Arc 70The Hidden Demon Plot

Su Qiao exposed Xi Muyun and Gu Nanyi’s schemes, then followed Gu Nanyi’s attempt to open a passage to the Demon Realm and helped stop it. Back at Qingtian Sect, Zhong Lihan tried to win Su Qiao over by learning to cook for her.

  • Su Qiao learned that Zhong Lihan and Baili Jing had once shared one body, while Zhong Lihan claimed they had been husband and wife in a previous life.
  • At the Sect Competition, Su Qiao defeated Xi Muyun after exposing his hidden cultivation, and she revealed Gu Nanyi’s Pure Yin Physique before accusing Xi Muyun of betraying Su Chengde.
  • Su Decheng expelled Xi Muyun from Qingtian Sect, and Xi Muyun left with Gu Nanyi after she agreed to go with him.
  • Gu Nanyi urged Baili Jing to reclaim his identity and unite the Six Realms, but Baili Jing rejected her and left.
  • Su Qiao followed Gu Nanyi to a cave where she was trying to open a passage to the Demon Realm, then used Signal Flares to draw cultivators to the valley.
  • A masked man rescued Gu Nanyi with a Spatial Scroll after the cultivators discovered her, and Su Qiao returned to Qingtian Sect with Baili Jing and Zhong Lihan.
  • Zhong Lihan admitted he had disguised himself as Baili Jing so he could protect Su Qiao openly and told her he could feel that she liked him.
  • Zhong Lihan struggled through several cooking attempts before Su Chengde advised him, and he finally prepared dishes and soup for Su Qiao.
Chapters 1726–1750 Vol. 18 Read

Ch. 1726The Big Boss Is Causing Trouble Again (37)

Baili Jing described his bloody past to Su Qiao, who admired his ruthlessness and dismissed Zhong Lihan’s objections. Meanwhile, Su Chengde and the elders worried that Baili Jing’s growing closeness to Su Qiao could threaten his cultivation of the Heartless Art, but Su Chengde rebuked them.

  • Baili Jing claimed that jealous disciples had targeted him and that he killed them to protect himself, prompting Zhong Lihan to accuse him of lying.
  • Su Qiao praised Baili Jing and advised him to kill enemies without giving them time to talk, leaving Zhong Lihan furious and questioning his own failures.
  • Su Chengde and three elders discussed how unusually close Su Qiao and Baili Jing seemed after leaving Seven Swords Peak.
  • The Grand Elder and the other elders worried that Su Qiao might stir feelings in Baili Jing and endanger his Heartless Art cultivation.
  • Su Chengde dismissed their concerns and challenged them to keep their opinions out of his martial uncle’s affairs.

Ch. 1727The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (38)

Su Chengde defended Su Qiao’s freedom to choose her own path, reminding the elders of Baili Jing’s fearsome history. Meanwhile, Baili Jing brought Su Qiao storybooks, but she found them embarrassing while 444 wanted to read them, and Zhong Lihan mocked the books.

  • The Grand Elder and two other elders urged Su Chengde to stop Su Qiao from abandoning cultivation, but he told them to persuade Baili Jing instead.
  • Su Chengde reminded the elders that Baili Jing had once destroyed the Heavenly Demonic Sect after it attacked him.
  • Su Qiao relaxed by the lake after her meal, and Baili Jing brought her a box of storybooks he had bought at the market.
  • Su Qiao found the books overly suggestive, while 444 asked her to keep them open so it could scan them.
  • Zhong Lihan dismissed the storybooks as childish and ridiculous.

Ch. 1728The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (39)

Su Qiao accepted Baili Jing’s storybooks and returned to Clear Lotus Peak with Zhong Lihan, who resented how kindly she treated Baili Jing. That night, Zhong Lihan attacked Xi Muyun, but a white-clad figure stopped him before he could deliver the final blow.

