Chapter Summaries

Qin Ming returned to Wei Kingdom with the materials for a Core Formation Pill and learned that the Lake Tai Ruins had unleashed a devastating ghost calamity. Back on Moon Gazing Island, he strengthened his spirit plant and began preparing to cultivate the Core Formation Pill’s ingredients.

• Qin Ming bought the Tier 3 spirit materials he needed and left for Wei Kingdom, while Huangfu Qi withdrew from the Lake Tai Ruins expedition after trusting Long Taoist’s warning.
• Qin Ming arrived in Wei Kingdom and learned that the breached White Bone King's Hall had unleashed a ghost calamity that overwhelmed the four kingdoms’ major powers.
• Qin Ming learned Huangfu Qi survived by avoiding the ruins, checked on Lu Wan-jun and the Feng Family, and returned to Moon Gazing Island.
• Qin Ming fed two powerful Blood Orbs to the Yin-Yang Mystic Vine, raising the Wood Sovereign Nails to mid-grade Tier 3; Jin Lingzi explained their origins and mentioned Solar Essence Gold.
• Qin Ming planted the Abundant Nether Ghost Jujube and used the Seed Wraith Incantation to cultivate ghost jujubes, then planned to grow the Fiery Golden Lotus and Nether Yin Bloom at extreme yang and extreme yin sites.

Qin Ming cultivated Nether Yin Blooms in the Northern Domain and discovered their Essence Cleansing affix could improve Golden Core quality. He then rented a Tier 3 high-grade fire-vein cave abode in Azure Sea Immortal City to grow a Fiery Golden Lotus and prepare to refine a Tier 3 pill.

• Qin Ming planted Nether Yin Bloom Spirit Seeds beside a frigid yin pool and used Leaf of Spacetime affixes to grow them to five hundred years of maturity.
• Qin Ming discovered the blooms had Essence Cleansing and Mana Spring affixes, then tasked the Devouring Sky Rat with guarding them until the Nether Yin Dew formed.
• Qin Ming met Lu Wan-jun in Azure Sea Immortal City and arranged to rent a Tier 3 high-grade fire-vein cave abode after Sun Jinnian's lease ended.
• Qin Ming rented Cave Abode A for two years, surprising Lu Wan-jun and leading Sun Jinnian to suspect he planned to attempt refining a Tier 3 pill.
• Qin Ming entered the cave abode to cultivate the Fiery Golden Lotus and prepare to refine a Dustfall Pill using materials from Linghu Yang's and Old Yan's Storage Bags.

Qin Ming rented a Tier 3 fire-vein cave abode, nurtured Fiery Golden Lotuses, and spent years studying how to refine the Tier 3 Dustfall Pill. After many failures, he successfully refined three pills, and the astonishing dragon-and-phoenix phenomenon revealed that Azure Sea Immortal City had gained a new Pill Dao Grandmaster.

• Qin Ming set up concealment formations in the fire-vein cave abode and nurtured six Fiery Golden Lotuses until they gained an affix that added two hundred and fifty years of lifespan.
• Qin Ming spent two years tending the lotuses and refining Dustfall Pills while Sun Jinian and other alchemists waited outside to learn whether he would succeed.
• When Qin Ming's rental period expired, Nalan Xi waived his fees and ordered everyone not to disturb his secluded cultivation.
• Qin Ming condensed the medicinal liquid in his Mystic Jade Furnace and successfully refined three Dustfall Pills as dragon and phoenix phantoms appeared.
• Sun Jinian and the watching cultivators recognized the Tier 3 pill phenomenon, while Nalan Xi arrived outside the cave abode and marveled at Qin Ming's achievement.

Qin Ming completed a batch of Dustfall Pills, including a premium pill, and emerged from seclusion to find Azure Sea Immortal City gathered outside. After revealing his Tier 3 achievement and showing the alchemists a Dustfall Pill, he left with Nalan Xi, who resolved to obtain one for her own cultivation.

• Qin Ming refined three Dustfall Pills, one of which had nine pill patterns, and used five Abundant Lifespan affixes from the Fiery Golden Lotuses to increase his lifespan to 1,460 years.
• Qin Ming left the cave abode and found a crowd led by Nalan Xi waiting outside to congratulate him on becoming a Tier 3 Pill Dao Grandmaster.
• Nalan Xi invited Qin Ming to Main Peak, and he accepted after greeting the gathered cultivators and alchemists.
• Sun Jinian asked Qin Ming what Tier 3 spirit pill he had refined, and Qin Ming revealed that it was the Dustfall Pill.
• Qin Ming displayed a Dustfall Pill to the gathered alchemists, then departed with Nalan Xi, who decided to obtain one from him to aid her breakthrough to the Golden Core Middle Stage.

