Recaps

At the Cultivator Exchange Gathering, Wang Chunyang revealed that Zhang Qingshan had ranked first in Heavenly Treasures at the Immortal Ascension Assembly, securing first place for the Azure Profound Sect. Wang Lan warned the group about the dangers of the Darkness Forbidden Ground, and the gathering continued with cultivation advice.

• Wang Chunyang told Ye Han and the others that Zhang Qingshan had ranked first in Heavenly Treasures at the Immortal Ascension Assembly, putting the Azure Profound Sect in first place.
• Ye Han and the others celebrated Zhang Qingshan's achievement and expected him to receive a Foundation Establishment Pill.
• Wang Lan recounted surviving the Darkness Forbidden Ground as the only one of his companions to return alive and warned the others not to enter lightly.
• Wang Lan clarified that Zhang Qingshan would receive only one Foundation Establishment Pill, then started the Cultivator Exchange Gathering.
• Ye Han shared that taking two Body Tempering Pills had helped him break through a bottleneck, and the disciples exchanged cultivation advice.

Ye Han traded a fire element Demon Beast Crystal at the Exchange Meeting for a Divine Spirit Pill, Wood Spirit Essence, Body Tempering Pills, and Spirit Stones. Back in his Cave Abode, he chose to use the Wood Spirit Essence to strengthen his Thorn Bracelet.

• Wang Lan sought a fire element Demon Beast Crystal to strengthen his Magic Artifact, and Ye Han offered one he had found in Young Master Black Mountain's Storage Bag.
• Ye Han traded the Beast Crystal to Wang Lan for a middle-grade Divine Spirit Pill and five hundred Spirit Stones.
• Ye Han traded with Wang Hongying and Lin Hongde for Wood Spirit Essence, with Wang Chunyang for two middle-grade Body Tempering Pills, and sold Liu Jingzhi an earth element treasure for eight hundred Spirit Stones.
• The Exchange Meeting ended with Ye Han and the others satisfied with their trades, and they treated Ye Han more warmly.
• Ye Han returned to his Cave Abode and decided to use the Wood Spirit Essence to strengthen his Thorn Bracelet.

Ye Han used Wood Spirit Essence to strengthen his Thorn Bracelet and refined a Divine Spirit Pill, greatly improving his divine sense. A month later, he asked the Seventh Elder for permission to visit Azure Cloud City and search for cultivation supplies, including an old Wood Dragon Root.

• Ye Han poured the Wood Spirit Essence onto the Thorn Bracelet, whose Heavenly Spirit Vine grew leaves and branches as it absorbed the entire bottle.
• Ye Han wore the still-absorbing bracelet and swallowed the Divine Spirit Pill, whose potency the Purple Cauldron enhanced.
• After refining the pill, Ye Han increased his divine sense by over twenty percent and gained the ability to control all six Wood Spirit Flying Swords.
• A month later, Ye Han visited the Seventh Elder's Cave Abode and asked permission to go to Azure Cloud City.
• Ye Han planned to return to the Heavenly Peace Market with Han Qiushui to look for a Wood Dragon Root over three hundred years old.

Ye Han traveled to Azure Cloud City with Zhang Lingjun and learned that the wood dragon root he wanted was unavailable, but Han Qiushui offered him a finished Wood Dragon Staff made from five-hundred-year wood dragon root. Ye Han sensed a connection between the staff and his Thorn Bracelet and suspected the staff was special as Han Qiushui hinted that it would not cost much.

• The Seventh Elder sent Zhang Lingjun to escort Ye Han to Azure Cloud City, confirming Ye Han's importance to the elders' plans.
• Ye Han and Zhang Lingjun reached Heavenly Peace Market, where the attendant welcomed Ye Han and revealed he had been promoted to steward.
• Ye Han asked Han Qiushui for three-hundred-year wood dragon root, but Han Qiushui said none had been found.
• Han Qiushui showed Ye Han a finished Wood Dragon Staff made from five-hundred-year wood dragon root, which Ye Han considered buying despite its likely high price.
• Ye Han sensed that the staff's aura resembled the Thorn Bracelet's, and Han Qiushui told him the staff was not very expensive.

