Chapter Summaries

As Zhang Xiaofan faced a seemingly certain sentence in Jade Purity Hall, Li Xiaoyu arrived and challenged Daoist Cangsong’s accusations. He argued that Zhang Xiaofan’s mastery of different cultivation arts did not prove he was a Demon Sect spy, leaving the hall stunned as the dispute continued.

• Daoist Cangsong accused Tian Buyi of protecting Zhang Xiaofan and demanded that Zhang be stripped of his cultivation and imprisoned in the Ancient Demon-Suppressing Cave.
• Zhang Xiaofan remained silent rather than reveal Master Pu Zhi’s dying request and the secrets surrounding the Blood-Devouring Bead.
• Li Xiaoyu entered Jade Purity Hall with Lu Xueqi and asked Daoist Cangsong to present concrete evidence that Zhang was a Demon Sect spy.
• Daoist Cangsong cited Zhang’s cultivation of Buddhist, demonic, and Daoist arts as proof, but Li Xiaoyu argued that different cultivation paths could lead to the same truth and did not establish guilt.

Li Xiaoyu challenged Daoist Cangsong’s accusation that Zhang Xiaofan was a traitor by citing an old Green Cloud Sect precedent and recalling Zhang’s courage at Liubo Mountain. As Cangsong pressed Zhang to reveal how he learned Heavenly Sound Temple arts, Lu Xueqi stepped forward and risked her future and life to vouch for him.

• Li Xiaoyu cited the history of Patriarch Zheng Tong sharing cultivation arts with the overseas cultivator Zhen Yu, undermining Daoist Cangsong’s claim that Zhang Xiaofan’s actions had no precedent.
• Li Xiaoyu recounted how Zhang Xiaofan fought beside his fellow disciples at Liubo Mountain, saved Tian Ling'er from Kui Ox, and helped drive back Blood-Sucking Old Demon.
• Daoist Cangsong acknowledged that Zhang Xiaofan possessed the Blood-Devouring Bead and demanded to know where he learned Heavenly Sound Temple cultivation arts.
• Zhang Xiaofan resolved to keep his promise to the kind old monk and refused to reveal his first master.
• Lu Xueqi vowed to stake her cultivation path and life on Zhang Xiaofan’s innocence, recalling how he had stood firm in the Abyss of the Dead and Ancient Bat Cave.

At Zhang Xiaofan’s trial, Lu Xueqi and Li Xiaoyu staked their lives and Dao to defend him. Master Puhong then confessed that Pu Zhi had taught Zhang the Great Brahma Prajna, and began revealing what happened ten years earlier.

• Lu Xueqi vowed to stake her life and Dao and even leave her sect rather than let Zhang Xiaofan be condemned.
• Li Xiaoyu clasped Lu Xueqi’s hand and declared that he would stake his life and Dao on Zhang as well.
• Master Puhong announced that Heavenly Sound Temple had to bring the matter to an end and confessed that Pu Zhi had personally taught Zhang the Great Brahma Prajna.
• Master Puhong swore that his confession was true, then recounted Pu Zhi’s visit to Green Cloud Mountain ten years earlier and his encounter with Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan.

Master Puhong revealed that Pu Zhi had massacred Grass Temple Village after succumbing to the Blood-Devouring Bead, shattering Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu. As chaos broke out, Daoist Cangsong poisoned Daoist Daoxuan and accused him of killing Wan Jianyi.

• Master Puhong confessed that Pu Zhi had killed the 247 villagers and entrusted Zhang Xiaofan with Great Brahma Prajna and the Blood-Devouring Bead.
• Zhang Xiaofan rejected the revelation in anguish as the Blood-Devouring Bead's fiendish aura surged around him, while Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi rushed to restrain him.
• Lin Jingyu charged Master Puhong with the Dragon-Severing Sword, but Puhong stopped him without striking back.
• Daoist Cangsong attacked Daoist Daoxuan with a Seven-Tailed Centipede, and its venom pierced Daoxuan's protective aura.
• Daoist Cangsong declared that Daoxuan had killed Wan Jianyi and vowed to avenge him.

