Recaps

Huang Xiao and Huo Lian killed Mu Yan and the other pursuers, then returned to Monan City and led the Wild Ox Sect’s people out toward home. On the way, they learned that the Heart-Devouring Sect had spent heavily on spirit crystals and that the Demon God Sect had opened the Demon General sects to challenges.

• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian ambushed and killed Mu Yan, Chen Jiao, and their men after luring them to a deserted place.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian returned to the inn, where Jiang Deng apologized for failing to come to their aid, and Huang Xiao told him he was not to blame.
• Huang Xiao led the Wild Ox Sect’s people out of Monan City, and he and Huo Lian killed several hundred followers who pursued them.
• Jiang Deng told Huang Xiao that Mu Yan had spent over 1.8 billion taels to buy the spirit crystals at the Guangjin Consignment House auction.
• Jiang Deng reported that the Demon God Sect had announced that strong individuals or sects could challenge Demon General sects and take their status by destroying them.

After confirming the Demon God Sect would allow challenges to Demon Generals, Huang Xiao and Huo Lian saw a chance to claim a Demon General position by attacking Qi Heng and the Heart-Devouring Sect. They set out for the sect and found many powerful Jianghu figures already gathered there.

• Huang Xiao ordered Jiang Deng to investigate the Demon God Sect's announcement while he and Huo Lian discussed confronting the Heart-Devouring Sect.
• Jiang Deng confirmed the details of the challenge announcement, and Huang Xiao and Huo Lian concluded that weaker Demon Generals such as Qi Heng would be targeted.
• Huo Lian and Huang Xiao decided to move quickly against the Heart-Devouring Sect, hoping to seize an actual Demon General position.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian left the Wild Ox Sect, swept away Jianghu pursuers along the way, and warned those near the sect that they were gone.
• After three days, Huang Xiao and Huo Lian reached the Heart-Devouring Sect and saw that many powerful Jianghu figures had gathered around it.

Qi Heng learned that the Heart-Devouring Sect was surrounded by experts seeking his Demon General position and tried to buy time for a breakthrough by strengthening the sect’s defenses. He left Lu Mu with three days to complete the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation while the threat outside continued to grow.

• Qi Heng learned that Mu Yan and the other elders had died, and Geng Jue reported that Huang Xiao and Huo Lian had returned unharmed to the Wild Ox Sect.
• Geng Jue told Qi Heng that 'Blood Saber' Meng Hengjing and several other powerful experts had appeared near the Heart-Devouring Sect.
• Geng Jue urged Qi Heng to avoid the attackers, but Qi Heng chose to use the sect’s formation to stall them while he pursued a breakthrough.
• Qi Heng asked Lu Mu to speed up the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation, but Lu Mu said completing it would take at least three days.

Qi Heng hired Lu Mu to strengthen the Heart-Devouring Sect’s defenses, but Lu demanded Qi Heng’s formation manual in exchange and admitted he could not yet set up the second level of the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation. Qi Heng handed over the manual, and Lu revealed that Hu Pursuing Wind and Yao Fengrong had told him about it.

• Qi Heng asked Lu Mu to reinforce the Heart-Devouring Sect’s Grand Formation so it could hold off their enemies for three months, and Lu agreed to help for a higher price.
• Lu Mu said Qi Heng could pay with a formation manual and revealed he had agreed to the work because he knew Qi Heng possessed one.
• Lu Mu admitted he could not set up the second level of the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation without studying the manual, and Qi Heng angrily agreed to give it to him because he needed Lu’s defenses.
• Lu Mu promised to set up the first level within three days, reinforce the Sect-Protecting Grand Formation, and work toward raising the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation to the second level within a month.
• Lu Mu explained that Hu Pursuing Wind and Yao Fengrong had told him about the manual when they had sought his help with the formation.

