Chapter Summaries

Wu Tao reunited with his master Wen Xingrui at the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect, received guidance in Tier 4 Low-Level artifact refining, and settled into his cultivation and work there. After recording the Dao of Tier 4 Low-Level artifact refining in his Personal Status, he planned to take Chen Yao to Ethereal Void Cultivation City on their next rest day.

• Wen Xingrui told Wu Tao that the Devil Race posed little threat and explained that the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect needed Star Immortal Palace's artifact refiners while its own Tier 3 refiners studied Tier 4 artifact refining.
• Wen Xingrui spent two hours teaching Wu Tao the Dao of Tier 4 Low-Level artifact refining and offered to guide him during his stay.
• An External Affairs Hall disciple delivered Wu Tao an identity token, and Wu Tao refined it before checking his cultivation and profession status.
• Wen Xingrui assigned light artifact-refining work to Gu Xingyuan and the other visiting refiners, while Wu Tao continued his cultivation and sought his master's guidance.
• Three months later, Wu Tao recorded the Dao of Tier 4 Low-Level artifact refining in his Personal Status and told Chen Yao they would visit Ethereal Void Cultivation City the next day.

Wu Tao and Chen Yao secretly returned to Ethereal Void Cultivation City after twenty-two years away, while the aging Yu Hai and Gu Mingsheng lamented that they might never see their old friend Han again. The chapter left Wu Tao watching the two old men from above the Yu Mansion, preparing to reunite with them.

• Yu Qingzhang and Gu Yan sparred in the Yu Mansion and fought to a draw, then spoke about joining the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect when they reached the fourth level of Qi Refining.
• Yu Hai and Gu Mingsheng praised the boys and discussed their approaching deaths and their regret that they might never see their old friend Han again.
• Yu Hai and Gu Mingsheng mistook the figures in the sky for illusions and settled down to rest.
• Wu Tao and Chen Yao arrived over the Yu Mansion on the Flying Wave Boat without announcing themselves, and Wu Tao saw his old friends' white hair.

Wu Tao and Chen Yao returned to the Yu Mansion and reunited with the elderly Yu Hai and Gu Mingsheng, then sent for Li Feiyao. As Gu Yan and Yu Qingzhang recognized Wu Tao and Chen Yao from family portraits on their Longevity Altars, they hurried to bring Li Feiyao to the gathering.

• Wu Tao and Chen Yao quietly landed in the Yu Mansion courtyard, where Yu Hai and Gu Mingsheng were sleeping.
• Yu Hai and Gu Mingsheng woke, recognized Wu Tao and Chen Yao, and excitedly welcomed their old friends.
• Wu Tao, Chen Yao, Yu Hai, and Gu Mingsheng shared tea and reminisced about their years in Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City.
• Gu Mingsheng sent Gu Yan to bring Li Feiyao to the Yu Mansion, while Gu Yan and Yu Qingzhang recognized Wu Tao and Chen Yao from portraits on their families' Longevity Altars.
• Gu Yan and Yu Qingzhang hurried to the Gu Mansion, where they found Li Feiyao in her courtyard and told her to come to the Yu Family.

Wu Tao and Chen Yao visited their old friends Yu Hai, Gu Mingsheng, and Li Feiyao, then returned to the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect. After continuing their cultivation and work, Wu Tao used Star Flowing Light to bring the True Body Chapter of the Cosmic Star Body Refining Art to perfection, triggering transformations in his body and Divine Sense.

• Gu Yan and Yu Qingzhang brought Li Feiyao to the Yu Mansion, where she reunited with Chen Yao, Wu Tao, Yu Hai, and Gu Mingsheng.
• Wu Tao and Chen Yao gave greeting gifts to Gu Yan and Yu Qingzhang, and Yu Hai urged the youths to remember their families’ debt to the visitors.
• Wu Tao gave Yu Hai a jade pendant and asked him to contact Hall Master Wen if anything happened, then he and Chen Yao departed on the Flying Wave Boat.
• Wu Tao and Chen Yao returned to the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect, resumed cultivating and completing their artifact-refining tasks, and did not revisit the city.
• Wu Tao refined a streak of Star Flowing Light and perfected the True Body Chapter of the Cosmic Star Body Refining Art, causing his Star True Body and Divine Sense to begin transforming.

Wu Tao stabilized his Star True Body at perfection, increasing his Divine Sense to 3,100 li, and reviewed his cultivation and artifact-refining progress. After Wen Xingrui confirmed that his Divine Sense matched a newly advanced Nascent Soul True Lord’s, he obtained a Nascent Soul-level spell for Wu Tao to try cultivating.

