Recaps

Jiang Man rescued Ji Yifei and Qin Yihan from the sea in exchange for a Spirit Sword and Dharma Robe, then was caught in an Evil God’s Heart-Demon Dreamscape because he had stayed up cultivating. While others feared the dreamscape would drive them into despair, Jiang Man used its accelerated cultivation to break through his physical body to the seventh layer, and he was still eager to keep cultivating when the place began to fade.

• Jiang Man found injured Ji Yifei and a woman drifting near the tournament archipelago, then negotiated a Spirit Sword and Dharma Robe for rescuing them.
• The woman revealed she was Qin Yihan and explained that the seven-colored clouds came from an ancient-well-type Evil God, but the clouds enveloped Jiang Man, Ji Yifei, and Qin Yihan and transported them to a Heart-Demon Dreamscape.
• Qin Yihan warned Jiang Man that the dreamscape would force its captives to cultivate through the night and eventually plunge them into despair, while Jiang Man focused on its unusually effective cultivation.
• Zhuo Bufan, Zhao Yaoyao, Lin Qingshan, Wei Beichuan, and others also cultivated in the dreamscape, despite warnings that it would lead them toward an abyss.
• After twenty days, Jiang Man’s physical body broke through to the seventh layer, and he praised the dreamscape as a wonderful place just as it seemed ready to disperse.

Jiang Man and the other cultivators endured the Evil God Domain’s oppressive darkness, which was meant to drive them into the Abyss and ruin their chances of Core Formation. At the cliff’s edge, Jiang Man resisted the darkness and declared that he would become the light and achieve Core Formation.

• Jiang Man stopped cultivating when the Evil God Domain’s influence made further progress ineffective, then continued forward with Ji Yifei and Qin Yihan.
• Zhuo Bufan pressed on despite his cousin warning that he would fall into the Abyss, and he reached the cliff’s edge as darkness swallowed the path behind him.
• Outside the archipelago, Yan Yiqiu fought the Heretical Demonic Outer Dao while An Zhirou accused her of letting the students suffer; on Central Island, Chen Yu hastened the students’ descent toward the Abyss.
• Zhuo Bufan, Zhao Yaoyao, Wei Beichuan, Cao Cheng, Lin Qingshan, and the other students gathered at the cliff and awaited the first-ranked Jiang Man.
• Jiang Man stepped onto empty air without falling, explained that the darkness was weakness of the mind, and said he would become the light and achieve Core Formation.

Jiang Man and the others escaped the Evil God Domain, while Ji Hao recorded how they broke through its mental restraints and warned that the attack might have targeted someone in the tournament. Back at Wuyun Sect, Huo Bingzhi reported Jiang Man for colluding with the Evil God.

• Jiang Man, Zhuo Bufan, Lin Qingshan, and six others broke through the abyss, and Ji Hao recorded their success and devised a sun visualization method.
• Chen Yu realized that Jiang Man’s example had shown nine people could have formed their cores, then considered trying to turn Jiang Man into a pawn.
• Jiang Man recovered on the island, discussed cultivation techniques with Ji Yifei, and learned that the Seven-Colored Auspicious Clouds might have been meant to create an opportunity for someone in the tournament.
• Ji Hao took the group away and told them to recuperate before witnessing the Heretical Demonic Outer Dao attack the Central Archipelago.
• Huo Bingzhi, desperate after waiting months for Jiang Man to fall asleep, asked to report an Evil God’s subordinate.
• Ren Qian received Huo Bingzhi while questioning Yu Wanyi, and Huo Bingzhi accused Jiang Man of colluding with the Evil God.

Jiang Man recovered from his expedition, advanced to the Eighth Layer of Spirit, and learned that both the Evil God’s followers and Meng Qiewei’s people were keeping an eye on him. Ren Qian arranged to pay him to enter a dream, while Meng Qiewei’s new Heavenly Pride proposed testing Jiang Man again and finding him a marriage match from the Lineage’s direct branches.

