Recaps

Yang Zhengshan drew out an underground fire, then spent more than two months with Wang Mingzhe trying to refine Jade Marrow Pills. After their first successful batch, Yang Zhengshan tested a pill and Wang Mingzhe tried one too, while they considered adapting the recipe for martial artists.

• Yang Zhengshan drove a Green Dragon Vine deep underground until it reached a Fire Vein and released a steady tongue of flame.
• Yang Zhengshan acquired the missing ingredients and adapted an Alchemy Furnace, then worked with Wang Mingzhe to refine Jade Marrow Pills.
• After more than a hundred failed furnaces, Yang Zhengshan and Wang Mingzhe successfully produced twelve low-grade Jade Marrow Pills.
• Yang Zhengshan tested a pill and found it potent, gentle, and less toxic than the Martial Dao pills he had taken.
• Wang Mingzhe took a pill, absorbed part of its medicinal power, and marveled at the cultivation boost.
• Yang Zhengshan suggested that Wang Mingzhe simplify the Jade Marrow Pill recipe to create a version for martial artists.

After years of pill refinement and cultivation, Yang Zhengshan reached great accomplishment in the Wood Transformation Body-Nurturing Method and discovered he could merge with trees as an escape technique. He and Yu Qingyi then discussed their shortage of cultivation resources, and Yang Zhengshan decided to search widely for Spirit Aperture talents by distributing the Azure Wood Longevity Scripture.

• Yang Zhengshan stabilized his Jade Marrow Pill success rate at about twenty percent and studied Foundation Establishment Pills in preparation for the future.
• Yang Zhengshan spent three years cultivating until his Azure Flower Thunder Bead was nearly tangible and his Wood Transformation Body-Nurturing Method reached great accomplishment.
• Yang Zhengshan merged with the grasses and trees and emerged from a Three-Yellow Plum, realizing that his ability was likely an escape art linked to both his body-nurturing method and the Azure Wood Longevity Scripture.
• Yu Qingyi noted that the Jade Spirit Peaches could not support both of their body-nurturing cultivation, and Yang Zhengshan lamented the Spirit Source Land’s limited resources.
• Yang Zhengshan proposed searching for Spirit Aperture talents by giving people the first volume of the Azure Wood Longevity Scripture and identifying those who could reach entry level within three months.

Yang Zhengshan spread the Azure Wood Technique, and Yang Jizhen and Ma Qiuyan were discovered to have spirit apertures and became his disciples. As they began cultivating on Spiritual Spring Mountain Plateau, Yang Jijue continued ruling a prosperous Great An Dynasty.

• Yang Zhengshan had the Clan Grand Hall distribute copies of the Azure Wood Technique throughout the Spirit Source Land and beyond, prompting widespread cultivation attempts.
• Yang Jizhen successfully cultivated the technique, and his parents brought him to Yang Zhengshan, who confirmed his spirit aperture and began teaching him.
• Yang Jizhen reached the first layer of Qi Refining after a month of cultivation under Yang Zhengshan.
• Ma Yan brought his granddaughter Ma Qiuyan to Yang Zhengshan, who confirmed her spirit aperture and accepted her as his disciple.
• Yang Jizhen and Ma Qiuyan settled on Spiritual Spring Mountain Plateau, where Yang Zhengshan and his household guided their cultivation and studies.
• In the Great An Capital, Yang Jijue reviewed memorials and governed a prosperous dynasty with room for further expansion.

Yang Chengxu persuaded Yang Jijue to promote the Azure Wood Technique so people with Spirit Apertures could be found for the Shenmu Sect. Meanwhile, Yang Zhengshan learned that the war between the Lingxiu Three Sects and Youyu Gate was escalating and feared it could disrupt the Ancient Relic Formation’s opening.

