Arc 86The Bait and the Hunt

Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan entered Tongtian Pavilion, where their feud entangled Tang Qingru and led to a deadly confrontation. After Murong escaped, Ye Lin waited for him to draw Long Wu into the hunt.

  • Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan passed the stele trial and joined Tongtian Pavilion under the Chief Seat, who warned them not to fight inside the sect.
  • At the Grand Competition, Ye Lin identified Tang Qingru as their target and told her that Murong Hanxuan planned to kill her, while Murong secretly recruited her to help trap Ye Lin with Spirit-Seizing Talismans.
  • Tang Qingru warned Ye Lin about Murong’s plan, and Ye Lin told her to leave on a mission as bait while he prepared to expose Murong’s betrayal.
  • Murong Hanxuan trapped Ye Lin in a city and attacked him, but Ye Lin broke free as Chu Yunxiao and He Yunyu escaped, and Murong fled after summoning a Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox phantom.
  • Ye Lin destroyed the phantom, which had devastated the city, then caught up with Murong and tested Tang Qingru’s loyalty before Murong escaped again.
  • Ye Lin made a hut by a river and waited for half a month until lightning appeared over a distant mountain and he said the fish had taken the bait.
  • Long Wu arrived to meet the injured Murong Hanxuan, revealed he had gained the Thunder Ancestor Sacred Body, and agreed to help kill Ye Lin.
Chapters 2129–2153 Vol. 22 Read

Ch. 2129Mysterious Land - Numb from Blows

Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan passed Tongtian Pavilion’s talent trial with exceptional results, prompting the elders to question their origins. A young man in azure robes then appeared and claimed the right to take them both.

  • Murong Hanxuan touched the stone stele and raised its pillar of light to ninety-one meters before being transported away.
  • Ye Lin let the stele absorb his immortal power, and his pillar of light stopped at ninety-nine meters before he vanished in golden light.
  • The remaining Rogue Cultivators watched in shock as the two prodigies disappeared, and a man in white stepped forward to take his turn.
  • Ye Lin arrived in a great hall where four elders waited with Murong Hanxuan and other cultivators who had passed the trial.
  • Murong Hanxuan told the elders that he and Ye Lin were Rogue Cultivators, leaving them suspicious after four people had exceeded ninety meters.
  • A smiling young man in azure robes emerged from the void, greeted as Chief, and said he would take Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan.

Ch. 2130Mysterious Land - Exposed

Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan met the green-robed man, who recognized that they came from another world and asked why they had come to Tongtian Pavilion. After they claimed they sought revenge on a fellow outsider, he directed them toward the Great Elder’s personal disciple and told them to pose as his disciples.

  • The green-robed man ordered the elders to gather the sect’s strength to nurture He Yunyu and Chu Yunxiao, then kept Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan behind.
  • The green-robed man revealed that he knew Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan came from another world and demanded their true purpose.
  • Ye Lin claimed that their target was a fellow outsider who had a deep feud with them, and Murong Hanxuan backed his story.
  • The green-robed man said their target was the Great Elder’s personal disciple, warned them against fighting inside Tongtian Pavilion, and told them to call themselves his disciples.
  • Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan left to explore Tongtian Pavilion, while the green-robed man reappeared and watched them depart.

Ch. 2131Mysterious Land - The Mysterious and Powerful Tongtian Pavilion

Ye Lin learned how Tongtian Pavilion was organized, while Murong Hanxuan investigated its six Great Elders and the coming Grand Competition. They hoped the competition would help them find the person they were seeking, and the next morning they arrived at the mountain range where Tongtian Pavilion’s headquarters lay within a miniature Northern Frontier.

  • Ye Lin learned that Tongtian Pavilion had Outer and Inner Sects, with the Inner Sect divided into twelve Heavenly Pavilions.
  • Ye Lin learned that each Pavilion Master and the Chief Seat was a Taiyi Mystic Immortal, and that the Chief Seat controlled all of Tongtian Pavilion.
  • Murong Hanxuan told Ye Lin that Tongtian Pavilion had six Great Elders, including one with eighteen direct disciples, and that the Grand Competition would be held the next day.
  • Murong Hanxuan said the competition’s generous rewards might help them find the person they sought, and Ye Lin agreed to wait for it.
  • The next morning, Murong Hanxuan led Ye Lin to a mountain range as they approached Tongtian Pavilion’s headquarters in a small world resembling the Northern Frontier.

