Chapter Summaries

Zhou Xun accepted Xu Shaoqing as his fifth disciple after confirming her spiritual-root affinity, allowing her to live openly at Forgetful River Lake. Two years later, he strengthened his own spiritual root and advanced his cultivation, puppetry, and formation skills, and he began planning to draw more spiritual energy to Forgetful River Quarter.

• Wei Qiuxin escorted Xu Shaoqing to meet Zhou Xun and Xu Qingxiao at Forgetful River Lake.
• Zhou Xun tested Xu Shaoqing's fire affinity at sixty-one points and accepted her as a registered disciple; Xu Qingxiao thanked him.
• Zhou Xun introduced Xu Shaoqing to his other disciples, then placed her under Zhou Jinsong's care after Xu Qingxiao departed.
• Over the next two years, Zhou Xun raised a Tier 3 High-Grade Purple Diamond Grass to Supreme Grade and used it to increase his wood affinity to sixty-eight points.
• Zhou Xun reached 182 drops of liquid mana, refined a Tier 2 Mid-Grade Puppet Beast, and brought his formation skill to the peak of Tier 2 High-Grade.
• Zhou Xun decided to modify the lake's guardian formation and reveal part of the spirit vein's power to improve Forgetful River Quarter and his followers' cultivation.

Zhou Xun modified the Mountain Protection Grand Formation, raising the Spiritual Qi across Forgetful River Lake to Tier 3 and fulfilling his promise to Wang Shun. Wang Shun entered a prepared cave abode to attempt Foundation Establishment, while Forgetful River Quarter gained the potential to become an immortal city.

• Wang Shun visited Zhou Xun at the peak of Qi Refining to request a Foundation Establishment Pill, and Zhou Xun gave him one and advised him to wait half a year.
• Half a year later, Zhou Xun activated the modified formation, causing Spiritual Qi throughout Forgetful River Lake to surge.
• Wei Qiuxin investigated the change, and Zhou Xun revealed that he had found a Tier 3 Spiritual Vein beneath Lakeheart Island.
• Wang Shun realized Zhou Xun had delayed his breakthrough so he could benefit from the rising Spiritual Qi.
• Over ten days, Spiritual Qi across the formation-covered region rose to Tier 3 low-grade, while Lakeheart Island reached Tier 3 mid-grade and Forgetful River Quarter's prospects improved.
• Wang Shun entered the cave abode prepared for Foundation Establishment after studying the breakthrough process for half a year.

Wang Shun successfully established his foundation and received Zhou Xun’s encouragement to keep cultivating. Meanwhile, the Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder returned to the Golden Ape Valley front after reaching Late-Stage Core Formation, as the sect’s elders discussed their stalled conflict with Xu Nation.

• Wang Shun swallowed the Foundation Establishment Pill and successfully broke through at Lakeheart Island.
• Wang Shun paid respects to Zhou Xun, who encouraged him to cultivate toward Foundation Establishment Peak and offered the prospect of a Core Formation spiritual treasure.
• The Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder emerged from over ten years of seclusion as a Late-Stage Core Formation cultivator and flew toward the Golden Ape Valley front.
• Liu Wu challenged the Second Elder’s decision to withdraw rather than pursue Xu Nation’s retreating forces, citing the death of his gifted descendant.
• The Second Elder explained that he had feared a trap set by the allied Feng-Xu Dual Nations and urged the elders to hold their position until the First Elder returned.
• A streak of spiritual light descended into the Heaven Feather Sect encampment as the elders finished their discussion.

The Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder returned to Golden Ape Valley after breaking through to Late-Stage Core Formation and ordered an attack on Xu Nation. As the Heaven Feather Sect army advanced, Xu Nation’s leaders prepared to meet it at the defense line.

• The First Elder announced his breakthrough and said he would avenge his disciple Feng Wuji while leading the campaign against Xu Nation.
• After hearing the Second Elder’s account of the fighting at Golden Ape Valley, the First Elder ordered an attack for the next day.
• The First Elder led tens of thousands of Heaven Feather Sect cultivators toward the Xu Nation defense line.
• A Xu Nation scout spotted the advance and used signal arrows to spread the warning across the encampment.
• True Person Yun Yi, True Person Jin Hong, and Xuan Yunzi gathered with the False Core cultivators and discussed facing the approaching army head-on.

