Recaps

Jiang Ning received Qingyi’s information about a Grotto-heaven Secret Realm at Yang Lake and news from Ji Mingyue, then left the Water Moon Sword Palace to return to Dongling City. In the wilderness, he spent fifty thousand Source Energy on the perfected Indestructible Vajra Body, beginning its breakthrough.

• A woman in blue delivered Qingyi’s letter, which said Heavenly Stars Yang might be found in an unrecorded Grotto-heaven Secret Realm opening at Yang Lake around mid-to-late August, and a letter from Ji Mingyue.
• Jiang Ning wrote a reply for Qingyi and decided to return to Dongling City, where Shangguan Guyun’s arrival had put Zhao Yulong under pressure over the imprisoned Five Swords Sect members.
• Jiang Ning told the Water Moon Sword Palace’s patrol captain to maintain its future tributes, then left by boat; Xiao Emei arrived at the shore too late to see him depart.
• In a mountain forest that night, Jiang Ning raised the Indestructible Vajra Body’s experience to thirty thousand and spent fifty thousand Source Energy to begin its breakthrough.

Shangguan Guyun gathered Water Blue Immortal Aunt, Spirit Snake Gentleman, and Xiao Hongyuan to plan Jiang Ning’s assassination, while Jiang Ning completed a breakthrough and gained the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body. He tested his new power in the wilderness and prepared to complete his Fifth Blood Exchange before returning to Dongling City.

• Shangguan Guyun persuaded Water Blue Immortal Aunt to join him, Spirit Snake Gentleman, and Xiao Hongyuan in ambushing and killing Jiang Ning.
• Jiang Ning completed the Indestructible Vajra Body’s Threefold Breakthrough and transformed his skin into Golden Skin.
• Jiang Ning gained the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body Divine Ability and tested its strength, speed, and defenses by uprooting a tree and smashing a mountain wall.
• Jiang Ning decided to complete his Fifth Blood Exchange before setting out for Dongling City.

Jiang Ning completed his Fifth Blood Exchange, replenished its enormous energy cost with Crimson Flame Blood Crystals, and gained over eighty thousand Source Energy Points. He used them to advance Swimming to its Ninth Limit Break, gaining Water Source Affinity, and discovered that he could merge his senses with an entire pool.

• Jiang Ning completed his Fifth Blood Exchange with help from the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy stored in his Inner Alchemy Pellet, and all thirty-six teeth were replaced.
• Jiang Ning consumed more than twenty Crimson Flame Blood Crystals to replenish his depleted body, spending resources worth over two thousand taels of gold and gaining more than twenty thousand Source Energy Points.
• After resting until late morning, Jiang Ning saw that his Source Energy had reached 80,133 and decided to advance Swimming to seek a Martial Path Artistic Conception.
• Jiang Ning spent five thousand Source Energy Points to raise Swimming to its Ninth Limit Break, transforming Water Spirit Affinity into Water Source Affinity.
• Jiang Ning tested his new Trait in a mountain pool and discovered that he could perceive the entire pool in a complete three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view.

Jiang Ning absorbed vitality from a pool, then advanced Swimming to its Tenth Limit Break and gained the ability to command wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. He next advanced Wind Thunder Step, grasped Wind Intent, and ended the chapter exhilarated by his newfound ability to move faster than sound.

• Jiang Ning absorbed the pool’s vitality, discovered that doing so had killed its fish and shrimp, and stopped when he realized the pool’s spring was restoring it.
• Jiang Ning breathed in Great Sun Essence Qi, gaining 87 Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill Experience Points despite the time he had spent absorbing vitality.
• Jiang Ning spent 10,000 Source Energy Points to advance Swimming to its Tenth Limit Break and gained the Wind, Rain, Thunder, Lightning trait.
• Jiang Ning tested his new ability by summoning lightning that shattered a rock and generating a powerful whirlwind, then decided to focus on Wind Thunder Step.
• Jiang Ning advanced Wind Thunder Step, comprehended Wind Intent, and raced more than a hundred li at a speed that surpassed sound.

