Chapter Summaries

Wu Tao broke through to True Body Layer 4, completed the fourth refinement of the Golden Core Nine Refinements, and traveled in disguise to Turbulent Current Island to obtain Star Stone. The chapter ended as a Golden Core Layer 4 spell battle erupted shortly after he arrived.

• Wu Tao used Star Stone to break through to True Body Layer 4, strengthening his body and extending his Divine Sense to eighteen hundred and twenty miles.
• Wu Tao ran out of Star Stone, then completed the third refinement of the Golden Core Nine Refinements and broke through to the fourth refinement, greatly increasing his magic power.
• Wu Tao told Fu Xuan that he would take him along when he left the Boundary Archipelago, and Fu Xuan gratefully accepted the opportunity.
• Wu Tao traveled in disguise on his new Azure Wave Boat to Turbulent Current Island, where cultivators could trade without identity checks.
• Wu Tao entered Turbulent Current Island and saw a Golden Core Layer 4 battle break out nearby.

Wu Tao bought Star Stones on Turbulent Current Island, then defeated an ambush by four Cultivator Robbers and returned to the Boundary Archipelago with their spoils. After resuming cultivation and planning to advance as an Artifact Refiner, he heard that a Chief Disciple had fallen on the Boundary Wall Battlefield.

• Wu Tao watched two Golden Core Layer 4 cultivators fight, then bought two thousand jin of Star Stones from a shop on Turbulent Current Island.
• As Wu Tao left the island, four Cultivator Robbers trapped him in a Third Tier formation and demanded his Storage Bag and Defensive Magic Robe.
• Wu Tao revealed his Golden Core Layer 3 cultivation and True Body Layer 4 strength, defeated the three subordinates with his Flying Swords, and pursued their Golden Core Layer 6 leader.
• The Golden Core Layer 6 Cultivator Robber detonated his Golden Core, but Wu Tao survived behind his Defensive Magic Robe and collected the attackers’ belongings and formation.
• Wu Tao returned to the Boundary Archipelago, counted his spoils, and resumed cultivating while aiming to become a Tier 3 Mid-Grade Artifact Refiner.
• Two months later, news reached the Boundary Archipelago that a Chief Disciple had fallen on the Boundary Wall Battlefield.

After Chief Zhang fell on the Boundary Wall Battlefield, Wu Tao worried that the agreement keeping the Boundary Archipelago peaceful might be overturned, so he revised his cultivation plan to advance faster as an artifact refiner. Jiao Ming became Bright Moon Immortal Palace’s acting chief and ordered renewed action in the Boundary Archipelago, while Palace Master Yin Xian disguised herself to visit Cui Qing.

• Wu Tao learned that Chief Zhang had died and asked Zhao Ting whether the agreement between Chief Zhang and Cui Qing would remain in effect.
• Wu Tao decided to focus more on comprehending Tier 3 Mid-Grade True Restrictions so he could become a Tier 3 Mid-Grade Artifact Refiner sooner.
• The Bright Moon Immortal Palace’s elders chose to wait for Ji Ruyue or Jiao Ming to reach the Nascent Soul Realm before appointing an acting chief.
• Jiao Ming reached the Nascent Soul Realm before Ji Ruyue and took the acting chief’s position, then ordered Junior Brother Liu to tell Junior Brother Le to disrupt the Boundary Archipelago’s peace.
• Palace Master Yin Xian disguised herself as Core Disciple Ming Yue to deliver Jiao Ming’s document to Cui Qing, who saw through her disguise.

Cui Qing and Jiao Ming’s rivalry pushed the Boundary Archipelagos into a brief war before political pressure forced Jiao Ming to restore the peace. After a year of uneasy calm, Wu Tao completed his comprehension of Tier 3 Mid-Grade True Restrictions and was ready to advance as an artifact refiner.