• Wu Tao reached Star True Body Perfection, raised his Divine Sense to 3,100 li, and reviewed his cultivation, artifact refining, and plans to prepare for the Yuan Body Realm.
• Wu Tao visited Wen Xingrui at the Artifact Refining Hall and asked him to help obtain a Nascent Soul-level spell from the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect.
• Wu Tao showed Wen Xingrui his 3,000-li Divine Sense, and Wen Xingrui confirmed its strength matched that of a newly advanced Nascent Soul True Lord while warning him not to underestimate Nascent Soul cultivators.
• Wen Xingrui agreed to find Wu Tao a Nascent Soul-level spell, and Wu Tao returned to his Artifact Refining Room to complete his daily task.
• Wen Xingrui summoned Wu Tao and gave him a Jade Slip containing the artifact-refiner-friendly spell called the Red Flame Cover Fire Divine Method.

Wu Tao received a Nascent Soul-level fire technique from Wen Xingrui and began gathering the treasures he needed for a future breakthrough to the Yuan Body Realm. After completing his Golden Core Nine Refinements, he accepted Yu Hai and Gu Mingsheng’s invitation to revisit Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City and set out with Chen Yao.

• Wen Xingrui gave Wu Tao the Crimson Flame Divine Fire Cover Technique and the Crimson Flame Fire needed to cultivate it, and Wu Tao began studying the spell.
• Wu Tao found only three of the nine treasures for breaking through to the Yuan Body Realm at Ethereal Void Immortal Sect, so he arranged for Liu Cheng to purchase the remaining materials at Star Immortal Palace.
• Wu Tao completed the ninth refinement of his Golden Core, greatly increasing his Magic Power.
• Wen Xingrui gave Wu Tao a letter from Yu Hai and Gu Mingsheng, who asked him to accompany them back to Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City.
• Wu Tao and Chen Yao left for Ethereal Void Cultivation City, where Wu Tao disguised himself as an old friend of Yu Hai before visiting him.

Wu Tao and Chen Yao accompanied Yu Hai, Gu Mingsheng, and Li Feiyao on a nostalgic trip to Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City, bringing their great-grandsons Yu Qingzhang and Gu Yan along. As the group revisited Wu Tao’s old home, a hidden Nascent Soul Demonic Dao cultivator prepared a Soul-Sacrifice Formation to slaughter the city’s Qi Refining cultivators.

• At a banquet, Yu Hai and Gu Mingsheng asked Wu Tao to let Yu Qingzhang and Gu Yan accompany them to Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City, and Wu Tao agreed.
• Wu Tao and Chen Yao traveled by Flying Void Boat with the elders and youths, guiding Yu Qingzhang and Gu Yan during the half-month journey.
• The group arrived in Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City, visited its streets and Outer City, and Wu Tao revisited New Virtue Alley while thinking of Zhang Li’s ashes and his aging friends.
• A Nascent Soul Demonic Dao cultivator revealed that he had nearly completed a Soul-Sacrifice Formation intended to refine every Qi Refining cultivator in the city and advance his Soul-Gathering Banner to fourth tier.

Wu Tao and Chen Yao prepared to leave Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City with Yu Hai, Gu Mingsheng, and Li Feiyao, but damage to their Flying Void Boat delayed their departure. On the night before it was due to sail, Wu Tao sensed that a great black formation had shrouded the city.

• Yu Hai offered to buy tickets for the Flying Void Boat, but Wu Tao went with Chen Yao and bought tickets for the group.
• Wu Tao and Chen Yao bought Spirit Fruit Skewers from a familiar old vendor, then shared them with Yu Qingzhang, Gu Yan, and Li Feiyao.
• Wu Tao told Yu Hai, Gu Mingsheng, and Li Feiyao that they would leave for Ethereal Void Cultivation City the next morning, and Chen Yao spent the night sharing a room with Li Feiyao.
• An Ethereal Void Immortal Sect disciple reported that the Flying Void Boat had suffered apparent man-made damage, forcing its departure to be postponed for three days.
• Wu Tao and the others returned to the Immortal Inn and waited, while Chen Yao and Li Feiyao talked about having children and cultivation.
• After cultivating, Wu Tao sensed something was wrong and discovered through his Divine Sense that a great black formation covered Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City.

