Chapter Summaries

He Song gave Meng Guan and Wei Fan a large supply of spiritual pills and Spirit Talismans to prepare them for a possible war, while concealing his relationship with An Ning. After learning An Ning was safe at Snow Wind Palace, he withheld her identity, but Meng Guan and Wei Fan realized He Song might also be drawn into the coming conflict as a One Yang Sect guest elder.

• Meng Guan and Wei Fan gratefully accepted He Song's pills and talismans, recalling his earlier help before the One Yang Sect's war with the Locking God Sect.
• Meng Guan asked who had told He Song that Snow Wind Palace was involved, and He Song privately messaged An Ning to ask whether she had been sent to Jade Lake Prefecture.
• An Ning replied that Ancestor of Snow Wind had stationed her at Snow Wind Palace's mountain gate in Cloudridge Prefecture, and promised to notify He Song if she was later sent to battle.
• He Song decided not to reveal his relationship with An Ning, told Meng Guan and Wei Fan only that his source was from Snow Wind Palace, and assured them the warning was true.
• Meng Guan and Wei Fan realized He Song was a One Yang Sect guest elder who might be expected to join the war, then felt somewhat reassured because he was also a Treasure Gathering Pavilion guest elder.

He Song reassured Meng Guan and Wei Fan that his Treasure Gathering Pavilion standing would keep the One Yang Sect from forcing him into its coming war. When One Yang sent word that the sect would join the battle against the northern Devil Dao, Meng Guan and Wei Fan prepared to face it, with Meng Guan anticipating another chance to advance.

• Meng Guan and Wei Fan realized He Song's Treasure Gathering Pavilion identity should protect him from being compelled to fight for the One Yang Sect, and He Song shared their relief.
• Sound Transmission Talismans lit up for Meng Guan and Wei Fan at the same time, confirming that a major event had occurred within the One Yang Sect.
• Meng Guan and Wei Fan read One Yang's message announcing that the northern Devil Dao would attack Snow Wind Palace and that the One Yang Sect would join the war.
• Meng Guan and Wei Fan thanked He Song for warning them and giving them Spirit Talismans and spirit pills, and offered to protect any of his friends who joined the battle.
• Meng Guan, Wei Fan, and He Song considered how Meng Guan's past wars had helped his cultivation rise and hoped he might reach the Nascent Soul realm in the coming conflict.

He Song revealed to Meng Guan and Wei Fan that he had secretly helped them obtain the two Congealed Golden Cores in Star Rock True Monarch’s cave dwelling. Meng Guan explained that he and Wei Fan had sensed the cave’s formation was altered but continued breaking it, leaving the story with He Song’s friends beginning to uncover what had happened.

• He Song agreed to Meng Guan’s request and planned to introduce An Ning to Meng Guan and Wei Fan before she joined the war.
• He Song took out a White Jade Pearl, Golden Core spirit rice, and a Jade Slip recording Star Rock True Monarch’s life.
• He Song told Meng Guan and Wei Fan that he had found Star Rock True Monarch’s cave dwelling years earlier, taken away the autobiography, and left the two Congealed Golden Cores for them.
• Meng Guan and Wei Fan bowed to He Song, then Meng Guan said their decision to join the One Yang Sect had been connected to the cave dwelling.
• Meng Guan revealed that he and Wei Fan had noticed the cave’s formation no longer reacted normally while they burned it, but they continued until it broke.

He Song revealed that he had secretly given Meng Guan and Wei Fan the two Congealed Golden Cores that helped them enter the Golden Core realm, and they expressed profound gratitude for his years of silence and generosity. As One Yang called He Song to join the coming battle, Meng Guan and Wei Fan left to return to the sect and explain why he should be excused.

