Chapter Summaries

Gu Shao'an and Mei Jiangxue accompanied Yuan Dongyuan toward Taiyuan Prefecture, where Yuan offered martial arts and treasures in exchange for protecting Wuzheng Villa. After Gu Shao'an rejected the bargain on moral grounds, Yuan tried to kill himself, but Gu saved him and forced him to face the judgment awaiting him.

• Gu Shao'an opened another Hidden Meridian and continued toward Taiyuan Prefecture with Mei Jiangxue and Yuan Dongyuan.
• Near the city, Yuan Dongyuan offered the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm, Tide Song of the Azure Sea, and other Bat Island assets in exchange for Gu Shao'an protecting Wuzheng Villa.
• Gu Shao'an refused, explaining that Wuzheng Villa had benefited from Bat Island's crimes and that accepting Yuan's offer would betray his principles.
• Yuan Dongyuan secretly cut his own throat as he rode past Gu Shao'an and Mei Jiangxue, but Gu Shao'an stopped him and treated the wound.
• Gu Shao'an told Yuan Dongyuan he would keep him alive until they reached Wuzheng Villa and ordered him to endure the fear and despair he deserved.

Gu Shao'an brought the captured Yuan Dongyuan to Wuzheng Villa, where Zhang Songxi and Mei Jiangxue joined him before the villa’s guards revealed a hostile ambush. Yuan Xiaotian demanded that Gu hand Yuan Dongyuan over, leaving Gu and his allies surrounded as the dispute threatened to erupt before the inquiry into Bat Island could begin.

• Gu Shao'an stopped Yuan Dongyuan from attempting suicide again, restrained him on horseback, and silenced him before taking him toward Taiyuan Prefecture.
• Gu Shao'an met Zhang Songxi and Mei Jiangxue at the city gate, explained why he had kept Mei Jiangxue’s identity from Yuan Dongyuan, and learned that Song Yuanqiao, Yu Lianzhou, and Master Kongzhi had arrived.
• Gu Shao'an, Zhang Songxi, and Mei Jiangxue reached Wuzheng Villa, where Yuan Xiaotian greeted them and led them inside despite Zhang Songxi’s warning that the guards’ unusual formation seemed hostile.
• The villa gates slammed shut behind Gu Shao'an and his companions, and armed men emerged to surround them in the training ground.
• Yuan Xiaotian accused Gu Shao'an of mistreating Yuan Dongyuan and demanded that he hand the Villa Master over for treatment, while Zhang Songxi refused before the assembled visitors could judge the Bat Island allegations.

Gu Shao'an forced his way through Wuzheng Villa after Yuan Xiaotian tried to stop him from checking on Yuan Dongyuan. He overwhelmed the villa’s guards with his aura and carried the unconscious Yuan Dongyuan to the gates, where Wudang, Shaolin, and other martial artists arrived.

• Yuan Xiaotian invoked Emei Sect’s righteous reputation to pressure Gu Shao'an, but Gu asked Zhang Songxi to lead him onward.
• When Yuan Xiaotian ordered the villa members to seize them, Gu Shao'an unleashed his power and forced dozens of people to their knees, leaving them injured and vomiting blood.
• Gu Shao'an told Yuan Xiaotian that he would not kill him because he did not deserve to die by Gu’s hand, and Yuan Xiaotian fainted after spitting blood.
• A guard informed Yuan Dongli and the martial artists gathered in the main hall that Gu Shao'an had returned with Yuan Dongyuan held by the neck.
• Song Yuanqiao, Yu Daiyan, Yuan Dongli, Kongzhi, and the others rushed to the gates and found Gu Shao'an beside the kneeling villa members, holding Yuan Dongyuan and a sword.

Gu Shao'an handed Yuan Dongyuan over to Wudang and Shaolin after explaining why exposing him as Bat Island’s master would endanger him and Wuzheng Villa. He then learned that Qin Mengyao had stirred up a rivalry between Zhang Wuji and Song Qingshu, leaving Song Yuanqiao and the other Wudang elders troubled.

