Chapter Summaries

Qin Lu ordered the clans to prepare a fleet and expand the Qin Family’s commerce downstream, then examined unusual blood-colored tea trees and assigned them to Qin Hui. Qin Hui accepted that he lacked talent for the Four Immortal Arts and resolved to find another way to serve the family.

• Qin Lu heard that several tea trees had developed unusual blood-colored leaves and ordered Han Fei to keep them under special care.
• Qin Lu showed the clans a sandbox map of Yingchuan County and ordered them to build a fleet to trade along the Ba and Ying Rivers, offering them a share of the profits.
• The clans began recruiting craftsmen and building shipyards, wharves, and waterways to support the fleet and create work for the population.
• Qin Lu tasted a leaf from a mutated tea tree and found that it helped clear his mind, though it barely affected his True Essence circulation.
• Qin Lu placed Qin Hui in charge of the special tea trees and medicinal garden, and Qin Hui resolved to study other immortal arts after accepting his limited cultivation talent.

Qin Lu celebrated the births of four more sons, bringing his total to six, while worrying about the cost of raising them and ordering servants to collect fish bladders. In Yingchuan City, county officials and representatives of the Zhang, Li, Wang, and Chen lineages debated how to respond to the Qin lineage’s arrival and its plans for water commerce.

• Qin Lu recalled that Qin Wu had nine-tenths spiritual light, Qin Wen had five-tenths, Qin Zhao had seven-tenths, and Qin Zhuang had nine-tenths, and considered sending Qin Wen to study governance under Yan Quan.
• Qin Lu played with his six sons until they cried, then decided not to have more children and ordered servants to collect fish bladders as backup.
• County Magistrate Zhang urged the other lineages to avoid public conflict with the Qin lineage as he prepared to leave Yingchuan for a post in the commandery government.
• County Assistant Li proposed treating the Qin lineage courteously if it proved capable, but threatening to destroy it if it tried to take the established lineages’ profits.
• Master of Records Chen and County Wei Wang challenged Li to specify what profits his own lineage would surrender, arguing that the Qin lineage’s water commerce would primarily affect Li’s trade.
• County Assistant Li insisted that the Qin lineage would affect every lineage, but Wang rejected the claim, saying his lineage’s grain and clothing businesses were unrelated.

Qin Lu received Gongsun Zhe, an examiner from the Hundred Arts Office, and prepared for an assessment of his alchemy. Gongsun Zhe watched Qin Lu refine Muxuan Pills and confirmed that he was a genuine alchemist.

• County Defender Wang and Chief Clerk Chen left County Magistrate Zhang’s hall, refusing to help the Li Family oppose the Qin Family.
• County Magistrate Zhang withdrew, leaving County Vice Magistrate Li alone to face the Li Family’s impending losses.
• The Hundred Arts Office dispatched Gongsun Zhe to assess Qin Lu’s skill and arrange his classification.
• Qin Lu welcomed Gongsun Zhe aboard his boat and hosted him with food, wine, and entertainment.
• At Muxuan Mountain, Qin Lu refined a batch of Muxuan Pills while Gongsun Zhe observed and recorded the process.
• Gongsun Zhe judged Qin Lu’s techniques and pill fragrance sufficient to establish that he was an alchemist.

Qin Lu completed seven Muxuan Pills, and Gongsun Zhe explained how cultivators exploit Pseudo-Immortal Seedlings and mortal Warriors for resources. Gongsun Zhe left Qin Lu a Yang-Strengthening Pill formula and a Hundred Arts Office token, while Qin Lu resolved to use the system to benefit his family.

• Qin Lu refined seven Muxuan Pills, and Gongsun Zhe tested one and rated it a First-Tier Mid-Grade elixir.
• Gongsun Zhe explained that immortal factions restrict access to cultivation resources and use inferior pills to drive mortal Warriors into service.
• Gongsun Zhe took the Muxuan Pills for his grandsons and left Qin Lu the Yang-Strengthening Pill formula and an Attendant token.
• Qin Lu learned that his token made him the thirteenth Yellow-grade Alchemist Attendant in Longchuan Prefecture, with an annual stipend of ten Spirit Stones.
• Qin Lu regarded his new position as secure backing and considered how the Yang-Strengthening Pill formula could serve his family.

