Chapter Summaries

Wang Daoyuan joined the Zhou Emperor and the other cultivators at the Hidden Dragon River to face the Demon Beasts gathering for the Spiritual Energy Tide. The tide produced fifth-grade spiritual energy for the first time, and Wang Daoyuan began using it to advance his cultivation and strengthen his body.

• Wang Daoyuan met the Zhou Emperor and True Man Lei Yan, who learned that Zhou Luan belonged to the Crimson Luan True Person lineage and had recently given birth.
• Zhou Jingyuan complained that Wang Daoyuan had become his uncle-in-law, while Wang Daoyuan spent the following months learning from True Man Lei Yan as cultivators suppressed the gathered Demon Beasts.
• Wang Daoyuan and more than two hundred Golden Core Cultivators gathered at the Hidden Dragon River estuary as the Spiritual Energy Tide raised the energy concentration to the limit of fourth grade.
• The tide contracted and then produced fifth-grade spiritual energy, transforming the energy within fifty li of the estuary.
• Wang Daoyuan spread Gui Water Nether Flame across a hundred-zhang area to absorb the fifth-grade spiritual energy, then used it to cultivate the True Dragon Body Tempering Art after his Golden Core could absorb no more.

Wang Daoyuan cultivated during the Spiritual Energy Tide until dwindling fifth-order spiritual energy sparked a battle among the Demon Beasts at Hidden Dragon River. As escaping beasts were killed by the human sects, a jade-green flood dragon confronted Wang Daoyuan over its grandson’s death.

• Wang Daoyuan refined his body and sent Gui Water Nether Flame essence into the Spirit Pearl Space, strengthening its spiritual energy and benefiting the Star Cores.
• When the fifth-order spiritual energy began to shrink, Demon Beasts fought over the remaining energy, and the battle spread across the river mouth.
• Wang Daoyuan and the other human cultivators retreated while Demon Beasts fled inland and were captured or killed by the sects guarding the riverbanks.
• A jade-green flood dragon confronted Wang Daoyuan, accusing him of carrying the aura of the grandson killed during the previous Spiritual Energy Tide.

Wang Daoyuan faced a Jade Scale Flood Dragon that accused him of killing its grandson, and the two fought at the river mouth. After Wang Daoyuan injured the dragon’s kidney, True Man Lei Yan revealed his Nascent Soul presence, forcing the other dragons to back down and the wounded Jade Scale Flood Dragon to flee.

• Wang Daoyuan admitted killing the Jade Scale Flood Dragon’s grandson and argued that the fight had followed the ancient rules for the Spiritual Energy Tide.
• The Jade Scale Flood Dragon attacked Wang Daoyuan, who used his flames and evasive techniques to avoid its strikes.
• Wang Daoyuan concealed himself and stabbed the Jade Scale Flood Dragon’s kidney with the White Tiger Blade, weakening it.
• The Deep Sea Ink Dragon joined the fight and extinguished Wang Daoyuan’s flames, but True Man Lei Yan intervened with his Nascent Soul aura.
• The Deep Sea Ink Dragon apologized and withdrew, while the injured Jade Scale Flood Dragon fled into the Wan Chuan River.

After the battle at the Hidden Dragon River, Wang Daoyuan returned to Jade Spring Peak with True Man Lei Yan. True Man Lei Yan met Zhou Luan and Wang Mingchen, giving them powerful magical artifacts as gifts.

• Wang Daoyuan gave up pursuing the Jade Scale Flood Dragon and watched the battle at the river mouth as the fifth-order spiritual energy dwindled.
• Wang Daoyuan killed a wounded blue-and-red lobster for food, then refrained from joining the fighting when the spiritual energy vanished and the surviving Demon Beasts fled.
• Wang Daoyuan and True Man Lei Yan left for Qingli Commandery, returning to Jade Spring Peak in two days.
• Zhou Luan greeted True Man Lei Yan at Wang Daoyuan's cave abode, and he gave her a Golden Thread Demon Binding Rope as a meeting gift.
• True Man Lei Yan gave Wang Mingchen a Purple Gold Longevity Lock that could shield him from a Half-step Nascent Soul Cultivator's full-force strike.

Wang Daoyuan and Zhou Luan watched Wang Mingchen absorb diluted fish soup and learned that his physique suited body tempering. After True Man Lei Yan left Jade Spring Peak, Zhou Jingyuan and King Linjiang arrived to thank the Wang Clan and meet Zhou Luan and her son, bringing the Crimson Luan Divine Fire Art for Wang Mingchen.

