Chapter Summaries

The Backer Sect’s rankings placed Daoyuan Peak’s disciples at the top, and the sect set out for the Immortal Ranking event. In Leaning Immortal City, the Backer Sect astonished onlookers by traveling with the Silverwing Peng Bird Clan’s clan leader and Saint-level ancestor, then continued toward City of Contention on Silver Snow Ancestor’s back.

• Yun Tian Zhenren ranked Huang Xuan, Ye Bufan, Jia Duobao, and Ya Ya as the top four disciples, while Lin Yang took fifth place.
• Yun Tian Zhenren led the ranked members of the Backer Sect through the domain gate to Leaning Immortal City, where a Half-Saint-level silver peng awaited them.
• Onlookers belittled the Backer Sect, but Yun Tian Zhenren carried its members onto the silver peng’s back and revealed that it was Silver God, the Silverwing Peng Bird Clan’s current leader.
• Silver Snow Ancestor, a Saint-level silver peng, arrived and offered to escort the Backer Sect, stunning the assembled experts.
• Silver God placed the Backer Sect members on Silver Snow Ancestor’s back and flew ahead, while Silver Snow Ancestor set off with them for City of Contention.

The Backer Sect arrived at City of Contention with Silver Snow Ancestor, a Sage Realm silver peng, and drew the War Clan’s ire by briefly standing above its chariot. The War Clan demanded an arm as punishment, and Silver Snow Ancestor challenged its overbearing attitude.

• The Divine Sword Sect arrived at City of Contention, and Jing Yunxiao moved its great sword aside for the War Clan’s silver chariot.
• Zhan Wubusheng warned Jing Yunxiao that the Divine Sword Sect would have been barred from the Immortal Ranking contest if it had blocked his path.
• Silver Snow Ancestor brought the Backer Sect to the city atop her enormous silver peng, then changed to human form after Jing Yunxiao identified the War Clan’s chariot.
• Yun Tian Zhenren apologized to the War Clan and the Divine Sword Sect for the Backer Sect’s unintended offense.
• The War Clan demanded that the Backer Sect leave behind an arm, and Silver Snow Ancestor objected to its overbearing demand.

The War Clan backed down from confronting the Backer Sect after the Silverwing Peng Bird Clan and Six-Horned Bull Clan intervened, but its chariot suddenly exploded as the group entered the City of Contention. Jing Yunxiao and the Divine Sword Sect’s Sage Ancestor saved the city from the blast, while Ancestor Duan Ya refused to speculate about its cause.

• Iron Bull Ancestor joined Silver Snow Ancestor in protecting the Backer Sect, and the War Clan Chief conceded that his side could not overcome the two supreme clans.
• The War Clan Chief dismissed the confrontation, while the War Clan’s fourth-level Sage Ancestor admitted he needed reinforcements to control the Immortal Ranking.
• As the Backer Sect entered the City of Contention, the War Clan’s silver chariot exploded and sent destructive energy toward the city.
• Jing Yunxiao split the blast’s energy with his sword, and the Divine Sword Sect’s Sage Ancestor destroyed the remaining force before it could devastate the city.
• The people of the city praised Jing Yunxiao and the Divine Sword Sect, and Ancestor Duan Ya declined to deduce who had caused the explosion.

After the Battle Clan’s war chariot and everyone aboard were destroyed, the gathered forces suspected the newly arrived Jiang Clan, though Hua Yunfei privately knew Huang Xuan was responsible. The Backer Sect settled into its estate while Divine Sword Sect prepared to call for reinforcements, and the Jiang Clan called for its own in case the Battle Clan attacked.

• Ancestor Duan Ya warned Jing Yunxiao that an unknown powerful expert might be in the City of Contention, so Jing Yunxiao contacted the Divine Sword Sect for reinforcements.
• The crowd debated who had destroyed the Battle Clan’s war chariot and ruled out Silver Snow Ancestor and Iron Bull Ancestor.
• The Jiang Clan arrived just after the destruction, became the crowd’s suspect, and its Chief ordered reinforcements in case the Battle Clan blamed them.
• Huang Xuan recalled the Divine Sword Sect’s ancient Supreme who had once been the Profound Yellow Great Emperor’s divine general, and Hua Yunfei advised him not to make contact until he was stronger.
• The Backer Sect reached its estate, where Elder Yang and the other elders secretly planted array disks beneath it.

