Chapter Summaries

Gu Santong stormed the Giant Sword Sect seeking Suxin, crippled Zhou Jianshan, and captured him after learning she might have been taken to Sihai Hall. Mei Jiangxue executed the men who had destroyed her family, while Gu Shao'an planned to take her home and continue investigating the forces behind the trafficking.

• Gu Santong battered the Giant Sword Sect elder into its gate plaque, demanded Suxin, and accused the sect of trafficking people with the Ghost Hand Gang and Sihai Hall.
• Gu Santong crippled Zhou Jianshan and forced him to suggest Suxin might be at Sihai Hall, then destroyed the sect's stone sword and declared the Giant Sword Sect finished.
• Gu Santong captured Zhou Jianshan and brought him to Gu Shao'an, Mei Jiangxue, and Fu Tianlong, whom Gu Shao'an had gathered with the other conspirators against the Meishan Aristocratic Family.
• Mei Jiangxue used the Heavenly Sword to execute the conspirators, including Zhou Jianshan, then wept and kowtowed toward her family.
• Gu Shao'an told Gu Santong he would investigate the forces behind the trafficking and planned to take Mei Jiangxue to the Meishan Aristocratic Family before returning to the Emei Sect.

Gu Shao'an took Mei Jiangxue to the ruins of the Meishan Aristocratic Family, where they honored the dead and saw how local people had buried them. That night, he answered Mei Jiangxue’s doubts about her family’s sacrifice and urged her to grow strong enough to protect others, leaving a spark of resolve in her eyes.

• Gu Shao'an declined to travel with Gu Santong to Yunyang Prefecture and said he would return to Emei to cultivate before Pang Ban’s appointed date.
• Gu Shao'an gave Xiong Wei money and asked him to drive Gu Santong and Miss Suxin while remaining within Wudang territory for a few years; Mei Jiangxue drove Gu Shao'an away.
• Gu Shao'an and Mei Jiangxue visited the burned ruins of the Meishan Aristocratic Family and learned that people who had received the family’s kindness had buried its dead.
• Mei Jiangxue asked Gu Shao'an whether her family could have avoided destruction by ignoring the Ghost Hand Gang and Sihai Hall, and Gu Shao'an said it could have but would no longer have been the Meishan Aristocratic Family.
• Gu Shao'an told Mei Jiangxue about his own family’s slaughter and said that becoming strong enough to protect others was the best comfort for the dead.
• Mei Jiangxue listened to Gu Shao'an’s advice, and a trace of light returned to her eyes.

Gu Shao'an returned to Emei Sect with Mei Jiangxue after restoring their appearances, and learned that Abbess Miejue had named him Young Sect Leader while he was away. He reunited with his Master and fellow disciples, then explained how the Ghost Hand Gang and its allies had destroyed Mei Jiangxue’s family.

• Gu Shao'an and Mei Jiangxue stopped in Jiading Prefecture, where they removed their disguises before continuing to Emei Sect.
• Mei Jiangxue recognized Gu Shao'an as the Emei disciple who had killed Fang Yeyu at Bright Summit, and they revealed their true appearances to each other.
• At Emei Mountain's gate, Abbess Juexin and the disciples welcomed Gu Shao'an as the Young Sect Leader and explained that Abbess Miejue had appointed him during his absence.
• Gu Shao'an reached the rear mountain and reunited with Abbess Miejue, Juechen, Jueyuan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan.
• Gu Shao'an introduced Mei Jiangxue and described how the Ghost Hand Gang, Sihai Hall, and the Giant Sword Sect had destroyed the Meishan Aristocratic Family.

Gu Shao'an helped Mei Jiangxue join Emei, then told Abbess Miejue and the others that Zhu Wushi had framed Gu Santong and killed the eight sects’ experts at Taihu Lake. The Emei elders agreed to wait for a chance to confront Zhu Wushi, while Zhu Wushi appeared on Xuanbei Heavenly Mountain.

• Shitai Jueyuan examined Mei Jiangxue’s Bone Structure and accepted her as a direct disciple after Mei chose to join Emei rather than rebuild her family.
• Gu Shao'an told Abbess Miejue, Abbot Juechen, and Shitai Jueyuan that a Jade Sword Sect survivor had revealed Zhu Wushi was responsible for the Taihu Lake massacre and had framed Gu Santong.
• Abbess Miejue and the other elders grew furious, but Gu Shao'an warned that Zhu Wushi’s power and imperial ties made open conflict too dangerous for now.
• Gu Shao'an learned that the Golden Lion King had been killed, then said he would cure Daiqisi’s poison and let her leave while leaving Xiao Zhao’s future undecided.
• Abbess Miejue and the other elders agreed to set aside their revenge until an opportunity arose, and Zhu Wushi walked through a raging snowstorm toward the summit of Xuanbei Heavenly Mountain.

