Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng discovers Ji Yunlai's sea of consciousness empty, with only a black insect (Soul-Devouring Gu) present.
• The insect bursts upon contact, killing Ji Yunlai and leaving behind soul remnants.
• He Sheng uses the Memory Retracing Art on the soul remnants, learning about Ji Yunlai's journey and the hidden resources.
• He Sheng plans to use a Treasure-Swallowing Snake to find the hidden resources and infiltrate the Celestial Sea Commerce Association using Wu Feng's identity.

Character Developments

• He Sheng demonstrates his resourcefulness and adaptability in handling unexpected situations.
• Ji Yunlai's past actions and the extent of his betrayal are revealed.

Significant Themes

• The corrupting influence of power and greed (as seen in Ji Yunlai's actions).
• The consequences of one's actions (Ji Yunlai's death and the loss of resources).
• The importance of adaptability and resourcefulness (He Sheng's response to the situation).

Character Interactions

• He Sheng interacts with Ji Yunlai's soul remnants, extracting information.
• He Sheng plans to interact with Lin Wanrou and Xu Qiancheng, using Wu Feng's identity.

Chapter Summary: The Secret of the Flesh Rebirth Art (Part Two)

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng discovers that maintaining a disguise with the Flesh Rebirth Art passively increases both the technique’s cultivation time and proficiency. This suggests the Time-Reversing Water Clock may allow him to repeatedly cultivate or “farm” techniques through passive use and future rollbacks.
• He uses the water clock’s cultivation function to advance the Flesh Rebirth Art:
  • After six months, it reaches Great Perfection, allowing him to flawlessly alter his appearance, skin texture, coloration, breathing, and heartbeat.
  • He later pushes it to its current limit: Perfected, 500/500, after a total cultivation time of one year, seven months, and fifteen days.
• Although the art seems to contain the potential for a higher realm, He Sheng realizes that advancement requires a stronger physical body. He concludes that body cultivation is necessary, both to advance the Flesh Rebirth Art and to improve his survival in combat.
• He recalls the sword-wielding youth who killed Brother Piao with an attack that bypassed spiritual defenses. Since the attack could not ignore solid physical matter, He Sheng becomes even more convinced that body cultivation is important.
• After disguising himself as Wu Feng, He Sheng searches Wu Feng’s storage pouch and is surprised by how poor he is. Wu Feng possesses fewer than five thousand low-grade spirit stones and only a modest collection of magic artifacts, talismans, and pills.
• From Wu Feng’s memories, He Sheng learns that Wu Feng was an ascetic cultivator and a second-rank lower-grade artifact refiner. Most of his income went toward spiritual-power pills, Spirit-Binding Sand, and the Divine Artifact Treasure Vase Forging Method, leaving him with little disposable wealth.
• He Sheng reassesses the value of Brother Piao’s hidden resources. If a Foundation Establishment artifact refiner like Wu Feng could save so little, then Brother Piao’s secret treasury may have contained several hundred million—or nearly a billion—spirit stones’ worth of resources.
• Determined to recover every part of that fortune, He Sheng leaves for Lower River Market in his Wu Feng disguise.

Character Developments

• He Sheng becomes more optimistic and ambitious after discovering the Flesh Rebirth Art’s passive cultivation potential. His disappointment over failing to fully recover the original fortune is replaced by excitement about exploiting the water clock’s abilities.
• He develops a clearer long-term cultivation plan:
  • Strengthen his body through body cultivation.
  • Improve his divine sense to advance the Soul Imprint Art and Subtle Ripple Intent Realm.
  • Continue investigating the limits of the Time-Reversing Water Clock.
• His greed and determination regarding Brother Piao’s hidden wealth intensify. He now views recovering the full fortune as essential to achieving Core Formation.
• Wu Feng is revealed to have been diligent but financially constrained. Despite being a Foundation Establishment cultivator and artifact refiner, he lived frugally and spent nearly all his income on cultivation-related expenses.

Significant Themes

• Hidden potential and experimentation: He Sheng realizes that his cultivation treasures and techniques may have uses beyond their obvious functions, encouraging continued experimentation.
• The importance of foundations: Higher realms cannot be reached through effort alone; the practitioner must possess the necessary physical body, divine sense, or other prerequisites.
• Body cultivation and survival: Physical strength is presented as a crucial defense against techniques that bypass spiritual-power protections.
• Wealth and cultivation resources: The chapter emphasizes how expensive cultivation is and how even respected cultivators may remain poor after paying for pills, materials, and techniques.
• Long-term planning versus immediate advancement: He Sheng recognizes that body cultivation cannot be rushed, even while acknowledging its importance.
• Identity and disguise: The perfected Flesh Rebirth Art allows He Sheng to move through the world under another identity, reinforcing the themes of secrecy, adaptation, and survival.

