Recaps

With the Four Symbols Array destroyed, the wounded Demon-Slaying Alliance launched a desperate assault on the Demonic Qi Well, while Chen Changming followed Luo Lan into battle. The two sides fought to the death, and Yu Tiangong killed two vice alliance leaders with a final explosion.

• The Demon-Slaying Alliance discovered that the Four Symbols Array was destroyed and decided to make a last attack on the Black Lotus Sect.
• After an hour of recovery, Cheng Hanhai led more than thirty cultivators into the Demonic Qi Well.
• Luo Lan ignored Chen Changming's plea to stay back and joined the battle, while Chen followed to protect her if needed.
• The Demon-Slaying Alliance drove Yu Tiangong, two disciples, and the remaining Beasts to a formation deep in the well, where they chose to fight rather than disrupt Holy Mother Wusheng's plan.
• Yu Tiangong detonated a life-bound magic weapon as he died, killing two vice alliance leaders and gravely injuring a Beast.

After the Black Lotus Sect and Demonized Beasts were wiped out, Chen Changming and the surviving Demon-Slaying Alliance members broke the barrier beneath the Demonic Qi Well. Chen Changming descended to investigate and found an Ancient Demon corpse, the source of the Demonic Qi, just as a sword struck toward it.

• The Black Lotus Sect disciples and Demonized Beasts fought to the death, leaving only Cheng Hanhai, Li Xiushan, and Luo Lan alive from the Demon-Slaying Alliance.
• Chen Changming joined the survivors, and Li Xiushan and Luo Lan explained why he had stayed out of the battle.
• After recovering, Cheng Hanhai, Li Xiushan, Luo Lan, and Chen Changming attacked and shattered the formation covering the Demonic Qi Well.
• Li Xiushan gave Chen Changming a Round Light Mirror and sent him down into the chasm to scout its depths.
• Chen Changming found a colossal Ancient Demon corpse, and Li Xiushan identified it as the source of the Demonic Qi.
• Li Xiushan warned Chen Changming to move away as a streak of sword light slashed toward the Ancient Demon's chest.

Chen Changming and the others found they could not destroy the Ancient Demon's corpse and waited as their wounds and Demonic Qi worsened. After Cheng Hanhai transformed and was killed, Li Xiushan prepared to take his own life, leaving Chen Changming his possessions and asking him to carry his remains to his home village.

• Chen Changming examined the Ancient Demon's corpse and found that their attacks had barely damaged it, so Li Xiushan and Cheng Hanhai accepted that they could do nothing to destroy it.
• Cheng Hanhai, Li Xiushan, and Luo Lan grew weaker over the following days as Demonic Qi spread through their wounds.
• Cheng Hanhai underwent demonic transformation, and Li Xiushan, Luo Lan, and Chen Changming attacked and killed him.
• Li Xiushan asked Chen Changming to take his remains to Li Family Village on Lingshui Mountain in the Zhao Kingdom and gave him his belongings.
• Li Xiushan drove his Flying Sword into his chest.

After Li Xiushan died from his wounds, Chen Changming discovered that his Demon Spirit Vine could remove the Demonic Qi poisoning Luo Lan. He returned to the Demonic Qi Well, where the Ancient Demon’s body briefly moved and Holy Mother Wusheng warned that they would both die unless he cooperated.

• Li Xiushan killed himself, and Chen Changming stored his body and belongings as Luo Lan feared she had only seven days to live.
• Chen Changming heard Holy Mother Wusheng trapped inside the Ancient Demon’s skull, but refused to trust her warning that the Ancient Demon could regain control.
• Chen Changming realized the Demon Spirit Vine could absorb Demonic Qi and used it to draw the poison from Luo Lan’s wound.
• Chen Changming took the Demon Spirit Vine back to the Ancient Demon’s corpse, but it could not eat the body.
• The Ancient Demon abruptly sat up, then stopped moving as Chen Changming fled and returned; he discovered a spirit vein beneath the corpse.
• Holy Mother Wusheng warned Chen Changming that the Ancient Demon had once been a cultivator who failed to reach the Nascent Soul Realm and urged him to cooperate.

