Chapter Summaries

After breaking through to the late Golden Core stage, Qing Chen consolidated his cultivation in the Primordial Extremity Dao Palace and discovered that the White Jade Steps were a powerful cultivation ground. He continued ascending, with the steps steadily condensing his true essence.

• Qing Chen absorbed the Dao Palace’s spiritual energy for a little over a month, stabilizing his Golden Core and consolidating his late Golden Core cultivation.
• Qing Chen assessed his strengthened divine sense, lifespan, and combat power, judging that he could enter the top thirty of the Gou Wu Dragon-Tiger Ranking.
• Qing Chen withdrew the restrictions and refined corpses from his cave abode and stepped onto the White Jade Steps.
• Qing Chen found that the steps exerted no pressure and instead gently resonated with his true essence as he climbed.
• After fifty steps, Qing Chen sensed that his true essence had grown more solid, and he realized the stairs were designed to cultivate Pseudo-Nascent Soul cultivators.

Qing Chen reached the Primordial Magnetic Origin Mountain and began comprehending its Rules, rapidly advancing his understanding of Primal Magnetism Divine Light. A Light Person revealed that the six cultivators had one year to train before fighting a Guardian for a Primordial Magnetism Attribute Rule Thread.

• Qing Chen reached the terrace and recognized the Primordial Magnetic Origin Mountain as a Rules Object.
• Qing Chen found a place seven zhang from the mountain and meditated as its Magnetic Crystals resonated with him.
• A Light Person appeared before Qing Chen and explained that the six cultivators would train for one year before facing the Guardian.
• The Light Person announced that the victor would obtain the Rules Thread and qualify to become a true disciple of Yuanji.

After half a year of studying Primordial Magnetic Origin Mountain, Qing Chen fought the light figure on a suspension bridge and unleashed his strongest technique, the Primordial Magnetism Spiral Dragon. The attack struck the figure’s spiral-patterned shield, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Qing Chen was drawn into an unknown realm and found himself on a dark iron bridge above geomagnetic turbulence.
• The light figure attacked Qing Chen with a magnetic thread, and Qing Chen’s Primal Magnetism Storm and Divine Light failed to stop it.
• Qing Chen used lingering magnetic power to buy time and formed the Primordial Magnetism Spiral Dragon.
• The light figure condensed a spiral-patterned shield, and the dragon struck it with a blow that shook the bridge.
• The light figure asked whether Qing Chen had fused Primal Magnetism Storm with Primal Magnetism Divine Light.

Qing Chen defeated Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure’s light projection in their thirty-seventh suspension bridge trial, demonstrating his mastery of magnetic techniques. Venerable Xuan recognized Qing Chen’s aptitude and gave him a method for temporarily storing the Rules Thread until his cultivation could support refining it.

• Qing Chen used the Spiral Magnetic Dragon to break Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure’s shield and strike his light projection.
• Venerable Xuan acknowledged Qing Chen’s improved magnetic techniques and revealed that Qing Chen had passed the trial.
• Qing Chen explained that he wanted to keep practicing, but Venerable Xuan warned that his current cultivation could not refine the Rules Thread.
• Venerable Xuan sent Qing Chen a magic formula for temporarily storing the Rules Thread in spirit crystals or other spirit items.
• Qing Chen realized that he had supreme-grade spirit stones and welcomed the chance to preserve the Rules Thread.

Qing Chen learned the Spirit-Entrusting Art and attempted to store a Rules Thread inside a supreme-grade spirit stone. The thread began entering the stone, but the process remained dangerous as the stone shuddered under its pressure.

• Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure had been assigned to watch over the Power of Laws until time wore it away.
• Qing Chen removed the supreme-grade spirit stone from the Nine-Luminaries Glazed Vidyaraja Pagoda and studied the Spirit-Entrusting Art for more than three months.
• Qing Chen returned to the suspension bridge world and told Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure that he had mastered the art.
• Qing Chen opened the spirit stone’s aperture, and Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure sent a Rules Thread toward it.
• Qing Chen guided the Rules Thread into the spirit stone, adjusting his true essence as the stone shuddered and Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure urged him to steady it.

Qing Chen successfully used the Spirit-Lodging Formula to seal a thread of rules inside a spirit stone, then learned that Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure had recognized his Bodhi Spirit Body and cultivation background. Venerable Xuan warned him away from the Brahma Demon Sect and invited him to cultivate at the Yuanji Lineage Daoist Ground after reaching the Spirit Transformation Realm.

