Recaps

Lin Xuan guarded himself against spying while refining the Nine Suns Heaven-Returning Pill, then discovered that purifying the failed pills with the Blue Star Sea was harder than expected. After two failed attempts, he adjusted his approach and finally purified a pill as dawn broke.

• Lin Xuan set up additional formations in the Alchemy Chamber and began refining the Nine Suns Heaven-Returning Pill while Ouyang Qinxin guarded the entrance.
• Taixu Master learned that Martial Nephew Feng could not see into the chamber, and decided not to risk disturbing Lin Xuan.
• After three days, Lin Xuan completed the pill-refining attempt, producing nine black Waste Pills.
• Lin Xuan entered his Sandalwood Random Box and tried to purify a Waste Pill with the Blue Star Sea, but his first two attempts failed.
• Lin Xuan rested, carefully reviewed the failed attempts, and eventually purified a pill as the sky began to brighten.

Lin Xuan emerged after refining a pill for Taixu Master, accepted an invitation to stay overnight, and was given the Purple Dragon Cauldron. A Sound Transmission Talisman then brought Taixu Master startling news, leaving Lin Xuan wondering what had happened.

• Ouyang Qinxin stopped Senior Brother Feng from entering Lin Xuan’s pill-refining chamber, and Lin Xuan emerged with the medicinal pill successfully refined.
• Lin Xuan gave the pill to Senior Brother Feng, who invited him to stay overnight while he reported to Taixu Master.
• Lin Xuan and Ouyang Qinxin shared tea and discussed their cultivation experiences through the night.
• Taixu Master arrived looking fully recovered, thanked Lin Xuan, and gifted him the Purple Dragon Cauldron.
• A Sound Transmission Talisman reached Taixu Master, whose expression changed with shock, puzzlement, joy, and wariness after he read it.

After helping Ouyang Qinxin, Lin Xuan left Five Finger Mountain while Taixu Master welcomed the bodyless Red-Haired Ancestor into Azure Cloud Mountain. Lin Xuan rested in the fallen territory and studied a map as he considered his next move.

• Lin Xuan said farewell to Ouyang Qinxin and flew away from Five Finger Mountain.
• Taixu Master met Red-Haired Ancestor, whose Nascent Soul had survived the destruction of his body and pursuit by the Yinhun.
• Red-Haired Ancestor joined Azure Cloud Mountain, and Taixu Master promised to find him a suitable physical body within half a month.
• Lin Xuan flew more than a hundred li before stopping to rest and cautiously examine his surroundings.
• Lin Xuan studied a map of the fallen territory and learned that forces across You Province were gathering spirit stones and treasures there.

Lin Xuan reached the area where Spirit Herb Mountain’s branch altar was supposed to be and encountered Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin fleeing from it. After stopping the two disciples and questioning them, he learned they claimed to have no intention of betraying the sect, but their urgent fear of something behind them left the reason for their flight unresolved.

• Lin Xuan decided to visit Spirit Herb Mountain’s nearby branch altar after obtaining the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Crystal and other treasures on Azure Cloud Mountain.
• Lin Xuan searched the forested area for the branch altar but found no signs of formations, then waited and sensed two low-ranked cultivators approaching.
• Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin tried to flee, saying they could not stay there much longer, and Lu Ying'er prepared to carry them away on her flying sword.
• Lin Xuan appeared, seized Lu Ying'er's sword, and asked the frightened women about their connection to Spirit Herb Mountain.
• Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin gave their names and insisted they meant no betrayal, while Lu Ying'er began to explain why they were escaping.

Lin Xuan rescued Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin and learned that disciples had been mysteriously disappearing from Spirit Herb Mountain’s branch altar in the occupied region. The sisters had fled the altar, but Lin Xuan warned them that the surrounding region was too dangerous for them to cross alone, leaving them unsure what to do.

• Lin Xuan carried Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin far from Spirit Herb Mountain’s branch altar and asked them to explain their troubles.
• Lu Ying'er described how disciples had begun vanishing, and Liu Xin said the missing disciples were found dead with their bodies torn apart and their souls taken.
• Liu Xin explained that the disappearances continued despite the Core Condensation grandmasters’ investigation, and even Martial Uncle Zhao was killed.
• Liu Xin criticized the elders for keeping the branch altar in danger and punishing disciples who tried to leave; Lu Ying'er warned her against speaking ill of them.
• Lin Xuan questioned why the sisters had fled and warned that their cultivation was too weak to survive the occupied region’s Yinhun and Fierce Ghosts, leaving them at a loss.

