Recaps

The Dragon-Seeking Sect’s ranking battle began, and Ling Xiaoxiao of Vermilion Bird Peak stunned the crowd by defeating Zhang Santong in an instant. Chen Ning recognized her as a dangerous White Wolf Tribe undercover agent and worried that she might win first place and become his personal disciple.

• Disciples gathered for the ranking battle, where first place would earn the sect master’s personal guidance, while spectators recalled Qin Lie’s fall from the rankings.
• Ling Xiaoxiao stepped onto the ninth platform to face Zhang Santong, drawing Chen Ning’s attention as he recognized her white hair, blue eyes, and beast ears.
• Chen Ning remembered that Ling Xiaoxiao was a White Wolf Tribe descendant who had joined the sect to gain strength and was suspected of being an undercover agent.
• Zhang Santong charged at Ling Xiaoxiao with his sword, but she kicked him into the platform’s barrier and defeated him instantly.
• The crowd praised Ling Xiaoxiao as a championship favorite, while Chen Ning hoped Verdant Peak’s disciples would eliminate her before she could become his personal disciple.

Feng Yihan planned to use Chu Huang to win the ranking battle and get closer to the Dragon-Seeking Sect’s secret treasure, while Chen Ning hoped Chu Huang would defeat Ling Xiaoxiao. Chu Huang and Ling Xiaoxiao met in a top-eight match, and Ling Xiaoxiao gained the upper hand as their fierce fight began.

• Feng Yihan focused on Chu Huang, his planted disciple in the Dragon-Seeking Sect, and planned to use him to reach the sect’s secret treasure.
• Lu Ping defeated last year’s sixth-ranked disciple, and the remaining competitors were narrowed to the top eight.
• Chu Huang and Ling Xiaoxiao were announced as opponents, drawing the attention of the disciples and elders.
• Chu Huang attacked first with his Spirit Martial Realm Seventh Heaven cultivation, but Ling Xiaoxiao swiftly broke through his defensive Qi and forced him back.
• Chu Huang unleashed the Desolate River Fist Scripture’s Ten Thousand Horses Galloping, while Ling Xiaoxiao dodged and tore through the incoming fist shadows with her claws.

Ling Xiaoxiao brutally defeated Chu Huang, leaving the sect stunned and Feng Yihan’s scheme in ruins. Jun Wuya, the Dragon-Seeking Sect’s first-ranked inner disciple, then faced Qi Feng, whose eagerness to fight ended the chapter with him knocking a book from Jun Wuya’s hand.

• Ling Xiaoxiao tore off Chu Huang’s arm and wounded him further until he yielded, and the referee stopped her attack.
• The crowd and the Great Yan emperor reacted to Ling Xiaoxiao’s ferocity, while Chen Ning worried she might win first place for Vermilion Bird Peak.
• Feng Yihan accepted that Chu Huang’s defeat had ruined his plan and resolved to return to serving the Dragon-Seeking Sect.
• Jun Wuya stepped onto the platform to face Qi Feng, the second-ranked inner disciple, as onlookers expected the winner to challenge Ling Xiaoxiao for first place.
• Qi Feng said he had grown stronger after Chen Ning’s blessing and hoped to defeat Jun Wuya and become the sect leader’s personal disciple.
• Jun Wuya offered Qi Feng a book, but Qi Feng rejected it and knocked it from his hand with saber Qi.

Jun Wuya defeated Qi Feng in the arena by summoning a Literary Saint Phantom, impressing the Great Yan emperor and confirming Chen Ning’s confidence in him. The chapter ended with Jun Wuya preparing to face Ling Xiaoxiao in the final match.

• Qi Feng opened the duel against Jun Wuya with a powerful saber strike, but Jun Wuya blocked it with golden characters formed by his Literary Dao technique.
• Qi Feng revealed that he had reached the Eighth Heaven of the Spirit Martial Realm and attacked Jun Wuya with the Wild Wave Saber Art.
• Jun Wuya summoned a Literary Saint Phantom, which broke Qi Feng’s saber and seized him, leaving Qi Feng defeated.
• Cang Yue told Chen Ning that Ling Xiaoxiao might not be able to overcome Jun Wuya’s technique, and Chen Ning reacted with excitement.
• Chen Ning praised Jun Wuya and urged him to give his all in the final match against Ling Xiaoxiao.

