Arc 18War Across the True Spirit Stars

Kong Wenxuan strengthened the Kong Household, helped Patriarch Kong Changgeng reach Golden Core, and led their defense against repeated invasions of the Peacock True Spirit Star. After the fighting spread to Black Crane County, the Kong Household joined the war at Demon-Suppressing Pass, where a golden-armored giant ape emerged as a dangerous new opponent.

  • Kong Wenxuan used the Magistrate’s Official Seal and the Five-Colored Peacock True Spirit to suppress the Demon Race in the Peacock Secret Realm, then organized the Kong Household to restore and develop the territory.
  • Kong Wenxuan refined the Azure Wood Divine Sword into a Fourth-Tier Law Treasure, reached Early Golden Core, and taught the Huan Household sword techniques.
  • Kong Changgeng survived his demonic backlash and became the Kong Household’s second Golden Core True Person, while Kong Wenxuan added a five-element Peacock Soul-Bewitching Scripture to the lineage inheritance.
  • When the Demon-Summoning Banner and Twelve True Martial Grand Formation attacked the Peacock True Spirit Star, Kong Wenxuan rallied the Yan, Ma, and Yun Households to defend it.
  • Kong Wenxuan and Kong Changgeng defeated successive enemy formations and Fourth-Tier foes, but the Kong Household suffered heavy losses as repeated attacks battered the county seat.
  • The Black Crane True Spirit Star fell, and Kong Wenxuan led the Kong Household to Black Crane County, where the Bi Household fought invaders emerging from a rift into the Mystic Crane Secret Realm.
  • At Demon-Suppressing Pass, Kong Wenxuan learned that the Bi Household’s merit treasury and cultivation ground could support his sword refinement, while the allied households continued fighting the invaders.
  • Kong Changgeng intercepted a golden-armored giant ape and its wolf and eagle companions, but the ape exposed the flaws in his techniques and proved a formidable threat.
Chapters 429–453 Vol. 5 Read

Ch. 429The Sea of Fire Rises, Burning Ten Thousand Enemies to Ashes; Seizing the Demon-Summoning Banner Projection

Kong Wenxuan activated the Myriad Fires All-Encompassing Origin-Fortifying Grand Array’s subsidiary array, turning the Peacock Secret Realm into a sea of fire that devastated the invading Demon Race and Demon Beasts. The Five-Colored Peacock True Spirit captured the Demon-Summoning Banner projection, and Kong Wenxuan killed the last Fourth Tier enemy as the realm was restored.

  • Kong Wenxuan raised the Magistrate’s Official Seal and activated the subsidiary array, filling the Peacock Secret Realm with flames that strengthened the Kong Household forces and burned their enemies.
  • Kong Wenxuan and his tamed beasts used the sea of fire and the Five Elements Divine Swords to slay the Fourth Tier Demon Beasts and weaken the remaining Demon Race members.
  • The Five-Colored Peacock True Spirit seized the Demon-Summoning Banner projection and, aided by the Celestial Stars True Spirit Diagram, carried it into the Peacock True Spirit Star.
  • The Peacock True Spirit Star’s Five-Colored Starlight dispelled the realm’s corruption and suppressed the remaining Demon Race members.
  • Kong Wenxuan trapped and killed the leading Fourth Tier Peacock Demon Race member with the Great Five Elements Sword Formation, preserving his body and materials while most other spoils were burned away.

Ch. 430Adjustments after the Secret Realm's expansion; cultivation under Pseudo-Innate Spiritual Qi

After the Peacock Secret Realm expanded by nine hundred li and the invasion ended, Kong Wenxuan oversaw the aftermath and honored the fallen Kong Household disciples. With abundant Pseudo-Innate Spiritual Qi newly available, he resumed refining the Azure Wood Divine Sword and advancing his Golden Core Stage cultivation.

