Chapter Summaries

Zhang Zu'an led a group of Zhang Family disciples toward safety with the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass, but Jie Yang and Ninglu Sect cultivators ambushed them. Zhang Zu'an burned his Foundation Establishment True Essence and used a Blood Burning Pill to protect the younger generation, then threatened the enemy with the Zhang Family's last Third-grade Mid-tier offensive Spirit Talisman.

• Zhang Zu'an and the Zhang Family disciples hurried out of the Purple Cloud Mountain Range as the family split into groups to draw off their pursuers.
• Jie Yang's Ninglu Sect group appeared and attacked, believing Zhang Zu'an might be carrying the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass.
• Zhang Zu'an ordered the disciples to scatter and struck Jie Yang with the Three Suns Sword Art, breaking through his Black Spirit Shields.
• Zhang Zu'an swallowed a Blood Burning Pill, restored his strength, blasted Hong Xiu away, and slapped Ze Ning aside as they threatened the younger Zhang Family members.
• Jie Yang mocked Zhang Zu'an's limited time, but Zhang Zu'an revealed a Third-grade Mid-tier offensive Spirit Talisman, prompting the Ninglu Sect cultivators to ready defensive treasures.

Zhang Zu'an sacrificed himself to destroy Jie Yang and the other attackers, buying time for Zhang Xuntong and the clan members to carry the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass back to the Zhang Family. The survivors fled toward Xuanxiao Mountain while Zhang Zujun stayed behind to hold off three Ninglu Sect Golden Core cultivators.

• Zhang Zu'an unleashed a Spirit Talisman at Jie Yang and the other two, then killed more than thirty Ninglu Sect cultivators and gave Zhang Xuntong the Storage Ring containing the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass.
• Zhang Zu'an ordered Zhang Xuntong and the other clan members to leave, then charged into the flames to hold back their pursuers.
• Zhang Xuntong led the fourteen survivors toward Xuanxiao Mountain with the Storage Ring, while Zhang Zu'an trapped Jie Yang, Hong Xiu, and Ze Ning in ten thousand sword shadows.
• Zhang Zu'an self-detonated, killing Jie Yang, Hong Xiu, and Ze Ning and leveling everything within ten li.
• Zhang Zujun grieved for Zhang Zu'an and vowed revenge, but focused on holding off True Person Water Condensation and the other Golden Core cultivators until the clan could retreat.

Zhang Xuntong led the surviving Zhang Family cultivators toward Xuanxiao Mountain while the allied sects pursued them, and Jun Xiaoyao explained why he would not intervene. The chapter left the Zhang Family facing a deadly trial that Jun Xiaoyao believed could drive them to grow stronger, while the Luo Clan watched from hiding.

• After Zhang Zu'an died by self-detonation to protect the younger Zhang Family members, Zhang Xuntong vowed revenge on the Ninglu Sect but ordered his group to flee with the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass.
• A Jiang Clan hunting party tracked Zhang Xuntong and pursued the exhausted Zhang Family cultivators, who used pills and Gale Talismans to retreat toward Xuanxiao Mountain.
• Jun Xiaoyao teased Bai Zijing, Mu Tianyan, and Yan Ruyu while they watched the Zhang Family battle from the void.
• Bai Zijing questioned why Jun Xiaoyao would not help the Zhang Family, and Jun Xiaoyao said they knew Zhang Xuanchen and would naturally side with him if choosing between the families.
• Jun Xiaoyao explained that the Zhang Family needed the pressure of loss to regain its drive, and that Horizon Pavilion could not intervene again without breaking its rules and risking its prestige with the Luo Clan watching.

Jun Xiaoyao chose not to interfere in the Zhang Family’s struggles, while the clan mourned its losses after the battle and prepared to awaken Zhang Xuance’s Sword Body. The chapter ended with Zhang Hongzhan telling Zhang Xuance that he possessed a Sword Body and that the clan had finally obtained the materials needed to awaken it.

• Jun Xiaoyao explained that he prioritized protecting all living beings and would not interfere with events that could help Zhang Xuanchen grow.
• Luo Yuanhui and Luo Yichen left after realizing Horizon Pavilion would not act against the Zhang Family, and Luo Yichen vowed to teach Zhang Xuanchen a lesson when he returned.
• After the battle, Zhang Hongzhan honored the forty-seven Zhang Family members killed and ordered their names carved into the Hero Monument.
• Zhang Hongzhan promised the clan would avenge the dead and ordered increased compensation and support for the fallen clansmen’s families.
• Zhang Hongzhan brought Zhang Xuance to Flower Fruit Mountain, where the elders gathered around a Sword Furnace to awaken his Sword Body.
• Zhang Hongzhan told Zhang Xuance that he possessed a Sword Body and that the clan had previously lacked the materials needed to awaken it.

