Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Wen, an alchemist, purchases an incomplete formula from Hundred Herbs Tower, which belongs to the Xing Family.
• The attendant reports to a young lady of the Xing Family that the formula has been taken.
• The young lady, who is cultivating a demonic-path technique, kills the attendant after learning about the formula.
• Song Wen struggles to find the required spiritual herbs in the black market but buys demon beast blood essences and souls from a stall.
• Three cultivators (two men and a woman) plan to rob Song Wen, believing him to be wealthy.

Character Developments

• Song Wen: Shows interest in an unusual formula and is determined to study it.
• Xing Family's Young Lady: Revealed to be cultivating a demonic-path technique, struggles with its severe afflictions, and decides to seek her father's help.
• The female stall owner: Reveals herself to be a cultivator and plans to rob Song Wen with her companions.

Significant Themes

• The allure and danger of demonic-path techniques, as seen through the young lady's struggle with Corpse Transformation.
• Greed and its consequences, demonstrated by the three cultivators' plan to rob Song Wen.

Character Interactions

• Song Wen and the Hundred Herbs Tower attendant: The attendant provides information about the formula and the Xing Family, while Song Wen expresses interest in the formula.
• The Xing Family's Young Lady and the attendant: The young lady kills the attendant after learning about the formula, showing her ruthlessness and desperation.
• The three cultivators: They discuss their plan to rob Song Wen, revealing their greed and lack of scruples.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Three cultivators, including "Big Brother," are lured into a trap by Gu insects while pursuing a soul bottle.
• Song Wen arrives, kills the remaining cultivator, and absorbs their memories and essence.
• Song Wen learns about the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion's exchange gathering and its entry requirements.
• He decides to spend fifty thousand spirit stones at the pavilion to qualify for the gathering.

Character Developments

• "Big Brother" is revealed to be a lackey of the Xing Family, not a family member as he claimed.
• Song Wen demonstrates his cunning and strategic thinking in deciding to spend spirit stones to attend the gathering.

Significant Themes

• The theme of deception and hidden identities is explored through "Big Brother" and the Gu insects' trap.
• The value of information and knowledge is highlighted, as Song Wen seeks to attend the gathering to gain useful insights.

Character Interactions

• Song Wen interacts with a maid and a white-haired old man (steward) at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.
• There's no direct interaction between Song Wen and the three cultivators before they're killed, as it's narrated from their perspective.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Wen visits the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion to inquire about refining a magical treasure. He meets Tian Zhou, who agrees to help but only if Song Wen attends the shop's exchange gathering three days later.
• The next day, Song Wen cultivates and receives a message from Xing Chang to meet at the Listening Wind Pavilion.
• Xing Chang reveals that the Xing Family is hosting the first Spell Arts Tournament, inviting cultivators from across the Sea of Disorder to compete in various spell arts categories.

Character Developments

• Song Wen demonstrates patience and strategic thinking in dealing with Tian Zhou, understanding that Tian Zhou wants to verify his intentions before helping.
• Xing Chang shows arrogance and entitlement, expecting others to cater to his needs without proper consideration or appreciation.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between cultivators, with those at higher cultivation levels or with more resources holding more influence.
• The importance of reputation and connections in the cultivation world, as seen in Tian Zhou's emphasis on the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion's reputation.

Character Interactions

• Song Wen and Tian Zhou: Song Wen navigates the conversation carefully, understanding Tian Zhou's intentions and agreeing to his terms.
• Song Wen and Xing Chang: Xing Chang treats Song Wen dismissively, expecting him to teach lightning arts despite Song Wen's reservations. Song Wen, however, remains respectful and patient, understanding Xing Chang's importance to his plans.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xing Chang, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator, seeks Song Wen's help to learn lightning arts for the Spell Arts Tournament.
• Xing Chang displays his lightning arts, drawing attention from other cultivators in Listening Wind Pavilion.
• Xing Chang kills a maid who reprimands him for reckless spell use, drawing the attention of Bai Man, the manager of Listening Wind Pavilion.
• Xing Chang learns that Listening Wind Pavilion belongs to his brother, Xing Liren, and flees in fear.
• The next day, Xing Chang invites Song Wen to Listening Wind Pavilion again to teach him lightning arts.

Character Developments

• Xing Chang: Shows his arrogance, bullying the weak (the maid) and fearing the strong (his brother, Xing Liren). He also displays a lack of self-awareness and respect for others.
• Song Wen: Maintains a calm and collected demeanor throughout the events, showing no fear of Xing Chang despite his cultivation level.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: Xing Chang's behavior is driven by his perception of power. He feels he can act without consequence towards those he deems weaker but fears those he perceives as stronger.
• Consequences of Actions: Xing Chang's actions have immediate consequences (the maid's death) and potential long-term consequences (his brother's wrath).

