Chapter Summaries

Liu Yu attended the three-sect assembly, where True Person Changfeng announced that the Nine Kingdoms Alliance had become the Seven Kingdoms Alliance and that the Yan and Southern Yu Kingdoms would be divided. The Primordial Yang Sect later assigned Liu Yu a relatively simple patrol mission in the newly formed Yuan Kingdom, and he registered Jiang Qiushui and Leng Yuexin as his assistants.

• Liu Yu reflected on how the Essentials of Demonic Cultivation had changed him, then met fellow disciples before the assembly began.
• True Person Chongxuan and True Person Sanjie praised the three sects’ campaign against the White Cloud Temple, and True Person Changfeng announced the Alliance’s change to the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.
• True Person Changfeng stated that the Yan Kingdom and Southern Yu Kingdom would be abolished and their lands divided; Liu Yu learned that Golden Splendor Mountain and the Cold Iron Mine Site lay on the border of the Yuan and Lin Kingdoms.
• After returning to his cabin, Liu Yu decided to wait one day for a sect assignment before pursuing Song Haocang, while news of the Alliance’s reorganization spread across the former Yan Kingdom.
• True Person Changfeng summoned thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators and assigned Liu Yu the relatively simple task of guarding the route from Phoenix Mountain to the Eternal Peace Market Ward.
• Liu Yu returned to camp and registered Jiang Qiushui and Leng Yuexin as his assistants.

Liu Yu pursued Song Haocang to a White Cloud Temple resource site after discovering that Song had stopped moving, intending to eliminate him. He found Song murdering his fellow disciples for the site’s resources, and watched as Song fought Senior Brother Tong.

• Liu Yu assigned Jiang Qiushui and Leng Yuexin to lead the patrol to the Eternal Peace Market Ward while he went after Song Haocang.
• Song Haocang decided to seize White Cloud Temple resource sites and their resources for himself before fleeing to righteous territory.
• Liu Yu followed Song Haocang’s divine sense mark to a spirit fruit orchard near the border of You Province.
• Liu Yu used his divine sense to see Song Haocang fighting Senior Brother Tong among the bodies of slain White Cloud Temple Cultivators.
• Song Haocang told Senior Brother Tong that he would use the orchard’s resources to form a Golden Core and preserve the temple’s lineage.

Liu Yu broke into a secluded valley, killed Song Haocang after a fierce battle, and collected the spoils before returning to Eternal Peace Market Ward. There, Jiang Qiushui and Leng Yuexin reported on the inspection group, and Liu Yu arranged a banquet before releasing the group to return home.

• Liu Yu watched Song Haocang kill Senior Brother Tong, then destroyed the valley's formation and confronted Song Haocang.
• Liu Yu fought Song Haocang with two top-grade spirit artifacts, withstood his Golden Pestle Talisman Treasure, and burned him to ashes with the Azure Yang Demonic Flame.
• Liu Yu collected Song Haocang's Storage Bag and the valley's spirit fruits, then flew to Eternal Peace Market Ward.
• Yingge and Yanwu welcomed Liu Yu back to his cave abode, where he bathed and rested.
• Jiang Qiushui and Leng Yuexin reported that the inspection group remained in the market ward, and Liu Yu scheduled a banquet before receiving the group and removing their Spirit-Locking Restrictions.

Liu Yu began refining Origin-Rising Pills after his cultivation reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, succeeding once before a second batch failed. At a banquet in the newly founded Yuan Kingdom, he warned local factions not to attack one another and threatened to destroy any faction that defied his orders.

• Liu Yu rested after a month without sleep, then went to the Cultivation Room and decided to refine second-tier upper-grade Origin-Rising Pills.
• Liu Yu successfully refined nine Origin-Rising Pills on his first attempt, but his next batch failed during Pill Condensation.
• Liu Yu attended a crowded banquet in the Eternal Peace Market Ward and toasted the Primordial Yang Sect and the Yuan Kingdom with local faction representatives.
• Liu Yu warned the factions against attacking one another or seizing territory, threatening to lead troops against any lineage that expanded through violence.
• Wei Guangzheng and the other cultivators verbally agreed to obey Liu Yu's rules, though many responded reluctantly.

