Chapter Summaries

Ji Haoyuan investigated the captured Demonic Cultivators, but soul restrictions killed them before they could reveal the Netherworld Sect’s purpose. A Crimson Cloud Sect steward then arrived at the Ji Family and demanded to meet its decision-makers, leaving Ji Haoyuan, Ji Bochang, and Ji Yunfan to face him.

• Ji Yunfan brought two captured black-robed Demonic Cultivators to Ji Haoyuan, who tried to interrogate them with the Phantom God Stab.
• One captive revealed that they served the Netherworld Sect, but soul restrictions caused both men’s heads to explode when they neared the secret purpose of their mission.
• Ji Bochang told Ji Haoyuan that the Netherworld Sect was a Golden Core Devil Dao Sect with two Golden Core True Persons, matching the Crimson Cloud Sect’s strength.
• Ji Haoyuan received an urgent message from Ji Yunhai saying a Crimson Cloud Sect External Affairs Hall steward had arrived and requested their presence.
• The crimson-robed steward complained that the Ji Family had kept him waiting and challenged whether they took the Crimson Cloud Sect for a fool.
• Ji Haoyuan, Ji Bochang, and Ji Yunfan arrived at the Guest Reception Hall to meet the steward.

Ma Qiulin delivered the Crimson Cloud Sect’s decree that families under its jurisdiction might be compelled to join its escalating conflict with the Netherworld Sect. After learning that the Feng Family had received the same warning and found demonic cultivators, Ji Haoyuan ordered preparations, but his Exclusive Identity Jade Token began to glow before he could finish.

• Ji Bochang apologized to Ma Qiulin after he arrived, and Ma announced that the Crimson Cloud Sect had already clashed with the Netherworld Sect several times.
• Ma Qiulin relayed the Golden Core Old Ancestor’s decree requiring cultivators under the Crimson Cloud Sect’s jurisdiction to follow its orders and potentially go to the front lines, and instructed them to kill any demonic cultivators they found.
• Ji Haoyuan opened a message talisman from Feng Wanqing and learned that demonic cultivators had appeared in Danyang Prefecture and the Feng Family had received a similar decree.
• Ji Haoyuan told the gathered Ji Family members about the Feng Family’s situation and ordered them to strengthen themselves, stock up on supplies, and buy First Order and Second Order ores and materials.
• Ji Haoyuan’s Exclusive Identity Jade Token began to flicker before he could finish speaking.

Ji Haoyuan learned that the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion would auction a Foundation Establishment Pill in half a month, and he prepared the Ji Family to compete for it. He and Ji Bochang arrived in Crimson Cloud Immortal City for the auction and reached the pavilion with Bai Qingshuang as their guide.

• Ji Haoyuan received news of the upcoming auction and told the Ji Family to gather Spirit Stones and seek Foundation Establishment treasures.
• Ji Haoyuan gave Ji Bochang a defensive Round Shield, and Ji Bochang agreed to accompany him to the auction.
• Half a month later, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang arrived in crowded Crimson Cloud Immortal City.
• Ji Haoyuan reunited with Bai Qingshuang and asked her to guide them to the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion.
• Bai Qingshuang told Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang that many cultivators and at least seven or eight Foundation Establishment-level factions had come for the auction.

Ji Haoyuan learned that the Exquisite Treasure Pavilion’s Auction would include multiple Foundation Establishment Pills and other valuable items, including a fragment map resembling one he already owned. He noticed the Zhang Family had arrived with two Han Family cultivators, then waited as Xue Yuling began the Auction and revealed its first item, a blue crystal that astonished the crowd.

• Ji Haoyuan asked Xue Yuling about the Foundation Establishment Pills and spiritual items, and she hinted that the Auction would offer several of them.
• Ji Haoyuan’s group entered a private room, where he found a Jade Scroll listing an incomplete map fragment similar to the one in his possession and decided to bid for it.
• Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang saw Zhang Mingyuan, Zhang Mingze, and Zhang Zhilong arrive with two Han Family cultivators, prompting concern about the families’ alliance.
• Xue Yuling opened the Auction and explained its bidding rules.
• Xue Yuling unveiled the first item, a blue crystal in a transparent Jade Box, astonishing Ji Haoyuan, Ji Bochang, and the other attendees.

