Recaps

Jiang Qing cultivated his swordsmanship, handled requests from the Four Friends of Cold Mountain, and reunited with the injured Pei Yi. A sect alarm then announced that Rongquan was in urgent danger.

• Jiang Qing returned to the Chongming Sect after the fighting in White Sand County ended and devoted himself to improving the Three Yang Sword Instruction.
• Jiang Qing learned that Ji Yunsheng needed help finding an artifact refiner for Lu Xingbei and an Alchemist to treat Zhou Zhaoyi, and he planned to ask Nanny Sun for assistance.
• Jiang Qing found that Nanny Sun had not returned, then encountered Pei Yi with Pei Que and Pei Zhu'er and carried Pei Yi's herb basket as they returned to the sect.
• Pei Yi asked Jiang Qing to persuade Pei Que to stop staying home to care for him, and Jiang Qing quietly agreed.
• Yuan Jin and the others discussed helping Pei Yi recover and earn another Foundation Establishment Pill before the sect alarm rang.
• Yuan Jin received a transmission talisman and told everyone that something had happened to Rongquan.

The Demon Correction Office and its allies besieged Learning Forest Mountain while the Ming Household waited for Chongming Sect’s reinforcements. When the sect arrived, Jiang Qing overwhelmed the attackers and fought his way to Kang Rongquan, leaving Gui Xiang with the demand to return him.

• Second Master Ming refused to surrender the Kuai Household, and the Ming defenders repelled repeated attacks while suffering heavy losses.
• The allied forces rejected the Ming Household’s belated offer to hand over the Kuai cultivators, and the Ming Household prepared to fight alongside them.
• Yuan Jin and Jiang Qing led Chongming Sect reinforcements to Learning Forest Mountain, where Tie Xishui accused the sect of rebellion and threatened Kang Rongquan.
• Jiang Qing defeated several Demon Correction Office cultivators, killed the attackers who stood in his way, and forced Ye Zhen to flee wounded.
• Yuan Jin fought Tie Xishui as Jiang Qing reached Gui Xiang and demanded that he return Kang Rongquan.

Jiang Qing fought Yin Wind Valley master Gu Honglang while the Chongming Sect battled the Demon Correction Office, and Gu gained the upper hand as Jiang’s strength failed. At the Jade Toad cave abode, Yue Lin revealed that his household’s plan had succeeded and prevented Daoist Black Shoes from leaving to save the Chongming Sect.

• Jiang Qing tried to kill Gui Xiang after Kang Rongquan accused him of harming Han, but Gu Honglang rescued Gui Xiang and Jiang and Yuan Jin withdrew with Kang Rongquan and Kuai En.
• Gu Honglang attacked Jiang Qing with three skeletons, a White Bone Banner, and a mourning staff, while Tie Xishui recovered and fought Chongming Sect disciples.
• Jiang Qing unleashed the Three Yang Spirit Annihilation Sword, destroying Gu Honglang’s skeletons, but the mourning staff overwhelmed his sword and the whetstone’s backlash injured him.
• Yue Lin told Daoist Black Shoes that he had once secretly supported him and explained why he no longer understood Black Shoes’ loyalty to the Chongming Sect.
• Daoist Black Shoes asked how to preserve the Chongming Sect, but Yue Lin said he would not be allowed to leave and revealed that the Hongyi Sect’s home mountain had fallen to the Yue Household’s plan.

Zhu Tong suspected the Yue Household had engineered the Chongming Sect’s confrontation with the Demon Correction Office to weaken the Fei Household and secure Yue Hongguo a place in the Earl of Nan'an’s household. As the battle at Learning Forest Mountain grew desperate, Daoist Black Shoes learned the Yue Household had planned against the Fei Household and unleashed a supreme treasure, demanding that Yue Lin and Peng Xingyu go with him to Kuang Liuting for a full accounting.