Character Interactions

• Xing Chang & Song Wen: Xing Chang treats Song Wen with contempt, despite Song Wen saving his life previously. Song Wen remains polite but maintains a clear boundary.
• Xing Chang & Bai Man: Xing Chang's fear of his brother is revealed through his interaction with Bai Man, who threatens to inform his brother of his actions.
• Xing Chang & The Maid: Xing Chang's bullying of the maid highlights his lack of respect for life and others.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xing Chang meets Song Wen at the Listening Wind Pavilion, accompanied by his mother, Shan Yue.
• Bai Man, the steward, arrives and argues with Shan Yue, leading to a tense confrontation.
• Shan Yue humiliates Bai Man and forces her to leave, ensuring Xing Chang can cultivate lightning arts undisturbed.
• Xing Chang and Shan Yue leave, and Song Wen is rewarded with a bag containing over a hundred low-grade spirit stones.
• The next day, Song Wen meets Wei Zhengzhi, a third-tier artifact refiner, at the Dark Star Black Market to discuss forging a magic treasure using the Fire-Scale Wood trees.

Character Developments

• Xing Chang: Shows determination to improve his lightning arts skills for the upcoming spell arts tournament.
• Shan Yue: Demonstrates her powerful presence and arrogance, putting Bai Man in her place and ensuring her son's cultivation is uninterrupted.
• Song Wen: Maintains a low profile, teaching Xing Chang and later meeting with Wei Zhengzhi to discuss forging a magic treasure.
• Bai Man: Loses face and is humiliated by Shan Yue, retreating without a resolution.
• Wei Zhengzhi: Recognizes the Fire-Scale Wood trees and expresses surprise.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: Shan Yue's powerful presence and status as a concubine of the Xing Family ancestor allow her to dominate the situation and intimidate Bai Man.
• Ambition: Xing Chang's desire to excel in the spell arts tournament drives him to diligently practice his lightning arts.
• Respect and Dignity: Bai Man's loss of face and humiliation highlight the importance of respect and dignity in cultivator society.

Character Interactions

• Xing Chang and Shan Yue: The mother-son duo work together to ensure Xing Chang's cultivation is uninterrupted, with Shan Yue protecting and supporting her son.
• Shan Yue and Bai Man: Shan Yue's arrogance and powerful presence clash with Bai Man's authority as the Listening Wind Pavilion steward, leading to a tense confrontation.
• Song Wen and Wei Zhengzhi: The two discuss the forging of a magic treasure using the Fire-Scale Wood trees, with Wei Zhengzhi expressing surprise at recognizing the material.

Chapter Summary: “Treasure Gathering”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Wen visits the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion carrying two stalks of rare Fire Astral Wood, hoping to have a fire-attributed short-blade magic treasure forged.
• Artifact refiner Wei Zhengzhi examines Song Wen’s existing Soul-Splitting Blade and agrees to forge a similar weapon, leaving space for Song Wen’s master to seal a spiritual flame inside it.
• Wei explains the Pavilion’s forging prices:
  • Low-grade magic treasure: 30 Superior Spirit Stones
  • Mid-grade magic treasure: 150 Superior Spirit Stones
  • Higher payment is required when using lower-grade Spirit Stones.
• Wei also explains that superior-grade magic treasures are generally beyond a third-rank artifact refiner’s ability and are difficult for Golden Core cultivators to wield effectively.
• Because Fire Astral Wood is extremely scarce in the Sea of Disorder, Wei first offers to forge a mid-grade treasure for 100 Superior Spirit Stones if Song Wen gives him one stalk. When Song Wen claims he can afford only 300,000 low-grade Spirit Stones, Wei lowers the offer to 50 Superior Spirit Stones plus one stalk of Fire Astral Wood.
• Suspicious of Wei’s eagerness and uncertain whether the wood’s value has been exaggerated, Song Wen negotiates a safer arrangement: he gives up one stalk immediately and will provide the remaining Spirit Stones and the second stalk when the weapon is completed.
• The two sign a soul contract. Wei promises to finish the mid-grade magic treasure within three months, and Song Wen receives a golden collection token.
• Tian Zhou invites Song Wen to attend the Pavilion’s secret Treasure Gathering on the tenth night of the month.
• Song Wen spends the following days cultivating and cautiously moving through the city. He takes a long detour after leaving the Pavilion to ensure he is not being followed.
• At midnight on the tenth, Tian Zhou leads him from the black market to a mist-covered mountain. After presenting an access token, they enter a path protected by a third-rank bewildering formation.

