Chapter Summaries

After the Ethereal Void Sect’s victory over the Celestial Yin Sect, Wu Tao returned with Zhao Zhen to help repair the Void Boat and learned that Pei Qing of Five Spring Mountain had defeated the enemy Golden Core cultivator. Pei Qing recognized Wu Tao’s aura and offered to recruit him, leaving Yao Guangsheng to object.

• Yu Zhenming admitted he had leaked the Void Boat’s route to the Celestial Yin Sect but said he cultivated the Ethereal Void Sect’s techniques because the sect had offered him too much.
• Yang Qi praised Xiong Tian for protecting the artifact refiner, while Wu Tao and Xiong Tian each kept Wu Tao’s combat strength concealed.
• Zhao Zhen told Wu Tao that Yao Guangsheng had knowingly used him as bait, and promised the Artifact Refining Hall would seek justice for them.
• Yang Qi revealed that the Ethereal Void Sect had wiped out the enemy Foundation Establishment cultivators and that Pei Qing had killed a Golden Core cultivator for them.
• At the Void Boat, Pei Qing recognized Wu Tao from their past encounter at Five Spring Mountain and invited him to join his sect, prompting Yao Guangsheng to protest.

After the Void Boat was repaired, Yao Guangsheng ordered it to continue along its exposed original route toward the Purple Gold Grotto. He summoned Wu Tao and offered compensation for using him in his scheme, leaving Wu Tao to consider what to ask for.

• Wu Tao and Zhao Zhen repaired the Void Boat while Liu Qinyuan continued working on its formations.
• Wu Tao checked on Zhang Shenghong, who said he expected to reach Foundation Establishment Layer 2 the following month.
• Zhao Zhen relayed Yao Guangsheng's order to activate the Void Boat and follow its original route to the Purple Gold Grotto.
• The Void Boat resumed its journey, and Wu Tao returned to his room before Niu Ben summoned him to Yao Guangsheng.
• Yao Guangsheng offered Wu Tao compensation for using him as a chess piece, and Wu Tao began considering how to maximize his gains.

Wu Tao accepted compensation from Yao Guangsheng for the battle, choosing two Tier 2 Low-Grade Artifact Refining Manuals and a Foundation Establishment Pill to save for Chen Yao. As Wu Tao inventoried the spoils from two devilish cultivators, Yao Guangsheng gave Xiong Tian a Foundation Establishment Pill for his son and secured his loyalty.

• Wu Tao chose two Tier 2 Low-Grade Artifact Refining Manuals and a Foundation Establishment Pill as compensation, which Yao Guangsheng agreed to provide when the pill became available.
• Zhao Zhen advised Wu Tao to prepare carefully for Chen Yao's future Foundation Establishment, and Wu Tao explained that she was rebuilding her cultivation with the Ethereal Void Qi Refining Technique.
• Wu Tao returned to his room, accepted that Yao Guangsheng's scheming would go unchallenged, and began counting the loot from the two devilish cultivators.
• Yao Guangsheng summoned Xiong Tian, praised him for protecting Han Fan, and explained why the sect prioritized artifact refiners.
• Yao Guangsheng gave Xiong Tian a Foundation Establishment Pill for Xiong Chao'an, and Xiong Tian pledged that his son would join the External Affairs Hall.
• Wu Tao set aside the blood-refined Yin Profound Nine-Mother Sword because his righteous cultivation technique could not wield it.

Wu Tao sorted through the Storage Bags of two slain Celestial Yin Sect cultivators and spent the journey to the Purple Gold Region breaking the restriction on a black Jade Slip. He uncovered the Secret Soul Technique he had hoped to find: Yin Spirit Tremor.

