Chapter Summaries

Wu Tao studied how to refine Spirit Wandering Boots and the Light-Splitting Sword, then trained his spear technique and completed the Flesh Refining stage of the Dragon Spear Body Tempering Art. He prepared to begin Tendon Refining and headed out to deliver goods to Shopkeeper Yu.

• Wu Tao decided to practice the Spirit Wandering Restriction and refine Spirit Wandering Boots before attempting the Light-Splitting Sword’s Combination Restriction.
• Wu Tao practiced the Wind and Thunder Spear, whose powerful strike consumed more than ten percent of his spiritual power and physical strength.
• Wu Tao noted that Five Spring Mountain and Ghost Dao Sect still had not gone to war, while Marketplace prices had fallen slightly.
• Wu Tao completed the Flesh Refining stage, found his senses and physical strength had improved, and advanced to Tendon Refining.
• Wu Tao checked his progress and prepared to deliver goods to Shopkeeper Yu’s Spirit Material Shop.

Wu Tao learned that Five Spring Mountain would soon go to war with Ghost Dao Sect and decided to seek safety by answering Five Spring Mountain’s recruitment of Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners. After ending his business with Shopkeeper Yu, he headed to Fragrant Spring Road to apply.

• Wu Tao delivered ten Spirit-Absorbing Robes and ten Small Spirit Shield Robes to Shopkeeper Yu and collected his payment.
• Shopkeeper Yu told Wu Tao that Five Spring Mountain was recruiting Artifact Refiners capable of making First-Rank Level 4 Magic Tools and advised him to join for protection.
• Shopkeeper Yu revealed that Five Spring Mountain would formally go to war with Ghost Dao Sect within three to five days and planned to move to the Inner City.
• Wu Tao and Shopkeeper Yu made a new agreement to resume their Magic Robe business after the war, then Jin Ke escorted Wu Tao toward Fragrant Spring Road.

Wu Tao arrived at the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall to take an assessment for loose cultivator artifact refiners. After passing by refining a Spirit-Absorbing Robe, he read and signed a recruitment contract to work for the Hall in the Inner City.

• Wu Tao reached the assessment branch with Jin Ke, learned which line to join, and entered the line for refiners without certificates.
• After waiting, Wu Tao and nine other candidates were given one incense stick to refine a first-rank intermediate Magic Tool.
• Wu Tao restored his Essence, Qi, and Spirit before starting, then carefully refined a Spirit-Absorbing Robe while hiding his skill.
• Wu Tao and two other candidates passed the assessment as the remaining candidates failed or ran out of time.
• Wu Tao read the recruitment contract, accepted its pay and terms in exchange for protection and benefits, and signed it.

With war between Five Spring Mountain and the Ghost Dao Sect imminent, Wu Tao arranged to leave the west outer city and urged Zhang Li to move somewhere safer. He lent her money for inner-city rent, then secured the return of his own lease deposit using a credential from the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall.

• Wu Tao decided to relocate to the inner city after signing a contract with the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall and failed to find Han Tiezhu at the Ding District Market.
• Wu Tao warned Zhang Li that war was imminent and urged her to move to the inner city, but she said she could not afford the rent.
• Wu Tao lent Zhang Li five mid-grade spirit stones, and she agreed to repay him before he left.
• Wu Tao went to cancel his lease, but a steward initially refused to return his deposit because he had not completed the contract.
• Wu Tao showed the steward his Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall credential, and the steward returned his three-month deposit.

Wu Tao moved into the inner city with a group of rogue cultivator artifact refiners and began planning how to balance work with cultivation. The next morning, he was assigned to Artifact Master Chen’s group and shown their refining room.

• Wu Tao packed his spiritual materials and traveled with the other artifact refiners to the inner city, where Senior Brother Zhang led them through the city gate.
• Senior Brother Zhang assigned the newcomers rooms and Inner City Temporary Residence Permits, warning them to keep their permits with them.
• Wu Tao planned to sleep only one hour a day so he could work at the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall while continuing his cultivation and body tempering.
• The next morning, Wu Tao joined the roll call and was assigned to a group of twenty First-Rank Level 4 artifact refiners led by Chen Shan.
• Chen Shan took the group to their artifact refining room and told everyone to choose a refining station.

