Chapter Summaries

Sect Leader Kang Dabao gave Pei Xiangcao two Foundation Establishment Pills, while Ye Zhengwen settled a council dispute over the remaining pills and considered the growing factional rivalry within the Chongming Sect. Kang Rongquan then distributed scarce Foundation Establishment resources among his lineage, choosing to support the Alchemy Hall, as the sect’s factions continued their contest for influence.

• Kang Dabao gave Pei Xiangcao two Foundation Establishment Pills and told her to keep them secret and report any troubles to him or the elders.
• At a council meeting, Ye Zhengwen reprimanded the sect’s officers for quarreling over the five remaining Foundation Establishment Pills.
• Jin Shilun argued that the Azure Jue and Crimson Zhang Guards needed more resources, while Kang Rongquan insisted the Spirit Plant Hall also needed support.
• Ye Zhengwen allocated two pill quotas to the Alchemy Hall, one to the Spirit Plant Hall, and one each to disciples serving in the two guards, while increasing borrowing limits and making bottleneck pills available.
• Liu Ya explained to Ye Zhengwen that the dispute reflected growing competition between Kang Rongquan’s lineage and the sect leader’s faction, and Ye Zhengwen warned him against abusing his office or joining factional schemes.
• Kang Rongquan gave the Spirit Plant Hall’s Foundation Establishment resources to Qi Ke and two Alchemy Hall disciples, urging his fellow disciples to preserve their lineage without breaking with the sect leader’s faction.

Pei Xiangcao prepared for her marriage into the Pei Household as Kang Rongquan and other Chongming Sect elders gave her wedding gifts before leaving on a mission to Xuanwei City. There, they awaited an important guest from the capital region, and Kang Rongquan recognized the arriving Earl of Fengen as Kuai En, an old friend.

• Pei Xiangcao tried on her wedding dress, and Kang Rongquan and the other cultivators brought her generous wedding gifts before setting off on a sect assignment.
• During the journey, Kang Rongquan told Shan Yong that the group was headed to Xuanwei City to welcome an important figure from the capital region.
• In Xuanwei City, Kang Rongquan greeted You Xiaobao, Kang Xiangyi, and Zhang Huangshi, then visited the Fei Household before the honored guest arrived.
• A splendid flying vessel arrived early, and its guards announced the arrival of the Earl of Fengen.
• Kang Rongquan recognized the Earl of Fengen as Kuai En, who greeted him as an old friend.

Kuai En visited Yangming Mountain, where he reunited with Sect Leader Kang Da and paid respects at his aunt and uncle’s graves. Before departing, he asked Kang Da to consider the Duke of Qin and warned him to follow court news closely.

• Kuai En greeted Kang Rongquan formally and asked Fei Donggu to deliver a jade slip to the Marquis of Fengcheng.
• Kang Rongquan guided Kuai En’s flying boat to Yangming Mountain, where Kang Da welcomed him.
• Kuai En visited Pei Yi and his wife’s graves, then told Kang Da that the Emperor had asked nobles and officials for their views of the Duke of Qin.
• Kuai En revealed that the Ninth Prince was preparing to form his Nascent Soul and urged Kang Da to consider the matter and consult the Fei Household.
• Kuai En gave gifts to his old acquaintances and advised Pei Xiangcao and her husband on cultivation before leaving Yangming Mountain.
• Kuai En warned Kang Da to watch court developments because the Fei Household might not share everything with him.

Kang Dabao rebuked Kang Rongquan for considering an early False Core and had the Snow Forest Pill converted into Merit Points, while Yuan Jin asked to have the pill. In Xuanwei City, Jiang Qing combined the Sword Core Diagram, the whetstone, and his sword practice to bring his Core Thesis to perfection.