Ling Xiaoxiao fought Jun Wuya in the ranking battle’s final duel, where his Literary Dao techniques and Literary Saint Phantom nearly overwhelmed her. After Chen Ning’s words reignited her determination, she tore the phantom apart, leaving the duel’s outcome unresolved.

• Jun Wuya and Ling Xiaoxiao began the final duel, and Ling Xiaoxiao attacked him with her claws.
• Jun Wuya restrained Ling Xiaoxiao with his Literary Dao, but her berserk state shattered the force and pressured him.
• Jun Wuya summoned the Literary Saint Phantom, immobilizing Ling Xiaoxiao and reaching to seize her.
• Chen Ning told Referee Han to announce the result, but Ling Xiaoxiao heard him and renewed her resolve to win.
• Ling Xiaoxiao erupted with power and tore the Literary Saint Phantom to pieces.

Ling Xiaoxiao defeated Jun Wuya in the ranking tournament and became Chen Ning’s personal disciple. After the tournament ended, she challenged Chen Ning over his earlier doubts, but he provoked her competitive spirit, and she accepted him as her master.

• Ling Xiaoxiao shattered Jun Wuya’s Literary Saint Phantom, forcing him to admit defeat before she fainted from exhaustion.
• The referee declared Ling Xiaoxiao the winner, and the crowd and Great Yan emperor praised the Dragon-Seeking Sect’s talented disciples.
• Chen Ning announced that the tournament’s first-place disciple would become his personal disciple and receive his guidance.
• After Jun Wuya and Ling Xiaoxiao recovered, Chen Ning asked Ling Xiaoxiao to stay and offered to accept her as his disciple.
• Ling Xiaoxiao questioned why Chen Ning had favored Jun Wuya, and Chen Ning challenged her to prove her ability in the future.
• Ling Xiaoxiao kowtowed and greeted Chen Ning as her master, completing Chen Ning’s task.

After completing the Dragon-Seeking Ranking Battle, Chen Ning received rewards and spent time drinking with Wine Maniac and Li Changtian. Li Changtian warned him about the powerful forces across the Nine Provinces, leaving Chen Ning aware of the dangers and challenges ahead.

• Chen Ning reviewed his rewards, then ordered Ling Xiaoxiao to rest until her injuries healed.
• Chen Ning took Wine Maniac and Li Changtian to his liquor workshop, where they drank and talked.
• Chen Ning explained that Su Ling'er was in seclusion in the Wind Shadow Sect's treasury after advancing to the Earth Martial Realm.
• Li Changtian marveled at Chen Ning's rapid cultivation, then warned him not to let success make him forget his original purpose.
• Li Changtian described the Yama Holy Sect's influence in Qian Province, the Devil Race in You Province, and the dangers of Desolate Province.
• Li Changtian told Chen Ning about the ancient Heavenly Lake Holy Land and other powerful factions in Central Province.

Li Changtian asked Chen Ning to help open a Sword Saint’s cave abode, and Chen Ning accepted after the system offered an epic quest with a Half-Step Martial Venerable Realm reward. As they arranged to meet in ten days, Chen Ning established the Heavenly Pride Ranking and continued consolidating his control of the Dragon-Seeking Sect, aiming to challenge the powers of Central Province.

• Li Changtian told Chen Ning that a Sword Saint’s cave abode required two sword cultivators with exceptional Sword Intent and crystal-clear sword hearts, and said Chen Ning was the second candidate he had sought.
• The system offered Chen Ning the quest to explore the cave abode, and he accepted both the quest and Li Changtian’s request.
• Chen Ning and Li Changtian agreed to travel to the Sword Saint’s Cave Abode in ten days so Li Changtian could prepare.
• Chen Ning created the Heavenly Pride Ranking for the Dragon-Seeking Sect’s inner and outer disciples and erected its stele on Vermilion Bird Peak.
• Chen Ning continued rooting out spies and winning the disciples’ loyalty, determined to strengthen the sect before leading it into Central Province.