• Wu Tao collected thirty High-Grade Spirit Stones and ten strands of pure Source Qi of Spells from the Foundation Establishment Layer 4 cultivator's Storage Bag.
• Wu Tao found little of use in the Foundation Establishment Layer 5 cultivator's Storage Bag besides a Blood-Refining Magic Tool with Six-Path Blood Scar, and put the items away.
• Wu Tao began wearing away the Demonic Restriction on the black Jade Slip while the Void Boat continued toward the Purple Gold Grotto.
• Pei Qing killed a Tier 2 Advanced Demonic Beast during the journey, impressing the Ethereal Void Sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators with his Golden Core strength.
• Wu Tao broke the Jade Slip's Demonic Restriction as the Void Boat neared the Purple Gold Region and discovered the technique was called Yin Spirit Tremor.

Wu Tao and the Ethereal Void Sect reached Purple Gold Grotto for an artifact-refining exchange, where he learned a new soul-targeting technique. The chapter ended with Zhao Zhen revealing that a great battle was imminent and hinting that his mission involved cooperation with Purple Gold Grotto.

• Wu Tao studied Yin Spirit Tremor and considered it a replacement trump card while the Soul-Devouring Insect remained in metamorphosis.
• Yao Guangsheng announced the Void Boat had reached the Purple Gold Region, and Wu Tao and Zhao Zhen went out on deck.
• The Void Boat passed over Purple Gold Cultivation City and continued to Purple Gold Grotto, where Wei Ran welcomed the Ethereal Void Sect delegation.
• Wei Ran introduced himself to Wu Tao and led the delegation into Purple Gold Grotto, where they were given lodgings before the exchange began the next day.
• Wu Tao asked Zhao Zhen whether their visit involved more than the artifact-refining exchange, and Zhao Zhen revealed that he had a separate mission requiring an agreement with Purple Gold Grotto.
• Zhao Zhen told Wu Tao that a great battle was imminent.

Wu Tao learned that the Seven Immortal Sects were secretly backing the Loose Cultivator Alliance in the Heavenly Gate Region and began preparing for the coming war. After a week of artifact-refining exchanges at Purple Gold Grotto, Zhao Zhen revealed that the successful negotiations concerned the Immortal Boat Project.

• Zhao Zhen told Wu Tao that the Seven Immortal Sects were secretly aiding the Loose Cultivator Alliance to seize Heavenly Gate Mountain's resources, and Wu Tao suspected Wu Zhongxing was dead.
• Wu Tao resolved to strengthen himself for the coming war and cultivated the Yin Spirit Tremor.
• Wu Tao spent the following days exchanging artifact-refining knowledge with Tier 2 Artifact Refiners at Purple Gold Grotto.
• Zhao Zhen told Wu Tao that negotiations with Purple Gold Grotto had succeeded and disclosed that they concerned the Immortal Boat Project, which required Tier 2 Artifact Refiners and above from the Seven Immortal Sects.

Zhao Zhen revealed to Wu Tao that the Seven Immortal Sects’ founders came from cultivation sects and that their campaign against Heavenly Gate Mountain was tied to recovering the Immortal Boat. After returning to the Ethereal Void Sect, Wu Tao reunited with Chen Yao and learned she had regained Qi Refining Layer 7.

• Wu Tao recounted the accepted history of the Seven Immortal Sects, and Zhao Zhen told him the founders had actually come from cultivation sects and had used rogue cultivators to overthrow the Immortal Sage Sect.
• Zhao Zhen explained that the sects were funding the Loose Cultivator Alliance’s attack on Heavenly Gate Mountain as part of their plan to recover the Immortal Boat and begin refining one.
• Wu Tao returned to his dwelling and cultivated the Yin Spirit Tremor while resolving to protect himself and Chen Yao through the coming battle.
• Wu Tao and the others departed by void boat and returned safely to the Ethereal Void Sect ten days later.
• Wu Tao returned to his cave abode, where Chen Yao greeted him and told him she had regained Qi Refining Layer 7; he said he had prepared a Foundation Establishment Pill for her.

Wu Tao returned to his cave abode, planned which Tier 2 magic tools to learn to forge, and began cultivating the Star Body Tempering Technique. The next day, he went to the Magic Tool Secret Manual Building to redeem two artifact refining manuals using the compensation Yao Guangsheng had arranged.