• Cui Qing refused Yin Xian’s offer to remove Jiao Ming, then ordered Luo Yuhua to watch Bright Moon Immortal Palace’s Boundary Archipelago.
• Jiao Ming ordered Le Xinggong to attack Star Immortal Palace’s Boundary Archipelago, and the ensuing skirmishes eventually killed Golden Core Cultivators on both sides.
• Elder Min warned Jiao Ming that the Palace Master disapproved of his actions, so Jiao Ming ordered Le Xinggong to restore the agreement maintaining peace.
• Jiao Ming flew into a rage after receiving a Three Palaces Chiefs’ Meeting invitation addressed to the deceased Zhang Taixuan instead of him.
• Bright Moon Immortal Palace launched no further attacks for a year while Luo Yuhua kept Star Eye Island on alert and Wu Tao continued cultivating.
• Wu Tao completed his comprehension of every Tier 3 Mid-Grade True Restriction and prepared to refine Tier 3 Mid-Grade True Artifacts.

Wu Tao completed his comprehension of Tier 3 Mid-Grade artifact refining knowledge and invited Zhao Ting to witness his advancement. He successfully refined a Tier 3 Mid-Grade fire-attribute Flying Sword, leaving Zhao Ting and Wei Tianbao impressed by his skill.

• Wu Tao completed his comprehension of Tier 3 Mid-Grade True Prohibitions and decided to begin refining a Tier 3 Mid-Grade True Artifact.
• Fu Xuan visited Wu Tao after creating a new Magic Restriction, and Wu Tao praised his work and advised him to keep cultivating.
• Wu Tao told Zhao Ting and Wei Tianbao that he had mastered Tier 3 Mid-Grade artifact refining knowledge and asked Zhao Ting to witness his advancement ten days later.
• Wu Tao began refining a fire-attribute Tier 3 Mid-Grade Flying Sword while Zhao Ting and Wei Tianbao watched.
• Wu Tao successfully completed the Flying Sword, and Zhao Ting praised his refined, steady technique.

Wu Tao advanced to Tier 3 Mid-Grade Artifact Refiner, sold surplus True Artifacts and bought Star Stones on Turbulent Current Island, then learned he would return to the Immortal Palace Artifact Refining Hall in one month. He prepared for the transfer and told Fu Xuan to get ready to accompany him.

• Wu Tao refined a Tier 3 Intermediate Flying Sword, and Zhao Ting certified his advancement while Wei Tianbao praised the artifact.
• Wu Tao refined the Mystic Flame Flying Sword and replaced his Tier 3 Low-Grade fire-attribute sword in his Artifact Refining Combat Dao.
• Wu Tao sold seven True Artifacts to Wei Tianbao on Turbulent Current Island and bought three thousand jin of Star Stones.
• Three Cultivator Robbers pursued Wu Tao, but he fled after sensing that one of them was a Golden Core 9th Layer cultivator.
• Zhao Ting gave Wu Tao a Return Sect Transfer Order stating that a replacement Artifact Refiner would arrive in one month.
• Wu Tao told Fu Xuan that he would return to the Immortal Palace Artifact Refining Hall in one month and asked him to prepare to go along.

Wu Tao completed the handover of his Boundary Archipelago duties after a Tier 3 Low-Grade Artifact Refiner arrived to replace him, and prepared to return to the Immortal Palace Artifact Refining Hall. He brought Fu Xuan along and reached the Star Immortal Palace safely aboard an escorted Spell Ship.

• Wu Tao informed Luo Yuhua of his transfer, then accepted congratulatory gifts from the Golden Core Cultivators he knew in the Boundary Archipelago.
• Qi Jinghe arrived from the Immortal Palace Artifact Refining Hall, and Wu Tao handed over his True Fire Hall duties to him.
• Wu Tao obtained Zhao Ting's approval to take Fu Xuan back and told Luo Yuhua he planned to leave in two days.
• Kong Qi asked Wu Tao to deliver a Storage Bag to his son at the Immortal Palace, and Wu Tao agreed.
• Wu Tao departed the Boundary Archipelago with Fu Xuan aboard an escorted Spell Ship after bidding farewell to Zhao Ting, Wei Tianbao, and Qi Jinghe.
• After twenty-three days of travel, the Spell Ship arrived safely at the Star Immortal Palace.