  • Su Qiao accepted Baili Jing’s storybooks and left with Zhong Lihan, while Baili Jing agreed to tend her Spirit Field.
  • On Clear Lotus Peak, Zhong Lihan complained that Su Qiao praised Baili Jing’s gifts more than his treasured robe, and she sent him away to cultivate.
  • Zhong Lihan vowed not to give up on Su Qiao and considered taking her away if he was pushed too far.
  • That night, Zhong Lihan attacked Xi Muyun in the sect’s living quarters and prepared to strike him unconscious beneath a sack.
  • A white-clad figure appeared and stopped Zhong Lihan, who demanded to know why he was protecting Xi Muyun.

Ch. 1729The Big Shot Is Making Trouble Again (40)

Zhong Lihan and Baili Jing argued over whether to kill Xi Muyun, then decided to spare him until he left Qingtian Sect. As Su Qiao listened to 444 recount what happened, she revealed she already understood Baili Jing’s nature and was unfazed by his plan.

  • Zhong Lihan threatened Baili Jing to keep quiet about Xi Muyun’s death, but Baili Jing warned that Su Qiao would likely figure it out.
  • Baili Jing urged Zhong Lihan to spare Xi Muyun while he remained in Qingtian Sect to avoid bringing trouble to Su Qiao.
  • Zhong Lihan agreed to wait, then spat at Xi Muyun before leaving.
  • Su Qiao listened to 444 describe the confrontation and said Xi Muyun’s death would make dealing with Gu Nanyi easier.
  • Su Qiao dismissed 444’s surprise and showed she already knew Baili Jing was calculating.

Ch. 1730The Big Shot Was Causing Trouble Again (41)

Xi Muyun was found beaten and unconscious, but Qingtian Sect could not discover who had attacked him. As the Sect Competition began, Baili Jing led Su Qiao to a secluded river, where she learned there were fish to catch.

  • A junior fellow disciple found Xi Muyun unconscious in a burlap sack, and Qingtian Sect's investigation failed to identify his attacker.
  • Gu Nanyi suspected Zhong Lihan but kept quiet, while Su Qiao continued tending Seven Swords Peak's Spirit Field and cultivating on Clear Lotus Peak.
  • Over three months, Zhong Lihan grew dramatically taller and advanced to Great Perfection, drawing the attention of Qingtian Sect's elders.
  • The Sect Competition began with Qi Condensation disciples, but Su Qiao skipped the first day to tend her Spirit Field and hunt.
  • Baili Jing led Su Qiao to a secluded river in the rear mountains and told her there were fish there.

Ch. 1731The Big Shot Causes Trouble Again (42)

Baili Jing caught fish for Su Qiao and prepared to grill them while Zhong Lihan confronted Gu Nanyi in Qingtian Sect's back mountain. When Zhong Lihan spotted Baili Jing and Su Qiao, he charged at Baili Jing, but Su Qiao stopped him with a fish fork.

  • Baili Jing brought fish out of the river and began preparing them while Su Qiao sat beneath a tree.
  • Gu Nanyi confronted Zhong Lihan and asked why he had not acted on his plan to turn the Seven Great Sects into demons.
  • Zhong Lihan shoved Gu Nanyi aside and told her he had only made that plan out of boredom.
  • Gu Nanyi noticed Baili Jing and Su Qiao nearby, and Zhong Lihan charged at Baili Jing in jealousy.
  • Su Qiao pressed an ungrilled fish against Zhong Lihan's chest and ordered him to stand still.

Ch. 1732Bigshot Keeps Causing Trouble Again (43)

Gu Nanyi left after Baili Jing ordered her to go, while Zhong Lihan explained to Su Qiao that Gu Nanyi had urged him to use the Sect Competition to assimilate members of the major sects with Demonic Qi and frame Qingtian Sect. Su Qiao pressed Zhong Lihan about how long he had known Gu Nanyi.

