Chapter Summaries

Gu Shao'an treated Zhang Wuji, promised to visit Wudang and help Yu Lianzhou, and discovered Xiao Zhao imprisoned at Emei's quarters. After freeing her and exposing her disguise, he considered whether she could join the Emei Sect.

• Gu Shao'an explained how Zhang Wuji's Nine Yang Divine Skill helped heal his broken bones and warned him against practicing medicine beyond his ability.
• Song Yuanqiao asked Gu Shao'an to treat Yu Lianzhou's ruined legs, and Gu Shao'an agreed to visit Wudang after returning to Emei.
• Gu Shao'an noticed Mo Shenggu had used nearly half the ointment on Zhang Wuji and heard Song Yuanqiao and Zhang Songxi scold him.
• Yang Yan told Gu Shao'an that Jueyuan had captured Yang Buhui's maid in the Ming Cult's forbidden grounds, and Gu Shao'an recognized her as Xiao Zhao.
• Gu Shao'an broke Xiao Zhao's iron restraints, identified her disguise, and had Yang Yan wash it away, revealing Xiao Zhao's true appearance.

Gu Shao'an arranged for Xiao Zhao to accompany the Emei Sect, while Abbess Miejue and Wudang pledged to protect him from Pang Ban. As the party rested near Wudang, Gu Shao'an detected poison and an ambush, then evaded a sudden attack from the smoke.

• Gu Shao'an recognized Xiao Zhao as Daiqisi's daughter and told her she could join Emei after the Ming Cult's affairs were settled.
• The Six Major Sects finished dividing and transporting the Ming Cult's treasures, then Gu Shao'an and the Emei group traveled toward Wudang with the Wudang party.
• At a post station, Abbess Miejue warned that Pang Ban might target Gu Shao'an, and Song Yuanqiao and Zhang Songxi promised Wudang's protection.
• Zhang Songxi told Abbess Miejue that Zhang Wuji was training relentlessly because he wanted to surpass Gu Shao'an, and Abbess Miejue acknowledged his determination.
• When firecrackers released poisonous smoke at the post station, Gu Shao'an warned everyone, and Abbess Miejue swept the smoking firecrackers away.
• Thick smoke rolled in from the forest, the Wudang disciples formed a sword formation, and Gu Shao'an dodged a streak of cold light launched through the smoke.

Gu Shao'an fought off an ambush in the smoke outside the relay station, defeating a gray-clad attacker before the hidden assailants killed him with poison. As the smoke cleared, Gu Shao'an discovered that Abbess Miejue and the others had inhaled Smoke Vine Boiling Heart Powder, but he knew its antidote.

• Gu Shao'an deflected and returned a barrage of poisoned plum blossom darts, then confronted the gray-clad man who had attacked him.
• Gu Shao'an used the Heaven and Earth Great Shift to divert poisoned needles and the man’s Japanese sword attack before cutting off the man’s right arm and leg.
• Hidden assailants struck the wounded man with another poisoned weapon, killing him, while Gu Shao'an fired a copper coin into the smoke and heard someone scream.
• After the smoke dispersed, Abbess Miejue and the others gathered beside Gu Shao'an, who warned Yang Yan not to use her true qi and said they had inhaled poison.
• Gu Shao'an identified the poison as Smoke Vine Boiling Heart Powder, and Zhang Wuji described its symptoms, including pink spots around the nostrils and Jingming acupoints.

Gu Shao'an survived an assassination attempt and suspected Zhu Wushi had ordered it, resolving to hide his suspicions until he could settle their scores. At the Demon Master Palace, Pang Ban ordered Zhao Min to capture the bearer of the Nine Yang Divine Skill and recover Fang Yeyu’s corpse, then expressed interest in facing Gu Shao'an in two years.

• Gu Shao'an prepared an antidote that drew the poison from Abbess Miejue, Zhang Songxi, and the others, then examined the youthful-looking assassin and learned he was a poison child.
• Gu Shao'an suspected Zhu Wushi had sent the assassins because of their shared history and the Emei Sect’s losses, but decided to conceal his suspicion and grow stronger before taking revenge.
• After the party forced the poison from their bodies, Abbess Miejue, Song Yuanqiao, and the others resumed their journey toward Wudang Mountain while Gu Shao'an reflected on the Heaven and Earth Great Shift.
• At the Demon Master Palace, Zhao Min and the injured Jiumo Kong awaited Pang Ban, whose overwhelming presence forced the guards to their knees.
• Pang Ban ordered Zhao Min to tell his contact in Great Wei to capture the bearer of the Nine Yang Divine Skill and bring back Fang Yeyu’s corpse.
• When Zhao Min asked about Gu Shao'an, Pang Ban praised his talent and said he would see in two years whether Gu Shao'an could become his opponent.

