Chapter Summaries

Li Yuan joined Formation Master Zhou and the others to investigate an abandoned mine cave where a disrupted array and heavy yin energy suggested an important Earth Vein connection. After permanently affixing Danger Perception and Warding, Li Yuan helped defeat a powerful Yin Ghost, and Formation Master Zhou concluded that the cave concealed a crucial array location.

• Formation Master Zhou used his array disk to locate a likely array node at the abandoned mine beneath Black Stone Slope.
• Li Yuan’s Danger Perception progress advanced while Formation Master Zhou spent three hours setting up an array inside the cave, allowing Li Yuan to permanently affix Danger Perception.
• The group ventured deeper into the mine, where a First-Order Mid-Grade Yin Ghost attacked a Guard Squad cultivator.
• Li Yuan equipped the Warding Talisman and struck the Yin Ghost with Fire Arrow and Fireball spells, destroying it and permanently affixing Warding.
• Formation Master Zhou examined the Yin Ghost’s remains and concluded that the Earth Vein connection, possibly a crucial point of a grand array, lay deeper in the cave.

Li Yuan and Uncle Qu’s group fought through the Yin Ghosts in an old mine and discovered a ruined Alchemy Array that had used fire-vein energy and yin materials. They left after Formation Master Zhou concluded the array had likely trapped several kinds of Demonic Beasts and produced the lingering ghosts.

• Uncle Qu led the group deeper into the mine, where a powerful beast-shaped Yin Ghost ambushed them and Li Yuan and Uncle Qu helped destroy it.
• Li Yuan used the Fire Arrow Technique to kill several more Yin Ghosts as the group advanced through the mine.
• The group found a circular hollow containing a ruined Alchemy Array built to suppress fire, lock in medicine, and stabilize a furnace.
• Formation Master Zhou identified traces of yin materials and concluded the array may have been used for an unorthodox pill or another purpose, leaving Yin Ghosts behind when it was ruined.
• Li Yuan and Uncle Qu noticed marks from several kinds of creatures, and the group retreated after Formation Master Zhou finished inspecting the site.

Li Yuan and Formation Master Zhou discovered that someone had altered arrays in the mountains to drive Demonic Beasts away, but Uncle Qu stopped their investigation before they reached the Main Array. Back at the market, Li Yuan successfully made a Fireball Talisman, unlocked the Fire Art Rapid Cast trait, and acquired a fire-aspect cultivation art and the Fire Escape Technique to improve his self-protection.

• Formation Master Zhou found Yuyang Stone beneath a crude array and determined that someone had altered it to drive Demonic Beasts away.
• Uncle Qu ended the expedition before the group could approach the Main Array, ordering Formation Master Zhou to report their findings to the Lineage Elders.
• Li Yuan returned to his residence and spent the night and following morning practicing Fireball Talismans until one succeeded.
• The successful Fireball Talisman unlocked the White trait Fire Art Rapid Cast for Li Yuan.
• Li Yuan bought the Red Fire Art and the Fire Escape Technique at the Scripture Pavilion, planning to cultivate the art and test the trait.

Li Yuan cultivated the Red Fire Art to Entry Level and permanently unlocked faster fire-spell casting. Wang De then transferred him to the Guard Squad as deputy captain to help clear demonic beasts around Qinghe Market.

• Li Yuan tested the Red Fire Art and found no obvious conflict with his other cultivation arts, then cultivated it to Entry Level.
• Li Yuan unequipped the Hundred Meridians Origin Return Art, equipped the Fireball Talisman, and made Fire Art Rapid Cast permanent.
• Zhao Hu summoned Li Yuan to the Patrol Squad station at Captain Wang De's request.
• Wang De gave Li Yuan a temporary waist token and transferred him to the Guard Squad as deputy captain to help clear demonic beasts and expand Qinghe Market.
• Wang De told Li Yuan his Guard Squad pay would be twenty-five Spirit Stones and twenty-five contribution points monthly, while his previous mountain-trip contribution points were still being processed.

Li Yuan learned the Fire Escape Technique and joined He Shou’s Guard Squad as a temporary deputy squad leader. After hunting Demonic Beasts with the squad, he discovered that eating their meat advanced his Flame Marrow Body Nourishment, leaving him to cultivate at his residence.

• Li Yuan practiced the Fire Escape Technique and found that his fire spells had grown more powerful.
• He Shou assigned Li Yuan as his temporary deputy squad leader and led the six-person squad on a southeastern sweep.
• Li Yuan and He Shou killed a large Black-Backed Tusk Boar, while the other squad members brought down a smaller one.
• The squad hunted two more Demonic Beasts and returned to base with carcasses to divide and cook.
• Li Yuan ate Demonic Beast meat, advancing his Flame Marrow Body Nourishment progress to 10/50 jin, then cultivated the Nurturing Origin Technique.

