Xie Yan/Plot

## Introduction

Like every isekai protagonist, Xie Yan is killed in a truck accident and sent to another world. He learns that his namesake over there was being used as a sex slave by Qin Xinci to fuel her cultivation, and nearly died as a result. After merging with his namesake and inheriting his memories, Xie Yan discovers a system that enables him to cultivate and master techniques efficiently. Trapped in the Mo Qing Sect, Xie Yan uses his wits to harvest origin points from the disciples around him and enters the 1st layer of the Acquired Realm.

He eventually enters the forbidden ancestral shrine of the Mo Qing Sect and discovers the statue of Yu Xiuluo, which is actually a system fragment that unlocks his ability to travel to other worlds. After completing his quest in the world of Yun Shan and obtaining the Finger Of Nirvana technique, Xie Yan returns to the Main World where he is about to be executed by the matriarch Yu Hongyan for trespassing the ancestral shrine. Xie Yan uses the Finger Of Nirvana to diagnose the secret injuries of Yu Hongyan and offers to treat them in exchange for sparing his life. The matriarch protects Xie Yan and deceives everyone by claiming she castrated him as punishment. Xie Yan begins a new life as the personal servant of the matriarch.

## Blissful Temple Conspiracy

After successfully escaping Qin Xinci's clutches, Xie Yan spends his days healing the matriarch Yu Hongyan and writing porn about Qin Xinci to harvest origin points. He is rewarded with the Heavenly Guard technique from Yu Hongyan. One day, to exact revenge on the disciples who used to bully him, Xie Yan goads Qin Xinci into thrashing them all. He uses her to distract Ye Gucun while he breaks into his residence. There, Xie Yan discovers a letter mentioning Great Elder Wu Lingxian's ploy to overthrow the matriarch. Xie Yan doesn't steal anything and warns Yu Hongyan of the ploy.

A few days later, in an attempt to humiliate Yu Hongyan, Wu Lingxian proposes a match between Xie Yan and her disciple Shi Yan'er. Xie Yan accepts the challenge, and he secretly masters the Heavenly Guard. He also advances from 1st layer to the 3rd layer of the Acquired Realm. The next day, he performs the Heavenly Guard technique, astounding onlookers. Shi Yan'er is unable to break his defence and Xie Yan is declared victor, leaving Wu Lingxian fuming.

As a reward, Yu Hongyan permits him to pick any one skill from the Sutra Hall. On the way to the Sutra Hall, Xie Yan transmigrates to the world of Qian Ming and successfully completes his mission, having acquired the National Soul title, which doubles the power and reduces the cost of usage of his defensive skills by 90%. After returning, Xie Yan selects the Finger of Flowery Swords, an Innate Realm martial art created by the former patriarch of the Mo Qing Sect, Wen Tingyun. Later, Yu Hongyan advises Xie Yan to practice the martial art at the Yi Qing establishment in the city of Jiangling, where the 3rd Elder, Yu Xuanji resides. During his month long stay, Xie Yan uses his knowledge of various fine arts to drastically improve Yu Xuanji's business, earning her favour and winning the hearts of her disciples. After reaching the introductory level of the Finger Of Flowery Swords, Xie Yan departs from Jiangling and upgrades the martial art in seclusion. This also raises his cultivation level to the 6th layer of the Acquired Realm.

A few days later, Xie Yan is assailed by three Xueyi Lou assassins but he defeats them. He captures their leader Wind No. 12 and learns of the rival Blissful Temple's order to assassinate him and one of the elders of the Mo Qing Sect. He then learns the Heavenly Demonic Bliss Technique from the assassin, but kills him after realising his treachery. Out of options, Xie Yan travels to the world of Qun Xiong, where he receives a system fragment which can deduce incomplete martial arts or combine martial arts. He completely masters the Heavenly Demonic Bliss Technique, mitigating its danger, as well as transforms the Heavenly Guard into the superior Divine Impact Of Zen.

Upon his return, Xie Yan confronts the Xueyi Lou squad and quickly brings them under his control by demonstrating superior proficiency in the Heavenly Demonic Bliss Technique. The assassin commander, Heaven No.3, informs Xie Yan about the contract to kill the 4th Elder Wei Rudao. Xie Yan permits the Xueyi Lou to execute the contract, on the condition that they retreat once he arrives to save Wei Rudao. The operation proceeds according to the plan, but he is surprised when his system doesn't detect emotions from Wei Rudao.

Xie Yan and Wei Rudao return to the Mo Qing Sect and report the incident to Yu Hongyan. Wei Rudao suspects the Great Elder Wu Lingxian to be the culprit because only she and Yu Hongyan knew about Wei Rudao's secluded location. Xie Yan suggests the use of plausible evidence to incriminate Wu Lingxian and use that excuse to quell the unrest in the sect.

On the matriarch's orders, Xie Yan and Qin Xinci travel to the hidden Xueyi Lou base in the nearby town of Cilin. Qin Xinci hires the Xueyi Lou to deter the Blissful Temple from exploiting the unrest of the Mo Qing Sect, until the conclusion of the general meeting. Few days later, Xie Yan attempts to elicit emotions from Wei Rudao by falsely confessing his love for her, but curiously doesn't detect emotions from her.

The following day, Wei Rudao captures Bai Yuyan, a disciple of the Blissful Temple and presents her before Yu Hongyan, Xie Yan, and Qin Xinci. Bai Yuyan resists interrogation, but Xie Yan threatens to disfigure her unless she confesses. Bai Yuyan yields and confirms the suspicion against Wu Lingxian. She states that the Great Elder had wanted to create strife to eliminate the matriarch and usurp her position. Afterwards, Xie Yan is suspicious of Bai Yuyan's lack of emotion. He discusses the matter with Qin Xinci who explains that Bai Yuyan was practising the Daoist Art Of Mara, a signature technique of the Blissful Temple. Xie Yan suddenly realises the true culprit behind the conspiracy.

On the day of the sect meeting, Wei Rudao presents the matter and accuses Wu Lingxian of treason. Wei Rudao kills Bai Yuyan, which incites the matriarch and the four elders to fight among themselves. The leader of the Blissful Temple, Dang Hongchen, and her subordinates invade the Mo Qing Sect to kill its weakened elders. Wei Rudao is revealed to be the traitor, who hired the Xueyi Lou to assault her, so as to instigate mistrust between elders and the matriarch. With some help from Xie Yan, the elders of the Mo Qing Sect quickly replenish their power. Yu Hongyan chases down Dang Hongchen while the other elders use their own energy to reactivate the Great Sect Formation and trap their enemies. Yu Xuanji reveals that the infighting was actually Xie Yan's ruse to expose Wei Rudao and decisively defeat the Blissful Temple. The night before, he had alerted the elders about Wei Rudao and had conspired with them.

Meanwhile, Xie Yan is assaulted by Ye Gucun, who is also a traitor, but defeats him with Qin Xinci's help. Elsewhere, Yu Hongyan kills all the Blissful Temple elders while Dang Hongchen commits suicide. Xie Yan watches Yu Hongyan reluctantly kill Wei Rudao and the battle ends with the victory of the Mo Qing Sect.

## City Of Qufeng

As a reward for unveiling the ploy of the Blissful Temple and playing a crucial role in its defeat, Xie Yan is appointed the master of the branch in Qufeng by the matriarch. Xie Yan travels to the city, along with Ji Changwu and Shi Yan'er as his new subordinates.

There, Xie Yan is introduced to the four local businessmen and he quickly realises that they cannot be trusted. The banquet is interrupted with the arrival of Ji Yuntao and Xie Daoyun, two members of the Five Beauties and Four Princes. Ji Yuntao warns them of the fugitive Yan Jie and uses him as an example to disparage the demonic sects. The Branch Master politely expresses his opinion that Yan Jie has to be apprehended.

Later, Xie Yan and Ji Changwu witness Ji Yuntao and Xie Daoyun defeat Yan Jie. Xie Yan suspects Ji Yuntao's goal to usurp the Mo Qing Sect cold iron mines and concludes that he is powerless to stop either him or Xie Daoyun. He orders Ji Changwu to observe their movements while he personally transmigrates to the world of Tong Ling, where he obtains the Enhanced Spirit Nurturing Technique. Xie Yan successfully completes his mission and returns to the Main World, achieving 9th layer of the Acquired Realm and obtaining Cyany as his guardian spirit. To mitigate the danger of the Finger Of Nirvana (which he found diminishes his lifespan with each use), Xie Yan orders Cyany to steal Xie Daoyun's jade pendant. Though, ultimately, her touching the pendant was suffice to enable the modification of the Finger Of Nirvana, which allowed for the expenditure of origin points instead of lifespan.

Few days later, Xie Yan is invited to a banquet hosted by the local businessmen, who attempt to blackmail him into yielding the cold iron mining shares, or else face bankruptcy. Infuriated, the Branch Master unleashes his Finger Of Flowery Swords to intimidate the businessmen and emphatically tells them to leave. That same night, the businessmen intercept Xie Yan's warning message and detonate the Mo Qing Sect mines without leaving any evidence. In retaliation, Xie Yan dispatches Cyany, who destroys the mines of the businessmen in the same manner.

To fulfil the mining tax set by the imperial court, Xie Yan journeys to the Great River Alliance in Xishan, only to discover that Ji Yuntao had sent a junior disciple of his sect to secure a deal a few hours ahead of him. Nevertheless, he heals the leader of the Alliance, Zhen Zhen'er, and she agrees to sell him the necessary ore as well. Upon Xie Yan's return to Qufeng, Ji Changwu proposes a raid on the local businessmen's ore shipment, to which the Branch Master assents. However, Ji Changwu discovers that it was a bait and that the four businessmen have already plundered the Mo Qing Sect's shipment.

Two days later, during the Jiangnan meeting, Xie Yan uses Cyany's techniques to fill the Jiangnan meeting members with apprehension. It is revealed that Xie Yan had anticipated the local businessmen's attempt to steal his ore, so he had a second shipment prepared. Also, the first shipment turns out to be filled with counterfeit ore, which causes the businessmen to be arrested for fraud. Although Xie Yan successfully thwarts Ji Yuntao's plan, the Imperial Inspector Cao Tianhou recommends that the mines of the Qufeng businessmen be handed to Ji Yuntao and Xie Daoyun. Xie Yan disagrees with the decision, and Cao Tianhou sanctions a duel between him and Ji Yuntao, after the vote is split.

The two opponents fight and, since neither side can prevail over the other, Xie Yan decides to fight a battle of attrition against Ji Yuntao. Realising Xie Yan's intent, Ji Yuntao concedes the duel, acknowledging the Branch Master's abilities. He tells Xie Yan that he will not pursue the matter anymore and decides to depart Jiangnan.

