Chapter Summaries

Qin Huaian drove a late Golden Core Realm bandit cultivator into the cave’s fourth-tier defensive formation and chose to wait for reinforcements before breaking it. After Yuan Wei arrived with three Golden Core cultivators, the group prepared to attack the formation together.

• The late Golden Core Realm cultivator used a third-tier Explosive Flame Talisman to cover his retreat toward the cave, then entered its formation with the guards after his Big Brother let them in.
• Qin Huaian struck the cave’s formation, discovered it had become a fourth-tier defensive formation, and waited with Cang Minghao rather than reveal his Exotic Flame or attack alone.
• Cang Minghao and the other cultivators arrived and learned that Qin Huaian had defeated the bandit cultivators who confronted him.
• Qin Huaian surveyed the island but found no clear reason the bandits had chosen it as their base.
• Yuan Wei arrived with Su Dinghan, Lin Xiuwen, and Madame Mei, and Cang Minghao called for everyone to break the formation.

Qin Huaian and the Yellow Mountain Sword Sect cultivators were trapped in a natural Illusion Formation after breaking into the cave, while the black-robed First Island Master prepared a blood ritual to break a hidden barrier. Qin Huaian began studying the formation as the ritual progressed.

• Qin Huaian and the others shattered the cave’s fourth-order defensive formation and rushed inside, where a natural Illusion Formation separated them from one another.
• The black-robed First Island Master told the Second Island Master that they could not safely enter the Illusion Formation and planned to flee after breaking the Concealment Array.
• The First Island Master threw a captured Foundation Establishment cultivator into a blood pool and ordered the Second Island Master to sacrifice the others, activating the blood-red formation.
• Qin Huaian recognized that the Illusion Formation was at least sixth-order, activated a fifth-order defensive array disk, and began studying how to break it.
• Unusual energy flowed from Qin Huaian’s Golden Core into his mind, suddenly clarifying his thoughts.

Qin Huaian discovered that energy from the sprout in his Golden Core sharpened his ability to analyze a sixth-tier illusory formation, then used the Mirror Body to pay spirit stones for an escape method. Meanwhile, Lin Tianyu hurried to support the group, and the black-robed cultivator began using the Second Island Master to strengthen the Concealment Array.

• Qin Huaian sensed energy from the sprout in his Golden Core clearing his mind and helping him analyze the illusory formation.
• The Mirror Body offered to find an escape method for 300,000 spirit stones or complete the analysis twice as fast for 600,000, and Qin Huaian chose the faster option.
• Lin Tianyu learned that Qin Huaian had led people against the bandit cultivators and flew out alone to support them.
• The black-robed cultivator spread blood-red energy from the blood pool across the Concealment Array but found the energy insufficient.
• The black-robed cultivator locked the Second Island Master's spiritual power and told him it was time to repay him.

Qin Huaian escaped the illusion formation and discovered a Nascent Soul cultivator using a blood sacrifice formation to destroy the concealment formation. He ambushed the black-robed cultivator and killed his body, but the man’s spirit escaped toward the cave entrance.

• The black-robed cultivator threw the Second Island Master into a blood pool to fuel the blood sacrifice formation.
• Qin Huaian discovered how to pass through the illusion formation and saw the black-robed cultivator operating the blood sacrifice formation.
• Qin Huaian waited until the concealment formation was blasted open, then rushed in and set up a fifth-tier trapping and killing formation.
• The black-robed cultivator broke Qin Huaian’s formation, but Qin Huaian struck him with successive sword rays empowered by an Exotic Flame.
• The fourth sword ray cleaved the black-robed cultivator in two, and a streak of light fled from his body toward the cave entrance.

Qin Huaian drove off the black-robed cultivator’s Nascent Soul but could not free Cang Minghao and the others from the illusion formation. He discovered a giant, impossibly hard boulder in the cave, called for sect support, and ended the chapter by testing the boulder with his Exotic Flame.

• Qin Huaian pursued the black-robed cultivator’s Nascent Soul outside the cave, but it escaped using what he suspected was the Blood Escape Technique.
• Qin Huaian realized he could not break the illusion formation or rescue Cang Minghao and the others, so he returned to the cave and collected the cultivator’s scepter-shaped artifact and storage pouch.
• Qin Huaian uncovered a huge grayish-black boulder and tried to cut it free, but it remained unmarked and extended too deep underground for him to move.
• Qin Huaian sent a message asking the sect for support and set a fifth-grade defensive array disc at the cave entrance.
• Qin Huaian sensed that the boulder was absorbing the cave’s spiritual energy, then formed a ball of Exotic Flame above it.

Lin Tianyu arrived to help Qin Huaian investigate the island and the trapped disciples, but they could not move the mysterious stone. Lin Tianyu warned Qin Huaian that the escaped Nascent Soul might expose his deeds, and Qin Huaian admitted that his Exotic Flame had helped him defeat the cultivator.

