Recaps

Jiang Fan restrained himself from fighting Ren Huai in Central City but secretly destroyed Ren Huai’s divine sense with Time Rules, killing him. After spending the day shopping on Myriad Treasures Street, Jiang Fan and his companions returned to Clear Ripple Garden and heard that the Red Firmament Sect was demanding an investigation into Ren Huai’s death.

• Jiang Fan intimidated Ren Huai, then left Myriad Treasures Street with Zeng Yang and Jiang Zhuoxi after warning they would settle things at the Sect Ranking Tournament.
• Leng Yuexin witnessed Ren Huai collapse and die, wondered whether Jiang Fan or an Emperor-realm expert had killed him, and worried about the danger facing Duan Gang and the other lower-sect disciples.
• Jiang Fan revealed that he had secretly used Spiritual Power infused with Time Rules to destroy Ren Huai’s divine sense core as they left.
• Jiang Fan, Zeng Yang, and Jiang Zhuoxi shopped separately, then met at the Listening Rain Tea House and returned to Clear Ripple Garden with their purchases.
• Heaven Sect disciples told Jiang Fan and his companions that Ren Huai had died on Myriad Treasures Street and that the Red Firmament Sect was demanding an investigation.

After Ren Huai died, Leng Yuexin privately questioned Jiang Fan about his connection to the death and warned him that the Heaven Sect had likely assigned his group as sacrificial pieces in the Sect Ranking Tournament. The chapter ended with Leng Yuexin urging him to prepare for the danger ahead.

• Jiang Fan, Zeng Yang, and Jiang Zhuoxi ignored Heaven Sect disciples who mocked them and returned toward their rooms.
• Leng Yuexin stopped Jiang Fan and privately asked whether he had killed Ren Huai, noting that Ren Huai died soon after their conflict on Myriad Treasures Street.
• Jiang Fan denied involvement, and Leng Yuexin said the Red Firmament Sect and Central City Law Enforcement Team would likely investigate Ren Huai's death.
• Leng Yuexin explained that the special tactical group was often used to wear down an opponent's strongest team and warned Jiang Fan that he might face top disciples from other sects.
• Leng Yuexin urged Jiang Fan to make plans early if the Heaven Sect was treating him and his group as sacrificial pieces.

Jiang Fan learned from Leng Yuexin that the sect might use him and his companions as cannon fodder in the Sect Ranking Tournament, while she also suspected he was concealing his strength. As the Red Firmament Sect and Central City's Law Enforcement Team investigated Ren Huai's death, Jiang Fan gave his account of their encounter on Myriad Treasures Street.

• Leng Yuexin told Jiang Fan she suspected he was hiding his strength and warned him that the sect might sacrifice him, offering help if he needed it.
• Jiang Fan declined to explain his dealings with the sect, and Leng Yuexin advised him to answer truthfully if Central City's Law Enforcement Team questioned him about Ren Huai.
• Jiang Fan told Zeng Yang and Jiang Zhuoxi that Leng Yuexin had confirmed the sect's Exchange Tactics and urged them to act normally until the Ranking Tournament began.
• The Red Firmament Sect and Central City's Law Enforcement Team investigated Ren Huai's death and questioned Jiang Fan about his contact with Ren Huai.
• Jiang Fan said he and Jiang Zhuoxi had argued with Ren Huai over the price of a Qiluo Peony, then left without harming him.

Jiang Fan faced questioning over Ren Huai’s death and rejected Elder Zhao’s accusations, while the Law Enforcement Team found little reason to suspect him. Seven days later, the Sect Ranking Tournament began at Tianjing Mountain, where the gathered sects prepared to compete.

• Jiang Fan answered the Law Enforcement Team’s questions about his confrontation with Ren Huai and offered Leng Yuexin as a witness.
• Elder Zhao demanded that the investigators arrest Jiang Fan and Duan Gang, but they refused and said the evidence largely ruled out Duan Gang.
• Jiang Fan challenged Elder Zhao to provide evidence, and Elder Zhao threatened that Red Firmament Sect disciples would make him pay in the tournament.
• The Law Enforcement Team gave no further news over the next seven days as the sects prepared for the competition.
• The Heaven Sect team flew to Tianjing Mountain, where Jiang Fan saw disciples from many sects gathered for the tournament.

