Chapter Summaries

He Song used Ghost Soul to take control of Ghost Soul Hall and search for ways to control demonic cultivators, while Ghost Soul hunted for the former Nascent Soul Cultivator of the Heavenly River Sect. After changing his search strategy, He Song found the cultivator’s hidden abode near an immortal city, broke its demonic array, and confirmed its owner was dead.

• He Song sent Ghost Soul to make Golden Core Forces along the righteous-demonic border pass along information, then searched Ghost Soul Hall for control arts and Golden Core puppet-refining methods.
• Ghost Soul searched for the former Nascent Soul Cultivator of the Heavenly River Sect for over a year without success, prompting He Song to reconsider where demonic cultivators hid their abodes.
• He Song reasoned that demonic cultivators avoided secluded places and directed Ghost Soul to search busy locations, where it sensed the former Nascent Soul Cultivator’s aura near an immortal city.
• Ghost Soul discovered several Golden Core abodes and then found the Nascent Soul abode beneath the city; He Song concealed it with a Myriad Swords Return to Origin Array.
• He Song repeatedly cast the Profound Spirit Prohibition Technique until the demonic array collapsed, then confirmed the owner was dead and claimed the abode and its contents.

He Song plundered a Nascent Soul abode, refined its former owner into a puppet named Idle Cloud, and confirmed that a corpse’s cultivation in life could affect a puppet’s resulting strength. While He Song continued strengthening Idle Cloud in seclusion, Wei Fan broke through to the Nascent Soul realm in the One Yang Sect.

• He Song used Clear Wind, Mingyue, and Ghost Soul to search the Nascent Soul abode, collect its treasures, and destroy it after confirming it held no further dangers.
• He Song kept useful treasures and the former Heavenly River Sect cultivator’s corpse, then sold the remaining loot through the Gluttonous Ghost Market.
• He Song refined the corpse into a fourth Nascent Soul Puppet, named him Idle Cloud, and found that he had reached the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.
• He Song continued training Idle Cloud and preparing life-saving items for him during seclusion.
• Wei Fan laughed from his cave abode in the One Yang Sect as his Nascent Soul aura spread in every direction.

After mastering his Nascent Soul power, Wei Fan emerged from seclusion, and the One Yang Sect celebrated gaining a second Nascent Soul Cultivator. Meng Guan announced that the sect would hold a Nascent Soul Convention ten years later, while He Song, Meng Guan, and Wei Fan prepared for the gathering and its political consequences.

• Wei Fan emerged from seclusion after mastering his Nascent Soul power, and He Song and Meng Guan congratulated him on his breakthrough.
• Wei Fan thanked He Song and Meng Guan for helping him, and the three discussed the One Yang Sect’s increased strength and the pressure it had faced from neighboring sects.
• He Song, Meng Guan, and Wei Fan privately celebrated and discussed possible plans if the One Yang Sect faced disaster.
• Meng Guan announced Wei Fan’s promotion to Supreme Elder and declared that the One Yang Sect would host a Nascent Soul Convention ten years later.
• News of Wei Fan’s breakthrough spread, prompting Ancestor of Purple Cloud and Ancestor of Snow Wind to react, while Meng Guan, Wei Fan, and He Song began preparing for the convention.

He Song attended the One Yang Sect’s Nascent Soul Convention, then received news that the Treasure Gathering Pavilion headquarters had approved him to become a regional branch master. He left the One Yang Sect for Linyao Capital, where Yue Lingzi asked how he had arrived so quickly, and He Song explained that a Nascent Soul friend had established the sect’s teleportation array.

• He Song, Meng Guan, and Wei Fan helped prepare the One Yang Sect’s Nascent Soul Convention, which drew cultivators from across the surrounding regions.
• He Song and Clear Wind received Nascent Soul guests while Meng Guan and Wei Fan hosted them, and Clear Wind’s strength kept most cultivators at a distance.
• After the convention, Yue Lingzi informed He Song that the Treasure Gathering Pavilion headquarters had approved him to become a regional branch master and asked him to come to Linyao Capital.
• He Song packed his belongings, bid farewell to Meng Guan and Wei Fan, and used the One Yang Sect’s teleportation array to travel to Linyao Capital.
• Yue Lingzi met He Song at the Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch and asked how he had arrived so quickly, and He Song said a Nascent Soul friend had established the array.

He Song met Red Lotus, a Nascent Soul Middle Stage envoy from the Treasure Gathering Pavilion headquarters, who promoted him from guest elder to branch pavilion master. He studied a map of available branches and began choosing a safe post near the Pavilion’s central headquarters.

