Recaps

Dui Qimeng and Cui Hongshen worked together to capture a firebird and defeat its artifact cultivator, while the two sects finished off the remaining enemies. The surviving Taiqing Sect and Thunder Control Sect disciples regrouped, and He Fangyuan learned that Cui Hongshen was the captain of Xiao Hua’s squad.

• Dui Qimeng used her lightning bottle to draw in the firebird’s flames while Cui Hongshen’s paired lightning pearls pierced the artifact cultivator and the firebird.
• Dui Qimeng captured the firebird in her lightning bottle and stored the artifact, leaving the artifact cultivator weakened and exposed to Cui Hongshen’s lightning.
• With help from the Taiqing Sect disciple and Xiao Hua’s Town Cloud Seal, the Thunder Control Sect disciples helped slay six artifact cultivators and three beast cultivators.
• The surviving disciples shared medicinal pills, and He Fangyuan thanked Cui Hongshen for helping save his life.
• Cui Hongshen introduced himself to He Fangyuan as a Myriad Thunder Valley disciple and captain of the Thunder Control Sect First Squad.

He Fangyuan recounted how a mysterious Changbai Sect senior had killed two powerful artifact cultivators before Cui Hongshen’s group arrived, while the others suspected Xiao Hua was responsible. As both sects traveled toward Quanjin Mountain, He Fangyuan privately warned Xiao Hua that Taiqing Sect elders had investigated his role in foundation-establishing incidents at the Feathered Immortal Convention.

• He Fangyuan described how an unknown cultivator wielding an azure-and-crimson flying sword killed two powerful artifact cultivators and then left, leading him to assume the rescuer belonged to the Changbai Sect.
• Cui Hongshen and He Fangyuan divided the spoils from the battle, then discovered their groups were both traveling to Quanjin Mountain and agreed to fly there together.
• He Fangyuan praised Xiao Hua’s cultivation and told him that Taiqing Sect elders had questioned him about establishing his foundation in the Feathered Immortal Convention’s illusion formation.
• He Fangyuan revealed that Taiqing Sect elders had tested other powerful disciples without reproducing the result and suggested that some disciples had established their foundations while fighting Xiao Hua.
• Xiao Hua denied responsibility, saying those disciples had already been near a breakthrough, and thanked He Fangyuan for the warning.

Xiao Hua and He Fangyuan discussed how beast cultivators and artifact cultivators had displayed abilities and behavior that differed from their sect records, leaving Xiao Hua wary of drawing the Taiqing Sect’s attention. Far away, an Illusion Sword swordsman received a message condemning a failed undertaking, then continued to Emerald Lake, where many other Illusion Sword swordsmen had gathered.

• He Fangyuan told Xiao Hua that beast cultivators had fused spirit beasts into their bodies and that artifact cultivators could link their bodies with magical artifacts far below the expected cultivation realm.
• He Fangyuan noted that the enemy cultivators had refused to flee even when outmatched, and Xiao Hua suggested they tell Fellow Daoist Cui about the strange behavior.
• Xiao Hua worried that the Taiqing Sect might take an interest in him and considered whether the enemy cultivators had been influenced by their beasts or artifacts.
• An Illusion Sword swordsman received a flying sword message, angrily blamed its sender for ruining his undertaking, and destroyed the message.
• The swordsman reached Emerald Lake and found dozens of rock-wall ledges occupied by other Illusion Sword swordsmen.

Lu Ruochang gathered sword cultivators and allied artifact cultivators to discuss how to defeat the Dao Sect and establish the Illusion Sword Great Formation. The preparations were underway, but the sword spirit needed by the Mingjian Sect had not yet been found.

• Lu Ruochang welcomed the arriving sword cultivators and warned that they risked being driven back into the Sword Domain without a winning strategy.
• Qin Jian argued for killing cultivators one by one, while Yuan Qing dismissed the idea and Qu Jianchong urged them to weaken the Dao Sect's younger disciples.
• Fan Zuiyuan demanded news about the planned formation in the Sword Tomb, and Lu Ruochang explained that the Illusion Sword Great Formation required more preparation and hidden killing moves.
• Lu Ruochang asked the sects about their preparations, and Zhong Haoxuan reported that the Mingjian Sect had found clues to the Yin Yang Sword Spirit and expected to locate it within three months.

