Recaps

Dou Gou'er and Dou Jugen worked as laborers under the Hu Household while Chongming Sect disciple Shan Yong punished Hu Mingsheng for mistreating mortals. As Kang Dabao faced the coming visit of an Original Response Temple khenpo, Yuan Xiyue told him that Ancestor Buwen would arrive in two days and expected him to meet with his halberd in hand.

• Dou Gou'er and Dou Jugen ate well before working the Hu Household’s fields, and they praised the household’s immortals for protecting and educating the mortals.
• Shan Yong reprimanded Hu Mingsheng for the Hu Household’s poor treatment of its laborers and raised its taxes, levies, and tribute by half.
• He Chang told Shan Yong that Jiang Qing had reached the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and would hold a teaching near Wild Fox Mountain.
• Fei Nanying agreed to help Fei Shuhe address the coming visit of an Original Response Temple khenpo seeking consorts, while Kang Dabao remained in the sect and prepared for the situation.
• Kang Dabao learned that Duan Anle had become a First-Tier Supreme-Grade beast master and selected spirit items to support his disciples’ cultivation.
• Yuan Xiyue told Kang Dabao that Ancestor Buwen would visit in two days and wanted to meet him with his halberd in hand.

Yuan Buwen gave Kang Dabao the Jade Slip containing his household’s halberd art and began teaching him, while Funeng went to the Star-Picking Pavilion to claim the consorts he had selected years earlier. The chapter ended with Xiang Tianxing receiving a message from the Original Response Temple ordering that Funeng must be stopped.

• Yuan Buwen met Kang Dabao at the Chongming Sect and handed him the Jade Slip after explaining that Fei Nanying had forced the Yuan Household to provide the art.
• Yuan Buwen warned Kang Dabao that Funeng was coming to collect the consort candidates and asked whether he would surrender Yuan Xiyue; Kang Dabao took her hand and said he would still try to protect her.
• Yuan Buwen explained the origins and techniques of the halberd art, then began instructing Kang Dabao in its practice.
• Funeng visited Xiang Tianxing at the Star-Picking Pavilion and received permission to pursue the consort candidates he had selected in Shannan Circuit.
• Xiang Tianxing received a talisman letter from the Original Response Temple and declared that Funeng must not be allowed to carry out his plan.

After teaching Kang Dabao the Yuan Household’s halberd art, Yuan Buwen returned to Jingnan Prefecture while Kang Dabao continued studying and attempting to deduce the art. Kang Dabao then learned that the Prefecture Court planned a rotating contest against Funeng in Xuanwei City, and that he, Jiang, and Yuan had been summoned for consideration.

• Yuan Buwen left Little Ring Mountain after more than a month of teaching Kang Dabao and returned to Jingnan Prefecture, where he considered moving the Yuan Household to another prefecture.
• Kang Dabao studied the Yuan Household’s annotations and used three jade discs to try to deduce the halberd art, but found the process would take centuries at his current pace.
• Ye Zhengwen delivered Sima Fei’s letter telling Kang Dabao to prepare and wait, and reported that Funeng was still outside the Bo Prefecture Xianyu Household’s sealed mountain gate.
• Buse told Kang Dabao and the Chongming Sect elders that the Prefecture Court and the Original Response Temple had agreed to hold a Dharma assembly in Xuanwei City, where nine cultivators would fight Funeng in rotation.
• Buse said thirty candidates would be reviewed before the final nine were chosen, and that Kang Dabao, Jiang, and Yuan were to attend.

Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing traveled to Xuanwei City for a selection of cultivators to face Funeng, while Fei Shuhe worried that Yuan Xiyue would be taken away. Juntian Bird chose nine fighters, including Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing, then ordered Kang Dabao to fight Fei Enxing after Fei Enxing challenged him.

