Chapter Summaries

Jiang Jinyi struggled with feeling out of place at Luyu University, where her modest cultivation and admission as her older brother’s contractual accessory contrasted with her classmates’ talents and wealth. After the freshman ceremony inspired her to pursue Qi Refinement, she reunited with her brother, whose impressive cultivation surprised Chen Suqiu.

• Jiang Jinyi watched President True Person Chonghuan welcome the freshmen and reflected on how her brother’s contract had secured her admission despite her not meeting Luyu University’s usual standards.
• Jiang Jinyi compared herself with the gifted and wealthy students in her Metal Virtue class and resolved to break through to Qi Refinement that month.
• Chen Suqiu pointed out senior student Xue Renya, whose speech praised Qinghuan’s history and the sacrifices of Yuanhuai Heaven.
• After the ceremony, Chen Suqiu led Jiang Jinyi back toward their dormitory, where Jiang Jinyi spotted her brother and rushed to embrace him.
• Chen Suqiu realized that Jiang Jinyi’s brother had reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement despite appearing to be only in his early twenties.

Jiang Wangxuan took his younger sister Jiang Jinyi and her roommate Chen Suqiu to lunch, where Chen Suqiu learned he was a Grand Yin cultivator at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement. He asked Chen Suqiu to look after Jiang Jinyi and left her wondering who had entrusted him with a valuable Metal Virtue pill for her.

• Jiang Wangxuan met Jiang Jinyi and Chen Suqiu at the Fortune and Longevity Restaurant and prepared Longevity Spring Tea with an advanced technique.
• Jiang Wangxuan revealed that he was a Grand Yin cultivator, shocking Chen Suqiu, who then addressed him formally as Dao Brother.
• Jiang Jinyi urged Chen Suqiu to treat Jiang Wangxuan casually, while Jiang Wangxuan asked Chen Suqiu to keep an eye on his sister at Luyu University.
• Jiang Wangxuan offered Chen Suqiu an Azure Marrow Origin-Nourishing Pill, but she refused it as too valuable.
• Jiang Wangxuan instead gave Chen Suqiu a Supreme White Metal-Tempering Pill, saying a friend had entrusted it to him for her, and Chen Suqiu suspected Xue Renya.

Jiang Wangxuan treated Chen Suqiu to a lavish meal, passed her a Supreme White Pure Gold Pill from Xue Renya, and took Jiang Jinyi sightseeing around Luyu Port. As Jiang Wangxuan reflected on the five-million-Tongbao investment supporting his cultivation, he faced the uncertain prospect of breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

• Jiang Wangxuan gave Chen Suqiu the pill Xue Renya had sent, and Chen Suqiu wondered why Xue had not given it to her himself.
• Jiang Wangxuan took Jiang Jinyi and Chen Suqiu to the Fortune and Longevity Restaurant, where they ate spiritual delicacies and Chen Suqiu realized he had arranged much of her welcome in advance.
• Jiang Wangxuan asked Chen Suqiu to request leave for Jiang Jinyi, then took his sister to explore Luyu Port and Fuji Avenue.
• Jiang Jinyi excitedly admired the Gold Federal Reserve and other landmarks, while Jiang Wangxuan recalled their childhood and their time apart as he pursued cultivation.
• Jiang Wangxuan considered his five-million-Tongbao loan and the investment the Great Qian Head Bank and Yuanhuai Heaven had made in his talent as he approached Foundation Establishment.

Lin Tongjiang met Jiang Wangxuan and his younger sister Jiang Jinyi at Luyu University, where he discovered Wangxuan had reached Qi Refinement Perfection. He gave Jinyi the rare Dui White Pure Metal Sha to help her break through to Qi Refinement, then stayed behind to speak with Wangxuan.

• Lin Tongjiang watched Jiang Wangxuan and Jiang Jinyi explore the Central Palace before approaching them and noticing Wangxuan's breakthrough to Qi Refinement Perfection.
• Lin Tongjiang greeted Jiang Jinyi and encouraged her to enjoy her time at Luyu University rather than become an ascetic like her brother.
• Lin Tongjiang presented Jiang Jinyi with Dui White Pure Metal Sha, explaining that it suited her Dui Metal cultivation method better than the university's Western Marsh White Sha.
• Jiang Wangxuan thanked Lin Tongjiang, who placed the jade box in Jiang Jinyi's hands and told her to prepare carefully for her Qi Refinement breakthrough.
• Jiang Jinyi left with the jade box, while Lin Tongjiang remained behind to talk with Jiang Wangxuan.