The Heaven Sect’s disciples competed in the seven-day Hundred Sects Melee inside the Phantom Spirit Realm, gathering Battle Tokens while surviving clashes with other sects. All ten Heaven Sect participants returned, and the chapter ended as the organizers began announcing the sect rankings.

• Elder Pei explained the tournament’s five-round scoring system and the Hundred Sects Melee rules, then named ten Heaven Sect disciples, including Chu Yunhe, Leng Yuexin, and Qi Hao, to participate.
• The selected disciples entered the Phantom Spirit Realm, where the sects watched their progress through Energy Spheres as they searched for Battle Tokens and fought rivals.
• As the seven-day round intensified, the Heaven Sect disciples faced dangerous battles, alliances, and attempts to protect their collected tokens.
• The round ended, and all ten Heaven Sect disciples returned with minor injuries; Elder Pei gave them Yuan-Nurturing Pills and predicted the sect had placed in the top ten.
• The tournament organizers began announcing the points, with Nine Heavens Sword Sect first and Sanskrit Sound Temple second.

Heaven Sect entered the second round of the Sect Ranking Tournament, a three-day timed mission through Qianzhang Maze Domain. Three of its five disciples reached the finish line, leaving Heaven Sect in eighth place with 350 points as the sect prepared for the third round.

• Elder Pei announced the timed mission rules and selected Chu Yunhe, Leng Yuexin, Lin Yue, Chen Feng, and one other disciple to represent Heaven Sect.
• Chu Yunhe led the team into Qianzhang Maze Domain, where they navigated dangerous terrain, demonic beasts, confusing fog, and the Phantom Sound Corridor.
• On the third day, Chu Yunhe, Leng Yuexin, and Chen Feng reached the Cloud Peak Finish Line before time ran out.
• Heaven Sect earned 60 points in the round, bringing its total to 350 and placing it eighth.
• Elder Pei encouraged the exhausted disciples to rest and prepare for the third round.

The Heaven Sect endured the Nine Nether Cold Pond trial and earned 950 points, dropping to twelfth place overall. After several days of recovery, the fourth-round troop-selection duel began, and Elder Pei drew the Heaven Sect’s opponent.

• Elder Pei explained that the third round awarded points according to how long each disciple survived in the Nine Nether Cold Pond.
• Ten disciples from each sect entered the simulated icy trial, and several contestants withdrew almost immediately.
• The Heaven Sect’s disciples endured for several days, with Chu Yunhe and Leng Yuexin remaining until the sixth day.
• The Heaven Sect scored 950 points in the round and fell to twelfth place with 1,300 total points.
• Elder Pei encouraged the disciples to recover their standing in the troop-selection duel, which began after several days of rest.
• Elder Pei drew a jade slip revealing the Heaven Sect’s opponent, and his brows furrowed at the name.

Heaven Sect drew Red Firmament Sect for a high-stakes, best-of-five troop-selection match, prompting Elder Pei and Zhao Changli to trade accusations over Ren Huai’s death. Elder Pei assigned Heaven Sect’s teams, ending with Duan Gang, Zeng Yang, and Jiang Zhuoxi chosen for the fourth match as the disciples murmured.

• Elder Pei suspected the draw against Red Firmament Sect had been manipulated, while Zhao Changli mocked Heaven Sect and vowed to settle matters in the arena.
• Elder Pei and Zhao Changli argued over Ren Huai’s death before an arbitration cultivator called the sects to report their battle arrangements.
• Elder Pei told Heaven Sect’s disciples that Red Firmament Sect was their opponent and urged them to win the match for the sect’s honor.
• Elder Pei explained that the best-of-five match awarded or deducted 100 points per round, with an extra 300 points for winning the match, enough for Heaven Sect to return to the Top Ten if it secured three rounds.
• Elder Pei assigned Leng Yuexin, Qi Hao, and Lin Yue to lead Heaven Sect’s first three teams.
• Elder Pei named Duan Gang, Zeng Yang, and Jiang Zhuoxi for the fourth match, drawing hushed whispers from the Heaven Sect disciples.

