Chapter Summaries

The Fisherman guided Lin Bai through the journey of a drop of water as it gathered strength, became a river, and reached the sea, while a fish grew within it. Lin Bai concluded that water was the Dao and fish were people, but the Fisherman challenged him to consider what they themselves were and began to explain the Dao.

• The Fisherman transformed their surroundings and showed Lin Bai a pool overflowing into a stream, then invited him to follow the water.
• Lin Bai watched the drop gather other waters, grow into a powerful river, and break through a mountain before joining a larger river.
• The river nurtured a fish, which grew into a great fish and eventually reached the sea with the water.
• The Fisherman returned Lin Bai to the island, where they found the roasting fish unchanged despite their long journey.
• Lin Bai said that water was the Dao and fish were people, and the roasting fish suddenly cooked through on one side.
• The Fisherman asked what he and Lin Bai were if water was the Dao and fish were people, then offered to explain the Dao.

Fisherman explained the stages of cultivation and guided Lin Bai to understand the relationship between water, fish, and man as the Dao, intent, and practitioner. Lin Bai learned that his father, Lin Duo, had once been Fisherman’s exceptional disciple, and his Martial Intent reached Ninth-Grade perfection after he ate the cooked fish.

• Fisherman explained the cultivation stages, common and rare intents, and the Dao Tribulation to Lin Bai.
• Lin Bai concluded that water was the Dao, fish was the intent, and man was man, impressing Fisherman with his insight.
• Fisherman told Lin Bai that his former disciple Lin Duo had reached the same insight but might have died after provoking powerful enemies.
• Lin Bai resolved to become Five Peaks Holy Son, find Su Yanhua, and learn what had happened to his father.
• Lin Bai ate the cooked fish, and his Martial Intent advanced from seventh grade to Ninth-Grade perfection.

Lin Bai emerged from the Heavenly Palace with his martial intent perfected at the ninth order and received a mysterious rune from the Fisherman. As the Ascension Palace vanished, he confronted the martial artists waiting outside and revealed his overwhelming sword intent.

• Lin Bai thanked the Fisherman after the fish raised his martial intent from the early sixth order to ninth-order perfection, and the Fisherman gave him a rune while warning him to protect Divine Relic Ridge from the disaster that befell the Crimson Immortal Sect.
• Lin Bai left the Heavenly Palace puzzled by the Fisherman's words and realized that only a quarter of an hour had passed outside despite his long stay within.
• Lin Bai found more than five hundred martial artists waiting below the Heavenly Palace, including Zhu Kun, Wu Qing, Chu Yi, Bai Chen, Hua Jingcheng, and Ning Yunlong.
• After the Ascension Palace and its Spirit Puppets vanished, Zhu Kun, Wu Qing, Chu Yi, and Bai Chen surrounded Lin Bai and demanded he reveal what he had gained.
• Lin Bai refused and threatened his opponents, then released ninth-order sword intent that shocked the four men surrounding him.

After breaking through to Ninth-Order Sword Intent in Martial Intent Mountain, Lin Bai slaughtered the illusion bodies of the martial artists who had hunted him. He vowed to settle the larger blood feud once his strength grew, and planned to enter the Primordial Wilds to catch up to his enemies.

• Lin Bai revealed Ninth-Order Sword Intent, and Chu Yi urged the others to wait until they left Martial Intent Mountain before confronting him.
• Lin Bai caught and killed Chu Yi with one sword, then shattered Bai Chen’s illusion body after deflecting his spear attack.
• Lin Bai killed Wu Qing and Zhu Kun as they tried to leave, dismissing their threats and declaring that the feud with the Fist Dao Academy would continue.
• Lin Bai killed Hua Jingcheng and Ning Yunlong, vowing to make everyone involved in the deaths of his allies and Jian Ruohan pay.
• Lin Bai reflected on the deaths of the allied disciples, Ruan Jinhui, Ling Shuang, Qianshan Yun, Red Tiger, and Jian Ruohan, then resolved to hunt demonic beasts in the Primordial Wilds and grow strong enough to defeat his enemies.

