Chapter Summaries

Shen Hao led three hundred Xuanling Sect disciples to Soul Severing Gorge, where Old Ghost Mo ambushed them with poison and hidden attacks. The disciples formed the Myriad Swords Return to Origin formation to repel poisoned bolts, but Old Ghost Mo filled the gorge with poison mist and launched a black-light attack at Shen Hao.

• Shen Hao and three hundred disciples departed for Soul Severing Gorge after Daoist Xuanling warned them to prioritize their safety.
• Shen Hao sensed hidden traps in the gorge and identified Old Ghost Mo when he emerged from the mist.
• Old Ghost Mo attacked Shen Hao with bone corroding poison mist, which damaged Shen Hao's sword curtain and burned his sleeve.
• Shen Hao ordered the disciples to form the Myriad Swords Return to Origin formation, which deflected poisoned crossbow bolts fired from the cliffs.
• Old Ghost Mo released poison mist throughout the gorge, then sent a streak of black light toward Shen Hao.

Shen Hao broke Old Ghost Mo’s Bone Corroding Poison Mist, killed him, and led the Righteous Path Alliance to victory over the Youming Sect. After rescuing prisoners and finding a register of enemy strongholds and spies, Shen Hao set out for Xuanling Sect, knowing the war was still ahead.

• Shen Hao used the Eternal Sword Art’s Sword Shatters Miasma to disperse Old Ghost Mo’s poison mist and pursued him.
• Shen Hao evaded Old Ghost Mo’s poisonous spike and killed him with the Lingyun Sword.
• The Righteous Path Alliance disciples rallied after Old Ghost Mo fell and slaughtered the remaining Youming Sect cultivators.
• Shen Hao rescued imprisoned cultivators, destroyed the Poison Puppet materials, and found a register listing Youming Sect strongholds and spies.
• Shen Hao ordered the battlefield cleared and led the three hundred disciples back to Xuanling Sect with the register.

Shen Hao revealed the Youming Sect’s strongholds and spies to the Righteous Path Alliance, prompting plans for a coordinated purge. After Qingyunzi escaped, Shen Hao suspected there might be another spy within the Alliance as he returned to Quiet Heart Garden.

• Shen Hao read the roster aloud, exposing more than a hundred Youming Sect strongholds and dozens of spies, including Qingyunzi and Bishui Weng.
• Daoist Xuanling ordered the sects to secretly capture their spies and dispatch elite disciples to destroy the strongholds.
• A Xuanling Sect disciple reported that Qingyunzi had fled the Qingyun Sect with several disciples.
• Daoist Xuanling warned the sect masters not to pursue Qingyunzi yet, and Shen Hao proposed copying the roster so the sects could act at the same time.
• Daoist Xuanling ordered copies distributed, and the sect masters left to prepare for the operation.
• Shen Hao returned toward Quiet Heart Garden, uneasy that Qingyunzi’s escape might point to another spy in the Righteous Path Alliance.

The Righteous Path Alliance learned that the seal on the Youming Demon Lord in Myriad Demon Cave had loosened, threatening the Cultivation World. Shen Hao joined Daoist Xuanling and the major sects as they set out to reinforce the seal and confront the Youming Sect.

• The Righteous Path Alliance destroyed Youming Sect strongholds and captured spies, but Shen Hao remained wary of the sect’s response.
• Daoist Xuanling told Shen Hao and the sect leaders that the Youming Demon Lord’s seal had loosened and Youming Sect followers were gathering at Myriad Demon Cave.
• Daoist Xuanling ordered the major sects to reinforce the seal and summoned Shen Hao to join the expedition.
• Several thousand elite disciples assembled outside Xuanling Sect and pledged to follow Daoist Xuanling into battle.
• Daoist Xuanling led the disciples toward Myriad Demon Cave, with Shen Hao following on the Lingyun Sword.

Shen Hao and the Righteous Path Alliance advanced through the Far North toward the Myriad Demon Cave as the Youming Demon Lord’s weakening seal let more demonic qi escape. After learning that the Youming Sect had ambushed Qingyun Sect disciples to delay the alliance, Shen Hao led a thousand elite disciples to confront the ambushers while Daoist Xuanling continued toward the cave.

• Daoist Xuanling told Shen Hao that the worsening wind and snow carried demonic qi from the loosening seal.
• Wounded Qingyun Sect disciples reported that more than ten thousand Youming Sect disciples had ambushed them on the way to the Myriad Demon Cave.
• Daoist Xuanling and Shen Hao deduced that the Youming Sect meant to delay the alliance and ordered the army to press on.
• Daoist Xuanling gave Shen Hao the Alliance Leader Token and ordered him to lead a thousand elite disciples against the ambushers.
• Shen Hao and the thousand disciples flew toward the battle as Daoist Xuanling led the main army onward to the Myriad Demon Cave.

