Chapter Summaries

Lin Chang'an and Sword Servant killed two Divine Sword Sect remnants who attacked her, and he secretly took their memories and the sect’s surviving knowledge. Back at Heavenly Spring Peak, he organized the inheritance and prepared to refine a Life-Bound Dharma Treasure from the Fusang Divine Tree, with the Phoenix Cry Bird reluctantly agreeing to help purify its Demonic Qi.

• Sword Servant used a Talisman Treasure and Lin Chang'an fought with his Body Refining strength to kill the two attackers inside the Blood Sha Red Sun Array.
• Lin Chang'an read the dead cultivators’ memories and learned that the Divine Sword Sect’s reserves had been split among three elders, while the pair’s Jade Slip held a substantial collection of sect knowledge.
• Fairy Nishang and Liu Ruyu arrived, and Lin Chang'an concealed the attackers’ identities as the Mystic Sound Pavilion launched an investigation with the other factions.
• At Heavenly Spring Peak, Lin Chang'an cultivated with Sword Servant and reflected on her Heavenly Spirit Sword Body’s benefits to his Sword Dao progress.
• Lin Chang'an unlocked and copied the Divine Sword Sect’s inheritance, then went to the Earth Fire Cave to prepare to refine his Life-Bound Dharma Treasure.
• The Phoenix Cry Bird asked Lin Chang'an to spare the Fusang Divine Tree, and he promised it would remain alive and need its help purifying the Demonic Qi.

After Island Master Long’s death, Lin Chang'an reflected on the loneliness and uncertainty of cultivation while reading letters from old friends and learning how their lives had changed. The letters eased his isolation, and he shared precious Spirit Wine with Sword Servant, the Green-Horned Ox, and the Phoenix Cry Bird.

• Lin Chang'an attended the Long Family’s mourning for Island Master Long and hid his confidence about eventually pursuing Nascent Soul.
• Lin Chang'an read letters from Li Yifan, Shen Fan, and Wei Yingying, learned that their descendants planned to come to the Monster Sea Abyss, and agreed to welcome them.
• Lin Chang'an learned from Hu Jin’s letter that the Azure Sea Palace Law Enforcement Hall had rewarded him, then replied with a teasing message.
• Lin Chang'an read Yun Yao’s account of visiting old friends in the Yue Kingdom and learned that He Yan had become a False Core cultivator by condensing a Sha Core.
• Lin Chang'an shared Spirit Wine with Sword Servant, the Green-Horned Ox, and the Phoenix Cry Bird, and Sword Servant toasted his future cultivation.

While Lin Chang'an spent months refining the Fusang Divine Tree into his Life-Bound Dharma Treasure, three descendants of his old friends arrived at Heavenly Spring Peak and were taken in. At the Five Dragon Island Sea Region, a buried ancient Spirit Island emerged from the sea, and cultivators who rushed toward it vanished in eerie white mist.

• Shen Zhuang, Li Tianmo, and Zhou Bingxuan arrived at Heavenly Spring Peak, where Qing admitted them while Lin Chang'an remained in seclusion.
• Qing introduced the three visitors to the peak’s grounds and rules, and Female Cultivator Mei arranged their lodging and offered to teach them spirit-fish raising.
• Lin Chang'an used the Earth Fire, the Profound Heaven Immortal Vine, and thirty-six sword shadows to form the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword from the Fusang Divine Tree.
• A violent eruption struck the border between Five Dragon Island and the Heaven-Reaching Fog Sea, killing many Sea Beasts and forcing nearby cultivators to flee.
• An ancient Spirit Island rose from the seabed, and cultivators who charged onto it disappeared when eerie white mist surrounded the island.

Lin Chang'an completed his Life-Bound Dharma Treasure, discovering that its golden Fusang Divine Tree core had been corrupted by Demonic Qi but could potentially recover. After testing its power, he left seclusion to await the arriving juniors.

