Chapter Summaries

Plot points and events

• After helping expose the Demon Sect’s scheme, Chen Mu is ordered to lead a relief force north to Everlasting Prosperity Town. He joins veteran commander Zheng Hongyi, who sets aside his earlier resentment and takes charge of the march.
• Five hundred armored soldiers, including archers and crossbowmen, depart with supplies and weapons. Because the baggage slows them, Zheng orders an urgent one-day march, and Chen Mu stays with the column to guard against dangers on the road.
• In Everlasting Prosperity Town, residents prepare for war: grain is loaded onto boats for the front, elderly townsmen reinforce the walls, and militia members help with labor.
• A messenger arrives badly wounded with news that the Sky Wolfers are attacking the pass. He also reports that demons have poured out of Mangdang Mountain.
• At the town’s drill ground, Liu Qingcang and Wu Yue worry that the garrison commander and promised reinforcements have not arrived. Before they can act, a militiaman rushes in shouting that the demons are attacking.

Character developments and interactions

• Chen Mu shows caution and responsibility, choosing to protect the relief force rather than race ahead alone. He treats Zheng respectfully and seeks to speed the march through cooperation.
• Zheng Hongyi moves past his prejudice after recognizing Chen Mu’s role in exposing the plot. Though still stern, he takes the crisis seriously and efficiently organizes the troops.
• Liu Qingcang and Wu Yue share growing anxiety over the missing reinforcements and the looming threat, highlighting the town’s vulnerable position.
• The townspeople work together despite fear and age: laborers, families, militia, and officials all contribute to preparing defenses and moving provisions.

Significant themes

• Civic solidarity: Ordinary residents share the burden of defense, even when the danger is uncertain.
• Urgency and preparedness: Every delay matters as the town faces threats from both the northern tribes and the demons.
• Trust earned through action: Chen Mu’s deeds change Zheng Hongyi’s view of him.
• Escalating danger: The expected war rapidly becomes a two-front crisis, with the Sky Wolfers and demons threatening the region at once.

Key plot points and events

• The Sky Wolfers attack earlier than expected, before reinforcements can arrive. Liu Qingcang orders the city gates shut, the walls manned, and civilian volunteers organized as reserves.
• A-Ning continues taking food to the defenders, partly as a way to watch for her absent husband, Chen Mu. In his absence, she studies the Alchemy Canon and uses the Pangolin Beast’s earth core and her newly learned Mystic Sect arts to cultivate a small Medicine Garden.
• War drums sound, and the city mobilizes as word spreads that monsters are approaching. A-Ning and Chuntang hurry to the West City Wall.
• Xiao Wenbin reports that thousands of demonic beasts are advancing and that Cloud Province cannot provide troops. Liu Qingcang orders the defenders to prepare logs and boulders.
• A-Ning asks whether Chen Mu has returned. Xiao Wenbin says he remains in Cloud Province but promised to be back within three days.
• A scouting Sea Gyrfalcon appears, and the beast horde comes into view: thousands of creatures sweeping toward the city through the snow.

Character developments and interactions

• Liu Qingcang responds decisively to the early attack, coordinating soldiers and volunteers despite the lack of reinforcements.
• A-Ning shows initiative and growing magical ability, tending herbs that may reach ten years’ potency before spring. Her concern for Chen Mu shapes her daily routines, but she also rushes to witness the threat firsthand.
• Chuntang remains protective of A-Ning and helps her reach the walls, while privately recognizing that her mistress’s charitable visits are also driven by longing for her husband.
• Xiao Wenbin brings crucial news from Cloud Province and reassures A-Ning about Chen Mu’s expected return.
• Li Huanzhen, having organized the Righteous Militia Alliance, joins the defense and urges A-Ning to leave the dangerous walls.

Significant themes

• Duty and communal defense: Soldiers, martial artists, and civilian volunteers unite as the city prepares for siege.
• Love and separation: A-Ning’s efforts to watch for Chen Mu reveal her longing and fear for his safe return.
• Growth through hardship: A-Ning turns her husband’s legacy into practical cultivation skills, while the city faces an escalating crisis.
• Uncertainty and looming danger: The early attack and absent reinforcements leave the defenders under pressure as the beast horde arrives.