Jiang Wangxuan reached Qi Refinement Perfection far faster than expected, and Lin Tongjiang warned him that modern cultivators lacked the resolve and Dao wisdom needed to survive a Foundation Establishment breakthrough. Lin Tongjiang suspected Jiang Wangxuan’s progress was a dangerous Fruit Flavor illusion, but Jiang Wangxuan chose to risk breaking through anyway.

• Lin Tongjiang questioned Jiang Wangxuan about rushing to Qi Refinement Perfection and explained the high failure rate of Foundation Establishment breakthroughs.
• Jiang Wangxuan discussed how abundant resources and comfortable lives left modern cultivators short of the Dao wisdom and resolve cultivated through hardship.
• Lin Tongjiang told Jiang Wangxuan that he was unusual in seeking the Purple Mansion Divine Ability and urged him to slow down and strengthen his foundation.
• Lin Tongjiang recalled fearing that Jiang Wangxuan’s rapid progress was a temporary Fruit Flavor illusion that could ruin his cultivation or destroy him at the Foundation Establishment threshold.
• Jiang Wangxuan said he wanted to return home to arrange matters, then declared that he would risk a Foundation Establishment breakthrough rather than wait for his chance to worsen.

Jiang Wangxuan secured Lin Tongjiang’s approval to attempt Foundation Establishment at twenty, despite the risks to his family. Back at his residence, he reviewed his cultivation and learned that Big Fat Fish believed a recent Spiritual Qi rampage meant his True Lord bloodline had awakened, leaving him determined to investigate his family before breaking through.

• Jiang Wangxuan told Lin Tongjiang he would attempt Foundation Establishment and had arranged resources for Jiang Jinyi and the family if he failed.
• Lin Tongjiang approved Jiang Wangxuan’s leave and promised to apply for a White Hair Moon-Illuminating Pill, and Jiang Wangxuan bowed before returning to Wave-Gazing Residence.
• Jiang Wangxuan argued with Big Fat Fish, who had been playing games instead of working, then reflected on how she had helped purify and improve his cultivation method.
• Big Fat Fish reported that the Spiritual Qi rampage and black tide in Jiang Wangxuan’s Rising Yang Mansion had one likely explanation: his True Lord bloodline had awakened.
• Jiang Wangxuan doubted that his family had a True Lord ancestor but decided to return to the family’s old home in Luzhou to investigate before attempting Foundation Establishment.

Jiang Wangxuan traveled from Luyu toward his hometown, reflecting on Qinghuan’s modern infrastructure, Dao lineages, and the history of Origin Lightning. After transferring at Wancheng Station, he felt the growing barrier between himself and the mortal world.

• Teaching Assistant Lin secured Jiang Wangxuan’s leave, and Jiang Wangxuan used his Luyu-issued bracelet to conceal his Grand Yin Qi before boarding the high-speed train.
• Jiang Wangxuan rode through the clouds and considered how True Lord Miaoshu’s Origin Lightning fruition had enabled electricity, high-speed rail, and modern society.
• Jiang Wangxuan recalled the political history of Origin Lightning, the Thunder Palace’s failed effort to retain control of the lineage, and Xue Renya’s wish to reclaim it.
• Jiang Wangxuan remembered Xue Renya’s missed chance to give Suqiu the Supreme White Gold Essence Pills and thought of his absent friends.
• Jiang Wangxuan transferred at Wancheng Station and realized that his Qi Refinement perfection had left him separated from the mundane world.

Jiang Wangxuan met Hearth Fire cultivator Fang Lin on a train to Luzhou, where their discussion of Dao and history revealed a secret about the Hearth Fire fruition rank. Fang Lin left at Luzhou Station, and Jiang Wangxuan and Big Fat Fish decided to move to another carriage before getting off.

• Fang Lin introduced himself to Jiang Wangxuan and spoke at length about the Hearth Fire path and the mortal world.
• Jiang Wangxuan countered Fang Lin’s complaints with reflections on Huaqi, desire, and nonaction, impressing him with his composure.
• Fang Lin explained that True Lord Miaosui had used Huaqi to transform the vacant Soaring Fire fruition rank into Hearth Fire after the previous True Lord fell.
• Fang Lin revealed that his path involved seeking traces of past faith in the mountains, rivers, and relics of the mortal world, and Jiang Wangxuan thanked him for the insight.
• Fang Lin left the train at Luzhou Station, and Jiang Wangxuan and Big Fat Fish planned to move to another carriage before disembarking.

