Arc 7The Martial Edge Trial

Chen Shuangbai returned from Wind Howling County with top garrison honors, advanced rapidly in cultivation, and prepared for the sect’s coming conflict with the Heart-Eroding Stronghold. The arc ended with him fighting other disciples inside the Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting as the Martial Edge Trial narrowed around him.

  • Chen Shuangbai defeated Fang Mo, then exposed Han Shouke’s disguise and worked with Zhao Shiyong to kill him and claim the profound yin crystal marrow.
  • Chen Shuangbai returned to Wind Howling County, strengthened the academy, refined pills, and later left the county after bidding farewell to his pupils and Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng.
  • Chen Shuangbai returned to the Jade Spring Sect, reported his A-plus garrison assessment, and learned that conflict with the Heart-Eroding Stronghold was drawing nearer.
  • Chen Shuangbai advanced to the eighth layer of Qi Refining, reunited with Lu Zhiyuan, Huang Shanglan, He Qi, and Fu Qianlan, and earned a place in the Jade Dew Hall’s circle of alchemists.
  • Chen Shuangbai placed first in garrison merit with an upper A, then joined He Qi and Fu Qianlan at the Martial Edge Trial.
  • True Person Bo opened the trial inside the Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting, where Chen Shuangbai quickly defeated opponents and raised his score.
  • Chen Shuangbai found a hidden disciple in an ancient tree, but the disciple’s allies revealed themselves and trapped Chen Shuangbai in a formation that forced his flying pouch toward the ground.
Chapters 151–175 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 151Beating You Down

Chen Shuangbai overwhelmed Fang Mo with healing and restorative incantations, sword attacks, and repeated bolts of Midnight Month Cold Light Yin Thunder. Fang Mo’s White Bone Lotus Seat was badly damaged, and Chen Shuangbai sent him crashing into the cavern wall, leaving the fight unresolved.

  • Fang Mo dodged Chen Shuangbai’s sword light and fired bone arrows at him, while Chen Shuangbai used three beneficial incantations to recover.
  • Chen Shuangbai summoned the Emerald Flood Dragon Churns the Waves, which swallowed Fang Mo’s arrows and sent him flying.
  • Chen Shuangbai struck Fang Mo with Midnight Month Cold Light Yin Thunder, freezing and damaging the White Bone Lotus Seat and injuring Fang Mo.
  • Chen Shuangbai blocked the dark bone snake puppet, destroyed its tail spike, and pinned it to the ground with frozen water whips.
  • Fang Mo broke free of the ice and attacked, but Chen Shuangbai’s sword technique shielded him from the bone arrows and exposed Fang Mo’s battered state.
  • Chen Shuangbai struck Fang Mo with the Emerald Flood Dragon again, hurling him into the cavern wall as his own Law Power began to recover.

Ch. 152Blood Baleful Intent Soul-Breaking Bone Arrow

Chen Shuangbai steadily wore Fang Mo down, but Fang Mo unleashed a desperate soul-tracking attack with his transformed white bone bow. The Blood Baleful Intent Soul-Breaking Bone Arrow locked onto Chen Shuangbai, who chose to confront the attack head-on.

  • Chen Shuangbai used his swords, frost techniques, and nimble Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch to evade Fang Mo's attacks and drain his Law Power.
  • Fang Mo's White Bone Heart-Piercing Stab failed to affect Chen Shuangbai, whose [Dao Fruit] protected his soul.
  • Fang Mo sacrificed Essence Blood to animate bone beast puppets, then detonated them into poisonous bone fragments.
  • Fang Mo poured more Essence Blood into his massive white bone bow and formed a dark red, soul-threatening arrow.
  • Chen Shuangbai realized the arrow tracked his Law Power and decided to interrupt Fang Mo's strike by meeting it head-on.
  • Fang Mo completed the Blood Baleful Intent Soul-Breaking Bone Arrow and prepared to fire.

