Recaps

After mastering the Body Tempering Technique, Xu Qingtong sensed Immortal Essence and learned that it was the foundation for cultivating the Nine Immortals Scripture. He refined Dongfang Hui’s immortal jade and tried using an immortal art to open Tranquil Heart Hall’s formation.

• After settling his mind, Xu Qingtong mastered the Body Tempering Technique and sensed Immortal Essence.
• Xu Qingtong realized the technique enabled cultivators to sense and absorb Immortal Essence, making it the foundation of the Nine Immortals Scripture.
• Xu Qingtong advised Dongfang Hui to study the Body Tempering Technique, and she gave him a piece of immortal jade in exchange for his cultivation insights.
• Xu Qingtong refined the immortal jade with the Nine Immortals Scripture for five days, building up Immortal Essence in his meridians.
• Xu Qingtong used the Vermilion Bird Hand to grasp Tranquil Heart Hall’s formation, attempting to open an exit.

Xu Qingtong escaped Tranquil Heart Hall but returned to stay with Dongfang Hui until she could leave too. After five years, she had sensed immortal essence and begun making progress on the formation, while Xu Qingtong strengthened his divine sense to study talismans; Dongfang Hui gave him a Storage Bag.

• Xu Qingtong tore open the formation with the Vermilion Bird Hand, escaped, then returned to Tranquil Heart Hall to accompany Dongfang Hui.
• Xu Qingtong studied the talismans and found he could not complete one because his divine sense was too weak, so he trained it in the Soul-Refining Pool.
• Over the next five years, Xu Qingtong strengthened his divine sense until he could imitate the full process of crafting a talisman, though he lacked the materials to make one.
• Dongfang Hui comprehended the Body Tempering Technique, sensed immortal essence, and told Xu Qingtong her study of the formation was progressing.
• Xu Qingtong insisted they would leave together, and Dongfang Hui handed him a Storage Bag.

Xu Qingtong used talisman-crafting supplies from Dongfang Hui to learn how to make immortal talismans while his incarnation practiced the Body Tempering Technique. After three months, Dongfang Hui made progress studying the formation, and the two prepared to test Xu Qingtong’s talismans and leave.

• Dongfang Hui gave Xu Qingtong a Storage Bag of talisman-crafting supplies, and he struggled to settle his thoughts after their awkward exchange.
• Xu Qingtong practiced the Body Tempering Technique and repeatedly attempted to craft a True Qi Armor Talisman, eventually making six.
• Xu Qingtong studied the True Qi Kill talisman and crafted one after three months, while his incarnation’s body transformed and its netherworld and demon aspects began to blend.
• Dongfang Hui emerged from the Main Hall, having gained an initial understanding of formations, and Xu Qingtong asked her to help test his talismans.

Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui escaped the formation around Tranquil Heart Hall and continued exploring the mysterious complex. They reached Ink Fragrance Pavilion, where Dongfang Hui found its protective formation too difficult to unravel, so Xu Qingtong proposed attacking it while she studied its workings.

• Xu Qingtong tested his True Qi Armor Talisman against Dongfang Hui's flying sword and gave her two talismans for protection.
• Dongfang Hui spent more than half a month making a Formation Disc, then used it to open a gap in the hall's formation and escape.
• The formation reflected Xu Qingtong's Vermilion Bird Hand back at him, so he used a True Qi Kill Talisman to break through and join Dongfang Hui.
• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui agreed to explore farther into the complex and headed toward its central area.
• At Ink Fragrance Pavilion, Dongfang Hui could not unravel the sturdy formation, and Xu Qingtong suggested attacking it while she observed its operation.

Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui failed to break the powerful formations protecting several places in the ruins, but found a weak formation around Qingtong Courtyard and opened it. Inside, Xu Qingtong discovered a child's skeleton and decided to bury the remains.

