Recaps

After transmigrating into the crippled body of Li Dalong, a disgraced disciple imprisoned in the Righteous Qi Sect’s forbidden rear mountain, Li Dalong awakened a Check-In System that restored his body and granted him an innate spirit body. He set the forbidden rear mountain as his daily check-in location and planned to grow stronger there.

• Li Dalong recalled how the original Li Dalong avenged his junior brother, destroyed Returning to Unity Manor, and was stripped of his cultivation and imprisoned.
• Li Dalong struggled toward an abandoned cave abode in the forbidden rear mountain and heard the Check-In System prompt him to check in.
• Li Dalong checked in outside the Everlasting True Person’s cave abode and received an innate spirit body, which repaired his dantian, meridians, and injuries.
• Li Dalong asked about the system and learned that special locations could offer better rewards and that he could check in once per day.
• Li Dalong set the forbidden rear mountain as his daily check-in location and resolved to grow stronger there.

Li Dalong settled into True Person Changsheng's abandoned cave abode and used his restored body and cultivation aptitude to rapidly regain strength. After reaching late-stage qi refinement, he considered which martial technique to learn while confined to the forbidden grounds behind the mountain.

• Li Dalong cleaned the outer rooms of True Person Changsheng's cave abode and inspected his restored dantian and meridians.
• Li Dalong practiced the Qi-Drawing Technique and broke through to the qi refinement realm in less than two hours.
• Li Dalong continued cultivating and advanced from early qi refinement to the late stage within a few hours.
• Li Dalong reviewed the Righteous Qi Art's cultivation methods and auxiliary arts, then decided he needed to choose a martial technique suited to his circumstances.
• Li Dalong considered learning sword techniques because the Righteous Qi Art complemented the sword and his predecessor had specialized in it.

Li Dalong strengthened his basic sword technique, then used a system reward to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. He began exploring deeper into the forbidden grounds but encountered a powerful restriction shrouded in black mist.

• Li Dalong practiced the basic sword technique and improved its power by mastering its fundamentals.
• At dawn, Li Dalong checked in at the forbidden grounds and received a Marrow-Washing Pill from the system.
• Li Dalong swallowed the pill and smoothly broke through from the peak of the Qi Refining Realm to the Foundation Establishment Realm, expelling impurities from his body.
• After cleansing himself, Li Dalong explored deeper into the forbidden grounds and found a restriction blocking the way between two towering mountains.

After a year of cultivating and checking in around the forbidden grounds, Li Dalong reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm and received a Mystic Origin Pill. He swallowed it to begin his breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm, as the spiritual power in his dantian compressed into a growing seed.

• Li Dalong tested the barrier around the Righteous Qi Sect's ancestral grounds, then checked in there and received a True Essence Pill.
• Li Dalong settled into the cave dwelling and spent a year cultivating, using check-in rewards to advance to the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
• Li Dalong explored the desolate forbidden grounds but found no treasures, while the Enforcement Hall left food at the entrance and the sect otherwise ignored him.
• After reaching the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm, Li Dalong checked in and received a Mystic Origin Pill that could improve his chances of forming a golden core.
• Li Dalong swallowed the Mystic Origin Pill and began cultivating as spiritual qi flooded his body and his dantian's vortex compressed into a seed of spiritual power.

Li Dalong broke through to the Golden Core Realm, studied formations, and failed to open the restriction guarding the Ancestral Grounds. He continued cultivating and checking in at forbidden locations, then gained the supreme-grade Azure Cloud Sword, boosting his combat power.

• Li Dalong formed a gold core, stabilized his cultivation at the early Golden Core stage, and began practicing the advanced Righteous Qi Formula.
• Li Dalong studied formation techniques using system rewards and tested his skills against the restriction at the Ancestral Grounds, but could not open it.
• Li Dalong decided to stay in seclusion, cultivate, and check in at forbidden areas while building his strength.
• The system awarded Li Dalong the supreme-grade Azure Cloud Sword when he checked in outside Changchun True Person's cave abode.
• Li Dalong recognized that the complete Yin-Yang Ninefold Splendor Sword-Controlling Art would let him challenge stronger opponents and that the Righteous Qi Sect would covet it.