Wu Tao studied orthodox artifact-refining methods at the Artifact Refining Hall while Five Spring Mountain and Ghost Dao Sect moved toward war, leaving the West Outer City undefended. After the fighting began, a devilish cultivator refined three streets of rogue cultivators into Blood Pills, and Wu Tao realized that Shopkeeper Yu’s warning had saved his life.

• Chen Shan gave Wu Tao and the other artifact refiners lectures and copies of the Encyclopedia of Low-Grade Spirit Materials, whose methods surpassed Wu Tao’s unofficial training.
• Zhang Li paid the penalty to leave The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Beauties and headed for the inner city after finding the Patrol Squad checkpoint abandoned.
• Zhang Li encountered the battered Auntie Li, who spoke bitterly about men before running away in a fit of madness.
• The Patrol Squad withdrew and the larger shops closed, leaving the West Outer City in chaos as rogue cultivators formed gangs and preyed on the weak.
• Five Spring Mountain and Ghost Dao Sect officially went to war, recruiting or forcing Qi Refining Stage rogue cultivators into battle.
• A devilish cultivator refined three streets, including Sincere Tea Street, into Blood Pills before an Azure Sword Light drove him away, and Wu Tao realized Shopkeeper Yu’s warning had spared him.

Wu Tao completed routine black essence iron smelting and joined Tong Mingyuan and Zhu Xu at the Hundred Flower Pavilion, where dual cultivation briefly advanced his Sanyang Technique. Chen Shan warned him that such gains could harm his long-term cultivation, then revealed that he had summoned Wu Tao about an opportunity.

• Wu Tao kept his smelting output at the required thirty catties and maintained a low profile while Chen Shan supervised the artifact refining room.
• Tong Mingyuan persuaded Wu Tao and Zhu Xu to visit the Hundred Flower Pavilion, where wood-attribute dual cultivation techniques helped Wu Tao advance his Sanyang Technique by one level of progress.
• After returning to the Five Spring Artifact Refining Hall, Wu Tao went to meet Chen Shan when he was summoned.
• Chen Shan advised Wu Tao to avoid Splendid Brocade Street because its dual cultivation methods could destabilize his foundation and hinder future breakthroughs.
• Chen Shan told Wu Tao that he had called him because of an opportunity, and Wu Tao asked why it was meant for him.

Chen Shan recognized Li Mo's concealed artifact-refining talent and offered him an opportunity if he mastered a First-Rank Level 4 Solidification Restriction within one month. As the month passed, Li Mo studied the restriction and avoided Splendid Brocade Street, while the war escalated with Foundation Establishment Cultivators entering the fray.

• Wu Tao questioned Chen Shan's motives, but Chen Shan explained that he had noticed Wu Tao's precise control of his refining results and praised his talent and cautious manner.
• Chen Shan warned Wu Tao about the dangers of drawing attention and trusting other Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners, then gave him a First-Rank Level 4 Solidification Restriction to inscribe within one month as a test for an opportunity.
• Wu Tao asked whether he could become a Second Tier Artifact Refiner, and Chen Shan explained that Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners lacked the secret Artifact Refinement Technique needed to advance beyond First-Rank Level 9.
• Wu Tao returned to his room and began studying the Solidification Restriction, while continuing his daily work, cultivation, and practice inscribing restrictions.
• Wu Tao declined Tong Mingyuan and Zhu Xu's invitations to Splendid Brocade Street and subtly advised them to avoid it.
• One month passed, and Foundation Establishment Cultivators entered the war.

Wu Tao completed the First-Rank Level 4 Solidification Restriction and earned a transfer to a new Artifact Refining Room with higher pay. After three and a half months of safe cultivation, he neared the Fourth Level of Qi Refining and planned to borrow Chen Shan’s private Artifact Refining Room to make Spirit Wandering Boots.

