Chapter Summaries

After settling the Foundry Peak dispute, Xu Changqing brought wine to visit Han Xin in the Earth Vein. He reached the thirty-eighth level and found Han Xin and several others watching the depths as thunder began to rumble.

• Xu Changqing reassured Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue that they were brothers, and Zhao Ziyue summoned spirit rain before leaving.
• Xu Changqing invited Han Xin to try his New-Batch Yellow Rice Wine, and she told him to bring it to her.
• Xu Changqing packed five jin of Yellow Rice Wine and twenty jin of Supreme-Grade Spirit Rice Wine, then rode Big-Leaf Grass to the Earth Vein.
• Shan Fei let Xu Changqing pass after learning he had arranged to meet Han Xin, and Xu Changqing descended to the thirty-eighth level.
• Xu Changqing found Han Xin with three men and one woman as the Earth Vein began to hum and thunder rolled from the depths.

Xu Changqing witnessed the Yellow Qi eruption on the thirty-eighth level of the Earth Vein and absorbed the spiritual energy released when it collided with a spirit stone vein. He broke through from Foundation Establishment Early Stage to Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

• Han Xin told Xu Changqing that the Earth-Spouting Lotus signaled an imminent Earth Qi eruption, and the group waited for it to begin.
• A mass of Yellow Qi emerged and crushed rocks, metals, and a spirit stone vein as the array masters rushed to absorb it.
• Xu Changqing watched Han Xin and the other Earth Spirit Root disciples hold back while the array masters approached the Yellow Qi.
• The crushed spirit stone vein erupted with non-attribute spiritual energy, and Xu Changqing used his max-level [Green Lotus Creation Art] and Yellow Rice Wine to absorb it.
• Xu Changqing's Wood Spiritual Power rose to nine drops, which merged into a pool and advanced him to Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Xu Changqing absorbed attribute-less spiritual qi in the Earth Vein until his Wood and Fire Spiritual Powers both reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. After Yang Zhenyue allowed him to remain until his breakthrough, Xu Changqing revealed his new realm and left the increasingly dangerous Earth Vein.

• Xu Changqing continued absorbing attribute-less spiritual qi to strengthen his Fire Spiritual Power, but Yang Zhenyue arrived and ordered everyone without Earth Spirit Roots to leave.
• Han Xin told Yang Zhenyue that Xu Changqing was about to break through, and Yang Zhenyue allowed him to stay until it was over.
• Xu Changqing formed a pool of Fire Spiritual Power, reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, and released his Foundation Establishment aura.
• Xu Changqing thanked Yang Zhenyue and Han Xin, gave Han Xin wine, and left the Earth Vein.
• Yang Zhenyue used a blue-black stone to slow the Yellow Qi and strengthen Earth Spirit Roots within its force field.

After breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, Xu Changqing notified Han Su about the Yellow Qi eruption and went to claim the additional Grade-Two Spirit Fields owed to him for reaching Foundation Establishment. The Earth Spirit Root disciples began reclaiming land beside his existing field, leaving him poised to expand his farm closer to Stone Mountain.

• Xu Changqing contacted Han Su and told him that Yellow Qi had erupted on the Earth Vein's thirty-eighth level, then hurried to the Spirit Field Core Administration Office.
• Xu Changqing told Flower Elder about his breakthrough and received his monthly Foundation Establishment rewards and permission to claim a second mu of Grade-Two Spirit Fields.
• Xu Changqing chose a site beside his first mu, and Flower Elder sent Earth Spirit Root disciples to reclaim it.
• Wu Guangman introduced himself as the reclamation team's leader and explained the work and its costs to Xu Changqing.
• Xu Changqing gave the team supreme grade black-skinned watermelons and directed them to place the new field slightly left of his hut, nearer to Stone Mountain.

Xu Changqing finished preparing his second Spirit Field and celebrated with a tomato feast while Wangwang and the Pearl Chicken recovered from absorbing spiritual energy. The next morning, his Verdant Touch Finger triggered a mutation in his Green Gourd, producing valuable jade-colored Mini Gourds that could be refined into storage tools.