• Fei Shuhe urged Kang Dabao to send Yuan Xiyue to Bo Prefecture, but he said the prefecture court and Fei Nanying would not allow it.
• Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing arrived in Xuanwei City, where Fei Nanying confirmed Kang Dabao would have a place in the contest and warned his clan not to provoke him.
• Kang Dabao reviewed a list of the candidates and noted the accomplishments of Cao Xianlu, Yang Wuwei, Fei Enxing, and Qin Sufu.
• Juntian Bird selected nine cultivators by placing feathers on their shoulders, including Kang Dabao, Jiang Qing, and Fei Wen, but not Fei Enxing.
• Fei Enxing objected to the selection and challenged Kang Dabao, so Juntian Bird gave Kang Dabao time to teach him a lesson.

Kang Dabao defeated Fei Enxing in the Fei Household’s selection battle, prompting Juntian Bird to rebuke the family’s pampered descendants and order Fei Enxing to the border army. With Funeng already on his way, Juntian Bird announced rewards for the nine chosen fighters and rallied them for the coming rotation battle.

• Juntian Bird urged Kang Dabao to fight seriously and explained to Fei Granny Liu and Fei Nanying that he had arranged Fei Enxing’s challenge to temper the Fei Household’s younger generation.
• Fei Enxing attacked Kang Dabao with his saber, but Kang Dabao’s insects, black flames, and halberd techniques steadily gained the advantage.
• Fei Enxing tried to impale himself on Kang Dabao’s halberd after losing, but Juntian Bird knocked him aside and condemned his fragile temperament.
• Fei Nanying ordered Fei Enxing to serve in the Liangxi border army until he formed a Golden Core, while Fei Granny Liu accepted that she had harmed the household’s descendants.
• Fei Nanying reported that Funeng had left Bo Prefecture after defeating challengers from the Xianyu Household, and Juntian Bird announced a public assembly and rewards for the nine selected fighters.

Fei Nanying and Juntian Bird prepared nine cultivators to face Funeng, who had been defeating opponents across Shannan Circuit while seeking a woman from the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court. Funeng arrived at the drill ground in a grand display, but Juntian Bird tore off his robes and mocked him before the battle began.

• Fei Bofeng reported that Funeng had defeated the Jiebu Clan and taken Lady Liu, while Juntian Bird declared he would not hand over the Yuan woman.
• Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing discussed Funeng’s Spirit Artifacts with Yang Wuwei, who warned them about the strength Funeng had shown in Bo Prefecture.
• Yang Wuwei identified Cao Xianlu as a likely challenger to Kang Dabao, and the selected cultivators gathered at the drill ground.
• Juntian Bird assigned Zhou Yun, Fei Wen, Yang Wuxin, Qin Sufu, Jiang Qing, Yang Wudi, Yang Wuwei, Cao Xianlu, and Kang Dabao to the successive bouts in that order.
• Funeng arrived on a blood-colored lotus platform with eight women and greeted the assembled seniors.
• Juntian Bird ripped Funeng’s robes away and taunted him, ordering him to begin the bouts without delay.

Juntian Bird disrupted Funeng’s imposing entrance, but Funeng regained his composure and began the successive bouts against the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court’s fighters. He defeated Zhou Yun, Fei Wen, and Yang Wuxin, and the chapter left Qin Sufu entering the wrecked training ground for the next fight.

• Juntian Bird exposed Funeng in front of the gathered cultivators, then withdrew as Fei Nanying took charge of the contest.
• Funeng warned that he might kill his opponents, and Fei Nanying answered that he would not interfere if Funeng killed one before he could act.
• Zhou Yun attacked Funeng with his spear and saber, but Funeng froze the weapons and defeated him in thirty breaths, taking his talisman treasure.
• Fei Wen attacked with four Spirit Artifacts, but Funeng used the Karmic Fire All Evils Bead to defeat him in twenty-six breaths.
• Yang Wuxin challenged Funeng and was also defeated, after which Qin Sufu walked onto the damaged training ground.

Funeng defeated Qin Sufu after using his Buddhist chant to expose Qin Sufu’s buried guilt, but Kang Dabao rescued him before the decisive blow. Jiang Qing then revealed the Sword Essence stored in his Sword-Sharpening Stone, wounded Funeng, and conceded; after Funeng quickly defeated Yang Wudi, Yang Wuwei entered the seventh bout.

