Chapter Summaries

Old Demon Zhong trapped Xu Yi in the Heaven and Earth Cage and unleashed the Great Witch Body Technique, but Xu Yi answered with his newly mastered Profound Thunder Body Tempering Art. Old Demon Zhong gained control of the fight and dragged Xu Yi through the cage’s blades and spears, leaving both men to endure the brutal impacts.

• Old Demon Zhong activated the Heaven and Earth Cage, sealing off the arena as Lie Xingkong and Elder Hong feared Xu Yi could not use the Soul-Summoning Banner.
• Old Demon Zhong invoked the Power of Chi Wu and transformed into a blue, stone-hard monster with the Great Witch Body Technique.
• Xu Yi used a Swift Body Talisman and the Profound Thunder Body Tempering Art, then drove the Coral Horn into Old Demon Zhong’s shoulder.
• Old Demon Zhong clamped Xu Yi in his arms and hurled them both into the cage’s spiked screens, which closed in to form a forest of blades and spears.
• Old Demon Zhong spun through the blades while holding Xu Yi, and both men suffered the repeated impacts.

Xu Yi survived Old Demon Zhong’s attacks and used a golden thread and thunder to send him crashing to the ground. As the spectators saw Old Demon Zhong’s likely defeat, Lie Xingkong ordered the Blazing Fire Merchant Association to gather its forces and kill Xu Yi while he was weakened.

• Old Demon Zhong survived Xu Yi’s Origin Blast Bead, while Xu Yi emerged with only minor injuries.
• Old Demon Zhong recovered and charged Xu Yi, but Xu Yi bound him with a golden thread and endured his Soul Malice.
• Xu Yi used the rain and lightning to strike Old Demon Zhong, sending both men flying to the ground.
• Lie Xingkong ordered Elder Hong to muster every man in the estate and hurry to the battlefield.
• Lie Xingkong explained that he intended to kill the weakened Xu Yi before his talent and treasures made him a greater threat.

Xu Yi used the storm and iron essence to strike Old Demon Zhong with lightning, then tried to finish him after breaking his protective formation. Old Demon Zhong released Baomu Qionxiang, and both men began absorbing its strange purple mist as the spectators recognized the legendary treasure.

• Xu Yi bound Old Demon Zhong with iron essence and used it to draw a lightning bolt that badly injured them both, though Xu Yi recovered more easily.
• Old Demon Zhong activated a protective formation and swallowed pills and Soul Replenishing Liquid while Xu Yi used an Array Breaking Stone to form an attack.
• Old Demon Zhong opened a golden bottle and released purple mist as Xu Yi rushed at him with his ninth Swift Body Talisman.
• The purple mist formed snakes that entered both men's mouths, making their blood and qi boil and putting pressure on their souls.
• A spectator identified the mist as Baomu Qionxiang, and the crowd reacted with astonishment at the legendary treasure.

Xu Yi killed Old Demon Zhong after surviving the Baomu Qionxiang’s transformation, then seized the dragon boat and killed Lie Xingkong and Elder Hong. He fled north with the pursuers close behind, as more than twenty Yin Venerable experts boarded two dragon boats to chase him.

• The Baomu Qionxiang transformed Xu Yi and Old Demon Zhong, but Xu Yi grew far larger and stronger than Zhong.
• Xu Yi crushed Old Demon Zhong, collected his remnant soul and belongings, and took the four cages as the Jade Dragon Snowfield’s restriction lifted.
• Xu Yi seized Lie Xingkong and killed him and Elder Hong, then took their souls and rings and commandeered the dragon boat.
• Xu Yi drove the dragon boat north at full speed as countless pursuers followed, including more than twenty Yin Venerable experts and two Hong Yun Hall dragon boats.
• The Yin Venerable pursuers used Soul Malice to catch up and boarded the two dragon boats.

