Chapter Summaries

Xu Ping'an endured the fourth tribulation lightning by using a Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman to purify the thunder pearls and temper his Golden Core. After solidifying his core, he faced the terrifying fifth tribulation, the Chaotic Lightning Core, and prepared his defenses as it formed.

• Xu Ping'an layered the Profound Yellow Pagoda, defensive talismans, and a Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman to withstand the Five-Element Lightning Sea.
• Xu Ping'an used the talisman's golden barrier to purify the thunder pearls, then guided their pure five-element lightning power into his Golden Core.
• Xu Changqing explained that Mo Qiushui had given him the Profound Origin Golden Light Talismans, while Li Wudao and other onlookers praised Xu Ping'an's use of them.
• Xu Ping'an endured the Thunder Sea until the final thunder pearl vanished and his Golden Core fully solidified.
• A massive Chaotic Lightning Core formed as the fifth tribulation, and Xu Ping'an activated his defensive artifacts and readied his remaining talismans.

Xu Ping'an used the seven Immortal Peaks' formations and the Baleful-Breaking Spear to destroy the Chaotic Lightning Core and complete his Heaven-Grade Golden Core. He gained five divine abilities and stood victorious as the tribulation clouds receded.

• Chao Jin ordered the seven Immortal Peaks to activate their formations and support Xu Ping'an against the Chaotic Lightning Core.
• The seven formations struck and contained the core while Xu Ping'an thrust the Baleful-Breaking Spear into its central vortex.
• Xu Ping'an endured severe injuries and exhaustion as Azurewood Peak's Life Force repeatedly healed him, then the Chaotic Lightning Core exploded and its Chaos Force entered his body.
• The Chaos Force repaired Xu Ping'an's meridians and soul, transformed his Golden Core, and formed a Profound Seal that resonated with it.
• Xu Ping'an gained the five divine abilities Five-Colored Divine Radiance, Five-Element Reincarnation, Chaos Shield, Five-Element Evasion Art, and Five-Element Transmutation, then declared his Heaven-Grade Golden Core complete.

After Xu Ping'an formed a Heaven-Grade Golden Core, Ruo Qunshuang reunited with him and celebrated his achievement with Xu Changqing. Dongting Immortal Sect’s leaders then decided to make the Spirit Melody Sect a subsidiary sect to reassure Xu Changqing and keep Xu Ping'an within their reach.

• The elders praised Xu Ping'an’s Heaven-Grade Golden Core, and Xu Changqing received Ruo Qunshuang’s message that she had been stopped at the Cloudglory Realm.
• Ruo Qunshuang arrived at Star Vault Palace, learned that Xu Ping'an had formed a Heaven-Grade Golden Core, and wept with joy and disbelief.
• Xu Changqing invited Ruo Qunshuang to join him and Xu Ping'an for a reunion meal with Linglong.
• Chao Jin told the elders that Dongting Immortal Sect needed to secure Xu Changqing’s loyalty to keep Xu Ping'an.
• Chao Jin concluded that Xu Changqing had founded the Spirit Melody Sect because he lacked confidence in the Immortal Sect’s protection.
• Chao Jin ordered the Spirit Melody Sect to become a subsidiary of Dongting Immortal Sect so Xu Changqing’s family and disciples would have a secure refuge.

Xu Changqing warned Xu Ping'an that his Heaven-Grade Golden Core would attract danger and urged him to grow stronger and stay cautious. At the Luo River, the Nine-Headed Insect led the Insect Cultivators in subduing the Bei Clan and ordered the ruins destroyed.

• Xu Changqing cautioned Xu Ping'an that his talent would make him a target and that he needed vigilance, endurance, and greater strength.
• Xu Ping'an promised to remember his father's advice, and Xu Changqing told him to visit his worried mother.
• The Nine-Headed Insect's Insect Cultivators searched the ruined Luo River and captured or killed the resisting locals and Bei Clan members.
• Bei Cangchuan feigned submission and tried to attack the Nine-Headed Insect with a Bone-Piercing Nail, but Heart-Eating Gu poison killed him.
• The Nine-Headed Insect ordered the Insect Cultivators to destroy the Luo River, and swarms of Lifeless Bone-Eroding Insects poured into the sky.

