Recaps

Mo Sheli responded to the Heavenly Dynasty Sect’s unavoidable wager by inviting disciples from other Gaoyan Prefecture City sects to compete for the rewards. After a month of rapid cultivation, Lin Tian left his seclusion and noticed an unusual number of outsiders in the sect.

• Mo Sheli told the Heavenly Derivation Sect to notify the Ten Great Sects and offer the wager’s Geocentric Milk and Heavenly Crystal Pills to any sect that helped them win.
• Seven of the Ten Great Sects agreed to participate, while the two weakest sects stayed on the sidelines.
• After a month of seclusion, Lin Tian saw his mental arts had advanced rapidly and believed he could reach Gang Strength within half a year if his progress continued.
• Lin Tian left the repair room after the red crystal lit up and headed toward the Wood Courtyard palace hall.
• Halfway there, Lin Tian noticed many disciples from other sects inside the sect.

Lin Tian arrived to treat Mu Qingxue after cultivating the Formless Art to its second level. Mu Qingxue recognized the Mystery of Formless in his Gray Mist and realized he had succeeded, leaving her relieved about her illness but unsettled by his achievement.

• Lin Tian noticed talented disciples from the other Ten Great Sects at the Heavenly Derivation Sect, then went to Hua Chengming's palace.
• Lin Tian found Hua Chengming refining pills while Mu Qingxue waited nearby, and Hua Chengming told him to begin the treatment.
• Mu Qingxue asked whether Lin Tian had truly cultivated the Formless Combat Technique to the second level and recalled her own failed attempts.
• Lin Tian produced Gray Mist and confirmed that he had cultivated the Formless Art to the second level.
• Mu Qingxue recognized the Mystery of Formless in the Gray Mist and felt both relief that Lin Tian could treat her and a sense of loss over his success.

Lin Tian used Gray Mist and Azure Wood True Qi to heal Mu Qingxue’s severely damaged heart meridians. With her injuries restored, Mu Qingxue’s long-suppressed wood-attribute True Qi erupted.

• Lin Tian explained that his Gray Mist needed direct contact with an injury, and Mu Qingxue said her heart meridians were damaged.
• Mu Qingxue began unfastening her qipao, but Lin Tian stopped her and asked her to turn around so he could reach her back.
• Lin Tian touched Mu Qingxue’s back and used Gray Mist to repair her heart meridians, then guided Azure Wood True Qi to restore them fully.
• Mu Qingxue felt her pain and restrictions disappear, and her wood-attribute True Qi surged around her.

After healing Mu Qingxue, Lin Tian sought the True Qi Fusion Method from Hua Chengming, who refused because Lin Tian was not yet strong enough to use it. Meanwhile, a proud young man named Shaoyan arrived near Gaoyan Prefecture City with three Gang Strength experts for a wager involving the Heavenly Derivation Sect.

• Mu Qingxue recovered and left, while Lin Tian asked Hua Chengming for his promised chance to ask a cultivation question.
• Hua Chengming pointed out the benefits Lin Tian had already gained, including Heavenly Marrow Fluid and a Special Physique obtained through the Formless Combat Technique.
• Hua Chengming tossed Lin Tian out of the hall, then explained that Lin Tian could not use the True Qi Fusion Method until he advanced beyond Core Condensation.
• Lin Tian wondered whether the Gang Qi Realm would allow him to fuse True Qi and left, vowing to repay Hua Chengming for the humiliation.
• Shaoyan arrived near Gaoyan Prefecture City with three Gang Strength experts and dismissed the Heavenly Derivation Sect's preparations for their wager.

The Heavenly Dynasty Sect set up an arena at the Heavenly Derivation Sect’s gates as part of a plan to intimidate Gaoyan Prefecture City’s sects and gain leverage in a proposed alliance. The Heavenly Derivation Sect’s leaders recognized the political stakes, then learned that Song Shaoyan had defeated their first challenger in under three moves.

