Recaps

Xu Yi and his companions reached the Chaotic Light Gate, the only route to the second checkpoint and their hope of survival. When they learned that only ten people could pass through at a time, Xu Yi kept his group together and led them into the fierce battle around the gate.

• Xu Yi handed out voice-transmission balls and read accounts of the Chaotic Star Sea while his companions waited.
• When the Strength Orders announced the route to the second checkpoint, Xu Yi led the seven of them northwest to the light gate.
• Xu Yi saw cultivators repelled by the gate and learned from the Bald Monk that it admitted only ten people per round, up to 120 in a day.
• Triangle Eye and the others urged Xu Yi to enter alone, but Xu Yi ordered them to follow him and obey his commands.
• Xu Yi led his companions toward the gate as cultivators fought in a deadly free-for-all, and Strength Orders exploded when attacks struck comrades.

Xu Yi led six others through the light gate by exploiting the exhausted crowd’s hesitation and shielding their charge with a baleful barrier. On the far side, the Bald Monk and Triangle Eye considered pledging themselves to Xu Yi, while Xu Yi narrowly escaped a Pincer-tailed Tiger Crocodile in a swamp.

• Xu Yi disguised his group with Body Concealing Pills, formed a mutual defense array, and charged toward the light gate as the fighting subsided.
• Xu Yi’s group warned the crowd that their attacks could endanger their comrades, then used a powerful baleful barrier to withstand the weakened assault and pass through the gate.
• The Bald Monk and Triangle Eye landed safely, praised Xu Yi’s judgment and ability, and privately considered pledging themselves to him.
• More members of the Giant Bird Legion arrived, while Xu Yi landed near a mud pit and narrowly escaped a Pincer-tailed Tiger Crocodile’s bite.

Xu Yi rejoined the Blazing Fire Legion after surviving a magnetic storm and passing through a Chaotic Light Gate. The Young Master appointed him chief squad leader, and Guo Zhongye withdrew his objection.

• Xu Yi approached the Blazing Fire Legion’s gathering after restoring his original appearance, and Mr. Hong praised him to the Young Master and the assembled members.
• Guo Zhongye objected to Mr. Hong’s praise and pointed out that Xu Yi had only fifty points on his Strength Order, compared with his own eighty.
• The Young Master ordered Guo Zhongye to yield the chief squad leader position to Xu Yi, while Xu Yi apologized for failing to protect him.
• Mr. Hong explained that Xu Yi had survived a magnetic storm in the Star Explosion Sea and passed through a Chaotic Light Gate, astonishing the crowd.
• Guo Zhongye apologized and accepted that Xu Yi was stronger, and Mr. Hong announced Xu Yi as chief squad leader.

Xu Yi joined the expedition to hunt monsters in Starry Canyon, hoping to earn points and obtain a mid-grade Thunder Spirit Stone. He set off toward the teleportation array while the young master in yellow and Old Hong debated whether he could become an asset to the Blazing Fire Merchant Association.

• Xu Yi declined a command post, and the young master in yellow left Guo Zhongye in charge of the squad.
• Old Hong explained that the group would raid monster lairs in Starry Canyon and earn points and rewards by collecting monster cores.
• Xu Yi learned the core values and asked whether a Speech Stage core could be exchanged for a mid-grade Spirit Stone.
• Xu Yi revealed that he needed a mid-grade Thunder Spirit Stone, but Old Hong said the Blazing Fire Merchant Association did not have one and suggested he earn enough points to seek one from Venerate of Light's treasury.
• Xu Yi headed southwest toward the teleportation array, while Old Hong and the young master in yellow discussed whether Xu Yi could benefit their association.

Xu Yi gathered the six people he had rescued and ordered them to help capture a Thunder Cat Bear, then disrupted a battle against three bears near Mysterious Thunder Cave. After seeing the bears huddle together in fear, he let them escape into the cave.

• Xu Yi reached a forest checkpoint, killed a blue-robed cultivator who tried to stop him, and flew west to meet the Bald Monk and Triangle Eye.
• The other four members of Xu Yi's group arrived, and he ordered them to help him deal with a Thunder Cat Bear despite their objections.
• Xu Yi led the group southeast to Mysterious Thunder Cave, where more than twenty cultivators from three sects were fighting three Thunder Cat Bears.
• Xu Yi broke through the attackers' formation, allowing the three injured bears to flee into the cave.

