Chapter Summaries

After defeating Wang Fang with his speed, Lin Bai faced Zhan Ying, a renowned body cultivator sent by King Qi to wear him down. Lin Bai agreed to a three-punch contest, leaving the onlookers wondering whether he could withstand Zhan Ying’s physical strength.

• Lin Bai defeated Wang Fang with his speed and demanded his points token before the guards carried Wang Fang away for treatment.
• King Qi sent Zhan Ying to fight next, intending to exhaust Lin Bai through successive battles.
• Chu Jiangliu warned Lin Bai that Zhan Ying was a powerful body cultivator whose flesh could resist even an ordinary Grade Four Spirit Tool.
• Lin Bai proposed that he and Zhan Ying each throw three punches to see who fell first, and Zhan Ying insisted on striking first.
• Lin Bai put away the Azure Song Sword and let Zhan Ying prepare to strike, while Chen Gong and Bai Huatian worried about the contest.

Lin Bai endured Zhan Ying’s three powerful Tyrant Fist attacks with his Silver War Body, then answered with a single punch that sent Zhan Ying crashing through Chaoyang Palace’s wall. The assembled officials and royals were left stunned by Lin Bai’s physical strength.

• King Qi urged Zhan Ying to kill Lin Bai, and Zhan Ying opened with Tyrant Supremacy of the Four Directions, but Lin Bai took the punch without injury.
• Zhan Ying struck Lin Bai with Tyrant King Lifts the Cauldron, yet Lin Bai remained unmoved and invited him to use his final attack.
• Zhan Ying unleashed Tyrant Supremacy Under Heaven, which made Lin Bai retreat half a step and draw a trace of blood.
• Lin Bai declared that he would defeat Zhan Ying with one punch and struck him with overwhelming force.
• Lin Bai’s punch shattered Zhan Ying’s bones and sent him flying through a hole in Chaoyang Palace’s wall.

Lin Bai defeated Zhan Ying with one punch, but Zhan Feng challenged him while his true qi was nearly exhausted. After three sword strikes, Lin Bai appeared unable to fight back, leaving Zhan Feng poised to cripple him.

• Lin Bai punched Zhan Ying through the wall of Chaoyang Palace, shattering his bones, and Zhan Feng carried his barely living brother to the imperial physicians.
• King Qi ordered Zhan Feng to kill Lin Bai, believing Lin Bai had nearly exhausted his true qi, while Chen Gong urged Lin Bai to return and rest.
• Zhan Feng intercepted Lin Bai on the martial platform, and Lin Bai demanded Zhan Ying’s points token; Zhan Feng kept both tokens and taunted Lin Bai about crippling Xu Laifeng.
• Zhan Feng attacked Lin Bai three times, and Lin Bai’s sword strikes only forced him back or were dodged as the onlookers concluded Lin Bai’s true qi was running out.
• Zhan Feng prepared to cripple Lin Bai and summoned his Black Soul Demon Wolf Martial Soul.

Lin Bai defeated Zhan Feng after revealing that he had plenty of true qi left, then crippled him to repay the injury Zhan Feng had inflicted on Xu Laifeng. The chapter ended with Lin Bai calling Zhan Feng’s defeat retribution and returning with the points tokens.

• Zhan Feng unleashed his Black Soul Demon Wolf’s Demon Wolf Swallows the Sun, believing Lin Bai had exhausted his true qi.
• Lin Bai revealed the strength of his Golden Spirit Vortex and overwhelmed the Demon Wolf with Heaven-Shocking Storm.
• Zhan Feng gathered the black smoke into Heavenly Wolf Claw and attacked Lin Bai with a lethal strike.
• Lin Bai countered with Gentle Sword, severed Zhan Feng’s tendons, crippled his dantian, and took his two points tokens.
• Zhan Feng charged at Lin Bai in fury, but Lin Bai kicked him into Chaoyang Palace’s stone wall and declared it retribution for Xu Laifeng.

