Chapter Summaries

Elder Gu withdrew from the contest after Fang Bin entered the arena, and Fang Bin defeated several challengers with a strange spiked spirit weapon. The contest was left facing a new challenge when a gloomy demonic cultivator stepped forward.

• Elder Gu recovered his spiritual power, then returned to the arena when the Xiao Household ancestor reopened the contest.
• Fang Bin entered the arena, and Elder Gu conceded after recognizing that he could not defeat him.
• A Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator challenged Fang Bin, but Fang Bin's spinning spiked sphere pierced his spiritual shield and forced him to concede.
• Three more cultivators tried and failed to break Fang Bin's spirit weapon.
• A gloomy old man in a hempen robe, clearly a demonic cultivator, flew into the arena.

The Fang family cultivator defeated Liu Daotong in a battle of magical power at the Xiao Household contest. After recovering, he invited another challenger, and Wei stepped forward to fight him.

• Liu Daotong used his Azure Blight Art to slow the Fang family cultivator’s spherical spirit artifact and attack it with Sword Qi.
• The Fang family cultivator countered with multicolored palm strikes, and both cultivators exchanged powerful attacks until Liu Daotong ran out of magical power and lost.
• The Xiao Household members helped Liu Daotong to the viewing platform, while the Fang family cultivator recovered from his own exhaustion over five hours.
• The Fang family cultivator challenged the silent crowd, and Wei volunteered to take the stage.

Qin Fengming, posing as Wei Daoming, entered the Xiao Household’s contest and defeated the Fang family cultivator with a sudden strike. When the Fang family cultivator demanded a rematch, Qin Fengming accepted, and his transformed spiritual-force shield sent the opponent’s spherical spirit artifact flying, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Qin Fengming introduced himself as Wei Daoming and challenged the old man surnamed Fang for the Xiao Household’s prize pill.
• At Xiao family ancestor’s signal, Qin Fengming used the Azure Cloud Maze and a red needle-shaped spirit artifact to pierce the Fang family cultivator’s shield and win instantly.
• Qin Fengming offered to fight again, and the furious old man surnamed Fang accepted, summoning his spherical spirit artifact.
• Qin Fengming transformed his spiritual-force shield with Sword Qi, and the collision sent the Fang family cultivator’s sphere flying backward.

Qin Fengming used the Clear Spirit Sword Art to repel Fang’s spirit tool, then stood his ground against Fang’s secret technique during the Xiao Household selection match. His multicolored shield wall absorbed the attack, leaving the spectators and elders stunned.

• Qin Fengming unleashed Sword Qi that drove Fang’s spherical spirit tool flying back.
• Fang retreated and prepared his secret technique, intent on killing Qin Fengming.
• Qin Fengming challenged Fang to attack and promised not to move or he would concede the match.
• Fang launched a huge multicolored palm imprint at Qin Fengming from forty zhang away.
• Qin Fengming formed a multicolored shield wall that withstood the palm imprint, astonishing everyone present.

Qin Fengming used talismans to withstand Old Fang’s secret art, then revealed an offensive method that destroyed Old Fang’s spherical spiritual artifact. The remaining flaming orbs raced toward Old Fang as he stood stunned.

• Old Fang repeatedly struck Qin Fengming’s Five Elements Defense Talisman but could not break through its barrier.
• Qin Fengming taunted Old Fang, saying he had enough talismans to outlast his attacks, while Old Fang argued that defense alone could not win the contest.
• Qin Fengming warned that his next method might destroy Old Fang’s spiritual artifact, but Old Fang challenged him to use it.
• Qin Fengming sent hundreds of flaming orbs at Old Fang’s spherical spiritual artifact, splitting them into two successive groups.
• The flaming orbs shattered the artifact, and the last dozen or so flew toward Old Fang’s face.

Qin Fengming defeated the old man surnamed Fang with hundreds of unusually powerful Fireball Talismans, destroying Fang’s spiritual artifact but stopping the final fireballs before they struck him. Fang admitted defeat and left Honghu Island, while Qin Fengming remained in control of the encounter.

