significant Themes

• Fortune and Misfortune: The Peace Jade Pendant's purpose is to help the wearer avoid misfortune and seek good fortune, reflecting the theme of balancing fate and destiny.
• Artifact Refining: The chapter emphasizes the skill and dedication required for refining intricate Magic Tools, with Li Shuidao's expertise contrasting Li Banxian's initial lack of knowledge in this area.

Character Interactions

• Li Banxian and Li Shuidao: Initially adversarial, their relationship evolves into a cooperative one as they work together to refine the Peace Jade Pendant. Li Shuidao's trust and encouragement motivate Li Banxian to assist him.
• Li Banxian and Lianyun Fairy: Although not present in this chapter, their relationship is mentioned, with Li Banxian referring to Lianyun Fairy as his "Companion."

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao travels upstream along the Star River, heading towards Dragon Ridge Immortal City.
• He encounters a Second Order mid-stage Yao Beast (Beaver Demon) and witnesses it being attacked by an Azure Scale Beast and a Golden Fur Tiger Demon.
• Li Shuidao attends underground auctions in Dragon Ridge Immortal City and Mengfu Immortal City, finding the former's caliber low and the latter's higher.
• In Mengfu Immortal City's auction, he successfully bids on "Condensing Fat Soft Jade" for 1,300 Spirit Stones.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao demonstrates his calm and collected demeanor when facing danger, showing no fear when encountering the Yao Beasts.
• He displays his determination and resourcefulness in acquiring the Condensing Fat Soft Jade, outbidding others without hesitation.

Significant Themes

• The coexistence of crisis and fortune, as seen in Li Shuidao's encounter with the Yao Beasts and his acquisition of the Condensing Fat Soft Jade.
• The allure of wealth and power, evident in the Old Man's desire for the Condensing Fat Soft Jade to maintain his youth and win favor with his concubine.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao interacts with other Cultivators at the auctions, observing their behavior and bidding strategies.
• He has a brief exchange with a young Cultivator in Dragon Ridge Immortal City, learning about the value of the Spirit Grass being auctioned.
• Li Shuidao's bidding for the Condensing Fat Soft Jade draws the ire of the red-clothed female cultivator and the Old Man, leading to a tense bidding war.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao arrives in Silver Snow Immortal City after three months, recognizing it as a place he should avoid due to his past.
• The Peace Jade Pendant warns Li Shuidao of impending danger upon entering the city.
• Li Shuidao meets Nangong Qin in a teahouse, and they catch up on their previous encounter.
• Li Shuidao gives Nangong Qin the Peace Jade Pendant, which turns red, indicating danger.
• Li Shuidao and Nangong Qin rush out of the city, and Li Shuidao instructs Nangong Qin to wait for him at Golden Staff Immortal City.
• Nangong Qin decides to follow Li Shuidao back into the city.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: He shows concern for Nangong Qin's safety, revealing his more caring side. He also demonstrates his understanding of opportunities and dangers coexisting.
• Nangong Qin: She shows curiosity and determination, deciding to follow Li Shuidao back into the city despite the potential danger.

Significant Themes

• Opportunity and danger coexisting: Li Shuidao's actions and words emphasize that one cannot avoid danger if they want to find opportunities.
• Trust and deception: Nangong Qin is unsure whether to trust Li Shuidao's words or if he is planning something deceitful.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Nangong Qin: Their interaction reveals their shared history and Li Shuidao's concern for Nangong Qin's safety. Nangong Qin, however, remains suspicious of Li Shuidao's intentions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao infiltrates Silver Snow City's inner city by impersonating the Zuo Family patriarch, Zuo Zhongliang.
• He discovers that the city's water source, the Jade Spring River, has been poisoned with Ice Corpse Poison by an Exotic Beast.
• Li Shuidao is summoned to an ancient well in the inner city's rear residence, where he finds a Third Order Nine Palaces Turtle, a Yao Beast from the Penglai Immortal Sea.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao demonstrates adaptability and quick thinking in handling unexpected situations, such as impersonating Zuo Zhongliang and dealing with the poisoned water source.
• The Nine Palaces Turtle exhibits human-like speech and understanding, revealing its intelligence and ancient lineage.

