Chapter Summaries

After war broke out between the Three Great Sects, Yun Yao, Lin Chang'an, and Wei Yiyi discussed how to profit from the recruitment without going to the front lines. As the conflict spread, Lin Chang'an focused on cultivating and considered raising a Spirit Pet with the Spirit Grasses he had taken from Zhou Qing.

• Yun Yao told Lin Chang'an and the others that border fighting had escalated and the sects were recruiting cultivators with rare rewards, including Foundation Establishment Pills.
• Shen Lie and Lu Qingqing chose to stay behind to run their business, while Li Erniu worried that the Zhou Family might assign him to fight and Wei Yiyi looked for a chance to earn Spirit Stones.
• Yun Yao offered to contribute by hiring an Alchemist, and Lin Chang'an and Wei Yiyi agreed to help her make use of their Market connections.
• Li Fire Palace and Mystic Sound Pavilion began recruiting cultivators, forcibly conscripting rogue cultivators without Identity Jade Tokens as warfare spread across Yue Kingdom.
• Lin Chang'an reasoned that his status as a First-Order High-Grade Talisman Master could keep him off the front lines, then sorted Zhou Qing's Spirit Grasses for cultivation and considered raising a Spirit Pet.

As the war intensified, Lin Chang'an prepared to advance his cultivation and sell two precious Spirit Grasses, while Li Erniu volunteered for the front lines. The chapter ended with Lin Chang'an giving Li Erniu two defensive talismans as they faced the possibility of a final farewell.

• A Li Fire Palace disciple told Lin Chang'an that another conscription was underway and that he had to supply talismans each month.
• Lin Chang'an assessed his cultivation progress and planned to sell his two nearly four-hundred-year-old Spirit Grasses at Gathering Immortal Pavilion while Yun Yao was away.
• Li Erniu told Lin Chang'an that he had volunteered to answer the Beast-Taming Zhou Family's summons and join the front lines.
• Lin Chang'an gave Li Erniu two Golden Light Talismans and urged him to return safely.
• Li Erniu reflected on his life since meeting Lin Chang'an twenty-six years earlier and said he had no regrets.

Lin Chang'an broke through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, entering the late stage and drawing congratulations from his neighbors and friends. After celebrating at the Gathering Immortal Pavilion, he used the snowy night and Shen Lie’s drunkenness to approach the Pavilion in disguise and dispose of an unspeakable item.

• Li Erniu left for the front lines with six other cultivators from the Zhou Family, while Lin Chang'an saw him off and worried about the spreading war.
• Lin Chang'an broke through from the peak of the Qi Refining Sixth Layer to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer after years of steady cultivation.
• Lu Qingqing and Shen Lie sensed Lin Chang'an’s breakthrough, and Shen Lie later joined neighbors in congratulating him.
• At a celebratory meal, Shen Lie warned Lin Chang'an that several newly arrived Sect cultivators had influential connections, and they worried about Er Niu at the front lines.
• After leaving the Gathering Immortal Pavilion, Lin Chang'an changed disguises and approached it in the snow to get rid of an unspeakable item.

Disguised as an old cultivator, Lin Chang'an sold two rare spirit herbs to the Yun Clan Chamber of Commerce, then spent the proceeds at Mystic Sound Pavilion on magical tools. He left the Market with a hidden-weapon needle and concealed armor, while both shopkeepers noticed the growing demand amid the unrest.

• Lin Chang'an intimidated an attendant at the Yun Clan Chamber of Commerce and asked Lu Qingqing to summon its High-Grade Alchemist to inspect his spirit herbs.
• The Alchemist confirmed the herbs' quality, and Lu Qingqing bought them for one thousand seven hundred Spirit Stones without investigating their origins.
• Lin Chang'an changed disguises on his way to Mystic Sound Pavilion and asked its shopkeeper for a Wood-Attribute flying-needle magical tool suited to breaking protective spiritual light.
• Lin Chang'an bought a Green Phosphorus Needle and Golden Silk Scale Armor for a total of two thousand three hundred Spirit Stones.
• After Lin Chang'an left, the Mystic Sound Pavilion shopkeeper remarked that High-Grade Magical Tools were selling quickly as times grew more chaotic.

After reaching Qi Refining Seventh Layer, Lin Chang'an strengthened his combat ability and continued cultivating as the war and disorder spread. He learned that Er Niu and the Zhou Family were returning after the Zhou Family Patriarch sacrificed himself, and Yun Yao gave him cultivation insights to support his ambition for Foundation Establishment.

