Chapter Summaries

Shen Hao cared for the injured Daoist Qingfeng, whose teachings clarified that Shen Hao’s sword should be used to protect rather than slaughter. After Yun Yao brought healing soup and news of the sect assembly, Shen Hao prepared to face Fairy Zixia in the finals three days later with a clear sword heart.

• Shen Hao gave Daoist Qingfeng a healing pill and stayed by his side while his master recovered.
• Daoist Qingfeng praised Shen Hao for sparing the innocent, and Shen Hao vowed to wield his sword only to protect.
• Yun Yao brought medicinal soup and told Shen Hao that the sect assembly finals would take place at the Qingyun Sect in three days.
• Yun Yao reported that the Xuantian Sect's Sect Master had been executed and that the Xuantian Sect had admitted its mistakes to the Qingyun Sect and Zixia Sect.
• Shen Hao learned that Fairy Zixia had been injured and sent her his regards through Yun Yao.
• After Daoist Qingfeng drank the soup, Shen Hao sat with him and resolved to face Fairy Zixia in a fair contest, guided by righteousness.

Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia began the Qingming Continent Sect Assembly final, exchanging sword techniques as they tested each other’s skill. Their strongest attacks collided, leaving both injured and the match unresolved.

• The Qingyun Sect Master announced Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia as the final’s contestants, and both entered the arena.
• Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia exchanged respectful words and agreed to focus on the sword path.
• Fairy Zixia attacked with Zixia Fills the Sky, but Shen Hao countered with Sword Locks Universe and dispersed her Purple Sword Light.
• Fairy Zixia used Purple Haze Illusory Dream, but Shen Hao saw through the phantoms and struck her true body with Sword Breaks All Laws.
• Fairy Zixia answered with Zixia Tears the Sky, and the two attacks collided in a blast that sent both fighters stumbling back with blood at their mouths.

Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia fought the final of the Qingming Continent Sect Assembly, each unveiling a refined sword intent and their strongest techniques. Their clash ended without a victor or loser, and both were named champions as they resolved to keep advancing on their paths of the sword.

• Shen Hao fused the sword intents of the Eternal Sword Art and Qingyun Divine Sword Art into a new intent centered on protection, righteousness, and perseverance.
• Fairy Zixia unleashed Zixia Sword Art, Sixth Level, Zixia Returns to Dust, and Shen Hao countered with his new defensive move, Sword Guards the Universe.
• The two techniques collided, dissipating one another and leaving Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia standing with neither a victor nor a loser.
• Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia exchanged respectful salutes and agreed that they had both benefited from the match.
• The Zixia Sect Master declared Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia joint champions of the Qingming Continent Sect Assembly, and the crowd cheered.

After winning the Qingming Continent Sect Assembly, Shen Hao received the Qingyun Sect’s rewards and reunited with Fairy Zixia and Yun Yao. Fairy Zixia set out for Chihuo Continent, while Shen Hao looked ahead to the challenges awaiting him in the Nine Heavens Divine Realm.

• The Qingyun Sect Master and the Zixia Sect Master presented Shen Hao with a World Breaking Pill and True Explanation of Qingyun Sword Dao, and Fairy Zixia with a Void Refining Pill and Zixia Immortal Scripture.
• Daoist Qingfeng congratulated Shen Hao, who promised to take his master traveling after reaching the Body Integration Realm.
• Fairy Zixia visited Shen Hao with Yun Yao, thanked Daoist Qingfeng for helping Shen Hao avoid falling into demonhood, and bid farewell before leaving for Chihuo Continent to study sword-dao classics at Fire Cloud Cave.
• Yun Yao said she planned to stay at the Qingyun Sect and continue cultivating.
• Shen Hao stood atop Lingyun Peak and resolved to keep advancing on his sword path, protect those he cared about, and bring fame to the Qingyun Sect.

Shen Hao comprehended a new state of swordsmanship and broke through to the early Body Integration Realm while Daoist Qingfeng recovered. After receiving an urgent summons from the Qingyun Sect Master, Shen Hao flew to the Council Hall, suspecting the matter was serious.

• Shen Hao studied the True Explanation of Qingyun Sword Dao and practiced its Basic Sword Art, merging his sword intent with heaven and earth.
• Shen Hao swallowed the World Breaking Pill and shattered his late Void Refining Stage bottleneck, reaching the early Body Integration Realm.
• Daoist Qingfeng congratulated Shen Hao, and they spoke of traveling across the Nine Heavens Divine Realm once Daoist Qingfeng had fully healed.
• A Communication Talisman delivered the Qingyun Sect Master's urgent summons to the Council Hall.
• Shen Hao left Daoist Qingfeng and flew toward the Council Hall, sensing that the sect's urgent matter was serious.

