Chapter Summaries

Ye Han studied Foundation Establishment Pill refining so he could try to nourish the sapling on the Purple Cauldron without needing to acquire dozens of rare pills. He left the Scripture Pavilion after finding the formula and ran into Han Yuwan, who warmly greeted him.

• Ye Han reasoned that combining Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients might help the Purple Cauldron’s sapling grow, since obtaining many pills would be difficult and suspicious.
• Ye Han entered the Scripture Pavilion’s paid section and spent more than six hours reading about pill refining before finding the Foundation Establishment Pill formula and method.
• Ye Han left the Scripture Pavilion and encountered Han Yuwan, now a Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, who asked him to call her Senior Sister rather than Martial Uncle.
• Ye Han tried to leave, relieved that he had met Han Yuwan by chance, but Han Yuwan called him back.

Ye Han decided to test whether medicinal liquid made from Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients could help the Little Sapling in the Purple Cauldron grow. He chose the Four Sects’ formula and went to the Seven Mysteries Peak market to find its supplementary ingredients.

• Han Yuwan told Ye Han she would visit his cave abode later, and he considered whether she could help him dispose of his spoils before deciding to keep observing her.
• Ye Han returned to his cave abode after finding that Ye Lingzhi was no longer at the counter.
• After reading about alchemy, Ye Han devised a way to prepare foundation establishment pill medicinal liquid, hoping its medicinal power would nourish the Little Sapling.
• Ye Han reasoned that the Little Sapling might help him establish his foundation more perfectly and possibly improve his aptitude, so he resolved to focus on its growth.
• Ye Han selected the Four Sects’ Foundation Establishment Pill formula because he already had its rare main ingredients, golden thread grass and Second-Tier Magic Beast Crystals.
• Ye Han went to the market at Seven Mysteries Peak to obtain the remaining ingredients needed to experiment with the medicinal liquid.

Ye Han gathered the ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pill medicinal liquid and tried to clear time to experiment with them, but Han Yuwan visited to thank him and repay the Spirit Stones she had borrowed. After asking about her connection to the Han Household, Ye Han asked her to take him to Azure Cloud City, leaving her surprised by the request.

• Ye Han returned to his cave abode with the ingredients he had collected and hid them when Han Yuwan arrived.
• Han Yuwan thanked Ye Han for helping her complete the Foundation Establishment Pill mission and reach Foundation Establishment.
• Ye Han hinted that he needed Spirit Stones for healing, and Han Yuwan repaid him double what she had borrowed.
• Han Yuwan offered to share her insights about reaching Foundation Establishment, but Ye Han tried to send her away.
• Ye Han asked about Han Yuwan's connection to the Han Household, then requested that she take him to Azure Cloud City.
• Han Yuwan questioned whether Ye Han truly expected her to take him there, and Ye Han asked if there was a problem.

Ye Han had Han Yuwan take him to Azure Cloud City, but he diverted her to chase down White Snow, the bird that had once looked down on him. After plucking the bird’s feathers, he discovered it could speak and that its master had died, and White Snow asked Ye Han to become its new master.

• Han Yuwan flew Ye Han toward Azure Cloud City on her white jade gourd.
• Ye Han spotted White Snow chasing smaller birds and had Han Yuwan fly closer so he could confront it.
• Ye Han landed on White Snow and plucked its feathers, claiming he was punishing it for bullying other birds.
• White Snow spoke human words, recognized Ye Han from when he had entered the sect, and begged him to stop.
• White Snow revealed that its master had died, and Ye Han decided to spare it.
• White Snow asked Ye Han to become its master.

Ye Han refused to take in White Snow and traveled with Han Yuwan to Azure Cloud City, where he sold stolen treasures at Heavenly Peace Market. After leaving the market, Ye Han sensed that someone was following him but could not find them.

• Ye Han rejected White Snow, who restored his plucked feathers and flew toward Seven Mysteries Peak after sensing Ye Han might help him recover.
• Han Yuwan carried Ye Han to Azure Cloud City on her white jade gourd, and they discussed White Snow’s unusual nature during the journey.
• Ye Han disguised himself as the red-faced cultivator and met Han Qiushui at Heavenly Peace Market to sell most of the goods from several storage bags.
• Ye Han noticed Han Qiushui seemed displeased by the large quantity of goods and grew wary that the merchant might suspect him.
• After spending over four hours at the market, Ye Han left and sensed an unseen person following him.

Ye Han returned to his cave abode with Han Yuwan’s help after suspecting Han Qiushui had followed him from Heavenly Peace Market. White Snow begged to stay with him, and Ye Han let the strange bird remain outside before going in to repair his damaged treasures.

