Arc 7Blood Pools and Ascensions

Xiang Yuan survived the crimson medicinal pool, defeated Piniwen, and helped Master Bai Yue prepare for her ascension while pursuing new cultivation and allies. After confronting the Five Poisons Cult’s pill scheme and breaking through to the Connate Realm, he returned to Yulin Academy as Sima Qingyan prepared to challenge him again.

  • Xiang Yuan survived the crimson pool by absorbing its power, saved Chan’er with his blood, and traveled to Shaolin Temple to witness Abbot Liaochen’s ascension.
  • Xiang Yuan exposed and killed Piniwen, absorbed the demonic qi afflicting Shaolin and its guests, then razed the Unending Demon Cult before reaching Mount Emei.
  • Xiang Yuan promised to help Master Bai Yue ascend, destroyed the Earth Demon Sect and Nafan Demon Cult, and returned to Song Family Village, where Xiao Lingyue and Chan’er arrived badly wounded.
  • Xiang Yuan treated Xiao Lingyue and Chan’er, learned they had fought demons in the Heavenly Demon Realm, and took them east with him to seek Kang Kuangshi.
  • Xiang Yuan met Kang Kuangshi at Yin Mountain, learned they were connected through another world, and received instruction in saber and sword techniques before Chan’er sent him to retrieve a great medicine.
  • Xiang Yuan infiltrated a Five Poisons Cult caravan and discovered that Shi Chengshan was refining an immortal pill beneath Little Sesame Mountain, where Wang Hu sacrificed Li Banshan and Shi Chengshan to the medicinal pool.
  • Xiang Yuan broke through to the Connate Realm, defeated Wang Hu, killed Shi Chengshan’s Primordial Spirit, and absorbed the pool’s remaining medicinal power while Chan’er guarded him.
  • Xiang Yuan trained, gave blood medicine to Master Bai Yue and Ji Muqing, and agreed to attend Bai Yue’s ascension ceremony, after returning to Yulin Academy, he learned Xu Jixian had entered seclusion and Sima Qingyan planned another challenge.
Chapters 152–176 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 152What's Going On? Why Does Everything Collapse Wherever I Go?

Xiang Yuan cultivated in a blood-red medicinal pool while Chan'er guarded him, until Changchun Ming and the Xue brothers arrived seeking treasure and triggered a fight with Chan'er. The cavern collapsed and dragged them into a deeper chamber, where Xiang Yuan fell into a mysterious, scorching blood pool.

  • Xiang Yuan used the medicinal pool to strengthen his body with the Formless Seal Method while Chan'er replenished its heat and cultivated nearby.
  • Changchun Ming led Xue Wenlong and Xue Wenjiao to the cave, hoping to seize the opportunity they believed Xiang Yuan had found.
  • Chan'er attacked the three intruders with moonlight, and they joined forces against her using the force of heaven and earth.
  • Xiang Yuan dodged falling rocks as the battle’s shock waves wrecked the cavern and the blood pool’s suction pulled everyone downward.
  • Xiang Yuan fell into a deep crimson pool, where scorching bloodwater flooded his mouth and threatened to kill him.

Ch. 153Now I've Really Become Tang Monk's Flesh

Xiang Yuan survived the Blood Sea Furnace by absorbing the blood pool’s medicinal power, then saved Chan’er by sharing his blood and helping her body recover. The two remained trapped in the pool, cultivating together as Chan’er asked why he had survived and he mistook her question for one about his romantic feelings.

  • Xiang Yuan endured the blood pool’s destructive heat and used the Formless Seal Method and the medicine within him to absorb its power, rebuilding and strengthening his body.
  • Chan’er and the three Five Poisons Cult experts fell into the pool, where the experts’ Gang Qi failed and they dissolved in the bloodwater.
  • Chan’er’s protection failed, and as her body began to dissolve, Xiang Yuan surfaced and fed her his blood, stabilizing her flesh and restoring her body-tempering cultivation.
  • Chan’er regained consciousness and struggled against Xiang Yuan, who kept feeding her blood so she would not dissolve again.
  • Chan’er began drawing blood from Xiang Yuan’s shoulder while they cultivated together, then asked why he had survived, and he replied that he had someone he liked.

