Chapter Summaries

After returning to Linghua Island, Zhao Yi and Wang Qing tried to save Guiwu with a bloodline-tempering formation while Li Hai reported their dangerous trip to Liu Yu. Zhao Yi examined the slain Dao Foundation cultivator’s spoils, found three earth-attribute cultivation arts and a pearl containing sword techniques, and waited to learn whether Guiwu would recover.

• Zhao Yi and Wang Qing prepared a formation with water spirit stones and turtle Demon Cores, then placed the gravely wounded Guiwu inside it to recover on his own.
• Li Hai returned to Linghua Island, told Liu Yu how the three had fought and survived a Dao Foundation cultivator, and handed over their spoils, including three scarlet essence fruit trees and a green jade pear tree.
• Liu Yu, Li Hai, and Wu Xiuzhu hurried to the Spirit Spring to plant the four spirit trees.
• Zhao Yi opened the slain Dao Foundation cultivator’s Storage Bag and sorted through spirit stones, damaged artifacts, pills, old spirit medicines, and cultivation records.
• Zhao Yi found three earth-attribute cultivation arts and favored the Wu Earth Profound Spirit Treasure Art, which could form a superior-grade Dao foundation.
• Zhao Yi discovered that a Spirit Pearl held four sword techniques from the unfamiliar Heavenly Sea Sect and decided to leave it for Li Hai before waiting for Guiwu’s outcome.

Liu Yu and Li Hai attended Yunsha Market’s annual profit-sharing meeting, where Yang Qicheng challenged Linghua Island’s share and the dispute nearly turned into Dharma Combat. The shares remained unchanged after most challengers withdrew, and Liu Yu later refused Xu Changwang’s request to visit his daughter on Linghua Island.

• Liu Yu brought Li Hai to Yunsha Market, where Li Hai objected to the high prices before Liu Yu explained that the market’s prices were deliberately set higher.
• At the annual meeting, Yang Qicheng challenged Linghua Island’s fifteen-percent share, and representatives of Xuanli Island and Wind Howl Island defended their shares too.
• Li Hai proposed settling the dispute through Dharma Combat, but Chen Jinde and several other island representatives relinquished their shares and left.
• Li Hai and the other island leaders offered to fight anyone who wanted their shares, prompting the remaining challengers to withdraw without a contest.
• The profit shares stayed unchanged, and Liu Yu later refused Xu Changwang’s request to visit Xu Feiyu or send her a bundle, following Zhao Yi’s instructions to sever disciples’ former ties.

Liu Yu and Li Hai were ambushed on their return from Yunsha Market, where Li Hai’s swordsmanship drove off the Han Family cultivators but Liu Yu was injured. Li Hai left for Azure Cloud Island to buy pills and formation materials, while Han Chen learned of the failed ambush and Daoist Liefeng prepared to act against Linghua Island.

• Liu Yu and Li Hai left Yunsha Market, and six black-robed cultivators ambushed them over the sea.
• Li Hai killed one attacker and used Azure Sea Tide-Rising Sword Qi to defeat another, forcing the remaining four to withdraw after Liu Yu offered a truce.
• Liu Yu returned to Linghua Island injured and identified the attackers as members of the Han Family, who had been testing their strength.
• Liu Yu gave Li Hai five thousand Spirit Stones for Purple Cloud Spirit Pills and additional funds to buy supplies for a formation and other pills, then sent him to Azure Cloud Island.
• Han Chen praised Li Hai’s swordsmanship, promised resources to help the Yang Family produce another Spirit Drawing cultivator, and learned that Daoist Liefeng planned to deal with Linghua Island personally.

Zhao Yi and Wang Qing witnessed Guiwu’s successful advancement into a Black-Shelled Horned Turtle, then returned with it to Linghua Island. Zhao Yi welcomed the growing group of disciples and arranged support for several members to advance to Spirit Drawing.