Gu Shao'an completed the fourth layer of Heaven and Earth Great Shift while the group traveled toward Wudang Mountain, gaining finer control over his strength and the ability to absorb and redirect attacks. As the party climbed toward the Golden Summit, Abbess Miejue entered sudden enlightenment and broke through the fourth layer of the Emei Nine Yang Manual, while an unidentified figure arrived nearby.

• Gu Shao'an completed the fourth layer of Heaven and Earth Great Shift, demonstrated his ability to concentrate force, and drew a Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom from the lottery wheel.
• Gu Shao'an and the others continued toward Wudang Mountain, where Abbess Miejue reflected on how much she and the Emei Sect had changed over eight years.
• Abbess Miejue entered sudden enlightenment on the mountain steps, and Gu Shao'an ordered Song Yuanqiao and the Wudang disciples to keep quiet and clear the area.
• Abbess Miejue broke through the fourth layer of the Emei Nine Yang Manual into Greater Mastery as her true essence continued to surge.
• An unidentified figure arrived silently atop a tree and watched Abbess Miejue.

After Abbess Miejue entered Sudden Enlightenment on Wudang Mountain, she advanced her Emei Nine Yang Manual into the sixth layer and became more approachable. Gu Shao'an later practiced with the Heavenly Sword, understood how to channel force in a strike, and mastered Lifting the Light as if Heavy.

• Zhang Sanfeng secretly watched Abbess Miejue's breakthrough and left without being noticed.
• Abbess Miejue completed her Sudden Enlightenment and advanced the Emei Nine Yang Manual into the sixth layer, then accepted congratulations from Gu Shao'an, Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, Song Yuanqiao, and Zhang Songxi.
• Song Yuanqiao arranged rooms for Abbess Miejue and Gu Shao'an's group on Wudang Heavenly Pillar Peak and said he would ask Gu Shao'an to examine his third junior brother the next day.
• Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo noticed Abbess Miejue's gentler manner, and Gu Shao'an explained that her changed state of mind had likely enabled her breakthrough.
• Gu Shao'an practiced Willow Leaf Swordplay and Sunset Swordplay with the Heavenly Sword, then realized that he needed to gather force in his hand and channel it through the blade at the moment of impact.
• Gu Shao'an lightly tapped a boulder and shattered more than half of it, confirming that he had mastered Lifting the Light as if Heavy.

Gu Shao'an demonstrated his newly mastered Lifting the Light as if Heavy technique and used a rare medicine and acupuncture to treat Yu Daiyan’s long-crippled legs. After restoring Yu Daiyan’s meridians and setting his bones, he left the remaining healing to the Black Jade Intermittent Ointment.

• Gu Shao'an reflected on how mastering Lifting the Light as if Heavy had increased his strength and looked forward to seeing Zhang Sanfeng the next day.
• Zhu Wushi received a hidden message reporting that Ryūgen Tamon-e and Poison Boy, Yellow Character Number Nine, had died on their failed mission, then destroyed the note.
• Zhang Sanfeng welcomed Gu Shao'an, Abbess Miejue, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan at Wudang, where Gu Shao'an examined Yu Daiyan and explained how he would treat him.
• Gu Shao'an crushed Yu Daiyan’s knee bones with a light touch, revealing his mastery of Lifting the Light as if Heavy, then used vibrating needles and medicine to restore the damaged meridians.
• Gu Shao'an repositioned Yu Daiyan’s newly grown meridians and bones, then asked Mo Shenggu to apply Black Jade Intermittent Ointment so the bones could heal.

Gu Shao'an asked Zhang Sanfeng for guidance and fought him on Wudang's rear mountain, displaying an extraordinary range of techniques and deep cultivation. The spar ended with Zhang Sanfeng stopping Gu Shao'an's final attack and asking whether he was truly only eighteen.

• Song Yuanqiao thanked Gu Shao'an for treating Yu Daiyan, while Abbess Miejue asked Zhang Sanfeng to travel to the Demon Master Palace and he explained why he could not leave Wudang.
• Gu Shao'an asked Zhang Sanfeng for cultivation guidance, and Zhang Sanfeng agreed to spar with him on the rear mountain.
• Gu Shao'an attacked with swift movement, the Golden Summit Cotton Palm, and invisible finger force, but Zhang Sanfeng casually neutralized each technique.
• Gu Shao'an used the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, and Zhang Sanfeng redirected the powerful strike with a rounded force.
• Gu Shao'an combined Immortal Caresses My Crown with Heaven and Earth Great Shift to break through Zhang Sanfeng's protective aura, but Zhang Sanfeng redirected his final palm and sent him back.
• Zhang Sanfeng looked at Gu Shao'an and asked whether he was really only eighteen.

