Chapter Summaries

Jiang Sheng and Jing Yu drew attention in Zheng Capital after displaying their extraordinary spells, then attended the princes’ Peach Garden Gathering. Princess Donghe singled out Jiang Sheng for her interest, leaving him with a foreboding feeling.

• Jing Yu conjured a cloud dragon at Qinghua Pool, and Jiang Sheng answered with a Kun Fish that transformed into a great peng.
• Jiang Sheng and Jing Yu met Nangong Jun and Gongsun De, exchanged assumed names, and agreed to meet again.
• News of the spell contest spread through Zheng Capital, and Jiang Sheng and Jing Yu received invitations to the Peach Garden Gathering.
• Zheng Yan and Zheng Miao welcomed Jiang Sheng and Jing Yu at the garden, hoping to befriend the young Purple Mansion Realm cultivators.
• Princess Donghe told Jiang Sheng she was glad to have met him, and Jiang Sheng felt a faint sense of foreboding.

Jiang Sheng and Jing Yu revealed their identities as a Penglai Dao Sect disciple and an East Sea Dragon Palace prince, then discussed why the Zheng Kingdom had summoned powerful guests. As representatives from the Chu Kingdom arrived in the capital, Xiang Yao and Xiang Yu spoke of Jiang Sheng and his past deeds.

• Zheng Yan apologized to Jiang Sheng and Jing Yu after the Peach Garden Gathering, then warned Zheng Sen and Zheng Miao to treat the two with sincerity while their origins remained unclear.
• Jing Yu visited Jiang Sheng at night, and they exchanged attacks before revealing themselves as Ao Ke of the East Sea Dragon Palace and Jiang Sheng of the Penglai Dao Sect.
• Ao Ke told Jiang Sheng that Spirit Transformation Realm True Person Zheng Zhang had invited the East Sea Dragon Palace, the Chu Kingdom, and the Lu Kingdom to the Zheng Kingdom's grand gathering.
• Jiang Sheng saw three Chu Kingdom warships arrive in the capital, bearing the banners of the Xiong Clan, the Zhuang Clan, and the Xiang Clan.
• Aboard the Xiang Clan's ship, Xiang Yu told Xiang Yao that Jiang Sheng had real ability and that they might meet again if they shared a bond of fate.

Jiang Sheng and Ao Ke watched the Zheng Kingdom’s grand martial gathering begin as cultivators from several states competed for official posts. After Li Tai won five matches, Jiang Sheng recognized a bearded man and unexpectedly wagered a thousand spirit stones on Li Tai, claiming victory was certain.

• The Lu Kingdom’s arrival intensified the rivalry among the Chu Kingdom, the Lu Kingdom, and the Zheng Kingdom, while Jiang Sheng agreed to take part in the gathering.
• On the Beginning of Spring, Zheng Tu opened the grand martial gathering, where cultivators competed across the capital’s arenas and platforms for the chance to earn official posts.
• Li Tai defeated a fierce saber-wielding opponent and then a poison-using challenger, bringing his record to five wins as Li Qingyun watched anxiously.
• Jiang Sheng praised Li Tai’s skill and character to Ao Ke, who placed a wager on the young cultivator.
• After a bearded man in violet robes glanced at him, Jiang Sheng bet a thousand spirit stones on Li Tai and said he only gambled when victory was certain.

Li Tai won his tenth consecutive bout with a talisman Jiang Sheng had given him, while the first three days of the martial gathering showcased fierce Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment battles. On the fourth day, Purple Mansion Realm contests began, and after Xu Jin defeated He Yun in a costly fight, another cultivator challenged Fairy Xiang Yu of the Chu Kingdom.

• Li Tai used a spiritual talisman to defeat Shang Bin and secure ten consecutive victories at the martial gathering.
• Jiang Sheng and Ao Ke watched an An Family cultivator cripple a Zhang Clan cultivator, avenging the broken engagement between their families.
• The first three days of the gathering recruited skilled Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators into court service or employment with powerful nobles.
• Xu Jin of Peace Prefecture defeated He Yun of Mo Prefecture in a Purple Mansion Realm battle, though both were left gravely weakened.
• A Zheng Capital cultivator challenged Fairy Xiang Yu of the Chu Kingdom's Xiang Clan to a bout.

