Chapter Summaries

After Meng Qi gained Thor’s inheritance from the Heavenly Meteorite, Xu Yue traced the resulting karmic connection to a hidden entrance to the Su Nu Immortal Realm. Xu Yue went to investigate while Meng Qi stayed behind, where Gu Xiaosang visited him that night.

• Hua Tiange let Xu Yue study the Heavenly Meteorite, but when Meng Qi caught it, Thor’s inheritance gave him a fragmentary move of Divine Firmament Nine Annihilations.
• Meng Qi returned the stone after its peculiar qualities mostly vanished, and Xu Yue left Zengxian Gate while the onlookers praised both men.
• Meng Qi’s inheritance caused the Overlord’s Peerless Saber in the Su Nu Immortal Realm to react, alerting the current Profound Lady that Thor’s successor had appeared.
• Xu Yue captured the karmic connection and discovered a possible hidden entrance to the Su Nu Immortal Realm nearby, then went to inspect it while avoiding Gu Xiaosang.
• Gu Xiaosang entered Meng Qi’s room that night and teased him about Xu Yue before Meng Qi realized her words about Xu Yue’s sword qi did not fit his behavior around her.

Xu Yue sent thunderous sword qi into the Su Nu Immortal Realm to make the Overlord's Peerless Saber react, disguising his involvement in the realm's secrets. The current Profound Lady suspected a separate heir of Thor had appeared and considered going out to find them, while Gu Xiaosang sensed the strange thunder as she spoke with Meng Qi.

• Xu Yue assessed the hidden powers watching events around Meng Qi and decided to use the Demon Buddha's likely actions to conceal his own traces.
• Xu Yue fired sword qi bearing the true intent of Divine Firmament Nine Annihilations into the Su Nu Immortal Realm, leaving a sword mark before fleeing into a river.
• The current Profound Lady watched the Overlord's Peerless Saber draw in the sword qi and used the realm's formation to calm it.
• The current Profound Lady concluded that the sword qi might belong to a separate heir of Thor and considered going out to seek that person.
• Gu Xiaosang looked toward the sky as thunder sounded while she explained the Overlord, Divine Firmament Nine Annihilations, and Su Nu Dao's medicine dregs to Meng Qi.

Xu Yue reached Xuanwu City but avoided the True Martial Sect because the Mystic Maiden’s forces were searching for him and Meng Qi. He summoned Qu Jiuniang with an Immortal Traces talisman, and she took him to Biyou Palace.

• Xu Yue arrived at Xuanwu City and decided not to visit Zhang Yuanshan at the True Martial Sect.
• Xu Yue considered the danger posed by the Mystic Maiden and her successor, then chose to seek refuge with Ninth Lady.
• Qu Jiuniang arrived after Xu Yue lit the Immortal Traces talisman and complained that he had made her travel there.
• Xu Yue told Qu Jiuniang that Muscular Ascetic was still hesitating, and she agreed to bring him along.
• Qu Jiuniang led Xu Yue to an Immortal Traces entrance and took him to Biyou Palace.

Xu Yue joined Immortal Traces and chose the identity of Guanghan Fairy, while Meng Qi encountered the Mystic Maiden in Xuanwu City. The Mystic Maiden demanded that Meng Qi go with her and sealed the room against outside sound, leaving him in danger.

• Qu Jiuniang explained Immortal Traces' rules and helped Xu Yue choose the Guanghan Fairy identity.
• Meng Qi met Fu Zhenzhen in Xuanwu City after she learned Zhang Yuanshan was engaged to Song Mingxi and shaved her head to become a nun.
• Zhang Yuanshan explained to Meng Qi that family pressure had driven him toward the engagement, and Meng Qi tried to counsel him.
• The Mystic Maiden appeared at Zhang Yuanshan's room and identified Meng Qi as Thor's successor.
• Meng Qi resisted the Mystic Maiden's enchanting influence and warned her that the True Martial Sect was nearby, but she raised a barrier that blocked every sound.

The Mystic Maiden of Su Nu Dao tried to recruit Meng Qi by promising him immense resources and rapid advancement, but he distrusted her motives. As powerful experts gathered in Xuanwu City, the Mystic Maiden’s attempt to take him away faced growing opposition.

