Recaps

Jiang Lu cautioned Gu Miao that the unusual Beast Tide called for vigilance, while Chi Li and Cangchen secretly ventured into the forest to investigate its source. They found a red Spirit Pearl steeped in Demonic Qi that seemed to be drawing the beasts into submission, and began a plan to take it.

• Jiang Lu followed the stronger team to camp and told Gu Miao they should stay alert because the Beast Tide was behaving unusually.
• Chi Li and Cangchen slipped past the first line of defense after sensing an unusual aura in the forest.
• The pair found many beasts kneeling toward a red Spirit Pearl surrounded by Demonic Qi.
• Chi Li and Cangchen suspected a corrupted high-level beast was using the Spirit Pearl to lure and oppress the beasts.
• Cangchen sent a white ball of water toward the Spirit Pearl as the pair began their plan to seize it.

Cangchen and Chi Li purified the Water Spirit Pearl and escaped as the Demonic Qi spread through the forest, triggering a beast tide. They returned to Jiang Lu and told her what they had discovered, while cultivators awaited help and an unknown newcomer suggested investigating the riot.

• Cangchen and Chi Li used Chi Li’s Nirvana Flame and Cangchen’s water sphere to remove the Demonic Qi from the Water Spirit Pearl, then hid it and fled.
• The demonized beast deep in the forest realized the Spirit Pearl had disappeared, while Demonic Qi spread into the beasts and sent them into a frenzy.
• Roaring beasts alarmed the cultivators near West River City, and Jiang Lu worried about Cangchen and Chi Li as they waited for reinforcements.
• Cangchen and Chi Li returned to Jiang Lu’s pouch and told her about the Spirit Pearl, the Demonic Qi, and the powerful beast in the forest.
• Jiang Lu recognized that the crisis was beyond her ability to address and kept the discovery from the other cultivators.
• A gentle voice from a spirit boat asked Third Senior Brother whether they should investigate the Magic Beast riot.

Liu Qingqing joined the Flowing Cloud Sect disciples responding to a plea for help from West River City, where an abnormal second Beast Tide was expected that day. As the beasts approached, Jiang Lu hid Cangchen and Chi Li from Liu Qingqing, who sensed she might have missed something but dismissed the feeling.

• Liu Qingqing persuaded Third Senior Brother to head to West River City after the disciples received Chi Yan's plea for help.
• Xi Siyu questioned Chi Yan and learned that a second Beast Tide, apparently driven by an outside influence, would arrive that day.
• The Flowing Cloud Sect disciples organized with local cultivators to defend the city, and Jiang Lu ended up in Liu Qingqing's group.
• Jiang Lu hid Cangchen and Chi Li in her space before the beasts arrived, and Liu Qingqing briefly sensed something was amiss but looked elsewhere.
• Roars and an oppressive force signaled the beasts' approach, and everyone prepared for battle.

Jiang Lu and the others fought a pack of Demonic Qi-tainted beasts, which Liu Qingqing identified and destroyed with a powerful treasure. After resting, Liu Qingqing sensed something she urgently wanted deep in the forest and ran toward it, with Jiang Lu following.

• Jiang Lu and the cultivators prepared a defensive formation as a pack of enraged demonic beasts charged them.
• The group fought the beasts with spells and weapons, then subdued the first-rank beasts with difficulty.
• Liu Qingqing identified Demonic Qi on the beasts and used a golden steel ring's flames to destroy their corpses.
• The cultivators praised Liu Qingqing, then rested and recovered their spiritual power.
• Liu Qingqing felt a strong summons from deeper in the forest and ran toward it, followed by Jiang Lu.

Jiang Lu secretly followed Liu Qingqing and her companions to a giant tree, where Liu Qingqing obtained a Spirit Pearl tainted with Demonic Qi and awakened a dangerous plant. While the group fled the vines and Third Senior Brother came to their rescue, Jiang Lu found a green seed in the tree hollow and stored it in her space.

• Jiang Lu followed Liu Qingqing and her companions into the forest and watched them investigate a giant tree.
• Liu Qingqing used an offensive bracelet artifact to strike the tree, which released a Spirit Pearl tainted with Demonic Qi.
• Liu Qingqing put the Spirit Pearl into her storage pouch, and black-qi vines surrounded the group.
• One disciple burned a hole through the vines, and the group fled as the Tier-Two Spirit Plant pursued them.
• Jiang Lu entered the tree hollow and found a patterned green seed, which she stored in her space.
• Third Senior Brother arrived and cut through the vines, rescuing the injured disciples.