• Ye Han thanked Han Yuwan for bringing him safely back and gave her a bottle of Fire Spirit Liquid, which she kept despite his joking request to take it back.
• Han Yuwan wondered whether Ye Han was interested in her, while Ye Han suspected Han Qiushui had pursued him to seize his valuable goods.
• Ye Han spotted White Snow near his cave abode and refused to let the bird inside, but allowed him to stay nearby after White Snow claimed to be a Phoenix.
• Ye Han entered his cave abode and prepared the spirit liquid and other materials he had bought to repair his damaged treasures, including his six Wood Spirit Flying Swords and Wood Dragon Staff.

Ye Han accidentally discovered a clear, pill-like Foundation Establishment spirit liquid while refining medicinal ingredients, and Zhang Qingshan arrived at his Cave Abode with his severed arm restored. Ye Han welcomed him inside, wondering whether his senior brother had already reached Foundation Establishment.

• Ye Han refined medicinal ingredients and tried again to combine them into Foundation Establishment Pill Spirit Liquid after many costly failures.
• As Ye Han’s latest mixture began losing its medicinal potency, Zhang Qingshan called to him, startling him into spilling extra golden thread grass liquid into the bowl.
• The additional liquid transformed the mixture into a clear spirit liquid with an aura resembling a Foundation Establishment Pill, and Ye Han suspected his attempt had finally succeeded.
• Ye Han left the spirit liquid to answer Zhang Qingshan and opened his Cave Abode entrance.
• Ye Han noticed Zhang Qingshan’s severed arm had been restored and invited him inside.

Ye Han gave Zhang Qingshan a Bronze Map marking a possible path to foundation establishment after learning Zhang had failed his breakthrough and needed another pill. Zhang Qingshan noticed the map emitted treasure light, leaving Ye Han to reconsider what he had handed over.

• Zhang Qingshan visited Ye Han with his restored arm and explained that he had earned the spirit medicine as a reward for his service in the Darkness Forbidden Ground.
• Zhang Qingshan told Ye Han that his attempt to reach the foundation establishment realm had failed and that he planned to undertake a sect mission for another Foundation Establishment Pill.
• Ye Han warned Zhang Qingshan that repeated use of the sect’s pills could cause qi deviation and offered him a Bronze Map that might lead to another advancement opportunity.
• Zhang Qingshan examined the map and asked Ye Han whether he truly meant to give away something that contained treasure light.

Ye Han gave Zhang Qingshan his map for a possible foundation-establishment opportunity, then tested his Foundation Establishment Pill Spirit Liquid with the Purple Cauldron. The sapling inside grew, and Ye Han used the remaining medicinal potency to break through to the peak of the eleventh layer of Qi Refining Realm, leaving him concerned that his rapid progress would attract suspicion.

• Ye Han gave Zhang Qingshan the map and urged him to be cautious on his trip, while White Snow secretly listened nearby.
• Ye Han drank the Foundation Establishment Pill Spirit Liquid and found that the Purple Cauldron absorbed it, causing the Purple-Gold Little Sapling's leaves to grow.
• After eight drops, the sapling sprouted a fourth leaf and refused to absorb more, so Ye Han circulated the Azure Mystic Art to use the remaining medicinal potency.
• The medicinal potency loosened Ye Han's bottleneck, and three days later he reached the peak of the eleventh layer of Qi Refining Realm.
• Ye Han worried that his rapid cultivation would draw suspicion and decided to focus on spells, repairing treasures, and refining the Creation Heaven Cube instead.

Ye Han discovered that the Purple-Gold Little Sapling could absorb only about eight drops of Foundation Establishment Pill Spirit Liquid at a time and needed time to digest them. As he prepared to research another batch, Zhang Lingjun arrived to take him to meet the Seventh Elder, who had something good to discuss with him.

• Ye Han spent ten days reading in the Scripture Pavilion and practicing the Soul-Chasing Sword Technique after the Little Sapling stopped absorbing Foundation Establishment Pill Spirit Liquid.
• Ye Han tested the spirit liquid again and found that the Purple-Gold Little Sapling absorbed about eight drops before its fifth leaf began to emerge.
• Ye Han decided to seek alchemy texts before experimenting with another batch of spirit liquid, since he had little Golden Thread Grass left.
• White Snow announced a visitor, and Ye Han found Zhang Lingjun at his Cave Abode after Zhang Lingjun had beaten the bird for causing trouble.
• Zhang Lingjun told Ye Han that the Seventh Elder had summoned him to discuss something good and offered to take him there.

The Seventh Elder recommended Ye Han for a month of cultivation in the Ancient Spirit Cave to help him reach the peak of qi refining and prepare for Foundation Establishment. He also identified the missing foundation in Ye Han’s Soul-Chasing Sword Technique and gave him a Jade Slip to study.

