Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Jingwan, a cultivator, meets Cheng Buzheng in a teahouse to purchase Blood Spirit Jade.
• Cheng Buzheng agrees to sell all his Blood Spirit Jade to Lin Jingwan.
• Lin Jingwan and Guest Elder He plan to test Cheng Buzheng's strength and manipulate him if possible.
• Lin Jingwan and Guest Elder He engage in a flirtatious exchange, with Lin Jingwan sending her maid Hong'er out of the room.

Character Developments

• Lin Jingwan: Displayed ambition, urgency, and cunning in securing the Blood Spirit Jade. Later, she showed manipulative behavior and flirtatiousness with Guest Elder He.
• Guest Elder He: Showed caution and experience in assessing Cheng Buzheng's strength. He also displayed jealousy and lust towards Lin Jingwan.
• Hong'er: The maid showed relief after being sent out of the room, suggesting she was uncomfortable with the intimate scene between Lin Jingwan and Guest Elder He.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception in the cultivation world.
• Ambition and the desire for power.
• The objectification of women, with Lin Jingwan's flirtatious behavior and Hong'er's treatment as a commodity.

Character Interactions

• Lin Jingwan and Cheng Buzheng: A business transaction with underlying suspicion and potential manipulation from Lin Jingwan.
• Lin Jingwan and Guest Elder He: A flirtatious and manipulative exchange, with Lin Jingwan using her charms to control Guest Elder He and Hong'er as a pawn in their game.

• Plot: Cheng Buzheng, after leaving the teahouse, discovers a warning formation blocking his Divine Sense. He returns to his cave mansion, receives a message from Duan Pin, and prepares to leave using a Teleportation Array Disk. He returns to the teahouse, where Madam Lin and Guest Elder He await him. They complete a transaction involving a large quantity of Blood Spirit Jade, with Cheng Buzheng selling at a slightly reduced price due to market conditions.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng: Shows caution and vigilance, sealing his pores and holding his breath upon detecting a peculiar fragrance. He remains guarded throughout the transaction, not revealing any information about himself or the origin of the spirit materials.
• Madam Lin: Probes Cheng Buzheng's background but finds him evasive. She shows determination to secure the deal, raising the price after initially lowering it. She displays a hint of joy upon successfully purchasing the spirit materials.
• Guest Elder He: Acts as a silent observer, verifying the authenticity of the spirit materials and calculating the price. He shows no emotion throughout the transaction.
• Significant Themes: Caution, vigilance, and the importance of spirit stones in the cultivation world.
• Character Interactions: Cheng Buzheng remains guarded and evasive throughout his interaction with Madam Lin and Guest Elder He. Madam Lin tries to probe him, while Guest Elder He maintains a silent, observant role.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Madam Lin tries to charm Cheng Buzheng using a secret technique, but he resists and nearly counter-attacks, causing her to spit blood.
• Madam Lin claims to have information about a large batch of Soul-Cleansing Grass, over three hundred years old, intended for the Treasure Pagoda in Immortal Alliance City but intercepted by Evil Cultivators.
• Cheng Buzheng is skeptical of her story but interested in the Soul-Cleansing Grass, as he needs it to refine Godly Extreme Pills to advance his cultivation.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng demonstrates his mental resilience and ability to deduce divine abilities, resisting Madam Lin's charm technique.
• Madam Lin shows her cunning and willingness to use others for her purposes, attempting to manipulate Cheng Buzheng.
• Guest Elder He shows his protective nature towards Madam Lin, ready to intervene when she's in trouble.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception: Madam Lin tries to use Cheng Buzheng, and he suspects her of lying.
• Power dynamics: Cheng Buzheng's strength and mental prowess allow him to resist Madam Lin's attempt to control him.
• Cultivation and ambition: Cheng Buzheng's desire for Soul-Cleansing Grass drives his actions, as he seeks to advance his cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Madam Lin attempts to manipulate Cheng Buzheng but fails, leading to a tense standoff.
• Guest Elder He protects Madam Lin when she's injured, showing their close relationship.
• Cheng Buzheng remains calm and collected, not easily swayed by Madam Lin's words or Guest Elder He's anger.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Madam Lin reveals that the Fragrant Pavilion possesses a Hidden Spirit Island.
• The Pavilion Master was killed by Evil Cultivators while returning from the island with a batch of Spirit Medicine, including Soul-Cleansing Grass.
• Madam Lin offers Cheng Buzheng a deal: if he helps reclaim the seized Spirit Medicine, he'll get the Soul-Cleansing Grass at half the market price.
• Cheng Buzheng agrees to the deal, requesting 100 stalks of 300-year-old and 180 stalks of 400-year-old Soul-Cleansing Grass.

