Recaps

Chu Huai Xu left the Secret Realm and was summoned before the Dao Sect’s leaders after triggering a Heaven and Earth Anomaly. They could not detect his Clear Heart Sword until the mysterious Seventh Elder identified its location as his Sea of Consciousness.

• Sect Leader Xiang Yan sent Chu Huai Xu to ascend all of Hidden Spirit Mountain, while Li Chunsong cleared the Cold Pool area of onlookers.
• Chu Huai Xu found no more Body Tempering Potion in the Third Level and left Liu Chengqi trapped in the Illusionary realm as he and Han Shuangjiang exited the Secret Realm.
• Li Chunsong brought Chu Huai Xu to the Purple Bamboo Forest, where Sect Leader Xiang Yan and the Dao Sect’s elders examined him after his Heaven and Earth Anomaly.
• The elders confirmed Chu Huai Xu had a third-grade Spirit Fetus but could not locate his Clear Heart Sword or place a protective restriction on it.
• The Seventh Elder identified the Clear Heart Sword’s location as Chu Huai Xu’s Sea of Consciousness, alarming him.

The Dao Sect elders investigated Chu Huai Xu’s Sea of Consciousness and discovered that his Spirit Fetus held Clear Heart Sword and a living Sword Spirit. They placed a Restriction on him and sent him back to the Outer Sect, while Liu Chengqi emerged from the Secret Realm in a panic after realizing he had been trapped in an illusion.

• Nangong Yue gently knocked Chu Huai Xu unconscious so Shen Man could examine his Sea of Consciousness.
• Shen Man identified Chu Huai Xu’s unusual Spirit Fetus and divine ability, and the elders confirmed he possessed Clear Heart Sword.
• Chu Yinyin’s divine sense was shaken out by the Little black sword, which Shen Man identified as a Sword Spirit.
• Xiang Yan argued that Chu Huai Xu’s Spirit Fetus was not caused by his cultivation method and pointed out his importance to the coming Great Tribulation and Origin Spirit Realm.
• Lu Pan placed a Restriction on Chu Huai Xu, and Xiang Yan ordered Li Chunsong to return him to the Outer Sect.
• Liu Chengqi was ejected from the Secret Realm into the Cold Pool, found Liu Tianfeng absent, and broke down while repeating that everything had been an illusion.

After awakening from a dream, Chu Huai Xu learned that the Heart Sword in his Sea of Consciousness had protected him and received a pass to Hidden Spirit Mountain. As Li Chunsong explained the Sword Heart, Chu Huai Xu bluntly declared that the First Generation Sword Venerable had been wrong.

• Chu Huai Xu woke in the Bamboo House, drank Soul Calming Tea, and heard from Li Chunsong that the black sword in his Sea of Consciousness had protected him from the Tenth Elder.
• Li Chunsong gave Chu Huai Xu a Sect Leader-authorized Token to Hidden Spirit Mountain and advised him to break through to the Aperture Opening Stage before seeking a Destined Magic Treasure.
• Li Chunsong told Chu Huai Xu that he might study under Shen Man after joining the Inner Sect, while Chu Huai Xu privately recalled that she would die in Xuan Calendar 1993.
• Han Shuangjiang joined them, and Li Chunsong warned both of them to keep Chu Huai Xu's Clear Heart Sword secret, noting that the Sect Leader had arranged a Restriction for him.
• Li Chunsong explained that Sword Heart depended on comprehension and recounted the Sword Venerable's claim that people without Spiritual Power could never form one.
• Chu Huai Xu calmly said that the First Generation Sword Venerable was wrong, leaving Li Chunsong stunned before he laughed with delight.

Chu Huai Xu praised the Dao Ancestor over the First Generation Sword Venerable, earning Li Chunsong’s approval. He then secured Xu Ziqing a chance to become a Registered Disciple of the Dao Sect, setting the servant on a path toward cultivation and revenge.

