Chapter Summaries

Lin Bai learned that the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was struggling to rank him because his reputation outmatched his cultivation, then slept for days at the Heavenly Treasure Inn. After waking, he heard that the Cloud Leopard had killed a second-tier Heavenly Ladder martial artist and headed toward Cold Mountain to see it for himself.

• The waiter explained that the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was still debating which tier to assign the mysterious successor of the Demon Sword, and Lin Bai sealed his room and fell asleep.
• Lin Bai woke at dusk on the third day and heard martial artists at the inn condemn the Cloud Leopard for killing Heavenly Ladder challengers and injuring Mu Yifeng.
• The waiter told Lin Bai that the Cloud Leopard, a great-perfection Sky Realm beast king from the Night Crow Mountains, had climbed from the third tier to the second tier in two days and was challenging human geniuses on Cold Mountain.
• Lin Bai strolled through Purple Gold City and learned that the Cloud Leopard had killed Wen Hong, a second-tier Heavenly Ladder martial artist, and mocked humanity's strength.
• Intrigued by the Cloud Leopard's strength, Lin Bai headed toward the city gate to go to Cold Mountain.

At Cold Mountain, Cloud Leopard of Ten Thousand Demons Valley taunted human martial artists and defeated challengers, forcing them to humiliate themselves to survive. As the Seven Peerless Sects’ leaders watched, they recognized the Demon Race forces backing him, while Lin Bai observed from the crowd.

• Cloud Leopard challenged the human martial artists at Cold Mountain and mocked them for refusing to fight him.
• Lin Bai arrived and watched Cloud Leopard, while Gui Jing, Dong Qian, and other leaders of the Seven Peerless Sects observed from the clouds.
• The sect leaders recalled a genius who had defeated a Demon Race challenger ten years earlier before dying in a secret realm.
• Cloud Leopard defeated Zhou Rong and let him go after Zhou Rong repeated the insult about Purple Gold City’s human geniuses.
• Dong Qian warned You Yihu not to attack, and the leaders saw more than twenty Demon Race fighters watching from a nearby mountain.
• Gui Jing identified Cloud Leopard’s allies as beasts from Ten Thousand Demons Valley.

The leaders of the seven great sects recognized the Crushing Mountain Demon Saint and debated how to answer the Demon Race’s Cloud Leopard at the gathering. Gui Jing proposed having Dongfang Bai, the Demon Sword successor, confront it, and the sect leaders agreed to see his sword’s power.

• Han Zikun asked how they knew the intruders came from Ten Thousand Demons Valley, and Bao Song explained that Gui Jing recognized them.
• Gui Jing identified the black-robed elder as the Crushing Mountain Demon Saint, a peak Yin Saint Realm expert.
• You Yihu, Lou Ming, and Han Zikun discussed the danger posed by Ten Thousand Demons Valley and the Cloud Leopard’s challenge.
• Gui Jing pointed out Lin Bai, whom he called Dongfang Bai, as someone capable of dealing with the Cloud Leopard.
• Dong Qian and the other sect leaders agreed that Gui Jing should approach Dongfang Bai and let them witness the Demon Sword’s might.

Lin Bai agreed to challenge Cloud Leopard after Gui Jing promised to take one-third of the demon blood from Crushing Mountain Demon Saint. Lin Bai confronted Cloud Leopard on Cold Mountain, and their sword aura and demonic aura clashed as the fight was about to begin.

• Lin Bai heard Gui Jing offer him a reward to suppress the Demon Race's arrogance and asked for one-third of Crushing Mountain Demon Saint's demon blood.
• Gui Jing agreed to take the demon blood if Lin Bai defeated Cloud Leopard, and Lin Bai leaped into the air to accept the challenge.
• Cloud Leopard taunted the human martial artists on Cold Mountain, demanding that they send a stronger opponent or hang a banner insulting Purple Gold City.
• Lin Bai landed before Cloud Leopard, identified himself as Dongfang Bai, and drew the Demon Sword as the surrounding martial artists recognized him as its successor.
• Cloud Leopard and Lin Bai faced one another as their demonic aura and sword aura collided, shaking the area before either attacked.

