Chapter Summaries

Zhi Yu and Xuan Di looted an Immortal Hall on North Screen Mountain and discussed the Spirit Treasure and the Celestial River Tradition’s restrictions on their senior brother. After learning that a Wu Earth cultivator had fallen nearby, they set off to investigate.

• Zhi Yu showed Xuan Di a Purple Mansion Spirit Flower he had obtained amid the fighting, and Xuan Di told him that Great True Person Can Yang had won the Heavenly Column Silver-Binding Cord.
• Zhi Yu told Xuan Di that an immortal envoy had delivered an edict that Master accepted, keeping him from entering the grotto-heaven; Xuan Di angrily condemned the restriction.
• Xuan Di and Zhi Yu claimed an Immortal Hall, overcame its protective array, and gathered its complete inheritance and cultivation resources.
• Zhi Yu relayed Master’s instruction to find and safely escort their youngest junior brother if they found him in the grotto-heaven.
• An explosion to the south signaled that a Wu Earth Purple Mansion cultivator had died, and Xuan Di and Zhi Yu identified the Wu Pivot Black Elephant Tradition as a likely source before going to investigate.

Jiang Yang discovered and collected jade-washing valley water and the fortune qi spirit treasure Coiled Pan Auspicious Cloud in the grotto-heaven treasury. He then turned to the remaining Pill Furnaces and decided to take them intact so Qing Si could examine their contents later.

• Jiang Yang identified the water in a bronze cauldron as jade-washing valley water and sealed it in a stone box.
• Jiang Yang opened a wooden cauldron and recognized its contents as the Coiled Pan Auspicious Cloud, also called Fortune and Virtue Heart-Appeasing Auspicious Qi.
• Qing He explained the treasure’s identity and warned Jiang Yang to store it in wood, so he carefully placed it in a wooden box.
• Jiang Yang inspected the two remaining Pill Furnaces but avoided opening them because he feared damaging the elixirs inside.
• Jiang Yang decided to take the furnaces intact and ask Qing Si of Pill Cliff Azure Wall to examine them later.

Jiang Yang took the Pill Furnaces from the grotto-heaven and chose to leave with Qing He rather than risk pursuing more treasure. After returning to the Mortal World, they emerged near Demon King Guang'e’s lair, and Jiang Yang invoked a Jade Talisman as the Demon King noticed them.

• Jiang Yang disconnected the Pill Furnaces from the Magic Array and stored them in his Storage Bag.
• Jiang Yang agreed with Qing He that they should leave the grotto-heaven, and Qing He explained that she would need his help with her reincarnation in the Mortal World.
• Jiang Yang entered the Ten Thousand Ravines, Pine Winds Painting and returned to the Mortal World in the Heavy Mountains.
• Qing He sensed that a great Purple Mansion demon had its lair nearby, and Jiang Yang recognized White Baleful Mountain as Demon King Guang'e’s territory.
• Demon King Guang'e sensed the aura released when the painting opened, and Jiang Yang invoked a Jade Talisman with the Unimpeded Wind Patrol command.

Jiang Yang fled Guang'e through the Great Void, but the Demon King caught him and trapped him. Jiang Li arrived, freed Jiang Yang, and forced Guang'e to apologize, while Jiang Yang remained wary of the newcomer's claim that he was a highness.

• Jiang Yang used the Unhindered Wind-Walking Talisman to escape through the Great Void, and Guang'e pursued him.
• When the talisman ran out, Jiang Yang landed in the Mortal World, crushed his Peach Talisman, and tried to flee again.
• Guang'e caught Jiang Yang with his Thousand-Edge Prison Divine Power and restrained him without injuring him.
• Jiang Li arrived, dispersed Guang'e's metal qi, and apologized to Jiang Yang for arriving late.
• Jiang Li identified himself as a member of the Chang Geng Dao Lineage and ordered Guang'e to apologize to Jiang Yang.
• Jiang Yang stayed silent and suspicious as Jiang Li demanded that Guang'e show his sincerity.