Xiang Yao defeated Gao Ling effortlessly, and Purple Mansion Realm fighters from the three kingdoms continued competing in the martial exhibition. Jiang Sheng challenged Zhuang Bufan, and their duel began with Jiang Sheng vanishing from Zhuang Bufan’s first attack before countering with a sudden sword strike.

• Xiang Yao stepped onto a platform and defeated Gao Ling with water and ice techniques without moving from her spot.
• Lu Kingdom, Chu Kingdom, and Zheng Kingdom cultivators took turns fighting, while Jiang Sheng and Ao Ke entered the imperial city to watch.
• Nangong Jun forced his opponent to concede, while Zhuang Bufan defeated Gongsun De with his three Dharma Swords.
• Jiang Sheng challenged Zhuang Bufan after Xiang Yao told Xiang Yu that Jiang Sheng’s swordsmanship surpassed Zhuang Bufan’s.
• Zhuang Bufan launched three sword strikes, but Jiang Sheng dodged them and countered with a flash of azure sword light.

Jiang Sheng defeated Zhuang Bufan and Zhuang Yixing with overwhelming swordsmanship, stunning the spectators and embarrassing the Chu Kingdom’s delegation. As Zheng Tu implied Jiang Sheng had joined the Zheng Kingdom, Xiang Yu stepped forward to challenge him.

• Jiang Sheng struck before Zhuang Bufan could react, then Zhuang Bufan admitted defeat and left the arena in shame.
• Zhuang Yixing challenged Jiang Sheng with two Sword Pellets, but Jiang Sheng’s duplicated swordlight pursued him and his river of Sword Qi destroyed the Pellets and overwhelmed his attack.
• Zhuang Yixing conceded defeat, giving Jiang Sheng two consecutive victories and leaving the Chu Kingdom’s leaders furious and unsettled.
• Zheng Tu let the other kingdoms believe Jiang Sheng had aligned with the Zheng Kingdom, while Huang Gaohan taunted the angered Xiong Hongye.
• Xiang Yu calmly volunteered to test Jiang Sheng.

Jiang Sheng faced Xiang Yu in a fierce contest between his sword arts and her halberd and Thunder Arts. Their battle destroyed the celestial platform, and it left both prodigies standing as Zheng Jun praised their talent.

• Xiang Yu stepped forward to challenge Jiang Sheng on behalf of the Chu Kingdom’s three great clans and introduced her Golden Flood Dragon Cloudbreaker Halberd.
• Xiang Yu attacked with her halberd, and Jiang Sheng used the Qingping Sword and Waterlike Sword to counter her Thunder Arts.
• Jiang Sheng sent eight Sword Rainbows at Xiang Yu, who answered with three thunder-wreathed azure flood dragons.
• The fight shattered the celestial platform and sent Sword Qi and violet lightning bursting toward the imperial city.
• Zheng Jun restrained the stray attacks, and Jiang Sheng and Xiang Yu praised each other’s skills after the clash.

Jiang Sheng revealed that he was a Penglai inner disciple and used an envoy token to demand an explanation from the Zheng, Lu, and Chu Kingdoms. As Spirit Transformation Realm cultivator Zheng Zhang appeared, Jiang Sheng challenged whether the Zheng Kingdom intended to rebel.

• Jiang Sheng accepted Emperor Zheng Tu’s invitation to the palace and declined the promised reward until he learned why the three kingdoms and the East Sea Dragon Palace’s crown prince had gathered.
• Jiang Sheng endured Zheng Tu’s Golden Core pressure and identified himself as an inner disciple of Penglai.
• True Person Yonghe offered Jiang Sheng precious treasures, but Jiang Sheng refused them and declared that he belonged to Penglai, not the Zheng Kingdom.
• Jiang Sheng presented a Penglai envoy token and demanded that the three kingdoms explain their intentions, prompting Zheng Jun to bow and greet him as Penglai’s exalted envoy.
• Zheng Zhang, a Spirit Transformation Realm cultivator and the Zheng Kingdom’s founding emperor, appeared, and Jiang Sheng asked whether the Zheng Kingdom intended to rebel.

