Chapter Summaries

Xiao Mao reached the twelfth layer of Qi Cultivation and began nurturing his divine sense with a secret art from Yuan Zhiming. In the Thunder Control Sect, Xue Xue prepared to seek Xiao Hua in Mingxi, while Qian Diheng tried to send a message to the Huanhua Sect and the talisman suddenly flew away.

• Yuan Zhiming taught Xiao Mao a secret art and told him to strengthen his divine sense before preparing for trials.
• Xiao Mao thought of Xiao Hua’s fame and resolved to surprise him when they met again.
• Qian Diheng, Xun Shu, and Xue Xue lamented that the sect had failed to investigate Xiao Hua’s disappearance or punish Kun Feiyan.
• Xue Xue revealed her plan to go to Mingxi for trials and see Xiao Hua, even if it meant entering the wind cave.
• Xue Xue asked Qian Diheng to deliver a message to the Huanhua Sect, but the yellow talisman turned crimson and shot out of the room.

Xiao Hua and Fairy Hongxia spent their last months together in Cold Ice Valley, discussing his unusual cultivation and her progress before agreeing to separate so she could seek guidance from Cai Qin. They parted with hopes of finding their origins and meeting again, while Xiao Hua expected to establish his foundation in four or five years.

• Fairy Hongxia asked Xiao Hua about his growing magical power, and he explained that he cultivated through additional meridians despite remaining at Qi Cultivation.
• Xiao Hua and Fairy Hongxia discussed her completed Ice Wind cultivation method, his foundation establishment, and their plan to pursue cultivation so they could be together longer.
• After several months, Xiao Hua urged Fairy Hongxia to seek Cai Qin's guidance because her Ice Phoenix Cultivation Method had reached great completion, while he expected to establish his foundation in four or five years.
• Fairy Hongxia said the Cai family's secret spirit talisman and their Phoenix Dharma Bodies would help them find each other, and promised to search for Xiao Hua's origins despite his lost memories.
• Fairy Hongxia warned Xiao Hua not to tell Xiao Xianrui that Cai Qin was her mother, explaining that her master wanted the secret kept.

Xiao Hua parted from Fairy Hongxia in Cold Ice Valley and prepared to escape the Huanhua Sect disguised as Yun Zichong. Near the mountain gate, he waited for a passing Qi Cultivation disciple, intending to use the disguise to get out.

• Fairy Hongxia reassured Xiao Hua that her advancement to mid Foundation Establishment would offset her past mistakes, then flew to Peach Blossom Valley to visit her master.
• Xiao Hua reflected on his arrival at Cold Ice Valley and the mysterious disappearance of the Netherworld Lotus roots from his space.
• Xiao Hua decided to return to the Thunder Control Sect, transformed himself into Yun Zichong, and flew toward the Huanhua Sect's mountain gate using Bright Thunder Evasion.
• Xiao Hua traveled along Fairy Hongxia's remote route and waited near the mountain gate until a Qi Cultivation disciple flew past.

Xiao Hua posed as Yun Zichong and met Feng Yi, who offered him Cloud Gold Sap and a token inviting him to the Feng Family of Fengzhu. After deciding to visit Weeping Moon City to check on a commissioned magical artifact, Xiao Hua disguised himself as Feng Yi and headed for the Huanhua Sect’s mountain gate.

• Xiao Hua intercepted Feng Yi, who congratulated him on his supposed Foundation Establishment and awakened Flame Dragon bloodline.
• Feng Yi gave Xiao Hua Cloud Gold Sap and a token inviting him to visit the Feng Family of Fengzhu and receive a promised gift.
• Xiao Hua concealed his intentions, accepted the invitation, and warned Feng Yi not to reveal their meeting or the gifts.
• Xiao Hua remembered the defensive magical artifact he had commissioned in Weeping Moon City five years earlier and decided to go there first.
• Xiao Hua changed his appearance to Feng Yi’s and reached the Huanhua Sect’s mountain gate, where Zeng Pi greeted him as Senior Brother.