Character Developments

• Song Wen demonstrates greater caution and negotiation skill. Although he wants a mid-grade magic treasure, he refuses to surrender both rare materials or pay an unreasonable price without safeguards.
• His limited knowledge of magic treasures becomes apparent, particularly regarding their grades and the spiritual power required to wield them. He accepts Wei’s explanation but remains alert to possible manipulation.
• Song Wen’s security-conscious nature is emphasized when he takes a winding route to confirm he is not being followed before returning to Fangzhu City.
• Wei Zhengzhi presents himself as a skilled but opportunistic artifact refiner. His rapidly changing offers reveal how highly he values Fire Astral Wood, though his true motives remain uncertain.
• Tian Zhou acts as Song Wen’s guide and intermediary, treating him as an honored guest of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and granting him access to the secret gathering.

Significant Themes

• Scarcity and regional value: A material that is merely ordinary on the Heavenly Origin Continent becomes exceptionally valuable in the water-rich Sea of Disorder because fire-attributed resources are rare.
• Negotiation and mistrust: Song Wen must balance his desire for a powerful weapon against the danger of being exploited or losing a valuable resource.
• Power limitations: The chapter establishes that a cultivator’s cultivation level does not automatically mean they can fully control higher-grade treasures.
• Caution in a dangerous world: Song Wen’s suspicion, contract-making, and efforts to detect pursuit reflect the importance of secrecy and self-protection.
• Hidden opportunities: The Treasure Gathering introduces a new venue where rare treasures, materials, and potentially important connections may be found.

Character Interactions

• Song Wen and Wei Zhengzhi negotiate the forging of the short-blade magic treasure, with Wei repeatedly adjusting the price to obtain Fire Astral Wood.
• Song Wen questions Wei about superior-grade treasures and learns more about artifact grades and Golden Core limitations.
• Song Wen and Wei formalize their agreement through a soul contract.
• Tian Zhou gives Song Wen the collection token and invites him to the Treasure Gathering.
• Tian Zhou later escorts Song Wen through the guarded entrance and explains that the surrounding mist is a powerful formation capable of trapping even Golden Core cultivators without the proper token.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Wen and Tian Zhou attend a monthly Treasure Gathering organized by Gan Hong, a late Golden Core cultivator.
• The gathering begins with an auction, featuring various spirit artifacts and materials. Song Wen buys Golden Essence Seed for 30,000 spirit stones.
• After the auction, cultivators engage in private trades. Song Wen puts up three low-grade spirit artifact flying swords and seeks Profound Spirit Ginseng and Sparrowcry Flower.
• Gan Hong approaches Song Wen, expressing interest in meeting his third-rank alchemist master, Extreme Yin.

Character Developments

• Song Wen demonstrates his cunning and caution when dealing with Gan Hong, refusing to introduce his master without permission.
• Gan Hong shows eagerness to meet a third-rank alchemist, hinting at his desperation for such a connection.

Significant Themes

• Rarity and Value: Third-rank alchemists are rare, making them highly sought after. This rarity drives up their value and the value of the spiritual materials they need.
• Caution and Cunning: Song Wen exhibits caution and cunning in his interactions with Gan Hong, showing that he is not just a simple Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Character Interactions

• Song Wen and Tian Zhou: Tian Zhou brings Song Wen to the Treasure Gathering and explains its customs.
• Song Wen and Gan Hong: Gan Hong approaches Song Wen, expressing interest in meeting his master, Extreme Yin, after learning that he's a third-rank alchemist's disciple.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Wen acquires Profound Spirit Ginseng and Sparrowcry Flower from Gan Hong, who gives them as a gift but accepts 20,000 spirit stones later.
• Song Wen encounters Xing Xinxin at the Treasure Gathering, who seeks a method to resolve her fleshly corpse transformation caused by Baleful Intent.
• Song Wen examines Xing Xinxin and finds her condition similar to his past corpse transformation but more severe.
• Song Wen leaves the Treasure Gathering early and later approaches Xing Xinxin in secret, offering to help resolve her corpse transformation.

Character Developments

• Song Wen: Shows interest in helping Xing Xinxin, indicating his growth and confidence in his alchemical skills.
• Xing Xinxin: Becomes desperate and hopeless due to her worsening condition, but a glimmer of hope returns when Song Wen approaches her.

Significant Themes

• The power of alchemy and spiritual herbs in resolving cultivation issues.
• The desperation and hope that comes with severe cultivation problems.
• The importance of secrecy in dealing with sensitive cultivation matters.