• Yang Chengxu gave Yang Jijue the Azure Wood Technique and explained that the family wanted to find people with Spirit Apertures to cultivate Immortal Dao.
• Yang Jijue ordered the Azure Wood Technique distributed throughout Great An and offered sect discipleship and noble titles to successful cultivators.
• Yang Zhengshan continued cultivating in the Spirit Source Land and neared the ninth layer of Qi Refining.
• Yang Zhengshan read a Secret Martial Guard report detailing the Three Sects and Twelve Families’ growing war with Youyu Gate and the deaths of three Martial God Realm powerhouses.
• Yang Zhengshan learned that Soul-Severing Blade had attacked Anhu City and suspected Youyu Gate might be joining forces with Strange Beasts.
• Yang Zhengshan worried the conflict might prevent the Lingxiu Three Sects from opening the Ancient Relic Formation, forcing him to wait another ten years.

Yang Zhengshan tested the Bronze Mirror and Mysterious Black Shield, discovering their offensive and defensive powers and practicing their use with Yu Qingyi. After naming them the Sunset Glow Treasure Mirror and Black-Faced Shield, he began testing the Jade Small Sword.

• Yang Zhengshan activated the Bronze Mirror, and its sudden beam wounded his shoulder before he healed himself with the Wood Transformation Body-Nurturing Method.
• Yang Zhengshan tested the Bronze Mirror against rocks and found that it fired powerful Sunset Glow beams, then had Red Cloud embed it in his armor as a Heart Protector Mirror.
• Yang Zhengshan expanded the Mysterious Black Shield and had Yu Qingyi attack it, finding that it withstood her full-strength Sword Qi.
• Yang Zhengshan practiced controlling the shield with Yu Qingyi over several days, then named it the Black-Faced Shield and named the mirror the Sunset Glow Treasure Mirror.
• Yang Zhengshan cautiously infused the Jade Small Sword with Spiritual Sense and magic power, and it flew into the mountain rock at great speed.

Yang Zhengshan tested and named the Azure Gleam Sword, then visited the Green Wolf King and learned it expected to break through in two years without needing a spiritual item. He later brought Yu Qingyi to Xuegu Town, where the Yang family’s businesses were thriving, and learned that the Acquisition Firm had obtained three Cloud Tiger Colt foals.

• Yang Zhengshan tested the fast, armor-piercing little sword and named it the Azure Gleam Sword, while keeping the Sunset Glow Treasure Mirror as a backup.
• Yang Zhengshan visited Azure Wolf Mountain, where the Green Wolf King indicated it would break through in two years and did not need a spiritual item.
• Yang Zhengshan brought Yu Qingyi to Xuegu Town, where the Yang family’s winery and Acquisition Firm had prospered through cooperation with the Ji Family.
• Luo Zhen reported the businesses’ earnings and said the Acquisition Firm had bought three young Cloud Tiger Colts through Qu Chengliu.
• Yang Zhengshan praised Luo Zhen and Qu Chengliu and promised to record merit for both of them.

Yang Zhengshan left Xuegu Town with Yu Qingyi, surveyed the war-diminished market in Nanxia County, and returned to Lingxi Mountain. His arrival reunited him with the Lingxi Yang Family, whose members welcomed Yu Qingyi as their matriarch while Yang Xiangheng learned that Yang Zhengshan had a family elsewhere.

• Yang Zhengshan told Luo Zhen to offer the Ji Family help dealing with resentment from the Hanxiao Sect, then left Xuegu Town with Yu Qingyi.
• Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi found Nanxia County's market quiet because the war had drawn many martial artists away, and learned Qiu Jin had been conscripted to the front for four years.
• Yang Zhengshan noticed disguised high-level martial artists outside the city but continued with Yu Qingyi to Lingxi Mountain.
• Yang Zhengshan reunited with Yang Xiangheng, Yang Xiangdong, and Yang Xiangxi, introduced Yu Qingyi as their grandaunt, and settled into his old courtyard.
• Yang Xiangheng asked Wang Lei whether the family should arrange a wedding for Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi, and Wang Lei explained that Yu Qingyi was the matriarch and Yang Zhengshan had many children and grandchildren.
• Yang Xiangheng arranged for his wife, Lady Zhang, to serve Yu Qingyi.

Masked martial artists attacked Nanxia County’s Martial Cultivator Market, and the Crimson Flame Army was ambushed and routed while trying to respond. Yang Zhengshan kept the Lingxi Yang Family out of the fighting, called for intelligence support, and left the family watching to see whether the unrest spread beyond the county.