Jiang Lu collected valuable Ghost Vine after watching Xi Siyu rescue Liu Qingqing and the other disciples, then returned to find the expedition had little left to offer. The chapter ended with Elder Ye visiting the Medicine King Pavilion in West River City.

• Xi Siyu reunited with Liu Qingqing and reprimanded her for leaving the group, while the Flowing Cloud Sect disciples recovered from their injuries.
• After the disciples left, Jiang Lu emerged, gathered the Ghost Vine, and wondered whether Liu Qingqing was also from another world.
• Jiang Lu returned to her group and learned that many cultivators had left to search for opportunities.
• The captain announced that the Magic Beasts had been eliminated and advised the cultivators to return, since few resources remained.
• Jiang Lu left with the others and considered training in offensive and defensive spells and sword techniques.
• At the Medicine King Pavilion in West River City, Elder Ye spoke with the fawning branch pavilion master.

Jiang Lu practiced techniques through the night and refined ten high-grade second-grade pills, catching Elder Ye’s attention. He followed her to Alchemy Courtyard One and asked its branch master about the pill refiners there.

• Elder Ye asked whether the local elder had found any promising seedlings, then went to look around himself.
• Jiang Lu practiced her techniques and sword art while considering whether to leave Medicine King Pavilion, and her Spirit Beasts Chi Li and Cangchen slept as they refined energy from Spirit Pearls.
• Elder Ye watched Jiang Lu practice through the day and night, then saw her prepare second-grade pills.
• Jiang Lu refined ten high-grade second-grade pills, astonishing Elder Ye with her skill at Qi Refinement, Fourth Level.
• Elder Ye followed Jiang Lu to Alchemy Courtyard One and asked the West River City branch master how many pill refiners were there and how strong they were.

Elder Ye visited Courtyard One and offered its disciples a chance to demonstrate their pill-refining skills and pass the alchemist assessment. After Jiang Lu avoided the demonstration and later refined a pill in the medicinal garden, Elder Ye confronted her and checked her pulse.

• Elder Ye arrived at Courtyard One with Chi Miao and asked its alchemists and any other pill-refining disciples to demonstrate their skills.
• Jiang Lu went to the spiritual plant room to process plants for Senior Sister Huang Mei instead of joining the demonstrations, and Elder Ye grew angry when he realized she was not preparing to refine a pill.
• Several disciples finished refining pills, and Elder Ye declared some of them to have passed the assessment before leaving Chi Miao confused about his visit.
• Jiang Lu greeted Senior Sister Huang Mei and went to the medicinal garden, where she refined a pill; Elder Ye followed and asked why she had not demonstrated earlier.
• Jiang Lu said she did not need to rely on alchemy to survive yet, and Elder Ye asked her to hold out her hand and checked her pulse.

Elder Ye discovered Jiang Lu’s unusual meridians and asked her to become his disciple, but she mistook his offer for a scam and ran to warn Chi Miao. After Chi Miao explained who Elder Ye was, Jiang Lu reconsidered the offer.

• Elder Ye examined Jiang Lu’s meridians, was surprised by their breadth and flow, and asked her to test her Spiritual Roots, but she refused.
• Elder Ye decided Jiang Lu would make a suitable disciple and offered to become her master, while Jiang Lu grew suspicious of his motives.
• Jiang Lu ran to Chi Miao and accused Elder Ye of scamming him, prompting Elder Ye and the attendants to react with disbelief.
• Chi Miao explained that Elder Ye was powerful and genuinely wanted Jiang Lu as his disciple, and Jiang Lu realized she had misunderstood him.
• Elder Ye renewed his offer, promising Jiang Lu his belongings as his only disciple, and she began to consider accepting.

Jiang Lu became Elder Ye’s disciple and learned that her unusual Spiritual Roots might come from a rare Chaos Body. Elder Ye recognized her extraordinary talent and warned that her cultivation would require far more spiritual energy than usual.

• Jiang Lu agreed to become Elder Ye’s sole disciple after he promised to pass on his resources and protect her.
• Elder Ye formally recognized Jiang Lu as his disciple before the Medicine King Pavilion’s ancestor, and the Heavenly Dao sealed their bond.
• Elder Ye gave Jiang Lu an apprenticeship gift and questioned her about her Spiritual Roots after they returned to the courtyard.
• Jiang Lu explained that she could absorb spiritual energy of every color and had reached Qi Refinement, Fourth Level in about eleven months.
• Elder Ye tested Jiang Lu’s Spiritual Roots, identified her as likely possessing a Chaos Body, and explained its great cultivation demands.

