Chapter Summaries

Zhu Lin attained the Dao as the True Lord of Attached Fire, opened a Grotto-Heaven, and left the Heavy Mountains transformed by his power. As Xuan Guang and his disciples discussed the upheaval, he explained the longstanding dispute over whether heaven’s exalted positions belonged to humanity or to whoever was worthy.

• Zhu Lin attained the Dao, became the True Lord of Attached Fire, and opened a Grotto-Heaven to establish his lineage.
• An old True Person lamented that cultivation could not outweigh having someone powerful above him, but Zhu Lin did not punish him.
• Jiang Yang and his companions watched the Vermilion Flame Palace celebrate Zhu Lin’s ascension and saw the Heavy Mountains fill with fire veins and valuable resources.
• Xuan Guang warned his disciples to guard their speech and explained the opposing ideals concerning who should hold heaven’s exalted positions.
• Xuan Guang told Jiang Yang, Chu Qingjian, and Zhi Yu that several Fruit Positions had originally belonged to innate beings before Humankind came to control most of them.

Jiang Yang learned more about Dao Fruit seats and the weakening Yi Wood Tradition before Xuan Guang returned to the Sect and discovered that Cong Ya had died during her breakthrough. The chapter ended with Chu Qingjian accepting Cong Ya’s spirit treasures and being tasked with carrying on her legacy.

• Xuan Guang explained that powerful cultivators often sought Dao Fruit seats through their own attainments, and that True Lord Jade Zan had created the Grace and Bearing Dao Lineage from nothing.
• Xuan Guang left Zhi Yu at the Cuiwei ore vein and brought Jiang Yang and Chu Qingjian back to the Sect.
• After returning to Fushu Peak, Xuan Guang met True Person Xuan Di, who offered condolences for Cong Ya.
• Wei Rui and Spirit Steward explained that Cong Ya had died just short of completing her breakthrough and that her death had produced spirit treasures across the peak.
• Xuan Guang gave Cong Ya’s spirit treasures to Chu Qingjian and asked her to visit Cong Ya’s clan and choose someone to carry on her legacy.

Jiang Yang accompanied Xuan Guang and Chu Qingjian to view Cong Ya after her breakthrough ended in death. Xuan Guang arranged for her Dharma Body to be buried at Fushu Peak and her robes and crown to be sent to her lineage, then assigned Jiang Yang and Xingjian to handle the burial.

• Xuan Di advised Xuan Guang to open Cong Ya's cave abode and collect her robes and crown.
• Xuan Guang brought Jiang Yang and Chu Qingjian into Cong Ya's cave, where her Dharma Body remained seated among flourishing plants.
• Xuan Guang explained how Cong Ya's Azure-Cliff Deer cultivation path would transform her body after death and instructed Chu Qingjian to send her robes and crown to Cong Ya's lineage.
• Xuan Guang added several low-grade spirit treasures to Cong Ya's nearly empty storage bag, and Chu Qingjian agreed to deliver it with the burial items.
• Xuan Guang told Jiang Yang that he and Xingjian would arrange Cong Ya's burial after Xingjian returned.

Jiang Yang learned from Bai Tang about the powerful True Lords present at the ceremony, then helped Chu Qingjian bring Cong Ya’s descendants to pay their respects. The chapter ended with Jiang Yang catching the child searching through the Cave Abode and demanding to know what he was looking for.

• Jiang Yang asked Bai Tang why she had stayed silent during the ceremony, and she explained that at least two powerful beings had been present above them.
• Bai Tang described the True Lords’ near-immortal powers and speculated that the severing of longevity qi might affect them, though they could reincarnate through their true spirits.
• Chu Qingjian returned with a woman and child from Senior Sister Cong’s lineage so they could offer condolences in person.
• Jiang Yang opened the Cave Abode for the mother and son while he and Chu Qingjian waited outside, where she complained about the Cong Household’s infighting over Cong Ya’s belongings.
• Jiang Yang entered the Cave Abode and found the woman making offerings while the child searched around; he demanded to know what the child was looking for.

Jiang Yang exposed a woman and child searching Cong Ya’s cave for supposed clan treasures, then discovered the child, Huai Jin, was actually a girl sent by the Cong Household’s elders to collect spiritual resources. Chu Qingjian restrained the impostor and prepared to confront the Cong Household over the deception.

• Jiang Yang stopped the woman and child from rummaging through Cong Ya’s cave and demanded to know what they were seeking.
• The woman confessed that a Clan Elder had sent her to retrieve an inheritance treasure, which she claimed was a jade clasp.
• Chu Qingjian arrived, and Jiang Yang suggested questioning the child because the woman’s story seemed dishonest.
• The child, Huai Jin, said she had been sent to collect spiritual resources by her Second Granduncle, while the woman was her Second Aunt, not her mother.
• Chu Qingjian immobilized the woman when she tried to silence Huai Jin, and Jiang Yang realized Huai Jin was a girl.

