Chapter Summaries

Lu Xi brought Xu Taiping, Ping'an, and Old Daoist Huang into the Yellow Springs Ruins and explained that Fengdu Prefecture required a test before newcomers could enter Wangjin Ferry. Xu Taiping chose to take the test, but Ghost King Qin Ming recognized him when he gave his name and sect.

• Lu Xi explained the Nine Springs and led the group down to Fengquan, the entrance to the Yellow Springs Ruins.
• The group passed through Fengquan Ghost Gate and arrived at the Fengdu Prefecture outpost, where Lu Xi warned that a Fengdu Token alone did not grant access to Wangjin Ferry.
• Xu Taiping presented the Fengdu Token and asked to enter Wangjin Ferry, and Qin Ming said a newcomer had to pass Fengdu Prefecture's test or spend half a year trying other forbidden grounds.
• Qin Ming required the weakest cultivator in the group to take the test, and Xu Taiping agreed despite Ping'an's objection.
• Qin Ming began registering Xu Taiping for a test broadcast across the Fengdu Star Domain, and Xu Taiping gave his name as Xu Taiping of Zhenwu Qingxuan.
• Qin Ming recognized Xu Taiping and exclaimed in surprise.

Xu Taiping joined two other cultivators in Fengdu Prefecture’s trial, which required them to survive relentless attacks from summoned Ghost Generals. As the Ghost Generals multiplied into the hundreds and overwhelmed the fighters, Ping'an and Old Daoist Huang remained confident that Xu Taiping’s Fengdu Token could still help.

• Ghost King Qin Ming warned Xu Taiping that Fengdu Prefecture’s trial would be difficult and brought him to join two cultivators who were also seeking entry to ordinary forbidden grounds.
• Qin Ming explained that they had to endure the Ghost Generals’ attacks for at least half an incense stick, and Xu Taiping asked whether he could use any means available.
• More than thirty Ghost Generals emerged, and the blond cultivator and the burly martial cultivator quickly defeated several while Xu Taiping held his own.
• Qin Ming summoned successive waves until more than four hundred Ghost Generals crowded the clearing, forcing Xu Taiping to reveal his ultimate realm true dragon divine being body.
• Qin Ming and Lu Xi dismissed the Fengdu Token’s usefulness against the swarm, but Ping'an and Old Daoist Huang remained confident in Xu Taiping.

Xu Taiping used the Fengdu Token to command the Ghost Generals after his final Arcane Essence Clone was destroyed. His battle intent awakened hundreds of Ghost Generals, who answered his call as the blond cultivator and the martial cultivator watched in shock.

• The blond cultivator and the martial cultivator were overwhelmed by Ghost Generals until the martial cultivator drove them back with Crimson Flame Heaven-Sealing and the blond cultivator disrupted them with flute music.
• The blond cultivator redirected the Ghost Generals toward Xu Taiping so he and the martial cultivator could recover, drawing anger from Ping'an and Old Daoist Huang.
• Xu Taiping evaded the horde with the Form- and Shadow-Transposition Technique until his final Arcane Essence Clone shattered.
• Xu Taiping raised the Fengdu Token and called the Ghost Generals to heed his command, prompting more than a dozen to answer.
• Xu Taiping roared again with overlord's breath, releasing a vast battle intent that made hundreds of Ghost Generals answer his call in unison.

Xu Taiping demonstrated extraordinary command of the ghost generals, using battle formations to defeat waves of enemies in the trial. Ghost King Qin Ming called him a born battle general, while powerful Upper Realm groups and the Fengdu Great Emperor began contacting Qin Ming about him.

• Xu Taiping gathered fewer than two hundred ghost generals, then formed them into a Great Slaughter Formation that repelled the far larger enemy force.
• Xu Taiping strengthened the formation’s battle intent and led the ghost generals in repeated charges, scattering and annihilating the ghost generals emerging from underground.
• Xu Taiping gradually used the Fengdu Token to summon more ghost generals until his formation numbered five hundred.
• Ghost King Qin Ming concluded that Xu Taiping was a born battle general.
• Qin Ming received invitations from Upper Realm powers seeking Xu Taiping and a warning from the Fengdu Great Emperor not to accept their promises readily.

