Chapter Summaries

Chen Qing resumed cultivation and secured a steady monthly supply of True Essence Pills from Meng Qianxue, aiming to reach his third True Essence Tempering. Meanwhile, Zhong Yu gained the Ruan Family’s support and ordered You Lan to monitor Ruan Lingxiu after hearing that she seemed unusually fatigued.

• Chen Qing learned that rumors blamed him for leaving Qu He to face Zhong Yu, dismissed them, and returned to cultivating with True Essence Pills.
• Meng Qianxue visited Chen Qing and arranged for the Meng Family to provide him with five True Essence Pills each month at the sect’s official exchange price.
• Chen Qing accepted the pills and resolved to reach his third True Essence Tempering as quickly as possible.
• At Cloudy Sky Tower, Zhong Yu told Ruan Hongchang that he had injured Qu He to warn the True Martial lineage and discussed his plans for Chen Qing.
• Ruan Hongchang pledged the Ruan Family’s support to Zhong Yu, who accepted the alliance.
• You Lan reported that Ruan Lingxiu seemed fatigued; Zhong Yu ordered her to keep watching and report any abnormalities.

Chen Qing sought Luo Zhixian’s guidance on his spear array, then entered the Cave Heaven’s core region to temper his divine sense with Soul-Eroding Netherfire. Through relentless cultivation, he completed his third True Essence Tempering as the new year arrived.

• Chen Qing visited Luo Zhixian with Silver-Scaled Treasure Fish, demonstrated a spear array combining eighteen spirit treasure spears and two spear intents, and received advice to strengthen his divine sense.
• Luo Zhixian identified Chen Qing’s divine sense as the spear array’s main weakness and recommended tempering it in the Cave Heaven’s core region.
• Chen Qing entered the core region, met Zhang Baicheng, and used Soul-Eroding Netherfire to temper and expand his divine sense.
• Chen Qing devoted himself to cultivation over the following days, improving his spear array and advancing the Great Void True Scripture until its second layer was nearly complete.
• Chen Qing broke through the final barrier, completed his third True Essence Tempering, and emerged from the Quiet Room to find snow falling as the new year began.

After emerging from seclusion, Chen Qing received the Gu Family’s goodwill and visited Master Qiku at Blackwater Abyss Prison, where he learned that the prison’s Killing Intent was tied to a prisoner on its fifth level with a connection to Great Snow Mountain. He tried to trade food for Qi Yu’s demonic cultivation art, but recognized that she had given him a fake formula and left with the food.

• Chen Qing learned that Qing Dai had gone home and received an invitation to a True Martial Peak gathering, then welcomed Gu Hai and Gu Qing, who brought gifts and asked him to look after her at the sect.
• Gu Hai explained to Gu Qing that the Gu Family sought ties with Chen Qing because of his master, Luo Zhixian, and the True Martial lineage’s remaining influence.
• Chen Qing delivered holiday gifts to Luo Zhixian and Pei Tingchun, then visited Master Qiku at Blackwater Abyss Prison and learned the Killing Intent was linked to a person imprisoned on the fifth level with ties to Great Snow Mountain.
• Chen Qing offered Qi Yu Eight Treasure Precious Chicken in exchange for the opening verses of the Concentric Demon Seeding Great Law, but noticed the formula was false and took the food away.
• Qi Yu cursed Chen Qing for seeing through her deception, while he resolved to remain wary and deal with her again later.

As the Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pills neared completion, Zhong Yu secured Peak Master Xing Han’s support by promising him a pill, while Chen Qing learned how fiercely the Four Veins and powerful elders were watching the distribution. Danxia Peak successfully completed the pills and announced that the furnace would be opened in three days, setting the contest in motion.

• Peak Master Xing Han asked Zhong Yu for a Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pill, and Zhong Yu agreed in exchange for Xing Han’s promise to support his advancement to a Diheng Seat.
• Ruan Lingxiu worried that Zhong Yu had promised too many pills, but Zhong Yu insisted the Nine Heavens Vein would have enough and said he would suppress Chen Qing if he competed.
• Chen Qing summoned Zhu Yu, who reported that elders including Xing Han had approached Zhong Yu and that the Xuan Yang lineage might resist another loss in the pill contest.
• Nan Zhuoran had traveled to Cloudwater Supreme Sect, reportedly in connection with a banquet hosted by the Human Emperor in Jade Capital City.
• Chen Qing spent half a month consolidating his cultivation and training his spear formation.
• Gongye Zhuo and the Danxia Peak elders completed the Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pills and announced that they would open the furnace in three days.

