Chapter Summaries

Li Yan’s plan to detonate “Extinguish Linglong” succeeded, but a Nascent Soul cultivator hunted him as he fled from the collapsing mountain range. Just as Tie Dong caught him and overwhelmed him with Divine Sense, a familiar ally intervened long enough for Li Yan to escape into the night.

• Li Yan poisoned Zheng Xingfan’s spirit stones, lured the beautiful woman in azure gauze into the Nameless Valley, and watched her leave with Zheng Xingfan’s possessions and formation flags.
• After Windcool Mountain’s Nascent Soul cultivators triggered “Extinguish Linglong,” Li Yan fled south with other cultivators and sensed a Nascent Soul cultivator searching for the trap’s perpetrator.
• Li Yan realized the hunter was focusing on the southern fugitives and abandoned his attempt to use “Stealthy Night Concealment” as the group gathered.
• When several cultivators’ Divine Senses began closing in, Li Yan surged north, but Tie Dong caught him and struck his consciousness with overwhelming Divine Sense.
• A familiar Divine Sense struck Tie Dong and loosened his hold, allowing Li Yan to break free and vanish into the night.

Li Yan escaped Tie Dong’s attack with help from Mo Qing and two other Nascent Soul cultivators, then fled north while human cultivators allied with the Devil Race pursued him. The chase stopped when a giant vessel carrying a powerful force arrived, and Windcool Mountain’s cultivators prepared for a decisive battle.

• Tie Dong hesitated over whether to kill Li Yan, allowing Li Yan to flee while Mo Qing distracted him with his Divine Sense.
• Mo Qing and a middle-aged female Nascent Soul cultivator confirmed the Devil Race’s powerful treasures had been destroyed, while Xiao Yaoyuan treated his Divine Sense injury.
• Li Yan raced north as Mo Qing and the female cultivator fought off two devil generals, but a Golden Core wind-element cultivator pursued him.
• Li Yan broke through an earth wall and escaped the human cultivators who tried to stop him, while the female devil general accused him of poisoning Zhong Mengyin.
• A giant vessel carrying more than a thousand cultivators, including four Nascent Soul cultivators, appeared five thousand li away, and a voice ordered all cultivators above the Golden Core Realm to prepare for the decisive battle.

Li Yan escaped immediate pursuit as the South Sea cultivators launched an unexpected attack on the Devil Race from the south, turning the battle at Windcool Mountain into a major clash between Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators. Wei Zhongran prepared Windcool Mountain’s forces while the Devil Race’s allies discussed their plans for Ten-Step Academy and the secret realm.

• The South Sea cultivators and the Devil Race army shouted their declarations of war as their forces converged on Windcool Mountain.
• Li Yan sensed the approaching armies, and Wei Zhongran contacted him to warn him to stay safe before turning to the battle.
• Wei Zhongran’s forces assembled more than four hundred Golden Core cultivators, while the South Sea’s concealed resistance prepared to fight after removing restrictions from many of its members.
• The Devil Race army formed its ranks to face attacks from the north and south, with cultivators below Devil Lord level remaining behind.
• Fellow Daoist Tang asked Lord Le to honor their agreement over Ten-Step Academy and seek Lord Tutu’s help in opening the secret passage.
• Fellow Daoist Tang questioned why the South Sea Nascent Soul cultivators had not been deployed, and Lord Le began explaining Lord Tutu’s decision.

Li Yan fled the opening battle between the Devil Race and the Desolate Moon Continent, then returned to Windcool Mountain to find its protective formation badly damaged but still holding. He entered with his token and faced a wary group of cultivators who demanded to know who he was.

• The stout Devil General explained that the Devil Race would reserve the South Sea Nascent Soul cultivators for Lord Tutu and reported that rebellions had erupted after their restrictions were removed.
• The stout Devil General and the thin man in the azure robe headed into battle as Li Yan escaped west, pursued by a Golden Core Realm cultivator hoping to capture him for merit.
• Li Yan outran the pursuer with his movement techniques, then endured the distant shockwaves of the battle and drove himself farther away at the risk of injuring his meridians.
• The battle raged across the region until the next day, shifting south from Windcool Mountain as the Devil Race and the Desolate Moon Continent's cultivators suffered heavy losses.
• Li Yan returned to Windcool Mountain on the third day, found its formation damaged but active, and slipped inside with his token.
• Two Golden Core Realm cultivators and their group approached Li Yan and challenged him, while he recognized that their alert was prompted by the formation guards rather than a breach.

