Chapter Summaries

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.

Ye Xuan transformed his True Essence into Magic Power and advanced through the Primordial cultivation stages while meditating in the Blood Dripping Cave. He emerged at Qi Transformation to Spirit, Mid-Stage, and prepared to leave, convinced he could now challenge the Ghost King.

• Ye Xuan refined his True Essence into Magic Power, dropping below the First Layer of the Yuqing Realm before advancing to Refining Essence into Qi, Peak.
• Ye Xuan's breakthrough released a terrifying pressure that knocked Zhang Xiaofan down and forced Bi Yao to brace herself with her Heartbreak Flower.
• Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao waited as Ye Xuan meditated for two days, while Bi Yao struggled to focus on the Heavenly Tome.
• Ye Xuan awoke at Qi Transformation to Spirit, Mid-Stage, and assessed how his Magic Power and strengthened body surpassed his former abilities.
• Ye Xuan declared himself ready to face the Ghost King, reassured Zhang Xiaofan, and told him and Bi Yao it was time to leave.

Ye Xuan, Zhang Xiaofan, and Bi Yao escaped the Blood Dripping Cave, where the Ghost King had been watching. After Ye Xuan and Zhang Xiaofan departed, Bi Yao reunited with her father and showed him the Heavenly Tome; the Ghost King recognized Ye Xuan’s extraordinary mastery and feared what the Qingyun Sect had produced.

• Ye Xuan discovered the hidden passage by lowering the battle-axe statue’s handle, and he led Bi Yao and Zhang Xiaofan out of the Blood Dripping Cave.
• Ye Xuan sensed the concealed Ghost King nearby but left without confronting him, then departed with Zhang Xiaofan while Bi Yao called out for Zhang Xiaofan not to die.
• The Ghost King appeared to Bi Yao, welcomed her back, and learned that she had found the Heavenly Tome and the Joyful Union Bell inside the cave.
• Bi Yao told the Ghost King that Ye Xuan had seemed powerful inside the cave but ordinary outside, and the Ghost King explained that Ye Xuan had perfectly concealed his strength.
• The Ghost King demonstrated Ye Xuan’s control by turning a boulder to powder with a light touch and concluded that the Qingyun Sect had produced a monster.

After escaping Kongsang Mountain, Ye Xuan eased Zhang Xiaofan’s worries about the girl from the demonic sect and planned to sign in at Flowing Wave Mountain, where the righteous and demonic factions were about to clash. At Yuelai Inn, Ye Xuan and Zhang Xiaofan sat down to eat as a nearby conversation caught their attention.

• While flying from Kongsang Mountain, Zhang Xiaofan asked Ye Xuan whether he would have to fight the girl in green if they met again.
• Ye Xuan told Zhang Xiaofan that a person’s actions, not their sect, determined whether they were good or evil, and Zhang Xiaofan accepted that the girl was his friend.
• In Liuyun Town, Ye Xuan checked his system and saw that Flowing Wave Mountain was his next sign-in location, then decided to make a grand entrance at the coming battle.
• Ye Xuan and Zhang Xiaofan went to Yuelai Inn for a meal, where they overheard two armed men speaking at the next table.

After hearing that the righteous and demonic factions were gathering at Flowing Wave Mountain, Zhang Xiaofan insisted on going to help Tian Buyi and Tian Ling'er, and Ye Xuan agreed to take him. They reached the island after three days of flight, with a storm gathering overhead.

• At an inn, Zhang Xiaofan overheard that Qingyun Sect and Tianyin Temple had sent experts to confront the Demon Cult at Flowing Wave Mountain and feared for Tian Buyi and Tian Ling'er.
• Zhang Xiaofan resolved to go help his master, so Ye Xuan paid the bill, gave him the leftover roast chicken, and set off with him.
• Ye Xuan steered them away from Black Stone Cave and advised Zhang Xiaofan to avoid distractions and focus on reaching Flowing Wave Mountain.
• Ye Xuan used a Divine Speed Talisman to accelerate Zhang Xiaofan, and they completed a journey of seven or eight days in three.
• On the evening of the third day, Ye Xuan and Zhang Xiaofan reached the East Sea and saw Flowing Wave Mountain beneath dark clouds and dancing lightning.

Ye Xuan and Zhang Xiaofan reached Flowing Wave Mountain, where Ye Xuan received a rare Dao-comprehension opportunity from the system. As they searched for the righteous cultivators, five Demon Cult fiends ambushed them, and Ye Xuan prepared to fight.

• Ye Xuan arrived at Flowing Wave Mountain with Zhang Xiaofan and signed in, earning one opportunity to comprehend the Dao.
• Ye Xuan saved the reward for later and warned Zhang Xiaofan to stay close and trust only people from Great Bamboo Peak.
• Ye Xuan and Zhang Xiaofan followed the strongest righteous-cultivator auras through the rocky mountain paths and into thick fog.
• Ye Xuan spotted five Demon Cult fiends hiding behind a skull-shaped rock and called them out.
• The fiends mocked Zhang Xiaofan's Firewood Stick and discussed using both disciples for their evil treasures, while Ye Xuan shifted into a cold, battle-ready stance.