Jiang Sheng used his Penglai envoy token to force the Zheng Kingdom to yield, while a powerful Penglai Daoist watched from above and ensured Zheng Zhang would not resist. After Zheng Zhang revealed that he had discovered an undiscovered minor world, Jiang Sheng sent the leaders of the three kingdoms to Penglai to discuss its future.

• Jiang Sheng challenged Zheng Zhang's authority, and Zheng Zhang ordered Zheng Jun to escort him to the Cloud Palace.
• Ao Yin questioned Zheng Zhang after the hall emptied, and Zheng Zhang admitted he dared not defy Penglai while a powerful Daoist watched from the heavens.
• Zheng Jun apologized to Jiang Sheng and offered him a jade box before Zheng Zhang arrived at the Cloud Palace.
• Zheng Zhang revealed that he had found an intact minor world and had arranged the tournament as cover for negotiations with the Chu Kingdom and the Lu Kingdom.
• Jiang Sheng deduced that Ao Ke had approached him because of the secret plan, then asked the True Persons of the three kingdoms to travel to Penglai to discuss what came next.

Dao Yan explained that Zheng Zhang had taken a wrong step near the threshold of the Heavenly Gate and promised Jiang Sheng a chance to visit a small world after reaching Golden Core. After saying farewell to his companions, Jiang Sheng traveled through Lu and gained a sudden insight into his Dao Heart, leaving him with a clearer understanding of his path.

• Dao Yan told Jiang Sheng that Zheng Zhang had gone wrong near the threshold of the Heavenly Gate and offered him access to a small world once he reached Golden Core.
• Jiang Sheng said goodbye to Li Tai, Li Qingyun, Gongsun De, Nangong Jun, Xiang Yu, Xiang Yao, and Ao Ke, who gave him the Cloud-Turning Steed.
• Jiang Sheng rode north toward Qingxuan Temple and, after more than a month on the road, entered the Lu Kingdom.
• As he traveled through Lu, Jiang Sheng reflected on the people and events he had encountered across several kingdoms and on how travel had changed his understanding of cultivation.
• In a rainy mountain gorge, Jiang Sheng experienced a sudden insight into his Dao Heart and saw the way out of the mountains.

Jiang Sheng traveled toward Yangshan City with five Spirit Sword Sect disciples after they rescued him from robber cultivators, while listening to their plans and gossip about his reputation. He reached the city alone and heard that Thunderbolt Quickblade had challenged Dongfang Hao to a duel.

• Song Changge, Li Yunlang, Xia Yutang, Shen Pingchuan, and Zhu Qingshuang defeated or drove off the robber cultivators who had targeted Jiang Sheng and his Cloud-Turning Steed.
• Jiang Sheng accepted the Spirit Sword Sect disciples' offer to escort him toward Yangshan City and learned they planned to hunt a man-eating tiger for the bounty.
• Zhu Qingshuang and Li Yunlang praised rumors about Young Master Jiang, while Jiang Sheng silently endured the stories about his looks and romantic affairs.
• Jiang Sheng reached Yangshan City, parted ways with the five disciples, and settled into an inn.
• Jiang Sheng heard inn guests say that Thunderbolt Quickblade had challenged Spirit Sword Sect master Dongfang Hao to a duel on Jade-Sun Mountain on the first day of summer.

Jiang Sheng watched Song Changge and his fellow Spirit Sword Sect disciples head into Jade-Sun Mountain to hunt a man-eating tiger, then saw the tiger overwhelm them after they entered the mountain unprepared. As Song Changge faced the tiger’s attack, someone swiftly cut off its head, but the rescuer’s identity remained unknown.

• Jiang Sheng listened to stories about Thunderbolt Quickblade and noticed Song Changge’s group going to claim a bounty for a man-eating tiger on Jade-Sun Mountain.
• Song Changge and his four junior disciples ate and drank before setting out for the mountain, while Jiang Sheng followed them from a distance.
• Deep in the mountain, the five disciples grew exhausted and frightened as they encountered dangerous beasts but could not find the tiger.
• The tiger ambushed the group, sending Li Yunlang, Xia Yutang, and Shen Pingchuan down and forcing Song Changge to protect Zhu Qingshuang.
• As the tiger pounced on Song Changge, a passing figure cut off its head in an instant.

