Chapter Summaries

Xu Changqing handled his farm chores and arranged for more Pearl Chickens while learning that Han Su had been badly injured in the repechage round. He prepared wine to help Han Su recover, and Hu Bugui suggested a Radiant Spirit Turtle for Xu Changqing’s planned pond.

• Xu Changqing planned to breed Wangwang, increase his Pearl Chicken flock, and dig a pond, then contacted Hu Bugui and Han Su.
• Han Su told Xu Changqing that Mo Cha had seriously injured him in the repechage, and that toxic fire in his body required something extremely cold to suppress it.
• Xu Changqing prepared Iceheart Jade-Flask Wine and Spirit Rice Wine to help Han Su recover.
• Hu Bugui delivered twenty Pearl Chickens and told Xu Changqing that a senior brother had Radiant Spirit Turtle hatchlings that could enrich the pond’s spiritual energy.

Xu Changqing returned to the Earth Vein as a Spirit Nurturer and found Han Su gravely ill from poisonous fire. He brought Iceheart Jade-Flask Wine to treat him, leaving Han Su ready to begin recovery.

• Xu Changqing returned to the Earth Vein, where Shan Fei recognized his Spirit Nurturer token but could not remember meeting him.
• Xu Changqing reached the eighth level and found Han Su coughing violently while steward Yang Zhenyue explained that poisonous fire had invaded his internal organs.
• Xu Changqing entered and revealed that he had come to treat Han Su, then showed Yang Zhenyue the Iceheart Jade-Flask Wine.
• Yang Zhenyue confirmed the wine was more effective than underground ice spring water and left Xu Changqing alone with Han Su.
• Xu Changqing examined Han Su and assured him the wine could extinguish the poisonous fire, while Han Su accepted it gratefully.

Xu Changqing helped Han Su suppress his poisonous fire with Iceheart Jade-Flask Wine, then descended to the thirty-eighth level of the Earth Vein and learned that Manager Yang had obscured the senses of those without Earth Spirit Roots. He consulted Han Xin about pond formations and revealed that his Spirit Fields now covered five mu.

• Han Su took a sip of Iceheart Jade-Flask Wine, and his poisonous fire vanished as Xu Changqing watched over him.
• Xu Changqing gave Han Su five jin of Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice Wine and encouraged him to recover.
• Xu Changqing descended to the thirty-eighth level of the Earth Vein, where he found darkness and silence.
• Han Xin explained that Manager Yang had obscured the senses of everyone without Earth Spirit Roots to contain the chaotic Earth Qi and spiritual energy.
• Xu Changqing asked Han Xin about formations for a pond and expanding his Mirror Flower Water Moon Formation, then told her he had five mu of Spirit Fields.

Xu Changqing and Han Su planned a pond for raising fish and turtles, while Zhao Ziyue and Han Xin joined them for lunch. After everyone enjoyed Xu Changqing’s Spirit Cuisine, the group returned to their tasks, leaving the pond and field work underway.

• Han Su arrived after recovering and worked with Xu Changqing to choose a pond site and plan deep-water and shallow sections for fish and turtles.
• Han Su began digging the pond while Xu Changqing prepared lunch, and Zhao Ziyue arrived and offered advice as a fishing enthusiast.
• A loud bang startled Zhao Ziyue and Han Su, but Xu Changqing explained that Han Xin had gotten drunk and fallen into a ditch.
• Xu Changqing served Han Xin, Han Su, and Zhao Ziyue a lavish meal of Spirit Cuisine, which they ate and praised.
• After lunch, Xu Changqing washed the dishes, Zhao Ziyue and Han Su resumed digging, and Han Xin adjusted the formation over the Spirit Fields.

Xu Changqing and his companions finished building and filling a pond, then celebrated with a lavish dinner. The evening ended with Han Su learning the hard way that Han Xin was a dangerous pilot after drinking, while Hu Bugui gave Xu Changqing a Radiant Spirit Turtle and Red-Tailed Carp.

