Chapter Summaries

Wei Gu struggled with a large formation-flag assignment while Zhang Le returned to the Chongming Sect to visit Zhang Qingran. Zhang Le revealed that her husband had apparently discovered a Golden Core-level Storage Bag at the Rainbow Mountain Yang Household, leaving Zhang Qingran startled and eager to know more.

• Wei Gu worried that the Formation Hall could not complete its quota of several hundred formation flags before the deadline, and Han Xundao explained that the sect had many urgent campaign-related production needs.
• Wei Gu met Zhang Le at the treasury and learned she had returned early for Zhang Qingran's one hundred and fiftieth birthday.
• A Punishment Hall disciple escorted Zhang Le through the expanded sect to Zhang Qingran's courtyard, where she found her Grand-Aunt looking troubled.
• Zhang Qingran offered to help the Shan Household obtain one or two gelded Cloud-Treading Colts, assuming that was why Zhang Le had come.
• Zhang Le told Zhang Qingran that her husband had apparently discovered a Golden Core-level Storage Bag at the Rainbow Mountain Yang Household, and Zhang Qingran immediately asked where it was.

Zhang Qingran learned of the Yang Household’s Golden Core Storage Bag and brought the news to Kang Da, while the Chongming Sect prepared to seize the treasure and defend Rainbow Mountain. Kang Da and the Chongming forces defeated the attackers, killed higher cultivator Huang Li, and watched the Yang Household emerge from its formation in submission.

• Zhang Qingran rebuked Zhang Le for mishandling the news, then visited Kang Da, while Zhou Yixiu delivered Shan Shijie’s detailed report and received orders to reward the Shan Household.
• Yuan Jin confronted Shan Shijie outside Rainbow Mountain, and Shan Shijie executed the relative who had sold the news before surrendering the Core-Seeking Golden Ear.
• Jiang Qing killed two False Core cultivators, while Yuan Buwen faced five Rogue Cultivator Core masters who attacked after pretending to seek forgiveness.
• Huang Li arrived to aid the Rogue Cultivators, but the Double Brightness Alliance’s formation held him back as Jiang Qing and Yuan Buwen killed the five Core masters.
• Kang Dabao killed Huang Li, and the Yang Household’s formation opened as Yang Xun led his people out on their knees, holding an object aloft.

Kang Dabao defeated the attackers outside Rainbow Mountain, spared the Yang Household, and said he would take the Golden Core Storage Bag himself rather than demand it from them. News of his conduct reached the Fearless Tower and the Office of the Duke of Qin, while Yang Xun later arrived at the Chongming Sect's gate with bloodshot eyes.

• Kang Dabao had Senior Cultivator Xie Yi taken away under guard, then questioned Yang Xun and spared the Yang Household after declaring that it owed compensation for the battle's losses.
• Kang Dabao kept the Storage Bag recovered from Senior Cultivator Huang Li and ordered the gathered forces to disperse, leaving the Yang Household alive and intact.
• At the Fearless Tower, She Fu Yi ordered that information about the Marquis of Martial Peace's Residence and the Chongming Sect receive higher priority, while Yang Jue dealt with the disciple who had traded information for Nine Radiance Grass.
• At the Office of the Duke of Qin, Kuang Liuting reviewed the report on Kang Dabao and then discussed suspicious incidents within the Two Instruments Sect's jurisdiction with his subordinates.
• Yang Xun arrived beneath the Chongming Sect's gate with bloodshot eyes.

Kang Dabao accepted the Yang Household’s treasures under strict rules, then used a Third Tier Enlisted Army Talisman to refine Senior Cultivator Xie Yi into a Third Tier Spirit Slave. Xie Yi’s transformation succeeded, leaving Kang Dabao shaken by the cruelty of the Kuang Household’s methods.

• Ye Zhengwen gave Kang Dabao the Storage Bag Yang Xun had surrendered, and Kang Dabao ordered the treasures inventoried and bought with Merit Points.
• Kang Dabao rejected Ye Zhengwen’s suggestion to investigate whether Yang Xun had hidden treasures and ended the matter with the Rainbow Mountain Yang Household.
• Kang Dabao entered a quiet chamber where Senior Cultivator Xie Yi was held in a Third Tier trapping formation and prepared a Third Tier Enlisted Army Talisman.
• Xie Yi threatened Kang Dabao and tried to resist as Kang Dabao began refining him with the talisman, seals, incantations, and Divine Sense.
• Kang Dabao subdued Xie Yi’s attempt to break free, and the talisman consumed and restored his body until he became a Third Tier Spirit Slave.
• Kang Dabao watched the completed transformation and felt belated fear at the Kuang Household’s cruelty.

