Chapter Summaries

Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon entered a monster-filled gorge to build their cultivation, while the Scholar considered whether Chen Qiu could help him. The Scholar revealed that he was once Great Xia’s finest sword cultivator, now poisoned and near death, and still searching for someone who would recruit him with a Heavenly Dao Treasure Jade.

• The Scholar sent Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon into the gorge, warning them to watch for danger as he and his younger brother left.
• Chen Qiu prepared to fight demonic beasts with Huang Shikai's Wraith, and Fat Dragon stood beside him with Dragon Slayer.
• The Scholar's younger brother urged him to follow Chen Qiu, but the Scholar rejected the idea because Chen Qiu was too weak and lacked influence.
• The Scholar recalled his rise as Great Xia's finest sword cultivator and how three Late Golden Core Realm experts had crippled him and left him with Bone-Eroding Poison.
• The Scholar explained that he sought a faction willing to give him a Heavenly Dao Treasure Jade so he could cure the poison and protect his younger brother, but none had agreed.

Scholar concealed his desperate circumstances from his younger brother while Chen Qiu fought through a gorge full of Human-Faced Spiders and reached the Eighth Level of the Qi Refining Realm. Chen Qiu learned of a Heavenly Dao Retrospection Talisman that could let him reclaim a discarded trait, but Fat Dragon warned that it was costly and limited.

• Scholar reassured his anxious younger brother that he had a plan, while hiding his poverty, his weakened condition, and the danger of revealing his teleportation range.
• Chen Qiu released his Wraiths to provoke the Human-Faced Spiders, then fought them with his saber while using Huang Shikai as a shield.
• Chen Qiu killed the last Human-Faced Spider and advanced to the Eighth Level of the Qi Refining Realm, receiving a choice among three White Traits.
• Chen Qiu lamented that he could choose only one trait and asked Fat Dragon whether anything could restore the traits he discarded.
• Fat Dragon explained that the Heavenly Dao Retrospection Talisman could recover a recently discarded trait, but it was expensive and could select only one trait at a time.

After choosing the trait Every Blade of Grass and Every Tree, Chen Qiu gained Spirit Stones and found a way to replace his wraiths. He recruited Scholar and his brother with an offer of wages, then said they had one problem to address.

• Chen Qiu selected Every Blade of Grass and Every Tree, which produced three Lower-Grade Spirit Stones when he broke through.
• Fat Dragon explained the prices and uses of Heavenly Dao Retrospection Talismans, and Chen Qiu noted that a lower-grade talisman cost fifty Spirit Stones.
• Chen Qiu's Huang Shikai wraith vanished and was replaced by nearly thirty Human-Faced Spider wraiths.
• The bearded brawny man returned Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon to the Scholar, who offered to send them back to Heaven-Question Market.
• Chen Qiu offered the Scholar three thousand Spirit Stones upfront and five hundred a month, with wages rising by five hundred each year; the Scholar accepted on behalf of himself and his brother.
• The Scholar introduced himself as Scholar and his brother as Ren, and Chen Qiu welcomed them before mentioning a problem.

Chen Qiu persuaded Scholar to lend him 100 Spirit Stones so he could regain access to his bonded storage ring and build up his funds. A Challenge-type Heavenly Dao Secret Realm was then announced near Windward City, and Chen Qiu learned it would open in five days as factions gathered to compete for its rewards.

• Chen Qiu claimed he was a fallen young master and asked Scholar and Fat Dragon to lend him 100 Spirit Stones, promising to repay them with 3,000 within seven days.
• After doubting Chen Qiu’s story, Scholar agreed to lend him the Spirit Stones because he was desperate for a chance to escape his situation.
• A Heavenly Dao Blessing announced that a Challenge-type secret realm would appear beside the stream west of Windward City and open in five days.
• Chen Qiu told Scholar that he had heard a Heavenly Dao Trait was about to appear in the Huang Family, while Scholar explained that the secret realm could contain other valuable treasures and that Traits were inherited through bloodlines.
• Scholar concluded that Windward City’s recent blessings were unusual and predicted that factions would flock to the secret realm; Chen Qiu accepted the storage pouch and asked to return to Heaven-Question Market.

