Recaps

After winning the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament, Su Changqing received the Six Harmonies Mirror and the Sky Covering Method before setting out for Kong Sang Mountain with his companions. The group stopped in Heyang City for the night after a slow journey.

• Dao Xuan Zhenren gave Su Changqing the Six Harmonies Mirror and taught him its incantation, while the system awarded him the Sky Covering Method.
• Su Changqing, Zhang Xiaofan, Qi Hao, and Lu Xueqi departed Qingyun Sect for Kong Sang Mountain, and Su Changqing learned that Qi Hao had entered the Core Formation Realm.
• Zeng Shushu caught up with the group and joined their journey, making five travelers.
• The five flew toward Kong Sang Mountain for more than half a day, slowed by Zhang Xiaofan's difficulty controlling his Firewood Stick.
• The group agreed to spend the night in Heyang City and continue toward Kong Sang Mountain the next day.

Su Changqing led the Qingyun Sect group through Heyang City, used the Heaven Concealing Art to shield himself and Lu Xueqi from attention, and settled into an inn. That night, he began cultivating the Sky Covering Method and sensed the sealed Sea of Suffering beneath his Core Formation.

• Su Changqing suggested that the group change out of their Qingyun Sect robes to avoid Demonic Cult informants in Heyang City.
• After passersby stared at Lu Xueqi, Su Changqing used the Heaven Concealing Art to conceal himself and her, and offered to teach her the technique.
• The group checked into the Mountain Sea Garden Inn, where Su Changqing noticed a young woman at another table watching him before her veiled companion called him a lecher.
• Su Changqing returned to his room and reviewed the Sky Covering Method’s five realms and the steps of the Wheel Sea Maze Realm.
• Su Changqing began cultivating, sensed his Core Formation in his dantian, and identified the empty, sealed expanse beneath it as his Sea of Suffering.

Su Changqing made a small breakthrough in opening his Bitter Sea and received a system formula for Hundred Herb Liquid, though several ingredients were unfamiliar. When a young woman sneaked onto his roof at night, he confronted her and gave her a false name.

• Su Changqing chipped a tiny gap in the seal on his Bitter Sea but found progress slow.
• The system gave Su Changqing a formula for spiritual pills and liquid with the effects of Hundred Herb Liquid, but its final ingredients were unknown to him.
• Su Changqing wrote down the ingredient names and prepared to sleep before sensing someone probing his room with spiritual awareness.
• Su Changqing found the beautiful young woman from the banquet searching for him on the inn roof, and she claimed she had climbed up to admire the moon.
• When the young woman asked for his name as compensation, Su Changqing introduced himself as Zhang Xiaofan.

Su Changqing encountered Bi Yao on a roof, while Aunt You warned her about him and explained that the Qingyun Sect’s mysterious rising talent was a threat to the Holy Cult. The five Qingyun Sect disciples then traveled toward Kong Sang Mountain, with Su Changqing cultivating along the way.

• Su Changqing told Bi Yao to leave the cottage roof, and she returned to Aunt You after giving him the name Zhang Xiaofan.
• Aunt You warned Bi Yao not to approach Zhang Xiaofan and identified the Qingyun Sect disciples, including Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and Su Changqing.
• Aunt You told Bi Yao that Su Changqing had reached the Foundation Establishment Realm in one year, won the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament, and might threaten the Holy Cult.
• Bi Yao wondered why she had been unable to discern Zhang Xiaofan’s cultivation realm and resolved to interrogate him if she got another chance.
• The next day, Qi Hao led the five Qingyun Sect disciples toward Wanfu Ancient Cave on Kong Sang Mountain, and Su Changqing cultivated the Sky Covering Method during their ten-day journey.

Su Changqing and the others entered Kong Sang Mountain in search of Wanfu Ancient Cave, where a massive swarm of demonic bats attacked them. The Six Harmonies Mirror held the bats back for now, but the five remained surrounded by millions of them.

• The five arrived at desolate Kong Sang Mountain and decided to search for Wanfu Ancient Cave before night fell.
• Su Changqing sensed danger on the mountain path and used the Six Harmonies Mirror to shield the group.
• Qi Hao explained that Kong Sang Mountain had once been a gathering place for the Demonic Cult and warned that spirits or monsters might be present.
• A huge swarm of red-eyed bats descended on the five, and the Six Harmonies Mirror stopped them from reaching the group.
• The mirror's light killed bats that struck the barrier, but the swarm kept attacking while Su Changqing blocked the stench with a spell.

