Recaps

The Zeng Family sought an alliance with Red Leaf Ridge, arguing that the faction faced growing danger from powerful rivals. Qu Jianlei rejected any suggestion that Red Leaf Ridge surrender Wu Minxi, leaving the proposed alliance unresolved.

• Yan Xuemin agreed to pass the Zeng Family's message to Emerald Screen Mountain, and the Zeng Family gave him a Jade Tablet containing a Golden Core secret art.
• Qu Jianlei recognized the Jade Tablet's art as protection against soul-searching and allowed the Zeng Family cultivators to meet Hua Xiezhi and Xiang Xue.
• Hua Xiezhi rejected the Zeng Family's proposal to jointly develop the Tier 4 Spirit Vein, while Xiang Xue said Red Leaf Ridge did not want new cultivators nearby.
• The Zeng Family cultivator warned Xiang Xue that Red Leaf Ridge had alienated major factions and independent cultivators, then offered the Zeng Family's support as an ally.
• Qu Jianlei asked whether the Zeng Family wanted Red Leaf Ridge to hand over Wu Minxi, and the Zeng Family cultivator admitted that doing so could ease tensions.
• Qu Jianlei declared that Red Leaf Ridge would not hand anyone over.

Qu Jianlei rejected the Zeng Family’s attempt to pressure Red Leaf Ridge into a marriage alliance, detained their Golden Core envoy, and arranged for Green Screen Mountain to retrieve him. After two months of calm, Qu Jianlei concluded the threat had been a bluff and agreed that Red Leaf Ridge should venture out, though not to repeat its earlier door-blocking tactic.

• Qu Jianlei refused to hand over Wu Laoliu and demanded that the Zeng Family explain what it wanted from Red Leaf Ridge.
• The Zeng Family envoy proposed a marriage alliance, and Hua Xiezhi and Xiang Xue questioned the family’s motives and traced the news to connections in Green Screen Mountain and the Qingyang Sect.
• Hua Xiezhi detained the envoy and Xiang Xue decided to contact Green Screen Mountain; five days later, Li Yuren arrived and offered two Golden Core Secret Arts to take the envoy away.
• After two months without trouble, Qu Jianlei said the Zeng Family’s warnings might have become real if Red Leaf Ridge had shown fear, while Claire and Duo Gan urged retaliation.
• Qu Jianlei agreed that Red Leaf Ridge should go out and explore, but ruled out blocking another faction’s door.

Qu Jianlei and his companions met Zhu Family’s San Duo True Person to ask about routes from Dongsheng to Central Province. San Duo said the route information belonged to the Zhu Family’s Old Ancestors and offered to seek their instructions.

• Yan Xuemin was invited to meet San Duo True Person at Zhu Family Market, and Qu Jianlei and Jing Yuexin accompanied him.
• San Duo recognized Qu Jianlei as the Celestial Immortal from Red Leaf Ridge and tried to address him, but Qu Jianlei directed him to receive Yan Xuemin first.
• After the group entered San Duo’s courtyard, Qu Jianlei asked to meet the Zhu Family’s True Immortal and then asked about routes to Central Province.
• San Duo explained that the once-every-thirty-years Ship Team was the legitimate route, while other passages were secret and controlled by the family’s Old Ancestors.
• San Duo offered to consult the Old Ancestors and return with an answer.

Zhu Jiayi received Qu Jianlei and his companions, offering cultivation techniques in exchange for Tiger-Man remains and discussing Red Leaf Ridge’s plans. Qu Jianlei left the Zhu Family with two techniques and a trade agreed upon, while Zhu Jiayi remained curious about his ambitions and the coming war.

• San Duo True Person reported Qu Jianlei’s group’s approach to Zhu Jiayi, who decided to invite them quietly and offer a Nascent Soul Technique.
• San Duo True Person brought Qu Jianlei, Jiao Daoren, and Yan Xuemin to meet Zhu Jiayi, who recognized that the Little Snake was a fellow Daoist.
• Qu Jianlei said he might travel to Central Province and suggested the Tiger-Men would not return soon, but refused to explain why.
• After Qu Jianlei declined a technique he already owned, Zhu Jiayi offered two others in exchange for information or Tiger-Man remains, and Qu Jianlei traded more than a dozen pieces of flesh and blood.
• Zhu Jiayi asked whether Red Leaf Ridge was creating a new cultivation system, and Qu Jianlei described his work as organizing techniques to fulfill an Obsession.