  • Gu Nanyi complained to System Little Seven that it had failed to warn her Baili Jing and Zhong Lihan were present.
  • Baili Jing ordered Gu Nanyi to leave, and she departed vowing to get revenge on Su Qiao.
  • Zhong Lihan accused Baili Jing of taking Su Qiao away, and Baili Jing challenged him about his relationship with Gu Nanyi.
  • Su Qiao questioned Zhong Lihan about Gu Nanyi, and he insisted he had no relationship with her.
  • Zhong Lihan admitted that Gu Nanyi had asked him to use Demonic Qi during the Sect Competition to assimilate people from the major sects and frame Qingtian Sect.
  • Su Qiao remarked that Zhong Lihan seemed to have known Gu Nanyi for a long time.

Ch. 1733The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (44)

Zhong Lihan revealed his full appearance and clashed with Baili Jing over Su Qiao. She stopped their fight and asked whether they could fuse back together, but both refused and realized she already knew they were connected.

  • Zhong Lihan stopped himself from explaining how he had met the woman who offered to help him.
  • Zhong Lihan released his suppressed cultivation, changed in appearance, and pulled Su Qiao against his chest.
  • Baili Jing told Zhong Lihan to let Su Qiao go, and the two began fighting after Zhong Lihan refused.
  • Su Qiao ordered them to stop, and both men backed down to avoid angering her.
  • Su Qiao asked whether Baili Jing and Zhong Lihan could fuse back together, and both refused before realizing she already knew.

Ch. 1734The Big Shot Causes Trouble Again (45)

Su Qiao recognized that Baili Jing and Zhong Lihan shared the same soul and urged them to keep their identities secret until they understood their enemies. Baili Jing began to suspect that Su Qiao knew more about their connection than she admitted.

  • Su Qiao told Baili Jing that she recognized his similarity to Zhong Lihan through their auras and asked what they planned to do about merging.
  • Zhong Lihan dismissed the danger from Xi Muyun and Gu Nanyi, insisting that he was not afraid and that Su Qiao was his only concern.
  • Baili Jing warned Zhong Lihan to consider how their enemies might target Su Qiao, and Zhong Lihan accused him of being a coward.
  • Su Qiao told Zhong Lihan not to reveal his identity or act recklessly before they learned what Xi Muyun and Gu Nanyi could do.
  • Baili Jing watched Su Qiao and Zhong Lihan argue, then asked whether she also knew the truth about them.

Ch. 1735The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (46)

Su Qiao pretended not to remember Zhong Lihan or Baili Jing from a previous life as the two men argued over their past connection to her. Baili Jing persuaded Zhong Lihan to take Su Qiao to Seven Swords Peak, where they could avoid visitors from other sects.

  • Su Qiao acted confused when Zhong Lihan asked whether she remembered him from a previous life, following 444’s warnings.
  • Zhong Lihan grabbed Su Qiao’s hand, claimed they had been husband and wife, and warned her not to trust Baili Jing.
  • Baili Jing explained that he and Zhong Lihan had once shared one body, prompting Zhong Lihan to angrily defend his claim on Su Qiao.
  • Baili Jing noticed someone approaching and urged them to return to Seven Swords Peak, warning Zhong Lihan that visitors might spread rumors or cause trouble for Su Qiao.
  • Zhong Lihan agreed, and the three returned to Seven Swords Peak.

Ch. 1736Bigshot Keeps Causing Trouble Again (47)

Su Qiao attended the Foundation Establishment competition to watch Zhong Lihan compete, while Baili Jing openly sat beside her and drew the other sects’ attention. The chapter left the elders marveling at how Baili Jing had changed as he followed Su Qiao everywhere.

  • Su Qiao went to the Foundation Establishment competition because Zhong Lihan had to participate, and his jealousy grew as young cultivators admired her.
  • Baili Jing took Peak Master Bai’s seat beside Su Qiao, while Zhong Lihan prepared to fight and promised not to kill anyone.
  • Other sect leaders asked Su Chengde who Baili Jing was, and Su Chengde introduced him as their sect’s Venerable Baili.
  • The visitors apologized to Baili Jing, while Qingtian Sect’s elders reflected on how he now followed Su Qiao with fruit and flowers.

