Chapter Summaries

After thousands of cultivators perished in the Azuretide Sea Region, Xu Changqing learned that Zhu Fuxian had arranged for him to become a core disciple under Si Geng. Two days later, Xu Changqing traveled to Azurewood Peak and arrived at Si Geng’s palace, where a young girl came out to meet him.

• Zhu Fuxian told Xu Changqing that only ten cultivators had survived the disaster in the Azuretide Sea Region, including Chu Qiu and Qiu Hong from Dongting.
• Zhu Fuxian explained that Si Geng wanted Xu Changqing to become a core disciple, and Xu Changqing agreed to take Si Geng as his master after Zhu Fuxian declined.
• Zhu Fuxian revealed that he might have only a few years left to live and chose Si Geng as Xu Changqing’s master because Si Geng could protect and guide him for much longer.
• Two days later, Xu Changqing rode Shattered Moon, Falling Frost to Azurewood Peak and entered the tree through a passage opened with his Spirit-Nurturing Envoy Token.
• Xu Changqing reached Si Geng’s palace in Jadeheart Domain, where a young girl came out and asked who he was.

Xu Changqing met Mu Ning and Bei Qingtang, then entered Jadeheart Hall to meet Mu Ji and his fellow disciples. He completed an apprenticeship ceremony that honored the spirit fields, the Dao of grass and trees, and the sect, and Mu Ji accepted him as his sixth disciple.

• Mu Ning introduced herself as Xu Changqing’s Fifth Senior Sister and asked to see his Inverted-Vein Dragon-Transformed Insect Matriarch, but Bei Qingtang arrived and ushered them inside.
• Bei Qingtang explained that Mu Ji had five disciples before Xu Changqing, and Xu Changqing learned about his senior siblings and discovered that Bei Qinghui was Bei Qingtang’s cousin.
• Xu Changqing entered Jadeheart Hall and met Mu Ji, Mu Ning’s father, along with his other senior brothers.
• Mu Ji praised Xu Changqing’s spirit-plant cultivation and responsibility, including his role in preventing a disaster and thwarting Rong Long’s scheme.
• Xu Changqing honored the spirit fields, the Dao of grass and trees, and the sect before bowing to Mu Ji and becoming his sixth disciple.

Xu Changqing completed his apprenticeship under Mu Ji, received the Earth Grade Spirit-Pointing Transformation Finger, and prepared to visit Chu Qiu at Blood-Iron Peak. He was stopped at the peak’s entrance by its guardian, Ling Chenye.

• Xu Changqing’s senior brothers and sisters welcomed him with gifts, and Mu Ji offered him an Earth Grade spell as an apprenticeship gift.
• Xu Changqing chose the Spirit-Pointing Transformation Finger, and Mu Ji instructed his disciples to support one another before entering seclusion to prepare for a breakthrough.
• After talking with his new senior siblings, Xu Changqing left Azurewood Peak and decided to visit Chu Qiu at Blood-Iron Peak.
• A Tang saber intercepted Xu Changqing as he approached Blood-Iron Peak, and the peak guardian Ling Chenye appeared and introduced himself.

Xu Changqing reached Blood-Iron Peak and found Chu Qiu and Qiu Hong gravely injured and sealed in ice. A cold female immortal told him Crane Seven might know what happened in Profound Heart City, leaving Xu Changqing to suspect she was Ling Shuang, the legendary Nascent Soul True Lord.

• Ling Chenye allowed Xu Changqing to enter Blood-Iron Peak and directed him toward Cold Abyss Ravine, where Chu Qiu and Qiu Hong were recovering.
• Xu Changqing endured the ravine's freezing conditions and questioned Blood-Iron Peak disciples until he found Chu Qiu and Qiu Hong sealed in an ice coffin, both severely wounded.
• A cold female immortal explained that Lihuo Thunder had badly injured Chu Qiu and Qiu Hong, and that ice was suppressing their injuries.
• Xu Changqing asked about the Azuretide Sea Region and Profound Heart City, and the woman directed him to ask Crane Seven at Beast Spirit Valley's Thousand-Crane Grove.
• The woman ordered Xu Changqing to leave, and he wondered whether she was Ling Shuang, the legendary Nascent Soul True Lord.

