Chapter Summaries

As the Yaochi Feast approached, Wang Mu hosted visiting cultivators at the Jade Pool while Xiao Wanmeng teased him beneath the table. Dugu Qianxue arrived on her master's orders, and Wang Mu found an excuse to ask her about a motto at Kunlun Sacred Ground.

• The Great Powers gathered at Kunlun Sacred Ground, where the Jade Pool’s palaces prepared for the Yaochi Feast.
• Wang Mu and Xiao Wanmeng received a stream of visiting leaders, while Langya Academy’s students faced disdain from other guests.
• Xiao Wanmeng rested her bare feet on Wang Mu’s knee and teased him until he retaliated by tickling her sole with spiritual power.
• Dugu Qianxue visited Wang Mu on her master’s orders to check whether Northern Darkness Sacred Ground needed anything.
• Wang Mu asked Dugu Qianxue to explain the words “Heaven rewards diligence” at Kunlun’s Juxian Hall, and she agreed.

Dugu Qianxue went to speak privately with Wang Mu about the history of a stone tablet, but she and the others ended up playing games together. The chapter left Kunlun’s elders wondering whether the supposed tablet and its inscription had ever existed.

• Dugu Qianxue dismissed her attendants and sealed off a space to speak privately with Wang Mu and Xiao Wanmeng.
• Little Nannan entered the sealed area and joined Wang Mu, Dugu Qianxue, and Xiao Wanmeng in a game.
• Lu Jiuyuan told Elder Chu he had let go of his feelings for Dugu Qianxue, then rushed to watch when he heard she was behind the curtains with Wang Mu.
• A Kunlun disciple told Murong Qiushui that Dugu Qianxue had gone to explain the origin of the words “Heaven rewards diligence” on a stone tablet before Juxian Hall.
• Kunlun’s elders questioned whether their Sacred Ground had ever possessed such a tablet or inscription.

As the Yaochi Grotto-heaven trial opened, Wang Mu gifted resources to selected unaffiliated heavenly prides, while Qiu He maneuvered him into agreeing to broadcast the trial across the Northern Region. Wang Mu accepted despite the risk that Langya Academy’s weaker students would be publicly humiliated.

• Murong Qiushui explained the grotto-heaven’s rules, including the month-long time limit, free combat, and jade pendants that protected participants and recorded their gains.
• Wang Mu distributed gifts to heavenly prides from factions aligned with Northern Darkness or Kunlun, prompting gratitude from recipients and resentment from those left out.
• Qiu He proposed broadcasting the trial throughout the Northern Region, framing the request as a charitable act and putting Wang Mu under pressure to agree.
• Langya Academy’s three hundred students recognized Qiu He’s trap, blamed their weakness, and vowed to fight fiercely; Han Li silently fixed his attention on Qiu He with killing intent.
• With affiliated factions voicing support for the broadcast, Wang Mu smiled and agreed.

Wang Mu agreed to broadcast the Yaochi Feast prodigy competition, drawing hundreds of millions of viewers as the Yaochi Grotto-heaven opened. The three cultivation realms admitted their entrants, and Murong Qiushui used the Kunlun Mirror to reveal scenes from inside.

• Wang Mu accepted Qiu He's proposal to let the Northern Darkness Sacred Ground and Langya Academy's prodigies compete before the public.
• Wang Mu had the Forum's Technical Department broadcast the feast, and its viewer count climbed into the hundreds of millions.
• A Kunlun elder distributed Yaoguang Jade to the entrants and explained that a shattered pendant meant elimination.
• The Jade Pool opened into a vortex, and the Golden Core cultivators entered the Luotian Realm, followed by Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Soaring Dragon Realm and Qi Refining cultivators in the Qingyun Realm.
• Murong Qiushui summoned the Kunlun Mirror, which began showing scenes from the Yaochi Grotto-heaven.

Lin Yan watched the Yaochi Feast’s live broadcast as Langya Academy student Zhu Cheng fought two Sacred Land disciples and was eliminated after taking Liu Yan down with him. Wang Mu praised Zhu Cheng and declared that Sacred Land prodigies were nothing special, while the broadcast revealed that Langya students were being encircled by the Primal Origin and Qiankun Sacred Grounds and their allies.

