Chapter Summaries

Fang Qianyuan arrived at the Azure Cloud Sect and fought off Wu Lianyi’s group, but stopped pursuing them when he found his master, Jiang Yunfeng, near death. A sudden black chill spread across the sect as numerous unfamiliar Heaven Tier auras appeared.

• Fang Qianyuan attacked Zhuorou, but Wu Lianyi, E'e, and Duoluo could not penetrate his immortal defenses.
• Fang Qianyuan broke Zhuorou’s arms and battered him with Heaven Tier martial techniques, freezing and blasting away the surrounding attackers.
• Wu Lianyi used a Black Lotus to open a hole in the void, then retreated with his subordinates behind spreading black fire.
• Fang Qianyuan abandoned the pursuit and found Jiang Yunfeng barely alive.
• A deep chill swept through the Azure Cloud Sect as black clouds covered the moon and snow turned black.
• Mighty figures within the Grotto Heaven sensed numerous unfamiliar Heaven Tier auras appearing in the outside world.

The gathered powerhouses learned that Fang Qianyuan had gone to investigate a minor disturbance, while Bai Fuyun and Wu Xun worried that Wu Lianyi's group might implicate their sects in trouble at the Azure Cloud Sect. Wang Ran and the others reached the battle site and found no trace of Ye Tianming's body.

• Tian Heng questioned Deng Xiong about trouble at the Azure Cloud Sect, and Deng Xiong said Fang Qianyuan had gone to investigate.
• Bai Fuyun warned Wu Xun that the invitations used by Wu Lianyi's companions could be traced to the Northern Desert and implicate their sects.
• Bai Fuyun explained that the Azure Cloud Sect's ancient formation spirit and grand formation made its headquarters dangerous to attack.
• Wang Ran and his companions found a sinister, empty crater where Fang Qianyuan had reportedly defeated Ye Tianming, but they could not find the corpse.

Fang Qianyuan rescued Jiang Yunfeng from the battlefield, but the Soul-Devouring Flame had left the Azure Cloud Sect master dying. Before his life faded, Jiang Yunfeng warned Fang Qianyuan about Wu Lianyi and entrusted him with guiding the Sect and humanity.

• Wang Ran found Ye Tianming's body missing and ordered a search while sending a Swift Eagle north to report what had happened.
• Fang Qianyuan used the Five-Colored Flower to treat Jiang Yunfeng, but the Soul-Devouring Flame burned more fiercely when Fang tried to extinguish it.
• Jiang Yunfeng woke and explained that Wu Lianyi's Soul-Devouring Flame exploited his old injuries and depleted life essence, leaving him little time to live.
• Jiang Yunfeng warned Fang Qianyuan that Wu Lianyi and the three Demon Generals had become emperor-rank threats, and cautioned him about whether to reveal their abilities.
• Jiang Yunfeng urged Fang Qianyuan to lead the Azure Cloud Sect and humanity toward the right path, then praised his name as his aura faded and the black flames went out.

After Jiang Yunfeng died, Fang Qianyuan failed to revive him and learned that the sect would conceal his death and achievements to protect its plans. Fang accepted the decision, then prepared to appear at the Investiture Ceremony while Yu Shixian arranged to preserve Jiang Yunfeng’s body and keep the Warrior Hall together.

• Fang Qianyuan used Reverse Time Transformation on Jiang Yunfeng, but the Wolf Saint explained that the technique could not restore someone whose body and spirit had been destroyed.
• Fang Qianyuan asked Yu Shixian and the Wolf Saint what to do, and they decided to conceal Jiang Yunfeng’s death and mobilize the Righteous Path against Wu Lianyi’s forces.
• Yu Shixian told Fang Qianyuan that the sect’s secrecy was necessary and urged him to accept the burden his master’s legacy placed on him.
• Yu Shixian ordered the Guards to seal all information about Jiang Yunfeng’s death, promote Wu Lu and Zhong Wusheng, and claim that Jiang Yunfeng had entered seclusion.
• Yu Shixian arranged to preserve Jiang Yunfeng’s body and said he would try to secure the Warrior Hall for Fang Qianyuan, who silently prepared to attend the Investiture Ceremony.

After learning that Ye Tianming had vanished, Fang Qianyuan blamed him for Jiang Yunfeng’s death and suspected a premeditated attack. Ye Tianming survived their clash, discovered that Fang Qianyuan’s blows had weakened the Torch Dragon enough for him to make it his lifebound spirit creature, and vowed to reach Heaven Tier and challenge Fang again.