• Lin Chang'an finished refining thirty-six Sun-Piercing Divine Swords and realized that one contained the remains of a ten-thousand-year golden Fusang Divine Tree, though Demonic Qi had badly diminished its spirituality.
• Lin Chang'an returned the Phoenix Cry Bird's hidden Storage Bag, then ordered it to nurture the swords with its Golden Light Divine Flame; he demonstrated that the swords could transform back into the Fusang Divine Tree.
• Lin Chang'an slept for nearly half a month after spending two years refining his treasure, then tested the golden sword's toughness against another Third-Order Mid-Grade dharma treasure.
• Lin Chang'an used the Sun-Piercing Divine Sword to pierce his mana shields and the Water Spirit Bead's defense, concluding that its penetrating strike could threaten ordinary Core Formation Mid-Stage cultivators.
• Lin Chang'an reminded himself not to underestimate powerful cultivators and left seclusion, expecting the juniors to arrive soon.

After emerging from seclusion, Lin Chang'an received three young descendants and heard that a dangerous Secret Realm had appeared near the Five Dragon Island Sea Region. He left to visit Mystic Sound Pavilion, promising to prepare the Green-Horned Ox’s breakthrough when he returned.

• Lin Chang'an met Shen Zhuang, Li Tianmo, and Zhou Bingxuan, learned about their family ties and the Yue Kingdom, and arranged for them to cultivate on Heavenly Spring Peak.
• Zhou Bingxuan reported that the Zhou Family had grown stronger and revealed her High-Grade Spiritual Root, while Lin Chang'an praised the family’s development.
• Sword Servant told Lin Chang'an that a Secret Realm shrouded in Ghost Fog had appeared between the Five Dragon Island Sea Region and the Heaven-Reaching Fog Sea, where several False Core and Core Formation cultivators had already died.
• Fairy Nishang informed Lin Chang'an that outside cultivators were flooding into the Five Dragon Island Sea Region and that the Three Great Factions planned to stabilize the Market together.
• Shen Zhuang, Li Tianmo, and Zhou Bingxuan settled into cultivation, with Zhou Bingxuan secretly resolving to be the first to achieve Foundation Establishment.
• The Green-Horned Ox anxiously sought Lin Chang'an’s help with its long-delayed breakthrough, and Lin Chang'an promised to prepare it after returning from Mystic Sound Pavilion.

Lin Chang'an learned that the newly appeared ruins belonged to the vanished Nether Soul Sect, but he refused to risk entering them and instead planned to profit from the influx of cultivators. As the Long Family and the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce weighed their moves, Lin Chang'an prepared the Green-Horned Ox to break through to the third tier.

• Fairy Nishang told Lin Chang'an that the Nether Soul Sect ruins had drawn the major factions' attention, but their formations prevented Nascent Soul cultivators from entering without destroying the site.
• Lin Chang'an refused to enter the ruins and discussed selling supplies and services with Fairy Nishang, then asked her to guard the Green-Horned Ox during its breakthrough.
• The Four Seas Chamber of Commerce sent Mystic Sound Pavilion a gift wishing the Green-Horned Ox success, while the Long Family chose Foundation Establishment cultivators to enter once the restrictions weakened.
• Lin Chang'an gave the Green-Horned Ox four Core Formation Spirit Items and Pure Demonic Qi, then sealed it inside the cave abode to begin its breakthrough.
• Fairy Nishang visited Lin Chang'an at his cave abode and discussed how she hoped to leave sect affairs behind once the turmoil in the Monster Sea Abyss settled.

Lin Chang'an guarded the Green-Horned Ox as it underwent Core Formation while Fairy Nishang helped keep outsiders at bay. The Green-Horned Ox successfully formed a High-grade Monster Core, becoming a Third-tier Great Demon.

• Heavenly Spring Peak activated its Mountain Protection Formation as Zhou Bingxuan identified the phenomenon as a Monster Beast’s Core Formation, and Sword Servant ordered everyone to stay put.
• Lin Chang'an and Fairy Nishang played chess while cultivators watched the phenomenon and the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce’s Zhu and Liang discussed Lin Chang'an’s prospects and their rivalry with Mystic Sound Pavilion.
• The phenomenon surged in strength, revealing the Green-Horned Ox was on the verge of forming a High-grade Monster Core, while Fairy Nishang reminded Lin Chang'an to temper his state of mind for the future Heart Demon Tribulation.
• Lin Chang'an thanked Fairy Nishang for her advice and focused on the Green-Horned Ox’s breakthrough as the Core Formation reached its final stage.
• The Green-Horned Ox successfully broke through, and its aura spread across Heavenly Spring Peak as it became a Third-tier Great Demon with a High-grade Monster Core.

