Recaps

Xuan Di brought Jiang Yang to the Heli Heavenly Abyss and explained its deadly weak-water powers before taking him to the Azure Void Sea. They met Yuanzhu, who welcomed them on behalf of the Ripplefront Water Palace and prepared to escort them to the Dragon Lord’s birthday celebration.

• Xuan Di showed Jiang Yang the Heli Heavenly Abyss and explained that its weak water pulled down anything unable to resist it, while the Venerable Spirit of Abyssal Depths slept below.
• Xuan Di and Jiang Yang flew to the Lesser Sea, which was also called the Azure Void Sea and was controlled by Dragonkind.
• Xuan Di stopped over the deep sea and waited for an escort to the Ripplefront Water Palace.
• Yuanzhu emerged with a host of sea demons and greeted Xuan Di as Lü Chengcang of the Celestial River Tradition, then welcomed him and Jiang Yang to the Water Palace.
• Yuanzhu summoned jade steps and invited the pair to board the Water-Avoiding Greenback Softshell Turtle for the journey to the seabed palace.

Jiang Yang accompanied Xuan Di aboard the turtle beast carrying guests toward the Dragon Lord’s birthday banquet, where they met Prince Jing Lu Xinghuai and his junior, Lu Jingchuan. During the voyage, Jiang Yang recognized the imperial family’s official fortune qi and confirmed that Yuanzhu possessed longevity qi.

• Lu Xinghuai and Lu Jingchuan emerged from the Great Void and joined Yuanzhu, Xuan Di, and Jiang Yang on the Softshell Turtle Beast.
• Yuanzhu ordered the beast to dive, then conjured a palace onto its back and invited the guests inside.
• Xuan Di exchanged greetings with Prince Jing and introduced Jiang Yang to Lu Xinghuai and Lu Jingchuan.
• Jiang Yang sensed official fortune qi around Lu Jingchuan and realized his own abilities could give him an advantage against the young cultivator.
• As the guests drank tea and spoke, Jiang Yang used Conjoined Branch to see that Yuanzhu was 869 years old with a heavenly lifespan of 1,130 years, confirming his longevity qi.

Jiang Yang learned that Yuanzhu, the ancient turtle demon guiding the party, cultivated the blighted path of longevity qi, which granted long life but barred him from reaching the Purple Mansion. After three days, the Water-Avoiding Greenback Softshell Turtle brought them to the seabed Ripplefront Water Palace, where Yuanzhu's high standing among the water demons became clear.

• Jiang Yang recognized Yuanzhu's longevity qi and reflected on the dangers of its damaged Dao lineage.
• Yuanzhu asked Xuan Di about Great True Person Ji Shang and learned that he had died after failing to claim the remaining position of Weak Water.
• Xuan Di and Lu Xinghuai recalled Ji Shang's cultivation and lamented that he had failed to ascend to the golden position.
• After three days, the Water-Avoiding Greenback Softshell Turtle settled on the seabed, and Yuanzhu escorted the guests toward Ripplefront Water Palace.
• Xuan Di explained to Jiang Yang that longevity qi was a hereditary shackle for spirit turtles, leaving Yuanzhu unable to attain divine powers or break through to Purple Mansion.

Jiang Yang accompanied Xuan Di and Lu Xinghuai to Ao Qian’s birthday banquet at Wavefront Water Palace, where the Dragon King welcomed the guests and received their gifts. Jiang Yang was seated with the younger disciples in the Side Hall, where a fellow guest asked where he came from.

• Yuanzhu explained the Misty Expanse Way and the Dragon King’s authority as Jiang Yang’s group approached Wavefront Water Palace.
• Ao Qian personally welcomed Xuan Di, Lu Xinghuai, Jiang Yang, and their companions at the palace gates and led them inside.
• Xuan Di presented gifts on behalf of the Celestial River Tradition, and Ao Qian invited him to a seat of honor.
• Lu Xinghuai presented the Heavenly Ministry Imperial Lineage’s gifts, and Ao Qian welcomed him to the banquet.
• A green-robed demon guided Jiang Yang to the Side Hall, where his arrival with Lu Jingchuan drew the younger disciples’ attention.
• After Jiang Yang took a seat, someone beside him asked where he came from.

