Chapter Summaries

Liu Changxu led cultivators fleeing Blue Coral City through a Sea Monster encirclement, but the city was massacred after they escaped. On the boat to Many-Treasure City, he and the other guardians grieved over their failure, while Liu Changxu questioned whether he had acted wrongly by prioritizing his own survival.

• Liu Changxu used the Red Lotus World-Destroying Seal, aided by Su Jinxiu, Lin Feiyang, and his spirit beasts, to break a path through the Sea Monsters surrounding Blue Coral City.
• The fleeing cultivators attacked together and followed Liu Changxu out, though many low-level cultivators failed to escape.
• Liu Changxu and the survivors boarded the Nine Heavens Chasing the Moon Boat for Many-Treasure City, shortly before eight fourth-tier Sea Monsters returned to Blue Coral City.
• The survivors mourned the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of people and reckoned with their failure to defend the city.
• Liu Changxu questioned whether his decision to reserve his spirit beasts and act chiefly for his own safety had been right or wrong.

Liu Changxu and his companions escaped a powerful pod of orcas, but the chase knocked them far off course. They decided to investigate a nearby high-grade spirit gold vein cautiously, sending scouts ahead as they approached.

• Liu Changxu spotted a pod of powerful orcas, but the creatures pursued the Nine Heavens Chasing the Moon Boat after he changed its course.
• Lin Feiyang took control of the boat while Liu Changxu fired Golden Feather Arrows to slow the orcas until they abandoned the chase.
• Liu Changxu consulted a nautical chart with his companions after the pursuit carried them thousands of li off course.
• Wu Yuangang proposed visiting a nearby high-grade spirit gold vein, and Liu Changxu decided to send scouts before committing to the venture.
• Liu Changxu released Little Blue and Xiao Yun to scout for monsters while the boat flew low toward the vein.

Liu Changxu and his companions rested on a secluded island after their recent battles, and he concealed it with an array before bringing out his luxurious Rising Sun Tower. As the women bathed upstairs and Liu Changxu prepared dinner with his friends, he remembered that his disciple Jiang Hua and Jiang Li still needed to be brought from Sea Rainbow City.

• Liu Changxu landed the Nine Heavens Chasing the Moon Boat on an island and fed Little Blue and Xiao Yun while Su Jinxiu, Zhang Yuxin, and Qin Yulian enjoyed the beach.
• Liu Changxu, Lin Feiyang, and Wu Yuangang set up a Five-Element Concealment Array that hid the island from view.
• Liu Changxu thought of his family and realized he needed to bring Jiang Hua and Jiang Li from Sea Rainbow City, where Su Jinxiu had left them in her care before the mission.
• Liu Changxu brought out his Rising Sun Tower, which Su Jinxiu and the others admired before the three women secluded themselves upstairs to use its Spirit Pool.
• Liu Changxu served spirit tea to Lin Feiyang and Wu Yuangang, then began preparing dinner with their help.

Liu Changxu and his companions recovered on the nameless island, then traveled to investigate the undersea high-grade spirit gold vein. They discovered a powerful third-tier supreme grade Golden Spirit Turtle guarding the area, and Liu Changxu began assessing how they might overcome it.

• Liu Changxu served Su Jinxiu, Qin Yulian, Zhang Yuxin, Wu Yuangang, and Lin Feiyang a lavish spirit-cuisine meal, and they agreed to rest before exploring the undersea vein.
• Liu Changxu refined the meal, restored his strength, and bathed in the Spirit Pool before night fell.
• Liu Changxu sent Little Blue to scout the vein, and the Blue-Scaled Flood Dragon returned with word that no fourth-tier Sea Monsters were present.
• Liu Changxu and the others rode Little Blue to the sea near the vein and investigated the surrounding waters.
• Liu Changxu learned that a third-tier supreme grade Golden Spirit Turtle lurked underwater and sensed the deadly threat of its powerful aura.

Liu Changxu and his companions lured out and battled the third-tier supreme grade Golden Spirit Turtle through the night, eventually killing it. Afterward, they divided its remains according to their contributions, with Liu Changxu receiving the largest share.