Ye Han bought a Wood Dragon Staff and pills at Heavenly Peace Market, then helped Zhang Lingjun afford a treasure. As they returned to Azure Profound Sect, Zhang Lingjun revealed that a High-Grade Spirit-Calming Talisman would help Ye Han in the Darkness Forbidden Ground, leading Ye Han to suspect the elders’ plans involved the same place.

• Ye Han bought Han Qiushui's Wood Dragon Staff for fifteen thousand Spirit Stones and sold treasures and materials to cover the cost.
• Ye Han realized Zhang Lingjun was short of Spirit Stones and sold him two medium-grade Divine Spirit Pills for two thousand Spirit Stones.
• Zhang Lingjun used the Spirit Stones to buy the treasure he wanted, then returned to Ye Han with two pills and a High-Grade Spirit-Calming Talisman.
• Zhang Lingjun said the talisman could protect Ye Han in the Darkness Forbidden Ground and asked him not to tell their master.
• Ye Han suspected the Seventh Elder and Fourth Elder were planning to go to the Darkness Forbidden Ground.

Ye Han learned from Zhang Lingjun that the Seventh Elder and Fourth Elder planned to send him into the Darkness Forbidden Ground to open a hidden restriction, and he received guidance on cultivation during their return to the Azure Profound Sect. At his Cave Abode, Ye Han reunited with the injured Zhang Qingshan, whose low spirits and killing intent hinted at a harrowing experience in the Forbidden Ground.

• Zhang Lingjun told Ye Han that five disciples with different elemental attributes would use a Five-Element Formation to open a restriction in the Darkness Forbidden Ground, where dangerous dark demonic energy and powerful treasures awaited.
• Ye Han promised to keep the plan secret, then asked Zhang Lingjun for advice about divine sense and cultivation as they flew back to the Azure Profound Sect.
• Zhang Lingjun dropped Ye Han off at Seven Mysteries Peak and went to report to the Seventh Elder.
• Ye Han hurried to his Cave Abode and found Zhang Qingshan waiting outside with one sleeve empty.
• Ye Han congratulated Zhang Qingshan on surviving the Darkness Forbidden Ground, but noticed his weakened vitality, unstable aura, and intense killing intent.
• Zhang Qingshan said the sect would provide pills for his recovery and told Ye Han he would be leaving soon, prompting Ye Han to ask where he was going.

Zhang Qingshan warned Ye Han about the dangers of the Darkness Forbidden Ground and gave him a Demon-Warding Pearl after learning the Seventh Elder planned to send him there. Ye Han prepared to face the mission, while Zhang Qingshan also cautioned him to beware of the people around him.

• Zhang Qingshan offered Ye Han cultivation resources, but Ye Han declined and asked how Zhang could see a treasure glow around him.
• Zhang Qingshan claimed his ability was rare, reassured Ye Han that others were unlikely to notice the glow, and agreed to keep quiet.
• Ye Han secretly told Zhang Qingshan that the Seventh Elder planned to send him into the Darkness Forbidden Ground in a month to retrieve a treasure.
• Zhang Qingshan urged Ye Han to avoid the dangerous trip, then agreed to share what he knew when Ye Han said he could not refuse.
• Zhang Qingshan gave Ye Han a Demon-Warding Pearl to protect him from demonic energy and warned him to be on guard against the people around him.

Ye Han spent a month preparing for the Darkness Forbidden Ground by refining his weapons and advancing his sword techniques, while learning more about the danger awaiting him. Zhang Lingjun then arrived to take him to their master, confirming that Ye Han would be sent on the mission.

• Zhang Qingshan gave Ye Han the Demon-Warding Pearl, information about the Darkness Forbidden Ground, and the final seven levels of the Blood Refining Art, while warning him to keep the information secret.
• Ye Han returned to his Cave Abode and told Han Yuwan that he would leave in a month; she expected to end her seclusion and register with the sect by then.
• Ye Han spent the month refining his six Wood Spirit Flying Swords and practicing the Azure Profound Sword Technique, reaching its third level and greatly strengthening his Sword Formation.
• Ye Han realized that the Purple Cauldron's aura no longer enhanced his abilities after he destroyed the Evil Demon Cultivator's primordial spirit, confirming that the spirit had tried to possess him.
• Zhang Lingjun came to Ye Han's Cave Abode and told him their master wanted to see him before the trip to the Darkness Forbidden Ground.