True Person Yun Yi and Xuan Yunzi prepared Golden Ape Valley to withstand the Heaven Feather Sect’s attack while seeking reinforcements from Forgetful River True One and Feng Nation. Zhou Xun agreed to help and flew toward the front, where Yun Yi saw the Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder leading its army.

• True Person Yun Yi warned that the Heaven Feather Sect might have a Late-Stage Core Formation First Elder, and Xuan Yunzi proposed holding the valley until reinforcements arrived.
• True Person Yun Yi used a rare Transmission Jade Talisman to send an urgent message to his disciple in Forgetful River Quarter.
• The messenger sought Zhou Xun’s help, and Zhou Xun gave him a letter to carry to Feng Nation before flying toward Golden Ape Valley.
• Tens of thousands of Heaven Feather Sect cultivators approached Golden Ape Valley, led by the First Elder Yun Yi had feared.

Cloud Radiance Sect and Xu Nation fought Heaven Feather Sect as the First Elder of Heaven Feather Sect used his superior cultivation and treasures to challenge their leaders. The battle remained unresolved as Wang Erniu joined the clash with Red Leaf Square.

• True Person Yun Yi gave the Mountain Protection Grand Formation’s Control Command Flag to True Person Feng Yun and warned that the First Elder of Heaven Feather Sect was activating a Restriction Breaking Talisman.
• True Person Yun Yi and Xuan Yunzi attacked the First Elder of Heaven Feather Sect, who abandoned the talisman to defend himself with a peak mid-grade Mystic Treasure golden bell and tried to recruit Xuan Yunzi.
• True Person Jin Hong engaged the Second Elder of Heaven Feather Sect, but Black Abyss Ooze corroded his divine sense and destroyed his connection to his defensive Mystic Treasure, forcing him to rely on a Defense Talisman.
• Wang Erniu led the cultivators of Red Leaf Square into battle against more than two hundred Heaven Feather Sect cultivators and sent out his Natal Flying Sword.

Golden Ape Valley’s defenders suffered heavy losses as the Heaven Feather Sect’s elders overwhelmed them, despite Wang Erniu’s powerful counterattack. True Person Yun Yi called for a retreat into the grand formation and warned that the valley could no longer be held.

• Wang Erniu shattered the Heaven Feather Sect battle formation and killed its Foundation Establishment Peak Elder with his empowered flying sword.
• The Heaven Feather Sect’s Second Elder used an Empowerment Talisman to break True Person Jin Hong’s defensive barrier and destroy his legs, but True Person Feng Yun’s formation attack let Jin Hong escape.
• True Person Yun Yi and Xuan Yunzi tried to retreat from the Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder, but the Second Elder ambushed them and grievously wounded Yun Yi.
• True Person Yun Yi fired the retreat signal, and the low-level Xu Nation cultivators withdrew into the grand formation.
• True Person Yun Yi told the gathered Golden Ape Valley cultivators to arrange an immediate retreat because the Heaven Feather Sect’s Restriction Breaking Talisman would soon breach the formation.

The Heaven Feather Sect breached Xu Nation’s formation after deceiving its defenders with an illusion-disguised Restriction Breaking Talisman, then pursued True Person Yun Yi’s fleeing group. The Heaven Feather Sect caught up while Yun Yi and Jin Hong were injured, leaving the Cloud Radiance Sect’s survivors facing a stronger force.

• The Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder revealed that he had disguised a third-rank low-grade Restriction Breaking Talisman as a mid-grade one, and the sect breached Xu Nation’s formation on the third day.
• The Heaven Feather Sect split its forces, with the First Elder leading an elite pursuit after True Person Yun Yi’s group while the Fourth Elder seized territory behind them.
• Zhou Xun hurried toward Forgetful River Lake after sensing spiritual light ahead, while Yun Yi’s group continued fleeing toward the lake.
• True Person Jin Hong recovered from his injuries but lost both legs, and Yun Yi stabilized his grave wounds at the cost of much of his remaining lifespan.
• Yun Yi realized the Heaven Feather Sect had likely sent an elite force after them and ordered the convoy to speed up.
• The Heaven Feather Sect’s four flying boats caught up to the fleeing group, leaving Yun Yi, Jin Hong, and their companions facing five Core Formation cultivators, including a Late-Stage cultivator.

