Chapter Summaries

Xu Changqing learned that Sun Shangxiang had an Azure Wood Spirit Root and a Thunder Skin Constitution that caused plants she grew to die, while a suspicious cultivator named Qiao Baiyang had tried to take her as a disciple. He reassured her worried parents that he had brought a Golden Core True Person who could intervene when Qiao Baiyang returned.

• Sun Shangxiang met Xu Changqing, who gave her snacks while Sun Peng explained that Qiao Baiyang had offered to take her as a disciple.
• Xu Changqing told Sun Peng and Lei Yunna that the Spirit Grain Sect had fallen and that its former sect master had died.
• Sun Peng revealed Shang Xiang's Azure Wood Spirit Root and Thunder Skin Constitution, and Xu Changqing explained that her constitution would kill the plants she tried to grow.
• Sun Peng said Qiao Baiyang had left three days earlier to fetch another disciple and was expected to return soon; he had displayed a middle- or late-stage Human-Grade Golden Core.
• Xu Changqing told Shang Xiang's parents not to worry because a Golden Core True Person from an Immortal Sect was nearby and would act when Qiao Baiyang arrived.

Xu Changqing stayed in Dongqing City to watch over Sun Peng and Lei Yunna’s situation, then visited Earthshift Pavilion and met its owner, Lu Ping. He tried to earn Lu Ping’s instruction in formations by carving a stone sculpture, and Lu Ping began to suspect he had found a gifted student.

• Xu Changqing told Sun Peng and Lei Yunna to cooperate with the arriving Golden Core True Person and promised to keep watch over them in Dongqing City.
• Xu Changqing discovered that Earthshift Pavilion had replaced Fragrant Invitation Pavilion’s old location and entered to investigate its Earth Qi formation.
• Lu Ping introduced himself as Earthshift Pavilion’s owner and confirmed that he was a formation master.
• Xu Changqing asked Lu Ping to teach him formations, claiming he had an Earth Spirit Root and the necessary qualities to learn.
• Lu Ping tested Xu Changqing by asking him to carve a stone sculpture in one attempt, and Xu Changqing’s steady hands impressed him.

Xu Changqing visited the newly expanded Fragrant Invitation Pavilion, sampled its costly Changqing Spirit Rice Wine, and discovered its new underground entertainment. He and Hong Chang plunged into a vast subterranean space cushioned by Earth Qi.

• Xu Changqing gave Xu Changqing a jade pendant containing basic formation knowledge after he finished carving a stone sculpture, and promised to take him as a disciple if he mastered it within half a year.
• Xu Changqing arrived at the new Fragrant Invitation Pavilion, paid Red Pearl to enter the second floor, and chose Hong Chang from the unfamiliar attendants.
• Xu Changqing drank Changqing Spirit Rice Wine with Hong Chang and learned that the Pavilion now offered a choice between its old carriage outing and an underground adventure.
• Xu Changqing chose the underground route, and he and Hong Chang leaped into a dark tunnel before landing on an elastic mushroom-shaped mass of Earth Qi in a vast underground space.

Xu Changqing mastered Formation Array Skill by spending 220 years of lifespan, becoming a Dragon-Seeking Grandmaster. When Qiao Baiyang returned to take Sun Shangxiang away, Xu Changqing suspected the old man's identity and quietly advised Sun Peng to let him take her for now.

• Xu Changqing studied the formation-array knowledge in Lu Ping's jade pendant and spent 220 years of lifespan to raise Formation Array Skill to Masterful Hand.
• Xu Changqing spent two days at Fragrant Invitation Pavilion, then concealed himself when Qiao Baiyang returned to the Sun Clan.
• Xu Changqing observed Qiao Baiyang and an unfamiliar youth, doubting Qiao Baiyang's claim that he was the Spirit Grain Sect's sect master.
• Qiao Baiyang insisted on taking Sun Shangxiang, while Sun Peng and Lei Yunna hesitated because they doubted his identity.
• Xu Changqing secretly told Sun Peng that an Immortal Sect Golden Core True Person was nearby and advised him to let Qiao Baiyang take Sun Shangxiang without alerting him.

