Chapter Summaries

Lin Bai discovered that the monks in Lingnan Imperial City were using a power that seemed to purify and enslave the living, so he ordered Chu Jiangliu to bring troops into the city and blockade it. He then headed to the Sword King Manor to see Lin Duo and Li Subai and deliver treasures to repair her body.

• The Evil Flood Dragon told Lin Bai that the monks’ scriptures carried a strange power that felt like purification and made people submit.
• Lin Bai concluded that the monks were practicing forbidden demonic arts and ordered Zhuo Lian to summon Chu Jiangliu’s soldiers and surround Lingnan Imperial City.
• Lin Bai reunited with Li Chou and Lin Ye, learned they had both reached the Apex Realm, and the Evil Flood Dragon sensed the Demon Clan Undying Body awakening within Lin Ye.
• Lin Bai decided to visit the Sword King Manor before entering the palace so he could see Lin Duo and Li Subai and give her the treasures he had brought to repair her body.

Chu Jiangliu chafed at being kept in Lingnan Imperial City while the Divine Martial Nation faced invasions, rebellion, and unrest. He understood that His Majesty the Emperor Xiao needed him to keep the capital in check, but still longed to lead troops; the chapter ended with Zhuo Lian arriving to discuss an important matter.

• Chu Jiangliu's wife, the Fifth Princess, tried to calm him as he grew angry over the Divine Martial Nation's enemies and internal crises.
• Chu Jiangliu explained that His Majesty the Emperor Xiao had kept him in Lingnan Imperial City because his presence restrained traitors and unrest there.
• Chu Jiangliu insisted that his life was bound to the Divine Martial Nation and lamented that he could not fight the invaders.
• The Fifth Princess reminded Chu Jiangliu that his military reputation helped suppress trouble in the capital while Sword King was away.
• The steward announced that Zhuo Lian, Supreme General of the Ninth Legion of the Dragon Legion, had arrived with an important matter.

Zhuo Lian delivered Lin Bai’s order to Chu Jiangliu to mobilize the Chu forces and seal off Lingnan Imperial City. After recognizing Lin Bai’s return through their shared memory of Fengyue Brothel, Chu Jiangliu ordered the troops to assemble.

• Zhuo Lian told Chu Jiangliu that the border crisis had been resolved and presented an order to bring troops into the city and surround it.
• Chu Jiangliu feared the order was a trap that would make him look like a rebel, until Zhuo Lian revealed that Lin Bai had issued it and returned.
• Zhuo Lian used the words “Fengyue Brothel” to prove Lin Bai was back, and Chu Jiangliu immediately ordered the Chu armies to assemble.
• The Fifth Princess explained how Chu Jiangliu and Lin Bai had visited Fengyue Brothel years earlier, and Chu Jiangliu fondly recalled their youthful days.

Lin Bai returned to Sword King Manor and reunited with Lin Duo and Li Subai, telling them about the Heaven Swallowing Martial Soul and his conflict with the Giant God Race. After leaving them treasures to restore Li Subai’s body, he departed to handle the Divine Martial Nation’s troubles.

• Lin Bai entered Sword King Manor and learned Lin Duo had broken through to the Dao Realm while preparing to search for him in the Celestial God Tomb.
• Lin Bai reunited with Li Subai and Lin Duo, who scolded him for frightening them by disappearing into danger.
• Lin Bai told his parents about the Heaven Swallowing Race, the Giant God Race, and his Heaven Swallowing Martial Soul.
• Lin Bai gave Li Subai the Heaven and Earth Spirit Embryo and spiritual medicine to recreate her physical body, and urged his parents to improve their cultivation.
• Lin Bai left Sword King Manor to deal with the Divine Martial Nation’s affairs.

Lin Bai returned to the Divine Martial Nation and found Bai Xiaoxiao overwhelmed by the war and his long absence. Their reunion left Bai Xiaoxiao weeping in his arms, while Lin Bai resolved to avenge the suffering she had endured.

