Chapter Summaries

Yue Shuo continued cultivating while arranging for Gu Jiu to investigate the pirates connected to his parents’ disappearance. He mastered the Wood Essence Art and Lesser Cloud-Rain Technique, improved his cultivation and grass-growing efficiency, and ended the chapter considering how to develop his Gathering Spirit Grass.

• Yue Shuo wrote back that he would inquire about the pirates and cultivate until he could avenge his parents, then asked Gu Jiu to gather information for him.
• Yue Shuo mastered the Wood Essence Art, increasing his cultivation efficiency and adjusting his daily routine to six Spirit Induction sessions.
• Zou Chongying and Tian Wan sent word that they were in seclusion and would meet Yue Shuo again around the fifteenth or sixteenth of the next month.
• Yue Shuo's Cultivation value passed halfway toward Qi Refining Level One, and he calculated that he might be ready to attempt a breakthrough in less than a month.
• Yue Shuo mastered the Lesser Cloud-Rain Technique, allowing one casting to nourish two Gathering Spirit Grass plants and greatly accelerating their growth.
• Yue Shuo recorded his updated cultivation data and considered whether to report his mastery, cultivate ten-year Gathering Spirit Grass, and order Spirit Carp.

Yue Shuo sent Gu Jiu to the market to reserve a Spirit Carp and ask about pirate attacks, while calculating how quickly he could advance his cultivation and ripen his Gathering Spirit Grass. Gu Jiu returned at dusk with the reservation details and information about the pirates.

• Yue Shuo asked Gu Jiu to visit the Qin Clan's shop and reserve a Spirit Carp for the middle of next month.
• Yue Shuo calculated that his cultivation and ten Gathering Spirit Grass plants could be ready in about twenty days, and told Gu Jiu to ask about pirates attacking mortals.
• Gu Jiu explained that the Ascension Assembly had detected only nine guest disciples with Spiritual Roots at the previous gathering.
• Yue Shuo gave Gu Jiu his identity token, then continued his regular cultivation and practice routine after dismissing him.
• Gu Jiu returned at dusk, handed back the identity token, and reported the Spirit Carp reservation details and what he had learned about pirate attacks.

Yue Shuo arranged for Gu Jiu to buy a Spirit Carp from the marketplace and focused on cultivation and tending his spirit plants. His Gathering Spirit Grass matured ahead of schedule, leaving him to consider whether to visit the marketplace early.

• Yue Shuo agreed that Gu Jiu would travel with the Qin Clan supply ship to buy a Spirit Carp on the twenty-first of the next month.
• Yue Shuo learned that pirates were connected to Rogue Cultivators and decided not to investigate until he had more strength.
• Yue Shuo spent the month cultivating and tending his spirit plants while Zou Chongying and Tian Wan settled into their own cultivation routines.
• On the eighth day, Yue Shuo advanced his Qi-Replenishing Technique to Minor Achievement and began casting the Lesser Cloud-Rain Technique more often.
• On the fourteenth day, Yue Shuo advanced the Lesser Cloud-Rain Technique to Minor Achievement and used it to accelerate the ten Gathering Spirit Grass plants.
• The ten Gathering Spirit Grass plants reached their ten-year maturation point three days early, and Yue Shuo wondered whether to visit the marketplace sooner.

Yue Shuo sent Gu Jiu to the market to trade ten mature Gathering Spirit Grass plants for a Spirit Carp and supplies, while he remained in Little Brook Valley to cultivate. Gu Jiu returned at dusk with serious injuries, carried back by Zou Chongying and Tian Wan.

• Yue Shuo decided to stay in Little Brook Valley and sent Gu Jiu to Manager Qin Yan with ten Gathering Spirit Grass plants, instructing him to buy a Spirit Carp, Grain-Repelling Pills, and Yellow Talisman Paper.
• Gu Jiu asked whether he should keep Yue Shuo’s cultivation progress secret, and Yue Shuo reassured him while allowing him to mention his early comprehension of the Lesser Cloud-Rain Technique.
• Yue Shuo continued his cultivation, practiced talisman drawing and spell hand seals, and ate a Grain-Repelling Pill.
• At dusk, Zou Chongying and Tian Wan brought Gu Jiu back, seriously injured.

