Chapter Summaries

Lin Fan revealed that he had reached the Innate Realm, alarming the First Prince and Sixth Prince, but Yang Qingyun accidentally passed through their confrontation and left. Yun Wan'er recognized Yang Qingyun as a Grandmaster, leaving Lin Fan and the crowd stunned.

• Lin Fan’s Innate Realm aura frightened the Sixth Prince and his allies as the First Prince considered how to handle him.
• Lin Fan prepared to teach the Sixth Prince a lesson while Yun Wan'er took comfort in the progress of the disciple she had supported.
• Yang Qingyun wandered through the crowd while thinking about whether his recent kills could earn him merit, then apologized and headed for the Internal Affairs Hall.
• Lin Fan realized he had not sensed Yang Qingyun appear or leave and wondered how powerful he had become.
• Yun Wan'er identified Yang Qingyun as a Grandmaster, shocking Lin Fan and the onlookers.

After hearing that Yang Qingyun had killed Sikong Nan and Hong Yuanguang and reached Grandmaster, Lin Fan doubted whether he could ever catch up, while Yun Wan'er regretted not supporting Yang Qingyun at Changchun Temple. The two watched Yang Qingyun’s rise from afar, with Yun Wan'er realizing her missed opportunity could not be reclaimed.

• The disciples recognized Yang Qingyun and discussed his rise to Grandmaster and his kills of Sikong Nan and Hong Yuanguang.
• Lin Fan compared Yang Qingyun’s achievements with his own progress and felt self-doubt for the first time.
• Yun Wan'er heard the rumors and recalled choosing to support Lin Fan instead of recruiting Yang Qingyun at Changchun Temple.
• Yun Wan'er regretted not investing in Yang Qingyun, believing even modest support might have earned her great benefits now.

Yang Qingyun went to the Internal Affairs Hall to become an elite inner disciple and learn about the benefits and independent cave abodes available to him. Shi Youjin guided him through the inner sect region and explained how spiritual springs determined where cave abodes were established.

• Yang Qingyun considered keeping a low profile after his fame grew and planned to study the Ancestor’s secret techniques in seclusion.
• Yang Qingyun completed the assessment to have his status raised to elite inner disciple and learned about the rank’s benefits.
• Shi Youjin, grateful that Yang Qingyun had avenged his friend by killing Hong Yuanguang, enthusiastically guided him to the inner sect region.
• Shi Youjin explained that elite inner disciples cultivated in cave abodes near spiritual springs in the Heaven Spine Mountain Range.

After settling into a secluded cave dwelling, Yang Qingyun digested his battle experience and strengthened his control over his power. He set aside ancient martial arts that were too difficult to learn and turned his attention to the Nine Heavens Star Soul Brightening Technique.

• With Shi Youjin's help, Yang Qingyun found a secluded cave dwelling and began closed-door cultivation there.
• Yang Qingyun spent a month reviewing his battles, improving his control of true astral energy and deepening his understanding of Blade Path will.
• Yang Qingyun decided to seek powerful methods rather than rapidly raise his cultivation realm, and he examined the ancient martial arts in jade slips from Lu Zhengping and the others.
• Yang Qingyun found the ancient martial arts too difficult and time-consuming to cultivate, so he put them aside for future study.
• Yang Qingyun focused on the Nine Heavens Star Soul Brightening Technique, which he had received for surviving the special trials.

Yang Qingyun spent a year reciting and studying the Nine Heavens Star Soul Brightening Technique, slowly strengthening his soul despite being unable to cultivate it. When the final word faded, the world opened up to him and he suddenly understood the secret-art characters in his mind.