As the Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pill furnace neared its opening, Chen Qing chose to attend despite warnings that Zhong Yu intended to suppress the True Martial lineage. After the furnace yielded eleven pills and Zhong Yu claimed the six remaining after the Xuan Yang and Jade Empyrean lineages took their shares, Chen Qing challenged his claim.

• Ji Yunliang told Zhang Baicheng that the Xuan Yang lineage would claim three pills, divided among Ji Yunliang, Zhang Baicheng, and Luo Chengxuan.
• Huo En discussed the Huo Family's planned cooperation with the Chen Family, while Huo Qiushui worried about Zhong Yu's threat to the True Martial lineage's share.
• After He Zhi delivered Zhang Yi's message about the furnace opening, Chen Qing told Qing Dai he would attend the contest and then prepared for the confrontation.
• Zhong Yu, Huo Qiushui, Zhang Baicheng, and other figures gathered at Danxia Peak as Gongye Zhuo opened the furnace and revealed eleven pills.
• Zhang Baicheng collected three pills for the Xuan Yang lineage, and Huo Qiushui accepted two after Zhong Yu blocked her request for three.
• When Zhong Yu moved to take the remaining six pills for the Nine Heavens Vein, Chen Qing stepped forward and objected.

Chen Qing challenged Zhong Yu for the Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pill and fought him through increasingly powerful techniques and formations. Chen Qing broke Zhong Yu’s Four Extremes Thunder Brilliance Sword Array, leaving Zhong Yu gravely wounded and the hall stunned as the duel’s victor was decided.

• Chen Qing refused Zhong Yu’s warning and attacked him with the Mysterious Dragon Spear, forcing Zhong Yu to draw the Startling Thunder Sword.
• Chen Qing matched Zhong Yu’s sword strikes and pierced through his Thunder Dragon attack by combining his spear with the sixth layer of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Vajra Body.
• Zhong Yu unleashed the Azure Nether Yellow Springs Sword and Thundercloud Annihilation Kill, but Chen Qing resisted his sword arts and neutralized his lightning strike with the Mountain River Seal.
• Zhong Yu summoned four swords to form the Four Extremes Thunder Brilliance Sword Array, while Chen Qing used the Myriad Phenomena Diagram of the Heavenly Cycle to create the True Martial Demon Purging Spear Array.
• Chen Qing’s spear array shattered Zhong Yu’s sword formation, leaving Zhong Yu half-kneeling and bleeding while Chen Qing remained standing.

Chen Qing defeated Zhong Yu, claimed all six Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pills, and became the third-ranked True Disciple, shaking the balance between the True Martial and Nine Heavens lineages. After sharing three pills with Pei Tingchun and Qu He, he returned to his courtyard, recovered from the duel, and prepared to use one of his remaining pills.

• Chen Qing defeated Zhong Yu and shattered his Four Extremes Thunder Brilliance Sword Array, confirming his rise to third among the True Disciples.
• Chen Qing collected all six Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pills, while Xing Han and the other Nine Heavens Vein elders swallowed their anger and let him leave with them.
• Pei Tingchun and Qu He arrived, learned that Chen Qing had won, and left Danxia Peak with him and the True Martial disciples.
• Qu He and Pei Tingchun recognized Chen Qing as the new third-ranked True Disciple and warned him that Nan Zhuoran and the Nine Heavens Vein might retaliate.
• Chen Qing gave three pills to Pei Tingchun and Qu He, then returned to his courtyard, where his maidservants congratulated him.
• Chen Qing recovered from the fight and took out an Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pill to begin using it.

After Chen Qing defeated Zhong Yu and claimed third place among the True Disciples, the Nine Heavens Vein and other sect leaders assessed the upheaval. Chen Qing gained Danxia Peak’s support, then learned Nan Zhuoran would return in about a month, leaving him focused on preparing for the coming confrontation.

• Ruan Lingxiu and Ruan Hongchang learned that Chen Qing had defeated Zhong Yu and worried that the Ruan Family’s alliance with the Nine Heavens Vein was now at risk.
• Luo Ziming told Li Yujun that Chen Qing had defeated Zhong Yu and taken all six Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pills allocated to the True Martial lineage; Li Yujun refused to suppress Chen Qing and left the response to Nan Zhuoran.
• Zhang Baicheng reported Zhong Yu’s defeat to Ji Yunliang, who recognized Chen Qing as a potential rival and decided to wait and see what the Nine Heavens Vein would do.
• News of Chen Qing’s victory spread throughout Tianbao Supreme Sect and reached the great families of Tianbao Giant City.
• Zhou Ming delivered ten True Essence Pills from Elder Li and offered Chen Qing a monthly supply at a discount, then told him Nan Zhuoran would return in roughly one month.
• Chen Qing considered the approaching threat and resolved to use the time before Nan Zhuoran’s return to strengthen himself.

