Chapter Summaries

Shan Heyuan became He Wu’s Registered Disciple and gained access to new cultivation resources. He later agreed to demonstrate his fertilizer-pill refining method before the Supreme Harmony Sect, and began the demonstration with Shen Duheng nearby.

• He Wu took Shan Heyuan as his Registered Disciple, gave him a restriction talisman and Foundation Establishment-grade seeds, and Qi Yuanbai accepted him as Senior Brother Shan.
• He Wu told Jiu Mingyue that Shan Heyuan’s comprehension and opportunities promised extraordinary accomplishments, and urged him to be generous in judging others.
• Shan Heyuan told Shen Duheng about his new status and plans to use the sect’s library to study Foundation Establishment texts.
• Before leaving on a journey, He Wu gave Shan Heyuan access to his private Spirit Plant garden and asked him to look after it.
• At He Mingqing’s request, Shan Heyuan agreed to demonstrate the Spirit-Imbuing Heap-Burning Method at the Supreme Harmony Sect.
• With Shen Duheng standing nearby, Shan Heyuan steadied himself and began the fertilizer-pill refining demonstration before the gathered sect members.

Shan Heyuan finished firing Fertilizer Pills, traded them for Foundation Establishment-grade seeds, and cultivated in He Wu's private Spirit Plant garden. After reaching Qi Refining Great Perfection, he found that Foundation Establishment had not begun, and the chapter ended as Shen Duheng paused before answering the newspaper delivery.

• Shan Heyuan finished firing excellent Fertilizer Pills, and Supreme Harmony Sect cultivators traded dozens of Foundation Establishment-grade seeds for them.
• Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng settled in He Wu's private Spirit Plant garden to cultivate, while Shan Heyuan tended the plants and Qi Yuanbai visited to deepen his Sword Intent.
• Shan Heyuan reached Qi Refining Great Perfection on the third day of the first lunar month and asked Shen Duheng what to do next.
• Shen Duheng examined Shan Heyuan and concluded that the time for Foundation Establishment had not yet come.
• Shan Heyuan began making pancakes as spring thunder sounded, then called to Shen Duheng to collect their newspaper; Shen Duheng paused before answering the knock.

Shan Heyuan’s unusual Foundation Establishment tribulation forced him to chase and attack its cloud, with Shen Duheng guiding him toward Spring Thunder Valley. The chapter left Shan Heyuan enduring powerful lightning there as his Spiritual Power turned to liquid and his body was reforged by the strikes.

• Shen Duheng told Shan Heyuan that the lightning nearby was his Foundation Establishment Heavenly Tribulation, but it drifted away before striking him.
• Shen Duheng carried Shan Heyuan after the cloud, and Shan Heyuan attacked it with his broken sword to provoke a bolt of lightning.
• Shan Heyuan was struck repeatedly, began converting his Spiritual Power into liquid, and realized the lightning was helping him reach Foundation Establishment.
• When the tribulation cloud began to flee, Shen Duheng took Shan Heyuan to Spring Thunder Valley, where the persistent thunderclouds gathered overhead.
• Shan Heyuan sat in the valley as powerful Tribulation Lightning struck him, cleansing his body and rapidly healing his wounds.

Shan Heyuan completed Foundation Establishment in Spring Thunder Valley, where the broken sword sprouted a tiny bud after being struck by tribulation lightning. He struggled to identify or plant the bud, then woke to find that the late-spring cold had ended.

• Shan Heyuan endured the tribulation lightning and successfully established his Foundation, while Shen Duheng watched over him.
• Shan Heyuan found a tiny green bud on the broken sword and learned from Shen Duheng that the sprouting did not threaten him.
• Shan Heyuan brought the bud and an Illusionless Tree branch home, but could not determine how to plant the rootless bud.
• Shan Heyuan woke to a warm, damp breeze and realized the late-spring cold had ended and it was time to sow seeds.

Shan Heyuan discovered that the Illusionless Tree branch had grown roots, then decided to take the fourth-rank planter exam. He completed the exam’s practical portion by growing a Moist Fleabane Grass, and the instructors confirmed it met the requirements.

• Shan Heyuan cultivated with Shen Duheng and found that the Illusionless Tree branch had grown vigorous new roots.
• Shan Heyuan remembered that he was qualified to take the fourth-rank planter exam and bought study materials after seeking Wen Chengyi’s advice.
• Shan Heyuan signed up for the exam and found that its written and practical requirements were familiar to him.
• Shan Heyuan grew a Moist Fleabane Grass to Qi Refining Fifth Stage during the practical test.
• The three instructors inspected and recorded the plant, then told Shan Heyuan that he had finished the exam.

