Chapter Summaries

Liu Changxu led a sweep of northern Anzhou City and discovered a Black Evil Sect elite hiding in the guise of an elderly cultivator. The disguised enemy revealed himself as a Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment cultivator, and Liu Changxu attacked him with three Red Lotus Skyburning Swords.

• Liu Changxu assigned four Foundation Establishment cultivators to search separate sections while he surveyed the district from the air with his Seven-Colored Glazed Eyes.
• Tan Yu's Qi Refinement search team found an elderly man whose quiet courtyard and vigorous appearance aroused the suspicion of a perceptive cultivator.
• The perceptive cultivator reported the suspicious owner to Tan Yu, who passed the warning to Liu Changxu.
• Liu Changxu examined the courtyard, challenged the man to reveal his true face, and struck with his Red Lotus Heaven-Burning Palm.
• The disguised cultivator dodged the attack, revealing himself as a Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment Black Evil Sect elite, and Liu Changxu launched three Red Lotus Skyburning Swords at him.

Liu Changxu helped the Azure Cloud Sect purge Anzhou City, killing several Black Evil Sect cultivators while overseeing a group of less capable Foundation Establishment cultivators. After the city was secured, he returned to Autumn Moon Tower and began examining the spoils, finding a striking difference between the wealth of early-stage and great-perfection Foundation Establishment cultivators.

• Liu Changxu killed a great-perfection Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Black Evil Sect and took his saber and Storage Bag.
• As the Azure Cloud Sect swept Anzhou City, Liu Changxu let Tan Yu and three other Foundation Establishment cultivators fight two early-stage Black Evil Sect cultivators, but killed both himself when their battle dragged on.
• Liu Changxu refused to share the spoils with the four cultivators, who later improved their performance and killed two more Black Evil Sect cultivators together.
• After the citywide purge ended, Liu Changxu returned to Autumn Moon Tower and inspected the three Storage Bags he had seized.
• Liu Changxu found that the two early-stage cultivators’ Storage Bags held over seventy thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, more than three hundred middle-grade spirit stones, pills, flying swords, spirit rice, and cultivation-method tablets.

After recovering from his battle, Liu Changxu consolidated his cultivation and made use of the treasures he had seized. The Azure Cloud Sect’s war against the Black Evil Sect escalated when the Black Evil Sect offered the Sea-Covering Seal to the Mountain Sea Sect for protection, prompting it to send reinforcements.

• Liu Changxu sorted through the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment cultivator’s spoils, including valuable pills, spirit artifacts, cultivation records, and the Purple Sun Alchemy Canon.
• Liu Changxu spent two months cultivating and consolidating his Foundation Establishment cultivation while Qin Yulian, Bai Yujiao, and Li Yungang visited and shared meals with him.
• Qin Yulian and Bai Yujiao told Liu Changxu that Su Yue’s injuries had stabilized, though she still needed time to recover at Violet Glow Mountain.
• The Black Evil Sect offered the Sea-Covering Seal to the Mountain Sea Sect in exchange for protection from the Azure Cloud Sect.
• The Mountain Sea Sect accepted the offer and sent cultivators, including two Spirit Transformation Grand Supreme Elders, to aid the Black Evil Sect, escalating the war.

After the Azure Cloud Sect and its allies fought a devastating battle at Black Evil Ridge, Anzhou City received reinforcements, including Zhang Jingyuan and Wang Yuerong, who took command from Sima Jinhui. Liu Changxu attended a gathering hosted by Wang Qingmei with Qin Yulian and Li Yungang, and the gathering began as the Star-Plucking Tower opened.

• The Azure Cloud Sect attacked Black Evil Ridge, where Black Evil Sect and Mountain Sea Sect cultivators held them off in a seven-day battle that devastated the surrounding region.
• The Black Evil Sect's Spirit Transformation Grand Supreme Elder weighed seeking peace or finding more allies as he feared the sect could not withstand further Azure Cloud Sect attacks.
• Zhang Jingyuan and Wang Yuerong arrived in Anzhou City with reinforcements and took supreme command of its cultivator army from Sima Jinhui.
• Qin Yulian invited Liu Changxu to Wang Qingmei's gathering, and Liu agreed, hoping to meet fellow disciples and exchange for spirit treasures.
• Liu Changxu and Qin Yulian arrived at the manor and found Li Yungang speaking with five fellow disciples from Azure Lotus Island.
• As Li Yungang began to introduce the five disciples, the Star-Plucking Tower doors opened and the attendees went inside.

