Chapter Summaries

Lin Bai boarded the Treasure Pavilion’s flying spiritual vessel with the Grand Princess and Bai Xiaoxiao, then killed a lecherous martial artist who tried to claim their last room. As Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao settled in for the half-month journey to Sky Walled City, Lin Bai wondered whether the Demon Seed was behind his growing bloodlust.

• Lin Bai and the Grand Princess boarded the vessel and endured other passengers mocking the Divine Martial Nation’s martial artists.
• Qin Bao assigned rooms, leaving Lin Bai, Bai Xiaoxiao, and the Grand Princess to compete for the last one.
• When a lecherous martial artist claimed the room and insulted Bai Xiaoxiao, Lin Bai killed him with a single sword strike.
• Lin Bai entered the room with Bai Xiaoxiao, while Qin Bao wondered whether Lin Bai had learned assassin techniques from the Edgeless Sect.
• Lin Bai admitted his urge to kill had been growing, and he and Bai Xiaoxiao noticed a flickering red speck in his right eye as he suspected the Demon Seed.

Lin Bai explained that the Demon Seed was consuming him, then joined the Grand Princess in confronting Liu Hai’s insults toward the Divine Martial Nation. The chapter ended as Liu Hai publicly mocked the nation and demanded that one of its martial artists write an insulting phrase.

• Lin Bai told the Grand Princess that his Heart Demon Implantation art had created a Demon Seed he could no longer control, and she urged him to stop cultivating it.
• Ten days later, Luo Qing and two other Divine Martial Nation martial artists asked Lin Bai to teach Liu Hai a lesson for defeating their companions and insulting their homeland.
• The Grand Princess insisted on confronting Liu Hai, and Lin Bai followed her and Luo Qing to the deck.
• Liu Hai boasted that he was the younger brother of Liu Ben, the East Ridge Seven Hundred Kingdoms’ number-one fist cultivator, and claimed he had easily beaten martial artists from the Divine Wind Nation and the Divine Martial Nation.
• Liu Hai demanded that a Divine Martial Nation martial artist write an insulting phrase before he would let them leave.

The Grand Princess challenged Liu Hai after he mocked the Divine Martial Nation’s fighters and insulted her, then overwhelmed him with her divine ability, Iron Horses, Frozen River. Before she could finish him, an unknown attacker shattered her icy warhorses and wounded her; Lin Bai caught her and entered the arena in fury as figures appeared from the ship’s highest level.

• The Grand Princess stopped an injured martial artist from fighting Liu Hai and insisted on facing him herself, while Lin Bai watched.
• Liu Hai and the Saint Night Dynasty disciples mocked the Grand Princess, provoking her and drawing Lin Bai’s murderous anger.
• The Grand Princess met Liu Hai’s Earth-Shattering Strike with Iron Horses, Frozen River, broke his fist, and sent him flying.
• Liu Hai begged for mercy and warned that his brother Liu Ben was aboard the ship as the Grand Princess’s warhorses charged him.
• An unseen punch destroyed the icy warhorses and wounded the Grand Princess, whom Lin Bai caught before stepping into the arena.
• Several figures emerged from the ship’s highest level, including a handsome young man who looked viciously at the Grand Princess and with concern at Liu Hai.

Lin Bai confronted Liu Ben after Liu Ben threatened the Grand Princess and demanded she submit to Liu Hai. Despite Su Xianmei’s warning and attempt to mediate, Lin Bai revealed himself as East Ridge’s Premier Sword Cultivator and attacked Liu Ben, intent on killing him.

• Liu Ben arrived to rescue his younger brother Liu Hai and threatened the Grand Princess, demanding she go to Liu Hai’s room.
• Lin Bai stepped forward to challenge Liu Ben, while Su Xianmei appeared and tried to settle the dispute.
• Su Xianmei warned Lin Bai that the Liu brothers had powerful connections to Fist Dao Academy, but Lin Bai refused to back down.
• Liu Ben demanded that Lin Bai kneel and that the Grand Princess submit to Liu Hai, while Liu Hai taunted Lin Bai.
• Lin Bai identified himself as East Ridge’s Premier Sword Cultivator and drew the Azure Song Sword.
• Lin Bai vanished in a blur and launched an attack on Liu Ben, declaring that he meant to kill him.

Lin Bai defeated Liu Ben, then killed him and Liu Hai despite their threats and Su Xianmei’s warning. After he slaughtered the martial artists who had insulted the Grand Princess, Blazing Fire Palace Sect Master Huo Lingtian revealed himself and challenged Lin Bai.

