Chapter Summaries

Xu Changqing initially refused Mu Ji’s choice to inherit the Withering and flourishing lineage, but his senior brothers and sisters supported him, and Mu Ji named him the worthy successor. Mu Ji then gave Qingyao a protective pendant and revealed that he would leave the Immortal Sect in one or two hundred years, promising to help his disciples prepare before he went.

• Xu Changqing refused to inherit the lineage because his senior brothers and sisters had entered the sect before him.
• Bei Qingtang, Zhou Yan, Qin Ye, Gu Qiao, and Mu Ning discussed Xu Changqing’s suitability, with the others ultimately supporting him despite Zhou Yan’s concern that he was too busy.
• Mu Ji merged the Withered-Glory Leaf with Xu Changqing’s Wood Spirit Root and declared that the worthy, not the senior, should inherit the lineage.
• Xu Changqing gained new insight into the Wither-Bloom Grand Dao, thanked Mu Ji and his fellow disciples, and received their applause.
• Mu Ji gave Qingyao a Woodleaf Pendant that could gather spiritual qi and ward off attacks.
• Mu Ji told his disciples he would leave the Immortal Sect in one or two hundred years and promised to help them cultivate and fulfill their wishes before his departure.

Xu Changqing reported the Bei Clan’s cooperation with the Lifeless Insect Mother to Mu Ji, who promised to investigate the threat. Five years later, Xu Changqing’s farming system had replaced the old one, and Sun Shangxiang asked to travel with her senior brother to gain experience.

• Xu Changqing told Mu Ji that the Bei Clan was cooperating with the Lifeless Insect Mother, and Mu Ji recognized it as the ancient Shed-Shell Immortal and agreed to investigate.
• Xu Changqing and Qingyao left the hall, and Qingyao asked whether the Lifeless Insect Mother was frightening.
• Over the next five years, the Four Seasons Heavenly Craft Manual’s system replaced the old cultivation system as spirit plant yields and quality improved.
• Xu Changqing’s disciples and family members grew older, while Li Wudao prepared to take An'an away.
• Xu Changqing reached the late stage of an Earth-Grade Golden Core and saw that his lifespan had exceeded one hundred thousand years.
• Sun Shangxiang asked Xu Changqing for permission to travel with her senior brother and see the world outside the Spirit Fields and Red Maple Valley.

Sun Shangxiang received Xu Changqing’s permission and protection to travel with Li Muyao, while Lin Feng quietly envied her freedom. Xu Changqing prepared to seek a Lightning Spiritual Root in Shimmering Jade Grotto, equipping himself and gathering his clones before deciding to create another Spirit Plant Puppet.

• Xu Changqing questioned Sun Shangxiang about Li Muyao’s plans, then gave her a Dao-Guarding Jade Talisman and warned her about dangers outside Red Maple Valley.
• Lin Feng watched Sun Shangxiang leave and wished he could venture beyond the valley, but he held back from asking Xu Changqing.
• Xu Changqing decided to pursue a Lightning Spiritual Root in Shimmering Jade Grotto and arranged to travel to the Nine Yaoguang Domains with his clones.
• Tai Bai delivered a full set of top-grade magic artifacts, and Xu Changqing put them on before saying he would refine another Spirit Plant Puppet.
• Xu Changqing turned his attention to the five-meter-tall Mutated Spirit Plant called Thousand-Ear Golden-Ray Rice.

Xu Changqing refined the thousand-ear golden-ray rice into a powerful spirit plant puppet named Xu Qianjin, then secretly followed his disciples toward the Nine Yaoguang Domains with his forces. The group reached Spirit Bay City, where Gonggong Water Palace was the leading spirit-talisman shop.

• Xu Changqing refined the thousand-ear golden-ray rice into a spirit plant puppet and named it Xu Qianjin after it reached the Early Inferior Nascent Soul Stage.
• Xu Changqing asked Mu Ji for leave to follow Sun Shangxiang and Li Muyao, then used Xu Zixiao to impersonate him while he disguised himself as a follower.
• After Sun Shangxiang and Li Muyao left the Immortal Sect, Xu Changqing gathered his avatars and puppets in the portable space and traveled with them toward the Nine Yaoguang Domains.
• Xu Changqing and his group flew for seven days and seven nights before reaching the sea near Spirit Vortex Bay.
• Zhurong identified Spirit Bay City as the main city of Spirit Vortex Bay and said Gonggong had been waiting there.
• The group arrived at Spirit Bay City, where Gonggong Water Palace was the only leading shop for selling spirit talismans.