Plot points and events

• A vast beast tide approaches Everlasting Prosperity Town, terrifying the new recruits and threatening to overwhelm its walls. Liu Qingcang restores order, orders noncombatants away, and prepares the defenders for battle.
• A-Ning leaves the walls with Chuntang to organize physicians and prepare to treat the wounded, revealing that she had anticipated the need for medical aid. Xiao Wenbin approves of her foresight and takes charge of the defense alongside Liu Qingcang.
• The town’s 1,200 soldiers are divided among the four walls, with nearly a hundred members of the Righteous Militia Alliance serving as mobile reinforcements. Li Huanzhen accepts command of the martial artists.
• Ironback Demon Wolves lead the assault, followed by Tree Spirits and Stone Monsters. Arrows, stones, logs, and burning oil slow the attackers, but the sheer numbers and the creatures’ strength cause heavy casualties.
• Liu Meng is wounded while rescuing a militiaman. As Tree Spirits begin hurling rocks and Stone Monsters batter the gates, the defenses teeter toward collapse.
• Li Huanzhen charges down from the wall to attack the Stone Monsters, despite others’ warnings. Just as the defenders fear they cannot hold, a cavalry force appears inside the horde. Chen Mu, riding a lightning-marked beast, leads the charge toward the Tree Spirits.

Character developments and interactions

• Liu Qingcang acts decisively, threatening deserters and leading the defense from the front.
• A-Ning shows practical foresight and compassion by leaving to coordinate medical care; Chuntang realizes her earlier inquiries about physicians were preparation for this crisis.
• Xiao Wenbin trusts A-Ning’s judgment and delegates the defense to Li Huanzhen and the militia alliance.
• Li Huanzhen accepts responsibility for the town’s defense, then risks himself in a direct assault when the walls are failing.
• Liu Meng demonstrates courage by trying to save a fellow militiaman, suffering a serious arm wound in the process.
• Chen Mu returns after a nightlong ride, arriving at the critical moment as the defenders’ apparent salvation.

Significant themes

• Courage under overwhelming danger: The defenders must overcome fear and fight despite terrible odds.
• Duty and sacrifice: Soldiers, martial artists, and leaders risk their lives to protect the town and one another.
• Preparation and compassion: A-Ning’s advance planning highlights the importance of caring for the wounded as well as fighting.
• Hope at the brink: Chen Mu’s dramatic arrival shifts the battle from imminent defeat toward renewed possibility.

Plot points and events

• Chen Mu returns from Cloud Province with roughly five hundred elite soldiers and launches a surprise flank attack on the beast tide, arriving as the city’s defenses are under severe pressure.
• Leading the cavalry, he cuts through the demon wolves and attacks the tree spirits responsible for hurling rocks at the walls. He kills several with his blade, then smashes four stone monsters with a powerful fist technique.
• Xiao Wenbin brings more defenders and incendiary oil. Chen Mu ignites the oil, setting the tree spirits’ remains ablaze. The frightened demons scatter, and the Sea Gyrfalcon’s call appears to signal their retreat.
• The defenders celebrate their survival, but Liu Qingcang quickly orders repairs, medical care, and rotating watches in case the enemy returns.
• Chen Mu enters the city to a warm welcome, then reports to Liu Qingcang, who asks how he secured the reinforcements.

Character developments

• Chen Mu demonstrates his strength, decisiveness, and leadership, while his timely return reveals how deeply he values the city and his fellow disciples.
• Liu Qingcang shifts from preparing to attack the enemy himself to directing the defense around Chen Mu’s timely intervention. Even in victory, he remains cautious and responsible.
• Xiao Wenbin moves quickly to support Chen Mu, bringing soldiers and incendiary oil at a crucial moment.
• The defenders go from exhaustion and fear to exhilaration as the attack breaks and the city holds.

Character interactions

• Liu Qingcang recognizes Chen Mu and sends Xiao Wenbin to support him.
• Chen Mu coordinates the assault with Zheng Hongyi, urging him and the troops to strike the tree spirits.
• Xiao Wenbin joins Chen Mu and supplies the incendiary oil needed to finish the tree spirits.
• After the battle, Chen Mu greets Liu Qingcang respectfully, while his master warmly welcomes him back.

Significant themes

• Timely aid and loyalty: Chen Mu’s return and the disciples’ cooperation prevent a likely disaster.
• Collective strength: The soldiers’ disciplined formation and coordinated support complement Chen Mu’s individual prowess.
• Vigilance after victory: Liu Qingcang’s orders emphasize that a successful defense does not mean the danger has passed.