• After months of cultivation, Zhao Yi reflected on the Wu Earth Profound Spirit Treasure Art and the cultivation requirements for establishing a sect.
• Wang Qing reported that Guiwu’s advancement had succeeded, and two days later Guiwu awoke as a powerful Black-Shelled Horned Turtle with much stronger cultivation.
• Zhao Yi tested Guiwu’s spells and defenses, confirming that its shell could withstand attacks from a middle-grade dharma artifact.
• Zhao Yi and Wang Qing returned to Linghua Island, where Liu Yu, Li Hai, and the others welcomed them and celebrated Guiwu’s advancement.
• Zhao Yi ordered that the island support Wu Xiuzhu, Zheng Ji, Wang Ping, and Zheng Tong in advancing to Spirit Drawing, and learned that Linghua Island now had nine fourth-generation disciples.

Zhao Yi gathered with the disciples on Linghua Island, arranged cultivation plans and defenses, then visited Zhao Xinghe to ask him to protect the island during his seclusion. Zhao Xinghe gave Zhao Yi a communication talisman and Dao Foundation insights, and Zhao Yi departed for his undersea cave abode to attempt a breakthrough.

• Zhao Yi shared a feast with the disciples and ordered them to focus on cultivation while Liu Yu developed Linghua Island’s spirit acupoint into a spirit vein.
• Liu Yu and Li Hai gave Zhao Yi cultivation pills bought with bandit spoils, and Zhao Yi instructed several disciples to switch to stronger cultivation arts.
• Zhao Yi set the disciples’ generation character as “Yuan” and named Wang Qing Wang Yuanqing.
• Zhao Yi visited Zhao Xinghe on Little Wave Island and asked him to watch over Linghua Island while Zhao Yi entered seclusion.
• Zhao Xinghe warned Zhao Yi that the Han, Feng, and Xu Families had moved into the Yunsha Sea Region, then gave him a communication talisman and insights into Dao Foundation cultivation.
• Zhao Yi returned to Linghua Island, left the talisman with Liu Yu, and departed for his undersea cave abode to establish his Dao Foundation.

Zhao Yi prepared for secluded cultivation in the Undersea Cave Abode, redistributed fortune among himself and his disciples, and gained a sudden surge of insight that strengthened his magical power and meridians. He relied on spirit pills and Wu Earth Essence to open several apertures, then settled into long-term cultivation using the spirit vein beneath his meditation cushion.

• Zhao Yi refined the cave abode's protective formation, cleared nearby sea beasts, and reviewed the sect and disciples' fortune.
• Zhao Yi raised Zheng Ji's fortune by three points and transferred the remaining fortune to himself, reaching eighty-two points.
• Zhao Yi experienced sudden enlightenment over half a month, increasing his magical power and widening his Dantian, meridians, and apertures.
• Zhao Yi used Purple Cloud Spirit Pills and Crimson Sun Spirit Pills to replenish his magical power and open apertures, enduring the Crimson Sun pills' painful effects.
• Zhao Yi refined Wu Earth Essence to break through another aperture, then alternated it with Crimson Sun Spirit Pills and opened four apertures in less than a month.

Three Dao Foundation Stage demon cultivators massacred islands across the Yunsha Sea Region, prompting panic and a response from the Tide-Subduing Sect. The threat appeared to pass, but Zhao Yi remained unaware of the attacks as he continued his seclusion and began assaulting a new barrier.

• The Blood Shark Demon General, Tiger Shark Demon General, and Demon Shark Demon General arrived in the Yunsha Sea Region and slaughtered the people on Huangyuan Island.
• Over the next fortnight, the three demon generals massacred more than a dozen islands, spreading panic through the region.
• On Lingfeng Island, the demon generals destroyed Yang Qixing’s flying sword and captured him; Han Chen escaped after being struck, then fled to warn Daoist Liefeng.
• Daoist Liefeng identified the attackers as three Dao Foundation Stage demon generals and alerted Zhao Xinghe, while news of the massacres spread across the region.
• Liu Yu activated Linghua Island’s protective formation and gathered Zheng Ji, Zheng Tong, and the others there; the Tide-Subduing Sect later sent Dao Foundation cultivators to patrol and one to oversee Yunsha Market.
• Zhao Yi remained in seclusion in the Undersea Cave Abode, unaware of the crisis outside, and began attacking a new barrier.