Chen Qiu bought two Lower-Grade Heavenly Dao Retrospection Talismans in Heaven-Question Market and left with Scholar and the others. On the way out, they saw Zhao Yishi, a giant cultivator heading toward the Heavenly Dao Secret Realm, prompting Chen Qiu to consider his own Pink Trait and future strength.

• Fat Dragon bargained for the talismans at the Zhao Clan Merchant Association, but Chen Qiu paid the shopkeeper’s price and bought two.
• An elderly fortune-teller warned Chen Qiu of a bloody calamity, but Chen Qiu continued toward the cliff without stopping.
• Chen Qiu and his companions saw Zhao Yishi, a towering cultivator carrying a massive saber, walking through the clouds toward Heaven-Question Market.
• Scholar explained that Zhao Yishi’s Pink Trait, “Sky-Piercing Giant,” increased his height whenever he killed a demonic beast, but required compatible traits to become useful in battle.
• Chen Qiu reflected on his own unique Pink Trait and its compatible White Trait, then departed with Scholar and the others on Azure Edge.

Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon fought through a canyon full of Human-Faced Spiders, rapidly advancing their cultivation as Chen Qiu repeatedly gained traits. Chen Qiu reached the Eleventh Level of the Qi Refining Realm and prepared to continue toward Qi Refining Great Perfection before Foundation Establishment.

• Chen Qiu used two Heavenly Dao Retrospection Talismans to regain the traits "Start Over" and "Never Lose Heart," then led his Human-Faced Spider Wraiths into battle while Fat Dragon lured monsters.
• The Scholar told the bearded burly man that Chen Qiu likely had a private opportunity and said they would work for him as long as he paid.
• Chen Qiu broke through to the Ninth Level of the Qi Refining Realm and chose the White Trait "Woodcutter's Sacred Physique."
• Fat Dragon reached the Seventh Level of the Qi Refining Realm, and Chen Qiu broke through to the Tenth Level and chose "Alchemy Aptitude."
• Chen Qiu continued fighting despite his exhaustion, broke through to the Eleventh Level of the Qi Refining Realm, and chose the White Trait "Flawless Body."

Chen Qiu deliberately failed Foundation Establishment to exploit his trait and rapidly gain cultivation and Spirit Stones by killing the remaining Human-Faced Spiders. He and Fat Dragon left the canyon with a growing pile of Spirit Stones, while Fat Dragon feared others would discover Chen Qiu’s method.

• As Chen Qiu killed Human-Faced Spiders, he reached the Eleventh Level of the Qi Refining Realm and deliberately attempted Foundation Establishment despite lacking enough spiritual energy.
• Chen Qiu’s Foundation Establishment failed, dropping his cultivation to the First Level of the Qi Refining Realm and leaving him coughing up blood.
• Chen Qiu killed an injured Human-Faced Spider, and his trait increased his cultivation to the Seventh Level while producing eighteen Spirit Stones.
• Chen Qiu explained that Fat Dragon had been his benefactor, then promised to protect him from the Flower-Offering Sect.
• Chen Qiu repeatedly failed Foundation Establishment and killed more spiders, cycling back to Qi Refining Great Perfection and accumulating Spirit Stones.
• Fat Dragon gathered the Spirit Stones and worried that the two brothers might discover Chen Qiu’s ability to produce them.

Chen Qiu survived his nine hundred and ninety-nine failed Foundation Establishment attempts and received a Heavenly Dao Foundation, successfully entering the Foundation Establishment Realm. He and Fat Dragon left the canyon with nearly thirty thousand Spirit Stones, while Scholar suspected Chen Qiu was connected to the Heavenly Dao Edict.

