Chapter Summaries

Ye Zhen learned that even Xuan Hu's ancestor could not help Xiao Mao fuse its unknown bloodline, but the ancestor planted a Spirit Talisman on it and sent Hu Qingtong away with Xuan Hu. After the ancestor ordered Monster Beasts to avoid Ye Zhen in the Trial Secret Realm, Ye Zhen absorbed the Golden Back Stone Beast King's Essence Soul Pearl and discovered a vast new perception ability that could create an earthen wall.

• Xuan Hu's ancestor explained that Xiao Mao's unknown bloodline was too powerful for him to advance or fuse, then planted a Spirit Talisman on Xiao Mao to monitor its growth.
• Xuan Hu's ancestor warned Ye Zhen against slaughtering the Demon Race, and Xuan Hu took Hu Qingtong away on a Black Winged Dragon Eagle.
• Ye Zhen pointed out that Xuan Hu could not kill him without endangering Xiao Mao, and Xuan Hu's ancestor ordered Monster Beasts in the Trial Secret Realm to avoid Ye Zhen because he had killed three High-grade Heaven-tier Monster Beasts.
• Ye Zhen examined the Golden Back Stone Beast King's Essence Soul Pearl, gained a far-reaching perception ability through earthen feelers, and discovered that he could shape them at will.
• Ye Zhen released surging soul power and formed a five-li-long earthen wall out of thin air.

Ye Zhen tested the Golden Back Stone Beast King’s ability to control Earth Spirit Energy, nearly exhausting his Soul Power before restoring it with Demonic Spirit Ghosts. Still searching for a third Trial Token, he discovered a spatial barrier he could not cross and transformed into the Golden Back Stone Beast King to try entering.

• Ye Zhen used the Golden Back Stone Beast King’s innate ability to raise a five-li earthen wall, exhausted his Soul Power, and recovered it by consuming nearly twenty Demonic Spirit Ghosts.
• Ye Zhen learned to control Earth Spirit Energy and formed adjustable earth spirit shields, which were strongest near the ground.
• Ye Zhen rode Cloud Winged Tiger King Xiao Mao through the Trial Secret Realm but found no Trial Tokens, Monster Beasts, or other trial martial artists over two days.
• Ye Zhen discovered an invisible spatial barrier that Monster Beasts could cross but that blocked him and his attempts to break through it.
• Ye Zhen reasoned that the barrier admitted natives or permitted creatures, then used the Golden Back Stone Beast King’s Essence Soul Pearl to transform and charged into the barrier.

Ye Zhen entered the Top-grade Spirit Vein disguised as the Golden Back Stone Beast King and discovered how powerfully it could improve his cultivation. After spotting the Demon God Hall and evidence linking its inhabitants to the Beast Taming Sect’s destruction, he tried to retreat, but a huge tiger head appeared above the hall.

• Ye Zhen passed through the spatial barrier in his Golden Back Stone Beast King form and found that the Top-grade Spirit Vein’s Worldly Essence automatically improved his cultivation and healed his injuries.
• Ye Zhen overheard monster beasts discussing a new guest, the Demon Beast Hall, and the Ice Flame Tiger’s palace, then deduced that the Demon God Hall lay to the south.
• Ye Zhen traveled south until High-grade Heaven-tier monster beasts and possible enemies of the Golden Back Stone Beast King made him stop.
• Ye Zhen used his Spiritual Sense to view a distant palace complex guarded by Blood Eye Silver Winged Wolves and recognized purple scales matching the Beast Taming Sect’s reward jade slip.
• Ye Zhen concluded that the Demon Race had destroyed the Beast Taming Sect and began retreating before the Demon Race Old Ancestor could discover him.
• A wild tiger roar came from the Demon God Hall, and an enormous black tiger head appeared above it as Ye Zhen’s heart tightened.

Ye Zhen withdrew from the Top-grade Spirit Vein, then hunted down Pan Feng to obtain the third Trial Token. After gathering all three tokens, he discovered a hammer-shaped ornament on Pan Feng’s finger was revealing itself as a Spirit Weapon.

• Xuan Hu announced that the Demon God Hall would gather in three days to pay respects to its new Grand Hall Master, and Ye Zhen retreated behind the spatial barrier.
• Ye Zhen pursued Pan Feng, the Heavenly Net Sect’s second strongest expert, after spotting him in the Trial Secret Realm.
• Pan Feng tried to take Ye Zhen’s Trial Tokens, but Ye Zhen trapped him with the Illusion Soul Divine Eyes and killed him.
• Ye Zhen stacked the three Trial Tokens and let their aura attract other martial artists, since the Monster Beasts that approached fled from him.
• Ye Zhen searched Pan Feng’s Storage Ring and noticed that a hammer-shaped ornament was radiating energy, identifying it as a Spirit Weapon.