At the auction, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang passed on the Guishui Spirit Crystal, then Ji Haoyuan bid on a Fragment Map that Han Penghu and Han Pengfeng also wanted. Their bid against him reopened their hostility over Han Pengshan’s disappearance.

• Xue Yuling auctioned a Guishui Spirit Crystal, which a local Foundation Establishment Family bought for nine thousand five hundred Spirit Stones.
• Ji Haoyuan persuaded Ji Bochang not to bid on the crystal because they were saving their Spirit Stones for a Foundation Establishment Pill.
• Xue Yuling presented an incomplete Fragment Map that might lead to a Golden Core True Person’s Cave Mansion, but no one bid at first.
• Han Penghu or Han Pengfeng bid five hundred Spirit Stones on the Fragment Map, and Ji Haoyuan recognized that the Han Family members knew of it.
• Ji Haoyuan bid eight hundred Spirit Stones, prompting Han Penghu and Han Pengfeng to recall their hostility toward him over Han Pengshan’s disappearance and raise the bid to fifteen hundred Spirit Stones.

Ji Haoyuan and the Han brothers drove the price of a Fragment Map to 4,500 Spirit Stones before Ji Haoyuan let them win it, then he bought Glazed Flame Jade and prepared to compete for a Foundation Establishment Pill. As the pill’s price climbed, Ji Haoyuan rejected Ji Bochang’s suggestion to wait for another and bid 28,000 Spirit Stones.

• Ji Haoyuan and the Han brothers competed over a Fragment Map until the Han brothers bid 4,500 Spirit Stones, and Ji Haoyuan stopped bidding.
• Ji Haoyuan bought Glazed Flame Jade for 3,000 Spirit Stones to upgrade his Crimson Flame Pattern Spear.
• Xue Yuling introduced a Foundation Establishment Pill, and the crowd’s bids quickly raised its price past 16,000 Spirit Stones.
• Ji Bochang suggested waiting for a later pill, but Ji Haoyuan argued that later competition would be fiercer.
• Ji Haoyuan bid 28,000 Spirit Stones for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang secured a Foundation Establishment Pill and stayed at the Auction to acquire more treasures for the Ji Family. As they prepared to leave, Xue Yuling offered an incomplete Tier 2 Lightning Law, Crimson Firmament Heavenly Thunder, for naturally formed Earth-element spiritual items, and a bidder offered an Earthen Profound Fruit.

• Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang won the Foundation Establishment Pill after other bidders declined to raise the price.
• Ji Bochang urged Ji Haoyuan to leave with the pill, but Ji Haoyuan persuaded him to keep bidding on treasures for the Ji Family.
• Over several hours, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang bought precious Treasure Materials and spirit pills before preparing to leave the Auction.
• Xue Yuling announced that the next item, Crimson Firmament Heavenly Thunder, was an incomplete Tier 2 Lightning Law to be exchanged for spiritual items, with naturally formed Earth-element items preferred.
• A bidder offered an Earthen Profound Fruit in exchange for the Lightning Law.

Ji Haoyuan won the Crimson Firmament Heavenly Thunder Jade Slip at auction and invited Bai Qingshuang to leave with him and Ji Bochang. Five masked Foundation Establishment cultivators surrounded them outside Crimson Cloud Immortal City, and Ji Haoyuan opened the fight by spearing one of them.

• Ji Haoyuan traded an Earthen Profound Fruit for the Crimson Firmament Heavenly Thunder Jade Slip.
• Ji Haoyuan invited Bai Qingshuang to travel with him, and she agreed before the three left the auction together.
• Ji Haoyuan detected hidden pursuers as the group departed Crimson Cloud Immortal City.
• A masked man and woman blocked their way while three more masked cultivators closed in from behind, surrounding the group with five Foundation Establishment cultivators.
• Ji Haoyuan recognized Han Penghu among the attackers, who demanded their valuables, and Ji Haoyuan struck first by driving a flaming spear through a Tall and Thin Man.