Jiang Wangxuan returned to Luzhou and discovered that his younger brother Jiang Dezhao had been targeted by someone seeking to exploit him. He decided to help Dezhao begin cultivation by giving him a Spirit Root, and the chapter ended with Dezhao realizing he might cultivate immortality.

• Jiang Wangxuan arrived at his family home and found Ms. Wang chasing Jiang Dezhao with a stick over an incident with an older girl.
• Jiang Wangxuan believed Jiang Dezhao’s account that the girl had taken advantage of him, then gave him an Origin Returning Pill to pass along and said their father should handle what followed.
• Jiang Wangxuan concluded that people were targeting his family because of their cultivator relatives and asked Ms. Wang to call their father home.
• Jiang Dezhao admitted he expected to stay home and enjoy a comfortable life while his older siblings became powerful, and Jiang Wangxuan told him to study the Dao Scripture.
• Jiang Wangxuan revealed that he had brought a Qi Refinement-level Spirit Root for Jiang Dezhao, leaving the boy stunned at the prospect of cultivating immortality.

Jiang Wangxuan persuaded his parents to let Jiang Dezhao receive a Spirit Root, arranged the implantation for three days later, and revealed he could perform it himself. After returning home, Jiang Wangxuan found his Lunar Essence increasing, then entered a dark dream realm and called for Go pieces at an ancient pavilion.

• Jiang Wangxuan argued that Jiang Dezhao needed a Spirit Root and explained that the Jiang family’s standing could protect him from being exploited.
• Father Jiang told the family that the Wang Household had proposed a match between Jiang Dezhao and its Spirit Root-talented granddaughter, Wang Ziying, and Jiang Wangxuan deferred the decision until Dezhao was older.
• Jiang Wangxuan told Jiang Dezhao to prepare for a Spirit Root implantation in three days and said he would perform the operation at home.
• Jiang Wangxuan rested in his childhood room, where his Lunar Essence unexpectedly increased as he felt at home.
• Jiang Wangxuan entered a black-clouded dream realm, climbed to an ancient pavilion, sat before a Go board, and called for the Go pieces.

Jiang Wangxuan awoke after a dream in which he played a cosmic game of Go and discovered that a silver-white moon disc had formed in his Qi Sea. He realized it could become both his Dao Foundation and Immortal Foundation, but decided to wait before attempting a breakthrough, while Big Fat Fish claimed the disc’s moon essence for herself.

• In a dream, Jiang Wangxuan played Go as heaven and earth transformed around him, then was annihilated by a colossal azure hand.
• Jiang Wangxuan woke to find the silver-white Frost Osmanthus Moon Essence had become a moon disc in his Qi Sea, though Big Fat Fish could neither see nor detect it.
• Jiang Wangxuan and Big Fat Fish concluded that the disc embodied a profound form of the Great Yin and could wield healing moonlight and Silver River Moonlight.
• Jiang Wangxuan recognized that the disc could serve as both his Dao Foundation and Immortal Foundation, but chose to postpone Foundation Establishment and keep his breakthrough secret.
• Big Fat Fish’s projection hugged the moon disc and pleaded for its moon essence, and Jiang Wangxuan gave in before she teased him and ate a piece of mooncake.

Jiang Wangxuan investigated the mysterious black tide in his bloodline and searched Luzhou’s records for clues to his family’s origins. He narrowed his investigation to the Yang Clan’s former lands east of the city and a former demonic sect’s territory in the southern marsh, preparing to explore both.

• Jiang Wangxuan sent Big Fat Fish to search for leads among Luzhou’s legends, but her findings were a jumble of supernatural stories.
• Jiang Wangxuan reflected on his dream, the black tide, and the lunar power that had awakened it, concluding that the mysterious force was tied to his bloodline and would grow with his cultivation.
• Jiang Wangxuan used the Jiang Household’s history and Luzhou’s geography to rule out regions north of the river as the likely source of his family’s inheritance.
• Jiang Wangxuan identified the Yang Clan’s former lands east of Luzhou as a likely place to investigate, especially after Big Fat Fish revealed that a returning Foundation Establishment cultivator had belonged to the clan.
• Jiang Wangxuan also considered the southern marsh, where a demonic sect had once spread Cultivation Methods and witchcraft inheritances, as a possible source of his ancestors’ hidden past.
• Jiang Wangxuan marked sites to visit in the east and south, planning to investigate while he stayed in Luzhou for Dezhao’s Spirit Root implantation.