After the war ended, Liu Yu disbanded his force, released its Foundation Establishment Cultivators from their Spirit-Locking Restrictions, and returned to cultivation. He planned to settle at Phoenix Mountain, establish an intelligence network, and entrust Jiang Qiushui with finding the last herb needed for the Golden Core Condensation Pill.

• At the banquet, Liu Yu watched the surrendered factions and their representatives celebrate the end of the war, then ended the gathering and summoned the Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
• Liu Yu removed Wei Guangzheng’s Spirit-Locking Restriction and asked him to report any useful information from the Wei Household; he then released the restrictions on the other eighteen cultivators.
• The campaign force disbanded, and Liu Yu reflected that his sect-granted authority had been temporary before returning to his cave abode.
• Liu Yu took an Origin-Rising Pill and a Spirit-Nourishing Pill to cultivate, then decided to focus on strengthening himself while beginning preparations for forming a Golden Core.
• Liu Yu summoned Jiang Qiushui and Leng Yuexin, intending to have Jiang find the final Golden Core Condensation Pill herb and Leng establish an intelligence network in the Yuan Kingdom; he also planned for them to depart the next day to inspect his territory.

Liu Yu led a patrol through the Yuan Kingdom before settling on Phoenix Mountain, where he spent five years consolidating the Primordial Yang Sect’s rule and cultivating. After completing his seventh Demon Fire Refining Essence and extending his divine sense, he left his cave abode and appeared to be waiting for someone or something.

• Liu Yu set out aboard the Origin Returning Boat with Jiang Qiushui and Leng Yuexin to patrol the Yuan Kingdom and warn its cultivation factions against disorder.
• Liu Yu inspected a small faction, issued its leaders a stern warning, and continued the patrol, which passed without major disturbances.
• Liu Yu reached Phoenix Mountain and claimed Bai Lianhua’s former cave abode, while Jiang Qiushui arranged accommodations and Leng Yuexin organized the defenses.
• Over the next five years, Liu Yu’s jurisdiction remained largely peaceful as the Primordial Yang Sect consolidated its rule and the White Cloud Temple remnants were nearly eliminated.
• Liu Yu completed his seventh Demon Fire Refining Essence and expanded his divine sense to fifteen li, though he noticed Spirit-Nourishing Pills had become less effective.
• Liu Yu left his cultivation room, changed into blue robes, and sat at a cliffside with a book as though waiting for something.

After five years overseeing the Yuan Kingdom, Liu Yu received permission to return to the sect as the region stabilized. He completed the handover and departed for Ancient Gate City with Jiang Qiushui, Leng Yuexin, Yingge, and Yanwu, planning to focus on cultivation and prepare for Golden Core Condensation.

• Liu Yu told Jiang Qiushui and Leng Yuexin that they could return to the sect after handing over their duties the next day.
• Liu Yu visited Little Green, fed the spirit snake, and reflected on its rapid growth and potential.
• Liu Yu gave Yingge and Yanwu permission to visit the Wei Household, but they declined and prepared the cave abode for his departure.
• A fellow disciple arrived, and Jiang Qiushui completed the handover of Liu Yu's jurisdiction, its disciples, and the Origin Returning Boat.
• Liu Yu left Phoenix Mountain aboard the Wind-Evasion Boat with Jiang Qiushui, Leng Yuexin, Yingge, and Yanwu, heading for Ancient Gate City.

Liu Yu returned to the Primordial Yang Sect with Jiang Qiushui, Yan Kai, Leng Yuexin, and two maidservants after completing his assignment. After parting from Leng Yuexin and Yan Kai, he diverted toward his own cultivation grounds and postponed meeting Jiang Qiushui at Colorful Lotus Mountain until the next day, intending to tell her that he had taken Ji Ruyan as a concubine.

