Recaps

Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng returned to Cloudrise City after improving their cultivation, and Xiao Hei asked for information about the Demon Abyss. They found the city engulfed in conflict between the Li, Kang, and Yang Lineages, while the Mercenary Guild promoted their group and offered them a chance to help the Yang Lineage for a spot at the Kunlun Heavenly Pool.

• Ye Qiubai broke through to the Void God Realm and reached the Great Sword Ancestor level, while Shi Sheng advanced to the late Void God Realm and Xiao Hei continued cultivating with the Demon Abyss Token.
• Xiao Hei awakened with memories of an abyss marked “Demon Abyss” and asked Ye Qiubai to help him find information about it.
• The group returned to Cloudrise City and saw that the Li and Kang Lineages were rapidly seizing the Yang Lineage’s holdings as the city’s factions fought.
• At the Mercenary Guild, Luo Yun promoted Ye Qiubai’s group to Mystic-grade after they turned in their mission.
• He Lin apologized for his earlier conduct and told Ye Qiubai that Yang Qi wanted the group to help the Yang Lineage in return for a spot at the Kunlun Heavenly Pool.

Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng agreed to help the struggling Yang Lineage in exchange for a chance to compete for entry to Kunlun Heavenly Pool. As the elders questioned the deal, Yang Qi staked his position as heir on the three mercenaries proving their worth.

• He Lin explained that Kunlun Heavenly Pool would open in a month and that the Yang Lineage could offer the three companions entry into the qualification tournament.
• Yang Zhenhuai and Yang Qi discussed how the Li and Kang Lineages were closing in on the Yang Lineage while reinforcements and mercenaries remained unavailable.
• Ye Qiubai arrived with the Scale Armor Mercenary Group and the Cottage Mercenary Group, and Yang Qi welcomed him as an answer to the Yang Lineage's plea for help.
• Yang Zhenhuai offered Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng a chance to enter the qualification tournament if they helped the Yang Lineage survive its crisis.
• The elders objected to giving outsiders such a valuable reward, so Yang Qi wagered his position as heir on the three companions making a difference.

Yang Qi and Ye Qiubai devised an aggressive plan to attack the northern street before turning toward the eastern street, hoping to surprise the Li and Kang Lineages. The attack began with Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng overwhelming the defenders, while the Kang Lineage’s grand elder went to confront them.

• Yang Qi guaranteed the elders the chance to inherit leadership if their plan succeeded, then explained that the Li and Kang Lineages had seized more than half of the Yang Lineage’s holdings.
• Ye Qiubai confirmed that he, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng could handle opponents below the Emperor Realm, and rejected Yang Zhenhuai’s proposal to defend the weaker eastern street first.
• Ye Qiubai proposed attacking the northern street, where enemy forces were weaker, before shifting to the eastern street to encircle the enemy.
• Yang Zhenhuai approved Ye Qiubai’s plan, gave orders to the Yang Lineage’s guards, and headed north with Yang Qi and the three newcomers.
• The Kang Lineage’s grand elder learned that the Yang Lineage was attacking the northern street and led his troops to meet them.
• Ye Qiubai killed a Late Void God Realm expert, Xiao Hei smashed two Void God Realm cultivators together, and Shi Sheng swung his axe through the defenders.

Ye Qiubai faced the Kang Lineage's grand elder on the northern street, using his Great Sword Ancestor Sword Intent to resist the Half-Emperor's blood-red killing aura. As his sword heart sublimated under the pressure, he unleashed the Primordial Sword Scripture's “Pacify Mountains and Rivers,” and the chapter ended with his strike colliding with the elder's saber.

• The Kang Lineage's grand elder arrived and found the allied forces being slaughtered, then confronted Ye Qiubai and his companions with Half-Emperor pressure.
• Ye Qiubai unfurled his Sword Domain and charged the elder, while the elder attacked with his blood-red Spiritual Qi and serrated saber.
• Ye Qiubai's sword heart sublimated, and the Dark Demon Sword and Azure Cloud Sword responded with surging sword power.
• Ye Qiubai used the Primordial Sword Scripture's “Pacify Mountains and Rivers” as the elder brought down his saber.
• The two attacks collided, blasting apart the street and forcing Yang Qi and the Yang Lineage guards back.