Wu Tao confronted Ancestor Yinming, a newly advanced Nascent Soul Devilish Cultivator who trapped Five Spring Mountain cultivation city in a Soul-Sacrifice Formation and unleashed his Soul-Gathering Banner. After protecting Chen Yao and the others and rescuing the Foundation Establishment guards, Wu Tao revealed his overwhelming strength and launched a barrage of Tier 3 High-Grade True Artifacts at Ancestor Yinming.

• Ancestor Yinming blocked the Foundation Establishment guards’ SOS Talisman and announced that he would refine the city’s cultivators into Nether Souls.
• Wu Tao concealed his identity, set up a protective formation around Chen Yao and the others, and flew to help the Foundation Establishment guards.
• Wu Tao destroyed or drove off the Nether Souls attacking the guard station, relieving pressure on its protective formation.
• Ancestor Yinming targeted Wu Tao with powerful Nether Souls, but Wu Tao revealed his nine-refined Golden Core and 3,100-mile divine sense.
• Wu Tao sent twenty-four Tier 3 High-Grade offensive True Artifacts at Ancestor Yinming, who hurriedly gathered Nether Souls to defend himself.

Wu Tao battled the Nether Soul Sect Nascent Soul cultivator while Chen Yao protected rogue cultivators in Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City and refined the formation disk. Wu Tao then combined his three cultivation paths to attack, leaving his opponent shocked by his strength and questioning whether he belonged to the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect.

• Cultivators in Five Spring Mountain joined forces against the souls, while Wu Tao faced the Nether Soul Sect Nascent Soul cultivator in the sky.
• Chen Yao saw rogue Qi Refining cultivators dying outside Wu Tao's Tier 3 Formation and decided to open it for them once she obtained its Formation Disk.
• Wu Tao sent Chen Yao the Formation Disk, and she released the Soul-Devouring Insect to destroy the souls while she refined it.
• The Soul-Devouring Insect devoured several Tier 2 souls, distracting the Nether Soul Sect cultivator during his battle with Wu Tao.
• Wu Tao began using the Cosmic Star Body Refining Art alongside his Artifact Refining Combat Dao and Spell Cultivation Dao, startling the opponent, who questioned whether he was truly of the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect.

Wu Tao defeated and killed the Nether Soul Sect’s demonic Nascent Soul cultivator above Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City, while the Soul-Devouring Insect cleared the Nether Souls threatening the defenses. The rogue cultivators took shelter inside the formations, and Wu Tao left the battle confident that his Golden Core strength could slay a Nascent Soul opponent.

• The Soul-Devouring Insect devoured the three Tier 2 High-Grade Nether Souls attacking the Foundation Establishment Guard Station, then consumed the remaining Tier 2 Nether Souls as the guards opened the formation to shelter rogue cultivators.
• Chen Yao refined the Formation Disk, opened the Tier 3 Great Formation to protect fleeing rogue cultivators, and resolved to reach the Nascent Soul Realm while watching the battle above.
• Wu Tao revealed his Star True Body and attacked the demonic Nascent Soul with twenty-four Tier 3 High-Grade True Artifacts and the God-Breaking Technique.
• Wu Tao shattered the demonic Nascent Soul’s defenses and Soul-Gathering Banner, annihilating him before he could escape.
• Wu Tao reflected that he had proven a Golden Core cultivator could kill a Nascent Soul True Lord across realms.

Wu Tao killed the Nether Soul Sect Nascent Soul Devilish Cultivator, stopped the escaping souls, and withdrew the Soul-Sacrifice Formation trapping Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City. He returned safely to Chen Yao and the others, then recounted the battle while resolving to remain cautious around Nascent Soul opponents.

• Wu Tao used Master Nail to devour the fleeing Tier 2 Souls and Tier 3 Souls, then broke the restriction on the dead cultivator's Storage Bag and found the Soul-Sacrifice Formation's Formation Disk.
• Wu Tao refined the Formation Disk and withdrew the Soul-Sacrifice Formation, freeing Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City as the remaining Tier 1 Souls were being defeated.
• The Ethereal Void Immortal Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators discussed the senior who had killed the invader, while Chen Yao sensed Wu Tao's victory and told the others the danger had passed.
• Wu Tao returned to Chen Yao, Yu Hai, Gu Mingsheng, Li Feiyao, and the others unharmed, and Yu Hai apologized for inviting him back to the city.
• Wu Tao told Chen Yao how he had defeated the Nascent Soul Devilish Cultivator and resolved to stay cautious rather than underestimate future Nascent Soul opponents.