• Wu Tao reviewed his progress after forty days, finding that his cultivation and body tempering had advanced while war-driven prices remained high.
• Wu Tao demonstrated a flawless Solidification Restriction to Chen Shan, who offered to bring him to another Artifact Refining Room for three additional Mid-Grade Spirit Stones each month.
• Wu Tao began inscribing Solidification Restrictions onto Black Essence Iron Plates and learned from Chen Shan that they were components for a Five Spring Mountain flying magic tool used in warfare.
• Over the next three and a half months, Wu Tao cultivated safely as fighting ravaged West Outer City and rogue cultivators suffered losses.
• Wu Tao reached 98% progress toward the Fourth Level of Qi Refining, entered Bone Refining, mastered the Spirit Wandering Restriction, and advanced both Dragon Spear forms to expert level.
• Wu Tao decided to ask Chen Shan to use his private Artifact Refining Room so he could refine Spirit Wandering Boots after breaking through.

Wu Tao declined Niu Xi’s attempt to match him with Qiao Ya and learned from Chen Shan that Golden Core cultivators had entered the war. On his day off, Wu Tao successfully broke through to the Fourth Level of Qi Refining and saw his lifespan rise to 89 years.

• Niu Xi asked Wu Tao to become Dao Companions with Qiao Ya, but Wu Tao declined, saying he wanted to focus on artifact refinement.
• Chen Shan warned Wu Tao to stay in the Artifact Refining Hall because Golden Core cultivators had joined the war.
• Wu Tao told Chen Shan he had declined Niu Xi’s proposal, and Chen Shan approved of his decision.
• Wu Tao swallowed five Qi Condensation Pills and used the Sanyang Technique to break through to the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.
• Wu Tao checked his status and found his lifespan was 26/89 and his cultivation had reached the Fourth Level of Qi Refining.

Wu Tao prepared to refine First-Rank Level 5 Spirit Wandering Boots and borrowed Chen Shan’s Artifact Refining Room for guidance. After one failed attempt, he triggered the Artifact Refiner’s Lucky Bonus and successfully completed the boots on his second try.

• Wu Tao noted his lifespan had increased by four years after reaching the Fourth Level of Qi Refining and decided to refine Spirit Wandering Boots.
• Wu Tao bought materials for three attempts and went to Chen Shan’s residence to borrow his Artifact Refining Room.
• Chen Shan agreed to observe and guide Wu Tao, then learned that Wu Tao was only twenty-six and refining a First-Rank Level 5 magic tool for the first time.
• Wu Tao processed the materials and began inscribing the Spirit Wandering Restriction, but his first attempt failed.
• Wu Tao began a second attempt, and the restriction nearly collapsed during the final stroke.
• Wu Tao triggered the Artifact Refiner profession’s 50% Lucky Bonus, stabilized the spiritual power, and successfully refined the Spirit Wandering Boots.

Wu Tao refined Spirit Wandering Boots, deepened his relationship with Chen Shan, and worried about the costs of cultivation. After Zhu Xu and Tong Mingyuan went to Splendid Brocade Street despite his warning, he learned that Devilish Cultivators had attacked the Inner City, leaving their fate uncertain.

• Wu Tao successfully refined Spirit Wandering Boots and gave Chen Shan a smaller, decorative pair, earning Chen Shan's praise and an invitation to use the Artifact Refining Room again.
• Wu Tao tested his new boots and assessed the growing costs of Medicinal Baths and Qi Condensation Pills as he advanced in cultivation.
• Wu Tao went to meet Zhu Xu and Tong Mingyuan but learned they had already gone to Splendid Brocade Street, where they were waiting for him.
• Wu Tao chose not to risk searching for Zhu Xu and Tong Mingyuan and returned home, hoping they were safe.
• The next day, Niu Xi told Wu Tao that Devilish Cultivators had attacked across the Inner City, with heavy casualties near Splendid Brocade Street.