Lin Xuan intervened when Spirit Herb Mountain Enforcement Envoys caught Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin, and his revealed Core Condensation cultivation forced them to back down. The envoys’ behavior suggested corruption at the Branch Altar, and Lin Xuan showed his identity token as he prepared to address the situation.

• Lin Xuan sensed the approaching Enforcement Envoys, while Lu Ying'er urged him to leave to avoid being drawn into her sect’s affairs.
• Cao Feng arrived with two other Foundation Establishment cultivators and accused Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin of betraying Spirit Herb Mountain.
• Cao Feng attacked the two women, but Lin Xuan blocked the strike with a Fire Snake.
• Cao Feng and the other envoys surrounded Lin Xuan and prepared to kill him, so Lin Xuan revealed his Core Condensation cultivation.
• Cao Feng begged for mercy and offered Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin to Lin Xuan, who recognized that the Branch Altar had serious problems.
• Lin Xuan produced a jade-green command talisman representing his identity.

Lin Xuan revealed himself as Spirit Herb Mountain’s Young Sect Master, then killed Cao Feng and sent his treasures after the two other Foundation Establishment cultivators who had served him. After the women escaped with him, he took them back to the Branch Altar, promising to handle the situation there.

• Lin Xuan showed his Young Sect Master talisman, and Cao Feng and the other two cultivators knelt to beg his forgiveness.
• Lin Xuan killed Cao Feng and sent his giant python treasure and refined corpses after the fleeing woman and scholar.
• Lu Ying'er thanked Lin Xuan for saving her and Liu Xin, and he explained that he had killed the three cultivators to prevent future trouble.
• Lin Xuan burned Cao Feng's corpse and told the two girls they were returning to the Branch Altar.
• Lin Xuan swept Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin into his azure light and flew away with them.

Lin Xuan arrived at Spirit Herb Mountain's Branch Altar and found the local leaders, Zhou Mian and Cao Yue, surrounded by an unexplained aura. He secured the release of two wanted disciples, then sealed himself inside a pavilion to investigate the Branch Altar's trouble before seeking treasures.

• Lin Xuan showed his command token to a group of disciples, who escorted him to the Branch Altar and summoned hundreds of cultivators to greet him.
• Lin Xuan met Zhou Mian and Cao Yue, learned that Tongyu was preparing to form his Nascent Soul, and discovered that another Core Condensation cultivator was away searching for a possible treasure site.
• Lin Xuan asked Zhou Mian to forgive the two women who had accompanied him, and Zhou Mian agreed.
• After Zhou Mian and Cao Yue left, Lin Xuan sensed a strange aura from them and suspected that the Branch Altar had a hidden problem.
• Lin Xuan searched the pavilion, set up protective formation flags, let Yue'er out of his sleeve, and began meditating while postponing his visit to the treasure vault.

Lin Xuan studied a divine ability from the Jade Slip before summoning Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin and asking them to bind themselves to him with a master-servant Blood Pact. After they agreed and completed the pact, he examined their Spirit Roots and promised that he could help them establish their foundations.

• Lin Xuan read the Jade Slip containing a divine ability obtained from Hundred Poisons Divine Lord and received a Sound Transmission Talisman from Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin.
• Lin Xuan told the two women he wanted them to become his personal subordinates, explaining that he was building a force loyal to himself rather than relying on his position as Young Sect Master.
• Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin agreed to serve Lin Xuan after he offered them cultivation guidance and benefits, and assured them he would erase their memories rather than kill them if they refused.
• Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin each surrendered a wisp of soul essence, and Lin Xuan completed the master-servant Blood Pact with them.
• Lin Xuan examined the women's Spirit Roots, found Lu Ying'er had a water attribute and Liu Xin had a metal attribute, and promised that Foundation Establishment would be within reach if they cultivated diligently.

Lin Xuan gave Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin cultivation techniques, pills, spirit stones, spiritual tools, and protective talismans, then explained to Yue'er why he had taken them in. He planned to use them to establish a secret shop that would collect ancient pill recipes and Waste Pills, leaving the operation in their hands as they grew stronger.

• Lin Xuan gave Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin top-tier cultivation techniques, mid-grade Marrow Cleansing Pills, one thousand spirit stones each, high-grade spiritual tools, and Earth-Grade Spirit Talismans.
• Lin Xuan told the two women to cultivate diligently and explained that their abilities were not yet strong enough to assist him, so they left the pavilion.
• Lin Xuan told Yue'er he had taken in Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin to help carry out a plan, not to build a sect or pursue power.
• Lin Xuan explained that he planned to open a secret shop to collect ancient pill recipes that could help his cultivation.
• Lin Xuan said the secret shop would also purchase Waste Pills because the war had changed You Province's cultivation world and cut off his usual supply.
• Lin Xuan planned to keep himself hidden while Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin developed their cultivation enough to manage the shop.

