Chapter Summaries

Xu Changqing secured permission for Lin Feng and Sun Shangxiang to use Azurewood Peak for their Golden Core breakthroughs, then went to consult Mu Ji. Mu Ji asked him to investigate Eldest Senior Sister Qing Tang’s disappearance after she returned to the Luohe Bei Clan, but their discussion was interrupted by a flower sedan arriving.

• Lin Feng and Sun Shangxiang chose Azurewood Peak over a Secret Realm for their breakthroughs, and Xu Changqing headed there to arrange the timing with Mu Ji.
• Xu Changqing met Qin Ye, who said he was preparing to transcend tribulation and warned Xu Changqing to reach the Nascent Soul Realm before turning one hundred.
• Xu Changqing asked Mu Ji to let his disciples break through on Azurewood Peak, and Mu Ji agreed.
• Mu Ji told Xu Changqing that Qing Tang had not reported back after returning to the Luohe Bei Clan under their ten-year agreement.
• Xu Changqing suspected the Lifeless Insect Mother and the Luohe Bei Clan were involved, so Mu Ji asked him to find Qing Tang and learn what had happened.
• A gold-and-jade flower sedan descended outside the hall, and a petite figure flew out.

Xu Changqing sent his Spirit Plant Puppet Xu Qiansui to investigate the missing Bei Qingtang at the Luohe Bei Clan, avoiding a direct clash with the Lifeless Insect Mother. Xu Qiansui found the clan estate overrun by the Mother’s followers and, after discovering Bei Cangxuan’s memorial tablet, followed Xu Changqing’s order toward a nearby pit.

• Qingyue Fairy arrived at the hall, and Xu Changqing hurriedly excused himself from Mu Ji and left to avoid their conflict.
• Xu Changqing decided to send Xu Qiansui to investigate Bei Qingtang’s disappearance because the Luo River region was too dangerous for him to enter himself.
• Xu Qiansui traveled toward the Luohe Bei Clan, avoiding fights and encountering many fanatical Insect Cultivators devoted to the Lifeless Insect Mother.
• Xu Qiansui infiltrated the Bei Clan estate and found its servants, guards, and clan members had become believers, but he found no trace of Bei Qingtang.
• Xu Qiansui searched the forbidden area and found it had become an ancestral hall, where he recognized a memorial tablet for Bei Qingtang’s grandfather, Bei Cangxuan.
• Xu Changqing directed Xu Qiansui to leave the ancestral hall and investigate a pit in the nearby forest.

Xu Qiansui descended into the spider-filled pit and defeated the giant demon spider guarding the shrine. When he cleared the silk from the shrine, Xu Changqing discovered that its statue was not the Lifeless Insect Mother.

• Xu Changqing recognized the giant web as the entrance to the pit and sent Xu Qiansui to investigate.
• Xu Qiansui entered the pit, where the spiders ignored him because he was a Spirit Plant Puppet, and found the shrine wrapped in spider silk.
• When Xu Qiansui approached the shrine, a giant female spider attacked and struck him, but he wounded its soft spot beneath the eyes and killed it.
• Xu Qiansui cut away the silk covering the shrine, revealing a statue that was not the Lifeless Insect Mother.

Xu Changqing searched for Bei Qingtang and suspected she and the Lifeless Insect Mother had moved to the Nine Yaoguang Domains, then prepared Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng for tribulation transcendence. As the Spiritual Qi Tide neared, Li Muyao arrived with a Lightning-Drawing Formation to help Sun Shangxiang face the trial.

• Xu Changqing found Bei Cangxuan's statue in the spider-covered pit but no trace of Bei Qingtang or the Lifeless Insect Mother.
• Xu Changqing suspected Bei Qingtang had been taken to the Nine Yaoguang Domains and ordered Xu Qiansui to investigate there.
• Xu Changqing informed Mu Ji about the Lifeless Insect Mother, and Mu Ji told him to focus on his disciples' tribulation transcendence before he visited the Nine Yaoguang Domains.
• Xu Changqing arranged for Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng to undergo tribulation transcendence during the Spiritual Qi Tide and took them to Azurewood Peak.
• Li Muyao arrived and gave Sun Shangxiang a Lightning-Drawing Formation, which Xu Changqing recognized as an item he had deliberately acquired for her.

Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng underwent Tribulation Transcendence on Azurewood Peak’s Spiritbond Leaf, each forming an Earth-Grade Golden Core. Their success was interrupted by the arrival of Mu Ji and Qingyue Fairy, whose appearance left Xu Changqing stunned.

• Sun Shangxiang asked Xu Changqing to let Li Muyao accompany them to the tribulation site, and Xu Changqing agreed.
• Sun Shangxiang endured a bolt of Geng-Metal Turbid Lightning with her defenses and formed an Earth-Grade Golden Core.
• Lin Feng survived a Geng-Metal Wu-Earth lightning pillar and Thunder Serpent, then formed an Earth-Grade Golden Core.
• Mu Ji arrived with Qingyao’s true body, Qingyue Fairy, and Xu Changqing’s smile froze when he saw her.

After Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng reached the Golden Core realm, Venerable Mu Ji rewarded them, and Xu Changqing hosted a celebration for his disciples and Li Muyao. The festivities ended with Xu Changqing granting Li Muyao a protective talisman and allowing Lin Feng to travel beyond Red Maple Valley for experience.

• Venerable Mu Ji praised Sun Shangxiang's Azure Lightning Around the Fingers and Lin Feng's Windwhispering Wood Butterfly, then gave each a cultivation treasure.
• Qingyue Fairy asked Xu Changqing to take good care of Qingyao before she and Mu Ji departed.
• Xu Changqing invited Li Muyao to a celebratory Spirit Cuisine feast for Sun Shangxiang and Lin Feng's breakthroughs, and later gave him a Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman.
• Lin Feng asked to travel abroad for experience, and Xu Changqing agreed while warning him to be cautious.

After the Corpse-Flipping Festival, the Grand Void Rift grew more dangerous but yielded rare resources, while the Three Purities Alliance’s Immortal Peaks suddenly sent out several streaks of light. In Red Maple Valley, Lin Feng departed to train, and a tremor prompted Xu Changqing to question Yang Zhenyue about Mysterious Yellow Qi leaking from beneath the valley.

• Xu Changqing used Shared Vision to survey the Rift and arranged for Redblood Dragon-Pattern Ore, Iceheart Jade Marrow, and Bloodleaf Orchids to be acquired through trades for Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice.
• The three Immortal Peaks flared with ancient Dao Resonance and sent several streaks of light beyond Three-Origin Maitreya Heaven, leading Xu Changqing to suspect that one of the other great powers had prompted the Three Purities Alliance to act.
• Xu Changqing gave Lin Feng a Spirit-Nurturing Talisman and cautioned him before Lin Feng bid farewell to his master and fellow disciples and flew away from Red Maple Valley.
• When Sun Shangxiang asked when she could train outside the valley, Xu Changqing told her to wait because the Lifeless Insect Mother remained a threat.
• A tremor shook Red Maple Valley, and Xu Changqing contacted Yang Zhenyue, who said a wisp of Mysterious Yellow Qi had leaked from the Earth Vein and offered to send disciples to investigate.

Xu Changqing investigated a Mysterious Yellow Qi leak beneath Red Maple Valley and discovered a vast sphere of maple roots surrounding a mysterious presence. After collecting the Qi, he learned that a tremor at Water-Control Pavilion had raised coffins from Black Lake and awakened Black Tortoise.

• Wang Shi helped Xu Changqing dig underground, where they found scorched roots, leaking Mysterious Yellow Qi, and an enormous sphere of intertwined maple roots.
• Xu Changqing collected the Mysterious Yellow Qi and stored it in his Portable Space, while deciding to seek advice about the mysterious sphere and the Crimson Maple Ancient Tree.
• Ruo Qunshuang told Xu Changqing that a tremor had struck Water-Control Pavilion and coffins had risen from Black Lake, awakening Black Tortoise.
• Ruo Qunshuang said True Lord Mo was handling the coffins, and Xu Changqing comforted her.