Jiang Yang and Chu Qingjian confronted Cong Ya’s relatives after they tried to retrieve her spirit treasures, and Chu Qingjian declared the treasures belonged to Rain Xiang Mountain. They spared the family and left with Cong Huaijin, with Jiang Yang asking Chu Qingjian to protect the girl from being ostracized.

• Jiang Yang confirmed that Cong Huaijin was a little girl, while Chu Qingjian angrily confronted Cong Huaijin’s second aunt for trying to take spirit treasures.
• Cong Huaijin’s second aunt claimed the Cong Household was desperate for resources after Cong Ya’s death, but Chu Qingjian insisted Cong Ya’s treasures belonged to the Sect, not her clan.
• Jiang Yang recommended sparing the two relatives because they were Cong Ya’s Descendants and had caused no serious harm.
• Chu Qingjian agreed to send the relatives away, and Jiang Yang asked her to look after Cong Huaijin so the clan would not mistreat her.

Jiang Yang and Bi Xingjian buried Cong Ya on Falling Feather Island, then Jiang Yang encountered the alchemist Dan Ruo. The chapter ended with Dan Ruo asking why he had come to the Dustheart Grounds.

• Bi Xingjian returned after visiting Butterfly-Bearing's birth mother and joined Jiang Yang in arranging Cong Ya's burial.
• Jiang Yang and Bi Xingjian carried Cong Ya's jade casket to Falling Feather Island and buried her with a simple offering and memorial tablet.
• Jiang Yang sensed someone nearby, and Bi Xingjian recognized that he knew the woman before leaving to report to their master.
• Jiang Yang met Dan Ruo, who was surprised by his rise to foundation establishment and addressed him respectfully as Young Master Jiang.
• Dan Ruo asked Jiang Yang what had brought him to the Dustheart Grounds.

Jiang Yang met Zhu Dan Ruo while burying Cong Ya and learned she had changed to the Spirit-Water Alchemy Method after the Fire Vein on Pill Spring Island became unsuitable for alchemy. He showed her the Stillness and Unity Furnace, and agreed to reserve it for her until she could afford to buy it.

• Jiang Yang told Zhu Dan Ruo that his senior sister Cong Ya had died while trying to break through to Divine Powers, and she offered her condolences.
• Zhu Dan Ruo explained that True Lord Zhu Lin's breakthrough had disrupted the Fire Veins, leading her to become Alchemist Ge's disciple and cultivate ren water.
• Jiang Yang showed Zhu Dan Ruo the Foundation Establishment-level Stillness and Unity Furnace, which he had acquired but had no use for.
• When Zhu Dan Ruo said she could not afford the furnace, Jiang Yang agreed to keep it for her until she had saved enough to trade for it.

Jiang Yang agreed that Dan Ruo could have the Pill Furnace after she focused on building her immortal foundation, then returned to the outer sect’s Three Peaks to visit old acquaintances and investigate Bai Tang’s origins. He found Fang Xu’s cave dwelling empty, leaving his search for the cave-dwelling legacy unresolved.

• Jiang Yang told Dan Ruo to prioritize building her immortal foundation and said she could find him at Fushu Peak when she wanted the Pill Furnace.
• Jiang Yang visited Falling Rain Peak from the air, then descended onto Morning Rain Peak to see his former cave dwelling.
• Jiang Yang and Bai Tang discussed asking Fang Xu about the cave dwelling where Bai Tang had been found and the dried-up Sword-Washing Pool.
• Jiang Yang went to Fang Xu’s Lone Chant Residence and found a notice saying Fang Xu had gone away and his return was uncertain.

Jiang Yang visited Fang Xu and Zhou Yanwei, but both were away preparing for Foundation Establishment, leaving him uneasy about the repeated absences. Three days later, Chu Qingjian arrived with her new disciple, Huai Jin, and introduced her to Jiang Yang.

• Jiang Yang searched Fang Xu's empty cottage and learned nothing of where he had gone.
• Jiang Yang visited Zhou Yanwei's cave abode and met Zhou Yancen, who said Zhou Yanwei had returned to his lineage three years earlier to prepare for Foundation Establishment.
• Jiang Yang left after both visits failed, then returned to his peak and practiced swordplay to calm his uneasy thoughts.
• Three days later, Chu Qingjian landed in Jiang Yang's courtyard and argued with him about the crater she had made.
• Chu Qingjian introduced her disciple, Huai Jin, who bowed and greeted Jiang Yang.