Lu Ruochang explained how the Spirit Devouring Insects would support the Illusion Sword Great Formation, but Ling Yunwu revealed that the disciples sent to find them had been killed near White Jade Mountain. The gathering was interrupted by a bird’s cry from the valley crevice.

• Lu Ruochang said the Illusion Sword Great Formation would use the Sword Tomb’s sword intent and metal qi to ambush and kill Dao Sect cultivators.
• Lu Ruochang revealed that she had given Ling Yunwu Chansi Wood and a Sword Pouch to locate Spirit Devouring Insects for a separate formation against Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment disciples.
• Ling Yunwu reported that more than thirty Third Grade Bright Sword disciples had been killed near White Jade Mountain while carrying the Chansi Wood and Sword Pouch.
• Lu Ruochang rebuked Ling Yunwu, while Qingfeng offered to use Qushan Sect’s secret technique to find the insects despite its consequences.
• A bird cried out from the valley crevice, and its wail disturbed the gathering and sent ripples across Emerald Lake.

Qi Peng visited the sword cultivators with Lian Xiaocao and Gao Dazhuang, bringing news of new allies and hidden experts joining the war. He also warned them that Daoist cultivators were moving toward several fixed locations, leaving Lu Ruochang and the others to plan their response.

• Qi Peng arrived at Emerald Lake and introduced Lian Xiaocao, chief of the Giant Tribe, and Gao Dazhuang, chief of the Dwarf Tribe, to the sword cultivators.
• Qi Peng told Lu Ruochang that the Giant Tribe and Dwarf Tribe had joined the war and that two reclusive experts from Alchemy Valley might help steady the conflict.
• Gao Dazhuang informed Qi Peng that his clansmen had spotted Daoist cultivators moving purposefully toward several locations east of the Sword Domain.
• Qi Peng departed with Lian Xiaocao and Gao Dazhuang, and Fan Zuiyuan wondered why Lu Ruochang had already anticipated the Daoist movement.

Lu Ruochang explained that the Sword Domain's war against the Three Kingdoms of Dao Sect was aimed at capturing spirit stone mines, then assigned the swordsmen their tasks. Meanwhile, Xiao Hua traveled with Thunder Control Sect and Taiqing Sect disciples toward their destination, where an avalanche suddenly swept through a mountain gorge.

• Lu Ruochang told Fan Zuiyuan that the Sword Domain had launched the war to seize spirit stone mines, using other conflicts as cover, and explained how Dao Sect reinforcements guarded them.
• Lu Ruochang coordinated the swordsmen's plans, then instructed Ling Yunwu to search for Chansi Wood and the Sword Pouch and to report when he found the Spirit Devouring Insect.
• Xiao Hua flew with the Thunder Control Sect and Taiqing Sect disciples, reflected on the Lightning Evasion Technique and the missing Lightning Devouring Bead, and wondered what had happened to Gan Qinghuo.
• He Fangyuan announced that the group would soon reach its destination, and his voice disturbed snow on a mountainside, triggering a massive avalanche.
• The cultivators hurried to escape the avalanche while Xiao Hua observed its growing force and contemplated the power of accumulated snow.

After escaping an avalanche, the Thunder Control Sect and Taiqing Sect disciples encountered avian cultivators and giants besieging more than forty Daoist cultivators. Xiao Hua led the disciples into the battle, and their arrival opened gaps in the encirclement as the trapped cultivators looked for a chance to escape.

• He Fangyuan led the Thunder Control Sect and Taiqing Sect disciples away from the avalanche site, while a tiny dwarf emerged from the rocks and followed their trail using Earth Evasion.
• Two days later, Xiao Hua spotted more than twenty avian cultivators and over a dozen giants attacking more than forty Foundation Establishment cultivators.
• Cui Hongshen and He Fangyuan hesitated, but the disciples looked to Xiao Hua, who said they should go to the trapped cultivators' aid.
• Cui Hongshen rallied the Thunder Control Sect disciples, and He Fangyuan's Taiqing Sect disciples joined them as they charged into the battle.
• The avian cultivators expanded their encirclement to include the arriving reinforcements, creating gaps that gave the trapped cultivators hope of escape.