• Chu Huai Xu declared the Dao Ancestor superior to the First Generation Sword Venerable, and Li Chunsong praised his boldness while warning him not to say it outside.
• Li Chunsong suggested Chu Huai Xu might become Shen Man’s disciple and the Junior Uncle’s grand-disciple, while Chu Huai Xu privately considered the possibility.
• Chu Huai Xu asked Li Chunsong whether Xu Ziqing could become a Registered Disciple, explaining that the youth had learned Martial Arts by watching.
• Li Chunsong ordered Chu Huai Xu to take Xu Ziqing to Niu Yuanshan and say that he had given the order.
• Chu Huai Xu urged the stunned Xu Ziqing to follow him to see Niu Steward, and Xu Ziqing hurried after him with renewed hope.

Chu Huai Xu reported obtaining the Xuantian Fetal Breath Pill and arranged for Xu Ziqing to become a Registered Disciple. After urging Xu Ziqing to carry himself with more confidence, Chu Huai Xu presented him with a cultivation manual and a Jade slip titled “Sword Refining Art.”

• Xu Ziqing followed Chu Huai Xu from the Cold Pool, resolving to cultivate and avenge his family.
• Niu Yuanshan concluded that Chu Huai Xu had caused the Anomaly and vowed to protect him, then welcomed him when he came to report obtaining the Xuantian Fetal Breath Pill.
• Chu Huai Xu asked Niu Yuanshan to register Xu Ziqing as a disciple, and Niu Yuanshan issued him a Registered Disciple Token and refined his Life Token.
• On their way back, Chu Huai Xu told Xu Ziqing to straighten his back and stand farther forward, and Xu Ziqing began calling him Senior Brother.
• After dinner and the chores, Chu Huai Xu showed Xu Ziqing a Jade slip labeled “Sword Refining Art” and a Booklet.

Chu Huai Xu gave Xu Ziqing the Sword Refining Art, cultivation notes, and three Brocade Pouches to guide his first steps in cultivation. After opening his Sixth Acupoint, Chu Huai Xu waited for Xu Ziqing to begin reading, and the chapter ended with Xu Ziqing finding contradictory advice in the notes.

• Chu Huai Xu gave Xu Ziqing the Sword Refining Art, a Booklet of Experience Notes, and instructions for opening three Brocade Pouches at different stages of cultivation.
• Xu Ziqing accepted the materials eagerly and assured Chu Huai Xu that he was not afraid of hardship.
• Chu Huai Xu spent his experience points to open his Sixth Acupoint, enduring intense pain while trying not to wake Xu Ziqing.
• Chu Huai Xu planned to revisit the Pill King Token dungeon to gather more resources and waited for Xu Ziqing to read the cultivation method.
• Xu Ziqing memorized the Sword Refining Art and opened the Booklet, finding the headings “Don't Cultivate!”, “Listen to Advice!”, and “Peerless Divine Art!”

Xu Ziqing endured the Sword Refining Art’s pain long enough to complete one energy cycle, while Chu Huai Xu returned to the secret realm to gather more Experience Points and strengthen himself. At Red Sleeves Beckon, a Big Man asked the Storyteller whether they should prepare to return to their sect.

• Xu Ziqing completed one energy cycle through the painful Sword Refining Art but found his acupoints still blocked.
• Xu Ziqing opened his first brocade pouch and read the advice, “If you're bad, practice more!”
• Chu Huai Xu entered the secret realm, shattered the Illusionary Realm with the Heart Sword, and cleared the First Level again.
• Chu Huai Xu endured the Third Level’s Water Blades, gained 850 Experience Points, and reached level eight.
• A Storyteller finished his performance at Red Sleeves Beckon and admired himself in a mirror while a Big Man asked if they should return to the sect.

The Storyteller explained how he had arranged for Xu Ziqing to choose the Heretical Sword Refining Art and eventually approach the Evil Sword, while refusing to return to the Dao Sect. Meanwhile, Chu Huai Xu decided to bring Xu Ziqing to the Secret Realm, and Xu Ziqing noticed a resemblance between the note from his Senior Brother and the Booklet’s handwriting.