• Xiao Qi relayed Wang Ran’s report that Ye Tianming had vanished, and Fang Qianyuan swore revenge, believing Ye had indirectly caused Jiang Yunfeng’s death.
• A thousand miles away, Ye Tianming recovered on a frozen riverbed and admitted that he was still no match for Fang Qianyuan.
• Ye Tianming reflected that the battle had revealed the gulf between him and a Heaven-Tier Powerhouse.
• Fang Qianyuan’s blows had dispersed the Torch Dragon’s divine will and dulled its intelligence, removing its threat to Ye Tianming.
• Ye Tianming used the opportunity to refine the Torch Dragon’s origin into his lifebound spirit creature and vowed to cultivate to Heaven Tier and face Fang Qianyuan again.

The Azure Cloud Sect hosted a grand celebration as powerful guests from across the Five Regions gathered to witness Fang Qianyuan’s rise. As everyone awaited his arrival, Wen Qingfei stood by the plaza’s approach, hoping to see him first.

• Lin Qiao observed the assembled dignitaries and reflected on how the Ten Great Sects had sent delegations led by Heaven-Tier Powerhouses.
• Ling Xian'er and other young cultivators praised Fang Qianyuan, while Lu Yuan accepted Huang Yuanguang’s counsel to face their widening gap and keep cultivating.
• Qian Duoduo clung to her grandfather Miao Shihong during the gathering, and Bai Mingdong and the other Demon Envoys recognized her connection to Fang Qianyuan as a chance to reach him.
• Wen Qingfei waited at the edge of the plaza, watching the road where Fang Qianyuan was expected to arrive.

Fang Qianyuan arrived at a grand celebration in an elaborate imperial procession, displaying the authority and prestige of a Heaven-Tier powerhouse. As the crowd admired him, Wen Qingfei noticed that he seemed unhappy, leaving her wondering what was wrong.

• Wen Qingfei watched Fang Qianyuan's Imperial Carriage approach as the Dawn Bell rang and Ancient Court Music announced the celebration.
• Eighty-one late-stage Human Rank Warriors carried the carriage into the square amid a vast procession of experts, guards, and attendants.
• Guests admired Fang Qianyuan's Mysterious Immortal Garment and learned that only a select few could wear the ancient ceremonial robes.
• Lin Qiao, Moonlight Fairy, and the young guests reacted to Fang Qianyuan's imposing presence, while the Azure Cloud Sect's Public Opinion Hall was revealed to be cultivating his following among the younger generation.
• Wen Qingfei noticed Fang Qianyuan's expression and quietly wondered whether he was unhappy.

Fang Qianyuan accepted his installation as Grand Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect, recognizing the responsibility he now bore, while his master's remains were placed in an Ice Coffin. The celebration ended in acclaim, and Jiang Yunfeng was left to rest in a sealed underground mourning hall.

• Fang Qianyuan reflected on his master's and Sect Master's admonitions as he arrived at the grand gathering and presented himself with dignity.
• Fang Qianyuan worshipped heaven and exchanged greetings with the Heaven-Tier Powerhouses before Yu Shixian read the decree installing him as Grand Elder.
• The Azure Cloud Sect's disciples cheered Fang Qianyuan's appointment, while emissaries from other sects offered congratulations.
• The Morgue's chief steward elder and the gathered witnesses placed Jiang Yunfeng's restored remains in the Ice Coffin Fang Qianyuan had made.
• Wu Lu, Yuan Shan, and the others carried the Ice Coffin to the underground mourning hall, then withdrew as the cavern was sealed in darkness.

Fang Qianyuan celebrated his investiture as Grand Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect and renewed his ties with old friends. After returning to his residence, he asked Fang Lian to invite Wen Qingfei for a private banquet.

• Fang Qianyuan received congratulations from visiting factions after Yu Shixian formally invested him as Grand Elder.
• Fang Qianyuan warmly invited Lin Qiao and Flowing Cloud Grotto to visit him in the Heavencrystal Snowfield, offering them his protection.
• Fang Qianyuan told Moonlight Fairy that Jiang Yunfeng was investigating unfamiliar experts near the sect headquarters.
• Fang Qianyuan reviewed the audience list and noticed that Wen Qingfei was not scheduled to visit.
• Fang Qianyuan told Fang Lian to invite Wen Qingfei to a banquet at his residence that night so they could speak privately.

Fang Qianyuan met Wen Qingfei and discussed their friendship, her feelings for him, and the burdens he carried as Azure Cloud Sect's Grand Elder. He invited her to visit him in the Heavencrystal Snowfield, where he planned to teach her secret arts.

• Fang Qianyuan asked Wen Qingfei why she had avoided him, and she apologized for treating him like an outsider.
• Wen Qingfei told Fang Qianyuan she was happy about his advance to Heaven Tier and sensed that he was unhappy.
• Fang Qianyuan said he could not reveal sect secrets but admitted the responsibilities of his position weighed on him.
• Fang Qianyuan learned Wen Qingfei had been cultivating quietly with her clan and advised her to avoid taking risks amid the coming upheaval.
• Fang Qianyuan invited Wen Qingfei to visit him in the Heavencrystal Snowfield and planned to teach her secret arts.