Jiang Ning advanced his Wind Thunder Step while traveling toward Dongling City, then aided the seemingly desperate Qing'er at Ten Mile Pavilion, unknowingly giving Divine Blood to one of his Spirit Body Incarnations. Meanwhile, Shangguan Guyun and the others prepared to ambush Jiang Ning outside the city, and Jiang Ning continued toward them without haste.

• Jiang Ning’s Wind Thunder Step breakthrough granted him Wind Intent and the Wind Whisperer trait, and he continued gaining Experience Points on his journey.
• At Ten Mile Pavilion, Jiang Ning paid for Qing’er to eat, gave her broken silver, and mixed a drop of his blood into tea that she drank.
• Qing’er revealed that she had faked her illness to protect herself, while her hidden consciousness recognized that Jiang Ning’s Divine Blood had accelerated the growth of her Spirit Body.
• Shangguan Guyun, Spirit Snake Gentleman, Xiao Hongyuan, and Water Blue Immortal Aunt agreed to kill Jiang Ning outside Dongling City before he entered.
• Jiang Ning noticed the hostile attention and a Letter Old Man flying toward the city, realized he was being targeted, and continued toward the ambush with confidence.

Jiang Ning waited in the mountain forest for four veteran Grandmasters who had come to kill him, confident in the strength he had gained after destroying the Five Swords Sect. After Xiao Hongyuan’s opening strike failed to injure him, all four Grandmasters launched a full assault, and Jiang Ning faced them without dodging.

• Jiang Ning sensed Shangguan Guyun, Water Blue Immortal Aunt, Spirit Snake Gentleman, and Xiao Hongyuan approaching and chose to meet them in the forest.
• The four Grandmasters found Jiang Ning, introduced themselves, and surrounded him; Jiang Ning recognized Water Blue Immortal Aunt as the woman who had attacked Zhao Yulong.
• Xiao Hongyuan attacked Jiang Ning with his saber, but Jiang Ning’s perfected Indestructible Vajra Body left him unharmed and sent Xiao Hongyuan reeling.
• Shangguan Guyun, Spirit Snake Gentleman, and Xiao Hongyuan attacked together, while Water Blue Immortal Aunt hesitated before joining them.
• Jiang Ning remained in place against all four attacks, trusting his layered defenses as Shangguan Guyun urged the others to strike with everything they had.

Jiang Ning unleashed the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body and killed the four Grandmasters who had ambushed him, despite Xiao Hongyuan breaking through during their fight. After collecting the fallen enemies’ weapons and burying Xiao Hongyuan, Jiang Ning left the forest with a new appreciation for Martial Dao True Intent and Xiao Qiushui’s talent.

• Shangguan Guyun and the other three Grandmasters failed to pierce Jiang Ning’s Protective Golden Light, so they tried to flee.
• Jiang Ning manifested the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body and killed Shangguan Guyun and Spirit Snake Gentleman as they escaped.
• Xiao Hongyuan advanced during his fight with Jiang Ning, but Jiang Ning defeated him with a single palm.
• Jiang Ning caught Water Blue Immortal Aunt outside the forest and killed her when she tried to block his attack.
• Jiang Ning reviewed the fight, retrieved Shangguan Guyun’s Three-Foot Green Edge and Spirit Snake Gentleman’s Soft Sword, and buried Xiao Hongyuan.

After defeating the four Grandmasters, Jiang Ning returned home safely, studied the martial arts techniques taken from Five Swords Sect, and cultivated the Burning Blood Secret Art. Learning that a Grandmaster had watched his residence while he was away, he prepared to gather allies and set out to destroy Divine Sword Villa.

• Jiang Ning returned to Dongling City, reunited with Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan, and learned that nothing serious had happened at home.
• Jiang Ning read through the martial arts manuals from Five Swords Sect and discovered the Burning Blood Secret Art, which condensed blood essence in his heart.
• Jiang Ning refined a drop of Essence Blood and fed it to Linglong, increasing her cultivation by five years.
• Linglong told Jiang Ning that a Grandmaster had observed the house while he was away, though she had been no match for the intruder.
• Jiang Ning ordered Luyi to summon Xie Xiaojiu, Zhou Xing, Feng Jiuge, Zhao Yulong, and Bai Luoyu, and planned to attack Divine Sword Villa before it could move its resources.

