Chapter Summaries

Yan Qing and the others entered the Forest of Bones, a secret realm that had accumulated more demons than expected. They realized it had never reset because someone might still be inside, and Yaoshi Yuan feared that person was Si Wuxie.

• Bore explained that the stronghold held daily banquets and paid outsiders well to build and maintain it.
• Beiyou led Yan Qing, Yaoshi Yuan, Bore, and Blood Minister through guarded passages to the Forest of Bones.
• Yan Qing saw that the Forest of Bones was a level 35–45 secret realm tied to Si Wuxie's inheritance.
• The group entered the manor and found six Zombie Demons and an Undying Skull Tower in its front hall.
• Bore and Beiyou explained that the realm had never reset, since its demon count persisted even after Heralds left.
• Yaoshi Yuan concluded that someone must still be deep inside the realm and asked whether it was Si Wuxie.

Yan Qing and the Heralds investigated why Si Wuxie's inheritance had persisted in the Forest of Bones and learned that a spirit beast might be keeping the Secret Realm from resetting. Their attempt to attack the Front Hall's Undying Skull Tower revealed its self-repairing Lotus Pedestal and a mysterious Karma bar, leaving Yan Qing wondering what the bar meant.

• Bore suggested that a spirit beast might have remained inside the Forest of Bones to prevent the Secret Realm from resetting, and Yaoshi Yuan explained how Heralds controlled spirit beasts.
• The group discussed the Front Hall's six Zombie Demons and the Undying Skull Tower that summoned replacements whenever fewer than six demons remained.
• Beiyou struck the Undying Skull Tower with a throwing knife, causing it to crack and awaken the demons, so the group fled the Secret Realm.
• Bore explained that the Skull Tower repaired itself through a Lotus Pedestal and became stronger when attacked with a Buddhist relic.
• Yaoshi Yuan asked Bunny Heroine whether she was confident about the challenge, and Bunny Heroine unexpectedly asked about karma.
• Yan Qing saw the Skull Tower's health bar and a previously unknown Karma bar that had already lost thirty-six percent.

Yaoshi Yuan, Bunny Heroine, Yan Qing, Bore, Blood Minister, and Beiyou attacked the Undying Skull Tower in the Forest of Bones, but it regenerated despite their combined assault. Bunny Heroine concluded that ordinary attacks would never break it and revealed that a Buddhist weapon was needed to breach the Front Hall.

• Yaoshi Yuan admitted she could not use her escape method inside a secret realm, and Bunny Heroine promised to help protect her before accepting Yaoshi Yuan's claim that she was now her little sister.
• Bore and Blood Minister organized the five-person assault, assigning Blood Minister and Beiyou to draw away four Zombie Demons while Bore, Bunny Heroine, and Yaoshi Yuan attacked the Skull Tower.
• Blood Minister and Beiyou drew the demons aside, allowing Bore, Bunny Heroine, and Yaoshi Yuan to unleash rapid attacks on the Undying Skull Tower.
• The tower was riddled with damage but quickly restored by the Lotus Pedestal, so Bore ordered everyone to retreat from the Forest of Bones.
• Bunny Heroine told the group that repeated attacks would not break the tower and declared that only a Buddhist weapon could breach the Front Hall.

Bunny Heroine and the others decided Buddhist relics were their best chance to overcome the Skull Tower’s regeneration and made one final attempt that night. The assault began well, but Bore failed to trigger Rainstorm Duration, and Yaoshi Yuan suddenly attacked him with her spear.

• Bore questioned whether Buddhist relics could breach the Skull Tower, while Bunny Heroine warned she would not keep trying without a new approach.
• Blood Minister argued that their damage-based strategy would never work and urged Bore to risk using Buddhist relics.
• Beiyou agreed that Si Wuxie’s golden light was a hint, and Bore replaced his Rare Long Staff with a Nine-Ringed Staff and accepted Bunny Heroine’s plan.
• Bore declared the next assault their final attempt that night, and the group entered the Front Hall with Bunny Heroine and Bore as the only attackers targeting the Skull Tower.
• Bunny Heroine used Seven Steps Buddha Recitation to stab the tower during Rainstorm Duration, but Bore failed to trigger the technique against the Zombie Demon.
• Yaoshi Yuan suddenly thrust Soul Severing Spear at Bore.

