Chapter Summaries

Xu Changqing explained that opening the Azurewood Sect to anyone with a Spiritual Root would win public support and establish the sect across the Eastern Domain. At Spirit-Testing Square, a mistreated servant named A Zhu discovered his Wood Spirit Root and gained the sect’s protection, while Xu Changqing ordered a search for his old friend Zhao Ziyue.

• Wang Han explained that Xu Changqing wanted the sect to become a source of hope and support, drawing people and resources to Fengrao Commandery.
• Xu Changqing told Li Sancai about Zhao Ziyue, whose cultivation had advanced despite spending much of his time fishing, and ordered Wang Han to find him.
• At Spirit-Testing Square, Liu Chengyu tested negative for a Spiritual Root and took out his anger on his servant A Zhu.
• A Zhu accidentally touched the Spirit-Testing Stele, revealed a Wood Spirit Root, and qualified to join the Azurewood Sect’s outer sect.
• A Zhu rejected Liu Chengyu’s abuse, and an Azurewood Sect disciple warned that anyone who harmed sect disciples would be executed.
• Xu Changqing told Li Sancai and Wang Han that opening the sect to all qualified people would win the hearts of the people.

The Azurewood Sect tested candidates’ Spiritual Roots, welcoming people with varied talents and backgrounds. Xu Changqing affirmed that the sect would support Zhou Chang despite his age, leaving open the possibility that he might surpass the limits others predicted.

• Xu Ying was found to have conflicting Dual Spiritual Roots, but she vowed to persevere, and Xu Changqing said determination mattered more than the conflict.
• Shen Yan revealed Mutual-Generation Triple Spiritual Roots and was admitted directly to the inner sect; Liu Chengyu watched in anger before leaving for good.
• Zhao Lei was discovered to have a Lightning Spiritual Root and was selected for inner-sect admission and personal guidance from an elder.
• Zhou Chang tested positive for Mutual-Generation Quadruple Spiritual Roots, but the guarding disciple warned that his age limited his prospects to Foundation Establishment Realm.
• Xu Changqing praised Zhou Chang’s resolve and promised the Azurewood Sect would provide the resources he deserved.

Xu Changqing searched the Azurebillow River for a reported Greater Demon, found and recruited a newly intelligent shrimp demon, then encountered his Eldest Senior Sister, Bei Qingtang. She denied betraying Dongting Immortal Sect and explained that she had used the Lifeless Insect Mother's Guiding Spirit Light to pursue clues about her grandfather's death, while Xu Changqing held her responsible for exposing the Heavenly Origin Realm.

• The prefect of Fengrao Commandery asked Xu Changqing to investigate disturbances and drownings on the Azurebillow River, where people had seen a huge serpent-like creature.
• Xu Changqing searched the river, found a frightened blue-backed shrimp demon, named him Gurgle Gurgle, and recruited him to patrol for Azurewood Sect.
• Xu Changqing detected the hundred-foot black-and-red serpent feeding inside a whirlpool, but Bei Qingtang descended before he could attack it.
• Bei Qingtang told Xu Changqing she had never left the Eastern and Southern Domains and denied betraying Dongting Immortal Sect.
• Bei Qingtang explained that she had used the Lifeless Insect Mother's Guiding Spirit Light to return to the Western Domain and seek her grandfather and the Profound River Spirit Clan's treasure.
• Xu Changqing said her actions had exposed the Heavenly Origin Realm to Outrealm races, while Bei Qingtang insisted she cared only about finding her grandfather's murderer.

Xu Changqing stopped Bei Qingtang’s Blackwater Dark Serpent from endangering people, then discovered an ancient Nether River sealing stele in the Azurebillow River and brought it back to the Azurewood Sect. He assigned three newly subdued aquatic spirits to guard the sect, where they immediately started brawling over who would be their boss.

• Bei Qingtang recalled her Blackwater Dark Serpent after Xu Changqing insisted that the Azurewood Sect had to protect the people along the Azurebillow River.
• Xu Changqing and Li Sancai joined Wang Han downstream and found an ancient stele warning of a sealed passage to the Nether River; Xu Changqing stored it in his Square-Inch Ring.
• Xu Changqing brought an azure-backed prawn, an otter spirit, and a carp spirit to the Azurewood Sect and assigned them to patrol its grounds and waterways.
• After Xu Changqing and the others left, Gululu, Jijizha, and Hualala argued over who should lead them and started fighting, drawing amused disciples to watch.

