Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng faces a dilemma: expose his wealth of spirit materials or risk exposure of his artifact-refining prowess.
• He decides to wait for an opportunity to present itself, but also plans to make preparations.
• He closes his shop temporarily and visits the Earth Fire Chambers to refine a low-grade Magic Treasure, the Mind-Bewildering Club.
• After refining the treasure, he returns to his shop, cleans it, and displays the Mind-Bewildering Club prominently.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng shows strategic thinking and patience in handling his predicament.
• He demonstrates his artifact-refining skills by successfully creating a low-grade Magic Treasure.

Significant Themes

• The importance of maintaining a low profile to avoid unwanted attention and danger.
• The value of patience and careful planning in achieving long-term goals.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng interacts with no other characters in this chapter, focusing solely on his internal deliberations and actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Half a month passes, and the Divine Axe Artifact Shop becomes busier with cultivators probing Cheng Buzheng's artifact refinement skills.
• A burly middle-aged cultivator, Hu Niu, visits the shop, but leaves without placing an order due to the high price and conditions.
• Hu Niu later visits the shop again and asks Cheng Buzheng to refine a Magic Treasure, expressing his desire to negotiate the price.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng remains calm and focused on his cultivation, only interacting with customers when necessary.
• Hu Niu shows hesitation and caution in his decision to hire Cheng Buzheng, trying to negotiate the price.

Significant Themes

• The importance of reputation and skill in attracting customers for an artifact shop.
• The cautious nature of cultivators when hiring an artifact refiner.
• The value of Spirit Stones and the reluctance to part with them.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng interacts briefly with Hu Niu, maintaining a polite yet firm stance on his pricing.
• The young cultivator working at the shop expresses disdain for Hu Niu's initial offer but is later reprimanded by Cheng Buzheng for his attitude.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Niu, a Golden Core Stage Mortal Cultivator, visits Cheng Buzheng's newly opened artifact workshop to refine his magic treasure.
• Cheng Buzheng agrees to refine Hu Niu's magic treasure (Thunder Bamboo Staff) for 10,000 Mid-grade Spirit Stones, with a promise that if he fails, Hu Niu will receive a Mind-Bewildering Club as compensation.
• Hu Niu agrees, and Cheng Buzheng begins the refinement process.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng: He shows resolve in maintaining his high refining fees, understanding the importance of the first order, and is willing to take risks to secure it. He also demonstrates his strategic thinking by using the Mind-Bewildering Club as a lure.
• Hu Niu: He initially tries to negotiate the fee but eventually agrees to Cheng Buzheng's terms, showing that he values the opportunity to get a magic treasure that suits his attributes.

Significant Themes

• Risk and Reward: Both characters are willing to take risks to achieve their goals. Cheng Buzheng risks refining a complex magic treasure to secure his first order, while Hu Niu risks paying a high fee for the potential reward of a powerful magic treasure.
• First Impressions and Reputation: The importance of the first order and the first impression it makes is emphasized. A successful refinement could significantly boost Cheng Buzheng's workshop's reputation.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Hu Niu engage in a negotiation where Cheng Buzheng uses his resolve and understanding of the market to convince Hu Niu to accept his terms. Hu Niu, in turn, shows understanding of the value proposition and agrees to the deal.
• There's a sense of mutual respect and understanding between the two cultivators, as they both acknowledge the risks and rewards involved in their agreement.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Fated Artifact Workshop gains fame and popularity in Immortal Alliance City.
• It has unique rules: refusing simple Magic Treasures, accepting complex ones, and limiting orders to six per year.
• The shop's owner, Cheng Buzheng, focuses solely on artifact refining and cultivation, ignoring visitors and gatherings.
• After several years, Cheng Buzheng leaves the shop, and a new proprietor opens a general goods shop.
• Cheng Buzheng, now in the Earth Fire Chamber, begins refining the Soul Puppet and the Third-order Teleportation Array Disk.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng remains aloof and eccentric, focusing solely on artifact refining and cultivation.
• The youth working at the shop is fearful and decides to resign due to the stress of dealing with cultivators.

Significant Themes

• The theme of fate and chance, as reflected in the shop's name and Cheng Buzheng's selection process for orders.
• The importance of focus and dedication in cultivation and artifact refining, as shown by Cheng Buzheng's single-minded pursuit of his goals.