Backer Sect’s disciples explored City of Contention while elders watched over them, and the War Clan confronted the Jiang Clan over the deaths of its people. The Jiang Clan Chief escaped as the two clans’ ancestors fought, leaving negotiations for another day.

• Yun Tian Zhenren allowed the disciples to explore City of Contention, and Hua Yunfei sent Ye Bufan, Huang Xuan, Ya Ya, and the others out with a warning to stay safe.
• The Jiang Clan Chief shouted that his clan was innocent while fleeing the War Clan Grand Elder, who questioned him about the attack on the War Clan.
• The Jiang Clan Chief suspected someone was trying to provoke a war between the clans, and the War Clan Grand Elder proposed that they stop and talk.
• The War Clan Old Ancestor and Jiang Clan Old Ancestor emerged from the void and began fighting, prompting the Jiang Clan Chief to abandon negotiations and escape.
• The War Clan Grand Elder remained behind, still unsure whether the Jiang Clan was responsible, while the Jiang Clan Old Ancestor also withdrew from the fight.

After the War Clan’s defeat, Ye Bufan and his companions entered the City of Contention’s Black Market and found Mu Qiuxue and Zhao Zhu confronting disciples of Shadow Mystery Valley. Mu Qiuxue and Zhao Zhu began fighting back, and Mu Qiuxue wounded Hong Yan before two other opponents tried to stop her.

• The War Clan Old Ancestor and Grand Elder withdrew, while Huang Xuan and Jia Duobao suspected Hua Yunfei had wiped out the War Clan members.
• Ye Bufan, Ya Ya, Huang Xuan, Jia Duobao, and Jin Jin bought candied hawthorn skewers and headed into the Black Market.
• Ye Bufan and Huang Xuan spotted Mu Qiuxue and Zhao Zhu facing six disciples of Shadow Mystery Valley.
• Zhao Zhu killed one disciple after he insulted Mu Qiuxue, and then he and Mu Qiuxue attacked the remaining five.
• Mu Qiuxue severed Hong Yan’s arm, then charged her as two eighth-level Core Formation Realm disciples moved to stop her.

Mu Qiuxue and Zhao Zhu killed Shadow Mystery Valley disciples in the Black Market, but enforcer Xu Cheng intervened and attacked Zhao Zhu. Ye Bufan and the others arrived, and Jia Duobao overpowered and crushed Xu Cheng.

• Mu Qiuxue killed two Shadow Mystery Valley disciples and Hong Yan, while Zhao Zhu finished off Li KunGe's allies and nearly defeated Li KunGe.
• Xu Cheng appeared as the Black Market enforcer, struck Zhao Zhu, and accused him and Mu Qiuxue of breaking the market's rules.
• Mu Qiuxue and Zhao Zhu defied Xu Cheng, who prepared to attack them.
• Ye Bufan and his companions arrived, and Jia Duobao stepped forward despite Mu Qiuxue warning that Xu Cheng was near the Celestial Realm.
• Jia Duobao revealed Celestial Realm power, seized Xu Cheng with a transparent hand, sealed her cultivation, and crushed her.

Jia Duobao and Zhao Zhu slaughtered Black Market enforcers and killed Li KunGe, provoking two Approaching Dao Realm elders to confront the Backer Sect group. Just as Jia Duobao prepared to reveal his strength, Elder Yang intervened, leaving the Black Market and Shadow Mystery Valley elders stunned.

• Jia Duobao killed four more Black Market enforcers, while Zhao Zhu beheaded Li KunGe and Huang Xuan ordered his head sent to his grandfather.
• Ye Bufan led the group toward the Black Market exit, but a white-haired Approaching Dao Realm enforcer blocked their way as Li KunGe's grandfather arrived seeking revenge.
• Jia Duobao stepped forward to face the two elders, saying he could no longer hide his strength.
• An unseen attacker hurled a spear through the white-haired elder, sealing his cultivation and pinning him in midair.
• Elder Yang emerged carrying the heads of Wang Hou and Chen Shuang, prompting Li KunGe's grandfather to recognize the slain Shadow Mystery Valley elders.

Elder Yang killed the purple-robed and white-haired Black Market elders after the Backer Sect group was attacked, then escorted the disciples back to the sect despite his injuries. News of the killings spread through the City of Contention, where people feared the Black Market and Shadow Mystery Valley would retaliate.

