Chapter Summaries

At the Qin Family Banquet, Lu Feng worried about the intercepted poisoned wine and drew the Green-Robed Old Man’s suspicion away from Jiang Ruoyun. Meanwhile, Ji Lanxin and Jun Ziya provoked Luo Tianfu into confronting Lu Feng’s table, and Jiang Ruoyun watched as trouble approached.

• Lu Feng suspected that Jiang Ruoyun and Red Scorpion had planned to use the poisoned wine to create chaos, while the Green-Robed Old Man grew suspicious of Lu Feng’s group.
• Lin Xiaowan and Chu Youwei praised the elaborate Thorny Dragon Bud and Spirit Silk Rabbit Crisp, and Lu Feng considered how Xu Dandan had taken over the banquet preparations from Elder Xiao Qing.
• Ji Lanxin taunted Luo Tianfu about Chu Youwei and his standing, and Jun Ziya added that he would become a laughingstock if he became head of the Luo Family.
• Luo Tianfu took wine and a cup and staggered toward Lu Feng’s table to assert his authority, while Ji Lanxin followed and Qin Tianliang let the confrontation unfold.
• Jiang Ruoyun shifted her attention from Red Scorpion to Luo Tianfu approaching Lu Feng and thought that Lu Feng had brought trouble on himself again.

At the Qin Family Banquet, Lu Feng struck Luo Tianfu and forced Ji Lanxin to kneel after they insulted Chu Youwei and Lin Xiaowan. He defended his actions before the guests, leaving the Qin Family reluctant to punish him, while Qin Tianliang was treated for a hidden attack and Jiang Ruoyun escaped.

• Luo Tianfu threatened Chu Youwei and Lin Xiaowan, and Lu Feng blasted him into a banquet table.
• Lu Feng used pressure to force Ji Lanxin to her knees, saying it repaid her humiliation of Chu Youwei at the Sword Ruins.
• Lu Feng told the guests that Luo Tianfu had provoked him by threatening his woman and sister, turning many of them to his side.
• Qin Sannuo and Qin Bu'er hesitated to punish Lu Feng as the guests viewed him as a victim, while a guard freed Ji Lanxin from his pressure.
• The Green-Robed Old Man removed three thin needles from Qin Tianliang, and Lu Feng realized Jiang Ruoyun had escaped during the disturbance.

After Qin Tianliang suffered Spirit Depletion Syndrome and a hidden-needle attack, Lu Feng realized Jiang Ruoyun and Red Scorpion had likely been framed and left to find them. Near Profound Gold City, he found two Qin Family guards dead from a devastating strike and searched for Jiang Ruoyun and Red Scorpion.

• The Green-Robed Old Man removed the needles from Qin Tianliang and diagnosed Spirit Depletion Syndrome, which Gongsun Ranran suspected came from his separate serving of Spirit Silk Rabbit Crisp.
• Lu Feng concluded that Jiang Ruoyun and Red Scorpion had likely been blamed for someone else's tampering, while Qin Sannuo sent two guards after Jiang Ruoyun.
• Xu Dandan confronted Su Huaijin about the dish and learned that Su resented being denied fair chances at recognition in Heavenly Cuisine Villa.
• Lu Feng left the Qin Family Villa to find Jiang Ruoyun, escaped notice when the Long Tongue Old Monster mistook him for someone else, and hurried toward the city outskirts.
• Lu Feng found the two Qin Family guards dead beside a massive trench outside Profound Gold City and began searching for Jiang Ruoyun and Red Scorpion.

Lu Feng learned that Jiang Ruoyun was protected by the mysterious Chang Hen Gongzi and met Wang Chonghu, the powerful Black List fighter serving him. He then visited the Bottle Spirit Sect to recruit help for the Abyss Ancient Tomb, but found Si Kongtong hidden behind screens and apparently unable to speak freely.

• Wang Chonghu confronted Lu Feng over the deaths of two Qin Family guards, then left after Jiang Ruoyun arrived and thanked Chang Hen Gongzi.
• Jiang Ruoyun told Lu Feng that Wang Chonghu was Chang Hen Gongzi's subordinate, while Lu Feng explained Lin Wanxia's threat and learned Qin Tianliang had Spirit Depletion Syndrome.
• Jiang Ruoyun and Red Scorpion decided Qin Tianliang's condition would keep him from harming women, then Jiang Ruoyun chose to return to the Love Tomb rather than accompany Lu Feng to the Sword Sect.
• Lu Feng traveled to the Bottle Spirit Sect with Si Kongtong's peachwood hairpin and was received by the sect's Second Head instead of meeting her directly.
• The Second Head arranged folding screens between Lu Feng and Si Kongtong, and Lu Feng discussed sending Bottle Spirit Sect disciples into the Abyss Ancient Tomb while noticing her weak voice and interrupted attempts to speak.