Chen Changming escaped the demonic qi after detonating the spiritual vein, which destroyed Holy Mother Wusheng and broke the formation. He retrieved the Ancient Demon's surviving lower body and parted ways with Luo Lan to avoid Great Qin's investigation.

• Chen Changming followed Holy Mother Wusheng's instructions and pierced three acupoints on the Ancient Demon's head before fleeing with Luo Lan.
• The Spirit-Devouring Insect detonated the spiritual vein, destroying the Ancient Demon's upper body and breaking the formation.
• Chen Changming returned to the Demonic Qi Well, recovered the Ancient Demon's lower body, and concealed the tunnel and signs of his presence.
• Chen Changming and Luo Lan agreed to meet at Li Family Village or the nearby market, then went their separate ways.

Chen Changming disguised himself and traveled to Locust Tree Village to bury Sun Bozhong before entering Red Sky City to learn that Zhao Kingdom forces were taking over the weakened Chu Kingdom. The chapter ends as a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Tyrant Sword Sect orders non-cultivators out of the city.

• Chen Changming disguised himself as an eighth-layer Qi Refining cultivator and traveled toward Red Sky City while avoiding notice.
• Two Golden Core Immortals inspected the ruins of the Demonic Qi Well, attributed its destruction to an exploded spiritual vein, and authorized Zhao Kingdom forces to take over Chu Kingdom.
• Chen Changming buried Sun Bozhong near Locust Tree Village without leaving a visible grave, then continued to Red Sky City.
• Chen Changming entered a tavern and heard locals discuss the deaths of Chu Kingdom's Foundation Establishment cultivators and the Zhao Kingdom's occupation.
• A young Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Tyrant Sword Sect kicked in the tavern door and ordered non-cultivators to leave Red Sky City.

The Tyrant Sword Sect forced Chu Kingdom Qi cultivators to join after taking control of Red Sky City, and Chen Changming joined to conceal his powerful secrets. As the recruits flew toward the sect, Chen Changming rode on a slow Spirit Boat that fell behind the others, secretly preparing a silver thread in his palm.

• A Foundation Establishment youth from the Tyrant Sword Sect offered the tavern’s Chu cultivators a choice to join, then had a man detained until he agreed to enlist.
• Chen Changming joined the other seven Qi cultivators, hiding his strength to avoid exposing his secret method, Ancient Demon corpse, and Demon Spirit Vine.
• The Tyrant Sword Sect cultivators abused Red Sky’s residents as they led the recruits to the City Lord Mansion plaza.
• Ma Xingkong introduced himself as chief of the Red Sky Gang and urged the gathered recruits to support his bid to become an outer sect elder.
• The Tyrant Sword Sect gathered more than a hundred recruits and sent them toward the sect on several Spirit Boats.
• Chen Changming’s slow Spirit Boat fell behind the others, and he formed a faint silver thread in his palm.

Chen Changming secretly killed Li Mu, prompting Li Hefeng to set out for Red Sky City to avenge his son. After Ma Xingkong tried to rob the survivors, Chen and another concealed Foundation Establishment cultivator revealed their strength and met as fellow Daoists.

• Chen Changming used a Silver Thread Heart-Devouring Insect to kill Li Mu aboard the Spirit Boat.
• Li Hefeng discovered Li Mu’s Life Soul Tablet had shattered and flew toward Red Sky City to hunt the killer.
• Ma Xingkong stole Li Mu’s Storage Ring and demanded that Chen Changming and the tall, slender man surrender theirs.
• The tall, slender man revealed his third-layer Foundation Establishment cultivation, while Chen Changming killed Ma Xingkong and revealed his own Foundation Establishment strength.
• The tall, slender man slaughtered the remaining six members of the Seven Heroes of Red Sky with a flying sword, and Chen Changming recognized him as a fellow sword cultivator.

Chen Changming killed Li Mu’s companions and took their belongings, but Li Mu’s father, Li Hefeng, arrived and challenged him to a fierce battle. Chen Changming revealed his strength as a Body Cultivator and held off the ninth-level Foundation Establishment sword cultivator, though Li Hefeng’s attacks wounded him.

