Chapter Summaries

Ling Qing and his companions forged the Two Realms Archway, a treasure that used dungeon-opening fluctuations to enter and leave the Nine Wards Sea Market. They installed it in Illusion Immortal Sea and tested its passage to the real world, leaving Bai Zhiyuan to guard the archway and its gateway permissions.

• Ling Qing combined the Rashomon Restriction Method, Ghost Gate techniques, and other methods to devise the Two-Realm Nether Passage Salvation Treasure Restriction for forging the Two Realms Archway.
• Zhu Guang used his Flowing Light Pearl Cauldron to forge the Two Realms Archway with help from Ling Qing and the others, and Daoist Lingguan infused it with fluctuations from two Rashomon iron plaques.
• Bai Zhiyuan volunteered to guard the archway and gather control over the world's gateway permissions, intending to study Sky Mirage's Mirage Art and Abe Taichi's celestial fox tail.
• The group chose an island in Illusion Immortal Sea, where Li Li arranged the terrain and the others built a protective formation before Bai Zhiyuan installed the Two Realms Archway.
• The group used the archway to leave the dungeon and emerged on the deserted island where they had first entered, then set up another formation to guard the real-world entrance.
• Bai Zhiyuan created a Daoist temple in the passage between the two realms and settled there, though the space retained a dim, grayish cast.

After returning from the Nine Wards Sea Market, Ling Qing went back to Daoqing Temple and checked the cultivation progress of Ling Hongcai and the others. He explained how they should advance on their own, then asked Daoist Yunsheng whether his four uncles could be of further use.

• The group left Mount Lao after Daoist Lingguan arranged rights to the deserted island, and they parted ways as they traveled west.
• Ling Qing returned to Daoqing Temple with Ling Ji and Wenjun, while Sun Yuwei planned to join him after spending Mid-Autumn Festival at home.
• Ling Qing explained how cultivators prepared their meridians and acupoints and cautioned Ling Hongcai, Ling Hongyou, Man Jianjun, and Miao Chengzhi to find their own measure as they circulated qi.
• After Ling Qing dismissed the four men, he asked Daoist Yunsheng whether they were still useful, and Daoist Yunsheng praised their diligence and growing Daoist bearing.

Ling Qing approved Ling Hongcai and the other four as Daoqing Temple fireworkers and entrusted Daoist Yunsheng with guiding them, while planning to divide the temple into inner and outer branches. He then taught Daoist Yunsheng about refining his body to form the Azure Spirit Sword Body, leaving Yunsheng to digest the guidance and continue his cultivation over the coming years.

• Daoist Yunsheng reported that Ling Hongcai and the other four had settled into temple life and become more humble and grounded.
• Ling Qing approved the four as official fireworkers but asked Daoist Yunsheng to care for them rather than taking them as his own disciples.
• Ling Qing explained his plan for Daoqing Temple to have an inner branch of his personal disciples and an outer branch entrusted to Daoist Yunsheng.
• Ling Qing answered Daoist Yunsheng's questions about transforming true qi into dharma power and refining the body to establish a Dao foundation.
• Ling Qing explained that the Bamboo Mountain Sword Canon could forge Daoist Yunsheng's Azure Spirit Sword Body, and Yunsheng studied his guidance until evening lessons.

Ling Qing refined the Qingyun Carp demon soldiers into Dao soldiers, awakening spiritual radiance in them until the Realm Tree intervened and nearly overwhelmed them with Dao rhythms. He restrained the tree, then let it refine and mark the soldiers carefully, leaving Qingyun Mountain covered by an azure-cloud canopy that improved everyone’s cultivation.

• Ling Qing reviewed his journey’s gains and began refining the demon soldiers he had bought from Crystal Ward to strengthen Daoqing Temple.
• Ling Qing sent the modified Hundred Carp Dragon Transformation to the 3,600 Qingyun Carp Dao soldiers, causing spiritual radiance to gather and stir their consciousness.
• The Realm Tree sent azure qi and overwhelming Dao rhythms to the soldiers, scattering their gathered radiance and threatening to assimilate them.
• Ling Qing sealed the Realm Tree’s abilities with a Primordial One Qi Divine Talisman, then loosened the restriction and gave it the Myriad Beast Spirit-Commanding Treasure Restriction to refine the soldiers gradually.
• The Realm Tree refined and marked the soldiers, who emerged as azure clouds that spread across Qingyun Mountain and formed a canopy.
• Daoist Yunsheng, Ling Hongcai, Third Aunt, and the others enjoyed unusually smooth cultivation or restful sleep beneath the canopy.