Yue Shuo learned that Gu Jiu had been badly injured by Qin Feng’s martial servants after a grudge over an incident involving Sister Yan. He accepted advice to avoid Qin Feng for now, but silently remembered the matter, cared for Gu Jiu, and discovered his Flame Palm had begun to improve.

• Yue Shuo brought the injured Gu Jiu inside, and Tian Wan offered Life Essence Powder while Gu Jiu insisted he did not need a physician.
• Zou Chongying explained that Qin Feng had ordered his martial servants to attack Gu Jiu in the marketplace, though Gu Jiu had not provoked him.
• Gu Jiu gave Yue Shuo the Spirit Carp and Grain-Repelling Pills he had retrieved, and Tian Wan urged Yue Shuo to avoid Qin Feng.
• Yue Shuo said he remembered the matter, let Gu Jiu rest, and cooked the Spirit Carp himself.
• Yue Shuo checked his panel and saw that Flame Palm was at Tier One, 1/100, Beginner.

Yue Shuo tested his newly learned techniques, then discovered that Spirit Carp meat restored Divine Sense and rapidly increased his Cultivation Value. He fed Gu Jiu a Grain-Repelling Pill and offered him stewed Spirit Carp, leaving the injured servant overwhelmed by Yue Shuo’s generosity.

• Yue Shuo activated Golden Light Slash, Thousand Waves Slash, and Evergreen Technique, completing his trials of the spells he could currently use.
• Yue Shuo ate Spirit Carp meat and found that refining it restored Divine Sense and granted two Cultivation Value per piece.
• Yue Shuo’s Cultivation Value reached its limit, and he discovered that Mastery in a First-Tier cultivation technique increased his breakthrough probability by two percent.
• Yue Shuo visited the injured Gu Jiu and fed him a Grain-Repelling Pill, warning him not to move recklessly.
• Yue Shuo told Gu Jiu he had saved him some Spirit Carp but had already stewed it, and Gu Jiu broke down in tears over the pill and the wasted spiritual energy.

Yue Shuo considered Gu Jiu’s martial arts prospects and his brother Yue Gu’s injuries before testing whether cultivation beyond his limit could improve his breakthrough odds. His experiment raised his breakthrough chance slightly, and he weighed further cultivation against using his remaining Divine Sense to grow Gathering Spirit Grass.

• Yue Shuo learned that Gu Jiu was close to becoming a First-Class Martial Artist, while reaching the Innate Realm without a Spiritual Root would be extremely difficult.
• Yue Shuo realized that Yue Gu could not safely take spiritual pills without someone refining their medicinal power, and considered ways to bring his brother to Hemu Island.
• Yue Shuo cultivated the Wood Essence Art in the Spirit Field, where the dense wood spiritual energy also accelerated the growth of Gathering Spirit Grass.
• Yue Shuo ordered Gu Jiu to rest for three days, then checked his status and found that another cultivation session had raised his breakthrough chance to 53%.
• Yue Shuo considered whether to keep cultivating or use his available Divine Sense to grow Gathering Spirit Grass.

Yue Shuo chose to avoid risky errands and focus on cultivating while Gu Jiu recovered, then asked Tian Wan to buy talisman supplies for him. As Tian Wan offered to send Huang Sunming to help each day, a familiar voice called from outside the courtyard.

• Yue Shuo rejected the idea of rushing a breakthrough or secretly ripening Gathering Spirit Grass and decided to cultivate steadily instead.
• Yue Shuo consolidated his cultivation, raised his breakthrough chance to 58%, and practiced the Lesser Cloud-Rain Technique on the Gathering Spirit Grass.
• Yue Shuo visited the External Affairs Pavilion, found no cultivators on duty, and went to Tian Wan's courtyard to ask for help.
• Yue Shuo gave Tian Wan a Spirit Stone and asked him to arrange the purchase of eight hundred sheets of Yellow Talisman Paper and supplies for Talisman Ink.
• Tian Wan agreed to have Huang Sunming buy the supplies and offered to send him to Yue Shuo daily, but Yue Shuo refused as a familiar voice sounded outside.