After mastering Blood-Strengthening Pills, Qin Lu launched a fleet to trade along the Ba River and arrived at the county seat to negotiate with its leading households. They agreed to hold an auction in seven days, giving Qin Lu a chance to trade pills for resources and build support for his clan.

• Qin Lu completed three months of practice and prepared Blood-Strengthening Pills and Muxuan Pills to trade for Spirit Stones.
• Qin Lu sent five sand ships down the Ba River, carrying cargo and a force of Black-Armored Soldiers commanded by Wang Jian.
• County Magistrate Zhang welcomed Qin Lu at the docks, where the gathered households recognized his status as an alchemist.
• Qin Lu and the county's representatives shared a banquet and a foot-massage session before discussing his plans.
• The households agreed to sacrifice the Li Household's interests and arrange Yan Quan's promotion as part of their negotiations.
• The county's households decided to hold an auction seven days later.

Qin Lu’s Qin Family held its first auction to build its reputation and attract resources, drawing hundreds of buyers with the promise of rare pills. The auction began with spirit items and poison pills, while Qin Lu watched the crowd’s enthusiasm and acquired a Qing Centipede.

• News of the Qin Family’s Rank-1 Alchemist and upcoming auction spread throughout Yingchuan County.
• Seven days later, Wang Jian and armored soldiers helped control the crowded auction venue and collect admission fees.
• Qin Xiao opened the auction, impressing the crowd with his True Martial Second Realm cultivation at such a young age.
• Qin Xiao auctioned Bone-Strengthening Powder, which a Fourth Realm warrior bought with a seventy-year-old spirit ganoderma.
• Qin Xiao offered a Magu Pill, and an old man traded a Qing Centipede for it, which Qin Lu planned to domesticate.
• The remaining lots brought in several hundred liang of silver and several low-grade spirit medicines.

Qin Lu’s auction brought in a fortune as the Yang-Strengthening Pills and Muxuan Pills sold at high prices, while dangerous onlookers gathered outside. After the auction, Liu Ji broke through to the True Martial First Realm, the Li Household chose to leave the county city, and a wandering monk prayed for common people to have food and clothes.

• Qin Lu auctioned the Yang-Strengthening Pills and Muxuan Pills, earning six Spirit Stones and numerous medicinal herbs from the final lots.
• Qin Lu noticed people lying in ambush around the venue but trusted his strength and allies to deter them.
• The foreman surnamed Xiao failed to open the True Martial gate after taking a pill, while Liu Ji reached the True Martial First Realm with his brothers’ support.
• A pugilistic sorcerer used scattered copper coins to divine the area and was alarmed by the many fates of lords and kings in the county seat.
• Magistrate Li ordered the Li Household to leave and yield its place to Qin, later welcoming his youngest son and naming him Yuan.
• A bald monk outside the county city ate his meal and wished that all common people could have food and clothing.

Qin Lu took over the Li household’s industries and established rules for the Qin household’s growing business. He then bonded the Yi Wood Qing Centipede as a spirit insect and named it Qing Centipede.

• Qin Lu took over the Li household’s port share, properties, mansion, and peach orchards, renaming the mansion the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce.
• Qin Lu announced a yearly schedule for auctions, pill sales, and meeting quotas as the Qin household’s reputation spread.
• Qin Lu completed the Pill Pavilion on Muxuan Mountain and prepared to focus on alchemy and cultivation.
• Qin Lu used the Master-Servant Spirit-Seeking Method to bind the Yi Wood Qing Centipede with a contract.
• Qin Lu named the surrendered centipede Qing Centipede, and it showed affection toward him.