Jiang Li offered Jiang Yang a rare Broadwood spirit treasure in exchange for a three-hundred-year promise not to pass on a formula connected to Jiang Yang’s master, Xuan Guang. Jiang Yang refused both the bargain and the claim that he possessed the formula, ending the chapter by declaring he needed no spirit treasure to ascend to divine powers.

• At Jiang Li’s urging, Guang'e tore off his own arm to show his sincerity, while Jiang Yang watched warily and refused to take the bait.
• Jiang Li presented Jiang Yang with the Mystic Jun All-Spirit Immortal Plant, which resonated with Jiang Yang’s immortal foundation.
• Jiang Li asked whether Jiang Yang possessed the Upper Mystic Marvelous Method, also called the Heart-Aiding Formula, and Jiang Yang realized he was seeking Xuan Guang’s Cave Mystery Marvelous Unity Heart-Aiding Formula.
• Jiang Li offered the immortal plant if Jiang Yang promised not to pass on the formula for three hundred years, and proposed recording the promise in a Round Mirror.
• Jiang Yang rejected the deal, denied having the scripture, and told Jiang Li to leave.
• Jiang Li argued that the promise would cost little, but Jiang Yang met his gaze and declared that he needed no spirit treasure’s aid to ascend to divine powers.

Jiang Yang refused to let his master Xuan Guang’s Dao Path be risked for the Broadwood Spirit Treasure, and Jiang Li explained Yi Wood’s ancient origins while warning of the consequences of restoring it. Xuan Guang drove Jiang Li away and noticed that Jiang Yang had acquired Sword Intent.

• Jiang Yang rejected Jiang Li’s proposal because he would not mortgage Xuan Guang’s Dao Path for the Broadwood Spirit Treasure.
• Jiang Li sent Guang'e away, then recounted how Horned Deer became the predecessor of Yi Wood and how Tian Yi later attained the position.
• Jiang Yang suspected that the Chang Geng Dao Lineage feared that restoring Yi Wood might provoke someone’s return, but Jiang Li did not confirm his guess.
• Xuan Guang arrived, confronted Jiang Li, and struck at him as he escaped into the Great Void.
• Xuan Guang’s remaining sword stroke reached White Baleful Mountain, after which he recognized that Jiang Yang had acquired Sword Intent.

Jiang Yang revealed that he had attained sword intent, and Xuan Guang took him back toward Huai Tan Palace to meet his martial uncle and senior brother. Qing He then explained how Jiang Yang could help arrange her reincarnation through Heli Heavenly Abyss, leaving him to ask Xuan Guang for help finding a suitable cultivator.

• Jiang Yang admitted to Xuan Guang that he had attained sword intent, which Xuan Guang welcomed as a legacy for the Fushu lineage.
• Xuan Guang took Jiang Yang through the Great Void to the Mortal World near Huai Tan Palace, where Jiang Yang saw rogue cultivators searching the fallen halls for treasures.
• Qing He told Jiang Yang that she needed to consider her reincarnation and identified Heli Heavenly Abyss as a route into the Nether Bureau.
• Qing He said Jiang Yang needed a Purple Mansion cultivator skilled in either Nether Yin or Zhong Kui to cast the Spirit Sword carrying the golden nature into the Nether Bureau.
• Unable to think of anyone who met the requirements, Jiang Yang asked Xuan Guang whether he knew a True Person who cultivated Nether Yin.

Jiang Yang learned that True Person Xuanyan followed the Zhong Kui Dao Lineage and could help him pursue his cultivation. After the Purple Mansion cultivators emerged from Azure Corner Heaven, Xuan Di and Zhi Yu reported that a cultivator from Locust Image Mountain had died inside, while Jiang Yang concealed his own involvement.

• Xuan Guang told Jiang Yang about the rare Nether Yin Dao Lineage and offered to contact the Jing clan of Jinyang on his behalf.
• Xuan Guang revealed that True Person Xuanyan was a Zhong Kui cultivator whose true form was a black jade profound cat, giving Jiang Yang a convenient potential ally.
• The Great Void released more than a dozen Purple Mansion True Persons, including Xuan Di and the injured but upbeat Zhi Yu.
• Xuan Di and Zhi Yu told Xuan Guang that a Purple Mansion cultivator from Locust Image Mountain had died in Azure Corner Heaven, though they could not determine who killed him.
• Xuan Guang sent Zhi Yu to retrieve Jiang Yang's junior sister and Martial Nephew Yunbai from Cuiwei, then told Xuan Di to return to the Sect with him.

