Recaps

Liu Yihang and Wang Dali were overwhelmed by the Sand Devouring Serpents and their king while trying to escape into the forest. They survived after losing a leg and an arm, and later became a two-man team known as Crippled Heaven and Maimed Earth.

• Liu Yihang and Wang Dali retreated toward the forest but found more Sand Devouring Serpents blocking their way.
• The Sand Devouring Serpent King arrived and attacked them as they fled deeper into the forest.
• Wang Dali lost his right hand to venom and cut it off, while Liu Yihang severed his left leg after the king bit him.
• Wang Dali and Liu Yihang regrouped, killed the serpents pursuing them, and fled dozens of li into the forest to recover.
• The Jianghu later named the pair Crippled Heaven and Maimed Earth for their missing limbs.

Lu Tianheng took Ji Qiang and Ji Xingfeng to a cave and revealed that he cultivated an evil art by devouring martial artists. Jiang Zongquan witnessed him devour Ji Xingfeng, realized Lu Tianheng could threaten the Great Qian Imperial Family, and fled to warn against the danger.

• Lu Tianheng abandoned the pursuit of Liu Yihang and Wang Dali after Chen Qiansong reported that Sand Devouring Serpents had killed two Grandmasters.
• A Vice Centurion told Lu Tianheng that the Martial Prohibition Hall had crushed the Ji Family's principal forces in You Prefecture and was purging the remaining members.
• Lu Tianheng took Ji Qiang and Ji Xingfeng to a secluded cave while his subordinates went to rest.
• Lu Tianheng used his blood-mist cultivation art to devour Ji Xingfeng, then waited for his strength to stabilize before turning to Ji Qiang.
• Jiang Zongquan secretly watched Lu Tianheng devour Ji Xingfeng, recognized his evil art, and retreated while Lu Tianheng prepared to devour Ji Qiang.

Jiang Lan and Jiang Zongquan planned to expose Lu Tianheng’s practice of the Bloodthirsty Evil Art and use public pressure to force the Three Sects to act against him. Lu Tianheng remained unaware that his secret had been exposed and left for Mo Prefecture with Chen Qiansong.

• Jiang Zongquan hurried to the palace and told Jiang Lan that Lu Tianheng was practicing the Bloodthirsty Evil Art.
• Jiang Lan proposed secretly spreading the news to provoke a punitive campaign and make the Three Sects seek cooperation with the imperial family.
• Jiang Lan and Jiang Zongquan discussed the plan in detail, while deciding to keep Jiang Zongquan’s advancement to a Peak Grandmaster concealed.
• Lu Tianheng continued cultivating after devouring Ji Qiang, hoping to grow stronger and eventually take revenge on Dao Fan Shangren.
• Lu Tianheng returned to the small county town, found that He Chu and Liu Changxing had left, and departed for Mo Prefecture with Chen Qiansong.

Rumors spread across Great Qian that Lu Tianheng had devoured Ji Xingfeng and Ji Qiang to cultivate the Bloodthirsty Evil Art, prompting martial artists to demand answers from the Martial Prohibition Hall. With Duanmu Haotian still missing, Flowing Cloud Matriarch went to consult Gongsun Haoyue about confronting Lu Tianheng and handling the Imperial Family.

• A martial artist in a You Prefecture teahouse accused Lu Tianheng of devouring Ji Xingfeng and Ji Qiang to cultivate the Bloodthirsty Evil Art, and the crowd resolved to demand proof from the Martial Prohibition Hall.
• The accusation spread throughout Great Qian, drawing martial artists toward Mo Province and uniting them in denouncing Lu Tianheng and the Martial Prohibition Hall.
• In Xun Province, Ji Xingyu grieved over his relatives’ fate, and the Lotus Sect Alliance and the five great families of the Ghost School called a temporary truce.
• Jiang Liu showed no surprise at the news, while Flowing Cloud Matriarch recognized that the secret she and Gongsun Haoyue had concealed was now public.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch decided they might need Dao Fan Shangren and a compromise with the Great Qian Imperial Family to capture Lu Tianheng, then flew to the Star Moon Sect to speak with Gongsun Haoyue.

Dao Fan Shangren and the Martial Prohibition Hall’s Grandmasters reacted to news that Lu Tianheng had cultivated the Bloodthirsty Evil Art. With Lu Tianheng missing and the Hall unable to agree on a response, its Grandmasters split into three factions.

