Recaps

Fang Qing discovered that Old Tian was the disguised Tian Jinchen, then returned to the Lesser Vast Sea and learned that Zhan Hongxiu was being hunted after being framed for her master's murder. He sent Xiang Dahu to bring her to him, while Zhan Hongxiu remained surrounded by pursuers at sea.

• Fang Qing saw Fang Wuchen share Spirit Grain pastries with Le Mingxue, but Old Tian seized Le Mingxue and drove Fang Wuchen away.
• Fang Qing recognized Old Tian as the weakened Tian Jinchen and wondered how she had fallen from her former standing.
• Fang Qing left town, hid underground, divined three auspicious hexagrams, and returned to Supreme White Island in the Lesser Vast Sea.
• Fang Qing learned that Zhan Hongxiu had been framed by Lu Lingfeng and the Jiang Family's Foundation Establishment cultivator, and divined that she faced a death tribulation.
• Fang Qing sent Xiang Dahu to fetch Zhan Hongxiu, who was being pursued at sea after her identity was exposed while escaping with a Second-Order Demon Core.

Zhan Hongxiu survived an ambush, secured three prime-quality Foundation Establishment Pills from Fang Qing, and successfully established her foundation on White Merfolk Island. She emerged from seclusion intending to strengthen herself and her Longevity Tortoise, then encountered a mysterious half-demon cultivator.

• Xiang Dahu killed Cai Huafeng just as the bandit tried to capture the exhausted Zhan Hongxiu, then gave her pills and brought her to Fang Qing.
• Zhan Hongxiu asked Fang Qing to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, and he accepted her second-order demon core and Millennium Spirit Milk as payment.
• Fang Qing refined three prime-quality Foundation Establishment Pills for Zhan Hongxiu and returned to secluded cultivation to raise his mana.
• Zhan Hongxiu reached foundation establishment in a rented cave abode on White Merfolk Island, believing her breakthrough would help the Longevity Tortoise advance.
• A white-gauzed cultivator with scales on her cheeks greeted Zhan Hongxiu, who suspected the woman was a half-demon of mixed blood.

Ten years after Fang Qing entered seclusion, Fang Yixin worried about Fang Wuchen’s rapid cultivation and incomplete inheritance while war continued to trouble Xituo Commandery. At Deathless Temple, Miaofeng Bright Son feared Sangji’s uncertain breakthrough as enemies began probing the temple’s weakness.

• Fang Yixin and Hu Quan'an discussed the Zeng Clan’s recurring conflicts and worried that Fang Wuchen’s exceptional cultivation speed would attract dangerous attention.
• Hu Quan'an warned that the Treasure-Earth Origin-Returning Formula lacked a Dao Foundation method, and Fang Yixin considered acquiring one by trading for the Le Family’s Azure Mulberry Jujube Tree.
• Nine urgent bell peals signaled another war as Fang Yixin and Hu Quan'an wondered which force had attacked.
• Miaofeng Bright Son and Wisdom Consort Miao Shui received another plea for aid from the battered Azure Bird Tribe and feared that Sangji might fail to attain Dharma King.
• Miao Shan reported that the Kitchen God Cult was recruiting in Xituo Commandery, and Bright Consort Qingjing warned that a Fire Virtue Dao Foundation cultivator had approached Deathless Temple about its Withered-Bone Jade Flame.

Fang Qing stayed hidden in the Lesser Vast Sea while watching threats gather around the White Bone Way and the mysterious Stomach Earth connection. Meanwhile, Chu Zhaohuang claimed the Withered-Bone Jade Flame, and Fang Wuchen learned that the Kitchen God Cult practiced the same cultivation path as Hu Quan'an, setting the stage for a battle.

• Fang Qing reviewed developments in both worlds, concluded that Sangji’s breakthrough would likely fail, and decided to remain hidden in the Lesser Vast Sea rather than return to Xituo Commandery.
• Fang Qing visited several pleasure houses and spent time with Qin Ruxue and Yu Xiang'er before returning to Supreme White Island to resume seclusion.
• Chu Zhaohuang defeated the White Bone Way’s formations and leaders in a contest, then took the Withered-Bone Jade Flame from Miao Shui.
• Chu Zhaohuang left Deathless Temple and resolved to enter life-or-death seclusion when he returned north.
• Fang Wuchen told Fang Yixin that the Kitchen God Cult organized and aided commoners, but Fang Yixin insisted they treat it as an enemy because the Zeng Clan called it a demonic cult.
• Hu Quan'an reported that the Kitchen God Cult cultivated [Stomach Earth] and that its leader had forged a Dao Foundation, prompting Fang Yixin to prepare for battle.

