Chapter Summaries

Chen Shuangbai and Lady Yun reunited with Zhao Shiyong underground and used his Spirit-Attracting Butterfly to locate a treasure beneath a pool guarded by fifteen Water Salamanders. The three stopped at the cavern’s edge, aware that reaching the treasure would be dangerous.

• Chen Shuangbai and Lady Yun continued through the caves, fighting Water Salamanders as Chen Shuangbai led the way.
• Chen Shuangbai found Zhao Shiyong, and the three compared their experiences and agreed that the number of Water Salamanders was unusual.
• Zhao Shiyong released a Spirit-Attracting Butterfly to search for the treasure, and the three followed it through the winding passages.
• Chen Shuangbai sensed hostile presences and led Zhao Shiyong and Lady Yun to hide and scout a cavern containing a pool.
• Zhao Shiyong confirmed that the treasure lay beneath the pool, where fifteen Water Salamanders were gathered.

Zhao Shiyong, Chen Shuangbai, and Lady Yun attacked the Water Salamanders in the pool, dividing the group between them. Chen Shuangbai killed three quickly, but the powerful black-striped salamander struck him with enough force to send him skidding across the bank.

• Zhao Shiyong proposed that Lady Yun lure two Water Salamanders away while he and Chen Shuangbai fought the other thirteen, splitting them six and seven.
• Lady Yun used a fragrant pill to draw two Water Salamanders toward the passage, while Zhao Shiyong knocked six others onto the bank and killed one.
• Zhao Shiyong lured the remaining five salamanders on his side into a jagged stalagmite field, leaving Chen Shuangbai to face the other seven.
• The black-striped Water Salamander fired a powerful water arrow at Chen Shuangbai, who split it with the Cold Spring Sword.
• Chen Shuangbai killed three Water Salamanders with the Cold Spring Sword and Midnight Month Cold Light Yin Thunder before the black-striped salamander struck him and sent him flying across the bank.

Chen Shuangbai killed the black-marked Water Salamander and the remaining beasts with his techniques and sword strike. He and Zhao Shiyong harvested demon crystals and waited for Lady Yun, who did not return.

• The black-marked Water Salamander attacked Chen Shuangbai, but his Midnight Month Cold Light Yin Thunder froze and numbed its tail.
• The beast used one of its kin as a shield and tried to retreat into the pool, while Chen Shuangbai used mist illusions to distract the other Water Salamanders.
• Chen Shuangbai unleashed Emerald Flood Dragon Churns the Waves, mangling the black-marked Water Salamander and fatally injuring the others.
• Chen Shuangbai finished off the surviving Water Salamanders, and Zhao Shiyong praised his sword strike before they harvested demon crystals.
• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong waited for Lady Yun to return, but she did not come back.

Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong investigated Lady Yun’s disappearance, then found three valuable clam pearls inside a petrified river clam. Zhao Shiyong offered Chen Shuangbai two pearls, and Chen accepted without hesitation.

• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong found two wounded Water Salamanders but no sign of Lady Yun, whose disappearance left Zhao Shiyong uneasy.
• Chen Shuangbai warned that a powerful demonic creature might lurk underground, and he and Zhao Shiyong returned to the pool to search for treasure.
• Zhao Shiyong used the blue demonic butterfly to locate an azure-gray stone beneath the water and pulled it ashore.
• Chen Shuangbai used his magic sword to pry open the stone, revealing that it was a petrified river clam containing three luminous pearls.
• Zhao Shiyong identified the clam pearls as mature spiritual treasures and offered two to Chen Shuangbai, who immediately took them.

Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong followed the blue demonic butterfly to an underground cavern, where they discovered Heart-Eroding Stronghold cultivators guarding a lake and mushroom grove. After killing two guards and disguising themselves, they entered to investigate the treasure and spotted a pale-faced young man accompanied by two powerful cultivators.

• Zhao Shiyong and Chen Shuangbai followed the blue demonic butterfly toward a brightly lit cavern opening, where they hid after sensing danger.
• Two Heart-Eroding Stronghold cultivators emerged, found the dead butterfly, and prepared to return to their companions.
• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong attacked from hiding, killed both cultivators, and took their clothes and [Evil Ghost] tokens.
• The pair disguised themselves and entered a vast underground space filled with luminous crystals, mushrooms, and alarm formations.
• Zhao Shiyong sensed that the treasure lay in the lake or mushroom forest, while Chen Shuangbai examined the Heart-Eroding Stronghold group gathered nearby.
• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong noticed a pale-faced young man flanked by a broad-shouldered cultivator and a gaunt, lipless cultivator.

Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong infiltrated the Heart-Eroding Stronghold cultivators gathered around a mushroom demon, despite the danger posed by the pale Evil Bone junior envoy. The junior envoy ordered Hei Sha to prepare the formation to suppress the demon’s poisonous mist, while the two disguised orthodox cultivators remained among the crowd.