• Funeng’s Pure Lotus First Ground Aspect and Buddhist chant overwhelmed Qin Sufu, whose guilt disrupted his control of the jade battle-axe.
• Kang Dabao blocked Funeng’s blow with a chessboard and carried Qin Sufu out, and Fei Nanying declared Funeng the winner.
• Jiang Qing entered the arena and unleashed Sword Essence from the Sword-Sharpening Stone, destroying Funeng’s vajra phantom and wounding him.
• When Funeng resumed his disturbing chant, Jiang Qing sheathed his sword and conceded, leaving Funeng unable to press his attack.
• Funeng swiftly defeated Yang Wudi in the sixth bout, and Yang Wuwei entered the arena for the seventh.

Funeng continued his arena challenge, defeating Yang Wuwei with his Buddhist techniques and then overcoming Cao Xianlu’s ghost arts and powerful physique. As Kang Dabao entered for the next fight, Juntian Bird urged him to make the most of the chance.

• Yang Wuwei used the Red Scale Wave-Chasing Spear to defend against Funeng’s attacks, but Funeng’s Bone-Corroding Blood Rain and chanting disrupted his techniques and left him badly wounded.
• Yang Wuwei surrendered after Funeng struck him with a golden palm, and Fei Nanying entered to stop the attack.
• Cao Xianlu challenged Funeng with his Ghost Tiger Suppressing Prison Art, Netherworld Tiger Eye, and ghost soldiers, but Funeng’s Pure Land White Lotus overwhelmed them.
• Cao Xianlu surrendered when Funeng’s Buddha light threatened to destroy his body, and Fei Nanying declared Funeng the winner.
• Fei Nanying summoned Kang Dabao to fight Funeng, and Juntian Bird told Kang Dabao that winning could save him a hundred years of effort.
• Kang Dabao greeted Funeng as the sect leader of the Chongming Sect.

Kang Dabao defeated Funeng in the final round after breaking through the monk’s powerful Buddhist defenses, while Buse’s scheme to keep Funeng from returning west remained in the background. Fei Nanying declared Kang the victor, and Juntian Bird ordered proclamations spread throughout the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty to publicize the Fei Household’s strength.

• Buse and a middle-aged woman discussed their plan to trap Funeng under the Star-Picking Pavilion’s jurisdictions if he survived the battle.
• Kang Dabao’s perfected Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes shattered Funeng’s Pure Lotus First Ground Aspect, and Kang pressed his advantage with his halberd, artifacts, and Little Qi.
• Funeng used Buddhist invocations and karmic fire to hinder Kang, but Little Qi blocked the flames and Kang reached Funeng with a powerful attack.
• Kang’s Golden Light pierced Funeng’s glazed lotus and Sanskrit defenses, leaving the monk badly wounded before Fei Nanying intervened and declared Kang the winner.
• Juntian Bird ordered Fei Nanying to post proclamations across the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty announcing that the Fei Household’s son-in-law had defeated the Original Response Temple’s temple-protecting khenpo.

The Wei emperor reviewed three urgent reports with Gui Xuantong and Grand Eunuch Wei, ordering responses to military defeats and learning of Gelie's possible advance toward Spirit Transformation. Kang Dabao's victory over Funeng drew imperial interest and rewards for the Fei Household, while a letter left the Palace of Imperial Repose for Cloud Horn Prefecture.

• Gui Xuantong obtained the Wei emperor's permission to remain while Grand Eunuch Wei presented three Purple Imperial Golden Palace Talismans.
• The Wei emperor ordered Shu Zhengde to reinforce Mountain North Circuit after Yao Gu's defeat by Wang Beixing and arranged medical aid and rewards for his rescuers.
• The Wei emperor ordered Kuang Furen to secure Liangxi after devastating Purification Army losses, removed Feng Dan pending investigation, and commanded recruitment of replacement troops.
• Grand Eunuch Wei reported Fei Tianqin's warning about Gelie's possible path to Spirit Transformation and Kang Dabao's defeat and imprisonment of Funeng after major sects withheld assistance.
• The Wei emperor learned of Kang Dabao's humble origins, rewarded the Fei Household for promoting talent, and invited future introductions of promising frontier cultivators.
• Grand Eunuch Wei and Gui Xuantong departed, and a handwritten letter was sent from the Palace of Imperial Repose to Cloud Horn Prefecture.

