Recaps

Chen Cheng defeated the ambush targeting Song Linwei, then used his Gu to poison Qi Tiankui and Baili Hong with a corpse trap. He brought Song Linwei and Ning Shuangxu to Snowtread Manor, where he prepared to cultivate and examine his two newly advanced Gu Kings.

• Chen Cheng used the Howling Sky Eagle to spot Qi Tiankui and Baili Hong's forces, then killed their hidden Nine-Qi leader with the Blood Immortal Gu and defeated the other underwater attackers.
• Chen Cheng returned to the carriage, rescued Song Linwei and Ning Shuangxu, and carried Song Linwei to the surface before taking them toward Snowtread Manor.
• Chen Cheng sent a poisoned corpse to Qi Tiankui and Baili Hong; the Corpse Demon Gu's attack badly poisoned both men and left their forces fleeing for help.
• Song Linwei explained her cover identity and role at Snowtread Manor, then gave Chen Cheng protective clothing and arranged rooms for him and Ning Shuangxu.
• Chen Cheng learned that Jiang and Ji were progressing well in secluded cultivation, returned to his room, and released the Blood Immortal Gu and Corpse Demon Gu to inspect their remaining trump cards.

Chen Cheng strengthened his Spirit Gu, advanced his cultivation, and learned that Song Linwei had vanished after leaving Snowtread Manor. At the Fourth Prince’s banquet, a hostile Wang Chun confronted Chen Cheng before the prince approached him.

• Chen Cheng bestowed Moon Breath of Avici and new martial arts upon the Blood Immortal Gu and Corpse Demon Gu, then inventoried and poisoned the Fourth-Order Qi-Deriving Pills he had collected.
• Chen Cheng cultivated with resources Song Linwei sent through Qing Chan, while Qing Chan explained that Song Linwei was negotiating to explore the Azureglow Bay Shipwreck Ruins.
• Manor Master Wang Zhongxian decided to yield the ruins’ exploration rights to Qi Family Fortress and Northern Suppression Manor, and Song Linwei left Snowtread Manor soon afterward.
• Over fifty days, Chen Cheng reached the middle stage of Seven Qi, improved several martial arts, and continued transferring vital essence to the unconscious Ning Shuangxu.
• Jiang Shuqin and Ji Jingyou brought Chen Cheng to the Fourth Prince’s welcoming banquet, where they discussed the deadly shipwreck ruins and the Qingming Path’s attack on a powerful faction.
• Wang Chun angrily confronted Chen Cheng over Chu Ba’s death, but the Fourth Prince rebuked Wang Chun and approached Chen Cheng.

At Yuwen Xun’s banquet, Chen Cheng won the Fourth Prince’s courtesy after standing firm under the old eunuch’s scrutiny, while Qiu Tongtian praised the young candidates’ progress. The banquet’s sparring match began with Ji Jingyou defeating Ban Lu, as Yuwen Xun offered a prized Secret Treasury-grade sword art to attract Ji Jingyou.

• Yuwen Xun greeted Chen Cheng warmly and asked him to overlook Wang Chun’s earlier offense after the old eunuch tested Chen Cheng with his pressure.
• Wang Chun tried to recruit Jiang Shuqin to Snowtread Manor, but she said she would consult Miss Song before choosing an assignment.
• Qiu Tongtian arrived with selected candidates, recognized Chen Cheng, and learned that Chen Cheng had reached the middle Seven-Qi stage while Ji Jingyou and Jiang Shuqin had reached the Ninth Qi.
• Yuwen Xun announced a friendly sparring competition with the Imperial Apex Divine Edge Art as its prize, drawing Ji Jingyou’s eager interest.
• Ban Lu challenged Ji Jingyou, but Ji Jingyou dodged his hammer and used his sheathed sword to numb Ban Lu’s arm and disarm him.

Ji Jingyou defeated twelve young geniuses at once, but Chen Cheng challenged him and exposed a flaw in his Mysterious Heaven Nine Swords. Chen Cheng seized Ji Jingyou’s sword and held its edge to his neck, leaving Ji Jingyou’s Dao heart shattered.

