Recaps

At the Old Dragon Court, Ningchan Cave’s Elder Lu rejected Jade Balance Mountain’s request to spare Xu Taiping, revealing that other factions wanted his life. A Spirit Mirror then showed Xu Taiping and his companions trapped in Moon-Breaking Cave by Yin God Huangpao, leaving Xiahou You and Xiahou Qingyuan alarmed by the danger.

• Lü Hu arrived at the teahouse and learned that Heavenly Lord Shihu of Jade Balance Mountain was asking Ningchan Cave to protect Xu Taiping.
• Elder Lu agreed to clear Jade Balance Mountain’s grievances with Xiahou You and Xiahou Qingyuan but insisted Ningchan Cave would still pursue Xu Taiping and his companions.
• Elder Lu showed Xu Taiping shattering a Yin God’s arms with his true dragon divine being body and warned that other Upper Realm factions would pay for his life.
• Xiahou You argued that the image did not prove Xu Taiping had been captured, but Elder Lu showed another image of a yellow-robed Dharma Aspect gripping the silver dragon carrying Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian.
• Xiahou Qingyuan recognized Moon-Breaking Cave as Yin God Huangpao’s Dao Field.

Buddha Child Yelai arrived at the Old Dragon Court and announced that Buddhism had sent him to retrieve Xu Taiping from the Wilderness. He challenged Elder Lu of Ningchan Cave’s account of Xu’s capture, prompting Elder Lu to attack him.

• Elder Lu told Heavenly Lord Shihu that Xu Taiping and his companions were imprisoned in Moon-Breaking Cave and demanded more for their release, but Shihu refused to raise his offer.
• Yelai arrived, identified himself as a monk from Vairocana Chan Temple, and confirmed he was the temple’s Buddha Child.
• Yelai told Xiahou You that Buddhism had sent him to bring Xu Taiping back, since Xu was the temple’s Heavenly Dharma Protector.
• Yelai presented a Moonshadow Stone and said it showed Xu Taiping, Master Xuanzhi, and their companions encountering danger in Moon-Breaking Cave, contradicting Elder Lu’s footage.
• Elder Lu unleashed his killing intent and thrust a finger at Yelai’s brow, while Heavenly Lord Shihu intervened too late.

Yelai challenged Ningchan Cave’s account of Xu Taiping’s fate, and Xiahou You used a Moonshadow Stone to reveal what was happening in Moon-Breaking Cave. The projection showed Xunqi and Madam Lu under attack, exposing that Ningchan Cave’s people were trapped there too, though Lü Hu continued to insist it was a trap for Xu Taiping.

• Yelai blocked Elder Lu’s attack with his protective golden light and gained a Heaven Shocking Realm aura from a beam of Buddha Light.
• Xiahou You accused Ningchan Cave of falsifying footage about Xu Taiping, while Elder Lu insisted Xunqi’s transmission was genuine.
• Yelai urged Xiahou You to activate the Moonshadow Stone, and its projection showed Xunqi and Madam Lu inside Moon-Breaking Cave.
• The projection showed Demon Bones attacking Xunqi and Madam Lu, revealing that Ningchan Cave’s people were trapped in the cave.
• Lü Hu dismissed the evidence as a plan to lure Xu Taiping into the cave.

Xu Taiping and his companions turned Ningchan Cave’s scheme against Mr. Xunqi, while Dongfang Yuejian used the White Marsh Diagram to control the Demon Bones. After receiving a new vision of Yin Gods surrounding Jiaye Temple, Elder Lu returned to Xiahou You’s table claiming to have news from Wilderness Heaven, but Xiahou You distrusted him.

