Recaps

Lin Bai stayed with Pill Demon until he died, then gathered Tong Yang’s stored treasures and used them to strengthen himself and the Demon Sword. Meanwhile, Tong Xiuyun arrived too late to find Pill Demon and ordered Tong Liang to return to Silver Moon City.

• Pill Demon died in the wooden hut, and Lin Bai buried him after confirming that his Storage Bag held no treasures.
• Lin Bai swore to fulfill his Demonic Heart Oath by killing the poisonous woman and Tong Xiuyun, then recovered his own Storage Bag from Tong Yang’s Green Jade Ring.
• Lin Bai fed Tong Yang’s spirit tools and Emperor Artifacts to the Demon Sword and refined more than twenty thousand Vermillion Bird Pills, bringing his cultivation close to the peak of the Apex Realm.
• Lin Bai left the wooden hut and returned to Blackwood Forest Sea to cultivate.
• Tong Xiuyun arrived at Skywind Cliff with several elders, learned from Tong Liang that Pill Demon had escaped, and sent his injured son back to Silver Moon City.

Lin Bai left Blackwood Forest Sea for Silver Moon City, hoping to find information and abundant demon beasts so he could improve his cultivation. He reached the city but lacked the Vermillion Bird Pills needed for a Residence Token, and a soldier offered to recommend him somewhere to stay.

• Lin Bai hunted and refined hundreds of demon beasts in Blackwood Forest Sea but failed to break through to the Quasi-Dao Realm, while avoiding Dao Realm foes.
• Lin Bai decided to leave the forest and travel to Silver Moon City to seek information about nearby demon-beast grounds.
• After seven days of flight, Lin Bai reached Silver Moon City and found its barrier preventing him from entering without a token.
• A soldier explained that visitors could stay only for a few days, while a Residence Token cost three thousand Vermillion Bird Pills per month.
• Lin Bai admitted that he had no Vermillion Bird Pills, and the soldier offered to recommend him a place to stay.

Lin Bai chose to seek work at Microstar Hall after learning it offered lower-realm martial artists temporary shelter and paid tasks in Silver Moon City. There, he met an elderly man whose ancestors came from the Barren Ancient Continent, and the old man revealed their connection to the Sword God Family.

• A city-gate soldier explained Microstar Hall's shelter and employment arrangement and led Lin Bai toward it.
• Lin Bai decided Microstar Hall was his best option and followed the soldier's directions to the hall.
• Lin Bai told the elderly man at Microstar Hall that he had come from the Barren Ancient Continent and needed work.
• The elderly man said his grandfather had come from the Northern Continent's Sword God Family.
• Lin Bai asked whether the elderly man's surname was Ye or Dugu.

Lin Bai met Dugu Xu at Microstar Hall and learned that newcomers were assigned to mission groups in exchange for lodging and Vermillion Bird Pills. Dugu Xu was about to place him in Profound Rank Group Nine when Lei Lin arrived to request a replacement for a member who had died on a mission.

• Dugu Xu introduced himself to Lin Bai and spoke with him about the Sword God Family and the Savage Ancient World.
• Lin Bai asked for lodging and an Identity Token, and Dugu Xu explained Microstar Hall's mission system and its rules.
• Dugu Xu chose Profound Rank Group Nine, led by Liang Kun, as a suitable group for Lin Bai.
• Lei Lin arrived at Microstar Hall and asked Dugu Xu to fill the vacancy left by Ji Yang's death during a mission.
• Dugu Xu took Lei Lin's bloodstained token and agreed to find a replacement as soon as possible.

Lei Lin recognized Lin Bai as a true sword cultivator and insisted that he join Heaven Rank Fifth Squad. After Dugu Xu warned Lin Bai that the squad's missions were exceptionally dangerous, Lin Bai focused on the reward for their current mission.