• Song Shaoyan ordered an arena built outside the Heavenly Derivation Sect to challenge Gaoyan Prefecture City’s young geniuses.
• Feng Yaoyang denounced the Heavenly Dynasty Sect’s provocation during a meeting of the Heavenly Derivation Sect’s leaders.
• Mo Sheli presented an alliance proposal from three Qingcheng Prefecture City sects to resist the demonic Flesh and Blood Divine Sect.
• The leaders realized the alliance’s command structure could determine how forces and casualties would be distributed, and suspected Song Shaoyan’s challenge was meant to weaken their bargaining position.
• A report arrived that Song Shaoyan had severely injured and thrown off the arena a challenger who lasted fewer than three moves.

Song Shaoyan defeated Armor-Breaking Sect genius Shi Poshan in three moves at his challenge arena, leaving Shi with badly damaged heart meridians and qi sea. The news swept through Gaoyan Prefecture City, and another report said the eighth-ranked genius on the Top Ten Talents List had also lost to Song Shaoyan after ten moves.

• Song Shaoyan defeated Shi Poshan in three moves before the crowd gathered outside Heavenly Derivation Sect.
• Spectators learned Song Shaoyan was the Sect Master of the Heavenly Dynasty Sect's disciple and debated whether Gaoyan Prefecture City's ranked geniuses could challenge him.
• Song Shaoyan left the arena while other sects' geniuses recognized they could not match his strength.
• News spread that Song Shaoyan's sword qi had damaged Shi Poshan's heart meridians and qi sea, potentially crippling him for life.
• Gaoyan Prefecture City heard that the eighth-ranked genius on the Top Ten Talents List had challenged Song Shaoyan and lost after ten moves.

After learning that Xiao Shaoyang had been badly injured by Song Shaoyan, Lin Tian declined to challenge him and was summoned to a meeting of Core Disciples. Elder Hao explained that the sect would provide limited resources to support those trying to defeat Song Shaoyan, but the meeting had not yet revealed how they would be distributed.

• Lin Tian learned from Ma Liang that Song Shaoyan had defeated Xiao Shaoyang and inflicted severe injuries on him.
• Ma Liang asked whether Lin Tian wanted to challenge Song Shaoyan, but Lin Tian said he was not interested and preferred to cultivate.
• Five bell chimes summoned Lin Tian and three other Core Disciples to the Council Hall.
• Elder Hao began the meeting and explained that the sect would offer limited resources to encourage and support those who could defeat Song Shaoyan.

Elder Hao presented ten bottles of undiluted Heavenly Marrow Fluid and left their distribution to Lin Tian, Ye Zhen, Chen Qingyu, and Ma Bao. Lin Tian challenged Ye Zhen’s proposed allocation, and Elder Hao watched with amusement because he knew Hua Chengming had privately nurtured Lin Tian.

• An elder brought ten bottles of undiluted Heavenly Marrow Fluid, and Elder Hao said the four Core Disciples would decide how to distribute the scarce resources.
• Ye Zhen proposed that he and Chen Qingyu take four bottles each, leaving Lin Tian and Ma Bao to split the remaining two.
• Chen Qingyu agreed, while Ma Bao hoped Lin Tian would object and lead the opposition.
• Lin Tian initially said he agreed, then proposed that he, Ye Zhen, and Chen Qingyu each receive three bottles.
• Ye Zhen questioned Lin Tian’s judgment, but Lin Tian calmly stood by his proposal, and Elder Hao watched knowingly.

Lin Tian proved he could match Ye Zhen in a fist fight, securing an equal share of the Heavenly Marrow Fluid for himself, Ye Zhen, and Chen Qingyu. Mo Sheli later heard of Lin Tian's strength and considered it unsurprising given Uncle Master Hua's effort in raising him.

• Ye Zhen challenged Lin Tian to demonstrate his strength, and the two exchanged punches in the Council Hall.
• Lin Tian and Ye Zhen fought to a standstill, impressing the onlookers and convincing Ye Zhen to agree to divide the Heavenly Marrow Fluid equally with Lin Tian and Chen Qingyu.
• Chen Qingyu accepted the arrangement, and the three disciples divided the resources before leaving; Ma Bao departed with only one bottle.
• Elder Hao reported the Council Hall events to Mo Sheli, who expressed surprise at Lin Tian's fist techniques before deciding that his skill was to be expected.