• Ji Jingyou accepted a challenge from twelve young geniuses and defeated them using the Mysterious Heaven Nine Swords, while Chen Cheng studied the sword forms.
• Chen Cheng challenged Ji Jingyou, and Qiu Tongtian offered him a recommendation quota if he performed well.
• Ji Jingyou unleashed Mysterious Heaven Wandering Dragon, while Chen Cheng recognized a flaw in its qi circulation.
• Chen Cheng struck Ji Jingyou’s vulnerable point, disrupted his qi, seized the Jingchao Sword, and pressed it to Ji Jingyou’s neck.

Chen Cheng defeated Ji Jingyou and Wang Chun in succession, exposing his extraordinary physical strength and winning Qiu Tongtian’s recommendation. After Wang Chun and Wang Rou were executed for their actions, Chen Cheng left with Qiu Tongtian and others, still seeking news of Song Linwei.

• Chen Cheng explained that he had spotted a flaw in Ji Jingyou’s Mysterious Heaven Nine Swords through observation, then declined Yuwen Xun’s offer to join his retinue until he could consult Song Linwei.
• Yuwen Xun sent Wang Chun, an Early Ninth Qi fighter, to challenge Chen Cheng, who withstood Wang Chun’s iron palms barehanded and then knocked him back with a stronger strike.
• Wang Chun launched a concealed-weapon attack, but Chen Cheng evaded it, defeated him, and stopped a near-fatal slap only to strike Wang Chun across the face.
• Yuwen Xun ordered Wang Chun and Wang Rou beaten to death, then declared Chen Cheng the winner and offered him the Imperial Apex Divine Edge Art.
• Chen Cheng asked Yuwen Xun where Song Linwei was and learned that she had refused to serve him; Qiu Tongtian then led Chen Cheng, Jiang Shuqin, Ji Jingyou, and others out of the banquet hall.

After fleeing Snowtread Manor, Chen Cheng and his companions settled at Breezewind Water Stronghold, where Ji Jingyou mastered his sword technique under Chen Cheng’s guidance. Yuwen Min helped correct the tampered Imperial Apex Divine Edge Art, which Chen Cheng quickly learned, and Chen Cheng departed for Azureglow Bay with Qiu Tongtian to seek resources.

• Yuwen Xun raged over Chen Cheng and Ji Jingyou’s escape, while the old eunuch suggested waiting for the Northern Emperor Demon-Subduing Sect entrance selection to target them.
• Qiu Tongtian brought Chen Cheng, Ji Jingyou, and Jiang Shuqin to Breezewind Water Stronghold, where Yuwen Min welcomed them.
• Chen Cheng taught Ji Jingyou to perfect Mysterious Heaven Dragon Swimming, and Ji Jingyou thanked him and chose to keep the scar on his face as a mark of honor.
• Yuwen Min warned Chen Cheng that Yuwen Xun might have tampered with the Imperial Apex Divine Edge Art, then corrected its contents for him.
• Chen Cheng mastered the Imperial Apex Divine Edge Art’s entry-level techniques and learned that its Sword Qi could attack an enemy’s mind and defenses.
• Chen Cheng accompanied Qiu Tongtian to Azureglow Bay, traveling with Yuwen Min and Bai Xinjie, who watched Chen Cheng with keen interest.

Chen Cheng and the others explored a sunken treasure ship in Fallen Immortal Sea, where a sinister nursery rhyme bewitched the group. After resisting its effects, Chen Cheng pursued Bai Xinjie into the wreck to save her.

• Bai Xinjie tried to recruit Chen Cheng to help Qingfeng Stronghold, but their conversation was interrupted when the treasure ship deliberately struck a reef to stop at the destination.
• Chen Cheng revealed his fifth-rank Sea-Suppressing Black Dragon Armor and shattered Bai Xinjie's twisted water vortex with a touch, impressing her, Yuwen Min, and Qiu Tongtian.
• The group descended into the trench and reached the enormous wreck, where Chen Cheng spotted a headless-looking boy's head drifting into a lower-deck stairwell.
• A sinister children's song disrupted the group's minds, and Qiu Tongtian dragged the entranced Yuwen Min away while Chen Cheng resisted its effects.
• Chen Cheng saw Bai Xinjie swim toward the stairwell in a trance and chose to pursue her into the darkness.