Xu Changqing accelerated the growth of rare spirit plants in Azurewood Peak’s Grade-Three Spirit Fields before Chao Jin visited him to discuss Ping'an’s training and the Spirit Melody Sect’s future. Chao Jin offered Ping'an a chance to train at the Central Region’s Fallen Immortal Abyss and gave Xu Changqing a token granting the Spirit Melody Sect a permanent Grade-A stall in Southern Sky City’s Immortal Market.

• Xu Changqing used his spiritual power to rapidly grow rare spirit plants, including Nine-Turn Linglong Grass, Seven-Radiance Lotus, and Heaven-Thunder Bamboo.
• Chao Jin arrived and proposed sending Ping'an to train at the Fallen Immortal Abyss in the Central Region, where a sect stronghold would protect him.
• Xu Changqing said he would let Ping'an decide whether to go, while agreeing that battlefield experience could help prepare him for future dangers.
• Chao Jin acknowledged the Spirit Melody Sect as a branch of the Dongting Immortal Sect and gave Xu Changqing a token for a permanent Grade-A stall in Southern Sky City.

Xu Changqing arranged for Xu Ping'an to train in the Central Region and prepared protections for him, then led a group from the Spirit Melody Sect to claim its stall in Southern Sky City. The group arrived in the city's bustling Immortal Market district.

• Chao Jin offered Xu Ping'an a chance to train in the Central Region and gave Xu Changqing a token granting the Spirit Melody Sect a first-class stall in Southern Sky City.
• Xu Changqing asked Zhurong to arrange powerful Dharma artifacts, cultivation techniques, and spells for Xu Ping'an before his dangerous trip to the Fallen Immortal Abyss.
• Xu Ping'an agreed to train in the Central Region, and Ruo Qunshuang urged him to retreat from danger and prioritize his safety.
• Xu Changqing chose to lead Ruo Qunshuang, Xu Linshan, and ten core disciples to Southern Sky City with resources for the sect's new stall.
• The group flew to Southern Sky City aboard Ruo Qunshuang's Azure Luan Flying Ship, entered using Chao Jin's token, and reached the Immortal Market after seeing the city's Treasure Pavilion.

Xu Changqing and Spirit Melody Sect entered Southern Sky City’s Immortal Market and set up their Grade-A stall, drawing attention from nearby powers. After Jin Hao of the Jin Family warned them not to interfere with his family’s business, Xu Changqing sent Xu Linshan to arrange the stall and went with Ruo Qunshuang to survey the market.

• Xu Changqing presented Spirit Melody Sect’s Grade-A stall token and entered the Immortal Market with his companions.
• The group set up their stall in a prime location and displayed Spirit Melody Sect’s banner, prompting nearby cultivators to speculate about the sect’s background.
• Jin Hao of the Jin Family questioned Xu Changqing about the newly established sect and warned him not to affect the Jin Family’s business.
• Xu Changqing calmly told Jin Hao that Spirit Melody Sect would not be pushed around if the Jin Family made trouble.
• Xu Changqing assigned Xu Linshan to arrange the stall, then took Ruo Qunshuang deeper into the market to learn about prices, goods, and demand.

Xu Changqing’s Spirit Melody Sect opened its grade-A stall in Southern Sky City, selling rare spiritual plants and high-grade pills to a booming crowd. After learning about the market and witnessing a dispute over the Luohe Bei Clan’s vacant stall, Xu Changqing returned to help his disciples and closed up for the night.

• Xu Linshan arranged the Spirit Melody Sect’s rare spiritual plants and high-grade pills, and cultivators began buying them at prices set by Xu Changqing.
• Xu Changqing and Ruo Qunshuang questioned the Myriad Treasures Pavilion shopkeeper about the immortal market’s factions and rising demand for combat supplies.
• Xu Changqing and Ruo Qunshuang witnessed Dragon-Tiger Immortal Sect and Fuling Ouyang Clan cultivators arguing over the Luohe Bei Clan’s vacant grade-A stall.
• Xu Changqing returned to find the Spirit Melody Sect’s stall crowded with customers and helped Xu Linshan serve them.
• As night fell, Xu Changqing told Xu Linshan to have the disciples pack up the stall.