Zeng Yuchuan’s forces fought the Kitchen God Cult and the Iron Clan, while Fang Yixin, Fang Wuchen, and Hu Quan'an stole a senior cult member’s belongings and found a cultivation method for the Origin-Refining Cauldron Dao Foundation. Fang Qing watched as the Fang Family became entangled in the conflict and continued arranging his own plans.

• Zeng Yuchuan battled the Kitchen God Cult Leader, whose Origin-Refining Cauldron Dao Foundation let him absorb flames and turn harm into strength.
• Fang Yixin and Hu Quan'an ambushed and killed a Kitchen God Cult elder, while Fang Wuchen helped them escape with his storage pouch.
• Tie Kuangtu ambushed Zeng Yuchuan, but Miaofeng Bright Son and the Dharma protectors arrived; the Iron Clan and Kitchen God Cult fled after the fighting.
• Fang Yixin, Fang Wuchen, and Hu Quan'an returned to Zeng Clan Town and found the Treasure-Earth Origin-Returning Formula’s lower volume among the stolen items.
• Fang Qing watched the live feed and reflected on the competing forces in Xituo Commandery as he continued arranging his plans.

Fang Qing promoted Xu Hei to a Bright Son and recruited two Deathless Temple monks as pawns, concealing his involvement behind the Esoteric Treasury’s internal conflicts. He returned to cultivating on Supreme White Island, with his Qi Refinement path clear toward foundation establishment perfection.

• Fang Qing decided he needed more agents and bestowed a Bright Son position on Xu Hei, raising him to Dao Foundation despite his weak combat ability.
• Fang Qing abducted Faquan and Fajian from the Deathless Temple, removed their curse marks, empowered them as disciples, and gave them pills to improve their cultivation.
• Faquan and Fajian accepted Fang Qing as their guru and fled separately after he vanished.
• Xu Hei returned to his old form after Fang Qing withdrew his power and realized the abduction might be mistaken for infighting within the Esoteric Treasury.
• Fang Qing returned to his cave on Supreme White Island and resumed taking pills and cultivating.

Fifteen years later, Fang Wuchen and his family considered breaking from the weakening Zeng Clan and claiming Azure Departure Mountain. When Zeng Yushan’s death omen appeared, the Fang and Hu Families fled town as fighting erupted, while Deathless Temple learned that the Zeng Clan’s direct line had been wiped out.

• Fang Wuchen reached Qi Ingestion Perfection, but family tensions grew when he proposed giving Le Mingxue spirit dates and Fang Wujiu left the meal in anger.
• Fang Wuchen told Fang Yixin and Hu Quan'an that the Zeng Clan was recruiting cultivators, and proposed taking Azure Departure Mountain and seeking a new patron.
• A fiery omen over the Zeng Clan’s main peak signaled Zeng Yushan’s death, so Fang Yixin and Hu Quan'an led their families out of town.
• Cultivator Bandits attacked near the fleeing caravan, and Zeng Yuchai’s severed head fell by the road before Fang Wuchen drove off her killer.
• At Deathless Temple, Miao Shui told Miao Feng that Zeng Yushan had died in Dao Transformation and the Zeng Clan’s direct line had been wiped out.

Fang Wuchen built up Azure Departure Mountain and received a Dao Foundation Pill from the Kitchen God Cult, while Fang Qing assessed rising dangers and other clans faced orders tied to Dao Foundation breakthroughs. The chapter ended with Le Mingxue realizing she was pregnant and noticing that Fang Wujiu seemed afraid.