Plot and key events

• After the demon-beast attack, Chen Mu returns to the military camp with Liu Qingcang. The town’s borrowed elite soldiers now reinforce the walls, but Everlasting Prosperity Town remains vulnerable: the attackers seem to have been a probing force, and the town lacks heavy weapons.
• Chen Mu learns that Li Huanzhen is helping defend the wall and asks about senior brothers Qin Tieya and Yuan Hong, who have not reported back from their dangerous journey north across Mangdang Mountain. Liu Qingcang has sent another disciple to scout and urges everyone to wait for news.
• With the enemy temporarily withdrawn and reinforcements expected, Liu tells Chen Mu to return to the academy and reassure his wife. Chen Mu decides to use the brief lull to strengthen himself before the next battle.
• At the Azure Dragon Martial Academy, Chen Mu finds the grounds filled with wounded people. A-Ning has organized local physicians and helpers, learned basic medicine preparation, and established a temporary clinic to treat them.
• Chen Mu reunites with A-Ning while she is directing the medicine-making. Overcome with relief, she embraces him; he playfully teases her, then carries her back to their quarters as the newly arrived physicians take over her work.

Character developments and interactions

• Chen Mu remains focused on the defense and his missing senior brothers, but also shows tenderness and longing when he reunites with A-Ning.
• Liu Qingcang is worried about the town and the absent disciples, yet offers practical guidance. He approves of Chen Mu’s friendship with Li Huanzhen and gently teases him about going home to his wife.
• A-Ning reveals unexpected initiative and competence, organizing emergency medical care despite her limited experience. Her composed leadership gives way to visible relief and emotion when Chen Mu returns.
• Li Huanzhen earns Chen Mu’s and Liu Qingcang’s respect by staying to help defend the town.
• Chen Mu’s reunion with A-Ning is affectionate and playful, contrasting with the uncertainty and danger surrounding the town.

Significant themes

• A fragile pause before renewed conflict: The retreating demons are likely only a vanguard, so the town’s reprieve may be brief.
• Community and service in wartime: Soldiers, academy members, families, and local medical workers all contribute to defense and recovery.
• Duty balanced with personal bonds: Chen Mu must prepare for further fighting while also seeking comfort and reassurance in his reunion with A-Ning.
• Uncertainty and loyalty: Concern over the missing senior brothers and admiration for those who step forward underline the importance of trust and solidarity.

Plot points and events

• Chen Mu returns to the Martial Arts Hall and checks on A-Ning’s cultivation and cold affliction. He finds that she has already gathered magic power unusually quickly, but cautions her to stop practicing the Lunar Chain-Form Formula if anything feels wrong.
• A-Ning worries that Chen Mu is leaving again. He reassures her that he will stay in the city, tells her to keep safe at the Martial Arts Hall, and hints that he has a surprise for her after the demon attack.
• Back at the Military Camp, Chen Mu learns from Li Huanzhen that he sensed the demonic auras of Su Yue’e and possibly Yan Qing north of the city. Their presence suggests the coming assault could be larger and more dangerous than expected.
• Chen Mu alerts Liu Qingcang. Liu identifies an underground waterway linking Blackwater Marsh to West City Wharf and warns that the demons could use it to approach the city or undermine its walls. He orders further defenses, then sends Chen Mu to prepare for his cultivation breakthrough.
• Chen Mu meditates through the night. At midnight, the Slaughter Register rewards his earlier battlefield achievements with gold, Marrow-Cleansing Pills, and the Earth-tier martial art Eight Desolations and Six Directions Art.

Character developments and interactions

• Chen Mu shows care for A-Ning without pressing her for intimacy, reassures her about his plans, and acts decisively on Li Huanzhen’s warning. He remains focused on both defending the city and advancing his cultivation.
• A-Ning is anxious about Chen Mu’s repeated departures but is progressing rapidly in cultivation. Her concern reveals her growing attachment to him.
• Li Huanzhen chooses to stay and help defend the city after discovering signs that powerful demons are involved. He shares his intelligence with Chen Mu despite its sensitive nature.
• Liu Qingcang demonstrates strategic judgment by recognizing the threat posed by the underground channel and directing preparations.
• Chuntang misreads Chen Mu’s intentions and expects him to take advantage of the private moment with A-Ning, providing a brief comic contrast to his restraint.

Significant themes

• Duty versus intimacy: Chen Mu’s affection for A-Ning is clear, but the impending battle takes priority.
• Preparation and vigilance: Advance intelligence and careful defense may prevent the demons from exploiting a hidden route.
• Growth under pressure: A-Ning’s swift cultivation progress and Chen Mu’s impending breakthrough unfold as the city prepares for war.
• Uncertainty before conflict: The demons’ numbers and strength remain unclear, heightening the threat on the eve of battle.