Xu Changqing visited Crane Seven in Thousand-Crane Grove and learned that Thunder Crystals filled with Lihuo Thunder had destroyed Profound Heart City, deepening his suspicions about the disaster. On his way back to Red Maple Valley, he spotted Ji Mingxuan waiting at its entrance.

• Xu Changqing reached Thousand-Crane Grove and was led to the injured Crane Seven, who was recovering after shielding Chu Qiu from an explosion in Profound Heart City.
• Crane Seven told Xu Changqing that buried Thunder Crystals containing Lihuo Thunder had caused the explosion, and Xu Changqing wondered whether the Yellow Springs Alliance had been involved.
• Crane Seven said Zhao Lie of the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect had taken the Azure-Water Demon Ape, but she did not know what had happened to the Mirage Dragon's remains.
• Xu Changqing left Beast Spirit Valley, saw Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue arguing while fishing with an unfamiliar man, and flew on to Red Maple Valley.
• Xu Changqing noticed Ji Mingxuan waiting at the entrance to Red Maple Valley.

Xu Changqing prepared his Spirit Fields for spring by planting Springtide Rice and arranging to grow rare medicinal herbs ahead of the Thousand Sects Dharma Assembly. After Lin An brought the seeds, Xu Changqing made them sprout with the Four Seasons Scripture and learned that Sun Shangxiang was nearing her first birthday.

• Ji Mingxuan asked Xu Changqing about the Azuretide Sea Region and whether Qin Baili, Li Lingbi, or Chu Qiu might explore a Secret Realm with him, but Xu Changqing said he knew nothing.
• As spring arrived, Xu Changqing divided his five mu of Grade-Two Spirit Fields between Spirit Rice, Springtide Rice, and two kinds of medicinal herbs.
• Xu Changqing asked Lin An to buy Sharpgold Grass and Mountain Root seeds, then used the Grand Cloud-Rain Art to water the rice fields according to their needs.
• Lin An returned with the seeds and told Xu Changqing he would be away for at least seven days and asked whether they should give Sun Shangxiang a birthday gift.
• Xu Changqing decided to prepare a red packet for Sun Shangxiang, then used the Four Seasons Scripture to sprout the medicinal seeds while Lin An watched enviously.

Xu Changqing planted his western garden and surveyed the abundant spirit rice in his Portable Space, while deciding it was too dangerous to sell his surplus for now. He discovered that the Ice Embryo had cracked open to reveal a mysterious baby with dragon-like features, leaving him alarmed and unsure what to do.

• Xu Changqing planted radishes, cucumbers, and bok choy in the sixth mu of his outdoor Spirit Fields while Wangwang, Wangzai, and the Pearl Chickens followed him.
• Xu Changqing entered his Portable Space and examined its thirty-two mu of Grade-Two Spirit Fields, which held large quantities of several kinds of spirit rice.
• Xu Changqing decided to wait before selling his surplus rice, wary of the Yellow Springs Alliance's threat and the dangers facing even Golden Core cultivators.
• Xu Changqing heard a crack and found that the Ice Embryo had split open, revealing a baby with ice-and-dragon-like patterns and two small protrusions on its forehead.

Xu Changqing worried about how to care for the little dragon person developing inside the Ice Embryo, then spent two days cultivating during an early Spiritual Qi Tide. When Bei Qingtang and Mu Ning visited Red Maple Valley, he asked Bei Qingtang whether she knew how to care for a newborn.

