Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning secluded himself on an island in Yang Lake Grotto-Heaven and completed all nine transformations of the Yin-Yang Dao Embryo, preparing to nurture it until his primordial spirit emerged. His newly expanded perception revealed the island’s treasures and the Grotto-Heaven’s will, and he eagerly anticipated collecting the treasures while his primordial spirit matured.

• Jiang Ning flew to a secluded island in Yang Lake Grotto-Heaven, excavated a hidden cave, and prepared to forge his Yin-Yang Dao Embryo.
• Jiang Ning combined pure yin and pure yang qi into a nascent Dao embryo and drew it into his Spirit Platform.
• Jiang Ning’s soul entered the Dao embryo and endured the Ninefold Profound Transformation, completing the ninth transformation with the final streams of yin and yang qi.
• Jiang Ning stabilized the completed Dao embryo and realized that his primordial spirit would emerge after the embryo accumulated enough vitality.
• Jiang Ning sensed the entire island, its heavenly treasures, the Undersea Yin River, and the will of the Grotto-Heaven, then looked forward to gathering the treasures and their great sun essence.

Jiang Ning gathered a vast trove of solar treasures in Yang Lake Grotto-Heaven after completing his Yin-Yang Dao Embryo, but the grotto-heaven's will warned him to stop. He returned to the Royal Capital, where he prepared to strengthen himself before Ji Xuan could act.

• Jiang Ning scoured two islands for spiritual plants and ores, filling his Mustard-Seed Leaf with treasures to refine into energy.
• Jiang Ning set out toward another treasure-rich island, but the grotto-heaven's will admonished him to respect the realm's balance, so he agreed to leave.
• Jiang Ning opened the spatial rift and returned to Yang Lake, then flew toward the Royal Capital.
• Jiang Ning worried that Ji Xuan might retaliate for the gray-robed old man's death and resolved to consult Su Qingying and refine his gains while his Dao Embryo matured.
• Jiang Ning reached the Royal Capital and passed through its great formation without being detected.

After returning to the National Preceptor's Residence, Jiang Ning learned that Ji Xuan had fought the Yellow Heaven Daoist and likely suffered a serious defeat, potentially shifting who held the title of Second Under Heaven. Jiang Ning revealed that he was close to entering the Primordial Spirit realm and tested Su Qingying's sword, while the threat of the Yellow Heaven Cult remained ahead.

• Jiang Ning returned to the National Preceptor's Residence, learned that Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming had arrived in the Royal Capital, and went to meet Su Qingying.
• Su Qingying told Jiang Ning that Ji Xuan had traveled to West Sand Commandery to challenge the Yellow Heaven Daoist and returned to the capital three days earlier, seemingly badly injured.
• Jiang Ning and Su Qingying concluded that the Yellow Heaven Daoist might now be stronger than Ji Xuan, a danger to Jiang Ning because Zeshan Prefecture bordered the Yellow Heaven Cult's territory.
• Jiang Ning told Su Qingying that his cultivation had advanced and he would soon enter the Primordial Spirit realm.
• Su Qingying summoned her sword and asked Jiang Ning to test it; he praised it and went outside to practice while she watched from the bamboo steps.

Jiang Ning tested Su Qingying’s bonded sword and learned that his Dao Embryo had formed, then returned to his courtyard to prepare for the Yellow Heaven Cult’s advance and Ji Xuan’s possible challenge. He refined the treasures from Yang Lake Grotto-Heaven until his Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique reached its limit, then spent fifty source points to trigger another breakthrough.

• Jiang Ning wielded Su Qingying’s sword, Qingying, and displayed a strike that showed mastery of yin, yang, and space; Su Qingying said his Dao Embryo had formed and advised him to remain in seclusion.
• Jiang Ning visited the courtyards, reassured Zhong Ling and Ji Mingyue, and reflected on Emperor Changning’s coma and the approaching threat from the Yellow Heaven Cult.
• Jing Wuming and Chen Canghai reported increased surveillance around the Estate of the Side-by-Side Prince, inquiries into Jiang Ning’s movements, and the Northern Azure King’s visit to the imperial palace.
• Jiang Ning ordered Jing Wuming and Chen Canghai to monitor the capital’s factions and the Yellow Heaven Cult, then began refining the Yang Lake Grotto-Heaven treasures.
• Jiang Ning refined the treasures for a day, raising his source points to 131.7 and completing the experience progress for his Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique.
• Jiang Ning spent fifty source points to advance the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique.