Ye Xuan killed four demonic cult lackeys on Flowing Wave Mountain and made Zhang Xiaofan face their one-eyed leader. Zhang Xiaofan killed the man with the Firewood Stick, then broke down over taking a life as Ye Xuan comforted him.

• Ye Xuan killed four demonic cult lackeys with the Chang Qing Sword and told Zhang Xiaofan to fight their one-eyed leader.
• The one-eyed man attacked Zhang Xiaofan, whose Firewood Stick blocked the ghost-headed saber and began draining the man's blood.
• Zhang Xiaofan snapped the saber, struck the one-eyed man down, and killed him despite his pleas for mercy.
• Zhang Xiaofan retched in horror after killing for the first time, and Ye Xuan patted his back and soothed his qi and blood with spiritual energy.

Ye Xuan brought Zhang Xiaofan back from Flowing Wave Mountain to the righteous sects' encampment after Zhang had killed someone and struggled through the rain. Zhang reached Great Bamboo Peak's camp and was reunited with his fellow disciples, leaving them rushing out to welcome him.

• Ye Xuan waited while Zhang Xiaofan recovered from killing his opponent, then led him toward the encampment as Zhang pressed on despite his exhaustion.
• Qi Hao and the Qingyun Sect patrol recognized Ye Xuan and Zhang Xiaofan, and Qi Hao welcomed them back and offered to guide them to Great Bamboo Peak's camp.
• Qi Hao told Ye Xuan that Martial Uncle Tian and Martial Uncle Su were at the camp, and the two returned disciples passed curious onlookers from other sects.
• Zhang Xiaofan heard Song Daren and Du Bishu bickering inside the camp and called out to them in tears.
• Song Daren, Wu Dayi, Zheng Dali, He Dazhi, Lu Daxin, and Du Bishu rushed out to greet Zhang Xiaofan.

After returning to Great Bamboo Peak with Zhang Xiaofan, Ye Xuan reassured Tian Buyi about their escape from Dead Spirit Abyss. Tian Buyi discovered that Ye Xuan’s cultivation appeared to have fallen, but Ye Xuan explained to himself that his power had been compressed and transformed rather than weakened.

• Song Daren, Tian Ling'er, and the other Great Bamboo Peak disciples welcomed Zhang Xiaofan and Ye Xuan back to camp.
• Tian Buyi and Su Ru greeted the pair, and Su Ru thanked Ye Xuan for bringing Zhang Xiaofan home.
• Tian Buyi took Ye Xuan aside and asked how he and Zhang Xiaofan had escaped the Black Water Mysterious Snake.
• Ye Xuan explained what happened in Dead Spirit Abyss but withheld the Blood Dripping Cave and Bi Yao.
• Tian Buyi examined Ye Xuan and panicked when his aura seemed to have dropped from the seventh layer of Shangqing Realm to the fourth.
• Ye Xuan told Tian Buyi not to worry, knowing his cultivation had compressed into far more potent power rather than declined.

Ye Xuan reassured Tian Buyi that he would explain his mysterious cultivation after they returned to Great Bamboo Peak, while tensions mounted on Flowing Wave Mountain. At a secret demonic gathering, the Ghost King exposed the rogue cultivator Xiao Zhou as Qingyun Sect’s Xiao Yicai, who drew the Seven Stars Sword and prepared to fight for a chance to attract the orthodox elders.

• Ye Xuan promised Tian Buyi a full explanation at Great Bamboo Peak, and Tian Buyi agreed to wait until they returned.
• Clashes continued across Flowing Wave Mountain as Ye Xuan coached Zhang Xiaofan, teased Lin Jingyu, and secretly compressed his spiritual energy.
• The Ghost King gathered demonic sect leaders and disciples in a ravine to discuss capturing the approaching Kui Niu.
• Xiao Zhou warned that the orthodox sects could interfere with the plan, and the Ghost King revealed that he was actually Xiao Yicai of Qingyun Sect.
• Xiao Yicai dropped his disguise, revealed his ninth-level Yuqing cultivation, drew the Seven Stars Sword, and prepared to fight the Ghost King to summon the orthodox elders.

Ghost King defeated Xiao Yicai, but Cangsong and the other orthodox sects arrived and a battle erupted. Ye Xuan faced You Ji, the Vermilion Bird Saint Envoy, and stopped her powerful attack with one finger, leaving her stunned.

• Ghost King shattered Xiao Yicai's sword strike, wounded him, and ordered the Demonic Cult Members to seize him.
• Cangsong arrived and challenged Ghost King, then Tian Buyi, Master Shuiyue, and their disciples joined the battle.
• Tian Buyi fought White Tiger, Cangsong battled Ghost King, and Master Shuiyue led the disciples against the Demonic Cult Members.
• You Ji noticed Ye Xuan standing calmly on the battlefield and confronted him after he tried to persuade her to attack elsewhere.
• You Ji launched the Vermilion Bird Seal at Ye Xuan, who stopped it in midair with one finger.