• Liu Yu reached Ancient Gate City, where Yan Kai greeted him and offered to travel back to the sect with him.
• Liu Yu and his companions used the Teleportation Formation to return to the Primordial Yang Sect, and Liu Yu helped the maidservants recover from its effects.
• Leng Yuexin and Yan Kai parted from Liu Yu after exchanging promises to stay in touch and help one another.
• Liu Yu took Jiang Qiushui and the two maidservants toward Colorful Lotus Mountain, then decided to put off Jiang Qiushui’s meeting with Ji Ruyan until the next day.
• Liu Yu told Jiang Qiushui to return to her own cave abode while he completed his cultivation, and she grew reluctant and awkward.

Liu Yu returned to Colorful Lotus Mountain, reunited with Ji Ruyan, and introduced her to the maidservants who had accompanied him. The next day, Jiang Qiushui arrived, and Ji Ruyan went out to meet her while Liu Yu watched from inside the cave abode.

• Liu Yu returned to Colorful Lotus Mountain and found that Ji Ruyan had carefully maintained his mountain and cave abode.
• Ji Ruyan joyfully reunited with Liu Yu, and they spent time together before she told him about the years he had been away.
• Liu Yu introduced Yingge and Yanwu to Ji Ruyan as maidservants, and Ji Ruyan cautiously accepted them.
• Liu Yu prepared a cold, damp habitat for Little Green and resumed his daily cultivation.
• Jiang Qiushui arrived at Colorful Lotus Mountain the next day, and Ji Ruyan went out to welcome her while Liu Yu remained inside.

Liu Yu formally announced that Ji Ruyan would become his concubine, and reassured Jiang Qiushui that her place and resources would not diminish. After Jiang Qiushui accepted the arrangement and left, Liu Yu returned to his cave abode, where his Sect Token suddenly stirred.

• Liu Yu declared Ji Ruyan his concubine, and Jiang Qiushui promised to treat her as a younger sister and live harmoniously with her.
• After Ji Ruyan returned to her room, Liu Yu asked Jiang Qiushui whether she resented his decision and reassured her that he would not neglect her.
• Jiang Qiushui accepted the arrangement and asked Liu Yu not to forget his old companion when he had someone new.
• Liu Yu gave Jiang Qiushui a bottle of Azure Origin Pills and escorted her out of the cave abode.
• Liu Yu returned to his cave abode and was about to study the Hundred Herbs Pill Book when his Sect Token stirred.

Liu Yu attended the Primordial Yang Sect’s long-delayed distribution of merit points for the war in Yan Kingdom and received fifty-five, enough to qualify for promotion to true disciple and exchange for a Heavenly Dust Pill. The chapter ended after True Person Changfeng finished announcing the awards and invited objections.

• Liu Yu received a Sect Token command to report to the Sect Main Hall and suspected the sect was finally awarding wartime merits.
• Liu Yu arrived at Azure Cloud Peak and considered whether his accomplishments and merit points might earn him true disciple status.
• True Person Changfeng began announcing merit awards, and Liu Yu received fifty-five points.
• Liu Yu noted that Ma Yingjie received seventy points and that Li Buyu received one hundred and ten, enough to exchange for a Golden Core Condensation Pill.
• True Person Changfeng finished recording the awards and invited the cultivators to raise any objections.

After receiving his merit points, Liu Yu cultivated connections and sought his nominal master's backing as he prepared to compete for true disciple status. He returned to Colorful Lotus Mountain, where Ji Ruyan and Jiang Qiushui got along, then considered his need for stronger cultivation pills and the Yan Household's support.

• True Person Changfeng left the hall, and Liu Yu congratulated Li Buyu on her merit points while strengthening their ties.
• Liu Yu befriended Wei Xiaoqin, then traveled to Heaven-Reaching Peak to seek Li Changkong's support for his bid to become a true disciple.
• Li Changkong backed Liu Yu's ambition, and Liu Yu returned to Colorful Lotus Mountain, where Ji Ruyan and Jiang Qiushui greeted him harmoniously.
• Liu Yu declined Jiang Qiushui's suggestion that she move back in, concerned that public gossip could harm his true disciple prospects.
• After cultivating, Liu Yu realized Origin-Rising Pills were losing their effect and decided to seek a late-stage Foundation Establishment pill formula and visit the Yan Household.