Disciples across the Dragon-Seeking Sect awakened their names on the Heavenly Pride Ranking stele and gained lasting improvements to their abilities. As the queues grew, Qi Feng mastered a saber move and Jun Wuya advanced his Literary Dao after connecting with the stele.

• Lu Ping calmed the fighting disciples, awakened his ranking, and then fled when they accused him of cutting the line.
• Ling Xiaoxiao awakened her ranking, instantly recovered from her injuries, and kicked over the sign before leaving.
• Disciples flocked to Vermilion Bird Peak for days, while disciples from other peaks waited in long queues to awaken their rankings.
• Qi Feng awakened his name after waiting three days and nights, then successfully comprehended a saber technique and thanked the sect master.
• Jun Wuya awakened his name and suddenly reached the latter realm of the Literary Dao's Denunciation by Tongue and Pen, stopping before his writing destroyed the Scripture Library.

Sects across Spirit Province increased their disciples’ resources to stop them from joining the Dragon-Seeking Sect after its Heavenly Pride Ranking began improving talent and cultivation. Chen Ning praised the ranking’s effects, then confronted Ling Xiaoxiao about the lifespan cost of her bloodthirsty cultivation, leaving her shocked that he knew her secret.

• Yama Holy Sect disciples left for the Dragon-Seeking Sect, prompting the Yama Holy Lord to double their resources and open every level of the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion.
• Other sects across Spirit Province also increased the resources they gave disciples, especially those from humble backgrounds.
• Chen Ning reviewed reports on the competition caused by the Heavenly Pride Ranking and reflected that it had benefited the people of the region.
• Ling Xiaoxiao told Chen Ning that the ranking had healed her injuries and helped her reach the Eighth Heaven of the Spirit Martial Realm, while she resolved to surpass him and return to Desolate Province for revenge.
• Chen Ning warned Ling Xiaoxiao that abusing her bloodthirsty state could shorten her life, and she panicked when she realized he knew about the side effect.

Chen Ning used his master’s insight to remove the harmful side effect of Ling Xiaoxiao’s bloodthirsty state, and she kissed him to repay the favor. Ten days later, Chen Ning traveled with Li Changtian toward a sword sage’s cave abode and wondered whether the previous sect leader had faked his death.

• Chen Ning explained Ling Xiaoxiao’s bloodthirsty ability and taught her how to use it without harming herself.
• Ling Xiaoxiao successfully entered the bloodthirsty state without suffering its usual side effects.
• Ling Xiaoxiao kissed Chen Ning to repay his help, and he teased her about returning the favor.
• Ten days later, Chen Ning and Li Changtian traveled by sword boat through the Three Thousand Cloud and Mist Mountains toward the cave abode.
• Li Changtian described the previous sect leader, Gu, as a loyal martial prodigy who often traveled and kept many things to himself.
• Chen Ning wondered whether Gu had faked his death and left the sect’s troubles to him.

Chen Ning and Li Changtian opened the Crimson Firmament Sword Saint’s cave abode and began trials to prove themselves worthy of his legacy. Li Changtian passed by defeating his mirrored opponent, while Chen Ning’s trial remained underway after he stole his opponent’s sword and the illusion failed to copy his Mist Transformation Technique.

• Chen Ning and Li Changtian touched the ancient sword designs and opened the cave abode, entering its small world.
• The Crimson Firmament Sword Saint appeared, judged both men worthy to attempt his trial, and sent them to face copies of themselves.
• Li Changtian fought his mirror for an hour, discovered a new move, and used it to win the final exchange and pass.
• Chen Ning evaded his mirror’s attack, stole its illusory Moon-Slaying Sword, and watched it fail to imitate his Mist Transformation Technique.

Chen Ning defeated the Crimson Firmament Sword Saint’s replica through a series of techniques and passed the trial alongside Li Changtian. When offered a choice between two inheritance swords, Chen Ning chose the broken sword after his system identified it as the key item for the legendary Heaven-Slaying Sword storyline.