• Dao Fan Shangren realized Lu Tianheng’s unusual blood qi had likely come from the Bloodthirsty Evil Art and anticipated that the three sects might seek his help.
• The twelve Grandmaster Deputy Commanders in Mo Province worried that Lu Tianheng’s exposure would leave the Martial Prohibition Hall vulnerable to the three sects, the imperial family, and the National Preceptor's Mansion.
• Chen Qiansong suggested explaining the situation to the three sects and Jiang Lan, but Tang Fei and Cheng Tian objected that Ji Qiang and Ji Xingfeng were missing.
• The Grandmasters failed to agree on a response and dispersed, while the Martial Prohibition Hall ignored the martial artists gathering outside.
• Chen Qiansong, Ming Chengyun, Li Xuewu, Jiang Congyue, and He Chu gathered to drink, while Tang Fei, Cheng Tian, and Sun Yunlu met separately and the remaining Grandmasters stayed neutral.

Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue traveled to the imperial capital to enlist Dao Fan Shangren in capturing Lu Tianheng. After agreeing to set out for Mo Province, Jiang Lan privately told Jiang Zongquan to ensure Lu Tianheng was killed so the imperial family could control the Martial Prohibition Hall.

• Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue demanded that the Great Qian Imperial Family explain Lu Tianheng's actions, and Jiang Lan asked them to help capture him.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue arrived in Sky City, where Jiang Lan welcomed them and received them at the imperial palace.
• Gongsun Haoyue refused to promise Jiang Lan that Lu Tianheng would be handed over to the imperial family after his capture.
• Dao Fan Shangren agreed to join Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue in capturing Lu Tianheng, while offering to restrain the Jianghu forces.
• Jiang Lan, Dao Fan Shangren, and Gongyang Zhuang agreed to travel to Mo Province at dawn to search for Lu Tianheng.
• Jiang Lan privately urged Jiang Zongquan to kill Lu Tianheng so the imperial family could take control of the Martial Prohibition Hall, and Jiang Zongquan agreed.

Duanmu Haotian returned to Haotian Sect and learned about the sect’s affairs, including Lu Tianheng’s cultivation of an evil technique and the other sects’ plan to seek Dao Fan’s help. He ordered investigations into people whose temperaments or strength had changed suddenly and prepared to go to Mo Province to confront Lu Tianheng.

• Chang Luo and Chang Tian greeted Duanmu Haotian when he returned to Haotian Sect, and he ordered them to summon the elders.
• Duanmu Haotian heard reports from the elders and learned that Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue had gone to the imperial city to invite Dao Fan to help deal with Lu Tianheng.
• Duanmu Haotian told the elders to watch for martial artists whose temperaments had changed drastically or whose strength had suddenly increased, and he instructed Tianming to notify Flowing Cloud Sect and Star Moon Sect.
• Duanmu Haotian questioned Tianyun and Tianfeng about their regions and ordered both to investigate for signs of the unusual changes.
• The next day, Duanmu Haotian planned to go to Mo Province to join the effort against Lu Tianheng and discover the source of his cultivation method.

Duanmu Haotian and three Peak Grandmasters separately sought Lu Tianheng in Mo Province, and Duanmu found a file placing him in a mountain range in He Prefecture. The four headed toward Lu Tianheng’s location, though Dao Fan Shangren was uneasy about joining forces with Duanmu.

• Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren reached Li Prefecture and learned from Ascension Tower that Duanmu Haotian had already found Lu Tianheng’s whereabouts.
• Dao Fan Shangren considered backing out after learning Duanmu Haotian had returned, but Gongsun Haoyue reminded him of his promise, and the three flew toward He Prefecture.
• Duanmu Haotian reached the Martial Prohibition Hall in Wei City and killed two subordinates while demanding information about Lu Tianheng.
• A Rank 9 Martial Practitioner led Duanmu Haotian to a locked Calligraphy Studio, where he broke in and found a file locating Lu Tianheng in a mountain range in He Prefecture.
• Duanmu Haotian left for Ascension Tower to send Flowing Cloud Matriarch and the others the newly discovered location.

Duanmu Haotian tracked Lu Tianheng to a mountain range in He Prefecture and waited for Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren to arrive. The four cornered Lu Tianheng, but when Duanmu Haotian offered to spare him for information about the Bloodfiend Art, Lu Tianheng attacked with blood-colored mist.

