Recaps

Xu Qingtong and his allies defeated the ghost cultivators at Cloudsky Peak, then decided to consolidate their forces there by abandoning Gloomwind Valley. After tending to the aftermath, Xu Qingtong resumed pill refining while regretting that he had not fulfilled Yu Xuzi’s final wish.

• Xu Qingtong killed a Golden Core ghost cultivator with the Fengyi Sword, while Xiao Qi chased down and swallowed another fugitive soul.
• Xu Qingtong’s allies and the Witch Clan disciples hunted down the remaining ghost cultivators, killing nearly all of them but suffering three deaths and more than ten injuries.
• Xu Qingtong arranged compensation for the dead and injured and rewarded the three most successful fighters with Nine Yin Pills.
• Fang Tianqi told Xu Qingtong that Gloomwind Valley’s formation had been destroyed and proposed consolidating the two locations, so Xu Qingtong ordered its disciples to withdraw to Cloudsky Peak.
• Xu Qingtong asked Zhuang Shengren and Ding Jiayue to arrange shared lodgings, offered Du Siwen Golden Core ghost cultivator cores, and fed several corpses to the growing flesh lingzhi.
• Xu Qingtong returned to the Earthfire Chamber to refine Nine Yin Pills and regretted that he had not yet carried Yu Xuzi’s remains back to the Anyang Sect.

Xu Qingtong advanced his alchemy and exchanged insights on the five stars with the Grand Elder, helping him prepare to break through to the Witch Wisdom Realm. The Grand Elder left for seclusion and to report to the Clan Chief, while Du Siwen revealed that she had captured Ghost Cultivator scouts near Cloudsky Peak.

• Xu Qingtong studied Yu Xuzi's Alchemy Insights and spent half a month refining Nine Yin Pills, becoming a fourth-tier Alchemist with nearly two hundred pills.
• Xu Qingtong learned that the Grand Elder and Fang Tianqi had relocated Gloomwind Valley's disciples to Cloudsky Peak, where they guarded the peak after the Ghost Cultivators' failed attacks.
• Xu Qingtong shared his understanding of the five stars with the Grand Elder, who explained how Star Souls were formed and thanked Xu Qingtong for his teachings.
• After two days of discussion, the Grand Elder felt ready to attempt a breakthrough to the Witch Wisdom Realm and left Cloudsky Peak to enter seclusion and report to the Clan Chief.
• Xu Qingtong's main body arrived at Cloudsky Peak and left five bottles of Mid-grade Nine Yin Pills before returning to his cave abode, where Du Siwen said she had captured Ghost Cultivator scouts.

Xu Qingtong refined two suits of Invisibility Armor from a Darknight Flying Tuo’s hide after extensive preparation. He tested one suit, then gave the other to Du Siwen, who tried to refuse it before accepting it.

• Xu Qingtong urged Du Siwen to cultivate and gave her a bottle of Nine Yin Pills.
• Xu Qingtong studied the Darknight Flying Tuo’s hide and rehearsed the refining process in his Niwang Palace over thirty times.
• Xu Qingtong learned from his incarnation that the ghost cultivators had mostly held their forces in place during the past month.
• Xu Qingtong spent half a month refining two suits of Invisibility Armor, despite failing three times.
• Xu Qingtong attuned one suit, used it to approach Du Siwen unseen, and tested whether she could detect him.
• Xu Qingtong offered the second suit to Du Siwen, who pretended not to like it before accepting it when he threatened to give it to Zhuang Shengren.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen infiltrated the Azure Sea Gate to gather intelligence, then pursued a group of ghost cultivators heading toward Black Water Pool. After killing three of them, they faced the remaining cultivators as Xu Qingtong’s incarnation and Xiao Qi arrived, and the chapter ended as the ghost cultivators moved to surround them.