• Fang Wuchen established a small Qi Ingestion lineage on Azure Departure Mountain, and Du Huo invited the Fang and Hu families to join the Kitchen God Cult.
• Fang Qing reflected on his cultivation, the growing threats to Deathless Temple, and the risks facing the Fang Family and its allies.
• Liu Junyan received a Dao Foundation Pill from the Liu Family elders, who lamented that the higher sect’s order put him in danger.
• A Corpse Yin Sect cultivator learned that a sect task offered a Dao Foundation Pill and worried that he would be forced into a perilous assignment.
• Du Huo rewarded Fang Wuchen with a Dao Foundation Pill for finding the Jade Juan Flower and defeating the Blood Demon Three Fiends.
• Le Mingxue noticed Fang Wujiu’s fearful reaction to Fang Wuchen’s reward, then realized she was pregnant.

As Deathless Temple weakened, the Profound Earth Sect forced it to provide cultivators, while Fang Wuchen forged his Dao Foundation and was summoned south with Hu Quan'an. Powerful human and demon factions gathered in the Southern Border to open Grand Yellow Heaven, where Kaiyuanzi questioned Sanji’s absence.

• Miao Feng and Miao Shui suppressed Miao Feng’s signs of Dao Transformation as Sangji remained in seclusion and Deathless Temple faced encroaching powers.
• A Profound Earth Sect cultivator ordered Deathless Temple to provide three [Maiden Earth] Dao Foundation cultivators, and Miao Feng sent Miao Shui and Qingjing while Miao Shan stayed behind.
• Fang Wuchen emerged from seclusion after forging his Dao Foundation, and Hu Quan'an announced that he would travel to the Southern Border with his disciple.
• The Kitchen God Cult Leader arrived at Azure Departure Mountain and summoned Hu Quan'an and Fang Wuchen; Fang Wuchen left his family a storage pouch and flew south.
• At Grand Yellow Heaven, Sichen met Kaiyuanzi and the Gale Tribe as Earth Virtue cultivators gathered, and Kaiyuanzi asked where Sanji was.

Fang Qing watched Earth Virtue cultivators slaughter one another in a Grotto-Heaven formation until True Person Sanji sacrificed himself to connect with Grand Yellow Heaven. When Fang Qing’s Fajian and Faquan entered the Grotto-Heaven, he revealed Fajian’s Mingzi strength and sent him toward the mountain buildings.

• Fang Wuchen killed a Qi Ingestion cultivator in the underground maze and hurried deeper, worried that his Master might encounter a Dao Foundation opponent.
• Miaofeng Bright Son and other Esoteric Sect disciples were killed by a Purple Mansion cultivator, while True Lord Profound Earth also destroyed the Dao Foundation cultivators who had brought them into the formation.
• Fang Qing recognized that the underground maze was raising a strongest Earth Virtue cultivator, but concluded he could not save Fang Wuchen under the Purple Mansion cultivators’ watch.
• True Person Sanji entered the mirage and sacrificed himself to connect with Grand Yellow Heaven, causing heaven and earth to intersect.
• Fang Qing saw Fajian and Faquan in the Grotto-Heaven, then revealed Fajian’s Dao Foundation might as a Mingzi and watched him fly toward the mountain buildings.
• Fajian introduced himself to Liu Junyan, who suspected that the Esoteric Sect monk’s Great Sun cultivation was connected to the strange Earth Virtue events.

Fang Qing and Liu Junyan explored the Kitchen Lord’s shrine and found a Purple Mansion cultivation technique, while Fang Qing reflected on how shifting Dao lineages could ruin a family’s fortunes. Elsewhere in the Kitchen Lord Grotto-Heaven, Fang Wuchen encountered Yin Xuanzi and recognized a Dao Foundation Spirit Artifact resembling his master’s God-Striking Stone.

• Fang Qing and Liu Junyan searched the mountain’s buildings, found a portrait of the Kitchen Lord, and discussed how [Willow Earth] had lost Earth Virtue’s rightful position to [Stomach Earth].
• Fang Qing refined the portrait and discovered the [Stomach Earth] Purple Mansion technique, the Treasure Earth Return-to-Origin Scripture, while Liu Junyan feared the portrait’s lingering power.
• Fang Qing suspected that Liu Junyan was the Grotto-Heaven’s Destiny Child and decided that Fajian and Faquan should follow his lead.
• Fang Wuchen climbed Heaven Pillar Mountain, survived an attack from a Dao Foundation Spirit Artifact, and recognized it as a God-Striking Stone pieced together from stones resembling his master’s.
• Yin Xuanzi introduced himself as a [Maiden Earth] cultivator and asked Fang Wuchen to travel with him through the Kitchen Lord Grotto-Heaven.
• Fang Qing watched Fajian follow Liu Junyan toward Heaven Pillar Mountain and wondered who had claimed the [Stomach Earth] divinity from Misty-Wave Blessed Land.