• Xu Changqing considered finding a partner, learning childcare, or entrusting the Ice Embryo's child to someone else, but could not decide what to do.
• Xu Changqing noticed the Spiritual Qi Tide had begun early and cultivated in Red Maple Valley, using his Five-Element Art to refine spiritual qi into mana.
• After two days, Bei Qingtang and Mu Ning arrived at Red Maple Valley to visit Xu Changqing.
• Mu Ning's special constitution drew Wangwang and Wangzai to her, and Bei Qingtang warned Xu Changqing not to deceive her.
• Xu Changqing asked Bei Qingtang whether she knew how to care for a newborn, and she froze before answering.

Xu Changqing prepared to raise the little dragon girl hatching from the Ice Embryo and went to Beast Spirit Valley to buy spirit beast milk. There, he learned the Crane King was treating Crane Seven, then arrived at Zhao Mo’s home to ask about milk prices.

• Bei Qingtang advised Xu Changqing that newborn children needed ordinary nursing or heavenly treasures, and suggested finding an experienced caregiver.
• Xu Changqing checked the Ice Embryo in his Portable Space and estimated the little dragon girl would hatch in seven days to half a month.
• Xu Changqing ordered the ancestor to help move treasures from the ancestor’s tomb in the Secret Realm.
• Xu Changqing asked Hu Bugui who sold spirit beast milk, and Hu Bugui directed him to Zhao Mo.
• Xu Changqing saw five-colored light over Thousand-Crane Grove and learned from the Pillar Python that the Crane King was treating Crane Seven.
• Xu Changqing visited Zhao Mo to buy spirit beast milk, and Zhao Mo explained that it came in several grades and ages.

Xu Changqing visited Zhao Mo to buy rare spirit beast milk and unexpectedly agreed to collaborate on brewing milk wine. After studying Zhao Mo’s Heavenly Horse Milk Wine recipe, Xu Changqing used his lifespan to master it, discovering its powerful cultivation benefits and effects on contracting horse-type spirit beasts.

• Xu Changqing asked Zhao Mo for dragon-like, ice- or water-attribute spirit beast milk and ordered a thousand jin of each variety.
• Xu Changqing and Zhao Mo agreed to explore a long-term milk wine partnership, and Zhao Mo shared a Heavenly Horse Milk Wine recipe.
• Xu Changqing returned to Red Maple Valley and studied the recipe’s basic, premium, and top-tier versions.
• Xu Changqing’s attribute panel revealed the recipe’s benefits, including blocking distracting thoughts, and he spent ten years of lifespan to master the wine.
• Xu Changqing learned that top-tier Heavenly Horse Milk Wine boosted wind cultivation and could increase the success rate of contracting horse-type spirit beasts.

Xu Changqing brewed low-grade Heavenly Horse Milk Wine and discovered its unusual effects. When he brought the finished wine into the Portable Space, the Ice Embryo cracked open and the little dragon girl emerged, opening her eyes.

• Zhao Mo sent Xu Changqing 500 jin each of Scale Horse milk and Horn Deer milk as a gift, and Xu Changqing sent back a Communication Talisman.
• Xu Changqing bought the ingredients for Heavenly Horse Milk Wine and brewed a batch using the low-grade recipe.
• After the wine finished settling, Xu Changqing tasted it and found that it cleared his mind of distracting thoughts.
• Xu Changqing entered the Portable Space with the wine and heard the Ice Embryo cracking apart.
• The Ice Embryo transformed into an ice lotus and released the little dragon girl, who opened her ice-blue eyes.

Xu Changqing cared for the newborn half-human, half-dragon girl, feeding her Scale Horse milk and making pacifiers while refining four puppets for brewing wine. After gradually getting used to her routine, he held her for the first time and began choosing a name for her, leaving the name unfinished.

• Xu Changqing fed the crying little dragon girl Scale Horse milk and made her several pacifiers.
• While the girl slept, Xu Changqing refined four wine-making puppets named Starter Lady, Spring Servant, Distiller, and Bartender.
• The little dragon girl woke hungry again, and Xu Changqing fed her before soothing her back to sleep with a pacifier.
• Xu Changqing adjusted to the girl's daily cycle of waking, crying, eating, playing, and sleeping.
• Xu Changqing carefully lifted the sleeping girl from the Ice Lotus and began thinking of a name, saying that she would share his surname, Xu.