• Zhang Yuanshan recognized the visitor as the Mystic Maiden and wondered whether Meng Qi had become romantically involved with her incarnation.
• The Mystic Maiden offered Meng Qi resources, divine weapons, beauties, and a guaranteed path to the Outer Scenery realm within a year if he joined Su Nu Dao.
• Meng Qi rejected the offer in his mind, suspecting Su Nu Dao intended to turn him into a tool for wielding the Overlord's Peerless Saber.
• The Mystic Maiden gave Meng Qi ten breaths to agree to leave with her or be taken by force.
• The Yao Family's Heart-Splitting Sword arrived outside the barrier, and several other powerful auras appeared across Xuanwu City.

The Mystic Maiden Incarnation abducted Meng Qi, but a mysterious figure wearing a Guanghan Fairy mask stopped her and forced her to let him go. The True Martial Sect brought Meng Qi back to Xuanwu City, while its experts suspected the rescuer belonged to Immortal Traces and had a grudge against Su Nu Dao.

• The Mystic Maiden Incarnation seized Meng Qi and fled as the True Martial Sect's experts hesitated to confront her.
• Zhang Yuanshan warned the True Martial Sect that the Mystic Maiden might be after Meng Qi's Shaolin Yi Jin Jing.
• A masked figure playing a zither blocked the Mystic Maiden Incarnation and demanded that she release Meng Qi.
• The Mystic Maiden Incarnation tossed Meng Qi aside and escaped rather than risk provoking the masked figure.
• Meng Qi thanked the Guanghan Fairy, who vanished before the True Martial Sect's experts arrived.
• The True Martial Sect questioned Meng Qi, suspected the rescuer was linked to Immortal Traces, and escorted him back to Xuanwu City.

After Meng Qi considered exchanging for the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, Yao Xingliu explained how he had helped save Meng Qi and Zhang Yuanshan, allowing Zhang Yuanshan and Fu Zhenzhen to reconcile. Meng Qi then entered a new solo mission alongside Xu Yue and Luo Shengyi, where he learned Xu Yue had joined Immortal Traces.

• Meng Qi decided he needed the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts to disguise himself and address dangers from the Hardening Kung Fu infused into his body.
• Yao Xingliu revealed that he had alerted his uncle after following Zhang Yuanshan, helping save Zhang Yuanshan and Meng Qi from the Mystic Maiden Incarnation.
• Yao Xingliu helped Meng Qi fake his death, and Zhang Yuanshan and Fu Zhenzhen reconciled.
• Meng Qi entered Reincarnation Plaza and found only Xu Yue and Luo Shengyi waiting for the new mission.
• Xu Yue told Meng Qi he had joined Immortal Traces and could not disclose its details because of a Six Paths Contract.
• Luo Shengyi praised Immortal Traces's influence and expressed interest in joining.

Xu Yue realized the Demon Buddha had arranged for him to join Meng Qi on their solo mission, potentially making him appear to be a product of Reduce and Seek Emptiness to other heavenly wills. Several newcomers arrived in Reincarnation Plaza, where Ke Changji boasted of his strength before learning Meng Qi was the “Muscular Ascetic.”

• Xu Yue concluded the Demon Buddha had deliberately placed him with Meng Qi and might use him as a distraction or apparent product of Reduce and Seek Emptiness.
• Several newcomers appeared in Reincarnation Plaza, including an aloof girl carrying a zither and Liu Shuyu, who said she had been abducted from the Divine Capital by a Dharmakaya expert.
• Ke Changji recognized Liu Shuyu, promised to protect her, and introduced himself as a Nine Apertures expert from the Ke Family.
• The girl carrying the zither mocked Ke Changji’s confidence and questioned why Meng Qi was restraining Xu Yue.
• Xu Yue broke free from Meng Qi and explained that Meng Qi had been overexcited by the newcomers, identifying him as the Human Ranking’s “Muscular Ascetic.”
• Ke Changji reacted with surprise and jealousy, while Liu Shuyu’s interest in Meng Qi became noticeable.

