Recaps

Chen Shuangbai used [Fallen Toad Light] to dissolve the ancient restriction guarding a meditation chamber and recovered three objects and several sealed boxes. The blessed land then expelled Chen Shuangbai, Liu Wenyan, Wu Qiong, and Sun Yuan, leaving True Person Qian to confront the returning cultivators.

• Sun Yuan and Wu Qiong silently accepted that they could not defeat Chen Shuangbai and chose to preserve their lives.
• Chen Shuangbai used [Fallen Toad Light] to dissolve the restriction on the meditation chamber after Liu Wenyan warned that brute force might collapse the blessed land.
• Chen Shuangbai bound Wu Qiong and Sun Yuan to pillars, collected a jade bottle, a jade box, a Jade Slip, and the surviving sealed boxes, and left their restrictions unopened.
• The blessed land expelled Wu Qiong and Sun Yuan before True Person Qian, then sent Chen Shuangbai and Liu Wenyan before Gongye Chun.
• True Person Qian saw Wu Qiong and Sun Yuan's mournful faces, then fixed his attention on Chen Shuangbai as the other Golden Core cultivators watched the doorway fade.

After Fang Xu and other disciples failed to emerge from the collapsing blessed land, Zhang Jing and Qing Yizi accused Chen Shuangbai and Liu Wenyan of hiding what happened and demanded a search of Chen Shuangbai’s memories. Chen Shuangbai challenged the fairness of that demand, prompting True Person Qian to oppose soul-searching and help muddy the truth.

• Zhang Jing and the other Golden Core True Persons questioned Chen Shuangbai, Liu Wenyan, Sun Yuan, and Wu Qiong after they emerged without Fang Xu and the other missing disciples.
• Chen Shuangbai and Sun Yuan each claimed they had encountered no one else in the blessed land before finding the exit.
• Zhang Jing accused Chen Shuangbai of killing Fang Xu, while Gongye Chun stepped in to protect him and confronted Zhang Jing.
• Qing Yizi tried to probe Chen Shuangbai’s memories by force, but Gongye Chun blocked him and denounced soul-searching as a demonic method.
• Chen Shuangbai asked whether Sun Yuan and Wu Qiong would also be searched, and True Person Qian rejected the idea and argued that deaths in the blessed land could result from its dangers.

Chen Shuangbai and his companions discovered that the precious pills were legendary Star-Nurturing Divine Pills, while Gongye Chun recognized the value of the ancient sealed items they had recovered. As Gongye Chun entrusted the pills and other finds to Yi Chongyue, Chen Shuangbai and Liu Wenyan sensed that something was amiss.

• Liu Wenyan realized Chen Shuangbai had freed Wu Qiong and Sun Yuan and given them a pill to force True Person Qian and the Setting Sun Sect to side with Gongye Chun.
• Gongye Chun and the others agreed to resume talks with the Painstaking Heart Sect in three days, then returned to his cave abode and sealed it with formations.
• Chen Shuangbai displayed the items he had obtained, and Gongye Chun identified the two elusive pills as Star-Nurturing Divine Pills that could improve the chances of forming a core.
• Yi Chongyue explained the pills’ rarity and value, while Gongye Chun defended Chen Shuangbai’s decision to give one to the Setting Sun Sect.
• Gongye Chun examined the ancient sealed items, judged that they could not be broken by force, and entrusted the pills and recovered treasures to Yi Chongyue.
• Chen Shuangbai and Liu Wenyan grew suspicious when Gongye Chun made no effort to reserve a Star-Nurturing Divine Pill for Liu Wenyan.

Chen Shuangbai learned that Gongye Chun had agreed to become a guest elder of the Jade Spring Sect, bringing Liu Wenyan with him for protection and a chance to cultivate. Yi Chongyue revealed that True Person Bo was already on his way to confront the threats facing them.

• Chen Shuangbai congratulated Gongye Chun after learning that Yi Chongyue had persuaded him to join the Jade Spring Sect as a guest elder.
• Gongye Chun explained to Liu Wenyan that the Jade Spring Sect would protect him after Gongye Chun's death and give him a better chance to form a Golden Core.
• Liu Wenyan accepted the decision and asked Yi Chongyue and Chen Shuangbai to look after him.
• Gongye Chun warned that Zhang Jing, Qing Yizi, and the Painstaking Heart Sect would pursue them over the blessed land's spoils and the two Foundation Establishment deaths.
• Yi Chongyue said True Person Bo was already on his way, easing Gongye Chun's remaining concerns.