Ye Qiubai defended the northern street against the Kang Lineage's grand elder, unleashing the Four Absolutes Sword Array strengthened by the intent of unending life. He killed the Half-Emperor with a single sword strike, though the battle left him badly depleted.

• Ye Qiubai held off the Kang Lineage's grand elder while Xiao Hei and Shi Sheng slaughtered the Kang and Li Lineage cultivators.
• The grand elder burned his blood intent and unleashed his strongest technique, Blood Intent Crimson Saber.
• Ye Qiubai used the Four Absolutes Sword Array and replaced its wood intent with the intent of unending life.
• Ye Qiubai combined the array with the Primordial Sword Scripture's Pacify Mountains and Rivers strike, draining most of his Spiritual Qi.
• Ye Qiubai's four-colored sword shattered the grand elder's saber and pierced his body, killing him.

After Ye Qiubai killed the Kang Lineage's grand elder, Yang Qi led the surviving guards to the eastern street to exploit the enemy's lack of information. They joined the desperate Yang Lineage fight, where Xiao Hei confronted Li Yun as Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Yang Qi attacked the remaining Kang and Li forces.

• Ye Qiubai killed the Kang Lineage's grand elder, and Yang Qi ordered two guards to remain behind while the rest headed for the eastern street.
• Li Yun and Kang Ming pressed the Yang Lineage's defenders, and Elder Yang feared the Long Lineage's reinforcements would not arrive.
• Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, Yang Qi, and the Yang Lineage guards attacked the Kang and Li forces from behind, revealing that the northern street had fallen.
• Shi Sheng used the Power of the Stars to block Kang Ming's signal, while Elder Yang charged Kang Ming and Xiao Hei moved to fight Li Yun.
• Xiao Hei activated the Eternal Devil Body and entered Demonization as Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Yang Qi led the assault on the other enemies.

Xiao Hei fought Li Yun, whose charming Spiritual Qi failed to affect him, and met her attacks with startling physical strength. After she declared she would kill him rather than risk taking him as a slave, Xiao Hei summoned a towering demonic phantom and rejected her with contempt.

• Li Yun unleashed her charming Spiritual Qi at Xiao Hei, but he charged through it without losing strength or speed.
• Li Yun danced to charm Xiao Hei and the guards, but Xiao Hei remained focused and struck her with a punch that shattered her palm imprint and forced her back.
• Xiao Hei charged again, and Li Yun gathered her Spiritual Qi to meet his fist; both were driven back, and Xiao Hei was wounded.
• Li Yun said she would kill Xiao Hei rather than risk taking him as her male slave, and Xiao Hei summoned a huge demonic phantom.
• Xiao Hei told Li Yun she did not need to know who he was and that she was not worthy of taking him as her slave.

Xiao Hei crushed Li Yun’s strongest attack and killed her, while Ye Qiubai and Shi Sheng defeated the Kang and Li Lineages’ guards. Ye Qiubai then killed Kang Ming, leaving Elder Yang to acknowledge his mistake as news of the battle reached the Kang and Li Lineages.

• Xiao Hei shattered Li Yun’s pink rose technique with one punch and crushed her neck, killing her.
• Ye Qiubai and Shi Sheng cut down the Kang and Li Lineages’ guards until Kang Ming was the only one left.
• Elder Yang told Kang Ming that his forces had failed, and Kang Ming stopped fighting.
• Ye Qiubai pierced Kang Ming’s brow with Sword Intent and killed him.
• Elder Yang apologized to Ye Qiubai and the others, and Yang Qi reminded him why he had trusted them.
• News of the battle reached the Kang and Li Lineages.

The Yang Lineage's ancestor prevented the Kang and Li Lineages from escalating their conflict, forcing them to surrender resources. Ye Qiubai and his companions received the Yang Lineage's Kunlun Heavenly Pool contest slots, while a mysterious visitor arrived at the Cottage in the Southern Region.