After Elder Ye revealed Jiang Lu’s Chaos Spirit Root and Chaos Body, he left her in West River City while he handled a dangerous mission. Jiang Lu advanced her cultivation and studied new skills before Chi Miao invited her to seek opportunities in the Illusory Forest alongside Flowing Cloud Sect disciples.

• Elder Ye explained Jiang Lu’s rare talents, gave her a Spirit Slip, a jade pendant, and a Medicine King Pavilion ring, and told her to wait in West River City.
• Jiang Lu thanked the residents of Courtyard One and Senior Sister Huang Mei with gifts of spirit plants before settling into cultivation and study.
• Jiang Lu broke through to Qi Refinement, Fifth Level and practiced the Clear Moon Sword Technique and Wind Riding Art.
• Chi Miao told Jiang Lu that cultivators were heading to the Illusory Forest after Flowing Cloud Sect elders discovered opportunities there, and suggested she follow the sect’s disciples.

Jiang Lu prepared to follow the Flowing Cloud Sect’s expedition into the Illusory Forest and secretly watched the sects gather. The Three Upper Sects’ elders noticed her, but the Medicine King Pavilion ring she wore made them hesitate to approach her.

• Chi Miao advised Jiang Lu to follow the stronger Flowing Cloud Sect disciples and take advantage of the opportunities they uncovered.
• Jiang Lu discovered Chi Li had become a second-rank Spirit Beast, sorted through the treasures her master had left, and equipped herself for the journey.
• Jiang Lu entered the Illusory Forest and concealed herself while waiting for the Flowing Cloud Sect’s group to arrive.
• Jiang Lu saw Liu Qingqing among the gathered disciples and recognized Fu Yao, the Flowing Cloud Sect’s powerful chief senior sister, leading them.
• The Three Upper Sects’ elders watched Jiang Lu from afar but refrained from acting because she wore a ring associated with a direct disciple of the Medicine King Pavilion.

Jiang Lu followed Fu Yao and Liu Qingqing’s group, who found and collected Yellow Spirit Fruits after Liu Qingqing chose their route. After they left, Jiang Lu took the defeated demonic beasts and dug up nearby saplings for her space, where Lingxi welcomed them.

• Liu Qingqing suggested a route, and Fu Yao agreed to follow it without an argument.
• The group discovered two injured demonic beasts fighting beside a Yellow Spirit Fruit tree and collected its ripe fruit.
• After the group left, Jiang Lu stored the demonic beasts in her bag and dug up several saplings beneath the fruit tree.
• Lingxi gathered the saplings in Jiang Lu’s space and looked forward to filling the space with spirit plants.

Jiang Lu watched Liu Qingqing blame Fu Yao for pushing her during a fight, then searched the Crimson Reed Domain for spirit plants and unexpected gains. As Jiang Lu was about to leave, she spotted a tiny fiery-red mouse digging in the earth.

• Lingxi planted the Yellow Spirit Fruit sapling and tended to the other spirit plants in Jiang Lu's space.
• Liu Qingqing accused Fu Yao of pushing her, and Fu Yao rebuked Liu Qingqing for interfering in the fight with the Demon-Eyed Wolf.
• Xi Siyu and Lu Lingfeng defended Liu Qingqing, while Fu Yao warned them that the three of them would be sent to the forbidden grounds if Liu Qingqing caused trouble again.
• Fu Yao's group collected the Demon-Eyed Wolf and searched nearby, finding several spirit plants.
• Jiang Lu searched the Crimson Reed Domain for gains but found nothing, then noticed a tiny fiery-red mouse digging in the earth.

Jiang Lu found a Treasure-Seeking Mouse and secretly followed Liu Qingqing’s group into the middle region, where a powerful Magic Beast appeared. The hidden elder intervened to protect the gathered disciples as the beast attacked.

• Jiang Lu pulled a wood-attribute crystal from the earth, gave it to a little mouse, and put the mouse in her cloth pouch.
• Chi Li recognized the mouse as a supposedly extinct Treasure-Seeking Mouse, and Jiang Lu continued following Liu Qingqing’s group in secret.
• Jiang Lu suspected the group was luring demonic beasts and that someone was watching them from the shadows.
• A level-five Magic Beast appeared, charged toward the cultivators, and forced Jiang Lu to reveal herself when its Demonic Qi attacked her.
• The hidden elder raised a protective barrier and emerged to face the Magic Beast.

Jiang Lu and the disciples were trapped behind Elder An’s barrier while a nearly sixth-rank Magic Beast attacked. After the barrier broke and Fu Yao ordered the disciples to form an array, the Magic Beast recognized the Spirit Pearl aura on Jiang Lu and lunged at her.

