Chapter Summaries

Wu Tao went with Feng Yuan and other rogue cultivators to see the dying Ming Yao off, where Ming Yao asked him to safeguard a Foundation Establishment Pill for his son, Ming Song. After Wu Tao agreed, Ming Yao passed away, leaving the group to bow in farewell.

• Wu Tao agreed to accompany Feng Yuan to Ming Yao’s cave abode and found the dying cultivator surrounded by rogue cultivator friends.
• Ming Yao lamented that rogue cultivators remained outsiders in the Ethereal Void Sect, and Feng Yuan tried to console him.
• Ming Yao introduced his son, Ming Song, and asked Wu Tao to keep a Foundation Establishment Pill until Qin Yi returned and could safeguard it.
• Wu Tao accepted the pill and promised to pass it to Qin Yi when he returned.
• Ming Yao sent the visitors out to speak privately with Ming Song, then passed away, and the four cultivators bowed to send him off.

After Ming Yao died, Wu Tao took charge of safeguarding the Foundation Establishment Pill intended for Ming Song and reflected on Chen Yao’s future. Xiong Chao'an and Xiong Tian then plotted to borrow the pill from Wu Tao so Xiong Chao'an could attempt Foundation Establishment without waiting years.

• Wu Tao and the others paid their respects to Ming Yao and offered condolences to Ming Song before leaving his cave abode.
• Wu Tao returned home, resolved to help Chen Yao advance along the cultivation path, and stored Ming Yao’s Foundation Establishment Pill until Qin Yi returned.
• Xiong Chao'an told Xiong Tian that Wu Tao was safeguarding the pill and explained that he had sensed a Foundation Establishment opportunity but could not wait seven years for another pill.
• Xiong Tian worried that Wu Tao might refuse, while Xiong Chao'an argued they could borrow the pill now and return one to Ming Song later.

Xiong Tian visited Wu Tao to request the Foundation Establishment Pill Ming Yao had left in his custody, hoping to use it for Xiong Chao'an before replacing it with a future pill. Wu Tao agreed to hand it over only if Ming Song willingly consented, and Xiong Tian left to ask him.

• Xiong Tian decided to seek the Foundation Establishment Pill for his son Xiong Chao'an, who had sensed a Foundation Establishment Opportunity.
• Xiong Tian visited Wu Tao's cave abode, where Wu Tao welcomed him and explained that he and Chen Yao preferred to manage the household themselves.
• Xiong Tian confirmed that Wu Tao was safeguarding Ming Yao's Foundation Establishment Pill and asked to borrow it for Xiong Chao'an until a replacement became available.
• Wu Tao said he would release the pill only if Ming Song agreed freely and was not pressured by Xiong Tian's status.
• Xiong Tian left to ask Ming Song, while Wu Tao reflected that his position in the Artifact Refining Hall protected him from Xiong Tian's coercion.

Xiong Tian repeatedly tried to borrow Ming Song’s Foundation Establishment Pill for Xiong Chao'an, but Ming Song refused and Wu Tao supported his decision. Xiong Tian then planned to ask Deputy Hall Master Yao to intervene, while warning Xiong Chao'an not to harm Han Fan.

• Xiong Tian asked Ming Song to lend Xiong Chao'an the Foundation Establishment Pill, promising to repay him in seven years or help him obtain another, but Ming Song refused.
• Xiong Tian returned three days later and enlisted Feng Yuan, Guan Peng, and Li Zhi to persuade Ming Song, but Ming Song still refused.
• Ming Song asked Wu Tao whether he should give up the pill, and Wu Tao told him to decide for himself and assured him he could withstand Xiong Tian’s pressure.
• Xiong Tian told Xiong Chao'an that he could not secure the pill, then struck him for suggesting that Han Fan be killed by Devil Sect cultivators.
• Xiong Tian decided to plead with Senior Brother Yao, the Deputy Hall Master of External Affairs, to intervene with Han Fan.