Lin Bai defeated Zhan Feng and returned to the Spirit Sword Sect’s seats, where King Qi challenged the sect to send out its other disciples. Chen Gong and Lin Bai refused the bait and invited Qi King Manor to send any remaining challengers, leaving King Qi furious with no military talents left to fight.

• Lin Bai crippled Zhan Feng, took his points token, and returned to the Spirit Sword Sect’s seats to recover his true qi.
• King Qi raised a toast to the Spirit Sword Sect, then suggested that Lu Yuan and Zhang Lingdao take the stage.
• Chen Gong said that only Lin Bai was worth mentioning, and Lin Bai declared he would accept any military talent who wished to challenge the Spirit Sword Sect.
• Chen Gong taunted King Qi, asking whether Qi King Manor had any more talents who dared to fight.
• King Qi crushed his bronze wine cup, knowing that his remaining military talents had already been defeated by Lin Bai.

After Lin Bai restored the Spirit Sword Sect’s standing, Blazing Fire Palace challenged the sect and Wang Lie forced Zhang Lingdao into a fight. Lin Bai recovered his true qi just as Wang Lie struck Zhang Lingdao hard, leaving his condition uncertain.

• Chen Gong thanked Lin Bai for bringing respect back to the Spirit Sword Sect, and Lin Bai began recovering his true qi.
• Murong Qi announced the Four Great Sects’ contest, and Blazing Fire Palace sent Wang Lie to challenge the Spirit Sword Sect.
• Wang Lie mocked Zhang Lingdao and the Spirit Sword Sect, while King Qi and his allies urged Zhang Lingdao to accept.
• Zhang Lingdao accepted the challenge despite Chen Gong and Lu Yuan’s warnings, determined not to undo Lin Bai’s efforts.
• Lin Bai recovered his true qi and saw Zhang Lingdao fighting Wang Lie, who then struck Zhang Lingdao in the chest and severely injured him.

After Wang Lie brutally burned Zhang Lingdao’s meridians, Lin Bai challenged him and defeated him with one sword strike. Lin Bai then shattered Wang Lie’s limbs’ meridians and threatened to destroy his dantian as Wang Lie begged for mercy.

• Wang Lie defeated Zhang Lingdao, then ignored his surrender and burned his meridians until a hidden strand of Sword Qi forced Wang Lie to release him.
• Zhang Lingdao survived with his foundations intact, and Lin Bai stepped onto the fighting stage to challenge Wang Lie.
• Lin Bai shattered Wang Lie’s flaming fist with a single sword strike and sent him flying.
• When Wang Lie tried to leave after admitting defeat, Lin Bai slammed him to the ground and severed the meridians in his hands and feet.
• Lin Bai raised his sword toward Wang Lie’s dantian, and Wang Lie pleaded with him not to cripple him.

At the Divine Martial Nation's state banquet, Lin Bai killed Wang Lie despite the prohibition, prompting ministers to demand his execution. Bai Huatian spared him by ordering him to kneel at the Imperial Mausoleum and offering him a princess in marriage, but Lin Bai objected while Chen Gong accepted on his behalf.

• Lin Bai crippled Wang Lie's dantian and then beheaded him after Wang Lie threatened his family.
• King Qi and other ministers demanded that Bai Huatian sentence Lin Bai to death for violating the state banquet's rules.
• Bai Huatian spared Lin Bai the death penalty and ordered him to kneel at the Imperial Mausoleum for three days to seek the ancestors' forgiveness.
• Bai Huatian offered Lin Bai one of his daughters in marriage so Lin Bai could enter the Imperial Mausoleum as a prince consort.
• Lin Bai declined, citing his missing parents and his intention not to remain in the Divine Martial Nation, but Chen Gong accepted the marriage proposal on his behalf and asked which princess Bai Huatian intended to marry him to.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lin Bai is betrothed to the Grand Princess (Bai Xiaoxiao) by Emperor Bai Huatian to form an alliance between the royal family and the Spirit Sword Sect.
• Lin Bai is forced to agree to the engagement to avoid immediate execution, as advised by Chen Gong.
• Lin Bai challenges Yi Han, but Yi Han defers the fight, suggesting Wan Xia as Lin Bai's opponent instead.
• Lin Bai defeats Wan Xia using his Azure Song Sword and powerful martial skills, seriously injuring him.