• Lei Lin sensed Lin Bai's sword intent, tested him with a thunderous voice, and asked what kind of sword he cultivated.
• Lin Bai said he cultivated the sword of slaughter and argued that the human heart, not the sword, killed people.
• Lei Lin decided he wanted Lin Bai for Heaven Rank Fifth Squad despite Dugu Xu's objections about Lin Bai's low cultivation.
• Dugu Xu warned Lin Bai that the squad's dangerous mission to investigate a demonic force had cost many lives, including Ji Yang's.
• Lin Bai learned the mission offered ten thousand Vermillion Bird Pills and asked whether each squad member could receive two thousand.

Lin Bai agreed to join Lei Lin’s Heaven Rank Fifth Squad after learning about its missions and explaining his combat strength. Lei Lin brought him to the squad’s residence, where he found three members drunk and mourning Ji Yang.

• Dugu Xu warned Lin Bai that Heaven Rank Fifth Squad’s dangerous missions might not suit his cultivation and offered to help him avoid joining.
• Lei Lin explained the squad’s mission schedule, and Lin Bai agreed to join so he could earn rewards while leaving time for cultivation.
• Lin Bai said he could defeat any opponent below the Dao Realm and hold off a One Tribulation Dao martial artist if he risked his life.
• Dugu Xu assigned Lin Bai to Heaven Rank Fifth Squad on his Identity Token, and Lin Bai thanked him before leaving with Lei Lin.
• Lei Lin led Lin Bai to the squad’s residence on Prosperous Star Street, where two men and a woman were drunk and mourning Ji Yang.

Lin Bai joined Lei Lin’s squad and moved into the room of Ji Yang, whose recent death had left his companions grieving and resentful. Lei Lin introduced Lin Bai to the team and explained that their mission was to investigate the Tiangang Sect in Silver Moon City’s western district, where possessed martial artists had been killing people.

• Lei Lin introduced Lin Bai to Xu Le, Ye Lu, and Zhuo Qing, who reacted coldly to the new recruit because Ji Yang had recently died.
• Lei Lin assigned Lin Bai Ji Yang’s former room, but Xu Le lashed out before Lei Lin stopped him.
• Lin Bai listened as Lei Lin tried to persuade Xu Le and Ye Lu to accept his arrival, then joined the squad for a briefing.
• Lei Lin told Lin Bai that Microstar Hall’s investigation mission had claimed nearly every squad sent to pursue it.
• Lei Lin explained that martial artists in Silver Moon City’s western district had been going mad and killing people, and that the victims had joined the Tiangang Sect.

Lin Bai learned why Microstar Hall had been assigned to investigate Tiangang Sect and how Tiangang Sect ambushed the Heaven Rank Fifth Squad in the Western City, killing Ji Yang. He suspected a Tiangang Sect informant within Starmoon Prefecture and proposed entering the Western City unnoticed; Lei Lin seemed to have a plan.

• Lei Lin explained that Starmoon Prefecture had passed the Tiangang Sect investigation to Microstar Hall after failing to find the sect, and that earlier squads sent to the Western City never returned.
• Lei Lin recounted how Tiangang Sect ambushed his squad soon after they entered the Western City, and Xu Le said Ji Yang had died holding the attackers back.
• Lin Bai reasoned that Tiangang Sect had learned the squads’ plans through an informant connected to Starmoon Prefecture and Microstar Hall.
• Despite Xu Le and Ye Lu’s objections, Lin Bai said they should investigate but first find a way to enter the Western City without being noticed.
• Lei Lin’s eyes brightened as Lin Bai suggested blending into the city, and he appeared to have devised a plan.

Lin Bai and Lei Lin’s squad decided to enter West City openly to investigate the Tiangang Sect’s headquarters, despite the danger and evidence that someone was leaking Microstar Hall’s movements. After splitting into separate groups, Lin Bai and Zhuo Qing rode toward West City, while Lin Bai wondered who was backing the Tiangang Sect.

• Lin Bai and Lei Lin concluded that the Tiangang Sect was being informed of Microstar Hall’s movements and that sneaking into West City would be difficult.
• Lei Lin proposed charging into West City openly, and Ye Lu, Xu Le, Zhuo Qing, and Lin Bai agreed to go.
• Lin Bai suggested splitting up, so Lei Lin assigned Xu Le and Ye Lu together, Lin Bai and Zhuo Qing together, and himself alone.
• Lei Lin told Zhuo Qing to look after Lin Bai on his first dangerous mission, and Zhuo Qing passed his message on to Lin Bai.
• Lin Bai and Zhuo Qing collected demon horses and headed toward West City as Lin Bai considered who supported the Tiangang Sect.

