Chapter Summaries

Fei Ye Shui rebuked Wang Xinliu and granted Fei Shuhe’s sons places in the Hundred-Fruit Secret Realm, while Kang Dabao and his companions continued hunting in Bing Six Prison Chamber. Their clash with Su Changqiu and Funeng was interrupted when Cui Wuyang led a hundred convicts into the fight, carrying the battered Fei Nanxin on their banner.

• Fei Ye Shui used the sealed agreement and the threat of appealing to Chancellor Gui to silence Wang Xinliu, who left for Moqi Mountain in anger and fear.
• Fei Ye Shui awarded one Hundred-Fruit Secret Realm place to Kang Dabao and promised another if he killed one more opponent in Bing Six Prison Chamber.
• Kang Dabao uncovered a concealed cultivator, then found Su Changqiu fighting Han Chengfeng and joined the battle with Fei Nanyi and Fei Wanqing.
• Kang Dabao and the others pressed Su Changqiu and Funeng until the potbellied Suo ordered Cui Wuyang to lead the convicts out and preserve the valuable survivors.
• Cui Wuyang arrived with a hundred convicts and Fei Nanxin tied to their banner, prompting the six battling cultivators to stop and recognize the danger.

Suo Mingsheng completed Core Formation through a blood sacrifice and trapped the surviving contestants inside the magnetic mountain, but the Golden Core cultivators outside had been watching all along. After the prisoners were rescued and the gathering’s winner was confirmed, Fei Ye Shui invited Kang Dabao to remain in Ying Prefecture and attempt Core Formation.

• In the Fei Household hall, Ma Mangqin proposed changing the contest, but Shu Zhengping challenged him until Han Ningshan calmed the dispute and Fei Ye Shui urged everyone to keep watching.
• Cui Wuyang’s organized force attacked Kang Dabao and the others while Suo Mingsheng drew in living souls and blood essence to form his Golden Core.
• When Cui Wuyang’s illusion drained his fighters, Funeng turned on Kang Dabao, but Kang used the Ancient Demon Ring and his Golden Eyes to kill him before a giant palm was stopped by an unseen intervention.
• Suo Mingsheng completed his Golden Core and trapped the contestants inside the magnetic mountain, only to learn that the outside cultivators had known about his Core Formation and watched the trial through the Mirage Qi Screen.
• Fei Dongwen brought the survivors to the Fei Household hall, where Fei Ye Shui counted the collected living souls and declared Kang Dabao the winner of the Ice Mallow Grand Gathering.
• Fei Ye Shui asked Kang Dabao to stay in Ying Prefecture and prepare for Core Formation, and Kang left with Fei Nanxi and his family.

Kang Dabao received the Five-Spirit Ice Mallow, powerful core-condensation methods, and records from the Fei Household before risking the Nine Tribulations Dao Planting method. After repeatedly shattering and reforming his core, he appeared to achieve an Upper-Grade Golden Core.

• Fei Shuhe saw Kang Changyi and Kang Changxi off to the Hundred-Fruit Secret Realm, where Fei Donggu escorted them.
• Fei Shuhe told Kang Dabao that Han Chengfeng planned to challenge him again after Core Formation and that Shu Yuanjiang had been sent to his death amid a marriage alliance with the imperial clan.
• Fei Dongwen delivered the Five-Spirit Ice Mallow, the Yin-Yang Line Changes Ascension to Perfection Treatise, Core Formation journals, and the dangerous Nine Tribulations Dao Planting text to Kang Dabao.
• Fei Ye Shui and Fei Tianqin discussed Kang Dabao's prospects and the risks of Nine Tribulations Dao Planting.
• Kang Dabao used Nine Tribulations Dao Planting to shatter and reform his Golden Core repeatedly, then saw signs that he had formed an Upper-Grade Golden Core.