• Zhu Tong read the report of the Hongyi Sect’s defeat and worried that Yue Hongguo’s rise as a holy maiden would help her secure a consort position in the Earl of Nan'an’s household.
• Zhu Tong pieced together suspicious events surrounding Gui Xiang’s attempted poisoning, the Demon Correction Office’s arrests, and the Chongming Sect’s attack, concluding that the Yue Household had manipulated events against the Fei Household.
• Pei Yi treated the wounded Kang Rongquan and Kuai En, while Yuan Jin’s forces fought Tie Xishui’s troops; Duan Anle and Pei Yi told Yuan Jin they suspected someone had plotted against the Chongming Sect.
• Yue Lin told Daoist Black Shoes that the Yue Household had laid traps for groups connected to the Fei Household, and Peng Xingyu revealed that Five Old Mothers Mountain was backing the Yue Household.
• Daoist Black Shoes learned that the Chongming Sect’s leader had turned back to Learning Forest Mountain rather than meet Fei Ye Shui, then took out a supreme treasure and demanded that Yue Lin and Peng Xingyu accompany him to Kuang Liuting for a full accounting.

Kang Dabao rejected Fei Nanying’s offer of safety and wealth and returned to defend the Chongming Sect, while the sect’s forces suffered heavy losses fighting the Chengshan Sect and the Demon Correction Office. As Jiang Qing lost his sword to Gu Honglang, a thunderous voice intervened to challenge Gu Honglang and protect Jiang Qing.

• Kang Dabao refused Fei Nanying’s offer and set out for the battle, while Fei Shuhe declared she would go with him before Fei Nanying stopped her.
• Outside Learning Forest Mountain, Zhang Qingran joined Ye Zhengwen against a Chengshan Sect cultivator, and Yuan Xiyue’s Gold Skin Silver E disrupted the enemy formation.
• The Chengshan Sect and the Demon Correction Office rallied, forcing Chongming’s fighters to retreat as Yuan Xiyue, Zhang Qingran, and Ye Zhengwen were wounded.
• Duan Anle was badly injured, and Ye Zhengwen was struck down while helping him escape.
• Gu Honglang knocked Jiang Qing’s flying sword away, but a thunderous voice shouted for Gu Honglang to fight it instead.

Kang Dabao defeated Gu Honglang by discovering the weakness of his White Bone Array, then broke through the battlefield and seized Tie Xishan’s great banner. Its destruction weakened the Demon Correction Office’s forces, and Kang Dabao’s shout declared that the banner had fallen.

• Kang Dabao returned to the battle, clashed with Gu Honglang, and sent Jiang Qing back to help command the array.
• Kang Dabao unleashed his Lion Insects against Tie Xishui’s forces as Yuan Jin, Duan Anle, and the Ingenious Craftsman Fort disciples counterattacked.
• Second Master Ming and Ming Hun badly wounded Shen Tu, while the fighting grew fiercer and Pei Que fell after the short-robed Foundation Establishment cultivator shattered his defenses.
• Kang Dabao endured Gu Honglang’s White Bone Array, found that each skeleton’s right big toe bone kept it from being destroyed, and broke the array by removing the bones.
• Kang Dabao drove Gu Honglang into retreat, then charged through the battlefield and took Tie Xishan’s great banner.
• Kang Dabao cut the banner in two and shouted that it had fallen, weakening the Demon Correction Office’s forces.

Daoist Black Shoes defeated Yue Lin and Peng Xingyu in the Jade Toad cave abode, but Yue Lin escaped while Peng Xingyu was taken prisoner. Outside Learning Forest Mountain, Kang Dabao’s forces defeated the Demon Correction Office, and Han Xundao then reported that Senior Brother Pei had died.

• Daoist Black Shoes used the External Core Method to overpower Yue Lin and gravely wound Peng Xingyu, despite Yue Lin’s attempt to protect her.
• Yue Lin escaped the Jade Toad cave abode after warning Daoist Black Shoes not to interfere with the Yue Household, and Daoist Black Shoes took Peng Xingyu toward Learning Forest Mountain and the Earl of Nan'an.
• After the Demon Correction Office was defeated, Tie Xishan told Kang Dabao that the Chongming Sect faced accusations of rebellion and was likely doomed.
• Kang Dabao instructed Duan Anle to care for the captured Tie Xishui and Tie Xishan, then prepared to meet Yuan Jin and the others.
• Han Xundao arrived and told Kang Dabao that Senior Brother Pei had passed away, and Kang Dabao asked to be taken to him.

