Chapter Summaries

Zhou Zhiruo stayed behind to protect Yang Yan and Mei Jiangxue from their pursuers, then fought alone against more than a dozen attackers despite being outmatched and wounded. As the monk’s palm threatened her, Gu Santong arrived but sensed an unusual aura from Zhou Zhiruo and landed nearby without drawing anyone’s notice.

• Zhou Zhiruo blocked the monk’s attack long enough for Yang Yan to carry Mei Jiangxue away, then refused to let the pursuers pass.
• The curved-saber man tried to intimidate Zhou Zhiruo, but she vowed to kill him even if she died and faced the attackers as they charged together.
• Zhou Zhiruo fought off the surrounding enemies with her swordsmanship and the Heaven and Earth Great Shift, but the monk’s strength and hidden weapons wounded her repeatedly.
• Zhou Zhiruo redirected a hidden weapon at the monk and tried to strike the curved-saber man, but the monk closed in and struck at her as she was recovering.
• Gu Santong burst from the forest, then sensed an unusual aura from Zhou Zhiruo and landed three zhang away without the fighters noticing.

Zhou Zhiruo awakened the intent behind Sword Three: Thousand Willows and fought off the attackers, but the Dragon Elephant monk overwhelmed her with his strength. Gu Santong saved her, subdued the surviving enemies, and treated her injuries with a pill prepared by Gu Shao'an.

• Zhou Zhiruo entered a strange state, grasped the intent of Sword Three: Thousand Willows, and killed the curved-saber wielder while disrupting the other attackers.
• The monk’s Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill endured Zhou Zhiruo’s sword attacks, and he injured her as her True Qi ran low.
• Gu Santong stepped in front of Zhou Zhiruo and let the monk’s full-powered punch strike him, then sent the monk staggering with the rebound force.
• Gu Santong used flying stones to kill more than ten attackers, cripple the lean man, and badly injure the monk before striking the monk’s knees and ordering him to kneel.
• Gu Santong gave Zhou Zhiruo a pill prepared by Gu Shao'an, and she began recovering enough to circulate her Nine Yang True Energy.

Gu Santong reported that the attack on Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan was part of a scheme to draw Feng Xinglie to Emei so the Demon Master Palace could cultivate the Dao Heart Seed Demon Great Law. Gu Shao'an realized the plot’s purpose and decided he could act against those responsible without hesitation.

• Gu Santong finished interrogating the attackers while Zhou Zhiruo recovered, then explained that the Tibetan monk served the Esoteric Sect and the other attacker was the Sea Sand Gang’s vice leader.
• Gu Santong told Zhou Zhiruo that Gu Shao'an had arranged for him to protect her and Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo understood why Gu Shao'an had not intervened himself.
• Gu Santong returned to Gu Shao'an and reported that Sword Three: Thousand Willows had reached the level of Force and that the Beggar's Sect and Demon Master Palace were both involved in the attack.
• Gu Shao'an inferred that the scheme was meant to lure Feng Xinglie to Emei so the Demon Master Palace could take him to the Great Yuan Kingdom and cultivate the Dao Heart Seed Demon Great Law.
• Gu Shao'an decided to act against the plotters, and Gu Santong sensed his killing intent.

Zhou Zhiruo combined the Emei Sword Manual with Heaven and Earth Great Shift to master the momentum of Thousand Willows, and Gu Shao'an explained how she could advance toward the Domain of Intent. As martial artists gathered in Jiading Prefecture ahead of the Emei Sect’s confrontation with the Beggar’s Sect and Pang Ban, a woman disguised as a man prepared to settle her vendetta after the coming affair.

• Zhou Zhiruo used Sword Three: Thousand Willows with Heaven and Earth Great Shift, multiplying her force into hundreds of flowing streams and reaching the level of momentum.
• Gu Shao'an praised Zhou Zhiruo’s insight and told her that multiplying the force into ten thousand forms could lead her into the Domain of Intent.
• Zhou Zhiruo told Gu Shao'an that Yang Yan and Jiangxue felt self-reproach and would devote themselves to training, while Gu Shao'an worried Yang Yan would scold him.
• Gu Shao'an assured Zhou Zhiruo that he was confident about facing Demon Master Pang Ban as martial artists flocked to Jiading Prefecture to witness the coming confrontation.
• Wang Fulai told his master that Shi Huolong, Li Ruohai’s Evil Charm Sect, and other forces had arrived in Jiading Prefecture, and she said she would deal with them after the current affair.
• The woman disguised as a man touched the wooden case beside her, looked toward the Emei Sect with a trace of reminiscence, and began circulating her true essence.