Character Developments

• Madam Lin shows her strategic mind, using the island's secret and the Soul-Cleansing Grass as bait to recruit Cheng Buzheng.
• Cheng Buzheng demonstrates his resolve to advance his cultivation, deciding to take risks and use his true body for the mission.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and cultivation at any cost.
• The value of secrets and information in the cultivation world.
• The use of bargaining and negotiation in business and alliances.

Character Interactions

• Madam Lin and Cheng Buzheng engage in a negotiation, with Madam Lin trying to convince Cheng Buzheng to join their cause, and Cheng Buzheng showing reluctance but ultimately agreeing to the deal.
• Madam Lin shows a hint of disappointment when Cheng Buzheng refuses her offer of a maiden, indicating her understanding of the value of such gifts in their world.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng returns to Immortal Alliance City and learns about the Fragrant Pavilion, its structure, and activities.
• He purchases intelligence from the Wind Information Department in a nearby city to gather more details.
• Upon returning, he begins deducing the Second-grade Teleportation Array Disk to the Third-grade and working on Treasure Tool construction diagrams using Spirit-Devouring Immortal Gold.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng demonstrates his cautious nature by traveling to another city to purchase intelligence to avoid detection in Immortal Alliance City.
• He shows determination and persistence in his deductive efforts, spending a significant amount of time and resources.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and alliances within Immortal Alliance City, with the Fragrant Pavilion being a notable organization.
• The difficulty and complexity of refining Spirit Materials into tools, highlighting the importance of precise combination and fusion.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng interacts with various cultivators to gather information about the Fragrant Pavilion.
• He deals with the staff at the Wind Information Department to purchase intelligence.
• There are no significant interactions with other characters in this chapter, as Cheng Buzheng primarily focuses on his deductive efforts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng struggles to deduce the refining method for the Spirit-Devouring Immortal Gold, consuming vast amounts of Spiritual Power Value without success.
• He shifts his focus to deducing a Magic Tool construction diagram, ultimately succeeding and creating the 'Immortal-Slaying Sword' set, composed of four High-grade magic treasures.
• Cheng Buzheng realizes the difficulty in refining the Immortal-Slaying Sword, requiring numerous first and second-tier special Spirit Materials, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, four Heaven and Earth Rare Items, and one Heaven and Earth Divine Item.
• He embarks on a journey to collect these materials, visiting various Immortal Cities and Treasure Pagoda branches, successfully gathering most of the required items except for a few heaven-and-earth-grade Spirit Materials.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng demonstrates his dedication and perseverance in refining the Immortal-Slaying Sword, despite the challenges and setbacks.
• He shows resourcefulness and determination in collecting the required materials, using his connections and personal favors to gather the necessary items.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance: Cheng Buzheng's relentless pursuit of refining the Immortal-Slaying Sword despite the difficulties.
• Resourcefulness: His ability to navigate the Cultivation World, using his connections and favors to gather rare materials.
• Friendship and Profit: Cheng Buzheng's interactions with Treasure Pagoda managers highlight the importance of friendship and mutual benefit in the Cultivation World.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng interacts with various Shop managers and Treasure Pagoda personnel, exchanging Contribution Points and Spirit Stones to gather materials.
• He also interacts with Little Roar, his pet, who senses its master's joy and shares in his happiness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng refines a Tier 3 Teleportation Array while waiting for Lin Jingwan's summons.
• Hong'er, Lin Jingwan's maid, arrives to lead Cheng Buzheng to the rendezvous point.
• Cheng Buzheng and Hong'er travel together, with Cheng Buzheng carrying Hong'er in his arms during their descent.
• They meet up with Lin Jingwan and a group of fifteen Golden Core cultivators at a desolate mountain outside an Immortal City.
• Madam Lin waits for more cultivators to arrive before setting off on the mission.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng shows restraint in his interaction with Hong'er, despite his initial amusement at her discomfort.
• Lin Jingwan demonstrates her influence and resourcefulness by gathering a group of fifteen Golden Core cultivators for the mission.
• Duan Pin, who sold information to Fragrant Pavilion, is present but avoids interacting with Cheng Buzheng.