• Kang Rongquan told Kang Dabao that Kuai En had given him a Snow Forest Pill and that he planned to use it to form a False Core and serve the sect.
• Kang Dabao scolded Kang Rongquan for surrendering his ambition, stopped him from crushing the pill, and ordered Ye Zhengwen to convert it into Merit Points.
• Yuan Jin asked Kang Dabao to give him the Snow Forest Pill after Ye Zhengwen left.
• Jiang Qing studied the Sword Core Diagram and whetstone, recognized how they connected his sword practice to Core Formation, and began refining his Core Thesis.
• After months of seclusion, Jiang Qing achieved a stable resonance between his sword, heart, and Core Thesis and declared that his Core Thesis had reached perfection.

The Immortal Dynasty’s forces fought the Star-Picking Pavilion’s beast horde in Mountain North Circuit as True Person Crimson Snow considered how to make Bai Canhong suffer a defeat and break his allies’ unity. At Yangming Mountain, Sect Leader Kang Da sought help improving disciples’ chances of Foundation Establishment, while Jiang Qing completed his discussions on the Core and needed spiritual items for Core Formation.

• Fei Tianqin killed a tiger-headed Demon Officer, collected his Demon Core, and returned to the ducal forces after Golden Core cultivators moved to intercept him.
• Shen Lingfeng, True Person Crimson Snow, and True Person Moon Hidden discussed the war, possible reinforcements, and reports that Bai Canhong might widen the breach in the barrier.
• True Person Crimson Snow proposed persuading sects aiding the rebels to change sides and asked whether True Person Jiuzhen was still a guest in Phoenix Cry Prefecture.
• At Yangming Mountain, Sect Leader Kang Da directed Ye Zhengwen to seek Attendant Luan’s help in reducing the dangers disciples faced during Foundation Establishment.
• Ye Zhengwen learned that Jiang Qing had completed his discussions on the Core and needed spiritual items for Core Formation, while Sect Leader Kang Da remembered something in his storage pouch.

Jiang Qing left the Fei Residence and joined Sect Leader Kang Da in Xuanwei City before traveling with him to Phoenix Cry Prefecture to seek spirit materials for Core Formation. After Su Mei showed them three gentle but ordinary options, Kang Da agreed to wait for an upcoming auction.

• Jiang Qing took leave of Fei Nanying and left the Fei Residence, while Fei Nanying reflected on his household’s troubles and ordered its descendants in Xuanwei City to remain ready for battle.
• Jiang Qing reached the garrison headquarters, where Duan Yunzhou welcomed him and kept outsiders away while he waited for Sect Leader Kang Da.
• Kang Da arrived in Xuanwei City, praised Duan Yunzhou, and instructed him on recruiting, trade, local security, and staffing the prefectural administration.
• Kang Da and Jiang Qing traveled to Phoenix Cry Prefecture and visited the Myriad Treasures Trading Company to find Core Formation materials for Jiang Qing.
• Su Mei presented a Purple Mansion Dragon-Nurturing Ganoderma, a Jade Water Core-Congealing Pearl, and Moonlight Grass, and Kang Da agreed to wait for the company’s upcoming auction.

Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing attended the Myriad Treasures Trading Company auction, where Kang Dabao bought rare Core Formation materials suited to Jiang Qing. After receiving a honored guest token, the brothers prepared to return to the Chongming Sect for Jiang Qing’s Core Formation.

• Kang Dabao secured authorizations for sought-after goods from officials and arranged favorable trade terms with the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect through Master Qi.
• Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing met High Person Three Words, who hinted that he wanted to become a guest elder of the Chongming Sect, but Kang Dabao gave no answer.
• At the auction, Exalted Cultivator Wuxuan recognized traces of Hong Wen’s sword principles in Jiang Qing, and Su Mei added a rare item to the auction after hearing Wuxuan’s assessment of his potential.
• Kang Dabao bought spiritual soil and Sword Heart Grass, then won the Cloud Peak Pattern-Stabilizing Orchid for Jiang Qing.
• Su Mei gave Kang Dabao a Myriad Treasures Honored Guest token, and Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing prepared to return to the Chongming Sect for Core Formation.