• Lin Chang'an tested Wood Spirit Thorn with a High-Grade Magical Tool and pierced a high-grade Golden Light Talisman with ease.
• As the snowstorms passed and the Market grew more chaotic, Lin Chang'an continued practicing his spell and drawing talismans.
• Yun Yao told Lin Chang'an, Shen Lie, and Lu Qingqing that the Zhou Family Patriarch had killed two Divine Sword Sect Foundation Establishment Cultivators in a self-destruction, earning his family a guaranteed Foundation Establishment place and two Sect entry places.
• Lin Chang'an and Shen Lie praised the Zhou Family Patriarch's sacrifice, and Yun Yao congratulated Lin Chang'an on reaching Qi Refining Seventh Layer.
• Yun Yao gave Lin Chang'an a Jade Slip containing a Foundation Establishment senior's cultivation insights, while Shen Lie resolved to strive for Qi Refining Late Stage.

After Li Erniu returned from the front lines, he described the spreading chaos and warned Lin Chang'an against risking his life for Foundation Establishment. Their gathering was interrupted when the notorious Cultivator Bandit Old Ghost, now apparently a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, attacked Li Fire Palace's supplies and escaped.

• Li Erniu returned with the Zhou Family disciples and a newly promoted Foundation Establishment Cultivator, while Lin Chang'an reflected on the Zhou Family's rewards and Er Niu's good fortune.
• At a feast with Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and Lin Chang'an, Li Erniu described how cultivators on the front lines infiltrated enemy territory, raided Markets, and pursued Foundation Establishment materials.
• Li Erniu congratulated Lin Chang'an on reaching the Qi Refining Late Stage and urged him not to seek Foundation Establishment at the front lines; Shen Lie then announced an Auction planned for six months later.
• Old Ghost attacked Li Fire Palace's supply convoy outside the Market, revealed that he had achieved Foundation Establishment, and offered Foundation Establishment Pills for Huang Yuntian's son's head before fleeing into the mountains.
• Lin Chang'an recognized Old Ghost's voice and recalled that the former Qi Refining Late Stage cultivator had become a Cultivator Bandit after a sect cultivator seized his Foundation Establishment materials.

Old Ghost accepted a demonic cultivator’s help to pursue revenge against Huang Yuntian, while Huang Yuntian warned his son away from Yun Yao. After half a year of study, Lin Chang'an advanced the Evergreen Art beyond the Perfect Realm to Supreme and gained stronger, faster control of it.

• Old Ghost swallowed a Medicinal Pill from a black-robed Demonic Cultivator and agreed to learn a Secret Technique for devouring cultivators' Essence Blood so he could avenge his family.
• Cultivators in the Market spread word of Huang Yuntian’s persecution of Old Ghost, turning public opinion against him.
• Huang Yuntian rebuked Huang Shaohai for pursuing Yun Yao and warned him that Ancestor Huang would punish him, though he tolerated his son's plans involving Qi Refining Rogue Cultivators.
• As the war made Green Bamboo Mountain Market more prosperous, Lin Chang'an spent half a year studying technique annotations and raised the Evergreen Art to the Supreme Realm.
• Lin Chang'an realized his Evergreen Art now circulated about thirty percent faster, strengthened his spellcasting and control, and harmonized more closely with his body and the world.

As the Market filled for the Auction, Li Erniu learned that Zhou Yifan had a Mid-Grade Spirit Root, prompting concern over his future in the Zhou Family and a plan to seek him opportunities elsewhere. Lin Chang'an and his companions entered the masked Auction, where the Two Major Sects’ presence and authority were made clear as proceedings began.

• Li Erniu told Lin Chang'an and Shen Lie that Zhou Yifan had tested as having a Mid-Grade Spirit Root, while Lu Qingqing worried that his place in the Zhou Family might limit his prospects.
• Lu Qingqing suggested asking Sister Yun to help Yifan join a Sect or learn a craft, and Li Erniu agreed that his son should not follow his own path.
• Wei Yiyi arrived, traded barbs with Li Erniu, and introduced Huang Shaohai, whose concealed mana auras Lin Chang'an noticed and whose gaze lingered lewdly on Lu Qingqing.
• Lin Chang'an and the others entered the Auction under formations that concealed their auras, while prominent cultivators including Fairy Nishang and Yun Yao occupied visible platforms.
• Han Lin'er opened the Auction on behalf of the Mystic Sound Pavilion and Li Fire Palace, warning attendees not to disrupt the rules.

