Chapter Summaries

Lin Bai met Nie Shang near Lonely Mountain before joining the carefully selected prodigies from the three major sects for their operation. After the group gathered and introduced themselves, they set out for the designated meeting point, though three of the expected twenty martial artists had not arrived.

• Lin Bai arrived at Lonely Mountain and met Nie Shang, who had been waiting for him.
• Lin Bai told Nie Shang he would help because of their friendship, despite his stated role as a Chu Kingdom representative.
• Lin Bai and the others left Lonely Mountain and headed to the designated location to wait for the rest of the group.
• Mo Shi introduced Lin Bai as her cousin, and Prince Qin confirmed their relation while the gathered martial artists exchanged introductions.
• Nie Shang counted the arrivals and noted that only seventeen of the expected twenty martial artists had assembled.

Tang Ce, Taiyi Dao, Yi Qinghuang, Meng Qinxian, and Nie Shang reached the Mutian Plains, where the One Night Divine Sect and Pure Yang Sect were preparing for a decisive battle. They examined the poisonous grass and the Heaven-Bestowed Divine Map as they advanced toward the plains’ interior.

• Tang Ce and his companions traveled from Ningyuan City to the Mutian Plains, where One Night Divine Sect vanguard forces had established camp.
• Meng Qinxian revealed the Heaven-Bestowed Divine Map, and Taiyi Dao recognized it as a treasure of the Overturning Heavens Sect.
• Meng Qinxian explained that the Overturning Heavens Sect’s Sect Master had lent him the map, prompting discussion of the sects’ changed relations.
• Nie Shang cut a stalk of Lin Bai and tested its poisonous liquid, while Yi Qinghuang explained that Meng Qinxian Fruit-realm martial artists were nearly immune to it.
• Tang Ce and the others continued deeper into the plains, where both sides’ formations were being prepared and poisonous creatures roamed among the grass.

Nie Shang concealed Lin Bai and the others in the Worship Heaven Sect’s hidden formation while they prepared to target Shen Haoyue on the frontal battlefield. Tensions over the sects’ alliances erupted into a dispute between Meng Qinxian and Luo Daoguo, leaving the group divided as the enemy approached.

• Nie Shang hid the group in a powerful formation among the clouds and said they would wait for a chance to kill Shen Haoyue once the frontal battlefield began.
• Luo Daoguo suggested that the Overturning Heavens Sect and the Worship Heaven Sect had already harbored grudges before their trip to the Chu Kingdom, and Nie Shang asked what she meant.
• Meng Qinxian and Luo Daoguo argued over the One Night Divine Sect’s weakness and its habit of scheming, while Yi Qinghuang also condemned Luo Daoguo for doubting the alliance.
• Luo Daoguo drew her treasured sword and challenged Meng Qinxian, but Lin Bai and the other martial artists urged them not to fight while their common enemy was before them.

As the Seven Nights Divine Sect prepared for war against the Pure Northern Territory, Lin Bai saw how internal suspicion had weakened the sect, while the Sect Master focused on securing benefits from the conflict. The group discussed the dangerous Holy Son Shen Haoyue and the Four Gloom Demon Palace’s divine sons as they waited for the frontal battlefield to begin.

• Yi Qinghuang tried to attack Lin Bai, but the others held her back, and Lin Bai reflected on the Seven Nights Divine Sect’s corruption and infighting.
• The Sect Master gave up trying to save the One Night Divine Sect and resolved to secure benefits from the coming war, while regretting that Yi Gu was caught in its decline.
• Yang Zong and Jing Qingguang confirmed that their team would wait for the frontal battle to target Shen Haoyue, while other teams handled the Pure Northern Territory’s Sect Master.
• Yang Zong revealed that Lu Yunzhe, the Seventh Divine Hall’s divine son, had appeared at the Star Plucking Platform, and Jing Qingguang said she, Meng Qinxian, and Nie Shang had also encountered divine sons.
• The Sect Master said she had met three divine sons of the Four Gloom Demon Palace and fought one, prompting the others to ask about their strength.

The Pure Yang Sect, the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace, and Northern Region forces discussed the Seven Nights Divine Sect’s sudden movements and prepared to seize the initiative. The Black-Robed Man expected a major battle on the Mutian Plains within two or three days.

• The Seven Nights Divine Sect’s scouts reported that its forces had left Ning'an City and gathered near the Mutian Plains.
• The Pure Yang Sect's Sect Master told the leaders on the other mountain branches about the enemy’s movements and discussed their response.
• The beast-hide-clad burly man urged the allied forces to seize the Seven Nights Divine Sect’s territory quickly, warning them not to delay the Northern Region’s undertaking.
• The Black-Robed Man proposed taking Ning'an City and using it as a base to expand into the Seven Nights Divine Sect’s territory.
• The Pure Yang Sect's Sect Master said she had increased patrols and warned that the Seven Nights Divine Sect might raid their camp.
• The Black-Robed Man predicted a surprise attack within two or three days and agreed to meet the Seven Nights Divine Sect in battle on the Mutian Plains.