After the Chongming Sect’s victory drew visitors and gifts, Yuan Jin and Ye Zhengwen disagreed over how much special treatment He Chang should receive. In Xuanwei City, the Juntian Bird summoned Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing and began rewarding them, leaving Kang stunned by an Azure Firmament Spirit Root.

• Fei Shuhe received noble visitors at Green Lotus Courtyard while the Chongming Sect handled a steady stream of guests and gifts.
• He Chang delivered a letter from the Great Abyss Capital bearing a Mystic Firmament Palace talisman tag, and Duan Anle told him to place it in Kang Dabao’s courtyard for safekeeping.
• Yuan Jin argued that He Chang should not receive preferential access to public sect resources, while Ye Zhengwen said the sect should show care for the late sect leader’s descendant.
• In Xuanwei City, Kang Dabao recovered from his injuries and built friendships with the other rotational battle participants, including Cao Xianlu.
• Fei Nanfeng summoned Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing to the Juntian Bird, who lectured Kang about neglecting cultivation and seated them on rare meditation cushions.
• Fei Nanying opened a jade box for the Juntian Bird’s rewards, and Kang Dabao recognized the treasure inside as an Azure Firmament Spirit Root.

Kang Dabao and Jiang Qing received an Azure Firmament Spirit Root from Juntian Bird, who promised Kang Dabao a beast core and invited him to choose another reward. Meanwhile, Yue Lin sought Yuan Buwen’s help to reconcile their households, but their negotiations were interrupted when Funeng unleashed Buddhist power in the prison and demanded that Fei Tianqin come before him.

• Fei Nanying gave Jiang Qing the Azure Firmament Spirit Root, and Juntian Bird directed him to seek Elder Nanxi in Ying Prefecture to refine it.
• Juntian Bird promised Kang Dabao a beast core within ten years and offered him another reward, so Kang Dabao asked about another junior brother.
• Yue Lin urged Yuan Buwen to build ties with Kang Dabao and asked him to help smooth relations between their households, but Yuan Buwen made no promise.
• Funeng erupted with Buddhist light and karmic fire, broke through the prison’s restrictions, and demanded that Fei Tianqin come to him.
• Funeng’s voice overwhelmed Fei Granny Liu, who spat blood and ordered Yue Lin and Yuan Buwen to fetch Ancestor Tianqin.

Zhou Yixiu rejected Yang Xun’s attempt to curry favor and reached Wild Fox Mountain, while Yang resolved to find another way into the Chongming Sect’s good graces. In Xuanwei City, Bai Canhong forced Gelie to swear not to spread his teachings in Shannan Circuit before Gelie departed with Funeng’s body, leaving Bai to claim the prefecture court owed him a favor.

• Zhou Yixiu accepted gifts from Cold Crow Mountain households without promising them assistance, then traveled toward Wild Fox Mountain escorted by Yang Xun and the Crimson Zhang Guard.
• Ma Yansong joined Zhou Yixiu and explained that he was helping other households bring recruits to Cold Crow Mountain, earning Zhou’s approval and Yang Xun’s resentment.
• Zhou Yixiu dismissed Yang Xun from his escort at Wild Fox Mountain, and Yang resolved to seek another path into the Chongming Sect before learning that the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion had arrived in Xuanwei City.
• Bai Canhong confronted Gelie in the Cloud Horn Prefecture prison and demanded that he swear not to spread his teachings in Shannan Circuit.
• Gelie pledged his bodhi heart and swore a great heart-demon oath, then left with Funeng’s body as the Buddhist light affecting Xuanwei City’s residents faded.
• Bai Canhong departed after telling Fei Tianqin that the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court owed him a great favor, and Fei Tianqin worried about the coming troubles and his family’s prospects.

A Myriad Treasures Trading Company flying boat arrived in Xuanwei City and carried Fei Enxing, Jiang Qing, and other cultivators away as Kang Dabao arranged for Senior Luan to examine Pei Yi’s lingering injury. During meditation, Pei Yi suffered a violent demonic deviation, and Kang Dabao and Senior Luan discovered him in the cultivation chamber.