• Huo Bingzhi accused Jiang Man of colluding with an Evil God, but Ren Qian confirmed the accusation and had her taken away.
• Jiang Man received an Evil God dream token, identified its purpose with the Heavenly Mirror of a Hundred Books, and showed it to Teacher Yan.
• After fighting the Heretical Demonic Outer Dao, Jiang Man left the islands with his group and returned to Wuyun Sect, where he advanced to the Eighth Layer of Spirit.
• Old Yellow Ox warned Jiang Man that Ji Hao had likely controlled events and might test him again; Chang Qiwen then delivered overdue fee notices.
• Ren Qian paid Jiang Man five thousand Spirit Sources to sleep and use the dream token.
• Qing Dai told Meng Qiewei that the new Heavenly Pride wanted to test Jiang Man again and suggested finding him a suitable woman from the Lineage’s direct branches, though Jiang Man had not agreed to marry into the Lineage.

Meng Qiewei planned to use an official pretext to leave the Immortal Gate and find her unknown husband, while Jiang Man entered a mysterious temple in a dream after accepting a job to sleep with an Evil God statue. After reporting the experience and receiving pills, Jiang Man learned his instructor had applied for him to take the Annual Assessment for the First, Second, and Third Institutes.

• Meng Qiewei told Qing Dai she could send a wisp of consciousness out through an open, legitimate channel and intended to travel with direct-line women chosen by the clan.
• Jiang Man accepted five thousand Spirit Sources to sleep beside an Evil God statue, entered a fog-shrouded temple, and left his name and sect on its Stone Stele.
• Jiang Man cultivated in the temple, returned to his room, and told Old Yellow Ox about the experience.
• Jiang Man sent Ren Qian a report that emphasized the dangers of entering the temple, and Ren Qian sent him ten Spirit-Stabilizing Pills while postponing another visit.
• Bai Fan told Duan Wu and Jiang Yingcai that Jiang Man's instructor had applied for him to take the Annual Assessment for the First, Second, and Third Institutes.

Jiang Man prepared to compete in the First, Second, and Third Institutes while Fang Yong arranged Spirit Source and potential allies for him. A woman from the Second Institute was ordered to win Jiang Man’s heart and considered using the Annual Assessment to approach him.

• Bai Fan declined to challenge Jiang Man and chose to compete for first place across the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Courtyards instead.
• After hearing that Jiang Man would enter the First, Second, and Third Institutes’ competition, Gao Rong paid Fang Yong and asked Little Fatty to help him join Jiang Man’s team.
• Gao Rong offered twenty thousand Spirit Source, and Little Fatty agreed to ask Jiang Man, though he warned that Jiang Man might refuse.
• Cheng Yu told Luo Xuan that Fang Yong had encouraged her to study Auxiliary Cultivation, while Fang Yong brought her pills to sell.
• Fang Yong gave Jiang Man thirty-five thousand Spirit Source and described how he had arranged Gao Rong’s offer; Jiang Man then prepared to buy pills and advance his cultivation.
• A woman from the Second Institute, assigned to capture Jiang Man’s heart, considered approaching him through the Annual Assessment and joining his team.

Jiang Man prepared for the Annual Grand Competition, rejected an invitation to Zhuo Ling’s team, and advanced to Foundation Establishment Perfection in both body and spirit. After borrowing more Spirit Sources and seeking support, he was left wondering whether Meng Qiewei had discovered his identity, then visited his master and Senior Sister Yu’s residence.

• Yan Yiqiu told Jiang Man that he needed to place in the top fifty at the First, Second, and Third Institutes’ assessment to obtain the remaining Secret Methods, while Zhao Yaoyao and Lin Qingshan warned him about the competition’s difficulty.
• Zhuo Qingcheng offered Zhuo Bufan Spirit Sources to recruit Jiang Man for Zhuo Ling’s team, but Zhuo Ling refused to join Jiang Man and Zhuo Bufan insisted he would only join Jiang Man’s team.
• Zhuo Bufan offered Jiang Man thirty thousand Spirit Sources to join the Zhuo Household team, but Jiang Man refused because he had already teamed up with Gao Rong.
• Jiang Man used pills to reach Foundation Establishment Perfection, then advanced his Physical Body to the Eighth Layer and his spirit to the ninth stage.
• Jiang Man collected Spirit Sources from Little Fatty, Song Qing, Chang Qiwen, and Luo Xuan, then received twenty Spirit-Stabilizing Pills from He Huaian after saying he wanted to compete for first place in the outer sect.
• Meng Qiewei asked whether Jiang Man might be recruited to marry into a clan, and Old Yellow Ox warned she might have discovered him; afterward, Xia Jin told Jiang Man that Senior Sister Yu was fine.