• Chen Changming ambushed and killed the lean, tall man with the Silver Thread Heart-Devouring Insect and Geng-Gold Sword, then collected the group’s Storage Rings and stowed the Spirit Boat and corpses.
• Li Hefeng arrived and accused Chen Changming of killing his son, Li Mu; Chen Changming denied it but took the Spirit Boat, prompting Li Hefeng to attack.
• Chen Changming and Li Hefeng revealed their Geng-Gold Swords, and Chen Changming hurled his sword at Li Hefeng before using his Body Cultivation strength to dodge Li Hefeng’s counterattack.
• Chen Changming blocked Li Hefeng’s renewed sword strikes with the Lingxiao Sword Technique and his fists, but one attack cut his shoulder.
• Li Hefeng saw Chen Changming’s purple blood and was deeply shaken.

Chen Changming fled Li Hefeng through the mountains and into a deep river, hoping to lure the ninth-layer Foundation Establishment sword cultivator into a trap. He reached an ancient Water Mansion, where he deliberately let Li Hefeng’s Flying Sword pierce his chest and trapped the blade with his body.

• Chen Changming escaped Li Hefeng’s aerial attacks by dropping into the valley and running through the forest, but Li Hefeng burned the trees with talismans and struck him again.
• Chen Changming plunged into a broad river and sprinted along its riverbed while Li Hefeng pursued him with his Flying Sword.
• Chen Changming planned to trap Li Hefeng at close range by locking the Flying Sword in his body and letting the Silver Thread Heart-Devouring Insect attack.
• Chen Changming lured Li Hefeng into an underwater abyss and spotted an ancient Water Mansion protected by an active array.
• Chen Changming blocked Li Hefeng’s attack just enough for the Flying Sword to pierce his chest, then compressed his muscles and bones to trap the blade in place.

Chen Changming killed Li Hefeng and entered the Water Mansion, where he began testing the trials for the Pure Yang Gate inheritance. After passing the first two trials, he learned that anyone who failed to complete all three would die trying to leave.

• Chen Changming battered Li Hefeng's defensive barrier until the Silver Thread Heart-Devouring Insect killed him, then scattered his fleeing spiritual consciousness with Spirit Finger Flick.
• Chen Changming entered the Water Mansion, found the Pure Yang Gate, and spent seven days healing his injuries before opening its entrance.
• Chen Changming used his Flying Sword to strike the distant stone door and activated a Silver Light Path, passing the first trial.
• Chen Changming pierced the golden metal plate with the Geng-Gold Sword to pass the second trial.
• Chen Changming found a warning that those who failed the trials would be killed by heavenly thunder and realized he had to pass all three to escape alive.

Chen Changming passed True Person Pure Yang’s third trial and discovered the Pure Yang Sword Art, an ancient sword cultivation method suited to his powerful body. He learned that its second half lay in the Line of Sky and began studying the art in the Water Mansion, where he could remain in seclusion.

• Chen Changming endured the formation’s sword intent for the time it took one incense stick to burn and passed the third trial.
• Chen Changming found notes from two previous inheritors and realized he was the third person to pass the trial.
• Chen Changming learned that the Pure Yang Sword Art consisted of a Body Sword Art and a Flying Sword Art, and that its second half was in the Line of Sky with True Person Pure Yang’s remains.
• Chen Changming tested the barrier behind the stone door and confirmed that his Geng-Gold Sword could pierce it and reach the teleportation formation.
• Chen Changming decided to cultivate in seclusion in the Pure Yang Water Mansion and began comprehending the ancient sword art.

Chen Changming spent years mastering and strengthening the Pure Yang Sword Art in the Pure Yang Water Mansion, then left through its teleportation array. He emerged trapped in a blood formation set by Situ Yun, who challenged him to survive.

• Chen Changming completed the Body Sword Art and strengthened it three times, growing stronger through the Pure Yang Sword Intent and Nine Pure Yang Swords.
• Luo Lan reached Li Family Village in the Zhao Kingdom, worried that Chen Changming had not arrived, and went to wait for him in Qiyun City.
• Chen Changming spent three years mastering Three Yangs Opening Prosperity, then opened the final stone door and stepped into the teleportation array.
• Chen Changming appeared in a jungle surrounded by the Lesser Blood Sha Formation, where a message revealed that Situ Yun had laid the trap.
• Blood-red swords formed around Chen Changming as Situ Yun urged him to face the formation and survive.