Elder Pei assigned Duan Gang and the other Special Tactics Group members to wear down the Red Firmament Sect’s strongest fighters, while Chu Yunhe led Heaven Sect’s final-round team. The first match began with Leng Yuexin facing Sun Lie, and her opening sword strike sent him flying as the other disciples joined the fight.

• Elder Pei told Duan Gang and the other Special Tactics Group members to prolong their fights and wear down powerful opponents, promising to forfeit if they were in danger.
• Elder Pei appointed Chu Yunhe to lead Heaven Sect’s final-round team, and Chu Yunhe vowed to fulfill his trust.
• The matchups were announced, and Elder Pei was pleased that Duan Gang’s group would face Zhao Wuji in the fourth round.
• Arbitration called Sun Lie and Leng Yuexin to lead their teams into the first round.
• Sun Lie charged Leng Yuexin with his twin maces, but Leng Yuexin split his fire attack with sword light and knocked him backward.
• The other Red Firmament Sect disciples rushed Leng Yuexin, and Heaven Sect’s disciples moved to intercept them.

Leng Yuexin led the Heaven Sect to victory in the first round against the Red Firmament Sect, then Qi Hao used his strongest array to trap Chen Gang and his teammates in the second round. Chen Gang struggled to withstand the formation, leaving the match unresolved.

• Leng Yuexin extinguished Sun Lie’s flames with Moonlight Filling the Sky and forced him to concede.
• The two remaining Red Firmament Sect disciples surrendered, giving the Heaven Sect the first-round victory.
• Chen Gang attacked Qi Hao, but Qi Hao used the Dragon-Trapping Array and Earth-Binding Array to contain him while his teammates joined the fight.
• Qi Hao activated the Three Talents Killing Array, trapping Chen Gang and his teammates in a barrage of attacks.
• Chen Gang and his teammates struggled to defend themselves as the formation threatened to drain their spiritual energy.

Chen Gang killed Qi Hao and two other Heaven Sect disciples, giving the Red Firmament Sect the second round; Wu Yuan then defeated Lin Yue and his teammates, putting the Red Firmament Sect ahead 2–1. The chapter left the Heaven Sect trailing as Zhao Changli taunted Elder Pei.

• Chen Gang broke through Qi Hao's formation, froze him and his two teammates, and shattered them despite the Heaven Sect disciples' protests.
• The arbitrator ruled that the deaths were permitted by the Troop Deployment Battle rules and awarded the second round to the Red Firmament Sect.
• Wu Yuan used his wind-based attacks to wear down Lin Yue, then bound Lin Yue and his teammates with Wind Binding Thousand Threads.
• Elder Pei conceded the third round, and Wu Yuan's team collapsed after their Spiritual Power was drained.
• Zhao Changli celebrated the Red Firmament Sect's 2–1 lead and mocked Elder Pei.

Jiang Fan led the Heaven Sect team into the fourth round against Zhao Wuji and the Red Firmament Sect, then defeated all three opponents with effortless attacks. The arena was left stunned as Zeng Yang and Jiang Zhuoxi realized how overwhelming Jiang Fan’s strength was.

• Elder Pei sent Duan Gang’s team into the fourth round, while Elder Zhao urged Zhao Wuji to show them no mercy.
• Jiang Fan walked onto the stage with Zeng Yang and Jiang Zhuoxi despite their fear of facing Zhao Wuji, an early Venerable.
• Zhao Wuji attacked Jiang Fan with Mystic Nether Palm, but Jiang Fan stopped the attack with a single step.
• Jiang Fan tapped Zhao Wuji with one finger, reducing him to flying ash.
• When the other two Red Firmament Sect disciples charged, Jiang Fan waved a hand and turned them to ash as well.
• Zeng Yang and Jiang Zhuoxi stood stunned, realizing Jiang Fan’s strength far exceeded what they had imagined.

After Duan Gang killed Zhao Wuji and secured Heaven Sect’s fourth-round victory, Elder Pei feared that the powerful lower-sect disciples he had used as cannon fodder would turn against him. Jiang Fan noticed Pei’s unease as Heaven Sect prepared for the deciding match, while Leng Yuexin realized Pei was afraid of Duan Gang and the others.

