Chapter Summaries

Fang Qing revealed that he had reached the Divine Bridge Realm, and Sect Leader Li decided to recommend him to Yaoguang Holy Land in a year. Fang Qing accepted three rare pieces of Source to strengthen himself, though he privately doubted whether going to Yaoguang was wise.

• Fang Qing told Sect Leader Li that he had reached the Divine Bridge Realm and demonstrated his cultivation.
• Sect Leader Li attributed Fang Qing’s rapid progress to the Divine Fruit from the Ancient Desolation Forbidden Zone and offered to recommend him to Yaoguang Holy Land.
• Sect Leader Li warned Fang Qing that competition at Yaoguang was ruthless and urged him to be cautious and decisive.
• Fang Qing promised to remember Lingxu Grotto-Heaven but privately considered going to another sect instead of Yaoguang.
• Sect Leader Li gave Fang Qing three pieces of Source and urged him to reach the late Divine Bridge Realm before departing in a year.

Fang Qing traveled from Lingxu Grotto-Heaven to the Great Tang World to seek experiences that could help him break through to the Other Shore Realm and pursue the War God Codex. After finding Yangzhou in ruin, he decided to search for Duke Yang's Treasury and the Evil Emperor's Sarira.

• Fang Qing received three Source Stones from Sect Leader Li and decided to travel to prepare for the Other Shore Realm, whose breakthrough was threatened by the Calamity of Lostness.
• Fang Qing told Sect Leader Li he planned to gain experience, agreed to return within a year for a visit to Yaoguang Holy Land, and left Lingxu Grotto-Heaven.
• Fang Qing traveled to the Great Tang World and found Yangzhou devastated by war and political upheaval.
• Fang Qing focused on finding the War God Codex, which was hidden in the wandering War God Temple.
• Fang Qing chose to seek Duke Yang's Treasury for the Evil Emperor's Sarira, which stored the accumulated Essence of generations of Demonic Sect cultivators.

Fang Qing flew north through the Great Tang World and encountered Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling creating a mental art called Moon in the Well. The Twin Dragons were astonished to see Fang Qing flying, while he praised their talent.

• Fang Qing flew north on Divine Light, startling martial arts experts and spreading rumors of an immortal across Jiangnan.
• Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling watched the moon reflected in a well and created the mental art Moon in the Well.
• Fang Qing descended on an Auspicious Cloud and praised the two youths for creating their own mental art.
• Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling recognized Fang Qing and were astonished that he could fly.

Fang Qing reunited with Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, who told him they had stolen the East Sea Sect’s account book and were being hunted. After the three explored the pair’s “Moon in the Well” insight, Fang Qing offered them protection and gained inspiration to create techniques of his own.

• Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling thanked Fang Qing for the silver he had given them and described their recent adventures, including their deal with Li Shimin to steal the East Sea Sect’s account book.
• Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling explained that their dealings with Li Shimin had gone wrong, the account book’s news had leaked, and the East Sea Sect was pursuing them.
• Fang Qing warned that the account book’s records could make them targets for many factions, then asked what the two had recently comprehended.
• Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling explained their “Moon in the Well” insight, and Fang Qing tried reflecting the world within his own mind, feeling his spiritual power grow.
• Fang Qing praised their understanding and offered them protection while they cultivated beside him, saying no one in the world could harm them.
• Kou Zhong asked about Fang Qing’s strength, and Fang Qing said his cultivation was not especially high but probably no one in this world could challenge him.

Fang Qing reunited with Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling and declined to become emperor because cultivation remained his priority. He urged Kou Zhong to contend for the throne and gave both men Hundred Herb Liquid to strengthen them.

• Fang Qing asked Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling about their plans, and Kou Zhong said they wanted to support a worthy contender rather than ruthless warlords.
• Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling offered to help Fang Qing become emperor, but Fang Qing said he lacked time and cared more about cultivation.
• Fang Qing proposed that Kou Zhong pursue the throne, and Kou Zhong accepted the challenge with determination.
• Fang Qing gave Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling two bottles of Hundred Herb Liquid, which they drank to greatly increase their true qi.
• Fang Qing observed that the brothers' strengthened true qi had opposing yin and yang attributes that would need to be combined for further progress.

Fang Qing brought Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling to a town where they could test their improved martial arts, and they encountered the East Sea Sect over the stolen account book. After Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling easily defeated Shan Wanjing and Shang Ming, Shan Wanjing noticed Fang Qing and was struck by his appearance.