Suddenly, Xie Daoyun transitions to the Innate Realm. Xie Yan fears that Xie Daoyun might oppose him, but she assures that she will not cause trouble. To everyone's surprise, Qin Xinci arrives at the venue, revealing herself to have achieved the Innate Realm one month prior. She challenges Xie Daoyun to a fight, to which the latter declines and leaves with Ji Yuntao. Afterwards, the Mo Qing Sect members sail to Qufeng. Qin Xinci tells Xie Yan that the matriarch had known everything happening in Qufeng, but did not interfere because she was confident in Xie Yan's acumen. Nevertheless, Qin Xinci was sent to Qufeng to assist Xie Yan. Xie Yan is silently dismayed that despite his struggles, Qin Xinci is still stronger than him.

Few days later, Xie Yan learns that he has been recognised as the Magical Dignified Prince by the Qunying Pavilion of the Han Empire. He forcibly recruits the four local businessmen into the Mo Qing Sect and feeds them with (fake) poison pills to prevent insubordination, unifying the entire city of Qufeng under the control of the Mo Qing Sect. The following day, Xie Yan suddenly departs Qufeng, dumping his paperwork on Qin Xinci to prevent her from capturing him. He returns to the Mo Qing Sect to obtain new martial techniques from Yu Hongyan.

## Liu Qingmei

After returning to the sect, Xie Yan receives the Startling Rainbow Escape from Yu Hongyan. He requests for more techniques but the matriarch firmly refuses, stating that she will permit him new techniques only after he enters the Innate Realm and masters the Finger Of Flowery Swords. That night, Cyany foolishly infiltrates the Sutra Pavilion to steal more techniques and is caught by the Inheritance Elder, who admonishes Xie Yan. Curious about Cyany, the elder gives her the Wordless Scripture, a mysterious technique that only ghosts can read. Xie Yan and Cyany are unable to decipher it and store it.

A few days later, Yu Hongyan insists Xie Yan to attend an emergency meeting among the sect elders. Xie Yan is surprised that Bai Suyuan, the interim High Priestess of the Blissful Temple has arrived at the Mo Qing Sect. Bai Suyuan explains the situation at the Blissful Temple and the return of Dang Hongchen's old rival, Liu Qingmei. Liu Qingmei had secured an alliance with Ge Yi of the Xin Mo Sect and was seeking vengeance from the Mo Qing Sect. Given the weakened state of the Blissful Temple, Bai Suyuan had disagreed with Liu Qingmei. The High Priestess offers an alliance to the elders in exchange for assassinating Liu Qingmei.

Xie Yan implicitly prompts Yu Hongyan to use a method on Bai Suyuan to prevent insubordination. On Bai Suyuan's request, Yu Hongyan orders Xie Yan to accompany the High Priestess to the Blissful Temple to act as a liaison. On the way, Bai Suyuan warns Xie Yan of Ge Yi's son, Ge Huaiyu, the Thousand-Faced Prince, a master of disguise who is presently assisting Liu Qingmei. Unknown to Bai Suyuan and Xie Yan, some assassins from the Xueyi Lou copy the password they had agreed on.

In the following days, Xie Yan masters the Startling Rainbow Escape while residing in the Datong city inn. Meanwhile, Liu Qingmei is made aware of Bai Suyuan's plot to assassinate her and decides to trap the latter in her own plan. Bai Suyuan was relying on the Xueyi Lou commander Heaven No.5, unaware that the latter has been bribed by Ge Huaiyu and has exposed all her plans to him and Liu Qingmei.

Liu Qingmei permits Ge Huaiyu to capture Xie Yan. That night, the Xueyi Lou assassins approach Xie Yan, using the password he and Bai Suyuan had agreed on, and lure him to the Xueyi Lou base in Datong where Ge Huaiyu has laid an ambush for him. There, Xie Yan learns that Bai Suyuan's plan has been compromised. Much to the shock of Heaven No.5, Xie Yan effortlessly suppresses the advancing Xueyi Lou assassins using the Heavenly Demonic Bliss Technique. Just then, Heaven No.3 arrives at the base to confront Heaven No.5. and properly introduces his colleague to Xie Yan.

Xie Yan explores the Xueyi Lou base when he detects the disguised Ge Huaiyu and attacks him. Unable to defeat Xie Yan, Ge Huaiyu flees fifteen miles into the forest using the Blood Ray Escape. Just when he is about to recuperate, Ge Huaiyu is startled when Xie Yan corners him. Desperate, the Thousand-Faced Prince restores his energy and fights Xie Yan, but he is no match for the Magical Dignified Prince. Critically wounded, Ge Huaiyu flees yet again, but is fatally stabbed by Xie Yan. Xie Yan immediately regrets his action because he really wanted to possess Ge Huaiyu's Mantra Of Formlessness. Dismayed, he examines Ge Huaiyu's corpse and discovers only a few masks and two notebooks detailing the art of disguise and some notable identities, along with their background information. Xie Yan decides to impersonate the Thousand-Faced Prince and cremates the corpse. He lies to Heaven No.3 and Heaven No.5 that Ge Huaiyu has escaped. Xie Yan is interested to learn that Heaven No.5 was originally from the Xin Mo Sect and gathers every detail about Ge Huaiyu from him.

The following day, Xie Yan disguises himself as Ge Huaiyu and appears before Heaven No.5, who is unable to see through the disguise. Pleased with the outcome, Xie Yan proceeds to infiltrate the Blissful Temple, to secretly assist Bai Suyuan. There, Xie Yan (in the guise of Ge Huaiyu) meets Liu Qingmei and claims that he murdered Xie Yan after robbing his identity and martial arts. Perturbed by Liu Qingmei's sexual advances, he excuses himself and flees to Ge Huaiyu's residence in the Blissful Temple. Although content that he can successfully deceive Liu Qingmei, Xie Yan concludes that his best option is to journey to another world. He then travels to the world of Zhan Shen where he obtains the Eight Difficulties Demonic Technique. Xie Yan successfully fulfils his mission and returns to the Main World.

After returning, Xie Yan is shocked that he is unable to improve either the Finger Of Flowery Swords or the Eight Difficulties Demonic Technique beyond Level 4. He realises that he cannot rely on the system to enter the Innate Realm, but he has no idea how to do it himself. Liu Qingmei approaches Xie Yan, but he uses the "Despised By Gods And Demons Alike" curse to repel her sexual advances. Later, Liu Qingmei reveals to Xie Yan (still believing him to be Ge Huaiyu) that she used to date Xu Min, but broke up with him and began to date Ge Huaiyu's father, Ge Yi. Lately, Xu Min and Ge Yi are vying for the position of the patriarch of the Xin Mo Sect and Liu Qingmei fears that Ge Yi may learn of her past romance with Xu Min. Few hours later, Ge Yi arrives at the outskirts of the Blissful Temple. The next day, Xie Yan is annoyed upon learning of Ge Yi's sudden arrival, because now, he must swiftly adjust his plans. Nevertheless, Xie Yan maintains his facade and deceives Ge Yi. Ge Yi falls for the ruse and begins to suspect Liu Qingmei- unaware that his son, the real Ge Huaiyu is dead.

That evening, Xie Yan re-examines the situation and decides to use Ge Yi in place of the Mo Qing Sect to assassinate Liu Qingmei. A few days later, at the Datong auction house, Xie Yan shows Ge Yi the love letter Xu Min wrote to Liu Qingmei and instigates him against her. That night, Xie Yan lures Liu Qingmei into the woods and accuses her of cheating on Ge Yi with Xu Min. He threatens to expose the matter and uses the "Despised By Gods And Demons Alike" to goad Liu Qingmei into assaulting him. Ge Yi furiously confronts Liu Qingmei and fights her. Liu Qingmei attempts to explain, only to be viciously wounded by Heaven No.3 and Heaven No.5. Liu Qingmei detonates her body and attempts to escape in her weakened spirit form, but Xie Yan lures her with the "Despised By Gods And Demons Alike" and kills her with the Finger Of Flowery Swords.

In the aftermath, Xie Yan speaks with Ge Yi and is initially thrilled at the prospect of learning the martial arts of the Xin Mo Sect, but gradually changes his mind after learning that practicing the Mantra Of Formlessness can actually hinder him from ascending the Innate Realm. Ge Yi suggests the Demonic Wisdom Cleansing for Ge Huaiyu to ascend the Innate Realm, but he must sacrifice the Mantra Of Formlessness and other martial arts, except the Mantra Of The Inner Demons Of The Six Desires (which Xie Yan is unaware of). Xie Yan decides against accepting the proposal, fearing that this could prove fatal for him. He vehemently declines Ge Yi's proposal, stating that he will enter the Innate Realm by his own merit and Ge Yi agrees with the decision, permitting him to travel the world for two years. At dawn, Xie Yan leaves the Blissful Temple after informing Bai Suyuan of Liu Qingmei's death and Ge Yi's departure. He returns to the Mo Qing Sect to seek Yu Hongyan's guidance once again.

## Innate Realm and Xie Daoyun

At the Mo Qing Sect, Xie Yan reports his success to Yu Hongyan, who is all too pleased with him. He requests the matriarch for instructions to enter the Innate Realm. Yu Hongyan explains that different cultivation techniques impose unique conditions to enter the Innate Realm. She advises Xie Yan to seek the Inheritance Elder and find the corresponding conditions for the Finger Of Flowery Swords, written by its creator, the former patriarch Wen Tingyun.

Xie Yan visits the Inheritance Elder who tells him that the secret to enter the Innate Realm lies in the pages of Wen Tingyun's autobiography, the Flowery Anecdotes. After spending the next few days studying the biography, Xie Yan concludes that he requires pristine beauty energy to overcome his final hurdle and ascend the Innate Realm. To obtain such energy, he must attract an excellent, innocent, and inviolable beauty. The next day, Yu Hongyan permits Xie Yan to venture into the Han Empire for ascending the Innate Realm. He decides to visit his parents first before searching for his desired woman. After an arduous journey, Xie Yan returns to his village and reunites with his family. There, he defeats the local commandant Zhang Zhizheng for unjustly trouncing his cousin Xie Xuan, and gives the commandant's lands to the latter as wedding gifts.