Daoist Liefeng attacked Linghua Island while Zhao Yi was absent, forcing Liu Yu and the others to defend the island and protect its disciples. After half an hour of assault, Daoist Liefeng greeted Zhao Xinghe as he appeared.

• Daoist Liefeng told Han Chen he suspected the Demon Cultivators were still hiding in the Yunsha Sea Region and planned to confront Linghua Island over its profits or kill its people if Zhao Yi was there.
• Daoist Liefeng found Zhao Yi absent from Linghua Island and struck its protective formation while Wang Ping shielded the frightened disciples.
• Liu Yu took control of the formation, sent Wang Ping and the disciples toward a secret passage, and stayed behind as Chen Yichong and Chen Feng went out to face the danger.
• Wang Qing attacked Daoist Liefeng with spiritual arrows, but his shield held; he then suspected Liefeng was trying to lure Zhao Xinghe into an ambush.
• Daoist Liefeng battered Linghua Island's formation for half an hour until Zhao Xinghe appeared, and Liefeng greeted him.

Liu Yu, Wang Qing, and Li Hai accepted Daoist Liefeng’s attack to settle the Han Family’s grievance over Qin Wuya’s death, but the golden tornado devastated Linghua Island and left all three badly wounded. With the dispute settled and Demon Cultivators still a threat, Liu Yu organized repairs while the survivors mourned their dead.

• Liu Yu offered ten percent of Linghua Island’s share of Yunsha Market profits to Qin Wuya’s relatives, and Zhao Xinghe proposed that Liu Yu and Wang Qing endure one attack from Daoist Liefeng.
• Li Hai arrived and volunteered to join Liu Yu and Wang Qing in bearing Daoist Liefeng’s attack, promising that Linghua Island would never raise the matter again.
• Daoist Liefeng unleashed a golden tornado; the three disciples and Guiwu tried to stop it, but it shattered the formation, wrecked Linghua Mountain, and badly wounded the three men.
• Liu Yu ordered Li Hai to recover, sent Wang Qing to take Guiwu to Jade Pearl Island, and began arranging Linghua Island’s recovery.
• Daoist Liefeng gave up the ten-percent share and left to protect Black Star Island, while Zhao Xinghe departed after worrying about the Zhao Family’s future.
• Wang Ping discovered that Chen Yichong had died in the golden wind’s final remnants, then returned to bring the surviving disciples out of the hidden passage.

After a deadly storm devastated Linghua Island, Liu Yu assessed the losses and redirected the group’s scarce resources toward supporting Eldest Senior Brother’s Dao Foundation breakthrough. Li Hai and Wang Qing traveled to Azure Cloud Island for medicine, but discovered Alchemist Qin had arranged an ambush; they killed him and three accomplices, then escaped without leaving evidence.

• Wang Ping reported the storm’s damage, including the deaths of seventy-six mortals and Martial Uncle Chen Yichong.
• Liu Yu ordered the group to cut Spirit Pill allotments and use their resources to support Eldest Senior Brother, while assigning Li Hai to guard Kongqing Island and cultivate with Bee Queen Jelly.
• Liu Yu gave Li Hai five thousand Spirit Stones to take Wang Qing to Azure Cloud Island for treatment, then revealed his own injuries to Wu Xiuzhu.
• At Fubo Pavilion, Alchemist Qin examined Wang Qing and prescribed three months of pills; Li Hai also bought fifteen Crimson Sun Spirit Pills and other medicine.
• On their return through the Desolate Sea Region, Li Hai and Wang Qing defeated four ambushers, killing three before Alchemist Qin revealed himself and was killed as well.
• Li Hai and Wang Qing destroyed evidence and fled, and a Dao Foundation cultivator later searched the scene but found no trace of them.

Liu Yu and his fellow disciples weathered the aftermath of the bandit attack as the Yunsha Sea Region grew more prosperous over seven years and Linghua Island developed its strength. The chapter left Zhao Yi in his tenth year of seclusion, with Li Hai suspecting he was condensing a high-grade Dao Foundation.