Xu Taiping passed Fengdu’s test after defeating Zhou Yan and Zhao Yuan, earning permission to enter any Fengdu forbidden ground for three years. Ninth Madam then told him that Daoist Fengzhu and Heavenly Lord Xuanbei had renewed their request for his help entering a secret realm, while the two seniors waited anxiously for her to persuade him.

• After Ghost King Qin Ming announced that no more ghost generals would appear, Xu Taiping ordered one final Formation Charge against Zhou Yan and Zhao Yuan, who surrendered but were struck by the attack.
• Zhao Yuan complained to Qin Ming, and Zhou Yan threatened Xu Taiping, but Qin Ming refused to intervene and Zhou Yan left with Zhao Yuan.
• The gray mist dispersed, and Qin Ming announced that Xu Taiping had passed Fengdu’s test and could enter any forbidden ground there for three years.
• Xu Taiping received a transmission from Ninth Madam, who said Daoist Fengzhu and Heavenly Lord Xuanbei had changed their minds after watching his test and wanted him to enter a secret realm.
• At the Black Prison, Daoist Fengzhu and Heavenly Lord Xuanbei urged Ninth Madam to persuade Xu Taiping, and she told them they should show him some sincerity.

Xu Taiping and his companions followed Ghost King Qin Ming to Nether Spring Hall, where Old Daoist Huang detected that the teleportation array posed an ill omen. After identifying two guests as its likely source, Huang also sensed that they were connected to a great opportunity involving the Yellow Springs Entrance.

• Ping'an and Xu Taiping discussed the offer Heavenly Lord Xuanbei and Daoist Fengzhu were still considering, while Old Daoist Huang warned that his twitching eyelid foretold trouble.
• Xu Taiping used his Lotus Eye and saw a vision of Ping'an warning that they were deep inside Wangjin Ferry among Chaos Demon Seeds, while Huang urged him to escape because someone had tampered with the array.
• Xu Taiping warned Ping'an and Huang about the teleportation array and lent Huang the Blade of Guicang so he could conceal his aura and inspect the people there.
• Qin Ming led the group into Nether Spring Hall and introduced Shang Yu, a charming woman, and a gray-haired old man who would travel with them to the Nether Spring Domain.
• Huang identified the woman and old man as the source of the ill omen, then urged Xu Taiping not to expose them because they were also tied to a great opportunity involving the Yellow Springs Entrance.

Xu Taiping discovered that the Teleportation Tokens were tampered with and used his Lotus Eye to uncover a warning about Wangjin Ferry. He realized the approaching danger could also present an opportunity as he prepared to respond before the teleportation array activated.

• Xu Taiping accepted three Teleportation Tokens from Shang Yu, and his Lotus Eye reacted as he took them.
• Xu Taiping secretly told Old Daoist Huang that something was wrong with the tokens, while Huang stalled for time by questioning Ghost King Qin Ming.
• Xu Taiping opened the Divine Soul Mark and saw Fairy Yunxiao and Steward Zhou discuss Madam Xiao's order to send him and his companions into Wangjin Ferry's depths by tampering with the tokens.
• Xu Taiping's vision shifted to Wangjin Ferry, where Chaos Demon Seeds and Ghost Corpses surged from the forbidden grounds toward the outskirts.
• Xu Taiping realized the vision might warn of an impending attack and that the danger could bring an opportunity, then opened his eyes with excitement.

Xu Taiping learned that the Hundred Ghosts Night Run could drive powerful creatures from Wangjin Ferry’s forbidden depths into its outer reaches, confirming what the Lotus Eye had seen. He and his companions entered the forbidden grounds by teleportation, where Fairy Yunxiao wished him good luck.

• Xu Taiping asked Ghost King Qin Ming whether creatures from Wangjin Ferry’s forbidden depths could appear in the outer reaches, and Qin Ming explained that the rare Hundred Ghosts Night Run could drive them out.
• Xu Taiping recognized the phenomenon as what the Lotus Eye had encountered, and Old Daoist Huang inferred that it could turn their opponents’ scheme into a fortuitous opportunity.
• Hall Master Shang Yu announced that the Grand Formation was opening and directed Xu Taiping and the others to take their Teleportation Tokens and stand on the stone toad’s tongue.
• Ghost King Qin Ming told Xu Taiping that crushing his Teleportation Token within half an hour would return him to Nether Spring Hall.
• The stone toad teleported Xu Taiping and his companions into the forbidden grounds, where Fairy Yunxiao wished him good luck.

