Chapter Summaries

While fishing at Qihu Lake, Xu Changqing and his companions discovered and rescued Qin Yue, a Clearbright Palace disciple trapped in a cave abode, then searched the small cave after he left. Nearly a year later, Xu Changqing sensed the Azure Dragon’s Seven Mansions shining unusually brightly, revealing the shadow of a green dragon in the eastern sky.

• Li Sancai, Hu Bugui, and Chu Qiu each caught rare fish, while Zhao Ziyue repeatedly failed to land one.
• Xu Changqing and Chu Qiu detected strange spiritual fluctuations beneath Zhao Ziyue’s bait and found a cave abode breach beneath the lake.
• Chu Qiu broke the cave’s restriction, freeing Qin Yue, who explained that he had been trapped there for half a month while investigating the Eastern Domain for Clearbright Palace.
• After Qin Yue left to recover and rejoin his sect, Xu Changqing and the others searched the cave abode but found only a few spirit stones and cultivation manuals.
• Nearly a year later, Xu Changqing saw the Azure Dragon’s Seven Mansions glow brighter than usual as the shadow of a green dragon appeared among the stars.

Xu Changqing gathered his incarnations and puppets after Azure Radiant Flow appeared, then traveled to the Nine Yaoguang Domains ahead of Azure Emperor's Garden opening. After defeating and capturing an Azure Velvet Water-Root Hydra and its symbiotic insects, the group reunited with Gonggong and continued toward Shimmering Jade Grotto.

• Xu Changqing summoned his incarnations and puppets, then led them toward the Nine Yaoguang Domains as Azure Radiant Flow signaled that Azure Emperor's Garden would open in seven days.
• Xu Changqing avoided the forces gathered in the Nine Yaoguang Domains and took the Thunder Dragon Water-Repelling Boat underwater.
• An Azure Velvet Water-Root Hydra and its Spirit Vein Devouring Silkworms attacked the boat, but Tai Bai and Fenglong used metal and lightning techniques to defeat them.
• Xu Changqing captured the hydra and its symbiotic insects in the Square-Inch Ring.
• Xu Qiansui notified Gonggong, who joined the group, and the Thunder Dragon Water-Repelling Boat set course for Shimmering Jade Grotto.

Xu Changqing and his companions reached the Profound River Water Eye, where the Five Elements reunited and raised him to the Perfected Heaven-Grade Golden Core Realm. He entered the Azure Emperor's Garden's Outer Garden, gathered several rare resources, and found massive thorn-covered trees that could serve as materials for Spirit Plant Puppets.

• Xu Changqing's group passed through the increasingly dangerous Shimmering Jade Grotto and reached the cyan water curtain at the Profound River Water Eye.
• Tai Bai, Gonggong, Zhurong, Nü Tu, and Fenglong merged with Xu Changqing, activating the Five Elements and raising his cultivation to the Perfected Heaven-Grade Golden Core Realm.
• Xu Changqing entered the Azure Emperor's Garden but found that his cultivation restricted him to the Outer Garden, Myriad Spirits Paradise.
• Xu Changqing carefully collected a Fire Marrow Spirit Fruit, Primordial Dragonblood Rice seeds, Spirit Crystals, and Moonlight Spirit Nectar.
• Xu Changqing approached thorn-covered trees that attacked him and recognized them as suitable materials for Spirit Plant Puppets.

Xu Changqing discovered that a Supreme-Grade Nascent Soul tribulation was forming inside Azure Emperor's Garden and gathered treasures to prepare for it. After finding a Thunder Marrow Spirit Ginseng, he arranged an extensive collection of defenses and supplies, leaving the story just before the tribulation began.

• Xu Changqing recognized the multicolored clouds above Azure Emperor's Garden as the Law Tribulation, weakened by the realm's restrictions but still unavoidable.
• Xu Changqing continued searching and found a Thunder Marrow Spirit Ginseng with a Thunderfire Fruit, which could help him withstand tribulation lightning.
• As the clouds gathered strength, Xu Changqing chose level ground and laid out the tribulation resources prepared by his clones.
• Xu Changqing arranged protective armor, talismans, pills, formations, and treasures, including the Suge Shield that Tai Bai had secretly refined.
• Xu Changqing revealed that he had carved the Spirit-Locking Soul-Sealing Array into his own flesh and blood as a further safeguard.