Liu Changxu attended Wang Qingmei’s cultivation gathering in Anzhou City, where Azure Cloud Palace disciples and other Foundation Establishment cultivators shared their insights. He recorded the discourses on spells and escape techniques for his family, while Qin Yulin’s favorable impression of him grew.

• Liu Changxu entered the Star-Plucking Tower with Qin Yulian and Li Yungang and saw Wang Qingmei seated with Qin Yulin and Zhang Yuyan.
• Wang Qingmei introduced Qin Yulin and Zhang Yuyan as Azure Cloud Palace cultivators able to fight Golden Core cultivators across a cultivation gap.
• Wang Qingmei explained and demonstrated water-attribute spells, and Liu Changxu recorded her discourse for his wives and daughters.
• Seven or eight Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment Cultivators took turns delivering discourses, and Liu Changxu continued recording them despite others’ mocking looks.
• Qin Yulin taught escape techniques, and Liu Changxu listened closely and recorded the lecture; Qin Yulin felt pleased by Liu Changxu’s attention and improved his opinion of him.

At Wang Qingmei’s gathering, Liu Changxu traded spirit treasures for valuable spirit water and materials, then spoke with Wang Qingmei, who wanted to befriend him because of his reputation and potential. The gathering ended with Liu Changxu, Qin Yulian, and Li Yungang saying farewell and leaving.

• Zhang Yuyan demonstrated the Wood Dao by using her magic power to grow a spirit flower from seed to death, then Wang Qingmei began the spirit treasure exchange.
• Liu Changxu traded three second-tier spirit fruits and hibiscus jade to Wang Qingmei for a Flying Eagle Puppet and Emerald Nether Spirit Water.
• Liu Changxu exchanged his spirit artifacts and Golden Armor Talismans for spirit water, spirit stones, and the hide and blood of a second-tier top-grade Sky-Flying Rat, but kept his Flying Boat.
• After the remaining disciples finished trading, Liu Changxu, Qin Yulian, and Li Yungang waited to bid Wang Qingmei farewell.
• Wang Qingmei recognized Liu Changxu from Violet Glow Mountain and praised his progress and battle record; the two spoke at length before Qin Yulian prompted them to say goodbye.

Liu Changxu completed three second-tier top-grade Void-Escaping Talismans, prepared Five-Element Ascension Soup, and was ordered to join the Azure Cloud Sect’s northern expedition. As the fleet took to the sky, he saw two First-Tier Skyships equipped with Spirit Cannons and realized how severe the coming battle might be.

• Liu Changxu failed ten attempts at making Void-Escaping Talismans, reviewed his technique, and eventually produced three after more than ten days of work.
• Liu Changxu prepared Five-Element Ascension Soup and began developing a new spirit cuisine before receiving orders to march out.
• Liu Changxu boarded martial aunt Zhang Yuyan’s Flying Boat with Qin Yulian, Li Yungang, and fellow disciples as Azure Cloud Sect cultivators departed Anzhou City for the north.
• Liu Changxu watched more than a hundred Flying Boats rise into the sky and saw two enormous First-Tier Skyships fitted with Spirit Cannons.
• Liu Changxu considered the danger of the expedition and felt a stronger desire to grow powerful.

The Azure Cloud Sect fleet reached Chu Province City, where two Black Evil Sect Nascent Soul Cultivators ambushed it. Zhang Jingyuan and Wang Yuerong engaged them in battle, and the clash moved toward the city, threatening the Black Evil Sect forces inside.