Su Changqing drew the demon bat swarm away from Lu Xueqi, Qi Hao, and the others, intending to use the attack to conceal his departure. Surrounded by the bats on a mountainside, he unleashed the Thunder Brahma Divine Ability, and the swarm faltered before the descending lightning.

• Su Changqing cut a passage through the bat swarm with his Gale Sword Technique and flew off to lure the bats away from the others.
• Qi Hao stopped Lu Xueqi from following Su Changqing, and the group stayed inside the Six Harmonies Realm to wait.
• Su Changqing led the bats away so he could protect the group and hide his tracks from the Demonic Cult.
• Su Changqing stopped on an open stretch of land, faced the pursuing swarm, and formed hand seals to cast Thunder Brahma.
• The bats halted and some tried to retreat when violet lightning filled the sky, but the tightly packed swarm blocked their escape.

Su Changqing wiped out a swarm of Bloodthirsty Bats after comprehending the Lesser Divine Ability Thunder Annihilation, then set out for Southern Heaven City to attend the Southern Heaven Grand Gathering. He arrived at the city with fifteen days remaining before the event and entered after the cultivators at the gate yielded to his Core Formation Realm aura.

• Su Changqing used lightning to kill thousands of Bloodthirsty Bats and gained insight into a more powerful area attack.
• Su Changqing comprehended the Lesser Divine Ability Thunder Annihilation and used a giant lightning net to kill the remaining bats.
• Su Changqing collected the bat corpses and decided to travel to the Southern Heaven Grand Gathering in Southern Heaven City.
• Su Changqing flew east for half a month, handling minor troubles along the way, and reached Southern Heaven City with fifteen days until the gathering.
• Su Changqing descended outside the city, where cultivators made way for him after sensing his Core Formation Realm aura, and he walked through the gate.

Su Changqing hired Little Tiger to guide him through Southern Heaven City and went to Myriad Things Tower to sell demon beast materials. There, he met Su Meier, whose attempt to charm him failed, and he asked her to appraise his goods.

• Su Changqing hired Little Tiger, a local Wind Chime, to guide him around Southern Heaven City.
• Little Tiger explained the city’s four districts and led Su Changqing to Myriad Things Tower.
• Myriad Things Tower’s attendant escorted Su Changqing to the fourth floor, where he sensed four Core Formation cultivators warning him not to cause trouble.
• Su Meier greeted Su Changqing in a private room and asked his name and what he wished to sell.
• Su Changqing resisted Su Meier’s charm technique and asked her to appraise his demon beast materials.

Su Changqing sold his Bloodthirsty Bat corpses at the Myriad Things Tower after rebuffing Su Meier’s repeated attempts to bewitch him. While exploring Southern Heaven City’s market stalls ahead of the auction, he felt an inexplicable urge to take a damaged black banner.

• Su Changqing resisted Su Meier’s seduction and warned her that he would end their business if she kept attacking him.
• Su Meier apologized, appraised Su Changqing’s more than 8,900 Bloodthirsty Bat corpses, and paid him 100,000 spirit stones; she then ordered Dark Shadow not to harm him.
• Su Changqing left the Myriad Things Tower, paid Little Tiger to find him lodging, and rented a courtyard at Skywater Tower for 3,000 spirit stones.
• With fifteen days remaining before the auction, Su Changqing went to Southern Heaven City’s market stalls to look for treasures.
• Su Changqing noticed a damaged black banner pole with blood-red patterns and felt compelled to take it.

Su Changqing acquired a tattered black flag from a stall in Southern Heaven City, then refused to sell it to Huo Yunzi, who planned to seize it after they left the city. Back in his courtyard, Su Changqing tested the flag by infusing it with spiritual power, but it showed no reaction.

• Su Changqing bought Blazing Tiger fangs for ten thousand spirit stones and obtained a black stone, a worn talisman brush, and a tattered black flag as extras.
• Huo Yunzi offered Su Changqing ten thousand, then twenty thousand spirit stones for the flag, but Su Changqing refused and left despite Huo Yunzi's threat.
• Huo Yunzi learned from his Treasure Seeking Rat that the flag was an exceptional treasure and planned to take it once Su Changqing left Southern Heaven City.
• Su Changqing returned to his courtyard, activated its formation, and tried infusing the flag with spiritual power, but it absorbed the power without reacting.

Su Changqing bound the incomplete Heavenly Demon Banner, comprehended the Twelve Capital Celestial Demon Array, and then went to the Tiannan Auction in Xuanyuan City. At the entrance, Jin Buhuan demanded entry despite being below Foundation Establishment, and the crowd gathered as he threatened the guards.