Character Interactions

• There are minimal interactions in this chapter. The youth at the shop interacts with a young cultivator who wants to place an order, but the youth declines as the shop no longer accepts orders.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng continues refining Soul Puppets and Teleportation Array Disks in the Artifact Refining Chamber.
• Cheng Liu, a Middle-aged Cultivator, arrives in Immortal Alliance City and visits the Cave Mansion Rental Pavilion to find Cheng Buzheng's location.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng remains focused on his artifact refinement, showing dedication and patience.
• Cheng Liu demonstrates negotiation skills and adaptability, using small favors to gain information.

Significant Themes

• The importance of connections and networking in the cultivation world.
• The value of small favors and kindness in gaining unexpected advantages.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Liu interacts with a young cultivator at the Cave Mansion Rental Pavilion, using persuasion and a small reward to obtain information about Cheng Buzheng's location.
• Cheng Liu's interaction with the young cultivator highlights the power dynamics and social norms within the cultivation world.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng exits the Earth Fire Chamber after two months.
• He encounters a Nascent Soul True Lord and wisely retreats.
• Cheng Buzheng plans to seek the remaining three heavenly and earthly treasures, earn Contribution Points, and deduce new divine abilities.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng's confidence grows after refining the Soul Puppet, but he remains cautious and strategic.
• He decides to focus on auxiliary divine abilities next, planning to create hybrid types for Spirit Concealing Transformation and Divine Form Transformation.

Significant Themes

• The importance of caution and adaptability in the Cultivation World.
• The value of Spirit Stones and their role in the cultivation hierarchy.
• The scarcity of precious Spiritual Items and the distorted trade methods around them.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng interacts with fellow cultivators at the market, but no significant interactions occur.
• He reflects on his past experiences and plans for the future, showing his strategic thinking and ambition.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng returns to Immortal Alliance City and is summoned to his new Cave Mansion by Cheng Liu, who has been waiting for him for over a month.
• Cheng Buzheng, now a Golden Core cultivator, meets Cheng Liu, who has cultivated to the Peak Qi Refining Stage and has improved his disguise technique.
• Cheng Buzheng praises Cheng Liu's progress and advises him to continue working hard on his cultivation.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng: He has successfully formed a Golden Core, demonstrating his exceptional talent and fortune.
• Cheng Liu: He has reached the Peak Qi Refining Stage and has improved his disguise technique, showing his dedication and hard work.

Significant Themes

• The importance of cultivation and improving one's skills.
• The value of patience and perseverance in the face of hardship.
• The significance of having a mentor or patron in the cultivation world.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Cheng Liu: Their interaction shows a master-apprentice relationship, with Cheng Buzheng acting as a mentor, guiding and praising Cheng Liu's progress.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng decides to help Cheng Liu advance to the next stage.
• Cheng Buzheng deduces and masters the Heaven-Covering Transformation divine ability.
• Cheng Buzheng causes a celestial phenomenon that draws the attention of many mortal cultivators.
• Cheng Buzheng deduces and masters the One Sword Tilts the Heavens divine ability.

Character Developments

• Cheng Liu shows gratitude and excitement about his upcoming advancement.
• Cheng Buzheng demonstrates his vast experience and knowledge, understanding the difficulty of Cheng Liu's cultivation method.

Significant Themes

• The importance of a solid foundation in cultivation.
• The pursuit of power and longevity among cultivators.
• The awe-inspiring might of the Heavenly Dao.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Cheng Liu interact respectfully, with Cheng Buzheng showing understanding and support for Cheng Liu's cultivation.
• Cheng Liu feels the power of Cheng Buzheng's sword intent and is awestruck.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng and Cheng Liu leave Immortal Mansion Spirit Mountain and travel to a medium-sized Immortal City.
• They meet Little Roar, Cheng Liu's Ancestor's Spirit Beast, who recognizes him.
• Cheng Liu rides Little Roar to their destination, reflecting on his Ancestor's strength and his own upcoming breakthrough.
• They enter a Secret Realm through a Teleportation Array and arrive at a plaza with two Blood Jade Pools.
• Cheng Buzheng decides to use a Spirit Jade Pool for Cheng Liu's breakthrough, while keeping the smaller Blood Jade Pool for future use.

Character Developments

• Cheng Liu: Reflects on his Ancestor's strength and his own upcoming breakthrough, showing determination and ambition.
• Cheng Buzheng: Demonstrates his knowledge and skill in array formations, preparing for Cheng Liu's breakthrough.

