Chapter Summaries

He Song explored more of the Golden Core cave dwelling, finding a study filled with illustrated albums and a quiet chamber guarded by two hidden golden-armored guards. After suppressing the guards with his Golden Core Great Array, he cautiously collected the Golden Core True Lord’s remains and the chamber’s other objects, leaving the Storage Pouch behind.

• He Song searched the study and discovered that its books were illustrated albums housed in a room labeled Hundred Beauties Pavilion.
• He Song guided Idle Cloud to open the quiet chamber, revealing two hidden golden-armored guards.
• He Song used the Golden Core Great Array to suppress the guards, though doing so rapidly consumed Spirit Stones.
• He Song found the Golden Core True Lord’s white bones, a Sound Transmission Talisman, a Storage Pouch, powerless pills, and a Jade Slip in the chamber.
• He Song had Idle Cloud place the Jade Slip, talisman, remains, and pills into the Storage Pouch, leaving the pouch in the chamber.

He Song feared the Golden Core cave dwelling’s Storage Pouch might conceal a trap or an opportunity for its former owner to possess him, so he decided to use a rogue cultivator to investigate it. He captured Wang Duan and left him inside the apparently unguarded cave dwelling, then watched from hiding as Wang Duan cautiously tried to identify his captor.

• He Song worried that the Golden Core True Lord might have booby-trapped the Storage Pouch or hidden his Golden Core inside it to possess whoever approached.
• He Song decided to capture a Qi Refining rogue cultivator to explore the cave dwelling in his place.
• He Song found Wang Duan lying in wait to ambush passing cultivators near Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market and knocked him unconscious.
• He Song brought Wang Duan into the cave dwelling, restored its items, hid the golden-armored guards, and had Idle Cloud wait in the shadows.
• Wang Duan awoke, called out for the senior who had brought him there, and asked to be released, but no one answered.

Wang Duan explored He Song’s Golden Core cave dwelling and, drawn by an unnatural greed, examined the remains’ Jade Slip and Storage Pouch before crushing the spiritless pills. One pill revealed a golden light, and Wang Duan picked it up, leaving its contents unknown.

• Wang Duan decided to explore the cave dwelling after no one answered him, and He Song watched from hiding as he searched the reception hall, alchemy room, and Hundred Beauties Pavilion.
• Wang Duan entered the quiet chamber and became increasingly greedy as he stared at the Golden Core remains, Jade Slip, and Storage Pouch.
• Wang Duan read the Jade Slip and searched the Storage Pouch, then laughed with delight at what he discovered.
• Wang Duan crushed the spiritless pills one by one until one cracked open and revealed a streak of golden light.
• Wang Duan picked up the pill-like object as He Song watched, puzzled by its golden glow.

Wang Duan found Silver Moon True Monarch’s Golden Core and, believing the Jade Slip’s account that swallowing it would make him a Golden Core True Lord, swallowed it. He Song recognized that the core could not be absorbed and suspected a possible possession when Wang Duan abruptly froze, so he prepared the Golden Core Great Array to strike.

• Wang Duan examined the Golden Core, read Silver Moon True Monarch’s Jade Slip, and grew convinced he could become a Golden Core True Lord.
• Wang Duan removed the gray covering from the Golden Core and swallowed it while He Song watched from concealment.
• He Song recalled that a Golden Core could not be absorbed by another cultivator and thought Wang Duan’s act was like swallowing an iron ball.
• Wang Duan abruptly froze, and He Song manipulated the Golden Core Great Array, ready to suppress him if Silver Moon True Monarch had possessed his body.

Silver Moon True Monarch possessed Wang Duan after he swallowed the hidden Golden Core, but discovered that his new body was only at Qi Refining Late Stage and that the cave formation was no longer under his control. He Song recognized the possession and prepared to restrain him while the newly revived True Monarch searched for a way to defend himself.

• Silver Moon True Monarch revived through Wang Duan after the latter swallowed the Golden Core, then recalled how he had hidden his soul and arranged the possession.
• Silver Moon True Monarch realized Wang Duan's weak cultivation and called on the unseen cultivator to reveal himself, while pretending to negotiate and secretly searching for talismans and the formation.
• Silver Moon True Monarch discovered he could no longer sense the formation because He Song had replaced it and taken control.
• He Song pieced together Wang Duan's changed behavior and concluded that Silver Moon True Monarch had possessed him.
• He Song recalled the limits possession imposed on the new body and quietly prepared to restrain Silver Moon True Monarch.