• Meng Guan explained that he and Wei Fan had long suspected the Congealed Golden Cores found in Star Rock True Monarch's cave abode had been left there deliberately, and He Song's confession confirmed their suspicions.
• Meng Guan and Wei Fan bowed to He Song and thanked him for giving them the cores, while He Song helped them up and said he had only repaid their past kindness.
• Meng Guan and Wei Fan stayed with He Song to talk, and One Yang sent a message summoning He Song to take part in the coming battle.
• Meng Guan and Wei Fan advised He Song not to reply, saying they would explain his Treasure Gathering Pavilion status to One Yang after returning to the sect.
• After another day with He Song and True Monarch Luo Jing, Meng Guan and Wei Fan bid farewell and headed for the One Yang Sect's mountain gate.

He Song asked Meng Guan and Wei Fan to keep him informed about the advancing warfront, then considered how the conflict might let him acquire Devil Dao treasures safely under Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s protection. As Meng Guan and Wei Fan traveled back to One Yang Sect, they recognized how much He Song had contributed to their Golden Core breakthroughs and resolved to repay him; meanwhile, He Song and True Monarch Luo Jing discussed the coming war.

• He Song asked Meng Guan and Wei Fan to notify him if the warfront advanced south, and he later told True Monarch Luo Jing that the northern Devil Dao was preparing to attack the southern righteous path.
• He Song considered that a Devil Dao occupation of Cloud Province Capital might give him access to Devil Dao treasures while Treasure Gathering Pavilion kept him safe.
• On their flying boat, Meng Guan and Wei Fan discussed how He Song’s past help had enabled their Golden Core breakthroughs and promised to repay his kindness.
• Meng Guan resolved to seek the Nascent Soul realm during the coming war and to give He Song and Wei Fan opportunities to advance if he succeeded.
• He Song and True Monarch Luo Jing toured Cloud Province Capital while discussing information about the coming war.

He Song told True Monarch Luo Jing how the Double Sha Sect’s ambush on Snow Wind Palace’s Golden Core cultivators had led to Ancestor of Snow Wind’s response, though the outcome remained unclear. He concealed An Ning’s identity as the disciple of an old acquaintance, then discussed whether he would leave Cloud Province Capital if the northern demonic sects went to war.

• True Monarch Luo Jing privately asked He Song about the news that had prompted Meng Guan and Wei Fan to return to the One Yang Sect, and He Song explained that One Yang had summoned them to address an approaching crisis.
• He Song relayed An Ning’s account of the Double Sha Sect ambushing Snow Wind Palace’s Golden Core cultivators, Ancestor of Snow Wind rushing north, and Snow Wind Palace going on high alert afterward.
• He Song considered whether Ancestor of Snow Wind or the Double Sha Sect had gained the advantage, but concluded that An Ning might not know what had happened during the ancestor’s absence.
• True Monarch Luo Jing said her information matched He Song’s and asked about the junior who had informed him; He Song said she was the disciple of an old acquaintance and withheld her identity for her safety.
• True Monarch Luo Jing accepted He Song’s explanation and asked whether he would leave if the demonic sects occupied Cloud Province Capital.

He Song reassured True Monarch Luo Jing that he would face the approaching Devil Dao invasion alongside her, while keeping his escape preparations private. True Monarch Luo Jing explained why Cloud Province Capital was unlikely to fall, and He Song began to agree before the chapter ended mid-conversation.

• The narration explained that He Song's past support during Purple-Robed True Lord's captivity had brought him closer to Luo Jing and Yun Jing, leading Luo Jing to invite him into the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.
• Luo Jing asked what He Song would do if the northern Devil Dao sects invaded, seeking reassurance that he would stay by her side.
• He Song promised to face the danger with Luo Jing and revealed that he had prepared a secret plan, including a teleportation array.
• Luo Jing reasoned that the righteous sects were unlikely to lose Cloud Province Capital because Snow Wind Palace's territory lay between it and the first battlefield.
• He Song agreed with Luo Jing's assessment and began saying that even if the Devil Dao occupied Cloud Province Capital, but the chapter ended before he finished.

He Song returned to Lingyun Capital as the war between the righteous path and the Devil Dao loomed, confident that Meng Guan, Wei Fan, True Monarch Luo Jing, and An Ning would keep him informed. He resumed cultivating and refining pills, then received word from True Monarch Luo Jing that Ning Xin had emerged from seclusion.