Xiao Hua disguised as Feng Yi entered the Huanhua Sect’s mountain-gate palace to report his departure, but a disciple who knew Feng Yi recognized inconsistencies in his story. The chapter ended with Xiao Hua trying to explain himself while the palace’s restrictions and guards made escape risky.

• Xiao Hua observed the palace’s powerful restrictions and realized he could not force his way out of the Huanhua Sect.
• Xiao Hua spoke with Zeng Pi while they waited to report, pretending to share Feng Yi’s worries about sect duties and Foundation Establishment.
• More disciples at the twelfth layer of Qi Cultivation gathered to leave, making Xiao Hua fear that someone might know Feng Yi.
• A disciple behind Xiao Hua called out to him as Feng Yi, and Zeng Pi confirmed the call by turning around.
• Xiao Hua tried to explain that he had remembered another task, but the disciple pointed out that Feng Yi had already arranged everything before going to see his master.

Xiao Hua left the Huanhua Sect’s mountain gate with Yu Tong and a group of twelfth-layer disciples, disguising himself as Feng Ying. Yu Tong revealed that their destination was the dangerous Sword Tomb, but kept the purpose of the mission secret.

• Yu Tong used a Huanhua Token to recruit the waiting twelfth-layer disciples as his escorts, offering them Foundation Establishment Pills.
• Xiao Hua left with the group, pleased to have an opportunity to get outside the sect.
• After they reached a secluded place, Yu Tong announced that the Sect Master had ordered him to lead the group to the Sword Tomb.
• Xiao Hua disguised himself as Feng Ying while introducing himself to Yu Tong and the other disciples.
• Zheng Ming asked why they were going to the Sword Tomb, but Yu Tong said he would explain the secret later.

Xiao Hua agreed to carry Yu Tong’s jade slip to Sword Tomb, but after leaving the group he abandoned the mission and headed toward Weeping Moon City. On the way, he examined Phoenix Illusion with the Eye of Delusion Breaking and was shocked by what he saw.

• Yu Tong chose Xiao Hua to deliver a restricted jade slip to Sword Tomb and bring back disciples sent to meet him.
• Xiao Hua accepted the jade slip and medicinal pills, then flew ahead under the name Feng Ying.
• After traveling for half a day, Xiao Hua put the jade slip into his space and changed course toward Weeping Moon City.
• Xiao Hua practiced Bright Thunder Evasion on the journey and examined Phoenix Illusion, finding nothing unusual with his divine sense.
• Xiao Hua opened the Eye of Delusion Breaking and looked at Phoenix Illusion, then reacted with shock.

Xiao Hua discovered the hidden control formula inside the Phoenix Illusion, learned how to use it, and returned to Weeping Moon City. There, a passing thought about having a home and spiritual tea startled him, and Xia Ming began inspecting the token for the item Xiao Hua had commissioned.

• Xiao Hua used his Eye of Delusion Breaking to find a hidden formula in the Phoenix Illusion, waiting through repeated six-hour intervals to confirm its wording.
• Xiao Hua comprehended the formula, concluded the Phoenix Illusion was an Auspicious Jade Talisman, and resumed his journey to Weeping Moon City.
• Xiao Hua entered Weeping Moon City and went to Clever Crafts Workshop to collect the item he had entrusted to Xia Ming.
• While drinking spiritual tea, Xiao Hua suddenly wondered when he had ever had a home and why it had spiritual tea, but he could not recover any memories about it.
• Xia Ming inspected Xiao Hua's token and the workshop's records, appearing surprised.

Xiao Hua went to Clever Crafts Workshop to collect the spirit armor he had commissioned, and the Golden Core cultivator who refined it revealed that hidden materials in Xiao Hua’s damaged treasures had required extra work and resources. The cultivator demanded additional spirit stones before Xiao Hua could take the armor, leaving Xiao Hua in a difficult position.