Chen Mu acquired the Earth Tier Eight Desolations and Six Directions Art and used karmic slaughter points to cultivate it. The Opening and Resting Gates were breached, and his blood essence began forcing open his Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

• Chen Mu read the Eight Desolations Tyrant Body Formula and Six Directions Origin-Returning Force, learning that they required dangerous natural forces and could make his body and blood essence exceptionally powerful.
• Chen Mu found that his meridians were too narrow to circulate the new art, so he swallowed monster blood essence and forced the Six Directions Origin-Returning Force through them.
• Chen Mu spent 1876 karmic slaughter points to refine the art, enduring visions of heavenly lightning and earthly fire tempering his body.
• The Golden Bell Iron Cloth Shirt and Robe-Subduing Demon Art fused into the new formula, breaching the Opening Gate and Resting Gate.
• Chen Mu's blood essence surged through his body and began opening his Eight Extraordinary Meridians one after another.

Chen Mu broke through to the ninth level of meridian opening and forged jade bones and golden blood, reaching the Half-Step Innate Realm before stabilizing his cultivation overnight. As he prepared to fight the demon beasts outside the city, war drums sounded again at West City.

• Chen Mu's blood essence surged as he advanced to the ninth level of meridian opening, and he used pills and the Six Directions Origin-Returning Force to suppress the clashing energies within him.
• Chen Mu completed the Tyrant Body Formula's minor accomplishment, gaining jade bones and golden blood, but remained short of the Innate Realm because he lacked demon beast essence blood for tempering.
• Chen Mu stabilized his cultivation overnight and inspected his panel, which showed the Half-Step Innate Realm and all five apertures open.
• Chen Mu found Liu Qingcang and Wu Yue at the drill grounds, where Wu Yue sensed Chen Mu's immense blood essence and Chen Mu admitted he had advanced.
• War drums sounded from West City, and Liu Qingcang called Chen Mu to the walls; Chen Mu raced ahead toward the western side of the city.

Chen Mu learned from the wounded Xiao Wenbin that high-ranking demons, including the Blackwater Mystic Serpent clan, were advancing toward the city by land and water. As the demon army attacked, Chen Mu defended the western wall, then realized the high-ranking demons were missing and went to investigate.

• Chen Mu reached the Watchtower and learned that scouts had found snake sloughs at the northern water inlet while Xiao Wenbin was still missing.
• Xiao Wenbin returned injured and reported that demon troops from the Thirty-Six Water Mansions had left Mangdang Mountain, with the Blackwater Mystic Serpent clan advancing south along the Grass River.
• Chen Mu helped Xiao Wenbin off his maddened horse, and Xiao warned that a peak ninth-rank serpent had wounded him and that the demons were close behind.
• A demon cloud and a massive army approached the city, so Liu Qingcang ordered the defenders to man the walls and prepare for battle.
• Chen Mu and the soldiers repelled waves of low-ranking demon wolves, but Chen Mu noticed that the expected high-ranking demons were absent.
• Chen Mu told the defenders to hold their position, then leaped from the wall and fought through the beasts toward the rear to investigate.

Chen Mu fought alone through the Demon Beast horde, while Li Huanzhen and the defenders held the wall. At the Grass River, Chen Mu discovered a vast army of water demons led by Yan Qing, and the demons spotted him on the shore.

• Chen Mu leaped from the city wall and blasted through the Demon Wolves with his Azure Dragon Seven Slays, fighting his way into the horde.
• Li Huanzhen unleashed the Purple Firmament Divine Thunder to clear demons from the western wall, while Liu Qingcang ordered the defenders to rotate and stay alert.
• Chen Mu tore through herds of Bristle-Maned Boars with a powerful punch, scattering the beasts and earning Karmic Slaughter.
• Chen Mu raced to the Grass River and found Blackwater Mystic Serpents carrying hundreds of demon soldiers and a vast host of water demons.
• Chen Mu recognized Yan Qing atop the leading serpent, and the serpent and its soldiers noticed him on the riverbank.

Chen Mu warned the defenders that Yan Qing had arrived with the Blackwater Mystic Serpent Army, and the demon forces surrounded Everlasting Prosperity Town. Yan Qing ordered the attack, leaving the outnumbered defenders facing an imminent assault.