• Xu Qingtong attacked the Ink Fragrance Pavilion's formation with several techniques while Dongfang Hui searched for a weakness, but they failed to break through.
• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui agreed to search the ruins for places with weaker formations and found Qingtong Courtyard.
• Dongfang Hui used her Formation Disc while Xu Qingtong attacked the courtyard gate, and together they broke its formation.
• Xu Qingtong discovered a child's skeleton lying on a bed inside the courtyard and noticed a storage bracelet on its wrist.
• Xu Qingtong told Dongfang Hui he would bury the child's remains, and she agreed to go with him.

Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui buried the skeleton in the retreat and explored its rooms, discovering that it belonged to a servant named Shi Xin. They identified the place as a retreat of the Cangwu Immortal Lord and learned it may have been abandoned after turmoil among the Ten Directions Immortal Lords.

• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui buried the skeleton and marked its grave with a tile carved with “Qingtong.”
• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui searched the rooms and found an identity token marked “Mo” and “Shi Xin.”
• Xu Qingtong refined the skeleton’s storage bracelet, and he and Dongfang Hui divided the immortal jade, talismans, flying sword, elixirs, and other items.
• Xu Qingtong found a written statement in a bamboo tube describing its author’s arrival at the Azure Sea Palace with his young master.
• Dongfang Hui and Xu Qingtong concluded that the retreat belonged to the Cangwu Immortal Lord, and Xu Qingtong connected its abandonment to the calamity and conflict among the Ten Directions Immortal Lords.

Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui used Shi Xin’s Identity Jade Token to explore Ink Bamboo Studio, where they discovered that Cang Chen had deliberately left Shi Xin behind with cultivation resources. They divided the valuable cache Cang Chen had stored for Shi Xin and left the residence laden with treasure.

• Xu Qingtong explained the distinction between the Spirit Realm and Immortal Realm and discussed the Nine Immortals Scripture with Dongfang Hui.
• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui used Shi Xin’s Identity Jade Token to enter several places and found their greatest haul in Ink Bamboo Studio, Cang Chen’s residence.
• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui discovered a Jade Slip in Shi Xin’s quarters explaining that Cang Chen had left him behind and stored cultivation resources for him in the study.
• Xu Qingtong found Cang Chen’s Storage Ring in the study, containing nearly ten thousand pieces of immortal jade and many other resources.
• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui divided the Storage Ring’s contents between themselves and left Ink Bamboo Studio satisfied with their gains.

Xu Qingtong stayed in Cang Chen’s Ink Bamboo Studio to seek a path to Spirit Transformation, while Dongfang Hui returned to Central Province with a message for Senior Sister Du. After a year of training, Xu Qingtong’s body underwent a new transformation.

• Xu Qingtong asked Dongfang Hui for Shi Xin’s token so he could cultivate in seclusion, but she decided to return to Central Province rather than stay with him.
• Dongfang Hui gave Xu Qingtong the token, and he asked her to deliver a jade slip to Senior Sister Du explaining that he was cultivating there.
• Xu Qingtong entered Ink Bamboo Studio and reflected on his centuries of cultivation, resolving to pursue Spirit Transformation by bringing his original body and incarnation into closer harmony.
• Xu Qingtong and his incarnation began practicing the Body Tempering Technique he named Peering into the Immortal Sect.
• After a year of practicing Peering into the Immortal Sect and meditating in Ink Bamboo Studio, Xu Qingtong underwent a new transformation.

After years of cultivation, Xu Qingtong discovered the unity of heaven and man and fell into a profound state of Dao enlightenment as his bodies and nascent souls merged. Du Siwen and Dongfang Hui arrived at his villa, but when their attempts to reach him failed, Du Siwen attacked the formation and triggered a reaction from Xu Qingtong.

• After a year of cultivating Peering into the Immortal Sect, Xu Qingtong fully merged his Netherworld Body and Demon Body and brought yin and yang into balance within his original body.
• Xu Qingtong spent seven more years bringing the Demon Transformation Great Method and Nether God Canon to their peaks, then realized that heaven and man shared the same structure and rhythms.
• Xu Qingtong merged into heaven and earth without realizing it, while his incarnation joined his original body and his demon nascent soul, star sea, and netherworld fetus merged into his ancestral nascent soul.
• Du Siwen and Dongfang Hui arrived at Purple Rosy Clouds Island and entered the villa after Du Siwen received no response from Xu Qingtong.
• Unable to enter Ink Bamboo Studio or get a reply, Du Siwen struck its formation with the Water-Fire Heaven-Shaking Halberd, was thrown back and injured, and caused Xu Qingtong to react.