Ji Haoyuan attacked Han Penghu's group and swiftly killed three Foundation Establishment cultivators, displaying several powerful techniques he had created. After the Square-Faced Youth also fell, Ji Haoyuan caught up with Han Penghu and trapped him in the Phantom God Stab illusion.

• Ji Haoyuan killed the Tall and Thin Man with the Crimson Flame Pattern Spear and burned the Silver Mask female cultivator to ashes with sword qi.
• Ji Haoyuan blocked the Silver Mask Male Cultivator's attack with the Earth Spirit Shield Art, then killed him with Flowing Fire.
• Han Penghu and the Square-Faced Youth fled, but Ji Haoyuan's Flame Snake Dragon Spear and Heaven-Slaying Sword-Drawing Art killed the Square-Faced Youth.
• Ji Haoyuan intercepted Han Penghu and used Phantom God Stab to overwhelm his consciousness.

After Ji Haoyuan killed Han Penghu and his companions, he and Ji Bochang returned to the Ji Family and ordered an attack on the Han Family of Danyang Prefecture. The chapter ended with Ji Haoyuan urging the Ji Family Elders to strike while the Han Family was weak and eliminate it completely.

• Ji Haoyuan killed Han Penghu and four other Foundation Establishment cultivators, then collected their Storage Pouches and burned their bodies.
• Han Pengfeng grew worried when Han Penghu failed to return from his task, then left the auction to investigate; Zhang Mingze suspected the Han Family had run into trouble.
• Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang returned to the Ji Family and convened the highest-level Elder Council.
• Ji Haoyuan told the elders that Han Penghu had tried to rob and kill them, and Ji Bochang confirmed that Ji Haoyuan had slain all the attackers.
• Ji Haoyuan ordered the Ji Family to gather its eligible disciples and attack the Han Family of Danyang Prefecture within half a day.

Ji Haoyuan and the Ji Family prepared to destroy the Han Family after learning Han Pengfeng had returned to Cloud Cave Mountain. As Feng Tianhua and Feng Wanqing blocked Han Pengfeng’s escape, two demonic Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivators appeared and attacked them.

• Ji Haoyuan told the Ji Family Elders that the Han Family had to be eliminated and led the plan to seize its resources.
• After receiving Feng Wanqing’s message that Han Pengfeng had returned to Cloud Cave Mountain, Ji Yunfan led the Ji Family toward the Han Family while Ji Bochang took charge and Ji Haoyuan went ahead.
• Han Pengfeng gathered the Han Family’s core cultivators and treasures, but Feng Tianhua and Feng Wanqing blocked their way out of the mountain protection array.
• Han Pengfeng summoned Zuo Ming and Yang Quan, revealing that he had allied with demonic cultivators and offered them leadership of the Han Family.
• Zuo Ming unleashed a swarm of demonic insects at Feng Tianhua and Feng Wanqing.

Feng Tianhua and Feng Wanqing were overwhelmed by Zuo Ming and Yang Quan’s demonic attacks until Ji Haoyuan arrived and suppressed their insects and spirit artifact. Han Pengfeng then joined the assault with a Golden Light Sword Talisman, and Ji Haoyuan countered as the battle escalated.

• Zuo Ming sent Spirit Devouring Demonic Insects at Feng Tianhua and Feng Wanqing while Yang Quan unleashed the Nine Sons Demonic Infant Ring, corrupting their spirit artifacts.
• Ji Haoyuan arrived and burned away the insects while suppressing the ring’s ghostfire with his flames.
• Ji Haoyuan accused Han Pengfeng and the Han Family of colluding with Demonic Cultivators and slaughtering fellow cultivators.
• Han Pengfeng activated a Golden Light Sword Talisman and ordered Zuo Ming and Yang Quan to attack Ji Haoyuan.
• Ji Haoyuan launched a flaming spear at the demonic attacks and met the golden sword qi with an azure sword qi.

