Chapter Summaries

Haoshi City's elders responded to reports of two Nascent Soul-level beings fighting in the Gravel Wasteland, suspecting the clash might be connected to the impostor threatening the city. Meanwhile, Lin Xuan faced the Corpse Demon after it used a secret art to swell its corpse qi to a level nearing that of a late-stage great cultivator.

• A formation monitor reported immense spiritual power fluctuations seven thousand li southwest of Haoshi City, where two Nascent Soul-level beings appeared to be fighting.
• The grand elder sent Master Conghui and Fairy Mo to investigate, then ordered the other elders to inspect their subordinates for spies after the incident involving Zhang Yan.
• Lin Xuan was shocked when the Corpse Demon transformed into a towering monster with bone spikes and corpse qi exceeding his own spiritual power.
• Lin Xuan realized the Corpse Demon's secret art had raised its power near that of a late-stage great cultivator, though the Refined Corpse would be destroyed after several hours.
• Lin Xuan considered how the Second Primordial Spirit could be recreated more easily than a destroyed Second Nascent Soul, despite the loss of some vitality.

Lin Xuan defeated a powerful Demon Corpse with the Nine Heavens Bright Moon Ring, only to discover it was a Second Primordial Spirit and that its true body remained unknown. After hiding from two cultivators drawn by the battle, he watched a monk and a red-clad woman arrive at the scene.

• The Demon Corpse transformed and attacked, but Lin Xuan unleashed nearly a hundred ring shadows from the Nine Heavens Bright Moon Ring and crushed its defenses.
• Lin Xuan tried to extract the Demon Corpse’s Nascent Soul, but it revealed that it was only a Second Primordial Spirit; Lin Xuan then burned it to ashes and took its Storage Bag.
• Lin Xuan told Yue'er that the Demon Corpse’s true body was likely a late-stage cultivator and warned that Cloud Province’s cultivation world was unusually powerful.
• Sensing two approaching Nascent Soul cultivators, Lin Xuan concealed himself underground and used a Jade Luo Bee to observe them.
• A Buddhist monk and a red-clad woman arrived, identified the battle site, and began examining its traces.

Lin Xuan watched as Perfected Master Tongyu arrived at the Gravel Wasteland and was mistaken by two Haoshi City elders for the force behind a recent conflict. The chapter left Tongyu surrounded and pressured to return with them to Haoshi City, while Lin Xuan remained hidden and unsure how to intervene.

• Lin Xuan and Yue'er recognized the approaching Nascent Soul cultivator as Perfected Master Tongyu, Lin Xuan's master.
• Perfected Master Tongyu explained that he had come to the Gravel Wasteland to gather a rare spiritual herb and investigate the spiritual power fluctuations.
• The two Haoshi City elders, Master Conghui and Fairy Mo, grew suspicious of Tongyu despite his apparent lack of involvement.
• Fairy Mo moved behind Tongyu and demanded that he submit and accompany them to Haoshi City.
• Tongyu prepared himself for a fight as he realized he faced two Nascent Soul Cultivators, including Conghui, who was stronger than him.

Perfected Master Tongyu was cornered by Master Conghui and the Red-Clad Beauty over a suspected market killing and tried to escape using the Fragrant Divine Needle Talisman. Its power had nearly run out, and the two elders closed in on him again, leaving his fate uncertain as Lin Xuan watched from underground.

• Master Conghui and the Red-Clad Beauty demanded that Perfected Master Tongyu return to Haoshi City to answer for a market killing and treasure seizure, which he denied.
• Perfected Master Tongyu attacked the two elders and unleashed the Fragrant Divine Needle Talisman, which Master Conghui recognized as Master Divine Talisman's rare, repeatable spirit talisman.
• Master Conghui raised his kasaya as a defense and retreated, while the Red-Clad Beauty avoided the talisman's needles and sent her spirit beast's net toward Tongyu.
• Perfected Master Tongyu used a fiery immortal sword to tear the net apart, but the brief delay let the two elders surround him again.
• The Red-Clad Beauty mocked the talisman's weak attack, and Tongyu realized its power had nearly been exhausted after earlier use against a powerful demonic beast.
• Lin Xuan watched from underground as Tongyu remained trapped between the two elders.