Cultivators trapped by bird cultivators fled through the encirclement, and one Taiqing Sect disciple was killed after trying to escape. Xiao Hua then drew two bird cultivators away and secretly killed them with a flash of golden light, leaving him to face a giant’s spiked club.

• Zheng Shuo and several other cultivators fled through gaps in the bird cultivators’ encirclement, prompting nearly twenty people to escape.
• A Taiqing Sect disciple ignored Xiao Hua’s warning, was struck by a bird cultivator, and was killed by a giant’s spiked club.
• Xiao Hua charged between two bird cultivators and drew them away from the encirclement with Fireball Talismans.
• As the two bird cultivators attacked Xiao Hua, he sent a streak of golden light through their necks, killing them.
• Xiao Hua confronted the giant and its spiked club while the other cultivators watched in astonishment.

Xiao Hua routed the giants and drove off the bird cultivators with his Long Staff, then pretended to collapse after the battle. Ming Mou and Dui Ling rushed to catch him as he steadied himself and began coughing.

• Xiao Hua struck two giants with the Long Staff, and both fled, prompting the remaining giants to run as well.
• Xiao Hua pursued the bird cultivator who had killed a Taiqing Sect disciple and killed him with a blow to the abdomen.
• Xiao Hua shouted after the fleeing bird cultivators, who escaped after realizing he was not pursuing them.
• Xiao Hua stopped circulating his true essence and plunged from the air, while Ming Mou and Dui Ling flew to catch him.
• Xiao Hua steadied himself before Ming Mou and thanked her and Dui Ling, then broke into a fit of coughing.

After Xiao Hua drove off the beast cultivators and giants, old acquaintances from the Feathered Immortal Convention recognized him and the gathered squads planned their routes to Quanjin Mountain. Xiao Hua set out with his squad despite his apparent exhaustion, then challenged Cui Hongshen, who questioned the methods he had used in battle.

• Xiao Hua pretended to be exhausted, and Ke Xingxi of the Kunlun Sect and Yang Fangcheng of the Joyful Sect recognized him from the Feathered Immortal Convention.
• He Fangyuan greeted Ke Xingxi and Yang Fangcheng, while Xiao Hua avoided the other cultivators and reflected on his fame, his place in the Thunder Control Sect, and the giants’ possible connection to his origins.
• The captains agreed to split up and approach Quanjin Mountain from different directions, exchanged communication talismans, and arranged to keep in contact.
• Cui Hongshen urged his squad to leave rather than rest, and Xiao Hua agreed to travel with Zhen Huo supporting him.
• Cui Hongshen questioned Xiao Hua’s many methods, and Xiao Hua said the As-You-Wish Staff had frightened the giants away.

Xiao Hua and Cui Hongshen discussed the fate of the disciples who had fled the battle, then traveled with their group to Quanjin Mountain. Cui Hongshen used his Captain's Token to guide them toward a hidden formation, leaving them at a pine tree where the guiding light disappeared.

• Xiao Hua asked Cui Hongshen what would happen to the disciples who had fled, and Cui Hongshen said they faced death or life as Rogue Cultivators hunted by the Three Cultivation Kingdoms.
• Xiao Hua reassured Cui Hongshen that the beast cultivators and giants were not pursuing them, while a timid dwarf emerged from hiding and then fled underground without following.
• Xiao Hua and Cui Hongshen's group reached Quanjin Mountain and found a frozen, pine-covered range that concealed the spirit stone mine.
• Cui Hongshen activated the Captain's Token, and its bird-shaped light led the group through the forest before vanishing into a pine tree.

Cui Hongshen led Xiao Hua and the Thunder Control Sect squad through a hidden entrance beneath a pine tree to the underground spirit stone vein at Quanjin Mountain. After guards inspected their tokens and assigned them to the northwest area, Xiao Hua explored the vast, brightly lit cavern and assumed the mission would be safe and allow time for cultivation.