• Xu Qingtong teased Du Siwen with the Invisibility Armor, then agreed to take her along to investigate the ghost cultivators.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen watched the Azure Sea Gate for three days before noticing tribulation clouds gathering over Black Water Pool and a powerful Nascent Soul ghost cultivator departing with ten Golden Core cultivators.
• Xu Qingtong contacted his incarnation, and he and Du Siwen pursued the Golden Core ghost cultivators, killing three with surprise attacks.
• The seven remaining ghost cultivators discovered the bodies, decided to hurry to Black Water Pool, and spotted Xu Qingtong’s incarnation arriving with Xiao Qi.
• The ghost cultivators, reassured by the incarnation’s apparent strength, spread out to surround him.

Xu Qingtong and his allies killed eight of the ten Ghost Cultivators attacking the Witch Clan, then he went to Black Water Pool and found Clan Chief Si Yuanzhi battling Leng Yuan. Si Yuanzhi fell after casting a Cursing Technique, and Xu Qingtong arrived too late to stop the blow, but Leng Yuan suddenly became unable to move.

• Xu Qingtong, his incarnation, Du Siwen, and Xiao Qi killed eight Ghost Cultivators, while two escaped.
• Xu Qingtong sent his incarnation and Du Siwen back to Cloudsky Peak and flew toward Black Water Pool with Xiao Qi.
• Si Yuanzhi confronted Leng Yuan at the boundary between Black Witch Marsh and Demon Baleful Forest, and the two began fighting.
• Xu Qingtong secretly approached and watched Leng Yuan overpower Si Yuanzhi with a black sphere after Si Yuanzhi used the Cursing Technique.
• Xu Qingtong rushed to help Si Yuanzhi, but the black sphere struck and sent him falling; Leng Yuan then found himself unable to move.

Xu Qingtong protected Si Yuanzhi from Leng Yuan, then returned to Black Water Pool as the Grand Elder completed his tribulation and advanced to the Witch Wisdom Realm. Si Yuanzhi revealed that he had only five years of Lifespan left and asked Xu Qingtong and Chengjun to help secure the Witch Clan’s future; the chapter ended with the Grand Elder learning Xu Qingtong could refine Nine Yin Pills.

• Xu Qingtong struck Leng Yuan with the Fengyi Sword while Si Yuanzhi’s Cursing Technique restrained him, forcing Leng Yuan to flee and leaving his body for Xu Qingtong to seal.
• Xu Qingtong brought the injured Si Yuanzhi back to Black Water Pool, where Yi Chen took him to rest while Xu Qingtong guarded the Grand Elder during his tribulation.
• The Grand Elder survived the Heavenly Tribulation and advanced to the Witch Wisdom Realm, and Xu Qingtong gave him a Mid-grade Nine Yin Pill.
• Xu Qingtong visited Si Yuanzhi, who said the Cursing Technique had left him with only five years of Lifespan and urged Xu Qingtong and Chengjun to eradicate the Ghost Cultivators.
• Xu Qingtong showed Si Yuanzhi a Nine Yin Pill he had refined himself, prompting Si Yuanzhi to order the Grand Elder to give Xu Qingtong the clan’s pill-refining ingredients.

Xu Qingtong received the Witch Clan’s Nine Yin Pill materials, helped Cloudsky Peak reclaim territory from the Ghost Cultivators, and delivered a large batch of pills to Si Yuanzhi. The Clan Chief and Grand Elder concluded that the Ghost Cultivators were likely waiting for Leng Yuan to rebuild his body, while Si Yuanzhi hinted that he had a way to overcome their shortage of powerful fighters.

• The Grand Elder gave Xu Qingtong the Witch Clan’s refining materials after the Clan Chief confirmed Xu Qingtong made superior Nine Yin Pills.
• Xu Qingtong organized four teams of Witch Clan disciples to reclaim territory, with Golden Core Puppets and other allies supporting them.
• A month later, the teams returned after reclaiming Gloomwind Valley and killing five Golden Core Ghost Cultivators, forcing the Ghost Cultivators to retreat into their strongholds.
• Xu Qingtong gave Fang Tianqi two hundred Low-grade Nine Yin Pills to distribute as rewards for merit.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen visited Si Yuanzhi, who praised Xu Qingtong’s pill refining and discussed the Ghost Cultivators’ weakened position.
• The Grand Elder noted the Witch Clan lacked enough high-level fighters for a counterattack, but Si Yuanzhi said he already had a way to address the problem.