Jiang Ning transformed his physique into the Great Sun Divine Physique, gaining immense strength, defense, and the ability to draw energy from the sun. With no new developments from Ji Xuan or the Yellow Heaven Cult, he chose to keep cultivating while awaiting his Primordial Spirit breakthrough.

• Jiang Ning spent fifty source points to awaken the Great Sun essence in his body and complete the Great Sun Divine Physique, scorching the courtyard during the transformation.
• Jiang Ning discovered innate Dao patterns, tested the pure yang energy escaping his body, and realized that sunlight could replenish his energy and improve his cultivation.
• Su Qingying reported that the court assembly had not been convened, Ji Xuan had not appeared, and West Sand Commandery remained calm.
• Jiang Ning restored the courtyard with his power, noticed that his divine power was accumulating faster, and received 0.1 source points while absorbing sunlight.
• Jiang Ning decided to continue cultivating the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique as he waited for his Primordial Spirit to break free from its womb.

Jiang Ning took Little Doubao, Zhong Ling, and Ji Mingyue on a leisurely outing through the Royal Capital, helping the two women recover some of their spirits. After spotting a mysterious girl in purple who seemed to know him, Jiang Ning stopped near the National Preceptor's Residence and sent the others ahead.

• Jiang Ning absorbed solar essence with his Great Sun Divine Physique and rapidly advanced the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique, though he still lacked Source Points for another breakthrough.
• Jiang Ning insisted that Zhong Ling and Ji Mingyue join him and Little Doubao for a walk, and the group explored the lively streets together.
• Jiang Ning treated Little Doubao to a sugar phoenix, and Ji Mingyue and Zhong Ling gradually relaxed as they enjoyed the outing.
• At Listening-Rain Bridge, Jiang Ning spotted a girl in a purple skirt aboard a pleasure boat; she smiled at him, but Zhong Ling and Ji Mingyue could not see her.
• Ji Mingyue thanked Jiang Ning for taking them out, and the group headed back toward the National Preceptor's Residence.
• Less than a li from the residence, Jiang Ning stopped and told Ji Mingyue and Zhong Ling to take Little Doubao home without him.

Jiang Ning confronted Xiyan, the Heaven-Crying Cult’s Holy Maiden, who tried to seduce him into a deal, and killed her after learning her body held two souls. He returned safely to the National Preceptor's Residence, then trained and discovered his Indestructible Vajra Body was gaining experience faster, likely because of his Great Sun Divine Physique.

• Jiang Ning waited outside the National Preceptor's Residence and met Xiyan, who revealed she was the Heaven-Crying Cult's Holy Maiden and proposed a deal to end the curse threat.
• Xiyan created an illusion and offered Jiang Ning a night with her in exchange for the Heaven-Crying Cult resolving his danger, but he resisted her seduction and struck her down.
• Jiang Ning learned that Xiyan's mother, the Cult Master, had controlled her body, then crushed Xiyan's neck and burned her remains before the illusion array dissipated.
• Jiang Ning returned to the National Preceptor's Residence, reassured Liu Wanwan, Little Doubao, Ji Mingyue, and Zhong Ling, and joined them for dinner.
• Jiang Ning cultivated the Indestructible Vajra Body at night and noticed its experience gains had increased, which he suspected was connected to the Great Sun Divine Physique.

After training the Indestructible Vajra Body, Jiang Ning was summoned to the Upper Yang Inner Landscape with six other Shangyang true disciples. A Ten Ranked True Disciple called them to ascend a cloud stairway, and the group set out to learn why.

• Jiang Ning trained the Indestructible Vajra Body and realized that a shortage of source points was slowing his progress.
• Jiang Ning's true disciple token summoned him to the Upper Yang Inner Landscape, where he met Shen Yue Ru, Bai Li, Lu Xun, Ning Ke, Lin Yuexi, and Shi Jun.
• The seven disciples introduced themselves and compared their cultivation realms and backgrounds.
• A voice summoned the disciples to ascend a cloud stairway, and Lu Xun recognized the call as coming from one of the Ten Ranked True Disciples.
• Lu Xun explained the Ten Ranked True Disciples' strength, status, and authority, and Bai Li suggested they ascend the stairway to ask the summoner directly.