Afterwards, Xie Yan proceeds to the Buddhist city of Luoyang upon learning that his younger sister, Xie Ran has been initiated as a disciple by the Liantai Monastery over there. Although he is able to meet Xie Ran, her master insists him to never see her again because he is from a demonic sect. While exploring Luoyang, Xie Yan detects a system fragment, a holy bone relic stored in the Guiling Temple. The next day, in order to touch the relic, Xie Yan disguises himself as the famous monk Shenxiu of the Vermilion Bird Temple, and participates in the lecture and the debate at the annual Festival of Bathing Buddha jointly held by the Fan Xinzhai, the Liantai Monastery, and the Guiling Temple. The debate consists of three special trials that improve one's Buddhist cultivation. "Shenxiu" swiftly clears the first two trials but quits the third trial since he is not a true monk (although he cleverly uses the Eight Difficulties Demonic Technique to distract the monks from the truth). Ironically, Shenxiu is declared the victor because quitting the third trial was paradoxically the only way to clear the third trial. After inadvertently winning the debate, Xie Yan reaches the system fragment, which is actually the jade casket storing the relic. He fuses it with the system, gaining an upgrade for his travel function. However he must wait for this upgrade to finish.

Later, Xie Yan realises that Xie Daoyun of the Fan Xinzhai fulfils all the requirements for his desired woman and decides to win her affections in order to reach the Innate Realm. Still disguised as Shenxiu, he accompanies her and the Golden Dignified Prince, Di Xiaoyao to the Jiye ruins. Xie Yan resolves to court Xie Daoyun under the garb of Shenxiu. In the following days, Xie Yan gains Xie Daoyun's appreciation by narrating parables to her, much to Di Xiaoyao's annoyance. After discovering that Xie Daoyun seeks to experience a brief moment of true love in order to enter the Innate Realm - 2nd Layer, Xie Yan decides to help her. One month later, the group reaches their destination, and there, Xie Yan encounters three Innate Realm monks from the Vermilion Bird Temple. They warn him of Xi Sanmei's rampage and that he was last seen in Jiye. Xie Yan coaxes them to go to the nearby Hulu town, but the following night, he encounters Xi Sanmei of the Da Huanxi Sect. To repair his damaged cultivation base, Xi Sanmei plans to steal a Bodhi Rosary from Di Xiaoyao and suggests poisoning Xie Daoyun in order to blackmail the prince. Xie Yan (as Qin Wuque) disagrees with the suggestion and requests Xi Sanmei's help in winning Xie Daoyun's heart. Xi Sanmei agrees to restrain his assault on Xie Daoyun and leaves. Repulsed by Xi Sanmei's malice, Xie Yan commands Cyany to summon the three monks in order to assassinate the villain.

The next day, Di Xiaoyao, Xie Daoyun, and Xie Yan visit the Jiye ruins. There, Di Xiaoyao receives unexpected news about some fragments of the Soaring Hornless Dragon Scripture being discovered and is forced to depart for a few days, leaving Xie Daoyun alone with Xie Yan. Xie Yan realises that the greatest obstacle in attracting Xie Daoyun is her cultivation method: although she can derive spiritual meaning from any topic and converse with anyone, it also renders her virtually impossible to seduce. Just then, Xi Sanmei begins his attack. Xie Daoyun engages him briefly, but is no match for Xi Sanmei and is poisoned by him. Xi Sanmei remembers his promise to Qin Wuque and allows him to escape with Xie Daoyun. Xie Yan and Xie Daoyun spend the following days escaping from Xi Sanmei, but all of Xie Yan's attempts to charm Xie Daoyun with his affability end in vain. One night, Xi Sanmei loses his patience and decides to rape Xie Daoyun. An enraged Xie Yan orders Cyany to summon the three Vermilion Bird Temple monks currently stationed outside the ruins entrance. Xie Yan enters the fray, but he and Xie Daoyun are no match for Xi Sanmei due to his high cultivation rank. Xie Daoyun and Xie Yan flee, but moments later, they collapse from being poisoned. Xie Yan is unable to completely cure the poison because Xi Sanmei's worm has entered his heart and the Finger Of Nirvana cannot extract foreign objects. Xi Sanmei confronts Xie Daoyun, but is suddenly ambushed by the three monks summoned by Xie Yan.

The three monks assail Xi Sanmei, who angrily exposes Shenxiu's identity as Qin Wuque. Xie Yan flees with Xie Daoyun, and along the way, discloses the details of Qin Wuque's undercover status to her. Xi Sanmei overcomes the three monks and breaks free, but at the expense of his cultivation base, reducing him to the first layer of the Innate Realm. After stalling the monks, Xi Sanmei intercepts Xie Yan and Xie Daoyun. He injures Xie Yan's heart and forces him to maim Xie Daoyun. Instead, Xie Yan tears open his chest and extracts the virulent worm from his heart. He promises Xie Daoyun that he will protect her with his life. Xie Daoyun expresses her trust in Xie Yan (still unaware of his true identity) before fainting. Frustrated over his failure to reach the Innate Realm, Xie Yan is unable to contain his rage. Xi Sanmei attacks Xie Yan but the latter blocks it, roaring that he is neither Qin Wuque nor Shenxiu. Having lost all of his options and burning with murderous intent, Xie Yan confronts Xi Sanmei, and the two wounded antagonists fight to the death. Both opponents sustain bloody wounds, but Xi Sanmei begins to fear Xie Yan's inexorable rage and attempts to flee. Xie Yan seizes the frightened Xi Sanmei in the sky and fatally impales him with the Finger Of Flowery Swords, finally killing the lunatic.

In the aftermath, Xie Yan reunites with Cyany, and he admits to her that Xi Sanmei was the strongest opponent he had ever faced so far. After enduring so much peril, Xie Yan chooses to give up on courting Xie Daoyun. He heals the girl, but leaves before she can wake up. With a heavy heart, Xie Yan carves a farewell message for her, although he never discloses the truth about his identity or his motives to her. At dusk, as Xie Yan begins his return to the Mo Qing Sect, he is surprised to finally obtain the pristine beauty energy he had yearned for weeks, proving that Xie Daoyun fell in love with his Shenxiu persona. The star-crossed lovers come to the melancholic realization that they must part, never to meet again.

That night, in the forest, Xie Yan begins his ascension to the Innate Realm. The beauty energy transforms into Xie Daoyun and lovingly embraces Xie Yan, merging with his spirit. As he begins to cultivate, he is suddenly overwhelmed with pain and violent energy bursts from his body, destroying his surroundings. At long last, Xie Yan ascends to the Innate Realm. He soars across the night sky, revelling in his newfound powers. He also discovers that the Finger Of Flowery Swords can manifest a powerful Primordial Spirit in the form of Xie Daoyun. Xie Yan is elated by his new ability, but soon realizes that because he suddenly entered the Innate Realm using the system, his body had insufficient time to adapt, and therefore, it is still too weak to contain Xie Yan's new powers as an Innate Realm expert. To solve this problem, Xie Yan decides to practice a martial art that can strengthen his body rather than his cultivation. He then discovers that the upgrade of his travel function has been completed.

The system offers a different transportation option, the Physical Descent Method to Xie Yan. He chooses this option and travels to the world of Ba Quan, which proves to be unexpectedly demanding compared to previous Minor Worlds. Unfortunately, the quest in Ba Quan horribly spirals out of control when, despite his best efforts, Xie Yan unexpectedly fails the system mission to stop the impossibly formidable Evil Deity Ava from devouring the world. Realizing that his failure was an inevitable outcome, Xie Yan admits defeat and escapes the Evil Deity, retreating to the Main World. Xie Yan brings with him Ba Quan's ultimate martial art, the Everlasting Dominating Fist, which strengthens his body, and vastly enhances his longevity. The martial art also increases Xie Yan's physical strength, raising his actual combat prowess to Innate Realm - 3rd Layer. He also obtains a seed and a trace of beauty energy from the Evil Deity (who is in love with Xie Yan), but due to their malevolent nature, he stores them for later use. Xie Yan's Finger Of Nirvana reverts to consuming his life force, although this is no longer a concern, thanks to the Everlasting Dominating Fist. The system can also switch the Finger Of Nirvana to consume either origin points or life force whenever necessary.

## Xin Mo Sect

Xie Yan learns that six months have elapsed in the Main World while he was in Ba Quan, using the Physical Descent Mode- almost one year since he took leave from the Mo Qing Sect. Cyany has become unwell while refining the Evil Deity's beauty energy, which is a very slow process. At Hulu town, Xie Yan meets Qin Xinci, who is recruiting Li Fengjiao, the leader of Jingwu sect. The next morning, Qin Xinci, Xie Yan, and Li Fengjiao visit the nearby Xiaoba Mountain where they harvest the Mysterious Yang Fruit, a precious ingredient for pills. They learn of the Mysterious Yin Fruit growing nearby, whose ownership is being contested between Tu Wangsheng of the Supreme Tantra and Zhao Shi, the son of Zhao Xuantan, the Chongling Dao Daoist Master. Xie Yan plans to harvest the Mysterious Yin Fruit to cure Cyany, so he parts ways with Qin Xinci, who returns to the Mo Qing Sect with Li Fengjiao. After disguising himself as Ge Huaiyu, Xie Yan utterly defeats Zhao Shi with a few solid punches and steals the Mysterious Yin Fruit with absurd ease. Tu Wangsheng gives up and flees the mountain. Zhao Shi is murdered by his martial sister, Yan Ruyu to blackmail Ge Huaiyu. Xie Yan feeds the Mysterious Yin Fruit to Cyany, which cures her.

Few days later, en route to the Mo Qing Sect, Xie Yan stops by Zhaohu city to stay abreast with current affairs. Unfortunately, he runs into Ge Huaiyu's father, Ge Yi, the deputy patriarch of the Xin Mo Sect. Still believing Xie Yan to be Ge Huaiyu, Ge Yi insists him to come to the Xin Mo Sect. Although wary of the risks, Xie Yan changes his plans and decides to study new martial arts as well as assassinate Ge Yi. One week later, Xie Yan and Ge Yi arrive at the Xin Mo Sect, where they meet Xu Min and his son-in-law Cui Jing. The four men present themselves before the Sect Master, Yuan Sheng. Yuan Sheng is furious when Xie Yan doesn't have the Xin Mo seal on his body, but Xie Yan placates them by yielding the (incomplete) Everlasting Dominating Fist to the sect. Afterwards, Xie Yan attempts to collect the Mantra Of The Inner Demons Of The Six Desires from other disciples, but the Xin Mo seal restricts them from doing so. He enters Ge Huaiyu's room, but doesn't find the latter's Mantra Of Formlessness or anything useful. Later, Xie Yan receives the Six Desires Golden Pill from Ge Yi, to help him practice the Mantra Of The Inner Demons Of The Six Desires. Surprisingly, this pill is compatible with Xie Yan's Eight Difficulties Demonic Technique and provides him with a secondary source of Demonic True Energy, with a large capacity. For fear of rousing suspicion, Xie Yan doesn't ask Ge Yi for the Inner Demons Mantra. The next day, he visits Xu Min who is in charge of the martial arts library, but learns that entering the library is a tedious process, involving the Sect Master's permission. Xu Min grows increasingly suspicious of Xie Yan and covertly marks him with a faint alcohol pheromone to identify him in any disguise. However, Xie Yan detects Xu Min's trick and decides to exploit it, since he can suppress the scent and erase the mark whenever he wants.