• The Seventh Elder praised Ye Han’s rapid progress and recommended him for cultivation in the Ancient Spirit Cave.
• Ye Han accepted the opportunity and promised to work toward Foundation Establishment, then was told to prepare for a month before entering.
• The Seventh Elder asked about Ye Han’s cultivation difficulties, and Ye Han explained that he had taken Gu Changdao’s sword manual from his Storage Bag after Gu died.
• The Seventh Elder examined the Soul-Chasing Sword Technique, said Ye Han lacked its foundational sword intent, and gave him a Jade Slip to study.

Ye Han repaired his Wood Spirit Flying Sword, mastered the threshold of the Soul-Chasing Sword Technique, and prepared to cultivate in the Ancient Spirit Cave. When the Seventh Elder brought him to Qing Xuan Peak, they learned that another elder had been given the place allotted to Seven Mysteries Peak.

• Ye Han repaired the Wood Spirit Flying Sword and practiced combining the Qing Xuan Sword Formation with Gu Changdao's Golden Light Sword and the Soul-Chasing Sword Technique.
• Ye Han told White Snow to guard his cave abode while he cultivated in the Ancient Spirit Cave, and White Snow worried about what might happen to him there.
• Ye Han reviewed what he had learned about the Ancient Spirit Cave and its unusual effects before going to meet the Seventh Elder.
• The Seventh Elder brought Ye Han to Qing Xuan Peak, where he learned from the steward that their allotted place had been given to another elder.

Ye Han and the Seventh Elder confronted the Fifth Elder over Seven Mysteries Peak’s turn to use the Ancient Spirit Cave, which the Fifth Elder had taken for his grandson, Wang Fa. After refusing to yield the spot, the Seventh Elder challenged Wang Fa to defeat Ye Han, offering every future spot allotted to Seven Mysteries Peak if he won.

• The reception steward told the Seventh Elder that the Fifth Elder had reserved Seven Mysteries Peak’s allotted spot for Wang Fa.
• The Fifth Elder arrived with Wang Fa, recognized Ye Han as the former mortal disciple who had reached the eleventh layer of Qi Refining, and asked the Seventh Elder to give up the spot.
• The Seventh Elder refused the Fifth Elder’s request to exchange spots, arguing that Ye Han was also ready to attempt Foundation Establishment.
• The Seventh Elder pointed out that Wang Fa had already taken three Foundation Establishment Pills and warned of the dangers of taking more.
• The Seventh Elder challenged Wang Fa to defeat Ye Han, promising to surrender all of Seven Mysteries Peak’s future spots if Wang Fa won.

The Fifth Elder and Seventh Elder wagered over a spell combat match between Ye Han and Wang Fa, with a Foundation Establishment Pill and Ancient Spirit Cave allocations at stake. Ye Han tried to avoid the fight, but the Seventh Elder insisted, and the elders agreed to begin.

• The Fifth Elder examined Ye Han and wondered how he had advanced so quickly after arriving as an ordinary mortal with poor Spirit Root aptitude.
• Wang Fa stepped forward to accept the Seventh Elder’s challenge, resenting Ye Han for receiving the Foundation Establishment Pill he had needed.
• The Seventh Elder promised Wang Fa the Ancient Spirit Cave allocations if he won, while the Fifth Elder offered Ye Han a Foundation Establishment Pill if Ye Han won.
• The Seventh Elder urged Ye Han to fight, and Ye Han reluctantly asked Wang Fa to go easy on him.
• The Fifth Elder declared the wager settled and called for the match to begin.

Ye Han launched a surprise assault on Wang Fa during their wagered sparring match, but Wang Fa’s Black Tortoise Shield repelled his attacks. The fight remained unresolved as the Fifth Elder recognized that Wang Fa had been forced to use his strongest defense.

• Ye Han feigned meekness before the match while Wang Fa assured him he would not be killed, and the elders ordered them to begin.
• Ye Han used Ghost Step Pace, the Qing Xuan Sword Formation, and the Soul-Slaying Sword Technique to attack Wang Fa from close and long range.
• Wang Fa froze Ye Han’s Vine Hands, dodged several sword-rays with his treasured shoes, and raised a Brilliant Blue Pearl barrier.
• Ye Han’s Wood Spirit Flying Swords damaged Wang Fa’s blue barrier, while the vines broke free of the ice and pursued him.
• Wang Fa summoned eight supreme-grade Icicles Shields that formed the Black Tortoise Shield, blocking Ye Han’s sword attacks and injuring his mind with the backlash.
• The Fifth Elder realized Wang Fa had been forced to use his strongest defensive treasure, and the Seventh Elder remarked that Ye Han might not be able to win.

Ye Han pressed Wang Fa with a relentless combination of sword techniques and supreme-grade magic artifacts, while Wang Fa relied on the Black Tortoise Shield and his own treasures to hold him off. As the fight continued, Wang Fa began to realize that something was wrong.