Xu Yi escaped the Chaotic Star Sea’s pursuit by using talismans and an official pass to enter the Northern Sacred Court, then returned to Cold Sun Peak. He met the disciples gathered there and gave Zhao Wuliang spirit stones to distribute as a welcome gift.

• Xu Yi shattered four dragon boats with his demon body, but as Baomu Qionxiang’s effects faded, his pursuers closed in again.
• Xu Yi used two Swift Wind Talismans to escape the encirclement, and the pursuers concluded he was a Northern Sacred Court spy.
• Xu Yi crossed the checkpoint with an official pass, crushed the Resentment-Exempt Tablet, and spent spirit stones on teleports to return to Cold Sun Peak.
• Old Cai lowered the protective barrier, and Xu Yi found Zhao Wuliang and the newly recruited disciples waiting to greet him as their Sect Master.
• Xu Yi gave Zhao Wuliang roughly three hundred spirit stones to divide among the third-generation disciples as a meeting gift.

Xu Yi rewarded his disciples, assigned them to manage a poor city, and learned that improving it might lead to information about Fire Spirit Veins. He then entered seclusion to recover and studied a method for refining Fire Element talisman paper, discovering that it depended on his Fire Gang Malice.

• Xu Yi divided more than three hundred Spirit Stones among the third-generation disciples and rewarded Zhao Wuliang and the other second-generation disciples for their search for Fire Spirit Stones.
• Zhao Wuliang reported that Immortal Martial Cliff had assigned the sect a small, poor city in Huaixi Prefecture, and Xu Yi told the disciples to manage it as they saw fit.
• Zhao Wuliang suggested that developing the city could let the sect join higher-level city exchanges and learn about Fire Spirit Veins.
• Xu Yi rewarded Zhao Wuliang for the suggestion, then entered seclusion to recover from his injuries.
• Xu Yi studied the black-robed man's method for refining Fire Element talisman paper and realized that it required his Fire Gang Malice.

Xu Yi went to Hall of Merit to redeem his task and learned that two Grace Examination places would go to the top task-takers. After Feng Ting Shu and Zhao Bei Xuan silenced the crowd's complaints, Xu Yi remained hidden as Zhao Bei Xuan's claim to a place was defended.

• Xu Yi collected his Martial Edict at Ink Tower and concealed himself in Hall of Merit while waiting to redeem his task.
• A young man in yellow announced that Huaixi Prefecture would award two Grace Examination places to the top Merit Point earners in the current task period.
• The crowd erupted in anger, suspecting that people with connections had learned of the policy early and taken extra tasks.
• Feng Ting Shu entered and ordered everyone to stop shouting, while Zhao Bei Xuan beat a man who insulted him and challenged the crowd to object.
• Feng Ting Shu defended the selection, and a speaker noted that Zhao Bei Xuan had earned 800 Merit Points from two major tasks.

Xu Yi turned in the proof that he had killed Zhong Ziyu and earned enough Merit Points to win a spot at the imperial examinations on Jiannan Road. When the Hall of Merit announced his victory over Zhao Bei Xuan, Xu Yi remained hidden in the crowd as Feng Ting Shu and the others reacted in shock.

• Xu Yi presented his Martial Edict and Zhong Ziyu’s soul to the Hall of Merit elders, who verified that he had completed the thousand-point task.
• The elders returned Xu Yi’s items and discussed asking Zhao Bei Xuan’s steward how Xu Yi had managed to kill Zhong Ziyu.
• Feng Ting Shu arrived at the training ground and praised Zhao Bei Xuan, who boasted about his standing among the gathered sect leaders.
• The Deputy Head Official announced that Xu Yi and Zhao Bei Xuan had earned the two imperial examination spots, with Xu Yi scoring higher.
• The crowd recognized Xu Yi as the man who had accepted the task to kill Zhong Ziyu, and the Deputy Head Official called for him to claim his jade token.
• Two people interrupted as the official called Xu Yi forward.