Xu Qingtong used elixirs and spiritual resources to strengthen the Witch Clan and help Fang Tianqi, Guo Tianyu, and Zhuang Shengren form golden cores. After several disciples broke through, Xu Qingtong prepared to visit Black Water Pool as the clan readied for a counterattack against the ghost cultivators.

• Xu Qingtong gave the Grand Elder elixirs he had refined, and Si Yuanzhi ordered preparations for a counterattack against the ghost cultivators in a month.
• Xu Qingtong sent four peak sorcerer-realm disciples to attempt breakthroughs with Mid-grade Nine Yin Pills and refined Realm-Breaking Pills for Fang Tianqi, Zhuang Shengren, and Guo Tianyu.
• Xu Qingtong gave the three earth milk and took them to Gloomwind Valley's Creation Pool to attempt forming golden cores.
• While Xu Qingtong guarded the cave, Witch Clan disciples broke through at Black Water Pool and Cloudsky Peak, and Fang Tianqi, Guo Tianyu, and Zhuang Shengren each formed a golden core.
• Xu Qingtong told the three to return to Cloudsky Peak and said he would visit Black Water Pool.

Xu Qingtong and the Grand Elder gathered their strengthened forces for a counterattack on the Azure Sea Gate and confirmed that Leng Yuan was inside reconstructing his physical body. When three Golden Core ghost cultivators emerged to fight, Xu Qingtong revealed his incarnation and three powerful demon beasts, leaving them terrified.

• Xu Qingtong confirmed that five clansmen at Black Water Pool had entered the Witch Spirit Realm and proposed concentrating their forces against the Azure Sea Gate.
• Xu Qingtong and the Grand Elder persuaded the injured Si Yuanzhi to remain at Black Water Pool with Yi Chen while the others assembled at Cloudsky Peak.
• The attacking cultivators split into four teams, with Xu Qingtong, Du Siwen, and Yi Tonghe leading the assault while the other teams surrounded the Azure Sea Gate.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen nearly broke the Mountain-Guarding Grand Array, drawing out five ghost cultivators from the Profound Ghost Sect.
• Xu Qingtong tricked a Golden Core ghost cultivator into confirming that Leng Yuan was reconstructing his physical body inside.
• Three Golden Core ghost cultivators left the array to fight, only to face Xu Qingtong's incarnation and three demon beasts, the weakest of which was fifth-tier.

Xu Qingtong and the Witch Clan forces broke into the Profound Ghost Sect and discovered Leng Yuan rebuilding his body in a blood pool. Xu Qingtong fell into the pool after Leng Yuan seized him, while Du Siwen fought desperately to reach him.

• Xu Qingtong, Du Siwen, and their allies killed three Golden Core Ghost Cultivators, then joined the other teams to break through the Profound Ghost Sect’s array.
• Xu Qingtong and the Witch Clan disciples stormed the sect, driving the Ghost Cultivators back toward a valley.
• The Grand Elder exposed sixteen Golden Core Ghost Cultivators channeling power into a blood pool where Leng Yuan was reconstructing his body.
• Xu Qingtong shattered Leng Yuan’s blood barrier, but Leng Yuan seized him and tried to feed him into a bloody maw; the Grand Elder severed the hand, sending Xu Qingtong into the pool.
• Du Siwen fought recklessly against the Ghost Cultivator blocking her, while a dark red flame attacked him and Du Siwen told him there was no need to cut off his arm.

Xu Qingtong survived being thrown into the Blood-Transforming Pool by using the Heavenly Fire Body-Tempering Art to withstand its corrosion and regenerate his body. Du Siwen stayed by the pool while the Grand Elder pursued Leng Yuan’s escaped Nascent Soul.