Xu Qingtong awakened from Dao enlightenment after Du Siwen’s attack on the formation injured her, and he explained his state of unity with heaven and man. After Dongfang Hui departed, Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen reflected on his past with Dongfang Hui, leaving their relationship unresolved but accepting that they were not destined to be together.

• Du Siwen’s attack on the formation awakened Xu Qingtong, who emerged and found her injured with Dongfang Hui supporting her.
• Xu Qingtong gave Du Siwen a Soul-Returning Pill and helped her recover as Dongfang Hui explained why Du Siwen had struck the formation.
• Xu Qingtong told Du Siwen and Dongfang Hui that he had reached unity with heaven and man while seeking Dao enlightenment, and his strange fart comparison made them laugh.
• Dongfang Hui said farewell and left for Central Province after Du Siwen thanked her and apologized for misjudging her.
• Du Siwen said Dongfang Hui should have married Xu Qingtong, but Xu Qingtong replied that they were fated to meet, not destined to be together.

Xu Qingtong reunited with Du Siwen at Ink Bamboo Studio, where she recounted Central Province’s upheavals and chose to stay while he prepared for Spirit Transformation. After discovering that his incarnation had merged with his original body and transformed his nascent soul into a chaos-aura form, Xu Qingtong began refining demonic and yin energy, leaving his breakthrough plans underway.

• Du Siwen told Xu Qingtong that the Profound Yin Church had destroyed the Heavenly Mystery Palace and the Anyang Sect had seized the Wuji Sect’s Black Tortoise Picture.
• Xu Qingtong decided to attempt Spirit Transformation at Ink Bamboo Studio, and Du Siwen stayed to guard him.
• Xu Qingtong gave Du Siwen the Peering into the Immortal Sect body tempering technique and his cultivation insights.
• Xu Qingtong discovered that his incarnation had merged with his original body and that his gray nascent soul carried the chaos aura of the Seven-Star Bracelet’s Desolate Space.
• Xu Qingtong confirmed that he could use demonic power and summon four Dark Spirits, then absorbed energy from a demon crystal and a Nine Yin Pill as he prepared for Spirit Transformation.

Xu Qingtong created a cultivation technique that converted Spiritual Qi, Demonic Qi, and Yin Qi into Primordial Chaos Origin Qi, then had Du Siwen test it. After she successfully cultivated it, he named it the One Qi Primordial Unity Art.

• Xu Qingtong studied how his techniques converted different energies into Primordial Chaos Origin Qi and spent a year developing a new cultivation method.
• Xu Qingtong helped Du Siwen understand the Peering into the Immortal Sect Body Tempering Technique, then gave her a jade slip containing his creation.
• Du Siwen studied the technique for three days and successfully cultivated Primordial Chaos Origin Qi in her Dantian.
• Xu Qingtong named his technique the One Qi Primordial Unity Art and explained to Du Siwen why its name emphasized the word One.

Xu Qingtong perfected the One Qi Primordial Unity Art, and Du Siwen chose to switch to it before they traveled to Purple Rosy Clouds Island so Xu Qingtong could attempt to reach spirit transformation. As they flew over the sea, Xu Qingtong sensed that someone was following them.