Jiang Yang returned to Rain Xiang Mountain with Xuan Di and presented Xuan Guang with a Dao Scripture he had found in Azure Corner Heaven’s Langhuan Pavilion. Xuan Guang studied the Heart-Aiding Formula in silence, and the chapter ended as Xuan Di eagerly awaited his judgment.

• Xuan Di reported that Great True Person Can Yang and Great True Person Feng Yi had obtained spirit treasures in Azure Corner Heaven.
• Xuan Di described the Cloud-Resting Hall’s Cloud Qi inheritance and planned to establish Dao Immortal Peak within the sect.
• Jiang Yang presented Xuan Guang with a jade slip containing the Heart-Aiding Formula he had found in the Langhuan Pavilion.
• Xuan Guang studied the formula for nearly half an hour, then closed his eyes before opening them with verdant, shining eyes.
• Xuan Di hurriedly asked Xuan Guang what he thought of the Dao Scripture.

Xuan Guang explained how his harsh youth and years of responsibility shaped his life, which had appeared carefree to others but was built on endurance and compromise. The Upper Green Essential Art gave him a new path toward his final divine power, though he said his chances of attaining Gold-Seeking remained slim.

• Xuan Guang told Xuan Di that the Immortal Art revealed the mysteries of Upper Profundity and passed him the Jade Slip to study.
• Xuan Guang recounted how his family fell into ruin, how he refused his clan’s offers of reconciliation, and how his mother’s death coincided with the destruction of the Sixia Yi Clan and his forging of sword intent.
• Xuan Guang described how he rose to power at Rain Xiang Mountain but gave up his freedom to shoulder the Sect’s burdens after the Great True Person perished.
• Jiang Yang recognized that Xuan Guang’s seemingly smooth life had depended on endurance, compromise, retreat, and maneuvering.
• Xuan Guang said he still wanted to pursue Gold-Seeking, but explained that the path of Yi Wood was arduous and that he lacked even the basic Gold-Seeking method.

Jiang Yang learned why gold-seeking methods were essential for attaining a Dao Fruit position and heard that Rain Xiang Mountain possessed a method for weak water, though Xuan Guang believed his yi wood path had changed too much for such guidance to help. Jiang Yang asked Qing He for a method, and she said she had prepared one for cracking wood but warned it might not benefit Xuan Guang.

• Xuan Guang explained that gold-seeking methods guided cultivators toward Dao Fruit positions and that those without a method often died trying to attain one.
• Xuan Di described Rain Xiang Mountain's inherited Mystic Abyss Flowing-Change Gold-Seeking Wonder Art and the divine powers used to seek a weak water Surplus position.
• Xuan Guang refused to rely on the weak water method, explaining that yi wood had changed so greatly that pursuing its former path offered little hope.
• Jiang Yang reflected on Xuan Guang's weakened Dao Lineage and considered asking Qing He for guidance.
• Qing He said she had prepared a gold-seeking method for cracking wood but cautioned that giving it to Xuan Guang might not be good for him.

Jiang Yang learned why Qing He's cultivation method could not simply be passed to Xuan Guang, while Xuan Guang agreed to cultivate a newly found art. The disciples then discussed their plans after the grotto-heaven journey, with Chu Qingjian preparing to enter seclusion.

• Qing He explained that different cultivation paths required distinct methods and that cracking wood was especially difficult because its ancient thunder aspect had withered.
• Jiang Yang realized Qing He's past life on the thunder wood path complemented her present life cultivating cracking wood, and Qing He praised his understanding.
• Xuan Guang agreed to cultivate the Gui Water art, and Xuan Di took the qi-gathering method and left to arrange for the required spiritual materials.
• Zhi Yu said he planned to refine a Spirit Artifact to guard the sect's mineral veins, and Xuan Guang offered him three additional portions of spirit resources.
• Chu Qingjian said she needed nothing further and would enter seclusion to pursue the Purple Mansion and divine powers.