Ji Haoyuan killed Zuo Ming and Yang Quan, broke the Han Family's Mountain Protection Array, and killed Han Pengfeng. As Ji Bochang arrived with Ji Family cultivators, Ji Haoyuan asked Feng Tianhua and Feng Wanqing to guard an exit and stop any Han Family survivors.

• Ji Haoyuan's Crimson Flame Pattern Spear destroyed Zuo Ming and Yang Quan's demonic artifacts, then pierced and killed them.
• Ji Haoyuan struck the Han Family's Mountain Protection Array and used Formation Flags to disrupt its nodes and break the formation.
• Ji Haoyuan killed Han Pengfeng with a sword strike as the Mountain Protection Array collapsed.
• Feng Tianhua and Feng Wanqing saw Ji Bochang arrive with several dozen Ji Family cultivators and understood the Ji Family intended to destroy the Han Family.
• Ji Haoyuan thanked Feng Tianhua and Feng Wanqing for their help and asked them to guard the exit against fleeing Han Family members.
• Feng Wanqing agreed to stop any Han Family survivors, and Ji Haoyuan left.

After mastering three new techniques, Ji Haoyuan reviewed the resources seized from the Han Family and decided the Ji Family should reclaim the Fire-element Spirit Vein on Taiping Mountain. He planned to go there that day and told Ji Bochang to have Ji Yunfan prepare for a Foundation Establishment breakthrough.

• Ji Haoyuan mastered Blazing Cloud Twin Wings, Mountain Shattering Seizing Seal, and Crimson Firmament Heavenly Thunder during secluded cultivation.
• Ji Bochang gave Ji Haoyuan an inventory of the Han Family's resources, including Cloud Cave Mountain's Spiritual Vein, the Fire Pear Tree, and the Taiyin Spirit Copper Mine.
• Ji Haoyuan asked for useful resources from the inventory and proposed reclaiming the Fire-element Spirit Vein on Taiping Mountain from the Zhang Family.
• Ji Bochang agreed that the Ji Family had the strength to reclaim the Spirit Vein and could plant the Fire Pear Tree there to help it advance.
• Ji Haoyuan decided to go to Taiping Mountain that day and asked Ji Bochang to send Ji Yunfan into secluded cultivation to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Ji Haoyuan gave Ji Yunfan a Foundation Establishment Pill and a Wood Element Spirit Crystal before leaving Cloud Cave Mountain to reclaim Taiping Mountain from the Zhang Family. He arrived in a blazing Fire Cloud and demanded that the Zhang Family send a Foundation Establishment cultivator to meet him.

• Ji Haoyuan gave Ji Yunfan the Foundation Establishment Pill the Ji Family had bought at auction and a Wood Element Spirit Crystal to improve his chances of Foundation Establishment.
• Ji Haoyuan left Ji Bochang to protect Ji Yunfan as he entered seclusion, then set out to reclaim Taiping Mountain for the Ji Family.
• Zhang Chengkong and the Zhang Family cultivators saw Ji Haoyuan arrive above Taiping Mountain in a powerful Fire Cloud.
• Ji Haoyuan refused to speak with Zhang Chengkong and demanded that Zhang Mingze, Zhang Mingyuan, or the Zhang Family's Old Ancestor come to meet him.
• Zhang Chengkong sent a Message Talisman, and two Foundation Establishment cultivators arrived above Taiping Mountain.

Ji Haoyuan demanded that the Zhang Family sell Taiping Mountain and defeated Zhang Mingyuan and Zhang Mingze when they refused. With Ji Haoyuan threatening to kill them, Zhang Xingde appeared and agreed to the sale on the family’s behalf.

• Zhang Mingze and Zhang Mingyuan arrived at Taiping Mountain and heard Ji Haoyuan demand to buy it.
• Zhang Mingyuan refused to sell, so Ji Haoyuan attacked him and shattered the protection Zhang Mingze summoned, leaving both brothers badly injured.
• Ji Haoyuan threatened to kill the Zhang brothers unless they agreed to sell Taiping Mountain.
• Zhang Xingde emerged from seclusion and agreed to the sale on behalf of the Zhang Family.