Luo Shengyi explained the Six Paths Lords to the newcomers while Meng Qi and Xu Yue prepared for their exchanges and introduced themselves to their new teammates. Cao Zhan learned that two of three Great River Gang members previously sent to cycle worlds had died, leaving him uneasy about his own chances.

• Luo Shengyi explained the Six Paths Lords, and Meng Qi exchanged supplies for the Qi Accumulation and Aperture Opening chapters of the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts and the Sound Transmission Soul Searching Great Law.
• Xu Yue tried to ingratiate himself with Liu Shuyu, while the newcomers inspected the Six Paths Lords' exchanges and Ke Changji struggled with the risks and rewards.
• Liu Shuyu introduced herself, and Luo Shengyi introduced himself, Meng Qi, and Xu Yue to the newcomers.
• Cao Zhan introduced himself as a Four-Aperture incense master of the Great River Gang and learned that Qi Xia, Yan Wujiang, and Ke Biqun had previously joined the team.
• Xu Yue told Cao Zhan that Qi Xia and Yan Wujiang had died while Ke Biqun had gained a fortuitous opportunity, leaving Cao Zhan shaken.

After the Six Paths assigned a mission to infiltrate the Demonic Sect and reach the capital, Xu Yue found himself separated from Luo Shengyi and the others with Liu Shuyu and Ke Changji. He proposed using the demonic arts he had found in Bomi to help them imitate the Sect’s aura.

• Ruan Yushu recognized the names Sword Immortal Descends and Muscular Ascetic from the Human Ranking before the Six Paths began its mission briefing.
• The Six Paths assigned the group to infiltrate the Demonic Sect and travel to the capital, where they would rendezvous with Luo Shengyi and Zhen Ding.
• The mission divided the party into three groups: Luo Shengyi and a Great River Gang incense master in the capital, Meng Qi and Ruan Yushu escorting Lu Guan, and Xu Yue with Liu Shuyu and Ke Changji.
• Ke Changji worried that his righteous background and family martial arts would make it difficult to impersonate a Demonic Sect member.
• Xu Yue said he had acquired demonic arts in Bomi and offered to study them with Liu Shuyu and Ke Changji to imitate the Demonic Sect’s aura.

Meng Qi and Ruan Yushu continued toward the capital with Lu Guan and their companions, evading pursuit after defeating several enemies. After Meng Qi killed Sword General, he shared his last pie made by Xu Yue with Ruan Yushu, who eagerly asked whether Xu Yue was available for marriage.

• Meng Qi used a thunderous sound technique to shatter Sword General’s mind, then killed him with one sword strike.
• Meng Qi took Sword General’s broad heavy sword and reflected on how his growing strength and heavy-sword style suited his techniques.
• Ruan Yushu praised Meng Qi’s sound-based art, and Meng Qi teased her by roasting and savoring his last pie from Xu Yue.
• Meng Qi offered Ruan Yushu half the pie in exchange for a tune, and she played the zither before taking the food.
• Ruan Yushu praised the pie and asked Meng Qi whether Xu Yue was male or female, how old he was, and whether he was available for marriage.

Xu Yue, Liu Shuyu, and Ke Changji used a demonic claw art to disguise themselves as members of the demonic sects while gathering information. They decided to head for the capital, where a succession struggle and the presence of powerful martial figures had made the city a gathering point for competing forces.

• Xu Yue wondered whether the Demon Buddha or another Other Shore Heavenly Will was plotting against him, but avoided investigating because other Heavenly Wills might notice.
• Ke Changji questioned why the claw art had transformed his hands and aura while Xu Yue and Liu Shuyu had changed little; Xu Yue explained that Ke Changji's higher realm made him harder to disguise, and Liu Shuyu reassured him.
• Xu Yue said Ke Changji's demonic appearance and strength suited their cover, while he planned to impersonate a famous demonic expert later.
• Xu Yue suggested that the three travel to the capital and join their companions, including Marshal Lu Guan and Senior Brother Zhen Ding.
• The group learned that the Old Emperor had collapsed, the Crown Prince was acting as regent, and several princes were recruiting martial experts amid a succession struggle.
• Xu Yue noted that nearly all the world's Grandmasters had gathered in the capital, where rumors also placed the Demon Queen and a Demon Lord Crystal.