• Chen Ning used Earth Escape and an assortment of attacks to wear down his replicated opponent until the Crimson Firmament Sword Saint declared that he had passed.
• The Crimson Firmament Sword Saint brought Chen Ning and Li Changtian back to the ancient hall and offered them inheritances from two swords.
• The Crimson Firmament Sword Saint explained that the Sword of Myriad Spirits had helped him enter the Saint Realm, while the broken sword came from the second half of his life.
• Chen Ning’s system identified the broken sword as the key item for the legendary main storyline event involving the Heaven-Slaying Sword.
• Chen Ning chose the broken sword, and Li Changtian honestly warned him that the Sword of Myriad Spirits offered a clearer path to the Saint Realm.

Chen Ning chose to receive the broken Heaven-Slaying Sword’s inheritance as the Crimson Firmament Sword Saint vanished, while Li Changtian began inheriting the Sword of Myriad Spirits. Lu Yuan and his allies ambushed them, demanding Chen Ning leave, but Chen Ning refused to take the threat seriously.

• Chen Ning reaffirmed his choice of the broken sword, and the Crimson Firmament Sword Saint warned him of the burden ahead before fading away.
• Chen Ning and Li Changtian bowed farewell to the Sword Saint, then began communicating with their chosen swords to receive the inheritances.
• Lu Yuan and his allies entered the hall after Elder Mingshan infiltrated the cave as a mosquito and confirmed Li Changtian was occupied with the inheritance.
• Lu Yuan demanded that Chen Ning leave so his group could seize the inheritance and kill Li Changtian, but Chen Ning said he had only been teasing him.

Chen Ning fought Lu Yuan and three evil sect leaders who sought to reach the Sword Immortal, killing one attacker and overwhelming the others with the Star-Picking Finger. He prepared to unleash the technique’s final two moves against the gloomy old man’s mental attack.

• Lu Yuan and his allies attacked Chen Ning after their negotiations failed, and Chen Ning killed the Ninth Level Earth Martial Realm Nether Mountain elder with the Fire God Seal.
• Chen Ning resolved to protect Spirit Province and identified Qin Ling, Mo Lin, and the gloomy old man as evildoers who deserved to die.
• Qin Ling, Mo Lin, and the gloomy old man launched a coordinated assault while Lu Yuan stood ready to block Chen Ning’s escape.
• Chen Ning used the first three moves of the Star-Picking Finger to burn through Qin Ling’s human faces, melt Mo Lin’s dagger, and force him back.
• The gloomy old man unleashed a mental attack, and Chen Ning prepared to execute the Star-Picking Finger’s final two moves with his Twin Qi Seas.

Chen Ning killed three Half-Step Martial Venerables with the Star-Picking Finger, then completed the Sword Saint’s Cave Abode quest and broke through to Half-Step Martial Venerable. With the Sword Heart Barrier blocking Lu Yuan’s surprise strike, Chen Ning prepared to face the One-Star Martial Venerable in a sword fight.

• Chen Ning used Four Fingers Sever the Star River to kill the gloomy old man and Mo Lin as they tried to attack or flee.
• Qin Ling fought back with the human faces behind him, but Chen Ning used Five Fingers Shatter the Firmament to kill him as well.
• After Chen Ning nearly exhausted his vital Qi, Lu Yuan moved to kill him while Li Changtian remained in a critical moment of sword comprehension.
• The system rewarded Chen Ning for completing the quest to explore the Sword Saint’s Cave Abode, raising his cultivation to Half-Step Martial Venerable and granting him the Sword Heart Barrier, a Heaven-Slaying Sword fragment, and Heaven-Sealing Instruction.
• Lu Yuan’s sword was blocked by Chen Ning’s Sword Heart Barrier, and Chen Ning drew the Moon-Slaying Sword to challenge him head-on.

Chen Ning defeated and killed Lu Yuan after refusing his offer to serve him, then faced a group of powerful sect leaders who arrived at the Sword Saint’s Cave Abode. As Venerable Xu considered attacking Li Changtian to seize the inheritance, Li Changtian woke up.