• The Storyteller told the Big Man that he had left the Sword Refining Art for Xu Ziqing, believing Xu would choose it because of his martial-arts family’s sword tradition.
• The Storyteller said Xu Ziqing was destined for the Evil Sword and insisted that he should follow the Dao Ancestor’s Admonition without receiving extra help.
• Chu Huai Xu gained fewer than 400 Experience Points in the Secret Realm and decided its Body Tempering benefits would be useful for Xu Ziqing.
• Chu Huai Xu returned to the Bamboo House, heard Xu Ziqing practicing in his room, and went back to his own room without interrupting him.
• Xu Ziqing finished circulating his energy, compared his Senior Brother’s note with the Booklet, and began examining their handwriting.

Xu Ziqing endured the painful Sword Refining Art, believing Chu Huai Xu’s misleading advice until a second pouch revealed the deception. Though angry and humiliated, he recommitted himself to cultivation, and Chu Huai Xu gave him a Pill King Token Fragment and took him somewhere.

• Xu Ziqing practiced through the night and fainted from the pain, then woke late and apologized to Chu Huai Xu.
• At breakfast, Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang said they had each opened an aperture, while Xu Ziqing admitted he had practiced until he passed out.
• Xu Ziqing spent the day cultivating, repeatedly collapsing from pain without seeing any progress, and cried before resuming his practice.
• Xu Ziqing opened Chu Huai Xu’s second pouch and read that practicing more would not make him less weak, which angered him and stirred his pride.
• Chu Huai Xu saw that Xu Ziqing had opened the pouch, teased him, tossed him a Pill King Token Fragment, and invited him to go somewhere.

Chu Huai Xu brought Xu Ziqing into the Secret Realm and forced him to endure a Water Blade trial infused with Body Tempering Potion. He confirmed Xu Ziqing absorbed the potion with exceptional efficiency, then complained that the youth was too quiet as he endured the pain.

• Xu Ziqing followed Chu Huai Xu to the Cold Pool, and the two used a Formation to enter the Secret Realm.
• Chu Huai Xu shattered an Illusionary realm, led Xu Ziqing through the Third Level, and shoved him into the Underground River.
• Water Blades wounded Xu Ziqing as Chu Huai Xu ordered him not to dodge and held him in the pool.
• Xu Ziqing discovered that Body Tempering Potion was healing his wounds and followed Chu Huai Xu's instructions to absorb it.
• Chu Huai Xu observed Xu Ziqing's unusually high absorption efficiency and suspected his Innate Medicine-Infused Saint Physique had a higher limit.

Xu Ziqing absorbed the Body Tempering Potion, endured the pain of cultivation, and broke through his first acupoint. After reading Chu Huai Xu’s third note, he realized his Senior Brother was offering encouragement rather than mockery.

• Chu Huai Xu watched as Xu Ziqing absorbed the Body Tempering Potion and told him to cultivate as soon as he left the pool.
• Xu Ziqing endured the crushing pressure of circulating energy and broke through his first acupoint, then screamed and passed out from the pain.
• Xu Ziqing woke and sensed that Chu Huai Xu seemed like a sword, while Chu Huai Xu studied him before giving him instructions about adapting to his breakthrough and taking another medicinal bath.
• Xu Ziqing tested his stronger physique with the Family Sword Art, then struggled with the gap between his progress and Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang’s.
• Xu Ziqing opened the third Brocade Pouch and read Chu Huai Xu’s message: “Running water does not vie to be first. What matters is that it keeps flowing endlessly.”

Chu Huai Xu left Xu Ziqing training in the Secret Realm and focused on gaining Experience Points, while Han Shuangjiang continued opening her apertures. When Liu Chenggong visited, Chu Huai Xu persuaded him to spar, and the chapter ended with Chu Huai Xu knocking Liu Chenggong’s sword out of his hand.

• Chu Huai Xu returned to the Bamboo House and discussed opening all Nine Apertures and buying spells with Han Shuangjiang.
• Chu Huai Xu brought Xu Ziqing food and water in the Secret Realm, then went home and leveled up twice, passing out from the pain.
• Liu Chenggong visited Chu Huai Xu to build a connection, and Chu Huai Xu asked him to spar so he could earn Experience Points.
• Han Shuangjiang watched as Liu Chenggong drew his Azure Pine Sword and began the spar without using Spiritual Power.
• Chu Huai Xu dodged Liu Chenggong’s thrust and flicked the Azure Pine Sword, sending it flying.