True Person Yun Yi sacrificed himself to delay the Heaven Feather Sect pursuers, giving the Cloud Radiance Sect time to escape. Zhou Xun met the fleeing sect forces and learned that Yun Yi had self-destructed.

• True Person Yun Yi told True Person Jin Hong that Xue Ying was key to the Cloud Radiance Sect’s future, then entrusted him with his Storage Pouch and flew back to face the pursuers.
• True Person Yun Yi challenged the Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder and fought him with his Natal Treasure after burning his essence blood.
• True Person Yun Yi self-destructed, badly damaging the Heaven Feather Sect’s pursuing force and leaving its First Elder’s fate uncertain.
• Xuan Yunzi ordered the Cloud Radiance Sect’s flying boats to speed away as its cultivators mourned Yun Yi and seized the chance he had created.
• Zhou Xun met the fleeing Cloud Radiance Sect forces and learned from True Person Jin Hong that Yun Yi had self-destructed.

After True Person Yun Yi sacrificed himself to injure Heaven Feather Sect’s elders, Zhou Xun rallied the Xu Nation cultivators and led them back to attack. The two forces prepared for battle, and Zhou Xun activated his Celestial Talisman Formation and released thirty-six Lightning Seeds as he confronted Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder.

• Zhou Xun paid solemn respects to True Person Yun Yi and vowed to avenge him by taking up the fight against Heaven Feather Sect.
• Zhou Xun rallied tens of thousands of cultivators, then led them and hundreds of Spirit Skiffs toward the injured Heaven Feather Sect forces.
• Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder learned that Zhou Xun’s forces had turned back, and he ordered his own cultivators to prepare for battle.
• Zhou Xun charged toward the First Elder and summoned thirty-six treasure talismans to form the Celestial Talisman Formation.
• Zhou Xun released thirty-six Lightning Seeds across the sky as the two sides closed in on each other.

Zhou Xun fought the Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder, whose grief over Feng Wuji drove him to seek revenge, while Xuan Yunzi confronted the sect’s Second Elder. Zhou Xun held his ground against the stronger cultivator, and Xuan Yunzi’s opening attack failed before the Second Elder’s counterattack was blocked.

• The First Elder recognized Zhou Xun’s Violet Firmament True Arts and accused him of killing Feng Wuji before attacking with a golden bell.
• Zhou Xun blocked the bell with a Lightning Shield formed from his thirty-six Lightning Seeds, and their first clash ended in a draw.
• The First Elder decided to wear Zhou Xun down by conserving his strength, and the two entered a stalemate.
• Xuan Yunzi engaged the Second Elder and tried to bind him with five golden cords, but the Second Elder’s silver defensive treasure stopped them.
• The Second Elder sent his Jade Wood Staff crashing toward Xuan Yunzi, who blocked it with his Natal Gold Sword.

The First Elder swallowed a Bloodboil Pill and reached Peak Late-Stage Core Formation, turning the tide of his duel with Zhou Xun. Zhou Xun narrowly escaped the First Elder’s Bronze Long-Glaive by teleporting with the Violet Firmament True Thunder Formation, but the First Elder challenged him to keep escaping.

• Wang Erniu sent his Natal Flying Sword through the Heaven Feather Sect’s defenses, killing four Foundation Establishment cultivators.
• The First Elder took a Tier 3 High-Grade Bloodboil Pill and raised his cultivation to Peak Late-Stage Core Formation.
• Zhou Xun trapped the First Elder within the Celestial Talisman Formation, but the First Elder revealed a powerful Bronze Long-Glaive.
• The First Elder’s long-glaive pierced through Zhou Xun’s talisman shields, but Zhou Xun vanished using the Violet Firmament True Thunder Formation’s teleportation transformation.
• The First Elder warned Zhou Xun that he would not be able to escape many more times.

Zhou Xun killed the Heaven Feather Sect's First and Third Elders during the battle, while the Second Elder escaped with a Teleportation Talisman. The remaining Heaven Feather Sect cultivators were surrounded, and Zhou Xun urged True Person Jin Hong to treat him as an old friend.