Shen Hao and a thousand elite disciples rescued Qingyun Sect disciples from a Youming Sect attack on a snowfield, killing the attackers and sending the survivors toward the Myriad Demon Cave. After ordering his forces to search the battlefield and recover, Shen Hao prepared to continue toward the main force and the perilous battle ahead.

• Shen Hao led a thousand elite disciples through a blizzard and found Qingyun Sect disciples surrounded by Youming Sect followers.
• Shen Hao charged into battle and killed the late-stage Nascent Soul Realm Black Robe Man who led the Youming Sect forces.
• Shen Hao and the elite disciples used the Myriad Swords Return to Origin formation to slay hundreds of Youming Sect followers and wipe out the rest, despite some begging to surrender.
• Shen Hao checked on the surviving Qingyun Sect disciples and sent them to join the main force at the Myriad Demon Cave.
• Shen Hao ordered his disciples to search the battlefield for useful intelligence while he restored his Spiritual Power.

Shen Hao arrived at the Myriad Demon Cave with a thousand elite disciples and joined the battle between the Righteous Path Alliance and the Youming Sect. After Shen Hao killed several Nascent Soul experts, the Old Man in Blood-colored Robe burned his Essence Blood and grew stronger, leaving the alliance's leaders to attack him together.

• Shen Hao led a thousand elite disciples to the Myriad Demon Cave, where the Demon Locking Array was close to breaking and the Righteous Path Alliance was fighting the Youming Sect.
• Shen Hao's arrival raised the alliance's morale, and he killed several Black Robe Men with the Eternal Sword Art's fifth form.
• Daoist Xuanling wounded the Old Man in Blood-colored Robe while he was distracted by Shen Hao.
• The Old Man in Blood-colored Robe stabbed himself and used a demonic technique to burn his Essence Blood, raising his strength beyond the Spirit Transformation Stage.
• Daoist Xuanling, the sect masters, the elders, and Shen Hao prepared to attack the Old Man in Blood-colored Robe together.

The Old Man in Blood-colored Robe used Essence Blood to let a demonic soul possess him, overpowering the Righteous Path Alliance and its leaders. As the Old Man in Blood-colored Robe prepared to kill Shen Hao, Shen Hao remembered the Protective Jade Talisman Daoist Xuanling had given him.

• The Old Man in Blood-colored Robe unleashed demonic aura against Daoist Xuanling and the sect leaders, breaking their defensive formation and wounding several experts.
• Shen Hao used Nine Profound Unity to attack the Old Man in Blood-colored Robe, but both were injured and Shen Hao exhausted his Spiritual Power.
• The Old Man in Blood-colored Robe knocked back Daoist Xuanling and the others when they tried to save Shen Hao.
• As the Old Man in Blood-colored Robe brought his Blood-colored Longsword down toward Shen Hao, Shen Hao remembered the Protective Jade Talisman.

Shen Hao survived the Old Man in Blood-colored Robe’s assault when the Eternal Sword Art purified the demonic qi in his body and restored his strength. He killed the enemy leader, turning the battle in the Righteous Path Alliance’s favor, but collapsed as Daoist Xuanling rushed to him.

• Shen Hao used Daoist Xuanling’s Protective Jade Talisman to withstand the Old Man in Blood-colored Robe’s attacks while trying to recover his Spiritual Power.
• The Eternal Sword Art purified the demonic qi in Shen Hao’s meridians and restored his Spiritual Power.
• Shen Hao fought back with the Eternal Sword Art’s Sixth Form, wounded the Old Man in Blood-colored Robe, and pierced his heart with the Lingyun Sword.
• The Youming Sect disciples lost their morale after their leader died, and Daoist Xuanling led the Righteous Path Alliance in a charge that drove them deeper into the Myriad Demon Cave.
• Shen Hao collapsed after the victory as Daoist Xuanling ran toward him.

After Shen Hao survived the battle, Daoist Xuanling helped heal his injuries and stabilize his Spiritual Power, strengthening his sword intent. With the Demon Locking Array’s seal badly weakened and the Youming Sect’s plans still unclear, Shen Hao agreed to investigate the Myriad Demon Cave with Su Qingyue the next morning.

• Daoist Xuanling guided Shen Hao as he circulated the Eternal Sword Art, helping his meridians heal and his Spiritual Power recover.
• Daoist Xuanling praised Shen Hao’s steadfast Dao heart and said the battle had advanced his sword-path attainment.
• Shen Hao and Daoist Xuanling saw that the Demon Locking Array’s seal had weakened, and Daoist Xuanling warned that the Youming Sect might have a larger conspiracy.
• Shen Hao volunteered to venture into the Myriad Demon Cave, and Daoist Xuanling agreed to send Su Qingyue with him.
• Daoist Xuanling told Shen Hao to rest for a day before setting out with Su Qingyue the next morning.

