Chapter Summaries

Shen Hao discussed the sword path with Daoist Xuanling and realized that his sword was rooted in his desire to protect others. He learned that Ancestor Lieyan might have joined the remnants of Youming Sect, then resumed cultivating as he prepared to face the dangers ahead.

• Shen Hao studied the Eternal Sword Art and reflected on how his sword intent had grown stronger after Myriad Demon Cave.
• Daoist Xuanling shared Cloud Mist Tea and asked Shen Hao what he sought at the end of the sword path.
• Shen Hao said he sought the power to protect, and Daoist Xuanling explained that his pure sword heart was his foundation.
• Daoist Xuanling told Shen Hao that Ancestor Lieyan had escaped and might have sought refuge with the remnants of Youming Sect.
• Daoist Xuanling urged Shen Hao to recover before pursuing Ancestor Lieyan, and Shen Hao resumed cultivating the Eternal Sword Art.

Shen Hao refined his sword intent through practice and touched the threshold of the Sword Venerable realm. After Su Qingyue brought him pastries, they agreed to travel together and confront Ancestor Lieyan and the remaining forces of the Youming Sect.

• Shen Hao practiced the Basic Sword Art of the Eternal Sword Art and transformed his sword intent into a steadier force of protection.
• Shen Hao sensed that his Sword Dao realm was advancing from Grandmaster of the Sword Dao toward Sword Venerable, then meditated to stabilize it.
• Su Qingyue visited Shen Hao with pastries and tea and praised his increasingly condensed sword intent.
• Shen Hao told Su Qingyue he planned to grow stronger, kill Ancestor Lieyan, and wipe out the remaining forces of the Youming Sect.
• Su Qingyue offered to travel with Shen Hao, and he accepted her help.

After the Youming Sect’s remaining forces attacked the Qingyun Sect under Ancestor Lieyan’s suspected leadership, Shen Hao was ordered to lead an investigation team there. He set out determined to confront Ancestor Lieyan and settle their score.

• Shen Hao heard that black-robed cultivators led by the suspected Ancestor Lieyan had attacked the Qingyun Sect, causing severe casualties.
• Daoist Xuanling convened the sect leaders, who discussed how to respond to the attack and guard against further strikes.
• Daoist Xuanling ordered Shen Hao to lead ten elite disciples to investigate the Qingyun Sect and warned him not to act rashly.
• Shen Hao accepted the mission, took up the Lingyun Sword, and headed to select his team.

Shen Hao led ten elite disciples and Su Qingyue to support Qingyun Sect, where Ancestor Lieyan had nearly destroyed its defenses. The chapter ended as Shen Hao intervened just as Ancestor Lieyan was about to kill Qingyun Sect’s sect master.

• Shen Hao rallied ten elite disciples to scout and support Qingyun Sect, warning them of possible Youming Sect ambushes.
• Su Qingyue joined Shen Hao on the journey, and they rode toward Qingyun Sect together.
• Shen Hao and his companions arrived to find Youming Sect followers attacking Qingyun Sect’s failing defensive formation.
• Ancestor Lieyan stabbed Qingyun Sect’s exhausted sect master and prepared to strike through his heart.
• Shen Hao attacked Ancestor Lieyan and declared himself his opponent.

Shen Hao and Su Qingyue confronted Ancestor Lieyan at the bloodied gates of the Qingyun Sect, and Shen Hao attacked him with the Eternal Sword Art. Ancestor Lieyan was badly wounded but remained standing as Shen Hao prepared another strike.

• Shen Hao ambushed Ancestor Lieyan, disrupting his attack on the Qingyun Sect Master and cracking his crimson barrier.
• Shen Hao accused Ancestor Lieyan of betraying the righteous path and killing Qingyun Sect disciples, while Su Qingyue and ten elite disciples joined him.
• Ancestor Lieyan revealed his demonic energy and defended his use of Demonic Arts, claiming that only power mattered.
• Shen Hao charged Ancestor Lieyan with the eleventh form of the Eternal Sword Art, Sword Cleaves Heaven and Earth.
• The clash sent disciples on both sides flying, while Ancestor Lieyan was driven back and injured; Shen Hao raised his sword for another attack.

Shen Hao pursued Ancestor Lieyan after the fiend tried to flee, but Ancestor Lieyan swallowed a Mo Sha Pill and gained overwhelming power. He badly wounded Shen Hao and pressed his attack as Shen Hao remained determined to protect the Cultivation World.

