Chapter Summaries

Jiang Liu joined the three Sects’ alliance oath, then left the Flowing Cloud Sect for Yun Province to cultivate and check on local affairs. Meanwhile, the three Sects began investigating the Great Qian Imperial Family’s suspected ties to the Bloodfiend Sect, setting a net around Jiang Lan.

• Jiang Liu joined the three Sect Masters in swearing their alliance oath and sensed an unseen presence watching them.
• Flowing Cloud Matriarch asked Jiang Liu about Duanmu Haotian’s plan, but he declined to offer an opinion.
• Jiang Liu decided to return to Yun Province, bid farewell to Flowing Cloud Matriarch, and left with the Fire-Winged Monkey.
• The three Sects ordered their elders in Tian Province to investigate the Imperial Family’s ties to the Bloodfiend Sect, focusing on Chen Qianliu and Liu Changxing.
• The elders sent disciples to track Chen Qianliu and Liu Changxing, and their investigation joined Wang Dali and Liu Yihang’s arrangements in a growing net around Jiang Lan.

Jiang Liu welcomed Li Moran and the Vast Righteous Sect to Xia City as they arrived to help secure Yun Province. After arranging the sect’s responsibilities and seeing the Exotic Beast Valley and Five Poisons Sect depart, Jiang Liu agreed to Li Moran’s request to settle the common people before holding a welcome banquet.

• Jiang Liu traveled to Xia County after learning the Vast Righteous Sect was entering Yun Province, then waited in Xia City for Li Moran and his people to arrive.
• Jiang Liu greeted Li Moran and Li Qiaoyun at the city gate and arranged for the Listening Wind Pavilion to help the Vast Righteous Sect settle in.
• Elder He warned Jiang Liu that the Exotic Beast Valley might be endangered as former Martial Prohibition Hall Grandmasters joined it, and Jiang Liu promised to protect the valley.
• Elder He and the Exotic Beast Valley returned to their sect, while Yi Yue led the Five Poisons Sect back to Yun City and most of the exotic beast mounts stayed with Jiang Liu.
• Qin Bailian coordinated with Li Moran to transfer garrisons and duties, while Yun Province’s commercial affairs continued moving to the Ascension Tower and several families.
• Jiang Liu proposed a welcome banquet, but Li Moran asked to settle the common people first, and Jiang Liu agreed.

Elder He returned to Exotic Beast Valley and warned Mo Han about the risks of hosting the Martial Prohibition Hall Grandmasters amid Great Qian’s growing turmoil. After hearing Jiang Liu’s assessment, Mo Han agreed to ask Li Xuewu and the others whether they would go to Yun Province.

• Elder He returned to Exotic Beast Valley with the rescued group and found the valley crowded with Martial Prohibition Hall Grandmasters.
• Elder He raised the possibility of sending Grandmasters to Yun Province, and Li Xuewu and the others signaled that they were willing to follow Jiang Liu.
• Mo Han welcomed Elder He and held a banquet to celebrate the group’s safe return from Mo Province.
• Mo Han met with Elder He and Elder Bai, heard about Jiang Liu’s promise and concerns about Great Qian, and agreed to sound out Li Xuewu and the others about going to Yun Province.
• Elder He began recounting what he had witnessed and the rumors he had heard along the way.

Li Xuewu and the other Martial Prohibition Hall members agreed to leave Exotic Beast Valley and join Jiang Liu in Yun Province. After learning they were on their way, Jiang Liu planned where to station them and resumed cultivating the Saintly Sky Art.

• Elder Bai asked Li Xuewu to take his group to support Jiang Liu in Yun Province, and Li Xuewu agreed to consult the others.
• Chen Qiansong, Ming Chengyun, Jiang Congyue, and He Chu supported going, and Lin Chi agreed to travel with them rather than remain behind.
• The six men told Mo Han they were leaving, then departed Exotic Beast Valley with their families and subordinates.
• Mo Han sent Jiang Liu news of their journey through Ascension Tower, and Jiang Liu welcomed the added strength.
• Jiang Liu decided to split the Grandmasters between Qi County and Tian County, then continued cultivating the Saintly Sky Art.