Zhang Xingde returned Taiping Mountain to Ji Haoyuan rather than risk a feud with the Ji Family, and warned his descendants not to disturb Zhang Zhilong. Two years later, tensions between the Crimson Cloud Sect and the Netherworld Sect had escalated, while Ji Yun Fan appeared to have achieved a breakthrough.

• Zhang Xingde offered to return Taiping Mountain and the Zhang Family's gains there, and Ji Haoyuan agreed to repurchase them at fair prices and ordered the Zhang Family to withdraw within a day.
• Zhang Xingde rebuked Zhang Mingyuan for his greed and told Zhang Mingyuan and Zhang Mingze not to disturb Zhang Zhilong in the Crimson Cloud Sect.
• Over the next two years, the Crimson Cloud Sect and the Netherworld Sect moved closer to war, and the Ji Family captured more than ten infiltrating Demonic Cultivators, including two at Foundation Establishment.
• Ji Haoyuan sensed spiritual energy gathering around a cave dwelling on Cloud Flow Peak, and Ji Bochang said Yun Fan had likely succeeded.

Ji Yunfan achieved Foundation Establishment, but the Ji Family’s celebration was interrupted by an urgent Crimson Command Arrow calling a representative to the Crimson Cloud Sect to discuss the Great War. Ji Haoyuan went in the clan’s place and arrived at the sect, where he was escorted inside by Su Wenyuan.

• Ji Yunfan emerged from his Cave Mansion after achieving Foundation Establishment, thanked Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang, and received cultivation resources from Ji Haoyuan.
• Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang received a highest-grade Crimson Command Arrow ordering them to send a representative to discuss the Great War.
• Ji Haoyuan insisted on going to the Crimson Cloud Sect himself and asked Ji Bochang to watch over the clan and Ji Yunfan.
• Ji Haoyuan reached the Crimson Cloud Sect and met Su Wenyuan, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator who verified his command arrow and invited him inside.
• Ji Haoyuan followed Su Wenyuan and secretly passed him a Storage Pouch as a gift.

Ji Haoyuan arrived at the Crimson Cloud Sect’s Guest Reception Hall after Su Wenyuan warned him to avoid objecting during a meeting about war with the Netherworld Sect. Yuan Shanglong announced that allied families’ cultivators would be fully subject to the sect’s command, prompting one family representative to ask whether they could continue leading their own people.

• Su Wenyuan accepted Ji Haoyuan’s gift and warned him to listen more than he spoke during the meeting about a full-scale war against the Netherworld Sect.
• Ji Haoyuan met Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Zhang Xingde in the Guest Reception Hall, and he told the two women about Su Wenyuan’s warning.
• Yuan Shanglong, Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, announced the Crimson Cloud Sect’s plan for war against the Netherworld Sect.
• Yuan Shanglong ordered the gathered families and their cultivators to obey the sect’s arrangements, threatening punishment for anyone who disobeyed.
• A family representative asked Yuan Shanglong whether the families could lead their own cultivators during the war.

Yuan Shanglong wounded a man who questioned the Crimson Cloud Sect’s demands, then ordered every family to send cultivators for the war against the Netherworld Sect. Su Wenyuan offered a generous merit-reward list, leaving Ji Haoyuan tempted by its treasures but wary of the war’s dangers.

• Yuan Shanglong gravely wounded the long-robed man who suggested the gathered families might have objections.
• Yuan Shanglong declared that the Crimson Cloud Sect’s orders were not negotiable and required each family to send cultivators within a week or face eradication.
• The gathered families feared the coming war after Yuan Shanglong left the reception hall.
• Su Wenyuan distributed a reward exchange list featuring rare treasures, cultivation resources, and Golden Core techniques.
• Ji Haoyuan considered the rewards but decided to pursue merit only while prioritizing his safety.