• He Song reassured True Monarch Luo Jing that the Treasure Gathering Pavilion's Enforcement Squad could help protect them if Devil Dao cultivators threatened Cloud Province Capital.
• He Song returned to Lingyun Capital through his hidden teleportation array and reviewed the decisions he had made during his journey.
• He Song remembered True Monarch Luo Jing's request that he congratulate Ning Xin if she broke through to Golden Core, since the coming war made a grand gathering unlikely.
• He Song resumed daily cultivation and refined Nine Revolutions Spirit Marrow Pills, selling the surplus to build up his Spirit Stones.
• More than a year later, True Monarch Luo Jing sent He Song a message saying Ning Xin had emerged from seclusion and asking about his earlier promise.

He Song learned more about Meng Guan’s celebrated victory against Double Sha Sect and prepared a gift for Ning Xin, who had just reached the Golden Core realm. He reunited with True Monarch Luo Jing and Ning Xin at his Cloud Province Capital residence and gave Ning Xin two bottles of Blood-Explosion Pills to help protect her in future battles.

• He Song read True Monarch Luo Jing’s account of Meng Guan’s victory at Jade Lake Prefecture and compared it with Meng Guan’s earlier, less detailed letter.
• He Song decided to travel to Cloud Province Capital, where True Monarch Luo Jing was waiting to introduce Ning Xin after her breakthrough.
• He Song chose two bottles of Blood-Explosion Pills as a practical gift for Ning Xin.
• He Song returned to Cloud Province Capital and found True Monarch Luo Jing and True Lord Ning Xin waiting at his residence.
• He Song praised Ning Xin’s breakthrough and gave her the pills, explaining that they could burn blood essence to boost combat power.

He Song gave Ning Xin two bottles of Blood-Explosion Pills and helped True Monarch Luo Jing explain why the war made her promised Golden Core Grand Gathering impossible. He returned to seclusion in Lingyun Capital, where messages from Meng Guan and others followed the changing war between the righteous and devilish paths.

• He Song explained the Blood-Explosion Pills’ effects and origins, and Ning Xin gratefully accepted the two bottles.
• True Monarch Luo Jing lamented that the war prevented her from holding the Golden Core Grand Gathering she had promised Ning Xin.
• He Song described how the war had drawn away Golden Core cultivators, and Ning Xin accepted that the gathering could not be held as planned.
• True Monarch Luo Jing arranged a smaller celebration for Ning Xin, and He Song attended before returning to Lingyun Capital.
• He Song resumed seclusion and repeatedly agreed with Meng Guan’s battlefield assessments as the war’s news reached him.

He Song read Meng Guan’s account of Devil Dao attacks and decided that trading for their magic treasures would bring too much risk for too little gain. While cultivating in Lingyun Capital, he heard of a Qi Refining cultivator who found a millennium spirit herb and briefly considered whether he should seek out such herbs himself.

• He Song received Meng Guan’s letter describing a Double Sha Sect Golden Core’s attacks on Jade Lake Immortal Province and replied in agreement with Meng Guan’s frustration.
• He Song decided against dealing with Devil Dao cultivators for magic treasures, judging that their limited benefits did not justify the danger if his possession of them were exposed.
• He Song continued his secluded cultivation and went out periodically to learn about events around Lingyun Capital.
• He Song heard that a Qi Refining cultivator had found a millennium spirit herb in an old cave abode and sold it for cultivation resources.
• He Song considered growing millennium spirit herbs but set the idea aside, intending to try it only if he later obtained herbs useful to Nascent Soul cultivators.

He Song considered how rich spiritual energy could accelerate the growth of millennium spirit herbs and heard accounts of both treasures and dangers around Lingyun Capital. As he continued cultivating, he sensed his spiritual power approaching perfection and realized he was close to breaking through to Golden Core Great Perfection.

