Chapter Summaries

Zhuang Xuanji concluded that the Sea Pavilion's Upper Cultivator had recruited Void Realm cultivators to pursue Azure Waves' Creation Origin, and decided she had to intervene despite Nangong Jinghe's warnings. She offered him her hidden fortune after her death to secure his help, leaving him shocked and asking why she would risk everything.

• Zhuang Xuanji suspected that several Void Realm cultivators, possibly including an ancestor from one of the three factions, were working for the Sea Pavilion's Upper Cultivator.
• Nangong Jinghe urged Zhuang Xuanji to avoid interfering and limit their involvement to sharing intelligence with the Lower Realm.
• Zhuang Xuanji insisted that they had to get involved, and Nangong Jinghe refused to risk himself alongside her.
• Zhuang Xuanji offered Nangong Jinghe a jade slip containing a fragment of an immortal art, but he said it was not enough to persuade him.
• Zhuang Xuanji promised Nangong Jinghe everything in her hidden space after she died, leaving him stunned and asking why she would stake her fortune and life on the matter.

Zhuang Xuanji and Nangong Jinghe planned a covert, long-term response to their opponents. Meanwhile, Chen Yang and the Dark Underworld Venerable confronted the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master, who explained why the pavilion had released news from the Upper Realm and offered them unreleased information.

• Zhuang Xuanji discussed detailed plans with Nangong Jinghe for acting secretly and gradually against their opponents.
• Chen Yang withdrew his hand after seeing the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master was prepared to die, then demanded to know the identity of the person from the heavens.
• The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master said revealing that person's identity would not benefit Chen Yang and explained that the pavilion had to remain neutral to survive.
• The Dark Underworld Venerable questioned why the Pavilion Master had released Upper Realm news that disrupted the Canglan Righteous Path, and the Master described the pavilion's precarious position between the realms.
• Chen Yang, the Dark Underworld Venerable, and the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master sat down to talk, and the Master offered to show them unreleased information.

Dark Underworld Venerable and the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master considered how an Upper Realm cultivator was using Azure Waves cultivators to search for an Immortal Treasure. Chen Yang warned that the cultivators were only being used as expendable scouts and that the heavenly being would eventually intervene himself.

• The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master suggested that the Immortal Treasure was an ancient relic tied to immortality and the Kunxu Secret Realm.
• Dark Underworld Venerable proposed that the Immortal Treasure might have no physical form and could have left the Kunxu Secret Realm after it opened.
• The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master concluded that the heavenly being had sent arts and messages to make the pavilion spread news of the treasure across Azure Waves.
• Chen Yang argued that the heavenly being would not trust lower-realm cultivators and intended to use them as vanguards.
• Chen Yang warned that the heavenly being would personally enter the fray when it was time to subdue the Immortal Treasure.

Zhang Minghe observed the Dao with the Carefree True Immortal at Dao King Mountain, trying to understand why he had chosen a shallow pool. As he prepared to explain what he was waiting for, a gaze from far above the Azure Waves Continent watched events unfolding there.

• Chen Yang and the others left the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, gathered the remaining peak cultivators and Bai Di, and began assigning roles for Bai Di's plan.
• A mysterious gaze observed the developments in Azure Waves through a special Dao-observation method.
• The Carefree True Immortal had spent a month observing the Dao beside a small pool with Zhang Minghe.
• Zhang Minghe wondered why her master chose the shallow pool and realized that he was waiting for something.
• The Carefree True Immortal praised Zhang Minghe's insight and said he would clear up her confusion.

After the Upper Cultivator Descent, Canglan’s peak cultivators finalized the New Heaven Grand Plan and discussed who should first attempt Tribulation Crossing and ascend to Heaven. Dark Underworld Venerable proposed going first, but Chen Yang challenged his reasons and suspected the decision was tied to the Kunxu Secret Realm.

• Chen Yang, Bai Di, and the others finalized a preliminary plan to gather Canglan’s forces against the Upper Cultivators.
• The peak cultivators returned to Canglan Continent to carry out the arrangements, leaving Qin Changsheng, Chen Yang, Dark Underworld Venerable, and Bai Di behind.
• Qin Changsheng regretted that the Vast-Heaven Fortune he had given Bai Di had led to Bai Di’s injuries and severed Dao Path.
• Dark Underworld Venerable argued that he should ascend first because the Yang Clan and Demon Soil were under surveillance, his academy had allies above the Void Realm, and he wanted to demonstrate his techniques and find an inheritor.
• Chen Yang objected that Dark Underworld Venerable’s reasons were insufficient and said he would not want him to take the risk because of the Kunxu Secret Realm.