Lin Xuan sent his Nascent Soul Realm Corpse Demon to rescue Perfected Master Tongyu from Conghui and the Red-Clad Beauty. With Conghui occupied by the Corpse Demon, an unseen ally told Tongyu to escape while they held off the remaining enemies.

• Perfected Master Tongyu refused Conghui’s offer of protection and prepared to face the Red-Clad Beauty’s giant silkworm.
• The Red-Clad Beauty attacked Tongyu with the silkworm as Conghui struck from behind with the Vajra of Great Strength Palm.
• Lin Xuan sent his Corpse Demon out from underground, and it intercepted Conghui’s palm strike.
• The Corpse Demon battled Conghui using Master Ku’s bone treasure while Tongyu recovered from the Red-Clad Beauty’s attack.
• An unseen voice told Tongyu to leave while it blocked the two enemies, startling him with its concealed presence.

Lin Xuan rescued Perfected Master Tongyu from Haoshi City's elders while concealing his identity, as the Fourth Elder of Li Soul Valley learned of Taowu's divided soul and sent Ghost Emperor Haotian to Haoshi City. Lin Xuan began to break off the battle after giving Tongyu time to escape.

• Lin Xuan and the Corpse Demon held off the Red-Clad Beauty and Master Conghui, allowing Perfected Master Tongyu to escape.
• The Fourth Elder of Li Soul Valley recovered from the destruction of his Corpse Demon Puppet and worried that the mysterious cultivator might disrupt his plan for the Asura Gate's opening.
• Ghost Emperor Haotian told the Fourth Elder that the Great Elder's treasure had sealed a divided soul of Taowu, then agreed to serve him in exchange for protection.
• The Fourth Elder gave Haotian Three Origin Cleansing Pills and ordered him to go to Haoshi City and investigate the mysterious cultivator.
• After waiting nearly half an hour for Tongyu to get away, Lin Xuan launched a ghostly Sword Qi attack at the Red-Clad Beauty and Master Conghui as they retreated.

Lin Xuan escaped the battle over Perfected Master Tongyu and decided to help Spirit Herb Mountain only if doing so remained safe. He returned to Haoshi City under an assumed identity and began looking for a temporary cave residence while staying hidden from the city’s leaders.

• Lin Xuan fled after the Red-Clad Beauty and Monk Conghui suspected his Ghost Path abilities resembled Tian Xiaojian’s, though they could not explain the apparent connection.
• On a distant mountain, Lin Xuan told Yue'er he might help Spirit Herb Mountain but would not risk his life, and chose to return to Haoshi City rather than go back to the sect.
• Lin Xuan approached Haoshi City from another direction and entered as a Nascent Soul Middle Stage rogue cultivator, receiving a jade pendant from the gate guard.
• Lin Xuan asked a patrol squad about renting a Spirit Vein and flew toward the buildings where cultivators could register for cave residences.

Lin Xuan visited Lingxu Hall in Haoshi City to find a cave residence and learned how the city assigned residences to cultivators of different realms. On the third floor, he sensed a familiar and overwhelming danger from one of five Nascent Soul cultivators, leaving him unsure of the man’s true identity.

• Lin Xuan arrived at Lingxu Hall and asked a steward about available spiritual lands and cave residences.
• The steward explained that Foundation Establishment cultivators rented residences at set prices, while Core Condensation cultivators obtained them through auctions.
• Lin Xuan asked how Nascent Soul cultivators obtained residences, and the steward led him to the third floor to speak with an elder.
• Lin Xuan entered a reception hall with five Nascent Soul cultivators and sensed extreme danger when one of them looked at him.
• Lin Xuan suspected the square-faced cultivator had disguised his appearance when his Demon Infant began trembling in the man’s presence.