• Chen Shuangbai warned Zhao Shiyong that the pale leader was likely an Evil Bone junior envoy and that their disguises might fail at close range.
• After their evil ghost tokens summoned them, Zhao Shiyong proposed a plan, and Chen Shuangbai agreed to approach the gathering in disguise.
• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong joined the Heart-Eroding cultivators on the central stone pillar and observed the junior envoy’s two guardians using the formation against the mushroom demon.
• The junior envoy questioned his subordinates about anything unusual, and Chen Shuangbai concealed his identity while reporting a few brief details.
• The junior envoy ordered Hei Sha to begin the next step, and Hei Sha directed the cultivators to take their positions at the six formation flags.

Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong secretly prepared to sabotage the Heart-Eroding Devil Cultivators’ formation while the Young Emissary of Evil Bone attacked the mushroom demon. As the emissary prepared a renewed strike, the two orthodox cultivators resolved to attack him first.

• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong split up and hid talismans near two formation flags so they could sabotage the formation at the right moment.
• Hei Sha and White Raven activated the six black skull flags, forming a giant bone claw that struck through the poisonous mist at the mushroom demon.
• The mushroom demon sent red-capped mushrooms to explode against the bone claw, briefly forcing it back and injuring Hei Sha.
• The Young Emissary of Evil Bone ordered his guardians to attack with everything they had and replenished the cracked bone claw with his Law Power.
• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong agreed to strike the emissary as soon as he launched his next attack, before the Devil Cultivators could overwhelm them.

Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong ambushed Fang Mo and his Heart-Eroding Stronghold guards, but Fang Mo revealed that he was willing to sacrifice his own subordinates. The fight continued as Fang Mo unleashed his bone lotus against the two sect disciples.

• The junior envoy attacked the mushroom demon with a bone claw while Zhao Shiyong struck Hei Sha and Chen Shuangbai froze White Crow with the Yin Thunder Method.
• Chen Shuangbai killed the Heart-Eroding cultivators guarding the formation and held White Crow at swordpoint as Zhao Shiyong captured Hei Sha.
• The junior envoy identified himself as Fang Mo and used his bone lotus to block Zhao Shiyong’s attack.
• Fang Mo recognized Zhao Shiyong as a Profound Firmament Sect disciple and Chen Shuangbai as a Jade Spring Sect disciple, then accused them of underestimating the Heart-Eroding Stronghold.
• Fang Mo attacked Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong with bone-lotus petals, and the two men killed White Crow and Hei Sha as they dodged the attack.

Fang Mo fought Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong from atop his White Bone Lotus Seat, but Chen Shuangbai’s surprise strike disrupted him and Zhao Shiyong kept up a relentless assault. Fang Mo’s defenses held for now, though he remained numb from the Yin Thunder and his killing intent deepened.

• Fang Mo dismissed his dead companions as expendable and used the White Bone Lotus Seat to block Zhao Shiyong’s attack and unleash a rain of bone arrows.
• Zhao Shiyong burned through the arrows with his magic robe while Chen Shuangbai dodged them, and Fang Mo followed with the soul-attacking White Bone Heart-Piercing Stab.
• Zhao Shiyong resisted the secret technique and attacked Fang Mo, drawing his attention as Chen Shuangbai stabbed Fang Mo in the back with the Cold Spring Sword and triggered hidden Yin Thunder.
• Fang Mo suppressed the Yin Thunder with the Baleful Intent Fire White Bone Body, while Chen Shuangbai identified the technique and repositioned around the stone pillar.
• Zhao Shiyong relentlessly attacked and taunted Fang Mo, but the White Bone Lotus Seat’s defenses held as Fang Mo struggled to move and his killing intent grew.

Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong fought Fang Mo underground, but Fang Mo’s hidden Profound Bone Snake Puppet poisoned Zhao and left Chen alone. Chen used his two magic swords to unleash an emerald flood dragon that swallowed Fang Mo, shaking the underground space.

• Fang Mo used his white bone lotus seat and giant white bone bow to withstand Zhao Shiyong and Chen Shuangbai’s attacks.
• Zhao Shiyong pressed Fang Mo with his crimson cauldron and flaming punches, but a concealed Profound Bone Snake Puppet ambushed him and poisoned him.
• Fang Mo revealed that the puppet’s venom had no antidote besides the one he carried, leaving Chen Shuangbai to face him alone.
• Chen Shuangbai deduced that the puppet’s concealment depended on its distance from Fang Mo or the Law Power invested in it.
• Chen Shuangbai used the Green Parasol Tree Sword and Cold Spring Sword together to form an emerald flood dragon, which swallowed Fang Mo and crashed into the ground.