Chen Cheng rescued Bai Xinjie, then explored the Shipwreck Ruins and discovered a Hell Flower and its Eye of Hell. After secretly taking the fruit, he reunited with Qiu Tongtian, Bai Xinjie, and Yuwen Min and led them away just before the Hell Flower erupted against the Qi Family expedition.

• Chen Cheng used his pure-yang radiance and crimson-gold Sword Qi to free Bai Xinjie from the nursery rhyme’s influence, and she returned to the surface while he continued deeper.
• Qiu Tongtian, Bai Xinjie, and Yuwen Min joined the Qi Family Fortress expedition, which descended into the ruins with Buddhist seals and a Vajra Demon-Subduing Pestle.
• Chen Cheng scouted the ninth level with the Blood Immortal Gu and found a Hell Flower growing around an Eye of Hell.
• Chen Cheng secretly sent the Blood Immortal Gu into the rock and stole the Eye of Hell, provoking the Hell Flower while the Qi Family believed its Buddhist protections had subdued it.
• Chen Cheng appeared behind Bai Xinjie and urged her, Qiu Tongtian, and Yuwen Min to leave; shortly afterward, the Hell Flower erupted and attacked the Qi Family members.
• Bai Xinjie suspected the Hell Flower had feared Chen Cheng rather than the Qi Family’s Buddhist protections, leaving Qiu Tongtian and Yuwen Min staring at him in shock.

Chen Cheng used the Eye of Hell to disable the Jade Flood Dragon Python, then survived the battle between Qiu Tongtian and the blue-haired woman and drove the python away. After rescuing the unconscious Qiu Tongtian and gathering spoils, Chen Cheng found Qi Tiankui and killed him when he threatened him.

• Green Demon Jellyfish and Demon Dragon Island disciples descended into the trench, and Qiu Tongtian engaged the blue-haired woman while Bai Xinjie and Yuwen Min fought the attackers.
• Chen Cheng lured the surrounding disciples close and slaughtered them with Red-Gold Sword Qi, then used the Eye of Hell to send the Jade Flood Dragon Python plunging into the ruins.
• The blue-haired woman and her forces withdrew, while Qiu Tongtian stayed behind to fight her; the ensuing battle scattered Chen Cheng, Bai Xinjie, and Yuwen Min and left Qiu Tongtian unconscious and severely injured.
• The Blood Immortal Gu pulled Qiu Tongtian from the python’s jaws, and Chen Cheng used Sword Qi to wound the python, which escaped with the blue-haired woman after severing its tail.
• Chen Cheng treated Qiu Tongtian as best he could, collected the python’s tail and nearby spoils, then encountered the wounded Qi Tiankui emerging from the ruins.
• Qi Tiankui denied plotting to kill Chen Cheng and swore an oath, but Chen Cheng cut him into pieces with Red-Gold Sword Qi.

Chen Cheng used the Vajra Demon-Subduing Pestle and the Eye of Hell to advance to the peak of Eight Qi, then spent thirty days cultivating with Ning Shuangxu’s zither music and unlocked new traits. As Chen Cheng prepared to leave for the Northern Emperor Demon-Subduing Sect’s entrance selection, Ji Jingyou asked how much he had progressed.