  • Kong Wenxuan confirmed that the Demon-Summoning Banner showed no further changes, then shut down the Myriad Fires All-Encompassing Origin-Fortifying Grand Array’s sub-array.
  • Kong Wenxuan ordered the Kong Household disciples to clear the battlefield, adjust the secret realm’s five elements, refine its protective formation, and develop the new territory.
  • Kong Wenxuan inspected the secret realm and learned that fewer than thirty Lineage disciples had died, while some Foundation Establishment cultivators had been injured.
  • Kong Wenxuan bowed and offered sacrifices to the fallen disciples in the ancestral hall before returning to his cultivation place on the Ancestral Spirit Mountain Peak.
  • Kong Wenxuan informed the patriarch and his eldest uncle, then used the abundant Pseudo-Innate Spiritual Qi to refine the Azure Wood Divine Sword and accelerate his Golden Core Stage cultivation.

Ch. 431The Crested Ibis Huan Household and the Qi of Wood Sha

Two years later, Kong Wenxuan arrived in Crested Ibis County to use the Huan Household’s sub-formation of the Ten Thousand Trees Boundless Origin-Securing Grand Formation to gather Qi of Wood Sha and finish advancing his Azure Wood Divine Sword into a Fourth-Tier Law Treasure. Huan Minghui welcomed him and agreed to guide him to the Crested Ibis Secret Realm after a banquet.

  • Kong Wenxuan flew to Crested Ibis County, where Huan Minghui and the Huan Household welcomed him at the city gates.
  • Kong Wenxuan explained that he had refined nine Fourth-Tier Red Pine spirit trees and raised the Azure Wood Divine Sword to Quasi-Law Treasure level, leaving only its Qi of Wood Sha tempering.
  • Huan Minghui thanked Kong Wenxuan for the Kong Household’s teachings, which had helped Huan cultivators improve their Vermilion Beak Swords using the Crimson Fire and Yellow Earth Divine Sword inheritances.
  • Huan Minghui invited Kong Wenxuan to a welcoming banquet and promised to take him to the Crested Ibis Secret Realm to activate its formation sub-formation.

Ch. 432Fourth-Tier Law Treasure "Azure Wood Divine Sword," Early Golden Core

Kong Wenxuan cultivated in the Crested Ibis Secret Realm’s connected spirit forest, using its Wood Sha Qi to complete the Azure Wood Divine Sword’s refinement. After three months, the sword advanced to a Fourth-Tier Law Treasure, and Kong Wenxuan reached Early Golden Core.

  • Huan Minghui led Kong Wenxuan through the Crested Ibis Secret Realm’s formation into the osmanthus forest connected to the Ten Thousand Trees Boundless Origin-Securing Grand Formation.
  • Huan Minghui offered support while Kong Wenxuan chose to cultivate without additional services.
  • Kong Wenxuan formed the final Earth Sha Treasure Restriction and refined the Azure Wood Divine Sword with Wood Sha Qi.
  • Over three months, the sword’s crimson light merged into its azure form as its power stabilized and grew.
  • The Azure Wood Divine Sword advanced to a Fourth-Tier Law Treasure, and Kong Wenxuan’s cultivation reached Early Golden Core.

Ch. 433Return to Peacock County: The Patriarch Enters Seclusion to Break Through

Kong Wenxuan tested his newly advanced Fourth Tier Law Treasure, the Azure Wood Divine Sword, then returned from the Huan Household after teaching its cultivators for three days. Back in Peacock County, Kong Changgeng announced that he would attempt to break through to the Golden Core Stage and asked Kong Wenxuan to guard him.

  • Kong Wenxuan tested the Azure Wood Divine Sword’s power in the Spirit Osmanthus Forest and withdrew it without harming the forest.
  • Kong Wenxuan rewarded two Huan Household cultivators with wooden swords, then promised Huan Minghui three days of instruction in exchange for using the lineage’s land.
  • Kong Wenxuan taught the Huan Household cultivators about refining the Crimson Fire Divine Sword and Yellow Earth Divine Sword and using their sword arts.
  • Kong Wenxuan returned safely to Peacock County after finding no Demon Race members or martial cultivators to challenge him along the way.
  • Kong Changgeng told Kong Wenxuan that he would attempt a Golden Core Stage breakthrough, asked him to stand guard, and instructed him to act if Demonic Nature Backlash made him degenerate into a Demon Beast.

