Chapter Summaries

Ning Fa attended Lingguang Pavilion’s auction with the Ning family and noticed a mysterious masked man whose cultivation he could not discern. Wei Shiqin opened the auction by demonstrating the formidable Dark Flood Dragon Spear, and the cultivators eagerly watched.

• Ning Shaohong warned Ning Fa that Xue Danping of the Xue Family was ruthless and dangerous.
• Ning Fa spotted a white-robed man in a black iron mask staring at him, but the man vanished before Ning Fa could question him.
• Ning Shaohong presented Wei Shiqin’s distinguished guest invitation, and a maid guided the group to a private room at Lingguang Pavilion.
• Wei Shiqin welcomed the gathered cultivators and explained the auction rules before presenting the Dark Flood Dragon Spear.
• Wei Shiqin demonstrated the spear’s power by destroying a Gray Speckled Cloud Stone, drawing excited attention from the bidders.

At Tongbao Pavilion’s auction, Wei Shiqin sold a Dark Flood Dragon Spear, cultivation pills, and three Puppet Beasts before revealing the rare Moon Gazing Art. The technique proved to contain only its first level for Qi Refining Cultivators, and bidders examined it after its starting price was announced.

• Wei Shiqin auctioned the Dark Flood Dragon Spear, which a woman in a second-floor private room bought for four thousand spirit stones.
• Wei Shiqin offered cultivation pills at below-market fixed prices through a bamboo-slip drawing, and Ning Fa recognized that he had refined most of the Essence Replenishing Pills and Three Yuan Pills.
• Wei Shiqin auctioned three first-tier high-grade Puppet Beasts, which sold for four thousand six hundred spirit stones.
• Wei Shiqin presented the Moon Gazing Art as a rare Soul Cultivation Technique, shocking Ning Fa, Ning Shaohong, and the Zhao Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
• Wei Shiqin explained that the Moon Gazing Art contained only its first level and was suited to Qi Refining Cultivators, then set its starting bid at two thousand spirit stones as cultivators examined the scroll.

Ning Fa won the Moon Gazing Art after its violent reaction to his divine sense convinced him he had to obtain it, and Ning Shaohong covered the spirit stones he lacked. The auction continued through several valuable lots before Wei Shiqin revealed a Foundation Establishment Pill as the finale.

• Ning Fa noticed that his scroll reacted intensely to the Moon Gazing Art and decided to bid for it.
• Ning Fa outbid Meng Hongji and another bidder, then bought the Moon Gazing Art with Ning Shaohong's help.
• The Zhao Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator bought the Cloud Crystal Liquid, while Ning Fa abstained because Wei Shiqin would supply him with spiritual materials.
• Ning Shaohong won a talisman treasure made from the Kaiyuan Axe for five thousand five hundred spirit stones.
• Wei Shiqin revealed a Foundation Establishment Pill as the auction's final item, stirring a commotion in the hall.

At Tianshui Market’s auction, the Ning Clan passed on a flawed Foundation Establishment Pill, which Meng Hongji ultimately lost to a mysterious woman. After the auction, Ning Fa studied the Moon Gazing Art aboard the clan’s departing flying boat and waited for the Mysterious Scroll to trace it.

• Wei Shiqin revealed that the Foundation Establishment Pill was flawed because its Heavenly Spirit Fruit was under-aged, and bidding began.
• Ning Shaohong explained that the Ning Clan had declined to bid because the pill could limit its user’s future potential, preferring to seek a genuine one in Black Marsh Immortal City.
• Meng Hongji bid against a mysterious female cultivator, but stopped at twenty-nine thousand spirit stones when she offered thirty thousand.
• The mysterious woman won the pill, and Ning Shaohong led the Ning Clan party out of Tianshui Market after the auction.
• Ning Fa studied the Moon Gazing Art aboard the flying boat and considered whether to contribute it to the Ning Clan after the Mysterious Scroll finished tracing it.

Ning Fa and the Ning Clan group were ambushed by a Foundation Establishment cultivator wielding a Spirit Artifact, and their defenses failed under his attack. Ning Shaohong unleashed her auction-bought talisman treasure to meet the giant serpent, but the clash's outcome remained unresolved.

