Chapter Summaries

After mastering the Yang Pupil, Lin Ke learned that True Person Hengshan had brought him information about the Giant Strength Fire Prison Sect’s competitors. Hengshan gave it to him to protect the future of the Essence-Burning Lineage, leaving Lin Ke to decide whether to accept the risky help.

• Lin Ke stopped Lin Xuanyuan and the Dream-Eating Gecko from fighting, then resumed cultivating the Yang Pupil and mastered its use half a day later.
• True Person Hengshan arrived at Golden Silkworm Peak and praised Lin Ke for becoming one of the Golden Wing Sect’s top ten prodigies.
• Hengshan told Lin Ke that more than a dozen dormant prodigies and freaks had emerged in the Giant Strength Fire Prison Sect for the Heavenly Pride Gathering.
• Hengshan explained that those powerful disciples belonged to other lineages, leaving the Essence-Burning Lineage with little chance to rise.
• Hengshan handed Lin Ke a jade token containing information about the Giant Strength Fire Prison Sect’s contenders, saying Lin Ke was the Essence-Burning Lineage’s sole inheritor and its future.

Lin Ke received secret information about the Golden Wing Sect’s prodigies from True Person Hengshan and went to check on Lin Can. He found that Lin Can had grown dramatically stronger and larger, and suspected she was nearing a breakthrough or metamorphosis.

• True Person Hengshan gave Lin Ke a Jade Token containing confidential information and urged him to study it without sharing it.
• Lin Ke agreed to keep the information secret and resolved to use it to prepare for the Heavenly Pride Gathering.
• Lin Ke arrived at Lin Can’s expanded cave and saw Spirit Insects bringing in large stores of food.
• Lin Can had grown into a hulking figure from eating insects and nearly crushed Lin Ke in an enthusiastic hug.
• Lin Ke noticed that Lin Can’s inner power had changed and wondered whether she was about to break through or undergo metamorphosis.

Lin Ke learned that Lin Can’s growing hunger might signal a breakthrough and that she craved something beyond insects. He gave her spirit stones to test his guess, and she eagerly chewed one but spat out the residue.

• Lin Ke suspected Lin Can was nearing a Golden Core breakthrough because her aura had begun fluctuating again.
• Lin Can told Lin Ke she felt endlessly hungry and craved warm, sparkling things like the ones he had kept near himself and buried around the Green Mulberry Garden.
• The Dream-Eating Gecko guessed that Lin Can wanted spirit stones or spirit materials, and Lin Ke offered to provide what she needed.
• Lin Can could not estimate how many spirit stones she needed and suggested filling her cave with them.
• Lin Ke gave Lin Can several spirit stones to test whether she could absorb them, and she bit into one, chewed it happily, then spat out the gray residue.

Lin Ke supplied Lin Can with spirit stones to help her cultivate, then studied intelligence about the Giant Strength Fire Prison Sect’s elite disciples. The revealed strength of their rivals made him more cautious and determined to train before the Heavenly Pride She Grand Gathering.

• Lin Ke gave Lin Can nearly a million low-grade spirit stones and promised to send more if she needed them.
• Lin Can eagerly ate the spirit stones while Lin Ke looked around her cave and noticed its storage, living, and recreation areas.
• Lin Ke asked Wu Yu to deliver spirit stones to Lin Can regularly and report back to him.
• Lin Ke examined Hengshan’s Jade Token and learned that many of the Giant Strength Fire Prison Sect’s top disciples had mastered powerful body-tempering divine abilities.
• Lin Ke realized the Golden Wing Sect’s elites faced a serious strength gap and resolved to make the most of the remaining time to cultivate.

Lin Ke trained his body-tempering arts to prepare to face the Giant Strength Fire Prison Sect, while the Dream-Eating Gecko demonstrated a powerful attack that combined object control, mental power, and spirit power. Lin Ke praised him and realized the Gecko had succeeded at a technique he himself could not master.

• Lin Ke decided to counter the Giant Strength Fire Prison Sect with body tempering and trained for five days, raising his apertures to 2,600 and his physical strength beyond the Nascent Soul Early Stage.
• The Dream-Eating Gecko finished cultivating the Object-Controlling Technique and demonstrated how he controlled stone fragments with mental power.
• The Gecko wrapped spirit power as well as mental power around the fragments, then detonated the spirit power to blast a deep breach through Lin Ke's metal-and-stone cave wall.
• The Gecko explained that his method could trigger a chain of internal explosions after breaking through an opponent's defenses, and asked Lin Ke for praise.
• Lin Ke praised the Gecko and reflected that, unlike the Gecko, he had failed to keep released mental and spirit power from dissipating.

