Chapter Summaries

Xu Chuan studied the Zhou Household’s Compendium of Spirit Herbs and worked to complete a difficult Pill Formula using opposing ice and fire ingredients. After discovering a method to combine them, he formed one pill amid three poisonous failures, leaving Zhou Yiming astonished.

• Xu Chuan asked Zhou Yiming to borrow a spirit-herb reference book, and the Zhou Household apothecary lent him the Compendium of Spirit Herbs.
• Xu Chuan studied the herbs for half a month, deduced that the Pill Formula was for breaking through cultivation bottlenecks, and began testing its ingredients in the Pill Chamber.
• After repeated failures, Xu Chuan devised a method of balancing the fire and ice ingredients with lesser yin and lesser yang herbs.
• Xu Chuan asked Zhou Yiming to bring Jade Yang Grass and Water Origin Flower to the A-Class Alchemy Chamber, then refined the ingredients in four separate masses of medicinal liquid.
• Xu Chuan formed four pills: three poisonous ruined pills and one with a faint pill fragrance, prompting Zhou Yiming to exclaim that he had succeeded.

Xu Chuan completed the Zhou Household’s difficult Realm-Breaking Pill formula, but Zhou Sen could not reproduce his success. Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian stayed at the Zhou Household while Xu Chuan planned to use the failed attempts to negotiate greater compensation.

• Xu Chuan showed Zhou Sen the low-grade Realm-Breaking Pill he had refined and explained that he had added jade yang grass and water origin flower to the formula.
• The Zhou Household Head asked for a volunteer to test the pill, and Zhou Sen swallowed it before confirming that it had seventy percent of the efficacy described in the formula.
• Zhou Sen failed to refine a finished pill over the next three days, while Xu Chuan returned to the courtyard to cultivate and told Xu Mingxian they would stay a few more days.
• Xu Chuan explained that the formula required a specific refining procedure and that he hoped to ask the Zhou Household for greater compensation.
• After another failed attempt, Zhou Sen asked Zhou Yiming about Xu Chuan’s refining process and wondered whether Xu Chuan’s high cultivation had helped him manage the difficult procedure.

Xu Chuan received remuneration from the Zhou Household and helped Zhou Sen successfully refine a low-grade Realm-Breaking Pill, leading the clan to consider recruiting him. Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian settled temporarily at the Zhou Alchemy Shop in Moon Lake Market, where Xu Chuan advised his son to focus on Formation Path studies for their household’s future needs.

• Xu Chuan requested lost storage pouches, Formation Path texts for Xu Mingxian, and spirit stones, and Zhou Sen agreed to provide them and escort the pair to Moon Lake Market.
• Xu Chuan explained his pill-refining method and demonstrated it, after which Zhou Sen tried the process and succeeded in refining a low-grade Realm-Breaking Pill on his third attempt.
• Zhou Sen gave Xu Chuan the requested items, then praised his Pill Dao mastery to the Zhou Household Head, who left recruitment efforts in Zhou Sen’s hands.
• Zhou Sen and Zhou Yiming escorted Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian to Moon Lake Market, where the pair stayed in guest rooms behind the Zhou Alchemy Shop.
• Xu Chuan told Xu Mingxian that the Zhou Household might want to recruit him too and advised him to study Qi-Gathering and Spirit-Gathering Formations; Xu Mingxian asked whether his father truly thought he had talent for formations.

Xu Mingxian began studying formations while Xu Chuan explored Moon Lake Market and negotiated with the Zhou Household. The chapter ended with Xu Chuan agreeing to become a Guest Elder in exchange for freedom to come and go, a stipend, a share of the pills he refined, and a low-grade magical artifact.

• Xu Mingxian studied introductory formation texts and resolved to learn the formation path.
• Zhou Sen asked Xu Chuan to help refine Realm-Breaking Pills and recruit into the Zhou Household, but Xu Chuan requested time to consider.
• Xu Chuan surveyed Moon Lake Market, bought the complete Golden Sword Art, and gave it and twenty spirit stones to Xu Mingxian.
• After three days, Xu Chuan offered to join the Zhou Household as a Guest Elder under three conditions.
• Zhou Sen accepted Xu Chuan's freedom to come and go, monthly stipend, and share of refined pills, and agreed to provide a low-grade magical artifact.