Ling Qing witnessed the Azure Carp Dao soldiers attempt to transform into a Qingyun Dragon Carp, but their low cultivation caused the metamorphosis to fail. The Realm Tree’s spiritual radiance awakened intelligence in more than a dozen soldiers, who emerged with true spirits and retained their memories.

• The Azure Carp Dao soldiers formed a Qingyun Dragon Carp, but its transformation collapsed before it could complete, while their Hundred Carp Dragon Transformation reached great perfection and more than a dozen soldiers broke through.
• The Realm Tree gathered the soldiers into an azure sun and used its authority to make the spiritual radiance of everything in Qingyun Mountain Blessed Land interact, letting Daoist Yunsheng, Ling Hongcai, and the others perceive the principles within things.
• The spiritual radiance faded after a quarter of an hour, and the Azure Carp Dao soldiers reappeared with more than a dozen youths among them, their eyes showing that they had condensed true spirits.
• The leading youth saluted Ling Qing, who asked whether they remembered their former lives; the youth said they did, but regarded their rebirth as making the past a lifetime ago.

Ling Qing established the Azure Carp Dao Soldiers on the Realm Tree, strengthening the Qingyun Mountain Blessed Land, then gave Daoist Yunsheng five hundred Bamboo-Jointed Sea Serpent Dao Soldiers to guard Daoqing Temple. Yunsheng refined the soldiers and summoned them successfully.

• Ling Qing named the leading Azure Carp Dao Soldier Qingyun and ordered him to guard Daoqing Temple.
• Qingyun asked to station his soldiers on the Realm Tree, and Ling Qing agreed; the tree opened a realm for them and spread protective benefits across the Blessed Land.
• Ling Qing refined the remaining Dao Soldiers, then completed his morning cultivation and met Daoist Yunsheng by Spirit Radiance Pool.
• Ling Qing gave Yunsheng a military tally containing five hundred Bamboo-Jointed Sea Serpent Dao Soldiers and taught him how to refine them.
• With Ling Qing's help, Yunsheng refined the tally and summoned all five hundred Dao Soldiers.

Ling Qing gave Daoist Yunsheng three thousand Cloud Bamboo Sword embryos and other resources to strengthen him before Daoqing Temple opened its gates. Daoist Yunsheng tested his new Bamboo-Jointed Sea Snake Dao soldiers and prepared to use the gifts for cultivation and protection.

• Daoist Yunsheng gathered the mana of five hundred Bamboo-Jointed Sea Snake Dao soldiers into himself and discovered his strength had reached the level of a forged Dao foundation.
• Daoist Yunsheng drilled the sea snakes in the Bamboo Shoot Cloud-Generating Sword Array, then recalled them into their military talisman.
• Ling Qing gave Daoist Yunsheng three thousand Cloud Bamboo Sword embryos and explained how the Dao soldiers could help him refine artifacts and cultivate.
• Daoist Yunsheng accepted pills, a Purple Palace Spirit Script-grade Primordial One Qi Divine Talisman, Wild Spirit Artifacts, and other personal resources from Ling Qing.

Ling Qing formally accepted Ling Hongcai and three others as fire-tending Daoists of Daoqing Temple and promised they could later become Daoist Yunsheng’s disciples. He gave each man a powerful Gu insect and reflected on how Wild Spirit Artifacts and the Borrowing Dharma Technique had shaped his cultivation and helped him gather other traditions’ methods.

• Ling Qing tested Ling Hongcai and the other three, then accepted them as fire-tending Daoists after the Mid-Autumn Festival and promised to ask Daoist Yunsheng to take them as disciples if they pursued the Dao faithfully.
• Ling Qing brought out the Hundred Poisons Ten Thousand Gu Banner and gave Ling Hongcai one thousand and eighty Golden Thread Gu, teaching him a Gu-controlling art and helping him refine them.
• Ling Qing gave Miao Chengzhi three hundred and sixty-five Iron Immortal Gu, Ling Hongyou a Yin Earth Heavenly Mole Cricket, and Man Jianjun a Golden Blade Mantis.
• Ling Qing explained that the four men were not yet cultivated enough to use Dao soldiers or magical artifacts safely, so he did not equip them with either.
• Ling Qing considered how Wild Spirit Artifacts and the Borrowing Dharma Technique had strengthened his Way of Wildness and helped him gather principles from Buddhism and Confucianism.