Lu Mu discovered that Qi Heng had only the fourth and fifth layers of the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation, while Hu Pursuing Wind and Yao Fengrong had kept the first three layers for themselves. Lu Mu pretended he could recreate the missing second layer, but planned to deceive Qi Heng, escape during an attack, and later seize the remaining formation methods.

• Lu Mu realized that Hu Pursuing Wind and Yao Fengrong had withheld the first three layers and only given him the first layer's setup method.
• Qi Heng threatened Lu Mu to produce results, and Lu Mu claimed he might derive the second layer from the fourth and fifth layers.
• Qi Heng left and resolved to seek Hu Pursuing Wind and Yao Fengrong once he had settled matters at the Heart-Devouring Sect.
• Lu Mu planned to weaken the first layer, later pass off an improved version as the second, and use an attack on the Heart-Devouring Sect to escape.

Huang Xiao and Huo Lian waited outside the Heart-Devouring Sect as Jianghu experts began attacking its strengthened grand formation, then quietly infiltrated it. They estimated the formation could delay the attackers for ten days to half a month, leaving the sect’s next steps dependent on how much longer its formation expert could reinforce it.

• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian decided to observe the experts gathered outside the Heart-Devouring Sect before acting.
• After five days, Huang Xiao sensed attackers forcing their way through the sect’s gate-protecting grand formation and noticed its strength had increased.
• Huo Lian concluded that Qi Heng had likely invited a formation expert to set up the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation and reinforce the grand formation.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian entered the formation at a deserted spot, avoided or killed sect disciples, and took three shichen to slip through unnoticed.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian saw that the fighting had slowed and the formation was still growing stronger; Huo Lian estimated it could hold the attackers back for ten days to half a month.

Huang Xiao and Huo Lian found Qi Heng meditating inside the Heart-Devouring Sect’s Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation and prepared to ambush him, while discovering a large supply of formation materials nearby. Their attack was interrupted when Geng Jue arrived to report that Lu Mu needed those materials to reinforce the Protective Gate Grand Formation, leaving Qi Heng reluctantly authorizing their use while insisting enough remain for the formation’s second layer.

• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian decided to seek Qi Heng while the other experts remained trapped outside the formation.
• The two reached the Back Mountain, sensed Qi Heng inside the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation, and spotted chests full of formation materials nearby.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian hid as Geng Jue approached Qi Heng to warn that the Protective Gate Grand Formation might not last three months.
• Qi Heng refused to let Lu Mu use the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation materials, then relented and ordered Geng Jue to permit their use as long as enough remained to set up the second layer.
• After Geng Jue left, Qi Heng roared in anger and wondered whether the people outside were putting Lu Mu under severe pressure.

Huang Xiao and Huo Lian ambushed Qi Heng inside the Heart-Devouring Sect, trapping him in a Soundproof Formation and attacking while he was without his sword. Qi Heng was badly wounded and tried to provoke them into giving him a sword, but Huang Xiao saw through his plan.

• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian attacked Qi Heng as he cultivated, forcing him out of the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation.
• Huang Xiao revealed that their Soundproof Formation prevented the guards outside from hearing the fight, and Qi Heng recognized them as members of the Wild Ox Sect.
• Qi Heng tried to break through Huo Lian's side and escape, but Huo Lian dodged his Palm Force and countered with his Imitation Saber.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian attacked Qi Heng from both sides, inflicting wounds and making his aura unsteady.
• Qi Heng asked whether they dared give him a sword, hoping for a chance to escape, but Huang Xiao recognized the ploy.

Huang Xiao and Huo Lian killed Qi Heng and concealed the formation materials before they could leave unnoticed. Lu Mu arrived, discovered the scene, and tried to convince them he was not their enemy.