• Chen Cheng returned to Qingfeng Stronghold with the injured Qiu Tongtian, then absorbed nine drops of Essence of Buddha Qi from the Vajra Demon-Subduing Pestle and reached the peak of Seven Qi.
• Chen Cheng consumed the Eye of Hell, advanced to the peak of Eight Qi, and doubled the size of Taiji Space.
• Chen Cheng told Ning Shuangxu he regarded her as a friend, but their mental link remained through her Slave Artifact; she shared her mother’s death and the loss of her treasured zither, Plain Sound.
• Bai Xinjie told Chen Cheng that Qiu Tongtian had awakened and that Song might be near the Northern Emperor Mountains; she also gave Ning Shuangxu a first-order treasure zither.
• Ning Shuangxu played No-Thought for Chen Cheng during his thirty days of cultivation, while he unlocked the Water Monarch and Blood Fusion traits and strengthened his body.
• Chen Cheng fused dragon blood from the Jade Flood Dragon Python, then joined Jiang Shuqin, Ning Shuangxu, and the others as they prepared to leave for the entrance selection; Ji Jingyou asked about his progress.

Chen Cheng arrived at the Northern Emperor Mountains for the entrance selection, where Song Linwei told him his father might be in Shattered Leaf City and Zhao City’s West Outer City had fallen to an allied attack. After Chen Cheng resolved to finish the selection and return to Zhao City, Yuwen Xun’s group confronted Ji Jingyou and Yuwen Min, and Chen Cheng stepped forward to face Long Aotian.

• Chen Cheng and his companions reached the Northern Emperor Mountains, where nearly two thousand candidates had gathered for the selection.
• Liang Fengwen, Huang Hao, and Ban Lu reunited with Chen Cheng, and Song Linwei arrived to tell him she was relieved he had survived the trouble at Snowtread Manor.
• Song Linwei reported that Chen Cheng’s father had last been sent to Shattered Leaf City and that the city was now isolated by Northern Yin armies.
• Song Linwei told Chen Cheng that the Rebel Army, water bandits, and an evil cult had captured Zhao City’s West Outer City, and Chen Cheng vowed to finish the selection before returning there.
• Song Linwei gave Chen Cheng a wooden box to open after the selection and promised to find him another sect if he failed to enter the Northern Emperor Demon-Subduing Sect.
• Yuwen Xun’s group insulted Ji Jingyou and Yuwen Min, while Long Aotian threatened Chen Cheng; Chen Cheng then approached Long Aotian and asked what he wanted.

Chen Cheng’s Divine Aperture test first showed every star extinguished, drawing mockery and renewed danger from his enemies. Then the Star Pillar violently cracked and blazed with light, and a mysterious figure arrived before him.

• Long Aotian recoiled from Chen Cheng’s demonic pressure, while Yuwen Xun warned Chen Cheng that he had come to the selection at his own peril.
• The candidates’ Divine Treasuries were tested: Ban Lu received lower grade, Jiang Shuqin and Song Linwei received upper-middle grade, and Ji Jingyou achieved the rare result of thirty-five bright stars.
• Qiu Tongtian and Ji Jingyou identified Chen Cheng as a genius far surpassing Ji Jingyou, drawing the crowd’s attention and alarming his enemies, including Baili Hong and Shen Hui.
• Chen Cheng’s test briefly lit all thirty-five stars, but they went dark; Hong Wanzhong declared his Divine Apertures lower than lower-lower grade, while Chen Cheng remained untroubled.
• After Ji Jingyou struck the Star Pillar, it trembled, cracked, and released a dazzling radiance as a mysterious figure rushed down from the distant peak and appeared before Chen Cheng.

Peak Master Lu tested Chen Cheng’s unusual talent and offered him top-tier treatment if he proved himself in battle. Chen Cheng accepted a fight against every challenger at once, and after defeating Yuwen Xun and killing the attackers who surrounded him, he stood victorious as the arena fell silent.

• Lu Mingyang examined Chen Cheng, found his Divine Apertures impossible to identify, and set a test requiring him to win an uphill fight and nurture Martial Dao True Fire within three months.
• Chen Cheng asked to fight all challengers together until death, and Lu Mingyang promised protection from their forces if Chen Cheng won.
• Eighteen opponents, including Yuwen Xun, gathered on the platform, and Yuwen Xun attacked Chen Cheng with the Dragon Soul Sword.
• Chen Cheng blocked Yuwen Xun’s strike with the Jade Thorn Scales, kicked him into the mountainside, and took the Dragon Soul Sword.
• Chen Cheng killed several attackers with the Dragon Soul Sword, used Long Aotian as a shield against Shen Hui’s strike, and then slew Shen Hui and the remaining challengers.
• The last four opponents tried to surrender and flee, but Chen Cheng killed them with four crimson-gold Sword Qi streaks, leaving the arena silent.

