Chapter Summaries

Xiao Xie and his companions attended Wang Tong’s birthday banquet, where they unexpectedly reunited with Fu Junzhuo, Kou Zhong, and Xu Ziling. As Wei Zhenzhen and Fu Junzhuo caught up, Xiao Xie learned more about the distinguished guests at the gathering.

• Xiao Xie agreed to take Su Su and the others to Wang Tong’s birthday banquet after they heard Shi Qingxuan might attend.
• Xiao Xie and his companions entered Wang Tong’s residence without invitations and ran into Fu Junzhuo, Kou Zhong, and Xu Ziling.
• Kou Zhong teased Xiao Xie about the women with him, so Fu Junzhuo grabbed his ear and scolded him.
• Wei Zhenzhen and Fu Junzhuo caught up while Xiao Xie learned that Ouyang Xiyi and Wang Tong were among the prominent guests.

Ba Fenghan and Fu Junyu arrived at Wang Tong’s birthday banquet, where Fu Junyu reunited with Fu Junzhuo and met her foster sons, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling. Ba Fenghan denied being Bi Xuan’s disciple and called him an enemy, while Wang Tong confronted the newcomers for injuring his guards.

• Ba Fenghan and Fu Junyu entered the banquet after kicking the two guards inside, and Xiao Xie recognized them.
• Fu Junyu reunited with Fu Junzhuo, who introduced Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling as her foster sons.
• Fu Junyu questioned Fu Junzhuo’s decision to take men from the Central Plains as foster sons, and Fu Junzhuo said her views might change with experience.
• Ouyang Xiyi asked whether Ba Fenghan was connected to Bi Xuan, and Ba Fenghan said Bi Xuan was his enemy.
• Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling teased Fu Junyu by calling her Aunt, and Fu Junyu denied being their friend.
• Wang Tong confronted Ba Fenghan and Fu Junyu over the injured guards and warned that he would act against anyone seeking trouble at his banquet.

At Wang Tong’s birthday banquet, Ba Fenghan and Ouyang Xiyi fought after a tense clash of auras, while Xiao Xie watched for Shi Qingxuan outside the courtyard. When an unfamiliar flute melody began influencing the guests, Su Su countered with “White Snow,” stirring them toward violence as Shi Qingxuan recognized its killing intent.

• Ouyang Xiyi stopped Wang Tong from confronting Ba Fenghan and challenged him to a duel.
• Ba Fenghan and Ouyang Xiyi exchanged attacks, with Ouyang Xiyi holding a slight advantage as the guests watched.
• Xiao Xie noticed Shi Qingxuan had been waiting outside the courtyard and kept his attention on her.
• A strange flute melody began to soothe the guests, and Su Su recognized that it carried a sound-based influence.
• Su Su played “White Snow,” causing the guests to grow bloodthirsty, while Shi Qingxuan sensed killing intent in the melody.

Shi Qingxuan and Su Su competed with their flutes, but Su Su’s “White Snow” stirred violent resentment among the guests until Xiao Xie calmed everyone with “Yangchun.” Shi Qingxuan met Xiao Xie and Su Su, and Su Su admitted that her advantage in their musical contest came from her sound-based martial art and greater internal energy.

• Shi Qingxuan challenged the unknown flute player, Su Su, to a musical contest from outside the courtyard.
• Su Su’s “White Snow” amplified the guests’ resentments and drove some of them, including Ba Fenghan and Ouyang Xiyi, into a fight.
• Xiao Xie played “Yangchun,” dispelling the guests’ killing intent and ending the flute contest.
• Ouyang Xiyi called Shi Qingxuan into the courtyard, and Wang Tong and Ouyang Xiyi remarked on her resemblance to Bi Xiuxin.
• Shi Qingxuan asked Xiao Xie and Su Su their names, and Su Su praised her flute playing.
• Su Su explained that “White Snow” was a sound-based killing art and that her stronger internal energy, not greater flute skill, had given her the edge.

