Chapter Summaries

Yang Jing attacked a hidden Demon Cult stronghold and overwhelmed its defenses with his immense power. He advanced toward the fortress’s center, leaving its defenders devastated while a powerful figure remained in secluded recovery.

• Yang Jing reached the fortress gates and falsely claimed to be the Demon Cult leader before the guards exposed his deception.
• Yang Jing blasted open the iron gates, killing several guards and forcing his way inside.
• Yang Jing stopped a barrage of poisoned arrows with his internal qi and sent them back at the Demon Cult archers.
• A Demon Cult Battle General ordered the defenders to surround and kill Yang Jing, but Yang Jing broke through their formations and traps.
• Yang Jing continued toward the fortress’s center as the surviving Demon Cult Followers recoiled in fear.

Yang Jing stormed the Demon Cult’s fortress, crushing its defenses as he advanced toward the central pavilion. The Black Dragon Hermit and nine Demon Guards confronted him, and the chapter ended as the hermit ordered them to form up.

• Yang Jing overwhelmed the fortress’s guards and traps, shattered a formation of four peak qi-devouring Battle Generals, and steadily approached the central pavilion.
• Recluse Zhu and the others recognized Yang Jing as the man who had killed Young Master Hai’s father and four Sacred Cult experts, and Recluse Zhu blamed Young Master Hai for bringing him to the fortress.
• The Black Dragon Hermit arrived, learned that Yang Jing was nearing the tower, and decided he had to be killed to protect the Sacred Cult’s secrets.
• The Black Dragon Hermit leaped down with nine war generals and joined them to confront Yang Jing near the tower.
• Yang Jing assessed the ten opponents as their auras linked, and the Black Dragon Hermit ordered them to form up.

Yang Jing defeated Black Dragon Hermit and killed the nine Demon Cult Battle Generals who supported him, then advanced toward the pavilion at the fortress’s center. A far more powerful aura erupted from the underground secret chamber, stopping everyone in their tracks.

• Black Dragon Hermit and the nine Demon Cult Battle Generals joined their power in a formation and charged Yang Jing.
• Yang Jing used Crossing the River to reach Black Dragon Hermit and struck him down with one palm, breaking the formation.
• Yang Jing killed the remaining nine Battle Generals with streams of internal qi, leaving the Demon Cult fighters and the pavilion’s observers stunned.
• Yang Jing continued toward the pavilion, expecting the fortress’s remaining experts to emerge.
• A terrifying aura surged from the underground secret chamber beneath the pavilion, making everyone stop and weakening their legs.

Yang Jing confronted Shangguan Yun, an injured Demon Cult Agent who tried to buy the fortress’s survival with fifty Origin Pills. Yang Jing rejected the offer and remained determined to deal with the Demon Cult, leaving the two men on the brink of conflict.

• Yang Jing sensed the powerful aura of a true qi realm Demon Cult Agent and suspected the man was injured when he finally appeared after the fortress’s defenders had been defeated.
• Recluse Zhu, Young Master Hai, and the surviving Demon Cult martial artists knelt before the imposing figure, who introduced himself to Yang Jing as Shangguan Yun.
• Shangguan Yun identified Yang Jing as a Profound Truth Sect disciple and proposed a deal to spare the remaining cult members.
• Shangguan Yun offered Yang Jing fifty Origin Pills, claiming his followers had lived peacefully in seclusion and asking him to leave the fortress alone.
• Yang Jing refused to agree, dismissed Shangguan Yun’s claims as lies, and declared that he had nothing to negotiate with the Demon Cult.

Yang Jing refused Shangguan Yun’s offer to settle peacefully and fought the gravely injured Demon Cult leader inside the Fortress. Their battle left Shangguan Yun’s followers dead, while Recluse Zhu escaped injured, and the two experts remained locked in combat.