• Qing Chen spent three days mastering the Spirit-Lodging Formula and sealed the thread of rules inside the spirit stone.
• Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure warned Qing Chen to keep the spirit stone hidden because powerful cultivators would covet its rare aura.
• Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure recognized Qing Chen's Brahma Demon-Refining Art and Bodhi Spirit Body, and explained that advancing its second layer required extraordinary treasures.
• Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure advised Qing Chen not to join the Brahma Demon Sect and invited him to cultivate the magnetic origin rule at the Yuanji Lineage Daoist Ground after reaching Spirit Transformation.
• Qing Chen promised to seek out Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure if he broke through to the Spirit Transformation Realm.

Qing Chen received the complete Primordial Magnetism Annihilation Great Art from Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure and studied it for a year before leaving the space. The Primordial Magnetic Origin Mountain then collapsed, bringing Qing Chen and the others together on one platform, where Qing Guhong confronted Gong Shisan over hiding his gains.

• Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure gave Qing Chen the complete Primordial Magnetism Annihilation Great Art and warned him not to cultivate its higher levels before his soul and magic power had endured heaven-and-earth scouring.
• Qing Chen studied the magnetic arts for several months and left the space when his year there ended.
• Venerable Xuan of Dust Departure vanished after warning Qing Chen to judge his limits and saying he hoped to meet him again in a thousand years.
• The Primordial Magnetic Origin Mountain melted into magnetic water, and its collapse shattered the barrier around the stone platform.
• Qing Chen discovered that he stood with Qing Guhong, Zhaoshenzi, Three Corpses Daoist, Jian Yi, and Gong Shisan, and prepared for a confrontation.
• Qing Guhong angrily accused Gong Shisan of concealing his acquisition of a thread of magnetic origin rule.

Qing Guhong and Gong Shisan accused each other of taking the Magnetic Origin Rules Thread, but the Dao Palace collapsed before they could discover who had obtained it. Qing Chen was teleported out with the Rules Thread and jade slip safe, then escaped Primordial Magnetism Origin Mountain and left Wuji Island.

• Qing Guhong accused Gong Shisan of taking the Magnetic Origin Rules Thread, but neither dared to attack while the six cultivators considered that no one might have obtained it.
• The stone platform shook, and the collapsing Dao Palace teleported Qing Chen and the others away in golden light.
• Qing Chen landed near the dimmed White Jade Path, confirmed the Rules Thread and jade slip were safe, and fled down the mountain.
• Qing Chen sent Lin Changsheng a message to seek shelter, then reached the mountain entrance and met Second Elder Xuanming.
• Qing Chen received a jade talisman from Elder Xuangu, left Wuji Island for the Cold Mountain Sea Region, and discarded the jade talismans from Wuji Palace.

Sword Fool convened the rival sects at Swordheart Terrace, where Prefectural Assistant Wang of Minjiang Province arrived with official business from the Immortal Dynasty. The gathering waited to hear the important matter Wang had come to announce.

• The Condensed Jade Sect, demon sects, Eight Serpent Sect, and Cold Mountain Temple faced one another in tense silence at Swordheart Terrace.
• Sword Fool entered as the newly advanced Dharma Nascent Soul Grand Elder of the Shushan Sword Sect, and the assembled cultivators rose to greet him.
• Wang Qi, Prefectural Assistant of Xuan Prefecture, Minjiang Province, entered with Sword Fool and took the guest seat beside him.
• Sword Fool told the gathered cultivators that Wang had official Immortal Dynasty business to announce and urged them to listen carefully.

Wang Qi announced that the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty would require Gouwu Sea sects to adopt Spirit Notes and supply cultivators for a new army, while Sword Fool forced the warring sects to agree to a truce. Far away, Qing Chen visited the Vajra Zen Sect to avoid Qing Guhong and began considering how the new army might serve his plans.

• Wang Qi announced the Spirit Treasury New Policy, requiring Gouwu Sea sects to use Great Jin Spirit Notes within three months.
• Wang Qi ordered the archipelagos to provide 300,000 cultivators for the Gou Wu Whale Army and warned that Sword Fool would inspect the recruits.
• Sword Fool offered Shushan Sword Sect's mediation and demanded the rival sects sign a Four-Hundred-Year Truce Pact, leaving the Condensed Jade Sect facing territorial losses and a draft.
• Qing Chen visited the Vajra Zen Sect because he feared Qing Guhong would suspect him and try to kill him.
• Qing Chen concealed his strength while sparring with Ye Wushang and Buddha's Son Wuchen, and news of the Gou Wu Whale Army prompted him to form plans.

Qing Chen, Wuchen, and Ye Wushang discussed the Gou Wu Whale Army’s hastily assembled command structure and compared it with Great Jin’s trained Dao Armies. Wuchen explained that disciplined formations and the Immortal Dynasty’s resources could let ordinary troops challenge powerful cultivators.

