Chapter Summaries

Yang Qingyun and the others entered Blood Bone Forest, where a blood-red mist dissolved a rabbit and the bones of countless victims littered the ground. After Yang Qingyun warned them about the demon plant and its blood pool, they advanced cautiously and neared the lake without encountering any danger.

• Yang Qingyun identified Blood Bone Forest and explained that its central blood pool could help them condense Golden Bodies and reach the Grandmaster Realm.
• The group watched a rabbit dissolve in the corrosive mist, and Yang Qingyun revealed that a demon plant used the forest to lure and drain living creatures while enriching the blood pool.
• Yang Qingyun, Lu Zhengping, Yan Rufan, Cui Mingzhou, and Fang Qing formed a guarded formation and entered the forest.
• The group crossed the silent, bone-strewn forest without harm as their true qi blocked the mist's corrosive power.
• Near the center, the group spotted a shimmering lake and sensed a powerful aura, while Cui Mingzhou wondered why they had encountered no danger.

The group reached the Blood Pool, a valuable cultivation site, but a herd of Tyrannical Savage Elephant Demons charged toward it. Yan Rufan lured the herd away to protect the pool, and the group flew to help him fight.

• The group discovered a clear, spiritually rich pool surrounded by corpses and vines, and realized it could help them reach the Grandmaster Realm.
• A herd of Tyrannical Savage Elephant Demons burst through the Blood Bone Forest, and Cui Mingzhou recognized the creatures that had chased him earlier.
• Yan Rufan killed the two leading demons with a powerful punch, but the rest of the herd broke through his attack and charged at the group.
• Lu Zhengping told Yan Rufan to draw the demons away from the Blood Pool, so Yan Rufan retreated and led the herd after him.
• Yang Qingyun and Lu Zhengping speculated that the Blood Bone Forest was the demons' ancestral burial ground, then the group flew to support Yan Rufan.

After killing the Tyrannical Savage Elephant Demon leader, Yan Rufan and his companions prepared to return to the blood pool and advance to the Grandmaster Realm. Wang Zibai and Xu Jian appeared and revealed their intention to attack the weakened group and take their treasures.

• Yan Rufan and his companions defeated the Tyrannical Savage Elephant Demon leader, and Lu Zhengping said the blood pool should now be safe.
• The group prepared to return to the blood pool, hoping to advance to the Grandmaster Realm and search for more opportunities.
• Wang Zibai appeared with Xu Jian and admitted he had used the demon beasts to weaken the group.
• Lu Zhengping recognized Xu Jian, the foremost inner disciple swordsman of the Sky-Piercing Sword Sect, and questioned why he had joined forces with Wang Zibai.
• Xu Jian drew his greatsword and eyed the group's storage bags greedily, intending to kill them and seize their treasures.

Xu Jian and Wang Zibai overwhelmed Lu Zhengping, Yan Rufan, Yang Qingyun, Fang Qing, and Cui Mingzhou in a fierce battle. As Yang Qingyun prepared to use Mu Xiangzi’s jade talisman to turn the tide, Xu Jian suddenly sensed danger and retreated from the battlefield.

• Xu Jian struck Lu Zhengping and the others with devastating sword attacks, overpowering their defenses until Yang Qingyun blocked the remaining force with Thunder Undying Slash.
• Xu Jian praised Yang Qingyun’s technique while Wang Zibai revealed his intent to kill the group and joined the fight.
• Wang Zibai and Xu Jian attacked together, forcing Lu Zhengping and Yan Rufan to struggle to hold their ground as Yang Qingyun fell back.
• Yang Qingyun prepared to activate the life-saving jade talisman given to him by Mu Xiangzi.
• Xu Jian abruptly sensed something, changed expression, and retreated from the battlefield.

Xu Jian abruptly fled the battle after looking toward the depths of the Blood Bone Forest, leaving Wang Zibai surrounded by Lu Zhengping and the others. They killed Wang Zibai, then wondered what danger had made Xu Jian run.

• Xu Jian suddenly fled into the Blood Bone Forest, and Yang Qingyun noticed that he had looked back in terror toward the forest’s depths.
• The battle paused as the others tried to understand Xu Jian’s flight, while Wang Zibai realized he was surrounded without him.
• Lu Zhengping, Yan Rufan, Fang Qing, Cui Mingzhou, and Yang Qingyun attacked Wang Zibai together despite his protests that Xu Jian was the real culprit.
• Lu Zhengping killed Wang Zibai, and the group discussed Xu Jian’s notorious character and questioned why he had fled.