Ch. 153The oriole waited behind

Chen Shuangbai killed Fang Mo with a concealed Law Artifact and Yin Thunder, then discovered that Lady Yun and the supposed Yu Laoliu had been waiting to seize the aftermath. Han Shouke revealed his identity and Great Perfection of Qi Refining cultivation, and Chen Shuangbai confronted the pair about their plans.

  • Fang Mo fired his Blood Baleful Intent Soul-Chasing Bone Arrow, but Chen Shuangbai vanished with a Law Artifact and struck him from behind with Yin Thunder.
  • Chen Shuangbai cut Fang Mo’s body apart, burned the remains, and went to check on the poisoned Zhao Shiyong.
  • Chen Shuangbai found Lady Yun and Yu Laoliu beside Zhao Shiyong, with a talisman on Zhao and Yu Laoliu poised to strike.
  • Lady Yun and Yu Laoliu admitted they had waited for the chance to act, and Chen Shuangbai realized Yu Laoliu was Han Shouke in disguise.
  • Han Shouke revealed his Great Perfection of Qi Refining cultivation and explained that the real Yu Laoliu had been manipulated into serving as his hidden identity.
  • Chen Shuangbai asked whether Han Shouke and Lady Yun had anticipated the situation while seeking a chance to reach Foundation Establishment.

Ch. 154An Act

Han Shouke threatened Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong to force Chen to retrieve the treasure, hoping to use him to test the path. Chen appeared to comply, then revealed his deception by stabbing Lady Yun in the chest.

  • Han Shouke held the unconscious Zhao Shiyong hostage and demanded that Chen Shuangbai fetch the treasure from the central stone pillar.
  • Chen Shuangbai refused at first, but Han Shouke threatened to kill Zhao Shiyong and pointed out that Chen had likely spent most of his Law Power.
  • Han Shouke promised to let Chen and Zhao leave, while secretly planning to kill them after obtaining the treasure.
  • Chen Shuangbai rode the Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch toward the lake, then stopped halfway and said Han Shouke and Lady Yun had no tricks left.
  • Chen Shuangbai pierced Lady Yun's chest and seized her heart, causing her to lose consciousness.

Ch. 155Profound Yin Crystal Marrow

Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong killed Han Shouke and Lady Yun, then went to claim the treasure beneath the mushroom demon. They discovered a cluster of low-grade second-tier profound yin crystal marrow and divided it between them.

  • Zhao Shiyong trapped Han Shouke in the Profound Fire Cauldron and refined him into ashes while Chen Shuangbai watched.
  • Zhao Shiyong explained that he had anticipated the scheme, taken an antidote beforehand, and feigned weakness with Chen Shuangbai's help.
  • Chen Shuangbai and Zhao Shiyong confirmed Lady Yun was dead, then crossed the lake to the island.
  • Zhao Shiyong burned the weakened mushroom demon, and he and Chen Shuangbai found a crystal cluster beneath it.
  • Zhao Shiyong identified the cluster as low-grade second-tier profound yin crystal marrow and divided it in half with Chen Shuangbai.

Ch. 156The Situation in Wind Howling

Chen Shuangbai returned from the river with a tiny mushroom demon, valuable spoils, and a new connection to Zhao Shiyong. Back at the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy, he learned Wind Howling County was thriving and ordered the academy to take over the abandoned Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance property.

  • Chen Shuangbai stopped Zhao Shiyong from burning the little mushroom demon and decided to take it back to keep Feiguang company.
  • Zhao Shiyong gave Chen Shuangbai a jade pendant inviting him to visit the Zhao Kingdom, then departed for his sect.
  • Zhuang Wen told Chen Shuangbai that academy enrollment had doubled, two prominent clans had fled, and the ferry crossing had been reclaimed and made peaceful.
  • Chen Shuangbai praised Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng for managing the academy and county while he was away.
  • Chen Shuangbai ordered Bi Sheng to bring the Rosy Clouds Abode Alliance property under academy authority, find Yu Laoliu, and reassure and recruit the remaining Rogue Cultivators.

Ch. 157Dark Nether Pill Heart Instruction

Chen Shuangbai began pursuing first-rank pill refining and used the Great Yin Dao Fruit to evolve his pill-refining technique. The new Dark Nether Pill Heart Instruction gave him a deeper understanding of alchemy and left him eager to test the Dao Fruit on other methods.