Lin Bai faced Cloud Leopard on Cold Mountain and repelled his opening attack with a single sword strike. Cloud Leopard then unleashed Gale Wind Intent, and Lin Bai answered with Aurora Intent as their clash continued.

• Gu Jianyun and the watching martial warriors urged Lin Bai to defeat Cloud Leopard and uphold humanity's honor.
• Cloud Leopard attacked with full force, but Lin Bai shattered his five claw marks and wounded him with the demon sword.
• Crushing Mountain Demon Saint and Hong Sha judged Cloud Leopard's first attack careless, while You Yihu, Gui Jing, and Dong Qian praised Lin Bai's strength.
• Cloud Leopard blamed his defeat on carelessness and charged again, using Gale Wind Intent to greatly increase his speed.
• Lin Bai activated Aurora Intent and vanished beneath Cloud Leopard's attack, preparing to meet speed with speed.

Lin Bai defeated and killed Cloud Leopard in Violet Gold City, fulfilling his promise to Gui Jing. Gui Jing then appeared and challenged Crushing Mountain Demon Saint, who had agreed to provide one-third of his demon blood.

• Lin Bai used Aurora Intent to gain the upper hand against Cloud Leopard, then defeated him with Specters and Demons after Cloud Leopard revealed his true form.
• Cloud Leopard charged at Lin Bai again despite his injuries, and Lin Bai killed him with a sword strike between the brows.
• The human martial artists cheered Lin Bai, while Crushing Mountain Demon Saint and Hong Sha cried out over Cloud Leopard's death.
• Lin Bai prepared to collect Cloud Leopard's corpse and reminded Gui Jing that he had fulfilled his promise.
• Gui Jing appeared with other experts, confirmed he would honor his word, and descended to confront Crushing Mountain Demon Saint.

Gui Jing descended from the clouds and defeated Crushing Mountain Demon Saint, taking a potful of his demon blood for Lin Bai. Crushing Mountain Demon Saint fled after threatening retaliation, while Gui Jing let him go to avoid provoking a war.

• Martial artists greeted the powerful experts gathered in the clouds, and Lin Bai noticed Dong Qian briefly studying Dongfang Bai.
• Gui Jing attacked Crushing Mountain Demon Saint and forced him to reveal his White Fur Ape form.
• Gui Jing severed the White Fur Ape’s wrist, pinned him down, and drained enough demon blood to fill a large pot.
• Gui Jing gave the demon blood to Lin Bai, who accepted it and hoped it would help him reach the ninth level of the Sky Realm.
• Crushing Mountain Demon Saint threatened to report Gui Jing to the Demon Lord, then fled when Gui Jing declared he would kill him.
• Gui Jing allowed Crushing Mountain Demon Saint to escape to avoid a war between the Reaching Heaven Sword Sect and Ten Thousand Demons Valley.

After killing Cloud Leopard, Lin Bai returned to Purple Gold City, broke through to the ninth level of the Sky Realm, and learned that the Heavenly Stairway ranked him on its second step because its records still listed his cultivation as the eighth level. He dismissed the ranking dispute, focused on the coming martial contest, and remained intent on entering the Reaching Heaven Sword Sect.

• Lin Bai reunited with Gu Jianyun and Gu Qingyun, teased Jianyun, and declined their offer to stay at the Gu family estate because he had already settled into the Heavenly Treasure Inn.
• Lin Bai refined Cloud Leopard's corpse and the blood taken from Crushing Mountain Demon Saint, breaking through to the ninth level of the Sky Realm.
• News of Lin Bai's victory spread through Purple Gold City, and the Heavenly Stairway listed him on its second step for killing Cloud Leopard.
• The martial artists in the Heavenly Treasure Inn protested Lin Bai's placement, and the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion explained that its first step required full completion of the Sky Realm.
• Lin Bai noted that the Pavilion's explanation was outdated because he had already reached the ninth level, but said he did not care about the ranking.