• Masked martial artists stormed Nanxia County’s Martial Cultivator Market, looting shops and killing people as fires broke out.
• Lu Jianghua learned the market was under attack and sent for the Crimson Flame Army while weighing whether to conscript Yang Zhengshan and the Lingxi Yang Family.
• Yang Zhengshan recalled the family members from their businesses and told his relatives not to risk the clan’s interests to aid the Lu Family.
• Yang Zhengshan explained that the attackers might have prepared to ambush the Crimson Flame Army and said the family should wait for more information.
• At dawn, Yang Xiangheng’s scouts reported that the Crimson Flame Army had been ambushed north of the county city and routed.
• Yang Zhengshan ordered the family to monitor the county city and considered which western dynasty might have backed the attackers.

After the Lu Family's markets were attacked across three counties, Lu Jianghua brought the surviving Crimson Flame Army to Lingxi Mountain, where Yang Zhengshan agreed to shelter them to preserve his ties with the Lu Family. The attackers were revealed to be forces from three dynasties, working with Youyu Gate's support, as Mo Changbin and his allies divided the stolen wealth.

• The Crimson Flame Army suffered heavy losses, and Lu Jianghua learned that Tianbao County and Suihua County had also been attacked.
• Lan Xuanyu suggested seeking refuge with Yang Zhengshan, and Lu Jianghua sent someone to ask whether Yang Zhengshan would shelter them.
• Yang Zhengshan agreed to receive Lu Jianghua and the surviving soldiers, then learned that the attacks involved a dozen Heavenly Dipper Stage martial artists.
• Yang Zhengshan told Lu Jianghua to withdraw east if Lingxi Mountain came under attack and arranged for Wang Lei to investigate who had approached the Hanxiao Sect.
• Mo Changbin and his allies counted the spoils from Nanxia County and agreed to divide them among the Mo Family, their fighters, and their subordinates.

Mo Changbin sent Zhou Yuntao and Wu Dashan to kill Lu Jianghua and the Crimson Flame Army, while the Secret Martial Guard traced the attackers to Big Locust Tree Village. After learning that a group was heading toward Lingxi Mountain, Yang Zhengshan decided to ambush them and use the rescue to earn the Lu Family’s favor.

• Mo Changbin ordered Zhou Yuntao and Wu Dashan to lead a squad against Lu Jianghua and the Crimson Flame Army at Nanqing Mountain.
• Yang Chengxian’s attendant linked Wu Dashan, Lu Zhong, and Chen Zhaohui to the Great Yun Mo Clan, and Lü Hua reported that the attackers were hiding in Big Locust Tree Village.
• Lü Hua brought the Secret Martial Guard’s findings to Yang Zhengshan, who ordered his people to watch the attackers without informing Lu Jianghua.
• A secret scout reported that more than ten attackers had left Big Locust Tree Village and appeared to be heading for Lingxi Mountain.
• Yang Zhengshan decided to help Lu Jianghua defeat the approaching enemies without warning him, hoping to earn the Lu Family’s favor, and waited in his courtyard with his Spiritual Sense spread across Lingxi Mountain.

Yang Zhengshan defeated the Great Yun Dynasty attackers who came to capture Lu Jianghua, killing Wu Dashan and the other invaders while taking Zhou Yuntao prisoner. Zhou revealed that Mo Changbin had ordered the attack on the Lu Family at Youyu Gate’s urging.

• Zhou Yuntao and Wu Dashan led Innate Martial Artists to Lingxi Mountain to attack the Crimson Flame Army and capture Lu Jianghua.
• Yang Zhengshan killed Wu Dashan with a spear strike and wounded Zhou Yuntao as he tried to flee, then captured him.
• Yang Zhengshan killed the remaining attackers, though several Crimson Flame Army soldiers died in the fighting.
• Yang Zhengshan questioned Zhou Yuntao, who identified himself as the Marquis of Dingnan of the Great Yun Dynasty and named Mo Changbin as the one who ordered Lu Jianghua’s capture.
• Zhou Yuntao said Youyu Gate steward Duan Qiaofeng had persuaded the Mo Clan to target the Lu Family with promises of benefits.

