Arc 75The Thunder Beast and Cold River

Xiao Hua survived the Yanlin Mountain Marsh tribulation, reunited with Xue Xue and freed Xiangyang’s family before they escaped the Huanling Sect’s pursuit. As Xiao Hua and Xue Xue traveled onward, he defeated Shang Cheng at Cold River Tower and helped Han Yi begin a new path of cultivation.

  • Xiao Hua endured the crimson lightning tribulation, helped the Five Spirits defeat Chao Long, and searched Yanlin Mountain Marsh for Xue Xue.
  • Xiao Hua found Xue Xue, Xiangyang, and Yan Qinglian trapped by two Thunder Beasts, then spent nearly a year mastering the spirit fire needed to break the Blood-Red Seal.
  • Xiao Hua freed the group and learned that Yan Qinglian had given birth to Xiang Zhili and that the mother Thunder Beast had died after helping with the delivery.
  • Xiao Hua and Xiangyang’s family escaped Li Dongming’s demand for Chao Long’s essence, and Xiangyang arranged for Gan Ping to escort his family back to the Thunder Control Sect.
  • Xiao Hua and Xue Xue traveled toward Meng Kingdom while Yan Yu and his allies searched for Xiao Hua, and during their journey, Xiao Hua refined Earth Crystal Yao Ru and gave Xue Xue a defensive artifact.
  • At Cold River Tower, Xiao Hua refused to give Shang Cheng the Little Bok Choy fish, then fought and killed him after Shang Cheng poisoned Han Jiang.
  • Xiao Hua helped Madam Liu find a future for Han Yi by arranging for Qiang Lihao to take him into the Qiang family, while Qiang Xuemei began to tell Xue Xue something about Xiao Hua and Qiang Yulian.
Chapters 1851–1875 Vol. 19 Read

Ch. 1851Thunder Tribulation Comes to Offer Congratulations

Xiao Hua completed Foundation Establishment beneath the sacrificial platform, but a crimson lightning tribulation descended and began transforming his Phoenix Dharma Body and striking his Buddha Sarira. The chapter ended as the tribulation’s excruciating assault continued.

  • Yuan Feng, Man Yun, and Hu Yue Shi watched the phenomenon around the sacrificial platform and wondered whether Chao Long was forming a core.
  • Xiao Hua consumed three hundred and sixty Foundation Establishment Pills, converted his true qi into true essence, and discovered an illusory point revolving in his lower dantian.
  • Crimson thunderclouds gathered over Yanlin Mountain Marsh, and Yuan Feng warned the disciples to put away their spirit beasts and avoid circulating their cultivation techniques or divine senses.
  • Xiao Hua tested his newly strengthened Fireball Technique, but heavenly might froze him before he could attack the wronged souls.
  • A crimson lightning net shattered Xiao Hua’s Phoenix Dharma Body into tiny points and infused them with wind, fire, and lightning before the Dharma Body began to reform.
  • The lightning struck Xiao Hua’s Buddha Sarira, subjecting him to an unbearable numbing itch and agony.

Ch. 1852I... Was Only at Foundation Establishment

Xiao Hua endured a brutal lightning tribulation that rebuilt his body and strengthened his Buddha Sarira, then found himself facing a wounded Chao Long spirit essence. He joined the Five Spirits battling it, but his attacks had little effect as the Chao Long focused on breaking the formation.

  • Xiao Hua tossed two sariras into the lightning net, and their melted remains formed a layer beneath his Buddha Sarira.
  • The final lightning net tore Xiao Hua's body into fragments, but his bones drew the pieces together and helped repair him as they absorbed the lightning.
  • The Dragon Transformation Art surged through Xiao Hua's meridians, and the lightning struck his dragon veins before the tribulation finally stopped.
  • Xiao Hua spotted a badly injured Chao Long spirit essence and saw five lights shaped like the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, and a Qilin-like beast attack it.
  • After Xiao Hua regained movement, he sent Zhu Meng, his Phoenix Dharma Body, and his Buddha Sarira's Lin true word against the Chao Long.
  • Xiao Hua's Town Cloud Seal, magical treasures, and talismans failed to harm the Chao Long, which focused its attacks on the weakening Qilin light.

