Chapter Summaries

Powerful unorthodox cultivators gathered in Deathless Manor after the Millennium Grand Sacrifice and Dao-Seeking Cauldron Projection suffered setbacks in the outside world. Heart Fox reported that Song Wen had shattered the projection, while Lord Peril Demon and the other figures debated how to respond.

• Netherghost King and the Demon Fox Ghost Lady entered Rebirth Deathless City, where unorthodox cultivators gathered under disguises.
• More than twenty figures assembled in Deathless Manor, and Lord Peril Demon silenced their arguments by devouring a challenger with an unseen attack.
• Lord Peril Demon called on Heart Fox to explain why they had been summoned.
• Heart Fox reported that the main altar's arrangements had suffered grievous losses and that Song Wen had shattered the Dao-Seeking Cauldron Projection.
• The gathered figures argued over whether to act, but a distant cold voice ended the discussion as they watched Mars blaze in the heavens.

After the heavens announced a great change, Song Wen arranged a rare cultivation reward for Lu Qing: a pearl containing a trace of the Heavenly Heart Jewel’s power. White Crane Boy delivered it to Lu Qing, who was pleased to learn he could use it to cultivate.

• A mysterious figure beyond the heavens sensed a great change and sent a command talisman to a southern Immortal Path sect.
• Song Wen told Zhou Yaoming that the heavens were changing and discussed rewarding Lu Qing for his contribution against the Evil Cultivator General Headquarters.
• Song Wen proposed borrowing the Heavenly Heart Jewel to strengthen Lu Qing’s foundation, and Zhou Yaoming agreed.
• On his return journey, Lu Qing checked his Providence and received a message about the Heavenly Heart Jewel.
• White Crane Boy brought Lu Qing a pearl sealed with a trace of the Heavenly Heart Jewel’s power for him to use in cultivation.

After reaching Golden Core, Lu Qing learned from White Crane Boy about the harsher conditions and fierce rivalries in the Nine Heavens Realm, where the Inner Academy was located. He planned to use the Heavenly Heart Jewel to cultivate in the Floating Grotto-Heaven the next day.

• Lu Qing thanked White Crane Boy for delivering a pearl imbued with the Heavenly Heart Jewel's power, and told him he had recently passed his tribulation and reached Golden Core.
• White Crane Boy said the Inner Academy would likely open again near the end of the year and described the Nine Heavens Realm as dangerous, with powerful Demonic Path sects and Leftist Path schools.
• White Crane Boy explained that cultivators in the Nine Heavens had to earn resources through missions, pay for cultivation caves, and contend with fierce fighting.
• Lu Qing realized that the Nine Heavens' conditions would make his secluded cultivation style difficult to maintain.
• After White Crane Boy left, Lu Qing decided to cultivate overnight and visit the Floating Grotto-Heaven the next day with the pearl.

After his Golden Core breakthrough, Lu Qing examined his changing abilities and headed to the sect’s Floating Grotto-Heavens. Meanwhile, Song Wen and White Crane investigated a mysterious white-haired man and prepared for their own periods of seclusion.

• A white-haired man inspected the traces at Azure Ridge Volcano, but White Crane disrupted his attempt to probe the area and the man vanished.
• Song Wen and White Crane discussed the man’s escape, then Song Wen named disciples to watch over while he entered seclusion.
• Lu Qing noticed that his perception of the mountain-protecting formation had improved and recognized traces of Elder Liu’s craftsmanship.
• Lu Qing flew to the Floating Grotto-Heavens and found long queues of disciples waiting to enter the cultivation grounds.
• Lu Qing located the stone pillar marked “Floating Grotto-Heaven.”

Lu Qing entered Floating Grotto-Heaven Number One and studied its spatial mysteries, using them to deepen his understanding of formations. After six days of cultivation and insight, he looked up at the starry sky.

• Lu Qing followed a spirit-like guide to Floating Grotto-Heaven Number One and entered with his token.
• He explored the grotto-heaven’s shifting scenery and perceived its pure spiritual energy and spatial structure.
• Lu Qing realized that understanding space was essential to advancing in the Dao of formations.
• He contemplated the grotto-heaven’s laws and let his insights reshape his understanding of formations and space.
• After six days passed, Lu Qing emerged from his contemplation and looked toward the star-filled sky.

Lu Qing explored the Grotto-Heaven, assessed his Golden Core cultivation, and experimented with drawing stars from its sky. Chen Fan advanced to the Outer Academy and learned that he would need to seek Foundation Establishment resources at Li Mountain, while Lu Qing ended the chapter holding a fiery red star resembling Mars.