True Person Bo arrived at Spring-Returning Mountain and backed Gongye Chun as he announced he was leaving the sect to join the Jade Spring Sect. Bo warned the gathered Golden Core True Persons not to bully Gongye Chun, while Zhang Jing erupted in anger and True Person Zhao left.

• True Person Bo arrived at Spring-Returning Mountain and offered Gongye Chun Jade Spring Heart-Cleansing Dew for his five-hundredth birthday.
• Zhang Jing accused Gongye Chun of delaying the dispute to summon outside help, but True Person Bo said Gongye Chun had already agreed to join the Jade Spring Sect.
• Gongye Chun announced that he would become a guest elder of the Jade Spring Sect's Jade Dew Hall, enraging Zhang Jing.
• Gongye Chun condemned Zhang Jing for his conduct, and True Person Bo rebuked Zhang Jing and sent him flying backward.
• True Person Bo warned the gathered Golden Core True Persons not to bully Gongye Chun, after which True Person Qian disclaimed any grievance and True Person Zhao departed.

True Person Bo defeated Qing Yizi’s demonic attack with a single wave, forcing him to flee and leaving Zhang Jing unable to resist the split of Spring-Returning Mountain. Gongye Chun’s branch departed with its share of the mountain’s assets, and the flood dragon carriage carried them safely toward the Jing Kingdom.

• True Person Qian and True Person Zhao withdrew, leaving Qing Yizi and Zhang Jing facing True Person Bo.
• Qing Yizi challenged True Person Bo to break one attack within three breaths, then unleashed two demonic python phantoms at him.
• True Person Bo submerged the pythons in a towering wave, and Qing Yizi admitted defeat and fled Spring-Returning Mountain.
• Zhang Jing returned to the mountain, recognizing that the division of Spring-Returning Mountain was inevitable.
• Gongye Chun’s branch gathered its assets and departed with the willing disciples aboard the flood dragon carriage.
• Gongye Chun let go of his attachment to the mountain, and his party traveled safely toward the Jing Kingdom.

Gongye Chun joined the Jade Spring Sect as a guest elder and received a warm welcome from its senior members. After the banquet, he and Liu Wenyan settled on a spiritual peak, where Liu marveled at their new home.

• True Person Mei and True Person Bo welcomed Gongye Chun to the Jade Spring Sect and reassured him that he would be treated well.
• True Person Bo, True Person Mei, and several Foundation Establishment cultivators hosted a banquet for Gongye Chun and toasted him as a future fellow sect member.
• Yan Nanlai presented Gongye Chun with his identity jade token and appointed him a guest elder responsible for refining pills and teaching alchemists.
• True Person Bo explained that Gongye Chun's disciples would be integrated into the sect, while Liu Wenyan received a post as an outer sect elder.
• Gongye Chun and Liu Wenyan settled on a spiritual peak, and Liu Wenyan admired the Jade Spring Sect.

The Jade Spring Sect announced that Gongye Chun, a third-tier Alchemist, had joined with over a hundred disciples from Spring-Returning Mountain. After clearing his backlog of work, Chen Shuangbai considered how to use three pearls and met Fu Qianlan, who had also reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage; he wondered whether fortune favored her.

• The Jade Spring Sect announced that Gongye Chun had joined as a third-tier Alchemist, bringing over a hundred Spring-Returning Mountain disciples.
• Luo Tao called Chen Shuangbai back from leave to clear the Evil Hunting Hall’s backlog, and Chen Shuangbai quickly processed the delayed business.
• Chen Shuangbai examined a Great Yin pearl and two clam pearls, deciding to consult the Book Spirit about how to use them.
• Chen Shuangbai met Fu Qianlan, discovered that she had reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, and agreed to meet with her and He Qi in a few days.
• As Chen Shuangbai continued toward Deer Deep Waters Peak, he wondered whether Fu Qianlan was favored by fortune.