Li Yan returned to Windcool Mountain from an external mission and faced questioning from a patrol squad. A white-robed sword cultivator from Ten-Step Academy insulted him, but Li Yan left calmly for Wei Zhongran’s cave dwelling, while the sword cultivator held back from acting because of Wei Zhongran’s reputation.

• Li Yan entered Windcool Mountain using his token and was stopped by a patrol squad led by two Golden Core Realm cultivators.
• A Golden Core Realm cultivator recognized Li Yan from the battle at Tonggui Ridge and questioned why he had returned alone after completing a mission.
• Li Yan explained that he had stayed outside until the fighting began and had chosen a secluded entrance to avoid danger.
• A white-robed sword cultivator from Ten-Step Academy accused Li Yan of relying on unorthodox tricks and ordered him to report his mission and stay in his cave dwelling.
• Li Yan answered respectfully, thanked the bearded cultivator, and flew toward Wei Zhongran’s cave dwelling to learn how his master and the others were doing.
• The white-robed sword cultivator restrained his anger and did not pursue Li Yan after learning that he was Wei Zhongran’s final disciple.

Li Yan returned to Windcool Mountain after surviving the battle at Same-Death Ridge and found his master’s cave dwelling unresponsive. He went to Azure Bat Camp to learn what had happened, where cultivators had gathered and were discussing his reported exploits.

• Li Yan found no answer when he sent voice transmissions to Wei Zhongran’s cave dwelling, so he decided to check Azure Bat Camp instead.
• Li Yan saw cultivators from several camps streaming toward Azure Bat Camp’s main hall and was surprised by the unusual bustle.
• Li Yan entered the Qingzhen Sixteen courtyard, where Tao Yishan recognized him and the gathered cultivators reacted with surprise.
• Li Yan heard cultivators discussing reports that he had killed more than ten demon cultivators and helped defeat a larger enemy force at Same-Death Ridge.
• Buluo welcomed Li Yan and invited him to join the group gathered with Gong Yuantai, Tantai Dongyue, Bai Rou, and Du Sanjiang.

Li Yan returned to Azure Bat Camp and learned that Windcool Mountain’s cultivators had been confined inside a grand formation while Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators fought the Devil Race. The camp was unsettled and eager for news, and Bai Rou blushed when others teased her about asking after Li Yan.

• Gong Yuantai asked whether Li Yan had completed his confidential mission, and Li Yan refused to reveal its details.
• Buluo explained that a battle between high-ranking cultivators had begun three days earlier and that the camp had been ordered to shelter inside Windcool Mountain’s grand formation.
• Li Yan claimed he had seen only ruined mountains on his journey back, while Du Sanjiang reported that the Devil Race army had been pushed more than ten thousand miles south.
• Buluo and Du Sanjiang explained that cultivators from the camps had been gathering to seek news because they could not investigate outside the formation.
• Dantai Dongyue teased Bai Rou for asking about Li Yan, and Bai Rou blushed as she explained that she had only wanted to pass along thanks from Hu Xiaowang and the others.

Li Yan returned to the Azure Sixteenth Team’s camp and deflected questions about his battle achievements, concealing the extent of his strength. After learning about the team’s losses, he resumed command and began making arrangements for its remaining members.

• Li Yan reassured Bai Rou that he did not blame her for rumors about his battle, then claimed his recent victories had depended on his master’s talismans and poison pills.
• Li Yan learned that the gathered cultivators had little news from the shifted battlefield and that Bai Rou was worried about Elder Chigong.
• Gong Yuantai reported that the Azure Sixteenth Team had suffered devastating casualties, while Qiao Baiye and Wang Ning had withdrawn to recover from severe injuries.
• Gong Yuantai handed command of the Azure Sixteenth Team back to Li Yan so he could rest and recuperate.
• Li Yan questioned Tao Yishan and the team members, made arrangements, and found that the veterans now respected and feared his poisoned attacks.