Zou Chongying told Tian Wan and Yue Shuo that he had arranged a response to the trouble surrounding Gu Jiu, while Tian Wan tried to keep Yue Shuo out of danger. Yue Shuo returned to Little Brook Valley with medicine for Gu Jiu, as Zou Chongying and Tian Wan waited for news.

• Zou Chongying told Yue Shuo he had already made arrangements, and Yue Shuo realized the plan was connected to his family’s injured martial servant and Gu Jiu.
• Tian Wan gave Yue Shuo Life Essence Powder for Gu Jiu and arranged for Huang Sunming to escort him home.
• After Yue Shuo left, Tian Wan warned Zou Chongying not to involve Yue Shuo in the conflict because he had only himself and his crippled elder brother at home.
• Zou Chongying explained that people were testing them and that they had to strike back within the Qin Clan’s rules.
• Tian Wan and Zou Chongying agreed to wait for definite news from Fire Gourd Island before telling Yue Shuo more, and Yue Shuo returned to Little Brook Valley with Huang Sunming.

Yue Shuo refined his formation plaque to control the Spirit Field’s barrier and conceal its interior, then learned why Huang Sunming had become so respectful. He brought Gu Jiu leftover Spirit Carp meat and soup, leaving Gu Jiu overwhelmed and crying out when Yue Shuo tried to take it away.

• Yue Shuo spent five hundred points of Spell Power refining the formation plaque until he could alter the Spirit Field barrier with a thought.
• Yue Shuo saw Huang Sunming bow respectfully and promise to handle his errand, then asked Gu Jiu what had changed.
• Gu Jiu explained that Huang Sunming’s resentment stemmed from a relative who had been badly injured while serving a Lineage disciple, and that Gu Jiu had clarified Yue Shuo’s concern for him.
• Yue Shuo brought Gu Jiu the remaining Spirit Carp meat and soup, but Gu Jiu trembled and cried when Yue Shuo moved to take the food away.

After recovering from his injuries, Gu Jiu explained Spirit Carp’s properties to Yue Shuo, while Yue Shuo continued improving his cultivation and waited for his talisman materials. Once Huang Sunming delivered the supplies, Yue Shuo practiced talisman crafting and finally completed a Foundational Talismanic Pattern.

• Gu Jiu recovered quickly, and he told Yue Shuo that Spirit Carp lost spiritual energy over time and when cooked.
• Yue Shuo kept cultivating to raise his breakthrough probability, which had reached sixty percent, and noticed his cultivation and spells growing stronger.
• Huang Sunming delivered two bundles of talisman supplies, including a thousand sheets of Yellow Talisman Paper, cinnabar, rooster blood, and black dog blood.
• Yue Shuo prepared talisman ink and practiced drawing patterns, then used his Divine Sense and Spell Power to attempt a Foundational Water-Condensing Talisman.
• After nine attempts, Yue Shuo completed a Foundational Talismanic Pattern, and the talisman paper gained a faint aura.

Yue Shuo practiced Talisman Crafting, corrected his Water Condensation Talisman ink, and balanced his work with cultivation in the Spirit Field. After filling his breakthrough chance, he advanced to Qi Refining Level One.

• Yue Shuo discovered his Talisman Crafting skill and Water Condensation Talisman entries, then practiced until his proficiency increased.
• Yue Shuo moved his talisman-making setup into the Spirit Field and arranged his routine around crafting, cultivation, and planting.
• Yue Shuo reached Mastery with the Water Condensation Talisman and realized his father's notes had given him the wrong ink recipe.
• Yue Shuo switched to the correct ink, successfully crafted another Water Condensation Talisman, and considered using universal Talisman Ink for other Foundational talismans.
• Yue Shuo raised his breakthrough chance to 100%, adjusted the Spirit Field's formation, and began advancing among the nearly mature Gathering Spirit Grass.
• Yue Shuo advanced smoothly to Qi Refining Level One and found that his Cultivator Character Panel had changed considerably.

After reaching Qi Refining Level One, Yue Shuo examined his improved status and considered how to use Gathering Spirit Grass, prioritizing cultivation and talisman crafting. Gu Jiu returned with news and a warning from Tian Wan, leaving Yue Shuo wondering what excuse he had given before his advancement.