• Fat Dragon grew anxious while packing the enormous hoard of Spirit Stones as Chen Qiu continued fighting Human-Faced Spiders and attempting Foundation Establishment.
• The Heavenly Dao announced across Great Xia Kingdom that Chen Qiu had failed Foundation Establishment nine hundred and ninety-nine times and bestowed a Heavenly Dao Foundation upon him.
• Chen Qiu absorbed the surrounding spiritual energy and formed a jade-like Dao Foundation 110 li wide, reaching the First Level of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
• Fat Dragon handed Chen Qiu seven or eight storage pouches containing more than twenty thousand Spirit Stones, and Chen Qiu calculated that they held 29,970.
• Chen Qiu activated a low-grade talisman to signal the others, then returned with Fat Dragon to the canyon's edge.
• Scholar questioned Chen Qiu about the Heavenly Dao Edict and the depleted spiritual energy around the canyon.

After repeatedly failing and finally reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, Chen Qiu returned to Heaven-Question Market, chose a trait, and rested before setting out to spend his enormous supply of Spirit Stones. The sky cleared overnight, and he began his spending spree with Fat Dragon beside him.

• Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon returned to Heaven-Question Market after Scholar told them two days had passed and the secret realm near Windward City would open in less than three days.
• Chen Qiu learned that Foundation Establishment did not remove his need for food or sleep, then rented an inn room and examined his new traits.
• Chen Qiu rejected Nine Yin Power and Late-Blooming Greatness and chose Focus Power, which strengthened the Lightning-Channeling Art.
• Chen Qiu hid his storage pouches full of Spirit Stones beneath his pillow, slept with his hand on his saber, and woke to find the black clouds gone.
• Chen Qiu took Fat Dragon to shop in Heaven-Question Market’s Area 7 Trading District, carrying the 29,970 Spirit Stones he had gained from his failed breakthroughs.

Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon shopped for clothes and communication gear before discovering that Heaven-Question Market’s auction would offer a Self-Severing Root. Chen Qiu tried to persuade Fat Dragon to buy it, and Fat Dragon left the decision open.

• Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon bought Dust-Repelling clothes and continued to the Zhao Clan Merchant Association shop.
• Chen Qiu chose a Voice-Transmission Ring costing one thousand Spirit Stones and asked to see other useful items.
• The shopkeeper gave Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon invitations and an auction list for Heaven-Question Market’s annual auction.
• Chen Qiu spotted the Self-Severing Root entry, which could grant random entries by severing one’s root.
• Fat Dragon asked Chen Qiu to discuss the matter privately, and Chen Qiu urged him to consider buying the item.

Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon stocked up on talismans and supplies in Heaven-Question Market before leaving Scholar and his brother with money, clothes, and Voice-Transmission Rings. Scholar reflected on Chen Qiu’s generosity and decided to travel to Heavenly Dao Pavilion to seek Heavenly Dao Treasure Jade.

• Fat Dragon refused Chen Qiu’s offer of the Self-Severing Root trait, and Chen Qiu considered bidding on it himself.
• Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon spent 3,617 Spirit Stones on talismans, storage rings, and other supplies.
• Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon gave Scholar and his brother Voice-Transmission Rings, clothes, and Spirit Stones before returning to Heaven-Question Market.
• Scholar returned 400 Spirit Stones from his payment, accepting 100 Spirit Stones per month instead of 500.
• Scholar decided to travel several thousand li to Heavenly Dao Pavilion and sent a streak of cyan light toward the eastern clouds.

Chen Qiu helped Fat Dragon break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, then considered how to improve his slow cultivation and prepared for the auction. Fat Dragon’s new traits left him facing a choice between two near-term deaths and a pregnancy trait, while Chen Qiu tried to reassure him.