Ch. 2132The Mysterious Land - Grand Competition, Heaven Helps Me

The Grand Competition began at a scaled-down Mystic Heaven Sacred Valley, where disciples gathered to watch and compete. Li Qing arrived to preside over the one-on-one matches and announced the rewards and rules, leaving the competition ready to start.

  • Disciples gathered at the scaled-down Mystic Heaven Sacred Valley, an exact miniature of the Northern Frontier version.
  • Spectators identified Wang Tian of the War God Pavilion and Ji Bai of the Sixth Pavilion, recalling their past battles.
  • Li Qing arrived and was greeted by the gathered geniuses.
  • Li Qing announced separate Earth Immortal and Heavenly Immortal arenas, with rewards for consecutive victories.
  • Li Qing told the competitors not to kill and said the competition was meant to inspire fighting spirit while preserving friendship.

Ch. 2133The Mysterious Land - The Warm-Hearted Senior Brother Li Qing

Li Qing announced the Grand Competition’s rules and promised rewards personally provided by his master, drawing the disciples’ attention. He then approached Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan to urge them to settle their life-and-death grudge, but Ye Lin explained that abandoning revenge would leave them with heart demons.

  • Li Qing raised two white-jade arenas from the mountain range and explained that each disciple had three chances, with first place going to whoever defeated the most opponents.
  • The disciples were tempted by the undisclosed rewards, while those from the main battle pavilions watched as disciples from the Pill, Artifact Refining, and Array Pavilions began competing.
  • Li Qing introduced himself to Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan as one of their master’s direct disciples, and Murong Hanxuan introduced himself and Ye Lin.
  • Li Qing urged Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan to avoid fighting their fellow humans, but Ye Lin said they could not abandon revenge without suffering heart demons.
  • Li Qing’s expression changed, and he fell silent with a heavy sigh.

Ch. 2134The Mysterious Land - Li Qing's Probe

Ye Lin identified Tang Qingru, a Divine Race cultivator, as the target he and Murong Hanxuan had been seeking. After revealing her identity and exceptional potential, Ye Lin urged Murong Hanxuan to create an opportunity to approach her, while privately resolving to act alone if Murong hesitated.

  • Li Qing pointed to a young man and asked Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan to identify him, but Ye Lin said the test was pointless.
  • Ye Lin told Murong Hanxuan that their actual target was a woman standing nearby.
  • Ye Lin scanned the cultivators' panels and identified the woman as Tang Qingru, an early Heavenly Immortal of the Divine Race with exceptional combat talent.
  • Murong Hanxuan admired Tang Qingru's appearance and asked Ye Lin about her race and name.
  • Ye Lin told Murong Hanxuan to create an opportunity to approach Tang Qingru and decided he would act alone if Murong refused.

Ch. 2135Mysterious Land - Confrontation with Tang Qingru

Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan discussed how to approach Tang Qingru, who was secretly a member of the God Clan. Ye Lin challenged her on the Arena and revealed that he knew her identity, leaving her wary as their confrontation began.

  • Murong Hanxuan advised Ye Lin to watch Tang Qingru and wait for an opportunity before approaching her.
  • When Tang Qingru entered the Grand Competition, Ye Lin urged Murong Hanxuan to test her, but Murong Hanxuan refused and left.
  • Ye Lin suspected Murong Hanxuan had hidden motives and stepped onto the Arena to challenge Tang Qingru in place of her exhausted opponent.
  • Tang Qingru accepted Ye Lin's challenge as the surrounding cultivators watched.
  • Ye Lin spoke into Tang Qingru's mind, asking whether she was from the God Clan, and her expression turned grave.

Ch. 2136Mysterious Land - Conversation

Ye Lin questioned Tang Qingru about Murong Hanxuan and warned her that her fiancé intended to kill her. He left after asking her to consider joining forces with him, while Tang Qingru weighed the offer.