Lin Xuan met Monk Conghui again in Haoshi City, where Conghui showed the visiting Nascent Soul cultivators available cave residences and invited them to join the city. Lin Xuan offered to join as a Rogue Cultivator from Qing Province, and the dangerous old monster also volunteered, leaving Conghui with two powerful newcomers to consider.

• Monk Conghui arrived and greeted Lin Xuan and the other Nascent Soul cultivators, without recognizing him.
• Conghui displayed Haoshi City's available Spirit Vein cave residences and described their benefits.
• Conghui recognized Madam Crane and invited her to join the city, but she refused.
• Lin Xuan expressed interest in joining and told Conghui he came from Qing Province.
• The dangerous old monster said that he would also join Haoshi City.

Lin Xuan settled into his new cave residence as an elder of Haoshi City and decided he might strike first against the mysterious cultivator Fang, who seemed hostile. Meanwhile, North Nether True Lord approved the decision to accept Lin Xuan and another Nascent Soul cultivator as elders, ordering that they be investigated and kept away from important affairs while they were tested.

• Lin Xuan reached his new cave residence, reinforced its restrictions with his own arrays, and remained puzzled by the hostile cultivator surnamed Fang and the Demon Infant's reaction to him.
• Lin Xuan told Yue'er that Fang was a threat and said he would look for an opportunity to kill him before Fang could act.
• The chapter revealed that North Nether True Lord was a half-demon whose human mother and Demon Race father had been killed after their relationship violated both races' rules.
• Monk Huicong visited North Nether True Lord and reported that he had accepted several Nascent Soul cultivators as elders, including Lin Xuan.
• North Nether True Lord approved Huicong's decision and ordered him to investigate the new elders, keep them from important affairs, and test them before trusting them.

Perfected Master Tongyu responded to the accusations against Spirit Herb Mountain by plotting a dangerous series of attacks that turned the great powers against one another. Lin Xuan suspected his master was behind the turmoil, stayed in Haoshi City to cultivate, and decided to eliminate the suspicious cultivator surnamed Fang.

• Perfected Master Tongyu and Xu Jinqing discussed Spirit Herb Mountain's danger after the Haoshi City robbery, then agreed to Tongyu's secret plan to muddy the waters.
• Attacks on Spirit Control Sect properties and a family protected by Li Soul Valley, followed by more assaults across southern Cloud Province, stirred suspicion among the sects.
• As the attacks continued and no Core Condensation cultivators were harmed, many people began to believe Spirit Herb Mountain had been framed, easing pressure on the sect.
• Lin Xuan guessed that Perfected Master Tongyu had orchestrated the attacks and chose to remain in Haoshi City while he searched for opportunities and prepared to cultivate.
• Lin Xuan decided to get rid of the cultivator surnamed Fang, whose proximity and past behavior made him feel dangerous.

Lin Xuan studied the Heaven Origin Array Book and successfully refined his first Formation Flag for the Three Talents Eight Trigrams Array, opening the way for him to learn Composite Arrays. A Sound Transmission Talisman summoned him to Haoshi City for an unexplained discussion, so he set out at once.

• Lin Xuan patiently waited while studying the Heaven Origin Array Book and practicing the Three Talents Eight Trigrams Array.
• Lin Xuan repeatedly failed to refine a Formation Flag, then successfully carved and assembled the first one.
• Lin Xuan realized that making the Formation Flag marked his first step into Composite Arrays and could aid his survival in the future.
• Lin Xuan received a Sound Transmission Talisman asking him to hurry to Haoshi City for a discussion.
• Lin Xuan lifted his cave residence’s restrictions and flew toward Haoshi City.