• Chen Qiu bought batches of wounded demonic beasts so Fat Dragon could break through, while he replenished the spiritual energy in his own dantian with Spirit Stones.
• Chen Qiu found the Seven Lamps Descend cultivation art, the Lightning-Channeling Art, and two Middle Class Heavenly Dao Retrospection Talismans on the auction list and decided he wanted them.
• Fat Dragon returned after reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm and told Chen Qiu that his three new traits were Yama's Personal Edict, Early Greatness, and Never Misses.
• Fat Dragon despaired because Yama's Personal Edict would kill him in a year, Early Greatness would kill him when he turned twenty-five in thirty days, and Never Misses caused any opposite-sex member of his species who shared a room with him to become pregnant.
• Chen Qiu tried to comfort Fat Dragon by suggesting that a future Pink Trait might reward him for having more children.

Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon attended the annual Heaven-Question Market auction, where Chen Qiu reflected on how cultivation let him survive with dignity. They settled into Heavenly Room No. 7 as the auction hall filled with people, including Foundation Establishment experts searching for targets to rob.

• Fat Dragon suggested using his White Trait to get women across Great Xia pregnant, and Chen Qiu told him to stop pursuing the idea and attend the auction.
• Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon wandered through Area 7 before entering Heaven-Question Pavilion with their invitation letter.
• The Zhao Clan Merchant Association shopkeeper arranged Heavenly Room No. 7 for Chen Qiu and led him and Fat Dragon there.
• Chen Qiu ignored the maidservants and pipa music, reflecting that cultivation meant surviving with dignity.
• The auction hall filled with attendees chatting, seeking treasures, or watching the excitement, while Foundation Establishment experts searched for promising robbery targets.

At Heaven-Question Market’s auction, Chen Qiu bid on the Green Trait “Self-Severing Root,” but Wang Tiedan was persuaded by his attendant Liu Zide to buy it for a scheme to charge spectators to watch him use it. Chen Qiu stopped bidding at 1,500 Spirit Stones, leaving Wang Tiedan with the trait and a risky plan to make a fortune.

• An auctioneer presented several items, and Chen Qiu became interested when the Green Trait “Self-Severing Root” went up for bid.
• Chen Qiu bid 500 Spirit Stones on the trait, while Wang Tiedan hesitated despite Liu Zide’s urging him to bid.
• Liu Zide proposed staging a public self-mutilation spectacle and charging cultivators to watch, claiming it could bring in thousands of Spirit Stones.
• Wang Tiedan bid 1,000 Spirit Stones, then raised his offer to 1,500 after Chen Qiu countered at 1,200.
• Chen Qiu decided the price was too high and stopped bidding, leaving Wang Tiedan as the highest bidder.

Chen Qiu watched the auction as a Heavenly Dao Trait sparked fierce bidding and prompted a discussion about Foundation Loans and the burdens of government service. Heaven Room Six won the trait for 1,700 Spirit Stones, and a middle-aged man celebrated with his wife, hoping it would strengthen the Zhang Clan.

• The eighth auction item, a hereditary Heavenly Dao Trait, sent bids soaring as factions competed for it.
• A man explained that Foundation Loans barred borrowers from entering secret realms until repayment, then described how his government job and loan had brought financial and family pressures.
• Bidders discussed the value and risks of Heavenly Dao Traits, which could benefit a lineage or burden it with a harmful trait.
• Heaven Room Six won the Heavenly Dao Trait for 1,700 Spirit Stones.
• A middle-aged man told his wife that their third trait might help their children and raise the Zhang Clan's standing.

A young heir learned that his father planned to make an unborn son the lineage head because the child would inherit Heavenly Dao Traits, and he resolved to expose the truth in the Windward City Secret Realm. At the auction, Chen Qiu bought two Retrospection Talismans, the Lightning-Channeling Art, and Seven Lamps Descend for 5,400 Spirit Stones.

