Chapter Summaries

He Liu displayed ten treasures at a gathering, using the showcase to build goodwill and draw the attendees into trading. Meng Zhao identified the poison core and tortoiseshell he wanted, while suspecting He Liu’s true aim was the Innate Masters in the eastern section.

• Zheng Que, Su Can, Meng Zhao, and the others grew wary of He Liu, suspecting he had conspired to provoke the earlier battle and might be connected to the Palace Master.
• He Liu displayed ten treasures, impressing the gathering and stirring interest among the attendees.
• Meng Zhao became interested in the poison core as food for Flood Dragon Little Nine and in the tortoiseshell for his studies of divination and the Dao of Changes.
• Meng Zhao inferred that He Liu had invited Houtian Realm martial artists to build the atmosphere and target the Innate Masters in the eastern section.
• After He Liu finished displaying his treasures, attendees took turns presenting items and trading, with several deals completed over roughly two hours.
• When the trading stopped, He Liu returned to the stage and drew everyone's attention.

He Liu urged the Demonic Path’s Rogue Cultivators and minor sect disciples to form an alliance against the major demonic sects, framing it as a way to share the opportunities that might come as Great Yong weakened. As the hall erupted into debate, Meng Zhao explained that he had inferred He Liu’s plan from his past actions and suspected Mishui Immortal Palace’s master was backing him.

• He Liu announced that the gathering had completed twenty-seven transactions, then spoke of Great Yong’s unrest and the Demonic Path’s renewed strength.
• An Innate Realm Warrior named Ma challenged He Liu’s talk of rebellion, and He Liu denied wanting to overthrow the Beitang Family.
• He Liu proposed an alliance to help Rogue Cultivators and minor sect disciples resist oppression by major demonic sects, prompting supporters and opponents to argue.
• Su Can, Zheng Que, Niu Dali, and others praised Meng Zhao for predicting He Liu’s plan, and Meng Zhao said he had deduced it from He Liu’s past deeds.
• Meng Zhao told his companions that He Liu was likely backed by the Palace Master of Mishui Immortal Palace.

At He Liu’s gathering, a debate over forming an organization for Rogue Cultivators grew heated until He Liu calmed the hall. An Innate Realm Warrior surnamed Xu challenged He Liu’s claim that Rogue Cultivators needed protection, leaving many attendees in agreement with his doubts.

• He Liu used a soothing sound technique to stop the arguing from becoming a fight.
• A Houtian Realm martial artist urged He Liu to ask the eastern area’s Innate Realm Warriors for their opinions.
• An Innate Realm Warrior surnamed Xu questioned whether Rogue Cultivators were truly oppressed by the great Demonic Path sects and argued that they needed no force to protect them.
• Many eastern-area Innate Realm Warriors cheered for Xu’s argument, and Meng Zhao agreed with his view.

He Liu tried to persuade the Innate Realm Warriors to help build a force that would protect Houtian martial artists, but most rejected his appeal as self-serving. The gathering ended with his plan facing opposition and new questions about how he would distribute rank and benefits.

• He Liu argued that stronger martial artists should unite to give Houtian juniors a safer path to grow.
• The martial artist surnamed Xu rejected He Liu’s appeal, saying Demonic Path practitioners had no reason to sacrifice themselves for the weak.
• Meng Zhao recognized that He Liu wanted to organize the Innate Masters to protect and develop Houtian martial artists, while the Innate Masters would bear the costs and risks.
• Most Innate Realm Warriors opposed joining He Liu’s force, while angry Houtian martial artists criticized them without changing their stance.
• He Liu realized that building a powerful organization would require broad Innate support, and another warrior challenged him to explain how he would divide ranks and benefits.

He Liu answered challenges to his plan for a rogue cultivator organization by proposing a loose, voluntary alliance focused on mutual aid, information, and paid services. The Innate Realm Warriors accepted the idea, while Meng Zhao suspected He Liu meant to use the alliance as a fallback that could later grow into a formal force.

• A goateed martial artist challenged He Liu over how he would prevent disputes about benefits and keep the organization united.
• Innate Realm Warriors questioned how He Liu would secure territory and livelihood or keep the force from collapsing in a clash with a great demonic sect.
• He Liu proposed a voluntary alliance with nominal leadership, mutual assistance, member-negotiated benefits, and mediation or arena matches to settle disputes.
• Niu Dali and the other Innate Realm Warriors approved of the alliance because it was noncoercive and could provide information, resources, and paid work.
• Meng Zhao compared the alliance to an adventurers' guild and concluded that He Liu might later turn it into a formal organization.

