Chapter Summaries

Wei Wen’s Evil Cultivators attacked the Yang Family, while Zhang Honghao was caught hiding nearby and trapped by a Spider Evil Cultivator’s flames. Zhang Xuanchen and Luo Lingshuang arrived to intervene, and Luo Lingshuang wiped out the attackers, leaving the Yang Family’s fate unresolved.

• Wei Wen crushed Yang Chengze’s sword strike and blamed him for the Yang Family’s downfall as they continued fighting.
• A Spider Evil Cultivator discovered Zhang Honghao hiding behind a boulder and trapped him in ghostly blue flames, but Zhang Honghao used a Turtle Origin Shield to defend himself.
• Zhang Xuanchen sensed the battle and led Luo Lingshuang and Zhang Xuanli toward the Yang Family’s territory.
• Zhang Xuanchen killed the Spider Evil Cultivator and freed Zhang Honghao from danger.
• Luo Lingshuang killed Wei Wen and Yang Yunli, then slew all thirty-seven Evil Cultivators with nineteen sword swings.

After Luo Lingshuang and Zhang Xuanchen helped the Yang Family defeat the evil cultivators, Zhang Xuanchen learned that the mysterious Netherworld Fire held resentful thoughts from more than a hundred thousand mortals. The group left for Xuanxiao Mountain, where Zhang Xuanchen would become Clan Patriarch in three days, while Yang Yunzhong proposed secretly pledging allegiance to the Bihai Immortal Sect.

• Luo Lingshuang rejected Yang Chengze's thanks and directed him to thank Zhang Xuanchen, then collected the dead evil cultivators' Storage Bags.
• Zhang Xuanchen used a Heart-Clearing Talisman to free Zhang Honghao from resentful thoughts, learned about the Netherworld Fire, and stored it in his Myriad Spirit Ring.
• Zhang Xuanli struggled with the gruesome aftermath of the battle but composed herself without Luo Lingshuang's help.
• Zhang Honghao revealed that Zhang Xuanchen would become Clan Patriarch in three days, and Yang Chengze congratulated him and promised to attend the ceremony.
• After Zhang Xuanchen and the others departed, Yang Yunzhong complained about the Storage Bags and suggested secretly pledging allegiance to the Bihai Immortal Sect.

Yang Chengze reprimanded Yang Yunzhong for challenging the Zhang Family after they saved the Yang Family. At Yunhua Immortal City's gate, Zhang Xuanchen found a Bihai Immortal Sect disciple extorting a cultivator and prepared to punish him for violating the city's rules.

• Yang Chengze slapped Yang Yunzhong and threatened to execute him if he again complained about the Zhang Family taking the spoils of war.
• Luo Lingshuang comforted Zhang Xuanli about the violence she had witnessed, while Zhang Xuanchen wondered why Luo treated his sister with such affection.
• Zhang Xuanchen and his companions reached Yunhua Immortal City and saw Bihai Immortal Sect disciples beating a Qi Refining cultivator.
• Zhang Xuanchen kicked Ma Teng into the city wall, then questioned the disciples about their attack.
• The injured cultivator told Zhang Xuanchen that Ma Teng had demanded five Spirit Stones after he had already paid the required three.
• Zhang Xuanchen decided Ma Teng had to die for violating the city's rules and damaging its reputation.

Zhang Xuanchen exposed and killed Ma Teng for extorting cultivators at Yunhua Immortal City's gate, then confronted Bihai Immortal Sect Young Sect Master Xu Haolong. Xu Haolong agreed to protect the wronged cultivator's family and escort them to Xuanxiao Market Town.

• Zhang Xuanchen pressured the Bihai Immortal Sect gate guards until one revealed that Ma Teng had ordered them to extort spirit stones.
• Zhang Xuanchen seized Ma Teng and killed him after Ma Teng claimed protection from the Bihai Immortal Sect's Young Sect Master.
• Xu Haolong arrived with inner sect disciples and challenged Zhang Xuanchen for killing a Bihai Immortal Sect disciple.
• Zhang Xuanchen defended the execution as punishment for a capital offense and arranged for the wronged hunter's family to move to Xuanxiao Market Town.
• Xu Haolong ordered Qing Que to escort the hunter's family safely to Xuanxiao Market Town.