Zhu Wushi discovered that Suxin had vanished from her ice coffin and erupted in panic and fury. At Emei, Gu Shao'an cured Daiqisi’s poison, warned her against challenging him, and offered to protect Xiao Zhao from the Persian Ming Cult before returning to his room to check his Achievement Points and summon the lottery wheel.

• Zhu Wushi found Suxin’s ice coffin empty, searched the Heavenly Pool, and roared in fury as he demanded to know who had taken her.
• Daiqisi spat blood while cultivating, accused the Emei Sect of keeping her poisoned, and learned from Xiao Zhao that they were waiting for Gu Shao'an to return with an antidote.
• Gu Shao'an arrived and gave Daiqisi the antidote, then struck her with a pebble when she asked whether the Heaven and Earth Great Shift had fallen into Emei’s hands.
• Gu Shao'an warned Daiqisi against provoking him, stopped Xiao Zhao from kowtowing, and offered to protect Xiao Zhao if the Persian Ming Cult threatened her, provided Daiqisi stopped committing evil.
• Gu Shao'an returned to Emei, checked his 7893 Achievement Points, and summoned the lottery wheel.

Gu Shao'an gained new techniques and refined nine powerful Bodhi Exquisite Pills, further strengthening the Emei Sect. The chapter left Abbess Miejue wondering whether Emei would soon become a second Wudang.

• Gu Shao'an used two Cultivation Cards, raising his cultivation to seventy-two years, then fused Three Manifestations of the Divine Dragon and Nine Shadow Spirals into Cloud Dragon Void Wander.
• Gu Shao'an learned the Soul Shifting Great Law and considered whether its spiritual-energy techniques could help him face Pang Ban.
• Shitai Jueyuan accepted Mei Jiangxue as her personal disciple, then left Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan to teach her the Emei Nine Yang Manual.
• Gu Shao'an emerged from his courtyard with nine Bodhi Exquisite Pills, each of which could grant nine years of cultivation and strengthen a martial artist's origin.
• Gu Shao'an explained that the pills could help his fellow disciples advance, while Abbess Miejue advised him to teach his new martial arts to Zhou Zhiruo and the others instead of the older Emei masters.
• Abbess Miejue, Abbot Juechen, and Shitai Jueyuan reflected on Emei's growing strength, and Abbess Miejue wondered whether the sect would soon become a second Wudang.

Gu Shao'an achieved the domain level of Immortal Caresses My Crown while practicing Golden Summit Cotton Palm. In Gushan City, Zhu Wushi revealed his obsession with Suxin to Liu Chenyue, killed him, then ordered an investigation into the forces behind the Ghost Hand Gang, Giant Sword Sect, and Sihai Hall.

• Gu Shao'an entered Sudden Enlightenment and advanced Immortal Caresses My Crown from intent to domain, controlling the space within ten feet around him.
• Zhu Wushi confronted Liu Chenyue, identified him, and recounted his history with Suxin and his determination to preserve his dream of being with her.
• Zhu Wushi strangled Liu Chenyue, declaring that the price of sharing his confidences was death.
• Zhu Wushi received a message by carrier pigeon and ordered his guards to investigate the Ghost Hand Gang, Giant Sword Sect, and Sihai Hall and discover what force stood behind them.

On New Year's Eve at Emei, Gu Shao'an comforted Mei Jiangxue and shared a warm celebration with the sect while planning to remain on the mountain and strengthen his cultivation. Abbess Miejue kept her secret arrangement with Zhang Zhenren as a safeguard, leaving Gu Shao'an to face Pang Ban himself if possible.

• Bei Jinyi and Zhao Jingxuan sent Gu Shao'an to check on Mei Jiangxue, who was alone at the cliff missing her family.
• Gu Shao'an gave Mei Jiangxue Meridian Nourishing Pills and encouraged her to cultivate, easing her sadness with his company.
• At the New Year's gathering, Gu Shao'an said he would stay at Emei and work toward the complete seventh layer of the Emei Nine Yang Manual.
• The Emei disciples celebrated with food, wine, and fireworks, while Gu Shao'an reflected on protecting those he cared about.
• Abbot Juechen learned that Abbess Miejue had arranged for Zhang Zhenren to stay at Emei as insurance, but Miejue hoped Gu Shao'an would handle Pang Ban himself.