Five years of expansion transformed Bayi Town into a prosperous trade hub under the Qin Family’s control, while its army and administration grew stronger. Qin Xiao, now thirteen and at the True Martial Four Realms, reviewed the town’s affairs and left the Prefecture Pavilion under armed escort.

• Bayi Town expanded its port, river, bridge, and trade as the Qin Family invested heavily in infrastructure and welcomed merchants and new vassal families.
• The Qin Family’s Township Army grew to five hundred elite soldiers, while Wang Jian and Zhao Zhen advanced to the True Martial Four Realms and managed military and civil affairs.
• Yan Quan became Yingchuan County’s assistant, and Qin Wen accompanied him to study governance while keeping watch on him for Qin Lu.
• Qin Xiao reviewed the logbook at the Prefecture Pavilion and praised Zhao Zhen for keeping order amid the town’s influx of people.
• Qin Xiao left the pavilion as dozens of black-armored soldiers appeared to escort him.

Qin Hui cultivated the Awakening Soul Tea Tree and established a valuable line of tea products that strengthened the Qin Family and the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce. Meanwhile, Chu Shan took young Qin Zhuang into the mountains, determined to discipline him and prepare him to pursue Qi Condensation.

• Zhao Zhen reflected on how Qin Lu had built the Qin Family into a mighty lineage in little more than a dozen years.
• Qin Hui cultivated the Awakening Soul Tea Tree and developed Calm-Spirit Incense and Tea Smoke, which became prized Qin Family products.
• The Qin Family reserved the finest tea leaves for its own members while using Tea Smoke to expand the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce's renown.
• Chu Shan brought five-year-old Qin Zhuang into the mountains and scolded him for wasting his talent compared with his brothers.
• Chu Shan said he intended to discipline Qin Zhuang and help him pursue a chance to break through to Qi Condensation.

Chu Shan brought Qin Zhuang to Deer Valley, where Qin Zhuang bonded with the Forest Peak Giant Deer and advanced to the True Martial Second Realm. Meanwhile, Qin Lu continued to fail at breaking through to Qi Condensation but completed a set of twenty-four First-Tier pill formulas for the Qin family.

• Chu Shan took Qin Zhuang to the hidden Deer Valley and explained that he had arranged for Qin Zhuang to tame the Forest Peak Giant Deer as his Natal Spirit Beast.
• Chu Shan summoned the First-Tier Low-Grade Forest Peak Giant Deer from the lake, and Qin Zhuang began the natal contract ritual.
• The giant deer accepted a Spirit Stone from Chu Shan and joined its blood with Qin Zhuang’s, completing their natal contract.
• Qin Zhuang received the giant deer’s feedback and broke through to the True Martial Second Realm before turning six.
• Qin Lu reflected on his two failed Qi Condensation attempts after reaching True Martial Nine Realms Completion.
• Qin Lu completed twenty-four modified and improved pill formulas, establishing a First-Tier alchemy heritage for the Qin family.

Qin Lu weighed the costly options for breaking through to the Qi Condensation Realm and decided to seek tier-2 Origin-Nurturing Spiritual Objects rather than risk his lineage’s fortunes on debt. He led the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce south toward Longchuan Prefecture City, hoping to trade along the way and strengthen the Qin Household’s standing.

• Qin Lu considered buying a Qi Condensation Pill but found his savings insufficient and borrowing from local allies unlikely.
• Qin Lu rejected taking on a large imperial debt that could endanger his lineage if his breakthrough failed.
• Qin Lu decided to seek one or two tier-2 Origin-Nurturing Spiritual Objects and made plans to travel personally.
• Qin Lu’s commercial influence had helped expand spiritual-pill access, while the Xuan River Zhang Clan established itself in Longchuan Commandery and dominated local affairs.
• Qin Lu departed Qianlong Port aboard a treasure ship with Black-Armored Army escorts, bound for Xuan City and then Longchuan Prefecture City.

Qin Lu continued his southbound trade journey and arrived at Xuan City, where the Xuan River Zhang Clan welcomed him with a banquet. Zhang Ruoxuan hoped to draw the Qin family closer through a marriage alliance, while Qin Lu accepted the clan’s hospitality.

