Chapter Summaries

After his Golden Core ceremony, Qin Ming strengthened his treasures, spirit fire, and island while preparing to repair a powerful mirror. Half a year later, the Devouring Sky Rat reached Tier 3 middle stage and immediately faced a lightning tribulation.

• Qin Ming gave Linghu Yang's Golden Core to the Devouring Sky Rat and Old Devil Yan's Golden Core to the Mystic Water Crocodile so they could advance.
• Qin Ming collected the ceremony gifts, refined the Wind Thunder Cauldron, and learned from Jin Lingzi that he needed Azure Origin Sect's Thunder Cleansing Pool and Heaven Mending Soul Fire Liquid to repair the Curved Jade Golden Light Mirror.
• Qin Ming fused the Spirit-Devouring Poison Flame with his Samadhi True Fire, raising the flame to Tier 3 upper grade.
• Qin Ming planted Yuwen Hong's Jade Emperor Spirit Rice seeds and fed fifty Upper-Grade Spirit Stones to the Spirit Marrow Sumeru Flesh Fungus, raising Moon Gazing Island's Main Peak spirit vein to Tier 3 upper grade.
• Half a year later, the Devouring Sky Rat broke through to Tier 3 middle stage, and a lightning tribulation formed above it.

After strengthening the Devouring Sky Rat, Qin Ming left Moon Gazing Island and learned that Jin Kingdom’s invasion had pushed the Scattered Alliance into a desperate defense. He arrived at Sky Falcon Gorge and killed Old Devil He, a Pseudo-Core Ancestor, before the battle could begin.

• The Devouring Sky Rat survived its lightning tribulation, advanced to the mid third tier, and pledged to fight for Qin Ming.
• Qin Ming left Moon Gazing Island and flew to Phoenix Perch Island, where he learned that Li Yuanqing had gone to oversee the battle at Sky Falcon Gorge.
• At Sky Falcon Gorge, Li Yuanqing learned that Jin Kingdom’s forces had broken through Thunder Origin Sect’s defenses and were advancing toward the alliance garrison.
• Old Devil He led Jin Kingdom’s forces toward Sky Falcon Gorge and prepared to attack Li Yuanqing’s defenders.
• Qin Ming arrived in a streak of rainbow light and crushed Old Devil He into a cloud of blood mist.

Qin Ming crushed the Jin Kingdom force at Sky Falcon Gorge, rewarded Li Yuanqing, and headed for the Soaring Cloud Sect. He confronted Duanmu Sheng and Old Ghost Yu in their occupied Immortal City, where his overwhelming pressure triggered an alarm.

• Qin Ming killed Old Devil He and the two Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivators after extracting information from them, while the Jin Kingdom’s low-level cultivators fled.
• Qin Ming gave Li Yuanqing two Five Elements Vitality Spirit Peaches and confirmed that he was going to find the Soaring Cloud Sect.
• Li Yuanqing warned Qin Ming that the Soaring Cloud Sect’s two Golden Core Ancestors had joined the invasion, and Qin Ming flew toward their territory.
• Duanmu Sheng and Old Ghost Yu discussed the invasion and mocked Qin Ming, unaware that he had arrived above their command center.
• Qin Ming confronted Duanmu Sheng and Old Ghost Yu, then released his Spiritual Pressure as the city’s cultivators sounded the alarm.

Qin Ming overwhelmed Duanmu Sheng and Old Ghost Yu when they attacked him at the City Lord's Manor. He killed Old Ghost Yu and left Duanmu Sheng at his mercy while questioning him about Old Devil Yan and the demonic path.

• Duanmu Sheng and Old Ghost Yu attacked Qin Ming with their artifacts, a Golden Citadel Talisman, and fire dragons, but Qin Ming blocked their attacks and seized Duanmu Sheng's saber.
• Qin Ming unleashed the Spirit-Devouring Poison Flame, and Old Ghost Yu tried to flee and bargain before Qin Ming killed him with the flame and Thorn Art.
• Qin Ming struck Duanmu Sheng with a punch that shattered the City Lord's Manor and left him badly injured in the rubble.
• Qin Ming confronted Duanmu Sheng about inciting Old Devil Yan and his ties to demonic-path cultivators, then reached for his head as Duanmu Sheng begged him to stop.

Qin Ming killed Duanmu Sheng and Old Ghost Yu at Yellow Stone Immortal City, ending the Soaring Cloud Sect’s threat to Wei Kingdom and earning a fearsome reputation. Back on Moon Gazing Island, he prepared his spirit beasts to advance and successfully refined four Longevity Fruit Pills.