Xu Changqing endured the first six Thunder Seas of his Nascent Soul tribulation by relying on his spiritual roots, artifacts, formations, and talismans. The seventh Thunder Sea then arrived with combined metal and earth powers, targeting his Wood and Water Spiritual Roots.

• Xu Changqing prepared his defenses and swallowed the Thunder Marrow Spirit Ginseng, Thunderfire Fruit, and pills before the tribulation began.
• Xu Changqing used banners, armor, formations, and artifacts to withstand the first five Thunder Seas, which targeted his five elemental Spiritual Roots in succession.
• Xu Changqing faced the sixth Thunder Sea, which targeted his Lightning Spiritual Root, and absorbed its power without letting his spiritual root run berserk.
• Xu Changqing strengthened his Lightning Spiritual Root as his shield and banners filtered the sixth Thunder Sea, while his bracer helped protect the surrounding spirit plants.
• A seventh orange-yellow Thunder Sea arrived, combining metal's severance with earth's suppression to target Xu Changqing's Wood and Water Spiritual Roots.

Xu Changqing endured the eighth through tenth layers of the Azure Emperor's Garden's Thunder Sea by adapting his banners, formations, talismans, and treasures to counter each layer's elemental restraints. The tenth layer's lightning backlash threatened his Lightning Spiritual Root, and he met it by releasing the power stored in the Thunder-Spirit Flow-Diversion Formation as an enormous lightning talisman.

• Xu Changqing used fire and wood defenses to withstand the dual metal-earth seventh layer of Thunder Sea, then prepared for the increasingly difficult trials ahead.
• Xu Changqing countered the eighth layer's wood-water lightning with metal and fire defenses, a Thunderfire Tribulation-Evasion Pill, and other protective treasures.
• Xu Changqing used wood and earth defenses, diverted forty percent of the lightning, and ate grilled spirit fruits while enduring the ninth layer's fire-earth Thunder Sea.
• Xu Changqing faced the tenth layer's metal-lightning Thunder Sea, which threatened his Wood and Lightning Spiritual Roots and nearly destabilized his mana.
• Xu Changqing reinforced his defenses with earth and water powers, then released stored lightning from the Thunder-Spirit Flow-Diversion Formation into an enormous talisman to withstand the tenth layer.

Xu Changqing endured the fourteenth Rainbow Thunder Sea by turning its Five-Element mutual restraint into nourishing energy, then used the Profound Seal to withstand the fifteenth Chaos Thunder Sea. He broke through to a Supreme-Grade Nascent Soul as the Azure Emperor's Garden revived around him.

• Xu Changqing resonated his Five-Element Spiritual Roots and used formations, spirit pearls, a tribulation-evasion pill, and a Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman to survive the Rainbow Thunder Sea.
• Xu Changqing reversed the five elements' mutual restraint, healed the damage to his organs, and strengthened his connection to the Five-Element Law.
• The Chaos Thunder Sea struck Xu Changqing with a pillar of combined Five-Element law and Tribulation Lightning backlash, threatening his treasures and body.
• Xu Changqing raised the Profound Seal as the core of his defense, and it neutralized and absorbed the chaotic laws until the lightning pillar collapsed.
• The Golden Core shattered and gathered into a three-inch Nascent Soul bearing the Profound Seal and natural Dao markings, while the Secret Realm's plants, springs, and soil revived.

After reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, Xu Changqing discovered his Dharma Aspect was a chaotic mass connected to his Spiritual Roots and Portable Space. He explored the Central Garden of Azure Emperor's Garden, claimed four rare treasures, and was stopped by an unknown voice as he prepared to leave.

• Xu Changqing manifested an unstable Chaos Dharma Aspect containing Five-Element currents and primordial lightning, and sensed its connection to his Spiritual Roots and Portable Space.
• Xu Changqing entered the Central Garden after its barrier lifted and carefully navigated the shifting, rune-covered Thousand Mechanisms Corridor.
• Xu Changqing reached a courtyard and identified the Wood Spirit Core, Myriad Mechanisms Spirit Scroll, Spirit-Nourishing Wood Bracelet, and Chaos Green Lotus Seed.
• Xu Changqing stored the first three treasures and placed the Chaos Green Lotus Seed in his Portable Space.
• Xu Changqing prepared to return to the Outer Garden, but an unknown voice called out, “Fellow Daoist, wait!”