• Elder Yang tricked the purple-robed old man into letting his guard down with his junior brother’s exploding head, then killed him with a single palm strike.
• Elder Yang and Jia Duobao appeared to suffer the consequences of secret arts that had temporarily boosted their strength, and onlookers praised their willingness to protect their fellow disciples.
• Elder Yang killed the white-haired old man from the Black Market despite his threats, then took Ye Bufan and the others back to the Backer Sect’s estate.
• Word spread across the City of Contention that the Backer Sect had killed experts from the Black Market and Shadow Mystery Valley, prompting fears of retaliation and debate about the sect’s fate.

Shadow Mystery Valley and the Black Market confronted the Backer Sect, but Yun Tian Zhenren revealed that the sect had lured them inside to trap them. The chapter ended as Nether Shadow Old Ancestor and Azure Cloud Sage prepared to attack.

• Nether Shadow Old Ancestor arrived at the Backer Sect manor with Shadow Mystery Valley, and the Valley Master’s attack triggered a hidden formation that blew apart his body.
• Hua Yunfei invited Shadow Mystery Valley inside, and Nether Shadow Old Ancestor led the group into the manor.
• Azure Cloud Sage arrived for the Black Market and entered after Hua Yunfei invited him.
• Inside the manor, Yun Tian Zhenren announced that the Backer Sect had closed the door to beat the dogs and insulted both groups.
• Azure Cloud Sage raised his hand to attack, while Nether Shadow Old Ancestor ordered Shadow Mystery Valley to strike.

Hua Yunfei sealed the cultivation of Shadow Mystery Valley and the Black Market, allowing Yun Tian Zhenren, Silver Snow Ancestor, Iron Bull Ancestor, and the Backer Sect disciples to overpower them. The chapter ended with Nether Shadow Old Ancestor and Azure Cloud Sage beaten and the Backer Sect finishing off the rest.

• Hua Yunfei secretly sealed the cultivation of everyone from Shadow Mystery Valley and the Black Market, leaving them mortal.
• Iron Bull Ancestor killed an elder of Shadow Mystery Valley, and Silver Snow Ancestor killed its Valley Master.
• Nether Shadow Old Ancestor begged Yun Tian Zhenren for mercy, but Yun Tian Zhenren ordered the Backer Sect disciples to beat their enemies.
• Silver Snow Ancestor and Iron Bull Ancestor dragged Nether Shadow Old Ancestor and Azure Cloud Sage away and savagely beat them.
• Azure Cloud Sage invoked the Sun Moon Divine Church, but Yun Tian Zhenren declared that the Backer Sect would take its place as the Eastern Region's leading power.
• Iron Bull Ancestor continued beating Azure Cloud Sage and Nether Shadow Old Ancestor as the Backer Sect's assault on Shadow Mystery Valley's people neared its end.

Backer Sect defeated Shadow Mystery Valley and forced its survivors and Azure Cloud Sage to submit. Hua Yunfei’s special Slave Seals also set Backer Sect up to covertly control their allies and the Black Market.

• The golden rooster fiercely attacked Shadow Mystery Valley’s disciples, while Mu Qiuxue praised Daoyuan Peak’s cultivation environment and Jia Duobao reacted to her remark about pigs.
• Nether Shadow Old Ancestor begged Yun Tian Zhenren for his life and agreed to serve Backer Sect in exchange for a one-month probation.
• Hua Yunfei used a powerful soul Slave Seal on Nether Shadow Old Ancestor and cursed the surviving Shadow Mystery Valley members, who then bowed to Backer Sect.
• Azure Cloud Sage surrendered to protect his wife, and Hua Yunfei sealed him and ordered the Black Market’s profits directed to Backer Sect.
• Hua Yunfei’s special seals could spread through contact, leaving Shadow Mystery Valley, the Black Market, and Sun Moon Divine Church operatives vulnerable to covert control.

Hua Yunfei used the I'm Sunburned Secret Art to control powerful figures and arranged for Shadow Mystery Valley to submit to the Backer Sect, including handing over its Supreme Weapon and resources. The chapter ended with Nether Shadow Old Ancestor and Azure Cloud Sage leaving the manor, as onlookers spotted the dead Valley Master's body.

