Chapter Summaries

Qin Huaian broke through to the Seventh Qi Refining Layer and began deducing Basic Swordsmanship. After sharing breakfast with Lin Qingxuan, he delivered pills to the sect and bought ingredients and talismans before heading toward the gate.

• Qin Huaian broke through to the Seventh Qi Refining Layer, stabilized his cultivation, and spent 3,560 Spirit Stones to have his Mirror Body deduce Basic Swordsmanship to Minor Mastery.
• Lin Qingxuan brought Qin Huaian breakfast, and he ate most of the meal while she said she would cook for him again.
• Lin Qingxuan said she planned to enter seclusion and strive for the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, while Qin Huaian told her he had reached the Seventh Layer and planned another trip to New Peace City.
• Qin Huaian delivered 155 bottles of Qi Recovery Pills to the Affairs Hall and received 1,240 Sect Contribution Points, bringing his total to 1,280.
• Qin Huaian spent Contribution Points on three Essence-Breaking Herbs, three sets of Breakthrough Essence Pill ingredients, and two Ice Spike Talismans, then headed toward the sect gate.

Qin Huaian deduced and refined Breakthrough Essence Pills while cultivating his swordsmanship and Spirit Tempering Formula, then prepared to trade at New Peace City's Western District Ghost Market. After buying ingredients and asking for directions, he received a city map from Fu Jingwen, who also told him Qingxuan had asked how he was doing.

• Qin Huaian renewed his cave dwelling and began deducing the Breakthrough Essence Pill after Basic Swordsmanship reached Minor Achievement Grade.
• Qin Huaian deduced the Breakthrough Essence Pill to Great Achievement Grade and refined two pills, though he failed to produce a batch on his second attempt.
• Qin Huaian successfully refined a third batch and had five Breakthrough Essence Pills in total.
• Qin Huaian visited Lin Family Elixirs, bought one hundred sets of Spirit Grass for Essence Cultivation Pills, and asked about the Western District Ghost Market.
• Fu Jingwen gave Qin Huaian a map of New Peace City and said Qingxuan had asked about him.

Qin Huaian visited the West City Ghost Market and sold all five Breakthrough Essence Pills, acquiring four Essence-Breaking Herbs in the process. He left the market safely and planned to make use of his gains before returning to sell more pills.

• Fu Jingwen praised Qin Huaian for helping Qingxuan improve her swordsmanship, while privately reflecting that he only cared about cultivation and pill refinement.
• Three days later, Qin Huaian entered the West City Ghost Market, paid the fees, and donned the mask and robe provided by the attendants.
• Qin Huaian set up a stall and offered five Breakthrough Essence Pills for thirteen thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones each, giving priority to buyers who supplied Essence-Breaking Herbs.
• Cultivators quickly bought all five pills, and Qin Huaian acquired three Essence-Breaking Herbs through the sales.
• Qin Huaian waited at his stall and obtained one more Essence-Breaking Herb before leaving the Ghost Market unnoticed.

Qin Huaian sold batches of Breakthrough Essence Pills at the West City Ghost Market, earned a large stock of Spirit Stones, and used them to optimize the Yi Wood True Formula. After completing the Perfection Grade formula, he chose to pause alchemy and focus on cultivation.

• Qin Huaian refined four batches of Essence-Breaking Herbs successfully and completed the Mastery Grade Spirit Tempering Formula, which cultivated Divine Sense about twice as fast as its Entry Grade version.
• Qin Huaian spent 40,000 Spirit Stones to optimize the Yi Wood True Formula and sold eight bottles of Breakthrough Essence Pills at the Ghost Market, earning 68,000 Spirit Stones and acquiring twelve Essence-Breaking Herbs.
• Qin Huaian bought supplementary ingredients, refined ten batches of Breakthrough Essence Pills, and sold them at the next Ghost Market for 215,000 Spirit Stones and seventeen Essence-Breaking Herbs.
• Qin Huaian decided to stop selling pills at the Ghost Market for a while and focus on cultivation to avoid drawing attention.
• Qin Huaian completed the Perfection Grade Yi Wood True Formula and found that it cultivated two to three times faster than the Major Accomplishment version.