Qin Ming traded a Dustfall Pill to Nalan Xi for Solar Essence Gold and Spirit Stones, then left Azure Sea Peak as news of his Tier 3 Pill Dao Grandmaster breakthrough swept through Azure Sea Immortal City. He headed to Mirror Snow Pavilion to meet Gu Qingzhao, having to enter through the back door to avoid the crowds.

• Nalan Xi welcomed Qin Ming with spirit tea and asked to buy one of the two Dustfall Pills he had refined.
• Qin Ming traded a Dustfall Pill to Nalan Xi for a piece of Tier 3 Solar Essence Gold and five thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, then received a refund for his cave-abode rental.
• Qin Ming gave Lu Wan-jun a bottle of Yellow Dragon Pills, and Azure Sea Adept appointed her an elder in the inner city's Hall of Affairs and offered her a cave abode on a Main Peak.
• Qin Ming received invitations from Gu Qingzhao and Xu Jing, then chose to visit Mirror Snow Pavilion while concealing his appearance.
• News of Qin Ming's grandmaster breakthrough spread across Azure Sea Immortal City, and he entered Mirror Snow Pavilion through the back door to avoid the crowds.

Qin Ming returned to Moon Gazing Island with the harvested Nether Yin Bloom ingredients and prepared to refine a Core Formation Pill and pursue the Golden Core realm. After his reputation as a Tier 3 Pill Dao Grandmaster drew visitors from many factions, Yuwen Hong of the Spirit Feather Sect arrived unexpectedly.

• Qin Ming harvested the matured Nether Yin Bloom and Nether Yin Dew, then left the iceberg with the Devouring Sky Rat after asking it to guard him during core formation.
• Qin Ming returned to Moon Gazing Island, checked the Abundant Nether Ghost Jujube Tree, rested, and began studying the core formation formula.
• Wu Jiang told Qin Ming that Wei Wuyai wished to visit, and Qin Ming accepted the Thunder Origin Sect elder’s invitation.
• Wei Wuyai visited Moon Gazing Island and exchanged three sets of Dustfall Pill materials for one Dustfall Pill from Qin Ming.
• Cultivators from many factions sought audiences with Qin Ming, but he refused them all.
• Yuwen Hong, the Golden Core Ancestor of the Spirit Feather Sect, arrived at Moon Gazing Lake.

Yuwen Hong visited Qin Ming on Moon Gazing Island, offered him rare Jade Emperor Rice Spirit Seeds, and tried to recruit him back into Spirit Feather Sect, but Qin Ming refused and stayed independent. After Yuwen Hong left, Qin Ming examined the seeds and prepared to refine the Wood Sovereign Nails with the Solar Essence Gold he had obtained.

• Qin Ming welcomed Yuwen Hong to Moon Gazing Island, where Yuwen Hong gave him more than a dozen Jade Emperor Rice Spirit Seeds and praised his Snow Soul Spirit Tea.
• Yuwen Hong described the rivalry between Spirit Feather Sect and Thunder Origin Sect, then asked whether Qin Ming had sold Dustfall Pills to Wei Wuyai; Qin Ming said he had only refined one, which Azure Sea Adept had acquired.
• Yuwen Hong invited Qin Ming to return to Spirit Feather Sect as a Grand Elder, but Qin Ming declined because he wanted to remain an independent island lord.
• Yuwen Hong bought three Five Elements Vitality Spirit Peaches from Qin Ming and left with a box of Snow Soul Spirit Tea.
• Qin Ming inspected the Jade Emperor Rice Spirit Seeds, took out the Solar Essence Gold, and asked Jin Lingzi how to refine the Wood Sovereign Nails.

Qin Ming received Jin Lingzi's complete Treasure Refinement Art and used it to upgrade his Wood Sovereign Nails. Half a month later, Gongsun Yang and Fang Han visited Moon Gazing Island, where Qin Ming and Gongsun Yang began exchanging pill-refining knowledge.