• Xu Changqing and Wu Guangman’s team infused the newly cleared second acre with Earth Qi, leaving its soil at the initial stage of Black Soil.
• Xu Changqing ate a tomato-based dinner and left food for Wangwang and the Pearl Chicken, who remained asleep while recovering.
• The next morning, Xu Changqing resumed his daily Spirit Field work and began cultivating his rare spirit plants with Verdant Touch Finger.
• Xu Changqing touched the Green Gourd and triggered its mutation, causing its gourds to shrink and turn emerald-colored.
• The Green Gourd produced more than twenty Mini Gourds, each of which could sell for 300 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones after being refined into a storage tool.

Xu Changqing harvested forty-two Mutated Green Gourds, then inspected his newly reclaimed second Grade-Two Spirit Field and planned how to use it. After reaching Foundation Establishment, he began contacting people he knew to share the news.

• Xu Changqing ripened and harvested forty-two Mutated Green Gourds, gaining a large amount of lifespan while leaving the vine intact for future harvests.
• Xu Changqing finished tending the remaining Spirit Plants, and Wu Guangman and the other Earth Spirit Roots completed infusing the second Grade-Two Spirit Field with Earth Qi.
• Wu Guangman gave Xu Changqing his Communication Talisman before leaving, and Xu Changqing inspected the newly reclaimed field.
• Xu Changqing decided the second field would let him separate crops and move Mutated Spirit Plants out of Stone Mountain, improving their growing conditions.
• Xu Changqing contacted Li Sancai and announced that he had reached Foundation Establishment.

After announcing his Foundation Establishment, Xu Changqing hosted a celebration and welcomed several cultivation friends bearing gifts. As more guests arrived, three unexpected people appeared together, leaving Xu Changqing and the others stunned.

• Xu Changqing prepared a feast with his finest food and invited his cultivation friends to celebrate his breakthrough.
• Hu Bugui arrived first with Spirit Beast meat and asked what Xu Changqing planned to grow in his second Spirit Field.
• Zhang Su arrived with a Sunward Flower as a gift and stayed when he learned Li Sancai would come.
• Zhao Ziyue brought topmouth culters, and Zhang Su recommended steaming them.
• Li Sancai arrived with a Spirit Light Mirror that let its owner check daily spirit-plant prices across the Immortal Sect.
• A Flying Paper Crane carrying three people approached, stunning Xu Changqing, Hu Bugui, and Zhao Ziyue.

Bai Zhuer, Bai Ling'er, and Zhang Xue visited Xu Changqing after learning he had reached Foundation Establishment, bringing him Foundation Pills. As dinner approached, Hu Bugui and Zhao Ziyue prepared grilled meat, and the guests eagerly anticipated Xu Changqing’s cooking.

• Bai Zhuer, Bai Ling'er, and Zhang Xue arrived at Xu Changqing’s home, and Bai Zhuer gave him three bottles of Foundation Pills.
• Xu Changqing welcomed the visitors and served them spiritual fruit while he went to make dinner.
• Hu Bugui offered to grill meat, and Zhao Ziyue joined him to prepare it for the group.
• Zhang Xue approached the animals, causing Wangwang to flee before she grabbed and kneaded the Pearl Chicken.
• Zhao Ziyue brought out grilled meat, and Li Sancai, Zhang Su, and the Bai sisters praised its flavor and looked forward to Xu Changqing’s cooking.
• As dusk fell, Xu Changqing announced that dinner was ready.

Xu Changqing hosted his fellow disciples and friends for a lavish dinner, then spent the night alone beneath the moon after they left. The next morning, he resumed tending his spirit fields before Li Sancai called him to harvest a mature Rainbow Orchid.