Character Interactions

• Song Wen and Gan Hong: Their interaction shows Gan Hong's generosity and Song Wen's honesty and respect.
• Song Wen and Xing Xinxin: Their initial interaction is professional and guarded, with Xing Xinxin suspicious of Song Wen's motives. However, her desperation makes her consider his offer.
• Xing Xinxin and her father, Xing Gaohan: Their interaction reveals Xing Gaohan's disapproval of Xing Xinxin's cultivation of a demonic art and his lack of immediate help, leaving Xing Xinxin to fend for herself.

Chapter Summary

Plot and Events

Song Wen offers Xing Xinxin a solution to her body’s transformation into a corpse, explaining that her demonic cultivation technique is incomplete. He claims to possess the complete Corpse King Blood Refinement Art, a secret technique of Limitless Island. Xing Xinxin is suspicious and questions whether Song Wen is connected to Limitless Island, but Song Wen denies being a demonic cultivator or its heir.
Seeking to profit from her desperation, Song Wen initially demands one hundred Superior Spirit Stones. When Xing Xinxin admits she lacks the payment, he increases the price to one hundred Superior Spirit Stones, three Profound Yin Stones, and one hundred Baleful Crystals—materials worth nearly three million Spirit Stones. Despite recognizing his greed, Xing Xinxin agrees.
They arrange a secret exchange at Star-Point Lake. Song Wen arrives early, searches the area, and leaves two Sacred Beetle Gu behind before departing. When Xing Xinxin arrives the next day, Song Wen communicates through the Gu Worms instead of appearing personally. She sends the agreed materials with one Gu while following the other toward the cultivation art. However, the Gu leads her on a long, suspicious route before returning to the lake and disappearing into a rock crevice. Xing Xinxin concludes that Song Wen has deceived her and may never have possessed the complete art.

Character Development

• Song Wen is revealed as highly cautious, calculating, and opportunistic. He exploits Xing Xinxin’s urgent need, deliberately pretends to leave to pressure her, demands an exorbitant price, and designs a remote exchange using Gu Worms to avoid danger. His secrecy suggests both distrust and possible ulterior motives.
• Xing Xinxin remains wary but increasingly desperate. Her fear of corpse transformation overrides her doubts, leading her to accept Song Wen’s harsh terms. She also reveals that she has secured the protection of her father, Xing Gaohan, a powerful late-Nascent Soul cultivator, indicating that she is not without resources. By the end, her hope turns into anger and suspicion.

Themes

• Desperation and exploitation: Xing Xinxin’s urgent need allows Song Wen to demand an enormous payment.
• Trust and deception: Neither character fully trusts the other, and the transaction becomes a contest of suspicion and hidden preparations.
• Caution in the cultivation world: Song Wen’s remote arrangements and Xing Xinxin’s concealed reliance on her father emphasize the danger of direct dealings.
• Power and secrecy: The Corpse King Blood Refinement Art’s restricted status makes knowledge itself a valuable and dangerous commodity.

Character Interactions

Song Wen and Xing Xinxin engage in a tense negotiation shaped by mutual distrust. Xing Xinxin challenges Song Wen’s identity and doubts his claim, while Song Wen refuses to explain his origins and uses the possibility of ending negotiations to pressure her. Their eventual agreement is undermined by Song Wen’s elaborate precautions, leaving Xing Xinxin furious and convinced she has been tricked.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xing Xinxin, driven by the Corpse King Blood Refinement Art, becomes enraged and bloodthirsty.
• Xing Gaohan appears and calms Xing Xinxin.
• Two Sacred Beetle Gu emerge from a crack, one carrying a jade slip with the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment methods of the Corpse King Blood Refinement Art.
• Xing Gaohan decides not to pursue the matter further, suspecting a trap set by a Nascent Soul Cultivator.
• Song Wen, having obtained the spiritual materials, removes tracking marks and returns to his cave dwelling to begin alchemy practice.

Character Developments

• Xing Xinxin's transformation and subsequent return to normalcy under her father's influence.
• Xing Gaohan's protective nature towards Xing Xinxin and his strategic thinking in avoiding potential traps.
• Song Wen's meticulous planning and adaptability in handling the situation.

Significant Themes

• The power and danger of cultivation arts (Xing Xinxin's transformation).
• The importance of strategic thinking and caution in the cultivation world (Xing Gaohan's decision not to pursue the matter).
• The value of spiritual materials and the lengths cultivators go to obtain them (Song Wen's elaborate plan).

Character Interactions

• Xing Gaohan's authoritative presence calms Xing Xinxin, showing their father-daughter bond.
• Xing Xinxin's eagerness to pursue the matter contrasts with Xing Gaohan's caution, highlighting their different perspectives.
• Song Wen's actions show his independence and self-reliance, as he doesn't rely on others for protection.

