Chapter Summaries

Lin Xuan finished tempering the Azure Phantom Nether Fire and calmed the disciples of Spirit Herb Mountain when tremors announced that Perfected Master Tongyu had begun condensing a Nascent Soul. The six law-enforcement elders gathered with Lin Xuan to observe the breakthrough, while Xu Jinqing sensed that the long-awaited process had finally started.

• Lin Xuan completed nearly ninety days of tempering the Azure Phantom Nether Fire, which had gathered a trace of absolute poison qi.
• When the mountain shook, Lin Xuan used the Golden Cauldron Record to reassure Spirit Herb Mountain's disciples and order them to guard against outside enemies.
• The six law-enforcement elders arrived, and Lin Xuan exchanged courteous greetings with them while quietly noting the aloof elder surnamed Hu.
• The elders sensed the breakthrough beginning and released their divine sense to observe it.
• Xu Jinqing realized that Perfected Master Tongyu had begun condensing a Nascent Soul in a hidden gorge near the Spirit Vein's springhead.

As Perfected Master Tongyu’s Nascent Soul formed, a spiritual-power tribulation gathered over Spirit Herb Mountain, forcing Lin Xuan, Shen Aotian, and Xu Jinqing to organize the sect’s defenses. The Five Elements Water Wave Array blocked the first attacks, but the Fire Cloud continued gathering power for a worse strike.

• Lin Xuan recognized that the gathering red spiritual power signaled a tribulation and ordered the Core Condensation Realm elders to assemble and Grandmaster to be summoned.
• Xu Jinqing realized Tongyu’s Nascent Soul had formed and flew to the canyon to help coordinate the response.
• Shen Aotian directed disciples to reinforce the sect-protecting formation with spirit stones, while Lin Xuan and Shen Aotian deferred command to Xu Jinqing.
• Tongyu continued stabilizing his newly formed Nascent Soul in the canyon, unable to spare power to confront the tribulation himself.
• The first pillar of flame struck the Five Elements Water Wave Array and was blocked, but a volley of thicker flames drained the barrier and forced disciples to replace tens of thousands of crystal stones.
• Lin Xuan sensed spiritual power still gathering after the Fire Cloud briefly calmed and feared an even more terrifying attack was coming.

A vast spiritual power tribulation overwhelmed Spirit Herb Mountain’s Sect Protection Array, forcing Lin Xuan and the Core Condensation Realm elders to defend the mountain. After they repelled the first wave, the Fire Cloud condensed into a legendary Bi Fang, leaving them facing a more dangerous attack.

• The Fire Cloud expanded over Spirit Herb Mountain and unleashed fireballs and pillars of flame that nearly destroyed the Sect Protection Array.
• Lin Xuan suggested sending the low-level disciples back to their cave residences, and Xu Jinqing ordered them to evacuate the area.
• After the protective membrane collapsed, Shen Aotian and the Core Condensation Realm elders attacked the falling flames with their magic treasures.
• Lin Xuan used the Floating Cloud Falling Snow Sword to intercept a fireball while the elders held off the first wave.
• The Fire Cloud continued growing, then compressed into a giant firebird resembling the legendary Bi Fang.

Perfected Master Tongyu completed his Nascent Soul tribulation while Xu Jinqing lured the fire-attribute demon bird away from the sect. After dismissing the other elders, Tongyu took Lin Xuan and Shen Aotian to help Xu Jinqing.

• Xu Jinqing struck the demon bird Bi Fang, then led it away from the gorge as it pursued him.
• Perfected Master Tongyu stabilized his Nascent Soul and emerged from the gorge after sensing the disturbance.
• Lin Xuan observed the elders' reactions and hid his composure from Shen Aotian by pretending to be anxious.
• Perfected Master Tongyu appeared before the gathered cultivators, accepted their congratulations, and dismissed everyone except Lin Xuan and Shen Aotian.
• Perfected Master Tongyu led Lin Xuan and Shen Aotian toward the distant battle to help Xu Jinqing.

