Chapter Summaries

Qing Chen faced resistance in the Imperial Court as officials debated who should handle the Northern Border crisis and the troubles in the Southern Borderlands. Hu Yong argued against giving Qing Chen either command, leaving his prospects uncertain.

• Xiao Canglan revealed that he had come to the capital partly to seek treasures and enter the Chi Xi Ancient Battlefield, while dismissing his interference in Qing Chen's affairs as incidental.
• The ministers fell quiet after Xiao Canglan spoke, and Qing Chen privately resented the Spirit Venerable for targeting him again.
• Wu Zhanxian remained silent as Hu Yong rose to address Emperor Jingtai and warned that the Northern Border crisis required urgent reinforcements and an experienced commander.
• Hu Yong acknowledged Xiao Canglan's concerns about Wu Gui but argued that Qing Chen lacked experience commanding a million-strong army or overseeing a circuit-wide war.
• Hu Yong recommended sending a seasoned Nascent Soul peak cultivator with five hundred thousand Dao Soldiers to Shanhai Pass and choosing someone familiar with the Southern Borderlands to assist there.

The court debated Qing Chen’s role in the Northern Border war until Zhang Taiyue argued that the real danger was a breakdown in the Western Regions alliance. He proposed giving Qing Chen broad authority to handle the Northwestern Circuit and the Western Regions, leaving Qing Chen alarmed by the burden.

• Hu Yong and Xiao Canglan argued that Qing Chen lacked the experience to command the million-strong Dao Army, leaving his appointment uncertain.
• Zhang Taiyue identified the Western Regions alliance’s apparent cooperation with the Golden Tent as the source of Black Fox King’s advance.
• Zhang Taiyue proposed appointing Qing Chen acting Northwestern Circuit-Surveying Governor and establishing a Western Regions Protectorate under his authority.
• The ministers reacted with surprise and resentment at the scope of the proposed offices, while Qing Chen worried he was not strong enough to manage the region.

Emperor Jingtai appointed Qing Chen acting Circuit-Surveying Governor of the Northwestern Circuit and Protector of the Western Regions, granting him broad authority to divide the Western Regions and block the Golden Tent’s eastward route. Ten days later, Qing Chen received Tie Ce at the Azure Abyss Marquis’s Manor, where Tie Ce had come with a precious treasure.

• Zhang Taiyue persuaded the court to coordinate defenses across the Northern Border, Western Regions, Southern Borderlands, and Gouwu Sea.
• Emperor Jingtai appointed Qing Chen acting Circuit-Surveying Governor of the Northwestern Circuit and established the Western Regions Protectorate with Qing Chen as its Protector.
• Qing Chen accepted the mission and asked Emperor Jingtai to grant him discretion to use extraordinary methods and protect his subordinates from unjust accusations.
• Emperor Jingtai granted Qing Chen’s request, and Qing Chen accepted the decree while welcoming the chance to wield power in the chaotic Western Regions.
• Ten days later, Tie Ce visited Qing Chen at the Azure Abyss Marquis’s Manor, where Tie Qingyao served him tea.

Tie Ce told Qing Chen that the Iron Household had agreed to send the Primordial Magnetism Cauldron with him to the Northwestern Circuit, while Tie Qingyao stayed in Capital City. He warned Qing Chen that the northwest was politically complicated, with the Immortal Dynasty appointing officials to share and check his authority.

• Tie Ce revealed that the Iron Household had approved Qing Chen taking the Primordial Magnetism Cauldron to the Northwestern Circuit, with Tie Qingyao remaining behind to guard the Azure Abyss Marquis's Manor.
• Tie Ce explained that the cauldron's restrictions let Tie Hengjiang track it and potentially reclaim it, even though the Iron Household would not give Qing Chen its complete treasure-control formula.
• Qing Chen thanked Tie Ce and promised to repay the Iron Household if he gained anything in the northwest.
• Tie Ce said Clan Uncle Tie Zhongtang would meet Qing Chen and give him the Northwestern Circuit-Surveying Seal and an account of the region's true circumstances.
• Tie Ce warned that Pei Xuance would serve as Army-Garrison Circuit Inspector with authority over part of the border army, and that Li Qingyuan would oversee officials and border affairs as Inspection Censor.

Qing Chen accepted the Immortal Dynasty’s appointments as checks on his authority while preparing to take the Western Regions Protectorate. Xu Jiuling reported that a vast, well-supplied army was assembling in the Rihai Sea Region, leaving Qing Chen confident that he would not enter the northwest alone.