Li Dalong cultivated the Yin-Yang Ninefold Splendor Sword-Controlling Art, quickly earning the Azure Cloud Sword’s recognition and mastering its second level. His junior brother Zhou Yong visited with permission, revealed he had become the sect’s Dao Son, and brought medicine and spirit fruits to help Li Dalong recover.

• Li Dalong connected with the Azure Cloud Sword through spiritual power and divine sense, and the sword recognized him.
• Li Dalong trained the sword-controlling art and mastered its second level, shattering a boulder with the Azure Cloud Sword.
• Zhou Yong visited the forbidden grounds and told Li Dalong that he had become the Righteous Qi Sect’s Dao Son.
• Li Dalong congratulated Zhou Yong, urged him to help their master and cultivate diligently, and said he did not blame either of them.
• Zhou Yong explained the pressure facing their master and the sect, then gave Li Dalong a Dantian-Replenishing Pill, Qi-Gathering Pills, and spirit fruits to aid his recovery.

Zhou Yong brought Li Dalong precious pills from Dongfang Leng, while Dongfang Leng refused to release Li Dalong until Zhou Yong grew strong enough to command the sect. Years later, Li Dalong reached perfected Golden Core and mastered the later levels of the Yin-Yang Ninefold Splendor Sword-Controlling Art, preparing to test its power.

• Li Dalong accepted the pills Zhou Yong brought and told him to avoid visiting unless necessary so he would not cause trouble for Dongfang Leng.
• Zhou Yong reported to Dongfang Leng that Li Dalong was doing well and pleaded for his release, but Dongfang Leng said Zhou Yong first had to lead the Righteous Qi Sect back to its peak.
• Dongfang Leng ordered Zhou Yong to investigate reports that the Demon Race and the demonic path were plotting against the Righteous Qi Sect, and Zhou Yong left to carry out the task.
• Over several years, Li Dalong used system rewards to advance from early Gold Core to perfected Golden Core, breaking the cultivation world's record for the progression.
• Li Dalong mastered the third and fourth levels of the Yin-Yang Ninefold Splendor Sword-Controlling Art and prepared to test the art's power.

Li Dalong used a Nascent Soul Transformation Pill from the system to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, then devoted himself to cultivation and formation study. Two years later, he reached the late Nascent Soul Realm while still working to unravel the forbidden grounds’ seal.

• Li Dalong tested the Azure Cloud Sword and reflected on the strength he had gained after reaching the late Golden Core Realm.
• The system rewarded Li Dalong with a Nascent Soul Transformation Pill when he checked in.
• Li Dalong swallowed the pill and smoothly transformed his Gold Core into a Nascent Soul, entering the Nascent Soul Realm.
• Li Dalong consolidated his cultivation, studied formations, and repeatedly investigated the sealing formation in the forbidden grounds.
• After two years of cultivation, Li Dalong broke through to the late Nascent Soul Realm.

Li Dalong received a Spirit-Explosion Pill that could temporarily raise his cultivation by one realm, then resumed his cultivation as his progress toward the Out-of-Body Realm slowed. As the Blood Devil Race prepared to attack the Righteous Qi Sect, Dongfang Leng handed leadership to Zhou Yong and planned to sacrifice himself to protect the sect.

• Li Dalong checked in, received a Spirit-Explosion Pill, and learned it could raise his cultivation by one realm for an hour at the cost of a day of weakness.
• Li Dalong returned to his daily cultivation, though breaking through from the Nascent Soul Realm to the Out-of-Body Realm remained difficult.
• Dongfang Leng learned that the Blood Devil Race and other Devil Race forces were preparing to besiege the Righteous Qi Sect, and resolved to abdicate and use a forbidden technique to defend it.
• Dongfang Leng summoned Zhou Yong and the hall elders, announced Zhou Yong as his successor, and gave him the founding patriarch's Dharma Ring.
• Zhou Yong accepted the sect master's position, received the elders' greetings, and the sect announced the leadership change and notified friendly sects.