• Shangguan Yun tried to intimidate Yang Jing and offered him one hundred Origin Pills, but Yang Jing refused and declared that he would fight the Demon Cult.
• Shangguan Yun attacked Yang Jing, and their full-strength clash showed that Yang Jing’s True Qi Realm cultivation was stable and powerful despite his recent breakthrough.
• Yang Jing recognized that Shangguan Yun’s severe injuries made a prolonged fight risky for the older man, so he planned to wear him down rather than use his hidden weapon.
• Shangguan Yun and Yang Jing traded attacks across the Fortress, and the shock waves killed or wounded many Demon Cult martial artists.
• Their battle swept into the area where Recluse Zhu and the others stood; Recluse Zhu escaped injured, while Young Master Hai, the White-Robed Middle-Aged Man, and the remaining followers were killed.

Yang Jing defeated Demon Cult Agent Shangguan Yun after exploiting his old injuries and pursuing him when he tried to flee. The chapter ended with Shangguan Yun dead and the surviving Demon Cult Followers terrified of Yang Jing.

• Recluse Zhu fled the fortress after the shock waves from Yang Jing and Shangguan Yun's battle killed nearby fighters.
• Yang Jing increased his speed with the Mountain-Splitting Seal and struck Shangguan Yun in the chest, aggravating his injuries and sending him crashing into a wooden building.
• Shangguan Yun hurled a roof beam at Yang Jing and fled toward the fortress gates, but Yang Jing used the beam to launch himself in pursuit.
• Yang Jing caught Shangguan Yun near the gates and relentlessly attacked him, preventing him from escaping or recovering.
• Yang Jing killed Shangguan Yun with a punch through his chest, leaving the surviving Demon Cult Followers terrified.

Yang Jing defeated Shangguan Yun and destroyed a Demon Cult fortress, then met Lei Lie, the Thunder Firmament Peak Master, who was astonished to learn that Yang Jing had reached the true qi realm. Lei Lie praised Yang Jing’s victory and explained that the righteous sects were hunting the Demon Cult’s remaining Core-Realm Protectors.

• Black Dragon Hermit saw Shangguan Yun dead and gave up hope of escaping the ruined fortress.
• Yang Jing prepared to search Shangguan Yun’s corpse, but sensed a terrifying Core-Realm aura approaching and readied his Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles.
• Lei Lie entered the fortress, and Yang Jing recognized and respectfully greeted the Thunder Firmament Peak Master.
• Lei Lie discovered that Yang Jing had broken through to the true qi realm and reacted with astonishment and delight.
• Yang Jing recounted how he found the fortress and killed Shangguan Yun, and Lei Lie praised his achievement while explaining Shangguan Yun’s past clash with Red-Tassel Sword Qiao Xue.
• Yang Jing voiced concern about facing a Demon Cult Core-Realm Protector, and Lei Lie reassured him that the righteous sects were hunting the remaining Protectors.

After Yang Jing suspected the Demon Fortress concealed important Demon Cult secrets, Lei Lie agreed to search it and captured Black Dragon Hermit for questioning. Yang Jing began by asking where the fortress’s secret chamber was, his gaze settling on the central five-story pavilion.

• Yang Jing told Lei Lie that the fortress’s unusually strong defenses and the cultists’ desperate resistance suggested it concealed important secrets.
• Lei Lie agreed to search the fortress and listened as Yang Jing identified Black Dragon Hermit as a likely source of information.
• Lei Lie seized Black Dragon Hermit and tortured him until he agreed to answer truthfully.
• Lei Lie told Yang Jing to question Black Dragon Hermit, assuring him that the Core Realm pressure would prevent deception.
• Yang Jing asked where the secret chamber was and looked toward the five-story pavilion at the fortress’s center.

Yang Jing and Lei Lie found the secret chamber beneath the Viewing Mountain Tower and discovered evidence of the Demon Cult’s crimes. They planned to bury the heart’s essence blood taken from murdered children, while the chamber’s other secrets remained unexplored.