Wu Tao and Chen Yao watched Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City recover after Wu Tao killed the Nether Soul Sect Nascent Soul Devilish Cultivator, then returned to Ethereal Void Immortal Sect with their companions. Liu Cheng had brought back the materials Wu Tao needed for the Yuan Body Realm breakthrough, leaving Wu Tao waiting for the right opportunity to advance.

• Wu Tao kept his Divine Sense over Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City as the Soul-Devouring Insect and the cultivators cleared out the remaining Tier 1 Souls.
• Wu Tao inspected the slain Nether Soul Sect cultivator's Storage Bag, then the Foundation Establishment cultivators prepared a report and requested Nascent Soul protection for Five Spring Mountain Cultivation City.
• Wu Tao, Chen Yao, Yu Hai, and the others boarded the Flying Void Boat and returned to Ethereal Void Cultivation City after a fifteen-day journey.
• Wu Tao declined Yu Hai's invitation to rest at the Yu Mansion and returned to the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect with Chen Yao.
• Gu Xingyuan told Wu Tao that Liu Cheng had returned, and Liu Cheng gave Wu Tao the materials needed for his Yuan Body Realm breakthrough.

Wu Tao returned to the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect, visited Wen Xingrui with Chen Yao, and explained how he had killed a newly advanced Nascent Soul devilish cultivator. After three years of cultivating and waiting for a breakthrough opportunity, he reached Golden Core Perfection.

• Wu Tao received the Spiritual Materials and treasures Liu Cheng had brought, then returned to his residence and resumed cultivating.
• Wu Tao and Chen Yao visited Wen Xingrui, who learned they had faced a Nascent Soul devilish cultivator and warned Wu Tao to prioritize Chen Yao's safety.
• Wu Tao explained that he had killed the newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator by combining his divine sense, dual cultivation, and Wen Xingrui's teachings, and promised to retreat rather than rush into danger next time.
• Wu Tao spent the next three years cultivating his Golden Core and observing the stars for an opportunity to break through to the Yuan Body Realm.
• Wu Tao's Golden Core magic power became saturated, and he reached Golden Core Perfection.

Wu Tao’s Golden Core Magic Power transformed beyond Golden Core Perfection, and he tested its newfound strength by refining a Nascent Soul-level spell. He went to show Wen Xingrui the result, while remaining focused on reaching the Nascent Soul and Yuan Body realms.

• Wu Tao’s perfected Golden Core underwent a two-shichen transformation that greatly increased the quality of his Magic Power and clarified the Nascent Soul within it.
• Wu Tao refined the Crimson Flame Divine Fire Cover again and sensed that its power had surpassed the Golden Core level.
• Wu Tao checked his progress, confirmed he could control sixty Tier 3 High-Grade True Artifacts, and considered his plans to advance to Nascent Soul and Tier 4 Low-Level Artifact Refiner.
• Wu Tao drank morning tea with Chen Yao, who noticed that his temperament had become more harmonious after his breakthrough.
• Wu Tao went to the Artifact Refining Hall to meet Wen Xingrui, who asked whether he had cultivated to Golden Core Perfection.

After Wu Tao reached Golden Core Perfection, he showed Wen Xingrui that his Crimson Flame Divine Fire Cover had gained Nascent Soul-level power, and his master confirmed that his magic power and divine sense had also transformed. Wen Xingrui urged him to cultivate the Nine Luminaries Divine Fire Technique and ignite the Fire of the Primordial Spirit before reaching Nascent Soul, and Wu Tao accepted the technique while keeping his focus on advancing to the Yuan Body Realm.

• Wu Tao demonstrated his refined Crimson Flame Divine Fire Cover, and Wen Xingrui confirmed it had Nascent Soul-level power before testing it against his own spell.
• Wen Xingrui revealed that he had reached the fourth level of Nascent Soul and examined Wu Tao's magic power, finding it comparable to that of a newly advanced Nascent Soul True Lord.
• Wu Tao told Wen Xingrui that he expected to fully nurture his Nascent Soul in three or four years and planned to advance to Nascent Soul before becoming a Tier 4 Low-Level Artifact Refiner.
• Wen Xingrui proposed that Wu Tao could bypass the usual order by cultivating the Divine Fire Technique and igniting the Fire of the Primordial Spirit while still at Golden Core, and Wu Tao agreed to try.
• Wen Xingrui gave Wu Tao a Jade Slip containing the Nine Luminaries Divine Fire Technique, which Wu Tao identified as a technique suited to his Nine Luminaries Melting Yang Ultimate Art.
• Wu Tao decided not to rush the technique and returned to his artifact-refining tasks, intending to focus on comprehending his opportunity to break through to the Yuan Body Realm.

