Chapter Summaries

Meng Guan weighed the risks of pursuing a Realm-Breaking Pill and Foundation Establishment against the safety of remaining in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market. He chose to seek an opportunity at the dangerous Red Spirit Gold Mine, and He Song asked what he wanted entrusted to them before they parted.

• Meng Guan considered the cost and dangers of buying a Realm-Breaking Pill in Qingyuan Immortal City, knowing he was already forty-three and had limited time to pursue Foundation Establishment.
• He Song and Wei Fan stopped trying to persuade Meng Guan as he struggled with whether to risk his future or remain at the Qi Refining Late Stage.
• Meng Guan resolved to seize the opportunity at the Red Spirit Gold Mine rather than grow old in the Immortal Market.
• He Song accepted Meng Guan's decision and asked whether he had anything he wanted entrusted to them.
• Wei Fan started to speak, then sighed as he realized that further persuasion would only burden Meng Guan.

Meng Guan refused He Song’s offer to settle any concerns and remained determined to leave the Spirit Medicine Pavilion to seek advancement at the Red Spirit Gold Mine. He Song returned home, judged Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market mostly safe but kept a plan to flee if trouble arose, and was startled from cultivation the next morning by a paper crane.

• Meng Guan told He Song and Wei Fan that he had no family or Dao companion to worry about and vowed not to forget them if he succeeded.
• Meng Guan planned to resign from the Spirit Medicine Pavilion, mine at the Red Spirit Gold Mine, and save for a Realm-Breaking Pill so he could reach Qi Refining stage 7.
• He Song and Wei Fan returned Meng Guan’s salute, and the three chatted before parting ways.
• He Song went home, reviewed what he had learned, and decided to watch the Red Spirit Gold Mine and leave Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market if danger emerged.
• The next morning, a paper crane flew through He Song’s window and startled him awake from cultivation.

He Song received Meng Guan’s letter recommending Zhao Lin as his new friend and contact after Meng Guan left for the Red Spirit Gold Mine. He Song visited Zhao Lin, who had just become Spirit Medicine Pavilion manager, and Zhao Lin welcomed him warmly.

• He Song read Meng Guan’s letter explaining that Zhao Lin had taken over his position and promising to look after He Song.
• He Song kept the letter in his quiet room, then bought talisman ink as a customary gift for Zhao Lin.
• Zhao Lin, wary after unexpectedly gaining the Spirit Medicine Pavilion manager position, held Thick Earth Talismans when someone knocked.
• He Song identified himself and explained that Meng Guan had mentioned him, so Zhao Lin opened the door and invited him inside.
• Zhao Lin served He Song tea and promised to help him as a friend of Meng Guan.

He Song visited Zhao Lin and gave him talisman ink, but withheld the reason Meng Guan had left. Back home, He Song wondered whether Lin Cong had completed his breakthrough before greeting the old man and little girl who lived next door.

• He Song noticed Zhao Lin called Meng Guan “Brother Meng,” suggesting the two were close but not part of He Song’s small circle of friends.
• He Song gave Zhao Lin talisman ink, and Zhao Lin welcomed the gift and offered to make spirit talismans for him in the future.
• Zhao Lin asked why Meng Guan had left, but He Song said Zhao Lin would learn the reason in a few days and then took his leave.
• He Song considered visiting Lin Cong to ask whether he had broken through to the fourth layer of Qi Refining, but decided not to disturb him.
• He Song greeted the old man and little girl who lived in the house beside his.

He Song continued studying array formation while maintaining his cautious, steady routine. After half a month, Lin Cong visited to announce that he had successfully reached the Qi Refining Middle Stage and invited He Song to celebrate at Osmanthus Tower.

• He Song spoke with Su Jin and Su Yan before returning home to study the Array Dao Primer.
• He Song decided to avoid setting up arrays for others and sought a safer way to profit from his array knowledge.
• He Song spent half a month cultivating, tending Spirit Fields, and studying the Array Dao Primer.
• Lin Cong visited He Song and announced that he had broken through to the Qi Refining Middle Stage.
• He Song congratulated Lin Cong, who invited him to celebrate at Osmanthus Tower.