• Huo Lian used an exploding blast of Saber Force to trap Qi Heng, and Huang Xiao cut off Qi Heng’s hand and beheaded him with the Minghong Saber.
• Huang Xiao took Qi Heng’s robe and wrapped his head in it as proof of the kill and a key to claiming the Demon General position.
• Huo Lian examined the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation, which he and Huang Xiao then destroyed and studied before burying its materials and boxes several li away.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian prepared to leave with Qi Heng’s head, but Lu Mu arrived after sensing trouble with the formation.
• Lu Mu said he had only helped Qi Heng set up the formation and had no quarrel with them, while Huang Xiao questioned him about his formation skills.

Huang Xiao and Huo Lian cornered Lu Mu after he tried to escape, then searched him for the rewards he had received from Qi Heng. Huo Lian found a manual for the fourth and fifth layers of the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation, which complemented the manual they had obtained earlier.

• Lu Mu used several formation treasures to flee, but Huang Xiao and Huo Lian caught up with him.
• Heart-Devouring Sect guards attacked Huang Xiao and Huo Lian, and Huang Xiao quickly defeated them.
• Huang Xiao demanded the benefits Lu Mu had received from Qi Heng, while Lu Mu offered to set up formations in exchange for his life.
• Lu Mu activated three formations, but Huang Xiao revealed that he and Huo Lian had avoided them by using an illusion formation.
• Huo Lian searched Lu Mu and found a manual detailing the fourth and fifth layers of the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation.
• Huo Lian handed the manual to Huang Xiao, who recognized that it complemented the one they had obtained from Hu Pursuing Wind and the others.

Huang Xiao and Huo Lian decided to keep formation master Lu Mu alive because they needed his help moving the Wild Ox Sect to Inkstone Mountain and building its protective formation. Huang Xiao took a drop of Lu Mu’s essence blood as a means of control, but could not activate the Supreme Ghost Stele’s power until he returned to it.

• Huang Xiao learned that the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation had five levels, while Lu Mu explained that his manual lacked the first three.
• Huo Lian and Huang Xiao told Lu Mu they wanted his formation expertise for the Wild Ox Sect’s move to Inkstone Mountain.
• Huang Xiao demanded a drop of Lu Mu’s essence blood to control him, and Lu Mu agreed rather than risk being killed.
• Huang Xiao stored Lu Mu’s essence blood, intending to use the Supreme Ghost Stele to control his life and death after returning to it.
• Lu Mu doubted that one drop of essence blood could control him and planned to wait a few days for a chance to escape.

Huang Xiao and Huo Lian left the Heart-Devouring Sect with Qi Heng’s head, knowing the sect would soon fall and its wealth would disappoint the Jianghu people. Near the Wild Ox Sect, they faced a crowd of would-be challengers and decided Lu Mu’s reputation as a formation master could help them.

• Huang Xiao, Huo Lian, and Lu Mu left the Heart-Devouring Sect, while Huang Xiao noted that the Jianghu people breaking through its formations would soon learn Qi Heng was dead.
• Lu Mu complained that the effort had yielded little, and Huang Xiao and Huo Lian discussed the Heart-Devouring Sect’s remaining wealth and the formation materials they had hidden.
• Lu Mu asked who his captors were, and Huang Xiao introduced himself as the Wild Ox Sect’s Sect Master while Huo Lian identified himself as its Deputy Sect Master.
• Near the Wild Ox Sect, Lu Mu pointed out that the gathered Jianghu people might target Huang Xiao and Huo Lian after Qi Heng’s death, and Huang Xiao recognized the danger.
• Huo Lian proposed borrowing Lu Mu’s name rather than asking him to fight, and Huang Xiao agreed that the formation master’s reputation could help them.

Huang Xiao and Huo Lian brought Lu Mu to the Wild Ox Sect, where his reputation discouraged the Jianghu forces surrounding the sect. After securing Lu Mu’s help and placing him under the Supreme Ghost Stele’s control, they studied the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation and suspected its manual had more than five layers.

