Recaps

After Lu Wan told Ji Yuan that Qiu Qianhai was hiding near Clearwave Pool, Ji Yuan prepared to find his friend despite the Qin Household’s ambush. He reached Clearwave Pool and heard a familiar voice fighting nearby.

• Lin Hu delivered Lu Wan’s letter to Ji Yuan, who kept its contents secret and learned that the Qin Household had sent three Sixth Layer of Qi Refining cultivators after Qiu Qianhai.
• Ji Yuan decided to go to Clearwave Pool, reasoning that he could not abandon Qiu Qianhai and might also find Cold Iron Sand there.
• Ji Yuan slaughtered and sold his Spirit Fish, Green-Yellow Chickens, and Spirit Pig because he expected to be away for at least ten days.
• Ji Yuan bought a High-Grade Demon-Subduing Talisman and a High-Grade Iron-Wall Talisman in Zengtou City, then traveled overnight toward Clearwave Pool.
• Ji Yuan reached Clearwave Pool and heard a familiar cultivator mock Old Dog Lin during a fight near several islands.

Ji Yuan rescued Qiu Qianhai by killing Old Dog Lin, then disguised himself as a Qin Household member to escape with Qiu. As they headed toward Qiu’s hideout, Qiu revealed that Xiong Youfu knew its location, so Ji Yuan decided they needed to go elsewhere.

• Ji Yuan surfaced from underwater and killed Old Dog Lin with a concealed Deathbringer Needle and his Whitewater Flying Sword.
• Ji Yuan pretended to be Qin Wei, gave two watching cultivators Spirit Stones, and left with Qiu Qianhai.
• Ji Yuan took Qiu Qianhai’s weapons and gave him Blood Essence to help him recover while they fled from three incoming Qin Household cultivators.
• Qiu Qianhai directed Ji Yuan toward his hideout, then admitted that his friend Xiong Youfu knew where it was.
• Ji Yuan decided they could not go to Qiu Qianhai’s residence and turned aside to find another place to discuss their next move.

Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai killed Xiong Youfu after discovering he had betrayed Qiu to the Qin Household, then hid on an island in Clearwave Pool instead of fleeing to Blackwater Ward. Qiu revealed that he had sought revenge on the Qin Household by offering himself to its third Young Master, who liked men.

• Ji Yuan chose to flee with Qiu Qianhai, who suggested they head to Blackwater Ward.
• Xiong Youfu arrived, admitted the Qin Household had paid him to betray Qiu, and was killed by Qiu and Ji Yuan.
• A Deathbound Firework launched from Xiong Youfu's body and revealed their location, so the two escaped underwater in the Black Wind Boat.
• Ji Yuan led Qiu in circles around Clearwave Pool before they hid on an uninhabited island and disguised themselves.
• Qiu told Ji Yuan that the Qin Household had killed his family and that he had offered himself to its third Young Master to pursue revenge.

Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai divided the spoils, settled on a small island in Clearwave Pool, and learned that the Qin Household had arrived searching for them. Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai disguised themselves and followed the Qin Household as it offered rewards for Qiu Qianhai’s capture.

• Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai split their loot, with Ji Yuan taking the Cold Iron Sand and Qiu Qianhai receiving Old Dog Lin’s fishing boat and the Cold Iron Spike.
• Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai traveled into Clearwave Pool and settled in separate stone houses on a tiny island.
• Qiu Qianhai returned from gathering information and told Ji Yuan that three members of the Qin Household had come to Clearwave Pool.
• Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai disguised themselves and went to watch Qin Wei announce rewards for information about the two thieves and for capturing Qiu Qianhai.
• Qin Wei and the two Sixth Layer of Qi Refining cultivators headed toward the waters where Ji Yuan had killed Old Dog Lin, and Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai followed.

Ji Yuan struggled to gather enough Cold Iron Sand at Clearwave Pool, so he began buying it from other cultivators. Qiu Qianhai returned with a large haul and urged Ji Yuan to follow him underwater to see his “big treasure.”