Chen Changming escaped Situ Yun’s Lesser Blood Sha Formation with the Demon Spirit Vine, then discovered and removed crystal balls that had recorded his escape. After enhancing Breath Concealment Technique for the third time to alter his physical aura, he headed toward Red Sky City to learn what had changed in the Chu Kingdom.

• Chen Changming summoned the Level 5 Demon Spirit Vine, which shattered the Lesser Blood Sha Formation.
• Chen Changming found four crystal balls that had recorded his escape and took them to keep his secrets from Situ Yun.
• Chen Changming traveled underwater, changed his appearance, and ate a tiger in the forest.
• Chen Changming practiced Breath Concealment Technique until its third enhancement let him change the aura of his physical body.
• Chen Changming set out toward Red Sky City to investigate the Chu Kingdom after sixteen years away.

Situ Yun searched for his junior brother, Chen Changming, but lost his trail after Chen concealed his aura and crossed the river. Chen traveled to the Zhao Kingdom and stopped in a ruined temple, where an old man asked him to roast meat for his granddaughter.

• Situ Yun entered the Pure Yang Water Mansion and found signs that his junior brother had passed through, then followed the Scent-Tracking Insect to the broken Lesser Blood Sha Formation.
• Situ Yun sent more than a thousand Scent-Tracking Insects after Chen, but the trail ended in a woodland; he decided he might ally with Chen against Senior Brother or kill him if he proved useless.
• Chen Changming, unaware of Situ Yun's pursuit, left Red Sky City and restored his cultivation to the second level of Foundation Establishment before heading for the Zhao Kingdom.
• Chen passed through Green Rock City, bought a map, and set out for Hidden Dragon Mountain to hunt beasts before visiting Li Family Village to bury Li Xiushan's remains.
• During a storm, Chen took shelter in a ruined temple and began roasting a wild boar; an elderly man at the entrance asked him to cook extra meat for his granddaughter.

Chen Changming encountered the Cloth-Clad Elder and White-Clad Woman again in a ruined temple, where she practiced Red Dust Heart Tempering. They left after sharing the secret’s purpose with Chen Changming and rewarding him with a Storage Bag.

• The Cloth-Clad Elder and White-Clad Woman entered the temple, and she teased Chen Changming into calling her “big sister.”
• The White-Clad Woman resisted eating the roasted wild boar while her grandfather explained that Red Dust Heart Tempering helped Golden Core cultivators prepare for the Nascent Soul Heart Demon Tribulation.
• Chen Changming suspected the pair were still searching for the Spirit-Devouring Insect and was relieved his concealment methods kept it and the Silver Thread Heart-Devouring Insect hidden.
• The White-Clad Woman ate some boar, and the Cloth-Clad Elder recognized her progress in Red Dust Heart Tempering.
• The pair departed, and the Cloth-Clad Elder sent Chen Changming a Storage Bag as thanks.

During a storm, Chen Changming found the poisoned Liu Qingwu in a ruined temple and gave her Detoxification Pills. Liu Qingwu asked him to escort her to Hidden Dragon Mountain in exchange for five hundred Heavenly Spirit Pills, and he reacted with excitement.

• The Cloth-Clad Elder and the White-Clad Woman spotted Liu Qingwu's poisoned sword light but chose not to help her.
• Chen Changming opened the Storage Bag the Cloth-Clad Elder had given him and found five hundred Heavenly Spirit Pills.
• Liu Qingwu staggered into the ruined temple and begged Chen Changming to save her.
• Chen Changming gave Liu Qingwu more than two hundred Detoxification Pills, helping her regain some strength.
• Liu Qingwu offered Chen Changming five hundred Heavenly Spirit Pills to accompany her to Hidden Dragon Mountain and find a Detoxification Herb.

