Chapter Summaries

He Song arrived at Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop and took charge under the Daoist title Cang Song True Person, while suspecting its stewards were puppets controlled by a demonic cultivator. Once inside the manor with Cheng Yan, he used the Soul Searching Technique on him.

• He Song detected that most of the Immortal Market's higher-ups were puppets and identified Cheng Yan as the speaker controlling their welcome.
• He Song descended with Ping'er and Chu Shuangshuang, concealed his suspicions, and introduced himself as Cang Song True Person, an elder of the Thick Earth Sect.
• Cheng Yan and the other stewards bowed to He Song and accepted him as their new superior.
• He Song entered the manor with Ping'er, Chu Shuangshuang, and Cheng Yan, then approached Cheng Yan and cast the Soul Searching Technique.

He Song used Soul Searching Technique on Cheng Yan and learned that he was a Seven Star Sect agent controlling puppets made from Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop’s cultivators. After killing Cheng Yan and taking the puppets, He Song appointed Fang Yu to manage the market and explained his discovery to Ping'er and Chu Shuangshuang, then turned his attention to studying the Spirit Puppet Technique.

• He Song used Soul Searching Technique on Cheng Yan, whose memories revealed that Ningyin Real Person had left him behind as a Seven Star Sect agent with puppets made from most of the workshop’s Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators.
• He Song killed Cheng Yan, then told Ping'er and Chu Shuangshuang that he had discovered the man’s scheme through his divine sense and Soul Searching Technique.
• After Cheng Yan’s death caused the puppets to collapse, He Song appointed Fang Yu chief steward and ordered him and the other surviving stewards to report monthly.
• He Song collected the puppets, brought Ping'er and Chu Shuangshuang inside, and explained how he had detected Cheng Yan while surveying the Immortal Market from the Spirit Boat.

He Song settled into secluded cultivation at Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop and studied the puppet-control art in the Spirit Puppet Technique. After a month, he practiced controlling seven puppets, while chief steward Fang Yu grew suspicious when one of the dead cultivators emerged from He Song’s residence as a puppet.

• Ping'er and Chu Shuangshuang learned that Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop was named for Ghost Soul Grass, then left the market after touring it with He Song.
• He Song appointed a chief steward to manage the market, set up a Small Spirit Gathering Array and Nether Smoke Array in his residence, and began studying the Spirit Puppet Technique.
• He Song learned that the Spirit Puppet Technique could refine cultivators, materials, and beasts into puppets, and studied its methods for controlling them.
• After a month, He Song became proficient enough to control the seven puppets in his Storage Pouch, though he expected to manage only three or four in battle.
• Fang Yu came to report to He Song and was met by a puppet resembling a cultivator who had died a month earlier; he left wondering whether He Song was Ningyin Real Person.

After four years of secluded cultivation, He Song completed the Seven Killing Heavenly Fire Array and prepared to return to the Thick Earth Sect’s former territory to check on his concealed spirit fields and cave dwelling. He reached the area near the sect’s mountain gate and began searching for the fields he had reclaimed.

• Over four years, He Song advanced his cultivation, mastered the Qi Observation Technique, and continued studying the Spirit Puppet Technique while Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop changed under the Thick Earth Sect’s rule.
• He Song completed and tested the Seven Killing Heavenly Fire Array, then installed it in his residence without letting its killing intent escape.
• He Song remembered his abandoned cave dwelling, spirit fields, medicinal garden, and little turtle, and worried that the arrays concealing them might have failed.
• He Song left a puppet to tell Fang Yu to return the following month, packed the Seven Killing Heavenly Fire Array, and departed Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop.
• After more than ten days of travel, He Song reached the vicinity of the Thick Earth Sect’s mountain gate and avoided entering the sect.
• He Song used the Mountain-Linked Earth Escape Technique to find one of his reclaimed spirit fields.

He Song erased the traces of the Spirit Fields he had cultivated in the Thick Earth Sect's territory and killed Wei Hong, a Rogue Cultivator who had been waiting to ambush their owner. He returned to his old cave dwelling, found his white turtle alive, and made it his spirit beast, naming it Yu'er.

• He Song searched the abandoned Spirit Fields, erased their traces, and discovered Wei Hong hiding near the largest valley.
• He Song used the Soul Searching Technique on Wei Hong, learned that Wei Hong had harvested ten thousand jin of Spirit Rice, and killed him before taking his possessions.
• He Song cleared the remaining traces from the thirty-mu Spirit Field and restored the hundred mu of fields in the Thick Earth Sect's territory to mountain forest.
• He Song returned to his temporary cave dwelling and found the little turtle alive by the riverbank after four years away.
• He Song used a Beast Taming Plaque to make the turtle his spirit beast and named it Yu'er.