Jiang Sheng silently saved Song Changge and his Spirit Sword Sect companions from a tiger demon, while the group learned how costly life as wandering cultivators could be. As the Beginning of Summer duel between Dongfang Hao and Lin Dong began to draw a crowd, Zhu Qingshuang and Song Changge bet on their sect master, while their three companions secretly wagered on Lin Dong.

• An unseen force killed the tiger demon that had wounded Song Changge's companions, and the five descended Jade-Sun Mountain with the tiger's body.
• Song Changge and his companions spent their bounty and sold the tiger's body to pay for treatment, then resumed taking bounties and saved some spirit stones.
• Cultivators filled Sun Mountain Commandery City for the duel between Dongfang Hao and Lin Dong, and Zhu Qingshuang insisted that Dongfang Hao would win.
• Song Changge supported Zhu Qingshuang's bet on Dongfang Hao, while Li Yunlang, Xia Yutang, and Shen Pingchuan secretly bet on Lin Dong.
• Dongfang Hao arrived at Jade-Sun Mountain and waited until evening, when Lin Dong appeared in a streak of lightning.

Lin Dong challenged Dongfang Hao on Jade-Sun Mountain and overwhelmed the Spirit Sword Sect master's Thousand-Phantom Flying Spirit Sword with his Flash-Thunder Saber. The chapter ended as Lin Dong's saber light rushed toward Dongfang Hao, leaving the spectators fearing the worst.

• Lin Dong arrived late and challenged Dongfang Hao, who summoned his Frost Spirit Sword for the duel.
• Lin Dong shaped azure lightning into a spear and damaged the Frost Spirit Sword, prompting Dongfang Hao to restore it and prepare his supreme art.
• Dongfang Hao unleashed Thousand-Phantom Flying Spirit Sword, while Jiang Sheng watched and gained inspiration from the technique.
• Lin Dong drew the Flash-Thunder Saber as Dongfang Hao sent a torrent of spirit swords at him.
• Lin Dong's lightning attack shattered Dongfang Hao's spirit swords, and a saber light raced toward Dongfang Hao's face.

Jiang Sheng saved Dongfang Hao from Lin Dong’s blade and took his place in the duel atop Jade-Sun Mountain. He effortlessly blocked Lin Dong’s three attacks, then began his own move as the chapter ended with green sword light sweeping across the sky.

• Jiang Sheng shattered Lin Dong’s attack before it could strike Dongfang Hao, then flew to the summit and offered to duel Lin Dong in Dongfang Hao’s place.
• Dongfang Hao withdrew from the duel, and Lin Dong recovered while Jiang Sheng waited for him.
• Jiang Sheng split Lin Dong’s first lightning attack with a gesture and destroyed his second blade strike with a small azure sword.
• Lin Dong unleashed a powerful third strike, but Jiang Sheng’s Azure Duckweed Sword neutralized it, completing the three moves he had offered to withstand.
• Jiang Sheng raised the Azure Duckweed Sword and released a sweeping green flash of sword light.

Jiang Sheng defeated Lin Dong on Jade-Sun Mountain, then helped him recognize that his pursuit of an undefeated record had made him arrogant. The two traveled together to Xue City, where Lin Dong prepared to continue his journey and challenge Zhan Lingfeng before exploring other kingdoms.

• Jiang Sheng defeated Lin Dong with one swift sword strike, cleaving the summit of Jade-Sun Mountain and leaving Lin Dong unable to resist.
• Jiang Sheng advised Lin Dong that an undefeated Dao heart meant recovering from defeat, prompting Lin Dong to realize his pride had led him toward cultivation deviation.
• Lin Dong thanked Jiang Sheng for his guidance, then learned that Jiang Sheng and a friend had once slain a Golden Core Realm cultivator together.
• News of Lin Dong's defeat by an unfamiliar Daoist spread through Yangshan Commandery, while the Daoist's identity and whereabouts remained uncertain.
• Lin Dong caught up with Jiang Sheng and invited him to the Four Symbols Assembly in Xue City, where Jiang Sheng hoped to observe the Lu Kingdom's great sects.
• As they arrived at Xue City, Lin Dong told Jiang Sheng he would challenge Zhan Lingfeng and then travel through several kingdoms before they met again.