Significant Themes

• Patience and restraint, shown by Cheng Buzheng in his interactions with Hong'er and in waiting for the mission to begin.
• Resourcefulness and influence, demonstrated by Lin Jingwan in gathering a team of powerful cultivators.
• The value of time and the impatience of cultivators, as shown by the waiting Golden Core cultivators.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Hong'er: Cheng Buzheng carries Hong'er in his arms during their descent, causing her discomfort but also a hint of blush, indicating her awareness of his attraction to her.
• Cheng Buzheng and Lin Jingwan: They greet each other politely, and Lin Jingwan introduces the gathered cultivators to Cheng Buzheng.
• Cheng Buzheng and Duan Pin: They do not interact, with Duan Pin seemingly feeling guilty about their previous encounter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng and other cultivators gather on Desolate Mountain, awaiting Madam Lin's return.
• Daoist Black Thunder, a notorious Rogue Cultivator, arrives, invited by Madam Lin.
• The group, led by Madam Lin and including Cheng Buzheng, sets off to eliminate a group of Evil Cultivators.
• They travel for half a month, encountering and defeating various Desolate Beasts, and finally reach an island where their targets are hiding.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng: Shows vigilance and caution upon learning of Daoist Black Thunder's reputation. He remains indifferent and reserved, unlike the chatty Daoist Huang.
• Daoist Huang: Reveals his connections with the Fragrant Pavilion and his appreciation for its fairies. He is talkative and shares his experiences with Cheng Buzheng.

Significant Themes

• Reputation and Fear: Daoist Black Thunder's reputation precedes him, instilling fear in other cultivators.
• Power Dynamics: The group's dynamics shift with the addition of Daoist Black Thunder, who is seen as a powerful asset.
• Caution and Vigilance: Cheng Buzheng's cautious behavior contrasts with Daoist Huang's chattiness, highlighting the importance of vigilance in their dangerous mission.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Daoist Huang: They engage in conversation, with Huang trying to befriend Cheng Buzheng and sharing his experiences. Cheng Buzheng remains indifferent and reserved.
• Madam Lin and the Group: Madam Lin leads the group, making strategic decisions, and the others follow her instructions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group of cultivators, led by Madam Lin, reaches the hideout of the Evil Cultivators on a desolate island in the Endless Sea.
• They find the island protected by a first-tier Warning Formation, which they easily break through.
• The Evil Cultivators, led by Heavenly Fiend and including Jia Rong, are alerted and engage in battle.
• Cheng Buzheng, aiming for Jia Rong, discovers that the Evil Cultivators have used an External Pill to achieve their Golden Core stage, enhancing their lifespan but limiting their cultivation and combat power.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng: Shows his prowess as a Golden Core Stage cultivator, targeting Jia Rong for the bounty on his head.
• Jia Rong: Revealed to have betrayed the Immortal Alliance and used an External Pill to reach the Golden Core stage. He is severely injured by Cheng Buzheng's attack.
• Heavenly Fiend: Leader of the Cloud Sea Ten Fiends, at the mid-stage of the Golden Core stage. He is targeted by Madam Lin.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of taking shortcuts in cultivation, as seen in the Evil Cultivators' use of External Pills.
• The importance of orthodox cultivation methods and their long-term benefits.
• The betrayal of allies, as seen in Jia Rong's actions.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Jia Rong: Former acquaintances turned enemies. Cheng Buzheng targets Jia Rong for his bounty, while Jia Rong is filled with envy and panic upon seeing Cheng Buzheng's strength.
• Madam Lin and Heavenly Fiend: Madam Lin initiates the attack on Heavenly Fiend, triggering a chain reaction of Magic Treasures being unleashed.
• The group of Mortal Cultivators: They work together to battle the Evil Cultivators, with each member contributing their share of effort.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng arrives and identifies the Evil Cultivators as having taken the External Pill path.
• Heavenly Fiend is overwhelmed by Daoist Black Thunder's attack.
• Cheng Buzheng kills Jia Rong and detects an array being set up.
• A three-colored light screen array envelops the island, trapping everyone.
• Madam Lin demands the return of the hijacked goods from Heavenly Fiend, but he refuses.
• Heavenly Fiend challenges the unknown third party lurking in the shadows.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng demonstrates his powerful Divine Sense and quick thinking, prioritizing his own safety.
• Heavenly Fiend shows loyalty to his brothers and a willingness to take risks for revenge.
• Madam Lin displays her strategic thinking, trying to prevent Heavenly Fiend from joining forces with the unknown third party.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of taking shortcuts in cultivation (Jia Rong's regret).
• The cruelty of the Cultivation World's laws (Heavenly Fiend's decision).
• The importance of self-preservation and adaptability (Cheng Buzheng's focus on escape).