Jiang Liu welcomed Li Xuewu and the other Martial Prohibition Hall members to Cloud City and assigned them to garrison Qi County and Tian County as tensions between Buddhist and Daoist sects escalated. The group departed for the counties, while He Chu remained behind to treat his injured arm.

• Jiang Liu welcomed Li Xuewu, Lin Chi, and the others to Cloud City and arranged temporary lodging for them.
• At a banquet, Jiang Liu explained that worsening Buddhist and Daoist tensions meant the Martial Prohibition Hall would garrison Qi County and Tian County.
• After Jiang Liu left, the six Grandmasters debated his assignment, then divided themselves between the two counties.
• Jiang Liu, Qin Bailian, and Yi Yue arranged for the Listening Wind Pavilion and Ascension Tower to monitor the Martial Prohibition Hall members.
• Li Xuewu, Lin Chi, and Chen Qiansong set out for Qi County, while Ming Chengyun and Jiang Congyue headed for Tian County.
• He Chu stayed behind to treat his injured arm, and Jiang Liu agreed to ask the Sects whether they could help reattach it.

Jiang Liu learned that Fu Ping at the Physician Pavilion could help He Chu reattach his severed arm, then heard that the Buddhist and Daoist Sects were about to go to war in Xun Province. He ordered Li Xuewu and the others to wait in Qi Province and let the conflict develop before deciding whether the Heaven One Sect should intervene.

• Jiang Liu asked Elder Liuxing about reattaching He Chu’s severed arm, and she directed him to Fu Ping at the Physician Pavilion.
• Jiang Liu sent word to He Chu to seek Fu Ping, then cultivated the Saintly Sky Art until evening.
• Murong Yin told Jiang Liu that the Buddhist and Daoist Sects were on the verge of war in Xun Province.
• Jiang Liu ordered Li Xuewu and the others to wait in Qi Province and assess the conflict before intervening.
• The Daoist Sect’s Minor Grandmasters attacked and nearly killed a Buddhist Minor Grandmaster, prompting Xuan Jian to critically injure a Daoist Minor Grandmaster in retaliation.
• The Daoist Sect’s three Grandmasters marched toward Buddhist territory, while Xuan Jian prepared the Buddhist Sect for war despite Xuan Wen’s injuries.

Dao Xing, Dao Hai, and Dao Sheng attacked the Buddhist stronghold in Xun City, leading to a fierce battle with Xuan Jian, Xuan Zhi, and Xuan Xing. The clash destroyed the stronghold and killed some onlookers, but both factions continued fighting amid the ruins.

• Dao Xing trapped the Buddhist stronghold beneath a Seal Character that slowed the disciples’ circulation of vital energy.
• Xuan Jian, Xuan Zhi, and Xuan Xing attacked the Seal Character, but Dao Hai and Dao Sheng reinforced it and the two factions entered a stalemate.
• Minor Grandmasters and disciples from both sects joined the battle as Kuang Qianzi, Xiahou Yi, Qi Shengyuan, and local factions watched and hoped to profit from the conflict.
• The Seal Characters shattered in a massive explosion that destroyed the courtyard and killed onlookers caught in the flying currents of vital energy.
• Dao Xing, Dao Hai, and Dao Sheng resumed their assault, while the Buddhist Grandmasters and their followers counterattacked in an even more ferocious battle.

Dao Yan and Dao Sheng launched a surprise attack on Great Buddha Temple in Kun Province, beginning a battle between the Daoist and Buddhist sects. Dao Yan engaged Xuan Kong while Dao Sheng and the other Daoist disciples slaughtered Buddhist disciples.

• Dao Yan and Dao Sheng decided to attack the Buddhist headquarters while only Xuan Kong guarded it.
• Dao Yan led the Daoist disciples to Great Buddha Temple and struck at its mountain gate during the morning service.
• Xuan Kong blocked Dao Yan’s attack and confronted him, while Dao Sheng condemned the Buddhist sect.
• Dao Yan and Xuan Kong began fighting with their vital-energy techniques, monk’s staff, and Soul-Suppressing Talisman.
• Dao Sheng attacked the Buddhist disciples, and the Daoist disciples joined in, leaving many Buddhist monks fallen as Xuan Kong remained tied down by Dao Yan.