Mo Sheli considered how the Heavenly Dynasty Sect was using Song Shaoyan and a month-long delay to build support before an alliance meeting, while Lin Tian secluded himself to cultivate with undiluted Heavenly Marrow Fluid. Fifteen days later, the Heavenly Derivation Sect had made no response to Song Shaoyan’s victories, and forces in Gaoyan Prefecture City were beginning to side with the Heavenly Dynasty Sect.

• Mo Sheli recognized that the Heavenly Dynasty Sect’s month-long delay gave them time to build momentum while leaving the Ten Great Sects a final chance to prepare.
• Mo Sheli wondered whether Lin Tian had inherited Hua Chengming’s skill at concealing his strength after recalling Lin Tian’s powerful fist techniques and inferior true qi.
• Lin Tian returned to the cultivation chamber, drank a bottle of undiluted Heavenly Marrow Fluid, and continued advancing his cultivation undisturbed for fifteen days.
• Another genius from the Top Ten Talents List challenged Song Shaoyan and was defeated, after which the Heavenly Derivation Sect made no further response.
• The Heavenly Dynasty Sect sent more people to Gaoyan Prefecture City, where stories of Song Shaoyan’s victories spread and some local forces began supporting them.

The Heavenly Derivation Sect faced growing humiliation as its disciples awaited a response to the Heavenly Dynasty Sect’s challenge. Ye Zhen emerged from seclusion to fight Song Shaoyan at the Arena, and Lin Tian watched as both revealed the power of their techniques.

• Smaller and mid-sized factions rallied behind the Heavenly Dynasty Sect as the Flesh and Blood Divine Sect threatened them with infiltration.
• Heavenly Derivation Sect disciples endured mockery while rumors spread that their Core Disciples feared fighting the challengers.
• Ye Zhen emerged from seclusion and headed to the Arena, drawing the sect’s disciples and Lin Tian to watch his fight with Song Shaoyan.
• Lin Tian observed that Ye Zhen appeared anxious while Song Shaoyan stayed focused and showed no arrogance.
• Ye Zhen and Song Shaoyan unleashed their strongest zhenqi, revealing Ye Zhen’s fist-and-sound technique and Song Shaoyan’s sword-and-movement technique.

Song Shaoyan defeated Ye Zhen with a swift, decisive sword strike after exploiting a gap in Ye Zhen’s attacks. Hua Chengming gave Lin Tian Heavenly Marrow Treasure Fluid and asked him what he thought of Song Shaoyan’s strength at the mountain gate.

• Song Shaoyan waited for Ye Zhen to reveal a flaw, then struck him with his sword and sent him flying from the Arena.
• Gold Courtyard disciples caught the bloodied Ye Zhen as Lin Tian watched Song Shaoyan warily.
• Ma Liang summoned Lin Tian to see Hua Chengming in the Wood Courtyard.
• Hua Chengming gave Lin Tian a bottle of Heavenly Marrow Treasure Fluid, and Lin Tian thanked him respectfully.
• Hua Chengming asked Lin Tian what he thought of Song Shaoyan’s strength at the mountain gate.

Lin Tian learned that the Heavenly Dynasty Sect was using Song Shaoyan’s duels to build support for its alliance ambitions, and Hua Chengming told him to wait before challenging him. At the Council Hall, the sect offered one drop of Heavenly Marrow Treasure Fluid to the remaining Core Disciples, and Chen Qingyu stepped forward as the others looked to Lin Tian.