Shen Hao and Su Qingyue entered Myriad Demon Cave to investigate the Youming Sect and the loosening seal, armed with Qingling Pills and Daoist Xuanling’s warnings. They encountered a swarm of poisonous Demon Ants in the first level and fought back-to-back in the narrow passage.

• Shen Hao recovered overnight, and Su Qingyue arrived to join him on the expedition into Myriad Demon Cave.
• Daoist Xuanling gave Shen Hao and Su Qingyue Qingling Pills and a map, explained the cave’s three levels, and warned them not to enter the third level.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue entered Myriad Demon Cave and took Qingling Pills to resist its demonic energy.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue encountered a swarm of poisonous Demon Ants in the passage and began fighting them together.

Shen Hao and Su Qingyue fought through a demon ant swarm, found and destroyed the altar spawning it, and encountered the Youming Sect's Bone Demon Elder. The Nascent Soul Realm elder attacked them, beginning a new battle.

• Shen Hao used Sword Domain Dust Settles while Su Qingyue covered him, and they carved a path through the demon ants into a cavern.
• Shen Hao identified the black altar as the source of the demon ants, and Su Qingyue warned him against touching its demonic runes.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue attacked the altar together until it collapsed, causing the demonic qi to dissipate and the demon ants' shrieks to subside.
• Bone Demon Elder emerged from the cavern's depths, identified himself as a Youming Sect member, and attacked Shen Hao and Su Qingyue with demonic qi.

Shen Hao and Su Qingyue fought Bone Demon Elder in the first level of Myriad Demon Cave and defeated him by combining their sword techniques. They rested before heading deeper into the cave, aware that greater dangers awaited.

• Bone Demon Elder overwhelmed Shen Hao and Su Qingyue with demonic qi, wounded Shen Hao, and trapped Su Qingyue in a demonic net.
• Shen Hao dispelled the frigid force in his wound and charged Bone Demon Elder as the elder attacked him with Soul Devouring Light.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue united their sword lights, purifying the Soul Devouring Light and cutting Bone Demon Elder in half.
• Bone Demon Elder's death freed Su Qingyue, and Shen Hao supported her as she recovered.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue rested to restore their Spiritual Power before continuing deeper into Myriad Demon Cave.

Shen Hao and Su Qingyue descended to the bottom of Soul Severing Ravine, where they discovered that a Youming Sect Soul Suppressing Stele was creating the Vengeful Spirits. As Shen Hao tried to destroy it, Blood Soul Elder appeared, and the pair faced him in a new battle.

• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue used sword intent to descend into Soul Severing Ravine and protected themselves from its poisonous gas and corrosive resentment.
• Vengeful Spirits emerged from the mist, and Su Qingyue shielded them while Shen Hao traced their source to a spring beside a black stone stele.
• Shen Hao recognized the stele as a Youming Sect evil object and struck it with the Lingyun Sword, but its defenses shattered his Sword Light.
• Blood Soul Elder emerged from the black mist and revealed that he had survived their previous encounter and grown stronger by absorbing resentment.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue combined their sword lights to meet Blood Soul Elder's attack, beginning another battle at the ravine's bottom.

Shen Hao and Su Qingyue defeated Blood Soul Elder and cleared the Soul Severing Ravine, then prepared to continue toward the third level of Myriad Demon Cave. They knew the Youming Sect and the sealed Youming Demon Lord awaited them there.

• Blood Soul Elder revealed that he had only pretended to be weak before and attacked Shen Hao and Su Qingyue alongside the Vengeful Spirits.
• Shen Hao used the Eighth Form of the Eternal Sword Art to destroy the Vengeful Spirits while Su Qingyue held Blood Soul Elder off.
• Blood Soul Elder struck Su Qingyue and trapped Shen Hao, but Shen Hao awakened the technique Control Sword with Heart and pierced Blood Soul Elder with the Lingyun Sword.
• Blood Soul Elder died, and the Vengeful Spirits vanished as the resentment in Soul Severing Ravine faded.
• Shen Hao destroyed the Soul Suppressing Stele, clearing the dark river, and he and Su Qingyue rested before proceeding to the third level.

Shen Hao and Su Qingyue entered Netherworld Hall and confronted the Youming Sect’s forces guarding the sealed Youming Demon Lord. As the two fought the Black Robe Men, Blood Fiend Grand Elder attacked Shen Hao, who unleashed the ninth form of the Eternal Sword Art against him.