After Pei Que’s death, Pei Yi urged the Chongming Sect to consider the political forces behind the battle and questioned whether Daoist Black Shoes had been replaced or compromised. Two days later, Kuang Liuting learned that Kang Dabao and others had come to plead guilty and decided to make them wait until the Yue Household arrived.

• Pei Yi urged Kang Dabao and the elders to prioritize the sect’s affairs, warning that the Yue Household might be behind the trap at Learning Forest Mountain.
• Ye Zhengwen questioned whether Daoist Black Shoes was an impostor, and Jiang Qing recalled that his manner had seemed subtly different.
• Pei Yi asked whether the Chongming Sect should seek protection from the Two Instruments Sect, and Kang Da refused to take the whole sect there.
• Kang Dabao returned to Learning Forest Mountain, defeated Gu Honglang, and helped the Chongming Sect turn the battle around.
• Kuang Liuting learned that Kang Dabao, Kang Rongquan, Kuai En, Peng Xingyu, and Daoist Black Shoes had arrived to confess their guilt.
• Kuang Liuting suspected that Five Old Mothers Mountain had pushed the Yue Household into action and ordered the visitors to wait until the Yue Household arrived.

Two months after the defeat at Learning Forest Mountain, Kuang Liuting summoned the Yue Household, Chongming Sect leaders, and other officials to the Prefecture Court to judge their actions. He condemned Chongming Sect and ordered its people to relocate to Liangxi Circuit, while Kang Dabao discovered Jiang Qing’s name at the top of the execution list.

• At the Han City Yue Household, Yue Lin and the Yang Household cultivators discussed whether Peng Xingyu would expose their schemes and learned that Yue Hongguo could not return for three months.
• A message from Kuang Liuting summoned Tie Liuyun and Gui Xiang to answer for events in Tanggu County, and Yue Lin hurried to the Prefecture Court with them.
• Kuang Liuting arrived at the Punishment Hall with the Juntian Bird and questioned Gui Xiang, Tie Liuyun, Yue Lin, and Kang Dabao about their conduct.
• Kang Dabao defended Chongming Sect while acknowledging its crimes, but Kuang Liuting ordered the sect to move to Liangxi Circuit and review a list of people he said deserved execution.
• Kang Dabao received the Jade Slip and saw Jiang Qing’s name at the top of the list.

Kuang Liuting imposed death sentences and severe punishments on the Chongming Sect, the Yue Household, and the Tie Household, while refusing pleas for mercy. The chapter ended as Meng Xuan raised his staff to execute Kang Rongquan and Kuai En, after Kuang Liuting denied Kang Dabao’s request to let them return home first.

• Kang Dabao recalled Daoist Black Shoes warning that Kuang Liuting would demand executions and exile, and that the Chongming Sect might have to accept the punishment.
• Kuang Liuting ordered Peng Xingyu to return to Five Old Mothers Mountain, explain the affair, and then come back to receive her death sentence.
• Kuang Liuting spared Yue Lin but ordered the Yue Household’s property confiscated, named descendants executed, and its cultivators divided among three distant branches.
• Kuang Liuting stripped Tie Liuyun of his post, confiscated the Tie Household’s property, and ordered the clan to move to Old Ox Mountain and exchange lands with the Yunwei Zheng Household.
• After reviewing Kang Dabao and Yue Lin’s explanations, Kuang Liuting rejected several defenses, and Kang Dabao beheaded Gui Xiang at his command.
• Kuang Liuting refused Kang Dabao’s plea to let Kang Rongquan and Kuai En return home before their deaths, as Meng Xuan raised his staff to strike them.

Juntian Bird saved Kuai En after recognizing his Primordial Chaos Mysterious Pivot Physique, and the Prince of the South accepted Kuai En as his disciple and pardoned his clan. Seven days later, Kuang Liuting issued a decree sparing the Chongming Sect from punishment, while Kang Da and Daoist Black Shoes resolved to grow stronger.