• Yang Qingyun resumed studying the Nine Heavens Star Soul Brightening Technique after finishing the work of assimilating his earlier gains, but could not understand or cultivate it.
• Yang Qingyun noticed that reciting the secret art faintly resonated with his soul and seemed to temper it, so he decided to recite it repeatedly.
• After another month of recitation, Yang Qingyun's soul was thirty percent stronger, and he glimpsed starlight dancing in boundless darkness within the Dao resonance.
• Yang Qingyun devoted himself to reciting and comprehending the secret art for months, steadily improving his soul and sharpening his perception.
• After a year, Yang Qingyun finished reciting the final word, felt the world open up, and suddenly understood the secret-art characters in his mind.

Yang Qingyun used the Nine Heavens Star Soul Brightening Technique and entered a state of emotionless, superhuman reason that let him analyze and improve his martial arts. After overreaching and nearly exhausting his soul, he slept for ten days and woke with much greater control over his power, wary of using the technique again.

• Yang Qingyun absorbed stellar power through the Nine Heavens Star Soul Brightening Technique and entered an overclocked state as his emotions faded.
• Yang Qingyun unleashed a tightly controlled Thunderous Annihilation Slash with his fingers, powerful enough to kill a Grandmaster.
• Yang Qingyun identified flaws in his past fighting and began improving the Mind Slash and integrating his martial techniques.
• Yang Qingyun overreached while deducing powers he could not comprehend, suffered a severe soul backlash, and collapsed unconscious.
• Yang Qingyun slept for ten days and ten nights, then woke with far greater control over his power and refined martial techniques.
• Yang Qingyun recognized the secret art's strength and danger and resolved to use it sparingly.

After two years of secluded cultivation, Yang Qingyun mastered the Nine Heavens Star Soul Brightening Technique and three powerful ancient martial techniques, reaching the peak Grandmaster Realm. Unable to break through further by cultivating alone, he decided to leave his cave dwelling and seek experience that could guide him to the Great Grandmaster Realm.

• Yang Qingyun cautiously analyzed the dangerous state caused by the Nine Heavens Star Soul Brightening Technique and planned to master it by controlling how much star force he absorbed.
• Over the next year and a half, Yang Qingyun mastered the secret technique, which tempered his soul and briefly greatly enhanced his comprehension.
• Yang Qingyun used the secret technique to cultivate the Profound Yin Annihilation Finger, Vast Yang Limitless Palm, and Yin Yang Yuan Magnetic Saber.
• Yang Qingyun integrated his martial techniques, improved the Mind Slash, and advanced to the peak Grandmaster Realm during two years of closed-door cultivation.
• After remaining stuck at the peak Grandmaster bottleneck for several months, Yang Qingyun decided to venture out for experience and insight into the Great Grandmaster Realm.
• Yang Qingyun left his cave dwelling with the Thunderclap Saber and the mastered aura-concealing and appearance-changing secret techniques bestowed by Ancestor Gao.

After emerging from two years of seclusion, Yang Qingyun worried about the Sacred Extremity Sect’s destruction in the future and noticed tension throughout the sect. He reunited with former fellow disciples and learned that the Sacred Extremity Sect had entered a war with the Profound Spirit Sect, which had already claimed several lives.

• Yang Qingyun reflected on the approaching calamity he remembered from his Previous Life and hoped he could change the Sacred Extremity Sect’s fate.
• Yang Qingyun arrived at the Sect Gate and sensed that something had happened during his seclusion.
• Yang Qingyun reunited with Shen Yanzhao, congratulated him on reaching the Innate Realm, and accepted an invitation to the Imperial Court Pavilion.
• Yang Qingyun met the remaining members of the Longevity Society and learned that three former members had died in the past two years.
• Yang Qingyun learned that the war between the Sacred Extremity Sect and the Profound Spirit Sect had begun while he was in seclusion.

After emerging from two years of seclusion, Yang Qingyun learned how the war had shaped his fellow disciples and went to see his master, Mu Xiangzi. Mu Xiangzi revealed that Yang Qingyun’s actions at the ancient heavenly abode had helped him gain twenty more years of life.