At the Dragon King’s birthday banquet, Jiang Yang learned that his seat reflected the prestige of the Celestial River Tradition and met Yun Zhen, a Luan Phoenix who explained the gathering’s hierarchy. As the feast preparations began, Yun Zhen noticed a tempting fragrance about Jiang Yang and asked why he seemed so special.

• Yun Zhen introduced herself to Jiang Yang as a Supreme Li Sunset Sun-Fighting Luan and explained how the banquet seats reflected each guest’s lineage and standing.
• Jiang Yang realized the Celestial River Tradition’s reputation protected him despite his limited strength.
• Jiang Yang surveyed the guests, recognizing Lu Jingchuan, Dongmen Shu, and Qin Dingying among the gathered lineages.
• Servants brought fruit, wine, and delicacies into the hall as the banquet approached its start.
• Yun Zhen moved closer to Jiang Yang, said his fragrance made her mouth water, and asked why he seemed special.

Jiang Yang concealed the bird-attracting aura of his Immortal Foundation from Yun Zhen before a Dragon Prince arrived to host the banquet. When a Dragon Lord passed above the palace, Jiang Yang suffered eye pain after looking at him, and the chapter left him meeting the Dragon Prince’s gaze.

• Jiang Yang invoked his Immortal Foundation’s marvel to disguise his aura and convince Yun Zhen that the fragrance she sensed had vanished.
• A Dragon Prince arrived in the Side Hall, and the assembled scions of immortals paid their respects.
• A Dragon Lord swam above the palace, and Jiang Yang stared upward until Bai Tang warned him to close his eyes.
• Jiang Yang lowered his gaze and later saw that Yun Zhen and other guests had suffered bloodshot or injured eyes from looking at the Dragon Lord.
• After recovering, Jiang Yang noticed the Dragon Prince watching him, and their gazes met.

Ao Qian welcomed the guests to the Water Palace banquet after the Dragon Lord’s brief appearance, and the cultivators began drinking and enjoying the performances. Jiang Yang stayed cautious and sober, discovered that the Dragon Prince was a dragon maiden, and ended up sharing a drink with Yun Zhen.

• The Dragon Lord appeared above the hall in a brief display of scales, claws, and golden lightning, and Ao Qian welcomed the gathered cultivators on his behalf.
• Ao Qian announced the banquet, and the guests enjoyed wine, performances, and lavish food while Jiang Yang kept to himself and drank sparingly.
• Jiang Yang noticed that the Dragon Prince had a woman’s voice, while Tan Hong asked her for plain tea because he was observing Buddhist precepts.
• Yun Zhen invited Jiang Yang to share a drink, drained her cup, and blushed when he thanked her for keeping him company.

At the birthday banquet, Jiang Yang helped Yun Zhen sober up after she tried Dragonkind wine, and she shared a jar of Hundred-Flower Spirit Honey with him. The honey greatly boosted his cultivation and left him on the verge of reaching the foundation establishment middle stage, while Yun Zhen insisted he keep the valuable jar.

• Jiang Yang stopped Yun Zhen from drinking more Dragonkind wine and used spiritual light to dispel its effects.
• Jiang Yang sampled raw fish at the banquet and wondered whether the creature it came from had once taken human form.
• Yun Zhen gave Jiang Yang a jar of sweet honey and urged him to taste it.
• Jiang Yang recognized the honey as rare Hundred-Flower Spirit Honey and felt his cultivation nearing a breakthrough.
• Jiang Yang tried to return the jar, but Yun Zhen insisted that he keep it.

At Ao Qian’s birthday feast in the Dragon Palace, he introduced Xuan Di to the assembled cultivators and Monsters while trying to put him at ease and renew old ties. Ba Yu disrupted the refined entertainment, and Ao Qian redirected the rowdy guests toward a fight between two water beasts.