• Han Su finished digging Xu Changqing's pond, and Han Xin expanded the formations to cover seven mu before setting up three water formations.
• Zhao Ziyue used the Minor Cloud-Rain Art to fill the pond with spirit rain, and the formations cleared the water by evening.
• Hu Bugui arrived for dinner, and Xu Changqing hosted everyone with a lavish meal and drinks.
• Han Su asked to ride Han Xin's Ink-Colored Flying Shuttle back to the Earth Vein, and Zhao Ziyue chased after them when the shuttle began weaving through the air.
• The Ink-Colored Flying Shuttle crashed into a tree, but Zhao Ziyue caught Han Xin and Han Su before either was hurt.
• Hu Bugui gave Xu Changqing a Radiant Spirit Turtle and Red-Tailed Carp, while Han Su said he wanted to return by himself and Han Xin drunkenly protested.

Xu Changqing released the Radiant Spirit Turtle, twenty Red-Tailed Carp, and five Dragonfish into his pond, then spent the summer night studying the Four Seasons Scripture. He raised it to Max Level and gained several powerful effects, including the ability to mutate the Four Seasons Fruit Tree.

• Xu Changqing released the Radiant Spirit Turtle and twenty Red-Tailed Carp into the pond, where they began exploring their new home.
• Xu Changqing released five Dragonfish, whose presence intimidated the other pond creatures, and warned Wangwang not to eat them.
• Xu Changqing settled on the roof with Wangwang and studied the Four Seasons Scripture while gazing at the stars.
• Xu Changqing spent 40 years of lifespan to raise the Four Seasons Scripture to Max Level, unlocking enhanced plant growth effects and the ability to cause the Four Seasons Fruit Tree to mutate.

Xu Changqing mutated a Four Seasons Fruit Tree into a Time-Space Tree of Rings, whose fruits could extend and enhance status effects. After eating a Spring Fruit, he endured an intense state for three days and rushed to Yu Caiqing for help, ending up embracing her outside her alchemy room.

• Xu Changqing used the Max-Level Four Seasons Scripture and Verdant Touch Finger on the Four Seasons Fruit Tree, transforming it into a Time-Space Tree of Rings.
• Xu Changqing inspected the tree's effects and realized its seasonal aura could greatly increase the growth and yield of spirit plants.
• Xu Changqing ripened and picked several seasonal fruits, then ate a Spring Fruit to test its status effect.
• Xu Changqing remained intensely alert and energetic for three days, then hurried to the Alchemy Tower without wanting to meet anyone he knew.
• Xu Changqing brushed past Chu Xiu, reached Yu Caiqing's alchemy room, and embraced her, asking her to kiss him.

After the Spring Fruit’s enhancement vanished, Xu Changqing returned to his Spirit Fields and used the Earth-Eroding Brown-Glow Mutated Rice and the Max-Level Four Seasons Scripture to force the Earth-Origin Fruit to grow. After restoring his Wood Spiritual Power with Azure Spirit Meridian-Restoring Soup, he made the Earth-Origin Fruit blossom, leaving it close to maturity.

• Xu Changqing realized the Spring Fruit had greatly accelerated his dual cultivation with Yu Caiqing and could help him produce an Earth Spirit Root within the year.
• The next morning, Xu Changqing fed his spirit beasts Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice before tending to his Spirit Fields.
• Xu Changqing found that the Earth-Origin Fruit seed had sprouted beneath the Earth-Eroding Brown-Glow Mutated Rice and poured his Wood Spiritual Power into it to accelerate its growth.
• After exhausting his Wood Spiritual Power, Xu Changqing cooked Azure Spirit Meridian-Restoring Soup and recovered by afternoon.
• Xu Changqing used the Max-Level Four Seasons Scripture again, causing the Earth-Origin Fruit to blossom and resonate with Earth Qi throughout the surrounding Spirit Fields.
• Xu Changqing noticed the nearby spirit plants had developed stronger roots and lightly poked the blossoming Earth-Origin Fruit with his cyan-lit finger.