Ch. 1853Xiao Hua, Five Spirits Battle Chao Long

Xiao Hua and the Huanling Sect weakened Chao Long’s spirit essence with the Five Spirits, the Spirit Devouring Cultivation Method, and Xiao Hua’s Buddha Sarira. When Chao Long turned on Xiao Hua to escape, Xiao Hua burned it with crimson spirit fire, and his Phoenix Dharma Body swallowed the remnant, bringing another flood of memories into his mind.

  • The Qilin entered the Dust-Repelling Beast’s body and emerged stronger, while Chao Long escaped the Five Spirits’ restraint through a flaw in the formation.
  • Elder Yuan Feng and the Huanling Sect disciples used the Spirit Devouring Cultivation Method to seize Chao Long, and Xiao Hua’s Buddha Sarira stopped departed souls from aiding it.
  • Chao Long burst free of the Five Spirits and the suction forces, scattering its spirit essence as the Huanling Sect elders and disciples began refining it.
  • Chao Long feinted past Xiao Hua and tried to flee through the formation’s flaw, but the Qilin blocked its route and forced it back toward Xiao Hua.
  • Xiao Hua used the ancient Divine Fire Control Art to ignite Chao Long with crimson spirit fire, reducing its spirit essence to a tiny remnant.
  • The Phoenix Dharma Body swallowed the remnant, triggering a torrent of memories that Suo Guang sealed away; the Five Spirits then returned to their positions.

Ch. 1854Xie Zhiqian of Ascension Gate

Xiao Hua escaped the Huanling Sect’s array after delivering the departed souls and learned that he had disrupted the sect’s plans to obtain Chao Long’s spirit essence. He headed deeper into Yanlin Mountain Marsh to find Xue Xue, then met Xie Zhiqian of Ascension Gate, who was interested in the Thunder Control Sect’s Lightning Evasion Technique.

  • Xiao Hua used the flaw in the array to escape the fire lake after delivering all the departed souls.
  • Elder Yuan Feng discovered that the space beneath the altar had been emptied and sent Huanling Sect disciples in pursuit of Xiao Hua.
  • Xiao Hua returned to the empty caverns, realized the Huanling Sect had been behind the array, and suspected Xue Xue was carrying his Sun Moon Crown.
  • Xiao Hua sensed the Sun Moon Crown vaguely and flew toward the depths of Yanlin Mountain Marsh to search for Xue Xue.
  • Xie Zhiqian of Ascension Gate approached Xiao Hua, asked about his Lightning Evasion Technique, and Xiao Hua offered to lead him toward Zhen Ye.

Ch. 1855There Were Actually Two Thunder Beasts

Xiao Hua followed the Sun Moon Crown’s aura into a hidden cave, where he found Xue Xue, Xiangyang, and Yan Qinglian cornered by two Thunder Beasts. He attacked the beasts just as one prepared to seize Xue Xue, and both turned their lightning attacks on him.

  • Xie Zhiqian gave Xiao Hua a jade slip for Zhen Ye and a Minghua Pill before leaving to search for another item.
  • Xiao Hua fought through a swarm of fire bats and followed the Sun Moon Crown’s aura to a concealed cave among stone spikes.
  • A powerful divine sense searched the cave, forcing Xiao Hua to hide from it and evade fire rats in the lava.
  • Xiao Hua entered a cave dwelling filled with bones and found Zhen Ye, Feng Shuqing, Liu Mingsheng, Jiang Zhucheng, and a female cultivator dead.
  • Xiao Hua saw two Thunder Beasts threatening Xue Xue, Xiangyang, and Yan Qinglian, then sent his Slay Dream Flying Sword at them.
  • Both Thunder Beasts turned from Xue Xue and attacked Xiao Hua with lightning nets.

Ch. 1856Fighting Two Beasts with Might

Xiao Hua fought the Thunder Beasts with his sword lights, Phoenix Dharma Body, and demonic hammer, badly wounding the pregnant mother Thunder Beast. The male Thunder Beast blocked his pursuit and launched its Inner Core at Xiao Hua, whose fire dragon failed to stop it.