• Gu Shao'an refused to let Yuan Xiaotian take Yuan Dongyuan by force, but agreed to hand him over after Song Yuanqiao and Master Kongzhi took charge.
• Gu Shao'an explained to Mei Jiangxue that Yuan Dongyuan’s former victims would likely turn against him and Wuzheng Villa once his identity as Bat Island’s master became known.
• Yuan Dongli took Yuan Dongyuan away, and Gu Shao'an told Mei Jiangxue that Emei Sect had to balance courtesy with strength when handling other factions.
• Gu Shao'an learned from Zhang Songxi that Cihang Jingzhai had visited Wudang and that Qin Mengyao had grown close to Zhang Wuji.
• Zhang Songxi revealed that Song Qingshu had also fallen for Qin Mengyao and had fought Zhang Wuji over her, worsening tensions among Wudang’s disciples.

Gu Shao'an suspected Wuzheng Villa had staged Yuan Dongyuan and Yuan Xiaotian’s deaths to conceal its ties to Bat Island, while warning Zhang Songxi about Cihang Jingzhai’s scheme involving Zhang Wuji and Song Qingshu. Back at the inn, Gu Shao'an accepted a private invitation and recognized the mysterious visitor as Dongfang Bai.

• Gu Shao'an learned that Cihang Jingzhai had brought Qin Mengyao to Wudang and told Zhang Songxi to pass Zhang Sanfeng the warning “Love Trial Guardian.”
• A Yuan family servant summoned the group to find Yuan Dongyuan and Yuan Xiaotian dead, while Yuan Dongli claimed a powerful attacker had escaped after striking him with Shaolin’s Great Vajra Palm.
• Yuan Dongli asked Gu Shao'an to give Wuzheng Villa time to investigate, and the group left without resolving suspicions that the villa had staged the attack.
• At the inn, Gu Shao'an told Zhang Songxi that Wuzheng Villa’s actions were too obvious to be genuine, then accepted an invitation from a guest in the next room.
• Gu Shao'an entered the private room and recognized the figure waiting by the window as Dongfang Bai.

Dongfang Bai warned Gu Shao'an that Zhu Wushi had sent the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang and Ryūseidan Mashu to slaughter Wuzheng Villa and frame Gu Shao'an and the Emei Sect. Gu Shao'an hurried there with Song Yuanqiao and others, where Yuan Dongli was attacked by three masked men.

• Dongfang Bai told Gu Shao'an about Zhu Wushi's plan and revealed that he had joined the Azure Dragon Society for access to the complete Sunflower Manual.
• Gu Shao'an returned to Song Yuanqiao, Mei Jiangxue, and the others, explained the danger at Wuzheng Villa, and set off with Song Yuanqiao, Third Hero Yu, and Fourth Hero Zhang.
• At Wuzheng Villa, Yuan Dongli mourned Yuan Dongyuan and Yuan Xiaotian and vowed that the villa would repay Gu Shao'an and the Emei Sect.
• Three masked attackers burst into the mourning hall and launched a coordinated assault on Yuan Dongli.
• Yuan Dongli used the Astonishing Calamity Finger and a powerful kick to repel the attackers, leaving the man with the short blade shocked by his strength.

Yuan Dongli fought off three masked attackers in Wuzheng Villa’s mourning hall until Ryūseidan Mashu arrived and overwhelmed him. After Mashu severed Yuan Dongli’s legs, he demanded information about Bat Island, but Yuan Dongli claimed that he and his family knew nothing about it.

• Yuan Dongli used the Astonishing Calamity Finger to break through the three masked men’s coordinated attacks, but a blade aura from the doorway forced him to retreat injured.
• Yuan Dongli recognized the newcomer as Ryūseidan Mashu, head of the Ryūsei Shinkage-ryū School, and asked why he had invaded Wuzheng Villa.
• Dozens of black-clad men herded around forty injured Yuan family members into the courtyard, revealing that most of the family had already been killed or captured.
• Ryūseidan Mashu suddenly drew his sword and severed Yuan Dongli’s legs while Yuan Dongli was distracted by his family’s plight.
• Ryūseidan Mashu demanded that Yuan Dongli reveal everything about Bat Island, and Yuan Dongli replied that Bat Island’s people had silenced his elder brother and the Yuan elders.