• Qin Ming harvested the two Golden Core-grade Blood Orbs and left the ruined Yellow Stone Immortal City, prompting Jin Kingdom’s cultivators to flee Wei Kingdom.
• Qin Ming recalled through Soul Searching Duanmu Sheng that the Soaring Cloud Sect had secret ties to the demonic path and had sought to exploit the ghost calamity in Liang Kingdom.
• A Scout Battalion cultivator told Wei Wuyai and the Thunder Origin Sect elders that Qin Ming had killed both Soaring Cloud Sect Golden Core ancestors, leading Jin Kingdom’s army to withdraw.
• News of Qin Ming’s victory spread through the Southern Wilderness Cultivation Realm, and cultivators across the region became wary of him.
• Qin Ming gave the Blood Orbs to the Yin-Yang Mystic Vine and Duanmu Sheng’s Golden Core to Silver Wing, then planned to visit the other three kingdoms and repair the Curved Jade Golden Light Mirror.
• After half a year of refining, Qin Ming produced four Longevity Fruit Pills for Jade Balance Adept.

Qin Ming completed the Longevity Fruit Pills, extended his lifespan, and inspected the newly sprouted Jade Emperor Spirit Rice on Moon Gazing Island. Lu Wan-jun then delivered an invitation to Nalan Xi’s celebration for reaching the Golden Core Middle Stage, and Qin Ming agreed to attend.

• Qin Ming swallowed a Longevity Fruit Pill and calculated that his lifespan had reached two thousand and forty years.
• Qin Ming found more than a dozen Jade Emperor Spirit Rice shoots in his Spirit Field, though none had refreshed an affix.
• Qin Ming used the Grand Five Elements Technique to rain over the Spirit Field, prompting Wu Jiang to praise his diligence to the Spirit Farmers.
• Lu Wan-jun arrived on Moon Gazing Island and invited Qin Ming to Nalan Xi’s celebration three days later.
• Qin Ming agreed to attend, congratulated Lu Wan-jun on reaching the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, and gave her a box of Snow Soul Spirit Tea.

Qin Ming attended Nalan Xi’s celebration after her breakthrough to the Golden Core Middle Stage, where his Longevity Fruit Pill gift impressed the gathered Golden Core cultivators. The gathering ended with warnings about the Li Fire Palace war and the Primal Fiend Sect’s schemes, while Qin Ming considered traveling through the four kingdoms.

• Nalan Xi personally welcomed Qin Ming to Azure Sea Peak, where Wei Wuyai, Ancestor Wan, and Lu Xiao had gathered to celebrate her breakthrough.
• Wei Wuyai, Ancestor Wan, and Lu Xiao presented Nalan Xi with congratulatory gifts, and Qin Ming gave her a Longevity Fruit Pill that amazed the other cultivators.
• Wei Wuyai asked about Qin Ming’s plans, and Qin Ming said he had postponed traveling to Great Jin and might explore the four kingdoms instead.
• Lu Xiao warned that Li Fire Palace’s war was going poorly and that the Southern Wilderness could be drawn into the conflict.
• Qin Ming told the gathered ancestors that the Primal Fiend Sect had infiltrated Jin Kingdom, planned the invasion of Wei Kingdom, and left traces at the sealed ruins in Liang Kingdom.

Qin Ming entered the Tier 3 Grade A Flora Mirage Realm and passed its trial by using the Spirit Plant Dao Stele to evolve his cultivation method and condense the initial form of the Azure Emperor Wood Sovereign Physique. He then met Mo Qingshan, the remnant consciousness who created the trial, who recognized the Curved Jade Golden Light Mirror on him.

• Qin Ming went with Nalan Xi to the Spirit Planter Guild to attempt its final Tier 3 assessment.
• Qin Ming chose the highest difficulty and entered the Flora Mirage Realm, where the Spirit Plant Dao Stele reacted to the Silver Rune from his Yin-Yang Mystic Vine.
• The stele's runes entered Qin Ming and formed the Azure Emperor Art from the foundation of his Ancient Wood Longevity Art.
• Qin Ming spent nine years condensing the initial form of the Azure Emperor Wood Sovereign Physique, strengthening his flora affinity and Four Seasons Divine Light.
• Mo Qingshan appeared after Qin Ming passed the trial and revealed that he had created the Flora Mirage Realm.
• Mo Qingshan recognized the Curved Jade Golden Light Mirror on Qin Ming and marveled at his fortune.