As the Daoist and Buddhist sects fought for control of Xun Province, Dao Xing sought the Heaven One Sect’s help. Chen Bo proposed contacting Jiang Liu’s three Grandmasters in Qi County, leaving Dao Xing waiting for their reply.

• During a truce, Xuan Jian tried to recruit Qi Shengyuan to help the Buddhist sect, but Qi Shengyuan remained wary and discussed the offer with Liu Hai.
• Dao Xing left the battle to ask the Heaven One Sect for aid against the Buddhist sect.
• Chen Bo said his sect could not offer much help but suggested Jiang Liu’s three Grandmasters in Qi County.
• Chen Bo asked Qian Yao to contact the Grandmasters and find out whether they would help.
• Qian Yao sent messages to Qi County and Yun County, while Chen Bo returned to summon the exhausted Dao Xing.

Li Xuewu chose to reinforce the Dao Sect in Xun Province, and Jiang Liu decided to use the opportunity to attack the Lotus Sect, Sun Moon Sect, White Saint Society, and Buddhist Sect. Jiang Liu left Yun City, caught up with Li Xuewu's group near Yin County, and ordered them to continue onward.

• After reading Jiang Liu's instructions, Li Xuewu decided to lead reinforcements to Xun Province despite the risk of acting before the Dao Sect and Buddhist Sect had worn each other down.
• Li Xuewu sent messages to Yun City, Yin City, and Tian County, arranged for Qi County to be covered, and mobilized his forces to depart for Yin County.
• Jiang Liu decided to send forces to Xun Province, summoned Qin Bailian and Yi Yue to prepare, and asked Old Master Feng to oversee Yun City's safety.
• Jiang Liu flew toward Qi County on the Fire-Winged Monkey, learned Li Xuewu had already left, and continued after him.
• Jiang Liu caught up with Li Xuewu and the others near Yin County and ordered them to proceed.

Jiang Liu arrived in Yin City with a powerful force and worked with Chen Bo and Dao Xing to prepare a campaign against the Buddhist faction and other outside forces. After reaching Xun City, they learned that the Buddhist faction had allied with several sects to attack the Daoist sect, setting the stage for an all-out war the next day.

• Jiang Liu arrived in Yin City with Grandmasters, Minor Grandmasters, and an Exotic Beast Emperor, and asked Dao Xing to delay their departure so more allies could arrive.
• Jiang Liu and Chen Bo agreed to carry out their plan to drive out or destroy outside forces and discussed how to make Hundred Craft Hall submit.
• Jiang Liu instructed Qian Yao to expand Listening Wind Pavilion's intelligence network across Xun Province in preparation for a major purge.
• Qin Bailian and Yi Yue arrived in Yin City, and Jiang Liu's group set out for Xun County the next morning with the Fire-Winged Monkey.
• After reaching Xun City, Chen Bo told Jiang Liu that the Buddhist faction had persuaded the Lotus Sect, White Saint Society, and Sun Moon Sect to join an assault on the Daoist sect the next day.

The Buddhist Sect and its allies launched a coordinated attack on the Daoist Sect, but Jiang Liu and his forces arrived and turned the battle against them. The Fire-Winged Monkey fought Xuan Zhi and Xuan Xing while Jiang Liu pursued Kuang Qianzi, and Xiahou Yi began retreating.

• Jiang Liu ordered Qin Bailian, Yi Yue, and the others to rest and prepare for battle, then the Buddhist Sect and its allies advanced on the Daoist Sect at dawn.
• Xuan Jian, Xuan Zhi, Xuan Xing, Kuang Qianzi, Qi Shengyuan, Xiahou Yi, and the other Grandmasters attacked Dao Xing, Dao Hai, Dao Sheng, and the Daoist disciples.
• The Fire-Winged Monkey struck Xuan Jian and injured her badly, then fought Xuan Zhi and Xuan Xing after they interrupted its attack.
• Jiang Liu arrived with Chen Bo, Qin Bailian, Yi Yue, Li Xuewu, Lin Chi, Chen Qiansong, Gong Heqian, and a large force, causing both sides to pause their attacks.
• Xiahou Yi quietly retreated after judging her faction had no chance of victory, while Jiang Liu moved toward Kuang Qianzi and blocked her escape.