Xu Yi confronted Feng Ting Shu, Zhao Bei Xuan, and Deputy Head Official Chen after his achievement of killing Old Demon Zhong was dismissed as luck. He challenged the officials’ attempt to block his imperial examination entry and ended with Zhao Bei Xuan demanding a life-and-death contract.

• Xu Yi answered Zhao Bei Xuan’s accusations by pointing out his own Merit Points, and Feng Ting Shu used a message bead to reveal that Old Demon Zhong had been gravely wounded before Xu Yi encountered him.
• Zhao Bei Xuan mocked Xu Yi’s luck, while Feng Ting Shu persuaded Deputy Head Official Chen to let him submit a report to Wen Manor about Xu’s eligibility.
• Xu Yi challenged Chen to justify barring him from the examination and threatened to take his grievance to Jiannan Road; Chen said candidates had to reach the Yin Venerable realm.
• Xu Yi questioned Zhao Bei Xuan’s qualifications and taunted him about their Merit Points, prompting Zhao to challenge Xu to fight.
• Feng Ting Shu warned Zhao Bei Xuan not to underestimate Xu Yi, but Zhao demanded that Xu sign a life-and-death contract.

Xu Yi accepted Zhao Bei Xuan’s challenge and killed him in a life-and-death duel, shocking the gathered cultivators and establishing his reputation across Huaixi Prefecture. When Feng Ting Shu tried to leave, Xu Yi blocked his path.

• Zhao Bei Xuan demanded a fight, and Xu Yi agreed after securing a life-and-death contract and two Fire Spirit Stones as stakes.
• Feng Ting Shu warned Zhao Bei Xuan about Xu Yi’s previous tricks but supplied the stones when Zhao Bei Xuan insisted on fighting.
• After both men activated the contract, Xu Yi seized Zhao Bei Xuan and repeatedly smashed him into the ground until his golden body shattered and he died.
• Xu Yi collected Zhao Bei Xuan’s Yin Soul and Sumeru Ring as the crowd reacted with shock and praised his strength.
• Feng Ting Shu threatened Xu Yi with Deputy Director Zhao’s vengeance and tried to leave, but Xu Yi blocked his way.

Xu Yi forced Feng Ting Shu to hand over the two Fire Spirit Stones by pointing out his role in Zhao Bei Xuan’s death, then asked the Confucian-robed middle-aged man about Zhao’s powerful uncle. The man advised Xu Yi to publicize his strength and attract a patron before Deputy Director Zhao could retaliate.

• Xu Yi reminded Feng Ting Shu that he had promised two Fire Spirit Stones, then warned that Feng’s actions had helped lead Zhao Bei Xuan to his death.
• Fearing Deputy Director Zhao’s anger, Feng Ting Shu gave Xu Yi the two Fire Spirit Stones and left.
• Xu Yi spoke with Director Chen, collected advice about exchanging merit points, and went to find the Confucian-robed middle-aged man.
• Xu Yi told the man that he had killed Zhao Bei Xuan and offered him four spirit stones for information about Deputy Director Zhao.
• The man advised Xu Yi to spread word of his strength and attract a powerful patron to protect himself from Deputy Director Zhao and Feng Ting Shu.

Xu Yi decided to build his reputation by defeating challengers and visited the Second-level Armory, where he exchanged most of his Merit Points for an Array Breaking Stone. He used his remaining points to seek an answer from a round old man, who charged him a spirit stone for advice about savoring food.

• Xu Yi agreed with the Confucian-robed middle-aged man's suggestion to challenge fighters and make his name known to the Prefect.
• Xu Yi visited the White Tower and entered the Second-level Armory with the other Merit Point holders.
• Xu Yi exchanged most of his Merit Points for an Array Breaking Stone and used the remainder to ask a question.
• A round old man finished eating a roast suckling pig, shared his philosophy of eating quickly, and asked Xu Yi to pay one spirit stone for his advice.

