Chapter Summaries

Liu Yu declined Sun Ju’s suggestive invitation and returned to his cave abode on Green Spirit Peak, where he rested after weighing how to prepare for Foundation Establishment without attracting unwanted attention. The next morning, he washed and changed before heading to the Cultivation Room.

• Sun Ju gave Liu Yu a token to her cave abode and quietly invited him to guide her cultivation that night, but Liu Yu decided not to go and stored the token away.
• Liu Yu flew from Clear Spring Peak back to Cave Abode D-15 on Green Spirit Peak and opened its protective formation.
• Liu Yu cleaned the bedroom furnishings and considered exchanging for a Foundation Establishment Pill rather than revealing his alchemy skill to avoid the front lines.
• Liu Yu rejected relying on his alchemist status, then went to sleep without washing after his exhausting journey.
• The next morning, Liu Yu used the Waterball Technique to wash, changed clothes, and headed toward the Cultivation Room.

Liu Yu prepared to gather the contribution points needed to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill and sought Jiang Qiushui’s help. He reunited with her after five years and offered her spirit tea, leaving her curious but gloomy about the gap between their cultivation levels.

• Liu Yu refined a Jade Spirit Pill and assessed his steady progress toward qi refining perfection while prioritizing a solid foundation.
• Liu Yu decided to seek Jiang Qiushui’s help gathering contribution points, since he lacked the connections to arrange private trades himself.
• Liu Yu flew to Greenwood Peak and drew attention from former acquaintances who recognized his cultivation and alchemy skills.
• Jiang Qiushui welcomed Liu Yu into her cave abode and congratulated him on reaching the qi refining ninth layer.
• Liu Yu offered Jiang Qiushui his spirit tea, and she asked about its effects while feeling gloomy about remaining at the qi refining sixth layer.

Jiang Qiushui and Liu Yu caught up over tea, sharing stories of the war and their recent hardships. Liu Yu then asked her to buy about twelve hundred sect contribution points within twenty days, setting the task in motion with five hundred spirit stones.

• Jiang Qiushui brewed Clear Lotus Spirit Tea for Liu Yu, and they joked as they drank.
• Liu Yu recounted his experiences in Cold Moon City, while Jiang Qiushui described her near-death experiences on the front lines.
• Liu Yu comforted Jiang Qiushui when she became distressed, then asked her to help him purchase contribution points.
• Jiang Qiushui agreed to buy about twelve hundred contribution points within twenty days and guessed Liu Yu wanted a Foundation Establishment Pill.
• Liu Yu gave Jiang Qiushui five hundred spirit stones and told her to meet him on Green Spirit Peak after making the first purchase.

Liu Yu arranged for Jiang Qiushui to trade spirit stones for him, while keeping Qian Zhijin as a second option for gathering sect contribution points. He met Qian at the General Affairs Hall and discovered that Qian had reached qi refining perfection and was preparing to attempt Foundation Establishment.

• Jiang Qiushui accepted Liu Yu's Storage Bag and agreed to trade the five hundred spirit stones as quickly as possible.
• Liu Yu discussed Clear Lotus Tea and the Qing Province front lines with Jiang Qiushui, then reminded her to handle the trade carefully before leaving.
• Liu Yu decided not to rely solely on Jiang Qiushui and flew to Clear Spring Peak to seek Qian Zhijin's help as a backup.
• Liu Yu found Qian Zhijin at the General Affairs Hall, where Qian recognized him and expressed surprise at his qi refining ninth layer.
• Liu Yu used his divine sense to discover that Qian Zhijin had reached qi refining perfection and appeared ready to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Liu Yu treated Qian Zhijin to a meal at the Heavenly Fragrance Tower, learned about the Blood-Colored Trial and the dwindling supply of Foundation Establishment Pills, then returned to his cave residence to practice the Divine Preservation Art. He continued enduring the painful training to strengthen his divine sense before his foundation-establishment attempt.

• Liu Yu feigned surprise at Qian Zhijin's plans to attempt foundation establishment and invited him to the Heavenly Fragrance Tower.
• Liu Yu and Qian Zhijin shared an expensive meal, grew friendlier, and discussed the Blood-Colored Trial and the sect's Foundation Establishment Pills.
• Qian Zhijin explained that the Blood-Colored Trial took place in an ancient secret realm every forty years and had a high death rate.
• Liu Yu paid fifty-two spirit stones for the meal, parted from Qian Zhijin, and flew back to his cave residence on Green Spirit Peak.
• Liu Yu practiced the Divine Preservation Art with Clear Lotus Spirit Tea, enduring severe pain to strengthen his divine sense for the Divine Sense Trial.