• Hua Yunfei explained how his secret art and curse power let him control people and planned to spread the art through the Backer Sect.
• Hua Yunfei ordered Nether Shadow Old Ancestor to return to Shadow Mystery Valley, compete for a place on the Immortal Ranking, and later deliver the valley's Supreme Weapon and sixty percent of its resources.
• Nether Shadow Old Ancestor confirmed Shadow Mystery Valley possessed the Soul Shadow Sword and the Dragon Vein Dao Heaven Stone, and Hua Yunfei forbade its abuses except against enemy factions.
• Hua Yunfei told Azure Cloud Sage to build ties with the Sun Moon Divine Church's upper ranks, then dismissed him and Nether Shadow Old Ancestor.
• Nether Shadow Old Ancestor and Azure Cloud Sage left the manor, and spectators saw Nether Shadow Old Ancestor carrying Shadow Mystery Valley's dead Valley Master.

Nether Shadow Old Ancestor and Azure Cloud Sage publicly blamed Shadow Mystery Valley’s dead for their own misconduct, shifting public opinion in the valley’s favor. The next day, Azure Cloud Sage visited Sect Leader Dongfang and began discussing his desire to reach the Sage Realm.

• Nether Shadow Old Ancestor and Azure Cloud Sage told the gathered crowd that Shadow Mystery Valley and Black Market disciples had deserved their deaths, and that the Valley Master had been killed for defying Nether Shadow Old Ancestor.
• The crowd accepted Nether Shadow Old Ancestor’s explanation, and the story spread through the City of Contention, improving many factions’ view of Shadow Mystery Valley.
• Sect Leader Dongfang cultivated at the Sun Moon Divine Church residence, determined to gain strength and reach the Sage Realm after being dismissed by the ancestors.
• Azure Cloud Sage visited Sect Leader Dongfang, claiming he had simply come to see him, then asked whether Dongfang was eager to break through to the Sage Realm.
• Sect Leader Dongfang admitted he was seeking a way to advance, fearing Half-Sages would soon lose their influence as the age revived.

Azure Cloud Sage sought an introduction to Azure Origin Old Ancestor, while Butterfly Fairy Old Ancestor was bound by a Slave Seal and learned that Hua Yunfei was behind it. As powerful factions and prodigies converged on the City of Contention, the Eastern Region faced growing pressure from rivals across the four regions.

• Azure Cloud Sage asked the Sun Moon Sect Leader to introduce him to Azure Origin Old Ancestor, and the Sect Leader agreed to take him to her secret chamber.
• Butterfly Fairy Old Ancestor confronted Nether Shadow Old Ancestor over the death of Shadow Mystery Valley's Valley Lord and suspected he was hiding the truth.
• A Slave Seal appeared inside Butterfly Fairy Old Ancestor, overpowering her and making her accept that Backer Sect was right and was Shadow Mystery Valley's friend.
• Butterfly Fairy Old Ancestor learned from Nether Shadow Old Ancestor that Hua Yunfei had branded her, then agreed to return to the valley and help Shadow Mystery Valley pursue an Immortal Ranking position.
• Terrifying factions and prodigies from the Eastern Region's forbidden lands and the other four regions arrived in the City of Contention to observe and test the Eastern Region's young talents.

As the Nangong Ancient Clan returned to the world for the Immortal Ranking, Nangong Xiangtian tracked Dao Xuwu to the Backer Sect over their past encounter at the Xuanhuang Emperor's Tomb. After sharing Enlightenment Tea with Hua Yunfei, Nangong Xiangtian befriended him, while Hua Yunfei asked why the Nangong Ancient Clan was not competing for the Immortal Ranking.

• The Yaoguang Holy Master and other onlookers recognized the blue-gold flying boat as belonging to the supposedly destroyed Nangong Ancient Clan.
• Nangong Xiangtian arrived at the Backer Sect and confronted Dao Xuwu over being robbed at the Xuanhuang Emperor's Tomb, but Dao Xuwu welcomed him inside.
• Hua Yunfei served Nangong Xiangtian Enlightenment Tea, which helped Dao Xuwu deepen his cultivation insights and Nangong Xiangtian improve his comprehension.
• Nangong Xiangtian introduced himself to Hua Yunfei, promised to help him in the future, and urged him to call him Brother Tian.
• Nangong Xiangtian explained that he had emerged from seclusion to announce the Nangong Ancient Clan's return, and Hua Yunfei asked why the clan was not entering the Immortal Ranking.