Yang Zhengshan learned where Mo Changbin’s group was hiding, while Lu You'an called Lu Fusheng out of seclusion to handle attacks from three dynasties. Lu Fusheng destroyed the hideout at Big Locust Tree Village and headed for Lingxi Mountain, where Yang Zhengshan heard that the Three Great Sects were seeking help from Hidden Sword Mountain.

• Zhou Yuntao told Yang Zhengshan that Mo Changbin was hiding in Big Locust Tree Village, and Yang Zhengshan urged Lu Jianghua to have the Lu Family deal with the threat.
• Lu You'an reported the simultaneous market attacks and the Three Sects’ heavy losses to Lu Fusheng, who emerged from seclusion and set out to deal with the attackers.
• Yang Zhengshan refused Wang Lei’s suggestion to secretly take the stolen goods, sent the recovered storage bags to the Clan Grand Hall, and ordered the Crimson Flame Army to strengthen its guard.
• Mo Changbin tried to flee Big Locust Tree Village after Zhou Yuntao and Wu Dashan failed to return, but Lu Fusheng killed him and burned the village.
• Li Chang told Yang Zhengshan that the Three Great Sects were seeking support from Hidden Sword Mountain, which an informant described as a true Immortal Cultivator sect.

Yang Zhengshan learned from Lu Fusheng that Hidden Sword Mountain was the true power behind the Lingxiu Three Sects, while Youyu Gate was seeking to take their territory and the Ancient Relic Formation. He also received guidance on Immortal Dao cultivation and the Martial God Realm, leaving him with a clearer understanding of the forces around the Lingxiu Sea.

• Yang Zhengshan welcomed Lu Fusheng, who had come to thank him for sheltering Lu Jianghua.
• Lu Fusheng recognized Yang Zhengshan as an Immortal Cultivator after sensing his divine soul, and Yang Zhengshan explained that he had obtained a cultivation method in the Ancient Relic Formation.
• Lu Fusheng told Yang Zhengshan that Hidden Sword Mountain took the Immortal Dao as primary and that the Lingxiu Three Sects were its subordinate sects.
• Lu Fusheng explained that Hidden Sword Mountain had lost its last Golden Core cultivator three hundred years earlier, weakening its hold over the Three Sects.
• Yang Zhengshan learned that Youyu Gate was approaching the strength of an Immortal Dao sect and was challenging Hidden Sword Mountain’s position by targeting the Lingxiu Sea and the Ancient Relic Formation.
• Yang Zhengshan asked Lu Fusheng about cultivation, gaining knowledge of the Immortal Dao and the Martial God Realm.

Yang Zhengshan reconsidered the Spirit Source Land’s plans for establishing an external base after learning that the Lingxiu Three Sects served Hidden Sword Mountain, then discussed the Xuanqing Sect’s accelerated recruitment with his family. He decided to send Yang Qinting to try to join the sect and left open the possibility of Yang Chengan opening a weapon workshop outside.

• Yang Zhengshan realized that Hidden Sword Mountain controlled the Lingxiu Sea and western Yunxiao Mountain Range, complicating his plan to establish an external base for the Spirit Source Land.
• Yang Xiangheng told Yang Zhengshan that the Xuanqing Sect, Wuxiang Sect, and Huanyue Sect had moved up their disciple recruitment, and Yang Zhengshan asked him to verify the news.
• Yang Zhengshan wondered what had become of old Daoist Xuan Zhen and Li Shangyuan but decided not to seek them out.
• Yang Chengan showed Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi a mid-grade Spirit Weapon he had forged and asked to open a Weapon Casting Workshop outside; Yang Zhengshan said he would consider the arrangements.
• Yang Zhengshan discussed the Xuanqing Sect with Yang Chengan and Yang Qinting, and decided that Yang Qinting would go and try to join it.

Yang Zhengshan brought four youths from the Lingxi Yang Family to Qingyu City for the Xuanqing Sect’s entrance assessment, hoping they would gain a path to cultivation. Yang Qinting qualified as an outer disciple, while the other three were eliminated, and Yang Zhengshan reassured them before a richly dressed man challenged his promise.