Gu Shao'an demonstrated a transcendent level of Golden Summit Cotton Palm, prompting Shitai Jueyuan to explain the value of a sect’s inherited cultivation knowledge. Gu Santong and Suxin visited Emei after sending Cheng Shifei away to improve his character, and Gu Shao'an agreed to spar with Gu Santong.

• Gu Shao'an used bamboo leaves to manifest dragons with his Golden Summit Cotton Palm, while Shitai Jueyuan explained to Mei Jiangxue that his martial art had surpassed momentum and reached domain.
• Shitai Jueyuan told Mei Jiangxue to seek instruction rather than study alone, explaining that sects passed down valuable cultivation experience alongside their martial arts.
• Bei Jinyi reported that Gu Santong and Suxin had arrived at Emei, and Abbess Miejue invited them to the back mountain.
• Gu Santong and Suxin met Gu Shao'an, who arrived after cultivating, and Gu Santong marveled at his strength and appearance.
• Gu Shao'an learned that Gu Santong and Suxin had sent Cheng Shifei to a friend’s home to correct his bad habits before Gu Santong taught him martial arts.
• Gu Santong challenged Gu Shao'an to a spar, and Gu Shao'an accepted so they could test each other’s moves.

Gu Shao'an sparred with Gu Santong to test his newly created martial art, impressing him with the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, extraordinary strength, and a domain-level technique. After learning Gu Shao'an was only twenty, Gu Santong was so overwhelmed that he felt like taking Suxin back to the Heavenly Prison.

• Gu Shao'an retrieved the Heavenly Sword and challenged Gu Santong to spar while Abbess Miejue and the others watched.
• Gu Shao'an opened with the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, and Gu Santong was startled by his power and mastery of Lifting the Light as if Heavy.
• Gu Shao'an and Gu Santong exchanged dozens of moves, with Gu Shao'an blending fierce palm strikes, agile technique, and defensive force to keep pace.
• Gu Santong unleashed a martial domain formed from his fist intent, and Gu Shao'an countered with the domain of Immortal Caresses My Crown.
• Gu Santong learned from Abbess Miejue that Gu Shao'an was only twenty, then withdrew and felt like taking Suxin back to the Heavenly Prison.

Gu Shao'an demonstrated his self-created Sword Nine: One Sword Separates Worlds, striking Gu Santong despite his Diamond Body Divine Skill. Shocked by the sword’s power and Gu Shao'an’s ability, Gu Santong abandoned his plan to challenge Abbess Miejue and decided to wait until his Diamond Body Divine Skill reached the twelfth level.

• Gu Santong asked Gu Shao'an to demonstrate the sword technique he had created, and Gu Shao'an drew the Heavenly Sword and prepared his strongest move.
• Abbess Miejue recognized the technique as Sword Nine: One Sword Separates Worlds, while she and the others braced themselves against the pressure from Gu Shao'an and Gu Santong.
• Gu Shao'an released a golden sword qi that broke through the force surrounding Gu Santong and drove him back, leaving a small hole at his Tanzhong acupoint.
• Gu Shao'an told Gu Santong that he had used about seventy percent of his strength and named the move Sword Nine: One Sword Separates Worlds, which he had created after inspiration from Zhang Zhenren.
• Gu Santong marveled at Gu Shao'an's strength and decided not to challenge Abbess Miejue until his Diamond Body Divine Skill reached the twelfth level.

Gu Shao'an tested his Heaven and Earth Power sword strike against Gu Santong, then arranged a secluded residence for Gu Santong and Suxin at Emei. A year later, as Gu Santong guided Emei’s martial artists, a sudden fluctuation of true essence from Mount Emei’s back mountain sent him and the others rushing toward it.