After the Spirit Melody Sect members finished selling at the Immortal Market, Xu Changqing and Ruo Qunshuang explored Southern Sky City and relaxed in a spirit spring. There they unexpectedly met Qing Xuan with his two demonic Dao companions, and Qing Xuan learned that the Spirit Melody Sect's Grade-A stall belonged to Ruo Qunshuang.

• Xu Linshan dismissed the Spirit Melody Sect members to explore Southern Sky City after packing up the stall.
• Xu Changqing and Ruo Qunshuang visited the Grand Void Star Chess Terrace, then left without playing chess.
• Xu Changqing and Ruo Qunshuang entered Cloud-Dream Snow Bath using their Grade-A stall token and soaked in a secluded spirit spring.
• Qing Xuan arrived with a Nine-Tailed Fox and a snake demon, and Xu Changqing recognized and greeted him.
• Xu Changqing told Qing Xuan that he had brought the Spirit Melody Sect to sell spirit plants and medicinal pills at the Immortal Market.
• Qing Xuan learned that Ruo Qunshuang had founded the Spirit Melody Sect, and he agreed to chat with Xu Changqing.

Xu Changqing returned to Clearbrook Valley after a successful market trip, carrying Qing Xuan’s warning about the elusive Nine-Headed Insect and the danger it posed to the Spirit Melody Sect. He became suspicious when Liu Mu arrived seeking to join the sect, but bought the cultivator’s spirit plants and watched him leave warily.

• Qing Xuan warned Xu Changqing that the ruthless Nine-Headed Insect and his Insect Cultivators had attacked small sects and lineages across the Eastern Domain, and urged him to strengthen the Spirit Melody Sect’s defenses.
• Xu Changqing and his companions sold their spirit plants and pills in Southern Sky City, earning more than ten thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones before deciding to return to Clearbrook Valley.
• Xu Changqing considered the threat from the Insect Cultivators during the uneventful journey home, where sect members welcomed the returning group.
• A disciple told Xu Changqing that Liu Mu, a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator recommended by Zhao Wuxin, had come to visit.
• Liu Mu asked to join the Spirit Melody Sect, but Xu Changqing refused to recruit him and instead bought his spirit plants for two hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.
• Xu Changqing watched Liu Mu leave and grew even more suspicious of him.

Xu Changqing discovered that Liu Mu was a spy working with a group of Insect Cultivators who planned to target the Spirit Melody Sect and infect cultivators with Heart-Eroding Insects. He ordered Xu Qiansui to eliminate them, and Xu Qiansui killed the group’s Golden Core cultivator after a fierce battle, revealing his ability to regrow his arm.

• Xu Changqing sent Xu Qiansui to secretly follow Liu Mu to a concealed valley occupied by Insect Cultivators.
• Liu Mu reported the Spirit Melody Sect’s strength and spirit plant resources to a Golden Core Insect Cultivator, who ordered Heart-Eroding Insect eggs planted in future trade shipments.
• Xu Changqing recognized the group as likely followers of Nine-Headed Insect and ordered Xu Qiansui to leave none alive.
• Xu Qiansui killed Liu Mu and more than a dozen Foundation Establishment Insect Cultivators before fighting the remaining Golden Core cultivator.
• The Golden Core Insect Cultivator tore off Xu Qiansui’s arm, but Xu Qiansui regrew it and killed him by destroying his Golden Core.

After learning that the Lifeless Insect Mother and the Nine-Headed Insect still threatened the Spirit Melody Sect, Xu Changqing chose to strengthen the sect’s defenses rather than pursue them. He ordered a new defensive formation and an evacuation teleportation array, while allied forces reported suspicious strangers approaching them.

• Xu Changqing concluded that the Lifeless Insect Mother and the Nine-Headed Insect remained a serious danger to the Spirit Melody Sect.
• Xu Changqing asked Nü Tu to redesign Clearbrook Valley’s defenses, and she proposed a terrain-based formation combining concealment, defense, and lethal traps.
• Xu Changqing gave Nü Tu a Spatial Earth-Origin Fruit for a Teleportation Array that could let sect members evacuate to an outer stronghold of the Dongting Immortal Sect.
• Xu Changqing ordered Xu Linshan and the other core members to gather formation materials and warn the Spirit Melody Sect’s allies about infiltration.
• Several allied forces replied that unfamiliar Rogue Cultivators had recently approached them.