After returning to the Star Immortal Palace, Wu Tao certified his Tier 3 Mid-Grade Artifact Refiner status, became an official Artifact Refining Hall refiner, and arranged to upgrade Jade Star Island. Ten days later, the island’s Spirit Vein advanced to Tier 3 Mid-Grade, and Wu Tao began considering what to do next.

• Wu Tao arrived at the Artifact Refining Hall with Fu Xuan, reported to Yu Zhixin, and learned that his advancement would allow Jade Star Island to become a Level 2 Island.
• Senior Brother Zhu inspected Wu Tao’s Mystic Flame Flying Sword and certified him as a Tier 3 Mid-Grade Artifact Refiner; Wu Tao then received a new Identity Token and improved benefits.
• Wu Tao arranged for Fu Xuan to register as an Artifact Refiner and applied to upgrade Jade Star Island’s Spirit Vein.
• Wu Tao returned to Jade Star Island, informed his acquaintances of his return, offered incense to his master Chen Shan, and rewarded Wang Sheng after reviewing the island’s accounts.
• Ten days later, Jade Star Island’s Spirit Vein grew from Tier 3 Low-Grade to Tier 3 Mid-Grade, and Wu Tao tested cultivation in the upgraded Spirit Gathering Array.

Wu Tao delivered Kong Qi’s Storage Bag to his son and caught up with friends after returning to Jade Star Island. Yu Zhixin then assigned him a high-reward Mystic Yang Bead refining task for the Boundary Wall Battlefield, but an explosion severely injured an Artifact Refiner just as Wu Tao arrived to observe the process.

• Wu Tao summoned Wang Sheng to bring Kong Xiangqing to Jade Star Island and gave him the Storage Bag Kong Qi had entrusted to him.
• Wu Tao visited Liu Yidao, then hosted Qian Chang and Wei Zhou, who lent him Merit Points toward upgrading his island’s protection array.
• Yu Zhixin summoned Wu Tao and assigned him a task to refine one-time Tier 3 Mid-Grade Mystic Yang Beads for the Boundary Wall Battlefield.
• Yu Zhixin took Wu Tao to the refining hall, where an explosion shook the building as they approached.
• An Artifact Refiner carried the badly injured Junior Brother Gu out of the hall after a Mystic Yang Bead exploded during refining, while Yu Zhixin urged Wu Tao to observe the process.

Wu Tao entered the Mystic Yang Hall to take on the dangerous Mystic Yang Bead refining task, despite witnessing two Artifact Refiners injured in an explosion. He passed Duanmu Lei’s test by skillfully refining a Mystic Flame Flying Sword and was accepted to begin work under Duanmu Lei’s guidance.

• Wu Tao questioned Yu Zhixin about the danger after seeing Fellow Daoist Gu and Fellow Daoist Jin injured by a Mystic Yang Bead explosion, but Yu Zhixin urged him to follow procedure and promised experienced supervision.
• Yu Zhixin brought Wu Tao into the Refining Main Hall and explained that Duanmu Lei oversaw the Mystic Yang Bead task and would test him before he could take it on.
• Duanmu Lei inspected Wu Tao’s first Mystic Flame Flying Sword, then asked him to refine another one as a practical test.
• Wu Tao restored his strength, inscribed the True Prohibition Rune, and steadily completed a Mystic Flame Flying Sword before Duanmu Lei and Yu Zhixin.
• Duanmu Lei judged Wu Tao’s work satisfactory, approved him for the Mystic Yang Bead task, and went to retrieve the refining Jade Slip.

