Chapter Summaries

Xu Changqing used the Demonwood Water-Evasion Boat to explore Black Dragon Pool, catch Dragon Carp, and kill the injured Fish Demon. After the boat devoured the Fish Demon and grew, Xu Changqing followed its path into increasingly hot water and saw something startling.

• Xu Changqing entered Black Dragon Pool aboard the Demonwood Water-Evasion Boat and discovered it could travel underwater without letting water in.
• He caught five Dragon Carp with Black Iron Vine and stored them in the Water-Storage Pearl.
• The boat sensed the Poison Thorn Grass and led Xu Changqing to the Fish Demon.
• Xu Changqing ordered the boat to ram the Fish Demon, crushing it and letting the boat devour its blood and flesh.
• The Demonwood Water-Evasion Boat grew and gained the Devouring Growth effect, then Xu Changqing followed the Fish Demon's route into water that grew hotter and hotter.

Xu Changqing discovered a Woodfire Spirit Crystal beneath the Demon Dragon’s remains and absorbed it, awakening a second Spiritual Root. He gained an Azure Wood Thunderfire Spirit Root and increased his lifespan, then turned his attention to the valuable lightning-struck tree.

• Xu Changqing approached the enormous Demon Dragon skeleton and found a lightning-struck tree within its coils.
• Xu Changqing recognized the crystal inside the tree as a Woodfire Spirit Crystal that could awaken a second Spiritual Root.
• Xu Changqing absorbed the crystal’s Wood and Fire energies while using the Green Lotus Creation Art to control them.
• Xu Changqing’s status panel showed an Azure Wood Thunderfire Spirit Root, Thunderfire Affinity, and a lifespan increased by about one hundred years.
• Xu Changqing burned away the excess hair that had enveloped him and the boat, then looked again at the lightning-struck tree.

After spending seven days in Black Dragon Pool, Xu Changqing returned with a second Spiritual Root and new wealth, then planned to expand his business into supplying spirit beast food. His first attempt to use his Fire Spiritual Power to light the stove ended with the stove exploding.

• Xu Changqing stored the Thunderstruck Wood, explored the blocked wreckage, and left Black Dragon Pool without investigating further.
• Xu Changqing returned to his Spirit Fields and learned from Hu Bugui that he had been gone for seven days and that Hu had cared for Wangwang and the Pearl Chicken.
• Hu Bugui gave Xu Changqing 140 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones in franchise fees, and Xu told him to recruit more people and begin supplying spirit beast meat and other goods.
• Xu Changqing apologized to Wangwang and the Pearl Chicken, then tried using his Fire Spiritual Power to light the stove.
• Xu Changqing's stove exploded, and Han Su explained that Earth Spirit Root cultivators often repaired stoves damaged by Fire Spiritual Root cultivators.

Xu Changqing received books and the Blazing-Oil Method from Han Su, then studied the fire cultivation method through the night. He raised it to the first layer and chose to spend 2,433 days of lifespan to advance it to the third layer.

• Han Su repaired Xu Changqing’s stove, accepted Spirit Rice Wine as payment, and offered to buy him books and cultivation methods at the Rogue Cultivator Market.
• Xu Changqing asked Han Su to bring back books and methods related to Wood and Fire Spiritual Roots.
• Han Su returned with a pile of books and cultivation methods, including the Blazing-Oil Method and a Stamina Pill formula.
• Xu Changqing decided to learn the Blazing-Oil Method before trying to make pills, and studied it while drinking Yellow Rice Wine.
• Xu Changqing read through the night while standing watch over his Spirit Fields with Wangwang, and his status panel showed that he had reached the method’s first layer.
• Xu Changqing agreed to spend 2,433 days of lifespan to raise the Blazing-Oil Method to the third layer.

Xu Changqing mastered the third layer of the Blazing-Oil Method and used his controlled Spirit Fire to cook safely. Zhao Ziyue told him that Mo Cha had overtaken Chu Qiu and Lan Tian in Foundry Peak’s rankings while aiming for the Formal Disciple Grand Competition’s first-place reward.

• Xu Changqing completed his morning chores, then used the Blazing-Oil Method to control his Spirit Fire and cook breakfast without damaging the stove.
• Xu Changqing shared a large breakfast with Wangwang and the Pearl Chicken.
• Zhao Ziyue visited Xu Changqing and cast Minor Cloud-Rain Art over his fields.
• Zhao Ziyue said returning disciples with new opportunities had pushed Chu Qiu and Lan Tian down to fourth and fifth in the rankings.
• Zhao Ziyue named Mo Cha, a wood, fire, and earth Threefold Mutual-Generating Spiritual Roots cultivator who had mastered the high-grade Blazing Flame Formula, as the new first-place contender.
• Zhao Ziyue said Mo Cha had been selected as a core disciple but postponed joining to pursue the Grand Competition’s reward, especially the Millennium Vermilion Bird Fruit.