Chen Shuangbai overwhelmed Fang Mo with healing and restorative incantations, sword attacks, and repeated bolts of Midnight Month Cold Light Yin Thunder. Fang Mo’s White Bone Lotus Seat was badly damaged, and Chen Shuangbai sent him crashing into the cavern wall, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Fang Mo dodged Chen Shuangbai’s sword light and fired bone arrows at him, while Chen Shuangbai used three beneficial incantations to recover.
• Chen Shuangbai summoned the Emerald Flood Dragon Churns the Waves, which swallowed Fang Mo’s arrows and sent him flying.
• Chen Shuangbai struck Fang Mo with Midnight Month Cold Light Yin Thunder, freezing and damaging the White Bone Lotus Seat and injuring Fang Mo.
• Chen Shuangbai blocked the dark bone snake puppet, destroyed its tail spike, and pinned it to the ground with frozen water whips.
• Fang Mo broke free of the ice and attacked, but Chen Shuangbai’s sword technique shielded him from the bone arrows and exposed Fang Mo’s battered state.
• Chen Shuangbai struck Fang Mo with the Emerald Flood Dragon again, hurling him into the cavern wall as his own Law Power began to recover.

Chen Shuangbai steadily wore Fang Mo down, but Fang Mo unleashed a desperate soul-tracking attack with his transformed white bone bow. The Blood Baleful Intent Soul-Breaking Bone Arrow locked onto Chen Shuangbai, who chose to confront the attack head-on.

• Chen Shuangbai used his swords, frost techniques, and nimble Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch to evade Fang Mo's attacks and drain his Law Power.
• Fang Mo's White Bone Heart-Piercing Stab failed to affect Chen Shuangbai, whose [Dao Fruit] protected his soul.
• Fang Mo sacrificed Essence Blood to animate bone beast puppets, then detonated them into poisonous bone fragments.
• Fang Mo poured more Essence Blood into his massive white bone bow and formed a dark red, soul-threatening arrow.
• Chen Shuangbai realized the arrow tracked his Law Power and decided to interrupt Fang Mo's strike by meeting it head-on.
• Fang Mo completed the Blood Baleful Intent Soul-Breaking Bone Arrow and prepared to fire.

Chen Shuangbai killed Fang Mo with a concealed Law Artifact and Yin Thunder, then discovered that Lady Yun and the supposed Yu Laoliu had been waiting to seize the aftermath. Han Shouke revealed his identity and Great Perfection of Qi Refining cultivation, and Chen Shuangbai confronted the pair about their plans.

• Fang Mo fired his Blood Baleful Intent Soul-Chasing Bone Arrow, but Chen Shuangbai vanished with a Law Artifact and struck him from behind with Yin Thunder.
• Chen Shuangbai cut Fang Mo’s body apart, burned the remains, and went to check on the poisoned Zhao Shiyong.
• Chen Shuangbai found Lady Yun and Yu Laoliu beside Zhao Shiyong, with a talisman on Zhao and Yu Laoliu poised to strike.
• Lady Yun and Yu Laoliu admitted they had waited for the chance to act, and Chen Shuangbai realized Yu Laoliu was Han Shouke in disguise.
• Han Shouke revealed his Great Perfection of Qi Refining cultivation and explained that the real Yu Laoliu had been manipulated into serving as his hidden identity.
• Chen Shuangbai asked whether Han Shouke and Lady Yun had anticipated the situation while seeking a chance to reach Foundation Establishment.

Han Shouke threatened Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong to force Chen to retrieve the treasure, hoping to use him to test the path. Chen appeared to comply, then revealed his deception by stabbing Lady Yun in the chest.

• Han Shouke held the unconscious Zhao Shiyong hostage and demanded that Chen Shuangbai fetch the treasure from the central stone pillar.
• Chen Shuangbai refused at first, but Han Shouke threatened to kill Zhao Shiyong and pointed out that Chen had likely spent most of his Law Power.
• Han Shouke promised to let Chen and Zhao leave, while secretly planning to kill them after obtaining the treasure.
• Chen Shuangbai rode the Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch toward the lake, then stopped halfway and said Han Shouke and Lady Yun had no tricks left.
• Chen Shuangbai pierced Lady Yun's chest and seized her heart, causing her to lose consciousness.

Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong killed Han Shouke and Lady Yun, then went to claim the treasure beneath the mushroom demon. They discovered a cluster of low-grade second-tier profound yin crystal marrow and divided it between them.

• Zhao Shiyong trapped Han Shouke in the Profound Fire Cauldron and refined him into ashes while Chen Shuangbai watched.
• Zhao Shiyong explained that he had anticipated the scheme, taken an antidote beforehand, and feigned weakness with Chen Shuangbai's help.
• Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong confirmed Lady Yun was dead, then crossed the lake to the island.
• Zhao Shiyong burned the weakened mushroom demon, and he and Chen Shuangbai found a crystal cluster beneath it.
• Zhao Shiyong identified the cluster as low-grade second-tier profound yin crystal marrow and divided it in half with Chen Shuangbai.