Lin Bai and Zhuo Qing entered West City to investigate the Tiangang Sect and captured a scout who was tracking them. After the scout died using the Tiangang Blood Ignition Art, Lin Bai learned that an elder named Wang Li had sent him and headed for a tavern to pursue the lead.

• Lin Bai and Zhuo Qing rode through West City and discussed how the Tiangang Sect had ambushed them during their previous visit.
• Lin Bai led Zhuo Qing into a remote alley, where they lost the young scout who had been following them.
• Lin Bai and Zhuo Qing ambushed the scout and demanded to know the Tiangang Sect's headquarters, but he refused to reveal it.
• The scout used the Tiangang Blood Ignition Art to burn himself to ash, and Lin Bai glimpsed memories identifying Wang Li as the elder who sent him.
• Lin Bai suggested they visit a tavern to gather information, planning to investigate Wang Li's Paradise Tavern.

Lin Bai tracked the Tiangang Sect’s trail to Paradise Tavern and confronted its owner, Wang Li, after recognizing the sect’s aura among the patrons. Surrounded by Wang Li and the tavern’s fighters, Lin Bai demanded to know where the sect’s headquarters was and remained ready to fight.

• Lin Bai and Zhuo Qing searched the West City for a tavern connected to the Tiangang Sect, and Lin Bai chose Paradise Tavern after sensing the same flame aura he had detected on a young follower.
• Lin Bai asked Zhuo Qing to wait outside and summon Lord Lei Lin if he did not return within half an hour, then entered the tavern alone.
• Wang Li introduced himself as the owner of Paradise Tavern and denied having any connection to the Tiangang Sect.
• Lin Bai told Wang Li that the young man Ma Mu had revealed the tavern’s location before Lin Bai killed him.
• Wang Li and the tavern’s martial artists surrounded Lin Bai, who demanded the location of the Tiangang Sect’s headquarters and warned that he was not afraid to face them all.

Lin Bai confronted Wang Li at Paradise Tavern to learn the location of Tiangang Sect’s headquarters. After escaping the tavern’s attackers and defeating Wang Li’s first assault, Lin Bai watched him unleash a devastating flame secret art and prepare to strike again.

• Lin Bai demanded that Wang Li reveal Tiangang Sect’s headquarters, but Wang Li denied knowing what he meant and threatened him.
• Wang Li signaled an attacker to stab Lin Bai, and Lin Bai used lightning and flying swords to repel the tavern’s martial artists and pursue Wang Li.
• Lin Bai caught up with Wang Li in the rear courtyard, where their exchange left Wang Li badly injured and brought up Lin Bai’s use of the Southern Bright Sword Sutra.
• Wang Li asked whether Lin Bai was connected to the Liu family of Tianyi City, but Lin Bai denied knowing about the family and again demanded Tiangang Sect’s location.
• Wang Li activated Tiangang Sect’s flame secret art, withering into a corpse-like form as his strength surged, then charged Lin Bai with a blazing punch.

Lin Bai defeated Wang Li and learned from his memories that Tiangang Sect had bribed Ma Ling, a Starmoon Prefecture official, to protect it. Ma Ling tried to arrest Lin Bai, but Lei Lin intervened, and Xu Le, Ye Lu, and Zhuo Qing arrived as the confrontation continued.

• Lin Bai fought Wang Li, recognized that he was burning his blood and lifespan with an evil art, and struck him with two sword techniques, prompting Wang Li to flee.
• Lin Bai pursued Wang Li, used a Martial Soul Secret Method to search his memories, and learned Tiangang Sect's headquarters and Ma Ling's role as its protector.
• Ma Ling arrived, attacked Lin Bai, and accused him of being a member of the Demonic Sect while trying to take him to Starmoon Prefecture.
• Lei Lin blocked Ma Ling's attack and defended Lin Bai as Xu Le, Ye Lu, and Zhuo Qing arrived.