• Duanmu Haotian ordered Mo Heze to send urgent information about Lu Tianheng through Ascension Tower’s channels and then flew toward He Prefecture.
• Duanmu Haotian sensed a dense bloodstained aura in the mountains and suspected Lu Tianheng’s Bloodfiend Art was connected to the Bloodfiend Sect and the disappearances of martial artists.
• Duanmu Haotian found Lu Tianheng cultivating and waited until Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren arrived.
• Duanmu Haotian led the three to Lu Tianheng, and they concealed their auras and formed an encirclement.
• Lu Tianheng confronted Dao Fan Shangren, while Duanmu Haotian offered to spare his life if he explained the Bloodfiend Art.
• Lu Tianheng pretended to accept Duanmu Haotian’s approach, then released blood-colored mist at him.

Duanmu Haotian, Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren continued their assault on Lu Tianheng, with three trying to capture him alive and Dao Fan Shangren seeking to kill him. After nearly two hours, Lu Tianheng was badly injured and running low on Yuan Qi, but the fight remained unresolved.

• Duanmu Haotian redirected Lu Tianheng’s blood mist and told Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue to keep Lu Tianheng alive for questioning.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren attacked Lu Tianheng with Thunder, flames, and talisman arts, leaving him scorched but not seriously injured.
• The four Peak Grandmasters continued attacking as Lu Tianheng struggled to evade them, while their techniques suppressed his Bloodfiend Art and burned away his Yuan Qi.
• Duanmu Haotian, Flowing Cloud Matriarch, and Gongsun Haoyue held back to capture Lu Tianheng, while Dao Fan Shangren attacked at full strength and tried to land a fatal blow.
• After nearly two hours, Lu Tianheng’s injuries and Yuan Qi depletion worsened, and the four became wary as his aura and bloodthirsty intent grew increasingly unstable.

Duanmu Haotian, Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren battered Lu Tianheng until Duanmu Haotian captured him alive. Jiang Zongquan’s anxiety caused his concealed Peak Grandmaster aura to leak, forcing him to reveal himself.

• Duanmu Haotian, Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Dao Fan Shangren took turns attacking Lu Tianheng while preventing him from dying outright.
• Jiang Zongquan held back from joining the fight because revealing his strength could provoke the three sects against the imperial family.
• Duanmu Haotian punched through Lu Tianheng’s depleted defenses, pierced his dantian, and sealed it before he could self-detonate.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue guarded Lu Tianheng as Dao Fan Shangren realized he could not kill him.
• Jiang Zongquan’s concealed Peak Grandmaster aura leaked, and Flowing Cloud Matriarch attacked the spot where it emerged.
• Jiang Zongquan appeared and blocked Flowing Cloud Matriarch’s Thunder strike.

Jiang Zongquan revealed himself as a newly advanced Peak Grandmaster after the sect leaders captured Lu Tianheng, and the group returned to River City amid rumors about the Imperial Family’s plans. In the City Lord’s Mansion, Duanmu Haotian questioned Lu Tianheng about the Bloodfiend Art, but his attempt to probe Lu Tianheng’s spiritual sea triggered a violent reaction.

• Jiang Zongquan identified himself and claimed he had only recently advanced to Peak Grandmaster and happened to pass by, while the sect leaders questioned why he had hidden his strength.
• Duanmu Haotian, Flowing Cloud Matriarch, and Gongsun Haoyue left with the captured Lu Tianheng, and Dao Fan Shangren and Jiang Zongquan followed.
• News of Lu Tianheng’s capture and Duanmu Haotian’s involvement spread through Great Qian, prompting martial artists to abandon the hunt and major powers to suspect the Imperial Family had plans for the Martial Prohibition Hall.
• Duanmu Haotian brought Lu Tianheng to the River City City Lord’s Mansion and asked where he had obtained the Bloodfiend Art.
• Duanmu Haotian invaded Lu Tianheng’s spiritual sea with his Divine Sense, causing Lu Tianheng’s eyes to turn blood-red and his aura to fluctuate wildly, so Duanmu Haotian stopped probing.

Duanmu Haotian brought the captured Lu Tianheng to the Flowing Cloud Sect and asked Jiang Liu to interrogate him for secrets. Jiang Liu began probing Lu Tianheng’s mind, while the others waited to learn what he knew.