After discussing aging Spirit Plants with Wen Chengyi, Shan Heyuan received Foundation Establishment-grade spirit spring water and made a potent growth liquid. He used it to revive the Illusionless Tree and then tried a drop on the lightning-struck wood bud.

• Shan Heyuan met Wen Chengyi after the examination, and they discussed Spirit Plants that would not take root or grow.
• Wen Chengyi explained that an aging Spirit Plant might need to break through its original grade to extend its lifespan, then asked Shan Heyuan to request Shen Duheng's help retrieving Core Formation-grade spirit spring water from Dinggao Mountain.
• Wen Chengyi gave Shan Heyuan Foundation Establishment-grade spirit spring water to test on his own plant.
• Shan Heyuan prepared a growth liquid from a recipe in Spirit Plant Secrets using the spring water and thirty-seven materials.
• Shan Heyuan misted the Illusionless Tree with the liquid until it grew roots and a tender leaf.
• After confirming the liquid worked, Shan Heyuan applied a drop to the lightning-struck wood bud.

Shan Heyuan tested spiritual liquid on his Spirit Plants and learned about Core Formation-grade spirit spring water on Dinggao Mountain. He and Shen Duheng traveled into the mountain range, reaching the spring’s mapped location after several days of collecting Spirit Plants.

• Shan Heyuan used spiritual liquid to help the Illusionless Tree grow leaves, but the lightning-struck wood bud showed little change.
• Shan Heyuan discussed the spirit spring water with Shen Duheng, who later agreed to take him to Dinggao Mountain after speaking with Wen Chengyi.
• Shan Heyuan bought supplies and commissioned talismans from Zhong Shuran before the trip.
• Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng set out for Dinggao Mountain, carrying Shan Heyuan’s precious Spirit Plants with them.
• Shan Heyuan dug up more than ten Spirit Plants as they followed Wen Chengyi’s map, and they reached the marked location after three and a half days.

Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng found a Core Formation demon bull guarding the spirit spring, then Shan Heyuan proposed cultivating Drunken Ox Grass to weaken it. They stayed on a nearby mountain while he repeatedly bred and planted the grass, leaving their fight with the bull postponed.

• Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng found the spirit spring guarded by a powerful demon bull and retreated to a defensible mountain nearby.
• Shan Heyuan suggested using Drunken Ox Grass to get the demon bull drunk, and Shen Duheng agreed to stand guard while he prepared it.
• Shan Heyuan grew Drunken Ox Grass until it flowered and proposed cultivating a Foundation Establishment-grade batch to improve their chances.
• Shan Heyuan repeatedly pollinated the grass, selected seeds with abundant Spiritual Qi, and forced them to sprout while Shen Duheng guarded him and gathered herbs.
• After more than ten days, Shen Duheng sent Jiu Mingyue a communication talisman to arrange for another grower to tend the gardens on Thousand Cries Peak.

Shan Heyuan cultivated Drunken Ox Grass to Foundation Establishment grade, then he and Shen Duheng used it to intoxicate and kill the demon ox guarding a Core Formation-grade spirit spring. After collecting spring water, they began taking the spring’s mud, sand, and stones before preparing to leave.

• Shan Heyuan harvested Foundation Establishment-grade Drunken Ox Grass seeds after cultivating the grass through two seasons, then collapsed from exhaustion and slept through the autumn rain.
• After waking, Shan Heyuan gave the seeds to Shen Duheng, who scattered them toward the spirit spring with a sword-driven wind while the demon ox remained unaware.
• Shan Heyuan used Drunken Ox Grass spirit liquid to thicken the spring mist, and the demon ox ate the grass, became intoxicated, and fell asleep.
• Shen Duheng killed the sleeping demon ox and filled Wen Chengyi’s water storage bag with spring water; Shan Heyuan collected another 100 liters and left some water behind to preserve the spring.
• Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng dug out most of the mud, sand, and stones at the spring’s bottom, leaving some behind as its foundation.

After returning from the Spirit Spring, Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng settled back into their courtyard, where Wen Chengyi bought the spring water and suggested they move to a better spirit field. Shan Heyuan revealed he planned to take the third-grade planter exam, leaving Wen Chengyi stunned by how quickly he had advanced to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

• Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng returned home, tended the courtyard, and sent messages to their friends.
• Wen Chengyi arrived and paid Shen Duheng five million spirit beads for one hundred liters of Core Formation-grade Spirit Spring water.
• Wen Chengyi admired Shan Heyuan's Spirit Plants and offered to help find them a mid-grade spirit field, and Shan Heyuan accepted.
• Wen Chengyi reminded Shan Heyuan to collect his fourth-grade planter token, and Shan Heyuan said he would try the third-grade exam.
• Wen Chengyi realized Shan Heyuan had reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and was astonished by his rapid advancement.