Shen Hao was summoned by the Qingyun Sect Master and tasked with investigating a demonic invasion in the Southern Wasteland Continent. After preparing with Daoist Qingfeng, he departed to confront the threat, leaving the sect hoping he would return victorious.

• The Qingyun Sect Master told Shen Hao that a rift in the Southern Wasteland Continent had unleashed demonic qi and powerful demonic cultivators, and ordered him to investigate and stop their spread.
• Shen Hao accepted the mission, received Magic Treasures and pills from Elder Xuanfeng, and learned that Zixia Sect and Xuantian Sect would also send disciples.
• Shen Hao returned to Lingyun Peak and told Daoist Qingfeng, who insisted on accompanying him despite Shen Hao's concerns.
• During the next three days, Shen Hao studied the True Explanation of Qingyun Sword Dao and refined the Qingyun Armor and Qingyun Cone as his natal Magic Treasures.
• Shen Hao and Daoist Qingfeng departed for the Southern Wasteland Continent after Yun Yao and the Qingyun Sect's leaders and disciples saw them off.

Shen Hao and Daoist Qingfeng fought their way through the Southern Wasteland Continent, where demonic qi had driven Demon Beasts into a frenzy. After finding the source of the corruption, they encountered demonic cultivators, and Shen Hao began battling their leader.

• Shen Hao killed a Black Wind Bear, then he and Daoist Qingfeng fought off waves of Demon Beasts infected with demonic qi.
• Shen Hao and Daoist Qingfeng slaughtered the attacking beasts and followed a distant surge of demonic qi toward its source.
• They passed the corpses of Demon Beasts and human cultivators as the sky darkened around them.
• Several masked demonic cultivators blocked their way, and their leader demanded that Shen Hao become his Cauldron.
• Shen Hao clashed with the leader's black curved blade and charged forward with the Lingyun Sword.

Shen Hao and Daoist Qingfeng were trapped in the Immortal Trapping Formation by Blood Demon Ancestor, but Shen Hao discovered that killing the formation’s core would break it. After Shen Hao slew Blood Demon Ancestor with the Qingyun Cone, a far stronger demon began awakening in the darkness.

• Blood Demon Ancestor and the other demonic cultivators attacked Shen Hao and Daoist Qingfeng with the Immortal Trapping Formation.
• The formation drained their Spiritual Power and locked them in place, while Shen Hao’s first strike against a node failed.
• Shen Hao realized Blood Demon Ancestor was the formation’s core and attacked him with the Qingyun Cone.
• The Qingyun Cone pierced Blood Demon Ancestor, breaking the formation and freeing Shen Hao and Daoist Qingfeng.
• Shen Hao sensed a much stronger demon awakening beyond the formation and warned that the true challenge had just begun.

Shen Hao and Daoist Qingfeng confronted Demon Lord Chonglou at the Southern Wasteland Continent's rift, where Shen Hao defeated him with a pure sword intent. The rift's demonic qi faded, but Shen Hao knew the demonic cultivators still threatened the Nine Heavens Divine Realm.

• Shen Hao and Daoist Qingfeng reached the rift and found Demon Lord Chonglou, a Peak Mahayana Stage cultivator, waiting there.
• Chonglou revealed he had recovered from his injuries and intended to subjugate the Nine Heavens Divine Realm, then offered to make Shen Hao his disciple and cauldron.
• Shen Hao charged Chonglou, but Chonglou shattered his attack and struck at him while Daoist Qingfeng failed to stop the blow.
• Shen Hao's sword heart awakened, and he pierced Chonglou with a sword driven by his resolve to uphold righteousness and protect others.
• Chonglou died, the rift's demonic qi dissipated, and Shen Hao collapsed from exhaustion as Daoist Qingfeng supported him.

After the Southern Wasteland crisis ended and Demon Lord Chonglou was executed, Shen Hao prepared to leave Qingyun Sect for Chihuo Continent to seek sword Dao texts in Fire Cloud Cave. He departed alone, determined to grow stronger, and arrived at Fire Cloud Cave.

• Daoist Qingfeng warned Shen Hao about the dangerous journey, then gave him a Heart-Protecting Jade that could withstand a Mahayana Stage cultivator's full-force strike.
• Yun Yao and Qingyun Sect disciples gave Shen Hao pastries, supplies, terrain records, and a Communication Talisman for his journey.
• The Qingyun Sect Master and Elder Xuanfeng cautioned Shen Hao to stay safe and account for Chihuo Continent's fire-element dangers.
• Shen Hao bid farewell to his master, Yun Yao, and the sect, then flew toward Chihuo Continent.
• Shen Hao arrived at Fire Cloud Cave.