Fang Wuchen and the other cultivators opened the Central Yellow Palace with their God-Striking Stones and searched its treasures, but the Purple Mansions arrived and True Person Sanji began proving gold. Sanji awakened the cultivators with his Thick Virtue Carries Divine Ability and sent them to safety, where Liu Junyan realized the cultivation method had used the wrong True Essence from the start.

• Yin Xuanzi gathered the God-Striking Stones from the cultivators, and they merged to open the Central Yellow Palace.
• Fang Wuchen and Fang Qing chose to search the Mystic Yellow Tower while other cultivators pursued the palaces' treasures.
• As the Purple Mansions arrived, the Mystic Yellow Tower collapsed, and Faquan seized a stone box containing half of the Supreme Simplicity Golden Book.
• True Person Sanji appeared before the Purple Mansion factions and used the Origin-Refining Cauldron to refine divinity and prove gold.
• Sanji invoked Thick Virtue Carries, awakening the kneeling cultivators and transporting the explorers to the foot of Heaven Pillar Mountain.
• Liu Junyan realized that the cultivation method had consumed Willow Earth True Swallow instead of the correct Stomach Earth True Essence.

True Person Sanji refined Grand Yellow Heaven and attained the Guest Position of [Stomach Earth], becoming a True Lord whose decree changed Earth Virtue cultivation across the world. Fang Qing studied the half-volume of the Supreme Simplicity Golden Book, learned the five ranks of Golden Seat attainment, and began considering the forces behind the struggle for [Net Moon].

• True Person Sanji perfected four Divine Abilities and used the Grotto-Heaven Golden Attainment Method to refine Grand Yellow Heaven, revealing himself as the returning True Lord of [Stomach Earth].
• Sanji answered the Golden Seat’s call, attained the Guest Position of [Stomach Earth], and declared that Human Pills and blood essence were forbidden and Grand Yellow Heaven would remain closed for a hundred years.
• Sanji’s attainment benefited Earth Virtue cultivators worldwide, while Miao Shan’s afflictions vanished and his master emerged from the underground palace transformed into a Dharma King.
• Fang Qing killed Faquan and Fajian, reclaimed their Mingzi seats, and learned that Fang Wuchen had gained admission to the Kitchen Lord Tradition.
• Fang Qing studied the Supreme Simplicity Golden Book and learned about the five ranks and positions of Golden Seat attainment, then speculated that Fallen Phoenix Mountain opposed anyone claiming [Net Moon].

Fang Qing learned that Sangji had become a Dharma King and discussed the consequences of the [Stomach Earth] True Lord’s ascent, while Sangji helped Xu Hei prepare to break through to the Dao Foundation. At Three Origins Island, Zhan Hongxiu defeated the Jiang Family’s traitors, and Yu Xiang'er withdrew after deciding Three Talents Market was no longer worth pursuing.

• Fang Qing learned through the Dao-Born Pearl that Sangji had attained a Divine Ability and met him in Deathless Temple’s underground palace.
• Sangji explained the power of his Dharma King Divine Ability and discussed the [Stomach Earth] True Lord’s Golden Seat and its ban on Human Pills and blood essence.
• Sangji offered Xu Hei a chance to break through to the Dao Foundation using the underground palace’s lingering aura and Three-Life Soil.
• Fang Qing considered Xu Hei’s prospects and decided that he would avoid risky cultivation in Ancient Shu when he pursued the Purple Mansion.
• Zhan Hongxiu killed Lu Lingfeng and the Jiang Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor after reaching the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
• Yu Xiang'er congratulated Zhan Hongxiu, withdrew her demonic followers, and abandoned further efforts at Three Talents Market.

Zhan Hongxiu reclaimed her market and discussed trade and the coming Heavenly Heart Island Secret Realm, while the Fang family worried over its future amid upheaval in Xituo Commandery. Tian Jinchen told Fang Yixin and Fang Wujiu that the Iron Clan had been destroyed by Moonlight White Tara, leaving them uncertain whether the Deathless Temple would offer protection.