• Qing Chen and Wuchen noted the high-ranking officials and cultivators who had come to establish the Gou Wu Whale Army.
• Wuchen outlined the army’s hierarchy, from its three hundred thousand troops and field armies down to squads and units.
• Ye Wushang dismissed military organization as inferior to individual cultivation and claimed one sword strike could defeat ten thousand cultivators.
• Wuchen argued that strict organization, training, resources, and fortune rules made Great Jin’s Dao Armies formidable.
• Wuchen gave examples of how trained Dao Army formations could contend with Golden Core cultivators and suppress even Nascent Soul cultivators.

Qing Chen discussed the Shushan Sword Sect’s history with Ye Wushang and Wuchen, then revealed his intention to seek a future in the Gou Wu Whale Army. Wuchen offered the Vajra Zen Sect’s help securing Qing Chen a commandant’s post, and Qing Chen accepted his offer and promised to repay the favor.

• Ye Wushang explained that his Shushan Sword Sect had moved from the Nanhua Continent to the Gouwu Sea nearly ten thousand years earlier, and that his master had served in Great Jin’s Yue-Suppressing Army.
• Qing Chen suggested that he, Ye Wushang, and Wuchen venture out together, and Ye Wushang eagerly agreed while Wuchen envied their freedom.
• Wuchen judged Qing Chen to be talented and recognized that his position in the Condensed Jade Sect had become precarious.
• Wuchen offered to use the Vajra Zen Sect’s influence to help Qing Chen join the Gou Wu Whale Army, promising that a commandant’s post was certain.
• Qing Chen accepted Wuchen’s offer, promised to repay his kindness, and asked Ye Wushang to witness their agreement.

Xuanji True Lord and his elders finalized the Condensed Jade Sect’s conscription plans while debating whether Qing Chen and his followers should be sent to the army. A sudden message announced the arrival of two powerful Shushan Sword Sect figures at Huishan Gate, and Xuanji True Lord went to welcome them.

• Yuji True Person urged the sect to send Qing Chen and his trusted retainers into the army, but Wan Hun and Chi Xuntian warned that they could build a powerful faction there.
• Xuanji True Lord selected Xin Bairen, Spirit Crane True Person, and Guangqi Jinsan to meet the Immortal Dynasty’s quota for Golden Core cultivators.
• Xuanji True Lord assigned one thousand conscripts to Qing Chen’s Demon Lotus Sect, one thousand to the Condensed Jade Sect, and two thousand to major lineages, small sects, and rogue cultivators.
• A communication talisman arrived with news that Supreme Elder Sword Fool and Grand Elder Jian Yi of the Shushan Sword Sect had reached Huishan Gate.
• Xuanji True Lord ordered Wan Hun to accompany him to welcome the visitors, while Chi Xuntian finalized the register and Yuji True Person prepared the welcoming procession.

Sword Fool delivered the Gou Wu Whale Army conscription list to Xuanji, who rejected Qing Chen’s authority to finalize it and challenged Shushan’s decision. Xuanji unleashed the Xuanpo Divine Light, damaging Sword Fool’s sword net and Jian Yi’s flying swords, leaving Sword Fool stunned by his strength.

• Sword Fool presented Xuanji with the final conscription list, explaining that Qing Chen had submitted it and Shushan had verified it.
• Xuanji objected that Qing Chen had bypassed the sect master and Elder Hall, while Yuji True Person condemned the deputy sect master’s actions.
• Jian Yi used Sword Qi to force Yuji back when he interrupted Sword Fool’s explanation.
• After Sword Fool refused to give the Condensed Jade Sect another day to deliberate, Xuanji manifested his Dharma Body and attacked with the Xuanpo Divine Light.
• Xuanji’s divine light cracked Sword Fool’s sword net and knocked three of Jian Yi’s nine flying swords to the ground, leaving Sword Fool questioning how Xuanji had become so powerful.

Xuanji used law-infused power to defeat Sword Fool’s sword net and rejected the Shushan Sword Sect’s attempt to dictate Condensed Jade Sect’s conscription. Sword Fool revealed that the Immortal Dynasty had appointed Deputy Sect Master Qing Chen to command four thousand Whale Guards, leaving the elders shocked and questioning his worthiness.

• Xuanji’s jade-colored miniature world shattered Sword Fool’s sword net and drove his flying swords back into their Sword Case.
• Xuanji insisted that Condensed Jade Sect would decide its own conscription list and refused to recognize Qing Chen’s list.
• Sword Fool conceded defeat, but warned that Xuanji’s strength still could not match Tianshu, who had reached the Nascent Soul middle stage.
• Sword Fool revealed a Great Jin Immortal Dynasty Command Token and announced Qing Chen’s appointment as deputy commander of four thousand Whale Guards in the Central Army’s Second Division.
• Wan Hun and Yuji protested Qing Chen’s appointment, while Jian Yi explained that Qing Chen was at the late Golden Core stage and had combat strength rivaling the Golden Core peak.