Xu Changqing investigated the tremors in Red Maple Valley, learned that the Crimson Maple Ancient Tree guarded something mysterious, and gave Mysterious Yellow Qi to Nü Tu for protective formations. Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue arrived with news of a more serious disturbance at the Water-Control Pavilion, and Hu Bugui connected its coffins to an earlier incident.

• Xu Changqing reported the Red Maple Valley tremors, underground Mysterious Yellow Qi, and root-wrapped sphere to Xuan Yan, who told him not to disturb the Crimson Maple Ancient Tree and to move into Azurewood Peak.
• Xu Changqing gave Nü Tu the Mysterious Yellow Qi and told her about the sphere and Xuan Yan's warning; she offered to make protective formations and urged him not to investigate rashly.
• Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue arrived at Red Maple Valley after hearing that the Water-Control Pavilion had shaken and coffins had risen there.
• Hu Bugui told Xu Changqing that he had come because of the coffins and asked whether Xu remembered a similar situation from when they first met Zhao Ziyue.

Xu Changqing joined Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue at Black Lake, where countless mysterious coffins threatened the Immortal Sect’s water supply and the restraints on the awakened Black Tortoise. During the inspection, Xu Changqing secretly took the most ancient coffin and returned to his Portable Space to examine it.

• Xu Changqing remembered Hu Bugui’s tale of coffins leaking deadly bloody water and hurried with Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue to the Water-Control Pavilion.
• The three saw Black Lake crowded with coffins, while Mo Qiushui and the awakened Black Tortoise watched them.
• Mo Qiushui reported that the coffins had not leaked, and Xu Changqing suspected the lake’s disturbance was connected to other anomalies beneath the Immortal Sect.
• Mo Qiushui asked the cultivators to inspect the coffins, and Xu Changqing secretly stored the smallest, most ancient coffin in his Portable Space.
• After returning to his residence, Xu Changqing entered his Portable Space to examine the coffin.

Xu Changqing discovered a fragment of the Tree of Life from Death inside a small black coffin and linked the coffin to one from the Nether River and the Inscription Ancestor. He sent Xu Qiansui to investigate Black Dragon Pool, where they found the waters entirely devoid of life, leaving Xu Changqing worried about what had happened beneath the Immortal Sect.

• Xu Changqing opened the small black coffin and found a wooden fragment that he suspected was from the Tree of Life from Death.
• Xu Changqing opened the coffin from the Nether River, found only ash, and connected both coffins' inscriptions to the Inscription Ancestor and the Yellow Springs Alliance.
• Xu Changqing ordered Xu Qiansui to investigate the Black Water Zone in Black Dragon Pool.
• Xu Qiansui found no fish or other living things in Black Dragon Pool or the Dragon Bone Zone.
• Xu Qiansui reached the Black Water Zone, where Xu Changqing saw that all life had vanished and considered moving his household up the mountain if necessary.

Liu Xuan entered the Inscribed Bone Mound Secret Realm with the Yellow Springs Alliance, only to find Inscription Ancestor’s coffin missing. At the Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect, Fenglong received four powerful thunder artifacts and learned he would enter the Thunder Marsh Secret Realm in three days.

• Elder Inscription opened the Inscribed Bone Mound Secret Realm, and Liu Xuan entered with the Yellow Springs Alliance while secretly pursuing its core secrets.
• Elder Inscription led the group through coffins and ancient restrictions toward Inscription Ancestor’s burial place.
• Elder Inscription discovered that Inscription Ancestor’s coffin was gone, leaving Liu Xuan to conclude that the Alliance’s old nest had been robbed.
• Zhao Tianxiong rewarded Fenglong for winning the Nine Heavens Thunder Trial with four thunder-attributed spirit artifacts.
• Zhao Tianxiong told Fenglong that the Thunder Marsh Secret Realm would open in three days.