• Chen Yao told Wu Tao she had reached Qi Refining Layer 7 and wanted practical combat experience, and Wu Tao agreed to take her out in a few days.
• Wu Tao collected five strands of source Qi of spells and reviewed his progress, deciding to redeem manuals for a Tier 2 defensive magic tool and a spear-type magic tool.
• Wu Tao began cultivating the Star Body Tempering Technique under the starlight and planned to practice it at night while training his other skills during the day.
• The next day, Wu Tao went to the Artifact Refining Hall's Magic Tool Secret Manual Building, where the merit points for his manuals would be recorded on the External Affairs Hall's ledger.

Wu Tao visited the Secret Manual Building to choose two Tier 2 low-grade artifact refining manuals. He selected the Mysterious Radiant Magic Robe and Inverse Dragon Spear, then memorized and analyzed their magic restrictions.

• Zhang Ming greeted Wu Tao and directed him to Fan Zhifeng, who was overseeing the Secret Manual Building.
• Fan Zhifeng gave Wu Tao a jade slip listing the available Tier 2 low-grade manuals and discussed the dangers of Wu Tao's recent mission to the Purple Gold Grotto.
• Wu Tao chose two manuals for nine-restriction magic tools and used merit points to obtain their jade slips.
• Wu Tao entered a comprehension room and studied the Mysterious Radiant Magic Robe and Inverse Dragon Spear manuals.
• Wu Tao memorized both manuals and analyzed their magic restrictions within a day.

Wu Tao refined new magic tools and equipped himself before taking Chen Yao into the wilderness for her first training outing. He left her to cautiously hunt weak demonic beasts while he watched over her from above.

• Wu Tao learned that he would refine immortal boat components and began studying a jade slip describing a mass-produced deck component.
• Wu Tao bought materials and successfully refined two Mysterious Radiant Magic Robes and two Inverse Dragon Spears, then replaced his old robe and spear with the new tools.
• Wu Tao told Chen Yao he would take her for experiential training and explained how she should proceed cautiously in the wilderness.
• Wu Tao and Chen Yao flew beyond the Ethereal Void Sect, where he reminded her of his advice before she descended alone.
• Chen Yao advanced cautiously into the wilderness, planning to begin with low-level tier 1 demonic beasts.

Wu Tao supervised Chen Yao’s careful hunt through the demonic beast territory, then began refining immortal boat components for the sect. The Soul-Devouring Insect started its final metamorphosis, promising Wu Tao another trump card.

• Chen Yao used a formation to kill a Tier 1 advanced demonic beast and ended the day’s hunt without advancing recklessly.
• Wu Tao praised Chen Yao’s performance and carried her back to the cave abode.
• Wu Tao told Zhao Zhen he had mastered the immortal boat components, and Zhao assigned Meng Haoting to deliver materials to him.
• Zhao Zhen brought Wu Tao to Earth Fire Peak and assigned him an artifact refining room, a quota of thirty components per month, and fifty merit points per component.
• Wu Tao sensed that the Soul-Devouring Insect had begun its final metamorphosis toward becoming a Second-Rank Soul-Devouring Insect.

Wu Tao watched the Soul-Devouring Insect advance to a Tier 2 Low-Level Demonic Beast, tested its control and its reaction to Earth Fire, then balanced immortal boat component work with cultivating in the artifact refining room. A month later, he checked his progress in the Six Yang Li Fire True Technique and found it had reached 8% of the second layer.

• The Soul-Devouring Insect emerged from its cocoon as a Tier 2 Low-Level Demonic Beast, and Wu Tao confirmed that he could still command it perfectly.
• Wu Tao found that Earth Fire made the Soul-Devouring Insect uncomfortable, then recalled it to his sea of divine sense, where it settled beside the coffin nail.
• Wu Tao refined one immortal boat component in two shichen and decided to make cultivation his priority while earning merit points from the work.
• Wu Tao discovered that Earth Fire accelerated his practice of the fire-attribute Six Yang Li Fire True Technique and began cultivating in the artifact refining room after refining components.
• After a month of this routine, Wu Tao checked his personal status and saw that the second layer of the Six Yang Li Fire True Technique had reached 8%.