• After the Qin Household returned to Zengtou City, Qiu Qianhai told Ji Yuan about Cold Iron Sand, the hidden vein beneath Clearwave Pool, and the dangerous caves that sometimes revealed it.
• Qin Wei told Qin Long that he had left people in disguise and paid informants to watch for Qiu Qianhai, while Qin Long insisted they avenge Qin Wei’s third brother.
• Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai mined underwater, but Ji Yuan found only half a tael of Cold Iron Sand on his first day and little more afterward.
• Ji Yuan gave up mining and bought half a jin of Cold Iron Sand from cultivators, hoping to collect enough to upgrade the [Fish Pond].
• Qiu Qianhai arrived with at least a jin of Cold Iron Sand, handed it to Ji Yuan, and hurried back to Clearwave Pool to show him his “big treasure.”

Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai used Qiu Qianhai’s glowing finger bone to find Cold Iron Sand, gathering enough for Ji Yuan to upgrade the [Fish Pond]. After Ji Yuan chose the upgrade, the Panel showed [Fish Pond] at Level Two and revealed the requirements for Level Three.

• Qiu Qianhai led Ji Yuan underwater and used a finger bone that glowed near Cold Iron Sand to guide their digging.
• Qiu Qianhai showed Ji Yuan how the finger bone’s aquamarine glow brightened beside Cold Iron Sand and explained that it helped him locate the ore.
• The next day, Qiu Qianhai and Ji Yuan collected three pounds of Cold Iron Sand, and Ji Yuan gave Qiu Qianhai the extra pound after keeping what he needed.
• Ji Yuan agreed to stay and keep mining with Qiu Qianhai, then selected the [Fish Pond] upgrade on the Panel.
• The Panel raised [Fish Pond] to Level Two and displayed the Spirit Effect and upgrade requirements for Level Three.

Ji Yuan discovered the Fish Pond’s second Spirit Effect, which could rarely turn carp-type Spirit Fish into Ice Flood Dragon Hatchlings, and collected the daily resources from makeshift Fish Pond and Pigsty buildings. The next day, he and Qiu Qianhai gathered Cold Iron Sand and went to sell it on Clearwave Island, where Ji Yuan’s cultivation made the local cultivators treat him deferentially.

• Ji Yuan read the Level Three Fish Pond’s effects and learned that carp-type Spirit Fish could rarely mutate into Ice Flood Dragon Hatchlings.
• Ji Yuan created a small Level Two Fish Pond and collected its daily Waterbloom Dew, then used a paper sign to obtain Blood Essence from the Pigsty effect.
• Ji Yuan followed Qiu Qianhai into the water, and the two gathered about three and a half pounds of Cold Iron Sand.
• Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai went separately to Clearwave Island to sell the sand, and Ji Yuan’s Sixth Layer of Qi Refining aura drew wary attention and friendly greetings.
• Qiu Qianhai left the Water Dragon Sect’s shop followed by two cultivators, but they did not pursue him as Ji Yuan waited nearby.

Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai planned to stockpile Cold Iron Sand before selling it elsewhere, unaware that raider cultivators were plotting to rob them and seize their Dead Cave. The Liu brothers set out to find the newcomers, while two mysterious figures beneath Clearwave Pool confirmed they had found a Dead Cave.

• Ji Yuan suggested that he and Qiu Qianhai stop selling Cold Iron Sand on Clearwave Island for a few days, and they agreed to keep mining before selling in Jingde Ward.
• Sun Dazhi and Deng Lang discussed robbing the two miners, then Deng Lang secretly approached the Clearwave Twin Heroes for help.
• Deng Lang told Liu Da and Liu Er that the miners likely had a Dead Cave, and the brothers decided to find the miners and force them to reveal its location.
• After Deng Lang left, Liu Da and Liu Er resolved to cut him out of the plan and take the Dead Cave for themselves.
• Beneath Clearwave Pool, one of two pitch-black figures told the other that there was definitely a Dead Cave there.

Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai uncovered and blasted open a Dead Cave, but Qiu Qianhai emerged pursued by a powerful stone crab. Ji Yuan pulled him onto the Black Wind Boat and urged them to flee.

• Qiu Qianhai used the Mysterious Finger Bone to confirm that a Dead Cave lay behind a slope of fallen rocks.
• Ji Yuan used the Heartguard Mirror to blast open an entrance, then let Qiu Qianhai enter while he kept watch.
• After waiting, Ji Yuan sensed trouble inside the cave and saw Qiu Qianhai flee from an enormous stone crab.
• Ji Yuan slowed the crab with his Whitewater Flying Sword and struck its vulnerable spots with Water Drop Finger.
• Ji Yuan grabbed Qiu Qianhai, threw him onto the Black Wind Boat, and shouted for them to run.

Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai escaped the Dead Cave with a large haul of Cold Iron Sand, but the Clearwave Twin Heroes confronted them after learning of the cave. Ji Yuan negotiated a partnership to share its riches and prepared to lead the Liu brothers there.

• Qiu Qianhai described finding a Mid-First Rank Stone-Armored Crab in the Dead Cave and shared half his Cold Iron Sand with Ji Yuan.
• Ji Yuan advised Qiu Qianhai to avoid Blackwater Ward and focus on breaking through to the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining while Ji Yuan planned to return to Zengtou City.
• As Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai returned to their island, Liu Da and Liu Er trapped them between two Spirit Vessels and invited them to talk.
• Liu Da revealed that Deng Lang had told them about the Dead Cave, and Ji Yuan agreed to guide the brothers there in exchange for a share of the Cold Iron Sand.
• Ji Yuan demanded the right to kill Deng Lang and proposed that the four men be called the Clearwave Four Heroes; the Liu brothers agreed, and Qiu Qianhai urged them to set out.

Ji Yuan led the Liu brothers to the dead cave, where they began mining cold iron sand while he waited for the stone-armored crab to appear. He extinguished their light and unleashed his yin ghost banner as the crab charged from the darkness.

• Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai brought Liu Da and Liu Er to the dead cave, where the brothers found the entrance and entered with Ji Yuan.
• Liu Da and Liu Er discovered a rich layer of cold iron sand and began mining while keeping their defensive dharma tools ready.
• The Liu brothers ordered Ji Yuan to stand back, and he waited as they dug deeper into the cave.
• Ji Yuan heard tapping stones, then silently struck Liu Da's precious bead with spiritual light and plunged the cave into darkness.
• Ji Yuan planted his yin ghost banner, and black mist engulfed Liu Da, Liu Er, and the charging stone-armored crab.

Ji Yuan used the Yin Ghost Formation and the Stone-Armored Crab to kill Liu Er and Liu Da, then ambushed and killed the wounded Demon Beast. As he collected the corpses and loot, the Dead Cave began to shake from an apparent earthquake.

• Ji Yuan trapped Liu Da and Liu Er in the Yin Ghost Formation and used the Stone-Armored Crab and Yin Ghosts to disarm and kill Liu Er.
• Liu Da unleashed a Purple Lightning sword that tore a breach in the Formation, but the Stone-Armored Crab wounded him and Ji Yuan finished him with his Dharma Tools.
• Ji Yuan attacked the injured Stone-Armored Crab with the Whitewater Flying Sword and Deathbringer Needle, then secured its corpse after it died.
• Ji Yuan collected the brothers’ Storage Bags and began putting away the Formation before the Dead Cave shook violently as the earth dragon turned over.

Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai escaped the Earth Dragon Turnover and left Clearwave Pool, but realized they were being followed. They confronted their pursuers on an uninhabited island as two Spirit Vessels surrounded them.

• Ji Yuan escaped the Dead Cave with Qiu Qianhai, and they survived the violent waves by reaching Clearwave Island.
• After the tremors eased, Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai left with their Cold Iron Sand and discovered their disguises had washed away.
• Two cultivators followed them from Clearwave Island, and Ji Yuan sensed the pursuit continued after they left the pool.
• Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai landed on an uninhabited island, where Ji Yuan refined the Liu brothers' Storage Bags.
• Two Spirit Vessels rose from the lake and encircled the island, trapping Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai.

Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai fought the Qin Household cultivators Hu Da and Zhang Kai on the island. Ji Yuan’s formations, talismans, and hidden weapons turned the battle around, and he left Hu Da mortally wounded with an earthen-yellow dharma sword.

• Hu Da and Zhang Kai attacked Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai, and Ji Yuan used thunderstrike talismans to seize the opening advantage while Qiu Qianhai struggled against Zhang Kai.
• Ji Yuan activated the Yin Ghost Formation, concealed Qiu Qianhai, and sent him to ambush Zhang Kai while the yin ghosts occupied Hu Da.
• Ji Yuan used an illusion to misdirect Zhang Kai’s throwing knives, then struck him with a Golden Seal Talisman as Qiu Qianhai kept him occupied.
• Hu Da escaped the formation after wasting two high-grade offensive talismans, while the yin ghosts killed Zhang Kai and Ji Yuan dismissed the formation.
• Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai pressed Hu Da with their weapons, and Ji Yuan’s Deathbringer Needle forced Hu Da to spend two defensive talismans before an earthen-yellow dharma sword pierced him.

Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai killed two Qin Household cultivators and were preparing to leave when Du Wanyi arrived. She sought Ji Yuan out to invite him to join the Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Association, and he agreed to hear more.

• Ji Yuan killed Hu Da with a concealed Earth Sword Talisman, then searched the bodies with Qiu Qianhai and destroyed the corpses.
• Du Wanyi arrived in a Flying Boat, revealed that she had witnessed the fight, and asked Ji Yuan to speak with her on a nearby island.
• Du Wanyi told Ji Yuan she knew he was Ji Yuan despite his false name, and explained that she had come with a promising opportunity.
• Du Wanyi described how ordinary cultivators without talent or backing could be exploited within the Water Dragon Sect.
• Du Wanyi introduced the Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Association, and Ji Yuan asked her to explain it further.

Ji Yuan joined the Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Society after Du Wanyi explained its loose pledges and benefits, including a one-use protective token. He set off to prepare for his breakthrough to late Qi Refining and met Qiu Qianhai to divide their haul.

• Du Wanyi explained the Mutual Aid Society’s pledges, monthly gatherings, and protection for members, and told Ji Yuan that Qin Old Blind Man led a rival Cloud-Rain Marsh Alliance.
• Ji Yuan agreed to join the Mutual Aid Society, received its protective jade token, and arranged to postpone his introductory gathering until after his breakthrough.
• Du Wanyi left, and Ji Yuan headed toward Jingde Ward to sort through his loot and prepare for late Qi Refining.
• Ji Yuan found Qiu Qianhai in the reeds, and Qiu Qianhai proposed splitting the Qin Household’s storage bags while leaving the Liu brothers’ bags and remaining cold iron sand to Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai divided the spoils from the Qin Household men and the Liu brothers, uncovering powerful Magical Artifacts, Water Thunder Pellets, and a large cache of Cold Iron Sand. After setting off with their gains, they arrived at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Jingde Ward to sell more of their loot.

• Qiu Qianhai refused a share of the Qin Household men's valuables, and he and Ji Yuan divided their remaining Magical Artifacts, Talismans, Cultivation Pills, and Spirit Stones.
• Ji Yuan found that the Liu brothers' Water-Splitting Stingers combined into the High-Grade Water-Splitting Dragon Lance, while their shields became his new defensive Magical Artifacts.
• Ji Yuan discovered two Water Thunder Pellets in Liu Er's Storage Bag, but Qiu Qianhai refused one, so Ji Yuan kept both and gave Qiu Qianhai other items instead.
• Ji Yuan gathered the Cold Iron Sand from the Liu brothers' bags with his own, bringing his total to forty-one jin, while Qiu Qianhai declined his share.
• Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai reached the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in Jingde Ward to sell their spoils.