  • Chen Shuangbai settled the academy’s affairs, raised Yu Laoliu’s stipend, and focused on cultivation and pill refining.
  • Chen Shuangbai obtained formulas for the Azure Flower Pill and Jade Cliff Pill, and the academy gathered their ingredients and seeds.
  • Chen Shuangbai failed three times before refining a mixed-grade batch of Azure Flower Pills.
  • Chen Shuangbai used the Great Yin Dao Fruit to evolve the Jade Spring Water Method Pill Refining Technique into the Dark Nether Pill Heart Instruction.
  • Chen Shuangbai studied the new inheritance and resolved to try evolving other cultivation methods, secret arts, and divine abilities.

Ch. 158The Alchemist's Reputation

Chen Shuangbai improved his pill refining, supplied pills to the Fan Household of Jing Valley, and used the Great Yin Dao Fruit to begin evolving his sword instruction. After two years, his cultivation had reached the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, prompting Fan Qi to recognize his exceptional progress and plan to inform his clan.

  • Chen Shuangbai refined Azure Flower Pills and Jade Cliff Pills, including a supreme-grade pill, and considered seeking the Jade Dew Hall's remaining secret pill-refining techniques.
  • Chen Shuangbai asked the Great Yin Dao Fruit to evolve the Spring Rain and Flowering Wood Sword Instruction into a sword instruction suited to his Dao Path.
  • Two years later, Chen Shuangbai handed the Fan Household of Jing Valley's pill order to Fan Qi, who praised the quality of his pills.
  • Fan Qi realized Chen Shuangbai had advanced from the Qi Refining Fifth Layer to the Seventh Layer in less than two years and resolved to tell his clan to maintain good relations with him.

Ch. 159Moon Soul True Water, the Demon Pets' Strength

Chen Shuangbai converted Life-Accepting Spirit Liquid into Moon Soul True Water and shared it with his demon pets, Gray Ball and Feiguang. The chapter ended with Gray Ball beginning to absorb his portion and Feiguang revealed as a powerful, rapidly grown Snow-Plumed Eagle.

  • Chen Shuangbai stopped Feiguang from frightening Gray Ball, the mushroom demon whose secretions improved pill refining and whose presence accelerated medicinal herb growth.
  • Chen Shuangbai retrieved the Life-Accepting Gourd and found that it had accumulated more than half a gourd of spirit liquid over three years.
  • Chen Shuangbai set up the Six Directions Perfect Light Formation and transformed most of the spirit liquid into Moon Soul True Water.
  • Chen Shuangbai gave Gray Ball two drops of Moon Soul True Water and prepared a separate portion for Feiguang.
  • Gray Ball eagerly absorbed his share as Chen Shuangbai noted that Feiguang had reached the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining and grown far faster than ordinary Snow-Plumed Eagles.

Ch. 160Congratulations, Martial Uncle-may your immortal path flourish

As his three-year term as guardian ended, Chen Shuangbai prepared to leave Wind Howling County and return to the Jade Spring Sect. He gave the academy pupils parting advice and gifts, then accepted Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng’s farewell as he set out toward a higher immortal path.

  • Chen Shuangbai invited the pupils into the Listening to the Waves Pavilion and told them he would leave for the Jade Spring Sect the next day.
  • Chen Shuangbai urged the pupils to act uprightly, keep kindness in their hearts, study diligently, and learn a skill for making a living.
  • Feiguang delivered bamboo plaques bearing the pupils’ names, each blessed by Chen Shuangbai with a Mind-Clearing Incantation.
  • Chen Shuangbai praised Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng for their work in Wind Howling County and promised to report their contributions to the sect.
  • Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng bowed to Chen Shuangbai and wished him a flourishing immortal path.

Ch. 161An A-Plus Rating, Long-Term Plans for the Lineage

Chen Shuangbai received an A-plus merit rating for his work in Wind Howling County and left after three years to return home. He arranged for promising children of the White Water Chen Clan to study at the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy, leaving his family with a path to cultivate or learn useful skills.