Gongye Chun guided Chen Shuangbai in alchemy and discussed their craft with him and Yi Chongyue. Yi Chongyue revealed that a Star-Nurturing Divine Pill and True Person Bo’s guidance had greatly advanced his cultivation, bringing Golden Core within reach.

• Yi Chongyue and Yan Nanlai studied alchemy and cultivation under Gongye Chun on Spring Comes Peak.
• Gongye Chun examined Chen Shuangbai’s Five-Incense Pill, explained its strengths and flaws, and offered guidance.
• Gongye Chun shared Jade Dew Spring with Yi Chongyue and Chen Shuangbai while the three Alchemists exchanged insights.
• Chen Shuangbai noticed that Yi Chongyue’s cultivation had advanced, and Yi Chongyue explained that True Person Bo had rewarded him with a Star-Nurturing Divine Pill and guidance.
• Yi Chongyue told Chen Shuangbai that the Jade Spring Sect intended to reserve its remaining Star-Nurturing Divine Pill for Liu Wenyan if he reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

Chen Shuangbai joined Li Changfeng and Huo Min on a mission to claim the inner core of an injured Golden Core Sha Beast trapped in Great Desolation Valley. They arrived in Sha Province and found Great Buddha Temple’s monks maintaining the barrier around the beast.

• Luo Tao told Chen Shuangbai that a Golden Core Sha Beast had been trapped by Great Buddha Temple in Sha Province and ordered him to retrieve its inner core with Li Changfeng and Huo Min.
• Chen Shuangbai learned that True Person Bo had gone ahead and that the Spirit-Seeking Sect and other factions might also pursue the beast.
• Chen Shuangbai traveled with Li Changfeng and Huo Min toward Great Desolation Valley, riding Feiguang while they crossed the scorching desert.
• The three arrived at the valley and saw Great Buddha Temple’s golden alms bowl barrier sealing it beneath the monks led by Huiming.

Chen Shuangbai witnessed several Golden Core factions converge on the trapped Sha Beast, while Huinan’s attempt to convert it was interrupted by the Spirit-Seeking Sect. A late Golden Core elder from the Transformation Sect appeared alongside the Heart-Eroding Stronghold, and Bo Chengyun challenged him over entering the Jing Kingdom.

• Huinan of the Great Buddha Temple used the Demon-Subduing Golden Alms Bowl to suppress the Sha Beast while secretly performing Buddhist Conversion.
• Li Changfeng and Chen Shuangbai realized the Great Buddha Temple intended to turn the Sha Beast into a Dharma protector, but an earthen-gold radiance stopped Huinan.
• True Person Xuanguang and True Person Lingguang of the Spirit-Seeking Sect arrived with True Person Shi Yan of the Heart-Eroding Stronghold.
• A late Golden Core True Person named Jin Quan emerged beside Shi Yan, prompting Chen Shuangbai and the others to suspect an alliance between the Transformation Sect and the Heart-Eroding Stronghold.
• Bo Chengyun of the Jade Spring Sect appeared and asked Jin Quan why he had entered the Jing Kingdom, then coldly challenged him to seek death.

True Person Bo attacked the gathered Golden Core cultivators after High Person Jinquan accused the Jade Spring Sect of seeking dominion over the Jing Kingdom. Bo overwhelmed several opponents and left Huinan struggling beneath his water essence power.

• High Person Jinquan accused True Person Bo of trying to make the Jade Spring Sect the Jing Kingdom's overlord.
• True Person Bo unleashed a vast phantom ocean that enveloped High Person Jinquan, True Person Shi, the Jin Household's True Persons, and Huinan.
• True Person Lingguang attacked Bo, but Bo struck him back with a water essence whip and injured him.
• True Person Bo punched True Person Shi away and bound him with water essence serpents and flood dragons.
• Huinan used Buddhist light and a golden lotus pedestal to resist Bo's ocean, but Bo surrounded him with wind, lightning, and water essence.

True Person Bo fought High Person Jinquan while Chen Shuangbai, Li Changfeng, and Huo Min used the Law-Breaking Golden Awl to break the Great Buddha Temple’s defensive formation. The Buddhist cultivators’ formation faltered, and Chen Shuangbai killed one of the remaining monks as the battle continued.