Zhang Lingjun encouraged Ye Han to embrace the risks of seeking opportunity, and Ye Han left with the Seventh Elder for a mission beyond the Azure Profound Sect. He met a group of powerful Qi Refining Realm disciples at a nameless hill, where the Fourth Elder warned him to take care of himself.

• Zhang Lingjun shared how seizing opportunities had helped him outlast more gifted disciples, easing Ye Han’s fears about entering the Darkness Forbidden Ground.
• Ye Han packed his belongings, told Han Yuwan he was leaving, and went with Zhang Lingjun to meet the Seventh Elder.
• The Seventh Elder praised Ye Han’s progress without detecting the Purple Cauldron in his divine sense sea, then flew with Ye Han and an unnamed gray-robed disciple beyond the sect.
• The Seventh Elder and Ye Han met the Fourth Elder, Qin Minghui, and two other disciples at a nameless hill.
• The Fourth Elder praised Ye Han’s progress and told him he was important and must not be careless.

Ye Han and four other disciples traveled with the Fourth Elder and Seventh Elder to a hidden island, where they were tasked with entering the Darkness Forbidden Ground to retrieve a Treasure Pagoda. As the group entered the island, an unseen observer watched them from the sea.

• Ye Han greeted the Fourth Elder, then boarded the Seventh Elder's Flying Boat with the other cultivators.
• The Fourth Elder introduced Sun Houde, Lin Hongyan, Qin Minghui, Ye Han, and Gu Changdao, whose cultivation arts represented the five elements needed for a Five-Element Formation.
• The Seventh Elder explained that the five disciples had to open a hidden restriction in the Darkness Forbidden Ground and retrieve a Treasure Pagoda, promising Foundation Establishment and true disciple status if they succeeded.
• The Fourth Elder taught the five disciples the formation and gave them protective Talismans and treasures, while the Seventh Elder gave each a Sword Talisman.
• After three days of travel, the elders used a Token to part the mist around a hidden island and led the disciples inside.
• A pair of eyes surfaced in the sea, watched the group enter the island, and sank beneath the water.

Ye Han and four Azure Profound Sect disciples entered an ancient cavern where the Seventh Elder and Fourth Elder opened a passage into the Darkness Forbidden Ground. Bound together and warned that all five were needed for their mission, they passed through the portal.

• Ye Han followed Qin Minghui through the sealed passage and sensed that she and the other inner-sect disciples had formidable cultivation.
• The group reached an enormous cavern containing an altar and a bronze ring suspended above the depths.
• The Fourth Elder gave Qin Minghui the Golden Cicada Silk Ribbon, and the five disciples bound themselves together.
• The Seventh Elder and Fourth Elder used demon beast blood, tokens, and incantations to open a narrow gap in the bronze ring.
• Qin Minghui led the bound group through the gap, and all five vanished into the Darkness Forbidden Ground.

Ye Han and four fellow disciples entered the Darkness Forbidden Ground to reach an unopened ancient restriction rumored to contain a Treasure Pagoda. After Ye Han began using a Demon-Averting Sachet, Gu Changdao spotted a figure leaping onto a rock.

• The Seventh Elder and Fourth Elder closed the light curtain after sending the group inside, and the Seventh Elder said Ye Han reminded him of a former disciple.
• Ye Han and the others arrived on a scorched hilltop and encountered the Darkness Forbidden Ground’s abundant but demonic-qi-tainted spiritual energy.
• Ye Han recalled Zhang Qingshan’s warnings about demonized cultivators, rival disciples, powerful magic beasts, and ancient restrictions within the ground.
• Qin Minghui removed the Golden Cicada Silk Ribbon and proposed that the group set out for their assigned restriction; Gu Changdao, Sun Houde, and Lin Hongyan agreed.
• Ye Han took out a Demon-Averting Sachet, while Sun Houde argued they could wait to use theirs until they were farther inside.
• Gu Changdao called for silence as a figure leaped onto a large rock, startling the group.

