Chapter Summaries

Xu Fengnian and his companions met Deng Tai'a and Li Chungang in Martial Emperor City, where Li challenged Wang Xianzhi to a battle at sea. As the spectators watched, Li forged a mighty sword from the shattered blades, and Wang Xianzhi grew wary.

• Deng Tai'a met Xiao Xuan in a restaurant, and Xu Fengnian's party joined them after spotting the group.
• Li Chungang recognized Martial Emperor City's weapons and challenged Wang Xianzhi, who accepted and agreed to fight at sea.
• Li rode a sword toward the East Sea, while Xiao Xuan, Deng Tai'a, and Hongshu went to watch; Xu Fengnian stayed behind with his guards.
• At Heaven-Piercing Pavilion, Xiao Xuan spoke with Cao Changqing, who acknowledged Xiao's strength and Northern Liang's security under his protection.
• Over the East Sea, Wang Xianzhi shattered the swords Li had borrowed, but Li gathered their fragments and forged them into a radiant longsword.

Xiao Xuan proposed a new path of cultivating essence, qi, and spirit together during a gathering of martial experts at the Heaven-Piercing Pavilion. The discussion ended with him revealing that he had achieved sainthood in Confucianism and reached the Land Immortal realm in Daoist cultivation, while his Buddhist cultivation remained at Great Vajra.

• Li Chungang opened Heaven's Gate with his sword and stopped fighting Wang Xianzhi before either of them forced it open.
• Xiao Xuan praised Wang Xianzhi, then killed the ascending Zhao Xuansu with a single sword strike.
• Xiao Xuan invited Wang Xianzhi, Li Chungang, Deng Tai'a, Cao Guanzi, and others to discuss the Dao and proposed competing to slay immortals when Heaven's Gate opened.
• Wang Xianzhi brought Xu Fengnian and the sword case to the Heaven-Piercing Pavilion, where his disciples and other guests joined the gathering.
• Xiao Xuan explained his theory that practitioners should cultivate essence, qi, and spirit together, and speculated that their perfected unity could lead beyond the Land Immortal realm.
• Deng Tai'a asked Xiao Xuan about his cultivation, and Xiao Xuan said he had achieved Confucian sainthood, recently reached the Daoist Land Immortal realm, and remained at Great Vajra in Buddhism.

Xiao Xuan discussed the Dao with martial world experts, then spent two years studying and training in Martial Emperor City's Library Pavilion before breaking through to the Golden Core realm. After surviving a devastating heavenly tribulation, he reappeared above the East Sea as Wang Xianzhi watched.

• Xiao Xuan explained his cultivation and Confucian breakthrough, then Li Chungang, Deng Tai'a, Cao Changqing, and Wang Xianzhi shared their insights on the Dao.
• Xiao Xuan stayed in the Library Pavilion, sparred with Wang Xianzhi, and used a Great Return Pill to break through the Great Vajra realm.
• Xiao Xuan's breakthrough triggered a heavenly tribulation, so he went to an uninhabited island in the East Sea while Wang Xianzhi followed to observe.
• Xiao Xuan endured eight bolts of lightning as his Dao platform shattered and transformed into a golden core, completing his breakthrough.
• A final lightning strike shattered the island and blasted Xiao Xuan to the seabed, but a golden sphere appeared above the sea and faded to reveal him alive.

Xiao Xuan broke through to a realm where he could easily cross vast distances, then brought Wen Hua to Northern Liang to teach him swordsmanship. He reunited with Xu Xiao, explained Wen Hua’s talent and the past-life bond between Zhi Hu and Hong Xixiang, and planned to guide Wen Hua’s cultivation.