Important Character Interactions

• He Sheng’s interaction with Wu Feng’s memories and belongings gives him insight into the economic realities of artifact refinement and the sacrifices required for cultivation.
• His reflections on Brother Piao lead him to reassess the value of the secret treasury and strengthen his resolve to recover it.
• His memory of the sword-bearing youth influences his decision to pursue body cultivation, as he recognizes that physical resilience may counter techniques that defeat spiritual defenses.
• He Sheng prepares to enter Lower River Market disguised as Wu Feng, setting up his next move and potential interactions with Wu Feng’s acquaintances or the Celestial Sea Commerce Association.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ye Shaochen enters a secret realm within Black Vine Ridge, where he finds three powerful demons already dead: a Black Jade Blood Python, a Golden-Maned Giant Lion, and a Thousand-Legged Centipede.
• He learns that these demons had been fighting over the treasure light that appeared in the ridge.
• Ye Shaochen emerges from the secret realm, and the Star-Backed Black Turtle, the only surviving great demon, greets him.
• Ye Shaochen asks the turtle about any cultivators it has taken in, leading to a discussion about He Sheng and the He Family.

Character Developments

• Ye Shaochen: He shows his power by defeating three formidable demons single-handedly. He also displays a condescending and judgmental attitude towards the Star-Backed Black Turtle.
• Star-Backed Black Turtle: It shows wisdom and understanding of human nature, pleading for the He Family and eventually accepting Ye Shaochen as its master.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The theme of power and its abuse is evident in the He Family's and He Sheng's actions, as well as in Ye Shaochen's treatment of the Star-Backed Black Turtle.
• Karma and Consequences: The demons' deaths and the He Family's potential fate highlight the theme of cause and effect.
• Loyalty and Betrayal: The turtle's loyalty to the He Family and eventual acceptance of Ye Shaochen as its master explore this theme.

Character Interactions

• Ye Shaochen and Star-Backed Black Turtle: Ye Shaochen treats the turtle condescendingly, while the turtle tries to navigate the situation carefully, ultimately accepting Ye Shaochen as its master.
• He Sheng and the He Family: Though not present, their actions and potential fates are discussed, revealing the complex dynamics within the family.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng arrives at Lower River Market, a small but influential market controlled by several Foundation Establishment families.
• He learns about the market's structure and the division of profits among the families.
• He overhears cultivators discussing the supposed death of He Sheng (Brother Piao) and the potential collapse of the He Family.

Character Developments

• He Sheng remains detached from the He Family, showing no desire to take over their affairs.
• He Ziyang is the only He Family member He Sheng finds agreeable.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and corruption among cultivator families.
• The exploitation of lower-level cultivators by the powerful.
• The potential for chaos and opportunism when a powerful family's influence wanes.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng interacts briefly with the inspection captain, paying the entry fee without engaging in further conversation.
• He overhears a group of low-level Qi Refinement cultivators discussing the He Family's potential downfall and their own plans to profit from it.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng, disguised as Attendant Wu Feng, returns to the Lower River Branch of the Celestial Sea Commerce Association and is told to report immediately to Evening Zhi Residence.
• He meets Kou Xiang’er, Lin Wanrou’s beautiful personal maid. Once they are alone, Xiang’er unexpectedly embraces him and pretends that she and Wu Feng are lovers.
• He Sheng is initially confused because Wu Feng’s memories contain no clear evidence of such an affair. He also notes that Wu Feng had actually admired Lin Wanrou, while he himself finds Xiang’er more appealing.
• Xiang’er reveals that Elder Xu summoned Wu Feng but left after receiving a flying-sword message. She suspects he went to investigate the Black Mountain Group’s attack on Long Sun Mountain.
• He Sheng realizes that Elder Xu’s destination connects directly to the attack on the He Family and Brother Piao’s resources.
• Through careful questioning, He Sheng learns that Lin Wanrou—referred to as the “Sixth Miss”—likely orchestrated the attack. She delayed her return, sent Elder Xu to spread rumors, and used the Black Mountain Group to test the He Family’s response.
• Xiang’er further suggests that He Sheng may not truly be dead, since Lin Wanrou would not have delayed returning if she believed he had been killed.
• The chapter ends with He Sheng asking why Lin Wanrou wanted him dead. Xiang’er hesitates, then prepares to reveal a shocking motive.