At the Azure Mountain Sword Sect’s founding assembly, Lian Erxiong accused Lu Feng of killing her father, but Lu Feng exposed Poison Scorpion as the true culprit with the help of a soul-trapping array. As Wang Jinwu attacked Poison Scorpion, the latter revealed a scorpion-shaped soul shadow and struck back.

• Lian Erxiong confronted Lu Feng at the assembly, demanding revenge for her father Lian Taihe’s death, while the Heavenly Thunder Sword Sect and Crimson Fiend Sword Sect supported her accusation.
• Huang Helou brought out Flower Scorpion, who confessed that Lu Feng had not killed Lian Taihe, but Poison Scorpion and Iron Toad tried to seize him.
• Lu Feng trapped Poison Scorpion and Iron Toad in the Nine Ghosts Soul Snatching Array, where Iron Toad became disoriented and confessed that Poison Scorpion had killed Lian Taihe and framed Lu Feng.
• Lian Erxiong wounded Iron Toad with her Black Sickle, and Wang Jinwu killed him before asking Lu Feng to release Poison Scorpion.
• After Lu Feng released Poison Scorpion from the array, Wang Jinwu attacked him with the giant sickle, but Poison Scorpion revealed an emerald-eyed scorpion soul shadow and struck toward Wang Jinwu’s heart.

Lu Feng exposed doubts about the Qin Family’s role in the old tragedy, while the Dragon Slaying Array prevented Qin Sannuo’s allies from forcing the Azure Mountain Sword Sect into submission. The gathering shifted toward the upcoming Dao Inquiry, where Qin Sannuo proposed testing Lu Feng’s sect.

• Lu Feng spotted the Spirit Dispersion Cone Poison Scorpion was hiding and struck his wrist, allowing Wang Jinwu to wound him and Lian Erxiong to kill him.
• Wang Jinwu destroyed a black scorpion that crawled from Poison Scorpion’s body, and he apologized to Lu Feng for the sect’s near involvement in a scheme.
• Lu Feng challenged Qin Sannuo over the old battle and claimed a survivor had said the Qin Family received warning to evacuate, then dared Qin Sannuo to swear a soul oath.
• Qin Sannuo’s guards and allied sects advanced, but Huang Helou and the elders activated the Nine Dragon Slaying Platforms, deterring an attack.
• Lu Feng argued that the old accusations against his sect remained unproven, prompting other forces to doubt Qin Sannuo’s refusal to swear an oath.
• An elder from the Heaven Night Sword Sect urged the gathering to move on, and Qin Sannuo proposed testing Lu Feng’s sect during the Dao Inquiry.

Lu Feng accepted the gathered sects’ challenges and revealed the Dragon's Cry Thirteen Swords, stunning the sword masters and alarming rival factions. Yang Hua and Chi Yan withdrew and sent younger disciples to challenge Azure Mountain Sword Sect instead.

• Yang Hua and Chi Yan challenged Lu Feng, but Huang Helou and Xia Yangzhou stepped forward to face them until Yin Moyin intervened.
• Lu Feng entered the Central Plaza and announced that he would demonstrate a new sword technique.
• Lu Feng unleashed the Dragon's Cry Thirteen Swords, shocking Nie Yuanbai, Yin Moyin, and the gathered swordsmen.
• Elders from Heavenly Wolf Sect and Five Emperors Sect feared Lu Feng’s Sword Dao would threaten their standing and decided he could not be allowed to live.
• Yin Xiaolou reminded Yang Hua and Chi Yan that Lu Feng’s cultivation was limited, and they sent two younger disciples to challenge Azure Mountain Sword Sect.

The Azure Mountain Sword Sect struggled to field young disciples for the sword challenges, as injuries and Chen Duxiao’s guilt left its strongest members unable or unwilling to fight. Gu Lingling was badly wounded by Gong Heng before Zhuang Xiaojing stepped forward and revealed her Flicking Sleeve Sword Song.

• Lu Feng saw that the Azure Mountain Sword Sect had to choose seven disciples for the challenges despite its weakened younger generation.
• Chen Duxiao refused to fight, and Mei Zisu rebuked him for losing his fighting spirit after Mei had sacrificed an arm to save him.
• The Azure Mountain Sword Sect sent Zhuang Xiaojing, Gu Lingling, Li Weiyun, and four Five Elements Realm disciples to represent them.
• Gong Heng overwhelmed Gu Lingling with the Heavenly Thunder Swordplay, and Lu Feng eventually had Zhuang Xiaojing take her place.
• Zhuang Xiaojing entered the field without a sword and told Gong Heng that her sleeves were her sword, identifying her art as the Flicking Sleeve Sword Song.

