Chapter Summaries

Mo Yuan, Mo Ran, and Xu Changqing traveled toward the Azure Mist Forest and joined forces with Zhao Chengdao and Su Qingyuan. After Mo Yuan effortlessly killed a flock of demon birds ambushing them, the group reached the mist-shrouded forest.

• Xu Changqing explained that he had found a strange, misty forest, and Mo Yuan identified it as the moving Azure Mist Forest.
• The group met Zhao Chengdao of the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect and invited him to travel with them.
• Su Qingyuan of the Moon-Inviting Immortal Sect joined the group, bringing all three great Immortal Sects together.
• A flock of demon birds led by an Azure-Winged Thunder Roc attacked the flying vessels near the forest.
• Mo Yuan killed the demon birds with his Mind's Eye Sword, and the group continued to the Azure Mist Forest.

Xu Changqing and the other cultivators entered the Azure Mist Forest Secret Realm amid a chaotic battle between humans and demons. Separated from his companions, Xu Changqing discovered that the Wither-and-Bloom Sect had arranged to scatter everyone and planned to use the realm’s spiritual qi and intruders as nourishment for a Golden Core breakthrough.

• Xu Changqing’s group arrived at the entrance, where local cultivators and demons argued over who could enter the Secret Realm.
• When the entrance opened, several Demon Kings and a horde of burrowing demons attacked, and Mo Yuan ordered Mo Ran to lead the others inside while he stayed behind.
• The Wither-and-Bloom Sect’s middle-aged cultivator and youth entered first, followed by Xu Changqing’s group; the entrance then closed before Zhou Tong and most of the other factions could get in.
• Xu Changqing found himself alone in the Secret Realm, surrounded by abundant Wood Qi and rare spirit plants, and hid his presence among the vegetation.
• Xu Changqing overheard the Wither-and-Bloom cultivator tell the youth that their formation had scattered everyone and that he planned to use the realm and its intruders as nourishment for his Golden Core breakthrough.

Xu Changqing killed Wang Meng, disguised himself to approach Liu Xuan, and captured the young Yellow Springs Alliance member after he broke through to an Earth-Grade Golden Core. He revealed his own Earth-Grade Golden Core to the gathered cultivators.

• Xu Changqing used spiritual plants to kill Wang Meng, then copied his appearance and took his mask and clothes.
• Liu Xuan began his Golden Core breakthrough as the second entrance approached, drawing Wither-and-Bloom Annihilation Thunder.
• Liu Xuan endured the tribulation with his artifacts and formed an Earth-Grade Golden Core, awakening Wither-and-Bloom Reincarnation.
• Disguised as Wang Meng, Xu Changqing subdued Liu Xuan and used Masterful Tier Puppet Technique to turn him into an obedient puppet.
• Mo Ran, Mo Yuan, and the others gathered, and Xu Changqing declared that he had formed an Earth-Grade Golden Core.

Xu Changqing broke through to the Golden Core Realm inside the Azure Mist Forest and learned that his new status could send him to the Central Region front lines. He gathered rare spirit plants with Mo Ran and Su Qingyuan as the Secret Realm’s mist thickened and the time to leave approached.

• Mo Ran, Zhao Chengdao, Su Qingyuan, Azurewood Hall, and the Rogue Cultivator Alliance congratulated Xu Changqing and presented gifts after he attained an Earth-Grade Golden Core.
• Mo Yuan warned Xu Changqing that Golden Core cultivators were needed for the Central Region battlefield and that the Immortal Sect would likely make him stay and fight.
• Xu Changqing invited Mo Ran to gather spirit plants, but Mo Ran brought Su Qingyuan along; she explained that she and Su Qingyao shared a sect but were not related.
• Xu Changqing used his Divine Sense to find five-thousand-year-old Azure Mist Dragon Root and ancient Ancient Wood Soul trees deep in the forest.
• As the mist grew denser, everyone recognized that they needed to leave the Azure Mist Forest before non-Wood Spirit Root cultivators were expelled and others became trapped.

After Azure Mist Forest vanished, Xu Changqing returned to the gathering point and reported his Earth-Grade Golden Core breakthrough to Ling Xuan True Lord. He learned that his master Mu Ji’s standing would protect him from being sent to the front lines, then reunited with his companions and revealed his new divine ability.