Wei Gu completed the Chongming Sect’s Golden Pivot Spirit-Gathering Origin-Guarding Formation on Yangming Mountain, and the sect celebrated his achievement. The chapter ended with Jiang Qing forming his Golden Core, as the sect ordered the news proclaimed throughout Shannan Circuit and beyond.

• Wei Gu led the formation masters and Chongming Sect disciples in completing the Third-Tier Lower-Grade Golden Pivot Spirit-Gathering Origin-Guarding Formation on Yangming Mountain.
• Yuan Jin, Ye Zhengwen, Zhang Qingran, and other sect leaders praised Wei Gu, while the visiting formation masters received generous gifts and a banquet.
• He Chang thought about accompanying his second maternal uncle to the He Household after He Degong’s death.
• After the guests departed, Wei Gu planned additional safeguards for the mountain-protecting formation against its visitors learning its weaknesses.
• The spirit-gathering ring transformed into a radiant sword as Yangming Mountain’s formation and spiritual energy surged around Jiang Qing’s Golden Core breakthrough.
• A voice announced Jiang Qing’s achievement and ordered the Chongming Sect to spread the news across Shannan Circuit and to neighboring groups.

One year after Jiang Qing’s Golden Core ceremony, the Chongming Sect prospered while Kang Dabao guarded Jiang Qing and managed growing demands at home. At the Mountain North Circuit field camp, Fei Tianqin discussed the war and Jiang Qing’s core before receiving news that True Person Moon Hidden had died.

• Jiang Qing’s Golden Core ceremony ended, and the Chongming Sect handled a busy Immortal Ascension Assembly while Kang Dabao urged the disciples to stay diligent and focused on rebuilding the sect.
• Kang Dabao sent Qin Sufu a gift after learning that his old friend had formed a Lower-Grade Golden Core, and Lian Xuepu warned him about the Hehuan Sect’s growing influence at the front.
• Fei Tianqin asked Fei Nanying whether Jiang Qing had formed a Middle-Grade Golden Core and speculated that Kang Dabao was concealing the truth.
• Fei Tianqin told Fei Nanying that the three True Persons might soon join forces with True Person Jiuzhen against Bai Canhong, and discussed how the war had left the Immortal Dynasty struggling.
• A red talisman arrived, and Fei Tianqin told Fei Nanying that True Person Moon Hidden had passed away.

After True Person Moon Hidden's death left Five Old Mothers Mountain and Mountain North Circuit in mourning, Kuang Zefu and his allies discussed how to counter Bai Canhong and decided to send Fei Tianqin back to attack Joyful Sight Mountain. As Fei Tianqin traveled, he saw levies and routed soldiers devastate towns under Five Old Mothers Mountain's protection, then continued on with Fei Nanying.

• Ten days after True Person Moon Hidden died, Kuang Zefu, Kuang Liuting, Shen Lingfeng, and True Person Crimson Snow discussed the worsening war and the lack of reinforcements.
• Kuang Liuting urged Kuang Zefu to ask True Person Jiuzhen for help and proposed attacking Joyful Sight Mountain to force the enemy to defend it.
• Shen Lingfeng argued that Fei Tianqin should return to Mountain South and noted that True Person Tiger Spring might still be alive; Kuang Zefu approved the plan.
• Kuang Liuting ordered Su Chen to draft a sealed letter settling Fei Tianqin's return, and Kuang Zefu privately urged Liuting to strengthen the Kuang family's position quickly.
• Fei Tianqin and Fei Nanying saw levies seize cultivators and routed soldiers loot, assault, and kill people in towns under Five Old Mothers Mountain's protection.
• Fei Tianqin suspected that someone was allowing the devastation and told Fei Nanying to continue their journey, warning that their own ancestral lands could suffer the same fate.