Ling Qing contacted Qiu Feibai to arrange his registration with the Special Affairs Department, only to learn that Qiu and his companions had been branded traitors of the Eternal Life Sect and were being hunted. Qiu explained how his reluctance to register led his group to seek shelter with the Eternal Life Alliance, leaving Ling Qing to learn of their predicament.

• Ling Qing used a Qingfu Insect to contact Qiu Feibai, but the insect’s mother could not locate its offspring because Qiu had sealed it away.
• Qiu Feibai eventually answered and asked what terms the Special Affairs Department would offer if he and his companions surrendered.
• Ling Qing clarified that he had only intended to register Qiu’s information and learned that the Special Affairs Department and the Eternal Life Sect were hunting Qiu and his companions as traitors.
• Qiu Feibai explained that he had resisted registration to preserve his peaceful life and that he and his companions had sought a guild-like organization to avoid dealing directly with the Special Affairs Department.
• After several groups refused to take them in, Qiu Feibai, Fan Long, and three Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators found the Eternal Life Alliance.

The chapter explained how the Eternal Life Alliance fell from a group pursuing immortality to an evil organization that stole people’s lifespans, and how Qiu Feibai and his companions became trapped between it and the authorities. After hearing Qiu Feibai’s account, Ling Qing believed him and was willing to help him seek the Special Affairs Department’s trust.

• The Eternal Life Alliance began with twelve cultivators seeking immortality but gradually turned to stealing lifespans as its members despaired of achieving eternal life.
• Xiao Mo joined with a secret art for stealing lifespans, took control of the alliance, and led it to target people in the real world.
• Qiu Feibai and his companions learned the alliance’s true nature, refused to participate, and escaped when its members tried to seize their lifespans.
• The Night-Pacifying Division secretly pursued the alliance, while the alliance hunted Qiu Feibai’s group and falsely accused them of using people to cultivate their arts.
• Qiu Feibai and his companions decided to ask Ling Qing to help them explain their situation and earn the Special Affairs Department’s trust through merit.
• Qiu Feibai told Ling Qing what had happened, and Ling Qing believed him and agreed that the Eternal Life Alliance needed to be eliminated.

Ling Qing connected Qiu Feibai with Lu Qing of the Night-Pacifying Division, which was preparing a joint operation against the Eternal Life Alliance. Lu Qing offered Qiu Feibai a choice while secretly arranging to capture his group, and the chapter ended with his operatives in position awaiting orders.

• Ling Qing contacted Lu Qing after Qiu Feibai asked for help, and Lu Qing came to Clear Spirit Pavilion with Night-Pacifying Division personnel.
• Lu Qing explained the investigation into the Eternal Life Alliance and learned that Qiu Feibai's Blood Dragon had reached the Human Immortal Realm.
• Ling Qing helped Lu Qing locate Qiu Feibai and introduced the two sides over their Qingfu insects.
• Lu Qing offered Qiu Feibai the choice of meeting the Night-Pacifying Division or sharing information while remaining hidden.
• Lu Qing gave Qiu Feibai fifteen minutes to decide, then ordered Tang Deng to stay concealed and prepare to capture the group safely.

Ling Qing learned that the state could mass-produce powerful sealing pearls, while Qiu Feibai and his companions chose to cooperate with Lu Qing and help eliminate the Eternal Life Sect. Tang Deng evacuated them from their hideout and stayed behind to deal with the pursuers approaching the residential complex.

• Lu Qing showed Ling Qing the Spell-Sealing Pearl, Space-Sealing Pearl, and Spirit-Sealing Pearl, which could be assembled in formations to seal vital energy, space, and souls.
• Qiu Feibai’s companions agreed that they should meet the Night-Pacifying Division and assist in the operation against the Eternal Life Sect rather than hide or flee.
• Qiu Feibai contacted Lu Qing, confirmed their choice, and Lu Qing arranged for Tang Deng to help them escape the sect’s pursuit.
• Tang Deng gave Qiu Feibai and his four companions escape talismans, which transported them away from their hideout.
• Tang Deng remained behind as a group posing as helpers for elderly residents approached the Golden Hibiscus Residential Complex.