• The Fifth Elder scolded Wang Fa for letting Ye Han exploit an opening, and Wang Fa released an Icicles Staff to counterattack.
• Ye Han continued bombarding Wang Fa’s Black Tortoise Shield with the Soul-Chasing Sword Technique and the Qing Xuan Sword Formation, astonishing the watching cultivators.
• Wang Fa unleashed the Icicles Staff, and Ye Han answered with his supreme-grade Wood Dragon Staff, sending a wooden dragon to attack the shield.
• Wang Fa’s Ice Spirit Staff became an ice bird and fought the wooden dragon as onlookers recognized Ye Han as the Seventh Elder’s registered disciple.
• Confident that his higher cultivation would win a battle of attrition, Wang Fa released three more magic artifacts against Ye Han.
• As the fight dragged on, Wang Fa began to feel that something was wrong.

Ye Han trapped Wang Fa’s Water Flood Dragon Beast with the Thorn Bracelet and relentlessly attacked the Black Tortoise Shields. The shields began to crack, leaving Wang Fa’s defense on the verge of breaking.

• Wang Fa summoned a Beast Soul Pearl containing the soul of a Water Flood Dragon Beast and absorbed its power to strengthen himself.
• Ye Han used the Thorn Bracelet to ensnare the Water Flood Dragon Beast’s apparition for a few breaths.
• Ye Han combined his six Wood Spirit Flying Swords into a massive sword and drove Wang Fa back against the Black Tortoise Shields.
• Ye Han advanced while repeatedly striking the same spot on the shields with his Soul-Slaying Sword, and fine cracks appeared in their defenses.

Ye Han defeated Wang Fa by breaking through the Black Tortoise Shield and stopping the Water Flood Dragon Beast’s soul from attacking, winning the Foundation Establishment Pill. The Fifth Elder conceded and left, while the Seventh Elder took Ye Han toward the Ancient Spirit Cave and warned him not to underestimate the Fifth Elder.

• The Fifth Elder watched Ye Han gain the upper hand over Wang Fa, but the Seventh Elder stopped him from giving his grandson advice.
• Ye Han pierced the Black Tortoise Shield’s defenses and laid his sword across Wang Fa’s neck.
• Ye Han made the Water Flood Dragon Beast’s soul return to its Beast Soul Pearl, then thanked Wang Fa for the match.
• The Fifth Elder slapped Wang Fa, handed Ye Han the Foundation Establishment Pill, and left with Wang Fa.
• The Seventh Elder led Ye Han toward the Ancient Spirit Cave and warned him that the Fifth Elder could hold a grudge, while Azure Phoenix Fairy praised Ye Han as a worthy successor to Eldest Senior Brother.

After losing to Ye Han, Wang Fa was ordered by the Fifth Elder to endure a month in the Demon Wind Cave and strengthen himself for a future rematch. Meanwhile, Ye Han cultivated in the Ancient Spirit Cave and fed the Purple-Gold Little Sapling, but the cave’s spiritual energy suddenly turned sinister and turbulent.

• Wang Fa admitted his carelessness after losing to Ye Han, but the Fifth Elder told him his real mistake was being too weak and urged him to reach foundation establishment realm.
• The Fifth Elder told Wang Fa not to worry about the Foundation Establishment Pill and ordered him to spend a month in the Demon Wind Cave.
• Ye Han spent four days cultivating in the Ancient Spirit Cave, disappointed that he had found no unusual opportunity there.
• Ye Han fed eight drops of Foundation Establishment Pill Spirit Liquid to the Purple-Gold Little Sapling, whose flower began turning into a fruit.
• Ye Han sensed the Ancient Spirit Cave’s spiritual energy grow turbulent and take on a sinister, chilling aura.

Ye Han was attacked by mysterious Gray-Light Figures in the Ancient Spirit Cave and discovered that colliding with one drew him into a battle inside his Divine Sense Sea. After defeating the Fire Element opponent, he found that he had comprehended the Fire Mystic Art and his spell power had changed.

• Ye Han put away the Foundation Establishment Pill Spirit Liquid as sinister energy and turbulent spiritual energy filled the cavern.
• A Gray-Aura Figure ignored Ye Han’s spells and sword attack, then dozens more emerged and pursued him.
• Ye Han chose not to use his Teleportation Token and deliberately collided with one of the figures, suffering a shock to his Primordial Spirit and soul.
• A Fire Element cultivator appeared in Ye Han’s Divine Sense Sea and overwhelmed him with attacks that countered his Wood Element techniques.
• Ye Han recalled the Fire Mystic Art, comprehended its formula as the battle continued, and began unleashing Fire Element attacks.
• Ye Han defeated the opponent with a towering pillar of fire and discovered that his spell power’s aura had changed to that of the Fire Mystic Art.