• Elder An arrived and warned Fu Yao that the Magic Beast was nearly sixth rank and he could not defeat it alone.
• Ren Haotian told Fu Yao that his group had disturbed the Magic Beast in its cave after getting lost while gathering spirit plants.
• As the Magic Beast battered Elder An’s barrier, Jiang Lu realized arrays could be used defensively to protect cultivators.
• The Magic Beast shattered the barrier, wounded Elder An, and forced Fu Yao to order the disciples to form an array.
• The Magic Beast sensed its Spirit Pearl’s aura on Jiang Lu, recognized her as the one who had ruined its plans, and pounced at her as she ran.

Jiang Lu fled a fifth-rank Magic Beast while cultivators watched, then used the battle to slip away toward its lair. She entered the lair with the Treasure-Seeking Mouse, hoping to claim its treasures while the beast was occupied.

• Jiang Lu ran from the Magic Beast, which accused her of stealing, and the cultivators speculated about her strength and Medicine King Pavilion ring.
• Elder An warned the cultivators not to provoke Jiang Lu, and several arriving auras dispersed the Demonic Qi around them.
• Jiang Lu threw offensive artifacts at the Magic Beast, evaded its counterattack, and led it toward the Flowing Cloud Sect disciples.
• Elder An and other cultivators engaged the Magic Beast while Fu Yao ordered the disciples to retreat, and Jiang Lu escaped with them.
• Jiang Lu sensed the Treasure-Seeking Mouse had found treasure, separated from the Flowing Cloud Sect disciples, and entered the Magic Beast's lair.

Jiang Lu took the treasures from the Magic Beast’s nest and fled toward the outskirts of the Illusory Forest as the inner-region demon beasts grew restless. Elder An and the others found the nest emptied, suspected the missing cultivator had taken the treasures, and ordered Fu Yao’s group to wait for her.

• Jiang Lu and Chi Li found the Magic Beast’s treasure hoard, and Jiang Lu stored it all away while leaving behind items contaminated by Demonic Qi.
• Jiang Lu abandoned her attempt to follow Liu Qingqing’s group and hurried toward the outskirts when she sensed the inner-region demon beasts stirring.
• Jiang Lu hid in her space as Elder An, Fu Yao, Ren Haotian, and the others reached the nest and found its usable treasures gone.
• Elder An suspected the missing cultivator had taken the hoard and ordered Fu Yao’s group to keep watch for several days.
• Fu Yao agreed to wait, though she remained convinced the missing cultivator had only been at the Qi Refinement stage.

Jiang Lu discovered that Jianmu had sprouted in her space and learned it could gather spiritual energy and restore life. After organizing her treasures, she disguised herself and left, only to find fresh traces of Liu Qingqing’s group nearby and immediately depart.

• Jiang Lu entered her transformed space, where Linglong told her the sapling was Jianmu, a source of spiritual energy and vitality.
• Jiang Lu arranged her treasures on shelves and stored rare spirit plants and magical artifacts.
• Jiang Lu put on a mask and cultivation-concealing ring, disguising herself as an ordinary first-level Foundation Establishment cultivator.
• Fu Yao led her group away after they had waited several days for the missing cultivator, while Liu Qingqing wondered why her intuition had brought her there.
• Jiang Lu emerged, detected signs that Liu Qingqing’s group had stayed nearby, and left after scanning the surroundings with her Divine Sense.

Jiang Lu searched for Black Mystic Iron, but a vine-covered area trapped her and revealed an injured Yue Clan disciple. Yue Mengting told her that a great age threatened the Immortal Cultivation Realm and that a person carrying Chaos Qi might be its hope; she offered Jiang Lu a chunk of Black Mystic Iron.

• Jiang Lu hunted a Bewildering Rabbit and shared the meal with Chi Li, Cangchen, and Cutie.
• Jiang Lu traveled south to find Black Mystic Iron for a natal spirit sword and encountered rapidly growing Majianci vines.
• Jiang Lu was caught by vines using an injured cultivator as bait, then escaped with help from Chi Li and Cangchen and rescued the woman.
• The woman introduced herself as Yue Mengting, a collateral disciple of the hidden Yue Clan, and explained that the clan had sent disciples to investigate a coming crisis.
• Yue Mengting revealed that her Grand Elder foresaw a great age that could collapse the Immortal Cultivation Realm unless someone bearing Chaos Qi restored fate.
• Yue Mengting gave Jiang Lu a large chunk of Black Mystic Iron.

