Recaps

Chen Yang punished Ban Kuizhen and returned Huo Xuanhao’s soul to the real world, receiving creation force for answering his prayer. After the crisis ended, Chen Yang turned his attention to the Su Family’s scheme against the Yang Family.

• Chen Yang confirmed Ban Kuizhen’s account, ordered him to retrieve the Jade Firmament Sect’s Method of Breakthrough and Spirit Preservation, and secretly placed divine power in his Primordial Spirit to kill him if he betrayed the Yang Family.
• After Ban Kuizhen’s Primordial Spirit dispersed, Chen Yang found Huo Xuanhao’s fading soul and chose to protect it in response to its prayer.
• Chen Yang returned Huo Xuanhao’s soul to the real world and divided the creation force he received among Fu Yin, Wu Hua, and the infant Blood Sun Venerable God.
• Ban Kuizhen awakened in Huo Xuanhao’s body, but Huo Xuanhao’s returning soul forced him out; Yang Yuanhong took the unconscious Huo Xuanhao back to the family to recover.
• Ban Kuizhen worshipped Chen Yang’s stone body and left for his sect, while Chen Yang resolved to remember the Su Family’s scheme and its valuable jade.

Huo Xuanhao woke after five days in the Yang Family, believing its members had saved him from possession and feeling deeply grateful to them. When he realized he had nowhere he wanted to return to, Yang Lingqing offered him a pill furnace, and Huo Xuanhao chose to stay with the Yang Family as an alchemist.

• Huo Xuanhao woke and learned from Yang Yuanhong that the Yang Family had cared for him while he recovered.
• Wu Tong escorted Huo Xuanhao to Yang Lingqing, where Huo thanked the Patriarch for saving him and shared his past.
• Yang Lingqing comforted Huo Xuanhao, helping him ease his gloom as he recovered in the Yang Family.
• When Huo Xuanhao prepared to leave, he realized he could not return to the Eastern Wilderness and did not want to go back to Befeng City.
• Huo Xuanhao offered his pill-making skills to Yang Lingqing, who gave him a pill furnace she had obtained for him.
• Huo Xuanhao gratefully accepted the furnace and decided to remain with the Yang Family.

Huo Xuanhao settled into the Yang Family and successfully refined his first Spirit Nurturing Pill, giving the family a promising new source of income. Chen Yang learned from Ban Kuizhen’s memories that Central Region geniuses could defeat cultivators across major realms through special physiques and supreme treasures, leaving him to consider how far Yang Yuanhong would measure up.

• Huo Xuanhao committed himself to serving the Yang Family and, with Chen Yang’s unseen help and the family’s support, made rapid progress in pill refinement.
• Two months after joining the Yang Family, Huo Xuanhao refined his first defective Spirit Nurturing Pill, and Yang Lingqing congratulated him.
• Huo Xuanhao thanked the Yang Family for funding his studies, while Yang Lingqing recognized that his pills could eventually provide the new fief with another source of income.
• Chen Yang reviewed Ban Kuizhen’s memories and concluded that Yang Yuanhong would rank only around the middle of the Central Region’s Heavenly Talent Ranking.
• Chen Yang learned that innate special physiques and supreme treasures were essential for Qi Gathering cultivators to challenge Spiritual Connection opponents, and recalled Murong Qiuhan’s use of the Tiger Chasing imperial jade seal to kill a Core Formation Cultivator.

Chen Yang used True Dragon Breath to strengthen Yang Yuanhong and hoped it would help him develop an acquired special physique, believing the boy might be needed to protect Yang Lingrui from the coming conflict between the He and Su Families. After a long peaceful stretch, Su Lixue found Su Lingyun entertaining children at the Su Family compound.

• Chen Yang used his newly gained ability to nurture Yang Yuanhong with True Dragon Breath, hoping to trigger an acquired special physique.
• Chen Yang reflected that the Su Family’s arrival in Chongtian City marked the start of open conflict and that Yang Yuanhong might be the Yang Family’s only chance to help Yang Lingrui escape it.
• Yang Yuanhong’s black flood dragon manifestation absorbed the True Dragon Breath, while a nearby spirit insect also fed on its traces.
• The Yang Families experienced a long period without trouble, though Chen Yang sensed that a storm was approaching.
• Su Lixue searched for Su Lingyun and found him among the mortal children at the Su Family compound, where they eagerly listened to his stories.