• Lin Bai entered the imperial palace alone while ministers argued over whether the Divine Martial Nation should continue fighting or seek peace.
• After the ministers left, Chun Han brought Bai Xiaoxiao Myriad Qi Restoration Soup, but Bai Xiaoxiao angrily refused it.
• Lin Bai took the soup and entered the Hall of Heavenly Majesty, where Chun Han recognized him as the Sword King.
• Lin Bai told Bai Xiaoxiao, "I'm back," and she leaped into his arms and wept.
• Lin Bai comforted Bai Xiaoxiao and silently resolved to repay those responsible for her suffering, while Chun Han and Xia Liang guarded the doors.

Lin Bai learned that the Savage Soul Society had abandoned its agreement and that the Divine Martial Nation was beset by internal and external threats. He promised Bai Xiaoxiao he would restore order within three months, then prepared to confront the monks in Lingnan Imperial City.

• Bai Xiaoxiao woke in Lin Bai's arms and explained that the Savage Soul Society had refused to support the Divine Martial Nation after Lin Bai left for the Celestial God Tomb.
• Bai Xiaoxiao recounted how Old Man Lone Boat and Imperial Advisor Bai Lu had secretly helped the nation survive its wars with the Central Sacred Nation.
• Lin Bai learned that no experts from the Ancient Immortal Sect had descended to the lower realm and decided to focus on the Eastern Continent's immediate problems.
• Bai Xiaoxiao described how the ascetic monks in Lingnan Imperial City had gained support among the people and officials, making it difficult to remove them.
• Lin Bai revealed that Chu Jiangliu had entered the city with two hundred thousand soldiers and that another three hundred thousand had surrounded it, then promised Bai Xiaoxiao he would restore order within three months.
• The next morning, officials gathered for court, but Chu Jiangliu was absent, while Imperial Advisor Shang Lang worried over the Divine Martial Nation's precarious position.

Chu Jiangliu returned to court after three years and brought the Divine Martial Sword God Battalion into the Golden Hall, alarming officials who suspected rebellion. He explained that the elite army belonged to the Iron-Blooded Sword King and could be mobilized only by Emperor Xiao when the Sword King was away.

• Imperial Advisor Shang Lang reflected on the ministers’ push for peace and hoped Chu Jiangliu would return to court.
• Chu Jiangliu entered the Golden Hall, where military officials welcomed him and civil officials eyed him with hostility.
• Shang Lang recalled that Emperor Xiao had kept Chu Jiangliu away from court for three years after he purged ascetic monks from the city.
• Soldiers from the Divine Martial Sword God Battalion took up positions around the hall, and Yang Cheng accused Chu Jiangliu of rebellion.
• Chu Jiangliu denied intending to rebel and explained that the soldiers belonged to the Sword King’s personal army, which Emperor Xiao alone could mobilize in the Sword King’s absence.

Lin Bai emerged from seclusion and attended court with Bai Xiaoxiao, where Censor Yang Cheng presented petitions urging peace with the Central Sacred Nation, a temple for Western Continent monks, and punishment for Chu Jiangliu. The civil officials backed Yang Cheng's proposals, leaving the court poised for a confrontation.

• The Divine Martial Sword God Battalion entered the Golden Hall, and officials discussed its origins and why Emperor Xiao had mobilized it.
• Bai Xiaoxiao arrived with Lin Bai, who took his seat in the Sword King's chair and received salutes from the battalion and military officials.
• Yang Cheng and several civil officials refused to salute Lin Bai, following Yang Cheng's lead.
• Yang Cheng presented three memorials, calling for peace with the Central Sacred Nation, construction of a Nation Protection Temple, and the removal of Chu Jiangliu's title and military authority.
• About thirty civil officials supported Yang Cheng's motion.

Lin Bai confronted the court over Yang Cheng’s petition for peace and accusation that Chu Jiangliu had brought troops into the Golden Palace. He revealed that he had ordered the Divine Martial Sword God Battalion inside and challenged Yang Cheng for implying that he himself intended to rebel.