The Condensed Jade Sect learned that Qing Chen had reached the late Golden Core stage and saw his appointment in the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty as a rare opportunity. Xuanji True Lord agreed to transfer the rostered troops and give Qing Chen two million spirit stones, then asked Sword Fool to arrange a surprise gift before Qing Chen left for the battlefield.

• Wan Hun and Chi Xuntian realized Qing Chen’s late Golden Core cultivation and imperial appointment could open doors for the sect in the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty.
• Yuji True Person objected to Qing Chen’s roster, which listed several Condensed Jade Sect Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators among his troops.
• Xuanji True Lord ordered Yuji True Person to send two million spirit stones to the Shushan Sword Sect within three days and approved the troop transfer.
• Sword Fool explained that True Person Budong had stayed behind to preserve their lineage and entrusted Qing Chen with their Jade Slips and cultivation experience.
• Xuanji True Lord asked Sword Fool to find out when Qing Chen would return so he could give him treasures and cultivation insights as a surprise.

Qing Chen challenged Jingyun Arhat in the Eighth Layer Space, using the Third Demonic Aspect and Primal Magnetism techniques to fight the Arhat’s half-step undying body. The battle continued as Qing Chen pierced through Jingyun Arhat’s cloud palms with a powerful magnetic beam.

• Qing Chen entered the Eighth Layer Space and faced Jingyun Arhat’s half-step undying body in the trial.
• Qing Chen merged with the Third Demonic Aspect and struck Jingyun Arhat with the Pojun Battle Halberd, but Jingyun Arhat repelled him with a punch.
• Qing Chen used Primal Magnetism Storm Lock to delay Jingyun Arhat and cut his arm with the battle halberd.
• Jingyun Arhat unleashed Black Clouds Bear Down on the City, filling the Martial Arts Stage with enormous cloud palms that forced Qing Chen to retreat.
• Qing Chen used Primal Magnetism Divine Light through the Pojun Battle Halberd to pierce holes in Jingyun Arhat’s cloud palms.

Qing Chen defeated Jingyun Arhat on the Vajra realm’s eighth layer after awakening the annihilating power of his Sentient Beings Annihilation Seal. The Nine Luminaries Glazed Pagoda recognized him as the Five-Luminaries Controller and bestowed the Immortal Realm levels of the Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method.

• Qing Chen endured Jingyun Arhat’s attacks for six hours as their battle devastated the Trial Space.
• Jingyun Arhat unleashed the Thousand Buddha Cloud Prison, and Qing Chen’s Primordial Magnetism defense began to fail.
• Qing Chen resonated with the Blood Path rules and advanced his Third Mudra Art to minor achievement, unleashing the Sentient Beings Annihilation Seal.
• The seal destroyed Jingyun Arhat’s Buddha-shaped light clusters and drained his strength until Qing Chen finished him with the Pojun Battle Halberd.
• The stele restored Qing Chen, and the Nine Luminaries Glazed Pagoda named him the Five-Luminaries Controller and granted him the tenth through twelfth levels of the Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method.

The Nine-Luminaries Glazed Wisdom King Tower granted the Five-Luminaries Controller five authorities, including control over the tower’s world, Dao Protectors, trials, and the ability to conceal their identity. In the World Inside the Tower, Little Stone trained toward becoming a Battle General while Bu Jingyun urged him to endure the dangers of Heaven-Burning Ravine before seeking revenge.

• The tower granted the Five-Luminaries Controller expanded space, Dao Protector summons, trial access, initial master authority, and fragmentary Great Void Heavenly Secrets authority.
• Little Stone ate his monthly spirit rice cake and reflected on earning Elite Warrior status in the body cultivation tournament.
• Little Stone recounted training the Great Heat Burns the Heavens Fist in Heaven-Burning Ravine and aspiring to become a Battle General.
• Bu Jingyun fought gold-armored corpses in the Cloud-Piercing Grotto and called Little Stone over to help.
• Little Stone said he wanted to smash a gold-armored corpse’s head and gain strength for revenge, and Bu Jingyun told him to train in the ravine’s magma for three years first.
• The sky abruptly darkened.

Qing Chen expanded the World Inside the Tower to eight hundred li and bestowed gifts on its fighters and lands. He planned to bring in millions more mortals, setting five million as his next goal.

• Little Stone and the fortress lords witnessed the Lord of Brahma appear and grant gifts to the World Inside the Tower.
• Little Stone received a mote of light that strengthened his qi and blood and loosened his fist technique’s bottleneck.
• The tower’s lands, resources, and spiritual energy transformed as the realm expanded to eight hundred li.
• Qing Chen assessed the tower’s fighters and population and decided to mobilize the Demon Lotus Sect and Condensed Jade Sect to bring in five million mortals.