• High Person Jinquan attacked True Person Bo with demonic vines, but Bo crushed them with a vast surge of water essence.
• Li Changfeng and Huo Min prepared to attack the Great Buddha Temple cultivators, and Huo Min used the Law-Breaking Golden Awl to pierce the Demon-Subduing Golden Alms Bowl’s barrier.
• Li Changfeng charged through the breach and fought Chan Master Huiming, disrupting the conversion formation.
• Huo Min drove Liaowu and another monk away, while Chen Shuangbai confronted two Foundation Establishment Early Stage monks.
• Chen Shuangbai’s frosty blue sword pierced and killed one monk, leaving the other screaming in terror.

Chen Shuangbai attacked the Great Buddha Temple cultivators to collect interest for the grievance against his martial uncle, but Zen Master Mingguang intervened and fought back. Chen Shuangbai overwhelmed Mingguang with his treasures and left him suppressed and bound.

• Chen Shuangbai sent his Frost Osmanthus Sword Essence to kill the last Foundation Establishment Early Stage Buddhist cultivator.
• Zen Master Mingguang appeared and blocked the sword strike, protecting his junior brother from Chen Shuangbai.
• Chen Shuangbai attacked Mingguang and his junior brother with Heavenly Wood Spirit Light, wounding the junior brother and forcing him into the desert.
• Mingguang summoned the Wrathful Vajra Gaze Dharma manifestation and clashed with Chen Shuangbai's Frost Osmanthus Sword Essence.
• Chen Shuangbai used his treasure banner to slow Mingguang, then trapped him with a jade bell and bound him with a jade cord.

Chen Shuangbai captured Mingguang and used his Fallen Toad Light to remove the Buddhist power poisoning Li Changfeng’s wound. The Jade Spring Sect restored its seal over the sandy burial mound, while the captured Great Buddha Temple heir remained silent.

• Chen Shuangbai suppressed Mingguang with Spirit Artifacts and Frost Osmanthus Sword Essence, then took him alive after Mingguang abandoned his attempt to resist.
• The Jade Spring Sect defeated the Great Buddha Temple cultivators, who fled with Huiming’s soul while Huinan remained trapped and the Demon-Subduing Golden Alms Bowl was damaged.
• Chen Shuangbai healed Li Changfeng’s wound by using Fallen Toad Light to erase the Buddhist power embedded in it.
• Huo Min, Li Changfeng, and Chen Shuangbai joined their Law Power to the Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting and restored the seal over the sandy burial mound.
• Huo Min and Li Changfeng remarked on Mingguang’s capture and his expected succession as Great Buddha Temple abbot, while Mingguang closed his eyes and refused to respond.

True Person Bo returned from battling five Golden Core cultivators with three prisoners, while two enemies escaped. He then subdued the Golden Core Sha Beast and made it retreat into the Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting.

• After half a day, a yellow-green streak and a yellow streak escaped as True Person Bo’s dark ocean of power vanished.
• True Person Bo emerged with True Person Xuanguang, True Person Shi Yan, and Huinan imprisoned, and Chen Shuangbai, Li Changfeng, and Huo Min congratulated him.
• Huinan offered a supreme-grade Spirit Artifact to spare Mingguang, but True Person Bo gave no answer.
• True Person Bo explained that the Old Devil from the Transformation Sect escaped after detonating a supreme-grade Spirit Artifact, while a younger Spirit-Seeking Sect cultivator had died in place of his elder.
• True Person Bo hauled the wounded Golden Core Sha Beast from the sand and forced it into the Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting.

True Person Bo sealed the leaking Sha Qi beneath the desert in a lake and brought the captives back to the Jade Spring Sect. Chen Shuangbai received praise and was told to return in three days for a merit assessment, then went back to his cave abode to cultivate.

• True Person Bo summoned rain to fill the ruined Sha Lair, temporarily sealing its Sha Qi and creating a potential spiritual site.
• True Person Bo carried everyone back to Sunken Jade Valley and ordered the three captives to remain in separate side halls for a few days.
• True Person Bo praised Chen Shuangbai and the others for their service, then told them to return in three days for their merits and rewards.
• Shi Yubai arrived, heard Li Changfeng and Huo Min recount the journey, and discussed the consequences of holding Golden Core prisoners.
• Chen Shuangbai returned to his cave abode, activated its restrictions, and cultivated with his Moon Lord Divine Manifestations.