Character Developments

• Lin Bai: Shows growth in his combat strength, capable of challenging military geniuses. He also demonstrates strategic thinking by agreeing to the engagement to avoid immediate danger.
• Bai Xiaoxiao: Realizes her feelings for Lin Bai and is happy about the engagement, although she's initially surprised and shy.
• Wan Xia: Suffers a severe defeat and injury at the hands of Lin Bai, losing his smug and arrogant demeanor.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The engagement between Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao highlights the political maneuvering and power plays between the royal family, the Spirit Sword Sect, and other factions.
• Revenge and Rivalry: Yi Han's deferment of the fight with Lin Bai and Wan Xia's challenge showcase the ongoing rivalries and desire for revenge among the martial artists.

Character Interactions

• Lin Bai and Chen Gong: Chen Gong advises Lin Bai to agree to the engagement, showing their close relationship and trust.
• Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao: They share a moment of eye contact, hinting at their growing connection.
• Lin Bai and Wan Xia: Their duel displays Lin Bai's growth and Wan Xia's overconfidence, leading to Wan Xia's defeat and injury.

At the state banquet, Lin Bai crippled Wan Xia and fought Yi Han in a fierce duel. Lin Bai overwhelmed Yi Han with his sword, but Yi Han’s hidden trump card remained to be revealed.

• Lin Bai shattered Wan Xia’s dantian, and the Blazing Fire Palace elder vowed revenge.
• Lin Bai challenged Yi Han, who stepped onto the combat stage after Murong Qi ordered him to kill Lin Bai at any cost.
• Yi Han and Lin Bai exchanged more than a dozen attacks, fighting evenly as Yi Han used the Azure Wave Palm.
• Yi Han unleashed the third form of the Azure Wave Palm, but Lin Bai answered with Sword Intent and Mountains and Rivers Eternal Silence, sending Yi Han flying and leaving him bloodied.
• Spectators praised Lin Bai’s strength, while Lu Yuan and Zhang Lingdao cheered and Chen Gong credited Ji Bei with bringing Lin Bai into the Spirit Sword Sect.

Yi Han used the Ghost Immortal Talisman to gain power comparable to the fourth level of the Heaven Martial Realm and badly wounded Lin Bai. Lin Bai’s sword techniques failed to break Yi Han’s defenses, and the chapter ended as Yi Han launched the second form of Azure Wave Palm.

• Yi Han revealed the Ghost Immortal Talisman, which Murong Qi recognized as a powerful talisman that could let an evil spirit possess its wielder.
• Yi Han merged the talisman into his body, then struck Lin Bai with a punch that shattered three of his ribs and sent him flying.
• Lin Bai evaded Yi Han’s attacks and countered with several sword techniques, but none could penetrate Yi Han’s enhanced defenses.
• After exchanging hundreds of blows, Lin Bai remained unable to defeat Yi Han, who chased him around the arena.
• Yi Han announced his turn and unleashed the second form of Azure Wave Palm, Boundless Sea, cracking the arena with its force.

Lin Bai endured Yi Han’s devastating attack, then killed him with a single use of the Gentle Sword divine ability. Still badly wounded, Lin Bai counted the points he needed before accepting Luo Qixing’s challenge and walking back onto the platform.

• Yi Han unleashed another Azure Wave Palm attack, but Lin Bai vanished beneath it and severed his head with the Gentle Sword.
• Lin Bai retrieved Yi Han’s points token and returned to the Spirit Sword Sect’s seats, where his severe injuries left him unable to speak.
• Lin Bai counted his points tokens and realized he still needed more than a hundred thousand points.
• Luo Qixing challenged Lin Bai despite his injuries, and Lin Bai declared that defeating him would bring his total to one million and thirty thousand points.
• Lin Bai broke free from Chen Gong and walked toward the platform, leaving a trail of bloody footprints.