• Lin Yan opened the live broadcast of the Yaochi Feast while recalling the treasures he had gained from helping the Demon Race group.
• Liu Yan and a Qiankun Disciple cornered Zhu Cheng, mocked him, and attacked him together in the Qingyun Realm.
• Zhu Cheng adapted to Liu Yan’s attacks, used a detonated tortoise-shield artifact to create an opening, and stabbed Liu Yan before the Qiankun Disciple intervened.
• Zhu Cheng detonated the dagger lodged in Liu Yan’s chest, eliminating Liu Yan before the Qiankun Disciple sent Zhu Cheng out of the grotto-heaven as well.
• Wang Mu praised Zhu Cheng for giving Langya Academy a strong start, and Zhu Cheng declared that Sacred Land prodigies were nothing special.
• Viewers noticed that Primal Origin and Qiankun disciples and their allies were joining forces to encircle Langya Academy students.

The Qingyun Realm competition turned into a widespread attempt by Primal Origin and Heaven and Earth disciples to eliminate Langya Academy Students first. Two Langya Students defeated powerful opponents despite their injuries, and the outside world began questioning how the academy had forged their unusual abilities.

• Qiu He dismissed Wang Mu’s concerns as the two discussed the attacks on Langya Academy Students.
• A Langya girl saw a flaw in a Primal Origin disciple’s sword formation, defeated her, and treated her own wounds before continuing alone.
• Chang Yue fought three prodigies from an ancient Northern Region force, endured their attacks, and eliminated all three with his saber.
• Cultivators watching from outside marveled at the Langya Students’ abilities and speculated that farming and chopping wood at the academy had tempered them.

Langya Academy’s performance humiliated the Sacred Land prodigies before a live audience, while Murong Qiushui wondered how Wang Mu had strengthened ordinary students so quickly. At the edge of the grotto-heaven, Chang Yue clung to a Primal Origin Sacred Ground disciple until reinforcements arrived, then was finally teleported out.

• Qiu He realized that the Live Broadcast Screen had spread the Langya Students’ victories, and viewers praised their resolve while criticizing the Sacred Land prodigies.
• Murong Qiushui recognized that the Langya Students had ordinary talents but extraordinary willpower, and wondered how Wang Mu had trained them.
• Wounded and barely standing, Chang Yue used medicine and forced himself onward because he did not want to shame the Young Master.
• A young man from the Primal Origin Sacred Ground stabbed Chang Yue, but Chang Yue grabbed his sword and refused to let him escape as reinforcements approached.
• Northern Darkness Sacred Ground disciples arrived and killed the young man, and Chang Yue smiled before being teleported out.

The Langya Academy students repeatedly fought to the death against larger groups in the Qingyun Realm, earning the spectators’ fear and respect, while top prodigies from the Sacred Lands displayed overwhelming strength. After the eliminated Langya students watched the gap between them and the elites, the scene shifted to a concealed figure watching from the forest.

• Qiu He and the other spectators watched Langya students eliminate numerous opponents through desperate attacks, often taking enemies down with them.
• Qiu He argued that no Langya student would reach the finish, since the Sacred Lands’ strongest prodigies had not yet entered the fight.
• Xiao Yi killed three Scarlet Flame Tiger Demons, obtained the Vermilion Fruit, and refined it to strengthen his cultivation and Fire Spiritual Root.
• Zhong Lou defeated a winged great demon with his hammers and tore off its wing before ripping the beast apart.
• Chang Yue and the eliminated Langya students watched the strongest Sacred Land prodigies and recognized the immense gap in their strength.
• A dark, skinny figure concealed by Void Fluctuations crouched in the forest and watched the distance with pitch-black eyes.

Han Li concealed himself beside a Blood Spirit Fruit and waited for another cultivator to arrive. After Song Tianquan defeated the fruit’s guardian, Han Li ambushed him with a life-draining sword technique, leaving Song Tianquan facing a devastating strike.

• Han Li secretly watched over a Blood Spirit Fruit while observers criticized his hesitation.
• Song Tianquan arrived and attacked the fruit’s guardian, an unusually powerful Ink-Pattern Python.
• Song Tianquan killed the python with a powerful blade strike and moved to claim the Blood Spirit Fruit.
• Han Li suddenly rushed Song Tianquan and activated his sword technique, aging rapidly as scarlet-gold Sword Qi surged toward his target.
• Song Tianquan realized the Sword Qi was upon him and was overcome by despair.

Han Li used the Decline and Prosperity Sword Art to defeat Song Tianquan, then robbed and incapacitated him inside the Qingyun Realm. He left Song Tianquan alive but suspended from a tree, unable to escape or eliminate himself.

• Han Li suddenly attacked Song Tianquan, severing all four of his limbs with a life-consuming technique.
• Qiu He recognized Han Li's technique as the Decline and Prosperity Sword Art and wondered how a Langya Student had inherited it.
• Han Li sealed Song Tianquan's spiritual power with Spirit-Locking Talismans and took his Storage Bag, halberd blade, valuables, and Yaoguang Jade.
• Han Li told Song Tianquan that contests in the grotto-heaven needed no personal grudge, then gathered the treasures Song Tianquan had collected.
• Han Li pierced Song Tianquan's shoulder blades, threaded a rope through them, and hung him from a tree, leaving him alive and helpless.