• Lu Qing explored the Grotto-Heaven and concluded that he had reached the first turn of the Golden Core, though he remained wary of cultivating in the Nine Heavens.
• Chen Fan, now an outer disciple, asked the Artifact Spirit elder what he needed for Foundation Establishment.
• The Artifact Spirit elder warned Chen Fan that his path required extraordinary preparation and told him to seek spiritual items at Li Mountain.
• Chen Fan left the Mysterious Heaven Mountain Gate as a new star briefly appeared in the heavens.
• Lu Qing drew the star into his palm and examined its fiery red, scorching power.

After spending seven days in the Grotto-Heaven, Lu Qing returned a star to its place and emerged to find that the disciples had learned of his rise to the inner sect. He accepted the attention without revealing his full strength, then returned to Spirit Leaf Island and reflected on his limited understanding of space.

• Lu Qing examined a star resembling Mars, sensed its Sun Radiance, and returned it to its place in the Grotto-Heaven.
• Observers outside the Grotto-Heaven saw the star dim and stop moving, but their attempts to divine the cause revealed nothing.
• After seven days, Lu Qing left the Grotto-Heaven and concealed his presence as he passed through the waiting disciples.
• Lu Qing overheard disciples discussing his entry into the inner sect and the growing rumors about his cultivation and Spirit Plant Master identity.
• Lu Qing spoke with the boy, changed the subject to his upcoming Lightning Tribulation, and returned to Spirit Leaf Island.
• Lu Qing took out his formation plate and considered how little he understood about space.

After returning from the Grotto-Heaven, Lu Qing inspected his flourishing spirit plants, sold a new batch to Li Xiaocheng, and chose to remain in seclusion on Spirit Leaf Island. At the Spirit Plant Academy, Chen Yuyi learned that Lu Qing had grown the plants himself and offered to buy all the available stock.

• Lu Qing found that his cultivation had settled into greater harmony and that he could draw Sun Essence even beneath the noon sun.
• Lu Qing inspected his thriving spirit plants, including the Profound Cloud Blood Dragon, and gave Li Xiaocheng a fruit when he came to collect the harvest.
• Lu Qing decided to enter seclusion and study a precious pearl, then concealed Spirit Leaf Island with cloud and mist.
• Chen Yuyi declined the Dragonheart Fruit offered by disciples at the Spirit Plant Academy and asked Li Xiaocheng whether Lu Qing had personally grown the plants he had listed.
• Li Xiaocheng confirmed that Lu Qing was a spirit plant master, and Chen Yuyi offered a high price to buy all the available plants.

Rumors spread that the Phoenix-Tail Water Kingdom held a Golden Core cave abode, drawing cultivators’ attention despite the kingdom’s decline. The chapter left the Water Kingdom preparing to receive visitors as an ominous twilight air hung over it.

• A maidservant beside the Phoenix-Tail Princess was said to have revealed that a Golden Core cave abode existed in the Phoenix-Tail Water Kingdom.
• Cultivators spread increasingly exaggerated rumors about the cave abode and hurried toward Water Province.
• Phoenix-Tail Water Kingdom cultivators initially denied the cave abode existed, then invited visitors to come discuss it half a month later.
• Listening Wind Tower members in Northern Province speculated that someone had set a trap and discussed the senior who had undergone tribulation at Azure Ridge Volcano.
• The Phoenix-Tail Water Kingdom remained outwardly magnificent but was shrouded in an air of decline.

Phoenix-Tail Ancestor’s children faced pressure from Water Kingdom clansmen seeking their father’s supposed inheritance, while Princess Qing saw a looming calamity and hoped to find someone with Celestial Star Destiny. Elsewhere, Chen Fan traveled north, Zhou Shenlong approached a great immortal sect, and Lu Qing sensed ominous changes in the heavens as Destiny grew restless.

• Uncle Fu and Water Kingdom clansmen demanded Phoenix-Tail Ancestor’s inheritance, but his children insisted there was nothing left and refused to hand it over.
• Princess Qing revealed that the celestial signs showed a Star-Dipper Transformation and proposed seeking someone with Celestial Star Destiny to hide them from Water Kingdom’s calamity.
• Chen Fan entered Water Province in disguise, sensed an unpleasant aura, and followed the Artifact Spirit’s guidance north.
• Zhou Shenlong arrived in Central Province with the Black Cat after the demonic root within him had nearly faded, then headed toward a great immortal sect.
• Wind and Clouds swung the heavy sword he had found in a Cultivation Cave as lightning struck a young man’s food box in the Northern Lands.
• Lu Qing contemplated the realms beyond Golden Core cultivation, then sensed red clouds and agitated Destiny and Heavenly Secrets above Spirit Leaf Island.