Bai Di studied Yang Lingqing’s posthumous Treatise on Opening Heaven and found that her plans for uniting the two Daos closely matched his own. He vowed to carry forward her aspirations and complete their unfinished endeavor against the Upper Realm cultivators.

• Chen Yang gave Bai Di a storage box entrusted to him by an old friend.
• Bai Di opened the box in his cave abode and found Future Generations' Treatise on Opening Heaven, compiled from Yang Lingqing’s manuscripts.
• Bai Di studied the treatise for ten days and wrote down his own insights and reflections.
• Bai Di recognized how closely Yang Lingqing’s strategies and vision aligned with his own, and lamented that they had never met.
• Bai Di stored the treatise in his lotus platform treasure and vowed to inherit Yang Lingqing’s aspirations and forge a new path.

Immortal Treasure rumors spread among cultivators and mortals across Canglan Continent, revealing that an Upper Realm cultivator was mobilizing everyone to search for the Creation Origin. After hearing Yang Yuanxing’s report, Chen Yang grew more determined to stop the cultivator, whose actions threatened mortals and the future of the cultivation world.

• Rumors of an Immortal Treasure spread through the Central Region, though most cultivators dismissed them as fabricated.
• Cultivators with few opportunities pursued the rumors, while claims of strange immortal encounters began spreading through mortal lands across both the Righteous and Demonic Paths.
• Chen Yang connected the growing reports to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion Master’s warning that the Upper Realm cultivator would use forces beyond the Pavilion to find the Creation Origin.
• Yang Yuanxing reported what he had learned, and Chen Yang’s killing intent toward the Upper Realm cultivator increased.
• Chen Yang reflected on the Yang Clan’s efforts to protect its people and give the mortals under its rule peaceful lives.

Chen Yang learned that the Great Dream Method came from a lost cultivation lineage and questioned Nangong Jinghe about Upper Realm cultivators who practiced it. After noticing a change in his disciple, Chen Yang left the investigation to Nangong Jinghe and Zhuang Xuanji, then prepared Xiao Yao to leave the mountain.

• Xu Cang told Chen Yang that the strange occurrences in Azure Waves could be linked to the Great Dream Method, a lineage lost from the lower realm for nearly two thousand years.
• Chen Yang summoned Nangong Jinghe and learned that some Upper Realm cultivators practiced lost methods, including the dream-path method, and told him to relay the clue to the Upper Realm.
• After Nangong Jinghe left, Chen Yang noticed a change in him and decided not to press him about the identities of those cultivators.
• Xiao Yao arrived and Chen Yang noted that she had reached the Spirit Communion realm and fused two Spirit Pearls, making her stronger than her master at the same realm.
• Xiao Yao told Chen Yang she was ready to leave the mountain, and he told her to inform her master and depart that day.

Nangong Jinghe and Zhuang Xuanji investigated whether his Senior Brother was involved in the Dream Method revealed by Chen Yang. Zhuang Xuanji made a difficult decision and acted, while three and a half years passed and the Yang Clan remained quiet after the Heaven-Descending Method calamity.

• Nangong Jinghe told Zhuang Xuanji that Chen Yang had discovered a clue about the Great Dream Method in the Lower Realm.
• Nangong Jinghe argued that his Senior Brother was a plausible suspect but was unlikely to have carelessly revealed a flaw, and Zhuang Xuanji tasked him with investigating further.
• Zhuang Xuanji recalled how she had chosen to remain master of the Dao Academy after Yuehan Venerable's death, then resolved to face the new matter and left the golden hall.
• Azure Waves cultivators in the Upper and Lower Realms worked to reclaim their Dao's fate, and three and a half years passed after rumors of the Immortal Treasure's secret emerged.
• The Yang Clan stayed quiet after the Heaven-Descending Method calamity, making only a few arrangements in the Northwest and taking no further action in the Central Region.

The Yang Clan’s founding of Heaven-Clearing Academy offered a way to attract cultivators and address its shortage of manpower, though the academy’s plans remained secret. Meanwhile, Lingxiao Dao Academy strengthened its influence across the Central Region and gained a prominent role in the upcoming Pill Origin Ceremony.

• The Yang Clan established Heaven-Clearing Academy on the former grounds of the Myriad Transformation Sect to recruit talented cultivators and bolster the clan’s forces.
• Yang Yuanxing planned for Heaven-Clearing Academy to begin recruiting across Azure Waves in about a year and a half, while the Yang Clan kept its development of the academy secret.
• After the Yang Clan fell silent for more than three years, over seventy percent of the Central Region factions that had chosen sides shifted to Lingxiao Dao Academy.
• Lingxiao Dao Academy secured substantial influence over the Pill Origin Ceremony’s invitees and recommended alchemists after the Yang Clan declined its invitation.
• Cultivators without first-round invitations had to pass Furnacefire Grotto-Heaven’s trials or the Three-Tier Alchemy Assembly’s assessment to attend and earn a chance at pill refinement.