• Yang Cheng’s memorial called for peace with the Central Sacred Nation and construction of a Nation Protection Temple, prompting civil and military officials to argue before Emperor Xiao.
• Lin Bai questioned Shang Lang about his support for war, and Shang Lang defended the need to honor the soldiers who had died securing the Divine Martial Nation’s territory.
• Lin Bai criticized Yang Cheng for accusing Chu Jiangliu without evidence, pointing out that the troops in the Golden Palace belonged to the Divine Martial Sword God Battalion.
• Yang Cheng appealed to Emperor Xiao and argued that whoever had brought troops into the palace might be plotting rebellion.
• Lin Bai admitted that he had ordered the troops into the Golden Palace and asked whether Yang Cheng was accusing him of rebellious intentions.

Lin Bai exposed Yang Cheng’s proposal to build a Nation Protection Temple and accused the ascetic monks in Lingnan Imperial City of using the Salvation Sutra to manipulate the city. The Emperor Xiao ordered Chu Jiangliu to arrest the monks, leaving the Emperor poised to act further against Yang Cheng.

• Yang Cheng pleaded for mercy after Lin Bai challenged his accusations against Chu Jiangliu and questioned his loyalty.
• Lin Bai condemned Yang Cheng’s proposal to build a Nation Protection Temple, arguing that it undermined the martial foundations of the Divine Martial Nation.
• Lin Bai revealed that the ascetic monks had formed a Buddhist formation and were chanting scriptures that harmed the minds and bodies of the city’s inhabitants.
• Shang Lang identified the scripture as the Salvation Sutra and urged the Emperor Xiao to deal with the monks.
• The Emperor Xiao ordered Chu Jiangliu to detain all the ascetic monks and kill any who resisted, then took Yang Cheng’s memorial from Lin Bai.

Emperor Xiao ordered the execution of officials who signed a petition urging peace with the Central Sacred Nation, condemning Yang Cheng for betrayal and corruption. Zhuo Lian began carrying out the decree, and hundreds of officials were dragged from the hall and beheaded.

• Emperor Xiao ordered Zhuo Lian to execute every official who signed the petition and exterminate their lineages.
• Yang Cheng pleaded for his life and accused Lin Bai, the Sword King, and Chu Jiangliu of holding too much military influence.
• Emperor Xiao rebuked Yang Cheng for betraying Chu Jiangliu, forming cliques, and conspiring with ascetic monks, then ordered his execution while sparing his lineage.
• Zhuo Lian's soldiers dragged Yang Cheng from the hall to be executed.
• Emperor Xiao authorized Zhuo Lian to act against the other signatories, and soldiers beheaded hundreds of officials named on the petition.

After purging Lingnan Imperial City, Lin Bai ordered Northern and Southern Continent’s powers to appear before the Divine Martial Nation within half a month. In Loulan Ancient Kingdom, the king and Qilin Crown Prince chose to resist and seek the Central Sacred Nation’s aid, setting Northern Continent on the path to war.

• Lin Bai ordered Shang Lang to announce that he had emerged from seclusion and summon the dynasties and Lineages of Northern and Southern Continent to court within half a month.
• Zhuo Lian’s battalion arrested lawbreakers while Chu Jiangliu purged the city’s ascetic monks, executing those who resisted.
• Loulan Ancient Kingdom’s old king read the Divine Martial Nation’s ultimatum, and the Qilin Crown Prince concluded that Lin Bai had returned from the Celestial God Tomb with new power.
• The Qilin Crown Prince urged his father to unite Northern Continent’s powers and seek military aid from the Central Sacred Nation.
• The old king approved the plan, ordering the Sword God Family and other Northern Continent experts summoned and an envoy sent to the Central Sacred Nation.

Lin Bai told Bai Xiaoxiao that he could kill Nine Tribulation Dao Realm experts and explained his plan to conquer the Northern and Southern Continents while concealing his strength to draw out the Ancient Immortal Sect and avenge his family. After leaving the palace, he returned to the Sword King Manor and went to see the elders gathered there.