  • Xiao Hua used the Town Cloud Seal against the lightning net while sending sword lights at the male Thunder Beast.
  • The male Thunder Beast knocked away Xiao Hua's sword lights and struck his divine sense, while the mother Thunder Beast turned to protect it.
  • Xiao Hua used his Phoenix Dharma Body to block the mother Thunder Beast's lightning and then battered her with the demonic hammer.
  • Xiao Hua's final hammer blow sent the mother Thunder Beast crashing into the white bones, where she trembled and clutched her writhing belly.
  • The male Thunder Beast blocked Xiao Hua and attacked with its Inner Core, which shattered the fire dragon from Xiao Hua's Leaf Sun Fan and continued toward his head.

Ch. 1857Blood-Red Seal

Xiao Hua and Xue Xue escaped the Thunder Beasts’ cave as the male Thunder Beast unleashed a Blood-Red Seal, leaving Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian trapped inside. Xiao Hua resolved to find a way to break the seal and recover his senior brother and sister-in-law, though he learned that only a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator might be able to do so.

  • Xiao Hua used his crimson spirit fire against the male Thunder Beast while going to help Xue Xue, Xiangyang, and Yan Qinglian escape.
  • The male Thunder Beast unleashed a Blood-Red Seal, and Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian gave Xiao Hua an Evasion Talisman so he could flee with Xue Xue.
  • Xiao Hua and Xue Xue escaped the seal, and Xue Xue noticed that Xiao Hua had established his foundation.
  • Xiao Hua realized he could not abandon Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian, and he and Xue Xue decided to remain and seek a way to break the seal.
  • Xiao Hua determined that breaking the Blood-Red Seal required strength equivalent to an eighth-grade spirit beast, attainable only by a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator.

Ch. 1858Helpless

Xiao Hua struggled to break the blood-red seal around the cavern abode and considered seeking help, but feared that doing so would expose his treasures and the Thunder Beasts’ Inner Cores. After learning how Xue Xue and the others had reached the cavern, he studied his spirit-fire control method and finally found a possible way to act.

  • Xiao Hua tried several magic treasures and his Phoenix Dharma Body against the sealed cavern, but none could breach it.
  • Xue Xue told Xiao Hua that the two Thunder Beasts had killed Feng Shuqing, Zhen Ye, Liu Mingsheng, and Jiang Zhucheng, while the male beast had spared her and protected Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian from its mate.
  • Xiao Hua chose not to seek outside help because he feared True Person Leixiao might discover his spirit fire, flying sword, and the Thunder Beasts’ Inner Cores.
  • Xiao Hua began studying the method for controlling his spirit fire, hoping to use it while the fire remained inside the seal.
  • Several days later, Xiao Hua sprang up and told Xue Xue that he had found a way to use the method.

Ch. 1859Secret Art Breaks the Seal

Xiao Hua used a secret art from the Divine Fire Art to control spirit fire against the blood-colored seal while cultivating an Earth attribute technique. After months of effort, the seal broke, but a baby's cry from the cave left him alarmed that the Thunder Beast had given birth.

  • Xiao Hua discovered that Samadhi True Fire and Lingmou Zhu Fire could not ignite the lamp oil, so he used a secret art to connect with the spirit fire trapped inside the seal.
  • Xiao Hua chose to cultivate the Huanling Sect's Earth Expansion technique instead of the fire attribute Wrathful Fire Art, while continuing to control the spirit fire.
  • Over the following months, Xiao Hua improved his control of the spirit fire as Xue Xue stayed with him in the Thunder Beast's cave abode.
  • After nearly a year, Xiao Hua gathered his power and sent a hand seal into the blood-colored seal, then drew the spirit fire back into his hand.
  • The seal trembled and faded, revealing the cave abode, and Xiao Hua heard a baby's wail and feared the Thunder Beast had given birth.

Ch. 1860Xiang Zhili Is Born

Xiao Hua found that Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian had survived the Thunder Beast ordeal and welcomed their newborn son, Xiang Zhili. After learning how the mother Thunder Beast died and how Xiangyang regained his health, Xiao Hua stopped the couple from kneeling to thank him.