Ye Xuan effortlessly repelled You Ji’s Vermilion Bird Seal while Qingyun Sect’s leaders fought the demonic sect’s Saint Envoys and Ghost King. The battle remained unresolved as Ghost King noticed Ye Xuan’s overwhelming strength.

• You Ji unleashed the Vermilion Bird Divine Fire, but Ye Xuan flicked it away and sent the Vermilion Bird Seal flying back into her, knocking her across the battlefield.
• Ye Xuan claimed he was only Seventh of Great Bamboo Peak and had gotten lucky, leaving You Ji stunned by the gap between their strength.
• Tian Buyi drove White Tiger back with the Crimson Flame Immortal Sword and sensed Ye Xuan’s immense spiritual power.
• Master Shuiyue and Black Tortoise remained locked in a stalemate, unable to break through each other’s defenses.
• Daoist Cangsong struggled to land a blow on Ghost King, who dissolved his attacks while observing the battlefield and reacting with astonishment to Ye Xuan’s display.

The Qingyun Sect routed the Demon Cult forces at Flowing Wave Mountain after Ye Xuan defeated You Ji and helped turn the battle in their favor. The Ghost King ordered a retreat, and the sect prepared to return to camp.

• Lin Jingyu, Lu Xueqi, Zhang Xiaofan, and the Great Bamboo Peak disciples cut through the Demon Cult ranks.
• The Ghost King struck Cang Song with a powerful blood-red hand, then ordered the Demon Cult forces to retreat.
• White Tiger and Black Tortoise escaped, while You Ji withdrew after looking back at Ye Xuan, who invited her to visit Great Bamboo Peak for roast wild boar.
• The Qingyun Sect disciples celebrated their victory, and Lin Jingyu admired Ye Xuan's strength.
• Tian Buyi checked on Tian Ling'er, teased Ye Xuan about nearly driving You Ji into qi deviation, and warned him about the Vermilion Bird Seal.
• Cang Song confirmed Ye Xuan was unharmed and told everyone to return to camp.

Ye Xuan and the Qingyun Sect learned that the Demon Cult planned to capture the Kui Niu, while the Ghost King revealed he had deliberately leaked the information to draw them into a blood sacrifice. As the mountain grew ominously tense, an ancient presence began rising from the sea.

• Ye Xuan teased Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan after his powerful move, while Xiao Yicai looked overshadowed by him.
• Xiao Yicai told Daoist Cangsong, Tian Buyi, and Master Shuiyue that the Ghost King Sect had gathered other Demon Cult factions to capture the Kui Niu on Flowing Wave Mountain.
• Ye Xuan urged the Qingyun Sect to disrupt the Demon Cult's plans, and the leaders agreed they could not let the enemy succeed.
• The Ghost King admitted to Azure Dragon and You Ji that he had deliberately let Xiao Yicai learn about the Kui Niu so the Qingyun Sect would come, and said everyone on the mountain would be sacrificed.
• Ye Xuan spent the following days advising Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan, then sensed an ancient presence rise from the sea and said it had arrived.

The Qingyun Sect and the Ghost King Sect clashed at Flowing Wave Mountain as the Ghost King used the Dragon Subduing Cauldron to subdue Kui Niu. Ye Xuan overwhelmed White Tiger and reached the cauldron’s blood barrier while the Ghost King remained focused on the ritual.

• The Ghost King raised the Kunlong Que formation and used the Dragon Subduing Cauldron to suppress Kui Niu, prompting the Qingyun Sect to attack.
• Tian Buyi fought You Ji while Daoist Cangsong battled Azure Dragon, and the two sects’ forces clashed above the sea.
• Du Bishu cleared Demon Cult disciples from Ye Xuan’s path as Ye Xuan advanced toward the Ghost King.
• Ye Xuan caught White Tiger’s saber between two fingers and pierced White Tiger’s chest with one sword strike.
• Azure Dragon sensed Ye Xuan’s approach and tried to aid the Ghost King, but Tian Buyi held him back as Ye Xuan reached the cauldron’s blood-colored barrier.

Ye Xuan shattered the Ghost King's attempt to capture Kui Niu with a single sword strike, forcing the Demon Cult to retreat and drawing the Ghost King's attention. Afterward, Ye Xuan reunited with his fellow disciples and turned to seasoning their campfire seafood.

• Ye Xuan struck the Dragon Subduing Cauldron with the Chang Qing Sword, breaking the Ghost King's hold over Kui Niu and freeing the divine beast.
• The Ghost King ordered the Demon Cult to retreat as the righteous sects gathered, while Daoist Cangsong and Tian Buyi watched Ye Xuan's display with shock and pride.
• Ye Xuan's junior brothers praised his sword strike, and he shrugged off their admiration to ask about food.
• You Ji watched Ye Xuan from behind a reef and decided he would become the Holy Cult's greatest enemy.
• The Ghost King ordered Azure Dragon to investigate Ye Xuan and summon the Poison God, then brooded over the damage to the Four Spirit Blood Formation.
• Ye Xuan criticized Du Bishu's tough roasted lobster and added his own seasonings to the seafood.