• After five days of flight, Zhang Jingyuan and the Azure Cloud Sect fleet reached Chu Province City, whose defenses were ready.
• Zhang Jingyuan ordered the Flying Boats to scatter when he spotted two Black Evil Sect Nascent Soul Cultivators, but they attacked with their fourth-tier Magical Treasures.
• Zhang Jingyuan and Wang Yuerong left their Skyships and confronted the enemy cultivators, beginning a Nascent Soul battle.
• Wang Yuerong's Water Moon Sword clashed with the silver Giant Sword, while Zhang Jingyuan's Starry Sky Halberd struck the enormous furnace.
• The four cultivators' Magical Treasures battered one another as the battle shifted toward Chu Province City, endangering the Black Evil Sect cultivators within it.

Zhang Jingyuan and Wang Yuerong defeated the Black Evil Sect’s two Nascent Soul cultivators, whose nascent souls escaped, then broke through Chu Province City’s defenses. The city was left exposed to the Azure Cloud Sect’s advancing forces.

• The Black Evil Sect continued negotiating with the Azure Cloud Sect while gathering support from the Mountain Sea Sect, Black Mountain Sect, Vajra Temple, and recruited cultivators.
• Zhang Jingyuan shattered the furnace magical treasure and destroyed its owner’s body, but the cultivator’s nascent soul escaped by instantaneous movement.
• Wang Yuerong pinned down the other Black Evil Sect Nascent Soul cultivator while Zhang Jingyuan attacked, and his body was destroyed as his nascent soul fled with his Storage Ring and flying sword.
• Zhang Jingyuan and Wang Yuerong turned their attacks on Chu Province City’s city-defense grand formation and broke through it.

After Chu Province City's defense formation fell, Zhang Jingyuan and Wang Yuerong slaughtered most of the fleeing cultivators with powerful Nascent Soul spells. Far north of the city, Liu Changxu's group prepared an ambush, but a Black Evil Sect Golden Core cultivator at great perfection appeared and forced them to flee.

• Zhang Jingyuan and Wang Yuerong unleashed fourth-tier spells on the escaping cultivators, killing thousands of low-level cultivators and most of the fleeing Golden Core cultivators.
• Zhang Jingyuan searched the soul of the last surviving Black Evil Sect body cultivator at Golden Core great perfection, then killed him.
• Liu Changxu waited north of Chu Province City with Qin Yulian, Li Yungang, Wang Qingmei, Qin Yulin, Wu Jiaxin, and Zhang Yuyan to intercept fugitives.
• Liu Changxu realized Wu Jiaxin and Zhang Yuyan were acting as guardians for the sect's gifted disciples and worried that their protection left him little chance to prove himself.
• A Black Evil Sect Golden Core cultivator at great perfection appeared nearby, and Liu Changxu's group immediately fled on their swords.

Liu Changxu protected Qin Yulian from a golden core great perfection cultivator’s attack but suffered severe injuries. The attacker escaped, and Wu Jiaxin and Zhang Yuyan reunited with the endangered young cultivators to check on them.

• A Black Evil Sect golden core great perfection cultivator attacked the group with a storm of earthen spikes, while Wu Jiaxin raised a Water Wall to protect most of the young cultivators.
• Liu Changxu activated his Golden Armor Talisman early, then rushed to Qin Yulian and shielded her when her own talisman had not yet activated.
• The attack shattered Liu Changxu’s barrier and badly injured his back, but Qin Yulian helped him descend safely to the ground.
• Liu Changxu took a Wound-Healing Pill and Five-Element Ascension Soup, while Qin Yulian stood by anxiously and ignored her own injured leg.
• The Black Evil Sect cultivator escaped using a Void-Escaping Talisman, and Wu Jiaxin and Zhang Yuyan arrived with Wang Qingmei and the others to check on Liu Changxu and Qin Yulian.

After Liu Changxu protected Qin Yulian from a Golden Core cultivator’s strike, Wu Jiaxin gave him a healing pill, and the injured pair recuperated overnight. Once they had recovered enough to travel, Liu Changxu and Qin Yulian set off for Chu Province City aboard the Azure Cloud Eagle.