Significant Themes

• The importance of a strong foundation in cultivation.
• The challenges and uncertainties of breaking through major realms.
• The value of spiritual items and resources in cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Cheng Liu: They work together, with Cheng Buzheng guiding and supporting Cheng Liu's breakthrough.
• Cheng Liu and Little Roar: They reunite, with Little Roar recognizing Cheng Liu and showing affection toward him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng assists Cheng Liu in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm using the Spirit Thunder Purgatory Array and Foundation Establishment Pills.
• Cheng Liu successfully breaks through after consuming two pills.
• Cheng Buzheng gives Cheng Liu instructions for managing the clan's affairs, including arranging clan members with poor spiritual roots in the Boundless Sea and helping those with decent spiritual roots join major immortal cultivation sects.

Character Developments

• Cheng Liu gains confidence and successfully breaks through to the Foundation Establishment Realm with Cheng Buzheng's help.
• Cheng Buzheng shows his wisdom and foresight in planning for the clan's future.

Significant Themes

• The importance of preparation and thorough planning for major breakthroughs in cultivation.
• The value of having a solid backing and the hardships faced by Mortal Cultivators without such support.
• The responsibility of guiding and caring for younger generations in the cultivation world.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Cheng Liu interact as mentor and mentee, with Cheng Buzheng providing guidance and assistance to Cheng Liu.
• Cheng Liu shows respect and gratitude toward Cheng Buzheng for his help and guidance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng, now a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, arranges for Cheng Liu to take over clan affairs before leaving for an Immortal City.
• Cheng Buzheng encounters a gaunt-faced old man, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, who is hunting a pair of White Spirit Whales (mother and calf).
• Cheng Buzheng uses his No. 1 Puppet to engage the old man, testing his strength.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng has grown stronger and more confident, now capable of facing Golden Core cultivators.
• Cheng Liu has been entrusted with clan affairs and feels the weight of responsibility.

Significant Themes

• The law of the Cultivation World: the strong prey upon the weak.
• Karmic entanglement: Cheng Buzheng's encounter with the old man is seen as fate bringing them together to settle past grievances.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Cheng Liu: Cheng Buzheng entrusts the clan to Cheng Liu, showing confidence in his descendant's abilities.
• Cheng Buzheng and the old man: Their encounter is hostile, with Cheng Buzheng testing the old man's strength through his puppet.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng ambushes and kills a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, an old man, using his third-grade divine ability, "One Sword Tilts the Heavens."
• The old man was hunting a White Spirit Whale, which Cheng Buzheng saves and takes with him.
• Cheng Buzheng returns to Immortal Alliance City and examines the spoils from the old man's Storage Bag.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng demonstrates his power and cunning, defeating a stronger opponent with a single strike.
• The White Spirit Whale displays intelligence and filial piety, refusing to leave its mother despite the danger.

Significant Themes

• The power gap between cultivation realms is emphasized, showing the difficulty of killing an enemy across even a minor realm.
• Cheng Buzheng's actions highlight his growing confidence and willingness to intervene in conflicts, even when not directly involved.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng interacts with the White Spirit Whale, showing a rare moment of compassion and kindness.
• The old man and Cheng Buzheng have no direct interaction; their conflict is resolved through Cheng Buzheng's ambush and attack.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng examines his gains from the Storage Bag, finding 900,000 Low-grade Spirit Stones, which he deems insufficient for a mid-Golden Core Mortal Cultivator.
• He opens several Jade Boxes containing Spiritual Items, including two Spirit Heart Crystals, a thousand-year Soul-Cleansing Grass, and a demon core of a third-tier Exotic Beast with dense Thunder Essence.
• He finds a Spirit Pill capable of equaling seven years of cultivation for a mid-Golden Core Mortal Cultivator, but also discovers it's laced with something harmful using a Pill Verification Technique.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng shows his meticulous and cautious nature, carefully examining and verifying the items before deciding what to do with them.
• He demonstrates his knowledge and experience, understanding the value of Spiritual Items and Spirit Pills over mere Spirit Stones.

Significant Themes

• Wealth and Power: Cheng Buzheng's assessment of the old man's wealth focuses on Spiritual Items and Spirit Pills, not just Spirit Stones, highlighting the importance of power and influence in the cultivation world.
• Caution and Ruthlessness: Cheng Buzheng's careful examination of the Spirit Pill and his recognition of the old man's ruthlessness emphasize the importance of caution and ruthlessness in the cultivation world.