As cultivators gathered beneath Pill Workshop Mountain for the Pill Origin Ceremony selection, a Rogue Cultivator named Zhao learned about He Xinxian and other promising alchemists. The old Daoist hoped to use his knowledge and connections to secure his own chance to extend his life.

• The cultivators were disheartened by the odds of passing the selection, but talk of defying fate renewed their determination.
• The old Daoist pointed out He Xinxian to Zhao and explained that she needed to pass the assembly trials because Three Flames Cave's sole place had gone to its cave master.
• The old Daoist identified three other alchemists he expected to pass and shared what he knew about them with Zhao.
• The old Daoist's past was revealed: after mastering a half-manual and reaching the peak of his alchemy skill, he came to the ceremony seeking a chance to extend his life.

Yang Yuanzhao and Xiao Yao secretly identified other outsiders among the Pill Origin Ceremony candidates while maintaining their cover as local cultivators. Their allies prepared to enter the Furnacefire Grotto-Heaven trial in groups.

• The old Daoist praised Zhao Yuancheng's fire technique and named four alchemists he thought likely to pass the assessment.
• Yang Yuanzhao told Chen Yang and Xiao Yao that he had found three outsiders at the Spiritual Connection stage, including He Xinxian among the four.
• Yang Yuanzhao's account revealed that he was secretly working with Lingxiao Dao Academy and that Chen Yang and Chen Huaien remotely prepared his pills.
• Xiao Yao reported finding five outsiders among the candidates, including three at Core Formation and two at Spiritual Connection.
• One of Xiao Yao's companions announced that the Furnacefire Grotto-Heaven trial allowed groups, and the Five Heroes of Meng River planned to enter together.

The chapter recounts how the Five Heroes of Meng River formed and how Xiao Yao’s arrival transformed their prospects. After completing several major demon-hunting commissions, the five decided to attend the Pill Origin Ceremony.

• Fan Ting and Yan Mo left their sects, met in the Meng River basin, and became the original Two Heroes of Meng River after slaying a demon beast.
• Xiao Yao joined the group after surviving the demonic invasion of the Northwest and traveling to the Central Region.
• Kang An and Kang Chen met Fan Ting and Yan Mo during the Great Competition of Two Daos, turning the group into the Four Heroes of Meng River.
• Xiao Yao helped the five slay a powerful demon beast for a local great sect, earning them a large reward and new confidence.
• The Five Heroes completed two more great sect commissions and decided to venture to the Pill Origin Ceremony.

The Five Heroes of Meng River entered Furnacefire Grotto-Heaven after the first cultivator passed the trial, and learned they needed Fireproof Crystals to renew their protection from the heat. Fan Ting led them toward a remote stone forest to gather crystals and avoid early clashes, though others had similar plans.

• Xiao Yao watched the five cultivators carrying the aura of the Upper Realm as the group waited for more information about the trial.
• On the fifth day, the first cultivator passed, and the Five Heroes of Meng River joined the wave of entrants after three unusual Core Formation cultivators made their move.
• Xiao Yao saw an early Core Formation cultivator use Upper Realm power to absorb and convert the fire breath while crossing the fire pools.
• The Five Heroes of Meng River crossed the pools and entered Furnacefire Grotto-Heaven, where icy-blue light shielded them from the heat and an aged voice explained the trial's rules.
• Fan Ting led the group toward a remote stone forest to collect Fireproof Crystals, planning to avoid conflict early and hide during the unrestricted final four periods.

Xiao Yao intercepted the Spiritual Connection cultivator who was secretly following the Five Heroes of Meng River and took most of his Fire-Repelling Crystals. She left him a thought containing information, leaving him to decide what to do with it.

• Xiao Yao noticed the Spiritual Connection cultivator tailing the Five Heroes of Meng River and sent an incarnation to confront him.
• Xiao Yao demanded that the old cultivator hand over his Fire-Repelling Crystals, and he offered her ninety percent of his gains.
• Xiao Yao let him keep the remaining crystals but stopped him as he prepared to leave.
• Xiao Yao left a thought containing a piece of intelligence, and the old cultivator inspected it with his Spiritual Sense.

The Five Heroes of Meng River emerged from hiding to confront Cui Hongjun and an early Essence Condensation cultivator seeking their Fire-Repelling Crystals. The battle began, and the heroes found their opponents far stronger than their cultivation levels suggested.