Chen Changming accepted Liu Qingwu’s offer to search Hidden Dragon Mountain for a Bipolar Flower in exchange for Heavenly Spirit Pills. As they began their search, the Cloth-Clad Elder warned that Liu Qingwu’s half-sister, Liu Ruyan, had likely poisoned her and would try to prevent her from finding a cure.

• Liu Qingwu gave Chen Changming one hundred Heavenly Spirit Pills as the first installment and set out with him for Hidden Dragon Mountain.
• The Cloth-Clad Elder told Xiu'er that Liu Qingwu’s poisoning likely came from within the Liu Family and that Liu Ruyan would try to stop her from finding a Bipolar Flower.
• Liu Qingwu explained that the Bipolar Flower was a wandering herb with both yin and yang attributes, and Chen Changming agreed to help search for it.
• Liu Qingwu and Chen Changming searched Hidden Dragon Mountain all day but found no Bipolar Flower, then settled into a secluded cave for the night.
• Chen Changming went hunting, killed a second-level Grey Rock Bear, and brought it back to the cave, where Liu Qingwu remarked on his fondness for meat.

Chen Changming watched Liu Qingwu fight Liu Hong, the Foundation Establishment expert sent by her younger sister, then used his Demon Spirit Vine to kill him and claim his belongings. He fled with the unconscious Liu Qingwu and began searching Liu Hong’s Storage Ring for a Heavenly Spirit Pill.

• Chen Changming roasted Grey Rock Bear meat with Liu Qingwu, until Liu Hong arrived and accused her of disgracing the Liu Family.
• Liu Qingwu confronted Liu Hong, who revealed that Liu Ruyan had sent him to kill her and attacked with his Golden Bead and Ghost Head.
• Chen Changming watched Liu Qingwu lose strength from her poison and fall unconscious after Liu Hong struck her down.
• Chen Changming unleashed his fifth-level Demon Spirit Vine, which destroyed Liu Hong and his divine sense.
• Chen Changming collected the fallen magical artifacts, carried Liu Qingwu away, and gave her a healing pill in a distant cave.
• Chen Changming used the Lesser Soul-Erasing Art to scour the spiritual imprint on Liu Hong’s Storage Ring.

Chen Changming repeatedly treated Liu Qingwu’s poison while working to erase Liu Hong’s spiritual imprint from a Storage Ring. After reinforcing the Lesser Soul-Erasing Art to its limit, he claimed Liu Hong’s enormous stash of pills and spirit stones, and Liu Qingwu woke to find him casting the Detoxification Art on her.

• Chen Changming used the Detoxification Art thousands of times to stabilize Liu Qingwu, then continued washing over Liu Hong’s Storage Ring with the Lesser Soul-Erasing Art.
• Liu Qingwu briefly woke, swallowed a healing pill, and fell back asleep while Chen Changming continued treating her and working on the ring.
• Chen Changming reinforced the Lesser Soul-Erasing Art to its third level, then its fourth level five days later, and its fifth level ten days after that.
• The fifth reinforcement let Chen Changming erase Liu Hong’s spiritual imprint, and he discovered the ring held more than ten thousand Heavenly Spirit Pills, two hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones, and many other treasures.
• Chen Changming resumed casting the Detoxification Art on Liu Qingwu, and she woke and asked what he was doing.

Chen Changming used his Detoxification Art to weaken Liu Qingwu’s poison, and she promised to take him to Great Qin in return for saving her. After recovering enough to fight, they found the Bipolar Flower in a ravine guarded by a powerful Chessboard Demon Snake.

• Liu Qingwu realized Chen Changming’s Detoxification Art had weakened her poison and offered to take him to Great Qin on a Floating Airship.
• Chen Changming accepted her offer and told her Liu Hong had left after seeing her badly injured.
• Chen Changming continuously used the Detoxification Art, and its fourth strengthening greatly improved Liu Qingwu’s condition.
• Half a month later, Liu Qingwu regained most of her strength, and the two searched Hidden Dragon Mountain for the Bipolar Flower.
• Liu Qingwu found the flower guarded by a mid-tier, fourth-level Chessboard Demon Snake and asked Chen Changming to pluck it while she lured the Beast away.