Fang Qianyuan used his authority over the Azure Cloud Sect’s Formation Spirit, Azure Cloud, to activate the Teleportation Array and travel with his companions to the Heavencrystal Snowfield. The group arrived at his future fief, where the stationed personnel welcomed him.

• Fang Qianyuan set out early for the Heavencrystal Snowfield with Little White, Bai Aoxue, Fang Lian, Wang Ran, Ding Yuanlong, and others.
• Fang Qianyuan connected with the Formation Spirit Azure Cloud and gained awareness of the Azure Cloud Sect Headquarters and its arrays.
• Fang Qianyuan located the Teleportation Array leading to the Heavencrystal Snowfield and activated it for his party.
• Fang Qianyuan and his companions arrived at the snowy plain beside the construction site for his residence.
• The Heavenly Craft Institute personnel, Warrior guards, and array-managing disciplinary officers gathered and welcomed Grand Elder Fang.

Fang Qianyuan inspected construction in the Heavencrystal Snowfield grotto heaven and learned that its spirit mine and ice crystal marrow would provide the resources Little White needed to form a physical body. When an alarm signaled that demons had invaded, he led the others to confront them.

• Fang Qianyuan dismissed the Warrior guards on patrol and spoke with Jin Lu about the construction progress.
• Jin Lu explained that the camp was being built over a spirit vein and that a nearby mine would supply spirit jade and ten-thousand-year ice crystal marrow.
• Fang Qianyuan recognized that the ice crystal marrow would secure the materials Little White needed for her physical transformation.
• An eagle alarm announced that demons had entered the world through a void rift.
• Fang Qianyuan declared that the invaders would be driven back and led the group toward the alarm.

Wang Ran arrived to aid the Azure Cloud Sect Spirit Tamers and killed a powerful Yaksha, triggering a blood-flame projection of the dead warrior’s brother, Ye'e Shilazheluō. Fang Qianyuan appeared behind the projection, seeming to recognize the name.

• A peak tenth-turn Yaksha expert attacked the Azure Cloud Sect guard squad, wounding and killing several Spirit Tamers and Spirit Creatures.
• Wang Ran arrived and sent the Yaksha expert flying with his Qilin Arm.
• The Yaksha expert used Bloodfang Slash, but Wang Ran blocked it and pierced his chest with his arm.
• As the Yaksha expert died, a blood-flame projection revealed that Ye'e Shilazheluō had marked him with a Secret Art and vowed vengeance for his brother.
• Fang Qianyuan appeared behind the projection and said Ye'e Shilazheluō's name sounded familiar.

Fang Qianyuan defeated a Yaksha will imprint and helped the patrol eliminate the invading warriors in the Heavencrystal Snowfield. In the Asura Realm, Ye'e Shilazheluō blamed the humans for his losses and ordered his forces to assemble for a larger attack.

• Fang Qianyuan recognized Ye'e Shilazheluō and destroyed the will imprint sustaining his manifestation.
• Ding Yuanlong broke the Yaksha Warriors' formation, and the patrol killed the remaining enemies with repeating crossbows.
• The patrol leader explained that the Yakshas entered the Heavencrystal Snowfield through unstable void tides and could arrive at random locations.
• In Redfire City, Ye'e Shilazheluō recalled his plans to conquer the Heavencrystal Snowfield and his forces' repeated losses to the humans.
• Ye'e Shilazheluō ordered the warriors and generals of every division to report to him within three days.

Fang Qianyuan learned that Elder Lin Zaixing of the Heavenly Observation Court had extensive knowledge of the Yakshas and summoned him to investigate their background. Fang Qianyuan revealed that he hoped to assess whether the Sect could take the fight to the Yakshas rather than merely defend against them.

• Fang Qianyuan accepted the two elders’ transfer requests after hearing their account of the spirit mine and hosted a farewell banquet for them.
• The elders told Fang Qianyuan that Elder Lin Zaixing had spent years studying foreign races, including living among tribes in the Asura Realm.
• Fang Qianyuan asked the elders to summon Lin Zaixing and offered him the remuneration of a First-Rank Attendant, with further rewards for useful contributions.
• Fang Lian asked whether Fang Qianyuan intended to study the Yakshas to improve the mine’s defenses.
• Fang Qianyuan explained that he wanted to assess whether the Sect could strike the Yakshas at their doorstep, since their tribes might be divided.

Lin Zaixing arrived at the Heavencrystal Snowfield and advised Fang Qianyuan to fight the yakshas, warning that their relentless raids could grow into a catastrophe. He argued that only a decisive defeat would deter them and protect the region for generations.