• Azure Mist Forest disappeared after the group left, and Zhao Chengdao, Su Qingyuan, and the others departed for their respective gathering points.
• Mo Yuan brought Xu Changqing to meet Ling Xuan True Lord and reported the Secret Realm exploration and Xu Changqing’s breakthrough.
• Xu Changqing revealed that Mu Ji was his master, prompting Ling Xuan to treat him with deference and promise to arrange matters properly.
• After Xu Changqing left, Ling Xuan admitted to Mo Yuan that he had almost gotten him into trouble by not knowing Xu Changqing’s connection to Mu Ji.
• Xu Changqing reunited with Lao Hu, Lao Zhao, and Miao Huayu, told them about his breakthrough, and revealed that his divine ability was Myriad Insect Matriarch's Nest.

Xu Changqing and his companions reached the Black Rust Dynasty’s imperial city, where the Immortal Sects, the dynasty, and the Demon Race stood in a tense standoff. As the Fire Phoenix struggled against Bifang, Chao Jin intervened, and Pi Ba moved to confront him.

• Ling Xuan brought Xu Changqing and five other cultivators to the Black Rust Dynasty’s imperial city, where the Yellow Springs Alliance, the dynasty, and the Demon Race faced off against the Immortal Sects.
• Xu Changqing watched the Fire Phoenix battle Bifang, whose ability to devour flames made it resistant to the Phoenix’s attacks.
• Masked Yellow Springs Alliance members gloated from the imperial walls while Mo Hen planned to support whichever side prevailed.
• Chao Jin used the Abyss-Cleansing Mountain Chariot’s Heaven-Burning Canopy to weaken Bifang, allowing the Fire Phoenix to wound it severely.
• Pi Ba confronted Chao Jin, unleashing its devouring force as a Spirit Transformation cultivator faced a Half-Step Demon God.

Chao Jin used his Primordial Spirit and mastery of fire laws to overwhelm Pi Ba, nearly killing the Half-Step Demon God. A mysterious demon domain then rescued Pi Ba, and Chao Jin identified the powerful presence within as Demon God Kong Fang.

• Pi Ba grew stronger after devouring spiritual energy and flames, but Chao Jin summoned his Primordial Spirit and halted its attack with the pressure of his fire laws.
• Pi Ba formed a Taotie phantom and attacked Chao Jin, but Netherworld Fire and Lightningstrike Fire weakened it before Pi Ba tore them apart with its bloodline power.
• Chao Jin drew his crimson Dao sword and used its flames to cut the Taotie phantom, then unleashed his fire rings and nine-colored sword radiance against Pi Ba.
• Chao Jin's attack shattered Pi Ba's scales and nearly slew it, but a black rift opened and dragged Pi Ba into a demon domain.
• Seven-colored light from the domain neutralized Chao Jin's sword radiance, and Chao Jin recognized the presence inside as Demon God Kong Fang.

Demon God Kong Fang arrived with a host of Demon Emperors and proposed an alliance to stop Chi Ye Demon God from reincarnating, but the Heavenly Origin Realm’s cultivators distrusted its claims. The standoff ended when the Black Rust Dynasty’s palace barrier shattered and the Yellow Springs Alliance revealed its sacrificial runes, declaring Chi Ye’s reincarnation unstoppable.

• Kong Fang forced Fire Phoenix down and confronted Chao Jin, who accused it of crossing the boundary.
• Wei Canglan, Wen Qiuhan, and other cultivators arrived with powerful sect weapons to oppose Kong Fang.
• Kong Fang said Chi Ye Demon God planned to reincarnate by breaking its seal through the Black Rust Dynasty’s Spirit Veins, and offered to join forces against the Yellow Springs Alliance.
• The cultivators questioned whether they could trust Kong Fang, while Xu Changqing recognized the rabbit Demon Emperor as Lao Bai.
• The Black Rust Dynasty’s palace barrier broke, sacrificial runes rose from the ruins, and the Yellow Springs Alliance declared that Chi Ye Demon God was destined to reincarnate.

The Yellow Springs Alliance sacrificed the Black Rust Dynasty’s imperial palace to forcibly extract its Spirit Vein, triggering a catastrophe that sent Xu Changqing fleeing from the battlefield. On his journey away, the weakened Chi Ye Demon God escaped into the human world as a black cat and forcibly bound himself to Xu Changqing.