Chen Qing saved his Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pill for later, checked on the thriving Golden Thunder Bamboo, and entered the Tianbao Tower to test his body-tempering strength. After defeating a powerful Intent Beast on the thirty-fourth floor with physical strength alone, he climbed toward the thirty-fifth floor as the purple light in his mind reacted intensely.

• Chen Qing decided to save the Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pill until his True Essence tempering had progressed further and learned from Bai Zhi that the Golden Thunder Bamboo was growing well enough to make a promising spirit treasure spear.
• Chen Qing considered replacing his weapons and equipment and decided to return to the Tianbao Tower to investigate the mysterious purple light in his mind.
• Chen Qing met Xu Min on the Rainbow Bridge, but she coldly told him he was blocking her way and continued past him.
• Chen Qing entered the Tianbao Tower and reached the thirty-fourth floor, where he faced a powerful dark-golden tiger Intent Beast.
• Chen Qing fought the tiger using only physical strength and defeated it with a Dragon-Elephant Combined Strike, then headed for the thirty-fifth floor as the purple light grew intensely active.

Chen Qing survived the thirty-fifth floor of the Tianbao Tower, gained temporary control of the Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure on the thirty-sixth floor, and kept the discovery secret. After a Great Snow Mountain elder investigated the tower’s activation, Chen Qing heard that Cloudwater Supreme Sect and the Tianxing Alliance were approaching war, then the sect’s bells announced another momentous event.

• Chen Qing endured the Soul-Eroding Ghostfire and physical traps on the Tianbao Tower’s thirty-fifth floor, tempering and expanding his divine consciousness.
• On the thirty-sixth floor, Chen Qing’s purple light connected him to the Tianbao Tower’s core and granted him temporary control, which he concealed before leaving.
• An elderly man in Green Pine Snow Mountain sensed the tower’s activation and sent Wuzhu to investigate Tianbao Supreme Sect and the Tianbao Tower.
• Chen Qing resumed his training, then learned from Qu He that Cloudwater Supreme Sect and the Tianxing Alliance had clashed at Fuyu Mountain Island and might begin a full-scale war.
• Three solemn bell chimes sounded across Tianbao Supreme Sect, and Chen Qing and Qu He realized that a major event had occurred.

Chen Qing attended Tianshu Pavilion’s council, where Tianbao Supreme Sect debated how to respond to the conflict between Cloudwater Supreme Sect and the Tianxing Alliance. The sect chose limited involvement under Han Guxi, while Ji Yunliang was promoted to the Diheng Seat, leaving Chen Qing to witness a peer rise into the sect’s ruling ranks.

• Chen Qing and Qu He discussed the coming council and the sect’s possible response to the conflict at Fuyu Mountain Island.
• At Tianshu Pavilion, Li Yujun announced Taiyi Supreme Sect’s invitation to a Six Sects Grand Market and reported that Cloudwater Supreme Sect and the Tianxing Alliance were nearing full-scale war.
• Xing Han urged Tianbao Supreme Sect to support Cloudwater, while Gongyang Ming argued for caution and warned against entering an uncertain conflict.
• Jiang Lishan decided that the sect would intervene without committing to a large-scale war and assigned Han Guxi to lead its response.
• Li Yujun announced Ji Yunliang’s promotion to the Diheng Seat, and Chen Qing watched elders congratulate the newly elevated Xuan Yang disciple.

Chen Qing learned that his Golden Thunder Bamboo could yield a formidable medium-grade spirit treasure spear, but forging a superior one would require rare materials. At Chaoping Gorge, Deng Ziheng was lured into an ambush and killed by a hidden attacker working with Qiao Lian Zheng, leaving Tianbao Supreme Sect unaware of the trap.

• Chen Qing consulted Lang Shanghai, who judged the Golden Thunder Bamboo suitable for a medium-grade spirit treasure spear but said a superior spirit treasure would require exceptional materials and luck.
• Bai Zhi told Chen Qing that Lang Shanghai had been demoted after offending someone at the Weapon Forging Hall, though its veteran masters still respected his skill.
• Huang Mei reported that a third supply ship and two teams investigating earlier disappearances had gone missing near Chaoping Gorge, so Deng Ziheng set out alone to investigate.
• Qiao Lian Zheng ambushed Deng Ziheng at sea, and Deng used a clone to escape toward East Pole City after realizing he could not win the fight.
• A black-cloaked attacker struck Deng Ziheng with a concealed finger technique, pierced his Mystic Tortoise Spirit Armor, and killed him.
• Qiao Lian Zheng and the black-cloaked man erased the battle traces, intending Deng Ziheng's death to draw Tianbao Supreme Sect into the conflict.