Xiong Tian enlisted Deputy Hall Master Yao Guangsheng to pressure Han Fan into lending Xiong Chao'an a Foundation Establishment Pill. Yao summoned Han Fan and Ming Song to the External Affairs Hall and intimidated Ming Song into agreeing to lend the pill.

• Xiong Tian told Yao Guangsheng that Xiong Chao'an had sensed a Foundation Establishment Opportunity but lacked a Foundation Establishment Pill, and asked for his help.
• Yao Guangsheng asked Xiong Tian to bring Han Fan and Ming Song to the External Affairs Hall the next day.
• Xiong Tian invited Han Fan to meet Yao Guangsheng, and Han Fan sent a Sword Letter to Zhao Zhen before going.
• Yao Guangsheng asked Han Fan whether his face was worth a Foundation Establishment Pill, then pressured Xiong Tian and Ming Song.
• Ming Song broke under the pressure and agreed to lend his Foundation Establishment Pill to Xiong Tian.

Wu Tao saw Yao Guangsheng make Xiong Tian apologize and compensate Ming Song, then learned that Yao had paid Gao Xing and Zhao Zhen 2,000 Merit Points to settle the dispute. Yao told the Artifact Refining Hall to send two refiners to Purple Gold Grotto in a month, and Gao Xing chose Wu Tao as one of them.

• Yao Guangsheng stopped Xiong Tian from oppressing Wu Tao and made him apologize to Wu Tao and Ming Song, giving Ming Song a jade bottle as compensation.
• Yao Guangsheng apologized to Wu Tao and chatted with him before Wu Tao left the Main Hall.
• Zhao Zhen and Gao Xing arrived to confront Yao Guangsheng, but Yao offered Gao Xing 2,000 Merit Points, and they agreed to let the matter go.
• Yao Guangsheng told Gao Xing and Zhao Zhen that Purple Gold Grotto had invited two Artifact Refiners for an exchange in one month.
• Gao Xing chose Zhao Zhen to take Wu Tao to Purple Gold Grotto for the artifact refinement exchange.

Wu Tao helped settle the dispute over Ming Song’s Foundation Establishment Pill and received 2,000 merit points as compensation. The Artifact Refining Hall assigned him to visit the Purple Gold Grotto in a month, so he went to seek Liu Qinyuan’s help in preparing a Tier 2 formation.

• Wu Tao waited with Ming Song until Gao Xing and Zhao Zhen emerged, then escorted Ming Song back to his cave abode.
• Gao Xing and Zhao Zhen reassured Wu Tao that Yao Guangsheng had warned Xiong Tian to stop coveting the Foundation Establishment Pill.
• Zhao Zhen transferred 2,000 merit points from Yao Guangsheng’s apology into Wu Tao’s identity token.
• Gao Xing told Wu Tao that he would accompany Zhao Zhen to the Purple Gold Grotto in a month to exchange artifact-refining knowledge, and Wu Tao asked Meng Haoting to prepare to go with him.
• Wu Tao headed to the Formation Hall to find Liu Qinyuan and purchase a Tier 2 Low-Grade magic array for his trip.

Wu Tao visited Liu Qinyuan at the Formation Hall and bought a Small Five Elements Inversion Formation to prepare for a coming confrontation. Back at his cave, he began advancing his nine Soul-Devouring Insects, and the insects’ brutal struggle was underway when the chapter ended.

• Wu Tao told Liu Qinyuan he wanted a trapping and killing formation, and Liu offered him a discounted Small Five Elements Inversion Formation.
• Wu Tao paid Liu eighty High-Grade Spirit Stones, ten strands of Source Qi of Spells, and 300 Merit Points, then took the formation back to his cave.
• Wu Tao released the Nether Souls from his Soul-Gathering Banner and let his nine Soul-Devouring Insects devour them.
• Wu Tao put the nine insects into a Beast Pouch and poured in a catalyst that made them fight and devour one another to advance.
• One Soul-Devouring Insect was injured, and the others turned on it as the melee intensified.