• As Meng Xuan moved to kill Kuai En and Kang Rongquan, Juntian Bird intervened and took Kuai En under his protection.
• Juntian Bird used Kuang Liuting's Immortal Shadow Stone to summon the Prince of the South, who identified Kuai En's spirit physique and took him as a disciple.
• Kuai En asked the Prince of the South to pardon his clan, and the prince waived their punishments before sending Juntian Bird and Kuai En to the imperial capital.
• Juntian Bird gave Kuai En Purple Abyss Dew and explained that Kang Rongquan lacked the spirit signs of the same rare physique.
• Granny Liu delivered news that Kuai En had become the Prince of the South's disciple, and Kuang Liuting later announced that the Chongming Sect would receive special leniency.
• Kang Da and Daoist Black Shoes reflected on their helplessness and resolved not to remain weak and at others' mercy.

Kuang Liuting recalled his conflict with Kuang Shenzhi over restoring Great Wei, then resolved to become a True Person and protect the realm. In the outer seas, Kuang Shenzhi and Kuai En met Dragon Spawn after Deputy Envoy Changxiao captured a Heavenly Lance Flame Beast.

• Kuang Liuting remembered urging Kuang Shenzhi to enforce the founding emperor’s laws, while Kuang Shenzhi had told him to focus on forming an Upper-Grade Golden Core and trust the figure in the outer seas.
• Kuang Liuting dismissed his resentment and resolved to become a True Person before the realm was lost.
• A ferocious beast killed and devoured a Wave-Winged Mixed Qiulong in the outer seas, but Deputy Envoy Changxiao trapped the beast in a cloud cage and identified it as a Heavenly Lance Flame Beast.
• Kuang Shenzhi and Deputy Envoy Changxiao traveled with Kuai En to Billowing Dream Palace, where Kuang Shenzhi introduced Kuai En as a worthy talent.
• A voice from Billowing Dream Palace mockingly told Kuang Shenzhi to call him Dragon Spawn.

Kuang Shenzhi brought Kuai En to the Billowing Dream Palace to seek Kuang Chexiao’s help in using the Return to the Ruins Spring. After a fierce confrontation over the imperial clan’s authority and Kuang Chexiao’s role in guarding Great Wei, Kuang Chexiao agreed to let Kuai En visit the spring.

• Kuang Shenzhi presented Kuang Chexiao’s token at the palace gate and entered the Billowing Dream Palace with Kuai En and Deputy Envoy Changxiao.
• Kuang Chexiao mocked Kuang Shenzhi’s weakness and recognized Kuai En as another bearer of the Primordial Chaos Mysterious Pivot Physique.
• Kuang Shenzhi asked Kuang Chexiao to let Kuai En use the Return to the Ruins Spring, but Kuang Chexiao refused and demanded they wait longer.
• Kuang Chexiao erupted in anger when Kuang Shenzhi challenged him, and his palace guards surrounded the visitors.
• Kuang Chexiao accused the imperial line of relying on him to defend Great Wei and raged over being passed over for the throne.
• Kuang Shenzhi invoked the emperor’s power to reclaim the imperial seal, and Kuang Chexiao relented, allowing Kuai En to visit the spring and inviting the Southern Earl to train with him.

Han Xundao delivered Pei Yi’s pills and message to Kang Rongquan in Hong County, where Zhou Yixiu urged Kang to stop avoiding his master. Kang finally heard that Pei Yi did not blame him for Pei Que’s death and wanted him to honor Pei Que by cultivating diligently and helping with the work ahead.

• Han Xundao traveled to the Moon Fern field with Pei Yi’s pills and a fur coat for Zhou Yixiu.
• Han Xundao shared wine with Zhou Yixiu while Kang Rongquan continued working in the spirit soil.
• Kang Rongquan gave Han Xundao Sun-Longing Grass to take to Pei Yi, then stayed behind after Han departed.
• Zhou Yixiu challenged Kang Rongquan for refusing to return to the sect and see Pei Yi.
• Kang Rongquan admitted he avoided Pei Yi because his master’s lack of blame made him feel even more guilty.
• Zhou Yixiu relayed Pei Yi’s message that Kang should cultivate diligently, do Pei Que’s share, and help Changsheng wash the Pill Furnace; Kang admitted he was wrong.