• Xiao Xuan broke through, and Wang Xianzhi thanked him for confirming the pill-forming theory and offered to repay his debt.
• Xiao Xuan returned from Martial Emperor City in a few steps, found Wen Hua near Wild Goose Return Pass, and took him to Lingzhou despite his protests.
• Xiao Xuan introduced himself to Wen Hua as Xu Xuan, eldest son of Xu Xiao, and brought him to the Northern Liang Prince’s Residence for guidance.
• Xu Xiao welcomed Xiao Xuan and Wen Hua, then asked why Xiao Xuan had brought Wen Hua back.
• Xiao Xuan told Xu Xiao that Zhi Hu and Hong Xixiang shared a bond from past lives and that Wen Hua had the character and sword talent to become a Land Immortal.

After sealing the Heavenly Gate, Xiao Xuan disappeared for decades while Xu Fengnian and other great masters broke through to the Golden Core realm. He returned to visit the Xu Family and offered them a hidden island continent in the East Sea, where they could live in seclusion and study the martial arts he had left behind.

• Xiao Xuan stopped Northern Mang’s planned invasion by visiting its imperial palace, then later entered the immortal realm, slaughtered hostile factions, sealed the Heavenly Gate, and vanished from the mortal world.
• Fifty years later, Xu Fengnian became the first Golden Core cultivator after Xiao Xuan, followed by Wang Xianzhi and Hong Xixiang; Xu Fengnian and Wang Xianzhi fought in the East Sea before joining forces to repair the damage.
• Xiao Xuan returned from seclusion to Spring God Lake and reunited with Xu Fengnian, Xu Longxiang, Xu Zhihu, Xu Weibear, and their descendants.
• Xiao Xuan gave the Xu Family a map to the island continent he had assembled in the East Sea and told them they could settle there and use the martial arts inheritances hidden in its mountain labyrinths.

Xiao Xuan left the Snow Immortal Realm and arrived in the Haotian World in his youthful body, where he learned about the world’s cultivation and its strange cat and dog. Keeping his identity and strength low-key, he set out for Mount Mogan to study the new world.

• Xiao Xuan told Xu Fengnian and his siblings that he planned to break beyond the Immortal Realm, leaving them life tablets to signal whether he survived.
• After Xiao Xuan vanished, Xu Fengnian urged his elder sisters to move the family to a safer continent.
• Xiao Xuan arrived in Great River Kingdom, restored to youth but retaining his cultivation, and heard rumors of a cat and dog who had robbed Fuzi.
• Fuzi sensed Xiao Xuan’s arrival from the Academy’s Back Mountain and wondered whether it signaled the approach of Eternal Night.
• Xiao Xuan decided to learn about the Haotian World’s cultivation system and traveled toward Mount Mogan, home of the Book Saint’s Ink Pond Garden.

Xiao Xuan traveled through Haotian World, gained a reputation as the Medical Saint, and reunited with Little Flower and the black dog on Min Mountain. Li Manman invited him to the Academy, and they arrived in Chang'an City to visit its Old Book Tower.

• Xiao Xuan entered Ink Pond Garden on Mount Mogan, studied the world's talisman masters, and then traveled across several kingdoms and the Northern Lands for three years.
• Xiao Xuan helped the oppressed, dealt with bandits, and treated the sick, earning the nickname Medical Saint.
• On Min Mountain, Xiao Xuan reunited with Little Flower and the black dog, then recognized the middle-aged man as Li Manman.
• Xiao Xuan and Li Manman discussed cultivation, and Li Manman told him that Fuzi had granted permission for him to visit the Academy's Old Book Tower.
• Xiao Xuan and Li Manman reached Chang'an City, where Xiao Xuan marveled at its grandeur and entered amid the bustle of merchants and travelers.

Xiao Xuan settled into life at Tang Kingdom Academy, developed a deep understanding of the world’s cultivation paths, and became renowned as the Medical Saint. During a visit with Emperor Li Zhongyi, he treated the emperor and proposed reforms to Tang’s government, leaving the emperor to consider his counsel.