Qin Huaian perfected his swordsmanship foundations, improved his pill-refining and Spirit Tempering Formula skills, and stocked up on pills and ingredients while cultivating in New Peace City. Fu Jingwen and Lin Qingxuan visited him, but he chose to remain in the city for several more months rather than return to the sect with her.

• Qin Huaian spent spirit stones to perfect his swordsmanship foundations, improve his Essence Cultivation Pill refining, and raise his Spirit Tempering Formula to minor mastery before beginning another deduction.
• Qin Huaian sold seventy bottles of Essence Cultivation Pills at the Lin Family Pill Shop and bought forty-three bottles of True Essence Pills.
• Qin Huaian purchased ingredients for Breakthrough Essence Pills, refined thirteen batches, and continued cultivating while his mirror body deduced the Spirit Tempering Formula.
• Fu Jingwen and Lin Qingxuan visited Qin Huaian, and Lin Qingxuan invited him to return to the sect with her, but he said he would stay in New Peace City for a few more months.
• Lin Qingxuan told Qin Huaian she had passed the Trial Tower's third floor and invited him to spar when he returned; after leaving, she received a True Essence Pill from her Fifth Uncle.

After more than seven months of cultivation, Qin Huaian broke through to the Eighth Qi Refining Layer and reached the Perception Realm of Divine Sense. He sold Breakthrough Essence Pills at the Ghost Market, bought talismans and a new pill furnace, and returned to his cave dwelling to cultivate more techniques before going back to his sect.

• Qin Huaian cultivated the Yi Wood True Formula and Spirit Tempering Formula for more than seven months before breaking through to the Eighth Qi Refining Layer and advancing his Divine Sense to the Perception Realm.
• Qin Huaian sold twenty-six Breakthrough Essence Pills at the Ghost Market, earning three hundred and fourteen thousand Spirit Stones and obtaining eight stalks of Essence-Breaking Herb.
• Qin Huaian bought six first-grade talismans, two second-grade talismans, and a second-grade talisman brush from a stallholder.
• Qin Huaian purchased a high-grade Dharma Artifact pill furnace, talisman paper, and spiritual ink at the Hall of Myriad Treasures.
• Qin Huaian returned to his cave dwelling and planned to cultivate more supplementary techniques before returning to his sect.

Qin Huaian returned to the sect after perfecting two techniques and learning to fly on his refined sword. He reunited with Lin Qingxuan and agreed to join her and Duanmu Zhiqin in challenging the Trial Tower.

• Qin Huaian renewed his cave dwelling lease in South City, perfected the Spirit Eye Technique and Skystride Hundred Transformations, and refined his flying sword.
• Qin Huaian tested sword flight, found it slower than his perfected movement technique, and checked his cultivation and skills on the Data Panel.
• Qin Huaian returned to the sect and found Lin Qingxuan practicing swordsmanship with Duanmu Zhiqin; Lin Qingxuan had reached the Seventh Qi Refining Layer.
• Qin Huaian told Lin Qingxuan he had reached the Eighth Qi Refining Layer, and she invited him to challenge the Trial Tower with her and Duanmu Zhiqin.
• The next morning, Lin Qingxuan and Duanmu Zhiqin called for Qin Huaian, and the three set out for the Trial Tower.

Qin Huaian reentered the Trial Tower and advanced through its first six arenas, earning insights into completion-level and perfected Basic Swordsmanship. After defeating the sixth-floor Puppet, he rested and considered whether he could overcome the stronger opponent expected on the next floor.