The Four Friends of Cold Mountain prepared lavish congratulatory gifts for Kang Dabao and his newborn legitimate son, then traveled to the Chongming Sect’s celebration. After arriving at a crowded Double Brightness Trade Market and meeting Yuan Jin, they learned that the Earl had just arrived.

• Xu Liuxian, Ji Yunsheng, and Zhou Zhaoyi discussed the invitation and agreed to bring generous gifts to honor Kang Dabao and thank the Chongming Sect.
• Zhou Zhaoyi prepared gifts for the newborn and Fei Shuhe, along with a separate bag of middle-grade Spirit Stones for Kang Dabao.
• Xu Liuxian, Zhou Zhaoyi, and Ji Yunsheng traveled by spirit boat to Pingrong County, where they saw the celebrations spread across Ping and Jin counties.
• Liu Ya checked the Cold Mountain Sect’s invitation and directed the three visitors to wait at the Double Brightness Trade Market because Kang Dabao was receiving Sima Fei and the true cultivators of She Mountain Hall.
• Xu Liuxian and his companions settled into a temporary cave abode and discussed the Chongming Sect’s growing business and spirit-beast breeding.
• Yuan Jin visited the three brothers, then received a message and left after announcing that the Earl had arrived outside the market.

Kuang Liuting toured the thriving Double Brightness Trade Market, praised Kang Dabao’s work, and gave Yuan Jin a cultivation scripture before heading to Little Ring Mountain. There, Fei Nanying told Kang Dabao he would have to repay the rare pill used by Han Ningyue, then prepared with him to welcome Kuang Liuting, whose visit seemed to involve more than congratulating them on their son.

• Kuang Liuting arrived at the Double Brightness Trade Market with officials and cultivators, praised Yuan Jin’s work in Jingnan Prefecture, and asked him to show the group around.
• Kuang Liuting inspected the market’s defenses, shops, arena, and Rogue Cultivator stalls, then questioned Deng Baichuan and Yue Feng about how much the market depended on Kang Dabao.
• Kuang Liuting gave Yuan Jin the Scripture of Purifying the Heart, Crossing Calamity, and Realizing Truth in the Sea of Wisdom, then flew toward Little Ring Mountain.
• At Green Lotus Courtyard, Fei Nanying told Kang Dabao that the Spirit Offspring Radiant Color Pill used for Han Ningyue had to be repaid with resources.
• After a message announced Kuang Liuting’s arrival, Fei Nanying told Kang Dabao to prepare to welcome him because he likely had another reason for visiting.

Kuang Liuting visited the Chongming Sect, revealed that he expected an eighty percent chance of forming an Upper-Grade Golden Core, and secured Fei Nanying’s pledge that the Fei Household would support his plans. Later, Kang Dabao angrily rejected a proposed master for Kang Changyi and took his son away, leaving Fei Shuhe to criticize him.

• Kuang Liuting gave Kang Dabao a dragon-patterned brocade box and asked Fei Nanying to speak with him privately.
• Kuang Liuting revealed his prospects for forming an Upper-Grade Golden Core, and Fei Nanying explained the Fei Household’s plans to support him and confirmed its arrangements would remain unchanged if he did not go to the outer seas.
• Kuang Liuting promised to remember the Fei Household’s support when he ascended the throne, and Fei Nanying bowed to him.
• Kang Changyi told Kang Dabao that Fei Shuhe wanted to see him, and she announced that Shoushi the High Cultivator might take the boy as a disciple.
• Kang Dabao angrily declared that Kang Changyi would not go, seized his son, and left, while Fei Shuhe complained about his refusal.

Kang Dabao hosted a lavish celebration banquet for Kang Changxi, though several expected dignitaries and Chongming Sect disciples were absent. After the guests departed, Kang Changyi walked with Duan Anle and discussed the sect's rising disciples and their plans for Foundation Establishment, leaving his own ambitions buoyant.