After forming two drops of Essence Blood, Jiang Ning prepared to lead troops against Divine Sword Villa and Mitian Sect, while Zhao Yulong agreed to provide Patrol Office forces. Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu left believing Jiang Ning’s strength was nearing the Top Grandmaster realm, and Zhao Yulong privately wondered whether Jiang Ning could become a Martial Dao Myth.

• Jiang Ning formed two drops of Essence Blood, ate a Crimson Flame Blood Crystal, and ordered Zhou Xing, Xie Xiaojiu, and Feng Jiuge to bring troops to Luoxia Valley near Divine Sword Villa.
• Jiang Ning showed Zhao Yulong Shangguan Guyun’s sword and identified the other Grandmasters he had slain, including Xiao Hongyuan, whom Zhao Yulong had once tried to recruit.
• Jiang Ning and Zhao Yulong agreed that the Patrol Office would provide manpower for attacks on Divine Sword Villa and Mitian Sect, with Zhao Yulong receiving two-tenths of the spoils.
• Jiang Ning gave Zhou Xing, Xie Xiaojiu, and Feng Jiuge Jade Bottles to improve their strength before they left.
• Zhao Yulong told Bai Luoyu that Jiang Ning’s victory over four Grandmasters put him near the Top Grandmaster realm and wondered whether Jiang Ning could complete the Ninth Blood Exchange and become a Martial Dao Myth.

Jiang Ning strengthened Xie Xiaojiu with Essence Blood, weighed the threats posed by the Heaven Response Alliance, and decided to pursue the Yang Lake Grotto-heaven Secret Realm despite its risks. After cultivating Wind Thunder Step to its limit in the Eastern Mausoleum Mountain Range, he began breaking through.

• Jiang Ning gave Xie Xiaojiu Essence Blood and told her to digest it before he tested her strength.
• Jiang Ning assessed the powerful forces in Zeshan Province, including Nan Zhiwei, and resolved to continue targeting Divine Sword Villa and Mitian Sect while preparing for Yang Lake.
• Jiang Ning cultivated Wind Thunder Step in the Eastern Mausoleum Mountain Range as Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu led their people toward Luoxia Valley.
• Zhao Yulong and Bai Luoyu discussed the dangers Jiang Ning faced at the Yang Lake Grotto-heaven Secret Realm and considered persuading him not to go.
• Jiang Ning reached the limit of Wind Thunder Step, spent 10,000 Source Energy, and began its breakthrough.

Jiang Ning tested his newly acquired Abyssal Stillness, Wind Subsidence, learned that three steps were his limit, and watched its force reduce the surrounding landscape to dust. After replenishing himself with Crimson Flame Blood Crystals, he headed for Luoxia Valley to strike Divine Sword Villa while it remained unaware of Shangguan Guyun’s death; on the way, he cultivated Wind Thunder Step and crossed the Cang River, where a red-clad maiden and her grandfather noticed him.

• Jiang Ning tested Abyssal Stillness, Wind Subsidence, and found that its three-step limit devastated everything within a hundred zhang while inflicting severe backlash on him.
• Jiang Ning recovered from his injuries, assessed the Divine Ability’s power, and returned home.
• Jiang Ning checked his Source Energy, ate three Crimson Flame Blood Crystals, and set out for Luoxia Valley to attack Divine Sword Villa before it learned of Shangguan Guyun’s death.
• Jiang Ning cultivated Wind Thunder Step on the way and reached the Cang River, where his progress had risen to 476 points.
• Jiang Ning crossed the Cang River on foot as a red-clad maiden and her grandfather watched and praised his Movement Technique.

Jiang Ning joined Zhao Yulong, Su Zhi, and hundreds of Patrol Office fighters to surround Divine Sword Villa and demand the arrest of its members. Sun Ming emerged after the villa’s alarm bell rang five times, revealing a breakthrough that made Zhao Yulong recognize him as the foremost man in Dongling County.