Ch. 154The Sky Three Feet Higher, Li Xianyuan, Slaying Demons and Exorcising Devils, Xiang Wentian

Chan'er and Xiang Yuan escaped the blood pool, and Xiang Yuan’s rapid cultivation continued as they returned to the Dragon-Subduing Realm. After learning that Abbot Liaochen was preparing to ascend, Xiang Yuan set out for Shaolin Temple, planning to meet Master Bai Yue along the way.

  • Chan'er built Xiang Yuan a platform above the blood pool, and Xiang Yuan recovered Martial Uncle Lingguang’s compass despite Chan'er’s warning that its Five Poisons Cult owner might track it.
  • Chan'er took Xiang Yuan away from the manor, and they traveled back toward the northern reaches of the Southern Border while Xiang Yuan opened more than two hundred acupoints.
  • Chan'er told Xiang Yuan to leave with Senior Zombie, and Xiang Yuan secretly entered the Dragon-Subduing Realm through Jambu Gate at Song Family Village.
  • Xiang Yuan learned that Abbot Liaochen and Purple Void True Person had killed Piniwen, and that Abbot Liaochen would soon ascend after breaking through his final bottleneck.
  • Xiang Yuan decided to travel to Shaolin Temple to witness Abbot Liaochen’s ascension, seek instruction in Wudang Sect’s body-protecting Gang Qi, and catch up with Master Bai Yue.

Ch. 155Heh, Trash

Ji Muqing was rescued from the Unending Demon Cult by Xiang Yuan, who revealed that he was still alive after Slaughter Mountain. She could not tell him where Master Bai Yue was, so they set out to search for clues to her whereabouts.

  • Exhausted and injured, Ji Muqing was cornered by an Unending Demon Cult Dharma King, who demanded Master Bai Yue's location.
  • Xiang Yuan secretly empowered Ji Muqing, then struck down the Dharma King and ordered Senior Jiang to deal with the other devils.
  • Xiang Yuan revealed his identity to Ji Muqing, who was relieved to learn he had survived Slaughter Mountain.
  • Xiang Yuan gave Ji Muqing Forget-Soul Powder and asked where Master Bai Yue was, but Ji Muqing explained that they had been separated during attacks near Shaolin Temple.
  • After recovering with Lesser Restoration pills, Ji Muqing retraced her steps with Xiang Yuan to search for clues left by Master Bai Yue.

Ch. 156Nun, I'm coming in!

Xiang Yuan and Ji Muqing followed signal smoke to a gorge, where Master Bai Yue was trapped by the Unending Demon Cult and drugged with Forget-Soul Powder. Xiang Yuan killed Dharma King Wafei, forced the surviving demons to submit, and slaughtered them before approaching Master Bai Yue behind the waterfall.

  • Ji Muqing spotted red signal smoke, and Xiang Yuan took her with him to investigate.
  • Xiang Yuan found Master Bai Yue trapped behind a waterfall while the Dharma Kings of the Unending Demon Cult waited for the Forget-Soul Powder to take effect.
  • Xiang Yuan posed as Mo Luo and asked the three Dharma Kings to support his bid to become Cult Leader.
  • Xiang Yuan killed Wafei with a single saber strike, and Sheboti and Longma knelt and declared him Cult Leader.
  • Xiang Yuan unleashed his murderous aura and killed the gathered demons, then walked up to the waterfall and announced he was coming in.

Ch. 157Does the Nun Wish to Share My Pillow Tonight?

Xiang Yuan rescued Master Bai Yue from the Water-Curtain Cave, traveled with her and Ji Muqing toward Shaolin Temple, and entered the monastery under a concealed Emei identity. After seeing Shaolin’s memorial steles, he resolved to visit the Earth Demon Sect and the Nafan Demon Cult for battle experience.

  • Xiang Yuan gave Master Bai Yue the antidote to the Forget-Soul Powder, carried her out of the cave, and helped her recover in Orchid Lotus County.
  • After three days, Master Bai Yue had recovered and agreed to take Xiang Yuan into Shaolin Temple as her junior brother under a nominal Emei identity.
  • Xiang Yuan asked Master Bai Yue for guidance on projecting true qi and protective Gang Qi as they traveled to Great Vow Mountain.
  • Xiang Yuan, Master Bai Yue, and Ji Muqing entered Shaolin Temple and passed the forest of steles commemorating monks who had died fighting the Devil Race.
  • Xiang Yuan resolved to visit the Earth Demon Sect and the Nafan Demon Cult after Mount Emei to find opponents who could help him test his cultivation.