Liu Yu completed his arrangement with Jiang Qiushui to obtain Sect Contribution Points, then focused on preparing for Foundation Establishment. On the twenty-seventh day, he left for Clear Spring Peak to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

• Jiang Qiushui transferred the Sect Contribution Points she had obtained for Liu Yu, and he gave her another five hundred Spirit Stones to continue the task.
• Jiang Qiushui returned twice more and completed the final transfer, bringing Liu Yu’s total to two thousand six hundred Contribution Points; he paid her fifty Spirit Stones for her work.
• Jiang Qiushui praised Liu Yu and offered to help him again, but Liu Yu avoided becoming closer to her because he feared exposing his secrets.
• Liu Yu decided to prioritize refining his magical power and cultivating his divine sense rather than exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill immediately.
• On the twenty-seventh day, Liu Yu cleaned up, changed clothes, and flew toward Clear Spring Peak on the Blood-Drinking Blade.

Liu Yu sought Geng Yuanzhang’s help to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill, explaining that he had reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer and felt confident about advancing. Geng agreed on the condition that Liu Yu swear to protect his great-grandson and give him a chance at Foundation Establishment if Liu Yu succeeded.

• Liu Yu traveled to Clear Spring Peak and requested an audience with Geng Yuanzhang at the Rectified Origin Hall.
• Geng noticed Liu Yu had reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, and Liu Yu credited his progress to refining Purple Spirit Pills.
• Liu Yu asked Geng to help him exchange sect contribution for a Foundation Establishment Pill and claimed a fifty-five-percent chance of success with one.
• Geng agreed to help if Liu Yu swore a heart-demon oath to shelter Geng’s great-grandson and provide him an opportunity to attempt Foundation Establishment after Liu Yu succeeded.

Liu Yu swore a Heart-Demon Oath to Geng Yuanzhang in exchange for his protection and help obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill. Geng Yuanzhang brought him to Sect Master Zhuang, who deducted Liu Yu’s sect contribution and went to fetch the pill.

• Liu Yu swore to protect Geng Yuanzhang’s disciple and provide a Foundation Establishment opportunity once he reached foundation establishment.
• Geng Yuanzhang took Liu Yu by flying boat to Azure Cloud Peak to seek Sect Master Zhuang’s help.
• Geng Yuanzhang met with Sect Master Zhuang while Liu Yu waited outside, then called Liu Yu into the side hall.
• Sect Master Zhuang inspected Liu Yu’s Disciple Token and deducted two thousand five hundred sect contribution points.
• Sect Master Zhuang told Geng Yuanzhang he would fetch the Foundation Establishment Pill and went toward the Sect Treasury.

Liu Yu received a Foundation Establishment Pill and Geng Yuanzhang’s personal cultivation insights, then searched the Scripture Pavilion for further guidance. After learning how to improve his Fire Serpent Technique, he flew to Green Essence Peak to prepare for seclusion and attempt Foundation Establishment.

• Sect Master Zhuang retrieved a Foundation Establishment Pill from the treasury and handed it to Geng Yuanzhang for Liu Yu.
• Geng Yuanzhang gave Liu Yu the pill and a jade slip detailing his own Foundation Establishment experience, asking him to wait until he had greater confidence before using the pill.
• Liu Yu visited the Scripture Pavilion, copied five accounts of Foundation Establishment, and found a booklet explaining how to cast the Fire Serpent Technique more smoothly.
• Liu Yu left Clear Spring Peak on the Blood-Drinking Blade and flew toward Green Essence Peak, where Qi Refining disciples prepared to advance in seclusion.

Liu Yu secured a cave abode on Green Essence Peak by paying Martial Uncle Duan a bribe, then registered his seclusion and bought supplementary resources. He returned to Green Essence Peak to begin his attempt at Foundation Establishment.

• Liu Yu arrived at Green Essence Peak and went to the hall administering its secluded cultivation abodes.
• Liu Yu watched Martial Uncle Duan refuse a Qi Refining disciple's attempted bribe, then asked to apply for a cave abode.
• Martial Uncle Duan claimed every abode was occupied, but accepted seventy spirit stones from Liu Yu and found Cave Abode A-6 vacant.
• Martial Uncle Duan registered Liu Yu and handed him the tokens for Cave Abode A-6 and its formation.
• Liu Yu registered his seclusion at the General Affairs Hall, bought supplementary resources at the Market Ward, and rode back to Green Essence Peak to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Liu Yu secured Cave Abode No. 6, Jia, and began a year-long preparation for Foundation Establishment, advancing his cultivation and training his divine sense while studying sect insights. He planned to attempt the breakthrough after six months of preparation, despite not yet reaching qi refining perfection.