• The Yellow Springs Alliance sacrificed the imperial palace, unleashing scarlet Earth Qi and prompting Kong Fang to order cultivators below the Nascent Soul Realm to flee.
• Xu Changqing left with Chu Qiu on Shattered Moon, Falling Frost, and revealed that he had formed an Earth-Grade Golden Core and awakened Myriad Insect Matriarch's Nest.
• Chu Qiu accepted five hundred jin of Supreme-Grade Yellow Rice Wine before departing to meet Li Lingbi and the others.
• Chi Ye escaped as a small black cat and chose Xu Changqing as a target so he could use Xu Changqing's lifespan to restore his strength.
• Xu Changqing avoided the falling cat, but Chi Ye spent more reincarnation power to land on his flying vessel and forcibly formed a master-servant bond with him.

Xu Changqing met Mo Yuan and Zhao Ziyue’s group and told them the frontline crisis made further Golden Core support too dangerous. Back at the gathering point, he set out with Zhao Ziyue, Hu Bugui, and Miao Huayu for Chi Yan Valley to obtain three nearly mature Chi Yan Dragon Lingzhi.

• Xu Changqing warned Mo Yuan, Zhao Ziyue, and the other cultivators that the Yellow Springs Alliance had sacrificed the Black-Rust Imperial Palace to help the Chi Ye Demon God break its seal, making the frontline battlefield too dangerous for them to approach.
• Xu Changqing returned to the Dongting Immortal Sect gathering point with the group, where Chi Ye drank milk wine and fell asleep before Miao Huayu took the Black Cat to pet.
• Xu Changqing decided to wait for Senior Brother Zhang Su and news from the frontline, then proposed visiting Chi Yan Valley to collect three nearly mature Chi Yan Dragon Lingzhi.
• Xu Changqing, Zhao Ziyue, Hu Bugui, and Miao Huayu flew toward Chi Yan Valley aboard Shattered Moon, Falling Frost, with Miao Huayu bringing the sleeping Black Cat.
• Xu Changqing recognized the Heaven-Burning Mountain Range and spotted the valley entrance between two towering crimson-rock cliffs.

Xu Changqing and his companions entered Chi Yan Valley to find Chi Yan Dragon Lingzhi, where they encountered Flameglow Sect disciples who yielded the plants after learning the visitors belonged to the Dongting Immortal Sect. Xu Changqing gave Lin Xiaoyan a Communication Talisman and loudly introduced himself as the sect’s sole Spirit Cultivator of the Spirit Field Core.

• Xu Changqing and his companions entered Chi Yan Valley and passed Redfire Ants, Flame Lizards, and other mild-tempered creatures.
• The group found three Chi Yan Dragon Lingzhi growing on an island in a lava pool, just as four Flameglow Sect cultivators arrived.
• Hu Bugui and the Flameglow Sect’s Lin Xiaoyan disputed who could claim the lingzhi until Xu Changqing’s group identified themselves as members of the Dongting Immortal Sect.
• Lin Xiaoyan and her junior brothers apologized and offered the lingzhi to Xu Changqing’s group, saying their sect respected the Dongting Immortal Sect.
• Xu Changqing gave Lin Xiaoyan a Communication Talisman and announced his full title in a booming voice.

Xu Changqing and his companions collected the Chi Yan Dragon Lingzhi and returned to the gathering point, where Zhang Su learned that Xu had attained an Earth-Grade Golden Core. Xu then led the group back toward the Eastern Domain with Zhang Su and the others.

• The Flameglow Sect members willingly gave Xu Changqing and his companions the Chi Yan Dragon Lingzhi after learning they belonged to the Dongting Immortal Sect.
• Xu Changqing reminded Hu Bugui to visit the Flameglow Sect and congratulate them after they relocated to the Eastern Domain.
• Xu Changqing and his companions returned to the gathering point, where fewer cultivators remained and Zhang Su arrived two days later.
• Zhang Su learned that Xu Changqing had attained an Earth-Grade Golden Core and praised him for remaining true to his old bonds.
• Xu Changqing accompanied Zhang Su to exchange his remaining resources, then led Zhang Su, Hu Bugui, Zhao Ziyue, Miao Huayu, Xu Lin Shan, and the little black cat toward the Eastern Domain.