Ma Ling accused Lin Bai of being a remnant of the Tiangang Sect and tried to take him into custody, but Young Master Wu Hu intervened and vouched for Lin Bai. Lin Bai revealed the Tiangang Sect’s headquarters was connected to the Qi family, then went with Ma Ling to Starmoon Prefecture while Wu Hu and Lei Lin headed to investigate.

• Ma Ling accused Lin Bai of belonging to the Tiangang Sect, and Lin Bai denied it as Lei Lin and the others reacted.
• Young Master Wu Hu arrived with soldiers and said he had personally recommended Lin Bai to Microstar Hall, making Ma Ling’s accusation implausible.
• Lin Bai revealed that Wang Li had told him the Tiangang Sect’s headquarters was at the Qi family on Floating Cloud Avenue in the western city.
• Wu Hu ordered Ma Ling to take Lin Bai to Starmoon Prefecture without interrogating him, while Wu Hu and Lei Lin went to the Qi family.
• Lin Bai agreed to accompany Ma Ling, and Lei Lin promised to report the matter and work to get him released.

Ma Ling realized Lin Bai had exposed his connection to the Tiangang Sect and tried to kill him in a Silver Moon City alley before fleeing. Lin Bai struck back with his strongest sword and escaped, but Ma Ling survived and pursued him.

• Ma Ling worried that the Nine Great Families’ investigation of the Tiangang Sect would expose his long-running corruption and leave him unable to escape blame.
• Ma Ling realized Lin Bai might have followed him to monitor his movements, led him into an alley, and accused him of knowing about his ties to the Tiangang Sect.
• Ma Ling decided to kill Lin Bai and flee Silver Moon City, then struck him with a claw that shattered his defenses and wounded him.
• Lin Bai unleashed the Azure Heavens Demon Execution Sword, blasted Ma Ling with a powerful sword beam, and fled the alley.
• Ma Ling emerged unharmed and chased after Lin Bai.

Lin Bai escaped Ma Ling’s pursuit with Dugu Xu’s help and waited at Microstar Hall for Wu Hu and Lei Lin to investigate the Qi family. The Qi family was exposed as the Tiangang Sect’s headquarters and destroyed, clearing Lin Bai’s name and earning him a reward.

• Ma Ling chased Lin Bai through the streets of Silver Moon City, but Dugu Xu pulled him into hiding and brought him back to Microstar Hall.
• Dugu Xu warned Lin Bai about the danger of the mission and told him to wait while Wu Hu and Lei Lin investigated the Qi family.
• Wu Hu and Lei Lin searched the Qi family, discovered experts cultivating the Tiangang Blood Ignition Art, and reported their findings to the Nine Great Families and Starmoon City.
• The Qi family was razed, its headquarters destroyed, and Starmoon Prefecture distributed rewards to those involved.
• Dugu Xu told Lin Bai that he had been vindicated and could claim his share of the reward from Lei Lin.

After receiving his reward for helping destroy the Tiangang Sect, Lin Bai left his squad and drank with Dugu Xu instead. He learned about Demon God Ridge and decided to go there to cultivate.

• Lei Lin worried that Ma Ling had taken Lin Bai, while Ye Lu and Zhuo Qing warned that Lin Bai's abilities and flying swords were unusual.
• Lin Bai returned and said Ma Ling had tried to kill him, then accepted two thousand Vermillion Bird Pills from Lei Lin.
• Xu Le implied the pills should have belonged to Ji Yang, prompting Lei Lin to rebuke him after Lin Bai left.
• Lin Bai went to Microstar Hall, where Dugu Xu shared wine and stories about the Barren Ancient Continent and the Celestial God Tomb.
• Dugu Xu told Lin Bai that Demon God Ridge held many demon beasts and demon cities, and Lin Bai said he planned to go there to cultivate.