Lin Bai left Martial Intent Mountain after reaching Ninth-Order Sword Intent and reunited with Jian Ruohan and their allies. He told them he entered Ascension Palace and gained his breakthrough by eating a fish, leaving them skeptical.

• Lin Bai killed Bai Chen, Wu Qing, Chu Yi, Zhu Kun, Hua Jingcheng, Ning Yunlong, and the other attackers, while Blade Fiend revealed that someone who knew Lin Bai had once fought him and then left.
• Lin Bai ended his twenty-seven days in Martial Intent Mountain and returned to the room beneath the mountain.
• Jian Ruohan emerged and told Senior Brother Ruan and the others that Ascension Palace had appeared, Lin Bai had obtained the Ascension Token, and she had been killed while buying him time to escape.
• Lin Bai rejoined Jian Ruohan and the others and explained that he had used the Spirit Puppets to hold off his pursuers until the three-hour contest ended.
• Lin Bai said he entered Ascension Palace and advanced to Ninth-Order Martial Intent after eating a fish, but Ling Shuang doubted his story.

After completing his cultivation at Martial Intent Mountain, Lin Bai reunited with Tang Bufan and learned that Diao Yiran had slapped him during a hunt in the Primordial Wilds. Lin Bai joined Tang Bufan’s Broken Blade Squad, and the two arrived in War Soul City to prepare for their next expedition.

• Lin Bai thanked Jian Ruohan for helping him enter Ascension Palace, and they parted after discussing their plans to train in the Primordial Wilds.
• Lin Bai visited Tang Bufan and found him injured; Tang Bufan explained that Diao Yiran had slapped him after he accidentally brushed against her clothes during a squad hunt.
• Lin Bai offered to accompany Tang Bufan’s squad and promised to stand up for him if Diao Yiran mistreated him again.
• After resting for two or three days, Lin Bai and Tang Bufan left Shadow Mountain and traveled toward the Primordial Wilds.
• Lin Bai and Tang Bufan entered War Soul City, where squads completed the required procedures before setting out.

War Soul City’s markets and martial-artist organizations were introduced as the Broken Blade Squad waited outside the War Soul Hall for Tang Bufan and Lin Bai. After the squad’s members mocked Tang Bufan and Diao Yiran dismissed him, Jiang Long welcomed the two arrivals and led everyone inside to prepare for a trip to Nine Turtle Mountain.

• The chapter described War Soul City’s Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, War Soul Hall, and Black Market, including how the Black Market bought demonic beasts for more than the Points Hall did.
• Diao Yiran complained about waiting for Tang Bufan, and several Broken Blade Squad members agreed that the low-level, overweight Tang Bufan was not worth waiting for.
• Jiang Long decided to wait because he had promised Tang Bufan he would, and Tang Bufan arrived with Lin Bai.
• Jiang Long welcomed Lin Bai and said the squad planned to hunt seventh- and eighth-level Human Core Realm demonic beasts at Nine Turtle Mountain.
• As the squad entered the War Soul Hall to arrange their departure, Tang Bufan identified Diao Yiran to Lin Bai, whose eyes flashed coldly at her.

Lin Bai and the Broken Blade Squad traveled to Nine Turtle Mountain to hunt demonic beasts and search for valuable Flowing Gold Sand and an Undying Stone Demon. After a swarm of Fire Macaques attacked, the squad entered battle while Diao Yiran stayed behind on her horse.

• Jiang Long led the nine-member Broken Blade Squad beyond the Great Wall and toward Nine Turtle Mountain, while Diao Yiran drew the other members’ attention.
• Tang Bufan told Lin Bai that Nine Turtle Mountain held valuable Flowing Gold Sand and that an Undying Stone Demon had recently appeared there.
• Jiang Long warned the squad that demonic beasts might attack as they entered the mountain, and Diao Yiran complained about the journey and insulted Lin Bai and Tang Bufan.
• The squad encountered more than a hundred Fire Macaques, and Jiang Long took on the beasts at the sixth level of the Human Core Realm and above.
• Lin Bai and Tang Bufan joined the fight, while Diao Yiran watched from her horse; Lin Bai cut down seven demonic beasts with one sword strike.