Ryūseidan Mashu tortured Yuan Dongli into silence while slaughtering Wuzheng Villa’s remaining clansmen, then revealed the Divine Marquis’s plan to use the massacre to uncover Bat Island. Gu Shao'an arrived with Song Yuanqiao and the others and launched Sword Eight: Startling Wind against the Heavenly Dipper Guards, leaving their fate unfolding as the sword qi turned fierce.

• Ryūseidan Mashu threatened Yuan Dongli and killed Yuan clansmen, using Emei Sect swordplay to frame the sect for the massacre.
• Yuan Dongli watched Yuan Suiyun and the other Yuan clansmen die, then used poisonous heart blood in a final attempt to strike Ryūseidan Mashu.
• Ryūseidan Mashu explained that the Divine Marquis had deduced the missing Yuan family members were on Bat Island and planned to blame Gu Shao'an for the killings.
• Ryūseidan Mashu spotted Gu Shao'an standing on the mourning hall roof as Song Yuanqiao, Yu Daiyan, Zhang Songxi, and Mei Jiangxue arrived.
• Gu Shao'an asked Song Yuanqiao to watch over his junior sister, then descended into the courtyard and attacked with Sword Eight: Startling Wind.
• Gu Shao'an's sword qi pierced the vital points of all thirty-five Heavenly Dipper Guards, and the gentle sword light began to turn into a fierce, biting wind.

Gu Shao'an defeated Ryūseidan Mashu after killing thirty-five Heavenly Dipper Guards with a single strike, then learned that Yuan Dongli had revealed little about Bat Island before taking his own life. He identified the massacre's Emei-style wounds as planted evidence and arranged for Taiyuan officials to witness the scene.

• Ryūseidan Mashu blocked Gu Shao'an's opening sword strike with his Sword Drawing Art, but the remaining force drove him back and killed thirty-five Heavenly Dipper Guards around them.
• Ryūseidan Mashu unleashed God of Slaughter's One Slash, but Gu Shao'an blocked its blade shadows and killed him with Sword Five: Afterglow.
• Mei Jiangxue asked about the surviving Heavenly Dipper Guard, and Gu Shao'an recognized him as the informant who had warned them about the massacre and let him leave.
• The red-banded Heavenly Dipper Guard told Gu Shao'an that Yuan Dongli had revealed only that several people from Wuzheng Villa remained on Bat Island before taking his own life.
• Gu Shao'an found Willow Leaf Swordplay wounds on a Yuan family corpse and explained that someone had planted evidence to frame Emei.
• Gu Shao'an asked Yu Daiyan to bring Taiyuan officials and soldiers to the villa as witnesses to the massacre.

Gu Shao'an exposed Zhu Wushi’s role in the Wuzheng Villa massacre, returned to Emei, and prepared for his wedding. Zhu Wushi learned of his failed plot and losses before Wan Sanqian arrived at Dragon Guard Manor with the Four Ghosts of Western Hunan.

• Song Yuanqiao and Gu Shao'an helped ensure the authorities could not frame Gu Shao'an for the Wuzheng Villa massacre, and Gu Shao'an promised to explain the matter to Song Yuanqiao next year.
• Gu Santong reported that no one had entered or left Wuzheng Villa after Gu Shao'an departed, while Gu Shao'an concluded that Bat Island’s remaining Yuan family members would likely face danger from treasure-seeking forces.
• Gu Shao'an invited Song Yuanqiao, Yu Daiyan, and Zhang Songxi to his wedding to Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan, then returned to Emei with Mei Jiangxue.
• Gu Shao'an reported the Wuzheng Villa events to Abbess Miejue and spent the following months focusing on cultivation ahead of his wedding.
• Zhu Wushi learned that Gu Shao'an had killed the Heavenly Dipper Guards and Ryūseidan Mashu, and regretted failing to eliminate him.
• Wan Sanqian arrived at Dragon Guard Manor in a sedan chair carried by the Four Ghosts of Western Hunan and met Zhu Wushi.

