Recaps

Tian Buyi prepared Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan for their next tournament matches, while Ye Xuan encouraged Lin Jingyu and reassured Zhang Xiaofan about his Firewood Stick. Lin Jingyu left determined to face Zeng Shushu, and Zhang Xiaofan was left to consider whether he could control the stick.

• Tian Buyi warned Lin Jingyu that Zeng Shushu had not yet drawn the Xuanyuan Sword and urged him to beware of unorthodox tactics.
• Tian Buyi told Zhang Xiaofan that his opponent from Luoxia Peak was a level stronger and advised him to use the Firewood Stick to smash his opponent’s magic treasure.
• Ye Xuan told Lin Jingyu to attack Zeng Shushu aggressively and try to wear him down, prompting Lin Jingyu to return to his room with renewed resolve.
• Ye Xuan called Zhang Xiaofan out of the shadows and heard him admit that he feared both losing and the Firewood Stick’s bloodthirsty behavior.
• Ye Xuan touched the Firewood Stick, sensed its malice retreat from him, and urged Zhang Xiaofan to believe in himself and learn to control it.

The top-eight matches began at Heaven-Piercing Peak, where Qi Hao defeated Chu Yuhong with his ice magic. Lin Jingyu then launched a relentless assault on Zeng Shushu, following Ye Xuan’s advice, and left the outcome of their fight unresolved.

• Du Bishu ran a betting pool as the disciples gathered to watch the top-eight matches.
• Qi Hao trapped Chu Yuhong in an ice prison, and Chu Yuhong conceded.
• Ye Xuan explained Qi Hao’s technique to Zhang Xiaofan and urged Lin Jingyu to remember his advice before facing Zeng Shushu.
• Lin Jingyu attacked Zeng Shushu without warning and pressed him with a series of powerful, unrelenting sword strikes.
• Zeng Shushu stopped joking and sighed as Lin Jingyu’s sword streaked toward his brow.

Zeng Shushu defeated Lin Jingyu with the Xuanyuan Sword, and Lu Xueqi easily won her match against Chang Shi. Ye Xuan encouraged Zhang Xiaofan before his upcoming duel, hinting that his opponent would be interesting.

• Zeng Shushu summoned the Xuanyuan Sword and overwhelmed Lin Jingyu, who continued fighting until Zeng Shushu conceded and the judges declared him the winner.
• Ye Xuan gave the injured Lin Jingyu a healing pill and reassured him after his loss.
• Lu Xueqi broke through Chang Shi's defenses and forced him to admit defeat, winning the third match.
• Ye Xuan teased Zhang Xiaofan about Lu Xueqi and urged him to take the stage with his Firewood Stick.

Zhang Xiaofan faced Tian Yun in the tournament’s top eight and defeated him with the golden Firewood Stick. The victory left Zhang Xiaofan advancing after his stubborn charge shattered Tian Yun’s Flowing Fire Sword Art.

• Ye Xuan encouraged Zhang Xiaofan as he nervously carried the golden Firewood Stick to the arena.
• Tian Yun attacked Zhang Xiaofan with his scarlet sword, but Zhang blocked the strike with the stick.
• Tian Yun used the Flowing Fire Sword Art to send dozens of flaming sword images at Zhang Xiaofan.
• Ye Xuan told Lin Jingyu that Zhang Xiaofan’s fate was stubbornly strong as the Great Bamboo Peak disciples watched anxiously.
• Zhang Xiaofan charged into the sword images and swung the Firewood Stick, shattering them and knocking Tian Yun from the air.

Zhang Xiaofan defeated Tian Yun and earned a place in the semifinals, prompting Great Bamboo Peak to celebrate. When his next opponent, Lu Xueqi, came up, Tian Buyi encouraged him to face her without fear.

• Zhang Xiaofan sent Tian Yun flying with his staff and won his match, securing a semifinal place for Great Bamboo Peak.
• Great Bamboo Peak celebrated Zhang Xiaofan's victory, and Tian Buyi tried to hide how pleased he was.
• During the celebration, Du Bishu asked Zhang Xiaofan who he would face next, and Zhang Xiaofan named Lu Xueqi.
• The disciples fell silent as they remembered Lu Xueqi's overwhelming strength and worried about Zhang Xiaofan's chances.
• Tian Buyi told Zhang Xiaofan not to fear losing and urged him to swing his staff with all his might, while Su Ru encouraged him to do his best.

