Chapter Summaries

Xu Yan watched as Blue Old Devil, Heavenly Cripple Old Devil, and Blood Corpse Daoist began slaughtering Thousandfire City and the Crimson Sun Sect cultivators. When his Thousand Illusions Mirage Art wore off, the blood corpse sensed him and pursued him into the city.

• Blue Old Devil killed a Crimson Sun Sect Foundation Establishment cultivator, then urged Heavenly Cripple Old Devil and Blood Corpse Daoist to hurry before reinforcements arrived.
• Heavenly Cripple Old Devil unleashed the Thousand Demon Drum, whose living souls devoured the spirits of the mortals killed in the attack.
• Blood Corpse Daoist sent his Millennium Frost Corpse after the Crimson Sun Sect disciples, while Blue Old Devil slaughtered Thousandfire City's inhabitants for their essence blood.
• A burly Qi Refining Perfection disciple threw two companions toward the blood corpse and fled, but the corpse caught and devoured him as well.
• Xu Yan realized his Thousand Illusions Mirage Art had expired when the blood corpse sensed him, and he fled deeper into the city.

Xu Yan used the aura of his Great Sun Golden Blade Talisman to frighten off the pursuing Blood Corpse while waiting for help from the Crimson Sun Sect. After repeatedly buying himself time, he neared his limit as the increasingly clever corpse continued to close in.

• Xu Yan prepared his Great Sun Golden Blade Talisman as the Blood Corpse pursued him, while the Three Demons argued over who would claim his flesh, soul, and Storage Ring.
• The Three Demons agreed to divide Xu Yan’s flesh and blood after capturing him and prioritized completing the blood sacrifice in Thousandfire City before the Crimson Sun Sect arrived.
• Xu Yan’s Broadsword struck the Blood Corpse but was knocked aside, and the corpse nearly seized him before recoiling from the talisman’s threatening aura.
• Xu Yan repeatedly released small wisps of the talisman’s aura to make the Blood Corpse hesitate and create distance, buying himself several incense sticks of time.
• Xu Yan realized he could force the Blood Corpse back only once more without fully activating the talisman, and he remained frustrated that no Crimson Sun Sect cultivators had arrived.

Xu Yan escaped the Blood Corpse when a Golden Core cultivator from the Crimson Sun Sect arrived and shattered the Blood Sacrifice Formation over Thousandfire City. The old man pursued the fleeing devils and struck down the Blood Corpse Daoist before turning to hunt another.

• The Blood Corpse Daoist learned that Xu Yan's Talisman Treasure threatened the Blood Corpse and moved to capture him before the sacrifice ended.
• A powerful aura approached Thousandfire City, and the three old devils ordered the Blood Corpse to withdraw and prepared to flee.
• The Crimson Sun Sect's old man arrived, shattered the Blood Sacrifice Formation with his Core Aura, and sent the three devils fleeing in different directions.
• The old man caught up with the Blood Corpse Daoist and crushed him with a palm strike that left a deep pit.
• The old man turned away to pursue another fleeing devil.

After Danyangzi killed the Three Demons, he offered Xu Yan a position as a Guest Elder of the Crimson Sun Sect and explained the benefits. Xu Yan weighed the risks and decided the arrangement could help him recover and navigate the Fire Prosperity Kingdom, though he did not plan to stay long.

• Xu Yan tried to leave Thousandfire City, but Danyangzi returned and used his Core Aura to stop him.
• Danyangzi thanked Xu Yan for keeping the Three Demons occupied and offered him a position as a Guest Elder of the Crimson Sun Sect.
• Xu Yan suspected Danyangzi’s motives, but Danyangzi swore a heavenly dao oath that he meant him no harm.
• Danyangzi praised Xu Yan’s aptitude, promised he would not need to leave a divine sense imprint, and offered access to the sect’s resources and alchemy.
• Xu Yan considered the risks and benefits, decided joining as a Guest Elder was worthwhile for now, and nodded to Danyangzi.

Xu Yan agreed to become a Guest Elder of the Crimson Sun Sect and traveled there with Danyangzi. After meeting the sect master and several elders, he learned that the sect had recruited multiple Guest Elders, and Danyangzi introduced him to the assembled cultivators.

• Danyangzi brought Xu Yan to the Crimson Sun Sect and showed him its mountain peaks, where Guest Elders could choose a cultivation cave abode.
• Xu Yan met sect master Li Changfeng and inferred that the sect was recruiting rogue cultivators because it lacked a new Golden Core cultivator.
• Li Changfeng told Danyangzi that seventeen elders and three of the five Guest Elders had been notified, while Shen Changyun and Zhou Qi were away at the Heavenly Treasure Trade Fair.
• Several Foundation Establishment cultivators arrived and greeted Danyangzi, and Xu Yan recognized three of them as the sect's other Guest Elders.
• Danyangzi announced that the sect had recruited another Guest Elder and gestured toward Xu Yan, who stood to be introduced.