Zhang Xuanchen helped a middle-aged cultivator escape trouble with the Bihai Immortal Sect, then left for Yunhua Immortal City with Luo Lingshuang and Zhang Xuanli. After Xu Haolong took revenge on his own disobedient disciples, Zhang Xuanchen noticed Luo Lingshuang liked sweets and offered to buy her some.

• Zhang Xuanchen gave the middle-aged cultivator a token and sent him to Xuanxiao Market Town under a Qi Refining Ninth Layer expert’s protection.
• Xu Haolong approached Luo Lingshuang, but she linked arms with Zhang Xuanchen and urged him to enter the city, privately warning that she might kill Xu Haolong if they stayed.
• Zhang Xuanchen entered Yunhua Immortal City with Luo Lingshuang and Zhang Xuanli, while Xu Haolong angrily vowed revenge and ordered Slay Tiger to take four colluding disciples to the Enforcement Hall.
• Zhang Xuanli teased Zhang Xuanchen and Luo Lingshuang about walking arm in arm, then went to a Rogue Cultivator’s stall to ask about honey candy.
• Zhang Xuanchen noticed Luo Lingshuang liked sweets and suggested buying more honey candy.

Zhang Xuanchen bought honey candy for Zhang Xuanli and Luo Lingshuang, then learned that the Nine Splendor Sword Sect was preparing to join a campaign against the Soul Devouring Cult. Luo Lingshuang swore to protect Zhang Xuanchen’s secret and left for her sect, while he and Zhang Xuanli remained in Yunhua Immortal City.

• Zhang Xuanchen bought one hundred pieces of honey candy and shared them with Zhang Xuanli and Luo Lingshuang.
• Luo Lingshuang fed Zhang Xuanchen a piece of candy, and they strolled through Yunhua Immortal City with Zhang Xuanli.
• Luo Lingshuang received an order to return to the Nine Splendor Sword Sect after the Soul Devouring Cult killed a Golden Core elder and numerous disciples.
• Zhang Xuanchen worried that the Nine Splendor Sword Sect might suspect Luo Lingshuang because she was the last to leave the Secret Realm.
• Luo Lingshuang swore she would not reveal that Zhang Xuanchen had obtained the inheritance and assured him she could protect herself.
• Luo Lingshuang said goodbye to Zhang Xuanli and departed for the teleportation array to return to her sect.

Zhang Xuanchen and Zhang Xuanli visited the thriving Xuanxiao Merchant Guild, where Zhang Xuanchen assessed its growth and business practices. The siblings encountered Zhang Xuanchen's Second Brother and Sixth Brother inside the guild.

• Zhang Xuanchen admitted he liked Luo Lingshuang, then told Zhang Xuanli that building strength mattered most and took her to the Xuanxiao Merchant Guild.
• Zhang Xuanchen praised guards Chen Long and Li Hu and promised to ask Ninth Uncle to raise their pay; Zhang Xuanli followed his example and encouraged them.
• Chen Long and Li Hu praised the Zhang Family for treating its servants with respect and hoped their descendants might marry into the family.
• Zhang Xuanchen and Zhang Xuanli admired the guild's crowded halls and wide selection of spiritual goods, and Zhang Xuanchen approved of Ninth Uncle's business policies.
• Zhang Xuanchen greeted his Second Brother and Sixth Brother after they recognized him and Zhang Xuanli.

Zhang Xuanchen met Zhang Xuanshuo and Zhang Xuanfeng in Yunhua Immortal City and learned that Zhang Hongkai supported his upcoming succession as Clan Leader. He asked Zhang Hongkai to reserve Rodent Yao Beasts for an experiment, then went to Horizon Restaurant, where Elder Xu brought him to meet Yan Ruyu.

• Zhang Xuanshuo praised Zhang Xuanchen for his ideas that helped the Xuanxiao Merchant Guild grow, then complained that rival forces quickly copied its methods.
• Zhang Xuanli revealed that Zhang Xuanchen would succeed as Clan Leader, surprising Zhang Xuanshuo after his joke turned out to be true.
• Zhang Hongkai arrived and affirmed that Zhang Xuanchen had the family members' support; Zhang Xuanchen asked him to set aside Rodent Yao Beasts purchased over the next three days.
• Zhang Hongkai said he could not leave the Xuanxiao Merchant Guild for the succession ceremony, but Zhang Xuanshuo and Zhang Xuanfeng could attend.
• Zhang Xuanchen went to Horizon Restaurant to seek Elder Xu's help, and Elder Xu took him to meet Yan Ruyu.