Lin Ke assessed the Dream-Eating Gecko’s spell art and continued preparing for the Heavenly Pride Gathering. Zong Ya visited with cultivation pills and revealed she had become an officially recognized mid-grade alchemist, while Lin Ke prepared to leave for Dali Domain.

• Lin Ke learned that the Dream-Eating Gecko’s technique worked best within a thousand feet and urged him to keep refining it before the Heavenly Pride Gathering.
• Lin Ke resumed cultivating his mental techniques and spell arts, but Zong Ya’s message interrupted him.
• Zong Ya visited Lin Ke and offered him two bottles of mid-grade cultivation pills, which he initially refused as too valuable.
• Zong Ya revealed she had passed the mid-grade alchemist examination two days earlier and had personally refined the pills for Lin Ke.
• Zong Ya explained that the Clear-Mist Pills could heal injuries and counter poisons, while the Breath-Concealing Pills could suppress his aura and hinder divine sense probes.
• Lin Ke accepted the pills and thanked Zong Ya, who admitted she was worried about his journey to Dali Domain but could not accompany him.

Lin Ke refined his Mountain-Moving and Sea-Overturning True Intent, developing new attacks for the Heavenly Pride Gathering. He then practiced controlling nineteen flying swords and planned how to use them against disciples from rival sects.

• Zong Ya reassured Lin Ke that she and the others would care for Green Mulberry Garden while he attended the gathering.
• Lin Ke combined the Mountain-Moving and Sea-Overturning Method with the Heaven-Supporting and Firmament-Commanding Method to create and improve the Flying Sand and Rolling Stones attack.
• Lin Ke condensed the storm into a stone python, increasing its impact power, and continued experimenting with attacks made from earth, stone, and wind.
• Lin Ke practiced controlling nineteen flying swords, each capable of unleashing his full strength.
• Lin Ke planned to use his flying swords and body-tempering arts to keep distance from Giant Strength Fire Prison Sect disciples and conserve strength for other opponents.

Lin Fusang completed the first stage of his transformation from a Spirit Grade Spirit Plant toward the Origin Tier as Lin Ke sealed Golden Silkworm Peak to protect him. Just as the transformation seemed to be going smoothly, Lin Xuanyuan sensed Heavenly Thunder gathering, and black clouds covered the peak.

• Lin Fusang absorbed the final wisp of purple qi, and golden patterns covered his entire body as his transformation began.
• A huge Spirit Power vortex formed above Lin Fusang, and his body grew taller as golden light and an ancient aura spread across Golden Silkworm Peak.
• Lin Ke activated the Cloudglow Formation to isolate the peak, while he asked the Dream-Eating Gecko whether Lin Fusang's breakthrough might draw a lightning tribulation.
• Lin Xuanyuan sensed Heavenly Thunder gathering from all directions and warned Lin Ke that it was about to converge.
• Black clouds surged over Golden Silkworm Peak and covered the sky.

Lin Fusang’s transformation into an Origin Plant triggered a powerful Heavenly Tribulation, and Lin Ke used the Cloudglow Formation to weaken the lightning while allowing some of it to reach and refine Lin Fusang. Lin Fusang endured the bolts as his golden leaves gained a glass-like sheen, while the tribulation continued.

• Lin Ke and Lin Xuanyuan recognized that the dark clouds over Golden Silkworm Peak signaled a Heavenly Tribulation targeting Lin Fusang.
• Lin Fusang feared the coming lightning, and Lin Ke reassured him before activating the Cloudglow Formation.
• The first bolt pierced more than twenty layers of barriers before the formation stopped it.
• Lin Ke altered the formation to let weakened lightning through, and Lin Fusang endured the second bolt as it refined his leaves.
• The third, fourth, and fifth bolts struck through the barriers with less than one percent of their original power remaining.

Lin Fusang faced a devastating Soul-Scorching Thunder strike during its tribulation, and Lin Ke could only urge it to endure. At the brink of collapse, Lin Fusang awakened its ancient bloodline, revealing a divine flaming tree and a Three-Legged Golden Crow phantom.

• Lin Xuanyuan warned Lin Ke that the lightning tribulation was not over as a massive ball of lightning formed and broke through the formation.
• The lightning engulfed Lin Fusang, scorching its leaves and trunk as it struggled to withstand the strike.
• The Dream-Eating Gecko identified the attack as Soul-Scorching Thunder and warned that it threatened Lin Fusang's soul.
• Lin Ke urged Lin Fusang to absorb the lightning as nourishment, and Lin Fusang circulated its Yi Wood Essence to halt its spreading injuries.
• Scarlet-gold flames erupted from Lin Fusang, forming an ancient divine tree and a three-legged bird that Lin Ke recognized as a Three-Legged Golden Crow.

Lin Fusang awakened the power of the Three-Legged Golden Crow and used Sun True Fire to devour the heavenly thunder, completing its transformation into an Origin Tier spirit plant. After the tribulation ended and Lin Fusang renewed its branches and leaves, it told Lin Ke, “Daddy... I did it!”