At Heaven-Piercing Peak, Dao Xuan announced that the tournament’s top four would investigate the Demon Cult at Kongsang Mountain’s Ten Thousand Bat Cave, and that the champion would win the Six Harmonies Mirror. As the finals began, Zhang Xiaofan remained anxious while the other finalists focused on the prize.

• Ye Xuan reassured Lin Jingyu about Zhang Xiaofan’s nerves and hinted that the Sect Master’s speech would carry deeper meaning.
• Dao Xuan named Qi Hao, Zeng Shushu, Lu Xueqi, and Zhang Xiaofan as the tournament’s final four.
• Dao Xuan announced that the top four would descend the mountain after the tournament to investigate the Demon Cult at the Ten Thousand Bat Cave on Kongsang Mountain.
• Dao Xuan promised the champion the Six Harmonies Mirror, stirring Zeng Shushu’s and Lu Xueqi’s interest while Zhang Xiaofan remained apprehensive.
• Dao Xuan declared the competition begun.

Qi Hao defeated Zeng Shushu in the first martial arts final match after countering the Xuanyuan Sword with Dragon Head Peak’s Sword Leading Azure Dragon. Qi Hao remained standing as the tournament continued.

• Qi Hao and Zeng Shushu began their match, with Zeng Shushu wielding the Nine Heavens Divine Weapon Xuanyuan against Qi Hao’s Ice Sword.
• Zeng Shushu’s Xuanyuan Sword broke through Qi Hao’s ice walls, but its power rapidly drained Zeng Shushu’s spiritual energy.
• Zeng Shushu unleashed Mountains and Rivers Tremble, and Qi Hao answered with Sword Leading Azure Dragon.
• Qi Hao’s frost dragon shattered Zeng Shushu’s attack and sent him out of the arena, though Zeng Shushu avoided serious injury.
• The judges declared Qi Hao the winner of the first match.

Zhang Xiaofan fought Lu Xueqi in the Grand Showdown Finals, enduring her superior cultivation and relentless sword attacks with stubborn persistence. As Lu Xueqi grew impatient, she rose above the arena and unleashed a power that darkened the sky and enveloped Heaven-Piercing Peak in pressure.

• The elder announced the match between Zhang Xiaofan of Great Bamboo Peak and Lu Xueqi of Small Bamboo Peak, and Ye Xuan recognized how badly Zhang Xiaofan was outmatched.
• Lu Xueqi opened with a swift sword strike, which Zhang Xiaofan dodged before her follow-up sword energy cut off his escape routes.
• Zhang Xiaofan poured his spiritual power into the Soul Seizing Rod and endured Lu Xueqi's attacks, repeatedly charging back despite his injuries.
• Tian Buyi and Su Ru watched Zhang Xiaofan's persistence with emotion, while Ye Xuan reflected on his unbroken resolve.
• Lu Xueqi rose above the arena and unleashed a brilliant attack as dark clouds gathered over Heaven-Piercing Peak.

Lu Xueqi used the Divine Sword Thunder Control True Art against Zhang Xiaofan, but Ye Xuan dispelled the divine thunder with his Chang Qing Sword. Zhang Xiaofan lost the match, while Ye Xuan’s power stunned the tournament spectators.

• Lu Xueqi summoned divine thunder with the Divine Sword Thunder Control True Art, leaving Zhang Xiaofan unable to move as it struck toward him.
• Ye Xuan sent his Chang Qing Sword to dispel the thunder and protect Zhang Xiaofan.
• Ye Xuan said Zhang Xiaofan had lost the sparring match, and the judge declared Lu Xueqi the winner because Zhang Xiaofan had exhausted his spiritual energy.
• The spectators recognized Ye Xuan as the one who had stopped Lu Xueqi’s attack, and Daoxuan Zhenren praised Tian Buyi’s disciple.
• Ye Xuan reassured Zhang Xiaofan that he had done well, and Zhang Xiaofan saw that the disciples now respected him.

After an hour’s rest, Lu Xueqi and Qi Hao fought in the tournament final, with Lu Xueqi using the Divine Sword Thunder Control True Art again despite her injuries. Their lightning and ice dragon attacks collided, leaving the outcome undecided.

• Dao Xuan Zhenren postponed the final for an hour so Lu Xueqi could recover from her injuries.
• Qi Hao and Lu Xueqi began their match, and Lu Xueqi launched a series of desperate attacks to end the fight quickly.
• Qi Hao held his ground and wore Lu Xueqi down with his superior spiritual energy.
• As her strength waned, Lu Xueqi began chanting the Divine Sword Thunder Control True Art a second time.
• Qi Hao summoned Dragon Head Peak’s Sword Leading Azure Dragon technique as Lu Xueqi merged with the lightning and charged at him.
• Lu Xueqi’s lightning attack collided with Qi Hao’s ice dragon in a deafening crash.