• Liu Changxu sent the Blue-Scaled Flood Dragon to lure the Golden Spirit Turtle to the surface, where the group launched a coordinated attack.
• The wounded Golden Spirit Turtle countered with its Vortex Technique and Water Dragon Technique, forcing Liu Changxu and the others to evade its attacks.
• Liu Changxu and his companions wore down the turtle through a prolonged battle, then joined him underwater for the final assault.
• Liu Changxu severed the Golden Spirit Turtle's head, and Lin Feiyang collected its beast soul in the Purple Jade Soul Bottle.
• The group dragged the carcass onto a reef and divided its shell, beast core, beast soul, flesh, blood, and bones according to their contributions.

Liu Changxu and his companions explored the high-grade spirit gold vein beneath the sea and began mining its rare ores. After discovering several valuable deposits, they lost themselves in the work, leaving the vein’s dangers behind them.

• Liu Changxu rewarded the Blue-Scaled Flood Dragon, Azure Cloud Eagle, and Yellow Mountain Lion with Golden Spirit Turtle meat while Su Jinxiu and the others prepared to explore the seabed.
• Liu Changxu and his companions rode the Blue-Scaled Flood Dragon down to the spirit gold vein, where they found abandoned mining tunnels and began searching for ore.
• Liu Changxu discovered purple spirit gold and had Little Blue mine the tunnel while he collected the ore.
• Liu Changxu summoned Xiao Jin to mine a nearby tunnel and used the Red Lotus World-Destroying Spear to mine another, finding precious black crow gold.
• Liu Changxu and his companions mined tirelessly, with Liu Changxu gaining the most thanks to help from his spirit beasts.

Liu Changxu and his companions mined the underwater Spirit Gold Vein dry and escaped just before powerful sea monsters arrived. They returned to Many-Treasure City, where the defenses were on high alert and Liu Changxu met the formidable Golden Core cultivator Li Yufeng.

• Liu Changxu, Su Jinxiu, and the others spent over a month mining the Spirit Gold Vein and gathered an enormous haul.
• Liu Changxu sensed danger and urged everyone to flee on the Azure Cloud Eagle Xiao Yun, leaving shortly before two Fourth-Tier Sea Monsters reached the vein.
• After flying several thousand li, Liu Changxu transferred the exhausted Xiao Yun to his Spirit Beast Bag and explained his warning to Su Jinxiu and the others.
• Liu Changxu and his companions reached Many-Treasure City and presented their Identity Tokens before the defenders used a Demon-Detecting Mirror to verify them.
• Liu Changxu met the Golden Core late-stage cultivator Li Yufeng, exchanged greetings with him, and then left with his companions.

Liu Changxu and his companions reported their return to City Lord Chu Shixiong, who told them Many-Treasure City had received major reinforcements and repelled a sea monster assault. Liu Changxu returned to Elegant Orchid Garden, found Chunlan, Xiazhu, Qiuyue, and Dongxue safe, and began planning to establish the Liu Lineage in the Southern Sea.

• Liu Changxu and his companions told Chu Shixiong how they escaped Blue Coral City, concealing their undersea spirit gold discovery.
• Chu Shixiong reported that the Sect had sent dozens of Golden Core cultivators and three Nascent Soul True Lords to Many-Treasure City, which had repelled a sea monster assault.
• Chu Shixiong told Liu Changxu that Hu Changchun and Jiang Han had escaped Blue Coral City but were recovering from serious injuries.
• Liu Changxu considered sending members of the Liu Lineage to the Southern Sea and having the four maidservants build its influence from Elegant Orchid Garden.
• Liu Changxu and his three senior sisters found Chunlan, Xiazhu, Qiuyue, and Dongxue safe at Elegant Orchid Garden, though the women appeared haggard and Chunlan concealed what had happened during his absence.