• Lin Fusang awakened the power of its bloodline, manifesting the Three-Legged Golden Crow and unleashing Sun True Fire that drove back the heavenly thunder.
• Lin Fusang’s Sun True Fire pulled the lightning from its body and refined it, then the Golden Crow devoured thunder from the dispersing clouds.
• The absorbed power flowed into Lin Fusang, renewing its trunk, branches, and golden leaves as the thunderclouds rapidly shrank.
• The thunderclouds collapsed and the divine manifestations vanished, leaving Lin Fusang smaller but transformed with immense power.
• Lin Fusang’s transformation ended, its Origin Tier aura spread, and it happily told Lin Ke, “Daddy... I did it!”

Lin Fusang completed his transformation into an Origin Plant while retaining his bond with Lin Ke, and discovered that he could draw power from heaven and earth. He manifested a new flame that Lin Xuanyuan identified as Yang Fire.

• Lin Fusang told Lin Ke that his transformation was complete and reassured him that he still regarded him as his father.
• Lin Fusang described how the transformation let him absorb power from the earth and sky instead of relying only on earth energy and morning purple qi.
• Lin Fusang tested his new abilities and produced reddish-gold flames from his branches and leaves.
• Lin Ke and the Dream-Eating Gecko examined the unfamiliar flames as sparks of lightning flickered within them.
• Lin Xuanyuan identified the flames as Yang Fire, a rare power formed from lightning and fire that was weaker than Sun True Fire.

Lin Ke discovered that Lin Fusang's Yang Fire could strengthen Mystic Flame Horned Beetle Sovereigns and planned to use it to improve his Insect Formation. Three days later, he brought his beetles to Golden Silkworm Peak to enhance them further, aiming to make their formation strong enough to threaten a Nascent Soul.

• Lin Ke tested whether a Mystic Flame Horned Beetle Sovereign could absorb the Yang Fire burning on Lin Fusang's branches.
• The beetle absorbed the Yang Fire without difficulty and emerged larger and more powerful, with crystalline crimson-gold markings.
• Lin Ke concluded that Lin Fusang's Yang Fire could supply his beetles and strengthen his future Insect Formations, then asked Lin Fusang to rest before helping with another plan.
• Lin Ke returned to his cave abode and trained Soul-Hunting Mosquitoes, Flesh-Stiffening Blood-Devouring Mosquitoes, and Mystic Flame Horned Beetle Sovereigns using the Myriad Insects Heavenly Calamity Formula.
• Three days later, Lin Ke brought his Mystic Flame Horned Beetle Sovereigns to Golden Silkworm Peak to use Yang Fire to strengthen their formation until it could threaten a Nascent Soul.

Lin Ke used Lin Fusang’s yang fire to strengthen 180 Mystic Flame Horned Beetle Sovereigns and tested their new ultimate yang mystic flame. He confirmed the swarm’s combined attack could destroy a Low-Grade Spirit Artifact in seconds.

• Lin Ke released 180 fully developed Mystic Flame Horned Beetle Sovereigns and asked Lin Fusang if it was ready to provide yang fire.
• Lin Fusang poured out yang fire, and Lin Ke guided each beetle sovereign as it absorbed and converted the power.
• The strengthened beetle sovereigns returned larger and more powerful, each carrying strength comparable to an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator.
• Lin Ke formed the beetle sovereigns into an insect formation and ordered them to attack two low-grade war hammers.
• The ultimate yang mystic flame melted and vaporized the war hammers in fewer than ten breaths, convincing Lin Ke that its power could threaten an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.

Lin Ke tested the Mystic Flame Horned Beetle Sovereigns’ ultimate yang mystic flame and Rain Tide formation against spirit artifacts and Jin Zhan. With Yang Pupil revealing Jin Zhan’s movements, Lin Ke guided the swarm into a precise attack that trapped him.

• Lin Ke dispersed the insect swarm into a net over the Mulberry Garden and summoned Jin Zhan to test the formation’s attacks.
• Lin Ke commanded a Rain Tide attack, and the ultimate yang mystic flame quickly shattered two low-grade battle axes.
• Jin Zhan initially evaded the fireballs with his Golden-Winged Great Peng speed, but Lin Ke adjusted the swarm’s attack patterns to narrow his escape routes.
• A fireball struck Jin Zhan’s wing, slowing him as he unleashed more of his bloodline power to escape.
• Lin Ke activated Yang Pupil to read Jin Zhan’s movements and directed the swarm to block his evasive route, leaving five fireballs waiting overhead.

