Chapter Summaries

Xu Changqing claimed the Square-Inch Ring and stored the captured Inverted-Vein Dragon-Transforming Broodmother before the group sealed the Dragon-Transformation Cave. Zhu Fuxian planned to lure the remaining Spirit-Eroding Fungus King with Mutated Spirit Plants, while Xu Changqing left to assess the Outer Spirit Fields harvest.

• Xu Changqing gained control of the 100-cubic-meter Square-Inch Ring and stored the Inverted-Vein Dragon-Transforming Broodmother inside it.
• Shi Yuan sealed the abandoned Dragon-Transformation Cave with Yellow Qi, and the group returned to the surface.
• Xu Changqing explained that the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King favored dark, damp places rich in spiritual power and absorbed Wood Qi.
• Zhu Fuxian proposed luring the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King with three to five Mutated Spirit Plants, and Rong Yan agreed to provide Thousand-Ear Golden-Ray Rice after Zhu promised compensation for any loss.
• Xu Changqing reminded Zhu Fuxian, Shi Yuan, and Yang Zhenyue that he had to assess the Outer Spirit Fields harvest, and Zhu told him to attend to his work.

Xu Changqing oversaw the late-summer harvest, where fifteen outer disciples and Miao Huayu became official disciples, breaking the previous record. He gathered the new disciples and their belongings aboard the Demon Dragon Water-Evasion Boat to take them to register at the Spirit Field Core.

• Xu Changqing returned to his Spirit Fields, fed Wangwang and the other animals, and checked the Poplar Tree before preparing food.
• At the Outer Spirit Fields, Xu Changqing met Lin Ya and Luo Tan, a Foundry Peak disciple who harvested the rice with the Geng-Metal Flow-Splitting Art.
• Miao Huayu asked whether he could choose a Grade-Two Spirit Field near Xu Changqing, and Xu Changqing agreed.
• The harvest ended an hour earlier than usual, and fifteen outer disciples besides Miao Huayu became official disciples, breaking the record set at the spring harvest.
• Xu Changqing told the new disciples to pack their belongings and then summoned the Demon Dragon Water-Evasion Boat to carry them to the Spirit Field Core.

Xu Changqing brought fifteen newly promoted disciples to the Spirit Field Core, then hurried home before traveling to the Rong Family’s reclaimed fields to help catch the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King. At midnight, the fungus king appeared and began infecting the Thousand-Ear Golden-Ray Rice.

• Xu Changqing escorted the newly promoted disciples to Flower Elder, gave them the Myriad Records of Spirit Fields, and urged them to seek advice from Xu Linshan and the others.
• Xu Changqing returned home, entrusted Wangwang with guarding his animals, and flew to the Rong Family’s reclaimed area.
• Rong Yan introduced Xu Changqing to Rong Fa, and Xu Changqing inspected the three young Thousand-Ear Golden-Ray Rice plants prepared as bait.
• Xu Changqing, Zhu Fuxian, Shi Yuan, Rong Yan, and Rong Fa waited for the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King while Zhu Fuxian sent the other onlookers away.
• At midnight, blue-violet spots appeared on the rice plants as faint rustling sounded underground, signaling the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King’s arrival.

Xu Changqing and the others trapped the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King, ending the Vein-Erosion Disaster threatening the spirit fields. After Rong Yan offered Xu Changqing a reward, he insisted that he had acted only as part of his duty as a Spirit Cultivator Envoy.

• Zhu Fuxian lured the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King toward the surface while Shi Yuan sealed its underground escape routes with Yellow Qi.
• The Spirit-Eroding Fungus King emerged from the spirit field and released clouds of dangerous spores, which Zhu Fuxian's mana contained.
• Shi Yuan immobilized the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King after Zhu Fuxian lifted the three Thousand-Ear Golden-Ray Rice stalks out of the soil.
• Xu Changqing and the others saw the Vein-Reversing Worm Mother and Spirit-Eroding Fungus King captured, ending the Vein-Erosion Disaster.
• Rong Yan offered Xu Changqing a storage bag in gratitude, but Xu Changqing said he had acted only from duty.