• Dongfang Yuejian used the White Marsh Diagram to direct Moon-Breaking Cave’s Demon Bones against Mr. Xunqi and Madam Lu, exposing Ningchan Cave’s deception.
• Xiahou You pointed out that Xu Taiping’s group had anticipated Mr. Xunqi’s scheme and used Yin God Huangpao to trap him.
• Elder Lu received a message from Mr. Xunqi showing countless Yin Gods surrounding Jiaye Temple and believed the vision was real.
• Elder Lu, eager to erase Ningchan Cave’s humiliation, returned to Xiahou You’s table and offered to show news from Wilderness Heaven.
• Xiahou You rejected Elder Lu’s offer, suspecting another Ningchan Cave trick.

Purple-Robed Elder Lu revealed that countless Yin Gods had surrounded Jiaye Temple and offered the chance to attack it to the highest bidder. As Yelai watched, a vision showed Abbot Jiaye summoning the Seven-Treasure Canopy, which began repelling the Yin Gods.

• Purple-Robed Elder Lu showed the teahouse cultivators a Jade Slip image of countless Yin Gods surrounding the Thousand Buddha Kingdom and Jiaye Temple.
• Yelai realized the Yin Gods had been drawn by Abbot Jiaye’s newly born body, while Yin God Huangpao threatened to overwhelm the temple and its defenders.
• Elder Lu announced to the Five Heavens that Ningchan Cave would sell access to the True Dragon Divine Being Body or Jiaye Temple’s Buddha Fate Power to the highest bidder.
• Yelai’s Moonshadow Stone cracked, flew into the air, and burst apart, revealing a new vision of Jiaye Temple protected by a vast canopy of Buddha Fate Power.
• Yelai recognized the canopy as the Seven-Treasure Canopy of the Huayan Pure Land, which sent the attacking Yin Gods flying.

A Moonshadow Stone formed a crescent above Jiaye Temple, letting a Half-Immortal in the Upper Realm observe the Wilderness. Abbot Jiaye warned that Xu Taiping’s breakthrough and what followed might draw the Half-Immortal’s attention, though no one knew whether that would bring fortune or disaster.

• Master Xuanzhi told Abbot Jiaye that he had entrusted the Moonshadow Stone’s Mother Stone to Buddha Child Yelai before leaving Youyun Heaven.
• Abbot Jiaye explained that a Half-Immortal was using the crescent Moonshadow Stone to watch the temple from the Upper Realm.
• Dongfang Yuejian recognized the danger of a Half-Immortal and was frightened, while Master Xuanzhi asked whether they could shatter the crescent.
• Abbot Jiaye said the crescent held only a strand of Divine Intent, which their current cultivation could not destroy.
• Abbot Jiaye warned that Xu Taiping’s breakthrough and subsequent actions might attract the Half-Immortal’s attention, with uncertain consequences.

At Jiaye Temple, Dongfang Yuejian and Master Xuanzhi left to confront a Demon Bone while Xu Taiping prepared to break through. In Old Dragon Court, cultivators confirmed the Moonshadow Stone showed events happening in real time, and the projection revealed a Demon Bone smashing through the temple’s barrier as Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian rushed to meet it.

• Dongfang Yuejian, Abbot Jiaye, and Master Xuanzhi agreed to defend the temple and protect Xu Taiping while he broke through.
• A captured evil cultivator warned Abbot Jiaye that a Demon Bone formed from a Primordial Antiquity Savage Ape was attacking outside the temple, so Dongfang Yuejian and Master Xuanzhi flew to confront it.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu and others confirmed that Yelai’s Moonshadow Stone projection showed events in the Thousand Buddha Kingdom of Wilderness Heaven in real time.
• Lü Hu attacked the projection with Gang Wind, but the image remained intact, proving it was not an illusion.
• The projection’s sound was partly erased and its image briefly vanished before returning to show a huge Demon Bone breaking through Jiaye Temple’s barrier.
• Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian rushed into the courtyard as Elder Lu and Lü Hu predicted that they and Xu Taiping could not stop the Demon Bones.

Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian fought a powerful Demon Bone, which redirected Dongfang Yuejian’s sword attack and nearly crushed Xuanzhi. With Dongfang Yuejian’s aid, Xuanzhi unleashed the Six Vajra Forms and destroyed the Demon Bone, leaving the onlookers stunned by the Buddhist disciples’ power.

• Xuanzhi struck the Demon Bone while Dongfang Yuejian summoned a Mountain Character talisman, but the creature broke free and shattered it.
• The Demon Bone shattered Xuanzhi’s protective golden light and redirected Dongfang Yuejian’s Flying Sword toward him, forcing him to block it with his Vajra Dharma Aspect.
• Dongfang Yuejian strengthened Xuanzhi’s Vajra Dharma Aspect with a golden Kasaya and a rune, allowing it to withstand the Demon Bone’s stomp.
• Xuanzhi used the Mountain-Collapsing Form of the Six Vajra Forms to knock the Demon Bone down.
• Xuanzhi followed with the Deliverance Form, destroying the Demon Bone with a thousand-arm strike and burning away its remains with golden Buddhist flames.
• The spectators in the First-Rank Pavilion’s teahouse watched in shock and wondered when Buddhist disciples had gained such deadly techniques.

Xuanzhi trapped three coordinated Demon Bones with a golden ring, then Dongfang Yuejian destroyed them with her Immortal Swords. The onlookers debated whether Xuanzhi had recovered long-lost Buddhist techniques and wondered how much Xu Taiping had improved inside Jiaye Temple.

• Three Demon Bones attacked Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian in a coordinated assault, prompting Xiahou You to fear they were in serious danger.
• Xuanzhi used the Vajra Demon-Subduing Circle to bind all three Demon Bones at once.
• Xiahou Qingyuan identified Xuanzhi's technique as the long-lost Vajra Demon-Subduing Circle, while Lü Hu argued that the Demon Bones would eventually break free.
• At Xuanzhi's request, Dongfang Yuejian summoned four Immortal Swords and shredded the trapped Demon Bones into powder.
• Cultivators mocked Lü Hu and Elder Lu, then wondered how much Xu Taiping's combat strength had increased.

As the Demon-Bone Chenghuang and dozens of Demon Bones besieged Jiaye Temple, Xuanzhi's complete Golden Light Mantra held back their assault only briefly. Dongfang Yuejian's ordinary rune brush shattered, but she revealed a vastly more powerful brush whose rank surpassed Immortal Rank, leaving the onlookers stunned.

• Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian killed several more Demon Bones while cultivators watched their progress at Jiaye Temple.
• The Demon-Bone Chenghuang arrived with dozens of Demon Bones and unleashed its innate demonic power against Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian.
• Xuanzhi used the complete Golden Light Mantra to shield the temple gate, but the Chenghuang's power began devouring his golden light.
• Dongfang Yuejian's rune brush shattered as she prepared to use One Stroke Opens Heaven, prompting Lü Hu to criticize her.
• Dongfang Yuejian revealed a dazzling rune brush whose invisible force halted more than thirty Demon Bones, and the onlookers realized its rank exceeded Immortal Rank.

Dongfang Yuejian used the Spring and Autumn Brush to summon the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation and destroy the Demon Bones threatening Jiaye Temple. As cultivators began discussing the treasures within the temple, a seven-colored pillar revealed that someone inside was preparing to break through, and Xiahou You wondered if it was Xu Taiping.

• Dongfang Yuejian's Rune Brush unleashed vast Confucian righteous qi, and she summoned the four swords of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation and the Immortal-Slaying Gate.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu identified the Rune Brush as the Confucian Ancestral Sage's Spring and Autumn Brush.
• Dongfang Yuejian ordered Master Xuanzhi to lower the golden light barrier, then used the sword formation to annihilate the torrent of strange colors and the dozens of Demon Bones.
• Cultivators reacted to the Spring and Autumn Brush and began calling for others to join them in seeking opportunities at Jiaye Temple.
• A seven-colored pillar burst from Jiaye Temple's main hall, and Xiahou Qingyuan said it showed someone was preparing to break through from the Heaven Gazing Realm to the Heaven Questioning Realm.
• Xiahou You wondered whether Xu Taiping was the one breaking through.