Li Dalong learned that the Righteous Qi Sect was besieged and emerged from the forbidden grounds to defend it. He killed Blood Demon with one sword strike, then attacked Rising Sun Sect Master Xiahou Yeming before returning to the forbidden grounds.

• Li Dalong observed Dongfang Leng step down as sect master and Zhou Yong take his place, and learned that Blood Demon was threatening the Righteous Qi Sect.
• Li Dalong used a Spirit-Explosion Pill to raise his cultivation to the late Out-of-Body Realm, disguised himself, and left the forbidden grounds with the Azure Cloud Sword.
• Li Dalong struck Blood Demon from the sky, killing him and carving a vast trench through the Blood Devil Race's encampment.
• The Righteous Qi Sect's disciples celebrated Blood Demon's death, while the enemy forces and onlookers were terrified by Li Dalong's power.
• Li Dalong attacked Xiahou Yeming, who destroyed his own supreme-grade flying sword while trying to defend himself, then Li Dalong returned to the forbidden grounds.

Li Dalong killed Blood Demon and Xiahou Yeming with the Spirit-Explosion Pill, then returned to cultivation as news of the Righteous Qi Sect’s hidden strength spread across the Cultivation World. After improving his cultivation and formation mastery, he entered the Ancestral Grounds and discovered the ruins of an ancient battlefield tied to Ouyang Zhenhua’s war against the Blood Devil Race.

• Li Dalong returned to the forbidden grounds after killing Blood Demon and Xiahou Yeming, then suffered the Spirit-Explosion Pill’s weakening side effects and resolved to grow stronger.
• News of Li Dalong’s sword strikes spread through the Cultivation World, driving the Devil Race back into the Abyssal Devil Lands and making other factions fear the Righteous Qi Sect.
• Li Dalong spent a month cultivating and studying formations, improving his abilities while remaining in the late Nascent Soul realm.
• Li Dalong found a flaw in the Ancestral Grounds ward, countered its resistance, and forced his way inside.
• Li Dalong surveyed the ruined Ancestral Grounds and recalled how Ouyang Zhenhua had defeated the Blood Devil Race’s forces and imprisoned the Blood Slaughter Ancestor.

Li Dalong explored the Righteous Qi Sect’s Ancestral Grounds, where he learned how its first sect master, Ouyang Zhenhua, had sacrificed himself to seal the Devil Race. In the cave where the Blood Slaughter Ancestor had been imprisoned, Li Dalong found and claimed the intact Blood Demon Blade, while the nearby ring crumbled away.

• Ouyang Zhenhua opened the Ancestral Grounds array, drew the Devil Race’s strongest fighters inside, and sacrificed his body to seal them as the Righteous Qi Sect’s survivors escaped.
• The surviving disciples hunted down the remaining Devil Race forces, and the devastated Righteous Qi Sect began calling the forbidden grounds the Ancestral Grounds.
• Li Dalong checked in at the Ancestral Grounds and received a Spirit-Gathering Array from the system.
• Li Dalong explored the ruins, found that old treasures had crumbled with age, and destroyed Blood Devil Race cultivation teachings he could not use.
• Li Dalong entered Ouyang Zhenhua’s ruined palace and followed an open cave entrance where the Blood Slaughter Ancestor had been imprisoned.
• Li Dalong found the Blood Demon Blade beside a large skeleton and drew it into his grasp, while the ring nearby shattered when his spiritual power touched it.

Li Dalong claimed the Blood Demon Blade, then used a Spirit-Gathering Array and a Yellow Dragon Pill to rapidly raise his cultivation. After two days, he neared the late stage of the Out-of-Body realm, and Zhou Yong came to visit him looking weary.

• Li Dalong suppressed the Blood Demon Blade’s evil aura and took the blade before leaving the Ancestral Grounds.
• Li Dalong checked in at his cave abode and received a Yellow Dragon Pill.
• Li Dalong studied the Spirit-Gathering Array jade slip, assembled the materials, and activated the array with top-grade spirit stones.
• Li Dalong cultivated with the Yellow Dragon Pill for two days and advanced to just short of the late stage of the Out-of-Body realm.
• Zhou Yong visited Li Dalong in the forbidden grounds with food and wine, appearing exhausted despite being the new sect master.