  • Cheng Jianshan assessed Chen Shuangbai’s record and awarded him an A-plus rating, giving him a jade token to present to the Abyss Suppression Hall.
  • Chen Shuangbai watched Cheng Jianshan depart with his two disciples in a streak of watery escape light and reflected on Foundation Establishment.
  • Chen Shuangbai left Wind Howling County, greeted the members of the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy, and returned to visit his grandfather.
  • Chen Shuangbai gave Chen Moyan a token for the Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy and instructed him to send aspiring clan children to study under Zhuang Wen and Bi Sheng.

Ch. 162Smashing the Demonic Branches, Seventh Layer of Qi Refining

After completing his three-year assignment at Wind Howling Ford, Chen Shuangbai returned to Jade Spring Sect and reported his A-plus assessment to Deacon Feng. Deacon Feng discovered that Chen Shuangbai had reached the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining and was shocked by the strength and purity of his cultivation.

  • Chen Shuangbai urged Chen Moyan to support the White Water Chen Clan and left home after nourishing the old patriarch and leaving him life-extending pills.
  • On his way back, Chen Shuangbai sold unused spirit materials at Flowing Immortal Market and overheard Rogue Cultivators discussing materials seized from Heart-Eroding Stronghold branches.
  • Chen Shuangbai passed the Jade Spring Sect's stricter gate inspection and noticed that fewer disciples were moving around the sect.
  • At Abyss Suppression Hall, Chen Shuangbai presented his identity and A-plus assessment tokens to Deacon Feng and reported completing his Wind Howling Ford assignment.
  • Deacon Feng sensed Chen Shuangbai's cultivation and exclaimed in disbelief when he found him at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining.

Ch. 163Feng Yuan's shock, meeting the Book Spirit again

After returning to the sect, Chen Shuangbai impressed Deacon Feng Yuan with his rapid cultivation and visited the Book Spirit Zhang Yin to catch up on sect affairs. He learned that the Jade Spring Sect was cautiously aiding the Empty Sword Sect as its war with the Heart-Eroding Stronghold threatened the sect’s provinces.

  • Deacon Feng Yuan checked Chen Shuangbai’s records and was shocked that he had advanced from the Qi Refinement Fourth Layer to the Seventh Layer in three years.
  • Deacon Feng Yuan praised Chen Shuangbai’s extraordinary potential and wished him success in the inner sect selection and future Foundation Establishment.
  • While waiting for the remaining guardians to return before the selection results were announced, Chen Shuangbai visited the book cave and gave Zhang Yin a stack of storybooks.
  • Chen Shuangbai asked Zhang Yin about the Evil Hunting Hall’s involvement in the conflict between the Empty Sword Sect and the Heart-Eroding Stronghold.
  • Zhang Yin explained that the sect had sent some Evil Hunting Hall and Jade Guarding Hall disciples to aid the Empty Sword Sect, while holding back from fully entering the war.
  • Zhang Yin told Chen Shuangbai that the Heart-Eroding Stronghold had encroached on the sect’s provinces and committed atrocities to gather Essence Blood and living souls for Devil Cultivator Law Artifacts.

Ch. 164A great war loomed, a match made in heaven

Chen Shuangbai learned that war between the Jade Spring Sect and the Heart-Eroding Stronghold might soon disrupt inner sect selection, then reunited with Lu Zhiyuan and Huang Shanglan. He congratulated the two fellow disciples after they announced they had decided to become dao companions.

  • The Book Spirit told Chen Shuangbai that the sect’s patrols and support for the Empty Sword Sect had intensified as conflict with the Heart-Eroding Stronghold loomed.
  • The Book Spirit praised Chen Shuangbai’s garrison performance but hinted that the inner sect selection rules might change.
  • Chen Shuangbai left the library cave and met Lu Zhiyuan, who was surprised to learn Chen Shuangbai had reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining.
  • Huang Shanglan arrived and returned Lu Zhiyuan’s Storage Bag, revealing their closeness to Chen Shuangbai.
  • Lu Zhiyuan announced that he and Huang Shanglan had decided to become dao companions, and Chen Shuangbai offered them his congratulations.