• Kang Dabao celebrated Kang Changxi's banquet as Kuang Liuting, Fei Nanying, Daoist Black Shoes, and several fellow disciples were absent; Jiang Qing left to search for Literary Sword Orchid Grass, while Pei Yi returned to seclusion to heal.
• Qin Sufu attended in Kuang Liuting's stead and reported that Lord Shan had grown gravely weak, though he continued compiling Daoist scriptures when awake.
• Kang Dabao arranged a continuous feast at the Double Brightness Trade Market for Rogue Cultivators and local residents, while the banquet guests celebrated on Little Ring Mountain into the following day.
• After seeing off the guests, Kang Dabao entrusted the sorting of congratulatory gifts to Ye Zhengwen and went to Green Lotus Courtyard to make peace with Fei Shuhe.
• Kang Changyi reflected on Fei Shuhe's plans for his future and walked with Duan Anle along the Cold Crow Mountain Range, where their conversation eased his gloom.
• Duan Anle said he might attempt Foundation Establishment soon, and Kang Changyi congratulated him and Kang Rongquan before declaring his intention to win first place at a future minor competition.

Daoist Black Shoes returned from seclusion having reached the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and he brought Kang Dabao an invitation announcing Chu Yanran’s successful Golden Core formation. After recalling his late elder brother and the courtyard they had shared, he left the story mourning his own ingratitude.

• Daoist Black Shoes returned to Sect Leader Kang Da’s courtyard and revealed that a Reverse Dust Pill had helped him break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
• Daoist Black Shoes told Kang Dabao that Lord Shan was nearing the end of his life and that even powerful medicines might not save him.
• Daoist Black Shoes delivered Chu Yanran’s invitation, and Kang Dabao learned she had formed a low-grade Golden Core without holding a public ceremony.
• Daoist Black Shoes told Kang Dabao he could ask Chu Yanran for a reasonable favor because she still owed him one, and Kang Dabao joked about her becoming his Second’s martial mistress.
• Daoist Black Shoes reminisced about his late elder brother while walking through the courtyard, then sat by the chessboard and called himself cold and ungrateful.

Kang Dabao brought Kang Changyi to Xuanwei City to ask Chu Yanran to consider taking the young man as her disciple, while Daoist Black Shoes discussed his plans to leave Shannan Circuit with her. Chu Yanran agreed to test Kang Changyi and gave Daoist Black Shoes a route toward the Myriad Stars Island Chain, leaving his departure and the Chongming Sect’s future preparations unresolved.

• Chu Yanran welcomed Daoist Black Shoes, Kang Dabao, and Kang Changyi, then agreed to test Kang Changyi to see whether he could become her disciple.
• Qi Buxiu asked Kang Dabao for a Spirit Offspring Radiant Color Pill and, when Kang Dabao said he had none, asked him to approach Sima Fei on his behalf.
• Kang Dabao reassured Kang Changyi that failing to become Chu Yanran’s disciple would not waste the favor, and urged him not to resent Fei Shuhe.
• Daoist Black Shoes asked Chu Yanran to look after his elder brother’s descendants and said he planned to leave Shannan Circuit.
• Chu Yanran showed Daoist Black Shoes a route through King Yu Circuit to the Myriad Stars Island Chain and warned him about demons, Evil Dao sects, and the dangers of traveling alone.

Chu Yanran secretly sent a warning to the Star-Picking Pavilion while Kang Dabao, Daoist Black Shoes, and Qin Sufu spent three days discussing cultivation with Lord Yin Shan. As Lord Yin Shan lay dying, he attempted to transfer his Barbarian Demon Core Fire to Kang Dabao; Kang Dabao collapsed afterward, and a change began in his Dantian.

• Chu Yanran explained why she had accepted Kang Changyi as a Registered Disciple and privately sent the Star-Picking Pavilion a warning about Black Shoes possibly seeking an opportunity in the outer seas.
• Kang Dabao and Daoist Black Shoes visited Qin Sufu, where Qin gave Kang Changyi a Three Dew Azure Cloud Pill and the three cultivators discussed the Dao for three days.
• After hearing that Lord Yin Shan had awakened, Kang Dabao and the others went to his bedside, where Lord Yin Shan said he was dying and chose to pass his Barbarian Demon Core Fire to Kang Dabao.
• Lord Yin Shan forced the core fire into Kang Dabao, enduring the strain as the transfer injured them both and shattered his Spirit Artifact.
• Kang Dabao spat blood and collapsed after the transfer; Lord Yin Shan said he would recover, then lamented that he could not do more for the common people as a change began in Kang Dabao's Dantian.