• Lin Tianyu arrived with Wan Hong and two Foundation Establishment disciples, and Qin Huaian led him into the illusion array to find Cang and the others.
• Qin Huaian guided Lin Tianyu through a safe passage and revealed that an early Nascent Soul cultivator's physical body had been destroyed, though the Nascent Soul escaped.
• Qin Huaian showed Lin Tianyu the giant stone hidden behind a Concealment Array, but neither of them could move it.
• Lin Tianyu warned that the escaped cultivator might reveal the treasure and Qin Huaian's ability to defeat a Nascent Soul cultivator, attracting danger to the sect and Qin Huaian.
• Qin Huaian told Lin Tianyu that his Exotic Flame had helped him defeat the cultivator, and Lin Tianyu asked whether the escaped Nascent Soul knew about it.

Lin Tianyu examined the spiritual-energy-absorbing boulder with Qin Huaian, then summoned sect reinforcements to rescue Cang Minghao and the others trapped in a natural illusion formation. After explaining how Qin could prevent a Nascent Soul from escaping in future fights, Lin Tianyu waited with him as the sect’s leaders arrived to inspect the formation.

• Lin Tianyu examined the gray-black boulder and learned from Qin Huaian that the cave’s spiritual-energy concentration had risen by nearly twenty percent.
• Lin Tianyu sent Wan Hong and the others to report the cave’s danger and summon the sect’s formation experts and Sect Master Shen Canglan.
• Lin Tianyu explained to Qin Huaian how a Nascent Soul could be killed and why the black-robed cultivator had escaped.
• More than a day later, Shen Canglan, Nangong Yunzhao, and other sect leaders arrived on the island.
• Ruan Xingwei identified the entrance formation as a high-grade natural illusion formation, and Nangong Yunzhao began examining it.

Nangong Yunzhao and the others entered the cave to investigate a mysterious giant stone that resisted their strongest magic treasures and steadily increased the surrounding spiritual energy. After learning a surviving Nascent Soul had escaped, Nangong Yunzhao promised to guard the site, and Shen Canglan noticed lights appearing on the stone.

• Nangong Yunzhao explained that the natural illusion formation would release those trapped inside within seven days, and Qin Huaian admitted he had found a passage through it.
• Shen Canglan led Nangong Yunzhao, Ruan Xingwei, Chu Yu, Qin Huaian, and his master into the cave, where Qin Huaian opened the passage he had found.
• Lin Tianyu showed the group the indestructible giant stone and explained that it had emerged from a Concealment Array and was drawing in spiritual energy.
• Lin Tianyu revealed that Qin Huaian had slain the black-robed cultivator’s physical body, though the cultivator’s Nascent Soul had escaped, shocking Chu Yu and Ruan Xingwei.
• Nangong Yunzhao praised Qin Huaian, recognized that he was nearing the middle stage of the Golden Core Realm, and said he would guard the cave.
• Shen Canglan noticed points of light appearing on the giant stone.

The cultivators discovered faint multicolored lights on the boulder and considered whether it was a heaven-born magical artifact with spiritual intelligence. Nangong Yunzhao established an outpost on the island, and after trapped cultivators emerged from the illusion formation, Qin Huaian prepared to cultivate there.

• Ruan Xingwei and Nangong Yunzhao explained that the boulder might be an extraordinary magical artifact, though its origins remained unknown.
• Nangong Yunzhao decided to station himself on the island, while Lin Tianyu and Ruan Xingwei stayed there and Shen Canglan returned to Donglai Market.
• Qin Huaian showed the others how to open a passage through the illusion formation, and several cultivators emerged three days later.
• Shen Canglan explained that the illusion formation would eventually send trapped people back, while Qin Huaian told Cang Minghao that the abducted victims had died and one bandit cultivator's Nascent Soul had escaped.
• After Shen Canglan left with Cang Minghao and the others, Qin Huaian activated a Spirit Gathering Array in his house and began preparing to cultivate.

Qin Huaian cultivated on the island as the massive boulder drew in spiritual energy and caused the island’s concentration to rise. After Nangong Yunzhao planned a defensive formation, Qin Huaian headed to the eastern shore to investigate several sea demons.

• Qin Huaian sorted through the black-robed cultivator’s storage pouch, finding abundant materials, spirit stones, pills, and talismans, then focused on cultivation.
• Qin Huaian’s cultivation reached 93/100 in the early-stage Golden Core Realm after half a month of rapid progress.
• Lin Tianyu told Qin Huaian that spiritual energy across the island was rising, with the greatest increase near the cave and the concentration inside nearly tripling.
• Nangong Yunzhao said he would establish a sixth-tier defensive formation around the mountain, and Lin Tianyu requested materials from Shen Canglan.
• Qin Huaian inspected the boulder and saw that its points of light had grown from seven or eight to over a hundred as it continued absorbing spiritual energy.
• Nangong Yunzhao told Qin Huaian that Lin Tianyu had gone to the eastern shore to inspect several sea demons, so Qin Huaian flew there.