Sect Leader Kang Da examined the Storage Bags of Xie Yi and an unknown Golden Core cultivator, finding valuable Law Treasures and alchemy inheritances before realizing the latter might have belonged to Daoist Peng and contained Blood Foundation Pills. Meanwhile, Pu Honggu learned of Xie Yi’s death and urged Li Yun to find a medicinal catalyst so he could become a True Person.

• Kang Dabao appraised Xie Yi’s Storage Bag and found extensive cultivation notes and books on the hundred arts, including rare alchemy texts.
• Kang Dabao examined the unknown cultivator’s Storage Bag, claimed its two middle-grade Law Treasures, and found Daoist Zhusan’s True Explanation of the Dao of Alchemy.
• Kang Dabao refined the two Law Treasures, secured Xie Yi’s spirit-slave puppet in the trapping array, and left his Jade Toad cave abode.
• Kang Dabao connected Daoist Zhusan and Daoist Peng, then suspected that a pile of overlooked pills in the Storage Bag were Blood Foundation Pills.
• Li Yun told Pu Honggu that Xie Yi’s soul lamp had gone out, and Pu Honggu dismissed the news while worrying about his stalled cultivation.
• Pu Honggu told Li Yun to find him a medicinal catalyst so he could become a True Person, claiming the Office of the Duke of Qin would soon be too busy to investigate them.

Two years later, He Chang and Shan Yong confronted a Demon Correction Office detachment in Cloud Horn Prefecture, and Gun Shilu arrived to help capture its members. Gun Shilu then traveled with them to the Chongming Sect, where Gun Fangmu joined a crowded Alchemy Conference intended to recruit Alchemists.

• He Chang searched for spiritual herbs with the golden-haired old donkey and met Shan Yong on his way back to the Chongming Sect.
• He Chang and Shan Yong challenged a Demon Correction Office detachment that had entered Cloud Horn Prefecture.
• He Chang and Shan Yong attacked the detachment, and Gun Shilu arrived and captured its members.
• Gun Shilu explained that he had brought Gun Fangmu to the Double Brightness Alliance's Alchemy Conference.
• He Chang escorted Gun Shilu and Gun Fangmu to the sect's alchemy ground, where Kang Dabao arrived with a Third Tier Alchemist.

Attendant Luan presided over the Chongming Sect’s alchemy gathering, selecting Qi Ke, Chen Zihang, and Gun Fangmu for their insight into his unfamiliar pill formula. Kang Dabao won Luan over with Daoist Zhu San’s alchemy text and appointed him a guest elder, then left for the council hall after receiving a troubling message.

• Kang Dabao welcomed Attendant Luan to the gathering and asked him to ease tensions between the Chongming Sect and the Fei Household.
• Attendant Luan introduced the Earth Virtue Qi-Nurturing Pill formula and set the Alchemists half a day to refine it.
• Attendant Luan eliminated most contestants and selected Qi Ke, Chen Zihang, and Gun Fangmu for their comprehension and careful methods.
• Attendant Luan instructed the three selected Alchemists and gave each handwritten notes, while Kang Dabao arranged for Duan Anle to look after Chen and Gun.
• Kang Dabao offered Attendant Luan Daoist Zhu San’s True Explanations of the Dao of Alchemy in exchange for teaching the three promising Alchemists, and named him a guest elder.
• Attendant Luan began studying the text, while Kang Dabao read a message talisman and headed alone to the council hall.

Kang Xiangyi offered Sect Leader Kang Da a treasure map to secure help against the Fire Gang Sect, and Kang Da agreed to warn them and introduce Xiangyi to Fei Tianqin. Meanwhile, Xiang Tianxing rescued Daoist Peng from the Fei Household and escaped Fei Tianqin’s pursuit, then asked Peng to take him to Cold Crow Mountain.

• Kang Xiangyi claimed kinship with Kang Da and explained that the Fire Gang Sect’s Golden Core cultivator threatened his clan’s position in Si Prefecture.
• Kang Xiangyi presented Kang Da with a genuine map to Crimson Firmament Cave, and Kang Da agreed to warn the Fire Gang Sect and host Xiangyi for a few days.
• Xiang Tianxing broke the formation holding Daoist Peng, gave him medicine to dissolve Fei Tianqin’s restraints, and took him aboard a flying boat.
• Fei Tianqin pursued Xiang Tianxing and Daoist Peng, but Xiang Tianxing used talismans and concealed Law Treasures to escape.
• Xiang Tianxing asked Daoist Peng to take him to Cold Crow Mountain to meet the Demon Officers.