• Chen Ning used the All Things Sword Instruction to overcome Lu Yuan’s Death Sword Intent and wound him with the Moon-Slaying Sword.
• Lu Yuan begged for his life and offered the Ghost Sword Sect, Blood Owl Sect, and Demon Snake Valley as Chen Ning’s forces, but Chen Ning killed him after pretending to accept.
• Chen Ning checked on Li Changtian, whose breathing had steadied, while the battle left the hall in ruins.
• Daoist Qingshan arrived with more than a dozen sect leaders and experts, including several Three-Star Martial Venerables, and asked Chen Ning about the cave abode.
• Chen Ning said Li Changtian had obtained the Sword Saint’s inheritance and concealed the remnant of the Heaven-Slaying Sword.
• Venerable Xu suggested secretly attacking Li Changtian, but Li Changtian opened his eyes with a full and harmonious presence.

Li Changtian woke and killed Venerable Xu for plotting against him, then let Daoist Qingshan and the others leave. Chen Ning and Li Changtian departed the Sword Saint's Cave Abode after deciding to preserve it, while Chen Ning examined his rewards.

• Li Changtian woke, learned what had happened, and apologized to Chen Ning for his former disciple Lu Yuan's betrayal and attack.
• Li Changtian condemned Venerable Xu for trying to kill him and beheaded him with his Sword Intent.
• Daoist Qingshan accepted Venerable Xu's death and led his companions away after Li Changtian told them to leave.
• Li Changtian asked whether Chen Ning's breakthrough came from the sword inheritance, and Chen Ning explained that Lu Yuan attacked before he could fuse with it.
• Li Changtian decided to repair the Sword Saint's Cave Abode and have Flying Cloud Valley disciples guard it in memory of the Crimson Firmament Sword Saint.
• Chen Ning examined his rewards, including the Sword Heart Barrier and a Heaven-Slaying Sword fragment, and became curious about his epic-tier reward.

After receiving the Heaven-Sealing Instruction, Chen Ning returned to Vermilion Bird Peak to rest while news spread that evil sects had attacked him at the Sword Saint's Cave Abode. Dragon-Seeking Sect members mobilized to punish the four sects, and multiple groups set out for the Three Thousand Cloud and Mist Mountains.

• Chen Ning discovered that the Heaven-Sealing Instruction could potentially seal even powerful experts, though its success depended on the opponent's realm.
• News spread that Lu Yuan and three other evil-sect leaders had attacked Chen Ning alongside the Sword Immortal, who had slain a three-star Martial Venerable with a single strand of Sword Intent.
• Cang Yue ordered Ying Wu to destroy the sects whose leaders had attacked Chen Ning, while Meng Yuyi left the mountain gate alone to pursue them.
• Xiao Mei summoned the Law Enforcement Hall's elites to kill members of the evil sects, and Lin Xiaotian gathered his peak's people to join the campaign.
• Lu Ping led disciples toward the Three Thousand Cloud and Mist Mountains, joined by Qi Feng and Jun Wuya.

Dragon-Seeking Sect attacked and destroyed the Blood Owl Sect, with Xiao Mei and the Law Enforcement Hall helping secure victory. Lin Xiaotian arrived after the battle and hurried toward another evil sect.

• Qi Feng led Dragon-Seeking Sect disciples in an assault on the Blood Owl Sect and destroyed its mountain gate.
• Lu Ping defeated Zhou Tai, and the Dragon-Seeking Sect forces pushed through the Blood Owl Sect’s defenders.
• The Blood Owl Sect’s protectors fought back until an elder attacked a disciple and Xiao Mei intervened.
• Xiao Mei and the Law Enforcement Hall experts joined the battle and overwhelmed the Blood Owl Sect’s strongest fighters.
• Half an hour later, the Blood Owl Sect was destroyed, and Lin Xiaotian arrived too late before heading to another evil sect.

Meng Yuyi killed Demon Snake Valley’s leaders in revenge for the women they had murdered, and Flying Cloud Valley and Daoist Qingshan burned the sect to the ground. Lin Xiaotian arrived too late to earn merit and headed for the Ghost Sword Sect instead.

• Demon Snake Valley’s elders argued over succession after the valley master’s death, and one candidate promised to share the Demon Snake Canon.
• Meng Yuyi entered the council hall, killed the assembled leaders with her ice and sword powers, and left the valley’s disciples to discover their bodies.
• Elder Hongchen and the Flying Cloud Valley disciples arrived, found the leaders dead, and set Demon Snake Valley ablaze.
• Daoist Qingshan arrived after Flying Cloud Valley departed and used a jade bottle to intensify the fire, trapping the disciples who had escaped.
• Lin Xiaotian reached the site with his group, found only ash and wreckage, and continued toward the Ghost Sword Sect to seek merit.