Chu Qingjian made Cong Huaijin her Founding Disciple, and Jiang Yang welcomed the child with a valuable Mystic Artifact. The three prepared to visit Cong Ya’s grave at the Dustheart Grounds on Falling Feather Island.

• Chu Qingjian told Jiang Yang that she had taken Cong Huaijin as her Founding Disciple because she disliked the Cong Household and wanted to guide the clever child.
• Jiang Yang praised Chu Qingjian’s decision and said their master would be pleased to hear that a new generation had begun.
• Chu Qingjian asked where Cong Ya was buried, and Jiang Yang told her that Cong Ya lay at the Dustheart Grounds on Falling Feather Island.
• Jiang Yang offered Cong Huaijin his Baleful-Hunting Jade Smoke Flask as a welcoming gift, but she initially refused it out of respect for Chu Qingjian.
• Chu Qingjian relented, and Cong Huaijin accepted the Mystic Artifact with thanks.

Jiang Yang hosted Chu Qingjian and her new disciple, Cong Huaijin, then wrote to Shang Qingzheng before returning to his cultivation. He focused on advancing his sword essence, hoping to halt Bai Tang’s decline.

• Chu Qingjian brought Cong Huaijin to Jiang Yang’s courtyard, where he welcomed them and shared Spirit Tea with the child.
• Chu Qingjian said she planned to take Cong Huaijin to see their master and ask him to choose a suitable Dao lineage for her.
• Chu Qingjian left with Cong Huaijin after arranging a future sparring match with Jiang Yang.
• Jiang Yang replied to Shang Qingzheng’s letter, telling her about recent events and predicting that Chi Yu would wake in about a year able to take human form.
• Jiang Yang resumed his daily cultivation and practiced the Four Seasons Cloud's End Sword Canon, seeking to attain sword essence and preserve Bai Tang’s vitality.

Jiang Yang continued cultivating and practicing swordsmanship while waiting for Chu Qingjian to return, then welcomed Tai Pei'er to Fushu Peak. After they exchanged news and settled in, Tai Pei'er asked whether he had heard about the True Lord's attainment of the Dao.

• Jiang Yang ended his seclusion after more than three months and practiced his sword moves as he pursued Sword Essence.
• Jiang Yang thought about Chu Qingjian, who had left for her Lineage with her disciple Huai Jin and had been away for over a month.
• Wei Rui told Jiang Yang that an old friend named Tai Pei'er was waiting at the foot of Fushu Peak, and he went to welcome her.
• Jiang Yang brought Tai Pei'er into his Courtyard, where they exchanged congratulations on establishing their immortal foundations.
• Tai Pei'er asked Jiang Yang whether he had heard about the True Lord's attainment of the Dao.

Jiang Yang realized Tai Pei'er was hinting at danger tied to the Sect's Fire Veins and considered warning his master. Their conversation then turned to Tai Pei'er's new Taiyin Immortal Foundation, and Jiang Yang asked her to explain Dao trajectories.

• Tai Pei'er told Jiang Yang that Fire Veins had erupted near her clan and asked whether any had appeared near Rain Xiang Mountain.
• Jiang Yang revealed that a senior sister had mentioned a Truefire Earth Vein at the Sect was showing signs of transforming into Attached Fire.
• Tai Pei'er hinted that Jiang Yang should watch for profit-driven struggles, then avoided explaining further when he asked what she meant.
• Jiang Yang connected her warning to the Sect's Fire Vein and considered reporting his suspicions to his master.
• Jiang Yang praised Tai Pei'er's progress, and she explained that the [Great Lunar Radiance Instrument] had helped her establish the Taiyin Immortal Foundation called 'night-mooring frost' by cultivating two qi together.
• Tai Pei'er described the Moon Osmanthus and Toad Palace Dao trajectories, and Jiang Yang asked what a Dao trajectory meant.

Tai Pei'er and Jiang Yang discussed their Dao Lineages, and she recognized his cultivation as the ancient broadwood path. After sharing her own Taiyin inheritance, she revealed that her sixth-grade immortal foundation excelled at mastering spells and seals, leaving Jiang Yang impressed by its combat potential.