• Du Siwen killed the Golden Core Ghost Cultivator, recalled the Nine Nether Earthfire, and rushed to the blood pool where Xu Qingtong had sunk.
• Xu Qingtong awakened in the Blood-Transforming Pool, and the Pure-Heart Snow Lotus absorbed an evil aura that had entered his Niwang Palace.
• Xu Qingtong circulated the Heavenly Fire Body-Tempering Art, slowing the pool’s corrosion and gradually restoring his body.
• Leng Yuan escaped as a Nascent Soul, while the Grand Elder retrieved his ruined body and stopped Du Siwen from jumping into the pool.
• Du Siwen sensed through the Concentric Heart Lotus Pendant that Xu Qingtong was alive, and the Grand Elder left to hunt Leng Yuan as she kept watch.
• Xu Qingtong realized blood had a fire attribute and accelerated the art, making his body regenerate faster than the pool dissolved it.

Xu Qingtong endured the Blood-Transforming Pool, using its corrosion to temper his body and Divine Sense until he finally emerged. Du Siwen welcomed him, told him the others had gone to attack Biluozong, and asked what he had experienced in the pool.

• Xu Qingtong contacted Du Siwen through the Concentric Heart Lotus Pendant, and she stayed beside the Blood-Transforming Pool while the others went their separate ways.
• Xu Qingtong realized that repeated destruction and regeneration let his flesh adapt to the pool, then used the True Origin Scripture to endure the corrosion of his Divine Sense.
• After Xu Qingtong spent a month in the pool, Du Siwen continued waiting while the Grand Elder pursued Leng Yuan's Nascent Soul and Guo Tianyu and Zhuang Shengren led the Witch Clan in an attack on Biluozong.
• The Blood-Transforming Pool churned, and Xu Qingtong emerged with his body tempered; Du Siwen embraced him, then kicked him back into the pool when he asked her to help him dress.
• Xu Qingtong climbed out wearing a moon-white robe, and Du Siwen told him the others had left to attack Biluozong before asking him about his ordeal.

Xu Qingtong returned safely after escaping the Blood-Transforming Pool and asked the Witch Clan to let Gloomwind Valley rebuild and continue its legacy. He went to meet Clan Chief Si Yuanzhi, whose declining lifespan saddened him, and prepared to ask him a favor.

• Xu Qingtong told Du Siwen about the blood pool, but the Grand Elder interrupted their intimate moment and reported that Leng Yuan had detonated his Nascent Soul rather than be captured.
• The Grand Elder said Witch Clan teams were searching for the remaining ghost cultivators, and agreed to discuss granting Gloomwind Valley room to survive and making it clan law.
• Xu Qingtong returned to Cloudsky Peak with Du Siwen, then told Fang Tianqi he had asked the Witch Clan to let Gloomwind Valley recover and planned to request Cloudsky Peak as well.
• Fang Tianqi began preparing to rebuild Gloomwind Valley's mountain gate while Xu Qingtong went to Black Water Pool to meet Si Yuanzhi.
• Si Yuanzhi welcomed Xu Qingtong and admitted that his lifespan was running short, and Xu Qingtong said he had come to ask a favor.

Xu Qingtong secured Gloomwind Valley and Cloudsky Peak for Gloomwind Valley, while the Witch Clan rebuilt its home at Biluozong and Azure Sea Gate. He then helped the entire Witch Clan leave the Lesser Heaven Realm, fulfilling his promise before returning to Cloudsky Peak.

