Chapter Summaries

Jiang Dali staged the apparent killing of the Jin and Liao envoys, secretly keeping them alive for his plans while Wang Ciweng believed the political scheme had succeeded. As the capital prepared to celebrate Jiang Dali’s return, he awaited the next day’s chance to rescue Yue Fei and influence the Song Emperor.

• Jiang Dali knocked the two envoys unconscious and pretended to kill Fist God, then carried them away on the Demonic Eagle.
• Zhang Jun wanted to confront Jiang Dali, but Wang Ciweng stopped him to protect Prince and secretly welcomed the apparent success of Prime Minister Qin’s plan.
• Jiang Dali left Fist God to guard the envoys, planning to use them the next day, and returned to the military camp.
• Jiang Dali read players’ celebrations on the Jianghu Forum and anticipated a new national main quest after rescuing Yue Fei and changing the Song Emperor’s intentions.
• The next day, crowds filled the decorated capital and waited for Jiang Dali’s triumphant return.

Jiang Dali returned to the capital amid a grand welcome, while hostile experts from Jin and Great Liao prepared to attack him. The Song Emperor learned that Jiang Dali had killed their envoys, and the chapter ended as assassins launched a sudden assault near the imperial procession.

• Jiang Dali rode through the capital to cheers as citizens and players celebrated him as a hero, though he privately felt the honor was excessive.
• Jiang Dali spotted two groups of Jin and Great Liao experts hidden in the crowd, recognized their plans to attack him, and let them continue following him.
• The Song Emperor waited with his officials to welcome Jiang Dali and demanded to know why Prime Minister Qin and General Zhang were absent.
• Wang Ciweng and the Fourth Prince revealed that Jiang Dali had killed the Jin and Great Liao envoys, shocking the emperor and the court.
• More than a dozen attackers charged Jiang Dali as archers fired toward the Song Emperor, prompting guards to rush to protect him.

Jiang Dali defeated a group of Jin and Liao assassins who ambushed him near the Song Emperor, killing most and capturing the survivors. He then walked toward the emperor’s carriage as an approaching voice ordered him to stop.

• Jin and Liao warriors disguised as Song citizens attacked Jiang Dali, but he blocked their weapons and countered with overwhelming force.
• Jiang Dali killed several attackers and drove the rest to flee or surrender, while a zither note helped him catch the last Liao Heavenly Human expert.
• Jiang Dali crippled the Liao expert and let him live after the Song soldiers captured the other surviving attackers.
• Zhang Xian approached Jiang Dali, who then strode toward the Song Emperor’s carriage despite the soldiers’ fear.
• A loud voice called for Jiang Dali to stop from behind, but he continued toward the emperor.

Jiang Dali confronted the Song Emperor after killing the Jin and Liao envoys, while Qin Hui and Zhang Jun pushed to cancel his rewards and punish him. When Jiang Dali revealed the envoys were alive and exposed the plot against him, he struck at Qin Hui, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Jiang Dali forced his way through the guards and met the Song Emperor, admitting he had received an invitation from the Jin and Liao envoys.
• Qin Hui and Zhang Jun urged the Song Emperor to cancel Jiang Dali’s award ceremony and punish him for supposedly killing the envoys.
• Jiang Dali asked whether Song’s laws punished the Son of Heaven equally, and the Song Emperor affirmed that they did.
• Jiang Dali called down the Demonic Eagle, where Fist God carried the living Jin and Liao envoys, exposing Qin Hui’s failed plan to frame him.
• Jiang Dali suddenly attacked Qin Hui, declaring that no one who plotted against him would get a second chance.

Jiang Dali killed Qin Hui despite Huang Shang’s intervention, then faced the Song Emperor and five hundred Imperial Guards. He claimed Qin Hui had committed treason and named Wang Ciweng as evidence, prompting Wang to collapse and confess that he had acted under pressure.

• Huang Shang appeared and used Qin Hui to block Jiang Dali’s strike, but Jiang’s Great Strength Absorption Skill drew them both in and he killed Qin Hui with a burst of energy aimed at his eyes.
• The Song Emperor ordered five hundred Imperial Guards to kill Jiang Dali, but Jiang’s roar and overwhelming aura suppressed their advance.
• Murong Qingqing played the Sky Demon Zither, easing the tension as Jiang Dali challenged the Song Emperor to consider Qin Hui’s crimes.
• The Song Emperor demanded evidence and threatened to execute Jiang Dali, who named Wang Ciweng and warned him to tell the truth.
• Wang Ciweng collapsed before the Song Emperor, wailing that he had had no choice.