Wu Tao reviewed his rising cultivation costs and decided to refine more Immortal Boat components to afford additional manuals and spells. After delivering this month’s components, he deflated Zhang Shenghong’s attempt to show off his breakthrough by revealing that he had already reached Foundation Establishment Layer 2.

• Wu Tao noted his cultivation progress and expenses, then decided to refine ten extra Immortal Boat components each month to earn more Merit Points.
• Wu Tao reviewed his progress in Yin Spirit Tremor and the Star Body Tempering Technique before packing his thirty components and leaving Earth Fire Peak.
• He Changcheng and Fan Zhifeng compared their component output with Wu Tao on the way back; Wu Tao concealed his true success rate and reported refining thirty components.
• The three artifact refiners delivered their components to the Artifact Refining Hall and collected their Merit Points.
• Zhang Shenghong came to boast that he had reached Foundation Establishment Layer 2, but Wu Tao revealed he had broken through a few days earlier, prompting Zhang Shenghong to leave in embarrassment.
• Wu Tao returned to his Cave Abode, where Chen Yao noticed his smile, but he did not explain what had amused him.

After a year and a half of stable work and cultivation, Wu Tao broke through to Spirit Body Layer 2 and assessed his progress as an artifact refiner and cultivator. He remained confident that he would reach Foundation Establishment Layer 3 within six months.

• Wu Tao continued refining forty Immortal Boat components each month while Chen Yao advanced to Qi Refining Layer 8 and grew more capable through combat training.
• Chen Yao killed an Ethereal Void Sect disciple who tried to murder her and seize her treasures, then gradually recovered from the fight and became more cautious and capable.
• Wu Tao gathered beneath the stars and completed the breakthrough to Spirit Body Layer 2, strengthening his body, senses, and divine sense to a range of fifty-five miles.
• Wu Tao checked his status and found that he had mastered Tier 2 low-grade magic restrictions and advanced his cultivation and techniques over the past year and a half.
• Wu Tao concluded that his new body-tempering layer would accelerate his cultivation and resolved to reach Foundation Establishment Layer 3 within half a year.

Wu Tao went to the Cultivation Technique Pavilion and spent his saved merit points on the Star Ten Methods Scripture, a combat manual suited to his Star Body Tempering Technique. After reading it, he planned which techniques he could begin learning at his current Spirit Body Layer 2.

• Chen Yao left for Merit Hall to buy a Spirit Source Pill, while Wu Tao headed to the Cultivation Technique Pavilion before going to Earth Fire Peak.
• Wu Tao met Liu Sishu and used his 22,000 merit points to exchange for the Star Ten Methods Scripture.
• Wu Tao read the scripture in the cultivation room and learned it contained attack, movement, and defense techniques with requirements beyond his current abilities.
• Wu Tao decided he could cultivate the first three attack methods, the Ten-Mile Star-Shining Step, and a palm-sized portion of Starry Stellar Qi to protect his heart.

Wu Tao went to Earth Fire Peak and joined Fan Zhifeng and He Changcheng in observing Wen Xingrui prepare to refine a Tier 3 true artifact. Gao Xing arrived to watch as well, and the chapter left Wen Xingrui poised to begin.

• Wu Tao began comprehending the Star Ten Methods Scripture and estimated it would take about a month to master all ten methods.
• Wu Tao arrived late at Earth Fire Peak, where Fang Zhengqi told him Wen Xingrui would refine a Tier 3 magic tool that day.
• Wen Xingrui praised Wu Tao for comprehending all Tier 2 low-level magic restrictions and invited him to come along.
• Wen Xingrui flew to the deepest artifact refining rooms and announced that he would refine a Tier 3 true artifact for Wu Tao, Fan Zhifeng, and He Changcheng to observe.
• Gao Xing arrived at the depths of Earth Fire Peak and quietly waited to watch Wen Xingrui begin refining.

