Chapter Summaries

Liu Xingfang and Su Xian fought over a Purple Mansion-grade nurturing earth spirit treasure, while Empty-Handed and Hidden Lady clashed over the treasures at the estate’s central Dao Altar. The Clear Source Temple Immortal Statue appeared, and the two combatants continued their battle beneath its radiance.

• Liu Xingfang found a nurturing earth spirit treasure on a Mysterious Altar and prepared to take it for Fa Yan.
• Su Xian confronted Liu Xingfang, and they fought; his altar thunder and sword strike wounded her.
• Empty-Handed secretly reached the central Dao Altar, but Hidden Lady exposed him and challenged his claim to its treasure.
• Empty-Handed and Hidden Lady exchanged attacks, each activating their Immortal Foundation and sword techniques.
• A Clear Source Temple Immortal Statue emerged from the Dao Altar, interrupting their attention as they resumed their deadly clash.

Liu Xingfang defeated Su Xian in the southern manor and claimed the ancient [Life-Preserving Bottle] and the strange [Grave Sheep Evil Earth]. He then rushed toward the secret realm’s central palace, while outside Xu Xuan and An Xianhui watched the unfolding contest over the Fengxuan inheritance.

• Liu Xingfang used his thunder arts and [Altar-Nether Thunderfire Talisman Sword] to break through Su Xian’s defenses and gravely injure her.
• Su Xian used the [Candlelight Chronic Illness Art], but Liu Xingfang revealed his sword mystic qi and drove her away with [Tribulation-Origin Swordfall].
• Liu Xingfang picked up Su Xian’s fallen [Life-Preserving Bottle] and inferred that she was a direct-line disciple of the Dust-Sweeping Sect.
• Liu Xingfang read the altar inscription about [Green Ram Palace] and drew the [Grave Sheep Evil Earth] into his thunder pool after it resisted storage in his mustard seed object.
• Liu Xingfang headed toward the central palace as colored clouds and the sounds of battle drew the cultivators there.
• Outside the secret realm, Xu Xuan recognized An Xianhui, who watched the contest and planned to deal with a dragonkin after obtaining the inheritance.

Hidden Lady and Empty-Handed fought over the Clear Source Temple inheritance, but Empty-Handed stole the Dao Text and escaped the secret realm. Xu Xuan confronted An Xianhui to protect the inheritance, and their clash began as the Dao Text revealed the Supreme Clear Profound-Mystery Dharma Body.

• Hidden Lady defeated Empty-Handed's attacks and explained that she was waiting for the Grotto-Heaven to descend before attaining divine ability.
• Empty-Handed concealed himself in the Gloomy Netherworld, seized the Clear Source Temple inheritance, and fled while Hidden Lady pursued him with Ancient Waters.
• Hidden Lady and Empty-Handed fought their way out of the secret realm, where Xu Xuan shielded Empty-Handed and took the Dao Text from him.
• An Xianhui demanded the Dao Text, but Xu Xuan refused and sent Empty-Handed back into the secret realm.
• An Xianhui used Life-Burning against Xu Xuan, who countered with Censure Yin and Punish Yang and engaged him in battle.
• The Dao Text opened within Xu Xuan's qi sea and revealed the Supreme Clear Profound-Mystery Dharma Body.

Xu Xuan defeated An Xianhui with altar thunder, though the battle left him injured, and claimed an extraordinary Clear Source Temple Dao Text containing a powerful Dharma Body method. He returned to Guang Su, where he met Meng Shu, a True Person of the Primordial One Immortal Way.

