Chapter Summaries

Zhong Lin registered for the Outer Sect Competition and told Night Rain that his ambitions lay on the martial path rather than the Pill Path. He intended to use the competition to attract attention and seek a Nirvana Fruit, while Night Rain remained concerned about the dangers he would face.

• Zhong Lin dismissed Curly Pelican to Chrysanthemum Shadow Peak and went to Heaven Sword City.
• Zhong Lin registered for the Outer Sect Competition at the Merit Hall and paid one hundred Contribution Points.
• Night Rain summoned Zhong Lin and asked why he had entered the competition, warning him that competitors could be killed.
• Zhong Lin told Night Rain that pill refinement was only a means to pursue martial cultivation and that Shadow Lotus Senior Sister's path did not suit him.
• Zhong Lin planned to display his potential with a second-grade Mysterious Pill and seek a Nirvana Fruit.

Zhong Lin chose to enter the Outer Sect Competition despite Night Rain’s warning, while Shadow Chrysanthemum decided to let him face its dangers without interference. After learning about the competition’s rich prizes and the Martial Path Tournament, Zhong Lin heard that Lou Yue would face several formidable rivals.

• Night Rain warned Zhong Lin that Eighth Rank alchemists were rare and reminded him to stay safe as a member of the Chrysanthemum Shadow Society, but he remained set on participating.
• Shadow Chrysanthemum appeared and called Zhong Lin a promising, courageous talent, then told Night Rain not to interfere as he faced the competition’s trials.
• Chu Yu and Tang Yimei visited Zhong Lin and confirmed that they and several others would enter the Outer Sect Competition.
• Chu Yu explained that the competition offered Yin Yang Spirit Fusion Pills and Profound Tools, while Tang Yimei said the rewards had increased in preparation for a Martial Path Tournament among the holy lands.
• Tang Yimei said Lou Yue’s chances of winning were uncertain because other exceptionally gifted disciples were competing, and Zhong Lin recalled Lou Yue’s reputation for Sword Heart Clarity and formidable strength.

Tang Yimei told Zhong Lin and Chu Yu about the Dragon Tiger Rankings and warned them about Heaven Sword City's strongest outer disciples before the Outer Sect Competition. Zhong Lin spent the following month refining pills and cultivating, and the chapter ended as winter snow covered Willow Suspension Pavilion.

• Tang Yimei explained that the secretive Dragon Tiger Rankings listed gifted outer disciples and warned Zhong Lin and Chu Yu to avoid its strongest contenders.
• Tang Yimei described Lou Yue's strength and introduced Zou Peng, Si Kongyan, and Jian Jingtian as geniuses they should not challenge.
• Tang Yimei asked Zhong Lin for Healing Pills to prepare for the Outer Sect Competition, and he agreed to help.
• Zhong Lin kept a low profile for the next month, refining pills and cultivating until his Profound Core grew smoother and rounder.
• Heavy snow fell over Heaven Sword City, and Zhong Lin walked through the snow piled around Willow Suspension Pavilion.

Zhong Lin refined the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Pill, becoming an Eighth Rank Pill Refiner and advancing his cultivation to the peak of the late stage. After three days in seclusion, he learned that the Outer Sect Competition had begun and headed toward the arena.

• Zhong Lin refined the Five Elements Spirit Gathering Pill over several days, and Jin Yi and You Shu Lan witnessed his success.
• Zhong Lin tested the pill, absorbed its medicinal force, and strengthened his Profound Core until he reached the peak of the late stage.
• Jin Yi told Zhong Lin that the bells were summoning disciples to the Outer Sect Competition, which had begun during his three-day seclusion.
• Outer sect disciples traveled through the snow toward Heaven Sword Peak, where they discussed the competition's generous rewards and the coming Martial Path Tournament.

Zhong Lin began the Outer Sect Competition at Heaven Sword Peak and defeated Di Ziqian with a single kick. After observing other contenders, he faced the young genius Jiang Xuan, whose sword attack he stopped with his own Sword Intent.

• An elder opened the Outer Sect Competition and announced rewards for outstanding disciples.
• Zhong Lin was matched with Di Ziqian at Arena 8032 and knocked him unconscious with one kick.
• Zhong Lin watched other matches and noticed that many competitors were skilled and had comprehended Sword Intent.
• In the second round, Zhong Lin met Jiang Xuan at Arena 89 and halted his attack by striking Huang Yu with a streak of Sword Qi.

Zhong Lin advanced through the outer sect tournament and reached the Top 100, where he defeated Gongliang Hao with an overwhelming punch. After winning, he left Gongliang Hao convinced of his strength and mercy.