• Zhan Hongxiu thanked the merfolk cultivator for helping her reclaim the market and promised her a share of its profits.
• Zhan Hongxiu said the Heavenly Heart Island Secret Realm would open in about twenty years and warned that conflict between the Azure Sea Sect and Sea-Extinguishing Alliance was likely to intensify.
• Fang Yixin and Fang Wujiu discussed Fang Wuchen's absence, the Hu Family's pressure, and rumors that cultivators using Blood Qi Pills were going mad.
• Fang Yixin and Fang Wujiu learned that the White Bone Sect Master had advanced and that the Kitchen God Cult's leaders had vanished, then met Tian Jinchen at Yuyi Market.
• Tian Jinchen refused Fang Yixin's offer to join the family and revealed that Moonlight White Tara had destroyed the Iron Clan, whose four Dao Foundation cultivators had knelt in apology.

Fang Qing tested Moonlight White Tara’s power by traveling through the Great Void with Miao Shan, then gave her instructions about the White Bone Way’s enemies and converts. The Azure Bird Tribe’s fallen princess Qingling joined the sect as Empty Peacock Tara and revealed that Suwu had stolen Li Rulong’s fate and fortune, leaving Fang Qing wondering about Lord Pu’s hidden role.

• Fang Qing examined Miao Shan’s mystical power and asked her to take him through the Great Void, where he saw how far her abilities surpassed his own.
• After returning to Northern Profound Commandery, Fang Qing told Miao Shan to leave decisions about the Profound Earth Sect to Sangji, spare lesser qi ingestion forces, and help one member of the Zeng Clan reach Dao Foundation.
• Miao Shan welcomed Qingling and her battered followers into the White Bone Way, appointing Qingling Empty Peacock Tara and allowing her to keep command of her branch.
• Fang Qing asked Qingling about Li Rulong, and she explained that Suwu had used the Dragon-Tiger Golden Elixir Method to steal Li Rulong’s fate and fortune, while Lord Pu had suffered the same fate.
• Fang Qing mourned Li Rulong outwardly but privately wondered whether the method could be useful and reconsidered Lord Pu’s role in Li Rulong’s Calendar-Intercalation ritual.

Fang Qing studied the Calendar-Intercalation Method, cultivated the Treasure Earth Return-to-Origin Scripture to mid Dao Foundation, and assessed the balance of power in the Lesser Vast Sea. He began experimenting with a new alchemical method for a Greater Barrier-Breaking Pill, leaving Bei Lingshu stunned by the strange weather and rapidly growing cold moon grass outside Ice Soul Cave.

• Fang Qing read Qingling’s offerings, rejected changing his lineage, and cultivated the Treasure Earth Return-to-Origin Scripture, establishing the Origin-Refining Cauldron and advancing to mid Dao Foundation.
• Fang Qing compared the combat strength of Breath-Nourishing and Qi Refinement cultivators, then considered the shifting politics around Supreme White Island and the resources he needed to reach Foundation Establishment perfection.
• Fang Qing brought a purple radiance ling flower to Ice Soul Cave and planned to combine [Winnowing Basket Water] and [Net Moon] techniques to improve the Greater Barrier-Breaking Pill’s refinement.
• Fang Qing used the Silver Crow Moon-Crying Scroll and spiritual water to raise wind, clouds, and freezing rain around the cave.
• Bei Lingshu watched cold moon grass grow rapidly in the unnatural conditions and stared in bewilderment.

Fang Qing finished refining a Third-Order Greater Barrier-Breaking Pill and received Linghu Zhong, who tried to persuade him to return to the Azure Sea Sect as Pill Island’s master. Fang Qing recognized the sect’s maneuvering and questioned whether he would accept its summons as war with the Sea-Extinguishing Alliance approached.

• Xiang Dahu and Bei Lingshu guarded Ice Soul Cave while Fang Qing’s pill refinement produced increasingly astonishing phenomena.
• Linghu Zhong arrived at Supreme White Island and was stunned by the spectacle around Ice Soul Cave as Fang Qing completed a Third-Order Greater Barrier-Breaking Pill.
• Fang Qing hosted Linghu Zhong in his lavish cave residence, where the spirit tea and surroundings briefly made Linghu Zhong see Fang Qing as a pool of springwater.
• Linghu Zhong told Fang Qing that Heaven Cauldron was nearing the end of his life and argued that Fang Qing should take his place as master of Pill Island.
• Fang Qing challenged Linghu Zhong about the sect’s motives for recalling him and suggested the summons was connected to the coming war with the Sea-Extinguishing Alliance.