• Cui Hongjun and the early Essence Condensation cultivator found the Five Heroes of Meng River beneath the scorched earth, using Upper Realm power and unusual true essence clones.
• Fan Ting led Yan Mo, Xiao Yao, and the Kang brothers out of the valley, and Yan Mo warned them that Cui Hongjun's clones were abnormal.
• Cui Hongjun demanded two-thirds of the heroes' Fire-Repelling Crystals, and Fan Ting rejected his demand while preparing the group to fight.
• Cui Hongjun and his companion attacked after the negotiation failed, with Fan Ting and Yan Mo facing Cui Hongjun while Xiao Yao and the Kang brothers fought the other cultivator.
• The heroes struggled against their opponents' powerful techniques, as Cui Hongjun's clones countered attacks and the early Essence Condensation cultivator effortlessly neutralized Xiao Yao and the others.

Xiao Yao subdued Cui Hongjun and questioned him about the avatar technique he had received from a mysterious expert. Cui Hongjun revealed where he had met the expert, giving Xiao Yao a lead in the search for the Upper Realm cultivator.

• Xiao Yao crushed Cui Hongjun’s spellcraft avatars and warned him to answer her questions.
• Cui Hongjun tried to activate his Teleportation Edict but discovered Xiao Yao had rendered it unusable, so he begged for his life.
• Cui Hongjun admitted that a disguised expert had taught him the avatar technique, rather than him finding it in a cave abode.
• Xiao Yao explained that New Heaven cultivators had been tracking the Upper Realm cultivator’s movements and questioning those who received techniques and treasures from him.
• Cui Hongjun said he had met the expert three years and one month earlier in a sunken valley between twin peaks near Flowbreak Bay in the Xuanhuang Dynasty’s Guanghe Commandery.

Xiao Yao subdued the Core Formation Cultivator and learned through a soul search that a mysterious high-level cultivator had empowered both him and Cui Hongjun. After she sent the man out of the grotto-heaven, the venerable overseeing the Pill Workshop locked onto her, while the Kang brothers hid with enough Fire-Repelling Crystals to last the trial.

• A purple dragon shadow swallowed the Core Formation Cultivator attacking the Kang brothers, who then went to look for Xiao Yao.
• The Kang brothers found Xiao Yao and Cui Hongjun gone and discovered that Xiao Yao had given Kang Chen a storage pouch full of Fire-Repelling Crystals.
• Kang An told Kang Chen to hide with him until the trial ended so they would not waste Xiao Yao's efforts.
• Xiao Yao subdued the Core Formation Cultivator, searched his memories, and learned that a mysterious cultivator had taught him a technique three years earlier.
• Xiao Yao sent the Core Formation Cultivator out of the grotto-heaven with her Immortal Venerable power, allowing the venerable overseeing the Pill Workshop to locate her.

Xiao Yao confronted Yi An in the Furnacefire Grotto-Heaven and learned how he gained his ice technique and treasure from an ancient tomb. Chen Yang ordered her to investigate the tomb after the Pill Origin Ceremony, and she asked Yi An where his Fire-Repelling Crystals came from.

• Yi An abandoned his defenses and offered to help Xiao Yao after seeing her withstand the grotto-heaven's flames.
• Xiao Yao questioned Yi An about his ice technique, and her gaze compelled him to tell the truth about his past.
• Yi An explained that he found an ancient tomb after the Kunxu Secret Realm opened and gained an ancient cultivator's insights and an ice-path treasure there.
• Xiao Yao told Chen Yang about Yi An's account, and Chen Yang ordered her to inspect the tomb with Yi An and Nangong Jinghe after the Pill Origin Ceremony.
• Xiao Yao gave Yi An several Fire-Repelling Crystals and asked where they had come from.

Xiao Yao entered Furnacefire Grotto-Heaven to temper her body in its volcanic core, and the Pill Workshop Venerable agreed to remain nearby in case of danger. Outside, a newly advanced Pill Workshop Venerable questioned her conduct and the Yang Clan’s motives.

• The Pill Workshop Venerable appeared and asked Xiao Yao whether her elders knew she planned to enter the magma.
• Xiao Yao said she had informed her elders and asked permission to temper her body in the volcano.
• The Pill Workshop Venerable agreed to let Xiao Yao enter and said he would stay in the grotto-heaven to guard against accidents.
• Xiao Yao left a clone outside and sent her true body into the molten rock.
• A newly advanced Pill Workshop Venerable objected that Xiao Yao’s clone might interfere with later trials and asked why the Yang Clan had sent her.
• The senior Pill Workshop Venerable asked his junior how the Pill Workshop compared with Central Region households, and the junior admitted they were weaker without a peak cultivator but unrivaled in alchemy.