Xu Changqing tended his rare spirit plants and used Verdant Touch Finger on his Mutated Spirit Rice at Stone Mountain. The Mutated Mother Rice transformed, doubling the yield of spirit rice within its domain, and Xu Changqing began planning to transplant it to a new Grade-Two Spirit Field.

• Xu Changqing decided to keep his mature Earth-Attracting Grass and Blazing Fire Vine until they could mutate, while valuing the Green Gourd for its potential uses.
• Xu Changqing went to Stone Mountain and used Verdant Touch Finger on the Mutated Child Rice, but none of the stalks changed.
• Xu Changqing used his remaining Wood Spiritual Power on the Mutated Mother Rice, triggering a mutation that made it shorter, gave it plumper grains, and doubled its domain to two zhang.
• Xu Changqing realized the Mutated Mother Rice could double the yield of rice within its domain, but he kept it hidden at Stone Mountain for safety.
• Xu Changqing planned to announce his Foundation Establishment Realm next spring, obtain another Grade-Two Spirit Field, and transplant the Mutated Mother Rice and Mutated Child Rice there.

Xu Changqing visited the Spirit Field Core Administration Office to obtain ingredients for Stamina Pills and renewed his opportunity to work with Zhang Su. He mastered the pill formula and successfully made four supreme-quality Stamina Pills.

• Xu Changqing met Zhang Su at the Core Administration Office, where Zhang Su invited him to help harvest spirit plants again and gave him a Communication Talisman.
• Xu Changqing bought all the ingredients for Stamina Pills and returned to his wooden hut.
• Xu Changqing studied the pill formula and used six years of lifespan to raise his Stamina Pill skill to Masterful Tier.
• Xu Changqing prepared the medicinal ingredients, controlled the Spirit Fire, and formed the mixture into pills.
• Xu Changqing completed four Stamina Pills, all of supreme quality.

Xu Changqing agreed to harvest Zhang Su’s ten mu of Spirit Fields in exchange for three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Zhang Su left him to work while departing on a rare color-changing butterfly, and Xu Changqing envied his transportation.

• Xu Changqing tested a Supreme Labor-Strength Pill and decided to sell mostly High-Quality Labor-Strength Pills, with supreme-grade pills appearing only occasionally.
• Zhang Su contacted Xu Changqing and offered him thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones or thirty jin of Quality-Grade Spirit Rice for each mu he harvested.
• Xu Changqing flew to Zhang Su’s Spirit Fields on Big-Leaf Grass and learned that Zhang Su’s Dao companion was away from the Immortal Sect.
• Zhang Su asked Xu Changqing to harvest all ten mu, and Xu Changqing chose three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones instead of Spirit Rice as payment.
• Zhang Su explained the different harvesting methods, then left on a color-changing butterfly, prompting Xu Changqing to suspect he had shown it off deliberately.

Xu Changqing harvested Zhang Su’s ten spirit fields with the Verdant Touch Finger, gaining 131 years of lifespan before a mutated Flame-Tail Grass became a valuable Phoenix Feather. He concealed the rare plant, finished harvesting, and considered growing Origin-Nourishing Fruit to sell after obtaining his own Grade-Two Spirit Field.

• Xu Changqing harvested five spirit fields, gaining 131 years of lifespan and raising his total to 543 years without mutating any plants.
• Xu Changqing harvested Flame-Tail Grass, and one stalk mutated into a Phoenix Feather, a rare ingredient for the Heaven Grade Nirvana Pill.
• Xu Changqing hid the Phoenix Feather in a separate storage pouch rather than reveal it to Zhang Su.
• Xu Changqing harvested the seventh, eighth, and ninth spirit fields, gaining more lifespan from their high-quality plants.
• Xu Changqing finished harvesting the Origin-Nourishing Fruit and considered growing some to sell after obtaining a second Grade-Two Spirit Field.

After harvesting Zhang Su’s spirit fields, Xu Changqing collected his payment and secured Zhang Su’s help in finding a Foundation Establishment Pill. On his way home, Sun Peng invited him to a wedding banquet, leaving Xu Changqing reflecting on how difficult it would be to find a suitable dao companion.

• Xu Changqing finished harvesting Zhang Su’s spirit plants, bringing his total lifespan to 635 years.
• Zhang Su checked the harvest, treated Xu Changqing to medicinal cuisine, and paid him three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.
• Xu Changqing asked Zhang Su for help buying a Foundation Establishment Pill, and Zhang Su promised to take him to a friend at the Alchemy Pavilion.
• Xu Changqing left Zhang Su’s fields and received Sun Peng’s invitation to a wedding banquet, which he accepted.
• Xu Changqing considered how his changed Spiritual Roots had made it harder to find a suitable dao companion.

