Chapter Summaries

After revealing that he had reached Core Condensation at sixteen, Mo Yun left the Blade Tower and accepted a move into the Five Elements Sect’s inner sect. He settled into a familiar-looking courtyard and, several days later, sensed that White Tiger Slaughter was ready to break through.

• Bai Zhi and Liu Xiyan were astonished by Mo Yun’s cultivation, while Lin Qingxue grew discouraged at how far behind him she felt.
• Bai Zhi told Mo Yun that the Blade Tower’s master had little lifespan remaining but might recover some after cultivating the Blade-Nurturing Art.
• Xiao Changfeng brought Mo Yun his identity waist tokens and warned him to stay within the sect while he sought a way to register Yun Mo’s aura.
• Xiao Changfeng led Mo Yun to a secluded inner-sect courtyard that he had remodeled to match Mo Yun’s old residence.
• Mo Yun moved his belongings into the inner sect and spent the following days cultivating at home.
• While practicing White Tiger Slaughter, Mo Yun sensed that it was ready to break through.

Mo Yun completed White Tiger Slaughter and used the white points it generated to raise his life value, then advanced Turtle-Breathing Art through a Limit Breakthrough. It became the Black Tortoise Hidden Truth Art, granting him stronger regeneration, about 350 years of extra lifespan, and the ability to conceal or change his aura, leaving him eager to venture out.

• Mo Yun reached great completion in White Tiger Slaughter and gained forty white points, which he spent raising his life value to 317.
• Mo Yun followed his intuition and spent 108 black points to advance Turtle-Breathing Art through a Limit Breakthrough.
• The breakthrough transformed Turtle-Breathing Art into the Black Tortoise Hidden Truth Art and filled Mo Yun with powerful life force that revived plants around his courtyard.
• Mo Yun discovered that the new art gave him about 350 years of extra lifespan and greatly improved his ability to regenerate from severe injuries.
• Mo Yun realized the art could conceal and change his aura, then considered using it to venture out safely.

After the Black Tortoise Hidden Truth Art let Mo Yun alter his aura, he convinced Xiao Changfeng to register his changed appearance as Yun Mo. He then headed to the Inner Mission Hall, eager to take demon-slaying missions for black points and origin crystals.

• Mo Yun checked his attributes, added the twelve white points from his breakthrough to his life value, and planned to tell Xiao Changfeng about his aura-changing art the next day.
• Mo Yun showed Xiao Changfeng how the Black Tortoise Hidden Truth Art completely changed his aura and appearance, leaving the Vein Master astonished.
• Xiao Changfeng asked to learn the art, but Mo Yun explained that his Turtle-Breathing Art cultivation surpassed Senior Blade Saint's, and Xiao Changfeng declined to try it.
• Xiao Changfeng imprinted Mo Yun's new aura onto Yun Mo's identity waist token and registered it in the Sect Array.
• Mo Yun flew to the Inner Mission Hall to seek demon-slaying missions that could earn him black points and origin crystals.

Disguised as Yun Mo, Mo Yun accepted a dangerous mission to help the Blazing Fire Sect destroy a Heavenly Demon Cult stronghold, despite being below the recommended cultivation level. After spending merit points on supplies and training until noon, he arrived at the South Gate and recognized one of his teammates as someone who had also been promoted to the inner sect.

• Mo Yun chose the Heavenly Demon Cult stronghold mission after someone else took the Heavenly River Demon mission he had first considered.
• The mission steward warned Mo Yun that his early Core Condensation cultivation was below the recommended level, but Mo Yun insisted he had the strength to join.
• The steward registered Mo Yun and told him to meet the team beneath the third cypress tree by the South Gate at noon.
• Mo Yun spent 200,000 merit points on 400 origin crystals, then returned to his residence to train before the gathering.
• Mo Yun flew to the South Gate at noon and found his teammates waiting, including someone he recognized as a fellow inner sect promotee.