Xu Changqing met two guardian spirits in the Inner Garden, who gave him the original Azure Emperor Longevity Art and a Parasol Tree sapling. After gathering more rare spirit plants and leaving Azure Emperor’s Garden, he used his Chaos Dharma Aspect to subdue the half-bodied Thunder Dragon, which bowed its head to him.

• Two guardian spirits born from the giant tree met Xu Changqing and offered him the original Azure Emperor Longevity Art and a Parasol Tree sapling.
• Xu Changqing accepted the gifts and learned that Azure Radiant Flow was about to end, then said farewell to the guardian spirits.
• Xu Changqing searched the Outer Garden and gathered Eighteen-Leaved Chonglou, Elder Purple Ganoderma, and True Dragon Bloodvine before leaving the Secret Realm.
• Xu Changqing summoned his Chaos Dharma Aspect and attacked the half-bodied Thunder Dragon with Five-Element chains.
• Xu Changqing's Dharma Aspect suppressed the Thunder Dragon's lightning and origin until the dragon stopped resisting and bowed its head to him.

Xu Changqing bonded with the Thunder Dragon, collected Thunder Dragon Blood Crystals, and destroyed a group of Insect Cultivators who confronted him. After escaping, he discovered that his Nascent Soul had developed several Deity Dharma Aspects, including his own Creation Deity aspect.

• Xu Changqing formed a symbiotic contract with the Thunder Dragon and found more than a hundred Thunder Dragon Blood Crystals in the Shimmering Jade Grotto.
• Xu Changqing disguised himself with the Illusion Mask when he encountered a group of Insect Cultivators outside the cave.
• Xu Changqing summoned the Thunder Dragon, which annihilated and swallowed the Insect Cultivators and their poisonous insects.
• Xu Changqing left the area aboard the Thunder Dragon Water-Repelling Boat and then differentiated his Spiritual Root, causing his Nascent Soul to weaken from Supreme-Grade to Superior.
• Xu Changqing saw that Tai Bai, Gonggong, Zhurong, Nü Tu, and Fenglong had Deity Dharma Aspects, then recognized his own new aspect as the Creation Deity.

Xu Changqing returned to the Dongting Immortal Sect, concealed his cultivation, and explained the Azure Radiant Flow to his disciples. He then opened a route to the Grand Void Rift and sent Xu Zixiao to investigate in his place.

• Xu Changqing fused with Gonggong and used the Mirage Dragon Transformation to hide his Nascent Soul cultivation as a Perfected Golden Core cultivator.
• Xu Changqing sent his Spiritual Root incarnations to their separate duties and returned to Red Maple Valley.
• Sun Shangxiang, Lin Feng, and Qingyao told Xu Changqing about the Azure Radiant Flow, and he demonstrated how the phenomenon transformed spirit plants.
• Xu Changqing entered his Portable Space and used the Dragon Abyss Water-Spirit Seal to open a Teleportation Array to the Grand Void Rift.
• Xu Changqing ordered Xu Zixiao to enter the array and investigate the Grand Void Rift.

Xu Zixiao entered the Grand Void Rift and, after escaping a Baleful God Patrol with help from three cultivators, reached the Three Purities Alliance’s stronghold, Three-Origin Maitreya Heaven. Xu Changqing learned about the alliance’s conflict with the Myriad Demon Ancestral Court and wondered why its three factions resembled three Immortal Sects he knew.

• Xu Changqing ordered Xu Zixiao to seek a human cultivator gathering place after seeing the Rift’s unstable landscape and strange laws.
• A hundred-zhang Baleful God Patrol attacked Xu Zixiao, who fled until three azure-robed cultivators sheltered him with their formation.
• Xu Zixiao and the three cultivators escaped to Three-Origin Maitreya Heaven, where they explained that Dragon Marrow Crystals were used as currency.
• Xu Zixiao exchanged cultivation resources for their help and Communication Jade Talismans, then wandered the stronghold to gather information.
• Xu Changqing heard that the Three Purities Alliance and Myriad Demon Ancestral Court were fighting over a Dragon Marrow Crystal Mine and compared the alliance’s factions to three Immortal Sects he knew.