After emerging from seclusion, Lu Qing noticed unsettling changes in the heavens and reflected on the risks of the wider cultivation world. He chatted with White Crane Boy about his breakthrough, examined his token, and ended by considering how he might adapt to the Nine Heavens.

• Lu Qing ended his seclusion and sensed that the Dusk Demon Clouds had changed, with destinies beginning to show signs of entanglement.
• Lu Qing sat down to make tea and replied to White Crane Boy, who told him he had successfully broken through.
• Lu Qing examined the token and sensed that its array seemed to draw on the power of a magical treasure.
• Lu Qing considered the dangers and complicated relationships he might face beyond his cave abode and concluded that strength remained essential.
• Lu Qing worried that the Nine Heavens might use a different token and contribution-point system, then reassured himself that he could adapt and seek other ways to earn points.

Lu Qing considered how to use his contribution points and chose to study the inner worlds of Golden Core cultivators. He began reading a senior’s account of a life spent cultivating amid the mortal world, then witnessed the senior’s vision unfold.

• Lu Qing accepted that his contribution points could not be shared and considered leaving his cave dwelling and spirit land unused.
• Lu Qing reviewed his resources and decided to exchange his remaining contribution points for cultivation methods and records of Golden Core inner worlds.
• Lu Qing reflected that Golden Core cultivation involved seeking the inner self and chose to study the experiences of senior cultivators.
• Lu Qing opened a jade-slip diary from a cultivator who regretted making the mortal world the foundation of his inner world.
• Lu Qing turned to the next page and saw a brilliant light reveal a vast vision of a mortal world filled with mountains, rivers, and the smoke of cooking fires.

Lu Qing explored the Red Dust Heaven preserved in a Golden Core cultivation jade slip and gained a faint understanding of its path, though he felt his own cultivation would follow a different foundation. After making preparations and spending time with familiar disciples, he turned his attention to using the treasure pearl beneath the changed Providence clouds.

• Lu Qing entered the jade slip’s Red Dust Heaven, observed its people and landscapes, and acquired the jade slip’s essence through his Divine Soul.
• Lu Qing wandered through the imagined Mortal Realm, experiencing its customs over what felt like more than a year and gaining a different realization about the world.
• Lu Qing exchanged his token for several cultivation techniques and other supplies to help establish his foundation before leaving the Outer Academy.
• Lu Qing visited Martial Uncle Luo, who cooked a meal using Lu Qing’s spirit fish, and later encountered Senior Brother Qian working in the Mission Hall.
• Lu Qing collected the spirit stones left from selling his Spirit Plants and observed the clouds of Providence gathering over the island.
• Lu Qing looked toward the pleasant sky and prepared to use the power of his treasure pearl.

Lu Qing used the Heavenly Heart Jewel to enter a lifelike Void Realm where he became his thirteen-year-old self in a mortal version of the Lu Residence. He learned that the Lu family was deciding whether its children should attend an academy, and the family meeting began with his seventh brother choosing a military career.

• Lu Qing connected his consciousness to the Heavenly Heart Jewel and found himself in a realistic illusion as a young member of the Lu family.
• Lu Qing followed a servant's message to the main hall, where he joined his siblings and their father, the Lu Family head.
• The Lu Family head explained that the Emperor was seeking talent and that academy teachers would soon arrive in Guangyuan Prefecture.
• The Lu Family head asked his children whether they wanted to attend the academy, and the seventh son declared that he wanted to join the army and fight on the battlefield.

Lu Qing declared that he wished to seek immortal arts, despite his family’s doubts and the Lu Family’s inability to support that path. After considering Lu Qing’s resolve, Father Lu let him go, and Lu Qing left the Lu residence with books of strange tales and miscellaneous writings.

• Lu Da and Lu Qing’s siblings described the schools and fields they wished to pursue, while Lu Qing waited until he was the only one left to answer.
• Lu Qing told the Lu Family Head that he wished to seek immortal arts, and he said his heart was drawn to that path rather than sorcery.
• The Lu Family Head warned Lu Qing that the family could not help him pursue the mysterious path, and Lu Qing accepted that limitation.
• The Lu Family Head later spoke privately with Lu Qing and acknowledged that his decision was not impulsive, then agreed not to stop him.
• Lu Qing said farewell to the Lu residence the next morning, and the Lu Family Head gave him collections of strange tales and miscellaneous books.