• The Master praised Xiao Xuan’s potential and asked Yu Lian to spend more time communicating with him at the Old Book Tower.
• Li Manman brought Xiao Xuan to the Old Book Tower, where Yu Lian showed him the collection and he studied the Qi Sea and Snow Mountain.
• Xiao Xuan became an academy instructor, opened a clinic in Chang’an, and earned fame as the Medical Saint over the following years.
• The Master offered to take Xiao Xuan as a disciple, but Xiao Xuan refused and remained free to visit the academy’s Back Mountain.
• Xiao Xuan examined Emperor Li Zhongyi, prescribed rest and medicine, and presented him with a body-nourishing manual and a proposal to separate military, political, and financial powers.
• Xiao Xuan declined a political role but promised to help Tang in a critical moment, and he said only the eldest prince stood out among the emperor’s sons so far.

Xiao Xuan visited Zhishou Abbey to see its legendary Heavenly Book and was granted permission by the Abbey Master to enter. Red Fish guided him inside, where he reached the abbey’s secluded thatched huts.

• Master praised Xiao Xuan’s health-preserving method and governing system, then advised Li Zhongyi to practice the method.
• Xiao Xuan traveled to Zhishou Abbey, examined its powerful formation, and told a Daoist priest he wished to see the Heavenly Book.
• The Abbey Master allowed Xiao Xuan to enter, and Red Fish led him through the abbey gate.
• Xiao Xuan pinched the chubby little boy’s cheek, praised his aptitude, and the boy boasted before someone flicked his forehead.
• Red Fish guided Xiao Xuan past the lake and Daoist courtyards toward the seven golden thatched huts.

Xiao Xuan read the Heavenly Books at Zhishou Abbey before advising Ye Hongyu on sword practice and the Sword Dao. Pipi had left for the Tang Kingdom, while Ye Hongyu began practicing the fundamentals.

• Xiao Xuan entered a thatched hut and studied the Sun Scroll, examining the cultivators and their wills recorded within it.
• Xiao Xuan read the six remaining volumes of the Heavenly Book over the next month, then turned to the Dao Scripture.
• Xiao Xuan criticized Ye Hongyu's rigid sword practice and advised her to strengthen her Yuan Qi and master basic sword forms.
• Xiao Xuan explained how mastery of the Sword Dao could transcend reliance on a sword or inherited techniques, and Ye Hongyu resumed practicing the fundamentals.
• A middle-aged Daoist told Xiao Xuan that Pipi had left Zhishou Abbey for the Tang Kingdom.

Xiao Xuan rescued Ye Hongyu from an assault at Zhishou Abbey, encouraged her to cultivate and travel, and left behind the Orthodox Profound Scripture before departing. He reached a snowy roadside inn, where his journey continued among travelers and dangerous-looking patrons.

• Xiao Xuan used sword qi to stop a short old Daoist from attacking Ye Hongyu and teleported the man away.
• Xiao Xuan gave Ye Hongyu her robe and advised her to cultivate, travel, and experience the mortal world; she asked to cultivate with him, but he told her to stay at the abbey and seek his guidance when needed.
• After two years, Xiao Xuan completed the Orthodox Profound Scripture, left a copy in Zhishou Abbey, and departed while Ye Hongyu was away traveling.
• Xiao Xuan traveled northeast and entered a roadside inn below Wind Ridge, where he ordered buns and beef and observed the rough-looking travelers inside.
• Xiao Xuan left the inn in the snow and cold, dressed only in a light Daoist robe.

After returning from the far north, Xiao Xuan reached Weicheng and reunited with Ma Shixiang, where he met the young soldier Ning Que and his maid, Sang Sang. Ning Que asked Xiao Xuan to teach him cultivation, and Xiao Xuan explained that most of Ning Que’s qi seas and snow mountains were blocked.

• Xiao Xuan returned south after spending months traveling through the far north without changing his golden core.
• Xiao Xuan entered Weicheng using the Great Tang Emperor’s travel pass and greeted his acquaintance Ma Shixiang.
• Xiao Xuan gave Ma Shixiang his Medical Classic and met the soldiers, including Ning Que.
• Ning Que brought Xiao Xuan to meet Sang Sang, whom Xiao Xuan recognized as Haotian’s incarnation.
• Ning Que asked Xiao Xuan to teach him cultivation, and Xiao Xuan said thirteen of his seventeen qi seas and snow mountains were blocked.