Xu Changqing assessed the dangers and resources of the Grand Void Rift and chose to establish a discreet shop in Three-Origin Maitreya Heaven. Back in Red Maple Valley, he spent time with Ruo Qunshuang, reassured Sun Shangxiang about her missing senior brother, and took Wangwang and Wangzai to inspect the Spirit Fields.

• Xu Changqing learned about the Rift’s major powers, safe regions, and resources, then decided that cautious trade was safer than prospecting or exploring ruins.
• Xu Changqing ordered Xu Zixiao to find and discreetly outfit a storefront in Three-Origin Maitreya Heaven that would sell spirit rice and spirit plants for Dragon Marrow Crystals and rare ores.
• Xu Changqing returned to Red Maple Valley, shared tea and conversation with Ruo Qunshuang, and spent the evening with her.
• The next morning, Xu Changqing comforted the lonely Wangwang and Wangzai and brought them along to inspect the Spirit Fields.
• Sun Shangxiang worried that her absent senior brother had come to harm, and Xu Changqing reassured her that he was still undergoing training and promised to notify the Water-Control Pavilion if he did not return.
• Xu Changqing told his disciples to stay near the Immortal Sect, then walked out with the two dogs to inspect the fields beyond Red Maple Valley.

Xu Changqing inspected how Azure Radiant Flow had transformed the Spirit Fields and bought Miao Huayu’s newly mutated Yin-Yang Flower. Meanwhile, Xu Zixiao opened the Azure Grain Shop in Grand Void Rift and attracted a customer with its Supreme-Grade Chi Yan Rice.

• Xu Changqing used the Tilling Officer Token to survey the Spirit Fields and found that Azure Radiant Flow had increased spiritual energy and revived damaged plots.
• Miao Huayu showed Xu Changqing a Yin-Yang Flower mutated from an ordinary Qi-Gathering Flower, and Xu Changqing bought it with Azure Spirit Rice and Jade Marrow Flower seedlings.
• Xu Changqing left the immature Yin-Yang Flower in Miao Huayu’s care and continued inspecting the fields with Zhang Su, Li Sancai, and the Spirit Cultivation Envoys.
• Xu Zixiao opened the Azure Grain Shop in Grand Void Rift, where a green-robed cultivator discovered its Supreme-Grade Chi Yan Rice.

Xu Changqing designated five revitalized Spirit Field areas as Special Cultivation Zones and negotiated with the Rong Family to cultivate one of them. After allocating two zones to the Azure Alliance and Rong Family and one to Wang Xun, he considered who should receive the final two.

• Xu Changqing announced that five areas could become Special Cultivation Zones comparable to Grade-Three Spirit Fields, and factions began seeking cultivation rights.
• Rong Yan offered gifts and a share of the proceeds to secure a Special Cultivation Zone for the Rong Family.
• Xu Changqing granted the Rong Family a qualification on the conditions that they follow his cultivation plans and give him priority when selling Mutated Spirit Plants.
• Rong Yan told Xu Changqing that his family opposed his relationship with Huo Wan, who was still in the Foundation Establishment Realm.
• Xu Changqing assigned one zone to the Azure Alliance, one to the Rong Family, and one to Wang Xun, then considered True Lord Mo and his senior sisters and brothers for the remaining two.

Xu Changqing negotiated a cultivation partnership with Mo Qiushui in exchange for a chance to learn about the Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman, then secured Qin Ye’s cooperation. At the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect’s disciple competition, Fenglong challenged Zhao Lei and overwhelmed him with a superior lightning technique.

• Xu Changqing offered Mo Qiushui’s Water-Control Pavilion a share of five Special Cultivation Zones’ harvest in exchange for Profound Origin Golden Light Talismans.
• Xu Changqing offered to provide materials and learn talisman-making, and Mo Qiushui agreed to let him observe Linglong when she returned.
• Xu Changqing contacted his senior siblings about further collaborations, and Third Senior Brother Qin Ye agreed.
• At the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect’s competition, Fenglong challenged Zhao Lei, who attacked him with Violet Lightning Raging Tide.
• Fenglong’s purple-gray lightning blade dissolved Zhao Lei’s attack, cracked his Profound Thunder Shield, and sent him flying; Fenglong demanded that he admit defeat.