• Yang Zhengshan and Yang Xiangheng arrived in Qingyu City with Yang Qinting, Yang Yanzhe, Yang Yanping, and Yang Yanbo for the Xuanqing Sect’s recruitment assessment.
• Yang Zhengshan and the youths watched the Xuanqing Sect’s Golden Fire Flood Dragon fly over the city, and Yang Qinting vowed to reach the Martial Immortal Realm.
• The Xuanqing Sect tested applicants’ aptitude and spirituality, accepting only those who met its standards.
• Yang Qinting passed with superior aptitude and superior spirituality and qualified as an outer disciple.
• Yang Yanzhe, Yang Yanping, and Yang Yanbo failed the assessment, so Yang Zhengshan encouraged them by promising they could still become Heavenly Dipper Stage martial artists.
• A middle-aged man in lavish robes heard Yang Zhengshan’s promise and called it shameless boasting.

Yang Zhengshan clashed with Lian Shengqian in Qingyu City, then returned safely to Lingxi Mountain while Yang Qinting began life as an outer sect disciple of the Xuanqing Sect. Back home, Yang Zhengshan received land deeds from Lu Jianghua and ordered an inquiry into whether the Qiu Family had survived the attack on the Martial Cultivator Market.

• Lian Shengqian insulted Yang Yanzhe and threatened Yang Zhengshan, but stopped when Yang Zhengshan reminded him they were on Xuanqing Sect territory.
• Yang Zhengshan left Qingyu City with his family, and Lian Shengqian failed to find him before returning to the Lian Family and ordering an investigation.
• Yang Qinting entered the Xuanqing Sect, received his outer sect supplies, and settled into a basic cave abode on Xijian Peak.
• Lu Jianghua sent Yang Zhengshan deeds to two market shops and three Spirit Fields as thanks and to secure his support for rebuilding the Martial Cultivator Market.
• Yang Zhengshan recognized one shop as the Qiu Family's Lingyan Casting Workshop and sent Wang Lei to learn whether the Qiu Family had any survivors.

Duan Qiaofeng and Ghost Woman prepared to target Lu Fusheng, who suspected Youyu Gate had sent an immortal cultivator after him and asked Lu Youning to summon Yang Zhengshan. Meanwhile, Yang Zhengshan protected Qiu Jin’s descendants and arranged for Yang Chengan to take over the Qiu Family’s casting workshop, while Yang Chengan and Yang Xiangheng grew closer as clan brothers.

• Duan Qiaofeng gave Ghost Woman a black jade box and told her to extract Lu Fusheng’s divine soul, while she reported that the Lu Family showed no unusual activity.
• Lu Fusheng suspected Duan Qiaofeng might be an immortal cultivator targeting him, so he sent Lu Youning to invite Yang Zhengshan to the city.
• Yang Zhengshan returned the Qiu Family’s shop to Qiu Jin’s granddaughter-in-law, promised to protect her and her son, and refused to take their artifact-casting manual.
• Yang Zhengshan gave the shop to Yang Chengan for his planned casting workshop and sent him to Nanxia County with Yang Xiangheng.
• Yang Chengan told Yang Xiangheng that they were clan brothers but that he had to use the surname Zhu, and the two became close on the journey.

Yang Zhengshan agreed to go to Prefecture City to protect the Lu Family, but before he arrived, Ghost Woman and Duan Qiaofeng unleashed a Ghost General there. Lu Fusheng fought the newly born Evil Ghost as the city descended into chaos, and Yang Zhengshan sensed the disaster from Tianbao County.

• Lu Youning asked Yang Zhengshan to go to Prefecture City and defend the Lu Family against a possible Immortal Cultivator, offering him Spirit Stones, and Yang Zhengshan agreed.
• Yang Zhengshan and Li Chang left for Prefecture City with Lu Youning but stopped in Tianbao County for the night.
• Ghost Woman released a Ghost General in Shanggu Prefecture City using a formation and forty-nine buried heads, while Duan Qiaofeng prepared to attack the city’s other defenders.
• Lu Fusheng confronted the Evil Ghost, but its Yin Sha Qi killed residents and servants as the city erupted into panic.
• Yang Zhengshan sensed the terrifying aura and flames from Tianbao County, and Lu Youning called to him that something had happened in Prefecture City.