Lin Chang'an attended Green Bamboo Mountain Market's grand Auction, waiting for a spirit beast that could aid him in his cultivation. He bought a Green-Horned Ox cub, while the Auction continued with rare spirit beasts and Foundation Establishment treasures.

• Lin Chang'an watched the Auction's pills and magical tools pass, saving his funds for a spirit pet.
• The spirit beast segment began, and Han Lin'er presented a High-Grade Bloodline Black Water Turtle egg that sold for seven hundred and eighty Spirit Stones.
• Lin Chang'an decided the fast-growing Green-Horned Ox suited him because he had spirit grass left by Zhou Qing.
• Lin Chang'an bid nine hundred and thirty Spirit Stones and won the Green-Horned Ox cub.
• An Earth-Grade Bloodline spirit beast was bought by a Mystic Sound Pavilion disciple, and the Auction ended with Foundation Establishment materials and Supreme-Grade Magical Tools.

Lin Chang'an bought a Green-Horned Ox at the Auction and prepared for the dangers he expected after the Market’s month-long festivities. Two months later, Wei Yiyi was left injured and impoverished after Huang Shaohai took his wife and assets, as the war intensified and conscription resumed.

• Lin Chang'an revealed to Li Erniu and Shen Lie that he had won the bid for a Green-Horned Ox, while Wei Yiyi shared news that a Foundation Establishment Pill would be auctioned at the final session.
• Lin Chang'an raised the Green-Horned Ox in his courtyard as he worried that the Market’s apparent prosperity concealed danger; at the final Auction, the Wang Family bought the Foundation Establishment Pill for nearly nine thousand Spirit Stones.
• Two months later, Lin Chang'an visited the badly injured Wei Yiyi and learned that Huang Shaohai had crippled him, taken his assets, and run off with his wife.
• Lu Qingqing revealed that Huang Shaohai had also targeted her, while Shen Lie resolved to become strong enough to protect his family.
• As the front-line war intensified and cultivators were conscripted again, Wei Yiyi was exempted because of his injuries, and his wife never returned to the Market.

Lin Chang'an broke through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer and continued preparing for Foundation Establishment as tensions grew around the Yun Clan Chamber of Commerce. Yun Yao learned that Li Fire Palace had groomed her as a cultivation cauldron and agreed to help the Mystic Yin Divine Sect exploit a Secret Realm to strike at their common enemy.

• Lin Chang'an reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, strengthened his spells and Green-Horned Ox, and planned to advance further before preparing for Foundation Establishment.
• Li Erniu delivered Lin Chang'an's reforged High-Grade Green Bamboo Sword, while Shen Lie revealed that he and Lu Qingqing had left the Yun Clan Chamber of Commerce after Shen broke through using a Rank-Breaking Pill.
• Yun Yao dismissed Lu Qingqing from the Chamber of Commerce and privately met Protector Xiang Jing of the Mystic Yin Divine Sect.
• Protector Xiang Jing told Yun Yao that Li Fire Palace's Golden Core Elder had raised Water Spiritual Root disciples as cultivation cauldrons and revealed a real Secret Realm plot.
• Yun Yao agreed to work with Protector Xiang Jing and secretly spread news of the Secret Realm to Mystic Sound Pavilion, Li Fire Palace, and the Market's major lineages.

Lin Chang'an avoided joining the rush to a suspected Ancient Secret Realm in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range and instead sold Talismans while preparing to strengthen his combat ability. Half a month later, a clash between Foundation Establishment forces erupted in the Market, leaving him startled awake amid the fighting.

• Lin Chang'an admired his reforged Green Bamboo Sword and decided to stay out of Yun Yao's affairs and focus on cultivation and drawing Talismans.
• Shopkeeper Miao told Lin Chang'an that cultivators were flocking to a suspected Ancient Secret Realm after Monster Hunting Squads spread word that Old Ghost was guarding its entrance.
• Lin Chang'an disguised himself and sold nearly all his upper-grade Talismans to cultivators preparing to explore the secret realm.
• Lin Chang'an met Old Luo, who left his family to seek an opportunity in the secret realm for his grandson, while Lin Chang'an chose to gather materials and improve his Talismans instead.
• Half a month later, Wang Family cultivators accused Li Fire Palace of bullying them, and Foundation Establishment Cultivators began fighting in the Market as Lin Chang'an woke to spells flashing outside.