2. Character Developments

• He Sheng: Demonstrates his ability to maintain Wu Feng’s disguise and imitate his personality. He remains cautious and analytical, using Xiang’er’s apparent seduction to extract information. His suspicion of Lin Wanrou is confirmed, strengthening his determination to uncover the full conspiracy.
• Kou Xiang’er: Initially appears flirtatious and eager to resume an affair with Wu Feng, but her fear and hesitation suggest she is under pressure or has another motive. She ultimately provides He Sheng with crucial information about Elder Xu and Lin Wanrou.
• Lin Wanrou: Emerges as the likely mastermind behind the attack on Long Sun Mountain and the plot against He Sheng. Her actions show strategic manipulation: she uses rumors, outside forces, and staged attacks to probe the He Family’s strength.
• Elder Xu: His unexplained departure becomes a central clue. He is probably investigating or advancing Lin Wanrou’s scheme against the He Family.
• Wu Feng: Though absent, his past behavior—particularly his admiration for Lin Wanrou and possible connection with Xiang’er—shapes He Sheng’s disguise and creates the situation in the chapter.

3. Significant Themes

• Deception and infiltration: He Sheng’s impersonation of Wu Feng allows him to enter the enemy’s stronghold and gather information from within.
• Hidden motives and manipulation: Lin Wanrou’s plot operates through rumors, proxies, and calculated tests rather than direct confrontation.
• Trust and betrayal: People close to the Celestial Sea Commerce Association may be involved in the destruction of the He Family, turning apparent allies into enemies.
• Survival under pressure: He Sheng must balance his immediate desires, suspicions, and long-term objectives while surrounded by potential danger.
• The contrast between appearances and reality: Xiang’er’s seductive behavior masks fear and possibly coercion, while Lin Wanrou’s outward position conceals her role as the conspiracy’s instigator.

4. Character Interactions

• He Sheng and the branch clerk: The clerk relays Lin Wanrou’s summons, allowing He Sheng to proceed into Evening Zhi Residence.
• He Sheng and Kou Xiang’er: Xiang’er pretends to be Wu Feng’s lover and attempts to lure him into the bedchamber. He Sheng uses the encounter to question her about Elder Xu and Lin Wanrou.
• He Sheng and Lin Wanrou: They do not meet directly, but He Sheng’s investigation establishes Lin Wanrou as his principal enemy and links her to the attack on his family.
• Kou Xiang’er and Lin Wanrou: Xiang’er’s position as Lin Wanrou’s personal maid places her close to the conspiracy, though her fear suggests she may not be acting freely.
• Lin Wanrou and Elder Xu: Their actions appear coordinated, with Elder Xu carrying out investigations or spreading misinformation on Lin Wanrou’s behalf.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kou Xiang'er reveals that Lin Wanrou's plan is to implement the Eight Scenery Dharma Coin as the primary currency in the Silver Sand River region, replacing spirit stones.
• Lin Wanrou's motivation is to curry favor with the Eight Scenery Sect's sect master, who is secretly her relative.
• Lin Wanrou orchestrated the attack on Brother Piao to create an opening for her plan.
• Ye Shaochen, a sword cultivator from the Mysterious Heaven Sect, is manipulated by Lin Wanrou to kill He Sheng.
• He Sheng realizes that Lin Wanrou might have noticed something unusual about He Sheng's survival, hence her cautious approach.

Character Developments

• Kou Xiang'er: Reveals her intelligence and loyalty to He Sheng, providing crucial information and showing concern for his safety.
• Lin Wanrou: Demonstrates her ambition and calculating nature, using her connection to the Eight Scenery Sect's sect master to further her goals.
• Ye Shaochen: Shows his formidable power as a sword cultivator, but is manipulated by Lin Wanrou.
• He Sheng: Shows his strategic thinking and determination to deal with Lin Wanrou, even as he suspects Kou Xiang'er's true intentions.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and its consequences (Lin Wanrou)
• Manipulation and its limits (Lin Wanrou and Ye Shaochen)
• Trust and suspicion in relationships (He Sheng and Kou Xiang'er)

Character Interactions

• Kou Xiang'er and He Sheng: Kou Xiang'er provides information to He Sheng, but he remains suspicious of her true motives.
• Lin Wanrou and Ye Shaochen: Lin Wanrou manipulates Ye Shaochen to kill He Sheng.
• He Sheng and Lin Wanrou: He Sheng plans to eliminate Lin Wanrou to prevent future trouble.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng realizes Kou Xiang'er saw through his disguise.
• He decides to use Kou Xiang'er to loot the Lower River branch of the Celestial Sea Commerce Association.
• Kou Xiang'er agrees to help, seeking protection and a share of the spoils in return.
• He Sheng swears a Dao-heart oath to take Kou Xiang'er to Primordial Mist Immortal City and give her 20% of the loot.
• They divide the branch's goods: over 8,000 spirit stones, around 40,000 worth of spirit materials, and over 100 magical artifacts worth around 50,000.
• They find a rare treasure, Spirit Rhinoceros Grass, which can slightly improve comprehension.