After Xu Jian fled from Yang Qingyun’s group, they traced the cause to Murong Lanying, whose presence had terrified him. Murong Lanying had already left, still wary of meeting her fellow disciples face-to-face.

• Yang Qingyun guessed that Xu Jian had fled after sensing a threat, and the group searched the area for a hidden enemy.
• Lu Zhengping found traces of someone nearby and identified the person as Murong Lanying, the first-ranked fighter on the Dragon Tiger Ranking.
• Murong Lanying recalled sensing the battle and debated whether to help the people she recognized or avoid what might be a trap.
• Murong Lanying appeared at a distance, and Xu Jian recognized her and fled without warning Wang Zibai.
• After Xu Jian escaped and the battle ended, Murong Lanying left without revealing herself to the others.

Yang Qingyun reflected on the vast gap between himself and Murong Lanying, then gained an insight that brought him to the brink of the Grandmaster Realm. A month later, after completing his Pure Yang Golden Body in the Blood Bone Forest’s blood pool, he broke through and began wielding astral qi.

• Yang Qingyun recalled how Murong Lanying had driven Xu Jian away and resolved to keep improving despite the pressure of facing such a powerful genius.
• Yang Qingyun gained a sudden insight that brought him to the final step before the Grandmaster Realm, but suppressed the breakthrough until he completed his Pure Yang Golden Body.
• Yang Qingyun and the others returned to the blood pool in the Blood Bone Forest to prepare for his advancement.
• A month later, Yang Qingyun absorbed the blood pool’s energy, completed his Pure Yang Golden Body, and advanced to the Grandmaster Realm.
• Yang Qingyun examined his transformed power and recognized that his true qi had become stronger astral qi.

Yang Qingyun completed his Pure Yang Golden Body and advanced to the Grandmaster Realm after remaining alone in the Blood Bone Forest. He investigated the blood pool and discovered a hidden demonic plant, whose severed root released a potent golden essence.

• Yang Qingyun tested his new strength and judged that his Pure Yang Golden Body had narrowed the gap between him and Xu Jian.
• Yang Qingyun explained that Lu Zhengping and the others had left half a month earlier while he stayed behind to finish condensing his Golden Body.
• Yang Qingyun decided to leave the blood pool and search the ancient ruins for treasures before the remaining month ran out.
• Yang Qingyun sensed an aura beneath the Blood Bone Forest and dived into the clear blood pool to investigate the demonic plant Wang Qianqiu had recorded.
• A thick root attacked Yang Qingyun underwater, and he cut it in two with a blade strike.
• Yang Qingyun saw dense golden essence flowing from the severed root and felt it refresh his soul.

Yang Qingyun harvested a golden, soul-nourishing liquid from a severed root in the blood pool and then cut through the surrounding roots to provoke the hidden demonic plant. The plant finally sent enormous black roots to attack him, and Yang Qingyun charged to meet them.

• Yang Qingyun gathered the golden liquid leaking from a severed root, stored it in a jade bottle, and put the valuable root into his storage bag.
• After waiting more than ten minutes without another attack, Yang Qingyun tested nearby roots and found that they held no similar golden liquid.
• Yang Qingyun reasoned that destroying the roots might draw out the hidden demonic plant, then began cutting through the underwater growth with his saber.
• Yang Qingyun cleared a large area of roots as he advanced, until the lake shook and enormous black shadows surged up to attack him.
• Yang Qingyun laughed that the demonic plant had finally revealed itself and charged at the attacking roots.

Yang Qingyun escaped the Blood Bone Forest after enraging the powerful demon plant beneath it, taking its severed roots and gilded liquid essence with him. After surviving two more attacks in the ancient grotto-heaven, he entered a hidden cave and began refining the liquid to stabilize his new Grandmaster realm.

• Yang Qingyun severed the demon plant’s attacking roots and gathered the gilded liquid essence, but the plant erupted in fury and shook the Blood Bone Forest.
• Yang Qingyun fled the forest and watched from a distant mountain as the enraged demon plant unleashed its terrifying power.
• Yang Qingyun considered how the demon plant hunted, then left with the gilded liquid essence and spirit-infused roots.
• Yang Qingyun survived attacks from a demonic spider and a venomous bee while traveling through the ancient grotto-heaven.
• Yang Qingyun sheltered in a hidden cave, drank the gilded liquid essence, and circulated his Yin Yang Qi to refine it and stabilize his Grandmaster realm.