Qiao Baiyang took Sun Shangxiang from her parents and brought her with Li Muyao to Cangyan Peak, where he revealed that the Spirit Grain Sect was long gone and left the children with a strange task. Xu Changqing followed them to the mountain and suspected it concealed a predecessor’s cave abode or hidden secret realm.

• Sun Peng and Lei Yunna handed Sun Shangxiang over to Qiao Baiyang, and Xu Changqing promised to keep watch as Qiao Baiyang flew away with her and Li Muyao.
• Wang Lin stopped Qiao Baiyang at Dongqing City’s boundary, but Qiao Baiyang showed him something that made him let the group pass.
• Xu Changqing followed Qiao Baiyang to Cangyan Peak and noticed a spirit vein and an advanced formation beneath the mountain.
• Qiao Baiyang told Li Muyao and Sun Shangxiang that the Spirit Grain Sect was long gone, then ordered them to tend a strange tree to death before they could see Sun Shangxiang’s parents.
• Qiao Baiyang flew away, leaving Li Muyao to comfort Sun Shangxiang and realize they were trapped on the mountain.
• Xu Changqing examined Cangyan Peak and suspected it contained a predecessor’s cave abode or hidden secret realm.

Xu Changqing covertly altered the three nodes of the Locking Mountain Formation around Cangyan Peak, turning it into a Three-Force Formation under his control. Five days later, Qiao Baiyang returned with Shi Qingyan, who rejected his advances while mourning her husband and former master, Rong Long.

• Xu Changqing identified the Locking Mountain Formation and decided to take control of it while Qiao Baiyang was away.
• Xu Changqing redirected a stream and planted willows to neutralize the Killing Intent at the first formation node.
• Xu Changqing shaped terraces and grew sunflowers over black sand, dispersing the cold yin energy at the second node.
• Xu Changqing altered the miasma at the southern depression and placed three inscribed jade pieces to transform the formation into a Three-Force Formation.
• Over five days, Li Muyao and Sun Shangxiang tried to tend the unusual tree, but it wilted as Sun Shangxiang touched it.
• Qiao Baiyang arrived with Shi Qingyan, who said she still mourned Rong Long and rebuked Qiao Baiyang's advances.

Qiao Baiyang and Shi Qingyan used Sun Shangxiang to wither the Spirit-Guarding Tree and open the Golden Core cave dwelling, while Xu Changqing followed unseen. He donned spirit armor formed from Thunder-Gold Kui and raced into the cave after them.

• Shi Qingyan sensed that Cangyan Peak’s killing intent had changed, but Qiao Baiyang persuaded her to enter with him.
• Xu Changqing secretly altered the formation, letting himself enter the mountain unnoticed as Qiao Baiyang and Shi Qingyan discussed their disciples and the cave dwelling.
• Qiao Baiyang forced Sun Shangxiang to touch the Spirit-Guarding Tree until it withered, despite Li Muyao’s pleas for mercy.
• The mountain shook, a crack opened in the rock wall, and golden mist emerged to reveal the cave entrance.
• Xu Changqing summoned Thunder-Gold Kui, formed spirit armor around himself, and raced into the cave dwelling.

Qiao Baiyang and Shi Qingyan discovered that the cave abode belonged to a cultivator with an earth-grade golden core and both earth and metal spiritual roots. Shi Qingyan entered with Li Muyao, while Xu Changqing killed Qiao Baiyang, protected Sun Shangxiang, and followed them inside; Shi Qingyan then realized Li Muyao was missing.

• Xu Changqing observed that the cave abode's layout suggested its master had earth and metal spiritual roots.
• Shi Qingyan identified the gold-nurturing thick-earth vines' binding aura and entered through a gap using her earth magical power, taking Li Muyao with her.
• Xu Changqing appeared behind Qiao Baiyang, sliced him in two, and destroyed his escaping human-grade golden core with Five-Colored Divine Radiance.
• Xu Changqing left the ancestor to protect Sun Shangxiang, gave her snacks, and entered the cave abode through the vines.
• Shi Qingyan looked around inside and wondered where Li Muyao had gone.