• Lu Mu protested that Huang Xiao and Huo Lian were exploiting his reputation, but they insisted he would help reinforce the Wild Ox Sect’s formations.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian fought their way through the Jianghu forces outside the sect, and the sight of Lu Mu with them made many attackers fear they could not break in.
• Huang Xiao welcomed Lu Mu into the Wild Ox Sect, and Jiang Deng escorted him to his prepared guest room while the disciples took comfort in his arrival.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian compared the first three layers of the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation with the two layers they had obtained from Lu Mu and confirmed that the manuals belonged together.
• Huang Xiao used Lu Mu’s essence blood to place a strand of divine sense in the Supreme Ghost Stele, while he and Huo Lian suspected the formation manual might contain a sixth layer or more.

Huang Xiao and Huo Lian questioned Lu Mu about the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation after Huang Xiao demonstrated his control over Lu Mu and promised to release him in ten years. Lu Mu agreed to cooperate and explained that he had never actually learned to set up a second-tier formation.

• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian discussed the unnamed senior who had left behind the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation manual and planned to ask Lu Mu about formation tiers.
• Lu Mu arrived at the Main Hall and offered to set up a formation, but Huang Xiao made his divine sense feel as though it might collapse, proving that he controlled Lu Mu’s life and death.
• Huang Xiao promised to release Lu Mu after ten years if he cooperated, and Lu Mu accepted because he saw no other choice.
• Huang Xiao asked about the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation, and Lu Mu admitted that he could not set up its second tier because he had been deceived about the contents of Qi Heng’s manual.
• Lu Mu said the manual contained the fourth and fifth layers, and Huang Xiao wondered whether Hu Pursuing Wind and the others had deceived him.

Lu Mu explained the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation’s layers and revealed his theory that the first four layers progressively reinforced one formation. Huang Xiao and Huo Lian realized Lu Mu had likely received the first-layer method from Hu Pursuing Wind’s group, while Lu Mu privately planned to obtain their remaining layers.

• Lu Mu said he possessed only the first layer of the five-layer Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation manual and described how its layers corresponded to Demon General strength.
• Huang Xiao suspected Lu Mu had set up Hu Pursuing Wind and the others’ flawed formation in exchange for the first-layer method, while they had kept the second and third layers secret.
• Lu Mu said he did not know where the other layers were, but privately planned to obtain Hu Pursuing Wind and the others’ manual and collect all five layers.
• Lu Mu told Huang Xiao and Huo Lian that different methods for the first four layers could probably substitute for one another because each layer built upon and strengthened the same formation.

Lu Mu discussed the requirements for the Fifth Layer Level Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation and began reinforcing the Wild Ox Sect’s defenses. Huang Xiao and Huo Lian decided to postpone claiming the Demon General title and eventually move the sect to Inkstone Mountain, then went to confront the Jianghu intruders trapped in the formation.

• Lu Mu explained that the Fifth Layer Level required four auxiliary formations, and Huang Xiao, Huo Lian, and Lu Mu discussed the difficulty and potential rewards of setting it up.
• Lu Mu began improving and adding to the Wild Ox Sect’s formations under Huang Xiao’s control of the Supreme Ghost Stele.
• Huo Lian warned that obtaining the Demon General title would attract more Primordial Ancient Realm Peak Stage experts, so Huang Xiao agreed to keep Qi Heng’s head and wait until they were stronger.
• Huo Lian proposed moving the Wild Ox Sect to Inkstone Mountain, where its inkstone crystals could strengthen grand formations, and Huang Xiao agreed they should wait for a safer opportunity.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian went to the sect’s outskirts, where Jiang Deng assured them that the trapped Jianghu intruders posed no threat.

The Wild Ox Sect prepared for a possible full-scale attack while its besiegers tested the sect’s formations. Meng Hengjing and two fellow experts discussed the rewards they hoped to seize, and watched as the Jianghu folk began another assault.

