Chapter Summaries

Shen Changchuan learned that tempering his body could extend the Golden Wind Jade Dew Gu’s overclocked state, but Wei Yuting’s visit shifted his attention to the formidable geniuses of the Jade Clarity Immortal Sect. After hearing about the Dao Child and other exceptional disciples, he left determined to develop techniques like Space Slash to compete.

• Shen Changchuan recognized that strengthening his physique could help his dantian and meridians withstand the Golden Wind Jade Dew Gu’s overclocked state for longer.
• Wei Yuting visited Shen Changchuan, congratulated him on reaching the eighth level of the Out of Body Realm, and discussed his recent breakthrough.
• Wei Yuting explained that the Dao Child had overwhelming strength and had advanced from the first to the ninth level of the Out of Body Realm in ten years.
• Wei Yuting named two former Dao Child candidates and other powerful Jade Clarity Immortal Sect disciples, including Lin Wushuang, Deng Yingzhi, and Zhu Xingyun.
• Shen Changchuan felt pressure about competing with the sect’s prodigies and resolved to develop methods like Space Slash.

Wei Yuting left Dawan Village pleased with Shen Changchuan’s advice on managing the Dragon Firmament Sect. Afterward, Shen Changchuan continued practicing body-tempering methods, finding that they improved his physique but would take too long to master in sufficient numbers for the Eternal Wood Scripture.

• Wei Yuting discussed the Dragon Firmament Sect’s development with Shen Changchuan, who offered management ideas based on organizations from his previous life.
• Wei Yuting returned to the sect inspired, while Shen Changchuan worried that his suggestions might have harmful effects.
• Over the next two months, Shen Changchuan practiced body-tempering methods and perfected two first-tier methods.
• Shen Changchuan realized that mastering enough methods to cultivate the Eternal Wood Scripture would take at least ten years.
• Shen Changchuan noticed that his improved physique let him maintain the Golden Wind Jade Dew Gu’s overclocked state for longer.

Shen Changchuan chose to pursue the opportunity at the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins instead of joining the prodigies at an Ancient Secret Realm. Before he could depart, Cen Yuantong arrived to challenge him and restore the reputation of the Dao Child’s followers.

• Shen Changchuan set aside body-tempering cultivation so he could focus on reaching the ninth level of the Out-of-Body Realm and preparing for the Immortal Sect Grand Competition.
• Shen Changchuan learned from Nangong Cheng that outer-domain prodigies had gathered at an Ancient Secret Realm to compete for an opportunity.
• Shen Changchuan decided not to pursue the crowded secret realm and chose to head for the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins instead.
• Cen Yuantong arrived and called for Shen Changchuan, intent on challenging him after Shen had left the Jade Clarity Immortal Sect without facing the Dao Child’s followers.

Cen Yuantong tracked Shen Changchuan to Dawan Village and attacked it with a giant sword, hoping to reclaim his standing among the Dao Child’s followers. Shen Changchuan stopped the strike, and Cen Yuantong launched a direct attack on him.

• Rumors about Shen Changchuan’s visit to the Jade Clarity Immortal Sect damaged the prestige of the Dao Child’s followers, who blamed Cen Yuantong for failing to confront him.
• Cen Yuantong traveled to the Tiannan Region and found Dawan Village, which he believed was Shen Changchuan’s stronghold.
• Cen Yuantong summoned a colossal magic sword and sent it crashing toward Dawan Village, terrifying its residents.
• Shen Changchuan appeared before the sword and shattered it with a punch, then condemned Cen Yuantong for endangering the village.
• Cen Yuantong erupted in anger, vanished, and appeared before Shen Changchuan to strike at him with a powerful punch.

Shen Changchuan swiftly defeated Cen Yuantong after the Immortal Sect disciple attacked Dawan Village, leaving him alive but gravely injured. Two days later, Shen learned why Cen had come and realized the dispute over Lu Haoxuan still had not ended.

• Cen Yuantong attacked Shen Changchuan, but Shen caught his fist and revealed his cultivation at the peak of the eighth level of the Out-of-Body Realm.
• Shen broke Cen's arm, struck his chest, and slammed him into the ground, crushing him in only a few moves.
• Shen spared Cen after recognizing him as a Jade Clarity Immortal Sect disciple, and onlookers were stunned by the fight.
• Two days later, Shen questioned Cen in the dungeon and learned the cause of his arrival.
• Shen's expression darkened when he realized the Immortal Sect was still pursuing the matter involving Lu Haoxuan.