• Hua Chengming explained that the Heavenly Dynasty Sect wanted Song Shaoyan to suppress Prefecture City’s geniuses and build momentum for its alliance bid.
• Lin Tian agreed to wait for the sect’s signal, while Hua Chengming told him to refuse the public reward and act later as the sect’s trump card.
• The summons bell rang, and Lin Tian went to the Council Hall, where Elder Hao offered one drop of Heavenly Marrow Treasure Fluid to the remaining Core Disciples.
• Chen Qingyu stepped forward to contend for the reward, and the others asked Lin Tian whether he would compete.

Lin Tian declined to compete with Chen Qingyu for the Heavenly Marrow Treasure Fluid, leaving her to receive it while others wondered why he had yielded. He absorbed his own drop over ten days and advanced his Geng Metal True Qi to the pinnacle of Core Condensation as the sect prepared for its coming clash with Song Shaoyan.

• Lin Tian told Elder Hao he would not compete for the Heavenly Marrow Treasure Fluid, so Chen Qingyu received it.
• Elder Hao and Chen Qingyu suspected Lin Tian had yielded the treasure for Chen Qingyu's sake, while Lin Tian left for the Spirit-Drawing Tower to absorb his own drop.
• Mo Sheli ordered the sect to prioritize Chen Qingyu's cultivation so she could absorb the treasure within fifteen days and help challenge Song Shaoyan.
• Lin Tian spent ten days absorbing his Heavenly Marrow Treasure Fluid in the Spirit-Drawing Tower.
• Lin Tian's Geng Metal True Qi reached the pinnacle of Core Condensation, and his cultivation progress increased across several arts.

Lin Tian examined how his copied Special Physique accelerated his Azure Wood cultivation and granted him powerful recovery and plant-sensing abilities. Meanwhile, Chen Qingyu used the Heavenly Marrow Treasure Fluid to advance her Sword Momentum, leaving the Water and Earth Courtyard Academy Masters impressed by her progress.

• Lin Tian found that his Azure Wood True Qi had nearly caught up with his Geng Metal True Qi because his copied Special Physique suited wood-attribute cultivation.
• Lin Tian discovered that the Special Physique amplified his recovery in places filled with vegetation and let him sense plants’ vitality and spiritual qi to locate valuable herbs.
• Chen Qingyu continued refining the Heavenly Marrow Treasure Fluid and focused it on comprehending Sword Momentum rather than attempting a breakthrough into the Gang Realm.
• Chen Qingyu’s sword produced a lotus that briefly became tangible before dispersing, and the Water and Earth Courtyard Academy Masters smiled at her progress.

Five days after Chen Qingyu advanced her sword force, the Sect Masters of Qingcheng Prefecture City arrived late at the Heavenly Derivation Sect, and the final wagered duel between Chen Qingyu and Song Shaoyan began. The Heavenly Dynasty Sect sought to use the duel to heighten its momentum before deciding who would lead the alliance.

• Shi Rulin and Yu Qinghan judged Chen Qingyu's newly reached entry-level sword force promising but worried it might not be enough to defeat Song Shaoyan, whose strength remained hidden.
• Five days later, the Sect Masters of the Ten Great Sects gathered at the Heavenly Derivation Sect to meet the three Sect Masters from Qingcheng Prefecture City.
• The three Qingcheng Sect Masters arrived late in a show of might, and Lin Tian sensed that the Heavenly Dynasty Sect Master had fully restrained his aura.
• The Sect Masters agreed to hold the final wagered duel first, and Song Shaoyan and Chen Qingyu stepped into the venue.
• Lin Tian realized the Heavenly Dynasty Sect wanted to settle the alliance leader position after its momentum-building reached its peak.

Lin Tian watched Chen Qingyu and Song Shaoyan’s duel, wondering what hidden strength each had prepared. Chen Qingyu revealed a nascent Sword Momentum and gained the upper hand, but Song Shaoyan answered with true Sword Momentum, leaving the crowd stunned.