Mo Yun met several former Earth Ranking prodigies who had advanced to the inner sect and joined the same mission to the Blazing Fire Sect. Xu Zhiyi revealed she had advanced because Mo Yun did, while mistaking his motives for disdain toward ranking rewards and merit-point loopholes.

• Mo Yun met Xu Wudi at the Five Elements Sect’s south gate and learned that the former Earth Ranking champion had become listless after his defeats.
• Lu Chang Kong arrived, greeted Mo Yun, and urged Xu Wudi to take their first inner-sect mission seriously, teasing him about changing his name to Xu Bai.
• Xu Zhiyi and Gu Shuiyue arrived, and Lu Chang Kong wondered why Xu Zhiyi had given up the chance to earn more Earth Ranking rewards by advancing early.
• Gu Shuiyue speculated that Mo Yun might be a secretly nurtured Saint Son who could receive legacy martial arts without spending merit points.
• Xu Zhiyi admitted she had advanced because Mo Yun did, believing he disdained ranking rewards and that she should follow his example; Mo Yun was startled by her assumption.

Xu Zhiyi revealed that her Vein Master let her repay the Wind Lineage’s legacy method in installments, prompting the others to lament their own cultivation and missed opportunities. Pan Ming arrived to lead the group on a flying boat toward the Blazing Fire Sect, where they would begin their mission the next morning.

• Xu Zhiyi told Gu Shuiyue, Xu Wudi, and Lu Chang Kong that she had obtained her legacy fundamental method on an installment plan, and Lu Chang Kong assumed Mo Yun had the same privilege.
• Xu Wudi reflected on his repeated defeats by Xu Zhiyi and considered changing his name to Xu Bai.
• Pan Ming arrived with a flying boat and explained that he had recruited the Earth Ranking prodigies for their strength and would cover the boat’s origin crystal costs.
• Mo Yun introduced himself to Pan Ming as Yun Mo, an unremarkable inner disciple, and asked whether he had to contribute to the travel costs.
• Pan Ming warned Mo Yun to follow the group’s instructions at the destination, then launched the flying boat toward Yongzhou.

On the Flying Boat to the Blazing Fire Sect, Pan Ming told Mo Yun and the others that someone suspected the Metal Lineage Vein Master had secretly secured a Secret Realm slot for a peerless disciple. The group mistakenly concluded that Mo Yun was that disciple, and the boat eventually arrived at the Blazing Fire Sect.

• Pan Ming asked Lu Chang Kong whether the Metal Lineage Vein Master had secretly taken a new direct disciple, then explained that the Ruins' dwindling energy meant few entrants advanced a minor realm.
• Pan Ming revealed that the Metal Lineage Vein Master had personally handled a Secret Realm slot for someone who skipped registration, cultivation verification, and assessment.
• Lu Chang Kong, Xu Wudi, Gu Shuiyue, and Xu Zhiyi assumed the mysterious disciple was Mo Yun, while Mo Yun pretended not to know who they meant.
• The group practiced their cultivation methods as the Flying Boat continued its journey, and Mo Yun planned to train his martial arts later.
• The Flying Boat crossed nearly a hundred and ten thousand li and stopped above the Blazing Fire Sect.

Mo Yun and the Five Elements Sect disciples arrived at the Blazing Fire Sect, where Pan Ming planned their assault on the Heavenly Demon Cult's base. While cultivating in the courtyard, Mo Yun spoke with Xu Zhiyi, who mistook his advanced Wind Riding technique for ordinary movement talent.

• Xiao Jin welcomed Pan Ming, Mo Yun, and the others to the Blazing Fire Sect and hosted them at a feast.
• Xu Wudi explained that the Blazing Fire Sect followed the Fire Lineage's methods and that Xiao Jin was a talented cultivator approaching the peak of Core Condensation.
• Pan Ming told the disciples they would wait until the Blazing Fire Sect secured the Heavenly Demon Cult's intelligence network, then attack its base on Canglang Mountain.
• Mo Yun practiced Wind Riding in the courtyard, and Xu Zhiyi noticed that his movement technique looked familiar.
• Xu Zhiyi guessed Mo Yun had exceptional movement talent and invited him to exchange insights, but he declined and began practicing the Indestructible Diamond Divine Art.