Li Muyao received the Myriad-Lives Reincarnation Star Mirror in a mysterious starry space, while Xu Changqing entered the inner area of the cave abode and disguised himself as Rong Long’s grandson to question Shi Qingyan. After their mutual suspicions grew, Xu Changqing attacked Shi Qingyan and left her helpless.

• Li Muyao heard a mysterious voice describe his fate and received the Myriad-Lives Reincarnation Star Mirror.
• Xu Changqing entered the inner area and found a mutated Geng Metal Spirit-Guarding Tree protected by layered defenses.
• Xu Changqing claimed to be Rong Long’s grandson, Rong Yan, and told Shi Qingyan that Rong Long had been arrested.
• Shi Qingyan explained that the alliance was unlikely to rescue Rong Long and agreed to explore the cave abode with Xu Changqing.
• Shi Qingyan tested Xu Changqing’s claimed Spiritual Roots, and he said he had dual wood and earth roots.
• Xu Changqing attacked Shi Qingyan with Five-Colored Divine Radiance and lightning, disabling her before threatening to send her to the Yellow Springs.

Xu Changqing killed Qiao Baiyang and Shi Qingyan, then explored the hidden inner hall of the cave abode and collected its treasures. He reached another room on the hall’s right side and was stunned by what he found.

• Shi Qingyan begged Xu Changqing to spare her and explained that a Divine Soul Contract prevented her from revealing the alliance’s affairs, but Xu Changqing killed her and seized her Human-Grade Golden Core.
• Xu Changqing discovered a stone stele beneath the Geng Metal Spirit-Guarding Tree and used his mana to reveal an entrance to the cave abode’s inner layer.
• Xu Changqing sent Shi Qingyan’s corpse, refined into a puppet, into the entrance to check for danger, then entered after it remained unharmed.
• Xu Changqing bypassed the Earth-Metal Tai Chi Formation, took a compass and two jade slips containing the Golden Seal Heaven-Commanding Art and Nine Golden-Splitting Slashes, and emptied the storage room of materials and pills.
• Xu Changqing entered the room on the grand hall’s right side and was utterly dumbfounded by what he saw.

Xu Changqing explored a cave abode and discovered an unusual earth-and-metal artifact workshop, a cultivation chamber, and valuable geomantic and formation knowledge. He took everything he could carry, including the Earth-Vein Geomancy Notes, and continued searching the abode.

• Xu Changqing examined the Earth-Gold Furnace and discovered a chisel that glowed near ore and metal materials, then claimed it and two completed magic artifacts.
• Xu Changqing collected the furnace, tools, artifacts, and other belongings before following a passage into a cultivation chamber.
• Xu Changqing tested the Earth-Metal Symbiotic Spirit-Gathering Grand Formation and found that absorbing both Earth Qi and Metal Qi increased cultivation speed by at least fifty percent.
• Xu Changqing pieced together jade pillars and discovered that they recorded methods for guiding Golden Qi, geomantic formation insights, and a map of Cangyan Peak's earth and metal veins.
• Xu Changqing read the Earth-Vein Geomancy Notes, learned that Golden Profound Master had possessed dual earth and metal Spiritual Roots, and wondered why the notes said 'in this life.'
• Xu Changqing packed up the remaining contents of the cave abode, including its meditation cushion.

Xu Changqing preserved and strengthened the cave abode as a fallback base, then brought Sun Shangxiang and Li Muyao back to Dongqing City. After reuniting Sun Shangxiang with her family, he promised to come for her in five years and left with Li Muyao for the Immortal Sect.

• Xu Changqing left the Geng Metal Spirit-Guarding Tree in place, improved the cave abode’s formations, and sealed its entrance before leaving.
• Xu Changqing invited Li Muyao to cultivate at the Dongting Immortal Sect, and Li Muyao agreed to go with him.
• Xu Changqing returned to Dongqing City with Li Muyao and the sleeping Sun Shangxiang, reuniting her with Sun Peng, Lei Yunna, and her family.
• Sun Shangxiang asked Xu Changqing when they would meet again, and he promised to come get her in five years before flying away with Li Muyao.
• Sun Peng and the others told Sun Shangxiang to call Xu Changqing Master and said she would become an Immortal Sect disciple.