Qu Jianlei and Zhu Jiayi discussed Red Leaf Ridge before Qu Jianlei’s group opened an unobtrusive shop at Hundred Herbs Valley Street Market to trade Asura Nest Essence for techniques. The shop attracted its first curious visitors, who learned the fluid could repair powerful spatial artifacts, while Yuanyuan quietly judged their reaction as sensible.

• Zhu Jiayi asked how Qu Jianlei’s side would handle the spirit vein at Red Leaf Ridge, and Qu Jianlei promised to inform the Zhu Family and the Green Screen Mountain Li Family if they gave it up.
• Zhu Jiayi instructed San Duo True Person to send a few Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators to Yan Family Market and keep a low profile.
• Zi Jiuxian, Claire, and Yuanyuan rented a small storefront at Hundred Herbs Valley Street Market, and Qu Jianlei and Jing Yuexin joined them there.
• The group decided to exchange Asura Nest Essence, which could repair specialized spatial artifacts, for techniques and Secret Manuals, and posted a sign outside the shop.
• Two Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators entered the shop and learned from Yuanyuan that the fluid could repair spatial artifacts, though the group had too little stock to meet the demand of an Abode.
• The two visitors left without pursuing the opportunity, and Yuanyuan overheard the female cultivator’s sensible response through a trace of divine sense.

Zi Jiuxian negotiated with Zhen Yezhi, a Golden Core Realm refiner, over repairing his Weapon Refinement Furnace, but demanded two Nascent Soul Techniques and secret arts. Zhen Yezhi rejected the price and left, suspecting the shop was connected to Red Leaf Ridge.

• Zi Jiuxian told Zhen Yezhi that the shop traded Space Repair Fluid for techniques and other secret manuals rather than selling it.
• Zhen Yezhi tested the shop with an old stone furnace, and Zi Jiuxian explained that it had reached the end of its lifespan and could not be repaired.
• Zhen Yezhi presented his damaged Weapon Refinement Furnace, and Yuanyuan took it to the back for appraisal.
• Yuanyuan returned and said repairing the furnace would waste a priceless treasure, while Zi Jiuxian listed the rare materials it would require.
• Zhen Yezhi offered to pay for the repair, but Zi Jiuxian demanded two Nascent Soul Techniques the shop did not already possess, along with secret arts.
• Zhen Yezhi refused the terms, left, and privately suspected the shop was connected to Red Leaf Ridge.

Ji Xiaohua, the Ji Family’s Nascent Soul ancestor, sought Qu Jianlei’s help repairing a damaged spatial Secret Treasure, but their negotiations stalled over trust and secrecy. Before the chapter ended, Ji Xiaohua asked Qu to reveal where the Restoration Fluid came from.

• Zhen Yezhi decided not to risk himself for the Hundred Herbs Valley bounty and sought a way to obtain a Nascent Soul Technique.
• Ji Xiaohua arrived at the marketplace with three Ji Family cultivators and requested help repairing a spatial Secret Treasure.
• Qu Jianlei met Ji Xiaohua and learned that the damaged Phantom Dream Secret Realm resembled the Ji Family’s lost Martial Arts Tower.
• Ji Xiaohua urged Qu Jianlei to keep the Secret Realm secret, while Qu insisted that it be brought to the marketplace for assessment.
• Ji Xiaohua asked Qu Jianlei where the Restoration Fluid came from, seeking to exchange a secret of his own.

Qu Jianlei and Ji Xiaohua negotiated an exchange involving the Ji Family’s stone-shaped Secret Treasure, Restoration Fluid, and cultivation techniques. Ji Xiaohua agreed to arrange the techniques and identified Qu Jianlei’s spatial-rule material as an Asura bubble fragment.