Xiao Xie staged the appearance of a divine dragon to win worship from the prominent guests at Wang Tong’s birthday banquet, but the dragon then recognized him as the Flame Emperor. Ao Shun revealed that he had come to choose the next Human Emperor and bring the Xuan Yuan Sword, which Xiao Xie decided to take and use to help select a successor.

• Xiao Xie used a Wood Clone and transformation technique to create a black dragon whose Dragon Might forced nearly everyone at the banquet to kneel, while he protected Shi Qingxuan.
• Ao Shun transformed into a middle-aged man and bowed to Xiao Xie as the Flame Emperor, claiming he had seen him at the Queen Mother’s Peach Banquet.
• Ao Shun rebuked Kou Zhong for calling Xiao Xie his brother, but Xiao Xie reassured Kou Zhong that he had approved of the address.
• Ao Shun explained that Emperor Ziwei had sent him with the Xuan Yuan Sword to choose the next Human Emperor because Yang Guang’s lifespan was nearly over.
• Xiao Xie told Ao Shun to leave the Xuan Yuan Sword with him so he could help choose the next Human Emperor.

Xiao Xie accepted the Xuan Yuan Sword and revealed that it was a forged treasure capable of summoning Stone Statue Warriors, then went with Shi Qingxuan and his companions to her Secluded Forest Abode. He left the group looking over a luxurious villa he produced from thin air.

• Ao Shun gave Xiao Xie the Xuan Yuan Sword and departed after Xiao Xie asked him to request Jade Nectar from Zi Wei.
• Wang Shichong and the others coveted the sword but did not dare challenge Xiao Xie, who explained privately that his forged sword could summon ten thousand Stone Statue Warriors.
• Xiao Xie accepted Shi Qingxuan's invitation to stay at the Secluded Forest Abode, while Fu Junzhuo took Fu Junyu, Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and the others away.
• Xiao Xie and his companions rode Black Mountain to the abode, where Shan Wanjing showed jealousy as Xiao Xie spoke with Shi Qingxuan.
• Xiao Xie conjured a luxurious villa beside the Bamboo House, astonishing Wei Zhenzhen and Su Su, and invited the women inside to look around.

Xiao Xie welcomed Shi Qingxuan and the others into his villa, where they explored its strange furnishings and grew accustomed to its comforts. Days later, his qin music drew birds and animals to listen, and after Shi Qingxuan brought him breakfast, she stumbled into his arms.

• Xiao Xie led Shi Qingxuan, Shan Wanjing, Wei Zhenzhen, and Su Su into his villa after Intelligent Butler Mei Mei opened its gates.
• Shi Qingxuan and the others marveled at the villa’s furnishings and one-way windows, then used Mei Mei to learn about the unfamiliar amenities.
• Xiao Xie played the qin in the Bamboo Forest, drawing birds and wild animals to gather around him while Shi Qingxuan listened.
• Shi Qingxuan brought Xiao Xie the breakfast Wei Zhenzhen had prepared and stumbled into his embrace.
• Xiao Xie caught Shi Qingxuan and asked whether she was all right.

Xiao Xie confronted Shi Zhixuan after catching him watching over Shi Qingxuan, and promised he could revive her mother, Bi Xiuxin. He warned Shi Qingxuan that not everyone could be brought back to life.

• Xiao Xie kissed Shi Qingxuan before Shi Zhixuan arrived at the Secluded Forest Abode and revealed himself as the Evil King.
• Shi Zhixuan explained that he had stayed hidden for three days, while news of Xiao Xie’s Xuan Yuan Sword spread and Yang Guang’s death spurred rebellion across the realm.
• Shi Qingxuan coldly blamed Shi Zhixuan for Bi Xiuxin’s death, and Xiao Xie suggested that he could revive her mother.
• Shi Zhixuan grabbed Xiao Xie and demanded that he repeat his promise, but Xiao Xie struck him down and warned him not to show disrespect.
• Shi Qingxuan asked Xiao Xie to revive Bi Xiuxin, and he agreed but warned her that not everyone could be revived.