Shen Changchuan learned that the Dao Child’s followers were a faction driven by inner-sect competition and realized his conflict with them would not be easily resolved. Rather than return to the Jade Clarity Immortal Sect immediately, he left Dawan Village to seek the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins and strengthen himself for the upcoming Immortal Sect Grand Competition.

• Shen Changchuan considered Cen Yuantong’s explanation that the Dao Child’s cousin had formed a faction using the Dao Child’s name to gather inner-sect disciples and secure benefits.
• Shen Changchuan concluded that sect factions competed under the Grand Supreme Ancestor’s control and recognized that he was now opposed to the Dao Child’s followers.
• Shen Changchuan refused to apologize, insisting that his grandfather had not been responsible for the family’s later destruction and that he would not accept blame for the group’s accusation.
• Shen Changchuan sealed Cen Yuantong’s mana, imprisoned him in the dungeon, handled the aftermath in Dawan Village, and then left for the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins.
• Shen Changchuan planned to use the Insight Secret Realm to fuse spatial power into his spells or learn top-tier second-rank spells, aiming to earn a top-fifty place in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition.

Shen Changchuan learned that a secret realm had appeared in the desert and feared it might be the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins. After killing a group of bandits who tried to ambush him, he used Shen Chong’s map and command token to find a separate entrance and enter the ruins.

• Shen Changchuan discovered that cultivators had gathered in the border city after a pillar of light revealed a secret realm in the desert.
• Shen Changchuan worried that the newly discovered secret realm was the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins and headed into the desert to investigate.
• Bao Dating led Shen Changchuan’s trail to a group of accomplices who tried to rob him, but Shen Changchuan killed them and searched their souls for information.
• Shen Changchuan learned that cultivators of the Out of Body Realm had entered the ruins, while many Qi Induction Realm cultivators had not returned.
• Shen Changchuan followed Shen Chong’s map to an inconspicuous hill, activated the command token, and stepped through the void vortex.

Shen Changchuan entered the ruined Elephant Mountain Sect and reached the vast floating palace complex, but he did not know where to find the secret realm that could improve his comprehension. Outside, Bai Yusheng and others watched the God Calculation Sect arrange a way into a hidden space, while someone warned that divination came at a cost.

• Shen Changchuan crossed the shattered landscape and carefully navigated spatial rifts to reach the floating palace complex.
• Shen Changchuan examined the ruins and found that the lingering aura of the ancient battle was too powerful for him to perceive.
• Shen Changchuan wondered where the comprehension-raising secret realm was, since Shen Chong had given him no map.
• Bai Yusheng and the others watched the God Calculation Sect use Plum Blossom Divination to identify a breakthrough point into a hidden space.
• An unnamed speaker cautioned that the God Calculation Sect could not use its divination freely without consequences.

At the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins, Chen Lingfeng revealed that he had come both for the ruins’ treasures and to stand up for his junior brother Xiong Kuangdao by challenging Shen Changchuan. Bai Yusheng encouraged him and hoped the fight would weaken Shen Changchuan before the Immortal Sect Grand Competition.

• Cultivators discussed the God Calculation Sect’s divination restrictions and speculated that the sect had spread rumors about the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins.
• Chen Lingfeng introduced himself to Bai Yusheng and the others as a disciple of the East Sea Ranger.
• Bai Yusheng recognized Chen Lingfeng as a renowned Out of Body Realm expert who had slain a peak ninth-level Demonic Cultivator.
• Chen Lingfeng said the ruins’ treasures drew him there, but he also intended to challenge Shen Changchuan on behalf of his junior brother Xiong Kuangdao.
• Bai Yusheng praised Chen Lingfeng and hoped he would damage Shen Changchuan’s prospects ahead of the Immortal Sect Grand Competition.

Shen Changchuan discovered Thunder Flame Mountain, a dangerous natural treasure that could rapidly strengthen the body and accelerate body-tempering cultivation. He weighed the opportunity against the spatial cracks guarding the mountain and remained at its foot, unwilling to abandon it.

• Shen Changchuan crossed the ruined Elephant Mountain Sect’s formations and reached Thunder Flame Mountain, where spatial cracks flickered around the mountain.
• Shen Changchuan considered turning back because the cracks could kill him, but he was reluctant to give up the opportunity.
• Shen Changchuan recalled that his search of the ruins had yielded modest treasures and that Shen Chong had already taken the most valuable items from places such as the pill hall.
• Shen Changchuan searched the sect’s records for the rumored Insight Secret Realm and instead found information about Thunder Flame Mountain.
• Shen Changchuan learned that the mountain absorbed spiritual energy and Dao resonance, transforming them into energy that strengthened the body and accelerated body-tempering methods.