• The middle-aged man refused his son’s request to become young master, insisting that the lineage’s inheritance must pass to a child with Heavenly Dao Traits.
• The young man accepted his father’s decision outwardly and planned to reveal the truth in the Windward City Secret Realm two days later.
• Chen Qiu won two Mid-Grade Heavenly Dao Retrospection Talismans for 1,800 Spirit Stones.
• Chen Qiu bought the Lightning-Channeling Art for 600 Spirit Stones and Seven Lamps Descend for 3,000 Spirit Stones.
• An attendant delivered Chen Qiu’s auction purchases, and Chen Qiu calculated that he had spent 5,400 Spirit Stones in total.

After spending heavily at the auction, Chen Qiu kept two maidservants from being expelled and returned to an inn with Fat Dragon. He changed to the top-grade cultivation method Seven Lamps Descend and mastered Lightning-Channeling Art to Major Accomplishment by dawn.

• Chen Qiu approved the two maidservants, allowing them to remain at Heaven-Question Pavilion.
• Chen Qiu and Fat Dragon left the auction house through a private passage and rented rooms at an inn.
• Chen Qiu replaced his cultivation method with Seven Lamps Descend and found that it accelerated his spiritual energy absorption.
• Chen Qiu practiced Lightning-Channeling Art through the night and reached Major Accomplishment by dawn.

Chen Qiu tested his Lightning-Channeling Art before a Heavenly Treasure Vault appeared nearby. Scholar explained how the vault worked and began pointing out its bargains as Chen Qiu hurried to inspect them.

• Chen Qiu cast the Lightning-Channeling Art three times, leaving shallow pits and using up most of his spiritual energy.
• Scholar warned Chen Qiu that spells consumed too much energy for opening a fight and recommended using spirit weapons before casting a decisive spell.
• A scarlet pillar bearing the words “Heavenly Treasure Vault” rose from the ground, and Scholar identified it as a brief, random cultivation-world opportunity.
• Chen Qiu approached the vault and found six treasures protected by a film that could not be forcibly breached.
• Scholar explained that the vault offered ten Qi-Absorbing Talismans for ten Spirit Stones and a Spirit Beast Ring for fifty Spirit Stones.

Chen Qiu bought treasures from the Heavenly Treasure Vault before a demonic cultivator threatened the group. He killed the attacker with a trait-powered strike and realized he could wield Golden Core-level power, confirming the path he wanted to follow.

• Chen Qiu bought a Spirit Beast Ring and a Mid-Grade Foundation Establishment Spirit-Absorbing Talisman from the scarlet pillar.
• A red-robed demonic cultivator arrived, revealed that the third treasure was an Enlightenment Stone, and threatened to turn Chen Qiu and his companions into banner souls.
• Scholar warned that the Seventh Level Foundation Establishment cultivator was too strong for them and prepared to flee, but Chen Qiu stopped him.
• Chen Qiu self-destructed his white Flawless Body trait and unleashed a lightning strike that killed the demonic cultivator instantly.
• Chen Qiu realized the trait had briefly granted him Golden Core-level power, while Fat Dragon and Scholar reacted with shock.

Chen Qiu bought treasures from the Heavenly Treasure Vault, then spent the day hunting demonic beasts around Windward City to expand his Dao Foundation. After killing 9,890 beasts, his Dao Foundation reached ten thousand li wide, leaving him confident he could overwhelm opponents with waves of spells.

• Chen Qiu collected an Enlightenment Stone, a Random Teleportation Talisman, Spirit-Replenishing Pills, and Demon-Attracting Incense from the Heavenly Treasure Vault.
• Scholar explained that cultivators had gathered in Windward City for the Heaven-Question Market auction and the approaching Heavenly Dao Secret Realm opening.
• Scholar led Chen Qiu and the others to hunt demonic beasts, but exhausted his spiritual energy and could no longer recover it with pills.
• Chen Qiu used a Spirit-Absorbing Talisman and Spirit Stones to help Scholar continue scouting while he killed the lured beasts.
• Chen Qiu and his companions killed 9,890 demonic beasts, expanding Chen Qiu’s Dao Foundation to ten thousand li wide.
• Chen Qiu imagined using thousands of defensive spells followed by thousands of offensive spells as his opening move against future opponents.