• Xu Changqing served his guests a large homemade meal, and everyone praised the dishes as they ate and drank into the night.
• The guests said goodbye and left, while Zhang Xue departed last without managing to say what she wanted to Xu Changqing.
• After cleaning up, Xu Changqing took wine to the roof and watched the moon and stars, while Wangwang and the Pearl Chicken suffered from Zhang Xue's earlier handling of them.
• The next morning, Xu Changqing transplanted the withered Mutated Green Gourd Vine around the edge of his second Grade-Two Spirit Field and planned to prepare the soil before planting.
• Li Sancai contacted Xu Changqing to say his Rainbow Orchid had matured and asked him to come harvest it.

Xu Changqing harvested Li Sancai’s mature Rainbow Orchids and learned that Li planned to grow more Mutated Metal Spirit Rice to support Li Lingbi’s cultivation. After Senior Brother Zhang invited Xu to visit the Alchemy Pavilion, Xu tried to get lunch from Zhang, but Zhang told him he was not home.

• Xu Changqing arrived at Li Sancai’s Spirit Fields and learned Li planned to focus more on Mutated Metal Spirit Rice for Li Lingbi’s chance of forming an Earth-Grade Golden Core.
• Xu Changqing harvested 1,114 High-Quality Rainbow Orchids and noticed Li Sancai was close to advancing to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
• Zhang Su contacted Xu Changqing and invited him to come over that afternoon so they could visit the Alchemy Pavilion.
• After Li Sancai made an excuse to leave before lunch, Xu Changqing flew to Zhang Su’s Spirit Fields hoping to get a meal there.
• Xu Changqing called Zhang Su from the gate, and Zhang replied that he was not home at noon.

Xu Changqing failed to reach Zhang Su and met his former fellow disciple Zhao Ying, who invited him to catch up. Before leaving, Xu Changqing spotted a problem in Zhao Ying's spirit rice, and Zhao Ying and Zhao Ziyao discovered a dangerous infestation after he warned them.

• After Zhang Su ended their communication, Xu Changqing recognized Zhao Ying, who asked about Lin An and heard how Lin An had been taken away by the Punishment Department.
• Zhao Ying invited Xu Changqing to his home, where he explained that he and the other tenant farmers had changed their spirit field locations after Zhang Er disappeared.
• Zhao Ziyao arrived and recognized Xu Changqing as a senior brother, making the conversation awkward as he reflected on Xu Changqing's Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation.
• As Xu Changqing departed, he urged Zhao Ying to inspect his spirit rice, then flew away on Big-Leaf Grass.
• Zhao Ying and Zhao Ziyao found brown insects crawling among the spirit rice roots, and Zhao Ying bowed in thanks toward Xu Changqing.

Xu Changqing accompanied Zhang Su to the Alchemy Pavilion to meet the alchemist Chu Xiu and buy pills. After Chu Xiu quoted him five Low-Grade Spirit Stones per Stamina Pill, Xu Changqing realized the price was higher than the market rate.

• Zhang Su took Xu Changqing to the Alchemy Pavilion on his Camouflaged Wooden Butterfly and explained the pavilion's alchemist ranks and Earthfire Zone.
• Zhang Su introduced Xu Changqing to Chu Xiu, a Junior Alchemist, at Chu Xiu's cluttered cottage.
• Chu Xiu brought out Premium Grade Stamina Pills and Foundation Pills that he had recently refined.
• Zhang Su agreed to buy Foundation Pills for forty-five Low-Grade Spirit Stones each, while Chu Xiu quoted Xu Changqing five Low-Grade Spirit Stones per Stamina Pill.
• Xu Changqing recognized that Chu Xiu's Stamina Pills cost more than comparable pills at the Rogue Cultivator Market.

Xu Changqing and Zhang Su asked Chu Xiu to introduce Xu to alchemists, and Chu Xiu brought them to Alchemy Heart Tower. There, Xu unexpectedly met Bai Zhuer, who revealed she had been craving his body.

