Chapter Summaries

Ding Ling learned the Xuanyuan Divine Sword Scripture and Palm Thunder from Yan Chixia, mastering both immediately and opening his Middle Dantian. Yan Chixia was left stunned by Ding Ling’s extraordinary cultivation talent.

• Yan Chixia admired Ding Ling’s formation skills and led him back into Lanruo Temple to continue teaching him.
• Ding Ling asked Yan Chixia to recite the Xuanyuan Divine Sword Scripture’s original text, then mastered it and opened his Middle Dantian.
• Yan Chixia explained the Scripture’s cultivation stages and marveled that Ding Ling had instantly cultivated three strands of Sword Qi.
• Yan Chixia recited Palm Thunder, and Ding Ling immediately mastered it and blasted a large tree with lightning.
• Yan Chixia was stunned that Ding Ling had reached Great Perfection in Palm Thunder after hearing it once.

Yan Chixia taught Ding Ling Sword Control Technique and several other arts, which Ding Ling immediately mastered at max level. The chapter left them discussing the Great Perfection of Palm Thunder, with Yan Chixia eager to learn from him.

• Yan Chixia praised Ding Ling for mastering Palm Thunder at Great Perfection and asked him to explain it later.
• Yan Chixia taught Ding Ling Sword Control Technique, which Ding Ling mastered and demonstrated through the Xuanyuan Sword.
• Yan Chixia, amazed by Ding Ling's skill, passed on Wind Fire Divine Weapon Decree, Diamond Sutra, Mystic Gate Escape Technique, Soul Locking Needle Technique, Nascent Soul Projection, and other techniques.
• Ding Ling mastered the techniques immediately, gaining attributes and four strands of Buddhist energy from the Diamond Sutra.
• Ding Ling agreed to discuss the Dao with Yan Chixia and began explaining Palm Thunder at Great Perfection.

Ding Ling discussed cultivation with Yan Chixia, who agreed to join his team, while Ning Caichen arrived fleeing the Tree Demon Matriarch and pleaded for Nie Xiaoqian. Their argument was interrupted by the arrival of the Matriarch and a formidable group of followers.

• Ding Ling spent several hours explaining Thunder Magic and sword techniques to Yan Chixia, then invited him to join his team, and Yan Chixia accepted.
• Ning Caichen ran to Yan Chixia for help, saying the Tree Demon Matriarch wanted to eat him and that he feared for Nie Xiaoqian.
• Yan Chixia rebuked Ning Caichen for his attachment to Nie Xiaoqian and for the deaths caused by his choices, while Ding Ling recognized Ning Caichen's promising Root Bone.
• Yan Chixia urged Ning Caichen to leave Lanruo Temple with him, but Ning Caichen pleaded for Nie Xiaoqian and described her suffering.
• A demonic wind brought the red-robed Tree Demon Matriarch and her followers before Ding Ling, Yan Chixia, and Ning Caichen.

The Tree Demon Matriarch confronted Yan Chixia at Lanruo Temple and ordered eight experts to capture Ning Caichen and Ding Ling. Ding Ling shattered their attacks with a casual wave, revealing himself as a powerful opponent.

• The Tree Demon Matriarch demanded that Yan Chixia hand over Ning Caichen and Ding Ling, threatening to kill him if he refused.
• The Tree Demon Matriarch revealed that eight experts backed by Black Mountain had joined her and said her Heavenly Net surrounded Lanruo Temple.
• The Tree Demon Matriarch ordered Bian Bu Fu, Xi Ying, You Niaojuan, and the others to capture Ning Caichen and Ding Ling while she fought Yan Chixia.
• Yan Chixia clashed with the Tree Demon Matriarch as Ning Caichen tried to pull Ding Ling away from the approaching experts.
• Ding Ling calmly waved his hand and shattered the capturing attacks from all eight experts, shocking them.

Ding Ling effortlessly killed You Niaojuan, Xi Ying, Bian Bu Fu, and five other experts, then frightened the Tree Demon Matriarch into fleeing. Afterward, he tested his Sword Control Technique and Sword Domain and absorbed the eight enemies’ remaining true qi.

• You Niaojuan, Xi Ying, Bian Bu Fu, and the other five experts attacked Ding Ling with their ultimate techniques.
• Ding Ling used Sword Transformation into Myriad to turn the Xuanyuan Sword into ten thousand swords and annihilate all eight attackers.
• Ning Caichen revered Ding Ling, while the Tree Demon Matriarch fled after realizing his strength; Yan Chixia pursued her and killed several little demons.
• Ding Ling received Achievement Medals for earning Ning Caichen’s respect and frightening the Tree Demon Matriarch, Little Qing, Little Hong, and other ghosts and monsters.
• Ding Ling tested his Sword Domain and used the Martial Dao True Understanding to absorb and refine the eight experts’ lingering true qi.