Kang Dabao formed an Upper-Grade Golden Core but concealed its grade, presenting it as Middle-Grade as he emerged from seclusion and received the Fei Household’s lavish support. The reigning emperor learned of his achievement and summoned him to the Mystic Firmament Palace, while Fei Ye Shui and Fei Tianqin turned their attention to the political and personal consequences of his rise.

• Kang Dabao concealed the jade radiance of his Upper-Grade Golden Core and emerged from seclusion with its appearance reduced to Middle-Grade.
• Fei Dongwen congratulated Kang Dabao and brought him to Fei Ye Shui and Fei Tianqin, who confirmed his Middle-Grade Golden Core.
• Fei Ye Shui ordered rewards for Fei Nanying’s She Mountain Hall, settlers for Cloud Horn Prefecture, and a public announcement of Kang Dabao’s achievement, then gave him access to the Fei Household treasury.
• Fei Tianqin urged Fei Ye Shui to use Kang Dabao as a catalyst for the Crimson Realm Life-Prolonging Pill, but Fei Ye Shui refused to refine a person, and Fei Tianqin destroyed the pill.
• Fei Tianqin said he would take Kang Dabao and Daoist Peng to Mountain South, while Fei Ye Shui received word that the reigning emperor had summoned Kang Dabao to the Mystic Firmament Palace.
• Fei Ye Shui warned Fei Dongwen not to be stingy with Kang Dabao in the treasury, anticipating the emperor’s attempt to win him over.

Fei Nanying considered how to help the Chongming Sect as the Hehuan Sect pressed it to surrender territory, resources, and a disciple’s life. The Duke of Qin chose not to confront the Hehuan Sect directly, and Zhou Yixiu offered his own life in exchange for the disciple they demanded.

• Jiang Qing told Fei Nanying that Three Immortals Cave demanded more than four hundred households, a million Spirit Stones, ten Foundation Establishment spiritual objects, and Ming Zhe’s life from the Chongming Sect.
• Duan Anle and Fei Enwen argued that the demands were excessive, while Fei Nanying weighed the risk of opposing the Hehuan Sect and True Person Crimson Snow.
• Chu Yanran joined the meeting and asked about Chu Han, learning that he might hold little favor with True Person Crimson Snow.
• Fei Enwen reported that Zhu Tong had declined Fei Nanying’s invitation, and that no one from the Duke of Qin’s office had met with him.
• At the Office of the Duke of Qin, Zhu Tong persuaded Kuang Liuting not to challenge the Hehuan Sect, though Kuang ordered that Chu Han be watched and the Fei Household and Chongming Sect not be mistreated.
• As the Chongming Sect party left, Zhou Yixiu turned back and offered his own life if the Hehuan Sect insisted on a life in payment.

Fei Nanying tried to negotiate Ming Zhe’s release with Spring Wind Envoy Chu Han, while the Chongming Sect prepared for conflict and accepted that it might have to abandon Ming Zhe. Chu Han refused to yield and ordered Ming Zhe’s head brought as a gift to Fei Nanying.

• Fei Nanying stopped Zhou Yixiu from demonstrating his abilities and ordered that messages from the Chongming Sect be blocked from reaching Kang Dabao.
• Ye Zhengwen led the Chongming Sect’s leaders in preparing defenses, while Jiang Qing agreed that the sect could not risk its survival to save Ming Zhe.
• Ye Yaoling explained that the Nurturing Qilin Hall would seek the Fei Household’s protection or scatter its disciples if the sect faced ruin.
• Fei Nanying, accompanied by Chu Yanran, asked Chu Han to release Ming Zhe and offered any compensation he demanded.
• Chu Han refused to negotiate and told Fei Nanying that he had ordered Ming Zhe’s head brought as a gift.

Ming Zhe resisted Hehuan Sect torture until Junior Brother Lian rescued him, while Fei Nanying realized Chu Han had been bluffing about the True Person’s instructions. In Great Abyss Capital, the Emperor of Wei enfeoffed Kang Dabao as Marquis of Martial Peace and asked what else he needed.