Character Developments

• He Sheng: Struggles with the cruelty of the cultivation world, decides to use Kou Xiang'er for his scheme, shows mercy by giving her 20% of the loot and protecting her.
• Kou Xiang'er: Decisive and resourceful, offers her body and knowledge to survive, agrees to help He Sheng loot the branch, seeks protection and a share of the spoils.

Significant Themes

• Cruelty and ruthlessness in the cultivation world.
• Survival and self-preservation.
• Trust and betrayal.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng and Kou Xiang'er: Initially adversarial, they form an uneasy alliance. He Sheng shows mercy towards Kou Xiang'er, while she offers her help and seeks protection.

Chapter Summary: Spirit Rhinoceros Grass

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kou Xiang’er retrieves the rare Spirit Rhinoceros Grass from the secret treasury and presents it to He Sheng.
• The grass, which takes sixty years to mature beside a spirit vein, permanently increases comprehension—especially benefiting those who cultivate Technique Divine Abilities or Artifact Divine Abilities.
• He Sheng consumes it and experiences only a subtle mental change, as though a layer of dullness has been polished away.
• To test its effect, he resets his Clear Ripple Water Control Art from Transcendent Mastery back to beginner level, then cultivates it again using the clepsydra.
• The technique reaches Transcendent Mastery in sixteen years, nine months, and seventeen days, saving seven months and four days compared with the previous cultivation time.
• He Sheng concludes that increased comprehension functions as a direct multiplier that reduces cultivation time rather than necessarily producing new insights.
• Further tests show that the Flesh Rebirth Art saves ten days and the Soul Imprint Art saves nineteen days, while the Clear Billows Water Origin Art shows no improvement. He suspects comprehension may affect Techniques but not Arts, though more testing is needed.
• He Sheng decides not to take control of the He Family. Ye Shaochen remains a serious threat, and reforming the unstable family would consume time better spent on cultivation.
• He examines two inheritances taken from Wu Feng: the Heavenly Peak Mountain Artifact Refining Essentials and the Divine Artifact Treasure Vase Forging Method.
• Since he has reached Foundation Establishment Great Perfection and possesses the Cold Soul Mystic Crystal Stone, He Sheng plans to improve his artifact refinement and eventually forge a Nascent Dharma Treasure.
• He intends to abandon the Silver Sand River region, adopt a rogue-cultivator identity, and investigate Primordial Mist Immortal City as a possible future base.
• The chapter ends when his enhanced divine sense detects an approaching Foundation Establishment cultivator several miles from Lower River Market.

Character Developments

• He Sheng gains a clearer understanding of the clepsydra’s mechanics and the practical value of comprehension. His cultivation strategy becomes more systematic and experimental.
• He becomes increasingly independent and pragmatic, choosing personal cultivation and long-term security over taking responsibility for the He Family.
• He also begins shifting toward artifact refinement, suggesting a broader development beyond water techniques.
• Kou Xiang’er continues serving as a reliable aide, though her knowledge of higher-level divine abilities is limited.
• Ye Shaochen is established as a major unresolved threat, influencing He Sheng’s decision to avoid returning to the He Family.

Significant Themes

• Comprehension as cultivation efficiency: The chapter redefines comprehension as something that can directly shorten cultivation time, even if it does not immediately grant novel insights.
• Experimentation and rational cultivation: He Sheng tests his theories methodically by resetting and recultivating techniques.
• Independence versus responsibility: He Sheng rejects the burden of reforming the He Family in favor of securing his own path.
• Resource scarcity and strategic relocation: A weak cultivation environment limits advancement, pushing He Sheng toward larger immortal cities and a rogue-cultivator identity.
• Expanding cultivation paths: The chapter introduces the importance of Technique, Artifact, and possibly Fate Divine Abilities, while setting up He Sheng’s future focus on artifact refinement.

Character Interactions

• Kou Xiang’er respectfully delivers the Spirit Rhinoceros Grass and explains its known properties, though she cannot clarify the broader meaning of Divine Abilities.
• He Sheng questions her briefly, then dismisses her so he can conduct his experiments privately.
• Though Ye Shaochen does not appear directly, He Sheng’s concern about confronting him strongly shapes his plans.
• The approaching Foundation Establishment cultivator at the end creates an immediate mystery and likely foreshadows the chapter’s next conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng discovers a way to use his enhanced divine sense as a passive warning system, focusing only on Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators.
• Xu Qiancheng returns to Evening Zhi Residence, unaware of He Sheng's true identity and intentions.
• He Sheng ambushes and attacks Xu Qiancheng using a blood-red light (presumably the Soul-Devouring Gu) and an azure gauze parasol artifact.