Su Lingyun explained to Su Lixue that his care for the children and his love for the Su Family were sincere, then revealed his devotion to her. That night, he sacrificed three children to fish the Su Family’s bloodline treasure from the well, finally obtaining the blood jade.

• Su Lingyun named all thirty-six children and described their families and favorite foods, proving to Su Lixue that he cared for them and had written the letters they received from the mountain.
• Su Lingyun told Su Lixue that the Su Family loved fiercely, mourned its dead, and hated just as deeply, then confessed that she was all he had left to love.
• Su Lingyun brought three children to Jingyun Peak and used them to help fish in the well while he watched the lines.
• As the three children succumbed to crushing pressure one after another, Su Lingyun broke through three fishing rods and finally pulled a piece of blood jade from the well.
• Su Lingyun recognized the blood jade as the Su Family’s bloodline treasure, and Pei Xuejian entered to congratulate him and remove the children’s corpses.

Yang Lingrui received He Shenglai’s request for help as the Twilight Ancient Path prepared to open, setting off a contest between the He and Su Families. After learning that powerful forces across the Northwest would join the expedition, Yang Lingrui left Pine Mountain with Xue Qingluan for Myriad Layer Forest.

• A He Family messenger delivered He Shenglai’s letter to Yang Lingrui, announcing that he had reached Mid Essence Condensation and asking for help at the Twilight Ancient Path.
• Yang Lingrui told the messenger he would depart for Myriad Layer Forest in one month and ordered Xue Qingluan to accompany him.
• Yang Lingrui learned through Yang Yuanliu that the expedition would draw forces from the Dynasty, neighboring Dynasties, and the Eastern Wilderness, including the Tiger Chasing Evil Extermination Division.
• Yang Yuanliu explained that the Twilight Ancient Path was a major ancient land where several prominent True Intent Realm cultivators had gained opportunities.
• After settling affairs at home, Yang Lingrui departed with Xue Qingluan, carrying the Crown Prince Gold Token.

Jade Firmament Sect lost its chance to enter the Heaven Ascending Tower and decided to seek opportunities in the Northwest at the Twilight Ancient Path. Ban Kuizhen emerged after rapidly rebuilding his cultivation, where he met An Sixian and realized the sect’s lavish support likely came with an expectation.

• Jade Firmament Sect’s leaders learned they had lost the contest for entry qualifications to the Heaven Ascending Tower and resolved to send cultivators to the Twilight Ancient Path in the Northwest.
• An Sixian reported that Wind Thunder Temple also planned to travel to the ancient path, easing the elders’ sense of embarrassment about leaving the Central Region.
• Ban Kuizhen emerged from seclusion after restoring the Essence Condensation Realm to Fifth Level Cultivation in less than a year with the sect’s extensive support.
• An Sixian congratulated Ban Kuizhen, who reflected on their shared past and their diverging cultivation fortunes.
• Ban Kuizhen thanked An Sixian formally as Elder An rather than addressing him as Brother An.

An Sixian gave Ban Kuizhen a sect assignment tied to the Twilight Ancient Path in the Northwest, where cultivators sought rare treasures and inheritances. Ban learned he would protect the Jade Firmament Sect’s disciples in the Waning Moon Realm using the sect’s supreme treasure, an opportunity that answered the Venerable God’s task he had been pursuing.

• An Sixian assessed Ban Kuizhen’s restored Core Formation foundation and delivered him a sealed scroll containing the sect’s orders.
• Ban Kuizhen read about the Twilight Ancient Path, its three cultivation realms, and the True Intent Formless Manifestations that could open a path to higher cultivation.
• Ban Kuizhen concluded that the assignment was to protect the Jade Firmament Sect’s prodigy Xu Chen and other disciples in the Waning Moon Realm.
• An Sixian explained that Ban was the only Core Formation cultivator able to wield the sect’s supreme treasure and warned him about three Northwest prodigies.
• Ban Kuizhen realized the treasure was the mind-and-soul-striking stone tablet seized from the Mingxu Sect, and recognized the assignment as an answer to the Venerable God’s task.