Xiao Xie examined Bi Xiuxin’s remains and found that her soul had not reincarnated, so he could revive her by creating a new body. Shi Qingxuan was relieved, while Shi Zhixuan wept at the chance to make amends for his past.

• Shi Qingxuan agreed to take Xiao Xie to Bi Xiuxin’s grave so he could search for her remains.
• Xiao Xie opened the grave and found Bi Xiuxin’s bones, then used the Nine Lives Mystic Cat’s ability to locate her lingering Remnant Soul.
• Xiao Xie told Shi Qingxuan that Bi Xiuxin could be revived and sent her bones to Ikaros and the others to create a body.
• Shi Qingxuan collapsed into Xiao Xie’s embrace in relief, and Shi Zhixuan cried as he heard that his wife could return.
• The narrator recounted how Shi Zhixuan’s separation from Bi Xiuxin and her death had driven him mad, and how Xiao Xie’s presence gave him another chance.

Xiao Xie resurrected Bi Xiuxin, allowing her to reunite with Shi Zhixuan and Shi Qingxuan. After Shi Zhixuan resolved his inner conflict and chose to live quietly with Bi Xiuxin, Xiao Xie and his companions left the Secluded Forest Abode to spread his fame and earn Worship Points.

• Xiao Xie placed Bi Xiuxin's nurtured soul in her newly cultivated body, and she awoke with memories from before her death.
• Bi Xiuxin reunited with Shi Zhixuan and Shi Qingxuan, then thanked Xiao Xie for saving her.
• Shi Zhixuan vowed to give up the struggle for power and live in seclusion with Bi Xiuxin, and his Undying Imprint Technique reached perfection as he broke through to the Grandmaster Realm.
• Shi Zhixuan entrusted Shi Qingxuan to Xiao Xie's care, and Xiao Xie promised to protect her.
• After half a month at the Secluded Forest Abode, Xiao Xie and his companions departed, while Shi Qingxuan playfully teased Shan Wanjing as they rode on Black Mountain.

Xiao Xie and his companions headed for Flying Horse Ranch as Ning Daoqi and the Four Great Holy Monks arrived at the Secluded Forest Abode to probe Shi Zhixuan. Shi Zhixuan prepared to meet them, resolved not to kill them, and reassured Bi Xiuxin.

• Shi Qingxuan teased Shan Wanjing while Xiao Xie and Wei Zhenzhen discussed their next destination, Flying Horse Ranch.
• Fan Qinghui learned that Bi Xiuxin had been resurrected and sent Ning Daoqi and the Four Great Holy Monks to test Shi Zhixuan after Xiao Xie left.
• Ning Daoqi and the monks admired the luxurious villa Xiao Xie had left for Shi Zhixuan and Bi Xiuxin.
• One of the Four Great Holy Monks called Shi Zhixuan out, and Shi Zhixuan set down his book and prepared to face them.
• Shi Zhixuan reassured Bi Xiuxin that he would spare the visitors and avoid provoking Cihang Jingzhai and Pure Thought Monastery.

Shi Zhixuan defeated Ning Daoqi and the Four Great Holy Monks after they accidentally combined their attacks through his Undying Imprint Technique. Bi Xiuxin led him home, while Ning Daoqi decided to approach Xiao Xie in hopes of learning the immortal arts that had resurrected her.

• Shi Zhixuan emerged from Xiao Xie's villa and challenged Ning Daoqi and the Four Great Holy Monks to attack him.
• Ning Daoqi fought Shi Zhixuan but was pushed onto the defensive after Shi Zhixuan's breakthrough.
• The Four Great Holy Monks joined the fight, and Shi Zhixuan redirected their combined palm force and Ning Daoqi's attack to blast all five opponents away.
• Bi Xiuxin called Shi Zhixuan back to dinner and told Ning Daoqi and the monks not to disturb them again.
• Ning Daoqi proposed contacting Xiao Xie, and the Four Great Holy Monks suggested sending the Current Holy Maiden to approach him.