As Yin Gods broke through the Thousand Buddha Kingdom’s Pure Domain Canopy and Demon Bones assaulted Jiaye Temple, Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian struggled to defend the gates. Xu Taiping’s breakthrough then engulfed the entire temple in five-colored qi, and onlookers realized he was reaching the Heaven Questioning Realm in the Ultimate Realm.

• Cultivators speculated that Xu Taiping was breaking through instead of helping defend Jiaye Temple, while Xiahou You insisted he was not selfish.
• The Yin Gods attacked the Pure Domain Canopy together, forcing it to shrink and allowing dozens of Demon Bones to reach Jiaye Temple.
• Dongfang Yuejian and Xuanzhi fought the Demon Bones, with Xuanzhi using the power of all beings are equal to suppress them.
• Xiahou Qingyuan warned that Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian would exhaust themselves if the battle continued.
• Xu Taiping’s five-colored qi pillar expanded to engulf all of Jiaye Temple, and the onlookers exclaimed that he was breaking through to the Heaven Questioning Realm in the Ultimate Realm.

As Xu Taiping’s breakthrough to the Heaven Questioning Realm in the Ultimate Realm state shook the projection, spectators accused him of abandoning Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian for personal gain. Xiahou Qingyuan explained the breakthrough’s benefits, while Yelai defended Xu Taiping; the chapter ended as Otherworldly Heavenly Demons appeared above Jiaye Temple.

• Xiahou You learned from Xiahou Qingyuan that Xu Taiping’s breakthrough phenomena surpassed his own and suggested Xu Taiping had suppressed his qi and blood and True Essence for at least ten years.
• Xiahou Qingyuan explained that an Ultimate Realm breakthrough could ease later advances and let its cultivator evade detection for half an hour, while Lü Hu revealed the secret to Spirit Mirror viewers.
• Spectators condemned Xu Taiping for supposedly leaving Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian alone, but Yelai insisted his Uncle Taiping was not selfish.
• Otherworldly Heavenly Demons appeared in the sky above Jiaye Temple, startling Xiahou You.

As Otherworldly Heavenly Demons descended above Jiaye Temple during Xu Taiping’s breakthrough, Abbot Jiaye destroyed them with his Golden Body Dharma Aspect while onlookers accused Xu Taiping of exploiting him. Xu Taiping then completed a Heaven Questioning Realm breakthrough, and the chapter ended as a new surge of energy suggested he might reach the Heaven Shocking Realm in the same day.

• Otherworldly Heavenly Demons appeared above Jiaye Hall, and cultivators watching the projection accused Xu Taiping of leaving Abbot Jiaye and the others to face the danger for him.
• Abbot Jiaye summoned the Golden Body of Ancient Buddha Kasyapa and shattered the demons with Buddha Seals and a lightning strike from his vajra.
• The energy pillar around Jiaye Hall turned golden, signaling that Xu Taiping had broken through to the Heaven Questioning Realm, while Xiahou You struggled with mixed feelings and Yelai continued to trust him.
• As the Pure Domain Canopy shrank under the Yin Gods’ attacks, onlookers blamed Xu Taiping, and Ningchan Cave’s elders mocked him when a wave of energy spread from Jiaye Hall.
• A multicolored pillar of energy rose from Jiaye Hall, and Xiahou Qingyuan wondered whether Xu Taiping was attempting to break through two realms in one day and reach the Heaven Shocking Realm.

As Xu Taiping attempted to break through to the Heaven Shocking Realm in the Ultimate Realm, Xiahou Qingyuan and Heavenly Lord Shihu explained the deadly dangers awaiting him and the reason he had chosen to risk his life. A hundred-zhang Sky Demon and a host of powerful demons descended on Jiaye Temple, where Ancient Buddha Kasyapa met them in battle.