Ch. 1737Bigshot Causes Trouble Again (48)

During the sect competition, Su Qiao and Baili Jing realized that Gu Nanyi was using Xi Muyun to force Zhong Lihan to reveal his identity. Xi Muyun challenged Su Qiao, leaving the confrontation about to begin.

  • Baili Jing attended the competition, and Su Chengde told the others that he had emerged from seclusion a little over three months earlier.
  • 444 noticed Gu Nanyi watching Su Qiao with hostility and Xi Muyun looking troubled.
  • Baili Jing warned Su Qiao that Xi Muyun and Gu Nanyi were trying to force Zhong Lihan to reveal his identity, and Su Qiao resolved to stop them.
  • After Zhong Lihan defeated the Foundation Establishment opponents, Xi Muyun stood and challenged Su Qiao to exchange moves.

Ch. 1738The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (49)

Xi Muyun challenged Su Qiao at the Sect Competition, claiming he only wanted to test their strength, but the sect members condemned his ingratitude. Zhong Lihan confronted him, and Su Qiao stepped in to defend her disciple, leaving the argument unresolved.

  • Xi Muyun concealed his true cultivation, which had long since reached Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Stage, and challenged Su Qiao under the pretext of testing their strength.
  • Su Chengde angrily questioned Xi Muyun, while cultivators from Qingtian Sect and the other sects criticized him for turning against his own junior sister.
  • Zhong Lihan leaped onto the arena and challenged Xi Muyun, but Su Qiao blocked his attack and sent it back.
  • Xi Muyun lectured Su Qiao about disciplining Zhong Lihan and warned that her indulgence could bring trouble to Qingtian Sect.
  • Su Qiao retorted that Xi Muyun was the one likely to cause trouble.

Ch. 1739He Keeps Causing Trouble Again (50)

Su Qiao confronted Xi Muyun over his suspicions about her father’s role in destroying the Xi family, and Xi Muyun’s reaction strengthened her resolve to remove him from Su Chengde’s side. Zhong Lihan wanted to attack Xi Muyun, but Su Qiao ordered him to stand down as she prepared to handle the situation herself.

  • Su Qiao accused Xi Muyun of joining Qingtian Sect to avenge his family and questioned why he had attacked her despite her father’s kindness.
  • Xi Muyun denied her accusation, but Su Qiao believed her probing had confirmed that he had ulterior motives.
  • Zhong Lihan offered to cripple Xi Muyun, and Su Qiao warned him not to fall into Xi Muyun’s trap or interfere with her.
  • Zhong Lihan returned to the spectator stands, where Baili Jing warned him to stay out of Su Qiao’s way.

Ch. 1740The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (51)

Su Qiao defeated Xi Muyun in a duel, then struck Gu Nanyi after sensing a killing intent aimed at her. Baili Jing identified Gu Nanyi’s unusual aura as the rare Pure Yin Physique of the Jade Phoenix Marrow.

  • Zhong Lihan suppressed his temper after Baili Jing told him not to meddle in his affairs.
  • Su Qiao attacked Xi Muyun with the Golden Dragon Treasure Sword and revealed that he had been hiding his cultivation.
  • Su Qiao defeated Xi Muyun despite both of them being at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Stage.
  • Su Qiao struck Gu Nanyi in the audience, claiming she had sensed a killing intent, and Xi Muyun caught Gu Nanyi as she flew back injured.
  • Su Qiao noticed Gu Nanyi’s unusual aura, and Baili Jing identified it as the rare Pure Yin Physique of the Jade Phoenix Marrow.

Ch. 1741The Big Shot Causes Trouble Again (52)

Su Qiao exposed Gu Nanyi’s Jade Phoenix Marrow Pure Yin Physique, drawing the crowd’s attention and provoking Xi Muyun. She condemned him for attacking her and resolved to drive him from the Qingtian Sect, while Su Chengde decided to support her.