• Fang Qing cultivated with Source while Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling used the Hundred Herb Liquid, and he benefited from their Moon in the Well technique.
• Fang Qing took Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling to a town where Shi Qingxuan was expected to perform for guests invited by Wang Tong.
• Kou Zhong identified Shan Wanjing, Shang Ming, and the other approaching fighters as members of the East Sea Sect seeking the account book he and Xu Ziling had stolen.
• Shan Wanjing attacked Kou Zhong, but he blocked her strike and forced her back with his improved Longevity True Qi.
• Xu Ziling defeated Shang Ming in a single exchange, and Kou Zhong proposed a temporary truce and possible alliance.
• Shan Wanjing looked at Fang Qing and froze, wondering whether men like him really existed.

Fang Qing brought Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and the East Sea Sect into Wang Tong's Mansion, where he declared that he had descended as an immortal to choose Kou Zhong as a True Lord. Ouyang Xiyi challenged Fang Qing to prove he had the strength to make such a claim.

• Shan Wanjing noticed Fang Qing and, persuaded by his commanding presence, accepted his invitation to enter Wang Tong's Mansion.
• Fang Qing and the others entered the mansion's main hall, where Wang Tong, Ouyang Xiyi, and Wang Shichong were seated.
• Wang Tong asked Fang Qing about his origins, and Fang Qing declared himself an Immortal from Beyond the Heavens who had chosen Kou Zhong to restore peace to the realm.
• The hall fell silent at Fang Qing's blunt, treasonous-sounding declaration, while Fang Qing remained confident in his power.
• Ouyang Xiyi laid a hand on his sword and challenged Fang Qing to prove he had the strength to say such things.

Fang Qing effortlessly blocked Ouyang Xiyi’s strongest sword techniques with his Protective Profound Light and demonstrated its power to the gathered guests. Ouyang Xiyi submitted and offered to serve Kou Zhong, while Wang Shichong feared Fang Qing’s support for Kou Zhong would make his own ambitions futile.

• Ouyang Xiyi attacked Fang Qing with his Sinking Sand Swordplay, but Fang Qing’s ten-foot sphere of Protective Profound Light repelled the strike without a mark.
• The guests marveled at Fang Qing’s seemingly tangible defense, and Wang Shichong worried that Fang Qing’s support for Kou Zhong would thwart his plans to build his own power.
• Ouyang Xiyi attacked again with sword qi from every direction, but the Protective Profound Light shattered it all.
• Fang Qing sent rays of Profound Light into the ground around Ouyang Xiyi, displaying their lethal force while sparing him.
• Ouyang Xiyi admitted defeat and offered to serve Kou Zhong, who confidently accepted his support.

After Fang Qing’s display of Profound Light led prominent figures to pledge support to Kou Zhong, Ba Fenghan arrived and challenged Fang Qing to a fight. Fang Qing dismissed Ba Fenghan’s impressive martial will by lifting him with Profound Force and hurling him back outside.

• Ouyang Xiyi, Wang Tong, Chen Yuanzhi, and other faction leaders pledged to follow Kou Zhong after Fang Qing chose him.
• Shan Wanjing considered following Fang Qing but kept silent, while Wang Shichong struggled with whether to join Kou Zhong or pursue his own ambitions.
• Ba Fenghan and a cold, beautiful woman entered the hall after two people were thrown through the doorway.
• Ba Fenghan introduced himself and challenged Fang Qing, displaying a calm and formidable martial will that impressed Wang Tong and Ouyang Xiyi.
• Fang Qing lifted Ba Fenghan with Profound Force, sent him flying back through the doors, and told him he was still not good enough.

Fang Qing spared Ba Fenghan after defeating him, while Kou Zhong won the support of the gathered factions and began building his power. Shi Qingxuan’s flute drew the hall into silence, and the chapter ended with Fang Qing musing on how Shi Zhixuan had won the heart of her mother, Bi Xiuxin.

• Fang Qing defeated Ba Fenghan but spared his life, hoping the young fighter would grow stronger through further trials.
• The faction leaders pledged their resources and followers to Kou Zhong, who began organizing them into an inner circle.
• Fang Qing observed Kou Zhong’s boldness and Xu Ziling’s quiet nature as the brothers mingled with the gathered heroes.
• Shi Qingxuan played a flute melody that stirred the listeners’ emotions, and Fang Qing praised her mastery of music.
• Fang Qing recognized Shi Qingxuan and reflected on how her father, Shi Zhixuan, had won the love of Bi Xiuxin, a Saintess of the righteous path.

Fang Qing reflected on Shi Qingxuan’s past and the martial world’s likely response to his choice of Kou Zhong as emperor, then cultivated the Longevity Art and advanced toward Refining Qi into Spirit. The chapter ended with him sensing that experts from the Yuwen Clan had arrived outside the city.