• Lin Bai overwhelmed Liu Ben with his sword, then killed him after Liu Ben threatened him and begged Su Xianmei for help.
• Lin Bai killed Liu Hai, and Su Xianmei dissuaded Qin Bao from trying to arrest him.
• Lin Bai demanded that the martial artists who had insulted the Grand Princess step forward, then killed more than a hundred of them as they fled.
• Huo Lingtian revealed his Human Core Realm strength, and Lin Bai recognized the Blazing Fire Palace Sect Master.

Lin Bai killed Huo Lingtian after the Human Core Realm expert attacked him aboard the flying spiritual artifact. The crowd was left stunned by Lin Bai’s strength as he escorted the injured Grand Princess into the cabin, while Su Xianmei walked away in anger.

• Huo Lingtian attacked Lin Bai with a fiery palm, but Lin Bai endured it using the Golden War Body.
• Lin Bai countered Huo Lingtian with sword techniques and his Dragon Eye Flying Sword, injuring him and declaring that he could kill a Divine Core Realm martial artist.
• Lin Bai broke through Huo Lingtian’s Fire Spirit Shield, pierced his chest with nine flying swords, and destroyed his heart with a final sword strike.
• The martial artists, Su Xianmei, and the Grand Princess stared in shock as Huo Lingtian died, and Lin Bai kicked his corpse off the flying spiritual artifact.
• Lin Bai asked Bai Xiaoxiao about her injuries, then supported the Grand Princess into the cabin and said he would apologize to Su Xianmei later.

After killing Liu Ben and Liu Hai, Lin Bai reassured the Grand Princess and went to apologize to Su Xianmei, who revealed the killings had angered the powerful Fist Dao Academy dean. The Grand Princess feared for the Divine Martial Nation as Lin Bai realized the danger was far greater than he had thought.

• Lin Bai helped the Grand Princess recover, and she apologized for the trouble caused when she stood up for the Divine Martial Nation.
• The Grand Princess insisted on accompanying Lin Bai to see Su Xianmei, and Qin Bao led them to her room.
• Su Xianmei angrily mocked Lin Bai for making her lose face, then laughed when he struggled to explain himself.
• Su Xianmei revealed that Liu Ben and Liu Hai were the Fist Dao Academy dean's grandsons and warned Lin Bai that his actions could endanger everyone connected to him, including the Divine Martial Nation.
• The Grand Princess turned pale at Su Xianmei's warning, and Lin Bai admitted he might have caused a huge disaster.

Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao learned how to seek Divine Relic Ridge’s protection from the Potential Ranking and arrived in Sky Walled City to register for the assessment. After meeting Cheng Hua, who was heading to receive Liu Ben and Liu Hai, they continued toward the registration area, keeping clear of the Liu Family for now.

• Su Xianmei explained that entering the Potential Ranking’s top ten would protect Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao from being openly attacked before Divine Relic Ridge’s assessment.
• Six days later, Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao arrived in Sky Walled City, and Su Xianmei gave Lin Bai a map before departing with the Treasure Pavilion martial artists.
• Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao set out for the assessment area to register and learn about the Three Trials and Five Tribulations.
• Cheng Hua collided with Lin Bai and threatened him, then left in a hurry after a companion reminded him to receive Liu Ben and Liu Hai.
• Bai Xiaoxiao warned Lin Bai to avoid a direct clash with the Liu Family, and they followed the map to Divine Relic Ridge’s assessment area.

Cheng Hua identified Lin Bai as the killer of Liu Ben and Liu Hai and set out to notify the Liu Family. Meanwhile, Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao went to Ascension Tower to register for Divine Relic Ridge’s examination, where Murong Changtian offered to guide them.

• Cheng Hua recognized Lin Bai in a portrait and led martial artists toward the Liu Family residence after deciding to notify them.
• Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao arrived at Ascension Tower and found that martial artists there paid more attention to Bai Xiaoxiao than to Lin Bai.
• A martial artist angrily refused to help Lin Bai, saying he had taken the examination for three years without getting into Divine Relic Ridge.
• Bai Xiaoxiao attracted several eager volunteers when she asked where to register, and Lin Bai introduced himself as her fiancé.
• Murong Changtian offered to guide Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao, while the surrounding martial artists revealed that he ranked ninth on the Potential Ranking and had a fearsome reputation.

Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao registered for Divine Relic Ridge’s year-end examination and accepted Murong Changtian’s invitation to stay at his residence. They then followed him to Wooden Dummy Alley to see the Potential Ranking, where he promised to explain how to get a name on it.

• Murong Changtian invited Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao to stay at his residence, and they accepted.
• Bai Xiaoxiao and Lin Bai registered at the Registration Office and received tokens for the examination.
• The old man told them to return to Ascension Tower for the examination after three months, on September first.
• Murong Changtian explained that the Potential Ranking was in Wooden Dummy Alley beside Ascension Tower.
• Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao followed Murong Changtian to Wooden Dummy Alley to see the ranking.