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng kills Jia Rong, showing no mercy.
• Madam Lin and Heavenly Fiend engage in a tense standoff, each trying to gain an advantage.
• Heavenly Fiend challenges the unknown third party, indicating a willingness to work together against a common enemy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Qingzhao, the other Vice Pavilion Master of the Fragrant Pavilion, appears and summons a sea of Crimson Flames to engulf the island.
• The various Mortal Cultivators, including Heavenly Fiend and Cheng Buzheng, join forces to resist the flames and break the formation.
• An Evil Cultivator panics and attacks a Crimson Flame Flood Dragon, causing his barrier to shatter and him to be incinerated.

Character Developments

• Wu Qingzhao is revealed to be a rival of Madam Lin, not an ally.
• Cheng Buzheng feels a connection between Wu Qingzhao and Fairy Qingwu but suppresses his thoughts.
• Heavenly Fiend shows no concern for his subordinates' lives, focusing solely on breaking the formation.

Significant Themes

• The ruthlessness and indifference of cultivators, especially in the face of danger.
• The reliance on formations and teamwork for survival against powerful enemies.
• The consequences of panicking and acting against common sense in critical situations.

Character Interactions

• Madam Lin and Wu Qingzhao show hostility and suspicion towards each other.
• Heavenly Fiend and his subordinates work together to break the formation but show no concern for each other's lives.
• Cheng Buzheng observes and interacts with the other cultivators, maintaining his composure and focus on his goal.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Qingzhao, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, maintains a powerful Tier 3 array around an island, defending against multiple Golden Core cultivators.
• The cultivators, led by Cheng Buzheng, attempt to break the array to capture Wu Qingzhao and obtain the Soul-Cleansing Grass.
• Huang, a cultivator among them, senses danger and escapes using a Tier 3 Array Breaking Talisman, leaving the others behind.
• Wu Qingzhao decides to end the siege after Huang's escape.

Character Developments

• Wu Qingzhao demonstrates exceptional array cultivation skills and composure under pressure.
• Cheng Buzheng shows caution and strategic thinking, considering the possibility of danger and the value of the Soul-Cleansing Grass.
• Huang displays keen intuition and prioritizes his own safety, fleeing the scene when he senses danger.

Significant Themes

• The power of arrays and their role in cultivation battles.
• The importance of intuition and caution in the Cultivation World.
• The value of the Soul-Cleansing Grass and the lengths cultivators will go to obtain it.

Character Interactions

• Wu Qingzhao and the cultivators on the island: She maintains the array, while they attempt to break it, leading to a tense standoff.
• Cheng Buzheng and Huang: They travel together but have different reactions to the situation; Cheng Buzheng is cautious, while Huang flees at the first sign of danger.
• Wu Qingzhao and Huang: She notices Huang's escape and decides to end the siege, implying she may have been waiting for an opportunity to act.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Thought Attachment Bead descends from the sky, revealing a powerful cultivator, True Lord He.
• True Lord He demands the Langya Jade Sword from Heavenly Fiend.
• Mortal Cultivators attempt to escape after realizing True Lord He's true intentions.

Character Developments

• Wu Qingzhao is revealed to be True Lord He's Dao companion.
• Cheng Buzheng deduces the conspiracy and plans his escape.
• Heavenly Fiend is pressured to hand over the Langya Jade Sword.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and manipulation among cultivators.
• The value and consequences of using Thought Attachment Beads.
• The lengths some cultivators will go to for personal gain.