Jiang Dali exposed Qin Hui’s crimes, secured Yue Fei’s pardon, and accepted the Song Emperor’s title of Champion King while surrendering the other rewards. He left the Song capital with his companions, explaining that he had refused a fief to keep the Emperor from viewing him as a threat and to pursue ambitions beyond Song.

• Wang Ciweng confessed Qin Hui’s schemes under Murong Qingqing’s Sky Demon Melody, and the Song Emperor ordered his household confiscated and him executed.
• Huang Shang denied involvement in Qin Hui’s crimes, and the Song Emperor sentenced him to three years of confinement at West City Mountain.
• Jiang Dali explained why he had killed Qin Hui and argued that Song, Jin, and Liao would ultimately have to fight, while the Song Emperor rebuked him for acting without imperial authority.
• Jiang Dali exchanged his rewards and fief for Yue Fei’s pardon, and the Song Emperor restored Yue Fei’s standing.
• The Song Emperor bestowed the title Champion King on Jiang Dali, granting him increased Qi and Blood, reputation, and dragon qi.
• Jiang Dali departed the Song capital with Murong Qingqing, Wang Yuyan, and Fist God, then explained that refusing a fief reassured the Song Emperor and left him free to pursue wider ambitions.

Jiang Dali’s title of Champion King spread across the vassal states, while his killing of Qin Hui reshaped Song State politics and earned Yue Fei and Xiao Qiushui’s admiration. After Yan Kuangtu joined Yue Fei, Jiang Dali traveled in disguise to Yunshui Town to watch Ding Peng’s impending duel with Xie Xiaofeng.

• Song State announced Jiang Dali’s new title, and news of his killing Qin Hui spread through the Jianghu as players and storytellers debated what had happened.
• Yue Fei and Xiao Qiushui celebrated the imperial decree and credited Jiang Dali with opening a path for their cause against Jin and Liao.
• Yan Kuangtu arrived at Yue Fei’s residence and asked to join his command for the coming resistance against Jin and Liao.
• Jianghu attention turned to Ding Peng’s challenge to Xie Xiaofeng, drawing martial artists to Yunshui Town ahead of their duel.
• Jiang Dali, Wang Yuyan, Murong Qingqing, and Fist God reached Yunshui Town in disguise, where a storyteller praised Jiang Dali’s fame.

Jiang Dali listened in disguise as a storyteller spread exaggerated tales about him, until the Fourteen Fiends of Lianyun challenged his reputation and provoked his followers. He revealed himself, crushed their attempt to flee, and left two Heavenly Human Realm fighters to serve him or be ransomed by their leader, Yu Wuxia.

• Murong Qingqing laughed at the storyteller’s absurd claims about Jiang Dali, while Wang Yuyan wondered whether the rumors about admirers were true.
• An ox-like member of the Fourteen Fiends of Lianyun mocked the storyteller, and a flying dagger pierced his palm as Sha Qiandeng arrived to defend Jiang Dali’s reputation.
• Deng Yuping entered and bowed to Jiang Dali, revealing that the Black Wind Stronghold Master was in the tavern; Jiang ordered Deng to slap himself and commanded the Fourteen Fiends to each surrender an arm before leaving.
• The Fourteen Fiends tried to escape, but Jiang killed the ox-like brute with a punch and disabled two eunuchs with a cloak and finger force, while the rest fled.
• Jiang spared the two defeated Heavenly Human Realm fighters on the condition that they serve him or be ransomed by Yu Wuxia, then rewarded the storyteller with a golden leaf.

Jiang Dali arrived at Green Water Lake to watch Xie Xiaofeng and Ding Peng’s duel, drawing the attention of the gathered martial artists and securing passage into Divine Sword Villa for his followers. As the villa approached, he sensed the duelists’ opposing intents and resolved to test himself and create the Fifth Saber Strike.