Wan Sanqian warned Zhu Wushi that Gu Shao'an and the Emei Sect were off limits, then reported that his search for Bat Island had found its route but not Suxin. At Da E, Gu Shao'an understood how to absorb the essence of a palm technique into his swordsmanship and broke through to the second level of swordsmanship.

• Wan Sanqian told Zhu Wushi that the Great Dragon Head had forbidden him from harming Gu Shao'an or the Emei Sect, and Zhu Wushi revealed he suspected Gu Shao'an was an Azure Dragon Society Dragon Head.
• Wan Sanqian reported that his men had located ships traveling to Bat Island but needed at least six more months to find Suxin, and Zhu Wushi entrusted the search to him.
• At Da E's rear mountain, Gu Shao'an practiced using the Heavenly Sword to perform Immortal Caresses My Crown but found the sword technique obstructed and weakened.
• A leaf drifted through Gu Shao'an's loosened Gang Yuan barrier, and his instinctive sword flick split it cleanly as Sudden Enlightenment clarified his mistake.
• Gu Shao'an realized he needed to absorb the palm technique's intent into his natural swordsmanship rather than imitate its movements, then practiced until his sword intent permeated his body.
• Gu Shao'an gently thrust the Heavenly Sword, and the mountain wind and sea of clouds abruptly stopped before him.

Gu Shao'an faced Li Ruohai in a spear duel before the gathered martial artists, revealing mastery of several powerful techniques and a strength that surpassed Li Ruohai's expectations. The exchange ended with Gu Shao'an catching Li Ruohai's spear between two fingers without drawing his sword.

• Li Ruohai sensed that Gu Shao'an's martial momentum had reached the realm of a domain and attacked with the Prairie Fire Spear Technique's Spark First Bloom.
• Gu Shao'an deflected Li Ruohai's rapid spear attacks with the Emei Sect's Willow Leaf Swordplay, while Shangguan Jinhong recognized Gu Shao'an's sword intent and wondered if Gu had previously considered him unworthy.
• Li Ruohai unleashed Blazing Flames Burn Heaven, but Gu Shao'an countered with Repentant Dragon, forced him back, and protected the surrounding bluestone floor from damage.
• Li Ruohai raised his spear's power and struck with God Burning, a technique that stirred the heavens and seemed impossible to evade.
• Gu Shao'an used Two Dragons Fetch Water together with the Heaven and Earth Great Shift to disperse most of Li Ruohai's attack, then caught the spear tip between two fingers.
• Li Ruohai realized that Gu Shao'an had defeated him without drawing his sword and stood frozen in disbelief.

Gu Shao'an welcomed Shangguan Jinhong’s warning about Bat Island, married Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan in a grand ceremony, and agreed to spar with Li Ruohai the next day. After the banquet, he joined his brides in the bridal chamber and extinguished the lights with his palm wind.

• Shangguan Jinhong delivered Gongzi Yu’s message that the Azure Dragon Society had destroyed Bat Island, and Gu Shao'an warned Abbess Miejue that the message carried a threat.
• Gu Shao'an and Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan completed their wedding ceremony before the Emei guests and began the banquet.
• Li Ruohai asked Gu Shao'an to spar the next day, and Gu Shao'an agreed, prompting other martial artists to stay and watch.
• Gu Shao'an entered the bridal chamber, lifted Zhou Zhiruo’s and Yang Yan’s veils, and drank with them.
• Gu Shao'an used his palm wind to extinguish the room’s candles as he prepared to spend the night with his brides.