Character Interactions

• True Lord He and Wu Qingzhao display a familiar, almost affectionate dynamic.
• True Lord He's indifference towards the Mortal Cultivators highlights the power imbalance.
• Cheng Buzheng's silent communication with other Mortal Cultivators hints at potential cooperation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cultivators attempt to escape the island using various methods, including Cheng Buzheng's Teleportation Array Disk.
• Old Monster He, a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, tries to capture them using Spirit Energy hands.
• Guest Elder He self-destructs to create an opening for escape.
• Cheng Buzheng and Madam Lin escape together using the Teleportation Array Disk.
• They end up in the Azure Sea near the mainland.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng: Shows his strategic thinking and caution, using the Teleportation Array Disk to escape and being wary of Madam Lin's intentions.
• Madam Lin: Reveals her cunning and manipulative nature, using Guest Elder He as a pawn and trying to seduce Cheng Buzheng.
• Guest Elder He: Shows loyalty to Madam Lin but ultimately dies to help her escape.

Significant Themes

• Survival and escape: Cultivators use various means to survive and escape the island.
• Trust and manipulation: Characters use and manipulate each other for their own gain.
• Caution and wariness: Cheng Buzheng is cautious about Madam Lin's true intentions.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Madam Lin: Their interaction is tense and wary, with Cheng Buzheng being cautious of Madam Lin's seduction attempts, and Madam Lin trying to win him over.
• Madam Lin and Guest Elder He: Madam Lin manipulates Guest Elder He to self-destruct, showing her lack of regard for his life.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng and Lin Jingwan meet again; Cheng buys Soul-Cleansing Grass from her.
• Cheng tests Lin by leaving without engaging in further conversation; Lin doesn't attack.
• Old Monster He captures cultivators on the island, including Heavenly Fiend, for the Langya Jade Sword.
• Old Monster He plans to use the captured cultivators for the Secret Realm expedition.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng shows indifference towards Lin Jingwan's advances, testing her intentions.
• Lin Jingwan shows restraint and doesn't attack Cheng, indicating she values his potential alliance.
• Old Monster He reveals his true intentions and power, solidifying his dominance.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception in alliances and relationships.
• Power dynamics and manipulation among cultivators.
• The consequences of underestimating one's enemies.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Lin Jingwan: Cheng tests Lin's intentions, Lin shows restraint.
• Old Monster He and Wu Qingzhao: They work together to capture cultivators and plan for the Secret Realm expedition.
• Old Monster He and Heavenly Fiend: Old Monster He captures Heavenly Fiend and takes his belongings.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wu Qingzhao, a Nascent Soul True Lord, demands cultivators submit to the Fragrant Pavilion and merge one-third of their souls into a Soul Restraining Token.
• Heavenly Fiend is forced to comply first, setting a precedent for others to follow.
• Cheng Buzheng returns to Immortal Alliance City after his trip, learns there's no Soul-Cleansing Grass, and decides to investigate the whereabouts of the cultivators who went with him.

Character Developments

• Heavenly Fiend shows cowardice and desperation to live, merging his soul into the token.
• Cheng Buzheng demonstrates determination to reach the Nascent Soul Realm and collect more Soul-Cleansing Grass.

Significant Themes

• Desperation and Survival: Cultivators are forced to choose between life and death, highlighting their desperation to survive.
• Power Imbalance: The vast difference in power between Wu Qingzhao and the cultivators is emphasized, showcasing the power dynamics in the Cultivation World.
• Consequences of Actions: Heavenly Fiend's past actions catch up to him, leading to his current predicament.