• Wang Daoyuan prepared catfish for a meal, and Wang Mingchen drank diluted fish soup that his body quickly absorbed.
• True Man Lei Yan praised Wang Mingchen's potential for body tempering and advised the family about his cultivation arts.
• True Man Lei Yan guided the Wang Clan's artifact refiners and formation cultivators before leaving for Treasure Cauldron Mountain.
• Wang Daoyuan and True Man Lei Yan went to Wanchuan Market after reports of fleeing demon beasts, but the high-grade beasts stayed hidden underwater.
• Zhou Jingyuan and King Linjiang arrived at Jade Spring Peak to thank the Wang Clan and meet Zhou Luan, who brought Wang Mingchen to the Assembly Hall.
• King Linjiang presented Wang Mingchen with the Crimson Luan Divine Fire Art on the Zhou Emperor's orders.

King Linjiang and Zhou Jingyuan visited Jade Spring Peak, where Zhou Luan accepted the title Princess Qingyang and gifts from the Zhou imperial family. After they left, Wang Daoyuan reflected on the gains from his trip to Zhou, and Wang Mingchen finally called Zhou Luan “Mama.”

• King Linjiang presented Zhou Luan with the Supreme Emperor’s decree, and Zhou Jingyuan formally conferred the title Princess Qingyang on her.
• King Linjiang gave Zhou Luan a Phoenix Feather Robe and Wang Mingchen a Crimson Luan Jade Pendant, while Wang Daoyuan offered Cloud Hidden Tea in return.
• After King Linjiang and Zhou Jingyuan departed, Zhou Luan explained the gifts’ benefits, and Wang Daoyuan described how the Spiritual Energy Tide had strengthened the Spirit Pearl Space.
• Wang Daoyuan took Wang Mingchen for a stroll while Zhou Luan put on her Phoenix Coronet and Robe.
• Wang Mingchen called Zhou Luan “Mama” for the first time, and Zhou Luan asked Wang Daoyuan to put on his ceremonial crown and Python Robe.

Wang Daoyuan strengthened his techniques in preparation for leaving the Northern Abyss Cultivation World and comprehended the Golden Roc’s divine charm. The chapter ended with five-year-old Wang Mingchen successfully beginning his cultivation.

• Wang Daoyuan identified the techniques and sea-crossing preparations he needed to improve before traveling to the Seven Stars Sea Cultivation World.
• Wang Daoyuan mastered the spells of the Golden Roc Subdues Dragon Technique and spent more than four years comprehending the Golden Roc Divine Charm.
• Wang Daoyuan learned to cast Feather Blades and the Golden Roc Sky Soaring Technique, gaining powerful new offensive and escape techniques.
• Wang Mingchen grew strong enough to begin cultivating under the supervision of Wang Daoyuan and Zhou Luan.
• Wang Mingchen cultivated a wisp of spiritual energy with the Meridian Opening Art and formally entered the path of cultivation.

Wang Zhian chose to form his core at Jade Spring Peak, hoping the Heaven and Earth Boon would improve the clan’s spiritual vein. He survived the tribulation and began sharing the boon with his clansmen, including Wang Mingchen.

• Zhou Luan and Wang Daoyuan concluded that Wang Mingchen was a Heavenly Spiritual Root after he developed Qi sensation in an hour and a half.
• Fifth Uncle-Grandfather returned from Wanchuan Market after comprehending a law and chose Jade Spring Peak for Core Formation.
• Wang Daoyuan gave Fifth Uncle-Grandfather a Golden Core Pill and arranged for the clan to clear the area while he prepared to form his core.
• After five months, Wang Zhian swallowed the pill, formed a four-inch Golden Core, and survived the heavenly tribulation without injury.
• Cloud Wing, Thunder Ape, and Big Black arrived to absorb the Heaven and Earth Boon, and Fifth Uncle-Grandfather summoned the clansmen, carrying Wang Mingchen to the Jade Dragon Spring.

After Fifth Uncle-Grandfather’s tribulation, Wang Dezhao used the Heaven and Earth Boon to open a Violet Mansion and manifested a rare Flame Phenomenon. His breakthrough succeeded, while Cloud Winged Tiger also advanced and Big Black remained asleep.