• Si Yuanzhi granted Gloomwind Valley and Cloudsky Peak to Xu Qingtong, along with the lands south of the Demon Baleful Forest, in exchange for help relocating Witch Clan disciples and refining elixirs.
• Fang Tianqi rebuilt Gloomwind Valley, but Xu Qingtong chose to remain at Cloudsky Peak while the sect leader and most disciples returned to the new grounds.
• The Grand Elder finished rebuilding the Witch Clan's homes at Biluozong and Azure Sea Gate, then asked Xu Qingtong to help bring out the clanspeople in the Lesser Heaven Realm.
• Xu Qingtong and the Grand Elder entered the Lesser Heaven Realm and ordered the Witch Clan to prepare to leave.
• Xu Qingtong used Xiao Bai to open the barrier repeatedly, and more than half a month later the entire Witch Clan had emerged.
• The Grand Elder and Second Elder thanked Xu Qingtong for fulfilling his promise, and he left them to settle the clanspeople.

Xu Qingtong drifted into a desolate desert while contemplating his Dao Heart and used its earth-attribute spiritual power to understand Nascent Soul Formation. He gained insight into illuminating the mind and seeing one’s nature, but chose not to form a Nascent Soul yet; Du Siwen found him and learned what he had been studying.

• Xu Qingtong’s Dao Heart Seed lit up as he flew from the Witch Clan, and he unknowingly drifted past the Biluozong into the desert.
• Xu Qingtong realized the region lacked most elemental spiritual qi and suspected Jade Spring True Person had damaged its origin power by extracting metal- and fire-attribute power.
• Xu Qingtong meditated in the desert for a month and comprehended earth-attribute origin power, reaching the level of illuminating the mind and seeing one’s nature.
• Xu Qingtong suppressed the urge to use his earth milk to form a single-attribute Nascent Soul because he wanted to pursue a stronger ancestral Nascent Soul.
• Du Siwen found Xu Qingtong in the desert, and he told her he had been studying Zhong Ziqing’s insights into Nascent Soul Formation.

Xu Qingtong left Du Siwen and his incarnation at Cloudsky Peak to seek insights for Nascent Soul Formation in the Thousand-Cloud Mountain Range. After nearly a month of meditation, Xiao Bai returned wounded under Xiao Qi's protection.

• Xu Qingtong shared his insights with Du Siwen, but she failed to understand her heart and see her true nature after half a month.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen agreed to postpone having children until after Nascent Soul Formation.
• Xu Qingtong revealed that he could breach the Heavenly Chasm but avoided doing so because it would expose the Witch Clan to Central Province's Five Great Sects again.
• Xu Qingtong left cultivation resources with his incarnation and departed Cloudsky Peak while Du Siwen stayed to cultivate the Taiyi Heart Method.
• Xu Qingtong settled in a valley in the Thousand-Cloud Mountain Range to comprehend wood-attribute power and released Xiao Qi, Xiao Bai, and Xizi to roam.
• Xiao Bai returned covered in wounds under Xiao Qi's protection while Xu Qingtong was still meditating nearly a month later.

Xu Qingtong confronted Zhu Yan after the seventh-tier Demon Beast injured Xiao Bai and tried to claim him, then resumed cultivating on Thousand Cloud Mountain. After three months of meditation, Xu Qingtong finally comprehended the wood-attribute power of heaven and earth.

• Xu Qingtong healed Xiao Bai, learned that Zhu Yan had attacked his Spirit Beasts, and sent Xiao Bai to recover in the Seven-Star Bracelet.
• Xu Qingtong told Xiao Qi to handle Zhu Yan’s three Long-Armed Ape subordinates while he faced Zhu Yan.
• Xiao Qi swiftly killed two Long-Armed Apes, and Zhu Yan lost his nerve and offered Xu Qingtong a Space Stone as an apology.
• Xu Qingtong accepted the Space Stone and resumed cultivating while Xiao Qi watched Zhu Yan, who eventually left.
• Xu Qingtong exchanged information with his incarnation and meditated for three months before comprehending the wood-attribute power of heaven and earth.

After Xu Qingtong completed his wood-attribute comprehension, he left the Thousand-Cloud Mountain Range and traveled with Du Siwen to the Great Marsh Sea, where they began cultivating on an isolated island. Five months later, massive waves struck without explanation, and they set out to investigate.