He Liu founded the Mutual Aid Alliance, while Meng Zhao explained how it could help He Liu build a more powerful organization over time. When He Liu invited Meng Zhao to join, Meng Zhao declined and asked to buy the two treasures He Liu had displayed, prompting He Liu to suspect his identity and consider using him for political gain.

• More than seventy Houtian Realm martial artists and over a dozen Xiantian martial artists supported He Liu's proposed Mutual Aid Alliance, while Niu Dali, Zheng Que, and Su Can chose to follow Meng Zhao instead.
• The Mutual Aid Alliance was established with He Liu as its first leader, and Meng Zhao explained to Niu Dali, Zheng Que, and Su Can that He Liu could use its resources and connections to build a stricter force later.
• At Meng Zhao's suggestion, Niu Dali, Zheng Que, and Su Can lent their names to the alliance, and He Liu received them in a side hall.
• He Liu invited Meng Zhao to join or lend his name, but Meng Zhao declined and asked whether He Liu would sell him the two treasures he had displayed.
• Niu Dali backed Meng Zhao, and He Liu began suspecting that Meng Zhao came from a powerful Great Yong family and considered using his identity to gain influence.
• Meng Zhao recognized He Liu's suspicions and asked whether He Liu doubted his identity or objected to his attending the gathering.

Meng Zhao negotiated with He Liu for two rare treasures, using his connection to the Mishui Immortal Palace’s Palace Master to reassure and impress him. He agreed to pay He Liu’s requested price in silver, and the exchange was ready to proceed.

• He Liu questioned Meng Zhao about entering the dangerous territory, and Meng Zhao claimed that only the Palace Master could threaten him and that he had received the Palace Master’s favor.
• He Liu accepted Meng Zhao’s explanation and asked which treasures he wanted.
• Meng Zhao chose He Liu’s Fierce Beast Poison Pill and the mysterious tortoise shell.
• He Liu offered to trade the treasures for silver or cultivation resources, hoping to raise funds for his Mutual Aid Alliance.
• Meng Zhao chose to pay in silver rather than give up scarce cultivation resources, then agreed to He Liu’s price without bargaining.

Meng Zhao traded a Fierce Beast Poison Pill and a tortoiseshell from He Liu for a payment document, which He Liu sent to be verified. While they waited, Meng Zhao proposed a ranking system for the Mutual Aid Alliance and established the possibility of future cooperation with it.

• He Liu brought Meng Zhao the Fierce Beast Poison Pill and tortoiseshell, and Meng Zhao confirmed both were genuine.
• Meng Zhao gave He Liu a payment document, but He Liu doubted it was valid and sent someone to verify it with the Palace Master’s associates.
• While they waited, Meng Zhao suggested ranking Mutual Aid Alliance members to allocate rights and benefits and encourage the alliance’s growth.
• He Liu considered the proposal despite concerns that members might resent it, and he thanked Meng Zhao for his advice.
• Meng Zhao declined He Liu’s offer to freely use alliance resources and suggested they cooperate in the future.

Fu Ning of the Five Poisons Sect asked He Liu for the Fierce Beast Poison Pill, only to learn that He Liu had already promised it to Meng Zhao. Meng Zhao refused to give it up, prioritizing Flood Dragon Little Nine’s growth despite recognizing Fu Ning’s value as a potential ally.

• A messenger confirmed that the note He Liu had received was genuine, then brought in the familiar Five Poisons Sect master Fu Ning.
• Fu Ning asked He Liu to sell him the Fierce Beast Poison Pill, which he wanted for his poison arts and venomous creatures.
• He Liu said he had already agreed to sell the poison pill and a turtle shell to Meng Zhao, leaving the decision to him.
• Fu Ning recognized Meng Zhao from their earlier encounter and asked him to part with the pill.
• Meng Zhao refused, explaining that the poison pill was important to Flood Dragon Little Nine’s growth.

Meng Zhao refused Fu Ning’s offer to trade for the poison pill, choosing to keep it for Flood Dragon Little Nine. Fu Ning threatened him, and Niu Dali, Su Can, and Zheng Que took Meng Zhao’s side as the confrontation escalated.

• Meng Zhao decided that keeping the poison pill mattered more than pleasing Fu Ning, while He Liu anticipated that the two men would clash.
• Fu Ning offered Meng Zhao martial arts manuals and cultivation resources in exchange for the pill, but Meng Zhao firmly refused.
• Fu Ning threatened Meng Zhao and signaled that his venomous snakes might attack if he did not surrender the poison pill.
• Niu Dali stepped in front of Meng Zhao and challenged Fu Ning to face him at the Demon Gathering.
• Fu Ning dismissed Niu Dali and said he would test whether Niu Dali could protect Meng Zhao from him.
• Su Can and Zheng Que joined Niu Dali in standing against Fu Ning.