He Song harvested the Spirit Rice and herbs from his cave abode, realizing the unusually rich rice might be cultivated to benefit Foundation Establishment cultivators. He traveled to Qingyuan Immortal City for puppet materials, where he unexpectedly reunited with Su Yan, leaving their changed relationship unresolved.

• He Song noticed his four-year-old Spirit Rice had absorbed dense spiritual energy and considered seeking cultivation methods for superior Spirit Rice in the sect’s Scripture Pavilion.
• He Song harvested the Spirit Rice and medicinal herbs, restored the fields, dismantled the Small Spirit Gathering Arrays, and left Yu'er by the riverbank.
• He Song traveled to Qingyuan Immortal City to buy materials for refining puppets and reflected on how his first visit with Wei Fan had changed his fate.
• He Song encountered Su Yan in the city and recognized her after she called him Brother Song.

He Song reunited with Su Yan in Qingyuan Immortal City, learned from her that the Treasure Gathering Pavilion could supply his puppet-refining materials, and then went there under an assumed identity. He bought enough materials to make one Foundation Establishment realm spirit puppet and continued shopping.

• He Song invited Su Yan to a teahouse, where they caught up and she thanked him for warning her to flee Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.
• He Song showed Su Yan his list of puppet-refining materials, and she directed him to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.
• He Song thanked Su Yan with several bottles of Qi-Congealing Pills, then left her and disguised his appearance and cultivation at an inn.
• He Song entered the Treasure Gathering Pavilion as the Rogue Cultivator Chen Zhou and gave Jiang Fei his materials list.
• He Song spent just under twenty thousand Spirit Stones on enough materials to craft one spirit puppet, but he did not stop buying.

He Song bought puppet-refining materials and Foundation Establishment Spirit Talismans in Qingyuan Immortal City, then discovered that an inn he had once used for a staged breakthrough had become the famous Ascension Inn. After changing his appearance and leaving the city, he headed for the Thick Earth Sect to find a spirit plant he could cultivate for income.

• He Song spent tens of thousands of Spirit Stones on several sets of puppet-refining materials and bought defensive and life-preserving Spirit Talismans for Foundation Establishment cultivators.
• Jiang Fei wondered whether He Song was a True Person's disciple and felt relieved that he had treated him respectfully.
• He Song entered the Ascension Inn and recognized it as the inn where he had once pretended to achieve Foundation Establishment; he paid one hundred Spirit Stones for a ten-day stay.
• He Song activated the room's array, concealed his aura, burned his black robe, washed himself and his belongings, and changed his appearance before leaving the inn.
• He Song left Qingyuan Immortal City for the Thick Earth Sect's mountain gate to search the Scripture Pavilion for a spirit plant to cultivate for future income.

He Song returned to the Thick Earth Sect to study spirit-plant cultivation methods so he could choose profitable crops, then set out for Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop. On the way, he visited Meng Guan at Flame Prosperity Immortal Market, where his concealed arrival surprised his old friend.

• He Song entered the Thick Earth Sect, greeted Round Mountain True Person, and went to the Scripture Pavilion to study the Exotic Spirit Plant Cultivation jade slip.
• He Song memorized the jade slip’s cultivation methods, settled matters with Yang Yan, and left the sect with Yu'er.
• After returning to his temporary cave abode and retrieving his arrays, He Song flew toward Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop, then decided to visit Meng Guan along the way.
• He Song concealed his cultivation and identity before entering Flame Prosperity Immortal Market and brewing tea in Meng Guan’s manor.
• Meng Guan noticed He Song’s tea and joined him, then cautioned him to give notice before making future visits.

He Song reunited with Meng Guan and Wei Fan, then returned to Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop and began refining a humanoid spirit puppet. The chapter ended as he infused the fused materials with spell patterns.

• Meng Guan invited He Song and Wei Fan to gather at Flame Prosperity Immortal Market and revealed that he expected to be transferred to an immortal city.
• Wei Fan felt melancholy about Meng Guan’s progress after learning of the transfer, while He Song observed their reunion without knowing Wei Fan’s thoughts about Meng Guan’s cultivation.
• He Song left after several days, and Wei Fan returned to Clear Spirit Immortal Market to cultivate.
• He Song returned to Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop, checked that all was well, and set up the Seven Killing Heavenly Fire Array.
• He Song gathered materials and began refining a humanoid spirit puppet, melting and fusing them before casting spell patterns into the material.