Xu Changqing discovered that the ripened Earth-Origin Fruit had become a Spatial Earth-Origin Fruit and planned to use it to refine a portable space. While preparing to retrieve it from Huang Yuanhua’s cave dwelling near the Rogue Cultivator Market, he crafted an Illusion Mask to conceal his identity.

• Xu Changqing inspected the Spatial Earth-Origin Fruit and learned it could help him comprehend spatial arts, create a Sumeru Mustard Seed, or construct an Interrealm Teleportation Array.
• Xu Changqing decided to refine a Sumeru Mustard Seed in Huang Yuanhua’s cave dwelling and postponed harvesting the fruit until his trip to the Rogue Cultivator Market.
• Xu Changqing arranged for Hu Bugui and Lin An to gather the materials needed to craft an Illusion Mask.
• Xu Changqing prepared the mask in his alchemy room, carving a face fifty percent similar to Crow Venerable’s so he could pose as a Fire Spiritual Root cultivator.
• Xu Changqing fired the mask in the Starfall Secret-Gold Cauldron and found that it had formed five spirit patterns, allowing him to inscribe at least five runes.

Xu Changqing tested Illusion Mask by transforming into the fire cultivator Zhurong, then traveled to Dongqing City to question Wu Mang about Huang Yuanhua's Cave Abode. After obtaining a rough map, he returned to his inn and resumed his Zhurong identity.

• Xu Changqing used Illusion Mask to disguise himself as Zhurong, tested his fire techniques, and frightened the creatures around his home.
• Five days later, Xu Changqing arrived at the Rogue Cultivator Market in Dongqing City and visited the recovering Wu Mang.
• Wu Mang described what had happened inside Huang Yuanhua's Cave Abode, including the Golden Core Realm expert's scheme and the deadly outbreak of Qi of Earth Sha.
• Xu Changqing asked Wu Mang for a map of the cave abode and burned the rough sketch after memorizing it.
• Xu Changqing returned to his inn, removed his Rogue Cultivator disguise, and transformed into Zhurong with Illusion Mask.

Xu Changqing joined Red Tiger’s demon-hunting team to travel through the Black Forest to Huang Yuanhua’s cave abode. As the team entered the forest’s dangerous depths, Xu Changqing spotted an approaching threat but kept his discovery to himself to test the team.

• Xu Changqing changed into a Profound Fire Robe, brought Crow One on his shoulder, and joined Red Tiger’s team heading for Huang Yuanhua’s cave abode.
• Red Tiger warned the temporary members about the dangers of the Black Forest and offered them a share of any demon-hunting proceeds.
• The team summoned spirit beasts and other transportation, then set off toward the forest’s depths with Xu Changqing riding an Azureback Wolf.
• Zhou Cui questioned Xu Changqing about his Crow Venerable attire and watched him feed Crow One Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice.
• Xu Changqing saw something approaching from the right through the Fire Crows’ Shared Vision, but stayed silent as a rustling sound and pungent stench came from nearby.

Red Tiger Squad killed an Ink-Scaled Snake in a coordinated attack, and Ling Mo bought its snake gall inner core after revealing that he was a Junior Alchemist. The group then continued deeper into the Black Forest.

• Red Tiger detected an approaching creature and sent Zhang Laizi to scout, while Xu Changqing identified the creature as a giant Ink-Scaled Snake.
• Red Tiger drew the snake’s attention as Li Tie struck it, Zhou Cui trapped it in a muddy swamp, and Wang Linxun bound it with vines.
• Zhang Laizi returned and split the restrained snake’s body and head, killing it in fewer than five breaths.
• Red Tiger explained which parts of the snake were valuable, and Ling Mo bought its snake gall inner core for one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone.
• Ling Mo revealed that he was a Junior Alchemist and offered to buy similar items later, then Red Tiger Squad stored the remaining snake parts and continued deeper into the Black Forest.

