Chapter Summaries

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen joined a patrol near Worryfree Valley and discovered that a town had been struck by ghost cultivators. As three black-clad cultivators approached their hiding place, Xu Qingtong sensed another pursuer behind them and prepared to fight.

• Gong Chu told Xu Qingtong that the Sect had ordered qualified disciples to patrol in pairs, and Xu Qingtong gave him Soul-Piercing Nails for his patrol with Junior Sister Huang.
• Xu Qingtong brought ghost-fighting artifacts to Du Siwen and told her that Old Man Dong had taken Dongfang Hui away, possibly to Central Province.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen registered as patrol partners and set out toward the area near Worryfree Valley.
• In a town where people had died and fled because of hauntings, Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen hid in an empty house until nightfall.
• Xu Qingtong detected three approaching black-clad cultivators and another person behind them, then assigned Du Siwen one opponent while he planned to handle the other two.
• The ninth-layer black-clad cultivator stopped near their hiding place and said he smelled the living.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen defeated three Worryfree Valley disciples, but their old acquaintance Tian Zongfei escaped with one of the souls. After fleeing and resting, they encountered a larger Worryfree Valley group, including a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and prepared to fight.

• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen defeated three Worryfree Valley disciples and captured their souls, but Tian Zongfei appeared and collected one before escaping.
• Xu Qingtong recognized Tian Zongfei as an old acquaintance who had joined Worryfree Valley, and he and Du Siwen collected the defeated disciples’ belongings before leaving town.
• Xu Qingtong gave Du Siwen a cleansed Soul Refining Pot and shared the Spirit Stones and other useful items with her as they rested in a temporary cave.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen encountered six Worryfree Valley cultivators, including one at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, who had already spotted them.
• Xu Qingtong told Du Siwen to hold off the five Qi Refining cultivators while he dealt with the Foundation Establishment cultivator, and warned her to use her Soul-Piercing Nails and stay safe.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen defeated six Worryfree Valley cultivators, then took shelter in an abandoned temple, where Xu Qingtong revealed Xiao Qi’s identity to his senior sister. After dividing the spoils, they set off back to the Sect.

• Xu Qingtong and Xiao Qi killed the Foundation Establishment cultivator with the Soul Refining Pot and Soul-Piercing Nails while Du Siwen fought five Qi Refining cultivators.
• Xu Qingtong used the Goumang Seal and Xuanming Seal against the remaining cultivators, and he and Du Siwen killed them and collected their yin souls.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen cleared the battlefield and flew southeast until they found an abandoned temple to rest in.
• Xu Qingtong introduced Xiao Qi to Du Siwen as a Double-Pupiled Bird and warned her to keep Xiao Qi’s identity secret.
• Du Siwen and Xu Qingtong searched the six Storage Bags, divided the spoils, and then decided to return to the Sect.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen captured a Worryfree Valley scout outside Gloomwind Valley, and Yu Tiancheng discovered the scout had come to contact a traitor inside the Sect. The chapter ends with Yu Tiancheng identifying Chai Long as the contact and suspecting his involvement in the earlier attack on the Forefather.

• Xu Qingtong used Xiao Qi’s warning to spot a concealed Worryfree Valley scout and coordinated with Du Siwen to ambush him.
• Xu Qingtong struck the scout with Soul-Piercing Nails and a Divine Sense Thorn, then trapped him in ice with the Xuanming Seal.
• Du Siwen returned to Gloomwind Valley to report the capture, while Xu Qingtong discovered the scout’s concealment cloak was a spirit artifact.
• Yu Tiancheng freed the scout, stopped him from self-detonating, and killed him after searching his memories.
• Yu Tiancheng told Fang Tianqi that a traitor within the Sect had been meeting the scout, then identified Chai Long as the contact and suspected his role in the attack on the Forefather.

Yu Tiancheng and Fang Tianqi exposed Chai Long as a traitor, and Dongfang Jin punished him while sparing his life. With Worryfree Valley growing stronger and Dongfang Jin injured, the sect prepared to open the Creation Pool to strengthen its disciples.

• Fang Tianqi and Yu Tiancheng reported their suspicions about Chai Long to Dongfang Jin and presented the captured Man in Black as evidence.
• Chai Long denied knowing the Man in Black until Yu Tiancheng revealed that he had searched the man's soul; Chai Long then attacked Yu Tiancheng and tried to swallow a black bead.
• Dongfang Jin and Yu Tiancheng subdued Chai Long, and Dongfang Jin ordered his cultivation crippled and expelled him from the sect.
• Fang Tianqi destroyed Chai Long's dantian and escorted him out of the sect, while Dongfang Jin entrusted the sect's security to Yu Tiancheng because of his injuries.
• Dongfang Jin ordered Fang Tianqi to select loyal ninth-layer Qi Refining disciples for the Creation Pool, warning that Worryfree Valley's forces and evil cultivation threatened Bingzhou and Qingzhou.