  • Xiao Hua and Xue Xue entered the cave abode and discovered that Xiangyang had regained his youthful appearance and Yan Qinglian had given birth to Xiang Zhili.
  • Xiangyang explained that the mother Thunder Beast had died after Yan Qinglian helped deliver her cub, and that she had left her Inner Core as payment for sparing the cub.
  • Xiangyang used the male Thunder Beast's Inner Core to restore his Dao Foundation and lifespan, then conceived Xiang Zhili with Yan Qinglian after forty-nine nights together.
  • Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian tried to kneel before Xiao Hua, but he used his spiritual power to keep them standing.
  • Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian were astonished that Xiao Hua's spiritual power surpassed theirs.

Ch. 1861Two Matters

Xiao Hua reunited with Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian after breaking the seal, and they thanked him before asking him to become Xiang Zhili’s master. Xiao Hua declined but promised to teach the boy a great divine ability later, then took in the dying Thunder Beast cub and left the cave with the others as Xiangyang prepared to return to Myriad Thunder Valley.

  • Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian thanked Xiao Hua for freeing them and asked him to take Xiang Zhili as his master, but Xiao Hua refused because he lacked the knowledge to teach him.
  • Xiao Hua promised to give Xiang Zhili a great divine ability once he had made progress in cultivation.
  • Xiao Hua took the dying Thunder Beast cub, Little Lei, into his space, where the cub absorbed the lightning without harm.
  • Xiangyang gave Xiao Hua four storage bags containing items from the cave, while keeping Martial Uncle Zhen Ye’s belongings and part of the male Thunder Beast’s inner core for the sect.
  • Xiao Hua put away the Rabbit Formation and led the group out of the cave, and Xiangyang said he would return to Myriad Thunder Valley with Yan Qinglian and Xiang Zhili.

Ch. 1862Undying Thieves' Hearts

Xiangyang, Xiao Hua, Yan Qinglian, and the infant left Yanlin Mountain Marsh for Xihuang Town, but Huanling Sect cultivators pursued them over Chao Long spirit essence. Li Dongming demanded that they reveal where the spirit essence was, leaving the two groups facing off above a fire lake.

  • Xiangyang agreed to let Xiao Hua accompany him and the others back to Xihuang Town.
  • Qiong Ming questioned the group about a ferocious beast, then dismissed them despite Li Dongming urging him to investigate further.
  • Li Dongming led several Huanling Sect disciples in pursuit of Xiangyang's group, while Qiong Ming returned to report their dispute to an elder.
  • Xiangyang stopped above a fire lake and asked why the Huanling Sect was pursuing them.
  • Li Dongming's disciples surrounded the group, and he demanded that they hand over the Chao Long spirit essence or reveal its location.

Ch. 1863Trying to Steal a Chicken, Losing the Rice Instead

Xiao Hua and Xiangyang faced Li Dongming, who accused them of taking a Huanling Sect essence soul and demanded to search their storage pouches. Xiao Hua seized Li Dongming and secretly forced him to invent a friendly history between them, leaving the group free to go and Xue Xue teasing Xiao Hua about his claimed past.

  • Li Dongming accused Xiangyang and Xiao Hua of stealing Zhuolong's essence soul and demanded their storage pouches.
  • Xiao Hua attacked the Huanling Sect disciples with fire dragons and separated Li Dongming from the group.
  • Xiao Hua fought through Li Dongming's defenses and grabbed him by the throat.
  • Xiao Hua used a soundproof talisman to pressure Li Dongming into claiming they had met two years earlier and were old acquaintances.
  • Li Dongming persuaded his junior brothers that the dispute was resolved, then left with them.
  • Xue Xue teased Xiao Hua for claiming he had established his foundation three years earlier.

Ch. 1864Using Authority for Personal Gain

Xiao Hua and Xue Xue continued toward Xihuang Town with Xiangyang, Yan Qinglian, and Xiang Zhili, while Xiangyang arranged an escort back to the Thunder Control Sect for Zhen Ye’s remains and belongings. As the group waited for help, Xiao Hua wondered whether Dry Thunder Palace’s activity was connected to Gan Qinghuo.