Jade Firmament Sect forced Ban Kuizhen to accept a Soul-Hosting Insect before assigning him to guard its supreme treasure, convincing him that the sect had discarded him. He resolved to join Venerable God's side, then discovered the insect had not affected his Primordial Spirit after a full day.

• An Sixian presented Ban Kuizhen with a Soul-Hosting Insect, claiming it was insurance for his mission to the Northwest.
• Ban Kuizhen realized the insect's fusion with his Primordial Spirit could not be reversed and that the sect had marginalized him.
• After An Sixian challenged his loyalty, Ban Kuizhen swallowed and refined the Soul-Hosting Insect, accepting the mission.
• An Sixian told Ban Kuizhen to stabilize his realm and prepare to guard the sect's supreme treasure during the trip to the Yang Family.
• Ban Kuizhen resolved to leave the Jade Firmament Sect and cast his lot with Venerable God's side.
• A day later, Ban Kuizhen noticed that the Soul-Hosting Insect had not changed his Primordial Spirit.

Ban Kuizhen discovered that Chen Yang’s power protected him from the Soul-Hosting Insect, then departed for the Northwest as Xu Chen’s Dao Protector. The Jade Firmament Sect and Wind Thunder Temple set out on separate vessels, while Xu Chen confidently assessed the rivals he expected to meet on the ancient path.

• Ban Kuizhen sensed a mysterious force shielding his Primordial Spirit from the Soul-Hosting Insect and silently vowed to complete his mission for the Venerable God.
• An Sixian and Xu Chen came to collect Ban Kuizhen, and Xu Chen produced a starlit stone stele that the sect assigned to him for the journey.
• Ban Kuizhen boarded the Jade Firmament Sect’s immortal vessel with Xu Chen and a large group of cultivators heading to the Northwest.
• The Jade Firmament Sect’s vessel encountered Wind Thunder Temple’s vessel, and both groups continued toward the Northwest while keeping their distance.
• Xu Chen told his fellow disciples that he had previously beaten Wind Thunder Temple’s Core Formation talent and considered the Northwest’s ranked cultivators inferior to him.

Yang Lingrui and Xue Qingluan toured the He Family’s impressive spiritual plant grounds in Myriad Layer Forest before Yang Lingrui met He Shenglai in a fierce contest. The two found each other’s hiding places and ended the exchange on friendly terms, with He Shenglai praising Yang Lingrui’s strength.

• Ban Kuizhen listened as the Jade Firmament Sect disciples discussed the Ancient Path and privately believed the Yang Family’s hidden talent far surpassed their rivals.
• Yang Lingrui and Xue Qingluan entered Myriad Layer Forest and toured the He Family’s extensive cultivation grounds above and below the water.
• The reception cultivator escorted Xue Qingluan along the lakeshore while Yang Lingrui went alone to He Shenglai’s courtyard.
• He Shenglai’s formations trapped Yang Lingrui, who broke the deadwood cage and erased the courtyard’s hidden defenses.
• He Shenglai struck Yang Lingrui with a spike, but both men revealed their true positions and narrowly countered each other’s attacks.
• He Shenglai praised Yang Lingrui’s abilities, and Yang Lingrui pointed out that He Shenglai had held back methods meant for Su Lingyun.

He Shenglai told Yang Lingrui how the Su and He Families went from allied powers to enemies after their ancestors disagreed over a perilous plan in the Central Region. He revealed that the He ancestors killed a Su genius who was pursuing an Enlightenment Opportunity, leaving the families’ grudge rooted in that choice.

• Yang Lingrui asked He Shenglai why the He Family and Su Family had become enemies.
• He Shenglai explained that the families descended from the same lineage, later formed the Pact of Wood and Stone, and once wielded power together through four True Intent Cultivators.
• He Shenglai said the families moved to the Central Region despite disagreement over whether to leave the Northwest, then discovered a valuable spirit mine and an Enlightenment Opportunity.
• He Shenglai recounted that the Su Family secretly tried to refine the opportunity to raise a third True Intent Cultivator, despite the threat of a stronger major sect.
• He Shenglai said the He Family’s two ancestors killed the Su cultivator seeking Dao enlightenment rather than risk the lives of both families in a battle with no retreat.

He Shenglai recounted the centuries-old feud between the Su and He Families, then explained the Twilight Ancient Path and its supreme opportunity to Yang Lingrui. As Chen Yang prepared for the dangers awaiting Yang Lingrui, an unknown Yang Family trump card was already traveling from the Central Region.