Ch. 158With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

At Shaolin Temple, Xiang Yuan introduced himself to the martial world as Zhao Haoran and spun a tale about learning Wudang techniques from a traveling Daoist. His demonstrations stunned Purple Void True Person, who claimed to be the Daoist and tried to reclaim him as a disciple, while Master Bai Yue insisted Xiang Yuan would return to Mount Emei.

  • Master Bai Yue brought Xiang Yuan to Shaolin Temple, where she introduced him to the visiting martial-world leaders as Zhao Haoran, her junior brother.
  • Xiang Yuan told Purple Void True Person that a Wudang Daoist had taught him martial arts when he was young, then demonstrated Wudang swordsmanship and a sword style from Sword Heart Studio.
  • Purple Void True Person recognized Xiang Yuan’s Thirty-Six Acupoint-Striking Hands and claimed that he had taught Xiang Yuan in disguise.
  • Purple Void True Person invited Xiang Yuan to return with him to Wudang Mountain, but Master Bai Yue declared that Xiang Yuan had joined Mount Emei and would return there with her.

Ch. 159Where Did the Ascension Channel Go

Xiang Yuan watched Shaolin Abbot Liaochen’s supposed ascension after spending several days refining his protective Gang Qi. The ascension passage never appeared; instead, demonic aura overwhelmed the gathered martial artists, and Liaochen revealed himself as the Unending Demon Cult’s cult leader, Piniwen.

  • Purple Void True Person tried to recruit Xiang Yuan to Wudang and taught him its method for refining protective Gang Qi.
  • Xiang Yuan spent the night and following days shaping his Gang Qi while sharing a room with Master Bai Yue and Ji Muqing.
  • Master Bai Yue reminded Xiang Yuan that he had come to witness the abbot’s ascension, and he joined the group traveling to Shaolin Temple’s rear mountain.
  • Liaochen meditated until sunset, then announced that the auspicious hour for his ascension had arrived, but no passage appeared.
  • Demonic aura afflicted the spectators and Shaolin monks, while Liaochen transformed into the blue-haired, horned Piniwen.

Ch. 160Refusing the Toast, Choosing the Liqueur; Refusing the Feed, Choosing the Seasoning

Piniwen revealed that he had killed Liaochen, infiltrated Shaolin Temple, and poisoned the gathered Human Race experts with demonic qi. As Piniwen moved to attack Master Bai Yue, an unknown person seized his sword and challenged him.

  • Piniwen explained how he used the Heavenly Demon Mind-Disordering Art to make Purple Void True Person believe Liaochen had killed him and to infiltrate Shaolin Temple.
  • Piniwen revealed that he had poisoned Great Vow Mountain and immobilized the Human Race experts with demonic qi.
  • Xiang Yuan resisted the demonic qi and held back while Purple Void True Person attacked Piniwen, but Piniwen easily defeated him.
  • Piniwen offered to stabilize the experts' demonic qi if they submitted, then threatened to cut out their hearts and livers when none agreed.
  • Piniwen chose Master Bai Yue as his first victim and swung his sword at her, but an unknown person caught the blade and challenged him.

Ch. 161Like You, I Am Also a Demon

Xiang Yuan revealed his demonic power, defeated and killed Piniwen, and recovered four Heavenly Devil Relics. He then approached Master Bai Yue to remove the demonic qi afflicting her, though she asked how he would do it.

  • Xiang Yuan seized Piniwen's sword, resisted the demonic qi, and claimed he was Mo Luo, spinning a story about infiltrating the Heavenly Demon Sect and killing Elder Heavenly Serpent.
  • Xiang Yuan transformed into several figures and revealed that he had killed the four Dharma Kings, leaving Piniwen and the gathered experts stunned.
  • Xiang Yuan revealed his true identity as Li Xianyuan, transformed into a terrifying devil-like form, and challenged Piniwen to fight away from the gathering.
  • Xiang Yuan's Cold Blood persona struck Piniwen down with Lone Star Chasing Moon, then stomped him dead when he tried to crawl away.
  • Xiang Yuan found four Heavenly Devil Relics in Piniwen's pouch and went to Master Bai Yue, who asked whether her poison could be cured and how he would draw out the demonic qi.

Ch. 162This Matter Cannot Be Let Go!