Chapter Summary: “Selling Pills”

Key Plot Points and Events

• After three months, Song Wen meets Wei Zhengzhi and Tian Zhou at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion to receive the completed magic treasure.
• Wei Zhengzhi presents Song Wen with a foot-long, hiltless curved blade refined with Heavenly Fire Stone. The blade is exceptionally sharp and capable of storing and gradually absorbing Spirit Flame.
• Song Wen pays for the blade with Fire Astral Wood, fifty Superior Spirit Stones, and a transaction token. He names the weapon the Void-Breaking Blade.
• After Song Wen leaves, Tian Zhou suggests ambushing him and reclaiming the treasure, but Wei Zhengzhi refuses because of the mysterious Golden Core expert supposedly backing Song Wen. They decide that provoking such a potential enemy is not worth the risk.
• Song Wen carefully checks whether he is being followed, travels over a thousand li through the wilderness, and safely returns to his cave dwelling.
• He spends more than two months refining the Void-Breaking Blade before testing it at the remote Star-Point Lake. A single strike cleaves through the lake and reveals the lakebed, demonstrating the blade’s tremendous power.
• However, using the blade consumes nearly seventy percent of Song Wen’s spiritual power, making it a trump card rather than a weapon he can use casually.
• Song Wen considers merging the silver firebird’s flame into the blade, which would combine the powerful yang energy of the Jade Radiance Flame with the cold yin energy of the Nether Corpse Cold Flame.
• He then experiments with refining Golden Jade Pills and Qi Spirit Pills. After successfully producing both, he discovers that Golden Jade Pills provide less cultivation benefit than Blood Spirit Pills despite requiring more resources and effort.
• Song Wen decides to sell most of the pills. He keeps a few Qi Spirit Pills for restoring Divine Sense and brings fifty Golden Jade Pills and ten Qi Spirit Pills to Gan Hong at the Treasure Gathering.
• Gan Hong reveals that he has noticed Song Wen’s absence from recent gatherings, implying that he has been deliberately monitoring or searching for him.
• Gan Hong inspects the pills and offers 400 Spirit Stones per Golden Jade Pill and 800 Spirit Stones per Qi Spirit Pill.

Character Developments

• Song Wen: Becomes increasingly cautious and strategic. He tests the new blade in an isolated location, recognizes its limitations, and evaluates his pills according to cost-effectiveness rather than blindly relying on them. His suspicion toward Gan Hong also grows when he realizes he has been monitored.
• Wei Zhengzhi: Displays pride in his craftsmanship and offers Song Wen future business. Despite Tian Zhou’s suggestion, he acts cautiously and refuses to create conflict with a potentially powerful backer.
• Tian Zhou: Reveals lingering hostility toward Song Wen and a willingness to resort to violence to reclaim the magic treasure.
• Gan Hong: Maintains a friendly exterior but shows signs of covert interest in Song Wen’s activities by tracking his attendance and possibly investigating his whereabouts.

Significant Themes

• Caution and survival: Song Wen repeatedly takes precautions against surveillance, betrayal, and ambushes.
• Power versus cost: The Void-Breaking Blade is extraordinarily powerful but drains most of Song Wen’s spiritual energy, illustrating that strength must be balanced against practical limitations.
• Resource management: Song Wen compares the efficiency of different pills and chooses to sell those that are less useful to him.
• Hidden motives and mistrust: Friendly interactions conceal possible danger, particularly in the cases of Tian Zhou and Gan Hong.
• Self-reliance: Song Wen develops his alchemy skills without guidance, relying on experimentation and careful judgment.

Character Interactions

• Song Wen and Wei Zhengzhi conduct the formal exchange of the Void-Breaking Blade, with Wei explaining its special properties.
• Tian Zhou and Wei Zhengzhi privately discuss whether to attack Song Wen, revealing their differing levels of caution.
• Song Wen later meets Gan Hong to sell pills and purchase spiritual herbs. Gan Hong’s warm manner contrasts with the unsettling revelation that he has been tracking Song Wen’s movements.
• The chapter ends with Gan Hong making a purchase offer, leaving Song Wen to decide whether the price—and the transaction itself—is safe and worthwhile.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Wen learns the market prices of Golden Jade Pills and Qi Spirit Pills.
• Gan Hong offers to buy Song Wen's pills at double the profit, showing he knows the market prices well.
• Song Wen buys more spirit herbs and third-tier pill formulas from Gan Hong.
• Gan Hong asks Song Wen to introduce him to Song Wen's master, offering 90,000 spirit stones in exchange.
• Gan Hong reveals he works for the Xing Family and tries to persuade Song Wen to convince his master to join them.
• Song Wen leaves, and Gan Hong realizes Song Wen is the third-tier alchemist he's been looking for. He chases after him.