Ye Han and the others were attacked by a demonized cultivator who had remained in the Darkness Forbidden Ground. Ye Han killed him with the Azure Profound Sword Formation, leaving the group impressed by his strength.

• A demonized cultivator appeared and attacked Ye Han, Gu Changdao, Qin Minghui, Lin Hongyan, and Sun Houde with a black spear.
• Qin Minghui countered the spear rays with sword rays, while Lin Hongyan sent a Golden Crow Flamebird against the demonized cultivator.
• Ye Han trapped the charging demonized cultivator with vines and sent six Wood Spirit Flying Swords after him.
• Ye Han used the Azure Profound Sword Formation to kill the demonized cultivator within moments.
• Ye Han recalled his swords as the others looked at him with newfound respect.

Ye Han killed a demonized cultivator with the Azure Profound Sword Formation, earning the respect of his companions and prompting them to use their Demon-Averting Sachets. The five set off to avoid further fights, while a mysterious figure in the Darkness Forbidden Ground sensed that a cultivator had died and vowed to protect his plans.

• Ye Han slew an eleventh-layer Qi Refining Realm demonized cultivator with the Azure Profound Sword Formation, surprising Gu Changdao, Sun Houde, and Lin Hongyan.
• Gu Changdao, Sun Houde, and Lin Hongyan praised Ye Han’s skill, and Qin Minghui reminded them that the elders had sent him because he was capable.
• Ye Han urged everyone to wear their Demon-Averting Sachets, and the group watched another demonized cultivator search for them before running off.
• Gu Changdao, Qin Minghui, Sun Houde, and Lin Hongyan agreed to avoid unnecessary fights and prioritize the mission, then the five headed down the mountain.
• A black-energy-shrouded figure among the stone pillars realized Thirty-Seven had died and declared that no one would interfere with his plans as enormous scarlet eyes opened beneath the pillars.

Ye Han and the other four Azure Profound Sect cultivators hunted demonized Two-Horned Magic Beasts in the Darkness Forbidden Ground, collecting their valuable Beast Crystals when they could. After Lin Hongyan blamed Ye Han for Jin Feng’s advancement and humiliation of her, Qin Minghui abruptly urged everyone onward, leaving Ye Han wondering why she seemed so different.

• Ye Han, Gu Changdao, and Qin Minghui quickly killed their Two-Horned Magic Beasts, while Sun Houde trapped his fleeing opponent and beheaded it.
• The group explained that demonized Magic Beasts were unusually strong, but their Beast Crystals were valuable to the Azure Profound Sect and useful in Foundation Establishment Pill Refining.
• Lin Hongyan burned her Two-Horned Magic Beast to ashes with a powerful Flame Greatblade and complained that she had lost its Beast Crystal.
• Lin Hongyan confronted Ye Han, saying Jin Feng had advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm and humiliated her because of Ye Han; Gu Changdao, Sun Houde, and Ye Han tried to calm her.
• Qin Minghui abruptly told the others to stop talking and move, and Ye Han wondered why she seemed like an entirely different person.

Ye Han and the others raced toward the core region of the Darkness Forbidden Ground, wary of Qin Minghui’s changed demeanor and the dense demonic qi. Their journey ended in a sudden ambush when a Demon Flame Beast burst from the ground.

• Ye Han suspected Qin Minghui had changed drastically and stayed on guard as the group followed her lead.
• The group headed toward the towering wall that marked the core region, where the assembly’s fiercest battles and richest treasures awaited.
• They entered an area thick with demonic qi, and Qin Minghui warned everyone to protect themselves from it.
• A black-flamed claw burst from beneath Qin Minghui, who blocked the attack with Water Ripples barriers and warned the others that a demonic beast was attacking.
• A huge scaled beast emerged from the collapsing ground, and Gu Changdao identified it as a Demon Flame Beast and wondered why it was in the outer region.