• Xiahou Qingyuan and Heavenly Lord Shihu explained that Xu Taiping was attempting an exceptionally rare Ultimate Realm breakthrough and warned that powerful demons and deadly tribulation lightning awaited him.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu predicted that a hundred-zhang Sky Demon and at least a dozen nine-zhang Sky Demons would appear, while the tribulation lightning could kill a Dao Integration Realm cultivator.
• Xiahou Qingyuan told Xiahou You that Xu Taiping was risking his life to give Jiaye Temple, Xuanzhi, and Dongfang Yuejian a chance to survive by seeking ultimate dao power.
• Dozens of rifts opened above Jiaye Temple, and a hundred-zhang Sky Demon descended with a host of powerful demons.
• Ancient Buddha Kasyapa raised his Golden Body Dharma Aspect's arm and struck at the invading demons.

Xu Taiping’s apparent breakthrough drew abuse from cultivators, while Abbot Jiaye fought the Sky Demons to protect Jiaye Temple and keep the Pure Domain Canopy aloft. The hundred-zhang Sky Demon resurrected the Demon Bones slain by Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian.

• Cultivators speculated that Xu Taiping was either recklessly attempting another breakthrough or baiting the Sky Demons, while Xiahou You restrained her anger at their accusations.
• Abbot Jiaye used Ancient Buddha Kasyapa’s golden body Dharma Aspect to repel the hundred-zhang Sky Demon and crush six ten-zhang Sky Demons.
• The hundred-zhang Sky Demon wielded Ultimate Realm blade and sword power, broke the Buddha’s golden light, and severed one of its arms; Abbot Jiaye restored the arm and summoned thousands more to strike the demons.
• As the Pure Domain Canopy shrank, Abbot Jiaye used Buddha Hand Holds Up the Heavens to support it, while more Demon Bones surged through its cracks.
• Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian slew dozens of Demon Bones, but the hundred-zhang Sky Demon revived the headless corpses with its power.

Dongfang Yuejian and Master Xuanzhi struggled to defend Jiaye Temple as the Otherworldly Heavenly Demon sent increasingly powerful demon bones against them and the Pure Domain Canopy continued to contract. In the Old Dragon Court, Xiahou You and Xiahou Qingyuan clashed over their dead eldest brother as the battle grew more desperate.

• Dongfang Yuejian destroyed the first wave of resurrected demon bones with the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, but more soon charged the temple, forcing her and Master Xuanzhi to keep fighting.
• Xiahou Qingyuan and Heavenly Lord Shihu warned that if the demon bones broke into Jiaye Temple, Xu Taiping's breakthrough and everyone's survival would be in danger.
• Xiahou You threatened Xiahou Qingyuan after he said their eldest brother's willingness to follow his heart had led to his death, and Heavenly Lord Shihu suppressed her killing intent.
• A Scarlet Fire Tree Mark appeared on Xiahou Qingyuan's palm, while Abbot Jiaye's Pure Domain Canopy shrank until it covered only a little over a hundred li around Jiaye Temple.
• An ox-headed demon bone shattered Master Xuanzhi's golden light, caught Dongfang Yuejian's Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation with its fist, and roared until the formation began to break.

Dongfang Yuejian and Master Xuanzhi struggled to stop a revived ox-headed demon skeleton from devouring other skeletons and growing stronger while a giant Otherworldly Heavenly Demon fought Abbot Jiaye. Xu Taiping called from Jiaye Hall, asking them to withdraw and lend him their remaining power as he stood one step from breaking through and facing the tribulation lightning.