Yang Zhengshan and Lu Youning raced to Shanggu Prefecture City, where Lu Fusheng fought a malicious ghost and Soul-Severing Blade attacked the city. As Lu You'an battled the attackers, Duan Qiaofeng confronted him with talismans and sent him crashing into the street.

• Yang Zhengshan and Lu Youning rode toward the prefecture city, then entered it and chose to fight the attackers rather than assist Lu Fusheng immediately.
• Yang Zhengshan identified the black-robed attackers as people from Soul-Severing Blade, and Lu Youning charged into the city with him.
• Lu You'an ordered Third Granduncle to escort clansmen toward Tianque City while he stayed behind to defend the Martial Cultivator Market.
• Lu You'an fought through the black-robed attackers and suspected a traitor had helped them enter the city.
• Duan Qiaofeng struck Lu You'an with an explosive talisman, then revealed his identity as Lu You'an struggled up from the burning street.

Yang Zhengshan used the Azure Gleam Sword to help Lu Youning kill Duan Qiaofeng, then went to assess Lu Fusheng’s battle with an Evil Ghost. After the sword barely affected the creature and Lu Fusheng’s powerful strike failed to keep it down, Yang Zhengshan prepared to use his Azure Flower Thunder Bead.

• Lu Youning arrived to help Lu You'an, but Duan Qiaofeng attacked him with explosive talismans and kept him at a distance.
• Yang Zhengshan launched the Azure Gleam Sword from hiding, pierced Duan Qiaofeng’s throat, and then broke through his defenses to kill him with Lu Youning’s help.
• Yang Zhengshan and Lu Youning stabilized Lu You'an’s injuries, and Yang Zhengshan left to check on Lu Fusheng’s fight against the Evil Ghost.
• Yang Zhengshan observed that the Evil Ghost was an energy body that could recover from Lu Fusheng’s attacks, while his Azure Gleam Sword only distracted it.
• Lu Fusheng struck the Evil Ghost’s head apart with Red Dragon Shakes the Mountain, but it quickly regenerated and released an even heavier tide of Yin Sha Qi.
• Yang Zhengshan decided to use his Azure Flower Thunder Bead, hoping its Yi Wood Divine Thunder power could break the Evil Ghost’s Yin energy.

Yang Zhengshan used the Azure Flower Thunder Bead to destroy the evil ghost attacking Lu Fusheng, then recovered a Ghost General Seal and a formation disk from the dry well. After the attack devastated the Prefecture City and the Lan Family, he chose to stay with the Lan Family to protect them and began examining Duan Qiaofeng's Storage Bag.

• Yang Zhengshan activated the Azure Flower Thunder Bead, and its Yi Wood Divine Thunder annihilated the evil ghost while Lu Fusheng supported him.
• Yang Zhengshan found a Ghost General Seal and an ancient formation disk beneath the dry well and stored both in the Spirit Source Land warehouse.
• Lu Fusheng left to deal with the remaining attackers as Soul-Severing Blade and Youyu Gate withdrew from the Prefecture City.
• Yang Zhengshan visited the badly weakened Lan Family and decided to stay there to protect them, asking Lan Mingchao to summon Lan Peng home.
• Yang Zhengshan took out Duan Qiaofeng's Storage Bag, eager to inspect it and learn more about talisman techniques.

Yang Zhengshan examined Duan Qiaofeng’s talisman supplies and received manuals, Spirit Stones, and a mysterious alchemy furnace from Lu Fusheng as thanks for helping the Lu Family. He secured a promise of an Ancient Relic Formation quota for a friend, then discovered that the furnace absorbed his spiritual sense and magic power without reacting, allowing him to refine them through repeated use.