• Jin Lingzi passed the complete Treasure Refinement Art into Qin Ming's Sea of Consciousness, revealing his extraordinary inheritance and insights.
• Qin Ming refined Solar Essence Gold into the three Wood Sovereign Nails, raising them to top-grade Tier 3 magic treasures and testing their power.
• Qin Ming planted the enhanced Wood Sovereign Nails in his Natal Spirit Plant, noting that their tremendous mana consumption limited his ability to use them.
• Half a month later, Gongsun Yang and his disciple Fang Han arrived at Moon Gazing Island, and Gongsun Yang praised Qin Ming's island and discussed the Pill Dao with him.
• Gongsun Yang asked Qin Ming about the Dustfall Pill formula and his successful refinement, prompting Qin Ming to steer their discussion toward the Core Formation Pill.
• Qin Ming and Gongsun Yang exchanged pill-refining questions and insights through three days and three nights.

After refusing to receive visitors from Jin Kingdom, Qin Ming drove Duanmu Sheng and Luo Feixue away with the Mystic Water Crocodile’s demonic sense. Days later, he saw through Gu Qingzhao’s disguise and attacked the apparent visitor, revealing a Foundation Establishment Perfection intruder using the Thousand Illusions Demon Art.

• Gongsun Yang praised Qin Ming’s alchemy, asked him to look after Fang Han, and failed to persuade him to join Profound Stream Valley.
• Qin Ming continued studying the Core Formation Pill formula while his spiritual power solidification advanced to two-thirds completion.
• Qin Ming refused to meet Duanmu Sheng and Luo Feixue, and Duanmu Sheng fled after encountering the Mystic Water Crocodile beneath the lake.
• Duanmu Sheng suspected Qin Ming was stronger than expected and said someone else would come looking for trouble with him.
• Qin Ming welcomed the apparent Gu Qingzhao, saw through her disguise with his Law-Breaking Double Pupils, and struck her with an azure sword attack.
• The false Gu Qingzhao re-formed from black smoke and revealed a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator using the Thousand Illusions Demon Art.

Qin Ming defeated Old Devil Yan after the demonic cultivator attacked his island to seize spirit pills. Old Devil Yan died before he could detonate his Golden Core, and Qin Ming learned that Duanmu Sheng had sent him after the island.

• Old Devil Yan revealed himself and attacked Qin Ming with the Ghost Wail Blade, but Qin Ming's True Extremity Body repelled it.
• Qin Ming summoned three spirit beasts and revealed his Golden Core-level mana and three third-rank top-grade Wood Sovereign Nails, prompting Old Devil Yan to flee.
• Old Devil Yan used the Black Bone Staff and its ghosts to cover his escape, but a Wood Sovereign Nail destroyed the staff and the three nails caught him, costing him an arm.
• Old Devil Yan admitted that Duanmu Sheng had supplied him with information and pleaded for his life, but Qin Ming sent the nails through his head before he could self-explode his Golden Core.
• Qin Ming drained Old Devil Yan's corpse with Thorn Art, and the Devouring Sky Rat retrieved the Golden Core and gave it to him.

After killing Old Devil Yan, Qin Ming returned to Moon Gazing Island, prepared to refine Core Formation Pills, and sold Wu Jiang a premium Foundation Establishment Pill. News then arrived that Spirit Feather Sect and Thunder Origin Sect were nearing war, and Qin Ming watched Spirit Feather Sect’s army pass through the Spirit Rest Archipelago before returning his focus to pill refinement.

• Qin Ming absorbed Old Devil Yan’s Blood Orb with the Yin-Yang Mystic Vine, searched his Storage Bag, and decided to remember Duanmu Sheng’s name.
• Qin Ming entered seclusion to refine Core Formation Pills and sold Wu Jiang a premium Foundation Establishment Pill for eighty thousand Lower-grade Spirit Stones.
• After his third refining attempt failed, Qin Ming read Gu Qingzhao’s message warning that the Spirit Rest Archipelago might be caught up in the coming war between Spirit Feather Sect and Thunder Origin Sect.
• Qin Ming watched Yuwen Hong lead Spirit Feather Sect’s vast fleet through the archipelago toward Thunder Origin Sect.
• Qin Ming ignored the growing reports of war and continued refining pills.

Wei Wuyai’s Thunder Origin Sect defeated the Spirit Feather Sect after he turned the tide against Yuwen Hong and Old Ghost Yu. Two years later, Qin Ming successfully refined two Core Formation Pills and prepared to attempt the Golden Core Stage.

• The Spirit Feather Sect and Thunder Origin Sect launched a massive battle, while Wei Wuyai and Yuwen Hong fought with their natal magic treasures.
• Old Ghost Yu ambushed Wei Wuyai and joined Yuwen Hong, but Wei Wuyai activated the Primal Lightning Armor and gained the upper hand.
• Wei Wuyai severely wounded Yuwen Hong and Old Ghost Yu, and the Thunder Origin Sect ultimately defeated the Spirit Feather Sect.
• Qin Ming received Mirror Snow Pavilion’s report that the Thunder Origin Sect had won and the Spirit Feather Sect had been wiped out.
• Two years later, Qin Ming refined two nine-pattern Core Formation Pills and prepared to break through to the Golden Core Stage.