Lu Qing traveled by boat through Guangyuan Prefecture and, while watching the full moon reflected in the river, perceived a grand hall filled with dancing heavenly maidens. The hall’s carvings resembled the moonlit palace depicted on a mysterious stone.

• Lu Qing crossed the river with Liu Jincai, a young couple, and a martial-attired traveler while reading Record of Strange Customs.
• The boatman and his apprentice Danzi served the passengers a meal, and Lu Qing noticed the others kept some distance from him because of his unusual bearing.
• After dinner, Lu Qing stood at the bow and studied the full moon reflected in the water.
• Lu Qing perceived a grand hall where heavenly maidens danced, though its host’s seat was empty.
• Lu Qing recognized that the hall’s moon and dragon-pillar carvings resembled the palace depicted on the mysterious stone.

Lu Qing investigated a mysterious stone after a vision in the water briefly showed a celestial hall, but ripples made the image disappear before he learned more. As a ghostly pleasure barge approached, a white-haired old man attacked its disguised spirits, and Lu Qing stayed nearby to observe his methods.

• Lu Qing connected the vision in the water to the mysterious stone he had found in Nether Province, but the image vanished when boats disturbed the water.
• Lu Qing returned to his cabin as a pleasure barge approached, and the passengers aboard his boat reacted to the women calling out from it.
• Lu Qing recognized the women's voices as the cries of foxes, snakes, and ghosts, then rose to confront the wandering spirits.
• A white-haired old man leaped onto the pleasure barge and threw talismans at the spirits, revealing their monstrous forms.
• The old man warned Lu Qing that the spirits preyed on people's vitality, and Lu Qing agreed to keep his distance while observing.

Lu Qing watched an old Daoist enter the pleasure boat and battle a snake demon, while warning a young man not to follow. The Daoist finally opened his wooden case and released a mass of Sword Qi that killed the demon, leaving Lu Qing to recognize it as a one-use attack.

• The old Daoist rushed into the pleasure boat, and the young man in fitted clothes marveled at his lightness skill.
• Lu Qing warned the young man that the boat held ghosts and demons, and sensed that their fortunes would become entangled that night.
• The old Daoist fought a giant snake demon with talismans as it wrecked the boat and taunted him.
• The snake demon tried to escape by shedding its skin, but the old Daoist opened his wooden case and released golden Sword Qi.
• The Sword Qi shredded the snake demon in an instant and dispersed, leaving only its discarded skin.

After Lu Qing and Zuo Liang survived a battle with shapeshifting monsters, mirage mist trapped them on the river overnight. Zuo Liang told Lu Qing about the hidden List of Extraordinary People, and Lu Qing decided to head to the capital to pursue the opportunity to become a Celestial Master.

• Lu Qing watched as Zuo Liang defeated the snake and the disguised women, whose bodies reverted to monstrous forms.
• Mirage mist swept over the river, putting the other passengers to sleep and preventing anyone from leaving that night.
• Zuo Liang joined Lu Qing on his boat and introduced himself after Lu Qing gave his name as Lu Qi, a Rogue Cultivator.
• Zuo Liang explained that the emperor had issued a List of Extraordinary People to find a Celestial Master, and said he was traveling to the capital for it.
• Lu Qing learned that the list offered him a destination and considered how his time in the Void Realm called him to enter the mortal world.

Lu Qing traveled toward the Capital City with Old Daoist Zuo Liang, learning about the realm’s cultivation schools and prominent young practitioners. As Zuo Liang described them, Lu Qing formed his first strand of divine sense, easing the restrictions on his body and sharpening his perception.

• Old Daoist Zuo Liang invited Lu Qing to accompany him to the Capital City, and Lu Qing agreed.
• Zuo Liang explained that his lineage practiced minor arts and that even cultivators feared the Dynasty’s armies and political power.
• Lu Qing assessed the realm’s limits and grew curious whether it was connected to other worlds or born from a cultivator’s thoughts.
• Zuo Liang named Fang Youxing, a young Daoist from the Red Dust Temple, and the court Attendant Jiang Wu among the exceptional practitioners expected at the gathering.
• As Zuo Liang talked, Lu Qing quietly formed a strand of divine sense and gained clearer perception of himself and the surrounding river.
• Lu Qing continued listening as Zuo Liang described the realm’s practitioners, organizing the new information in his mind.