Xuan Guang arranged resources for Chu Qingjian’s future Purple Mansion breakthrough before True Person Li Xia’s death brought Branch-Washing Rain over the sect. As the sect mourned Li Xia, Lin Daoqiu ascended to divine powers above White Elm Peak.

• Xuan Guang urged Chu Qingjian to master the four Secret Arts in her Junting Divine Pivot Codex and promised the peak would provide resources for her breakthrough.
• Xuan Guang arranged for Alchemist Ge to refine a Grand Pill and advised Chu Qingjian to nurture her pagoda flowers with the Water Pill method.
• Branch-Washing Rain appeared across the sect, and Xuan Guang recognized that True Person Li Xia had died in meditation.
• Xuan Guang sent Zhi Yu to Chong'e Peak to offer condolences and help with Li Xia’s funeral rites.
• A black river of rain and surging spirit vigor gathered above White Elm Peak, and Xuan Guang celebrated Lin Daoqiu’s ascension to divine powers.

After True Person Zhi Qiu broke through to the Purple Mansion, Xuan Guang questioned Jiang Yang about the Grotto-Heaven and examined the True Lord’s painting he had obtained. Jiang Yang left after entrusting Xuan Guang with the Lush Jade Branch, intending to prepare for Qing He’s reincarnation.

• Xuan Guang told Chu Qingjian that True Person Zhi Qiu had reached the Purple Mansion, and she left to congratulate him on Fushu Peak’s behalf.
• Xuan Guang explained that Zhi Qiu had used the imagery of Ren Water to transform into a flood dragon and gain the No-Return River divine power.
• Xuan Guang asked Jiang Yang whether someone had guided him to the Grotto-Heaven, and Jiang Yang described the dragon’s warning and the goodwill of the Luan-kind and Heart Fox.
• Jiang Yang showed Xuan Guang the Ten Thousand Ravines, Pine Winds Painting, and Xuan Guang recognized the True Lord’s signature and advised him to keep it safe.
• Jiang Yang offered Xuan Guang the Lush Jade Branch, and Xuan Guang accepted it as a loan to return once Jiang Yang attained divine powers.
• Jiang Yang bid farewell to Xuan Guang and left to prepare for Qing He’s reincarnation.

Jiang Yang returned to his courtyard and carefully inventoried the abundant treasures and resources he had brought back from his journey. As he finished sorting them, Qing He manifested to watch, while Xuan Guang’s request left Jiang Yang with an errand to complete at the Heli Heavenly Abyss.

• Xuan Guang gave Jiang Yang a sealed Wooden Box and asked him to exchange its thunder for pivot thunder for his senior sister through Yuan Jun.
• Jiang Yang returned to his courtyard and found that his monthly allotment of Elixirs had been delivered despite his absence.
• Jiang Yang sorted through his Storage Bags, cataloguing Mystic Artifacts, Purple Mansion treasures, cultivation manuals, Spirit Resources, and other gains from the Secret Realm and Grotto-Heaven.
• Qing He manifested in Jiang Yang’s Quiet Chamber and explained that she could appear in the Mortal World as long as she did not take action.
• Jiang Yang set aside items he could not safely use yet, including Immortal Brew, unopened Elixirs, and the Wu Earth Keeper’s Small Seal.

Jiang Yang began advancing toward the Foundation Establishment late stage after Shang Qingzheng’s breakthrough sent him cultivation feedback. Meanwhile, the Sect mourned True Person Li Xia and celebrated True Person Zhi Qiu’s ascension, leaving Zang Yu reflecting on how Divine Powers changed his standing.

• Jiang Yang’s treasures filled his courtyard, and Qing He told him that greater riches awaited in the future.
• Shang Qingzheng broke through to the Foundation Establishment middle stage, and the resulting cultivation feedback sent Jiang Yang into a breakthrough.
• Qing He and Bai Tang discussed Jiang Yang’s sudden advances and attributed them to the favor of his Dao Fruit.
• The Sect held True Person Li Xia’s funeral, enshrined True Person Gong Baixia’s spirit tablet, and accepted two Gong descendants into the Sect.
• True Person Zhi Qiu presided over Li Xia’s funeral before celebrating his own Divine Powers ceremony with guests from Sects and Immortal Races.
• Zang Yu welcomed the ceremony’s guests at White Elm Peak and reflected that Divine Powers had finally changed his fortunes.