Xu Changqing brought Li Muyao to Water-Control Pavilion, where Li Muyao chose to pursue talisman drawing, and then encountered Bai Ling'er after her return from a long absence. Xu Changqing returned to Red Maple Valley, where Wangzai’s digging made him consider sending the dog to Beast Spirit Valley for training.

• Xu Changqing offered Li Muyao a choice of cultivation divisions, and Li Muyao chose Water-Control Pavilion.
• Xu Changqing brought Li Muyao to the pavilion and left him with its prospective-disciple receiver after advising him to make the most of the opportunity.
• Xu Changqing met Bai Ling'er at the pavilion entrance and learned she had returned to prepare for the Thousand Sects Dharma Assembly while her family stayed with her mother.
• Xu Changqing gave Bai Ling'er a Small Storage Bag containing his and Lao Bai's share from the Return-to-Ruins Secret Realm and told her he lived in Red Maple Valley.
• Xu Changqing returned home and considered sending Wangzai to Beast Spirit Valley after the dog dug a hole.

Xu Changqing sorted the treasures he had brought back and learned that Pei Mo and Chu Qiu wanted help finding a Water Spirit Root near the flooded Nine-Bend Sect. He contacted Ruo Qunshuang, who agreed to meet them, leaving the group poised to discuss the opportunity.

• Xu Changqing stored his expedition spoils in the Portable Space, where Xu Linglong woke and asked him for a gift; he jokingly offered her the enormous Earth-Gold Furnace.
• Xu Changqing stayed busy helping Flower Elder manage the Spirit Fields, while Miao Huayu, Xu Linshan, and others organized the Azure Alliance to handle small problems among themselves.
• Chu Qiu and Pei Mo stopped Xu Changqing and explained that Pei Mo wanted to add a Water Spirit Root before advancing to Golden Core.
• Pei Mo said he had heard of a needed resource near the flooded Nine-Bend Sect, and Xu Changqing realized they hoped to meet Ruo Qunshuang through him.
• Xu Changqing contacted Ruo Qunshuang, who was preparing to go to the Earthfire Zone, and she agreed to meet after he offered to arrange a task with suitable rewards.

Ruo Qunshuang agreed to guide Pei Mo and Chu Qiu to the Nine-Bend Sect, and Xu Changqing later mastered the Golden Seal Heaven-Commanding Art. Its powerful effects left him convinced it would still become fuel for his Five-Element Art.

• Xu Changqing hosted Chu Qiu and Pei Mo, who asked Ruo Qunshuang to help them search the Nine-Bend Sect for something that could awaken a Water Spirit Root.
• Ruo Qunshuang agreed to guide them, relieved that they had not discovered the Nine-Bend Treasury her father left behind.
• Chu Qiu promised Xu Changqing a share of any benefits from the journey and asked him for more milk wine before leaving.
• Half a month later, Xu Changqing mastered the Golden Seal Heaven-Commanding Art by spending 30 years of lifespan.
• Xu Changqing examined the art’s powerful Metal and Earth abilities and concluded that it would eventually merge into his Five-Element Art.

Xu Changqing fused three wood spells into the powerful Myriad-Spirit Wooden Armor and considered how to use Black Flame to create stronger techniques. Flower Elder warned that the Spirit Field Core’s spiritual energy would not support Xu Changqing’s cultivation after he reached the Golden Core Realm unless he became the Grain Lord.

• Xu Changqing fused Wood-Spirit Entanglement Art, Wood-Hiding Art, and Wooden Armor Technique into the Myriad-Spirit Wooden Armor, gaining powerful defenses, attacks, concealment, and plant-based transfer.
• Xu Changqing reflected that he could keep collecting cultivation arts and spells to fuse, though complete techniques were mostly held by major powers.
• Chu Qiu, Pei Mo, and Ruo Qunshuang left the Immortal Sect, while Xu Changqing stayed behind to tend to his Spirit Fields.
• Xu Changqing visited Flower Elder to discuss increasing his cultivation realm, and Flower Elder confirmed that Red Maple Valley could support more than ten mu of Spirit Fields.
• Flower Elder explained that Xu Changqing would need to cultivate somewhere with denser spiritual energy after reaching the Golden Core Realm, unless he became the Grain Lord.