Xu Yi drove off a hunting party by demonstrating overwhelming power and claiming the Thunder Cat Bear den for several legions. After his companions took up watch, he addressed the bears inside in the language of demons.

• The white-robed young master refused to accept Xu Yi's claim to the den, though he had drugged most of its Thunder Cat Bears with Imperial Dragon Saliva Incense.
• Xu Yi struck the ground with a powerful blow, creating a huge crater and frightening the hunters into reconsidering a fight.
• Bald Monk and the others arrived, and Xu Yi's companions used their legion badges to reinforce the impression that several legions had joined forces.
• The hunters fled, and the white-robed young master left after glaring at Xu Yi.
• Xu Yi ordered his companions to guard the perimeter, then called to Brother Xiong in the language of demons.

Xu Yi persuaded the Thunder Cat Bear clan’s leader, who called himself Lei Zi, that he wanted to negotiate rather than attack. He began proposing a deal, arguing that human cultivators would continue to threaten the clan even if he left.

• Xu Yi explained that he had overheard the Thunder Cat Bears and challenged their belief that all humans were enemies.
• Xu Yi warned that the clan could not protect its members or treasures against human attackers, prompting the largest Thunder Cat Bear to confront him.
• Xu Yi calmly argued that he had no wish to harm the clan and that attacking him and his allies would bring disaster.
• The Thunder Cat Bear introduced himself as the Son of Thunder and demanded to be called Lei Zi.
• Xu Yi said he wanted to make a deal and explained that human cultivators would keep harassing the Thunder Cat Bear clan every few decades.

Xu Yi negotiated with the Thunder Cat Bear for demon cores in exchange for sparing and protecting the clan. He accepted the bear’s offer of two powerful cores for a hundred lesser ones, though he immediately regretted not bargaining harder.

• Xu Yi explained that he had driven off the humans to protect the Thunder Cat Bear clan and asked for a small payment of demon cores.
• The Thunder Cat Bear returned to the cave to consult the other bears, then offered Xu Yi a deal rather than fight.
• The Thunder Cat Bear proposed exchanging one Early-stage Tongyu Realm core and one Mid-stage Tongyu Realm core for a hundred demon cores.
• Xu Yi recognized that the Thunder Cat Bear was bluffing but accepted the offer anyway, then regretted not negotiating for more.

Xu Yi agreed to protect Thunder Cat Bear's clan in exchange for two demon cores, trusting Thunder Cat Bear to keep his promise. He used the supposed alliance of the Five Great Legions to drive away intruders and promised his six companions rewards and a chance to withdraw after this checkpoint.

• Thunder Cat Bear said he would give Xu Yi the demon cores after Xu Yi fulfilled his promise, and Xu Yi agreed to trust him.
• Xu Yi told his six companions to guard the demon lair and set an hourglass to track the remaining time in the twelve-hour demon-hunting battle.
• When three riders approached, Xu Yi claimed the lair was occupied by the Five Great Legions, and the riders left without a fight.
• Xu Yi and his companions used the same bluff to turn away more than ten groups over the next five hours.
• Bald Monk asked Xu Yi why they were guarding the lair, and Xu Yi promised each companion at least a hundred spirit stones and a chance to withdraw after the checkpoint.

Xu Yi tried to hold the Thunder Cat Bear lair until the second trial ended as more groups converged on it. The White-Robed Young Master returned with Brother Fan and attacked Xu Yi, who kept stalling while the others hid inside the lair.

• Triangle Eye and the Bald Monk argued over who was closer to Xu Yi, while Xu Yi warned everyone to stay alert.
• As more groups arrived, Xu Yi led the others into the lair and stayed outside to keep watch.
• The White-Robed Young Master arrived with Brother Fan and accused Xu Yi of stealing his points and ruining his attempt to capture the Thunder Cat Bears.
• Xu Yi claimed the Five Great Legions had already divided the bears and left him behind, hoping to delay the newcomers.
• The White-Robed Young Master attacked Xu Yi with a baleful blade, but Xu Yi dodged it.

Xu Yi provoked Brahma into a public fight, then used the rivalry between Brahma and the Star Sea Myth to delay the battle. Jing Qianjian arrived, challenged Brahma’s motives, and left the promised showdown poised to begin.

• Xu Yi claimed he had waited for a worthy opponent, enraging the young master in white, who introduced Brahma the Invincible.
• Brahma accepted Xu Yi’s challenge, and Xu Yi proposed waiting for a larger audience before they fought.
• Nearly a hundred people gathered, and Xu Yi stalled by asking Brahma to wait for the Star Sea Myth, Jing Qianjian.
• Brahma granted Xu Yi half an hour to wait for Jing Qianjian before forcing the fight.
• Jing Qianjian arrived with dozens of comrades and accused Brahma of trying to prove himself worthy of a duel by beating Xu Yi.