Xu Taiping, Ping'an, and Old Daoist Huang arrived deep inside Wangjin Ferry's forbidden grounds and witnessed the Hundred Ghosts Night Run. The procession appeared harmless under the Blade of Guicang's concealment, until Xu Taiping recognized his Second Senior Brother, Dugu Qingxiao, among the ghosts.

• Xu Taiping and his companions emerged at White Bone Shoals and confirmed they had been transported to the depths of Wangjin Ferry's forbidden grounds.
• Charred Bones and other Demonic Beasts rushed past them toward the outskirts, leaving behind an eerie silence.
• Xu Taiping used the Blade of Guicang's Mountain Edge, Sea End to conceal their auras and explained their plan to Ping'an.
• Great Ghosts and chained humanoid Ghost Creatures streamed past Lion Bridge during the Hundred Ghosts Night Run without noticing the three.
• Xu Taiping saw a ghostly figure with Dugu Qingxiao's face among the procession and recognized his Second Senior Brother.

Xu Taiping learned that Dugu Qingxiao was at risk of losing his humanity as a Ghost Warden and sent him a Divine Soul Mark through Ping'an. Dugu Qingxiao responded, and the signs of the Yellow Springs Entrance began appearing at Wangjin Ferry as Xu Taiping urged everyone onto the bridge.

• Old Daoist Huang explained that Dugu Qingxiao could become a Ghost Warden and lose his humanity, though he might retain his true nature if his will remained firm.
• Xu Taiping sealed memories and a message into a Divine Soul Mark, and Ping'an used Mind-Heart Communication to send it to Dugu Qingxiao.
• Dugu Qingxiao raised the familiar Sword Finger gesture, confirming that he had heard Ping'an and still retained part of his true nature.
• Old Daoist Huang spotted Netherfire above the White Bone Shoals, and strange fish leaped across them as Xu Taiping recognized the signs from the song about the Yellow Springs Entrance.
• Xu Taiping urged everyone to get onto the bridge because the Yellow Springs Entrance might soon appear.

Xu Taiping and his companions discovered how the Wangchen Clan’s song pointed them to a bell on Lion Bridge, then used it and the Moon-Locking Key to summon cold crows. The crows led them toward a black pillar that might mark the Yellow Springs entrance, where Xu Taiping sensed another of Fairy Lingyue’s tokens.

• Xu Taiping flew above Lion Bridge with Xiaohei and saw that the netherfire formed a spiral centered beneath the bridge arch.
• Xu Taiping and Old Daoist Huang spotted a bell engraved with “Sunken Abyss” and realized the underwater abyss was likely a trap.
• Ping'an struck the bell repeatedly, summoning a flock of cold crows that stopped attacking when Xu Taiping showed them the key from the Fulai Inn's Boss's Wife.
• Xiaohei followed the cold crows north to a clearing with an enormous black pillar, which Ping'an believed stood near the Yellow Springs entrance.
• Xu Taiping's jade pendant grew hot beside the pillar, and he suspected Fairy Lingyue had left another token there, so he urged Xiaohei to fly faster.

Xu Taiping and Old Daoist Huang entered a hidden chamber beneath the black pillar, where they found a token left by Fairy Lingyue and three Jade Pillows. After touching one of the pillows, Old Daoist Huang suddenly experienced the Netherworld Realm.

• The black pillar sank into the Cold Pool, and a crow dropped a key into its center, opening a stairway beneath the stone platform.
• Xu Taiping and Old Daoist Huang descended into a chamber while Ping'an and Xiaohei stayed on guard above.
• Xu Taiping opened a bronze chest containing three Jade Pillows and a Jade Pendant that carried Fairy Lingyue's aura.
• Old Daoist Huang touched a Jade Pillow, froze, and then told Xu Taiping that he had entered the Netherworld Realm.

Xu Taiping and Old Daoist Huang discovered that the Crescent Jade Pillows led into Yellow Springs, and Fairy Lingyue confirmed they could also serve as an exit. She agreed that she could guide Dugu Qingxiao back, but insisted Xu Taiping reach the Dao Integration Realm before entering Yellow Springs.