After learning that Xiao Xie was the Flame Emperor, the Yinkui Sect and Cihang Jingzhai both sent women to Flying Horse Ranch to seek an Immortal Opportunity and hinder their rivals. Xiao Xie and his companions arrived at the ranch, where Shan Wanjing admired its scenery.

• The Four Great Holy Monks recognized that Xiao Xie's status as an Immortal could improve their chances of becoming Buddhas.
• Zhu Yuyan learned that Xiao Xie was the Flame Emperor and sent Wan Wan to Flying Horse Ranch to disrupt Cihang Jingzhai's plans and seek an Immortal Opportunity.
• Fan Qinghui agreed with Ning Daoqi and the Four Great Holy Monks that Shi Zhixuan had turned from evil, then planned to send Fei Xuan to meet Xiao Xie.
• Word spread that Xiao Xie was traveling to Flying Horse Ranch, prompting major forces to send representatives there in hopes of gaining the Xuan Yuan Sword or an Immortal Opportunity.
• Xiao Xie and his companions rode Black Mountain to Flying Horse Ranch, and Shan Wanjing praised the grassland's beauty.

Xiao Xie brought Shi Qingxuan, Wei Zhenzhen, and Su Su to Flying Horse Ranch, where Shang Xiuxun welcomed him. After offering to uncover a traitor in exchange for lodging, Xiao Xie accused the third steward, Tao Shusheng, and left Shang Xiuxun uncertain whom to believe.

• Xiao Xie used a talisman to carry Black Mountain and his companions over Flying Horse Ranch's defensive gorge.
• The ranch soldiers recognized Black Mountain as the Flame Emperor's mount, and the townspeople fell silent as it entered the mountain city.
• Shang Xiuxun welcomed Xiao Xie and his companions and led them into the inner fortress.
• Shang Xiuxun introduced Xiao Xie to chief steward Shang Zhen and the four great stewards, including Tao Shusheng.
• Xiao Xie offered to uncover a traitor as payment for lodging, then accused Tao Shusheng, who denied the charge to Shang Xiuxun.

Xiao Xie exposed Tao Shusheng's secret alliance with the Four Great Bandits, allowing Shang Xiuxun to use him to deceive them and protect Flying Horse Ranch. Shang grew closer to Xiao Xie over dinner, while Shan Wanjing teased him about gaining another sister.

• Xiao Xie used Soul Power to force Tao Shusheng to confess his collusion with the Four Great Bandits.
• Liang Zhi attacked Tao Shusheng, but Shang Xiuxun stopped him and ordered Tao taken into custody so she could use him to feed the bandits false information.
• Shang Xiuxun thanked Xiao Xie and agreed to call him brother Xiao, while he called her Xiuxun.
• Shang Xiuxun joined Xiao Xie and his companions for dinner, enjoyed his delicacies, and accepted snacks to take back to her room.
• Shan Wanjing teased Xiao Xie about Shang Xiuxun becoming another sister, and Xiao Xie playfully pulled her into his arms.

Representatives from several major factions arrived at Flying Horse Ranch, where Shang Xiuxun arranged to receive them while deciding whether Xiao Xie would meet them. Li Xiuning and Song Yuzhi wondered what Xiao Xie was like, and Song Yuzhi feared being forced into a marriage with Li Tianfan.

• Shang Zhen reported that Li Shimin, Li Xiuning, Song Shidao, Song Yuzhi, Dugu Feng, Shi Feixuan, and other faction representatives had arrived or were on their way to Flying Horse Ranch.
• Shang Xiuxun instructed Shang Zhen to welcome the guests properly but said she would ask Xiao Xie whether he wanted to see them.
• The major factions sent outstanding young women with their representatives, hoping to form marriage ties with Xiao Xie.
• Li Xiuning asked Li Shimin about Xiao Xie, but Li Shimin admitted that he had never met him.
• Song Yuzhi pressed Song Shidao for his opinion of Xiao Xie, and he described him as kind to friends and exceptionally heroic.
• Song Yuzhi said she would rather die than marry Li Tianfan if her father insisted on the match.