• Jiang Xuan fell from the arena after Zhong Lin defeated him with Sword Qi Thunder Sound, then thanked Zhong Lin for holding back.
• Zhong Lin watched Lou Yue defeat her opponent by piercing his shoulder with a single strike, then left Heaven Sword Peak.
• Over the next four days, Zhong Lin won his matches and advanced into the Top 100, drawing attention for his combat power.
• Zhong Lin met Gongliang Hao on the Thirteenth Arena and revealed that his cultivation was at the late stage of the Xuan Dan Realm.
• Gongliang Hao used Heaven Piercing Sword Slash, but Zhong Lin shattered it with a punch and sent him flying.
• The referee stopped Zhong Lin's lingering attack and declared him the winner, while Gongliang Hao thanked him for showing mercy.

Zhong Lin learned that the Aotou Association, backed by a Holy Son, intended to secure the Outer Sect Competition’s top ten through rule-abiding but brutal tactics. He advanced to the top fifty and began his match against You Hao, whose saber strike collided with Zhong Lin’s punch.

• Yu Shu warned Zhong Lin that the Aotou Association targeted gifted contestants and used self-sacrificing fights to injure rivals, and she revealed that a Holy Son had founded it.
• Zhong Lin thanked Yu Shu for the warning and returned to Chrysanthemum Shadow Peak.
• The next day, Zhong Lin was matched against You Hao as the competition narrowed the field from fifty contestants.
• Spectators debated whether Zhong Lin’s swordsmanship or You Hao’s saber arts would prevail, noting Zhong Lin had never needed to draw his sword.
• You Hao unleashed a powerful saber slash, and Zhong Lin met it with a punch that sent shock waves across the arena.

Zhong Lin defeated You Hao without drawing his sword, earning a place among the top fifty as the competition eliminated half its participants. Afterward, Liu Ziyan approached Zhong Lin and invited him to tea, subtly signaling his connection to the Third Saint Child’s Training Field.

• You Hao attacked Zhong Lin with three linked saber strikes, but Zhong Lin shattered them with Azure Dragon Rending the Sky.
• You Hao destroyed his acupoints to unleash Shattering Void, yet Zhong Lin’s Azure Dragon fist overwhelmed him until the referee intervened and declared Zhong Lin the winner.
• Spectators praised Zhong Lin’s strength as he left Heaven Sword Peak, unconcerned by the admiration and jealousy directed at him.
• Liu Ziyan introduced himself, invited Zhong Lin to speak elsewhere, and led him to an empty pavilion.
• Liu Ziyan served Cloud Mist Spirit Tea from Cloud Mist Peak, and Zhong Lin recognized the implied connection to the Third Saint Child before praising the tea.

Zhong Lin refused Liu Ziyan’s invitation to join the Aotou Association after learning he would have to give up his chance at a top-ten finish in the Outer Sect Competition. He later discovered that the first-place prize was a Nirvana Fruit, which could improve his foundation, and realized it might be what Si Kongyan was competing to obtain.

• Liu Ziyan invited Zhong Lin to join the Aotou Association, whose true head was the Third Saint Child.
• Zhong Lin refused because the Aotou Association would not secure him a top-three or top-ten place in the competition, and he would not give up the chance to compete.
• Liu Ziyan warned Zhong Lin that Si Kongyan intended to win first place and that anyone standing in his way would suffer.
• Zhong Lin visited Listening Rain Pavilion and learned from Night Rain Senior Sister that the competition’s first-place reward was a Nirvana Fruit.
• Zhong Lin realized the fruit could transform his second-grade Profound Core into a first-grade Immortal Golden Core and suspected Si Kongyan wanted it to rebuild his foundation.

The Outer Sect Competition began, and True Disciples Shadow Chrysanthemum and Wu Hong wagered rare treasures on whether Si Kongyan would take first place. Zhong Lin faced Suo Yu in the contest for the top ten, where Suo Yu invoked Senior Brother Liu’s regards and the two launched into a fierce battle.

• Shadow Chrysanthemum and Wu Hong discussed the competition and wagered Nine Orifices Wind God Iron against a Heavenly Fate Crystal on whether Si Kongyan would win first place.
• The battles for the top ten began, and Zhong Lin was called to Arena Five to face Suo Yu.
• Suo Yu told Zhong Lin that Senior Brother Liu had asked him to send his regards, then released his Fist Intent and attacked.
• Zhong Lin and Suo Yu exchanged punches head-on, sending powerful shockwaves through the arena and scattering the spectators.
• Zhong Lin and Suo Yu traded several hundred blows as the surrounding ground cracked and trees snapped.

Zhong Lin gained the upper hand against Suo Yu, revealing overwhelming Fist Intent and unleashing the Town Sea Sect’s Azure Dragon Eight Styles. Suo Yu summoned a Tathagata Dharma Body to counter him, and their battle continued with the outcome undecided.