Lin Xuan continued studying the Ink Moon Tribe secret art while Zhou Mian and Cao Yue worried that his presence would disrupt their plans to provide disciples for a blood sacrifice. Zhou Mian recounted how they had awakened the ancient Blood Demon Venerable, whose body and power were now depleted, and how the Venerable had turned his attention to the couple.

• Lin Xuan closed his eyes and studied the secret art while Yue'er began meditating beside him.
• Cao Yue suggested killing Lin Xuan, but Zhou Mian refused because he was Tong Yu's prized disciple and the sect's young master.
• Zhou Mian told Cao Yue how they had discovered an ancient cave, opened its coffin, and been captured by the creature inside.
• Blood Demon Venerable claimed he was an ancient Nascent Soul cultivator who had fused with a demonic beast and survived in false death for a million years.
• Zhou Mian explained that Blood Demon Venerable had awakened them but was now physically decayed and nearly out of magical power, so he had set his sights on the couple.

Zhou Mian and Cao Yue worried about their demonic cultivation and Lin Xuan’s arrival, while Lin Xuan studied a poisonous flame technique from the Ancient Fragmentary Scripture. He chose to keep considering the dangerous method, which required consuming an Absolute Poison Pill.

• Zhou Mian reassured Cao Yue that the Devil Infant Art was worth the risks, and said he would seek mortal sacrifices instead of using sect disciples.
• Cao Yue reported that Liu Xin and Lu Ying'er had visited Lin Xuan, and Zhou Mian ordered them monitored while keeping the focus on Lin Xuan.
• Lin Xuan recognized the spies watching his pavilion but ignored them as he prepared poisonous herbs taken from Star Palace.
• Lin Xuan studied the poisonous flame technique in the Ancient Fragmentary Scripture and learned that it could threaten even powerful cultivators, but required an Absolute Poison Pill.
• Yue'er warned Lin Xuan against cultivating the dangerous technique, but Lin Xuan picked up the Jade Slip again and said he had other reasons to pursue it.

Lin Xuan refined an Absolute Poison Pill and endured its toxicity to prepare it for fusion with his Pure Yang Pill Fire. After a day of painstaking work, he completed the fusion, leaving a strange-colored flame floating before him.

• Lin Xuan told Yue'er he would risk consuming the Absolute Poison Pill to avoid weakening his cultivation resolve, and he began refining it in the Purple Dragon Cauldron.
• Lin Xuan finished refining the pills overnight, recovered his magic power, and swallowed one Absolute Poison Pill.
• Lin Xuan used the Jade Slip's secret method to contain and refine the poison inside his dantian over two days, then told Yue'er he needed to fuse it with his Pure Yang Pill Fire.
• Lin Xuan brought the poison mist and silver pill fire together and continually fed them magic power and pills as he worked to fuse them.
• After a full day of cultivation, Lin Xuan completed the fusion, producing a fist-sized flame of an unfamiliar color.

Lin Xuan cultivated the Azure Phantom Nether Fire while Zhou Mian and Cao Yue resumed their sacrifices to restore Blood Demon Venerable. The chapter ended with Lin Xuan achieving slight mastery of the fire as terror spread through the Branch Altar.

• Lin Xuan explained that the Azure Phantom Nether Fire would grow stronger as he refined the furnace of Absolute Poison Pills, then continued cultivating with Yue'er.
• Zhou Mian and Cao Yue watched Lin Xuan’s long seclusion and, after their own cultivation began to suffer, decided to resume their old plan.
• After Lin Xuan had been secluded for sixty days, disciples and Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators were killed in new attacks at the Branch Altar.
• Zhou Mian confronted Blood Demon Venerable at a cave, questioned his conspicuous killings, and watched as the Venerable enveloped him and Cao Yue in demonic mist.
• Lin Xuan completed his cultivation and achieved slight mastery of the Azure Phantom Nether Fire, which he considered a powerful trump card.

Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin were attacked by Blood Demon Venerable’s Spirit Division Puppet, but Yue'er arrived and unleashed the power of her black banner against it. The chapter left Yue'er's ghostly attack surging toward the puppet as its claw shadows met the exploding pythons.

• Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin reflected on how Lin Xuan’s pills and cultivation method had advanced their cultivation over the past two months.
• The Spirit Division Puppet broke into their stone house and attacked the Earth-Grade Spirit Talisman barrier with its Ghost Fork.
• The puppet transformed the Ghost Fork into a giant, skull-headed weapon and prepared to strike the weakening barrier.
• Yue'er appeared, summoned giant black pythons from her banner, and sent them toward the puppet.
• The pythons exploded into countless threads that wound toward the puppet and its claw shadows.

Lin Xuan arrived in time to subdue the Puppet attacking Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin, then praised their cultivation and offered them guidance. As he left at dawn, Yue'er warned him that Lu Ying'er seemed ambitious.

• Yue'er captured the Puppet with her Magic Banner after it attacked Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin.
• Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin realized Yue'er was a ghost, but Lin Xuan arrived and stopped Yue'er from frightening them.
• Lin Xuan praised Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin's progress, gave Lu Ying'er spiritual liquid, and answered their cultivation questions through the night.
• Lin Xuan left the women's stone house at dawn, and Yue'er warned him that Lu Ying'er had shown ambition.

Lin Xuan explained why he trusted Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin, then set out to investigate the hidden monster behind the attacks. He planned to capture Zhou Mian and Cao Yue and use Soul-Searching Technique to learn where the monster's true body was.

• Lin Xuan told Yue'er that Lu Ying'er would not betray him because of their Blood Pact and because betrayal would bring her no benefit.
• Lin Xuan explained that Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin's different talents would make them useful partners in managing his Secret Shop.
• Lin Xuan left the Branch Altar to seek the monster's true body, saying he would avenge the sect's slain disciples if he could do so safely.
• Lin Xuan told Yue'er that Zhou Mian and Cao Yue were absent from the Branch Altar and that he planned to seize them and use Soul-Searching Technique.
• Lin Xuan guessed that Zhou Mian and Cao Yue had gone to meet the Old Devil, whose true body might be unable to move because it was performing a ritual or had been injured.

Lin Xuan prepared an ambush for Zhou Mian and Cao Yue, then noticed their auras had grown increasingly demonic despite their rising power. As they entered his formation, Lin Xuan and Yue'er began their attack, leaving the couple surrounded and uncertain who had set the trap.

• Lin Xuan laid a formation in a wasteland and hid in a crude cave to wait for Zhou Mian and Cao Yue.
• Lin Xuan and Yue'er sensed that Zhou Mian and Cao Yue's auras had become more demonic since they last encountered them, though their cultivation had also strengthened.
• Zhou Mian and Cao Yue discussed the destruction of the Venerable's Spirit Division Puppet and feared the Young Sect Master had discovered their plan.
• Lin Xuan activated his formation as Zhou Mian and Cao Yue entered it, sending hundreds of fireballs down at them.
• Zhou Mian summoned a shield and Cao Yue used her Jade Hairpin to defend them, while Yue'er vanished and Lin Xuan summoned the Floating Cloud Falling Snow Sword.

Lin Xuan ambushed Zhou Mian and Cao Yue, then fought them as they unleashed demonic arts and powerful treasures. As Yue'er appeared beside Cao Yue and attacked at close range, Cao Yue could only raise a Spirit Power Shield to defend herself.

• Lin Xuan's attack struck Zhou Mian's shield, and Cao Yue used her Jade Hairpin to block a blue treasure's blow.
• Lin Xuan revealed himself and attacked Zhou Mian, who and Cao Yue responded with Blood Demon Venerable's evil arts.
• Cao Yue summoned her Mysterious Crystal Iron Mandarin Duck Blades, but Lin Xuan's shield and Jade Flute held them off.
• Yue'er appeared beside Cao Yue and spat out a thread of spiritual power at close range.
• Cao Yue hastily raised a Spirit Power Shield against Yue'er's attack.

Lin Xuan and Yue'er defeated Zhou Mian and Cao Yue, but Zhou Mian began showing signs of a strange qi deviation. Lin Xuan realized the crisis seemed different from ordinary qi deviation.

• Yue'er struck Cao Yue between the brows, sealed her magic power, and made her fall unconscious.
• Lin Xuan charged Zhou Mian and used the Azure Phantom Nether Fire to seize and melt his bonded magic treasure.
• Zhou Mian failed to recall the melting treasure and suffered a painful backlash when it was destroyed.
• Yue'er reunited with Lin Xuan and confirmed that Cao Yue was alive and restrained.
• Lin Xuan noticed Zhou Mian's demonic energy turning violent and recognized signs of qi deviation, though the symptoms seemed unusual.