• Yang Zhengshan tested Duan Qiaofeng’s explosive Talismans, judged their power, and sent the talisman-making materials to the Secret Technique Pavilion for study.
• Lu Fusheng thanked Yang Zhengshan for helping the Lu Family and gave him three thousand Spirit Stones, basic manuals on alchemy, formations, and artifact refining, and a mysterious alchemy furnace.
• Yang Zhengshan asked Lu Fusheng for an Ancient Relic Formation quota for a friend, and Lu Fusheng agreed.
• Yang Zhengshan returned to the Spirit Source Land and tried to refine the Bagua Furnace with his spiritual sense and magic power, but it showed no visible reaction despite absorbing them.
• Yang Zhengshan repeatedly replenished and poured his spiritual sense and magic power into the furnace, discovering that the process helped purify them even though the furnace remained unexplained.

Yang Zhengshan awakened the Golden Crow Eight Trigrams Furnace and discovered its Spirit of Artifact, a hungry Golden Crow that had once belonged to the Sun Dao Sect. The Golden Crow recognized Yang Zhengshan as the master of the cave heaven, while the Sun Dao Sect’s fate and the disappearance of its Sun Cave Heaven remained unexplained.

• After absorbing spiritual energy from the surrounding Spirit Fruit Trees and tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, the Alchemy Furnace expanded and its Golden Crow Spirit of Artifact awakened.
• The Golden Crow initially threatened Yang Zhengshan, but became deferential after realizing he was the master of the cave heaven.
• The Golden Crow revealed that the furnace was a mid-grade Spirit Treasure capable of using Solar True Fire, though it needed more spirit stones or magic power to demonstrate its ability.
• The Golden Crow identified itself as a Spirit of Artifact from the Sun Dao Sect and named True Lord Shengyang as its former master.
• Yang Zhengshan learned that the Golden Crow had been born in Sun Cave Heaven, which had vanished into the Great Void, and wondered what had become of the Sun Dao Sect.

Yang Zhengshan discovered that the Golden Crow Eight Trigrams Furnace could dramatically improve his alchemy and help him make Jade Marrow Pills in far greater quantities and quality. He returned to secluded cultivation with the furnace’s spirit, while Yu Qingyi gained renewed confidence in her future breakthrough.

• Yang Zhengshan learned that Golden Crow could control fire for alchemy and refine second-rank demonic beasts into pure spiritual energy pills, though it had no demonic cultivation methods.
• Golden Crow explained that it had acknowledged Yang Zhengshan because he was the lord of the grotto-heaven and hoped to become its sun by lodging within its source.
• At Flame Mountain, Yang Zhengshan and Golden Crow refined Jade Marrow Pills, producing hundreds at a time and raising the success rate to eighty percent, with high-grade pills making up forty percent.
• Yang Zhengshan told Yu Qingyi about the improved Jade Marrow Pills, and she said she was confident she could attempt a breakthrough within ten years.
• After Lan Peng returned, Yang Zhengshan left the Lan Family and stayed quietly at the Lu Mansion; the conflict between Youyu Gate and the Lingxiu Three Sects also eased into a standoff.
• Yang Zhengshan returned to Lingxi Mountain for secluded cultivation, replenished the Spirit Source Land after the furnace consumed spiritual energy, and accounted for its high alchemy costs.

Yang Zhengshan welcomed new spirit-aperture disciples, reunited with Zhou Lan and Lin Zhan, and urged Lin Zhan to resume cultivating. A year later, the Green Wolf King began a prolonged breakthrough, prompting Yang Zhengshan to learn that the wolf could later cultivate a Demon Cultivator technique.

• Yang Chengxu brought Liu Qingyuan, Cui Yang, and Ning Yun to the Spirit Source Land, and Yang Zhengshan arranged a marriage for Liu Qingyuan and took Cui Yang and Ning Yun as disciples.
• Zhou Lan and Lin Zhan visited Yang Zhengshan, who welcomed Zhou Lan and scolded Lin Zhan for neglecting cultivation before giving him a Storage Bag.
• Yang Zhengshan and his guests shared a banquet, and a year passed as he cultivated and taught his disciples.
• Yang Zhengshan went to Azure Wolf Mountain after hearing the Green Wolf King howl and watched him absorb spiritual energy through a painful breakthrough.
• Golden Crow explained that the Green Wolf King was advancing through his bloodline and would need to take human form to gain meridians, a dantian, and the ability to condense a Demon Core.