• Xia Ming explained that Clever Crafts Workshop had preserved Xiao Hua’s entrusted item and summoned the Golden Core cultivator responsible for refining it.
• While they waited, Xia Ming served Xiao Hua a Mortal Realm Fruit, whose changing flavors brought Xiao Hua a moment of insight and delight.
• The Golden Core cultivator recognized Xiao Hua’s token and handed over the completed spirit armor, which Xiao Hua eagerly inspected.
• The cultivator stopped Xiao Hua from taking the armor and explained that hidden contents in Xiao Hua’s damaged treasures had required extra materials and three years of work.
• The Golden Core cultivator said Xiao Hua would need to pay more spirit stones to claim the armor, leaving Xiao Hua unsure what to do.

Xiao Hua received the spirit armor from Xie Angong after compensating him with magical artifacts and spirit herbs, then refined it and met Chang Feiyan again in Weeping Moon City. Chang Feiyan invited Xiao Hua to a teahouse and began asking for his help.

• Xiao Hua gave Xie Angong two magical artifacts and five spirit herbs as compensation, and Xie Angong rewarded him with the spirit armor’s instructions and a personal token.
• Xiao Hua learned that one herb was Guili Grass, which Xie Angong needed for refining the Nascent Soul Pill, and revealed his name to him.
• Xiao Hua spent several days refining the spirit armor, which bound itself to his body after he infused it with his blood essence.
• Xiao Hua encountered Chang Feiyan outside the secret Bidding Convention site, and they exchanged greetings and discussed Xiao Hua’s cultivation.
• Chang Feiyan invited Xiao Hua into a quiet teahouse room and said he had a matter for which he wanted Xiao Hua’s help.

Xiao Hua gave Chang Feiyan his two-thousand-year Ling Yi Grass, which Chang needed for a friend’s descendant preparing to form a core. Chang offered Xiao Hua a token and a promise from a peak Golden Core cultivator, leaving Xiao Hua with a powerful favor to claim.

• Chang Feiyan asked whether Xiao Hua still had the Ling Yi Grass, and Xiao Hua confirmed he had kept it since the last secret bidding gathering.
• Xiao Hua handed Chang Feiyan the Ling Yi Grass without first asking for an exchange, surprising Chang Feiyan with his trust.
• Chang Feiyan explained that a friend of Fairy Weeping Moon needed Ling Yi Grass for a descendant who was about to form a core.
• Chang Feiyan gave Xiao Hua the jade token of a senior and told him it represented a promise from a peak Golden Core cultivator.

Xiao Hua learned from Chang Feiyan about the sword cultivators’ movements and the location of the pill formula he sought, then left Weeping Moon City for the Thunder Control Sect. On the way, he spotted someone who might have been Fu He and encountered disciples heading to the Foundation Establishment trial.

• Chang Feiyan gave Xiao Hua a jade pendant representing a Golden Core cultivator’s favor and said the pill formula he sought could be found in Myriad Flowers Valley, where access required Foundation Establishment or higher.
• Chang Feiyan told Xiao Hua that Duan Yuming had obtained the flying sword and that a female sword cultivator, possibly Zhang Yutong or Zhang Yuhe, had been seen heading toward the Sword Tomb.
• Xiao Hua left Weeping Moon City and spotted a familiar face he thought might be Fu He entering a Teleportation Array, but the array’s destination was uncertain.
• Xiao Hua traveled toward the Thunder Control Sect while thinking about finding Fu He and helping him with his family’s inherited spirit talismans.
• Xiao Hua met Gen Yu and other Thunder Control Sect disciples on their way to the Foundation Establishment trial and wished them success while urging them to value their lives.

Xiao Hua received a sound transmission talisman and sent a reply toward the Thunder Control Sect, revealing that he was alive and returning. At the sect, Qian Diheng, Xun Shu, and Xue Xue learned of his return, but were interrupted by visits from Wang Yunxiao, Yuan Bo, and Min Ge, who then offered to join them in welcoming him.