Qin Ming completed the Tier 3 Grade A Flora Mirage Realm trial, earned Mo Qingshan’s recognition and the complete Azure Emperor Art, and advanced to Tier 3 Spirit Plant Grandmaster. He chose Solar Essence Gold as his reward and used it to refine his Wood Sovereign Nails, while Jin Lingzi remarked on their exceptional power.

• Mo Qingshan explained the Curved Jade Golden Light Mirror’s Azure Origin Sect origins, revealed that Qin Ming had received the complete Azure Emperor Art and awakened the Azure Emperor Wood Sovereign Physique, and offered him one treasure for completing the trial.
• Qin Ming chose a massive piece of Solar Essence Gold from the treasures Mo Qingshan presented, and Mo Qingshan faded away after wishing him well.
• The ancient wood formation announced Qin Ming’s advancement to Tier 3 Spirit Plant Grandmaster, drawing attention and congratulations from Nalan Xi and cultivators throughout Azure Sea Immortal City.
• Qin Ming left the celebration quietly, returned to Moon Gazing Island, and spent half a month refining all eighty-one Wood Sovereign Nails with the Solar Essence Gold.
• Jin Lingzi expressed surprise at Qin Ming’s gains and said the Wood Sovereign Nails had surpassed their original grade and ranked among the best top-grade magic treasures.

After advancing his cultivation with Dustfall Pills, Qin Ming planned his next steps and learned that the Heaven Mending Soul Fire Liquid he needed lay in a cave on Thunder Origin Sect territory. He reached an agreement with Wei Wuyai and boarded the sect’s Dharma Ship to revisit the Cloud Marsh Great Wilderness.

• Qin Ming refined three batches of Dustfall Pills, then used one to cultivate for three months and greatly improved his Golden Core cultivation.
• Qin Ming planned to visit the Beast Cry Mountain Range and Profound Stream Valley, then asked Jin Lingzi where to find Heaven Mending Soul Fire Liquid.
• Jin Lingzi identified a Celestial Wind Rift Cave in the Cloud Marsh Great Wilderness, which Qin Ming recognized as land now controlled by the Thunder Origin Sect.
• Qin Ming traveled to the Thunder Origin Sect and asked Wei Wuyai for permission to enter the cave; Wei agreed after Qin Ming offered him a Dustfall Pill.
• Two days later, Qin Ming boarded the Thunder Origin Sect’s Abyss Crossing Dharma Ship to revisit the Cloud Marsh Great Wilderness.

Qin Ming saved the Thunder Origin Sect’s Dharma ship from a demonic ambush, exposed Elder Shen Hezhou’s role in allowing the attackers aboard, and learned that the Six Demonic Sects were preparing to strike the three kingdoms and several Immortal Cities. Three days later, he reached Cloudmarsh City and flew toward its Tier 3 Spirit Vein.

• Shen Hezhou warned Qin Ming that the Dharma ship would soon pass through a miasma-filled barrier, but the ship was ambushed by three demonic Spirit Ships before it arrived.
• Yin Rong, Bloodfiend Old Freak, and Ghostfire Hermit attacked the ship, breached its formation, and overwhelmed Shen Hezhou and the Thunder Origin Sect cultivators.
• Qin Ming emerged and killed the demonic leaders and their forces with his divine sense, black vines, and Yinchill Rain, then searched Bloodfiend Old Freak’s soul.
• Qin Ming discovered that Jin Kingdom was under demonic control and that the Six Demonic Sects planned to target the three kingdoms and several Immortal Cities.
• The other Thunder Origin Sect elders blamed Shen Hezhou after Qin Ming exposed the passengers he had secretly let aboard, and three days later Qin Ming reached Cloudmarsh City and headed for its Tier 3 Spirit Vein.

Qin Ming traveled to Celestial Wind Rift Cave to obtain Heaven Mending Soul Fire Liquid and encountered the Netherworld Ghostfire. He collected the liquid, devoured the ghostfire to advance his Spirit-Devouring Poison Flame, and returned to Zhao Ling'er.

• Qin Ming arrived at Mang Mountain, where Zhao Ling'er met him and led him to Celestial Wind Rift Cave.
• Qin Ming entered the fissure and descended through the Celestial Yin Winds, which his Gleaming Armor withstood.
• Qin Ming found Heaven Mending Soul Fire Liquid beneath a giant skull and collected it in a jade bottle.
• Qin Ming sent his Spirit-Devouring Poison Flame to fight the Netherworld Ghostfire and devour it, advancing the flame to third-grade top-grade.
• Qin Ming emerged from the cave and told the waiting Zhao Ling'er that the matter was finished.