• Dao Fan Shangren offered to interrogate Lu Tianheng, but Duanmu Haotian refused because he feared Dao Fan Shangren would kill him.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch recommended Jiang Liu, whose mental power had reached the Peak Grandmaster level, and Duanmu Haotian set out for Yun City with Lu Tianheng.
• While Jiang Liu continued tempering his blood vessels with Star Power, Murong Yin and Feng Yue gathered medicines and Natural Treasures to support him.
• Duanmu Haotian, Flowing Cloud Matriarch, and Gongsun Haoyue arrived at the Flowing Cloud Sect and summoned Jiang Liu.
• Duanmu Haotian handed Lu Tianheng to Jiang Liu, who rendered him unconscious and began questioning him with mental power.

Jiang Liu’s interrogation of Lu Tianheng confirmed the source of the Bloodfiend Art, while the sect leaders prepared to execute Lu Tianheng publicly. As Great Qian faced growing turmoil and rumors of a powerful imperial Grandmaster, Jiang Liu returned to cultivation and the three Sects issued a warning to the Jianghu.

• Jiang Liu interrogated Lu Tianheng twice, and Duanmu Haotian verified that the answers matched before praising him.
• Duanmu Haotian and Gongsun Haoyue left, and Flowing Cloud Matriarch scolded Tang Wanyu and Chen Xiaoyun before asking Liu Xing about her cultivation progress.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch learned that Jiang Liu had completed strengthening all his bones with the Star Cloud Saint Art and questioned him about the process.
• Jiang Liu returned to his mansion, considered the Bloodfiend Sect and the likely political upheaval, then resumed cultivating.
• The three Sects announced that Lu Tianheng would be publicly beheaded in Qian Province three days later and warned that anyone practicing the Bloodfiend Art would face the same fate.

After Lu Tianheng’s arrest and impending execution, the Martial Prohibition Hall’s thirteen deputy commanders debated what to do as the imperial family’s involvement made them fear the Hall would be dismantled. They considered resisting, joining another power, or submitting to the imperial family, but reached no decision.

• Chen Qiansong called on the deputy commanders to share their views about the Hall’s future.
• Sun Yunlu and Tang Fei urged the Grandmasters to resist the Three Sects and occupy Mo Province, but the others hesitated over the enemies and grudges that would bring.
• Chen Qianliu proposed gauging the imperial family’s attitude, though the others distrusted it for helping capture Lu Tianheng.
• Li Xuewu said he was considering joining Exotic Beast Valley because of his relationship with Mo Han.
• The deputy commanders debated independence, joining a Jianghu power, or submitting to the imperial family, but none of the options won agreement.

After the Martial Prohibition Hall’s Grandmasters divided its resources and personnel, they officially disbanded and chose where to go next. Li Xuewu’s group headed for Qi Province, while the other factions moved to claim territory or return to Tian Province.

• Sun Yunlu, Li Xuewu, Chen Qianliu, and Yu Qi formed separate factions with different plans for the Martial Prohibition Hall’s future.
• The Grandmasters agreed to divide the Hall’s resources and subordinates, then part ways rather than risk a fight.
• After the supplies and personnel were divided, the Grandmasters exchanged farewells and the Martial Prohibition Hall disbanded.
• Li Xuewu led Chen Qiansong, Ming Chengyun, Jiang Congyue, He Chu, Lin Chi, and their subordinates toward Tian Province, planning to join Mo Han in Qi Province.
• Sun Yunlu, Tang Fei, and Cheng Tian took over the commanderies the Hall had occupied in Mo Province.
• Chen Qianliu and Liu Changxing returned to Tian Province, while Yu Qi and He Baiyi headed to Dui Province to challenge the Zheng Family.

After the Martial Prohibition Hall split, Jiang Lan enlisted two Grandmasters to rebuild the Tianwu Army as a force made entirely of martial artists. Jiang Liu watched the developments from Yun Province and grew wary of Jiang Lan’s plans.

• Jiang Lan ordered Wei Jin to investigate which Martial Prohibition Hall Grandmasters still supported Great Qian and planned to rebuild the Tianwu Army.
• Chen Qianliu and Liu Changxing pledged allegiance to Jiang Lan, who appointed them commander and vice commander of the reestablished army.
• Chen Qianliu and Liu Changxing recruited ordinary martial artists, and the Tianwu Army began training.
• Jianghu factions dismissed the new army as no threat, unaware that it was composed entirely of martial artists.
• Jiang Liu learned of the developments in Yun Province and worried about the strength of Jiang Lan’s army.