Xu Changqing restored the complete Myriad Insect Secret Record and advanced it to the Fifth Layer, gaining powerful insect-taming and transformation abilities. As he considered the method’s potential, Chu Qiu arrived at the Spirit Fields on a crane.

• Xu Changqing declined Rong Yan’s offered benefits, and Zhu Fuxian silently approved of his response.
• After the Outer Spirit Fields were harvested and the Vein-Erosion Disaster was resolved, Xu Changqing resumed his cultivation and studies.
• Xu Changqing spent thirty years of lifespan restoring the complete Myriad Insect Secret Record, joining its five chapters into one method.
• Xu Changqing spent another nine years advancing the method to the Fifth Layer and learned its abilities to sense, attract, tame, and command insects.
• Xu Changqing imagined using Body Integration with the Inverted-Vein Dragon-Transforming Broodmother before his Fire Crows warned him of approaching visitors.
• Chu Qiu approached the Spirit Fields on a crane and called out to Xu Changqing.

Chu Qiu brought Xu Changqing a Calyx Flower Boat and invited him to join the Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition in Profound Heart City. Xu Changqing accepted the invitation and decided to use the boat for the trip, leaving open the possibility of giving it to Senior Sister Yu later.

• Chu Qiu told Xu Changqing that Ling Shuang had restored his face and that his Spiritual Root had recovered, then gave him a Calyx Flower Boat.
• Xu Changqing learned that Ling Shuang had taken the boat from Orchid Fairy and recognized her as the notorious deputy peak master of Blood-Iron Peak.
• Chu Qiu invited Xu Changqing to the upcoming Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition in Profound Heart City and suggested they bring Hu Bugui and Li Sancai.
• Xu Changqing accepted the invitation and decided to use the Calyx Flower Boat instead of revealing his Demon Dragon Water-Evasion Boat.
• Xu Changqing infused the Calyx Flower Boat with Wood Spiritual Power, expanded it, and admired its design.

Xu Changqing used the complete Myriad Insect Secret Record to bind the Inverted-Vein Dragon-Transformed Insect Matriarch to himself through a Reversal-Spirit Seed. The newly named Dragonized Insect Queen then offered to lead him to the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King's nest.

• Xu Changqing inspected the Inverted-Vein Dragon-Transformed Insect Matriarch in the Square-Inch Ring and formed a Reversal-Spirit Seed from his essence blood and turbulent spiritual power.
• Xu Changqing released the Insect Matriarch, which threatened him and frightened the spirit beasts around him, then threw the Reversal-Spirit Seed toward it.
• The Reversal-Spirit Seed fused with the Insect Matriarch, establishing a symbiotic bond that let Xu Changqing receive purified spiritual energy and control its egg hatching.
• Xu Changqing examined the Insect Matriarch's abilities and learned that it had Potential Value 10 and could command swarms of its larvae and adult insects.
• The Dragonized Insect Queen told Xu Changqing that it could take him to the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King's nest.

Xu Changqing followed the Dragonized Insect Queen to the deeply buried nest of the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King, where he found rare metal treasures. He tempered a Corrosive Gold Sand Mother Lode with Chi Huo and successfully drew out Geng Metal Essence, which could improve or awaken a Metal Spiritual Root.

• The Dragonized Insect Queen led Xu Changqing deep underground to the Spirit-Eroding Fungus King's nest.
• The Dragonized Insect Queen consumed a fungal sclerotium while Xu Changqing discovered Gold-Devouring Mycelium and a pile of Corrosive Gold Sand.
• Xu Changqing uncovered a Corrosive Gold Sand Mother Lode and recognized that tempering it with Chi Huo could produce Geng Metal Essence.
• Xu Changqing used Chi Huo to burn away the mother lode's corrosive properties as he guided the Geng Metal Essence within.
• The mother lode cracked, and pure Geng Metal Essence emerged.