Miejue and the Emei Sect faced impatient faction leaders at the Golden Summit, where Juechen and Jueyuan refused to be pressured and Juechen nearly provoked a fight with Zong Yue. Miejue arrived with Gu Shao'an, Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Mei Jiangxue, and took her seat as the waiting assembly watched; Gu Santong also encountered a mysterious old Daoist in the crowd.

• Liu Changle and Shi Huolong challenged the Emei Sect over the long wait, but Jueyuan told them to wait or leave.
• Shi Huolong threatened that the visitors would turn hostile, and Juechen shattered a table with her inner force and offered to fight him.
• Zong Yue intervened, but Juechen challenged him as well, leaving him angry and humiliated.
• Miejue arrived with Gu Shao'an, Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Mei Jiangxue; Zong Yue stared greedily at the three women, while Gu Shao'an exchanged a confirming glance with Feng Xinglie.
• Gu Santong met a bamboo-hatted old Daoist in the crowd, who said he regretted knowing Gu Shao'an and then walked away.
• Miejue took her seat outside the hall and looked over the gathered leaders, pausing on Zong Yue before focusing on Shi Huolong.

Shi Huolong accused Emei of keeping the Beggar's Sect's Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, but Abbess Miejue defended Emei's rightful inheritance and rejected his demand. As the factions prepared to fight, Huang Xuemei arrived with the Sky Demon Qin, intervened on Emei's behalf, and ended the chapter threatening to kill anyone who doubted her.

• Shi Huolong demanded that Abbess Miejue return the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, and Miejue explained that Emei had inherited the art from its founder, Guo Xiang.
• Abbess Miejue rebuked Shi Huolong and Zong Yue, while Feng Xinglie challenged her criticism of the Evil Charm Sect.
• Shi Huolong and allied factions revealed hidden fighters and prepared to attack Emei, as Emei's disciples drew their swords.
• Huang Xuemei appeared above the Golden Summit with the Sky Demon Qin and carved a ravine into the ground with a single note, warning the factions not to cross the line.
• Zong Yue recognized the Sky Demon Qin and became consumed by greed, while Huang Xuemei said she had come to repay Emei for its kindness.
• Huang Xuemei killed a Beggar's Sect disciple who demanded proof of her story and declared that she would kill everyone who doubted her.

Huang Xuemei intimidated the sect alliance as Gu Shao'an and Abbess Miejue faced the tense confrontation on Emei’s Golden Summit. After Jin Bingyun’s failed assassination attempt and death, Gu Shao'an appeared to uncover a hidden scheme and forced Zong Yue, Shi Huolong, and the others to their knees, telling them to await death.

• Huang Xuemei threatened the gathered sects with her Sky Demon Qin, bringing their confrontation with Emei Sect to a stalemate.
• Zhao Jingxuan escorted Jin Bingyun to Abbess Miejue, and Jin Bingyun attacked her with a concealed Soft Sword.
• Abbess Miejue struck Jin Bingyun down; Jin Bingyun died in Feng Xinglie’s arms after asking him to avenge her.
• Gu Shao'an inferred that Jin Bingyun’s attack revealed a hidden scheme, thanked Huang Xuemei, and walked toward Feng Xinglie.
• Zong Yue attacked Gu Shao'an as Shi Huolong and the others charged, but Gu Shao'an’s single step crushed their knees and forced them to kneel.

Gu Shao'an exposed Jin Bingyun's feigned death and revealed that Feng Xinglie carried the Demon Seed. When Gu Shao'an threatened to cripple it, Demon Master Pang Ban arrived at the Golden Summit.

• Gu Shao'an disarmed Feng Xinglie, examined him, and confirmed that he possessed both the Dao Heart and the Demon Seed.
• Gu Shao'an diagnosed Jin Bingyun's apparent death as a deception and explained the signs showing that she was still alive.
• Gu Shao'an used Gang Yuan to force Jin Bingyun to wake, then lifted Feng Xinglie and threatened to cripple his Demon Seed.
• Demon Master Pang Ban appeared above the Golden Summit, walking through the air and looking down at the gathered martial artists.

Gu Shao'an exposed the Demon Master Palace's scheme to cultivate Feng Xinglie's Dao Heart and Demon Seed, then killed the counterfeit Shi Huolong and his accomplices after Pang Ban admitted the plot. After crippling Zong Yue, Gu Shao'an faced Pang Ban, leaving their confrontation about to begin.