• Ao Qian invited Xuan Di to drink and suggested that their Water-Controlling and Weak Water paths renew their old friendship.
• Ao Qian introduced the gathered guests, including Feng Yi, Ba Yu, True Person Canyang, and several prominent cultivators and demons.
• Ba Yu complained that the songs and dances lacked vigor and demanded more entertaining festivities.
• The Demon Kings clamored for debauchery and bloody fare, but Ao Qian rejected bloodshed at the birthday feast and proposed a fight between sea demons.
• Ao Qian dismissed the performers and ordered two water beasts brought into the hall to fight.

At Ao Qian’s birthday banquet, Jiang Yang watched a brutal fight between two monsters before Yuanzhu halted it and proposed a martial arts and spell duel for the gathered juniors. Ao Qian approved the contest and offered valuable treasures to the top three, with an extra reward for first place.

• Jiang Yang watched two monsters battle on a platform while Yun Zhen identified them as a White Horseshoe Crab and a Four-Armed Tiger Jiao.
• The Tiger Jiao nearly crushed the White Horseshoe Crab, but Yuanzhu stopped the fight to prevent a death at the birthday banquet.
• Yuanzhu proposed a martial arts and spell duel among the juniors, and Ao Qian asked the assembled cultivators for their approval.
• Ao Qian announced that the top three duelists could choose a treasure, with an additional reward promised to the winner.
• Xuan Di surveyed the valuable prizes and marveled at Dragonkind’s wealth.

At the Dragon King's birthday banquet, Jiang Yang learned that a treasure in the Dragon Palace collection was a Shuo Yang spirit treasure needed for a spell art he had long meant to cultivate. He became interested in joining the spell duel to win it.

• Yuanzhu invited the True Persons to send disciples forward, and Xuan Di told Jiang Yang he could decide for himself whether to participate.
• Jiang Qianchuan of Emerald Que Mountain, Azure Peak Ridge, stepped onto the platform and challenged the other juniors to a spell duel.
• Jiang Yang asked Yun Zhen whether she wanted to fight, but she dismissed Jiang Qianchuan as too weak and said the water-aligned prizes were useless to her.
• Senior Bai told Jiang Yang that a jade box held a Purple Mansion spirit treasure of the Shuo Yang Dao, the counterpart to the Hui Yin treasure in Jiang Yang's Storage Bag.
• Jiang Yang changed his answer and said he might be willing to fight.

Jiang Yang watched Dongmen Shu of West Peak challenge Jiang Qianchuan of Emerald Que Mountain, while considering the rare Spirit Treasures needed for his eye technique. Dongmen Shu’s Geng Metal sword arts overwhelmed Jiang Qianchuan’s poison until Jiang Qianchuan secretly invoked his Heart Gu.

• Jiang Yang heard of a Shuo Yang Spirit Treasure and considered trying to obtain it for his eye technique.
• Dongmen Shu introduced himself and challenged Jiang Qianchuan on the platform.
• Jiang Qianchuan released poisonous mist and venomous creatures from his Five Poisons Treasure Bag, but Dongmen Shu cut through them with his sword.
• Dongmen Shu activated Fighting Mystic Force, using Geng Metal energy to suppress the poison and drive Jiang Qianchuan onto the defensive.
• Jiang Qianchuan silently chanted Heart Gu while retreating and summoning Mystic Artifacts.

Jiang Qianchuan used gu poison to weaken Dongmen Shu, but Dongmen Shu broke through his defenses with a powerful sword technique and won the first bout. As Dongmen Shu recovered, Jiang Yang prepared to claim the next match and test his sword against a fellow Sword Cultivator.

• Jiang Qianchuan summoned spirit-sense-undetectable yu that poisoned Dongmen Shu during their fight.
• Yun Zhen identified the yu and explained that a purple qi lotus could cure their poison, prompting Jiang Yang to recall the crimson mansion cloud whirlpool lotus.
• Dongmen Shu unleashed Myriad Forms Return to the Source and broke through Jiang Qianchuan’s shield, forcing him to concede.
• Jiang Qianchuan drew the remaining poison from Dongmen Shu, and Yuanzhu announced Dongmen Shu’s victory.
• Dongmen Shu took an elixir to recover during his quarter-hour break, while Jiang Yang decided to claim the next bout.