Chen Cheng defeated Long Aotian and the other challengers, spared Yuwen Xun at Lu Mingyang’s request, and traded a Jade Thorn Scale for the Dragon Soul Sword and pills. After the sect examination divided the candidates, Song Linwei privately asked Chen Cheng whether he had slain the demonic Yin Chi above the North Sea.

• Chen Cheng killed Long Aotian and approached the wounded Yuwen Xun, but stopped when Lu Mingyang ordered him to spare Yuwen Xun in exchange for becoming his disciple.
• Lu Mingyang assigned Hong Wanzhong to prevent retaliation against Chen Cheng and left to report Chen Cheng’s and Ji Jingyou’s merits to the Sect Master.
• Chen Cheng accepted Yuwen Xun’s offer to trade a Jade Thorn Scale for the Dragon Soul Sword and ten fifth-grade Grand Evolution Qi Pills, secretly removing the scale’s dragon bloodline before handing it over.
• Yuwen Xun told Baili Hong that he planned to have Eunuch Feng kill Chen Cheng, fearing Chen Cheng’s talent and rapid progress.
• The Northern Emperor Demon-Subduing Sect admitted candidates whose Divine Treasuries ranked upper-middle or higher, while Qiu Tongtian recommended Yuwen Min and Su Wangxing left with the unsuccessful candidates.
• Song Linwei privately asked Chen Cheng whether he had slain the demonic Yin Chi above the North Sea.

Chen Cheng secured a high-ranking Soulshatter Office appointment by proving he had slain the Yin Chi, then settled into his new life as an outer disciple of the Shanhai Sect. He entered the Martial Repository Pavilion to choose a Secret Treasury Martial Art and found himself greeted by the overly eager Lin Yue.

• Song Linwei offered Chen Cheng a promotion to Principal Fifth Rank Thousand-Household Officer if he provided proof of slaying the Yin Chi, and Chen Cheng handed her the Yin Chi Pearl for verification.
• Chen Cheng and Ji Jingyou completed their entry procedures and received separate courtyards on a ridge with abundant Primordial Qi; Qiu Tongtian thanked Chen Cheng and told him to ask his granddaughter Qiu Xueman for help at the Martial Repository Pavilion.
• Chen Cheng brought Ning Shuangxu and the Howling Sky Eagle to his courtyard, then headed to the Martial Repository Pavilion to claim the Secret Treasury Martial Art Lu Mingyang had granted him.
• At the pavilion, Chen Cheng sensed powerful lightning intent in its bronze plaque and learned that visitors had to pay contribution points and obey strict time limits.
• Lin Yue initially ignored Chen Cheng but became warmly attentive after learning he had special permission to select a Secret Treasury Martial Art; she claimed Qiu Xueman was out and offered to help him instead.

Chen Cheng chose the Black Law Punitive Thunder Scripture, unaware at first that its entry trial had crippled many cultivators, but he used the Vertical Eye Mark to uncover the method behind it and planned to master Ten Directions Thunder Movement before attempting the trial. As others expected him to fail and threats gathered around him, Chen Cheng received new resources and swallowed a Ninth-Rank Cloud-Climbing Pill to advance his cultivation.

• Lin Yue steered Chen Cheng toward the Black Law Punitive Thunder Scripture, and she celebrated with her allies because she expected its entry trial to ruin him.
• Qiu Xueman warned Chen Cheng that entering the scripture required surviving heavenly lightning, but Chen Cheng refused to change his choice and resolved to try.
• Lu Mingyang learned that his son had failed the scripture's trial again, while Hong Wanzhong warned Yuwen Xun and Baili Hong to leave Chen Cheng alone for three months.
• Chen Cheng used the Vertical Eye Mark to discover that the scripture's entry method required controlling lightning to forge his apertures, and he focused on tempering Ten Directions Thunder Movement while watchers monitored his courtyard.
• Song Linwei gave Chen Cheng his Soulshatter Office credentials and warned him that Yun Shuangling might be with the Poison Feather Guard; Qiu Tongtian later gave him a Great Restoration Pill and a Cloud-Climbing Pill.
• Chen Cheng swallowed the Ninth-Rank Cloud-Climbing Pill, choosing to use it immediately rather than save it for a later breakthrough.