• Jiang Ning arrived at Luoxia Valley and joined Zhao Yulong, Su Zhi, Bai Luoyu, and the assembled Patrol Office forces before leading them toward Divine Sword Villa.
• Shangguan Jincheng learned that Zhao Yulong had surrounded the villa, ordered the alarm bell rung five times, and sent for Sun Ming.
• Zhao Yulong presented Shangguan Jincheng with a list of accused villa members and struck down a young man who insulted him.
• Sun Ming appeared at the villa entrance after the fifth bell and asked Zhao Yulong to return to Dongling City.
• Zhao Yulong sensed Sun Ming’s Great Completion of Sword Intent and Connecting Heavenly Human realm, recognizing him as the foremost man in Dongling County.

Sun Ming confronted Zhao Yulong over the Patrol Office’s demands and realized that Zhao’s forces had captured or killed Shangguan Guyun. Meanwhile, Jiang Ning looted Divine Sword Villa’s treasury before facing Shangguan Feilong, whose powerful sword attack left the outcome of their battle unresolved.

• Sun Ming offered to hand fifty people over to Zhao Yulong and deal with the remaining accused himself, but Zhao rejected the compromise, prompting Sun Ming to prepare for a fight.
• Sun Ming deduced that Shangguan Guyun had been captured or killed and sensed that Zhao’s allies had entered the villa, so he rushed toward them.
• Jiang Ning plundered Divine Sword Villa’s treasury, but Shangguan Feilong confronted him and demanded the treasures back.
• Shangguan Feilong attacked with the ancestral divine sword, and Jiang Ning repelled it with his Sword Finger, though the strike forced him back three steps.
• Sun Ming and Zhao Yulong arrived and identified Shangguan Feilong and Jiang Ning, while Shangguan Jincheng realized the villa’s fate depended on their battle.
• Shangguan Feilong began his Flying Immortal Beyond the Heavens technique, building up a brilliant sword strike as Jiang Ning faced him.

Jiang Ning caught Shangguan Feilong’s Divine Sword barehanded, prompting Sun Ming to take up the weapon and fight him. Sun Ming’s sword-enhanced strength approached that of a Top Grandmaster, but Jiang Ning repeatedly broke through his River Sword Intent, and their battle continued with Sun Ming on the defensive.

• Jiang Ning caught Shangguan Feilong’s descending sword with his bare hand and nearly damaged the Divine Sword by crushing it in his grip.
• Sun Ming struck Zhao Yulong with a Sword Finger to clear the way, while Jiang Ning survived the sword light that pierced Zhao Yulong and struck his Protective Golden Light.
• Shangguan Feilong passed the Divine Sword to Sun Ming, who formed a spiritual bond with it and felt his strength rise dramatically.
• Sun Ming briefly lost focus while wielding the Divine Sword, allowing Jiang Ning to land two saber strikes that injured him and sent him flying.
• Sun Ming fought back with River Sword Intent, but Jiang Ning used Fire Eye to find its weak points and scatter it, while the battle’s aftermath killed and injured onlookers.
• Jiang Ning continued pressing Sun Ming across several courtyards, repeatedly breaking his River Sword Intent as Sun Ming retreated and relied on the Divine Sword to sustain his strength.

Jiang Ning defeated Sun Ming with his strongest normal-state saber strike and forced Divine Sword Villa to surrender. The next day, he examined the Shangguan Family’s sentient Divine Sword, which pleaded for its life and explained how to communicate with it, while Jiang Ning learned it could help people comprehend Sword Intent.

• Jiang Ning’s saber shattered Sun Ming’s Heavenly River Sword Intent, knocked away the Spirit Sword, and mortally wounded him.
• Jiang Ning announced Sun Ming’s execution and ordered Divine Sword Villa to surrender; Shangguan Feilong agreed on the villa’s behalf.
• The next morning, Jiang Ning assessed the strength of Shangguan Feilong and Sun Ming and examined his growing Source Energy and Wind Thunder Step experience.
• Jiang Ning threatened to refine the Divine Sword in Glass Divine Fire, prompting it to beg for mercy and reveal that blood-dropping enabled mind-to-mind communication.
• The Divine Sword explained that it could help Martial Artists comprehend Sword Intent, which had allowed Shangguan Feilong and generations of the Shangguan Family to advance.