Xu Changqing considered Flower Elder’s suggestion that he might one day become Grain Lord, while weighing the risks of Golden Core advancement and the attention an Earth-Grade Golden Core would bring. He returned to Red Maple Valley, where Shi Zhuangyan’s professional team quickly repaired his Spirit Field, then quoted a fee that stunned him.

• Flower Elder told Xu Changqing he could not become Grain Lord because he was a demon, and suggested Xu might eventually be suited to the position with Si Geng’s support.
• Xu Changqing decided to leave the Grain Lord question for later and pondered whether to pursue a Human-Grade or Earth-Grade Golden Core.
• A team led by Shi Zhuangyan arrived to improve Xu Changqing’s Spirit Field ahead of the Thousand Sects Dharma Assembly, accompanied by a female formation master apprentice.
• Shi Zhuangyan’s team used specialized tools and coordinated techniques to complete the Spirit Field work in about two hours.
• Shi Zhuangyan handed Xu Changqing a Communication Talisman and charged him five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, leaving Xu Changqing stunned.

Ruo Qunshuang returned to the ruined Nine-Bend Sect, where something huge stirred beneath the Tainted Spirit Water. Elsewhere, Xu Changqing paid Shi Zhuangyan’s team for clearing land, then set out alone to investigate three hidden dangers in the Earth Vein and learned of the Luohe Bei Clan’s upcoming anniversary banquet.

• Ruo Qunshuang wept as she returned to Nine-Bend Sect, but Chu Qiu and Pei Mo spotted a huge shape moving beneath the Tainted Spirit Water.
• Xu Changqing reluctantly paid Shi Zhuangyan’s team five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones for two hours of work and one year of maintenance.
• Xu Changqing contacted Yang Zhenyue, who sent him a map marking the three remaining hidden dangers and warned him about the deep Earth Qi and Yellow Qi.
• Xu Changqing flew to the Earth Vein entrance alone to investigate the hidden dangers and encountered Bei Qinghui.
• Bei Qinghui told Xu Changqing that the Luohe Bei Clan would hold a grand banquet for its three-thousandth anniversary, but Xu Changqing said his senior sister had not invited him.

Xu Changqing ignored Bei Qinghui’s offer to attend the Luohe Bei Clan’s three-thousand-year banquet and went underground to investigate a hidden danger point. Though someone had already cleared it, his Treasure-Seeking Chisel uncovered valuable rare ores, and he decided to keep mining on the way to the next point.

• Bei Qinghui offered Xu Changqing an invitation to the banquet, but he declined and headed to the Earth Vein entrance.
• Xu Changqing followed his map to the first hidden danger point and found that someone had already removed whatever had been there.
• Xu Changqing used the Treasure-Seeking Chisel to search the surrounding Spirit Iron vein and unearthed a fist-sized Spirit Iron Crystal.
• Xu Changqing continued mining toward the second hidden danger point, finding more Spirit Iron Crystals and a chunk of Geng Metal Spirit Iron.
• Xu Changqing concluded that mining was more profitable than farming and chose to remain underground and keep searching.

Xu Changqing searched the second and third hidden-danger sites, finding a mysterious insect egg and valuable ores but no insects at the final site. After his haul passed ten thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, the underground space shook and Yellow Qi emerged from a collapsing rock layer.

• Xu Changqing found a large black egg with a faint trace of life beside the Mystic Iron Ore vein and stored it in his Square-Inch Ring.
• Xu Changqing used the Treasure-Seeking Chisel to uncover and collect a Mystic Iron Crystal Cluster.
• Xu Changqing found only an empty pit at the third hidden-danger site and concluded that Yang Zhenyue had likely dealt with the danger earlier.
• Xu Changqing searched the surrounding ore veins and secretly collected rare fire-attributed minerals, pushing his gains past ten thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.
• The underground space shook, the rock layer collapsed, and a wisp of Yellow Qi drifted out.