Lin Xuan and Shen Aotian watched Xu Jinqing and Perfected Master Tongyu defeat and kill Bi Fang, then secure its Fire Spirit Pearl. As the two Nascent Soul cultivators returned, a powerful aura approached, leaving Lin Xuan and the others turning toward its source.

• Lin Xuan and Shen Aotian approached the battle and felt the aura field from the clash between Xu Jinqing, Perfected Master Tongyu, and Bi Fang.
• Perfected Master Tongyu joined Xu Jinqing, and the two Nascent Soul cultivators weakened Bi Fang until it tried to flee.
• Xu Jinqing and Perfected Master Tongyu trapped Bi Fang with their treasures and killed it after it spat out its Fire Spirit Pearl.
• Perfected Master Tongyu offered the Fire Spirit Pearl to Xu Jinqing, but Xu Jinqing told him to keep it for his cultivation.
• Lin Xuan wondered why his master had brought him and Shen Aotian to watch, then sensed a powerful aura approaching.

After Perfected Master Tongyu formed his Nascent Soul, Azure Cloud Mountain delivered him an invitation to meet at Nine Dragon Pool. Meanwhile, the righteous sects’ elders debated cooperating with the Supreme Demon of Extreme Evil against Yinhun, and Thunder Cloud Villa’s Ma Changqing reluctantly accepted the alliance.

• Lei He arrived from Azure Cloud Mountain and invited Perfected Master Tongyu to a meeting at Nine Dragon Pool on the first day of next month.
• Perfected Master Tongyu accepted the invitation, and Lei He departed without staying at Spirit Herb Mountain.
• Spirit Herb Mountain celebrated Tongyu’s Nascent Soul formation while Yinhun temporarily slowed its attacks.
• Taixu Master, Elder Zhao, Ancestor Yuanjue, and Ma Changqing gathered at Azure Cloud Mountain to discuss joining forces with the Supreme Demon of Extreme Evil against Yinhun.
• Ma Changqing agreed to the alliance after the other elders supported it, though a strange light flashed through his eyes.

Green-Robed Ancestor and Taixu Master plotted to exploit tensions between the sects, but learned that Tong Yu had formed a Nascent Soul and reconsidered their plan. At Heavenly Demon City, the Supreme Demon of Extreme Evil met Blood Demon Venerable, whose history with Lin Xuan and Tian Xiaojian revealed how the two demons came to face each other.

• Green-Robed Ancestor urged Taixu Master to use Ma Changqing's hatred of Demon Cultivators to further Azure Cloud Mountain's interests, and Taixu Master agreed to make Thunder Cloud Villa the scapegoat if their scheme was exposed.
• Taixu Master received Lei He's report that Tong Yu had formed a Nascent Soul, prompting Green-Robed Ancestor to reconsider their plan; Taixu Master revealed that Red-Haired Ancestor had joined Azure Cloud Mountain but was possessing a new body.
• At Holy Demon Peak, the Supreme Demon of Extreme Evil learned that Tong Yu had formed a Nascent Soul and went to meet Blood Demon Venerable.
• The chapter recounted how Lin Xuan foiled Blood Demon Venerable's blood sacrifice and moved Spirit Herb Mountain's Branch Altar, leaving the weakened Blood Demon trapped without cultivators' essence blood.
• Tian Xiaojian discovered Blood Demon Venerable's cave and fought him, but the Blood Demon gained the upper hand until Tian Xiaojian broke a bracelet containing an incarnation treasure.
• The Supreme Demon of Extreme Evil's Primordial Spirit emerged from Tian Xiaojian's treasure to possess him and confront Blood Demon Venerable.

The Supreme Demon of Extreme Evil negotiated with the Blood Demon for insights that could help him reach the Nascent Soul Late Stage, while demanding a magical safeguard in return. The Blood Demon surrendered one soul and one spirit but secretly planned to turn the tables.