Wu Tao refined the Small Five Elements Inversion Formation while the Soul-Devouring Insects fought until only one remained. He fed the victor spiritual items to begin its transformation, leaving it sealed inside a black cocoon.

• Wu Tao watched the weaker Soul-Devouring Insects get devoured and began refining the Small Five Elements Inversion Formation.
• Wu Tao completed the formation set and found that only three Soul-Devouring Insects remained.
• Wu Tao prepared dinner for Chen Yao and told her he would visit the Purple Gold Grotto in twenty-seven days.
• Wu Tao practiced formation setup and studied the Star Body Tempering Technique while the Soul-Devouring Insects continued fighting.
• Wu Tao saw the final Soul-Devouring Insect emerge victorious and placed advancement items in its Beast Pouch.
• The Soul-Devouring Insect consumed the spiritual items, released black qi, and became enclosed in a black cocoon.

Wu Tao comprehended the Star Body Tempering Technique and began cultivating it before departing for the Purple Gold Grotto. He left Chen Yao at their Cave Abode and joined Zhao Zhen at the Flying Void Boat dock.

• Wu Tao visited the Cultivation Technique Pavilion and fully comprehended the Star Body Tempering Technique, recording it in his Personal Status.
• Wu Tao cultivated the technique, drawing in the Power of Stars and finding the process far more comfortable than cultivating the Dragon Spear Body Tempering Art.
• Wu Tao returned the jade slip after the Cultivation Technique Pavilion closed and spent the next two days preparing to leave.
• Wu Tao said goodbye to Chen Yao, who promised to cultivate while he was away and asked him to take her out for experience after she recovered to Qi Refining Layer 7.
• Wu Tao met Zhao Zhen at the Artifact Refining Hall, and they flew toward the Sect’s Flying Void Boat dock for the journey to the Purple Gold Grotto.

Wu Tao joined a Flying Void Boat expedition to the Purple Gold Grotto, guarded himself against possible threats, and cultivated during the journey. On the sixth day, the boat was attacked by demonic cultivators, and their leader confronted Yao Guangsheng.

• Wu Tao learned that Yao Guangsheng would lead the expedition with seven External Affairs Hall Foundation Establishment cultivators and a formation master, and bought two divine escape talismans for protection.
• Wu Tao and Zhao Zhen boarded the Flying Void Boat, where Yao Guangsheng introduced the cultivators and instructed them to protect Wu Tao, Zhao Zhen, and Liu Qinyuan.
• Xiong Tian apologized to Wu Tao again over the Foundation Establishment Pill, then left, while Zhao Zhen urged Wu Tao to keep practicing during the ten-day journey.
• Wu Tao cultivated aboard the boat, and the journey passed without incident until the sixth day, when an explosion violently shook the vessel.
• Yao Guangsheng shouted at the demonic attackers, and their leader announced that they had been waiting for him.

The Celestial Yin Sect ambushed the Void Boat with two Golden Core Devilish Cultivators, and Wu Tao helped inspect the vessel as its defenses failed. Sha Moye broke through the formation, leaving the Ethereal Void Sect cultivators exposed above the Cloud Sea.

• Diyin Old Devil and Sha Moye attacked the Void Boat while Yao Guangsheng ordered the crew to reinforce its defenses.
• Wu Tao joined Zhao Zhen and Liu Qinyuan on the second-deck platform and assessed the damage as the Devil Boat pursued them.
• Wu Tao noticed cracks in the Void Boat's Magic Restrictions, while Zhao Zhen struggled to keep up with repairs.
• A Golden Core Devilish Cultivator struck the formation with a cone-shaped Magic Tool, collapsing the Void Boat's formation.

The Celestial Yin Sect ambushed the Ethereal Void Sect’s Void Boat, and Yao Guangsheng revealed his Golden Core cultivation to fight off two enemy Golden Core cultivators. As the boat crashed and the Foundation Establishment cultivators fled, Wu Tao escaped alone, only to be cornered; Xiong Tian chose to protect him and hold off a stronger pursuer.