Dongfang Jin arranged for multiple early-stage cultivators to be raised to defend against Worryfree Valley, and Xu Qingtong was selected to enter the Creation Pool. Xu Qingtong gave Du Siwen Foundation Establishment Pills, then joined her and the other disciples as Fang Tianqi led them toward the pool.

• Dongfang Jin decided that raising several early-stage cultivators would better counter Worryfree Valley than nurturing one late-stage cultivator, and ordered Fang Tianqi to include Xu Qingtong in the Creation Pool arrangements.
• Xu Qingtong turned in his mission and spent all his contribution points on two sets of Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients after Elder Li approved the exchange.
• Gong Chu told Xu Qingtong that he and Du Siwen were to enter the Creation Pool in three days, while he had to wait until a later opportunity because he had not reached the ninth Qi Refining layer.
• Xu Qingtong refined Foundation Establishment Pills and gave Du Siwen three, including a high-grade pill, before they went to the Council Hall.
• Fang Tianqi announced that each selected disciple would receive a Foundation Establishment Pill and must leave the Creation Pool after reaching Foundation Establishment, then led the group toward Gloomwind Valley.

Xu Qingtong entered the Creation Pool and, while appearing to sleep, comprehended the relationship between the five elements and yin and yang. After a prolonged cultivation, he broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm and reunited with Du Siwen, who had waited for him at the entrance.

• Fang Tianqi opened the forbidden grounds, and the disciples entered the Creation Pool to cultivate.
• Xu Qingtong pretended to sleep while sensing the world, then arranged his five Dao Heart Seeds and formed a spinning black-and-white mass in his dantian.
• Du Siwen broke through to Foundation Establishment and left the pool, while Xu Qingtong remained unaware in his cultivation state.
• Xu Qingtong awoke after an unknown time and absorbed the remaining spiritual qi, refining it until his dantian expanded and he reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.
• Xu Qingtong found Du Siwen waiting at the entrance, thanked and embraced her, and agreed to return with her to Swallowtail Peak.

Xu Qingtong achieved Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment after contemplating the five elements in the Creation Pool, and Yu Tiancheng explained why it differed from Human Dao Foundation Establishment. Xu Qingtong easily defeated Du Siwen in a spar, and Yu Tiancheng asked what he planned to do next.

• Xu Qingtong returned to Swallowtail Peak and told Yu Tiancheng that he had established his foundation without taking a Foundation Establishment Pill.
• Xu Qingtong explained how he contemplated the five elements before absorbing spiritual qi in the Creation Pool, and Yu Tiancheng identified his breakthrough as Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment.
• Yu Tiancheng explained that Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment could lead to immortality, while Human Dao Foundation Establishment made attaining the Great Dao almost impossible.
• Du Siwen sparred with Xu Qingtong, but his Houtu Seal blocked her attacks and his Object-Controlling Art and Star Plucker Sword overwhelmed her defenses.
• Yu Tiancheng said his Life-Bound Treasure would be ready in about a week, then asked Xu Qingtong what he planned to do after reaching Foundation Establishment.

Xu Qingtong prepared to leave the Sect with Du Siwen to gain experience and protect his relatives from Worryfree Valley. After gathering supplies and saying goodbye to Gong Chu, they set out for the mortal world, where Xu Qingtong hoped to visit his maternal uncle and aunt.

• Xu Qingtong asked Yu Tiancheng for permission to leave, and Du Siwen persuaded him to let her join him.
• Yu Tiancheng warned Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen to keep his Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment secret and told Xu Qingtong to look after his senior sister.
• Xu Qingtong gave Gong Chu a Storage Bag of useful items before returning to prepare elixirs, artifacts, and Soul-Piercing Nails.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen bought materials with his contribution points, then spent half a month completing their preparations.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen left the Sect and flew northwest as Xu Qingtong told her about his maternal uncle, aunt, and cousin.

Xu Qingtong returned to Houtang Town and found his family grieving amid a wave of unexplained deaths. After healing his uncle, he identified Worryfree Valley as the likely cause and promised to stop the killings.

• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen arrived in desolate Houtang Town, where Chen Ruoling tearfully welcomed him and led him to his uncle.
• Xu Qingtong found Chen Jialiang bedridden, diagnosed his condition, and treated him until he could sit up and recover.
• Chen Jialiang told Xu Qingtong that people had been dying mysteriously in nearby villages and that Huang Yifei and his son had disappeared while investigating.
• Xu Qingtong connected the deaths to Worryfree Valley gathering Yin Souls and recognized Huang Yifei as the man whose family had once been killed by villains.
• Xu Qingtong promised to end the deaths, and Du Siwen introduced herself to Chen Jialiang as Xu Qingtong's senior sister and offered to call him Uncle.