Xu Yan became a Guest Elder of the Crimson Sun Sect to recover and learn about the cultivation world, then planned to leave. Danyangzi announced a batch of Golden Marrow Jade Dew Pills would be refined in a year, and Xu Yan resolved to stay for the chance to obtain one before departing.

• Danyangzi officially made Xu Yan, under the name Lin Dao, a Guest Elder and gave him a jade token with three thousand contribution points.
• Danyangzi announced that he had gathered the ingredients for the Golden Marrow Jade Dew Pill and would refine three to five pills in one year, available to elders through contribution-point exchanges.
• Xu Yan recognized that the pill could help him advance and decided to remain for a year while recovering and learning about the cultivation world.
• Zhao Feng objected to Guest Elders being allowed to exchange for the pills, and another elder supported his protest.
• Danyangzi released his Golden Core pressure, forced the elders to kneel, and declared that his decision could not be challenged and joining the sect remained voluntary for Guest Elders.
• Danyangzi dismissed the gathering and allowed Xu Yan to choose a cultivation cave abode on one of four subsidiary peaks.

Danyangzi warned Li Changfeng that his chances of surviving the Golden Core Tribulation were low and outlined two ways to improve them, including a painful demonic method. Xu Yan collected his new sect benefits, met the other Guest Elders, and flew to the summit of Sitting Forgetfulness Peak.

• Danyangzi reprimanded Li Changfeng for using Zhao Feng to test the rogue cultivators and asked about his chances of overcoming the Golden Core Tribulation.
• Li Changfeng admitted that his true chance of success was below twenty percent, and Danyangzi described seeking calamity-averting yuan magnetism or resorting to a demonic core-formation method.
• Danyangzi explained that recruiting rogue cultivators was preparation for the demonic method if no better option appeared before his death, and Li Changfeng pledged to endure any suffering for the sect.
• Xu Yan flew to Sitting Forgetfulness Peak and collected his spirit-stone stipend and supplies for establishing a cave abode.
• Ye Yun, Zhou Li, and Lin Ye arrived at the peak, greeted Xu Yan, and briefly explained how each had become a rogue cultivator.
• Xu Yan exchanged greetings with the three Guest Elders, then flew toward the summit of the peak.

Xu Yan settled into a cave abode on Sitting Forgetfulness Peak and planned to use the Crimson Sun Sect’s resources while preparing to leave within a year. At the Pill Pavilion, he found the third floor restricted but obtained a pill formula that could restore some of his lost lifespan.

• Xu Yan carved out a cave abode on Sitting Forgetfulness Peak and set up the second-tier Defensive Formation and Spirit Meditation Cushion.
• Xu Yan decided to leave the sect after one year at the latest and planned to seek a way to restore the vitality he had lost using the Bloodfiend Shadow-Escaping Steps.
• Xu Yan went to the Pill Pavilion to explore the sect’s alchemical inheritance and resources.
• Xu Yan was blocked from entering the third floor, which even the slovenly Foundation Establishment cultivator said required Danyangzi’s permission.
• Xu Yan spent two thousand contribution points to obtain the second-tier Ginseng Essence-Restoring Pill formula, which restored ten years of lifespan per pill, up to three pills per cultivator.

Xu Yan learned about the Immortal Alliance and the Crimson Sun Sect’s vulnerable position, then sought permission to travel to the Ancient Market for Jade Zhi Golden Ginseng. Li Changfeng let him go, but afterward headed toward the secret grounds in the rear mountain.

• Xu Yan discovered he lacked the Jade Zhi Golden Ginseng needed for his pill and decided to seek it at the Ancient Market.
• Xu Yan learned that the Immortal Alliance controlled access to treasures and that the Crimson Sun Sect faced threats from rival sects and future garrison duties.
• Xu Yan planned to use his trip to test Danyangzi’s control over him and prepare to escape if the sect obstructed his departure.
• Xu Yan visited Li Changfeng and claimed he needed the ginseng to recover vitality lost to grievous injuries.
• Li Changfeng approved Xu Yan’s trip, then watched him leave and went to the secret grounds in the rear mountain.

Xu Yan arrived at Divine Peak City and hired Qi Quan to guide him through the Ancient Market. After learning about its districts and an upcoming auction, Xu Yan discovered the location of the black market, where Qi Quan advised him to conceal his identity.