Daoist Cangsong revealed his betrayal and helped the Demon Sect launch an all-out invasion of Green Cloud Mountain. With Daoist Daoxuan poisoned and the Green Cloud Sect in chaos, Li Xiaoyu rallied the disciples and led them to confront the attackers, while Zhang Xiaofan overcame his shock and followed him into battle.

• Daoist Cangsong fired a signal flare and revealed that the four major Demon Sect factions had been waiting to attack Green Cloud Mountain.
• A wounded disciple reported that the Demon Sect had breached the first mountain gate, while Daoist Cangsong fought his way toward the hall's exit.
• Li Xiaoyu took command, assigned the disciples to defend the mountain and protect Daoist Daoxuan, and urged Zhang Xiaofan to fight for the sect.
• Li Xiaoyu, Lu Xueqi, and the Big Bamboo Peak disciples left Jade Purity Hall to meet the Demon Sect army, and Zhang Xiaofan followed them.
• Li Xiaoyu ordered the Morning Sun Peak disciples to form the Two-Emanations Dust-Mote Formation around him.

Li Xiaoyu coordinated the Green Cloud Sect’s defense against the Demon Sect’s assault on Heaven-Reaching Peak, then charged the Immortal-Slaying Gourd with his spiritual energy as the defenders neared collapse. The gourd erupted with brilliant golden light and a destructive, judgment-like aura, leaving its power poised to strike the attackers.

• Lu Xueqi formed Small Bamboo Peak’s Cold Moon Formation while Li Xiaoyu organized the other disciples into a mobile force to defend Jade Purity Hall.
• The Joyous Union Sect elder attacked Morning Sun Peak’s sword formation, but the formation held her poisonous net and Lu Xueqi wounded her with the Tianya Sword.
• The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect sent poisonous insects against Small Bamboo Peak, and Song Daren led Big Bamboo Peak in a charge to break the swarm as fighting spread across the plaza.
• Li Xiaoyu directed the Green Cloud Sect’s disciples to support one another and withdraw into a tighter formation while the Demon Sect intensified its assault.
• As the Two-Emanations Dust-Mote Formation faltered, Li Xiaoyu infused the Immortal-Slaying Gourd with his spiritual energy, causing its ancient patterns to blaze with golden light and release a violent, majestic aura.

Li Xiaoyu unleashed the Immortal-Slaying Gourd’s thunder ability, devastating the Demon Sect army and halting its assault on the Green Cloud Sect. As his power waned, four Upper Purity Realm elders joined forces to attack him, leaving the battle’s decisive clash about to begin.

• Li Xiaoyu used the Immortal-Slaying Gourd to spread a vast web of purple lightning over Jade Purity Hall, killing many Demon Sect disciples and incapacitating elders.
• Lu Xueqi and the Green Cloud Sect disciples watched in astonishment as Li Xiaoyu’s attack broke the Demon Sect’s advance.
• Ghost King Wan Renwang and Poison God recognized that ordinary disciples could no longer threaten the Green Cloud Sect and prepared for a battle between powerful fighters.
• Li Xiaoyu sensed stronger Demon Sect auras approaching and spotted the Joyous Union Sect elder, the Withered Elder, and a Longevity Hall elder among them.
• The four Demon Sect elders attacked Li Xiaoyu from four directions, aiming to kill him and seize the Immortal-Slaying Gourd.

Li Xiaoyu used the Immortal-Slaying Gourd to erase four Upper Purity Realm Demon Sect elders, breaking the attackers’ morale. As the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation rose over Heaven-Reaching Peak, the Demon Sect leaders fled, but the formation’s power threatened to stop them.

• Li Xiaoyu calmly raised the Immortal-Slaying Gourd and released a faint golden light that destroyed the four attacking Demon Sect elders, bodies and souls alike.
• The Demon Sect army panicked and fled after witnessing the elders’ disappearance.
• Ghost King Wan Renwang, Poison God, and Yu Yangzi watched Li Xiaoyu in shock, while Wan Renwang resolved to use his hidden trump card.
• A seven-colored sword light rose from the Green Cloud Sect’s rear mountain and formed the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation above Heaven-Reaching Peak.
• Wan Renwang ordered a retreat, and the three Demon Sect leaders fled down the mountain as the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation unleashed its power.

The Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation wiped out the invading Demon Sect forces, but activating it left Daoist Daoxuan consumed by the Ancient Immortal-Slaying Sword’s malevolent aura. He tried to kill Zhang Xiaofan, and Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi stood between them as his sword descended.

• Daoist Daoxuan unleashed the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, killing the Demon Sect fiends across Heaven-Reaching Peak and Green Cloud Mountain.
• Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi reunited after the battle and shared relief that the Qingyun Sect had won.
• Shang Zhengliang, Tian Buyi, and the other Chief Seats found Daoist Daoxuan emerging from Illusion Moon Cave Abode, aged and driven mad by the Ancient Immortal-Slaying Sword.
• Daoist Daoxuan blamed Zhang Xiaofan for the attack and raised the sword to kill him, while Tian Buyi and Su Ru were pinned by its sword intent.
• Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi shielded Zhang Xiaofan and poured their cultivation into the Autumn Water Sword and Tianya Divine Sword as Daoist Daoxuan struck.

Bi Yao sacrificed herself to stop Daoist Daoxuan’s strike from killing Zhang Xiaofan, and the Ghost King took the unconscious Zhang Xiaofan away. After the battle, the Green Cloud Sect began dealing with its losses as Daoist Daoxuan summoned Li Xiaoyu to Jade Purity Hall to recognize those who defended the sect.

• Bi Yao returned and used the Love Obsession Curse to create a golden barrier that blocked Daoist Daoxuan’s strike, then vanished as her soul scattered.
• Zhang Xiaofan screamed in grief, lost control of his Buddhist, Daoist, and demonic arts, and fainted.
• Ghost King Wan Renwang arrived too late, gathered Zhang Xiaofan, Bi Yao’s clothing, and the Joyous Union Bell, then led the Ghost King Sect away.
• Li Xiaoyu surveyed the destruction on Green Cloud Mountain before Daoist Daoxuan summoned him to Jade Purity Hall.
• Daoist Daoxuan told the Chief Seats that the sect would record and reward the defenders’ deeds, then called Li Xiaoyu forward for commendation.

After the battle, Daoist Daoxuan rewarded Li Xiaoyu for his service with treasures and access to Qingyun’s Scripture Repositories, and the disciples came to admire him. As Li Xiaoyu taught new disciples, Zeng Shushu and Lin Jingyu visited to thank him for protecting them and standing up for Zhang Xiaofan.

• Daoist Daoxuan praised Li Xiaoyu’s three great merits and awarded him pills, rare forging materials, cultivation records, and access to Qingyun’s Scripture Repositories.
• The survivors rebuilt the sect, and Qingyun’s disciples began to respect Li Xiaoyu for his courage, responsibility, and humility.
• Li Xiaoyu patiently taught newly initiated disciples the basics of swordsmanship in the rear mountains of Morning Sun Peak.
• Zeng Shushu and Lin Jingyu visited Li Xiaoyu to thank him for protecting Wind Return Peak and saving Lin Jingyu from the Blood-Sucking Old Demon.
• Lin Jingyu also thanked Li Xiaoyu for speaking up for Zhang Xiaofan in Jade Purity Hall.

After the Green Cloud calamity, Li Xiaoyu resolved to grow stronger by entering a risky, long-term seclusion to nourish the Immortal-Slaying Gourd and study his cultivation arts. With Shang Zhengliang’s support and Lu Xueqi’s promise to wait for him, he sealed himself in a cave and began feeding treasures to the gourd.

• As Green Cloud Sect rebuilt, Li Xiaoyu worried that the Demon Sect would return and decided his strength was still insufficient.
• Li Xiaoyu told Shang Zhengliang he planned an extensive retreat, and his master accepted the decision and promised that the sect would remain safe under his and the others’ watch.
• Li Xiaoyu visited Lu Xueqi on Moon-Watching Terrace, told her he was leaving for seclusion, and embraced her as she promised to wait for him.
• Li Xiaoyu entered a secluded cave behind Morning Sun Peak and opened the jade boxes containing Daoist Daoxuan’s treasures.
• Li Xiaoyu swallowed the Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Pill to feed its energy to the Immortal-Slaying Gourd, and its life force began repairing his hidden injuries and restoring his depleted spirit.