Xu Changqing and his companions left Spirit Bay City aboard the Thunder Dragon Water-Repelling Boat and traveled toward the Shimmering Jade Grotto, defeating monsters along the way. After Tai Bai collected a Mystic-Shell Colossus’s core and shell, Xu Changqing suspected its lair was nearby.

• Gonggong gave Xu Changqing’s group spirit talismans and led them out of Spirit Bay City through an underwater entrance.
• Xu Changqing summoned the Thunder Dragon Water-Repelling Boat, and the group set off for the Shimmering Jade Grotto.
• The group passed through Three Whirls, Broken-Mast Shoal, and Netherwater Bay before an Ink-Scaled Thunderfin Fish and its pack tried to rob them; the boat crushed the demons.
• At Mystic Shell Reef, Gonggong restrained a Mystic-Shell Colossus with water chains, and Xu Zixiao beheaded it with a sword strike.
• Tai Bai took the colossus’s Demon Core and peeled off its intact mystic shell, while Xu Changqing surmised that its lair was nearby.

Xu Changqing and his companions looted the Mystic-Shell Colossus's underwater nest, then reached Shimmering Jade Grotto and fought their way through its lightning-corrupted passage. They arrived at the Floating Thunder Domain, where Xu Changqing's Wood Spirit Root stirred and an ancient shadow loomed amid the lightning.

• Xu Changqing found the Mystic-Shell Colossus's underwater nest and gathered its spirit jade, Ink-Leaf Water Lotus, damaged magic treasures, and juvenile Black-Armored Turtles into his Portable Space.
• Xu Changqing and his companions sailed for several days to Shimmering Jade Grotto, activated a Thunder-Warding Talisman, and entered through the water curtain.
• Tai Bai identified the black demon insects as creatures whose minds had been eroded by lightning, while Xu Qiansui and Xu Zixiao cleared the passage of them.
• Xu Changqing's Wood Spirit Root stirred as the group advanced through increasingly dangerous lightning and magma toward the grotto's core.
• Xu Changqing and his companions reached the Floating Thunder Domain and saw an ancient shadow wrapped in countless bolts of lightning.

Xu Changqing awakened a mutated Obliteration Lightning Spiritual Root in the Thunder Domain and named its incarnation Fenglong. He sent Fenglong deeper into the domain to investigate the mysterious shadow, which finally began to come into view.

• Xu Changqing and his companions formed protective barriers while he gradually drew lightning from the Thunder Domain into his Wood Spirit Root.
• After four days, the Withered-Prosperity Dao Rhythm fused the Wood Spirit Root’s vitality with thunder, creating Xu Changqing’s Obliteration Lightning Spiritual Root and greatly increasing his resistance to lightning.
• Xu Changqing separated the new Spiritual Root into a youth named Fenglong and planned to send him to the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect to learn lightning arts.
• Xu Changqing disguised Fenglong as a human cultivator and directed him to explore the Thunder Domain’s depths.
• Fenglong’s lightning affinity let him merge with the domain and draw its lightning vortices as he advanced toward the massive shadow.
• Fenglong stopped after several miles, where the tip of the shadow wrapped in lightning finally came into view.

Xu Changqing’s group discovered a wounded, sleeping Thunder Dragon in Shimmering Jade Grotto, and Gonggong successfully absorbed its bloodline. After Fenglong gained the Thunder Dragon Transformation, Xu Changqing left the grotto while Zhurong and Tai Bai continued deeper with Xu Zixiao.

• Xu Changqing ordered Gonggong to test the sleeping Thunder Dragon while Fenglong controlled the lightning and shielded him.
• Gonggong used the Separation Technique to draw out the Thunder Dragon’s bloodline, causing the dragon to crack open its eyes and unleash a painful glare.
• Xu Changqing withdrew with the others, leaving Gonggong and Fenglong behind as Gonggong absorbed the bloodline.
• Gonggong successfully stripped away the Thunder Dragon’s bloodline, and Xu Changqing learned that the Thunder Dragon Transformation suited Fenglong’s Mutated Lightning Spirit Root.
• Zhurong and Tai Bai proposed exploring deeper into Shimmering Jade Grotto, so Xu Changqing sent them with Xu Zixiao while he, Xu Qiansui, and Fenglong left.