Jiang Man prepared for the First, Second, and Third Institutes grand competition by advancing his cultivation and tempering his body, while others debated whether he could succeed. After Old Huang told him the Magpie Bridge would open in two months, Su Qinya asked to join Jiang Man’s team, and he left the decision to Gao Rong.

• Xia Jin told Jiang Man that Yu Wanyi had been targeted and was staying in the Enforcement Hall, while Yu planned to send Jiang Man into the Immortal Abode.
• Wei Chuyao discouraged Meng Xiaoxiao from following Jiang Man’s path and resolved to blunt his momentum in the grand competition.
• Jiang Man spent his Spirit Source on pills, raising his physical body to the ninth layer and filling the fifth cultivation gourd by May 1.
• Old Huang told Jiang Man that the Magpie Bridge would open in two months and advised him to let his wife judge whether he was working hard enough.
• Gao Rong introduced Su Qinya, who asked to join Jiang Man’s team, and Jiang Man agreed as long as Gao Rong approved.

Jiang Man advanced his cultivation while waiting for the First, Second, and Third Institutes’ grand competition, then met Meng Qiewei again and heard that the Immortal Gate was searching for him. Su Qinya brought him information about the competition and offered to spar, leaving Jiang Man unsure what she would charge.

• Jiang Man advanced Purple Rosy Glow to its thirteenth layer and learned from Teacher Yan that the grand competition would take place in the mountains, where he might find treasures.
• Old Yellow Ox revealed that Meng Qiewei had arrived, and Jiang Man spoke with her about his cultivation, their marriage, and the Peerless Heaven’s Chosen Destiny.
• Meng Qiewei warned Jiang Man that the Immortal Gate was checking for an Evil God and would search for him at the Wuyun Sect before she departed.
• Jiang Man resumed cultivating and later saw Su Qinya, who gave him a book of competition rules and offered to spar with him.
• Jiang Man wondered how much Spirit Source Su Qinya would charge for sparring.

Jiang Man joined the First, Second, and Third Institutes’ competition after preparing his techniques and learning that his ordinary Spirit Sword could not withstand his full power. At the gorge, he struck down three Third Courtyard disciples with one attack, leaving the other competitors stunned.

• Su Qinya planned to win Jiang Man’s affection by recognizing and supporting him during the competition, while Jiang Man read the rules she had brought him.
• Jiang Man cultivated the Azure Smoke Zither to the eleventh layer, then discovered that his ordinary Spirit Sword cracked when he used the Sword-Controlling Technique at full power.
• Jiang Man traveled to the competition grounds with Su Qinya and Gao Rong, declined Su Qinya’s help with the Wind-Concealing Technique, and said he already had a dao companion.
• Zhuo Qingcheng learned that Zhuo Ling had refused to cooperate with Jiang Man, then chose to stop involving herself in Outer Sect affairs.
• Jiang Man entered the gorge with five competitors from the Fourth and Fifth Courtyards and asked whether defeating the Third Courtyard and Second Institute could earn him a top-fifty ranking.
• Jiang Man unleashed a red sun attack that sent three Third Courtyard disciples crashing to the ground, then remarked that he might be too strong.

Jiang Man defeated more than three hundred cultivators in the Third Courtyard with Purple Rosy Glow and continued toward the Second Institute to find his teammate and search for treasure. Su Qinya prepared a scheme to make Jiang Man feel humiliated before acting as his defender, convinced that he would eventually fall in love with her.

• Jiang Man used Purple Rosy Glow to defeat opponents in single strikes while Xiang Liang and the others helped him find people across the Third Courtyard.
• Jiang Yingcai and Duan Wu tried to hide, but Jiang Man found and defeated them, bringing the number of defeated cultivators to more than three hundred.
• Jiang Man found Gao Rong and invited him to make a name for himself as they headed toward the Second Institute.
• Xiang Liang and Qiao Yu discussed Jiang Man's strength and began looking for powerful Second Institute cultivators to challenge him.
• Jiang Man asked Gao Rong to stand by him as he searched for their teammate and prepared to fight the Second Institute's cultivators.
• Su Qinya recruited three cultivators to humiliate Jiang Man, then planned to defend him and draw him closer until he fell in love with her.