Jiang Ning and the other six true disciples climbed to Upper Yang Hall and met Haoyang True Disciple, who revealed that he had reached the Primordial Spirit Immortal realm with a superior immortal foundation. He gave each of them a Ten-Region Heaven Patrol Envoy Token to let them communicate across realms and, once charged, open passages between them.

• Lu Xun led the seven true disciples up the cloud stairway to Upper Yang Hall, where Haoyang True Disciple welcomed them.
• Haoyang True Disciple told them he belonged to their era and had become a ranked true disciple by attaining the Primordial Spirit Immortal realm with a superior immortal foundation.
• Haoyang True Disciple explained that he wanted the true disciples to share resources and support one another, and the seven agreed that communicating across distant realms would be difficult.
• Haoyang True Disciple gave each of the seven a Ten-Region Heaven Patrol Envoy Token, explaining that the tokens could send messages across the Ten Domains and open passages after charging in sunlight.
• Jiang Ning and the others imprinted their tokens to gain command of their functions.

Haoyang True Disciple revealed that the Ten Domains were beginning to merge and founded a Heavenly Court alliance with Jiang Ning and the other envoys. After returning to the National Preceptor’s Residence, Jiang Ning resolved to strengthen himself and anticipated joining the ranks of the Shangyang Immortal Sect’s top ten true disciples.

• Haoyang True Disciple explained that the Ten Domains would gradually unite as the world recovered, bringing both a golden age and upheaval.
• Haoyang True Disciple proposed a Heavenly Court alliance for sharing information, resources, and support, and Lin Yuexi, Lu Xun, Ning Ke, Shi Jun, Bai Li, Shen Yue Ru, and Jiang Ning accepted with chosen titles.
• Haoyang True Disciple warned that realm fissures and revived ancient ruins were early signs of the barriers weakening, and the group exchanged news from their respective realms.
• Haoyang True Disciple ended the gathering and sent Jiang Ning back to the National Preceptor’s Residence with his Heaven-Patrolling Token.
• Jiang Ning realized his supreme-grade immortal foundation could earn him a place among the ten ranked true disciples and resumed cultivating.

Jiang Ning moved into Marquis Dongling's Residence after completing two cultivation techniques, but his hopes of gaining the resources needed for a breakthrough were shaken when Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming reported that his shipment had been robbed. The chapter left Jiang Ning confronting the loss of the resources he had been counting on.

• After three days of cultivation, Jiang Ning perfected the Indestructible Vajra Body and Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique but remained short of Source Points.
• Jiang Ning decided he could not yet trade with the Shangyang true disciples and planned to move into his new residence.
• Jiang Ning thanked Su Qingying and moved into Marquis Dongling's Residence with his companions, while Lin Qingyi remained at the National Preceptor's Residence.
• Jiang Ning explored his new home and restored the vitality of an ancient pine by touching it.
• Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming arrived and told Jiang Ning that the shipment of resources from Guangning Prefecture had been seized on the road.

Jiang Ning learned that a powerful Lord of Ninefold Mountain had robbed his convoy to lure him into a trap, and he decided to confront the hidden enemy. After healing Xie Xiaoj iu and Feng Jiเก, he set out for Ninefold Mountain with Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming, whose astonishment at his speed and condition grew as they traveled.

• Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming reported that a masked Lord of Ninefold Mountain had defeated them and robbed Jiang Ning's convoy without killing anyone, leading Jiang Ning to suspect the attack targeted him.
• Jiang Ning visited Xie Xiaoj iu and Feng Jiเก in Guangning City, healed much of their injuries, and heard their accounts of the attack and the Lord's extraordinary strength.
• Jiang Ning told Shen Wenyuan and Ye Zhengqi that he would go to Ninefold Mountain to retrieve his resources, while asking them to guard Guangning and Zeshan Prefectures against the Yellow Heaven Cult.
• Jiang Ning returned to the Royal Capital, then left at dawn with Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming for Ninefold Mountain.
• As they traveled at Jiang Ning's swift pace, Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming realized he was holding back and marveled at his seemingly excellent condition despite the reported curse.