• Cui Hongshen opened a concealed passage in the pine tree with a sequence of taps and led the squad down through a deep, divine-sense-blocking tunnel.
• A hooded Foundation Establishment cultivator checked Cui Hongshen’s token, marked it for Quanjin Mountain, and directed the squad onward.
• Xuntian City guards inspected the squad’s tokens and told Xiao Hua that Quanjin Mountain had eight entrances and that the Taiqing Sect might have entered through another one.
• A Qi Cultivation disciple escorted the squad to the northwest area, where Xiao Hua saw a vast underground landscape filled with spiritual energy and cultivators on patrol.
• Xiao Hua concluded that the assignment seemed safe and thought he might cultivate in the abundant spiritual energy.

Xiao Hua and the Thunder Control Sect disciples arrived at Quanjin Mountain’s spirit stone vein, where Xuntian City’s Great General Tu Hong arranged quiet rooms for them. After settling in, Xiao Hua tested the As-You-Wish Staff and found it could extend only to three feet.

• Xiao Hua watched a thousand exhausted Xuntian City disciples leave the spirit stone mine and learned that recruits had to mine before becoming full disciples.
• A Xuntian City disciple explained that Golden Core cultivator Tu Hong, called the Great General, oversaw the vein and had arranged quiet rooms for the reinforcements.
• Cui Hongshen accepted a jade talisman and was warned not to leave the quiet rooms through the outer cave entrance because of powerful restrictions.
• Xiao Hua and the others chose separate quiet rooms, while Cui Hongshen and Zhen Minghui discussed matters and Dui Qimeng chatted with Mingmou.
• Xiao Hua activated his room’s restriction and discovered that the As-You-Wish Staff extended only to three feet.

Xiao Hua examined the spoils from the sword and avian cultivators, discovered that Chansi Wood strengthened his Primordial Spirit, and realized the avian cultivation method could help him refine intelligent puppets. After three days of cultivation, he learned that Tu Hong had summoned representatives of the Daoist sects, and Cui Hongshen rejected Zhen Minghui’s suggestion to send Xiao Hua.

• Xiao Hua found Chansi Wood in a sword cultivator’s Storage Bag and used its fragrance to strengthen his Primordial Spirit.
• Xiao Hua studied the avian cultivators’ beast-based pill formulas and recognized that their Spirit Bird fusion method could be combined with Puppet Technique to refine intelligent puppets.
• Xiao Hua spent three days cultivating in seclusion at Quanjin Mountain.
• Quanjin Mountain disciples told the Thunder Control Sect that Tu Hong had summoned representatives from the reinforcement forces to an audience.
• Zhen Minghui proposed that Xiao Hua be one of the Thunder Control Sect’s three representatives, but Cui Hongshen immediately rejected the suggestion.

Dui Qimeng reflected on how her feelings toward Cui Hongshen had grown and how Xiao Hua’s hidden strength had changed her view of Myriad Thunder Valley. The group arrived at Tu Hong’s reception hall to meet him, while Dui Qimeng felt reassured that Xiao Hua treated Cui Hongshen as a fellow disciple.

• Cui Hongshen rejected Zhen Minghui’s suggestion, and the group chose Dui Qimeng as their representative to meet Tu Hong.
• Cui Hongshen and the others followed Quanjin Mountain disciples to Tu Hong’s grand reception hall, where leaders from each sect had gathered.
• Dui Qimeng recalled that she had once doubted marrying Cui Hongshen but had come to trust his ambition and standing in Myriad Thunder Valley.
• Dui Qimeng reconsidered Xiao Hua’s strength and recognized that his presence made Myriad Thunder Valley far more formidable than she had imagined.
• Dui Qimeng concluded that Xiao Hua’s generosity and willingness to rescue them showed he regarded Cui Hongshen as a fellow disciple.

Cui Hongshen and his companions discovered a hall lined with supreme-grade spiritstone pillars while waiting for Tu Hong at Quanjin Mountain. He agreed to conceal several sects’ accounts of a disciple’s cowardice, then saw an elderly, hunched cultivator emerge from the wall and realized he was not the Tu Hong he had imagined.