Fu Ning backed down after Su Can and Zheng Que joined forces to protect Meng Zhao, but the group expected the Five Poisons Sect man to retaliate. Zheng Que warned Meng Zhao about poison and offered him a Blazing Fire Pill, which Meng Zhao declined, claiming he could handle the threat.

• Su Can and Zheng Que revealed their combined Heavenly Cripple Earth Imperfect art and blocked Fu Ning from confronting Meng Zhao.
• Fu Ning recognized their inheritance, then left after Zheng Que challenged him and defended Meng Zhao.
• He Liu gave Meng Zhao the two wooden boxes and warned him that Fu Ning would pursue what he wanted.
• Zheng Que warned Meng Zhao that the Five Poisons Sect might poison his food or water and offered him a Blazing Fire Pill.
• Meng Zhao declined the pill, saying he had ways to counter the Five Poisons Sect, while He Liu wondered whether Meng Zhao planned to use the Fierce Beast Poison Pill.

Meng Zhao realized Fu Ning had used a harmless substance to make him look poisoned and frighten him. He calmed his companions, then decided to wait until after the Demon Gathering to kill Fu Ning, despite He Liu's warning about the Five Poisons Sect.

• Niu Dali noticed Meng Zhao's flushed face and black lips, and Zheng Que feared Fu Ning had poisoned him.
• Meng Zhao checked his body and found no signs of poison, then recognized Fu Ning's trick as a warning.
• Meng Zhao reassured Niu Dali, Zheng Que, Su Can, and He Liu that he was unharmed.
• Niu Dali urged Meng Zhao to confront Fu Ning, but Meng Zhao said he would wait until after the Demon Gathering before killing him.
• He Liu warned Meng Zhao that Fu Ning's death could bring retaliation from the Five Poisons Sect, while Meng Zhao remained determined.

Gu Sinan and Yun Fei visited Meng Zhao to discuss the Mutual Aid Alliance formed by He Liu, while Meng Zhao concealed his own assessment of its potential. He left them believing the alliance posed little threat to the Demonic Path sects, though he recognized how it could grow.

• After He Liu established the Mutual Aid Alliance, news of it spread rapidly across the mountain.
• Gu Sinan and Yun Fei visited Meng Zhao, who asked whether they had learned more about his Human-Form Worm.
• Gu Sinan said the worm's origins remained unclear and asked Meng Zhao about the Mutual Aid Alliance.
• Gu Sinan warned that He Liu might have backing and that the alliance could eventually become a powerful force.
• Meng Zhao argued that the alliance was too loose and its Rogue Cultivators too independent to threaten the sects, while privately recognizing its potential to expand.

Meng Zhao persuaded Gu Sinan to seek cooperation with the Mutual Aid Alliance, then asked Gu Sinan and Yun Fei for advice about his conflict with Fu Ning of the Five Poisons Sect. Yun Fei urged him to confront Fu Ning by force, and Meng Zhao sought more information as he prepared for the dispute.

• Gu Sinan worried that the Mutual Aid Alliance would provoke sects and Rogue Cultivators, but Meng Zhao advised him to befriend it rather than suppress it.
• Gu Sinan agreed to pursue cooperation with He Liu and the Mutual Aid Alliance after Meng Zhao assured him He Liu would welcome the Demon Venerable Hall as an ally.
• Yun Fei asked Meng Zhao about the gathering, and Meng Zhao recounted his clash with Fu Ning over the Fierce Beast Poison Pill.
• Gu Sinan explained Fu Ning's standing in the Five Poisons Sect and offered to mediate, but Meng Zhao said Fu Ning had drugged and threatened him to obtain the pill.
• Yun Fei urged Meng Zhao to beat or kill Fu Ning if necessary, and Meng Zhao asked both men to share what they knew about Fu Ning and the Five Poisons Sect.

At the Mishui Immortal Palace Demon Gathering, Meng Zhao spent most of his time sightseeing and found the martial arts arenas more interesting than the trading venues. After two days without an Innate expert taking the large arena, someone applied to fight, drawing a huge crowd and ending its quiet spell.

• The Outer Demon Gathering opened across seven palace complexes, and Meng Zhao joined Gu Sinan, Yun Fei, Niu Dali, and the others to explore its venues.
• Meng Zhao traded for a Nine Revolutions Blazing Sun Pill to develop his Purple Origin Dragon Body and bought mineral-fragment jewelry for his women.
• Meng Zhao watched the small arena’s Houtian sparring and learned from the varied techniques on display.
• The medium arena hosted savage Houtian fights where killing was allowed, and five of the eight fighters in its first four matches died.
• After no Innate Realm Warriors had fought on the large arena since the gathering began, someone applied to fight and drew a huge crowd.