Xu Zhiyi mistook Mo Yun’s tireless cultivation for a sign of his determination and pushed herself through an all-night training session before joining him and the others to explore Yongzhou. After several days there, Pan Ming ordered the group to prepare to move out.

• Xu Zhiyi saw Mo Yun turn golden while cultivating and wondered if his light resembled the Earth Ranking fighter who had defeated her, but she dismissed the idea that he was Senior Brother Mo.
• Xu Zhiyi practiced through the night to keep pace with Mo Yun, then collapsed at dawn; Mo Yun told her to rest, but she invited him to visit nearby towns with Gu Shuiyue, and he agreed.
• Xu Zhiyi asked Mo Yun to exchange pointers on movement techniques, but he declined; Gu Shuiyue, Xu Wudi, and Lu Chang Kong then joined them for the outing.
• Mo Yun and the others spent the day experiencing Yongzhou’s fierce, welcoming locals, yellow earth, and frequent sandstorms.
• Several days later, Pan Ming told Mo Yun and the others that they would move out in a quarter of an hour and ordered them to prepare.

The Five Elements Sect joined the Blazing Fire Sect’s covert assault on the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Canglang Mountain base, where an unusually large force of demons suggested secret activity. The allied party reached the base’s defensive array, preparing to infiltrate it and seize control with help from a Blazing Fire Sect agent.

• Pan Ming briefed the Five Elements Sect team on its role, the enemy’s forces, and the plan to prevent anyone from escaping.
• Mo Yun reviewed his improved attributes and regretted being eight black points short of a cultivation breakthrough, then decided to stay with the group rather than face a peak Fourth Tier demon alone.
• Pan Ming assigned Mo Yun to protect himself and act as circumstances allowed, while Xu Zhiyi asked him for movement-technique advice after the operation.
• The Blazing Fire Sect destroyed nearby Heavenly Demon Cult outposts before the allied party advanced into Canglang Mountain without alerting the enemy.
• Xiao Jin identified the defensive array and announced that the party would infiltrate it and help the Secret Agent take control.

The Blazing Fire Sect’s attempt to infiltrate the Heavenly Demon Cult’s stronghold stalled when the defensive array had been altered, forcing Xiao Jin to choose between withdrawing and pressing on. As dawn approached with the array still intact, Mo Yun noticed that his available black points had risen to 520.

• Elder Ye discovered that the array’s original node had changed, and Xiao Jin ordered Elder Li to contact Jian Potian for updated information.
• Mo Yun secretly overheard the Blazing Fire Sect’s transmissions and reassured himself by touching the two Blade Talismans he carried.
• Xiao Jin reported that Jian Potian could not explain the array’s changes, but the Blazing Fire Sect could still break it if they found the new node.
• Xiao Jin ordered Elder Ye to keep working on the array, while Pan Ming told the Five Elements Sect members to wait until just before dawn before deciding whether to withdraw.
• As dawn neared and the array remained unbroken, Mo Yun checked his Virtual Panel and saw that he had 520 available black points.

Mo Yun advanced Geng Metal Art, reached Middle Core Condensation, and spent his newly gained points to raise his life value to 408. Feeling an urgent premonition, he disguised his aura as a striped tiger demon, entered the Heavenly Demon Cult's protective array, and headed toward a nearby hall to hunt.

• Mo Yun used the Virtual Panel to advance Geng Metal Art to minor accomplishment, which raised his cultivation to Middle Core Condensation and earned him fifty-five white points.
• Mo Yun spent all fifty-five white points on life, increasing his life value to 408 and intensifying his instinct to seek fortune and avoid disaster.
• Mo Yun sensed danger and opportunity, then used Black Tortoise Hidden Truth Art to imitate the striped tiger demon's aura.
• Mo Yun entered the protective array while nearby Five Elements Sect disciples noticed a terrifying demonic presence and sent someone to report to Xiao Jin.
• Mo Yun concealed his aura and darted toward a nearby hall, ready to hunt.