Wu Tao mastered his 247th Dao Language syllable, then entered a sudden enlightenment while observing the stars and sensed that his opportunity to break through to the Yuan Body Realm had arrived. Chen Yao reached Foundation Establishment Perfection and, after finding Wu Tao in enlightenment at dawn, left to request leave for him.

• Wu Tao completed his artifact-refining task, learned the 247th Dao Language syllable, and suspected Dao Language had helped transform his Golden Core Magic Power to Nascent Soul level.
• Wu Tao decided to teach Dao Language to Chen Yao after he had mastered it, believing it could help her future cultivation.
• Chen Yao reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, and Wu Tao encouraged her to wait calmly for the opportunity to break through to Golden Core.
• Wu Tao took Chen Yao outside to observe the stars and, after sensing the connection between himself and the stars, entered a deep state of comprehension and recognized his Yuan Body Realm breakthrough opportunity.
• Chen Yao woke refreshed, noticed Wu Tao was in sudden enlightenment, and went to Gu Xingyuan's residence to request leave for him.

Wu Tao emerged from a half-month enlightenment with a clear opportunity to break through to the Yuan Body Realm. With Wen Xingrui and Chen Yao protecting him, he traveled to the Desolate Desert and began his breakthrough, transforming his Star True Body into the Star Yuan Body.

• Chen Yao arranged protections around Wu Tao's residence and informed Wen Xingrui that Wu Tao had entered enlightenment, while Gu Xingyuan formally reported his absence to Wen Xingrui.
• Wen Xingrui stayed with Chen Yao to protect Wu Tao as his starlight grew brighter over half a month.
• Wu Tao awoke, thanked Wen Xingrui and Chen Yao for guarding him, and said he could break through to the Yuan Body Realm at any time.
• Wen Xingrui took Wu Tao and Chen Yao to the Desolate Desert in the Beast Taming Region and set up a low-grade fourth-tier formation for the breakthrough.
• Wu Tao circulated the Cosmic Star Body Refining Art beneath the night sky, drawing down Star Radiance and breaking through into the Star Yuan Body.

Wu Tao completed his breakthrough to the Star Yuan Body Realm after a month of refining nine Spiritual Material treasures, gaining a major increase in lifespan and divine sense. Back at the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect, he began reading a damaged ancient book about Body Cultivators while Wen Xingrui prepared to advance as an Artifact Refiner.

• Wu Tao broke through to the Star Yuan Body Realm and spent a month consolidating it by refining nine Spiritual Material treasures.
• Wen Xingrui and Chen Yao guarded Wu Tao until he completed his breakthrough, then the three returned to the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect.
• Wu Tao checked his Personal Status and discovered his lifespan had risen to 1,359 years and his divine sense had expanded by five hundred miles.
• Wen Xingrui gave Wu Tao a damaged ancient book about Body Cultivators before preparing to advance to Tier 4 Mid-Level Artifact Refiner.
• Wu Tao returned to his residence, checked on the artifact refiners from Star Immortal Palace, and began reading the ancient book.

Wu Tao studied an ancient book, continued his body and Nascent Soul preparations, and attended the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect's Artifact Refiner Exchange Conference. The conference ended with Wen Xingrui emerging from seclusion to attempt advancement to Tier 4 Mid-Level Artifact Refiner.

• Wu Tao found a preserved line in an ancient travelogue claiming that extreme body cultivation meant bloodline atavism, but gained no further insight from the damaged book.
• Wu Tao cultivated the Yuan Body chapter of the Cosmic Star Body Refining Art and the Nine Profound Celestial Heavens Star Fire Hidden Spirit Method while Wen Xingrui remained in seclusion.
• Wu Tao completed his artifact-refining work and attended the Ethereal Void Immortal Sect's exchange conference, where Yang Kaiji welcomed him and invited him to lecture.
• Wu Tao shared his artifact-refining insights, reunited with Zhao Zhen, Fan Zhifeng, and other old acquaintances, and learned that Gao Xing was gravely declining in his Cave Abode.
• After the conference's half-month session ended, Wen Xingrui emerged from seclusion to prepare to advance to Tier 4 Mid-Level Artifact Refiner.