• Liu Yu warned Li Hai and Wang Qing that Fubo Pavilion might suspect them, and they decided to buy pills on Blue Sky Island while using their recovered spirit stones to support their senior brothers.
• Demon cultivators attacked Black Wind Island, where Yang Yan and Yuan Zifeng's junior brother died before Tide-Subduing Sect cultivators drove the attackers out of the Yunsha Sea Region.
• Over seven years, the region gained more Spirit Attraction cultivators, the Xu Family Head condensed his Dao Foundation, and Yunsha Market expanded while Linghua Island's income grew.
• Li Hai and Wang Qing advanced to perfection of Spirit Drawing, while Wu Xiuzhu and Zheng Tong reached the Spirit Attraction Stage; Wang Ping and Zheng Ji entered seclusion to attempt breakthroughs.
• Liu Yu supported new disciples and enterprises on Linghua Island, including Zheng Tong's pill practice and Zhou Zheng's training as an Artifact Refiner, while Wu Xiuzhu gave birth to their child.
• Zhao Yi remained in seclusion for ten years, and Li Hai suspected his increasingly profound cultivation meant he was condensing a middle-grade or superior-grade Dao Foundation.

Zhao Yi condensed a superior-grade Dao foundation and advanced to the Dao Foundation Stage after grasping the earth-and-mountain artistic conception within his cultivation art. He returned to Linghua Island, where Liu Yu and the others welcomed him and planned to celebrate his breakthrough.

• Zhao Yi swallowed four Crimson Sun Spirit Pills and endured their overwhelming spiritual power until he grasped the artistic conception of his cultivation art through the final move of his halberd technique, Mountain-Breaking.
• A spiritual-energy vortex formed around Zhao Yi as he condensed a superior-grade Dao foundation; after stabilizing his cultivation, he decided to return to Linghua Island in October.
• At fifty-two, Zhao Yi advanced to the Dao Foundation Stage in the year 5520 of the Yuangguang Calendar, with divine sense reaching around 220 zhang.
• On Linghua Island, Zhao Qijin and Chen Qifeng discussed their Eldest Senior Sister's cultivation prospects while the fourth-generation disciples harvested spirit rice.
• Liu Yu, Wang Qing, and the other disciples welcomed Zhao Yi back from seclusion, and Chen Qifeng told Zhao Qijin that Zhao Yi had become a Dao Foundation cultivator.
• Wang Qing and Liu Yu proposed holding a grand celebration and inviting the islands of the Yunsha Sea Region, while Zhao Yi led everyone back to Linghua Abbey.

After returning from a ten-year seclusion with a high-grade Dao Foundation, Zhao Yi reunited with Linghua Island’s disciples and learned that senior uncle had died after Daoist Liefeng’s attack. He arranged to seek treatment for Liu Yu, strengthen the island’s resources, and prepare Li Hai and Wang Qing for future breakthroughs.

• Zhao Yi praised Liu Yu, Wang Qing, Li Hai, and Zheng Tong for their progress, then learned that senior uncle had died seven years earlier from the effects of Daoist Liefeng’s spell.
• Zhao Yi discovered Liu Yu still had severe internal injuries from Daoist Liefeng’s attack and said he would take him to Qingli Rogue for treatment.
• Zhao Yi told Liu Yu, Wang Qing, and Li Hai about his dangerous breakthrough and high-grade Dao Foundation, then learned that Daoist Liefeng had a mid-grade Dao Foundation and that only five Dao Foundation cultivators lived in the Yunsha Sea Region.
• Zhao Yi ordered Wang Qing to seek a larger market profit share and announce a Dao Foundation celebration, while Li Hai was sent to prepare for his own breakthrough with Zhao Yi’s insights.
• Zhao Yi announced he would turn Linghua Island’s spirit acupoint into a spirit vein within five years, creating a breakthrough opportunity for Wang Qing and Guiwu.
• Liu Yu assigned Wang Qing and Wang Ping to the market and the trip to Blue Sky Island, then sternly warned Wang Qing not to repeat his past conduct.

Wang Qing took Wang Ping to Yunsha Market, where he announced Zhao Yi’s successful advancement to the Dao Foundation Stage and secured Linghua Island a larger share of the market’s revenue. At the annual auction, Wang Qing bought Golden-Feather Eagle eggs and invited the market’s cultivators to Zhao Yi’s celebration.