• Yue Shuo saw that advancing had raised his cultivation limit, breakthrough chance, vitality, spell power, and Divine Sense.
• Yue Shuo harvested ten mature Gathering Spirit Grass plants and considered making First-Grade Blank Talisman Paper with his spells.
• Yue Shuo decided to focus on cultivation first, then practiced twice and gained 4.4 cultivation while his Divine Sense recovered.
• Gu Jiu returned and told Yue Shuo he had found the information Yue Shuo requested.
• Gu Jiu relayed Tian Wan's warning that Yue Shuo should stay in Creek Valley Spirit Field because outsiders could not enter the planting area without an invitation.

Yue Shuo learned that the Qin Clan had tightened security after a conflict involving Zou Chongying, and that Gu Jiu had been targeted while running errands. After realizing his cultivation was already at Qi Refining Level One, Yue Shuo asked what Gu Jiu needed to become a First-Class Martial Artist.

• Gu Jiu told Yue Shuo that Zou Chongying’s operation had accidentally killed a First-Rank Martial Servant, and the martial servants involved had been punished.
• Gu Jiu explained that Tian Wan urged Yue Shuo to stay in Creek Valley to protect his cultivation, not because anyone intended to ambush him.
• Gu Jiu said cultivation disciples were masters and would not be harmed, though people might try to disturb their state of mind; trespassing in the Spirit Field area was a serious crime.
• Gu Jiu explained that stricter inspections now prevented Zou Chongying, Tian Wan, and Huang Sunming from visiting Yue Shuo, and that Huang Sunming had twice been turned away.
• Gu Jiu admitted that people had targeted him when he went out, and Yue Shuo asked what it would take for Gu Jiu to advance to First-Class Martial Artist.

Yue Shuo learned about martial artists and distant lands from Gu Jiu while considering safer places to flee the Qin Clan's Hemu Island. After learning Gu Jiu was close to becoming a First-Class Martial Artist, Yue Shuo gave him one of his two Spirit Stones to buy breakthrough pills, leaving Gu Jiu overwhelmed with gratitude.

• Yue Shuo asked Gu Jiu to explain martial-artist ranks, and Gu Jiu described how Inner Qi and opened meridians distinguished Third-Class, Second-Class, and First-Class Martial Artists.
• Gu Jiu told Yue Shuo about human dynasties, great island kingdoms, and immortal sects across the vast Sea Domain, prompting Yue Shuo to consider preparing an escape route from the Qin Clan's Hemu Island.
• Yue Shuo learned that Gu Jiu had opened eight meridians and that his recent recovery and spiritual-energy rewards had brought him closer to breaking through.
• Gu Jiu said he needed another month or two of polishing and warned Yue Shuo that martial servants could face severe punishment if they endangered lives.
• Yue Shuo gave Gu Jiu one Spirit Stone to buy supplies and the other to purchase pills for his breakthrough, and Gu Jiu fell to his knees in tears.

Yue Shuo used the improved recovery of his Divine Sense to cultivate, practice spells, and advance his talisman skills. After the Wood Essence Art reached Minor Achievement and Talisman Crafting gained a First-Tier Low-Grade rank, he weighed whether to prioritize cultivation or craft a Qi-Concealing Talisman.

• Yue Shuo sent Gu Jiu off safely, then tested his improved Divine Sense recovery by cultivating and sleeping in short intervals.
• Yue Shuo used his nighttime Divine Sense to practice the Water Condensation, Fire-Starting, and Dust-Cleaning Talismans, while also casting spells.
• Yue Shuo cultivated four times in the morning, advancing the Wood Essence Art to Minor Achievement and increasing his cultivation efficiency and breakthrough chance.
• Yue Shuo found that his overall Talisman Crafting skill had advanced to First-Tier Low-Grade, which he expected to improve his work on First-Tier spirit talismans.
• Yue Shuo considered whether to focus on cultivation or improve Talisman Crafting to make a Qi-Concealing Talisman, then concluded he could keep grinding both with a slightly slower pace.