Shen Changchuan reached Thunder Flame Mountain to use its accumulated thunder-and-fire essence to accelerate his body tempering, despite the deadly spatial rifts around it. He used the Void-Escaping Gu to break through the rifts and arrived safely at the summit, where he began tempering his body in the crater pool.

• Shen Changchuan weighed the uncertain benefits of the Insight Secret Realm against the chance to rapidly improve his physique at Thunder Flame Mountain.
• Shen Changchuan studied the mountain's shifting spatial rifts and realized they were caused by its power disrupting the surrounding space.
• Shen Changchuan decided to risk entering the mountain, hoping to save years of body-tempering effort.
• Shen Changchuan activated the Golden Wind Jade Dew Gu and the Void-Escaping Gu, using spatial power to shatter the rifts along his path.
• Shen Changchuan reached the summit with minor injuries, saw the pool of spiritual liquid infused with lava, lightning, and fire, and leaped in to temper his body.

After battling Shen Chong, the black-dressed young woman recovered and dismissed her Dao Protector’s doubts about his strength. She abandoned the pursuit tied to the Zhou Clan and turned her attention to the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins, where she intended to obtain the Enlightenment Stone to strengthen her bid for Saintess.

• The black-dressed young woman spat blood after fighting Shen Chong, and the old woman helped her recover.
• The young woman praised Shen Chong’s talent, while the old woman dismissed him as a rustic genius who might be controlled by a remnant soul.
• The old woman reported that Shen Chong had nearly wiped out the Zhou Clan and asked what they should do about their lost lead.
• The young woman decided to leave the Zhou Clan matter alone and focus on another target.
• The old woman warned that the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins were crowded with powerful forces and suggested capturing Shen Changchuan instead.
• The young woman insisted that she must obtain the Enlightenment Stone in the ruins to secure her chance at becoming Saintess.

After a month cultivating at Thunder Flame Mountain, Shen Changchuan reached the limit of what his body could absorb from the Thunder Flame essence. He broke through to the middle stage of the eighth level of the Out of Body Realm and completed dozens of body-tempering methods, then prepared to leave with his strength greatly increased.

• Shen Changchuan stopped cultivating after realizing his body had reached its limit for absorbing Thunder Flame essence.
• He discovered that his cultivation had advanced to the middle stage of the eighth level of the Out of Body Realm and was nearing the late-stage bottleneck.
• Shen Changchuan checked his Progress Bar Panel and found that he had perfected over forty body-tempering methods, with more than seventy others reaching at least minor accomplishment.

Shen Changchuan emerged from Thunder Flame Mountain with a greatly strengthened physique that could withstand spatial rifts, bringing him close to the strength needed to survive attacks from Spirit Wandering Realm experts. He remained determined to pursue higher cultivation and continued onward to seek the Insight Secret Realm and develop Space Slash.

• Shen Changchuan stepped out of a spatial rift outside Thunder Flame Mountain, his jade-like skin unharmed by spatial-rift fragments that had torn his clothes.
• Shen Changchuan attributed his immense physical strength to his perfected body-refining arts and the entry-level Eternal Wood Scripture.
• Shen Changchuan judged that his physique could let him endure several attacks from a Spirit Wandering Realm expert and escape using the Void-Escaping Gu.
• Shen Changchuan reflected on his rise from a frightened child in Dawan Village and resolved to pursue the Mystic Core Realm rather than settle for a quiet life.
• Shen Changchuan set out to search for the Insight Secret Realm, which he needed to advance his plan to fuse spatial power and form Space Slash.

Nangong Cheng was ambushed by Bai Jingyuan and nearly killed after a desperate attempt to fight back. Just as Bai Jingyuan’s spear was about to strike, a figure emerged from fractured space and stopped it.

• Bai Jingyuan pursued Nangong Cheng, revealing that he intended to kill him for witnessing their plot and coveting a divine object.
• Nangong Cheng turned to fight, but Bai Jingyuan shattered his blade strike and blasted him into a mountain.
• Bai Jingyuan prepared to kill the trapped Nangong Cheng and threatened to hunt down his friend Shen Changchuan afterward.
• A jade-white hand emerged from fractured space and caught Bai Jingyuan’s spear as a calm voice challenged him.

Shen Changchuan emerged from Thunder Flame Mountain and learned that thousands of cultivators had entered the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins. He rescued Nangong Cheng from Bai Jingyuan, then pursued Bai Jingyuan, who countered with a Dharma Decree as Nangong Cheng warned Shen Changchuan to dodge.