After his three senior sisters claimed the Rising Sun Tower’s Spirit Pool, Liu Changxu reviewed his divine abilities and began studying the Red Lotus Soul-Extinguishing Needle to prepare for the Human-Demon War. After two hours of study, he stopped for the night and noticed Chunlan waiting outside his bedroom with something to report.

• Su Jinxiu summoned Qin Yulian and Zhang Yuxin to bathe in the Rising Sun Tower’s Spirit Pool, sending Liu Changxu back to the Elegant Serenity Pavilion.
• Liu Changxu drank third-tier spirit tea and meditated on how to improve the divine abilities and spells of the Red Lotus Heaven-Burning Scripture.
• Liu Changxu decided to prioritize the Red Lotus Soul-Extinguishing Needle because Sea Monsters’ demon souls seemed weaker than those of human cultivators at the same level.
• Liu Changxu studied the needle technique for two hours, gaining only a general understanding of it.
• Liu Changxu stopped studying and prepared for bed when he noticed Chunlan waiting outside his bedroom with something to report.

Chunlan reported that powerful Azure Cloud Sect True Disciples Yao Changhe and Zhang Jiuzhen were trying to claim Liu Changxu's Elegant Orchid Garden. Liu Changxu learned they had Nascent Soul great-perfection masters backing them, then accepted Chunlan's deliberate attempt to win his favor, leaving her hopeful about her future with him.

• Chunlan told Liu Changxu that Golden Core cultivators had twice tried to take Elegant Orchid Garden while he was away, but City Lord Chu had initially turned them away.
• Chunlan reported that True Disciples Yao Changhe and Zhang Jiuzhen had arrived with a powerful reinforcement force and both wanted the estate.
• Liu Changxu asked about the two disciples, and Chunlan explained that they were highly ranked Heavenly Prodigies whose masters had reached Nascent Soul great perfection.
• Liu Changxu gently asked Chunlan to massage his shoulders, and she spent the night with him.
• The next morning, Chunlan lay happily in Liu Changxu's embrace, pleased that her plan to win his favor had succeeded.

After Chunlan became Liu Changxu’s woman, Su Jinxiu reacted with jealousy and entered seclusion in his Rising Sun Tower. Liu Changxu worried over their future and, after Su Jinxiu accepted his gift of spirit cuisine, turned to the growing dangers and complicated power structure in Many-Treasure City.

• The women learned that Liu Changxu had taken Chunlan into his bed, and Su Jinxiu reacted with anger and announced that she would enter seclusion in the Rising Sun Tower.
• Liu Changxu allowed Su Jinxiu to use the tower and realized he needed to find a way to resolve their relationship, though he saw no easy path to winning her lineage’s approval.
• Su Jinxiu regretted her outburst during seclusion and accepted the third-tier spirit cuisine Liu Changxu sent her.
• Liu Changxu considered the growing number of powerful cultivators in Many-Treasure City and the need to protect himself and those close to him during the coming human-demon war.
• Wu Yuangang and Lin Feiyang visited Liu Changxu that afternoon.

Liu Changxu and his friends learned how Many-Treasure City’s powerful cultivators had divided into three factions. Wu Kun invited them to Yao Changhe’s exchange gathering the next morning, and they were eager to attend.

• Lin Feiyang told Liu Changxu that a Golden Core cultivator had occupied his estate but returned it after learning who owned it.
• Qin Yulian and Zhang Yuxin joined Liu Changxu, Lin Feiyang, and Wu Yuangang as they discussed changes in Many-Treasure City.
• Wu Kun visited Liu Changxu and explained that the city’s cultivators were divided among the local faction, Azure Cloud Sect reinforcements, and Azure Cloud Palace reinforcements.
• Wu Kun invited Liu Changxu and the others to Yao Changhe’s gathering for cultivation discussions and spirit treasure exchanges, and they became interested in attending.

Liu Changxu attended Yao Changhe's exchange gathering and learned from his exposition on water-aspected divine abilities. He then shared his own insights on sword control, impressing the cultivators and clarifying his understanding of the sword Dao.