Lin Bai helped the Broken Blade Squad slaughter a group of Fire Macaques at Nine Turtle Mountain, then became angry when Diao Yiran demanded part of everyone’s spoils despite not fighting. He refused to hand over his beasts, and Diao Yiran threatened to slap him as she had Tang Bufan.

• Lin Bai joined Jiang Long in fighting the stronger Fire Macaques and killed one at the sixth level of the Human Core Realm with a single sword strike.
• The Broken Blade Squad killed all the Fire Macaques and divided the beasts, with Lin Bai receiving two at the sixth level and ten at the fifth level of the Human Core Realm.
• Lin Bai secretly absorbed the demon blood from his share and considered leaving the squad to hunt alone.
• Jiang Long gave Diao Yiran a large share of the beasts, and she then demanded three beasts from each member of the squad.
• Lin Bai stopped Tang Bufan from handing over his beasts and challenged Diao Yiran’s demand.
• Diao Yiran threatened to slap Lin Bai, prompting him to ask if she intended to treat him as she had Tang Bufan.

Lin Bai struck Diao Yiran after she attacked him, then learned that Zhao Longtu stood behind her. After Jiang Long and Tang Bufan returned to War Soul City, Lin Bai entered Nine Turtle Mountain alone to cultivate by fighting demonic beasts.

• Diao Yiran attacked Lin Bai, but he vanished and slapped her, sending her flying.
• Diao Yiran threatened Lin Bai and Jiang Long before leaving with her attendants, who warned Lin Bai that Zhao Longtu supported her.
• Jiang Long revealed that Zhao Longtu had taken Diao Yiran as his sole disciple, and Lin Bai said he had nothing to fear from him.
• Jiang Long and Tang Bufan decided to return to War Soul City, while Lin Bai chose to stay and explore Nine Turtle Mountain alone.
• Lin Bai entered Nine Turtle Mountain with the Azure Song Sword, and the mountain soon echoed with demonic beasts' screams.

Diao Yiran asked Zhao Longtu to punish Lin Bai, and Zhao Longtu discovered that Lin Bai was the son of his old enemy and the man who had killed his adopted daughter. He enlisted Zhu Kun and the other disciples to capture Lin Bai alive, leaving a threat gathering around Lin Bai in the Primordial Wilds.

• Diao Yiran accused Lin Bai of trying to force himself on her, and Zhao Longtu promised to investigate and stand up for her.
• Zhao Longtu summoned Hua Jingcheng, who explained that Wu Qing, Zhu Kun, Chu Yi, Bai Chen, and Ning Yunlong had already investigated Lin Bai after his exploits at Martial Intent Mountain.
• Zhu Kun described Lin Bai’s achievements, and Wu Qing revealed that Lin Bai had come from the Spirit Sword Sect in the Divine Martial Nation.
• Zhao Longtu recognized Lin Bai as the son of Lin Duo and the killer of his adopted daughter, Lin Zier.
• Zhao Longtu urged Zhu Kun and the others to do as they wished to Lin Bai but demanded that they bring him back alive, promising them rewards.

Lin Bai cultivated in Nine Turtle Mountain by hunting demon beasts, then fought the Mo Brothers, who tried to kill him for his spoils. After destroying their Combined Attack Formation, Lin Bai killed all three and left the canyon with their Storage Bags.

• The Earth Dragon Clan’s leader learned that Lie'er had died and ordered his experts to investigate and avenge him.
• Lin Bai reached the peak of the sixth level of the Human Core Realm after hunting demon beasts in a canyon and refining their demon blood.
• The Mo Brothers, ranked seven hundredth on the Hunter's List, ambushed Lin Bai to take the demon beast corpses he had collected.
• Lin Bai used his ninth-grade sword intent and Break the Ban secret method to shatter the Mo Brothers’ Combined Attack Formation.
• Lin Bai killed the Mo Brothers with his sword, collected their Storage Bags, and left the canyon.