Nangong Xiangtian arrived at the Desolate God Holy Land and boasted to Hua Yunfei before challenging Dao Xuwu to a sealed-cultivation physical fight. As the two battled inside Nangong Xiangtian’s mirror, Hua Yunfei received a mission to recruit a talented disciple with a special physique within half a year.

• Nangong Xiangtian told Hua Yunfei that the Nangong Ancient Clan was too powerful to bother competing for the Immortal Ranking, then claimed it was still recovering from past destruction.
• Nangong Xiangtian declared he would stay at the Desolate God Holy Land because Dao Xuwu had taken his treasures, and challenged Dao Xuwu to fight at the same cultivation realm.
• Dao Xuwu accepted Nangong Xiangtian’s challenge and proposed sealing their cultivation to compete using physical strength.
• Hua Yunfei stopped them from fighting in the pavilion, so Nangong Xiangtian used a spatial mirror to let them battle inside it.
• Hua Yunfei received a system mission to recruit one disciple with at least Low-Grade Saint Talent and a special physique within half a year, or lose a spiritual treasure.

Nangong Xiangtian warned Hua Yunfei and Dao Xuwu that the Desolate God Holy Land might have returned, and offered the Nangong Ancient Clan’s protection to Backer Sect. Hua Yunfei then considered how to find recruits with rare talent and physiques.

• Dao Xuwu defeated Nangong Xiangtian in a spar, and Nangong Xiangtian admitted defeat while Hua Yunfei laughed at him.
• Nangong Xiangtian revealed that he had sensed the Desolate God Art and suspected the Desolate God Holy Land had reappeared.
• Hua Yunfei and Dao Xuwu recognized that the Desolate God Holy Land could threaten Backer Sect and Dao Yi Immortal Sect as it sought to dominate Wildlands Province.
• Nangong Xiangtian pledged that the Nangong Ancient Clan would protect Backer Sect, and the three men grew closer.
• Hua Yunfei returned to his residence and worried about finding recruits who had both Low-Grade Saint Talent and a special physique.

Hua Yunfei and Backer Sect traveled to watch the Immortal Ranking contest, which would determine the new Nine Great Immortal Sects amid a coming Golden Age. Along the way, Lin Yang recovered from his defeat by Ye Bufan, and Yun Tian Zhenren left Hua Yunfei curious about Backer Sect’s hidden methods.

• Hua Yunfei decided to attend the Immortal Ranking contest, hoping to find talented people to recruit as disciples.
• The Immortal Ranking reopened in City of Contention as heaven and earth recovered and ancient clans prepared to compete for the nine sect positions.
• Lin Yang challenged Ye Bufan and suffered a crushing defeat, then resolved to train harder with Mu Qingqing’s support.
• Jin Jin suggested Lin Yang challenge Jia Duobao, while Jia Duobao invited the sect members to a roast chicken gathering and frightened Jin Jin.
• Hua Yunfei asked Yun Tian Zhenren how he had restored Mu Qiuxue’s Shadow Spirit Body, but Yun Tian Zhenren said Hua Yunfei would learn once he became Sect Leader.

The Backer Sect prepared to attend the Immortal Ranking, while Nether Heaven Sect Holy Son Yi Tianchou planned to exploit Xiaxuan Zhenren and target Azure Origin Old Ancestor. Azure Origin heard his covetous remarks, but Azure Cloud Sage soothed her anger and earned an invitation to sit beside her as the competition was about to begin.

• Tianji Zhenren asked what the Backer Sect would do if someone insulted it, and Yun Tian Zhenren answered that they would fight.
• At the arena, Mu Lao promised Yi Tianchou that Xiaxuan Zhenren and her disciples would satisfy him, and Yi agreed to consider helping destroy the Backer Sect.
• Yi Tianchou became interested in Azure Origin Old Ancestor and grew jealous after Mu Lao told him she was friendly with Azure Cloud Sage.
• Azure Origin heard Yi Tianchou's covert remarks and became angry, but Azure Cloud Sage calmed her with his gentle words.
• Azure Cloud Sage prepared to leave, and Azure Origin invited him to remain beside her to watch the matches, nearly frightening Mu Lao.