Xiao Xuan explained the cultivation realms and offered Ning Que a choice between serving the Tang Emperor, becoming a Divine Talisman Master’s disciple, or entering the Academy. Ning Que leaned toward the Academy and asked for a night to decide, then began his morning while Sang Sang served breakfast.

• Xiao Xuan lent Ning Que the Orthodox Profound Scripture and explained the five cultivation realms and the three kinds of cultivators.
• Xiao Xuan offered Ning Que a recommendation to the Tang Emperor, a Divine Talisman Master, or the Academy, but said Ning Que could choose only one.
• Ning Que said he favored the Academy and would give Xiao Xuan his decision the next day, then asked what Xiao Xuan thought he should choose.
• Xiao Xuan told Ning Que to choose what his heart wanted, and Ning Que solemnly bowed to him.
• The next morning, Ning Que practiced while Sang Sang prepared breakfast and served Xiao Xuan.

After several years away, Xiao Xuan returned to Chang'an and reopened Xuanjing Clinic before visiting the Academy's Old Book Tower. There, he met Chen Pipi, who had reached the Knowing Destiny Realm but was still avoiding a girl who could beat him.

• Xiao Xuan urged Sang Sang to eat some of his chicken, then left to watch the troops drill.
• After several days, Xiao Xuan gave Ning Que a letter of recommendation, said farewell to Ma Shixiang, and continued south.
• Years later, Xiao Xuan returned to Chang'an, reopened Xuanjing Clinic, and caught up with Chao Xiaoshu, who had arranged for the clinic to be cleaned.
• Xiao Xuan visited the Old Book Tower, where Yu Lian continued copying script and he went upstairs to read.
• Chen Pipi emerged from a hidden passage and bragged to Xiao Xuan about reaching the Knowing Destiny Realm.
• Xiao Xuan told Chen Pipi that the girl he feared remained at Profound Insight but could still defeat him, while Chen Pipi searched for a book for a wager with Second Brother.

Xiao Xuan visited Xuankong Temple to study Buddhist texts and Buddha’s chessboard, then cultivated inside its accelerated Chessboard World for a century while advancing his understanding of Boundless. When he emerged after half a year outside, the Head Lecturer could not sense his true realm.

• Xiao Xuan poisoned Chen Pipi to stop him from mocking him, then explained his disregard for reputation and his view of Fuzi.
• Fuzi sensed Xiao Xuan’s return to the Academy and called him an unusual variable in the world.
• Xiao Xuan spent his days between Xuanjing Clinic and the Old Book Tower before visiting Xuankong Temple to request Buddhist texts and Buddha’s chessboard.
• Xiao Xuan entered the Chessboard World through the board’s reverse side and began cultivating in its abundant Buddhist essence.
• After a century passed inside the Chessboard World and half a year outside, Xiao Xuan emerged, leaving the Head Lecturer unable to gauge his realm.

After returning to the Academy, Xiao Xuan gave Yu Lian two thunder cultivation methods and later reunited with Ning Que at Old Brush Studio. Yan Se offered to help Ning Que overcome his cultivation problem, while Xiao Xuan’s enormous black dog joined them for a meal.

• Xiao Xuan returned to the Academy and gave Yu Lian the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Formula and the Five Thunder Heavenly Dipper Palm.
• Xiao Xuan visited Old Brush Studio, where Ning Que and Sang Sang were living, and reunited with Ning Que.
• Xiao Xuan told Ning Que that Yan Se could help him and praised Yan Se’s talisman arts.
• Yan Se arrived and offered to take Ning Que as his disciple, even proposing to visit Zhishou Abbey to address Ning Que’s Sea of Qi and Snow Mountain problem.
• Sang Sang brought out noodles, and Yan Se took Xiao Xuan’s bowl before Ning Que ordered more.
• Xiao Xuan introduced his enormous black dog, which glared at Ning Que and demanded another bowl.