• Chen Mu spotted Yan Qing's army and hurried back to Everlasting Prosperity Town to raise the alarm.
• Yan Qing ordered his demon soldiers to surround the town while the Beast Horde paused its attack.
• Chen Mu told Liu Qingcang and the other defenders that the Thirty-Six Water Mansions had emptied their forces against the town.
• Liu Qingcang took responsibility for confronting Yan Qing and ordered the defenders to hold the tower.
• Three enormous snakes brought the Water Manor demon soldiers to the Grass River, and the combined demon army surrounded the town on three sides.
• Yan Qing ordered the demon army to attack before the snow stopped, and the ten thousand beasts charged the tower.

Chen Mu fought to hold West City as Marshland Demon Soldiers overwhelmed the battlements, while Liu Qingcang and Yan Qing remained locked in a standoff. The chapter left Chen Mu surrounded by the Bull Demon King, Zhu Laosi, and Green Bamboo Snake as their simultaneous attacks closed in.

• Marshland Demon Soldiers breached West City's battlements, and Chen Mu joined Liu Meng and the defenders in fighting them off.
• Zheng Hongyi's soldiers held the Bristle-Maned Boars at the gates while Mountain Ogres attacked the western flank, and Liu Qingcang remained in a standoff with Yan Qing.
• Chen Mu and Li Huanzhen killed waves of demons, but the defenders suffered heavy casualties as more enemies climbed the walls.
• The Bull Demon King recognized Chen Mu and attacked him, but Chen Mu wounded him with the Hundred-Slash Saber Art.
• Zhu Laosi and Green Bamboo Snake joined the Bull Demon King and surrounded Chen Mu, then attacked from both sides as Chen Mu met the bull demon's axe.

Chen Mu killed three ninth-rank Demon Generals on the battlements, but Yan Qing then sent two enormous Blackwater Mystic Serpents to attack the city. The serpents charged the walls as the defenders realized they faced demons with the power of transformation.

• Chen Mu killed the Green Bamboo Snake, the Ox Demon, and Zhu Laosi, turning the tide of the fight on the battlements.
• Chen Mu ordered the defenders to rescue the wounded and rotate their positions before rushing to reinforce another section of the wall.
• General Blackscale asked Yan Qing to let it and its two brothers attack the city, but Yan Qing ordered the other two serpents to move while Blackscale stayed behind.
• The demonic soldiers abruptly stopped storming the walls, leaving Chen Mu and the defenders wary and confused.
• Two giant serpents burst from the Grass River and charged toward the walls, prompting the defenders to fear they could not withstand them.

Two Blackwater Mystic Serpents breached West City’s walls and slaughtered its defenders, forcing Chen Mu and Li Huanzhen to intervene. Chen Mu gravely wounded one serpent with Nine-Nether Profound Thunder, then opened his Divine Lihuo Eyes as the beast unleashed a poisonous cloud.

• The two Blackwater Mystic Serpents smashed through the northern and southern walls and devoured or killed the soldiers there.
• Liu Qingcang ordered the defenders to retreat and sent Chen Mu and Li Huanzhen to stop the serpents.
• Chen Mu drew one serpent away from the wall and used Nine-Nether Profound Thunder to rip open its neck and knock it from the battlements.
• The wounded serpent rose again and unleashed a poisonous cloud over the southern wall.
• Chen Mu opened his Divine Lihuo Eyes and sent two blazing whips of fire through the poison cloud toward the serpent.

Chen Mu used his Divine Lihuo Eyes and Red Lotus Karmic Fire to kill a transformation-stage mystic serpent and dozens of demon beasts at the Southern Wall Section. At the Northern Wall Section, Liu Qingcang struck down the serpent threatening Li Huanzhen, leaving its life hanging by a thread.

• Chen Mu's fire whips broke through the mystic serpent's venom beam, burned through its head, and split its body in two.
• Chen Mu swept the Red Lotus Karmic Fire across the battlefield, killing nearly a hundred demon beasts and severing the mystic serpent into pieces.
• Yan Qing and Blackscale watched Chen Mu's display as the defenders cheered and Liu Qingcang praised his disciple.
• The second mystic serpent abandoned its fight with Li Huanzhen and tried to attack Chen Mu, but Li Huanzhen struck it with Purple Firmament Divine Thunder.
• The wounded serpent prepared to unleash another divine power, while depleted Chen Mu could not intervene and Li Huanzhen ordered the defenders to scatter.
• Liu Qingcang charged in and struck the serpent with the Azure Dragon Seven-Slaying Fist, tearing it open and leaving it near death.