Zhang Xuance learned that the Zhang Family’s elders had died securing the treasures needed to awaken his sword body, then entered the Sword Furnace for the awakening ritual. Two months later, as the clan prepared to avenge its dead and Lingxiao Immortal City neared completion, the Ninglu Sect summoned its allies to discuss the failed attempt to obtain the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass.

• Zhang Xuance grieved over the sacrifices made to obtain the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass, and Zhang Hongzhan urged him to honor them by becoming a pillar of the clan.
• Zhang Xuance asked to join the Zhang Family’s attack on Ninglu Sect, and Zhang Hongzhan agreed on the condition that he first awaken his sword body.
• Zhang Xuance entered the Sword Furnace, where Zhang Zujun used his Purple Flame Beast Fire to refine the Star Pattern Sword Crystal and Crushed Star Stone Marrow while Zhang Xuantao’s seal stabilized the process.
• Over the next two months, the Zhang Family returned to cultivation and its affairs, while construction of Lingxiao Immortal City advanced and hundreds of factions secured places there.
• At Ninglu Sect’s Main Hall, Lin Feng, Jiang Chen, and True Person Sky Wind questioned True Person Water Condensation about why she had summoned them again after they failed to obtain the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass.

Li Qingrou persuaded Lin Feng and Jiang Chen to join the Ninglu Sect in a campaign against the Zhang Family by claiming Zhang Chongxian had died in Sky Scar Apex. The three forces planned to weaken the Zhang Family’s holdings and wait for its absent members to return before launching an all-out attack.

• Lin Feng and Jiang Chen rejected Li Qingrou’s proposal to attack the Zhang Family, fearing Zhang Chongxian and its other powerful allies.
• Li Qingrou showed them an Image Recording Stone depicting Zhang Chongxian cleaving through the clouds toward Sky Scar Apex and claimed he had fallen there.
• Li Qingrou argued that the Zhang Family’s other allies were unlikely to intervene and promised the spoils of destroying the family.
• Lin Feng agreed that the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect would help the Ninglu Sect, and Jiang Chen showed interest in joining.
• Li Qingrou proposed gradually seizing the Zhang Family’s industries and dismantling its forces, then attacking when its absent members returned.

Lin Feng and Jiang Chen agreed to join Ninglu Sect in a plot to destroy the Zhang Family, while Li Qingrou revealed her secret ties to the Wang Family through her relationship with Wang Yu. Wang Yu gave her a top-tier Barrier Breaking Pill and prepared her to help lead the attack once the Zhang Family’s talented members returned.

• Lin Feng and Jiang Chen realized that the Wang Family might be backing Ninglu Sect after Li Qingrou mentioned a Third-grade Top-tier Barrier Breaking Pill.
• Lin Feng agreed to join Ninglu Sect’s plan, and Jiang Chen agreed after Li Qingrou warned that the Zhang Family would seek revenge on his clan.
• After Lin Feng and Jiang Chen left, Wang Yu appeared and praised Li Qingrou for securing their support.
• Wang Yu gave Li Qingrou the pill and urged her to break through to Late Golden Core so she could help kill Lin Wanqing, Zhang Xuanbing, and the others.
• Wang Yu and Li Qingrou sealed the Main Hall, while the narration revealed that True Person Fentian was in seclusion and that the Wang Family planned to help Ninglu Sect destroy the Zhang Family.

Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing returned to the Penglai Islands as the Ninglu Sect and its allies moved against the Zhang Family. On the way, they discovered the Xiao Clan was under attack and Zhang Xuanbing went to intervene.

• The Ninglu Sect and two other Golden Core forces agreed to join forces against the Zhang Family, and their forces began seizing the Zhang Family’s territories and subordinates.
• Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing returned from Dark Night Forest; Zhang Xuanbing had reached Golden Core and chose the Daoist title True Person Cold Firmament.
• Near Wutan Mountain, Zhang Xuanbing sensed that the Xiao Clan was in danger and flew there with Lin Wanqing.
• Ninglu Sect disciple Ye Qingtian demanded that Xiao Zhan submit and persuade Xiao Yan to poison Zhang Xuanchen, but Xiao Zhan refused to betray the Zhang Family.
• Ye Qingtian ordered his cultivators to attack the Xiao Clan.