Jiang Wangxuan implanted a Qi Refining-grade Spirit Root in his younger brother Jiang Dezhao at home, drawing the attention of Luzhou’s officials and cultivation circle. The procedure succeeded easily, leaving Dezhao able to feel the Spirit Root breathing in his Qi Sea.

• Big Fat Fish finished copying county gazetteers at the library, and the director found Jiang Wangxuan’s thank-you gift of Origin-Nourishing Pills.
• Luzhou’s officials quietly watched Jiang Wangxuan’s visits and ordered their subordinates not to cause trouble while he was in the city.
• Assistant Prefect Tan learned that Jiang Wangxuan wanted a Spirit Root implanted in Jiang Dezhao, then heard that Jiang Wangxuan planned to perform the procedure himself.
• Jiang Wangxuan explained the history and cultivation grades of Spirit Roots while preparing the Jade Gourd Inch Vine Root for implantation.
• Jiang Wangxuan placed the Spirit Root in Jiang Dezhao’s Qi Sea, where it absorbed moon essence and took hold without serious rejection.
• Jiang Dezhao told Jiang Wangxuan that he could feel the Spirit Root moving and breathing, and Jiang Wangxuan closed the Dantian to complete the operation.

After Jiang Dezhao’s Spirit Root implantation, he unexpectedly formed a spirit wheel and began cultivating Horn Wood Law Power, drawing the attention of Luzhou’s officials and Hengbao Group. Director Ma Chongyun arrived to investigate and found Jiang Wangxuan at the family home, leaving the meeting with the family’s decision-maker just beginning.

• Jiang Wangxuan searched Luzhou’s eastern and southern areas for clues about returning home but found only historical sites, swampland, and an underground market.
• Jiang Dezhao told his family he had Law Power, and Jiang Wangxuan confirmed that he had formed a spirit wheel with Horn Wood Law Power.
• Jiang Wangxuan called Assistant Prefect Tan, who recognized Dezhao’s unusual cultivation as a political achievement and alerted Luzhou’s officials.
• Luzhou’s three top officials gathered outside the Jiang family’s building while people from Wancheng headed toward the residence.
• Ma Chongyun rushed from Wancheng to inspect the new Wood Virtue Spirit Root cultivator and confirmed Horn Wood Law Power in Jiang Dezhao.
• Ma Chongyun asked Jiang Wangxuan whether he had come down from Lüyu.

Jiang Wangxuan discussed the origins and cultivation path of wood-virtue Spirit Root bearers with Ma Chongyun, who agreed to pay one million Tongbao for Jiang Dezhao’s case and provide further support if he reached Qi Refinement. The offer stirred Luzhou and forced the Wang family to reconsider its marriage plans for Wang Ziying.

• Jiang Wangxuan asked Ma Chongyun about the Horn Wood lineage, and Ma explained its connection to reclusive Juyu Heaven and the Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
• Ma Chongyun described how wood-virtue Spirit Root bearers used their implanted roots to seek the primordial Qi sought by ancient cultivators.
• After learning that Lin Tongjiang was Jiang Wangxuan’s teaching assistant, Ma Chongyun offered one million Tongbao before Qi Refinement and promised Spiritual Qi support if Jiang Dezhao advanced.
• Ma Chongyun ordered his subordinates to prepare a contract and instructed Prefectural Judge Tan to ready apartments for a Hengbao working group, tying Luzhou’s future Spirit Root quota to local support.
• Prefect Yang received a warning from his family elders not to oppose the Jiang family, while Old Master Wang told Wang Ziying that her marriage prospects had changed after the Jiang family’s new fortune.

Jiang Wangxuan joined Fang Lin in fighting a spider demon on Jinping Mountain, but the demon was destroyed by a Blood Slaughter Incantation before they could question it. Their investigation suggested a powerful mother spider controlled the demons, and that someone in Luzhou might be behind the Blood Qi killings.