Lin Xuan and Fang were summoned to investigate a deadly cloud and mist spreading across Yunling Mountain, where hundreds of cultivators had vanished. Lin Xuan agreed after securing the Grand Elder’s promise of Nascent Soul body-tempering pill formulas, while privately considering the mission a chance to eliminate Fang.

• Lin Xuan arrived at Haoyan Pavilion and waited with the Grand Elder for Fang to arrive.
• The Grand Elder explained that a strange cloud and mist in Yunling Mountain had swallowed hundreds of cultivators, including five Enforcement Envoys whose Life-Bound Beads shattered.
• The Grand Elder offered Lin Xuan and Fang a century free from mundane duties if they investigated and resolved the danger.
• Lin Xuan asked for two or three Nascent Soul body-tempering pill formulas in exchange for accepting the mission.
• The Grand Elder agreed to provide the formulas after Lin Xuan returned, and Lin Xuan accepted while secretly plotting to kill Fang in the mist.

Lin Xuan and the Fang-surnamed cultivator left Haoyan Pavilion to inspect Yunling Mountain, while the old man revealed himself to be Blood Demon Venerable, who recognized Lin Xuan and coveted his Devil Infant and Nascent Soul. Blood Demon planned to kill Lin Xuan for the spirit medicine he could refine from both, and waited for an opportunity to strike while they were alone.

• Lin Xuan and the Fang-surnamed cultivator agreed with the Grand Elder to leave for Yunling Mountain immediately.
• Lin Xuan and the Fang-surnamed cultivator reached Yunling Mountain and went to ask nearby cultivators about the area.
• After Lin Xuan flew off to find someone, the Fang-surnamed cultivator revealed that he was Blood Demon Venerable and remembered Lin Xuan from their past encounter.
• Blood Demon Venerable recalled that Lin Xuan had reached the Nascent Soul Middle Stage and completed the Devil Infant Art, making him a rare target for a powerful spirit medicine.
• Blood Demon Venerable decided to kill Lin Xuan and take his twin infants, but planned to act cautiously because Lin Xuan was formidable.

Lin Xuan questioned the Seven Friends of Yun Mountain about the strange fog on Yunling Mountain and killed their leader when he lied about its cause. The survivors scattered, while Mo Nian decided to prey on a nearby young cultivator, unaware of the danger he might be courting.

• Lin Xuan confronted the Seven Friends of Yun Mountain and learned that cultivators were risking Yunling Mountain for its spiritual herbs.
• Lin Xuan sensed the old man's lie, used soul-searching on him, and killed him before letting the other six leave.
• Yue'er asked whether the survivors might seek revenge, and Lin Xuan dismissed the threat posed by their low cultivation.
• Mo Nian's history revealed that he and his sworn brothers had come to Yunling Mountain hoping to find treasures in an ancient cultivator site.
• After Lin Xuan killed their eldest brother, Mo Nian abandoned the treasure hunt and chose to rob a young cultivator dressed in white.

Tian Xiaojian, the young master of Separation Medicine Palace, reflected on his rise, his rivalry with Lin Xuan, and his investigation into the turmoil around Yunling Mountain. After Mo Nian tried to rob him, Tian Xiaojian destroyed the attacker’s spiritual artifact and learned that other Nascent Soul experts had come to the mountain.

• Mo Nian attacked Tian Xiaojian with a poisoned Calligraphy Brush, believing him to be a low-level cultivator.
• Tian Xiaojian recalled how he had risen from the Young Master of Ultimate Evil to become Separation Medicine Palace’s favored young master, while remaining wary of Lin Xuan.
• Tian Xiaojian had secretly sent Separation Medicine Palace disciples to hunt Lin Xuan by exploiting the hostility of his senior brothers and sisters.
• Tian Xiaojian traveled to investigate the deaths and strange events around Yunling Mountain, concealing his cultivation as he went.
• Tian Xiaojian melted Mo Nian’s Calligraphy Brush with devilish qi, and Mo Nian begged for his life.
• Tian Xiaojian asked Mo Nian whether other Nascent Soul Realm experts had come to Yunling Mountain.