• Tie Ce explained that Pei Xuance, Li Qingyuan, and Li Wenbi would share military, inspection, and administrative duties, allowing Qing Chen to focus on the Western Regions Protectorate.
• Tie Ce and Qing Chen parted on good terms, while Tie Ce reflected that the Iron Household had made a heavy wager by supporting Qing Chen.
• Qing Chen summoned Xu Jiuling to the formation chamber and asked about preparations for the northwest campaign.
• Xu Jiuling reported that four hundred thousand Dao Soldiers had sailed from the Gouwu Sea under Xin Bairen, with trusted cultivators accompanying them and units gathering at Heavenly South Island and Heavenly Puppet Island.
• Xu Jiuling detailed the army’s ships, weapons, medicine, spirit stones, talismans, and other provisions, which Qing Chen judged sufficient for the campaign.

Qing Chen ordered four hundred thousand Demon Lotus Sect Dao Soldiers to march openly toward the Northwestern Circuit, coordinating their route with the Iron Household through Tie Qingyao. As he prepared for their arrival, Xie Xuanwei emerged from a Broken Starfield at the Chi Xi Ancient Battlefield, badly wounded but stronger than before, and hoped Qing Chen was still in the Capital City.

• Xu Jiuling told Qing Chen that Xin Bairen had brought the four hundred thousand Dao Soldiers to White Bone Mountain in Xuanshuo Province by way of the Northeastern Circuit.
• Qing Chen ordered the troops to fly the banners of the Northwestern Protectorate Army and the Circuit-Surveying Governor’s Personal Guards, then assigned the front, central, and rear armies separate routes toward Faneng Temple.
• Qing Chen told Tie Qingyao to inform the Iron Household that the Dao Army would enter the fringes of the Northern Border, and she agreed despite worrying about the choice between her husband and her family.
• Qing Chen waited for the army while performing Ritual Refinement on the Primordial Magnetism Cauldron amid political maneuvers across the Capital City, Northern Border, northwest, and Lingnan.
• Xie Xuanwei emerged wounded from a Star Gate at the Chi Xi Ancient Battlefield after advancing his supreme art, and hoped Qing Chen was still in the Capital City.

Qing Chen read the latest Heavenly Gang Nascent Soul True Lord Ranking and was stunned to see Qin Jundi ranked third and Yan Moyou eighth after they joined forces to kill a Spirit Transformation alien. He then practiced the Iron Household’s second-layer Treasure-Control Art for the Primordial Magnetism Cauldron, reaching the final stage of its talisman formation.

• Xie Xuanwei left the Chi Xi Ancient Battlefield and headed toward the Imperial Capital as the new ranking spread through the Divine Capital.
• Qing Chen saw Qin Jundi ranked third for defeating a Spirit Transformation alien alongside Yan Moyou, who had risen to eighth after forming a first-tribulation primordial magnetism domain.
• Qing Chen examined the Primordial Magnetism Cauldron and Tie Hengjiang’s will-bearing jade talisman, which granted him the second layer of the Iron Household’s Treasure-Control Art.
• Qing Chen manifested seventy-two of the second layer’s eighty-one main talismans, but the final nine remained fixed to the cauldron as he reached a crucial point in controlling it.

Qing Chen pushed his ritual refinement of the Primordial Magnetism Cauldron to its final rune while Xie Xuanwei arrived at the Azure Abyss Marquis's Manor seeking a battle. Tie Qingyao kept the crowd at bay as Qing Chen faced the last rune in seclusion.

• Qing Chen used his pseudo-domain and Primordial Magnetism Annihilation Blood Thunder to overpower the cauldron's runes, branding eight of the final nine into his sea of qi.
• Xie Xuanwei arrived at the manor and requested an audience with the Azure Abyss Marquis, drawing a crowd eager to see him challenge Qing Chen.
• Tie Qingyao told Xie Xuanwei that Qing Chen was cultivating in seclusion and could not receive him, prompting spectators to mock Qing Chen for avoiding the challenge.
• Tie Qingyao confronted the crowd with her divine sense and ordered Xie Xuanwei to wait quietly if he wanted to fight Qing Chen.
• Xie Xuanwei agreed to wait, while Qing Chen reached the final juncture of his refinement and confronted the cauldron's last rune.