Jiang Man defeated Sun Yuan and several others with overwhelming speed, helping Su Qinya claim the Pure Heart Art. He then set out with Gao Rong and Su Qinya to seek treasures in the First Institute’s territory, while other Heavenly Prides waited and Zhuo Ling anticipated his arrival.

• Jiang Man met Su Qinya and Gao Rong at a formation containing the Pure Heart Art, which Su Qinya wanted, while Gao Rong revealed that he also needed the Seven Star Body Refinement Method.
• Sun Yuan mocked Gao Rong, and Jiang Man recorded the insult before challenging him and defeating him and his two companions in a brief fight.
• Three more cultivators rushed in, and Jiang Man swiftly knocked them unconscious as well, leaving Su Qinya shaken by his strength.
• Su Qinya claimed the Pure Heart Art, and Jiang Man told Gao Rong he expected to reach Core Formation next year.
• Su Qinya informed Jiang Man about treasures in the First Institute’s territory, and he decided to go there with her and Gao Rong after asking the Heavenly Prides to wait two days.
• Xiang Liang and Qiao Yu speculated about Jiang Man’s delay, while Zhuo Ling looked forward to his arrival.

Jiang Man searched the Wuyun Sect ruins with Su Qinya and Gao Rong, using the Heavenly Mirror of a Hundred Books to inspect relics. He discovered that the statue concealed a valuable Four Extremes Demon-Suppressing Stone, gained a wisp of Cultivation Method purple qi, and shifted his plans toward improving his Cultivation Method and finding the Seven Star Body Refinement Method.

• Zhuo Ling said she would test Jiang Man’s strength if they met, but would avoid turning their ranking contest into a grudge.
• Su Qinya explained that the top fifty in the institute rankings qualified for the Advancement Secret Realm, and described several suspected treasures at the ruins.
• Jiang Man touched the mountain-gate stele and the Dharma Transmission Hall’s stone and plaque, but the Heavenly Mirror found nothing worth recording.
• Jiang Man touched the statue and discovered that it concealed a Four Extremes Demon-Suppressing Stone containing a demon that had escaped suppression.
• Jiang Man took the ordinary-looking stone, decided to pause competing with the Second Institute, and asked Su Qinya where he could find the Seven Star Body Refinement Method.

Jiang Man obtained the upper grade Seven Star Body Refinement Method and paid a senior cultivator to teach it, then demonstrated his strength in a spar with Wei Chuyao. After two and a half days of study and review, he was ready to begin cultivating the method.

• Jiang Man changed course to seek the Seven Star Body Refinement Method, and a bald Spell Cultivator offered to teach it in exchange for fifty thousand Spirit Sources or a place to comprehend a cultivation method.
• Jiang Man, Su Qinya, Gao Rong, and the two cultivators reached a mountain peak and claimed the upper grade body refinement method after clearing its puppets and Demon Beasts.
• Wei Chuyao challenged Jiang Man for two thousand Spirit Sources, and their spar ended when he used the Heavenly Heart Seal to counter her attack.
• Wei Chuyao recognized Jiang Man as Number 210 and left, concluding that her junior, Xiao Xiao, could not catch up to him.
• At the old site, the bald man taught Jiang Man the method while Gao Rong studied alongside him; after two and a half days, Jiang Man finished reviewing the lessons and prepared to cultivate.

Jiang Man discovered that the Wuyun Sect’s Ascetic Cultivation Cauldron could grant insights and that the Demon-Illuminating Mirror was tracking a growing number of demons, so he reported them while focusing on cultivation. As his training advanced, the competition rules changed, and Zhuo Ling’s team prepared for the new battles while Zhuo Bufan’s group discussed her likely matchup against Jiang Man.