Xu Changqing left home for the Rogue Cultivator Market and unexpectedly encountered Chu Qiu at the Sword Pavilion. Chu Qiu invited him to attend Zhao Qianyun’s Thousand Sails Crossing Festival, and Xu Changqing was left considering the detour.

• Xu Changqing prepared food for Wangwang and the Pearl Chickens, then visited Foundry Peak and collected his share of the barbecue business’s earnings from Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue.
• At the Sword Pavilion, Chu Qiu arrived on Crane Seven and invited Xu Changqing to travel with him; Xu Changqing refunded his Giant Flying Sword fare and boarded the crane.
• Chu Qiu asked Xu Changqing for Spirit Rice Wine, and Xu Changqing gave him ten jin of Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice Wine.
• Chu Qiu told Xu Changqing he was headed to Zhao Qianyun’s Thousand Sails Crossing Water-and-Land Assembly and offered to take him along.

Xu Changqing declined to join the Crossing Festival, parted from Chu Qiu, and explored Dongqing City’s Rogue Cultivator Market. After comparing Spirit Rice prices and the quality of Stamina Pills, he contacted Sun Peng but decided to investigate further before meeting him.

• Xu Changqing asked Chu Qiu about Mo Cha and learned that the top-ranked disciple was ruthless, dangerous, and not the only formidable contender in the Formal Disciple Grand Competition.
• Xu Changqing bid farewell to Chu Qiu, who offered to come to his aid if he sent a message with a Communication Talisman.
• Xu Changqing disguised himself as a Rogue Cultivator and checked Spirit Rice Grain exchange prices around the market.
• Xu Changqing examined Stamina Pills at several stalls, spotted cost-cutting in most of them, and found that only one shop offered good-quality pills without skimping on ingredients.
• Xu Changqing contacted Sun Peng, received an address, and chose to investigate the situation before visiting.

Xu Changqing attended Sun Peng and Lei Yunna’s wedding, then met Sun Rong privately to offer him high-quality Spirit Rice Wine. The chapter left Sun Rong examining the wine after its aroma caught his attention.

• Xu Changqing learned that Sun Peng was marrying Lei Yunna and that the Sun Clan had recently grown stronger.
• Sun Peng anxiously waited for Xu Changqing while preparing to lead the bridal procession to the Lei Family.
• Xu Changqing arrived during the wedding ceremony, easing Sun Peng’s worry as he began bowing to Heaven and Earth with Lei Yunna.
• Sun Peng toasted Xu Changqing at the banquet and learned that Xu Changqing had already greeted Sun Rong.
• Sun Rong took Xu Changqing to a quiet garden, where Xu Changqing gave him high-quality Spirit Rice Wine to try.

Xu Changqing and Sun Rong agreed to sell Xu Changqing’s Spirit Rice Wine through a new shop in Dongqing City, leaving the Sun Clan poised to profit from their partnership. After attending Sun Peng and Lei Yunna’s wedding, Xu Changqing left the Sun Clan and headed to Fragrant Invitation Pavilion for courtesan wine.

• Sun Rong tasted Xu Changqing’s Fine-Quality Spirit Rice Wine and praised its flavor and spiritual energy.
• Xu Changqing proposed that Sun Rong sell his wine in Dongqing City, and they negotiated a profit split of sixty-forty for six months, then seventy-thirty.
• Xu Changqing and Sun Rong agreed that Xu Changqing would supply five hundred jin of Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice and five hundred jin of Fine-Quality Spirit Rice Wine monthly, while Sun Rong prepared a shop on the busiest street.
• Xu Changqing delivered Sun Rong five hundred jin of Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice and left the Sun Clan as the wedding celebration wound down.
• Xu Changqing decided to drink courtesan wine and went to Fragrant Invitation Pavilion.

Xu Changqing visited Fragrant Invitation Pavilion and overheard a rumor about Huang Yuanhua’s cave abode and its undiscovered Earth Escape Technique. He suspected the rumor was bait and avoided getting involved, but the next morning he saw Dongting Immortal Sect disciples heading toward the cave abode.

• Xu Changqing went to the second floor of Fragrant Invitation Pavilion and drank with Xiao Taohong.
• Scarface Han arrived with a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone, and Xu Changqing learned he had grown rich after finding a cultivator’s cave abode in the Black Forest.
• A man and woman on the third floor discussed Huang Yuanhua’s cave abode and the Earth Escape Technique, which they said could sell for 5,000 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones.
• Xu Changqing suspected Scarface Han and the pair upstairs were luring people into a trap or seeking cannon fodder, so he dismissed the rumor.
• The next morning, Xu Changqing saw cultivators, including a Dongting Immortal Sect disciple, leave the flying ferry dock to investigate the cave abode.

