Chapter Summaries

After surviving the Blessed Land, Yang Lingrui and the other returning cultivators reunited with their families and departed the Desert Sea. Feng Lan returned in despair, while Murong Qiuhan emerged badly injured but with a more domineering aura and demanded to see the emperor.

• Xue Qingluan worried that Yang Lingrui’s death would leave her without protection and return her to Tiger Chasing’s control.
• Shen Yue, Qiu Ran, and Xiao Yize emerged from the spatial rift and reunited with Wei Kangping, Lu Hefei, and Mo Xian, who took them away.
• Yang Lingshu welcomed Yang Lingrui, and the brothers departed with Xue Qingluan aboard a cloud boat.
• Feng Lan returned last, declared himself inferior to the others, and flew away as his family elders recognized that his Dao heart had suffered a setback.
• Murong Qiuhan emerged from another rift missing an arm and both lower legs, displayed a newly domineering aura, and ordered the royal cultivators to take her to the palace to see the emperor.

After the blessed land incident was settled with compensation and new autonomy for Lingtian Martial Academy, the Yang Family hosted Yang Lingshu and Wei Xinqing’s wedding amid a gathering of powerful guests. The wedding procession came under attack, and the Su Family of Jingyun Peak appeared as an unwelcome guest.

• The Dynasty compensated the forces that lost cultivators in the blessed land, and Lingtian Martial Academy gained the right to govern itself.
• The Yang and Wei families prepared for Yang Lingshu and Wei Xinqing’s wedding, drawing prominent guests to Pine Mountain.
• Yang Lingrui and Xiao Yize escorted the wedding procession toward Pine Mountain as the guests gathered to celebrate.
• A powerful airwave struck the procession, but Yang Lingrui and Xiao Yize stopped and dispersed it.
• The Su Family of Jingyun Peak revealed its enormous immortal vessel and announced its arrival to offer congratulations.

The Su Family’s Su Jichuan disrupted Yang Lingrui and Xiao Yize’s wedding procession, then threatened the gathering after revealing that he had reached Spiritual Connection. A golden dragon immortal ship arrived with the Crown Prince and Commander, and Murong Tianyang of the Murong Clan of Rosy Clouds announced his congratulations on the marriage.

• Su Jichuan’s immortal ship sent a gust through the wedding procession, prompting Mo Xian to confront him.
• Su Jichuan revealed that he had reached Early-Spiritual Connection Realm, and Xuan Zhou condemned his conduct toward the Yang Family.
• Su Jichuan tried to inspect Yang Lingrui with Spiritual Sense but was blocked by a mysterious force.
• Su Jichuan mocked Mo Xian and threatened everyone present, while Mo Xian and Yang Lingrui prepared to resist him.
• An unseen speaker’s Thought Transmission frightened Su Jichuan into retreating inside his ship’s protective barrier.
• The Crown Prince and Commander arrived aboard a golden dragon immortal ship, and Murong Tianyang announced his congratulations on the marriage.

Murong Tianyang and True Person Void Sword Jia Huarai arrived at Pine Mountain, making clear that Tiger Chasing would protect the Yang Family from the Su Family. Murong Tianyang congratulated Yang Guanfeng and bestowed the Yang Family with a National Fortune Treasure and a Crown Prince Gold Token.

• Jia Huarai appeared in person and warned Su Jichuan before using his phantom swords to carry the Su Family's immortal ship to Pine Mountain.
• Murong Tianyang and Jia Huarai noticed the village plaque reading "Chongyang," which Murong took as a sign of his affinity with the Yang Family.
• Murong Tianyang congratulated Yang Guanfeng, while Yang Guanfeng accepted the praise for the village's name without revealing that it had been chosen for another reason.
• Murong Tianyang gave the Yang Family the Golden Tiger Seal, a National Fortune Treasure, and a Crown Prince Gold Token that increased the family's protection and authority.