Bunny Heroine and Bore used Buddhist tokens to destroy Skull Tower, clearing the Front Hall and earning rewards. With the group’s path forward opened, Beiyou spotted what might be a treasure chest.

• Bore’s Rainstorm strengthened Skull Tower’s lotus pedestal and repaired its golden-light wound, but Bunny Heroine and Bore then struck it with Buddhist tokens, lowering its maximum health as its Karma Value rose.
• The Zombie Demons attacked Bore and Bunny Heroine while the group held them off, and Skull Tower shattered when its Karma Value reached 98, turning the remaining demons to earth.
• Bunny Heroine collected the loot and gained Calamity Karma, a level-five secret technique, increased attributes, and four levels.
• Bore revealed that Rainstorm tore his muscles and left him unable to fight, while Bunny Heroine said she could use it without harm because of her supposed sacred constitution.
• The group rested and bickered after clearing the Front Hall, and Beiyou spotted a possible treasure chest at the courtyard gate.

The group divided the first stage’s treasure chest rewards, including a Heaven Dipper Revival Branch and an Earthly Fiend Immobilization Stone. Yan Qing let Yaoshi Yuan keep the stone, then checked the public warehouse and found that he had already obtained a different Earthly Fiend treasure and a rare relic.

• Bore chose the Heaven Dipper Revival Branch, while Yaoshi Yuan took the Earthly Fiend Immobilization Stone.
• Beiyou and Blood Minister each took a Third Turn Rare Treasure Relic, and Bunny Heroine received the secret technique book and the spirit jades.
• Blood Minister proposed leaving the Central Courtyard, and Yaoshi Yuan and Bunny Heroine withdrew with the rewards they had earned.
• Yaoshi Yuan offered the Immobilization Stone to Bunny Heroine, but Bunny Heroine refused and let Yaoshi Yuan keep it.
• Yan Qing watched the two women return together, then opened the public warehouse and saw an Earthly Fiend Skull Continuation Bone and a Bodhisattva Jade Pendant.

Yan Qing examined the rewards and Calamity Milestone gained from liberating Skull Tower, then considered how to use the Earth Fiend item and help his companions prepare for Foundation Establishment. He left Bunny Heroine and Yaoshi Yuan sleeping peacefully and logged off for the night.

• Yan Qing read the battle report showing Bunny Heroine had freed an Avici Sinner, gained 1 point of Calamity Karma, and unlocked true damage equal to her Calamity Karma.
• Yan Qing reasoned that liberation permanently removed certain demons and awarded exceptional loot, while Calamity Karma rewarded players for defeating elite enemies across a level gap.
• Yan Qing inspected Skull Continuation’s combination options and decided an alternate character with strong prospects of reaching Foundation Establishment should absorb it.
• Yan Qing switched to Bunny Heroine’s account, saw Yaoshi Yuan sleeping beside Bunny Heroine, softly wished them good night, and logged off.

Yan Qing created the alt Niu Xianke to explore Jiangnan County Town’s food and culture, while Bunny Heroine and Yaoshi Yuan waited for the Three Great Protectors to seek their help. When the Protectors finally summoned them, Beiyou revealed that Si Wuxie’s Foundation Establishment power had altered their wills and senses, leaving Yan Qing stunned.

• Yan Qing created Niu Xianke, used Rat Monk’s connection to ride with the persimmon seller to Jiangnan County Town, and explored its streets before enrolling the alt at Eight Rice Martial Arts School.
• Yan Qing spent the afternoon clearing Rat Monk’s Secret Realm, then logged into Bunny Heroine’s account as Yaoshi Yuan trained Wu Qiu and Shi Dong.
• Bunny Heroine and Yaoshi Yuan discussed the Three Great Protectors’ stalled exploration and the danger of the Forest of Bones, then joked about staying together and Yaoshi Yuan braided Bunny Heroine’s hair.
• A servant summoned Bunny Heroine and Yaoshi Yuan to meet the Great Protectors, and Bunny Heroine mocked them for seeking help so quickly.
• Bore explained that their predicament exceeded the difficulty of a Third Turn Secret Realm, and Beiyou said Si Wuxie’s Foundation Establishment power had altered their wills and senses.