Gu Shao'an met Zhang Sanfeng at Emei, where Zhang asked him to help with Qin Mengyao’s influence over Zhang Wuji and Song Qingshu. After Gu Shao'an warned Zhang Sanfeng about the Azure Dragon Society, Zhang explained how to condense the Essence Seed and Qi Seed, leaving Gu Shao'an better prepared for his martial progress.

• Gu Shao'an welcomed Zhang Sanfeng at the guesthouse and learned that the Saintess of Cihang Jingzhai had ensnared Zhang Wuji and Song Qingshu.
• Zhang Sanfeng revealed that he had let Qin Mengyao test his grand-disciples, believing she had taken an interest in Gu Shao'an, and asked him to help resolve the situation.
• Gu Shao'an refused to use romantic manipulation but agreed to think of a solution before visiting Wudang the following year.
• Gu Shao'an told Zhang Sanfeng that Gongzi Yu was Emperor Zhu Houzhao and warned him about the Azure Dragon Society’s plans.
• Zhang Sanfeng taught Gu Shao'an how martial artists condensed the Qi Seed and Essence Seed after opening their middle Dantian.

After serving tea to their elders, Gu Shao'an insisted on sparring with Li Ruohai despite Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan's concern that he was tired from his wedding night. The two masters began a silent contest of momentum at Emei's Golden Summit, and Gu Shao'an's growing Gang Yuan halted Li Ruohai's advancing force.

• Gu Shao'an, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan served tea to Abbess Miejue, Yang Tie, and Abbot Juechen, who offered blessings and advice.
• Abbess Miejue asked whether Gu Shao'an should postpone his spar with Li Ruohai, but he chose to proceed so he could learn from a powerful opponent.
• Li Ruohai and Gu Shao'an faced each other before the Golden Summit Hall as the wedding guests gathered to watch.
• Feng Xinglie explained that the masters were testing each other's momentum, while leaves entering their three-zhang field split, burned, or crumbled under the invisible force.
• Gu Shao'an sensed the shifting, aggressive force of Li Ruohai's Prairie Fire Momentum and accelerated his Gang Yuan, causing Li Ruohai's momentum to stall.

Gu Shao'an faced Li Ruohai in a martial arts contest and revealed overwhelming skill, countering Li Ruohai’s spear techniques with his swordplay, Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, and Heaven and Earth Great Shift. The chapter ended with Gu Shao'an stopping Li Ruohai’s ultimate spear strike between two fingers, leaving Li Ruohai stunned by his defeat.

• Gu Shao'an used his superior momentum to pressure Li Ruohai, who answered with Spark First Bloom and then Beacon Fires Connect Heaven.
• Gu Shao'an deflected Li Ruohai’s spear attacks with Willow Leaf Swordplay, while Shangguan Jinhong realized Gu Shao'an had entered the second realm of the sword path and wondered if he had been deemed unworthy before.
• Li Ruohai unleashed Blazing Flames Burn Heaven, but Gu Shao'an met it with Repentant Dragon and sent him retreating while remaining unmoved.
• Li Ruohai praised Gu Shao'an and launched his ultimate spear technique, God Burning, after drawing upon the momentum of heaven and earth.
• Gu Shao'an countered God Burning with Two Dragons Fetch Water and Heaven and Earth Great Shift, then caught Li Ruohai’s spear tip between two fingers.
• Li Ruohai stood dazed after realizing Gu Shao'an had defeated him without even drawing his sword.

Gu Shao'an married Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan in a grand ceremony on Mount Emei, while Shangguan Jinhong delivered Gongzi Yu’s warning that Bat Island had been destroyed. After the wedding banquet, Gu Shao'an joined his brides in the bridal chamber, and Li Ruohai arranged to spar with him the next day.

• Shangguan Jinhong told Gu Shao'an that the Azure Dragon Society had destroyed Bat Island, and Gu Shao'an recognized the message as a warning from Gongzi Yu.
• Gu Shao'an, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan completed their wedding rites on the Emei Golden Summit as Abbess Miejue and the assembled guests looked on.
• At the banquet, Li Ruohai asked to exchange pointers with Gu Shao'an the next day, prompting other martial artists to stay and watch.
• Gu Shao'an joined Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan in the bridal chamber, lifted their veils, and shared a wedding cup with them.