• Xu Qingtong spent six months perfecting the One Qi Primordial Unity Art, while Du Siwen achieved minor success in Peering into the Immortal Sect and sensed immortal essence.
• Xu Qingtong explained Du Siwen's cultivation choices, and she decided to use the One Qi Primordial Unity Art until they reached the Spirit Realm, where she would cultivate the Nine Immortals Scripture.
• The following year, Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen returned to Central Province, paid their respects to Lü Wenqiu, and Xu Qingtong made arrangements with Dong Yunxiao and Fang Tianqi.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen left for Purple Rosy Clouds Island without their children or attendants, and Xu Qingtong entrusted the One Qi Primordial Unity Art and instructions to Fu Xingzhi.
• As Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen flew east over the sea, Xu Qingtong sensed that someone was following them.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen returned to Purple Rosy Clouds Island, followed by Dongfang Hui, who joined them at the villa under the pretext of practicing and studying its formations. Dongfang Hui struggled to settle her feelings around Xu Qingtong, then asked him to instruct her in the One Qi Primordial Unity Art.

• Xu Qingtong sensed someone following their Flying Boat and later found that Dongfang Hui had followed him and Du Siwen to Purple Rosy Clouds Island.
• Dongfang Hui opened the villa’s formation with her Formation Disc, and Xu Qingtong let her enter and choose a room at Ink Bamboo Studio.
• Xu Qingtong practiced the One Qi Primordial Unity Art while Du Siwen cultivated with it and Dongfang Hui struggled to calm her thoughts about Xu Qingtong.
• Du Siwen told Dongfang Hui that Xu Qingtong had created the One Qi Primordial Unity Art, leaving her astonished.
• Dongfang Hui visited Xu Qingtong and asked him to advise her on her cultivation and instruct her in his technique.

Xu Qingtong gave Dongfang Hui the One Qi Primordial Unity Art and, after half a year of secluded cultivation, sensed his heavenly tribulation approaching. As he prepared to attempt Spirit Transformation, he helped Dongfang Hui with the technique and began preparing for a tribulation he suspected would be unusual.

• Xu Qingtong agreed to teach Dongfang Hui the One Qi Primordial Unity Art and warned her not to share it without permission.
• Half a year later, Xu Qingtong emerged from meditation, sensed his heavenly tribulation, and told Du Siwen and Dongfang Hui he planned to attempt Spirit Transformation in six months.
• Du Siwen left Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui alone to discuss the cultivation technique, while the two women’s relationship had grown closer through conversations about their past.
• Xu Qingtong spent two days helping Dongfang Hui understand the technique, then spoke at length with Du Siwen and started preparing for his tribulation.
• Xu Qingtong reviewed the internal and external trials of Spirit Transformation and suspected his tribulation would differ from those described in historical records.

Xu Qingtong prepared for his approaching heavenly tribulation by refining two immortal artifacts and strengthening the artifact spirits of his Five Elements Divine Seals. After raising the seals to the threshold of supreme-grade treasures, he began refining materials to further improve them.

• Xu Qingtong decided to strengthen his defenses for the heavenly tribulation by refining his treasures and making more True Qi Armor Talismans.
• Xu Qingtong refined the jade ruyi into Jade Exquisite, a defensive and confinement artifact, then refined the immortal sword Soul Shatter.
• Xu Qingtong used the Soul-Refining Pool to temper the artifact spirit of the Houtu Seal, then spent two months strengthening the spirits of all five seals.
• Xu Qingtong raised the Five Elements Divine Seals to the threshold of supreme-grade treasures and examined the artifact-refining materials from the Immortal Lord's Villa.
• Xu Qingtong placed the Supreme Clarity Yin-Yang Cauldron on a flame-spouting stone platform and began heating it with roaring flames.

Xu Qingtong reforged his Five Elements Divine Seals and prepared talismans for his approaching Heavenly Tribulation. After recovering from a failed attempt that ruined the Xuanming Seal, he rebuilt it and tested his defenses with Du Siwen and Dongfang Hui, then asked Du Siwen to attack his pagoda barrier with the Yuanrong Crossbow.

• Xu Qingtong raised four of the Five Elements Divine Seals to supreme grade treasures, but a mistake ruined the Xuanming Seal and injured him.
• Xu Qingtong recovered, crafted a new Xuanming Seal, gave it an artifact spirit, and raised it to supreme grade.
• Xu Qingtong spent nearly two months crafting over a hundred True Qi Armor Talismans before meeting Du Siwen and Dongfang Hui outside his room.
• Xu Qingtong tested his Yin-Yang and Five Elements Formation, and Du Siwen's attacks failed to break through it.
• Xu Qingtong's True Qi Armor Talisman withstood attacks from Du Siwen and Dongfang Hui, after which he summoned a pagoda barrier and asked Du Siwen to use the Yuanrong Crossbow.