Li Yan spoke privately with Bai Rou after leaving the Azure Bat Camp, learning that Sun Guoshu was safe and nearing formal entry into the Phantom Sect. Bai Rou told him about the losses among their former squad before they parted near Li Yan’s cave residence, with Li asking her to pass along important news.

• Li Yan invited Bai Rou to speak with him privately, while Tantai Dongyue stopped the others from following them.
• Li Yan asked about Sun Guoshu and learned he had received an outer sect disciple token and was studying cultivation techniques.
• Bai Rou said Sun Guoshu had gained several techniques comparable to inner sect methods, and Li Yan suggested she entrust him with errands in the market town.
• Li Yan congratulated Bai Rou on her cultivation progress, and she teased him about reaching the false core realm.
• Bai Rou described the fate of their former Ninth Squad, saying only six members remained alive and recalling the deceased with grief.
• Li Yan and Bai Rou parted near his cave residence after he asked her to notify him of important news.

After resting, Li Yan learned that the Snow Mosquito King's bloodline instinct pointed to a rare Wailing Cold Stone, then provoked him into testing his strength against the Purple God Dragon-Elephant. The two Demon Beasts began fighting inside Tuban as Li Yan watched.

• Li Yan woke refreshed and told the Snow Mosquito King he would search for objects of extreme cold to help his cultivation.
• The Snow Mosquito King named the Wailing Cold Stone as a powerful aid but admitted he did not know where to find it.
• Li Yan claimed the Purple God Dragon-Elephant had grown much stronger and baited the Snow Mosquito King into challenging him.
• Li Yan moved the two Demon Beasts into Tuban, where the Purple God Dragon-Elephant taunted the Snow Mosquito King about his bloodline and cultivation limit.
• The Snow Mosquito King and the Purple God Dragon-Elephant transformed and attacked each other with their divine abilities while Li Yan watched.

Li Yan revealed that the Little Purple Divine Dragon Elephant had cultivated a poison-based method that let it defeat the Snow Mosquito King, then manipulated the King into wanting the same training. The Snow Mosquito King pleaded for the method, and Li Yan was still weighing whether to teach it as the chapter ended.

• The Little Purple Divine Dragon Elephant drained the Snow Mosquito King's strength with poison, stopped its stomp just short of killing him, then slapped him away after he called it “Grandson.”
• Li Yan explained that the Elephant had cultivated its poison ability over several months without his help, and said the method carried severe risks.
• The Snow Mosquito King challenged Li Yan's claim that he had sought the Elephant's consent, insisting that its own resolve and loyalty deserved recognition.
• Li Yan praised the Snow Mosquito King's ambition and bloodline, making it eager to learn the method so it could dominate the Northern Sea Demon-Suppressing Tower.
• The Snow Mosquito King reminded Li Yan that he had said it should improve its abilities to help him, while Li Yan hesitated before answering.

Li Yan explained the risks of “A Thousand Beasts Devour the Dao” to the Snow Mosquito King, who insisted on cultivating it, then began the little Purple God Dragon-Elephant’s second stage of training. The chapter described the dangerous poison-refining technique and why Li Yan could control its poison more precisely than other cultivators.

• Li Yan warned the Snow Mosquito King that abandoning “A Thousand Beasts Devour the Dao” midway could kill him, but the Snow Mosquito King vowed to persist and returned to Tuban to prepare.
• Li Yan told the little Purple God Dragon-Elephant that his second cultivation stage would begin immediately, leaving him horrified.
• The chapter explained how “A Thousand Beasts Devour the Dao” introduced poison into a beast’s Dantian for gradual refinement, and how even a slight dosing error could cripple or kill the beast.
• Li Yan chose the little Purple God Dragon-Elephant as his first subject because his soul could recover and strengthening the Great Dragon-Elephant Array had become urgent.
• Li Yan found that introducing poison into the little Purple God Dragon-Elephant’s soul was easier to control than the technique’s records suggested, because his poisons responded to him like an extension of his own body.