After reaching Nine Qi and perfecting Ten Directions Thunder Movement, Chen Cheng escaped the Northern Emperor Demon-Subduing Sect and headed toward Zhao City with Ning Shuangxu. A force of eunuchs ambushed them on the road, and Chen Cheng fought back against their God-Forging experts as a larger battle unfolded.

• Chen Cheng used the Cloud-Climbing Pill to break through to Nine Qi, then combined the Imperial Apex Divine Edge Art and Demon Flame Burning God to speed up the refinement of his Divine Aperture shackles.
• Chen Cheng perfected Ten Directions Thunder Movement, discovered that its Thunder Motion trait let his mirror images unleash his strongest strike, and decided to leave the small courtyard with Ning Shuangxu.
• Lu Mingyang learned that Chen Cheng had left and sent Fu Qianzhong to bring him back, while Chen Cheng and Ning Shuangxu traveled south by carriage toward Zhao City.
• A Red-Feathered Vulture attacked the Howling Sky Eagle, and a coordinated force of eunuchs and giant crocodiles ambushed Chen Cheng; he hid Ning Shuangxu and drew the attackers toward himself.
• Chen Cheng used Dragon Soul and Red-Gold Sword Qi to kill two God-Forging eunuchs, then fought the short eunuch and blocked his deadly sword rain.
• As more eunuchs closed in, Chen Cheng unleashed thirty-six Red-Gold Sword Qi streaks and then thirty-six silver-blue Sword Qi streaks at them.

Chen Cheng survived the heavenly lightning by using it to break through Ten Directions Thunder Movement and unleash a storm that seemingly killed him. He later returned, enslaved Feng Fang, and had Feng Fang kill Yuwen Xun while the other survivors lay dead.

• Chen Cheng killed Feng Zhong with Moon Step of Impermanence, escaped the eunuchs’ encirclement on a Red-Feathered Vulture, and flew toward a massive thundercloud.
• Chen Cheng called down heavenly lightning, sacrificed part of it to break through Ten Directions Thunder Movement into Ten-Thousand Direction Thunder Control, and drew the surrounding thunderclouds into a vast lightning strike.
• The lightning appeared to kill Chen Cheng and the pursuing vultures, so Fu Qianzhong and the blue-haired witch fled while Feng Fang and the surviving eunuchs gathered the dead.
• Chen Cheng secretly used Feng Zhong’s corpse and blood threads to ambush Feng Fang and Yuwen Xun, forced Feng Fang to wear a Slave Artifact, and ordered the fifty-three surviving eunuchs to kill themselves.
• Chen Cheng revealed himself alive and had Feng Fang kill Yuwen Xun, keeping his promise not to kill the Fourth Prince himself.

Chen Cheng forged his first Divine Aperture with lightning, transformed the Dragon Soul Sword, and used his Dao Bestowal trait to give Feng Fang a chance at renewed life. The story then shifted to famine-stricken Zhao City, where Madam Li and Fang Wenhou were reunited with Zhuang Zhuang.

• Chen Cheng stored the gathered supplies and lightning in Taiji Space, where the Dragon Soul Sword continued transforming toward a possible second-realm mystical sword.
• Chen Cheng treated the Howling Sky Eagle, controlled a Black-Armored Giant Crocodile for travel, and completed the lightning-forging of his first Divine Aperture.
• Feng Fang explained that he was two hundred and thirty-three and expected to die within the year, so Chen Cheng bestowed the Endless trait on him to extend his lifespan and improve his condition.
• Several days later, Zhao City remained devastated by famine and unrest, while Madam Li waited for Chen Cheng and Fang Wenhou brought her grain despite his injuries.
• Zhuang Zhuang arrived at the Chen Residence, embraced Madam Li, and failed to recognize the thin young man until he identified himself as Fang Wenhou.