• Dou Tong arrived in Xuanwei City aboard a Myriad Treasures Trading Company flying boat, and Fei Tianqin arranged for several cultivators to travel with him.
• Jiang Qing boarded the boat for the journey, while Kang Dabao stayed behind and later thanked Chu Yanran for teaching Kang Changyi.
• Kang Dabao visited the Fei residence and invited Senior Luan, a Third Tier alchemist, to examine Pei Yi’s injury.
• Pei Yi refined Sun-Longing Pills, then suffered worsening pain and entered a violent demonic deviation in his cultivation chamber.
• Kang Dabao brought Senior Luan to Pei Yi’s home, where Senior Luan recognized the demonic deviation and Kang Dabao shielded Lady Kuai.

Attendant Luan treated Pei Yi’s demonic cultivation and restored him enough to attempt Foundation Establishment. Meanwhile, Daoist Peng completed a Crimson Realm Life-Prolonging Pill for Pu Honggu, and the two discussed the Two Instruments Sect’s uncertain political future and a newly presented Daoist scripture.

• Attendant Luan’s treatment failed to stabilize Pei Yi, but Sect Leader Kang Da persuaded him to continue by revealing a connection to the Prince of the South’s disciple’s aunt.
• Pei Yi recovered overnight, and Attendant Luan said he could attempt Foundation Establishment if Kang Dabao provided sufficient resources.
• Daoist Peng completed the Crimson Realm Life-Prolonging Pill and gave it to Pu Honggu, who intended to examine it before taking it.
• Pu Honggu and Daoist Peng discussed the Star-Picking Pavilion’s possible alignment with the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty and the Two Instruments Sect’s need to prepare.
• Daoist Peng presented Pu Honggu with a Daoist scripture titled “Change Yin,” and Pu Honggu decided the matter required careful planning.

At the Double Brightness Alliance’s tenth-anniversary celebration, He Yuanhe reunited with old friends while guests witnessed the alliance’s growing strength and influence. After the martial display, Kang Da secured Bian Hu’s agreement to become deputy alliance leader, and Bian Hu sealed the alliance scroll.

• He Yuanhe attended the anniversary banquet with Bian Hu and Huang Ming, where he learned that Kang Changyi had reached Foundation Establishment and spoke with Fei Enhua about his kinsman He Yuanyi.
• Fei Enhua recognized Xiu Ming as his nephew by marriage and gave him a supreme-grade Law Artifact, prompting others to envy Xiu Ming’s prospects.
• Yang Wuwei discussed Zhou Yun’s battle in Ding Prefecture and revealed that Cao had entered seclusion to form his core with support from the Fei Household and Savage Ghost Sect.
• Pei Yi announced that the ceremony was ready, and Xu Liuxian unrolled the alliance’s iron scroll as scenes from its past decade appeared before the guests.
• Yuan Jin led the Azure Jue Guard and Crimson Zhang Guard in a martial display, while the alliance’s member forces and county militias demonstrated the strength of thousands of cultivators.
• Kang Da offered Bian Hu the vacant deputy alliance leader position, and Bian Hu accepted and placed his seal on the iron scroll.

After the Double Brightness Alliance celebration, Ye Zhengwen and Kang Dabao discussed Jiang Qing’s continued detention in Ying Prefecture and found a possible way to challenge Qiu River Hall’s claim on him. Meanwhile, Fei Tianqin returned from searching for a demon core and encountered a black-robed cultivator whose blood scent marked him as an Evil Cultivator.

• Ye Zhengwen escorted He Chang to Kang Dabao’s courtyard, where they met Zhang Le and Kang Changxi before discussing sect affairs.
• Kang Dabao told Ye Zhengwen that Jiang Qing had been prevented from returning to the Chongming Sect for the third time and might be kept as Elder Nanxi’s son-in-law or sent to the Ying Mountain Army.
• Ye Zhengwen suggested that Sima Fei might object to Qiu River Hall claiming Jiang Qing, since She Mountain Hall had paid for the Azure Firmament Spirit Root and sent Jiang Qing to Ying Prefecture to repay a favor.
• Kang Dabao decided to consult Boyue about getting Jiang Qing recalled, even if She Mountain Hall might then seek to make him a son-in-law.
• Fei Tianqin returned to its cave after failing to find a suitable demon core and detected a black-robed Evil Cultivator nearby.