• Jiang Fan asked the arbitrator to announce the result, and the arbitrator declared Heaven Sect the winner of the fourth round after Duan Gang killed Zhao Wuji.
• Zhao Changli was stunned by the defeat and suspected Elder Pei had kept Duan Gang’s true strength secret.
• Elder Pei worried that Duan Gang and the other lower-sect disciples hated him for arranging to use them as cannon fodder on the trip to the seal.
• Jiang Fan and the others returned to Heaven Sect’s viewing area, where Jiang Fan asked Elder Pei why he looked unhappy despite their victory.
• Heaven Sect’s disciples wondered why Elder Pei seemed worried as their score reached 2:2 and Chu Yunhe prepared to compete.
• Leng Yuexin concluded that Elder Pei was afraid because Duan Gang and the others had survived and revealed their strength.

Duan Gang’s unexpected strength left Leng Yuexin questioning his motives, while the Heaven Sect and Red Firmament Sect entered their decisive fifth match. Li Muyun revealed a strange power against Chu Yunhe, and Chu Yunhe escalated his attack with his strongest sword move.

• Leng Yuexin wondered whether Duan Gang had killed Ren Huai and exchanged a brief look with Jiang Fan.
• Elder Pei sent Chu Yunhe, Sun Yan, and Xu Lin to prepare for the final match, with the score tied at 2:2.
• The Red Firmament Sect fielded a young man in green robes as Li Muyun, confusing Chu Yunhe and Elder Pei because their intelligence described Li Muyun as a female Spirit Master Realm cultivator.
• Elder Pei urged Chu Yunhe not to fear Li Muyun, and Chu Yunhe led Sun Yan and Xu Lin onto the arena.
• Chu Yunhe opened with the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique, but Li Muyun dispelled his sword momentum with a fingertip and an unfamiliar force.
• Chu Yunhe used Cloud Coil, his sharpest sword move, against Li Muyun.

Li Muyun revealed his greater cultivation and defeated Chu Yunhe, Sun Yan, and Xu Lin in the final round, securing Red Firmament Sect’s victory. Heaven Sect forfeited, leaving its disciples to face a devastating loss and an uncertain ranking.

• Li Muyun evaded Chu Yunhe’s sword attacks and criticized his reliance on form and momentum.
• Sun Yan and Xu Lin coordinated with Chu Yunhe to attack Li Muyun, while two Red Firmament Sect disciples disrupted their strikes.
• Li Muyun revealed his Venerable Realm middle-stage cultivation and formed a spiritual spear called Army Breaker.
• Li Muyun shattered Chu Yunhe’s defensive technique and knocked Chu Yunhe, Sun Yan, and Xu Lin out of the fight.
• Li Muyun spared Chu Yunhe after offering him a chance to admit defeat, and Elder Pei signaled the Arbitrator to forfeit the round.
• The Arbitrator declared Red Firmament Sect the winner, and the injured Chu Yunhe, Sun Yan, and Xu Lin knelt before Elder Pei to apologize.

After Heaven Sect lost the fourth round to Red Firmament Sect, its ranking fell to twenty-fifth, leaving Elder Pei fearful of the consequences. Leng Yuexin urged him to send Duan Gang into the final round, but Elder Pei hesitated because Duan Gang had become estranged from the sect.

• Elder Pei comforted Chu Yunhe and urged Heaven Sect’s disciples to regroup for the fifth round.
• The announcement confirmed Red Firmament Sect’s victory and showed Heaven Sect dropping from twelfth to twenty-fifth while Red Firmament Sect rose to sixth.
• Elder Pei worried that Heaven Sect’s poor standing would bring blame, reduced resources, and a loss of prestige.
• Leng Yuexin proposed sending Duan Gang into the fifth-round melee, believing his strength could earn Heaven Sect valuable points.
• Elder Pei acknowledged the suggestion but hesitated, concerned that Duan Gang might not cooperate and could later seek revenge on the sect.

After Leng Yuexin failed to persuade Elder Pei to send Jiang Fan into battle, she asked Jiang Fan to represent Heaven Sect in the fifth round, and he agreed if the sect selected him. As the final melee began, Elder Pei had still not announced Heaven Sect’s fighter, leaving everyone waiting to see whether he would choose Duan Gang.