Xu Yi delayed his fight with Brahma by arranging a public wager and then disputing the terms, while Brahma struggled to protect his chance to make a name for himself. With less than two incense sticks left before the trial ended, Xu Yi finally beckoned Brahma to attack, but imposed more conditions and continued trying to stall.

• Xu Yi proposed a wager on his fight with Brahma, drawing the crowd into a lengthy debate over how to manage the stakes.
• The Black Robed Elder, identified as Song Xingyan, asked Xu Yi and Brahma to hand over their spirit stones, but Xu Yi objected and Brahma and Jing Qianjian backed him.
• After the crowd's wagers were secured, Xu Yi challenged Brahma with less than two incense sticks remaining before the trial ended.
• Xu Yi said he would fight barehanded and demanded that Brahma let him attack for one incense stick, infuriating Brahma.
• Xu Yi focused on prolonging the confrontation while concealing his limited offensive options.

Xu Yi faced Brahma without using a magic artifact and challenged him to attack while he stood his ground. He shattered Brahma’s Ice Soul Slash barehanded, leaving the arena stunned.

• Xu Yi refused to use a magic artifact and told Brahma he would withstand an attack without dodging.
• Brahma summoned Frost Snow Mark and unleashed Snow Falls Upon the World, but Xu Yi’s soul garment endured until the attack ended.
• Xu Yi challenged Brahma to land one attack while he stood still, and Brahma promised to submit if Xu Yi survived it.
• Brahma used Ice Soul Slash, sending a massive crescent blade toward Xu Yi.
• Xu Yi stood motionless and shattered the crescent blade between his palms.

Xu Yi used Stars Shift and Heavens Turn to turn Brahma’s Water Gang Sha against the protective array, scattering the spirit stones and frightening his opponents into submission. He concealed the severe damage the technique had done to his meridians as the crowd fought over the stones.

• Xu Yi unleashed a mass of intertwined energy that shattered the array guarding the spirit stones.
• The crowd rushed to seize the falling stones and descended into a violent fight.
• Brahma and Jing Qianjian abandoned their plans to challenge Xu Yi after witnessing his power.
• Xu Yi recalled how he had instinctively used Stars Shift and Heavens Turn to absorb Brahma’s attack and combine Water Gang Sha with Fire Gang Malice.
• Xu Yi realized the technique could contain Gang Sha because his meridians had surpassed its original limits, though forcing it had badly injured them.
• Xu Yi remained still and hid his dire condition, keeping the crowd at a distance.

Xu Yi used the Great Evolution Array of Rotation to turn the crowd’s attacks back on them, killing dozens and raising his Strength Order score above the threshold for purple. With the trial nearly over, his allies congratulated him while Jing Qianjian and the surviving opponents fled.

• Xu Yi’s scheme unraveled when the awakened Thunder Cat Bears revealed that he had not yet completed the trial.
• Jing Qianjian urged the crowd to abandon their fight over spirit stones and attack Xu Yi, who activated the Great Evolution Array of Rotation.
• The array absorbed the crowd’s combined attack and blasted it southeast, killing nearly thirty people and scattering more than twenty souls.
• The deaths sent Xu Yi’s Strength Order score above six hundred, turning his token purple.
• The Bald Monk and the others congratulated Xu Yi, while the surviving crowd cursed him and Jing Qianjian fled.

Xu Yi left the earlier trial with two Thunder Cat Bear demon cores and arrived at the pavilion with a score exceeding a thousand. Mr. Hong explained that the optional third trial required killing a Yin Venerable expert to earn a golden token, and Xu Yi asked what he would receive if he withdrew.

• Brahma and Jing Qianjian retreated, and Xu Yi gave the Bald Monk and his companions voice-transmission balls before the Thunder Cat Bear delivered two promised demon cores.
• The Strength Orders buzzed, Xu Yi's formation vanished, and he flew through a light gate to the pavilion.
• The young master in yellow and the others greeted Xu Yi after learning his score had broken a thousand, largely because of the Thunder Cat Bear cores.
• Mr. Hong explained that Xu Yi could exchange his points for a reward without entering the optional third trial, but would need to slay a Yin Venerable expert to earn a golden token.
• Xu Yi learned that the legion commanders were Yin Venerable experts and asked Mr. Hong what reward he would receive if he withdrew from the third trial.