Character Developments

• Song Wen: Maintains his disguise as a Foundation Establishment cultivator but reveals his true cultivation level (mid-stage Golden Core) when escaping from Gan Hong.
• Gan Hong: Initially appears friendly and knowledgeable, but reveals his true intentions when he chases after Song Wen.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Trust: Both Song Wen and Gan Hong deceive each other, with Song Wen hiding his cultivation level and Gan Hong hiding his true intentions.
• Greed and Ambition: Gan Hong's greed for wealth and power leads him to pursue Song Wen, while Song Wen's ambition to become a renowned alchemist drives him to take risks.

Character Interactions

• Song Wen and Gan Hong: Their interaction is marked by mutual deception and suspicion. Gan Hong tries to manipulate Song Wen, while Song Wen tries to gather information and resources without revealing his true identity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Gan Hong, tasked with finding third-rank alchemists, fails to capture Song Wen and returns to Fangzhu City.
• Xing Liren, the Xing Family's eldest young master, reveals that the Spell Arts Tournament is a means to gather Qi Refinement cultivators with Soul-Origin Physiques for refining Holy Spirit Pills.
• Song Wen, after evading Gan Hong, decides to upgrade his silver corpse to mid-third-rank using three Profound Yin Stones and various spiritual materials.

Character Developments

• Gan Hong shows determination in his task but also caution and deference when reporting to Xing Liren, indicating his understanding of the power dynamics within the Xing Family.
• Xing Liren displays authority and strategic thinking, revealing the Xing Family's long-term plans and the true purpose behind the Spell Arts Tournament.
• Song Wen demonstrates quick decision-making and resourcefulness in upgrading his silver corpse, prioritizing quality over quantity.

Significant Themes

• Power and Authority: The Xing Family's dominance in Fangzhu City is evident in their rules and Gan Hong's deference to Xing Liren.
• Strategic Planning: Both Xing Liren and Song Wen exhibit strategic thinking, with Xing Liren planning for the future of the Xing Family and Song Wen upgrading his silver corpse to better face upcoming challenges.
• Resource Management: Song Wen's decision to upgrade his silver corpse rather than creating new ones shows his understanding of the value of resources and the importance of quality over quantity.

Character Interactions

• Gan Hong reports to Xing Liren, showing deference and caution in his speech.
• Song Wen interacts with his silver corpse and the Nether Corpse Cold Flame, demonstrating his control over his undead minions.
• The relationship between the Xing Family and other cultivators in Fangzhu City is shown through the rules governing travel within North City and the Spell Arts Tournament's true purpose.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Wen realizes the inadequacy of the corpse-nurturing coffin for the silver corpse and purchases a supreme-grade spirit artifact coffin.
• He notices increased activity in Fangzhu City due to the upcoming Spell Arts Tournament.
• Xing Chang contacts Song Wen, boasting about his progress in thunder arts.
• Xing Chang demonstrates his power by killing low-level Rogue Cultivators with thunder arts.
• A mysterious cultivator intervenes, questioning Xing Chang's reckless use of thunder arts.

Character Developments

• Song Wen shows concern for his safety and privacy, wanting to leave the scene of Xing Chang's massacre.
• Xing Chang revels in his newfound power, becoming arrogant and bloodthirsty, and enjoys the fear he instills in others.

Significant Themes

• Power and its corrupting influence, as seen in Xing Chang's behavior.
• The disparity between the powerful and the weak, with low-level Rogue Cultivators being easily disposable.
• The lack of intervention from authorities, highlighting the impunity of the powerful in society.

Character Interactions

• Song Wen and Xing Chang interact, with Song Wen flattering Xing Chang to keep him happy while also trying to leave the scene.
• Xing Chang's actions draw the attention of an unknown cultivator, setting up a potential conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xing Xinxin, a direct daughter of the Xing Family, arrives in Fangzhu City and confronts Xing Chang, who had been attacking Rogue Cultivators with lightning arts.
• Xing Xinxin, a corpse cultivator, is angered by Xing Chang's use of lightning arts, which target her hidden identity.
• Xing Xinxin and Xing Chang engage in a fierce battle, causing significant destruction and the deaths of many Rogue Cultivators.
• Xing Liren, the eldest young master of the Xing Family, intervenes and stops the fight, ordering Xing Xinxin and Xing Chang to return.
• Song Wen, who had previously traded with Xing Xinxin, witnesses the battle and follows her.