• Zhou Xun killed the First Elder by piercing his head with the Edge of Utmost Sharpness, then collected the Elder's corpse and treasures.
• The Third Elder charged Zhou Xun to avenge the First Elder, but Zhou Xun bound him with the Crimson Flame Cord and killed him with a wooden blade.
• The Second Elder escaped using an ancient Teleportation Talisman that carried him a thousand li away.
• The Heaven Feather Sect's remaining cultivators despaired as Xu Nation's forces surrounded them.
• True Person Jin Hong asked Zhou Xun what should be done with the captives, and Zhou Xun invited him to call him Brother Zhou.

Zhou Xun and True Person Jin Hong led the Xu Nation forces in an assault on the Heaven Feather Sect cultivators, but a fake Dan cultivator’s self-detonation broke the encirclement and let many enemies escape. Zhou Xun killed the fleeing traitor Wu Zongdao, then returned to review the battle’s losses and found Wang Erniu among the survivors.

• Zhou Xun urged True Person Jin Hong to show no mercy to the Heaven Feather Sect, and Jin Hong ordered the Xu Nation cultivators to attack.
• A Heaven Feather Sect fake Dan cultivator self-detonated, killing dozens and injuring many while opening a path for hundreds to flee.
• Zhou Xun pursued Wu Zongdao, bound him with the Crimson Flame Cord, and killed him with an azure strike.
• Zhou Xun ordered the remaining cultivators to pursue the escapees, then returned and heard that roughly one-fifth of the Heaven Feather Sect force had escaped.
• True Person Jin Hong reported Xu Nation’s casualties, and Zhou Xun went to Wang Erniu as the Red Leaf Square cultivators greeted him.

Zhou Xun led Xu Nation’s counterattack, drove the Heaven Feather Sect from its territory, and returned to Forgetful River Lake to assess his spoils. He discovered a rare jade-green shuttle in the First Elder’s Storage Pouch and wondered if it was a flying treasure.

• Wang Erniu celebrated his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Late Stage and told Zhou Xun how he had slain more than a dozen Heaven Feather Sect cultivators.
• The Second Elder escaped Zhou Xun’s encirclement, joined the Fourth Elder’s group, and helped order Heaven Feather Sect forces to abandon their occupied lands and retreat to Yan Nation.
• Zhou Xun and the Xu Nation cultivators counterattacked, recovered their lost territory, and found the Heaven Feather Sect camp deserted.
• Zhou Xun returned to Forgetful River Lake with two damaged Tier 3 flying vessels while Xuan Yunzi and True Person Jin Hong led their cultivators home.
• Zhou Xun inspected his damaged Celestial Talisman Formation and acquired the First Elder’s Bronze Long-Glaive, golden bell, and Storage Pouch.
• Zhou Xun found a jade-green shuttle inside the Storage Pouch and suspected it was a rare flying treasure.

Zhou Xun inventoried the treasures he had seized and planned to visit the Cloud Radiance Sect for materials to repair his Celestial Talisman Formation. Before leaving, he began refining the Lightning Essence Crystal and discovered it contained Nethergod Yin Lightning.

• Zhou Xun refined a mid-grade flying treasure, named it the Azure Light Shuttle, and found a Lightning Essence Crystal among the First Elder’s possessions.
• Zhou Xun sorted the spoils and resolved to seek a way beyond Core Formation after repairing his Celestial Talisman Formation.
• Zhou Xun found enough spiritwood to make seven sheets of treasure talisman paper, but still needed ten more.
• Zhou Xun decided to visit the Cloud Radiance Sect to seek beast hides or spiritwood and support Lin Xueying amid the sect’s turmoil.
• Zhou Xun used the Lightning Essence Crystal on his Lightning Pool and recognized its soul-affecting arcs as Nethergod Yin Lightning.

Zhou Xun refined the Lightning Essence Crystal and gained Nethergod Yin Lightning, which could attack souls, then traveled to the Cloud Radiance Sect to exchange for treasure-talisman materials. He reunited with Lin Xueying at the sect, where its cultivators welcomed him as a celebrated hero.