Chen Shuangbai returned from the river with a tiny mushroom demon, valuable spoils, and a new connection to Zhao Shiyong. Back at the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy, he learned Wind Howling County was thriving and ordered the academy to take over the abandoned Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance property.

• Chen Shuangbai stopped Zhao Shiyong from burning the little mushroom demon and decided to take it back to keep Feiguang company.
• Zhao Shiyong gave Chen Shuangbai a jade pendant inviting him to visit the Zhao Kingdom, then departed for his sect.
• Zhuang Wen told Chen Shuangbai that academy enrollment had doubled, two prominent clans had fled, and the ferry crossing had been reclaimed and made peaceful.
• Chen Shuangbai praised Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng for managing the academy and county while he was away.
• Chen Shuangbai ordered Bi Sheng to bring the Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance property under academy authority, find Yu Laoliu, and reassure and recruit the remaining Rogue Cultivators.

Chen Shuangbai began pursuing first-rank pill refining and used the Great Yin Dao Fruit to evolve his pill-refining technique. The new Dark Nether Pill Heart Instruction gave him a deeper understanding of alchemy and left him eager to test the Dao Fruit on other methods.

• Chen Shuangbai settled the academy’s affairs, raised Yu Laoliu’s stipend, and focused on cultivation and pill refining.
• Chen Shuangbai obtained formulas for the Azure Flower Pill and Jade Cliff Pill, and the academy gathered their ingredients and seeds.
• Chen Shuangbai failed three times before refining a mixed-grade batch of Azure Flower Pills.
• Chen Shuangbai used the Great Yin Dao Fruit to evolve the Jade Spring Water Method Pill Refining Technique into the Dark Nether Pill Heart Instruction.
• Chen Shuangbai studied the new inheritance and resolved to try evolving other cultivation methods, secret arts, and divine abilities.

Chen Shuangbai improved his pill refining, supplied pills to the Fan Household of Jing Valley, and used the Great Yin Dao Fruit to begin evolving his sword instruction. After two years, his cultivation had reached the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, prompting Fan Qi to recognize his exceptional progress and plan to inform his clan.

• Chen Shuangbai refined Azure Flower Pills and Jade Cliff Pills, including a supreme-grade pill, and considered seeking the Jade Dew Hall's remaining secret pill-refining techniques.
• Chen Shuangbai asked the Great Yin Dao Fruit to evolve the Spring Rain and Flowering Wood Sword Instruction into a sword instruction suited to his Dao Path.
• Two years later, Chen Shuangbai handed the Fan Household of Jing Valley's pill order to Fan Qi, who praised the quality of his pills.
• Fan Qi realized Chen Shuangbai had advanced from the Qi Refining Fifth Layer to the Seventh Layer in less than two years and resolved to tell his clan to maintain good relations with him.

Chen Shuangbai converted Life-Accepting Spirit Liquid into Moon Soul True Water and shared it with his demon pets, Gray Ball and Feiguang. The chapter ended with Gray Ball beginning to absorb his portion and Feiguang revealed as a powerful, rapidly grown Snow-Plumed Eagle.

• Chen Shuangbai stopped Feiguang from frightening Gray Ball, the mushroom demon whose secretions improved pill refining and whose presence accelerated medicinal herb growth.
• Chen Shuangbai retrieved the Life-Accepting Gourd and found that it had accumulated more than half a gourd of spirit liquid over three years.
• Chen Shuangbai set up the Six Directions Perfect Light Formation and transformed most of the spirit liquid into Moon Soul True Water.
• Chen Shuangbai gave Gray Ball two drops of Moon Soul True Water and prepared a separate portion for Feiguang.
• Gray Ball eagerly absorbed his share as Chen Shuangbai noted that Feiguang had reached the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining and grown far faster than ordinary Snow-Plumed Eagles.

As his three-year term as guardian ended, Chen Shuangbai prepared to leave Wind Howling County and return to the Jade Spring Sect. He gave the academy pupils parting advice and gifts, then accepted Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng’s farewell as he set out toward a higher immortal path.

• Chen Shuangbai invited the pupils into the Listening to the Waves Pavilion and told them he would leave for the Jade Spring Sect the next day.
• Chen Shuangbai urged the pupils to act uprightly, keep kindness in their hearts, study diligently, and learn a skill for making a living.
• Feiguang delivered bamboo plaques bearing the pupils’ names, each blessed by Chen Shuangbai with a Mind-Clearing Incantation.
• Chen Shuangbai praised Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng for their work in Wind Howling County and promised to report their contributions to the sect.
• Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng bowed to Chen Shuangbai and wished him a flourishing immortal path.