Chapter Summaries

Lu Qing received a new Divination upon entering the Nine Heavens Realm and chose to head straight to the Dao grounds to acknowledge his master. He followed the token’s spiritual light toward his destination, while the chapter ended by revealing the vast, cloud-filled Dao ground ahead.

• Lu Qing’s Divination warned him against lingering at the transmission site or accepting a challenge, and he chose the Calming Hexagram’s path to the Dao grounds.
• Lu Qing crossed into the Nine Heavens Realm and was struck by its immense spiritual vitality and landscape.
• Lu Qing used the token Master Li had given him, and its spiritual light flew toward a destination that his Flying Boat followed.
• Lu Qing observed countless cultivators among the sect’s mountains and continued toward the Dao grounds.
• The story showed a vast Dao ground centered on a great hall, surrounded by ordered palace complexes, Cultivation Caves, and spiritual lands.

Lu Qing arrived at Li Luoyang’s Sword Lineage Dojo and formally joined his sect as an initiate disciple. After Li Luoyang gave him a token and a magical treasure, Wang Chunfeng began showing him around and explaining the dojo.

• Li Luoyang told his disciples that Lu Qing, one of his registered disciples from the Profound Heaven Dao Academy, had arrived to enter the sect.
• Lu Qing reached the Sword Lineage Dojo, met Li Luoyang, and accepted the offer to become an initiate disciple.
• Li Luoyang gave Lu Qing a wooden token and a droplet-shaped magical treasure before departing.
• Wang Chunfeng introduced himself as Lu Qing’s senior brother and offered to explain the dojo’s rules and facilities.
• Wang Chunfeng told Lu Qing about the Sword Lineage Dojo, its cave residences, daily missions, and the Profound Heaven Dao Sect’s seven main lineages.

Lu Qing explored the Profound Heaven Dao Sect with Wang Chunfeng, then left to find a place to settle. As Golden Core disciples waited for him at the Trial Path, a demonic cultivator appeared at Reception Peak, triggering an armed response.

• Wang Chunfeng explained the sect's disciple ranks, trade, Dao venue, and powerful Law Enforcement Hall to Lu Qing.
• Lu Qing parted from Wang Chunfeng and headed toward the main hall, while his divinatory image showed that a danger threshold had passed.
• Golden Core disciples gathered at the Trial Path, expecting Lu Qing to arrive for the customary challenge and sparring.
• A wounded reception disciple reported a demonic trace at Reception Peak, and the young disciples rushed to respond.
• A demonic cultivator found himself surrounded by the sect's sword lights and escaping radiance and cursed the Old Devil for the faulty teleportation array.

After a demonic cultivator was killed at Reception Peak, Lu Qing arrived at the main hall to learn how the sect assigned missions and cave abodes. He discovered that spirit plant masters were in desperately short supply.

• A demonic cultivator transformed into a sparrow to escape, but Dao Sect cultivators found and killed him after he cursed Old Devil.
• Wang Chunfeng remembered that Lu Qing might have missed the Trial Path, then learned a demonic cultivator had appeared at Reception Peak.
• Lu Qing heard rumors about the demonic cultivator and realized the incident had drawn attention away from the Trial Path and explained why his divination had vanished.
• Lu Qing went to the main hall, asked where to find spirit plant missions, and learned they were posted on the second floor.
• The gray-white-haired old man noticed Lu Qing's inner sect wooden plaque and realized he had mistaken a sword-lineage disciple for a newcomer.
• Lu Qing found that spirit plant masters were exceptionally scarce and that many spirit plant missions had remained difficult and unclaimed.

Lu Qing considered the Spirit Plant Garden’s steward positions after learning they offered food and lodging, then accepted a post at one of its four gardens. He received a token naming him steward and prepared to visit his new assignment.

• Jin Yu spotted Lu Qing’s spirit plant master badge and urged him to take a steward position at the Spirit Plant Garden.
• Lu Qing listened as nearby disciples warned that the post paid poorly and required a minimum ten-year term.
• Jin Yu showed Lu Qing details of the four Spirit Plant Gardens and described their locations and duties.
• Lu Qing chose one of the gardens and gave Jin Yu his name.
• Jin Yu made Lu Qing a steward’s token talisman and sent a flying talisman ahead.

Lu Qing arrived at Sun-Moon Mountain to take up his steward post at the Spirit Plant Garden, choosing its sun- and moon-rich environment as a place to cultivate despite his limited funds. The workers and disciples gathered at the mountain’s foot awaited the new steward, unaware that Lu Qing was approaching.