Ch. 165Another breakthrough, Feiguang gets into trouble

Chen Shuangbai returned to his cave abode on Lesser Yang Peak and smoothly broke through to the eighth layer of Qi Refining. Afterward, a red-crowned crane from White Reed Plain arrived with Feiguang, saying the eagle had used its cultivation to bully several young cranes.

  • Chen Shuangbai learned that Lu Zhiyuan and Huang Shanglan had become dao companions and that Lu had kept his old cave abode available for him.
  • Chen Shuangbai returned to Lesser Yang Peak, reactivated his cave abode's formation, and released Feiguang and Gray Ball.
  • Chen Shuangbai cultivated with the Lord of the First Month Divine Aspect and moon soul true water, then advanced to the eighth layer of Qi Refining.
  • Feiguang returned from flying outside with a red-crowned crane from White Reed Plain following it.
  • The red-crowned crane told Chen Shuangbai that Feiguang had bullied several juniors of its clan, and Feiguang lowered its head in embarrassment.

Ch. 166The White Jade Crane, meeting Yi Chongyue

Chen Shuangbai apologized to a White Jade Crane for Feiguang’s behavior and then visited Yi Chongyue, who noticed his rapid cultivation progress. After Chen Shuangbai disclosed his recent opportunities and said he trusted Yi Chongyue, the two sat in silence, facing each other’s gaze.

  • Chen Shuangbai offered the White Jade Crane superior-quality Spirit-Feeding Pills as an apology, and the crane told him to register Feiguang at Jade Guarding Hall.
  • Feiguang acknowledged his mistake, and Chen Shuangbai confined him to Lesser Yang Peak for three days; Gray Ball mocked him from the cave abode.
  • Chen Shuangbai went to Fate-Seeking Valley, where Yi Chongyue noted that he had reached the eighth layer of Qi Refining.
  • Chen Shuangbai recounted his experiences with Wei Chengfeng and Zhao Shiyong and his visit to the underwater abode beneath the Li River.
  • Yi Chongyue asked whether Chen Shuangbai feared he would covet his treasures, and Chen Shuangbai said he trusted him; they then sat in silence as Yi Chongyue studied him.

Ch. 167The Martial Edge Trial, the sect's resolve

Chen Shuangbai learned that the Jade Spring Sect would hold a Martial Edge Trial to assess his intake before its coming war with the Heart-Eroding Stronghold, with major rewards for the winners. He saw evidence at the Expenditure Hall that the sect was mobilizing supplies and preparing for conflict.

  • Yi Chongyue offered to accept Chen Shuangbai as his disciple if he placed in the top five of the Martial Edge Trial.
  • Yi Chongyue explained that the trial would test the combat abilities of Chen Shuangbai’s intake ahead of the sect’s coming clash with the Heart-Eroding Stronghold, while guard-duty evaluations would still determine inner-sect promotion eligibility.
  • Yi Chongyue announced rewards including Foundation Establishment Pills for the top five and the chance for first place to become a disciple of one of the sect’s three True Persons.
  • Yi Chongyue confirmed that the grade-A aptitude geniuses from Chen Shuangbai’s intake would also compete, though existing inner disciples would not.
  • Chen Shuangbai visited the Expenditure Hall and saw flying boats unloading supplies as the hall posted assignments and displayed spiritual materials seized from a Heart-Eroding Stronghold branch.

Ch. 168Old friends reunited, each with wondrous encounters

Chen Shuangbai reunited with He Qi and Fu Qianlan after their three-year postings and learned how much each had grown. After they left, he wondered why he could not sense Fu Qianlan’s emotions, which seemed as unreadable as those of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

  • He Qi and Fu Qianlan arrived at Chen Shuangbai’s cave abode, and the three shared tea, pastries, and spirit wine.
  • He Qi described his work at Black Stone Mine and revealed that he had reached the fifth layer of Qi Refining.
  • Fu Qianlan told Chen Shuangbai about fighting sea demons in White River Town, and he sensed that she had reached the seventh layer of Qi Refining.
  • He Qi discovered that Chen Shuangbai had reached the eighth layer of Qi Refining, while an elderly woman privately remarked on his rapid progress to Fu Qianlan.
  • Chen Shuangbai told He Qi and Fu Qianlan about the Martial Edge Trial, and both expressed interest in competing.
  • After his friends left, Chen Shuangbai wondered why he could not sense Fu Qianlan’s emotions.