After the Green-Horned Ox advanced to the third tier, Lin Chang'an tested its new abilities and discovered it had awakened the earth-element mutation Petrification. Lin Chang'an praised the Ox and gave the Sword Servant access to his Library as he continued preparing for the Secret Realm.

• Cultivators from across the Five Dragon Island Sea Region congratulated Lin Chang'an and brought gifts after the Green-Horned Ox's breakthrough, while Lin Chang'an recorded who had and had not attended.
• Lin Chang'an rejected invitations to explore the Secret Realm and planned to seek a Third-Order Talisman Inheritance through Old Hu, hoping to improve his skills amid the influx of cultivators and resources.
• The Green-Horned Ox emerged from seclusion as a third-tier Great Demon, and Lin Chang'an let the Sword Servant stay to witness its new abilities.
• The Sword Servant tested the Green-Horned Ox with sword attacks, but its defense stopped them without injury.
• Lin Chang'an attacked with six streaks of sword light, and the Green-Horned Ox's Petrification turned three into stone before its barrier blocked the rest.
• Lin Chang'an tested Petrification against his spiritual power barrier, explained the mutation to the Sword Servant, and gave her a token granting access to his Library.

Lin Chang'an learned that the Nether Soul Sect's sealed Secret Realm involved powerful Nascent Soul forces and chose to focus on cultivation and preparation rather than risk entering it. As cultivators gathered around Five Dragon Island, Mystic Sound Pavilion planned a sect competition and strengthened its defenses while avoiding the Secret Realm struggle.

• Lin Chang'an played chess with Sword Servant, who won easily and gained insight into tempering her state of mind.
• Shen Zhuang, Li Tianmo, and Zhou Bingxuan reported on Heavenly Spring Peak and delivered letters, including Hu Jin's warning about the Nether Soul Sect Secret Realm.
• Lin Chang'an learned that two Nascent Soul cultivators had once tried to capture a Nascent Soul Ghost King, triggering the Nether Soul Sect's underwater seal, and decided to prepare Soul-Stabilizing Talismans instead of pursuing the Secret Realm.
• Cultivators flocked to Five Dragon Island, Star Pole Island, and the Heaven-Reaching Fog Sea as news spread that the Secret Realm belonged to the Nether Soul Sect.
• Fairy Nishang proposed a sect competition in two years, with Foundation Establishment Pills as rewards, and ordered Mystic Sound Pavilion to avoid fighting over the Secret Realm.

Azure Sea Palace prepared to assert control over the troubled sea regions while Lin Chang'an strengthened his cultivation and learned that Old Hu was coming to Five Dragon Island. A merchant ship carrying valuable techniques, treasures, and goods that could help Lin Chang'an obtain a third-tier inheritance left him interested in the coming trade.

• Azure Sea Palace's Great Elder ordered the Sixth Elder's plan carried out while he stayed behind to guard the palace, and he privately reflected on the clan's bloodline shackles and hopes for Mingyue and Xingyue.
• The Sixth Elder reviewed reports on the Secret Realm's effects and welcomed the protection the Great Elder's return would provide against their enemies.
• Lin Chang'an repaired Fellow Daoist Miao's array, assessed the Green-Horned Ox's third-rank strength, and watched the Sword Servant announce competitions for Heavenly Spring Peak cultivators.
• Lin Chang'an cultivated with the Sword Servant and advanced Sword Shadow Follows Heart to master level, then arranged for the Sword Servant to cultivate in the Cave Abode while his avatars refined pills and forged artifacts elsewhere.
• Zhou Bingxuan delivered a letter from Old Hu, and Lin Chang'an learned that Azure Sea Palace's Enforcement Hall cultivators were coming to take command of the sea regions aboard a merchant ship carrying valuable goods, including items that restrained yin souls.

Lin Chang'an welcomed Old Hu as Azure Sea Palace arrived at Five Dragon Island and learned about the goods planned for an upcoming Auction. He paid to reserve a Third-tier Fire Dragon Talisman inheritance and, after spotting another treasure he wanted, began planning how to prepare for the Auction.