• Lu Qing left after Fellow Daoist Jin reminded him to safeguard the token talisman, then considered the high cost of lodging and his small supply of spirit coins.
• Lu Qing flew toward Sun-Moon Mountain, deciding to seek the essence of the sun and moon since he could not approach the Dao Sect’s most spiritually rich skies.
• Lu Qing arrived at the Spirit Plant Garden as evening fell and saw Foundation Establishment cultivators and burly laborers gathered at the mountain’s foot.
• Hu Laozhang recalled how a zombie’s corpse poison had ruined his cultivation prospects and reflected on the Spirit Plant Garden’s poor standing and shortage of spirit plant masters.
• The gathered workers speculated about the incoming steward as a streak of clear light appeared at the edge of the sky.

Lu Qing arrived at the Spirit Plant Garden as its new Deacon and assigned three people to manage it, while deciding the old cave abode did not suit him. He chose a mountain site for a new cultivation pavilion and ended the chapter surveying it at sunset.

• Lu Qing introduced himself to the Spirit Plant Garden workers and appointed Hu Laozhang and two others to lead its management.
• Lu Qing inspected the spirit fields and the former Deacon’s Returning Cloud Grotto-Heaven, but decided to build his own cultivation pavilion elsewhere.
• Hu Laozhang and the workers worried that Lu Qing might demand more from them and clutched the spirit stones they had planned to offer him.
• Lu Qing heard their conversation through his divine sense, then continued searching for a suitable site.
• Lu Qing chose a spot on the mountain and surveyed it as the last light of the Golden Crow faded.

Lu Qing settled into his new position and inspected the Sun-Moon Mountain Spirit Plant Garden’s records and practices. He learned that the garden relied on low-grade crops and that better spirit plant seeds were restricted, leaving him to investigate the garden’s problems further.

• Lu Qing built a bamboo courtyard with extra cultivation rooms, leaving the disciples at the foot of the mountain uneasy.
• The next day, Hu Laozhang gave Lu Qing a jade slip recording the Spirit Plant Garden’s crops, harvests, and expenses.
• Lu Qing found that the garden’s income and expenses barely balanced and that its fields mostly produced basic ninth-grade spirit plants.
• Lu Qing asked Hu Laozhang, Zhang Xian, and Hou Wucai about the garden and its spirit plant seeds.
• Hu Laozhang explained that seeds had to come from the main branch’s main mountain, where the better varieties had already been selected.

Lu Qing inspected Sun-Moon Mountain's spirit plant garden and decided to obtain better spirit grain seeds to improve its harvest and resilience. After receiving Wang Chunfeng's invitation to a Dao lecture in three months, Lu Qing left for the outer sect's main peak to collect seeds.

• Lu Qing examined the garden's poor spirit soil and basic crops, and decided to replace them with higher-grade spirit grains.
• Lu Qing received Wang Chunfeng's message inviting him to a Dao lecture three months later and agreed to attend.
• The Golden Core aura on Wang Chunfeng's talisman frightened nearby disciples, and Lu Qing withdrew it before it could further unsettle them.
• Lu Qing instructed the garden's disciples and set out for the outer sect's main peak to obtain spirit plant seeds.

Lu Qing visited Myriad Forms Hall to collect seeds for the Spirit Plant Garden at Sun-Moon Mountain. He chose three types of eighth-rank spirit rice and learned that others could collect seeds for the garden on his behalf; the newly appointed disciples continued their work at the mountain.

• Lu Qing showed his deacon's token at Myriad Forms Hall and asked for spirit grain seeds.
• A hall disciple explained that the token allowed him to collect up to sixth-grade spirit plants, while higher grades required merit points.
• Lu Qing selected Wood Spirit Rice, Water Spirit Rice, and Earth Spirit Rice from the eighth-rank seeds.
• Lu Qing asked how others could collect seeds for him and learned that future visits required no additional documents.
• After Lu Qing left, disciples speculated that he was the newly appointed deacon assigned to a Spirit Plant Garden.
• Hu Laozhang, Zhang Xian, and Little Hou carried out their duties at Sun-Moon Mountain.

Lu Qing returned to his Spirit Fields, assigned Five-Element Rice seeds to three disciples, and transformed the mountain with powerful formations that gathered spiritual energy and protected his plot. The disciples realized their new workplace offered extraordinary cultivation conditions.