• Wang Qing and Wang Ping arrived at Yunsha Market on Guiwu, then visited Linghua Island’s shop before meeting the market’s leaders at Yunsha Tower.
• Wang Qing told Chen Qisong and the island families that Zhao Yi had advanced to the Dao Foundation Stage and would hold his celebration on the eighth day of the sixth month next year.
• Wang Qing proposed that Linghua Island receive twenty percent of the market’s revenue, with each of the three families contributing five percent, and they agreed.
• The parties divided the year’s 38,500 spirit stones while the annual auction began below.
• Wang Qing bid one hundred spirit stones for three Golden-Feather Eagle eggs and announced Zhao Yi’s advancement and celebration to the auction crowd.
• The auction sold two magical artifacts and three Profound Origin Pills for its final attractions.

Zhao Yi helped Qingli Rogue break through to Perfection of Spirit Drawing in exchange for healing Liu Yu, whose long-standing injuries were cured after three months. Back on Linghua Island, Zhao Yi organized preparations for a celebration and surveyed the island’s spirit plants, then discussed using the coming spirit vein’s energy to improve the island.

• Zhao Yi and Liu Yu visited Xuanli Island, where Qingli Rogue agreed to help heal Liu Yu after Zhao Yi offered to assist his cultivation breakthrough.
• Zhao Yi balanced Qingli Rogue’s water and fire spiritual powers, helping him reach Perfection of Spirit Drawing.
• Qingli Rogue treated Liu Yu for three months, completely healing the injuries Liu Yu had suffered for seven or eight years.
• Liu Yu assigned Wang Qing and Wang Ping to invite islands to Linghua Island’s celebration, while Zhao Yi supported Wang Qing’s plan to raise Golden-Feather Eagles as flying spirit pets.
• Zhao Yi surveyed Linghua Island’s spirit plants, demonstrated the Rain Transformation Technique in its medicine gardens, and returned to discuss the island’s future with Liu Yu.

Linghua Island held a celebration for Zhao Yi’s advancement to the Dao Foundation stage, where he established the Fourth-Generation Disciples and appointed Liu Yu as the new sect master. The gathering ended after Zhao Yi gave the Yunsha Sea Region’s first public discourse on cultivation for low-level cultivators, and the guests departed.

• Yang Wufeng arrived from Spirit Crane Island with gifts, and Chen Qifeng guided his ship to Linghua Island as guests streamed in.
• Liu Yu and the island’s helpers hosted a banquet, then welcomed Han Chen, Zhao Changqing, Xu Yuanhang, and Chen Songyang to the celebration.
• Zhao Yi appeared and received the guests’ congratulations, then oversaw the initiation of the Fourth-Generation Disciples.
• Liu Yu named Xu Feiyu, Chen Feng, and Wan Zhi as the generation’s senior disciples, while Zhao Yi made Xu Feiyu a True Disciple.
• Zhao Yi announced Liu Yu as his successor, and the guests celebrated Linghua Island’s growing strength at a banquet.
• Zhao Yi gave a detailed discourse on cultivation from body tempering through the Spirit Attraction Stage, after which the guests thanked him and departed.

After Zhao Yi’s discourse spread across the Yunsha Sea Region, he strengthened Linghua Island’s foundations by establishing formations and planning to expand the sect. He then resumed nurturing plants and earth veins, leaving Linghua Island’s growth underway.

• Chen Qisong wagered with Chen Songyang that Linghua Island would produce another Dao Foundation cultivator within ten years, and they agreed to send a child to join the island.
• Zhao Yi and Liu Yu activated the island’s layered formations, increasing its spiritual energy and laying the groundwork for nourishing spirit plants and veins.
• Zhao Yi warned Liu Yu about the risks of delaying cultivation and assigned him to choose attendants and pass the General Affairs Hall steward role to Wang Ping.
• Zhao Yi ordered the sect to reclaim uninhabited islands across the surrounding sea regions and relocate islanders there under three-year postings for fourth-generation disciples.
• After Liu Yu asked him to cultivate elsewhere because he drained the mountain’s spiritual energy, Zhao Yi chose to use pills and returned to the island’s gardens the next morning.
• Zhao Yi examined the old jujube tree beside the spirit spring and resolved to cultivate it into a low-grade spirit plant while directing Dharma Power into Linghua Island’s earth veins.