• Qu Jianlei explained that Red Leaf Ridge had obtained rare materials from sources such as Void Beast corpses and Asura bubbles, while Ji Xiaohua wondered whether those supplies could attract Hundred Herbs Valley’s attention.
• Ji Xiaohua brought the Ji Family’s sealed stone Secret Treasure to Red Leaf Ridge, and Qu Jianlei divined that its repair would cost seven Nascent Soul Realm primary cultivation techniques or an equivalent Out of Body Cultivation Method.
• Ji Xiaohua used five disposable Fingernail Sheaths to divine about the repair, learned that spatial-rule items were needed, and offered the Ji Family’s entry slots before Qu Jianlei declined them.
• Ji Xiaohua agreed to arrange the cultivation techniques, and Qu Jianlei showed him an irregular fragment that Ji Xiaohua recognized as an Asura bubble fragment.

The Ji Family responded to Red Leaf Ridge’s offer by secretly gathering Nascent Soul Techniques, while Zhen Yezhi traded two techniques to have his Weapon Refinement Furnace repaired. Word spread through the wine shop, bringing new customers to Red Leaf Ridge, where two Golden Core Realm cultivators arrived with a damaged Mini Portable Cave Dwelling.

• After leaving Red Leaf Ridge, Ji Xiaohua told the Ji Family that Red Leaf Ridge’s foundations were more complicated than they had imagined, and the family began secretly seeking Nascent Soul Techniques.
• Zhen Yezhi brought four Nascent Soul Techniques to Red Leaf Ridge, exchanged two for a free furnace repair, and collected the repaired furnace four days later.
• Zhen Yezhi told his chef neighbor about the deal, and the story spread through the wine shop, attracting visitors to Red Leaf Ridge.
• After several groups came asking about repairs, Yuanyuan hung up rules that discouraged repairs to Golden Core Realm magic treasures.
• Two Golden Core Realm cultivators brought Yuanyuan a damaged Nascent Soul Realm Mini Portable Cave Dwelling for assessment.

Zi Jiuxian and Red Leaf Ridge negotiated with cultivators seeking repairs for damaged spatial treasures, while the team watched for Hundred Herbs Valley’s response. Qu Jianlei repaired a Sword Casket for Li Yuren, and the chapter ended as the Mobile Palace owners returned looking uneasy.

• Yuanyuan quoted two Nascent Soul Techniques to repair the Mobile Palace, and its owners left to find the techniques.
• Zi Jiuxian refused a Golden Core Realm cultivator’s demand for a discount, and he went to inform Hundred Herbs Valley after leaving the market.
• Jiao Daoren reported the cultivators’ plans to Qu Jianlei, who chose to wait and see what Hundred Herbs Valley would do.
• Li Yuren brought a damaged Nascent Soul Realm Sword Casket, and Qu Jianlei agreed to repair it for two unfamiliar sets of Nascent Soul Techniques.
• Claire teased Li Yuren, and Qu Jianlei postponed the Sword Casket repairs before the Mobile Palace owners returned looking uneasy.

Yuanyuan accepted two obscure Nascent Soul Techniques from two Golden Core cultivators and agreed to repair their Mobile Palace for five hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones. Ji Xiaohua recognized the Micro Cave Dwelling as a lost Ji Family heirloom and planned to learn how the customers had obtained it, but Qu Jianlei insisted Red Leaf Ridge would honor its repair promise.

• Yuanyuan accepted the two Nascent Soul Techniques after Li Yuren vouched that they were not purely Heretical Cultivator techniques, and gave the cultivators four portions of Restoration Fluid.
• Qu Jianlei agreed to repair the cultivators’ Mobile Palace for five hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones, while Li Yuren objected that his own repair should come first.
• Ji Xiaohua arrived with two Ji Family Golden Core cultivators, recognized Li Yuren, and ordered his companions to guard the shop entrance.
• Ji Xiaohua recognized the Micro Cave Dwelling as a Ji Family treasure lost for tens of thousands of years and decided to question the customers after they left.
• Qu Jianlei refused to break Red Leaf Ridge’s promise to repair the treasure, and Ji Xiaohua lamented that his pursuit of techniques had delayed his arrival.