Yan Se took Ning Que to Red Sleeve House after declaring him his disciple and promising he would become a Divine Talisman Master, while Xiao Xuan met the brothel’s owner, Jian Dajia. The Tang King learned of Ning Que’s apprenticeship and summoned Yan Se, who returned to fetch Xiao Xuan before leaving for the palace.

• Yan Se invited Xiao Xuan and Ning Que to Red Sleeve House to celebrate taking Ning Que as his disciple.
• Yan Se introduced Ning Que and Xiao Xuan to the women at Red Sleeve House, then took Ning Que upstairs to hear Shui Zhu'er play the qin.
• The Tang King received a report about Ning Que and Yan Se, then ordered the Hidden Guards to summon Yan Se to the palace.
• Jian Dajia welcomed Xiao Xuan and asked why he had come to Red Sleeve House alone.
• Yan Se returned after receiving the Tang King's summons, and Jian Dajia asked whether he knew Xiao Xuan.

Two years after Ning Que began cultivating, he reached the Dongxuan realm as the Academy reopened to new students. Xiao Xuan continued studying Ke Haoran’s sword laws in the cliff cave and then received Ye Hongyu, the Dao Addict, at the Master’s request.

• Yan Se and Jian Dajia parted after discussing the Tang King’s summons and the Xuanjing Clinic.
• Ning Que entered the Dongxuan realm with Chen Pipi’s help, and the Academy reopened after two years.
• Ning Que visited Xiao Xuan at the old library, returned a book, and learned that Chen Pipi was the Academy’s Twelfth Mister.
• Xiao Xuan sensed a middle-aged cultivator emerging from enlightenment and noted Ye Hongyu’s progress to the initial stage of the Knowing Destiny realm.
• Xiao Xuan entered Ke Haoran’s cave and sparred through its laws with a phantom of Ke Haoran while studying his Vast Spirit Swordsmanship.
• Wang Chi brought word that Ye Hongyu had asked to see Xiao Xuan, and Yu Lian escorted her to the cliff cave.

Ye Hongyu visited Xiao Xuan in the Academy’s back mountain before continuing her travels, and the Academy later opened its Second Floor to choose the Master’s final disciple. As cultivators began the mountain-climbing assessment, Xiao Xuan discussed the candidates and the potential of his Orthodox Profound Scripture with the Academy’s gentlemen.

• Ye Hongyu visited Xiao Xuan, asked him about cultivation, and learned that some of the Academy’s gentlemen were far stronger than they appeared.
• After several days in the back mountain, Ye Hongyu continued her journey toward the wilderness.
• The Academy opened its Second Floor, and Xiao Xuan explained that candidates would climb the mountain and face the Master’s final test for the position of Thirteenth Gentleman.
• Long Qing led the candidates through the stone formation as Jun Mo judged him a likely contender, while Xiao Xuan cautioned that the Master’s approval would decide the outcome.
• Xiao Xuan and the gentlemen discussed potential disciples, and Yu Lian explained that the Orthodox Profound Scripture could form the basis of a new cultivation system.

Ning Que endured the Cloud Mist Formation and passed the Academy’s final trial, becoming Fuzi’s thirteenth disciple ahead of Long Qing. After reaching the summit and meeting his senior brothers, he collapsed from exhaustion.

• Long Qing emerged from the Cloud Mist Formation first and continued toward the mountaintop while Ning Que struggled through the fog.
• Ning Que endured the formation, opened the wooden gate, and faced an illusion in which Long Qing chose slaughter while Ning Que refused to choose.
• Ning Que emerged from the illusion before Long Qing and received half of Eldest Brother’s water gourd, marking him as Fuzi’s thirteenth disciple.
• Jun Mo’s page delivered the news, and Instructor Huang He announced that Ning Que was the Academy’s Thirteenth Mister.
• Ning Que reached the summit and met Xiao Xuan, Jun Mo, and Chen Pipi, then fainted when Chen Pipi patted his shoulder.