• Sha Moye’s formation-breaking tool destroyed the Void Boat’s formations, and Yao Guangsheng revealed his Golden Core power to confront Sha Moye and Diyin Old Devil.
• Yu Zhenming betrayed the Ethereal Void Sect, seized Zhao Zhen, and exposed the Purple Gold Grotto negotiation before the cultivators fled the falling Void Boat.
• Wu Tao fled toward the demonic beasts but sensed Xiong Tian following him, while a Celestial Yin Sect cultivator blocked his path.
• Xiong Tian refused the enemy’s offer to recruit him and charged the stronger Celestial Yin Sect cultivator so Wu Tao could escape.
• Wu Tao thanked Xiong Tian and promised him a favor if they both survived.

Wu Tao fled through Demonic Beast territory after the Celestial Yin Sect attacked, but a Foundation Establishment Layer 4 devilish cultivator pursued him. Cornered by a Tier 3 Demonic Beast’s territory, Wu Tao turned to fight and faced the cultivator’s Yin Profound Nine-Mother Sword.

• Xiong Tian blocked a Foundation Establishment Layer 5 devilish cultivator while Han Fan was sent to pursue Wu Tao.
• Wu Tao hid in the forest, found that the Soul-Devouring Insect was still transforming, and sensed Han Fan closing in.
• Wu Tao encountered a Tier 3 Demonic Beast that barred his way, so he turned back toward the pursuing Foundation Establishment Layer 4 cultivator.
• Wu Tao revealed his Foundation Establishment Layer 2 cultivation and summoned his Heart-Connecting Sword Radiance and Spear Intent Momentum.
• The devilish cultivator launched the Yin Profound Nine-Mother Sword, splitting it into nine black streaks that charged at Wu Tao.

Wu Tao fought a Foundation Establishment Layer 4 devilish cultivator, using his refined sword techniques to conceal his strength and create an opening. He killed the cultivator with River Severing and destroyed his fleeing Divine Soul.

• Wu Tao lured the devilish cultivator into underestimating him with a Fireball Technique, then countered the Yin Profound Nine-Mother Sword with his One Law Heart-Connecting Sword Technique.
• The two cultivators exchanged sword formations, and Wu Tao realized his opponent had greater Magic Power while his own spells were more refined.
• Wu Tao made his sword formation appear to falter, then used Ten Thousand Swords Into One to break through the Nine-Mother Sword Formation and close the distance instantly.
• Wu Tao resisted the devilish cultivator's Yin Spirit Tremor and struck him with River Severing, shattering his defensive blood light and exploding his body.
• Wu Tao caught the cultivator's fleeing Divine Soul with his Divine Sense and refined it to death.

Wu Tao escaped after killing a Foundation Establishment Layer 4 demonic cultivator and hid in a formation-protected cave to avoid the fighting. When Xiong Tian fled into the formation with a wounded Foundation Establishment Layer 5 pursuer close behind, Wu Tao chose to intervene.

• Wu Tao killed the Foundation Establishment Layer 4 demonic cultivator, collected his storage bag and Yin Profound Nine-Mother Swords, and burned his corpse.
• Wu Tao took refuge in a Tier 2 Low-Level Demonic Beast's territory, set up the Small Five Elements Inversion Formation, and dug a concealed underground cave.
• Wu Tao reflected on his limits and resolved to rely on his own strength rather than depend entirely on the Ethereal Void Sect.
• Wu Tao saw Xiong Tian fleeing from the injured Foundation Establishment Layer 5 demonic cultivator and decided to help him.
• Wu Tao poured his divine sense and magic power into the formation disk, activating the Small Five Elements Inversion Formation.

Xiong Tian fled a Foundation Establishment Layer 5 devilish cultivator until Wu Tao trapped them both in the Small Five Elements Inversion Formation. While the array attacked their enemy, Xiong Tian explained his faith in Senior Brother Yao and paid spirit stones to power the formation, leaving the devilish cultivator under assault.