Xu Changqing escaped the explosions in the Black Forest and returned safely to the Dongting Immortal Sect, where he learned that Zhao Ziyue was fighting a rival over their Foundry Peak business. With Zhao Ziyue close to losing their arena bet, Xu Changqing sought help from Han Xin and then contacted Li Sancai.

• Xu Changqing boarded the Immortal Sect's flying giant sword, and two blasts in the Black Forest sent devastating shockwaves across the area as the sword hurried away.
• Xu Changqing and the other disciples reached the Dongting Immortal Sect safely, where Hu Bugui told him that Zhao Ziyue had bet against a rival who was stealing their barbecue business.
• Xu Changqing saw Zhao Ziyue struggling against an Earth Spiritual Root opponent and learned that the loser would have to withdraw from Foundry Peak Plaza.
• Xu Changqing contacted Han Xin with a Communication Talisman, and she agreed to come to Foundry Peak after waking up.
• Xu Changqing decided Han Xin might not be enough help and used another Communication Talisman to contact Li Sancai.

Xu Changqing and his friends learned that Xu Mingsheng had arranged for Wang Xuan to attack Zhao Ziyue, but Han Xin could not risk opposing the Farmer's Heart Society. She advised Xu Changqing to seek Li Sancai's help, leaving him ready to contact Senior Brother Li.

• Zhao Ziyue's protective water sphere broke, and Wang Xuan taunted him as he struggled to withstand the Earth Spirit Root disciple's attacks.
• Han Xin arrived, recognized Wang Xuan, and forced him to leave the arena and explain himself.
• Wang Xuan admitted Xu Mingsheng of the Farmer's Heart Society had hired him to defeat Zhao Ziyue for one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone.
• Han Xin said she could not afford to offend the Farmer's Heart Society and advised Xu Changqing to ask Li Sancai for help through his connection to Li Lingbi.
• Xu Changqing raised Li Sancai's Communication Talisman, concluding that they still needed Senior Brother Li's help.

Xu Changqing and his allies traveled to Red Maple Valley Market to confront the Farmer's Heart Society over Xu Mingsheng's attempt to take over the Foundry Peak business. They waited for Lu Yuanyuan, whose unusual explanation for being away left Han Xin teasing her about having babies.

• Xu Changqing explained the dispute to Li Sancai, who agreed to help determine whether Xu Mingsheng was acting for himself or the Farmer's Heart Society.
• Li Sancai, Xu Changqing, Han Xin, and Wang Xuan set out for Red Maple Valley Market, while Zhao Ziyue rested and Hu Bugui stayed to manage Foundry Peak.
• Wang Xuan worried about being caught between Han Xin and Xu Mingsheng, but Li Sancai told him he had no choice but to face the consequences of his actions.
• At the Farmer's Heart Society trading point, Li Sancai asked Liu Shuang to contact Lu Yuanyuan, who said she would arrive in half an hour because she was growing Spiritual Roots.
• Han Xin teased that Lu Yuanyuan's 'growing' meant growing babies.

Xu Changqing and Li Sancai confronted Lu Yuanyuan about Xu Mingsheng using the Farmer's Heart Society's name to seize their stall business. Lu Yuanyuan promised to handle him, then privately beat him for harming her image in Li Lingbi's eyes.

• Lu Yuanyuan denied ordering anyone to take over Xu Changqing's stall at Foundry Peak.
• Xu Changqing claimed the stall earned thirty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones a day, and Lu Yuanyuan said she would personally resolve the matter.
• Lu Yuanyuan sent Liu Shuang to bring Xu Mingsheng to her.
• Xu Mingsheng knelt and admitted he had coveted another person's business and damaged the Farmer's Heart Society's reputation.
• After Li Sancai, Xu Changqing, and Wang Xuan left, Lu Yuanyuan stomped on Xu Mingsheng and scolded him for harming her image in Li Lingbi's eyes.

Xu Changqing and Li Sancai settled the dispute with Xu Mingsheng, who apologized and paid compensation. Xu Changqing shared the Spirit Stones with Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue, then told them that Li Sancai would receive twenty percent of their future earnings.

• Xu Mingsheng apologized to Xu Changqing and paid him fifty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones in compensation.
• Lu Yuanyuan and Li Sancai resolved the matter, then discussed the spirit plants Li Lingbi needed.
• Li Sancai let Wang Xuan leave, and Xu Changqing offered him twenty percent of Foundry Peak's future earnings in gratitude for his help.
• Xu Changqing returned home, confirmed Wangwang and the Pearl Chickens were safe, and summoned Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue.
• Xu Changqing divided the compensation among himself, Hu Bugui, and Zhao Ziyue, then explained that Li Sancai would receive twenty percent of future earnings.