Xu Yi accepted the final trial after learning he could choose which Yin Venerable would enter the arena, and he selected Xie Qiufeng to draw out Peach Blossom Demon Zhong Ziyu. After healing his injuries and checking on Su Xiao Ruo, he recognized that gaining both strength and authority was crucial to resolving his troubles.

• Xu Yi initially declined the final trial, but Hong urged him to reconsider and explained its rewards and rules.
• Xu Yi studied Xie Qiufeng’s profile and asked how to bring him into the arena, citing his desire to avenge a friend killed by the Peach Blossom Alliance.
• Xu Yi decided to use Xie Qiufeng, a close friend of Zhong Ziyu, to draw out Peach Blossom Demon, and learned that his points gave him the right to choose the Yin Venerable opponent.
• Hong gave Xu Yi a scarlet token and invited him to find the Blazing Fire Merchant Association at Autumn Wind Plain.
• Xu Yi secluded himself in a mountain cave, meditated until his meridians healed, and checked on the still-faint Su Xiao Ruo.
• Xu Yi concluded that his problems stemmed from lacking strength and authority.

A gathering of legion commanders learned that Xu Yi had earned over a thousand points and debated how to deal with the rising talent. They agreed to try to force him into the contest, but Xie Qiufeng’s Order of Rewarding the Strong and Punishing the Weak beeped before their plan was settled.

• A purple-robed commander raised the topic of the contestant with more than a thousand points, and the commanders recognized him as a dangerous talent from the Blazing Fire Legion.
• The commanders gathered reports about Xu Yi and discussed his feats, including his array and his counters to Brahma’s Ice Soul Slash.
• The commanders agreed that Xu Yi should be killed and considered pressuring Lie Xingkong to make him enter the contest.
• Xie Qiufeng’s Order of Rewarding the Strong and Punishing the Weak began beeping, drawing the commanders’ attention.

Xie Qingfeng was selected to guard the third trial and prepared to hunt Xu Yi, confident that his Heavenly Net Cloud Robe would protect him. Xu Yi and the twelve other trial participants were transported above the sea, where they quickly gathered around him.

• Xie Qingfeng learned that he had been chosen as the third trial's guardian and first felt humiliated, then welcomed the chance to claim Xu Yi's treasures.
• Gao Tang warned Xie Qingfeng not to underestimate Xu Yi, who had broken the record with more than a thousand points.
• Xie Qingfeng revealed that he had the Heavenly Net Cloud Robe and said he would return from the trial in at most half an hour.
• Gao Tang gave Xie Qingfeng a Shadow-Sound Pearl, and Xie Qingfeng vanished from the tower as the final checkpoint opened.
• Xu Yi and the twelve other trial participants appeared above the sea, and the others closed in around him because his purple trial token shone brightly.

Xu Yi recruited the other trial participants to help him ambush Xie Qingfeng, then attacked under cover of exploding Heaven's Thunder Pearls. His Coral Horn struck Xie Qingfeng's white cloud barrier without penetrating it, leaving Xu Yi's decisive ambush thwarted.

• Xu Yi told the gathered cultivators he had no certain way to defeat Xie Qingfeng, but they insisted on fighting alongside him.
• Xu Yi outlined a surprise attack, and the group agreed to hide in a gorge and detonate Heaven's Thunder Pearls to create a smoke screen.
• Xie Qingfeng arrived, charged into the gorge, and struck the cliffs, exposing the caves where the cultivators were hiding.
• The cultivators detonated the pearls, collapsing the cliffs and filling the gorge with dust as Xu Yi used a Swift Body Talisman to rush Xie Qingfeng.
• Xu Yi's Coral Horn hit a white cloud that enveloped Xie Qingfeng but failed to pierce it.

Xu Yi defeated Xie Qingfeng by exhausting him with repeated Swift Wind Talisman attacks, then entered Shang Gong Hall with a Golden Sub-token and more than thirteen hundred points. Mu Guangming explained the exchange system, and Xu Yi began using the exchange device while asking him to stay and offer guidance.