The Black-Robed Man convinced Pure Yang Sect's Sect Master and the Northern Region to attack the Seven Nights Divine Sect with a coordinated plan. He would lead the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace in a raid on Ning'an City while their allies engaged the sect on the Mutian Plains.

• Pure Yang Sect's Sect Master argued that they should avoid battle until they had investigated the Seven Nights Divine Sect's preparations.
• The Black-Robed Man proposed exploiting the battle on the Mutian Plains to seize Ning'an City with help from hidden agents inside the city, including a Formation Daoist.
• Pure Yang Sect's Sect Master agreed that destroying the city's protective formation would prevent the Seven Nights Divine Sect from defending Ning'an City if they retook it.
• The burly man in beast hide agreed to the plan and urged the allies to defeat the Seven Nights Divine Sect quickly.
• The Black-Robed Man assigned the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace to raid Ning'an City while Pure Yang Sect and the Northern Region tied down the Seven Nights Divine Sect on the Mutian Plains.

The Pure Yang Sect deployed its formidable Pure Yang Demon Extinction Formation, which Shen Haoyue drove across the battlefield to devastating effect. Lin Bai and the others judged that they needed to wait for One Night Divine Sect to break the formation before they could target Shen Haoyue.

• Nie Shang explained that the Pure Yang Demon Extinction Formation required a trace of the Pure Yang Founder's true intent as its Formation Eye.
• Shen Haoyue drove the moving formation across the battlefield, where black mist swallowed martial artists and a flash of sacred light killed hundreds of charging One Night Divine Sect fighters.
• Meng Qinxian taunted Nie Shang about breaking the formation, but Yang Sect warned that even a successful assault would leave Shen Haoyue protected by other Pure Yang Sect martial artists.
• Yang Sect said they should wait until One Night Divine Sect shattered the formation and Shen Haoyue fled before attempting to kill him.

As Shen Haoyue used the Pure Yang Demon Extinction Formation to slaughter the Seven Nights Divine Sect's forces, Nie Shang spotted signs that the formation was nearing its limit and urged the allied leaders to exploit the opening. The formation eventually retreated, and Yang Zong, Taiyi Dao, and others moved to attack Shen Haoyue as he returned toward the Pure Yang Sect's battle formation.

• Shen Haoyue drove the Pure Yang Demon Extinction Formation through the battlefield, killing many martial artists and more than twenty Great Purity Dao Fruit Realm fighters.
• Nie Shang noticed the formation's white mist and Pure Yang Founder's Dharma idol showing signs of collapse, and predicted Shen Haoyue would withdraw once its fighters ran low on power.
• Nie Shang, Yang Zong, Yi Qinghuang, and Ma Qiong argued over whether to attack immediately, while Ma Qiong and Yi Qinghuang left the battlefield with their forces.
• Yang Zong concealed his figure and aura and led the Worship Heaven Sect's fighters toward Shen Haoyue; Taiyi Dao also led One Night Divine Sect fighters to attack him.
• The Pure Yang Demon Extinction Formation began retreating from the One Night Divine Sect's battle formation toward the core battlefield and the Pure Yang Sect's battle formation.

Lin Bai intercepted Shen Haoyue as the injured Pure Yang Sect Saint Son withdrew toward camp, while Yi Qinghuang and Nie Shang’s failed ambush left them surrounded. Shen Haoyue recognized Lin Bai and prepared to face him as Lin Bai entered the battlefield.

• Yi Qinghuang’s sword missed Shen Haoyue, and Nie Shang’s later assault arrived too late to combine with her attack.
• Shen Haoyue escaped with his warriors and vowed to settle the score with Yi Qinghuang, the Pure Yang Sect, and Meng Qinxian after recovering.
• As Shen Haoyue’s group entered a mountain range, Lin Bai revealed himself and blocked their path.
• Shen Haoyue recognized Lin Bai and ordered him to come out, while the Pure Yang Sect urgently warned Lin Bai through voice transmission.

Lin Bai confronted the weakened Shen Haoyue near the Pure Yang Sect’s camp, revealing that he had come on the Chu Emperor’s orders to kill him. Shen Haoyue accused Chu of plotting to seize the One Night Divine Sect’s territory, and Lin Bai prepared to attack.

• Lin Bai appeared before Shen Haoyue and his companions after Shen Haoyue detected his Void Evasion Art.
• Shen Haoyue stalled for time while secretly using healing pills and defensive treasures to recover his depleted strength.
• Lin Bai told Shen Haoyue he was acting on someone else’s request and gave him the chance to take his own life.
• Shen Haoyue accused Chu of intending to swallow the One Night Divine Sect’s territory after the fighting, while Lin Bai questioned whether Chu planned to rescue it.
• Lin Bai dismissed their argument and prepared to act against Shen Haoyue.