• At the Trial Plaza, Lin Qingxuan learned from Ji Zifeng that Chen Yuan’s ranking had fallen to twenty-first as veteran Qi Refining cultivators challenged the tower, then led Qin Huaian and Duanmu Zhiqin inside.
• Qin Huaian defeated the first- and second-floor Puppets with ease and received no rewards for floors he had cleared before.
• Qin Huaian killed the third-floor Puppet with one slash and received the final insight needed to complete his Basic Swordsmanship.
• Qin Huaian defeated the fourth- and fifth-floor Puppets and gathered parts of an insight into perfected Basic Swordsmanship.
• Qin Huaian defeated the ninth-level Puppet on the sixth floor after several hundred exchanges, received the complete perfected swordsmanship insight, and rested while wondering if he could beat the next Puppet.

Qin Huaian cleared the Trial Tower’s seventh-floor arena by wearing down its powerful puppet and received an inheritance that let him begin deducing sword intent. He failed to pass the eighth flight of stairs but emerged ranked eleventh in the Qi Refining Realm.

• Qin Huaian refined the Trial Tower’s flying sword and used it to fight through the seventh flight of stairs.
• Lin Qingxuan and Duanmu Zhiqin waited outside while Lin Qingxuan worried about Qin Huaian’s long absence.
• Qin Huaian evaded the seventh-floor puppet and drained its energy with repeated flying-sword attacks before defeating it.
• Qin Huaian received an insight into sword intent and spent 20,000 spirit stones to have his mirror body deduce it.
• Qin Huaian failed the eighth flight of stairs, crushed his jade token, and was ranked eleventh in the Qi Refining Realm.
• The Trial Tower display showed Qin Huaian of East Dawn Peak in eleventh place.

Qin Huaian’s Trial Tower performance drew attention after he placed eleventh, surprising disciples who knew he was only at the eighth level of Qi Refinement. After returning to East Dawn Peak, he met with Wang Baole, who explained that Qin’s cultivation pace was impressive even by Inner Sect standards, and Qin asked why Inner Sect disciples kept challenging the tower.

• Disciples gathered beneath the Trial Tower display and speculated about Qin Huaian’s eleventh-place ranking, while Duanmu Zhiqin realized he had surpassed her despite sharing her cultivation level.
• Qin Huaian tried to avoid attention, but Wang Baole recognized him and drew nearby disciples over to offer greetings.
• Qin Huaian met Lin Qingxuan and Duanmu Zhiqin, then returned to East Dawn Peak with them as Lin Qingxuan described her own improved Trial Tower ranking.
• The next morning, Wang Baole visited Qin Huaian and learned that his ranking came from a recent swordsmanship breakthrough, not a higher cultivation level.
• Qin Huaian learned Wang Baole had reached the eighth level of Qi Refinement and asked why Inner Sect disciples, especially those near the peak of Qi Refinement, repeatedly challenged the Trial Tower.

Qin Huaian learned from Little Fatty about the sect’s Foundation Establishment Pill rewards and the dangerous Lesser Spirit Realm, then received a top-grade Dharma Artifact flying sword from He Zhiping on behalf of Peak Master Han Yunting. He Zhiping asked how Qin Huaian had defeated the seventh-level arena Puppet, leaving Qin to face questions about his Trial Tower victory.

• Little Fatty explained that inner sect disciples could earn Foundation Establishment Pills through rankings or Sect Contribution Points and described the Lesser Spirit Realm’s valuable herbs and dangers.
• Little Fatty said the Lesser Spirit Realm would open in about seven years and resolved to enter if he had not obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill by then.
• He Zhiping visited Qin Huaian and Wang Baole, bringing a top-grade Dharma Artifact flying sword as a reward from Peak Master Han Yunting.
• He Zhiping asked Qin Huaian how he had defeated the Puppet on the seventh-level arena.

Qin Huaian sparred with He Zhiping, demonstrating that his perfected movement technique had let him outlast the Trial Tower Puppet. After guiding Little Fatty and receiving visits from Lin Qingxuan and Duanmu Zhiqin, he was asked to share his swordsmanship insights.