Gu Shao'an showed Zhang Sanfeng his strongest sword strike, but Zhang Sanfeng stopped it effortlessly and marveled at his talent. Zhang Sanfeng judged Gu Shao'an to be among the first-rate experts and began explaining the martial arts realm of domain.

• Zhang Sanfeng questioned Gu Shao'an's age and wondered how Abbess Miejue had taught someone with such strength and skill.
• Gu Shao'an reflected on how powerless he had been against Zhang Sanfeng, then demonstrated his strongest sword strike at Zhang Sanfeng's request.
• Zhang Sanfeng stopped Gu Shao'an's sword with two fingers and urged Abbess Miejue to let him take Gu Shao'an as a disciple.
• Abbess Miejue refused Zhang Sanfeng's provocation, while Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo struggled not to laugh at his blunt manner.
• Zhang Sanfeng told Gu Shao'an that he barely ranked among the current first-rate experts and explained that domain stood above momentum.

Zhang Sanfeng explained the martial domains and the Heavenly Human Realm to Gu Shao'an, then discovered that Gu had fused two Nine Yang skills into the Emei Nine Yang Manual. After Gu and Abbess Miejue left, Zhang Sanfeng lamented Wudang's lack of talent, while Zhang Wuji asked how long it would take him to catch up to Gu.

• Zhang Sanfeng demonstrated how a martial domain lets its user perceive and anticipate an opponent’s movements, and told Gu Shao'an that overwhelming speed and force could break through one.
• Zhang Sanfeng explained that the Heavenly Human Realm draws on Heaven and Earth Power, then warned Gu Shao'an to focus on building his martial foundation.
• Gu Shao'an asked whether anyone could draw on Heaven and Earth Power before reaching the Heavenly Human Realm, but Zhang Sanfeng said he knew of no such martial art and discouraged pursuing one.
• Zhang Sanfeng examined Gu Shao'an’s true essence and learned that Gu had fused the Wudang Nine Yang Skill and Emei Nine Yang Skill into the Emei Nine Yang Manual at age eleven.
• Zhang Sanfeng invited Gu Shao'an to seek further guidance at Wudang and promised support; Abbess Miejue then led Gu and the others away.
• After criticizing his disciples’ prospects compared with Gu Shao'an, Zhang Sanfeng reassured Zhang Wuji when he asked how long it would take to catch up to Gu.

After learning about Heaven and Earth Power and Heaven and Earth Momentum, Gu Shao'an asked Zhang Sanfeng to help him experience both. The experience gave him a new perspective on the forces of nature, and he used his Martial Arts Enlightenment Card to begin exploring them.

• Gu Shao'an planned to use his Martial Arts Enlightenment Card to develop a sword art capable of drawing upon Heaven and Earth Power, but decided to learn more before using it.
• Over the next two days, Gu Shao'an repeatedly visited Zhang Sanfeng, who praised his character and agreed to let him experience Heaven and Earth Power and Heaven and Earth Momentum.
• Zhang Sanfeng touched Gu Shao'an's brow, allowing him to sense Heaven and Earth Power moving through his body before guiding him to observe the falling snow and listen to the wind.
• Zhang Sanfeng showed Gu Shao'an the overwhelming pressure of Heaven and Earth Momentum, then warned that trying to draw Heaven and Earth Power into his true essence could injure him.
• After Zhang Sanfeng left, Gu Shao'an studied the snow and wind, looked at the Heavenly Sword, and used his Martial Arts Enlightenment Card.

Gu Shao'an used a Martial Arts Enlightenment Card and, while studying swordsmanship in Wudang’s back mountain, created a powerful new sword art and entered a state of enlightenment. He drew upon Heaven and Earth Power and destroyed a massive boulder with a pale-golden sword strike, leaving Zhang Sanfeng astonished.