• Wang Dezhao arrived at Jade Spring Peak and told Wang Daoyuan he intended to open his Violet Mansion during the Heaven and Earth Boon.
• Wang Dezhao absorbed the golden rain, then entered the Earth Fire Chamber after the boon ended to prepare for his breakthrough.
• Wang Dezhao formed a seven-and-a-half-inch Violet Mansion prototype and manifested a ball of flame as his Violet Mansion Phenomenon.
• Wang Dezhao emerged successfully and worried that his Flame Phenomenon might be weak, but Wang Daoyuan encouraged him to study its essence and its potential for forming spirit fire.
• Cloud Winged Tiger completed its breakthrough to Mid-grade Third-order, while Wang Daoyuan placed the still-sleeping Big Black in the Spirit Pearl Space.

Wang Daoyuan introduced Wang Mingchen to the Thunder Ape and Cloudwing, then waited for Big Black to awaken after advancing to the third order. Big Black revealed powerful innate spells, and its ability to sense Wang Mingchen’s aura suggested that the child carried a Vermillion Bird bloodline.

• Wang Daoyuan introduced Wang Mingchen to the Thunder Ape and Cloudwing, and Cloudwing charmed snacks out of the child before both beasts returned to guard Dragon Fall Ridge.
• Wang Daoyuan considered the upcoming Golden Core Ceremony and accepted that Fifth Uncle-Grandfather’s Heaven and Earth Boon had brought Wang Mingchen into public view.
• Big Black awoke as a Low-grade Third-order spirit beast, grew much larger, and demonstrated that it could shrink its body.
• Big Black sensed a divine beast aura on Wang Mingchen that matched Wang Daoyuan’s Vermillion Bird Manifestation, delighting Wang Daoyuan and Zhou Luan.
• Big Black demonstrated an extraordinary sense of smell and the ability to inhale and refine spiritual energy, while Wang Daoyuan’s research linked its devouring spell to the Heavenly Dog.

Wang Daoyuan prepared for the Wang Clan’s Golden Core Ceremony, where the clan changed hands and welcomed guests from across the region. After the ceremony, Li Jianfeng asked Wang Daoyuan to protect the embattled Returning Origin Sword Sect.

• Wang Daoyuan learned Big Black could scout hidden enemies and decided it would accompany Wang Mingchen and later travel with him to the Seven Stars Sea.
• The Wang Clan prepared for its Golden Core Ceremony, with Wang Daochang transferring the clan head position to Wang Mingshan.
• Guests from the Zhao Kingdom, Linhai, and north of the mountains attended the ceremony, including Li Jianfeng of the Returning Origin Sword Sect.
• Wang Daoyuan learned that demon beast attacks had weakened the Returning Origin Sword Sect and left it seeking protection from Qingli Commandery.
• After the ceremony, Li Jianfeng stayed behind and begged Wang Daoyuan to save the Returning Origin Sword Sect, offering its disciples’ service in return.

Wang Daoyuan agreed to protect the Returning Origin Sword Sect from the Demon Race only if it disbanded and became the Li family of Falling Goose Mountain. After Li Jianfeng accepted, Wang Daoyuan examined the sect’s inherited treasures and found valuable original sword-cultivation techniques, though some remained beyond his current abilities.

• Li Jianfeng offered Wang Daoyuan the Golden Book and broken sword, revealing that they held the original Returning Origin Sword Canon.
• Wang Daoyuan refused to allow the Returning Origin Sword Sect to remain a sect, but offered to protect the Li family and incorporate the other disciples into Qingli Commandery’s Garrison Hall.
• Li Jianfeng accepted the conditions and renamed the group the Li family of Falling Goose Mountain.
• Wang Daoyuan sent word announcing the sect’s submission and warning the Demon Race not to attack Qingli Commandery’s subordinate forces.
• Wang Daoyuan recognized that the broken sword matched the Taiyi Divine Sword in his diagram and stored it in the Spirit Pearl Space.
• Wang Daoyuan studied the Golden Book’s improved Returning Origin Sword Intent and Sword Qi Manifestation techniques, but set aside methods he could not yet cultivate.

Wang Daoyuan accepted the disbanded Returning Origin Sword Sect into Qingli Commandery and negotiated with the Demon Race over human affairs north of the mountains. After the Demon Race accepted a strand of Golden Crow fire in exchange for recognizing his jurisdiction, more than a hundred Foundation Establishment forces pledged allegiance, giving Qingli Commandery a firm foothold north of the mountains.