• Ancestor Lieyan fled across Qingyun Mountain, but Shen Hao pursued him and blocked his escape with relentless sword strikes.
• Su Qingyue and ten elite disciples caught up, splitting up to help fight the remaining Youming Sect followers and support Shen Hao.
• Ancestor Lieyan swallowed a Mo Sha Pill, causing his demonic qi and strength to surge as the pill began burning away his lifespan.
• Ancestor Lieyan charged Shen Hao with his Demonic Sword and knocked him into a tree, leaving him gravely wounded.
• Shen Hao rose despite his injuries and refused to retreat, but Ancestor Lieyan attacked again, thrusting his sword toward Shen Hao's chest.

Shen Hao realized the unity of heart and sword and used Sword Intent Manifestation to kill Ancestor Lieyan. With his great vengeance avenged, he returned to the ground holding Lingyun Sword.

• Shen Hao recalled his master's teachings and Daoist Xuanling's guidance as Ancestor Lieyan's Demonic Sword approached.
• Shen Hao awakened to the unity of heart and sword, and Lingyun Sword rose to meet his will.
• Shen Hao manifested a hundred-zhang sword phantom, stunning the fighters on Qingyun Mountain and terrifying Ancestor Lieyan.
• Shen Hao used the sword phantom to cut Ancestor Lieyan in two before he could detonate his dantian.
• Shen Hao descended with Lingyun Sword and felt relief that his fallen fellow disciples had been avenged.

After the Youming Sect forces were defeated and Ancestor Lieyan was executed, Shen Hao and the survivors mourned the Qingyun Sect’s losses and honored those who had fallen. Shen Hao departed with Su Qingyue and the elite disciples to report to the Xuanling Alliance Leader, knowing the war was not over.

• The Qingyun Sect disciples and Righteous Path Alliance elites killed the remaining Youming Sect cultists after Ancestor Lieyan’s death.
• Shen Hao closed the Qingyun Sect Master’s eyes and told him that Lieyan had been avenged.
• Su Qingyue comforted Shen Hao as he mourned the dead and resolved to grow stronger.
• A Qingyun Sect elder and the disciples thanked Shen Hao, and he promised the Righteous Path Alliance would help rebuild their sect.
• Shen Hao agreed with Su Qingyue to report the Qingyun Sect’s situation to the Xuanling Alliance Leader and flew toward the Xuanling Sect with her and the ten elite disciples.

After Shen Hao reported Ancestor Lieyan’s death, Daoist Xuanling appointed him Vice Alliance Leader of the Righteous Path Alliance and commander of its sword cultivators. Shen Hao accepted the responsibility and vowed to grow stronger, defeat the Youming Sect’s remaining forces, and reinforce the seal on the Youming Demon Lord, with Su Qingyue pledging to stand beside him.

• Shen Hao reported the battle at Qingyun Sect and Ancestor Lieyan’s execution, prompting the gathered sect leaders and elders to praise him.
• Daoist Xuanling proposed Shen Hao as Vice Alliance Leader, and the assembly unanimously approved the appointment.
• Shen Hao initially declined but accepted after Daoist Xuanling and the other leaders urged him to take the position.
• The assembly discussed rebuilding Qingyun Sect and suppressing the Youming Sect’s remaining forces before ending late at night.
• Su Qingyue congratulated Shen Hao, and he vowed to become stronger and lead the Alliance’s sword cultivators against the Youming Sect and to reinforce the seal on the Youming Demon Lord.
• Su Qingyue promised to stay by Shen Hao’s side as he set out on his renewed sword path.

After becoming Vice Alliance Leader, Shen Hao took responsibility for organizing the Righteous Path Alliance’s more than ten thousand sword cultivators. He planned to establish a Sword Cultivator Camp and develop a shared cultivation method, then headed with Su Qingyue to discuss the plan with the Xuanling Alliance Leader.

• Su Qingyue delivered Shen Hao a roster detailing the Righteous Path Alliance’s sword cultivators across dozens of sects.
• Shen Hao decided to gather the scattered sword cultivators at a camp near Xuanling Sect for centralized training.
• Shen Hao proposed creating a unified sword path cultivation method based on the Eternal Sword Art and the sects’ other methods.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue set off for Xuanling Hall to discuss establishing the Sword Cultivator Camp with the Xuanling Alliance Leader.

Shen Hao established a Sword Cultivator Camp at Sword Heart Valley and created the Qingyun Sword Art by combining his Eternal Sword Art with mental arts from the major sects. The camp was ready, and the sword cultivator disciples were expected to arrive within three days.