Character Interactions

• There are no direct interactions in this chapter, as Cheng Buzheng is alone. However, his thoughts and actions reflect his experiences and interactions with others in the past.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng finds Jade Slips in the secret chamber, containing a sea chart of the Endless Sea, observations, and a clan genealogy.
• The sea chart records immortal cities, demon cities, and local customs, proving invaluable for future travels.
• The observations reveal the old man's cultivation journey, experiences, and encounters, including his core formation, joining Blackstone Organization, and dealing with the Huangfu Immortal Clan.
• The genealogy is crushed by Cheng Buzheng as it holds no value.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng gains valuable knowledge and resources from the Jade Slips, enhancing his understanding of the Endless Sea and the old man's past.
• The old man's cultivation journey is revealed, showing his progression from Foundation Establishment to mid-stage Golden Core realm, and his experiences in the Sea Suppressing Alliance and Demonic Path Alliance.

Significant Themes

• Cultivation and Growth: The old man's cultivation journey illustrates the challenges and rewards of cultivation, while Cheng Buzheng begins cultivating with a Godly Extreme Pill.
• Knowledge and Power: The sea chart and observations highlight the importance of knowledge and experience in navigating the Endless Sea and gaining power.
• Danger and Opportunity: The old man's experiences in the Sea Suppressing Alliance and Demonic Path Alliance demonstrate the balance between danger and opportunity in the cultivation world.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng interacts with the old man's past through the Jade Slips, learning about his experiences and encounters.
• Cheng Buzheng awaits his appointment with Ma Chang, setting the stage for future interactions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Liu, the Cheng Family's cultivator, returns from the Secret Realm and tests the Spiritual Roots of the clan's youth.
• Two clan members are found to have Spiritual Roots, with Cheng Wenxin being the more promising one.
• Cheng Liu stays in the Ancestral Land to guide Cheng Wenxin's cultivation until he becomes a Mortal Cultivator.
• Meanwhile, Cheng Buzheng completes his closed-door cultivation with the Godly Extreme Pill and prepares to meet Ma Chang for information about the Mystic Yellow Source Ore.

Character Developments

• Cheng Liu: Shows responsibility as the family's Ancestor and cultivator, taking the initiative to test and guide the clan's youth with Spiritual Roots.
• Cheng Wenxin: Demonstrates eagerness and curiosity about cultivating and the Cultivation World, showing potential for growth.
• Cheng Buzheng: Advances in cultivation, reaching a higher level after refining the Godly Extreme Pill, and shows strategic planning in his actions.

Significant Themes

• The importance of cultivating one's Spiritual Roots and the potential it holds for the Cheng Family's future.
• The desire for power, eternal life, and the pursuit of cultivation, as seen in Cheng Wenxin's reaction to learning about the Cheng Family's history.
• The challenges and limitations faced by cultivators in the Cultivation World, such as the difficulty in gathering Spirit Materials for magic treasures.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Liu interacts with the clan members, testing their Spiritual Roots and guiding Cheng Wenxin's initial cultivation.
• Cheng Buzheng, though not directly interacting with other characters in this chapter, prepares to meet Ma Chang to gather information about the Mystic Yellow Source Ore.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng visits Immortal Arts Xuanling Street, where customizable Immortal Arts services are offered.
• Ma Chang, a third-rank Artifact Refiner, has lost his shop after failing seven times to refine a mid-grade Magic Treasure.
• Cheng Buzheng learns about Ma Chang's situation and the terms of his artifact-refinement agreement.

Character Developments

• Ma Chang: Struggles with self-doubt and disappointment after his consecutive failures in refining a mid-grade Magic Treasure.
• Cheng Buzheng: Shows concern and curiosity about Ma Chang's situation, demonstrating his understanding of the challenges faced by Artifact Refiner.

Significant Themes

• The fierce competition and high stakes in the Immortal Arts business.
• The importance of experience and persistence in mastering Immortal Arts.
• The consequences of failure in the path of Immortal Arts and the emotional toll it takes on cultivators.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Ma Chang: Cheng Buzheng shows empathy and asks questions to understand Ma Chang's situation, while Ma Chang shares his frustration and disappointment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng offers to help Ma Chang, who has been struggling with consecutive artifact refinement failures.
• Ma Chang reveals he's shown his Magic Treasure blueprint to several cultivators, implying he's not hiding anything.
• Cheng Buzheng examines the blueprint and discovers a hidden trap causing the failures.
• They discuss the refinement process, and Cheng Buzheng identifies the issue as a 'Wandering Spirit Restriction'.
• He suspects someone with high artifact refinement skills set the trap to sabotage Ma Chang.

Character Developments

• Ma Chang: Initially despondent due to failures, he regains confidence after Cheng Buzheng's help. He's obsessed with artifact refinement and has a temper.
• Cheng Buzheng: He's skilled in artifact refinement, patient, and willing to help others. He's also cautious about sharing his knowledge.