  • Xiao Hua told Xue Xue that he had made a secret arrangement with Li Dongming, then enjoyed being treated as a Foundation Establishment senior by passing cultivators.
  • Near Xihuang Town, Xiao Hua and his companions encountered an unfamiliar mid Foundation Establishment cultivator who snubbed Xiangyang and Yan Qinglian before flying away.
  • Xiangyang stopped and used a Concealed Thunder Voice Transmission Talisman to summon a Thunder Control Sect guard disciple.
  • Xiangyang showed Gan Ping his command plaques and privately explained that Zhen Ye had died and that his remains and storage pouch were in Xiangyang’s possession.
  • Gan Ping verified Xiangyang’s identity and left to summon disciples who would escort Xiangyang, Yan Qinglian, and Xiang Zhili back to the Thunder Control Sect.
  • Xiangyang wondered why Gan Ping, a Dry Thunder Palace disciple, was guarding Xihuang Town, and Xiao Hua suspected the deployment might be connected to Gan Qinghuo.

Ch. 1865Yan Yu of the Xunyan Sect

Xiao Hua and Xue Xue set out toward the Qiang He Sea, while Xiao Hua postponed his revenge against the Hundred Herbs Sect until he grew stronger. Meanwhile, Yan Yu learned that Xiao Hua had vanished during the collapse of the Five Elements Soul Restraining Array, but he remained uncertain whether Xiao Hua had actually died.

  • Xue Xue explained the route through Xi Kingdom and Meng Kingdom to the Qiang He Sea, including a dangerous passage through the Mo Ran Black Forest, and Xiao Hua agreed to follow her lead.
  • Xiao Hua resolved to wait until he reached mid Foundation Establishment before seeking revenge on the Hundred Herbs Sect, then entered the Teleportation Array with Xue Xue.
  • Yan Yu arrived in Yanlin Mountain Marsh and told Liang Yu that he wanted revenge on Xiao Hua for killing his great-grandson Yan Liwei and Cai Zhuoxia.
  • Qian Han and Xie Ming met Yan Yu and explained that Jiang Zhucheng had perished after Xiao Hua broke the male Thunder Beast's blood-colored seal, while Xiao Hua had disappeared when the Five Elements Soul Restraining Array collapsed.
  • Yan Yu rejoiced at the news but asked whether Qian Han had personally seen Xiao Hua die.

Ch. 1866Tracking

Qian Han, Xie Ming, Yan Yu, and Liang Yu realized Xiaohua had survived and set out to pursue him toward Haoming City, hoping to avenge old grievances and seize his possessions. Unaware of the pursuit, Xiaohua traveled with Xue Xue and reflected on the heavenly Dao before suddenly sensing danger.

  • Yan Yu learned that Xiaohua had appeared with the Thunder Control Sect disciples, and Qian Han and Xie Ming recognized that Xiaohua had likely escaped with the Thunder Beast's Inner Core and four storage bags.
  • Yan Yu bribed a watchkeeping disciple for news and learned Xiaohua had probably headed toward Haoming City, though his route was unknown.
  • Yan Yu, Qian Han, Xie Ming, and Liang Yu agreed to search for Xiaohua and divide what they found on him.
  • Xiaohua traveled with Xue Xue and discussed whether the heavenly Dao was heartless or fair, citing Eldest Senior Brother's changed fortunes.
  • Xue Xue argued that Eldest Senior Brother's fulfillment depended on Xiaohua's help, and Xiaohua hoped fairness might still become universal before suddenly reacting and reaching for Xue Xue.

Ch. 1867Beauty like Jade, Butterflies like Orchids

Xiao Hua gained insight into the Heavenly Dao Starry Sky and underwent an unusual cultivation transformation that left him briefly intangible, while Xue Xue anxiously watched over him. Afterward, he gave her a butterfly-shaped defensive artifact to refine, then began refining Earth Crystal Yao Ru, encasing himself in black mist as Xue Xue looked on in alarm.

  • Xiao Hua sensed changes in the Heavenly Dao Starry Sky and entered seclusion with Xue Xue in a cave.
  • After a hundred days, Xiao Hua faded into emptiness and expanded and contracted through three hundred and sixty cycles, while Xue Xue discovered that her hand and divine sense passed through him.
  • Xiao Hua returned to normal and comforted the frightened Xue Xue, who wrote a secret message on her jade slip and told him to reveal it when the time was right.
  • Xiao Hua gave Xue Xue a butterfly-shaped defensive artifact and a storage bag, and she refined the artifact over three days.
  • Xiao Hua named the artifact Phalaenopsis orchid, then began refining Earth Crystal Yao Ru, which spread black mist around him and solidified into a shell.