• Xu Yan reached Divine Peak City, paid the entrance fee, and hired Qi Quan as his guide for one low-grade spirit stone.
• Xu Yan asked Qi Quan to take him to the Ancient Market and tested his knowledge of its districts and famous shops.
• Qi Quan explained the four districts and told Xu Yan that an auction for select treasures would take place in three days for eligible Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Immortal Alliance.
• Xu Yan asked whether the Ancient Market had a black market and paid Qi Quan for its location.
• Qi Quan directed Xu Yan to a dilapidated pill workshop at the far left end of the second street in the market’s southwestern corner and warned him to conceal his identity.

Xu Yan disguised himself and entered the Black Market through the Qingyun Pill Workshop, where he learned that an important trading gathering might soon take place. He arrived in the underground plaza and began looking over its shops.

• Xu Yan paid a broker for directions, bought a disguise mask, and headed to the Black Market entrance at the Qingyun Pill Workshop.
• Elder Yu sold Xu Yan a Black Jade Token and told him about an upcoming trading gathering featuring precious Spirit Treasures.
• Elder Yu opened a hidden gateway, and Xu Yan passed through it to reach the Black Market's guarded stone gate.
• The guards inspected Xu Yan's token and let him enter the underground plaza, where he noticed disguised visitors and major faction cultivators.
• Xu Yan surveyed the plaza and headed toward one of its shops.

Xu Yan, posing as Du Fei, visited the Easy Spirit Hall to sell Spirit Treasures and corpses from cultivators he had killed. Gu Santong offered him five thousand low-grade spirit stones for the corpses and thirty-seven thousand for his low-tier treasures, and Xu Yan pressed him for a better price as he prepared to leave.

• Xu Yan entered the Easy Spirit Hall and told its shopkeeper, Gu Santong, that he had Spirit Treasures to sell.
• Xu Yan handed Gu Santong a Storage Bag containing a dozen or so cultivators' corpses, and Gu Santong offered five thousand low-grade spirit stones for them.
• Xu Yan gave Gu Santong another Storage Bag of low-tier Spirit Treasures, but rejected the offer of thirty-seven thousand low-grade spirit stones as too low.
• Xu Yan threatened to take his goods, including valuable Spirit Artifacts, to other shops, so Gu Santong apologized and said he would seek approval from the Hall Master.

Xu Yan negotiated with Gu Santong to sell spirit treasures and artifacts, securing a total offer of seventy thousand low-grade spirit stones. The deal left Xu Yan with funds for costly cultivation materials and a suitable flying sword.

• Gu Santong reported Xu Yan's spirit treasures to the Hall Master and offered forty thousand eight hundred low-grade spirit stones for them.
• Xu Yan presented four Spirit Artifacts, and Gu Santong appraised them at twenty-three thousand low-grade spirit stones in total.
• Gu Santong raised his combined offer for the treasures, artifacts, and cultivator corpses to seventy thousand low-grade spirit stones.
• Xu Yan accepted the offer, and Gu Santong placed a Storage Bag of spirit stones before him.

After selling Spirit Treasures at Easy Spirit Hall, Xu Yan received an invitation to its Private Trade Fair and became wary when a black-cloaked cultivator seemed to recognize him. He decided to look for a formation that could protect him from Golden Core divine sense and discovered a concealed Formation Pavilion.

• Xu Yan collected seventy thousand low-grade spirit stones from Gu Santong and learned that his sales made him an honored guest of Easy Spirit Hall.
• Gu Santong gave Xu Yan a Purple Jade Token and invited him to the Hall Master’s Private Trade Fair on the following day.
• After leaving Easy Spirit Hall, Xu Yan noticed a black-cloaked cultivator watching him and suspected the figure might be Shang Fang.
• Xu Yan considered leaving the Ancient Market and staying longer in the Crimson Sun Sect, but decided he needed a formation capable of blocking a Golden Core cultivator’s divine sense.
• Xu Yan entered a seemingly dilapidated Formation Pavilion and watched it transform into a magnificent golden hall.

Shang Fang discovered that Xu Yan, disguised as Du, had entered the Fire Prosperity Kingdom and sent word to the Spirit Sword Sect and Ascension Gate. At the Formation Pavilion, Xu Yan learned about ancient remnant formations and considered buying one before Qin Changqing showed him the Two-Yi Mystic Circle Formation, which could block a Golden Core cultivator’s divine sense.

• Shang Fang used his Spirit-Communicating Gu Silkworm to recognize Xu Yan and sent messages to the Spirit Sword Sect and Ascension Gate.
• Xu Yan searched the Formation Pavilion for a third-tier formation, but Qin Changqing said none were available.
• Qin Changqing explained that ancient remnant formations retained limited functions but consumed spirit stones as if they were still at their original grade.
• Xu Yan decided he could afford the costly formation and told Qin Changqing he needed one to block a Golden Core cultivator’s divine sense.
• Qin Changqing brought out the Two-Yi Mystic Circle Formation and recommended it as an ancient peak third-tier formation.

