Chapter Summaries

He Song shifted his secluded study from artifact refining to arrays, acquiring the Myriad Image Array Collection and reviewing its many formations. He then prioritized comprehending the composite grand array from the Ancestor of Snow Wind, hoping to improve his cultivation speed and concealment.

• He Song advanced his pill-refining skills and learned to refine many high-grade Spirit Artifacts, approaching the threshold of crafting Top-grade Spirit Artifacts.
• He Song turned to the path of arrays, which had helped him from Qi Refining through Golden Core, and recognized that he had neglected it since reaching Nascent Soul.
• He Song exchanged for the Myriad Image Array Collection from the Treasure Gathering Pavilion and found it filled with useful arrays, including formations that assisted other crafts.
• He Song set aside the collection to focus on the composite grand array he had received from the Ancestor of Snow Wind, whose Spirit Transformation-level concealment and spirit-gathering effects could aid his safety and cultivation.
• He Song found that the composite array consisted of one main array and nine similar auxiliary arrays, so he only needed to comprehend two arrays to set it up.

He Song advanced his formation knowledge while reviewing intelligence for opportunities and signs of danger. He learned Calamity Fire Illuminating Life Candle, an art that concealed him from divination, and left his Life Candle burning golden in his sea of consciousness.

• He Song comprehended a composite grand formation, rapidly improving his attainments in the Dao of formations.
• He Song sifted messages from friends, spies, and Ghost Soul-controlled cultivators, identifying opportunities and signs of coming danger.
• He Song discovered Calamity Fire Illuminating Life Candle, which consumed lifespan to reveal danger and prevent others from divining the caster.
• He Song cultivated the art, ignited a Life Candle, and continuously supplied it with lifespan so it would never go out.
• He Song saw that his Life Candle burned golden, indicating he was safe, while his identity as a powerful Nascent Soul Cultivator remained concealed in Zetianjing.

He Song tested how the Calamity Fire Illuminating Life Candle reflected danger to his Nascent Soul Puppets, then continued studying formations and traveled to inspect a reported natural formation. He arrived at the Immortal Province Capital and had True Lord Shuiyue lead him to the site.

• He Song sent Ghost Soul into a dangerous land and found that the dimming section of his Life Candle reflected Ghost Soul’s safety.
• He Song tested Clear Wind, Mingyue, Idle Cloud, and his own safety, identifying the Life Candle’s regions and planning to use the warnings to protect his puppets.
• He Song hit a bottleneck studying the ten-layer composite grand formation and switched to the Myriad Image Array Collection to improve his formation knowledge.
• He Song received word that a Treasure Gathering Pavilion chief pavilion master had found a natural formation and traveled with Mingyue to the Immortal Province Capital.
• True Lord Shuiyue greeted He Song, and he ordered her to lead him to the natural formation.

He Song accompanied Shuiyue True Lord to investigate a concealed natural array beneath an underground water vein and confirmed that it only concealed its surroundings. After rewarding Shuiyue True Lord with other treasures instead of the Purifying Spirit Pill she requested, He Song secured the site and began exploring the array.

• He Song and Shuiyue True Lord traveled by flying boat to the underground water vein and confirmed that a concealed natural array lay within it.
• He Song asked Shuiyue True Lord what reward she wanted, and she requested a Purifying Spirit Pill for her future breakthrough to Golden Core Great Perfection.
• He Song refused because he had no Purifying Spirit Pills available, but offered Shuiyue True Lord numerous precious treasures, which she accepted gratefully.
• After Shuiyue True Lord left, He Song had Mingyue establish a Myriad Swords Return to Origin Array around the site.
• He Song sent Mingyue into the natural array and discovered that it only had a concealing effect, with no spiritual-energy gathering, attack, or defensive abilities.

He Song transformed the natural concealment array into a hidden cultivation cave, laying down the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array and strengthening the site with the Myriad Swords Return to Origin Array. Because True Lord Shuiyue knew of the location and many others knew of the natural array, He Song transferred her to Zetianjing and kept her under close watch.

• He Song hollowed out a cavern within the natural array and laid down the composite array, naming it the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array.
• He Song connected a teleportation array to the site and adjusted the Myriad Swords Return to Origin Array to defend it.
• He Song settled into the concealed cave while Mingyue returned to Zetianjing to oversee affairs.
• He Song investigated True Lord Shuiyue's knowledge of the natural array and learned that many cultivators already knew of its existence.
• He Song ordered True Lord Shuiyue to report to Zetianjing and sent cultivators, including Idle Cloud, to escort and monitor her.
• True Lord Shuiyue arrived in Zetianjing and was assigned duties under He Song's supervision.

He Song continued cultivating in the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array, where dense spiritual energy greatly accelerated his mana accumulation. After learning that Yue Lingzi had reached the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, he discovered An Ning was undergoing a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm and moved to protect her.