• Elder Pei dismissed Leng Yuexin’s appeal and privately resolved not to send Jiang Fan into battle.
• Leng Yuexin thanked Jiang Fan for winning the fourth match, then asked him to fight in the final round; Jiang Fan agreed if Elder Pei selected him.
• Three days passed without Heaven Sect announcing its candidate for the final round.
• The Arbitrator announced the rules for the fifth-round unrestricted melee, where the last ten participants would earn points for their sects.
• The sect leaders began submitting their fighters’ names, while Heaven Sect’s disciples wondered whether Elder Pei would choose Chu Yunhe, Leng Yuexin, or Duan Gang.

Elder Pei chose Chu Yunhe instead of Duan Gang to represent Heaven Sect in the final round, despite the disciples’ protests. He feared Duan Gang’s rise and possible betrayal more than the damage to the sect’s ranking, and the hundred sects’ competitors assembled as the melee began.

• Elder Pei carved Chu Yunhe’s name onto the jade tablet, prompting outrage among Heaven Sect’s disciples and disbelief from Leng Yuexin.
• Leng Yuexin recalled that she had persuaded Elder Pei to choose Duan Gang, then wondered if Duan Gang had anticipated Elder Pei’s refusal.
• Jiang Fan concluded that Elder Pei had never intended to use Duan Gang and decided to let him bear the consequences of Heaven Sect’s declining rank.
• Elder Pei reasoned that Duan Gang might enter the Hidden Dragon Ranking and endanger Heaven Sect, so he accepted the risk of losing points rather than selecting him.
• The hundred chosen disciples, including Chu Yunhe, entered the arena, and the Arbitrator declared the competition underway.

Chu Yunhe survived the chaotic melee by hiding among the fighters and eliminating a lone opponent, but Li Luochuan and two allies cornered and defeated him. Chu Yunhe was eliminated from the Hundred Sects Melee, leaving the Heaven Sect disciples stunned.

• The disciples began a chaotic battle on the Martial Arts Arena, and the first contestant was forced to admit defeat and leave the ring.
• Chu Yunhe used his movement and sword techniques to stay hidden while groups eliminated nearly thirty fighters.
• Chu Yunhe took the opportunity to eliminate a lone disciple near the edge of the ring, drawing praise from the Heaven Sect disciples.
• Li Luochuan and two allies surrounded Chu Yunhe, seeking revenge for the Battle Token he had taken in the first round.
• Chu Yunhe broke their combined attacks with his ultimate secret art, but Li Luochuan struck him while his spiritual energy was depleted.
• Li Luochuan pierced Chu Yunhe's shoulder and kicked him out of the arena, and the Arbitrator announced his elimination.

The fifth-round battle ended with Azure Cloud Sect’s Kong Xi taking first place, and the final sect rankings were announced. Heaven Sect finished twenty-seventh, leaving Elder Pei to question whether choosing Chu Yunhe over Duan Gang had been a mistake.

• After Chu Yunhe’s elimination, Elder Pei blamed his poor performance and worried about the consequences for Heaven Sect.
• The melee continued until ten disciples remained, and they fought on through the night.
• Kong Xi won the fifth-round showdown for Azure Cloud Sect, followed by Zhao Chen and Li Muyun.
• The final rankings placed Azure Cloud Sect first and Red Firmament Sect eighth.
• Heaven Sect’s disciples discovered their sect had finished twenty-seventh with 900 points, and Elder Pei doubted his decision not to send Duan Gang into the battle.

After the Hundred Sect Ranking battle, the Hidden Dragon Ranking candidates were announced, and Heaven Sect’s Duan Gang was unexpectedly selected in tenth place. His selection stunned the sect and the gathered spectators, and the candidates were ordered to attend a final assessment at Tianjing Mountain the next day.