• Kang Shicheng and Li Man decided to consult their ancestors and considered deploying them against the Yang Lineage.
• The Yang Lineage's ancestor threatened to stake his life to hold back the Kang and Li ancestors, and the three ancestors agreed to leave the dispute to the younger generation.
• The Kang and Li Lineages surrendered and each gave a tenth of their resources to the Yang Lineage, raising its share of Cloudrise City's resources to thirty percent.
• Yang Zhenhuai invited Ye Qiubai and his two companions to the Yang Lineage, gave them its contest slots for the Kunlun Heavenly Pool, and promised them a favor.
• Yang Zhenhuai urged Yang Qi to maintain ties with the three young men, and a mysterious visitor arrived at the Cottage in the Southern Region.

Liu Ziru, a five-star executive officer of the Dark Domain, tried to recruit Lu Changsheng, but Lu Changsheng refused to become involved. After their discussion failed to change his mind, Liu Ziru resorted to force.

• Lu Changsheng resumed his quiet routine after his disciples left, until Liu Ziru arrived and introduced himself as a five-star executive officer of the Dark Domain.
• Liu Ziru explained that the Dark Domain recruited powerful people into an alliance, but Lu Changsheng refused because he wanted to avoid entanglements and live peacefully.
• Liu Ziru argued that strength could help Lu Changsheng overcome cause and effect, but Lu Changsheng dismissed the idea and effortlessly shattered the Spiritual Qi in Liu Ziru's palm.
• Liu Ziru insisted that the Dark Domain never failed to recruit someone it wanted and charged at Lu Changsheng when persuasion failed.

Lu Changsheng defeated Liu Ziru’s probing attack with a single palm strike, then healed him with a pill and refused to join the Dark Domain. Liu Ziru decided to follow him anyway, leaving Lu Changsheng regretting that he had helped him.

• Lu Changsheng met Liu Ziru’s palm strike with an ordinary-looking blow that overwhelmed him and shattered his inner armor.
• Willow Tree blocked Lu Changsheng’s Spiritual Qi from destroying the Hidden Dao Academy and the Southern Region.
• Lu Changsheng gave Liu Ziru a pill that rapidly healed his injuries and replenished his Spiritual Qi.
• Lu Changsheng refused to join the Dark Domain and told Liu Ziru to leave.
• Liu Ziru announced that he would keep following Lu Changsheng and vanished to a spot near the Cottage.
• Lu Changsheng realized Liu Ziru was staying nearby and slapped his own hand for giving him the pill.

Liu Ziru reported that Ye Qiubai had refused the Dark Domain’s recruitment and chose to watch him from a distance. In Cloudrise City, Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei joined the contest for four Kunlun Heavenly Pool slots as Zheng Yong'an began announcing the rules.

• Liu Ziru told a shadowed figure that Ye Qiubai had refused to join the Dark Domain and was far stronger than expected.
• The shadowed figure agreed that the Dark Ranking was inaccurate and ordered Liu Ziru to keep working to recruit its ranked fighters.
• Yang Zhenhuai gave Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei all three of the Yang Lineage’s contest places, while Yang Qi declined to compete.
• The three arrived at the City Lord's Residence martial arena, where mercenaries and rival lineages gathered to watch the contest.
• Yang Qi identified Zheng Yong'an as Cloudrise City's late-stage Emperor Realm city lord, and Zheng Yong'an began announcing the contest rules.

Cloudrise City's contest began, and Zheng Haomiao demonstrated his overwhelming strength by defeating Li Pei with one palm. Shi Sheng then revealed the long-lost Power of the Stars, drawing the attention of Zheng Haomiao and the City Lord's Manor; Zheng Haomiao remained confident that his half-emperor cultivation gave him the advantage.