After completing his preparations, Qin Ming attempted to form his Golden Core on Moon Gazing Island while powerful cultivators gathered to witness the breakthrough. He achieved an Upper-Grade Golden Core, then the Yin-Yang Mystic Vine triggered another transformation within it.

• Qin Ming refined two premium Core Formation Pills and heard Wu Jiang report that the Thunder Origin Sect had destroyed the Spirit Feather Sect while the Soaring Cloud Sect invaded Wei Kingdom.
• Qin Ming completed solidifying his spiritual power, sent the Wu Family away for safety, and gathered his core-forming resources beneath the Yin-Yang Mystic Vine.
• Qin Ming began his breakthrough as a vast spiritual qi vortex formed over Moon Gazing Island, and the Devouring Sky Rat stopped Nalan Xi and Ancestor Wan from disturbing him.
• Nalan Xi, Ancestor Wan, and later Wei Wuyai watched the vortex expand as Qin Ming’s breakthrough continued for nine days.
• Qin Ming formed an Upper-Grade Golden Core, but Silver Runes from the Yin-Yang Mystic Vine entered it and transformed it into a flawless Mysterious Pearl.

Qin Ming stabilized his Flawless Golden Core and faced an immense Golden Core lightning tribulation over Moon Gazing Island. With Jin Lingzi’s guidance, he decided to use the descending lightning to form a Physical Body True Core as well.

• Qin Ming passed the divine sense barrier, stabilized his Flawless Golden Core, and expanded his divine sense to three hundred li.
• Qin Ming discovered that the Longevity Vine’s silver seed rested atop Samadhi True Fire within his Golden Core.
• Terrifying tribulation clouds gathered over Moon Gazing Island, forcing nearby cultivators and beasts to flee while Nalan Xi, Wei Wuyai, Ancestor Wan, and Gu Qingzhao watched anxiously.
• Jin Lingzi explained that the Heavenly Demon Body Refining Art could use tribulation lightning to temper Qin Ming’s body and form a Physical Body True Core.
• Qin Ming received the remaining techniques of the Heavenly Demon Body Refining Art and resolved to form his Physical Body True Core as golden lightning struck down.

Qin Ming endured the Golden Core lightning tribulation, formed a flawless Golden Core and a Physical Body True Core, and consolidated his new cultivation on Moon Gazing Island. After welcoming his visitors, he chose the Daoist title Moon Gazing Adept.

• Qin Ming drew eight bolts of tribulation lightning into his body and condensed a crimson Mysterious Pearl.
• Qin Ming used his Shattered Star divine ability to withstand the final black lightning bolt and completed his Physical Body True Core.
• Qin Ming consolidated his Golden Core cultivation, tested his ability to wield all eighteen Wood Sovereign Nails, and greeted his three Spirit Pets.
• The pink mist dispersed, and Wei Wuyai, Azure Sea Adept Nalan Xi, Ancestor Wan, Gu Qingzhao, and the others arrived on Moon Gazing Island to congratulate Qin Ming.
• Qin Ming told his guests that he would be known as the Moon Gazing Adept.

News of Qin Ming’s Golden Core breakthrough and Upper-Grade Golden Core spread throughout the Southern Wilderness, drawing attention from rival sects and powerful cultivators. On Moon Gazing Island, Qin Ming agreed to hold a modest Golden Core ceremony one month later and assigned its preparations to Gu Qingzhao and Wu Jiang.

• News spread that Qin Ming had become the Moon Gazing Adept, a Golden Core cultivator and Tier 3 Pill Dao Grandmaster, while Duanmu Sheng and Old Ghost Yu worried about his impact on their plans for the Wei Kingdom.
• Old Ancestor Qingxuan, Gongsun Yang, and Elder Xu discussed Qin Ming’s talent and whether he had refined a Core Formation Pill, while anticipating that Li Fire Palace would approach him.
• Gu Qingzhao visited Qin Ming and offered to arrange his Golden Core ceremony, and Qin Ming set it for one month later while asking her to keep it simple.
• Qin Ming summoned Wu Jiang and assigned him responsibility for receiving guests on Moon Gazing Island during the celebration.