Ji Yuan sold his spoils in Jingde Ward, exchanged Spirit Stones to prepare for a breakthrough, and arranged to cultivate with Qiu Qianhai while they guarded each other. Meanwhile, Qin Wei investigated the missing Liu brothers and Qin Household cultivators, then angered Du Wanyi by questioning her about Ji Yuan.

• Ji Yuan sold Dharma Tools, Talismans, Cultivation Pills, and the damaged Stone-Armored Crab corpse, bringing his Spirit Stones to 504.
• Ji Yuan exchanged 408 Low-Grade Spirit Stones for four Middle-Grade Spirit Stones and decided to keep his Cold Iron Sand for now.
• Ji Yuan proposed that he and Qiu Qianhai rent a courtyard in Jingde Ward and guard each other while they pursued their breakthroughs, and Qiu Qianhai agreed.
• Qin Wei learned that Hu Da and the other Qin Household cultivator had followed Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai, while the Clearwave Twin Heroes were also missing.
• Qin Wei visited Du Wanyi to ask whether she knew the man in Ji Yuan's portrait, but she rebuked him and ordered him to leave.

Ji Yuan secluded himself in a Jingde Ward courtyard and used Middle-Grade Spirit Stones to break through to Late Qi Refining while Qiu Qianhai stood guard. Meanwhile, the Qin Household decided to let Ji Yuan go and revealed that its plans against Qiu Qianhai might be tied to an old inheritance and Eldest Brother’s death; the chapter ended with Ji Yuan’s breakthrough.

• Ji Yuan rented a courtyard in Jingde Ward and began breaking through after Qiu Qianhai urged him to advance first.
• Ji Yuan absorbed Low-Grade and Middle-Grade Spirit Stones while Qiu Qianhai guarded the courtyard.
• Yao Jingfeng and Du Wanyi discussed recruiting Ji Yuan into the Mutual Aid Society and considered how to handle his conflict with the Qin Household.
• Qin Long concluded that Ji Yuan was too powerful to target and said Qin Old Blind Man would deal with Qiu Qianhai personally.
• He Laosan told Qin Long that the decision might be connected to an old inheritance and Eldest Brother’s death.
• After half a month, Qiu Qianhai sensed Ji Yuan had broken through to Late Qi Refining.

Ji Yuan stabilized his cultivation at Late Qi Refining and tested his Dharma Tools while considering what equipment to upgrade. Qiu Qianhai emerged from a dangerous breakthrough attempt at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining and revealed that he was burning his lifespan with another art; a knock at the courtyard gate interrupted them.

• Ji Yuan finished stabilizing his Late Qi Refining cultivation after exhausting his Middle-Grade Spirit Stones, and Qiu Qianhai welcomed him as a friend before jokingly bowing to him as a senior.
• Ji Yuan tested his Dharma Tools, judged several of them inadequate for his new cultivation, and decided he would need to upgrade his equipment.
• Ji Yuan sensed blood qi and a fierce heartbeat from Qiu Qianhai's room but left him to cultivate, then practiced talismans and techniques for several days.
• Qiu Qianhai emerged pale after coughing up blood, with his cultivation stabilized at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, and admitted he was burning his lifespan to advance faster.
• Ji Yuan offered to help Qiu Qianhai, and a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.

Ji Yuan returned to Zengtou City after reaching the Late Qi Refining Stage, while Qiu Qianhai set off alone to settle his own affairs at Clearwave Pool. Back home, Ji Yuan resumed cultivating and planned to strengthen his livelihood and develop in peace.

• Ji Yuan and Qiu Qianhai left Jingde Ward after Ji Yuan suspected Xiao Hong had come to probe their identities.
• Qiu Qianhai planned to return to Clearwave Pool to kill Deng Lang, and Ji Yuan promised to help if the Qin Household pursued him.
• Qiu Qianhai departed for Autumn Rain Island, while Ji Yuan continued toward Zengtou City and removed his disguise.
• Ji Yuan returned to his neighbors, where Zhao Yuechan recognized his breakthrough and Wen Ling'er happily accepted a toy from him.
• Ji Yuan restored his home and harvested resources from his backyard, then planned to sell supplies and resume raising spirit creatures.