• Ming Zhe resisted the Hehuan Sect’s attempts to break him by reciting scripture, and a sharp-featured cultivator rescued him before his torturer could kill him.
• Junior Brother Lian told Chu Han that Ming Zhe was related to him, and Fei Nanying inferred that Chu Han had no instructions from the True Person.
• The Emperor of Wei praised Kang Dabao and decreed that he would become Marquis of Martial Peace, with all of Cloud Horn Prefecture as his fief.
• Kang Dabao thanked the Emperor of Wei, who promised further rewards for future service and asked what he still lacked.

Kang Dabao received generous rewards from the Emperor of Wei, while Lian Xuepu helped resolve the Chongming Sect’s crisis with the Hehuan Sect. The chapter ended with a sharp-featured cultivator returning to the Chongming Sect’s gateway.

• Kang Dabao took the Profound Clear Withering and Flourishing Secret Manual, three bottles of Three Treasures Wondrous Gathering Pill, and the River Network Mystic Armor from the Fei Household treasury.
• The Emperor of Wei awarded Kang Dabao military talismans, a month in the Moon Marrow Golden Paste Pool, and a Divine Sense technique, and granted honors to Lady Fei.
• Zhu Tong told his associates to watch the Hehuan Sect and the Fei Household, while Chu Han agreed to let the Chongming Sect disciples leave with Fei Nanying and Chu Yanran.
• Lian Xuepu opposed Chu Han’s demand that the Chongming Sect leaders apologize, treated the gravely weakened Ming Zhe, and promised to visit the Chongming Sect.
• Fei Nanying learned that Lian Xuepu was the Chongming Sect’s missing Martial Uncle, then returned to Xuanwei City; ten days later, a sharp-featured cultivator arrived at the sect’s new gateway.

Ye Yaoling and the Chongming Sect’s leaders welcomed Lian Xuepu, who returned to aid the sect and shared resources and advice with its disciples. After Lian Xuepu proposed destroying the Three Immortals Cave, news arrived that Kang Dabao had formed a mid-grade core, clearing the way for the plan.

• Jiang Tangpei summoned Ye Yaoling to the patriarchs’ hall, where Lian Xuepu had returned to pay respects to the Chongming Sect’s patriarchs.
• Lian Xuepu apologized for abandoning the sect, gave Jiang Qing sword principles, and gifted Ye Yaoling a Mid-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill.
• Lian Xuepu privately warned Yuan Jin about his heart-ape cultivation method and accepted Ye Zhengwen as his disciple.
• Lian Xuepu proposed that the Chongming Sect destroy the Three Immortals Cave, while Yuan Jin urged caution and said Kang Dabao should decide.
• Jiang Qing received news that Kang Dabao had formed a mid-grade core, and Lian Xuepu placed the message before Sect Leader He, saying the campaign would now be easier.

Kang Dabao reunited with Kuai En at the Moon Marrow Golden Paste Pool, then used the pool to stabilize and perfect his Golden Core. Afterward, Fei Ye Shui gave him a message from Ying Prefecture warning that Three Immortals Cave could fall at any moment.

• Kuai En warmly greeted Kang Dabao, explained his imperial favor and cultivation opportunity, and arranged to meet him later.
• Kang Dabao entered the Moon Marrow Golden Paste Pool and cultivated with the Profound Clear Withering and Flourishing Secret Manual.
• Kang Dabao completed a month in the pool, perfected his True Core, and felt that his Primordial Ancient Body had advanced.
• A Foundation Establishment eunuch guided Kang Dabao to the Elegant Book Garden, where Fei Ye Shui gave him a message talisman from Ying Prefecture.
• Kang Dabao read that Martial Uncle Lian and Three Immortals Cave could fall at any moment, and that rewards would be given after his senior brother returned.

Grand Eunuch Wei considered the Moon Marrow Golden Paste Pool’s unusual depletion and the Imperial Horse Directorate’s shortage, while Kang Dabao prepared to return to Shannan Circuit and studied the Sharpened Spirit Thorn. Chongming Sect defeated Three Immortals Cave at Thunder Splendor Mountain, with Yuan Jin urging his troops to finish the battle as a celebration of their sect leader’s Core Formation.