• Suo Yu launched a relentless barrage of deadly attacks, while Zhong Lin studied his movements and waited for an opening.
• Zhong Lin struck Suo Yu with a dragon-condensing punch, making him stagger back and spit boiling blood.
• Zhong Lin followed with the Azure Dragon Eight Styles, summoning four enormous azure dragons that crushed the air around Suo Yu.
• The spectators marveled that Zhong Lin appeared to wield both Sword Intent and nearly materialized Fist Intent.
• Suo Yu roared and summoned a towering Tathagata Dharma Body, which formed an enormous fist seal as it stepped forward.

Zhong Lin defeated Suo Yu with Azure Dragon Devouring the Sun, leaving Suo Yu unconscious and broken in body and spirit. Afterward, Zhong Lin crossed paths with Liu Ziyan and learned that Chu Yu had been eliminated in the first round by Suo Yu.

• Zhong Lin unleashed Azure Dragon Devouring the Sun and crushed Suo Yu’s fist seal and Tathagata phantom, hurling him from the arena.
• Suo Yu admitted defeat and warned Zhong Lin that neither of them could block Senior Brother Si Kong’s path, then Zhong Lin mocked his Fist Intent and left him unconscious.
• Wu Hong and Shadow Chrysanthemum discussed Suo Yu’s defeat and the Aotou Association, while Shadow Chrysanthemum took an interest in Zhong Lin.
• Zhong Lin swallowed a Healing Pill, then met Liu Ziyan, and they exchanged hostile looks before departing without speaking.
• Chu Yu congratulated Zhong Lin on reaching the top ten and revealed that Suo Yu had defeated her in the first round.

Night Rain told Zhong Lin that Shadow Chrysanthemum would support him if he pursued first place, and he broke through to the perfection stage of the Profound Core Realm before the next match. In his fight against Sang Qianqin, she countered his attacks with the True Form Phantom Shadow Technique, leaving his supporters worried.

• Chu Yu told Zhong Lin that Night Rain wanted to see him, and they went together to Listening Rain Pavilion.
• Night Rain praised Zhong Lin for defeating Suo Yu and said Shadow Chrysanthemum would cover for him or Lou Yue if either took first place.
• Zhong Lin returned to Willow Suspension Pavilion, cultivated, and broke through to the perfection stage of the Profound Core Realm.
• Zhong Lin faced Sang Qianqin in the Fourth Arena and struck her with five blood-colored Sword Qi attacks after she shattered his opening punch.
• Sang Qianqin vanished into countless phantoms, and Tang Yimei identified her technique and warned that it countered Zhong Lin's forceful fighting style.

Zhong Lin defeated Sang Qianqin in the grand competition by overcoming her illusion arts and sword techniques with his dragon-based secret arts. After his victory secured a place among the top five, Lou Yue and three other prominent figures approached him.

• Zhong Lin used the Eight Desolations Dragon God Body Protection Divine Art to block Sang Qianqin’s illusionary sword attacks and struck back with the Dragon-Shaped True Fiend Wave.
• Sang Qianqin countered with the Nine Palaces Sword Formation, then attacked with the Soaring Dragon Sword Slash, but Zhong Lin summoned a hundred-zhang true dragon with Great Heavenly Cycle Myriad Dragons Nirvana.
• Zhong Lin’s dragon technique disrupted Sang Qianqin’s control of her spirit sword, blasted her into a mountainside, and forced her to admit defeat.
• The referee declared Zhong Lin the winner, and Sang Qianqin asked how he had made her sword go out of control; Zhong Lin suggested they exchange pointers after the competition.
• The crowd celebrated Zhong Lin’s victory and his prospects of entering the inner sect or becoming a True Disciple.
• As Zhong Lin prepared to leave, Lou Yue and three men approached him.

Zhong Lin encountered Si Kongyan, Zou Peng, and Jian Jingtian, the other top contenders in the grand competition, and learned why Si Kongyan acted strangely. The chapter left Zhong Lin and Zou Peng agreeing to settle who was senior in their coming battles, while Jian Jingtian showed a keen interest in Zhong Lin.

• Lou Yue introduced herself to Zhong Lin and warned that Si Kongyan and the others had come to block his path.
• Si Kongyan threatened Zhong Lin over refusing Liu Ziyan's invitation and injuring Suo Yu, but Lou Yue stepped in and stopped his attack.
• Lou Yue explained that Si Kongyan's Nine Heavens Star Body had forced him to put most of his soul into slumber, leaving only a fragment of consciousness to control his body.
• Zou Peng dismissed Si Kongyan's prospects and Lou Yue identified Zou Peng and Jian Jingtian as Zhong Lin's opponents in the next day's competition.
• Zou Peng promised to go easy on Zhong Lin, and they agreed that the winner of their coming battles would be the senior brother.
• Jian Jingtian silently left after looking at Zhong Lin, and Zou Peng said Jian Jingtian was excited because of him.