Zhang Xuanchen met Yan Ruyu at Horizon Restaurant, where she revealed that she knew he had obtained Profound Dragon Venerable’s inheritance. She explained Horizon Pavilion’s way of survival and left his question about the opportunities it passed up unanswered.

• Zhang Xuanchen followed Elder Xu upstairs to meet Yan Ruyu and apologized for keeping his distance.
• Yan Ruyu teased Zhang Xuanchen until he admitted that he trusted her and remembered her help to him and the Zhang Family.
• Yan Ruyu revealed that she knew Zhang Xuanchen had obtained Profound Dragon Venerable’s inheritance and explained that Horizon Restaurant treated its aid as both investment and appreciation.
• Yan Ruyu said Horizon Pavilion survived through strength, staying out of worldly disputes, and having many friends.
• Yan Ruyu explained that she might advise or help Zhang Xuanchen but would not settle his enemies or avenge him, then said every force had its own way of survival.

Zhang Xuanchen received Yan Ruyu’s advice about the Zhang Family’s future and confirmed that the Blood Fiend Demon Lord was dead. He left to prepare for his succession ceremony, while Jun Xiaoyao remained stranded in the lower realm and discovered that the stick in his mouth smelled of urine.

• Yan Ruyu advised Zhang Xuanchen to consider the Zhang Family’s survival over generations and reassured him not to burden himself with the question immediately.
• Zhang Xuanchen told Yan Ruyu that his master had killed the Blood Fiend Demon Lord, and she agreed to attend his succession ceremony in three days.
• Zhang Xuanchen left for the Xuanxiao Merchant Guild, promising to give Yan Ruyu his new cooking methods and discuss the Earth Core Fire Crystal’s price later.
• After Zhang Xuanchen left, Elder Xu praised his potential, and Yan Ruyu speculated that he or the Nanhai Hidden Dragon might find a path into the Spirit Realm.
• In the mountains near the Penglai Islands, Jun Xiaoyao cursed at his absent clone and complained after tasting urine on the wooden stick he had put in his mouth.

Yang Haoyu and True Person Canghun plotted to use Zhang Xuanchen’s succession ceremony to weaken the Zhang Family and its alliance with the Su Family. As guests gathered at Xuanxiao Mountain, Bihai Immortal Sect prepared to send disciples to challenge the Zhang Family’s younger generation.

• Yang Haoyu became fixated on retaining power and nearly suffered qi deviation before True Person Canghun brought him back to his senses.
• True Person Canghun told Yang Haoyu that Bihai Immortal Sect would attend Zhang Xuanchen’s succession ceremony and use challenges to undermine the Zhang Family.
• Yang Haoyu planned to have Xu Haolong and other Bihai Immortal Sect disciples defeat the Zhang Family’s younger members and said Zhang Xuanchen was no threat.
• True Person Canghun ordered Yang Haoyu to kill or cripple Zhang Xuanchen if he fought, and promised to deal with Zhang Chongxian if he intervened.
• Representatives of the Zhang Family’s affiliated forces and other visitors arrived at Xuanxiao Mountain, where the Zhang Family welcomed them and provided food and drink.

Zhang Xuanchen completed the ancestral rites and became the Zhang Clan’s sixth-generation Clan Leader, receiving the Nine-Orifice Purple Gold Seal and pledging to strengthen the family. Meanwhile, Jun Xiaoyao investigated the Zhang Clan’s unpredictable fortune and was stopped and insulted by Young Master Lan at the Guest Welcoming Hall.

• Zhang Xuanchen offered incense to the ancestors, formed the bloodline covenant, and received their acknowledgment.
• Zhang Hongzhan passed the Nine-Orifice Purple Gold Seal to Zhang Xuanchen and expressed confidence in his leadership.
• Zhang Xuanchen declared himself the sixth-generation Clan Leader, vowed to reward loyal and talented clansmen and punish those who harmed the Zhang Clan, and received the clansmen’s bow.
• After the rites, the Zhang Clan members took up guard positions while the family postponed discussing reforms until the next day.
• Jun Xiaoyao tried to calculate the Zhang Clan’s erratic fortune, washed his face, and headed toward the Guest Welcoming Hall.
• Young Master Lan and his lackeys mistook Jun Xiaoyao for a beggar and ordered him to leave.