Jiang Yang challenged Dongmen Shu and used autumn response sword essence to overwhelm him, revealing a level of swordsmanship beyond Dongmen Shu’s. Dongmen Shu conceded, while the spectators recognized Jiang Yang’s distinctive sword essence as the legacy of the famed Sword Immortal Yi Yuanguang.

• Yun Zhen encouraged Jiang Yang to enter the bout, and Jiang Yang leaped onto the platform to face Dongmen Shu of the Yi Sword Gate.
• Jiang Yang and Dongmen Shu exchanged sword attacks, and Dongmen Shu realized Jiang Yang surpassed him in the Sword Dao.
• Dongmen Shu activated his Geng Metal immortal foundation and attacked with sharpened sword rays, but Jiang Yang took to the air and unleashed autumn response sword essence.
• The birds and autumn winds of Jiang Yang’s sword essence overwhelmed Dongmen Shu, while the spectators identified him as a successor of Yi Yuanguang.
• Hwamei birds formed from sword essence perched on Dongmen Shu’s shoulder, prompting him to concede; Jiang Yang revealed he had never moved from his original position.

Jiang Yang defeated Dongmen Shu, then faced Cen Huaijun, whose Wu earth techniques and Wu Central Palace proved to be a formidable defense. The chapter ended with Cen confident that Jiang Yang could not break through his immortal foundation.

• Jiang Yang defeated Dongmen Shu using his swordsmanship and Mirage Mist, and Dongmen left grateful for the guidance that showed him a path forward in the sword Dao.
• Jiang Yang rested briefly before Cen Huaijun of Locust Image Mountain challenged him.
• Jiang Yang's sword rays barely disturbed Cen Huaijun's earth-colored barrier, so Jiang Yang unleashed his sword essence and attacked with Black Bird Descends from Heaven.
• Cen Huaijun summoned the Wu Directional Mystic Seal, and Jiang Yang evaded its crushing strike by charging toward him with his sword.
• Xuan Di and Dragon King Ao Qian discussed Cen Huaijun's Wu Mystic Pivot-Elephant Dao lineage and its defensive strength as the Wu Central Palace appeared around him.
• Cen Huaijun's Wu Central Palace knocked Jiang Yang out of his sword-union state without taking damage, and Cen declared that he could not be defeated while it remained active.

Jiang Yang used Broadwood’s wood energy to exploit the Water-Merging spirit array and damage Cen Huaijun’s Wu Earth Mystic Palace. The spectators recognized his rare Dao lineage, while Jiang Yang’s assault left the palace on the verge of collapse.

• Jiang Yang transformed his displayed aura and used Conjoined Branch to make wood energy flourish against the Wu Earth Mystic Palace’s Water-Merging spirit array.
• The True Persons and other cultivators noticed Jiang Yang’s strange wood energy, and Canyang, Feng Yi, and Guangsheng recognized its ancient significance.
• The Water-Controlling Dragon King identified Jiang Yang’s path as Southern Nest Branch, and Xuan Di concealed how Jiang Yang had obtained it.
• Ao Qian warned that the Water-Merging spirit array could not quickly withstand Southern Nest Branch’s power and predicted trouble for Cen Huaijun.
• Jiang Yang advanced with his sword, and his wood energy shook the palace until its beams and pillars began to sway; Cen Huaijun’s confidence faltered.

Jiang Yang decisively defeated Cen Huaijun of Locust Image Mountain, then agreed to continue fighting after recovering. Lu Jingchuan of the Heavenly Directorate's Chengming Dao Lineage challenged him and opened their bout with an array of mystic artifacts and his Profound Cave Jade Tablet.