Xu Changqing maxed out the Spirit-Pointing Transformation Finger and used it to cultivate rare mutated Spirit Rice in his fields. After caring for Linglong, he continued testing the remaining acres and discovered another unusual mutation, whose identity he had yet to determine.

• Xu Changqing spent forty years of lifespan to raise the Spirit-Pointing Transformation Finger to max level, gaining powerful mutation effects for Spirit Plants.
• Xu Changqing used the Spirit-Pointing Finger on his Foundation-Firming Rich-Soil Rice and produced Soil-Spirit Symbiotic Rice.
• Xu Changqing continued through his fields and produced Meltgold Spirit-Gathering Rice, which benefited Metal Spiritual Roots and could aid artifact refinement.
• Linglong cried, and Xu Changqing paused his work to feed and care for her before returning her to the Ice Lotus.
• Xu Changqing tested the remaining Spirit Fields and discovered a three-colored mutated rice that spread a bluish-green mist and improved nearby plants.

Xu Changqing tested his Spirit-Pointing Finger on his Mutated Spirit Plants and caused the Fortune-Born Mutated Mother Rice to undergo a third mutation. Three days later, he raised the Water-Wood Circulation Canon to max level and left the Portable Space to enjoy the spring evening.

• Xu Changqing tested his Mutated Spirit Plants, but only the Mutated Mother Rice successfully mutated again.
• The Mother Rice became Fortune-Breeding Prolific-Seed Mother Rice, gaining twelve larger ears and abilities focused on seed proliferation and spiritual-qi nurturing.
• After three more days, Xu Changqing spent twenty-five years of lifespan to raise the Water-Wood Circulation Canon to max level.
• Xu Changqing reviewed the cultivation arts he still needed and resolved to combine them over time.
• While Little Linglong rested, Xu Changqing left the Portable Space and enjoyed the sunset and spring breeze in the valley.

Xu Changqing submitted his core disciple assessment and learned that Zhu Fuxian would be leaving the Immortal Sect, possibly because his time was running out. Back at Red Maple Valley, he reunited with the recovered Chu Qiu and gave him a taste of Heavenly Horse Milk Wine.

• Xu Changqing submitted his required spirit rice and learned from Flower Elder that Zhu Fuxian would soon leave the Immortal Sect.
• Xu Changqing worried about Zhu Fuxian, who had once guided him and might be nearing the end of his life without a Nascent Soul breakthrough.
• Xu Changqing found Ruo Qunshuang and Chu Qiu waiting at Red Maple Valley, and was delighted to see Chu Qiu's limbs had fully recovered.
• Xu Changqing provided Ruo Qunshuang with cultivation resources and sent her off before discussing Wangzai's earth-element bloodline with Chu Qiu.
• Xu Changqing served Chu Qiu Heavenly Horse Milk Wine, and Chu Qiu exclaimed in surprise after tasting it.

Over four years, Xu Changqing’s cultivation and Dongting Space advanced while the realm remained mostly quiet. After mastering the Thick Earth Heaven-Bearing Art, he spent time with Linglong, whose strange homemade wine and questions about her mother left him amused and awkward.

• Xu Changqing and Chu Qiu exchanged news and discussed their suspicions about outsiders joining the Immortal Sect.
• Over four years, Chu Qiu formed an Earth-Grade Golden Core, Pei Mo returned, Li Lingbi left to gain experience, and Zhu Fuxian departed in search of survival; Xu Changqing’s Heavenly Horse Milk Wine also sold well.
• Dongting Space expanded and was reorganized, while the Yellow Springs Alliance disappeared from sight.
• Xu Changqing completed the Thick Earth Heaven-Bearing Art, raising his lifespan to 19,765 years and planning to obtain Earth-Grade metal- and fire-element cultivation arts.
• Linglong brought Xu Changqing Iceheart Jade-Flask Wine mixed with secretions from the Insect Matriarch, and he warned her not to make it that way again.
• Linglong asked when she could go outside and where her mother was, and Xu Changqing told her that her mother was working to earn money for New Year’s gifts.