Shan Heyuan showed Wen Chengyi that he had cultivated Foundation Establishment-grade Drunken Ox Grass, qualifying him for the third-grade planter exam. After returning to tend the Spirit Plant gardens and telling Jiu Mingyue about the upcoming exam, Shan learned that Tong Liangji would lead the examiners and that the exam was scheduled for the sixteenth day of the seventh month.

• Shan Heyuan showed Wen Chengyi seeds of Foundation Establishment-grade Drunken Ox Grass he had cultivated, and Wen judged that they would earn him an excellent result on the third-grade planter exam.
• Shan Heyuan said he would register for the exam while passing through town on his way to the Supreme Harmony Sect, and Wen Chengyi arranged for a chief examiner to come to Jingzhishan Town.
• Shan Heyuan tended the Spirit Plant garden with Spring Breeze Turns to Rain, and Qi Yuanbai praised his work and asked when he would make Fertilizer Pills.
• Jiu Mingyue visited Shan Heyuan, received Kuliang Grass as a gift, and learned that Shan planned to take the third-grade planter exam.
• Wen Chengyi sent Shan Heyuan a communication talisman confirming that Tong Liangji would lead the examiners and that the exam would take place on the sixteenth day of the seventh month.

Shan Heyuan completed the third-rank grower exam, impressing the practical examiners by reviving a badly rotted Spirit Plant, then learned the Supreme Harmony Sect might recommend him for a Sword Reverence Academy teaching assistant position. The chapter ended with him sitting in a daze after Shen Duheng returned, leaving his decision about the opportunity unresolved.

• Shan Heyuan took the written exam, struggled with unfamiliar questions, and made his best guesses.
• Shan Heyuan used Gentle Breeze and a spirit liquid to regrow a nearly liquefied diseased plant, earning the proctors' appreciation.
• Shan Heyuan defended his cultivation of Foundation Establishment-grade Drunken Ox Grass seeds, then went home and slept for two days and one night.
• Jiu Mingyue visited Shan Heyuan and offered to seek him a teaching assistant slot at the Sword Reverence Academy if he passed the third-rank grower exam.
• Shen Duheng returned to find Shan Heyuan sitting in a daze at the tea table and asked what he was thinking about.

Shan Heyuan passed the third-grade planter examination and considered the Supreme Harmony Sect’s recommendation to Sword Reverence Academy, while facing the prospect of parting ways with Shen Duheng. He decided to visit the academy and began selling his spirit herbs at a busy Supreme Harmony Sect market.

• Shan Heyuan told Shen Duheng about the recommendation to Sword Reverence Academy, and Shen Duheng said they did not need to stay together as their paths diverged.
• Shan Heyuan passed the third-grade planter examination, and Qi Yuanbai encouraged him to visit Sword Reverence Academy.
• Qi Yuanbai secured Shan Heyuan a stall in the Supreme Harmony Sect’s square so he could sell his spirit herbs before traveling.
• Shan Heyuan brought nearly four thousand spirit herbs to the market, where Qi Yuanbai, Jiu Mingyue, He Mingqing, Zhong Shuran, Zhao Changming, and Li Jiamu helped him sell them.
• A crowd gathered around Shan Heyuan’s stall, drawn by his reputation and the quality and reasonable prices of his spirit herbs.

Shan Heyuan sold all his Spirit Herbs and spent much of his earnings on two space stones, commissioning a matching pair of storage bracelets for himself and Shen Duheng. He kept the gift secret until the bracelets were finished, then presented them to Shen Duheng, who began inspecting them.

• Shan Heyuan sold out of Spirit Herbs in the morning and spent the afternoon browsing stalls.
• Shan Heyuan bought two space stones after Zhao Changming explained they could be made into a matching pair of storage Law Artifacts.
• Shan Heyuan commissioned a pair of men's storage bracelets and asked his friends to keep the purchase secret.
• The artifact refiner completed the bracelets, each with enough space to hold an entire Supreme Harmony Sect square.
• Shan Heyuan presented one bracelet to Shen Duheng and explained that he had bought the pair for them to share.

Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng left their courtyard and friends behind to travel to Sword Reverence City, where Shan Heyuan was due to join the Sword Reverence Sect. After a smooth journey by Luan carriage, they arrived at the vast city and flew toward its outskirts.

• Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng decided to travel to Sword Reverence City together for Shan Heyuan's December 1 report to the Sword Reverence Sect.
• Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng left their courtyard and found Zhong Shuran, Zhao Changming, Li Jiamu, He Mingqing, Jiu Mingyue, Qi Yuanbai, and Ma Rupei gathered to see them off.
• Zhong Shuran poured a farewell drink, and Shan Heyuan thanked everyone before he and Shen Duheng boarded the Luan carriage.
• Shan Heyuan watched mountains, rivers, and sparse settlements pass below, then fell asleep during the journey.
• Shen Duheng woke Shan Heyuan when they reached Sword Reverence City, and the two tipped the carriage driver before flying toward the city's outskirts.