Ch. 1868Thirty-Two Sword Lights

Xiao Hua absorbed Earth Crystal Yao Ru, strengthened his cultivation and divine sense, and advanced Sword Manifests the World to thirty-two sword lights before continuing toward Meng Kingdom with Xue Xue. Meanwhile, Yan Yu and his companions failed to find them, and Xiao Hua and Xue Xue eventually arrived at a riverside town and entered Cold River Tower.

  • Xiao Hua absorbed Earth Crystal Yao Ru over a hundred days, strengthening his Phoenix Dharma Body, meridians, and divine sense.
  • Xiao Hua split Zhùmèng into thirty-two sword lights, then left with Xue Xue toward Meng Kingdom.
  • Yan Yu, Qian Han, Xie Ming, and Liang Yu failed to find Xiao Hua near Haoming City and returned there to plan their next search.
  • More than half a year later, Xiao Hua and Xue Xue reached a small riverside town and entered Cold River Tower, where the mortals stared at them as Immortal Elders.

Ch. 1869Qiang Family of Moyun Village

Xiao Hua and Xue Xue stopped at Cold River Tower, where the local cultivators mistook Xiao Hua for a formidable senior and treated him with strict deference. After chatting with Qiang Yulian about cormorant fishing, Xiao Hua learned that the tavern had received a special local variety of baby bok choy, which Han Jiang went to prepare.

  • Han Jiang welcomed Xue Xue and Xiao Hua to Cold River Tower and accepted Xiao Hua’s spirit stone for their refreshments.
  • Five Qi Cultivation cultivators greeted Xiao Hua as Senior, and Qiang Lihao introduced himself and the others as members of the Qiang family of Moyun Village.
  • Qiang Yulian explained how fishermen used neck-corded cormorants to catch fish, prompting Xiao Hua and Xue Xue to discuss the method.
  • Han Jiang offered Cold River’s specialty baby bok choy, and Qiang Yulian urged him to prepare it for the two seniors.

Ch. 1870Poor Little Bok Choy

Xiao Hua and Xue Xue learned the tragic legend behind the rare Cold River fish called Little Bok Choy. After Qiang Yulian explained that couples ate it as an auspicious sign, Xue Xue realized the fish they had ordered might be the legendary lovers and urged Xiao Hua to stop the shopkeeper.

  • Qiang Yulian explained that Little Bok Choy was a rare fish that appeared in the Cold River on the fifteenth of each month.
  • Xiao Hua gave Qiang Yulian a spiritual fruit, and she refined its energy before telling the fish's legend.
  • Qiang Yulian recounted how a cultivation family drowned Scholar You and how his beloved followed him into the Cold River, after which the fish began appearing.
  • Xue Xue was moved by the lovers' story, and Xiao Hua comforted her by promising that lovers would ultimately be united.
  • Qiang Yulian said couples ate Little Bok Choy for good luck, and Xue Xue urgently told Xiao Hua to stop the shopkeeper from serving the fish.

Ch. 1871Shang Cheng of the Myriad Poisons Sect

Xiao Hua rescued the rare little cabbage fish for Xue Xue, but Shang Cheng of the Myriad Poisons Sect arrived and demanded it. When Xiao Hua refused to yield the fish, Shang Cheng attacked him above Cold River Tower.

  • Xiao Hua retrieved the little cabbage fish from Han Jiang's fisherman and paid Han Jiang extra spirit stones for it.
  • Xue Xue asked about the legendary lovers connected to the fish, then learned from Han Jiang that You Zhongquan and the girl had no graves at Cold River.
  • Shang Cheng and his wife Mei Xiaoyao arrived, and Shang Cheng asked Xiao Hua to hand over the fish.
  • Xiao Hua refused Shang Cheng's offer of tenfold compensation, while the Buddha Sarira helped him resist Mei Xiaoyao's bewitching technique.
  • Shang Cheng threatened Xiao Hua, brought out a poisoned crescent-hook artifact, and flew outside Cold River Tower to attack him.

Ch. 1872Venting One's Anger on Others

Xiao Hua used the Town Cloud Seal to force Shang Cheng to withdraw, but Shang Cheng killed Shopkeeper Han as he left Cold River Tower. Xiao Hua stopped him and declared that he would execute him for killing the mortal.