Xu Qingtong prepared to undergo his Spirit Transformation tribulation at the Immortal Lord’s Villa, relying on his Jade Ruyi and the help of Du Siwen and Dongfang Hui. As the tribulation clouds gathered, he was suddenly transported to Swallowtail Peak in Gloomwind Valley, where Yu Tiancheng called him over.

• Xu Qingtong demonstrated that his Jade Ruyi’s Pagoda Phantom Shadow could withstand a Yuanrong Bolt, then explained that he had obtained the treasure from a stone coffin on Lakeside Island.
• Xu Qingtong decided to undergo his tribulation inside the villa, and the three chose an open space before Sea Cloud Hall in hopes the tribulation might weaken its formation.
• Dongfang Hui set up a five elements Spirit-Gathering Formation while Du Siwen stayed nearby to support Xu Qingtong.
• Xu Qingtong meditated in the formation for five days until tribulation clouds gathered over the villa.
• Xu Qingtong suddenly found himself on Swallowtail Peak in Gloomwind Valley, where Yu Tiancheng’s voice called him over.

Xu Qingtong passed his heart and demonic tribulations, then answered the Heavenly Dao’s questions about his path. As he completed the Dao tribulation, purple lightning began to descend.

• Xu Qingtong calmly faced figures from his past during his heart tribulation and passed it after two days.
• An Outer Heavenly Demon entered Xu Qingtong’s Niwang Palace, but the Wordless Heart Sutra quieted his three poisons, and the Pure-Heart Snow Lotus destroyed it.
• Xu Qingtong began the Dao tribulation and declared that his path was the Dao of humanity.
• Xu Qingtong answered the Heavenly Dao with the seven virtues that guided his conduct and cultivation.
• A bolt of purple tribulation lightning descended as Xu Qingtong’s thunder tribulation began.

Xu Qingtong endured the Five Elements Tribulation and faced a renewed, more powerful Thunder Tribulation after the Immortal Mansion’s protective formation collapsed. He continued resisting the lightning with the Five Elements Divine Seals as the Heavenly Dao regarded him as a heretic for his answer during the Dao Tribulation.

• Xu Qingtong blocked the wood and fire tribulations with the Five Elements Divine Seals, using metal to counter wood and a water curtain to resist fire.
• Xu Qingtong trapped the earth dragon with vines, but survived its sudden disappearance and the earth spikes that attacked from within enclosing earth walls.
• Xu Qingtong replenished his magic power, then endured the Metal and Water Tribulations a day later.
• Xu Qingtong weathered the first two lightning bolts with his body, but the intensified Thunder Tribulation struck for four hours and shattered the Immortal Mansion’s grand formation.
• Xu Qingtong steadied himself and drove the Five Elements Divine Seals to resist the lightning as the Heavenly Dao judged him a heretic.

Xu Qingtong endured an exceptionally long Thunder Tribulation, exhausted his defenses, and reached a breakthrough through unity of Heaven and man. Dongfang Hui was gravely injured shielding him, but Xu Qingtong completed Spirit Transformation and cast the Non-Form Seal to move her out of danger.

• Xu Qingtong used the Five Elements Divine Seals, True Qi Armor Talismans, the Heaven and Earth Bowl, and the Jade Exquisite to withstand successive bolts of tribulation lightning.
• After exhausting his talismans, Xu Qingtong entered the state of unity of Heaven and man and allowed the lightning to strike him without defending himself.
• Dongfang Hui rushed to Xu Qingtong and shielded him from the tribulation lightning, then collapsed after being struck.
• Xu Qingtong completed the final step of Spirit Transformation and used the Non-Form Seal to send Dongfang Hui out of the Tribulation Transcendence area.
• Du Siwen caught Dongfang Hui and gave her an elixir pill while Xu Qingtong endured the remaining lightning, troubled by her sacrifice.