Xiao Xie gave Shang Xiuxun healing pills for her dying father, Lu Miaozhi, and promised to revive her mother if she chose to save him. After Shang Xiuxun accepted the pills, Xiao Xie revived Shang Qingya, leaving mother and daughter reunited and Shang Xiuxun ready to confront Lu Miaozhi.

• Song Shidao promised Song Yuzhi he would oppose her marriage to Li Tianfan if their plan failed.
• Xiao Xie told Shang Xiuxun he would meet the arriving factions together after waiting two days.
• Xiao Xie gave Shang Xiuxun healing pills for Lu Miaozhi and said she could decide whether to save him.
• Shang Xiuxun chose to keep the pills, and Xiao Xie promised to revive Shang Qingya.
• Xiao Xie and Ikaros restored Shang Qingya, and Shang Xiuxun reunited with her mother.
• Shang Xiuxun declared she would go to Back Mountain and beat Lu Miaozhi, while Shang Qingya showed no hatred toward him.

Shang Qingya reunited with Lu Miaozhi at the Comfortable Nest, where he believed her appearance was a drunken dream and confessed his regret and love. When Lu Miaozhi began coughing up blood, Shang Xiuxun saved him with a healing pill and told him Shang Qingya had truly come back to life.

• Shang Xiuxun persuaded Shang Qingya to surprise Lu Miaozhi, and Xiao Xie, Shi Qingxuan, and the others hid nearby to watch.
• Shang Qingya entered the Comfortable Nest and sat beside the aged Lu Miaozhi, who thought he was dreaming.
• Lu Miaozhi confessed that he had lived in remorse after Shang Qingya's death and asked if she would marry him again in another life.
• Shang Qingya said she would, and Lu Miaozhi's emotional laughter aggravated his injury until he coughed up blood.
• Xiao Xie brought Shang Xiuxun into the pavilion, where she gave Lu Miaozhi a healing pill and told him Shang Qingya had truly returned to life.

After Xiao Xie resurrected Shang Qingya, Shang Xiuxun thanked him and prepared Flying Horse Ranch for a trap against the Four Great Bandits. As their army approached, Xiao Xie arranged for the faction representatives to watch Shang Xiuxun wield the Xuan Yuan Sword against them.

• Lu Miaozhi learned that Xiao Xie had resurrected Shang Qingya, thanked him, and entrusted Shang Xiuxun to his care.
• Shang Xiuxun kissed Xiao Xie on the cheek and thanked him for giving her the happiest day of her life.
• Shang Xiuxun informed Xiao Xie that she had summoned the Four Great Bandits in Tao Shusheng’s name, and Xiao Xie gave her the Xuan Yuan Sword to use against them.
• Shang Xiuxun had Liu Zongdao and a hundred soldiers lie in ambush while Xiao Xie invited Li Shimin and the other faction representatives to watch the battle.
• Shen Luoyan realized that she had wisely canceled her plan to join the Four Great Bandits, while Xiao Xie noticed Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan among the observers.
• Cao Yinglong led nearly ten thousand torch-bearing bandits through the canyon toward Flying Horse Ranch, unaware that they were entering a trap.

Liu Zongdao’s ambush trapped the Red Turban Bandits in the gorge, and Shang Xiuxun summoned ten thousand Stone Statue Warriors with the Xuan Yuan Sword to slaughter them. The fleeing survivors found the gorge entrance blocked, leaving Cao Yinglong and the other bandit leaders with no clear escape.

• Liu Zongdao ordered soldiers to roll boulders into the gorge, killing and injuring hundreds of bandits and sealing the entrance.
• Cao Yinglong realized Flying Horse Ranch intended to trap the bandits, while Xiang Batian insisted the ranch could not stop them without Duba Manor’s interference.
• Shang Xiuxun used the Xuan Yuan Sword to summon ten thousand Stone Statue Warriors and ordered them to attack.
• The Stone Statue Warriors’ first spear volley killed over twenty thousand bandits and grievously wounded more than thirty thousand.
• The surviving bandits fled toward the gorge, and Cao Yinglong and the other leaders discovered that boulders blocked the entrance.