Deng Ziheng’s sudden death shook the Cloudwater Supreme Sect, and Chen Qing was assigned to investigate the murder in East Pole City. He departed with Han Guxi and Qu He, learned that Xu Min would travel with them, and left the group near Qiulong Path to continue toward East Pole City alone.

• Li Yi discovered that Deng Ziheng’s Life Tablet had shattered and reported his death to Yan Song.
• Chen Qing heard the news and learned from Qu He that Deng’s death might be connected to the Demonic Sect or Swallow’s Nest.
• Qu He told Chen Qing that Han Guxi had assigned him to investigate Deng’s murder, while also sending him away to avoid a clash with the returning Nan Zhuoran.
• Chen Qing departed with Han Guxi, Qu He, and Xu Min, whose origins Han Guxi said were unusual and tied to sect secrets.
• Han Guxi sent Chen Qing onward toward East Pole City and warned him to prioritize his safety and report discoveries through the Sect Secret Technique.

Chen Qing investigated Elder Deng Ziheng’s death and learned that the Demonic Sect might be operating from Myriad Streams Market. As Chen Qing set out to investigate, Qiao Lian Zheng decided to ambush and capture him, and prepared to seek powerful help.

• Huang Mei told Chen Qing that treasure ships and investigating disciples had vanished near Chaoping Gorge before Elder Deng died while investigating there.
• Chen Qing visited Gu Yunzhou, who pointed to Myriad Streams Market and reported that suspicious outsiders had recently bought sensitive supplies there.
• Gu Yunzhou promised the Gu Family’s full cooperation, and Chen Qing instructed Huang Mei to hold the outpost while he traveled to Myriad Streams Market.
• Shadow Bat told Qiao Lian Zheng that Chen Qing had come to investigate Elder Deng’s death and might trace the Demonic Sect to Myriad Streams Market.
• Qiao Lian Zheng rejected Shadow Bat’s suggestion to relocate and decided to ambush Chen Qing, then seek help to ensure his capture.

Chen Qing traveled toward Myriad Streams Market but was ambushed in the Turbulent Reefs by Shadow Bat and Blood Shark, then confronted by their leader, Qiao Lian Zheng. After refusing Qiao Lian Zheng’s demand to surrender, Chen Qing launched a spear attack, beginning their fight.

• Chen Qing prepared for the journey and sailed from East Pole City toward Myriad Streams Market aboard an ordinary Treasure Ship.
• As the ship entered the Turbulent Reefs, Shadow Bat attacked Chen Qing with Bone-Piercing Yin Needles, but Chen Qing blocked them and wounded him in close combat.
• Blood Shark interrupted Chen Qing’s pursuit of Shadow Bat, and Chen Qing defeated him with the True Martial Seal and Dragon-Elephant Power.
• Qiao Lian Zheng appeared, and Chen Qing suspected him of involvement in Elder Deng’s death.
• Qiao Lian Zheng demanded that Chen Qing surrender and return to the Sacred Gate or be captured by force; Chen Qing refused and attacked him with the Mysterious Dragon Spear.

Chen Qing battled Qiao Lian Zheng and the Old Man surnamed Wang, then used the Nine Shadows Evasion Technique to wound Qiao while fending off a coordinated assault. With his defenses failing and his enemies calling for reinforcements, he prepared to unleash the Great Void Annihilation Divine Light before a clear cry rang across the sea and made him withdraw it.

• Chen Qing and Qiao Lian Zheng exchanged spear, palm, and claw attacks before Chen Qing overcame Qiao's Blood Flame Burns City with the True Martial Seven Sections spear technique.
• The Old Man surnamed Wang emerged from concealment and joined Qiao in attacking Chen Qing, using a force-absorbing technique and a palm strike to restrain him.
• Chen Qing used the Nine Shadows Evasion Technique to mislead both enemies and strike Qiao Lian Zheng in the ribs, leaving him heavily wounded.
• Blood Shark, Shadow Bat, Qiao Lian Zheng, and the Old Man surnamed Wang attacked Chen Qing together, while his Mystic Tortoise Spirit Armor weakened under Qiao's Li Fire and Wang's Soul-Eroding Finger failed to penetrate his Sea of Consciousness.
• Qiao Lian Zheng revealed that he had sent a secret letter to his sect's protectors, and Chen Qing prepared to use the Great Void Annihilation Divine Light before a clear cry sounded across the sea and stopped him.