Yang Qingyun finished refining the golden spiritual liquid, which strengthened his cultivation, physique, aptitude, and spiritual soul. Having gained a clearer sense of how prodigies like Wang Zibai, Xu Jian, and Murong Lanying surpassed him, he resolved to keep improving and set out to gather more treasures before the ancient grotto-heaven closed.

• Yang Qingyun spent ten days refining the golden spiritual liquid from the demonic plant.
• The spiritual liquid stabilized his Grandmaster cultivation, advanced him within the early Grandmaster Realm, strengthened his physique and qi, and greatly expanded his perception.
• Yang Qingyun realized that prodigies such as Wang Zibai, Xu Jian, and Murong Lanying had stronger foundations and spiritual souls, not merely superior techniques.
• Yang Qingyun's fighting spirit grew as he resolved to catch up with and surpass the prodigies.
• After recovering, Yang Qingyun left the cavern alone and flew into the wilderness to seek more treasures before the ancient grotto-heaven closed.

With only five days left before the ancient Grotto-heaven closed, Yang Qingyun regretted missing further opportunities but chose to avoid risky exploration. He rescued a man from the Bai Family by killing three attackers, then asked the survivor who he was.

• Yang Qingyun gathered Spiritual Herbs and fought monsters, strengthening his control over his power as the Grotto-heaven’s closing approached.
• A bloodied man fleeing three pursuers called out to Yang Qingyun and asked him for help, saying he was from the Bai Family.
• The scar-faced leader and his two companions attacked Yang Qingyun, mistaking him for a peak Innate Realm cultivator.
• Yang Qingyun shattered their combined attack with a palm strike and killed all three pursuers.
• Yang Qingyun collected the attackers’ storage bags, noticed their stolen Spiritual Herbs, and asked the Bai Family man who he was.

Yang Qingyun rescued Bai Yueding, learned about the Imperial Bai Family of Jin and his acquaintances, and asked about events in the grotto-heaven. Bai Yueding revealed that surviving experts had gathered at an ancient trial ruin, giving Yang Qingyun a new lead with five days remaining before the deadline.

• Yang Qingyun reflected that, despite his own doubts, he had already surpassed most martial artists after reaching the Grandmaster Realm.
• Bai Yueding introduced himself as a member of the Imperial Bai Family of Jin and thanked Yang Qingyun for saving him.
• Bai Yueding described the Imperial Family of Jin's weakened position, the Luohe Chamber of Commerce's growth, Zhao Qianlan's seclusion, and Du Wenhe's departure.
• Yang Qingyun asked about major events in the grotto-heaven, but Bai Yueding said he had spent his time merely struggling to survive.
• Bai Yueding told Yang Qingyun that surviving experts had gathered at the site of a newly appeared ancient trial ruin.

After learning that an ancient trial had been discovered, Yang Qingyun decided to head there in search of an opportunity. At the valley, a green-clad Profound Spirit Sect expert waited beside the forming palace, intending to kill the Sacred Extremity Sect’s arrivals and Xie Qingtian.

• Yang Qingyun heard about the ancient trial and chose to go, believing his new Grandmaster strength and Mu Xiangzi’s three life-saving methods gave him a chance.
• A green-clad figure hovered above the valley, where more than a dozen Grandmaster talents lay dead.
• A Profound Spirit Sect disciple reported that news of the trial had spread and many people were approaching.
• The green-clad figure suspected Shi Zhengyang and his unknown companion had spread the news, and welcomed the chance to kill the Sacred Extremity Sect’s younger generation.
• The green-clad figure recalled his orders to kill Xie Qingtian and waited as the palace became more solid and hidden onlookers gathered.

Gu Hanlin and Shi Zhengyang planned to gather allies to challenge Sikong Nan, who had occupied the ancient trial’s entrance, and Gu Hanlin revealed that they sought a life-prolonging pill for a prominent Sacred Extremity Sect elder. Meanwhile, Xu Jian learned of the trial and decided to exploit the coming chaos, leaving to recruit allies.

• Gu Hanlin told Shi Zhengyang that Sikong Nan was too powerful to confront without more allies.
• Gu Hanlin asked Shi Zhengyang to find Murong Lanying and revealed that the Sacred Extremity Sect needed a life-prolonging pill for an elder nearing the end of his lifespan.
• Shi Zhengyang agreed to search for Murong Lanying despite doubting she would willingly join them.
• Xu Jian overheard Rogue Cultivators discussing the ancient trial, killed them, and took their storage bags.
• Xu Jian decided to use the coming melee to his advantage and vanished to recruit allies.