Jiang Ning refined Sword Nine, learned that it could help others comprehend Sword Intent, and gave it to Xie Xiaojiu to strengthen her. He then spent fifty thousand Source Energy Points to advance his Firewood Chopping Blade Technique, reaching a new level of Saber Intent and preparing for the Yang Lake Grotto-heaven Secret Realm.

• Jiang Ning used the Lingbao Weapon Refining Art to subdue Sword Nine and learned that the supreme-grade Spirit Weapon held nine completed Sword Intents and could help its wielder comprehend them.
• After using Sword Nine to reach Initiation in Sword Intent, Jiang Ning gave it to Xie Xiaojiu and ordered it to help her master Sword Intent within a month.
• Jiang Ning learned that Zhao Yulong and Shangguan Feilong had not yet reported back about the Mitian Sect, then prepared to spend Source Energy before visiting the Yang Lake Grotto-heaven Secret Realm.
• Xie Xiaojiu’s subordinates gathered Divine Sword Villa’s martial arts manuals and found several scroll fragments alongside the Awakening of Insects Blade Intent technique.
• Jiang Ning spent fifty thousand Source Energy Points to break through his Firewood Chopping Blade Technique, unleashing a powerful Saber Intent that startled everyone at the villa.
• Jiang Ning saw that his Saber Intent had advanced and gained the Blade and Sword Dual Mastery trait, which improved his talent and his ability to gain blade-technique Experience Points.

Jiang Ning studied Divine Sword Villa’s Solar Term fragments and rapidly mastered several Artistic Conceptions with the help of Sword Nine. After unlocking the Spring Season Treasure Scroll (Fragment), he realized he needed the remaining spring Solar Terms, pure brightness and Grain Rain, to complete it.

• Xie Xiaojiu brought Jiang Ning a chest of Divine Sword Villa’s martial arts and Solar Term fragments, and he comprehended the Spring Beginning fragment until Spring Beginning reached Great Completion.
• Jiang Ning used Sword Nine to practice sword arts and advanced Spring Beginning to the Perfected Realm.
• Jiang Ning studied the Rain Water fragment and practiced with Sword Nine, bringing rain water to the Perfected Realm.
• Jiang Ning comprehended the Spring Equinox fragment and discovered that mastering four spring Solar Terms had revealed the Spring Season Treasure Scroll (Fragment), which could not be upgraded until he mastered pure brightness and Grain Rain.
• Jiang Ning resolved to find the two remaining spring Solar Term fragments and complete the Spring Season Treasure Scroll.

Jiang Ning completed his reading of Divine Sword Villa’s martial arts books and accumulated 93,177 Source Energy Points, choosing to prepare for a Literacy breakthrough that could strengthen his Spirit Soul. Meanwhile, Li Sixiang weighed the Heaven Response Alliance’s response to Jiang Ning’s takeover of Dongling County and decided to postpone action as the Yang Lake Secret Realm approached.

• Jiang Ning collected Divine Sword Villa’s treasures and elixirs while reading its martial arts manuals, and Xie Xiaojiu kept the villa orderly in his absence.
• Jiang Ning traveled to Water Moon Sword Palace on the appointed night but learned from Xiao Emei that Qingyi had not arrived, so he returned to Lone Peak.
• After three days of reading, Jiang Ning filled Literacy’s progress but lacked the Source Energy Points needed for its next breakthrough, and he chose Literacy over Firewood Chopping Blade Technique.
• Vermilion Bird told Li Sixiang that Jiang Ning had destroyed the Five Swords Sect and subdued Divine Sword Villa, while Mitian Sect had fallen.
• Li Sixiang decided the Heaven Response Alliance would postpone confronting Jiang Ning, and he sent Vermilion Bird toward the Yang Lake Secret Realm while he stayed behind to consult the true Alliance Leader.

