Ch. 1021Shocking All Present, Sword Lights Slay the Enemy
Chapter Summary
1. Key Plot Points and Events
- Song Qingming unexpectedly reappears before Li Jinyue after being trapped in the sword formation, immediately attacking him with sword light and the White Jade Halo.
- Li Jinyue attempts to escape while the surrounding White Sword Lights continue restricting everyone. Elder Chen and Old Daoist Qing Ping fight their way toward Song Qingming, but Li Jinyue traps them in a golden net.
- Song Qingming uses the delay to strengthen his Natal Magic Treasure with the Azure Jade Treasure Refining Art. He then employs the Golden Bronze Mirrors and Five Elements Divine Light Mirror to imprison Li Jinyue.
- Li Jinyue tries to negotiate, claiming he only intended to restrain the group and offering to spare Song Qingming if he stops helping Xuan Qing Temple. Song Qingming refuses to place his life in Li Jinyue’s hands and demands that the restrictions be lifted. When Li Jinyue refuses, Song Qingming attacks decisively.
- Song Qingming unleashes his stored White Lightning Bolts, severely weakening Li Jinyue, then activates the newly integrated Seven Stars Sword Light formation through his puppets.
- The seven sword lights devastate Li Jinyue’s physical body. His Nascent Soul escapes using a Silver Talisman, but Song Qingming pursues him with the Illusion Heart Bell and the Five Elements Divine Light Mirror.
- After breaking free from the illusion, Li Jinyue is struck by further lightning and finally killed by Song Qingming. Song Qingming allows Li Jinyue’s Natal Primordial Spirit to enter reincarnation rather than destroying it.
- The group discovers that Li Jinyue’s death has not dispelled the surrounding restrictions. Song Qingming reveals a white cloth fragment found on Li Jinyue, which allows them to escape the spatial confinement.
- They return to the cave containing the intercontinental Teleportation Array. Song Qingming reunites the cloth fragment with a mysterious scroll, apparently restoring a spatial magic treasure, and stores it away.
- After confirming that the Teleportation Array remains intact, the group exits the cave and sees that Xuan Qing Temple is still under attack by Qing Yuan Sect. Yu Ning assures Song Qingming that his wife is safe and that their agreement remains valid.
2. Character Developments
- Song Qingming demonstrates a major increase in strength after reaching the Nascent Soul Middle Stage. His abundant mana lets him resist the sword formation more effectively than the others.
- He reveals several advanced techniques and preparations: the enhanced Black Tortoise Spiritual Light Shield, the Azure Jade Treasure Refining Art, the strengthened Five Elements Divine Light Mirror, stored White Lightning Bolts, the Illusion Heart Bell, and the Seven Stars Sword Light formation.
- Song Qingming becomes more decisive and ruthless when necessary. Although he initially seeks only to escape and avoid unnecessary conflict, he stops negotiating once Li Jinyue refuses to release the restrictions.
- His decision not to annihilate Li Jinyue’s Primordial Spirit reflects restraint and concern for his future cultivation, as he recognizes the dangers of accumulating killing intent.
- Li Jinyue shifts from confidence and manipulation to panic and desperation. His attempt to bargain fails, he loses his physical body, and his final escape attempt ends in complete death.
- Elder Chen and Old Daoist Qing Ping recognize Song Qingming’s overwhelming contribution and become openly grateful toward him.
- The other trapped cultivators, including Yu Ning and Ma Boyun, come to regard Song Qingming as the person who saved their lives.
3. Significant Themes
- Strength and preparation: Song Qingming’s victory results from both cultivation advancement and years of preparation, especially his stored divine lightning and integration of the Seven Stars Sword Light formation into his puppets.
- Freedom versus manipulation: Li Jinyue tries to control the group by trapping them and then offering conditional safety. Song Qingming rejects any arrangement that leaves his life in another’s hands.
- The cost of betrayal: Li Jinyue’s ambush isolates numerous Nascent Soul cultivators and threatens Xuan Qing Temple, but his betrayal ultimately costs him his body, cultivation foundation, and life.
- Restraint amid violence: Song Qingming kills Li Jinyue but refuses to destroy his Primordial Spirit, emphasizing that killing should be limited when possible.
- Accumulated killing intent and Dao cultivation: The chapter highlights how excessive slaughter can affect a cultivator’s heavenly fortune and provoke future inner demons and tribulations.
- Alliances and trust: By saving the group and reaffirming his commitment to Xuan Qing Temple, Song Qingming strengthens his position within the alliance and confirms his loyalty to the agreement protecting his wife and interests.
4. Character Interactions
- Li Jinyue and Song Qingming engage in a tense negotiation, with Li Jinyue attempting to tempt Song Qingming into neutrality. Song Qingming counters by demanding the restrictions be removed, making clear that he will not compromise his safety.
- Elder Chen and Old Daoist Qing Ping intervene to assist Song Qingming but are temporarily trapped by Li Jinyue’s golden net.
- After Li Jinyue’s defeat, the surviving cultivators thank Song Qingming for rescuing them. He dismisses their gratitude and urges them to focus on escaping and checking the battle outside.
- Old Daoist Qing Ping shows interest in the mysterious spatial scroll, but Song Qingming reacts guardedly and refuses to discuss or share it.
- Yu Ning reassures Song Qingming that his wife remains safe and that Qing Yuan Sect has not fully breached Xuan Qing Temple. Song Qingming confirms that, having chosen their side, he will not abandon the alliance.