  • Ye Lin asked Tang Qingru whether she knew Murong Hanxuan, and she said he was the fiancé her father had arranged for her.
  • Ye Lin told Tang Qingru that Murong Hanxuan intended to kill her and might soon approach her in secret.
  • Ye Lin briefly demonstrated that he could overpower Tang Qingru, then asked her to consider helping him.
  • Tang Qingru left, reflecting on Ye Lin's strength and the possibility of cooperation as the watching cultivators speculated about their relationship.

Ch. 2137Mysterious Land - Ye Lin's Principles of Conduct

Ye Lin weighed whether Murong Hanxuan remained his ally, prepared to switch sides if necessary, and reaffirmed his ruthless code of conduct. Tang Qingru realized Ye Lin’s arrival had ruined her plan to cultivate quietly, so she resolved to join the coming conflict rather than face repeated assassinations.

  • Ye Lin wondered if he was becoming a villain and warned himself that Murong Hanxuan might need to be replaced as his partner.
  • Ye Lin decided he would help Murong Hanxuan kill Tang Qingru if Murong remained loyal, or help Tang Qingru kill Murong if Murong had turned against him.
  • Ye Lin reflected that he needed a powerful ally to hunt the other prodigies and would kill anyone who harbored ill intent toward him.
  • Tang Qingru returned to her residence and reconsidered her plan to cultivate in Tongtian Pavilion without joining any disputes.
  • Tang Qingru concluded that she could not escape the approaching conflict and chose to take the initiative rather than risk countless assassinations.

Ch. 2138The Mysterious Land - Murong Hanxuan's Arrival

Murong Hanxuan found Tang Qingru in the forest and revealed their arranged bond as Dao companions. He then explained that he had come to propose cooperation, since killing her would mark him for the God Clan to find.

  • Tang Qingru sensed someone in the bushes and confronted Murong Hanxuan with her blade.
  • Murong Hanxuan introduced himself as a disciple of the Myriad Dao Talisman Sect and described the arrangement made by his master and Tang Qingru's father.
  • Tang Qingru lowered her blade after confirming her father had told her about the arrangement, but said she still resisted becoming his Dao companion.
  • Tang Qingru pressed her sword to Murong Hanxuan's throat and challenged his motives for seeking her out.
  • Murong Hanxuan said he wanted to cooperate because killing her would leave him marked by the God Clan and expose him to its experts.

Ch. 2139Mysterious Land - Tang Qingru's Choice

Murong Hanxuan tried to recruit Tang Qingru to help him kill Ye Lin using three Spirit-Seizing Talismans. Tang Qingru agreed to hear his plan, which involved luring Ye Lin out and holding him off while Murong Hanxuan activated the talismans.

  • Murong Hanxuan told Tang Qingru he wanted to kill Ye Lin, whose One Breath Becomes Three Purities technique gave him three avatars and the strength of four late-stage Heavenly Immortals.
  • Tang Qingru dismissed Murong Hanxuan’s chances of defeating Ye Lin, but he claimed he had confidence in his plan.
  • Murong Hanxuan showed Tang Qingru three Spirit-Seizing Talismans made by his master, saying they could control Ye Lin’s Primordial Spirit.
  • Murong Hanxuan asked Tang Qingru to accept an assignment in three days and bring three early-stage Heavenly Immortals to avoid suspicion.
  • Murong Hanxuan planned to lure Ye Lin out, have Tang Qingru hold him off for three breaths, then control his Primordial Spirit and summon his three avatars for them to divide.

Ch. 2140Mysterious Land - Tang Qingru Agrees to the Request

Tang Qingru agreed to Murong Hanxuan’s request and received details about a mission in the Shuo Feng Dynasty. At the Mission Pavilion, He Yunyu chose the same mediation mission for herself and Chu Yunxiao, hoping its completion would earn them support and resources.