• Li Jianfeng reported that the Returning Origin Sword Sect had disbanded, and Wang Daoyuan assigned its remaining cultivators to Qingli Commandery.
• Wang Daoyuan allowed the sect’s Foundation Establishment cultivators to remain at Returning Goose Market and sent its Qi Refinement cultivators to Green Willow Continent.
• The Cold Flood Dragon and a red-robed demon questioned Wang Daoyuan’s protection of the Returning Origin Sword Sect, and he asserted his authority over the humans north of the mountains.
• Wang Daoyuan gave the red-robed demon a strand of Golden Crow Rootless Fire, and the Demon Race agreed to entrust the humans north of the mountains to him.
• More than a hundred Foundation Establishment forces pledged allegiance to Qingli Commandery, securing its foothold north of the mountains.

Wang Daoyuan arranged the Wang Clan’s inheritance and spent several years improving the Hidden Demon Art while Wang Mingchen grew up. After discovering that Mingchen had an exceptional Heavenly Spiritual Root, Wang Daoyuan decided to establish him as Heir Apparent of Qingli Commandery, and Zhao Jinguo arrived with the symbols of his title.

• Wang Daoyuan entrusted Wang Mingshan with cultivating the True Dragon Body Tempering Art and restricted knowledge of it to the Wang Clan’s senior leaders.
• Wang Daoyuan and Zhou Luan returned to cultivation while Wang Mingchen studied at the instruction hall and trained under Big Black.
• Five years later, Wang Daoyuan’s improved Hidden Demon Art had advanced enough to conceal him from Zhou Luan without a probing secret technique.
• Wang Daoyuan tested Wang Mingchen’s spiritual roots and found a nine-inch-seven-tenths Heavenly Spiritual Root.
• Wang Daoyuan decided to establish ten-year-old Wang Mingchen as Heir Apparent of Qingli Commandery and sent a memorial to the Zhao Emperor.
• Zhao Jinguo arrived at Jade Spring Peak with several Zhao Clan Violet Mansion members carrying the Heir Apparent’s seal, crown, and robe.

Wang Daoyuan oversaw Wang Mingchen’s investiture as Heir Apparent and learned that the Devil Race was stirring up trouble in the Southern Wilderness despite True Man Lei Yan’s Nascent Soul breakthrough. Expecting a major conflict and possible conscription, Wang Daoyuan strengthened the clan’s defenses and prepared to focus on cultivation.

• Zhao Jingguo delivered the imperial decree naming Wang Mingchen Heir Apparent, then left a princess consort’s Phoenix Coronet and Robe for Wang Daoyuan to give to Zhou Luan.
• Yi Changsheng warned Wang Daoyuan that elderly Devil Race members had emerged in the Southern Wilderness and that the Divine Weapon Pavilion and Taiyi Sword Sect were preparing for war.
• Wang Daoyuan concluded that the Devil Race had prepared for the conflict and possessed hidden strength that did not fear a single Nascent Soul Cultivator.
• Wang Daoyuan brought Wang Shouze and other clansmen to Wanchuan Market and set up the Myriad Waters Return to Source Array in just over four months.
• Wang Daoyuan and Zhou Luan moved to the Underground Cave Mansion beside the Earth Fire Chamber so they could cultivate after Wang Mingchen entered the Transmission Hall and Arts Hall.

After five years of cultivation, Wang Daoyuan reached Peak Golden Core and prepared to travel to the Taiyi Sword Sect to repair the Taiyi Divine Sword as war with the Devil Race threatened the Southern Wilderness. He left Zhou Luan to guard Jade Spring Peak and departed aboard a flying warship with Kui Jian.

• Wang Daoyuan reached Peak Golden Core, while Zhou Luan neared the same level and the Spirit Pearl Space’s spiritual items continued to grow.
• Wang Daoyuan extracted ten drops of flower dew from the Seven-Leaf Ghost Face Flower and noted that the Crimson Feather Crow had advanced to mid Fourth-order.
• Wang Daoyuan arranged for Wang Mingchen to learn affairs of governance from Wang Mingshan instead of advancing his cultivation too quickly.
• Wang Daoyuan asked True Man Lei Yan to inform the Taiyi Sword Sect that he could repair the Taiyi Divine Sword and needed a flying warship to fetch him.
• Kui Jian arrived at Jade Spring Peak, and Wang Daoyuan told Zhou Luan he was leaving to repair the sword and asked her to guard the family.
• Wang Daoyuan gave Wang Mingshan instructions, boarded Kui Jian’s flying warship, and headed southwest toward the Taiyi Sword Sect.