• Qin Fengming sent hundreds of Fireball Talismans at the old man surnamed Fang, whose secret art and spherical spiritual artifact could not withstand their attacks.
• The Xiao Household ancestor rushed to protect Fang, but Qin Fengming stopped the last fireballs just before they hit him.
• Qin Fengming apologized for destroying Fang’s spiritual artifact and offered to fight again, while Fang silently seethed.
• Fang released his clenched fists, admitted his inferiority, and conceded the battle.
• The Xiao Household ancestor withdrew the restrictions, and Fang flew out of Honghu Island.

Qin Fengming, posing as Wei, won the Xiao Household competition after the other Foundation Establishment cultivators refused to challenge his powerful talismans. Clan Head Xiao Chengqi then escorted him to the hidden Cave Abode where the three Xiao Household ancestors awaited him.

• Qin Fengming drove off the Fang family cultivator and judged that he had no reason to fear the man’s future retaliation.
• The Xiao Household ancestor declared Qin Fengming the competition’s victor after no one else volunteered to fight him.
• Clan Head Xiao Chengqi hosted a banquet for the visiting cultivators and later asked Qin Fengming to meet the Xiao Household ancestors privately.
• Xiao Chengqi led Qin Fengming to a secluded valley, revealed a hidden Cave Abode behind a phantom formation, and brought him inside to meet the three ancestors.

Qin Fengming, posing as Wei Daoming, met with three Xiao Household ancestors, who questioned him about the powerful talismans he had used in the contest. Pleased to learn he had many more, they asked for his help in the Xiao clan’s important contest, and Qin Fengming began to state a condition.

• Xiao Chengqi brought Wei Daoming to meet Xiao Qinghao, Xiao Qingjie, and Xiao Qingquan in a cavern deep beneath Honghu Island.
• Xiao Qingquan asked Wei Daoming to show the Five Elements Talismans and Fireball Talismans he had used, and the three ancestors examined them.
• Wei Daoming said his master had refined the talismans and refused to reveal his master’s name.
• Xiao Qingquan asked how many talismans Wei Daoming still had, and Wei Daoming said he had enough to last several years.
• Xiao Qinghao asked Wei Daoming to help the Xiao Household in its important contest and promised a generous reward.
• Wei Daoming agreed to help but said he had a condition, and Xiao Qinghao invited him to state it.

Qin Fengming secured permission for Xiao Jingxuan and his uncle to accompany him to the Xiao clan, and the Xiao Household agreed to travel with him for its competition. After several days under watch at the loft, Qin Fengming and his companions were summoned to the council hall to begin their journey.

• Qin Fengming asked the three Xiao Household ancestors to let his two companions travel with him, and Xiao Qinghao agreed.
• Xiao Qinghao gave Qin Fengming his competition reward and promised another pill if he helped the Xiao Household achieve its goal.
• After Qin Fengming left, the three ancestors discussed his unusual cultivation and talisman-making, and resolved to treat him cautiously and kindly.
• Qin Fengming told Xiao Jingxuan and his uncle that they would travel with the Xiao Household, and they spent the next five days resting in the loft under watch.
• On the sixth day, Xiao Chengqi summoned Qin Fengming and the two Xiao Household companions to the council hall, and they flew out to meet him.

Qin Fengming and Xiao Jingxuan joined the Xiao Household ancestors on a months-long journey to the Xiao clan’s heartland for its competition. As they approached Sacred Nether Island, Qin Fengming warned Xiao Jingxuan to keep the precious item on him secret and avoid acting rashly.

• Xiao Qinghao announced that he and Xiao Qingquan would lead the group to the Xiao clan’s competition while Xiao Qingjie stayed behind to guard the Xiao Household.
• Xiao Qinghao took the travelers aboard an ancient flying disc and led them away from Honghu Island.
• The group avoided powerful sects and rogue cultivators, reaching Qingyuan Lake after nearly five months of travel.
• Xiao Qinghao explained that the Xiao clan had lived for over a hundred thousand years on Sacred Nether Island at the center of Qingyuan Lake.
• Xiao Qinghao put away the disc and led the group slowly toward the Xiao clan to avoid attracting the patrols’ attention.
• Qin Fengming quietly warned Xiao Jingxuan that the precious item he carried could make him and his nephew targets for greedy people.

Xiao Qinghao led the group across the lake to the Xiao clan’s island, where patrols inspected them before allowing them through. They entered the clan’s forbidden-air region on foot and headed deeper into the mountains.