• Master Xuanzhi sealed the ox-headed demon skeleton's power in the Diamond Ring, but the Otherworldly Heavenly Demon revived it and activated its devouring ability.
• Dongfang Yuejian attacked the skeleton while Master Xuanzhi held back the other demons, but the giant demon sent revived skeletons to intercept her.
• Dongfang Yuejian's full-strength strike failed to wound the skeleton, which shattered her sword formation with a punch and continued devouring demons.
• Master Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian prepared to risk everything to destroy the growing skeleton, but Xu Taiping called for them and Abbot Jiaye to retreat into the temple and lend him their remaining power.
• Dongfang Yuejian asked whether Xu Taiping had finished tempering his body and was ready to face the tribulation lightning.

Xu Taiping asked his companions to trust him as Abbot Jiaye withdrew the protective canopy and defeated the Sky Demon, clearing the way for Xu Taiping to face the tribulation lightning. The chapter ended as five-colored tribulation clouds gathered above Jiaye Hall and the lightning descended.

• Xu Taiping asked Dongfang Yuejian, Xuanzhi, and Abbot Jiaye to trust him and prepare for his breakthrough, and Dongfang Yuejian and Xuanzhi retreated into Jiaye Temple.
• Abbot Jiaye withdrew the pure domain canopy, increasing his combat strength while the headless Ox-Head Demon Bone struck the temple and badly injured Dongfang Yuejian and Xuanzhi.
• The Sky Demon trapped Abbot Jiaye inside a five-colored crystal using eight mirrors, but Abbot Jiaye broke free and shattered the mirrors and demon.
• Abbot Jiaye held the Sky Demon's head and called on Benefactor Taiping to break through as tribulation clouds gathered above Jiaye Hall and the lightning descended.

At Jiaye Temple, Master Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian struggled to hold back the headless Ox-Head Demon Bone as tribulation lightning approached. Dongfang Yuejian summoned Xu Taiping’s most powerful form, which stopped the demon bone’s punch without moving, leaving Heavenly Lord Shihu stunned.

• In the teahouse, Xiahou You defended Xu Taiping as a true seeker of the Dao, despite Xiahou Qingyuan’s warning to keep to oneself.
• The headless Ox-Head Demon Bone smashed through Jiaye Temple’s protective golden light and forced its way inside.
• Master Xuanzhi trapped the demon bone with his Vajra Demon-Subduing Circle, while Dongfang Yuejian’s Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation kept it from breaking free.
• Master Xuanzhi used his wooden fish to strengthen his own restraint and bolster Dongfang Yuejian as she wielded One Stroke Opens Heaven.
• After the demon bone escaped and attacked Dongfang Yuejian, her scroll summoned Xu Taiping’s enormous, dragon-scaled form, which stopped its punch.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu recognized the figure as the one who had severely wounded Yin God Su Yan.

Heavenly Lord Shihu and Xiahou Qingyuan realized Dongfang Yuejian had summoned the powerful figure who once defeated Yin God Su Yan, and watched that figure destroy the Ox-Head Demon Bone with one punch. Yin God Huangpao then shattered the summoned physique and grievously injured Dongfang Yuejian, while Abbot Jiaye arrived and warned that the first tribulation lightning was about to fall.

• Heavenly Lord Shihu regretted that their journey might have been for nothing after realizing Dongfang Yuejian had summoned the figure who defeated Yin God Su Yan.
• Xu Taiping's strongest physique from the River of Time formed the Ancestral Sage Fist stance and destroyed the Ox-Head Demon Bone with one punch.
• Xiahou You recognized similarities between the summoned physique and Young Master Taiping but doubted Xu Taiping could have forged such strength at his age.
• Yin God Huangpao broke through the Pure Domain Canopy and pierced the summoned physique, causing it to shatter and Dongfang Yuejian to spit blood.
• Master Xuanzhi sheltered Dongfang Yuejian with the Golden Light Mantra, and Abbot Jiaye arrived and said the first tribulation lightning was about to fall.

As Yin Gods besieged Jiaye Temple, Abbot Jiaye prepared a last defense while Xu Taiping faced his first tribulation lightning. The chapter ended as Xu Taiping soared through the rain toward the tribulation clouds with his saber drawn.

