Chapter Summaries

Xu Changqing studied the Dragon-Tiger Talisman Scripture while traveling with the Wan Family’s ships, then learned that an unknown cultivator had been following them toward the Central Region. After a Foundation Establishment Perfection scout vanished, Xu Changqing sent Ling Chenye to investigate the likely Golden Core pursuer.

• Xu Changqing examined the Dragon-Tiger Talisman Scripture and decided his clone should practice its techniques to avoid revealing his connection to the inheritance.
• As the Wan Family’s two treasure ships neared the Central Region, Wan Niang showed the group map readings indicating a cultivator had followed them since they boarded.
• Wan Niang revealed that a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator she had sent to investigate never returned, suggesting the pursuer might be in the Golden Core Realm.
• Xu Changqing ordered Ling Chenye to scout the pursuer and learn their intentions.

Ling Chenye discovered that the gray-robed Insect Cultivator was still pursuing the group, and Xu Changqing's party decided to deal with the threat themselves. The Wan Family and Dongting Immortal Sect parted near the Central Region border, and the Wan Family gave Xu Changqing a detailed route map that revealed a site labeled “Marauding Cultivator's Exclusive Rest Stop.”

• Ling Chenye used his wind-attuned Divine Sense to find a gray-robed Insect Cultivator concealed in a swarm of green insects, then returned to warn Xu Changqing and the others.
• Xu Changqing recognized the pursuer as the Insect Cultivator who had attacked them before, and Zhurong offered to fight him.
• Su Jinli and the others insisted that the Dongting Immortal Sect handle its own enemy, so Xu Changqing declined Zhurong's help.
• Xu Changqing and the Dongting Immortal Sect parted ways with the Wan Family near the Central Region border, and Wan Niang gave them a route-guiding jade pendant.
• Xu Changqing compared Wan Niang's map with the Immortal Sect's outdated map and found a location marked “Marauding Cultivator's Exclusive Rest Stop.”

Xu Changqing’s group disguised themselves as Marauding Cultivators and raided an abandoned manor occupied by another band of robbers. They killed the entire group and continued on their way, leaving no survivors.

• Xu Changqing proposed disguising the group as Marauding Cultivators to mislead the pursuing Insect Cultivator and avoid trouble.
• Ling Chenye scouted the manor and found fifteen Marauding Cultivators, including a Human-Grade Golden Core leader.
• Xu Changqing assigned Lu Wu and Ling Chenye to ambush the leaders while the others dealt with the remaining cultivators.
• Lu Wu crashed into the manor and announced that he was robbing them as Ling Chenye and the others launched their attack.
• After the group killed the low-level Marauding Cultivators, Lu Wu pierced the leader’s heart and burned his body and Golden Core to ashes.

After defeating the marauding cultivator leader, Xu Changqing and his companions divided the spoils and waited at the rest stop for the Insect Cultivator. When he arrived, four Golden Core cultivators surrounded him, and he pleaded to talk.

• Xu Changqing let Su Jinli erase the leader’s Divine Sense imprint, and the group inspected and shared the contents of the storage ring and pouches.
• Su Jinli took the damaged red gourd and distributed Spirit Stones as compensation, while the others chose items or accepted shares.
• Xu Changqing stored the remaining treasures, and the group stayed at the rest stop to see whether the Insect Cultivator could track them there.
• The Insect Cultivator used a golden spirit insect to locate the rest stop after losing track of the group’s auras.
• The Insect Cultivator approached the rest stop and found four Golden Core cultivators sealing off the directions, then asked them to talk.

Zhao Ziyue and the others captured a Golden Core Insect Cultivator and discovered that his belongings included a Donghe Sect transport resource ledger. The group identified Donghe Sect as a small sect in Fengrao Commandery that specialized in targeting Dongting Immortal Sect for assignment missions.