• He Song reasoned that a Spirit Gathering Array could help his spirit herbs accumulate medicinal potency faster, potentially reducing the time needed to grow millennium herbs.
• He Song heard that cultivators had mined a small Gold Crystal Stone deposit, while a Golden Core True Lord had killed a Golden Core demon beast and claimed the storage items from its victims.
• He Song learned that Rogue Cultivator Nascent Souls guarded a satellite city outside Lingyun Capital, but chose not to investigate them and continued cultivating.
• He Song sensed that his spiritual power was nearing perfection and anticipated that Golden Core Great Perfection would let him face opponents at that realm without needing to flee.
• He Song set aside thoughts of what he might do after the breakthrough and intensified his cultivation as swelling pressure built in his dantian and his spiritual power became harder to increase.

He Song broke through to Golden Core Great Perfection and discovered that his Golden Core had transformed his body while growing rounder and more solid. His improved control of spiritual power and a faint connection to his Golden Core led him to suspect that his body was being prepared to bear a Nascent Soul.

• He Song's spiritual power flowed into his Golden Core, revealing that his bones, muscles, organs, blood, and skin had been transformed over years of cultivation.
• He Song speculated that a Golden Core cultivator's strengthened body might be needed to bear a newly formed Nascent Soul, and considered focusing more on body-tempering.
• He Song felt an itch within his Golden Core as it grew rounder and more solid, then confirmed that his spiritual power no longer flowed back into his body.
• He Song opened his eyes and confirmed his breakthrough to Golden Core Great Perfection.
• He Song discovered that he could control his spiritual power far faster and more precisely, greatly increasing his strength.
• He Song sensed a faint connection with his Golden Core and wondered whether it signaled that the core was preparing to shatter and form a Nascent Soul.

After reaching Golden Core Great Perfection, He Song examined his strengthened body and mastered his new power. He reviewed the mounting tensions between the righteous and demonic factions, then went to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion to travel to Purple Bamboo Capital in search of a Nascent Soul breakthrough opportunity.

• He Song found that his Golden Core held more spiritual power and could send it through his body almost instantly.
• He Song tested his body and concluded that its glazed bones, jade-tinged blood, and strengthened organs likely came from his Golden Core’s spiritual power, while the Spirit Blood Body Refining Technique had raised his physical strength to rival a Perfect Foundation Establishment cultivator.
• He Song mastered his Golden Core Great Perfection strength, emerged from seclusion, and discovered that more than ten years had passed since his return to Lingyun Capital.
• He Song reviewed reports from Meng Guan, Wei Fan, Luo Jingyun, An Ning, and Xiao Qing, learning that righteous and demonic Golden Core cultivators continued to clash as the righteous side neared open war.
• He Song visited the Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch in Lingyun Capital and decided to use its teleportation array to travel to Purple Bamboo Capital in search of a Nascent Soul breakthrough opportunity.

He Song traveled to Purple Bamboo Capital to seek a Purifying Spirit Pill and other opportunities that could help him reach the Nascent Soul Realm, while also visiting True Lord Qingyang. He learned that a once-in-a-century grand auction was coming, though he had not known about it before.

• He Song reviewed the three necessities for a Golden Core cultivator’s Nascent Soul breakthrough and resolved to seek the rare Purifying Spirit Pill himself.
• He Song used the Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s teleportation array to travel from Lingyun Capital to Purple Bamboo Capital.
• He Song contacted True Lord Qingyang and accepted his invitation to visit his residence.
• True Lord Qingyang asked whether He Song had come for the grand auction scheduled in a month and offered to arrange a private room.
• He Song said he had come to catch up and ask about the Purple Bamboo Domain, then considered the auction after hearing of it.

He Song learned what to expect at the Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s once-a-century super-large auction and accepted True Lord Qingyang’s invitation to stay with him in Purple Bamboo Capital. After a month of building their friendship and studying a regional map, He Song watched cultivators arrive from across the region as the auction began.