Wu Tao learned that Zhu Xu and Tong Mingyuan had survived the Devilish Cultivator attack, but when they came to his residence, he exposed them as impostors and faced their assault. The chapter ended with Wu Tao unleashing Wind and Thunder as he fought to survive and waited for Wuquan Mountain Disciples to respond to the alarm.

• Wu Tao decided not to visit Zhu Xu and Tong Mingyuan's Artifact Refining Room, and instead returned to Chen Shan's residence to study artifact refining.
• He Yuan encountered the real Zhu Xu and Tong Mingyuan, who told him they had escaped the Devilish Cultivators.
• Wu Tao used a secret question and an Evil-Breaking Talisman to discover that the visitors at his door were Devilish Cultivators impersonating Zhu Xu and Tong Mingyuan.
• Wu Tao activated the alarm and struck the attackers with seven Evil-Breaking Talismans, but their devilish shadows only shrank.
• The impostors blasted through Wu Tao's door and attacked while Rogue Cultivator Artifact Refiners hid and Wuquan Mountain Disciples had yet to arrive.
• Wu Tao poured his Spiritual Power and strength into the Three-Pointed Great Spear and unleashed Wind and Thunder against the attackers.

Wu Tao survived a Devil Seed attack on the Artifact Refining Hall after Pei Qing’s sword light destroyed the hidden Devilish Cultivators. As the war between Five Spring Mountain and Ghost Dao Sect dragged on, Five Spring Mountain announced that True Person Heshou had slain Blood River Old Demon, raising hopes that the war would end.

• Pei Qing’s Azure Sword Light killed Zhu Xu and Tong Mingyuan, while its force blasted Wu Tao through a wall; Wu Tao then explained the attack to the Demon Slaying Hall.
• The Demon Slaying Hall identified Zhu Xu and Tong Mingyuan as Devil Seed puppets, gave Wu Tao a new residence, and authorized eight replacement Evil-Breaking Talismans.
• Wu Tao learned that Pei Qing had destroyed more than a hundred Devil Seeds and hidden Devilish Cultivators across the Inner City, prompting strict inspections every three days.
• As the war continued, Wu Tao used up his Qi Condensation Pills and reduced his medicinal baths to conserve Spirit Stones.
• After the war had lasted more than half a year, Five Spring Mountain announced that True Person Heshou had slain Blood River Old Demon, and Rogue Cultivators hoped the conflict would soon end.

Wu Tao reflected on his growing strength and learned from Chen Shan that the war would officially end in three days. Chen Shan took Wu Tao as his disciple, learned his real name and history with the Azure Spirit Sect, and asked him to settle at his residence after the war.

• Wu Tao reviewed his cultivation progress and went to work in the artifact refining room as its workload dwindled.
• Chen Shan confirmed that Five Spring Mountain would officially end the war in three days and asked whether Wu Tao planned to stay in the inner city.
• Chen Shan offered to take Wu Tao as his disciple, and Wu Tao accepted after learning that Chen Shan possessed artifact refinement techniques.
• Wu Tao revealed that his real name was Wu Tao and explained his feud with Manager Wang from the Azure Spirit Sect.
• Wu Tao declined Chen Shan's offer to arrange revenge and said he would continue using the name Li Mo in public.
• Chen Shan told Wu Tao to settle at his residence once the war ended, and Wu Tao agreed.

Wu Tao became Chen Shan’s disciple and received the Vajra Inner Armor, then learned about his master’s extraordinary path to cultivation and artifact refining. After a ceasefire was announced, the Artifact Refining Hall scheduled lectures on advanced manuals, and Chen Shan questioned whether the Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners could learn First-Rank Level 9 methods in a month.

• Chen Shan gave Wu Tao the Vajra Inner Armor and promised to refine two offensive Magic Tools for him.
• Wu Tao refined the armor, discovered its Combination Restriction, and tested its golden defensive shield.
• Chen Shan told Wu Tao how he had begun cultivating late in life and advanced to First-Rank Level 7 artifact refining.
• The Artifact Refining Hall announced a ceasefire, two days of rest, and lectures on five advanced artifact manuals, including two First-Rank Level 9 Magic Tools.
• Chen Shan asked Wu Tao whether the Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners could learn First-Rank Level 9 methods in only a month.