Xu Changqing returned to Red Maple Valley after a month-long mission, reunited with his family, and revealed that he had formed an Earth-Grade Golden Core. The next morning, he visited Zhu Fuxian, who noticed his new cultivation and invited him inside to hear about the journey.

• Xu Changqing returned to Red Maple Valley and reunited with Little Linglong, who eagerly accepted Chi Ye, a mysterious black spirit cat, as a companion.
• Xu Changqing embraced Ruo Qunshuang and told her about his travels; she mentioned that Ji Mingxuan had gone missing, and Xu Changqing showed little concern.
• Xu Changqing told Ruo Qunshuang that he had formed an Earth-Grade Golden Core, and she felt reassured about their family's future.
• The next morning, Xu Changqing visited Zhu Fuxian with an account book, and Zhu Fuxian recognized his Golden Core aura and invited him to drink and recount his trip.

Xu Changqing returned with accounts from across the Great Moon Dynasty and recounted his adventures to Zhu Fuxian, who praised his Earth-Grade Golden Core and reflected on his long life. Back in Red Maple Valley, Xu Changqing settled into life with his family and received visitors, including Lin An and his son Lin Feng, whom Lin An urged to bow to his master.

• Xu Changqing handed Zhu Fuxian the account books and described his encounters, including the appearance of Demon Gods and the attempt to reincarnate Chi Ye Demon God.
• Xu Changqing offered Zhu Fuxian three Chi Yan Dragon Lingzhi, but Zhu Fuxian told him to keep them and spoke of his own seven-hundred-year life and lost friends.
• Xu Changqing returned to Red Maple Valley, where Little Linglong, the black cat, and the household animals greeted him, while Ruo Qunshuang watched happily.
• After Xu Changqing's Earth-Grade Golden Core became known in the Spirit Field Core Region, visitors flocked to his home, and he welcomed them with tea and conversation.
• Lin An arrived with his son Lin Feng, and Lin An urged the boy to kneel and kowtow to Xu Changqing, his master.

Xu Changqing accepted Lin Feng as a disciple after discovering the boy had rare Wood and Wind Dual Spiritual Roots, and Linglong took him around Red Maple Valley. Later, Xu Changqing prepared to cultivate in his Portable Space, where he harvested abundant crops and gained 508 years of lifespan.

• Lin Feng tested his Spiritual Roots and revealed rare Wood and Wind Dual Spiritual Roots, prompting Xu Changqing to accept him as a disciple and arrange a room for him.
• Lin Feng recalled his parents' sacrifices and resolved to study hard under Xu Changqing.
• Linglong met Lin Feng, misunderstood what a senior apprentice brother was, and then led him around Red Maple Valley.
• Ruo Qunshuang reminded Xu Changqing to visit Azurewood Peak and collect cultivation resources, which he realized he had neglected.
• Xu Changqing entered his Portable Space and harvested spiritual plants and Spirit Rice, gaining 508 years of lifespan.

Xu Changqing planted rare spirit plants and rice in his Portable Space, then confronted the unstable Bai Ye and decided to seek a physician for him. He visited Azurewood Peak, where Bei Qingtang scolded him for breaking through to the Golden Core realm without the sect’s support, but accepted his explanation and warned him not to do it again.

• Xu Changqing planted the Azure Mist Dragon Root, Ancient Wood Soul, Chi Yan Dragon Lingzhi, Five-Colored Lotus Seed, and rare Spirit Rice in the Five-Colored Soil.
• Xu Changqing found Bai Ye in the Water Spirit Palace, where Bai Ye became confused and frenzied about who he was and where he belonged.
• Xu Changqing subdued Bai Ye with a Soul-Severing Talisman and chose to seek a knowledgeable physician rather than take his memories or keep him imprisoned indefinitely.
• Xu Changqing flew to Azurewood Peak and met Bei Qingtang, who reprimanded him for breaking through to the Golden Core realm alone.
• Xu Changqing explained that he had broken through in Azure Mist Forest, and Zhou Yan and Qin Ye agreed that the Secret Realm had been a suitable place.
• Bei Qingtang accepted Xu Changqing’s reasoning but warned him not to repeat the incident.