Character Developments

• He Sheng: Shows strategic thinking by using his divine sense effectively and planning an ambush for Xu Qiancheng.
• Xu Qiancheng: Becomes suspicious of Wu Feng's (He Sheng's) intentions regarding the He Family's secret treasury and plans to confront him.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Trust: He Sheng continues to deceive those around him, while Xu Qiancheng's trust in Wu Feng wavers.
• Power and Control: He Sheng's actions demonstrate his desire to gain control over the situation and eliminate threats.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng and Xu Qiancheng: Their interaction is tense, with He Sheng ambushing Xu Qiancheng, showing the power dynamics between them.
• He Sheng and Kou Xiang'er: He Sheng uses Kou Xiang'er to set up the ambush, showing his manipulation of those around him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng, using his divine abilities, defeats Elder Xu, Lin Wanrou's capable assistant, who was at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.
• He Sheng uses various techniques and artifacts, including Water-Gathering Break, Vengeful Soul Imprint, and a talisman treasure, "Cold Yin Palm," to overpower and kill Elder Xu.
• He Sheng clears the battlefield, takes Elder Xu's belongings, and orders Xiang'er to loot the Lower River Branch.

Character Developments

• He Sheng demonstrates his formidable strength and cunning, using a combination of techniques and artifacts to defeat Elder Xu.
• Elder Xu, despite his powerful divine abilities, is ultimately no match for He Sheng's tactics and is killed.

Significant Themes

• The power of divine abilities and the importance of strategic planning in combat.
• The ruthlessness and ambition of He Sheng, who is willing to eliminate anyone who poses a threat to his plans.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng and Elder Xu engage in a fierce battle, showcasing their respective strengths and techniques.
• He Sheng orders Xiang'er to loot the Lower River Branch, indicating their close working relationship and He Sheng's authoritative position.
• Sheng Changming learns about the incident at the Lower River Branch and reports it to his ancestor, highlighting the importance of information gathering and communication within the Sheng Family.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sheng Minglan argues with her father, Sheng Changhong, and the Sheng Family's ancestor about avenging the Sheng and Liu families' grievances against the He Family.
• Sheng Changming reports to the family about the situation in the market district and the Celestial Sea Commerce Association.
• The Sheng Family's ancestor, Sheng Wancheng, reveals that Elder Xu is not an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator and expresses concern about the current situation's unpredictability.
• Sheng Wancheng scolds Sheng Changhong and Sheng Minglan for their impatience and lack of foresight in dealing with the He Family.
• Sheng Wancheng outlines a plan to investigate the situation, including sending Liu Haichao to the Golden Cloud Sect and Li Xiuning to Longevity Pool.

Character Developments

• Sheng Minglan: Shows her intelligence, pride, and impatience. She grows emotional when the ancestor entrusts the family's future to her and promises to think more carefully in the future.
• Sheng Changhong: Demonstrates his loyalty and diligence in managing clan affairs. He is reprimanded by the ancestor for his impatience and lack of strategic thinking.
• Sheng Wancheng: Reveals his wisdom, authority, and concern for the family's future. He scolds Sheng Changhong and Sheng Minglan for their impulsiveness and emphasizes the importance of saving favors for critical moments.

Significant Themes

• Patience and impulsiveness: Sheng Wancheng criticizes Sheng Changhong and Sheng Minglan for their impatience and lack of foresight, highlighting the importance of careful planning and timing in cultivator families.
• The use of favors: Sheng Wancheng emphasizes that favors should be saved for moments of life and death, suggesting that cultivators should be strategic in their alliances and partnerships.
• The unpredictability of the cultivation world: The ancestor describes the current situation as treacherous and unpredictable, reflecting the dangers and uncertainties faced by cultivator families.

Character Interactions

• Sheng Minglan and Sheng Changhong: The father-daughter pair argue about avenging the Sheng and Liu families, with Sheng Minglan expressing her frustration and Sheng Changhong trying to rein her in.
• Sheng Wancheng and Sheng Changhong: The ancestor scolds Sheng Changhong for his impatience and lack of strategic thinking, highlighting the power dynamics within the Sheng Family.
• Sheng Wancheng and Sheng Minglan: The ancestor entrusts the family's future to Sheng Minglan, causing her to become emotional and promise to think more carefully in the future.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng, disguised as Wu Feng, destroys the Lower River Branch of the Celestial Sea Commerce Association and escapes with Kou Xiang'er.
• He Sheng hides Kou Xiang'er in an underground cave and uses the Soul Imprint Art to make her unconscious.
• He Sheng encounters the green snake from Longevity Pool, who brings news from Heaven Capital Mountain.
• He Sheng learns that Ye Shaochen has slain the Black Jade Blood Python and the Golden-Maned Giant Lion, and that the Mysterious Heaven Sect will send a fourth-grade cultivation technique as compensation to the He Family.
• The green snake asks to follow He Sheng and cultivate at his side.

