Chapter Summaries

Zhang Ping returned to Qingxiao Sect badly injured after the Xiao Clan Three Brothers rescued him, while Yuan Li entered the Dao through his fists and showed signs of greater potential. Li Qingqiu learned that Murong Villa had captured an enormous white tiger, suggesting it might be pursuing the Four Sacred Beasts.

• Xiao Wudi and Xiao Wuming killed Murong Xi's third uncle and another martial artist after Zhang Ping said they should leave no threats behind.
• Xiao Wuqing treated Zhang Ping and agreed to help escort Murong Xi home before the Xiao Clan Three Brothers brought Zhang Ping back to the sect.
• Li Qingqiu noticed Zhang Ping's aptitude had risen to Excellent and his loyalty had reached 95.
• Yuan Li entered the Dao through martial arts as his punches gathered spiritual energy and sent snow bursting through the air.
• Yuan Li told Li Qingqiu he might need to die once to unlock his potential, and Li Qingqiu urged him to stay safe.
• Zhang Ping told Li Qingqiu that Murong Villa had captured an elephant-sized white tiger, prompting Li Qingqiu to wonder whether it sought the other Sacred Beasts.

Li Qingqiu learned that Zhang Ping’s Vermilion Bird Blood was repairing his legs and decided to invest more in his cultivation. As the Qingxiao Sect continued to grow, Xu Ning underwent her Lightning Tribulation successfully, leaving Li Qingqiu to watch over her as she consolidated her breakthrough.

• Li Qingqiu explained to Zhang Ping how he had quietly watched over and supported him, and Zhang Ping shared how the Qingxiao Sect’s past relief had saved his family.
• After seeing Zhang Ping’s aptitude improve, Li Qingqiu decided to focus more resources on cultivating him.
• Li Qingqiu sent Yang Xuan to manage the Spirit Copper Mountain Range, and Qingxiao True Person returned to the sect less than a month later.
• Jiang Zhaoxia demonstrated the Immortal Absolute Three Swords to Li Qingqiu and declined to challenge Xu Ning or Shen Yue.
• Xu Ning began her tribulation on the Tribulation Platform and endured twenty-seven bolts of heavenly lightning with ease.
• Xu Ning consolidated her breakthrough, then told Li Qingqiu she would make him her cultivation goal.

Xu Ning’s breakthrough drove Qingxiao Sect’s disciples to focus on cultivation, while Li Qingqiu arranged help for the Training Hall and investigated how to refine Vermilion Bird Blood. The chapter ended with Yun Cai giving Bo Zhao and two companions three spots at the Tianshan Spirit Pool, with their departure set for five days later.

• Xu Ning’s breakthrough stirred the sect, prompting Jiang Zhaoxia and Shen Yue to cultivate in seclusion and inspiring Zhang Ping to aim for the top ten at the next Daoist Convention; Murong Xi then appeared at his courtyard.
• Xue Jin decided to confront Xuanji Sect himself, but Jiang Zhaoxia gave him a divine-ability cultivation method and ordered him to send a letter asking Li Sifeng to handle the trouble.
• Li Qingqiu instructed Chu Jing to investigate Murong Villa and find how to refine Vermilion Bird Blood, giving him two years to uncover the method.
• Bo Zhao and two constables tried to avoid Yun Cai, but she stopped them and told them she had secured three Tianshan Spirit Pool spots for them and they would leave in five days.

Li Qingqiu managed Qingxiao Sect affairs while cultivating, approved Li Sijin's plan to expand the Cultivation Hall, and learned that Shen Yue had reached the eighth layer of the Nourishing Yuan Realm through an unusual sword-soul method. The chapter left Li Qingqiu struggling to understand Shen Yue's technique as Shen Yue began teaching him.

• Li Sijin asked Li Qingqiu to approve sending disciples across the Nine Provinces to search for heavenly treasures, and he approved her request.
• Li Qingqiu learned that the Zhu Clan was buying large quantities of Origin Energy Pills and approved recruiting fifty more disciples for the Cultivation Hall while warning Chu Jing to keep the Zhu Clan in check.
• Zhao Zhen and Shen Yue both broke through to the eighth layer of the Nourishing Yuan Realm, and Li Qingqiu publicized their achievements to inspire the sect.
• Shen Yue explained that his sword soul cultivated alongside him after he infused it with sword intent, allowing it to absorb energy and convert it into Origin Energy.
• Shen Yue agreed to teach Li Qingqiu how to cultivate a sword soul, but Li Qingqiu could not understand the method and made Shen Yue teach him in person.