Xu Yi paid a spherical-headed old man for information about Yin Venerables and the Earth Soul Talisman, then shared a feast and learned how true souls and soul sense gave Yin Venerables a decisive advantage. He left the conversation focused on finding the Earth Soul Talisman, which had helped Ari become a Yin Venerable.

• Xu Yi gave the spherical-headed old man eight spirit stones to answer questions about Yin Venerables, Yang Venerables, and the Earth Soul Talisman.
• Xu Yi conjured a feast and fine wine, and the old man repaid him with a spirit stone before they ate and drank together.
• The old man explained that a Yin Venerable's true soul could severely injure a Mid Soul Sensing Stage cultivator and that soul sense could control objects from about a hundred zhang away.
• Xu Yi asked where to find the Earth Soul Talisman and recalled seeing Ari attain Yin Venerable rank with its help.

Xu Yi learned that obtaining an Earth Soul Talisman required both years of service and merit, then arranged to keep his past battle with Old Demon Zhong concealed. The chapter ended with the Xinglong Hao sailing across Shouqiu Lake toward a willow-screened bridge while its proprietor was away.

• The old man with the spherical body told Xu Yi that Earth Soul Talismans came from the Holy Court and could not be obtained quickly by accumulating Merit Points alone.
• Xu Yi inferred that the upper ranks controlled the supply of Earth Soul Talismans and decided to focus on rising in status.
• Steward Song contacted Xu Yi and reported that he had given Immortal Martial Cliff the information Xu Yi had instructed him to provide.
• Xu Yi delayed returning Steward Song's Life-Death Gu and crushed the voice-transmission orb.
• The Xinglong Hao sailed across Shouqiu Lake toward a painted bridge, despite its proprietor being away.

Tu Lao San told a gathering of Huaixi Prefecture’s examination candidates that Xu Yi had challenged all cultivators of his rank on Cold Sun Peak. Qiu Dao Ming suggested Xu was trying to attract a powerful backer and obtain an Earth Soul Talisman.

• Tu Lao San arrived at the pleasure boat and joined the gathering of scions who had secured places in the Jiannan Road imperial examination.
• Qiu Dao Ming guessed that Tu Lao San’s news concerned Xu Yi, and the group pressed Tu Lao San to reveal it.
• Tu Lao San announced that Xu Yi had set up a challenge ring on Cold Sun Peak and declared himself invincible below the Yin Venerate realm.
• The gathered scions grew furious at Xu Yi’s boast and his killing of Zhao Bei Xuan, while the purple-robed young man and Qiu Dao Ming remained quiet.
• Qiu Dao Ming explained that Xu Yi might be stirring up attention to find a protector and obtain an Earth Soul Talisman after offending Steward Feng and Deputy Director Zhao.

A group of fellow examinees discussed Xu Yi’s challenge ring and decided to send Tan Lang to fight him. Qiu Dao Ming realized that the purple-robed youth’s supposed support was a scheme to eliminate a rival, and Tan Lang was expected to attack at full strength.

• Tu Lao San and Fei Lao Si discussed Xu Yi’s ring, while the group recognized that Xu Yi’s fame and strength made the challenge difficult to imitate.
• Tu Lao San reported that more than a hundred cultivators had gathered at Cold Sun Peak, but no one had accepted Xu Yi’s challenge.
• Fei Lao Si offered a Fire Spirit Stone, and the purple-robed youth sent Tan Lang to the ring as a supposed way to stir up the crowd.
• Qiu Dao Ming offered to provide a fighter, but the purple-robed youth assured him that Tan Lang would only test Xu Yi and leave him a way to retreat.
• Tu Lao San and Fei Lao Si urged the purple-robed youth to let Tan Lang fight at full strength, and Qiu Dao Ming recognized their plan to eliminate Xu Yi as a rival.
• Tu Lao San declared that Tan Lang, a Hundred Man Kill of the Tiger Fang Guard, was likely strong enough to defeat even an unprepared Yin Venerable expert.