Jiang Ning confronted the Lord of Ninefold Mountain over the stolen convoy supplies and fought him to a standstill, then learned he was the chief of the Eighteen Dragon Heads. The chief admitted a Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land had hired him to test whether Jiang Ning still bore the Curse-Killing Art, but Jiang Ning rejected his first offer of compensation and demanded more.

• Jiang Ning used a powerful shout and a stomp to summon the bandits at Tiger Leap Cliff.
• The Lord of Ninefold Mountain and Jiang Ning exchanged powerful physical blows, each revealing the other's extraordinary strength.
• The Lord removed his face covering and revealed he was the chief of the Eighteen Dragon Heads; Long Xingyun, Long Xiaofeng, and Wang Wenzong were among his men.
• The chief said a disguised Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land had commissioned the ambush to test whether the Curse-Killing Art still affected Jiang Ning, and promised to return the untouched supplies.
• The chief offered Jiang Ning a five-hundred-year-old mystic heart fruit to make amends, but Jiang Ning said it was not enough.

Jiang Ning accepted the chief dragon head’s apology, recovered the supplies, and reconciled with the Eighteen Dragon Heads after judging that a fight to the death would be too risky. As Jiang Ning hurried toward the Royal Capital, the chief dragon head warned his brothers that Jiang Ning’s hidden strength, rapid growth, and powerful allies made him dangerous to oppose.

• The chief dragon head offered Jiang Ning three drops of three-thousand-year spiritual marrow and the Mystic Heart Fruit as an apology, and Jiang Ning accepted them and recovered the four supply chests.
• Jiang Ning explained to Chen Canghai that he had reconciled because he could not be certain of defeating the chief dragon head or preventing his escape.
• Jing Wuming admired Jiang Ning’s restraint, and Jiang Ning hurried toward the Royal Capital, recognizing that his strength remained insufficient against the world’s powerful experts.
• The chief dragon head told Wang Wenzong and the other dragon heads that Jiang Ning’s physique might surpass his own and that his curse appeared unable to harm him.
• The chief dragon head cited Jiang Ning’s rapid growth, his ties to Su Qingying and the Martial Saint, and his apparent hidden trump cards as reasons to avoid making him an enemy, then ordered that the commissioning grotto-heaven be told the truth.

Jiang Ning refined a Mystic Heart Fruit and three drops of three-thousand-year spiritual marrow, greatly strengthening his body and divine power. After reviewing the recovered resources, he began eating rare ores to further raise his Source Points and foundation.

• Jiang Ning examined the Mystic Heart Fruit and spiritual marrow he had recovered, then swallowed the fruit to nourish and consolidate his foundation.
• Jiang Ning refined the first drop of spiritual marrow, strengthening his body and Dao embryo while his divine power rose by more than five hundred strands.
• Jiang Ning swallowed and refined the remaining two drops, raising his divine power to 5237 and accumulating 147.3 Source Points.
• Jiang Ning inspected the four resource chests, finding medicines, herbs, and valuable ores among their contents.
• Jiang Ning began eating the ores, refining their energies into essence, qi, and spirit as his Source Points and foundation increased.

Jiang Ning spent Source Points to advance his Indestructible Vajra Body and gained the Buzhou Spine trait, then encountered a Demon Kingdom delegation arriving in the capital. The silver-haired princess and her Three-Headed Golden Crow escort recognized Jiang Ning as a formidable powerhouse, leaving the delegation’s purpose and the capital’s looming political crisis unresolved.

• Jiang Ning spent one hundred Source Points to strengthen his Indestructible Vajra Body and gained the pale-gold Buzhou Spine trait.
• Jiang Ning inspected his growing Dao Embryo and practiced the Grand Void Yin-Yang Sword while waiting for his Primordial Spirit to emerge.
• Lü Yi told Jiang Ning that a Demon Kingdom delegation had arrived in the capital, and Jiang Ning went to watch its procession.
• Jiang Ning exchanged glances with a veiled silver-haired princess and sensed that the sinister man accompanying her was exceptionally powerful.
• The Three-Headed Golden Crow called Uncle Hei told the princess that Jiang Ning was the first true powerhouse he had seen since entering the city.