• Liu Yu activated and tested the cave abode's protective array, confirming it could withstand a powerful attack and block his divine sense.
• Liu Yu inspected the cave abode's dense spiritual energy and laid out his pills, Purple Sun Grass, Divine Preservation Art, and Foundation Establishment insights.
• Liu Yu decided to spend six months improving his cultivation and divine sense before attempting Foundation Establishment, rather than wait to reach qi refining perfection.
• Liu Yu swallowed a Jade Spirit Pill and practiced the Wood Spirit Art, making a small gain in cultivation.
• Liu Yu practiced the Qi Refining section of the Divine Preservation Art with Clear Lotus Spirit Tea, then studied the Foundation Establishment insights in six jade slips.

After six months of preparation, Liu Yu began attempting Foundation Establishment and successfully passed the magic power and divine sense trials. He started the final spiritual energy infusion with purple sun grass, but the chapter ended before its outcome was known.

• Liu Yu spent six months refining his cultivation and preparing to establish his foundation.
• Liu Yu chose the dawn of the Awakening of Insects season to begin Foundation Establishment and compressed his magic power into a vortex.
• Liu Yu used three spiritual items and then a Foundation Establishment Pill to turn his magic power into more than a hundred drops of Liquid Magical Power.
• Liu Yu replenished his new Liquid Magical Power with five hundred spirit stones and easily brought it under control, passing the first two trials.
• Liu Yu swallowed the purple veins of purple sun grass as the final spiritual energy infusion began testing his body.

Liu Yu successfully advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm, gained new strength and a longer lifespan, and consolidated his cultivation in seclusion. He entered the Immortal Mansion to check whether it had changed after his advancement.

• Liu Yu completed Foundation Establishment after seven days of transformation and briefly collapsed from pain in his primordial spirit.
• Liu Yu awoke with liquid spiritual power, foundation establishment true fire, divine sense reaching four li, and a lifespan of up to two hundred and forty years.
• Liu Yu reflected on the hardships and ruthless choices that had shaped him, and accepted them without regret.
• Liu Yu washed away the impurities on his body, then refined his magical artifacts and consolidated his new cultivation over the remaining months of his cave-abode lease.
• Liu Yu entered the Immortal Mansion and found that his primordial spirit had grown to the size of a human head.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Liu Yu discovered that the Immortal Mansion had improved: its spirit field could now accelerate herbs to five hundred years, and its ancient well had become a spirit spring. He returned to the sect, where Deacon Duan congratulated him and gave him a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone.

• Liu Yu tested the Immortal Mansion’s ancient well and found its water had become a pure, mid-to-high-grade first-tier spirit spring.
• Liu Yu used the Black Spirit Field to grow jade spirit mushrooms and three other herbs, confirming that its growth limit had risen to five hundred years.
• Liu Yu stored the mature herbs, left the Immortal Mansion, and carefully cleared his traces before deactivating the formation and leaving his cave abode.
• Liu Yu entered the small hall and greeted Deacon Duan, who recognized that he had reached Foundation Establishment.
• Deacon Duan returned Liu Yu’s formation token and gave him a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone as a congratulatory gift, which Liu Yu accepted before leaving.

After achieving Foundation Establishment, Liu Yu visited the sect master to claim his rewards and choose a place to cultivate. He selected Colorful Lotus Mountain and secretly falsified the soul aura he registered with the sect, leaving his whereabouts and survival harder to track.

• Liu Yu flew to Azure Cloud Peak and was respectfully greeted by Zeng Yi, the disciple who had once met him before his breakthrough.
• Zhuang Ziling welcomed Liu Yu, gave him five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and explained his annual allowance and options for a cave residence.
• Liu Yu chose to cultivate alone and selected Colorful Lotus Mountain, far from the sect’s main peaks and near several market wards.
• Zhuang Ziling recorded Liu Yu in the Sect Jade Register, and Liu Yu left a forged soul aura that would remain illuminated for about three hundred years.

Liu Yu selected Lotus Mountain as his spirit mountain, then visited the Scripture Pavilion to obtain a cultivation art and search for pill formulas. There, he met Bai Yuxuan again and left with two common Foundation Establishment pill formulas to be copied.