Wu Tao began studying the Mystic Yang Bead Refining Secret Manual, then joined Yu Zhixin on a temporary mission to recruit Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners on Myriad Stars Island. After arriving, they settled in to wait for the applicants to gather.

• Duanmu Lei gave Wu Tao the restricted Mystic Yang Bead refining jade slip and told him to return to Mystic Yang Hall once he had comprehended it.
• Yu Zhixin summoned Wu Tao to join a two-month mission to Myriad Stars Island, where they would assess prospective Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners.
• Wu Tao visited Tang Jingquan and Pi Baibai, learned about the True Disciple circle and the three Immortal Palace Masters, then prepared to depart with Yu Zhixin.
• During the Spell Ship journey, Yu Zhixin sent a Golden Core cultivator to stop a Rogue Cultivator battle from blocking their route, and the two groups let the ship pass.
• Wu Tao and Yu Zhixin reached Myriad Stars Island, met the Artifact Refining Branch's person in charge, and waited at their arranged accommodations for applicants to arrive.

Wu Tao helped Yu Zhixin and Feng Xuan assess loose cultivator artifact refiners on Myriad Stars Island, selecting three recruits before returning to the Immortal Palace. After completing his study of the Mystic Yang Bead refining manual, Wu Tao reported to Duanmu Lei at the Mystic Yang Hall.

• Wu Tao cultivated in seclusion while Feng Xuan gathered and screened Tier 3 loose cultivator artifact refiners for the Immortal Palace recruitment assessment.
• Yu Zhixin and Wu Tao tested thirty-six candidates’ bone ages, and twelve qualified to proceed to the artifact refining assessment.
• Wu Tao and Yu Zhixin selected Feng Liang, Sun Miao, and Qiu Zhiming as the three successful candidates.
• Wu Tao returned to the Immortal Palace with Yu Zhixin and the recruits, having finished comprehending the Mystic Yang Bead refining manual during the journey.
• Wu Tao went to the Mystic Yang Hall and told Duanmu Lei that he had completed studying the refining manual.

Wu Tao watched Ye Chaoming refine a Mystic Yang Bead, then successfully refined one himself on his first attempt and began working at Mystic Yang Hall. Nine months later, he broke through to Golden Core Layer 4 on Jade Star Island.

• Duanmu Lei explained that Gu had caused three Mystic Yang Bead explosions by experimenting with altered methods, so Formation Hall had enclosed his station in a protective array to shield Jin and others.
• Ye Chaoming demonstrated the standard Mystic Yang Bead refinement process for Wu Tao, who followed it precisely and completed his first bead without an explosion.
• Duanmu Lei assigned Wu Tao to refine Mystic Yang Beads beside Ye Chaoming, and Wu Tao later found the work easy and more rewarding than his previous assignments.
• After nine months of refining Mystic Yang Beads, Wu Tao used Golden Core pills, Level 4 Spirit Fire, and Spirit Water to break through to Golden Core Layer 4.

Wu Tao reviewed his cultivation and met Ye Chaoming, Gu Xingyuan, and Jin Cha, where he learned that the Boundary Wall Battlefield had grown tense and declined to help revise the Mystic Yang Bead Refining Secret Manual. At the Devil Race camp, Demon Venerables ordered their forces increased to seize the District 12 Boundary Wall Land within a year after Great Heavenly Heart Demon Venerable sensed a call from beyond its barrier.

• Wu Tao assessed his Golden Core Layer 4 cultivation, powerful divine sense, artifact-refining progress, and plans to advance his skills.
• Wu Tao visited Ye Chaoming's Golden Core Island and joined Ye Chaoming, Gu Xingyuan, and Jin Cha for tea.
• Gu Xingyuan proposed improving the Mystic Yang Bead Refining Secret Manual and reported that Devil Race reinforcements had made the Boundary Wall Battlefield tense; Wu Tao declined to join his research.
• Ye Chaoming warned Wu Tao against changing the manual, and Wu Tao said he planned to prepare for promotion to Tier 3 Advanced Artifact Refiner.
• At the Devil Race camp, a Demon Venerable said Great Heavenly Heart Demon Venerable had sensed a call from beyond the District 12 Boundary Wall Land.
• The Demon Venerables ordered each of the Nine Great Devil Races to increase its forces by ten percent and take the District 12 Boundary Wall Land within a year.