• Xiong Tian, nearly out of magic power and pursued by the devilish cultivator, swallowed a Magic Power Pill and hoped Senior Brother Yao had planned for the crisis.
• Wu Tao raised the Small Five Elements Inversion Formation, trapping Xiong Tian and the Foundation Establishment Layer 5 devilish cultivator, then focused its killing power on their enemy.
• Xiong Tian admitted he had felt malicious intent toward Wu Tao but said he had helped him because he trusted Senior Brother Yao to turn the sect's dead end into a living path.
• Wu Tao directed Xiong Tian through the formation to drop thirty High-Grade Spirit Stones into pits, strengthening the array's attacks as the devilish cultivator moved through its realms.
• After the devilish cultivator broke through the Wood Realm Formation and entered the Earth Fire Formation, Wu Tao moved Xiong Tian into a metal realm, where Xiong Tian suspected the array was consuming his fortune.

Wu Tao used the Small Five Elements Inversion Formation to kill a Foundation Establishment Layer 5 devilish cultivator and rescued Xiong Tian, who paid him spirit stones. Meanwhile, Yao Guangsheng revealed that Pei Qing had joined the fight, shifting the battle against Sha Moye and Diyin Old Devil.

• Wu Tao watched the injured devilish cultivator break through the Earth Fire Formation and enter the Metal Formation, while he worried that Yao Guangsheng might have planned the crisis around everyone as chess pieces.
• Wu Tao guided Xiong Tian through the Metal Formation and made him pay thirty high-grade spirit stones before the devilish cultivator collapsed into the Earth Formation.
• Wu Tao drove the Earth Formation’s giants to kill the devilish cultivator, then let Xiong Tian recover while secretly taking one hundred high-grade spirit stones from the formation.
• Yao Guangsheng held off Sha Moye and Diyin Old Devil, mocking them as he asked Pei Qing to stop watching from the sidelines.
• Pei Qing arrived with his Thousand-Mile Green Light Sword and attacked Sha Moye, who charged into battle against him.

Pei Qing and Yao Guangsheng turned back the Demonic Sect interception, overpowering Sha Moye and Diyin Old Devil. Sha Moye escaped, but Pei Qing killed Diyin Old Devil after his Golden Core shattered, then claimed his Storage Bag as agreed.

• Pei Qing fought Sha Moye and showed that his Magic Power and True Arts surpassed those of the older Golden Core cultivator.
• Sha Moye and Diyin Old Devil decided to retreat as Yao Guangsheng suppressed Diyin and Pei Qing pressed Sha Moye.
• Yao Guangsheng urged Pei Qing to pursue Diyin, and Sha Moye fled while claiming he would avenge him.
• Yao Guangsheng and Pei Qing cornered Diyin, who brought forth his Golden Core in a final attack.
• Diyin's Golden Core shattered, and Pei Qing killed him and took his Storage Bag.

Pei Qing and Yao Guangsheng tested each other’s Golden Core strength before joining the hunt for the remaining Celestial Yin Sect cultivators. Wu Tao and Xiong Tian reunited with Zhao Zhen and Yang Qi, who assured them that Yu Zhenming was still an Ethereal Void Sect disciple.

• Pei Qing challenged Yao Guangsheng to a single exchange, and both secretly marveled at the other’s strength after their sword lights clashed.
• Yao Guangsheng and Pei Qing flew off to search for the remaining Foundation Establishment members of the Celestial Yin Sect.
• Wu Tao sensed Zhao Zhen, Yu Zhenming, and Yang Qi approaching, then asked Xiong Tian to intercept Yu Zhenming with the formation’s help.
• Yang Qi and Zhao Zhen called Wu Tao and Xiong Tian out of the formation after the crisis had ended.
• Wu Tao and Xiong Tian hesitated when they saw Yu Zhenming, so Yang Qi and Zhao Zhen explained that Yu Zhenming remained an Ethereal Void Sect disciple.