Zhou Yong confided in Li Dalong about his struggles leading the Righteous Qi Sect, including elder resistance, dwindling resources, and his lack of time to cultivate. Li Dalong showed him a Spirit-Gathering Array and promised to install one in Zhou Yong’s cultivation chamber, leaving Zhou Yong hopeful as he waited for his senior brother that evening.

• Zhou Yong told Li Dalong that the sect’s elders and subordinate factions resisted his authority while its finances and resources dwindled.
• Li Dalong offered to help Zhou Yong cultivate and demonstrated a Spirit-Gathering Array powered by supreme-grade spirit stones.
• Zhou Yong experienced the array’s increased spiritual energy and agreed to keep it secret.
• Li Dalong prepared the array materials and spirit stones, then went to Zhou Yong’s cultivation chamber that evening to install it.
• Zhou Yong barred others from approaching his cultivation chamber and waited there for Li Dalong.

After years of cultivation, Li Dalong reached the late Out-of-Body stage while Zhou Yong advanced to the middle nascent soul stage, but the Righteous Qi Sect’s vassal factions formed an alliance to overthrow it. The alliance launched its surprise attack in the Righteous Qi Hall, where Zhou Yong was wounded by Shi Hao and faced another deadly strike.

• Li Dalong gave Zhou Yong a Spirit-Gathering Array control jade slip and supreme-grade spirit stones, then returned to his cave abode to cultivate.
• Over several years, Li Dalong reached the late Out-of-Body stage, while Zhou Yong advanced to the middle nascent soul stage and the vassal factions grew increasingly rebellious.
• Shi Hao coordinated the Heavenly Determination Sect, the Heavenly Crane Sect, the Purple Rainbow Sect, the Red Lotus Sect, and the Nine Tripods Sect into an alliance that planned to attack the Righteous Qi Sect.
• Shi Hao led the other four sect masters and their strongest elders to the Righteous Qi Hall, where they ambushed and struck down several Righteous Qi Sect elders.
• Zhou Yong raised a golden dome to protect himself and the surviving elders, but Shi Hao knocked away his flying sword and wounded him before launching another attack.

Dongfang Leng fought the Five Great Sect leaders to protect the Righteous Qi Sect, but his life-consuming secret art failed to defeat them. Li Dalong arrived from the forbidden grounds, killed the rebel leaders, and avenged his master.

• Dongfang Leng blocked Shi Hao's attack and fought Shi Hao and the other four sect leaders, who overwhelmed him with their combined assault.
• Dongfang Leng used the Heaven-Breaking Sword Art, exhausting his remaining lifespan, but the five leaders survived with injuries.
• Li Dalong sensed the battle, saw his master's ruined condition, and flew to Righteous Qi Hall to seek revenge.
• Li Dalong immobilized Shi Hao with his divine sense and killed him with the Azure Cloud Sword.
• Dong Zhilan and the other leaders tried to flee, but Li Dalong's Sword Qi cut them down.

Li Dalong helped the Righteous Qi Sect defeat the five great sects’ assault, then reunited with his dying master, Dongfang Leng, who asked him and Zhou Yong to strengthen the sect. Three years after Dongfang Leng’s death, Zhou Yong and Li Dalong continued cultivating, and Zhou Yong visited his senior brother with food and wine.

• Li Dalong killed the five great sects’ nascent soul realm and stronger elders, while Zhou Yong and the surviving elders finished off the remaining traitors.
• Dongfang Leng told Zhou Yong he was dying from the backlash of his secret art and asked to see his eldest disciple one last time.
• Li Dalong knelt before Dongfang Leng, who explained why he had not avenged Li Dalong’s second junior brother and asked him to support Zhou Yong before dying.
• Zhou Yong and Li Dalong mourned Dongfang Leng, then returned to the forbidden grounds and devoted themselves to cultivation as the sect trained harder.
• Three years later, Zhou Yong had reached the late nascent soul realm, while Li Dalong remained in the late out-of-body realm but had greatly improved his combat strength.
• Zhou Yong brought food and wine to Li Dalong’s cave abode, and the two shared a meal and drinks.