Zhuang Xiaojing defeated Gong Heng by combining Flicking Sleeve Sword Song with Flowing Light Return, then Li Weiyun took her place against Qin Qi. Qin Qi wounded Li Weiyun with a precisely timed counterattack, and Li Weiyun prepared to reveal a different form of Heart Piercing Swordplay.

• Gong Heng unleashed a secret-art-powered thunder strike, but Zhuang Xiaojing redirected it back at him and left him badly wounded.
• Chi Yan questioned Zhuang Xiaojing’s sword technique, and Huang Helou defended the Azure Mountain Sword Sect’s right to use unfamiliar techniques.
• Qin Sannuo sent Qin Qi to challenge Zhuang Xiaojing, but Li Weiyun stepped forward to fight him instead.
• Qin Qi overwhelmed Li Weiyun’s opening Heart Piercing Swordplay assault and slashed his arm with a well-timed counterattack.
• Li Weiyun changed his sword grip and warned Qin Qi that he was no longer using ordinary Heart Piercing Swordplay.

Li Weiyun’s hidden sword art turned the challenge against Qin Qi into a public accusation that the Azure Mountain Sword Sect cultivated demonic arts. Lu Feng challenged the Qin Family’s role in triggering Li Weiyun’s transformation, and Yang Hua shifted the attack to Chi Yuanqing.

• Li Weiyun used twin swords and a hidden force to disarm Qin Qi, then slashed his jaw before Huang Helou stopped the killing blow.
• Yang Hua restrained Li Weiyun and accused the Azure Mountain Sword Sect of tolerating demonic arts, while Chi Yan joined in condemning the sect.
• Lu Feng defended Li Weiyun’s transformation as possible qi deviation and suggested Qin Qi might have induced it using a method like the Dark Shadow Demon Eyes.
• Qin Sannuo backed away from pressing the accusation after Lu Feng’s suspicion unsettled him, and Yang Hua abandoned the attempt to smear the sect.
• Yang Hua demanded that the Azure Mountain Sword Sect call out Chi Yuanqing to answer for becoming a demonic cultivator and slaughtering innocents in the Sword Ruins.

The Azure Mountain Sword Sect endured the founding assembly’s final accusations and formally announced its rebirth, while Lu Feng’s protection of Chi Yuanqing strengthened the sect’s standing. After the assembly, other sword sects considered the value of its open cultivation opportunities, and Qin Sannuo revealed that hidden forces on the mountain had deterred him from acting.

• Lu Feng and the Azure Mountain Sword Sect defended Chi Yuanqing against Chi Yan and Yang Hua, and Lu Feng promised the sect would take responsibility for him.
• After the hostile factions departed, Xia Yiyun and Zhuang Xiaojing explained how Lu Feng’s planning and strength had helped the sect survive the assembly’s challenges.
• The Azure Mountain Sword Sect formally proclaimed its founding, announced its rules, and invited other sects’ disciples to cultivate at its Spirit Gathering Arrays and Sword Questioning Cliff.
• Nie Wushuang and Nie Yuanbai discussed the invitation and concluded that Lu Feng was building lasting ties among the sword sects through exchange cultivation.
• Yang Hua asked Qin Sannuo whether they should ambush the Azure Mountain Sword Sect, but Qin Sannuo’s elder revealed that powerful hidden auras on the mountain had deterred him.

Lu Feng reunited with Rui Ye, his senior brother from the Clear River Sect, and reassured him that he remained loyal to the sect despite temporarily serving as Azure Mountain Sect Master. Rui Ye gave him poison and weapons advice, then hinted that he had arranged marriage prospects for Lu Feng; when Lu Feng mentioned a companion, Rui Ye seemed unsurprised.

• Lu Feng joyfully greeted Rui Ye and brought him to a quiet pavilion to ask after their former sectmates.
• Rui Ye asked whether Lu Feng planned to remain Azure Mountain Sect Master or return to the Clear River Sect, and Lu Feng said he would keep the role for now but remained a Clear River Sect disciple at heart.
• Rui Ye examined Lu Feng's Spirit Dispersion Cone, judged it impossible to dismantle, and gave him a bottle of poison sand for self-defense.
• Lu Feng learned Rui Ye had given away his spare treasures while helping a persecuted small force, and Rui Ye revealed he had proposed to noble young ladies in Lu Feng's name.
• Lu Feng said he had met a companion during his travels, but Rui Ye reacted as though he already understood.