Ye Han and the others encountered a powerful Demonic Flame Beast on the outskirts of the Darkness Forbidden Ground and fought back against its attacks. The beast’s relentless ground-bursting flames forced them to keep dodging as the battle continued.

• Gu Changdao recognized the Demonic Flame Beast, and the group prepared defensive treasures after realizing they had encountered a rare third-tier Magic Beast.
• Qin Minghui warned everyone about the beast’s demonic flames, while Gu Changdao urged the group to attack it for its Beast Crystal.
• The Demonic Flame Beast attacked Qin Minghui with black fire, then swept a ring of flames toward the group as they dodged and raised defenses.
• Qin Minghui, Sun Houde, and Lin Hongyan blocked the flames with their treasures, while Ye Han circled behind the beast and struck its back with six Wood Spirit Flying Swords.
• The beast’s tail deflected Ye Han’s swords, and it erupted black flames beneath his feet; Ye Han dodged the attack with Ghost Step Pace.
• The Demonic Flame Beast stamped the ground repeatedly, sending chains of black flame toward everyone as Ye Han and the others continued evading.

The Demonic Flame Beast unleashed a powerful attack against Ye Han and the others, but Gu Changdao wounded it and the Cultivators combined their abilities to strike back. Their coordinated attacks launched the beast into the sky, leaving its fate unresolved.

• The Demonic Flame Beast swelled with demonic qi and attacked the group with blades of black flame, forcing Ye Han, Qin Minghui, Sun Houde, and Lin Hongyan to defend themselves.
• Gu Changdao slashed the Demonic Flame Beast’s neck with his golden longsword, carving a deep wound before evading its counterattack.
• Ye Han sent six Wood Spirit Flying Swords into Gu Changdao’s wound, making the Demonic Flame Beast bleed and writhe in pain.
• Qin Minghui froze much of the beast with a sphere of water while Lin Hongyan bombarded its head with flames.
• A huge stone pillar burst from the ground and struck the Demonic Flame Beast’s belly, launching it into the sky.

Ye Han and the others defeated a third-tier Demonic Flame Beast after combining their attacks, but its blood turned into vapor and vanished into the sky. As the group worried about the unexpected dangers inside the Darkness Forbidden Ground, Sun Houde spotted a Supreme-Grade Beast Crystal on the beast.

• Ye Han used his Thorn Bracelet to bind the Demonic Flame Beast while Qin Minghui, Lin Hongyan, and Sun Houde attacked it.
• Gu Changdao split the beast's demonic flames and cleaved its head in two with his golden longsword.
• Ye Han noticed the beast's black-red blood turning into vapor and suspected that a hidden Restriction Formation was absorbing it.
• Qin Minghui and Gu Changdao remarked on the beast's difficulty and warned the group to be careful inside the Darkness Forbidden Ground.
• Sun Houde spotted what appeared to be a Supreme-Grade Beast Crystal on the Demonic Flame Beast.

After killing a Demonic Flame Beast, Ye Han and the others hurried toward the Darkness Wall, uneasy about signs that something was watching them. They found more than fifty demonized cultivators meditating around the only accessible opening into the forbidden ground’s core, and Qin Minghui had to decide what they should do.

• The group killed the Demonic Flame Beast and found a valuable Beast Crystal, but a burst of demonic qi nearly struck Sun Houde before he destroyed it.
• Qin Minghui warned Sun Houde about his carelessness, then stored the Beast Crystal and urged everyone to leave before more enemies arrived.
• Ye Han watched the beast’s corpse turn into black-and-red flames and remained wary of the others’ silence and the feeling that unseen eyes were watching them.
• The group reached the Darkness Wall and found more than fifty demonized cultivators meditating around the broken opening that led into the forbidden ground’s core.
• Gu Changdao asked Qin Minghui what they should do about the demonized cultivators blocking their way.

Ye Han and his companions discovered that demonized cultivators had formed a formation around a breach in the city wall, and Qin Minghui realized a mysterious being was directing them. Qin Minghui revealed her unusual strength and ordered the group to charge through the formation at speed, leaving them poised to face its powerful attacks.