Li Yan and Bai Rou hurried to the front mountain after learning that the Nascent Soul ancestors and Golden Core cultivators had returned from battle, while Bai Rou still had no news of Elder Chi. They met Sun Guoshu along the way and joined the gathered cultivators beneath Ancestor Gongsun, where Li Yan spotted the Azure Sixteen Team.

• Li Yan received orders to assemble at the front mountain and learned from Bai Rou that Wei Zhongran and the other cultivators were returning, though she had heard nothing about Elder Chi.
• Bai Rou flew to Li Yan’s cave, and Li Yan tried to reassure her that Elder Chi’s experience and life-saving methods would protect him.
• Li Yan and Bai Rou met Sun Guoshu, who had been unable to choose among three cultivation methods, and Li Yan advised him to prioritize advancing from the outer sect.
• Li Yan, Bai Rou, and Sun Guoshu reached the front mountain, where Gongsun Changxing’s sword intent caused pain to cultivators who looked toward him.
• A book attendant from Azure Sixteen Team called Li Yan over, and Li Yan invited Bai Rou to join him.

Li Yan and the other cultivators emerged from Fengliang Mountain’s protective formation and saw the devastation left by the great battle. A colossal Northern Nether Mountain Divine Tiger arrived carrying Master Liaoyuan and a host of Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, revealing that the continent’s greatest powerhouses had joined the conflict.

• Bu Luo joked with Li Yan and Wuye while the cultivators gathered after returning from the battlefield.
• Gongsun Changxing ordered the restrictive formation deactivated, exposing a battlefield strewn with corpses and wreckage.
• A Golden Core Realm cultivator rebuked those who vomited at the sight of the dead.
• Li Yan and the others sensed a powerful aura on the horizon and withdrew their divine sense.
• A giant Northern Nether Mountain Divine Tiger appeared, carrying Master Liaoyuan and more than twenty Nascent Soul Realm cultivators at its head.

Li Yan watched Master Liaoyuan and the victorious cultivators return to Windcool Mountain, where Liaoyuan revealed the immense casualties from the battle. The golden canopy displayed the dead and gravely wounded, leaving the assembled cultivators stunned and grieving.

• Li Yan recognized Zhu Luan and Mo Gu among the Phantom Sect’s returning late Nascent Soul cultivators.
• Gongsun Changxing welcomed Master Liaoyuan and the returning cultivators, while the gathered cultivators bowed in reverence.
• Master Liaoyuan’s gentle sweep of his robe suppressed the cultivation of thousands and made them raise their heads.
• Master Liaoyuan unfurled a golden canopy listing seventeen fallen Nascent Soul cultivators and many others who were gravely injured.
• Master Liaoyuan announced the battle’s casualties, and Li Yan noticed that Huchen Patriarch was gravely injured and unconscious.

Li Yan and Bai Rou examined the casualties revealed by the golden sky curtain and learned that several cultivators they knew had fallen or been gravely wounded. Liaoyuan announced Fengliang Mountain’s reported victories and warned that the war would continue; as the cultivators returned to their posts, Li Yan spotted the battered but living Elder Chigong aboard the Nether Mountain Divine Tiger.

• Li Yan and Bai Rou searched the casualty list and were relieved that Wei Zhongran and Elder Chigong were not named, but Li Yan recognized fallen Wangliang Sect elders Hua Xin and Peng Wuxing and wounded Mei Fengshan.
• Li Yan saw that cultivators from the other great sects had also fallen or been gravely wounded, including Hang Wu, Sword King Xiahua, Monk Yisong, and Hua Siwang.
• Liaoyuan reported Fengliang Mountain’s battlefield losses and described how a gravely wounded Devil Race Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivator and three Fengliang Mountain cultivators had all died in a self-detonation.
• Liaoyuan told the gathered cultivators that the war would continue, then withdrew the golden curtain and flew toward Fengliang Mountain’s rear aboard the Nether Mountain Divine Tiger.
• Li Yan spotted Wei Zhongran and Elder Chigong among the returning Wangliang Sect cultivators; Elder Chigong smiled and nodded to Bai Rou despite his severe injuries.