Niu Dali prepared to fight Ji Chang on the grand arena after Meng Zhao warned him about Ji Chang’s strength. In the crowd, Lord Zhao recognized Meng Zhao and revealed that he had come to the Immortal Palace seeking opportunities for the Plainclothes Alliance.

• Meng Zhao apologized for drawing Niu Dali into the fight and warned him that Ji Chang’s Heavenly Yin Divine Thunder made him strong enough to challenge higher-level experts.
• Niu Dali said Fu Ning had provoked him too and vowed to defeat Ji Chang, then headed toward the grand arena with Meng Zhao.
• The crowd gathered to watch and wager on the clash, while spectators focused more on Niu Dali and Fu Ning than on Meng Zhao or Ji Chang.
• A young man in the crowd secretly watched Meng Zhao and vowed to make him fall within the Immortal Palace after a previous encounter had ended in his own flight.
• An Innate-level expert asked Lord Zhao why he was watching Meng Zhao, and Lord Zhao identified him as the Dragon King of Lingwu City, known as Northern Meng alongside Southern Shen.

Zhao Hun discovered that Meng Zhao was attending the Demon Gathering under an alias and plotted to expose him once Grandmasters arrived. As Meng Zhao headed toward the arena, he sensed that someone might be scheming against him but could not identify the threat.

• A Demonic Path Xiantian expert recognized Meng Zhao and wondered why he had come to the Demon Gathering.
• Zhao Hun stopped the expert from acting and planned to reveal Meng Zhao's identity when the Inner Demon Gathering began.
• Zhao Hun recalled his past failed attempt to kill Meng Zhao and resolved to use the arrival of three Grandmasters to trap him.
• Meng Zhao followed Niu Dali toward the arena and felt an indistinct warning that someone was plotting against him.
• Meng Zhao searched his surroundings, found nothing, and quietly prepared for danger.

Niu Dali and Ji Chang faced off in the grand arena, where the grand formation’s Worldly Power pressed on both Innate Masters. After Niu Dali opened with a powerful probing attack and Ji Chang evaded with the Heaven Yin Divine Thunder movement technique, the spectators debated whether the arena’s restrictions would hinder or enhance Ji Chang’s speed.

• Fu Ning warned Ji Chang that Niu Dali was formidable and urged him to use the item he had given him if necessary.
• Ji Chang and Niu Dali entered the arena as the crowd erupted, while Meng Zhao and Fu Ning exchanged hostile looks from below.
• Niu Dali and Ji Chang circulated their true qi and adapted to the grand formation’s Worldly Power before beginning their fight.
• Niu Dali pounded his chest and attacked Ji Chang with a barrage of powerful hand seals.
• Ji Chang evaded Niu Dali’s probing assault with the swift Heaven Yin Divine Thunder movement technique.
• Zheng Que predicted that Niu Dali would win, while Gu Sinan wondered whether Ji Chang’s speed and attack rhythm could overcome the arena’s constraints.

Ji Chang used his divine speed to target Niu Dali’s eyes, but Niu Dali anticipated and deflected the attack. Niu Dali then unleashed his physical strength to create a wind field that hindered Ji Chang’s speed, forcing Ji Chang to respond with Heavenly Yin Divine Thunder Qi.

• Ji Chang evaded Niu Dali’s palm and struck three times toward his eyes with a rapid finger technique.
• Niu Dali predicted the attack and crushed Ji Chang’s finger force with his palm, after which Ji Chang retreated across the arena.
• Meng Zhao recognized that Niu Dali had relied on experience and accurate prediction to counter Ji Chang’s speed.
• Niu Dali praised Ji Chang’s speed, then summoned his Demon Ox Martial Dao Dharma Form and generated wind tides that restricted Ji Chang’s movement.
• Ji Chang released Heavenly Yin Divine Thunder Qi, forming lightning arcs around himself to push back the enclosing winds.

Ji Chang used his flexible sword and Heavenly Yin Divine Thunder to summon lightning from the martial arena’s formation against the stronger Niu Dali. As thunder gathered overhead, Niu Dali prepared to meet it by fully manifesting his Demon Ox dharma image.

• Ji Chang drew a concealed flexible sword and attacked Niu Dali with lightning-charged sword qi.
• Niu Dali resisted the attacks with his formidable strength, leaving Ji Chang unable to seriously wound him.
• Ji Chang’s sword qi laid a lightning net across the arena, and he used the formation’s Worldly Power to summon storm clouds and divine thunder.
• Meng Zhao realized Ji Chang’s plan, but the thunder was already gathering above the arena.
• Niu Dali assumed a charging stance and condensed his blood, qi, and true qi until his Demon Ox dharma image filled much of the arena.