Zhou Yong offered Li Dalong the sect master position, but Li Dalong revealed his late Out-of-Body cultivation and his identity as the mysterious protector of the Righteous Qi Sect. After giving Zhou Yong a sword formula and a Marrow-Cleansing Pill, Li Dalong watched him leave as the Demon Race launched an attack on the sect.

• Zhou Yong offered to cede the sect master position to Li Dalong and asked him to return to the sect.
• Li Dalong revealed his late Out-of-Body cultivation and transformed into the mysterious figure who had rescued the Righteous Qi Sect.
• Li Dalong told Zhou Yong to remain sect master, gave him a powerful sword formula and a Marrow-Cleansing Pill, and ordered him to keep Li Dalong's identity secret.
• Zhou Yong left the forbidden ground, and its restriction sealed itself behind him.
• The Spirit Monkey Demon Sage and ten Demon Emperors led a force against the Righteous Qi Sect in a surprise attack.

The Spirit Monkey Demon Sage and ten Demon Venerables broke through the Righteous Qi Sect’s formation and launched a brutal assault. As Zhou Yong faced the Spirit Monkey Demon Sage, Li Dalong arrived and attacked the demon with the Azure Cloud Sword.

• The Spirit Monkey Demon Sage shattered the Righteous Qi Sect’s protective formation, and the ten Demon Venerables led the demons into battle.
• Zhou Yong and the Righteous Qi Sect’s disciples fought the invading demons as the sect’s elders defended their home.
• The Spirit Monkey Demon Sage attacked Zhou Yong, whose sword and spiritual power could not stop the demon’s staff.
• A sword light kept the Spirit Monkey Demon Sage from killing Zhou Yong, and Li Dalong left his cave abode to join the battle.
• Li Dalong appeared above the Righteous Qi Hall and sent golden Sword Qi from the Azure Cloud Sword at the Spirit Monkey Demon Sage.

Li Dalong killed the Spirit Monkey Demon Sage and helped the Righteous Qi Sect rout the invading Demon Race. After the battle, Zhou Yong visited Li Dalong to discuss how to strengthen the sect’s disciples.

• Li Dalong used the Heaven-Slaying Sword Strike to defeat the Spirit Monkey Demon Sage’s Vajra Fist and sever his head.
• The Demon Race fled after its leader fell, and Li Dalong killed the Ten Great Demon Venerables as Zhou Yong led the sect in pursuit.
• The Righteous Qi Sect drove most of the remaining invaders back into the Demon Beast Forest, while Zhou Yong mourned the fallen and resolved to improve the sect’s preparations.
• A few days later, Zhou Yong visited Li Dalong in the forbidden grounds and proposed increasing the disciples’ cultivation speed after the invasion’s heavy casualties.

Li Dalong established a Spirit-Gathering Array on the Back Mountain for trusted Righteous Qi Sect disciples and gained the greater divine ability Law of Heaven and Manifestation of Earth. Cloudmist Palace’s Grand Elder Yun Shuangxue arrived with Princess Yun Yao and other companions to visit the sect, and the Righteous Qi Sect elders escorted them to meet Zhou Yong.

• Zhou Yong asked Li Dalong to set up a Spirit-Gathering Array, and Li Dalong agreed to limit it to loyal elite disciples cultivating in secret.
• Li Dalong prepared the magical implements, activated the array on the Back Mountain with high-grade spirit stones, and notified Zhou Yong.
• Zhou Yong sent groups of selected elite disciples into the array as spiritual energy gradually grew denser and major powers took notice.
• Li Dalong checked in and received the greater divine ability Law of Heaven and Manifestation of Earth, which he could use to grow to thirty-three times his size for the time it took to drink a cup of tea.
• Yun Shuangxue arrived at the Righteous Qi Sect with Princess Yun Yao and Cloudmist Palace companions and asked to see the sect master.
• Tang Mingxuan welcomed the visitors at the mountain gate and escorted them toward the Righteous Qi Hall, where Zhou Yong was waiting.