Qi Hao defeated Lu Xueqi to win the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament and received the Six Harmonies Mirror from Dao Xuan Zhenren. After Dao Xuan summoned the top four to Yuqing Hall for their mission, Tian Buyi secretly ordered Ye Xuan to follow them and protect them on their journey to Kongsang Mountain.

• Qi Hao struck Lu Xueqi with hidden ice swords, winning the final as Master Shuiyue caught her fall.
• Dao Xuan Zhenren awarded Qi Hao the Six Harmonies Mirror for winning the tournament.
• Dao Xuan summoned Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and Zhang Xiaofan to Yuqing Hall for their mission.
• Tian Buyi took Ye Xuan aside and ordered him to secretly follow the group, intervening if they faced mortal danger.
• Ye Xuan agreed to follow them, accepted travel money from Tian Buyi, and planned to visit Blood Dripping Cave along the way.

Ye Xuan reassured the anxious Zhang Xiaofan before their trip down the mountain, and Zhang Xiaofan departed from Great Bamboo Peak the next morning. Ye Xuan stayed behind, looking forward to the adventure ahead.

• Ye Xuan found Zhang Xiaofan on the roof and learned that he feared being a burden on the mission down the mountain.
• Ye Xuan encouraged Zhang Xiaofan by reminding him that his tournament result and the Sect Master True Person's choice showed he had a place on the mission.
• Ye Xuan joked about Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, and Zhang Xiaofan's Firewood Stick, easing Zhang Xiaofan's anxiety.
• The next morning, Zhang Xiaofan bid farewell to Tian Buyi, Su Ru, and the other disciples, then flew down the mountain on the Firewood Stick.
• Tian Buyi called Zhang Xiaofan a good-for-nothing and returned to the inner hall as the others watched him disappear into the Sea of Clouds.

Ye Xuan secretly followed Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and Zhang Xiaofan as they traveled toward Kongsang Mountain, then disguised himself and booked a room across from theirs at Cloud Come Inn. He watched Zeng Shushu take the exhausted Zhang Xiaofan downstairs to eat and settled in to keep an eye on the group.

• Ye Xuan silently followed the four disciples as they flew away from Qingyun Mountain, keeping his presence hidden.
• Qi Hao led the group at a fast pace, and Zhang Xiaofan struggled to keep up despite his exhaustion.
• The four disciples stopped for the night at Cloud Come Inn, where Qi Hao rented four first-class rooms.
• Ye Xuan disguised himself as a traveling swordsman and paid for a room directly across from the disciples.
• Zeng Shushu pulled Zhang Xiaofan downstairs to find food, while Ye Xuan ordered the inn's best dishes and watched them from his window.

Ye Xuan secretly followed Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and Zhang Xiaofan to a gloomy city near Kongsang Mountain. That night, Zhang Xiaofan encountered Bi Yao in the inn’s flower garden, while Ye Xuan watched from nearby.

• Ye Xuan watched Zhang Xiaofan and Zeng Shushu explore Cloud Come Inn’s city streets, then cultivated through the night.
• Qi Hao led the group out the next morning, and Ye Xuan followed them through the sky while concealing his presence.
• The group arrived in a neglected city near Kongsang Mountain and found rooms at the Yuelai Inn.
• Ye Xuan rented a room beside the group and watched over Zhang Xiaofan during the night.
• Zhang Xiaofan went to the inn’s flower garden, where the sound of a golden bell announced Bi Yao’s arrival.

Ye Xuan watched Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao grow closer but chose not to interfere with their destined relationship. The next day, he followed Qi Hao and the others to Kongsang Mountain and watched them fight through the bat swarm at the Ten Thousand Bat Cave.

• Ye Xuan considered separating Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao to prevent their tragic future, but decided to let Zhang Xiaofan face his own trials.
• Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, Zeng Shushu, and Zhang Xiaofan traveled to Kongsang Mountain while Ye Xuan followed them in disguise.
• The Qingyun disciples entered the Ten Thousand Bat Cave, and Qi Hao used the Six Harmonies Mirror to hold back the attacking bats.
• Lu Xueqi and Zeng Shushu fought the bats with their magical weapons, while Zhang Xiaofan's Firewood Stick naturally repelled them.
• Ye Xuan stayed outside the cave, protected by his astral energy, and watched the disciples battle the swarm.