Xu Yi killed Venerable Tan Lang with one move, shocking Tu Lao San and the others, while Cold Sun Peak drew an even larger crowd of onlookers. Steward Fang arrived and urged Xu Yi to leave, but Xu Yi refused to abandon Cold Sun Peak's owner and promised to help him escape if necessary.

• The communication orb first reported that Tan Lang had defeated Xu Yi, then revealed that Xu Yi had killed Tan Lang in a single move.
• Tu Lao San smashed the communication orb, and Second Brother lost his composure and split the Xinglong Hao in two.
• Old Cai warned Xu Yi that more people had gathered around Cold Sun Peak and asked for reinforcements, but Xu Yi told him to rest and ordered him to make the peak's flag more visible.
• Steward Fang arrived and urged Xu Yi to leave Cold Sun Peak, warning that its owner made enemies and invited trouble.
• Xu Yi refused to abandon Cold Sun Peak's owner and said he would save him and help him leave if the situation turned dire.

Xu Yi asked Steward Fang about finding an Earth Soul Talisman, then put him to work managing the commotion on Cold Sun Peak. Steward Fang warned him against trading Wind Talismans because it could expose Xu Yi as a Talisman Master, and the chapter ended with Zhou Qing discovering a huge crowd gathered near Cold Sun Peak.

• Xu Yi learned from Steward Fang that the Tianxia Association had found no Earth Soul Talisman and that one might be held by powerful figures in the prefecture.
• Xu Yi told Steward Fang to help organize affairs on Cold Sun Peak, and Steward Fang realized they could profit from the spectacle.
• Xu Yi asked whether he could trade many Wind Talismans for an Earth Soul Talisman, but Steward Fang warned that the plan could expose Xu Yi and invite danger from powerful figures.
• Xu Yi accepted Steward Fang's advice and decided to search for the Earth Soul Talisman himself once matters on Cold Sun Peak were settled.
• Zhou Qing woke to find nearly five thousand people gathered near Cold Sun Peak and called out to Old Zhang, who refused to give up his place in the crowd.

Zhou Qing and Old Zhang discovered that Xu Yi’s arena fights had become a wildly popular ticketed event, while Steward Fang regretted setting prices too low. The crowd awaited the first bout when Duan Xifeng arrived after three years in seclusion and challenged the boast written on Cold Sun Peak’s flag.

• Zhou Qing learned that Xu Yi was selling seats and, after the tickets quickly sold out, joined Old Zhang in lining up for the next fight.
• Old Zhang explained that spectators were scrambling for tickets and that buyers of package tickets might resell them for a profit.
• Old Cai told Steward Fang that more wealthy spectators demanded tickets, and Steward Fang halted sales until after the first round.
• Duan Xifeng flew to Cold Sun Peak, struck the flag with Sword Qi, and challenged its claim that its fighter was invincible below the Yin Venerate.
• The crowd recognized Duan Xifeng as the Scorpion Sword, who had gone into seclusion after losing to Divine Aspect Zhou Zongshi three years earlier.

Xu Yi faced Duan Xifeng in a highly anticipated duel, but endured his first sword without moving and earned Duan’s respect. Duan left after inscribing a new challenge banner, while Xu Yi’s betting pool and ticket sales brought in over twenty thousand spirit stones.

• Duan Xifeng entered the arena and offered to test Xu Yi with three swords rather than fight to the death.
• Duan Xifeng unleashed Sword Three, and Xu Yi stood unmoved as the attack struck him head-on.
• Duan Xifeng acknowledged Xu Yi’s strength, amended the banner to say Xu was invincible below Soul Sensing, and challenged him to meet again once they were both Yin Venerates.
• Xu Yi left the arena as Steward Fang settled the betting pool and the crowd clamored to collect their winnings.
• Steward Fang reported over twenty thousand spirit stones in proceeds, and Xu Yi promised to share them with the old senior and Fang.