• Xu Xuan used exile and punishment thunder to suppress An Xianhui's Ding Fire, break through his defenses, and badly damage his Dharma Body.
• An Xianhui unleashed the Earth Fiend Urn and the Nine-Hearth Chronic Illness Curse, but Xu Xuan trapped him with [Tribulation Command] and struck him with the Immortal Executioner.
• An Xianhui escaped inside the Earth Fiend Urn, while Xu Xuan recovered from his injuries and examined the Dao Text, discovering the [Supreme Clear Profound-Mystery Dharma Body] method.
• Xu Xuan resolved to investigate Kunwei and seek a Grotto-Heaven as a source of Spirit Artifacts, then descended toward Guang Su.
• Meng Shu introduced himself to Xu Xuan, and Guang Su identified him as a True Person of the Primordial One Immortal Way with the Daoist name [Luyu].

Xu Xuan learned about ancient Thunder Palace legacies and negotiated with Luyu for the Primordial One Way’s [Fate-Extinguishing Purge] in exchange for helping at Kunwei Grotto-Heaven. The chapter left Zhao Xia surrounded in the secret realm as Xu Xuan’s azure-robed Foundation Establishment swordsman arrived to assist.

• Luyu healed Xu Xuan and explained that the Clear Source Temple legacy belonged to an ascended Shu True Lord.
• Xu Xuan revealed he had obtained the [Supreme Clear Profound-Mystery Dharma Body], and Luyu and Guang Su discussed its power and the lost Tianpeng Dharma Body.
• Luyu recounted how Great True Person Suzheng of the Northern Thunder School defeated Crown Prince Zhaoming, who later became Emperor Fengming.
• Xu Xuan asked about the Primordial One Way’s Altar Thunder inheritance, and Luyu described its methods and identified [Fate-Extinguishing Purge] as suitable for Xu Xuan.
• Luyu offered to give Xu Xuan [Fate-Extinguishing Purge] if Xu Xuan acted on the Primordial One Way’s behalf at Kunwei Grotto-Heaven.
• Guang Su reported that Zhao Xia was under attack, and Xu Xuan pointed out his arriving Foundation Establishment swordsman, who rushed to help.

Liu Xingfang and Zhao Xia fought off Changsun Xian and Precious Canopy while competing for Rosy Radiance Stone in the estate. After Empty-Handed secretly stole the central stone, Hidden Lady warned him that powerful forces were gathering in the north, and Ji Soil manifested.

• Liu Xingfang intervened when Zhao Xia was besieged by Changsun Xian and Precious Canopy, driving Precious Canopy away with his altar-thunder sword mystic qi.
• Liu Xingfang and Zhao Xia overwhelmed Changsun Xian, and Liu Xingfang seized a Rosy Radiance Stone as the wounded man fled.
• Liu Xingfang and Zhao Xia headed toward the courtyard’s central stone while the other cultivators left with their gains.
• Empty-Handed stole the central Rosy Radiance Stone from the Kan Water formation and concealed it within his Yin Ghost Domain.
• Hidden Lady met Empty-Handed in a pavilion and warned him that demon-subduing forces, the Three Demon Soils, and the Four Buddha Lands were stirring in the north.
• Empty-Handed departed to search for more treasures as Ji Soil manifested in the world.

Xu Xuan and the other Purple Mansion cultivators entered a collapsing secret realm, where rival factions fought over its treasures. A manifestation of King Junfeng appeared, but Gongsun Xi challenged him with an imitation sword intent, and his sudden collapse left Xu Xuan holding one of three mysterious sheets of white paper.

• Soft white Ji Earth radiance revealed hidden Purple Mansion cultivators, while Luyu and Song Shiyi entered it to compete for the treasure.
• Xu Xuan stated that his sect would retain orthodox Bing Fire and would not pass down altar thunder, then sent Liu Xingfang and Zhao Xia away when the secret realm collapsed.
• Guang Su fought Changsun Yi as Xu Xuan drove off a blood-qi cultivator and obtained Clear Hong-Nourishing Essence Treasure Qi.
• Luyu warned the cultivators to retreat when Ji Earth radiance began drawing them in, but King Junfeng manifested and trapped everyone in the Great Void.
• Gongsun Xi struck King Junfeng with an imitation Yuejue sword intent, and his manifestation collapsed into three sheets of white paper that Luyu, Zhu Xia, and Xu Xuan each received.