• Lin Bai revealed his strength and the Nine Tribulation Dao Realm Evil Flood Dragon he planned to station in the Divine Martial Nation, while warning Bai Xiaoxiao to keep his abilities secret.
• Lin Bai explained that he was waiting for Yu Qiudi, who had killed his grandfather and shattered his mother's physical body, so he could exact revenge himself.
• Lin Bai planned to give the Loulan Ancient Kingdom and the Southern Continent's Myriad Tribes half a month to surrender before leading an army against them, hoping to provoke the Central Sacred Nation to seek aid from the Ancient Immortal Sect.
• Lin Bai advised Bai Xiaoxiao to approach the Western Continent's Buddha Land gradually and said he would deal with the Savage Soul Society when its members came to him.
• Lin Bai returned to the Sword King Manor, avoided disturbing his parents, and greeted Xun Zhicang, Su Yanhua, Bai Mu, and Monk Jiufeng in their courtyard.

Lin Bai reunited with his companions at Sword King Manor and planned to send them to the Celestial God Tomb to cultivate after he conquered the Barren Ancient Continent. He agreed to help Zhao Tiedan seek Holy Maiden Jiuci’s hand in marriage once he had conquered Southern and Northern Continent.

• Lin Bai drank with his companions and learned that Li Zhengyi had returned to Kunxu, Lan Ling had gone back to Eastern Continent Academy, and Yin Jiuling was in the Celestial God Tomb.
• Lin Bai heard that Old Eccentric and Manzi were still missing, and the Heavenly Crippled Four Brothers suspected they came from another world.
• Lin Bai told his companions he would send them to the Celestial God Tomb to cultivate after he settled the Barren Ancient Continent.
• Zhao Tiedan refused to leave until he had married Holy Maiden Jiuci, and Lin Bai agreed to help him ask for her hand.
• Lin Bai said he would take Zhao Tiedan to Western Continent after conquering Southern and Northern Continent.

Lin Bai prepared to campaign against the Southern Continent and Northern Continent with his companions, then tried to reconcile with Hong Su and spent time with Tie Haitang. The chapter ended with Tie Haitang happily staying at Sword King Manor and Lin Bai carrying her back to her courtyard.

• Lin Bai agreed to take Feng Wenjun, the Heavenly Crippled Four Brothers, A Ning, and the others on the campaign against the Southern Continent and Northern Continent.
• Lin Bai visited Hong Su and apologized for his past actions, but she remained cold toward him.
• Lin Bai offered Hong Su musical scores from the Celestial God Tomb, and she angrily blasted him through her courtyard wall.
• Tie Haitang teased Lin Bai after seeing him thrown out, then told him she had missed him and asked to stay at Sword King Manor.
• Lin Bai promised Tie Haitang a room at Sword King Manor, carried her back to her courtyard, and chatted with her about old times.

Lin Bai reflected on the fragile peace in Sword King Manor and the burden of fighting the Giant God Race, then confessed his exhaustion and fear to Su Xianmei. Su Xianmei comforted him, urging him to rest, while quietly sharing his weariness.

• Lin Bai left Tie Haitang's place and returned to his courtyard, thinking about the strength he needed to protect the peace around him.
• Su Xianmei was waiting for Lin Bai and recognized that he was troubled by how hard-won that peace was.
• Lin Bai told Su Xianmei that the Giant God Race forced him to keep fighting and that he feared his defeat would endanger everyone he loved.
• Lin Bai admitted he was exhausted and felt he had little chance of winning, despite knowing he would have to take up his sword again.
• Su Xianmei drew Lin Bai's head onto her shoulder and told him to rest, though she also appeared weary.

Lin Bai confided his burdens to Su Xianmei and found comfort in her company, then invited her to live at the Sword King Manor. Meanwhile, Lin Duo revealed that he and Li Subai planned to go to the Spirit World after Lin Bai settled affairs in the Barren Ancient Continent, and his friends offered to join them.