• Jiang Man used the Heavenly Mirror of a Hundred Books to learn that the Ascetic Cultivation Cauldron held cultivation imprints, while the nearby spear was not worth investigating.
• Jiang Man identified the great mirror as an abandoned Demon-Illuminating Mirror that could reveal demons in the mountain range, then sent Su Qinya to cultivate at the cauldron and ask the bald man how to contact the sect.
• The bald man, Gao Rong, Su Qinya, and the brawny man gained insights while cultivating the Simple Method in the cauldron, and Jiang Man rapidly advanced his Seven Star Body Refinement Method as the mirror’s demon count rose and fluctuated.
• After the mirror showed seventy-nine demons, Jiang Man bought a talisman from the bald man and reported them to the sect, then returned to cultivation after learning the competition might continue for another half month.
• Zhuo Ling’s team received notice that, in seven days, teams in the First Institute’s area would face random battles to determine rankings, while Zhuo Bufan’s group discussed Zhuo Ling’s advantages over Jiang Man.

Jiang Man reached major mastery of the Seven Star Body Refinement Method, partially fused his powers, and entered the random team battles with Gao Rong and Su Qinya. He overwhelmed his first opponents and used the Heavenly Heart Seal to endure later fights, with his power fusion reaching twenty percent before his thirteenth match began.

• Xiang Liang and Qiao Yu discussed the new team competition rules and doubted Jiang Man could rank highly with his teammates.
• Jiang Man mastered the Seven Star Body Refinement Method, entered the dream temple, and used the Evil God's power to begin merging his cultivation, physical body, and spirit.
• Jiang Man assured Gao Rong and Su Qinya he would carry them, then defeated Xiang Liang, Qiao Yu, and their teammate in their first match.
• Jiang Man drew against a stronger team by enduring their attacks with the Heavenly Heart Seal, causing them to lose ranking points because of their lower-ranked institutes.
• Jiang Man fought twelve battles, raised his power fusion to twenty percent, and entered a thirteenth match where Zhuo Ling recognized the opposing team.

Jiang Man and his teammates endured the competition’s matches, fought off repeated challenges, and collected spirit beast eggs from demonkind before the random matches ended. As the rankings approached, Yu Wanyi learned that a group of people were working to get her released from the Enforcement Hall.

• Jiang Man defeated Zhuo Ling in a duel, but his Spirit Sword broke, so Zhuo Ling gave him a better one as a reward.
• Jiang Man killed a demonkind opponent with one strike, and Gao Rong and Su Qinya defeated the other two, each receiving a spirit beast egg.
• Jiang Man’s team used Hidden Spirit to withstand opponents, then conceded several matches when their opponents unleashed Hidden Spirit again.
• The random matches ended on September 15, and Jiang Man found that all demonkind had disappeared while his own Demon-Illuminating Mirror remained undiscovered.
• Ren Qian told Yu Wanyi that she had to leave the Enforcement Hall because people were pulling strings to get her out.

Jiang Man placed eighth individually and thirteenth as a team, then applied to enter the Advancement Secret Realm while continuing to fuse his powers. At the Antique Courtyard, Meng Qiewei learned of his rise and asked how soon he might reach Core Formation as she considered the family’s marriage-alliance plans.

• Jiang Man discussed his demon eggs and Evil God stone with Old Yellow Ox, deciding to sell the eggs and hand the stone to Yan Yiqiu.
• The rankings revealed Jiang Man in eighth place individually and his team, with Su Qinya and Gao Rong, in thirteenth; Shangguan Liuyun and Gu Yuexi discussed his potential.
• Jiang Man gave the Evil God stone to Yan Yiqiu and asked to enter the Advancement Secret Realm and compete for the Advancement Method; she agreed to submit an application.
• Jiang Man returned to the Small Courtyard and continued cultivating until Yan Yiqiu arrived with his assessment secret technique and ranking rewards.
• Meng Qiewei identified a possible Evil God influence on a tree and had Qing Dai notify the Immortal Gate; Qing Dai also reported Jiang Man’s ranking and the elders’ marriage-alliance proposal.
• Meng Qiewei asked Qing Dai how long it would take Jiang Man to reach Core Formation.