Xu Changqing and the Demon-Hunting Team squad hurried through the Black Forest as nightfall brought dangerous miasma and a pack of Azureback Wolves. When a five-hundred-year-old Azure-Backed Wolf King attacked Zhang Laizi and Zhou Cui, Xu Changqing killed it with a single scorching ray, then ordered the squad to keep moving.

• Red Tiger warned the squad that the Black Forest became far more dangerous at night and that they should reach the Demon-Hunting Team's gathering ground before dark.
• Xu Changqing used Shared Vision through the Fire Crows to spot more than twenty approaching heat sources and warned the squad that they were surrounded by wolves.
• Red Tiger led the squad toward the gathering ground while Zhang Laizi took the lead and Red Tiger guarded the rear.
• An enormous Azure-Backed Wolf King appeared and knocked Zhou Cui from her Azureback Wolf, but Zhang Laizi caught her.
• Xu Changqing killed the wolf king with a crimson ray before it could attack Zhang Laizi and Zhou Cui, then urged everyone to move.

Xu Changqing and Red Tiger’s group reached the stone grotto gathering place just as the deadly Gloomshadow Miasma spread through the Black Forest. After settling in, Xu Changqing noticed Li Chuan approaching the sealed Poison Abyss, determined to try again.

• Xu Changqing stored the Azureback Wolf king’s corpse, and the group hurried to the stone grotto as the surviving wolves howled after them.
• Red Tiger led the group into the grotto after they registered their information, and Xu Changqing surveyed its plaza, trading stalls, and sealed Poison Abyss.
• Red Tiger thanked Xu Changqing for saving two team members, while Zhou Cui offered him a communication talisman and Zhang Laizi gave him a fire spirit crystal for Crow One.
• Xu Changqing rested and used Crow One’s Shared Vision to watch Li Chuan approach the Poison Abyss, muttering that he had to try again.

Xu Changqing reached Huang Yuanhua's Cave Abode with the other Demon-Hunting Teams and used Li Chuan's apparent attempt to draw in Earth Qi as a distraction. He activated the Spatial Earth-Origin Fruit in the ruined core, unleashing a surge of Earth Qi that trapped the cultivators while they blamed Li Chuan.

• Xu Changqing and the other teams arrived at Huang Yuanhua's Cave Abode and explored its underground Spirit Plant Garden and other areas.
• Xu Changqing realized he needed to draw Earth Qi into the destroyed cave abode core to refine the Spatial Earth-Origin Fruit, but he waited for a distraction.
• Li Chuan headed toward the Earth-Qi Pool and produced a Wu-Earth Banner, prompting Red Tiger and others to suspect he planned to draw in Earth Qi.
• Li Chuan erupted with blood Qi and python-like scales, and the cultivators identified him as an Evil Cultivator.
• Xu Changqing rushed to the ruined core and activated the Spatial Earth-Origin Fruit, causing Earth Qi to surge and restrict the cultivators.
• The cultivators blamed Li Chuan for the Earth Qi surge, but Li Chuan insisted he had not yet acted.

Xu Changqing refined the Spatial Earth-Origin Fruit, formed an Earth Spirit Root, and turned the fruit into a Portable Space before Huang Yuanhua's cave abode collapsed. He discovered the space contained one hundred mu of Grade-Two Spirit Field.

• Xu Changqing used fire-attribute enhancers and his cultivation techniques to refine the Spatial Earth-Origin Fruit, triggering Five-Element generation and forming an Earth Spirit Root early.
• The fruit expanded into a vast space that froze everyone outside, then contracted into a small bead that Xu Changqing bound with his blood essence.
• Xu Changqing hid the Portable Space within his Earth Spirit Root, but the cave abode began collapsing after it had lost too much Earth Qi.
• Xu Changqing and Crow One escaped as the visitors and Red Tiger's Demon-Hunting Team fled the collapsing cave abode; Li Chuan also abandoned the Earth-Qi Pool and escaped.
• The cave abode crumbled into ruins, and Xu Changqing inspected his Portable Space, which contained one hundred mu of Grade-Two Spirit Field.