• Grand Eunuch Wei decided not to investigate the pool’s depletion and ordered its Spirit-Nourishing Powder allocation increased by thirty percent.
• Grand Eunuch Wei considered how to address the Purification Army’s shortage and resolved to stir up a battlefield in Shannan Circuit to attract volunteers.
• Fei Ye Shui told Kang Dabao that Old Ancestor Tianqin and Donggu would accompany his family back to Mountain South, and that Kang Changyi and Kang Changxi had placed seventh and ninth in the Hundred-Fruit Secret Realm trial.
• Kang Dabao entered a meditation room in the Elegant Book Garden and studied the Sharpened Spirit Thorn, noticing Kuang Cheyun’s name in its commentaries.
• Chongming Sect’s forces broke Three Immortals Cave’s defenses and killed Pill Master Yuan Chang after the other two Pill Masters fled.
• Yuan Jin ordered his troops to destroy Three Immortals Cave and celebrate their sect leader’s Core Formation.

The Double Brightness Alliance routed Three Immortals Cave at the Battle of Thunder Splendor Mountain, with Yuan Jin’s formations and the alliance’s commanders driving the enemy into flight. After the victory, Jiang Qing learned that a Golden Core higher cultivator was bringing troops toward them and that Senior Brother Sect Leader had already left to return to the sect.

• Yuan Jin activated the alliance’s banner enhancements, and Yang Xun led a fierce charge that broke several Three Immortals Cave formations.
• Duan Anle kept the Azure Jue Guard’s formation disciplined while the Crimson Zhang Guard and the alliance’s other forces overwhelmed the enemy.
• Three Immortals Cave’s disciples fled in growing numbers, and Jiang Qing declared that the sect had been wiped out at Thunder Splendor Mountain.
• Core Master Hu praised the alliance’s military might, while Jiang Qing considered the long-term deal granting Hu the local Spirit Vein.
• Yuan Jin reviewed the battle with Zhou Yixiu and recorded lessons about the alliance’s military weaknesses.
• Jiang Qing received news that a Golden Core higher cultivator was leading troops toward Thunder Splendor Mountain and that Senior Brother Sect Leader had set out for the sect.

Kang Dabao and his family returned toward the Chongming Sect, where he reprimanded Kang Changxi for speaking carelessly about Martial Uncle Lian. At Thunder Splendor Mountain, Jiang Qing and the Double Brightness Alliance defended their position against Crimson Heart Cult forces until Exalted Cultivator Honggu broke the mountain formation with a finger-bone weapon.

• Fei Donggu gave Kang Dabao a talisman to contact an artifact craftsman who could make him a Law Treasure, while Fei Wanqing continued toward Mountain South.
• Kang Dabao silenced and rebuked Kang Changxi for questioning Martial Uncle Lian’s connection to True Person Crimson Snow, and Kang Changyi eased the confrontation.
• Kang Changyi and Kang Changxi discussed their Dao lessons as Fei Tianqin brought their group to Shannan Circuit.
• Gu Chengsen and Exalted Cultivator Honggu led Crimson Heart Cult and Three Immortals Cave troops against Thunder Splendor Mountain, but Wei Gu’s restored formation held through a day of attacks.
• After Three Immortals Cave disciples tried to flee, Honggu used a finger bone infused with the essence of more than a thousand Formation-Breaking Pearls to shatter the mountain formation.

Kang Dabao and the Double Brightness Alliance defeated the Crimson Heart Cult after a brutal battle on Thunder Splendor Mountain. Kang Dabao killed Exalted Cultivator Honggu and Gu Chengsen, leaving the cult’s forces defeated.