• Huangpao's attacks weakened Abbot Jiaye's defenses, but Jiaye spent his remaining Buddha fate power to shield the temple from a crushing palm.
• When the Yin Gods broke through the domain canopy, Abbot Jiaye told Master Xuanzhi and Dongfang Yuejian how to flee or form the Thunder Sound Banner formation depending on whether Xu Taiping survived the first lightning strike.
• Abbot Jiaye offered his blood to restore Dongfang Yuejian so she could face Xunqi and Ghost Servant Madam Lu if they entered the formation.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu explained that Xu Taiping's tribulation cloud contained far more thunder than an ordinary first-level tribulation cloud.
• As the storm reached its peak, Xu Taiping appeared through the rain and flew toward the tribulation clouds with a long saber in hand.

Xu Taiping faced the first level of tribulation lightning without using his treasures or spiritual power, enduring the bolts with his body before charging the clouds with his fists. He destroyed the ninth bolt and its tribulation cloud, leaving the cultivators watching in stunned silence.

• Cultivators watching the projection blamed Xu Taiping for gaining an opportunity at the cost of Xuanzhi, Dongfang Yuejian, Abbot Jiaye, and Jiaye Temple.
• As the tribulation lightning approached, Xu Taiping put away his treasures and raised his qi and blood only to the Python Flood Dragon Realm.
• The first bolt pierced Xu Taiping's body and knocked him onto the roof of Jiaye Hall, prompting cultivators to mock him.
• Xu Taiping rose, declared that Qingxuan Xu Taiping would challenge the Heavenly Dao with his fists, and charged the tribulation clouds in his dragon whale physique.
• After enduring eight bolts and taking the ninth in his fist, Xu Taiping shattered both the lightning and the tribulation cloud, silencing the watching cultivators.

Xu Taiping shattered the first tribulation clouds with his bare hands and received an innate lightning pattern, then prepared to face twelve clouds with his blade. He merged his blade-practicing avatar into himself and gathered his resolve as the next lightning strike approached.

• Heavenly Lord Shihu explained that Xu Taiping’s flesh-and-blood trial and shattered clouds had earned him a Heavenly Dao gift, and Xu Taiping’s wounds healed as an innate lightning pattern appeared on his back.
• Xu Taiping rose, declared that he would challenge Heaven with his blade, and twelve tribulation clouds lit up overhead.
• The Lotus Eye offered Xu Taiping power from his future self, but he chose to rely on the Tribulation-Inquiry Method and asked whether surviving it could earn another Heavenly Dao gift.
• Xu Taiping sensed his remaining clones in the Demon-Suppressing Coffin and dispersed the avatar that had practiced the blade under the Blade Ghost, absorbing its strength and years of blade training.
• Xu Taiping’s sorrowful blade intent formed a stone stele bearing the names of those who had died defending the people and the Dao, with his own name appearing last.

Xu Taiping prepared to face the second wave of heavenly tribulation by drawing his blade against twelve glowing tribulation clouds, relying on his resolve and blade intent rather than treasures or a formation. As the onlookers debated whether he could survive, Lü Daoxuan urged the Azure Profound Sect to watch their disciple cleave the clouds and shatter the heavens.

• Xu Taiping drew on the resolve of the dead to raise his blade intent to its ultimate realm and took a blade-drawing stance beneath the twelve tribulation clouds.
• His blade intent spread through the Moonshadow Stone projection, astonishing the cultivators in the First-Rank Pavilion teahouse.
• Heavenly Lord Shihu praised Xu Taiping’s battlefield potential, while Xiahou Qingyuan called his plan to face the tribulation clouds with his blade reckless.
• The onlookers realized Xu Taiping had no treasures or formation to help him withstand the tribulation, and remembered that he was isolated from support.
• Zhao Qian lamented that the Azure Profound Sect had failed to provide Xu Taiping with a treasure, but Lü Daoxuan told the sect to watch him cleave the tribulation clouds.