• Pang Ban arrived at the Golden Summit Plaza with Jue Tian and Mie Di, and Gu Shao'an explained how he uncovered the Demon Master Palace's plot involving Feng Xinglie.
• Abbot Juechen explained that Feng Xinglie possessed an innate Dao Heart, while Gu Shao'an revealed that the Demon Master Palace had used emotional turmoil to nourish its Demon Seed.
• Pang Ban admitted Gu Shao'an's account was true, so Gu Shao'an used the Heavenly Sword's pressure to shatter Shi Huolong and his accomplices' meridians, killing them.
• Pang Ban recognized that Gu Shao'an had reached Condensing Essence into Gang, and Gu Shao'an explained that he had killed the impostors to act with justification as a righteous sect.
• Gu Shao'an crippled Zong Yue's dantian, then cast Feng Xinglie aside and declared that his confrontation with Pang Ban would begin.

Gu Shao'an fought Demon Master Pang Ban on Emei's Golden Summit, matching his cultivation and Domain of Intent despite his youth. After Pang Ban used a demonic illusion to disrupt Gu Shao'an's counterattack, Gu Shao'an broke free and unleashed a dragon-roaring palm technique.

• Gu Shao'an explained why he had killed Fang Yeyu and Li Chiming and why he sought repayment from Pang Ban and the Demon Master Palace.
• Gu Shao'an and Pang Ban exchanged punches, and their clash injured hundreds of martial artists with its shockwave.
• Pang Ban was astonished that Gu Shao'an's cultivation rivaled his own and that Gu Shao'an had also reached the Domain of Intent.
• Gu Shao'an and Pang Ban fought hundreds of moves while Gu Santong realized how far their strength surpassed his.
• Pang Ban used a demonic sound to trap Gu Shao'an in an illusion and attacked while Gu Shao'an's fist was out of position.
• Gu Shao'an broke the illusion, redirected his strike into a palm seal, and released a majestic dragon's roar.

Gu Shao'an severed Pang Ban’s arm and drove him to flee from Emei Golden Summit, while Zhang Sanfeng secretly killed Pang Ban’s pursuers. After the battle, Gu Shao'an stopped Jin Bingyun from escaping and sent her crashing back onto the plaza.

• Gu Shao'an used a lightning-fast sword draw to sever Pang Ban’s arm, then pursued him as Pang Ban unleashed spiritual-energy illusions across the mountaintop.
• Zhang Sanfeng remained unaffected by the illusions, killed Jue Tian and Mie Di with two stones, and stopped Gu Shao'an from pursuing Pang Ban farther.
• Gu Shao'an broke free of the illusion, revived the crowd with a dragon roar, and confirmed to Abbess Miejue that Pang Ban had escaped.
• Gu Shao'an told Abbess Miejue that Zhang Sanfeng had intervened and asked her to handle matters while he went to speak with Zhang Sanfeng.
• Gu Shao'an noticed Jin Bingyun trying to escape and struck her with his scabbard, knocking her back onto the Golden Summit Plaza.

Gu Shao'an wounded Pang Ban with Sword Eight: Startling Wind, drawing blood from the Demon Master for the first time in twenty years. As Gu Shao'an began gathering his power for another technique, Pang Ban sensed that the Emei Sword Manual held more than eight forms.

• Gu Shao'an used Dragon's Ascendancy Momentum and Lifting the Light as if Heavy to break through Pang Ban's attack, forcing Pang Ban to retreat without apparent injury.
• Gu Shao'an drew the Heavenly Sword and unleashed Emei Sword Manual—Sword Eight: Startling Wind, drawing the mountain winds into a storm of sword-shaped blades.
• Pang Ban raised layers of Gang Qi Barriers, but Gu Shao'an's sword pierced through them and cut Pang Ban's chest as he evaded.
• Pang Ban asked about Gu Shao'an's martial art, and Gu Shao'an identified it as Sword Eight: Startling Wind, while agreeing it was not enough to defeat Pang Ban.
• Gu Shao'an assumed a new sword stance, focused his Gang Yuan and began gathering Heaven and Earth Power, prompting Pang Ban to suspect the Emei Sword Manual had more than eight forms.

Gu Shao'an wounded Pang Ban with Sword Nine, then broke through Pang Ban’s demonic illusion and endured his full-force attack without moving. The chapter ended as Gu Shao'an drew the Heavenly Sword again while Pang Ban stood stunned.