Ye Xuan watched as the Qingyun Sect disciples fought Old Man Nian and the Blood Refining Hall at Dead Spirit Abyss. Old Man Nian triggered a trap that sent Zhang Xiaofan plunging into the abyss, leaving the others unable to save him.

• Ye Xuan followed the Qingyun Sect group under a Stealth Talisman as they reached the Dead Spirit Abyss stele and encountered Old Man Nian and Wild Dog Daoist.
• Qi Hao, Lu Xueqi, and Zeng Shushu attacked the Blood Refining Hall while Zhang Xiaofan fought one of its underlings with the Firewood Stick.
• Old Man Nian used a body-double technique to evade Qi Hao's Six Harmonies Mirror and moved behind Zhang Xiaofan.
• Old Man Nian opened a concealed pit beneath Zhang Xiaofan, and a Blood Refining Hall elder knocked aside Lu Xueqi's Sky Refiner Sword as she tried to save him.
• Zhang Xiaofan fell into the abyss and disappeared, while Qi Hao and Lu Xueqi were left unable to reach him.

Ye Xuan intervened after Old Man Nian sent Zhang Xiaofan into the Dead Spirit Abyss, killing the demonic cultivators and ordering the Qingyun Sect disciples to return. He leaped into the abyss to rescue Zhang Xiaofan.

• Old Man Nian knocked Zhang Xiaofan into the abyss and threatened the remaining Qingyun Sect disciples.
• Ye Xuan emerged from the shadows and beheaded Old Man Nian with a casual gesture.
• Ye Xuan killed Wild Dog Daoist and the other Blood Refining Hall demonic cultivators with invisible blasts of force.
• Ye Xuan told Qi Hao, Zeng Shushu, and Lu Xueqi to return to Qingyun Sect while he went after Zhang Xiaofan.
• Ye Xuan jumped into the abyss and promised to bring Zhang Xiaofan back.

Ye Xuan searched the Dead Spirit Abyss for Zhang Xiaofan, but found no trace of him and headed deeper into the darkness. At the Ruthless Sea, Bi Yao cared for the unconscious Zhang Xiaofan, who began to wake.

• Ye Xuan landed in the Dead Spirit Abyss and destroyed the attacking yin spirits with his Innate Dao Body's yang aura.
• Ye Xuan searched the surrounding area with his divine sense but could not find Zhang Xiaofan, so he set off to look for him.
• Bi Yao dragged the unconscious Zhang Xiaofan to the shore of the Ruthless Sea after becoming separated from You Ji during a bat attack.
• Bi Yao gave Zhang Xiaofan a medicinal pill and helped steady the chaotic energy in his body.
• Zhang Xiaofan stirred and opened his eyes, barely making out Bi Yao crouching beside him.

Bi Yao guided the injured Zhang Xiaofan through the Ruthless Sea while Ye Xuan searched for him and sensed a powerful creature stirring beneath the water. The Black Water Mysterious Snake emerged and was about to devour Bi Yao and Zhang Xiaofan when a golden sword strike hit its forehead.

• Zhang Xiaofan woke in the Ruthless Sea, recognized Bi Yao, and thanked her for treating his injuries.
• Bi Yao told Zhang Xiaofan to save his strength, and he followed her deeper through the rocks.
• Ye Xuan reached the edge of the Ruthless Sea, sensed a disturbance beneath it, and flew toward the source, believing Zhang Xiaofan was nearby.
• Bi Yao and Zhang Xiaofan tried to flee as the water rose, but a tsunami knocked them down and the Black Water Mysterious Snake emerged.
• The Black Water Mysterious Snake prepared to swallow Bi Yao and Zhang Xiaofan, but a golden sword strike suddenly slashed into its forehead.

Ye Xuan arrived in the Ruthless Sea and fought the Black Water Mysterious Snake to save Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao. After Zhang Xiaofan led Bi Yao away, Ye Xuan prepared to unleash his full strength against the beast.

• Ye Xuan struck the Black Water Mysterious Snake and rescued Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao from its jaws.
• Ye Xuan used the Chang Qing Sword to repel the snake's tail, then attacked the beast head-on.
• Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao watched Ye Xuan battle the snake, and Bi Yao warned that its endless stamina could give it the advantage.
• The snake released poisonous black mist, which Ye Xuan blocked with a Taiji diagram.
• Ye Xuan ordered Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao to leave, and Zhang Xiaofan dragged Bi Yao into the darkness.
• After they left, Ye Xuan felt free to unleash his full strength against the snake.