Meng Qi brought Lu Guan to the capital after clashing evenly with the Evil Lord, earning a reputation as a Grandmaster-level fighter. He reunited with Luo Shengyi, learned the escort mission was tied to the princes’ struggle for the throne, and heard that Xu Yue’s team and the formidable Ke Changji were on their way.

• Meng Qi and the Evil Lord exchanged several forceful moves on the river before the Evil Lord withdrew, and witnesses helped establish Meng Qi’s Grandmaster-level reputation.
• After delivering Lu Guan to the capital and arranging his lodging, Meng Qi received a new mission prompt and met Luo Shengyi.
• Luo Shengyi revealed that he had encountered the Demon Queen and explained that he supported the Third Prince, whose faction secretly had her backing.
• Luo Shengyi asked Meng Qi to bring Lu Guan to the Third Prince’s side and reported that Ke Changji had emerged as a powerful Demon Sect figure supporting the Seventh Prince.
• When Ruan Yushu pressed Meng Qi about his mysterious friend, he claimed the friend was Immortal Traces’ Guanghan Fairy.

Xu Yue posed as the Ghost King and introduced Ke Changji and Liu Shuyu to the Seventh Prince, whose ambitions grew as he suspected a split between the Ghost King and Evil Lord. Meanwhile, Meng Qi and Luo Shengyi considered the shifting alliances in the capital before the Sword Emperor appeared before Meng Qi and Ruan Yushu.

• Xu Yue, disguised as the Ghost King, introduced Ke Changji and Liu Shuyu to the Seventh Prince while reflecting on the Evil Lord’s plan to plunge the realm into war.
• The Seventh Prince welcomed the two experts and wondered whether the Ghost King and Evil Lord had fallen out, seeing a chance to escape the Evil Lord’s control.
• Meng Qi and Luo Shengyi failed to find Xu Yue’s team at the city gates and discussed whether its mission involved the Seventh Prince.
• Meng Qi decided to regroup their allies, while Luo Shengyi remained with the Third Prince and Meng Qi planned to go with Ruan Yushu.
• The Sword Emperor appeared before Meng Qi and Ruan Yushu as they approached the Seventh Prince’s residence.

After receiving the Sword Emperor’s guidance, Meng Qi returned to Lu Guan and decided to investigate the peace envoys at Cloud Goose Hall. On the way, he encountered two young men being pursued, and a mysterious figure seized them while demanding the whereabouts of the Demon Lord’s Relic.

• The Sword Emperor praised Meng Qi’s swordsmanship, explained his principles of the sword, and told him to advise Lu Guan to remain neutral and wait.
• Meng Qi returned home, where Lu Guan said he would support the emperor and seek the Right Prime Minister’s protection; Meng Qi then decided to investigate Cloud Goose Hall that night.
• Meng Qi covered his face and set out with Ruan Yushu following secretly, but they encountered two young men fleeing a saber wielder.
• Monk Ruyi intervened, and Batu announced that the peace negotiations were a trap and that the Yu Clan would march south after reorganizing the Coalition Forces.
• Meng Qi and Monk Ruyi moved to attack Fierce Saber, but a shadowy figure grabbed the two young men and demanded the location of the Demon Lord’s Relic in exchange for spreading the news.

Ghost King seized the Jiang Clan captives after defeating Meng Qi, Monk Ruyi, and Fierce Saber, while Meng Qi’s exposed hard technique earned him the nickname Muscular Ascetic. Rumors about the Demon Lord’s Relic plunged the capital into turmoil, and the Seventh Prince’s camp faced suspicion when Ghost King failed to return.