Lin Tianyu drove away four sea demons probing the Yellow Mountain Sword Sect’s island and explained the boundaries and agreements governing the Boundless Sea. As Nangong Yunzhao prepared the island’s defenses, Qin Huaian cultivated for a month and reached the middle stage of the Golden Core Realm.

• Lin Tianyu wounded an octopus demon and ordered the sea demons to keep their forces above the second tier away from the island, then let them flee with a warning for Lord Abyssal Darkness.
• Qin Huaian asked Lin Tianyu about the near-sea region, and Lin Tianyu explained the sea’s boundaries, the Land of Nothingness, and the agreement restricting high-level sea demons near the continent.
• Lin Tianyu and Qin Huaian returned to find Nangong Yunzhao arranging formations, and Lin Tianyu asked him to have Canglan secretly bring disciples to reinforce the island.
• Qin Huaian returned to his hut to cultivate while Nangong Yunzhao completed the mountain’s defensive formation.
• One month later, Qin Huaian broke through to the middle stage of the Golden Core Realm, and he resolved to cultivate concealment and escape techniques.

Qin Huaian improved his concealment and escape techniques, then tested the Five Elements Shifting Escape Art underground and underwater. After noticing his earth and water escape speeds were similar, he wondered whether forming his core had given him an earth spiritual root, before sensing several sea demons approaching.

• Qin Huaian spent spirit stones to deduce the Formless Dust-Returning Art to the proficient level and the Five Elements Shifting Escape Art to the beginner level.
• Qin Huaian learned that the Formless Dust-Returning Art could hide him from Golden Core Late Stage cultivators, while his divine sense had reached the Nascent Soul Middle Stage level.
• Qin Huaian tested earth escape and found it slower than his usual flight, but useful for concealment underground.
• Qin Huaian tested water escape in the Boundless Sea and found its speed nearly identical to his earth escape, prompting him to wonder if forming his core had altered his spiritual roots.
• Qin Huaian sensed several sea demons rapidly approaching his position.

Qin Huaian ambushed three sea demons who were secretly investigating the sea island’s rising spiritual energy. He killed all three, including one that invoked Lord Azure Flood Dragon, and left the threat from the sea demons unresolved.

• Three sea demons used spirit talismans to hide from divine sense as they approached the sea island on orders from Lord Abyssal Darkness.
• Qin Huaian concealed himself among coral and ambushed the late third-order crab demon, breaking its magic treasure and killing it with a second sword strike.
• The two octopus demons fled, but Qin Huaian caught and killed the mid third-order demon.
• The late third-order octopus demon tried to bargain and then fought back with a powerful sphere magic treasure, but Qin Huaian severed its tentacles and killed it after it threatened him in the name of Lord Azure Flood Dragon.

Qin Huaian learned that the Azure Flood Dragon Palace could force the Yellow Mountain Sword Sect to abandon the island, while the mysterious boulder remained unchanged. After searching the sea demons’ belongings, he found a map of nearby forces and mines, then examined the octopus demon’s pearl-like magic treasure.

• Qin Huaian told Lin Tianyu that the undersea demons were investigating the island, and Lin Tianyu explained the threat posed by Abyssal Darkness and the Azure Flood Dragon Palace.
• Lin Tianyu said the boulder had only gained a few more specks of light and that the sect could do little but wait for it to change.
• Qin Huaian returned to his cabin and worried that the boulder might be dangerous even if the sect managed to claim it.
• Qin Huaian found storage bags inside the three sea demons and recovered more than eighty thousand mid-grade spirit stones, over eleven hundred high-grade spirit stones, and other items.
• Qin Huaian discovered a map marking Orca Hall, nearby forces, mines, and an island he believed was their current location, then took out the octopus demon’s pearl-like magic treasure.

Qin Huaian refined the Heaven-Shaking Sphere and repaired a damaged formation while mortal wars and disasters spread across the kingdoms. News of a treasure-bearing island in the Boundless Sea reached Donglai Market, and Chu Yu warned Shen Canglan that the island's location had been exposed.

• Qin Huaian refined the Heaven-Shaking Sphere, then began repairing the damaged fifth-tier trapping-and-killing formation.
• Jin Kingdom's army prepared to massacre Changping City after its capture and received orders to invade Song Kingdom next.
• Minister Wei Shangqing begged the King of Jin to halt the wars, then struck a pillar and died after accusing Consort Zhen of corrupting the court.
• The King of Jin swallowed a pill given by Consort Zhen and went with her to the bedchamber.
• News and a sea chart revealed an island in the Boundless Sea where a strange treasure had greatly increased spiritual energy, drawing Rogue Cultivators toward it.
• Chu Yu told Shen Canglan that the island's treasure and location had become widely known in Donglai Market.