• Shen Hao used the Eternal Sword Art to dispel the demonic aura and open the gate at the end of Soul Severing Ravine, then entered Netherworld Hall with Su Qingyue.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue discovered the sealed Youming Demon Lord and faced Blood Fiend Grand Elder and several dozen Black Robe Men.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue fought the Black Robe Men, but their opponents’ numbers and strength pushed them into a bitter struggle.
• Blood Fiend Grand Elder attacked Shen Hao, overpowering him with his blood-colored demonic blade.
• Shen Hao released the ninth form of the Eternal Sword Art, Sword Breaks The Firmament, and sent a colossal Sword Light toward Blood Fiend Grand Elder.

Shen Hao defeated Blood Fiend Grand Elder after the Lingyun Sword and nine sword phantoms restored his strength, then reunited with Su Qingyue. They searched for the Demon Locking Array’s core to reinforce the weakening seal, but the chained Youming Demon Lord suddenly stirred.

• Shen Hao and Blood Fiend Grand Elder exchanged devastating attacks, leaving both badly injured.
• As Blood Fiend Grand Elder lunged at Shen Hao, the Lingyun Sword released nine sword phantoms that healed him and replenished his Spiritual Power.
• Shen Hao fused the Lingyun Sword with the nine phantoms and killed Blood Fiend Grand Elder with Myriad Swords Return to Origin.
• Su Qingyue defeated the disorganized Black Robe Men, and Shen Hao warned that the Demon Locking Array’s seal was weakening.
• Shen Hao found the array diagram behind the demon platform and began examining it with Su Qingyue, but Youming Demon Lord suddenly stirred and unleashed a terrifying pressure.

Youming Demon Lord broke free of the weakening seal and overpowered Shen Hao and Su Qingyue, but they used Daoist Xuanling’s Protective Jade Talisman to reinforce the Demon Locking Array. Shen Hao sent a message requesting help from Daoist Xuanling and the Righteous Path Alliance, then fainted as Su Qingyue guarded him.

• Youming Demon Lord emerged from the seal’s weakening, revealed that Shen Hao and Su Qingyue had helped him defeat Blood Fiend Grand Elder, and struck them into a stone wall.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue poured their Spiritual Power into the array diagram to reinforce the seal, but Youming Demon Lord broke one of its chains.
• Shen Hao used Daoist Xuanling’s Protective Jade Talisman, and Su Qingyue helped merge it into the array diagram, restoring the chains and binding Youming Demon Lord again.
• Shen Hao sent a communication Jade Slip to alert Daoist Xuanling and the Righteous Path Alliance, then fainted from exhaustion.
• Su Qingyue used her remaining Spiritual Power to protect Shen Hao’s heart meridian as Netherworld Hall fell quiet.

Shen Hao and Su Qingyue waited as the Protective Jade Talisman kept the Youming Demon Lord sealed until Daoist Xuanling arrived with the Righteous Path Alliance. The alliance reinforced the Demon Locking Array, temporarily containing the demon, and Shen Hao left for Xuanling Sect determined to grow stronger and protect those he cared about.

• Shen Hao awoke, took a Qingling Pill from Su Qingyue, and learned that the Protective Jade Talisman had strengthened the seal for the moment.
• Shen Hao told Su Qingyue that he had sent a message to Daoist Xuanling, and they restored their Spiritual Power while awaiting reinforcements.
• Daoist Xuanling arrived with the Righteous Path Alliance's sect masters and elders, and they joined Shen Hao and Su Qingyue in strengthening the Demon Locking Array.
• The reinforced chains held the Youming Demon Lord as he struggled, and Daoist Xuanling said the seal would keep him contained for now.
• Daoist Xuanling invited Shen Hao and Su Qingyue to Xuanling Sect to rest, and Shen Hao left determined to become stronger and protect what mattered to him.

Shen Hao and Su Qingyue traveled north with Daoist Xuanling after their battle at Netherworld Hall, reflecting on their shared ordeal and Shen Hao’s new sword technique. Shen Hao recognized that the Youming Sect remained a threat and resolved to continue strengthening his Sword Dao.

• Shen Hao rode behind Daoist Xuanling while recovering from his injuries, and Su Qingyue flew beside him through the snow.
• Shen Hao recalled the battle at Netherworld Hall and his master’s teaching that the sword was meant to protect.
• Su Qingyue thanked Shen Hao for helping her survive the journey to Myriad Demon Cave, and Shen Hao credited her with holding back the Blood Soul Elder.
• Su Qingyue praised Shen Hao’s Control Sword with Heart, and Shen Hao explained how his sword heart had resonated with the Lingyun Sword during the fight.
• Shen Hao considered the lingering threat of the Youming Sect and resolved to press onward with his sword.