Qin Ming revisited Qingyang Market and the Spirit Fields where he had once lived, then traveled to Five Immortals City to settle his ties with the Qin Family. He left the family Foundation Establishment resources and departed for the Spirit Rest Archipelago, making clear that its future affairs no longer concerned him.

• Zhao Ling'er took Qin Ming to the rebuilt Qingyang Market, where he visited Moon Gazing Pavilion and saw his former courtyard being promoted to cultivators.
• Qin Ming strolled through the Shantytown and Spirit Fields, reflected on his past, and left for Five Immortals City after returning to Cloudmarsh City.
• Qin Ming arrived at the Qin Family ancestral hall, where Qin Xiao and the clansmen discussed whether to contact him before he appeared before them.
• Qin Ming worshipped at his parents' memorial tablets and gave Qin Xiao two Foundation Establishment Pills and two Five Elements Vitality Spirit Peaches.
• Qin Ming severed his responsibility for the Qin Family and flew north toward the Spirit Rest Archipelago, while the Devouring Sky Rat stopped questioning his decision.

Qin Ming prepared to leave Moon Gazing Island and brought Mystic Water Crocodile and Silver-Winged Frost Bee to Devouring Sky Rat’s hidden Tier 3 Spirit Vein in the Beast Cry Mountain Range to undergo their breakthroughs. Mystic Water Crocodile reached its Tier 3 lightning tribulation, which was still raging as the chapter ended.

• Qin Ming decided to have Mystic Water Crocodile and Silver-Winged Frost Bee break through away from Moon Gazing Island, using Devouring Sky Rat’s hidden Spirit Vein in the Beast Cry Mountain Range.
• Mystic Water Crocodile and Silver-Winged Frost Bee both signaled that they were ready to break through, and Qin Ming harvested Jade Emperor Spirit Rice to take with him.
• Qin Ming asked Wu Jiang to manage Moon Gazing Island while he traveled, then asked Nalan Xi to watch over the island and gave her a Dustfall Pill.
• Qin Ming followed Devouring Sky Rat to its old cultivation site, a secluded valley with a low-grade Tier 3 Spirit Vein, and released Mystic Water Crocodile there.
• Mystic Water Crocodile absorbed the valley’s spiritual qi, formed a Tier 3 Demon King aura, and began its lightning tribulation.
• Mystic Water Crocodile endured the first purple lightning strike but was wounded as more tribulation lightning continued to fall.

Qin Ming watched the Mystic Water Crocodile and Silver-Winged Frost Bee advance to Tier 3, then traveled to the Thunder Cleansing Pool to restore the Curved Jade Golden Light Mirror. The mirror was reunited with Jin Lingzi, but its power surged and it broke free from Qin Ming’s control.

• The Mystic Water Crocodile survived its tenth tribulation lightning, advanced to a Tier 3 Early Stage Demon King, and completed its Five Elements Divine Lightning.
• The Silver-Winged Frost Bee also endured its tribulation and advanced to Tier 3, while Qin Ming’s group drove away nearby Foundation Establishment demon beasts.
• Qin Ming left the valley before the Azure-Faced Poisonous Flood Dragon and Old Toad Ancestor arrived to investigate the breakthroughs and discuss an ongoing matter.
• Qin Ming followed Jin Lingzi’s instructions to open a spatial gateway and entered the hidden Thunder Cleansing Pool associated with the Azure Origin Sect.
• Qin Ming used the Thunder Cleansing Pool and Heaven Mending Soul Fire Liquid to restore the Curved Jade Golden Light Mirror and reunite it with Jin Lingzi.
• The restored mirror absorbed the pool’s energy, released a pillar of golden light, broke free of Qin Ming’s restraints, and began flying upward.

Qin Ming subdued the Curved Jade Golden Light Mirror after Jin Lingzi was devoured by its original Artifact Spirit, then escaped as the Thunder Cleansing Pool collapsed. He tested the mirror’s Golden Light Divine Flame on the Earth-Shaking Giant Bear Demon King, learned it consumed his mana and lifespan, and flew toward the outskirts of the Beast Cry Mountain Range.

• Jin Lingzi told Qin Ming that the mirror’s original Artifact Spirit had awakened and was fighting to devour it, then fell silent as the struggle continued.
• Qin Ming used the Azure Emperor Art to restrain the mirror, and his Yin-Yang Mystic Vine and Wood Talisman Source suppressed it long enough for him to fuse in his divine abilities and claim it as his second Natal Magic Treasure.
• Qin Ming finished refining the Curved Jade Golden Light Mirror, but learned that Jin Lingzi had vanished and the new Artifact Spirit refused to answer him.
• After the mirror absorbed the Thunder Cleansing Pool’s remaining essence and the space began collapsing, Qin Ming escaped through the spatial gate just before it closed.
• Qin Ming tested the mirror on the attacking Earth-Shaking Giant Bear Demon King and killed it with Golden Light Divine Flame, which drained his mana and cost him fifteen years of lifespan.
• Qin Ming harvested a Blood Orb and the Bear King’s Demon Core, collected its corpse, and flew toward the outskirts of the Beast Cry Mountain Range.