• Zhao Ziyue sealed the sky with a water barrier while the Insect Cultivator released swarms of insects and a Silver-Armored Spirit Insect to fight back.
• Su Jinli burned through the insect swarm, and Yu Shi and Lu Wu worked together to slow and destroy the Silver-Armored Spirit Insect.
• Lu Wu severed the Insect Cultivator's limbs, and Xu Changqing used a Soul-Severing Talisman to suppress his consciousness and capture him alive.
• The group brought the Insect Cultivator to their resting point and searched his storage items, finding cultivation texts, spirit stones, and a Donghe Sect transport resource ledger.
• Zhao Ziyue explained that Donghe Sect was a small sect in Fengrao Commandery that took missions targeting Dongting Immortal Sect.

Xu Changqing’s group captured and killed Gu Fusheng, divided his loot, and settled in for the night, unaware that his soul had survived inside a spirit insect. Gu Fusheng tried to escape, but someone discovered him and recognized him as an Earth-Grade Golden Core cultivator.

• Xu Changqing decided to kill the captured Insect Cultivator, but Yu Shi’s interrogation ended when the prisoner suddenly died.
• Su Jinli confirmed that the Insect Cultivator had no vitality left, and Xu Changqing’s group divided his belongings and the remaining loot.
• Xu Changqing’s group assigned night watches and rested in the Hands-Off Region.
• Gu Fusheng’s soul awakened inside a Silver-Armored Spirit Insect through Insect Soul Transference and resolved to join the Lifeless Insect Mother’s Mother Nest.
• As Gu Fusheng tried to crawl away, someone pinned the insect beneath a boot and recognized him as an Earth-Grade Golden Core.

Xu Changqing captured Gu Fusheng and forced him to reveal his history, his plans, and his Dongting Immortal Sect backer. Gu Fusheng then refused to identify the mysterious person who had aided his rise, warning that “It” would hear him.

• Xu Changqing used a Soul-Tracking Rune to find Gu Fusheng hiding in a Silver-Armored Spirit Insect and revealed that the apparent marauders had been Dongting Immortal Sect disciples in disguise.
• As Gu Fusheng’s remnant soul weakened, Xu Changqing forced him to explain how he became the Donghe Sect’s vice sect master and why he had tried to kill the disciples carrying the account books.
• Gu Fusheng named the Medicine Fairy of Azurewood Peak, Su Qingyao, as his backer in the Dongting Immortal Sect.
• Xu Changqing asked who had given Gu Fusheng the Eastern Domain Compendium of Spirit Insects, but Gu Fusheng said he could not reveal the person’s name because “It” would hear him.

Xu Changqing trapped Gu Fusheng inside an insect and continued toward the Central Region with his companions. When Zhang Su revealed that Zhang Xue was marrying Bai Xuan at Azure Ridge Mountain, Xu Changqing decided the group would attend the wedding and support her.

• Gu Fusheng told Xu Changqing about the Mayfly Offering at Qiong Valley, and Xu Changqing used a soul-locking incantation to trap him inside an insect as a guide for a future visit.
• Hu Bugui found Xu Changqing during his patrol, and the two returned to the resting spot together.
• After daybreak, Xu Changqing led the group aboard Shattered Moon, Falling Frost toward the Central Region, where Su Jinli warned that demons and fighting had made the region dangerous.
• Zhang Su said he was bound for Azure Ridge Mountain to discuss cooperation with the Beast-Taming Bai Family and attend Zhang Xue and Bai Xuan's wedding.
• Xu Changqing agreed that the group would attend the wedding to support Zhang Xue, and they flew toward Azure Ridge Mountain.

Xu Changqing and the Dongting Immortal Sect party arrived at the Bai Clan’s wedding celebrations, where their presence drew respect and offered Zhang Xue support. As the others explored possible cooperation with the Bai Clan, Xu Changqing noticed a strange man watching him and muttering that he could not tell something.