• Zheng Yong'an explained the contest rules and drew lots, pairing Li Pei with his son Zheng Haomiao.
• Yang Qi warned Ye Qiubai that Zheng Haomiao and Zheng Yongqi were the City Lord's Manor's strongest contenders.
• Zheng Haomiao urged Li Pei to give up, but Li Pei insisted on fighting and charged him when Zheng Yong'an began the match.
• Zheng Haomiao defeated Li Pei with a single palm strike, sending him out of the arena severely wounded.
• Shi Sheng faced a late void god realm opponent from the Kang Lineage and revealed the Power of the Stars, astonishing Zheng Yong'an and Zheng Haomiao.
• Zheng Haomiao told Zheng Yongqi that Shi Sheng's cultivation realm left him confident he could win.

Ye Qiubai challenged a Half-Emperor from the City Lord's Manor and used his Sword Domain, Four Absolutes Sword Array, and sword techniques to defeat him. The winners' bracket continued with Zheng Haomiao and Zheng Yongqi still unchallenged.

• Shi Sheng knocked the Kang Lineage's final Late Void God Realm cultivator out of the arena, and the Kang and Li lineages were eliminated.
• Zheng Yong'an announced that losers could challenge winners, but none of the six contestants in the losers' bracket stepped forward.
• Ye Qiubai's group and the City Lord's Manor's three representatives declined a rest before the winners' bracket matches began.
• The City Lord's Manor's other Half-Emperor chose Ye Qiubai, believing him to be the weakest of the trio.
• Ye Qiubai unleashed his Sword Domain and Four Absolutes Sword Array, then struck with Pacify Mountains and Rivers.
• Ye Qiubai touched the spot between his opponent's brows with his sword fingers, deciding the match in his favor.

Ye Qiubai defeated the Half-Emperor staff-wielding man, and Shi Sheng then faced Zheng Haomiao to demonstrate the Power of the Stars. Shi Sheng forced Zheng Haomiao to his knees and won, leaving Zheng Haomiao’s Dao heart shaken as Zheng Yong'an took him away.

• Ye Qiubai defeated the staff-wielding man with his swordsmanship and explained that years of fighting above his realm had taught him to remain calm.
• Zheng Haomiao challenged Shi Sheng to show the strength of the Power of the Stars, and the two began their match.
• Shi Sheng struck Zheng Haomiao with the Minghuang Mystic Axe, overwhelming his Red Jade Hand and cracking the reinforced arena floor.
• Shi Sheng formed a star boulder and attacked again, forcing Zheng Haomiao's other knee to the ground.
• Zheng Haomiao spat blood as his Dao heart faltered, and Zheng Yong'an knocked Shi Sheng back, declared him the winner, and led his son away.

Zheng Haomiao’s defeat by Shi Sheng shook his confidence, while the Cottage Mercenary Group secured three Kunlun Heavenly Pool spots. Zheng Yongqi challenged Xiao Hei, and after Zheng Yong'an pressured Ye Qiubai until the Yang Lineage’s ancestor intervened, Xiao Hei stepped into the arena to face her.

• Shi Sheng defeated Zheng Haomiao, leaving Zheng Haomiao’s Dao heart wavering as Zheng Yong'an considered how the loss might affect his son.
• Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei secured the three Kunlun Heavenly Pool spots, and Yang Zhenhuai praised Yang Qi for bringing them into the contest under the Yang Lineage’s name.
• Zheng Yongqi challenged Xiao Hei, and Ye Qiubai accused the City Lord’s Manor of being unable to accept a loss.
• Zheng Yong'an unleashed his late-stage emperor realm pressure on Ye Qiubai, but the Yang Lineage’s ancestor appeared and stopped him.
• Xiao Hei, angered by Zheng Yong'an’s treatment of Ye Qiubai, challenged Zheng Yongqi, who drew an ice-covered slender sword linked to the Cold Spirit Sect.

Xiao Hei fought Zheng Yongqi, the Cold Spirit Sect disciple who had challenged him with a deadly intent. He overwhelmed her with his demonic power and, after smashing her onto the arena, ordered her to get up and continue.