The Su Family offered the Yang Family a rare Ring Cloud Jade as a congratulatory gift, turning their public rivalry into an awkward problem for the Yangs. But Chen Yang eagerly anticipated the jade, and the Su Family left Pine Mountain after delivering it.

• Jia Huarai challenged Su Jichuan to match the value of the other families' gifts, leaving him struggling to find something suitable.
• Su Lingyun presented the Yang Family with a rare Ring Cloud Jade, explaining that it was a core material for Spiritual Connection Realm treasures.
• Murong Tianyang recognized that the jade would be difficult for the Yang Family to smelt or sell without relying on the Su Family.
• Chen Yang sensed the Ring Cloud Jade and eagerly thought of eating it as a tonic.
• The Su Family departed Pine Mountain, and a cheerful atmosphere returned.

Aboard the departing vessel, Su Lingyun reviewed his suspicions about Yu Liyang and concluded that the Yang Family had a hidden Mind and Spirit Power trump card. He left convinced that this method or treasure helped explain the family’s repeated success.

• Su Lingyun reassured Su Jichuan that he would explain the failed mission to the Su Family Patriarch.
• Su Lingyun recalled how Yu Liyang had approached Qin Qiongyu at the Gathering of Heroes Banquet and suspected him of causing Qin’s madness.
• Su Lingyun explained that he had planned to use a spiritual treasure to investigate Yu Liyang but had been unable to do so after Murong Tianyang and Jia Huarai intervened.
• Su Jichuan told Su Lingyun that his Spiritual Sense had failed to penetrate Yang Lingrui’s defenses.
• Su Lingyun connected the failed investigations and Qin Qiongyu’s collapse, concluding that the Yang Family possessed a powerful Mind and Spirit Power method or treasure.

Su Lingyun realized that Yu Liyang’s origins might let him turn the Yang Family’s enemies against them, while the Yang Family celebrated Yang Lingshu and Wei Xinqing’s wedding. At midnight, Murong Tianyang summoned Yang Lingrui and asked whether he had seen the Dragon Pearl born in the Song Clan Blessed Land.

• Su Lingyun planned to investigate Yu Liyang’s former sect and expose his survival so the sect’s old enemies would target the Yang Family.
• Yang Lingshu and Wei Xinqing completed their wedding ceremony as Yang Lingrui presided and Shen Yue delivered the congratulatory address.
• Yang Lingshu pretended to be drunk in the bridal chamber, then revealed he had already dispelled the alcohol and lifted Wei Xinqing’s veil.
• Murong Tianyang summoned Yang Lingrui to the Treasure Pavilion and asked whether he had seen the Dragon Pearl from the Song Clan Blessed Land.

Murong Tianyang investigated whether Yang Lingrui knew the whereabouts of the Dragon Pearl, which the Murong Clan hoped to use to restore Tiger Chasing’s dragon vein. Yang Lingrui knew nothing about the treasure but offered Murong Tianyang the dragon head he had kept unrefined, leaving the prince shaken by Yang Guanfeng’s loyalty to the Dynasty.

• The Murong Clan learned that Song Kaiyang’s shattered tower had overwhelmed the Imperial Preceptor’s Treasure of Creation and concluded that the Dragon Pearl had likely gone to one of the four who slew the golden dragon.
• Murong Tianyang questioned Yang Lingrui and used a spiritual treasure to verify that he knew nothing about the Dragon Pearl and that his account matched the other dragon slayers’.
• Yang Lingrui summoned the dragon head he had obtained and offered it to Murong Tianyang to examine for clues.
• Yang Lingrui explained that Yang Guanfeng had told him to preserve the dragon head because it might concern the Dynasty’s plans.
• Murong Tianyang reconsidered Yang Guanfeng’s loyalty after learning he had resisted the temptation to refine an Enlightenment Opportunity.