• Xiao Jingxuan calmed himself and resolved to deliver the Spirit Essence Stone to the Xiao clan’s leaders.
• Xiao Jidong, a mid Core Formation Xiao clan patrol leader, recognized Xiao Qinghao and let Xiao Jingxuan and Xiao Ning pass after Xiao Qinghao offered him gifts.
• Xiao Qinghao led the group through several more patrol inspections toward the enormous island.
• Xiao Qinghao explained that flight was forbidden above the clan’s mountains, and Qin Fengming followed the group along the mountain road using his movement technique.

Qin Fengming and the Xiao Household members arrived at the Xiao clan’s recruitment grounds on Sacred Nether Island, where Rogue Cultivators had gathered ahead of the selection. After Xiao Qinghao identified himself and led the group through the archway, Venerable Red Demon flew past, drawing wary comments from the onlookers.

• Xiao Xiangqi explained that hundreds of Rogue Cultivators had gathered to seek entry into the Xiao clan ahead of its selection.
• Xiao Qinghao led the group to the archway, where the Xiao clan disciples let them enter after learning his identity.
• Venerable Red Demon flew over the crowd and headed into the mountains, while Rogue Cultivators discussed his reputation and powerful master.
• Xiao Qinghao watched Venerable Red Demon depart, then led the group deeper into the mountains.

Xiao Qinghao brought the Honghu Island Xiao Household and Qin Fengming into the Xiao clan’s fortified heartland, where the clan head welcomed the Xiao ancestors and took them aside to discuss important matters. Left in their lodgings, Xiao Jingxuan and his nephew worried over the clan’s divided leadership, while Qin Fengming agreed to investigate before they handed over their treasure.

• Xiao Qinghao led the group through the Xiao clan’s heartland to a heavily guarded estate, where Xiao Zhiguang welcomed them on the clan head’s orders.
• The red-faced clan head greeted Xiao Qinghao and Xiao Qingquan, who knelt with their juniors to pay their respects, then invited the two ancestors into the main hall for a private discussion.
• Xiao Zhiguang escorted Qin Fengming and the other guests to quiet lodgings within the estate.
• Xiao Jingxuan and his nephew confessed that the Xiao clan’s multiple clan heads had left them unsure how to proceed with their treasure.
• Qin Fengming advised them to investigate carefully before handing over the treasure and promised to look for an opportunity to gather information.

Xiao Qinghao told the Xiao clan patriarch that his Honghu Island branch could win a place in the clan tournament thanks to Qin Fengming’s powerful talismans. After Xiao Qingquan brought samples to the main hall, the Core Formation cultivators tested them and saw their extraordinary strength.

• Xiao Qinghao asked whether the Old Ancestor had emerged from seclusion and explained that Honghu Island’s branch expected to gain a tournament slot but was unsure whom to challenge.
• Xiao Qinghao said Qin Fengming’s powerful Fireball Talismans could give the branch an advantage against even top-ranked opponents.
• The Xiao clan patriarch asked to examine Qin Fengming, so Xiao Qinghao sent Xiao Qingquan to request talismans from him.
• Qin Fengming gave Xiao Qingquan two Fireball Talismans and two Five Elements Defense Talismans.
• The Core Formation cultivators tested the talismans and found that the Fireball Talismans threatened Foundation Establishment defenses while the Five Elements Defense barrier withstood repeated attacks, including three strands of Sword Qi.

The Xiao clan's Old Ancestor emerged from seclusion and saw the Five Elements Defense Talismans withstand the Xiao Household head's Sword Qi. After learning that a Wei surname cultivator from Honghu Island owned them, he warned the Xiao Qinghao brothers to improve their offer and ordered everyone to keep the matter secret.

• The Xiao Household head's Sword Qi struck the talisman barrier, which blocked it and astonished the Core Formation cultivators.
• The Xiao clan's Old Ancestor appeared, greeted the Xiao Qinghao brothers, and discussed preparations for the clan competition.
• The Old Ancestor learned that the talismans belonged to an outsider cultivator invited by the Honghu Island branch and questioned how the brothers had secured his help.
• Xiao Qinghao revealed that they had offered a hundred thousand spirit stones and two Emerald Pills, and the Old Ancestor rebuked them for undervaluing the cultivator.
• The Old Ancestor told everyone to keep the talismans and their owner secret, threatening punishment for anyone who disclosed the matter.