Character Developments

• Xing Xinxin: Reveals her corpse cultivator identity and displays her power, showing that she is not to be underestimated. Her actions indicate that she is willing to protect her identity and is not afraid to confront those who threaten it.
• Xing Chang: Shows cowardice and fear when facing Xing Xinxin, despite his initial arrogance. His actions reveal his lack of true power and his reliance on his family's influence.
• Xing Liren: Demonstrates his authority and power as the eldest young master of the Xing Family, intervening to stop the fight between Xing Xinxin and Xing Chang.
• Song Wen: Shows interest in Xing Xinxin and follows her, indicating that he may have further plans involving her.

Significant Themes

• Identity and Concealment: Xing Xinxin's struggle to keep her corpse cultivator identity hidden and her reaction when it is threatened.
• Power and Influence: The dynamics between Xing Xinxin, Xing Chang, and Xing Liren, highlighting the importance of power and influence within their family and society.
• Consequences of Actions: The destruction and loss of life caused by Xing Xinxin and Xing Chang's battle, illustrating the consequences of their actions and the disregard for the lives of lower-level cultivators.

Character Interactions

• Xing Xinxin vs. Xing Chang: Their intense battle reveals their personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as their differing attitudes toward their family and identity.
• Xing Liren vs. Xing Xinxin and Xing Chang: Xing Liren's intervention showcases his authority and power, while also revealing the tension between him and his siblings.
• Song Wen vs. Xing Xinxin: Song Wen's interest in Xing Xinxin suggests a potential future interaction or conflict between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xing Xinxin receives another jade slip, inviting her to Star-Point Lake to exchange the Corpse King Blood Refinement Art's Golden Core-stage cultivation method for spiritual materials.
• She seeks help from Granny Jin, a mid-Golden Core cultivator, to attend the meeting in disguise, aiming to capture the person behind the messages.
• At the appointed time, Granny Jin (disguised as Xing Xinxin) meets Song Wen, who is hiding his true cultivation base and intentions.
• Song Wen reveals his powerful lightning arts, and a chase ensues between Granny Jin and him.

Character Developments

• Xing Xinxin demonstrates cunning and resourcefulness by devising a plan to expose and capture Song Wen.
• Granny Jin shows her prowess as a mid-Golden Core cultivator and her loyalty to Xing Xinxin by agreeing to help her.
• Song Wen reveals his true power, displaying early Golden Core cultivation and formidable lightning arts.

Significant Themes

• Deception and disguise: Xing Xinxin and Granny Jin use deception to catch Song Wen, while Song Wen hides his true cultivation and intentions.
• Power dynamics: The characters' cultivation bases and abilities influence their actions and interactions.
• Trust and loyalty: Granny Jin's willingness to help Xing Xinxin shows her trust in and loyalty to her.

Character Interactions

• Xing Xinxin and Granny Jin work together to expose and capture Song Wen, demonstrating trust and cooperation.
• Xing Xinxin and Song Wen engage in a tense standoff, each trying to outwit the other.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Granny Jin fails to capture Song Wen due to his lightning arts and her own limitations.
• Song Wen suspects Xing Xinxin's involvement with the Hundred Herbs Tower and decides to investigate.
• Song Wen visits the Hundred Herbs Tower, intending to buy Dragon-Pattern Grass to enhance his Sacred Beetle Gu's bloodline.
• The Hundred Herbs Tower has five hundred-year Dragon-Pattern Grass, and Song Wen buys fifty stalks for one hundred thousand spirit stones.

Character Developments

• Granny Jin: Shows her limitations in pursuing Song Wen and appears resentful but willing to advise Xing Xinxin.
• Song Wen: Realizes the change in his mentality after forming his core and decides to be more cautious. He also becomes more determined to investigate Xing Xinxin.
• Xing Xinxin: Disappointed with Granny Jin's failure, she becomes more careful but still disrespectful towards Granny Jin.

Significant Themes

• Pursuit and escape: Granny Jin's pursuit of Song Wen highlights the theme of relentless pursuit and the difficulty of escape.
• Investigation and discovery: Song Wen's investigation of the Hundred Herbs Tower and his purchase of Dragon-Pattern Grass reveal his resourcefulness and determination.
• Caution and care: Song Wen's realization of his changed mentality emphasizes the importance of caution and care in cultivation and life.