Jiang Qing formed a Middle-Grade Golden Core and received a flying sword from Fei Tianqin, who then tasked Fei Tianqin and the Chongming Sect with marching through Huangpi Circuit to attack Joyful Sight Mountain. After hearing that Kuang Liuting had defied the Prince of the North and executed Xiao Xian, Fei Tianqin ordered the field camp to march within days, and Kang Dabao sensed that his force might hold the key to the campaign.

• Fei Tianqin praised Jiang Qing’s Middle-Grade Golden Core and gifted him a Third-Tier Lower-Grade flying sword.
• Fei Tianqin revealed the Duke of Qin’s order for him and the Chongming Sect to fight through Huangpi Circuit and attack Joyful Sight Mountain.
• Fei Tianqin warned Kang Dabao that the campaign could determine the Fei Household’s future, and Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing resolved to support the household fully.
• Fei Tianqin received news that Kuang Liuting had executed Xiao Xian after Xiao’s crimes against Five Old Mothers Mountain, despite the Prince of the North agreeing to a lighter punishment.
• Fei Tianqin ordered the Cloud Horn Prefecture field camp to march within days, and Kang Dabao returned to Yangming Mountain with Jiang Qing, suspecting his force might break the campaign’s deadlock.

In Tang County, Rogue Cultivators doubted the Chongming Sect’s volunteer recruitment until veterans from Cloud Horn Prefecture described the rewards and prospects they had earned. Kang Rongquan reassured local households with protections and incentives, then announced Jiang Qing’s swift victory over a Golden Core cultivator, leaving the county more confident in the campaign.

• Lan Geqing listened as Wang Laoshuan and Zhang Laomu warned that volunteer service could bring death without reward, making Li Erlang hesitate.
• Zhao Wu and his fellow volunteers from Cloud Horn Prefecture praised the Chongming Sect’s rewards, prompting Li Erlang and many others to rush to the recruitment station.
• Kang Rongquan presented Tang County’s sects and households with guarantees protecting their holdings for two hundred years and offered Merit Points and tax relief for service.
• A message reported that the Fei Household’s ancestor had won the first battle against Huangpi Circuit and that Jiang Qing had killed Kongchenzi in ten breaths.
• Kang Rongquan saw the clouds over Tang County thinning as the local representatives’ confidence in the Chongming Sect grew.

Fei Tianqin’s army crushed the Star-Picking Pavilion’s defenses at Ancient Immortal Peak, forcing Xiang Tianxing to flee while the Fei forces prepared to march onward. As the army set out, Kang Dabao spotted Chief Clerk Buse arriving with a group whose purpose and strength remained unclear.

• Fei Tianqin’s forces advanced through Huangpi Circuit, defeated its Golden Core factions, and drove Xiang Tianxing’s reinforcements back to Ancient Immortal Peak.
• Kang Dabao examined the mountain’s neglected formations while Fei Tianqin’s army used cannon fire, ballistae, puppets, and successive waves of troops to break the defenses.
• Jiang Qing killed the enemy’s last senior cultivator, and Xiang Tianxing escaped toward Ancient Mysterious Circuit using a blood-colored Jade Slip.
• Fei Nanying ordered the army to secure prisoners and spoils, treat the wounded, compensate casualties, and resume its march after resting.
• Kang Dabao detected an approaching group and recognized Chief Clerk Buse, who hurried forward with a smile.

The Fei Household’s army defeated Joyful Sight Mountain repeatedly, and Kang Dabao urged Fei Tianqin to press the attack after hearing the sect was divided by internal strife. Buse asked after Black Shoes, then Kang Dabao received word that Pu-Pu Honggu had acted, while an angry voice demanded to know where True Person Tiger Spring was.