After Liu Qingcang killed the Mystic Serpent, his secret art revealed that he had only a short time left, so he told Chen Mu to challenge Yan Qing. Chen Mu stepped forward to face the Demon Army, but Yan Qing sent Blackscale to fight him instead.

• Liu Qingcang killed the Mystic Serpent with a second punch, but the effort worsened his old injuries.
• Liu Qingcang told Chen Mu that he might inherit the Azure Dragon Lineage and ordered him to challenge Yan Qing.
• Chen Mu refused to let his master face the next battle and called out Yan Qing from the gate tower.
• Yan Qing stayed on the Command Platform and sent Blackscale to test Chen Mu.
• Blackscale transformed into an armored Demon General, formed a Long Halberd, and challenged Chen Mu to descend and fight.

Chen Mu faced Blackscale on the snowy battlefield, drawing strength from the blood, Baleful Intent, demonic qi, and poison around him as they fought. The chapter ended with Blackscale’s divine ability and Chen Mu’s thunder attack colliding, leaving both fighters hidden in the blast as Blackscale’s halberd struck through the dust.

• Chen Mu accepted Blackscale’s challenge and leaped from the battlements to face him.
• Chen Mu and Blackscale clashed, with Chen Mu retreating under Blackscale’s initial assault.
• Li Huanzhen and the defenders noticed Chen Mu absorbing battlefield blood, Baleful Intent, demonic qi, and poison to strengthen himself.
• Chen Mu used the Ghost-Shadow Step and unleashed Nine-Nether Profound Thunder, but Blackscale countered with an icy divine ability.
• The thunder and ice attacks exploded, engulfing Chen Mu and Blackscale, and Blackscale’s halberd tore through the dust as the onlookers feared for Chen Mu.

Chen Mu used the Eight Desolations Tyrant Body Formula to turn the tide against Blackscale, driving the demon back with powerful punches. When Blackscale revealed his hundred-foot serpent form, Chen Mu met him head-on and smashed one of his horns, leaving the demon army in chaos.

• Blackscale struck Chen Mu and sent him tumbling, but Liu Qingcang insisted that Chen Mu could still fight.
• Chen Mu activated the first level of the Eight Desolations Tyrant Body Formula, revealing a rapidly healing, strengthened body.
• Chen Mu dodged Blackscale's poisonous attacks and repeatedly drove him back with punches, shocking the soldiers on the city tower.
• Blackscale transformed into his hundred-foot serpent form and charged at Chen Mu across the snowfield.
• Chen Mu met Blackscale head-on with Azure Dragon Seven Slays, Dragon Battles in the Wilds, breaking one horn and hammering the serpent's head into the snow.

Chen Mu opened the second gate of the Tyrant Body Art and fought Blackscale in his serpentine form, overpowering him despite the Mystic Serpent’s desperate counterattack. He killed Blackscale with a final punch through his skull, while the watching defenders saw him prevail.

• Chen Mu opened the Purgatory Demon Body gate and renewed his assault on Blackscale.
• Chen Mu sent Blackscale crashing through the Riverbank Levee, then pursued him through the dust and climbed onto his head.
• Blackscale activated his Demon Core and unleashed a storm of Mystic Ice spears at Chen Mu.
• Chen Mu gathered his strength into an all-or-nothing punch, shattered the ice spears, and drove his fist through Blackscale’s skull.
• Blackscale’s demonic energy faded as his body crashed through the river ice, and Chen Mu stood victorious.

After Chen Mu killed the Mystic Serpent, he withdrew to recover from the dangerous toll of his secret technique. Yan Qing then challenged Liu Qingcang, and their fierce battle continued onto the river as Liu Qingcang launched a blood-dragon punch at Yan Qing’s red-lotus sword strike.

• Chen Mu killed the Mystic Serpent with a punch, and Liu Qingcang told him to retreat and handed him the Dragon-Slayer Saber.
• Chen Mu swallowed medicinal pills and used the Six Directions Origin-Returning Force to absorb demonic energy and blood essence while Li Huanzhen guarded him.
• Yan Qing stepped forward to face Liu Qingcang, and Liu Qingcang offered to spare his life if he withdrew.
• Yan Qing attacked with his Red-Tassel Sword and karmic flame, and Liu Qingcang fought back with his fists and palms.
• Liu Qingcang sent a blood-dragon punch at Yan Qing, who answered with a slash that formed a red lotus of karmic flame.