Ch. 169His Reputation Arrived Before He Did

Chen Shuangbai visited Winter Storage Peak to register with the Jade Dew Hall, where Alchemist Yin recognized one of his unusually potent Azure Flower Pills and gathered fellow alchemists to question him. The chapter left Chen Shuangbai discovering that his reputation for refining pills had spread through the hall before he arrived.

  • Chen Shuangbai traveled to Winter Storage Peak, where Huang Shanglan welcomed him and showed him around the Jade Dew Hall.
  • Huang Shanglan introduced Chen Shuangbai to Alchemist Yin, who recognized an Azure Flower Pill Chen Shuangbai had refined and asked how it was made.
  • Chen Shuangbai explained that his pills' stronger efficacy came from his pill-condensation liquid and his cultivation instruction, and he considered sharing some details.
  • Alchemist Yin hurried off to fetch other alchemists, who eagerly came to meet Chen Shuangbai.
  • Huang Shanglan told Chen Shuangbai that the pills he had refined over the past three years had already made his reputation spread among the hall's alchemists.

Ch. 170The imperial surname Yin, an alchemy chamber pass

Chen Shuangbai shared his Azure Flower Pill insights with alchemists, including Yin Yuanjia, and received a three-month pass to the grade-C earthfire alchemy chambers. He registered as a member of the Jade Dew Hall, where A Heng recognized his alchemy talent, and left after completing the formalities.

  • Chen Shuangbai shared his Azure Flower Pill refining insights with several alchemists, including Yin Yuanjia, who was a member of the Jing Kingdom's imperial family.
  • Yin Yuanjia and the other alchemists gave Chen Shuangbai a pass that let him use grade-C earthfire alchemy chambers on the Three Yang Peaks for three months without spending merit points.
  • Huang Shanglan brought Chen Shuangbai to A Heng, where he registered with the Jade Dew Hall and signed its magical contract.
  • A Heng praised Chen Shuangbai's Azure Flower Pills and Jade Cliff Pills and invited him to share more alchemy insights in exchange for compensation.
  • After Chen Shuangbai left, Huang Shanglan reminded A Heng that she had predicted his talent, and A Heng replied that she knew.

Ch. 171A strange incense burner, meeting Mingdang again

Chen Shuangbai attended the Expenditure Hall’s sale at Cloud Peak Small Market, where he bought Spirit Blood Pills and a strange incense burner. He met Wei Mingdang again, learned she had joined the Jade Spring Sect, and agreed to keep his remaining promise to help her in the future.

  • Chen Shuangbai browsed the sale with He Qi and Fu Qianlan, then bought Spirit Blood Pills to study and several scarce spirit medicines.
  • Chen Shuangbai bought an unusual pseudo-Law Artifact incense burner for five Merit Points and put it in his Storage Bag.
  • While waiting for He Qi and Fu Qianlan, Chen Shuangbai met Wei Mingdang, who had entered the Jade Spring Sect under Martial Uncle Chi.
  • Wei Mingdang explained that one of Chen Shuangbai’s promised occasions to help her remained, and he agreed to honor it if she needed him.
  • Wei Mingdang gave Chen Shuangbai Silver Rosy Cloud Pills made from Silver Light Fish roe on her father’s behalf.

Ch. 172Top of the rankings, first in merit

After returning from garrison duty, Chen Shuangbai experimented with incense cultivation before attending the Abyss Suppression Hall’s merit assessment. He ranked first with an upper A rating, and fellow disciples noticed that he had also reached the eighth layer of Qi Refining.