Lin Bai received an invitation to the Heaven's Pride Banquet and decided to attend to meet the Heavenly Stairway’s geniuses. The day before the banquet, a Black-Robed Warrior killed Hong Sha on Cold Mountain with the Demon Sword, shocking the onlookers.

• After the Heaven's Treasure Pavilion senior left, the shop assistant revealed Lin Bai's identity as Dongfang Bai, and martial artists crowded around him with praise and complaints about his Heavenly Stairway ranking.
• The shop assistant delivered Lin Bai an invitation from Long Qingxiao to attend the Heaven's Pride Banquet at Dingtian Palace on the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month.
• The shop assistant explained that the banquet let geniuses meet potential rivals and gave dynasties a chance to recruit them; Lin Bai decided to attend to meet the Three Young Masters and other experts.
• Lin Bai stayed in his room for three days to consolidate his cultivation while the banquet approached.
• On Cold Mountain, a Black-Robed Warrior wielding the Demon Sword killed Hong Sha before he could reveal his true form, and the gathered martial artists recognized the sword.

Lin Bai learned that Zhang Jianxing, the Demon Sword Heir, had slain a Beast King and planned to attend Dingtian Palace’s Heaven’s Pride Banquet. Lin Bai brought Xue Qing along to the banquet, where their arrival stirred excitement among the crowd gathered outside.

• Xue Qing told Lin Bai that Zhang Jianxing had emerged as the Demon Sword Heir after killing the Beast King Hong Sha with one strike on Cold Mountain.
• Lin Bai saw Zhang Jianxing’s name on the Heaven Stairway Stele and agreed to meet him at the banquet the next day.
• Xue Qing revealed that he was a disciple-recruitment candidate working at the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, and Lin Bai invited him to accompany him to Dingtian Palace.
• Lin Bai and Xue Qing traveled to Dingtian Palace for the Heaven’s Pride Banquet as a crowd gathered outside to see the arriving geniuses.
• Lin Bai and Xue Qing stepped out of their carriage, and the crowd erupted at the arrival of the Demon Sword Heir.

Lin Bai and Xue Qing arrived at Dingtian Palace for the Heaven's Pride Banquet, where the Sixth Prince welcomed Lin Bai and he reunited with the Wine Immortal, Ni Xiang'en. The guests looked forward to the anticipated meeting of the Demonic Duo Swords.

• Lin Bai presented his invitation and brought Xue Qing into Dingtian Palace with the maid Hong'er.
• Hong'er told Lin Bai and Xue Qing that prominent young talents, princes, and geniuses had arrived for the banquet.
• The Sixth Prince, Long Qingxiao, welcomed Lin Bai before the assembled guests and toasted him with wine.
• Lin Bai praised Ni Xiang'en's Moonlight as the finest wine he had tasted, and Ni Xiang'en came over to greet him.
• Ni Xiang'en and Long Qingxiao expressed anticipation for the coming meeting of the Demonic Duo Swords.

Lin Bai attended the Heaven's Pride Banquet, where the Sixteenth Prince and Ni Xiang'en discussed the rare meeting of the Monster Sword and Demon Sword heirs. As rival geniuses grew resentful of the attention Lin Bai received, the Crown Prince of the Flying Cloud Dynasty approached him for a drink.

• The Sixteenth Prince and Ni Xiang'en told Lin Bai that the Monster Sword and Demon Sword heirs had last met six thousand years earlier, and they anticipated their coming clash.
• Young Master Xingchen complained that Lin Bai had drawn everyone's attention and vowed to defeat him and take the Monster Sword at the disciple selection.
• Young Master Hu Long provoked Young Master Xingchen, while Young Master Qian Shui silently judged his reaction.
• Lin Bai returned to his seat and drank with Xue Qing, who remarked on the many famous geniuses at the banquet.
• The Crown Prince of the Flying Cloud Dynasty approached Lin Bai and asked to share a drink, and Xue Qing identified him as Crown Prince Feiyun.