• Xu Yi attacked Xie Qingfeng repeatedly, wearing down his Yin soul until the Heavenly Net Cloud Robe cracked and shattered.
• Xu Yi killed Xie Qingfeng with the Coral Horn and collected his weakened Yin soul in the Soul Collecting Bottle.
• The Strength Orders announced Xie Qingfeng's death, and Xu Yi followed the message to a gate of light and entered Shang Gong Hall.
• Xu Yi learned that his Golden Token and score of more than thirteen hundred earned him rewards for the third round and access to valuable exchanges.
• Mu Guangming explained the points, Golden Sub-token, and exchange process, then helped Xu Yi operate the exchange device.
• Xu Yi asked Mu Guangming to remain and give him advice as he began making his exchange.

Xu Yi asked Mu Guangming to help him choose among the supreme treasures and learned that Yin-Yang Two Qi could restore polluted artifacts. He used it to examine his damaged iron essence, and Mu Guangming was astonished by the forces it contained.

• Xu Yi bribed Mu Guangming to advise him on treasures available for exchange.
• Mu Guangming showed Xu Yi a Heaven Measuring Ruler and explained the properties of several supreme treasures.
• Xu Yi asked about Yin-Yang Two Qi and learned it could cleanse and restore polluted artifacts.
• Xu Yi chose to test the Yin-Yang Two Qi on his charcoal-colored iron essence, which had been damaged in battle.
• Mu Guangming examined the iron essence, found blood essence, vow power, and thunder within it, and was baffled by its ability to store will.
• The iron essence emitted a faint, cold gleam as Mu Guangming held it, but Xu Yi did not notice.

Xu Yi redeemed Yin-Yang Two Qi and, with Mu Guangming’s help, obtained two mid-grade Thunder Spirit Stones despite lacking the required Spirit Stones. He then spent his remaining funds and points on an Array Breaking Stone and the Great Evolution Array of Rotation.

• Mu Guangming explained that battle energies had tainted Xu Yi’s iron essence and formed an inner cycle, and Xu Yi redeemed Yin-Yang Two Qi to nurture it.
• Mu Guangming told Xu Yi the price and requirements for redeeming mid-grade Thunder Spirit Stones, and Xu Yi asked whether he could use other items to cover the Spirit Stone cost.
• Mu Guangming secured permission to treat Xu Yi’s Early-stage Tongyu Realm Thunder Cat Bear core as a middle-stage core in exchange for Xu Yi showing goodwill or fulfilling a request later.
• Xu Yi redeemed two mid-grade Thunder Spirit Stones using two Thunder Cat Bear cores and two hundred points.
• Xu Yi spent his remaining Spirit Stones and six hundred points to redeem an Array Breaking Stone and the Great Evolution Array of Rotation.

Xu Yi spent his remaining resources at Shang Gong Hall, then teleported to Autumn Wind Plain to meet Liu Yinglin. He slipped away before the Blazing Fire Merchant Association could contact him, while its leaders recognized that he had likely arrived and discussed his mysterious victory over Xie Qingfeng.

• Xu Yi used his remaining points to buy Fire and Water Spirit Stones, thanked Mu Guangming, and received instructions for using Yin-Yang Two Qi.
• Xu Yi chose Autumn Wind Plain as his destination and teleported there in disguise.
• Xu Yi feigned an urgent message and flew away before the man in green could stop him.
• The man in green reported Xu Yi's sudden departure to the Blazing Fire Merchant Association's hidden observers.
• The yellow-robed young master concluded the visitor was Xu Yi, and he and the man in crimson discussed Xu Yi's likely suspicions and his unexplained victory over Xie Qingfeng.

Xu Yi withdrew from the Blazing Fire Merchant Association and rented an alchemy room in Autumn Wind Plain to assess his belongings and strengthen his position. After experimenting with Black Carbon Iron Essence and studying Xie Qingfeng’s cultivation notes, he discovered a clue to how Xie Qingfeng had tracked him and his companions.

• The young master in yellow dismissed concerns about Xu Yi, while the middle-aged man in crimson ordered an attendant to publicize the Blazing Fire Legion’s rewards across Autumn Wind Plain.
• Xu Yi avoided relying on the Blazing Fire Merchant Association, transformed his appearance, and rented an alchemy room at Yi Xian Hall.
• Xu Yi inventoried his possessions and used Yin-Yang Two Qi to treat his Black Carbon Iron Essence, leaving it half-black and half-gold and only partly restored.
• Xu Yi decided not to cultivate the Profound Thunder Body Tempering Art in the rented room because he feared the Thunder Spirit Stone might not provide enough energy.
• Xu Yi studied Xie Qingfeng’s cultivation insights and realized they could explain how Xie Qingfeng had quickly located him and his companions.