Xu Yan bought an Ancient Remnant Formation and several cultivation materials before attending the Easy Spirit Hall’s Private Trade Fair. The gathering grew tense when the Blood Monster clashed verbally with the Blue-Faced Ghost.

• Xu Yan bought the Ancient Remnant Formation for twelve thousand low-grade spirit stones and purchased two portions of Spirit Beast Essence Blood and six jin of Cave-Mystery Iron Essence in the Black Market.
• Xu Yan received a signal from his Purple Jade Token and went to the Easy Spirit Hall’s Private Trade Fair, where Gu Santong welcomed him.
• Xu Yan entered the private hall, chose an inconspicuous seat, and cultivated while waiting for the trade fair to begin.
• A red-robed old man called the Blood Monster arrived with a violent Blood Jade Spirit Python and warned the other cultivators not to stare at it.
• The Blue-Faced Ghost entered and mocked the Blood Monster, who threatened him as the python prepared to attack.

Xu Yan observed the rival cultivators Hong Shan and Yang Ren at the Easy Spirit Hall’s Private Trade Fair, then listened as Gu Xuanji opened the gathering. The fair began with Gu Santong selling a damaged cauldron, and another cultivator offered the Thousand Illusions Mirage Art in exchange for Cave-Mystery Iron Essence.

• Hong Shan and Yang Ren taunted each other in the hall but refrained from fighting inside Divine Peak City.
• Xu Yan learned that the two men had been rivals for nearly a hundred years and became interested in Hong Shan’s Blood Jade Spirit Python.
• Gu Xuanji introduced himself as the Easy Spirit Hall’s Hall Master and explained how the attendees could trade treasures.
• Gu Santong presented the Purple-Gold Patterned Cauldron, negotiated its price, and exchanged it with a cultivator for third-tier ores.
• An aged cultivator offered to trade the Thousand Illusions Mirage Art for Cave-Mystery Iron Essence.

Xu Yan traded for the Thousand Illusions Mirage Art while Gu Xuanji auctioned Foundation Establishment Pills at the private fair. Gu Xuanji then offered an eight-hundred-year-old Jade Zhi Golden Ginseng, and the chapter ended as bidding was about to begin.

• Xu Yan bought the six-level Thousand Illusions Mirage Art from a gaunt old man for five thousand low-grade spirit stones.
• Gu Xuanji presented three Foundation Establishment Pills, which cultivators bought for increasingly high prices.
• Gu Xuanji revealed a spirit medicine that could repair damaged foundations and extend lifespans, drawing intense interest from the cultivators.
• Gu Xuanji identified the medicine as an eight-hundred-year-old Jade Zhi Golden Ginseng and set its starting price at twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones.

Xu Yan won the Jade Zhi Golden Ginseng after outbidding Blood Monster Hong Shan, who threatened him during the auction. Gu Xuanji then presented the essence blood of a male and female Yin-Yang Twin Flood Dragon, exciting Hong Shan because he believed it could help his Blood Jade Spirit Python advance.

• Cultivators bid fiercely for the Jade Zhi Golden Ginseng, and Yang Ren drove Hong Shan's offer higher before Xu Yan bid forty-four thousand low-grade spirit stones.
• Hong Shan threatened Xu Yan, while Yang Ren offered to protect him; Gu Santong suppressed the quarrel with his powerful aura and warned Hong Shan.
• Xu Yan secured the Jade Zhi Golden Ginseng for forty-eight thousand low-grade spirit stones and put the jade box into his Storage Ring.
• Gu Xuanji presented two bottles of Yin-Yang Twin Flood Dragon essence blood, and Gu Santong announced a starting price of twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones.
• Hong Shan recognized the essence blood's potential to strengthen his Blood Jade Spirit Python, which struggled wildly toward the bottles.

Xu Yan watched Old Monster Xue win the spirit flood dragon essence blood, then followed him and Yang Ren out of Divine Peak City. He discovered the two had faked their feud to trap him, but remained confident he could defeat them.

• Old Monster Xue won the male and female spirit flood dragon essence blood at auction for forty-three thousand low-grade spirit stones.
• After the trade fair, Old Monster Xue threatened Xu Yan, while Yang Ren stepped in and challenged him to fight outside Divine Peak City.
• Xu Yan followed Yang Ren and Old Monster Xue beyond the city, where they appeared to battle fiercely.
• Old Monster Xue and Yang Ren suddenly surrounded Xu Yan and revealed they had teamed up to murder and rob their targets.
• Xu Yan recognized their scheme and challenged their confidence, believing himself far stronger than an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.