Lin Xuan and Yue'er fought Zhou Mian as cultivation deviation transformed him into a powerful demonic monster. When Zhou Mian revealed a sinister black infant resembling a Nascent Soul, Lin Xuan and Yue'er faced a far greater threat than they had expected.

• Zhou Mian's body swelled and grew black-red armor and a bone spur as demonic qi transformed him.
• Lin Xuan struck Zhou Mian with the Floating Cloud Falling Snow Sword, and Zhou Mian smashed it aside with his fist, injuring his arm.
• Zhou Mian regenerated his arm and attacked with a black beam that became a centipede, while Lin Xuan countered with the Beast Soul Treasure's giant python.
• Lin Xuan and Yue'er joined forces, attacking Zhou Mian with the Gourd Artifact's nine fiery pillars and the Beast Soul Banner's beasts and spells.
• Zhou Mian hammered his chest and summoned a black infant with his likeness, frightening Lin Xuan and prompting Yue'er to suggest they flee.

Zhou Mian was transformed into a powerful demon and attacked Lin Xuan, who fought back with his Refined Corpses and treasures while Yue'er held the monster off. Lin Xuan prepared further defenses and attacks as Yue'er bought him time, but the battle remained unresolved.

• The Devil Infant entered Zhou Mian, transforming him into an armored monster with greatly increased strength.
• Lin Xuan summoned Refined Corpses and attacked Zhou Mian, while dodging the monster's enormous centipede-like projectile.
• Zhou Mian bound and devoured an Iron-Armored Refined Corpse, growing more ferocious, and Lin Xuan made two corpses self-detonate before recalling the survivors.
• Lin Xuan brought out several Ancient Treasures and jade-green flame as Yue'er repeatedly trapped Zhou Mian in demonic fog to keep him away.
• Yue'er continued delaying Zhou Mian despite the heavy toll on her magic power, giving Lin Xuan time to prepare.

Lin Xuan used the Spirit-Absorbing Mirror and Immortal Binding Ball to restrain Zhou Mian, then sent the Azure Phantom Nether Fire into his body and destroyed his demonized shell. Zhou Mian's Demon Infant escaped his body but was trapped by Yue'er, leaving Lin Xuan to seal it with a talisman.

• Lin Xuan distracted Zhou Mian with the Floating Cloud Falling Snow Sword, the Beast Soul Treasure, and the Spirit-Absorbing Mirror, then secretly used the Immortal Binding Ball to bind him.
• Lin Xuan transformed the Azure Phantom Nether Fire into a snake and sent it into Zhou Mian's mouth, where its poison began melting his body from within.
• Zhou Mian expelled his Demon Infant, and Lin Xuan burned the weakened demonized shell to dust.
• The Demon Infant fled, but Yue'er trapped it in a giant black net.
• Lin Xuan sent a talisman through the net and attached it to the Demon Infant's forehead.

After defeating the Devil Infant, Lin Xuan searched Cao Yue’s soul and learned that the crisis involved Blood Demon Venerable and the mysterious Devil Infant Art. He chose not to pursue the dangerous Nascent Soul demon, but left with the Mandarin Duck Blades for Yue'er and a strong interest in the new cultivation method.

• Lin Xuan wounded the Devil Infant with his Demon-Trapping Talisman and Sword Rays, then Yue'er captured it with the Beast Soul Banner.
• Lin Xuan used the Soul-Searching Technique on Cao Yue, killed her, and burned her corpse after learning what she knew.
• Lin Xuan discovered that Zhou Mian’s transformation involved Blood Demon Venerable and decided not to risk confronting the Nascent Soul demon for unknown treasures.
• Lin Xuan gave the Mandarin Duck Blades to Yue'er and focused on the Devil Infant Art, which created a realm between Core Condensation and Nascent Soul.

Lin Xuan decided to return to the Branch Altar to rescue Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin and recover its treasures, confident that Blood Demon Venerable could not leave Ancient Cave. When he arrived, he found the altar under attack by unfamiliar cultivators, while Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin faced a powerful Foundation Establishment opponent.

• Lin Xuan explained to Yue'er that he would return to the Branch Altar, rescue Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin, and arrange for the altar to relocate.
• Lin Xuan saw flames and fighting near the Branch Altar, then used his divine sense to discover brocade-robed cultivators attacking Spirit Herb Mountain's disciples.
• A crane-haired Core Condensation cultivator leading the attackers slaughtered Spirit Herb Mountain's Foundation Establishment cultivators with a giant axe.
• Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin killed a lecherous Foundation Establishment Early Stage opponent, but their success drew the attention of a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator.
• The Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator used blood essence to empower his flying sword with flames as Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin struggled to defend themselves.