• Su Changqing used his blood to bind the Heavenly Demon Banner and witnessed a vision of twelve demon banners forming a Yin-Yang grinding disk on an ancient battlefield.
• Su Changqing comprehended the complete Twelve Capital Celestial Demon Array and realized he could restore the incomplete banner with special spirit materials.
• After several peaceful days, Su Changqing arrived at the Tiannan Auction, where guards led by a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator controlled entry.
• Jin Buhuan arrived in a lavish beast carriage with two mid-stage Core Formation guards and offered ten thousand spirit stones to enter despite lacking Foundation Establishment cultivation.
• A crowd of cultivators jeered in support of Jin Buhuan, who identified himself as the young sect master of the Jinsha Sect and began threatening the guards.

At the Southern Heaven City auction, Xiang Tianyun killed Jin Buhuan and crushed his soul to stop the crowd from causing trouble. Su Changqing entered the auction and watched as Bai Ruxue opened the bidding with a set of swords that drew eager offers.

• Jin Buhuan attacked Xiang Tianyun, who pierced his abdomen and seized his soul.
• Xiang Tianyun identified himself as the Southern Heaven Sect's Tenth Elder and crushed Jin Buhuan's soul, silencing the troublemakers.
• Su Changqing entered the Tiannan Auction hall and waited for the auction to begin.
• Bai Ruxue introduced the Mother-Child Soul Chasing Sword, a set of eight low-grade magical treasures, and began the bidding at three hundred thousand spirit stones.
• Cultivators bid eagerly for the sword set, raising the price from four hundred thousand to six hundred thousand spirit stones.

Su Changqing watched a fierce auction and became determined to obtain a Yellow Springs Pill that would aid his physical cultivation. Skull Old Demon threatened the other bidders, but Su Changqing prepared to compete with him.

• The first set of low-grade magical treasures sold for 850,000 spirit stones, while Su Changqing declined to bid.
• Bai Ruxue offered a Crimson Essence Stone, and Sect Master Long of the Heavenly Dragon Sect outbid her attempt to buy it herself.
• Bidders passed on the Nine Heavens Profound Technique when its price reached three million spirit stones.
• Bai Ruxue presented a Yellow Springs Pill, and Su Changqing decided to wait and assess the competition before bidding.
• Skull Old Demon bid 1.2 million spirit stones and warned everyone not to compete, but Su Changqing resolved to fight for the pill.

Su Changqing won the Yellow Springs Pill after Skull Old Demon and Jin Buhuan yielded their bidding contest, then watched the auction until the Other Shore Flower appeared. The flower could help him advance his Heaven Shading Scripture, and he resolved to obtain it.

• Skull Old Demon and Jin Buhuan drove the Yellow Springs Pill’s price up before Su Changqing bid three and a half million spirit stones, prompting them to yield it to him.
• Su Changqing bought the Yellow Springs Pill for three and a half million spirit stones.
• Jin Buhuan asked Bai Ruxue about the Core Formation Puppet’s origin, but she refused to disclose the seller’s identity under the auction’s rules.
• Jin Buhuan won the Core Formation Puppet for two million spirit stones.
• Bai Ruxue unveiled the Other Shore Flower, and Su Changqing resolved to obtain it for his cultivation.

Su Changqing bid for the Other Shore Flower at Bai Ruxue’s auction, where Dragon Slaying Venerable’s identity prompted cultivators to offer rare treasures. He countered Skull Old Demon’s Nine Heavens Profound Iron with a beast hide bearing the Supreme Treasure Art of the Thunder Emperor, shocking the hall.

• Bai Ruxue revealed that the Other Shore Flower belonged to Dragon Slaying Venerable, a Spirit Transformation Venerable, and that he would accept rare materials in exchange.
• The auction’s cultivators offered increasingly valuable treasures, including Nine Heavens Profound Iron and Skull Old Demon’s Fire Dragon Pill.
• Bai Ruxue confirmed that Dragon Slaying Venerable had listed Nine Heavens Profound Iron among the acceptable items, and she prepared to award the flower.
• Su Changqing interrupted and declared that he would bid for the Other Shore Flower despite Skull Old Demon’s objections.
• Su Changqing offered an ancient beast hide inscribed with the minor Divine Ability Supreme Treasure Art of the Thunder Emperor, stunning the bidders and drawing their greedy attention.

Su Changqing secured the Other Shore Flower by presenting a minor Divine Ability that Bai Ruxue verified, though Skull Old Demon and others still coveted his prize. The auction’s final treasure was revealed as an ancient Nine-Headed Golden Lion egg, leaving the attendees stunned.