• Qin Lu warned Chu Shan that the Chu Household must remain loyal and not disappoint him, leaving Chu Shan to suspect that Qin Xiao’s inspection had uncovered misconduct.
• Qin Lu’s fleet traded along the Ying River, fought off bandits, and acquired Yellow Flower Osmanthus Forest Wood in exchange for pills.
• After half a month, Qin Lu arrived at Yunchuan Port near Xuan City, where Wang Jian and Zhang Ruoxuan welcomed him with a military formation.
• Qin Lu gave Zhang Ruoxuan a Yi Wood Spirit Pill after recognizing his cultivation bottleneck, and Zhang Ruoxuan considered pursuing a marriage alliance between their lineages.
• Zhang Ruoxuan invited Qin Lu to a lavish feast, and Qin Lu accepted the Zhang Clan’s hospitality.

Zhang Xuan told Qin Lu that the Great Zhou was preparing to invade Daliang and offered him a Peiyuan Spirit Fruit in place of the unavailable Qi Condensation Pills. The two clans agreed to a marriage alliance, while Wu Mianmian revealed that the prefectural factions had competed for the newly refined pills.

• Zhang Xuan explained that Longchuan would become the front line of a coming war between the Great Zhou and Daliang, and warned Qin Lu not to get entangled with any faction.
• Zhang Xuan sold Qin Lu a Peiyuan Spirit Fruit, and Qin Lu paid with spirit stones and Yellow Flower Osmanthus Forest Wood.
• Zhang Xuan proposed a marriage alliance between their clans, and Qin Lu agreed to betroth his eldest son to a Zhang Clan daughter.
• At the Hundred Arts Office Branch, Wu Mianmian received a message and said Zhang Xuan was another scheming veteran from the Xiashang Dao Academy.
• Wu Mianmian told Old Zhe that the prefectural factions had sought Qi Condensation Pills and that he had hoped to reserve some for promising immortal art martial artists.

Qin Lu brought a large caravan to Longchuan Prefecture City to establish a Qin Household stronghold and seek business at Longchuan Fair. He entered the fair with Han Fei after using his Hundred Arts Office token to pass the guards without paying.

• Wu Yanmian and Gongsun Zhe discussed Dan Shisan, noting his alchemy skill, worldly conduct, and concealed ruthlessness, while Wu Yanmian said retreating from the pill contest could help him survive the turbulent times.
• After resting for over half a month at Yunchuan Port, Qin Lu led several hundred people toward Longchuan Prefecture City to earn resources and establish a stronghold near the prefecture's cultivator fair.
• Qin Lu sent Chu Shan to obtain a courtyard mansion and told the others to follow Wang Jian, then went south with Han Fei to Longchuan Fair.
• The guards demanded entry fees, but Qin Lu showed his Hundred Arts Office token and invoked the rule allowing its attendants to enter fairs without charge.
• Qin Lu wore the token openly and explained to Han Fei that even Qi Condensation cultivators respected status.

Qin Lu and Han Fei went to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion to sell the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce’s spirit goods. Liu Ruyan recognized Qin Lu and offered to handle the purchase, while Han Fei presented the inventory and prices.

• Qin Lu and Han Fei entered the marketplace and headed for the Myriad Treasures Pavilion to sell their goods.
• A palace-attired cultivator named Nalan welcomed Qin Lu, but steward Liu Ruyan dismissed her and escorted Qin Lu and Han Fei to a second-floor room.
• Liu Ruyan apologized for Nalan’s conduct and revealed that she knew Qin Lu, offering to purchase the goods herself.
• Han Fei presented the manifest for 178 spirit objects and outlined the herbs, spirit objects, pills, and prices the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce would accept payment for.

Qin Lu sold the Qin Family’s spirit materials to Liu Ruyan of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, acquired a spirit plant inheritance and Stone Pith, and established a long-term partnership with the pavilion. He then spent Spirit Stones on talismans and law artifacts to strengthen his family’s defenses and his own fighting ability.