• Huang Xiao told Jiang Deng to prepare the Wild Ox Sect’s disciples for an invasion, despite Jiang Deng’s belief that the besiegers would keep probing for several more days.
• Meng Hengjing and two elderly experts watched the formations and agreed that breaking them would be difficult and costly.
• Meng Hengjing’s companions discussed their failed bids for Demon General positions and Qi Heng’s mysterious death.
• The three experts set their sights on Kui Yong’s cultivation method and other valuables from the Wild Ox Sect, though the old woman concealed her own intentions.
• Meng Hengjing noticed the Jianghu folk preparing to attack, and the three watched them charge into battle.

The Wild Ox Sect fought back against the Jianghu experts, using Lu Mu’s formation to divide their opponents. Huang Xiao isolated Meng Hengjing and his companions, then revealed unexpected strength and drew the Minghong Saber to face the old man.

• Jiang Deng led his disciples into the formation as Huang Xiao and Huo Lian prepared to fight the invading experts.
• Lu Mu altered the formation to block sound and sight, and Meng Hengjing, an old man, and an old woman charged inside with three other primordial ancient realm peak stage experts.
• Huang Xiao killed the late-stage expert he had chosen, then used a formation within the formation to separate Meng Hengjing and his companions.
• The old woman lost sight of the old man, while Huang Xiao confronted the old man and forced him back with a palm strike.
• The old man realized Huang Xiao had concealed his strength and asked why Ke Zhenyi had become Reserve Demon General; Huang Xiao drew the Minghong Saber and offered him a chance to live.

Huang Xiao wounded a primordial ancient realm peak stage expert inside the formation, extracted a drop of his essence blood, and used it to threaten the old man into submission. He then appeared before the old woman, while Meng Hengjing remained trapped and unable to contact his companions.

• Huang Xiao attacked the old man and used the formation’s effect on his senses to slash his back.
• Huang Xiao struck the old man’s wound, extracted a drop of essence blood, and sent it into the Supreme Ghost Stele.
• Huang Xiao warned the old man that his divine sense and life were under Huang Xiao’s control, stopping him from attacking again.
• Huang Xiao left the old man and confronted the old woman as she tried unsuccessfully to break the formation.
• Meng Hengjing failed to contact the other two experts and could not break through the formation.

Huang Xiao faced the Blood Saber Meng Hengjing after secretly subduing two of his companions, and the two fought at Primordial Ancient Realm peak-stage strength. Lu Mu hid their battle with a formation, leaving Huang Xiao to unleash more of his power against Meng Hengjing.

• Huang Xiao revealed that he had already subdued the old man and old woman, and Meng Hengjing attacked him to seize Kui Yong's cultivation methods.
• Huang Xiao activated the tenth stage of Heavenly Demon Disintegration and clashed with Meng Hengjing, who recognized his peak-stage strength and pressed the attack.
• Huang Xiao raised his power to the eleventh layer, exciting Meng Hengjing and strengthening his resolve to obtain Kui Yong's cultivation methods.
• Huo Lian called on Lu Mu to contain the commotion, and Lu Mu activated a screening formation that hid Huang Xiao and Meng Hengjing from the onlookers.
• Meng Hengjing dismissed the formation as harmless, while Huang Xiao welcomed the chance to fight him without exposing the battle to others.

Huang Xiao and Meng Hengjing fought fiercely until Huang Xiao used the Bronze Key to overwhelm Meng Hengjing with pain and immobilize him. Huang Xiao began extracting Meng Hengjing's essence blood.

• Huang Xiao and Meng Hengjing's battle sent stray saber force flying through the formation, killing nearby fighters from both sides.
• Huang Xiao and Meng Hengjing exchanged serious but nonfatal wounds before drawing apart.
• Meng Hengjing attacked again, and Huang Xiao secretly activated the Bronze Key using Meng Hengjing's blood.
• Meng Hengjing lost control of his body amid agony, and Huang Xiao knocked the Blood Saber from his hand.
• Huang Xiao struck Meng Hengjing's major acupoints and began extracting essence blood from his left arm.