• Bai Ruxue examined Su Changqing’s beast hide and confirmed that it contained a genuine minor Divine Ability.
• Skull Old Demon conceded the Other Shore Flower to Su Changqing but secretly planned to seize his belongings later.
• Su Changqing accepted the Other Shore Flower and considered how to escape the people who would target him.
• Bai Ruxue unveiled a sealed ancient beast egg whose roar overwhelmed many people in the auction hall.
• Bai Ruxue identified the egg as belonging to a Nine-Headed Golden Lion, shocking the crowd.

Bai Ruxue auctioned a weak-vitality Nine-Headed Golden Lion egg as Su Changqing decided to leave Southern Heaven City after obtaining the Other Shore Flower from Skull Old Demon. Skull Old Demon ambushed Su Changqing outside the city to demand the treasure, and their battle began with Su Changqing vanishing as blood chains closed in.

• Bai Ruxue revealed that the auction’s final treasure was a Nine-Headed Golden Lion egg and set its starting price at fifty million spirit stones.
• Bidders drove the egg’s price sharply higher, while Su Changqing left the auction hall and flew out of Southern Heaven City despite its air-restriction formation.
• After traveling a thousand miles, Su Changqing sensed Skull Old Demon hiding nearby and challenged him to show himself.
• Skull Old Demon appeared, demanded the Other Shore Flower, and attacked Su Changqing with his Blood River Soul Lock technique.
• Su Changqing summoned the Six Harmonies Mirror and Qing Feng Sword, then vanished as the blood-red chains reached him.

Su Changqing fought Skull Old Demon, using his spatial escape technique, sword, and body cultivation to survive the stronger cultivator’s attacks. He gained an advantage with his thunder dragon, but the battle remained unresolved as Skull Old Demon prepared another attack.

• Su Changqing used the Fanwu Escape Technique to evade Skull Old Demon’s attack and sent the Qing Feng Sword against the Purple Gold Bowl, shaking the surrounding mountains.
• Skull Old Demon used the Blood Sea Dharma Wheel to knock back the Qing Feng Sword, then trapped Su Changqing’s Sword Qi with threads of spiritual power and closed the distance.
• Su Changqing endured Skull Old Demon’s punch with his tempered body and escaped backward with the Fanwu Escape Technique.
• Su Changqing summoned a thunder dragon that forced Skull Old Demon’s Natal Divine Fire back, though Skull Old Demon reinforced his flames with the surrounding spiritual energy until the two forces stalemated.
• Skull Old Demon moved to launch the Purple Gold Bowl at Su Changqing, who drew a Qing Feng Sword to meet him.

Su Changqing battled Skull Old Demon with his Qing Feng Sword, Thousand Flowers Array, and successive sword attacks, but the late Core Formation cultivator endured the assault. Su Changqing fled when he realized he could not win, while Skull Old Demon emerged from the devastation and pursued the clash’s aftermath.

• Su Changqing trapped Skull Old Demon’s escape technique with the Thousand Flowers Array and struck him with the Qing Feng Sword, but Skull Old Demon blocked the attack with the Purple Gold Bowl.
• Su Changqing took spirit pills to replenish his spiritual power and unleashed a vast rain of five-colored flower swords.
• Skull Old Demon used his essence blood to reinforce his golden barrier and push back the sword rain.
• Su Changqing recognized that he was no match for Skull Old Demon and escaped with the Fanwu Escape Technique.
• The battlefield was devastated, and Skull Old Demon emerged from a deep pit as a pillar of light burst into the sky.

After escaping Skull Old Demon, Su Changqing recovered from his injuries and advanced to the Core Formation Middle Stage, gaining a major increase in strength. He then encountered a brother and sister under attack by a Crimson Firebird and prepared to intervene.

• Skull Old Demon received word that the Yin Corpse Sect was under attack and was urgently summoned back, leaving Su Changqing alive.
• Su Changqing escaped several thousand li, carved out a cave, and collapsed unconscious after exhausting his spiritual power and burning his blood essence.
• Three months later, Su Changqing awakened after refining the Yellow Springs Pill, reaching the Core Formation Middle Stage, planting an Other Shore Flower in his Sea of Bitterness, and strengthening his body.
• Su Changqing left the cave and, three days later, found Ouyang Long and his younger sister fighting a late second-rank Crimson Firebird.
• Ouyang Long asked Su Changqing for help, and the Crimson Firebird sent fire serpents toward him.