• Liu Ruyan priced Qin Lu’s goods at seventy-eight Spirit Stones and offered a first-tier spirit plant inheritance at a thirty-Stone discount; Qin Lu accepted the deal and bought Stone Pith to aid his cultivation breakthrough.
• Qin Lu and Liu Ruyan agreed that the Qin Family would cooperate with the Myriad Treasures Pavilion long-term, with Liu Ruyan serving as its contact and providing assistance and information.
• After the goods were inspected, Qin Lu received eighteen Spirit Stones, the spirit plant inheritance, and Stone Pith, leaving him with nearly thirty Spirit Stones.
• Qin Lu bought fifty first-tier five-element talismans for ten Spirit Stones to equip his descendants and loyal subordinates.
• Qin Lu spent another ten Spirit Stones on a Cyan Needle Law Artifact and a Round Shield Law Artifact to improve his own offense and defense.

Qin Lu visited the night market stalls, buying a Red Gold Bee tail needle and several other useful items at bargain prices. He then went to the Hundred Arts Office to seek a storefront and was welcomed by two elders, including Gongsun Zhe.

• Qin Lu spotted a pale gold needle at a rogue cultivator’s stall and bought it from the small old man for two Spirit Stones.
• Qin Lu identified the needle as the natal tail needle of a Red Gold Bee and judged it a worthwhile purchase.
• Qin Lu bought seven Black Armor Crocodile eggs to support his plans for taming beasts to pull boats and guard waterways.
• Qin Lu purchased an Evil-Suppressing Jade elephant carving for the Pill Pavilion and finished shopping at the square.
• Qin Lu reached the Hundred Arts Office with Han Fei carrying his purchases and asked about obtaining a storefront.
• Wu Yanmian and Gongsun Zhe received Qin Lu in a grand palace, and Wu Yanmian asked whether he had come seeking a marketplace storefront.

Qin Lu received the use rights to a shop in Longchuan Bazaar and had Gongsun Zhe refine his cyan needle and Red Gold Bee sting into a powerful law artifact. He reopened Old Alchemy Pavilion, then successfully began condensing Qi at Muxuan Mountain as spiritual rain fell.

• Wu Yanmian explained Qin Lu's shop benefits as a Yellow-grade Attendant and welcomed him as a fellow alchemist in the Hundred Arts Office.
• Qin Lu gave Gongsun Zhe his Cyan Needle Law Artifact and Red Gold Bee tail sting to combine into one item.
• Qin Lu reopened Old Alchemy Pavilion in Longchuan Bazaar and planned for Chu River, then his fifth son Qin Zhao, to manage it.
• Gongsun Zhe returned Qin Lu's new Second-Tier Lower-Grade Law Artifact, the Jinyuan Needle, aboard the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce ship.
• Qin Lu consumed Stone Pith and a Peiyuan Spirit Fruit during his breakthrough attempt, condensed his first drop of spiritual liquid, and triggered spiritual rain over Muxuan Mountain.

Qin Lu successfully broke through to Qi Condensation, transforming Muxuan Mountain and its surroundings as Spiritual Qi nourished the land. He established the Qin Family’s next steps and returned to seclusion, while Liu Ji founded the Hanbang under Qin rule.

• Qin Zhao broke through to the True Martial Second Realm as Spirit Rain fell, and the Forest Peak Giant Deer grew stronger while Qin Zhuang’s cultivation advanced.
• Qin Lu completed his Qi Condensation breakthrough, gained Spiritual Power, and transformed his martial techniques into three law techniques.
• Liu Ji and his brothers founded the Hanbang in Bayi and pledged to grow beneath the Qin Family’s authority.
• Qin Lu instructed Qin Xiao and Qin Hui to rebuild Muxuan Mountain, restore order, recruit talent, and report the Qin Family’s new status to the imperial court.
• Qin Lu entered seclusion to stabilize his cultivation and opened the Zhang household’s three-cubic-meter Qiankun Pouch.