• Jiang Wangxuan found unnatural miasma on Jinping Mountain and discovered Fang Lin fighting a spider demon.
• Jiang Wangxuan restrained the spider demon with clear water, allowing Fang Lin to strike it down, but its spirit was killed by a Blood Slaughter Incantation.
• Fang Lin said several spider demons he had fought had been cursed to death and suspected a powerful mother spider was controlling them.
• Jiang Wangxuan and Fang Lin returned to the mountain’s foot and discussed the spider demons’ long coexistence with tourists.
• Jiang Wangxuan concluded that they should not notify Luzhou, suspecting the Blood Qi needed for the incantation came from a troubling source.
• Fang Lin explained that Jixia’s unspoken rule placed demon-related matters outside local jurisdiction because Blood Qi could taint those involved for lifetimes.

Fang Lin explained that True Person Shouhui had pursued an incense-offering path and revealed a ring tied to her legacy, while Jiang Wangxuan sensed an affinity with its markings. When Jiang Wangxuan infused it with moon essence, a jade cicada awakened and flew toward Jinping Mountain, drawing Fang Lin after it.

• Fang Lin and Jiang Wangxuan discussed the Blood Slaughter Incantation, the spider ambush, and whether to continue investigating the spiders on Jinping Mountain.
• Fang Lin described True Person Shouhui and showed Jiang Wangxuan a ring that had grown brighter with incense-offering radiance near Jinping Mountain.
• Jiang Wangxuan examined the ring’s cicada engravings and crescent mark, then decided to test it with moon essence.
• The ring awakened, revealing a jade cicada whose cry rang across Jinping Mountain and whose silver frost flew toward the mountain.
• Fang Lin vanished from a local bar and pursued the flying silver frost as onlookers wondered whether the Cicada Immortal had appeared.

Fang Lin and Jiang Wangxuan entered snowy Jinping Mountain to seek the Radiant Wish, while the spider ancestor forced her clan to attack the forbidden area. Surrounded by the spider horde, Jiang Wangxuan summoned the flood dragon spirit from the Cavern Spring Talismanic Words Bracelet, and the battle was about to turn.

• Fang Lin explained that the mountain's returning brilliance was Radiant Wish and said he intended to enter Jinping Mountain to pursue his Dao.
• Jiang Wangxuan agreed to go with Fang Lin, and the two disappeared into the snowy mountain.
• The spider ancestor seized her clan's life force and ordered the spiders to kill their way to the temple and return alive.
• Fang Lin and Jiang Wangxuan fought through the spider demons, and Fang Lin blamed the bar owner for directing them to the temple.
• Jiang Wangxuan activated the Cavern Spring Talismanic Words Bracelet and summoned its flood dragon spirit as the horde surrounded them.

Jiang Wangxuan and Fang Lin fought off the spider swarm, only to discover that the spider mother had used the spiders’ deaths to curse them and summon a Blood Progeny. Big Fat Fish’s new Data Stream protected Jiang Wangxuan, while Fang Lin revealed his Cooking Radiance Kindling King Body, and the spider mother’s Blood Sha began to burn away.

• Jiang Wangxuan used the flood dragon spirit’s Clear Waters Pour into the Ruins of Return to destroy the attacking spiders.
• Fang Lin realized the spider mother had deliberately sacrificed her brood to form a blood curse against him and Jiang Wangxuan.
• Big Fat Fish used her new Data Stream function to sweep the blood resentment and compound eye out of Jiang Wangxuan’s Rising Yang Mansion.
• The spider mother formed a Blood Progeny from the dead spiders and descended through it, while Jiang Wangxuan recognized the attack as a Punishment Sacrifice technique.
• Fang Lin transformed into his Cooking Radiance Kindling King Body and burned away the Blood Sha around the temple.

Fang Lin and Jiang Wangxuan defeated the Blood Spider, badly wounding the Spider Mother, then entered a ruined temple to investigate its connection to True Person Shouhui. Fang Lin uncovered evidence that the temple concealed a secret beneath it, and their discovery opened a vast rotten tree pit.

• Fang Lin used the Cooking Radiance Kindling King Body to break the Blood Spider’s cursed web and pin it with a fire saber, causing the Spider Mother to suffer severe backlash.
• Jiang Wangxuan carried the exhausted Fang Lin into the ruined temple, where Fang Lin recovered and discussed the Spider Mother’s interest in True Person Shouhui’s incense-offering inheritance.
• Fang Lin explained that the temple had been rebuilt more than two hundred years earlier by remnants of the demonic sect, who worshipped a black wooden tablet rather than the Cicada Immortal.
• Fang Lin questioned whether True Person Shouhui had cultivated the incense-offering path for himself, then sent fire into the frozen ground beneath the temple.
• The ground opened to reveal an enormous rotten tree pit beneath the temple.