• Zhang Su announced the party’s arrival as representatives of the Dongting Immortal Sect and the Zhang Family of the Spirit Fields, and Bai Chuan welcomed them.
• Xu Changqing and the others entered the Bai Clan residence, where Bai Chuan explained that Bai Xuan and Zhang Xue would appear at the wedding feast that evening.
• Zhang Su said the party would stay for the feast, and Bai Chuan learned that Xu Changqing was Zhang Xue’s friend and the others were Immortal Sect core disciples bound for the battlefield.
• Hu Bugui discussed the Bai Clan’s Spirit Wolves with Bai Chuan, who sent Bai Xiang to show him the wolf packs and explore cooperation.
• Xu Changqing walked around the residence, sensed someone watching him, and saw a short, thin man in a red jacket leave while muttering, “Can’t tell... can’t tell...”

At Bai Xuan and Zhang Xue’s wedding, Xu Changqing and the Dongting Immortal Sect witnessed the Bai Clan’s wolf-centered traditions. After Bai Xuan performed the Flesh-Cutting Rite, he offered the first piece of tiger flesh to the sect, and Xu Changqing accepted it on their behalf.

• Bai Chuan told Xu Changqing that Bai Ye, though surnamed Bai, was not of the Bai Clan and had been picked up by Bai Chuan’s eldest son.
• At the wedding, Zhang Xue spotted Xu Changqing, exchanged congratulations with him, and asked Bai Xuan not to make her regret her choice.
• Bai Yan announced the Flesh-Cutting Rite, and Bai Xuan danced in close coordination with the Silver Wolves Treading Snow and Frostfang.
• The Bai Clan released a starved tiger demon, and Bai Xuan and the Silver Wolves worked together to cut a strip of flesh from it.
• Bai Xuan offered the first cut of tiger flesh to the Dongting Immortal Sect, and Xu Changqing accepted it with spiritual power while wishing the couple well.

At the Bai Clan wedding, Xu Changqing discovered that Bai Ye had a Spiritual Root and invited him to join the Dongting Immortal Sect. Bai Ye refused because he wanted to find his unknown home, prompting Xu Changqing to name the people and things that made his own home.

• The Bai Clan distributed the tiger demon’s meat among the guests and fed the remains to the Azureback Wolves.
• Xu Changqing asked Bai Chuan where Bai Ye was, and Bai Chuan said Bai Ye preferred being alone.
• After the wedding celebrations ended, Bai Ye approached Xu Changqing’s room and asked what Spiritual Root he had.
• Xu Changqing gave Bai Ye a Spirit Root Stone, which turned scarlet when it reacted to the tattoo on Bai Ye’s arm.
• Xu Changqing invited Bai Ye to join the Dongting Immortal Sect, but Bai Ye refused and said he planned to leave that night to find home.
• When Xu Changqing asked how Bai Ye could return without knowing where home was, Bai Ye asked whether Xu Changqing knew where his own home was, and Xu Changqing described his family and life at Red Maple Valley.

Xu Changqing captured Bai Ye and departed with his companions, then witnessed the devastation demons had wrought across the Central Region. After passing through ruined settlements, they found a mountain refuge where cultivators were sheltering ordinary people.

• Xu Changqing tricked Bai Ye, knocked him unconscious, and stored him in his Portable Space for later questioning.
• The next morning, Xu Changqing and his companions left the Bai Clan aboard Shattered Moon, Falling Frost.
• Ling Chenye scouted Ward-Off-Evil City and found it abandoned, its people apparently killed by demons.
• Xu Changqing and the others surveyed the ruined city, then continued their journey through villages and towns that had also been destroyed.
• Late at night, they found a mountain refuge with cultivators guarding ordinary people in shelters.

Xu Changqing and his companions encountered the Azure Mountain Sect, whose members were sheltering ordinary people from demons while their supplies and protective formation dwindled. Lin Shan, Zhao He, and Sun Yue chose to stay together, and Xu provided relief supplies and offered to trade for more resources.