On Xu Changqing’s hundredth birthday, he revealed his hidden strength by breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm and forming a Superior Nascent Soul and Creation Dharma Form. His display crushed Liu Xuanzhou’s scheme to take control of Azurewood Sect, and Liu Xuanzhou presented his visit as a birthday tribute.

• Cluck-Cluck defeated Gululu, Jijizha, and Hualala, then made them recognize it as their boss.
• Liu Xuanzhou urged Li Wudao to send Xu Ping'an and Xu Changqing to the Grand Void Rift, while offering to take over Azurewood Sect.
• Xu Changqing flew beyond the Heavenly Origin Realm and used an illusion of tribulation to stage his breakthrough in the starry sky.
• Xu Changqing revealed a Superior Nascent Soul and a Creation Dharma Form, astonishing Fengrao Commandery and silencing Liu Xuanzhou’s ambitions.
• Xu Changqing returned to Azurewood Sect and asked Liu Xuanzhou why he had come; Liu Xuanzhou congratulated him and said he had brought a birthday gift on behalf of the Immortal Sect's upper ranks.

On his hundredth birthday and advancement to the Nascent Soul Realm, Xu Changqing received gifts and rewards as the Azurewood Sect and Fengrao Commandery celebrated him. Ling Chenye then delivered a birthday gift from Lin Feng, leaving Xu Changqing assured that his absent disciple remained welcome at the sect.

• Liu Xuanzhou presented Xu Changqing with an Essence-Nurturing Pendant, and Xu Changqing rewarded Azurewood Sect disciples to celebrate his birthday and breakthrough.
• The people of Fengrao Commandery honored Xu Changqing with a statue and offerings, and the commandery governor established the annual Evergreen Festival.
• Ling Chenye arrived at the Azurewood Sect with a gift from Lin Feng, and Xu Changqing recognized that his second disciple had sent him.
• Ling Chenye gave Xu Changqing the Twenty-Four Beauties, a bracelet of jade beads containing music and voices from the Dafeng Dynasty.
• Ling Chenye told Xu Changqing that Lin Feng planned to visit and apologize, and Xu Changqing said the Azurewood Sect would always be his home.

Xu Changqing and Xu Ping'an learned that the Immortal Sect intended to send them to the Grand Void Rift, and Li Wudao revealed Liu Xuanzhou had been pushing for this since Xu Changqing was at the Golden Core Realm. Xu Ping'an resolved to protect his father, but Li Wudao warned the order could only be changed by strength enough to challenge the Immortal Sect's leadership.

• Li Wudao told Xu Changqing and Xu Ping'an that the Immortal Sect wanted Xu Ping'an to train at the Grand Void Rift, and Xu Ping'an had at most five years before he had to go.
• Xu Ping'an welcomed the prospect of testing himself there, while Xu Changqing urged him to marry Yue Yao first.
• Li Wudao revealed that Liu Xuanzhou had also sought to send Xu Changqing to the Grand Void Rift, even before Xu Changqing advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm.
• Xu Changqing realized Liu Xuanzhou had likely intended to remove him and seize control of the Azurewood Sect.
• Li Wudao said Xu Changqing could refuse a formal decree only by betraying the Immortal Sect, and Mo Qiushui explained that this would make the Azurewood Sect an enemy of Dongting.
• Xu Ping'an vowed to protect his father and suggested going to the Grand Void Rift early, but Li Wudao warned that only enough strength to contend with the Immortal Sect's leadership could change the order.

Xuan Yan and Qiong protected Xu Changqing from being sent to the Grand Void Rift and prepared rare treasures to aid him. At Azurewood Sect, Xu Changqing used three Spatial Earth-Origin Fruits to build an Interrealm Teleportation Array, which would connect the sect to the Central Region in time for Xu Ping'an and Yue Yao's wedding.