Qing Chen refined the Primordial Magnetism Cauldron’s final rune by manifesting a blood cauldron, then emerged from seclusion to face Xie Xuanwei. He dismissed Xie Xuanwei’s strength and warned that the challenge could end in death.

• Qing Chen stopped trying to seize the cauldron’s final rune by force and combined several cultivation methods to manifest a blood cauldron within himself.
• The final rune emerged from the cauldron’s shadow, allowing Qing Chen to command the Primordial Magnetism Cauldron and store it away.
• Qing Chen left seclusion as Tie Qingyao and the onlookers watched him approach Xie Xuanwei outside the manor.
• Xie Xuanwei formally challenged Qing Chen, who remarked that Xie had not reached the Nascent Soul Peak and questioned his confidence.
• Qing Chen warned Xie Xuanwei that his battlefield achievements and Heavenly Gang Rank Ninety placing would not save him if his Daoist arts proved inadequate.

Qing Chen and Xie Xuanwei left the Imperial Capital to avoid the city’s restrictions and face each other at the Immortal Severing Platform. As spectators gathered, Qing Chen launched the first attack with the Blood River God-Slaying Spear, appearing just seven chi from Xie Xuanwei’s brow.

• Qing Chen and Xie Xuanwei’s gathering qi mechanisms activated the Imperial Capital’s grand formation, so they agreed to leave the city and fight outside its bounds.
• The two flew west from the Imperial Capital as cultivators and members of several households hurried after them to watch.
• Tie Qingyao ordered guards to secure the Azure Abyss Marquis’s Manor, then pursued Qing Chen with Tie Ce, Iron Household guards, and Demon Lotus Sect cultivators.
• Qing Chen and Xie Xuanwei met at the abandoned Immortal Severing Platform beside the Luo River, where spectators gathered at a distance.
• Qing Chen empowered his body with the Lawless Devil Aspect and the Brahma-Blood Demon Wheel, then used Five Elements Escape Void to strike at Xie Xuanwei with the Blood River God-Slaying Spear.

Qing Chen attacked Xie Xuanwei on the Immortal Severing Platform, but Xie blocked his powerful spear with a wooden sword and revealed the strength of his Taiyi Dao Body. The duel continued as spectators learned why Xie’s true essence and sword technique let him withstand Qing Chen’s assault.

• Qing Chen used Five Elements Escape Void and Primal Magnetism Divine Light to launch a swift, precise spear thrust at Xie Xuanwei.
• Xie Xuanwei drew his wooden sword and stopped the Blood River God-Slaying Spear, then used the One Unity Profound Cavern Sword Canon to counter Qing Chen’s attacks.
• Qing Chen pressed Xie with overwhelming physical strength, but Xie held his ground as their weapons clashed repeatedly.
• Spectators, including Ji Jin, Ji Huaiyue, and Yue Hanzhang, watched the duel and assessed Qing Chen’s abilities and Xie’s defense.
• True Lord Xuanxiao explained that Xie possessed the Taiyi Dao Body, which continually refined his true essence, and cultivated the Taiyi Daoist Sect’s One Unity Profound Cavern Sword Canon.

Xie Xuanwei and Qing Chen clashed on the Immortal Severing Platform, where Qing Chen’s relentless spear attacks and blood-and-demon techniques forced Xie Xuanwei to reveal the power of his Dao-Guarding Wood Sword. Xie Xuanwei countered with the fifth-tier azure profound jianmu and began drawing in spiritual qi with the Myriad Phenomena Compass, leaving his true cultivation technique poised to emerge.

• Xuanxiao True Person revealed that Xie Xuanwei possessed the Taiyi Dao Body, the One Unity Profound Cavern Sword Canon, and a sword made from a fifth-tier spirit tree’s core branch.
• Xie Xuanwei boasted that he held eight tenths of the brilliance among the world’s Nascent Soul late-stage cultivators, and Qing Chen charged at him with the Blood River God-Slaying Spear.
• Qing Chen broke through Xie Xuanwei’s Taiyi Thousand Profound Sword Formation with rapid spear thrusts that disrupted its qi links.
• Qing Chen unleashed the Lawless Blood Seal and demon lotuses, pressuring Xie Xuanwei’s body, cultivation, and divine soul at once.
• Xie Xuanwei revealed the spirit-tree form of the azure profound jianmu, used it to resist the demon lotuses, and began gathering spiritual qi through the Myriad Phenomena Compass.