• Xu Qingtong used a spell to paralyze Zhu Yan briefly, warned him about other powerful cultivators, and departed for Cloudsky Peak with Xiao Qi and Xizi.
• Xu Qingtong told Du Siwen that his wood-attribute Golden Core had advanced, then agreed to take her to the Great Marsh Sea to cultivate water-attribute power.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen traveled north and found an isolated island with unusually dense water spiritual qi, where they began cultivating.
• After five months, Xu Qingtong had deeply comprehended water-attribute power, while Du Siwen began to understand her own water cultivation.
• Violent waves flooded the island, and Xu Qingtong found no sign of demon beasts or cultivators causing them.
• After another enormous wave erased the island, Xu Qingtong decided to investigate its source with Du Siwen.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen investigated an earthfire eruption at an uncharted island in the Great Marsh Sea, where the dense fire-attribute spiritual qi and extreme heat offered a chance to cultivate. After Xu Qingtong found earth-melting gold in the lava, the pair began searching the island for more treasures.

• Xu Qingtong identified the strange phenomena as an earthfire eruption and steered the Dust-Exterminating Boat toward the island with Du Siwen.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen waited five days for the poisonous smoke to clear and rain to wash the island before Xu Qingtong flew over to investigate.
• Xu Qingtong searched the island and found two pieces of earth-melting gold in the lava.
• Du Siwen joined Xu Qingtong on the island, and they dug out the earth-melting gold.
• Xu Qingtong resumed searching the island with his divine sense while Du Siwen urged him to look for more treasure.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen returned from their two-year journey after making progress in their cultivation, with Du Siwen reaching the Pseudo-Nascent Soul Stage. Back at Cloudsky Peak, Xu Qingtong learned that new disciples had joined and Gong Chu had moved there, then received Gong Chu in his cave abode.

• Xu Qingtong found a Fire Essence Stone on the island, and he and Du Siwen cultivated there until they comprehended the nature of fire.
• Du Siwen advanced her comprehension of water to “Illuminating the Mind and Seeing One’s Nature” on Huangqiao Island and reached the Pseudo-Nascent Soul Stage.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen returned to Cloudsky Peak, where Zhuang Shengren reported that surviving Azure Sea Gate and Biluozong disciples had joined the peak.
• Xu Qingtong asked Zhuang Shengren to keep screening newcomers and gave him two Low-grade Nine Yin Pills for himself and Jia Yue to aid their breakthroughs.
• Xu Qingtong sent his incarnation to accompany Du Siwen to the summit and asked Zhuang Shengren to summon Gong Chu.
• Gong Chu came to Xu Qingtong’s cave abode and began explaining why he had moved to Cloudsky Peak.

Xu Qingtong helped Gong Chu prepare to join the Witch Clan and then visited Si Yuanzhi, who wanted him to inherit a leadership position before his death. Xu Qingtong refused the Clan Chief role but promised to protect the clan, while Si Yuanzhi insisted he succeed as Grand Elder and asked what he had come to discuss.

• Gong Chu told Xu Qingtong that he had only five years left to live, and Xu proposed helping him break through and join the Witch Clan to extend his life.
• Gong Chu agreed to Xu Qingtong's plan, and Xu gave him a Realm-Breaking Pill and Purple Sun Pills before promising to discuss his admission with the Clan Chief.
• Xu Qingtong went to Biluozong and learned that Si Yuanzhi's lifespan was nearly over because he had used the Cursing Technique against Leng Yuan.
• Si Yuanzhi asked Xu Qingtong to become the next Clan Chief, but Xu refused and said the Grand Elder should take the position.
• Si Yuanzhi insisted Xu succeed as Grand Elder, then asked what he had come to discuss.

Xu Qingtong helped Gong Chu join the Witch Clan and accepted the role of Grand Elder as Si Yuanzhi prepared to pass on leadership. After a ceremony, Shi Chengjun became Clan Chief, Gong Chu joined the clan, and Si Yuanzhi entrusted Xu Qingtong with its future.