Li Xiaoyu fed Daoist Daoxuan’s rare treasures to the Immortal-Slaying Gourd, transforming its powers and drawing a flood of Chaos energy into himself. He broke through the ninth layer of the Jade Purity Realm and pushed toward the Upper Purity Realm as a spectacular celestial phenomenon appeared over Morning Sun Peak.

• Li Xiaoyu guided the life energy in his body into the Immortal-Slaying Gourd, which devoured it and revealed clearer ancient patterns.
• Li Xiaoyu fed the gourd the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron Essence, Polar Profound Crystal, and the rest of Daoist Daoxuan’s rare treasures.
• The gourd’s inner space expanded into seas of elemental energy, and the Innate Geng Metal Sword Qi began to evolve.
• The gourd released immense Chaos energy that tempered Li Xiaoyu and raised his cultivation through the seventh, eighth, and ninth layers of the Jade Purity Realm.
• Li Xiaoyu fused the Taiji Profound Clarity Path with the principles of the Heavenly Tome General Outline and launched an assault on the Upper Purity Realm.
• A Seven-Colored Divine Dragon formed above Morning Sun Peak as the Green Cloud Sect’s disciples witnessed the celestial phenomenon.

Li Xiaoyu broke through to the Upper Purity Realm, stunning the Green Cloud Sect and sending a message to Lu Xueqi. While examining his transformed Immortal-Slaying Gourd, he awakened the Mystic Fire Mirror and brought forth the legendary Pure Essence Fire.

• Daoist Daoxuan, Lu Xueqi, and Shang Zhengliang sensed Li Xiaoyu's breakthrough as a seven-colored dragon appeared over Morning Sun Peak.
• Li Xiaoyu emerged from seclusion in the Upper Purity Realm and made a crystal lotus blossom on Lu Xueqi's Tear Bamboo, letting her know he had returned.
• News of Li Xiaoyu's breakthrough spread through the Green Cloud Sect, and he declined Shang Zhengliang's celebration before visiting the cliff where he had once gained enlightenment.
• Li Xiaoyu examined the miniature world within his Immortal-Slaying Gourd and recognized that its chaotic Innate Sword Qi had become his true trump card.
• Li Xiaoyu infused the Mystic Fire Mirror with his Upper Purity Realm spiritual energy, awakening it and forming the legendary Pure Essence Fire.

Li Xiaoyu followed the Mystic Fire Mirror’s summons toward Incense Burning Valley to fulfill his promise to free the Nine-Tail Celestial Fox, and Lu Xueqi joined him on the journey. After reaching the Southern Border, they explored Kui Water Village and shared a quiet moment at their inn.

• The Mystic Fire Mirror pointed Li Xiaoyu toward Incense Burning Valley, reminding him of his promise to reunite the Nine-Tail Celestial Fox with her children.
• Li Xiaoyu told Shang Zhengliang he would investigate Incense Burning Valley, and Shang Zhengliang gave him a Breath-Concealing Jade and warned him to stay safe.
• Li Xiaoyu spent three days studying cultivation insights before leaving Green Cloud Mountain Range, and Lu Xueqi caught up with him to travel south.
• Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi journeyed for half a month and reached Kui Water Village, where they explored the Southern Border marketplace and sampled its food.
• Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi watched the moon from their inn, and Li Xiaoyu suggested that they find a quiet place to live together once everything was settled.

Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi traveled to Incense Burning Valley to investigate Southern Border’s demonic-beast disturbances and suspected Demon Sect conspiracy. Li Xun reluctantly allowed them into the Valley, warning them to obey its rules.

• Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi learned that Incense Burning Valley guarded Southern Border but ruled its tribes harshly, and the tribes’ resentment had reached a breaking point.
• Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi used the Breath-Concealing Jade Shang Zhengliang had given them and flew to Incense Burning Valley.
• At the Valley gates, Li Xiaoyu introduced himself and Lu Xueqi as Green Cloud Sect visitors seeking Valley Master Yun, but a gate disciple claimed the Valley Master was in seclusion.
• Li Xiaoyu told the gate disciple that their visit concerned demonic-beast disturbances and a possible Demon Sect conspiracy, prompting him to report their arrival.
• Li Xun came to meet Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi, denied that Southern Border faced disturbances, and reluctantly let them proceed after Li Xiaoyu appealed to the formal courtesies between their sects.
• Li Xun warned Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi not to trespass as they followed him up the crimson mountain path.

Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi reached Incense Burning Valley, where Li Xun kept them from meeting Yun Yilan and challenged Li Xiaoyu to a spar. When Li Xiaoyu invited Li Xun and Yan Hong to attack him together, they launched their techniques, and he answered with the pressure of the Upper Purity Realm.

• Li Xun left Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi waiting outside Incense Burning Hall, then claimed Yun Yilan and the elders could not meet them.
• Li Xun challenged Li Xiaoyu to a spar in front of the Incense Burning Valley disciples, and Li Xiaoyu accepted.
• Li Xiaoyu proposed that Li Xun and Yan Hong attack him together, angering them and the watching disciples.
• Li Xun unleashed Nine Suns Heavenly Dipper while Yan Hong used Green Light God-Binding to strike and restrain Li Xiaoyu.
• Li Xiaoyu raised his hand and released the aura of the Upper Purity Realm as their attacks approached.

Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi decided to investigate Incense Burning Valley’s secrets after Yun Yilan and his disciples treated them with hostility. They infiltrated the forbidden grounds at night and reached the Mystic Fire Altar, where they prepared to uncover what the Valley was hiding.

• Li Xiaoyu defeated Li Xun and Yan Hong with his aura, revealing that he had reached the Upper Purity Realm.
• Yun Yilan came out of the Incense Burning Hall, acknowledged Li Xiaoyu’s strength, and left without welcoming the Green Cloud Sect envoys.
• Li Xiaoyu told Lu Xueqi that Incense Burning Valley’s hostility suggested it was hiding something, and they decided to investigate the Mystic Fire Altar that night.
• Lu Xueqi shared Three-Tail’s map of the Valley and warned that Shangguan Ce guarded the Mystic Fire Altar.
• Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi used the Breath-Concealing Jade to evade patrols, then Li Xiaoyu used the Mystic Fire Mirror to pass through the ward at the forbidden valley’s entrance.
• Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi reached the Mystic Fire Altar, surrounded by thirteen jade pillars carved with Wu Clan runes.

Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi caught Jin Ping'er sneaking toward the Mystic Fire Altar and confronted her. They agreed to work together to investigate Incense Burning Valley, and Jin Ping'er revealed she had a secret passage into the altar.

• Li Xiaoyu sensed a Joyous Union Sect aura near the Mystic Fire Altar and recognized Jin Ping'er approaching through the wards.
• Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi ambushed Jin Ping'er and demanded to know why she had come.
• Jin Ping'er admitted she was investigating Incense Burning Valley's activities on her master's orders and proposed a temporary alliance.
• Li Xiaoyu agreed to cooperate, but asked Jin Ping'er to prove her sincerity by explaining how they could enter the altar.
• Jin Ping'er revealed that a secret passage created by Madam Golden Bell and Elder Black Heart bypassed the wards, and showed them the jade pendant that opened it.

Li Xiaoyu, Jin Ping'er, and Lu Xueqi entered the Mystic Fire Altar and discovered that Incense Burning Valley planned to refine the Nine-Tail Celestial Fox's demonic power to recreate the Pure Essence Fire. They resolved to rescue her and stop the ritual, then set off an explosion to distract the guards.

• Jin Ping'er used the Bell Jade Pendant to reveal a hidden passage into the Mystic Fire Altar, and the three descended into its underground chamber.
• The group saw Incense Burning Valley disciples maintaining the Eight Desolations Mystic Fire Array while Shangguan Ce announced the sect's plan to refine the Nine-Tail Celestial Fox's demonic power.
• Li Xiaoyu realized the fox was imprisoned beneath the formation, and he, Jin Ping'er, and Lu Xueqi agreed to rescue her despite the dangers.
• Li Xiaoyu infused a black pebble with Thunder Power and tossed it among spare formation materials, triggering an explosion and chain reaction.