• News of Jiang Dali’s arrival spread, drawing martial artists and players to Cloudwater Town and Green Water Lake.
• Feng Qingyang greeted Jiang Dali and credited his earlier guidance with helping him reach the Heavenly Human 2nd Realm.
• Jiang Dali asked Steward Xie to admit his Black Wind Stronghold brothers, and Steward Xie welcomed the group aboard the boat.
• Jiang Dali reflected that few spectators would understand the intent behind Xie Xiaofeng and Ding Peng’s duel as the boat approached Divine Sword Villa.
• Jiang Dali sensed the two duelists’ contrasting intents and resolved to test himself and create the Fifth Saber Strike.

Jiang Dali watched Xie Xiaofeng and Ding Peng’s long confrontation atop Divine Sword Villa’s sword peak and realized their contest of wills was nearing its end. Ding Peng’s Divine Saber Slash and Xie Xiaofeng’s sword strike met as moonlight and wind, leaving Jiang Dali unable to find a way to overcome either force.

• Jiang Dali arrived at Divine Sword Villa and asked Steward Xie how long Xie Xiaofeng and Ding Peng had been facing each other atop the sword peak.
• Jiang Dali judged that their contest was nearing its end, and Fist God and a few perceptive onlookers recognized the subtle clash of their spirits and wills.
• Jiang Dali observed the duel and gained Cultivation Points and Potential Points as the two fighters’ saber and sword intents intensified.
• Ding Peng sent his Yang Spirit forth as the Round Moon Saber and unleashed the Divine Saber Slash at Xie Xiaofeng.
• Xie Xiaofeng answered with a sword strike carried by his Yin Spirit, and their attacks passed through and merged like wind and moonlight.
• Jiang Dali tried to understand how to strike at either force but found that neither the wind nor the moonlight could be wounded or dispersed.

After admitting that his saber arts still lagged behind Ding Peng and Xie Xiaofeng, Jiang Dali approached them on the sword peak to seek insight into the defiant Fifteenth Life-Taking Sword. Xie Xiaofeng recognized Jiang Dali as his next tribulation and prepared to face him, while warning that the answer would demand a great price.

• Jiang Dali admitted that he had lost to Ding Peng and Xie Xiaofeng in saber and sword mastery, and told Fist God that honesty about defeat was necessary for improvement.
• Jiang Dali leaped up the cliff to the sword peak, where Ding Peng and Xie Xiaofeng were recovering from their duel.
• Jiang Dali asked Xie Xiaofeng how his three swords had become one, and Xie Xiaofeng explained that experience shaped a person's ultimate path and could bring regret.
• Jiang Dali entered his extreme state and demanded that Xie Xiaofeng answer his question through a clash of weapons.
• Xie Xiaofeng identified Jiang Dali as his next tribulation and raised his aura after breaking through to the Heavenly Being 9th Realm, as he understood Jiang Dali sought knowledge of the Fifteenth Life-Taking Sword.

Xie Xiaofeng explained his belief that the War God's Hall held the secret of Shattering the Void, then faced Jiang Dali in a spiritual contest of blade and sword. Their clash began in a hidden world of mind, where Jiang Dali rejected Xie Xiaofeng’s sword and called for the blade he had come to ask about.

• Xie Xiaofeng revealed that he sensed the War God's Hall and hoped to witness what lay beyond Shattering the Void, asking Jiang Dali and Ding Peng to visit it if he died.
• Jiang Dali admitted his interest in the War God's Hall and confirmed that the bead on his chest was the Evil Emperor's Sarira.
• Jiang Dali and Xie Xiaofeng entered Mind Combat Technique, sending forth their Yang Spirits and forming an unseen spiritual battlefield that Ding Peng could sense.
• Sad Little Knife, One God, and other players noticed the confrontation and tried to climb the sword peak after receiving insight prompts.
• Jiang Dali's blade clashed with Xie Xiaofeng's sword in the spiritual world, and Jiang Dali declared that this was not the blade he had come to ask about.
• Xie Xiaofeng answered with the Thirteen Life-Taking Swords, the swordsmanship and spirit of Yan Shisan living on within him.

Jiang Dali’s duel with Xie Xiaofeng escalated from their clash of saber and sword into the uncontrollable Fifteenth Life-Taking Sword, which nearly killed Jiang Dali. As the sword continued draining his life, the Evil Emperor's Sarira absorbed power from the Mind Realm and gave him a sudden chance to survive.