Liu Yu sought the Yan Household’s support for his bid to become a true disciple, offering to trade Essence-Nourishing Pills and gaining Elder Yan’s agreement to help. After meeting the sect’s requirements and completing the advancement trial, he waited for the ceremony on Heaven-Reaching Peak.

• Liu Yu visited Yan Hongyu on Green Elegance Peak and discussed trading Essence-Nourishing Pills.
• Liu Yu asked Yan Hongyu to help him contend for a true disciple position, and she agreed to consult Elder Yan.
• Elder Yan agreed to support Liu Yu, and Liu Yu returned to Colorful Lotus Mountain assured of the Yan Household’s backing.
• The Li Household and Yan Household helped Liu Yu meet the requirements for advancement, and the sect issued him a trial assignment.
• Liu Yu completed the trial assignment and waited for the notice to attend his true disciple advancement ceremony on Heaven-Reaching Peak.

Liu Yu attended his promotion ceremony at the Patriarch Hall alongside Wei Xiaoqin, where three Golden Core elders examined them and approved their advancement to true disciples. Wei Xiaoqin began swearing her heart-demon oath, while Liu Yu’s own promotion remained to come.

• Liu Yu arrived at Heaven-Reaching Peak and received congratulations from Qian Zhijin and Li Buyu before heading to the Patriarch Hall with Jiang Qiushui and Ji Ruyan.
• Liu Yu met Wei Xiaoqin outside the hall and realized she was also there for a true disciple promotion ceremony.
• True Person Changfeng, Elder Qi Yuntian, and another Golden Core elder appeared, scrutinized Liu Yu and Wei Xiaoqin, and allowed them to enter the hall.
• The elders paid their respects to the past patriarchs, and Elder Qi declared Wei Xiaoqin fit to become a true disciple.
• Wei Xiaoqin bowed before the patriarchs and began swearing a heart-demon oath of loyalty to the sect.

Liu Yu and Wei Xiaoqin completed their ceremonies to become true disciples of the Primordial Yang Sect. Liu Yu’s unconventional Heart-Demon Oath angered Elder Qi, but True Person Changfeng accepted him and gave him his True Disciple Token.

• Wei Xiaoqin swore loyalty to the sect and received her jade True Disciple Token from Elder Qi.
• Elder Qi recounted Liu Yu’s achievements and called him decisive in battle and outstanding in martial accomplishments.
• Liu Yu swore that he would abide by the sect’s rules and remain loyal, but added, “If the sect does not fail me, I will not fail the sect!”
• Elder Qi rebuked Liu Yu, but True Person Changfeng stopped him and praised Liu Yu’s character.
• True Person Changfeng gave Liu Yu his True Disciple Token, and Liu Yu and Wei Xiaoqin left the Patriarch Hall as newly promoted true disciples.

Liu Yu celebrated his promotion to True Disciple by hosting a banquet and publicly taking Ji Ruyan as his first concubine. After spending the night with her, he returned to his Cultivation Room and began considering a body-refining technique.

• Liu Yu and Wei Xiaoqin completed their promotions to True Disciple, which Liu Yu suspected had been expedited through cooperation between the Outer Courtyard faction and the Family Line.
• Liu Yu gathered fellow disciples to celebrate his promotion and used the occasion to strengthen his influence within the sect.
• At the banquet on Colorful Lotus Mountain, Liu Yu announced that Ji Ruyan was his first concubine, and the guests offered congratulations.
• Liu Yu visited Little Green in the Spirit Beast Room, fed it, and sent it back to the Coldwater Pool.
• After the guests departed, Liu Yu spent the night with Ji Ruyan, then returned to his Cultivation Room and considered a body-refining technique.