• Zhen Minghui discovered that the hall’s eighty-one massive pillars were made of supreme-grade spiritstone, and a Quanjin Mountain disciple explained that they formed part of a grand formation.
• A Quanjin Mountain disciple escorted Cui Hongshen, Dui Qimeng, and Zhen Minghui to their assigned place to await Tu Hong.
• He Fangyuan asked Cui Hongshen to keep quiet about a Taiqing Sect disciple’s cowardice and the related incidents involving other sects; Cui agreed to preserve their reputations.
• Cui Hongshen told Zhen Minghui and Dui Qimeng about his agreement, and Dui Qimeng admired him.
• An elderly, hunched cultivator emerged through a glowing section of the stone wall, disappointing Cui Hongshen’s expectations of Tu Hong.

Tu Hong arrived to receive the reinforcements at Quanjin Mountain and questioned them about their journeys from Xuntian City. After Cui Hongshen concealed key details of the Thunder Control Sect’s battles, Tu Hong proposed awarding the Thunder Control Sect First Squad for rescuing other sects, and everyone agreed.

• Lan Qin welcomed the cultivators before Tu Hong arrived and noticed Dui Qimeng, prompting a brief, concealed reaction from both men.
• Tu Hong greeted the assembled reinforcements and asked them to report their routes and encounters on the way from Xuntian City.
• Cui Hongshen heard other squads’ accounts and decided to conceal Xiao Hua’s strength and the full details of their battles.
• Cui Hongshen reported a reduced number and cultivation level of the sword cultivators his squad had faced.
• Tu Hong proposed recording a great merit for the Thunder Control Sect First Squad, and the cultivators from the other sects agreed.

Tu Hong rewarded Cui Hongshen and arranged the incoming sects’ rotations to operate Quanjin Mountain’s defensive formation. The chapter revealed Lan Qin’s private access to Tu Hong’s hidden military camp, where the two old friends drank together.

• Tu Hong recorded the Thunder Control Sect’s merit and promised to report it for commendation and rewards.
• Lan Qin assigned the visiting cultivators their defensive rotations and gave them jade slips for operating Quanjin Mountain’s formation.
• Lan Qin watched Dui Qimeng leave with Cui Hongshen, then entered a concealed chamber and was drawn into Tu Hong’s forbidden ground.
• Lan Qin joined Tu Hong in a bleak, frost-covered camp and found him drinking fiery liquor beside a military sand table.
• Tu Hong and Lan Qin drank several bowls of liquor while recalling how long it had been since they last shared a drink.

Tu Hong showed Lan Qin the preserved body of Yu Meng, whom Million Meng Mountain’s soul cultivators had animated through a soul artifact. He explained that she was only an empty shell, then revealed that seeing a living Thunder Control Sect cultivator who resembled her had stirred his hope.

• Tu Hong led Lan Qin into a second tent and showed him Yu Meng lying in a crystal coffin.
• Tu Hong used a Soul Suppressing Bell to awaken Yu Meng, who rose and greeted him as her husband.
• Tu Hong explained that Yu Meng’s body was controlled by a soul artifact and that she could recognize only him, while Lan Qin compared her to a puppet.
• Tu Hong recalled accepting Yu Meng’s condition and intending to stay beside her until his death.
• Tu Hong said that seeing a living Thunder Control Sect cultivator who looked like Yu Meng made him believe Heaven had sent her to fulfill his wish.

Tu Hong revealed that he planned to use Dui Qimeng’s soul to revive Yu Meng, while avoiding any direct blame for her capture or Cui Hongshen’s death. Meanwhile, Thunder Control Sect’s First Squad began its assigned patrol, with Xiao Hua paired with Ming Mu.

• Tu Hong told Brother Lan that Dui Qimeng’s soul might resemble Yu Meng’s and could be used to bring Yu Meng back, but the soul had to remain intact and willing.
• Tu Hong refused to kill Cui Hongshen himself, saying that sword cultivators might kill him during the battle without implicating Quanjin Mountain.
• After hearing about Quanjin Mountain’s superb-grade spirit stone pillars, Xiao Hua agreed to share the squad’s merit and joked that the others could give him their rewards.
• Cui Hongshen divided Thunder Control Sect’s First Squad into five patrol pairs and assigned Xiao Hua to patrol with Ming Mu.
• Xiao Hua and Ming Mu entered the jade mine tunnels and split off with the other pairs, where Ming Mu asked Xiao Hua how they should conduct their patrol.