• He Shenglai explained how the He Family ancestors killed a Su Family prodigy to preserve both families, and how the resulting losses and blame turned their alliance into a lasting feud.
• Yang Lingrui concluded that the old dispute was too difficult to judge, while He Shenglai said the coming conflict between him and Su Lingyun would reunite the paths of Wood and Stone regardless of its outcome.
• He Shenglai told Yang Lingrui about the Twilight Ancient Path’s special Dao laws and the True Intent Formless Manifestation sought by Northwest forces.
• Chen Yang’s avatar listened from Yang Lingrui’s sleeve and prepared its reserves to face a powerful creature within the ancient path.
• Chen Yang decided not to bring Yang Yuanhong, and assessed Yang Lingrui’s likely enemies and allies among the factions heading to the ancient path.
• An exceptionally powerful, hidden Yang Family trump card was already on the road from the Central Region.

Yang Lingrui reunited with Yang Lingshu and Yang Yuanliu after they arrived in Chongtian City for the journey to the ancient path. He then met his old friend Zi He, who revealed that his younger sister had been staying in his courtyard in disguise and asked whether Yang Lingrui wanted to see her.

• The He Family's cloud boat reached Chongtian City, where Yang Lingrui reunited with Yang Lingshu and Yang Yuanliu and greeted Archives Director Zou Zhongyi.
• Zou Zhongyi promised to protect Yang Yuanliu during the ancient-path journey and explained that he had secured her a place in the group.
• Yang Lingrui took Yang Lingshu to the imperial capital's Evil Extermination Division to meet Zi He, who welcomed them and joked with Yang Lingrui.
• Zi He brought the brothers to his courtyard, where Yang Lingrui sensed a familiar aura and learned that Zi He's younger sister had been staying there in disguise.

Yang Lingrui visited Li Qingwan and learned that her Soldier Path cultivation had left her enduring a tribulation after executing sixteen thousand prisoners. Although Li Qingwan claimed failure would only force her to start over, Chen Yang saw that her soul was nearly consumed and that failure would destroy her consciousness.

• Zi He led Yang Lingshu away while Yang Lingrui followed Li Qingwan's aura to a courtyard overwhelmed by killing intent.
• Yang Lingrui met Li Qingwan and saw the rust-like scars spreading across her body as she explained that this was a stage of Soldier Path cultivation.
• Li Qingwan told Yang Lingrui that she had spent two years executing sixteen thousand prisoners in the Penal Division and expected to need another year to overcome the tribulation.
• Yang Lingrui encouraged Li Qingwan, while Chen Yang realized her soul was nearly swallowed by the scars and that failure would leave her a mindless walking corpse.

Chen Yang secretly used divine power to stop the erosion of Li Qingwan's sea of consciousness, restoring her hope of surviving her calamity. Yang Lingrui then caught Zi He trying to introduce wine to Yang Lingshu and stopped him.

• Chen Yang used divine power to help Li Qingwan, repaying a debt of gratitude to Yuande.
• Li Qingwan discovered that the erosion of her sea of consciousness had stopped and begun to recede, and that her weapon cultivation was stable again.
• Li Qingwan suspected Yang Lingrui's visit had brought her help and wept with relief at the chance to live without suffering the fate she feared.
• Yang Lingrui visited Zi He and found him urging Yang Lingshu to drink wine.
• Yang Lingrui took Zi He's wine, checked that Yang Lingshu had not drunk any, then returned the jar after Zi He pleaded.

Yang Lingrui and Zi He reviewed the participants in the Ancient Path journey and joined the Dynasty’s expedition to the Far North. After meeting fellow cultivators aboard an immortal vessel, they began forming an alliance for mutual protection.

• Zi He told Yang Lingrui that he had exhausted his options to save Li Qingwan, while Yang Lingrui apologized for raising the subject.
• Yang Lingrui and Zi He read the participant reports, learned that Mo Xian and Lord Xuan would not join the journey, and noted the Dynasty’s powerful cultivators and large contingent.
• Zi He explained that the understaffed Evil Extermination Division had sent only him as a Core Formation cultivator.
• Yang Lingrui, Zi He, and Yang Lingshu departed with the Dynasty’s forces aboard one of three cross-border immortal vessels heading for the Far North.
• Yang Lingrui reunited with Shen Yue, Xiao Yize, and He Shenglai, while the other gathered cultivators exchanged greetings or kept to themselves.
• At Chen Yang’s prompting, Yang Lingrui approached Shen Yue, Zi He, and Xiao Yize, and they agreed to form an alliance for the Ancient Path.