  • Murong Hanxuan told Tang Qingru about a mission in three days to mediate between two dynasties nearing war, and Tang Qingru agreed to meet him in the Shuo Feng Dynasty.
  • Chu Yunxiao worried that he and He Yunyu were taking a mission too soon after joining Tongtian Pavilion.
  • He Yunyu explained that they needed to prove their worth through hard work as well as talent, and Chu Yunxiao thanked her for the advice.
  • He Yunyu selected a jade plaque for a mission to mediate between two dynasties on the brink of war.
  • He Yunyu said completing the mission would make Tongtian Pavilion value them and provide resources she could exchange for what she needed.

Ch. 2141Mysterious Land - Deviation

He Yunyu and Chu Yunxiao accepted a low-risk mission to earn resources for building a teleportation array, planning to leave in three days while hiding their identities. Murong Hanxuan and Ye Lin mistakenly believed Tang Qingru had accepted the mission and prepared to use her outing for their plans.

  • He Yunyu said joining a major force was the fastest way to gather resources, and Chu Yunxiao agreed to take the mission.
  • He Yunyu advised Chu Yunxiao to change clothes, conceal their auras, and wear masks before leaving in three days.
  • Chu Yunxiao and He Yunyu sneaked out of the Mission Pavilion after taking the jade token.
  • Murong Hanxuan searched the pavilion and assumed Tang Qingru had accepted the hidden mission, then said he would consider becoming her Dao companion.
  • Murong Hanxuan met Ye Lin and reported that Tang Qingru would leave on a mission in three days.
  • Ye Lin said the timing would let him advance to the late stage or peak of the heavenly immortal realm.

Ch. 2142Mysterious Land - Tang Qingru Arrives

Ye Lin met Tang Qingru by a lake and learned that Murong Hanxuan planned to use three Spirit-Seizing Talismans against him. He told Tang Qingru to leave in three days as planned, hiding her whereabouts from everyone except Murong Hanxuan.

  • Ye Lin left Murong Hanxuan and suspected that he had gone to meet Tang Qingru during his five-hour disappearance.
  • Ye Lin sensed someone following him and called Tang Qingru out by a lake.
  • Tang Qingru told Ye Lin that Murong Hanxuan had three Spirit-Seizing Talismans, each requiring three breaths to activate.
  • Tang Qingru said Murong Hanxuan had told her to accept a mission to leave in three days, but she could not find it at the Mission Pavilion.
  • Ye Lin told Tang Qingru to leave in three days without exposing her whereabouts, while making sure Murong Hanxuan could see her.

Ch. 2143The Mysterious Land - Tang Qingru's Utter Rage

Tang Qingru realized Ye Lin had manipulated her into surrendering her leverage and angrily vowed to hunt him if she escaped. Ye Lin then entered the Artifact Refining Pavilion and surveyed its chaotic workshops.

  • Tang Qingru asked who would receive Murong Hanxuan's life, and Ye Lin told her it would be his.
  • Ye Lin warned Tang Qingru that she could either follow him and grow stronger or die alongside Murong Hanxuan.
  • After Ye Lin left, Tang Qingru realized he had outmaneuvered her and vowed to hunt him across the Star River Cosmos if she escaped.
  • Tang Qingru struck the lake in a fit of rage, creating an enormous palm print on its bed.
  • Ye Lin entered the Artifact Refining Pavilion and walked through its noisy, furnace-filled workshops.

Ch. 2144Mysterious Land - Artifact Refining

Ye Lin brought his Chaos Sword Casket and nine divine swords to the Artifact Refining Pavilion, asking for them all to be upgraded to Immortal Grade with a Glazed Immortal Crystal. After arranging the forging, he left to wait for the next stage of his plan, which would unfold in three days.

  • A burly artifact refiner asked Ye Lin whether he wanted a weapon forged or purchased.
  • Ye Lin revealed his Chaos Sword Casket and asked for all nine swords to be upgraded to Immortal Grade using a large Glazed Immortal Crystal.
  • The burly man agreed to have his five masters forge the swords and refine the sword casket, promising they would be ready the next day in exchange for the leftover crystal.
  • Ye Lin informed the swords’ artifact spirits before handing over the casket and crystal.
  • Ye Lin left the Artifact Refining Pavilion and said he would wait for his plan to draw its target in three days.