Xu Changqing secretly watched Sun Shangxiang receive a mysterious cultivation manual and discover a rare Spirit-Devouring Worm in Azure Mang Valley. The worm bonded with her and led Sun Shangxiang and Li Muyao deeper into the valley, while Xu Changqing recognized the strange events as resembling a story Gu Fusheng had once told.

• Xu Changqing sent Xu Qiansui to secretly follow Sun Shangxiang and Li Muyao while he traveled toward the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect.
• A black-robed figure gave Sun Shangxiang a mysterious cultivation manual during a sleepwalking visit outside Dongqing City, and she later found its knowledge in her mind.
• Sun Shangxiang and Li Muyao traveled to Azure Mang Mountain Range to cultivate and search for spirit plants.
• Sun Shangxiang recognized a supposedly extinct Spirit-Devouring Worm using knowledge from the manual, and the insect bonded with her after consuming her spiritual power.
• The Spirit-Devouring Worm flew deeper into the valley, leading Sun Shangxiang and Li Muyao onward, while Xu Changqing recalled Gu Fusheng describing a similar situation.

Xu Changqing recognized that the discoveries surrounding Sun Shangxiang pointed to the Lifeless Insect Mother’s scheme, while he brought Fenglong to the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect to study its lightning arts. Zhao Chengdao welcomed Fenglong as a promising recruit and offered to guide him personally.

• Sun Shangxiang and Li Muyao followed the Spirit-Devouring Worm to a Nine-Turn Spirit Rhinoceros Vine, and the worm touched its leaves.
• Xu Changqing concluded that the vine, worm, and Sun Shangxiang’s cultivation opportunities were part of the Lifeless Insect Mother’s plan to take his disciple.
• Xu Changqing and Fenglong arrived at the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect, where Zhao Chengdao greeted them.
• Xu Changqing asked Zhao Chengdao to help Fenglong join the sect, and Zhao Chengdao eagerly agreed.
• Zhao Chengdao showed Xu Changqing and Fenglong around the sect and offered Fenglong inner-disciple status and personal guidance.
• Fenglong nearly called Zhao Chengdao “Bro,” and Xu Changqing glared at him.

Xu Changqing learned that the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect planned to take over the Nine Yaoguang Domains and hurried back toward the Eastern Domain, worried about Sun Shangxiang and the Lifeless Insect Mother. Meanwhile, Sun Shangxiang obtained a Spirit-Connection Fruit with help from the Spirit-Devouring Worm, while Li Muyao steered her toward more treasures in the Azure Mang Mountain Range.

• Zhao Chengdao told Xu Changqing that the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect intended to claim the Nine Yaoguang Domains, prompting Xu Changqing to suspect they had discovered something in the Shimmering Jade Grotto.
• Xu Changqing visited Zhao Chengdao's family, gave Zhao Nianhe spirit stones, and received seeds of Western Domain spirit plants.
• Xu Changqing entrusted Fenglong to Zhao Chengdao and flew back toward the Eastern Domain, deciding that he needed to bring Sun Shangxiang back to the Immortal Sect before the Lifeless Insect Mother could exploit a conflict.
• Sun Shangxiang used the Spirit-Devouring Worm to safely harvest a Spirit-Connection Fruit in the Azure Mang Mountain Range.
• Li Muyao urged Sun Shangxiang to search for more rare spirit plants, intending to lead her toward resources hidden in a cave dwelling he had discovered in his previous life.

Xu Changqing took Sun Shangxiang back to the Immortal Sect after discovering that the Spirit-Devouring Symbiosis Scripture could turn her into a puppet of the Lifeless Insect Mother. Meanwhile, he observed Li Muyao collect resources from a hidden cave estate and realized they had been left there specifically for him.