Character Developments

• He Sheng's disguise is revealed to the green snake due to his unique body scent.
• He Sheng feels grateful and indebted to Old Turtle for helping him resolve a significant issue.
• The green snake and her sister express their desire to follow He Sheng and cultivate under his guidance.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and strict rules of great immortal sects.
• The value and classification of cultivation techniques.
• The importance of cultivators' body scents as a means of identification.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng and the green snake discuss the events at Heaven Capital Mountain and the green snake's desire to follow He Sheng.
• He Sheng feels a mix of emotions regarding Old Turtle's help and the potential consequences of his actions.
• He Sheng expresses gratitude toward Ye Shaochen for not pursuing the He Family and for sending a compensation cultivation technique.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• After separating from Green Snake, He Sheng returns to Kou Xiang’er’s hiding place and confirms that she is safe without waking her.
• He examines the Lower River Branch’s assets, which Kou Xiang’er had organized:
  • More than ten thousand spirit stones.
  • A large quantity of spiritual materials, mostly first-rank.
  • 238 dharma artifacts, primarily mid-grade, including the top-grade Owl Dragon Banner.
• He Sheng realizes that liquidating the hundreds of dharma artifacts in his possession will be difficult. Selling them quickly would require heavy discounts and careful channels to avoid attracting the Celestial Sea Commerce Association’s attention.
• He inspects Elder Xu’s storage bag and finds:
  • Over three hundred mid-grade spirit stones and several thousand low-grade ones.
  • Numerous pills for feeding spirit beasts.
  • Three dharma artifacts, including two top-grade items.
  • A mysterious handwritten record titled Myriad Demons Co-Cultivation Spirit Transformation Art.
• The record explains the nature of Technique Divine Abilities and introduces the method of Life-Borrowing Joint Cultivation, in which a cultivator uses a demon beast’s innate talent to bypass the difficult process of comprehending Artistic Conception.
• He Sheng studies the technique’s seven documented Divine Ability Embryos and identifies Elder Xu’s Crimson Fire Mystic Light as the Transcendent Art associated with the [Crimson Sun] Divine Ability Embryo.
• After considering the possibility that the Time-Reversing Water Clock may bypass the technique’s bloodline requirements, He Sheng becomes excited and immediately begins testing the idea.

Character Development

• He Sheng becomes increasingly aware that wealth and resources alone are insufficient for advancement. He must also develop artifact forging, strengthen his divine sense, and explore higher-level cultivation methods.
• He gains a clearer understanding of his own Subtle Ripple Intent Realm, realizing that it is a genuine Artistic Conception rather than merely the result of prolonged practice. This causes him to reassess Brother Piao’s natural comprehension and the role of the Time-Reversing Water Clock.
• His ambition grows after learning that Life-Borrowing Joint Cultivation could allow a Foundation Establishment cultivator to wield power comparable to a later-stage cultivator—or even cultivate a Divine Ability Embryo.
• He also becomes more analytical, carefully distinguishing the advantages and limitations of Artistic Conception, Transcendent Arts, and Divine Ability Embryos.

Significant Themes

• Shortcuts versus true comprehension: Life-Borrowing Joint Cultivation offers a mechanical route around the need to comprehend Artistic Conception, but the result is narrower and less profound than genuine understanding.
• Resources and cultivation potential: He Sheng’s considerable wealth gives him the means to pursue Golden Core Formation and possibly forge a Nascent Dharma Treasure, but advancement still depends on technique, bloodlines, comprehension, and divine sense.
• Innate talent and artificial enhancement: Demon beast bloodlines serve as crucial foundations for Divine Ability cultivation, raising questions about whether external treasures like the Time-Reversing Water Clock can overcome natural limitations.
• The breadth of cultivation: The chapter emphasizes that cultivation involves far more than meditation and qi refinement, including artifact forging, bloodline development, divine sense, and the mastery of conceptual powers.
• Power hidden within knowledge: The secret record dramatically expands He Sheng’s understanding of the higher realms of cultivation and opens a potentially transformative new path.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng checks on Kou Xiang’er but deliberately allows her to remain asleep, showing caution and consideration.
• Green Snake is only mentioned as He Sheng’s recent companion before their separation.
• Elder Xu’s possessions indirectly reveal his cultivation path, wealth, and connection to the Three-Colored Tail-Plumed Rooster.
• He Sheng reflects on Brother Piao’s exceptional comprehension and on Ye Shaochen, whose strength demonstrates the terrifying potential of Divine Ability Embryos.
• The chapter is primarily introspective, focusing on He Sheng’s analysis of the people, techniques, and resources connected to him rather than direct dialogue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng considers cultivating the <Myriad Demons Co-Cultivation Spirit Transformation Art> but realizes it requires vast amounts of time and high-tier spells.
• He decides to prioritize collecting the corpses of great demons from Heaven Capital Mountain.
• He processes the Thousand-Legged Centipede's corpse, obtaining valuable spirit materials worth over fifty thousand spirit stones.