At the Heaven’s Pride Banquet, Lin Bai faced Crown Prince Feiyun’s threat of revenge and received a warning about Young Master Hu Long and Young Master Xingchen. The banquet’s anticipated climax began when Zhang Jianxing, the Demon Sword wielder, arrived.

• Crown Prince Feiyun told Lin Bai that Han Di had been like a father to him and vowed to kill Lin Bai in the martial contest three days later.
• Young Master Qian Shui introduced himself to Lin Bai and quietly warned him to beware Young Master Hu Long and Young Master Xingchen.
• Lin Bai recognized Gu Lingfei and Liang Chunrong among the guests, then spoke with Su Dynasty prince Su Lingqi about Su Cang, now called Su Lingcang.
• A maidservant announced Zhang Jianxing’s arrival to Sixth Prince Long Qingxiao, who looked toward Lin Bai as the expected meeting of the Demon Sword wielders approached.

At the Heavenly Prodigy Banquet in Dingtian Palace, Dongfang Bai met Zhang Jianxing, the Demon Sword Heir, and learned that Zhang had come to challenge him. The two drew their swords before the gathered martial artists, and their sword auras filled the hall.

• The Sixth Prince introduced Zhang Jianxing as the Demon Sword Heir and celebrated his encounter with Dongfang Bai, heir of the Demonic Duo Swords.
• Dongfang Bai approached Zhang Jianxing and toasted him, drawing the attention of everyone at the banquet.
• Zhang Jianxing told Dongfang Bai that he had come to Purple Gold City to fight him because Dongfang Bai was the only swordsman in the Lands of Lingnan who could battle the Demon Sword.
• Zhang Jianxing drew the Demon Sword, and Dongfang Bai answered by summoning the Demonic Duo Swords from his Storage Bag.
• The two swords unleashed overwhelming sword auras that made the martial artists in Dingtian Palace struggle to breathe.

At the Dingtian Palace banquet, Lin Bai and Zhang Jianxing called off their sword clash, though Lin Bai accepted challenges from other geniuses. As Lin Bai left with Ni Xiang'en, she revealed that Zhang Jianxing had cultivated Destruction Intent, one of the three intents that marked a World Ender.

• Ni Xiang'en interrupted Lin Bai and Zhang Jianxing's sword standoff, and the two put away their swords and toasted one another.
• Xue Qing admitted she had been terrified by their sword might, while Lin Bai reflected that Zhang Jianxing's origins and sword intent were unknown to him.
• At the banquet, princes and geniuses toasted or challenged Lin Bai, and the Sixth Prince provided music and dancers.
• Lin Bai and Xue Qing prepared to leave, and Ni Xiang'en joined them after Lin Bai accepted the Sixth Prince's Sound Transmission Talisman.
• Outside Dingtian Palace, Ni Xiang'en told Lin Bai that Zhang Jianxing had cultivated Destruction Intent and explained that its practitioners, along with those who cultivated Slaughter Intent or Death Domain, were called World Enders.

After the Heaven’s Pride Banquet, Lin Bai learned that the wielders of the Demonic Duo Swords would face each other during Purple Gold City’s apprentice-acceptance tournament. Xue Qing brought him the tournament rules, which explained the Martial Soul test, the Night Crow Mountains competition, and the rankings that could make participants famous across the Southern Lands.

• Lin Bai returned to the Heavenly Treasure Inn and sold more than two hundred demonic beast corpses to the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion for fifteen billion spirit stones.
• News spread through Purple Gold City that Dongfang Bai and Zhang Jianxing would have a true exchange during the apprentice acceptance.
• Xue Qing brought Lin Bai the released tournament rules, explaining that participants would first have their Martial Souls tested before competing in the Night Crow Mountains for aura spiritual power.
• Xue Qing told Lin Bai that observers from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and the Seventy-Two Dynasties would rank the outstanding competitors in Genius Tier and Young Lord Tier, and Lin Bai asked whether the Young Lord Tier matched the current Three Young Masters.