Meng Qiewei learned that Jiang Man’s chances of forming his core could determine whether her clan pursued a marriage alliance, while Jiang Man claimed first place among the Seven Peaks and collected his rewards. After repaying some debts and helping Little Fatty identify a fraudulently damaged spirit medicine, Jiang Man left with his advancement into the Golden Core stage approaching.

• Qing Dai told Meng Qiewei that Jiang Man’s late-night cultivation could jeopardize his Core Formation, and Meng Qiewei hoped her husband would succeed so her clan would stop gossiping.
• He Huaian learned that Jiang Man ranked first among the Seven Peaks and went to visit the other Alchemists, while Wei Chuyao’s Alchemist left after hearing Jiang Man had made the top ten.
• Jiang Man collected his tournament rewards, signed up to enter the Advancement Secret Realm, and learned that his cultivation progress would slow in the Sixth Courtyard.
• Jiang Man repaid Song Qing, Little Fatty, and Luo Xuan, then identified the damaged Three-Yang Flower as a plant that had been sabotaged and lent Little Fatty his Spirit Medicine Identification Record.
• Chang Qiwen collected his Spirit Source and told Jiang Man that his younger sister had a chance to secure a place in the Sect, while Jiang Man calculated that he still owed sixty-nine thousand Spirit Sources.
• Little Fatty used Jiang Man’s identification book to show Luo Xuan and Cheng Yu how the Three-Yang Flower had been sabotaged.

Jiang Man learned how the three Advancement Methods worked and relentlessly tempered himself until he reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, preparing to enter the Advancement Secret Realm. Before he could enter, Ji Hao directed him toward the dangerous City of Mist, while Chen Yu planned to contact him in the Immortal Spirit Dreamland and win him over.

• Old Yellow Ox explained that the Secret Realm would assess Jiang Man and develop an Advancement Method, ranging from the Wood and Grass Method to the Third Method, the Glazed Dharma.
• Jiang Man spent his remaining Spirit Sources on Earth-Origin Pills, took leave, and worked on Power Integration while Yu Wanyi asked Xia Jin to seek an Immortal Abode Slot for him.
• Zhuo Qingcheng decided to send Jiang Man a congratulatory gift after he reached Core Formation, and Jiang Man received an image and message from Meng Qiewei.
• Jiang Man followed Old Yellow Ox's cultivation plan, endured severe pain, and achieved Power Integration at the peak of his Foundation Establishment Body.
• Ji Hao told Jiang Man that the Advancement Secret Realm had three regions and urged him to enter the City of Mist, where leaving his mark could secure a marriage alliance with the Ji family.
• Chen Yu asked a rotund man to help him meet Jiang Man in the Immortal Spirit Dreamland and persuade him to join his side during Core Formation.

Chen Yu tried to use Jiang Man’s dream and the Immortal Spirit’s lock to recruit him, while Jiang Man entered the advancement secret realm and headed into the Method-Seeking Mist. Jiang Man broke through Chen Yu’s mental city with ease, but found his path ahead blocked by iron chains and a forming well.

• Chen Yu planned to influence Jiang Man’s advancement, warning that Jiang Man’s growing influence and the brightening Immortal Spirit flame made him a risk to their standing.
• Jiang Man discussed the City of Mist, the advancement secret realm, and possible dangers with the Old Yellow Ox before preparing to enter.
• At the Little Hill Slope, Jiang Man drew attention from other contenders and noticed Shangguan Liuyun, the Outer Sect’s strongest student.
• Jiang Man entered the secret realm, chose the mist, and defeated its Mist Figures and several challengers from the First Institute with single strikes.
• Jiang Man reached a mist-covered city where Chen Yu offered to help him become an Immortal Spirit Envoy, but Jiang Man led him out of the city in an instant.
• Chen Yu warned that iron chains had sealed Jiang Man’s way forward as the mist began forming a well toward the Abyss, but Jiang Man insisted the road was open to him.

Jiang Man broke through the chains in the Advancement Secret Realm and formed the Third Method, a Glazed Body, then emerged ranked first and prepared to pursue Core Formation. Chen Yu and his allies failed to bring him under control and discussed driving him out, while Mo Zainian returned to the sect after coming to terms with his choice not to take Jiang Man as a disciple.