He Song completed his first spirit puppet, named Clear Wind, and gained a powerful new means of fighting and escaping. With his confidence restored against Ningyin Real Person, he turned his attention back to cultivating precious spirit plants and planning future spirit puppets.

• He Song shaped a patterned little boy puppet and crafted its core using demon beast souls sealed in Soul-Hosting Jade.
• He Song merged the core into the puppet and tested its strength, finding it could threaten Foundation Establishment cultivators and overwhelm Qi Refining cultivators.
• He Song named the puppet Clear Wind and imagined making more spirit puppets to serve as attendants, servants, and mounts.
• Yu'er stared at He Song's Azure Water Turtle Shell Shield, prompting him to hide it and resolve not to show it to her again.
• He Song sent Yu'er and Clear Wind outside, then studied the precious spirit plant cultivation methods he had obtained from the Thick Earth Sect.

He Song spent five years cultivating, refining spirit puppets, and preparing hidden medicinal gardens to grow valuable spirit plants. His mana had grown considerably, and he expected to reach the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage within a few years, while his newly planted Dragonfang Spirit Rice and medicines remained far from harvest.

• He Song chose Earth Spiritual Ginseng, Green Spirit Fruit, Spirit Protection Fruit, Poison Dragon Spirit Grass, and Sha Dissolving Spirit Flower for cultivation, valuing their uses in pills, trade, and self-defense.
• He Song opened several medicinal gardens in the mountains near the Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop, concealed them with arrays, and bought seeds in Yuheng Xiancheng.
• He Song continued cultivating, refining spirit puppets, learning spells, and studying arrays while he waited for the gardens' soil to become suitable for planting.
• After five years of cultivation, He Song's mana had increased greatly, and he expected to reach the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage within the next few years.
• He Song had planted the five spirit plants in separate gardens and cultivated ten mu of Dragonfang Spirit Rice, whose five-year maturation period meant it was still far from harvest.

Over five years at Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop, He Song strengthened his defenses by refining four Spirit Puppets, mastering two Foundation Establishment methods, studying a defensive array, and beginning the Mysterious God Body Refining Technique. As he worried that body-refining costs would drain his Spirit Stones before his herbs matured, a Sound Transmission Talisman arrived, and he read its message.

• He Song refined Clear Wind, Mingyue, Idle Cloud, and Wild Crane, four Spirit Puppets whose combined strength could defeat a Foundation Establishment Real Person.
• He Song studied the Sea Stabilizing Yuan Array and estimated he would be able to craft its array plates and flags in a few more years.
• He Song mastered the Dust Clothing Technique and Molten Fire Shield, which improved his protection and ability to survive attacks.
• He Song chose the Mysterious God Body Refining Technique and spent a year cultivating it, while its need for spiritual fruits and medicines gradually consumed his Spirit Stones.
• He Song received a lit Sound Transmission Talisman, ended his cultivation, and read the paper inside.

He Song welcomed Ping'er, who had achieved Foundation Establishment and stopped by while returning to the sect for the once-every-thirty-years Outer Sect Tournament. Ping'er told him Clear Moon Real Person expected her to take a disciple, and He Song questioned whether she should choose a young cultivator rather than a tournament competitor.

• He Song concealed the unusual features of his residence and sent Ping'er a reply inviting her inside.
• Ping'er arrived at the Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop, and He Song served her spirit fruits and tea.
• He Song asked how the Azure Wolf Immortal Market would be guarded while Ping'er was away, and she said Clear Moon Real Person would watch over it.
• Ping'er complained that Clear Moon Real Person wanted her to return to the sect and take a disciple despite her recent Foundation Establishment.
• He Song told Ping'er not to rush into taking a disciple and asked whether choosing someone at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer would be unwise.

He Song learned why reserve disciples from Thick Earth Courtyard attended the Outer Sect Tournament and declined Ping'er’s indirect invitation to escort her back to the sect, citing his upcoming seclusion and breakthrough. After Ping'er left, he concealed his four powerful spirit puppets again, keeping their combat strength secret.

• Ping'er explained that reserve disciples from Thick Earth Courtyard could attend the tournament and be selected as disciples by Foundation Establishment Real Persons, then considered inviting He Song to go with her.
• Ping'er asked He Song to escort her partway back to the sect and offered to have Clear Moon Real Person watch over Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop.
• He Song declined, saying he had gained insight and planned to enter seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
• Ping'er congratulated He Song, dropped her request, and later left after a long conversation over tea.
• He Song restored the Nether Smoke Array and let Clear Wind Bright Moon clean the tea utensils, keeping his four spirit puppets hidden from others.