After returning from the shattered secret realm, Xu Xuan learned what Liu Xingfang and Empty-Handed had obtained and discovered the history recorded in the [Ancient-Inquiry Ji Chronicle]. He found new Clear Source Temple inheritances in the Most High Pavilion and chose to learn two spells, including the [Worship the Profound, Reveal the Light Heavenly Eye].

• Xu Xuan returned to Hanging Thunder Peak with Liu Xingfang and Empty-Handed, and Liu Xingfang reported his treasures from the secret realm.
• Xu Xuan let Liu Xingfang keep his ancient artifacts and arranged for the nurturing earth treasure to be saved for Fa Yan’s future breakthrough.
• Empty-Handed revealed that he needed a Ji Chronicle recording Feng history to have a chance to return to Purple Mansion.
• Xu Xuan used the [Ancient-Inquiry Ji Chronicle] to read about King Junfeng and learned from Empty-Handed how the Heavenly Mandate path became tied to authority and imperial rule.
• Xu Xuan discovered that the chronicle could summon figures from old history and that the Profound Discourse had added Clear Source Temple inheritances to the Most High Pavilion.
• Xu Xuan spent nearly all his celestial virtue to obtain the [Yin-Illuminating Essence Refinement Art] and the [Worship the Profound, Reveal the Light Heavenly Eye], then began studying the heavenly-eye method.

Liu Xiaowen and Liu Xingfang discussed the sect’s rising Foundation Establishment cultivators and the changes surrounding Ding Fire as Zhang Yiwan emerged from seclusion. Xu Xuan considered Yi Wan’s progress and the sect’s needs before True Person Luyu arrived with a Thunder Palace seal to discuss cultivation and the grotto-heaven.

• Liu Xingfang visited Liu Xiaowen on Frostreturn Peak and admitted he was worried about his wife and daughter living with the Wu Household.
• Liu Xiaowen told Liu Xingfang that Xiong Min had reached Foundation Establishment and had been entrusted with the former lands of Eastern Secret.
• Liu Xingfang and Liu Xiaowen saw Zhang Yiwan emerge from seclusion amid flourishing Ding Fire and discussed the changes to the fire Dao.
• Xu Xuan refined Vast-Cold Moon Laurel while cultivating the Yin-Illuminating Essence Refinement Art, then sensed Yi Wan’s breakthrough and considered sending her to Blazing Heaven-Covering Mountain to study alchemy.
• Xu Xuan prepared for Xiao Wen’s future attempt to reach the Purple Mansion and sensed True Person Luyu arriving with a Silver-White Thunder Mark Seal.
• Xu Xuan invited Luyu into the mountain to discuss matters connected to cultivation and the grotto-heaven.

Xu Xuan met Luyu of the Primordial One Immortal Way, received the Northern Dipper Thunder Oath Scroll, and learned why Luyu’s tradition sought an ancient Shu artifact. Luyu offered to trade the Universalizing Thunder Edict Seal for Xu Xuan’s page of the Ji Histories, but Xu Xuan refused and began considering how to cultivate altar thunder.

• Luyu recalled seeing Xu Xuan’s master’s sword intent in the region and gave Xu Xuan the Northern Dipper Thunder Oath Scroll in exchange for help locating the Cloud of Clear, Turbid, and Faint.
• Luyu explained that the Kan-Gui Transformation had weakened Kan Water and left his tradition’s great one in a poor state, then described which great ones among the Seven Sects of Great Li remained active.
• Luyu offered the Universalizing Thunder Edict Seal for Xu Xuan’s page of the Ji Histories, but Xu Xuan refused to trade away the relic left by the King of Shu.
• After Luyu left, Xu Xuan considered the page’s possible connection to the White Paper Blessed Land and thought about seeking spirit treasures to strengthen Cinnabar Thunder.
• Xu Xuan studied the thunder cultivation method, estimated that gathering enough qi would take years, and wondered where the Northern Thunder School’s lineage had gone.