Ye Zhen claimed Pan Feng’s Great Force Hammer and used his stacked Trial Tokens to draw challengers while patrolling the Trial Secret Realm. On the sixth day he encountered Qin Hu, who revealed a trap and pointed out a black mass approaching behind him.

• Ye Zhen branded his Soul Imprint onto Pan Feng’s Great Force Hammer and realized it could likely amplify the matching Great Force Divine Hammer technique, though he found no manual for the skill.
• Ye Zhen flew through the Trial Secret Realm, using the aura of three Trial Tokens to attract challengers, and defeated a Qingyun Fort martial artist who tried to take them.
• Ye Zhen continued searching for opponents from Myriad Stars Tower and the Longevity Sect but encountered neither them nor the escaped Li Kemeng.
• On the sixth day, Ye Zhen met Thunderous Sword Qin Hu, who kept retreating beyond the range of Ye Zhen’s Illusion Soul Divine Eyes while they exchanged taunts.
• Qin Hu boasted that he had prepared with wisdom, mentioned his missing Black Winged Thunder Python and unusually weak Trial Token aura, then pointed to a black mass behind him.

Ye Zhen recognized Thunderous Sword Qin Hu's plan to use a beast tide to kill him and carefully led the pursuit back toward Qin Hu. The Monster Beasts fled from Ye Zhen, then turned on Qin Hu and swallowed him as Ye Zhen watched.

• Ye Zhen sensed Trial Tokens on the Black Winged Thunder Python and realized Qin Hu had sent it to lure a beast tide toward him.
• Ye Zhen retreated on Cloud Winged Tiger King Xiao Mao, subtly changing course so the pursuing beast tide's path would lead to Qin Hu.
• The Black Winged Thunder Python overtook Ye Zhen and fired a lightning sphere at him while Qin Hu activated an Image Recording Talisman to capture his death.
• Ye Zhen turned back toward the beast tide, and the Monster Beasts suddenly fled in terror from his aura.
• After escaping Ye Zhen, the Monster Beasts spotted Qin Hu, turned to hunt him, and swallowed him in the charging horde.

Ye Zhen found Qin Hu dying after the Black Winged Thunder Python and the beast tide overwhelmed him, then collected Qin Hu’s Trial Token and sword. As the final hours of the trial approached, Ye Zhen waited with six tokens while the other contestants hid or struggled to survive, and the leaders of the five factions argued over the coming results.

• The Black Winged Thunder Python was torn apart by the Monster Beasts, and Ye Zhen arrived to find Qin Hu mortally wounded; Qin Hu died after asking Ye Zhen why.
• Ye Zhen took Qin Hu’s treasure sword and Trial Token, then continued nurturing the Great Force Hammer as he searched the Trial Secret Realm.
• Nian Xinghe hid with the Great Maze Divine Talisman after Monster Beasts tracked him, while Li Kechu also concealed himself and vowed to kill Ye Zhen at the Spirit Gathering Ranking Battle.
• Yu He called to Ye Zhen for help while Monster Beasts pursued him, but he was killed before Ye Zhen could reach him.
• Ye Zhen stopped roaming at night and waited for the trial to end, while the leaders of the five factions argued over the impending results.

The sect masters waited anxiously for the Trial Secret Realm to close, with Yin Changsheng and Yan Cong boasting that their disciples would kill Ye Zhen. Ye Zhen returned alive after cutting off Li Kechu’s arm, while Qin Hu’s absence left Yan Cong worried.

• Jian Qianxiong argued with Yin Changsheng and Yan Cong, who claimed their powerful disciples would kill Ye Zhen and secure the Top-grade Spirit Vein.
• Yin Changsheng revealed that Li Kechu had the Soul-Capturing Jade Skull, which could restrain Monster Beasts and help him hunt Ye Zhen.
• The Trial Secret Realm began closing, and Shang Lingqi, Yan Yijun, and other martial artists emerged safely.
• Li Kechu returned missing his right arm and silently indicated he had fought a Sun Moon Divine Cult martial artist.
• Ye Zhen emerged alive, and Li Kechu admitted he had fallen for Ye Zhen’s scheme and lost his arm.
• Jian Qianxiong celebrated Ye Zhen’s return as Yin Changsheng seethed, while Yan Cong anxiously asked where Qin Hu was.