Xu Changqing and Nü Tu completed Spirit Melody Sect’s defenses against the Insect Cultivators. Meanwhile, Xu Ping'an arrived at the Central Region trial with Jian Hanxin and rushed to help a group of cultivators attacked by Blackwind Wolves.

• Xu Changqing warned the sect and the Immortal Sect about the Insect Cultivators’ infiltration and ordered Xu Qiansui to keep investigating them.
• Nü Tu and Xu Changqing built a terrain-linked grand array and Teleportation Array, then Xu Changqing tested the passage to an outer stronghold of Dongting Immortal Sect.
• Xu Changqing explained the array and evacuation procedures to the sect members and increased patrols and restrictions on visitors.
• Xu Ping'an traveled toward the Central Region aboard a Dongting Immortal Sect vessel led by Jian Hanxin.
• Jian Hanxin and Xu Ping'an investigated battle cries at Black Wind Ridge and found eight cultivators surrounded by Blackwind Wolves led by a thousand-year Black Wind Wolf King.
• Xu Ping'an shouted at the wolf king as it attacked an injured young female cultivator.

Xu Ping'an and the Dongting Immortal Sect disciples rescued Li Yueyao from Black Wind Wolf Demons and escorted her to the Central Region Imperial City. There, Li Yueyao’s father, Li Lingbi, recognized Xu Ping'an as the son of his old friend Xu Changqing.

• Xu Ping'an used Five-Colored Divine Radiance to cripple the Black Wind Wolf King, and the Dongting Immortal Sect disciples killed the remaining wolf demons.
• Jian Hanxin learned that the rescued cultivator was Li Yueyao of the Li Family and offered to escort her to the Imperial City.
• Li Yueyao traveled with the group and repeatedly approached Xu Ping'an, who answered her cultivation questions patiently.
• Li Yueyao brought the group to the Li Family residence, where her father Li Lingbi welcomed them and recognized Jian Hanxin as his former junior brother.
• Jian Hanxin introduced Xu Ping'an, and Li Lingbi was shocked to learn that he was Xu Changqing’s son and spoke of their close friendship in the Immortal Sect.

Jian Hanxin and Xu Ping'an prepared to lead the young disciples to the dangerous Fallen Immortal Abyss, while Li Yueyao secretly followed them after her father forbade her to go. Li Lingbi let her continue but sent Pei Mo to protect her in secret.

• Li Lingbi learned that Xu Ping'an had become the acting peak master of Azurewood Peak and heard about the expedition to the Fallen Immortal Abyss.
• Li Yueyao asked to join the expedition, but Li Lingbi refused because her cultivation was too low for the abyss.
• Jian Hanxin and the others spent a day preparing at the Li Family, then departed by flying ship the next morning.
• Li Yueyao changed into traveling clothes, gathered protective supplies, and chased the flying ship on her Black Swan.
• After the steward reported her disappearance, Li Lingbi declined to bring her back and ordered Pei Mo to follow and protect her secretly.

Xu Changqing and Zhao Wuxin ambushed four Insect Cultivators at Blackrock Ravine and captured three to question them about the Nine-Headed Insect and the Lifeless Insect Mother. One captive agreed to reveal the cult leader’s whereabouts but warned that the insect gu would kill him if he divulged anything about the Lifeless Insect Mother.

• Xu Changqing told Zhao Wuxin that Insect Cultivators had been spotted at Blackrock Ravine and recruited him to join the hunt.
• Xu Changqing and Zhao Wuxin reached Blackrock Ravine, where Xu Changqing trapped four Insect Cultivators inside the Golden-Pattern Spirit-Binding Formation.
• Zhao Wuxin killed one Insect Cultivator and destroyed the poisonous insects summoned by the others.
• Xu Changqing stopped Zhao Wuxin from killing the remaining three and demanded they reveal the Nine-Headed Insect’s whereabouts and the Lifeless Insect Mother’s plans.
• One Insect Cultivator agreed to reveal the cult leader’s whereabouts but said the insect gu would kill him if he spoke about the Lifeless Insect Mother.