• Lu Qing returned to his eastern Spirit Fields and noticed that three disciples' Providence had become more solid.
• Lu Qing gave the three disciples Five-Element Rice seeds and told them to plant them in the next batch.
• Lu Qing ordered everyone to stand aside while he set up formations across Sun-Moon Mountain.
• Lu Qing established a Spirit-Gathering Grand Formation that drew spiritual energy toward the mountain peak.
• Lu Qing added a Grand Cloud-Mist Formation and several protective formations around his Cultivation Cave, delighting the disciples with the rich spiritual energy.

Lu Qing settled Sun-Moon Mountain, studied the changes in his Golden Core cultivation, and refined the Waterheart Jewel. He continued cultivating, while the Demonic Cultivator incident remained a matter of concern elsewhere.

• Lu Qing found that the mountain’s formation had changed its plants and animals, and he planned to share the new Pure Peach Fruits with the boy when they ripened.
• Lu Qing opened Spirit Fields and built a small lake on Sun-Moon Mountain, then replanted his spirit plants and arranged the summit.
• Lu Qing reflected on how his Golden Core breakthrough had changed his understanding of cultivation, Dharma Power, and the Profound Heaven Origin Scripture.
• Lu Qing practiced his spells and discovered that his Palm Thunder had become unexpectedly powerful.
• Lu Qing refined the Waterheart Jewel and learned that it could calm seas and part waters, though its full power depended on his cultivation.
• Lu Qing continued cultivating while people elsewhere made a great issue of the Demonic Cultivator incident.

After a Demonic Cultivator infiltrated the Dao Sect, Bai Changshou and Liao Bufan discussed the breach and the sect’s response. Senior masters debated how to retaliate against the Demon Sect and uncover its plans, while Lu Qing’s new senior brothers looked forward to meeting him.

• Bai Changshou asked Liao Bufan about the Demonic Cultivator discovered at Reception Peak, and Liao Bufan explained that the captive’s True Spirit had self-destructed before they could learn much.
• Bai Changshou said the sect would investigate the teleportation formation and change the sect-protecting formation after the breach.
• Liao Bufan and Bai Changshou discussed their newly accepted youngest junior brother, Lu Qing, and planned to meet and test his swordsmanship when they had time.
• Senior masters gathered in the hall and debated whether to strike the Demon Sect or focus on exposing its schemes and the cause of the recent disturbance in the heavenly phenomena.

The Profound Heaven Dao Sect’s leaders debated changes to its rules before assigning several urgent matters, including investigating the Demonic Path, to different lineages. After the Sword Lineage received its mission, Wang Chunfeng visited Lu Qing at Sun-Moon Mountain and learned that Lu had chosen to cultivate Spirit Plants; the chapter left them discussing his path.

• The Headmaster halted the debate over sect rules and directed the gathering to address the sect’s other concerns.
• The leaders assigned missions concerning the Demon Sect, abnormal coastal tides, and people born for a great age to various lineages and branches.
• The Headmaster concluded the meeting, and Bai Changshou told Liao Bufan that the Sword Lineage had received a mission concerning the Demonic Path.
• Wang Chunfeng found Lu Qing at Sun-Moon Mountain and visited his secluded place of cultivation.
• Wang Chunfeng learned that Lu Qing was cultivating Spirit Plants and cautioned him that this path might yield resources slowly, while Lu Qing said his resolve was firm.

Lu Qing learned about the Dao Sect's Library Tower and declined Wang Chunfeng's invitation to join a mission against the Demon Sect. After removing an Azure Nether Insect from Sun-Moon Mountain, he ordered the Spirit Plant disciples to reduce their daily watering, leaving Hou Wucai determined to serve him well.

• Lu Qing asked Wang Chunfeng about sect records and learned that he could consult them at the Library Tower.
• Wang Chunfeng invited Lu Qing to join a Sword Lineage mission against the Demon Sect, but Lu Qing declined and remembered the sermon scheduled for three months later.
• Hou Wucai reported an Azure Nether Insect in the Spirit Plant Garden, and Lu Qing crushed it with ease.
• Lu Qing asked how often the disciples made it rain and ordered them to reduce the watering schedule from four times a day to twice.
• Hou Wucai relayed Lu Qing's instructions to the Spirit Plant disciples and resolved to work harder for him.