Jiang Lu rescued Yue Mengting from the Majianci, received Black Mystic Iron and a Clan Jade Token, and parted from her under the false name Jiang Ye. She then followed her Spirit Beasts to a Level Three Netherfang Python guarding a Star-Violet Condensed Bloom, where Chi Li and Cangchen began attacking it.

• Jiang Lu accepted Black Mystic Iron from Yue Mengting, cut a path through the Majianci, and escorted her to safety.
• Jiang Lu gave Yue Mengting the false name Jiang Ye, and Yue Mengting left her a Clan Jade Token before departing.
• Jiang Lu urged Chi Li and Cangchen to train, then followed them and Cutie toward a nearby demon-beast nest.
• Jiang Lu discovered that a Level Three Netherfang Python guarded a Star-Violet Condensed Bloom and planned to circle behind it to pick the plant.
• The Netherfang Python spat venom at Chi Li and Cangchen, who dodged and attacked it with water and fire, breaking its scales.

Jiang Lu and her spirit beasts killed a Netherfang Python and collected its core and the Star-Violet Condensed Bloom. She followed two cultivators into a cold, sinister part of the Illusory Forest, where Cutie sensed a great fortune that could raise their strength.

• Jiang Lu, Chi Li, and Cangchen attacked the Netherfang Python together, and Jiang Lu struck its vital spot with an artifact to kill it.
• Jiang Lu gathered the Star-Violet Condensed Bloom into her space, where Lingxi planted it, then took the python's purple crystal core and left.
• Jiang Lu reflected on her Medicine King Pavilion pill quota and her stalled progress at the Qi Refinement Middle Stage as she continued through the forest.
• Jiang Lu overheard two young cultivators searching for something to help their clan and followed them deeper into the Illusory Forest.
• Cutie sensed a great fortune ahead that could help raise their strength.

Jiang Lu followed Chi Li’s sensed treasures into a hidden cavern and discovered the story of a Divine Beast betrayed by its master and a ruined Lineage. She met the injured creature bound to an altar, which revealed it could not harm her but might trap her.

• Jiang Lu followed the cries deeper into the hidden region while two weaker men stayed behind at a fork, hoping she would return with resources for their Lineage.
• Jiang Lu descended into a cavern and read carvings describing how a master extracted a Divine Beast’s bloodline for the Lineage’s disciples, causing the disciples and Lineage to perish in backlash.
• Jiang Lu reassured Chi Li and Cangchen that she considered them family and would never exploit them.
• Jiang Lu reached an altar bound by nine chains, where a black figure with blue eyes warned her to leave.
• The figure learned the outer formation had broken and lamented that it could no longer recover from its injuries, then asked whether Jiang Lu wanted the magical treasures.
• The figure told Jiang Lu that although it could not harm her, it could still trap her in the cavern.

Jiang Lu watched Chi Li destroy the demonic Azure Luan and collect the treasures it had guarded, including an Ice Bed that Cangchen absorbed. When Jiang Lu questioned Chi Li and Cangchen about their unusual powers, they admitted they were Divine Beasts from the Upper Realm who had lost their cultivation after being ambushed.

• The Azure Luan offered its cultivation to Chi Li, but Chi Li recognized its demonic corruption and told Jiang Lu to step back.
• The Azure Luan activated the altar and attacked Chi Li, who burned its soul away and gained its Golden Core as the cave’s cold disappeared.
• Jiang Lu and Cutie gathered the treasures behind the altar, while Cangchen absorbed the Ice Bed’s energy.
• Jiang Lu questioned Chi Li and Cangchen about their extraordinary abilities, and they revealed that they were Divine Beasts from the Upper Realm who had lost their cultivation after an ambush.

Jiang Lu discovered a hidden crystal cave beneath the Ice Bed, where she broke through to the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement and comprehended the Divination Art. After collecting the cave’s treasures, she found the two people connected to the opportunity and revived them with pills.

• Jiang Lu accepted Chi Li and Cangchen as Divine Beasts and promised to rely on them for protection.
• Jiang Lu blasted open the Ice Bed and entered a blue-lit cave, where its spiritual energy surged around her.
• Cutie collected the cave’s crystals while Chi Li and Cangchen helped, and Jiang Lu advanced to the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement.
• A blue orb entered Jiang Lu’s glabella, and she gained a connection and comprehended the Divination Art.
• Jiang Lu stored the cave’s crystals and blue lights in her space, then recognized a karmic connection to two people on the stone steps.
• Jiang Lu gave the two unconscious people medicinal pills, and they gradually recovered and opened their eyes.