Significant Themes

• Fate's Guidance: The chapter's title and the turtle's words emphasize the role of fate in guiding Li Shuidao to this encounter.
• Opportunity in Crisis: Li Shuidao finds an opportunity (the turtle) amidst a dangerous situation (the poisoned water and the Exotic Beast).

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao interacts with guards, maidservants, and Madam Cheng Zhu, maintaining his disguise as Zuo Zhongliang.
• Li Shuidao communicates with the Nine Palaces Turtle, acknowledging their shared lineage from the Penglai Immortal Sea.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao, a powerful cultivator, encounters an old turtle in a well who speaks human words and offers guidance in exchange for help.
• Li Shuidao agrees to transport the turtle out of the city in a large water bucket, using a toilet temporarily due to lack of other options.
• Li Shuidao, disguised as the City Lord, leads a group carrying the toilet out of the residence, encountering the real City Lord, Zuo Zhongliang.
• Zuo Zhongliang and his guards are killed by Li Shuidao's presence, turning into Ice Corpses that attack the remaining people.
• Zuo Hongyu, Zuo Zhongliang's daughter, finds her father's corpse and is attacked by him, turning her into an Ice Corpse as well.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: Shows arrogance and confidence in his strength, revealing his true identity as an imposter City Lord. He demonstrates immense power, killing Zuo Zhongliang and his guards with his mere presence.
• Zuo Zhongliang: Initially portrayed as a powerful City Lord, he is revealed to be weak and pleads for his life before dying. After death, he turns into an Ice Corpse, attacking his daughter.
• Zuo Hongyu: Initially portrayed as a caring daughter, she is turned into an Ice Corpse after being attacked by her father's corpse.

Significant Themes

• The power of cultivation and its consequences: Li Shuidao's immense power allows him to kill Zuo Zhongliang and his guards with ease, but it also causes the creation of Ice Corpses that continue to spread slaughter.
• The corrupting influence of power: Zuo Zhongliang's power as City Lord did not protect him from his eventual death and transformation into an Ice Corpse.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and the old turtle: Li Shuidao agrees to help the old turtle in exchange for guidance, showing a level of respect for the turtle's wisdom.
• Li Shuidao and Zuo Zhongliang: Li Shuidao's presence is so powerful that it kills Zuo Zhongliang and his guards, leading to a chain of events that result in further deaths.
• Zuo Zhongliang and Zuo Hongyu: Zuo Hongyu's grief at her father's death leads her to be attacked by him, resulting in her transformation into an Ice Corpse.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao and a group escape Silver Snow City amidst chaos caused by an Exotic Beast, a humanoid spider.
• They encounter and fight off transformed corpses (Ice Corpses) controlled by the spider.
• Li Shuidao leads the group away from the city, but the coachmen abandon the carriage, leaving Shen Nianci behind.
• Shen Nianci hides in a bucket on the carriage, discovering an old turtle inside.
• Nangong Qin, a Cultivator, escapes the city and encounters Li Shuidao's group. She later faces Ice Corpses in the forest.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao demonstrates his martial prowess and strategic thinking, protecting the group while avoiding becoming a target for the Exotic Beast.
• Shen Nianci shows courage and resourcefulness by hiding in the bucket with the old turtle.
• Nangong Qin displays her cultivation skills and caution, avoiding Ice Corpses and understanding their coordinated attacks.

Significant Themes

• Survival and adaptability in the face of danger.
• The consequences of unleashing powerful forces (the Exotic Beast) without understanding or control.
• The contrast between human nature (the coachmen's abandonment) and resilience (Shen Nianci's actions).

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao protects the group, including Shen Nianci, showcasing a protective and responsible side.
• The coachmen's abandonment of Shen Nianci highlights their self-preservation and lack of loyalty.
• Nangong Qin's encounter with Li Shuidao's group and later with Ice Corpses emphasizes her caution and survival instincts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nangong Qin, pursued by eight Ice Corpses, is rescued by an unknown man and they escape into the forest.
• Silver Snow City is destroyed by the Exotic Beast, and Jin Yunhe, a Third Order Sword Cultivator, arrives to save the remaining people.
• Leng Yang, the mastermind behind the destruction, is revealed to be a half-human, half-spider monster. He escapes after sensing the arrival of a powerful cultivator.
• The next day, True Lord Lingjian, a powerful cultivator from the Cloud Expanse Sword Sect, arrives and reprimands Jin Yunhe for his role in the city's destruction.