Ji Xiaohua tried to trade the Ji Family’s cultivation methods for access to Red Leaf Ridge’s resources, but Qu Jianlei had already collected many of the techniques the Ji Family offered. The negotiation ended with Qu Jianlei valuing the Ji Family’s wood-thunder Out-of-Body method at five Nascent Soul Techniques.

• Ji Xiaohua told Li Yuren that the Ji Family wanted to restore the Martial Arts Tower, then asked to speak with the two Golden Core Realm cultivators; Qu Jianlei told him to wait until they left.
• Li Yuren reassured the cultivators that the shopkeeper would honor his promise, while Yuanyuan sensed Ji Xiaohua’s anger from the rear courtyard.
• Qu Jianlei revealed that Red Leaf Ridge already had nine of the fifteen Nascent Soul Techniques Ji Xiaohua brought, including one the two cultivators had just delivered and two recently acquired as favors.
• Ji Xiaohua considered leaving to collect more techniques but worried the cultivators might leave, then asked whether an Out-of-Body Cultivation Method could count as four sets.
• Ji Xiaohua offered the Ji Family’s Thunder Method, and Qu Jianlei rejected its Five Elements Thunder classification but agreed that its wood-thunder method counted as five.

Qu Jianlei negotiated with Ji Xiaohua for a complete Out of Body Cultivation Method tied to a Great Venerable’s Fated Person, accepting the risk of becoming implicated in the Ji Family’s troubles. He acquired the sealed Stone Tablet and cultivation techniques, while Ji Xiaohua hoped to obtain valuable fragments that might help his family win forgiveness.

• Ji Xiaohua offered his incomplete Golden Thunder Technique, but Qu Jianlei already possessed the same remnant and said it was not worth the proposed exchange.
• Ji Xiaohua revealed that his family held a complete Out of Body Cultivation Method connected to an Immortal Venerable, and Qu Jianlei refused to swear an oath before hearing the details.
• Ji Xiaohua explained that the Ji Family had killed the person who plotted against the Great Venerable’s Fated Person and had been left holding the cultivation method, which might bring the family disaster.
• Jiao Daoren identified Heaven of Parting Sorrows as likely a grotto-heaven, and Qu Jianlei agreed to take the original Stone Tablet in exchange for four sets of Nascent Soul Techniques.
• Ji Xiaohua handed Qu Jianlei the sealed Stone Tablet and asked about Asura fragments that could help the Ji Family seek forgiveness, but Qu Jianlei said they could not afford them.

Ji Xiaohua negotiated with the two Golden Core cultivators to reclaim the Ji Family’s Micro Cave Dwelling after Qu Jianlei repaired it, while promising them protection and a chance to establish a family. Qu Jianlei and Jing Yuexin completed the repairs, then began working on a Nascent Soul Realm Sword Casket, which cost six portions of Restoration Fluid.

• Ji Xiaohua identified the Micro Cave Dwelling as a Ji Family ancestral treasure and said his family would reclaim it after repairs, while offering the cultivators protection and a Spirit Vein.
• Qu Jianlei asked Jiao Daoren about Cloud Crown, and Jiao Daoren explained that refining Asuras had restored the treasure’s declining effectiveness and that the Beast Taming Sect had numerous Nascent Soul cultivators.
• Qu Jianlei repaired the Micro Cave Dwelling over ten days while Ji Xiaohua stayed at the shop and Li Yuren watched over it.
• Ji Xiaohua left with the two Golden Core cultivators after the Micro Cave Dwelling was repaired, and Qu Jianlei and Jing Yuexin reopened the shop briefly without taking repair jobs.
• Qu Jianlei and Jing Yuexin repaired the Nascent Soul Realm Sword Casket over fifteen days, using six portions of Restoration Fluid.

Qu Jianlei repaired the Ji Family’s Secret Treasure, and Ji Xiaohua rewarded him with rare Out-of-Body Realm insights in exchange for a favor. The chapter ended with Ji Xiaohua offering to leave two juniors at Red Leaf Ridge to guard its gate.