Xiang Yuan rescued Shaolin’s monks from devilish qi, forced his way into the Scripture Repository, and beat up the martial-world figures who had slandered Bai Yue. He then destroyed the Unending Demon Cult and traveled to Mount Emei, where he arrived before Bai Yue and Ji Muqing.

  • Xiang Yuan absorbed the devilish qi afflicting Bai Yue, Ji Muqing, the human experts, and Shaolin’s monks, then cleared the qi from the entire temple.
  • Xiang Yuan persuaded Liao Yuan to let him read Shaolin’s scriptures and martial arts manuals in exchange for saving the monks.
  • After Ji Muqing explained that Bai Yue was angry over people slandering Xiang Yuan, Xiang Yuan went out and beat the accusers, including Purple Void True Person.
  • The next day, Xiang Yuan parted from Bai Yue and Ji Muqing and rode toward the Unending Demon Cult’s headquarters.
  • Xiang Yuan razed the Unending Demon Cult, and survivors later spread news of the slaughter.
  • Xiang Yuan reached Mount Emei before Bai Yue and Ji Muqing, entered Pure Moon Chan Heart Academy, and wondered why they had encountered another familiar crisis.

Ch. 163My Combat Power is 530,000

Xiang Yuan searched Mount Emei’s Scripture Repositories and encountered the mysterious Headmaster Jingyun, whose strength and perception unsettled him. After Master Bai Yue and Ji Muqing arrived, Bai Yue formally brought Xiang Yuan to pay respects to Guanyin and told him to accompany her to visit Headmaster Jingyun.

  • Xiang Yuan left Pure Moon Chan Heart Academy and searched nearby peaks before sneaking into Golden Summit Chan Monastery’s Scripture Repository to find a method for condensing protective Gang Qi.
  • Headmaster Jingyun entered the repository, noticed Xiang Yuan’s presence, and left after telling him to straighten the shelves; Xiang Yuan wondered whether she was hiding immense power or suppressing a great devil.
  • Two days later, Master Bai Yue and Ji Muqing arrived at Pure Moon Chan Heart Academy and found Xiang Yuan surrounded by attentive female disciples.
  • Master Bai Yue led Xiang Yuan to the rear hall, where they paid respects before Guanyin Bodhisattva, then voiced concern that his many killings might lead him toward demonic ways.
  • Master Bai Yue asked Xiang Yuan to accompany her to visit Headmaster Jingyun and pleaded with him not to provoke the revered senior.

Ch. 164Lu Bu and Xiang Yuan, Half a Lifetime Adrift

Xiang Yuan met Headmaster Jingyun, who agreed to accept him as a disciple if he helped Master Bai Yue ascend. He began replenishing Master Bai Yue’s cultivation, though she mistook his intentions and feared he was drugging her with Forget-Soul Powder.

  • Master Bai Yue brought Xiang Yuan to meet Headmaster Jingyun and explained how he had joined Pure Moon Chan Heart Academy.
  • Headmaster Jingyun said Xiang Yuan had extraordinary origins and promised to take him as a disciple if he helped Master Bai Yue ascend.
  • On the way back, Xiang Yuan revealed that Li Xianyuan was an alias and told Master Bai Yue he would help her ascend.
  • Xiang Yuan tried to arrange a secret nighttime lesson, but Master Bai Yue misunderstood his invitation and did not come.
  • Xiang Yuan brought Master Bai Yue to her room and gave her a medicinal dose, which she mistook for Forget-Soul Powder as he sat beside her and played a wooden fish.

Ch. 165The White Dragon and the White Tortoise, You Two Actually Team Up?

Xiang Yuan helped Master Bai Yue advance toward ascension, then completed his campaign against the remaining demon cults and returned to the Dry Abyss Realm. After resuming cultivation, he caught the badly wounded Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er as they emerged from Jambu Gate and opened it again to seek a place where they could recover.

  • Xiang Yuan teased Master Bai Yue until she admitted her misunderstanding, then gave her blood medicine and told her to pass more to Mu Qing.
  • Xiang Yuan and Cold Blood destroyed the Earth Demon Sect and Nafan Demon Cult, completing Xiang Yuan’s goals in the Dragon-Subduing Realm.
  • Xiang Yuan returned to Song Family Village after forty days away, reviewed his gains, and cultivated until he opened more than twenty acupoints.
  • Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er emerged from Jambu Gate covered in blood, and Xiao Lingyue collapsed into Xiang Yuan’s arms.
  • Xiang Yuan gave Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er great restoration pills and opened Jambu Gate to take them to the Unborn Realm.