Afterwards, Xie Yan admits that his trip to the Xin Mo Sect has been a failure, and posing as Ge Huaiyu is becoming increasingly difficult. The only option left is to retreat from the sect and explore the Thousand-Faced Prince's hideout, located in the nearby city of Yudu. After collecting origin points from the disciples around him, Xie Yan takes Ge Yi's permission to proceed to Yudu. Xie Yan locates the hideout, only to be exasperated that the Mantra Of Formlessness carved on the cave walls has already been expunged by Ge Huaiyu. While resting in the cave, Xie Yan suddenly encounters Yan Ruyu and learns that the original Thousand-Faced Prince had shared the hideout with her. Yan Ruyu notices slight inconsistencies in "Ge Huaiyu" but pretends to ignore them.

When Yan Ruyu mentions the Xilan Treasury, Xie Yan recalls from Ge Huaiyu's journal that the treasury stores precious energy spirit stones, which are necessary to maintain the power of Great Sect Formations. Fetching such stones would greatly enhance the defence of the Mo Qing Sect. Yan Ruyu recounts to Xie Yan about her adventure with Ge Huaiyu to Xilan, a small kingdom bordering the Han Empire. On Ge Huaiyu's whim, the duo had massacred the rebel troops that were chasing Princess Xilan Wei. Unfortunately, the princess was killed in the fight. Xilan Wei was the last surviving member of the royal bloodline, and when she died, her body shrivelled. Blood from the Xilan royal bloodline was necessary to open the treasury, so it was never raided. But recently, Yan Ruyu had discovered the existence of a Zombie Blood Leech which could be injected into Xilan Wei's corpse to recreate her blood, thus unlocking the treasury.

According to Yan Ruyu, these leeches are preserved in an amber rosary owned by Xu Min, so she had devised a plan to rob the leeches from Xu Min, which requires the cooperation of Xie Yan. Later, Cyany awakens after digesting the Mysterious Yin Fruit, and is now strong enough to suppress the beauty energy of the Evil Deity without any difficulty. She explains to Xie Yan that she can now read few pages of the Wordless Scripture, its actual title being the Complete Collection Of Ghostly Daoist Spells. One of Cyany's spells can use illusions to disguise targets. Afterwards, Xie Yan and Yan Ruyu arrive at Yudu, where the latter explains her plan to participate at Xu Min's poetry contest next week and steal the leeches after the event's conclusion. The theft is to be accomplished by incapacitating Xu Min's steward, Xu Jiu, and impersonating him to enter the Black Tortoise vault of Xu Min, where the leeches are stored.

After one week of preparation, Xie Yan and Yan Ruyu pose as lovers and attend the soirée at Xu Min's mansion to participate at the poetry contest. This time, Xie Yan uses his original identity. During the contest, Xie Yan's encomiast poem for Xu Min stirs controversy among the guests, but Xu Min is impressed and the contest concludes with Xie Yan as the winner. After the contest, Xu Min's attendants open an exhibition of various artifacts. Xie Yan approaches the Six Bronze Statues Of Joy, and unexpectedly, he receives the Zen Technique Of Joy, a double cultivation secret method belonging to the Da Huanxi Sect.

Later, in Xu Min's absence, Xie Yan subtly provokes Xu Jiu over the controversial poem. Cui Jing intervenes and proposes to settle the dispute by conducting a poetry writing duel, where opponents may employ spiritual attacks against one other. During the duel, Xu Jiu's mental will gradually succumbs to Xie Yan's steady attack (from the Eight Difficulties), and Cui Jing is tricked into declaring the duel as a draw. After the party is over, Xie Yan requests Yan Ruyu to put Xu Jiu and his wife to deep sleep. Later, Cyany uses the truth confession spell on the steward to learn the key details about the Black Tortoise vault. Xie Yan takes Xu Jiu's place while Cyany possesses the original Xu Jiu to infiltrate the vault submerged in the river. She successfully steals the box containing the rosary and escapes. Xie Yan (disguised as Xu Jiu) invades the vault, defeats the guards, and damages the vault with an internal explosion, drawing Xu Min's attention. He deliberately appears before Xu Min as Ge Huaiyu, reeking with the alcohol pheromone, before escaping. Xu Min takes the bait and suspects Ge Yi.

With all his goals achieved, Xie Yan happily leaves Yudu the following day. Yan Ruyu explains that planning the heist for the Xilan Treasury will require six months, and she wants to prioritize participating at the Great Gathering of the Nine Sects, held by the nine great demonic sects of the Han Empire. She explains that the reason she murdered Zhao Shi was because he would eventually torture her as a part of mastering his martial art. She had framed Ge Huaiyu because that was the most plausible excuse she could provide her Daoist Master. Xie Yan requests Yan Ruyu to falsely testify that the Thousand-Faced Prince had indeed murdered Zhao Shi. It slowly dawns on Yan Ruyu that this is not the real "Ge Huaiyu" and understands his agenda. She implicitly agrees to work with Xie Yan out of necessity and leaves. Xie Yan keeps the rosary to ensure Yan Ruyu's assistance. Afterwards, he visits Ge Yi to execute the final part of his plan. Xie Yan explains to Ge Yi about the matter of Xilan Treasury, albeit changing a few details. He tells Ge Yi about stealing the leeches from Xu Min, falsely claiming that Xu Min planted a scent on him while fleeing. At Xie Yan's request, Ge Yi gives him a fragment of the Desire For Smell. Xie Yan plans to flee, but unfortunately, Yuan Sheng calls for a sudden sect meeting and demands for Ge Huaiyu to attend. Xie Yan attends the meeting, and with Ge Yi's help, he clears the suspicion regarding the destruction of Xu Min's property. However, in Yuan Sheng's absence, Xu Min expresses his displeasure with the verdict and attacks Xie Yan, which triggers infighting between Xu Min and Ge Yi.

Afterwards, Yuan Sheng resolves the conflict by making Ge Yi and Xu Min pay for the damages equally. Three days later, Xie Yan leaves the Xin Mo Sect but is confronted by Xu Min. Xu Min reveals that he is sure that "Ge Huaiyu" is an imposter, although he doesn't care who is impersonating the Thousand-Faced Prince. Shockingly, Xu Min offers to teach Xie Yan the Mantra Of The Inner Demons Of The Six Desires, should he agree to betray Ge Yi. After Xu Min leaves, Xie Yan is left confused. He completes a mission in the world of Jin Zhou where he gains Primary Teleportation Magic and a system fragment. However, he must wait for the upgrade to finish.

Xie Yan returns to the Main World and teleports to Yudu city. He possesses a bandit's body and meets Xu Min, who deliberately gives him fragments of the five desires of the Mantra Of The Inner Demons Of The Six Desires. Xu Min cannot provide the Desire For Thinking because that branch is exclusive to Yuan Sheng and his direct subordinates. Xie Yan records the skills into the system and leaves. Later, he deduces the five branches of the Mantra Of The Inner Demons Of The Six Desires and combines them with the Eight Difficulties Demonic Technique and the Heavenly Demonic Bliss Technique to create one matchless and entirely new martial art called the True Art Of Mara. This martial art perfectly merges with the Six Desires Golden Pill, which forcibly raises the martial art's power to Innate Realm - 3rd Layer. The True Art Of Mara is incompatible with the Finger Of Flowery Swords, but thanks to the system's intervention, Xie Yan comes to possess two True Energy cultivation bases- one exists at the Innate Realm - 1st Layer and the other exists at the Innate Realm - 3rd Layer. Xie Yan resumes his journey to the Mo Qing Sect.

## Return to the Mo Qing Sect

A week later, Xie Yan arrives at Hulu, where he discovers that a Xueyi Lou squad led by Heaven No. 7 and Heaven No. 12 has launched an assault on Li Fengjiao, the new elder of the Mo Qing Sect. Clad in dark robes, Xie Yan introduces himself as Ancestor Mara to the Xueyi Lou. The Ancestor swiftly defeats the Xueyi Lou, and forces them to surrender. Ancestor Mara showcases his almighty power to the assassins, and recruits them into his organization, the Eternal Heavens. He lays down three main laws for his followers: 1- Worship the Ancestor; 2- Secretly recruit all members from the Xueyi Lou into the Eternal Heavens without exposing their identities; and 3- Secretly publicize the prestige of Ancestor Mara to the world. The Ancestor transfers the Heavenly Demon Gospel to his followers, bringing them under his control. On the orders of the Ancestor, the assassins assault small sects guilty of felonies and disguise the attacks as sacrifices for the Ancestor. These incidences drastically increase the system's origin points. One month later, Xie Yan returns to the Mo Qing Sect. Meanwhile, Cyany finishes refining the beauty energy of the Evil Deity.

The next day, Xie Yan receives a Realm Breaking Pill from Qin Xinci. He consumes the pill and ascends to the Innate Realm - 2nd Layer. After passing the Mo Qing Sect's Innate Realm qualification test, he refuses Yu Hongyan's offer to be one of the sect's Elders, stating that he is content with remaining as the matriarch's retainer.

A few days later, the Inheritance Elder visits Xie Yan and informs him about the upcoming Great Gathering of the Nine Sects, a rare event that occurs within the mysterious grotto-heavens of what is now known as the Original Demonic Sect. The old man further explains the significance of this event with respect to the rapid cultivation of demonic arts. The elder forewarns Xie Yan against rashly improving the Finger Of Flowery Swords without the necessary beauty energy. Although the Dao Harmony Rooms within the grotto-heavens can create a Flowery Primordial Spirit without the need to seduce a woman, this would result in a spirit devoid of unique traits and random strength due to the lack of its originating entity. This deficiency can never be corrected even if the cultivator practised the Finger Of Flowery Swords to its highest level.

Xie Yan resolves to use this opportunity to refine the beauty energy of the Evil Deity, as well as cultivate the True Art Of Mara. Over the next few months, Xie Yan goes into seclusion and steadily cultivates the Primordial Spirit of the Evil Deity through regular cultivation, without relying on the system. He also studies the records of previous Gatherings to prepare himself. Three months later, Xie Yan, Shi Yan'er, and the Sect Elders gather before the Ancestral Shrine. Yu Hongyan opens the teleportation portal to the Original Demonic Sect's grotto-heavens. The matriarch issues final instructions, warning the group members that they will be split up upon reaching their destination.