Lou Yue fought Zhong Lin for a place in the top three, using her Seven Emotions Sword Formation and Vermillion Bird Cry against him. Zhong Lin broke the emotional assault with the Eastern Emperor Bell, but Lou Yue’s flames and hidden Sword Qi continued to press him as the fight remained unresolved.

• The competition drew Zhong Lin against Lou Yue, while Si Kongyan advanced to the top three by drawing a bye.
• Zhong Lin built up an overwhelming aura, but Lou Yue attacked with her eight-faced heavy sword.
• Lou Yue unleashed the Seven Emotions Sword Formation, stirring the emotions of Zhong Lin and the spectators.
• Zhong Lin summoned the Eastern Emperor Bell, cleared the formation’s influence from his mind, and shattered it with Azure Dragon Rending the Sky.
• Lou Yue countered with Vermillion Bird Cry, trapping Zhong Lin in violent flames and concealed Sword Qi.

Zhong Lin defeated Lou Yue with his Five Elements Cycle, Revolving Wheel Seal and advanced in the eyes of the outer sect. Shadow Chrysanthemum gave him a set of five Profound Tool swords for the grand competition, but told him to use them only if an opponent used a Profound Tool.

• Zhong Lin unleashed the Five Elements Cycle, Revolving Wheel Seal, shattered Lou Yue's Vermillion Bird Cry, and defeated her.
• Lou Yue accepted her loss, and the referee declared Zhong Lin the winner as the watching outer sect disciples cheered.
• Shadow Chrysanthemum and Wu Hong arrived, and Shadow Chrysanthemum explained that she had forbidden Lou Yue from using her Profound Tool against Zhong Lin.
• Shadow Chrysanthemum gave Zhong Lin the Five Elements Profound Jade Sword, a set of five Profound Tool flying swords, and urged him to take first place.
• Shadow Chrysanthemum instructed Zhong Lin not to use the swords in his next two battles unless an opponent brought out a Profound Tool, and he agreed.

After Jian Jingtian defeated Zou Peng, Zhong Lin bonded with the Five Elements Profound Jade Sword and prepared to compete for first place. In the three-way final, Jian Jingtian attacked Si Kongyan first and battered him into Heaven Sword Peak.

• Jian Jingtian defeated Zou Peng, leaving Zhong Lin, Jian Jingtian, and Si Kongyan as the competition's top three.
• Zhong Lin bonded with the five swords of the Five Elements Profound Jade Sword and began nourishing them with his Profound Core.
• Azure Star Elder warned the finalists not to kill one another and opened the contest for first place.
• Jian Jingtian suddenly attacked Si Kongyan, while Zhong Lin flew away and left them to fight.
• Jian Jingtian overwhelmed Si Kongyan with a barrage of punches and smashed him into Heaven Sword Peak.

Si Kongyan and Jian Jingtian fought a fierce duel that ended when Azure Star Elder intervened to save Jian Jingtian and declared Si Kongyan the winner. Both fighters recovered, and Jian Jingtian thanked the elder as the crowd debated whether Zhong Lin could challenge Si Kongyan.

• Si Kongyan drew on the Stellar Sword Dao and clashed with Jian Jingtian, who fused his sword intent into his body and fought with his flesh like a weapon.
• Jian Jingtian and Si Kongyan traded a final exchange, leaving Jian Jingtian unconscious with a grave chest wound while Si Kongyan remained standing but weakened.
• Azure Star Elder used the Azure Star Gate to seize Jian Jingtian and declared Si Kongyan the winner, preventing Jian Jingtian from dying.
• Green lights healed both fighters, and Jian Jingtian awoke, saw his wound had vanished, and bowed to Azure Star Elder.

Zhong Lin fought Jian Jingtian after Jian Jingtian’s exhausting battle with Si Kongyan, and revealed a perfected War Domain dragon-transformation art to match Jian Jingtian’s sword-powered physique. The chapter ended as Zhong Lin unleashed his Great Heavenly Cycle Myriad Dragons Nirvana punch at Jian Jingtian.

• Zhong Lin challenged Jian Jingtian despite knowing he had just fought Si Kongyan, and Jian Jingtian accepted.
• Zhong Lin and Jian Jingtian traded powerful physical blows until Zhong Lin was sent crashing into a mountainside with his right arm injured.
• Zhong Lin transformed into a half-human, half-dragon form using a body-tempering secret art from the War Domain.
• Jian Jingtian attacked with Sword Qi, and Zhong Lin met the blow head-on as their clash shattered mountains and tore up the surrounding land.
• Zhong Lin invoked Great Heavenly Cycle Myriad Dragons Nirvana, gathered dragon phantoms into a colossal dragon around his arm, and launched a golden punch at Jian Jingtian.