• Fang Qing recalled Shi Qingxuan’s parents, Bi Xiuxin and the potentially nearby Evil King Shi Zhixuan, and considered meeting Shi Zhixuan to discuss the Dao.
• Fang Qing stayed in the city so news of Kou Zhong’s selection as emperor could spread, expecting Cihang Jingzhai to respond by choosing its own candidate.
• Fang Qing studied collected sword manuals and gained insight into using spiritual will to seize the initiative in battle.
• Fang Qing cultivated the Longevity Art, connected with Heaven and Earth, and sensed his spirit nearing the Refining Qi into Spirit stage.
• Fang Qing observed that Shi Qingxuan and the Princess of the East Sea Sect remained in the city, Kou Zhong was busy receiving visitors, Xu Ziling’s aura grew more detached, and Wang Shichong stayed behind.
• Fang Qing sensed that experts from the Yuwen Clan had arrived beyond the city.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling killed Yuwen Invincible, proving their strength and renewing Kou Zhong’s confidence in contending for the world. Fang Qing urged them to learn governance as well as martial arts, while Shan Wanjing and Shi Qingxuan watched him from afar and Shi Qingxuan played a wondrous xiao melody.

• Fang Qing sensed Yuwen Invincible approaching and asked Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling whether they would leave the city to kill him.
• Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling confronted Yuwen Invincible, whose spear and killing intent failed to overcome their combined saber qi.
• Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s Yin Yang Power shattered Yuwen Invincible’s true qi and killed him.
• Kou Zhong celebrated their victory and declared that he could contend for the world, while Xu Ziling promised to stand beside him.
• Fang Qing arrived on an Auspicious Cloud and advised Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling to learn how to govern as well as cultivate martial arts.
• Shan Wanjing admired Fang Qing from afar, and Shi Qingxuan played a xiao melody that stirred the landscape and drew birds into the sky.

Fang Qing learned that Cihang Jingzhai had brought the Jade Seal of the Realm to Luoyang to choose a ruler, and decided to confront them there. He flew to Luoyang with Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, Ba Fenghan, and Wang Shichong, arriving above the city.

• Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling told Fang Qing that Ning Daoqi had brought the Jade Seal of the Realm to Luoyang for Shi Feixuan to choose a savior of the world.
• Kou Zhong explained that the Jade Seal could rally support even if it could not truly grant someone the realm, while Ba Fenghan said Cihang Jingzhai’s influence was about to face a calamity.
• Fang Qing decided to settle the matter in Luoyang and set out with Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, Ba Fenghan, and Wang Shichong on the Divine Light.
• Wang Shichong saw from the air that passes and rivers could not stop Fang Qing’s flight, and concluded it was safer to serve him than contend for power.
• The group reached Luoyang, and Kou Zhong and Wang Shichong admired the city from above.

Fang Qing arrived at Jingnian Zen Temple and took the Jade Seal of the Realm and its famed Bronze Hall. Liaokong accepted the loss as fate, while Fang Qing departed with the treasure and the hall.

• Fang Qing reached Luoyang with Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, Ba Fenghan, and Wang Shichong, then sensed that the Jade Seal of the Realm was at Jingnian Zen Temple.
• Fang Qing identified Liaokong inside the Bronze Hall and used his Divine Light to tear through the hall and seize the Jade Seal of the Realm.
• Fang Qing recalled Kou Zhong's wish to turn the Bronze Hall into military funds and lifted the entire hall into the sky.
• Liaokong broke his years of Silent Zen and told the monks that the Jade Seal of the Realm belonged to the virtuous, calming them with Buddhist Dharma.
• Fang Qing praised Liaokong as interesting and told his companions to leave.

Fang Qing absorbed much of the cosmic energy stored in the Jade Seal of the Realm, transforming his body and spiritual perception. He then used its form and meaning to forge his second artifact, the Imperial Heaven Seal.

• Fang Qing suppressed the Jade Seal of the Realm's violent cosmic energy and drew it into his body.
• Fang Qing absorbed the energy, expanding and transforming his meridians while his spiritual power rose to unprecedented heights.
• Fang Qing examined the remaining energy and reflected on the Jade Seal of the Realm's imperial authority and the struggles it inspired.
• Fang Qing decided to forge a jade-seal artifact called the Imperial Heaven Seal and condensed it within his Bitter Sea.

After gaining the Jade Seal of the Realm, Fang Qing’s spiritual power grew strong enough to cripple opponents with a glance, and he announced that the seal was his to draw challengers to Luoyang. When You Chuhong and Dugu Feng came to seize it, You Chuhong tried to save the Dugu Clan by proposing a marriage alliance, and Fang Qing pointed out her plan.