  • Su Qiao explained Gu Nanyi’s physique, and Baili Jing clarified that its energy could be absorbed to increase cultivation but would leave an unstable foundation.
  • The crowd learned Gu Nanyi had the Pure Yin Physique, and covetous cultivators began eyeing her despite Baili Jing’s presence.
  • Xi Muyun called Su Qiao despicable, and Zhong Lihan angrily insulted him before Su Qiao stopped him from attacking.
  • Su Qiao accused Xi Muyun of betraying her father and declared that the Qingtian Sect had no place for him.
  • Su Chengde saw his daughter’s pain and resolved to help her turn against Xi Muyun.

Ch. 1742The Big Shot Is Making Trouble Again (53)

Su Decheng expelled Xi Muyun from the Qingtian Sect after he attacked Su Qiao, and the elders supported the decision because they distrusted his origins. Su Qiao accepted the outcome and warned Xi Muyun to reconsider whether Gu Nanyi was truly the person he believed her to be.

  • Su Decheng told Xi Muyun that he was no longer his disciple and that the Qingtian Sect could not keep him.
  • Xi Muyun asked whether Su Decheng was expelling him, while Su Decheng blamed his betrayal on his pursuit of a woman.
  • Peak Master Bai refused to take Xi Muyun as his disciple, and the Grand Elder agreed with Su Decheng's decision.
  • Su Decheng told Su Qiao he would handle any consequences if she chose to hit Xi Muyun or Gu Nanyi.
  • Su Qiao told Xi Muyun she would not attack them yet and urged him to question whether Gu Nanyi was still the person he liked.

Ch. 1743The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (54)

After the Sect Competition, Su Qiao left with Zhong Lihan and Baili Jing, while Xi Muyun and Gu Nanyi prepared to leave Qingtian Sect together. Gu Nanyi secretly went to Seven Swords Peak before departing, where Baili Jing confronted her at the mountain gate.

  • Su Qiao warned Xi Muyun to see Gu Nanyi clearly, then left with Zhong Lihan and Baili Jing.
  • Xi Muyun questioned Gu Nanyi about her hostility toward Su Qiao and her decision to test Zhong Lihan.
  • Xi Muyun said he had to leave Qingtian Sect and asked Gu Nanyi to go with him; she agreed after weighing the danger of staying.
  • Gu Nanyi secretly went to Seven Swords Peak and sent Baili Jing a Sound Transmission Talisman.
  • Baili Jing appeared at the mountain gate instead of letting Gu Nanyi enter and asked if she was threatening him.

Ch. 1744The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (55)

Gu Nanyi told Baili Jing that he was the first Abyssal Demon and should unify the Six Realms, but he dismissed her claims and left. As Xi Muyun and the others departed Qingtian Sect, Su Qiao revealed that she had already sent a Spirit Butterfly to track them.

  • Gu Nanyi endured Baili Jing’s pressure and urged him to reclaim his identity and abandon romance so he could unify the Six Realms.
  • Baili Jing questioned Gu Nanyi’s claims and suggested she needed a physician, then left through the mountain gate’s Defense Formation.
  • Gu Nanyi watched Baili Jing go and angrily vowed that he would regret rejecting her.
  • 444 asked Su Qiao why she had not pursued Xi Muyun and the others, who had left Qingtian Sect.
  • Su Qiao explained that she had sent a Spirit Butterfly after them and described how the ancient tracking creatures could fly fast and turn invisible.

Ch. 1745The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (56)

After learning that Gu Nanyi had found a way to open the passage between the human and Demon Races, Su Qiao went to stop her and used colorful Signal Flares to draw powerful cultivators to the cave. The arrivals searched for the supposed treasure, while Gu Nanyi remained inside.

  • 444 alerted Su Qiao that Gu Nanyi had found a way to open the passage between the human and Demon Races.
  • Su Qiao called Baili Jing and Zhong Lihan and followed Spirit Butterfly to a cave in a northwestern valley, where Gu Nanyi had entered.
  • Su Qiao obtained colorful Signal Flares from the System Store and set them off above the nearby mountains.
  • The bright explosions attracted several powerful auras, and Su Qiao brought Baili Jing and Zhong Lihan to join the crowd.
  • The newcomers asked where the treasure was and whether someone had already taken it.