Fang Qing refused to leave Supreme White Island and divined that a new arrival would change his circumstances. In Ancient Shu, Sangji returned with a Bone Sarira and news of his growing authority, while Fang Qing learned of the coming conflict with the Profound Earth Sect and remained close to completing his second sequence.

• Fang Qing rejected Linghu Zhong’s effort to persuade him to leave Supreme White Island, and Linghu Zhong departed to advocate for him at the sect.
• Fang Qing divined that he should wait for a person connected to Supreme White Island to arrive before deciding what to do.
• At Deathless Temple, Empty Peacock Tara led Fang Qing to Sangji, who reported that Xu Hei had established his Dao Foundation and that Sangji had become the White Bone Dharma King.
• Sangji gave Fang Qing the Bone Sarira, but Fang Qing returned it and told Sangji to use the Purple Mansion Magic Treasure himself.
• Sangji explained that he intended to raise warrior monks and attack the Profound Earth Sect to settle his karmic debt with True Lord Profound Earth.
• Sangji brought Fang Qing the scripture for the third sequence of the Horse-Head Vajra Protector Divine Art, and Fang Qing said he was still just short of perfecting the second sequence.

Fang Qing learned how to perfect his Horse-Head Vajra Protector Divine Art, while the Fang family was drawn into Deathless Temple’s war against the Profound Earth Sect. The White Bone Way’s army reached the sect’s floating stronghold and launched its assault as two Purple Mansion cultivators met above the battlefield.

• Sangji explained that Dragon-Elephant Prajna Elixir and the assistance of Empty Peacock Tara and Moonlight White Tara could help Fang Qing perfect the second stage of his divine art and perhaps advance to the third.
• Fa Yuan ordered Azure Departure Mountain to provide two Mid Qi Ingestion cultivators for Deathless Temple’s campaign against the Profound Earth Sect, but Xu Hei persuaded him to accept one, and Fang Yixin volunteered.
• A month later, Fang Yixin joined the invading army, found a broken Qi Ingestion Dharma Artifact called Dark Azure among the battlefield ruins, and resolved to remember the Profound Earth Sect’s attack on his family.
• Huang Tianhua and Yuxuanzi watched the defeated defenders retreat toward Hanging Mountain, the Profound Earth Sect’s floating stronghold, while awaiting reinforcements.
• Deathless Temple’s army reached Hanging Mountain and advanced against its Purple Mansion grand formation as True Lord Profound Earth greeted the White Bone Dharma King above the battlefield.

Fang Qing watched Dharma King Sangji and True Lord Profound Earth settle their conflict through a devastating attack on the Profound Earth Sect. The Deathless Temple forces retreated before the sect was fully destroyed, leaving the survivors and their former enemies with the possibility of future alliance.

• Fang Qing reflected on his new Third-Order body refinement, expanded Spiritual Sense, and Ignorance-Slighting Ashen Flame while True Lord Profound Earth discussed the Kitchen Lord and the Demon Race with Sangji.
• Fang Yixin and the invading cultivators stormed the Profound Earth Sect, looting its grounds as Huang Tianhua and Yuxuanzi were killed in the fighting.
• True Lord Profound Earth told Sangji that the slaughter had repaid their Causality, and Sangji accepted the settlement.
• Fang Yixin followed the retreat signal out of the mountain gate, while the restored Purple Mansion formation trapped the cultivators still inside.
• Monk Fa Yuan told Fang Yixin that the Profound Earth Sect might become an ally and said they would first take territories bordering Xituo.

Fang Qing strengthened himself and prepared Supreme White Island for an expected visitor while the sect’s transfer order unsettled Bei Lingshu. Zhong Lingxiu returned to reclaim the island after reaching early-stage core formation, broke its defensive formation, and confronted its cultivators.