• Black Dragon Hermit revealed that the secret chamber lay beneath the Viewing Mountain Tower and said it held information about hidden Demon Cult strongholds and treasures.
• Lei Lie carried the weakened Black Dragon Hermit to the tower, where Yang Jing moved the table and lifted the concealed floor slab.
• Lei Lie made Black Dragon Hermit descend first, then he and Yang Jing followed him into the secret chamber.
• Lei Lie opened a porcelain bottle and found dark red blood; Yang Jing showed him a similar jar recovered from the Ironblood Gang’s Underground Palace.
• Lei Lie identified the liquid as heart’s essence blood taken from virgin boys and girls, and he and Yang Jing vowed to bury it outside the fortress.

Yang Jing and Lei Lie searched Shangguan Yun’s hidden chamber, finding a large stock of pills and a precious Bone Jade Pill before uncovering concealed Demon Cult correspondence. The letters revealed important information that left them shocked and grimly pleased.

• Yang Jing discovered fifteen bottles containing 150 Origin Pills, along with other cultivation resources, and found a Bone Jade Pill that Lei Lie advised him to refine.
• Yang Jing and Lei Lie searched the chamber’s desk and bookcase for confidential records but found none among the visible papers and books.
• Lei Lie tortured the Black Dragon Hermit until he revealed that secret documents were hidden behind a wooden panel in the bookcase.
• Yang Jing tore away the panel and retrieved a concealed stack of letters and documents.
• Yang Jing and Lei Lie read the Demon Cult correspondence and exchanged grave, shocked, yet delighted looks.

Yang Jing and Lei Lie uncovered letters mapping the Demon Cult’s strongholds across southern Jintai Prefecture, prompting Lei Lie to rush the intelligence to the sect and begin an emergency purge with Qiao Xue. After Yang Jing recovered at home, his master arrived at dawn, leaving him surprised and delighted.

• Yang Jing and Lei Lie discovered letters identifying nearly ten Demon Cult strongholds, and Lei Lie secured the documents and took Black Dragon Hermit into custody.
• Lei Lie carried Yang Jing and Black Dragon Hermit to Yuhe County, then set out to find Red-Tassel Sword Qiao Xue while Yang Jing returned home to recover.
• Recluse Zhu fled through the woods, intending to warn the Demon Cult that its fortress had fallen and that Yang Jing had reached the True Qi Realm.
• Yang Jing healed through the night, then shared breakfast with his mother Liu Cuiling and concealed the dangers of his recent battle from her.
• Madam Xue told Yang Jing that his master had arrived, and Yang Jing recognized the visitor as the woman who entered the courtyard.

Bai Bing visited Yang Jing at his family home after hearing of his accomplishments, and he welcomed his master alongside his mother and aunt. She confirmed that Yang Jing had reached and stabilized the true qi realm, leaving her hopeful that he could strengthen the Profound Truth Sect’s prospects at the next Jintai Grand Tournament.

• Yang Jing was astonished and delighted when Bai Bing arrived at the Yang Residence, and he greeted her as his master.
• Liu Cuiling and Madam Xue bowed to Bai Bing, and Yang Jing introduced them as his mother and elder aunt.
• Liu Cuiling welcomed Bai Bing into the Main Hall, where Yang Jing offered her a freshly steamed meat bun.
• Bai Bing asked Yang Jing about his breakthrough, and he confirmed that he had entered the true qi realm a few days earlier.
• Bai Bing asked Yang Jing to reveal his aura, examined his stabilized true qi cultivation, and praised his achievement.
• Bai Bing recognized that Yang Jing’s breakthrough gave the Profound Truth Sect a true qi realm Heavenly Prodigy and renewed its hopes for the Jintai Grand Tournament.

Yang Jing learned that Lei Lie and Qiao Xue had destroyed nine Demon Cult strongholds, then agreed to return to Duck Mountain Island with Bai Bing for his safety. After arranging protection for his family, he went to the Sun Clan Martial Arts School to tell Sun Ningxiang and Sun Yong about the return, and Sun Yong asked whether the matter concerned the Profound Truth Sect.