Murong Lanying and Xie Qingtian joined forces to suppress Sikong Nan while Gu Hanlin led the Sacred Extremity Sect in crushing the Profound Spirit Sect. As the Profound Spirit Sect began to flee, Sikong Nan killed the first escapees and threatened everyone else.

• Murong Lanying and Xie Qingtian attacked Sikong Nan from opposite sides, forcing him backward with their coordinated assaults.
• Gu Hanlin ordered the Sacred Extremity Sect disciples to wipe out the Profound Spirit Sect while Sikong Nan was occupied.
• The Sacred Extremity Sect overwhelmed the weakened Profound Spirit Sect, killing many disciples and driving others to flee.
• Sikong Nan killed several of the fleeing disciples and warned that anyone else who tried to escape would die, halting the rout.

Sikong Nan unleashed his full strength and overwhelmed Murong Lanying and Xie Qingtian, while Fang Qing confronted the despair of facing the man who had killed her fatherlike mentor. Shi Zhengyang tried to reinforce them, but Fan Gang blocked him as other factions joined the battle, and Xu Jian wounded Xie Qingtian.

• Sikong Nan rejected the idea of fleeing and erupted with his full power, frightening the fighters around him.
• Fang Qing recalled how Sikong Nan had killed the Grandmaster who had raised and helped her, and despaired at his overwhelming strength.
• Sikong Nan blasted Murong Lanying back and shattered Xie Qingtian's sword strike, leaving the pair suppressed.
• Shi Zhengyang broke away to help Murong Lanying and Xie Qingtian, but Fan Gang struck him into a mountain and warned him to stay put.
• Figures from other factions joined the battle, and Xu Jian appeared behind the wounded Xie Qingtian with a bloodstained sword.

Yang Qingyun arrived on the battlefield just in time to save Fang Qing after her desperate attack failed against Sikong Nan. The Sacred Extremity Sect's forces were close to defeat, while Xie Qingtian and Murong Lanying were both struggling against powerful opponents.

• Xu Jian ambushed Xie Qingtian and left him severely wounded, while Sikong Nan forced Murong Lanying onto the defensive.
• Xu Jian and Fan Gang led disciples from their sects into the battle, turning the tide against the depleted Sacred Extremity Sect.
• Fang Qing burned her qi to unleash a life-risking strike at Sikong Nan, but he deflected most of its force and sent her crashing to the ground.
• Sikong Nan fired a beam of qi at Fang Qing, and Yang Qingyun appeared to slash it away before it could hit her.

Yang Qingyun appeared on the battlefield and blocked Sikong Nan’s attack, then faced Sikong Nan’s overwhelming killing move. After revealing his Pure Yang Golden Body, Yang Qingyun struck back with a punch, leaving their clash unresolved.

• Yang Qingyun suddenly appeared and rescued Fang Qing, deflecting Sikong Nan’s strike with one saber blow.
• Xu Jian and Fan Gang noticed Yang Qingyun’s arrival and grew wary of his concealment and strength.
• Sikong Nan abandoned his pursuit of Murong Lanying and attacked Yang Qingyun with Tyrant Over the Nine Heavens.
• Yang Qingyun revealed his Pure Yang Golden Body and unleashed its full power.
• Yang Qingyun punched upward to meet Sikong Nan’s attack.

Yang Qingyun survived Sikong Nan’s all-out killing move, surprising the onlookers and proving that he could contend with the stronger fighter. Their battle continued across the sky and earth, with Yang Qingyun improving his control and growing stronger under Sikong Nan’s pressure.

• Yang Qingyun’s clash with Sikong Nan shook the surrounding land, but Yang Qingyun remained standing and had not fallen far behind.
• The watching martial artists, including Xu Jian, Fan Gang, Lu Zhengping, Fang Qing, Yan Rufan, and Cui Mingzhou, were shocked by Yang Qingyun’s strength.
• Sikong Nan became wary and furious that his killing move had failed to defeat Yang Qingyun.
• Yang Qingyun and Sikong Nan resumed their fight at tremendous speed, trading blows that devastated the battlefield and drove the spectators farther away.
• Yang Qingyun fought with his Pure Yang Golden Body and Blade Path will, refining his control and growing stronger as the battle continued.