Gu Shao'an tested the Heavenly Will Four Symbols Art and discovered it could draw upon Heaven and Earth Power, but set it aside to focus on cultivating his Qi Seed. On New Year's Day, an invitation from Gongzi Yu summoned him away from a gathering at Emei, leaving Abbess Miejue worried about the turmoil ahead.

• Gu Shao'an practiced the Wrath of the Wind God, briefly forming a towering cyan phantom, then stopped after the technique consumed nearly ten percent of his Gang Yuan.
• Gu Shao'an decided to prioritize condensing his Qi Seed and opening his Upper Dantian rather than focusing on the Heavenly Will Four Symbols Art.
• On New Year's Day, Gu Shao'an celebrated with Abbess Miejue, Juechen, Gu Santong, and others at Emei while Gu Santong discussed Cheng Shifei's upbringing and expected return to the Great Wei Kingdom.
• Shitai Jueyuan brought Gu Shao'an an invitation from Gongzi Yu, who had set the departure for Wudang on the first day of the fifth month.
• Gu Shao'an left to meet the visitors, while Abbess Miejue worried about the coming year and Gu Santong trusted Gu Shao'an to handle the situation.

After their wedding, Gu Shao'an completed the tea ceremony with Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan before facing Li Ruohai in a spar at Emei. Their invisible clash of martial momentum destroyed fallen leaves around them, and Gu Shao'an’s rising Gang Yuan suddenly halted Li Ruohai’s flame-like momentum.

• Gu Shao'an woke beside Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan, and the three dressed to serve tea to their elders.
• Gu Shao'an, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan offered tea to Abbess Miejue, Yang Tie, and Abbot Juechen, who gave Gu Shao'an their blessings and advice.
• Abbess Miejue asked whether Gu Shao'an should postpone his spar with Li Ruohai, but Gu Shao'an insisted on fighting that day to learn from a fellow first-rate expert.
• Li Ruohai and Gu Shao'an faced one another at the Golden Summit as spectators gathered to watch, and Feng Xinglie explained that their martial momentum was already clashing.
• Fallen leaves were cut apart, scorched, or reduced to dust within the force fields surrounding Gu Shao'an and Li Ruohai.
• Gu Shao'an sensed the deceptive force of Li Ruohai's Prairie Fire Momentum, then accelerated his Gang Yuan and caused Li Ruohai's flame-like momentum to stall.

Gu Shao'an overwhelmed Li Ruohai in a duel, countering his Prairie Fire Spear Technique with Willow Leaf Swordplay, Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, and Heaven and Earth Great Shift. He stopped Li Ruohai's ultimate spear strike between two fingers, leaving Li Ruohai stunned and Shangguan Jinhong more wary of Gu Shao'an.

• Li Ruohai attacked with Spark First Bloom, but Gu Shao'an deflected the spear with Willow Leaf Swordplay and met his Beacon Fires Connect Heaven with effortless precision.
• Shangguan Jinhong recognized Gu Shao'an's sword intent and wondered whether Gu Shao'an had withheld it because he had not considered Shangguan Jinhong worthy.
• Li Ruohai unleashed Blazing Flames Burn Heaven, and Gu Shao'an countered with Repentant Dragon, sending Li Ruohai flying back while keeping the surrounding stone intact.
• Li Ruohai praised Gu Shao'an and launched his ultimate spear technique, God Burning, as Shangguan Jinhong recognized the danger of the attack.
• Gu Shao'an used Two Dragons Fetch Water and Heaven and Earth Great Shift to drain and redirect most of God Burning's force, then caught Li Ruohai's spear tip between two fingers.
• Li Ruohai stood stunned after realizing Gu Shao'an had defeated him without drawing his sword.