• Gu Shao'an used the Martial Arts Enlightenment Card, gaining profound clarity about his martial arts and entering a dual state of perception as he studied the snow and Heaven and Earth Power.
• Zhang Sanfeng met Song Yuanqiao, Abbess Miejue, Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo, then explained that Gu Shao'an was attempting to draw upon Heaven and Earth Power despite his low cultivation.
• After hours of stillness, Gu Shao'an practiced Willow Leaf Swordplay and Sunset Swordplay, fused their principles with the snow, wind, and Immortal Caresses My Crown, and created a new sword art.
• Gu Shao'an entered another state of stillness, opened unfamiliar Hidden Meridians, and instinctively drew strands of Heaven and Earth Power into himself and the Heavenly Sword.
• Zhang Sanfeng recognized that Gu Shao'an had entered enlightenment and successfully drawn upon Heaven and Earth Power and Heaven and Earth Momentum.
• Gu Shao'an charged at a huge boulder and sliced it apart with pale-golden sword qi, reducing it to dust.

Gu Shao'an tested the sword art he had created with Zhang Sanfeng, proving that its final move could draw upon Heaven and Earth Power and Heaven and Earth Momentum. After leaving Wudang's rear mountain with Abbess Miejue, Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo, he told his master he might not return to Emei after examining Third Hero Yu.

• Gu Shao'an used his eight newly created sword forms to spar with Zhang Sanfeng, who praised their versatility while defending against each attack.
• Gu Shao'an drew on Heaven and Earth Power and the snow's momentum for Sword Nine, One Sword Separates Worlds, and touched Zhang Sanfeng's fingers with his blade.
• Zhang Sanfeng praised Gu Shao'an's sword art and said it could defeat Pang Ban if Gu Shao'an advanced his cultivation and Pang Ban had not perfected the Dao Heart Seed Demon Great Law.
• Zhang Sanfeng sent Abbess Miejue and the others away, then shut himself in his courtyard while Song Yuanqiao and the departing party left the rear mountain.
• Yang Yan asked how Gu Shao'an's sword art could draw on Heaven and Earth Power, and Abbess Miejue explained that martial artists did not always understand the principles behind arts created in moments of enlightenment.
• Gu Shao'an told Abbess Miejue he might not return to Emei after examining Third Hero Yu the next day, surprising her.

Gu Shao'an prepared to travel alone to thank his informants, gather herbs for the Bodhi Exquisite Pill, and handle other business in the Capital City. He named his newly created martial art the Emei Sword Manual and taught its first eight forms to Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo before considering the dangers of its ninth form.

• Gu Shao'an explained his plans to Abbess Miejue, who gave him travel money and ordered Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo to return to Emei and focus on cultivation.
• Gu Shao'an described the Emei Sword Manual's demanding forms and explained that mastering its ninth form required profound skill in martial momentum and drawing upon Heaven and Earth Momentum.
• Gu Shao'an named the martial art the Emei Sword Manual, and Abbess Miejue approved the name but chose not to learn it herself.
• Gu Shao'an taught the first eight forms and internal cultivation method to Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo while Abbess Miejue watched from the roof.
• Gu Shao'an reflected that using One Sword Separates Worlds had damaged his meridians, which his true essence had since nourished, and looked ahead to his journey.

Gu Shao'an left Wudang after bidding farewell to Abbess Miejue and Zhang Sanfeng, then traveled west with the Diamond Body Divine Skill as his goal. In the capital, Shangguan Haitang learned that Gu Shao'an had killed Fang Yeyu and other Demon Master Palace fighters, and agreed to try to recruit him into Dragon Guard Manor.

• Abbess Miejue gave Gu Shao'an new clothes and medicine to suppress Daiqisi's poison, while urging Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo to strengthen themselves.
• Gu Shao'an visited Zhang Sanfeng, updated him on Yu's recovery, and gave him Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom as a life-saving medicine.
• Zhang Sanfeng warned Gu Shao'an to keep the Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom secret, and Gu Shao'an left Wudang aiming to obtain the Diamond Body Divine Skill.
• Duan Tianya told Shangguan Haitang that the Demon Master Palace had incited the conflict at Bright Summit and that Gu Shao'an had killed Fang Yeyu, the Xuanming Elders, and White Hair Red Face.
• Shangguan Haitang agreed to visit Emei after the New Year and try to persuade Gu Shao'an to join Dragon Guard Manor.

Gu Shao'an sheltered from a snowstorm in an abandoned relay station, where an old man and his granddaughter hid from a violent search party. After the intruders left and the pair emerged, the middle-aged scholar returned, leaving Gu Shao'an facing another disturbance.