• Qu Jianlei repaired Li Yuren’s Nascent Soul Sword Casket, restoring it to a higher grade, and Li Yuren paid for the materials with more Nascent Soul Techniques.
• Ji Xiaohua brought the Ji Family’s Secret Treasure to Qu Jianlei, who spent over a month repairing it; afterward, Ji Xiaohua tested it and returned pleased.
• Qu Jianlei’s shop remained closed as news spread about the Sword Casket, and Ji Xiaohua warned off the crowd with his True Immortal aura.
• Ji Xiaohua offered Qu Jianlei four volumes of Out-of-Body Realm insights as a favor, and Qu Jianlei promised Red Leaf Ridge would protect him from a Great Venerable if they were still there.
• After Qu Jianlei hinted that Red Leaf Ridge might leave for Central Province, the upper realms, or the void, Ji Xiaohua offered two juniors to guard the gate.

Yuanyuan and the Ji Family dealt with the shop’s irregular business and rumors while trading Restoration Fluid for Nascent Soul Techniques. A Golden Core Realm cultivator arrived accusing the shop’s fluid of worsening his Heart Protecting Mirror, and the argument drew a crowd as a Palace-Attired Beauty emerged from the shop.

• Qu Jianlei agreed that two Ji Family Golden Core Realm cultivators could sit by the shop entrance, while making them responsible for their own food and lodging.
• Jing Yuexin explained that the arrangement publicly signaled a limited connection between the Ji Family and Red Leaf Ridge without forming a full alliance.
• Yuanyuan opened the shop only intermittently, and she and the Ji Family cultivators speculated that Hundred Herbs Valley was waiting because someone might soon form a Nascent Soul.
• Over the next two months, the shop received five sets of Nascent Soul Techniques and gave out ten portions of Restoration Fluid.
• A Golden Core Realm cultivator accused Yuanyuan of selling faulty Restoration Fluid after Grandmaster Lei’s repair left his Heart Protecting Mirror covered in additional cracks.
• A Ji Family cultivator disputed the accusation by citing other treasures successfully repaired with the fluid, but the angry customer drew a crowd before a Palace-Attired Beauty came out of the shop.

Jing Yuexin stopped Golden Core cultivators from making trouble at the market, while Qu Jianlei waited for Hundred Herbs Valley to contact his group. After Huaiheng Real Person died during an attempted Nascent Soul breakthrough, Qu Jianlei’s group delayed their departure to avoid suspicion, then left; three days later, an old man arrived above their courtyard.

• Jing Yuexin silenced the troublemaking cultivators and confirmed that Restoration Fluid had never been guaranteed to work.
• Qu Jianlei decided to wait half a month for Hundred Herbs Valley to make contact, and the Ji Family gave his group a bag of spirit stones before Huaiheng Real Person attempted to form a Nascent Soul.
• Qu Jianlei’s group watched as Hundred Herbs Valley strengthened its protective formation, then learned that Huaiheng Real Person had died during his advancement.
• Hundred Herbs Valley and its allies investigated the street market, but Qu Jianlei’s group stayed put to avoid appearing suspicious.
• After waiting ten more days without being contacted, Qu Jianlei’s group left, and an old man flew above their courtyard three days later.

Five Willows True Immortal destroyed the Bai Family courtyard while grieving Huaiheng Real Person, prompting Red Leaf Ridge to sever ties with Hundred Herbs Valley. When the Cultivator Alliance later called for patrol conscription after trouble arose at the Sealing Grand Array, Hua Xiezhi refused unless Red Leaf Ridge received a Chief Executive, leaving the dispute unresolved.

• Five Willows True Immortal found the courtyard empty, learned its occupants had left three days earlier, and destroyed it before ordering the Hundred Herbs Valley disciples to confess their failure.
• After hearing about the destruction, Qu Jianlei rejected the idea that it was merely an outburst and had Hua Xiezhi announce that Red Leaf Ridge and Hundred Herbs Valley would have no further dealings.
• Two months passed without a response from Hundred Herbs Valley, while visitors came to Su Family Village seeking Red Leaf Ridge's Restoration Fluid.
• Qu Jianlei sensed trouble near the Sealing Grand Array, and Yan Xuemin later reported that the Cultivator Alliance was forming patrol teams.
• Hua Xiezhi refused Red Leaf Ridge's conscription unless the Alliance gave them a Chief Executive, and told Yan Xuemin to report their refusal and invite punishment.