Jiang Hongdao discussed the Fearless Tower’s plans for Kang Dabao and his own Spirit Root-bearing son, while Kang Dabao discovered that Lord Yin Shan’s core fire had taken root in his Jade Leaf Dao Foundation. Lord Yin Shan urged Daoist Black Shoes to leave Cloud Horn Prefecture after his death, then died while asking him to protect ordinary people.

• Jiang Hongdao told Yan Qingwei that Daoist Black Shoes planned to go to the outer seas and advised her to approach Kang Dabao for information useful to the Fearless Tower.
• Yan Qingwei asked Jiang Hongdao how she should pursue his plan after they saw the estate celebrate the youngest son’s departure to cultivate.
• Kang Dabao found a firefly-sized core fire on his Jade Leaf Dao Foundation, where it refined his spiritual power but threatened to slow his cultivation.
• Kang Changyi told Kang Dabao that Lord Yin Shan had awakened, while Qin Sufu said Daoist Black Shoes was speaking with him privately.
• Lord Yin Shan urged Daoist Black Shoes to leave after his death and build a future beyond Cloud Horn Prefecture.
• Lord Yin Shan’s wisteria leaves fell away as he died, and he asked Daoist Black Shoes to remember and help the people of the world.

Jin Shilun returned to the Chongming Sect for its grand competition, where the elders announced valuable prizes and began the matches. Kang Changyi won his first bout against Mo Ku and prepared for the next round as Jin Shilun helped maintain order.

• Jin Shilun arrived late at the training grounds, joined the True Disciples, and avoided further rebuke from Sect Leader Kang Da.
• Pei Yi announced the competition’s prizes and rules, including a Foundation Establishment spiritual item for the winner and possible promotions for top-ranking disciples.
• The elders activated five fighting platforms, and the first round began with 295 registered participants and the True Disciples sitting out the opening rounds.
• Kang Changyi defeated Mo Ku with a single halberd strike, while Jiang Qing refereed the match.
• Jin Shilun advised Mo Ku to sell his unused talismans, and Kang Changyi offered to help him acquire spirit fields, mechanical puppets, and a wife.
• The first round ended, and Kang Changyi faced his next opponent.

Kang Changyi defeated Qi Ke, then watched Zhang Le lose to Liu Ya before drawing a bye in the third round. Jin Shilun fought Song Cheng in a close match, where Song Cheng’s ice attack wounded him as Sect Leader Kang Da watched closely.

• Kang Changyi overwhelmed Qi Ke’s defenses until she exhausted her spiritual power and withdrew from the arena.
• Kang Changyi encouraged Zhang Le, while Jin Shilun discussed her Plain Snow Honey business and her hopes of promoting insect control.
• Zhang Le recognized Liu Ya as her opponent, lost the advantage after a dozen exchanges, and chose to leave the arena rather than call on her spirit bees.
• Jin Shilun faced Song Cheng in the third round and used his reforged willow-leaf saber to break Song Cheng’s water spears.
• Song Cheng froze the arena’s spray into ice spikes, and several shards grazed Jin Shilun despite his saber Gang destroying most of them.

Lord Yin Shan spent his final days as a human, advising Daoist Black Shoes before watching the Chongming Sect’s grand competition. After Kang Rongquan won and was brought to see him, Lord Yin Shan died, leaving Daoist Black Shoes to call for Kang Dabao.

• Lord Yin Shan reminisced about seeing his aged human face in the ice mirror, played Go with Daoist Black Shoes, and asked him not to become like Chen Ye.
• Kang Changyi fought Jin Shilun in the fourth round, but Jin Shilun used the White Ape Step and a concealed thorny vine to defeat him.
• Jin Shilun won the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds before Duan Anle defeated him in the eighth.
• Kang Rongquan defeated Duan Anle in the final round and won the competition.
• Daoist Black Shoes brought Kang Rongquan to meet Lord Yin Shan, who praised the young cultivator before collapsing and dying.
• Daoist Black Shoes wept and shouted for Kang Dabao to come immediately.