Lin Cong celebrated reaching the Qi Refining Middle Stage by inviting He Song to Osmanthus Tower, where he explained that his Four Spiritual Roots made the breakthrough easier than expected despite the money he had wasted preparing. He Song realized Lin Cong’s experience would help him avoid the same mistakes when he attempted the breakthrough himself.

• Lin Cong invited He Song to a meal at Osmanthus Tower, and He Song accepted.
• Lin Cong told He Song that he had spent much of the past month preparing for his breakthrough, only to find that breaking through with Four Spiritual Roots was not difficult.
• Lin Cong reflected on how Rogue Cultivators had to rely on uncertain hearsay and figure out cultivation without guidance from elders.
• He Song realized his own Four Spiritual Roots meant the same breakthrough might be easy and thanked Lin Cong for sharing what he had learned.
• He Song promised to invite Lin Cong to Osmanthus Tower when he reached the Qi Refining Middle Stage.

He Song advised Lin Cong to read the Spirit Skill Pavilion’s reference books, then heard that the Red Spirit Gold Mine was recruiting cultivators at Qi Refining Layer 3 or higher for thirty Spirit Stones a month. The chapter left He Song and Lin Cong dining together as rogue cultivators flocked toward the mine.

• He Song asked Lin Cong whether he had visited the Spirit Skill Pavilion and recommended its books as a source of cultivation knowledge.
• Lin Cong said he had visited to buy spells but preferred cheaper spells from the Stall Area.
• He Song explained that the Spirit Skill Pavilion’s miscellaneous books cost one Spirit Stone per day and could teach Lin Cong basic knowledge of the cultivation world.
• He Song and Lin Cong began eating spirit food and heard that the Red Spirit Gold Mine had been recruiting rogue cultivators for ten days.
• The recruitment offered thirty Spirit Stones a month to cultivators at Qi Refining Layer 3 or higher, and several Foundation Establishment cultivators reportedly guarded the mine.

He Song warned Lin Cong that the Red Spirit Gold Mine recruited only Rogue Cultivators, suggesting its high wages concealed serious dangers. Lin Cong abandoned his interest in mining and thanked He Song for saving his life.

• Rogue Cultivators flocked to the Red Spirit Gold Mine for its high wages, leaving Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market quieter than before.
• Lin Cong told He Song he was interested in mining, and He Song remembered that Meng Guan had left for the mine half a month earlier.
• He Song secretly told Lin Cong that the mine recruited Rogue Cultivators rather than Immortal Market cultivators.
• Lin Cong realized the mine's recruitment and heavy guards suggested danger, destroyed the note, and thanked He Song for saving his life.
• He Song warned Lin Cong not to spread the information, and Lin Cong agreed before inviting him to drink.

He Song received Meng Guan’s letter saying he had been made a minor overseer at the Red Spirit Gold Mine, easing He Song’s fears about his safety. At the monthly gathering, Wei Fan confirmed that several Foundation Establishment True Persons guarded the mine, leaving He Song alarmed that trouble there could reach Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.

• He Song received Meng Guan’s letter reporting that he had earned thirty-five Spirit Stones and been assigned to lead and supervise a team of Rogue Cultivators at the mine.
• He Song concluded that Meng Guan’s new position, cultivation, and resources improved his chances of surviving the dangerous mine.
• He Song went to the monthly gathering at Lingjian Pavilion, where Wei Fan said Meng Guan had also sent him a message and joked about thanking him with wine and women.
• He Song asked Wei Fan about the Red Spirit Gold Mine, and Wei Fan said he suspected the site hid something and would share any news.
• Wei Fan confirmed that several Foundation Establishment True Persons guarded the mine, prompting He Song to fear that trouble there could spread to Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.

He Song worried that trouble at the Red Spirit Gold Mine could endanger Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, but learned that its Foundation Establishment guardian was still there. He accepted Wei Fan’s offer to move in with him, choosing to stay in the Immortal Market while seeking greater safety.

• He Song asked Wei Fan whether the Foundation Establishment cultivator was still guarding Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, and Wei Fan confirmed they were.
• He Song considered leaving the Immortal Market because the Red Spirit Gold Mine’s proximity could bring danger, while Wei Fan reassured him and offered him a place to live.
• He Song reasoned that Wei Fan’s home, near the Foundation Establishment cultivator and surrounded by Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators, would be safer if chaos broke out.
• He Song accepted Wei Fan’s invitation, deciding that moving in would let him keep cultivating and earning his stipend without leaving the Immortal Market.