Jiang Ning recovered at Divine Sword Villa, secured the Shangguan Family’s allegiance, and gave Shangguan Feilong and Shangguan Jincheng Essence Blood that renewed their vitality and strength. With Xie Xiaojiu guarding him, he spent 100,000 Source Energy to begin transforming his Yin Spirit, then invited Zhao Yulong and Su Zhi into the courtyard.

• Jiang Ning confirmed that he had recovered to his peak, and Shangguan Feilong told him the villa had followed his instructions and agreed to keep its remaining members from leaving for three months.
• Jiang Ning gave Shangguan Feilong Essence Blood, restoring his vitality, then demonstrated its power; Shangguan Feilong pledged the Shangguan Family’s allegiance and went to fetch Shangguan Jincheng.
• Shangguan Jincheng also swallowed Jiang Ning’s Essence Blood, pledged allegiance with his father, and said he expected to reach the Third Grade soon.
• Shangguan Feilong noticed black strands returning to his hair, while he and Shangguan Jincheng discussed how serving Jiang Ning could give their family a chance to recover.
• Jiang Ning summoned Xie Xiaojiu to guard the courtyard and spent 100,000 Source Energy to begin transforming his Yin Spirit under the Great Sun’s radiance.
• Zhao Yulong and Su Zhi arrived, and Jiang Ning invited the two Prefecture Lords into the courtyard.

Jiang Ning examined the Panel’s new Trait grades, realized higher-grade techniques produced stronger Traits, and saw that his Spirit Soul was close to becoming a Yang Spirit. He left Divine Sword Villa for Luoshui County and Yang Lake, training Wind Thunder Step along the way.

• Jiang Ning told Zhao Yulong and Su Zhi he would leave that day and assigned the remaining Mitian Sect matters to the Shangguan Family.
• Jiang Ning spent all his Source Energy Points to reveal color-coded Trait grades on the Panel and confirmed that higher-grade techniques produced higher-grade Traits.
• Jiang Ning inspected his nearly transformed Spirit Soul, spread his Divine Sense across Divine Sword Villa and the surrounding land, and resolved to prioritize improvements to high-grade techniques.
• Jiang Ning left Divine Sword Villa alone, telling Xie Xiaojiu to inform Zhao Yulong that he would visit Yang Lake and reminding Shangguan Feilong and Zhou Xing to handle the tribute.
• Jiang Ning traveled toward Luoshui County while practicing Wind Thunder Step, rested overnight, and saw that he had gained 11,317 Source Energy Points.

Jiang Ning returned to Luoshui County, visited Wang Jin and his old homes, then searched Luo River Lake for the Great Demon White Dragon. He discovered the lost Human Emperor Sword inside the demon and left, convinced that a vast upheaval was approaching and that he was not strong enough to protect everyone tied to him.

• Jiang Ning visited Canglang Martial Hall, learned Wang Jin had reached the Sixth Rank, and warned him about the Martial Artists gathering near Yang Lake.
• Jiang Ning visited Ye Qiu and Hong Minghu at the Patrol Office, then returned to his old homes and told Head Constable Feng to keep people from tampering with one of them.
• Jiang Ning entered Luo River Lake and used his Heavenly Eye to find the Great Demon White Dragon, while considering the changes to his Panel.
• Jiang Ning saw the Human Emperor Sword inside the Great Demon White Dragon and concluded that the demon was part of a larger scheme connected to Shen Wenyuan's ambush.
• Jiang Ning left the lake, fearing the approaching upheaval and reflecting on his weakness and the people he could not abandon.

Jiang Ning arrived at Yang Lake as a Grotto-heaven Secret Realm’s opening drew powerful figures from across the realm. Zhong Yue brought him aboard his ship, urged him to avoid the princes’ succession struggle, and offered him lodging while Zhong Ling watched hopefully.