Jian Potian watched Life-Soul Tokens shatter as Mo Yun slaughtered Canglang Mountain’s core condensation experts and headed for the main hall. Mo Yun reached the hall at dawn and struck down its guards, while Jian Potian raced to contact the Blazing Fire Sect.

• Jian Potian saw Steward Wang’s Life-Soul Token shatter, then watched tokens belonging to more Heavenly Demon Cult elders and stewards break one after another.
• Jian Potian guessed that a powerhouse from the superior sect was killing Canglang Mountain’s experts and forced the Life-Soul Hall’s guard to report the deaths to the branch master.
• After another elder’s token shattered, Jian Potian hurried toward the defensive array to contact the Blazing Fire Sect.
• Mo Yun identified the last two core condensation auras and six fiends inside the main hall, then knocked dozens of guards aside with a phantom White Tiger.
• The branch master roared at Mo Yun and ordered the Grand Elder to kill him.

Mo Yun defeated the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Grand Elder and branch master, then killed a Painted Skin demon whose Dream Nightmare could not affect him. After gaining thirty Black Points, he faced four more Great Devils emerging from behind the ancient stone door.

• Mo Yun shattered the Grand Elder’s skeleton giant and killed him with a single golden fist, while the branch master fled deeper into the hall.
• Mo Yun followed the branch master to an enormous stone door, where a Painted Skin demon emerged and tried to trap him with Dream Nightmare.
• Mo Yun resisted the Painted Skin’s ability, killed it with his Golden-Armored War God, and had the branch master cut down as well.
• The Black Seal absorbed the Painted Skin’s Mystic Energy and Demon Nucleus, granting Mo Yun thirty Black Points.
• Four Fourth Tier Great Devils emerged from the shattered stone door and surrounded Mo Yun, who grew excited at the prospect of fighting them.

Mo Yun killed four Great Devils who attacked him, then discovered that their ritual had opened a gateway for a Demon King to enter Human Territory. The Demon King emerged intending to assassinate Mo Yun, and Mo Yun prepared to face it with his Blade Talisman.

• The Blood Demon Spider, Night Charm, Human-Faced Bat, and Mist-Hider attacked Mo Yun together with their abilities.
• Mo Yun broke free of their attacks and killed all four Great Devils by destroying their Divine Souls.
• Mo Yun absorbed the four Devils' energy with the Black Seal and gained 120 Black Points.
• A Great Devil sacrificed itself to activate the Blood Demon Ritual, opening a gateway as Heavenly Demon Cult followers died around the altar.
• The Demon King emerged from the gateway and revealed that it had come to assassinate Mo Yun, who called on his Blade Talisman.

The Blazing Fire Sect and Five Elements Sect entered the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Canglang Mountain stronghold after Jian Potian reported that an unknown expert had killed nearly all its Core Condensation cultivators. They set out to clear the remaining cultists, but found the buildings empty and a trail of shriveled corpses stretching toward the ruined Main Hall.

• Jian Potian returned to the stronghold and told Xiao Jin and Pan Ming that an unknown expert had nearly wiped out the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Core Condensation members.
• Pan Ming and Xiao Jin learned that none of their own people knew who had attacked, while Xu Zhiyi speculated that Yun Mo might be responsible.
• Xiao Jin ordered Elder Ye to guard the entrance and led the Blazing Fire Sect toward the Main Hall as Pan Ming followed with the Five Elements Sect.
• The Blazing Fire Sect stopped before the old buildings, and Pan Ming’s group found them empty with countless shriveled corpses scattered across the blue-stone ground toward a ruined hall.