The Demon Race’s Old Ancestors explained that an agreement with Qinglan Martial Capital prevented them from directly killing Ye Zhen, while Hu Qingtong argued they should watch him for signs of danger. At Immortal Light Mountain, Ye Zhen defended Zuo Xiong’s honor by revealing six Trial Tokens, including three Zuo Xiong had entrusted to him, and left Yin Changsheng furious.

• Hu Qingtong told the purple-armored Old Ancestors that Ye Zhen should be watched and killed only if he proved dangerous, while Xuan Hu argued for killing him immediately.
• The Old Ancestors explained that their agreement with Qinglan Martial Capital’s five Sect Masters barred them from directly attacking Ye Zhen and tied territory shares to the number of Trial Tokens collected.
• Yan Cong anxiously waited for Thunderous Sword Qin Hu to emerge, while Zuo Xiong appeared badly injured and Sun Moon Divine Cult members rushed to treat him.
• Yin Changsheng mocked Zuo Xiong for emerging without any Trial Tokens, and Zuo Xiong vomited blood as Ye Zhen stepped forward to answer him.
• Ye Zhen poured out six Trial Tokens and revealed that Zuo Xiong had entrusted him with three, proving Zuo Xiong was qualified for the ranking tournament.
• Yin Changsheng’s face darkened as he released a chilling aura toward Ye Zhen.

Ye Zhen returned from the Trial Secret Realm and confronted Yin Changsheng and Yan Cong, revealing that he had killed Qin Hu and warning the Myriad Stars Tower. As the trial ended, the surviving forces assessed their losses and prepared for the ranking tournament beginning the next day.

• Jian Qianxiong shielded Ye Zhen from Yin Changsheng, defended his subordinate, and rebuked Yin for his conduct.
• Ye Zhen rejected Yan Cong’s accusation of betrayal, threatened to expose the Yan Clan’s crimes, and revealed Qin Hu’s Thunderous Sword as proof that he had killed him.
• Yan Yijun and Li Kechu vowed to kill Ye Zhen in the ranking tournament, while Jian Qianxiong praised Ye Zhen and promised rewards for his service.
• Ye Zhen told Feng Qingyue that he had gone seven days without sleep, and she led him to a tent to rest.
• The trial’s radiance faded, confirming the first round had ended; the forces counted their dead and recognized that the next day’s ranking tournament would determine the Spirit Gathering Assembly’s winner.

Jian Qianxiong urged Zuo Xiong, Ye Zhen, and Nian Xinghe to fight for points in the Spirit Gathering Ranking Tournament, explaining how its scoring could determine which faction won the right to use the Top-grade Spirit Vein. As the tournament began, Ye Zhen asked Tian Guizhang what rewards the top three would receive.

• Jian Qianxiong learned that Zuo Xiong had mostly recovered and challenged him to earn at least sixty points, promising him resources and a Divine Ability Martial Skill in return.
• Jian Qianxiong told Ye Zhen and Nian Xinghe that their rankings and points were crucial, warned them about dangerous rivals, and explained that even strong individual results might not secure the Divine Cult's victory.
• Jian Qianxiong revealed that the five great powers of Qinglan Martial Capital had prepared coveted rewards for the top three competitors.
• The tournament rules required each of the sixteen martial artists to fight every other participant, with wins, draws, rankings, and faction totals determining the final outcome.
• Zuo Xiong thanked Ye Zhen for saving him with three Trial Tokens, and Ye Zhen and the others headed to the arena when the jade bell rang.
• Ye Zhen asked Tian Guizhang what rewards the top three would receive.

Zhu Ling explained that the Spirit Gathering Ranking Tournament’s prizes depended on which forces placed in the top three, and Ye Zhen learned that the Longevity Sect had offered four drops of Longevity Sacred Water. The tournament began with Yun Ce crushing his first opponent, Xie Zhi, and the chapter left Xie Zhi still flying across the arena.

• Zhu Ling explained that a force’s prize would be returned if one of its martial artists reached the top three, while prizes from forces without a top-three fighter would be distributed.
• Zhu Ling revealed that the Longevity Sect had offered four drops of Longevity Sacred Water, which Ye Zhen recognized as a powerful healing treasure.
• Wu Mengshan announced the arena rules, and the contestants drew lots; Ye Zhen drew number three, Nian Xinghe drew number eleven, and Zuo Xiong drew number eight.
• Xie Zhi drew number one and faced Yun Ce of Qingyun Fort, who drew number seven, in the tournament’s opening match.
• Yun Ce unleashed a deep-blue seal that shattered Xie Zhi’s Shadowless Spear attack and sent Xie Zhi flying, bleeding, across the arena.