• Yang Qingyun heard that Lin Fan had reached third place on the inner sect’s Dragon Tiger Ranking, while Ouyang Qing held first place, and that several of his acquaintances had earned battlefield reputations.
• Yang Qingyun decided to complete the sect missions he had missed during his seclusion, but went to Iron Bone Mountain first after Mu Xiangzi summoned him.
• Yang Qingyun met Mu Xiangzi and Wang Qianqiu in the spiritual realm and noticed that Mu Xiangzi’s declining health had improved.
• Mu Xiangzi thanked Yang Qingyun for his deeds at the ancient heavenly abode and said he had borrowed twenty years from Heaven.
• Wang Qianqiu explained that Yang Qingyun’s actions had allowed Gu Hanlin to enter the ancient trial and obtain the longevity pill Mu Xiangzi had been refining.

Yang Qingyun learned that Mu Xiangzi had gained twenty years of life from the Longevity Pill, giving the Sacred Extremity Sect another powerful defender as it faced danger. After discussing Yang Qingyun’s cultivation plans, Mu Xiangzi offered him a sect mission involving a spirit realm.

• Yang Qingyun reflected on how Mu Xiangzi’s death might have contributed to the Sacred Extremity Sect’s destruction and wondered how much Wang Qianqiu had planned in advance.
• Yang Qingyun congratulated Mu Xiangzi, who said he intended to use his remaining years to protect the sect.
• Wang Qianqiu reassured Mu Xiangzi that their generation would strive to restore the Sacred Extremity Sect’s strength.
• Mu Xiangzi asked Yang Qingyun about his plans for advancing beyond the peak Grandmaster Realm, and Yang Qingyun said he would complete missions and travel to gain experience.
• Mu Xiangzi offered Yang Qingyun a sect mission involving a spirit realm that could broaden his horizons.

Yang Qingyun agreed to explore a newly appeared Spirit Realm and received cultivation insights from Mu Xiangzi. To hide his identity from enemies, he mastered two secret techniques and chose the assumed name Han Li for the expedition.

• Yang Qingyun accepted Mu Xiangzi's proposal to explore a Spirit Realm in the Southern Heaven Domain.
• Mu Xiangzi guided Yang Qingyun's cultivation and gave him a jade slip containing insights from his advancement to Grandmaster and the Void Realm.
• Mu Xiangzi warned Yang Qingyun that the Profound Spirit Sect might target him because he was on its must-kill list.
• Yang Qingyun demonstrated the secret techniques Ancestor Gao had taught him, concealing his aura and changing his appearance.
• Yang Qingyun chose the assumed name Han Li so Mu Xiangzi could arrange his Spirit Realm exploration mission.

Yang Qingyun studied Mu Xiangzi’s cultivation guidance and gathered information about the dangerous Spirit Realm in the Situ Family’s territory. After preparing a disguise and suppressing his aura, he joined the assembled expedition at the mountain gate.

• Yang Qingyun reviewed Mu Xiangzi’s jade slip and learned that the Spirit Realm had appeared in the Situ Family’s domain, where the family had invited thirty people to explore it.
• Yang Qingyun considered the dangers and potential rewards of the Spirit Realm, then continued studying Mu Xiangzi’s insights into reaching the Great Grandmaster Realm.
• Ten days later, Mu Xiangzi sent Yang Qingyun a new identity token and told him to prepare for the expedition.
• Yang Qingyun disguised his appearance, suppressed his aura to the mid Grandmaster Realm, and resolved to pose as Han Li while avoiding attention.
• Yang Qingyun reached the mountain gate gathering point, stood aloof among the participants, and watched as the expedition group assembled.

Yang Qingyun, disguised as Han Li, joined the Sacred Extremity Sect’s expedition to the spiritual realm and grew suspicious of the Situ Family after noticing their strange movements. As the group gathered at the realm’s entrance, he recognized Shi Xincheng, the old man who had once misdirected him, and quietly resolved to settle the score.