The group reached the Central Courtyard and discovered a formation left by Si Wuxie that disrupted anyone’s ability to attack. After Yaoshi Yuan tested it and felt her body slip beyond her control, Yan Qing identified the formation’s source and effect.

• The group discussed Si Wuxie’s inheritance and Blood Minister’s estranged child, prompting Beiyou and Blood Minister to argue.
• Bore explained that the Central Courtyard’s five veiled demons were protected by a formation that distorted attacks, and the group learned that even powerful Heralds could barely hit their targets.
• Yaoshi Yuan entered the formation, failed to control her attacks, and described feeling like a puppet.
• Bunny Heroine dismissed Blood Minister’s taunting while Yan Qing read the formation’s information on the screen.

Yan Qing and the others learned that the Central Courtyard’s formation severely impaired real-world fighters, but Bunny Heroine entered it and proved she could defeat its demons. Her success shifted the balance with the Three Great Protectors, until the group realized the White-robed Demonic Beasts were strengthening the Red-robed Demonic Beast and that they needed to work together to kill it first.

• Bore and Blood Minister explained that the formation made attacks miss and that ordinary arrows deflected, while the demons recovered from injuries during rest.
• Beiyou argued that the group still needed all five fighters to handle the Red-robed Demonic Beast and find the Lotus Pedestal.
• Bunny Heroine entered the formation, inflicted heavy damage on a White-robed Demonic Beast, and killed it with Shining Sword Marks.
• Yan Qing anticipated tension over dividing the spoils, but Beiyou suggested Bunny Heroine’s skill might come from a powerful family, making it unwise to drive her away.
• The group noticed the Red-robed Demonic Beast growing stronger as the White-robed Demonic Beasts were injured or killed, so Bunny Heroine urged the Three Great Protectors to help kill it first.

Bunny Heroine and the Three Great Protectors returned to the Central Courtyard and faced the mutated demonic beasts after the Red-robed Demonic Beast’s karmic power reached zero. They defeated the beasts at great cost, and Blood Minister asked whether he could choose the spoils second.

• Bunny Heroine repaired Seven Steps Buddha Recitation while the group recovered from their injuries, and the Three Great Protectors agreed to continue fighting.
• Yan Qing prepared for a mutation as the Red-robed Demonic Beast’s health fell to 16% and its karmic power reached 1%; Bunny Heroine warned the others to be ready.
• When the karmic power bar emptied, all five demonic beasts grew into Three Heads Six Arms monsters and surrounded Bunny Heroine.
• Yaoshi Yuan, Bore, Beiyou, and Blood Minister each obstructed the beasts, buying Bunny Heroine time to escape the encirclement.
• Blood Minister’s chain traps and the Red-robed Demonic Beast’s missed attack helped him survive, while Seven Steps Buddha Recitation killed the Red-robed Demonic Beast and the other beasts vanished.
• Blood Minister stood up battered and asked Bunny Heroine if he qualified to choose the spoils second; she reluctantly agreed.

After dividing the treasure, Yan Qing and the others hesitated to enter the Back Forest, where Si Wuxie's legacy might be waiting and a fight over it could erupt. They found the Corpse King alive, and the Three Great Protectors agreed to five days to defeat it before sharing the inheritance.

• Yan Qing gained two secret techniques, reached level 27, and took the Whip Mountain Move Stone Seal from the inner hall treasure chest.
• Blood Minister took the Carry Mountain Bamboo, Yaoshi Yuan chose the Secret Technique Research Book, Beiyou took Dao Foundation Explained, and Bore received fifty thousand spirit jades.
• The group weighed the risks of competing for Si Wuxie's Foundation Establishment inheritance and followed Beiyou into the Back Forest.
• The group discovered the huge Corpse King still alive, confirming it remained the secret realm's final trial.
• Bore proposed five days for the Three Great Protectors to defeat the Corpse King before sharing the inheritance, and Yaoshi Yuan and Bunny Heroine agreed.

He Lan Shangyue visited the Helan Family’s Mountain Temple Secret Realm to check on its reclusive Foundation Establishment cultivator, True Person Dongshou He Lan Shou. After reaching the temple and paying his respects, he found He Lan Shou looking unchanged and asked how he had been.