• Kang Dabao tore out Exalted Cultivator Honggu’s heart and shattered his bone spear, while Gu Chengsen’s attacks failed to overcome him.
• Yuan Jin and Jiang Qing rallied the Double Brightness Alliance, and Yuan Changsheng carried the great standard at the head of the advancing ranks despite his wounds.
• Bian Hu and the core master surnamed Hu were badly injured, and the alliance killed one of the two False Core cultivators while the other fled.
• Yuan Jin led the alliance in breaking the Crimson Heart Cult’s formation, and Jiang Qing killed the two False Core cultivators fighting him and Xu Liuxian.
• Gu Chengsen unleashed a broken arrow carrying an ancient demon’s remnant will, but Kang Dabao resisted its attack and killed Exalted Cultivator Honggu.
• Jiang Qing and the alliance trapped Gu Chengsen, and Kang Dabao killed him as the Crimson Heart Cult’s forces fell.

Lian Xuepu faced True Person Crimson Snow after thwarting Chu Han’s schemes, then received her warning and a gift to take to Pingrong County. Meanwhile, Kang Dabao returned to Thunder Splendor Mountain after defeating the Crimson Heart Cult and Three Immortals Cave, and began handling the aftermath while investigating a broken arrow linked to Black Bone; the chapter ended with news that Martial Uncle Lian had returned.

• Chu Han warned Lian Xuepu not to interfere again, but Lian Xuepu remained pleased that his actions had protected his juniors and thwarted Chu Han’s plans.
• Senior Brother Chi escorted Lian Xuepu to True Person Crimson Snow, who chastised him for risking their relationship, then gave him a spirit ring and arranged for the release of a Fei Household elder.
• Lian Xuepu accepted True Person Crimson Snow’s warning that the Fei Household should avoid meddling in Ying Prefecture and headed for Pingrong County.
• Kang Dabao returned to Thunder Splendor Mountain, organized the distribution of spoils and rewards, and led the surviving disciples back to the Chongming Sect after ten more days.
• Kang Dabao found that a seal-script character on Gu Chengsen’s broken arrow resembled the mark on Black Bone, then heard a disciple announce Martial Uncle Lian’s return.

Lian Xuepu returned to the Chongming Sect and celebrated Kang Dabao’s Golden Core advancement, while a hidden message revealed that Ming Zhe and Changsheng were gone. At the Fei Household, Fei Tianqin arranged to report the Hehuan Sect’s actions and prepare support for Chongming, then set out to challenge the duke’s residence over its occupation of his son-in-law’s fief.

• Kang Dabao welcomed Lian Xuepu back to the Chongming Sect, where Lian toured the grounds and attended a family banquet with senior disciples and guests.
• Lian Xuepu tasted Fei Shuhe’s dumplings, praised Kang Dabao’s leadership, and gave him a storage ring containing Dao inheritances and techniques as a congratulatory gift.
• Jiang Qing received a message about the Hehuan Sect and learned that Ming Zhe and Changsheng were gone; Yuan Jin urged him to keep the news from Kang Dabao until Lian Xuepu had left.
• After Lian Xuepu departed, Zhou Yixiu broke down in grief, and Kang Dabao and the Chongming disciples mourned Ming Zhe and Changsheng.
• At the Fei Household, Fei Tianqin ordered Fei Nanying to report the Hehuan Sect matter to Ancestor Ye Shui and discussed distributing resources, including a share for the Chongming Sect.
• Fei Tianqin decided to visit the duke’s residence and demand that it stop occupying his son-in-law’s fief.

Six months later, Kang Da met Kuang Liuting in Xuanwei City to discuss the transfer of Cloud Horn Prefecture and its cities to the Marquis of Martial Peace’s Residence. Kuang Liuting recognized Kang Da’s growing independence, then left him with the prefecture to govern as the Duke of Qin prepared to move his office to Phoenix Cry Prefecture.