After forming an Upper-Grade Golden Core, Qin Ming agreed to help Wei Wuyai deal with the Soaring Cloud Sect’s Duanmu Sheng. At his Golden Core Ceremony on Moon Gazing Island, prominent cultivators and sects offered congratulations, culminating in the arrival of two powerful ancestors from Profound Stream Valley.

• Qin Ming promised the Devouring Sky Rat a human Golden Core after his Golden Core Ceremony so it could attempt a breakthrough.
• Wei Wuyai asked Qin Ming to help address the Jin Kingdom invasion and the Soaring Cloud Sect’s ambitions, and Qin Ming agreed to deal with Duanmu Sheng.
• Qin Ming confirmed to Wei Wuyai that he had formed an Upper-Grade Golden Core, and Wei Wuyai thanked him for the Dustfall Pill.
• Qin Ming held his Golden Core Ceremony on Moon Gazing Island as representatives from numerous powers presented gifts, including Nalan Xi and Wei Wuyai.
• Old Ancestor Qingxuan and Old Ancestor Jade Balance of Profound Stream Valley arrived in person, astonishing the guests, and Qin Ming welcomed them.

During Qin Ming’s Golden Core ceremony, his Yin-Yang Mystic Vine awakened a divine ability that let him see the vitality and hidden injuries of others. The arrival of a Li Fire Palace envoy from the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty left Qin Ming and his guests awaiting a meeting with a powerful Nascent Soul sect representative.

• Qin Ming discovered that his Yin-Yang Mystic Vine had granted him the Yin-Yang Mystic Mirror, which revealed Old Ancestor Qingxuan’s recovering injuries and Jade Balance Ancestor’s dwindling vitality.
• Old Ancestor Qingxuan and Jade Balance Ancestor presented gifts from Profound Stream Valley at Qin Ming’s Golden Core ceremony.
• Qi Lian Trading Company, the Feng Family, and Lu Wan-jun offered gifts, while Feng Sihai felt honored to represent his family.
• Elder Zhou Yu arrived at Moon Gazing Island in a spirit vulture treasure carriage, and Old Ancestor Qingxuan identified him as an envoy from Li Fire Palace.
• Elder Zhou Yu stepped out of the carriage and congratulated Adept Qin on forming his Golden Core.

After Qin Ming’s Golden Core celebration, Zhou Yu of Li Fire Palace offered him an inner sect elder position and a Sacred Fire Token, but Qin Ming declined to join. Old Ancestor Qingxuan then warned that Li Fire Palace was at war and hinted that he and Jade Balance Ancestor needed Qin Ming’s help with a related matter.

• Zhou Yu presented Li Fire Palace’s lavish congratulatory gifts at Qin Ming’s Golden Core celebration.
• After the guests departed, Zhou Yu privately invited Qin Ming to join Li Fire Palace as an inner sect elder and promised access to resources in Great Jin.
• Qin Ming refused the invitation, saying he wanted to remain an independent island lord, and accepted Zhou Yu’s Sacred Fire Token.
• Old Ancestor Qingxuan and Jade Balance Ancestor praised Qin Ming’s choice, and Qingxuan recognized that Qin Ming had obtained Primordial Breath Soil.
• Qingxuan warned Qin Ming that Li Fire Palace was embroiled in a war and said he and Jade Balance Ancestor would soon need Qin Ming’s help.

Old Ancestor Qingxuan and Old Ancestor Jade Balance asked Qin Ming to refine a Longevity Fruit Pill for Jade Balance, who had less than five years to live. After the guests departed, Gu Qingzhao announced she would travel abroad to seek a chance at Core Formation and left Moon Gazing Island.

• Old Ancestor Qingxuan told Qin Ming that a ghost calamity had spread from Tai Lake, with Core Formation-level ghosts appearing and Li Fire Palace unable to help because of its own war.
• Old Ancestor Jade Balance revealed that he had less than five years to live after using a life-consuming secret technique to escape a late third-rank Golden Toad Demon King.
• Old Ancestor Qingxuan and Old Ancestor Jade Balance asked Qin Ming to refine a Longevity Fruit Pill, and Qin Ming agreed after seeing its formula and confirming he had Threefold Crimson Soulgrass.
• Old Ancestor Qingxuan and Old Ancestor Jade Balance gave Qin Ming the other pill materials and left to respond to the ghost calamity, followed by Wei Wuyai and Nalan Xi.
• Gu Qingzhao gave Qin Ming the ceremony's gift list, accepted his Jade Mystery Pills, and told him she would travel abroad to seek an opportunity for Core Formation.
• Qin Ming wished Gu Qingzhao well and saw her off Moon Gazing Island.