Wu Shaoyue and Nangang waited as Liu Shu Han entered the Wu Clan’s Colorless World Gate to undergo its inheritance trial. Liu Shu Han survived the demonic road with help from a mysterious figure, emerged bearing a black-snow mystic marking, and was met by the Wu Clan’s ancestor.

• Wu Shaoyue questioned the dangers of the Colorless World Gate, and Nangang explained its origins and how far its trial had to be walked to gain hope of reaching Purple Mansion.
• Liu Shu Han entered the gate and struggled along the Colorless Great Way as demonic voices and exhaustion threatened to drive her out.
• Liu Shu Han roared for the demons to be quiet, and a mysterious figure helped her continue toward the road’s end.
• The figure placed a black-snow mystic marking between Liu Shu Han’s brows, and she emerged from the gate on her own.
• Nangang recognized the old man who appeared beside Liu Shu Han and respectfully called him Ancestor.

Wu Shaoyue and Liu Shu Han settled into the Wu Household, while Xu Xuan considered Shu Han’s unusual destiny and prepared to travel to the Western Sea for a pill needed for Liu Xiaowen’s breakthrough. Before departing, he entrusted Liu Xiaowen with sect affairs and brought Zhang Yiwan along to study alchemy.

• Nangang entered Liu Shu Han into the Wu Household’s main lineage under the Wu surname, granting her direct-descendant status while allowing her to return to Red Cloud and barring her from holding authority.
• Nangang arranged for Wu Shaoyue and Shu Han to live on Reflecting Peril Mountain and introduced them to Wu Shaoyan, who would help look after them.
• Xu Xuan sensed Shu Han’s powerful connection to the Dao realm and considered granting her a seal inscription after she returned to the mountain and reached Qi Refining.
• Xu Xuan received word that the Spirit Pill was complete and told Liu Xiaowen to prepare for seclusion and a breakthrough once they retrieved it.
• Liu Xiaowen reported that earth-affinity beasts had appeared near Red Cloud and that cultivators had emerged with earth-guarding foundation and Crimson Chaos World-Locking Scripture.
• Xu Xuan gave Liu Xiaowen the Li-Yin Flame Root to pass to a suitable cultivator, then departed for the Western Sea with Zhang Yiwan so she could study alchemy.

Wang Cheng Yan arranged a new post for Xu Zhishu, while Liu Xiaowen managed sect affairs and received Xiong Min and Liu Fanqing. The chapter ended when the Li-Flame Yin Root responded to someone in the Scripture Repository.

• Wang Cheng Yan finished a pair of Twin Maces for Xu Zhishu and arranged for him to guard trading convoys with Protector Liang.
• Xu Chenming explained that he had arranged the artifact commission so Xu Zhishu could meet Wang Cheng Yan, and warned him that the Xu clan must not misuse its ties to the Sect Leader.
• Liu Xiaowen ordered Xiong Min to collect a magical artifact and help Elder Xing Fang guard the area near Eastern Sinking Wilds.
• Liu Fanqing apologized to Liu Xiaowen and asked him to take Liu Yingxue as a disciple; Liu Xiaowen said she could come to Frostreturn Peak after reaching the sixth level of Qi Refining.
• Liu Xiaowen sensed a black-crimson radiance rise from the Li-Flame Yin Root and realized someone had reached the Scripture Repository.

Xu Xuan visited Pingxiu, who completed a rare Spirit Pill and discussed the coming descent of Kunwei Heaven and the risks of seeking immortal ash. Pingxiu agreed to let Zhang Yiwan study alchemy methods on his mountain, then revealed his determination to obtain immortal ash for his master.