Character Developments

• He Sheng demonstrates his knowledge and skill in processing spirit materials, showing growth in his artifact-refining abilities.
• He reflects on his future cultivation path, considering the time rates of different cultivation methods and the benefits of using vast quantities of spirit materials to raise proficiency.

Significant Themes

• The importance of time in cultivation, especially for high-level arts and techniques.
• The value of spirit materials and the benefits of processing and forging them into magical artifacts.
• The need for specialized knowledge and techniques to process spirit materials effectively.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng interacts briefly with the Green Snake, who leads him to Black Vine Ridge to collect the corpses of great demons.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng learns that the central region of Heaven Capital Mountain is now demon-beast-free due to the deaths of the four great demons and the fear instilled by Ye Shaochen.
• He Sheng enters Black Vine Ridge and processes the corpses of the Black Jade Blood Python and Golden-Maned Giant Lion, obtaining valuable spiritual materials.
• He Sheng discovers a secret realm entrance and finds an herb garden called "North Garden" inside, guarded by a powerful puppet.
• He Sheng searches the lairs of the three great demons but finds them looted by their subordinates.
• He Sheng decides to continue north with Kou Xiang'er and notices a small gray-furred monkey by a pool.

Character Developments

• He Sheng's artifact-refining skills improve after obtaining better spiritual materials.
• The Green Snake shows loyalty and willingness to help He Sheng, despite not knowing the exact locations of the great demons' lairs.
• He Sheng demonstrates his determination and resourcefulness in pursuing valuable resources, even after facing setbacks.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and hierarchies among demon beasts, similar to those among human cultivators.
• The consequences of the great demons' deaths and the vacuum of power left behind.
• The allure of valuable resources and the lengths cultivators will go to obtain them.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng and the Green Snake: The Green Snake leads He Sheng to the territories of the great demons, showing trust and willingness to help, while He Sheng acknowledges the Green Snake's assistance.
• He Sheng and the small gray-furred monkey: He Sheng notices the monkey and changes his course to approach it, showing curiosity or recognition.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Wanrou plays a game of chess with Wu Yong, Supreme Elder of Golden Cloud Sect, to persuade him to support her plan to expand Golden Cloud Sect's influence into the Silver Sand River region.
• A jade talisman arrives, revealing that Lin Wanrou's personal maid, Kou Xiang'er, and artifact-refining retainer, Wu Feng, have attacked and looted the Lower River Branch of the Celestial Sea Commerce Association, killing Lin Wanrou's personal guard, Xu Qiancheng.

Character Developments

• Lin Wanrou: Initially confident and manipulative, she becomes shocked and defeated upon learning of Kou Xiang'er and Wu Feng's betrayal and the destruction of her plans.
• Wu Yong: Cautious and wary of Lin Wanrou's true intentions, he remains hesitant to fully support her plans despite her persuasive arguments.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and betrayal: Lin Wanrou's plans are undermined by the actions of those she trusted, highlighting the theme of manipulation and betrayal in her relationships.
• Ambition and caution: The contrast between Lin Wanrou's ambition and Wu Yong's caution illustrates the tension between seizing opportunities and exercising prudence.

Character Interactions

• Lin Wanrou and Wu Yong: Their chess game serves as a metaphor for their power struggle, with Lin Wanrou attempting to persuade Wu Yong to support her plans, while Wu Yong remains cautious and noncommittal.
• Lin Wanrou and Kou Xiang'er/Wu Feng: Their betrayal and actions against Lin Wanrou's interests reveal the fragility of her alliances and the potential for those close to her to turn against her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kou Xiang'er wakes up to find He Sheng, who had put her to sleep to avoid trouble, with a Bright Wisdom Water Ape.
• They are near Primordial Mist Immortal City. Kou Xiang'er alters her appearance to avoid recognition.
• He Sheng and Kou Xiang'er enter Primordial Mist Immortal City, where they hire a broker named Lu Tong to guide them.
• They purchase tickets for a Four Directions Commerce Association treasure vessel to Nether Mystery Immortal City.
• He Sheng learns about cave dwelling rentals and Foundation Establishment cultivators' incomes from Lu Tong.
• A cultivator named Wind Spirit of Origin Communion Ward visits them.