Ch. 2145The Mysterious Land - A Beautiful Misunderstanding

Ye Lin and Murong Hanxuan left Tongtian Pavilion to head for a mission, while Murong Hanxuan believed Tang Qingru had already departed. He did not realize that the black-clad figures ahead were He Yunyu and Chu Yunxiao in disguise, and the group continued toward the Shuo Feng Dynasty.

  • Ye Lin obtained an Immortal Grade Chaos Sword Casket containing nine lower-grade Immortal Grade longswords, and received a top-grade Heaven Grade Blazing Flame Longbow.
  • Tang Qingru left in black clothing and a mask while Murong Hanxuan went to find Ye Lin.
  • Murong Hanxuan urged Ye Lin to leave, and the two traveled to Tongtian Pavilion's exit.
  • Murong Hanxuan saw black-clad figures disappear ahead and assumed Tang Qingru was waiting for a companion.
  • Chu Yunxiao and He Yunyu hurried toward the Shuo Feng Dynasty alongside Tang Qingru, with He Yunyu disguised to resemble her.
  • Murong Hanxuan grew anxious as the figures ahead moved slowly, unaware of the disguise.

Ch. 2146Mysterious Land - Design

Ye Lin followed Murong Hanxuan into a small city, where Murong secretly completed a trapping formation around them. They entered the Myriad Treasure Pavilion looking for two black-clad figures, while Ye Lin had already alerted Tang Qingru.

  • Ye Lin recognized the two figures ahead as Chu Yunxiao and He Yunyu and followed them toward the city with Murong Hanxuan.
  • Ye Lin secretly notified Tang Qingru, who was rushing over, while Murong scattered talismans to reinforce the surroundings.
  • Murong completed a trapping formation that sealed the city beneath a faint purple light, and Ye Lin played along with his explanation.
  • Ye Lin and Murong entered the Myriad Treasure Pavilion after seeing the two black-clad figures go inside.
  • The pavilion manager welcomed Ye Lin and Murong, and Ye Lin asked where the two black-clad visitors had gone.

Ch. 2147The Mysterious Land - The Pitiful Old Man

Murong Hanxuan confronted Ye Lin and Tang Qingru at the Myriad Treasure Pavilion, then attacked Ye Lin with a binding formation and talismans. Ye Lin escaped the formation and destroyed the talisman attack, while Murong Hanxuan called on two others to join the fight.

  • Murong Hanxuan asked the pavilion manager about Ye Lin and Tang Qingru, and the manager warned him against causing trouble.
  • Murong Hanxuan spotted Tang Qingru and Ye Lin coming down the stairs and slapped the pavilion manager into the rubble.
  • Murong Hanxuan trapped Ye Lin in a golden formation and sent dozens of talismans toward him.
  • Ye Lin walked out of the formation and used a golden palm to destroy the incoming talismans.
  • Murong Hanxuan challenged Ye Lin and ordered two onlookers to attack.

Ch. 2148Mysterious Land - Murong Hanxuan at His Wit's End

Ye Lin cornered Murong Hanxuan after revealing he had seen through his scheme, while He Yunyu and Chu Yunxiao fled. Murong Hanxuan summoned the Fox Ancestor with his essence blood in a desperate attempt to survive.

  • Murong Hanxuan blamed the woman watching the fight and considered killing her, while He Yunyu and Chu Yunxiao decided to flee.
  • He Yunyu and Chu Yunxiao escaped, and Ye Lin approached Murong Hanxuan, saying he had known the truth all along.
  • Murong Hanxuan accused Tang Qingru of betraying him, summoned a nine-tailed celestial fox phantom to cover his escape, and fled.
  • Ye Lin drew the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword and cleaved the fox phantom apart with one slash.
  • Murong Hanxuan opened a cloud hollow and offered his essence blood to summon Green Hills and call upon the Fox Ancestor for aid.

Ch. 2149The Mysterious Land - Green Hills Fox Clan

Murong Hanxuan sacrificed his essence blood to summon a phantom of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox and escaped, leaving it to obstruct Ye Lin. Ye Lin fought the phantom and recognized its attempt to trap him in an illusion realm.