Qing Chen defeated Xie Xuanwei by exploiting the deadlock between their Spirit Venerable-grade spells to strike him from behind with Primordial Magnetism Annihilation Divine Thunder. Xie Xuanwei plunged into the Luo River, while Qing Chen wondered whether to demand payment for sparing his life.

• Xie Xuanwei used the Myriad Phenomena Compass with the Taiyi Senluo Guicang Scripture to summon the Tenebrous Myriad Manifestations Flying Immortal Hand and clash with Qing Chen's Lawless Blood Seal.
• As the spells battled, Xie Xuanwei believed his palm would absorb the blood seal's power and turn the fight in his favor.
• Qing Chen activated the Primal Magnetism Divine Light strands he had secretly spread around the Immortal Severing Platform, collapsing nearby five-element spiritual energy and striking Xie Xuanwei from behind with Primordial Magnetism Annihilation Divine Thunder.
• The lightning pierced Xie Xuanwei's defenses, disrupted his spell, and let the Lawless Blood Seal break apart the enormous palm and blast him off the Immortal Severing Cliff into the Luo River.
• The watching cultivators reacted to Xie Xuanwei's fall, and Ji Chengjing made his decision as Qing Chen chose not to pursue his opponent.
• Qing Chen wondered whether Xie Xuanwei had survived and considered charging him for sparing his life, deciding that making money was better than fighting.

Xie Xuanwei rose from the Luo River and burned his essence blood to unleash the Myriad Phenomena Compass’s Tenebrous Myriad Manifestations against Qing Chen. Qing Chen answered with his Lawless Blood-Magnetism Prison-Suppressing Domain, and the two domains collided above the Immortal Severing Platform.

• Xiao Canglan watched Qing Chen defeat Xie Xuanwei and decided to send threats after him on his journey to the Northwestern Circuit.
• The Eighth Prince worried that Qing Chen was too powerful to obey, but Hu Yong advised cooperating with him and using the Imperial Court’s influence.
• Xie Xuanwei rose from the mist, then burned essence blood to activate the Taiyi Dao Body and unleash Tenebrous Myriad Manifestations.
• Xie Xuanwei’s attack twisted the surrounding phenomena and pressed toward Qing Chen, prompting Xuanxiao True Lord to order the spectators to retreat.
• Qing Chen opened his Lawless Blood-Magnetism Prison-Suppressing Domain and challenged Xie Xuanwei to withstand it.

Qing Chen and Xie Xuanwei unleashed their domains in a devastating clash above the Immortal Severing Platform, forcing spectators to retreat and beginning to destroy Immortal Severing Cliff and the Luo River. Both fighters kept escalating their power, leaving the battle locked in a contest of endurance.

• True Lord Xuanxiao gathered nearby Sunset Glow Dao Sect disciples and retreated as the domains' pressure injured cultivators and threatened even Nascent Soul True Lords.
• Yue Hanzhang reassessed Qing Chen's strength and considered setting a trap involving Yaoyue to keep Qing Chen from gaining influence in dream cultivation.
• Xie Xuanwei's Tenebrous Myriad Manifestations collided with Qing Chen's Lawless Blood-Magnetism Prison-Suppressing Domain, shattering much of Immortal Severing Cliff and wrenching the Luo River apart.
• Xie Xuanwei sublimated his Taiyi Ascension divine ability while Qing Chen burned immortality true blood to strengthen his domain.
• Both fighters realized they could not withdraw without exposing themselves to the other's attack, so they continued the clash as the spectators retreated hundreds of li.

Qing Chen prepared to overwhelm Xie Xuanwei with his six White Bone Demon Banners, but Hu Yong descended and effortlessly stopped their clash. He ended the contest with penalties for both fighters, and Qing Chen left after reminding Xie Xuanwei that he still owed him a favor.

• Qing Chen summoned six White Bone Demon Banners and prepared to form the Immortal-Burying Coffin against Xie Xuanwei.
• Hu Yong appeared at the center of their colliding domains and dispersed both attacks without harming either fighter.
• Hu Yong declared the battle over, stripped Qing Chen of a hundred years of immortal stipend, and ordered Xie Xuanwei to pay fifty thousand high-grade spirit stones for repairs.
• Qing Chen told Xie Xuanwei he had been lucky, criticized his boastful talk, and reminded him that he still owed Qing Chen a favor before departing.