Xu Changqing received the rewards for reaching the Golden Core Realm and attaining an Earth-Grade Golden Core, then had to choose whether to leave the Spirit Fields and join Azurewood Peak fully. He chose to keep his Spirit Cultivator identity and connections, accepted a reward for that choice, and left to visit Mu Ning.

• Bei Qingtang gave Xu Changqing his Immortal Sect and Azurewood Peak benefits, which had increased after his breakthrough.
• Bei Qingtang presented Xu Changqing with the choice to give up his Spirit Cultivator identity or remain connected to both Azurewood Peak and the Spirit Fields.
• Xu Changqing chose to remain at the Spirit Field Core because he could not abandon Zhu Fuxian and Red Maple Valley.
• Bei Qingtang gave Xu Changqing a storage pouch as a reward for his choice, while Zhou Yan offered to trade him seedlings and seeds and Qin Ye promised his support.
• Xu Changqing asked to see Mu Ning, and Bei Qingtang directed him toward the Life Pool entrance.

Xu Changqing returned to Azurewood Peak, gave Mu Ning a Golden-Scent Bee, and learned that his mission had kept him clear of conflict involving Su Qingyao, Ji Mingxuan, and the Yellow Springs Alliance. He received the Grain Lord Token and discovered he would inherit the Grain Lord position when Xiao Zhu stepped down.

• Xu Changqing told Mu Ning he had reached the Golden Core Realm and reclaimed the Thunder-Gold Kui, then gave her the Golden-Scent Bee in exchange for caring for it.
• Xu Changqing returned to Red Maple Valley, greeted Linglong and Lin Feng, and asked Lin Feng to find out about the Sun Clan in Dongqing City when his father returned.
• Xu Changqing opened his master's reward and saw Mu Ji's spiritual projection, who explained that he and the Grain Lord had arranged the mission to test Xu Changqing and keep him out of a conflict involving Su Qingyao and Ji Mingxuan.
• Mu Ji revealed that the reward was the Grain Lord Token and that Xu Changqing would inherit the position when Xiao Zhu stepped down.
• Xu Changqing examined the token, poured his spiritual power into it, and received a surge of information.

Xu Changqing learned the Grain Lord Token’s functions and the powerful Auspicious Grain Record, then invited Lin Feng to learn how to harvest Spirit Rice. He left off preparing to teach Lin Feng the work step by step.

• Xu Changqing discovered that the Grain Lord Token could sense and store spirit plants, gather spiritual energy, and grant him the Heaven Grade Auspicious Grain Record.
• Xu Changqing learned the record’s four cultivation stages and its special Grain Lord effects for improving, mutating, and restoring Spirit Fields.
• Xu Changqing wondered whether the Grain Lord’s seat was vacant and felt both grateful to his master and saddened by Senior Brother Zhu’s situation.
• Xu Changqing found Lin Feng studying the ripe Spirit Rice and offered him a chance to harvest it with his sickle.
• Xu Changqing stopped Lin Feng from entering the field unprepared, rolled up his clothes, and promised to teach him little by little.

Xu Changqing trained Lin Feng in spirit-rice harvesting and spent four years preparing him before cultivation, while his influence at the Spirit Field Core grew. The chapter ended with the now-plump Demon God Chi Ye ingratiating himself to Xu Changqing as he arrived with Lin Feng.

• Xu Changqing taught Lin Feng how to harvest Spirit Rice and encouraged him to rest when he grew tired.
• Lin An reported that the Sun Clan cooperation remained peaceful, and Xu Changqing asked him to observe Sun Shangxiang's temperament.
• Xu Changqing used the Grain Lord's token to draw spiritual energy into Red Maple Valley while Lin Feng trained in farming for four years.
• The Central Region stabilized, Li Lingbi placed the foolish prince on the throne, an Evil Cultivator appeared in the Azuretide Sea Region, and Mu Ji and Zhu Fuxian withdrew from outside affairs.
• Xu Changqing took charge of affairs and resource coordination at the Spirit Field Core, gaining the Rong Family's and Zhang Family's support.
• Chi Ye had grown fat from milk and being cuddled, and Xu Changqing told Lin Feng to ask Linglong not to feed him indiscriminately.