• Gu Shao'an reached an abandoned relay station and settled in among merchants, travelers, an old man, and a girl.
• Gu Shao'an offered the girl food, then ate and cultivated while the storm raged outside.
• The old man sensed approaching danger, grabbed the girl, and hid with her among the rafters.
• More than twenty black-clad men stormed the relay station, led by a courteous middle-aged scholar searching for thieves.
• The scholar questioned Gu Shao'an about his bamboo hat, searched the station, then left with his men after finding no one.
• After the old man and girl came down from hiding, the scholar returned and announced that they would meet with misfortune.

Wen Zaixuan ambushed Qu Yang and captured him and Qu Feiyan, then ordered the other travelers killed. Gu Shao'an intervened, swiftly slaughtered the Sun Moon Divine Sect disciples, and killed Wen Zaixuan, leaving Qu Yang and Qu Feiyan alive.

• Wen Zaixuan revealed his ambush and demanded that Qu Yang return to the Sun Moon Divine Sect, but Qu Yang refused.
• Wen Zaixuan attacked Qu Yang with poisoned needles and hidden blades while his disciples seized Qu Feiyan.
• Wen Zaixuan struck and subdued Qu Yang, then ordered his men to kill the travelers despite Qu Feiyan's protests.
• Gu Shao'an rose to defend the travelers and killed the attacking disciples with burning charcoal.
• Gu Shao'an killed the remaining disciples restraining Qu Yang and Qu Feiyan, then crushed Wen Zaixuan's throat.

Gu Shao'an killed Wen Zaixuan and the pursuing Sun Moon Divine Sect disciples, then left Qu Yang and Qu Feiyan alive after warning Qu Yang to stop harming innocents. As Qu Yang planned to take Qu Feiyan to Emei Sect under a new identity, Dongfang Bai arrived, captured them, and set out to find the mysterious expert.

• Gu Shao'an hurled the Sun Moon Divine Sect corpses from the inn room and warned Qu Yang that he would face the same fate if he harmed innocents again.
• Qu Yang swore to abandon evil, and he and Qu Feiyan left the next morning while Gu Shao'an had disappeared.
• Qu Yang told Qu Feiyan he intended to take her to Emei Sect under a new identity, explaining that her connection to him would otherwise prevent her acceptance.
• Dongfang Bai confronted Qu Yang and Qu Feiyan in the snow, then learned from Sang Sanniang that an unknown fighter had killed the pursuers and Wen Zaixuan with overwhelming speed.
• Dongfang Bai ordered his disciples to take Qu Yang and Qu Feiyan with them while he pursued the expert who had defeated his men.

Gu Shao'an searched Wanjiang City for rare medicinal ingredients, then captured two Sun Moon Divine Sect disciples who had followed him and forced one to reveal why. After preparing poisons at Guiyun Inn, he accepted an invitation from the sect and came face-to-face with Dongfang Bai, who suddenly moved toward him.

• Gu Shao'an caught two men tailing him in an alley and tortured one with a pressure-point technique until the other agreed to talk.
• The surviving disciple revealed that they belonged to the Sun Moon Divine Sect and had followed Gu Shao'an over the deaths at the relay station.
• Gu Shao'an released the disciple, told the sect to meet him at Guiyun Inn, and prepared several poisons while waiting.
• Sang Sanniang arrived and led Gu Shao'an to a restaurant where Dongfang Bai had arranged a private dinner and performance.
• Dongfang Bai stopped the music and dancing, turned toward Gu Shao'an, and suddenly moved from his chair.

Gu Shao'an revealed himself to Dongfang Bai, clarified the Emei Sect’s rules for admitting Qu Yang’s granddaughter, and agreed to fight Dongfang Bai outside Wanjiang City. Their duel ended with Gu Shao'an’s Sword Seven, Fussing Snow, cutting Dongfang Bai’s embroidery needle in half and leaving him stunned.

• Gu Shao'an met Dongfang Bai’s palm strike without yielding, and Dongfang Bai recognized him as the Emei disciple he had fought four years earlier.
• Dongfang Bai brought Qu Yang and Qu Feiyan before Gu Shao'an, who explained how the Emei Sect would handle Qu Feiyan’s concealed identity and family history.
• Gu Shao'an accepted Dongfang Bai’s challenge, and they traveled to a ruined Daoist temple outside Wanjiang City.
• Dongfang Bai and Gu Shao'an fought at high speed, with Dongfang Bai briefly suppressing Gu Shao'an before attacking with a storm of embroidery needles.
• Gu Shao'an used a dragon-shaped palm force to sweep aside the needles, then drew the Heavenly Sword and cut Dongfang Bai’s embroidery needle in half with Sword Seven, Fussing Snow.