Several powerful figures converged on the Ghost Sword Sect to kill its grand elder, while Lin Xiaotian arrived hoping to compete for credit. Meng Yuyi stopped Xiao Mei and Ying Wu from killing him, freezing the grand elder in ice as repayment for one of the three favors she owed Chen Ning.

• Daoist Qingshan, a veiled Martial Venerable, a smiling Martial Venerable, and Ying Wu surrounded the Ghost Sword Sect's grand elder, then Elder Hongchen arrived as another enemy.
• Lin Xiaotian reached the battle and recognized that he could not afford to offend either the Dragon-Seeking Sect's powerful figures or the outsiders.
• Meng Yuyi blocked the grand elder's attack, but Xiao Mei declared that she wanted to kill him herself, and Ying Wu intervened to protect him on the grand elder's behalf.
• As Xiao Mei and Ying Wu both attacked the grand elder, Meng Yuyi froze them with icy mist and turned the grand elder into an ice sculpture.
• Ying Wu withdrew after resisting Meng Yuyi's ice, and Xiao Mei left in chagrin after losing her chance to claim the kill.

Chen Ning comprehended the Setting Sun Sword Intent, then tried to discourage Ling Xiaoxiao from relying on his guidance. A quest prompted him to take her to Desolate Province to reclaim her Supreme Demon Bone from the Grey Wolf Tribe, and they arrived in Desolate Wind City.

• Chen Ning comprehended the Crimson Firmament Sword Saint's Setting Sun Sword Intent and saw it wither the plants in his courtyard.
• Ling Xiaoxiao visited Chen Ning for cultivation guidance, but he told her to stop relying on him and left her aggrieved.
• A system quest instructed Chen Ning to travel with Ling Xiaoxiao to the Grey Wolf Tribe and reclaim her Supreme Demon Bone.
• Chen Ning stopped Ling Xiaoxiao from leaving and told her he was taking her to do something important.
• Chen Ning and Ling Xiaoxiao arrived in Desolate Wind City, where Chen Ning said he had come to help her collect a debt.

Chen Ning and Ling Xiaoxiao learned that the Grey Wolf Tribe’s prince was holding a coming-of-age banquet, giving them a chance to confront the tribe that had destroyed Ling Xiaoxiao’s family and stolen her Supreme Demon Bone. They joined Bai Qingluo’s party traveling to the banquet, and Ling Xiaoxiao ended the chapter by kissing Chen Ning in thanks.

• Ling Xiaoxiao read the notice for the Grey Wolf prince’s coming-of-age banquet and tore it up, remembering how the Grey Wolf Tribe had stolen her Supreme Demon Bone and killed her parents.
• Chen Ning promised to help Ling Xiaoxiao reclaim what was hers, and she agreed to go with him.
• Bai Qingluo invited Chen Ning and Ling Xiaoxiao to guard her party on its journey to the Grey Wolf Tribe, and Chen Ning accepted so they could attend the banquet.
• Wei Heng objected to bringing the pair along, but Bai Qingluo rebuked him and invited Chen Ning and Ling Xiaoxiao to stay at her residence.
• Ling Xiaoxiao teased Chen Ning that Bai Qingluo admired him, then kissed him before leaving his room.

Bai Qingluo’s escort set out from Desolate Wind City and crossed into the Savage Lands, where a swarm of Black-Armored Moles attacked. The procession fought to protect Bai Qingluo as the beasts charged.

• Bai Canglan sent Bai Qingluo off with Chen Ning, Ling Xiaoxiao, Wei Heng, and a group of guards, asking them to keep her safe.
• As the party traveled, Wei Heng mocked Chen Ning, and Ling Xiaoxiao knocked Wei Heng off his horse for insulting him.
• The procession entered the Savage Lands and cautiously crossed the region until it encountered more than a thousand Black-Armored Moles.
• The Black-Armored Moles charged, and Wei Heng ordered the guards to protect Bai Qingluo and fight back.