He Song trapped Wang Duan, now possessed by Silver Moon True Monarch, in the Golden Core Great Array and launched an attack without revealing himself. Silver Moon True Monarch unleashed his Golden Core divine sense in desperation, but He Song’s lightning struck him before he could find his attacker.

• He Song used the Golden Core Great Array to immobilize Wang Duan, and Silver Moon True Monarch realized his own array had been turned against him.
• Silver Moon True Monarch decided to use his Golden Core divine sense to kill He Song, despite the damage it would cause Wang Duan’s body.
• He Song attacked Wang Duan from within the surrounding arrays, directing the Golden Core Great Array’s offensive power at him.
• Silver Moon True Monarch unleashed his Golden Core divine sense, causing Wang Duan’s body to split with bloody cracks and golden light to erupt from his Mud Palace Pill.
• A massive bolt of lightning struck Wang Duan, and Silver Moon True Monarch was stunned that He Song had attacked without appearing or explaining his plan.

He Song killed Wang Duan and Silver Moon True Monarch, then searched their remains for memories and useful secrets. He learned several cultivation techniques and discovered where Silver Moon True Monarch had found the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit, leaving him with a valuable lead for his future plans.

• He Song bombarded Wang Duan's Golden Core with the Golden Core Great Array until Silver Moon True Monarch's remaining divine sense dissipated.
• He Song entered the cave dwelling, secured the area, and used the Soul Searching Technique on the Golden Core to read Silver Moon True Monarch's and Wang Duan's memories.
• He Song learned that Silver Moon True Monarch had been born to a Golden Core family, joined the One Yang Sect, and eventually reached the Golden Core realm.
• He Song discovered several techniques in Silver Moon True Monarch's memories, including a tracking secret technique, a Golden Core Secret Technique, and an aura-transformation technique.
• He Song found the location where Silver Moon True Monarch had picked the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit, the precious primary ingredient for a Congealed Golden Core.

He Song studied Silver Moon True Monarch’s memories of a spirit land and realized its entrance was linked to a teleportation array he might be able to investigate. He also considered whether the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree and other rare herbs in his cave abode could help him refine Congealed Golden Core pills.

• He Song recalled that Silver Moon True Monarch had entered a spirit land, gathered precious herbs, taken a ripe Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit, and escaped after uprooting its tree.
• He Song recognized array patterns in the memories and inferred that the spirit land’s entrance used a teleportation array, with other powerful arrays protecting it.
• He Song resolved to locate the entrance and study its arrays from outside, hoping to learn how teleportation arrays worked and perhaps find a way into the spirit land.
• He Song remembered that Silver Moon True Monarch had planted the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree in the cave abode and wondered whether it had produced fruit after a century.
• He Song considered seeking the Congealed Golden Core pill formula and using the fruit and rare herbs he had cultivated as ingredients.

He Song examined Silver Moon True Monarch’s memories and Storage Pouch, learning about White Jade Spirit Pearl and claiming a vast trove of Golden Core treasures. After realizing the pouch’s mid-grade Spirit Stones were worth more than three million low-grade Spirit Stones, he returned to the Golden Core Great Array without exploring deeper into the cave abode because dangers remained.

• He Song learned that White Jade Spirit Pearl could strengthen even a Golden Core True Lord’s magical power.
• He Song inspected Silver Moon True Monarch’s Storage Pouch and found Spiritual Artifacts, Golden Core spiritual talismans, Jade Slips, pills, and other valuable cultivation resources.
• He Song carefully checked the Jade Slips against the secret techniques and spells he had recovered from Silver Moon True Monarch’s memories.
• He Song discovered that the pouch’s more than thirty thousand Spirit Stones were mid-grade Spirit Stones, equivalent to over three million low-grade Spirit Stones.
• He Song returned to the Golden Core Great Array without venturing deeper into the cave abode, since he knew dangers still remained.

He Song cautiously explored Silver Moon True Monarch’s cave dwelling with Idle Cloud and found two Mixed Gold Spirit Fruits, one ripe and one unripe. After confirming the route was safe, he entered the cavern and stood beneath the enormous tree.

• He Song controlled Idle Cloud through the meditation chamber and artifact-forging room, avoiding the dangers he knew from Silver Moon True Monarch’s memories.
• Idle Cloud survived the dangerous corridor to the cave dwelling’s deepest hollow, though it suffered severe damage.
• He Song discovered two Mixed Gold Spirit Fruits on the tree, one of which appeared ripe, and considered how they might provide several Congealed Golden Cores.
• He Song used Idle Cloud to check the fruit tree’s surroundings and corridor again, then enveloped the valley with the Golden Core Great Array.
• He Song entered the cave dwelling and reached the base of the towering Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree.