• Xu Qingtong persuaded Si Yuanzhi to let Gong Chu join the Witch Clan, and Si Yuanzhi agreed in return for Xu Qingtong accepting his arrangements.
• Gong Chu broke through to the Foundation Establishment middle stage, then told Xu Qingtong he was determined to join the Witch Clan despite losing his Human Race identity.
• Xu Qingtong told Du Siwen that Si Yuanzhi had asked him to become Grand Elder, and he traveled with Gong Chu to the Witch Clan's territory.
• Si Yuanzhi gave Xu Qingtong his insights on reaching the Witch Wisdom Realm and entrusted him with revitalizing the Witch Clan after Si Yuanzhi's death.
• At the clan ceremony, Si Yuanzhi yielded the Clan Chief position to Shi Chengjun, Xu Qingtong became Grand Elder, and Gong Chu formally joined the Witch Clan.
• Shi Chengjun gave Gong Chu a drop of ancestral blood to speed his Witch Clan cultivation.

Xu Qingtong spent a year refining Nine Yin Pills and failed twice to make Transformation Pills before delivering pills to the Witch Clan and arranging for Gong Chu to return to Cloudsky Peak. Gong Chu had grown more disciplined, and Shi Chengjun approved his departure so he could train toward the Sorcerer Realm while remaining loyal to the Witch Clan.

• Xu Qingtong returned to Cloudsky Peak, prepared flesh lingzhi and herbs, and spent a year refining Nine Yin Pills as his alchemy improved to the fourth tier.
• Xu Qingtong failed twice to refine Transformation Pills and put his attempt aside after realizing only the thousand-year transformation grass remained.
• Xu Qingtong delivered Nine Yin Pills to Shi Chengjun and suggested creating a contribution-point system for clan rewards, with Gloomwind Valley sending an administrator to help draft it.
• Shi Chengjun told Xu Qingtong that Gong Chu had reached the late Sorcerer Apprentice Realm and praised his diligence.
• Xu Qingtong visited Gong Chu, invited him to Cloudsky Peak, and offered to help him attempt a breakthrough to the Sorcerer Realm.
• Gong Chu affirmed his loyalty to the Witch Clan, and Shi Chengjun approved his return with Xu Qingtong.

Xu Qingtong helped Gong Chu return to the sect and encouraged him to keep pursuing cultivation, then set out to explore the Valley of the Dead again. Deep in the valley, he found strange trees growing from ancient stumps and discovered that one stump bled when struck.

• Xu Qingtong brought Gong Chu back to Cloudsky Peak, where Du Siwen urged him to reform and pursue a breakthrough.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen explained how Gong Chu could attempt the Sorcerer Realm, and Xu Qingtong gave him Low-grade Nine Yin Pills.
• Du Siwen showed her concern for Gong Chu and Xu Qingtong, prompting Xu Qingtong to flee before she could pull him into more trouble.
• Xu Qingtong left the sect and traveled by Dust-Exterminating Boat to the Valley of the Dead to investigate it again.
• Xu Qingtong found trees growing from ancient stumps deep in the valley and struck one with the Evil-Slaying Sword.
• Xu Qingtong saw blood flow from the stump's wound and jumped back in alarm.

Xu Qingtong discovered a ten-thousand-year-old piece of longjie beneath a purple-blood wood stump in the Valley of the Dead. After Du Siwen arrived with Xizi to help search for more, Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen donned their Invisibility Armor and waited for monsters; something approached after Xu Hour.

• Xu Qingtong recognized the stump as purple-blood wood and dug around it, eventually uncovering a red, ice-cold piece of top-grade longjie.
• Xu Qingtong told Du Siwen where he was through the Concentric Heart Lotus Pendant, and she came to the Valley of the Dead with Xizi.
• Xu Qingtong explained longjie to Du Siwen, then asked Xizi to search underground for more of it.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen put on their Invisibility Armor and sat near a large rock to watch for monsters.
• After Xu Hour, Xu Qingtong sensed something approaching and warned Du Siwen to be careful.