Li Qingqiu mastered Shen Yue’s sword-spirit cultivation method as Qingxiao Sect grew stronger and Zhu Xian advanced toward unifying the land. When Jiang Zhaoxia’s tribulation overwhelmed him, Li Qingqiu stepped in to protect his junior brother.

• Li Qingqiu formed a sword spirit after Shen Yue repeatedly taught him the cultivation method, then teased Shen Yue as he left.
• Qingxiao Sect’s disciples made rapid cultivation breakthroughs, while Zhu Xian took Cangzhou with Qingxiao Sect’s support and Li Sifeng joined an expedition against Xuanji Sect.
• Li Qingqiu reached the Spiritual Sense Realm Third Layer, and Jiang Zhaoxia asked him to watch over his tribulation.
• Jiang Zhaoxia endured twenty-five bolts of heavenly lightning before his Origin Energy ran out and he collapsed on the Tribulation Platform.
• Li Qingqiu shielded Jiang Zhaoxia from the next strike and told his Third Junior Brother that he would take it from there.

Li Qingqiu saved Jiang Zhaoxia from his heavenly tribulation, then discussed the sect’s future and the threat of war with him. Months later, news of Zhu Xian’s assassination raised suspicions that the Li clan was clearing the way for Li Sifeng to claim the throne.

• Li Qingqiu shielded Jiang Zhaoxia from the final bolts of his tribulation, and Jiang Zhaoxia survived and consolidated his cultivation.
• Li Qingqiu told Jiang Zhaoxia he wanted him to become one of Qingxiao Sect’s four defenders and advised him to investigate the flood dragon seen around his soul.
• After the tribulation frightened the disciples, they began sharing formation manuals, cultivation insights, and new techniques.
• Zhang Yuchun and Chu Jing told Li Qingqiu that Zhu Xian had been killed by one of his generals and that Li Da now controlled Cangzhou.
• Li Qingqiu questioned whether Li Sifeng was involved, while Chu Jing argued the Li clan had acted independently to benefit him and Qingxiao Sect.

After ordering an investigation into Zhu Xian’s death, Li Qingqiu met Liu Jing, a Qingxiao Sect disciple who carried his mother’s coffin to seek justice. Liu Jing proposed dividing the Nine Provinces among several dynasties and asked to take control of the Liu Clan and found a nation, leaving Li Qingqiu to consider his ambitious pledge.

• Li Qingqiu ordered Zhang Yuchun to investigate Zhu Xian’s death and bring Li Da back if the Li Clan was involved.
• After Zhu Xian’s death, the realm entered an uneasy peace while the Qingxiao Sect’s protected provinces prospered.
• Liu Jing carried his mother’s coffin to Lingxiao Courtyard and asked Li Qingqiu to deliver justice.
• Liu Jing argued that the Nine Provinces were too vast to unify and proposed that two or three dynasties maintain peace under the Qingxiao Sect’s oversight.
• Liu Jing revealed his ties to Liu Lin, explained that his mother had died after being mistreated, and asked to become emperor and establish a dynasty accountable to the sect.

Li Qingqiu agreed to back Liu Jing’s bid to replace Liu Lin, on the condition that Liu Jing unify the land within three years, while Qingxiao Sect prepared to support his campaign. As the year’s end approached, Li Qingqiu checked on Zhao Zhen, who suspected that creating his newly comprehended divine ability would bring his fated tribulation.

• Liu Jing persuaded Li Qingqiu to support him, and Li Qingqiu ordered him to unify the land within three years or Qingxiao Sect would back Li Sifeng instead.
• Liu Jing buried his mother, then left the mountain with dozens of Qingxiao Sect disciples as word spread that he intended to bring peace to the people.
• Zhang Yuchun planned to have the sect’s aristocratic clans publicly support Liu Jing, while Li Qingqiu said the sect could replace rulers over generations if needed.
• Li Qingqiu decided it was time to summon Li Sifeng and his wife back to Qingxiao Sect, delighting Li Shoumin.
• Li Qingqiu visited Zhao Zhen and worried that his fated calamity had not passed; Zhao Zhen said he believed creating his new divine ability would require him to face a tribulation alone.

