Recaps

After reaching the Yuanqi stage, Zhao Changfeng survived Ruan Meizhen’s poison and gained power from her inner-demon obsession. When demon spirits threatened Tamu Town, he recognized Song Zejun and Zhou Jin as possible collaborators, but the town’s leaders doubted his warning, leaving him to investigate with Chen Jian and Ruan Meizhen.

• Zhao Changfeng joined Teng Kun’s Crippled Demon Sect, chose the Essence-Devouring Demon Art, and went to the Sola Desert with Ruan Meizhen.
• After surviving attackers sent against him and a failed breakthrough, Zhao Changfeng reached the Yuanqi stage with help from spirit beasts and his companions’ resources.
• Ruan Meizhen’s breakthrough failed, and she poisoned Zhao Changfeng, but he absorbed the toxins, learned the Blood Shadow Art, and promised to help her.
• Zhao Changfeng killed Zhang Mu and a rogue cultivator, while Ruan Meizhen’s unresolved inner demon transferred to him and empowered his Blood Shadow Art.
• After Demon Mountain fell to demon spirits, Zhao Changfeng and Ruan Meizhen traveled to Tamu Town, where Zhao recognized Song Zejun and Zhou Jin.
• The Bronze Cauldron strengthened Zhao Changfeng and revealed demon spirits gathering outside town, leading him to suspect Song Zejun and Zhou Jin were their inside agents.
• Ruan Meizhen brought Chen Jian to the town’s leaders, but Shen Yanrong, Qin Hui, and Cui Pinyuan doubted Zhao Changfeng’s warning.
• Chen Jian agreed to test whether Song Zejun and Zhou Jin were involved with the demon spirits, and Zhao Changfeng agreed to go with him and Ruan Meizhen.

Zhao Changfeng fought Demon Spirits in Tamu Town and Heavenly Shield City while uncovering Song Zejun and Zhou Jin’s scheme against Teng Kun. The survivors reached the Crippled Demon Sect, where Ruan Meizhen became a formal disciple and Zhao Changfeng awaited approval to join.

• Zhao Changfeng exposed Song Zejun and Zhou Jin’s use of Demon Spirits in Tamu Town, rescued the possessed, and killed Chen Haoming in a staged confrontation.
• After Shi Yue was killed by Xiang Lin, Zhao Changfeng defeated Xiang Lin in a duel and joined Chen Jian and Cui Pinyuan’s plan to counter the Primal Demon Temple.
• Ruan Meizhen broke through to the Primordial Spirit Realm as Demon Spirits attacked Tamu Town, and Zhao Changfeng fought alongside her before the group fled across the desert.
• Chen Jian led Zhao Changfeng, Ruan Meizhen, and Cui Pinyuan into demon-infested Heavenly Shield City, where they warned Teng Kun that the Soul-Pacifying Bead could be a trap.
• Song Ziyan appeared as a high-rank Demon Spirit and fled as the demons retreated, while Teng Kun credited Zhao Changfeng’s warning with saving him.
• Ruan Meizhen learned that her family had died in the attack, and Teng Kun made her a formal disciple while promising to report Zhao Changfeng’s contributions.
• Zhao Changfeng and Ruan Meizhen reached the Crippled Demon Sect, where she explained that chains underground drained prisoners’ spiritual power, vitality, and soul energy.