Xu Min arrived to aid Chen Qing, and together they defeated the Demonic Sect ambushers and Old Man surnamed Wang, whom Xu Min identified as a member of Que Men of the Yun Kingdom. As Chen Qing and Xu Min faced the aftermath, a Sea-Burning Giant Whale erupted from the sea and attacked them.

• Xu Min arrived on an Azure Bird and sent Chen Qing after Qiao Lian Zheng while she confronted Old Man surnamed Wang.
• Chen Qing killed Shadow Bat with a hidden Bone-Piercing Needle and struck down Blood Shark underwater with the Nine Heavens Thunder Finger.
• Chen Qing trapped Qiao Lian Zheng with the True Martial Demon Purging Spear Array and killed him in their final clash.
• Xu Min identified Old Man surnamed Wang as a member of Que Men of the Yun Kingdom, then killed him with a single sword strike that pierced his Nine Cauldrons Suppression Prison Technique.
• A Sea-Burning Giant Whale burst from the sea and attacked Chen Qing and Xu Min with a pillar of fire.

Chen Qing and Xu Min escaped the Sea-Burning Giant Whale and traveled to Myriad Streams Market, where Chen Qing sought help investigating Elder Deng’s death and spotted Zhang Longhu’s ship. Meanwhile, Sikong Hui learned that Qiao Lian Zheng had died and decided to take Li Han to Hundred Demons Cave.

• Xu Min rescued Chen Qing from the Sea-Burning Giant Whale, and they discussed Elder Deng’s death, Que Men, and the negotiations over Fuyu Mountain Island while heading toward Myriad Streams Market.
• Chen Qing decided to investigate the Demonic Sect’s activities and seek rare cultivation resources at Myriad Streams Market.
• Sikong Hui learned that Qiao Lian Zheng was dead and warned Li Han that greed and recklessness had cost the Demonic Sect capable people.
• Sikong Hui offered Li Han an elder position, but Li Han declined, and Sikong Hui ordered him to prepare for a trip to Hundred Demons Cave.
• Chen Qing and Xu Min arrived at Myriad Streams Market, where Chen Qing recognized the Black Dragon Ship and went to find Zhang Longhu.
• Zhang Longhu recognized Chen Qing and went out to meet him.

Chen Qing and Xu Min arrived at Myriad Streams Market to investigate the Demonic Sect and seek rare cultivation resources, but Chen Qing suspected the Tianxing Alliance knew more than it admitted. After disguising themselves, they entered Tianxing Pavilion’s top-floor barter market, where Chen Qing spotted a peerless saber manual but found no spear technique yet.

• Chen Qing reunited with Zhang Longhu, who congratulated him on becoming Tianbao Supreme Sect’s third true disciple and said he knew of no definite Demonic Sect activity in Myriad Streams Market.
• Zhang Longhu told Chen Qing that Tianxing Pavilion’s Tianxing Workshop hosted a year-round barter market, and arranged rooms for Chen Qing and Xu Min at a Black Dragon Island inn.
• Chen Qing suspected a high-ranking spy in Tianbao Supreme Sect had revealed his investigation to the Demonic Sect.
• Chen Qing and Xu Min disguised their appearances before leaving for Tianxing Pavilion to avoid attracting attention.
• Steward Qian led Chen Qing and Xu Min to the top-floor market, where they examined rare treasures and a Blood Hell Mad Saber manual requiring Star Crystal in exchange.

While shopping at Tianxing Pavilion, Chen Qing obtained the Four Symbols Pure Heart Grass and bought Nine Heavens Profound Iron despite Liu Qingxuan’s attempt to claim it. After a Que Sect officer recognized the jade pendant Li Baichuan had given Chen Qing as the Sect Master’s token, Chen Qing began questioning Old Deng’s identity and motives.

• Xu Min bought Seven-Colored Glazed Immortal Orchid seeds, and Chen Qing exchanged three treasure herbs for the Four Symbols Pure Heart Grass.
• Chen Qing bought the Nine Heavens Profound Iron before Liu Qingxuan could claim it, then left Tianxing Pavilion with Xu Min.
• Chen Qing and Xu Min were followed through an alley, where Chen Qing confronted the pursuer, Hong Tangfeng.
• Hong Tangfeng recognized Chen Qing’s jade pendant as the Que Sect’s supreme Sect Leader token and knelt, addressing Chen Qing as the Cult Leader.
• Chen Qing ordered Hong Tangfeng to keep his appearance secret and learned that Wang Hai belonged to the Que Sect and had dealt privately with the Wuji Demonic Sect.
• Back at the inn, Chen Qing examined Li Baichuan’s pendant and wondered why the Que Sect’s Sect Master had given it to him.