Ch. 166Junior Brother, You Smell So Good

Xiang Yuan treated Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er after they were badly wounded in the Unborn Realm, then learned that Xiao Lingyue trusted Chan'er’s claim to be a Silver Moon Palace disciple despite his suspicions that she was the Yellow Springs Dao Holy Maiden. The chapter ended with Xiao Lingyue still drawn to Xiang Yuan’s medicinal blood and Xiang Yuan spotting a new way to tease her.

  • Xiang Yuan brought Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er to a private residence, treated their wounds, and removed the poisonous true qi lingering in their bodies.
  • Five nights later, Xiao Lingyue woke and thanked Xiang Yuan for caring for her while she recovered.
  • Xiang Yuan gave Xiao Lingyue his blood to replenish her strength and claimed his unusual physique refined heavenly treasures into potent medicine.
  • Xiao Lingyue explained that Chan'er’s cultivation came from Silver Moon Palace, while Xiang Yuan suspected she had tricked Xiao Lingyue into revealing information about Jambu Gate.
  • Xiang Yuan argued that Chan'er was the Yellow Springs Dao Holy Maiden, but Xiao Lingyue refused to wager against her identity as a Silver Moon Palace disciple.
  • Xiang Yuan noticed Xiao Lingyue's gaze following his moving finger and imagined using it to tease her.

Ch. 167I Originally Quite Liked Senior Sister White Dragon

Xiao Lingyue told Xiang Yuan how she and Chan'er had survived the perilous Heavenly Demon Realm and recovered under his care. As the two women healed, Chan'er grew jealous of Xiao Lingyue’s closeness with Xiang Yuan, though the sisters appeared to get along; Xiang Yuan worried Chan'er might try to steal him away.

  • Xiao Lingyue revealed that she had reached Spirit Transformation and explained that she and Chan'er had entered the Heavenly Demon Realm, fought its demons, and returned with the relic after opening Jambu Gate.
  • Xiang Yuan learned that Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er had been badly injured, treated them, and teased Xiao Lingyue while tending to her wounds.
  • Chan'er awoke and saw Xiang Yuan caring for Xiao Lingyue, then pretended to be asleep while he changed her medicine and grew jealous of their closeness.
  • Twenty days later, Xiao Lingyue dressed Chan'er's hair and praised her while Chan'er inwardly resented her and feared losing Xiang Yuan.
  • Xiang Yuan watched Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er act like close sisters and worried that Chan'er might eventually take his place beside Xiao Lingyue.

Ch. 168Bitter Wine Burns the Throat, the Heart Aches; What Use is Being Number One in the World?

Xiang Yuan traveled with Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er to Yin Mountain to investigate Kang Kuangshi, only to discover that Kang had already killed the Ghost King of Yin Mountain. The chapter left Xiang Yuan facing Kang as he mourned his friend Chu Yuanrong beside the grave he had just buried.

  • Xiang Yuan took Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er on a journey toward the eastern border, detouring to Yin Mountain to challenge the Ghost King and later seek Kang Kuangshi.
  • At Yin Mountain, Blackhearted Ghost attacked the group, but Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er suppressed his power while Xiang Yuan cut him down.
  • Blackhearted Ghost revealed that Kang Kuangshi had killed the Ghost King of Yin Mountain and was still on the mountain.
  • Xiang Yuan reached Blazing Sun Peak and found Kang Kuangshi burying Chu Yuanrong beside the Ghost King's severed head.
  • Kang Kuangshi mourned Chu Yuanrong and drank to his friend, lamenting the bitterness of being number one under heaven.

Ch. 169Erlang the Sage True Lord: You Dare Claim the Name "Er"?

Kang Kuangshi mourned Chu Yuanrong while drinking, then recognized Xiang Yuan as someone familiar from another world despite being unable to explain why. He joined Xiang Yuan, Xiao Lingyue, and Chan'er on their journey, and the chapter ended with Kang Kuangshi pulling Xiang Yuan aside to discuss his “true self.”