Jun Xiaoyao used Lan Mingyang’s attempt to exclude him from the Zhang Family’s banquet to obtain a congratulatory gift, while Zhang Xuanchen arrived and confronted Lan Mingyang. Xu Haolong’s scheme left Zhang Xuanchen facing a choice that could anger the Zhang Family’s affiliated forces.

• Lan Mingyang tried to drive Jun Xiaoyao away for arriving at the banquet without a gift, and Jun Xiaoyao pretended to be attacked to draw a crowd.
• Lan Mingyang accused Jun Xiaoyao of trying to freeload, while Jun Xiaoyao secretly took a First-grade Mid-tier spirit herb from Lan Mingyang’s Storage Bag.
• Zhang Xuanchen arrived with Zhang Hongzhan, the Great Elders, and the Zhang Family’s younger generation, then demanded to know why the crowd had gathered around Jun Xiaoyao.
• The Great Elder’s pressure forced Lan Mingyang to his knees, and Zhang Xuanchen questioned whether he was challenging the new Clan Leader.
• Lan Mingyang claimed he had acted to protect the Zhang Family’s dignity, while Xu Haolong privately relished the dilemma he had engineered for Zhang Xuanchen.

Jun Xiaoyao helped Zhang Xuanchen assert authority over the Blue Family by offering a Green Spirit Ginseng as a congratulatory gift. Zhang Xuanchen punished Lan Mingyang and demanded Spirit Stones from the Blue Family, then welcomed the gathered factions into the hall.

• Jun Xiaoyao saw through Xu Haolong's plan to use him to provoke the Zhang Family and decided to help Zhang Xuanchen.
• Jun Xiaoyao offered Zhang Xuanchen a Green Spirit Ginseng as a gift in exchange for wine, but Zhang Xuanchen returned it and welcomed him to eat and drink freely.
• Zhang Xuanchen ordered Lan Mingyang dragged away for thirty heavy strokes and demanded ten thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones from the Blue Family within a month.
• Zhang Xuanchen reassured the Blue Family's Second Elder and the other vassal factions that they would be treated fairly if they did not harm the Zhang Clan's interests.
• Zhang Xuanchen led his clan elders into the Guest Welcoming Hall, where the gathered guests rose and paid their respects.

At Zhang Xuanchen’s succession banquet, he strengthened ties with the Su Family and discreetly urged Zhang Xuanbing to sit with his fiancée, Su Muyan. As the guests feasted, Zhang Xuanchen began preparing the Zhang Family for an expected war with the Soul Devouring Cult by seeking to stockpile pills.

• Zhang Xuanchen welcomed the banquet guests and toasted to lasting ties between the Zhang Family and the other factions.
• Su Zhengguo pledged to continue the Su Family’s alliance with the Zhang Family, and Zhang Xuanchen mentioned Zhang Xuanbing’s upcoming cultivation partnership with Su Muyan.
• At Zhang Xuanchen’s prompting, Zhang Xuanbing moved to sit beside Su Muyan, leaving the hall awkwardly silent.
• The guests noticed Jun Xiaoyao eating voraciously in a corner, and Zhang Xuanchen urged everyone to begin the banquet.
• Zhang Xuanchen recalled Luo Lingshuang’s warning that the Nine Splendor Sword Sect might seek revenge on the Soul Devouring Cult, so he asked Ren Danxiong for a discount on pills to prepare for a possible war.

Zhang Xuanchen arranged a large, long-term pill purchase from the Xuandan Sect to prepare the Zhang Family for coming dangers. He also offered a liter of Thousand-year Stone Milk in exchange for a Golden Core Pill, leaving the decision to the sect's leadership.