Wang Daoyuan arrived at Taiyi Mountain to help repair the Taiyi Divine Sword, using his Grand Unity Golden Flame to melt the only available repair material. The fragment finally softened under the enhanced flames, allowing the repair work to begin.

• Kui Jian flew Wang Daoyuan across Dragon Ridge Mountain in a fourth-order high-grade warship and brought him to Taiyi Mountain.
• True Person Wujian welcomed Wang Daoyuan and escorted him to Chongli Hall, where he met True Man Lei Yan and True Man Yun Jian.
• True Man Yun Jian brought the group to the Earth Fire Chamber and presented the broken Taiyi Divine Sword and its repair fragment.
• Wang Daoyuan burned the fragment with his Grand Unity Golden Flame and Vermilion Bird Fan, but it remained too hard to melt.
• True Man Lei Yan suggested using the Meteor Fire-Controlling Gourd, and Wang Daoyuan amplified the flames until the fragment softened and True Man Yun Jian declared it ready to forge.

Wang Daoyuan helped True Man Lei Yan and True Man Yun Jian repair the Taiyi Divine Sword, and the Taiyi Sword Sect rewarded him with a chance to study its sword inheritance. He entered the Divine Sword Secret Realm with True Person Wujian and began exploring its vast collection of sword-cultivation records.

• Wang Daoyuan controlled the flames while True Man Lei Yan repaired the Taiyi Divine Sword and True Man Yun Jian infused it with spiritual power and sword intent.
• After nurturing the repaired sword for two months, True Man Lei Yan inspected it, and True Man Yun Jian confirmed its power with several sword strikes.
• True Man Yun Jian offered Wang Daoyuan guidance in sword cultivation and permission to study the Taiyi Divine Sword Diagram, while True Man Lei Yan gave his reward to Wang Daoyuan.
• True Person Wujian led Wang Daoyuan into the Divine Sword Secret Realm and explained that its thousands of steles recorded the Taiyi Sword Sect's predecessors' cultivation experiences.
• Wang Daoyuan examined a stele bearing True Person Yu Jian's Misty Sword Intent, and True Person Wujian warned him about the pressure the steles' sword intent placed on the divine soul before leading him toward the Taiyi Divine Sword Diagram.

Wang Daoyuan entered the secret chamber to comprehend the original Taiyi Divine Sword Diagram and endured its attacking Sword Qi. With True Person Wujian’s guidance, he achieved Man and Sword as One, but chose to keep studying the diagram.

• True Person Wujian led Wang Daoyuan to the Taiyi Divine Sword Diagram and warned him to prepare for its dangerous Sword Qi.
• Wang Daoyuan defended himself with the Black Tortoise Sword Shield as the diagram’s sword strike attacked him.
• Wang Daoyuan studied the diagram’s Sword Intent and recognized its connection to the Returning Origin Sword Intent.
• True Person Wujian guided Wang Daoyuan’s sword cultivation as he continued comprehending the diagram.
• After one month, Wang Daoyuan achieved Man and Sword as One and strengthened his Sword Shadow Divine Light Technique.
• Wang Daoyuan asked to keep comprehending the diagram, and True Person Wujian agreed.

Wang Daoyuan comprehended several Sword Intents in the Divine Sword Secret Realm before leaving with True Person Wujian and True Man Lei Yan. He then persuaded True Man Lei Yan to take True Man Ten Thousand Corpses to the Southern Wilderness to fight the Devil Race, willingly or otherwise.

• Wang Daoyuan comprehended Slaughter Sword Intent, Majestic Sword Intent, and Armor-breaking Sword Intent, despite True Person Wujian warning him against pursuing too many Sword Intents.
• True Person Wujian and Wang Daoyuan left the Divine Sword Secret Realm when True Man Lei Yan prepared to depart.
• True Man Yun Jian advised Wang Daoyuan to conceal the sharp aura of Man and Sword as One and gave him a sword escape spell suited to White Tiger Sword Intent.
• Wang Daoyuan explained that True Man Ten Thousand Corpses had become a ghost cultivator and was responsible for the corpse puppets ravaging the lands north of the mountains.
• Wang Daoyuan proposed that the corpse puppets could help fight the Devil Race, and True Man Lei Yan decided to visit the Yellow Springs Secret Realm and bring True Man Ten Thousand Corpses to the Southern Wilderness.