After an ancient Nascent Soul Cultivator’s Secret Realm plunged Yue Kingdom into chaos, Lin Chang'an and his companions sheltered together in Qingzhu Market as sects and cultivators fought across the region. Lin Chang'an sought a Second-tier Spirit Pen so he could strengthen his talisman-making and improve his chance of surviving the turmoil.

• Cultivators rioted and attacked the Market’s pavilions after news spread of the Secret Realm, and Lin Chang'an killed a would-be robber who entered his courtyard.
• Protector Xiang and Yun Yao revealed that they had helped spark the upheaval, and Yun Yao reported the Secret Realm to her Sect’s Old Ancestor.
• The conflict spread across Yue Kingdom as Li Fire Palace and Mystic Sound Pavilion fought, the Divine Sword Sect counterattacked, and Golden Core cultivators battled.
• More than a month later, Lin Chang'an, Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and Wei Yiyi sheltered together in Qingzhu Market, while Shen Lie mourned the destruction of Gathering Immortal Pavilion.
• Wei Yiyi offered the group healing Medicinal Pills, and Lu Qingqing explained that cultivators had organized a daily market on East Market Street.
• Lin Chang'an asked Shen Lie where to buy a Second-tier Spirit Pen so he could make stronger Talismans and have a chance to escape Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Lin Chang'an visited Green Bamboo Mountain Market amid the chaos, bought a Golden Bamboo Spirit Pen that had belonged to Master Han, and learned Madam Han had survived her husband's death. At her estate sale, he purchased three sheets of second-grade talisman paper for one hundred Spirit Stones.

• Lin Chang'an spotted Meat-Selling Old Luo's damaged Blazing Fire Blade at a stall and used his spiritual pressure to discourage its suspicious owner before buying high-grade talisman paper.
• Lin Chang'an bargained for a used Golden Bamboo Spirit Pen, recognized it as Master Han's, and hurried to check on Madam Han.
• Lin Chang'an arrived at Master Han's mourning hall, where local Talisman Masters discussed holding an exchange gathering three days later.
• Madam Han announced she planned to sell her late husband's estate and began offering his belongings to the gathered cultivators.
• Lin Chang'an offered one hundred Spirit Stones for Madam Han's three sheets of second-grade talisman paper, and she accepted.

Lin Chang'an prepared to improve his talisman craft as the Yue Kingdom grew more chaotic after the Secret Realm was sealed. He sensed that the Secret Realm’s spiritual energy was leaking into the world, and a scream in the snowbound Market signaled the danger he had feared.

• Lin Chang'an attended an exchange gathering, bought fire-attributed talisman supplies, and resolved to advance his talisman craft despite dwindling Spirit Stones.
• Yun Yao returned to the Market and announced that Li Fire Palace and Mystic Sound Pavilion would divide it into territories, with Li Fire Palace charging rent for protection.
• Lin Chang'an, Shen Lie and his family, and Wei Yiyi and his daughter rented a courtyard together as the Market grew more dangerous.
• Lin Chang'an sensed that the spiritual energy had grown denser and suspected that energy was leaking from the Secret Realm, attracting demonic beasts.
• After a month of heavy snow, a miserable scream rang through the Market at night and woke everyone in the courtyard.

After a Demon Beast attack, Lin Chang'an suspected that the Secret Realm’s dense spiritual energy came from a high-grade Spirit Vein, which would draw beasts and cultivators to the Market. As Green Bamboo Mountain Market grew more prosperous, he considered preparing to obtain a Monster Core for a Foundation Establishment Pill while improving his Talisman craft.

• Lin Chang'an and Shen Lie recognized that Second-tier Monster Beasts were attacking, while the Market’s defensive arrays rose and unprotected cultivators were killed.
• Lin Chang'an and Shen Lie noticed the spiritual energy had grown denser and suspected that a high-grade Spirit Vein was attracting Demon Beasts and cultivators.
• Shen Lie decided to trade in Monster Beast Meat, and Lin Chang'an asked him to procure high-grade meat.
• Lin Chang'an heard cultivators discussing the Secret Realm and considered buying a Monster Core for a Foundation Establishment Pill rather than risking a hunt.
• Lin Chang'an continued selling Talismans and resolved to improve his craft as more Rogue Cultivators and outsiders arrived; he turned fifty as Green Bamboo Mountain Market prospered.