• Kang Da arrived in Xuanwei City with his sons and Duan Anle, where Zhu Tong welcomed him and described the city’s growth under Kuang Liuting.
• Zhu Tong told Kang Da that Kuang Liuting had rejected a proposal to move Xuanwei City to Phoenix Cry Prefecture, though the office would revisit the question later.
• Kuang Liuting met Kang Da privately, offered him tea, and remarked that Kang Da’s talent and pride made him unlike the obedient officials around Zhu Tong.
• Kuang Liuting questioned Kang Da about his inaction during the Three Immortals Cave affair, then explained that the Office of the Duke of Qin would move to Phoenix Cry Prefecture within the season.
• Kuang Liuting announced that Cloud Horn Prefecture, Xuanwei City, and Han City would pass to Kang Da’s residence, while cultivators could decide whether to stay or leave.
• Before Kang Da departed, Kuang Liuting asked whether he still believed in his ambition to wash the world clean and bring clarity to heaven and earth; Kang Da said he did.

As the Chongming Sect took control of Cloud Horn Prefecture, Kang Dabao struggled to manage Xuanwei City and its many other affairs. He entrusted Duan Anle with suppressing bandit cultivators and ordered him to act forcefully, leaving Anle to seek help from Junior Brother Kang.

• Kang Dabao considered how to divide Xuanwei City's benefits among the Chongming Sect's allies and assigned leaders to oversee the prefecture's other regions and responsibilities.
• Ye Zhengwen suggested that Kang Dabao delegate some work to Duan Anle, so Kang Dabao summoned his disciple and tested his plan for dealing with bandit cultivators.
• Duan Anle proposed identifying which bandit cultivators were irredeemable and which had joined out of desperation, using records and local testimony to assess them.
• Kang Dabao rejected Duan Anle's cautious approach and ordered him to summon suspected families to Xuanwei City, then attack those who refused to comply.
• Kang Dabao assigned Duan Anle the campaign with help from Xu Liuxian and Bian Hu, promising to bring in powerful allies if needed.
• Duan Anle left the residence and thought of seeking help from Junior Brother Kang.

Tang Jiu returned from fighting Evil Cultivators in Guo County to attend Ye Yaoling's Foundation Establishment ceremony, where the Chongming Sect's disciples gathered and she expounded on water techniques. The chapter ended as Ye Zhengwen arrived at the ceremony while Sect Leader Kang Da studied a handsome monk in the meeting hall.

• Tang Jiu returned to the Chongming Sect and congratulated Duan Yunzhou, giving him snow spirit ginseng for his Golden-Eyed Leopard.
• Tang Jiu greeted He Chang and He Yuanyi at Ye Yaoling's courtyard, where He Yuanyi discussed the Law Artifact he was making for Kang Lingyi.
• Ye Yaoling emerged looking younger after establishing her Dao Foundation, then expounded on water techniques to the gathered disciples.
• Kang Rongquan arrived to support Ye Yaoling's ceremony, which he hoped would strengthen Pei Yi's lineage and its standing in the sect.
• Ye Zhengwen arrived before Kang Rongquan could take the stage, while Sect Leader Kang Da silently studied a handsome monk in the meeting hall.

Gada visited Sect Leader Kang Da at the Chongming Sect, tested his strength, and asked him to help his consort’s lay family relocate to Shannan Circuit. Kang Da remained wary and sent a warning to the Fei Household, while an unseen old monk watched Gada leave.

• Gada met Kang Da and realized his strength exceeded expectations, while Kang Da remained cautious of the Buddhist Son’s unannounced visit.
• Kang Da offered to return the Ancient Demon Ring, but Gada failed to lift it from his palm with Divine Sense and then let him keep it.
• Gada revealed that Head Jiada had entered nirvana and asked Kang Da to help his consort’s lay family move to Shannan Circuit.
• Kang Da hesitated to involve himself, so Gada asked for an introduction to the Marquis of Fengcheng and the Marquis of Gucheng, and Kang Da provided a letter.
• After Gada left, Kang Da sent a letter talisman to Phoenix Cry Prefecture, while an old monk watched Gada from outside the mountain gate.