Lu Feng met Jun Wenxin, who visited Azure Rock Mountain on Jun Zi Mo’s behalf and described the border conflict, while rival sects and families speculated about the Jun Family’s intentions. The chapter left the Heavenly Thunder Sword Sect and Frostlight Sword Sect weighing how they might respond if the Azure Mountain Sword Sect rose again.

• Rui Ye teased Lu Feng about Consort Qiong and his romantic prospects, then left to arrange a meeting between the Sect Leader and an old lover.
• Huang Helou told Lu Feng that Jun Wenxin had waited to see him on Jun Zi Mo’s behalf, and Lu Feng welcomed her and heard about Jun Zi Mo and the border standoff with the Blood Clan.
• Yang Hua warned Qin Sannuo that Jun Wenxin’s visit might signal Jun Family support for the Azure Mountain Sword Sect, and Qin Sannuo urged him to wait for other sects to react.
• Nie Yuanbai calmed Nie Wushuang’s fears about Jun Wenxin’s visit and told him to track whom she met after leaving.

Lu Feng was intercepted by Gu Lebai, the Flower Sword, who tested him with copied sword arts and forced him to use the Swordless Realm. An unknown expert drew Gu Lebai away, allowing Lu Feng to escape toward the Profound Domain, where he suspected the Jun Family had provoked Ring Sword Manor against him.

• Lu Feng left the Azure Mountain Sword Sect but was intercepted by Gu Lebai, who attacked him with flower swords and Heavenly Thunder Swordplay.
• Gu Lebai used Phantom Swordplay to wound Lu Feng, then challenged him to unleash his full skill with the Submergence Sword.
• Lu Feng recognized Gu Lebai and used a sea of flowers to distract him, landing a faint cut before fleeing.
• An unknown expert engaged Gu Lebai and drew the battle away, so Lu Feng abandoned the idea of helping and escaped toward the Teleportation Array.
• Lu Feng suspected that Jun Wenxin or the Jun Family had caused Ring Sword Manor to target him.

Night Feather Hall members debated whether to avenge Ghost Performer by attacking Sun Pingzeng without waiting for their Hall Master, while several sects prepared for Benevolent Heart Academy’s preaching. Jun Zi Shuo revealed to Jun Wenxin that his plan against the Eight Great Sword Sects was tied to his love for Tang Jing and the Luo Family marriage arrangement.

• Phantom Hand Ghost Blade and Night Wanderer Blade persuaded Iron Puppet to consider attacking Sun Pingzeng if Ghost Flute confirmed that only one Heaven Soul Realm guard protected him.
• Black Scorpion Gate Sect Master Red Scorpion decided to attend Benevolent Heart Academy’s preaching and challenge the Azure Mountain Sword Sect over the Nine-Pattern Core Condensation Secret Method.
• Six Harmonies Sect Leader Xuan Ba told Zhai Kui to attend the preaching, bring a Sect Token aura imprint and gifts, and obtain the secret method without provoking a public humiliation.
• Jun Ziya questioned Jun Wenxin about her visit to the Azure Mountain Sword Sect and learned she had brought snacks for Jun Zi Shuo.
• Jun Zi Shuo admitted to Jun Wenxin that his plan targeted the Eight Great Sword Sects and that his conflict over the Luo Family marriage arrangement stemmed from his love for Tang Jing of the Hai Mountain Sword Sect.

As Benevolent Heart Academy prepared for its sect founding and Dao impartation, Lu Feng confronted Qing Yan and the Bone Toad Manor group at the mountain gate. The clash escalated when a Bone Toad Manor man tried to approach the secret method and was crippled, while more forces arrived.

• Jun Ziyi and the other women worried about the ceremony, changed into their conspicuous Benevolent Heart uniforms, and joked with Luo Xiaoxi.
• Qing Yan and the Bone Toad Manor group mocked Feng Yuan for serving as Benevolent Heart Academy’s gatekeeper.
• Lu Feng stopped Qing Yan’s group at the archway and said he was overseeing the ceremony in his master’s absence.
• When a Bone Toad Manor man rushed toward the mountain wall containing the Nine-Pattern Core Condensation Secret Method, an unseen force blasted him away and shattered his meridians.
• Two figures emerged near the mountain wall as Qing Yan demanded to know whether they had injured his manor’s disciple, and other forces began arriving.