Li Yuan joined He Shou’s patrol, helped kill two Demonic Beasts, and continued making talismans and processing hides after returning to camp. On the fifth day, the squad set out to cross the Mountain Back toward West Ravine.

• Li Yuan requested talisman-making supplies, then joined He Shou and the squad on patrol toward the Rocky Slope.
• The squad fought a Green-Maned Wind Wolf and a Red-Tailed Fire Marten; Li Yuan killed the Wind Wolf and helped finish the Fire Marten after Liu Cheng was burned.
• He Shou warned Liu Cheng not to risk his life for an intact hide, and the squad collected the beasts’ valuable parts.
• Li Yuan received talisman-making supplies and hide scraps, advanced his Beast-Skin Talisman Paper Making skill, and made Cleaning and Warding Talismans.
• Over the following days, Li Yuan patrolled farther along the Mountain Back, sold talismans and imperfect beast-skin paper, and brought his Precision fixation progress to 90/100.
• On the fifth morning, He Shou led the squad out to cross the Mountain Back toward West Ravine.

Li Yuan and He Shou’s squad joined another guard squad fighting a Grey-Backed Wind Wolf and an Upper First-Order Split-Horned Lizard, helping defeat both beasts. Afterward, Li Yuan secured Zhao Heng’s promise to connect him with someone who could teach him to make more kinds of Talismans.

• Li Yuan detected a battle ahead, and He Shou led the squad closer to find another guard squad struggling against two Demonic Beasts.
• He Shou’s squad attacked the Grey-Backed Wind Wolf first, and Li Yuan’s Fire Arrows helped disrupt it before he killed it with a shot through its throat.
• Li Yuan blasted the Split-Horned Lizard’s front leg, and the two squads pinned it down and killed it together.
• Zhao Heng thanked He Shou’s group and promised to introduce Li Yuan to someone who could teach him to make more Talismans.
• The two squads divided the Demonic Beasts, and Li Yuan received a large share before returning to his lodgings at dusk.

Li Yuan bought a Blue Rock Snake Spine and equipped it to gain the Marrow Vitality trait, then repeatedly depleted and recovered his blood and vitality to advance its permanent conversion. The next day, reinforcements arrived at the Guard Squad station, easing the patrol burden, while Li Yuan still needed one more success to convert the trait permanently.

• Li Yuan bought a complete Blue Rock Snake Spine for four Spirit Stones at the Guard Squad's trading area.
• He Shou gave Li Yuan his share from the sale of Demonic Beast materials and told him reinforcements would arrive the next day.
• Li Yuan equipped the spine, gained Marrow Vitality, and completed the first permanent conversion attempt while practicing the Nurturing Origin Technique.
• Li Yuan completed a second conversion attempt before dawn and noticed that Marrow Vitality had improved his cultivation speed.
• The Wang Family brought in reinforcements, allowing He Shou's squad to stay at the station and take its turn standing watch.

Li Yuan permanently activated Marrow Vitality after exhausting his blood and qi, then sought another fire-element spell to complete the requirements for Flame Marrow Body Nourishment. Old Sun offered to copy the Fire Control Art and include a Fiend Essence Pill, while Li Yuan planned to obtain one more spell from Talisman Master Lu.

• He Shou told Li Yuan that the Guard Squad would return to the market for a few days of rest and that the Upper First-Order Split-Horned Lizard had not yet sold.
• Li Yuan circulated the Nurturing Origin Technique until Marrow Vitality's final activation condition was met, then permanently activated the affix.
• Li Yuan continued cultivating overnight with the Hundred Meridians Origin Return Art equipped in his Equipment Slot.
• Old Sun told Li Yuan that he had perfected the Fiend Essence Pill and was developing a stronger Fiend Core with heavier Fiend Qi and dangerous side effects.
• Old Sun agreed to copy the fire-element Fire Control Art for Li Yuan and include a Fiend Essence Pill in exchange for the value of Li Yuan's herbs.
• Li Yuan left Old Sun's stall planning to get one more fire-element spell from Talisman Master Lu.

Li Yuan collected his pay and rewards, learned that Wang De had been reassigned, and obtained a new cultivation aid from Old Sun. He chose a fire spell to study and bought Talisman Master Lu’s old spirit brush after discovering it had a White Trait.

• Li Yuan met Manager Wang at the Patrol Squad station, collected his pay, Spirit Stones, Vein-Clearing Pills, and forty contribution points, and learned that Wang De was temporarily away.
• Li Yuan heard from the deputy captains that Wang De might have been sent to report to the Wang Family about an intelligence trail.
• Li Yuan collected a copy of the Fire Control Art and a revised Fiend Essence Pill from Old Sun.
• Li Yuan visited Talisman Master Lu and discovered that Lu’s old Talisman Brush had a White Trait, while an identical new brush had none.
• Li Yuan chose the Fire Needle Technique to learn and negotiated to buy Talisman Master Lu’s old brush at a discount of two Spirit Stones.