Xiang Tianxing brought the injured Daoist Peng toward Rosy Lake Mountain, intending to use him in the Star-Picking Pavilion’s plans involving the Demon Officers of Cold Crow Mountain. More than a month later, Kang Rongquan emerged from a year of cultivation after switching methods and learned that Kang Da was gathering core disciples to hurry to Si Prefecture.

• Xiang Tianxing told Daoist Peng how the Star-Picking Pavilion had used connections and treasures to save him, then reassured him that he would handle the journey to Cold Crow Mountain.
• Daoist Peng agreed to follow Xiang Tianxing while secretly tending to his injuries and the damaged Ten Thousand Souls Banner; Xiang Tianxing considered using him to establish a sect under the Star-Picking Pavilion.
• Kang Rongquan completed his switch to the Growth Ring Divination Shell Scripture after years of guidance and emerged with his cultivation at Foundation Establishment Late Stage within reach.
• Kang Rongquan stopped a True Disciple leaving the sect and learned that Kang Da was gathering core disciples to hurry to Si Prefecture, prompting him to head for the ceremonial archway.

Kang Dabao and his companions reached Kang Changping’s cave abode, where they discovered its powerful protective array had been repaired and might have a new master. Meanwhile, Xiang Tianxing followed Daoist Peng through the Demon-Suppressing Barrier and encountered Demon Officer Mo Yu and human captives in the demon lands.

• Kang Dabao broke the cave abode’s outer illusion array, but Jiang Qing’s sword and Kang Dabao’s halberd failed to pierce its inner protective array.
• Kang Xiangyi told Kang Dabao that the cave’s defenses had not changed during his visits, and Kang Dabao noticed that parts of the array foundations had been repaired.
• Kang Dabao sent Kang Rongquan and the other disciples back to the sect, then told Kang Xiangyi that he would call friends to help.
• Xiang Tianxing took the injured Daoist Peng from the Star-Picking Pavilion and followed his directions to an irregular opening in the Demon-Suppressing Barrier.
• Daoist Peng used turtle pearls to distract river beasts and summoned Demon Officer Mo Yu, who agreed to guide them after receiving the pearls.
• Xiang Tianxing saw human captives penned on the riverbank, restrained his anger, and vowed to kill the demon beasts in time.

Xiang Tianxing delivered Bai Canhong’s proposal to Zeng Zhang, offering the Li Mountain Lineage a chance to break through the barrier and raid specified parts of Great Wei. At the Chongming Sect, Yuan Jin learned that Tie Liuyun had arrived with soldiers to demand an accounting and hurried to meet him.

• Xiang Tianxing entered Moon-Eroding Hall with Daoist Peng and presented Bai Canhong’s letter to Zeng Zhang, chief Demon Officer under Feng Yun.
• Zeng Zhang learned that Bai Canhong would open a barrier formation point, and Xiang Tianxing limited the Demons’ permitted incursion to named circuits and prefectures while demanding an answer within five days.
• Yuan Jin and Ye Zhengwen read Kang Da’s message that Kang Rongquan’s party had turned back from Chenjiang County, then went their separate ways.
• Yuan Jin received Ye Zhengwen’s summons and learned that Tie Liuyun had come to the Chongming Sect with an officer and bureau soldiers to demand an accounting.
• Yuan Jin suspected Tie Liuyun had chosen to come while the eldest senior brother was away, then hurried toward the ceremonial archway.

Kang Dabao led Wufeng, Yang Baoshan, and Cao Xianlu into Kang Changping’s cave abode, where they found valuable Blood Dao materials and the Third-Tier Six Harmonies Kan-Li Cauldron. As the group prepared to claim the cauldron, Zhou Yun accidentally awakened a Third-Tier Upper-Grade copper corpse, leaving everyone facing a sudden danger.

• Wufeng, Yang Baoshan, and Cao Xianlu arrived to help Kang Dabao break into Kang Changping’s cave abode, and they agreed to take a tenth of its gains.
• After Wufeng’s formation calculations failed, Kang Dabao and the others forced an opening in the formation and entered the cave abode.
• The group discovered a blood pool filled with rare Blood Amber and Blood Coral, which Kang Dabao collected for Yang Baoshan to appraise and distribute.
• Kang Dabao found the Third-Tier Six Harmonies Kan-Li Cauldron, and the other cultivators abandoned thoughts of contesting it after he displayed Slaughter and Extermination.
• Zhou Yun unknowingly released living Qi into a hidden recess, awakening a Third-Tier Upper-Grade copper corpse that burst into the cave abode.