• Elder Pei urged Heaven Sect’s disappointed disciples to regroup, then led them out of the viewing area after the tournament ended.
• The Arbitration Council announced the Hidden Dragon Ranking candidates, including Bai Yu of the Flying Feather Sect, Qin Wuyue of the Green Sun Sect, and Li Muyun of the Red Firmament Sect.
• The final candidate was revealed as Heaven Sect’s Duan Gang, selected for killing Zhao Wuji in one strike despite his unknown background and cultivation.
• Spectators questioned Duan Gang’s selection, but the Arbitration Council declared the candidates’ choices final and announced an assessment at Tianjing Mountain the following day.
• Heaven Sect’s disciples reacted with shock and disbelief that Duan Gang, whom they had once mocked, had entered the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

Jiang Fan’s selection for the Hidden Dragon Ranking forced Heaven Sect to change its plans, while Zixiao Zhenren investigated the sect’s strange response and considered recommending Jiang Fan to the Holy Land. Elder Pei tried to mend his relationship with Jiang Fan, who saw through his concern and remained focused on discovering the seal’s secret.

• Zixiao Zhenren praised Jiang Fan’s composure and hidden strength, then ordered the white-haired Arbitrator to investigate Heaven Sect’s reaction to his selection.
• Elder Pei decided that Heaven Sect’s disciples would stay at Myriad Sects Garden until the Hidden Dragon Ranking assessment ended.
• Elder Pei summoned Jiang Fan and warned him to prepare carefully for the assessment.
• Elder Pei apologized for his tournament decisions and asked whether Jiang Fan still resented him over the seal expedition.
• Jiang Fan assured Elder Pei there was no grudge, then privately recognized that Elder Pei was trying to make peace because he feared retaliation.

Jiang Fan arrived at Tianjing Mountain for the Hidden Dragon Ranking assessment, where the ten selected candidates would compete to determine their final standings. After promising to take Zeng Yang and Jiang Zhuoxi with him if he left Heaven Sect, he watched the first round begin.

• Jiang Fan reassured Zeng Yang and Jiang Zhuoxi that strength and potential mattered more than the huge crowd at the assessment.
• Elder Pei urged Jiang Fan to represent Heaven Sect well, and Jiang Fan agreed to do his best.
• Zeng Yang and Jiang Zhuoxi said they wanted to follow Jiang Fan if he left Heaven Sect, and Jiang Fan promised to take them with him.
• The Elder Arbitrator explained that ten candidates would compete in three rounds to decide the Hidden Dragon Ranking's final order.
• The Elder Arbitrator announced the Ten-Pillar Seizure Battle, in which candidates had to seize Dragon Scale Tokens within one incense stick, and the ten candidates stepped onto Tianjing Platform.

Jiang Fan examined an unchosen Hidden Dragon Pillar and deduced that its three sections tested physical strength, state of mind, and likely comprehension or combat ability. As the other contestants began climbing, Li Muyun reached the first section’s end and was drawn into an illusion of countless reflections demonstrating his spear techniques, all blocked by an invisible barrier.

• The white-haired old man explained the rules for choosing and climbing the Hidden Dragon Pillars, and the ten contestants began selecting their pillars.
• Jiang Fan chose the last unclaimed pillar, sensed its array, and determined that it contained three different trials.
• Spectators mocked Jiang Fan for delaying, while Elder Pei remained calm and Leng Yuexin wondered what he was thinking.
• Li Muyun climbed higher than the other contestants and reached the first section’s end.
• An array froze Li Muyun and pulled him into an illusion where countless reflections of himself practiced spear techniques behind an impenetrable barrier.

Li Muyun and the other Hidden Dragon Ranking prodigies faced personal illusions in the second stage while Jiang Fan began climbing the Hidden Dragon Pillar. Jiang Fan reached the illusion and shattered it in less than ten breaths, leaving the spectators stunned.

• Li Muyun struggled to break through an endless illusion that challenged his spear intent, while the spectators discussed his and the other prodigies’ trials.
• Kong Xi, Zhao Chen, and Pu Zhi entered illusions involving family affection, sect conflict, and romance as the crowd debated the assessment’s difficulty.
• Jiang Fan began climbing the Hidden Dragon Pillar at a steady pace, and sharp-eyed spectators recognized his precise movements and exceptional physical strength.
• Jiang Fan reached the second-stage illusion, where a tide of strange beasts appeared before him.
• Jiang Fan summoned a phantom of himself and shattered the illusion in less than ten breaths, stunning everyone on the viewing platform.