• Tai Pei'er explained how Immortal Mansions divided into branches called Dao Trajectories, and Jiang Yang considered whether the Mysterious Capital Immortal Mansion had competing factions.
• Jiang Yang described his broadwood cultivation, and Tai Pei'er recognized it as the famous peach radiance lineage connected to the Mysterious Capital Immortal Mansion.
• Tai Pei'er grew troubled by the lineage's history and wondered whether Jiang Yang was tied to a great figure or destiny, but Jiang Yang gently brought her back to the conversation.
• Tai Pei'er touched Jiang Yang's palm, became flustered, and then thanked him for easing her embarrassment when he refilled her empty teacup.
• Tai Pei'er described her sixth-grade night-mooring frost immortal foundation, explaining that it readily mastered compatible spells below the fourth grade and specialized in magical combat.

Tai Pei'er visited Jiang Yang, who suggested she seek spell manuals in his sect's Ancient Wisdom Renewal Tower. She then delivered him a Metal-Grinding Stone as repayment for the immortal peach that had extended her ancestor's life, explaining how it could hone his sword.

• Jiang Yang suggested Tai Pei'er ask for permission to search the Ancient Wisdom Renewal Tower for compatible Spells.
• Tai Pei'er gave Jiang Yang a Metal-Grinding Stone from her ancestor's collection as repayment for the immortal peach.
• Jiang Yang initially refused the gift, but Tai Pei'er insisted that her family owed him for extending her ancestor's life by nearly sixty years.
• Tai Pei'er explained that the stone was a rare earth-path Spirit Resources that could temper arms and armor and hone Jiang Yang's rusted sword.

Tai Pei'er gave Jiang Yang a rare Metal-Tempering Whetstone, which he accepted and stored carefully. As she left, she encouraged him about reaching sword essence, and Jiang Yang hoped her confidence would prove justified.

• Tai Pei'er explained that the whetstone could sharpen Jiang Yang's Spirit Sword and increase its power, and Jiang Yang accepted the gift.
• Tai Pei'er warned Jiang Yang to store the whetstone away from metal and stone, and he placed it in his Storage Bag.
• Jiang Yang escorted Tai Pei'er down the mountain, and she asked about Shang Qingzheng's recent cultivation.
• Tai Pei'er praised Jiang Yang's sword essence, then realized he had not yet crossed that threshold and tried to encourage him instead.
• Tai Pei'er told Jiang Yang that sword essence depended on a spark of insight, and Jiang Yang declared that her words should prove true.

Xingbo'er arrived at Rain Xiang Mountain with an invitation to Dragon Lord Ji Yinxi’s thousandth birthday, which Xuan Di accepted. Xuan Di and Xuan Guang discussed how the Celestial River Tradition should attend, and Xuan Guang advised sending a True Person with a suitable gift and observing proper courtesies.

• Xingbo'er led Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals to Rain Xiang Mountain and presented Xuan Di with the Dragon Lord's birthday invitation.
• Xuan Di accepted the invitation, and Xingbo'er departed to notify other households.
• Xuan Di told Xuan Yi that the Dragon Lord's birthday was over a month away and directed him to return to cultivation.
• Xuan Di showed the invitation to Xuan Guang at Fushu Peak, and they read that Dragon Lord Ji Yinxi would host her thousandth-birthday banquet at the Wavefront Water Palace.
• Xuan Di asked how the Dao lineage should respond, and Xuan Guang advised sending a True Person and observing proper courtesies.

Xuan Di and Xuan Guang discussed who should attend the Pivot Thunder Dragon Lord’s birthday banquet and decided Jiang Yang should be brought into view. Meanwhile, Jiang Yang followed a flash of inspiration and attained sword essence, which he named Autumn Response.

• Xuan Di and Xuan Guang weighed possible representatives for the Dragon Lord’s birthday banquet before Xuan Di agreed to attend himself.
• Xuan Guang urged Xuan Di to bring Jiang Yang, reasoning that the invitation might be intended to draw him before the Dragon Lord and reveal the source of his unusual Destiny.
• Xuan Di and Xuan Guang noticed a vision of birds and recognized that someone below the mountain had attained sword essence.
• After seeing Tai Pei’er off, Jiang Yang tested his new idea with his sword and shaped his Sword Qi into flocks of birds.
• Jiang Yang named his newly attained sword essence Autumn Response.

After Jiang Yang formed his [Autumn Response] sword essence, Bai Tang waited until night to replenish herself. She stopped him from watching as she drew the sword essence from him, leaving their intimate transfer underway.

• Jiang Yang formed the [Autumn Response] sword essence and learned that two Purple Mansion cultivators were watching him.
• Jiang Yang returned to his cave abode and waited until night before asking Bai Tang how to replenish her.
• Bai Tang emerged from the Rusty Sword, told Jiang Yang to close his eyes and avoid using his spirit sense, then prepared herself.
• Bai Tang covered Jiang Yang's eyes and supported his chin as she drew his sword essence through a passage between them.