Lin Bai left Silver Moon City for the perilous Demon God Ridge after Dugu Xu failed to dissuade him. He reached the Nine Sun Mountains on the ridge’s outskirts, where demon beasts roamed and the dangers ahead awaited him.

• Dugu Xu tried to persuade Lin Bai to stay in Silver Moon City and offered to find him a safe post, but Lin Bai insisted on going to Demon God Ridge.
• Dugu Xu gave Lin Bai maps, Vermillion Bird Pills, food, and other supplies, and promised to arrange Lin Bai’s departure from the Heaven Rank Fifth Squad.
• Lin Bai exchanged Voice Transmission Tokens with Dugu Xu, then left Silver Moon City alone on his flying sword.
• After three days and nights of travel, Lin Bai reached the Nine Sun Mountains on the outskirts of Demon God Ridge and spotted demon beasts following him.

Lin Bai explored the Nine Sun Mountains in Demon God Ridge, hoping to cultivate by fighting powerful demonic beasts. He killed a Quasi-Dao Realm black-furred ape and absorbed its demonic blood, then continued searching for more prey.

• Lin Bai traveled through the Nine Sun Mountains and recalled that powerful Demon Race cities and demonic beasts dwelled in Demon God Ridge.
• Lin Bai found a giant footprint and a cave, where a black-furred ape emerged and attacked him.
• Lin Bai fought the Quasi-Dao Realm ape with his lightning and swords, then killed it with “Night Ends, Dawn Arrives.”
• Lin Bai used the Devouring Sword Soul to absorb the ape’s demonic blood and found it more beneficial than tens of thousands of Vermillion Bird Pills.
• Lin Bai stored the ape’s bones in his Storage Bag and continued searching the Nine Sun Mountains for demonic beasts.

Xiao Nanfeng discovered that the notorious demon beasts assigned for his family trial had already been killed, and he blamed his rival Xiao Jiushan. Lin Bai arrived at Sky Tiger Mountain to hunt the Golden-Winged Tiger, while Xiao Nanfeng and his group headed there too.

• Xiao Nanfeng and Honored Guest Qin Chang found that the Earth-Core Fire Spirit had been killed, and Qin Chang identified sword traces linking the slain beasts to one sword cultivator.
• Xiao Qiushui suggested Xiao Jiushan might be behind the interference, and Xiao Nanfeng concluded his rival was trying to sabotage his trial.
• Qin Chang told Xiao Nanfeng that the Golden-Winged Tiger remained at Sky Tiger Mountain and that the family might expect him to hunt a Dao Realm demon beast if no notorious targets remained.
• Xiao Nanfeng furiously led Qin Chang and the others toward Sky Tiger Mountain to hunt the Golden-Winged Tiger.
• Lin Bai reached Sky Tiger Mountain and faced the Golden-Winged Tiger, hoping to refine its demon blood and break through to the peak of the Apex Realm.

Lin Bai killed the Golden-Winged Tiger and used its blood to break through to the peak of the Apex Realm, then encountered Xiao Nanfeng and his group. Xiao Nanfeng accused him of killing the tiger and attacked him with a flying sword.

• Lin Bai fought the Golden-Winged Tiger and slew it with the seventh technique of the Sword Canon, Hundred-Mile Longsong.
• Lin Bai absorbed the tiger's blood with the Devouring Sword Soul and advanced to the peak of the Apex Realm.
• Lin Bai stored the Golden-Winged Tiger's corpse and noticed five young men and women arriving with a Purple-Robed Elder.
• The Purple-Robed Elder suggested Lin Bai had been sent by Xiao Jiushan, and Xiao Nanfeng descended to confront him.
• Lin Bai admitted he had killed the Golden-Winged Tiger, and Xiao Nanfeng angrily launched a flying sword at him.

Lin Bai fled after Xiao Nanfeng mistook him for an agent of Xiao Jiushan, but he defeated Xiao Nanfeng with a single sword strike when the latter pursued him. Xiao Nanfeng admitted his defeat just as Xiao Jiushan arrived and asked whether he had completed the trial.