• He Lan Shangyue learned that He Lan Shou had been eating less and ordered the spirit-jade mining to stop in the mornings and evenings, prioritizing the Old Ancestor’s health.
• He Lan Shangyue entered Mountain Temple, gave snacks to the children living there, and passed the spirit-jade mine after its workers had gone home early.
• He Lan Shangyue presented his calling card and followed the ritual of washing his hands and rinsing his mouth before meeting True Person Dongshou.
• He Lan Shangyue bowed to He Lan Shou, saw that the white-haired Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared young, and asked whether his grandfather had been well.

He Lan Shangyue told He Lan Shou that Bunny Heroine and Yaoshi Yuan had uncovered Si Wuxie's legacy and possessed a possible Return Token. He Lan Shou left seclusion for Shu Road Mountain, intending to claim the legacy and deal with Yaoshi Yuan.

• He Lan Shangyue reminded He Lan Shou of his late father and presented him with a letter about the Forest of Bones expedition.
• He Lan Shou learned that Bunny Heroine and Yaoshi Yuan had defeated He Lanque and broken through Si Wuxie's legacy, apparently using Buddhist tokens and a Return Token.
• He Lan Shangyue explained that the other families likely did not know about the expedition and urged He Lan Shou to go to Shu Road Mountain.
• He Lan Shou left his temple and secret realm at once, while the servants and villagers welcomed him as Winter Hunting True Person.
• He Lan Shou refused to involve himself in court affairs but ordered Yaoshi Yuan dealt with if she remained at Shu Road Mountain.
• He Lan Shangyue awarded each flower farmer thirty spirit jades after He Lan Shou praised the gardenias.

Yaoshi Yuan proved her strength to the Demonic Messengers of Shu Road Mountain and recruited them for an expedition to the wolf lair. After learning that Liang Kingdom had posted a reward for information about Bunny Heroine’s gauntlets, she realized they might be the legendary Melting Hundred Aspects Hands stolen from the Imperial Secret Vault.

• Yaoshi Yuan defeated the Black Whirlwind Trio and shattered their Protective Barriers, earning the Demonic Messengers’ respect.
• The Black Whirlwind Trio joined Yaoshi Yuan’s team, and other Demonic Messengers volunteered to attack the wolf lair with her.
• Yaoshi Yuan recalled that Bunny Heroine had explained how the Immobilization Stone and Whip Mountain Move Stone Seal could form the Ten Thousand Crags Roaring Peaks Dao Foundation, but she had delayed deciding whether to exchange the relics.
• Yaoshi Yuan’s informant reported that Beiyou and Blood Minister had sent many subordinates down the mountain, while Bore had sent only Fu Nan.
• Yaoshi Yuan examined a Black Market commission seeking the owner of a pair of gauntlets and recognized their image as the Melting Hundred Aspects Hands.
• Yaoshi Yuan questioned Bunny Heroine about her gauntlets, and Bunny Heroine said her brother had picked them up.

Yan Qing and Shang Xin Lei shared an awkward lunch and tried to restart their conversation, but Shang Xin Lei revealed she had received the Secret Skill Book Imperial Wheel and planned to leave for a family Secret Realm. The chapter ended with Yan Qing realizing he would no longer be able to share meals with her for a while.

• Yan Qing told Shang Xin Lei that he planned to sell an Advanced Swordplay Mastery Manual every day, and they discussed how Jiang Shi obtained manuals by clearing Secret Realms.
• Shang Xin Lei asked whether Yan Qing would reward Jiang Shi, and Yan Qing said he planned to give her a Secret Skill Book and help her advance to the Third Turn.
• Yan Qing tried to break the awkward silence, but Shang Xin Lei told him that her father had given her the Secret Skill Book Imperial Wheel.
• Shang Xin Lei announced that she planned to leave Jiangnan City that afternoon to train at the family's Secret Realm, Quiet Heart Abode.
• Shang Xin Lei told Yan Qing she would not be able to buy meals from the city's restaurants while she stayed at Quiet Heart Abode, and Yan Qing replied, "Oh."