Shen Hao arrived in Chihuo Continent and battled a powerful Crimson Flame Lizard while traveling toward Fire Cloud Cave. As the continent’s heat and fire-attributed Spiritual Power wore him down, a Mahayana Stage Crimson Flame Roc appeared in his path.

• Shen Hao entered Chihuo Continent and found its scorching heat and dense fire-attributed Spiritual Power suppressing his Qingyun Sword Dao.
• A mid-stage Body Integration Realm Crimson Flame Lizard erupted from a volcano and attacked Shen Hao with flames and its tail.
• Shen Hao used the Qingyun Divine Sword Art and his sword intent to kill the Crimson Flame Lizard.
• Shen Hao continued toward Fire Cloud Cave in the Fire Cloud Mountain Range, replenishing his Spiritual Power with a Grain Abstinence Pill as the heat intensified.
• A Mahayana Stage Crimson Flame Roc flew toward Shen Hao, leaving him pale with alarm.

Shen Hao was nearly killed by a Crimson Flame Roc until a fire spirit rescued him. After she ate the pastries from his Storage Pouch, she agreed to lead him through the maze to Fire Cloud Cave.

• Shen Hao fled from the Crimson Flame Roc, but its attack shattered his defenses and left him badly injured.
• Shen Hao’s Heart-Protecting Jade shielded him from the roc’s repeated attacks as its light curtain began to weaken.
• A fire spirit struck the Crimson Flame Roc’s wing and drove it away, saving Shen Hao.
• The fire spirit told Shen Hao that Fire Cloud Cave was her home and that a maze prevented outsider cultivators from entering.
• Shen Hao gave the fire spirit the pastries in his Storage Pouch, and she led him toward Fire Cloud Cave.

With the Fire Spirit guiding him through Fire Cloud Cave’s illusion barrier, Shen Hao discovered an ancient collection of Sword Dao scriptures and began cultivating Myriad Swords Return to Origin. After making a major advance, he learned that cultivators had arrived outside searching for the cave’s scriptures.

• The Fire Spirit led Shen Hao through Fire Cloud Cave’s illusion barrier, and his sword heart dispelled the visions that attacked him.
• Inside the cave, Shen Hao found ancient Sword Dao scriptures and promised the Fire Spirit he would protect them and keep the cave’s location secret.
• Shen Hao studied Myriad Swords Return to Origin and gained an initial grasp of its profound truth.
• Shen Hao tested the sword art with his Lingyun Sword and released a colorless Sword Light embodying ten thousand swords returning to one.
• The Fire Spirit warned Shen Hao that a group of cultivators had arrived outside looking for Fire Cloud Cave’s scriptures.

Shen Hao fought demonic cultivators who invaded Fire Cloud Cave and was driven to the brink after a clash with their scarred leader. Fire Spirit used her Natal Fire to save him, and Shen Hao broke through to the middle Body Integration Realm as he struck back.

• Shen Hao confronted the scarred late Body Integration Realm demonic cultivator and injured him with Myriad Swords Return to Origin.
• The demonic cultivators attacked together, but Shen Hao cut down several of them with the Lingyun Sword.
• The scarred leader used a black token to unleash Demon Flame Soaring To The Heavens, and the clash left Shen Hao badly wounded and nearly out of Spiritual Power.
• As the scarred leader moved to kill Shen Hao, Fire Spirit used her Natal Fire to block his sword and began turning transparent.
• The scarred leader tried to capture Fire Spirit, and Shen Hao broke through to the middle Body Integration Realm before slashing at him.

Shen Hao rescued the Fire Spirit by killing the demonic cultivators and broke through to the middle stage of the Body Integration Realm. After recovering and mastering the Myriad Wood Returns to Spring Sword, he left Chihuo Continent for Qingming Continent with the Fire Spirit Pearl.

• Shen Hao broke the Scarred Demonic Cultivator's sword, killed him, and slaughtered the fleeing demonic cultivators.
• The Fire Spirit used up too much Natal Fire and retreated into an immortal herb to sleep while Shen Hao nourished her.
• Shen Hao guarded the Fire Spirit for three days, then spent half a month comprehending the Myriad Wood Returns to Spring Sword.
• The Fire Spirit recovered and gave Shen Hao the Fire Spirit Pearl, asking him to visit her again.
• Shen Hao promised to return and flew toward Qingming Continent to see Yun Yao and his fellow disciples.