• Azure Sea Palace arrived at Five Dragon Island with over a hundred Spirit Ships, and its cultivators agreed to maintain order while their Merchant Ships traded.
• Lin Chang'an recognized Old Hu among the Azure Sea Palace cultivators, and Old Hu later visited him at Heavenly Spring Peak.
• Old Hu showed Lin Chang'an a Jade Book listing the Merchant Ship's cargo and warned that reserving the Fire Dragon Talisman inheritance would reveal his skills as a third-order Talisman Master.
• Lin Chang'an paid twenty thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones for the inheritance and gave Old Hu another five thousand for the other cultivators.
• After Old Hu departed at dawn, Lin Chang'an focused on a costly treasure in the Jade Book and decided to prepare for the Auction.

Lin Chang'an revealed his Third-Rank talisman mastery to Fairy Nishang, obtained Mystic Sound Pavilion’s Spirit Armor Talisman inheritance, and advanced to Third-Order Mid-Grade Talisman Mastery. He then planned how to obtain rare Fire Spirit Liquid from Azure Sea Palace’s Auction to purify his Life-Bound Dharma Treasure, concluding that he would seek cooperation with the Lu Family and Mystic Sound Pavilion.

• Hu Jin told Deacon Ding that his friend had purchased the Third-tier Fire Dragon Talisman inheritance, and Deacon Ding dismissed the choice as a waste of talent.
• Lin Chang'an revealed his Third-Rank talisman mastery to Fairy Nishang, who shared Mystic Sound Pavilion’s complete Spirit Armor Talisman inheritance and two incomplete inheritances with him.
• Lin Chang'an asked Mystic Sound Pavilion to gather talisman materials, and Hu Jin later delivered the Fire Dragon Talisman inheritance to Heavenly Spring Peak.
• Lin Chang'an successfully drew a Third-Order Fire Dragon Talisman and advanced to Third-Order Mid-Grade Talisman Mastery.
• Lin Chang'an decided he needed Third-Order High-Grade Fire Spirit Liquid to help purify the Demonic Qi in his Sun-Piercing Divine Sword, but realized he could not afford it alone.
• Lin Chang'an concluded that he would try to cooperate with the Lu Family and Mystic Sound Pavilion to obtain the Fire Spirit Liquid at Azure Sea Palace’s Auction.

Lin Chang'an joined Fairy Nishang and Lu Yushu in planning to bid for Fire Spirit Liquid at Azure Sea Palace's auction, then continued cultivating the Five Elements Evasion Technique and tested his Earth Evasion Art. The chapter ended with Lin Chang'an preparing to attend the auction with Sword Servant while Green-Horned Ox eagerly ate the Spirit Fruits he tossed it.

• Lin Chang'an showed Fairy Nishang and Lu Yushu the auction Jade Book and proposed they join forces to acquire Third-Order High-Grade Fire Spirit Liquid.
• Fairy Nishang agreed to pursue the Fire Spirit Liquid for Mystic Sound Pavilion's Blood Sha Red Sun Array, and Lu Yushu pledged ten thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones for the venture.
• Two days later, Azure Sea Palace began selling auction Jade Books publicly, while Lin Chang'an reviewed his cultivation and the slow progress of his Five Elements Evasion Technique.
• Lin Chang'an used his proficient Earth Evasion Art to pass into a stone wall, but an Array Barrier stopped him from going farther.
• Sword Servant sparred with Green-Horned Ox outside Lin Chang'an's cave dwelling, and Lin Chang'an invited her to attend the auction with him.
• Lin Chang'an tossed Green-Horned Ox two Spirit Fruits after it grew anxious watching Sword Servant serve him tea.

Lin Chang'an attended an Azure Sea Palace auction, learned that factions were maneuvering around the Nether Soul Sect Secret Realm, and warned Lu Yushu against risking his family in an expedition. He traded Gold Crystal and Spirit Stones for the Fire Spirit Liquid he needed, then planned to return to cultivation and avoid the Secret Realm’s dangers.