  • Xiao Hua wielded the fully refined Town Cloud Seal, overwhelming Shang Cheng's curved hook and making Shang Cheng recall his magic artifact.
  • Shang Cheng landed at Cold River Tower and claimed he had backed down out of respect for the Thunder Control Sect, while Xiao Hua accused him of threatening Xue Xue.
  • Shopkeeper Han invited Shang Cheng to eat, but Shang Cheng insulted him and secretly killed him with poison before attempting to leave with Mei Xiaoyao.
  • Xiao Hua blocked Shang Cheng's departure and said he would kill him in retribution for Shopkeeper Han's death.
  • Shang Cheng questioned Xiao Hua's reason for fighting, and Xiao Hua declared that he would execute him despite their difference in cultivation.

Ch. 1873Each Shows Their Own Means

Xiao Hua fought Shang Cheng after Shang Cheng killed Han Jiang, countering the Myriad Poisons Sect cultivator’s attacks with Samadhi True Fire, the Leaf Sun Fan, and a demonic hammer. The battle continued as Xiao Hua launched spirit fire at Shang Cheng’s chest, while Shang Cheng’s protective magic treasure remained unbroken.

  • Xiao Hua told Shang Cheng he had killed only those he believed deserved it, and Shang Cheng challenged him after admitting he had killed Han Jiang.
  • Shang Cheng attacked with poisonous talismans and water spheres, but Xiao Hua burned both away with Samadhi True Fire.
  • Shang Cheng sent his Crimson Blood Hook at Xiao Hua, but Xiao Hua’s Leaf Sun Fan engulfed it in flames and burned away its bloody aura.
  • Shang Cheng strengthened himself with a jade-bottle medicine and a blood-red talisman, then attacked with a demonic tool, but Xiao Hua struck him with a larger demonic hammer.
  • Shang Cheng’s protective magic treasure blocked Xiao Hua’s hammer blows, so Xiao Hua used the Divine Fire Art to shoot spirit fire toward Shang Cheng’s chest.

Ch. 1874The Pitiful Mother and Son

Xiao Hua killed Shang Cheng and reflected on his lack of effective spells and Xiangyang’s generosity. At Cold River Tower, Han Jiang’s widow Madam Liu offered the tower to Xiao Hua and begged him to protect her son, Han Yi.

  • Shang Cheng’s corpse exploded into poisonous scraps, but Xiao Hua burned them and took the contents of his storage pouch without touching it.
  • Xiao Hua recovered his spiritual power and resolved to study more spells and cultivation techniques, recalling that Xiangyang had left him valuable jade slips and other items.
  • Xue Xue joined Xiao Hua in the air, and they joked about his exhausting fight before returning to Cold River Tower.
  • Madam Liu introduced herself and Han Yi, offered Cold River Tower to Xiao Hua, and begged him to save her son.
  • Xiao Hua called Han Yi over.

Ch. 1875Aftermath

Xiao Hua arranged for Han Yi to be taken in by the Qiang family after Han Jiang’s death, providing them with a cultivation technique and resources to care for the boy. As Xiao Hua and Xue Xue prepared to continue their Foundation Establishment trial, Qiang Xuemei began to raise a concern.

  • Xiao Hua discovered that Han Yi had begun Qi Cultivation, burned the questionable technique Han Jiang had given him, and explained that Han Yi’s Earth attribute did not suit the Thunder Control Sect.
  • Qiang Lihao offered to take Han Yi into the Qiang family, and Xiao Hua agreed on the condition that they protect and discipline him appropriately.
  • Xiao Hua gave Qiang Lihao an Earth attribute cultivation technique and a storage pouch containing spirit stones and Qi Cultivation pills, while Madam Liu prepared to leave for Moyun Village with Han Yi.
  • Xiao Hua burned Han Jiang’s poisoned bloodstains, and Qiang Lihao arranged for a wealthy man to take over Cold River Tower.
  • Qiang Xuemei told Xue Xue that she had met Ling Feiyun three years earlier, and Xue Xue said his bloodline had awakened and his cultivation was advancing quickly.
  • After Xue Xue said she and Xiao Hua had no fixed destination on their Foundation Establishment trial, Qiang Xuemei began to say something while looking at Xiao Hua and Qiang Yulian.
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