• Fei Tianqin killed Joyful Sight Mountain’s Golden Core commander, and the allied army won a crushing victory that cost the sect six Golden Core cultivators.
• Buse learned from a captured cultivator that Joyful Sight Mountain was suffering internal strife, and Fei Tianqin wondered whether Cloud Trust had harmed Tiger Spring.
• Kang Dabao advised Fei Tianqin to gamble on attacking the mountain’s grand formation, and Fei Tianqin ordered the army to prepare to advance.
• Buse asked Kang Dabao whether Black Shoes had sent word, then gave him a Spirit Plant journal for advancing the Glazed Treasure Tree.
• Yuan Jin brought Kang Dabao a letter from Yunzhou reporting that Pu-Pu Honggu had made a move.
• A furious voice in Joyful Sight Mountain’s council hall demanded to know where its master, True Person Tiger Spring, was.

You Longzi challenged Hou Jin over True Person Tiger Spring’s disappearance, then privately weighed a letter bearing the Original Buddha Sect’s seal and wrote to the Fei Household. Meanwhile, Kang Dabao gathered surrenders for the Chongming Sect until Fei Tianqin ordered him back at once.

• You Longzi demanded that Hou Jin explain where True Person Tiger Spring was, but Hou Jin insisted that Tiger Spring had gone to sea and accused You Longzi of undermining the sect during the Fei Household’s attack.
• You Longzi told his fellow disciples that Cloud Trust’s account of Tiger Spring’s departure was suspicious and persuaded them to wait while Hou Jin handled the approaching enemy.
• After his fellow disciples left, You Longzi unfolded a silk letter bearing the Original Buddha Sect’s seal, reread it, hid it in his sleeve, and began writing to an honored elder of the Fei Household.
• Kang Dabao led forces through the Ancient Mysterious Circuit, accepting the submissions of the Azure Haze Sect and the Rogue Cultivators of Falling Cloud Fort while warning undecided powers to choose within three days.
• After more than a month of gathering surrenders, Kang Dabao received Fei Tianqin’s order to return at once.

Fei Tianqin’s coalition besieged Joyful Sight Mountain while You Longzi used a Formation Hub Jade Plaque to weaken the mountain’s defenses as he searched for his missing master, True Person Tiger Spring. Ten days later, the formation still held, but Fei Tianqin prepared a final assault as True Person Cloud Trust’s return drew nearer.

• Fei Tianqin sent expendable troops against Joyful Sight Mountain and rewarded survivors for repeated charges, while Hou Jin’s allies grew anxious over the siege and Cloud Trust’s absence.
• You Longzi activated a secondary Formation Hub Jade Plaque, weakening the grand formation, and the Profound Sound Gate joined his faction.
• Hou Jin confronted You Longzi in the ancestral hall, offered him a place in the sect’s future, and refused to reveal Tiger Spring’s whereabouts; You Longzi left, intending to take Hou Jin to a Nascent Soul for questioning once the formation fell.
• Ten days later, Fei Tianqin learned that Dongwen’s forces had gained ground in Cloud Horn Prefecture and warned that Cloud Trust might return from Mountain North Circuit.
• Fei Tianqin ordered Kang Dabao and Buse to mobilize for another assault, and the allied forces prepared for what they expected to be the final battle.

The allied forces broke Joyful Sight Mountain’s formation, and You Longzi seized control of the sect after learning Hou Jin had concealed his master’s whereabouts. When True Person Cloud Trust returned and attacked the damaged formation, Buse revealed himself as Huiming of the Original Buddha Sect and drove Cloud Trust into flight.

• Fei Tianqin’s forces battered Joyful Sight Mountain’s formation with auxiliary troops, military music, and lightning cannons until Kang Dabao identified a weak point and the allied forces broke through.
• You Longzi restrained Hou Jin, took control of Joyful Sight Mountain, and negotiated with Fei Tianqin to protect the remaining disciples and prevent other factions from entering the sect.
• True Person Cloud Trust arrived at dawn, attacked the repaired formation, and demanded that You Longzi come out to answer for the sect’s destruction.
• You Longzi denounced Cloud Trust, and the forces inside the formation opened a breach that Cloud Trust entered after breaking a formation foundation.
• Buse revealed his Nascent Soul strength and true name, Huiming of the Original Buddha Sect, struck Cloud Trust with his vajra, and pursued him as he fled.
• Fei Tianqin ordered Kang Dabao to pursue Cloud Trust alongside him.