Character Developments

• Nangong Qin demonstrates her combat skills against the Ice Corpses but ultimately needs to be rescued.
• Jin Yunhe shows remorse and self-blame for his role in the city's destruction, apologizing to True Lord Lingjian.
• Leng Yang is revealed to be the mastermind behind the destruction, showing his cunning and caution in evading True Lord Lingjian.
• True Lord Lingjian is portrayed as powerful and calculating, waiting for an opportunity to kill Leng Yang and absorb his Virtual Realm.

Significant Themes

• Guilt and Self-Blame: Jin Yunhe feels guilty for his role in the city's destruction, leading to his self-blame and apology to True Lord Lingjian.
• Power and Cunning: Leng Yang's cunning and caution in evading True Lord Lingjian highlight the theme of power and its strategic use.
• Consequences of Greed: Jin Yunhe's greed for the Exotic Beast's power led to the destruction of Silver Snow City, emphasizing the consequences of unchecked ambition.

Character Interactions

• Nangong Qin and the unknown man: They interact briefly as he rescues her from the Ice Corpses, but their relationship remains unexplored.
• Jin Yunhe and True Lord Lingjian: They interact as Jin Yunhe apologizes to True Lord Lingjian for his role in the city's destruction, showing his respect and remorse.
• Leng Yang and True Lord Lingjian: Although they don't directly interact, Leng Yang's caution in evading True Lord Lingjian reveals his awareness of her power and his desire to avoid her.
• Jin Yunhe and Yun Xiaozi: Their interaction, though brief and tragic, highlights Jin Yunhe's grief and regret at having to fight and kill his former senior brother.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao, an alchemist, brews a medicinal decoction using the Alchemist Spirit Fire to save Shen Nianci, who is dying from Corpse Poison.
• The old turtle, a Third Order Nine Palaces Turtle, seeks Li Shuidao's help to save Shen Nianci, offering guidance from fate in return.
• Li Shuidao agrees to help, giving Shen Nianci the 'Nine Palaces Divine Calculation' book and explaining that she can clear the Corpse Poison through cultivation and companionship with the turtle.
• The old turtle reveals a verse to find a lost item, which Li Shuidao believes could lead to the Extreme Heaven Meteorite, a Fourth-Tier Spirit Material he seeks.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: He demonstrates his alchemy skills and knowledge of cultivation, showing concern for Shen Nianci's well-being. He also reveals his desire to advance to the Third Order.
• Shen Nianci: She is saved by Li Shuidao's medicine and decides to cultivate with the old turtle as her companion. She shows gratitude and determination.
• The old turtle: It displays intelligence and the ability to speak human words, showing concern for Shen Nianci's well-being and offering guidance from fate to Li Shuidao in exchange for help.

Significant Themes

• The power of cultivation and companionship in overcoming adversity (Shen Nianci's Corpse Poison).
• The importance of guidance and destiny in achieving goals (Li Shuidao's pursuit of the Extreme Heaven Meteorite).
• The consequences of not addressing poison (Silver Snow City's reduced lifespan and potential transformation into Refined Corpses).

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Shen Nianci: Li Shuidao saves Shen Nianci and provides her with knowledge and tools to cultivate and clear her Corpse Poison.
• Li Shuidao and the old turtle: Li Shuidao agrees to help Shen Nianci in exchange for the turtle's guidance from fate, potentially leading him to the Extreme Heaven Meteorite.
• Shen Nianci and the old turtle: Shen Nianci forms a companion bond with the old turtle to cleanse her marrow and strengthen her body, aiding in her cultivation and Corpse Poison recovery.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao, Shen Nianci, and Nangong Qin follow the old turtle to the Silver Dust Grassland to catch Goji Fish and gather herbs.
• The old turtle uses the Nine Palaces Divine Calculation to divine that Li Shuidao's opportunity to advance to Third Order lies in Immortal Path City.
• Li Shuidao travels to Immortal Path City, where he encounters Tuoba Wan'er, the Granny Medicine Child, who recognizes him.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: Shows impatience and ruthlessness but also believes in taking destiny into his own hands.
• Shen Nianci: Demonstrates curiosity and a hint of solemnity when given the task of scattering Copper Coins.
• Nangong Qin: Decides to stay with the old turtle to seek her own opportunities, showing ambition and self-interest.
• Tuoba Wan'er: Has advanced to Third Order and is surprised to see Li Shuidao in Immortal Path City.