Zhuang Zhuang returned to Zhao City gravely wounded and learned that the Wu Family and her relatives had been arrested, while Chen Cheng sold his spoils and headed home after receiving warnings about danger in Zhao City. As Chen Cheng entered the city, the Pang Family and its allies moved to seize more prisoners, and constables attacked Madam Li, Zhuang Zhuang, and Fang Wenhou; the chapter ended as someone’s arm was severed.

• Zhuang Zhuang learned that her aunt and uncle, Shen Mi, and others had been arrested after the Wu Family was accused of colluding with the Red Moon Cult, and she revealed that her battlefield injuries had left her dying.
• Chen Cheng sold much of his battle loot at Wangyou Valley, then received letters from Qiao Qiao warning that Zhao City faced imminent danger and from Jiang Yujiao awaiting his return.
• Pang Shixun, Peng Shiyi, and Lu Wenshao agreed to target the Wang and Zhou Families and to send Shen Mi and Wu Ziyu to Peng Shiyi while ordering the execution of the other prisoners, including Chen Cheng's Mother.
• Lin Fengxiao led his troops to defeat a fleeing Rebel Army force, recognized Chen Cheng, and brought him into Zhao City, where Chen Cheng briefly reunited with Cao Zhao and met Xia Yingying.
• Chen Cheng hurried toward Clear Water Lane as constables moved to arrest Madam Li; Fang Wenhou resisted, but the Ti Cavalry officer broke his arm and attacked Zhuang Zhuang.
• A blade flashed during the attack on Zhuang Zhuang, and an arm was severed at the shoulder.

Chen Cheng returned to Clear Water Lane, rescued his family and friends, and effortlessly killed the officers sent against him. As the Pang Family and Nine Altars Sect gathered to retaliate, Chen Cheng faced Pang Chunwang and six Five-Qi Divine Treasury consecrates, then killed all six with a sword formed from wine.

• Zhuang Zhuang's wound flared up as she tried to lead Madam Li and Fang Wenhou out, but Chen Cheng arrived and killed the Ti Cavalry officer holding her hostage.
• Chen Cheng healed Zhuang Zhuang, drove off the constables, and returned home with his family despite Cao Zhao urging him to flee.
• Pang Wanhe and Lao Liu led armed forces to capture Chen Cheng, but Howling Heaven beheaded them and slaughtered the attacking soldiers with their own arrows.
• At the Pang Mansion, Cao Zhao refused to reconcile with the Pang Family, while Pang Shixun sent Pang Chunwang and the family's six grand consecrates to deal with Chen Cheng.
• Pang Chunwang mocked Fang Wenhou and challenged Chen Cheng, who flicked wine into a three-inch sword and killed all six consecrates.

Chen Cheng destroyed the Pang Family’s power in Zhao City, freed the hostages, and prepared to leave with his companions after winning the people’s gratitude. On the road, Cao Zhao reported that a Red Moon Cult trap had unleashed tens of thousands of Corpse Puppets, and Chen Cheng drew his sword to face the threat.

• Chen Cheng killed Pang Chunwang’s cultivation and let Fang Wenhou take revenge, while Li Bochong and Lin Luzhi fled.
• Pang Shixun arrived with hostages, but Xu An and Xia Zhengxiong read letters revealing Chen Cheng’s ties to the Northern Emperor Demon-Subduing Sect and refused to oppose him.
• Chen Cheng freed the hostages, and the white-haired eunuch revealed that Feng Fang was his godfather before executing Lu Wenshao, Peng Shiyi, and Pang Shixun and ordering their assets distributed to the people.
• Chen Cheng invited his companions to leave Zhao City, but Wu Ziyu, Zhuang Zhuang, Yu Feng, and Chen An’s family stayed behind; Shen Mi and Fang Wenhou agreed to go with him.
• Hundreds of thousands of poor residents lined the road to bid Chen Cheng farewell as he departed Zhao City.
• Cao Zhao returned bloodied and reported that the Black Cloud Marsh expedition had been ambushed by tens of thousands of Corpse Puppets; after Feng Fang advised avoiding the battle, Chen Cheng stepped out with his Thunder Crystal Longsword and chose to face the danger.