The three sect masters returned to their bases to decide how to respond to the Great Qian Imperial Family’s two Peak Grandmasters, and Flowing Cloud Matriarch summoned Jiang Liu to the sect for the coming council. After arriving, Jiang Liu rested at his courtyard, where Tang Wanyu invited him out for fun.

• Flowing Cloud Matriarch, Gongsun Haoyue, and Duanmu Haotian returned to their sects and agreed to convene councils before deciding whether to confront the Great Qian Imperial Family.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch sent for Jiang Liu because the dispute with the imperial family was a major matter for the Flowing Cloud Sect.
• Jiang Liu left Murong Yin and Feng Yue, returned to the Flowing Cloud Sect with the Fire-Winged Monkey, and went to the council hall.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch told Jiang Liu to rest and join the meeting the next day, so he returned to his courtyard.
• Qiao Jiao greeted Jiang Liu and went to report to the Sect Master, while Tang Wanyu later invited him to go out and have fun.

Jiang Liu learned that Duanmu Haotian had returned while investigating the Bloodfiend Sect, and Flowing Cloud Matriarch convened the sect to discuss the imperial family's hidden Peak Grandmaster, the Bloodfiend Sect's return, and the Star Cloud Saint Art. The meeting turned to whether the three sects should continue their plan or join the war, with elders worried about the danger posed by the imperial family's unknown strength.

• Qiao Jiao told Tang Wanyu not to drag Jiang Liu around and explained that Duanmu Haotian had spent years tracking the Bloodfiend Sect overseas after it harmed his family.
• Jiang Liu suspected someone had planted the Bloodfiend Art with Lu Tianheng to deepen the chaos in Great Qian, where bloodshed could aid its cultivation.
• Jiang Liu attended the meeting, where the elders teased him before Nangong Yun helped him find his seat.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch announced that the Great Qian Imperial Family had a hidden Peak Grandmaster, the Bloodfiend Sect had returned, and she would impart the Star Cloud Saint Art.
• Nangong Yun asked whether the three sects should continue their plan or join the war, prompting an elder to question the risks as the meeting considered the imperial family's concealed experts.

Flowing Cloud Matriarch discussed the three Sects’ war plans and their changed strategy against the Great Qian Imperial Family. She then began teaching the Grandmaster elders the new Star Cloud Saint Art while secretly testing them for Bloodfiend Art, as the other Sects also investigated their members.

• Flowing Cloud Matriarch calmed the elders but left undecided whether the Flowing Cloud Sect would enter the war directly.
• The elders debated the war and the plan against the Great Qian Imperial Family, but found no way to overcome Jiang Zongquan’s threat.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch announced that the elders would learn the new Star Cloud Saint Art.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch used the Star Cloud Saint Art lessons to test the Grandmaster elders for Bloodfiend Art cultivation.
• The Star Moon Sect and Haotian Sect also recalled and investigated their elders for possible ties to the Bloodfiend Sect.

Flowing Cloud Matriarch arranged an internal investigation to find Bloodfiend Sect spies, and the Grandmaster elders tested the Star Cloud Saint Art’s effect on them. The test found no spies among the Grandmasters, but Jiang Liu’s blood vessels burst from the intense Star Power, leaving him in danger because he lacked enough power to repair them.

• Flowing Cloud Matriarch assigned Bone Tempering Grandmasters to investigate Core Disciples first, followed by Inner Sect and Outer Sect Disciples, and required Servant Disciples to pass an examination before promotion.
• The provincial elders reported no abnormalities, and Jiang Liu reflected on the Haotian Sect’s lack of a Peak Grandmaster successor as everyone went to the cultivation plaza.
• The elders and True Inheritor Disciples taught the Star Cloud Saint Art to newly learning Grandmasters, who then cultivated together and drew down Star Power.
• Jiang Liu’s blood vessels burst under the intense Star Power, but he endured the pain without crying out, encouraging the other Grandmasters to continue.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch and the others watched the new practitioners’ blood and qi, found no Bloodfiend Sect spies among the Grandmasters, and planned to investigate the rest of the Sect.
• Jiang Liu realized the Star Power he had saved was insufficient to repair his burst blood vessels, putting his life at risk.