  • Murong Hanxuan summoned the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox phantom by offering his essence blood, then fled.
  • Ye Lin arrived and found the phantom staring at him, while Murong Hanxuan was already gone.
  • Tang Qingru joined Ye Lin, then left to pursue Murong Hanxuan as Ye Lin stayed behind to fight.
  • Ye Lin attacked with Sword One, Sword Piercing the Firmament, and the phantom struck back with its nine tails.
  • The phantom met Ye Lin's gaze and changed the scenery around him, but Ye Lin recognized its illusion technique.

Ch. 2150The Mysterious Land - The Panel Reappears

Ye Lin defeated the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox phantom, but its final gaze exposed him to a terrifying presence watching from across the void. He left to pursue Murong Hanxuan, while He Yunyu and Chu Yunxiao arrived over the city destroyed in the battle.

  • Ye Lin broke the phantom's illusion with a sword strike and dismissed it.
  • As the phantom vanished, a distant gaze made Ye Lin feel the threat of death.
  • Ye Lin resolved to kill Murong Hanxuan to uncover the phantom's origins and set off in pursuit.
  • He Yunyu and Chu Yunxiao arrived above the ruins and found that Ye Lin's battle had destroyed the city and killed its tens of thousands of inhabitants.

Ch. 2151Mysterious Land - Shifting the Blame

Tang Qingru chose to help Ye Lin pursue Murong Hanxuan, who tried to escape using a talisman. Murong Hanxuan vanished before she could stop him, and Ye Lin revealed he had been watching her choice from the shadows.

  • Chu Yunxiao and He Yunyu worried that Senior Ye and Tang Qingru might silence them after they witnessed the pursuit.
  • Murong Hanxuan tried to persuade Tang Qingru to spare him by invoking their old ties and threatening her with his master's revenge.
  • Tang Qingru refused to change sides and told Murong Hanxuan that Ye Lin, not she, would kill him.
  • Murong Hanxuan activated a talisman and escaped before Tang Qingru could stop him.
  • Ye Lin emerged from the void and praised Tang Qingru, revealing he had hidden nearby to test her choice.

Ch. 2152Mysterious Land - Jiang Taigong Fishes

Ye Lin led Tang Qingru to a river instead of immediately pursuing Murong Hanxuan, then spent half a month waiting while fishing with a bare branch. As Tang Qingru worried about returning to her master on time, lightning gathered over a distant mountain and a figure approached, prompting Ye Lin to say the fish had taken the bait.

  • Ye Lin revealed that he had been watching Tang Qingru and ordered her to follow him, and she reluctantly obeyed.
  • Ye Lin reached the area near Murong Hanxuan but chose to make a hut beside a river and fish instead of entering the mountain.
  • Tang Qingru questioned Ye Lin’s strange fishing, then built a small house and stayed nearby.
  • Ye Lin sat motionless for half a month while Tang Qingru waited and worried that she would miss the date to return to her master.
  • Lightning spread across the sky above a distant mountain as a figure approached, Ye Lin’s branch snapped, and he said the fish had taken the bait.

Ch. 2153Mysterious Land - The Willing Take the Bait

Ye Lin left Tang Qingru behind and hurried onward, while Long Wu arrived to find the badly injured Murong Hanxuan. After revealing that he had gained the Thunder Ancestor Sacred Body, Long Wu offered to help Murong Hanxuan kill the person responsible for his condition.

  • Ye Lin tossed aside his branch, took the Chaos Sword Casket, and strode away through the sky, leaving Tang Qingru shocked by his speed.
  • Long Wu emerged from the thunderclouds and teased Murong Hanxuan about his injuries.
  • Long Wu told Murong Hanxuan that he had gained the Thunder Ancestor Sacred Body after encountering a peak Earth Immortal.
  • Long Wu offered to help Murong Hanxuan, hoping to benefit from his influence in the Star River Cosmos.
  • Murong Hanxuan said Ye Lin was responsible for his condition and asked Long Wu to help kill him.
Arc 86 of 315