## Great Gathering of the Nine Sects

### Part 1: Simulated Scenario

Before departing for the event, Xie Yan receives a system notification, and the new system function is revealed to be Life Simulation. This function enables Xie Yan to experience and explore a possible future within a scenario simulated by the system, that is deduced from his current spacetime. Should he die within the simulated scenario, Xie Yan will return to the point of time and place where he had activated the function, and the actual reality will remain intact. Xie Yan enters the simulation and begins to explore the grotto-heavens of the Original Demonic Sect.

Xie Yan recalls that the archives of the Mo Qing Sect briefly mention the existence of an elusive Dao Harmony Room which is ranked at Innate Realm - 4th Layer. The Elder who had discovered the room couldn't overcome the room's guardian golem due to her low cultivation level, and one generation later, another Elder had wasted all her time in the grotto-heavens searching for it. Taking advantage of the simulation, Xie Yan decides to scout the secret room and other Advanced rooms. After facing many hurdles, Xie Yan eventually notices that the simulated version of Qin Xinci has better luck when it comes to locating Advanced rooms so quickly, and decides to accompany her.

Later, Xie Yan receives a Yin Summons Talisman, and is shocked that Ge Yi has discovered the elusive 4th Dao Harmony Room. Xie Yan follows the Yin energy trail to meet Ge Yi, who tells him about the location. Curious as to why Ge Yi always believed him to be Ge Huaiyu, and never suspected him to be an imposter, Xie Yan allows Ge Yi to overhear his confession to Qin Xinci of killing the original Ge Huaiyu during his mission to the Blissful Temple. Strangely, Ge Yi once again does not raise any suspicion, which baffles Xie Yan. Xie Yan, Qin Xinci, and Ge Yi head to the room where they encounter the unique guardian golem. Xie Yan is surprised to see that the golem had already been tampered with. Suddenly, the Chongling Dao's Deputy Daoist Master, Shi Taipu, arrives at the location, intending to avenge the murder of Zhao Shi. Ge Yi leads Shi Taipu away and they begin to fight.

Meanwhile, Xu Min arrives at the location and demands the 4th Dao Harmony Room. Since Xie Yan's cultivation progress will reset upon returning to the original reality, he decides to fight Xu Min. Later, Ge Yi returns to confront Xu Min once again. During the duel, Xu Min reveals the truth about Xie Yan impersonating Ge Huaiyu, but Ge Yi mysteriously refuses to listen to him. Xu Min is shocked to learn that Ge Yi has secretly practised the Desire For Thinking, which is privy to few members of the Xin Mo Sect. Ge Yi defeats Xu Min, and draws him close. Xu Min is horrified by Ge Yi's sinister smile and realises that the latter is possessed.

It is revealed that Ge Yi is being possessed by Yi Daochi, the former patriarch of the Xin Mo Sect. Xu Min rebels against Yi Daochi, sacrificing his body to stall him. Xu Min's apparition exhorts Xie Yan to run. Xie Yan and Qin Xinci attempt to escape, but the exit is blocked. The duo use their full power to temporarily open the exit but Xie Yan slams Qin Xinci out of the portal while he allows himself to be captured by Yi Daochi. The ghost of Xu Min chides Xie Yan for his mistake and explains the whole situation to him. Meanwhile, Yi Daochi assimilates Ge Yi's remaining memories and is amused to learn the truth about Xie Yan impersonating Ge Huaiyu.

Yi Daochi explains Xie Yan that the reason Ge Yi never suspected him of impersonating Ge Huaiyu is because of the Desire For Thinking. In order to practice that martial art, one must affix a specific thought- usually an egoistic desire- as a mental peg, that forms the foundation of the Desire For Thinking. Ge Yi chose his paternal affection for his son as the peg. Due to the improper practice of the Desire For Thinking, Ge Yi subconsciously overlooked Xie Yan's glaring inconsistencies when the latter impersonated Ge Huaiyu. This also created an indelible Dao mark on Ge Yi's spirit.

Xie Yan deduces that Yi Daochi was the one who tampered with the guardian golem, which surprises the latter. The former patriarch admits it, revealing that 40 years ago, he had cultivated at the 4th Dao Harmony Room, and left behind a vestige of his will within the golem, in order to help a future participant from the Xin Mo Sect. When Ge Yi entered the grotto-heavens, the vestige sensed the Dao mark on Ge Yi's spirit and thus, Yi Daochi's spirit was resurrected. Ge Yi agreed to let Yi Daochi control his body in exchange for two wishes: help Ge Huaiyu enter the 4th Dao Harmony Room, and kill Xu Min. After Ge Yi's last wishes were fulfilled, his spirit dissolved and Yi Daochi inherited all his memories. After conversing with Xie Yan, Yi Daochi decides to mentally enslave the young man. He decides to fight Xie Yan while suppressing his own cultivation base, in order to thoroughly defeat him and shatter his will. Meanwhile, Qin Xinci returns to help Xie Yan.

During the battle, Xie Yan realises that he can exploit Yi Daochi's attacks to obtain the Desire For Thinking branch. He recalls the hints from Yi Daochi's conversation to improvise and practice the basics of the Desire For Thinking and form its mental peg. This way, after exiting the simulation, he can retain the memories of the scenario and possibly record a fragment of the Desire For Thinking into the system. To cultivate the Desire For Thinking while simultaneously fighting Yi Daochi, Xie Yan forms "To help Qin Xinci" as his temporary peg. After a while, he exhausts the Six Desires Golden Pill.

Meanwhile, in a desperate attempt to wake up Xie Yan from his trance and help him escape, Qin Xinci uses an extremely dangerous move to break free from Yi Daochi's illusory realm, killing Xu Min in the process. Although she succeeds, the backlash of this move terminally depletes Qin Xinci's lifespan. In her dying moments, Qin Xinci makes Xie Yan swear fealty to Yu Hongyan and the Mo Qing Sect. To Xie Yan's shock, Qin Xinci reveals she and Yu Hongyan are aware that he is not the Xie Yan who was lured to the Mo Qing Sect. Yu Hongyan chose to trust him, but Qin Xinci remained wary of him. In her dying moments, Qin Xinci declares her love for Xie Yan and requests him to refine her beauty energy, creating a Primordial Spirit in her memory. Xie Yan dismisses Qin Xinci's death as another hoax but is shocked when he receives her beauty energy.

Meanwhile, Yi Daochi foists a mental peg upon Xie Yan, but is startled when the latter expels it. Xie Yan makes a bet with Yi Daochi that if the latter can withstand ten punches, he will pledge loyalty to the former patriarch. Xie Yan launches ten devastating punches at Yi Daochi, injuring him. However, Yi Daochi survives all of them and captures Xie Yan, gloating over his win. Xie Yan confirms that due to the Dao mark on Ge Yi's soul, Yi Daochi's possession of Ge Yi is an inevitable outcome, regardless of the latter's location within the grotto-heavens. Satisfied with all the answers, Xie Yan vows to take revenge on Yi Daochi. Due to the Finger Of Nirvana shortening his lifespan, Xie Yan "dies", concluding the simulated scenario.

### Part 2: The Actual Event

Xie Yan exits the Life Simulation scenario and returns to the saved checkpoint in the actual timeline when he and the Mo Qing Sect elders are about to enter the Original Demon grotto-heavens. The Life Simulation has depleted all his origin points, and he loses whatever power he had obtained within the simulation (including Qin Xinci's beauty energy and the mental peg). Fortunately, Xie Yan's lifespan is intact, and the system has recorded a fragment of the Desire For Thinking branch. Having foreseen the hidden danger of Yi Daochi, Xie Yan initiates his strategy.

After entering the grotto-heavens, Xie Yan uses the Primary Teleportation Magic to arrive the 4th Dao Harmony Room's room. As expected, Yi Daochi's spirit has already left to possess Ge Yi. Taking advantage of Yi Daochi's absence, Xie Yan enters the 4th Dao Harmony Room and begins the first session. He uses the Anointment to deduce the Desire For Thinking branch and fuses it with the True Art Of Mara. At long last, Xie Yan breaks through the Innate Realm bottleneck of the True Art Of Mara, although this dissolves the Six Desires Golden Pill and reduces the martial art's strength to Innate Realm - 2nd Layer. He then uses the remaining time to complete the Primordial Spirit of the Evil Deity. Consequently, the Finger Of Flowery Swords ascends to the Innate Realm - 3rd Layer. After Xie Yan absorbs the Anointment for one hour to improve his martial arts, he can no longer use the Dao Harmony Rooms, since each participant can absorb the Anointment for only one hour. Subsequently, he reserves the second session of the 4th Dao Harmony Room for Qin Xinci and destroys the guardian golem.

Xie Yan plans to employ cannon fodder to defeat Yi Daochi. After disguising himself as Ge Huaiyu, Xie Yan visits Yan Ruyu and requests her to approach Shi Taipu, the Deputy Daoist Master of the Chongling Dao, and use Xu Min's name to instigate him against Ge Yi. In exchange, Xie Yan promises her a session at an Advanced Dao Harmony Room. Yan Ruyu relays the message to Shi Taipu, who, along with Wei Yiqi, sets up an array to trap Ge Yi. She returns to Xie Yan, who keeps his promise.

Later, Xie Yan meets Qin Xinci and offers her the second session at the 4th Dao Harmony Room. This time, however, Qin Xinci chooses not to advance her cultivation layer and uses the Anointment to modify her body instead, making it suitable to cultivate her master's martial art, the Maiden's Scripture. Xie Yan parts ways with Qin Xinci and uses the True Art Of Mara to track Xu Min. After disguising himself as Ge Huaiyu once more, Xie Yan visits Xu Min and poses as a disciple of the Chongling Dao. He offers an Advanced Dao Harmony Room to Xu Min in exchange for his collaboration with the Chongling Dao to assassinate Ge Yi.