• The Supreme Demon of Extreme Evil brought the weakened Blood Demon to his cave residence after defeating and sealing him.
• The Blood Demon claimed that a million years of contemplation had revealed a way to bypass the bottleneck to the Nascent Soul Late Stage.
• The Supreme Demon of Extreme Evil agreed to provide cultivators' essence blood in exchange for the Blood Demon's cultivation insights and demanded that he place one soul and one spirit in a Soul-Restricting Tablet.
• The Blood Demon angrily resisted but accepted the demand after the Supreme Demon threatened to keep him imprisoned until his lifespan ended.
• The Blood Demon imprinted his insights onto a Jade Slip, and the Supreme Demon promised to have essence blood delivered.
• After the Supreme Demon left, the Blood Demon privately resolved that the tablet would not necessarily make him the subordinate.

Lin Xuan and Perfected Master Tongyu traveled to Nine Dragon Pool for an alliance meeting about the Yinhun invasion. On the way, Shen Aotian revealed that the seemingly unremarkable Nine Dragon Sect had endured for a million years because its founding ancestor was a Lihe-stage cultivator.

• Perfected Master Tongyu, Lin Xuan, Shen Aotian, and Fu Qingquan arrived near Nine Dragon Mountain on their way to the alliance meeting.
• Lin Xuan observed that Nine Dragon Mountain had escaped the devastation affecting the rest of You Province.
• Shen Aotian explained that Nine Dragon Mountain had remained untouched for nearly a million years and traced its history to the Nine Dragon Sect.
• Shen Aotian said the Nine Dragon Sect had been passed down since the primordial era and was founded by Nine Dragon Heavenly Venerable.
• Shen Aotian confirmed that Nine Dragon Heavenly Venerable had reached the Lihe stage.

Perfected Master Tongyu explained why Separation and Union Realm cultivators often remained in the Human Realm and revealed how the Nine Dragon Sect began. He then traced the sect’s special standing to the Primordial Era war against demon monsters, whose enemies summoned beings from an upper realm.

• Lin Xuan questioned Shen Aotian’s claim that the Nine Dragon Heavenly Venerable had remained in the Human Realm after reaching the Separation and Union Realm, and Perfected Master Tongyu confirmed it.
• Perfected Master Tongyu explained that most Separation and Union Realm cultivators feared the deadly Three-Nine Heavenly Tribulation and lacked the resources to advance while staying in the Human Realm.
• Perfected Master Tongyu said the Nine Dragon Heavenly Venerable founded the Nine Dragon Sect after realizing he could not safely undergo tribulation and choosing to pass down his cultivation arts.
• Lin Xuan asked why the Nine Dragon Sect’s territory had remained untouched, and Perfected Master Tongyu connected its status to the Primordial Era war between cultivators and demon monsters.
• Perfected Master Tongyu revealed that the demon monsters had summoned beings from an upper realm equal in standing to the Spirit World.

Perfected Master Tongyu told Lin Xuan and Shen Aotian how Nine Dragon Heavenly Venerable defeated the upper-realm Three Yin Bone Demon and saved the Human World. He explained that the Nine Dragon Sect survived not only because of its founder’s legacy, but because Nine Dragon Mountain served as a neutral buffer zone, leaving Lin Xuan to wonder what secrets the ancient sect might hold.

• Perfected Master Tongyu explained that Demon Monsters had summoned the upper-realm Three Yin Bone Demon, who overwhelmed human and Demon Race cultivators.
• Perfected Master Tongyu recounted how Nine Dragon Heavenly Venerable challenged the Bone Demon to a duel and sacrificed himself to destroy the demon.
• Perfected Master Tongyu said humans and demonic beasts defeated the remaining Demon Monsters and granted the Nine Dragon Sect the territory around Nine Dragon Mountain.
• Lin Xuan questioned why the Nine Dragon Sect still held its land, and Perfected Master Tongyu explained that the major powers preserved it as a neutral buffer zone.
• Lin Xuan wondered whether the Nine Dragon Sect’s ancient history concealed an extraordinary treasure or secret.

With the Yinhun invasion threatening You Province, the Nine Dragon Sect prepared to host an alliance meeting and received four powerful guests from Spirit Herb Mountain. He Chi recognized Lin Xuan and escorted the group toward the sect's Post House.