• Pang Ban recognized that Gu Shao'an’s opening stance was drawing on Heaven and Earth Power and unleashed his Demon Overlord Profound Extreme.
• Gu Shao'an struck Pang Ban with Sword Nine, severing his fist qi and cutting a deep wound into his right arm.
• Pang Ban retaliated with Demon God Summon, trapping Gu Shao'an in a dark illusion and attacking him with a barrage of demonic fists.
• Gu Shao'an activated Immovable as a Mountain, drew strength from the earth, shattered the illusion, and reinforced his defenses.
• Pang Ban’s full-force punch shattered Gu Shao'an’s barrier but left Gu Shao'an standing motionless.
• Gu Shao'an turned and gripped the Heavenly Sword again as Pang Ban stared at him in disbelief.

Gu Shao'an severed Pang Ban’s arm and drove him to flee from Emei Golden Summit, while Zhang Sanfeng killed Pang Ban’s two companions and stopped Gu Shao'an from pursuing. After the crowd learned of Pang Ban’s defeat, Gu Shao'an exposed Jin Bingyun’s attempted escape and struck her back onto the summit.

• Gu Shao'an drew his sword and severed Pang Ban’s arm, then pursued him as Pang Ban used spiritual energy to plunge the mountaintop into illusions.
• Zhang Sanfeng killed Jue Tian and Mie Di with two pebbles, while Gu Shao'an broke free of Pang Ban’s illusion and Zhang Sanfeng warned him not to pursue the fleeing Pang Ban.
• Gu Shao'an abandoned the pursuit, dispelled the illusions with a dragon’s roar, and confirmed to Abbess Miejue that Pang Ban had escaped after being defeated.
• Gu Shao'an told Abbess Miejue that Zhang Sanfeng had killed Pang Ban’s companions, and Zong Yue died from injuries sustained during the battle.
• Gu Shao'an noticed Jin Bingyun trying to escape and sent his sword sheath flying into her, knocking her back onto the Golden Summit plaza.

After Abbess Miejue crippled Jin Bingyun, Gu Shao'an met with Zhang Sanfeng to discuss the threat posed by Meng Chixing and the Demon Master Palace. The chapter ended with Gu Shao'an asking Zhang Sanfeng about the mysterious Azure Dragon Society, whose formidable history stunned him and Gu Santong.

• Abbess Miejue destroyed Jin Bingyun's dantian after her alliance with the Demon Master Palace was exposed.
• Gu Shao'an arranged for Gu Santong to bring Zhang Sanfeng to the rear mountain, where he discussed Gu Santong's rescue and Zhu Wushi's secret use of the Great Skill of Absorbing Power.
• Zhang Sanfeng revealed that Meng Chixing, Ba Shibaba, and Si Hanfei had all entered the Heavenly Human Realm, and warned that killing Pang Ban could provoke Meng Chixing to invade Great Wei.
• Zhang Sanfeng said Pang Ban had been gravely weakened and that Gu Santong's perfected Diamond Body Divine Skill could counter the Dao Heart Seed Demon Great Law.
• Gu Shao'an asked Zhang Sanfeng about the Azure Dragon Society, prompting Zhang Sanfeng and Gu Santong to react with alarm as the society's vast organization and seven powerful Dragon Heads were described.

Gu Shao'an warned Zhang Sanfeng that Zhu Wushi was the Azure Dragon Society's Fifth Dragon Head and might target him to break through to the Heavenly Human Realm. After the danger to Emei eased, Gu Shao'an prepared to travel to the capital while arranging for Gu Santong to guard against the Evil Charm Sect, then spoke with Huang Xuemei about their meeting ten years earlier.

• Gu Shao'an told Zhang Sanfeng that Zhu Wushi had joined the Azure Dragon Society and might seek to absorb Zhang's inner strength, prompting Zhang to promise to keep Wudang vigilant.
• Zhang Sanfeng asked how Gu Shao'an had survived Pang Ban's full-force punch, and Gu Shao'an kept the details of his defensive ability secret.
• Gu Shao'an said he would leave for the capital in a few days to register Emei Sect's promotion, while Gu Santong stayed behind to guard against Li Ruohai and other factions.
• Gu Shao'an gave Gu Santong a Bodhi Exquisite Pill to strengthen him and help him advance the Diamond Body Divine Skill.
• Gu Shao'an thanked Huang Xuemei for assisting Emei and explained that he had recognized her from their encounter ten years earlier.
• Huang Xuemei apologized for having dragged Gu Shao'an into danger ten years ago.