• A black-clad Foundation Establishment cultivator destroyed the Red Flying Boat with a black staff as Ning Fa and the Ning Clan group escaped into the air.
• Ning Yuanchong formed a defensive barrier with the five guards and sent up a Blood-colored Spirit Flower to summon help.
• Ning Shaohong identified the attacker’s staff as a Spirit Artifact, while Ning Fa suspected the cultivator belonged to the Ironclad Alliance.
• The Ning Clan group brought out their defensive artifacts and talismans, but the giant serpent formed from the staff broke through their protections and wounded the five guards.
• Ning Shaohong activated her talisman treasure, summoning a Yellow Giant Axe that collided with the black giant serpent.

The Ning Clan was nearly wiped out by a Ghost Face Mask Foundation Establishment Cultivator, but an unseen Foundation Establishment Cultivator intervened and killed him. The Ning Clan fled east and met a Blood Wind Hall squad, leaving them finally reassured.

• Ning Shaohong and Ning Yuanchong tried to activate their talisman treasures as the Ghost Face Mask cultivator prepared another strike, while Ning Fa stayed to defend the group with Silver Lightning Balls.
• An unseen cultivator used a Blue Orb to trap the Black Giant Snake and freeze the Ghost Face Mask cultivator, then killed him with an aqua-blue blade.
• The unseen cultivator carried off the corpse and Black Long Staff in a blue river, and Ning Shaohong led the Ning Clan east on a Yellow Strange Bird.
• The Ning Clan encountered a Black Flying Shuttle bearing Blood Wind Hall's emblem, and Ning Yuanchong recognized the approaching group as reinforcements.

After Ning Shaohong’s group was rescued from a Foundation Establishment attacker, Ning Fa suspected the Xue Family had targeted him because of his alchemy talent. The group returned to the Ning Clan, where Ning Shaohong and Ning Zhongjiu reported the incident to the clan’s Foundation Establishment elders.

• Ning Yuanying arrived with Blood Wind Hall cultivators and brought Ning Shaohong’s group aboard their flying boat.
• Ning Zhongjiu joined them, heard Ning Shaohong’s account, and ordered everyone to keep the incident confidential.
• Ning Fa suspected the Xue Family had arranged the attack to eliminate him because of his alchemy talent and wondered whether the masked cultivator who saved them was the white-robed man from the auction house.
• Ning Shaohong and Ning Zhongjiu returned to Changning Mountain, where Ning Shaohong met with Ning Zhongyuan and the other Foundation Establishment elders.

After the Xue Family’s attack on Ning Shaohong and Ning Fa, the Ning elders arranged for Ning Fa to move to Small Bamboo Island for protection and to study the Jade Dragon Pill with Liu Qinghui. Ning Fa accepted the move, and Ning Shaohong then told Ning Xiuying it was time for her to gain experience elsewhere.

• Ning Zhongyuan and the elders concluded that the Xue Family had hired Mei Kaixiong to target Ning Fa.
• Ning Zhongjiu proposed moving Ning Fa to Small Bamboo Island to study the Jade Dragon Pill with Liu Qinghui, and Ning Zhongyuan approved while ordering stronger security.
• Ning Shaohong told Ning Fa about the move, and he reluctantly accepted it despite his dislike of living with Liu Qinghui.
• Ning Shaohong instructed Ning Fa to collect his belongings and travel with Yuan Chong and the others.
• Ning Shaohong told Ning Xiuying that after seven years as her maid, she should go out and gain experience.

Ning Xiuying accepted a promotion to oversee the Cloud Embroidery Pavilion, while Ning Fa traveled to Small Bamboo Island to help Liu Qinghui refine the ancient Jade Dragon Pill. He arrived at the guarded island and was welcomed by Liu Qinghui, leaving them about to discuss the pill.