He Chang visited Yuan Xiyue with Kang Changxi, while He Wanying arranged a water-demon assignment for him in Chongming City. At Cold Crow Mountain, Fei Tianqin defeated a mysterious blood-path Golden Core cultivator, but the badly wounded opponent fell from the sky as Fei Tianqin returned toward Xuanwei City.

• He Chang and Kang Changxi visited Yuan Xiyue and He Wanying, who were caring for Yuan Xiyue’s twin sons.
• The chapter described how the Jingnan Yuan Household resettled in Le County and how Yuan Jin declined Yuan Buwen’s offer to unite their clans.
• Han Xundao brought red jade paste for Yuan Xiyue and He Wanying, then told them about an assignment to deal with water demons near Chongming City.
• He Wanying sent He Chang to Chongming City after he reported what he had seen on Cold Crow Mountain, and Kang Changxi asked to accompany him.
• Fei Tianqin recalled his fierce battle with a blood-path Golden Core cultivator and regretted failing to kill him.
• As Fei Tianqin descended toward Xuanwei City, the wounded cultivator fell from the sky after his Divine Sense faltered.

Duan Anle trained Duan Yunzhou at the Beast Garden while Kang Changxi took the Azure-Armored Earth Tiger as a mount and set out with He Chang. At the Two Instruments Sect, Pu Honggu worried about Daoist Peng’s disappearance and then flew toward Cold Crow Mountain.

• Duan Yunzhou subdued a Golden-Eyed Leopard, and Duan Anle encouraged him while pointing out his shortcomings.
• He Chang received a beast token to extend his use of Senior Old Donkey, and Kang Changxi asked to rent the Azure-Armored Earth Tiger.
• Kang Changxi overpowered the tiger with his fists, took it as his mount, and urged He Chang to depart with him.
• Pu Honggu learned that Daoist Peng had been missing for a month, ordered Li Yun to search for him, and discussed Song Xueqiao’s possible succession at Black Sand Peak.
• After leaving Heavy Lead Peak, Pu Honggu’s black-bird rune lit up, and he flew toward Cold Crow Mountain.

After emerging from seclusion, Kang Dabao reflected on his progress, changed cultivation methods, and mounting expenses before turning to the sect’s affairs and his disciple Jin Shilun. He agreed to let Jin borrow Merit Points for a Foundation Establishment resource and headed off to eat, asking for news about two disciples in Chongming City.

• Kang Dabao reviewed his gains over five years, including progress in Divine Sense and body refinement, and recalled refusing Yan Qingwei’s advances.
• Kang Dabao changed to the Profound Clear Withering and Flourishing Secret Manual with support and instruction from the Fei Household, then advanced his cultivation while raising three children.
• Kang Dabao emerged from seclusion and considered how to fund his cultivation and other expenses without continuing to rely on his wife’s family.
• Kang Dabao surveyed the prosperous beast garden and learned that Duan Anle had taken disciples to deliver Cloud-Treading Colts to the Double Brightness Trade Market.
• Jin Shilun asked Kang Dabao for help obtaining Heavenly Net Wood Heart, and Kang Dabao agreed to let him borrow the Merit Points he needed.
• Kang Dabao accepted Jin Shilun’s offer of a pork hock and asked what two junior disciples had done after reaching Chongming City.

He Chang and Kang Changxi killed a water ghost and rescued a boatload of refugees, including a badly injured old man whose hidden condition escaped their notice. More than a month later, a battle between Two Instruments Sect and prefectural court Golden Core cultivators prompted Chongming City to close its gates and search for an unknown target.