Xiao Hongzhi, the Xiao clan’s Nascent Soul Supreme Ancestor, met Wei Daoming to thank him for helping the Honghu Island branch and ask about his powerful talismans. Wei said his master made them and revealed that he cultivated at Manghuang Mountain, leaving the Xiao cultivators stunned.

• Xiao Hongzhi advised Xiao Qinghao to challenge a second-rank branch first, then use the remaining challenge against a first-rank branch.
• Xiao Hongzhi went with Xiao Qinghao and the other Core Formation cultivators to meet Wei Daoming.
• Xiao Hongzhi dismissed the others, examined Wei Daoming with his divine sense, and asked where his talismans came from.
• Wei Daoming said his master had made the talismans and that he could not reveal his master's identity.
• Wei Daoming named Manghuang Mountain as his master's place of cultivation, shocking everyone present.

Qin Fengming used his claimed ties to Manghuang Mountain to secure the Xiao clan’s trust and considered asking for a pill formula in return for helping Honghu Island. As the Xiao clan’s grand competition approached, he prepared to win without exposing his secrets.

• Qin Fengming told Xiao Hongzhi that he came from Manghuang Mountain, and Xiao Hongzhi promised a generous reward and one condition if Honghu Island performed well in the competition.
• After Xiao Hongzhi left, Xiao Jingxuan and Xiao Qingquan asked Qin Fengming about their matter, but he postponed discussing it and remained cautious about them.
• Qin Fengming and his companions stayed at the Xiao clan estate for nearly a month while more than a hundred Xiao clan branches arrived for the gathering.
• Xiao Qinghao and Xiao Qingquan told Qin Fengming that the competition would begin in five days and invited him to state a condition, but he deferred his request until afterward.
• Qin Fengming returned to his residence and considered how to defeat the other Foundation Establishment cultivators without revealing too many of his abilities.

Qin Fengming attended the Xiao clan’s grand competition on Sacred Nether Island and was astonished by the gathering of powerful cultivators. Xiao Qinghao began explaining the clan’s challenge-based competition system, leaving Qin Fengming to learn how its 128 branch lineages would compete.

• During the five days before the competition, the Xiao clan prepared for the gathering while cultivators held small exchange meets and visited one another.
• On the morning of the competition, Xiao Xiangqi summoned Qin Fengming and the others to the Martial Arts Arena.
• Qin Fengming followed Xiao Xiangqi’s group through the valley and saw the many stone platforms prepared for the matches.
• Qin Fengming took his seat beside Xiao Qinghao and Xiao Qingquan and was shocked to find the audience included more than a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators.
• Qin Fengming resolved to raise his cultivation after leaving Sacred Nether Island, and Xiao Qinghao began explaining the Xiao clan’s challenge system and its 128 branch lineages.

Qin Fengming learned how the Xiao clan’s grand competition distributed branch quotas, and Xiao Haitao announced the rules before the matches began. After a long wait, Fanyue Lake challenged second-ranked Jingbo Lake, and their first two cultivators began fighting.

• Xiao Qinghao explained that Honghu Island had earned no quota in the last three competitions and had recruited Qin Fengming to help its branch succeed.
• Xiao Haitao welcomed the attendees and explained the competition rules, including the limits on participants, challenges, and combat methods.
• The competing branches placed three participants on each platform, while Core Formation cultivators took positions to oversee the matches.
• After nearly half an hour without challenges, a Fanyue Lake cultivator stepped forward to challenge Jingbo Lake.
• A protective barrier appeared around the platform, and the two branches’ first cultivators began their match at the presiding elder’s signal.

Two peak Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Xiao clan fought over a stone platform, and the Fanyue Lake elder won using an imitation of the Nine-Cycle Chain Blades. He then defeated two more Mirror Lake cultivators in succession and temporarily claimed the platform.

• The Mirror Lake elder began casting a secret art while the Fanyue Lake elder launched a giant black blade at him.
• The Fanyue Lake elder transformed the blade into nine child blades, revealing an imitation of the Nine-Cycle Chain Blades.
• The Mirror Lake elder summoned spirit artifacts and fire-serpent talismans, but the black blades overwhelmed his defenses and forced him to concede.
• The Fanyue Lake elder defeated the remaining two Mirror Lake cultivators within half an hour and claimed the stone platform.