• He Song secluded himself in the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array and found that its dense spiritual energy greatly increased his cultivation speed.
• Luo Jing informed He Song that Yue Lingzi had broken through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage and was stabilizing her cultivation.
• He Song sent Yue Lingzi congratulations and promised to visit with generous gifts after she emerged from seclusion.
• Mingyue detected a vast spiritual energy vortex forming around An Ning's cave abode in the Zetianjing Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch.
• He Song realized An Ning was on the verge of reaching the Nascent Soul Realm and released his Nascent Soul aura to deter threats while she broke through.

An Ning’s breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm caused a public commotion that confirmed He Song’s support for her and boosted his reputation. Seeing the danger a breakthrough could attract, He Song resolved to remain inside the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array and began planning to strengthen his Nascent Soul Puppets, starting with Clear Wind.

• Clear Wind released a Nascent Soul aura as An Ning’s breakthrough stirred Zetianjing, and news spread across the Zetian Immortal Domain, strengthening He Song’s public image.
• He Song recognized that the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array would protect him during his future Spirit Transformation breakthrough and decided to cultivate inside it whenever possible.
• He Song assessed the potential of Clear Wind, Mingyue, Idle Cloud, and Ghost Soul and concluded that strengthening the puppets was essential to support his secluded life.
• He Song chose to raise Clear Wind’s strength first, while also planning to strengthen Ghost Soul through demonic methods and prepare materials for Mingyue and Idle Cloud.
• He Song searched Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s treasury and studied the Spiritual Artifact Puppet Refinement Technique, then began seeking the scarce materials he could not find.

He Song sent Mingyue to Yue Lingzi’s celebration banquet in Linyao Capital, where he met Han Yuezi, a powerful Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator from one of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s great families. Yue Lingzi explained how four influential families controlled access to many Pavilion treasures, leaving He Song with a clearer picture of the Pavilion’s inner power structure.

• He Song chose to send Mingyue to Yue Lingzi’s banquet rather than attend in person, and had her carry the congratulatory gift he had prepared.
• Mingyue arrived at the Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch in Linyao Capital, where Yue Lingzi welcomed her and brought her to the celebration.
• He Song and Luo Jing chatted with Yue Lingzi’s arriving friends, meeting several Nascent Soul Cultivators as the gathering grew.
• Yue Lingzi introduced Han Yuezi, a Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator who had long resided at the Treasure Gathering Pavilion headquarters.
• Yue Lingzi privately told He Song that Han Yuezi belonged to the Cold Family, one of three powerful Nascent Soul families alongside the Pavilion Master’s Spirit Transformation family.
• He Song learned that the four families controlled shares of many Pavilion treasures and that cultivators often depended on their support to advance.

At Yue Lingzi’s banquet, Han Yuezi recognized that He Song had sent a Nascent Soul Puppet in his place, exposing his secret to Yue Lingzi. Han Yuezi explained how she identified it and advised He Song to alter the puppet, while Yue Lingzi realized why He Song had spent his resources and felt awkward about her earlier assumptions.

• Han Yuezi noticed He Song and told Yue Lingzi that his puppet-refining art, Nascent Soul Puppet, and cautious nature made him extraordinary.
• Han Yuezi revealed that He Song had sent a puppet to the banquet, leaving Yue Lingzi embarrassed and irritated even as she kept up appearances.
• Yue Lingzi ended the banquet early and met with He Song and Han Yuezi at her cave abode, where she examined Mingyue but could not identify it as a puppet.
• Han Yuezi explained that her Cold Family ancestor created the Spiritual Artifact Puppet Refinement Technique, which let her recognize Mingyue, and advised He Song to alter the puppet to conceal its identity.
• Yue Lingzi realized He Song had spent his resources on the Nascent Soul Puppet and understood why he had refused to spend money on an Enlightenment Tea Leaf.

He Song explained his absence from Yue Lingzi’s breakthrough banquet as a misunderstanding and discovered that Han Yuezi could detect traces of his puppet-refinement technique. After the banquet, he modified his puppets to conceal their identities and turned his attention to Ghost Soul and Mingyue.

• He Song claimed he had attended in a Nascent Soul Puppet to test its realism and consult Yue Lingzi, easing her anger over his absence.
• Yue Lingzi welcomed He Song, introduced him more closely to Han Yuezi, and accepted his valuable congratulatory gift.
• He Song sensed traces of the Spiritual Artifact Puppet Refinement Technique on Han Yuezi and suspected she was also a puppet.
• He Song compared Han Yuezi’s traces with those on Clear Wind and Idle Cloud, identified how she had detected Mingyue, and resolved to remove the telltale signs.
• After the banquet ended, He Song returned to his array and modified Clear Wind and Idle Cloud so their puppet identities could no longer be discerned.
• He Song turned his attention to Ghost Soul and Mingyue.