Shen Canglan allowed Rogue Cultivators to approach the island while warning the Yellow Mountain Sword Sect, and the Demon Race decided to send an expedition to seize the rare treasure. After months of cultivation, Qin Huaian heard that a huge number of sea demons were attacking the island.

• Shen Canglan decided not to stop Rogue Cultivators from coming and used a Communication Bead to alert Lin Tianyu and the others.
• The multicolored fierce tiger explained to Ying'er that the Demon Race should seize the chance to claim the island's rare treasure, then ordered Azure Edge to depart for the Boundless Sea.
• Qin Huaian perfected the Formless Dust-Returning Art and advanced the Five Elements Shifting Escape Art to major mastery while continuing to cultivate.
• Qin Huaian observed that the island's spiritual energy had risen sharply, then heard Yellow Mountain Sword Sect disciples announce that sea demons were attacking in force.

Qin Huaian and the Yellow Mountain Sword Sect fought an invading army of sea demons while Nangong Yunzhao and Qiu Ze battled above the island. Qin Huaian overwhelmed the third-order demons, turning the battle in the sect’s favor, but several fourth-order demons soon targeted him.

• Nangong Yunzhao questioned Qiu Ze’s claim to an exotic treasure, and Qiu Ze attacked him before the two fought far from the shore.
• The sea demons charged the Yellow Mountain Sword Sect, and Lin Tianyu engaged the whale demon Abyssal Darkness and a fish demon.
• Qin Huaian killed a fish demon and a giant lobster, then cut down many more third-order sea demons.
• Lin Tianyu trapped Abyssal Darkness in his Sword Domain while the sect’s Golden Core cultivators gained the advantage.
• Several fourth-order sea demons noticed their losses and targeted Qin Huaian.

Lin Tianyu killed the giant whale Abyssal Darkness and the brilliantly colored fish demon, but the arrival of Azure Edge and his Demon Race forces turned the battle against Yellow Mountain Sword Sect. Qin Huaian escaped underground and planned to head for the mainland, then considered sneaking into Abyssal Darkness’s territory to investigate a spirit stone mine.

• Lin Tianyu slew Abyssal Darkness and the brilliantly colored fish demon while Qin Huaian evaded fourth-rank sea demons and cut down lower-rank demons attacking the sect’s disciples.
• Azure Edge arrived with powerful Demon Race cultivators and ordered them to kill every human, prompting Shen Canglan to organize a fighting retreat.
• Lin Tianyu charged Azure Edge, while the sea demons and Demon Race forces pressed the Yellow Mountain Sword Sect and pursued Qin Huaian.
• Qin Huaian fled northeast, then hid in an earthen cave beneath the seabed using the Five Elements Returning Dust Art.
• Qin Huaian decided not to return to the island and studied his map, considering whether the spirit stone mine in Abyssal Darkness’s territory had a spirit vein.

Qin Huaian traveled to Orca Hall after Abyssal Darkness’s death, hoping to locate a spirit stone mine and assess the area. He learned that the Azure Flood Dragon Palace was leading an attack on an island near the continent and left with information taken from a captured fish demon.

• Qin Huaian headed through the sea toward Orca Hall, using the Free and Easy Wanderer before switching to earth escape as he neared the demon stronghold.
• Qin Huaian overheard two sea demons discuss Abyssal Darkness’s expedition to an island rich in spirit stones, where the Azure Flood Dragon Palace was preparing to confront the Yellow Mountain Sword Sect.
• Qin Huaian captured a mid second-rank fish demon near Orca Hall and searched its soul for information about the surrounding area.
• Qin Huaian learned the general situation from the fish demon, then put it in his Storage Ring.

Qin Huaian searched for a spirit vein near a poor spirit stone mine and discovered a damaged seventh-rank Concealment Array. He used the Mirror Body’s analysis to open a gap in it, revealing an antique pavilion whose style did not belong to the sea demons.

• Qin Huaian learned that Lord Abyssal Darkness had taken most of Orca Hall’s forces toward the continent and then headed underground toward a spirit stone mine.
• Qin Huaian found the mine and saw that its sea demons had excavated only a few dozen low-grade spirit stones, so he searched the surrounding area for a spirit vein.
• Qin Huaian discovered a Concealment Array about ten zhang across and used the Mirror Body to analyze how to break it.
• Qin Huaian spent spirit stones to speed the analysis, then placed array flags and opened a gap in the damaged seventh-rank array.
• Qin Huaian looked through the opening and found an antique two-story pavilion that did not appear to be a sea demon residence.