• Lin Chang'an and his companions attended the Azure Sea Palace auction, where Fairy Nishang proposed that the Seven Kingdoms Alliance cooperate in commerce.
• The auctioneer presented Extreme Yin Spirit Wood from the Nether Soul Sect Secret Realm, and Fairy Nishang explained that major factions used low-ranking cultivators to probe the realm.
• Lu Yushu considered organizing an expedition, but Lin Chang'an cautioned him against risking the Lu Family, and Lu Yushu abandoned the idea.
• Lin Chang'an offered Gold Crystal in exchange for the Third-Order High-Grade Fire Spirit Liquid, with Fairy Nishang and Lu Yushu contributing Spirit Stones to complete the purchase.
• Lin Chang'an planned to return to his cave dwelling to cultivate, refine his Life-Bound Dharma Treasures, and forge arrays instead of exploring the Secret Realm.

Lin Chang'an purified the first of his thirty-six Life-Bound Dharma Treasures and discovered its recovering fire power could serve as a hidden trump card. When Sword Servant was pursued by a False Core cultivator after buying a damaged Magic Treasure, Lin Chang'an rushed to rescue her and called on the Mystic Sound Pavilion and Hu Jin for support.

• Lin Chang'an used Qing to cleanse the Demonic Qi from one Sun-Piercing Divine Sword, whose recovered red flames pierced his chamber barrier and strengthened his fire affinity.
• Lin Chang'an tested the sword against the Green-Horned Ox, confirming its enhanced blade and scorching power could barely be resisted by the ox's mutated defense.
• Sword Servant bought a damaged Magic Treasure fragment at the Five Dragon Island Market, but a False Core cultivator named Li pursued her to steal it.
• Sword Servant used her Blood Sha Sword Talisman Treasure to fend off Li, who decided to kill her and seize her belongings.
• Lin Chang'an received Sword Servant's plea for help, stored his spirit beasts, and raced away while alerting Fairy Nishang, the other Mystic Sound Pavilion elders, and Hu Jin.

Lin Chang'an and the Green-Horned Ox rescued Sword Servant and killed the Long Family's traitorous Guest Elder after he tried to flee and self-detonated his Golden Core. Back at Heavenly Spring Peak, Sword Servant explained that she had risked the fight to obtain a damaged sword hilt with spiritual resonance, and Lin Chang'an warned her that her safety mattered more to him than any treasure.

• The Green-Horned Ox knocked aside the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator's Great Seal as Lin Chang'an arrived and recognized the man as the Long Family's traitorous Guest Elder.
• Lin Chang'an and the Green-Horned Ox pursued the Li-surnamed False Core cultivator, whose attack was foiled when the Green-Horned Ox petrified his mana barrier and Lin Chang'an pierced his chest with the Blood Sha Sword.
• The Li-surnamed False Core cultivator tried to self-detonate his Golden Core, but the Green-Horned Ox shielded Lin Chang'an and Sword Servant from the blast.
• Lin Chang'an healed Sword Servant, collected the surviving treasures, and thanked Hu Jin, Fairy Nishang, and the others who came to help.
• At Heavenly Spring Peak, Sword Servant admitted that she had secretly used Spirit Stones to buy a damaged sword hilt after sensing spiritual resonance in it.
• Lin Chang'an recognized the hilt's potential to help create a weapon spirit and told Sword Servant not to risk herself for possessions again.

Lin Chang'an secured a damaged treasure with an artifact spirit and accepted the Long Family's bounty for killing Old Ghost Li. He then brought Heavenly Spring Peak's five selected disciples to the Mystic Sound Pavilion Sect Grand Competition, where they prepared to compete for Foundation Establishment Pills.

• Lin Chang'an concealed the damaged sword treasure and put away the Corpse Yin Secret Technique after deciding he lacked the time and resources to use it.
• A Long Family Core Formation cultivator thanked Lin Chang'an for killing Old Ghost Li, confirmed the earth-yellow seal as the traitor's, and paid him the bounty.
• Lin Chang'an considered whether to use a Long Family Talisman Treasure but decided it was too risky and resolved to focus on cultivation after the competition.
• Sword Servant brought Lin Chang'an the five disciples selected from Heavenly Spring Peak, including Shen Zhuang, Li Tianmo, and Zhou Bingxuan, and reported that each had received a top-grade Dharma artifact.
• Lin Chang'an rode the Green-Horned Ox with the five disciples to the Mystic Sound Pavilion grounds and told Sword Servant to take the ox with her when she left Heavenly Spring Peak.
• The five disciples prepared for the Sect Grand Competition as other cultivators discussed the Foundation Establishment Pills offered as prizes.