Jiang Liu nearly died after drawing too much Star Power to strengthen his blood vessels, but Flowing Cloud Matriarch saved him after Tang Wanyu alerted everyone. The next morning, Jiang Liu was summoned to question a captured Bloodfiend Sect informant and began probing her consciousness.

• Tang Wanyu tried to pull Jiang Liu away from the Star Power, was shocked by it, and alerted the others with her scream.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch rescued Jiang Liu and repaired his ruptured blood vessels; Jiang Liu thanked Tang Wanyu, who fled after noticing her soot-covered appearance.
• Jiang Liu warned the elders and senior sisters about the dangers of drawing too much Star Power, then returned to his courtyard to recover and cultivate the Saintly Sky Art.
• The next morning, Jiang Liu sensed Nangong Yun's aura and learned from Qiao Jiao that the sect had discovered a Bloodfiend Sect informant.
• Qiao Jiao led Jiang Liu through a secret passage to the Discipline Hall's hidden chamber, where Jiang Liu began probing the captured woman's sea of consciousness.

Jiang Liu helped Flowing Cloud Sect uncover its Bloodfiend Sect sleeper agents and interrogate captured operatives, though the Qian Prefecture leader destroyed his own consciousness before he could be questioned. Information from the three Sects exposed further agents across the Jianghu, and the Sects prepared to hold a joint meeting as the purge spread.

• A captured Core Disciple revealed that the Bloodfiend Sect had planted agents in Flowing Cloud Sect and had arranged for Lu Tianheng to find his cultivation manual, allowing Flowing Cloud Matriarch to identify the Qian Prefecture leader.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch left to capture the leader while Nangong Yun organized arrests and inspections, with Jiang Liu and Qiao Jiao helping check the disciples.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch brought back the middle-aged leader, but his hidden consciousness detonated when Jiang Liu invaded his Divine Sense sea, killing him and destroying the lead.
• Jiang Liu interrogated sleeper agents over the following days and learned that the Star Moon Sect and Haotian Sect had also captured agents, with the Haotian Sect facing a more serious situation.
• Jiang Liu's interrogations revealed sleeper agents in other Jianghu factions, prompting a wider purge as opportunists targeted rival factions and the three Sects prepared a joint meeting.

After Jiang Liu’s list exposed Bloodfiend Sect informants, the three sects began arresting remnants across Great Qian. Wang Dali and Liu Yihang plotted to frame Liu Changxing, while foreign agents in Qi Province saw the turmoil as a chance to advance their invasion plans.

• The three sects sent provincial elders to arrest the Bloodfiend Sect remnants named by Jiang Liu, setting off a purge across the Jianghu.
• Wang Dali and Liu Yihang agreed to use the purge to direct suspicion toward the Great Qian Imperial Family and retaliate against the Martial Prohibition Hall.
• The three sects’ elders searched the Wang Family estate, where Wang Daxing suggested that Liu Changxing also cultivated the Bloodfiend Art.
• Wang Dali and Liu Yihang headed to Tian Province to plant evidence against Liu Changxing and make the three sects discover it.
• In Qi Province, Yamagami Ichiro and Isonobe Jiro prepared to exploit a Bloodfiend Sect associate and the growing disorder to advance their plans against Great Qian.

Buddhism’s reputation in Xun Province suffered after its rivals spread rumors about its Servant Disciple recruitment, but its relief efforts won popular support and helped the Lotus Sect Alliance strike at the Ghost School Five Great Families Alliance. Xuan Wen and his junior brothers killed Ji Xingyu, eliminating the Ji Family’s last Grandmaster.

• The Five Great Families Alliance and other opponents accused Buddhism of secretly cultivating the Bloodfiend Art through its recruitment of young Servant Disciples, damaging its standing in Xun Province.
• Buddhism countered the rumors by aiding disaster victims and repairing bridges and roads, prompting people to condemn the Ghost School Five Great Families Alliance’s harsh rule and share intelligence with Buddhism.
• Xuan Wen, Xuan Jian, Xuan Zhi, and Xuan Xing surrounded Ji Xingyu after learning he was killing people indiscriminately.
• The four Buddhist practitioners blocked Ji Xingyu’s escape and killed him before he could self-destruct, ending the Ji Family’s line of Grandmasters.