Murong Tianyang left Pine Mountain determined to advance trade between Tiger Chasing and Befeng City, while the Yang Family settled into its harsh new fief and began preparing trade routes. Dai Wei and Yuan Cheng discovered hidden quicksand along one route and returned to report it, unaware that something moved beneath the sand.

• Murong Tianyang returned the Golden Tiger Seal to Yang Lingrui and told him to refine it, then praised the Yang Family’s loyalty to the Dynasty.
• Chen Yang realized the Golden Tiger Seal would help protect Pine Mountain while he prepared to digest the Dragon Pearl’s power in his avatar.
• After leaving Pine Mountain, Murong Tianyang told Jia Huarai he would urge the Emperor to advance trade between Tiger Chasing and Befeng City and settle the disputed benefits himself.
• In the new fief, the Yang Family built relay stations and planned trade roads while Dai Wei and Yuan Cheng surveyed the routes.
• Dai Wei and Yuan Cheng found concealed quicksand on the third main road and returned to report it; afterward, living mounds moved beneath the sand.

Yang Yuanhong emerged from secluded cultivation after mastering an ancient martial art and went with Dai Wei and Yuan Cheng to investigate the mysterious Quicksand Land. He deduced that the quicksand was a creature drawn to the area, and his black flood dragon phantom tracked its lingering scent underground.

• Dai Wei and Yuan Cheng reported the unexplained Quicksand Land to Yang Lingqing, who summoned Yang Yuanhong to investigate.
• Yang Yuanhong revealed that his ancient martial art had strengthened him and transformed his Blood Flood Dragon, then assured Yang Lingqing he would handle the matter.
• Yang Yuanhong returned with Dai Wei and Yuan Cheng to find the Quicksand Land gone, and concluded that it was likely a living creature capable of changing the terrain.
• Yang Yuanhong reasoned that the creature had probably been drawn there rather than sent by the Eastern Wilderness, then used the black flood dragon phantom to follow its scent underground.

Yang Yuanhong pursued a spirit-insect swarm led by a powerful King Insect and tried to show that he meant no harm. The King Insect hesitated to flee when Yang Yuanhong resisted its quicksand attack, and the chapter ended as Yang sent his black flood dragon to communicate with it.

• The King Insect led its starving swarm away from an exhausted spirit mine toward a rich mineral aura near Tiger Chasing's territory.
• After sensing human cultivators aboveground, the King Insect ordered the adult insects to scatter when Yang Yuanhong, Dai Wei, and Yuan Cheng located the swarm.
• Yang Yuanhong sent Dai Wei and Yuan Cheng to protect themselves, then plunged into the quicksand to meet the King Insect.
• The King Insect tried to crush Yang Yuanhong with quicksand, but his body endured the pressure and he continued approaching.
• Yang Yuanhong told the King Insect he meant no harm and sent his four-legged black flood dragon forward to communicate with it.

Yang Yuanhong negotiated with the King Insect, a spirit insect leader whose clan had migrated in search of spirit ore, and offered to supply the clan if it became the Yang Family’s guardian spirit beast. After the King Insect rejected the deal and swallowed him, Yang Yuanhong broke free and subdued it with a punch, leaving the clan at his mercy.

• The little black wyrm calmed the King Insect enough for Yang Yuanhong to learn that its clan had come seeking spirit ore.
• Yang Yuanhong offered to provide spirit ore if the King Insect and its clan contracted with the Yang Family as guardians of the fief.
• The King Insect rejected the offer, crushed the little black wyrm, and charged at Yang Yuanhong.
• The King Insect swallowed Yang Yuanhong but could not bite through him, and Yang Yuanhong struck it unconscious with a punch.
• The King Insect woke in shock and fear, recognizing that its clan’s fate was now in Yang Yuanhong’s hands.

Yang Yuanhong brought the King Insect and its swarm back to the Yang Family, where Chen Yang discovered their ancient divine origins and made them the new fief’s guardian spirit beasts. As the Yang Family prepared for a possible Su Family attack, Pei Xuejian reported that Yu Liyang came from the Mingxu Sect.