Kang Dabao and the cultivators fought a Third-Tier Upper-Grade bronze corpse in Kang Changping's cave abode, and Kang Dabao destroyed it with the Grand Unity Bronze Light Mirror and claimed its corpse pill. Outside, the Seventh Hall Master sought reinforcements, while Daoist Peng noticed another black line on his hand had broken.

• Senior Cultivator Wufeng fled the cave, leaving Kang Dabao, Yang Baoshan, and Cao Xianlu to hold off the bronze corpse.
• The bronze corpse badly injured Cao Xianlu's ghost tiger and damaged Yang Baoshan's Law Treasure, while Kang Dabao saved Yang Baoshan and Jiang Qing wounded the corpse with his sword.
• Kang Dabao revealed his Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes and body-cultivation strength, then ordered the others to flee as the bronze corpse renewed its assault.
• Kang Dabao used the Grand Unity Bronze Light Mirror and Golden Light to destroy the bronze corpse, then took its corpse pill and searched the cave for more treasures.
• Outside the cave, the Seventh Hall Master sent a message requesting reinforcements from the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall and warned the Chenjiang Kang Clan.
• Daoist Peng woke from cultivation and saw that another black line on the five fingers of his left hand had broken.

Tie Liuyun brought the Demon Correction Office and the Xiezhi Iron Guard to pressure the Chongming Sect while Sect Leader Kang Da was away. Yuan Jin stood his ground, and a powerful puppet and the arrival of the Azure Jue Guards checked Tie Liuyun’s attack as another force approached.

• Tie Liuyun led troops to the Chongming Sect, hoping to prove his loyalty to the powerful patron backing him by forcing the sect to yield.
• Yuan Jin and Ye Zhengwen challenged Tie Liuyun’s demand to hand over Demon Correction Office officers, and Yuan Jin refused to back down until Kang Da returned.
• Tie Liuyun prepared to strike Yuan Jin with his Law Treasure ruler, intending to seize him and use him to force the Chongming Sect’s compliance.
• Yuan Jin activated a message talisman and released a Third Tier Spirit Slave, which knocked back Tie Liuyun’s ruler and protected him.
• Tie Liuyun saw the Azure Jue Guards assemble at the sect’s archway as an unidentified force approached in the distance.

Xiang Tianxing marked Daoist Peng so the Star-Picking Pavilion could track him, while You Song and two fellow Hall Masters entered an illusion array searching for the missing fat Preceptor and a rumored cave abode. A scream sounded shortly after they split up inside the array, and You Song rushed toward it.

• Xiang Tianxing explained that he intended to place a tracking mark on Daoist Peng, then inscribed a strange rune on his body and let him leave.
• The Chenjiang Kang Clan’s lockdown and the return of its wounded patriarch drew attention from neighboring households and the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall.
• You Song, Hou Mingfa, and Feng Buyao arrived in Si Prefecture to investigate the missing fat Preceptor and the cave abode mentioned in his last message.
• Following a divination, You Song and the others found the illusion array where the fat Preceptor had disappeared and entered to investigate.
• The three Hall Masters split up inside the array, and You Song rushed toward a scream that rang out.

Yuan Jin forced Tie Liuyun and the Xiezhi Iron Guard to withdraw from Chongming Sect territory after invoking the sect’s imperial fief and threatening to report the incursion. At Kang Changping’s cave abode, You Song and Hou Mingfa fought a bloody attacker, while Feng Buyao woke to find Kang Dabao in the hidden chamber.

• Yuan Buwen and Yang Jue arrived to support Yuan Jin, and Yang Jue warned Tie Liuyun that the Ying Mountain Army and other authorities might intervene.
• Yuan Jin cited Chongming Sect’s fief and threatened to report Tie Liuyun to the Office of the Duke of Qin, then had captured Demon Correction Office soldiers beheaded as Tie Liuyun departed.
• Tie Liuyun restrained his men and withdrew with the Xiezhi Iron Guard, while Yuan Jin and Ye Zhengwen later handled the visitors and their support.
• You Song used the Star-Seeking Compass to track the attacker who had wounded Feng Buyao, but the bloody figure escaped his lightning through the cave’s restrictions.
• The bloody attacker turned on Hou Mingfa, and You Song returned to help him fight it while Feng Buyao suffered alone and passed out.
• Feng Buyao woke in the hidden chamber and recognized Kang Dabao among the unconscious preceptor and disciples.