Lin Chang'an’s Evergreen Art improved his health and lifespan while his Monster Beast Meat business prospered. After refusing Ge Li’s proposal to hunt Monster Beasts together for a chance at Foundation Establishment, Lin Chang'an considered finding a first-rank high-grade formation he could operate alone.

• Lin Chang'an gained a year of lifespan and noticed the Evergreen Art healing lingering injuries as he cultivated.
• Lin Chang'an visited Li Erniu at the Zhou Clan Shop, heard about the growing number of cultivators and rampant Cultivator Bandits, and bought talisman supplies.
• Lin Chang'an met Ge Li, exchanged Talismans with him, and heard his proposal to form a group to hunt Monster Beasts for Foundation Establishment resources.
• Lin Chang'an refused to join Ge Li’s group, citing his lack of combat skill and preference for cultivating in the Market.
• Lin Chang'an considered buying a first-rank high-grade formation, since he lacked the cultivation and allies to control a second-tier one.

Lin Chang'an saw through Ge Li’s attempt to lure him into a dangerous hunt, then witnessed Shen Lie’s family bring him a meal at his stall. The sight deepened Lin Chang'an’s resolve to keep advancing, and he gained a moment of insight into the Cultivation World.

• Ge Li complained to Lin Chang'an about losing most of his wealth during a failed Demon Beast hunt, then tried to recruit him for another gamble.
• Lin Chang'an recognized Ge Li’s display of weakness as a possible trap and refused to leave the Market with him.
• Ge Li revealed his vicious nature to two cultivators after Lin Chang'an left, then decided to find another target.
• Lin Chang'an met Lu Qingqing carrying her child and a wooden box, and accompanied her to Shen Lie’s stall.
• Lu Qingqing brought Shen Lie a meal of Spirit Rice and Monster Beast Meat, and he wept as he ate while she comforted him and their child.
• Lin Chang'an reflected on Shen Lie’s burdens and his own future, then gained some insight as he looked at the world around him.

Lin Chang'an and Lu Qingqing encountered Wang Lin, a Wang Family remnant who planned to use Lin as a stand-in while escaping. Lin killed Wang Lin with the help of his Green-Horned Ox, then concealed the evidence and took the fugitive’s possessions.

• Lin Chang'an sensed someone watching them and secretly gave Lu Qingqing a talisman, while Wang Lin hid nearby and plotted to use him as a stand-in.
• Lin ambushed Wang Lin, but Wang Lin’s defensive talisman blocked the attack; Lin recognized Wang Lin’s Fire Sun Sword and fled to draw him away from Lu Qingqing.
• Wang Lin chased Lin through the back mountain, where Lin used the Green-Horned Ox to distract him and struck with four Green Wood Thorns.
• Lin killed Wang Lin, treated the wounded Green-Horned Ox and put it in his Spirit Beast Bag, then burned the bodies and traces of the fight and took Wang Lin’s Storage Bag and magical artifact.

Lin Chang'an treated the injured Green-Horned Ox after a Cultivator Bandit attacked, then discovered that Wang Lin’s belongings included the Everlasting Evergreen Technique, an Ancient Cultivation Method requiring a rare Spirit Plant. He decided to hide the technique and Wang Lin’s High-Grade Magical Tool while planning to cultivate the method after reaching Foundation Establishment.

• Lin Chang'an returned to the courtyard with the injured Green-Horned Ox and told Lu Qingqing and Wei Yiyi about the Cultivator Bandit who had attacked him.
• Wei Yiyi treated the Green-Horned Ox and assured Lin Chang'an that it would recover, and Shen Lie and his wife later thanked him for protecting their child.
• Lin Chang'an inspected Wang Lin’s Storage Bag and found the Everlasting Evergreen Technique imprinted in his mind from a Withered Leaf Scroll.
• Lin Chang'an learned that the technique required a Heaven and Earth Spirit Root as a Life-Bound Spirit Plant and could only be cultivated after Foundation Establishment.
• Lin Chang'an reasoned that the Two Major Sects likely already knew the technique and decided to conceal the Wang Family’s belongings, including the Fire Sun Sword.