• Zhou Xun endured the lightning pool’s soul-tempering and discovered that his Lightning Seed had gained Nethergod Yin Lightning.
• Zhou Xun tested the new lightning on a Lizard Puppet Beast and found that it destroyed the beast soul core, leaving the puppet unable to act.
• Zhou Xun flew to the Cloud Radiance Sect aboard his Azure Light Shuttle to visit True Person Jin Hong and seek materials for treasure talismans.
• A mountain gate guard recognized Zhou Xun as Forgetful River True One and sent word of his arrival to the sect.
• True Person Yun An gathered the sect’s Core Formation cultivators, and True Person Jin Hong, Lin Xueying, and the others went to welcome Zhou Xun.
• Zhou Xun reunited with Lin Xueying and urged her to focus on cultivation while the sect’s elders handled its affairs.

Zhou Xun visited Cloud Radiance Sect with Lin Xueying, exchanged pleasantries with its leaders, and obtained a Tier 3 demon beast hide. He accepted an offer to become an Honored Guest Elder and took custody of the sect’s First Elder Token before moving into True Person Yun Yi’s cave dwelling.

• True Person Yun An hosted Zhou Xun and Lin Xueying at Cloud Radiance Hall and served Zhou Xun Tier 3 Peach Blossom Wine.
• Zhou Xun asked to obtain Tier 3 demon beast hides and spiritwood, and True Person Jin Hong offered him a hide from the lizard demon that had attacked White Cloud Immortal City.
• True Person Jin Hong invited Zhou Xun to become Cloud Radiance Sect’s Honored Guest Elder, offering First Elder benefits and access to the sect’s records, cultivation arts, and treasury.
• Zhou Xun accepted the position and took the First Elder Token, promising to safeguard it and return it to Lin Xueying after she formed her core.
• Zhou Xun moved into True Person Yun Yi’s cave dwelling, whose Tier 3 High-Grade cultivation environment was below his underwater cultivation chamber.

Zhou Xun accepted the First Elder Token and stayed at the Cloud Radiance Sect with Lin Xueying, where he searched its records for clues about the Eastern Wasteland. After returning to his lakeside cultivation chamber, he harvested a Tier 3 Top Grade Snowball Flower and absorbed its essence.

• Lin Xueying told Zhou Xun she understood he had accepted the First Elder Token partly to support her, and the two spent the night together.
• Sun Yuanque's friends urged him to visit Zhou Xun, and he went to Cloud Radiance Grotto to pay his respects.
• Zhou Xun invited Sun Yuanque to speak to him as an old friend, and the two shared Peach Blossom Wine.
• Zhou Xun remained at the Cloud Radiance Sect for a time, reading Jade Slips and receiving visits from Sun Yuanque, then returned to his lakeside cultivation chamber half a year later.
• Zhou Xun's incarnation presented a Tier 3 Top Grade Snowball Flower, and Zhou Xun used the Essence Spring Art to draw out its bright jade-green essence.

Zhou Xun neared the limits of his Earth Spiritual Root and Foundation Establishment cultivation while, in Zhao Nation, prominent cultivators discussed the mysterious Forgetful River True One who had slain Heaven Feather Sect’s First Elder. South Peak True One recognized the name as Zhou Xun, whose extraordinary rise astonished the others, though they believed the Eastern Wasteland barred anyone from advancing beyond Core Formation.

• Zhou Xun raised his Wood Spiritual Root sensitivity to seventy points and calculated that his remaining Tier 3 herbs could bring it to the Earth Spiritual Root limit before he used the Celestial True Flame Lotus to pursue a Heaven Spiritual Root.
• Zhou Xun reached 188 drops of liquid spiritual power and expected to complete Foundation Establishment Peak cultivation within a year.
• True Person Tian Ci told South Peak True One, True Person Pill Cauldron, and True Person Iron Mountain how Forgetful River True One had defeated Heaven Feather Sect’s forces and killed its Late-Stage Core Formation First Elder.
• South Peak True One recognized Forgetful River True One as Zhou Xun, the young formation genius from Xu Nation, and noted that he had apparently formed his core before turning seventy.
• True Person Tian Ci argued that Zhou Xun could not form a Golden Core in the Eastern Wasteland without the vanished spiritual substance or a way to leave the region.