Zhang Xuanbing and Lin Wanqing returned to find the Xiao Clan under attack by the Ninglu Sect, and Zhang Xuanbing killed the attackers before heading with Lin Wanqing to seek revenge. The chapter ends with the Xiao Family Great Elder telling Xiao Zhan that the Golden Core Xiao Family wants Xiao Yan to become its Young Master and eventual Clan Leader.

• Ye Qingtian led Ninglu Sect cultivators against the Xiao Clan, and Xiao Zhan ordered Xiao Bingbing to seek help from the Zhang Family.
• Zhang Xuanbing arrived on an ice dragon and killed Ye Qingtian and the other attackers with a rain of ice swords.
• Xiao Zhan told Lin Wanqing how the Ninglu Sect had allied with the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect and Yunmeng Jiang Clan against the Zhang Family and its affiliates.
• Lin Wanqing flew toward the Ninglu Sect to destroy its spiritual grounds, while Zhang Xuanbing followed her and apologized to Xiao Zhan on behalf of the Zhang Family.
• Xiao Zhan sent Xiao Bingbing to Xuanxiao Mountain, then learned from the Xiao Family Great Elder that the Golden Core Xiao Family wanted Xiao Yan to return as its Young Master and future Clan Leader.

Xiao Zhan refused to return the Wutan Mountain Xiao Clan to the Blazing Flame Xiao Clan, while Xiao Bingbing carried news of Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing’s return to the Zhang Family. The Zhang Family learned they were attacking the Ninglu Sect and prepared to purge traitorous forces across the Penglai Islands, while waiting for Zhang Xuanchen or Zhang Chongxian before counterattacking further.

• Xiao Zhan refused the Blazing Flame Xiao Clan’s offer and let clan members register if they wished to return, with registration closing in seven days.
• Xiao Bingbing changed course for Fire Maple Mountain and told Zhang Hongyan that Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing had returned and were attacking the Ninglu Sect.
• Zhang Hongyan sent a communication to Zhang Hongzhan, reporting Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing’s return.
• Zhang Hongzhan and the Zhang Family elders celebrated the news and ordered their clansmen and the Su Family to eliminate forces that had turned traitor and the Ninglu Sect’s forces across the Penglai Islands.
• Zhang Hongzhan ordered the Zhang Family to wait for Zhang Xuanchen or Zhang Chongxian before launching a broader counterattack.

With the Zhang Family unable to openly challenge the three great forces at full strength, Zhang Hongzhan ordered a coordinated purge of the Penglai Islands. Zhang Xuanbing and Lin Wanqing joined Zhang Zujun in striking Ninglu Sect targets as the Zhang Family and its allies mobilized for battle.

• Zhang Hongzhan judged that the Zhang Family could not yet crush the three great forces and ordered its elders to gather the clan and subordinate forces for a purge.
• Zhang Hongzhan sent Zhang Zujun to accompany Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing in destroying Ninglu Sect spiritual lands and businesses.
• Zhang Guangxin rallied the Zhang Family’s cultivators, who split into teams and set out across the Penglai Islands.
• Zhang Zonghui encouraged Zhang Xuanming before his first command, and Zhang Honggao promised to share his battle experience with him.
• Su Zhengyi ordered the Su Family to cooperate with the Zhang Family and send half its battle-ready members to fight; the Yang Family, Liu Family, and Berserker Sect also mobilized.

Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing attacked the Ninglu Sect’s territory, destroying Black Tiger Mountain and several other spiritual lands while killing their defenders. When three Golden Core cultivators intercepted them, Zhang Xuanbing urged Lin Wanqing to retreat before reinforcements arrived.

• Lin Wanqing unleashed her Golden Core pressure and destroyed Black Tiger Mountain’s protective formation with a flaming sword strike, killing more than two hundred Qi Refining cultivators.
• Ye Tianyi escaped the mountain and sent a distress signal, but Zhang Xuanbing froze his Water Flood Dragon and crushed him with ice walls.
• Lin Wanqing brought Zhang Xuanbing the Storage Bags of the two Foundation Establishment cultivators she had killed, and they continued to attack other spiritual lands.
• After the pair destroyed three spiritual mountains, Zhang Shikai, Lin Feng, and Jiang Chen arrived and attacked them with Golden Core techniques.
• Lin Wanqing prepared to fight, but Zhang Xuanbing warned that reinforcements could arrive and told her to retreat.

Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing fled from three Golden Core pursuers while learning that Zhang Chongxian was supposedly dead. Zhang Zujun later reassured them that Zhang Chongxian was alive, but the pursuers refused to believe him.

• Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing escaped the attacks of Zhang Shikai, Lin Feng, and Jiang Chen, then fled toward the Penglai Islands as the three pursued them.
• Lin Wanqing mocked Zhang Shikai and questioned why the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect and Yunmeng Jiang Clan were following the Ninglu Sect’s orders, suspecting the Wang Family might be behind them.
• Lin Feng nearly revealed the three forces’ purpose in targeting the Zhang Family, but Jiang Chen stopped him; Lin Wanqing then used Fire Phoenix Wing to pull ahead with Zhang Xuanbing.
• Zhang Shikai ordered the pursuit to continue, and Zhang Zujun eventually reached Lin Wanqing and Zhang Xuanbing above an island at dusk.
• After Lin Wanqing asked whether Zhang Chongxian had fallen, Zhang Zujun said he was alive, while Zhang Shikai and the others mocked the claim; Zhang Zujun dismissed their disbelief.

Zhang Zujun and Zhang Shikai prepared to fight over their feud when a water-and-ice Secret Realm appeared on a nearby island. With the realm set to open in about two months, both sides planned to summon support, while Zhang Xuanbing saw a chance to gain a great fortune.

• Zhang Zujun and Lin Wanqing confronted Zhang Shikai and Ninglu Sect, and the two sides raised their Golden Core pressures as they prepared to fight.
• A hill split open, revealing a Blue Vortex that Zhang Shikai identified as a Secret Realm rich in Water Attribute treasures.
• The six cultivators were repelled by the vortex, and Zhang Shikai estimated that the realm would take at least two months to stabilize before opening.
• Zhang Shikai ordered Lin Feng to notify the three great forces and arrange people to test the realm's entry conditions.
• Zhang Zujun told Lin Wanqing to report the discovery to the family and recognized that her and Zhang Xuanbing's return would help protect the Zhang Family amid the coming influx of cultivators.
• Zhang Shikai threatened Zhang Xuanbing, but he and Zhang Zujun agreed to suspend hostilities until the Secret Realm opened.

Zhang Zujun revealed that the Zhang Family had killed the Ninglu Sect and Jiang Clan disciples in the Penglai Islands, provoking Jiang Chen before Zhang Shikai calmed him and Zhang Zujun sowed discord between the allies. As news of the Secret Realm spread and factions rushed toward it, Jun Xiaoyao invited Bai Zijing and Yan Ruyu to enter, and they accepted.

• Zhang Zujun confirmed that the Zhang Family had killed the Ninglu Sect disciples, Jiang Clan members, and all the powers that had pledged themselves to them.
• Jiang Chen erupted in anger and challenged Zhang Zujun, who blamed the Jiang Clan's greed and lack of strength for its losses.
• Zhang Shikai stopped Jiang Chen from fighting, while Zhang Zujun tried to turn him against the Ninglu Sect; Jiang Chen concealed his growing loathing toward the sect.
• Forces and Rogue Cultivators learned of the Secret Realm, and factions across the West Heavenly Dragon Sea Domain, including the Demon Race, hurried toward the island.
• Jun Xiaoyao told Bai Zijing and Yan Ruyu that they could enter the Secret Realm, and they agreed to go.

Bai Zijing and Yan Ruyu discussed the spreading Secret Realms, the Blood Demon Kingdom, and the threat of a coming calamity while Jun Xiaoyao reflected on the limits of his power and the danger in the Dark Abyss. Meanwhile, Zhang Xuanchen neared the Starry Holy Palace, where he planned to send his companions after an inheritance while he pursued the Star Core.

• Bai Zijing and Yan Ruyu speculated that Zhang Xuanchen might be exploring another Secret Realm and discussed the growing chaos across the continents.
• Yan Ruyu suspected the demonized creatures and the Upper Realm Ancient Battlefield were connected to a larger threat, and she and Bai Zijing resolved to grow stronger for Jun Xiaoyao's sake.
• Jun Xiaoyao explained that his power and Horizon Pavilion's scattered forces could not stop every threat, and he warned that the creature in the South Sea's Dark Abyss was more dangerous than the Blood Demon Kingdom.
• Jun Xiaoyao said the realm was nearing its first ascension, prompting Mu Tianyan to briefly react before continuing her massage.
• After more than four months of travel, Zhang Xuanchen and his companions approached the Starry Holy Palace, having gathered many treasures and inheritances along the way.
• Zhang Xuanchen learned that passing the Starry Holy Palace's test could grant the Starry Emperor Sovereign's inheritance, and planned for Luo Lingshuang and the others to pursue it while he sought the Star Core.