Xu Changqing refined Geng Metal Essence to form a Metal Spiritual Root, leaving him with four elements and an imbalance he planned to address by obtaining a Water Spiritual Root. After returning home, he learned from Flower Elder that the Return-to-Ruins Secret Realm would open next month and was asked to count which formal disciples in the Spirit Fields wanted to enter.

• Xu Changqing refined Geng Metal Essence and formed a Metal Spiritual Root, giving him wood, fire, earth, and metal Spiritual Roots.
• Xu Changqing found that the new Metal Spiritual Root had disrupted the balance among his elements and decided to use earth to support wood and fire to blunt metal until he could obtain a Water Spiritual Root.
• Xu Changqing watched the Dragonized Insect Queen finish eating the nest’s venom sacs, then stored it in the Square-Inch Ring and left the underground nest.
• Xu Changqing planned to visit Profound Heart City to buy metal- and water-element cultivation techniques and spells, then returned home and went to sleep.
• Flower Elder told Xu Changqing that the Return-to-Ruins Secret Realm would open next month and asked him to find out which formal disciples in the Spirit Fields planned to participate.

Xu Changqing gathered his friends to prepare for the Return-to-Ruins Secret Realm and invited them to Profound Heart City's Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition. As the group made plans for the trip, the Fire Crow warned him that Han Su was approaching.

• Xu Changqing contacted Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue to tell them the Secret Realm would open next month, then invited Li Sancai to the competition; Li Sancai agreed to come with his cousin, Li Xianglin, and try the Secret Realm.
• Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue arrived and discussed their excitement about making money in the Secret Realm and the competition's generous prizes.
• Xu Changqing invited Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue to the Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition, and they pressed him to introduce them to women.
• Xu Changqing offered to arrange a visit to Sea Demon Pavilion for Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue, and they eagerly accepted.
• The Fire Crow sounded a warning, and Xu Changqing recognized the approaching visitor as Han Su.

Xu Changqing invited Han Su to join the group’s trip to Profound Heart City, and they traveled there aboard his conspicuous Calyx Flower Boat. They arrived at the Azuretide Sea Region, where Chu Qiu began explaining the city’s sea-based trade and resources.

• Xu Changqing invited Han Su to visit Profound Heart City, and Han Su eagerly accepted.
• Xu Changqing, Hu Bugui, and Zhao Ziyue discussed the upcoming opening of the Return-to-Ruins Secret Realm.
• Xu Changqing gathered Chu Qiu, Hu Bugui, Zhao Ziyue, Li Sancai, Li Xianglin, and Han Su, then summoned the Calyx Flower Boat for their journey.
• The group teased Xu Changqing about the boat’s flower-shaped appearance and fragrance, while Li Xianglin admired it.
• The group reached the Azuretide Sea Region and saw its Dragon Vein-fed waters, coral, and glowing spiritual energy.
• Xu Changqing asked Chu Qiu to explain Profound Heart City, and Chu Qiu began describing its sea-demon hunting and underwater treasures.

Chu Qiu explained Profound Heart City’s districts as Xu Changqing and the others approached, and the group saw how the city’s hierarchy shaped its neighborhoods and attractions. After Xu Changqing landed the Calyx Flower Boat at the aerial dock, onlookers expecting a fairy from the Moon-Inviting Immortal Sect were disappointed by the travelers who disembarked.

• Chu Qiu described Profound Heart City’s five districts and told the group that Immortal Sect disciples could go wherever they pleased.
• Xu Changqing and the others saw the city’s districts, including the Sea Demon District’s markets and pavilions, from above.
• Xu Changqing guided the Calyx Flower Boat down toward Profound Heart City’s aerial dock.
• Onlookers mistook the boat for a visitor carrying a fairy from the Moon-Inviting Immortal Sect and watched its passengers emerge.
• The crowd lost interest after the travelers disembarked and complained that the expected fairy had not appeared.