• Yang Yuanhong subdued the King Insect and led its swarm back to the Yang Family, convincing Dai Wei and Yuan Cheng that he had settled the matter through reason.
• Chen Yang sensed the returning insects and approved their plan to guard the new fief after learning they could patrol underground without endangering mortals.
• Chen Yang discovered the swarm retained a trace of ancient creation power, fed them divine-power-infused sand and gravel, and inspired their complete submission.
• Yang Lingqing and Yang Yuanhong used the little black flood dragon to communicate with the King Insect and formally contract the swarm as guardian spirit beasts.
• Yang Lingqing warned Chen Yang that the Su Family might target the remote new fief, so she gathered the Yang Family cultivators to discuss preparations.
• Pei Xuejian told Su Lingyun that Yu Liyang’s sect was the Mingxu Sect.

Su Lingyun read Pei Xuejian’s account of Mingxu Sect’s destruction and traced its downfall to a method that let True Spirit preserve his Primordial Spirit after failed breakthroughs. He connected the method and the Earthly Treasure Secret Realm to the Song clan’s providential opportunity at the Vast Sea.

• Pei Xuejian explained that Mingxu Sect had once been a powerful Northwest sect before it was wiped out.
• Su Lingyun read how thirty-four disciples vanished into an Earthly Treasure Secret Realm, and how eight returned fifteen years later in madness.
• The records showed that True Spirit began attempting breakthroughs after Mingxu Sect refined the surviving disciple’s soul, then used that disciple’s body for a second attempt.
• True Spirit survived both failed breakthroughs, but cultivators from the Central Region of Azure Waves later destroyed Mingxu Sect while seeking his method of preserving his Primordial Spirit.
• Su Lingyun concluded that Mingxu Sect’s fall was tied to the Earthly Treasure Secret Realm and connected the matter to the Song clan’s providential opportunity at the Vast Sea.

Su Lingyun learned that the Yang Family might be hiding the Mingxu Sect’s opportunity and arranged to spread the news, while Su Lixue reported on Su Liyu’s failed Dao debate and other developments. Su Lingyun realized he suspected who had harmed Su Liyu, then injured himself to stop himself from thinking about it.

• Su Lingyun concluded that Yu Liyang had benefited from the Mingxu Sect massacre and told Pei Xuejian to spread word that the sect’s remnants were hiding within the Yang Family.
• Su Lixue confronted Su Lingyun about whether he had schemed against Su Liyu, and he learned that Su Liyu’s Dao debate had been voided after he suffered a backlash.
• Su Lixue reported that Murong Qiuhan’s resolve had strengthened, Colorful Cloud Blessed Land was depleted, and the Murong Clan had advanced plans for trade with Befeng City.
• Su Lingyun reassured Su Lixue that Su Liyu would still be taken to the main branch, then asked her to rest and dismissed her.
• Su Lingyun realized he suspected which True Intent Realm cultivator had harmed Su Liyu, struck himself until blood poured from his seven apertures, and stopped himself from speculating.

Jia Huarai and Consort Xi negotiated with True Man Huolong to open a limited trade region between Befeng City and the Tiger Chasing Dynasty. They reached an agreement, and cultivators in Befeng City began anticipating the new market.

• After the Su Family left, the Tiger Chasing factions learned that Sikong Shang had become the True Person Crown Martial.
• Jia Huarai and Consort Xi met with True Man Huolong to discuss trade between Befeng City and the Tiger Chasing Dynasty.
• True Man Huolong proposed a small trial region with a Qi Gathering Realm market, and Jia Huarai and Consort Xi accepted the plan.
• Consort Xi apologized to True Man Huolong for her past hostility and gave him the Dragon Pattern Three Absolutes pill furnace.
• True Man Huolong accepted the gift and promised to advance trade and oversee the region; after ten days of discussing the Dao, he also shared ideas about levies and profit shares.
• Jia Huarai and Consort Xi returned to Tiger Chasing to prepare the trade region, while Befeng City cultivators grew interested in the coming market.