Lin Ke tested his insect formation against Jin Zhan, then accepted Shen Wei’s invitation to a gathering of the Golden Wing Sect’s top hundred prodigies before the Heavenly Pride Gathering. At Year Festival Square, Lin Ke and Shen Wei met Senior Brother Dongfang, while the purpose of the gathering remained unclear.

• Lin Ke stopped his insect formation’s attack before it could strike Jin Zhan, gave him healing pills, and sent him back to recover after testing the formation’s power.
• Lin Ke cultivated for the next several days as the Heavenly Pride Gathering drew near.
• Shen Wei invited Lin Ke to a gathering of the sect’s top hundred prodigies, and Lin Ke accepted despite the Dream-Eating Gecko’s warning that it might become a contest for leadership.
• Lin Ke and Shen Wei arrived at Year Festival Square, where Shen Wei said Senior Sister Su and Zhuge Qi Tian had called the gathering.
• Senior Brother Dongfang greeted Lin Ke and teased Shen Wei over his roast chicken.

Lin Ke attended a gathering of the Golden Wing Sect’s top prodigies, where Dongfang Yao tried to ease the tension between Lin Ke and Nangong Rui. After Su Nuonuo shared insights into her new divine ability, Zhuge Qi Tian announced that the gathering was also meant to convey news from the sect.

• Dongfang Yao welcomed Lin Ke and Shen Wei into Year Festival Square, where the prodigies were seated according to their Heavenly Prodigy Ranking.
• Lin Ke greeted the assembled disciples and took a seat among the top ten prodigies.
• Dongfang Yao tried to reconcile Lin Ke and Nangong Rui, but Nangong Rui insisted that he would only acknowledge Lin Ke’s strength after fighting him at the Heavenly Pride Gathering.
• Su Nuonuo described how she had created and mastered the divine ability Azure Rain.
• After the remaining top hundred prodigies arrived, Zhuge Qi Tian said the gathering was meant to help them get acquainted and pass on news from the sect.

Zhuge Qi Tian warned the prodigies that Shu Frontier infiltrators might target the Heavenly Pride Gathering, while Su Nuonuo urged them not to underestimate the frontier’s Gu Arts and witchcraft. The next day, Lin Ke prepared to leave for the Dali Domain with the Golden Wing Sect delegation, whose flying boat was ready to depart.

• Zhuge Qi Tian told the prodigies that Shu Frontier agents might infiltrate the gathering and relayed the elders’ order to kill any spies they discovered.
• Su Nuonuo cautioned the prodigies not to underestimate the Shu Frontier’s unfamiliar Gu Arts and witchcraft, and Zhuge Qi Tian urged them to stay vigilant.
• Feng Jinyan dismissed the Shu Frontier as backward, and Shen Wei challenged his confidence before Dongfang Yao and others calmed their dispute.
• Lin Ke said farewell to Zong Ya and the other disciples at Green Mulberry Garden, receiving cultivation pills from Zong Ya.
• Lin Ke reached Year Festival Square, where Hua Wujiang and Grass Louse True Lord had prepared the Golden Wing Sect’s flying boat to take the delegation to the Dali Domain.

Lin Ke and the other Golden Wing Sect prodigies departed for the Dali Domain aboard the Far Sky Boat, and Lin Ke told his Spirit Insects about the region during the journey. After a day and a half, Hua Wujiang summoned everyone to the bow.

• Hua Wujiang ordered the assembled prodigies to board the Far Sky Boat, and the Golden Wing Sect disciples sent them off with cheers.
• Lin Ke entered his ranked cabin, then began cultivating with the Dream-Eating Gecko nearby.
• Lin Ke explained that the Dali Domain had distinctive scenery and culture, and the Dream-Eating Gecko shared what he had heard about its Bai Ni people.
• Lin Ke promised Lin Can he would look for Spirit Insects for her and told his companions stories about the Dali Domain.
• After a day and a half of travel, Hua Wujiang summoned all the prodigies to the bow.

Hua Wujiang brought Lin Ke and the Golden Wing Sect prodigies to the Dali Domain for the Heavenly Pride Gathering, and they admired Cang Mountain, Erhai, and the imperial capital. They arrived at Dian Cang Prefecture and were warmly welcomed by Hua Wujiang’s old acquaintance, a representative of the Dali Imperial Family.

• Hua Wujiang activated the Far Sky Boat’s Spirit Runes and guided it down toward the Dali Domain as the prodigies admired Cang Mountain and Erhai.
• Hua Wujiang told the group that the Heavenly Pride Gathering would begin in Dian Cang Prefecture in two days, giving them time to rest and explore.
• Lin Ke and the other Golden Wing Sect prodigies landed at the harbor in Dian Cang Prefecture and stepped out into the refreshing mountain-and-lake air.
• Hua Wujiang greeted an imperial official he called Old Duan, who welcomed the Golden Wing Sect’s young talents on behalf of the Dali Imperial Family.