• Jiang Dali pierced Xie Xiaofeng’s Thirteen Life-Taking Swords with Golden Dragon Pierces the Sky, and Xie Xiaofeng answered with the Fourteenth Sword.
• Jiang Dali countered with Great Sun Heavenly Thunder, but Xie Xiaofeng unleashed the Fifteenth Life-Taking Sword, sealing their essence, qi, and spirit.
• The Fifteenth Life-Taking Sword pierced Jiang Dali’s Yang Spirit and rapidly drained his Qi and Blood, leaving him unable to move or use his usual defenses.
• Ding Peng entered the Mind Realm to stop the sword, but it devoured his Yang Spirit power and grew more lethal.
• The Evil Emperor's Sarira began absorbing spiritual power from the Mind Realm, and Jiang Dali seized on the change as a possible way to survive.

Jiang Dali created a fifth saber strike by combining Absorbing Qi with his saber techniques, breaking the Fifteen Swords of Life Taking and surviving the battle with Xie Xiaofeng. The two fighters were left badly weakened, while Jiang Dali gained a controllable killing move he considered his strongest yet.

• Jiang Dali used the respite from the Evil Emperor's Sarira to try to create a new saber strike, but the Fifteen Swords of Life Taking drained his Yang Spirit and nearly killed him.
• Xie Xiaofeng ordered Ding Peng to retreat and began dissolving his Yang Spirit to seal the Fifteen Swords of Life Taking.
• Jiang Dali spent his Cultivation Points and Potential Points to forge a saber strike that absorbed the Fifteen Swords of Life Taking and the surrounding spiritual power.
• Jiang Dali reclaimed control of the saber vortex, causing the Mind Realm to collapse and leaving both him and Xie Xiaofeng severely weakened.
• Jiang Dali thanked Xie Xiaofeng for his willingness to sacrifice himself, and Xie Xiaofeng praised Jiang Dali's new technique.
• Wang Yuyan and the others reached Jiang Dali, while Sad Little Knife reflected on the need to work hard to become an expert.

After the clash at Divine Sword Villa, Jiang Dali assessed his growing strength and planned how to prepare for his next breakthrough and stronger opponents. He named his new saber move Three Essences Fatal Strike and renamed the Evil Emperor's Sarira the Realm Breaking Bead.

• News and player footage of Jiang Dali's clash with Xie Xiaofeng spread through the Jianghu, prompting discussion of mental combat techniques.
• Jiang Dali reviewed his increased Qi and Blood and Dragon Qi, and planned to gather Cultivation Points and Potential Points for a breakthrough into the Heavenly Being 6th Realm.
• Jiang Dali named the fifth strike of his Heaven-Defying Divine Intent Saber Three Essences Fatal Strike, completing the foundation of the saber technique.
• Jiang Dali recognized that his Great Strength Divine Skill could not sustain prolonged battles and considered improving it with Zhu Wushi's advanced Great Art of Absorbing Qi.
• Jiang Dali renamed the Evil Emperor's Sarira the Realm Breaking Bead after examining its revealed attributes.

Jiang Dali examined the Realm Breaking Bead and considered its power to refine the three essences and protect the spirit. Xie Xiaoyu decided to approach him after Ding Peng rejected her, and the chapter ended with Jiang Dali intercepting her at night.

• Jiang Dali identified the Realm Breaking Bead's refining effect as a way to help Heavenly Human Realm experts break through into the True Return Realm.
• Xie Xiaoyu's followers discussed their capture by Jiang Dali and urged her to seek an alliance with him through benefits or beauty.
• After Ding Peng rejected her again, Xie Xiaoyu resolved to approach Jiang Dali to seek revenge and strengthen Tianmei Palace and Divine Sword Villa.
• Jiang Dali rested at Divine Sword Villa with Murong Qingqing and Wang Yuyan, then pursued a night traveler after hearing someone leave.
• Xie Xiaoyu arrived at a rooftop to meet Jiang Dali, but he was already waiting for her.

Jiang Dali confronted Xie Xiaoyu, exposed her hidden identity and past, and defeated her when she attacked with the Demonic Cult's Myriad Wonders Unfettered, Soul-Seizing Nine Forms. As Xie Xiaoyu crashed toward the courtyard wall, a mysterious man caught her and dissipated the impact.