Xu Changqing and his group entered Profound Heart City’s Flood Dragon Nest District as guests of the City Lord’s Manor and were brought to Zhao Qianyun’s residence in the Flood Dragon Suppression Tower. As they waited for Zhao Qianyun, they discussed the upcoming Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition and learned its first-place prize was a Water Spirit Origin Crystal.

• Chu Qiu led Xu Changqing and the others to the Flood Dragon Nest District and showed the guards a token granting them entry as guests of the City Lord’s Manor.
• Steward Lin Wufeng met the group and explained that Zhao Qianyun was busy preparing for the Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition and would join them shortly.
• Lin Wufeng guided the group through the Flood Dragon Suppression Tower to its eighth floor, where Zhao Qianyun resided.
• Xu Changqing examined the Canglan Dragon-Hunting Painting and then joined the others at the window to view the ships gathered for the competition.
• Hu Bugui exclaimed that the Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition’s first-place prize was a Water Spirit Origin Crystal.

The group reviewed the generous rewards for the Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition and decided they could participate, though each boat could carry no more than two people. Zhao Qianyun welcomed the Dongting Immortal Sect disciples and revealed that Fairy Bei Yun and Zhao Wuji had also arrived.

• Hu Bugui pointed out Zhao Qianyun's detailed reward list, and Chu Qiu explained how valuable the Spirit-Gathering Abyss fishing right would be.
• Zhao Ziyue urged the group to compete for the prizes, and Xu Changqing agreed they could participate while raising the issue of fairness to weaker contestants.
• Zhao Qianyun arrived and explained that each boat could have at most two people.
• Zhao Qianyun welcomed Chu Qiu and the Dongting Immortal Sect disciples, served them Jade Saliva Dew, and Xu Changqing sensed that the tea invigorated his Wood Spiritual Power.
• Zhao Qianyun told the group that Fairy Bei Yun of the Moon-Inviting Immortal Sect and Zhao Wuji of the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect had also come.

Xu Changqing and his companions learned about the Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition and headed to the Sea Demon Pavilion after hearing it had merfolk. As they arrived, Zhao Wuji appeared with a group of people, bringing the famed competitor face to face with them.

• Zhao Qianyun and Chu Qiu explained that Zhao Wuji and Fairy Bei Yun were formidable rivals, and that demons could also enter the competition.
• Zhao Qianyun described the competition’s stages and explained how speed, rare fish, and powerful water demons could earn points.
• Chu Qiu left for Demon-Splitting Market with Li Sancai and Li Xianglin, while Xu Changqing agreed to take Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue to the Sea Demon Pavilion.
• Xu Changqing and the others reached the Sea Demon Pavilion and discussed which building might have merfolk.
• Zhao Wuji arrived with a group, drawing a commotion as the four stood outside the Sea Demon Pavilion.

Hu Bugui struck Su Le after he blocked the way, and Xu Changqing used his ties to Li Lingbi to settle tensions with Zhao Wuji. The two Immortal Sect groups entered the Sea Demon Pavilion's Deep-Sea Hall together, where attendants welcomed them.

• Hu Bugui slapped Su Le for ordering Xu Changqing's group to move aside.
• Hu Bugui revealed that he and his companions were disciples of the Dongting Immortal Sect, alarming Su Le.
• Zhao Wuji asked Xu Changqing's group to give him face, and Xu Changqing invoked his senior brother Li Lingbi.
• Xu Changqing said Li Lingbi had returned and was preparing to break through to an Earth-Grade Golden Core, prompting Zhao Wuji to propose they enter together.
• Xu Changqing's group and Zhao Wuji's party entered the Deep-Sea Hall and were welcomed by its two attendants.

Xu Changqing and his companions entered Deep-Sea Hall’s Merfolk Palace after Su Le offered to pay, where attendant Xuan Zhu explained the merfolk dual-cultivation services. The chapter ended with Xu Changqing asking to choose Xuan Zhu, who warned that she cost extra.