Chu Huai Xu discovered that his Heart Sword suppressed Liu Chenggong’s Spirit Sword, then sparred with him to earn Experience Points. Meanwhile, Xu Ziqing woke after opening his second aperture and wondered whether to give Chu Huai Xu a treasured item.

• Liu Chenggong’s Azure Pine Sword flew from his hand twice when Chu Huai Xu flicked it, and Chu Huai Xu realized his Heart Sword was suppressing the Spirit Sword.
• Liu Chenggong sensed the strange force, promised to keep the sparring secret from everyone except Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang, and tested the swords again with Spiritual Power.
• Chu Huai Xu and Liu Chenggong sparred barehanded throughout the morning, earning Chu Huai Xu 420 Experience Points before Liu Chenggong agreed to return the next day.
• Chu Huai Xu hung his dirty clothes outside Xu Ziqing’s room for him to wash after cultivation.
• Xu Ziqing woke in the Cold Pool Secret Realm after opening his second aperture and wondered whether he should give Chu Huai Xu a certain item.

The author announced that Borrowed Sword would go premium on August 1 and urged readers to support its launch with first-day premium orders and monthly votes. The author described the launch events and prizes and ended by asking readers to help the book reach the top of the rankings.

• The author said Borrowed Sword had achieved strong follow counts and pre-premium performance despite falling traffic for new books.
• The author announced a midnight premium launch on August 1, with four chapters posted at once and another after waking up.
• The author explained that readers who placed first-day premium orders could enter Qidian’s S+-level launch event and claim an exclusive avatar frame.
• The author said the event would offer 20,000 Internal Tester titles and announced a separate beauty-themed prize draw for monthly voters.
• The author thanked the editors, Qidian staff, and operations team, then urged readers to vote and place first-day premium orders.

Xu Ziqing decided to give Chu Huai Xu the item despite his family’s apparent disapproval, then continued training in the Secret Realm. Chu Huai Xu opened his Ninth Aperture, triggering a mysterious sword atop Hidden Spirit Mountain to tremble and shake the Dao Sect’s mountains.

• Xu Ziqing tossed Chu Huai Xu’s pouch to seek his deceased family’s approval, then accepted two face-up results as permission to repay his Senior Brother.
• Xu Ziqing returned to the pool and endured the Water Blade with less pain as his physique and Pain Threshold improved.
• Han Shuangjiang watched Chu Huai Xu spar with Liu Chenggong and realized he had been holding back his breakthrough until she could catch up.
• Chu Huai Xu ended the spar after reaching 1,200 Experience Points and told Liu Chenggong he planned to break through to the Nine Orifices.
• Chu Huai Xu opened his Ninth Aperture that night, enduring overwhelming pain as the sickly black sword in his Sea of Consciousness stirred.
• The sword above Hidden Spirit Mountain began to cry out and shake the mountain, alarming the Dao Sect’s disciples and elders.

After Chu Huai Xu opened his Ninth Aperture, he woke from a painful childhood dream and prepared to enter the First Realm with Han Shuangjiang. At the Scripture Pavilion, the pair drew a crowd when Chen Jiye recognized their names.

• The Dao Sect’s leaders climbed Hidden Spirit Mountain after the World-Saving Sword stirred, but found it calm again when they reached the summit.
• Chu Huai Xu woke from a dream about his abusive father and discovered that opening his Ninth Aperture had greatly strengthened his body and senses.
• Han Shuangjiang confirmed that a small earthquake had occurred at Medicine Mountain, and she and Chu Huai Xu decided to visit the Scripture Pavilion.
• Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang reached Book Mountain and watched a Registered Disciple try to break through a Formation to obtain a Yellow Grade Cultivation Technique.
• Chen Jiye introduced himself to the pair, then loudly recognized Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang, drawing everyone’s attention.

Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang registered to test their cultivation at the Scripture Pavilion while Outer Sect disciples watched them. Han Shuangjiang broke through every Formation barrier up to Heaven Grade, then searched the crowd for Chu Huai Xu as he prepared to take his own trial.

• Chu Huai Xu stepped in front of Han Shuangjiang and registered them both for the Scripture Pavilion trial.
• A Nine-Orifice Registered Disciple broke through the Second Barrier and earned the right to choose a Profound Grade Cultivation Technique.
• Han Shuangjiang shattered the Yellow, Profound, and Earth Grade barriers with effortless strikes.
• Han Shuangjiang broke the Heaven Grade barrier and stepped into its area, reflecting on her determination to control her own life.
• Han Shuangjiang found Chu Huai Xu waiting at the Yellow Grade barrier, and he smiled as if telling her to wait for him.

Chu Huai Xu effortlessly broke through all Four Barriers in the Scripture Pavilion, then searched its Heaven Grade Cultivation Methods with Han Shuangjiang. He narrowed his choices to the Six Imperial True Canon, the Pagoda True Solution, and the Dao Canon, whose booklet said it had been created by the Dao Ancestor.

• Chu Huai Xu broke through all Four Barriers in one rush, startling the disciples and the White-Robed Steward.
• Chu Huai Xu clarified that he practiced Internal and External Cultivation, and the disciples applauded him.
• Chu Huai Xu recommended the Six Imperial True Canon to Han Shuangjiang, who chose it after reading its booklet.
• Chu Huai Xu found the Ice Muscle Jade Bone Heart Method had a 96% Match Rate but rejected it because it was a Body Refining Method.
• Chu Huai Xu considered the Six Imperial True Canon, the Pagoda True Solution, and the Dao Canon, then read that the Dao Ancestor had created the Dao Canon.

The author announced an August giveaway funded with 10,000 yuan, split into two rounds, and encouraged readers to vote for monthly tickets and enter Qidian’s launch event. He also promised another giveaway for at least 200 Internal Tester titles after Qidian’s event ended.

• The author said his wife had been delighted by readers’ comments during the previous monthly-ticket giveaway and had given him 5,000 yuan for it.
• He said he had secured another 5,000 yuan from his wife, bringing the August giveaway total to 10,000 yuan.
• The author announced two giveaway rounds, each drawing 100 winners who would receive 5,000 Qidian Coins.
• He urged readers to subscribe, vote for a monthly ticket, and enter the event in Qidian’s Event Center before it ended on August 7.
• The author promised to use at least 200 remaining Internal Tester titles in another giveaway.

Chu Huai Xu chose to cultivate the Dao Canon despite its infamous barrier at the Fourth Realm, believing his player system might let him surpass it. He reminded Han Shuangjiang that the fourth floor held the Dao Ancestor’s Heaven Grade technique, Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin, and her interest visibly stirred.

• Chu Huai Xu considered the Dao Canon’s history and its reputation for preventing cultivators from advancing beyond the Fourth Realm.
• He decided to take the first volume of the Dao Canon, and Han Shuangjiang tried to stop him before accepting his choice.
• Han Shuangjiang explained that she had chosen the Six Imperial True Canon and suggested they leave the cultivation-method library.
• Chu Huai Xu pointed out that they could visit the upper floors and reminded Han Shuangjiang of the Dao Ancestor’s renowned Heaven Grade technique.
• Chu Huai Xu revealed that the fourth floor contained Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin, and Han Shuangjiang’s eyes lit up.

Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang studied cultivation methods and memorized Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin before returning to cultivate. When Chu Huai Xu used the system to upgrade the Dao Canon, his spiritual energy split between his Spiritual Embryo Treasury and his body, causing him pain.

• Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang registered for cultivation methods, then went to the fourth floor to memorize Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin; the system recorded it as a Heaven Grade Technique for Chu Huai Xu.
• They sold the Spirit Disk, split 2,000 Sect Contribution Points, and Chu Huai Xu bought Spirit Pills to speed up his cultivation.
• Back at the Bamboo House, Han Shuangjiang left to cultivate while Chu Huai Xu took pills and prepared to upgrade the Dao Canon with the system.
• As Chu Huai Xu advanced, spiritual energy entered his Nine Orifices and split before reaching the Spiritual Embryo Treasury, with one portion surging into his limbs and bones and causing pain.