Ding Ling absorbed the remaining essence and memories of eight demonic experts, gaining martial skills and nearing the threshold for the Martial Nascent Soul Realm. He joined Yan Chixia in pursuing the fleeing Millennial Tree Demon, with Ning Caichen following them through the mass grave.

• Ding Ling refined the eight experts’ True Qi, raising his True Force Value to 501 and then 505.
• Ding Ling extracted max-level divine skills and fragments of the experts’ memories, learning they had been famous martial masters from the Lower Realm whose potential Black Mountain Old Demon had drained.
• Ding Ling sensed that 551 True Force Value would let him break through to the Martial Nascent Soul Realm, but the experts’ streams of consciousness dissolved before he could absorb more.
• Yan Chixia told Ding Ling that the Millennial Tree Demon had escaped and urged him to chase her; Ding Ling agreed to hunt her down.
• Ding Ling and Yan Chixia headed toward the tree demon’s hiding place, while frightened Ning Caichen hurried after them.
• The three crossed Lanruo Temple’s mass grave, where Ding Ling spotted Nie Xiaoqian’s neglected grave through his Heavenly Eye.

Ding Ling confronted the Tree Demon Matriarch at her true body and overwhelmed her defenses with his sword techniques. The Matriarch’s fate remained uncertain as she unleashed a desperate counterattack.

• Yan Chixia led Ding Ling and Ning Caichen to the old locust tree that housed the Tree Demon Matriarch’s true body.
• Ding Ling summoned ten thousand swords, prompting the Matriarch to manifest and claim she surrendered.
• Ding Ling saw through the Matriarch’s attempt to stall and sent the swords crashing into the tree.
• The Matriarch used Extreme Devil Realm to raise layers of tree walls and lightning, blocking the first sword barrage.
• Ding Ling gathered the swords into a giant blade with Sword Returns in an Instant and shattered the Matriarch’s defenses.
• The horrified Matriarch spat out blood essence and roared as she used Defying Heaven and Law.

Ding Ling destroyed the Tree Demon Matriarch’s body and pursued her hidden spirit soul into an underground palace. He reached its inner sections after defeating the demon’s guards and learning an incomplete Yin Spirit Cultivation Method.

• The Tree Demon Matriarch’s mystic arts failed to stop Ding Ling’s giant sword, which pierced her manifested body and shattered the old locust tree.
• Ding Ling sensed that the Matriarch had hidden her spirit soul, then sent the Xuanyuan Sword underground to track her.
• Ding Ling transformed into a magpie and flew into the underground lair while Yan Chixia stayed behind with Ning Caichen.
• Ding Ling found an underground palace built from tree roots and killed its Little Demon guards.
• Ding Ling absorbed the guards’ memories, mastered an incomplete Yin Spirit Cultivation Method, and encountered three Female Ghosts in the palace’s second section.

Ding Ling entered the underground palace, spared Nie Xiaoqian and her companions, then confronted the Tree Demon Matriarch and questioned her about the Black Mountain Old Demon. After learning what she knew, he destroyed the Matriarch and her roots, leaving her dead.

• Ding Ling recognized Nie Xiaoqian and spared her and the other female ghosts, then passed through the second palace.
• Ding Ling reached the third palace and used his Sword Control Technique to destroy the throne and much of the underground palace.
• The Tree Demon Matriarch appeared and begged Ding Ling to spare her, offering Nie Xiaoqian, the gold vein, and another priceless treasure.
• Ding Ling questioned the Tree Demon Matriarch about the Black Mountain Old Demon, and she revealed everything she knew.
• Ding Ling destroyed the Tree Demon Matriarch’s roots, then annihilated her remaining spirit after she cursed him.

After defeating the Tree Demon Matriarch, Ding Ling learned that Lanruo Temple concealed a Spirit Vein she had refined into a heart. He began refining the heart’s immense spiritual energy and prepared to break through.

• Ding Ling suppressed the Tree Demon Matriarch’s curse and absorbed her memories, maxing out several demonic arts and a Yin Spirit cultivation method.
• He absorbed the Tree Demon Matriarch’s remaining spiritual energy and Demon Qi, then converted the Demon Qi produced by the Ninefold Demon God Art into Sword Qi.
• Ding Ling discovered from the Tree Demon Matriarch’s memories that a hidden Spirit Vein lay beneath her throne at Lanruo Temple.
• He dug down to the Spirit Spring, found the Spirit Vein heart, and realized the Tree Demon Matriarch had refined it into one of her own hearts.
• Ding Ling took the heart and began refining it, gaining eight drops of True Water as he sat down to attempt a breakthrough.

Ding Ling refined the Millennial Tree Demon’s heart, advancing his cultivation to the Fifth-Grade Nascent Soul realm, then emerged from the ruins and reunited with Yan Chixia and the others. Yan Chixia urged him to help save the Nine Provinces from evil rulers and rampant demons.