Lin Bai reflected on the talent rankings for the disciple selection and briefly sensed a chance to advance his Rainstorm Intent, but failed to grasp it. After cultivating the Nameless Sword Art, he went with Xue Qing to the central square on the day of the selection.

• Lin Bai considered how the observation team would assess martial artists for the Genius Tier and Young Lord Tier rankings.
• Lin Bai felt his Rainstorm Intent loosen toward a breakthrough, but the fleeting opportunity passed.
• Lin Bai thought about Zhang Jianxing's pursuit of Destruction Intent and practiced the Nameless Sword Art with the Demon Sword.
• Xue Qing found Lin Bai still cultivating on the morning of the disciple selection and reminded him that the event was beginning.
• Lin Bai washed up and went with Xue Qing to the central square, where the city's martial artists had gathered.

Lin Bai and Xue Qing arrived at Purple Gold City’s central square for the five-yearly disciple-selection contest, where the Lord of the Forbidden City opened the event. The Martial Soul test began with Young Master Qian Shui called forward, while Lin Bai and the other contestants awaited their turns.

• Lin Bai and Xue Qing entered the crowded square, where allies greeted Lin Bai and Young Master Hu Long, Young Master Xingchen, and Crown Prince Feiyun regarded him with hostility.
• After two hours, the Lord of the Forbidden City and experts from the seven major sects arrived and were welcomed by the assembled martial artists.
• The Lord of the Forbidden City announced the start of the disciple-selection contest and invited contestants bearing Purple Gold City Tokens into the arena.
• Wan Yuxin explained that the first round would test contestants’ Martial Soul grades, with an observation delegation judging their potential.
• Wan Yuxin called Young Master Qian Shui forward as the first contestant to take the Martial Soul test.

At the martial-soul test, Young Master Xingchen shocked the arena with an Emperor Grade Martial Soul, while Dongfang Bai revealed a seemingly pitiful Yellow Rank One. Young Master Xingchen mocked Dongfang Bai, who let his smile fade and asked if the insult was really so funny.

• Young Master Qian Shui tested as Heaven Grade Nine, then Young Master Xingchen revealed an Emperor Grade Martial Soul and drew the admiration of the arena and the sect leaders.
• Young Master Hu Long, Wine Immortal Ni Xiang'en, and Demon Sword Heir each tested as Heaven Grade Nine, while most second-level martial artists had lower ranks.
• Xiang Yangtian tested as Heaven Grade Nine, and Xue Qing noted he could be a dark horse from the second level.
• Dongfang Bai tested as Yellow Rank One, leaving the crowd and the sect leaders astonished, while Zhang Jianxing remained focused on competing with him in swordsmanship.
• Young Master Xingchen jeered at Dongfang Bai for having a Yellow Rank One Martial Soul, and Dongfang Bai's smile faded as he asked whether Xingchen found it that funny.

Lin Bai retook the Martial Soul test and revealed a Near God-Rank Martial Soul, shocking the arena and prompting witnesses to confirm that he possessed twin Martial Souls. The chapter ended with Young Master Xingchen humiliated and vowing to kill Lin Bai, while the Lord of the Forbidden City privately noticed Lin Bai’s resemblance to someone.

• Young Master Xingchen mocked Lin Bai’s Yellow Rank One Martial Soul, and Lin Bai asked Wan Yuxin to let him test again.
• Lin Bai touched the black stone, which changed its result to Near God-Rank Martial Soul and stunned the arena.
• Wan Yuxin and the leaders of the seven sects recognized that Lin Bai likely had twin Martial Souls, while Young Master Xingchen accused him of cheating.
• The Lord of the Forbidden City questioned Lin Bai, who acknowledged the truth indirectly, and the Lord confirmed that Lin Bai had twin Martial Souls.
• Senior Qi Changye and the observers confirmed Lin Bai’s twin Martial Souls, leaving Young Master Xingchen humiliated and furious.
• The Lord of the Forbidden City returned to his seat and privately noted how much Lin Bai resembled someone he knew.