• Jiang Yang shattered Cen Huaijun's Wu Earth Mystic Palace with his sword stroke, Leaning on Clear Autumn, and forced him to kneel.
• A true person from Locust Image Mountain declared that her side had lost the round and took Cen Huaijun away.
• Jiang Yang accepted another bout, while Yuanzhu treated him with renewed respect and the watching cultivators grew eager to challenge him.
• Lu Jingchuan defied his royal father's warning and stepped onto the platform to fight Jiang Yang.
• Lu Jingchuan introduced himself as belonging to the Heavenly Directorate's Chengming Dao Lineage, unleashed numerous mystic artifacts, and activated his Profound Cave Jade Tablet.

Jiang Yang used his Conjoined Branch Immortal Foundation’s Branches of a Common Root to overcome Lu Jingchuan’s Divine Generals and force him to concede. Lu Jingchuan left the platform regretting that he had not understood his royal father’s warning sooner.

• Lu Jingchuan summoned silver-armored Divine Generals with his Profound Cave Jade Tablet Immortal Foundation and ordered them to attack Jiang Yang.
• Jiang Yang’s wood qi caused flowering branches to grow through the Divine Generals’ armor, weakening them and draining Lu Jingchuan’s True Essence.
• Mo Yu admired Jiang Yang while the burly man beside her mocked his appearance.
• Jiang Yang urged Lu Jingchuan to concede, and Lu Jingchuan dispersed his Spells and asked what technique had defeated him.
• Jiang Yang named the art Branches of a Common Root, and Lu Jingchuan collected his Mystic Artifacts and left the platform.

Jiang Yang continued defeating challengers at the gathering, while the cultivators debated his unfamiliar Dao lineage. After Yuan Jiu challenged him, Jiang Yang swiftly injured the Water Ape and sent him back to the Side Hall.

• Lu Jingchuan returned to the Side Hall after Jiang Yang defeated him and refused to reveal anything about Jiang Yang's abilities.
• Cultivators speculated that Jiang Yang cultivated Broadwood after discussing the blossom that had appeared on the platform.
• Yuan Jiu volunteered to challenge Jiang Yang, believing Jiang Yang had been weakened by his earlier matches.
• Yuan Jiu attacked Jiang Yang, but Jiang Yang sent him flying back into the Side Hall with severe sword wounds.
• The dragon prince ordered two Clam Maidens to take Yuan Jiu away for treatment, while three cultivators settled their wager over how long he would last.

After Jiang Yang’s swift victory over the water ape, the other cultivators hesitated to challenge him, each hoping someone else would wear him down. Yan Heng of the Vermilion Flame Separation Palace finally took the platform, and Jiang Yang prepared to face a formidable late-stage Foundation Establishment opponent.

• The cultivators in the side hall praised the water ape’s abilities but recognized Jiang Yang as an exceptional prodigy, then avoided volunteering for the next bout.
• Qin Dingying struggled with fear and guilt as her inner demon taunted her about her sister Qin Dingyi’s death, but a white halo gradually calmed her.
• The cultivators exchanged excuses rather than challenge Jiang Yang, wary of losing strength before competing for the Dragon King’s rewards.
• The Dragon Prince invited Yun Zhen and Tan Hong to take the platform, but both politely declined.
• Yan Heng approached Yun Zhen, introduced himself as a disciple of the Vermilion Flame Separation Palace of Xiangli, then went to the platform and challenged Jiang Yang.
• Jiang Yang recognized Yan Heng’s formidable cultivation and resolved to end the fight quickly.

Jiang Yang fought Yan Heng, a stronger cultivator who wielded Separation Fire, and used concealed arts to locate him despite his escape technique. Jiang Yang’s sword light trapped Yan Heng, leaving the duel poised for a decisive strike.

• Yan Heng summoned Zhu Mingye and attacked Jiang Yang with vermilion flames, but Jiang Yang countered with Touching Green Moss.
• Yan Heng brought out the Dark Candle Bright Separation Lamp and strengthened his fire arts, putting pressure on Jiang Yang in the confined arena.
• Jiang Yang secretly used Peach Bow and Thorn Arrows and Suppress Old Qi, Punish the Unjust, Fated Presence to weaken Yan Heng’s flames before striking with Silencing the Cold Cicada.
• Yan Heng transformed into fire and hid with Red Mulberry Flame-Step while spreading flames across the platform.
• Jiang Yang’s gaze revealed that he had already found Yan Heng, and his sword light sealed every direction around him.