Significant Themes

• Destiny and free will: Li Shuidao believes in carving out his own destiny, while the old turtle relies on divination.
• Opportunity and preparation: Tuoba Wan'er has already advanced, while Li Shuidao is still preparing for his advancement.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and the old turtle: Li Shuidao is impatient and threatening, while the old turtle is cautious and cooperative.
• Li Shuidao and Nangong Qin: They part ways as Nangong Qin seeks her own opportunities.
• Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er: They reunite in Immortal Path City, and Li Shuidao proposes they go to the Immortal Path Secret Realm together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er ride together across the Silver Dust Grassland and Penglai Immortal Sea, enjoying the exhilaration of their journey.
• They stop by the sea at dusk, and Li Shuidao asks Tuoba Wan'er about her cultivation advancement.
• Tuoba Wan'er reveals she just emerged from seclusion and invites Li Shuidao into her externally projected Virtual Realm, the Heavenly Horse Grassland.
• Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er gallop across the Virtual Realm on White Cloud Heavenly Horses.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: Shows curiosity about Tuoba Wan'er's cultivation and is willing to enter her Virtual Realm to learn. He enjoys the freedom and passion of galloping across the grassland.
• Tuoba Wan'er: Reveals her past and the method she used to break through to the Third Order Void Nascent Realm. She shows excitement and admiration for Li Shuidao's understanding of cultivation.

Significant Themes

• The importance of compatibility between a cultivator's Inner Scenery and their Companion's for breaking through to the Virtual Realm.
• The freedom and passion of galloping across the grassland, symbolizing the joy of cultivation and life.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er: They share a tender moment by the sea before Tuoba Wan'er invites Li Shuidao into her Virtual Realm. They gallop together across the Heavenly Horse Grassland, enjoying each other's company and sharing cultivation insights.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao learns that he can't advance to the Third Order Void Nascent Realm without merging his Companion's "Inner Scenery" with his own, which his current method of refining his Jade Toad Companion prevents.
• He decides to open an alchemy shop in Immortal Path City to hone his skills and prepare for refining the Immortal Aperture Pill.
• Tuoba Wan'er agrees to stay in Immortal Path City and plans to attend the next auction with Li Shuidao to find materials for her Magic Treasure.
• Li Shuidao tries to open an alchemy shop but faces obstacles from the greedy Elder Wang Fuquan, who demands a bribe. Tuoba Wan'er intervenes, revealing her Void Nascent Realm cultivation and demanding to see the City Lord.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: Realizes the limitations of his current cultivation method and decides to focus on alchemy to prepare for his breakthrough.
• Tuoba Wan'er: Breaks through to the Void Nascent Realm, decides to stay in Immortal Path City, and plans to refine a Magic Treasure.

Significant Themes

• The limitations and consequences of relying on Demonic Dao Cultivation Methods.
• The importance of alchemy and the challenges faced by alchemists.
• The struggle against corruption and greed in the cultivation world.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er: They continue to support and help each other, with Tuoba Wan'er revealing her cultivation to protect Li Shuidao from Elder Wang Fuquan's greed.
• Li Shuidao and Elder Wang Fuquan: Li Shuidao tries to bribe Wang Fuquan, who initially refuses but later demands a higher bribe.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao, a skilled alchemist, opens the Wonderful Pill Workshop in Immortal Path City, attracting two City Lords and numerous elders to the grand opening.
• Li Shuidao successfully refines eight Yin Yang Spirit Transformation Pills in a single furnace, demonstrating his mastery.
• The workshop's rules are established, focusing on refining Third-Tier and above pills, with priority given to higher-tier requests and obscure pills.
• Li Shuidao agrees to refine the Barnacle Immortal Pill for Immortal Weng Xie Qingyan of Green Waves.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao: Confident in his alchemy skills, he aims to improve by refining top-tier pills. He successfully refines the Yin Yang Spirit Transformation Pill and agrees to take on the challenging Barnacle Immortal Pill.
• Tuoba Wan'er: Becomes the Third City Lord of Immortal Path City after meeting Wei Qiankun. She supports Li Shuidao's workshop and helps him refine the Barnacle Immortal Pill.