• Ye Qiubai agreed that neither fighter would be held responsible for death or injury, despite Yang Qi's warning about the Cold Spirit Sect.
• Zheng Yongqi froze the fighting platform and attacked Xiao Hei with frost sword blossoms and a rain of ice swords.
• Xiao Hei shattered Zheng Yongqi's attacks, endured the swords with only white marks on his skin, and charged at her.
• Xiao Hei struck Zheng Yongqi with his fist and sent her flying off the platform.
• Xiao Hei caught Zheng Yongqi with the demon god phantom, slammed her back onto the platform, and told her to get up and continue.

Xiao Hei defeated Zheng Yongqi after she unleashed a Cold Spirit Sect secret art, then killed her with the Nine Heavens Devil Halberd despite Zheng Yong'an's intervention. Ye Qiubai's sword formation blocked the City Lord's attack, leaving Zheng Yong'an to witness his daughter's death.

• Ye Qiubai used a sword formation left by Lu Changsheng to block Zheng Yong'an's pressure and protect Xiao Hei.
• Zheng Yongqi rose and activated a Cold Spirit Sect secret art, turning a blizzard into blood-red swords.
• Xiao Hei drew the Nine Heavens Devil Halberd and shattered Zheng Yongqi's blizzard with one strike.
• Xiao Hei charged to kill Zheng Yongqi, while Ye Qiubai's sword formation shattered Zheng Yong'an's palm attack.
• Xiao Hei struck Zheng Yongqi with the halberd, killing her and splitting the martial arena.

After Xiao Hei killed Zheng Yongqi in a life-and-death match, Zheng Yong'an confronted Ye Qiubai, who defended his junior brother and challenged the City Lord to attack. Zheng Yong'an's attempt to break Ye Qiubai's sword formation failed, leaving him bleeding and forced to surrender while the others weighed whether to support the trio.

• Yang Zhenhuai struggled to decide whether to keep supporting Ye Qiubai and his junior brothers, fearing retaliation from the City Lord's Manor and the Cold Spirit Sect.
• Luo Yun decided to report the incident to the Mercenary Guild's higher-ups if Ye Qiubai and the others survived their departure from the City Lord's Manor.
• Zheng Haomiao charged at Xiao Hei, but Zheng Yong'an stopped him and urged him to leave the matter to his father.
• Zheng Yong'an demanded an explanation for Zheng Yongqi's death, and Ye Qiubai reminded him that she had agreed to a fight where life and death were disregarded.
• Zheng Yong'an attacked Ye Qiubai's sword formation with his full strength, but its Sword Intent pierced his palm imprint and wounded his hands.
• Zheng Yong'an shouted that he would stop attacking, but Ye Qiubai did not stop the sword formation.

Ye Qiubai and his companions defeated Zheng Yong'an’s attack, then left after Zheng Yong'an chose to avoid a costly fight. Zheng Yong'an planned to use the Cold Spirit Sect and Zheng Haomiao’s sect against them, while the Boundless Dynasty’s First Prince looked forward to meeting Ye Qiubai at the Kunlun Heavenly Pool.

• Zheng Yong'an used the City Lord's Manor formation and treasures to resist Ye Qiubai’s sword formation, but the sword formation broke his attack and gravely wounded him before vanishing.
• Zheng Yong'an let Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng leave, and Ye Qiubai chose not to risk fighting the wounded Emperor Realm expert while the Li Lineage and Kang Lineage watched.
• Luo Yun left to report Ye Qiubai’s talent to the guild’s higher-ups, while Yang Zhenhuai took Yang Qi away because the Yang Lineage could not oppose the Cold Spirit Sect.
• Zheng Yong'an told Zheng Haomiao to alert his sect and the Cold Spirit Sect, intending to use them to deal with Ye Qiubai and his companions.
• The Boundless Dynasty’s First Prince learned that the Kunlun Heavenly Pool was about to open and expected Ye Qiubai and his companions to attend.

Lu Changsheng sensed Ye Qiubai’s sword array and expected trouble, while Liu Ziru gained insight from their conversation and cooked for him. Meanwhile, Zheng Haomiao reached the Cold Spirit Sect to report Yongqi’s death, and Ye Qiubai and his companions arrived in Kunlun City ahead of the Heavenly Pool opening.