• Ning Shaohong offered Ning Xiuying a post at the Cloud Embroidery Pavilion, increased her lineage benefits, and promised to recommend her as deputy hall master if she performed well.
• Ning Xiuying agreed to leave for the Cloud Embroidery Pavilion the next day, though she regretted that she might not see Ning Fa for a long time.
• Ning Fa returned home, informed Ning Zhengqian of the situation, and hurried to Small Bamboo Island, where the Ning Clan cultivated Jade Bamboo Fruit for the Jade Dragon Pill.
• Ning Fa arrived at Small Bamboo Island with Ning Yuanchong and the others, who stayed outside to guard it.
• Liu Qinghui welcomed Ning Fa and invited him inside to discuss refining the Jade Dragon Pill.

Ning Fa moved into a separate courtyard on the island and set up his Clear Spirit Illusion Bamboo Formation while Liu Qinghui discussed their work on the Jade Dragon Pill. Liu Qinghui revealed she had cultivated the dangerous Channelling Maiden Yin Art, and Ning Fa prepared to investigate the Moon Gazing Art’s mysterious reaction.

• Liu Qinghui showed Ning Fa the Jade Bamboo Fruit grounds, gave him the Jade Dragon Pill formula, and proposed splitting the scarce pill materials equally.
• Ning Fa agreed that their relationship could improve depending on Liu Qinghui’s conduct, then left her courtyard.
• Liu Qinghui’s Yin Cold Qi froze and shattered the furniture, and she told the elderly voice in her Jade Pendant that she had chosen to cultivate the Channelling Maiden Yin Art despite its risks.
• Liu Qinghui and the elderly voice discussed the art’s dangers, the uncertain effects of the Long Yang Pill, and whether Ning Fa’s alchemy depended on the Jade Pendant.
• Ning Fa settled in a separate bamboo courtyard, installed the Clear Spirit Illusion Bamboo Formation, and went to examine the Moon Gazing Art.

Ning Fa used the Mysterious Scroll to trace the Moon Gazing Art back to the powerful soul-cultivation technique, the Moon God Art. The scroll also began absorbing Moon Essence Power, leaving Ning Fa hopeful that it could replenish its energy and eventually trace more techniques.

• Ning Fa activated the Mysterious Scroll, which displayed a silver moon and sent its image into his forehead.
• Ning Fa learned that the Moon God Art could strengthen divine sense, help break through bottlenecks, and potentially grant the Moon God Heart’s powerful abilities.
• Ning Fa found that the technique required a strong divine soul and body, conditions he could meet through his Great Five Elements Thunder Body and Ancient Source Thunder Scripture.
• Ning Fa noticed the scroll’s new silver moon image drawing in Moon Essence Power and concluded that the scroll was replenishing its energy.
• Ning Fa looked forward to the scroll recovering enough energy to trace the later methods of the Ancient Source Thunder Scripture and Moon God Art, as well as the other half of the Jade Pendant.

Ning Fa learned that his new spirit island, shop supplies, and the rules for the upcoming Heir Competition had been settled, while he prepared to refine the Nine Revolutions Purple Yuan Powder. After confirming he could refine the Jade Dragon Pill, he agreed to a partnership between the Ning Clan and Tongbao Pavilion.

• Ning Fa used the Mysterious Scroll to trace Illusory Spirit Steps to the Heaven Tier Illusory Demon Art and resolved to cultivate it.
• Ning Fa learned that Red Maple Island had been approved and renamed Pingchang Island, and he allowed Ning Baiquan's family to move there if they paid for one person while insisting Ning Muchun's family pay in full.
• Ning Zhengqian told Ning Fa that the Yongchang Island branch had offered favorable spiritual-material supplies, and Ning Fa instructed him to accept only part of them.
• Ning Fa learned the Heir Competition would be held under revised rules in two years, and he planned to defeat Ning Ruiming's branch and restore his father's honor.
• Wei Shiqin confirmed Ning Fa was working on the Jade Dragon Pill, and Ning Fa agreed to a cooperation deal between the Ning Clan and Tongbao Pavilion.
• Ning Fa received the remaining materials for the Nine Revolutions Purple Yuan Powder and left to begin refining it.