Lu Feng faced the gathered sects as Benevolent Heart Academy began its teaching ceremony, with powerful allies backing his authority and its ten-student limit. Red Scorpion failed to undermine the academy over its student roster and demanded the Nine-Pattern Core Condensation Secret Method.

• Hong Cang Zhenren explained that One Finger Slaughter had come to help a disciple of Old Book, and Qing Yan stopped challenging them.
• Shao Yang, Qian Xin, and the other disciples arrived with Luo Xiaoxi, while forces from across the Sect Force Realm gathered at QuFu Mountain.
• Red Scorpion challenged Lu Feng's right to lead the teaching ceremony, but Tong He, Zhan Wudi, and Jun Wenxin supported him as students or relatives of Old Book's students.
• Lu Feng confirmed that Benevolent Heart Academy accepted only ten disciples, and its six present students registered their names while Man Zhongli noted that Zhao Yan was missing.
• Luo Xiaoxi revealed she was an auditing student, and Lu Feng said such students counted as academy members, frustrating Red Scorpion's attempt to use her status against the academy.
• Red Scorpion demanded that Lu Feng hand over the Nine-Pattern Core Condensation Secret Method.

Lu Feng used the Benevolent Heart Wall and the Nine-Pattern Core Condensation Secret Method to secure the loyalty of factions seeking the teaching, while Qi Wansu arrived on behalf of the Night Feather Sword Master and offered the academy his swordplay. The factions recorded their names and presented gifts, and the academy’s disciples discussed their growing enemies and their plans to grow stronger.

• Lu Feng said that factions could take the Nine-Pattern Core Condensation method only after recording their names on the Benevolent Heart Wall, and Red Scorpion objected to the restriction.
• Qi Wansu arrived as the Night Feather Sword Master's attendant, announced that she would oversee the method's dissemination, and presented a gift to Benevolent Heart Academy.
• Qi Wansu offered to teach the Night Feather Swordplay on the Night Feather Sword Master's behalf, and Jun Ziyi fainted from excitement.
• Representatives from numerous factions gave Benevolent Heart Academy gifts and recorded their names on the wall, while Luo Xiaoxi and the academy's disciples recognized how the arrangement protected them.
• Qian Xin, Shao Yue, Shao Yang, and Ning Xiang discussed hostile factions and resolved to grow stronger before facing their enemies again.

Qing Yan and Red Scorpion planned to rebuild goodwill with the Night Feather Sword Master while preparing to retaliate against the Azure Mountain Sword Sect. Nie Yuanbai feared the Night Feather Sword Master’s support would reshape the Eight Great Sword Sects, while Sun Liuliu delayed another attempt on Lu Feng and Jun Ziyi learned the sword attendant had asked to be left alone.

• Qing Yan and Red Scorpion agreed to send a generous congratulatory gift to Benevolent Heart Academy and later target the Azure Mountain Sword Sect, while avoiding a direct attack on the Academy.
• Nie Yuanbai warned Nie Wushuang that the Night Feather Sword Master’s favor toward the Azure Mountain Sword Sect could unsettle the Eight Great Sword Sects and threaten the Frostlight Sword Sect’s alliances.
• Nie Yuanbai suggested Nie Wushuang approach Qi Wansu to secure her help, and Nie Wushuang blushed as he agreed to hear more about her.
• Sun Liuliu stopped Wang Po from rashly attacking Lu Feng and ordered her to investigate the trouble involving Seventh Uncle.
• Jun Ziyi anxiously asked Qian Xin about the sword attendant, then felt dejected when she learned the attendant wanted quiet and Master was occupied receiving guests.

Lu Feng negotiated with the Five Elements Sect over the Returning to Simplicity Array, securing cultivation opportunities for Benevolent Heart Academy students in exchange for its diagram. The deal was concluded, but Cloud Essence Temple then demanded that Ruo Shui join them in return for clues to the Northern Essence Water, and Lu Feng refused.

• Lu Feng confronted the Five Views’ elders over their demand for the Returning to Simplicity Array and rejected their appeals to personal ties and the greater good.
• Lu Feng offered the array diagram in exchange for Benevolent Heart Academy students gaining three years to study at the Five Views and the chance to earn three months in the Source Heart Pagoda.
• The Five Views agreed to Lu Feng’s conditions, and Yu Hong asked whether he wanted anything for himself.
• Yu Hong revealed that Cloud Essence Temple knew clues to the Northern Essence Water’s whereabouts if Ruo Shui joined their temple.
• Lu Feng refused to send Ruo Shui away and told the elders to leave, just as a door opened.