• Fang Qing learned that Tian Jinchen had lost his fortune and decided to leave him alone before returning to the Deathless Temple to cultivate.
• Several years later, Bei Lingshu received a transfer order, and Xiang Dahu revealed that he was modifying Supreme White Island’s formation on Fang Qing’s orders.
• Fang Qing judged his body refinement strong enough to challenge Black Origin True Person, planned a third-order formation, and awaited a destined visitor.
• Zhong Lingxiu returned to the Lesser Vast Sea after nearly sixty years, intent on taking revenge on the Azure Sea Sect and reclaiming Supreme White Island.
• Zhong Lingxiu entered Supreme White Island’s Four Extremes Profound Ice Formation and destroyed it with his third-order Ice Soul Mystic Light.
• Bei Lingshu emerged after sensing the formation’s collapse and realized that a core formation cultivator had arrived.

Fang Qing lured Zhong Lingxiu into a Forbidden Grand Formation and defeated him with a coordinated assault of artifacts, spiritual force, body refinement, and ashen flame. With Zhong Lingxiu gravely wounded and unable to escape, Fang Qing began to convert him rather than kill him.

• Fang Qing arrived as Zhong Lingxiu threatened the island and activated the Hidden Treasury Mandala Formation around them.
• Zhong Lingxiu neutralized Fang Qing’s Ice-Soul Pearl Talisman Treasure and attacked, but Fang Qing countered with the Sea-Transforming Pearl and White Jade Flute.
• Fang Qing struck Zhong Lingxiu’s sea of consciousness with a Demon-Subduing Vajra Pestle, then battered his ice armor with third-order body-refinement strength and ignorance-slighting ashen flame.
• Fang Qing’s artifacts overwhelmed Zhong Lingxiu’s Ice Soul Mystic Light and Ice Soul Pearl, while the Forbidden Grand Formation prevented him from escaping with his Void-Escape Talisman.
• Zhong Lingxiu recognized Fang Qing from the fishery and warned that his sect would investigate if he died, but Fang Qing pressed a palm to his head and ordered him to open his mind.

Fang Qing arranged for Zhong Lingxiu to seize Supreme White Island and pose as his enemy, using Zhong’s return to reshape the Lesser Vast Sea’s balance of power. Zhong’s rise alarmed Azure Sea Sect, drew Three Origins Island into submission, and forced Black Origin True Person to accept harsh alliance terms.

• Fang Qing learned about the Eastern Sea Cultivation Realm from Zhong Lingxiu and arranged for him to claim Supreme White Island while pretending to defeat Fang.
• Zhong Lingxiu demanded the island’s cultivators submit, and Xiang Dahu knelt and became his chief steward while Bei Lingshu remained silent.
• Zhan Hongxiu decided Three Origins Island would submit to Zhong Lingxiu, citing Fang Qing’s past kindness as her reason.
• Linghu Zhong refused to meet Qin Ruxue and concluded Azure Sea Sect might be unable to withstand an alliance between Zhong Lingxiu and Black Origin True Person.
• Black Origin True Person negotiated an alliance with Zhong Lingxiu and accepted his demands, unaware that one of his disciples had revealed his secrets.

Fang Qing emerged from years of seclusion having reached Foundation Establishment Perfection and strengthened his prospects for Core Formation. With less than three years until the All-Heaven Star Palace Secret Realm opened, he questioned why its name was unknown even in the Eastern Sea Cultivation Realm.

• Fang Qing used a Greater Barrier-Breaking Pill and Azure Sea True Person’s secret art to break through to Foundation Establishment Perfection, forming a sphere of condensed mana with traces of crystallization.
• Fang Qing assessed his chances of Core Formation at roughly forty percent and decided to seek further aid from Ancient Shu before attempting it.
• Fang Qing discovered that he was a hundred and ten years old and that less than three years remained before the All-Heaven Star Palace Secret Realm opened.
• Peng Yidao demanded a Barrier-Breaking Pill from Fang Qing, but Xiang Dahu drove him away and explained the factional disputes on Supreme White Island.
• Zhong Lingxiu told Fang Qing that the Undersea Bronze Palace might open within three years and that its weakened formation could admit several Foundation Establishment cultivators.
• Fang Qing learned that Zhong Lingxiu had never heard of the All-Heaven Star Palace and wondered whether he would have to visit the Secret Realm ruins himself.