Nine months later, Ning Fa reached the fifth layer of Qi Refining and greatly strengthened his body and divine sense. He challenged Ning Zonglie to a sparring match on Small Bamboo Island, where both prepared to fight.

• Ning Fa advanced to the fifth layer of Qi Refining after cultivating three more Lesser Thunder Sources and completing the first layer of the Moon God Art.
• Ning Fa expanded his divine sense from ten zhang to sixteen zhang and sent a Sound Transmission Talisman to Ning Zonglie.
• Ning Fa and Ning Zonglie met on Small Bamboo Island, where Ning Fa challenged him to a duel.
• Ning Fa activated the Primordial Thunder Armor and circled seven Silver Lightning Balls around himself.
• Ning Zonglie summoned a high-grade magic artifact, a yellow seal engraved with a mountain.

Ning Fa faced Ning Zonglie’s rock puppets and gravity-based attacks, then countered his Earth Radiance Palm with the Thunder Yuan Overlord Spear. Ning Zonglie admitted defeat after the clash, while suspecting Ning Fa had held back.

• Ning Fa dodged Ning Zonglie’s yellow seal and evaded the rock puppets it summoned with his Illusory Demon Steps.
• Ning Fa destroyed the rock puppets with Silver Lightning Balls and sent a barrage at Ning Zonglie.
• Ning Zonglie used the seal’s illusory mountain to suppress Ning Fa with immense gravity, then attacked with Earth Radiance Palm.
• Ning Fa formed the Thunder Yuan Overlord Spear, broke free of the gravity control, and met Ning Zonglie’s palm strike head-on.
• Ning Zonglie crashed to the ground and conceded defeat, while Ning Fa called the bout a draw and Ning Zonglie said he had held back.

After defeating Ning Zonglie in a spar, Ning Fa reflected on his growing strength and received a jade pendant from Ning Xiuying. Liu Qinghui then offered him her Jade Dragon Pill insights in exchange for reconciling with the Liu Family, but Ning Fa refused and walked away.

• Ning Fa defeated Ning Zonglie using only techniques, and Ning Zonglie praised his strength and compared his potential to the Fifth Elder.
• Ning Zonglie gave Ning Fa a jade pendant from Ning Xiuying and asked whether they were together; Ning Fa denied it, while wondering why Xiuying had gone to Tianshui Market.
• Liu Qinghui told Ning Fa that her adoptive father would inspect their Jade Dragon Pill progress in three days and offered to share her refinement insights.
• Liu Qinghui asked Ning Fa to forgive the Liu Family in exchange for her insights and her father's apology and compensation.
• Ning Fa refused Liu Qinghui's offer and left her standing with furrowed brows.

Ning Fa demonstrated that he had refined a completed Jade Dragon Pill, so Ning Zhongjiu assigned Liu Qinghui to assist him and gave him all the ingredients. After Ning Fa refused to explain how he had done it, Liu Qinghui considered capturing him but learned her odds of victory were only about sixty percent.

• Ning Zhongjiu visited Small Bamboo Island and asked Liu Qinghui and Ning Fa about their progress refining the Jade Dragon Pill.
• Liu Qinghui presented a failed Jade Dragon Pill, while Ning Fa produced a completed pill that shocked her and Wei Chengzong.
• Ning Zhongjiu praised Ning Fa, ordered the Jade Dragon Pill ingredients given to him, and told Liu Qinghui to assist him.
• Liu Qinghui asked Ning Fa how he refined the pill, but he refused to tell her and left.
• Liu Qinghui nearly lost control of her icy qi, then asked the aged voice in her jade pendant about her chances of capturing Ning Fa; it estimated her odds of winning a fight at about sixty percent.

Liu Qinghui’s attempt to cultivate the third layer of the Channelling Maiden Yin Art caused her Yin Cold Qi to run wild, forcing her to seek Ning Fa’s help. Ning Fa’s Five Elements Thunder Rune Pattern reacted to her, and he hesitated as she threw herself at him.