• Yue Lingzi brought He Song to meet Red Lotus, who verified his contributions and announced his promotion to branch pavilion master.
• He Song handed over his Guest Elder Token, and Red Lotus gave him a Pavilion Master Token and a map of branches with vacant or soon-to-be-vacant posts.
• He Song studied the map, noting that his familiar domains were already assigned and considering locations away from the righteous-demonic border, the Myriad Monster Realm, and Spirit Transmutation Holy Lands.
• He Song asked where the Treasure Gathering Pavilion headquarters was, and Red Lotus explained that it stood in a prosperous central domain on the boundary between the righteous and demonic paths.
• He Song decided to seek a safe branch closer to the headquarters so he could reach it quickly if danger arose.

He Song chose Tianze Immortal Domain as his Treasure Gathering Pavilion posting, prioritizing distance from the Myriad Monster Realm and other threats despite Yue Lingzi’s offer of a nearby position. After receiving control of the Tianze Capital branch, he prepared to leave Lingyun Capital and reunited with Jade Xuanzi.

• He Song selected Tianze Immortal Domain, declined Yue Lingzi’s suggestion to choose a closer domain, and promised that they would aid each other despite the distance.
• Red Lotus appointed He Song master of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch in Tianze Capital and gave him authority as a branch pavilion master.
• Yue Lingzi told He Song that True Monarch Luo Jing remained in seclusion, and He Song left for Lingyun Capital after discussing their future cooperation.
• He Song collected his possessions from Lingyun Capital, including his medicinal garden and teleportation array, then went to meet Jade Xuanzi before leaving for his new post.
• Jade Xuanzi welcomed He Song and asked where he had spent the past hundred years, saying she had worried that her hospitality had driven him away.

He Song explained to Jade Xuanzi why he had been away for a hundred years, revealed his promotion to branch Pavilion Master, and shared his true Daoist name. He arrived in Zetianjing but chose to investigate his new surroundings before officially taking up his post.

• He Song told Jade Xuanzi that he had spent a hundred years guarding an old friend through her breakthrough to Nascent Soul and had now become a Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch Pavilion Master.
• Jade Xuanzi congratulated He Song, explained the duties and authority of his new position, and heard that he would serve in the Zetian Immortal Domain.
• He Song revealed that his Daoist name was Cang Song and discussed branch management with Jade Xuanzi before leaving Lingyun Capital.
• He Song arrived at the Zetianjing branch, saw its three teleportation arrays, and secretly left to buy a residence rather than immediately assume his post.
• He Song set up protective and spirit-gathering arrays in his residence, drank spiritual tea, and released Mingyue.

He Song kept his identity hidden by having Mingyue impersonate him and take charge of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch in Zetianjing. After securing control of the branch and strengthening its staff, He Song received approaches from the three Nascent Soul Sects in the Zetian Immortal Domain.

• He Song kept Ghost Soul near the demonic path and the Myriad Monster Realm to monitor their movements, while Jade Xuanzi could help him watch the Nine Yang Sect.
• He Song disguised Mingyue as himself and sent her to investigate Zetianjing, where she found three allied or rival Nascent Soul Sects and no immediate danger to the pavilion branch.
• Mingyue formally took over the branch with help from its former master, while He Song remained concealed and began controlling its affairs.
• He Song filled vacant Golden Core positions with puppets and raised cultivators’ salaries, securing the branch and winning goodwill among its staff.
• The three Nascent Soul Sects each sent a cultivator to offer He Song congratulatory gifts and build relations with the Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch master.

He Song kept the three Nascent Soul Sects at arm’s length and chose to remain in safe Zetianjing rather than cultivate near Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s headquarters. He then expanded his network of informants through Ghost Soul, Clear Wind, and Idle Cloud, giving him channels to learn of major events across the cultivation world.

• He Song declined the generous gifts from Azure Water Sect, Cloudflow Pavilion, and Frost Sword Sect, treated their envoys impartially, and let them depart without forming ties.
• He Song resumed secluded cultivation in Zetianjing and sent Clear Wind and Idle Cloud to complete Treasure Gathering Pavilion missions.
• He Song decided against moving to Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s headquarters because the many Nascent Soul Cultivators there could threaten his safety and expose his secrets.
• Ghost Soul found the Nine Nether Mind-Control Art, and He Song mastered it before using Ghost Soul to control Golden Core cultivators who would report local events.
• Clear Wind and Idle Cloud made paid arrangements with Golden Core cultivators to gather information, while Ghost Soul and the puppets expanded He Song’s network of informants.

He Song expanded his intelligence network and gained an opportunity from it, then learned that True Monarch Luo Jing had successfully broken through into the Nascent Soul Realm. Yue Lingzi planned to bring He Song the unused Purifying Spirit Pill, while He Song considered bringing An Ning back from Snow Wind Palace to cultivate her as a trusted aide.