• Liu Changxu and Qin Yulian greeted Wu Jiaxin, Zhang Yuyan, and the others while badly injured.
• Wu Jiaxin gave Liu Changxu a Thousand-Flower Jade Dew Pill and ordered Li Yungang to tend his wounds.
• Li Yungang and Wang Qingmei treated the pair and set up a protective formation before leaving them to recover.
• The next morning, Liu Changxu and Qin Yulian emerged from their Spirit Houses, thanked each other, and shared breakfast in the Purple Sun Pavilion.
• Liu Changxu released the Azure Cloud Eagle and Green Fox, then he and Qin Yulian flew toward Chu Province City on the eagle.

Liu Changxu and Qin Yulian entered Chu Province City, where Liu Changxu stopped a fleeing cultivator and impressed the Azure Cloud Sect’s Golden Core guards. At Li Yungang’s estate, Qin Yulian’s feelings for him had vanished, and Liu Changxu decided to keep his secrets from him.

• A Heart-Questioning Disk exposed an elderly cultivator as a Great Perfection Foundation Establishment fugitive, and he attacked an Azure Cloud Sect inspector before fleeing the city gate.
• Liu Changxu struck the fugitive with his Red Lotus Heaven-Burning Palm, allowing a Golden Core cultivator to capture and search him before killing him.
• Liu Changxu and Qin Yulian greeted the Golden Core guards, then entered Chu Province City amid battles against the Black Evil Sect’s remnants and their allies.
• Li Yungang welcomed Liu Changxu and Qin Yulian at his estate, but Qin Yulian treated him coldly because he had not protected them after they were injured.
• Qin Yulian rejected the idea of marrying Li Yungang, while Liu Changxu judged him self-interested and resolved to keep his secrets from him.

After recovering from his injuries, Liu Changxu distinguished himself in the war between the Azure Cloud Sect and the Black Evil Sect, earning the nickname Jade-Faced Butcher. The Azure Cloud Sect ordered him and several other powerful cultivators back to the sect for their safety, and he welcomed the chance to return to his family, though Qin Yulian was not among those sent back.

• Liu Changxu recovered after half a month of healing and found that his physical strength had increased to at least three hundred thousand jin.
• The Black Evil Sect gained reinforcements from the Mountain Sea Sect, rogue cultivators, and other Zhao Kingdom sects, then launched an all-out war against the Azure Cloud Sect.
• Liu Changxu and Qin Yulian fought in dozens of battles, and Liu Changxu killed thirty-nine foundation establishment cultivators, earning the nickname Jade-Faced Butcher.
• The Black Evil Sect sent golden core cultivators after Liu Changxu, but he resisted their attacks and dodged a sneak attack by a golden core late stage cultivator.
• Qin Yulin and Zhang Yuyan also distinguished themselves in battle, with Zhang Yuyan escaping unscathed after fighting a golden core early stage cultivator who tried to abduct her.
• Azure Cloud Sect commanders ordered Liu Changxu, Qin Yulin, Zhang Yuyan, and several other cultivators back to the sect, and Liu Changxu was glad to return to his family but regretted that Qin Yulian was not included.

After returning from a year of sect warfare with a rich haul, Liu Changxu visited Su Jinxiu before reuniting with his children and four wives at the Spirit Spring Residence. His family welcomed him home, and he found that their cultivation had advanced while he was away.

• Liu Changxu returned to Violet Glow Mountain and found his master and master's wife absent from Rainjade Garden, where he reunited with Su Jinxiu.
• Liu Changxu invited Su Jinxiu to join him for a feast, and they traveled together to the Spirit Spring Residence.
• Liu Changxu's six children rushed to welcome him, and he gathered them in his arms before they greeted Su Jinxiu as their Martial Aunt.
• Li Zhenxin, Wu Yunyue, Lian'er, and Zhang Wenjun came to welcome Liu Changxu, who saw that their cultivation had progressed during his absence.
• Liu Changxu embraced his four wives, and the family entered the estate together.

After returning from the sect war, Liu Changxu reunited with his family and shared a feast and heartfelt conversation with his four wives. But the vicious energy and trauma he had accumulated in battle erupted that night, stirring his inner demon as he became savage during their intimacy.