• Lin Zaixing arrived at the Heavencrystal Snowfield and went to meet Fang Qianyuan at the Traveling Palace.
• Fang Qianyuan asked Lin Zaixing for a strategy to deal with the yaksha incursions.
• Lin Zaixing concluded that the sect must fight and described the yakshas as a disciplined, intelligent race devoted to invasion and plunder.
• Lin Zaixing urged Fang Qianyuan to strike the yakshas hard, arguing that they respected strength and would only be deterred by a crushing defeat.

Lin Zaixing urged Fang Qianyuan to use the war against the Yakshas to conquer their tribes, but identifying the slain attackers revealed that they belonged to the royal Ye'e Tribe. Fang Qianyuan learned that Ye'e Shilazheluō was the son of an Emperor Venerable and ended by asking what would happen if he eliminated Ye'e Sudiluo.

• Lin Zaixing argued that Yakshas could be conquered and enslaved, and that defeating their tribes would bring wealth and strengthen Fang Qianyuan's territory.
• Fang Qianyuan took Lin Zaixing to the underground vault to identify the Yakshas they had killed.
• Lin Zaixing identified the dead Yakshas as Sacred Descendants of the ancient royal Ye'e Tribe.
• Fang Qianyuan revealed that one of the slain warriors was believed to be Ye'e Shilazheluō's elder brother.
• Lin Zaixing explained that Ye'e Shilazheluō was the tenth prince of Ye'e Sudiluo, an Emperor Venerable, and warned that the Void Rift likely opened into Ye'e royal territory.
• Fang Qianyuan asked what would happen if he eliminated Ye'e Sudiluo.

Fang Qianyuan decided to eliminate Ye'e Sudiluo after Lin Zaixing explained the Yaksha Tribe’s rivalries and lack of allies. The story then shifted to rogue cultivator Yang Xia, who arrived at Azure Cloud Market after surviving a demon-spider attack and noticed a crowd at a nearby wall.

• Lin Zaixing explained that other Yaksha Emperor Venerables might exploit an attack on Ye'e Sudiluo rather than avenge him.
• Fang Qianyuan said he was stronger than Dongfang Zhi and had no misgivings about confronting Ye'e Sudiluo.
• Yang Xia rode to Azure Cloud Market after escaping a demon-spider swarm in an abandoned mine.
• Yang Xia worried that the Universal Trade Association would pay him poorly for the materials he had risked his life to obtain.
• Yang Xia noticed a crowd gathered around a nearby wall and wondered what they were discussing.

Yang Xia joined the Azure Cloud Sect’s expedition to the Outer Domains, hoping to serve his idol Fang Qianyuan and find an opportunity. After being assigned to a squad under Chang Wei, he watched two Inner Court disciples join them before the squad received its mounts, weapons, armor, and supplies for the campaign against the Yaksha Tribe.

• Yang Xia read Fang Qianyuan’s recruitment edict, grew excited about the expedition, and decided to enlist.
• After selling his gains for only two hundred and fifty spirit stones, Yang Xia traveled to Azure Cloud Sect Headquarters and passed its assessment.
• Yang Xia joined Ding-Class Thirty-Sixth Squad, where Chang Wei arrived as its temporary commander and explained the campaign precautions.
• Yang Zhengxiong and Shui Lingyue reported for duty as Inner Court disciples, and Chang Wei admitted them to the squad.
• Chang Wei led the squad toward Headquarters, where the rogue cultivators received mounts, weapons, armor, pills, and other campaign supplies.

Fang Qianyuan assembled forces for the war against Yaksha, then led Lin Zaixing and Zuoqiutang through a newly opened World Gate into the Nine Hells. After discovering that the realm’s origin energy was corrupted and dangerous to cultivate, he left the search for the Ye'e Tribe to Lin Zaixing.

• A Warrior Administration registrar reported that more than eighteen hundred recruits, including over fifteen hundred Rogue Cultivators, had joined Fang Qianyuan’s forces.
• Fang Qianyuan told Fang Lian he would provide for the recruits and grow alongside them rather than discard them after using them.
• Fang Ming, Sun Jixing, Feng Yun, and Ximen Man arrived with elite troops, while Fang Qianyuan prepared to enter the Nine Hells with Lin Zaixing and Zuoqiutang.
• The Heavenly Craft Institute activated the Void Formation Array, and Fang Qianyuan, Little White, Zuoqiutang, and Lin Zaixing passed through its World Gate.
• Fang Qianyuan sensed that the Nine Hells’ origin energy contained demon baleful intent that could infect cultivators and reduce cultivation efficiency.
• Lin Zaixing identified their location as barren wilderness in the Asura Realm, and Fang Qianyuan entrusted him with arranging a search for the Ye'e Tribe.