Mo Yun used the old Blade Saint’s Blade Talisman to destroy the Demon King and gained 382 black points. The Five Elements Sect survivors discovered that the mysterious expert was Junior Brother Yun Mo.

• Jian Potian found the Heavenly Demon Cult stronghold filled with dried corpses and realized its leaders had activated a Blood Sacrifice Array that killed innocent commoners.
• Xiao Jin led the survivors to the ruined Main Hall, where they saw a massive passage cut through two mountains by a single slash.
• Xu Zhiyi and Gu Shuiyue recognized the mysterious figure’s resemblance to Junior Brother Yun Mo but doubted he could be the expert.
• Mo Yun recalled how the Blade Talisman had destroyed the Demon King’s body and divine soul, then saw that the Black-and-White Seal had earned him 382 black points.
• Mo Yun turned to the assembled survivors, and Xu Zhiyi exclaimed in shock that the senior was Junior Brother Yun Mo.

Mo Yun revealed that he had single-handedly destroyed the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Canglang Mountain branch, while concealing how he stopped its altar sacrifice. After the group returned to the Blazing Fire Sect, he checked the cost of advancing his cultivation and planned to warn the Vein Master about other altars.

• Gu Shuiyue and the others questioned Mo Yun, who admitted defeating the cult members and revealed that he had reached Middle Core Condensation.
• Xu Zhiyi credited Mo Yun’s exceptional martial arts, while Mo Yun claimed he had stumbled through the protective array by accident.
• Mo Yun explained that the Fourth Tier Peak Great Devil had sacrificed itself to activate an ancient altar, which then exploded; he hid his use of the Blade Talisman.
• Pan Ming gave Mo Yun the greatest credit for the mission, and Jian Potian revealed himself as the Blazing Fire Sect’s undercover agent on Canglang Mountain.
• The group returned to the Blazing Fire Sect, where Mo Yun checked that advancing the Geng Metal Art required 880 black points and resolved to report the altar threat to the Vein Master.

After the Five Elements Sect party returned from Yongzhou, Mo Yun gave Xu Zhiyi detailed advice on her movement technique, impressing the other prodigies. He reached Golden Star Peak and urgently told Xiao Changfeng that something terrible had happened.

• On the Flying Boat, Xu Zhiyi asked Mo Yun for help with her Cloudstride bottleneck, and he explained several ways she could work toward pure mastery.
• Xu Zhiyi gained an insight from Mo Yun’s advice and planned to practice in seclusion after returning to the sect, while Lu Chang Kong also asked for guidance.
• After the party returned to the Five Elements Sect, Pan Ming went to report the suspicious Devil Race plot to the higher-ups.
• Mo Yun left for Golden Star Peak, and Xu Zhiyi learned that he belonged to the Metal Lineage and hoped to meet him again.
• Mo Yun arrived at the Metal Lineage’s main hall and told Xiao Changfeng that something terrible had happened.

Mo Yun told Xiao Changfeng how he had encountered and killed a Demon King, prompting Xiao Changfeng to urge him to stay in the Sect while the danger passed. When Mo Yun revealed that the Blade Saint had made him an even more powerful Blade Talisman, Xiao Changfeng wondered if he was the Blade Saint’s illegitimate son.

• Mo Yun recounted how he encountered a Demon King while completing a mission in Yongzhou and said he had broken through to middle Core Condensation.
• Xiao Changfeng warned Mo Yun that his fighting ability on Canglang Mountain would attract the attention of the Demon and Devil Clans, and advised him to stay in the Sect until the Ruins opened.
• Xiao Changfeng said he would report the Demon King’s assassination attempt and seek help from the other Martial Sacred Grounds.
• Xiao Changfeng offered to find one of the Blade Saint’s remaining Blade Talismans, but Mo Yun revealed that he still had one made for him by the Blade Saint.
• Xiao Changfeng examined Mo Yun’s Blade Talisman, judged it more powerful than the Blade Saint’s previous ones, and asked whether Mo Yun was the Blade Saint’s illegitimate son.