Shan Heyuan arrived in Sword Reverence City with Shen Duheng and settled into the courtyard assigned to him. He reported to Sword Reverence Academy, where Tong Liangji gave him his identity jade tablet and explained his teaching assistant duties in the Planting Institute.

• Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng entered Sword Reverence City and rode an enlarged orange cat to the courtyard arranged by the Supreme Harmony Sect.
• Shan Heyuan and Shen Duheng settled into the empty courtyard, then went out for dinner and explored the neighborhood.
• Shan Heyuan contacted Tong Liangji, who welcomed his arrival and asked him to report to the academy.
• Tong Liangji gave Shan Heyuan an identity jade tablet and took him by sword to the Planting Institute.
• Tong Liangji told Shan Heyuan to oversee the Spirit Plants and answer disciples' questions in Orchid's Bing and Ding class gardens.

After settling into his teaching-assistant job at Sword Reverence Academy, Shan Heyuan woke from a frightening dream about cats and dogs and was comforted by Shen Duheng. The next morning, he reached the Planting Institute and began learning about the classes and his duties managing Spirit Plants.

• Tong Liangji showed Shan Heyuan around the Planting Institute, completed his hiring formalities, and invited him to dinner with the academy staff.
• On his way home, Shan Heyuan summoned a spirit dog in the western district, learned about the cats' and dogs' territories, and rode home through the city.
• Shan Heyuan awoke sweating from a dream about kittens and puppies, and Shen Duheng brought him sweet soup to calm him.
• Shan Heyuan traveled by flying sword to the academy, following the designated route despite his shaky flying skills.
• Shan Heyuan spoke with Jiang Zhi and Li Jian, received materials about their classes, and met the students he would assist.

Shan Heyuan restored the neglected Spirit Plant gardens at Sword Reverence Academy and began clearing the courtyard at home for planting. After Shen Duheng precisely cut down the weeds, Shan Heyuan used an improved soil-turning Spirit Artifact to prepare the soil, leaving the courtyard ready for crops.

• Shan Heyuan inspected the neglected gardens for Classes C and D, then used the Spring Transformation Art to nurse their Spirit Plants back toward health.
• Shan Heyuan settled into his teaching assistant job and began writing to his friends about his new work and colleagues.
• Shan Heyuan started clearing the overgrown courtyard, and Shen Duheng used his spirit sword to cut the weeds precisely at ground level.
• Shan Heyuan demonstrated the academy's soil-turning Spirit Artifact, which sifted and sterilized the courtyard soil using high heat.
• Shan Heyuan finished preparing the soil and checked his potted plants grown from fallen leaves and broken branches.

Shan Heyuan transplanted Spirit Plants and later used the Illusionless Tree to cultivate, with Shen Duheng guarding him. After enduring the surge of Spiritual Power, Shan Heyuan still could not master the next move of the Spring Transformation Art.

• Shan Heyuan planted Foundation Establishment-grade Spirit Plants in his courtyard and nourished them with spirit liquid.
• Shan Heyuan slipped on the frosty ground, recovered his balance, and laughed with Shen Duheng, who watched from a window.
• Shan Heyuan restored and planted the wilted Flying Swan Grass, then struggled to choose another Spirit Plant to use.
• Shen Duheng suggested the Illusionless Tree, and Shan Heyuan decided to put it in his Dantian while Shen stood guard.
• The Illusionless Tree released dense Spiritual Qi through Shan Heyuan, who cultivated until the energy settled and spread through the courtyard's Spirit Plants.
• Shan Heyuan told Shen Duheng he could not find a way to practice Return a Plum for a Peach.

Shan Heyuan struggled to understand the Spring Transformation Art and then learned that two disciples had been poisoned while investigating the Dead Realm. Huai Liu distributed Verdant Dwelling Grass seeds to the Planting Institute staff, hoping they could grow the antidote ingredient and save the disciples.

• Shan Heyuan set aside his attempt to decipher the Spring Transformation Art, and Shen Duheng promised to look for a clearer copy.
• Cats and dogs gathered in Shan Heyuan's courtyard to bask in its abundant Spiritual Qi, while Shan Heyuan's cultivation neared the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
• Shan Heyuan saw two poisoned disciples being carried to the director's office and learned from Jiang Zhi that Huai Liu was an expert in poisons.
• Huai Liu summoned the Planting Institute staff and explained that two disciples poisoned while investigating the Dead Realm needed Verdant Dwelling Grass for an antidote.
• Huai Liu gave the staff seeds and asked them to grow Verdant Dwelling Grass to save the disciples whose lives were hanging by a thread.