Xu Chuan joined the Zhou Alchemy Shop as its chief pill master, studied its formulas, and steadily improved his alchemy. After months of practice, Xu Mingxian gained insight into formations and asked to gather materials to experiment.

• Zhou Sen introduced Xu Chuan as the Zhou Alchemy Shop’s new guest elder and put him in charge of pill matters while he was away.
• Xu Chuan swore not to disclose the Zhou Clan’s formulas, received copies, and began refining pills for the shop.
• Xu Chuan practiced alchemy daily for more than a month, raising his success rates for origin-restoring and magic-power-increasing pills above those of Ding Ming and Zuo Qiufu.
• Xu Chuan continued studying alchemy while Xu Mingxian studied formations, and three months passed.
• Xu Mingxian told Xu Chuan he had gained insight into formations and asked to buy materials; Xu Chuan gave him permission and offered his spirit stones and stored pills.

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian spent their first Year Sacrifice away from the family as they pursued cultivation in Moon Lake Market. Over the following months, Xu Chuan improved his alchemy while Xu Mingxian successfully completed his first formation.

• Xu Mingxian bought spirit iron and practiced engraving array patterns while Xu Chuan and he continued studying and cultivating.
• At the Year Sacrifice feast, Bai Jing mourned Xu Chuan's absence, while Xu Mingwei comforted her and the family raised a toast to the Xu Household's future.
• Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian shared a drink beneath the moon and agreed to advance together for the sake of the Xu Household.
• Yang Zhao considered becoming head of the Yang Household but declined Yang Wenfeng's offer, citing his official duties and limited abilities.
• Xu Chuan refined seven pills in a batch and continued improving his alchemy, while Xu Mingxian experimented with formations.
• Xu Mingxian engraved a complete Qi Guiding Formation on spirit iron, which drew spiritual energy toward its core.

Xu Mingxian advanced his formation studies and learned basic artifact refining while reaching the seventh layer of Qi Refining. Xu Chuan commissioned a powerful Treasure Bow for Xu Mingwei, but the cost led Workshop Master Wu to offer a discount in exchange for help with a Bone-Strengthening Pill Formula.

• Xu Mingxian spent six months learning formations, laid out a basic Spirit-Gathering Formation, and increased his cultivation speed by five percent.
• Xu Mingxian studied artifact refining for a little over two months and reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining, while Xu Chuan broke through to the eighth layer.
• Xu Chuan visited Workshop Master Wu at the Hundredfold Refining Workshop and commissioned a mid-grade metal-attribute Treasure Bow and matching arrows for his friend.
• Workshop Master Wu quoted a price of at least two hundred spirit stones, and Xu Chuan offered an ancient bottleneck-breaking pill that Wu valued at sixty spirit stones.
• Xu Chuan asked about paying with other pills, and Workshop Master Wu offered to reduce the price if Xu Chuan helped him with a Bone-Strengthening Pill Formula.

Xu Chuan agreed to try refining the Bone-Strengthening Pill for Workshop Master Wu and received the completed Ink Flood Dragon Bow he had commissioned. Xu Mingxian delivered the bow to Qingjiang, where Xu Mingwei discovered that even his great strength could not fully draw it.

• Workshop Master Wu asked Xu Chuan to refine the Bone-Strengthening Pill to save his frail grandson, and Xu Chuan agreed to try after first completing his magical artifact commission.
• Workshop Master Wu finished the Ink Flood Dragon Bow, a massive bow made from Black Ink Flood Dragon materials and accompanied by nine linked arrows.
• Xu Chuan sent Xu Mingxian to deliver the bow to his eldest brother in Qingjiang County, and Xu Mingxian killed a band of bandits and looted them along the way.
• Xu Mingxian reunited with the Xu Household and explained the bow’s origins and power to Xu Mingwei and the others.
• Xu Mingwei could not fully draw the bow, while Xu Mingshu dropped it and damaged a bluestone tile, prompting Xu Mingwei to threaten to deduct her monthly allowance.