Wu Tao watched Wen Xingrui refine a Third Tier True Artifact, then continued his cultivation and artifact work. Five months later, Wu Tao broke through to Foundation Establishment Layer 3 and wondered how far he was from the middle stage.

• Wen Xingrui let Wu Tao, Fan Zhifeng, He Changcheng, and Gao Xing observe as he used a powerful flame to refine Third Tier Spiritual Materials.
• Gao Xing gained insight from the demonstration, while Wu Tao returned to his Artifact Refining Room and cultivated the Six Yang Li Fire True Technique after refining Immortal Boat components.
• Wu Tao comprehended the Star Ten Methods Scripture and began cultivating its five techniques, confirming that his Spirit Body Layer 2 advancement had accelerated his cultivation.
• Five months later, Wu Tao refined a Magic Power Pill and Source Qi of Spells, broke through to Foundation Establishment Layer 3, and increased his Divine Sense to sixty-five li.
• Wu Tao considered whether Foundation Establishment Middle Stage was still far away and felt newly determined to advance.

Wu Tao reviewed his cultivation progress and learned that he would join an Ethereal Void Sect land reclamation expedition as an artifact refiner. He accepted the assignment, which could earn him enough Merit Points to obtain a Second-Rank Flying Magic Tool Refinement Secret Manual.

• Wu Tao tested his Fourth Layer Yin Spirit Tremor on Soul-Devouring Insects and confirmed it could briefly stun a Tier 2 Low-Level Demonic Beast.
• Wu Tao refined two Immortal Boat components, bringing his monthly total to forty-two, then handed them in with Fan Zhifeng and He Changcheng.
• Meng Haoting told Wu Tao that Zhou Jinquan had become a First-Rank Level 2 Artifact Refiner after five years of study, and Wu Tao thanked Meng Haoting and promised to teach him.
• Zhao Zhen told Wu Tao that he must join a land reclamation mission in seven days to repair Demon-Slaying War Boats from the rear.
• Wu Tao accepted the assignment after Zhao Zhen explained the expedition's rewards and that artifact refiners would not participate in the fighting.

Wu Tao prepared for the land reclamation expedition, learned how to operate the Demon-Slaying War Boat, and joined the team as its artifact refiner. The expedition set out under Sun Heng’s command.

• Wu Tao planned his preparations for the expedition and told Chen Yao to stay inside the Ethereal Void Sect and cultivate.
• Zhao Zhen showed Wu Tao the Demon-Slaying War Boat and explained how it differed from the Flying Void Boat.
• Wu Tao bought Spiritual Materials and collected Earth Fire so he could repair Magic Tools during the expedition.
• Eleven Foundation Establishment Cultivators and twenty Qi Refining disciples gathered at the Demon-Slaying War Boat, where Feng Yuan praised Wu Tao’s character and artifact-refining skills.
• Wu Tao arrived, greeted the assembled cultivators, and joined Sun Heng as the team prepared to depart.

Sun Heng assigned the Foundation Establishment cultivators their roles in the northern land-reclamation mission, while Che Mingxiao was tasked with protecting Wu Tao. After a day of travel, the group reached the wilderness and began clearing demonic beasts.

• Sun Heng assigned cultivators to clear the demonic beasts, but rejected Feng Yuan's suggestion to advance slowly because the mission had to be completed within half a month.
• Sun Heng appointed Che Mingxiao to protect Wu Tao, explaining that artifact refiners were valuable and that Gao Xing and Zhao Zhen had requested someone stay by Wu Tao's side.
• Wu Tao chatted with Feng Yuan, Guan Peng, and Li Zhi, then cultivated through the night aboard the Demon-Slaying War Boat.
• The group arrived at the wilderness, where Sun Heng sent the Foundation Establishment cultivators and Qi Refining disciples to clear demonic beasts individually.
• Sun Heng told Che Mingxiao to establish a foothold and protect Wu Tao, then piloted the war boat away to clear the Tier 2 Advanced Demonic Beasts.