Shen Haoyue and the Pure Yang Sect martial artists formed the Pure Yang Demon Extinction Formation and prepared its strongest sword to kill Lin Bai. Lin Bai readied his sword formations and treasures as the sacred figure drew its blade, leaving the battle on the verge of a decisive clash.

• Shen Haoyue ordered the weakened Pure Yang Sect martial artists to form the Pure Yang Demon Extinction Formation, summoning a towering figure of sacred light.
• Shen Haoyue sensed that the formation could not be maintained for long, so he directed its power toward drawing the sword strapped to the figure's back.
• The formation drained the martial artists until they were reduced to skin and bones, but they continued pouring in their strength to support Shen Haoyue's attack.
• Lin Bai recalled his seven flying swords, raised the Taiji Two Forms Sword Formation as a defense, and judged the drawn sword a threat to his life.
• The sacred figure fully drew its sword and unleashed its mighty force against Lin Bai, who drew the demon sword and Heaven Measuring Ruler and released azure sword intent.

Lin Bai survived the Pure Yang Demon Extinction Formation’s sword and pressed Shen Haoyue to fight, while the Pure Yang Sect martial artists scattered to flee. Lin Bai pursued Shen Haoyue as Yi Wanyuan joined the chase, leaving the other fugitives hunted by Lin Bai’s flying swords.

• Lin Bai emerged with a severe shoulder wound but intact vitals after the formation’s sword shattered the Sea God Pearl’s defenses.
• Shen Haoyue ordered the Pure Yang Sect martial artists to scatter and flee, then escaped in another direction.
• Lin Bai sent his five flying swords after the fleeing martial artists and pursued Shen Haoyue himself.
• Shen Haoyue considered risking his life with his remaining treasures, but Lin Bai refused to let him go.
• Yi Wanyuan pursued Shen Haoyue, while Lin Bai’s sword qi struck down a fleeing Pure Yang Sect martial artist.

Shen Haoyue used forbidden pills to transform into a powerful four-armed monster and attacked Lin Bai’s Flying Sword. The Flying Sword was badly wounded, while more Lin Bais returned to the battle.

• Shen Haoyue swallowed dozens of forbidden pills, recovering his strength and transforming into a towering, four-armed monster.
• Shen Haoyue charged the Flying Sword, battered aside its Mount Tai Sword and Overlord Sky Halberd, and shattered its sword-light mountain and Sea God Pearl barrier.
• Shen Haoyue struck the Flying Sword in the chest, breaking much of its breastbone and making it spit blood.
• Shen Haoyue noticed that only one Lin Bai had returned and taunted him about the missing junior brothers and sisters.
• Two more Lin Bais arrived beside Lin Bai as the Flying Sword’s mastery of the Flying Sword Dao advanced.

Lin Bai fought the fiendish Shen Haoyue and realized the Lin Bai potion sustaining his strength would eventually fade. After his four flying swords returned, Lin Bai abandoned his unfinished Azure Lotus Sword Intent and unleashed his own Crimson Lotus Sword Intent, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Shen Haoyue battered Lin Bai with four fists, sending him flying despite his defense with the Heaven Measuring Ruler.
• Lin Bai used the Chaotic Seven Elements Sword Formation to evade Shen Haoyue and noticed that sword strikes had cracked Shen Haoyue’s skin and drawn inky-green blood.
• Lin Bai deduced that Shen Haoyue was attacking frantically because the Lin Bai potion’s effects would not last, but worried that waiting for them to fade could leave him weakened and unable to escape.
• Lin Bai’s four flying swords returned, and he considered how the Crimson Lotus Sword Immortal’s freewheeling sword inheritance did not suit him.
• Lin Bai replaced the Azure Lotus Sword Intent with his own Crimson Lotus Sword Intent and launched a scarlet strike at Shen Haoyue.

Lin Bai relentlessly attacked Shen Haoyue as the forbidden pill’s power waned, destroying his body and pursuing his escaping soul. Shen Haoyue’s remnant soul was trapped by Lin Bai’s seven flying swords, leaving him unable to escape.

• Shen Haoyue used a jade pendant to block Lin Bai’s sword strikes while the Reverse Seven Elements Sword Formation battered him.
• Lin Bai struck Shen Haoyue with the Heaven Measuring Ruler, smashing him into a massive pit as his forbidden pill’s power faded.
• Lin Bai destroyed Shen Haoyue’s physical body, but Shen Haoyue’s soul escaped as a streak of white light.
• Lin Bai sent his seven flying swords after Shen Haoyue’s remnant soul and sealed it within their formation.