• Liu Changxu hosted dinner and later comforted Chunlan through dual cultivation, while Su Jinxiu continued her seclusion despite regretting her angry retreat.
• Liu Changxu led Zhang Yuxin, Qin Yulian, Wu Kun, Lin Feiyang, and Wu Yuangang to Yao Changhe's manor for an exchange gathering.
• Yao Changhe welcomed Liu Changxu's group, then expounded on water-aspected divine abilities as the gathered Golden Core cultivators listened and recorded his insights.
• Yao Changhe invited Liu Changxu to speak, and Liu Changxu chose to explain the art of sword control rather than divine abilities.
• Liu Changxu's brief exposition on sword control captivated the cultivators and helped him clarify ideas about the sword Dao.

Liu Changxu and the other cultivators exchanged cultivation insights, then began trading spirit treasures. Li Tianyang failed to find anything that could extend his life, leaving Liu Changxu newly resolved to advance before it was too late.

• Liu Changxu recorded the cultivators' discourses on a Sound Recording Stone to preserve their experience for the Liu Lineage.
• Yao Changhe offered the Spirit-Settling Mirror, orchid nether true water, and golden flame jade in exchange for water-attribute spirit materials.
• Liu Changxu traded five pieces of third-tier supreme-grade cold nether iron to Yao Changhe for the Spirit-Settling Mirror and golden flame jade.
• An unnamed Golden Core Middle Stage cultivator traded for Yao Changhe's orchid nether true water.
• Li Tianyang offered five third-tier treasures in exchange for something that could extend his lifespan by at least thirty years, but no one accepted.
• Liu Changxu sympathized with Li Tianyang and felt urgency to pursue advancement while he still could.

Liu Changxu and his companions made profitable exchanges at Yao Changhe’s gathering, then stayed behind at Yao Changhe’s invitation for a banquet with two unfamiliar Golden Core cultivators. The evening began with generous hospitality, including rare third-tier supreme-grade spirit wine.

• Liu Changxu exchanged the Vajra Shield, Nebula Sword, and Heavenly Gang Moon-Slashing Saber for spirit fruits and other treasures.
• Liu Changxu traded for a Jade Milk Coconut, blue jade coral, golden sandalwood, and a Wood-Nurturing Pearl before the gathering ended.
• Yao Changhe asked Liu Changxu and his companions to stay after the other cultivators departed.
• Yao Changhe introduced Hu Yang and Li Ran, and Li Ran repeatedly looked at Liu Changxu.
• Yao Changhe hosted a banquet and served Jade Spring Elixir, astonishing Liu Changxu and the other guests.

At Yao Changhe’s banquet, Liu Changxu built ties with fellow Azure Cloud Sect disciples and learned that his Grand Master had reached the Nascent Soul Late Stage. Back at Elegant Orchid Garden, Chunlan asked Liu Changxu to let her and her three sisters serve him together.

• Liu Changxu refined the third-tier supreme-grade Jade Spring spirit wine faster than the other guests, impressing Yao Changhe.
• Liu Changxu explained how he had become a true disciple after cultivating in a small lineage, and Yao Changhe, Hu Yang, and Li Ran grew more respectful of him.
• Liu Changxu and the three senior brothers shared their residences and contact information, then Yao Changhe told him that Jiang Shangyun had reached the Nascent Soul Late Stage.
• Liu Changxu returned to Elegant Orchid Garden with Zhang Yuxin and Qin Yulian and found Chunlan, Xiazhu, Qiuyue, and Dongxue waiting to serve him.
• Chunlan asked Liu Changxu to allow her and her three sisters to serve him together, and Liu Changxu realized she had persuaded them to strengthen her position.

Liu Changxu spent more than twenty days in seclusion, reflecting on his cultivation and planning a simplified Lotus Platform Palace that could protect his family during travel. After emerging, he learned from Chunlan that something had happened at home, though she had not yet explained what.