Murong Changtian showed Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao the Potential Ranking and the Sinister Ranking in Sky Walled City, explaining how martial artists could qualify by clearing Wooden Dummy Alley or killing a wanted criminal. He then invited them to his secluded residence, where a glimpse of his expression linked him to the Flower Plucking Thief.

• Murong Changtian explained that the Potential Ranking was based on the trials cleared in Wooden Dummy Alley and that only Half-Step Divine Core Realm martial artists could qualify.
• Lin Bai learned that his father, Lin Duo, had set the unbeaten record by clearing the eighteenth trial and defeating 180 wooden dummies.
• Murong Changtian explained that killing a Sinister Ranking criminal could earn a place on the Potential Ranking, and Lin Bai memorized the twenty-three wanted portraits.
• Lin Bai noticed that the ninth-ranked Flower Plucking Thief's portrait seemed familiar, though he could not recall meeting him.
• Murong Changtian invited Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao to his courtyard, then revealed a sly expression resembling the Flower Plucking Thief.

Murong Changtian explained the Three Trials and Five Tribulations of the Ascension Tower to Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao, including the strict martial-soul requirement for Divine Relic Ridge. The chapter left Lin Bai learning that Yellow Grade martial souls could still qualify through a special mission.

• Murong Changtian hosted Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao at his manor and poured them wine, which caused Lin Bai's Devouring Sword Soul to tremble briefly.
• Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao asked Murong Changtian about the Divine Relic Ridge examination, and he explained that its Five Tribulations tested candidates through deadly illusions on the third through seventh floors.
• Murong Changtian said candidates who passed the Five Tribulations faced three trials of courage, martial soul, and strength, and that faster results attracted more attention from the Nine Great Academies.
• Murong Changtian revealed that Divine Relic Ridge normally rejected martial souls below the Profound Grade, leaving Lin Bai dismayed because his martial soul was Yellow Rank One.
• Murong Changtian explained that owners of Yellow Grade Martial Souls could complete a special mission to designate an academy and join it.

Murong Changtian explained how examination tokens and Contribution Points worked, then revealed that he was the Flower Plucking Thief and had poisoned Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao. He left the pair immobilized and at his mercy.

• Murong Changtian explained that Yellow Grade Martial Soul candidates could force their way into a Dao Academy with one thousand Pass Tokens, which could also be exchanged for Contribution Points.
• Murong Changtian told Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao that they might not reach Divine Relic Ridge alive, then urged Bai Xiaoxiao to try circulating her true qi.
• Bai Xiaoxiao and Lin Bai found that the poison had sealed their true qi and left them weak, while Murong Changtian revealed his plan to assault Bai Xiaoxiao.
• Murong Changtian explained that Love Poison: Fish and Water Entwined could disable even a Heaven Core Realm martial artist and admitted that his victims had haunted him during the Tribulation of Vengeful Spirits.
• Lin Bai recognized Murong Changtian as the ninth-ranked Flower Plucking Thief on the Sinister Ranking, and Murong Changtian confirmed his identity and praised Lin Bai's sharp eyes.

Lin Bai fought Murong Changtian after discovering he had poisoned Bai Xiaoxiao, and he overpowered him despite Murong Changtian’s powerful sword techniques. The chapter left Lin Bai using Soul Search to find the antidote after Murong Changtian threatened Bai Xiaoxiao’s life.

• Lin Bai revealed that he had avoided swallowing the poisoned wine and demanded the antidote from Murong Changtian.
• Murong Changtian attacked Lin Bai with Three Star Sword Radiance, Six Star Sword Radiance, and Nine Star Sword Radiance, badly wounding him.
• Lin Bai countered with Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon, One Sword Becomes Nine, and Divine Sword Arts: Lightning Manipulation, defeating Murong Changtian.
• Murong Changtian warned that Bai Xiaoxiao would die within three hours without the antidote and claimed only he knew how to make it.
• Lin Bai used Secret Art: Soul Search on Murong Changtian to search his memories for the antidote.

Lin Bai learned the antidote to Love Poison: Fish and Water Entwined from Murong Changtian’s memories, killed him, and cured Bai Xiaoxiao. He then explained Murong Changtian’s connection to the Sword Dao Institute and the trouble his death might bring.