Xu Changqing considered leaving the Spirit Fields to seek earth grade cultivation arts as the Thousand Sects Dharma Assembly approached. Lin An returned with his newborn son Lin Feng, and Xu Changqing promised to take the boy as his disciple if he had a wood spirit root, while learning the Sun Clan also hoped to connect Sun Shangxiang to him.

• Zhao Mo delivered five hundred jin of heavenly horse milk wine and gave Xu Changqing more than thirteen thousand mid-grade spirit stones in earnings.
• Xu Changqing considered traveling outside the Spirit Fields to find earth grade cultivation arts before the Thousand Sects Dharma Assembly.
• Lin An returned with his newborn son, Lin Feng, and Xu Changqing promised to take him as a disciple if he had a wood spirit root.
• Xu Changqing gave Lin Feng a protective talisman, and Lin An handed over his earnings from Dongqing City.
• Lin An told Xu Changqing that the Sun Clan's six-year-old daughter, Sun Shangxiang, wanted to meet him, and Xu Changqing suspected the clan hoped he would take her as a disciple.

Xu Changqing visited Azurewood Peak to tell his senior siblings he would be leaving, and Mu Ning fed his Thunder-Gold Kui Verdant Dew. After informing Flower Elder, he traveled in disguise to Dongqing City to seek a damaged Earth Grade cultivation technique and found a Jade Dew Spirit Sprout and a Four Seasons Fruit Tree at Wintergreen Auction House.

• Xu Changqing visited Mu Ning and Gu Qiao at Azurewood Peak, bringing gifts and telling them he planned to go out.
• Xu Changqing showed Mu Ning his Thunder-Gold Kui, and she gave it Verdant Dew that accelerated its growth.
• Xu Changqing and Mu Ning made a pinky promise that the Thunder-Gold Kui would stay and play with her after he returned.
• Xu Changqing informed Flower Elder that he was leaving, then flew in disguise to Dongqing City.
• Xu Changqing entered Wintergreen Auction House and spotted a Jade Dew Spirit Sprout and a Four Seasons Fruit Tree.

Xu Changqing returned to the auction and won a Four Seasons Fruit Tree and a Jade Dew Spirit Sprout, then became an honored guest of the auction house. He settled into his new private room as Steward Wen introduced the next item, a rare find from the Black Forest.

• Xu Changqing bought the Four Seasons Fruit Tree for 500 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.
• Xu Changqing outbid the last remaining rival and bought the Jade Dew Spirit Sprout for 2,600 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.
• Steward Wen told Xu Changqing that his spending had promoted him to honored guest and offered him a private room.
• Steward Wen gave Xu Changqing an honored guest token and said he was the 666th honored guest.
• Xu Changqing asked what was being auctioned next, and Steward Wen announced the Demon-Hunting Team, a rare item found deep in the Black Forest.

Xu Changqing learned that the auction’s Bone-Porcelain Symbiosis Cup was an evil cultivator’s artifact and left before bidding. He went to the Sun Clan, where Sun Peng and Lei Yunna were discussing their daughter’s future when Daoist Cai appeared behind them.

• Manager Wen explained that the Bone-Porcelain Symbiosis Cup came from the evil cultivator Mo Cizi’s cultivation method, and Xu Changqing left the auction after learning what it was.
• Xu Changqing headed directly to the Sun Clan residence and complained that his day had started badly.
• Sun Peng and Lei Yunna discussed sending their young daughter Sun Shangxiang to an Immortal Sect, though Lei Yunna struggled to part with her.
• An unfamiliar voice advised the couple to wait longer, and they turned to find Daoist Cai standing silently behind them.