• Zhang Xuanchen told Ren Danxiong that the Zhang Family wanted to buy five million Low-grade Spirit Stones' worth of pills over ten years.
• Ren Danxiong said he needed approval from the Xuandan Sect's higher-ups and took Zhang Xuanchen's list of requested pills.
• Zhang Xuanchen asked Ren Danxiong to seek a Golden Core Pill for the Zhang Family.
• Ren Danxiong explained that the sect could produce at most five Golden Core Pills and that several forces were competing for the unassigned pills.
• Zhang Xuanchen offered one liter of Thousand-year Stone Milk for a Golden Core Pill and asked Ren Danxiong to convey the offer to the sect leader.

Zhang Xuanchen negotiated with Ren Danxiong over a Golden Core Pill using Thousand-year Stone Milk, then heard Wang Qingkuang propose a marriage alliance between Wang Mingyu and Zhang Xuanyun. He spotted Ye Xingyun beside the blushing Zhang Xuanyun and froze.

• Zhang Xuanchen offered Thousand-year Stone Milk to Ren Danxiong in exchange for a Golden Core Pill, and Ren agreed to relay the terms to the sect leader.
• Ren Danxiong guessed that Zhang Zujun would use the pill to attempt a breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.
• Wang Qingkuang brought his grandson Wang Mingyu to propose marriage to Zhang Xuanyun, and Zhang Xuanchen said the Zhang Family would consider it if both young people agreed.
• Wang Mingyu excitedly pointed out Zhang Xuanyun, and Zhang Xuanchen noticed Ye Xingyun near her and froze.

At Zhang Xuanchen’s banquet, he approved Zhang Xuanyun’s relationship with Wang Mingyu and warned disloyal affiliated families to return withheld resources. The Bihai Immortal Sect and its allies then pressured the Zhang Family to hold a disciple sparring match, while Jun Xiaoyao kept eating and concealed his growing cultivation.

• Zhang Xuanchen noticed Ye Xingyun with Zhang Hongxi, set aside his grudge for the moment, and approved Zhang Xuanyun’s marriage to Wang Mingyu.
• Zhang Xuanchen warned affiliated families that they could return the resources they had withheld or face consequences.
• Pang Quan proposed a sparring match between Bihai Immortal Sect disciples and Zhang Family disciples, and Liao Mingyue and other factions backed him.
• Jun Xiaoyao dismissed the gathered factions’ confidence and continued eating spirit fruits and fine dishes to appear physically unusual.
• Jun Xiaoyao asked the maid for more food, and she defended the Zhang Family while worrying he would make himself sick.

Zhang Xuanchen agreed to a sparring match after demanding that the forces supporting it put up valuable stakes, including a Second Order Peak Flood Dragon Pearl. He led everyone to the Martial Arena while taunting the furious Pang Quan.

• Zhang Xuanchen rejected the guests’ request to watch the Zhang Family’s younger generation spar and accused them of treating the disciples like performers.
• Liao Mingyue proposed that the match have stakes, and Zhang Xuanchen required the forces that had stood up to provide them.
• Liao Mingyue offered a Second Order Peak Flood Dragon Pearl, and more than thirty other forces contributed treasures as stakes.
• Zhang Xuanchen let Pang Quan grow impatient before agreeing to the match and teasing him about choking on his drink.
• Zhang Xuanchen led the guests toward No. 3 Martial Arena, while Su Zhengguo mocked Pang Quan as they left.

Zhang Xuanbing defeated Xu Haolong in the first spar between the Zhang Family and the Bihai Immortal Sect, stunning the spectators and Pang Quan. Zhang Xuanchen let Pang Quan believe the victory came from his brother’s sword comprehension rather than a deeper secret.

• Pang Quan urged Xu Haolong to cripple a Zhang Family disciple during the spar, and Xu Haolong agreed.
• Zhang Xuanbing stepped onto the platform, drawing admiration from the spectators, before Xu Haolong joined him.
• Zhang Xuanchen set the spar’s rules, and Xu Haolong attacked Zhang Xuanbing with a flaming saber technique.
• Zhang Xuanbing countered Xu Haolong’s attacks with ice, then struck him down with Frost Condensation Break, leaving him unconscious and badly wounded.
• Pang Quan recognized the technique as a Third-tier Sword Technique and grew wary of Zhang Xuanbing’s talent.
• Zhang Xuanchen called the victory good luck and said Zhang Xuanbing had only recently comprehended the sword technique’s first move.