Fenglong defeated Zhao Lei and Sun Hao, then challenged all the Formal Disciples at once, drawing Lei Yuan’s attention. Meanwhile, Xu Changqing began comprehending the first level of the Azure Emperor Longevity Art and sensed the seed’s dormant vitality stirring.

• Zhao Lei conceded after Fenglong cracked his Profound Thunder Shield, and Fenglong became the new champion.
• Fenglong invited every disciple who wanted to challenge him to attack together, prompting Sun Hao to enter the arena and activate his Nine Palaces Thunder Array.
• Fenglong blocked Sun Hao’s lightning with his purple-gray thunder power and destroyed the formation, leaving Sun Hao unconscious.
• Lei Yuan recognized that Fenglong might possess a supreme-grade mutated Lightning Spiritual Root and considered winning him over or treating him as a threat.
• Xu Changqing studied the Azure Emperor Longevity Art, sensed a faint warmth within the seed, and watched its dormant vitality begin to unfold.

Xu Changqing comprehended Grass Seed Sprouting and used 2,000 years of lifespan to raise the Azure Emperor Longevity Art to its ninth layer. After the Azure Alliance members failed to detect him, he inspected the art’s special and unique effects.

• Xu Changqing sensed the seed’s vitality break through its shell and comprehended Grass Seed Sprouting, awakening to the Azure Emperor Longevity Art’s power to resonate with the vitality of all things.
• Xu Changqing spent 2,000 years of lifespan to raise the art from its first layer to its ninth layer, gaining powerful life-related abilities and additional lifespan.
• Li Sancai, Miao Huayu, and Lin Xiaoman arrived to inspect the cultivation area and set up a protective formation, but none of them had detected Xu Changqing before he spoke to them.
• Xu Changqing vanished before the Azure Alliance members could perceive him and then inspected the art’s special effects and its unique effect, Longevity Realm.

Xu Changqing tested his new Law Projection ability, using it to visit the Azure Alliance and his disciples without returning in person. After Xu Linglong brought back a jade tablet from Mo Qiushui, he memorized the Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman and identified its rare materials, leaving Dragon Marrow Crystal as the main obstacle.

• Xu Changqing projected himself into the Azure Alliance's Special Cultivation Zone, startled Li Sancai, Miao Huayu, and Lin Xiaoman, and secretly listened to their conversation with his Divine Sense.
• Xu Changqing projected himself to Red Maple Valley and proposed that Sun Shangxiang try cultivating a Dead Tree; she agreed to attempt it.
• Xu Changqing tested Law Projection further and learned that his projections could only communicate within the range of his Divine Sense, which covered one thousand li.
• Xu Linglong returned home carrying a jade tablet from Mo Qiushui, who allowed Xu Changqing to look at it but not keep it.
• Xu Changqing memorized the Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman and its required materials, then hoped Xu Zixiao could help him obtain the difficult-to-find Dragon Marrow Crystal.

Xu Zixiao encountered the early arrival of the Corpse-Flipping Festival in the Grand Void Rift, and Xu Changqing ordered him to wait out the upheaval. Ten years later, Xu Changqing prepared Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng for their Golden Core breakthroughs and began discussing where they should attempt them.

• Xu Zixiao traded Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice for Dragon Marrow Crystals before a violent tremor shook the outer market.
• Xu Zixiao found the Rift Abyss covered in dark-red mist as tentacles and Baleful Gods attacked, and he explained that the Corpse-Flipping Festival had begun early.
• Xu Changqing told Xu Zixiao to avoid exploring until the festival ended and to report any changes in resources.
• Over the next ten years, Xu Changqing's lifespan and cultivation advanced, Linglong and An'an improved their cultivation, and his other companions and disciples made progress in their fields.
• Xu Changqing gave Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng extensive resources for their Golden Core tribulations and proposed Azurewood Peak as one possible breakthrough site.