Pure Yang Sect warriors found Shen Haoyue dead at the battlefield and began searching for his killer. Lin Bai returned to Azure Lotus Sect, where Pure Yang Sect had already launched an assault.

• Pure Yang Sect warriors arrived at the ruined battlefield and discovered Shen Haoyue's headless corpse.
• Prince Qin and the old man recognized Shen Haoyue and examined the crimson sword intent on his neck, suspecting a sword cultivator from outside the territory.
• Bo Guangxiang arrived and told the Pure Yang Sect warriors that Shen Haoyue had sent a rescue request, prompting them to search the surrounding area for the killer.
• Bo Guangxiang escaped the search and headed toward Azure Lotus Sect while the Pure Yang Sect warriors dealt with Shen Haoyue's corpse.
• Lin Bai returned to Azure Lotus Sect and found its defenses breached, its city ablaze, and its warriors fighting Pure Yang Sect forces.

After Shen Haoyue’s death, Li Siyuan identified Prince Qin as the likely killer while Pure Yang Sect’s young master welcomed the chance to become the next saint. Lin Bai learned through a captive’s memories that the Four Gloom Demon Palace had secretly mobilized forces to attack Ning'an City, and he watched the invasion begin.

• Li Siyuan concluded that Prince Qin had killed Shen Haoyue, and the young master in embroidered robes revealed that he expected to become Pure Yang Sect’s next saint.
• The young master in embroidered robes discussed the battle with Ning'an City and the beast-skin martial artist, who said the Northern Region forces were ready to join the fighting.
• Lin Bai captured a white-robed martial artist near Ning'an City and used Soul Search to learn that his lineage served the Four Gloom Demon Palace and had been ordered to gather there.
• The Nine Underworlds Demon Palace ordered the assembled white-robed forces to attack Ning'an City, whose protective formation then shattered from within.
• White-robed martial artists poured through the breach and began slaughtering the city’s inhabitants as its defenders fought back, while Lin Bai concealed himself and watched.

Lin Bai realized that the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace had launched a surprise attack on Ning'an while the main forces were occupied at the Mutian Plains. Pill Pavilion infiltrated Lin Bai City and found it ravaged but not yet fully taken, leaving the defenders to hold out for reinforcements.

• Lin Bai recognized that the attack on Ning'an was part of the wider war and saw that the city was under assault.
• Pill Pavilion headed toward Ning'an, suspecting that the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace had breached Lin Bai City's formation from within.
• Pill Pavilion disguised himself with a bamboo hat taken from a corpse and slipped into Lin Bai City through the breach.
• Pill Pavilion found martial artists fighting amid smoke and flames, while Ning'an and other key locations remained protected by defensive formations.
• Pill Pavilion concluded that the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace had not completely seized the city and that its forces needed to hold out until reinforcements arrived.

Lin Bai watched the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace fail to break Ning'an's Pill Pavilion Formation until a Primal Chaos Dao Fruit Realm martial artist arrived and attacked the city. A hidden formation unleashed the Nether Spirit Divine Light, devastating the attackers and revealing that Ning'an's defenses remained formidable.

• Lin Bai watched the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace martial artists attack the Pill Pavilion Formation for hours without breaking it.
• A white-robed Primal Chaos Dao Fruit Realm martial artist arrived, rebuked the attackers, and struck Ning'an's formation.
• The newcomer tested the formation and identified the Four Deaths Spirit Transformation Formation and its Nether Spirit Divine Light.
• The City Protection Formation unleashed the Nether Spirit Divine Light, killing roughly two-thirds of the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace force gathered before Ning'an.
• Lin Bai and the surviving martial artists witnessed the attack's devastating power as the divine light swept across Formation City and dissipated.

The Nine Underworlds Demon Palace launched an internal coup and a forceful assault on the Pill Pavilion’s formation, but Yi Jinyun and the defenders survived the chaos. As the formation began to crack under the attack, the Pill Pavilion acted against the formation’s attackers.

• The Nine Underworlds Demon Palace’s Palace Darkhold rebelled inside the Pill Pavilion and severely wounded Yi Jinyun, while defenders fought to protect her.
• After several hours, the coup was suppressed and nearly all the Palace Darkhold were killed, thwarting the Primal Chaos Dao Fruit Realm martial artist’s plan to seize the formation core.
• The Primal Chaos Dao Fruit Realm martial artist ordered fourteen Great Purity Dao Fruit Realm martial artists to use formation flags and elemental forces to batter the Pill Pavilion’s defenses.
• Lin Bai saw cracks appear in the formation and recognized that the attackers were using a specialized offensive formation.
• The Pill Pavilion vanished from its position and reappeared beside the martial artist holding the Thunder Formation Flag.