Despite his grievous wounds, Lin Bai killed Luo Qixing and two Blazing Fire Palace challengers. He then challenged the remaining Blazing Fire Palace and Edgeless Sect fighters to attack him together, and they surged onto the platform as their techniques converged on him.

• Lin Bai feigned weakness, then used the Wind Lightning Divine Wings and his Gentle Sword Divine Ability to overpower and kill Luo Qixing.
• After Murong Qi urged the Blazing Fire Palace to attack, one of its disciples ambushed Lin Bai and was cut down.
• Lin Bai killed another Blazing Fire Palace challenger, then invited all its remaining disciples and the Edgeless Sect assassins to face him together.
• The Blazing Fire Palace and Edgeless Sect fighters rushed Lin Bai from all sides, unleashing a storm of attacks.

At the state banquet, Lin Bai killed the challengers from the Three Great Sects, then returned to Spirit Sword Sect’s seats as his injuries worsened. Bai Huatian protected him by ordering him to kneel at the Imperial Mausoleum, while Chen Gong threatened anyone who called for Lin Bai’s execution.

• Lin Bai used Gentle Sword and Wind Lightning Divine Wings to kill the martial artists attacking him, then took their points tokens and challenged the remaining sects.
• After no one else came forward, Lin Bai left the arena, and Chen Gong helped stabilize his worsening injuries.
• King Qi and the ministers demanded Lin Bai’s execution, but Chen Gong vowed Spirit Sword Sect would retaliate against anyone who harmed him.
• Bai Huatian ordered Lin Bai to kneel at the Imperial Mausoleum for three days per person he had killed, and Murong Qi persuaded the Blazing Fire Palace Elder not to resist.
• Lin Bai’s victories at the state banquet made him famous after he defeated the five military-clan champions and killed the sect geniuses.

After overwhelming his opponents at the state banquet, Lin Bai exchanged his points for the Beacon Fire City Flower and six Spirit Pearls. He recovered from his injuries and used the herb to form a second spirit vortex.

• At the treasury, Bai Xiaoxiao examined Lin Bai's severe injuries, and Lin Bai explained why he had fought despite the risk of death.
• Lin Bai exchanged more than 1.3 million points for the Beacon Fire City Flower and received six Spirit Pearls, while Chu Jiangliu chose a Grade Four Spirit Tool saber.
• Chen Gong took Lin Bai back to Hidden Dragon Pavilion, where Lin Bai secluded himself to heal.
• After five days, Lin Bai used the Beacon Fire City Flower with the Grand Five Elements Art and successfully formed a second spirit vortex.

After recovering from his injuries, Lin Bai broke through to the second level of the Heaven Martial Realm and planned to seek the Water Spirit Vortex overseas. Bai Xiaoxiao visited him to say she would lead an army to defend Nanning Pass, which the Great Moon Kingdom had nearly overwhelmed; Lin Bai remained worried and asked whether she was sure she did not need him.

• Lin Bai refined six Spirit Pearls, reached the second level of the Heaven Martial Realm, and stabilized his Fire Spirit Vortex.
• Lin Bai planned to travel overseas to find the Water Spirit Vortex after recovering in the imperial capital for seven days.
• Bai Xiaoxiao and Chu Jiangliu visited Lin Bai, and Chen Gong welcomed them to the Hidden Dragon Pavilion.
• Chu Jiangliu told Lin Bai that the Great Moon Kingdom had attacked Nanning Pass with five million troops and brought it close to falling.
• Bai Xiaoxiao said she would lead seven million troops with Chu Jiangliu to defend Nanning Pass, while Lin Bai offered to accompany her.
• Bai Xiaoxiao assured Lin Bai that her father could handle King Qi, but Lin Bai still asked whether she was certain she did not need him.

Lin Bai parted from Bai Xiaoxiao as she led seven million soldiers to the frontier, then chose to travel overseas in search of the Spirit Spring Sea before the Spirit Sword Sect’s core martial artist selection. As Lin Bai headed for July Wharf alone, Qi Yang watched him and plotted to prevent him from returning.