• Yang Qingyun spotted Lin Fan, Yun Wan'er, and Fu Hongzhen among the expedition members but kept his distance to protect his Han Li identity.
• The group traveled by flying boat to Beiliang City, where Situ Zhao and Situ Longcheng welcomed them and arranged for them to enter the spiritual realm three days later.
• Yang Qingyun secretly sensed the Situ Family estate and noticed that Situ Zhao, Situ Longcheng, and other family members were moving about strangely.
• The Sacred Extremity Sect members and other forces gathered at the spiritual realm’s guarded entrance, where Yang Qingyun recognized Shi Xincheng and remembered how the old man had once tricked him.

Yang Qingyun and Shi Xincheng arrived at the Situ Family’s spiritual realm, where Shi Xincheng worried about the prodigy he had once pranked. After the gathered explorers entered, Yang Qingyun followed, wary of the Situ Family but hoping for a chance to test himself against a Great Grandmaster.

• Yang Qingyun resolved to get even with Shi Xincheng if he encountered him inside the spiritual realm.
• Situ Longcheng welcomed Shi Xincheng, who had bought an exploration slot from the Situ Family, while privately warning himself that Shi must not disrupt their plan.
• Shi Xincheng recalled recognizing Yang Qingyun on a bounty notice and fleeing to avoid provoking the now-famous prodigy.
• Situ Zhao invited the assembled explorers to enter the spiritual realm, and they streamed through its entrance.
• Yang Qingyun entered the spiritual realm, thinking that a fight with a Great Grandmaster could help his advancement.

Situ Longcheng and the Situ Family joined forces with the Moluo Cult and Profound Spirit Sect to hunt Sacred Extremity Sect disciples Mo Dongchuan and Chu Huayan in the secret realm. Inside, Yang Qingyun arrived alone and killed a Grandmaster-level demonic eagle with one punch, then began roasting its wings.

• Situ Zhao questioned whether the Situ Family should cooperate with the others, but Situ Longcheng rebuked him and affirmed their alliance.
• Grandmaster Yin of the Moluo Cult assured the Situ Family that killing the Sacred Extremity Sect disciples could be concealed as secret-realm deaths.
• An envoy from the Profound Spirit Sect revealed that the Sacred Extremity Sect had lost two Void Realm Great Experts and urged the group to proceed with their plan.
• Situ Longcheng pledged the Situ Family's loyalty to the Profound Spirit Sect and promised that their hidden agents would help deliver Mo Dongchuan and Chu Huayan's heads.
• The four Grandmasters entered the secret realm, confident they could kill the Sacred Extremity Sect disciples.
• Yang Qingyun arrived in the secret realm and killed an attacking Grandmaster-level flying eagle with one punch before roasting its wings.

Yang Qingyun discovered that demonic beasts and spiritual treasures in the Spiritual Realm strengthened his physique, so he spent ten days hunting beasts and gathering treasures. He left the chapter with a much stronger body, though he still had not found an opportunity to advance to Grandmaster.

• Yang Qingyun noticed that eating a Grandmaster-level Flying Eagle demonic beast strengthened his body and suspected the Spiritual Realm was special.
• Yang Qingyun found a spiritual bamboo on a cliff, ate most of its fruits, and refined their energy to strengthen his physique.
• Yang Qingyun explored the Spiritual Realm, killing beasts and consuming their corpses while collecting heavenly treasures.
• Over ten days, Yang Qingyun fought several Grandmaster-level demonic beasts and greatly improved his physical strength.
• Yang Qingyun concluded that training outside the sect had helped him progress, even though he had not advanced to Grandmaster.

Yang Qingyun regretted lacking a superior body-tempering method and resumed searching for spiritual herbs. Meanwhile, Shi Xincheng fled the Situ Family’s Great Grandmasters with Lin Fan and Yun Wan'er, learning that the Sacred Extremity Sect’s group might lack anyone powerful enough to turn the situation around.