Character Interactions

• Wu Qingzhao intimidates and threatens the cultivators, exerting her power and authority.
• Heavenly Fiend's actions influence other cultivators, who follow his lead in merging their souls into the token.
• Cheng Buzheng interacts with officials in the Wind News Department to gather information about his fellow cultivators.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng, after gathering intelligence, is puzzled by the return of several individuals to Immortal Alliance City.
• He searches for Soul-Cleansing Grass in all major Immortal Cities but finds none.
• Cheng Buzheng returns to Immortal Alliance City and begins refining the Godly Extreme Pill.
• He travels to the Blood Refining Sect's Inheritance Secret Ground, draining the massive Blood Pool and storing it.
• Cheng Buzheng sets up the Spirit Thunder Purgatory Array to refine the spirit blood and leaves using the Teleportation Array.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng demonstrates his resourcefulness and determination in finding the Soul-Cleansing Grass, showing his commitment to his goal.
• He displays his alchemical skills by successfully refining the Godly Extreme Pill.
• Cheng Buzheng's power and efficiency are evident in his handling of the Blood Pool and the Spirit Thunder Purgatory Array.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and resources is a central theme, as Cheng Buzheng relentlessly seeks the Soul-Cleansing Grass and refines the Godly Extreme Pill.
• The theme of transformation is evident in Cheng Buzheng's flight speed, which has increased due to his higher cultivation level.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng interacts with various cultivators in different Immortal Cities in his search for Soul-Cleansing Grass.
• He has no direct interactions with other characters in this chapter, but his actions are driven by his previous encounters with Lin Jingwan and Wu Qingzhao.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng returns to his Cave Mansion in Immortal Alliance City.
• He spends most of his time refining Primordial Yang Pills and occasionally accepts tasks from the Treasure Pagoda to accumulate Honor Points.
• After two years, he has refined another Tier 3 Teleportation Array Disk, accumulated Primordial Yang Pills, and his Spirit Stone count approaches one million.
• He exchanges Jia Rong's head for a bottle of White Yang Pills, which can save nearly one-fifth of the bitter cultivation time for an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.
• Cheng Buzheng examines Jia Rong's Magic Treasure, deeming it worth only around ten thousand Spirit Stones due to its many previous owners.
• He decides to dispose of the Magic Treasure and continues his cultivation.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng's cultivation progress is steady, and he has accumulated significant resources.
• He shows pragmatism in dealing with Jia Rong's Magic Treasure, valuing it realistically rather than sentimentally.

Significant Themes

• The value of time and effort in cultivation is emphasized, with the White Yang Pills saving decades of cultivation time.
• The importance of compatibility and origin in Magic Treasures is highlighted, with Jia Rong's Treasure being nearly worthless due to its many owners.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng interacts with the Treasure Pagoda steward, fulfilling his promise to help him gather Honor Points.
• There's no significant interaction with other characters in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng, a Golden Core cultivator, sells his Spiritual Items at the Treasure Pagoda, receiving a favorable price due to his status as an Honorary Alchemist.
• He disguises himself to avoid recognition as he heads to the bustling stall area in Immortal Alliance City.
• Cheng Buzheng observes a transaction between a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator and a young stall owner, where the cultivator haggles for a high-grade Treasure Tool and additional low-grade Spiritual Items at a discounted price.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng: He has grown accustomed to his superior status in the Cultivation World, no longer feeling the same satisfaction as when he first ascended to the Golden Core Stage.
• The young stall owner: He is shrewd and knows the market value of his Spiritual Items, using negotiation tactics to make a sale.

Significant Themes

• The hierarchy and status in the Cultivation World, with Golden Core cultivators holding a superior position.
• The art of negotiation and haggling in business transactions, reflecting the characters' shrewdness and understanding of market values.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng observes the interaction between the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator and the young stall owner, highlighting the common practice of haggling in the stall area.
• Although Cheng Buzheng does not directly interact with the cultivator and the stall owner, his observations reveal his understanding of the market dynamics and the cultivators' behaviors.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng discovers a Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator disguised as a Foundation Establishment cultivator haggling for a dusty Small Pagoda at a stall in Immortal Alliance City.
• The Small Pagoda is made from Star Iron, which can be mistaken for Meteorite Iron, making it valuable to skilled artifact refiners.
• Cheng Buzheng waits for the transaction to complete before approaching the cultivator, adhering to Immortal Alliance City's rules.
• The cultivator buys the Small Pagoda at a discounted price and leaves.
• Cheng Buzheng invites the cultivator to a teahouse to discuss the Small Pagoda, hoping to buy it from him.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng: Shows his observational skills and patience, understanding the value of the Small Pagoda and the cultivator's true identity. He's willing to wait and negotiate rather than violate Immortal Alliance rules.
• The Golden Core Cultivator: Disguises his cultivation level and appearance to find a bargain. He's skilled in artifact refining and values the Small Pagoda, indicating he's not a mediocre practitioner.

Significant Themes

• The importance of patience and adherence to rules in cultivator society.
• The value of skilled artifact refining and the subtleties of spirit materials.
• The consequences of violating Immortal Alliance regulations.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and the Golden Core Cultivator: Cheng Buzheng observes the cultivator and waits for him to complete the transaction before inviting him to discuss the Small Pagoda. Their interaction is indirect, with Cheng Buzheng sending a voice transmission to the cultivator.