• Bai Bing told Yang Jing that Lei Lie and Qiao Xue had cleared nine Demon Cult strongholds, killing many followers and recovering letters and supply ledgers.
• Bai Bing ordered Yang Jing to return to Duck Mountain Island, warning that the Demon Cult might target him after he destroyed its central stronghold and killed Shangguan Yun.
• Yang Jing agreed to leave and asked Bai Bing to bring Sun Ningxiang with them; Bai Bing arranged for core-realm experts to guard Yuhe County and reassured him that his family would be safe.
• Yang Jing and Bai Bing left the Yang Residence, then parted ways so he could notify Sun Ningxiang and Sun Yong at the Sun Clan Martial Arts School.
• Yang Jing met Sun Ningxiang and Sun Yong, and Sun Yong asked whether Yang Jing's news concerned the Profound Truth Sect.

Yang Jing told Sun Yong and Sun Ningxiang that Bai Bing had arrived to take them back to the Profound Truth Sect after the Demon Cult forces in Yuhe County were nearly wiped out. After a farewell lunch with the Yang Family, Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang prepared to leave with Bai Bing, parting from their families at the Yang Residence.

• Yang Jing told Sun Yong and Sun Ningxiang that Bai Bing had come to Yuhe County to escort them back to the Profound Truth Sect.
• Yang Jing recounted destroying the Ironblood Gang stronghold and the Demon Cult's central fortress, killing Shangguan Yun, and helping complete their mission.
• Sun Yong told Sun Ningxiang to return to the sect with Yang Jing after lunch, and she agreed despite her reluctance to leave her father.
• Yang Jing left the Sun Clan Martial Arts School and returned to the Yang Residence, where his family prepared a welcoming meal for Bai Bing.
• Bai Bing shared lunch with the Yang Family, and Sun Ningxiang arrived afterward with her traveling bundle.
• Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang prepared to depart with Bai Bing as the Yang Family saw them off, and Yang Jing reassured his mother that he would take care of himself.

Yang Jing traveled with Bai Bing and Sun Ningxiang from Yuhe County toward Duck Mountain Island while the Demon Cult’s agents abandoned their plan to attack because Bai Bing escorted him. At Hidden Dragon Lake, Bai Bing lifted Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang with her astral qi and flew them toward the island, leaving witnesses stunned.

• Yang Jing left Yuhe County with Bai Bing and Sun Ningxiang, and Bai Bing told them she had arranged for Lei Lie and Qiao Xue to protect their families.
• Three Sacred Cult agents watched the carriage but decided not to attack Yang Jing because Bai Bing was with him.
• The Protector led the other two agents away to hide in the Stone Mountain Secret Realm, warning them to avoid exposure.
• A day later, Bai Bing, Yang Jing, and Sun Ningxiang reached Hidden Dragon Lake and sent their carriage driver back to Yuhe County.
• Bai Bing used her astral qi to carry Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang into the air and flew toward Duck Mountain Island as people on the shore watched in shock.

Bai Bing brought Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang back to the Profound Truth Sect, where the Sect Master summoned Bai Bing and Yang Jing to the Main Peak Hall. Yang Jing revealed his breakthrough to the true qi realm, and the sect leaders celebrated his achievement as their foremost Heavenly Prodigy.

• Bai Bing carried Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang across Hidden Dragon Lake and landed at the Profound Truth Sect's Outer Island docks, astonishing both disciples.
• Bai Bing led Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang toward Yunxi Peak while sect disciples greeted her respectfully; a Main Peak disciple then summoned Bai Bing and Yang Jing to meet the Sect Master.
• Bai Bing and Yang Jing went to the Main Peak Hall, where Cao Zhen, Li Zhihai, Qin Gang, and Ouyang Jingxuan examined Yang Jing with curiosity.
• Li Zhihai asked whether Yang Jing had reached the true qi realm, and Yang Jing revealed his cultivation aura to confirm his breakthrough.
• Cao Zhen and the other senior figures sensed Yang Jing's solid true qi foundations, and Cao Zhen joyfully praised the sect's new Heavenly Prodigy.