• Xiao Nanfeng attacked Lin Bai and demanded to know how many Vermillion Bird Pills Xiao Jiushan had offered him, while Lin Bai insisted he wanted no trouble and fled.
• Xiao Nanfeng chased Lin Bai and attacked with his flying sword, but Lin Bai blasted it away with the Five-Colored Divine Lightning.
• When Xiao Nanfeng demanded that Lin Bai leave an arm behind, Lin Bai struck him with the Dragon Eye Flying Sword and sent him crashing into the mountain forest.
• Lin Bai warned Xiao Nanfeng to stop following him and disappeared, while Xiao Nanfeng realized Lin Bai could have killed him with that strike.
• Qin Chang, Xiao Qiushui, and the others caught up, and Xiao Nanfeng revealed that Lin Bai had defeated him with a single sword strike.
• Xiao Jiushan arrived aboard a warship and asked Xiao Nanfeng whether he had completed the trial.

Xiao Jiushan invited Xiao Nanfeng to join his trip to the Profound Cloud Mountains, where he hoped to find the Yin-Yang Creation Two-Life Flower and secure the Heaven Tramplers Alliance’s allegiance. Xiao Nanfeng suspected Xiao Jiushan was pursuing the herb to heal the Sword Qi lodged in his body, and went along with Xiao Qiushui to watch him.

• Xiao Jiushan met Xiao Nanfeng after his trial and mocked him for failing to hunt the Quasi-Dao Realm demon beasts, which Lin Bai had already killed.
• Xiao Jiushan invited Xiao Nanfeng to the Profound Cloud Mountains, explaining that the Heaven Tramplers Alliance had reported finding the Yin-Yang Creation Two-Life Flower there.
• Xiao Nanfeng accused Xiao Jiushan of seeking the herb to heal the Sword Qi Nangong Mo had inflicted on him three years earlier.
• Xiao Jiushan prepared to leave when Xiao Nanfeng hesitated, but Xiao Nanfeng boarded the airship with Xiao Qiushui and said they would watch for misconduct.
• The Heaven Tramplers Alliance summoned its members to the Profound Cloud Mountains to exterminate the demon beasts, including the martial artists Lin Bai had encountered.

Lin Bai reached the Profound Cloud Mountains, where the Heaven Tramplers Alliance had gathered to hunt demonic beasts. After killing a Quasi-Dao Realm Sky Eagle and learning the alliance claimed the mountains, he collected his prey and left.

• Lin Bai traveled from the Nine Sun Mountains to the Profound Cloud Mountains, killing demonic beasts along the way.
• Lin Bai killed a wounded Quasi-Dao Realm demonic bird with one sword as it fled from a Heaven Tramplers Alliance hunting group.
• Qiu Yang told Lin Bai the bird was called a Sky Eagle and agreed that it belonged to Lin Bai, while Tu Ling objected.
• Qiu Yang warned Lin Bai that the Heaven Tramplers Alliance had occupied the Profound Cloud Mountains and advised him to leave.
• Lin Bai collected the Sky Eagle and departed after warning Tu Ling not to glare at him.

Tu Ling pursued Lin Bai to steal the demon bird, while Qiu Yang tried to stop him and explained why he had given it away. As Lin Bai left the Profound Cloud Mountains, he investigated a mysterious voice that threatened him, then suspected its owner was bluffing and offered to help.

• Tu Ling led two men from camp, using Myriad Year Incense to track Lin Bai so they could kill him and take the demon bird.
• Qiu Yang told a subordinate that the sword wound on the demon bird showed Lin Bai was a formidable sword cultivator, and ordered Tu Ling not to cause trouble.
• Qiu Yang learned Tu Ling and the other two had left camp to pursue Lin Bai, so he rushed after them.
• Lin Bai decided to leave the Profound Cloud Mountains, then followed a group of fleeing Quasi-Dao Realm martial artists to discover what had frightened them.
• A powerful voice threatened Lin Bai from an apparently empty forest, but Lin Bai questioned whether the unseen speaker was truly strong.
• Lin Bai prepared to defend himself, then thanked the voice for sparing him and asked whether it needed his assistance.