• Shen Changchuan learned from a slain cultivator’s memories that outer-domain geniuses had opened a way into the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins and thousands had entered.
• While searching the ruins, Shen Changchuan sensed a fight and arrived in time to save Nangong Cheng from Bai Jingyuan.
• Bai Jingyuan abandoned his spear and fled when Nangong Cheng identified Shen Changchuan, and Shen Changchuan pursued him.
• Shen Changchuan caught up with Bai Jingyuan and attacked with a powerful fist that compressed the space around him.
• Bai Jingyuan brought out a Dharma Decree sealed with a Spirit Wandering Realm technique, and Nangong Cheng shouted for Shen Changchuan to dodge.

Shen Changchuan tested his strength against the Spirit Wandering Realm sword strike released by Bai Jingyuan’s Dharma Decree and survived with only minor injuries. He left the encounter confident that his physique and Void-Escaping Gu could protect him from early Spirit Wandering Realm opponents.

• Nangong Cheng regretted letting Shen Changchuan pursue Bai Jingyuan and hurried to warn him about the protective Dharma Decree.
• Shen Changchuan’s aura rose to the ninth level of the Out-of-Body Realm, and he charged directly into the Spirit Wandering Realm sword strike.
• The collision devastated the surrounding land and swept Nangong Cheng into the shockwaves.
• Nangong Cheng reached the impact site and found Shen Changchuan alive, holding the unconscious Bai Jingyuan.
• Shen Changchuan judged the attack’s owner to be at the early Spirit Wandering Realm and concluded that his physique could withstand such attacks.

Shen Changchuan confirmed he could withstand a Spirit Wandering Realm attack, though he admitted he could not yet fight such a cultivator head-on. Nangong Cheng explained his background and revealed that the foreign-region prodigies had come to the Elephant Mountain Sect ruins seeking both its stolen inheritance and the Enlightenment Stone.

• Shen Changchuan healed his minor injuries from the Spirit Wandering Realm strike and reflected on how far his cultivation had advanced.
• Nangong Cheng praised Shen Changchuan's strength, and Shen clarified that he could only endure a few attacks from a true Spirit Wandering Realm cultivator.
• Shen Changchuan thanked Nangong Cheng for warning him about the foreign-region prodigies and asked what had brought him to the ruins.
• Nangong Cheng explained that he came from the Nangong Clan of the Qilian Region and had returned to the Tiannan Region with the Nangong Family heir.
• Nangong Cheng revealed that the foreign-region prodigies sought the Elephant Mountain Sect's lost inheritance and the Enlightenment Stone.

Nangong Cheng explained the Enlightenment Stone’s history and why the outer-domain prodigies were searching for its remnants in the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins. Worried that Shen Chong might have taken them all, Shen Changchuan agreed to follow Nangong Cheng’s lead and investigate.

• Nangong Cheng told Shen Changchuan that the Elephant Mountain Sect’s Enlightenment Stone had once helped the sect produce three Mystic Core Realm powerhouses.
• Nangong Cheng explained that although the Enlightenment Stone had disappeared, fragments and stones bearing its aura might remain in the Insight Secret Realm.
• Shen Changchuan worried that Shen Chong had already collected the remaining fragments during an earlier exploration of the ruins.
• Nangong Cheng offered to take Shen Changchuan to the place where he had found the remnants, revealing that his discovery had led to him being hunted.
• Shen Changchuan agreed to investigate the site because he urgently needed the Enlightenment Stone fragments.

At the Elephant Mountain Sect Ruins, Outer Realm prodigies worked to break into the ruined Enlightenment Cave Heaven while wary of the onlookers gathering around them. Bai Yusheng and Chen Lingfeng discussed their schemes and revealed that Chen Lingfeng hoped to exploit Shen Changchuan for the benefits he had gained.

• A disciple of the God Calculation Sect used a tortoise shell to guide the prodigies as they attacked the damaged formation around the Enlightenment Cave Heaven.
• Bai Yusheng noted that onlookers had gathered despite efforts to keep their plans secret, and said his attack on Nangong Cheng had been meant to frighten potential rivals.
• Chen Lingfeng questioned whether Bai Yusheng had used the incident to pursue the Bai Clan's old feud with the Nangong Family; Bai Yusheng denied it and exchanged wary looks with the Nangong heir.
• Bai Yusheng suggested Chen Lingfeng intended to target Shen Changchuan after the ruins, rather than merely avenge his junior disciple-brother Xiong Kuangdao.
• Chen Lingfeng wondered aloud why so many people wanted Shen Changchuan, whose rise in the Tiannan Region had followed his gains at the ruins.