• Fang Qing used the Jade Seal of the Realm to strengthen his body and spirit, then forged the Imperial Heaven Seal from its example.
• Fang Qing had Wang Shichong announce that he possessed the Jade Seal of the Realm, drawing would-be challengers to Luoyang.
• Fu Zhen and Fu Yan attacked Fang Qing, but he shattered their assault with his spiritual power, examined their memories, and had Wang Shichong imprison them.
• You Chuhong and Dugu Feng arrived at Fang Qing’s residence and found themselves intimidated by his aura.
• You Chuhong apologized for breaking the gate and offered Dugu Feng in a marriage alliance, but Fang Qing challenged the sincerity of her plan.

Fang Qing rejected You Chuhong’s marriage proposal but agreed to consider an alliance with the Dugu Family after Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Ba Fenghan tested their skills against her. He cured You Chuhong’s asthma, and she pledged her family’s support, while Fang Qing reflected on learning stronger footwork.

• Fang Qing rejected You Chuhong’s marriage proposal and directed her to discuss an alliance with Kou Zhong.
• You Chuhong fought Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Ba Fenghan, using her Cloak Staff Technique and footwork to withstand their combined attacks.
• Fang Qing studied You Chuhong’s methods and considered how mastering footwork could strengthen him against groups of opponents.
• You Chuhong’s asthma flared during the fight, and Fang Qing cured her with a streak of mysterious light.
• You Chuhong and Dugu Feng confirmed the cure, and You Chuhong pledged the Dugu Family’s allegiance to Fang Qing.

After curing You Chuhong, Fang Qing gained the Dugu Family’s allegiance and studied its martial arts manuals while Luoyang came under his control. When Demonic Daoist Pichen tried to leave after recognizing Fang Qing’s power, Fang Qing captured and exposed him, then wondered which faction would arrive next.

• You Chuhong pledged the Dugu Family to Fang Qing, who received its martial arts manuals and studied their techniques.
• Luoyang effectively came under Fang Qing’s control, and Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Ba Fenghan continued cultivating.
• Demonic Daoist Pichen arrived disguised as a virtuous Daoist, but Ba Fenghan recognized him and Pichen tried to depart.
• Fang Qing struck Pichen with Profound Light, dragged him back, and read his memories to uncover his identity as Rong Fengxiang, President of Luoyang Chamber of Commerce.
• Fang Qing learned that Shangguan Long and others in Luoyang also concealed Demonic Sect identities, and he wondered who would arrive next.

Fang Qing subdued Yang Xuyan and obtained three supreme martial arts, then studied them through the night and refined his artifacts using Yin-Yang principles. The next morning, Shi Feixuan arrived, leaving Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Ba Fenghan stunned.

• Fang Qing immobilized the masked attacker and identified him as Yang Xuyan, the Shadow Assassin.
• Yang Xuyan wrote down the Illusory Demon Body Technique, Phantom Sword Technique, and Undying Seal Method in exchange for his life.
• Fang Qing released Yang Xuyan and studied Shi Zhixuan's techniques through the night, gaining insight that helped him refine his Divine Lamp and seal.
• Fang Qing practiced the Illusory Demon Body Technique and Phantom Sword Technique and used Yin Yang Power to strengthen his artifacts and accelerate his cultivation.
• Shi Feixuan arrived at the residence, and Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Ba Fenghan were overwhelmed by her presence.
• Fang Qing asked the woman whether she was Shi Feixuan.

Fang Qing defeated Shi Feixuan when she tried to claim the Jade Seal of the Realm for Cihang Jingzhai, then destroyed her martial arts and demanded the Ci Hang Sword Canon. Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Ba Fenghan sided with Fang Qing, while Shi Feixuan was left crippled and under his control.

• Shi Feixuan asked Fang Qing to surrender the Jade Seal of the Realm, offering Cihang Jingzhai's friendship in return.
• Shi Feixuan attacked Fang Qing with the Ci Hang Sword Canon, but her sword qi could not penetrate his Profound Light shield.
• Fang Qing trapped Shi Feixuan with the Imperial Heaven Seal and rejected her claim that Cihang Jingzhai could choose the emperor for the people.
• Fang Qing declared his support for Kou Zhong, and Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Ba Fenghan turned against Cihang Jingzhai's interference.
• Fang Qing shattered Shi Feixuan's dantian, destroying her martial arts, and demanded the Ci Hang Sword Canon as the price of sparing her life.
• Fang Qing used his spiritual will to pry into Shi Feixuan's memories and obtain the knowledge of the Ci Hang Sword Canon.