Lin Fengxiao and the other defenders faced defeat as the Corpse Puppets overwhelmed the island, until Chen Cheng and Feng Fang arrived and turned the battle around. A Red Moon then emerged from the blood-red lake, ensnared Chen Cheng with its evil art, and drew him into a confrontation as he named his newly advanced sword Thunder Radiance.

• The Corpse Puppets wore down the defenders, killing Xiang Han, Xia Yingying, and Xu Linyuan, who gave Lin Fengxiao a jade pendant and urged him to seek his father-in-law in Yong Provincial Government.
• As Lin Fengxiao prepared to die, Chen Cheng arrived on a Black-Armored Giant Crocodile and used water swords to destroy the Corpse Puppets, while Feng Fang joined the fight on the island.
• The Corpse Puppets retreated, but Chen Cheng warned the survivors not to lower their guard as Red Moon Cult experts approached across the blood-red water.
• A gigantic Red Moon rose from the lake and ensnared those who looked at it, including Chen Cheng, whose eyes turned blood-red before he recovered and ordered Feng Fang not to intervene.
• Chen Cheng leaped toward the Red Moon with his newly advanced mystic sword and named it Thunder Radiance as he prepared to strike.

Chen Cheng unleashed Black Hell, destroying the Red Moon and wiping out the Blood Corpses before the battle left him missing and presumed dead. He later returned safely to Zhao City, where his family, friends, and the citizens celebrated his survival.

• Chen Cheng’s first lightning strike failed to destroy the Red Moon, which absorbed blood from the lake and strengthened the Corpse Puppets into Blood Corpses.
• Surrounded by the Blood Corpses and Red Moon Cultists, Chen Cheng used Thunder Motion and Black Hell to shatter the Red Moon and annihilate the Corpse Puppets.
• The survivors and citizens of Zhao City believed Chen Cheng had died, and Feng Fang told Chen Cheng’s family that he could not sense a spiritual connection with his master.
• Chen Cheng returned on the Black-Armored Giant Crocodile, prompting the citizens to cheer and his loved ones to embrace him.

After Chen Cheng was presumed dead, Fu Qianzhong carried out Lu Mingyang’s orders while the Demonic Sacred Sect considered whether Chen Cheng might be the Holy Ancestor reborn. Chen Cheng reached Emperorfall City and left his companions at the Su Residence, while news of the executed sect leaders deepened his friends’ grief and Yan Guinan taunted Ji Jingyou; urgent hoofbeats then interrupted them.

• Lu Mingyang ordered Fu Qianzhong to behead the lords of Snowtread Manor and Northern Suppression Manor and Hong Wanzhong, while keeping Chen Cheng’s supposed death from Ji Jingyou and the others.
• The blue-haired demoness told the Holy Maiden that Chen Cheng had been reduced to ashes, then suggested he might be the Holy Ancestor’s reincarnated spirit child.
• Qiao Qiao told Ye Yang that Chen Cheng had destroyed Red Moon and Zhao City’s forces were attacking Black Cloud Water Stronghold, though they worried about Chen Cheng controlling the Moon Marrow.
• Chen Cheng arrived in Emperorfall City with Madam Li, Shen Mi, Fang Wenhou, Feng Fang, and Ning Shuangxu, settled the others at the Su Residence, and returned to report to the sect.
• Ji Jingyou and his friends saw the displayed heads of Hong Wanzhong, Wang Zhongxian, and Baili Che, while Yan Guinan mocked Ji Jingyou and warned that the four guarantors could be sent to the Heaven-Abandoned Mountains.
• Ji Jingyou insisted Chen Cheng was alive, and an urgent burst of hoofbeats suddenly silenced Yan Guinan and the others.