Xiao Hua followed Mingmu on patrol through Quanjin Mountain’s spirit stone mine, then slipped away to search for its hidden riches. He found a cavern full of cultivators gathered around enormous pillars and escaped before they could identify him, though Xu Hu raised the alarm.

• Xiao Hua declined to plan the patrol and let Mingmu lead while he followed behind her.
• Xiao Hua noticed that the mine tunnels had no Quanjin Mountain disciples in sight and told Mingmu to continue patrolling while he investigated.
• Xiao Hua concealed himself and searched several deserted excavation sites, then tunneled underground with his Eye of Delusion Breaking.
• Xiao Hua emerged into a vast chamber crowded with cultivators surrounding enormous earth-yellow pillars and quickly vanished using the Shadow Concealment Art.
• Xu Hu claimed he had seen someone appear, and his captain questioned him while Xu Hu warned that sect disciples might have found the chamber.

Xiao Hua avoided Quanjin Mountain disciples guarding a formation and searched the mine for a spirit stone vein. With Little Silver’s help, he found rare jade marrow deep underground, chipped off several pieces, and fled back toward the tunnel.

• The captain ordered the Quanjin Mountain disciples to keep comprehending their formation and decided to report the suspected intruder to Tu Hong.
• Xiao Hua flew away unseen and realized that Quanjin Mountain disciples controlled the important formations while Dao Sect disciples were assigned less important work.
• After finding another empty mine pit, Xiao Hua released Little Silver and urged it to find a spirit stone vein.
• Little Silver burrowed deep underground, and Xiao Hua followed through dense earth as the pressure and resistance grew stronger.
• Little Silver found a huge crystal of jade marrow, and Xiao Hua chipped off several pieces with Qiu Yin Liu.
• Xiao Hua put Little Silver away and hurried back to the tunnel, where he saw a pair of anxious eyes pacing in circles.

Xiao Hua returned from a secret underground excursion as Quanjin Mountain investigated a suspected intruder in its formation, while he continued secretly mining jade marrow. At Quanjin Mountain, Ling Yunwu searched in vain for the missing Sword Pouch and Chansi Wood until his wife Yu Wan arrived with a sword slip and good news.

• Ming Mou and Xiao Hua returned to Cui Hongshen after their patrol, and Lan Qin explained that a suspected intruder in Quanjin Mountain's formation had been a false alarm.
• Xiao Hua kept bringing Little Silver underground to excavate jade marrow, eventually using the As-You-Wish Staff to break it loose.
• Ling Yunwu searched around White Jade Mountain and Quanjin Mountain for clues to the deaths of his Bright Sword Swordsmen and the missing Sword Pouch and Chansi Wood.
• Ling Yunwu ordered his disciples to search the forest after destroying trees with his flying sword, but they found no clear lead.
• Yu Wan flew to meet Ling Yunwu and announced that she had good news, holding out a sword slip.

Yu Wan brought Ling Yunwu an image of the Thunder Control Sect cultivator who had killed members of the Lingfeng Sword Gate, and warned him about the enemy’s speed and strength. Ling Yunwu ordered reinforcements to be gathered, while the mention of the Terrifying Phoenix raised questions Yu Wan did not pursue.

• Yu Wan gave Ling Yunwu a sword slip containing an image of a tall Thunder Control Sect cultivator, explaining that she had obtained it through a secret technique.
• Yu Wan warned Ling Yunwu that the Golden Core cultivator’s Lightning Evasion Technique and deep magical power made him dangerous to sword cultivators.
• Ling Yunwu showed the image to the searching disciples and concluded that the cultivator had likely passed through Quanjin Mountain on his way to Xuntian City.
• A Bright Sword disciple asked whether the cultivator was the Terrifying Phoenix, but Ling Yunwu denied that the Phoenix was the Golden Core enemy.
• Ling Yunwu ordered Yunfei to escort Yu Wan back and to seek around ten Illusion Sword Swordsmen as reinforcements.