• Su Le offered to pay for Xu Changqing and his companions, and Xu Changqing chose the expensive Merfolk Palace room.
• Xu Changqing and the others heard merfolk songs and saw a worn-out cultivator reluctantly leave after seven days of dual cultivation.
• Xuan Zhu welcomed the group and explained that guests had to choose attendants suited to their cultivation levels.
• Hu Bugui asked what merfolk ate, and Zhao Ziyue asked Xuan Zhu what fishing hook she liked.
• Xuan Zhu presented three Silver-Scaled Merfolk suited to Qi Refining guests and two Dark-Scaled Merfolk suited to Foundation Establishment guests.
• Xu Changqing asked to choose Xuan Zhu, and she replied that she charged a different price.

Xu Changqing and the others visited the Sea Demon Pavilion’s Deep-Sea Hall, where mermaid princess Xuan Zhu set out betrothal requirements before they chose attendants. Xu Changqing descended underwater with Ming Zhu and reached a glowing reef, where she asked if they should form a matrimonial bond.

• Xuan Zhu revealed that she was a mermaid princess and required a Water Spirit Pearl, Liquid Water Essence, or Water Spirit Fruit as betrothal gifts, along with formal marriage rites.
• Xu Changqing and the others chose their attendants: Xu Changqing chose Ming Zhu, Hu Bugui chose An You, Zhao Ziyue chose Ming Bo, and Han Su chose Di Liu.
• Ming Zhu explained that her pearl choker held Water-Breathing Mother-of-Pearl, and Xu Changqing followed her underwater.
• Xu Changqing and Ming Zhu descended past coral, jellyfish, fish, and harvested giant clams as the water grew darker and deeper.
• At three hundred meters, lights appeared across the reefs around them, and Ming Zhu asked Xu Changqing whether they should form a matrimonial bond there.

Xu Changqing and his companions attended Zhao Qianyun’s grand banquet after he spent hours dual cultivating with Ming Zhu underwater, which strengthened his Wood Spirit Root. The chapter ended as Zhao Qianyun announced that the century-scale Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition held a stroke of fortune for everyone.

• Xu Changqing refused Ming Zhu’s first proposed spot and went with her deeper underwater, where the spiritual energy was richer.
• Xu Changqing and Ming Zhu dual cultivated underwater for hours, nourishing his Wood Spirit Root and leaving Ming Zhu too depleted to leave the water.
• Xu Changqing rejoined Hu Bugui, Zhao Ziyue, and Xuan Zhu, who reacted with surprise at how long he had been gone and how thoroughly Ming Zhu had been drained.
• After Chu Qiu contacted them about Zhao Qianyun’s banquet, Xu Changqing and the others hurried to the Flood Dragon Suppression Tower and ate the feast’s spirit cuisine.
• Zhao Qianyun addressed the banquet guests and announced that the Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition offered everyone a stroke of fortune.

Zhao Qianyun invited the banquet guests to explore Dreamlike Island, but Xu Changqing and his companions declined because they needed to focus on the Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition. At the harbor the next morning, Chu Qiu joined the competition to help Xu Changqing win a Water Spirit Origin Crystal, while Zhao Ziyue chose to fish instead of racing with Hu Bugui.

• Zhao Qianyun announced that the City Lord's Manor and the five great lineages would invite participants to ascend Dreamlike Island, which appeared once every hundred years.
• Xu Changqing and his companions decided not to stay for the Dreamlike Island invitation because they needed to return to the Immortal Sect after the competition.
• Chu Qiu told Xu Changqing that he would enter the Thousand-Sail Crossing Competition to help him obtain the Water Spirit Origin Crystal.
• Xu Changqing and the others gathered at the harbor the next morning, where competitors rented ships, boats, shuttles, or rafts.
• Zhao Ziyue rented a raft to fish in the Storm Domain rather than team up with Hu Bugui, leaving Hu Bugui stunned as the competition was about to begin.