At the Spirit Gathering Assembly, Yun Ce crippled Xie Zhi with the Sea Covering Seal, while Shang Lingqi defeated Zhao Xiuming but spared him. Ye Zhen then forced Xing Fei to concede, leaving Yan Cong and Yan Yijun angry and eager for a later confrontation.

• Yun Ce struck Xie Zhi unconscious with the Sea Covering Seal, and Jian Qianxiong warned Ye Zhen, Nian Xinghe, and Zuo Xiong about the weapon’s power and limits.
• Shang Lingqi used the Nine-Ringed Demonic Sound Blade to defeat Zhao Xiuming, then withdrew his final strike and let him leave the arena unharmed.
• Ye Zhen drew Xing Fei as his opponent, while Yan Cong urged Xing Fei to kill him and Jian Qianxiong told Ye Zhen to win without revealing too much strength.
• Ye Zhen used the Shattered Jade Seal and Clear Heart Sword Intent to suppress Xing Fei, who conceded rather than risk being badly injured.
• Yan Yijun vowed to kill Ye Zhen if they met in a later match, while Yan Cong watched with an ugly expression.

Yan Yijun overwhelmed Yun Xin despite his Low-grade Spirit Weapon, while Zuo Xiong defeated Man He'an in a brutal match. The first round ended with Nian Xinghe and White Bone Young Master Li Kechu also winning by their opponents’ concessions, and the second round was set to begin in an hour and a half.

• Yan Yijun froze Yun Xin and his Green Peak Dart with repeated Ice Fiend Palmprints, then won after Yun Ce surrendered on Yun Xin’s behalf and Wu Mengshan forced Yun Ce off the battle platform.
• Cult Master Jian Qianxiong warned Ye Zhen, Nian Xinghe, and Zuo Xiong that Yan Yijun had more strength in reserve and told them to surrender if they could not defeat him.
• Zuo Xiong defeated Man He’an with Lightning Leopard Strike despite suffering a deep sword wound, leaving the Longevity Sect with two losses and no points.
• Nian Xinghe won when Song Xuesong conceded after three exchanges.
• White Bone Young Master Li Kechu won when Yun Yue conceded after one move, bringing the first round to an end.
• Wu Mengshan announced that the second round would begin in an hour and a half.

The second round of the Spirit Gathering Ranking Tournament continued with several martial artists conceding or winning against injured opponents, while Nian Xinghe defeated Yun Feng after revealing his Low-grade Spirit Weapon. Ye Zhen then faced Li Kechu, who unleashed the White Bone Startling Soul Whip and White Bone Divine Claw, but Ye Zhen sneered because he had already identified Li Kechu’s weakness.

• Yun Ce drew the injured Man He'an, who conceded, and Zhao Xiuming won without fighting after drawing the unconscious Yun Xin.
• Xing Fei conceded to Yan Yijun, while Nian Xinghe defeated Yun Feng in six moves after revealing the Blazing Seal Light Sword.
• Ye Zhen and Li Kechu were selected to face each other, and both Sect Masters urged their fighters to win.
• Li Kechu attacked Ye Zhen with the White Bone Startling Soul Whip, but Ye Zhen shattered the whip shadows with his Shattered Jade Seal.
• Li Kechu followed with the White Bone Divine Claw, and Ye Zhen remained confident because he had seen through Li Kechu’s weakness.

Ye Zhen killed White Bone Young Master Li Kechu with Soul Shocking Heavenly Lightning, eliminating the Longevity Sect’s strongest contender from the tournament. After the fifth round brought more fierce battles, Yan Yijun and Yun Ce entered the arena for their long-awaited match.

• Ye Zhen repeatedly struck Li Kechu with Soul Shocking Heavenly Lightning, overpowering his White Bone defenses and killing him before Yin Changsheng could finish conceding.
• Yin Changsheng poured Longevity Sacred Water down Li Kechu’s throat, but Wu Mengshan confirmed that the charred fighter had no life left, and Yin carried his body away.
• The second-round results left the Sun Moon Divine Cult, Heavenly Net Sect, and Qingyun Fort near the top, while Li Kechu’s death reduced the Longevity Sect to a supporting role; the tournament’s rules kept his lot in the drawing sequence.
• After several rounds of cautious concessions, the fifth round brought bloody matches: Shang Lingqi killed Yun Feng, and Nian Xinghe narrowly defeated Luo Xin despite suffering many wounds.
• Yan Yijun and Yun Ce entered the arena for the seventh match, drawing the spectators’ eager attention.