Ch. 434Patriarch Kong Changgeng's Path, the Lineage's Second Golden Core True Person

Patriarch Kong Changgeng attempted a Golden Core breakthrough at the Kong Household Ancestral Hall, drawing strength from his devotion to the Lineage and its fallen descendants. He suppressed the Peacock Bloodline’s demonic backlash and stabilized his Golden Core, becoming the Kong Household’s second Golden Core True Person.

  • Patriarch Kong Changgeng paid respects to every grave in the Lineage cemetery before climbing to the Ancestral Hall atop Ancestral Spirit Mountain Peak.
  • Kong Wenxuan watched the patriarch’s presence grow steadily and realized that the Peacock Kong Household was the conviction guiding his cultivation.
  • The patriarch began his breakthrough at the Ancestral Hall as Lineage descendants gathered below to pray for his success.
  • After a month, Patriarch Kong Changgeng condensed a Golden Core, but the Peacock Bloodline’s demonic nature erupted and threatened to turn him into a Demon Beast.
  • The Five-Colored Peacock True Spirit, the Lineage descendants, and the cemetery’s heroic spirits helped the patriarch suppress and purify the backlash.
  • Spiritual Qi gathered into a vortex above the summit as Patriarch Kong Changgeng stabilized his cultivation and became the Kong Household’s second Golden Core True Person.

Ch. 435The Patriarch's Contribution: The Third-Tier Peacock Soul-Bewitching Scripture Legacy

After Patriarch Kong Changgeng advanced to the Golden Core Stage, he and Kong Wenxuan expanded the Kong Household’s Peacock Soul-Bewitching Scripture legacy to the Third Tier and integrated it into the Peacock True Spirit Star. The legacy gave the Lineage’s Purple Mansion cultivators another technique as the True Spirit Realm faced possible invasion.

  • Kong Wenxuan and the Kong Household Lineage celebrated as Patriarch Kong Changgeng stabilized his Golden Core Stage cultivation.
  • Kong Changgeng thanked Kong Wenxuan and the Lineage, then announced he would add his Soul-Bewitching Illusion Technique insights to the Peacock True Spirit Star.
  • Kong Changgeng merged his Black Water Peacock and Third-Tier Soul-Bewitching Illusion Technique into the star, and Kong Wenxuan absorbed the resulting legacy.
  • Kong Wenxuan expanded the technique into a five-element Third-Tier Peacock Soul-Bewitching Scripture and merged his Five-Colored Bewitching Peacock with the star.
  • The Peacock True Spirit Star’s legacy gained the Third-Tier technique, giving the Lineage’s Purple Mansion cultivators another means to fight and survive.

Ch. 436Sacrificial Refinement and Upgrading the Crimson Fire Divine Sword; the Second Invasion Arrives

Kong Wenxuan began refining the Crimson Fire Divine Sword with Fourth-Tier Nirvana Spirit Fire while the Kong Household grew stronger after its recent advances. Just as he settled into the slower pace of cultivation, the Demon Race and True Martial World's martial cultivators launched their second assault on the Celestial Stars True Spirit Diagram.

  • Patriarch Kong Changgeng advanced to the Fourth-Tier Golden Core Stage, and the Kong Household expanded its Peacock Soul-Bewitching Scripture inheritance to the Third Tier.
  • Kong Wenxuan chose to refine the Crimson Fire Divine Sword using Fourth-Tier Nirvana Spirit Flames and began feeding the sword flames gathered from the secret realm's fire pool.
  • After more than a year, the secret realm's pseudo-innate Spiritual Qi ran out, while Kong Wenxuan had refined two Nirvana Spirit Flames and Kong Wencheng and Kong Wenmo reached the Purple Mansion Stage.
  • Half a year later, Kong Wenxuan sensed the Five-Colored Peacock True Spirit becoming agitated and saw the Peacock True Spirit Star shake.
  • Kong Wenxuan looked through the True Spirit's perspective and saw the Demon-Summoning Banner and the Twelve True Martial Grand Formation attacking the Celestial Stars True Spirit Diagram.