He Song secured the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit and decided to use Silver Moon True Monarch’s cave dwelling for several years of cultivation before revealing his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Five years later, his cultivation had advanced significantly, and he had gained control of the cave’s four golden-armored guards.

• He Song collected a ripe Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit and decided to remain in the cave dwelling, planning to report his Foundation Establishment Late Stage breakthrough after several years.
• He Song restored the cave dwelling and used Silver Moon True Monarch’s memories to control the four golden-armored guards.
• He Song planted Spirit Rice and spirit herbs in the valley before entering secluded cultivation.
• He Song spent five years cultivating in the cave, comprehending the Golden Core Great Array and practicing techniques from Silver Moon True Monarch’s memories.
• He Song’s spiritual power advanced significantly under the Golden Core Great Array’s spirit-gathering effect.

After five years cultivating in the Golden Core cave dwelling, He Song had improved his strength and formation knowledge and decided to return to Tianquan Xiancheng. He left to show his Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivation, ask Master Luo Jing about the Congealed Golden Core pill formula, and fulfill his promise to Wei Fan and Black Crane True Person.

• He Song spent five years cultivating and studying the Golden Core Great Array, bringing his total study of it to eight years.
• He Song considered how mastering teleportation arrays could eventually improve his travel and safety, but kept his focus on reaching the Golden Core realm.
• He Song decided to return to Tianquan Xiancheng before his long stay at Foundation Establishment Middle Stage attracted suspicion.
• He Song planned to ask Master Luo Jing about the Congealed Golden Core pill formula and meet Wei Fan and Black Crane True Person before they left.
• He Song left his quiet chamber after practicing the Spirit-Seeking Secret Technique to mastery and continuing his studies of alchemy, talismans, and artifacts.

He Song returned to Tianquan Xiancheng, revealed his Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivation, and bid farewell to Wei Fan and Black Crane True Person as they left for the mountain gate. He then went to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion to ask Master Luo Jing about the Congealed Golden Core Pill formula.

• He Song arrived at Tianquan Xiancheng with a Foundation Establishment Late Stage aura, prompting Rogue Cultivators to recall his rise from a Rogue Cultivator to a Thick Earth Sect disciple.
• Wei Fan, Black Crane True Person, Fengquan True Person, Master Jingyou, and Master Wuhen welcomed He Song and congratulated him on reaching Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
• Wei Fan and Black Crane True Person explained that the ongoing war had delayed their transfer orders by two years, then departed for the mountain gate after He Song bade them farewell.
• Fengquan True Person offered He Song ten thousand Spirit Stones to find a successor for his post, and He Song agreed.
• He Song went to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion to seek Master Luo Jing and inquire about the Congealed Golden Core Pill formula, where a woman greeted him and congratulated him on his cultivation advance.

He Song visited Master Luo Jing at the Treasure Gathering Pavilion to learn about the Golden Core Path and the Congealed Golden Core. He learned that the Thick Earth Sect was unlikely to provide one, and asked what made the pill so costly.

• He Song reunited with Master Luo Jing and said he had come to discuss the Golden Core Path.
• Master Luo Jing explained that reaching the Golden Core Path required Perfect Foundation Establishment, a Congealed Golden Core, and a Golden Core Secret Technique.
• Master Luo Jing said Golden Core Secret Techniques were comparatively accessible, but the Thick Earth Sect would not seek another Congealed Golden Core for several hundred years.
• He Song revealed that rogue cultivator Foundation Establishment cultivators like him could not compete for Congealed Golden Cores within the Thick Earth Sect.
• He Song asked Master Luo Jing why the Congealed Golden Core cost so much and whether its ingredients were exceptionally rare.

He Song asked Master Luo Jing about the value and refining ingredients of Congealed Golden Cores, learning that Nascent Soul Sects used them to control Golden Core forces. Realizing his Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree could produce the main ingredient for multiple cores, he received a Jade Slip of related information and was surprised by what he read.

• He Song asked Master Luo Jing about Congealed Golden Core prices, and she explained that Nascent Soul Sects controlled their supply through tribute.
• He Song realized his Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree could yield a Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit every hundred years, enough to produce two or three Congealed Golden Cores.
• He Song asked Master Luo Jing for an illustrated record of the ingredients, hoping to learn more before asking about the formula.
• Master Luo Jing explained that the formula and auxiliary herbs were common at auctions because the main ingredient was scarce, then recorded related information in a Jade Slip and gave it to He Song.
• He Song read the Jade Slip and showed a trace of surprise.