  • Chen Shuangbai returned to Lesser Yang Peak and used incense he had made to cultivate, exploring how incense might complement the Dao of Alchemy.
  • Five days later, Chen Shuangbai went to Morning Dew Peak for the merit assessment of the disciples who had returned from garrison duty.
  • He Qi received a middle B rating, while Fu Qianlan earned a lower A and placed fourth.
  • Lin Jingtao and Ji Ruohua each received a middle A rating, prompting disciples to speculate about the final top-ranked result.
  • The ranking scroll named Chen Shuangbai first in garrison merit with an upper A for Wind Howling County, and disciples gathered to congratulate him.
  • Fellow disciples noticed that Chen Shuangbai had reached the eighth layer of Qi Refining.

Ch. 173The heart of cultivation, the trial begins

Chen Shuangbai and his fellow disciples learned that the Jade Spring Sect had established the Martial Edge Trial to select talent and prepare for war with the Heart-Eroding Stronghold. As the trial began, Chen Shuangbai gathered with the other contestants and spotted a figure radiant with divine light among the Foundation Establishment cultivators watching from above.

  • After Chen Shuangbai's recent cultivation progress drew attention, Deacon Feng announced the Martial Edge Trial on True Person Bo's orders and said the sect would select outstanding talents for the inner sect and the coming war.
  • Chen Shuangbai, He Qi, and Fu Qianlan discussed their unease about the prospect of war after leaving Morning Dew Peak.
  • Alone in his meditation chamber, Chen Shuangbai reflected on his fear and excitement as he sensed that war was approaching.
  • When the Martial Edge Trial began at Crouching Tiger Plateau, Chen Shuangbai joined the gathered contestants alongside He Qi and Fu Qianlan.
  • Chen Shuangbai saw Lin Jingtao, Ji Ruohua, and several Foundation Establishment cultivators among the spectators, including a figure radiant with divine light.

Ch. 174[Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting]

True Person Bo opened the Martial Edge Trial with the sect’s Spirit Treasure, the [Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting], and Exalted Cultivator Huo explained its battle royale rules. After entering the painting, Chen Shuangbai approached a fight and was attacked, but he surprised the disciples and eliminated one of them.

  • True Person Bo appeared before the trial participants and summoned the Jade Spring Sect’s Spirit Treasure, the [Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting].
  • Exalted Cultivator Huo announced that disciples would earn points by eliminating opponents, gain merit by killing Demon Beasts, and be forced together as the boundaries shrank.
  • Chen Shuangbai entered the painting, found no disciples nearby, and spotted several fighting in the distance.
  • Chen Shuangbai flew toward the fight on the Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch, and one of the three disciples ordered the others to knock him down.
  • The three disciples attacked Chen Shuangbai, but he appeared beside one of them and eliminated him.

Ch. 175Overwhelming His Fellow Disciples with the Sword

Chen Shuangbai overwhelmed disciple after disciple in the Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting with his practiced Green Shoots Break Through Snow sword move, drawing praise from the watching exalted cultivators and surprise from his acquaintances at his cultivation speed. When the shrinking map revealed nearby opponents, he drove a group of hidden disciples into the open, but they trapped him in a formation that forced his flying pouch toward the ground.

  • Chen Shuangbai swiftly defeated three disciples, and the exalted cultivators recognized his Green Shoots Break Through Snow sword technique and praised his skill.
  • Ding Chengyu and Lu Xin noticed Chen Shuangbai had advanced from the third to the eighth layer of Qi Refining in five years.
  • Chen Shuangbai continued roaming the painting, defeating nearly every disciple who appeared within his spiritual sense and increasing the number on his jade token.
  • As the map shrank, Chen Shuangbai used his jade token to locate nearby disciples and spotted one hidden in a hollow ancient tree.
  • The hidden disciple charged Chen Shuangbai, who summoned a water serpent-flood dragon that knocked him away and exposed others concealed in the woods.
  • The exposed disciples activated a formation that enveloped Chen Shuangbai and pressed his Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch close to the ground.
Arc 7 of 37
Arc 7 of 37