• The Nine Dragon Sect prepared its Post House and patrols for the alliance meeting as the Yinhun invasion spread through You Province.
• Two patrolling disciples spotted four approaching cultivators and went to meet them after sending a Sound Transmission Talisman.
• Mo He probed the guests with his divine sense, and He Chi arrived and rebuked him for his rudeness.
• He Chi recognized Perfected Master Tongyu and Lin Xuan, apologized to Lin Xuan on Mo He's behalf, and invited the guests to the Post House.

Lin Xuan arrived at Nine Dragon Mountain for the gathering and went to Cuiyun Valley to learn about the region. After hearing that Baishan Hall was for sale, he planned to buy it as a secret shop and a safe place for Liu Xin and Lu Ying'er, then sent Yue'er to bring them there discreetly.

• Perfected Master Tongyu and Lin Xuan's group reached Tianyun Peak, where the Nine Dragon Sect's sect master welcomed them and escorted them to the prepared Post House.
• Perfected Master Tongyu entered seclusion to stabilize his Nascent Soul, while Lin Xuan flew to Cuiyun Valley and concealed his cultivation as Foundation Establishment Early Stage.
• Lin Xuan searched the busy market city for information but heard little of use until he learned that the longstanding Baishan Hall medicine shop was for sale.
• Lin Xuan decided to acquire Baishan Hall as a Secret Shop for purchasing ancient formulas and Waste Pills, and as a place for Liu Xin and Lu Ying'er to live apart from Spirit Herb Mountain.
• Lin Xuan told Yue'er to bring Liu Xin and Lu Ying'er to Nine Dragon Mountain secretly and make their departure look like an accident; Yue'er set off with the Mandarin Duck Blades.

Lin Xuan bought Baishan Hall from the Zheng family and arranged to keep its shopkeeper and assistants employed. After waiting at the shop, he reunited with Yue'er, who brought Ying'er and Liu Xin to him.

• Lin Xuan visited Baishan Hall and learned that the Zheng family was selling the shop because it had encountered trouble.
• Lin Xuan negotiated with Shopkeeper Yu, agreed to buy Baishan Hall for thirty thousand crystals, and offered Yu and the five assistants higher annual pay.
• Lin Xuan completed the sale with the Zheng family, filed the shop deed, and stayed in Baishan Hall to wait for Yue'er.
• Yue'er returned after a little over one night with Ying'er and Liu Xin, whose cultivation had advanced rapidly under Lin Xuan's support.

Lin Xuan left Yue'er, Lu Ying'er, and Liu Xin with plans to collect Waste Pills, then flew to Mist Hidden Peak for a cultivation gathering. On the way, he saw Tian Xiaojian fighting three Core Condensation Realm cultivators and recognized the rare Nether Heart-Shattering Sword he wielded.

• Yue'er explained that she had used illusions to stage an outside attack at Spirit Herb Mountain and carry Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin away.
• Lin Xuan explained his Waste Pills plan to the two women, left them pills and crystal stones, and departed Cuiyun Valley for Mist Hidden Peak.
• Lin Xuan spotted four Core Condensation Realm cultivators battling near Mist Hidden Peak and saw one young man overwhelm the other three.
• Lin Xuan recognized the young man as Tian Xiaojian, the Young Master of Extreme Demon Cave, and noticed his Green Edge Sword damaged the opposing treasures.
• Yue'er identified Tian Xiaojian's weapon as the Nether Heart-Shattering Sword, a rare treasure Lin Xuan had once considered refining before choosing the Nine Heavens Bright Moon Ring.

Lin Xuan encountered Tian Xiaojian fighting three cultivators and chose to help him rather than let them expose their connection. He attacked the cultivators, while Tian Xiaojian thanked him but stayed wary and kept his distance.

• Lin Xuan recalled how Tian Xiaojian had been stranded in the far north, where he obtained Nether Cold Iron and a rare spirit liquid.
• Lin Xuan sensed no nearby Nascent Soul Cultivator and discovered Tian Xiaojian battling three cultivators.
• Tian Xiaojian called Lin Xuan his big brother, confusing the three cultivators and prompting Guangchengzi to question Lin Xuan's ties to the demonic path.
• Guangchengzi urged Lin Xuan to prove his innocence by helping kill Tian Xiaojian, but Lin Xuan confirmed their friendship and attacked the three cultivators with his sword lights.
• Tian Xiaojian thanked Lin Xuan for intervening, then quietly produced an Ancient Treasure and retreated several zhang, remaining on guard.