Zhang Xuanchen headed for the Starry Holy Palace and agreed that Shuoxing would protect the Zhang Family’s fortune. When Wu Sect entrants ambushed him for his Star Tokens, Wei Wushuang appeared and killed them after Bai Qingyang insulted him.

• Zhang Xuanchen flew toward the Starry Holy Palace, asked Xuanjing to watch for his companions, and proposed that Shuoxing become the Zhang Family’s clan-protecting imperial artifact.
• Zhang Xuanchen left the sky to travel in hiding, but discovered seven cultivators from the Wu Sect waiting to ambush him.
• Bai Qingyang revealed his grudge against Zhang Xuanchen and Wei Wushuang, then threatened to take Zhang Xuanchen’s spirit stones.
• Wei Wushuang appeared behind Bai Qingyang and killed six of his men before slitting Bai Qingyang’s throat and taking the treasures from their belongings.
• Wei Wushuang asked whether Zhang Xuanchen feared him, and Zhang Xuanchen replied that they shared responsibility for Bai Qingyang’s death.

Zhang Xuanchen traveled with Wei Wushuang to the Starry Holy Palace, where ten Golden Star Tokens were needed to open the Main Hall. After learning that Luo Lingshuang and the others had not arrived, Zhang Xuanchen decided to go find them.

• Wei Wushuang agreed to guide Zhang Xuanchen to the suspected inheritance site and explained that his Golden Star Token could lead the way.
• Wei Wushuang told Zhang Xuanchen that ten Golden Star Tokens were required to open the Main Hall and warned him about people killing others to seize Star Tokens.
• Wei Wushuang praised Zhang Xuanchen's sword talent, and the two traveled together for thirteen days before reaching the Starry Holy Palace.
• Zhang Xuanchen saw that only around two thousand people had gathered at the palace, suggesting that more than two thousand entrants were missing.
• Xuanjing told Zhang Xuanchen that Luo Lingshuang and the others were not there, so Zhang Xuanchen decided to follow the route map he had given Luo Lingshuang and search for them.

Zhang Xuanchen left Wei Wushuang and raced through dangerous territory to find Luo Lingshuang. He arrived just as a demonized Blood-Black Giant Tiger lunged at her, and attacked it with a powerful sword strike.

• Zhang Xuanchen refused Wei Wushuang's offer to join the Wei Family gathering point and traveled on alone.
• After three days of dangerous travel, Zhang Xuanchen used Thousand-year Stone Milk to replenish his spiritual energy and continued searching for Luo Lingshuang.
• Xuanjing sensed Luo Lingshuang and her companions southwest, and Zhang Xuanchen rushed toward them.
• Luo Lingshuang, Golden Monkey, and Wuxin fought a Blood-Black Giant Tiger, but the badly injured beast survived their attacks.
• Little Lotus raised a Blue Light Barrier as the Tiger Demon charged at Luo Lingshuang, and Zhang Xuanchen appeared and unleashed Blazing Flame Evil Vanquisher.

Zhang Xuanchen rescued Luo Lingshuang from a Demonized Tiger Demon and reunited with her and their companions. After learning Luo Lingshuang held the final Golden Star Token, he prepared them to enter the Starry Holy Palace while setting off alone to pursue another immortal opportunity.

• Zhang Xuanchen killed the Demonized Tiger Demon with Blazing Flame Evil Vanquisher and reunited with Luo Lingshuang.
• Zhang Xuanchen learned Luo Lingshuang had the final Golden Star Token and decided he would not compete for the Starry Emperor Sovereign's inheritance.
• Zhang Xuanchen warned Luo Lingshuang, Wuxin, and Great Sage about Yan Jin, gave them spirit talismans, and helped them disguise themselves as cultivators from Senluo Hall.
• Zhang Xuanchen gave Luo Lingshuang the route through Senluo Hall's ambush area and told the group to leave a day later with the Golden Star Token.
• Zhang Xuanchen flew off alone, planning to sell an ordinary Star Token to Wei Wushuang and seek the other immortal opportunity.