• Lu Changsheng sensed the sword array Ye Qiubai had activated and anticipated a trip to deal with trouble.
• Liu Ziru reflected on Lu Changsheng’s ordinary routines, thanked him for the insight, and prepared a meal at the Cottage.
• Zheng Haomiao waited nine days outside the Cold Spirit Sect, told a graceful woman that Yongqi had been killed, and followed her inside after she returned.
• Ye Qiubai and his two companions reached Kunlun City and were surprised by how many Emperor Realm experts filled its streets.
• An old man called out to Ye Qiubai as the group passed his stall.

Ye Qiubai met a mysterious old man in Kunlun City, who examined his meridians and gave him a rusty iron fragment before vanishing. As the group waited for the Kunlun Heavenly Pool to open, they learned that many powerful factions and Mu Fusheng would attend, and the Profound Brightness Cliff arrived at their inn.

• An old man stopped Ye Qiubai, examined his meridians, and told him to take a rusty iron fragment before disappearing.
• Ye Qiubai, Xiao Hei, and Shi Sheng paid for three ordinary rooms in the crowded city and ate at the inn.
• Travelers discussed the prodigies from major factions who had delayed reaching the Emperor Realm to enter the Kunlun Heavenly Pool.
• A traveler revealed that Mu Fusheng of the Boundless Dynasty would attend, confirming Ye Qiubai and his companions' suspicions about his identity.
• A group from the Profound Brightness Cliff entered the inn, drawing the attention of the other guests.

Profound Brightness Cliff’s elder confronted Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei over Shi Sheng’s defeat of Zheng Haomiao. As the elder unleashed a deadly attack, a disheveled old man appeared in front of the three.

• Ye Qiubai recognized that the Profound Brightness Cliff elder likely sought revenge for Shi Sheng’s injury of Zheng Haomiao.
• A Half-Emperor disciple attacked Shi Sheng, but Shi Sheng struck him down with the Minghuang Mystic Axe.
• The elder revealed at least Spirit Division-level strength and pressured the restaurant as Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei prepared to resist.
• The elder fired a beam of fused cold nether Qi and deathly presence at the three.
• Xiao Hei unleashed Demon God Descent, Ye Qiubai formed his Sword Domain and Four Absolutes Sword Array, and Shi Sheng gathered a Star Meteorite.
• A disheveled old man in tattered clothing appeared before the three just as the attack was about to hit.

A slovenly old man rescued Ye Qiubai and his companions from the elder of Profound Brightness Cliff, then forced the elder to pay for the restaurant damage. Seven days later, the group reached Kunlun Snow Mountain ahead of the Kunlun Heavenly Pool’s opening, where an imperial dynasty mount arrived.

• The slovenly old man blocked the elder of Profound Brightness Cliff’s attack and dismissed the threat of the sect, prompting the elder to retreat.
• The slovenly old man made the elder pay for the damaged restaurant, then told Ye Qiubai that someone would hold him accountable if he died before vanishing.
• Ye Qiubai and his two companions stayed elsewhere for seven days before traveling to Kunlun Snow Mountain for the Kunlun Heavenly Pool’s opening.
• A dragon-tiger-like beast carrying a mansion appeared above the gathered factions, and the crowd bowed because it belonged to the imperial dynasty.

Mu Fusheng arrived at the Kunlun Heavenly Pool with a powerful imperial guard escort and announced that he would oversee its opening. After disguising himself, he invited Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei for wine, where Ye Qiubai recognized him and asked what he really wanted.

• Mu Fusheng descended from the enormous beast, accompanied by a hundred Void God Realm guards and two Spirit Division cultivators.
• Mu Fusheng warned that anyone who forced entry into the Kunlun Heavenly Pool or disrupted its opening would be killed, then announced it would open at midnight.
• Mu Fusheng disguised himself as a potbellied man and invited Ye Qiubai, Shi Sheng, and Xiao Hei to drink in a secluded cedar forest.
• Ye Qiubai recognized Mu Fusheng from his poor acting and explained why he had suspected him.
• After they sampled Mu Fusheng's imperial wine, Ye Qiubai asked what Mu Fusheng had really wanted with them.