• Qin Huaian told He Zhiping he had worn down the Trial Tower Puppet, then used Skystride Hundred Transformations to evade He Zhiping during their spar.
• He Zhiping ended the spar after striking Qin Huaian with a forceful blow, and praised his swordsmanship and movement technique.
• Qin Huaian explained the higher levels of Skystride Hundred Transformations to Little Fatty, who thanked him before leaving.
• Qin Huaian returned to cultivation, but Lin Qingxuan and Duanmu Zhiqin soon visited his courtyard.
• Lin Qingxuan and Duanmu Zhiqin asked Qin Huaian to share his swordsmanship insights, and Duanmu offered to help him in return.

Qin Huaian comprehended minor-accomplishment Sword Intent, advanced to the Ninth Qi Refining Layer, and stocked up on cultivation pills. At the West City Ghost Market, he learned that the Lesser Spirit Realm was opening much earlier than expected.

• Qin Huaian finished deducing beginner-level Sword Intent, comprehended it, and then advanced it to minor accomplishment over the next five months.
• Qin Huaian bought one hundred bottles of True Essence Pills from Lin Zhenglan and purchased ingredients to refine more Breakthrough Essence Pills.
• Qin Huaian refined six batches of Breakthrough Essence Pills and cultivated with his Mirror Body until he broke through to the Ninth Qi Refining Layer.
• Qin Huaian went to the West City Ghost Market and overheard cultivators discussing the upcoming Lesser Spirit Realm opening.
• Qin Huaian realized the Lesser Spirit Realm was opening years earlier than he had expected.

Qin Huaian learned that the Lesser Spirit Realm would open soon and heard about the dangers and opportunities inside. Back at East Dawn Peak, he had not yet decided whether to join the expedition gathering in three days.

• Qin Huaian learned that the Lesser Spirit Realm's entrance would open within half a month and sold his Breakthrough Essence Pills at the Ghost Market.
• Qin Huaian bought several maps of the Lesser Spirit Realm, then watched a Tian Family elder auction one entry quota for one hundred and seventy thousand Spirit Stones.
• Qin Huaian visited the Lin Family Pill Shop, where Lin Qingxuan told him that Yellow Mountain Sword Sect disciples in the Late Qi Refinement Realm could enter the Lesser Spirit Realm.
• Lin Zhenglan described the realm's dangers and riches, explaining that cultivators were often more dangerous than its demon beasts and that its resources could help someone reach Foundation Establishment.
• Qin Huaian, Lin Qingxuan, and Fu Jingwen returned to East Dawn Peak, where Qin Huaian told Lin Qingxuan he would consider whether to enter.

Qin Huaian decided to enter the dangerous Lesser Spirit Realm to seek resources, and Lin Qingxuan and Wang Baole also chose to go. The disciples departed for the Spirit Realm Mountains aboard flying boats, with the risks of the expedition ahead.

• Qin Huaian weighed the risks of entering the Lesser Spirit Realm, decided to go gather resources, and resumed cultivating.
• Lin Qingxuan told Qin Huaian she planned to enter too and had perfected her Basic Swordsmanship and ranked 148th in the Qi Refinement rankings.
• Wang Baole told Qin Huaian that Xiao Yi had become the sect master's disciple and established his foundation after one year, then confirmed he would enter the Lesser Spirit Realm.
• Qin Huaian and Lin Qingxuan went to East Dawn Plaza, where He Zhiping warned the disciples that many entrants never returned and led them toward the flying boats.
• Nearly ten thousand cultivators boarded ten flying boats and set off for the Spirit Realm Mountains.

Qin Huaian traveled with his fellow disciples to the Spirit Realm Mountains and prepared for the opening of the Lesser Spirit Realm. As the entrance opened early, he stood with Lin Qingxuan, excited and uneasy about entering.