• Xu Changqing arrived in the Azure Mang Mountain Range and ordered Sun Shangxiang to return to the Immortal Sect with him, leaving Li Muyao behind.
• Sun Shangxiang showed Xu Changqing the Spirit-Devouring Symbiosis Scripture, and he identified it as the Lifeless Insect Mother's deceptive method for gradually controlling her.
• Xu Changqing destroyed the scripture, warned Sun Shangxiang to avoid going out for now, and promised to teach her proper spirit-insect control.
• Xu Changqing used Xu Qiansui's senses to follow Li Muyao to a hidden cave estate, where Li Muyao gathered resources for his planned breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm.
• After Li Muyao left, Xu Qiansui failed to open the cave estate and Xu Changqing concluded that its resources had been prepared specifically for Li Muyao.

Xu Changqing and Sun Shangxiang were ambushed by a group of black-robed Insect Cultivators, but his spirit insects overwhelmed them. The attackers were killed, and Sun Shangxiang was left in awe of her master.

• Ten black-robed Insect Cultivators surrounded Xu Changqing and demanded that he hand over Sun Shangxiang.
• Xu Changqing released the Spirit-Devouring Mother Worm and Thunder-Gold Kui to fight the attackers’ poisonous insects.
• The Spirit-Devouring Mother Worm seized control of the enemy insects while Thunder-Gold Kui killed the group’s Golden Core leader and took his Golden Core.
• The surviving Insect Cultivators panicked as their own insects attacked them, and Thunder-Gold Kui and the Spirit-Devouring Mother Worm killed them all.
• Sun Shangxiang watched the battle with a pale face and felt greater awe toward Xu Changqing.

Xu Changqing brought Sun Shangxiang safely back to the Dongting Immortal Sect after defeating the Insect Cultivators sent by the Lifeless Insect Mother. He learned that the Bei Clan had mysteriously declined, and Mu Ji promised to warn the Immortal Sect’s higher-ups while Xu Changqing arranged protection for Sun Shangxiang’s family.

• Xu Changqing killed the attackers, explained that the Lifeless Insect Mother had targeted Sun Shangxiang, and told her to remain in Red Maple Valley.
• Xu Changqing brought Sun Shangxiang to the sect, settled her in, and went to Azurewood Peak to report the attack to Mu Ji.
• Mu Ji revealed that Bei Cangxuan and many core members of the Bei Clan had vanished, leaving the clan diminished and under collateral-branch control.
• Xu Changqing chose to move Sun Shangxiang’s parents near the Immortal Sect, and Mu Ji agreed to report the threat and seek a warning for the Lifeless Insect Mother.
• Xu Changqing returned to Red Maple Valley, where he saw Lin Feng growing curious about traveling and Ruo Qunshuang offered help with the trouble involving Sun Shangxiang’s household.

Xu Changqing learned that Tai Bai had disappeared after entering a Secret Realm at the source of the Profound River, then returned to tending his Spirit Fields and guiding his disciples. The chapter ended with him discovering that Fenglong had become the personal disciple of Nascent Soul True Lord Li Xuanyang.

• Xu Changqing sensed that his Metal Spiritual Root had revived and realized Tai Bai was gone.
• Nü Tu and Zhurong explained that Tai Bai had entered a Secret Realm through the Profound River Water Eye in Shimmering Jade Grotto and failed to return.
• Xu Changqing stayed in the Immortal Sect, cultivated spirit plants, and guided Sun Shangxiang, Lin Feng, and Qingyao.
• A Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect cultivator delivered Xu Changqing a message from Zhao Chengdao.
• Xu Changqing learned that Li Xuanyang had accepted Fenglong as his personal disciple.

Xu Changqing’s Metal Spiritual Root recovered, allowing him to summon Tai Bai and learn that the Profound River Water Eye led to Azure Emperor’s Garden. He planned to cultivate to the Perfected Golden Core Realm and enter the Secret Realm to undergo tribulation and pursue the secrets of Riverheart Isle.

• Xu Changqing spent half a year tending his spiritual plants and teaching his disciples while the Purple Dipper Dragonheart Wood sprouted and the Flame-Sand Jade Root thrived.
• Xu Changqing’s Metal Spiritual Root recovered, and he summoned Tai Bai to ask what had happened in Shimmering Jade Grotto.
• Tai Bai recounted that the Profound River Water Eye showed him visions of Azure Emperor’s Garden, though his Metal Spiritual Root prevented him from entering the Secret Realm.
• Xu Changqing realized the hidden entrance could let him safely undergo tribulation in Azure Emperor’s Garden when the Azure Radiant Flow Moment arrived.
• Xu Changqing resolved to cultivate to the Perfected Golden Core Realm, then enter Azure Emperor’s Garden and later investigate Riverheart Isle with his manifestations and Spirit Plant Puppet prepared.