Before participating in the ambush, Xie Yan wears a mask to prevent anyone from recognizing him. Later, he sends a distress message to lure Ge Yi into the ambush. Ge Yi is ambushed by Xie Yan, Xu Min, Shi Taipu, Wei Yiqi, Wan Busi, and Kun Ling. Eventually, the spirit of Yi Daochi is forced to complete his possession of Ge Yi. Yi Daochi captures Xie Yan, who exposes the former patriarch's resurrection to the rest of the combatants, urging them to flee. Yi Daochi incinerates Xie Yan, but the latter evades death thanks to prior preparations with the True Art Of Mara. Xie Yan respawns outside the Dao Harmony Room and watches the battle through Cyany's eyes. Yi Daochi defeats all his opponents and kills Xu Min, but he cannot escape from the array set up by the Chongling Dao. Worse, his three soul fragments needed to maintain possession over Ge Yi's body have become unstable. Left with no option, Xie Yan personally confronts Yi Daochi to kill him for good. Xie Yan sends forth his Primordial Spirits to fight Yi Daochi, who is caught off guard by their bizarre abilities. Shockingly, Xie Yan hijacks Yi Daochi's martial art and smashes his defences. However, Yi Daochi survives this, though his cultivation decreases to Innate Realm - 3rd Layer, and one of his soul fragments has been destroyed.

After his Primordial Spirits are defeated, Xie Yan switches to the True Art Of Mara to fight Yi Daochi. Xie Yan trolls Yi Daochi by imitating martial arts from the Xin Mo Sect, the Buddhist sects, and the Tai Xuan Sect. Later, he empowers the Everlasting Dominating Fist with the True Art Of Mara and overwhelms Yi Daochi with his blows. The former patriarch exhausts his True Energy and is unable to retreat or fight anymore. Xie Yan demolishes the last traces of Yi Daochi's Myriad Transformation Demon Body, defeating him. Yi Daochi loses control over Ge Yi's body and dies. However, before his death, he inflicts Xie Yan with the Heavenly Demon's Death Curse. Ge Yi recovers and thanks Xie Yan for saving him (still believing him to be Ge Huaiyu). However, he warns Xie Yan about the curse- that he will be attacked by the Heavenly Demon every few minutes until he dies. Ge Yi forcibly removes the curse from Xie Yan, destroying his own mental peg in the process. He tells Xie Yan never to return to the Xin Mo Sect and walk alone in the martial arts world. He gives up his obsession with Ge Huaiyu and bids Xie Yan farewell before fainting. However, his mental peg slowly rebuilds itself. Since the two men have saved the lives of each other, Xie Yan parts ways with Ge Yi and erases himself from Ge Yi's memories before the latter can wake up. In this way, he finally ends his fake son relationship with Ge Yi. Xie Yan gains a fragment of the Xin Mo seal and decides to study it after returning to the Mo Qing Sect.

Sometime later, Xie Yan meets Yan Ruyu and is alarmed to learn from her that Shi Taipu faked his death to evade Yi Daochi's onslaught and escape the secret realm. After confirming the intentions of each other and upon learning that she was kicked out of her session by a stronger opponent, Xie Yan agrees to help Yan Ruyu find another Dao Harmony Room. Along the way, Xie Yan and Yan Ruyu peep on a death match between two disciples from the Bai Lian Xie Sect and the Chi Liang Cult. The opponents die, but Xie Yan and Yan Ruyu learn that the two sects are fighting over Xilan's Royal Treasury. While looking for a Dao Harmony Room, Xie Yan and Yan Ruyu witness a duel between Qingming Dao's deputy Daoist master, Meng Pingsheng, and Wei Qishuang of the Wendao Sect. Later, Wei Qishuang's acquaintance, Zhong Shixin of the Blissful Temple tells Xie Yan and Yan Ruyu about an Advanced Dao Harmony Room that is still available. Yan Ruyu completes her Anointment.

Before leaving, Xie Yan tells Yan Ruyu to blame Yuan Sheng for the conflict between the Xin Mo Sect and the Chongling Dao. He tells her to rendezvous within two weeks in Hulu, where they will commence their journey to Xilan. Shortly afterwards, Xie Yan helps Yu Xuanji complete her Anointment. The Great Gathering of the Nine Sects comes to an end and the members of the Mo Qing Sect return home. However, the Xin Mo Seal fragment begins to react within Xie Yan. Xie Yan rushes inside a building and desperately attempts to control the seal. Fortunately, Yu Hongyan suppresses the Xin Mo Seal and summons Xie Yan to her room. Xie Yan reveals the events in the Original Demon Grotto Heavens. Yu Hongyan uses the Great Sect Formation to view the Xin Mo Sect and uses Cyany's Yin energy to attack the sect. In this way, the matriarch triggers a war between the Xin Mo Sect and the Chongling Dao.

## Xilan Kingdom

Xie Yan learns from Yu Hongyan about the existence of superpowers- abilities manifested by harmonizing with the Dao. Yu Hongyan warns Xie Yan that practicing multiple Innate Realm martial arts can impede cultivation progress and prevent one from entering the Innate Realm - 7th Layer (the stage where one manifests superpowers). She promises to search a solution for Xie Yan and permits him to procure Energy Spirit Stones from the Xilan Kingdom.

Xie Yan teleports to the Eternal Heavens in Hulu and harvests origin points for ten days. He travels to the world of Tao Du, where he receives an extraordinary sword art that can harmonize with the Dao. He also receives the Xingtian title, which confers temporary invincibility on him when he is near death. Upon returning, Xie Yan spends five days rebuilding the Sealed Heavenly Sword and strengthens it with the seed of the Evil Deity. Although Xie Yan can harmonize with the Dao of the Main World, his strength is still inferior to that of an expert of Innate Realm - 7th Layer. Nevertheless, sword cultivators across the empire sense Xie Yan entering the Great Dao of the sword.

Later, Yan Ruyu meets Xie Yan and informs him about the turbulent matters of the Xilan Kingdom- six months ago, the Bai Lian Xie Sect and the Chi Liang Cult began to fight over the treasury of the Xilan Kingdom. The Bai Lian Xie Sect, led by the deputy patriarch, Yan Shigu, is supporting the rebel leader, Turanzhe, and is garrisoned at the imperial city of Xilan. Meanwhile, the Chi Liang Cult, led by its Great Elder, Hui Li, is supporting the ousted nobles stationed at Xiliu city. Rescuing Xilan Wei's mother, Empress Saiya from Turanzhe will break Yan Ruyu's Great Inner Demon Oath. One month later, Xie Yan arrives at Xiliu city while Yan Ruyu arrives at the imperial city.

Xie Yan feigns amnesia and wields the red sword to pose as the Wendao Sect's successor, which prompts Hui Li to offer him a temporary alliance. Later, Xie Yan learns that the royal treasury of Xilan is actually built in an ancient and mysterious city that exists in a separate spatial dimension. The city used to be a hideout of the ancient Great Light Cult. Presently, the Chi Liang Cult and the Bai Lian Xie Sect are guarding the two portals of the treasury. As long as the royal blood touches either portal, one can enter the treasury. Since the Bai Lian Xie Sect is guarding the Sun Door, Xie Yan can access the Moon Door, which appears every thirty days.

Later, Xie Yan learns that the truce between the Chi Liang Cult and the Bai Lian Xie Sect is being enforced by Zhou Yanping, a Confucian scholar from the Ming Empire. Zhou Yanping invites Princess Xilan Wei, Hui Li, and Yan Shigu to his residence in Ika, where he requests them to maintain a truce. He also promises that the two sects will withdraw from the Xilan Kingdom if one side enters the Royal Treasury. After the meeting, Zhou Yanping informs Xie Yan about the existence of the natural Dao seeds. Those born with such legendary seeds can access the Dao at any time. He mistakes Xie Yan to be such a person and tells him that he is more suited to cultivate righteous martial arts. Xie Yan expresses his interest in learning the Confucian martial arts, but at the last minute, he is alarmed that Zhou Yanping is possessed by Ji Jinye. Xie Yan learns that the object the two demonic sects are fighting for is called Flameless Holy Flame-the Great Light Cult's legendary artefact that can help a master at the Innate Realm - 6th Layer easily ascend the 7th Layer (which is normally very difficult). Later, Xie Yan is shocked to learn from Yan Ruyu that Ji Jinye is the deceased ancestor of Ji Yuntao. Fearing a crisis similar to Yi Daochi during the Great Gathering of the Nine Sects, Xie Yan stays away from Zhou Yanping.

Over the next few days, Xie Yan and Yan Ruyu impede the two demonic sects' progress in opening the treasury entrances. The duo traces Empress Saiya's location to a far-flung region and attempt to rescue her. However, it turns out that the real Saiya was killed by Turanzhe two years ago and the Bai Lian Xie Sect covered her death by using an automaton to impersonate her. Later, Xie Yan saves Yan Ruyu from her master, Du Xi. When Yan Ruyu falls unconscious, Xie Yan uses the True Art Of Mara to witness some of Yan Ruyu's memories. Before Xie Yan can continue further, Yan Ruyu wakes up and thanks him for saving her life. Xie Yan passes down his Enhanced Spirit Nurturing Technique to Yan Ruyu with the intention of planting a mental peg on her to prevent treachery.

The following day, Xie Yan helps Yan Ruyu improve the technique and performs the ritual to bestow the technique on her. Sometime later, Yan Ruyu informs Xie Yan that a mysterious stranger is plotting to trap Xie Yan on Xikun Mountain. She also informs Xie Yan about her being a descendant of the former Han Imperial Family. The following day, Xie Yan arrives at the Xikun Mountain. Ji Jinye uses superpowers to capture Xie Yan, but the latter manages to escape. Afterwards, realising that Ji Jinye's martial art is affecting his mind, Xie Yan immediately creates a mental peg to ward off its influence. Later, he warns Hui Li and Yan Shigu about Zhou Yanping's treachery and the two experts immediately attack Zhou Yanping's hut. Xie Yan orders Cyany to use the Truth Confession Spell on the nobles and gather intelligence about the Xilan Treasury.

Later, Xie Yan opens the Moon Door and enters the treasury along with the Chi Liang Cult. At the same time, Yan Shigu manages to break open the Sun Door and orders the sect disciples to murder Turanzhe and his men. The people enter the space where the treasury is located. Xie Yan exposes Zhou Yanping's disguise. Zhou Yanping flees with the Flameless Holy Flame, and the Bai Lian Xie Sect and Chi Liang Cult chase him. Xie Yan and Yan Ruyu explore the city to locate the Energy Spirit Stones. Xie Yan defeats a few elders to collect fragments of the spirit stones. Later, Xie Yan and Yan Ruyu visit the mausoleum of Xilan's first emperor.

There, the group falls into an undiscovered grotto-heaven. Cyany finds a large stone tablet which contains a record of a technique that only ghosts can read. One hour later, the stone tablet explodes, and Cyany reveals that her new technique grants her supernatural eyesight. Cyany casts an array and Mei Leng begins to speak. The space suddenly collapses and the group returns to the mausoleum. Yan Ruyu scouts the situation overhead, while Cyany uses her technique to discover an ancient ghost vessel. The vessel merges with Xie Yan's system, activating its storage function. Xie Yan and Cyany learn that the grotto-heaven they had been to before was actually the interior of the chalice.