Jiang Ning learned that a demon king had entered the Royal Capital and prepared for the court assembly, where he expected danger from the King of Equal Standing and the princes. He secretly visited Ji Minghao to seek heavenly treasures for a breakthrough, and Ji Minghao led him into the Eighth Prince’s inner treasury.

• Linglong told Jiang Ning that a demon king had appeared in the city, and Jiang Ning suspected it was the black-robed man who had accompanied the Demon Race delegation.
• An imperial guard informed Jiang Ning that the King of Equal Standing had summoned all officials to court the next morning for the Demon Race delegation’s audience.
• Jiang Ning asked Lü Yi to prepare his court robes and instructed him to have Chen Canghai and Jing Wuming protect his family if trouble arose.
• Jiang Ning secretly entered Ji Minghao’s residence and warned him that he urgently needed heavenly treasures to break through a bottleneck.
• Ji Minghao agreed to help Jiang Ning and took him through a concealed route to the inner treasury, where Jiang Ning remained invisible to everyone around them.

Jiang Ning took six heavenly treasures from Ji Minghao and returned to his residence to refine them for Source Points. Ji Minghao speculated that Jiang Ning had joined an Immortal Grotto-Heaven, while Jiang Ning ended the chapter with enough Source Points to advance his cultivation.

• Ji Minghao gave Jiang Ning six heavenly treasures but kept his late mother's ancient mirror, and Jiang Ning declined the divine weapons.
• Ji Minghao saw Jiang Ning vanish and speculated that his ability came from Immortal Dao arts and that he might have pledged himself to an Immortal Grotto-Heaven.
• Ji Minghao worried that Jiang Ning's possible ties to a Grotto-Heaven could put Ji Mingyue at a disadvantage, then wondered whether Jiang Ning could help him eliminate his imperial brothers.
• Jiang Ning returned to his residence, had Linglong conceal his aura, and consumed the Five-Orifice Fire Lotus, gaining 3.3 Source Points.
• Jiang Ning consumed the remaining five treasures and raised his total to 102.1 Source Points, enough for his planned breakthrough.

Jiang Ning broke through the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique and formed a Deep Gold Dragon-Tiger Golden Core, gaining a brief burst of power through dragon-tiger convergence. As he prepared for the next day’s court assembly, he felt far more confident facing the Demon King, Ji Xuan, and Dragon Head.

• Jiang Ning used source energy to break through the Inner Elixir Life-Nourishing Technique, transforming his inner elixir and awakening the Dragon-Tiger Golden Core with primordial purple qi.
• The golden-and-purple dragon and tiger phantoms empowered Jiang Ning’s body, inner core, and Dao Embryo, while Linglong and Old Softshell also benefited from the falling light.
• Jiang Ning tested dragon-tiger convergence and briefly sublimated his essence, qi, and spirit, gaining enough power to believe he could defeat Dragon Head with a single punch.
• After the effect faded, Jiang Ning discovered that the Dragon-Tiger Golden Core rapidly restored his true essence but could not immediately activate dragon-tiger convergence again.
• Jiang Ning looked toward the imperial palace and prepared for the court assembly, confident in his new strength while wondering whether traits existed above Deep Gold.

Jiang Ning practiced swordsmanship at Marquis Dongling's Residence before receiving a late-night visit from Bai Li, the Demon Kingdom's imperial princess and the sister of the Bai Li he had met before. She explained why demon kings remained powerful in the changed world, revealed her face to him, and left after saying they would meet again in the Supreme Ultimate Hall.

• Jiang Ning gained nearly a thousand points of Grand Void Yin-Yang Sword experience while practicing beneath the moon after forming his Dragon-Tiger Golden Core.
• Bai Li visited Jiang Ning alone and confirmed that he was the Marquis Dongling her elder brother had described.
• Jiang Ning questioned Bai Li about demon kings, and she explained that they had survived the world's drastic change by sleeping and could still wield immense strength.
• Bai Li removed her veil, let Jiang Ning see her face, and said he was the first person to see it since she left the Demon Kingdom.
• Bai Li departed over the courtyard wall and told Jiang Ning she would see him in the Supreme Ultimate Hall the next day.