Yan Xuemin sought Li Yuren’s advice after Hua Xiezhi warned that a threat might come from the void, while Red Leaf Ridge refused the Cultivator Alliance’s requisitioning. As reports pointed to possible Heavenly Demon activity and hidden space rifts, San Duo True Person received three unusual shields from Qu Jianlei, and Zhu Jiayi began examining one.

• Hua Xiezhi told Yan Xuemin that Red Leaf Ridge would help against a threat from the void but would not accept requisitioning.
• Yan Xuemin met Li Yuren, who said Red Leaf Ridge need not answer the Cultivator Alliance’s demand.
• San Duo True Person visited Red Leaf Ridge to request protection and received three Wood Shields from Qu Jianlei.
• San Duo True Person told Qu Jianlei that the Alliance was investigating Red Leaf Ridge’s refusal, while Jiao Daoren and San Duo discussed possible Heavenly Demons and Hidden Space Rifts.
• Zhu Jiayi examined one of the Wood Shields and identified it as a trial piece made from wood that did not come from their realm.

San Duo True Person showed the Zhu Family’s Wood Shield to the Li Family, whose elders traced its Otherworld materials to Red Leaf Ridge. Li Yuren questioned Qu Jianlei about the Tree Race and Sealing Grand Array, then joined him in arranging Wood Shield purchases and learned that Qu planned to visit the Ji Family.

• Zhu Jiayi and San Duo True Person tested the Wood Shield and suspected it was made from an Otherworld creature, so Zhu Jiayi sent San Duo to show it to the Li Family.
• Li Handong and Li Yuren examined the shield, and Li Yuren went to Red Leaf Ridge to ask Qu Jianlei where its material came from.
• Qu Jianlei explained that the shield came from Tree Race members of the Locust Otherworld and refused to share further details, while Li Yuren questioned him about the Sealing Grand Array and Heavenly Demons.
• Li Yuren arranged to buy Wood Shields through Hua Xiezhi, and Qu Jianlei raised the price after Li Yuren criticized his artifact-refining skill.
• Qu Jianlei announced he would also sell shields to the Ji Family and set out to visit Ji Xiaohua in return for the family’s Out-of-Body Realm manuals.

Qu Jianlei, Li Yuren, and Yan Xuemin visited the Ji Family, where Ji Xiaohua welcomed them with the family’s highest honors. After Qu Jianlei gave Wood Shields to the Ji Family, Ji Xiaohua recognized their connection to the Locust World and asked about its powerful Mother Tree; the conversation ended with them discussing whether Heavenly Demons were involved in Huaiheng Real Person’s recent death by tribulation.

• Qu Jianlei and Li Yuren set out for the Ji Family, and Yan Xuemin joined them from the Yan Family Market.
• The Ji Family greeted the three visitors with Five-Colored Auspicious Clouds, a Seven-Colored Corridor, and its Central Earth Arch Bridge.
• Qu Jianlei gave Wood Shields to everyone in the welcoming party, and Ji Xiaohua prompted them to thank Old Ancestor Qu.
• Ji Xiaohua examined a Wood Shield and guessed that Qu Jianlei’s elders had raided the Locust World.
• Qu Jianlei and Ji Xiaohua discussed the Out of Body Mother Tree and the vast Alien Race Forest of Trees around it.
• Qu Jianlei, Ji Xiaohua, and Li Yuren discussed Dongsheng’s situation, including whether Heavenly Demons caused Huaiheng Real Person’s death by tribulation.

Qu Jianlei learned that the Cultivator Alliance planned to investigate the void sealed by the grand formation, while Red Leaf Ridge kept a low profile and sold Wood Shields. The chapter ended with Alliance and Seven Stars Sect forces arriving to demand Wu Minxi, as another figure appeared from their Flying Shuttle.