• Old Daoist Huang explained that touching a Jade Pillow sent the soul into a strange realm, and Xu Taiping touched one to test it.
• Xu Taiping encountered a rotting creature in the realm before Old Daoist Huang pulled him back into the stone chamber.
• Xu Taiping summoned Fairy Lingyue with the Jade Pendant, and she confirmed the Jade Pillows were entrances to Yellow Springs.
• Fairy Lingyue warned that entering Yellow Springs would severely restrict their powers and expose them to deadly dangers.
• Xu Taiping insisted he would tell Dugu Qingxiao about the entrance, and Fairy Lingyue said she knew how to guide him out.
• Fairy Lingyue demanded that Xu Taiping break through to the Dao Integration Realm before entering Yellow Springs.

Xu Taiping learned that he needed to reach the Dao Integration Realm before he could uncover Fairy Lingyue’s method for rescuing his Second Senior Brother from the Yellow Springs, and he began planning the breakthrough. He and his companions gathered valuables in the forbidden grounds, while Ghost King Qin Ming feared they had died after half a month without their return.

• Fairy Lingyue’s Divine Sense phantom told Xu Taiping that the Jade Pendant held a method for rescuing his Second Senior Brother, but he had to reach the Dao Integration Realm and inject Divine Marrow to access it.
• Old Daoist Huang explained that Xu Taiping needed a safe Star Ruins rich in Star Marrow Power, protective formations, and powerful allies to survive his breakthrough and handle Otherworldly Heavenly Demons.
• Xu Taiping decided to use his accumulated connections, consult Ninth Madam or the Abyssal Pavilion, and break through sooner rather than wait years.
• Xu Taiping, Old Daoist Huang, Ping'an, and Xiaohei prepared to gather more valuables from the forbidden grounds to exchange for resources.
• After half a month without Xu Taiping and the others returning, Ghost King Qin Ming assumed they had perished in the Hundred Ghosts Night Run, then received another message from Ninth Madam.

Ghost King Qin Ming visited Nine Springs Market while waiting for news of Xu Taiping and his companions, who remained trapped at Wangjin Ferry. He learned that Yuwen Shuo and Guan Cixue had brought a batch of netherworld artifacts, including a major artifact, and spotted Heavenly Lord Hanjian protecting them.

• Qin Ming asked Market Master Bai Mo about Xu Taiping, and Bai Mo feared the group would not return from Wangjin Ferry.
• Bai Mo told Qin Ming that the recent upheaval had yielded many netherworld artifacts and that Nine Springs Artifact Pavilion had received several major ones.
• A young ghost official reported that cultivators had brought a large batch of artifacts to the pavilion, including a major artifact.
• Bai Mo recognized the cultivators as Yuwen Shuo and Guan Cixue, and Qin Ming realized Heavenly Lord Hanjian was protecting them.
• Yuwen Shuo impatiently demanded a price for the artifacts, and Bai Mo hurried over to apologize while Qin Ming searched the crowd and spotted Heavenly Lord Hanjian.

At the Artifact Pavilion, Bai Mo identified Yuwen Shuo’s Bronze Pestle as the legendary Netherworld Court Reverse Spring Pestle, and Yuwen Shuo demanded that Fengdu Prefecture provide protection in exchange for it. His accusations against Heavenly Lord Hanjian prompted Guan Cixue to remind him that the group had been trapped in Hanging Mirror Mountain because of his actions.

• Bai Mo used the Netherworld Appraisal Mirror to identify Yuwen Shuo’s Bronze Pestle as the Reverse Spring Pestle, a mighty treasure of the Netherworld Court.
• Yuwen Shuo said he would auction the pestle unless Fengdu Prefecture offered him a more favorable deal.
• Yuwen Shuo demanded that the Fengdu Great Emperor protect him in the four forbidden grounds and that Qin Ming accompany him throughout the Yellow Springs Ruins.
• Heavenly Lord Hanjian warned Yuwen Shuo to watch his words, but Yuwen Shuo accused him of neglecting him during the expedition.
• Guan Cixue rebuked Yuwen Shuo and said his insistence on taking the artifacts had trapped the group, while Heavenly Lord Hanjian had defeated the Chaos Demonic Beast that let them escape.