Liu Yu visited the Primordial Yang Sect’s seventh-floor Scripture Pavilion to find a superior body-refining method, hoping to cultivate essence, qi, and spirit together and improve his golden core. After reviewing numerous texts, he found the powerful Taiyin Body-Refining method and began reading it with excitement.

• Liu Yu reflected that true disciple status might let him access a body-refining method capable of supporting his plan to cultivate essence, qi, and spirit together.
• Liu Yu completed his daily qi- and spirit-refining practice, then traveled to Clear Spring Peak to seek a better cave abode and search the Scripture Pavilion.
• Liu Yu used his true disciple token to enter the seventh floor, where he read Mysteries of Metal Spirit but decided not to spend twenty merit points to obtain it.
• Liu Yu examined several superior body-refining methods, including Thousand Refinements True Art, but none met his hopes for resisting powerful spirit artifacts.
• Liu Yu found Taiyin Body-Refining and learned that its peak second tier could let him withstand a Top-grade Spirit Artifact barehanded for a short time.

Liu Yu chose Astral True Form over the less demanding Taiyin Body-Refining, reasoning that his Immortal Mansion might help him overcome its need for stellar power. After exchanging fifty-two merit points for the first three levels, he went to meet Sect Master Zhuang Ziling about moving to a better spirit mountain.

• Liu Yu discovered Astral True Form, a stellar body-refining method with the potential to reach Spirit Transformation, but learned that its demanding cultivation requirements had left it neglected.
• Liu Yu decided to try Astral True Form first and keep Taiyin Body-Refining as a fallback, planning to test whether the Immortal Mansion could supply the stellar power he needed.
• Liu Yu exchanged fifty-two merit points with Elder Wen for the first three levels of Astral True Form and promised to keep the method secret.
• Liu Yu left Clear Spring Peak and flew to Azure Cloud Peak to arrange a better spirit mountain after becoming a true disciple.
• Liu Yu met Sect Master Zhuang Ziling in a side chamber, where Zhuang Ziling served him spirit tea and asked whether he liked it.

Liu Yu reconciled with Zhuang Ziling long enough to claim Rosycloud Mountain, a superior-grade spirit mountain, as his new residence. After arriving with his companions and followers, he ordered its extravagant palace torn down and invited Jiang Qiushui and Ji Ruyan to build their own cave abodes there.

• Liu Yu praised Zhuang Ziling’s tea and reached a cordial understanding with him despite their past conflict.
• Liu Yu selected Rosycloud Mountain from the sect’s available spirit mountains, and Zhuang Ziling obtained the required approval and gave him its token and formation banner.
• Liu Yu returned to Colorful Lotus Mountain to prepare a move, planning to transfer his mature spirit plants and belongings.
• Liu Yu arrived at Rosycloud Mountain with Jiang Qiushui, Ji Ruyan, Wu Chang, and his other followers, while Jiang Qiushui handled the handover from the disciples working there.
• Liu Yu disliked the mountain’s ornate palace and ordered it replaced with a simple courtyard residence, telling Jiang Qiushui and Ji Ruyan they could each build a cave abode on the mountain.

After rebuilding his residence on Rosycloud Mountain and securing it with two formations, Liu Yu studied the Astral True Form and began cultivating its Myriad Stars stage. He opened the Shenque acupoint, but its light remained faint as the starlight feeding his cultivation began to thin.

• Liu Yu collected the formation components from the demolished palace while Jiang Qiushui and Ji Ruyan oversaw the rebuilding of his residence.
• After inspecting the finished residence, Liu Yu installed the Azure Nether Blackwind Formation and the Forest Sea Reincarnation Formation around it.
• Liu Yu copied the Astral True Form into a booklet and spent seven days comprehending its first layer, the Myriad Stars stage.
• Liu Yu spread Coldstar Liquid over his body and used the starlight entering through the Cultivation Room's skylight to cultivate the Astral True Form.
• Liu Yu opened his Shenque acupoint and began filling it with stellar power, but the gathering blue motes gradually grew sparse and dim.