Cheng Beiyi and Han Qing led the Eternal Life Alliance in an ambush on Qiu Feibai’s group, but Tang Deng and the Night-Pacifying Division had anticipated them. The Alliance cultivators were captured and the room was restored to hide the operation.

• Cheng Beiyi and Han Qing split their forces across the residential complex, then coordinated an attack on Unit 1402 with Demon-Sealing Banners.
• The Alliance cultivators stormed the room, but found Qiu Feibai and the others gone; Tang Deng appeared and destroyed the seven fiends sent against him.
• Tang Deng identified himself as part of the Night-Pacifying Division and demanded the cultivators surrender, prompting Cheng Beiyi, Han Qing, and the others to flee.
• Night-Pacifying Division personnel activated sealing beads, immobilizing the Alliance cultivators, and Yan An’s team bound them with Spirit-Suppressing Rings.
• Tang Deng ordered the captives taken for interrogation and the scene disguised as an instance-space incident; demonic insects later erased traces and restored the room.

Xiao Mo revealed how he had seized control of the Eternal Life Alliance and used Heaven Demon seeds to steal people’s lifespans. As Qiu Feibai’s group remained trapped in a dungeon, Xiao Mo ordered his forces to watch for their return and prepare to abandon Lu Province amid threats from Wu Tiantong and Daoist Lingguan.

• Xiao Mo explained that his incomplete demonic scripture let him create Heaven Demon seeds that stole their hosts’ lifespans, and described how he had corrupted and taken over the Eternal Life Alliance.
• After Qiu Feibai and his companions disappeared into a dungeon, Lu Tiansheng urged Xiao Mo to seize their lifespans, while Li Yongquan praised Qiu Feibai and Fan Long as valuable targets.
• Xiao Mo ordered Li Yongquan to monitor their building and alert him when they returned, saying Qiu Feibai’s strength made him dangerous to underestimate.
• Xiao Mo warned that Wu Tiantong might soon break through and that Daoist Lingguan’s Mount Lao Sect threatened the alliance, so he ordered the group to harvest their ripe fruits and prepare to withdraw from Lu Province.
• Xiao Mo resolved to find a way to advance his cultivation and eventually abandon the Eternal Life Alliance if he attained Earth Immortalhood.

After Lu Qing and the Night-Pacifying Division left Daoqing Temple, Ling Qing and Daoist Yunsheng settled Daoqing Temple’s opening date and discussed the Taoist lineages across Lunan. Ling Qing learned about the region’s prominent temples and monasteries as preparations continued for establishing Mount Lao Sect’s presence there.

• Lu Qing thanked Ling Qing for his help with the Eternal Life Alliance investigation and departed with the Night-Pacifying Division to pursue the victims and the alliance’s members.
• Ling Qing considered the Night-Pacifying Division’s strength, then returned to discuss branch temple opening dates with Daoist Yunsheng.
• Daoist Yunsheng listed the planned opening dates for Baozhu Temple, Jiushao Palace, Hunyuan Palace, and Five Peaks Temple.
• Ling Qing chose the second day of the second lunar month next year for Daoqing Temple’s opening, and Daoist Yunsheng agreed.
• Daoist Yunsheng described Lanling’s Four Great Temples and Monasteries and named prominent temples in Langya and Jizhou.

Ling Qing learned that Song Heqing, the abbot of Longevity Palace, was one of Xiao Mo’s Human Immortal followers and warned Daoist Yunsheng about the group’s lifespan-stealing crimes. He then prepared to take Sun Yuwei as his disciple, and she set out for Daoqing Temple with relatives escorting her.

• Daoist Yunsheng told Ling Qing about Song Heqing, the Human Immortal abbot of Longevity Palace, and its recent rise in Lunan.
• Ling Qing told Daoist Yunsheng that Xiao Mo’s followers secretly stole people’s lifespans and warned him to stay vigilant.
• Ling Qing recalled that the Night-Pacifying Division had captured Cheng Beiyi and Han Qing and was gathering information on the thirteen Human Immortals.
• Ling Qing considered how Sun Yuwei would change her cultivation method and begin studying at Daoqing Temple as his disciple.
• On the twentieth day of the eighth month, Sun Yuwei set out for Daoqing Temple escorted by Sun Wentai and Sun Wenyuan.