• Ding Ling refined the rest of the heart, raising his True Force Value to 596 and advancing to the Fifth-Grade Nascent Soul realm, though his Sacred Golden Core remained unbroken.
• Ding Ling discovered that the Spirit Spring had dried up and resolved to find a large Spirit Vein for the World's Finest Sect.
• Ding Ling flew out of the underground ruins and found Ning Caichen, Nie Xiaoqian, Xiaoqing, and the other Female Ghosts at the Mass Burial Ground.
• Nie Xiaoqian, Xiaoqing, and the other Female Ghosts knelt before Ding Ling after learning he had killed the Tree Demon Matriarch.
• Ding Ling told Yan Chixia that the Tree Demon had been eliminated, and Yan Chixia praised him before urging him to help save the Nine Provinces from demons and evil rulers.

After Ding Ling agreed to help restore the Nine Provinces, Nie Xiaoqian chose reincarnation and parted from Ning Caichen. Left grieving after she vanished, Ning Caichen clashed with players who questioned him about her and walked away, while their angry retort made him fear for his safety.

• Ding Ling asked Yan Chixia to help him restore the Nine Provinces, and Yan Chixia eagerly agreed.
• Xiaoqing and Nie Xiaoqian retrieved their urns so they could be reincarnated, while Ning Caichen struggled to accept Xiaoqian's departure.
• Nie Xiaoqian encouraged Ning Caichen to serve the people as an upright official and promised they might meet again before entering the Yin-Yang Road.
• Ning Caichen left Lanruo Temple alone and encountered players who asked whether Nie Xiaoqian had died.
• Ning Caichen angrily rebuked the players and walked away, then nearly stumbled when one of them shouted after him.

Ning Caichen witnessed Ding Ling destroy a colossal Black Mountain and open Yin-Yang Road, but the road closed before Ning could reach Nie Xiaoqian. Wanting the power to help her, Ning became Chen Jinnan’s disciple, while Chen recognized Ding Ling and resolved to learn how he returned to the Lower Realm.

• Ning Caichen left Lanruo Temple determined to pursue an official position so he could meet Nie Xiaoqian again.
• Ding Ling’s giant sword split Black Mountain and reduced the falling half to dust with golden swords.
• Ning saw Nie Xiaoqian and other female ghosts on Yin-Yang Road, but the road closed before he could reach her.
• Ning told a righteous middle-aged cultivator that he wanted powers like Ding Ling’s, and Chen Jinnan offered to teach him cultivation.
• Chen Jinnan revealed his identity and promised to teach Ning Heavenly Evasion Swordplay.
• Chen Jinnan recognized Ding Ling as the legendary figure from the Lower Realm and decided to wait until his swordplay reached Great Perfection before challenging him, hoping to learn how Ding Ling returned there.

Chen Jinnan saw a strange light over Guobei County, entrusted Ning Caichen with a divine sword and the Heavenly Evasion Swordplay, then pursued the light. In the Underworld, Ding Ling and Yan Chixia caught up with Nie Xiaoqian, Xiaoqing, and Xiaohong while pursuing the Black Mountain Old Demon.

• Chen Jinnan used his Heavenly Eye to discover a strange light hidden among the multicolored lights above Guobei County.
• Chen Jinnan taught Ning Caichen the Heavenly Evasion Swordplay, gave him a divine sword, and left to investigate the strange light.
• Ding Ling and Yan Chixia pursued the Black Mountain Old Demon into the Underworld, where they caught up with Nie Xiaoqian, Xiaoqing, and Xiaohong on the Yellow Springs Road.
• Ding Ling and Yan Chixia revealed themselves to the three women and told them to proceed to the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
• Nie Xiaoqian asked Ding Ling why he had come to the Underworld, and he said they had come to kill the Black Mountain Old Demon.

Ding Ling and Yan Chixia reached the City of Wrongful Deaths to pursue Black Mountain Old Demon, and Ding Ling decided to force his way inside. He destroyed the two gate guards instantly, leaving Yan Chixia stunned.

• Ding Ling warned Nie Xiaoqian and the other two ghosts to stay away from the City of Wrongful Deaths, then flew off with Yan Chixia.
• Nie Xiaoqian and the other two ghosts left when a crowd of new ghosts asked them to seek help from Ding Ling and Yan Chixia.
• Ding Ling and Yan Chixia reached the City of Wrongful Deaths, where Yan Chixia worried that they would run out of time in the Underworld.
• Ding Ling said he could freely enter and leave the netherworld and decided they would fight their way into the city.
• The two Ghost Generals attacked Ding Ling, who shattered their blades and bodies with a single palm strike.
• Ding Ling absorbed the Ghost Generals' Ghost Qi and used his Sword Domain to strip away their memories, while Yan Chixia watched in shock.