Xu Changqing learned that the Nine-Headed Insect had gone to the Rotten Moss Tundra and sent Xu Qiansui to investigate. Xu Qiansui reached the tundra, encountered its deadly creatures and Evil Cultivators, and found the Nine-Headed Centipede Banyan deep within.

• Xu Changqing interrogated Insect Cultivators, learned the Nine-Headed Insect was in the Rotten Moss Tundra, and had Zhao Wuxin kill the captives to prevent the Lifeless Insect Mother from using their gu.
• Xu Changqing and Zhao Wuxin raided three more Insect Cultivator strongholds, confirmed the reports, and sent Xu Qiansui to investigate the tundra.
• Xu Qiansui entered the Rotten Moss Tundra and navigated its poisonous insects, miasma, and scattered corpses by using his Spirit Plant Puppet nature to stay concealed.
• Xu Qiansui watched three Evil Cultivators summon a Rot-Silk Toad to attack a hidden cultivator, then continued deeper into the tundra.
• Xu Qiansui discovered a towering tree with nine branches and insect-filled fruits, identifying it as the Nine-Headed Centipede Banyan.

Xu Ping'an and the Dongting Immortal Sect disciples reached the Fallen Immortal Abyss and learned about the dangers of the Bone-Eroding Forest Sea. As Xu Ping'an and Li Yueyao began seeking teammates for an expedition, a purple-robed cultivator stopped him with a provocative introduction.

• Xu Changqing examined a sinister spirit plant in Clearbrook Valley and wondered where Qiong Valley, the Mayfly Offering, and the Nine-Headed Insect were.
• Jian Hanxin warned the Dongting Immortal Sect disciples about the Bone-Eroding Forest Sea’s corruption, monsters, and valuable resources as their flying ship neared the outpost.
• The ship landed at the outpost, and Jian Hanxin told the disciples to rest before exploration assignments were distributed at dusk.
• Li Yueyao asked to join Xu Ping'an in the forest; he agreed after making her promise to follow his commands.
• Xu Ping'an decided to seek teammates from other factions, then a purple-robed man stopped him and claimed, “I'm your father!”

Xu Ping'an and Fenglong formed a Demon-Hunting Team to hunt millennia-old Greater Demons in the Bone-Eroding Forest Sea. After selecting five more cultivators with complementary abilities, the seven-person team set out at dawn.

• Fenglong told Xu Ping'an that he was his father's junior and had been asked to look after him, and Xu agreed to team up with him.
• Fenglong announced that the team would have five to seven members and selected applicants based on their strength and complementary Spiritual Roots.
• Su Qinghan joined with her Ice Spirit Root, followed by Mo Chen, Shi Feng, and Jiang Weirui.
• Xu Ping'an, Fenglong, Li Yueyao, Su Qinghan, Mo Chen, Shi Feng, and Jiang Weirui completed the seven-person team.
• Mo Chen mapped safe routes and demon-dense areas, and the team studied his map before setting out at dawn.

Xu Changqing sent Xu Qiansui into Qiong Valley to investigate the Nine-Headed Insect’s possible involvement in the Mayfly Offering. Xu Qiansui reached the valley’s deepest area and discovered a suspicious crack surrounded by insect-bored rocks.

• Xu Changqing ordered Xu Qiansui to enter the Nine-Headed Centipede Banyan, whose defenses did not recognize the Spirit Plant Puppet as an intruder.
• Xu Qiansui crossed the banyan’s dark passage and entered Qiong Valley, where Decay Aura covered the dried riverbed, Yin Marrow Moss Crystals, bones, and ruined magical artifacts.
• Xu Qiansui avoided three Moss Puppets feeding on bones and continued deeper into the valley as the Decay Aura weakened his senses.
• Xu Qiansui encountered Echo Souls repeating fragments of their final suffering and skirted the area where they wandered.
• Xu Qiansui detected a faint fluctuation at the valley’s end and traced it to a bottomless crack surrounded by insect-bored rocks stained pale red.