• Lin Bai discovered the antidote and the Ghostly Disguise Technique in Murong Changtian’s memories.
• Murong Changtian begged for his life and invoked his father, but Lin Bai killed him and found that his true appearance matched the Flower Plucking Thief on the Sinister Ranking.
• Lin Bai picked up Murong Changtian’s Storage Bag, carried the paralyzed Bai Xiaoxiao to a guest room, and used himself as the antidote to the poison.
• Bai Xiaoxiao asked about Murong Changtian’s father, and Lin Bai explained that Murong Hai was the dean of the Sword Dao Institute.
• Lin Bai told Bai Xiaoxiao that Murong Changtian had used a demonic cultivation art to prey on female disciples, killing several within a few months.

Lin Bai explained Murong Changtian’s crimes and helped Bai Xiaoxiao claim his ninth-place Sinister Ranking position for protection on the Potential Ranking. After Bai Xiaoxiao registered the kill, their names appeared tied for ninth, and Lin Bai took her to the trading house to find a new residence.

• Lin Bai told Bai Xiaoxiao that Murong Hai had hidden his son Murong Changtian, whose crimes continued until Lin Bai killed him.
• Lin Bai urged Bai Xiaoxiao to submit Murong Changtian’s head and take ninth place on the Potential Ranking for protection from the Liu Family.
• Bai Xiaoxiao handed the head to the Ascension Tower elder, who confirmed Murong Changtian’s identity and activated a protective restriction on her token.
• Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao saw their names listed together in ninth place on the Potential Ranking, while Murong Changtian vanished from the Sinister Ranking.
• Lin Bai led Bai Xiaoxiao toward the trading house to exchange Murong Changtian’s estate for another residence.

Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao exchanged a deed for a new home in Sky Walled City and named it Lin Estate, where Lin Bai felt he had found a true home. Meanwhile, Liu Jingxing learned where Lin Bai lived and prepared to attack, while Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao spent the night discussing their future at Divine Relic Ridge.

• Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao chose an estate near Ascension Tower, put both their names on the deed, and named it Lin Estate.
• Lin Bai entered the estate with Bai Xiaoxiao and felt that he had finally found a true home.
• A commerce informant told Liu Jingxing that Lin Bai lived at No. 99, Qilin District, and Liu Jingxing ordered his martial artists to attack Lin Estate.
• Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao drank together at the estate and discussed choosing the Sword Dao Institute at Divine Relic Ridge.

Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao shared a quiet moment and discussed retiring together, but Liu Jingxing’s martial artists infiltrated the Lin Estate to capture Lin Bai. After Lin Bai killed one attacker, he chose to defend his home rather than flee, while Bai Xiaoxiao stood by him.

• Bai Xiaoxiao agreed to live in seclusion with Lin Bai, though she privately remained attached to her ambitions for power.
• Feng Hua led more than twenty Fist Dao Academy disciples into the Lin Estate, hoping to capture Lin Bai and earn a chance to enter Divine Relic Ridge.
• Lin Bai sensed the intruders, and he and Bai Xiaoxiao went to investigate together.
• A Liu Family martial artist attacked Lin Bai with Raging Dragon Fist, but Lin Bai killed him with a single sword strike.
• Lin Bai refused to flee and declared that he would defend the Lin Estate so Bai Xiaoxiao would not have to keep wandering.

Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao defended Lin Estate from Cheng Hua’s invading martial artists, killing the search parties they encountered. The chapter ended when a powerful clash erupted elsewhere in the estate, prompting Lin Bai to rush toward Bai Xiaoxiao.

• Lin Bai and Bai Xiaoxiao decided to face the invaders together and disappeared into Lin Estate.
• Bai Xiaoxiao ambushed and killed five martial artists searching the eastern wing.
• Bai Xiaoxiao reached the waterside pavilion and came face to face with Cheng Hua.
• Lin Bai killed groups of intruding martial artists with his sword while deciding to avoid using the Great Barren Art unless forced.
• A blaze and powerful force erupted elsewhere in Lin Estate, and Lin Bai hurried toward Bai Xiaoxiao.

Lin Bai arrived at Lin Estate in time to save Bai Xiaoxiao from Feng Hua and fought him with his sword. Feng Hua fled after being badly wounded, and Lin Bai pursued him outside the estate, where the city soldiers intervened.

• Feng Hua defeated Bai Xiaoxiao and threatened to cripple her core unless she revealed Lin Bai's whereabouts.
• Lin Bai appeared, helped Bai Xiaoxiao to her feet, and told her he would handle Feng Hua.
• Lin Bai fought Feng Hua, using his sword and Wind Lightning Divine Wings to break through Feng Hua's Seven Fiends Palm attacks and wound him badly.
• Feng Hua fled from Lin Estate, and Lin Bai chased after him.
• A squad of heavily armored soldiers confronted them outside Lin Estate and invoked Sky Walled City's ban on private fighting.