Significant Themes

• Alchemy Mastery: Li Shuidao's skill and confidence in alchemy are emphasized, with his ability to refine multiple pills simultaneously and take on challenging requests.
• Recognition and Support: Li Shuidao's workshop gains recognition and support from Immortal Weng Xie Qingyan and other influential figures in Immortal Path City.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er: They work together to refine the Barnacle Immortal Pill, with Tuoba Wan'er initially planning to handle the refinement herself but allowing Li Shuidao to step in when the process becomes challenging.
• Li Shuidao and Immortal Weng Xie Qingyan: The Second City Lord of Immortal Path City attends the workshop's opening and entrusts Li Shuidao with refining the Barnacle Immortal Pill.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao successfully refines the Barnacle Immortal Pill with Tuoba Wan'er's help, with a high success rate.
• Tuoba Wan'er secretly keeps two pills for herself.
• Three years later, a mysterious woman visits the Wonderful Pill Workshop to request the refinement of a Fourth Tier Resurrection Pill, offering a set of rare materials including a Phoenix Tear worth 100,000 Spirit Stones.
• The Resurrection Pill is intended to revive a woman who was killed by a strange poison, with her soul currently in the mysterious woman's possession.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao has improved his alchemy skills and gained recognition, earning a significant amount of Spirit Stones over three years.
• Tuoba Wan'er has also improved her skills and saved over 300,000 Spirit Stones, acting as the "housekeeper" of the Wonderful Pill Workshop.
• The mysterious woman is revealed to be a powerful individual who can control souls and possesses advanced knowledge about the Resurrection Pill.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of alchemy skills and the refinement of powerful pills.
• The value of rare materials and Spirit Stones in the cultivation world.
• The exploration of life and death, with the Resurrection Pill's ability to revive the dead.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er work together to refine pills, with Tuoba Wan'er also acting as Li Shuidao's confidante and business partner.
• Li Shuidao interacts with the mysterious woman, who seeks his help in refining the Resurrection Pill. Their interaction highlights Li Shuidao's professionalism and the woman's power and knowledge.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er agree to refine a Resurrection Pill for Sang Xue, a powerful alchemist, but she insists on watching the process, which Li Shuidao refuses.
• Sang Xue, revealed to be a Formless True Lord, leaves a threatening message before departing.
• Tuoba Wan'er learns about Sang Xue's identity and the severity of the situation from Wei Qiankun.
• True Lord Lingjian Sang Xue and Wei Qiankun use the Qiankun Mirror to observe Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er's alchemy process secretly.

Character Developments

• Li Shuidao demonstrates integrity and professionalism in alchemy, refusing to compromise on his principles.
• Tuoba Wan'er shows dedication and loyalty to Li Shuidao, assisting him in the alchemy process.
• Sang Xue reveals her powerful status as a Formless True Lord, displaying arrogance and menace.
• Wei Qiankun shows concern for his subordinates' safety while maintaining neutrality in the conflict between Li Shuidao and Sang Xue.
• True Lord Lingjian Sang Xue displays curiosity and interest in Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er's unusual alchemy method.

Significant Themes

• Trust and integrity in business transactions.
• The power dynamics between cultivators and the consequences of provoking powerful figures.
• The curiosity and interest in observing unusual or taboo practices.

Character Interactions

• Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er work together as a team, respecting each other's skills and decisions.
• Sang Xue and Li Shuidao engage in a tense negotiation, with Sang Xue threatening Li Shuidao and his workshop.
• Wei Qiankun and Sang Xue discuss the situation, with Wei Qiankun revealing Sang Xue's true identity and advising caution.
• True Lord Lingjian Sang Xue and Wei Qiankun observe Li Shuidao and Tuoba Wan'er's alchemy process secretly, leading to a moment of shared bewilderment and curiosity.