Lu Qing visited the Library Pavilion to learn about the Profound Heaven Dao Sect and the Nine Heavens Realm. After reading about the sect’s structure and history, he learned that the Southern Heaven Continent bordered the Seeking Dao Immortal Sect to the north.

• Wang Jia resented Hou Wucai’s rise, but Li Dayuan warned him not to question someone chosen by his lord.
• Lu Qing continued cultivating and used his Divine Consciousness to monitor the Spirit Fields without constantly watching over them.
• Lu Qing traveled to the Star-Dipper-shaped peak and entered the Library Pavilion.
• Lu Qing read free books detailing the Profound Heaven Dao Sect’s seven Main Lineages, their attached peaks, and the vacant Outer Sect chief seat.
• Lu Qing learned that the Nine Heavens Realm had four continents and that the Seeking Dao Immortal Sect lay north of the Southern Heaven Continent.

Lu Qing settled into a quiet life as a Spirit Plant steward at the Profound Heaven Dao Sect while continuing his Golden Core cultivation. Meanwhile, the young Golden Core disciples who had noticed him gathered at Wan Shenyou’s banquet.

• Lu Qing learned about the Nine Heavens’ major sects and how cultivators earned merit points, and he decided his Spirit Plant steward post offered a stable, low-risk life.
• Lu Qing continued studying heaven and earth in seclusion, sensing that he was near another cultivation threshold but still lacked the final insights to break through.
• Thunder and purple lightning rolled over Lu Qing’s mountain during his cultivation, drawing the attention of nearby disciples.
• After the Demonic Cultivators’ uproar, young Golden Core disciples in purple robes arrived at Wan Shenyou’s immortal tower for a banquet.
• Wan Shenyou welcomed Gao Yuan, an Enforcement Lineage disciple, and promised him a taste of the rare wine Drunk for a Thousand Years.

At a Creation Banquet, Gao Yuan asked Wan Shenyou to help locate Lu Qing so he could challenge him on the Phantom Platform. The chapter ended with Lu Qing completing more than a month of cultivation and reaching the Third Golden Core Realm.

• Wan Shenyou introduced Gao Yuan to the banquet guests, who recognized his connection to the Gao Clan and discussed the approaching struggle for the Ten True Inheritances.
• Gao Yuan explained that he wanted to find a Profound Heaven Dao Academy disciple he had meant to challenge after the Demonic Cultivator incident.
• Gao Yuan said he would use the Phantom Platform to equalize their cultivation, and Wan Shenyou agreed to keep watch for the disciple.
• Gao Yuan named Lu Qing, and Wan Shenyou recognized the name.
• Lu Qing finished solidifying his cultivation and crossed into the Third Golden Core Realm.

At a banquet, Wan Shenyou revealed that Lu Qing was the Sword Lineage Chief’s personal disciple, shocking Gao Yuan and the other guests. Gao Yuan abruptly left, while Wan Shenyou wondered whether Lu Qing’s identity was connected to the conflict between the Gao Clan and the Sword Lineage.

• Guests at the banquet discussed Lu Qing and questioned which lineage he had joined.
• Wan Shenyou told Gao Yuan that Lu Qing was a Sword Lineage disciple and the Sword Lineage Chief’s personal disciple.
• Gao Yuan’s companions tried to dismiss Lu Qing’s status, but Gao Yuan cut them off and ended the gathering.
• Gao Yuan departed in a streak of Purple Radiance, and Li Tongxiao led the remaining guests away.
• Wan Shenyou considered Gao Yuan’s unexpected reaction and wondered whether Lu Qing was the key to the Gao Clan and Sword Lineage’s conflict.

Lu Qing sensed that someone had spoken about him and suspected a Trial Path genius had challenged him, then chose to await the sect lectures on Sun-Moon Mountain. White Crane Boy visited and invited him to see its future home at Misty-Wave Lake, which Lu Qing realized was nearby.

• Lu Qing sensed someone speaking his name and reasoned that a Trial Path genius might have challenged him, though the matter seemed settled.
• Lu Qing decided to remain on Sun-Moon Mountain and wait for the sect lectures.
• White Crane Boy arrived, showed Lu Qing the eight-hundred-li lake where it planned to settle, and invited him to visit once its home was finished.
• White Crane Boy told Lu Qing it had been cultivating under White Crane Ancestor and was troubled that it could no longer roam freely.
• After White Crane Boy departed, Lu Qing identified its home as Misty-Wave Lake, near Sun-Moon Mountain.