  • Kang Kuangshi drank wine beside Chu Yuanrong's grave and asked Xiang Yuan for more, while Xiang Yuan and the women debated whether Kang was truly a villain.
  • Kang Kuangshi noticed Xiang Yuan's group had unusual auras, admitted he could not claim to be number one under heaven, and said he felt he knew Xiang Yuan from another world.
  • Kang Kuangshi fell asleep to contact someone, then returned to say he had been unable to reach them, prompting Xiang Yuan, Xiao Lingyue, and Chan'er to leave Yin Mountain.
  • Kang Kuangshi chased after the group and became their carriage driver as Xiang Yuan and the women rode away from Yin Mountain.
  • Kang Kuangshi interrupted the awkward carriage ride, told Xiang Yuan that Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er were outsiders, and wrote “True self!” in Xiang Yuan's palm.
  • Xiang Yuan rushed off with Kang Kuangshi, leaving Xiao Lingyue and Chan'er behind as they tried unsuccessfully to decipher the pair's writing.

Ch. 170How Could the True Heart Dao Have Bad People

Xiang Yuan learned that Ji Boli was his senior brother in True Heart Dao, then trained with Kang Kuangshi and returned to the Dry Abyss Realm. Chan'er took him into the Southern Border and ordered him to retrieve a cultivation-enhancing medicine from a Five Poisons Cult sacrificial ground.

  • Kang Kuangshi told Xiang Yuan that Ji Boli, whose Daoist title was Clear Insight, was his senior brother and asked Xiang Yuan to call Kang Kuangshi Senior Brother.
  • Xiang Yuan rented a courtyard with Kang Kuangshi, who taught him saber and sword techniques in exchange for drinks.
  • Xiao Lingyue invited Chan'er to Unrivaled Palace, but Chan'er declined and said she preferred to stay in the Southern Border.
  • Chan'er dragged Xiang Yuan away in chains after he claimed Kang Kuangshi had discussed their shared lustful nature with him.
  • At dawn, Chan'er told Xiang Yuan to retrieve a great medicine from a poisonous pool at a Five Poisons Cult sacrificial ground.

Ch. 171Plugging in the Formula Makes Solving Problems Fast

Xiang Yuan learned more about condensing Gang Qi from Chan'er, then headed to the Five Poisons Cult’s sacrificial site to kill Shi Chengshan and seize the poison pool’s medicinal opportunity. He infiltrated a smuggling caravan and reached Little Sesame Mountain, where he recognized Yin Mu and decided to kill her.

  • Xiang Yuan showed Chan'er his White Tiger Gang Qi and explained how to condense Gang Qi after she trapped them underground to study it.
  • Chan'er told Xiang Yuan about Shi Chengshan and the Five Poisons Cult’s sacrificial site, then kept Senior Jiang behind to refine it while Xiang Yuan set out alone.
  • Xiang Yuan hid near Little Sesame Mountain, joined a Five Poisons Cult smuggling caravan, and questioned its members to learn about their route and activities.
  • The caravan reached a concealed valley, where Yin Mu emerged with more than ten Five Poisons Cult disciples.
  • Xiang Yuan remembered how Yin Mu had driven him into Jambu Gate and resolved to kill her.

Ch. 172Thank You for Nature's Bounty!

Xiang Yuan infiltrated the Five Poisons Cult’s place of sacrifice and used Yin Mu’s attempt to interrogate him to learn about the cult leader’s wife’s secret poison-refining scheme. He learned that Elder Shi Chengshan was at Little Sesame Mountain and planned to meet him after nightfall, while a second caravan arrived with a report about Earth Dragon Fort.

  • Yin Mu let Xiang Yuan and the traveling merchant team enter the valley, where they unloaded supplies and rested.
  • Xiang Yuan bribed a patrol deputy to gain an audience with Yin Mu and claimed that two innate experts had been lost at Earth Dragon Fort.
  • Yin Mu attacked Xiang Yuan and tried to probe his mind, but Xiang Yuan overwhelmed her with his Primordial Spirit and compelled her to answer his questions.
  • Yin Mu explained that Shi Chengshan was secretly refining an immortal pill from the Black Lotus Snake, the Six-Winged Void Dragon, and other rare ingredients for the cult leader’s wife.
  • Xiang Yuan learned that the altar at Little Sesame Mountain concealed an underground palace, but Yin Mu said he had to wait until night to meet Shi Chengshan.
  • A second merchant caravan arrived, and its short man began reporting to Yin Mu that the matter concerned Earth Dragon Fort.