• Ning Fa sensed the Black Long River in his Five Elements Thunder Rune Pattern flare briefly before it returned to calm.
• Liu Qinghui’s Yin Cold Qi erupted during her cultivation, freezing her barrel and leaving her unable to control the chill.
• The aged voice in Liu Qinghui’s half Jade Pendant urged her to find Ning Fa, saying that mating with him could alleviate her Yin Cold Qi.
• Liu Qinghui used a secret art to buy herself an hour, then rushed to Ning Fa’s residence and offered herself in exchange for his forgiveness.
• Ning Fa’s Five Elements Thunder Rune Pattern surged in Liu Qinghui’s presence, and he sensed that mating with her could bring him great benefits.
• Liu Qinghui’s pain worsened, and she threw herself at Ning Fa before he could respond.

Ning Fa awakened the Dark Water Yin Thunder after uniting with Liu Qinghui and discovered its immense power and limitations. Liu Qinghui learned that the encounter had stabilized her Yin Cold Qi, while Ning Fa continued to consider how to awaken the other elemental Divine Thunders.

• Liu Qinghui left Ning Fa after they agreed to keep their encounter secret, and Ning Fa activated the Clear Spirit Illusion Bamboo Formation.
• Ning Fa discovered the black river in his Five Elements Thunder Rune Pattern and awakened the Dark Water Yin Thunder, which he learned could overcome every poison under heaven.
• Ning Fa tested the thunder against the Clear Spirit Illusion Bamboo Formation, breaking through its bamboo-leaf defenses before the formation blocked the remaining attack.
• Ning Fa realized the thunder consumed nearly half his Mana and would need time to recover, and he suspected that joining with Liu Qinghui had awakened it.
• The aged voice in Liu Qinghui's Jade Pendant told her that her Yin Cold Qi had stabilized and advised her to cultivate with Ning Fa, but she rejected the suggestion.

After two years of progress in alchemy and cultivation, Ning Fa impressed Ning Zhongjiu, who rewarded him with a powerful artifact and elevated his position in the Ning family. Ning Fa accepted the honors as he prepared to compete in the Heir Competition, while Liu Qinghui took over refining Jade Dragon Pills.

• Ning Zhongjiu praised Ning Fa for mastering the Jade Dragon Pill with a fifty percent success rate and Liu Qinghui for reaching thirty percent, though Ning Fa realized he had never taught her his methods.
• Ning Zhongjiu observed Ning Fa's rapid cultivation progress and strong body-refinement abilities, and Ning Fa explained that he had found a Mysterious Grade Low-tier technique in Tianshui Market.
• Ning Zhongjiu asked whether Ning Fa had registered for the Heir Competition, and Ning Fa confirmed that he would represent his branch lineage.
• Ning Zhongjiu gave Ning Fa his Top-grade Magic Artifact Obsidian Gauntlets, apparently acknowledging the unfair defeat of Ning Fa's father, Ning Zhiyuan, in the previous competition.
• Ning Zhongjiu assigned Liu Qinghui to refine Jade Dragon Pills and announced that he would promote Ning Fa to Quasi-Second-grade Pill Master and Deputy Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall.

Ning Fa learned that his clan appointment had been approved, while Ning Shaohong struggled with her growing feelings for him and clashed with her brother over the Taihua Forgetfulness Art. At Jinchang Island Market, Ning Fa saw how successful his shop had become before Ning Wanyun and Ning Nanqing approached him.

• Ning Shaohong told Ning Fa that the Elder Council had approved his appointment and warned him not to worry about clan factional struggles.
• Ning Shaohong gave Ning Fa a new set of robes, then told him to prepare for the Heir Competition and admit defeat if he could not win.
• Ning Weidong warned Ning Shaohong that her feelings for Ning Fa could disrupt her Taihua Forgetfulness Art and cost her the chance at Foundation Establishment.
• Ning Shaohong accused Ning Weidong of risking Hua Rong’s cultivation by having her use the technique’s supplementary methods, then flew away.
• Ning Fa visited his thriving shop in Jinchang Island Market and reflected on how Wei Shiqin’s support had helped his business and cultivation.
• Ning Wanyun greeted Ning Fa at the market with her older brother, Ning Nanqing, who was also his friend.