After Wind-Thunder Rogue's death, Wang Qing explored a hidden cave abode and found a lightning-attribute longbow and an inheritance, leading four island factions to return and test the formation. The cave's rewards were distributed among the entrants, while the island itself turned out to be a giant sea turtle that began moving through the sea.

• Chen Yuxiang told Liu Yu and Zhao Yi that Wind-Thunder Rogue had died and asked Zhao Yi to break the formation guarding a cave abode; Liu Yu and Zhao Yi declined to go, so Wang Qing took the jade slip instead.
• Wang Qing entered the cave abode alone and found a high-grade lightning-attribute longbow, while Li Yufeng and Chen Yuxiang waited outside and agreed to share the discovery with other islands.
• Wang Qing returned to Linghua Island and revealed that touching the longbow had given him the Yi Wood Azure Thunder Guidance archery inheritance; Zhao Yi kept the bow for him, and Wang Qing agreed to return with Li Hai.
• Half a month later, Wang Qing, Li Hai, Li Yufeng, Chen Yuxiang, and representatives of Peach Blossom Island and Little Wave Island tested the formation; Li Hai and one Meridian Opening cultivator from each of the other islands entered.
• Li Hai emerged with a sword art inheritance, while the other entrants received individual inheritances or magical artifacts, and the four island factions departed satisfied.
• After everyone left, the deserted island rose from the sea as an enormous sea turtle and began swimming elsewhere.

Zhao Xinghe weighed the Zhao Family’s position beside a rising Linghua Island and decided Zhao Changqing would take charge, sacrificing his chance to condense a Dao Foundation. On Linghua Island, Zhao Yi helped Zheng Tong diagnose her pill-refining difficulties and took her to Little Wave Island to exchange alchemy knowledge with Zhao Xingyang.

• Zhao Changqing told Zhao Xinghe about Li Hai’s Sword Art Inheritance and noticed signs that Li Hai might be preparing to condense a Dao Foundation.
• Zhao Xinghe warned Zhao Changqing that Linghua Island was stronger than Little Wave Island and said the islands would need to cooperate against the Han Family or Xu Family.
• Zhao Changqing accepted that he would take charge of the Zhao Family, giving up his chance to condense a Dao Foundation.
• Zhao Yi watched Zheng Tong refine Grain-Avoidance Pills and Origin-Nourishing Pills, then used his divine sense to prevent a pill embryo from breaking apart.
• Zhao Yi gave Zheng Tong a jade slip containing divine sense tempering techniques and advised her to eat Jadeflower Spirit Fish to strengthen her divine sense.
• Zhao Yi took Zheng Tong by Flying Boat to Little Wave Island to exchange alchemy knowledge with Zhao Xingyang.

Zhao Yi visited Zhao Xinghe with Zheng Tong, renewed their alliance, and discussed the Tide-Subduing Sect’s growing influence and the Yunsha Sea Region’s limited opportunities. Zheng Tong improved her alchemy after the visit, while Zhao Yi continued filling his Dao Foundation and planned for Linghua Island’s future cultivation resources.

• Zhao Yi and Zheng Tong arrived at Little Wave Island, where Zhao Xinghe welcomed them and Zhao Yi thanked him for his past help.
• Zheng Tong exchanged alchemy knowledge with Zhao Xingyang while Zhao Yi and Zhao Xinghe discussed Zhao Yi’s advancement, Daoist Liefeng, and the Tide-Subduing Sect’s presence in the Fubo Sea Region.
• Zhao Yi left with Zheng Tong, and Zhao Xingyang told Zhao Xinghe that Zheng Tong, like him, had taught herself alchemy with an incomplete inheritance.
• Zheng Tong secluded herself to refine pills, and Liu Yu later reported to Zhao Yi that she had reached a steady thirty-percent success rate with Origin-Nourishing Pills.
• Zhao Yi continued cultivating the second layer of his Dao Foundation and hoped Li Hai would advance soon so Linghua Island could support his future cultivation.