• Xie Xiaoyu tried to seduce Jiang Dali, but he rebuffed her and revealed that he knew she was Yu Wuxia, master of the Fourteen Fiends of Lianyun.
• Jiang Dali recounted Xie Xiaoyu's history and her schemes involving Divine Sword Villa, the Tang martial world, and Ding Peng, provoking her into a furious attack.
• Xie Xiaoyu unleashed hidden weapons, poisonous powder, and Myriad Wonders Unfettered, Soul-Seizing Nine Forms, but Jiang Dali blocked her assaults with his Golden Bell Qi Shield.
• Jiang Dali struck Xie Xiaoyu with an iron fist, sending her bloodied body flying toward the courtyard wall.
• A thin, ordinary-looking man with Evil Qi caught Xie Xiaoyu and spun to absorb the force of her fall.

Ding Peng crippled Xie Xiaoyu after learning she had deceived him, but Xie Xiaofeng intervened and accepted blame for his daughter’s wrongdoing. Jiang Dali stopped Xie Xiaofeng from maiming himself, and the chapter ended with Jiang reaching for Ding Peng’s Round Moon Saber to examine it.

• Ding Peng confronted Xie Xiaoyu about her motives and her role in Qingqing’s father’s death, then struck her dantian and crippled her martial arts.
• Xie Xiaofeng arrived, caught the injured Xie Xiaoyu, and urged her to repent; she confessed her hatred and fainted in his arms.
• Xie Xiaofeng blamed himself for neglecting his daughter and tried to punish himself, but Jiang Dali disarmed him with the Three Essences Fatal Strike.
• Ding Peng forgave Xie Xiaoyu if she repented, while Jiang Dali warned Xie Xiaofeng that Demonic Cult members had infiltrated Divine Sword Villa.
• Xie Xiaofeng agreed to search for the place he had sensed with Jiang Dali, and Ding Peng volunteered to join them.
• Ding Peng offered Jiang Dali the Round Moon Saber to examine, and Jiang reached for its hilt.

Jiang Dali drew the Round Moon Saber and entered a demonic state that deepened his saber insight, then gathered it with the Sky Demon Zither and Realm Breaking Bead. The three artifacts’ forces settled into his Tail Pillow Gate, leaving him intrigued by the change.

• Jiang Dali drew the Round Moon Saber, resisted its demonic influence with the Absolute Ruthlessness Realm, and gained the Demonic Immersion Meditation State.
• Jiang Dali advanced the Heaven-Defying Divine Intent Saber to the outstanding level and comprehended Level 1 Demonic Saber Intent.
• Wang Yuyan and Murong Qingqing told Jiang Dali that he had remained in enlightenment for about two incense sticks, while Ding Peng and Xie had left with instructions to return the saber.
• Jiang Dali brought the Round Moon Saber, Sky Demon Zither, and Realm Breaking Bead together, causing their demonic forces to clash and stir up a fierce wind in the courtyard.
• Jiang Dali allowed the three streams of demonic aura to circulate through his meridians, where they finally gathered at his Tail Pillow Gate.

Jiang Dali absorbed demonic power from three artifacts, gaining stronger Demonic Blade Intent and a Demonic Seed, then traveled to the Yin Gui Sect to see Wanwan. As he arrived with Wang Yuyan and Murong Qingqing, Murong Qingqing sensed a fight inside the sect.

• Jiang Dali discovered that demonic power from the Sky Demon Zither, the Round Moon Saber, and the Evil Emperor's Sarira had raised his Demonic Blade Intent to Level 3 and formed a Demonic Seed at his nape.
• Jiang Dali decided to return the Round Moon Saber to Ding Peng and rewarded a player with a Black Wind Stronghold Master's Death-Exempting Token after a quiz.
• Jiang Dali returned the Round Moon Saber to Ding Peng, arranged with Xie Xiaofeng and Ding Peng to search for War God's Hall later, and assigned tasks to Fist God and Yin Yang Temple Attendant.
• Three days later, Jiang Dali flew with Wang Yuyan and Murong Qingqing toward the Yin Gui Sect to see Wanwan.
• Murong Qingqing heard sounds of fighting inside the Yin Gui Sect and alerted Jiang Dali and Wang Yuyan.