Chu Huai Xu endured a violent, bloody reaction while cultivating the Dao Canon, then discovered that his Spiritual Power was divided evenly between his Spiritual Embryo Treasury and his flesh. He suspected the Dao Ancestor had practiced true Internal and External Cultivation, and the chapter ended with both stores holding a value of 86.

• Chu Huai Xu suffered severe pain and injuries as he advanced while practicing the Dao Canon.
• Han Shuangjiang found him bleeding and swollen, stayed by his side, and watched his injuries heal.
• Chu Huai Xu told Han Shuangjiang he suspected the Dao Ancestor practiced Internal and External Cultivation.
• Chu Huai Xu realized his Spiritual Power had split evenly between his Spiritual Embryo Treasury and his flesh, unlike the results reported by other cultivators and players.
• Chu Huai Xu checked his Character Panel and found that both his Spiritual Embryo Treasury and his flesh contained 86 Spiritual Power.

Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang advanced their cultivation and learned that quick progress could earn them access to Hidden Spirit Mountain. They returned to train, hoping to qualify for the mountain’s summit within three days.

• Chu Huai Xu gained a Physique point from the system, became ravenously hungry, and discovered that learning Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin might require a costly gamble with Experience Points, so he set it aside.
• Han Shuangjiang mastered the basics of the Six Imperial True Canon, entered the First Realm, and failed to learn Myriad Swords Returning to the Origin.
• Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang collected their Outer Sect Disciple identity Tokens from Mo Qingmei, who explained that reaching the First Heaven quickly would earn them access to Hidden Spirit Mountain.
• Mo Qingmei told them that reaching the First Heaven within three days while cultivating a Heaven Grade technique would grant them permission to visit the mountain summit, where the Dao Ancestor’s sword stood.
• Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang hurried back to cultivate; Chu Huai Xu hoped to earn a summit pass despite already possessing one from the Sect Leader.

Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang reached the First Heaven within three days and received Charred Black Wood Tokens qualifying them to climb Hidden Spirit Mountain. At Hidden Spirit Courtyard, Elder Nangong arrived to meet them as Li Chunsong prepared to organize a wager on their climb.

• Chu Huai Xu took Qi Gathering Pills and sparred with Liu Chenggong to gain Experience Points while enduring the Dao Canon’s painful cultivation.
• Han Shuangjiang broke through to the First Heaven an hour before Chu Huai Xu, who then leveled up and screamed through the night.
• Mo Qingmei gave Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang Charred Black Wood Tokens after confirming their breakthroughs and warned them that Hidden Spirit Mountain’s stone steps were difficult to climb.
• Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang went to Hidden Spirit Courtyard, where staff summoned Elder Nangong after seeing their rare tokens.
• Chu Huai Xu chatted with the gathered disciples to learn the mountain’s rules while Han Shuangjiang listened, and Li Chunsong arrived with Nangong Yue to arrange a wager on their climb.

Nangong Yue and Li Chunsong explained Hidden Spirit Mountain’s climbing rules and the choices involved in claiming one of its Spiritual Artifacts. Chu Huai Xu started climbing, but felt no Spiritual Pressure at all.

• Nangong Yue explained that climbers had to endure increasing Spiritual Pressure across the mountain’s three regions and could only climb upward.
• Li Chunsong described the mountain as a gamble because climbers had to choose one Spiritual Artifact without knowing what they might pass up.
• Nangong Yue explained how newly forged artifacts and the Relics of past cultivators differed in their Artifact Spirits and how each artifact had to accept its new master.
• Chu Huai Xu and Han Shuangjiang put on their Charcoal Black Tokens, and Chu Huai Xu insisted on climbing first.
• Chu Huai Xu stepped onto the first Stone Step and continued upward without feeling any Spiritual Pressure.