• Pingxiu gave Xu Xuan the completed [Crimson Brilliant Sun Bing Pill] and explained its ingredients and use for bing fire cultivators.
• Pingxiu discovered that Xu Xuan's [Primordial Sequence] had reached perfection, and the two discussed entering Kunwei Heaven and the dangers of becoming indebted to the Song Clan.
• Xu Xuan said Kunwei Heaven would likely descend within six years and introduced Zhang Yiwan, who had recently formed her immortal foundation and refined a [Deepblood Pill].
• Pingxiu allowed Zhang Yiwan to study the Ding Fire Starlight Alchemy methods in the Daoist Canon and sent Tianxin to guide her to the Secret Hall.
• After Xu Xuan left, Pingxiu looked toward the heavens and vowed not to keep his master waiting much longer for immortal ash.

Liu Xiaowen bestowed the vast wood inheritance on Liu Lingxin and sent her to Lushwood, while Liu Xingfang investigated rising spirit-creature attacks in Plainlands. The chapter ended with Liu Baiyuan claiming that Liu Xingfang’s father might still be alive and asking the sect to intervene against Jade Flow Demon Mountain and White Azure Cavern.

• Liu Yanyu reported that Liu Lingxin had resonated with the Li-Flame Yin Root, and Liu Xiaowen summoned her to the Scripture Repository.
• Liu Xiaowen gave Liu Lingxin the Heaven-Repairing Divine Broad Scripture and the Li-Flame Yin Root, then assigned her to cultivate in Lushwood.
• Liu Xingfang and Jiang Yuehong suppressed spirit creatures emerging from disturbed earth veins in Great Scenery Plains, and Liu Xingfang left Jiang Yuehong to guard the area.
• Liu Xingfang visited Liu Baiyuan, who explained that the disturbances might stem from the awakened tomb of the final Qi crown prince beneath the plains.
• Liu Baiyuan showed Liu Xingfang a frost-covered willow leaf and said he suspected their father was still alive, then asked the sect to act against Jade Flow Demon Mountain and White Azure Cavern.
• Liu Xingfang promised to report the matter to the True Person when he returned to the mountain.

Xu Fayan defeated Lin Lang in talismanic arts and learned of the lost Green Ram Palace’s nurturing earth tradition before meeting Upper Firmament Sect Dao scion Ruan Yuan. Ruan Yuan recognized a secret connected to Xu Fayan’s path, and their exchange left Lin Lang wary of the tension between them.

• Xu Fayan defeated Lin Lang in a contest of talismanic arts, and Lin Lang accepted that Xu Fayan surpassed him.
• Lin Lang explained his [Transgressive Portents] immortal foundation and described the lost Green Ram Palace, which had cultivated nurturing earth.
• Xu Fayan memorized the Green Ram Palace’s history as a possible direction for his Dao path.
• Ruan Yuan arrived from Green-Sinking Reef after attaining his immortal foundation, and Lin Lang introduced him as the Upper Firmament Sect’s Dao scion.
• Ruan Yuan asked Xu Fayan, “𫅗 Sheep, or Azure Locust?” and Xu Fayan replied that Ruan Yuan was well-informed, while Lin Lang sensed a hidden connection between them.

Xu Xuan met Ruan Yuan and Lin Lang on Longflow Island, where Ruan Yuan warned him about Buddhist conversion and secretly passed a blood trace inside a pill. After sending his disciple toward a future Purple Mansion breakthrough and discussing possible spiritual lands, Xu Xuan absorbed the trace into his Inner Scenery and reconnected with Tiantuo.

• Ruan Yuan and Lin Lang visited Longflow Island with Xu Fayan, and Ruan Yuan’s presence revived the island’s barren land.
• Ruan Yuan told Xu Fayan about powerful Western Sea lineages and warned Xu Xuan that Buddhist cultivators might target his fortune.
• Xu Xuan arrived, recognized Ruan Yuan as an exceptional Upper Firmament disciple, and accepted a Wind-Thunder Life-Washing Pill containing a concealed trace of blood.
• Xu Xuan gave the pill to Xu Fayan, discussed his Purple Mansion breakthrough and future spiritual lands, and warned him to be cautious while Protector Kongkong was away.
• Xu Xuan reached the Great Void and absorbed the blood trace into his Inner Scenery, where it reunited him with Tiantuo.