Lin Chang'an attended Mystic Sound Pavilion’s grand competition, watched its disciples compete, and approved the sect’s plans to strengthen its ranks while cautiously pursuing the opportunities created by Secret Realm turmoil. After the competition, he left with the Sword Servant and two unsuccessful disciples, intending to earn Spirit Stones and buy Advanced Spirit Liquid to nurture his Life-Bound Spirit Plant.

• Fairy Nishang opened Mystic Sound Pavilion’s competition, and Lin Chang'an observed the disciples while reflecting on his own rise from a struggling cultivator.
• Liu Ruyu tested whether Lin Chang'an would take disciples, then accepted seven contestants, while Xu Lingfeng accepted twelve.
• Fairy Nishang, Liu Ruyu, Xu Lingfeng, and Lin Chang'an debated entering the Nascent Soul Secret Realm and agreed to send no more than fifteen older Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
• Mei Ning, Zhou Bingxuan, and Li Tianmo qualified for Heavenly Spring Peak, while Shen Zhuang and another disciple failed to advance.
• Lin Chang'an left Mystic Sound Pavilion on the Green-Horned Ox with the Sword Servant and the two unsuccessful disciples, resolving to earn Spirit Stones and purchase Advanced Spirit Liquid.

Three years after the Mystic Sound Pavilion's Sect Grand Competition, Lin Chang'an strengthened his cultivation and refined the Fusang Divine Tree while the Heaven-Reaching Fog Sea grew increasingly unstable. After learning that the Mystic Yin Divine Sect had taken an interest in the Secret Realm and that Yin-Attribute Spirit Jade had appeared in the Market, Lin Chang'an went there with the Sword Servant.

• The Mystic Sound Pavilion gained seventy-eight Foundation Establishment Cultivators, including Mei Ning, Zhou Bingxuan, Li Tianmo, and Shen Zhuang, as trade routes and the Secret Realm were disrupted by increasing unrest.
• Lin Chang'an advanced his body refinement with purified Demonic Qi, purified two Sun-Piercing Divine Swords, and considered acquiring high-grade Yin-Attribute Spirit Jade to store the remaining Demonic Qi.
• Lin Chang'an discussed the Sword Servant's cultivation and the need for Youth-Preserving Pills to conceal their unusual longevity and protect her Human-Monster Hybrid identity.
• The Sword Servant reported attacks on merchant ships, new Foundation Establishment celebrations, and letters from the Ma, Yun, and He cultivators of Green Bamboo Mountain.
• Lin Chang'an learned that the Mystic Yin Divine Sect had set its sights on the Secret Realm and that the Market's Treasury Pavilion had acquired Yin-Attribute Spirit Jade, then went to the Market with the Sword Servant.

Lin Chang'an met a young cultivator offering Third-Order Yin-Attribute Spirit Jade, but rejected the suspicious deal and ordered the Mystic Sound Pavilion to investigate. He then reunited with Yun Yao, who told him she no longer wanted to be the Divine Cult's Saintess and hinted she planned to defect from the Mysterious Yin Demonic Sect.

• Lin Chang'an visited the Treasury Pavilion and learned that the former shopkeeper had died, while Jian Ming presented a young cultivator who possessed Third-Order Yin-Attribute Spirit Jade.
• The young cultivator offered Lin Chang'an a fragment of a damaged Array Disk and asked him to avenge his grandfather, but Lin Chang'an suspected the offer was bait to lure him toward a Secret Realm and returned the fragment.
• Lin Chang'an told Jian Ming to investigate the young cultivator and report his information to the Sect, then left to meet an old friend.
• Lin Chang'an reunited with Yun Yao at a restaurant and introduced her to Qiu Ling'er, who addressed Yun Yao as her Mistress.
• Yun Yao told Lin Chang'an that she no longer wanted to be the Divine Cult's Saintess, explaining that she neither wanted to, dared to, nor could continue in the role.
• Yun Yao joked that she was preparing to defect from the Mysterious Yin Demonic Sect again, leaving Lin Chang'an concerned about the consequences.