Yan Qing and Shang Xin Lei discussed her upcoming stay at Quiet Heart Abode, her cooking, and whether they would keep sharing meals. Their teasing turned flirtatious when Yan Qing complimented her legs, and Shang Xin Lei demonstrated what she meant by an attack.

• Shang Xin Lei told Yan Qing she was leaving for Quiet Heart Abode and explained that she had been learning to cook for herself there.
• Yan Qing agreed to eat her cooking and offered to arrange extra meals from Jiangnan City when she wanted them.
• Shang Xin Lei asked why Yan Qing had been talking less, and he told her he enjoyed listening to her.
• Yan Qing bluntly told Shang Xin Lei that her legs looked great, prompting her to hide them from his view.
• Shang Xin Lei pressed her stockinged feet against Yan Qing's thigh and called it an attack.

Yaoshi Yuan decided to cultivate Wu Qiu and Shi Dong after they proved their loyalty in Wolf Den, while Bunny Heroine remained focused on meditation and fighting. Yaoshi Yuan brought Bunny Heroine to a secluded mountaintop and asked whether she had any family, leaving Bunny Heroine’s answer unknown.

• Yaoshi Yuan and Bunny Heroine abandoned their attempt to clear Wolf Den after the Demonic Messengers shirked their duties, though the group defeated the first wave of Shadow Wolves.
• Yaoshi Yuan discussed the loot with Bunny Heroine and decided to buy Advanced Blade Technique for Wu Qiu and Shi Dong.
• Yaoshi Yuan explained that she wanted to train Wu Qiu and Shi Dong because they had followed her orders and fought bravely against the Shadow Wolves.
• Yaoshi Yuan asked Bunny Heroine to accompany her to a secluded spot near the Mountain Stronghold, where they shared wine and Candied Hawthorn.
• Yaoshi Yuan asked Bunny Heroine if she had any family.

Yaoshi Yuan concluded that Bunny Heroine was a tool devoted to Yellow Dog, and Bunny Heroine confirmed much of her theory. Their exchange left Yaoshi Yuan confronting how her own obsession with restoring the Ba River Medicine Master resembled Bunny Heroine’s loyalty to her brother.

• Yaoshi Yuan argued that Bunny Heroine had no family and that the person she called her elder brother was her leader, not a relative.
• Yaoshi Yuan concluded that Yellow Dog had sent Bunny Heroine to seize Si Wuxie's inheritance and that Bunny Heroine obeyed him without freedom.
• Bunny Heroine confirmed Yaoshi Yuan's judgment, but said Yellow Dog would not want the Immobilization Stone because he sought a perfect Dao foundation.
• Bunny Heroine said she would give Yaoshi Yuan the Whip Mountain Move Stone Seal as long as doing so did not harm Yellow Dog's interests.
• When Yaoshi Yuan asked Bunny Heroine to leave the Calamitous Demonic Ground with her, Bunny Heroine refused by remaining silent.
• Bunny Heroine asked whether Yaoshi Yuan had considered giving up on restoring the Ba River Medicine Master, prompting Yaoshi Yuan to reflect on their respective obsessions.

Bunny Heroine explained why she had kept Yaoshi Yuan at a distance and admitted she might soon face even greater dangers. Yaoshi Yuan shared how she had chosen to follow her father’s path even after he stopped directing her, then asked Bunny Heroine to be her little sister, and Bunny Heroine accepted.

• Bunny Heroine thanked Yaoshi Yuan and said she had avoided calling her big sister because she feared Yaoshi Yuan would grieve if she died.
• Bunny Heroine promised to do her best to survive Shu Road Mountain but said they should part afterward, though she might meet Yaoshi Yuan again if she became immortal.
• Yaoshi Yuan told Bunny Heroine about her strict upbringing, her father’s decision to leave her alone at ten, and her own choice to keep pursuing his path to become his successor.
• Yaoshi Yuan said they could choose a different future, then took Bunny Heroine to watch the sunset in the Calamitous Demonic Ground.
• Yaoshi Yuan embraced Bunny Heroine and asked her to be her little sister so neither of them would be alone, and Bunny Heroine hugged her and agreed.
• Yan Qing watched the scene through the Nesser Game Console and felt warmth at seeing his alternate account cherished.