Luo Miao, a ninth-level Qi Gathering rogue cultivator, learned that Tiger Chasing had opened a market where cultivators could trade despite the war. He agreed to travel there with Wang Gan, but the two also planned to kill an eighth-level cultivator for his Spirit Nurturing Pill and possible alchemy inheritance.

• Luo Miao worried that his pill stockpile and dwindling Spirit Crystals would leave him unable to maintain his Spirit Gathering formation or break through to Qi Gathering Perfection.
• Wang Gan arrived at Luo Miao's cave and told him that Tiger Chasing had opened a trade passage for Qi Gathering cultivators.
• Wang Gan invited Luo Miao to travel to the market with him and revealed that an eighth-level cultivator carried a Spirit Nurturing Pill.
• Luo Miao agreed to go with Wang Gan and help target the cultivator for the pill and his alchemy inheritance.

Luo Miao and Wang Gan tried to lure Huo Xuanhao into traveling with them to Tiger Chasing, but the senior inside Huo Xuanhao’s jade pendant warned him that the two cultivators intended to rob and kill him. Huo Xuanhao realized their invitation might be dangerous, though he still did not know their full plan.

• Luo Miao and Wang Gan went to Befeng City to obtain passage tokens for their trip to Tiger Chasing and met Huo Xuanhao outside the City Lord's Manor.
• Luo Miao invited Huo Xuanhao to travel with them, and Wang Gan tried to reassure him, but Huo Xuanhao hesitated and said he would think it over.
• Luo Miao and Wang Gan left, convinced Huo Xuanhao would join them after running out of options.
• Huo Xuanhao obtained his passage token after lengthy questioning and rented a room in the city for the night.
• Huo Xuanhao consulted the senior in his jade pendant, who warned that Luo Miao and Wang Gan planned to harm him because they suspected he might have hidden strength or a powerful patron.

Huo Xuanhao learned that two cultivators had targeted him because they mistook his inexperience for weakness, while the old man in his jade pendant urged him to confront them. After accepting the violence he had committed on his journey, Huo Xuanhao found inner calm, but the old man secretly decided to refine his soul as well as take his body.

• The old man explained that Wang Gan had recruited Luo because he feared failure and that Huo Xuanhao’s behavior had made him seem vulnerable.
• Huo Xuanhao thanked the old man, whose powers had repeatedly saved him while he fled conscription from the Eastern Wilderness to Befeng City.
• The old man revealed that he was a Primordial Spirit sent by his sect to investigate the Yang Family and that he had chosen Huo Xuanhao’s body because it suited him.
• The old man persuaded Huo Xuanhao to meet his would-be attackers and kill them, dismissing his concerns about becoming like Demonic Dao cultivators.
• Huo Xuanhao accepted responsibility for the people he had killed and found calm, while the old man resolved to refine his soul as a tonic after taking his body.

Huo Xuanhao traveled west with Luo Miao and Wang Gan, who planned to kill him for his alchemical inheritance. After learning of their scheme, he killed them and continued alone to the barren border region between Tiger Chasing and Befeng City.

• Huo Xuanhao met Luo Miao and Wang Gan in Befeng City and offered them gifts before joining their journey west.
• Luo Miao and Wang Gan learned that Huo Xuanhao had an incomplete Alchemy Dao inheritance and planned to kill him for it.
• Huo Xuanhao overheard their plot through the jade pendant elder's divine ability and abandoned his remaining trust in Luo Miao.
• Huo Xuanhao used a spiritual attack to incapacitate Wang Gan and killed him with flames.
• Huo Xuanhao incapacitated and burned Luo Miao, then buried the corpses and their temporary cave abode.
• Huo Xuanhao traveled alone for three more days and reached the barren border region between Tiger Chasing and Befeng City.