He Song finished disguising all four of his Nascent Soul Puppets, then met Han Yuezi in Zetianjing after she invited him to share a drink. Han Yuezi praised his caution and admitted she too used a puppet body, while He Song concealed his own use of Mingyue and grew wary of her possible motives.

• He Song successfully altered Clear Wind, Idle Cloud, Ghost Soul, and Mingyue so their puppet identities could not be detected.
• Han Yuezi sent He Song a message asking about his hesitation at the Linyao Capital banquet and inviting him to meet for a drink.
• He Song sensed Han Yuezi's Nascent Soul aura in Zetianjing and controlled Mingyue to teleport to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch, where he met her.
• Han Yuezi noticed that Mingyue no longer showed traces of the Spiritual Artifact Puppet Refinement Technique and praised He Song's skill.
• He Song denied that the figure before her was a puppet and claimed he had come in person, then hosted Han Yuezi at his branch residence.
• Han Yuezi admitted that she had used puppet bodies at both meetings and said she appreciated He Song's caution, while He Song denied using a puppet and privately suspected her family had ulterior motives.

He Song cautiously tested Han Yuezi’s motives, then grew to trust her after they bonded over their shared approach to staying safe. By the end of their long conversation, He Song had learned how Han Yuezi’s difficult upbringing in the Cold Family had made her exceptionally cautious.

• He Song remained wary when Han Yuezi denied having any ulterior motives and changed the subject.
• Han Yuezi and He Song exchanged principles for avoiding danger, and He Song began to believe she had sought him out sincerely.
• The two discussed their pasts while keeping their most important secrets to themselves, and their bond grew closer over many days.
• He Song learned that Han Yuezi had been born into the Cold Family, where hardship and family intrigue taught her caution and helped her survive repeated dangers.

Han Yuezi and He Song reflected on what it meant to follow one’s heart and attain great freedom, then grew closer while discussing cultivation and the Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s rare treasures. Han Yuezi offered He Song two cultivated Enlightenment Tea Leaves at cost, but warned they shortened the consumer’s lifespan; when He Song examined one, he sensed something was wrong.

• Han Yuezi reconsidered her lifelong caution after speaking with He Song and found new meaning in the Treasure Gathering Pavilion master’s advice to follow her heart.
• He Song and Han Yuezi formed different ideas about great freedom, then settled into contemplation and became closer friends.
• Han Yuezi stayed at the Zetianjing Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch and regularly visited He Song to drink tea and discuss the Dao.
• He Song asked which Pavilion treasures could aid Nascent Soul Cultivators, and Han Yuezi described Enlightenment Tea Leaves, Earth Vein Dragon Essence Fruit, and Moonlight Condensed Dew.
• Han Yuezi offered He Song two cultivated Enlightenment Tea Leaves at cost and explained that they were weaker than mother-tree leaves and damaged lifespan.
• He Song examined the Enlightenment Tea Leaf with his divine sense and sensed that something was wrong.

He Song discovered that Han Yuezi’s Enlightenment Tea Leaves had been forcibly ripened with demonic arts and learned that consuming them cost ten years of lifespan in exchange for cultivation and faster comprehension. Han Yuezi explained why the Cold Family preferred leaves from the mother plant, then hinted that obtaining those leaves required conditions He Song would likely refuse.

• He Song detected demonic traces on Han Yuezi’s Enlightenment Tea Leaves and inferred that they were forcibly ripened at the cost of a cultivator’s lifespan.
• He Song pretended to know little about demonic secret arts and asked Han Yuezi how the leaves had been produced.
• Han Yuezi confirmed that Treasure Gathering Pavilion had increased its yield by using demonic methods learned through trade with the Gluttonous Ghost Market.
• Han Yuezi explained that each leaf cost ten years of lifespan but could provide decades of cultivation and temporarily accelerate comprehension of spells and secret arts.
• Han Yuezi said the Cold Family preferred leaves picked from the mother plant because they were more effective, and that successive uses of any Enlightenment Tea Leaves had diminishing returns.
• Han Yuezi hinted that outsiders could obtain mother-plant leaves under conditions she expected He Song to refuse.

He Song learned the differences between the two kinds of Enlightenment Tea Leaves and sought to buy the two Han Yuezi possessed. Han Yuezi offered to let him take them now and pay later, then tested whether the Cang Songzi before her was his real body; He Song admitted it was a puppet and asked her to teach him how to use the leaves.

• Han Yuezi explained that mother-tree Enlightenment Tea Leaves were rare, while the leaves ripened through demonic secret arts were more plentiful and granted ten years of lifespan.
• He Song asked how much Han Yuezi wanted for her two Enlightenment Tea Leaves and said he would gather the resources if he could not afford them immediately.
• Han Yuezi offered to hand He Song the leaves at once and let him repay her later, then offered to demonstrate their use if he consumed them now.
• He Song recognized that Han Yuezi was probing whether Cang Songzi was his real body and admitted that he was a puppet, apologizing for his earlier deception.
• He Song accepted Han Yuezi's offer to pay later and asked her to teach him the proper method for using the Enlightenment Tea Leaves.