On his return journey to Qingyun Sect, Shen Hao rescued Lin Feng and Su Wan'er from Black Fiend and his bandits in Black Wind Ridge. After escorting the disciples to safety, Shen Hao continued toward the sect.

• Shen Hao traveled through Black Wind Ridge, where he found Black Fiend and his bandits attacking Qingyun Sect disciples Lin Feng and Su Wan'er.
• Shen Hao intervened as Black Fiend was about to kill Lin Feng and easily blocked the bandit chief’s attack.
• Shen Hao killed Black Fiend, defeated several bandits, and drove the survivors away.
• Shen Hao gave Healing Pills to Lin Feng and Su Wan'er, then escorted them out of Black Wind Ridge.
• Lin Feng and Su Wan'er headed back to Qingyun Sect, and Shen Hao resumed his journey there.

Shen Hao returned to Qingyun Sect after his journey in Chihuo Continent and reunited with Daoist Qingfeng and Yun Yao. He learned that Xuantian Sect had declined and Fairy Zixia had also advanced to the middle stage of the Body Integration Realm, then settled into the peace of being home.

• Shen Hao arrived at Qingyun Sect, where the disciples welcomed him and told him Daoist Qingfeng had been waiting for his return on Lingyun Peak.
• Shen Hao reunited with Daoist Qingfeng and revealed that he had reached the middle stage of the Body Integration Realm.
• Shen Hao recounted his experiences in Chihuo Continent, and Daoist Qingfeng urged him to repay the Fire Spirit for saving him.
• Yun Yao visited Shen Hao with pastries and told him Xuantian Sect had declined while Fairy Zixia had advanced to the middle stage of the Body Integration Realm.
• Shen Hao and Yun Yao talked until sunset, and Shen Hao looked out over the clouds, content to be home.

Shen Hao learned that elite disciples across the Nine Heavens Divine Realm were disappearing, apparently at the hands of demonic cultivators led by a powerful Demon Emperor, and agreed to unite the major sects against them. After Elder Xuanfeng warned that the demonic traces might be a frame-up tied to sect rivalries, Shen Hao prepared to leave with Fairy Zixia, sensing danger ahead.

• The Qingyun Sect Master told Shen Hao that elite disciples from major sects had vanished and that demonic cultivators might be responsible, led by a Demon Emperor at the peak of the Mahayana Stage.
• The Qingyun Sect Master tasked Shen Hao with uniting the major sects, and Shen Hao agreed to go with Fairy Zixia.
• Elder Xuanfeng warned Shen Hao that the traces of demonic qi seemed deliberately planted and that rival sects might be involved.
• Shen Hao told Daoist Qingfeng about the mission, and his master urged him to beware of human schemes as well as demonic cultivators.
• Shen Hao studied his sword dao and packed the Magic Treasures and medicinal pills before Fairy Zixia visited to confirm their departure the next day.

Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia traveled to the North Nether Continent to seek an alliance with the North Nether Pavilion against the demonic cultivators. They rescued Qin Bing from Mo Ying’s attack, then joined battle with Mo Ying and his followers.

• Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia left the Qingyun Sect after receiving farewell instructions from the Sect Master and Daoist Qingfeng.
• After traveling for more than ten days, Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia entered the frozen North Nether Continent and headed toward the North Nether Pavilion.
• Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia found Mo Ying and several demonic cultivators besieging the injured Qin Bing for the North Nether Sword Art.
• Shen Hao identified himself and Fairy Zixia to Qin Bing, who recognized them as the cultivators who had slain Demon Lord Chonglou.
• Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia struck Mo Ying together, sending him flying and revealing that they were both at the mid-stage Body Integration Realm.
• Shen Hao charged at Mo Ying while Fairy Zixia attacked the other demonic cultivators, starting a fierce battle.

Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia defeated the Demon Shadow and his demonic cultivators on the ice plains. After Shen Hao helped the injured Qin Bing, Qin Bing led them toward North Sea Pavilion to meet its Pavilion Master.

• The Demon Shadow attacked Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia with poisonous demonic tentacles while the demonic cultivators pressed them from the flanks.
• Shen Hao cut apart the tentacles, and Fairy Zixia used Purple Haze Illusory Dream to kill several demonic cultivators.
• The Demon Shadow used a skull to attack Shen Hao's sea of consciousness, but Fairy Zixia destroyed the skull with Zixia Tears the Sky.
• Shen Hao struck down the weakened Demon Shadow, and Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia killed the demonic cultivators as they fled.
• Shen Hao gave the injured Qin Bing a Healing Pill, and Qin Bing led Shen Hao and Fairy Zixia toward North Sea Pavilion.