Later, Yan Ruyu confesses her original intention to betray Xie Yan to Zhou Yanping. However, she had a change of heart because Xie Yan's technique helped Mei Leng transform into her guardian spirit. To express her gratitude, Yan Ruyu exposes some of Zhou Yanping's conspiracies to Xie Yan and removes a tracking device that Xie Yan was unaware of. Since Yan Ruyu has removed her Great Inner Demon Oath, she bids farewell to Xie Yan and assures to keep his secrets. She advises Xie Yan to leave the treasury at the first chance and promises that she will no longer work with Zhou Yanping. Xie Yan secretly plants a mental peg on Yan Ruyu before she leaves. Later, Xie Yan, Hui Li, and Yan Shigu ambush Zhou Yanping. Xie Yan discovers that Zhou Yanping had used a clone. The real Zhou Yanping massacres the Sun Door's guards and seals the entrance, trapping the two demonic sects within the treasury. However, Xie Yan escapes the trap with Cyany's help and confronts Zhou Yanping. Xie Yan pretends to be a representative of the Eternal Heavens and confirms that Zhou Yanping trapped the two demonic sects in an attempt to cripple the Han Empire's military. Cyany relays the information to Yan Shigu and Hui Li. Xie Yan and Zhou Yanping begin to fight.

Xie Yan trolls Zhou Yanping by using the True Art Of Mara to imitate high level Confucian arts. Zhou Yanping panics and breaks free from the illusion. He destroys Xie Yan's sword. In his rage, Xie Yan traps Zhou Yanping in his ancient ghost vessel. There, he rips out his heart to activate the Xingtian title. He combines the Everlasting Dominating Fist, the True Art Of Mara, and the Xingtian title, and brutally lynches Zhou Yanping. Unable to escape, Zhou Yanping uses a suicidal move in a desperate attempt to kill Xie Yan, but is horrified that Xie Yan is unharmed. Xie Yan decapitates Zhou Yanping with his bare hands. Later, Xie Yan discovers a broken system fragment on Zhou Yanping's corpse. The fragment fuses with the system, which activates a mysterious function. Cyany informs Xie Yan that the Xilan Treasury is collapsing due to the lack of Energy Spirit Stones to maintain the space. Xie Yan makes Yan Shigu and Hui Li swear a Great Inner Demon Oath to do him one favour when the time comes. He burns the seals of the entrances and frees the two demonic sects.

Xie Yan warns Hui Li and Yan Shigu about Ji Jinye. However, before Xie Yan can leave, the Bai Lian Xie Sect's Sect Master, Gongshu Ban, arrives at the scene and seals Xie Yan's meridians. Yan Shigu attempts to force Xie Yan to relive him and Hui Li of their Oath, but Ge Yi unexpectedly arrives at the scene. Xie Yan takes advantage of Ge Yi and Gongshu Ban's fight and flees. After many attempts, Xie Yan unblocks his meridians and teleports from Xilan. Fifteen days later, Xie Yan restores the Heavenly Sealing Sword. He stops at Zaohu city where he secretly leaks information about Ji Jinye and his conspiracy against the Han Imperial Family; and returns to the Mo Qing Sect.

## Tang Empire

At the Mo Qing Sect, Xie Yan recounts his journey to the Xilan Kingdom to Yu Hongyan and Qin Xinci. Fearing that Ji Jinye's conspiracy could adversely affect the Mo Qing Sect, Yu Hongyan orders the elders to investigate this matter. Later, Xie Yan and the Inheritance Elder watch the north star shining brilliantly, indicating the arrival of the Saint of the North Star.

To resolve the conflict between True Art Of Mara and the Finger Of Flowery Swords, Yu Hongyan performs a two-month procedure on Xie Yan. At the end of the procedure, Xie Yan is able to freely switch between the two Innate Realm methods and combine their moves as he pleases. The True Art Of Mara enters the Innate Realm - 3rd Layer, and Xie Yan's two True Energy cultivation bases become one. However, Xie Yan notices a decline in origin points and visits the Eternal Heavens in Hulu Town. Heaven No.7 and Heaven No. 12 inform Xie Yan that an expert at the Innate Realm - 4th Layer is impersonating Ancestor Mara and is causing trouble in the border of the Han and Tang Empires.

In the following sect meeting, the elders reveal that the Ji family isn't involved in any insidious scheme against the Han Imperial Court. However, Yu Hongyan orders the elders to maintain vigilance. After the meeting, Wu Lingxian mentions Gongsun Pianxian, a former elder of the Mo Qing Sect who settled in the Tang Empire after she disobeyed the previous matriarch and married Yu Tingxue, the patriarch of the Great Heavenly Demon Sect. Xie Yan requests that Yu Hongyan grant him permission to bring back Gongsun Pianxian to the Mo Qing Sect. Yu Hongyan permits Xie Yan to visit the Tang Empire and provides him with a guide to the Tang Empire's martial arts community. Xie Yan begins his journey to Dongdu in the Tang Empire, where Gongsun Pianxian is rumoured to live.

Xie Yan crosses the border and arrives at the Luzong Town of the Tang Empire. There, he is shocked to see his sister, Xie Ran, and is puzzled by her strange behaviour. Tthey unexpectedly run into Ji Yuntao, who assures Xie Yan that Xie Ran's odd behaviour is a normal effect of practicing the Liantai Monastery's Seven Emotions As A Reflection Of One's Inner Self. Once she achieves mastery over the method, she will return to her original personality.

A few days later, Xie Yan and Xie Ran encounter Ji Yuntao in Xiaoman town. Cyany notices that Ji Yuntao has an aura of exceptional fortune, which causes Xie Yan to suspect that Ji Yuntao might be the reincarnated Saint of the North Star. Hoping to exploit Ji Yuntao's luck, Xie Yan offers to collaborate with him. Xie Yan is shocked when Ji Yuntao reveals that he is after Ancestor Mara, who is murdering innocents. Nevertheless, Xie Yan and Xie Ran spend one month travelling with Ji Yuntao, visiting different towns to execute demonic practitioners. Eventually, the trio arrives at Dongdu. There, Xie Yan is shocked that Gongsun Pianxian left Dongdu two years ago. However, he notices a Xueyi Lou branch in the city and obtains some information about the fake Mara from them. He also converts Alpha No. 7, the local assassin commander, to the Eternal Heavens and dispatches her to investigate the fake Mara.

That evening, Xie Yan and Xie Ran visit the Lantern festival of Dongdu, where they visit the competition, "Immortal Fame Stage" hosted by the Flower Deity Cult. Xie Yan discovers that Ji Yuntao has approached the Right Envoy of the Flower Deity Cult, Lian Qiluo, who also happens to be the deputy governor of Dongdu. Ji Yuntao and Xie Yan participate in Immortal Fame Stage, and the latter performs a musical piece accompanied with an illusion show. After winning the competition, Xie Yan, Ji Yuntao, and Xie Ran enjoy dinner at the You Meng Tower; however, they leave when an upset competitor, Cui Rong of the Louguan Sect insults them. Xie Yan hurls the Despised By Gods And Demons Alike curse on Cui Rong, which causes the bystanders to thrash him. Ji Yuntao secretly warns Xie Yan that Lian Qiluo had attempted to stir conflict between them and Cui Rong.

Later, Xie Yan secretly sets out to remove the curse from Cui Rong. However, he overhears the conversation between Cui Rong and his father, Cui Bei, who explains him about the matter of the Saint of the North Star. Cui Bei informs Cui Rong that an extraterrestrial being calling himself the Ziwei Emperor supports the Saints of the North Star. Although the Ziwei Emperor is no match for the strongest Innate Realm experts of this world, he is still a dangerous figure.

Soon afterwards, Xie Yan puts on a disguise and launches an attack on Cui Bei. He removes the Despised By Gods And Ghosts Alike from Cui Rong and leaves after taunting Cui Bei, who issues an arrest warrant on the Eternal Heavens. The following day, Xie Yan uses a different disguise to attack Lian Qiluo's subordinates. However, he soon realises that he doesn't have enough techniques to play different characters. Later, Alpha No. 7 provides Xie Yan with information about Gongsun Pianxian, revealing that she established a brothel called the Gu Wang Establishment in Dongdu. The following night, Xie Yan, Ji Yuntao, and Xie Ran set out for Gu Wang Establishment. The trio clears the tests issued by the Gu Wang Establishment and gain free admission to the brothel.

Xie Yan, Ji Yuntao, and Xie Ran enjoy the performances at the brothel, including the famous sword dance by the lead courtesan, Gongsun Hao. After the conclusion of the show, Yu Long'er, the young master of the Great Heavenly Demon Sect, pleads with Gongsun Hao to return to the sect, but the latter refuses. To everyone's surprise, it is revealed that Gongsun Hao's original identity is Yu Wushuang, Yu Long'er's androgynous half-brother, as well as one of the ten prominent individuals of the Tang empire's Kaiyuan era, the Heavenly Demon Swordmaster. Yu Long'er's companion, Guo Nu fights Yu Wushuang. However, despite their lower cultivation level, Yu Wushuang/Gongsun Hao decapitates Guo Nu. Lian Qiluo explains Gongsun Hao's situation to Xie Yan. He is taken aback upon learning that Gongsun Hao's mother, Gongsun Pianxian, is actually Yu Tingxue's concubine and not a legitimate wife as he presumed. Moments later, three elders from the Great Heavenly Demon Sect arrive to apprehend Gongsun Hao. However, Xie Yan and Ji Yuntao intervene and force the elders to leave. In the aftermath, Xie Yan is taken aback when Lian Qiluo asks him out on a date before leaving. Afterwards, Ji Yuntao sets out for the Vermilion Bird Temple, while Xie Yan and Xie Ran accompany Gongsun Hao to the latter's home to visit Gongsun Pianxian.