• Song Shaoyan and Chen Qingyu began their duel, matching each other in swordsmanship and True Qi as their rapid clashes filled the arena with explosive sounds.
• Lin Tian realized Chen Qingyu had used the Heavenly Marrow Treasure Fluid to comprehend Sword Momentum rather than improve her cultivation.
• Chen Qingyu revealed her nascent Sword Momentum and quickly suppressed Song Shaoyan, stirring excitement among the Heavenly Derivation Sect disciples.
• Song Shaoyan watched the crowd as he retreated, then unleashed a hurricane-like domain formed by his true Sword Momentum.
• The crowd fell silent at Song Shaoyan’s reveal, while Mo Sheli watched with a grave expression.

Song Shaoyan revealed his complete Sword Momentum and forced Chen Qingyu into a choice between surrendering and continuing a battle she could not win. Chen Qingyu chose to fight on, while the sect leaders traded veiled remarks ahead of their alliance conference.

• Song Shaoyan displayed complete Sword Momentum, leaving Chen Qingyu and the sect leaders alarmed at the gap between him and Chen Qingyu.
• Song Shaoyan offered Chen Qingyu the choice of surrendering or continuing while he stood still and let her make three moves, aiming to humiliate the Heavenly Derivation Sect.
• Lin Tian recognized that either choice would let Song Shaoyan suppress Chen Qingyu and her sect.
• Long Tianchao and the other Qingcheng sect masters dismissed Song Shaoyan's behavior as youthful pride and urged Mo Sheli not to take offense.
• Chen Qingyu chose to continue fighting and erupted with Weak Water True Qi, while Song Shaoyan mocked her courage and considered the price she would pay.

Chen Qingyu revealed her Special Physique while fighting Song Shaoyan, who then appeared to deliberately injure her rather than end the match. As Mo Sheli was unable to intervene without breaking the contest rules, Hua Chengming arranged a deal with him, and Lin Tian was told to enter the arena.

• Chen Qingyu and Song Shaoyan resumed their duel, and Song Shaoyan let her attack while taunting her.
• Chen Qingyu’s attack wounded Song Shaoyan inside his Sword Momentum Field, revealing that she possessed a Special Physique.
• Song Shaoyan injured Chen Qingyu repeatedly, and Lin Tian realized he seemed intent on crippling her and her Special Physique.
• Mo Sheli recognized Song Shaoyan’s intent but could not intervene without giving the Heavenly Dynasty Sect grounds to challenge the Heavenly Derivation Sect.
• Hua Chengming made a deal with Mo Sheli involving the sect’s Supreme Treasure, then told Lin Tian to enter the arena.

Lin Tian watched Song Shaoyan’s fight with Chen Qingyu and sensed something strange, then intervened when Song’s final strike threatened to cripple her. After catching Chen Qingyu and confronting Song, Lin Tian challenged the excuse that the attack had been an accident.

• Song Shaoyan exploited Chen Qingyu’s exhaustion and secretly prepared a killing strike, intending to cripple her on Long Tianchao’s orders.
• Song Shaoyan disarmed Chen Qingyu and thrust his sword toward her, while she sensed the sinister energy and could not evade.
• Lin Tian appeared and used his Yi Chen Spear to knock Song Shaoyan’s sword aside, then caught Chen Qingyu as she fell.
• Lin Tian introduced himself as a Core Disciple of the Wood Courtyard of the Heavenly Derivation Sect and asked Song why he had tried to kill Chen Qingyu after the match was decided.

Lin Tian entered the arena to face Song Shaoyan after realizing Song had tried to harm Chen Qingyu with sinister true qi. While spectators doubted Lin Tian could win and Chen Qingyu worried for him, the battle began, leaving his strength and the outcome unknown.

• Lin Tian confronted Song Shaoyan, who recognized that Lin knew about his attempt to injure Chen Qingyu and challenged Lin over the sects’ stakes.
• Lin reassured Chen Qingyu, and Yu Qinghan escorted her away from the arena on Mo Sheli’s instruction.
• Mo Sheli questioned Hua Chengming about Lin’s role, and Hua confirmed that Lin was the solution.
• Song Shaoyan and the Qingcheng Prefecture City disciples dismissed Lin as weak because he had cultivated inferior true qi, while Chen Qingyu urged Yu Qinghan to rescue him.
• Yu Qinghan stayed put because she believed the Sect Master had intended Lin to remain in the arena, and Lin and Song Shaoyan began their fight.