He Song agreed to stay with Wei Fan to avoid the danger of evil cultivators, and Wei Fan brought him to his spacious courtyard in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market. As Wei Fan explained the privileges given to cultivators at different stages, He Song learned that Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators received free residences.

• Wei Fan invited He Song to live with him, and He Song agreed after considering their five years of mutual trust.
• He Song packed his belongings and decided to explain his departure to Lin Cong later through the Sound Transmission Technique.
• He Song returned to Lingjian Pavilion, where Wei Fan led him to his courtyard.
• He Song admired the courtyard's spacious rooms and dense spiritual energy, then asked Wei Fan about its rent.
• Wei Fan explained that Qi Refining Late Stage cultivators who lived in the Immortal Market received free courtyards, while lower-stage cultivators received less favorable treatment.

Wei Fan explained how Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market assigned resources and status according to cultivators’ cultivation stages, and He Song settled into Wei Fan’s courtyard. As the Red Spirit Gold Mine crisis loomed, He Song paid another Spirit Plant Farmer to tend his fields and focused on cultivating and studying array techniques.

• Wei Fan showed He Song around Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market and explained its connection to the Thick Earth Sect, how its personnel were recruited, and what cultivators received at each Qi Refining stage.
• Wei Fan gave He Song a room and meditation room in his courtyard, then shared a lavish meal and wine with him.
• He Song avoided leaving the Immortal Market before the crisis at the Red Spirit Gold Mine erupted and paid a Spirit Plant Farmer twenty Spirit Stones to tend his five mu of Spirit Fields.
• He Song began cultivating in Wei Fan’s courtyard, where spiritual energy was denser, and studied the Array Dao Primer each day.

He Song continued cultivating and studying the Array Dao while staying hidden at Wei Fan’s home, and he warned Lin Cong to flee because the Red Spirit Gold Mine might soon become dangerous. After three months without news from Meng Guan, He Song and Wei Fan saw Chengsan Real Person fly away from the Immortal Market, leaving them fearing that chaos was imminent.

• He Song sent Lin Cong a warning that the Red Spirit Gold Mine might face upheaval and urged him to leave the Immortal Market without revealing the matter.
• Lin Cong memorized He Song’s message, packed his belongings, and left the Immortal Market outskirts.
• He Song spent three months cultivating and studying the Array Dao while occasionally drinking tea with Wei Fan, and he and Wei Fan worried over Meng Guan’s silence at the mine.
• He Song and Wei Fan saw an earthy-yellow streak of flying light carrying dense spiritual pressure depart from Chengsan Real Person’s courtyard.
• Wei Fan said the Immortal Market was about to descend into chaos, while he and He Song exchanged horrified looks.

After Chengsan Real Person left, He Song and Wei Fan stayed prepared for danger as the Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market grew increasingly unstable. The chapter ends with the Enforcement Squad announcing a deadly crackdown after evil cultivators infiltrated the market.

• Wei Fan told He Song to hide in the courtyard while he faced any danger, and He Song concealed his aura with the Conceal Breath Art.
• The market remained calm overnight, but prices for Spirit Talismans, Magic Artifacts, and magic robes began rising as informed cultivators bought supplies.
• He Song and Wei Fan stayed indoors while Rogue Cultivator bodies appeared and the market’s supplies of protective goods sold out.
• After a night of fighting, cultivators found corpses across a street, including masked intruders and people who had gone to investigate.
• The Enforcement Squad issued notices threatening death to anyone who sheltered, aided, or failed to report evil cultivators, as He Song frowned at the order.

As evil cultivators ravaged Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, He Song and Wei Fan stayed sheltered at home while the Enforcement Squad lost control of the outskirts and struggled to defend the inner district. On the eighth day, Chengsan Real Person returned and summoned the Azure Mountain Seal over the ruined market.

• Wei Fan reflected on his friends outside and agreed with He Song that they should remain indoors until help arrived.
• After a fierce battle on the outskirts, corpses covered the streets, and the Enforcement Squad abandoned the area to defend the inner district.
• The Enforcement Squad and inner-district cultivators repelled another assault, leaving He Song and Wei Fan cut off from news of the outskirts.
• After a day of eerie silence, Chengsan Real Person returned and angrily surveyed the ruined Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market.
• Chengsan Real Person swept out a hand and summoned the miniature Azure Mountain Seal before the watching cultivators.