Ch. 437A Different Second Invasion: Guarding the Peacock True Spirit Star

As the Demon Race and True Martial World launched a full-scale assault on the Celestial Stars True Spirit Diagram, Kong Wenxuan prepared the Kong Household to defend the Peacock True Spirit Star. He summoned three allied households to join the battle and offered to shelter their clansmen in Peacock County Seat.

  • The Celestial Stars True Spirit Diagram and the Peacock True Spirit Star shook under the invasion, and the Golden Crow Imperial Dynasty ordered every True Spirit Lineage to defend its star.
  • Kong Wenxuan recognized that the attackers were trying to break through the diagram with their main forces, unlike the limited surprise attack of the previous invasion.
  • Kong Wenxuan sealed away his Fourth Tier Nirvana Spirit Fire and returned the Crimson Fire Divine Sword to his Purple Mansion before leaving the Peacock Secret Realm.
  • Kong Wenxuan urged Kong Changgeng to summon the Yan, Ma, and Yun Households to help defend the Peacock True Spirit Star, and Kong Changgeng approved.
  • Kong Wenxuan ordered the three households to gather in Peacock County Seat and allowed them to relocate their clansmen there for protection.

Ch. 438Entering the Star in Person, Familiar Battle Experience

Kong Wenxuan led the Kong Household, its Peacock Dao Soldiers, and the Yan, Yun, and Ma households onto the Peacock True Spirit Star to defend it from a real invasion. After arriving, they deployed under Kong Changgeng’s orders as the enemy forces closed in.

  • Kong Wenxuan checked Peacock County Seat’s defenses and sent his forces toward the Peacock True Spirit Star.
  • Starlight drew Kong Wenxuan, the Kong Household, the Peacock Dao Soldiers, and the Yan, Yun, and Ma cultivators into the star in person.
  • Kong Wenxuan and the others arrived on the Peacock True Spirit Star and saw demonic forces and True Martial World martial cultivators approaching.
  • Kong Changgeng ordered the Purple Mansion Stage cultivators to lead their teams to assigned positions and had Kong Yujin prepare the defensive grand formation.
  • The Kong Household’s forces completed their preparations as the enemy reached the battlefield.

Ch. 439Empiricism and the Demon Race's Sneak Attack

The Demon Race and martial cultivators launched a coordinated assault on the Kong Household’s Peacock True Spirit Star, catching its defenses unprepared and nearly overwhelming the city. Kong Wenxuan fought back against the Ten Thousand Demons Formation, but a Fourth Tier black panther ambushed him and badly damaged his Yellow Earth Divine Sword.

  • The Ten Thousand Demons Formation and True Martial Grand Formation struck the Five Elements Grand Formation before it was fully activated, leaving the city’s defenses struggling to hold.
  • Enemy forces attacked the city walls, and Kong Yujin, Nineteenth Uncle, Fourth Sister, and the reserves moved to reinforce the defenders.
  • Kong Changgeng deployed a Fourth Tier Earth Dragon, One-Horned Rhinoceros, and Flame Sparrow to hold back the True Martial Grand Formation.
  • Kong Wenxuan used the Azure Wood Divine Sword and One Sword Gives Rise to Ten Thousand Laws to tear into the Ten Thousand Demons Formation and kill its troops.
  • A hidden Fourth Tier black panther attacked Kong Wenxuan, and his Yellow Earth Divine Sword blocked the strike but suffered severe damage.

Ch. 440The Five-Colored Peacock True Spirit Strikes, Slaying a Demon and Breaking the Deadlock

Kong Wenxuan fought off a Fourth Tier black panther’s ambushes while attacking the Ten Thousand Demons Formation. The Five-Colored Peacock True Spirit exposed the panther as it tried to ambush Kong Changgeng, allowing Kong Wenxuan to trap and kill it.