Ch. 1746The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (57)

Su Qiao exposed Gu Nanyi’s attempt to break the seal on a passage to the Demon Realm, forcing her and a masked man to escape with a Spatial Scroll. After returning to Qingtian Sect, Su Qiao noticed that one of her companions was missing and confronted the man who looked like Baili Jing.

  • A sect elder detected dense Demonic Qi in the valley and realized someone was trying to break the seal on a passage to the Demon Realm.
  • Gu Nanyi struggled to undo the formidable seal, then tried to escape with an invisibility talisman when cultivators discovered her in the cave.
  • Su Qiao identified Gu Nanyi and accused her of trying to let the Demon Race into the human world.
  • A masked man appeared beside Gu Nanyi, took her away with a Spatial Scroll, and the cultivators pursued them.
  • Su Qiao celebrated having set Gu Nanyi up and returned to Qingtian Sect with her companions.
  • Su Qiao noticed that one person was missing and questioned the man who looked like Baili Jing.

Ch. 1747The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (58)

Su Qiao confronted Zhong Lihan about disguising himself as Baili Jing, and he admitted he wanted to stay by her side and protect her openly. He persisted in holding her close and teasing her, while Su Qiao threatened him with a medicinal powder.

  • Su Qiao recognized Zhong Lihan beneath his white robes and asked why he was imitating Baili Jing.
  • Zhong Lihan admitted he had disguised himself so he could protect Su Qiao openly, and said Baili Jing had gone to look for spirit fruit.
  • Zhong Lihan caught Su Qiao's hands and pulled her into his arms despite her protests.
  • Su Qiao threatened to use medicinal powder on Zhong Lihan, but he teased her that she would help him detoxify it.
  • Zhong Lihan told Su Qiao he could feel that she liked him and that his own feelings were enough even if she did not.

Ch. 1748The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (59)

Zhong Lihan promised to cook for Su Qiao and agreed to make the complicated dishes she demanded. He left her to learn the recipes from the Qingtian Sect kitchen staff, then prepared to cook them himself.

  • Su Qiao ordered Zhong Lihan to make honey-glazed braised pork, Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, and Three Delicacies Soup that day.
  • Zhong Lihan struggled to figure out how to make the dishes and decided to learn from the kitchen staff.
  • Zhong Lihan ordered the fat head chef to prepare all three dishes and explain every step.
  • The fat head chef cooked while Zhong Lihan listened closely, then fled the kitchen after Zhong Lihan dismissed him.

Ch. 1749The Big Shot Was Causing Trouble Again (60)

Zhong Lihan repeatedly failed to cook a meal, then made two Inner Disciples taste his food and demanded they stop eating so his woman could have some. The Sect Master arrived as the disciples sought help.

  • Zhong Lihan made several failed attempts at cooking, leaving his mouth numb from tasting the results.
  • Two Inner Disciples arrived, and Zhong Lihan ordered them to eat the dishes and soup.
  • The disciples praised the food despite its taste, and Zhong Lihan offered them Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs to try.
  • Zhong Lihan pulled the ribs away when the disciples ate too much, saying his woman needed to eat them.
  • The Sect Master appeared, and the two frightened disciples ran to him for help.

Ch. 1750The Big Shot Is Causing Trouble Again (61)

Zhong Lihan tried to improve his cooking and made Su Chengde taste his dishes for advice. He left for another attempt, confident that he could get the recipes right.

  • Su Chengde arrived at the main kitchen and saw Zhong Lihan scolding two junior disciples for eating the dishes he had made.
  • Su Chengde dismissed the frightened disciples, but Zhong Lihan insisted on cooking the dishes himself again.
  • Zhong Lihan made Su Chengde taste the remaining sweet and sour pork ribs and braised pork, and Su Chengde suggested adjustments to both.
  • Encouraged by Su Chengde's specific advice, Zhong Lihan began his sixth attempt and soon prepared two dishes and a soup.
  • Zhong Lihan put the food into his Spatial Ring, washed his hands, and invited the silent Su Chengde to eat with him.
Arc 70 of 188