Cloudmist Palace proposed a marriage alliance between its princess, Yun Yao, and Righteous Qi Sect's sect master, Zhou Yong, and both agreed. After their feelings deepened, the sects announced that the wedding would take place in a month and publicized their alliance to the Cultivation World.

• Shuang Xue visited Righteous Qi Sect and asked Zhou Yong whether he was married.
• Shuang Xue proposed that Zhou Yong marry Princess Yun Yao to form an alliance between Cloudmist Palace and Righteous Qi Sect.
• Zhou Yong proposed to Yun Yao, and she agreed; he accepted the alliance on behalf of his sect.
• Shuang Xue and the Righteous Qi Sect's hall masters discussed wedding arrangements, while Zhou Yong and Yun Yao spent time together and grew closer.
• A month later, Zhou Yong learned the wedding would be held in another month, and both sects announced their marriage alliance to the Cultivation World.

As Zhou Yong and Yun Yao's wedding began, Nangong Jing, Nangong Xun, and other elders launched a rebellion to seize control of the Righteous Qi Sect. Li Dalong intervened from the forbidden grounds and killed the rebels, leaving the wedding guests stunned by the sect's hidden strength.

• Nangong Jing, Nangong Xun, and several elders plotted to kill Zhou Yong during his wedding ceremony and take over the Righteous Qi Sect.
• Li Dalong refused Zhou Yong's invitation to the wedding but gave him the Righteous Qi Formula, the Exquisite Immortal Scripture for Yun Yao, and a protective Sword Formula.
• Zhou Yong and Yun Yao began their wedding before guests and elders gathered in the Righteous Qi Hall.
• Nangong Jing attacked Zhou Yong as he bowed, but Li Dalong's Sword Formula emerged from Zhou Yong and wounded the attacker while Nangong Xun and the other rebels attacked their targets.
• Zhou Yong protected Yun Yao, ordered the sect sealed, and told the elders and disciples to protect the guests and capture the traitors.
• Li Dalong manifested a giant above the hall and crushed Nangong Jing, Nangong Xun, and the other rebellious elders into blood mist.

After the wedding, Zhou Yong and Yun Yao welcomed their daughter, Zhou Xue, whose mischievous nature led Yun Yao to propose sending her to Cloudmist Palace for discipline and cultivation. Zhou Yong persuaded Li Dalong to teach her instead, and returned to ask Yun Yao to agree to the arrangement.

• After crushing the rebellious elders, Li Dalong told everyone to resume Zhou Yong and Yun Yao's wedding celebrations.
• A year later, Zhou Yong and Yun Yao had a daughter and named her Zhou Xue.
• As Zhou Xue grew, her pranks on the sect's spirit animals worried Yun Yao, who proposed sending her to Cloudmist Palace when she turned four.
• Zhou Yong opposed sending Zhou Xue away and went to ask Li Dalong to teach her at the forbidden grounds.
• Li Dalong agreed to teach Zhou Xue during the day and return her to her parents in the evening, warning that her training would be strict.
• Zhou Yong hurried back to discuss Li Dalong's offer with Yun Yao, who was still angry about his refusal to send their daughter to Cloudmist Palace.

Zhou Yong arranged for Zhou Xue to train with Li Dalong by day and return home at night, easing Yun Yao’s worries. Li Dalong used a Fire Essence Jujube to break through to the early Spirit Transformation stage.

• Zhou Yong told Yun Yao that Zhou Xue would cultivate with Li Dalong during the day and come home at night, and Yun Yao agreed.
• Li Dalong returned to his cave abode and reflected on the changing spiritual energy and his stalled cultivation.
• Li Dalong checked in and received a Fire Essence Jujube, which the system said could force a breakthrough but might ignite his spiritual power.
• Li Dalong ate the jujube and circulated the Righteous Qi Formula, using its fire spiritual power to attack his bottleneck.
• Li Dalong broke through to the early Spirit Transformation stage and found that his divine sense was much stronger and reached much farther than an ordinary cultivator’s.