Lin Xuan and Tian Xiaojian joined forces against three cultivators, then exchanged wary pleasantries after defeating them. A distant thunderous boom and the sudden disruption of spiritual energy left them suspecting that multiple Nascent Soul Realm cultivators had begun fighting before the alliance meeting.

• Lin Xuan attacked Guangchengzi and two other cultivators while Tian Xiaojian kept them occupied.
• Guangchengzi fled, but Lin Xuan killed him with the Floating Cloud Falling Snow Sword and took his Storage Bag.
• Tian Xiaojian trapped the other two cultivators in a demonic cloud and killed them while Lin Xuan watched.
• Lin Xuan and Tian Xiaojian exchanged cautious greetings and agreed to go to the gathering together.
• A distant boom disrupted the spiritual energy, and Lin Xuan and Tian Xiaojian suspected Nascent Soul Realm cultivators were fighting.

Lin Xuan and Tian Xiaojian tried to avoid a battle between Nascent Soul cultivators, but they encountered Peacock Fairy fleeing after Taixu Master, old monster Ma, and Ancestor Yuanjue attacked her. Peacock Fairy escaped by using a secret technique that carried severe future repercussions.

• Lin Xuan and Tian Xiaojian sensed a Nascent Soul-level battle nearby and decided to hurry toward Mist Hidden Peak rather than investigate.
• Peacock Fairy fled toward them after Taixu Master, old monster Ma, and Ancestor Yuanjue attacked her in You Province.
• Taixu Master attacked Peacock Fairy because he blamed her for beating him in the Fallen Region, and old monster Ma and Ancestor Yuanjue joined the fight for the chance to kill her and claim her treasures.
• The three Nascent Soul cultivators and their Core Condensation Realm disciples overwhelmed Peacock Fairy, who failed to escape using several stratagems.
• Peacock Fairy used a secret technique with enormous future repercussions to raise her cultivation and barely escape.

Lin Xuan escaped the pursuing Nascent Soul cultivators after splitting from Tian Xiaojian, while Peacock Fairy was cornered by Ancestor Yuanjue and two allies. She invoked the power of the Peacock Great Wisdom King, opened a crack in the sky, and fled through it, leaving her pursuers stunned.

• Lin Xuan and Tian Xiaojian split up to escape their pursuer, and Lin Xuan later increased his speed with Yue'er and the Beast Soul Banner.
• Ancestor Yuanjue pursued Peacock Fairy in the Wind Fire Cart while Taixu Master and another Nascent Soul cultivator joined him, intent on killing her and claiming her treasures.
• Peacock Fairy exhausted her escape arts, suffered injuries, and decided to risk a forbidden technique rather than be captured.
• Peacock Fairy summoned the power of the Peacock Great Wisdom King and used her Demon Core to open a crack in the sky.
• Peacock Fairy entered the crack, and Ancestor Yuanjue, Taixu Master, and their companion were shocked to witness her apparent void-shattering escape.

Peacock Fairy escaped the Nascent Soul cultivators by tearing open space, but she reappeared near Lin Xuan and attacked him. Lin Xuan blocked her first strike, and her injuries flared before she could attack again.

• Taixu Master, Brother Ma, and Ancestor Yuanjue searched for Peacock Fairy, found no trace of her, and returned in frustration.
• Lin Xuan and Yue'er fled more than two hundred li using the Combined Evasion Technique, then Yue'er rested in his sleeve.
• A spatial fissure opened near Lin Xuan, and Peacock Fairy emerged, weakened by using the Peacock Great Wisdom King’s power.
• Lin Xuan tried to flee, but Peacock Fairy attacked him with five-colored rosy light.
• Lin Xuan used the Nine Heavens Spirit Shield and Azure Phantom Nether Fire to block her strike, but Peacock Fairy’s injuries suddenly flared.