After breaking through to Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Jiang Yang learned that Zhu Danruo had visited to keep an appointment and invited her to Fushu Peak. She discussed helping refine a pill for the peak and asked whether the Pill Furnace he had promised to exchange was still with him.

• Jiang Yang completed his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Late Stage after nearly two months in seclusion.
• Bai Tang told Jiang Yang that Zhu Danruo had visited and left a message saying she would return to keep an appointment.
• Jiang Yang noticed Fushu Peak's flourishing flowers and realized Xuan Guang's cultivation of the Upper Profound Method was affecting the mountain.
• Jiang Yang invited Zhu Danruo to meet him, congratulated her on establishing her immortal foundation, and learned she had helped prepare materials for a pill intended for Fushu Peak.
• Zhu Danruo asked Jiang Yang whether he still had the Pill Furnace they had previously discussed exchanging.

Jiang Yang sold Zhu Danruo the Stillness and Unity Furnace at a steep discount, and she promised to waive future furnace expenses for his elixirs. He then traveled to Cold Creek Valley, where Cong Huaijin greeted him, eager to leave with him.

• Zhu Danruo examined the Stillness and Unity Furnace and offered twelve thousand Spirit Stones, Wonderful Wood Dew, and White Radiant Gold for it.
• Jiang Yang accepted ten thousand Spirit Stones for the furnace and refused Zhu Danruo's Spirit Treasures.
• Zhu Danruo promised to waive furnace expenses for every elixir she refined for Jiang Yang, and he handed her the furnace.
• After seeing Zhu Danruo off, Jiang Yang flew to Cold Creek Valley and found Cong Huaijin playing with Chi Yu while Butterfly-Bearing Little Eight watched nearby.
• Chi Yu rushed into Jiang Yang's arms for an elixir, and Cong Huaijin ran over, saying he had finally come to get her.

Jiang Yang visited True Person Xuanyan to ask about the Zhong Kui path and whether he could travel through the Netherworld. After learning the history behind spirit cats’ varied bloodlines, Jiang Yang and his companions judged Xuanyan suitable for their purpose despite his limited strength.

• Jiang Yang reunited with Cong Huaijin, praised her progress in cultivation, and asked Butterfly-Bearing to direct him to True Person Xuanyan.
• Jiang Yang asked Xuanyan about the Zhong Kui path and why spirit-cat offspring inherited different Dao lineages from their parents.
• Xuanyan explained that an orange wildcat received the Fortune and Virtue lineage from an Immortal Lord, changing spirit cats’ bloodlines and leaving some descendants, including Chi Yu, with fortune qi.
• Jiang Yang asked whether Xuanyan could travel through the Netherworld, and Xuanyan confirmed that Zhong Kui granted that ability.
• Qing He and Bai Tang judged Xuanyan’s Zhong Kui divine powers suitable for their plan to enter the Nether Bureau, though they noted his strength was limited.

Jiang Yang asked Xuan Yan to take him into the Nether Bureau, and Xuan Yan agreed under strict conditions. When Jiang Yang balked at waiting three months for the yearly opening, Xuan Yan proposed borrowing Rain Xiang Mountain’s Spirit Treasure to cross the Heli Heavenly Abyss.

• Jiang Yang asked Xuan Yan to take him into the Nether Bureau, and Xuan Yan initially refused because the journey was too dangerous.
• Jiang Yang promised to stay within the Nether Bureau and follow Xuan Yan’s instructions, and Xuan Yan agreed to help while setting rules against wandering or lingering.
• Xuan Yan said they would normally have to wait three months for the yearly opening that allowed them to enter with departed souls.
• Jiang Yang suggested using the Heli Heavenly Abyss as another route, but Xuan Yan warned that its dangers included weak water and the sleeping Venerable Spirit of Abyssal Depths.
• Xuan Yan proposed borrowing the Upstream Netherglow Wall, Rain Xiang Mountain’s weak-water Spirit Treasure, from Xuan Di to make the abyss passable.