Yue Shuo advanced his Talisman Crafting and successfully made several First-Grade Runes, then met two cultivators who inspected his progress and asked about Gu Jiu. They confirmed Gu Jiu was safe and had advanced to a First-Class Martial Artist, while Yue Shuo remained unsure what they had noticed in his Spirit Field.

• Yue Shuo completed six sessions with the Thousand Waves Formula and then focused on raising his Talisman Crafting proficiency.
• After reaching First-Tier Mid-Grade Talisman Crafting, Yue Shuo drew Qi-Concealing and Invisibility Talismans, exhausting his Divine Sense before falling asleep.
• Yue Shuo woke to find the middle-aged man who had tested his Spiritual Root and the young cultivator waiting outside the Spirit Field.
• Yue Shuo explained that he had sent Gu Jiu to buy pills, and the visitors told him Gu Jiu had advanced to a First-Class Martial Artist and would be released after registering.
• The middle-aged man urged Yue Shuo to register his mastery of the Three Planting Arts, then left with the young cultivator.
• Yue Shuo inspected his character panel and saw that he had gained proficiency in the First-Tier Invisibility Talisman and Qi-Concealing Talisman.

Yue Shuo tested the Qi-Concealing Talisman he had crafted and returned to cultivation, while Qin He and Fang Tong discussed his talent and the Qin Clan’s priorities. They dismissed the idea of investing heavily in Yue Shuo because of his Five-Element Spirit Root, but Qin He arranged a small benefit for Gu Jiu.

• Yue Shuo realized that crafting a First-Tier Spirit Talisman used five points of Divine Sense and gained him two Talisman Crafting proficiency points.
• Yue Shuo tested the Qi-Concealing Talisman, learned that it concealed his spiritual energy while using little power, and put it away before making up his missed cultivation session.
• Qin He and Fang Tong discussed Yue Shuo’s natural talent for spirit plant cultivation but concluded that his Five-Element Spirit Root made him a poor choice for substantial investment.
• Fang Tong and Qin He compared Yue Shuo with Zou Chongying and Tian Wan, noting the former’s exposed talent and the latter’s potential in Alchemy.
• Qin He arranged for Fang Tong to take a part-time shift at the External Affairs Pavilion, hoping to give the loyal and generous Gu Jiu a small benefit.

Yue Shuo learned that Gu Jiu had advanced and returned with supplies, then explored selling his Foundational Water-Condensation Talismans as another source of income. Gu Jiu explained their market and revealed that he had been suspected of stealing the resources for his breakthrough, leaving him deeply grateful to Yue Shuo.

• Gu Jiu returned from Little Hemmu Island, reported that he had advanced, and brought Yue Shuo’s requested supplies.
• Yue Shuo noticed Gu Jiu’s brighter Life Vitality and sent him to install the supplies and obtain more materials.
• Yue Shuo showed Gu Jiu a Foundational Water-Condensation Talisman and asked whether such talismans could be sold.
• Gu Jiu explained that Water-Condensation, Fire-Starting, and Garment-Cleansing Dust-Removing Talismans were popular supplies for merchant ships and martial artists.
• Gu Jiu admitted that he had been reported and detained after buying the elixir for his breakthrough because others suspected he had stolen the Spirit Stones.
• Gu Jiu told Yue Shuo that his help had saved him from a likely harsh fate, and he resolved to repay the kindness.

Yue Shuo sent Gu Jiu to sell Foundational Talismans safely and buy supplies, then received a mysterious letter delivered by a blue-green bird. The chapter ended as the bird used Yue Shuo’s blood to activate the letter’s seal.

• Yue Shuo gave Gu Jiu sixty Foundational Talismans and instructed him to trade them for Grain-Repelling Pills, talisman paper, and ink materials.
• Yue Shuo warned Gu Jiu to travel during the day and prioritize returning safely, and asked him to learn about talisman crafting and market prices.
• After Gu Jiu departed, Yue Shuo cultivated and recovered his Divine Sense before waking at dawn the next day.
• A blue-green bird flew into Yue Shuo’s Spirit Field carrying a sealed letter tube.
• The bird pecked Yue Shuo’s finger and pressed his blood against the tube’s red seal.