Fenglong rejected Zhao Jie’s attempt to recruit him into Lei Yuan’s faction and traveled with Zhao Jie and a Golden Core elder to the Thunder Marsh Secret Realm. At the realm’s entrance, Fenglong rested apart from the gathered sect disciples while Zhao Jie mingled with them and watched him with hostility.

• Zhao Jie approached Fenglong at the sect plaza and offered him resources and protection if he joined Lei Yuan’s side.
• Fenglong refused, threatened to cripple Zhao Jie if he kept invoking Lei Yuan’s name, and warned him against plotting in the Secret Realm.
• A Golden Core elder led Fenglong and Zhao Jie to the Heavenly Thunder Mountains, where disciples from several sects had gathered to enter the Thunder Marsh Secret Realm.
• Fenglong sat on a boulder near the entrance and meditated as the other disciples discussed his reputation.
• Zhao Jie spoke with Li Hao, Chen Feng, and other sect disciples while occasionally giving Fenglong a vicious look.

Fenglong entered the Thunder Marsh Secret Realm and found a Thunder Marrow Core. When Li Hao challenged his claim to it, Fenglong killed him with one strike, leaving the other cultivators to witness his strength.

• Fenglong entered the Thunder Marsh Secret Realm and sensed the dense thunder power throughout its lightning plain.
• Fenglong followed a surge of primordial thunder essence to a valley, where he found a Thunder Marrow Core.
• Li Hao, Wang Lei, Chen Feng, and two other cultivators gathered at the valley, and Li Hao claimed the treasure for himself.
• Fenglong arrived and declared that the Thunder Marrow Core belonged to him, prompting Li Hao to attack with Heavenly Thunder Slash.
• Fenglong countered with his Purple Lightning Light-Splitting Sword and split Li Hao in two, killing him on the spot.

Fenglong claimed the Thunder Marrow Core and reached a lightning barrier blocking the Secret Realm’s core region. He crossed it with Luo Ningshuang’s help, then left her behind as he continued onward.

• Fenglong drove Wang Lei, Chen Feng, and the others away, then took the Thunder Marrow Core and stored it.
• Fenglong collected lightning-attributed spiritual plants as he traveled toward the core region and found a powerful lightning barrier.
• Luo Ningshuang introduced herself as an Azure Mysterious Sect disciple and offered to help Fenglong pass through the barrier.
• Fenglong’s solo attempt failed when the barrier’s lightning intensified, so he agreed to cross with Luo Ningshuang.
• Fenglong and Luo Ningshuang combined their lightning powers to pass through the barrier, but Fenglong refused to travel with her and continued alone.

Fenglong encountered Myriad Poisoner and his allies in the Secret Realm's core region, where he swiftly killed them all. After defeating Myriad Poisoner, Fenglong left no survivors, including Chen Feng, who begged for mercy.

• Fenglong cut down lightning-element demonic beasts as he made his way toward the core region.
• Myriad Poisoner confronted Fenglong over Li Hao's death and the Thunder Marrow Core, then attacked him with the Thunderwing Venom Centipede and poison mist.
• Fenglong evaded the poison and killed the centipede with one sword strike, causing Myriad Poisoner to suffer a backlash.
• Myriad Poisoner used the Poison God Heart-Eroding Curse, but Fenglong dodged it and pierced Myriad Poisoner's chest, killing him.
• Chen Feng and the other disciples fled, but Fenglong pursued and killed them all except Chen Feng.
• Chen Feng knelt and begged Fenglong to spare him, but Fenglong killed him with a strike of purple Sword Qi.

Fenglong reached the Secret Realm’s core and found a Lightning Qilin Cub, drawing the greed of the cultivators who had gathered there. When they joined forces to attack him, Fenglong struck back, leaving several early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators unable to fight.