  • Kong Wenxuan stopped the black panther’s first attack and destroyed its Black Shadow Curtain, though the panther escaped into the Ten Thousand Demons Formation.
  • Kong Wenxuan attacked the formation, drew out two Fourth Tier Demon Beasts, and killed them while staying alert for the panther.
  • The black panther launched another sneak attack, but Kong Wenxuan’s Crimson Fire and White Metal Divine Swords destroyed its shadow decoys.
  • The Five-Colored Peacock True Spirit revealed the panther fleeing toward Kong Changgeng’s battlefield to attack the clan leader.
  • Kong Wenxuan trapped the panther in his Sword Light Forest and killed it.

Ch. 441The True Spirit Heaven That Devoured Yao Qi; The Might of the Fourth-Tier Azure Wood Divine Sword

Kong Wenxuan and the Kong Household turned the battle for Peacock True Spirit Star around, and the Fourth-Tier Azure Wood Divine Sword helped destroy the Ten Thousand Demons Formation. With the fleeing enemies trapped, Kong Wenxuan killed the formation’s remaining Fourth-Tier defenders, while the True Spirit Heaven devoured the resulting Yao Qi storms.

  • After the Fourth-Tier black panther died, Kong Wenxuan saw the Seventh-Grade True Spirit Heaven swallow the resulting Yao Qi storm and suspected the Celestial Stars True Spirit Diagram was targeting the Demon Race.
  • Kong Changgeng and Kong Wenxuan held off the enemy formations while Kong Yujin and the Kong Household forces strengthened the county seat’s defenses and launched a counterattack.
  • Kong Wenxuan used the Fourth-Tier Azure Wood Divine Sword to tear open the weakened Ten Thousand Demons Formation, and the combined attacks of the Kong Household forces destroyed it.
  • Kong Wenxuan trapped the fleeing Fourth-Tier turtle demon and two Fourth-Tier Demon Beasts in his Sword Light Forest and killed the two beasts.
  • Kong Wenxuan’s Sword Light Forest overcame the turtle demon’s many defenses and killed it, and the True Spirit Heaven swallowed the resulting Yao Qi storm.

Ch. 442Slaying Every Invader: The Peacock True Spirit Star Devours the Enemy's Blood

Kong Wenxuan and the Kong Household defeated the invading Demon Race, Demon Beasts, and martial cultivators on the Peacock True Spirit Star. After the battle, he discovered that the star was absorbing the invaders’ blood, apparently strengthening the star and the Peacock True Spirit.

  • Kong Wenxuan helped Patriarch Kong Changgeng defeat a Fourth-Tier Zhurong martial cultivator with the Azure Wood Divine Sword’s Sword Light Forest.
  • Kong Wenxuan and Patriarch Kong Changgeng attacked the weakened True Martial Grand Formation while Kong Yujin and the Five Elements Sword Formation joined the assault.
  • Patriarch Kong Changgeng’s Earth Dragon and Golden-Horned Rhinoceros protected him from the True Martial Giant’s final attack, though both were badly wounded.
  • The True Martial Grand Formation shattered, and Kong Wenxuan trapped and killed the Fourth-Tier Three Heads and Six Arms martial cultivator.
  • Kong Wenxuan discovered that the Peacock True Spirit Star absorbed the invaders’ blood and confirmed that the star and the Peacock True Spirit had grown slightly.

Ch. 443The "True Spirit Diagram" Controls the Battle; More Enemies Attack

After the Kong Household defeated its first attackers, Kong Wenxuan realized the Celestial Stars True Spirit Diagram was controlling enemy strength and would send stronger forces against them. The next assault arrived, and the Kong Household prepared and struck first.

  • Kong Wenxuan observed that the Peacock True Spirit Star grew slightly by absorbing the defeated enemies' blood.
  • Kong Wenxuan deduced that the Celestial Stars True Spirit Diagram had limited the first attack to match the Kong Household's recorded strength and would send more enemies after their easy victory.
  • Kong Wenxuan warned the Kong Household that a stronger attack was coming and ordered his second aunt to fully activate the city protection formation.
  • Kong Changgeng restored his three Fourth Tier tamed beasts while Kong Wenxuan repaired the Yellow Earth Divine Sword and readied all five Five Elements Divine Swords.
  • Kong Wenxuan led the Kong Household in striking first at the larger Ten Thousand Demons Formation and stronger True Martial Grand Formation, slowing and shaking their advance.