• Lin Shan and Zhao He explained that demons had driven the Azure Mountain Sect and nearby ordinary people behind their mountain-protecting formation, which was running short of supplies.
• Xu Changqing had Ling Chenye inspect Azure Mountain, and Ling confirmed that only a few minor demons remained.
• Xu Changqing offered the Azure Mountain Sect the choice of leaving for the Dongting Immortal Sect's gathering point or receiving resources; Lin Shan, Zhao He, and Sun Yue chose to stay together.
• Xu Changqing gave the sect spirit rice, pills, formation-repair materials, and talismans, then agreed to trade additional resources for spirit stones.
• Sun Yue requested at least one thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and more than ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones to sustain the formation.

Xu Changqing traded spirit rice and spirit stones with Azure Mountain Sect for its rare goods and a Mountain-Moving Seal. He and his companions reached the Dongting Immortal Sect’s gathering point, where displaced cultivators and ordinary people had gathered for shelter.

• Lin Shan, Zhao He, and Sun Yue offered Xu Changqing Mountainheart Grass, Mountain-Root Spiritual Liquid, Red Copper Ingots, a Demon-Breaking Dagger, and Cloud-Tip Spirit Sprouts.
• Xu Changqing accepted the goods in exchange for spirit rice grain, spirit stones, and the Mountain-Moving Seal that Lin Shan added to the trade.
• Lin Shan gave Xu Changqing Azure Mountain Sect’s Communication Talisman before Xu Changqing, Ling Chenye, and Lu Wu departed.
• Xu Changqing’s companions discovered that he had avoided every secret realm and battle since joining the Immortal Sect, despite the dangers they had faced on the journey.
• After several more days of travel, Xu Changqing and his companions arrived at the Dongting Immortal Sect’s gathering point, where a large formation protected many cultivators and refugees.

Xu Changqing arrived at the gathering point, where several companions split off and the remaining group sold their resources. He reunited with Li Sancai, who had recently tempered his body in the Meat-Simmering Blood Pool, and Li asked him to take over a mission transporting resources to Fetal Mountain.

• Su Jinli and Rong Yan departed, while Yu Shi, Ling Chenye, and Lu Wu bought a Nine Mountain-Moving Seal to enter the Mountain-Moving Secret Realm.
• Hu Bugui, Zhao Ziyue, Miao Huayu, and Xu Linshan chose to stay with Xu Changqing, and the group handed in and sold their resources at the gathering point.
• Hu Bugui took Zhao Ziyue, Miao Huayu, and Xu Linshan to look at demon core materials while Xu Changqing stayed behind.
• Li Sancai recognized Xu Changqing and explained that he had grown stronger after soaking in the Meat-Simmering Blood Pool.
• Li Sancai asked Xu Changqing to transport resources to the garrison at Fetal Mountain in his place because his body had not yet recovered.

Xu Changqing traveled to Fetal Mountain to deliver resources for Li Sancai and found the garrison point massacred by an Ox Demon King. He killed the demon with a single slap, leaving the mountain’s fate beyond the immediate battle unresolved.

• Xu Changqing agreed to deliver resources to Fetal Mountain after learning about the conflict over the Black Rust Dynasty’s imperial palace.
• Xu Changqing collected the Immortal Sect’s resources, said goodbye to Hu Bugui and the others, and flew toward Fetal Mountain on Shattered Moon, Falling Frost.
• Xu Changqing found Fetal Mountain’s garrison point strewn with the remains of cultivators and demons, then spotted what appeared to be a dying survivor.
• The Ox Demon King emerged from underground and revealed that it had slaughtered the garrison and claimed Fetal Mountain as its territory.
• Xu Changqing struck the Ox Demon King across the face with one palm, killing it instantly.

Xu Changqing rescued a severely injured cultivator after killing the Ox Demon King’s fleeing underlings, then came upon a massive battle where cultivators struggled against a demon horde. A Fire Phoenix and the Abyss-Cleansing Mountain Chariot appeared as the battlefield teetered toward disaster.