• He Chang and Kang Changxi rescued Shang Baijiang's family from a water ghost, then gave them a talisman and a letter to help them settle in Chongming City.
• He Chang judged the rescued old man to be a mortal who might once have been a Blood Refining martial artist, while Fei Enhua ordered the disciples to leave; the old man subtly relaxed after they departed.
• Shang Baijiang insisted that his family keep caring for the old man, and the family reached Chongming City safely under the Wave-Calming Talisman's protection.
• Tang Jiu reviewed Chongming City's population and cultivator registers with Kang Rongguang and ordered tighter checks on cultivators entering the city.
• After a distant battle injured Daoist Ning, Tang Jiu calmed the city's residents, and Jin Shilun ordered the gates closed and the city searched for an unknown target linked to a Two Instruments Sect Golden Core cultivator.

Kang Dabao, Ming Zhe, and the Chongming Sect forces arrived at Old Ox Mountain as tensions between the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court and the Two Instruments Sect erupted into battle. Fei Nanying’s side won the Golden Core clash, and Fei Nanying ordered the pursuit of the retreating Two Instruments Sect cultivators as a search began in Chongming City.

• Kang Dabao brought Ming Zhe to Old Ox Mountain, where Gun Shilu welcomed Ming Zhe because he was Jiang Qing’s disciple and gave him pills.
• Fei Nanying and Li Yun’s dispute suddenly sparked fighting, and the Ying Mountain Army charged into the battle on the summit.
• Kang Dabao fought alongside Fei Granny Liu against a shorn-headed Core master while Fei Nanying and the other Golden Cores battled overhead.
• The Ying Mountain Army overwhelmed Huang Siniang and Mo Hegu, while Li Yun escaped with a Thousand-Li Instant Talisman and Wei Guze withdrew.
• Fei Nanying declared the Two Instruments Sect had broken its agreement and ordered a pursuit, while Duan Anle began a search in Chongming City.

Ye Zhengwen and Ming Zhe survived the battle as Kang Dabao helped turn the rout into victory, killed Ge Qinglan, and returned with them to Chongming City to investigate what Mo Hegu sought. There, Song Cheng inspected the supposedly helpless old man in Shang Baijiang’s home and left believing him dead, but the old man emerged from the ashes unharmed.

• Ye Zhengwen killed a fleeing cultivator, then rested with Ming Zhe rather than pursue the enemy farther.
• Ye Zhengwen and Ming Zhe learned that the Two Instruments Sect had trapped their forces, but the Fei Household’s Ying Mountain Army broke the formation and Kang Da slew Ge Qinglan and three other opponents.
• Kang Dabao returned to Old Ox Mountain with the victorious force, then received orders to go home without securing Jiang Qing’s release.
• Kang Dabao gave Ge Qinglan’s head to Ye Zhengwen for Junior Brother Chu’s grave and ordered Ye Zhengwen to accompany him to Chongming City to investigate Mo Hegu’s purpose.
• Song Cheng inspected the black-robed old man at Shang Baijiang’s residence, ordered Shang Baijiang to stab and burn him, then left after confirming the body was charring.
• After Song Cheng departed, the charred old man rose from the kang and shed the burned flesh, revealing that he had survived.

Daoist Peng failed to restore his cultivation with the Shang family’s blood and remained hidden in Chongming City, sending corpse puppets out to gather news. Meanwhile, Pu Honggu learned Peng might be near Pingrong County and offered Fearless Tower a Golden Core Formation Pill for proof of his whereabouts, prompting She Fu Yi to summon Kang Da.

• Daoist Peng’s attempt to recover with a blood pill failed, so he returned life force to Shang Baijiang and the military officer and sent their corpse puppets out to investigate.
• Jin Shilun and Song Cheng reported their search of Chongming City to Kang Da, who ordered Elder Ye and the disciples to guard the city and sent orders to investigate other locations.
• At Rosy Lake Mountain, Li Yun told Pu Honggu that She Fu Yi had heard Fei Tianqin pursued a blood-shadow Evil Cultivator near Pingrong County.
• Pu Honggu concluded the pursued cultivator was probably Daoist Peng and offered Fearless Tower a Golden Core Formation Pill if it verified Peng’s whereabouts.
• She Fu Yi read Pu Honggu’s message and ordered someone to invite Kang Da to meet her.