Ding Ling defeated the Ghost Generals guarding the City of Wrongful Deaths, absorbed their memories and Ghost Qi, and taught Yan Chixia that his martial arts could refine it. He then unleashed the Xuanyuan Sword against the city’s army of Ghost Generals and Ghost Soldiers, including renowned historical figures, and pressed deeper into Black Mountain Old Demon’s stronghold.

• Ding Ling killed two Ghost Generals, absorbed some of their memories, and raised his True Force Value with the True Water they yielded.
• Yan Chixia marveled that Ding Ling could refine Ghost Qi, and Ding Ling offered to teach him his cultivation method.
• Ding Ling opened the City of Wrongful Deaths’ gates and found a large army of Ghost Generals and Ghost Soldiers guarding its streets.
• Ding Ling used the Xuanyuan Sword and Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin to slaughter the city’s forces while absorbing their Ghost Qi and learning their techniques.
• Ding Ling recognized famous names among the Ghost Generals, including Han Shizhong, Wang Jian, Mongke Khan, and Kublai Khan, and noted that their appearances differed from those of figures in the Lower Realm.

Ding Ling and Yan Chixia fought through the City of Wrongful Deaths, where the Black Mountain Old Demon had turned famous warriors into puppets, and Ding Ling absorbed their power and techniques. After discovering the city was sealed and its apparent center was a decoy, they flew to the hidden City Lord's Mansion in the western slums.

• Ding Ling killed the cursed Famous Generals, including Yang Ye and members of the Yang Family Generals, and learned their techniques while gaining strength.
• Ding Ling and Yan Chixia defeated the ghost soldiers and Ghost Generals until the survivors vanished into the ground.
• Ding Ling found a map showing that the City of Wrongful Deaths stretched across the Yellow Springs Road and that the City Lord's Mansion lay in the western slum district.
• Yan Chixia realized the city's gates were shut and a halo trapped them inside, and he praised Ding Ling for uncovering the hidden route.
• Ding Ling flew with Yan Chixia to a dilapidated courtyard, entered the supposed City Lord's Mansion, and walked into its main hall.

Ding Ling stormed into the City of Wrongful Deaths and confronted the Black Mountain Old Demon, destroying an incarnation but learning the demon was still alive. He freed a group of captive beauties and discovered that one of them was Diao Chan.

• The Black Mountain Old Demon recalled how Ding Ling had cut apart his mountain incarnation and defeated his forces, then tried to hide in the City Lord's Mansion.
• Ding Ling found the Black Mountain Old Demon, rejected his plea to make peace, and blasted his body apart with the Heaven Flipping Palm.
• Ding Ling used his Divine Meditation Technique to locate captives in the mansion's inner courtyard and broke through the courtyard's restrictions with Palm Thunder.
• Ding Ling and Yan Chixia found twenty-three beautiful women inside, and one of the women identified herself as Diao Chan.

Ding Ling and Yan Chixia met a group of famous beauties imprisoned by the Black Mountain Old Demon, including a woman called Diao Chan, and Ding Ling revealed that he had destroyed the demon’s incarnation. The beauties admired Ding Ling, who asked them where the Black Mountain Old Demon’s true body was.

• Diao Chan introduced Wang Zhaojun, Xi Shi, Yang Yuhuan, Feng Xiaolian, Zhao Feiyan, Su Xiaoxiao, Li Shishi, and the other beauties to Ding Ling and Yan Chixia.
• Ding Ling introduced himself and Yan Chixia, then told the women he had smashed the Black Mountain Old Demon’s incarnation guarding the City Lord’s Mansion.
• The beauties reacted with astonishment and praised Ding Ling, while Yan Chixia clarified that Ding Ling had defeated the demon alone.
• Ding Ling asked the beauties whether they knew where the Black Mountain Old Demon’s true body was.

Ding Ling learned that Black Mountain Old Demon's true body lay beneath the City Lord's Mansion, but the demon attacked and took control of Xi Shi and the other beauties. After rescuing them and locating the demon's underground mountain-shaped body, Ding Ling prepared to destroy it.

• Xi Shi told Ding Ling that Black Mountain Old Demon's true body was in the City Lord's Mansion and that his incarnations had recovered from damage before.
• Black Mountain Old Demon's long tongue burst from the ground and attacked Xi Shi, so Ding Ling rescued her and sent the other beauties away on divine swords.
• Ding Ling fought the tongue with his palms and split it with a sword wheel, then knocked out Xi Shi when black light appeared in her eyes.
• The other beauties fell under Black Mountain Old Demon's control and attacked Yan Chixia, wounding him before Ding Ling knocked them unconscious with precise finger strikes.
• Ding Ling used Divine Meditation Technique to locate Black Mountain Old Demon's true body as a pitch-black inverted-pyramid mountain beneath the ground.