Tian Xiaojian learned from Mo Nian that Lin Xuan was alive and had formed his Nascent Soul, then headed into Yunling Mountain to find him. Meanwhile, cultivators of many ranks gathered at the mountain and entered its deadly white mist in pursuit of rumored ancient treasures.

• Tian Xiaojian used a Law-Breaking Ghost Beast to stop Mo Nian's escape, searched his soul, and let the beast devour him.
• Tian Xiaojian learned that Lin Xuan was alive and had formed his Nascent Soul, then flew toward the depths of Yunling Mountain to meet him.
• Several Core Condensation Realm cultivators argued over the danger and rumors of ancient ruins before preparing to enter the mist together.
• Hundreds of Core Condensation cultivators and then several Nascent Soul Realm cultivators entered the white mist, including Master Conghui and Fairy Mo, whom Haoshi City's grand elder had sent to investigate the treasure rumors.

North Nether True Lord met with a Nascent Soul Late Stage Demon Monster and agreed to help bring the Devil Ancestor’s divided soul into the Human World in exchange for a chance to reach the upper realm. He demanded a Life and Death Pact to secure the Demon Monster’s promise, and the chapter ended with him asking why the Devil Ancestor planned to descend.

• North Nether True Lord and a Demon Monster discussed using thousands of cultivators at Yunling Mountain as blood sacrifices to activate the Ten Thousand Soul Blood Refining Array.
• The Demon Monster explained that the array required several Nascent Soul Realm souls to help the Devil Ancestor’s divided soul cross into the Human World.
• North Nether True Lord and the Demon Monster discussed the nine Human Worlds, the Devil Race’s strength in four of them, and their promise to take North Nether True Lord to the Ancient Demon World.
• North Nether True Lord demanded that the Demon Monster sign a Life and Death Pact before he would fully cooperate, and the Demon Monster eventually agreed.
• North Nether True Lord asked why the Devil Ancestor wanted to descend, and the Demon Monster denied that another invasion of the Human World was planned.

Lin Xuan and the Blood Demon entered the expanding rosy mist at Yunling Mountain, where spiritual sense was severely restricted. Lin Xuan relied on his Illusion Spirit Bird to help detect hidden threats as he pursued his own plans inside.

• The Demon Monster told North Nether True Lord that powerful beings from the human, demon, and Saint worlds shared an unknown purpose, and that Taowu had already succeeded.
• Lin Xuan and the Blood Demon reached the mist, where Lin Xuan found that it limited his spiritual sense to a little over ten li.
• Yue'er warned Lin Xuan that the Blood Demon might betray him, and Lin Xuan privately agreed to take advantage if the Blood Demon fell into danger.
• The Blood Demon volunteered to fly ahead into the mist, leaving Lin Xuan uncertain about his motives.
• Lin Xuan recalled how he had obtained and tamed the Illusion Spirit Bird, whose sensitivity to spiritual energy could reveal hidden enemies.
• Lin Xuan flew into the mist after the Blood Demon, confident that his abilities and the bird could help him face danger.

Lin Xuan discovered that Fang was the surviving Blood Demon, who had come to kill him over an old grudge. As Blood Demon attacked, Lin Xuan revealed that he had been using their conversation to launch a sneak attack with the mature Jade Luo Bee.

• Lin Xuan found a Golden Core cultivator’s corpse drained of blood, with a fist-sized hole in his chest.
• Lin Xuan called out Fang, who emerged from the mist surrounded by demonic energy.
• Fang revealed that he was Blood Demon and blamed Lin Xuan for killing Cao Yue and Zhou Mian, which had led to his capture by the Supreme Demon of Extreme Evil.
• Lin Xuan pretended to soften their enmity while secretly releasing the Jade Luo Bee.
• Blood Demon sensed the ambush and sent a giant python of demonic Qi toward the Jade Luo Bee.