Yan Yijun used Yin Luo Ice Fiend Qi to sever Yun Ce’s control of the Sea Covering Seal, but Yun Ce reclaimed it with his natal spirit blood and struck Yan Yijun. Yan Yijun then revealed his Yin Sha Ice Light Wheel, whose clash with the Sea Covering Seal stunned the spectators.

• Yan Yijun’s Yin Luo Ice Fiend Qi covered the Sea Covering Seal and severed Yun Ce’s control of it.
• Yan Yijun rushed to claim the falling Sea Covering Seal, but Yun Ce restored his control by spitting his natal spirit blood onto it.
• Yun Ce sent the Sea Covering Seal crashing into Yan Yijun, breaking his ribs and shattering his frost armor and protective treasure armor.
• Yan Yijun revealed his Low-grade Spirit Weapon, the Yin Sha Ice Light Wheel, and sent it spinning toward Yun Ce.
• The Yin Sha Ice Light Wheel struck the Sea Covering Seal and knocked away the Mid-grade Spirit Weapon, leaving the spectators in disbelief.

The first day of the Spirit Gathering Assembly ended with the Sun Moon Divine Cult in the lead after Zuo Xiong defeated Zhao Xiuming. Heavenly Net Sect and Qingyun Fort prepared to target the Cult in the next day's matches, while Qingyun Fort planned to arm Yun Yue with a Low-grade Spirit Weapon.

• Yan Yijun overwhelmed Yun Ce with the Yin Sha Ice Light Wheel, but Qingyun Fort conceded the match to preserve its strength.
• Zuo Xiong defeated Zhao Xiuming in a brutal fight, earning the Sun Moon Divine Cult forty points and a bottle of Blood Essence Body-Restoring Pills from Jian Qianxiong.
• The Sun Moon Divine Cult finished the first day with 130 points, ahead of Heavenly Net Sect with 110 and Qingyun Fort with 100.
• Wu Mengshan ordered Shang Lingqi and the other Heavenly Net Sect fighters to kill Sun Moon Divine Cult opponents in the next day's matches.
• Yun Chongxiao ordered Yun Chonggao to help Yun Yue refine a Low-grade Spirit Weapon overnight.

Jian Qianxiong advised Ye Zhen about his remaining opponents and gave him Fire Scale Armor to help counter Yan Yijun’s frost attacks. On the second day of the tournament, Ye Zhen advanced through several matches before drawing Shang Lingqi, setting up the first clash between undefeated first-group fighters.

• Jian Qianxiong told Ye Zhen about Yun Ce’s limited spirit power and Shang Lingqi’s strength, then offered a Soul Guard Secret Art.
• Ye Zhen revealed that he had mastered Clear Heart Sword Intent, and Jian Qianxiong gave him Fire Scale Armor as an advance reward.
• Xie Zhi drew Ye Zhen but conceded under Heavenly Net Sect Master Wu Mengshan’s glare.
• Ye Zhen drew Nian Xinghe in the second round, and Nian Xinghe conceded despite his resentment and desire to challenge Ye Zhen.
• Yun Xin won all four of his battles that day, while Ye Zhen remained undefeated through eight matches.
• Ye Zhen drew Shang Lingqi in the fourth round, exciting the arena as the two undefeated first-group fighters prepared to face each other.

Ye Zhen and Shang Lingqi fought in a crucial martial-stage battle, with Ye Zhen resisting Shang Lingqi’s demonic Soul Attacks and matching his blade techniques despite their cultivation gap. Ye Zhen caught Shang Lingqi with a suddenly accelerated Floating Cloud Finger, but the chapter ended as a streak of black lightning threatened him.

• Luo Xin and Nian Xinghe argued over whether Ye Zhen could defeat Shang Lingqi before Yun Chongxiao presided over their match.
• Shang Lingqi unleashed demonic sounds and Soul Attacks, but Ye Zhen’s Soul Sea pillars and Clear Heart Sword Intent blocked their effects.
• Shang Lingqi’s many spirit phantoms attacked with a flood of demonic sound, forcing the factions’ leaders to knock suffering spectators unconscious.
• Ye Zhen struck Shang Lingqi with his Heart Sword, and the two matched attacks before continuing their close-range battle.
• Ye Zhen used a faster Floating Cloud Finger and a sudden force that dragged Shang Lingqi downward, piercing his armor at the left shoulder.
• Shang Lingqi saw a streak of black lightning at the corner of his eye after his treasure armor stopped Ye Zhen’s finger attack.