Ye Xuan fought the Black Water Mysterious Snake with Slay Ghosts and Gods and the Myriad Ancient Cauldron, but the beast survived and he retreated. Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao waited in hiding, uncertain of Ye Xuan’s fate.

• Ye Xuan wounded the Black Water Mysterious Snake with Slay Ghosts and Gods, but the enormous serpent quickly recovered and attacked again.
• Ye Xuan struck the snake’s head with the Myriad Ancient Cauldron, crushing it and sending it into the sea, but the beast remained alive.
• Low on spiritual power, Ye Xuan taunted the snake and escaped on the Chang Qing Sword.
• Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao hid in a rock crevice and listened to the distant battle fall silent.
• Bi Yao tried to reassure Zhang Xiaofan that Ye Xuan was strong enough to escape the Black Water Mysterious Snake.

Ye Xuan returned to the cavern after confronting the Black Water Mysterious Snake, saving Zhang Xiaofan from grief and surprising Bi Yao with his apparent strength. Zhang Xiaofan pleaded with Ye Xuan not to harm Bi Yao, while Ye Xuan concealed that he had nearly exhausted his spiritual energy.

• Bi Yao feared Ye Xuan had died fighting the Black Water Mysterious Snake, while Zhang Xiaofan tried to rush back to find his senior brother.
• Ye Xuan arrived on the Chang Qing Sword, his robes stained with the snake's blood, and revealed that he had survived.
• Zhang Xiaofan joyfully clung to Ye Xuan, who hid how depleted he was after the battle.
• Bi Yao recognized Ye Xuan's formidable strength and feared he would attack her as a member of the Ghost King Sect.
• Zhang Xiaofan stood between Ye Xuan and Bi Yao, explaining that she had saved him and helped him against the dead spirits.

Ye Xuan led Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao through the karst cave until they found the hidden entrance to the Blood Dripping Cave. There, he signed in and received the Earth Immortal-grade Heavenly Cycle Qi Cultivation Technique, leaving him stunned by its power.

• Ye Xuan told Zhang Xiaofan he would let Bi Yao's earlier actions go because she had saved someone from Great Bamboo Peak.
• Bi Yao noticed the unusual wind and hollow sound behind a rock, revealing a hidden passage.
• Ye Xuan kicked the boulder aside and exposed the entrance to the Blood Dripping Cave.
• Ye Xuan signed in at the cave and received the Heavenly Cycle Qi Cultivation Technique.
• Ye Xuan absorbed the technique's vast knowledge while Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao worried about his sudden reaction.

Ye Xuan entered the Blood Dripping Cave with Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao, secretly thrilled that the Heavenly Cycle Qi Cultivation Technique had begun restoring his spiritual power. Inside, he identified the cave as Old Man Black Heart’s lair and left his companions wondering at his knowledge and lofty ambitions.

• Ye Xuan suppressed his excitement as the Heavenly Cycle Qi Cultivation Technique drew in and purified spiritual energy, then led Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao into the cave.
• The group descended through the passage and found ancient writing carved into a stone wall.
• Zhang Xiaofan’s Firewood Stick warmed as the characters revealed the words, “Heaven and earth are not benevolent; they treat all things as straw dogs!”
• Ye Xuan identified the cave as the former lair of Old Man Black Heart, shocking Bi Yao with his knowledge.
• Ye Xuan declared that the righteous and demonic paths were trapped in mortal struggles and that true cultivation reached beyond this world, leaving Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao awed and unsettled.

Ye Xuan ordered Zhang Xiaofan to memorize the Heavenly Tome in the Blood Dripping Cave, then began cultivating an Earth Immortal-level technique that rapidly destroyed his existing true essence. As Ye Xuan’s aura plunged, Bi Yao chose not to attack him and watched to see what would happen.

• Ye Xuan identified the writing on the cave wall as the Heavenly Tome and ordered Zhang Xiaofan to memorize it.
• Bi Yao recognized the writing as the Holy Cult’s legendary scripture and grew wary of Ye Xuan’s motives.
• Ye Xuan told Zhang Xiaofan that the cultivation paths led to the same destination, then urged him to keep memorizing the text.
• Ye Xuan began cultivating the Heavenly Cycle Qi Cultivation Technique, which tore apart his Tai Chi Xuan Qing Dao true essence.
• Bi Yao sensed Ye Xuan’s cultivation weakening rapidly and suspected he was going into qi deviation.
• Bi Yao refrained from attacking Ye Xuan, deciding she wanted to see what his cultivation would lead to.