Huang Xiao gained control of Meng Hengjing and persuaded him to serve the Wild Ox Sect for ten years. He joined Meng Hengjing and the others to confront Chen Ruyu, Zhou Mo, and Zhang Qiande, ordering them to spare the three's lives.

• Huang Xiao used Meng Hengjing's Essence Blood to control his life and death, then released his sealed Acupoints and stopped his attack by threatening his Divine Sense.
• Meng Hengjing agreed to serve the Wild Ox Sect for ten years after Huang Xiao offered to spare his life.
• Huang Xiao revealed the old man and old woman, and Meng Hengjing proposed that their group join Huo Lian to fight the remaining three experts.
• Meng Hengjing confronted Chen Ruyu, Zhou Mo, and Zhang Qiande and demanded that they surrender without a fight.
• Chen Ruyu dismissed the old man and old woman as unworthy of speaking to her.

Huang Xiao subdued Meng Hengjing, Chen Ruyu, and their companions, then forced them to join the Wild Ox Sect for ten years while setting a hundred-year term for the old woman and old man. After the old pair died from a collapse of their divine sense, the screening formation came down, and the newly allied fighters charged the surrounding Jianghu people.

• Lu Mu screened off Huang Xiao and the others at Huang Xiao's request, concealing Huang Xiao's true strength from the watching Jianghu people.
• Huang Xiao subdued Chen Ruyu and his two companions and demanded that they serve the Wild Ox Sect for ten years.
• Huang Xiao set a hundred-year term for the old woman and the old man, who protested when they learned Meng Hengjing had received only ten years.
• The old woman and the old man collapsed and died after disrespecting Huo Lian, and Huang Xiao warned the others against insulting the deputy sect master.
• Lu Mu withdrew the screening formation, and Meng Hengjing, Chen Ruyu, and the others charged the surrounding Jianghu people, who called for retreat or a fight.

After the Wild Ox Sect defeated the Jianghu fighters, Huang Xiao discussed strengthening the sect and revealed plans to relocate it to a better place. Meng Hengjing and his three companions joined the sect as ten-year retainers, with the possibility of becoming Grand Elders if they later chose to stay.

• With Meng Hengjing, Chen Ruyu, and the others fighting alongside the Wild Ox Sect, most of the besieging Jianghu fighters were killed and the rest fled.
• Huang Xiao introduced Lu Mu to Jiang Deng and the others, and Meng Hengjing and his companions recognized the advantages of joining the sect.
• Lu Mu offered to rebuild the Wild Ox Sect's formations, but Huang Xiao declined because he planned to move the sect elsewhere and asked Lu Mu only to reinforce the existing defenses.
• Huang Xiao told Meng Hengjing and his three companions to help if Jiang Deng and the others could not handle future challengers.
• Huo Lian said the four would serve as retainers for ten years and could become Grand Elders if they chose to truly join the Wild Ox Sect.

Huo Lian and Huang Xiao traveled to Inkstone Mountain to inspect the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation and keep the hidden Formation Manuals secret. They began planning to build the Wild Ox Sect with the Fifth Layer of the formation in mind.

• Huo Lian reassured Huang Xiao that they would soon grow strong enough to control Meng Hengjing and the others.
• Huang Xiao and Huo Lian left the Wild Ox Sect and returned to Inkstone Mountain, where they confirmed no one had entered the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation's area.
• Huo Lian and Huang Xiao reasoned that Lu Mu might suspect the valley held the Formation Manuals, so they agreed to hide their discovery of the secret chamber.
• Huang Xiao suggested planning the Wild Ox Sect's new home around the main and four auxiliary formations needed for the Fifth Layer of the Spirit-Gathering Divine Formation.
• Huo Lian agreed the plan might be feasible and noted that the mountain range could contain four suitable sites for the auxiliary formations.