• Liu Xuanzhou urged Xuan Yan to send Xu Changqing to the Grand Void Rift, but Xuan Yan and Qiong rejected the demand because Xu Changqing was needed to cultivate the Three-Eyed Clan's spirit plants.
• Liu Xuanzhou left for Cloudglory Realm, deciding to seek an opportunity through Sect Master Chao Jin after his plan to seize Azurewood Sect failed.
• Xuan Yan revealed the Azuredeep Fish Spirit Seed and decided to give it to Xu Changqing, while Qiong promised to bring the Three-Eyed Spirit Marrow Seed to Azurewood Sect.
• Xu Changqing produced three Spatial Earth-Origin Fruits to stabilize Azurewood Sect's Interrealm Teleportation Array.
• Xu Changqing told Xu Ping'an that the array would lead to the Central Region and let Yue Yao's relatives travel to the sect for their wedding.

Xu Ping'an and Li Yueyao married amid a gathering of Xu Changqing’s family and old friends. At the celebration, Li vowed to accompany Xu Ping'an to the Grand Void Rift after five years, while Qiong revealed he was secretly preparing the Three-Eyed Clan to leave the divided Dongting Immortal Sect.

• Lin Feng returned to the Azurewood Sect and told Xu Changqing he would stay after years away serving the Dafeng Dynasty.
• Qiong brought Xu Changqing gifts from Xuan Yan, including the Azuredeep Fish Spirit Seed and the Three-Eyed Spirit Marrow Seed, which Xu suspected were meant to pressure him to choose a side.
• Xu Changqing’s old friends and relatives arrived with gifts, and Han Su unexpectedly encountered his former Dao companion, Li Xianglin, and their son, Han Gen.
• Xu Ping'an and Li Yueyao completed their wedding rites, then Xu Changqing celebrated with his disciples and gathered friends at the banquet.
• Qiong questioned Li about Xu Ping'an’s marriage, and Li said she would accompany him to the Grand Void Rift after five years.
• Li asked whether the Three-Eyed Clan should seek another ally amid Dongting’s turmoil, and Qiong said he had already made secret arrangements.

Xu Changqing weighed the Dongting Immortal Sect’s factional conflict against Azurewood Sect’s limited strength, then chose to refine the Daoheart Lotus Embryo to strengthen himself. After absorbing it, he stabilized his Nascent Soul, perfected his Creation Dharma Form, and gained a Vastsea Withered-Prosperity Dao Resonance.

• Xu Changqing recognized that the Grand Elder’s gifts were meant to make him choose a side in the Dongting Immortal Sect’s feud between Xuan Yan and Chao Jin.
• Xu Changqing considered Azurewood Sect’s shortage of powerful allies and decided that strengthening himself was the best way to protect his sect and family.
• Xu Changqing used his Creation Dharma Form and Creation Force to refine the Daoheart Lotus Embryo.
• The embryo’s origins merged into Xu Changqing’s Nascent Soul and Dharma Form, stabilizing the former and perfecting the latter.
• Xu Changqing gained the Vastsea Withered-Prosperity Dao Resonance and remarked that he should thank Liu Xuanzhou for the factional conflict that brought him the treasure.

Xu Ping'an left Azurewood Sect for the Grand Void Rift with Li, while Xu Changqing remained behind and later followed a mysterious call to the Calamity Mist-stricken Old Site of the Dongting Immortal Sect. There he found Flower Elder trapped beneath the Crimson Maple Ancient Tree and began searching for a way to save them.

• Xu Ping'an and Li Yueyao welcomed their son, Xu Mu, and five years later Xu Ping'an departed for the Grand Void Rift with Li, leaving his family behind.
• Half a year later, Calamity Mist erupted from the Old Site of the Dongting Immortal Sect, spreading Killing Intent and resentment across the region.
• Xu Changqing sensed a faint call through Wood Origin and went to the Old Site with Li Chuan, who chose to cultivate there with the Corpse King Sword.
• Xu Changqing followed the call to Red Maple Valley, descended beneath the Crimson Maple Ancient Tree, and found Flower Elder trapped inside a cracked sphere.
• Xu Changqing learned Flower Elder had been bound to the ancient tree and was nearing death, but his Creation Force could not withstand the surrounding Calamity-Baleful Qi.
• Xu Changqing refused to give up on Flower Elder and the ancient tree, and thought of a possible way to save them.

Xu Changqing repeatedly used the Spirit-Pointing Finger to save Flower Elder and the Crimson Maple Ancient Tree, but calamity and resentment disrupted his attempts. After creating a pure area to block the pollution, he successfully fused them into the Wither-Bloom Maple Soul Tree, leaving Flower Elder alive and able to grow stronger with the tree.