After Li Chuan fled the group accusing him of destroying Huang Yuanhua’s cave abode, Xu Changqing and the others encountered a massive pack of Azureback Wolves and Nightmare Demon Wolves led by a Nightmare Wolf King. Xu Changqing unleashed a powerful fire technique against the wolves, leaving the battle underway.

• Xu Changqing secretly used vines to separate the angry cultivators, allowing Li Chuan to escape from the accusation that he destroyed Huang Yuanhua’s cave abode.
• Red Tiger and the others returned toward the Demon-Hunting Team’s gathering place while hunting demons along the way, but Fire Crows spotted a huge gathering of wolves approaching.
• Red Tiger recognized Nightmare Demon Wolves among the Azureback Wolves and identified their gigantic leader as a Nightmare Wolf King.
• The Nightmare Wolf King fixed its attention on Xu Changqing, and Red Tiger and the others formed up to face the wolves rather than abandon him.
• Xu Changqing rose into the air, gathered a vast sphere of golden flame, and unleashed Crimson Sun Piercing the Sun, sending five enlarged Fire Crows diving at the wolves.

Xu Changqing slaughtered a pack of wolf monsters, including a Nightmare Wolf King, and helped Red Tiger’s team claim the spoils. As they returned to Dongqing City, Red Tiger asked permission to parade the wolf king’s corpse through the streets to attract attention and better opportunities.

• Xu Changqing’s five Fire Crows killed the wolf pack and Nightmare Wolf King, astonishing Red Tiger, Ling Mo, and the others.
• Xu Changqing asked Red Tiger’s team to dissect the corpses in exchange for a ninety-ten split of the spoils.
• After resupplying at the gathering site, Red Tiger’s team displayed their haul and drew interest from other cultivators.
• Xu Changqing’s group left for Dongqing City, while Red Tiger’s team celebrated their gains and greeted acquaintances along the way.
• Near the city, Red Tiger asked Xu Changqing whether they could parade the Nightmare Wolf King’s corpse through the streets.

After Red Tiger Squad’s successful hunt made them famous, Xu Changqing returned to his low-profile identity as Cai Kun and bought earth-element cultivation techniques, spells, and spirit rice. He met Sun Peng to settle their sales and earned 315 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones from the spirit rice wine.

• Red Tiger Squad carried the Nightmare Wolf King into Dongqing City, drawing attention and earning fame for hunting the beast with only five members.
• Xu Changqing left the squad, removed his Illusion Mask, and returned to the trading house as Cai Kun.
• Xu Changqing bought three earth-element cultivation techniques and three earth-element spells for a total of 94 Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
• Xu Changqing found First-Grade Spirit Rice prices had fallen and bought three thousand jin of Second-Grade Quality-Grade Spirit Rice to brew wine.
• Xu Changqing met Sun Peng at Spring-Longing Teahouse and received 315 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones as his share of the spirit rice wine sales.

Xu Changqing agreed to meet Long Xiyao, then went to the Fragrant Invitation Pavilion and recognized her disguised as a male customer. Long Xiyao panicked when he called out her name.

• Sun Peng told Xu Changqing that Long Xiyao, a talented young representative of the Long Clan, wanted to meet him about his Spirit Rice Wine, and Xu Changqing agreed.
• Xu Changqing went to the Fragrant Invitation Pavilion after dark and chose Yue'er, who told him she wanted to live until she could take revenge.
• A disguised Young Master Long arrived and tried to pay Xu Changqing to give up Yue'er, but Xu Changqing said she would be his tomorrow.
• Xu Changqing recognized the disguised visitor as Long Xiyao, who denied knowing her.