Ch. 173Watch carefully, this man before you is called Xiao Shuai

Xiang Yuan discovered Yin Mu’s poison stores and listened as Li Banshan and Wang Hu tricked her into revealing the Five Poisons Cult’s underground pill-refining site. After the two men confronted Shi Chengshan over the unfinished immortal pill, they turned on each other, while Xiang Yuan followed behind them to seize the chance to act.

  • Xiang Yuan searched Yin Mu’s rooms, found the Cloud-Wreathed Emerald Mist Palm manual, and took useful poisons, powders, and information about the Southern Border.
  • Li Banshan and Wang Hu unmasked themselves after controlling Yin Mu and learned that an immortal pill was being refined beneath Little Sesame Mountain.
  • Yin Mu revealed Shi Chengshan’s cultivation and led Li Banshan and Wang Hu through a secret passage into the underground palace.
  • Xiang Yuan followed the group, intending to wait for an opportunity to take the treasure.
  • Shi Chengshan explained that a living creature with yin, yang, and the five elements could help complete the pill, prompting Wang Hu to attack Li Banshan as Li Banshan released eight zombies.

Ch. 174Why Can't the Sword of the Previous Dynasty Strike the Official of This Dynasty? You're Throwing Your Weight Around!

Wang Hu defeated Li Banshan and Shi Chengshan after their attempt to refine an immortal pill failed, then turned on Xiang Yuan. Xiang Yuan brought out the Tiger Roar Saber and wounded Wang Hu, who mistook him for a demon cultivator and attacked again.

  • Wang Hu broke Li Banshan's power of heaven and earth, defeated him, and handed him over for the medicinal-pool test.
  • Li Banshan dissolved in the pool, and Wang Hu threw Shi Chengshan in; Shi Chengshan also vanished, leaving Yin Mu alive.
  • Wang Hu decided to find more innate cultivators for the pool, but Xiang Yuan appeared and drew the Tiger Roar Saber.
  • Wang Hu recognized that the blade had been tempered with his clan's blood, while Xiang Yuan let Steady take the lead in the fight.
  • Wang Hu caught the saber but was wounded by Xiang Yuan's Lone Star Chasing Moon strike, then charged again after mistaking Xiang Yuan for a demon cultivator.

Ch. 175The Tang Monk's Flesh Has Been Upgraded Again

Xiang Yuan defeated Wang Hu and Shi Chengshan, absorbed the medicinal power of the pill pool, and upgraded his body again. He remained in the pool refining its yin-yang and five-element energies while Chan'er guarded the entrance.

  • Xiang Yuan broke through to the Connate Realm with a Heavenly Devil Relic and defeated Wang Hu, whose demon core and corpse he collected.
  • Yin Mu’s body released Shi Chengshan’s Primordial Spirit inside a purple-gold beetle, but Xiang Yuan crushed it and killed him.
  • Xiang Yuan absorbed the pill pool’s yin-yang and five-element medicinal power, upgrading his body and saving the dying Yin Mu from immediate death.
  • Xiang Yuan entered the pill pool to refine its remaining power while Chan'er watched and sealed the entrance with silver-white chains.

Ch. 176How to Make a Girl Unforgettable

Xiang Yuan advanced his cultivation and honed his techniques while Chan'er broke through to the Spirit Transformation realm. After returning to Yulin Academy, he reunited with Xiao He and learned that Xu Jixian had entered seclusion and Sima Qingyan had reached Foundation Establishment.

  • Chan'er consumed Xiang Yuan's blood medicine, broke through, and entered seclusion while Xiang Yuan cultivated and trained in the Dragon-Subduing Realm.
  • Xiang Yuan traveled to Mount Emei, gave blood medicine to Master Bai Yue and Ji Muqing, and trained against Foundation Establishment experts before agreeing to attend Master Bai Yue's ascension ceremony.
  • Chan'er awoke and took Xiang Yuan back to Dezhou so she could stabilize her new realm; she bit him for more medicinal power before resuming seclusion at the Upper Zhou Ruins.
  • Xiang Yuan returned to Yulin Academy after three months away and learned from Xiao He that Xu Jixian had entered seclusion to pursue the Innate Realm.
  • Sima Qingyan, now at Foundation Establishment, resolved to challenge Xiang Yuan again and win.
Arc 7 of 23