Jiang Sheng arrived in Xue City for the Four Symbols Assembly, where Windcatcher Hall spread rumors that he had come to challenge the four sects’ elders. As the assembly began, Jiang Sheng watched the duels and saw an ordinary boy defeat a stronger opponent with the Mortal Sword’s Ultimate Realm, leaving him intrigued.

• Jiang Sheng dismissed Dong Yong’s attempt to befriend him and left after Dong asked whether he had traveled through Yangshan Commandery.
• Dong Yong revealed himself as Windcatcher Hall’s Xue City manager and ordered his subordinates to spread news that the Startled Swan Sword had arrived.
• Rumors claimed Jiang Sheng had come to challenge the four great sects’ Purple Mansion Realm elders, drawing crowds to the Four Symbols Assembly.
• Jiang Sheng watched the four sects’ Qi Refining Realm disciples duel and recalled how he had mastered the Mortal Sword’s Ultimate Realm in the Dao Sect.
• A fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy at the sixth Qi Refining level shattered a Flying Feather Palace disciple’s technique with one sword strike.

Jiang Sheng watched Li Xunhuan defeat three stronger Qi Refining opponents and recognized his exceptional swordsmanship. After the Four Symbols Assembly ended, Jiang Sheng revealed he came from Penglai of the Dao Sect and asked to meet Li Xunhuan, leaving Carefree Valley’s elder alarmed and Li Xunhuan facing a chance to join a powerful sect.

• Li Xunhuan defeated an Eighth Layer Flying Feather Palace disciple by breaking the Feather-Transforming Strike Art with his iron sword.
• Li Xunhuan defeated Bai Qingxue of the Luanfeng Pavilion and then a Profound Light Hall disciple, winning three matches against Eighth Layer opponents.
• Jiang Sheng recognized that Li Xunhuan’s swordsmanship hinted at Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Laws and considered recruiting him.
• After the three-day Four Symbols Assembly ended, Jiang Sheng stopped the departing sects and rode over to meet Li Xunhuan.
• Jiang Sheng introduced himself as a cultivator from Penglai of the Dao Sect, prompting Carefree Valley’s elder to react with alarm.

Jiang Sheng offered Li Xunhuan a place in Penglai, but accepted his loyalty to Carefree Valley and gave him spirit-channeling gold before leaving Lu Kingdom. After explaining the rules governing sect disciples who travel abroad, Jiang Sheng returned to Qi Kingdom and Qingxuan Temple, where Tian Ming'an welcomed him.

• Jiang Sheng revealed his identity to Li Xunhuan, praised his swordsmanship, and offered to take him as a disciple, but Li Xunhuan refused to abandon Carefree Valley.
• Jiang Sheng gave Li Xunhuan third-tier spirit-channeling gold and allowed Carefree Valley to depart, then left Xue City.
• Huang Gaohan learned that Jiang Sheng had gone to Qi Kingdom and ordered Lu Kingdom's court to stop tracking him.
• Jiang Sheng returned to Qi Kingdom on the Cloud-Turning Steed and headed for Qingxuan Temple in Qingping Mountain.
• Tian Ming'an saw Jiang Sheng arrive at the temple and greeted him as his master.

Jiang Sheng taught Tian Ming'an the Yimu Spirit Light Art and urged him to master its principles without merely copying his teacher. After Bai Ying helped Tian Ming'an realize he should develop the art in his own way, Jiang Sheng displayed his swordsmanship across the clear sky.

• Jiang Sheng asked Tian Ming'an to demonstrate the techniques he had learned from the Azure Origin Talisman Scripture, then showed him how deftly he controlled Yimu Spirit Light.
• Jiang Sheng explained that practical mastery mattered more than copying other cultivators' techniques, while Tian Ming'an struggled to understand the lesson.
• On Qingping Mountain's summit, Jiang Sheng shaped clouds and water with spiritual power, reflecting on his own path and the flaws in simply imitating other arts.
• Jiang Sheng demonstrated Yimu Spirit Light again, but Tian Ming'an remained confused until Bai Ying asked why he needed to compare his technique with his master's.
• Tian Ming'an realized he should not practice the art merely to imitate Jiang Sheng, and Jiang Sheng smiled as he saw his disciple stop forcing himself to copy.
• Jiang Sheng summoned the Qingping Sword and swept its sword qi across the clouds, leaving the sky clear above Tian Ming'an and Bai Ying.