• Gu Changdao pointed out dozens of demonized cultivators meditating beside the breach, and Qin Minghui told the group to observe them before acting.
• Ye Han noticed the cultivators sat on carefully arranged rocks and suspected they had formed a formation.
• Qin Minghui concluded that a mysterious being controlled the demonized cultivators and warned that earlier groups sent into the Darkness Forbidden Ground had likely died there.
• Qin Minghui rejected Gu Changdao's suggestion to go around, explaining that the formations on either side were the real traps.
• Qin Minghui displayed strength beyond the Qi Refining Realm, ordered everyone to follow her commands, and explained that the group had to rush through the combined-attack formation without fighting or blocking its Foundation Establishment-level attacks.

Ye Han and the others charged through the Demonized Cultivators' formation, relying on talismans and their movement techniques to evade a barrage of Demonflame Fireballs. After the group passed through the formation without injuries, the Demonized Cultivators rose and aimed dozens of magic artifacts at them.

• Qin Minghui gave Ye Han and the others Substitute Talismans, and they activated them before preparing their treasures and movement techniques.
• Qin Minghui led the group in a direct charge through the Demonized Cultivators' formation, where the enemies attacked with powerful Demonflame Fireballs.
• Ye Han, Gu Changdao, Sun Houde, and Lin Hongyan used their abilities to dodge the fireballs as they followed Qin Minghui through the formation.
• The group passed through the formation without anyone being hit or injured, but the Demonized Cultivators then rose, formed hand seals, and aimed dozens of magic artifacts at them.

Ye Han and his four companions fought through a coordinated attack by demonized cultivators as they tried to escape through an opening in the city wall. Just as they neared the exit, they discovered dozens of magic beasts, including several third-tier beasts, waiting there under an unknown being’s command.

• The demonized cultivators attacked Ye Han and his companions with magic artifacts, forcing the group to defend themselves while dodging the barrage.
• Qin Minghui froze and struck several attackers with her Brilliant Blue Pearl and icicle flying swords, while Ye Han used his flying swords, movement technique, and Vine Soul Technique to fight back.
• Gu Changdao, Lin Hongyan, and Sun Houde battled the demonized cultivators with their own weapons and spells as the group fought to break out of the encirclement.
• As the group approached the opening in the city wall, magic beasts roared from within and revealed dozens of scarlet eyes, including those of several third-tier beasts.

Ye Han and the others were ambushed by dozens of Demonized Cultivators and Magic Beasts led by a mysterious figure with golden pupils. Qin Minghui helped the group fight forward, but the attackers grew stronger, and Lin Hongyan was torn apart as the chapter ended.

• Ye Han spotted a black-mist-shrouded figure directing the ambush, and the figure shattered Qin Minghui’s icy attack before ordering the creatures to kill.
• Qin Minghui used eight crystal beads to unleash waves of water that froze and scattered attackers, then led Ye Han, Gu Changdao, Sun Houde, and Lin Hongyan toward the breach.
• The five fought through the siege, but dozens of Magic Beasts and Demonized Cultivators overwhelmed them after they advanced only a short distance.
• The mysterious figure sent bloody runes into the attackers, strengthening their demonic qi and making their assault more dangerous.
• A Demon Beast bit into Lin Hongyan and tore her apart as Ye Han turned to look.

Ye Han saved Lin Hongyan from being killed, and Qin Minghui led the group’s retreat through a battlefield surrounded by Demonized Beasts, Demonized Cultivators, and newly emerged zombie monsters. The chapter left Qin Minghui’s powerful beam charging toward the black-shrouded figure atop the enormous Magic Beast.

• Lin Hongyan’s substitution talisman took a Magic Beast’s fatal bite, but she was left exposed to further attacks.
• Ye Han wounded the Magic Beast and pulled Lin Hongyan to safety, using his six Wood Spirit Flying Swords to fend off attacks.
• Qin Minghui ordered the group to retreat and spread freezing mist that confused the Demonized Beasts and Demonized Cultivators.
• The black-shrouded figure summoned hundreds of zombie monsters from the cavern walls to encircle the group.
• Qin Minghui led the group’s attempted breakthrough and unleashed a massive beam of Spell Power at the black-shrouded figure.