Su Changqing rescued Ouyang Long and Ouyang Feng from a demonic beast and joined them on their way to the Joyous Union Sect’s Harmony Gathering. They arrived at Chaotic Star Island, where tens of thousands of cultivators had gathered ahead of the event.

• Su Changqing killed the demonic beast threatening Ouyang Long and Ouyang Feng and collected its Demon Core.
• Ouyang Long and Ouyang Feng thanked Su Changqing, invited him to travel with them, and explained that they were headed to the Harmony Gathering.
• Ouyang Long said he hoped to find a Foundation Establishment disciple of the Joyous Union Sect as a partner, while Ouyang Feng hoped to join the sect.
• Su Changqing and the siblings flew east with the other arriving cultivators and reached Chaotic Star Island.
• The three descended onto Chaotic Star Island, where cultivators traded goods while awaiting the Harmony Gathering.

Su Changqing parted from Ouyang Long and his sister after giving them the Demon Core, then spotted a pouch at a market stall that caught his interest. The stall owner, Li Xueyun, feared the Core Formation senior might have designs on her, while her family history revealed why she had grown up outside the Joyous Union Sect.

• Su Changqing gave Ouyang Long the Demon Core as a keepsake and vanished into the market.
• Ouyang Long concluded that Su Changqing was likely a senior expert and told his sister they should remember their debt of gratitude.
• Su Changqing noticed a small pouch at Li Xueyun's stall and asked what it contained.
• Li Xueyun became nervous, suspecting the powerful senior might be interested in her beauty.
• Li Xueyun's mother had left the Joyous Union Sect after falling in love with an independent cultivator and taking the Life-Sharing Fruit with him.
• Leng Ruyue expelled Li Xueyun's mother rather than kill her, and the couple began living as independent cultivators.

Li Xueyun’s parents had died protecting her from a Core Formation demonic beast, and she returned to the Joyous Union Sect with little money and a small bag of mysterious purple rice. Su Changqing recognized the rice as a spiritual item he wanted and offered to buy it, then told Li Xueyun to come with him.

• Li Xueyun’s mother remembered how she had traded cultivation prospects for love, and how she and her husband died fighting a Core Formation demonic beast so their daughter could escape.
• Li Xueyun returned to the Joyous Union Sect after enduring many hardships, but had no spirit stones and failed to sell her shabby wares at the temporary market.
• Su Changqing approached Li Xueyun, whose fear that he intended to exploit her eased when he asked to inspect an item in her bag.
• Su Changqing examined the purple rice and learned Li Xueyun’s wandering cultivator parents had left it to her.
• Su Changqing recognized the rice as Purple Spirit Rice, decided to buy it, and told Li Xueyun to come with him.

Li Xueyun agreed to accompany Su Changqing after he offered to buy the valuable relics left by her parents, but several disciples of the Seven Desires Demon Lord interrupted them. Su Changqing dismissed their threat, and the Joyous Union Sect arrived to confront the troublemakers.

• Su Changqing explained that he wanted to buy Li Xueyun's parents' relics and offered to pay her somewhere safer, and Li Xueyun decided to go with him despite her suspicions.
• Li Xueyun packed away her talismans and demon bones as Su Changqing reflected on the harshness of the cultivation world.
• Li Tianyi and three companions surrounded Li Xueyun, and she told them to scram when Li Tianyi invited her to drink with them.
• Su Changqing mocked Li Tianyi and his master, the Seven Desires Demon Lord, prompting Li Tianyi to attack him with black light and a Flying Sword.
• A group of Joyous Union Sect women arrived and warned Li Tianyi against fighting on their territory.
• The leading woman coldly asked whether Li Tianyi and his companions had been causing trouble.

Su Changqing exposed Li Tianyi’s lies, revealed his overwhelming Core Formation power, and killed Li Tianyi and his companions while extracting their primordial spirits. Leng Ruyue of the Joyous Union Sect arrived to confront him, and she began assessing his background before deciding how to respond.

• Li Tianyi blamed Su Changqing and his companions for insulting the Joyous Union Sect, but Su Changqing revealed his power and forced the nearby cultivators to their knees.
• Li Tianyi realized Su Changqing was stronger than his master, the Seven Desires Old Demon, and begged for mercy.
• Su Changqing killed Li Tianyi and the other disciples, extracted their primordial spirits, and sealed them in a jade bottle.
• Leng Ruyue arrived at Chaotic Star Island, and Hou Qianqian respectfully greeted her as Martial Aunt Leng.
• Leng Ruyue questioned the situation and held back from attacking Su Changqing while she considered whether a powerful faction stood behind him.