• Jiang Ning reached Yang Lake and observed the spatial ripples and assembled Tower Ships as he considered using his Heavenly Eye to inspect the phenomenon.
• The Desert Flying Eagle invited Jiang Ning aboard his ship, where the two exchanged introductions and discussed Jiang Ning’s Movement Technique.
• Zhong Yue and Zhong Ling recognized Jiang Ning and brought him over; Zhong Yue confronted him about what had happened with Zhong Ling at Reflecting Moon Lake and demanded that he marry her.
• Jiang Ning said he had an agreement with the Seventeenth Princess, Ji Mingyue, and Zhong Yue warned him that involvement with Ji Minghao could entangle him in the succession struggle.
• Zhong Yue invited Jiang Ning to stay on his Tower Ship and offered to explain the important figures gathered at Yang Lake.

Jiang Ning arrived at Yang Lake as the Grotto-heaven Secret Realm approached its opening and learned about the powerful factions gathering there. The Heaven Response Alliance plotted to kill him inside the realm, while Long Xingyun reunited with his kin; the chapter ended with Jiang Ning asking whether the world was about to descend into chaos.

• Jiang Ning asked Zhong Yue about the Yang Lake Grotto-heaven Secret Realm and learned that Cave Heaven Worlds were independent realms created by ancient Immortal Gods.
• The Vermilion Bird Envoy identified Jiang Ning and planned to kill him inside the Grotto-heaven, summoning the White Tiger Envoy and Black Tortoise Envoy while the Azure Dragon Envoy agreed to help.
• Jiang Ning recognized Long Xingyun aboard the Eighteen Dragon Heads' ship, where Long Xiaofeng welcomed him and promised to introduce him to their remaining kin.
• Zhong Yue warned Jiang Ning not to provoke the Eighteen Dragon Heads, whose faction included a Top Grandmaster and was backed by an Invincible Grandmaster known as a Dragon Head.
• Zhong Yue pointed out ships belonging to the Heaven Response Alliance and Qingyang Sect, then described other sects emerging as the Martial Saint withdrew from public life.
• Jiang Ning asked Zhong Yue whether the world would descend into chaos.

Jiang Ning traveled across Yang Lake with Zhong Yue and Zhong Ling while a mysterious man discovered the Human Emperor Sword inside White Chi but chose to leave it undisturbed. Zhong Yue urged Jiang Ning to take Zhong Ling with him after the secret realm, and Jiang Ning ended the night by maxing out Wind Thunder Step.

• Zhong Yue told Jiang Ning that the world would descend into chaos if the Martial Saint died, though he did not know the Martial Saint's current condition.
• A black-robed man found White Chi in Luo River Lake, confirmed the Human Emperor Sword was inside it, and left without taking it.
• Jiang Ning practiced Wind Thunder Step on the ship's deck, and Zhong Yue invited him and Zhong Ling to share a meal.
• Zhong Ling told Jiang Ning she had missed him, and Zhong Yue later insisted that Jiang Ning take her with him after they left the Yang Lake Grotto-heaven Secret Realm.
• Jiang Ning practiced through the night and filled Wind Thunder Step's experience points to its limit.

Jiang Ning broke through the Wind Thunder Step and gained the deep blue Space Rhythm Trait while the Yang Lake Grotto-heaven Secret Realm’s opening drew near. After meeting Jin Chan’s powerful martial uncle, Jiang Ning returned to the Tower Ship, reflected on his next cultivation goals, and left Zhong Ling asleep in his room without disturbing her.

• Jiang Ning spent Source Energy to break through the Wind Thunder Step, entered an enlightened state amid the spreading spatial ripples, and gained the Space Rhythm Trait.
• Zhong Yue and Zhong Ling found Jiang Ning on the deck, kept others from disturbing him, and Zhong Yue waited until Jiang Ning awoke.
• Jiang Ning met Jin Chan and his martial uncle, a master of Golden Light Temple, who praised Jiang Ning’s Indestructible Vajra Body and told Jin Chan to seek Jiang Ning’s help if danger arose.
• Jiang Ning realized his Wind Thunder Step had reached Connecting Heavenly Human and that he had touched the profound meaning of space, then considered attempting his Sixth Blood Exchange soon.
• Jiang Ning found Zhong Ling asleep in his room, chose not to wake her, and returned to the deck to consider his next skills and the missing Spring Season Treasure Scrolls.