Yang Lingrui and the Tiger Chasing group arrived at the Twilight Ancient Path, where he urged Xue Qingluan to confront her lingering desire to surpass Yue Shuwang before entering. As the major Northwestern factions gathered, two unfamiliar immortal boats appeared from the southeast.

• Tiger Chasing's three immortal boats arrived at the Twilight Ancient Path, where Yang Lingrui and Xue Qingluan spotted Yue Shuwang and Yu Tingzhi among the Lanyue Sect disciples.
• Yang Lingrui asked Xue Qingluan whether she still wanted to become someone who could rival Yue Shuwang, and told her to decide whether she would enter the ancient path with him.
• Yang Lingrui and He Shenglai discussed Xue Qingluan's talent and her risk of losing confidence if she faced Yue Shuwang inside the ancient path.
• He Shenglai identified the immortal boats of the Northwestern dynasties, sects, and Su Family Main Lineage, confirming that eleven major factions had gathered.
• A fierce wave of air struck the assembled boats, and after Spiritual Connection cultivators investigated, two unfamiliar immortal boats arrived from the southeast.

Two Central Region sects arrived to compete for resources in the Twilight Ancient Path, unsettling Feng Lan and prompting the cultivators to discuss the new challengers. After Qiu Ran revealed he had mastered crimson lightning and joined Yang Lingrui's alliance, Feng Lan regained his resolve and joined as well.

• He Shenglai explained that two sects from the Central Region of Canglan had arrived with Foundation Condensation prodigies, while the He Family patriarch had stayed behind on the National Preceptor's advice.
• Feng Lan feared he could not compete with the Central Region prodigies, but Qiu Ran declared that he would not be deterred by defeat and revealed that he had mastered crimson lightning.
• Qiu Ran challenged Xiao Yize to a match after the Twilight Ancient Path, and Xiao Yize agreed to fight once the He Family's major matter had been settled.
• Yang Lingrui invited Qiu Ran to join the offensive and defensive alliance, and Qiu Ran accepted so he could find Xiao Yize to fight him.
• Yang Lingrui invited Feng Lan to join the alliance, and Feng Lan accepted, resolving to seek the will he had lost in the Vast Sea Blessed Land.

Chen Yang discovered that Ban Kuizhen had joined the Jade Firmament Sect’s expedition and secretly connected with him across the immortal boats. Ban Kuizhen recognized Chen Yang’s signal and prepared to meet him in the Twilight Ancient Path, while Xu Chen remained confident he could defeat the Northwest prodigies.

• Chen Yang sensed Ban Kuizhen’s divine power aboard the Jade Firmament Sect’s immortal boat and reached toward him with his own power.
• Ban Kuizhen recognized Chen Yang’s signal, searched the nearby boats, and exchanged a nod with Yang Lingrui.
• Chen Yang realized Ban Kuizhen’s presence gave him new options for maneuvering within the ancient path.
• Xu Chen identified Shen Yue and the Northwest wind-path prodigy, then claimed he was more than eighty percent certain he could defeat them.
• Ban Kuizhen privately welcomed Xu Chen’s arrogance, believing he would be free of the sect’s control once he met Chen Yang inside the ancient path.

The factions finalized the entry order for the Twilight Ancient Path, with Tiger Chasing winning the right to enter first thanks to the strength of Jia Huarai and Sikong Shang. As the snow-white paths formed, Yang Lingrui prepared to enter alongside Xue Qingluan and observed Murong Qiuhan’s changed presence.

• The faction leaders spent nearly two days negotiating entry order before Tiger Chasing secured the first chance to enter the Twilight Ancient Path.
• Zi He told Yang Lingrui that Tiger Chasing’s power and the combat strength of its True Persons had won it the advantage.
• Yang Lingrui asked whether Xue Qingluan had decided to enter, and she chose to accompany him into the ancient path.
• Yang Lingrui and Zi He joined Xue Qingluan on deck, where Shen Yue and He Shenglai soon arrived.
• Yang Lingrui saw Murong Qiuhan among the Murong Clan cultivators and noted her recovered limbs and transformed aura.
• The first entry group was set as Tiger Chasing, the allied Eastern Wilderness, the Moon Sect, and the Su Family, all Northwest factions.