Ch. 444Demon Race Flying Boats and True Martial Chariots

The Kong Household defeated another assault on the Peacock True Spirit Star after Kong Wenxuan slew the Fourth Tier enemies attacking him and the patriarch. As a larger force approached with Demon Race flying boats and True Martial Chariots, the Kong Household's lack of comparable vessels left it at a disadvantage, and Kong Wenxuan and Kong Changgeng retreated behind the Five Elements Grand Formation.

  • Kong Wenxuan used the Five Elements Divine Swords to kill the five Fourth Tier enemies attacking him, then helped Kong Changgeng defeat the four Fourth Tier enemies fighting the patriarch.
  • Kong Wenxuan, Kong Changgeng, and the Kong Household forces destroyed the Ten Thousand Demons Formation and True Martial Grand Formation, winning the battle with fewer casualties than before.
  • After the Kong Household recovered and cleared the battlefield, the Celestial Stars True Spirit Diagram sent another assault toward the Peacock True Spirit Star.
  • Kong Wenxuan and the others discovered that the approaching force included Demon Race flying boats and True Martial Chariots, including Third and Fourth Tier vessels.
  • Because the Kong Household had only Second Tier Peacock Feather Boats and no comparable higher-tier vessels, Kong Wenxuan and Kong Changgeng withdrew into the Five Elements Grand Formation to defend against the incoming attack.

Ch. 445Sword Breaks a Fourth-Tier Flying Boat

Kong Wenxuan tested the defenses of a Fourth-Tier Demon Race flying boat and found a way to exploit its rigid patterns. As the enemy assault threatened Peacock County Seat, Kong Changgeng took over the Five Elements Grand Formation, and Kong Wenxuan destroyed the flying boat and killed its crew.

  • Kong Wenxuan attacked a Fourth-Tier Demon Race flying boat with the Sword Light Forest formed by the Azure Wood Divine Sword.
  • Kong Wenxuan discovered that the flying boat’s powerful defenses relied on fixed patterns and used his sword art to probe for gaps in its Gang wind barrier.
  • The invading Demon Race and martial cultivator forces bombarded Peacock County Seat until the Five Elements Grand Formation began to falter.
  • Kong Changgeng took over operating the Five Elements Grand Formation from Kong Yujin, stabilizing the defenses and enabling a counterattack.
  • Kong Wenxuan found openings in the flying boat’s defenses and drove the Sword Light Forest through them, dismantling the boat and slaughtering its crew.

Ch. 446Alarm Beneath the Cheers, a Star Falls

Kong Wenxuan destroyed a Fourth Tier Demon Race Flying Boat and then a Fourth Tier Zhurong Chariot, helping the Kong Household resist the invasion. As the household celebrated, a True Spirit Star fell, revealing the mortal peril of the battle.

  • Kong Wenxuan used the Azure Wood Divine Sword to destroy a Fourth Tier Demon Race Flying Boat, boosting the defenders’ morale.
  • Kong Wenxuan attacked a Fourth Tier Zhurong Chariot, but its fire defenses and support from the enemy formations initially kept his sword at bay.
  • Kong Wenxuan summoned the other four Five Elements Divine Swords, while Kong Changgeng and the defenders tied down the enemy forces to give him room to attack.
  • After several shichen of fighting, Kong Wenxuan found the Zhurong Chariot’s weaknesses, destroyed it from within, and slaughtered its martial cultivators.
  • A distant True Spirit Star fell and shattered beneath demonic and martial light, alarming Kong Wenxuan and the Kong Household.

Ch. 447Casualties in the Fierce Battle; the Black Crane True Spirit Star Falls

Kong Wenxuan and the Kong Household endured months of attacks on the Peacock True Spirit Star, suffering heavy losses but surviving the enemy’s most dangerous assault. During a later battle, Kong Wenxuan witnessed the Black Crane True Spirit Star fall and realized the He Household had been wiped out.