Han Li recovered his strength with Spiritual Liquid and returned to the wounded Song Tianquan, waiting in ambush for another Qiankun Sacred Ground disciple. Huang Luo arrived and freed Song Tianquan, but Han Li struck from behind as the chapter ended.

• Han Li left Song Tianquan hanging and bleeding while spectators and Sacred Ground elders reacted to his humiliation of the Qiankun disciple.
• Han Li secretly circled back, drank Spiritual Liquid from the Little Green Bottle, and restored much of the Life Essence he had spent using the Decline and Prosperity Sword Art.
• Han Li concealed himself near Song Tianquan and waited for another disciple to arrive.
• Huang Luo found Song Tianquan, suspected he was bait, then accepted Song Tianquan's claim that the attacker had fled and snapped the rope with a palm strike.
• A chill came from behind Huang Luo as Han Li prepared to attack.

Han Li ambushed Huang Luo and a Primal Beginning Disciple, using his Decline and Prosperity Sword Art to disable them and take their treasures. As he left the three captives hanging from a tree, he prepared to keep lying in wait along a route to the Core Zone.

• Han Li severed Huang Luo’s arms, poisoned him, took his treasures, and hung him beside Song Tianquan.
• Cultivators watching from outside reacted to Han Li’s tactics, while Wang Mu defended Langya Academy against Elder Qiu’s criticism.
• Song Tianquan called for help when a Primal Beginning Disciple passed by and convinced him Han Li was no longer dangerous.
• Han Li ambushed the Primal Beginning Disciple, wounded and poisoned him, took his possessions, and hung him from a tree with Song Tianquan and Huang Luo.
• Han Li left the captives and returned to his ambush point on a route leading toward the Core Zone, where another Cultivator soon arrived.

Han Li repeatedly lured Sacred Ground prodigies into traps by pretending to be weak, then defeated them with the Decline and Prosperity Sword Art. As rumors spread through the Qingyun Realm, other prodigies were warned to avoid Qian Kun and Primal Origin Sacred Ground.

• Song Tianquan and two companions called a passerby over for help, but Han Li ambushed them again with the Decline and Prosperity Sword Art.
• A newly arrived prodigy tried to enlist help for the Sacred Ground disciples hanging from the trees, only for Han Li to strike again and defeat him.
• Han Li repeated the same deception against more prodigies until clusters of victims hung from the trees, while he claimed he was too exhausted to keep fighting.
• Powerful figures and Live Room viewers reacted to Han Li's repeated tricks, with many viewers cheering as some powerful figures angrily defended their disciples.
• Rumors spread through the Qingyun Realm that Qian Kun and Primal Origin Sacred Ground disciples were ambushing passersby, prompting warnings to stay away from them.

Han Li exploited the rivalries between Sacred Ground disciples and lured more geniuses into his traps, collecting their resources before leaving the forest. Yu Chen and a large group of disciples searched the devastated mountain for Han Li but found no trace of him.

• Great Harmony Sect disciples mistook two Primal Origin Sacred Ground cultivators for threats and fled, widening the distrust among allied factions.
• Han Li drank the Spiritual Liquid from the Little Green Bottle, regained his youthful appearance, and used Song Tianquan's blood to make an insulting sign that baited Qiankun and Primal Origin Sacred Ground disciples into the forest.
• Han Li ambushed seven or eight disciples who came to investigate the sign, took their treasures and resources, and disappeared again.
• More than twenty geniuses from the Qiankun and Primal Origin Sacred Grounds arrived and found Song Tianquan and the others hanging from trees.
• Yu Chen ordered a search of the mountain, and the disciples tore through the forest and used tracking arts but failed to find Han Li.

Xiao Dao entered the Core Zone and began chopping Vajra Bamboo, surprising observers with how easily he cut through it. His history as a lifelong woodcutter explained his skill, and he eagerly took on the grove as a new challenge.

• Song Tianquan and the others realized Han Li had already left for the Core Zone, while the Sacred Land Experts watching from outside berated them for failing to find him.
• Xiao Dao arrived in a bamboo grove in the Core Zone and decided to cut down the Vajra Bamboo for firewood.
• Observers identified the bamboo as Vajra Bamboo and speculated that rare Heavenly Stem Shoots might lie beneath it.
• Xiao Dao cut through a Vajra Bamboo stalk in three strokes with his ordinary woodcutter's blade, astonishing the Cultivators watching.
• Xiao Dao recalled how he had loved chopping wood since childhood and had developed his skill on ordinary trees and spirit trees before entering the Grotto-heaven.