Xu Xuan learned from Tiantuo how the cultivation paths, ancient dynasties, and Dao positions were connected, and why altar thunder had remained whole since the Thunder Palace fell. Tiantuo revealed that Xu Xuan might briefly claim altar thunder’s fruit position and help bring back Celestial Lord Tianpeng, and Xu Xuan realized his dragon body was the key advantage.

• Tiantuo explained that Eastern Radiance’s Golden Core method differed from the Lesser Yin Immortal Heaven’s path of ascension and traced the lineage to the Three Clarities.
• Tiantuo revealed that the Flame Dynasty had been erased from history and explained how powerful cultivators could preserve Dao positions through Position Preservation.
• Tiantuo told Xu Xuan that altar thunder’s lords had extinguished themselves to keep its Dao complete, leaving its fruit position as the only one that could be sought.
• Xu Xuan recognized that his pursuit of altar thunder seemed to leave his human body facing certain death, and Tiantuo warned that other True Lords would oppose any attempt to restore the Three Thunders.
• Tiantuo said Xu Xuan might claim altar thunder’s fruit position for an instant and guide Celestial Lord Tianpeng back, then pointed to Xu Xuan’s shared understanding with someone in the Northern Sea.
• Xu Xuan understood that his dragon body gave him a rare advantage in pursuing altar thunder.

Xu Xuan and Tiantuo explored a path for Xu Xuan to seek mystic thunder by advancing his dragon and human bodies toward shock thunder and altar thunder. Xu Xuan recognized that Upper Successive Union’s unique golden nature was the key to the plan and declared that he would seek the mystic.

• Tiantuo proposed that Xu Xuan might attain mystic thunder by combining his dragon body’s shock thunder with his human body’s altar thunder and the Immortal Stele.
• Xu Xuan and Tiantuo discussed the Thunder Palace, the competing plans of heaven and the Golden Cores, and the need for Xu Xuan to first attain a shock thunder venerable position and then its fruit position.
• Xu Xuan reasoned that his dragon body might have to disguise its aim by pursuing lightning flash before seeking interflowing union, while his human body pursued altar thunder.
• Tiantuo explained that Upper Successive Union had attained interflowing union with Suspended Chaos’s support and a unique golden nature.
• Xu Xuan recognized that the golden nature connected him to Upper Successive Union and could make his path impossible for the great ones to predict.
• Xu Xuan declared that he would not seek altar thunder or shock thunder, but would seek the mystic, and violet-white lightning startled the Immortal Officials and Female Immortals.

Xu Xuan and Tiantuo discussed cultivation, the Supreme Clarity Stele, and Tiantuo’s recovered memories as they continued through the Dao realm. The chapter ended with Tiantuo warning Xu Xuan about the hidden power of past figures, and Xu Xuan declaring that he might surpass the Great True Person Suzheng.

• Xu Xuan and Tiantuo discussed the need for taboo wood to perfect the rank of interflowing union, then met Formed Jade and Kongming, who asked to leave their posts.
• Tiantuo stopped Xu Xuan from punishing Formed Jade and Kongming and offered to transfer them to his [Immortal-Granting Bureau].
• Tiantuo explained that he could use a soul-splitting art and [sublime majesty spirit radiance] to regain a measure of Purple Mansion standing, and said he would send the two cultivators to tend the radiance.
• Tiantuo described the Eastern Radiance Daoist Canon and told Xu Xuan that the [Supreme Clarity Stele] might aid his cultivation despite his altar thunder path.
• Xu Xuan asked about Tiantuo’s death, and Tiantuo said a divine-ability wielder stronger than himself had acted, though a great one’s intervention had erased the memory.
• Tiantuo warned Xu Xuan not to underestimate past figures, and Xu Xuan said he might surpass the Great True Person Suzheng.