He Song apologized to Han Yuezi, received detailed instructions and two Enlightenment Tea Leaves, then returned to the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array to use them to advance his cultivation. He drank tea brewed from one leaf and entered seclusion, refining its spiritual energy while studying spells and techniques.

• He Song explained his earlier mistake to Han Yuezi and avoided meeting her true body, while Clear Wind remained hidden to protect him.
• Han Yuezi gave He Song a Jade Slip detailing the effects and proper use of Enlightenment Tea Leaves, then offered him two leaves and allowed him to repay their cost later.
• He Song returned to the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array and considered using the leaves to reach the peak of the Nascent Soul Early Stage and attempt a breakthrough.
• He Song brewed one Enlightenment Tea Leaf using the specified method and drank the tea.
• He Song felt the tea's spiritual energy surge through his body and entered seclusion, refining it while continuing to study spells, secret techniques, and arts.

He Song spent several years in seclusion consuming Enlightenment Tea, and the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array’s dense spiritual energy surged into him as he refined it, bringing his cultivation close to the peak of the Nascent Soul Early Stage. After investigating the unusual effect, he found records suggesting that potent treasures refined in places with dense spiritual energy naturally draw in surrounding energy, and he decided to use his second tea leaf to advance further.

• He Song consumed Enlightenment Tea in seclusion, and the Five Elements Origin-Gathering Art drew spiritual energy from the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array into his body.
• He Song suspected the cultivation art caused the pull and resolved to investigate it after his seclusion, while Clear Wind guarded him and his other puppets continued their duties outside.
• He Song emerged several years later with greatly increased mana and a cultivation level near the peak of the Nascent Soul Early Stage.
• He Song decided to consume his second Enlightenment Tea Leaf to reach that peak and investigate the earlier anomaly before doing so.
• He Song searched the Treasure Gathering Pavilion’s records and found that powerful treasures refined in places with dense spiritual energy could draw in surrounding energy and boost cultivation.

He Song used his second and final Enlightenment Tea Leaf inside the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array, discovering that its dense spiritual energy amplified the tea’s benefits. After reaching the peak of the Nascent Soul Early Stage, he broke through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage and remained in seclusion to stabilize his cultivation.

• He Song realized the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array greatly enhanced the benefits of heavenly treasures such as Enlightenment Tea.
• He Song brewed his last Enlightenment Tea Leaf, drank it, and cultivated while studying spells and artifact-refining techniques.
• After a little over a year, He Song reached the peak of the Nascent Soul Early Stage and began breaking through its bottleneck.
• With the Enlightenment Tea’s aid, He Song broke through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage after about a year.
• He Song stayed in seclusion to stabilize his cultivation and continued improving his secret arts and techniques.

After breaking through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, He Song used Enlightenment Tea to master four powerful spells and two secret arts, greatly expanding his combat and survival options. He finished learning the Withered Glory Life-Reversal Art, which could replenish his mana by draining the vitality of nearby vegetation.

• He Song consolidated his Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivation as his spiritual power and strength increased.
• He Song mastered the Heavenly Star Sword Art and Void-Splitting Blade, along with the defensive Mirror-Flower Water-Moon Barrier and Azure Lotus Calamity-Transmuting Art.
• He Song learned the Lifespan-Burning Soul-Forging Art, which could temporarily increase his strength at the cost of his lifespan and, if overused, damage his soul.
• He Song mastered the Withered Glory Life-Reversal Art, which drained nearby vegetation to restore his mana.

After drinking two cups of Enlightenment Tea, He Song made major gains in his spells, secret arts, and cultivation skills, especially mastering the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array. He planned to use his current cave abode as a decoy and move to a safer hidden location once he found another natural array.

• He Song decided to cultivate the Withered Glory Life-Reversal Art despite its karmic debt, reasoning that he could repay it by using his mana to regrow vegetation elsewhere.
• The Enlightenment Tea improved He Song's skills in pill refinement and artifact refinement until he could attempt to craft Top-grade Spirit Artifacts.
• He Song used the tea's effects and his study of the Myriad Image Array Collection to completely master the Nine Abyss Return-to-Void Array.
• He Song planned to keep his current cave abode as a decoy while Clear Wind, Idle Cloud, and Ghost Soul searched for another natural array where he could establish a concealed home.
• He Song gained confidence that he could create Nascent Soul composite grand arrays with four or five layers, and expected his array skills to improve further over time.
• He Song also spent some of the tea's effects studying Talisman Dao, which he considered less important than his other cultivation skills.