Character Developments

• Kou Xiang'er demonstrates her ability to alter her appearance and uses the Fragrance-Concealing Art to hide her body scent.
• He Sheng shows his consideration for Kou Xiang'er's safety and his strategic thinking in altering his appearance and cultivation level.
• Lu Tong proves to be knowledgeable about the city and its cultivators, earning him a good reward.

Significant Themes

• Appearance vs. Reality: Kou Xiang'er's ability to alter her appearance highlights the theme of appearances not always reflecting reality.
• Added Value: The income disparity among Foundation Establishment cultivators underscores the importance of added value in immortal arts.
• Cultivation World vs. Mortal World: Lu Tong's life as a mortal in the cultivation world emphasizes the gap between the two realms.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng and Kou Xiang'er work together to avoid trouble and find a safe route.
• He Sheng interacts with Lu Tong, gathering information and rewarding him for his service.
• He Sheng and Kou Xiang'er prepare to part ways, with He Sheng sending Kou Xiang'er to safety.
• Wind Spirit of Origin Communion Ward visits He Sheng, hinting at potential future interactions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, meets Wind Spirit, another cultivator of the same rank, who visits him uninvited.
• Wind Spirit complains about the oppression of Rogue Cultivators by immortal sects and cultivation clans, using the example of a 'Heavenly Goldstone' auction.
• Wind Spirit reveals that he believes He Sheng is also a Rogue Cultivator and invites him to join the Southern Mountain Society, giving him a silver token for the gathering on the new moon in the third month of the next year.

Character Developments

• He Sheng learns about the discrimination against Rogue Cultivators and the existence of the Southern Mountain Society.
• Wind Spirit shows his cunning and manipulative nature, using his knowledge to try and recruit He Sheng into his society.

Significant Themes

• Discrimination and oppression of Rogue Cultivators by immortal sects and cultivation clans.
• The divide between 'ancient cultivators' (like He Sheng and Wind Spirit) and 'modern cultivators' (from upper-tier immortal sects).
• The importance of information and knowledge in cultivation, as He Sheng realizes he needs to break through the 'fog of information' to improve his cultivation.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng and Wind Spirit engage in a conversation where Wind Spirit tries to recruit He Sheng into the Southern Mountain Society, revealing the struggles of Rogue Cultivators and the existence of 'modern cultivators.'
• He Sheng learns about the discrimination against Rogue Cultivators and the divide between ancient and modern cultivators, which influences his decision to attend the Southern Mountain Society gathering.

Key Plot Points and Events

• He Sheng accompanies Kou Xiang'er to Nether Mystery Immortal City and bids her farewell.
• He Sheng observes the differences between immortal cities under the Four Bright Mystical True Dao and Primordial Mist Immortal City.
• He Sheng decides to return to Heaven Capital Mountain for future cultivation.

Character Developments

• He Sheng remains stoic and pragmatic, prioritizing his goals and minimizing risks.
• Kou Xiang'er shows gratitude and obedience towards He Sheng, despite his past actions against her.

Significant Themes

• The disparity in treatment between ancient and modern cultivators.
• The importance of finding a suitable place for cultivation.
• The potential of water refining in artifact refining.

Character Interactions

• He Sheng and Kou Xiang'er part ways with a mix of emotion, but He Sheng remains detached.
• He Sheng interacts with a Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator, experiencing the arrogance of those under the Four Bright Mystical True Dao's rule.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Xiuning and her husband Sheng Changgong visit the Longevity Pool water manor, seeking Star-Backed Black Turtle.
• The green and white snakes, fearing consequences, do not reveal the truth about the water manor's current state.
• He Sheng, disguised as a great demon, frightens the couple away and issues a warning to the Sheng Family.
• He Sheng repairs the water manor's entrance using the Starlight Water Wall Formation.
• He Sheng discovers three spirit springs in the water manor's rear hall, perfect for water refining.

Character Developments

• Li Xiuning shows concern for her father's reputation and the formation's maintenance, while Sheng Changgong displays recklessness.
• He Sheng demonstrates his growing attachment to the He Family and its legacy, despite his initial disinterest.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of deception and the fear of exposure.
• The importance of reputation and maintaining appearances.
• The struggle between personal feelings and practical considerations.

Character Interactions

• Li Xiuning and Sheng Changgong's visit highlights their differing personalities and priorities.
• He Sheng's interaction with the green and white snakes reveals his growing responsibility towards them and the water manor.
• He Sheng's internal struggle reflects his changing attitude towards the He Family and his inheritance.