After killing the Mo Brothers, Lin Bai examined their belongings and discovered lists of hunters, demon-beast bounties, and treasures, along with a map marking an Earth-Core Fire Lotus. Once he recovered, he entered Nine Turtle Mountain to hunt the Undying Stone Demon before seeking the lotus.

• Lin Bai counted the points and demon-beast corpses in the Mo Brothers' Storage Bags, then found four scrolls among their belongings.
• Lin Bai read the Hunter's List and learned it ranked martial artists by points earned from selling demon beasts, not by cultivation or strength.
• Lin Bai studied the Bounty List, learned Long Lie had Divine Dragon Blood and that the Undying Stone Demon had fled to Nine Turtle Mountain, and decided to hunt the stone demon for its bounty.
• Lin Bai read the Heaven and Earth Treasure Bounty List and found that the Earth-Core Fire Lotus carried a bounty of one hundred thousand points.
• Lin Bai examined a map marking an immature Earth-Core Fire Lotus and planned to claim it after searching Nine Turtle Mountain for the Undying Stone Demon.
• After recovering, Lin Bai entered Nine Turtle Mountain and began searching for the Undying Stone Demon.

Lin Bai joined the martial artists who had gathered to hunt the Undying Stone Demon on Nine Turtle Mountain. After the demon revealed its true form and withstood a massive assault, Lin Bai refused Xu Ning’s offer to team up and struck it with a sword that broke through its stone armor.

• For three days, Lin Bai earned renown as the White-Robed Swordsman by killing large numbers of demonic beasts on Nine Turtle Mountain.
• The Undying Stone Demon roared from its hiding place, and Lin Bai followed the martial artists to its location.
• The Undying Stone Demon revealed its giant stone form, and Xu Ning led the gathered martial artists in an attack that barely wounded it.
• The demon retaliated, killing more than a hundred martial artists and forcing Xu Ning to retreat.
• Xu Ning invited Lin Bai to join forces, but Lin Bai refused and attacked alone, nearly cleaving through the Undying Stone Demon's body with one sword.

Lin Bai defeated the Undying Stone Demon by discovering and destroying its natal spirit stone, then absorbed its demonic blood and advanced to the seventh level of the Human Core Realm. He left Nine Turtle Mountain to seek the Earth-Core Fire Lotus as Xu Ning and the other martial artists arrived and marveled at his victory.

• Lin Bai shattered the Undying Stone Demon's arms and pursued it on his flying sword after it fled Nine Turtle Mountain.
• Lin Bai identified the small stone on the demon's brow as its weakness and destroyed it, killing the Undying Stone Demon.
• The demon's natal spirit stone tried to escape, but Lin Bai shattered it and absorbed the nine drops of golden blood, reaching the seventh level of the Human Core Realm.
• Lin Bai collected the demon's fragments, left Nine Turtle Mountain, and headed toward the Earth-Core Fire Lotus.
• Xu Ning and the arriving martial artists found the battle site and realized Lin Bai had killed the Undying Stone Demon before the Nine Institute Tournament.

Lin Bai found the mature Earth-Core Fire Lotus inside a volcano, fought through a nest of Explosive Flame Serpents, and faced the Explosive Flame Serpent King guarding it. Ye Suxin and Hong Su arrived seeking the lotus to lessen the Ice Hibernation Art’s damage to Ye Suxin’s unborn child, and Ye Suxin descended into the volcano, determined to claim it.

• Lin Bai followed the Mo Brothers’ map to a volcano and descended into its caves in search of the Earth-Core Fire Lotus.
• Lin Bai killed a ninth-level Human Core Realm Explosive Flame Serpent, then used the Myriad Swords Technique to slaughter thousands more when they swarmed him.
• Lin Bai found the mature Earth-Core Fire Lotus growing in lava, but the Explosive Flame Serpent King rose to stop him.
• Lin Bai dodged the Serpent King’s attack and struck back with Sword Heart Clarity and the Nirvana Sword Manual.
• Ye Suxin and Hong Su arrived at the volcano seeking the lotus, which could weaken the Ice Hibernation Art’s harm to Ye Suxin’s unborn child.
• Ye Suxin heard the fighting, declared that she would take the lotus regardless of who stood in her way, and leaped into the volcano.