The Spirit-Seeking Sect, Great Buddha Temple, and Heart-Eroding Stronghold sent delegations to the Jade Spring Sect to ransom their captured Golden Core cultivators. The first two sects paid steep prices and reclaimed their people, while True Person Bo refused to negotiate with the Heart-Eroding Stronghold without its stronghold master.

• The Spirit-Seeking Sect, Great Buddha Temple, and Heart-Eroding Stronghold arrived with gifts and waited outside the Jade Spring Sect before being admitted to meet True Person Bo.
• Shi Yubai demanded a Law Treasure and harsh additional terms from Jin Wuyu in exchange for True Person Xuanguang, while Huo Min took Jin Wuyu aside to negotiate.
• True Person Bo rejected Zhuge Luo's offer to ransom True Person Shi and demanded that the Heart-Eroding Stronghold's master appear in person.
• Three days later, the Spirit-Seeking Sect and Great Buddha Temple paid heavily and ransomed their captured cultivators.
• True Person Xuanguang left the Jade Spring Sect with the Spirit-Seeking Sect delegation, furious over the ransom negotiations.

Chen Shuangbai discovered that the Pill Furnace from the collapsing blessed land had entered his Dantian and could be summoned as the Law Treasure [Heaven Beyond Heart Fire Furnace]. After True Person Bo confirmed its value despite its damaged primal spirit, Gongye Chun recognized that it would greatly aid the Jade Spring Sect’s pill refining.

• Huinan and Mingguang left Sunken Jade Valley, while True Person Shi remained sealed in the Heart-Eroding Stronghold’s side hall.
• Chen Shuangbai summoned the [Heaven Beyond Heart Fire Furnace] from his Dantian and discovered its Law Treasure space contained countless Divergent Flames.
• Chen Shuangbai took Yi Chongyue to the Abyss Suppression Hall, where True Person Bo examined the furnace and confirmed it was a damaged Law Treasure without its primal spirit.
• Gongye Chun inspected the furnace and said it would make refining the sect’s commissioned third-tier pills easier and might improve their quality.

Chen Shuangbai offered the Heaven Beyond Heart Fire Furnace to the Jade Spring Sect, and True Person Bo rewarded him with a powerful water Law Technique. The sect also gave Chen Shuangbai cultivation materials, while he and Yi Chongyue left to celebrate.

• Chen Shuangbai decided to offer the Heaven Beyond Heart Fire Furnace to the Jade Spring Sect because it did not suit him and would make him a target.
• True Person Bo praised Chen Shuangbai’s choice and gave him the third-tier Law Technique Clouds and Water Share the Same Sky, along with mystic origin heavy water.
• Chen Shuangbai told True Person Bo that he had already obtained two portions of mystic origin heavy water during his travels.
• True Person Bo severed Chen Shuangbai’s connection to the furnace, and Gongye Chun took it away to use in alchemy.
• The Jade Spring Sect gave Chen Shuangbai spiritual cultivation materials, and Gongye Chun promised to provide him with pills.
• Yi Chongyue praised Chen Shuangbai and invited him back to the peak to celebrate with Cold Pool Fragrance.

Chen Shuangbai failed to use the Great Yin Dao Fruit to evolve True Person Bo’s third-tier technique, then made progress understanding it through his own cultivation. He visited the Book Collection Cave and appeased Zhang Yin, who had been waiting for him.

• Chen Shuangbai considered two possible reasons the Great Yin Dao Fruit could not evolve [Clouds and Water Share the Same Sky]: its power was insufficient for a third-tier technique, or it could not remove True Person Bo’s personal Dao imprint.
• Over two months, Chen Shuangbai gained an initial grasp of [Clouds and Water Share the Same Sky], refined three portions of [mystic origin heavy water] into it, and formed a small domain of clouds and mist.
• Chen Shuangbai manifested [Midnight Month Cold Light Yin Thunder] and wondered how to incorporate the Yin Thunder Method into the technique.
• True Person Bo watched Chen Shuangbai’s progress, praised his Dao wisdom, and gave him a scroll of personal insights on the technique.
• Chen Shuangbai entered the Book Collection Cave, gave two duty disciples pills, and found Zhang Yin absent from its usual spot.
• Chen Shuangbai left three storybooks as an apology, and Zhang Yin appeared on the jade table, glaring at him with puffed cheeks.