• He Song’s intelligence network uncovered reports of treasures in a dangerous area, and Idle Cloud retrieved the remains of Golden Core cultivators without exploring further.
• He Song gained a modest opportunity and kept his cautious approach, while his title of Ancestor Cang Song spread among forces in the Tianze Immortal Domain.
• Yue Lingzi informed He Song that True Monarch Luo Jing had broken through into the Nascent Soul Realm and still had one Purifying Spirit Pill left.
• True Monarch Luo Jing returned the unused pill to Yue Lingzi, who told He Song she would travel to Zetianjing to deliver it personally.
• He Song planned to bring An Ning out of Snow Wind Palace and cultivate her within the Treasure Gathering Pavilion as a trusted helper.

He Song arranged to visit Snow Wind Palace through his puppet Idle Cloud and invited An Ning to Zetianjing, while Yue Lingzi arrived with a Purifying Spirit Pill and claimed that sudden enlightenment had transformed her cultivation. Yue Lingzi began explaining that enlightenment required backing, resources, and strength, leaving He Song to consider the unusual source of her progress.

• He Song decided to bring An Ning to Zetianjing and sent Idle Cloud, disguised as himself, toward Snow Wind Palace after arranging a visit with Ancestor of Snow Wind.
• He Song told An Ning about his invitation and considered several ways to obtain Purifying Spirit Pills for her breakthrough.
• Ancestor of Snow Wind received He Song’s letter and speculated about the purpose behind his visit.
• Yue Lingzi visited He Song, revealed that sudden enlightenment had greatly improved her cultivation, and gave him a Purifying Spirit Pill.
• Yue Lingzi explained that enlightenment depended on backing, resources, and strength, not aptitude or comprehension alone.

Yue Lingzi told He Song about Enlightenment Tea Leaves, which could accelerate cultivation and help cultivators master spells, and hoped to profit by arranging a future purchase. He Song feigned that he could not afford them, then searched the Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s records for more information.

• Yue Lingzi explained that Enlightenment Tea Leaves came from a tree seized from an ancient sect and described the benefits she had gained from using one.
• He Song recognized the leaves’ value but concealed his interest and told Yue Lingzi he could not afford their enormous price.
• Yue Lingzi accepted He Song’s claim and elaborated on the leaves’ importance, hoping he would seek her out to buy one if he became wealthy.
• Yue Lingzi left, and He Song searched the Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s records for information about the Enlightenment Tea Tree and its leaves.

He Song visited Snow Wind Palace to learn how the Ancestor of Snow Wind had concealed the signs of his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm, while postponing plans to obtain Enlightenment Tea Leaves. The chapter ended with He Song asking the Ancestor of Snow Wind what method he had used.

• He Song assessed the rarity of Enlightenment Tea Leaves and recognized that Yue Lingzi could help him obtain them, but that relying on her too often could raise suspicions.
• He Song considered building connections with Nascent Soul cultivators through Clear Wind and Idle Cloud, then postponed that plan until after his business at Snow Wind Palace.
• He Song controlled Idle Cloud and arrived at Snow Wind Palace, where the Ancestor of Snow Wind welcomed him with an elaborate banquet.
• After the banquet, He Song told the Ancestor of Snow Wind that his visit was private and that such a grand reception was unnecessary.
• He Song asked the Ancestor of Snow Wind how he had concealed the phenomena when breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm.

He Song obtained Snow Wind Palace’s composite grand array, which could rival Spirit Transformation arrays and conceal a breakthrough, but learned it needed a natural formation to function at full strength. Ancestor of Snow Wind revealed that he had destroyed Snow Wind Palace’s natural formation, leaving He Song without the location he hoped to use.

• He Song explained that he wanted to prepare for a concealed breakthrough to the Spirit Transformation Realm, and Ancestor of Snow Wind offered him Snow Wind Palace’s complete array formation.
• Ancestor of Snow Wind gave He Song the array plates, flags, and a Jade Slip explaining that the formation contained a half-step Spirit Transformation main array and nine Nascent Soul auxiliary arrays.
• He Song learned the formation could rival Spirit Transformation arrays but required immense quantities of Spirit Stones to activate.
• He Song discovered that a natural formation could strengthen the array and reduce its cost, and considered using one in the Canglan Secret Realm.
• Ancestor of Snow Wind told He Song that he had destroyed Snow Wind Palace’s natural formation after emerging from seclusion, fearing enemies would benefit from it.

He Song received a powerful composite grand formation from the Ancestor of Snow Wind, who mistook his visit for an effort by the One Yang Sect to test Snow Wind Palace’s willingness to submit. After consulting Meng Guan, He Song accepted the formation as a pledge and left future negotiations between the Ancestor of Snow Wind and the One Yang Sect.

• He Song thanked the Ancestor of Snow Wind for the formation and offered to exchange treasures for it, while the Ancestor wondered whether He Song represented the One Yang Sect.
• The Ancestor of Snow Wind explained why the formation had become a liability to Snow Wind Palace and offered He Song several more treasures.
• He Song sent Meng Guan a message explaining the situation, and Meng Guan told him to accept the treasures as a pledge of allegiance.
• He Song told the Ancestor of Snow Wind that Meng Guan would discuss cooperation with him and promised to pay for the formation if those negotiations failed.