Character Interactions

• Granny Jin and Xing Xinxin: Granny Jin advises Xing Xinxin to be careful, but Xing Xinxin is disrespectful and dismissive.
• Song Wen and the Hundred Herbs Tower staff: Song Wen interacts with the servant and the manager, showing his polite and calm demeanor while conducting business.
• Song Wen and the Sacred Beetle Gu: Song Wen uses the Sacred Beetle Gu to investigate the Hundred Herbs Tower, demonstrating their symbiotic relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song Wen hides near the black market to track Xing Xinxin using his Sacred Beetle Gu.
• Xing Xinxin travels to a ten-thousand-zhang rift to meet Poison Old Ghost, seeking a powerful aphrodisiac.
• She finds the Illusory Desire Flower, which can induce lustful hallucinations without leaving traces.
• Poison Old Ghost demands an exorbitant price of 100,000 spirit stones for the flower.

Character Developments

• Song Wen demonstrates patience and resourcefulness in tracking Xing Xinxin.
• Xing Xinxin displays determination and willingness to go to great lengths to outmaneuver Shan Yue.
• Poison Old Ghost shows cunning and greed in his dealings with Xing Xinxin.

Significant Themes

• Lust and desire as a powerful motivator and weapon.
• The corrupting influence of power and wealth.
• The destructive potential of sibling rivalry.

Character Interactions

• Song Wen and Xing Xinxin: Song Wen tracks Xing Xinxin, while she remains unaware of his presence.
• Xing Xinxin and Poison Old Ghost: They negotiate a deal for the Illusory Desire Flower, with Poison Old Ghost taking advantage of Xing Xinxin's desperation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xing Xinxin visits Poison Old Ghost to buy the Illusory Desire Flower.
• Poison Old Ghost, attracted to Xing Xinxin, intentionally exposes her to the flower's fragrance, causing her to experience illusory desires.
• Song Wen, who has been following Xing Xinxin, enters the poison den undetected and confronts Poison Old Ghost.
• Poison Old Ghost unleashes his poisonous creatures, but Song Wen remains unaffected and even collects the poisonous mist.
• Song Wen reveals he wants to borrow Xing Xinxin's Soul-Concentrating Spike, but she denies having it.
• Poison Old Ghost, affected by the Illusory Desire Flower, attacks Xing Xinxin.

Character Developments

• Xing Xinxin: She remains composed despite being affected by the Illusory Desire Flower and later attacked by Poison Old Ghost.
• Poison Old Ghost: His attraction to Xing Xinxin leads him to expose her to the flower's fragrance, and later, he loses control and attacks her.
• Song Wen: He demonstrates his immunity to poisons and his determination to obtain the Soul-Concentrating Spike.

Significant Themes

• Desire and Control: The Illusory Desire Flower's fragrance causes characters to lose control over their desires, leading to impulsive actions.
• Power Imbalance: Song Wen's immunity to poisons gives him a significant advantage over Poison Old Ghost, highlighting the power dynamics between them.

Character Interactions

• Xing Xinxin and Poison Old Ghost: Their interaction is marked by tension and danger, with Poison Old Ghost's attraction to Xing Xinxin leading to a violent attack.
• Song Wen and Xing Xinxin: They maintain a wary, tense relationship, with Song Wen pursuing the Soul-Concentrating Spike and Xing Xinxin trying to protect it.
• Song Wen and Poison Old Ghost: Their interaction is adversarial, with Song Wen demonstrating his superiority by remaining unaffected by Poison Old Ghost's poisons.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xing Xinxin struggles against Poison Old Ghost's advances, eventually killing him using a hallucinogenic drug.
• Xing Xinxin threatens Song Wen with a Soul-Severing Talisman, but he remains unharmed.
• Song Wen uses a Soul Search Technique on Xing Xinxin, discovering she hasn't cultivated the Soul-Concentrating Spike.
• Xing Xinxin wakes up confused and amnesiac after the Soul Search Technique, behaving erratically.

Character Developments

• Xing Xinxin demonstrates resilience and resourcefulness in defending herself against Poison Old Ghost.
• Song Wen shows his power and ruthlessness, withstanding the Soul-Severing Talisman and using the Soul Search Technique on Xing Xinxin.
• Xing Xinxin's memories and personality change after the Soul Search Technique, indicating potential soul injury.

Significant Themes

• Power and Vulnerability: Characters' power levels are emphasized, with Xing Xinxin initially outmatched but later using a powerful talisman, while Song Wen remains largely unscathed.
• Manipulation and Control: Song Wen's use of the Soul Search Technique showcases his desire to control and exploit others for his gain.

Character Interactions

• Xing Xinxin and Song Wen's interaction is marked by tension and mistrust, with Xing Xinxin trying to protect herself and Song Wen seeking to exploit her.
• Xing Xinxin's changed state after the Soul Search Technique leads to a new dynamic in their interaction, with her now confused and fearful.