• Lin Bai poured out his worries to Su Xianmei, then fell asleep with his head against her shoulder.
• After waking, Lin Bai offered Su Xianmei a courtyard at the Sword King Manor, and she agreed to choose one with him.
• Su Yanhua, Xun Zhizang, Bai Mu, and Monk Jiufeng joked about Lin Bai and Su Xianmei's betrothal as Lin Duo arrived with Li Subai, who had rebuilt her physical body.
• Lin Duo said he and Li Subai would go to the Spirit World after Lin Bai settled the Barren Ancient Continent's affairs because Lin Bai's return from the Celestial God Tomb had brought trouble.
• Bai Mu, Xun Zhizang, and Monk Jiufeng offered to accompany Lin Duo and Li Subai to the Spirit World once Feng Lingzi returned.

Lin Bai learned that Lin Duo, Li Subai, and the Peach Mountain Eighteen Immortals planned to travel to the Spirit World after the Barren Ancient Continent was stabilized, while Li Subai prepared to revisit old haunts with them. Su Xianmei chose the courtyard beside Lin Bai’s and revealed that Li Subai had promised to back her up.

• Su Xianmei chose Jade Xiang Courtyard, but Li Subai arrived and suggested she move closer to Lin Bai’s residence.
• Lin Duo told Lin Bai that he, Li Subai, and the Peach Mountain Eighteen Immortals intended to head to the Spirit World once the Barren Ancient Continent was stable.
• Lin Bai agreed to postpone deciding about the journey, and Li Subai invited the Peach Mountain Eighteen Immortals to revisit the Eastern Continent Academy and Kunxu with her and Lin Duo.
• Lin Bai told Li Subai he would visit Kunxu to pay respects to his grandfather after stabilizing the Barren Ancient Continent.
• Su Xianmei decided to move to the Number One Courtyard beside Lin Bai’s and teased him that Li Subai would deal with him if he upset her.

After pacifying the imperial city, Lin Bai arranged a campaign to conquer the Northern and Southern Continents. He and Zhuo Lian marched toward the Northern Continent while Chu Jiangliu led the Chu Family Army toward the Southern Continent.

• Lin Bai told Su Xianmei that he planned to attack the Northern Continent first, then join Chu Jiangliu in the Southern Continent.
• At morning court, Chu Jiangliu reported that the monks in the imperial city had been captured and sent to the Western Continent, while Zhuo Lian reported the executions and arrests of compromised lineages and officials.
• Emperor Xiao ordered the punishments carried out and entrusted Lin Bai with campaigns in both the Northern and Southern Continents.
• Lin Bai ordered Chu Jiangliu to lead the Chu Family Army into the Southern Continent and Zhuo Lian to take one million Dragon Legion soldiers with him to the Northern Continent.
• Shang Lang took charge of supplies and affairs behind the lines, while Emperor Xiao agreed to govern the territories Lin Bai conquered.
• Lin Bai and Zhuo Lian departed for the Northern Continent as Chu Jiangliu headed for the Southern Continent.

Lin Bai and the Dragon Legion invaded the Northern Continent after the Loulan Ancient Kingdom ignored his demand to submit. Lin Bai reached its capital ahead of the army, where he confronted the defenders and declared he would take the territory despite the kingdom’s likely allies.

• Lin Bai ordered Zhuo Lian to lead the Dragon Legion north while he rode ahead to the Loulan Ancient Kingdom’s capital with A Ning and the others.
• The Dragon Legion set out at a measured pace, and Lin Bai’s Evil Flood Dragon reached the heavily fortified capital by dawn the next day.
• Loulan soldiers on the walls mocked the Divine Martial Nation and boasted of their million-man army as they prepared to defend the city.
• The Evil Flood Dragon emerged from the clouds, prompting the defenders to reinforce the city formation and send word to the Qilin Crown Prince and the old ruler.
• Lin Bai identified himself and demanded the Northern Continent’s jade seal and the Loulan ruler’s head, then declared he would seize the territory even if a million troops opposed him.