• Bai Xiaoxiao told Lin Bai she would dissolve their engagement after the frontier war, and Lin Bai promised to help if she needed him.
• Seven million soldiers departed the imperial capital under Bai Xiaoxiao’s command, while Lin Bai and Chen Gong suspected the invasion might involve King Qi.
• Chen Gong told Lin Bai that the core martial artist selection was about a month away, and Lin Bai decided to travel overseas and return before it began.
• Lin Bai parted from Chen Gong and the other Spirit Sword Sect disciples and headed for July Wharf, while they set off for the sect.
• Qi Yang revealed himself as one of the Spirit Sword Sect’s nine core martial artists and vowed that Lin Bai would never return.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Spirit Sword Sect awaits the return of their disciples from the Imperial City's Year-End Ceremony.
• Only three disciples—Chen Gong, Lu Yuan, and Zhang Lingdao—return, without Lin Bai.
• Chen Gong announces that the Spirit Sword Sect has won first place in the Chaoyang Palace martial arts competition.

Character Developments

• Lin Bai: Implicitly shown to have died or not returned, sparking concern among the Elders Council and disappointment among the Divine Alliance.
• Chen Gong: Proves to be a reliable and honest elder, standing up to Su Cang's hypocrisy and announcing the sect's victory.
• Su Cang: Reveals his true colors as a hypocrite, initially delighted by Lin Bai's presumed death and later dismissive of the sect's victory.

Significant Themes

• Honesty vs. Hypocrisy: Chen Gong's honesty contrasts with Su Cang's hypocrisy, highlighting the theme of integrity.
• Loyalty vs. Ambition: Su Cang's ambition leads him to prioritize his image over the sect's success, while Chen Gong remains loyal to the sect.

Character Interactions

• Chen Gong vs. Su Cang: Chen Gong stands up to Su Cang's dismissive attitude, highlighting the tension between them.
• The Elders Council vs. The Divine Alliance: The Elders Council expresses concern for Lin Bai's absence, while the Divine Alliance is delighted, reflecting the rivalry between the two sects.

Chen Gong told the Spirit Sword Sect that Lin Bai had won first place at Chaoyang Palace by defeating military prodigies and killing disciples from the Four Great Sects. He revealed that the emperor had betrothed Grand Princess Bai Xiaoxiao to Lin Bai, while Su Cang remained convinced that Qi Yang would kill him.

• Chen Gong recounted how Lin Bai defeated Qi Rui, Xiao Jian, Wang Fang, Zhan Ying, and Zhan Feng, and killed the visiting disciples of Azure Cloud Terrace Palace, Blazing Fire Palace, and the Edgeless Sect.
• The Second Elder and Ji Bei celebrated Lin Bai’s victory, while Su Cang and the Grand Elder doubted the news and then hoped Lin Bai had been sentenced to death for killing at the state banquet.
• Chen Gong announced that Lin Bai had won the emperor’s favor and was betrothed to Grand Princess Bai Xiaoxiao, prompting the Spirit Sword Sect disciples to rejoice.
• Chen Gong explained that Lin Bai had stayed behind in the imperial capital to handle business at sea, and the Second Elder said he would reprimand him when he returned.
• Su Cang comforted himself by claiming Qi Yang would kill Lin Bai, as news of Lin Bai’s victory spread throughout the Spirit Sword Sect.

Lin Bai boarded Treasure Pavilion's merchant ship to reach the City of a Thousand Islands and heard other passengers spreading rumors about his recent victory and his appearance. As the ship sailed east, he reflected on his unknown childhood before sensing that someone had marked him with killing intent; Qi Yang appeared after Lin Bai returned to his cabin.

• Lin Bai persuaded Huo Shu to let him board the Treasure Pavilion merchant ship bound for the City of a Thousand Islands.
• After the ship departed, Lin Bai overheard passengers praising his victory at Chaoyang Palace and repeating rumors about him.
• Lin Bai told Huo Shu that the rumors were exaggerated and admitted he did not know where or when he had been born.
• Lin Bai sensed killing intent on the deck, but it disappeared before he could identify its source.
• After Lin Bai returned to his room, Qi Yang emerged from the darkness.