• Xu Changqing told Flower Elder that he would use the Spirit-Pointing Transformation Finger to mutate him and the Crimson Maple Ancient Tree together.
• The Calamity-Baleful Qi disrupted Xu Changqing’s repeated attempts, and he failed to complete the mutation over three days.
• Xu Changqing realized the polluted environment was suppressing the finger technique, so he used his Creation Dharma Form to make a pure breach in the Calamity Mist.
• With pure spiritual qi and unpolluted fortune, Xu Changqing successfully merged Flower Elder’s soul with the Crimson Maple Ancient Tree.
• The new Wither-Bloom Maple Soul Tree awakened the ability to purify calamity, while Flower Elder’s intact soul gained a chance to grow stronger with it.

Xu Changqing learned that the Dongting Immortal Sect’s leaders had no plan to stop the calamity, while Grand Elder Xuan Yan sought a solution far away. After spotting You Hai watching the Earth Vein fissure, Xu Changqing decided to move Flower Elder to safety, and Flower Elder chose the Spirit Melody Sect.

• Xu Changqing found the Cloudglory Realm sealed and received no answer when he requested an audience with Sect Master Chao Jin.
• At the empty Star Vault Palace, Hao Yuan told Xu Changqing that Xuan Yan had gone into the starry sky to seek a way to address the Earth Qi leak.
• Hao Yuan explained that Chao Jin’s faction favored abandoning the old grounds, while Xuan Yan’s faction sought a solution, and no response plan would be available for at least a hundred years.
• Xu Changqing saw You Hai watching the Earth Vein fissure and suspected his scheme was connected to the Mysterious Yellow Spirit Sect.
• Xu Changqing told Flower Elder the area was unsafe and offered to move them to Azurewood Peak or the Spirit Melody Sect.
• Flower Elder chose the Spirit Melody Sect as a quiet place to recover.

Xu Changqing stored Flower Elder in the Tilling Officer Token and hurried toward the Spirit Melody Sect after encountering a masked stranger heading into the Old Site of the Dongting Immortal Sect. The stranger fought Li Chuan, then revealed the Yellow Springs Alliance’s origins as the Mysterious Yellow Spirit Sect.

• Xu Changqing lifted the Wither-Bloom Maple Soul Tree and placed Flower Elder in the Tilling Officer Token for safekeeping.
• Xu Changqing encountered a masked man flying toward the Old Site of the Dongting Immortal Sect, then continued toward the Spirit Melody Sect.
• The masked man approached Li Chuan’s secluded cultivation site, interrupting Li Chuan’s attempt to break through into the Nascent Soul Realm.
• Li Chuan attacked the intruder with the Corpse King Sword and gradually suppressed him with the help of the Myriad Forms Spirit Cloak and the surrounding Killing Intent.
• The masked man invited Li Chuan to join the Yellow Springs Alliance, and Li Chuan questioned why the alliance had come to the ruins.
• The masked man said the Yellow Springs Alliance’s predecessor was the Mysterious Yellow Spirit Sect.

Xu Changqing placed the Wither-Bloom Maple Soul Tree in the Spirit Melody Sect, then learned that the Yellow Springs Alliance descended from the ancient Mysterious Yellow Spirit Sect and might be connected to the Dongting Earth Vein. He warned Mo Qiushui and Mu Yunsheng that the threat could reach the Azurewood Sect and urged them to prepare.

• Xu Changqing settled the Wither-Bloom Maple Soul Tree at a Spirit Vein in the Spirit Melody Sect, where Flower Elder began recovering and promised to aid the sect after reaching the Transformation Realm.
• After inspecting the Spirit Melody Sect's defenses, Xu Changqing met Li Chuan, who reported that a powerful stranger had identified himself as a member of the Yellow Springs Alliance and named the Mysterious Yellow Spirit Sect as its predecessor.
• Xu Changqing suspected the Alliance's past Dragon Vein severing was tied to the Dongting Immortal Sect and ordered Li Chuan to watch the stranger while cultivating toward the Nascent Soul Realm.
• Xu Changqing returned to the Azurewood Sect and informed Mo Qiushui and Mu Yunsheng about the calamity, the mysterious visitor, and the Alliance's origins.
• Mo Qiushui suspected the Dongting Immortal Sect's leaders included Alliance informants, and Xu Changqing called on her and Mu Yunsheng to prepare the Azurewood Sect for coming threats.