Qin Ming headed toward Profound Stream Valley while deciding to avoid danger and continue cultivating cautiously. There, he rescued Yan Ruyan and her clan from a Foundation Establishment ghost disguised as a sect disciple.

• Qin Ming traveled toward Profound Stream Valley, planning to stay out of Liang Kingdom’s ghost calamity and postpone any journey to Great Jin.
• Yan Ruyan led her refugee clan from Chu River County through Yellow Wind Ridge, hoping to settle them near Profound Stream Valley.
• Cao Yun arrived in a Dharma Boat, but Yan Ruyan’s Soul Revealing Pearl exposed him as a Foundation Establishment ghost, which unleashed ghosts on the Yan family.
• The ghost knocked Yan Ruyan aside and prepared to devour her as the clan was overwhelmed by the attack.
• Qin Ming appeared, annihilated the ghosts with his spiritual pressure, and told Yan Ruyan he was heading to Profound Stream Valley.

Qin Ming rescued Yan Ruyan and her clansmen, then met the four Golden Core Ancestors of Profound Stream Valley to deliver Longevity Fruit Pills and learn about the ghost calamity. After trading two extra pills for spirit stones and rare spirit seeds, he left to continue traveling.

• Qin Ming gave Yan Ruyan a Gen Snow Pill and told her that elders from Profound Stream Valley would come for her and her clansmen.
• Three Foundation Establishment elders arrived with dharma vessels and brought Yan Ruyan and her clansmen back to Profound Stream Valley, revealing that Senior Qin had arranged their rescue.
• Qin Ming met Old Ancestor Qingxuan, Ancestor Wan, Jade Balance Ancestor, and Ancestor Xuan Yu, then delivered the Longevity Fruit Pill he had refined.
• Qin Ming offered Profound Stream Valley two additional Longevity Fruit Pills and accepted sixty Upper-Grade Spirit Stones and several rare Tier 3 Spirit Seeds in exchange.
• The ancestors told Qin Ming that the ghost calamity was linked to White Bone True Man, who may have revived as a powerful Ghost Cultivator.
• Qin Ming declined the ancestors' invitation to stay and departed from Profound Stream Valley.

Qin Ming traveled to Wu Kingdom and learned that a Lesser Spirit Realm near Witchcloud Mountain contained a Tier 3 Supreme-Grade Spirit Vein. He reached Beast King Valley to meet its Golden Core Ancestors and seek permission to rent the realm, leaving the negotiations ahead.

• Qin Ming entered Three Immortals City, where the guards recognized him as Moon Gazing Adept and admitted him without charge.
• Qin Ming heard that Beast King Valley had claimed the newly discovered Lesser Spirit Realm and asked for its location.
• Chen Beixuan of Golden Leader Sect greeted Qin Ming, but Qin Ming declined his invitation and left for Witchcloud Mountain.
• Qin Ming found Beast King Valley guarding the area around Witchcloud Mountain and decided to ask its Ancestors about renting the Lesser Spirit Realm.
• Qin Ming arrived at Beast King Valley, where Pei Qing and Lu Xiao came out together to welcome him.

Qin Ming negotiated with Pei Qing and Lu Xiao to lease Beast King Valley’s Lesser Spirit Realm for fifty years, offering Jade Emperor Spirit Rice and Dustfall Pills in exchange. After signing the contract and receiving the realm’s entry Stone Talisman, he went with Pei Qing to see its concealed entrance.

• Qin Ming visited Beast King Valley and discussed cultivation and the Immortal Cultivation World with Lu Xiao and Pei Qing.
• Qin Ming asked to lease Beast King Valley’s newly discovered Lesser Spirit Realm, and Pei Qing offered to recruit him as the sect’s supreme offering.
• Qin Ming proposed paying six hundred jin of Jade Emperor Spirit Rice and two Dustfall Pills as rent, and Pei Qing and Lu Xiao agreed to a fifty-year lease.
• Qin Ming and Pei Qing signed a Spirit Contract, exchanged the rent and the Stone Talisman, and set out for the Lesser Spirit Realm while Lu Xiao stayed to guard Beast King Valley.