At long last, Xie Yan meets Gongsun Pianxian. He attempts to reveal his purpose, but Gongsun Pianxian deftly avoids the topic by praising Xie Yan's artistic talent and narrating anecdotes to the siblings. Later, Gongsun Hao reveals that his mother is aware of Xie Yan's true purpose of taking her to the Mo Qing Sect. They inform Xie Yan that Gongsun Pianxian does not wish to return to the Mo Qing Sect because she experienced a deviation while ascending to the Innate Realm - 5th Layer, which crippled her. Consequently, Gongsun Pianxian conceals her appearance with a mask and a full-length dress. Xie Yan attempts to heal Gongsun Pianxian, but is surprised when the Finger Of Nirvana merely reinvigorates her and does not undo the damage of her deviation. Gongsun Pianxian reveals that she had always wanted to practice the Mo Qing Sect's canon method, the Maiden's Scripture; however, she could only practice the Secret Of Joy Technique because she didn't have the appropriate physique. She secretly attempted to combine the Secret Of Joy Technique and the Maiden's Scripture, but failed. Remembering Qin XInci from the simulated scenario, Xie Yan realises that Gongsun Pianxian has lost most of her lifespan, reducing her to a frail old woman who can barely muster her True Energy. Xie Yan and Gongsun Hao attempt to persuade Gongsun Pianxian to return to the Mo Qing Sect and receive treatment for her deviation. However, Gongsun Pianxian remains stubborn, silently ruing that the Mo Qing Sect has no place for her. Later, Xie Yan suspects that Gongsun Pianxian is reluctant to return because she lost all her beauty and feels inferior to all the Mo Qing Sect's elders, who are all attractive ladies.

As Xie Yan ponders over possible solutions to restore Gongsun Pianxian's youth, Xie Ran informs him about the Flower Deity Cult's Emerald Sala Fruit, which bestows eternal youth on a person and emanates a fragrance that attracts everyone. She reveals that the Flower Deity Cult will put this fruit on display in the upcoming Flower Anniversary Tournament. Xie Yan promises Gongsun Hao that he will procure this fruit for the latter's mother. In exchange, Xie Yan requests that Gongsun Hao demonstrate their forbidden sword technique. Gongsun Hao accepts the request and explains the basic principles of their ultimate move to Xie Yan. However, frightened by the malevolent aura of the technique, Xie Yan summons his Flowery Primordial Spirit to dispel the aura, preventing Gongsun Hao from performing the move. Xie Yan requests that the Heavenly Demon Swordmaster provide him the technique's cultivation method so that he can improve it. Gongsun Hao explains that if Xie Yan wants to learn the forbidden sword move, he must first practice its prerequisite cultivation method, the Daoist Canon Of The Heavenly Demon, a forbidden method of the Great Heavenly Demon Sect's energy branch. They warn Xie Yan that cultivating this method is hazardous because the chances of deviation are high. Gongsun Hao promises that if Xie Yan completely masters the Daoist Canon Of The Heavenly Demon, they will teach him the forbidden sword move. Xie Yan obtains the method and attempts to practice its basics. However, he is dismayed because the True Art Of Mara interferes with his training by automatically absorbing negative emotions before he can activate the Daoist Canon Of The Heavenly Demon.

Xie Yan recalls that besides absorbing malevolent thoughts, there are at least five other methods to cultivate the Daoist Canon Of The Heavenly Demon, one of them being breaking a woman's heart after seducing her. Suspicious as to why a scheming lady like Lian Qiluo suddenly developed feelings for him, Xie Yan decides to seduce her and break her heart while stealing treasures from her office. The following morning, Xie Yan and Lian Qiluo go on a date at the Peach Blossom Valley, while Cyany sneaks into the Flower Deity Cult's Dongdu branch. Xie Yan is surprised when Lian Qiluo apologises to him and explains that her reason for attempting to provoke Ji Yuntao against Cui Rong was because of a grudge she had against the latter. She reveals that Cui Rong once kidnapped a disciple of the Flower Deity Cult and the trauma left her unable to cultivate, which caused her to leave the sect. On the day of the Immortal Fame Stage, Cui Rong attempted to repeat the same misdeed, but Lian Qiluo stopped him. She was outraged when Cui Rong couldn't remember the disciple whose life he had ruined. She also reveals that a hundred years ago, the patriarch of the Mo Qing Sect, Wen Tingyun, dated Ruo Xihua, a famous beauty from the Flower Deity Cult, who could never forget him. Lian Qiluo developed an interest in Xie Yan after the latter demonstrated remarkable proficiency in Wen Tingyun's Finger Of Flowery Swords. She also shares her frustration in her inability to see the world because cultivators of the Tang Empire can't easily visit the jurisdictions of other sects. At dusk, Lian Qiluo takes Xie Yan to her secret garden. There, Cyany alerts Xie Yan about the location of the treasure. Xie Yan leaves under the pretext of fetching a present for Lian Qiluo and infiltrates the branch of the Flower Deity Cult. There, Xie Yan enters Lian Qiluo's room and collects the Emerald Sala Fruit. He is also surprised to notice a few old love letters exchanged between Wen Tingyun and Ruo Xihua and begins to read them. As Xie Yan reaches the end of the letters, he is alarmed to learn that Ruo Xihua gradually became jealous of Wen Tingyun's promiscuity and her love for him turned into hatred. This causes Xie Yan to suspect Lian Qiluo, who mentioned that she wished for a romance similar to Wen Tingyun and Ruo Xihua.

Xie Yan learns that after her breakup with Wen Tingyun, Ruo Xihua spent thirty years in seclusion, creating a vicious skill known as the Maiden's Vine Heart Sutra, specifically designed to cripple the practitioners of the Finger Of Flowery Swords. This martial art hypnotizes women when they see the Finger Of Flowery Swords being performed. When the successor of the Finger Of Flowery Swords accepts the contaminated beauty energy of the practitioner, Ruo Xihua's martial art takes advantage and suppresses the martial art, and the successor of the Finger Of Flowery Swords can no longer summon his Primordial Spirits. Worse, the practioner of the Finger Of Flowery Swords will always be in love with the woman and would not be able to cultivate further. By the time Ruo Xihua emerged from her seclusion, the world had forgotten about her. She searched for Wen Tingyun in an attempt to seduce him and cripple his Primordial Spirits, but the patriarch had vanished without a trace. Ruo Xihua passed down her martial art to the disciples of the Flower Deity Cult to take revenge on Wen Tingyun's successor. Lian Qiluo practiced the martial art out of boredom, and was hypnotised when Xie Yan performed the Finger Of Flowery Swords. Later, she allowed herself to be completely controlled by the technique in order to test its effects on Xie Yan. Alarmed by the horrifying truth, Xie Yan proceeds to break Lian Qiluo's heart, insulting her for courting a younger man to alleviate her boredom. Xie Yan's plan succeeds, and Lian Qiluo's hatred enables him to finally learn the basics of the Daoist Canon Of The Heavenly Demon. The new martial art fuses with the True Art Of Mara, strengthening it, and increasing Xie Yan's True Energy reserves by three times. Xie Yan unlocks a giant combat avatar that can be regenerated swiftly.

Later, Xie Yan returns to the inn, where he learns that Cyany has been discovered by the monks of the Vermilion Bird Temple (the ones who fought Xi Sanmei in Jiye). Xie Yan fabricates a story of Shenxiu's death to hide the truth from the monks. Afterwards, Xie Yan observes Xie Ran play a game of chess with the deputy abbot of the Vermilion Bird Temple, Chengjing, which is conducive of improving her cultivation. However, Chengjing explains that Xie Ran cannot win the game unless she dispels the confusion within her heart; and he advises her to find the crux of her confusion in her dream. Xie Yan is taken aback upon learning that Monk Chengjing previously met Xie Ran in the Han Empire; when she had just ascended the Innate Realm and lost all her five senses. Xie Yan suggests having a private conversation with Xie Ran, but the latter refuses to confide in him. Deeply puzzled, Xie Yan waits for his sister to fall asleep, then enters her dream. Xie Yan views Xie Ran's memories and finally realises that he is the root cause of Xie Ran's confusion. Xie Ran subconsciously noticed that the current Xie Yan is not the original Xie Yan. Fearing that Xie Ran may blame him for her brother's death, Xie Yan wonders if he should dispel her confusion by slowly revealing the truth. Cyany manipulates Xie Ran's dream to prevent her from learning the cause of her confusion before Xie Yan comes up with a solution. The following morning, Gongsun Hao visits Xie Yan and Xie Ran after learning of the theft in the Flower Deity Cult's branch.

Xie Yan and Gongsun Hao visit Gongsun Pianxian and present the Emerald Sala Fruit to her. Gongsun Pianxian regains her beauty and agrees to secretly return to the Mo Qing Sect with Xie Yan after the Flower Anniversary Tournament. Later, Gongsun Hao reveals that the restriction of the Great Heavenly Demon Sect prevents them from passing down their martial arts (except the Daoist Canon Of The Heavenly Demon). However, they imprint their sword intent on a gold brick and give it to Xie Yan, so that he can learn the forbidden sword technique. Later, Xie Yan visits Xie Ran and tells her the truth about what happened to him after he left home. Xie Yan refrains from telling Qin Xinci's attempt to murder him, as well as his transmigration from Earth. He attributes his drastic change in personality due to his desire to survive within a great demonic sect. Later, Xie Yan teleports to Hulu Town to record the Heavenly Execution - Lethal Sword Draw into the system. However, he is unable to cultivate it, even with the system. Xie Yan uses the Great Dao of the Sword to transfer Gongsun Hao's sword intent into his Sealed Heavenly Sword. This way, without cultivating the technique, Xie Yan can still use it only once. Xie Yan returns to Dongdu and provides Gongsun Hao with a small technique to supplement his cultivation. Later, Ji Yuntao informs Xie Yan that he has determined the (fake) Ancestor Mara's location. He requests that Xie Yan join him and three monks from the Vermilion Bird Temple to surround and kill Ancestor Mara. The group arrive at the lair of the fake Ancestor Mara and begin the raid. Xie Yan secretly lets the imposter escape so that he can kill him in a more appropriate situation. However, he is shocked when the imposter vanishes, along with the tracking mark he secretly planted. Xie Yan, Ji Yuntao, and the three monks visit the governor, Cui Bei, and the elders of the Great Heavenly Demon Sect.

The next day, Gongsun Pianxian warns Xie Yan that the famous detective, Bian Shifei, has arrived in Dongdu to investigate the recent incidencies in Dongdu. Later, Xie Yan is taken aback when he is called to a hearing by Cui Bei, and instructs Xie Ran to inform Ji Yuntao and Gongsun Pianxian about this matter. At the hearing, Xie Yan realises that Lian Qiluo is blatantly attempting to frame him for the misdeeds of many criminals (actually his various fake identities). However, Gongsun Pianxian comes to defend Xie Yan from the accusations. Gongsun Pianxian clears Xie Yan of the accusations of him stealing the Emerald Sala Fruit; however, when Lian Qiluo insists on taking Xie Yan to the Flower Deity Cult branch until the end of the Flower Anniversary, the latter loses his patience and prepares to fight the Deputy Governor.