Wu Tao upgraded Jade Star Island’s defenses with a Tier 3 Mid-Grade Cloud Smoke Shadow-Veiling Array, then hosted Qian Chang, Wei Zhou, Feng Liang, Sun Miao, and Qiu Zhiming. After resuming his Mystic Yang Bead refining work, he was called to stop by someone leaving the Mystic Yang Hall.

• Wu Tao bought a Tier 3 Mid-Grade Cloud Smoke Shadow-Veiling Array from Min Xing and learned that the old Tier 2 array belonged to the Affairs Hall and could not be sold.
• Wu Tao installed the new array on Jade Star Island and configured its tokens so Wang Sheng could distribute access to key personnel.
• Qian Chang, Wei Zhou, Feng Liang, Sun Miao, and Qiu Zhiming visited Wu Tao, and the six Loose Cultivator Artifact Refiners talked together before the five guests departed.
• Wu Tao returned to the Mystic Yang Hall, refined two Mystic Yang Beads, and left after greeting Ye Chaoming.
• Someone called after Wu Tao, saying, “Fellow Daoist Li, please stay!”

Wu Tao refused Gu Xingyuan’s invitation to help improve the Mystic Yang Bead Refining Secret Manual and focused on cultivation and studying advanced artifact refining. After his Divine Sense surpassed Golden Core Perfection, the front-line crisis reduced his rest days, and Gu Xingyuan and Jin Cha tested two improvements, resulting in Jin Cha being seriously injured by an explosion.

• Gu Xingyuan explained the rewards and benefits of improving the Mystic Yang Bead Refining Secret Manual, but Wu Tao firmly declined so he could preserve time for cultivation.
• Wu Tao cultivated on Jade Star Island, bought Star Stones with Liu Yidao, and exchanged Merit Points for Tier 3 Advanced Artifact Refining Dao knowledge.
• After another month of cultivation, Wu Tao perfected the fifth layer of the Heavenly Derivation God Refining Scripture and raised his Divine Sense to 2,020 miles, beyond that of Golden Core Perfection cultivators.
• Duanmu Lei announced that monthly rest days would be reduced from twelve to eight because the Boundary Wall Battlefield had grown tense and required more Mystic Yang Beads.
• Gu Xingyuan and Jin Cha tested two proposed improvements to Mystic Yang Beads, and both beads exploded; Jin Cha was left seriously injured while Gu Xingyuan suffered only light injuries.

After Gu Xingyuan and Jin Cha are injured when their Mystic Yang Beads explode, Duanmu Lei approves a research group to improve the Mystic Yang Bead Refining Secret Manual. Wu Tao and Ye Chaoming are selected to join Gu Xingyuan and Jin Cha, with experiments to take place inside a protective Tier 4 Formation.

• Gu Xingyuan survives his Mystic Yang Bead explosion because Duanmu Lei's formation protects him, while Jin Cha is badly injured and taken to the Alchemy Hall.
• Wu Tao and Ye Chaoming visit Jin Cha, who agrees to continue researching with Gu Xingyuan and asks for a protective formation at his refining station.
• The next day, Duanmu Lei tells Gu Xingyuan there will be no punishment and establishes a group to improve the Mystic Yang Bead Refining Secret Manual because the Boundary Wall Battlefield needs more Mystic Yang Beads.
• Duanmu Lei provides a Tier 4 Formation for the group's research and allows Gu Xingyuan to choose two more Artifact Refiners.
• Gu Xingyuan chooses Ye Chaoming and Wu Tao, then brings them to Duanmu Lei's office to join the research group.