• Gen Yu and the other disciples left Xiao Hua after discussing his failed foundation establishment, while Gen Yu wondered about the sound transmission talismans Xiao Hua had used.
• Qian Diheng's Lightning Bolt Sound Transmission Talisman reached Xun Lei Palace, and Qian Diheng and Xun Shu realized Xiao Hua was alive; Xue Xue's ordinary talisman failed to reach him.
• Qian Diheng, Xun Shu, and Xue Xue set out to welcome Xiao Hua but were summoned to meet Wang Yunxiao, Yuan Bo, and Min Ge.
• Xue Xue rebuffed Min Ge's visit, and Qian Diheng told the three Foundation Establishment cultivators that Xiao Hua was returning.
• Wang Yunxiao, Yuan Bo, and Min Ge reacted with delight and said they would join the others in welcoming Xiao Hua.

After nearly five years apart, Xiao Hua returned to the Thunder Control Sect and reunited with Qian Diheng, Xun Shu, and Xue Xue. Xue Xue embraced him, overwhelmed by joy and sorrow, and bit his neck as he cried out in pain.

• Xue Xue calmly refused to treat Xiao Hua as a Foundation Establishment senior, while Min Ge and Yuan Bo waited with Wang Yunxiao to see whether Xiao Hua had advanced.
• Qian Diheng received a transmission confirming Xiao Hua was alive and returning, and Wang Yunxiao and the others left before he arrived.
• Xiao Hua reached the Lei Mo Mountain Range at dusk, where Qian Diheng, Xun Shu, and Xue Xue had waited anxiously.
• Qian Diheng embraced Xiao Hua, and the two joked that neither had established a foundation; Xun Shu welcomed Xiao Hua through tears.
• Xue Xue threw herself into Xiao Hua's arms, wept over their long separation, and bit his neck hard.

Xiao Hua reunited with Xue Xue after five years and reassured her about his relationship with Fairy Hongxia. He then learned that Xun Shu and Qian Diheng had kept his share of the spoils from their last trial, and he offered to divide them among the three of them.

• Xiao Hua kissed Xue Xue, who confronted him about his years away and realized he had been with Fairy Hongxia.
• Xiao Hua told Xue Xue that Fairy Hongxia knew about her and had accepted her as a sister, then reassured her about their future together.
• Xiao Hua greeted Xun Shu and Qian Diheng on the mountain path and declined to discuss the dangerous events of his absence.
• Qian Diheng told Xiao Hua that the group had gained spoils from the disciples Xiao Hua defeated near Mingxi, and Xue Xue handed him his share.
• Xun Shu explained the sect's rules for keeping spoils from sect-related battles, and Xiao Hua offered to divide the stored goods equally among the three of them.

Xiao Hua reunited with Qian Diheng and Xun Shu, giving them Zhong Yaoru and secretly providing Xue Xue with another bottle. He then met his master Wu Nai and the arrogant new junior disciple Zhai Hongshen, whose contemptuous refusal of Xiao Hua’s gift left Xiao Hua facing renewed scorn over his failed Foundation Establishment.

• Xiao Hua gave Qian Diheng and Xun Shu Zhong Yaoru, and Xun Shu accepted her share after Xiao Hua revealed that he had another bottle for Xue Xue.
• Xiao Hua gave Xue Xue the bottle and told her to ask Xun Shu how to use it, and Xun Shu said it could help Xue Xue establish her foundation within five years.
• Xiangyang and Wu Nai arrived, and Wu Nai mocked Xiao Hua for returning without establishing his foundation while introducing Zhai Hongshen as his new disciple.
• Xiao Hua offered Zhai Hongshen a Foundation Establishment Pill, but Zhai Hongshen rejected it and implied Xiao Hua needed it more.
• Wu Nai criticized Xiao Hua for focusing on pills and spirit herbs, and Zhai Hongshen joined in by calling Xiao Hua’s path a cautionary example.

Xiao Hua returned to Myriad Thunder Valley after six years away and learned that Wunai had pinned his hopes on the rapidly advancing Zhai Hongshen. As Xiangyang brought him to visit his master's family, Xiao Hua began questioning why cultivation progress had changed so dramatically among the sect’s disciples.