Months after the Battle of Immortal-Sundering Cliff, Qing Chen traveled north aboard the Northwestern Circuit Sky-Patrolling Treasure Ship to take up his new office and expand the Demon Lotus Sect’s covert network. The chapter ended with the ship entering the Northern Borderlands Circuit, where Qing Chen awaited the Iron Household’s delegation.

• The Sky-Patrolling Treasure Ship traveled north from Great Jin’s Capital Region, passing from prosperous heartland into the fortified and war-torn Thirteen Northern Border Provinces.
• Xu Jiuling told Qing Chen that the Iron Household’s party would meet them roughly three thousand li ahead.
• Qing Chen reflected on how his victory over Xie Xuanwei at Immortal-Sundering Cliff had silenced many critics of his appointment.
• A new Heavenly Gang Nascent Soul True Lord Ranking placed Xie Xuanwei sixtieth and Qing Chen fifty-fifth, recognizing Qing Chen’s strength and growing influence.
• The ship entered the southern edge of the Northern Borderlands Circuit as Qing Chen approached the Iron Household’s meeting point.

Qing Chen reflected on his appointment to the Northwestern Circuit and his new authority in the Origin-Initial Devil Sect as he traveled toward the Northern Border. Tie Zhongtang welcomed him aboard the Iron Household warship and began explaining the true balance of power in the Western Regions.

• Qing Chen recalled that Emperor Jingtai’s appointment had likely accounted for his strength and that the Origin-Initial Devil Sect had promoted him to Deputy Branch Master of the Primordial Magnetism Branch.
• Qing Chen asked Xu Jiuling about the Western Regions, and Xu Jiuling advised him to seek the Iron Household’s views.
• Tie Zhongtang arrived with Iron Household forces and escorted Qing Chen aboard their warship.
• Tie Zhongtang showed Qing Chen a detailed military map of the northwest, revealing routes, strongholds, and other hidden locations.
• Tie Zhongtang explained that the Thirty-Six Western Regions Kingdoms had dwindled to seven powers: Kucha, Dayuan, Chuyun, Persia, Loulan, Juejing, and Qingqiu.

Tie Zhongtang used a Dark Iron Sand Table to brief Qing Chen on the seven kingdoms of the Western Regions and the Northwestern Circuit’s strategic position. He warned Qing Chen that, as Protector of the Western Regions, he must also beware enemies within the Immortal Dynasty and the Northwestern Circuit.

• Tie Zhongtang explained that most of the nominal thirty-six kingdoms were empty shells and identified seven kingdoms with real influence.
• Tie Zhongtang described Qiuci’s wealth and Buddhist influence, Dayuan’s cavalry and ties to the Golden Tent Khanate, and Chuyun’s shifting allegiance to Great Jin and the Ten Thousand Saints Demon Kingdom.
• Tie Zhongtang explained that Persia was dominated by the Origin-Initial Devil Sect and warned Qing Chen to be careful when approached there in his role as Deputy Branch Master.
• Tie Zhongtang described Loulan’s ancient routes and declining power, Jingjue’s merchant alliances, and Qingqiu’s half-demon population and resources.
• Tie Zhongtang showed Qing Chen the Northwestern Circuit’s fifteen provinces and warned that the most dangerous enemy could be within the Immortal Dynasty or the Northwestern Circuit itself.

Tie Zhongtang explained the Northwestern Circuit’s three competing factions and the corruption and power struggles that made it difficult to govern. Qing Chen realized the danger of his new post, while Tie Zhongtang urged him to disrupt the entrenched order.

• Tie Zhongtang described the Border Army’s powerful military chiefs and explained why they resisted direct control despite relying on strength.
• Tie Zhongtang showed Qing Chen how central Immortal Officials and local interests diverted spirit stone taxes, leaving the Border Army with only a fraction of its stipends.
• Tie Zhongtang identified the local magnates and sects, including the Taotie Yuan-Devouring Sect, Mount Taibai Sword Sect, Bloodslaughter Alliance, Blood God Sect, Dugu Household, and Yuwen Household.
• Qing Chen recognized that the Northwestern Circuit’s powerful factions could make his governorship perilous, even with the Governor’s Seal and Dao Soldiers behind him.
• Tie Zhongtang encouraged Qing Chen to kill the region’s entrenched opponents and stir up its troubled order.