He Song discovered that the unnamed formula in Master Luo Jing’s Jade Slip was the Congealed Golden Core formula, which she had bought long ago and gave to him. After paying her back, he left Tianquan Xiancheng with his goals complete and headed toward the Golden Core Great Array, taking precautions against pursuit.

• He Song examined the pill formula in the Jade Slip and confirmed it was a genuine, usable recipe.
• Master Luo Jing admitted the formula was for the Congealed Golden Core and asked He Song to keep her past purchase private.
• He Song insisted on paying for the formula, and Master Luo Jing named the hundred thousand Spirit Stones she had spent on it.
• He Song paid Master Luo Jing, chatted with her, purchased cultivation resources, and left the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.
• He Song departed Tianquan Xiancheng toward Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, alternating between flying and traveling underground to avoid being followed.

Over five years of secluded cultivation, He Song advanced toward Perfect Foundation Establishment while improving his body refinement, alchemy, talisman crafting, and artifact forging. He discovered that Silver Moon True Monarch’s herbs included some Congealed Golden Core ingredients, and the chapter ended with him having made significant progress studying the Golden Core Great Array around his valley.

• He Song inspected the spiritual herbs in his Storage Pouch and found several ingredients needed to refine Congealed Golden Cores.
• He Song spent five years cultivating in seclusion, advancing toward Perfect Foundation Establishment and strengthening his body.
• He Song mastered the Congealed Golden Core formula and became proficient with the lower-grade Foundation Establishment pill formulas he knew.
• He Song continued studying talisman crafting and began drawing additional lower-grade Foundation Establishment talismans with improving success.
• He Song refined lower-grade Magic Artifacts, sold some in nearby Immortal Markets, and gradually recouped his crafting expenses.
• He Song made considerable progress studying the Golden Core Great Array surrounding his valley.

After more than ten years, He Song mastered the Golden Core Great Array and became proficient in the Great Circulation Breathing Technique, preparing him for a future Golden Core breakthrough. He received a Thick Earth Sect order relieving him of his post at Tianquan Xiancheng and ending his annual stipend, and accepted that he would need to seek resources on his own.

• He Song mastered the Golden Core Great Array and could now refine another set of array discs and flags, though he chose to keep his secluded cultivation site where the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree was growing.
• He Song planned to use the tree's fruit to refine Congealed Golden Core pills and learned that he could make another Golden Core breakthrough attempt after five years if his first one failed.
• He Song became proficient in the Great Circulation Breathing Technique and concluded that he did not need to seek out another Golden Core Secret Technique.
• He Song received a Thick Earth Sect transfer order relieving him of his Tianquan Xiancheng post and permitting him to leave the sect's territory in search of opportunities.
• He Song learned that the Thick Earth Sect would stop issuing him an annual stipend and accepted that he would have to earn or create his own resources.

After receiving the Thick Earth Sect’s transfer order, He Song accepted that he would soon leave its protection and set out to complete his duties in Tianquan Xiancheng. He planned to secure Golden Core resources and defenses before going into seclusion, while Fengquan True Person waited anxiously for him to arrive.

• He Song read the transfer order and realized the Thick Earth Sect would stop supporting him once he left his guardian post, though it would welcome him back if he reached the Golden Core realm.
• He Song left his cave dwelling to complete the handover of his post in Tianquan Xiancheng and bring his years of service to a close.
• After five years in the Golden Core cave dwelling, He Song harvested the ripe White Jade Spirit Pearls and planted a new crop.
• He Song set out for Tianquan Xiancheng, planning to hand over his post, seek the remaining ingredients for Congealed Golden Cores, and look for materials for a Golden Core Great Array.
• Fengquan True Person grew anxious after waiting five years for He Song, despite having chosen and transferred a successor to Tianquan Xiancheng.

He Song returned to Tianquan Xiancheng, handed his resident True Person duties to Master Jingxin, and held a farewell banquet before leaving the city. He stopped at the Treasure Gathering Pavilion to bid farewell to Master Luo Jing and shared the Cloud Province delicacies she had prepared for him.

• He Song arrived at Tianquan Xiancheng, where Fengquan True Person introduced him to Master Jingxin, who had come to take over his duties.
• He Song hosted a grand banquet at the He Residence and introduced Master Jingxin to the cultivators, completing the handover.
• He Song said farewell to the other True Persons and flew to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion instead of leaving the city immediately.
• Master Luo Jing welcomed He Song with a farewell banquet and thanked him for delivering a cultivation art to her junior sister.
• He Song accepted the Cloud Province delicacies and ate the feast, sensing the spiritual power in his body increase.