  • Over three months of fighting, the Kong Household and its allied servant households repelled wave after wave of invaders, though they suffered substantial casualties.
  • During the ninth wave, enemies breached the Five Elements Grand Formation and entered the county city, forcing Kong Wenxuan to break two Five Elements Divine Swords and Patriarch Kong Changgeng to sacrifice his Golden-Horned Rhinoceros to save the Peacock True Spirit Star.
  • After the ninth wave, the Celestial Stars True Spirit Diagram sent fewer and weaker enemies, allowing the Kong Household to keep defending the Peacock True Spirit Star.
  • Half a month later, while Kong Wenxuan led the defense against another attack, he sensed the Black Crane True Spirit’s desperate cry and saw its star shatter and fall.
  • Kong Wenxuan recognized the Black Crane True Spirit Star as belonging to the He Household and realized its cultivators had all perished.

Ch. 448Enemies Invade Bifang Commandery, the Bi Household's Second Summons

Kong Wenxuan witnessed the Black Crane True Spirit Star fall and enemies invade Black Crane County, but the Bifang Bi Household contained them in the Mystic Crane Secret Realm. A new summons called the Kong Household and other Lineages to help repel the invaders, while a message confirmed they would face no further wave on the Peacock True Spirit Star.

  • Kong Wenxuan saw the Black Crane True Spirit Star fall, opening a breach through which the Demon Race and martial cultivators invaded Black Crane County.
  • A Bifang True Spirit projection descended and burst into starlight, preserving Black Crane County City and sending the attackers into the Mystic Crane Secret Realm.
  • Kong Wenxuan received a message explaining that the Bi Household had temporarily suppressed the invaders but that they could still break free.
  • The Bifang Bi Household summoned county and servant Lineages to Black Crane County to suppress and repel the enemies.
  • The Golden Crow Imperial Dynasty informed the Kong Household that no further enemy wave would attack the Peacock True Spirit Star, allowing them to focus on the invading forces inside the True Spirit Realm.

Ch. 449Returning to the Mystic Crane Secret Realm: The Rift Connecting to the Heavenly Demon Grotto-Heaven

Kong Wenxuan joined the fighting in Bifang Commandery and learned that invaders had opened a rift from the Mystic Crane Secret Realm to the Heavenly Demon Grotto-Heaven, turning the burned realm into a continuing battlefield. True Person Bi Yanhong revealed that the Bi Household might be keeping the gateway open for a future counterattack, and Kong Wenxuan saw a possible opportunity for the Kong Household.

  • Kong Wenxuan and the Kong Household disciples arrived in Black Crane County City, now under the Bifang Bi Household's control.
  • At a welcoming banquet, True Person Bi Yanhong warned Kong Wenxuan that the battle in the Mystic Crane Secret Realm might become a protracted war.
  • Kong Wenxuan entered the secret realm and found it burned by the Bi Household's grand array, while enemies continued to emerge from a rift in the sky.
  • True Person Bi Yanhong explained that the rift connected the Mystic Crane Secret Realm to the Heavenly Demon Grotto-Heaven and would be difficult to close.
  • Kong Wenxuan realized the upper True Spirit lineages might intend to use the rift for a counterattack and considered how the Kong Household could benefit.

Ch. 450Yesterday's Honored Guests, Today's Soldiers Under His Command

Kong Wenxuan arrived at Demon-Suppressing Pass and was assigned to lead the Kong, Fu, and He Household forces alongside the Fu Household. He saw the fierce battle at the walls and the strength of the city’s Fifth-Tier defensive grand array.

  • True Person Bi Yanhong assigned the Kong Household to fight with the Fu Household and offered the He Household’s remaining bloodline cultivators as reinforcements.
  • Fu Zongchang and He Minghua paid their respects to Kong Wenxuan, who welcomed them and entrusted Kong Yushuo with integrating their forces and preparing them for battle.
  • Kong Wenxuan climbed the walls of Demon-Suppressing Pass with True Person Bi Yanhong to assess the fighting.
  • Kong Wenxuan watched the Ya and Jiao Household forces repel attackers with support from the city’s defensive grand array and the starlight of three manifested True Spirit Stars.