Wu Tao and Chen Shan discussed the gap between rogue cultivator artifact refiners and Five Spring Mountain’s systematic knowledge, and decided to study its two advanced manuals together. At the first lecture, Luo Changshan began teaching foundational artifact refinement knowledge and laid out the month’s schedule, including lessons on five Tier 1 Advanced Magic Tools.

• Chen Shan told Wu Tao that rogue cultivator artifact refiners could not master Five Spring Mountain’s manuals without an Artifact Refinement Technique, and said he could learn only one of them.
• Wu Tao proposed that Chen Shan study the offensive manual while he worked on the defensive one, and Chen Shan agreed.
• Wu Tao and Chen Shan attended the Lecture Hall, where more than a hundred rogue cultivator artifact refiners gathered by rank to await the teacher.
• Luo Changshan arrived, greeted Yu Jing and Wu Daoruan, and began explaining foundational artifact refinement knowledge to the assembled refiners.
• Luo Changshan announced that he would teach foundations for fifteen days, answer questions for five days, and explain five Tier 1 Advanced Magic Tools during the final ten days.

Wu Tao studied the Golden Gilded Robe refining method during Luo Changshan’s lectures and returned to Chen Shan’s home after earning his First-Rank Level 5 artifact refiner certificate. There, Chen Shan introduced him to his nineteen-year-old daughter, Chen Yao, who would be his junior sister and housemate.

• Luo Changshan explained that rogue cultivator artifact refiners would first study foundational knowledge, and Wu Tao agreed with Chen Shan that the arrangement would benefit them.
• After ten days of lectures on the Golden Gilded Robe, Wu Tao comprehended its complete refining method, while Chen Shan mastered the Blazing Flame Spear method.
• Wu Tao received his First-Rank Level 5 artifact refiner certificate and decided to live at Chen Shan’s home so his master could teach him more.
• Chen Shan brought Wu Tao to his home on Dawn Street and introduced him to his daughter, Chen Yao.
• Chen Yao greeted Wu Tao as her senior brother, and Chen Shan told her to prepare a room for him.

Wu Tao visited Chen Shan and Chen Yao, where they welcomed him as family and Chen Shan praised his skill as an artifact refiner. Chen Shan revealed the grief behind Chen Yao’s late brother’s room, leaving Wu Tao resolved to care for his master and junior sister.

• Chen Yao learned that Wu Tao had refined her Spirit Wandering Boots and was astonished by his First-Rank Level 5 artifact refinement skill.
• Chen Shan, Wu Tao, and Chen Yao shared tea and playful praise before Chen Yao went to prepare Wu Tao’s room.
• Chen Yao began crying while tidying her Older Brother’s room, and Chen Shan told her to put away the belongings because seven years had passed since A-Shun died in an accident.
• Chen Shan told Wu Tao about A-Shun’s death, Chen Yao’s birth, and the losses that had shaped their family.
• Wu Tao promised Chen Shan that he would take care of him and Chen Yao, and Chen Shan reflected that immortals were still no different from mortals.

Wu Tao grieved with Chen Shan and Chen Yao over Chen Shan’s deceased son, then began learning the Mystic Origin Artifact Refinement Technique. The chapter left Wu Tao settling into Chen Shan’s home and promising to pay for the enormous meals his cultivation required.

• Chen Yao prepared Wu Tao’s room and went to buy groceries while Chen Shan put away his deceased son’s belongings.
• Wu Tao cultivated while Chen Shan composed himself, then went to the Artifact Refining Room for a lesson.
• Chen Shan tested Wu Tao on how artifact refiners could advance to the Second Tier, and Wu Tao realized they needed Earth Fire to melt Second Tier materials.
• Chen Shan gave Wu Tao the Mystic Origin Artifact Refinement Technique and urged him to master it and reach the Second Tier.
• Chen Shan, Chen Yao, and Wu Tao ate dinner together, and Wu Tao revealed that his appetite required several jin of rice and monster meat per meal.