• Chu Xiu learned Xu Changqing had already reached Foundation Establishment and agreed to introduce him to alchemists after Zhang Su asked for help.
• Chu Xiu led Zhang Su and Xu Changqing to Alchemy Heart Tower, where apprentices and junior alchemists gathered to discuss alchemy.
• Chu Xiu introduced the two Spirit Farmers to three alchemists on the second floor, including Bai Zhuer.
• Bai Zhuer recognized Xu Changqing, and Xu was astonished to meet Bai Ling'er's older sister.
• Bai Zhuer playfully said she had always been craving Xu Changqing's body.

Xu Changqing and Zhang Su failed to find a Spirit Farmer partnership with the alchemists, but Bai Zhuer offered to introduce Xu Changqing to Yu Caiqing, an Advanced Alchemist seeking a partner. As they walked to the Alchemy Tower, Bai Zhuer asked Xu Changqing what he thought of her younger sister.

• Bai Zhuer revealed that she and Xu Changqing were friends, and the group introduced themselves and their alchemy abilities.
• Zhang Su explained that he and Xu Changqing were looking for partners, but Zhang Qin looked down on Spirit Farmers, Chang Zizai declined, and Bai Zhuer said she already had a partner.
• Xu Changqing tried to smooth over the failed meeting, and Bai Zhuer offered to introduce him to her senior sister Yu Caiqing, a genius Advanced Alchemist seeking a partner.
• Bai Zhuer led Xu Changqing toward the Alchemy Tower and teased him about missing the chance to cooperate with her earlier.
• Bai Zhuer asked Xu Changqing what he thought of her younger sister.

Bai Zhuer brought Xu Changqing to meet Yu Caiqing, an Advanced Alchemist seeking a spirit farmer to cooperate with. Yu Caiqing agreed to give Xu Changqing a chance: he had to grow one thousand Supreme-Grade Moonlight Grass plants within a month.

• Bai Zhuer told Xu Changqing that her younger sister had been clamoring to see him since tasting his cooking.
• Bai Zhuer escorted Xu Changqing into the Alchemy Tower and explained its underground floors and her senior sister Yu Caiqing’s accomplishments.
• Bai Zhuer contacted Yu Caiqing at an Earthfire Alchemy Room and introduced Xu Changqing as a potential spirit farmer.
• Xu Changqing told Yu Caiqing that he cultivated supreme-grade spirit plants, catching her interest.
• Yu Caiqing gave Xu Changqing a handful of Moonlight Grass seeds and required him to deliver one thousand Supreme-Grade Moonlight Grass plants in one month.

Xu Changqing left with Moonlight Grass seeds after Yu Caiqing gave him a test for the chance to cooperate, then visited Zhu Tong to have his Jade-Green Mini Gourd refined into a storage artifact. Zhu Tong accepted his payment and promised to add an extra Spirit Rune, leaving Xu Changqing waiting at least seven days for the finished gourd.

• Xu Changqing left the Alchemy Tower with Moonlight Grass seeds while Bai Zhuer stayed behind to learn from Yu Caiqing, who had refused Xu Changqing permission to watch.
• Xu Changqing learned from Chu Xiu that Zhang had already left and told him Yu Caiqing would consider long-term cooperation if he passed her test.
• Xu Changqing passed Foundry Peak, decided to refine his Jade-Green Mini Gourd into a storage artifact, and contacted Zhu Tong.
• Zhu Tong examined the gourd, quoted a fee of eighty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and a seven-day wait, and Xu Changqing paid her.
• Zhu Tong promised to add an extra Spirit Rune to the gourd and assured Xu Changqing she would take care of the refining.

Xu Changqing prepared his two Grade-Two Spirit Fields for a new planting cycle and learned that the Formal Disciple Grand Competition was expected to be fiercely competitive. Zhao Ziyue left to discuss fishing at Black Dragon Pool with Hu Bugui, while Xu Changqing stayed behind to tend his fields.