• Gu Santong assessed Gu Shao'an’s sword strike and said few below the Heavenly Human Realm could withstand it if Gu Shao'an’s internal cultivation advanced further.
• Gu Shao'an arranged for Gu Santong and Suxin to live in a quiet bamboo-grove residence, and Gu Santong later told Suxin that Gu Shao'an might become the second Zhang Sanfeng.
• In the capital, Shangguan Haitang and Duan Tianya struggled to counter Cao Zhengchun and the Eastern Depot while Zhu Wushi’s investigation kept him occupied.
• A year later, Gu Santong advised Abbot Juechen on her Golden Summit Cotton Palm and asked whether Gu Shao'an had encountered a cultivation bottleneck.
• A powerful fluctuation of true essence came from Mount Emei’s back mountain, and Gu Santong, Suxin, Abbot Juechen, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan hurried toward it.

Gu Shao'an completed his breakthrough into Condensing Essence into Gang, giving Emei a powerful new expert. After testing his new strength against Gu Santong, he left Emei poised to restore its former standing and better face Demon Master Pang Ban.

• Gu Santong explained that Gu Shao'an's deep cultivation and solid foundation made his breakthrough unusually difficult, while Miejue and the others watched anxiously.
• Gu Shao'an transformed his Nine Yang True Essence into Gang Yuan and developed a vast protective Gang Qi barrier infused with Golden Essence.
• Gu Shao'an tested his new power against Gu Santong, whose fist was overpowered by Gu Shao'an's Repentant Dragon palm and forced him to retreat.
• Miejue celebrated Gu Shao'an's breakthrough, saying Emei could regain first-rank status and would be better prepared to face Demon Master Pang Ban.
• Mei Jiangxue asked about experts in the imperial palace, and Gu Santong said the imperial court was the strongest force in Great Wei.

Gu Shao'an broke through to the Condensing Essence into Gang realm, while Li Chiming learned he had remained on Emei Mountain and set out to kill the sect’s people. After consolidating his new realm, Gu Shao'an unlocked an orange talent trait: Immovable as a Mountain.

• Gu Santong questioned Gu Shao'an about the Golden Essence drawn into his gang qi, and Gu Shao'an later tested his newly transformed Gang Yuan in the bamboo grove.
• In Jiading Prefecture, Li Chiming learned from a subordinate that Gu Shao'an had stayed on Emei Mountain since killing Fang Yeyu, then threatened the man for criticizing his relationship with Demon Master Palace.
• Li Chiming decided to go to Emei and leave the sect’s people with intact corpses before vanishing from the tavern room.
• Gu Shao'an spent one thousand Achievement Points on the lottery roulette and obtained a Seven Star Begonia, which he recognized as both a rare poison and a source of detoxifying medicine.
• Gu Shao'an practiced his martial arts after consolidating his breakthrough and received the orange talent trait Immovable as a Mountain.

After gaining the Immovable as a Mountain trait, Gu Shao'an realized it made his defenses an effective counter to spiritual attacks and left him confident against Pang Ban. When Li Chiming arrived at Emei Mountain to capture Gu Shao'an and kill the rest of the sect, Gu Shao'an confronted him and declared he would decide Li Chiming's fate.

• Gu Shao'an discovered that Immovable as a Mountain complemented his Diamond Body trait by redirecting physical force and resisting mental attacks, though it required him to remain in contact with the ground.
• Gu Shao'an considered how his new trait could counter Pang Ban and grew confident that he could defeat the Demon Master.
• Li Chiming silently entered Emei Mountain, assessed the courtyards, and chose Abbess Miejue and her companions as his first targets.
• Gu Shao'an confronted Li Chiming above the bamboo grove, and Li Chiming explained that he had come to kill the Emei Sect members and take Gu Shao'an to the Demon Master.
• Li Chiming offered Gu Shao'an the choice of who would die first, but Gu Shao'an attacked and said he would decide Li Chiming's life and death.

Gu Shao'an pursued Li Chiming through the bamboo forest and killed him with the Emei Sword Manual’s Startling Wind technique. After Miejue and the others arrived, Gu Shao'an identified the dead man as Li Chiming, a eunuch sent by the Demon Master Palace to attack Emei.

• Li Chiming was shocked to discover that Gu Shao'an had reached Condensing Essence into Astral Force, but he evaded Gu Shao'an's Afterglow strike with his Heavenly Charm Condensing Yin movement technique.
• Gu Shao'an pursued Li Chiming into the bamboo forest and wounded his left hand with Fussing Snow, while Li Chiming tried to escape using the forest for cover.
• Gu Shao'an used Startling Wind to break through Li Chiming's Gang Qi and strike his brow, killing him.
• Miejue, Juechen, Jueyuan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Gu Santong arrived in the bamboo forest after sensing the disturbance.
• Gu Shao'an told Miejue that the dead man was Li Chiming, a eunuch sent by the Demon Master Palace to slaughter the Emei Sect.