After returning from battle, Li Yan received a visit from Zuo Qiudan, the renowned pill master and an old friend of his master, Wei Zhongran. Zuo Qiudan thanked Li Yan for saving Bu Luo and disciplined Bu Luo before explaining that he had other matters to attend to.

• Wei Zhongran told Li Yan to meet him that night after he handled urgent post-battle duties.
• Li Yan returned to his cave residence and learned from Bai Rou that Elder Chigong's soul was unharmed, though his body would take years to recover.
• Bu Luo arrived with Zuo Qiudan, whom Li Yan recognized from the Northern Underworld Demon-Suppressing Tower and Red Maple Pool.
• Li Yan welcomed Zuo Qiudan, who praised his modest accommodations and said he was friends with Wei Zhongran.
• Zuo Qiudan thanked Li Yan for saving Bu Luo and announced that he would take one magical treasure from Bu Luo's bamboo basket to curb his troublemaking.
• Bu Luo tried to defend himself and sought Li Yan's help, but Li Yan stayed silent as Zuo Qiudan said this was their third meeting and his first deliberate visit.

Li Yan met Zuo Qiudan, an old traveling companion of his master Wei Zhongran, and received extensive guidance on pill refinement after revealing his unusual knowledge of poison. Zuo Qiudan praised Li Yan’s potential and gave him two Dustless Pills as a gift to help with his future Core Formation.

• Zuo Qiudan learned that Li Yan was Wei Zhongran’s disciple and confirmed that Li Yan had recently reached the False Core realm.
• Zuo Qiudan asked about Li Yan’s pill-refining skills, and Li Yan explained that he could barely refine first-grade pills but understood poison deeply.
• Li Yan and Zuo Qiudan discussed pill refinement, with Buluo occasionally adding insights, and Zuo Qiudan corrected Li Yan’s mistaken ideas and shared advanced formulas.
• Zuo Qiudan praised Li Yan’s potential in the Dao of pills and ended their long conversation to meet with Wei Zhongran and other friends.
• Zuo Qiudan gave Li Yan a bottle containing two Dustless Pills as a gift for his future Core Formation.

Li Yan received two exceptionally rare fourth-grade Dustless Pills from Zuo Qiudan and realized the gift carried both gratitude and a request to protect Buluo. After storing the pills for Long Chen Ying and Zhao Min, Li Yan noticed a sound-transmission talisman fly into his cave.

• Zuo Qiudan gave Li Yan two improved Dustless Pills and left with Buluo, who explained that Zuo had refined only five pills and had given him two earlier.
• Li Yan examined the pills and recognized that they were fourth-grade, far more potent than ordinary Dustless Pills and valuable enough to attract deadly attention.
• Li Yan decided to preserve the pills for Long Chen Ying and Zhao Min, while resolving to continue looking after Buluo.
• Li Yan understood that Zuo Qiudan had offered the pills and guidance partly to entrust Buluo to his care.
• As Li Yan prepared to check on the Snow Mosquito King in Tuban, a sound-transmission talisman crashed into the restrictions outside his cave and flew inside.

Li Yan met Shuang Qingqing at Bai Rou’s cave abode, where she teased him and Bai Rou before asking about a senior from Small Bamboo Peak. Shuang Qingqing hoped Li Yan might know something about the person who had once come from his peak.

• Bai Rou summoned Li Yan to her cave abode at Shuang Qingqing’s request, and Li Yan recognized that Bai Rou was happy because Elder Chi Gong’s injuries had improved.
• Li Yan met Shuang Qingqing, who was surprised by his rapid rise to the False Core realm and judged that he had strong chances of forming a core.
• Shuang Qingqing teased Li Yan about the Thousand Net Ancient Ape and made him remain bowed until Bai Rou pleaded for him.
• Shuang Qingqing told Li Yan that she wanted to ask about a senior from Small Bamboo Peak.
• Shuang Qingqing hoped Li Yan could find clues in Small Bamboo Peak’s jade slips and ancient texts about the person, who had seemingly ascended to the Immortal-Spirit Realm.