After Joyful Sight Mountain fell, Bai Canhong and Demon Lieutenant Fengwen argued over whether to reinforce the Mountain North front or retreat. Fengwen learned that his home had been routed just as the barrier sealed shut, while Bai Canhong realized the Kuang Household had carried out a long-concealed scheme.

• Bai Canhong received news that Joyful Sight Mountain had fallen and True Person Cloud Trust was missing, leaving the Star-Picking Pavilion's position in Mountain North Circuit in danger.
• Bai Canhong warned Demon Lieutenant Fengwen that losing Tengwen Prefecture would isolate their camp, while Fengwen threatened to return to Cold Crow Mountain with his demon soldiers.
• Bai Canhong demanded that Fengwen send all his demon soldiers to the camp or summon other Demon Lieutenants, but Fengwen refused to surrender his territory or share its spoils.
• Fengwen left the command tent and seized a boy from the human livestock enclosure, but Daoist Peng arrived with urgent news that Fengwen's demon soldiers at home had been routed.
• Fengwen ordered a retreat after reading the beast-bone talisman, but the breach in the barrier sealed shut, and Bai Canhong realized the Kuang Household had been waiting for this moment.

Chan Master Huiming, Fei Tianqin, and Sect Leader Kang Da pursued the wounded True Person Cloud Trust, who escaped using a forbidden technique and hid in an abandoned cave abode. Kang Da found him, survived his counterattack, and used a Sharpened Spirit Thorn to halt his flight before fleeing himself, while Cloud Trust continued toward safety.

• Chan Master Huiming and Fei Tianqin attacked True Person Cloud Trust as he fled, and Kang Da struck him with his Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes.
• True Person Cloud Trust used a forbidden technique to vanish beneath the frozen earth, and Huiming, Fei Tianqin, and Kang Da split up to search for him.
• Kang Da tracked the lingering traces of True Person Cloud Trust's spiritual essence and found him wounded in an abandoned Spirit Vein cave abode.
• True Person Cloud Trust struck Kang Da with a Mystic Origin Kan-Li Pearl, badly injuring him, then fled rather than risk meeting Huiming again.
• Kang Da released a signal talisman and used the Sharpened Spirit Thorn to make True Person Cloud Trust fall from the sky before escaping; Cloud Trust suppressed his urge to pursue him and fled toward safety.

Chan Master Huiming used his Chan Heart Clarity method to uncover Hou Jin’s secrets, including True Person Tiger Spring’s hiding place, and he and Fei Tianqin set out to rescue him. They were interrupted by the news that True Person Cloud Trust’s soul lamp had shattered, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Chan Master Huiming and Fei Tianqin returned to Joyful Sight Mountain, where Fei Tianqin saw the Fei forces and Joyful Sight Mountain’s cultivators keeping apart.
• You Longzi brought Chan Master Huiming and Fei Tianqin to Heavenly Punishment Cliff to question Hou Jin about True Person Tiger Spring.
• Chan Master Huiming’s Chan Heart Clarity method overcame Hou Jin’s defenses and revealed that Tiger Spring was hidden in Broken Stone Hollow.
• Chan Master Huiming and Fei Tianqin prepared to leave for Broken Stone Hollow while You Longzi stayed behind to watch Hou Jin and keep the forces in check.
• A Golden Core cultivator reported that the soul lamp in Lingguang Hall had shattered, and You Longzi learned that his master, True Person Cloud Trust, was presumed to have ascended to immortality.