Wu Tao joined Gu Xingyuan and Ye Chaoming in the Secret Cultivation Hall to research ways to improve the Mystic Yang Bead Refining Secret Manual, while sharing an insight about the stability of its components. The chapter then shifted to the Nether Soul Sect, where the demonic Nascent Soul cultivators feared Ning Qiudao after his unbroken string of victories.

• Duanmu Lei assigned Wu Tao, Ye Chaoming, and Gu Xingyuan to improve the Mystic Yang Bead Refining Secret Manual and brought them to the Secret Cultivation Hall.
• Gu Xingyuan tested the Tier 4 Formation by deliberately making a Mystic Yang Bead explode, and it safely contained the blast.
• Wu Tao and Ye Chaoming read Gu Xingyuan’s research notes, and Wu Tao explained how the triangle’s stability related to the Mystic Yang Bead’s components.
• Wu Tao began spending his days researching and cultivating at the Secret Cultivation Hall, then agreed to guide Fu Xuan as he applied a new Magic Restriction to a Magic Tool.
• The Six Righteous Sects captured the domains of five demonic sects, while Ning Qiudao killed Heavenly Gate Mountain’s Spirit Planter and defeated Nascent Soul opponents through Level 7.
• The remaining demonic Nascent Soul cultivators stayed silent and feared Ning Qiudao as the righteous forces continued attacking the Nether Soul Domain.

The demonic sects pinned their hopes on Yinxin Old Devil’s sacrifice to summon aid from the upper realm while Ning Qiudao’s dominance left them cornered. As Wu Tao and his companions’ Mystic Yang Bead experiments continued to fail and the Devil Race broke through the Boundary Wall, the Heart Demon Heavenly Venerate finally answered Yinxin’s prayer.

• Five Nascent Soul Old Devils discussed their helplessness against Ning Qiudao and waited for Yinxin Old Devil to contact the upper realm.
• Yinxin Old Devil performed the Ten Thousand Heart Heart Demon Sacrificial Method, then told the other Old Devils that they would have to wait for a response.
• Wu Tao guided Fu Xuan through refining a Magic Tool, and Fu Xuan succeeded on his second attempt.
• Wu Tao, Ye Chaoming, and Gu Xingyuan tested Mystic Yang Bead improvements, but their beads exploded; later, Duanmu Lei reported that the Devil Race had captured District 12 and was attacking District 11.
• Twelve Devil Race Demon Venerables shattered the weakened World Barrier in District 12, and Yinxin Old Devil’s fourth sacrifice sent a blood rune through the breach.
• Yinxin Old Devil received the words “I shall descend upon this realm” and rejoiced that the Heart Demon Heavenly Venerate had answered.

Yinxin Old Devil told the other Devil Dao Sect leaders that Heart Demon Heavenly Venerate had answered their sacrifice and would descend into their realm. Meanwhile, Wu Tao and his colleagues pursued new ways to improve the Mystic Yang Bead, until Duanmu Lei revealed that the Devil Race had opened a World Barrier leading to the Immortal Origin Realm.

• Yinxin Old Devil assured the five other old devils that Heart Demon Heavenly Venerate had answered him with the words, “I shall descend upon this realm!”
• Gu Xingyuan ended the failed effort to reduce Mystic Yang Bead refining steps, and the group considered splitting the bead into components and modifying its True Prohibition Rune.
• Gu Xingyuan assigned Ye Chaoming and himself to explore component-based refining, while Wu Tao and Jin Cha worked on the True Prohibition Rune.
• Wu Tao finished comprehending a Jade Slip of Third Tier high-grade Artifact Refining Dao, then went to meet Duanmu Lei with the others.
• Duanmu Lei revealed that the Devil Race had broken the World Barrier at the District 12 Boundary Wall Land, which appeared to connect to the Immortal Origin Realm, leaving Wu Tao shocked.