Sun Yuwei arrived at Daoqing Temple with Sun Wentai and Sun Wenyuan, who described how an evil Daoist had harassed her on the way. Ling Qing discovered demon seeds planted in all three visitors and removed them, then sent Ling Ji and Wenjun to confront the Daoist while secretly dispatching Emperor Miaoyuan after them.

• Sun Wentai and Sun Wenyuan brought Sun Yuwei to meet Ling Qing, explaining that they had arrived late after stopping to rest and dealing with an evil Daoist who insulted her.
• They recounted how the Daoist returned with allies and how Immortal Elder Song intervened and invited them to Longevity Palace.
• Ling Qing used his Dharma Eye of True Insight to find demon seeds in all three visitors and extracted them with lotus-shaped lights.
• Ling Qing ordered Ling Ji and Wenjun to punish the Daoist and take him to the Special Affairs Department for investigation, and they left with Sun Yuwei for Longevity Palace.
• Ling Qing secretly sent Emperor Miaoyuan, carrying the Primordial Unity Banner, to follow the three.

Ling Ji prepared extensive traps and escape routes around Longevity Palace before leading Wenjun and Sun Yuwei toward Song Heqing’s secluded residence on Meng Mountain. Sun Yuwei received powerful protective treasures, while Emperor Miaoyuan observed Ling Ji’s preparations and recognized his own lack of combat experience.

• Emperor Miaoyuan secretly followed Ling Ji, Wenjun, and Sun Yuwei from Qingyun Mountain to Longevity Palace.
• Sun Yuwei showed Ling Ji and Wenjun the hill behind Longevity Palace where Song Heqing’s Fortune and Prosperity Other Mansion was located.
• Ling Ji planted Thousand-Mile Gate Technique talismans and Instant Bloom seeds around the area, setting up numerous traps and escape routes.
• Ling Ji gave Sun Yuwei thunder pellets, talismans, medicinal pills, the Yuan Sha Gourd, and a Primordial One Qi Divine Thunder Talisman, then told her to set up the Nine-Bend Yellow Sand Array.
• Ling Ji led Wenjun and Sun Yuwei toward Song Heqing’s Other Mansion, while Emperor Miaoyuan examined the preparations and reflected on his own limited combat experience.

Emperor Miaoyuan observed the incense and rules surrounding Longevity Palace while Ling Ji, Wei Wenjun, and Sun Yuwei confronted Fortune and Prosperity Other Mansion over Song Heqing's scheme to steal Sun Yuwei's lifespan. Song Heqing sent Wen Qi to drive them away, and Ji Tianfeng joined the group heading out to meet them.

• Emperor Miaoyuan surveyed Longevity Palace and considered how incense prayers, merit, and karmic force worked under the Special Affairs Department's rules.
• Ling Ji, Wei Wenjun, and Sun Yuwei arrived at Fortune and Prosperity Other Mansion, where Ling Ji loudly demanded justice.
• The narration explained that Xiao Mo's secret art turned a victim's lifespan and fate into longevity fruits, making Sun Yuwei's Dao nature especially valuable to Song Heqing.
• Song Heqing, displeased by Ling Ji's shout, ordered his eldest disciple Wen Qi to send the visitors away.
• Wen Qi encountered junior brothers and friends on his way out, and Ji Tianfeng joined them to confront Ling Ji's group.

Ling Ji punished Ji Tianfeng for bullying Sun Yuwei, then tried to leave with his junior sisters while dragging the injured man. Wen Qi blocked their way and demanded that Ling Ji surrender, leaving a confrontation at Longevity Palace unresolved.

• Ji Tianfeng accused Sun Yuwei of causing him to be scolded and gathered companions to attack her group.
• Ling Ji knocked down Ji Tianfeng's companions, smashed Ji Tianfeng into the ground, and broke both his legs and his teeth with the Wind-Fire Staff.
• Ling Ji called Wenjun and Sun Yuwei to leave with him while dragging Ji Tianfeng behind him.
• Wen Qi and a crowd blocked their way, and Ling Ji challenged Wen Qi's claim that seeking justice made him arrogant.
• Wen Qi demanded that Ling Ji release Ji Tianfeng and surrender to Longevity Palace.