A chaotic battle erupted in Xun Province after Xiahou Yi and the Sun Moon Sect disciples fled, leaving their allies at a disadvantage. Jiang Liu ambushed enemy Grandmasters across the battlefield, while Xuan Xing abandoned his wounded senior brother and the enraged Fire-Winged Monkey killed Xuan Zhi.

• Chen Bo and the other Grandmasters engaged their opponents, and a massive melee broke out across the battlefield.
• Xiahou Yi and the Sun Moon Sect disciples fled, turning the tide against the Buddhist, Lotus Sect, and White Saint Society fighters.
• Jiang Liu pursued Kuang Qianzi but repeatedly failed to pin her down, then ambushed Chen Hui and Qi Shengyuan to help Li Xuewu and Chen Bo.
• The Fire-Winged Monkey badly injured Xuan Zhi, and Xuan Xing shoved his senior brother toward the monkey before fleeing.
• The enraged Fire-Winged Monkey smashed Xuan Zhi to pieces, frightening the nearby Grandmasters.

Jiang Liu and his allies overwhelmed the Buddhist and Lotus Sect forces, killing two Grandmasters and driving others to flee or self-destruct. With Qi Shengyuan surrendering and Xuan Wen surrounded, the battle was all but decided.

• Jiang Liu calmed the Fire-Winged Monkey and ordered it to guard against anyone escaping as the remaining enemies fought on.
• Jiang Liu struck Liu Hai with an Ice Blade, allowing Qin Bailian to kill him as the unstable elemental energy erupted around his body.
• Qi Shengyuan tried to escape, but the Fire-Winged Monkey knocked him back into Chen Bo's attack.
• Jiang Liu and his allies cornered Chen Hui, who poisoned and then self-destructed, while Xu Kuangsheng also detonated his elemental energy rather than face capture.
• Qi Shengyuan threw down his weapon and surrendered, while the Daoist fighters surrounded Xuan Wen and awaited Jiang Liu's decision.

Jiang Liu’s forces defeated the Buddhist Sect and its allies in Xun Province, while the Dao Sect withdrew to Kun Province, where it had already captured the Great Buddha Temple. After Jiang Liu struggled over what to do with the imprisoned leaders, Lin Chi secretly arranged their deaths and claimed they had self-detonated, leaving Jiang Liu angry but alive to the consequences.

• Jiang Liu had Li Xuewu, Yi Yue, and Qin Bailian seal the dantians of Xuan Wen, Xuan Jian, and Qi Shengyuan, then ordered the surviving factions subdued and their wounded treated.
• Jiang Liu met with his allies in Xun City to arrange care for the wounded and compensation, and Dao Xing led the Dao Sect’s survivors back to Kun Province.
• News arrived that the Dao Sect had captured the Great Buddha Temple, while Xuan Kong had fled and the Buddhist Sect’s wider conflict with the Dao Sect appeared likely to continue.
• Lin Chi, Chen Qiansong, and Li Xuewu agreed that killing the imprisoned leaders would earn Jiang Liu’s trust, and that night three bursts of chaotic origin qi came from their cell.
• Lin Chi claimed Qi Shengyuan, Xuan Wen, and Xuan Jian had self-detonated during interrogation, so Jiang Liu struck him and ordered him to explain the deaths to their disciples.

Jiang Liu reorganized his forces in Xun Province, secured Hundred Craft Hall’s allegiance, and left the province pacified. He returned to Yun City and reunited with Murong Yin and Feng Yue, then explained his plans to separate their internal intelligence groups from the Dark Star Hall and Assassination List.

• Jiang Liu assigned Lin Chi to lead Dark Star Hall, Chen Qiansong to lead the Assassination List, and Li Xuewu to manage Xun Province with Chen Bo.
• The Crafting Saint of Hundred Craft Hall approached Jiang Liu and pledged the group’s allegiance, and Jiang Liu learned that Hundred Craft Hall and Exotic Weapon Valley had both originated from Weapon Forging Sect.
• Jiang Liu gave Xun Province’s local forces a chance to cooperate with his reorganization, and they all agreed; he also assigned Gong Heqian to investigate Corpse Valley’s remnants.
• Jiang Liu left Li Xuewu, Chen Qiansong, Lin Chi, and Gong Heqian in Xun Province, then flew to Yun Province with the Fire-Winged Monkey and returned to Yun City two days later.
• Murong Yin and Feng Yue greeted Jiang Liu, who explained his new arrangements for Dark Star Hall, the Assassination List, and their internal intelligence organizations; both women agreed.