• Xiangyang welcomed Xiao Hua back and took him toward Myriad Thunder Valley to see Master's wife and his senior sister-in-law.
• Xiangyang explained that Wunai had devoted himself to Zhai Hongshen after Xiao Hua was presumed dead, while the sect had focused its investigation on the Netherworld Lotus.
• Xiao Hua said he did not blame Zhai Hongshen and asked Xiangyang about the true spirit bloodlines of Cultivation families.
• Xiangyang told Xiao Hua that the Cui family had Lingque true blood and that Fairy Hongxia's family had Ice Phoenix true blood.
• Xiao Hua wondered whether bloodlines or other factors explained the sudden disparity in cultivation progress, then said he would return to East Ridge Medicine Garden to cultivate.
• Two streams of divine sense approached, and Xiangyang told Xiao Hua that Master's wife and his senior sister-in-law had arrived.

Xiao Hua returned to East Ridge Medicine Garden, found that only the Xiao Yan Grass had survived, and prepared the garden and his cave abode for further cultivation. After discovering that Xue Xue’s storage pouch contained the Leaf Sun Fan and Water Blue Bead, he refined both treasures, then examined the rapid growth of his Phoenix Dharma Body and found that it could no longer transform into the Great Vajra Dharma Body.

• Xiao Hua said farewell to Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian and flew back to East Ridge Medicine Garden, reflecting on Xun Shu’s feelings and his own plans for Foundation Establishment.
• Xiao Hua found that all the garden’s spiritual herbs except the Xiao Yan Grass had withered, and sent repaired puppets to tend the surviving fields.
• Xiao Hua checked the garden’s precautions, arranged its defenses, and prepared mature Xiao Yan Grass and Fire Marrow Blazing Crystals for cultivation.
• Xiao Hua found the Leaf Sun Fan and Water Blue Bead in Xue Xue’s storage pouch, refined them, and learned he could control either one but not both at once.
• Xiao Hua examined his Phoenix Dharma Body and saw that it had advanced, but it could no longer transform into the Great Vajra Dharma Body.

Xiao Hua practiced with his Phoenix Dharma Body and tried to cultivate the Soul Capturing Bells, but he could not master the technique. Elsewhere, a cultivator began crossing a heavenly tribulation and was shocked when unfamiliar red lightning broke through his defenses, making him suspect it resembled a Saint Tribulation.

• Xiao Hua practiced controlling his Phoenix Dharma Body and felt free to reveal it because it carried a true spirit bloodline.
• Xiao Hua attempted to control the Soul Capturing Bells with a basic soul cultivation technique, but the black threads snapped and he returned to studying the technique.
• A tribulation-crossing cultivator used the Demon Subduing Starly Cycle Array and a golden brick spirit treasure to defend against the opening lightning.
• Red lightning pierced the array and shattered the golden brick’s phantasmal images, then left a deep pit in the brick itself.
• The cultivator recognized the red bolt as resembling Saint Tribulation lightning, though he could not understand why it was targeting a human cultivator.

A human tribulation-transcending cultivator was destroyed when an unexpected demonic-beast Saint Tribulation struck, then Xunyunzi and True Person Shenyan discussed how changes in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi were reshaping cultivation on Xiaoyu Continent. The chapter ended with Xunyunzi revealing that he had considered joining other sects to exterminate the cultivation families.

• Red lightning destroyed the tribulation-transcending cultivator’s protective treasures, Nascent Soul, and fleshly body before the heavenly tribulation faded.
• Xunyunzi asked True Person Shenyan for advice about the Shanghua Sect’s development and described an aberration in Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
• Xunyunzi explained that qi-refining disciples from cultivation families had split into extremes, with some advancing rapidly and awakening their bloodlines while others struggled to cultivate.
• True Person Shenyan reasoned that the changes were linked to the Spiritual Qi aberration and noted that sect techniques still worked for family disciples who lacked their own Foundation Establishment techniques.
• Xunyunzi admitted that he had considered summoning other sects to discuss exterminating the cultivation families.