• Liu Yu chose Lotus Mountain, and Zhuang Ziling marked it as his spirit mountain and gave him a token for one free Foundation Establishment cultivation art.
• Liu Yu considered his need for a cultivation art, pill formulas, a cave-abode formation, and more spirit stones as he traveled to the Scripture Pavilion.
• Liu Yu met Bai Yuxuan at the Pavilion’s counter, but she did not recognize him and directed him to the free cultivation arts.
• Liu Yu selected the Withering and Flourishing Art, which could cultivate only to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage but offered a chance at increased longevity.
• Liu Yu found the Essence-Refining Pill and Essence-Nourishing Pill formulas and asked Bai Yuxuan to copy both jade slips.

Liu Yu visited Geng Yuanzhang after reaching Foundation Establishment, and Geng gave him two powerful artifacts in exchange for a promise to protect his great-grandson. The chapter ended with Geng introducing the Wind-Evasion Boat and explaining its speed and abilities.

• Bai Yuxuan cautioned Liu Yu not to neglect cultivation for alchemy, and Liu thanked her before leaving the Scripture Pavilion.
• Liu Yu visited Geng Yuanzhang at the Rectified Origin Hall and received his congratulations on reaching Foundation Establishment.
• Geng Yuanzhang revealed that he had only two or three years left to live and gave Liu Yu a black flying boat and a fiery-red flying sword.
• Liu Yu accepted the artifacts and promised to care for Geng Yuanzhang's great-grandson and seek a Foundation Establishment Pill for him if he reached Qi Refining perfection.
• Geng Yuanzhang identified the flying boat as the Wind-Evasion Boat and described its speed and wind-attribute spirit-stone power source.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Liu Yu settled into his new cave abode on Colorful Lotus Mountain and weighed how to afford the cultivation art, formation, and defensive artifact he needed. He rejected the Withering and Flourishing Art and began using his remaining spirit stones to grow ingredients for Jade Spirit Pills in the Immortal Mansion.

• Liu Yu agreed to meet Geng Yuanzhang’s great-grandson, Yun Song, at Colorful Lotus Mountain in a month, then asked Geng where he might find a good protective formation.
• Liu Yu calculated that selling Jade Spirit Pills would not raise enough money, so he decided to secretly sell one or two five-hundred-year-old spirit herbs.
• Liu Yu reached Colorful Lotus Mountain, instructed two Outer Disciples to transplant the sect’s herbs, cleaned the abandoned cave abode, and set up a Grand Three Talents Formation.
• Liu Yu studied the Withering and Flourishing Art for ten hours and rejected it because it was weak, slow, and limited to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
• Liu Yu placed his remaining two hundred spirit stones beside the Black Spirit Field in the Immortal Mansion and retrieved seeds for refining Jade Spirit Pills.

Liu Yu harvested ingredients and refined ninety batches of Jade Spirit Pills, then refined and tested the Profound Departure Sword. After summoning Jiang Qiushui and Wu Chang to meet him, he traveled in disguise to Jiatai Market.

• Liu Yu harvested mature spirit herbs after fifteen hours in the Immortal Mansion and refined ninety batches of Jade Spirit Pills, producing two hundred and ninety pills.
• Liu Yu refined the Profound Departure Sword and used Spirit Artifact Transformation to test its power, which surpassed his other weapons.
• Liu Yu sent Voice-Transmitting Talismans to Jiang Qiushui and Wu Chang, asking them to visit him at Colorful Lotus Mountain.
• Liu Yu flew toward Jiatai Market on the Wind-Evasion Boat, switching to the Mother-and-Son Soul-Chasing Blades before arriving in disguise.
• Liu Yu entered Jiatai Market and noticed that the young man running Azure Pill Hall resembled the boy who had once followed Zhang Chunming.

Liu Yu visited the Jade Orchid Tower under the alias Ye to sell more than two thousand spirit stones' worth of Jade Spirit Pills. After reuniting with manager Liu Xueqin, he revealed that he was an alchemist, and she agreed the shop could buy his pills.

• Liu Yu entered the Jade Orchid Tower and asked to speak with its manager about a large transaction.
• Liu Huanhuan hosted Liu Yu upstairs, served him pastries, and massaged his shoulders while he waited.
• Liu Xueqin arrived, and Liu Yu recognized her from their meeting ten years earlier.
• Liu Yu stopped their conversation and explained that he wanted to sell Jade Spirit Pills worth over two thousand spirit stones.
• Liu Yu admitted he was an alchemist, and Liu Xueqin inspected a pill and said the shop could afford to buy two or three thousand spirit stones' worth.