Old Man Tianhun asked Jiang Liu to protect Soul Valley’s remaining disciples after they began disappearing from their remote base. Jiang Liu brought more than twenty disciples to a residence in Cloud City, then stayed behind with Old Man Tianhun to discuss the threat against the sect.

• Jiang Liu recognized Old Man Tianhun, who praised his rapid growth and asked him to help Soul Valley’s disciples.
• Old Man Tianhun explained that Soul Valley disciples had been disappearing without leaving clues and asked Jiang Liu to shelter the survivors in Cloud City.
• Jiang Liu agreed and instructed a messenger to find a secluded residence large enough for the disciples.
• Five days later, Old Man Tianhun brought more than twenty Soul Valley disciples to Cloud City, and Jiang Liu’s people escorted them to their new residence.
• Old Man Tianhun remained with Jiang Liu, who sought to learn which force was targeting Soul Valley.

Jiang Liu learned from Old Man Tianhun that Soul Valley shared ancient roots with several other sects and had declined because its cultivation art neglected the physical body. After Soul Valley settled in Cloud City, Jiang Liu asked Qin Bailian and Yi Yue about the unknown force targeting it, and they appeared to know something.

• Old Man Tianhun told Jiang Liu that Soul Valley dated back to the Great Qin era and shared origins with Corpse Valley, Ghost School, and Exotic Beast Valley.
• Old Man Tianhun explained that Soul Valley's focus on spiritual power and neglect of physical cultivation had caused its decline and shortened its members' lifespans.
• Old Man Tianhun said an unknown force had put Soul Valley in the Jianghu ballad, and Jiang Liu advised him to wait in Cloud City for the enemy to reveal itself.
• Old Man Tianhun left for Soul Valley's prepared residence, while Jiang Liu arranged security and asked the Listening Wind Pavilion to strengthen Cloud City's alerts.
• Jiang Liu summoned Qin Bailian and Yi Yue, told them about Soul Valley, and asked what they knew when they seemed concerned.

Jiang Liu learned that Blood Demon Island might be behind the disappearances of Soul Valley’s disciples and sought more information about the overseas faction. The culprit remained unconfirmed as he also checked for news of the Buddhist Sect’s Xuan Kong and Xuan Xing.

• Qin Bailian and Yi Yue told Jiang Liu that Blood Demon Island had once abducted disciples with strong spiritual force and might be active in Yun Province again.
• Jiang Liu ordered Qin Bailian and Yi Yue to capture and interrogate Blood Demon Island members, and sent Murong Yin a message to arrange support.
• Jiang Liu visited Murong Aotian at Ascension Tower and learned that Blood Demon Island had previously operated in both Xun Province and Yun Province before vanishing.
• Murong Aotian gave Jiang Liu confidential scrolls describing Blood Demon Island’s past activity and suspected cultivation methods, but the group’s role in the Soul Valley disappearances remained unconfirmed.
• Jiang Liu asked about recent developments and the Buddhist Sect, but Ascension Tower had no news of Xuan Kong or Xuan Xing.

Old Man Tianhun suspected that the force abducting Soul Valley disciples had also abducted Ghost School disciples in Xun Province and hurried to tell Jiang Liu. He revealed the possible connection to Jiang Liu and Qin Bailian, leaving them to investigate the new lead.

• Jiang Liu returned home and told Murong Yin and Feng Yue to stay safe and go out as little as possible while Yun City's surveillance was strengthened.
• Old Man Tianhun told Soul Valley members to remain cautious, then recalled reports of Ghost School disciples disappearing in Xun Province.
• Old Man Tianhun concluded that the abductions might be linked because the Ghost School and Soul Valley both emphasized mental-power cultivation.
• Old Man Tianhun flew toward Yun City at night, where Qin Bailian stopped him and then escorted him to Jiang Liu with Yi Yue taking over the watch.
• Old Man Tianhun told Jiang Liu and Qin Bailian that the people who abducted Soul Valley disciples had done the same thing in Xun Province.