After the Dongting Immortal Sect split apart, the Azurewood Sect grew under the Dafeng Dynasty’s support while rival powers threatened its expansion. As the sect prepared for its grand tournament, Xu Mu asked to compete and vowed to become the strongest.

• The Azurewood Sect prospered with the Dafeng Dynasty’s backing, while the Mother Insect Sect and Nine Nether Sect challenged its holdings.
• Five years later, the Azurewood Sect prepared for its once-in-a-decade tournament, drawing promising disciples including the Four Inner Sect Geniuses.
• Xu Changqing and Li Sancai remembered old acquaintances and ordered the tournament to be fair, controlled, and free of casualties.
• Xu Mu asked Xu Changqing to let him enter the tournament and declared he would take first place.
• Xu Mu’s ambition reminded Xu Changqing of Xu Ping’an’s childhood vow to become the Immortal Sect’s strongest.

Xu Changqing opened Azurewood Sect’s grand competition, which drew crowds and hostile guests from rival factions. Zhou Chang surprised spectators by defeating a stronger opponent with coordinated four-element spells.

• Xu Changqing promised Xu Mu that he could compete once he was older and his cultivation was sufficient.
• Azurewood Sect prepared a public grand competition to demonstrate its strength, attracting disciples, townspeople, Rogue Cultivators, and rival guests.
• Rival guests mocked Azurewood Sect, but Fengrao Commandery’s ordinary people defended the sect and silenced them.
• Xu Changqing announced separate outer- and inner-sect competitions and allowed outer sect disciples to challenge inner sect disciples.
• Zhou Chang used coordinated four-element spells to defeat a Late Qi Refining opponent despite his own Middle Qi Refining cultivation.

The inner sect competition began, and Shi Po Jia and Su Che defeated their opponents with overwhelming skill. Lu Yan gained the upper hand against Zhao Ke by matching and surpassing his earth techniques, leaving Zhao Ke’s wall close to breaking.

• Shi Po Jia endured Zhao Liang’s sword attacks and knocked him off the platform with a single punch.
• Su Che evaded Zhou Mu’s Black Iron Vines, disrupted his spiritual power, and made him concede.
• Xu Changqing praised Su Che’s talent and predicted he would become a great figure.
• Lu Yan countered Zhao Ke’s earth attacks with sturdier walls and stronger spears, then battered Zhao Ke’s defense with another volley.

Lu Yan defeated Zhao Ke, and Lin Han won his match against Luo Ting at Azurewood Sect’s grand competition. The Nine Nether Sect’s vice sect master Biluò arrived to announce a joint expedition to the Profound Earth Emperor’s ancient cave abode, which had emerged early after Earth Qi leaked from the Dongting Ruins.

• Lu Yan defeated Zhao Ke by turning his opponent’s earthen spell against him, then left the Duel Platform to applause.
• Lin Han defeated Luo Ting with the Cold River Snow Art and froze him with the Cold River Ice Venerable.
• Xu Mu told Xu Changqing she hoped to surpass Lin Han and Shi Po Jia, while Mo Qiushui praised the disciples’ performances and Xu Changqing sensed trouble ahead.
• Biluò arrived at the competition with several black-robed Nine Nether Sect cultivators and insulted Azurewood Sect’s disciples.
• Biluò invited Azurewood Sect to explore a Secret Realm in the Eastern Domain, and Mo Qiushui explained that it was the ancient cave abode of the Profound Earth Emperor, opened early by Earth Qi leaking from the Dongting Ruins.

Xu Changqing rejected Biluò’s invitation to join forces in exploring the Profound Earth Emperor’s cave abode and trapped the Nine Nether Sect group. He transformed Biluò into a black tree and sentenced him to take root for a thousand years, while agreeing to meet the other factions in the Secret Realm one month later.

• Biluò invited Xu Changqing to join the Nine Nether Sect in exploring the Profound Earth Emperor’s cave abode and splitting its treasures.
• When Biluò tried to leave, Xu Changqing trapped him and his group with the Profound Water-Controlling Banner.
• Xu Changqing attacked Biluò with his Creation Brush, overcoming his defenses and transforming him into a black tree.
• Xu Changqing sentenced Biluò to take root for a thousand years and ordered passersby to whip him with branches to stabilize the seal.
• Xu Changqing told the remaining Nine Nether Sect cultivators that he accepted the Secret Realm appointment one month later.