Yang Jing returned to the Profound Truth Sect after purging Demon Cult forces, and Cao Zhen proposed rewarding him with an imperial extremity lotus to reshape his Dao foundation. Cao Zhen also revealed a Demon Cult force was hiding in the Stone Mountain Secret Realm and outlined a joint purge, before raising plans for the Jintai Grand Tournament.

• Cao Zhen praised Yang Jing's service and said the peak masters would discuss his reward when they returned; Yang Jing accepted and left the Main Peak Hall.
• Cao Zhen told Bai Bing, Li Zhihai, Qin Gang, and Ouyang Jingxuan that he intended to use an imperial extremity lotus to reshape Yang Jing's Dao foundation.
• Cao Zhen revealed that Demon Cult martial artists were hiding in the Stone Mountain Secret Realm after secretly taking control of the Mountain-Supporting Sect and killing its supreme elder.
• Cao Zhen explained that the Five Great Schools would seal the secret realm's entrance with Core-Realm Experts and gather True Qi Realm experts to exterminate the Demon Cult force inside.
• Cao Zhen said he would meet the other four sect masters at the Cloudsoar Sect to plan the purge and discuss arrangements for the Jintai Grand Tournament.

Cao Zhen announced that the Jintai Grand Tournament would be moved to May so the sects could select young prodigies to fight the Demon Cult in the Stone Mountain Secret Realm. Back at Lingxi Peak, Yang Jing reunited with Sun Ningxiang, then resolved to strengthen his other true arts and checked his System Panel.

• Cao Zhen explained that the Demon Cult's presence in the Stone Mountain Secret Realm had prompted the five sects to move the Jintai Grand Tournament forward by a month and use it to train true qi realm prodigies.
• Cao Zhen told the Profound Truth Sect leaders to prepare their representatives, while the gathered elders welcomed Yang Jing's emergence as their true qi realm prodigy.
• Yang Jing returned to Azure No. 4 Courtyard and found Sun Ningxiang cleaning it and airing his bedding; he took the broom from her and sent her back to rest.
• After Sun Ningxiang left, Yang Jing finished cleaning, bathed, and resolved to become strong enough to protect those he cared about.
• Yang Jing planned to advance the Indestructible True Art and Crossing the River to the true qi realm, then checked his System Panel to review the progress of all three arts.

Yang Jing refined a Bone Jade Pill in his Grade-A Training Room to improve his root bone and accelerate his cultivation. The pill strengthened his bones and increased his origin energy absorption by more than five percent, though his root bone remained fifth grade.

• Yang Jing entered his Grade-A Training Room and prepared to refine the Bone Jade Pill he had seized from the Demon Cult's Demon Fortress.
• Yang Jing swallowed the pill and guided its medicinal power through his meridians and bones to temper his marrow and root bone.
• After about a quarter of an hour, Yang Jing finished refining the pill and found that his origin energy absorption had improved by more than five percent.
• Yang Jing confirmed that his root bone remained fifth grade and estimated he would need another two or three Bone Jade Pills to reach fourth grade.
• Yang Jing noticed that the pill's tempering had expelled a layer of impurities from his body.

Yang Jing trained intensively in the Indestructible True Art, Crossing the River, and Mountain-Splitting Seal before receiving a summons for nightly guidance from Bai Bing. Three days later, the leaders of Jintai Prefecture’s powers officially set the 50th Jintai Grand Tournament for May fifth at Moonwatch Mountain.

• Yang Jing practiced the Indestructible True Art and Crossing the River in his Grade-A Training Room, then consolidated his True Qi Realm cultivation with the Mountain-Splitting Seal.
• Zhang Jian told Yang Jing that he was expected at Lingxi Hall each night for the next few days, and Yang Jing agreed to go.
• At the Cloudsoar Sect’s Main Peak Hall, Ren An proposed holding the 50th Jintai Grand Tournament on May fifth at Moonwatch Mountain.
• Wei Ran, the Palace Master of the Jadewater Palace, Cao Zhen, Li Qingfeng, and the other assembled leaders agreed to the proposal.
• Ren An officially set the tournament date and venue and announced that the event would follow the usual rules, with the Five Great Sects leading and other powers participating.