Xu Changqing moved to Azurewood Peak to cultivate and reached the Perfected Golden Core Realm after five years, preparing to pursue the Nascent Soul realm. He left the peak with one year remaining until the Azure Radiant Flow Moment, reassuring Mu Ning that they would be together again.

• Xu Changqing told Ruo Qunshuang he planned to cultivate at Azurewood Peak, and she agreed to manage Red Maple Valley while he was away.
• Xu Changqing moved to Azurewood Peak, where Mu Ji approved of his decision and his senior siblings supported his cultivation there.
• Xu Changqing cultivated for five years near the Life Pool, often talking with Mu Ning, and reached the Perfected Golden Core Realm at age fifty-five.
• Xu Changqing reviewed the progress of his disciples, children, and avatars, noting that his disciples and children had advanced and Fenglong had gained standing in the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect.
• Xu Changqing realized only one year remained until the Azure Radiant Flow Moment and prepared to leave Azurewood Peak to make arrangements for his Nascent Soul breakthrough.
• Mu Ning expressed sadness at Xu Changqing's departure, and he reassured her that their separation was temporary.

Xu Changqing returned to Ruo Qunshuang, then entered his Portable Space to harvest spirit plants and have Tai Bai forge Five-Colored Banners suited to his Five-Element Spiritual Root. Tai Bai completed the first four banners, leaving only the Northern Water-Guarding Dark Flag to forge.

• Xu Changqing returned to Red Maple Valley and reunited with Ruo Qunshuang.
• Xu Changqing harvested rare spirit plants in his Portable Space, increasing his remaining lifespan to 154,233 years.
• Xu Changqing summoned Tai Bai and asked him to forge a set of Five-Colored Banners using the Innate Five Directional Banners as a reference.
• Xu Changqing formed a five-element refining formation while Tai Bai set up his Treasure-Refining Furnace.
• Tai Bai forged the Central Earth-Suppressing Apricot-Yellow Flag, the Eastern Wood-Nurturing Azure Flag, the Southern Fire-Burning Crimson Flag, and the Western Metal-Sharpening White Flag; the Northern Water-Guarding Dark Flag remained.

Xu Changqing completed the Five-Colored Banners and reunited with his family and old friend Chu Qiu, who had returned from the Central Region amid renewed turmoil caused by the Demon Race. Their gathering was interrupted by Ling Shuang’s arrival at Red Maple Valley.

• Xu Changqing finished refining the Five-Colored Banners and tested the Wood-Nurturing Green Banner’s protective vitality.
• Linglong and An'an returned to Red Maple Valley, and Xu Changqing welcomed them home.
• Chu Qiu and Crane Seven arrived, and Xu Changqing greeted his old friend and introduced him to his family and disciples.
• Chu Qiu told Xu Changqing that the Demon Race had forcibly opened the Interstice, throwing the Central Region into chaos again.
• Ling Shuang arrived at Red Maple Valley, and Chu Qiu respectfully addressed her as his master.

Xu Changqing prepared resources for the Immortal Sect as the Demon Race invaded the Central Region, then invited old friends to fish at Qihu Lake. The chapter ended with the five Golden Core cultivators relaxing together and Xu Changqing catching the first fish.

• Xu Changqing greeted Ling Shuang and Chu Qiu, who left with his master after Xu Changqing gave him a pouch of spirit wine.
• At Mu Ji's request, Xu Changqing coordinated the preparation of spirit plants and pills to support the Immortal Sect during the Demon Race invasion.
• Xu Changqing invited Li Sancai, Zhao Ziyue, Hu Bugui, and Chu Qiu to fish at Qihu Lake, where Chu Qiu said he had refused Li Lingbi's request to return and help.
• The five friends bet that whoever caught the fewest fish would treat the others to drinks, then reminisced about their years in Beast Spirit Valley and their rise to Golden Core.
• Xu Changqing caught an Azure Jade Carp, and the group continued fishing and chatting together.