Li Yuan learned the Fire Control Art and Fire Needle Technique, permanently transformed Flame Marrow Body Nourishment into an affix, and began planning to spend his Spirit Stones on cultivation. He also discovered that an old talisman brush could grant a talisman-making affix once he fulfilled its demanding permanent-transformation conditions.

• Li Yuan bought a talisman brush, the Fire Needle Technique, and other supplies, then went to Rocky Beach to practice.
• Li Yuan learned the Fire Control Art and developed the Fire Needle Technique until the system confirmed he could permanently transform Flame Marrow Body Nourishment.
• Li Yuan made Flame Marrow Body Nourishment a Permanent Affix, then practiced the Fire Needle Technique until he reached Entry Level.
• Li Yuan counted his Spirit Stones and decided to buy Medicinal Pills to speed up his cultivation.
• Li Yuan inspected the old talisman brush and discovered its Skillful Stroke affix and the conditions required to make it permanent.

Li Yuan found the Meridian Soothing Pill best suited to his cultivation, bought Old Sun’s remaining stock, and equipped the Green Spirit Talisman Brush to improve his Fireball Talisman practice. After returning to the Guard Squad, he received his share from the Split-Horned Lizard and learned that Zhao Heng had arranged private Talisman instruction with a Wang Family Talisman Hall master.

• Li Yuan tested four kinds of Medicinal Pills and found the Meridian Soothing Pill worked best with Spirit Convergence and Circulation Acceleration.
• Li Yuan bought Old Sun’s six remaining Meridian Soothing Pills, equipped the Green Spirit Talisman Brush, and improved his Fireball Talisman proficiency through practice.
• Li Yuan returned to the Guard Squad’s crowded station, where He Shou gave him his Spirit Stone share and the remaining Split-Horned Lizard belly hide.
• Zhao Heng told Li Yuan that a Wang Family Talisman Hall master had agreed to teach him privately and gave him the master’s name and residence.

Li Yuan joined the Guard Squad on a safer patrol, then bought Meridian Soothing Pills and devoted himself to cultivation. After three days of using the pills to widen his meridians, he broke through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

• He Shou told Li Yuan that Demonic Beasts and Cultivator Bandits had caused casualties nearby, while the Wang Family sent another team to investigate the formation and scout dangerous mountain areas.
• Li Yuan bought Meridian Soothing Pills from traveling merchants at the market.
• Li Yuan swallowed the pills and combined the Spirit Guiding Art with the Hundred Meridians Origin Return Art to strengthen his spiritual power.
• Li Yuan spent several days cultivating with the Meridian Soothing Pills, using their effects to push his spiritual power toward a breakthrough.
• Li Yuan broke through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer and sensed that he had moved closer to the Qi Refining Late Stage.

Li Yuan visited Old Sun and learned that the Fiend Breaking Pill had begun selling after a cultivator used it to break through. He then met Talisman Master Yu, who gave him the methods for three Low-grade First-Order Talismans, leaving Li Yuan ready to practice them on his own.

• Li Yuan brought herbs to Old Sun and received two Meridian Soothing Pills.
• Old Sun told Li Yuan that the Fiend Breaking Pill had attracted buyers after a Qi Refining Third Level cultivator used it to reach the Fourth Layer.
• Li Yuan visited Talisman Master Yu and demonstrated his Fireball Talisman.
• Talisman Master Yu offered Li Yuan three ways to learn, and Li Yuan chose to take the written methods and study independently.
• Talisman Master Yu gave Li Yuan instructions for the Golden Armor Talisman, Energy Recovery Talisman, and Meridian Expanding Talisman.

Li Yuan bought materials and practiced drawing the Meridian Expanding Talisman, eventually completing one and discovering that its permanent condition required him to open every meridian in his body. He left that condition unmet and continued practicing, with only a dozen or so spirit stones remaining.

• Li Yuan failed to find Talisman Master Lu and spent much of his remaining spirit stones buying talisman materials at the market.
• Li Yuan saw Qinghe Market expanding as cultivators moved in from the increasingly dangerous Loose Cultivator Market.
• Li Yuan spent the night repeatedly failing to draw the Meridian Expanding Talisman before completing one sheet.
• Li Yuan used the panel to learn that the talisman could expand his meridian capacity, but its permanent condition required opening all the meridians throughout his body.
• Li Yuan examined his meridians and found that his current cultivation technique had not opened the fine and micro-meridians.
• Li Yuan set aside the completed talisman and began drawing another sheet.

Li Yuan searched for a way to open the tiny meridians needed to permanently retain the Meridian Expanding Talisman and found the Micro-Origin Meridian Guiding Art. After beginning its slow cultivation, he returned to practicing the Golden Armor and Energy Recovery Talismans, still determined despite repeated failures.