• Liu Changxu sent Chunlan, Xiazhu, Qiuyue, and Dongxue away and began seclusion to review what he had learned from Golden Core cultivators.
• He planned a life-bound Lotus Platform Palace with flight, residence, offense, defense, and concealment, but decided to begin with a simpler version.
• Liu Changxu worried about his family's safety during the Human-Demon War and about his missing master and master's wife before calming himself with spirit tea and meditating.
• After more than twenty days, Liu Changxu emerged, fed Xiao Yun, Little Blue, and Xiao Jin, and asked Chunlan about events during his seclusion.
• Chunlan reported that nothing major had happened in Many-Treasure City, but something had happened at home.

Liu Changxu inspected the precious spirit plants in the Elegant Orchid Garden after learning Su Jinxiu had emerged from seclusion, then spoke with her and his other senior sisters about reinforcements arriving in Many-Treasure City. He learned that Yao Changhe wanted to introduce him to the Azure Luan Immortal, prompting Su Jinxiu’s jealousy.

• Chunlan told Liu Changxu that Su Jinxiu had emerged from seclusion two days earlier, and he reassured her before inspecting the garden.
• Liu Changxu checked the jade orchid zhi and the other third-tier spirit plants, finding them all healthy.
• Su Jinxiu, Qin Yulian, and Zhang Yuxin joined Liu Changxu, and Su Jinxiu praised the Rising Sun Tower while showing no intention of leaving it.
• Qin Yulian reported that the Sect had sent three Nascent Soul True Lords, thirty Golden Core True Persons, and over a thousand Foundation Establishment Cultivators to Many-Treasure City.
• Qin Yulian told Liu Changxu that Yao Changhe had invited him to meet an important person, and Su Jinxiu revealed that the person was the Azure Luan Immortal.
• Su Jinxiu’s jealousy showed how deeply her feelings for Liu Changxu had grown during the Human-Demon War.

Liu Changxu and his three senior sisters visited Yao Changhe and met Yang Qingxue, the Azure Luan Immortal, who quickly became friendly with the women. Liu Changxu then asked Yao Changhe about the reinforcements and recent changes in the city, and Yao Changhe began filling him in.

• Liu Changxu persuaded Zhang Yuxin and Qin Yulian to accompany him and Su Jinxiu to Yao Changhe's manor.
• Chunlan watched them leave and resolved to reach Foundation Establishment so she could join her master at important gatherings.
• Liu Changxu and his senior sisters met Li Ran at the manor and followed him to the reception hall.
• Yao Changhe introduced Liu Changxu and his senior sisters to Yang Qingxue, and the three women soon became engaged in lively conversation with her.
• Liu Changxu asked Yao Changhe about the sect's reinforcements and recent changes in the city, and Yao Changhe explained what he knew.

Liu Changxu learned that the sect planned a decisive battle against the Sea-Demon Race in at least six months, and Yao Changhe apologized for their past dispute over Elegant Orchid Garden. Zhang Jiuzhen arrived with Zhang Jia'er and Lu Chang'an, prompting Liu Changxu and his companions to leave; back at the manor, the group prepared a feast, while Su Jinxiu wrestled with her feelings about Liu Changxu and the maids.

• Yao Changhe told Liu Changxu that the sect was gathering more high-ranking cultivators and expected to fight the Sea-Demon Race in at least six months, then apologized for competing over Elegant Orchid Garden when they had believed Liu Changxu dead.
• Yao Changhe received word that Zhang Jiuzhen had come to visit Yang Qingxue and brought him and his companions into the reception hall.
• Yang Qingxue introduced Zhang Jiuzhen, Zhang Jia'er, and Lu Chang'an to Liu Changxu and his companions; Zhang Jiuzhen acted arrogantly, while Zhang Jia'er warmly flirted with Liu Changxu.
• Liu Changxu and his three senior sisters bid farewell to Yang Qingxue to avoid getting caught in the tension between Yao Changhe and Zhang Jiuzhen.
• Su Jinxiu asked Liu Changxu to prepare third-tier spirit cuisine, and the group helped make a lavish dinner at Elegant Orchid Garden.
• While enjoying Liu Changxu's cooking, Su Jinxiu thought she would have to marry him, then decided she would not stand in the maids' way if they became his women.