Chengsan Real Person returned to Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market and demonstrated the overwhelming power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator by killing the fleeing evil cultivators. With the immediate danger over, He Song and Wei Fan ventured outside and saw the damage left behind.

• Chengsan Real Person sent the Azure Mountain Seal crashing toward the fleeing black-clad cultivators, then used a nearly invisible golden thread to behead them all.
• Chengsan Real Person took the cultivators' Storage Pouches, ordered the Immortal Market rebuilt, and flew to the courtyard at its center.
• Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market slowly recovered from its shock, and He Song and Wei Fan went outside to inspect the ruins.
• Wei Fan sighed over the possible fate of his friends as he and He Song surveyed the devastated outskirts.

After the Immortal Market crisis ended, He Song returned to his own home and reflected on the danger he had survived. He realized Chengsan Real Person had concealed his true weapon behind a misleading display, leaving He Song determined to remain cautious around all cultivators.

• He Song thanked Wei Fan for helping him survive the crisis and returned to his residence on the outskirts of the Immortal Market.
• Wei Fan arranged for He Song's residence transfer to begin the following month, saving him nearly a month's rent, then left to attend to Lingjian Pavilion's damaged rental houses.
• He Song found his home ransacked but recovered it quickly since he had taken his belongings with him before leaving.
• While recalling Chengsan Real Person's battle, He Song concluded that the Azure Mountain Seal had drawn attention away from the nearly invisible golden thread that killed the evil cultivators.
• He Song resolved not to underestimate anyone and became more vigilant about concealing his own strength and recognizing others' hidden methods.

After surviving the attack on Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market, He Song learned how few cultivators had escaped the evil cultivators and resolved to improve his ability to protect himself. Three years later, his cultivation had reached the peak of Qi Refining Layer 3, and he prepared to break through into the Qi Refining Middle Stage.

• He Song learned that roughly a quarter of the outskirts' cultivators had survived the attack, and that Chengsan Real Person had later swept away the remaining evil cultivators.
• He Song returned to managing his five mu of Spirit Fields after the farmer who had tended them died, and he received replies from only Zhao Lin and Lin Cong.
• He Song spent three peaceful years studying array patterns and practicing on Spirit Stones, advancing his cultivation to the consummate realm of Qi Refining Layer 3.
• He Song placed more than ten Spirit Stones beside himself in his cultivation chamber and prepared to attempt a breakthrough into the Qi Refining Middle Stage.

He Song successfully broke through to Qi Refining Layer 4 and spent a month consolidating his cultivation. With his new realm secure, he prepared to report to the Spirit Medicine Pavilion and claim two additional mu of Spirit Fields.

• He Song and Wei Fan learned from Meng Guan's message that evil cultivators had attacked the Red Spirit Gold Mine, where Meng Guan survived by hiding in a mine shaft and then continued mining.
• He Song circulated the Thick Earth Technique, broke through to Qi Refining Layer 4, and began consolidating his cultivation.
• He Song spent a month consolidating his breakthrough while casting the Spirit Rain Technique each day on the Spirit Fields under his care.
• After his cultivation was fully consolidated, He Song planned to report to the Spirit Medicine Pavilion to receive two additional mu of Spirit Fields, and Zhao Lin remained there after the calamity.

After stabilizing his cultivation at the Qi Refining Middle Stage, He Song visited the Spirit Medicine Pavilion to claim two more mu of Spirit Fields. Zhao Lin had already registered the fields beside He Song’s original plot, giving him more land without extra travel, and He Song left with a deeper appreciation of Zhao Lin’s friendship.

• He Song went to the Spirit Medicine Pavilion after casting the Spirit Rain Technique and found Zhao Lin on duty.
• Zhao Lin congratulated He Song on reaching the Qi Refining Middle Stage and gave him several Thick Earth Talismans.
• Zhao Lin showed He Song that he had already transferred two mu of Spirit Fields to his name while He Song was in seclusion.
• He Song saw that Zhao Lin had placed the new fields beside his original plot, allowing him to tend all seven mu in one session.
• He Song thanked Zhao Lin, who assured him he would continue to help whenever he could.