Chen Changming retrieved the Bipolar Flower while Liu Qingwu lured the Chessboard Demon Snake away, then fought and captured a Rotten-Leaf Black Earthworm. After Liu Qingwu defeated the snake but was poisoned, Chen Changming used the flower to help cure her, and she let him keep the Chessboard Demon Snake.

• Liu Qingwu drew the Chessboard Demon Snake out of the ravine while Chen Changming slipped down to collect the Bipolar Flower.
• A Rotten-Leaf Black Earthworm attacked Chen Changming, who wounded it and stored its two halves in his Beast Taming Bracelet.
• Chen Changming found Liu Qingwu and the defeated Chessboard Demon Snake after their battle left both sides badly wounded.
• Liu Qingwu explained that the snake had poisoned her and attacked her mind with an innate ability.
• Chen Changming gave Liu Qingwu the Bipolar Flower, which helped dispel the poison, and she told him to take the Chessboard Demon Snake.
• Chen Changming stored the Chessboard Demon Snake in his Beast Taming Bracelet.

Chen Changming tried to bury Li Xiushan, only to discover that the corpse was inhabited by Yin Spirit Child, who revealed Li Xiushan had been his Yin Corpse Seed. After Chen Changming wounded Yin Spirit Child with the Pure Yang Sword Art, Yin Spirit Child fled into a deep pool, and Chen Changming followed the Spirit-Devouring Insect to track him down.

• Chen Changming left Liu Qingwu in Hidden Dragon City after she paid him the remaining Heavenly Spirit Pills and agreed to meet him in six months in Linqing City.
• Chen Changming found the marks at Li Family Village, then went into Lingshui Mountain to bury Li Xiushan's remains.
• Li Xiushan's corpse rose from the grave, and Yin Spirit Child revealed that Li Xiushan had been his Yin Corpse Seed and that the body had become a powerful Yin Corpse Puppet Body.
• Yin Spirit Child attacked Chen Changming, but Chen Changming pierced him with the Pure Yang Sword Art, prompting Yin Spirit Child to flee as a streak of red light.
• Chen Changming sent the Spirit-Devouring Insect after Yin Spirit Child, then followed it to an underwater cavern where Yin Spirit Child was hiding.

Chen Changming killed Yin Spirit Child, but Zhao Jiucheng traced the killer to a rented cultivation cave in Qiyun City and trapped him in a sword array. As Zhao Jiucheng prepared to kill him, Chen Changming recognized Luo Lan among the attackers, while she began to suspect he was her junior brother.

• Chen Changming followed the Spirit-Devouring Insect to Yin Spirit Child and killed him in the underwater cave.
• Zhao Jiucheng discovered Yin Spirit Child’s death and used a spell to form a blurry image of Chen Changming with the Purple Insect.
• Chen Changming rented a cultivation cave in Qiyun City, and Zhao Jiucheng’s forces traced him there.
• Zhao Jiucheng and six Foundation Establishment Attendants surrounded Chen Changming’s cave and formed the Seven Kill Sword Array.
• Chen Changming recognized Luo Lan among the attackers, and Luo Lan recognized his voice and sword as familiar.
• Zhao Jiucheng told Chen Changming he was avenging a close friend whom Chen Changming had killed.

Chen Changming and Luo Lan defeated Zhao Jiucheng and the City Lord Mansion cultivators, then fled to Yan Kingdom. After waiting in Linqing City, Chen Changming reunited with Liu Qingwu at the Floating Airship dock.

• Chen Changming emerged from his cave, and Luo Lan recognized him and turned on Zhao Jiucheng’s group, helping him break their formation and kill several cultivators.
• Chen Changming used the Pure Yang Sword Art to cut Zhao Jiucheng into eight pieces, while the Demon Spirit Vine killed the remaining attackers.
• Chen Changming and Luo Lan discussed how Zhao Jiucheng had tracked him through the Yin Corpse Seed, cleaned up the battlefield, and escaped to Yan Kingdom.
• After traveling for a month, Chen Changming and Luo Lan reached Linqing City, where Chen Changming waited several months without encountering another Yin Corpse Puppet Body.
• When the half-year wait ended, Chen Changming went to the dock and found Liu Qingwu waiting for him.