Xu Qingtong reunited with his family and learned that evil cultivators had murdered his cousin Chen Ruoling’s husband and son. He promised to seek revenge and began planning to help Chen Ruoling cultivate, while preparing to investigate the nearby market the next morning.

• Xu Qingtong reassured Chen Jialiang that he understood the deaths were murders by someone using evil methods and promised to prevent further killings.
• Xu Qingtong arranged for Du Siwen to stay in his old room and told Chen Ruoling he would avenge her husband and son, who had been killed by evil cultivators from the Immortal Sect.
• Chen Ruoling asked to learn immortal arts, and Xu Qingtong offered to help transform her constitution despite the danger and pain.
• Xu Qingtong examined Chen Ruoling’s meridians and discovered her unusual affinity for fire spiritual power.
• Xu Qingtong planned to find red-leaf flamegrass at Biluozong Market and devise a safe way for Chen Ruoling to take a Sinew-Building Elixir.
• Xu Qingtong, Du Siwen, and the family shared dinner, with Chen Ruoling warmly filling Du Siwen’s bowl with food.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen ambushed Worryfree Valley cultivators approaching town, then Xu Qingtong discovered another group and learned that their Venerable Lord was gathering yin souls to advance his cultivation. As Xu Qingtong prepared to attack the second group with Xiao Qi, Elder Hu sensed his presence.

• Xu Qingtong detected six Worryfree Valley cultivators approaching town and alerted Du Siwen, then they planned an ambush.
• Du Siwen and Xu Qingtong killed the Foundation Establishment cultivator and captured his soul before eliminating the five Qi Refining cultivators with Xiao Qi’s help.
• Xu Qingtong left Du Siwen to clean up and protect his uncle’s household while he flew west to investigate.
• Xu Qingtong overheard Elder Hu and two others discussing the Venerable Lord’s need for yin souls and Elder Hu’s plans to advance to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
• Xu Qingtong coordinated a surprise attack with Xiao Qi, but Elder Hu sensed him and demanded that he come out.

After killing Elder Hu and two other Worryfree Valley cultivators, Xu Qingtong learned that the Venerable Lord was gathering yin souls to break through to late-stage Golden Core. He moved his uncle’s family near Gloomwind Valley and alerted his master, then set out to seek a rare herb at a dangerous Market.

• Xu Qingtong killed Elder Hu with his techniques and defeated the two Qi Refining cultivators who fled, then collected the battlefield’s spoils.
• Xu Qingtong told Du Siwen about Worryfree Valley’s growing strength and its Venerable Lord’s planned breakthrough, and they agreed to move his relatives to safety.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen brought Chen Jialiang’s family to a vacant house in Li Family Village near Gloomwind Valley.
• Xu Qingtong informed Yu Tiancheng that Worryfree Valley was slaughtering mortals for yin souls, and Yu Tiancheng decided to consult Martial Uncle Dongfang about joining forces with the other sects.
• Xu Qingtong searched the Four-Hall for red-leaf flamegrass for a Sinew-Building Elixir, found none, and decided to risk visiting the Market.

Xu Qingtong visited the Market to buy rare materials and supplies, and Zhang Qing gathered everything on his list for forty-two thousand spirit stones. Xu Qingtong also searched Wind Valley Hall for a flying magical artifact, and the assistant returned with another item for him to inspect.

• Xu Qingtong traveled safely to the Market and went to Wind Valley Hall to ask for red-leaf flamegrass.
• Zhang Qing recognized Xu Qingtong as a Gloomwind Valley senior and agreed to search the Market for the rare materials he wanted.
• While waiting, Xu Qingtong asked the assistant about flying magical artifacts and examined several items in Jade Boxes.
• Zhang Qing returned with everything on Xu Qingtong's list and quoted a price of forty-two thousand spirit stones.
• Xu Qingtong asked to see more flying artifacts, and the assistant brought him a jade case.

Xu Qingtong bought an Ink Cloud Shuttle, a Little Four Symbols Formation, and two Desperate Escape Talismans before flying to Li Family Village. He checked on his recovered uncle and warned him to stay indoors because the outside was dangerous.