Ch. 451The Bi Household's "Exchange Treasury": Supporting Its Lackeys

Ya Zhaoying and the Ya Household helped repel another invasion at Demon-Suppressing Pass, where Kong Wenxuan saw the strength of her bloodline abilities. Bi Yanhong introduced the Bi Household's merit-exchange treasury, and Kong Wenxuan realized the household could use its abundant fire resources to support new True Spirit Lineages.

  • Ya Zhaoying burned a Fourth-Tier Zhurong martial cultivator to ash with her Fire Crow Divine Fire Shield as Kong Wenxuan watched.
  • Ya Household forces destroyed the Ten Thousand Demons Formation, and the enemy's attack on Demon-Suppressing Pass ended for the moment.
  • Ya Zhaoying joined Kong Wenxuan and Bi Yanhong, who urged their households to cooperate in defending Bifang Commandery.
  • Bi Yanhong gave Kong Wenxuan and Ya Zhaoying Jade Slips listing resources available through the Bi Household's merit-exchange treasury.
  • Kong Wenxuan found that the treasury offered abundant Nirvana Spirit Fire and fire seeds, and suspected the Bi Household intended to cultivate new True Spirit Lineages as its dependents.

Ch. 452The Bi Household's Bait: A "Pseudo-Primordial" Cultivation Ground

Kong Wenxuan considered the Bi Household’s plan to recruit subordinate households through an exchange treasury and saw how it would draw bloodline and servant cultivator households into the war. He found that the treasury’s secluded cultivation ground was bait aimed specifically at him and the Ya Household, but chose to pursue it to strengthen himself and speed up the Crimson Fire Divine Sword’s upgrade.

  • Kong Wenxuan reflected that supporting subordinate True Spirit Lineages was a mutual arrangement, like the Kong Household’s past agreements with the Yan, Ma, and Yun Households.
  • Kong Wenxuan expected the Bi Household’s exchange treasury to attract households eager to earn resources and support by fighting in the war.
  • Kong Wenxuan found Nirvana Spirit Fire in the catalog that could help him refine and upgrade the Crimson Fire Divine Sword.
  • Kong Wenxuan discovered that the Bi Household had opened a secluded cultivation ground filled with fire-element origin and pseudo-primordial Spiritual Qi.
  • Kong Wenxuan recognized the cultivation ground as bait meant to motivate him and the Ya Household to earn merit, but decided to seize the opportunity and pursue it.

Ch. 453Sacrificing and Refining a Sword on the Battlefield; a Fourth-Tier Golden-Eyed Giant Ape of the Demon Race

At Demon-Suppressing Pass, Kong Wenxuan refined his Crimson Fire Divine Sword while Kong Changgeng fought a new wave of Fourth-Tier enemies. The golden-eyed giant ape shattered Kong Changgeng’s water technique, revealing a dangerous ability as the battle continued.

  • Kong Wenxuan continued refining the Crimson Fire Divine Sword while the Kong Household guarded Demon-Suppressing Pass against low-tier enemies.
  • A Fourth-Tier giant ape of the Demon Race emerged from the rift with a wolf and an eagle, and Kong Changgeng moved to intercept them.
  • Kong Changgeng used his Black Water Peacock’s illusion to briefly ensnare the wolf and eagle, then attacked the giant ape with his Earth Dragon and Flame Sparrow.
  • The golden-armored giant ape smashed the Earth Dragon in two, blasted the Flame Sparrow away, and used golden light from his eyes to expose and destroy the weak points in Kong Changgeng’s black-water technique.
  • Kong Wenxuan recognized that the giant ape’s bloodline ability could reveal flaws in Law Techniques, making it a formidable opponent for Kong Changgeng.
Arc 18 of 24
Arc 18 of 24