Gu Shao'an left Emei for the capital to seek the Dragon Guard Manor’s help in elevating the sect’s status, and Huang Xuemei joined him for a year to repay an old debt. In the capital, a masked white-haired man ordered his followers to investigate Gu Shao'an and advance a plan involving Pang Ban, while discussing Zhu Wushi’s campaign against Bat Island.

• Gu Shao'an told Abbess Miejue he planned to approach the Dragon Guard Manor, and she warned him to be cautious; she then sent Mei Jiangxue with her and ordered Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan to focus on cultivation.
• Gu Shao'an traveled west from Jiading Prefecture and met Huang Xuemei at a post station, where she offered to serve at his beck and call for one year; he accepted her company and proposed they spar during the journey.
• A masked white-haired man learned that Gu Shao'an had severed Pang Ban’s arm and ordered a subordinate to test Gu Shao'an’s strength.
• The white-haired man ordered his followers to send a targeted cauldron to Pang Ban to help him cultivate the Dao Heart Seed Demon Great Law.
• The white-haired man’s attendant reported that Zhu Wushi had nearly eradicated Bat Island’s forces in the Great Wei Kingdom before an imperial summons recalled him; the white-haired man commented on Zhu Wushi’s unexpected sentimentality.

After defeating Pang Ban, Gu Shao'an examined Huang Xuemei’s injuries and gave her medicine before she left for urgent business. He planned to travel to the capital in two days, while Abbess Miejue and the Emei elders prepared to use the victory to restore Emei’s standing and address the sects that had joined the attack.

• Gu Shao'an diagnosed Huang Xuemei’s damaged meridians and internal organs, tracing her condition to the Heavenly Dragon Pill she had taken half a year earlier.
• Gu Shao'an gave Huang Xuemei pills and explained that she would need three months to recover; Huang Xuemei asked about his plans, then departed with the Sky Demon Qin.
• Gu Shao'an told Abbess Miejue, Juechen, and Jueyuan that Pang Ban’s injuries would take years to heal and that he planned to leave for the capital in two days to register Emei’s promotion.
• Abbess Miejue and the others recognized that Emei was poised to become a first-rate force, and Miejue ordered an investigation of the Beggar's Sect, Changle Gate, Sea Sand Gang, and other forces before deciding how to deal with them.
• Abbess Miejue urged Juechen and Jueyuan to preserve Emei’s honorable conduct and reflected that she was fortunate to have them and Gu Shao'an.

After celebrating Gu Shao'an's victory over Demon Master Pang Ban with Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Mei Jiangxue, he spent Achievement Points to upgrade [Drawing Sword Like a Rainbow] to gold. Testing the improved trait at a cliff, he discovered it greatly increased his sword-drawing speed and wondered whether Pang Ban would fall to it again.

• Gu Shao'an celebrated defeating Pang Ban with Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Mei Jiangxue, while they reflected on the peace of their life together and their cultivation.
• Zhou Zhiruo explained that Gu Shao'an had added medicinal powder to their meals to nourish their meridians and help them cultivate safely.
• Gu Shao'an spent his 4,000 Achievement Points and received several rewards, including a gold Trait Upgrader.
• Gu Shao'an used the Trait Upgrader on [Drawing Sword Like a Rainbow], raising the trait from purple to gold.
• Gu Shao'an tested the upgraded trait at the cliff and split a windblown bamboo leaf with a sword draw that increased his speed by fifty percent.

Gu Shao'an failed to merge his sword-drawing technique with Sword Nine, but confirmed that a new move might be possible. After testing his Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms on Gu Santong, he learned of a renowned weaponsmith named Feng Yongxiu and planned to seek him out in Dongyang Prefecture.

• Gu Shao'an assessed the value of the Purple Pattern Spirit Infusion Flower and Cold Marrow Fine Gold, then cultivated the Diamond Body Divine Skill.
• Pang Ban woke from his injuries, brooded over his defeat by Gu Shao'an, and could not understand why his punch had failed to affect him.
• Gu Shao'an attempted to combine Sword Nine with his golden sword-drawing trait, but the conflicting circulation routes caused him discomfort and forced him to stop.
• Gu Shao'an asked Gu Santong to test his Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, then struck him with dozens of powerful palm strikes.
• Gu Santong told Gu Shao'an about the master weaponsmith Feng Yongxiu, who was reportedly near Dongyang Prefecture and charged ten thousand taels for his work.