Xu Qingtong attained Spirit Transformation after surviving the tribulation, while Dongfang Hui recovered from her injuries with his help. When she woke, she had lost her memories, though she still recognized Xu Qingtong as her junior brother and future husband.

• Dongfang Hui recovered enough to learn that Xu Qingtong had survived, while he used the immortal light to complete his tribulation and attain Spirit Transformation.
• Xu Qingtong's Spirit Infant rose into the sky, sensed the Central Province, and narrowly protected itself from the fierce gang winds before returning to his body.
• Xu Qingtong learned that Dongfang Hui had shielded him from the tribulation and had nearly died, so he gave her a Spirit-Nourishing Pill while Du Siwen helped her refine it.
• After two days, Dongfang Hui woke with no memory of Du Siwen or herself, but she still identified Xu Qingtong as her junior brother and future husband.
• While Du Siwen comforted the confused Dongfang Hui, Xu Qingtong meditated, stabilizing his cultivation and examining his strengthened divine sense and deeper understanding of the Time Law.

After Xu Qingtong finished stabilizing his cultivation, he discovered that Dongfang Hui had lost her memories and now believed she was his betrothed. Du Siwen urged him to marry Dongfang Hui, but Xu Qingtong refused to take advantage of her condition and left their future unresolved.

• Xu Qingtong found Dongfang Hui healthy but suffering from memory loss, and she accepted Du Siwen as her blood sister.
• Xu Qingtong brought Dongfang Hui back to the Ink Bamboo Studio, gave her a copy of the One Qi Primordial Unity Art, and left when she asked him to stay.
• Du Siwen explained that Dongfang Hui had been injured while helping Xu Qingtong endure his tribulation, damaging her sea of consciousness and erasing her memories.
• Xu Qingtong vowed to find a cure for Dongfang Hui or care for her for the rest of his life.
• Du Siwen proposed that Xu Qingtong marry Dongfang Hui as well as remain her Dao companion, but Xu Qingtong refused to exploit Dongfang Hui's memory loss.

After reaching Spirit Transformation, Xu Qingtong stayed at the Immortal Lord's Villa to care for Dongfang Hui and investigate her injuries. He found her memories almost completely erased, then explored the villa and began breaking into the Ink Fragrance Pavilion.

• Xu Qingtong decided to remain at the Immortal Lord's Villa rather than return to Central Province while Dongfang Hui was injured.
• Xu Qingtong examined Dongfang Hui's niwang palace and found her sea of consciousness nearly blank, with only her engagement to him and their relationship as senior and junior disciples remaining.
• Xu Qingtong taught Dongfang Hui the One Qi Primordial Unity Art and told Du Siwen that healing her would be very difficult.
• Xu Qingtong asked Du Siwen to watch over Dongfang Hui while he explored the villa's damaged formations.
• Xu Qingtong tried Shi Xin's Token on the Ink Fragrance Pavilion's formation, then struck it with the Fengyi Sword and cracked it.

Xu Qingtong broke into the Ink Fragrance Pavilion and collected many texts and treasures, but the third floor’s protections destroyed the jade slips he tried to retrieve. After returning to the Ink Bamboo Studio, he gave Dongfang Hui formation texts to study and faced Du Siwen’s reminder to decide between them.

• Xu Qingtong broke the Ink Fragrance Pavilion’s outer formation and collected jade slips from its first two floors.
• Xu Qingtong broke through to the third floor, but the jade slips there shattered when he forced open their protective formations.
• Xu Qingtong gave up on reaching the fourth floor and later gathered treasures from several other halls, though he could not open the Sea Cloud Hall.
• Xu Qingtong returned to the Ink Bamboo Studio, where Dongfang Hui embraced him and asked him to take her along next time he left.
• Xu Qingtong gave Dongfang Hui formation texts to study, and Du Siwen urged him to make up his mind about his choice between them.