Ji Yuan returned to Zengtou City, learned about recent developments, and revealed his late Qi Refining cultivation to Xu Fugui. Xu Fugui brought out the gift he had promised Ji Yuan, but the chapter ended before revealing what it was.

• Lin Hu visited Ji Yuan, shared news from Zengtou City, and told him he was going to become a father.
• Lin Hu reported that Qiu Qianhai had killed two Qin Household cultivators and that Wu Yan had reached late Qi Refining.
• Wen Lin and Zhao Yuechan decided to spend the next three years building their friendship with Ji Yuan before asking for his help.
• Ji Yuan went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to check prices for high-grade magical artifacts and found Xu Fugui there.
• Ji Yuan revealed that he had reached late Qi Refining, and Xu Fugui took out the gift he had promised him.

Ji Yuan received a high-grade magical artifact from Xu Fugui to help him practice Layered Mirror, then went to buy an upper-grade flying boat. After Xu Fugui urged Old Huang to show him something beyond the standard models, Old Huang revealed a striking purple-black vessel.

• Xu Fugui gave Ji Yuan an Ancient Bronze Mirror and explained that it could help him practice Layered Mirror.
• Xu Fugui identified Ji Yuan's Heartguard Mirror and the Ancient Bronze Mirror as imitations of a Dharma treasure, and Ji Yuan asked about Hong Xiuwen's communication talisman.
• Ji Yuan visited the Dharma tool section and asked Old Huang about upper-grade flying boats.
• Old Huang introduced three standard boats, and Ji Yuan favored the Trace-Vanishing Boat for its concealment abilities.
• Xu Fugui asked Old Huang whether he had a custom-forged boat, so Old Huang brought out a dark purple-black shuttle-shaped vessel.

Ji Yuan traded his Black Wind Boat and several shields to buy the fast Thunder Falcon Boat and the High-Grade Hundred-Fish Shield. He tested the boat outside Zengtou City and flew toward another market to buy Cold Iron Sand and exchange for a High-Grade flying sword.

• Old Huang sold Ji Yuan the Thunder Falcon Boat for one hundred Spirit Stones, accepting the Black Wind Boat and fifty-five Spirit Stones in payment.
• Ji Yuan traded the Gold-Iron Shield, Vinewood Shield, and Dragon Armor Shield, then paid seven Spirit Stones for the Hundred-Fish Shield.
• Old Huang and Xu Fugui praised Ji Yuan’s prospects after he left their shop.
• Ji Yuan summoned the Thunder Falcon Boat outside Zengtou City and activated its Thunder Falcon Essence to fly at great speed.
• Ji Yuan headed to another market to buy Cold Iron Sand and exchange it for a High-Grade flying sword.

After upgrading his magical artifacts and expanding his fish pond and chicken coop, Ji Yuan was approached by Shopkeeper Wu, who said the Water Dragon Sect’s rising demand had driven up Blood Essence prices. The chapter ended with Ji Yuan asking what a liang of Blood Essence was worth.

• Ji Yuan practiced Layered Mirror with the Blurred Mirror but still could not master its final Water Arrow Technique move.
• Ji Yuan sold and replaced several artifacts in Taian Ward, then returned to his cottage with six High-Grade Magical Artifacts.
• Ji Yuan bought ten Early First Tier herbivorous Spirit Fish, ten Half-Spirit Fish, three Red-Crowned hens, and another Spirit Pig for his courtyard.
• Ji Yuan drew blood from his Red-Crowned rooster and waited for Du Wanyi to contact him about the Water Dragon Sect Mutual Aid Association.
• Shopkeeper Wu visited Ji Yuan and explained that the Water Dragon Sect’s increased demand had raised Blood Essence prices; Ji Yuan asked the current price per liang.