Jiang Yang overwhelmed Yan Heng’s defenses with precise sword strikes and a hidden final attack, forcing Yan Heng to concede defeat after a True Person intervened to stop the Spirit Sword. The duel ended with Jiang Yang victorious and Yan Heng alive but shaken.

• Jiang Yang trapped Yan Heng with sword light, while Yan Heng used a Jade Talisman to raise a Mystic Shield and continued attacking with vermilion flames.
• Jiang Yang repeatedly struck one point on Yan Heng’s shield as he evaded the flames and conserved his true essence.
• Yan Heng formed the Evening-Glow Mystic Candle Dragon and prepared to overwhelm Jiang Yang, only to realize Jiang Yang’s Spirit Sword had vanished.
• Jiang Yang’s bluish-white Spirit Sword nearly struck Yan Heng before a red-robed True Person restrained it.
• The Spirit Sword escaped the True Person’s control long enough to embed itself in Yan Heng’s Scale Shield, and Yan Heng conceded defeat.

Jiang Yang defeated Yan Heng in their fifth consecutive bout, drawing the attention of a True Person, then recovered enough strength to continue competing for a Shuo Yang spirit treasure. His next opponent, Qi Lianggu of the Purple Sun Palace, arrived wielding lightning artifacts and began his challenge.

• Yan Heng conceded defeat after Jiang Yang's sword strike pierced his Spirit Sword, and the red-robed True Person questioned Jiang Yang about his sword essence, Autumn Response.
• Jiang Yang explained that he cultivated his master's Sword Canon, then swallowed a Pill to restore his depleted true essence as the hall's cultivators discussed his five victories.
• Yuanzhu advised Jiang Yang that his result likely secured him a place in the top three, but Jiang Yang chose to keep fighting for a Shuo Yang spirit treasure.
• Qi Lianggu of the Purple Sun Palace on Lingye Mountain appeared on the platform, greeted Jiang Yang, and revealed violet lightning and a pair of mystic artifacts.
• Qi Lianggu struck his Urn-Gold Hammer against his Long Nail, sending violet lightning through the air as the next bout began.

Jiang Yang fought Qi Lianggu, a Firmament Thunder cultivator, and used his speed and Spirit Oak to evade and counter the violet lightning. As Qi Lianggu launched a desperate hammer strike, Jiang Yang prepared Bright Mystery for a final clash.

• Qi Lianggu struck the stone wedge and unleashed Firmament Thunder, but Jiang Yang dodged the lightning and remained unharmed.
• Jiang Yang drew his polished Spirit Oak and used the Scarlet Palace Heart Mansion Meridian-Pulsing Canon to accelerate his sword strikes, cutting Qi Lianggu's cheek.
• Qi Lianggu activated the Violet Sun True Talisman Secret Thunder Art, healed his wound, and bombarded Jiang Yang with mystic thunder and violet lightning.
• Jiang Yang conjured thirty-six sword lights with Illusory Wonder and sent them around Qi Lianggu, forcing him to react.
• Qi Lianggu enlarged the Urn-Gold Hammer, ignored the encircling sword lights, and charged down at Jiang Yang, who invoked Bright Mystery.

Jiang Yang defeated Qi Lianggu with his final sword qi and chose to stop after securing six victories because his true essence was exhausted. He left the platform to rest, drawing eager attention from the other cultivators and praise from Yun Zhen.

• Jiang Yang blinded and disoriented Qi Lianggu, then defeated him with fine sword qi around his throat.
• Jiang Yang and Qi Lianggu exchanged respectful words, and Qi Lianggu asked to spar with him again.
• After winning six bouts, Jiang Yang declined another match and descended from the platform to recover.
• Cultivators crowded around Jiang Yang to introduce themselves until Yuanzhu announced the next round.
• Jiang Yang returned to his seat, where Yun Zhen praised his victory and he ate Spirit Fruits to replenish his qi sea.