Significant Themes

• The importance of skill and experience in artifact refinement.
• The consequences of underestimating opponents and the dangers of traps set by skilled practitioners.
• The value of knowledge and the reluctance to share it freely.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Ma Chang: Cheng offers help to Ma Chang, who's initially defensive but later asks Cheng to teach him artifact refinement. Cheng is hesitant due to the value of his knowledge and the lack of a proper relationship between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Buzheng visits Ma Chang to discuss exploring the Abandoned Mansion.
• They decide to meet at Yellowstone Immortal City three days later.
• Cheng Buzheng uses a puppet to leave the city unnoticed and meets Ma Chang and Hu Niu at the designated island.
• They wait for the arrival of the other two cultivators, but they are delayed.

Character Developments

• Cheng Buzheng: Shows patience and understanding, willing to help Ma Chang despite his earlier offense. He's also cautious about Hu Niu's true intentions.
• Ma Chang: Recognizes Cheng Buzheng's help and is grateful. He's organized and has made arrangements for the exploration.
• Hu Niu: Reveals his strategic thinking by keeping Cheng Buzheng as a secret contact. He's patient but grows concerned about the delay.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Caution: Cheng Buzheng helps Ma Chang despite his initial mistrust, but remains wary of Hu Niu's true intentions.
• Patience: All characters display patience, waiting for the others to arrive despite the approaching deadline.

Character Interactions

• Cheng Buzheng and Ma Chang: They interact cordially, with Cheng Buzheng helping Ma Chang and Ma Chang showing gratitude.
• Cheng Buzheng and Hu Niu: They greet each other politely, but Cheng Buzheng is cautious about Hu Niu's true intentions.
• Ma Chang and Hu Niu: They seem to be on good terms, with Hu Niu showing concern about the delay.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Five Mortal Cultivators (Ma Chang, Cheng Buzheng, Yan Qi, Shang Zhang, and Hu Niu) gather at an island to find an Abandoned Mansion.
• They travel together in an arrowhead formation, led by Ma Chang.
• They land on the island, and Ma Chang leads them to a waterfall, suggesting the Abandoned Mansion might be hidden within.

Character Developments

• Yan Qi is revealed to be petty and holds a grudge against Shang Zhang for arriving late.
• Cheng Buzheng remains indifferent and keeps to himself during the journey.
• Hu Niu is talkative and engages in conversation with Ma Chang and Yan Qi.

Significant Themes

• The theme of competition and rivalry among cultivators is evident in Yan Qi's behavior.
• The importance of teamwork and cooperation is shown in the formation they use while traveling.

Character Interactions

• Yan Qi is displeased with Shang Zhang's late arrival and shows it through his cold behavior.
• Cheng Buzheng keeps his distance from the group, only engaging in minimal conversation with Yan Qi.
• Ma Chang acts as the leader, guiding the group and making decisions without consulting others.
• Hu Niu is friendly and chatty, engaging in conversation with Ma Chang and Yan Qi.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group of five cultivators, led by Ma Chang, arrives at a waterfall concealing a Cave Mansion.
• They wait for the Cave Mansion's protection array to reveal a flaw, which will take a few days to a half-month.
• Cheng Buzheng's true body secretly investigates the area, using his divine ability to analyze the cultivators' strengths and the formation's weaknesses.

Character Developments

• Ma Chang: Reveals he knows the Cave Mansion's location but needs to wait for the array's flaw to appear.
• Yan Qi, Shang Zhang, and Hu Niu: Their cultivation levels are revealed—mid-stage Golden Core (Yan Qi and Shang Zhang, with Yan Qi concealing his cultivation) and initial Golden Core (Hu Niu).
• Cheng Buzheng: Demonstrates his divine ability, Great Luo Dharma Eye, which allows him to analyze formations and cultivators' strengths.

Significant Themes

• Patience and waiting: The group must wait for the right moment to enter the Cave Mansion.
• Power and cultivation levels: Cheng Buzheng's investigation reveals the cultivators' hidden strengths and the formation's weaknesses, emphasizing the importance of power and cultivation in overcoming obstacles.

Character Interactions

• Ma Chang and the group: Ma Chang leads the group, sharing his knowledge about the Cave Mansion's location but not the exact timing of the array's flaw.
• Cheng Buzheng and the group: Cheng Buzheng secretly investigates the group, revealing their hidden cultivation levels and plans, but does not interact with them directly.