• Xu Changqing burned straw in both Grade-Two Spirit Fields, spread the ashes and Spirit Beast Manure over the soil, and finished preparing the fields after three shichen.
• Zhao Ziyue arrived late after fishing and told Xu Changqing that the Fish Demon had not appeared at Black Dragon Pool for a long time.
• Xu Changqing declined Zhao Ziyue's invitation to fish, citing his new fields and his partnership with an Advanced Alchemist from the Alchemy Pavilion.
• Xu Changqing asked Zhao Ziyue to give the newer field extra spirit rain, and Zhao Ziyue agreed before leaving to meet Hu Bugui.
• Zhao Ziyue planned to discuss returning to Black Dragon Pool with Hu Bugui, while Xu Changqing privately hoped they would spend their time fishing instead of disturbing him.

Xu Changqing planted rice, vegetables, and Moonlight Grass in his Grade-Two Spirit Fields, using his Companion Green Lotus to accelerate the grass's growth and gather moonlight. The next morning, Bai Ling'er contacted him and came to visit, accompanied by a familiar person.

• Xu Changqing planted rice seedlings, vegetable seeds, and Four-Leaf Clover in the first Grade-Two Spirit Field.
• Xu Changqing planted Moonlight Grass in the second Grade-Two Spirit Field and used his Companion Green Lotus to make the seeds sprout quickly while gathering moonlight.
• Xu Changqing stopped cultivating when his Wood Spiritual Power was nearly exhausted and went to sleep.
• Bai Ling'er told Xu Changqing that Bai Zhuer had allowed her to visit and offered to summon rain, but Xu Changqing said Zhao Ziyue was already helping with rain.
• Bai Ling'er said she would come play, so Xu Changqing cleaned up, gathered eggs, and prepared a lavish breakfast.
• Bai Ling'er arrived on a Flying Paper Crane with another familiar person.

Bai Ling'er and Zhang Xue visited Xu Changqing and shared his delicious breakfast, then offered to cast Minor Cloud-Rain Art over his Spirit Fields. Their friendly help turned into a contest that flooded the fields, leaving Xu Changqing shouting for them to stop before his spiritual plants drowned.

• Bai Ling'er arrived with Zhang Xue, and Xu Changqing invited them to breakfast after explaining he had been tending Moonlight Grass at night.
• Bai Ling'er and Zhang Xue devoured Xu Changqing's egg fried rice and cabbage soup, and Zhang Xue praised his cooking and explained the spirit chef profession.
• Feeling guilty for finishing his food, Zhang Xue offered to cast Minor Cloud-Rain Art over Xu Changqing's Spirit Fields, and Bai Ling'er joined her.
• Bai Ling'er and Zhang Xue divided the fields and began competing to see whose Minor Cloud-Rain Art was stronger.
• As both girls intensified their spells, water accumulated across the fields, and Xu Changqing rushed over and shouted for them to stop before his spiritual plants drowned.

After Zhang Xue and Bai Ling'er accidentally overwatered Xu Changqing's fields, they apologized and left, and Xu harvested the doubled crop of Mutated Child Rice. He discovered the Mutated Mother Rice's yield-doubling domain and began cultivating his two fields by day and night, ending as the Companion Green Lotus spread its domain across the Moonlight Grass.

• Zhang Xue and Bai Ling'er stopped their Minor Cloud-Rain Art, apologized to Xu Changqing, and returned to the Water-Control Pavilion after making up.
• Xu Changqing harvested the mature Mutated Child Rice in Stone Mountain and gained lifespan from the crop.
• Xu Changqing inspected the Mutated Mother Rice and learned that its domain doubled the yield of Spirit Rice.
• Xu Changqing tended the Mutated Mother Rice, replaced the Breath-Hiding Formation's depleted Low-Grade Spirit Stone, and returned to check the fields.
• Xu Changqing began cultivating one mu of Spirit Field by day and the other by night, then used the Companion Green Lotus on the Moonlight Grass after moonrise.