• Liu Changxu prepared a lavish dinner with his family and served his wives Hundred-Fruit Brew and spirit cuisine.
• Liu Changxu and his family celebrated his safe return after more than a year apart, and the wives shared how the war had worried them.
• Liu Changxu told his wives about his battles and gave each of them a Storage Bag filled with Spirit Treasures they needed.
• Liu Changxu suddenly changed during intimacy, his face twisting as he became rough and savage.
• Li Zhenxin and Lian'er recognized Liu Changxu's cultivation deviation, but he retained enough reason to avoid harming his family.

Liu Changxu recovered from a dangerous heart demon outbreak after Li Zhenxin, Wu Yunyue, Lian'er, and Zhang Wenjun spent ten days helping him regain his reason. After recovering, he emerged with his wives and asked Su Jinxiu to help him prepare for core formation.

• Li Zhenxin, Wu Yunyue, Lian'er, and Zhang Wenjun used the Yin-Yang Harmony Art to calm Liu Changxu until his heart demon dissipated and he fell asleep.
• Liu Changxu slept for five days and nights, then woke with lingering fear and realized the outbreak had cleared an obstacle before his Golden Core breakthrough.
• Liu Changxu and his four wives left their room and found Su Jinxiu caring for the children with Jiao'er; the women blushed as they realized Su Jinxiu knew what had happened.
• Su Jinxiu prepared to leave, but Liu Changxu thanked her and asked for her help with his core formation.

Liu Changxu prepared to attempt Core Formation and asked Su Jinxiu for records of her family’s breakthroughs. After spending six months with his family and studying the process, he cleared away his lingering heart demons but grew uneasy at the dangers of the three trials ahead.

• Su Jinxiu learned Liu Changxu planned to attempt Core Formation and gave him three jade slips recording her father’s, mother’s, and maternal grandfather’s experiences.
• Liu Changxu told Su Jinxiu he would apply to use the Ascension Pavilion and asked her to look after his family.
• Liu Changxu spent six months with his four wives and six children, finding renewed purpose in cultivation and dispelling his heart demons.
• Liu Changxu studied Core Formation accounts from the jade slips and the sect’s Scripture Repository.
• Liu Changxu learned that Core Formation required passing the magic power, thunder tribulation, and heart demon trials, and his confidence began to waver.

Liu Changxu prepared to form his Golden Core, secured a place in an Ascension Pavilion, and received advice from his returning master, Su Hao. After spending time with his family, he left for Second-Tier Ascension Pavilion No. 9 to begin seclusion.

• Liu Changxu applied at the General Affairs Hall and paid one hundred thousand sect merit points to reserve Second-Tier Ascension Pavilion No. 9, which would be ready in a month.
• Su Hao summoned Liu Changxu to Rainjade Garden, where he and Jiang Yuqing reunited with him and Qin Yulian.
• Su Hao shared his Core Formation experiences and showed Liu Changxu Recording Stones depicting successful and failed breakthroughs.
• Liu Changxu spent the following days with his four wives and children while his wives worried privately about the danger of Core Formation.
• After a month of preparation, Liu Changxu bade farewell to his family and flew to Second-Tier Ascension Pavilion No. 9.

Liu Changxu began forming a golden core in the Number Nine Second-Tier Ascension Pavilion, using pure third-tier spirit treasures to pursue a supreme-grade core. Three years later, a fist-sized golden sphere had taken shape, and he prepared to face tribulation lightning.

• Liu Changxu arrived at the Number Nine Second-Tier Ascension Pavilion, where Su Hao came to guard him against interference.
• Liu Changxu entered the pavilion, activated its protective formation, and began compressing the spirit lake in his dantian with the Red Lotus Heaven-Burning Scripture.
• Liu Changxu chose third-tier spirit treasures matching his water, wood, and fire spiritual roots instead of a Golden Core Formation Pill, aiming for a high-quality golden core.
• Liu Changxu spent three years refining the spirit treasures and compressing his spirit lake until a fist-sized golden sphere began to form.
• Liu Changxu's newly formed golden core awaited the baptism of tribulation lightning.