Gu Shao'an killed Li Chiming before the Great Yuan martial artist could exploit his fighting style, then the Emei Sect discovered he had investigated their location. In the Golden Cauldron Hall, Abbess Miejue rejected the Beggar's Sect's demand for the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms and prepared to resist its growing coalition, while keeping the dispute from Gu Shao'an as he trained for Pang Ban.

• Gu Shao'an explained that he had quickly killed Li Chiming with the Emei Sword Manual before Li could build momentum with Heavenly Charm Condensing Yin.
• Abbess Miejue ordered Juechen and Jueyuan to investigate how Li Chiming had learned the Emei Sect's location, while Gu Shao'an took the body away.
• Abbot Juechen told the Emei elders that Shi Huolong had demanded the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms and was gathering other factions, including support from the Evil Charm Sect, to pressure Emei.
• Abbess Miejue declared that Emei would not surrender the manual and ordered Juechen to monitor the Beggar's Sect and contact Wudang if needed.
• Abbess Miejue and Juechen decided not to burden Gu Shao'an with the dispute because he was preparing for his appointed confrontation with Pang Ban.

Gu Shao'an proposed inviting Demon Master Pang Ban to Emei and defeating him publicly to raise the sect’s standing. Abbess Miejue then announced that Emei would await Pang Ban on the Golden Summit, while the Beggar’s Sect and its allies planned to confront Emei in October.

• Gu Shao'an told Gu Santong that his strength had improved enough to face Pang Ban and proposed inviting him to Emei rather than waiting for him to strike.
• Gu Shao'an explained that defeating Pang Ban publicly could establish Emei’s authority as it sought to return to first-rate status.
• Gu Santong agreed with Gu Shao'an’s plan and joked that the Demon Master Palace would become Emei’s enemy if Pang Ban were defeated.
• Elder Jueming read an invitation announcing that Shi Huolong, Yuan Guangbo, Mai Jing, and Shangguan Tiexiong would ascend Emei’s Golden Summit on October first to demand justice.
• Abbess Miejue revealed that Great Yuan and the Demon Master Palace had sent experts to infiltrate Emei and seize Gu Shao'an, then ordered Emei to await Pang Ban on the Golden Summit at noon on October ninth.

Gu Shao'an struggled to bring the Emei Sword Manual’s eighth form to the Domain level while the martial world mocked the Emei Sect’s challenge to Pang Ban. In Jiading Prefecture, Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Mei Jiangxue discovered that their meal had been poisoned.

• Gu Shao'an trained in the Bamboo Sea, demonstrating the eighth form, Startling Wind, but one bamboo leaf escaped his attack and his progress remained stalled.
• Shangguan Haitang discussed reports of the Emei Sect’s challenge to Pang Ban with Duan Tianya and Guihai Yidao, and she suspected Abbess Miejue had a reason for provoking him.
• Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Mei Jiangxue heard men insulting the Emei Sect at Joyous Arrival Pavilion, and Yang Yan warned them off with hidden weapons.
• Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan reassured each other that Gu Shao'an could face Pang Ban, then resolved to improve their own cultivation so they could help him.
• Mei Jiangxue added medicinal powder to their noodles, but Zhou Zhiruo warned her through true qi that the food was poisoned, and Mei Jiangxue saw the noodles turn black where her chopsticks touched them.

Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Mei Jiangxue escaped a poisoned inn meal but were ambushed on the road to Emei by a group led by an Esoteric Sect monk wielding Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill. Zhou Zhiruo stayed behind to protect the others and clashed with the monk, while the fight remained unresolved.

• Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Mei Jiangxue discovered the poisoned chopsticks, left the inn, and rode toward Emei while guarding against pursuit.
• Yang Yan confirmed that no one was following them, and Zhou Zhiruo warned her to protect Mei Jiangxue as they approached Emei.
• Attackers fired poisoned plum blossom darts from a forest, but Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan deflected them before several enemies blocked the road.
• Zhou Zhiruo fired an Emei signal flare and used the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles, but a bald monk stopped them with Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.
• After the women's horses collapsed from tampering, Zhou Zhiruo told Yang Yan to take Mei Jiangxue and charged the attackers, wounding two men with Sword Three—Thousand Willows.
• The bald monk blocked Zhou Zhiruo's fatal sword strike with his dragon claws, leaving them locked in combat.