• Luo Ningshuang witnessed Fenglong defeat Myriad Poisoner and followed him toward the core.
• Fenglong and Luo Ningshuang discovered a Lightning Qilin Cub on a platform at the summit of a thunder-patterned mountain.
• Zhao Jie, Wang Lei, Zhang Kuang, and Yan Hao arrived and coveted the cub; Zhao Jie urged them to attack Fenglong first.
• Fenglong rejected Zhao Jie’s offer to cooperate, and Zhao Jie rallied the others to seize his spirit artifacts and eliminate him.
• Zhao Jie, Zhang Kuang, Yan Hao, Wang Lei, and the others attacked Fenglong, while Luo Ningshuang stayed out of the fight.
• Fenglong countered with a powerful Purple Lightning Light-Splitting Sword strike that sent several early-stage cultivators flying and left them unable to fight.

Fenglong killed the cultivators who challenged him, took the Thunder Qilin Cub, and turned his attention to Luo Ningshuang. At Dongting Immortal Sect, Mu Ji told Xu Changqing that Bei Cangxuan had plotted against Qing Tang and that he planned to take her away ahead of schedule.

• Fenglong killed Zhao Jie, Zhang Kuang, Yan Hao, and Wang Lei after they tried to seize his treasures.
• Fenglong broke the Thunder Qilin Cub's lightning barrier, calmed the cub with his own lightning power, and took it into his arms.
• Fenglong spotted Luo Ningshuang and raised his sword toward her.
• Xu Changqing answered Mu Ji's summons and met him at Azurewood Peak.
• Mu Ji told Xu Changqing that Bei Cangxuan had plotted against Qing Tang, while the Lifeless Insect Mother had used Bei Cangxuan and the Luohe Bei Clan in its thousand-year transformation.
• Mu Ji said he planned to move forward his plan to take Qing Tang away from Shimmering Jade Grotto ahead of schedule.

Xu Changqing learned that Red Maple Valley’s tremors signaled a weakening seal over the remains of an ancient battlefield, and Mu Ji urged him to relocate to Azurewood Peak. Back in the valley, Xu Changqing discovered that Sun Shangxiang’s Tree of Life from Death had blossomed and told his disciples they would move to the peak after the new year.

• Mu Ji explained that the Immortal Sect stood over an ancient battlefield whose buried remains had become Spirit Veins, and warned that Red Maple Valley’s tremors could mean the underground seal would break.
• Mu Ji urged Xu Changqing to move to Azurewood Peak, and Xu Changqing agreed to go after settling the Spirit Fields.
• Sun Shangxiang told Xu Changqing that her Tree of Life from Death had blossomed, and he praised her for cultivating the rare spirit plant.
• Qingyao observed that the flower petals might strengthen Wood Spirit Roots, and Xu Changqing agreed they could be beneficial while warning his disciples not to depend too heavily on external aids.
• Xu Changqing told Qingyao to leave her fields empty after harvesting and announced that he planned to take everyone to Azurewood Peak after the new year.

As underground tremors worsened, the Dragon-Tiger Sect’s Mountain-Suppressing Chariot and the Grand Elder’s Primordial Yellow Gourd temporarily suppressed the Earth Vein disturbance. Ling Jun warned Xuan Yan that the seal would break within a hundred years, prompting the Dongting Immortal Sect to plan to send ordinary disciples into the mortal world to deepen ties with local powers.

• Xu Changqing and Han Su discussed the increasingly frequent Earth Vein tremors and the danger to the mining tunnels.
• The Dragon-Tiger Sect’s Mountain-Suppressing Chariot arrived at the Dongting Immortal Sect, and Xu Changqing and Han Su went to see it suppress the Earth Vein.
• The Mountain-Suppressing Chariot drilled into the earth, releasing black Killing Intent that the Grand Elder’s Primordial Yellow Gourd drew in and refined.
• Ling Jun told Xuan Yan that the underground seal would shatter within a hundred years despite the chariot’s temporary suppression.
• Xuan Yan decided to carry out the Worldly Engagement Plan by sending ordinary disciples into the mortal world to forge deeper ties with local powers.