• Daoist Xuanling approved Shen Hao's proposal, designated Sword Heart Valley for the camp, and ordered the major sects to send their sword dao mental arts there.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue went to Sword Heart Valley, where Shen Hao oversaw construction while studying the sects' mental arts.
• After half a month, Shen Hao completed the camp and carved the new Qingyun Sword Art onto its central stone stele.
• Su Qingyue told Shen Hao that the sword cultivator disciples from every major sect had been ordered to arrive within three days.

Shen Hao established the Sword Cultivator Camp at Sword Heart Valley and taught its gathered disciples the Qingyun Sword Art. The disciples formed ten battalions, beginning the camp’s training to fight the Youming Sect.

• More than ten thousand sword cultivators gathered at Sword Heart Valley, where Daoist Xuanling announced Shen Hao as their commander.
• Shen Hao united the disciples under the Sword Cultivator Camp and set three rules of diligent cultivation, mutual support, and loyalty to the righteous path.
• Shen Hao demonstrated the thirty-six forms of the Qingyun Sword Art and told the disciples to study the forms carved on a stone stele.
• Shen Hao ordered the disciples to divide into ten battalions by cultivation level, and they formed orderly ranks across the Training Ground.

Shen Hao and Su Qingyue trained the Sword Cultivator Camp for a month, then held a battlefield muster to test its strength. The camp’s grand sword array proved powerful enough to threaten Spirit Transformation Stage demonic cultivators, leaving Shen Hao determined to lead the disciples against the Youming Sect.

• Shen Hao guided the sword cultivator disciples while Su Qingyue managed the camp, and their training in the Qingyun Sword Art strengthened their skill and unity over a month.
• Shen Hao announced a three-part battlefield muster and ordered the Golden Core Stage disciples to begin individual matches.
• The disciples fought individual matches, then ten-man squads from each of the ten battalions competed in coordinated combat.
• All ten battalions formed the Qingyun Sword Array, whose combined sword intent shook Shen Hao, Su Qingyue, and Daoist Xuanling.
• Daoist Xuanling praised the array’s power, and Shen Hao resolved to use the army to defeat the Youming Sect and protect the Cultivation World.

Shen Hao led the Sword Cultivator Camp to Black Wind Ridge after remnants of the Youming Sect were found slaughtering villagers. They defeated the attackers, but Shen Hao believed more battles against the sect’s surviving remnants lay ahead.

• A Xuanling Sect disciple told Shen Hao that the Youming Sect’s remnants were slaughtering villagers at Black Wind Ridge and ordered him to bring the Sword Cultivator Camp as support.
• Shen Hao assembled more than ten thousand sword cultivators, and Su Qingyue joined him as they set out for Black Wind Ridge.
• Shen Hao and the Sword Cultivator Camp arrived to find Daoist Xuanling and the major sect elders struggling against several hundred Youming Sect followers.
• Shen Hao ordered an attack, and the Sword Cultivator Camp fought alongside Su Qingyue and the elders to kill all the Youming Sect followers.
• Shen Hao helped the surviving villagers to their feet and accepted Daoist Xuanling’s praise, while recognizing that the Youming Sect’s remnants might strike again.

After the Sword Cultivator Camp defeated Youming Sect attackers at Black Wind Ridge, Shen Hao discovered their raids were part of a plan to free the sealed Youming Demon Lord. Daoist Xuanling assigned Shen Hao and the camp to reinforce the Demon Locking Array at Myriad Demon Cave, where a greater conflict awaited.

• Shen Hao learned the Black Wind Ridge battle had left three hundred and seventy-two Youming Sect followers dead, with no Sword Cultivator Camp fatalities, and ordered aid for the wounded and villagers.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue suspected the attack was a test, and an elder brought Shen Hao a high-ranking Youming Sect token recovered from a slain leader.
• Daoist Xuanling showed the sect leaders a map of Youming Sect attacks, and Shen Hao noticed the locations converged toward Myriad Demon Cave.
• Daoist Xuanling concluded the Youming Sect intended to destroy the Demon Locking Array and free the Youming Demon Lord.
• Daoist Xuanling divided the alliance's forces, assigning Shen Hao to lead the Sword Cultivator Camp to Myriad Demon Cave while other sect disciples suppressed attacks across the Cultivation World.
• Shen Hao accepted the mission, and Su Qingyue urged him to be careful as he prepared to depart.