• Ji Xiaohua told Qu Jianlei that the Cultivator Alliance was planning an investigation of the void sealed by the grand formation and might recruit criminals for the mission.
• Hua Xiezhi sold two-thirds of Red Leaf Ridge's Wood Shields to Emerald Screen Mountain for thirty-five million spirit stones, including one thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones.
• Qu Jianlei told Wu Laoliu to help appraise artifacts and Secret Manuals near Su Family Village, as long as he stayed within a hundred kilometers of Red Leaf Ridge.
• Three warships arrived at Red Leaf Ridge, and Zeng Jiarui and Le Tong demanded that the team hand over Wu Minxi, whom they called a fugitive wanted by Hundred Herbs Valley and the Seven Stars Sect.
• Paranoid and Old Lady Jia rejected the demand, while Zeng Jiarui appealed to a young Golden Core Realm cultivator among his group, who agreed before calling for his master.

Red Leaf Ridge trapped its attackers and several onlookers inside a grand array, where their weapons and warships proved ineffective. Le Tong and Zeng Jiarui prepared to confront Paranoid and Jia Shuiqing, while Thousand Hands asked Red Leaf Ridge whether he should intervene.

• A mysterious man appeared to protect his disciple, and Thousand Hands True Immortal arrived, mistaking Paranoid for Ridge Lord Qu before learning that he was Chaoyun.
• The man claimed to belong to a reclusive family, then vanished when Jia Shuiqing activated the grand array that isolated the opposing forces and their warships.
• Paranoid revealed that the array had neutralized Le Tong's Immortal Binding Rope, seized it, and mocked the attackers.
• Zeng Jiarui ordered the warships to attack, but the array swallowed their increasingly powerful assaults, while Thousand Hands and Li Jingtian encountered resistance as they retreated.
• Le Tong and Zeng Jiarui positioned themselves to prevent Paranoid and Jia Shuiqing from escaping, and Thousand Hands asked the Red Leaf Ridge cultivators what they wanted him to do.

Red Leaf Ridge activated the Ten Directions Demon Subduing Grand Array against the Zeng Family, Seven Stars Sect, and Lingyin Li Family, unleashing lightning that their opponents struggled to withstand. As Paranoid and Le Tong evaded the attacks, they revealed the array’s unusual protections, while Le Tong warned that outside factions knew of the confrontation and Paranoid questioned whether True Immortal Bowen had truly escaped.

• Zeng Jiarui recognized the Ten Directions Demon Subduing Grand Array as it suppressed the intruders and filled the space with lightning.
• Zeng Jiarui ordered the attackers to strike Red Leaf Ridge’s two True Immortals and take them alive, but Paranoid and Le Tong vanished from sight.
• Li Jingtian used the Chiyang Crown to withstand the lightning, then realized that Paranoid and Le Tong evaded the bolts without being harmed by them.
• Zeng Jiarui suspected that the pair had Protective Array Talismans, while Paranoid explained that Red Leaf Ridge had no talismans and the array spared its own people through an Identification Card system.
• Thousand Hands True Immortal asked Paranoid to stop the lightning from hitting him, and Jia Shuiqing promised to reward him after they captured their opponents.
• Le Tong warned that the Cultivator Alliance and Hundred Herbs Valley knew of the visit and claimed True Immortal Bowen had escaped, but Paranoid questioned whether Bowen could really get away.

Red Leaf Ridge captured True Immortal Bowen after he fled, while Ji Xiaohua arrived and sided with Qu Jianlei. With Bowen unable to protect them, Zeng Jiarui and Le Tong surrendered, and Red Leaf Ridge disarmed the remaining forces.

• True Immortal Bowen tried to flee Red Leaf Ridge but was trapped by its cultivators and bound in a massive net.
• Ji Xiaohua arrived, denied knowing Bowen, and offered Qu Jianlei the Ji Family’s support against him.
• Qu Jianlei revealed that Bowen had not escaped and said several more enemies remained trapped in the grand formation.
• Paranoid demanded that Zeng Jiarui and Le Tong surrender, and Zeng Jiarui admitted defeat while invoking the Alliance’s Suppression Order.
• Red Leaf Ridge dispersed the formation, restricted the surrendered cultivators, and left Li Jingtian unrestricted because he had not joined the attack.