He Song asked Ancestor of Snow Wind to let him take An Ning away from Snow Wind Palace, explaining that he had honored a dying friend’s request by arranging for her cultivation. Ancestor of Snow Wind agreed, grateful for He Song’s promise of a favor, and summoned An Ning to say farewell.

• After discussing Snow Wind Palace’s gift of a composite grand formation, He Song asked Ancestor of Snow Wind to take someone from the sect.
• Ancestor of Snow Wind assumed He Song wanted a talented disciple, but He Song clarified that he sought a Golden Core elder and recounted how he had arranged for his friend’s disciple to enter Snow Wind Palace.
• He Song named An Ning and explained that she had reached Golden Core Great Perfection; Ancestor of Snow Wind recognized her as a valued elder and accepted He Song’s offer of a future favor.
• Ancestor of Snow Wind agreed to let An Ning leave and summoned her to bid Snow Wind Palace farewell.
• An Ning arrived and understood what was about to happen.

He Song brought An Ning before the Ancestor of Snow Wind to settle her departure from Snow Wind Palace. An Ning accepted the sect’s gift and expressed gratitude without making promises, then left with He Song for Cloud Province Capital and a teleportation journey to Zetianjing.

• The Ancestor of Snow Wind asked An Ning to confirm her connection with He Song and whether she wished to leave, and An Ning agreed to go with him.
• An Ning declined a formal farewell, saying she might return to visit her friends in Snow Wind Palace.
• The Ancestor of Snow Wind gave An Ning a Jade Slip containing his insights on breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm and asked her to remember the sect.
• An Ning thanked Snow Wind Palace and said she would consult He Song if the sect faced trouble, while avoiding promises about what she might do in the future.
• After speaking with the Ancestor of Snow Wind, He Song left Snow Wind Palace with An Ning and headed for Cloud Province Capital to use its teleportation array to reach Zetianjing.

He Song obtained a Purifying Spirit Pill from Guiyuanzi after years of searching and prepared An Ning for her eventual attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm. He showed An Ning the newly acquired pill alongside the one he already owned, leaving her hopeful about what the two pills meant for her future.

• He Song brought An Ning to Zetianjing, made her a Golden Core guest elder of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, and arranged for her to learn the branch's affairs and resources.
• He Song shared the breakthrough insights of four Nascent Soul Cultivators with An Ning while continuing to search for Purifying Spirit Pills.
• Guiyuanzi contacted He Song to offer a Purifying Spirit Pill, but said he could sell only one of the two he had refined.
• He Song paid Guiyuanzi for the pill and, after the transaction, summoned An Ning to meet him.
• He Song explained Guiyuanzi's standing as a pavilion master and alchemist, showed An Ning the new Purifying Spirit Pill, then revealed the one he already possessed.

He Song offered An Ning two Purifying Spirit Pills and let her choose whether to attempt a Nascent Soul breakthrough now or wait for more pills. An Ning chose to take the risk, and He Song began arranging the preparations for her breakthrough.

• He Song showed An Ning two Purifying Spirit Pills and explained that one came from Guiyuanzi while the other had been obtained years earlier.
• He Song offered An Ning the choice of attempting a breakthrough with two pills or waiting until he obtained more, warning her that the first option carried danger.
• An Ning chose to attempt the breakthrough, saying she could not bear to have He Song spend more resources on her and promising to repay his kindness.
• He Song gave An Ning the pills and told her to return to her residence while he arranged the other preparations.
• After An Ning left, He Song issued orders that set the Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch in Zetianjing bustling with activity.

He Song arranged An Ning’s Nascent Soul breakthrough and used the attention it attracted to strengthen his reputation as Zetianjing’s Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch master. During his seclusion, Luo Jing also broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm, while He Song’s puppet Mingyue attended her convention in his place; Luo Jing then began training for dangerous branch-master missions.

• He Song prepared a treasured site, insights, and two Purifying Spirit Pills for An Ning, who entered seclusion to attempt a Nascent Soul breakthrough under his watchful divine sense.
• He Song let the praise surrounding his support for An Ning spread, having secretly engineered the publicity to build his reputation and benefit his branch.
• Luo Jing emerged from seclusion after mastering Nascent Soul-level combat power, and Yue Lingzi held a grand Nascent Soul Convention for her.
• Because He Song was at a critical point in seclusion, he sent Mingyue to attend Luo Jing’s convention, where no Nascent Soul Cultivator detected the disguise.
• He Song returned Mingyue to Zetianjing, while Luo Jing began training under Yue Lingzi to prepare for the dangerous missions required to become a Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch master.