• He Song asked True Lord Qingyang about the super-large auction, and Qingyang explained its precious offerings, powerful attendees, and the protection available to Pavilion cultivators.
• He Song and True Lord Qingyang grew closer through conversation, and Qingyang gave He Song an accurate map of the Purple Bamboo Domain and nearby immortal domains.
• True Lord Qingyang invited He Song to stay with him for the month before the auction, and He Song accepted to prepare for his search and strengthen their ties.
• During the month, He Song and True Lord Qingyang spent much of their time together, while Ancestor Zhengyang and other Pavilion cultivators learned of He Song’s presence.
• When the auction began, cultivators of every realm gathered in Purple Bamboo Capital, and He Song saw flying boats arrive bearing imposing auras.

He Song attended the super-large auction in Purple Bamboo Capital and secured a Void Stone for a third teleportation array, along with several natural treasures. After the auction, True Lord Qingyang delivered his winnings, and the two watched the visiting cultivators leave the capital.

• He Song entered a Treasure Gathering Pavilion VIP Hall with True Lord Qingyang and memorized the auction items listed in the Jade Slips.
• The super-large auction began, and He Song focused on bidding for useful treasures and a Void Stone for his third teleportation array.
• He Song won several natural treasures and a Void Stone for just over two hundred thousand mid-grade Spirit Stones, then watched the rest of the auction without bidding much.
• After the auction ended, True Lord Qingyang delivered He Song's winnings and explained that he had been passing by on his way to another task.
• He Song accompanied True Lord Qingyang to his cave abode, where they watched Golden Core and Nascent Soul Cultivators depart Purple Bamboo Capital.

After the auction, He Song waited until Purple Bamboo Capital quieted down, then said farewell to Qingyang True Lord and prepared a safe base outside the city. With his third teleportation array completed, he studied Qingyang True Lord’s map and set out to search remote parts of the Purple Bamboo Domain for hidden cultivator cave abodes and treasure.

• He Song stayed in Purple Bamboo Capital for half a month after the auction, growing wary after sensing several Golden Core battles in the distance.
• He Song bid farewell to Qingyang True Lord, who offered him the use of his name if trouble arose in the Purple Bamboo Domain.
• He Song chose a valley several thousand li from Purple Bamboo Capital, set up a Heavenly Dipper Divine Thunder Array, and forged his third teleportation array over several months.
• He Song left the valley and used Qingyang True Lord’s detailed map to mark remote locations where cultivators might have hidden their cave abodes.
• He Song decided to search those wilderness regions for concealed Golden Core and Nascent Soul cave abodes and the treasures they might hold.

He Song traveled through the Purple Bamboo Domain, surveying the devastation left by a Golden Core battle and finding the corpse of a slain Golden Core cultivator at its end. After burying the body, he continued onward, troubled by thoughts of Meng Guan’s safety and the danger awaiting anyone who made enemies.

• He Song flew away from Purple Bamboo Capital and observed sword scars, a giant fist imprint, and widespread destruction left by Golden Core battles.
• He Song realized he was following the route of a months-old battle and continued toward its remote destination, hoping to discover what had happened or find something left behind.
• He Song found a deep pit containing a Golden Core cultivator’s corpse, its chest pierced and its Golden Core and Storage Pouch gone.
• He Song used a Foundation Establishment spirit puppet to bury the corpse, then left the site.
• He Song worried that Meng Guan might be killed in the war between the righteous and demonic paths and reflected that those who kill can themselves be killed.

He Song noticed an array concealed beneath a hill where three demon beasts that were natural enemies coexisted peacefully, and suspected it hid a surviving Golden Core cultivator. He withdrew to an Immortal Province Capital and planned to wait until danger passed before investigating the array and claiming whatever lay inside.

• He Song spotted demon beasts gathered along a curved line and initially assumed they had fled the deep pit after a Golden Core battle.
• He Song noticed three demon beasts living peacefully atop a small hill, including two natural enemies, and deduced that a Golden Core Concealment Array hid beneath it.
• He Song suspected the array might shelter the Golden Core of the cultivator who had been attacked near the deep pit and that the attackers had failed to seize the cultivator's possessions.
• He Song traveled to an Immortal Province Capital, rented an inn room, and concealed himself with a Heavenly Dipper Divine Thunder Array.
• He Song resolved to wait for the rogue cultivators to leave before studying or breaking the concealed array and searching for its hidden fortune.