• Xu Changqing used an Azure Flood Dragon Qi-Attracting Talisman to kill the Lesser Demons fleeing the stronghold and stored their corpses in his Square-Inch Ring.
• Xu Changqing gave the badly wounded male cultivator an Essence-Congealing Soul-Continuing Pill, carried him aboard Shattered Moon, Falling Frost, and flew toward the gathering point.
• Xu Changqing found thousands of demons battling cultivators who were escorting mortals, and the male cultivator estimated that at least five thousand-year-level Demon Kings were present.
• A Fire Phoenix descended and burned a vast swath of the demon horde to ash.
• A hundred-zhang chariot emerged from the clouds, and Xu Changqing recognized it as the Abyss-Cleansing Mountain Chariot.

The Dongting Immortal Sect’s Abyss-Cleansing Mountain Chariot unleashed its Heaven-Burning Canopy, devastating the demon horde and turning the tide of the battlefield. Xu Changqing recognized the chariot’s controller, Chao Jin, as the Dongting Immortal Sect prepared to launch its final assault.

• The Abyss-Cleansing Mountain Chariot unfolded its Heaven-Burning Canopy, trapping demons beneath its scorching domain and burning away their demon qi.
• Disciples from the Dongting, Dragon-Tiger, and Moon-Inviting Immortal Sects discussed their sects’ weapons while other factions admired the chariot’s power.
• The canopy’s sparks burned demons across the battlefield, and its flames killed the Blue-Faced Wolf King, the Red-Footed Scorpion King, the Vine Demon King, and the other Demon Kings.
• The surviving Greater Demons and Lesser Demons lost their will to fight, and the cultivators charged forward.
• Xu Changqing recognized the chariot’s controller as Redflame Peak’s Peak Master, Chao Jin, a Spirit Transformation Venerable and likely successor to the Dongting Sect Master.
• Chao Jin declared that Dongting had advanced and ordered the demon fiends to be executed.

After the Fire Phoenix annihilated the demons on the battlefield, Xu Changqing returned to the gathering point and learned that Fetal Mountain had fallen, leaving only one survivor. Li Sancai urged him to retrieve three rare Chi Yan Dragon Lingzhi before the group returned to the Immortal Sect, while Xu Linshan resolved to stay and fight.

• The Fire Phoenix returned at Chao Jin's summons and burned the remaining demons before flying off with the Abyss-Cleansing Mountain Chariot toward the Black Rust Dynasty.
• Xu Changqing brought the sole surviving Fetal Mountain cultivator to the alchemy district, reported the garrison's fall, and returned its resources.
• Xu Changqing reunited with Li Sancai and told him that Fetal Mountain had been breached and nearly everyone there had died.
• Li Sancai grieved for his friends and directed Xu Changqing to collect three nearly mature Chi Yan Dragon Lingzhi in Chi Yan Valley before returning to the Immortal Sect.
• Hu Bugui, Zhao Ziyue, and Miao Huayu considered returning to the Immortal Sect, but Xu Linshan declared that he wanted to stay and fight.

Mo Yuan invited Xu Changqing to enter the Azure Mist Forest, a Wood Spirit Root-exclusive Secret Realm rich in rare spiritual plants, and Xu Changqing eagerly agreed. Mo Yuan’s disciple, Mo Ran, joined them as they prepared to set out.

• Xu Changqing told Xu Linshan and the others he planned to stay at the gathering point for several more days while they waited for Zhang Su.
• Mo Yuan arrived and asked Xu Changqing to accompany him to a promising opportunity, then led him to his disciple near the gathering point’s boundary.
• Mo Yuan explained that his disciple had discovered the Azure Mist Forest, where only people with Wood Spirit Roots could safely harvest the rare spiritual plants.
• Xu Changqing accepted Mo Yuan’s invitation despite the forest’s miasma and chaotic spiritual energy, and Mo Yuan offered to handle the dangers.
• Mo Yuan introduced his disciple Mo Ran, corrected him for calling him Father instead of Master, and warned Xu Changqing not to comment.