He Song continued cultivating in Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop while hiding his identity as the Qi Refining cultivator Chen Zhou. When Ping'er wrote that she had unexpectedly taken a disciple and was bringing her to visit, He Song agreed to meet them and prepared a generous gift for the girl.

• He Song focused on breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and considered how the advancement would improve his ability to face other cultivators.
• He Song concealed his identity as Chen Zhou whenever he strolled through Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop.
• Ping'er sent He Song a message saying she had accepted a young girl as her disciple and was bringing her to Azure Wolf Immortal Market.
• He Song agreed to meet Ping'er and admitted he had not yet reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
• He Song planned a gift based on the disciple's cultivation and bought a middle-grade defensive Magic Artifact to supplement it.

He Song welcomed Ping'er and her new disciple, Yue'er, giving Yue'er gifts and agreeing to offer her occasional guidance. Ping'er then told him that four neighboring Golden Core sects had formed an alliance, leaving He Song concerned about the danger and careful not to reveal any thoughts of fleeing.

• He Song welcomed Ping'er and Yue'er, then gave Yue'er Thick Earth Talismans and a Peach Blossom Shield as a meeting gift.
• Ping'er asked He Song to teach Yue'er cautious methods, and he agreed to answer her questions through a Sound Transmission Talisman.
• Ping'er told He Song that the Thick Earth Sect, Golden Sword Sect, Pure Yin Sect, and Qionghua Sect had formed an alliance of mutual offense and defense.
• He Song said he knew nothing about the alliance and advised Ping'er to focus on strengthening herself.
• He Song privately worried that the alliance signaled great danger and resolved to keep any thoughts of escape secret.

After Ping'er warned He Song that the four great sects had formed an alliance, he weighed the possibility of war but chose to prioritize cultivation and his own safety. He continued his quiet life at Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop, until Clear Moon Real Person personally came to visit him several months later.

• Ping'er told He Song that they could support each other if war broke out and that Clear Moon Real Person could aid them from Yuheng Xiancheng, but He Song made no promises and stressed strengthening themselves.
• After Ping'er left, He Song secluded his residence with the Nether Smoke Array and wondered whether someone was secretly driving the cultivation world's growing unrest.
• He Song decided to focus on reaching the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage while keeping open the option of leaving Thick Earth Sect, and continued cultivating, studying formations, tempering his body, practicing spells, and roaming as Rogue Cultivator Chen Zhou.
• Ping'er returned to Azure Wolf Immortal Market with Yue'er and met Clear Moon Real Person, and the three discussed He Song.
• In the third month after Ping'er left, Clear Moon Real Person personally visited He Song at Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop.

He Song received Clear Moon Real Person, who thanked him for helping bring Chu Shuangshuang back and explained the forces behind the four great sects’ sudden alliance. He learned that the Nascent Soul Sect One Yang Sect had ordered the alliance, and the four sects’ True Lords were acting together under its authority.

• He Song prepared his formations and defensive treasures when a powerful cultivator approached the Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop, then recognized Clear Moon Real Person and welcomed her inside.
• Clear Moon Real Person thanked He Song for helping persuade Chu Shuangshuang to return, while He Song declined to claim much credit.
• Clear Moon Real Person asked He Song whether he knew why the four great sects had allied and why their five True Lords had gathered; He Song said he did not.
• Clear Moon Real Person revealed that the four Golden Core sects were subordinate to the Nascent Soul Sect One Yang Sect, which controlled many such sects and their territories.
• Clear Moon Real Person explained that the demonic Seven Star Sect had belonged to the Locking God Sect, but the Thick Earth Sect’s annexation of its territory had followed an agreement between the two Nascent Soul Sects.
• Clear Moon Real Person said the four great sects’ alliance and the frequent movements of their five True Lords were responses to an order from One Yang Sect.

He Song considered the hidden forces behind the Thick Earth Sect’s expansion and the sudden alliance of four sects, then focused on cultivating. After three years in Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop, he broke through to Foundation Establishment Middle Stage without encountering a bottleneck.

• Clear Moon Real Person told He Song she would share any new information and left after explaining that Miao Qing True Person was her source.
• He Song connected the Thick Earth Sect’s war with the Seven Star Sect and Fayan Zhenjun’s rise to schemes by the One Yang Sect and the Locking God Sect.
• He Song suspected the Thick Earth Sect’s two Golden Core cultivators might eventually split its territory, but kept his conjectures to himself and resolved to strengthen himself.
• He Song cultivated in Hundred Herbs Immortal Workshop for three years as his spiritual power steadily increased.
• He Song broke through to Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and recalled Meng Guan’s explanation that most cultivators faced no bottleneck at that stage.