Shen Hao led the Sword Cultivator Camp north to reinforce the Demon Locking Array at Myriad Demon Cave and stop the Youming Sect from freeing the Youming Demon Lord. As the force raced through the night, Shen Hao and Su Qingyue saw the enemy’s demonic qi ahead and prepared for battle.

• Shen Hao rallied the Sword Cultivator Camp, explaining the threat to Myriad Demon Cave and inviting anyone afraid to withdraw, but no disciple left.
• A young Golden Core disciple declared that the camp would face death to protect the Cultivation World, and the others echoed his resolve.
• Shen Hao ordered the tens of thousands of disciples to move out, and they mounted their swords and flew toward Myriad Demon Cave with Shen Hao and Su Qingyue at the front.
• Shen Hao told Su Qingyue he wondered whether they could defend the Demon Locking Array, and she expressed confidence in him and the disciples.
• Shen Hao spotted a column of black demonic qi in the far north and realized the Youming Sect had prepared a trap at Myriad Demon Cave.

Shen Hao led the Sword Cultivator Camp to confront the Youming Sect at the Myriad Demon Cave, where both sides clashed in a fierce battle. He fought the Second Elder, Blood Demon, and unleashed his twelfth-form Eternal Sword Art against him.

• Shen Hao arrived at the Myriad Demon Cave with the Sword Cultivator Camp and found thousands of Youming Sect followers surrounding its entrance.
• Blood Demon declared his intent to avenge the Grand Elder, Blood Fiend, and Ancestor Lieyan, then ordered the Youming Sect to attack.
• Shen Hao ordered the disciples to form the Qingyun Sword Array, and its sword curtain collided with the Youming Sect's demonic qi.
• Shen Hao and Blood Demon exchanged blows; both were injured, and Blood Demon was shocked by Shen Hao's strength.
• Shen Hao used the Eternal Sword Art's Twelfth Form, Sword Extinguishes the Netherworld, and sent an enormous Sword Light toward Blood Demon.

Shen Hao killed Blood Demon and turned the battle toward the Sword Cultivator Camp, but discovered the Youming Sect had been targeting the Demon Locking Array. He and Su Qingyue reached the array core as the Youming Demon Lord began to emerge, and Shen Hao charged to stop the sect followers from breaking the seal.

• Shen Hao used Control Sword with Heart to pierce Blood Demon's chest and kill the Youming Sect's Second Elder.
• Shen Hao ordered the Sword Cultivator Camp disciples to attack as the Youming Sect followers fell into disarray.
• Shen Hao sensed the Demon Locking Array's seal weakening and realized Blood Demon had only been a distraction.
• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue rushed into Myriad Demon Cave and found Youming Sect followers smashing the cracked array core.
• Shen Hao charged the followers as the Youming Demon Lord's figure took shape within the array.

Shen Hao fought off the Youming Sect followers attacking the array eye, then used his sword heart to repair and reinforce the damaged seal. He sealed the Youming Demon Lord again but collapsed afterward, while Su Qingyue and the Sword Cultivator Camp celebrated their victory.

• Shen Hao and Su Qingyue fought the Youming Sect followers, and Shen Hao cleansed the demonic qi from his wounds with sword intent before annihilating them.
• Shen Hao found the array eye badly damaged and the Youming Demon Lord more than halfway condensed, so he asked Su Qingyue to protect him while he repaired it.
• The Youming Demon Lord struck at Shen Hao, badly injuring Su Qingyue and then pinning her in place as she tried to defend him.
• Shen Hao drew on a revelation from the Eternal Sword Art fragment and fused his sword heart with the array eye, sealing the Youming Demon Lord within the array.
• Shen Hao fainted, and Su Qingyue caught him as the Sword Cultivator Camp disciples cheered outside the cavern.

After sacrificing his sword heart to reinforce the Demon Locking Array, Shen Hao woke in Crane Valley of the Xuanling Sect after three days unconscious. The Cultivation World was at peace, and as Su Qingyue cared for him, he resolved to recover and keep protecting those he loved.

• Shen Hao woke in Crane Valley, where Su Qingyue told him he had been unconscious for three days and three nights.
• Su Qingyue reported that the Demon Locking Array was far more stable, the Youming Sect's remaining forces had been wiped out, and the Blood Demon had been executed.
• The Xuanling Alliance Leader sent Shen Hao a Heart Nurturing Pendant to aid his recovery.
• Su Qingyue told Shen Hao that the Sword Cultivator Camp had fought well and earned praise from the major sects.
• Shen Hao thanked Su Qingyue and vowed to recover, continue tempering his sword heart, and protect the Cultivation World and those he cared for.