Kang Dabao restrained Feng Buyao and secretly observed the battle between You Song, Hou Mingfa, and Daoist Peng. Daoist Peng killed You Song and Hou Mingfa, but a surprise attack forced him to flee, while the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall learned that four Golden Core cultivators had died.

• Feng Buyao tried to use her charms on Kang Dabao, but he refused and kept her under restraint while watching the battle outside with his Divine Sense.
• You Song and Hou Mingfa fought Daoist Peng, who transformed the blood pool into a cocoon and summoned a blood chi dragon and twenty-four blood soldiers.
• You Song burned his Golden Core origin to break through Daoist Peng's defenses, but Daoist Peng used the Ten Thousand Souls Banner to destroy You Song's spear and kill him, then drained Hou Mingfa's Essence Blood and captured both souls.
• Daoist Peng discovered that his opponents' Storage Bags held none of the treasures stolen from his cave, including the Six Harmonies Kan-Li Cauldron.
• Two rays of Golden Light struck Daoist Peng by surprise, and he fled with a blood escape technique, leaving the Storage Bags behind.
• Four Golden Core soul lamps went out in the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall, and its disciples rushed to report the deaths.

Kang Dabao fled the cave abode, gathered the Chenjiang Kang Clan, and began moving them toward Cloud Horn Prefecture as the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall prepared to strike back. Preceptor Huang Mi learned that his hall masters had been defeated and ordered a force to pursue the clan, confident in his newly advanced cultivation.

• Kang Dabao killed a newly advanced Golden Core cultivator at the cave entrance, took his valuables, and escaped before other cultivators arrived.
• Kang Xiangyi organized the Chenjiang Kang Clan's relocation, and Kang Dabao agreed to move the household despite the danger of transporting its million mortals.
• After receiving Yuan Jin's message, Kang Dabao asked Jiang Qing to summon the Third Tier Spirit Slave and seek help from Madam Qi and the Fei Household.
• Preceptor Huang Mi learned that the Chenjiang Kang Clan was moving and heard that his forces had failed to stop it, with a Core Formation Spirit Slave helping Kang Dabao's side.
• Preceptor Huang Mi ordered the hall masters stationed at key locations to gather in Chenjiang, recalled the eighth hall master, and set out with part of his shaman soldiers and warrior monks.

Kang Dabao’s Chenjiang Kang Clan fought its way through the three sects blocking its migration after he killed Du Yun'er and the Fengyi Sect leader. The allied forces collapsed and the Kang clan advanced, but Preceptor Huang Mi arrived with a severed head and ordered the fleeing swordsman to turn back and lead him to the battle.

• Gou Shier left to report to the Cloud Marsh Shaman Venerable Hall, while Du Yun'er persuaded the three sects to attack the Chenjiang Kang Clan again before reinforcements arrived.
• Kang Dabao attacked Du Yun'er during negotiations and killed her with the Grand Unity Bronze Light Mirror’s Soul-Rending Sword Qi, forcing the three sect leaders to decide whether to fight or retreat.
• The three sects fought the Kang clan; Kang Dabao killed the Fengyi Sect leader, and Yuan Jin took command of the clan’s formation and turned the battle in their favor.
• The Lianjiang Sect leader fled, followed by the sword-bearing Fushan Orthodox Sect leader, and the Kang clan routed the remaining enemy forces.
• Preceptor Huang Mi arrived carrying a severed head, confronted the fleeing swordsman, and ordered him to turn back and lead the way.

Kang Dabao fought Preceptor Huang Mi after Huang Mi rejected his offer of peace, and briefly wounded the powerful monk with a surprise attack. As Huang Mi gained the upper hand and prepared a devastating strike, a familiar voice arrived from the sky, though the Ying Mountain Army was still absent.

• Kang Da led the Chenjiang Kang clansmen toward Mountain North Circuit while awaiting reinforcements and preparing to face Preceptor Huang Mi.
• Preceptor Huang Mi arrived with Qiao Xiuniang, Feng Yifan, shaman soldiers, and warrior monks, then rejected Kang Dabao's offer to settle their dispute peacefully.
• Yuan Jin struggled to hold the Chenjiang Kang formation as Huang Mi's forces attacked, while Huang Mi fought Kang Dabao with powerful Esoteric Buddhist arts.
• Kang Dabao pretended to succumb to Huang Mi's heart-demon technique, then used the Ancient Demon Ring and Sharpened Spirit Thorn to wound him.
• Huang Mi recovered and pressed Kang Dabao with his Great Compassion Incantation, but a dark shadow descended and a familiar voice announced its arrival before the Ying Mountain Army appeared.