Yang Lingrui and the other cultivators climbed the sunlit mountain road into the Twilight Ancient Path, enduring its scorching trial and gaining body-tempering benefits. After Jia Huarai stored Tiger Chasing's three immortal vessels with his void-splitting sword technique and entered the path, the other factions resolved to prevent him from gaining anything.

• Yang Lingrui and the other cultivators climbed the four roads, using spiritual treasures, techniques, or true essence to withstand the great sun's heat.
• Murong Qiuhan, Yang Lingrui, and other prodigies endured the sun's rays to the summit and received the body-tempering opportunity before entering the ancient path.
• Two Core Formation Cultivators broke through after being refined and tempered on the ascent.
• Jia Huarai sent the He Family cultivator and headmaster into the ancient path, then used his three void swords to pull Tiger Chasing's immortal vessels into rifts in space.
• Jia Huarai and the other titled True Persons entered the ancient path, leaving the factions alarmed by his growing sword power.
• The faction leaders agreed that they could accept gaining nothing from the journey, but would not allow Jia Huarai to benefit from it.

Yang Lingrui and the Tiger Chasing cultivators followed He Shenglai’s treasure-seeking art to a hidden city beneath an explored ruin. As Chen Yang investigated the city, the Ancient Path deity noticed him, and he discovered its gaze came from a colossal eye disguised as the waning moon.

• Murong Qiuhan and the Tiger Chasing cultivators exchanged farewells with other groups, then He Shenglai used the He Family’s secret art to lead Yang Lingrui and the others onward.
• The group reached an apparently empty ancient city, where Chen Yang sensed an abnormality that the others could not detect.
• He Shenglai planted and enlarged a spirit plant, causing the old city to turn over and reveal a complete city hidden beneath it.
• He Shenglai explained that spiritual ore and unknown powers had shielded the lower city from divine sense, while Chen Yang linked the place to the Ancient Path deity.
• When Chen Yang released his divine power, he felt the deity watching him and traced its gaze to the waning moon, which appeared to him as a colossal eye of blood-red and deathly pale hues.

Chen Yang discovered that resentment power fueled Mechanism City and uncovered how the Twilight Ancient Path’s deity used the three realms and cultivators’ fortune to disperse its own resentment. He replaced the city’s resentment power with his divine power, drawing the deity’s surprised attention once more.

• After the giant eye withdrew, Chen Yang decided to exploit the ancient-path deity’s resentment problem and lure it into the Shattered Divine Palace.
• Chen Yang examined Mechanism City and found that its interconnected mechanisms led to a vast underground labyrinth.
• Chen Yang sensed that resentment power powered the city and realized the deity had divided the ancient path into three realms to disperse resentment.
• Chen Yang deduced that the deity reopened the ancient path to draw cultivators to resentment-driven opportunity sites, where their fortune offset the resentment in exchange for treasures.
• Chen Yang gathered the resentment power from Mechanism City and replaced it with his own divine power to preserve Yang Lingrui’s fortune.
• The enormous eye opened again and watched Chen Yang with surprise and confusion.

Chen Yang controlled Mechanism City to guide Yang Lingrui and the other cultivators toward its underground maze, then adjusted the maze so Yang Lingrui would receive a special opportunity. The group was scattered into separate rooms and faced difficult trials, while Yang Lingrui reached a junction with valuable rewards in multiple directions.

• Chen Yang absorbed Mechanism City's resentment and replaced it with his divine power, taking control of the city's mechanisms.
• Yang Lingrui and the others descended into the underground maze after finding their journey through Mechanism City suspiciously smooth.
• Yang Lingrui recognized the Immortal Venerable's help and persuaded the group that their good fortune might explain their easy progress.
• Chen Yang adjusted the maze as the eight cultivators entered its shifting rooms and were separated.
• The other cultivators faced powerful mechanism beasts, puzzles, and obstacles, while Yang Lingrui debated whether to choose pills or a spirit treasure.