Chen Shuangbai visited the Book Collection Cave to ask Zhang Yin about the third-tier spell Clouds and Water Share the Same Sky, and received scattered writings from earlier sect cultivators. After studying True Person Bo’s notes, he left with new insights into the water element.

• Chen Shuangbai apologized to Zhang Yin with storybooks and honeydew, and Zhang Yin accepted the gifts.
• Chen Shuangbai told Zhang Yin that the Great True Person had bestowed the spell Clouds and Water Share the Same Sky on him.
• Zhang Yin gave Chen Shuangbai True Person Bo’s cultivation notes and essays on the union of clouds and water.
• Chen Shuangbai studied True Person Bo’s observations of water, clouds, and thunder and gained a rich harvest of insight.
• Chen Shuangbai put away the notes and essays, promised to visit Zhang Yin again, and left the Book Collection Cave.

Chen Shuangbai learned that True Person Bo had made the Golden Core Sha Beast Fang Xiao a restricted mountain-guarding spirit beast for the sect’s talented disciples. Two years later, Chen Shuangbai and Fu Qianlan welcomed He Qi after he emerged from seclusion having achieved Foundation Establishment.

• Shi Yubai introduced Fang Xiao to Chen Shuangbai and explained that True Person Bo had placed restrictions on the Sha Beast’s demon soul, making him a spirit beast whom the sect’s talented disciples could summon and command.
• Shi Yubai taught Chen Shuangbai the incantation for controlling Fang Xiao’s restrictions and told him the beast usually stayed at Gaohe Ridge.
• Two years later, Chen Shuangbai left Verdant Hills Stream and met Fu Qianlan on the way to Lesser Yang Peak.
• He Qi greeted Chen Shuangbai and Fu Qianlan after emerging from three years of seclusion with lower vehicle Foundation Establishment.
• Chen Shuangbai gave He Qi pills to stabilize his breakthrough, and Fu Qianlan gave him a low-grade spirit saber.
• Fu Qianlan invited He Qi to celebrate at his cave abode with spirit dishes from the Hundred Flavors Pavilion.

Chen Shuangbai used an incantation to force Fang Xiao, a recovered Golden Core Sha Beast, to take him beyond Jade Spring Sect territory. As they entered the Spirit-Seeking Sect’s domain, Chen Shuangbai revealed that he was looking for a toad demon.

• He Qi thanked Chen Shuangbai and Fu Qianlan for helping him reach lower vehicle Foundation Establishment and took a post as an outer sect deacon elder.
• After two more months, Chen Shuangbai arranged affairs in his halls and left Jade Spring Sect to find Fang Xiao at Gaohe Ridge.
• Chen Shuangbai recited an incantation that tormented Fang Xiao’s demon soul until Fang Xiao emerged and agreed to go with him.
• Fang Xiao carried Chen Shuangbai through the earth to Cang Province in the Spirit-Seeking Sect’s domain.
• Chen Shuangbai told Fang Xiao he had come to find a toad demon, and Fang Xiao acknowledged why Golden Core demons hid from human cultivators.

Chen Shuangbai and Fang Xiao searched Cang Province’s underground waterways and found a Rotting Poison Toad, which Chen Shuangbai killed and harvested for its Demon Core and poisonous pus. After they left, a small jade-like toad crawled out of the corpse.

• Chen Shuangbai used water vapor to conceal himself and Fang Xiao as they traveled through Cang Province, then ordered Fang Xiao to search for nearby demons.
• Fang Xiao sensed a target to the southwest and led Chen Shuangbai through a cavern to an underground swamp.
• A giant Rotting Poison Toad attacked Chen Shuangbai, but he severed its tongue and Fang Xiao hardened the swamp to thwart its escape.
• Chen Shuangbai bound the toad with the [Turning Heart Ruyi Cord], killed it with Frost Osmanthus sword essence, and collected its Demon Core and pus.
• After Chen Shuangbai and Fang Xiao departed, a palm-sized toad that glowed like jade crawled from the slain toad demon’s mouth.