• Li Yuan failed to draw the Golden Armor Talisman and Energy Recovery Talisman after ruining more than ten sheets.
• Li Yuan sold Demonic Beast hides to Talisman Master Lu, who had no leads on meridian-opening methods.
• Li Yuan found the Micro-Origin Meridian Guiding Art in the Scripture Pavilion and spent eighteen Contribution Points to acquire it.
• Li Yuan used the method to form a strand of Spirit Silk and guide it a short way into a minor meridian.
• Li Yuan resumed drawing the Golden Armor and Energy Recovery Talismans, ruining more sheets but continuing to practice.

Li Yuan successfully crafted his first Golden Armor Talisman and learned that the Wang Family was reorganizing its forces to escort rogue cultivators from the Loose Cultivator Market to Qinghe Market. He joined a temporary team preparing to depart within three days, with orders to watch for both Demonic Beasts and the Li Family.

• Li Yuan crafted a Golden Armor Talisman and discovered its defensive attribute, but lacked the cultivation method and physical strength needed to permanently acquire it.
• Li Yuan saw signs of increased Wang Family activity around the market before a Patrol Inspector told him Manager Wang wanted to see him.
• Manager Wang congratulated Li Yuan on reaching the Qi Refining Sixth Layer and explained that the Wang Family had raised outer members' stipends and contributions.
• Manager Wang assigned Li Yuan to a temporary team that would clear a route near the Loose Cultivator Market and escort rogue cultivators to Qinghe Market within three days.
• Manager Wang warned Li Yuan that the Li Family might oppose the operation, since it had led Demonic Beasts toward the area and could lose people to Qinghe Market.
• Li Yuan returned home and began cultivating the Micro-Origin Meridian Guiding Art.

Li Yuan sought stronger combat Talismans before his imminent departure, and Talisman Master Lu agreed to make special ones from Li Yuan’s Split-Horned Lizard Bellyhide. Li Yuan opened several tiny meridians and completed an Energy Recovery Talisman, whose Spirit Qi Backflow trait he left unequipped as he prepared to leave within days.

• Li Yuan visited Talisman Master Lu and asked for stronger combat Talismans before setting out.
• Talisman Master Lu agreed to process Li Yuan’s Upper First-Order Split-Horned Lizard Bellyhide and make special Talismans, with the cost calculated separately.
• Li Yuan cultivated the Micro-Origin Meridian Guiding Art and opened three tiny meridians beneath his ribs.
• Li Yuan successfully drew an Energy Recovery Talisman and saw that its Spirit Qi Backflow trait increased Spirit Qi recovery speed by twenty percent.
• Li Yuan stored the new Talisman without equipping it because his equipment slots were full and he had no time to meet its permanent-condition requirement.

Li Yuan prepared supplies and talismans for an expedition after hearing that people had attacked a Guard Squad patrol. He joined the group at the west gate and was assigned to lead the fourth squad as they set out to clear Demonic Beasts and escort willing rogue cultivators from the area near the Loose Cultivator Market.

• Li Yuan bought talisman-making materials, medicine, and emergency supplies, then heard that four or five people had attacked a Guard Squad patrol in the south.
• Li Yuan spent two days cultivating and making talismans, while his Micro-Origin Meridian Guiding Art reached proficiency.
• Talisman Master Lu delivered five Beast-Skin Talismans to Li Yuan, who paid the remaining eleven Spirit Stones.
• Sun Liang told Li Yuan to gather at the market's west gate before dawn, and Li Yuan's Talisman Crafting Art reached proficiency as he made Basic Talismans.
• Li Yuan joined Uncle Qu and roughly forty cultivators at the west gate, where Uncle Qu divided them into six squads and assigned Li Yuan to lead the fourth.
• Uncle Qu ordered the expedition to move out toward the Loose Cultivator Market to clear Demonic Beasts and bring back rogue cultivators willing to leave.

Li Yuan led his team through the wilderness, swiftly killing Demonic Beasts and recovering half a Medicinal Pill from a Stone-Armor Turtle. After the team rested, he advanced his cultivation and ended the day with new warnings about dangerous beasts and a mystery to report.

• Li Yuan led the fourth team southwest, where he used Fire Escape Technique and Fire Arrow to kill an Iron-Spine Hyena and a Horned Lizard.
• The team encountered a wounded group that reported a fatal attack by an Upper First-Order Great Rock Python and warned of a Demonic Beast capable of attacking the soul.
• Li Yuan killed a Stone-Armor Turtle, and Zhao An found half a Medicinal Pill in its stomach; Li Yuan wrapped it up and told the team not to spread word of it.
• The team stopped to rest, and Li Yuan cultivated with the Micro-Origin Meridian Guiding Art, opening three fine meridians and checking his progress.