Xiao Dao entered Sudden Enlightenment while chopping bamboo, drawing astonishment from observers. When Shen Yi’s companions attacked him, Xiao Dao effortlessly sent them out of the Yaochi Grotto-heaven and continued chopping, still in Sudden Enlightenment.

• Xiao Dao’s bamboo chopping grew faster and more harmonious as he entered Sudden Enlightenment.
• Experts watching the scene recognized Xiao Dao’s state, while Langya Academy students wondered whether they experienced it often too.
• Shen Yi and his companions arrived in the bamboo forest to search for Heavenly Stem Shoots and spotted Xiao Dao.
• Shen Yi’s companions attacked Xiao Dao, but he tossed his woodcutter’s blade behind him and sent them out of the Yaochi Grotto-heaven.
• Xiao Dao caught the returning blade and continued chopping bamboo as his Sudden Enlightenment persisted.

Xiao Dao rejected Shen Yi’s attempt to recruit him and defeated him with a single slash. Shen Yi returned from the Kunlun Mirror in defeat, stunning the spectators at Jade Pool.

• Xiao Dao ignored Shen Yi’s offer to join the Shen Family and insisted that he only wanted to chop firewood.
• Shen Yi attacked Xiao Dao with purple fire dragons after Xiao Dao dismissed his warning.
• Xiao Dao cut through Shen Yi’s attack with one slash, then returned to chopping bamboo.
• Shen Yi reappeared from the Kunlun Mirror in defeat, leaving the Jade Pool spectators stunned.
• Qiu He rose in disbelief that Shen Yi had lost to a Langya Student wielding a woodcutter’s blade.

Xiao Dao defeated Shen Yi with one slash, then resumed his Sudden Enlightenment after returning to chopping firewood. As the grotto-heaven’s void continued to collapse, the Sacred Land prodigies remained confident that stronger challengers would defeat him.

• Viewers and eliminated Langya Students cheered after Xiao Dao killed Shen Yi with a single slash.
• The elders lamented that Shen Yi’s appearance had interrupted Xiao Dao’s Sudden Enlightenment, but Xiao Dao settled his mind and entered Sudden Enlightenment again while chopping firewood.
• Qiu He and the other Sacred Land figures called Xiao Dao’s repeated enlightenment good luck and named other prodigies they believed could defeat him.
• Fifteen days after the grotto-heaven opened, the void’s contraction reached halfway, eliminating those who failed to escape and leaving only the strongest cultivators in the Secret Realms.

As observers marveled at Langya Academy’s unexpected survival in the Qingyun Realm, Wu Ming and his companions were ambushed in the Core Zone. Wu Ming broke the enemy array with a power he had learned while carrying water, leaving the Sacred Land disciples fleeing and the observers astonished.

• Observers noted that Langya Academy had more than thirty students left despite facing repeated attacks, and recognized its students’ growing potential.
• Wu Ming, two other Langya Students, and two Northern Darkness Sacred Ground Disciples fought Primal Origin and Qiankun Sacred Ground disciples who had trapped them in an array.
• A Northern Darkness disciple discovered that the array core lay nine zhang underground, and Wu Ming drove his golden shoulder pole into the ground to break it.
• Wu Ming lifted and hurled a small mountain at the array’s controllers, badly injuring them and forcing them to retreat.
• Wu Ming told his companions that he had learned the powerful move while carrying water, and observers recognized it as the beginning of a remarkable divine ability.

As the Qingyun Realm trial neared its end, Langya Academy students displayed bizarre but powerful abilities, prompting the Sacred Grounds to suspect Wang Mu’s family had found a way to cultivate prodigies beyond conventional limits. A mountain of ancient divine weapons then appeared in the Core Zone, drawing the remaining contestants into a final scramble while Han Li stayed back.

• A chicken-raising young man, a girl wielding a laundry pestle, and a herb-loving youth with strange grass seeds defeated numerous contestants with their unusual abilities.
• Observers from the Sacred Grounds suspected Langya Academy’s results came from a method developed by the Wang Family, while Qiu He warned them that such a method must have limitations.
• As the Qingyun Realm’s inner region collapsed, the surviving prodigies gathered in the Core Zone.
• A Barren Mountain split open and revealed a vast trove of ancient divine weapons, astonishing contestants and spectators alike.
• The remaining prodigies rushed to seize the weapons, and Han Li furrowed his brows and retreated to the back of the crowd.