• Jiang Man shattered the chains sealing his path, used his True Martial Art to break through the darkness, and formed a Glazed Body as he obtained the Third Method.
• Chen Yu found a message from Jiang Man in the ruined temple, erased his own writing, and warned the rotund man that they had to hide their identities and find a way to drive Jiang Man out.
• Jiang Man returned to the three-way junction with the Third Method book and claimed first place; Gu Yuexi declined his offer to fight for Spirit Sources, and Shangguan Liuyun asked when he expected to reach Core Formation.
• Jiang Man told Old Yellow Ox about his trial, learned what formations and spirit medicines he needed, and set off for the Sixth Courtyard after his request for spirit medicines was approved.
• Mo Zainian returned to the sect and reassured himself that passing over Jiang Man as a disciple had been the right choice, while the female alchemist expected He Huaian's boasting to have diminished.

Jiang Man cultivated day and night in the Sixth Courtyard while attempting to form his core, inspiring other disciples to follow his example. As the Outer Sect waited to see whether he would succeed, Wang Yan and Wei Ran intervened in Cheng Yu’s affairs, and Cheng Yu collapsed after taking a pill intended to remove her bodily restraints.

• Jiang Man began cultivating without rest in the Sixth Courtyard, and Yan Yiqiu suspended lessons so the others could cultivate alongside him.
• Fang Yong joined the Sixth Courtyard’s round-the-clock cultivation, and disciples from other courtyards increasingly followed suit.
• Bai Fan, Jiang Yingcai, and Duan Wu discussed how the trend might change competition for entry to the Advancement Secret Realm.
• Wang Yan told Wei Ran that Cheng Yu had been taking pills for herself, and Wei Ran gave Wang Yan a pill intended to stop Cheng Yu from harming their interests.
• Cheng Yu took the pill and passed out in pain as it attacked the bruises her mother had left to restrain her.
• Wang Yan told Wei Ran that Cheng Yu had taken the pill, and Wei Ran directed her to find Fang Yong and inform him.

Jiang Man completed core formation in a spectacular storm above the Sixth Courtyard, becoming the Outer Sect’s undisputed number one. After Ji Hao rescued him from his fall, the sect reacted to his breakthrough and the blessing it gave his courtyard companions.

• Chang Qiwen learned from Gao Rong that Jiang Man was undergoing core formation, while Shangguan Liuyun had disappeared into a formation.
• Yu Wanyi told Immortal Maiden Huaijing that Jiang Man would form his core soon, and Huaijing began watching the Sixth Courtyard.
• Dark clouds and a tornado gathered over the Sixth Courtyard, and Ji Hao told Yan Yiqiu that the sect’s power was supporting Jiang Man’s breakthrough.
• Jiang Man practiced the Advancement Method within the storm, condensed his golden core, and fell toward the courtyard before Ji Hao appeared and took him away.
• Jiang Man’s breakthrough blessed the Sixth Courtyard cultivators, while Shangguan Liuyun accepted his defeat and He Huaian celebrated that his disciple had become the Outer Sect’s top golden-core cultivator.

Jiang Man formed a Golden Core, received a new cultivation path, and faced a choice between remaining in the Outer Sect or entering the Inner Sect. Meanwhile, Meng Qiewei learned of his breakthrough and the marriage alliance discussions, then heard that people suspected she was hiding her son-in-law.

• Ji Hao gave Jiang Man a Visualization Method based on him and explained that the Sect would offer him a Golden Core Upper Grade Method after his Inner Sect records were established.
• Ji Hao told Jiang Man that he could choose to remain in the Outer Sect or enter the Inner Sect, where he would face greater risks but gain access to suitable instruction.
• Jiang Man returned to his courtyard, learned Chang Qiwen had covered his rent, and asked Old Yellow Ox about Golden Core methods and whether to enter the Inner Sect.
• Qing Dai told Meng Qiewei that Jiang Man had formed a fine Golden Core and inspired a new Visualization Method, earning recognition as a legendary figure and prompting marriage alliance discussions.
• Meng Qiewei told Qing Dai to keep tracking the Immortal Gate's investigation of the Evil Gods, then heard that people suspected she was hiding her son-in-law in her courtyard or bedchamber.