• Ghost King used a force-converting finger technique to overcome Meng Qi, Monk Ruyi, and Fierce Saber, then escaped with the two captives.
• Ruan Yushu and Monk Ruyi called Meng Qi Muscular Ascetic after his clothes and wig were destroyed in the clash.
• Rumors that the Demon Lord’s Relic was in the capital drew martial experts from every faction and intensified the city’s unrest.
• The Seventh Prince and Evil Lord faced suspicion as spies were exposed and outsiders believed the captives were in the Seventh Prince’s hands.
• Blood Hand Butcher Ke Changji questioned whether the Seventh Prince trusted them, and the Seventh Prince tried to placate him with techniques and pills.

Xu Yue confronted the Demon Queen while holding Batu and Jing Shao, then revealed unexpectedly powerful Buddhist and demonic techniques in their clash. The Demon Queen realized Xu Yue was not the Ghost King and questioned who he really was.

• Batu refused to reveal the Jiang Clan Young Master's location to Xu Yue and insisted on seeing the Seventh Prince or the Demon Queen.
• The Demon Queen arrived and recognized that Xu Yue had learned the Undying Seal Method.
• Xu Yue distracted the Demon Queen by addressing her as his niece, then attacked with a palm strike blending sinister and righteous power.
• The Demon Queen redirected Xu Yue's force with the Heavenly Net Skill, but his Buddhist true qi struck her when her defenses were changing.
• The Demon Queen recovered and asked Xu Yue who he was, concluding that he was not the Ghost King.

Xu Yue and the Demon Queen fought until his sword qi and the approaching Sword Emperor forced them to stop, so they agreed to cooperate and left together. Meng Qi sensed the clash and set out to help Xu Yue, planning to use the Thunder Mark despite Ruan Yushu’s warning.

• Xu Yue and the Demon Queen traded attacks, and she realized his true qi was limited despite his exceptional techniques.
• The Demon Queen tried to recruit Xu Yue into the Holy Sect, but he answered with teasing ambiguity and left open the possibility of cooperation.
• Xu Yue’s sword qi tore through the Demon Queen’s Heavenly Net Skill, wounded her, and drew the Sword Emperor’s Sword Intent from across the capital.
• Xu Yue knocked out Batu and Jing Shao, carried them away, and the Demon Queen followed after agreeing to an equal partnership.
• Meng Qi sensed Xu Yue’s Sword Intent and the stirring Grandmasters, then set out to help him with the Thunder Mark while telling Ruan Yushu not to come.

Xu Yue and the Demon Queen headed to Yuanjue Temple after the Demon Lord’s Relic was publicly said to be there, suspecting a trap. When the Grandmasters gathered, Xu Yue revealed that he had seen gunpowder being brought into the temple, exposing the old Emperor’s plan.

• The Sword Emperor confronted Meng Qi about the mysterious Sword Intent, but abandoned the confrontation when shouts announced that the Demon Lord’s Relic was at Yuanjue Temple.
• The Demon Queen suspected a conspiracy, but Xu Yue persuaded her to go to Yuanjue Temple with Jing Shao and Batu.
• The Right Prime Minister, Sword Emperor, Imperial Preceptor, Demon Queen, and Xu Yue gathered outside Yuanjue Temple as the Sword Emperor prepared to fight the Ghost King.
• Xu Yue revealed that he had seen someone bring a large quantity of gunpowder into Yuanjue Temple, suggesting the old Emperor had prepared to kill the Grandmasters.

Xu Yue exposed a plot to kill the Grandmasters and the group realized the Emperor was likely behind the Demon Lord's Relic scheme. Meng Qi entered Yuanjue Temple to retrieve the relic, where he found the Death Warriors already dead and the relic still on the altar.

• Xu Yue warned the Grandmasters that gunpowder had been planted to kill them, and Sword Emperor accused Wang Derang of staging the relic rumor to lure them in.
• Demon Queen and the Imperial Preceptor agreed that the Emperor might never have been unconscious, and the Grandmasters decided to go to the palace after securing the relic.
• Xu Yue sent Meng Qi into Yuanjue Temple to retrieve the relic while the Grandmasters waited outside.
• Wang Derang signaled the Death Warriors to ignite the gunpowder, but nothing detonated as Meng Qi entered the temple.
• Meng Qi found the Death Warriors dead before the Buddha statue and saw the Demon Lord's Relic on the offering stand.