• Xu Qingtong examined the Ink Cloud Shuttle and Little Four Symbols Formation at the shop while waiting for Zhang Qing to return.
• Zhang Qing sold Xu Qingtong the shuttle, formation, and the shop’s two Desperate Escape Talismans for a total of forty-three thousand spirit stones.
• Xu Qingtong activated the Ink Cloud Shuttle and flew southwest to Li Family Village.
• Xu Qingtong found Chen Jialiang practicing a fist technique and told him to avoid going outside while it was unsafe.

Xu Qingtong set up the Little Four Symbols Formation to protect his uncle’s home and made identity pendants so his family could enter and leave. After returning to Gloomwind Valley with Du Siwen, he was summoned by his master, Yu Tiancheng, for an important matter.

• Xu Qingtong installed the Little Four Symbols Formation and proved its strength when Du Siwen’s attacks failed to break through.
• Xu Qingtong made identity pendants for Chen Ruoling, Du Siwen, and his uncle’s family, and left spirit stones to power the formation.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen shared a meal with his uncle’s family before departing for the Sect on the Ink Cloud Shuttle.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen arrived at Swallowtail Peak, where Yu Tiancheng summoned them to meet him about an important matter.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen prepared a team for the operation against Worryfree Valley, then traveled to Gaoqi Town to begin their assigned advance. The chapter left them settled in town, where Xu Qingtong asked Du Siwen about two of their teammates’ abilities.

• Yu Tiancheng told Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen that the three sects would send teams to eradicate evil cultivators outside Worryfree Valley, and ordered them to serve together.
• Xu Qingtong refined Soul-Piercing Nails and elixirs while Du Siwen recruited six Qi Refining disciples, including Gong Chu, Huang Yiqing, and Chen Qian.
• Xu Qingtong distributed supplies and assigned the disciples roles, including collecting souls, trapping Qi Refining enemies, and using Soul-Piercing Nails.
• Yu Tiancheng instructed Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen to reach Gaoqi Town and advance northeast, warning them to avoid confronting Foundation Establishment late stage opponents directly.
• Xu Qingtong flew with Du Siwen and the six disciples to Gaoqi Town, found an unoccupied residence, and asked Du Siwen about Lei Wei and Lü Chengbin.

Xu Qingtong split the disciples into two squads to search for black-clad enemies and led a successful ambush against a Foundation Establishment cultivator and four Qi Refining disciples. After the squads regrouped in a village, Chen Qian sensed that something was wrong, leaving the danger unresolved.

• Xu Qingtong divided the eight disciples into two groups, pairing stronger and weaker fighters while keeping the squads within range of his divine sense.
• Xu Qingtong ambushed five black-clad men, using his techniques and magical seals to kill their Foundation Establishment leader and immobilize the four Qi Refining disciples.
• Chen Qian captured the enemies' souls as Lü Chengbin and Ding Jiayue finished off the four remaining men.
• Du Siwen arrived after the battle, and the disciples continued their search before entering a village to rest.
• Xu Qingtong sensed that something was amiss in the village, and Chen Qian warned him that something was wrong.

Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen resisted a poison attack and uncovered Lü Chengbin as a spy from Worryfree Valley. They defeated Lü Chengbin and wounded Tian Zongfei, but his Yin Soul escaped, and Xu Qingtong hurried to help the poisoned disciples recover.

• Xu Qingtong used scale flower grass to neutralize the poison in himself and secretly gave a leaf to Du Siwen, while their companions collapsed.
• Tian Zongfei arrived with Lü Chengbin, revealed their scheme, and sent Lü to finish off the Qi Refining disciples while he attacked Du Siwen.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen fought back; Du deflected Tian Zongfei's Flying Sword, and Xu shattered his shield, forcing him to abandon his body and flee as a Yin Soul.
• Xu Qingtong froze Lü Chengbin with the Xuanming Seal, and Du Siwen killed him before Xu captured his soul in the Soul Refining Pot.
• Xu Qingtong told Du Siwen that Tian Zongfei had escaped and gave her scale flower grass leaves to treat the poisoned disciples.

After helping his companions purge the poison, Xu Qingtong scouted the nearby groups and urged them to rest until daylight. He found Zhuang Shengren’s group fleeing three powerful enemies and secretly joined their attempt to turn the fight around.

• Du Siwen and Xu Qingtong fed Scale Flower Grass to their poisoned companions, who recovered and purged the remaining poison.
• Xu Qingtong left to scout, met Guo Tianyu, and proposed that the groups rest and reinforce their patrols until daybreak.
• Xu Qingtong found Zhuang Shengren and his group fleeing three black-clothed cultivators, with Elder Li Yiping pursued behind them.
• Xu Qingtong concealed himself and told Zhuang Shengren to join forces with Li Yiping while he ambushed an enemy.
• Zhuang Shengren and Li Yiping stopped to face their pursuers, and Li Yiping opened the fight with a sword slash.