• Elder Xie Qingchuan explained the Lesser Spirit Realm's rules, resources, entry limits, and dangers to the passengers aboard the flying boats.
• Qin Huaian studied the map and spirit herb guide, then continued cultivating during the journey.
• After arriving at Spirit Realm Mountains, Qin Huaian explored the valley with Lin Qingxuan and Duanmu Zhiqin, inspected the entrance, and bought supplies at the stalls.
• Qin Huaian and Wang Baole relied on an earlier agreement to leave special marks for one another inside the realm.
• Six days later, Duan Haoran announced that the entrance had opened early and would remain open for twelve shichen, and Qin Huaian prepared to enter as Lin Qingxuan hesitated beside him.

Qin Huaian entered the Lesser Spirit Realm, where he discovered an illusion array and survived an attempted possession by a snake phantom. After controlling the phantom, he followed it toward a spirit spring, only to hear cultivators fighting over it.

• Qin Huaian entered the Lesser Spirit Realm with the Yellow Mountain Sword Sect and found himself alone on an unmapped hill.
• Qin Huaian realized that an illusion array was keeping him from reaching the nearby mountain peaks, then narrowly avoided being possessed by a snake phantom.
• Qin Huaian’s Mirror Body struck the phantom, and Qin Huaian used a deduced divine-sense technique to control it.
• The snake phantom told Qin Huaian that it was a Heaven-Devouring Python that had lured and devoured cultivators’ souls for hundreds of years.
• Qin Huaian followed the phantom toward a spirit spring and heard several cultivators arguing and fighting over it.

Qin Huaian seized three Heavenly Sweetflag Flowers during a clash between Origin Return Sect disciples and other cultivators, then learned from Gu Ran that a Spirit Spring lay beneath the flowers. He returned to the hollow after dark and found the other cultivators dead, while the Spirit Spring remained undiscovered.

• Qin Huaian hid behind a boulder and overheard an Origin Return Sect disciple threaten four cultivators over six Heavenly Sweetflag Flowers.
• The cultivators tried to seize the flowers, but the Origin Return Sect group overwhelmed them and severed one man's arm.
• Qin Huaian masked his face, snatched three flowers, and escaped after blocking the Origin Return Sect disciple's spear.
• Gu Ran confirmed that a Spirit Spring lay about one zhang beneath the flowers and moved his soul into Qin Huaian's flying sword.
• Qin Huaian hid until night, returned to the hollow, and found the four cultivators dead and their belongings taken.

Qin Huaian found and harvested a small spirit spring, using its water to accelerate his cultivation before continuing to search the Lesser Spirit Realm for spirit herbs. At Four Symbols Peaks, he learned that cultivators had discovered a spirit stone vein containing high-grade spirit stones and joined them with his mining pick.

• Qin Huaian dug up a small spirit spring, collected its water, and learned from Gu Ran that it would not form again after being removed.
• Qin Huaian spent the night cultivating with the spirit spring water and increased his cultivation progress by five points.
• Qin Huaian followed Gu Ran's guidance to gather nearby spirit herbs, then searched peaks and forests for more herbs over the following days.
• Qin Huaian found Four Symbols Peaks, where cultivators were digging for a spirit stone vein that contained high-grade spirit stones.
• Qin Huaian thanked a cultivator and took out his mining pick to start digging.

Qin Huaian mined spirit stones in the valley, then fought off four cultivators who tried to seize his pit. He killed three of them and continued battling the last one.

• Qin Huaian chose a lush patch of ground in the valley and quickly dug up a low-grade spirit stone.
• Several newcomers attacked a cultivator who had found a high-grade spirit stone, and their fight left three people dead before one escaped with it.
• After half a day of mining, Qin Huaian had collected over a hundred low-grade spirit stones and several mid-grade ones.
• Four cultivators demanded Qin Huaian surrender his mine pit, but he killed their leader and another attacker within moments.
• Qin Huaian pursued the two fleeing cultivators, killed one more, and kept fighting the last one.