Xu Mingxian visited the Xu Household, delivered his family’s messages to Xu Chuan, and returned to Moon Lake Market. Two months later, Xu Mingwei reached mid-stage Grandmaster and learned that the Chang Household was demanding a larger share of their Commandery Seat profits, prompting him to consider relying on the Zhou Household’s influence.

• Xu Mingxian gave Xu Mingwei the bandit spoils, silver-thread Treasure Armor, and copies of several cultivation texts before leaving to help Xu Chuan.
• Xu Mingxian relayed Bai Jing’s and the children’s messages to Xu Chuan, who urged Xu Mingwei to study the Formation Path and said they could return home in three or four years.
• Two months later, Xu Mingwei broke through to mid-stage Grandmaster and fully drew the Ink Flood Dragon Bow, a mid-grade magical artifact.
• Xu Mingyuan told Xu Mingwei that the Yang Household had changed its head and that the Chang Household was demanding more than its current fifty-percent share of their profits.
• Xu Mingwei proposed approaching the Zhou Household, which had risen to fourth rank and employed Xu Chuan as a Guest Elder, while keeping Xu Chuan’s connection to it secret.

Xu Mingyuan used the Zhou Household’s Guest Elder Token to convince the Chang Household that the Xu Household had powerful backing. The Chang Household agreed to return the Xu Household’s business profits and protect its shops, hoping to gain access to the Zhou Household’s Pill Master.

• Xu Chuan divined that Xu Mingyuan planned to use the Zhou Household’s name to reclaim the Xu Household’s businesses, then sent Xu Mingxian to protect him in secret.
• Xu Mingxian gave Xu Mingyuan the Zhou Household’s Guest Elder Token and seven defensive Jade Pendants for the younger generation.
• Xu Mingyuan met Chang Haowen and presented the token as proof of the Xu Household’s connection to a Zhou Household guest elder.
• Chang Haowen recognized the token as genuine and promised to persuade the Chang Household to return the Xu Household’s profits and protect its businesses.
• Chang Haowen hoped the Chang Household could use its new relationship with the Xu Household to approach the Zhou Household’s Pill Master.

Xu Chuan advanced his alchemy, stabilized his High-Grade Pill production, and successfully refined Bone-Strengthening Pills for Workshop Master Wu. He secured Wu’s promise to teach Xu Mingxian artifact refining, while warning him that the Xu Household needed a protective grand formation before openly competing with other clans.

• Xu Chuan refined a High-Grade Qi-Replenishing Pill, prompting Shopkeeper Zhou to report his achievement to Zhou Sen.
• Xu Chuan stabilized his production at one High-Grade Pill every four batches and received a monthly stipend of fifteen spirit stones.
• Xu Chuan refined Bone-Strengthening Pills, producing three low-grade pills and one mid-grade pill across his attempts.
• Xu Chuan asked Workshop Master Wu to teach formation student Xu Mingxian artifact refining in exchange for the pills, and Wu agreed.
• Xu Chuan warned Xu Mingxian that the Xu Household needed a grand formation before selling pills in bulk or contending with other clans.
• Xu Mingxian arrived at the Hundredfold Refining Workshop under the name Yunming to begin learning artifact refining from Workshop Master Wu.

Bai Jing asked Xu Mingwei to protect the Bai Household after her death, and he promised that the family would endure as long as the Xu Household did. Xu Dezhao and Xu Dewen later sparred and went to the Jade-Cold Pool, where they learned that Xu Xueji and the Third Master had gone into the Broken Fang Mountain Range.

• Bai Jing spoke with her maid A-Li about her daughter’s marriage and her worries that Xu Xueji had not found a match.
• Bai Jing walked through the fields with Xu Mingwei and asked him to spare the Bai Household, and he promised to preserve it through future generations.
• Xu Dezhao sparred with Xu Dewen, and Xu Mingwei scolded them for fighting near Bai Jing.
• Xu Dezhao and Xu Dewen visited the Jade-Cold Pool and found Wu Tao and Shen Qingyi cultivating there.
• Shen Qingyi told Xu Dezhao that Xu Xueji and the Third Master had gone into the Broken Fang Mountain Range to seek herbs and young mutant beasts, and Xu Dezhao took Xu Dewen to practice martial arts.

Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxuan led the Xu Household’s party through the Broken Fang Mountains, where they watched an Azure Giant Eagle kill a Red-Scaled Python and seized the python’s remains. As they escaped, Xu Mingxuan’s instincts pointed toward possible treasures in the eagle’s nest.

• Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxuan led the Xu Household’s elite guards deeper into the mountains in search of young beasts and resources.
• The party heard an eagle and a beast fighting, then found an Azure Giant Eagle battling a wounded Red-Scaled Python beside a lake.
• Xu Mingxuan judged that the eagle would leave the python behind, so the party waited as the eagle killed it and flew off with its gallbladder.
• Xu Mingxuan ordered the guards to collect the python’s body and scattered scales before the eagle returned.
• Xu Mingxuan guided the party to safety while the enraged Azure Giant Eagle searched in the wrong direction.
• Xu Mingxuan told Xu Mingshu that his instincts suggested the Azure Giant Eagle’s nest might hold treasures.

Xu Mingxuan and his companions brought a dead Red-Scaled Python back to the Xu Residence, where Xu Mingwei arranged for it to be dissected. Xu Chuan bought a storage pouch and heard Workshop Master Wu recount his past, leaving him interested in securing Wu’s artifact-refining inheritance for the Xu Household.

• Xu Mingxuan and his companions returned to the Xu Residence with the Red-Scaled Python, and Xu Mingwei ordered it taken to the Jade-Cold Pool.
• Xu Mingshu explained that an Azure Eagle had killed the python near Broken Tooth Peak and that the Xu group had taken its body afterward.
• Xu Mingwei assigned Zhang Wanqing, Wu Tao, and Shen Qingyi to dissect the python and told Xu Dezhao and Xu Deheng to guard them.
• Xu Chuan decided to prioritize refining Xiantian Blood Pills, bought a low-tier storage pouch, and asked Xu Mingxian to deliver it home.
• Xu Chuan discussed his pursuit of Foundation Establishment with Workshop Master Wu, who recounted his life and named several markets he had visited.

Xu Mingxian returned with cultivation resources, processed the Red-Scaled Python, and helped Xu Chuan develop Xiantian Blood Pills for the Xu Household. The chapter ended with Xu Mingshu rejecting her mother’s plan for her to marry Li Zhi.

• Xu Mingxian used his flying sword to carefully harvest valuable materials from the Red-Scaled Python and gave spirit iron to Zhang Wanqing, Wu Tao, and Shen Qingyi.
• Xu Mingxian delivered the Heavenflame Art and a Spirit-Gathering Formation for Bai Jing, then brought the python materials to Xu Chuan.
• Xu Chuan refined Xiantian Blood Pills, while Xu Mingxian established a large Spirit-Gathering Formation around the Jade-Cold Pool and Medicine Field.
• Xu Mingwei distributed pills to his siblings and martial artists loyal to the Xu Household, reserving the High-Grade Pills for himself.
• Xu Mingwei told Xu Mingshu that their mother intended for her to marry Li Zhi, and Xu Mingshu angrily refused.

Xu Mingshu rejected the idea of marrying Li Zhi and insisted she would remain unmarried unless she found a husband who met her standards. After Xu Mingwei relayed her wishes to Bai Jing, Xu Mingshu left for the Jade-Cold Pool to cultivate with Little White.

• Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingyuan argued that Li Zhi would make a suitable husband for Xu Mingshu, but she said she regarded him as an older brother.
• Xu Mingshu demanded a husband stronger than her and as devoted and intelligent as Xu Mingwei and Xu Chuan, then declared she would not marry if no such man existed.
• Xu Mingwei told Bai Jing about Xu Mingshu's demands, and Bai Jing said they would discuss the matter when Xu Chuan returned.
• Xu Mingwei warned Xu Mingshu to cultivate in seclusion at the Jade-Cold Pool so she would not upset Bai Jing.
• Xu Mingshu rode Little White toward the Jade-Cold Pool to check whether the Black Iron Fruit had ripened, and Xu Mingwei felt relieved to see her happy.

Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingxuan lured out and killed a pair of Azurefire Eagles near Broken Tooth Peak. Suspecting their nest held chicks or eggs, Xu Mingwei climbed the sheer cliff and reached the Lone Cliff Platform, where he found a cave.

• Xu Mingxuan used a Xiantian Blood Pill to lure an Azurefire Eagle toward the lake while Xu Mingwei hid with his bow.
• Xu Mingwei shot and killed the first Azurefire Eagle, then killed its mate after it attacked Xu Mingxuan and the guard.
• Xu Mingwei decided to investigate the eagles’ nest for chicks or eggs and sent Xu Mingxuan to gather hemp rope.
• Xu Mingwei climbed Broken Tooth Peak’s sheer cliff and reached the Lone Cliff Platform, where he saw a large cave.

Xu Mingwei and his siblings brought home two Azurefire Eagles, three eggs, and storage pouches filled with cultivation goods, while the Xu Household continued expanding and advancing over the next six months. Xu Mingxian later prepared to leave Moon Lake Market to pursue his Dao path, prompting Zhou Sen to ask about his plans.

• Xu Mingwei found three living hawk eggs and three storage pouches in a cave, then escaped with the eggs as the hemp rope burned behind him.
• Xu Mingxian identified the pouches as defective and recovered a Crimson Flying Sword, a black shield, spirit stones, cultivation arts, and other items; he also brought fire-attribute stones to help hatch the eggs.
• Xu Mingxian delivered the Azurefire Eagle carcasses to Xu Chuan, who asked him to use the spirit stones to buy spirit medicines for pill refining.
• Over the next six months, Xu Mingwei and the other Xu family members advanced their cultivation, while the branch households established businesses in neighboring counties and Zhang Wanqing and Wu Rushan became pregnant.
• At Zhou Alchemy Shop, Zhou Sen hurried to meet Xu Mingxian after hearing he was leaving, and Xu Mingxian said he needed to plan for his Dao path as he approached the ninth layer of Qi Refining.

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian left Moon Lake Market after receiving parting gifts from Zhou Sen and Workshop Master Wu, and set out for Guangling. At Jade-Cold Pool, Xu Mingshu learned that Third had found a demon beast and persuaded Xu Mingxuan to join a hunt with Wu Tao and the others.

• Zhou Sen accepted Xu Chuan’s departure, gave him a Guest Elder Token, and told Shopkeeper Zhou to watch the Su Household’s movements.
• Workshop Master Wu gave Xu Chuan a Storage Pouch containing cultivation arts, an alchemy furnace, and a flying sword, asking him to look after Wu Shunan if he established a clan.
• Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian left Moon Lake Market for Guangling, and Xu Chuan urged his son to remember Workshop Master Wu’s kindness.
• Third, one of Xu Mingshu’s three Azurefire Eagles, returned and reported finding a demon beast in the Broken Fang Mountain Range.
• Xu Mingshu asked Xu Mingxuan to join her hunt with Wu Tao and the others, and he agreed after Zhang Wanqing encouraged him.

Xu Mingxuan’s party killed a lizard demon beast, while Xu Mingshu hosted the younger Xu family members at the Jade-Cold Pool. Meanwhile, Xiao Changyuan sought a replacement before leaving Qingjiang County, and the Xu Household arranged for Wu Tao to join the Immortal Registry Office; Xiao Changyuan welcomed the offer and Xu Mingxuan’s payment.

• Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingshu led Wu Tao, Shen Qingyi, and the beasts in killing a powerful lizard demon beast and salvaging its materials.
• Xu Mingshu welcomed Xu Deling and her brothers at the Jade-Cold Pool, where they cultivated and trained after the hunt.
• After reaching the sixth layer of Qi Refining, Xiao Changyuan ordered free immortal-root tests across Qingjiang County so he could find a successor before returning to Dragon River Commandery.
• Xu Mingwei, Xu Mingyuan, and Xu Mingxuan decided the Xu Household should gain influence over the Immortal Registry Office and chose Wu Tao to take the first position.
• Xu Mingxuan brought Wu Tao to Xiao Changyuan and offered thirty thousand taels to help him secure a post; Xiao Changyuan agreed to consider it and was pleased by the payment.