Lin Tian used his speed and overwhelming physical strength to batter Song Shaoyan without revealing his trump cards. Song Shaoyan nearly flew out of the arena, but he stopped himself at the edge with his Sword Momentum Field and prepared to fight back.

• Lin Tian struck Song Shaoyan with Ghost Shadow Instant Thunder, sending him flying and leaving him injured despite his successful block.
• Song Shaoyan charged again with his fire-attribute Zhenqi, but Lin Tian overpowered him and followed with another spear strike.
• Lin Tian used Falling Thunder to smash Song Shaoyan toward the arena’s edge, hoping to win without revealing his trump cards.
• The Sect Master of the Heavenly Dynasty Sect gave a cold snort, and Song Shaoyan used his Sword Momentum Field to stop himself at the arena’s edge.
• Song Shaoyan glared at Lin Tian and threatened him as his Sword Momentum Field unleashed a fierce gale.

Lin Tian revealed that he had mastered Spear Momentum, surprising Mo Sheli, Chen Qingyu, and the spectators as Song Shaoyan’s Sword Momentum threatened to overwhelm him. The chapter ended with the crowd recognizing Lin Tian’s momentum field.

• Long Tianchao defended his interference in the duel and accused Lin Tian of relying on opportunistic tricks, while Mo Sheli could not refute him.
• Mo Sheli believed Lin Tian had little chance against Song Shaoyan and regretted that the Heavenly Derivation Sect lacked a deeper foundation.
• Lin Tian gathered thunder around his spear and drove it into the ground, creating a dark Spear Momentum Field.
• Mo Sheli and the spectators recognized Lin Tian’s momentum, while Chen Qingyu wondered whether his earlier words had been true.
• The crowd erupted in surprise as they identified the Spear Momentum beneath Lin Tian.

Lin Tian revealed Spear Momentum and recognized that Song Shaoyan's Sword Momentum was incomplete, but Song refused to surrender and unleashed a storm of attacks. After the two exchanged a powerful blow, the winds died and the arena fell silent, leaving their condition unclear.

• Earth Courtyard disciples recognized Lin Tian's Spear Momentum, though the crowd wondered whether his low-grade true qi would let him defeat Song Shaoyan.
• Lin Tian judged Song Shaoyan's Sword Momentum to be incomplete and urged him to surrender, hoping to undermine Heavenly Dynasty Sect's plans.
• Song Shaoyan refused to concede despite recognizing that Lin Tian had the advantage.
• Song Shaoyan unleashed his true qi and stirred up a violent tornado across the dueling ground.
• Lin Tian and Song Shaoyan clashed in a burst of lightning and true qi, shattering the stone tiles; the storm then vanished, and the arena went silent beneath the smoke.

Lin Tian defeated Song Shaoyan in a single decisive clash, winning the wagered duel for Heavenly Derivation Sect. His victory left the sect celebrating and stunned its Core Disciples, while Mo Sheli anticipated a stronger position for Gaoyan Prefecture City at the coming Alliance Conference.

• Lin Tian emerged from the smoke uninjured, while Song Shaoyan lay embedded in the cracked arena floor, coughing blood and unable to speak.
• Heavenly Derivation Sect's disciples cheered Lin Tian's victory, and Wood Courtyard's disciples celebrated their Core Disciple's win over Song Shaoyan.
• Ye Zhen, Xiao Shaoyang, and Chen Qingyu recognized the gulf between their strength and Lin Tian's, while the prospect of sect rewards did little to ease their despondence.
• Mo Sheli realized Lin Tian's win would bring Heavenly Derivation Sect treasures, disrupt Heavenly Dynasty Sect's plans, and help Gaoyan Prefecture City stand on equal footing with Qingcheng Prefecture City at the Alliance Conference.
• Mo Sheli looked at Lin Tian with growing satisfaction and credited Uncle Master Hua's training for his ability to conceal his strength.