• Yang Qingyun decided to seek a Great Grandmaster-level body-refining martial skill after returning to his sect, then continued searching for spiritual herbs.
• Shi Xincheng fled through the sky carrying Lin Fan and Yun Wan'er while two Great Grandmasters pursued them.
• Shi Xincheng recalled witnessing the Situ Family ambush Sacred Extremity Sect disciples and rescuing Lin Fan and Yun Wan'er to earn the sect’s favor.
• The pursuers urged Shi Xincheng to abandon the two disciples and pledge allegiance to the Profound Spirit Upper Sect, but he kept fleeing.
• Lin Fan told Shi Xincheng that the Sacred Extremity Sect had two Great Grandmasters and eight Grandmasters in the Spiritual Realm.
• Yun Wan'er said the eight Grandmaster disciples had ordinary reputations, leaving Shi Xincheng worried that they could not overcome the Situ Family’s forces.

Lin Fan urged Shi Xincheng to spread word that the Situ Family had joined forces with the Profound Spirit Sect to ambush Sacred Extremity Sect disciples, forcing their pursuers to divide their forces. The trio fled toward a Grandmaster battle, where Yun Wan'er recognized Senior Brother Han Li.

• Lin Fan realized the trio needed to unite the other spirit realm participants to survive the Situ Family's attack.
• Lin Fan told Shi Xincheng to warn anyone he encountered that the Situ Family had rebelled and colluded with the Profound Spirit Sect.
• Shi Xincheng spread the warning from a distance, causing people across the spirit realm to flee and forcing the pursuers to split up.
• Lin Fan explained that spreading the news could save Sacred Extremity Sect disciples, while Shi Xincheng accepted the risks to others as necessary for survival.
• Shi Xincheng carried Lin Fan and Yun Wan'er toward the sounds of a Grandmaster battle, and Yun Wan'er recognized Senior Brother Han Li among the fighters.

Yang Qingyun, disguised as Han Li, encountered the fleeing Shi Xincheng, Lin Fan, and Yun Wan'er just as Situ Zhao attacked him with a Great Grandmaster strike. He revealed his peak Grandmaster strength and shattered Situ Zhao’s enormous palm with the Profound Yin Annihilation Finger, leaving the attack’s overwhelming remaining force bearing down on Situ Zhao.

• Yun Wan'er judged Han Li to be an unremarkable Grandmaster, so Shi Xincheng abandoned the idea of joining forces with him.
• Shi Xincheng warned Han Li that the Situ Family had colluded with the Profound Spirit Sect and rebelled, then fled with Lin Fan and Yun Wan'er.
• Situ Zhao left Daoist Yin Wuxiang to pursue Shi Xincheng and attacked Yang Qingyun with a palm that blotted out the sky.
• Yang Qingyun recognized Shi Xincheng and the two people he carried, then decided to stop concealing his strength as Situ Zhao’s attack descended.
• Yang Qingyun unleashed the Profound Yin Annihilation Finger, split Situ Zhao’s palm and the clouds above, and sent its remaining force toward the horrified Situ Zhao.

Yang Qingyun killed Situ Zhao, a Great Grandmaster, with one finger, stunning the fleeing martial artists and Yin Wuxiang. The survivors were left questioning how a Sacred Extremity Sect Grandmaster could wield such overwhelming power.

• Yang Qingyun’s finger strike pierced through Situ Zhao’s palm attack and forced him to unleash his full power.
• Situ Zhao’s all-out punch shattered against the finger’s force, and the attack killed him.
• Shi Xincheng, Lin Fan, and the others stopped fleeing and stared at Situ Zhao’s corpse and the torn-open sky.
• Yin Wuxiang halted his pursuit and stared at Yang Qingyun in disbelief.
• Shi Xincheng asked Yun Wan’er how the Sacred Extremity Sect disciple she had called ordinary could be so powerful, and she could only stare in shock.