Yuwen Shuo refused to trade his powerful Netherworld Artifact unless Fengdu Prefecture met his demands, while Xu Taiping returned from Wangjin Ferry with his companions. After Yuwen Shuo stormed off in anger at the Great Emperor’s regard for Xu Taiping, Xu Taiping revealed that he had brought back a batch of Netherworld Artifacts.

• Yuwen Shuo accused Guan Cixue and the others of coveting his artifacts and insisted Fengdu Prefecture accept his two conditions.
• Qin Ming agreed to one condition but refused to let the Great Emperor serve as Yuwen Shuo’s protector, leaving negotiations at an impasse.
• Xu Taiping arrived at the Artifact Pavilion with Ping'an and their companions, and Qin Ming welcomed him back safely from Wangjin Ferry.
• Bai Mo revealed that the Fengdu Great Emperor had ordered a search for Xu Taiping, making the jealous Yuwen Shuo furious and prompting him to leave.
• Qin Ming explained the dispute over Yuwen Shuo’s powerful Netherworld Artifact, and Xu Taiping said he had brought back a batch of Netherworld Artifacts of his own.

Xu Taiping brought a batch of netherworld artifacts to the Artifact Pavilion, where Yuwen Shuo pushed for them to be appraised in front of the crowd. After the first item was identified as a low-rank white bone shoal, Xu Taiping learned it was worth one Spirit Marrow Crystal and accepted the price as onlookers mocked him.

• Ghost King Qin Ming and Pavilion Master Bai Mo were surprised that Xu Taiping had brought netherworld artifacts out of the forbidden grounds.
• Yuwen Shuo urged the Artifact Pavilion to appraise Xu Taiping's artifacts ahead of the waiting cultivators, and Xu Taiping agreed.
• Xu Taiping placed a white bone shoal beneath the Spirit Mirror, which identified it as a low-rank netherworld artifact.
• Xu Taiping asked whether the Artifact Pavilion would buy the white bone shoal, and Bai Mo offered one Spirit Marrow Crystal for it.
• Xu Taiping was pleased by the offer, while Yuwen Shuo and other cultivators mocked him for being excited over the price.

Xu Taiping sold Fengdu Prefecture nearly a hundred thousand White Bone Shoals, then Yuwen Shuo threatened to withhold his Reverse Spring Pestle unless Fengdu refused to buy Xu Taiping’s Netherworld Artifacts. Qin Ming delayed his decision until the Artifact Pavilion appraised Xu Taiping’s remaining goods.

• Xu Taiping poured nearly a hundred thousand White Bone Shoals from his Qiankun Bag into the Artifact Pavilion, astonishing the onlookers.
• Qin Ming agreed that Fengdu would buy the White Bone Shoals for one spirit marrow crystal each, while Yuwen Shuo dismissed their value compared with a Heavy Artifact.
• Yuwen Shuo demanded that Fengdu stop buying Netherworld Artifacts from Xu Taiping, drawing protests from Bai Mo, Xiahou You, Qu Chao Ci, and Jiang Shuoxue.
• Yuwen Shuo threatened Qin Ming and demanded that Fengdu choose between buying his Reverse Spring Pestle and choosing Xu Taiping.
• Xu Taiping told Qin Ming to cancel their transaction if his remaining artifacts were worth less than the Reverse Spring Pestle, and Qin Ming proposed appraising them before deciding.

Xu Taiping presented a mountain of valuable Netherworld Artifacts, then revealed the Sunken Abyss Bell, which the Artifact Pavilion confirmed was a supreme treasure and the key to guiding the way to the Yellow Springs. After declaring that Fengdu could finally reopen the Netherworld, Ghost King Qin Ming ordered Yuwen Shuo to leave.

• Xu Taiping displayed the Netherworld Artifacts he and his companions had collected, impressing Ghost King Qin Ming and Pavilion Master Bai Mo with their quantity and value.
• Xu Taiping had Ping'an bring out the Sunken Abyss Bell, and Bai Mo identified it after testing its Netherworld Qi.
• The Spirit Mirror confirmed that the Sunken Abyss Bell was a supreme treasure and the key to guiding the way to the Yellow Springs.
• Ghost King Qin Ming struck the bell, causing a wave of force to shake the cultivators' divine souls, and proclaimed that Fengdu could finally reopen the Netherworld.
• Ghost King Qin Ming struck the bell again, then turned on Yuwen Shuo and told him to leave.