Lin Bai fought the Explosive Flame Serpent King when Ye Suxin and Hong Su arrived, and he clashed with Ye Suxin over the Earth-Core Fire Lotus. The three joined forces to kill the serpent, but Lin Bai and Ye Suxin immediately raced to claim the lotus.

• Lin Bai battled the peak Human Core Realm Explosive Flame Serpent King until Ye Suxin and Hong Su appeared at the cave entrance.
• Ye Suxin rushed for the Earth-Core Fire Lotus, but Lin Bai stopped her and the two exchanged threats over who would claim it.
• Hong Su urged Lin Bai and Ye Suxin to cooperate against the serpent, then used her Thunder Control Tune to strike it with lightning.
• Lin Bai, Ye Suxin, and Hong Su attacked together and killed the Explosive Flame Serpent King.
• Ye Suxin charged toward the Earth-Core Fire Lotus, and Lin Bai raced after her, threatening to kill her.

Lin Bai and Ye Suxin fought over the Earth-Core Fire Lotus, and Lin Bai eventually gave it to her after seeing how desperately she wanted it. Hong Su condemned Lin Bai as an animal and warned that he would regret his choice as she led Ye Suxin away.

• After the Explosive Flame Serpent King died, Ye Suxin rushed for the Earth-Core Fire Lotus, and Lin Bai attacked her to defend his claim to it.
• Ye Suxin outmaneuvered Lin Bai and reached the lotus, but Lin Bai struck her with a sword and sent her crashing into the cavern wall.
• As Hong Su supported the injured Ye Suxin, she demanded that Lin Bai hand over the lotus and threatened to keep him from leaving the cavern.
• Seeing Ye Suxin's tears and hearing that she needed the lotus, Lin Bai gave it to her and warned Hong Su that he did not fear her threats.
• Hong Su called Lin Bai an animal and warned that he would one day regret what he had done before leaving the volcano with Ye Suxin.

After meeting Ye Suxin again, Lin Bai realized he had never forgotten her, while Ye Suxin kept their child’s existence from him. When she learned that powerful disciples had been ordered to hunt Lin Bai, she set out to find him.

• Lin Bai sat beside a river, remembered Ye Suxin’s rejection at Cliff of No Return, and unconsciously carved a wooden likeness of her.
• Hong Su comforted Ye Suxin as she cried and urged her to tell Lin Bai about their child, but Ye Suxin refused, fearing her father would kill the child and Lin Bai would retaliate.
• Ling Wu arrived and reported that Zhu Kun, Wu Qing, Chu Yi, Bai Chen, Hua Jingcheng, Ning Yunlong, and other Hunter’s List experts had entered the Primordial Wilds to capture Lin Bai for a chance to cultivate in the Five Peaks.
• Ye Suxin recognized that Lin Bai was the target and rushed to find him.

The Three Great Demon Clans sent the lords of the Seventy-Two Demon Caves to investigate Divine Relic Ridge’s movements as Hunter’s List warriors entered the Primordial Wilds. Lin Bai was attacked by Sui Zirui, but defeated him with the Mo Wen Sword’s Sword Heart Clarity and prepared to kill him.

• Dragon Emperor, Tiger King, and Finch Queen agreed to dispatch the lords of the Seventy-Two Demon Caves to investigate Divine Relic Ridge’s movements.
• Nearly two-thirds of the Seventy-Two Demon Caves’ renowned lords, including Black Dragon, Man-Eating Demon, and Fire Finch, set out into the Primordial Wilds.
• Lin Bai sensed his sword intent nearing a breakthrough while carving a wooden statue beside a stream.
• Sui Zirui found Lin Bai and attacked him, saying he would cripple Lin Bai’s dantian and take him to Senior Zhao Longtu.
• Lin Bai countered Sui Zirui’s Ten Absolute Blades with Sword Heart Clarity, sent him flying, and declared that he would kill him.