Zhao Zhen created the True Martial Supreme Sun divine ability by enduring a heavenly tribulation, earning a new Fate and becoming Qingxiao Sect’s undisputed top genius. At the New Spring gathering, Zhu Yan told Li Qingqiu that the Zhu Clan had begun supporting Liu Jing.

• Zhao Zhen told Li Qingqiu how his insights into heavenly thunder led him to create a divine ability, and Li Qingqiu advised him to face the tribulation on his own.
• Zhao Zhen endured sixteen bolts of heavenly thunder on the Tribulation Platform and created the True Martial Supreme Sun divine ability.
• Li Qingqiu received a chance to choose a Fate and saw that Zhao Zhen’s new World-Shaking Divine Ability Fate had replaced Fate of Easy Breaking.
• Zhao Zhen returned to the Scripture Pavilion and offered to write down True Martial Supreme Sun for the disciples to study.
• At the New Spring gathering, Li Qingqiu said Li Sifeng would teach Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin to cultivate when he returned.
• Zhu Yan told Li Qingqiu that the Zhu Clan was willing to support Liu Jing and had already begun acting.

Li Qingqiu oversaw the Qingxiao Sect’s growing influence and resources while Liu Jing rose to power and the sect’s disciples expanded their activities. In the Northern Barbarians’ territory, Hell Kirin sensed an unknown presence, and Li Sifeng ordered the group to flee.

• Li Qingqiu warned Zhu Yan to keep the Zhu Clan from threatening the sect and allowed them to assist Liu Jing without scheming to control him.
• Liu Jing took control of the Liu Clan’s organization and resolved to seize power and unify the realm within three years.
• Li Qingqiu sent Jiang Zhaoxia and Sword Solitary out to gain experience, then visited Yuantie Port Town, where Yu Lin showed him a mysterious ore found beneath the sea.
• Li Sifeng agreed to lead the Training Hall disciples back from the Northern Barbarians’ territory, but Hell Kirin became agitated while watching the darkness ahead.
• The sword soul warned Li Sifeng that the approaching danger might not be human, so Li Sifeng ordered everyone to retreat immediately.

Qingxiao Sect planned to establish an outpost city in Central Heaven Continent while Li Qingqiu dealt with Yuan Li’s unwanted marriage proposals. A bloodied figure claiming to be a surviving Training Hall disciple revealed that a three-headed, six-armed monster had attacked Li Sifeng’s group, but Li Qingqiu exposed and killed the impostor before it threatened to devour the sect.

• Zhang Yuchun told Li Qingqiu about plans to build a cultivation city in Central Heaven Continent, and Li Qingqiu ordered the sect to keep it separate from secular trade.
• Yuan Qi complained that an Aristocratic Clan was disrupting Yuan Li’s cultivation with marriage proposals, and Li Qingqiu ordered people not to approach his disciple about marriage.
• Xiao Wuqing brought a badly injured Training Hall disciple to Li Qingqiu, who learned that Li Sifeng had stayed behind with the Hell Kirin while a mysterious attacker pursued the fleeing group.
• The supposed survivor described a creature with three heads and six arms, and Li Qingqiu realized the man was missing from the Legacy System and cut off his head.
• The impostor’s corpse melted into foul blackish-red blood, and its severed head admitted that it wanted to eat everyone in Qingxiao Sect.

Li Qingqiu learned that the Silent Nether Ghost King had massacred the Xuanji Sect, then left the Qingxiao Sect to track it down and find Li Sifeng. In the northern frontier, he came across a badly wounded man and a woman who seemed to be waiting to die.

• Li Qingqiu immobilized the ghost's split soul, used the Soul Seizing Curse to extract its memories, and learned that the Silent Nether Ghost King had nine split souls and had massacred the Xuanji Sect.
• Li Qingqiu gathered the Qingxiao Sect's hall masters, explained the threat, ordered them to guard the sect, and announced that he would go north himself.
• Li Qingqiu left Chu Jing behind and set out with Lin Chuan, Nangong E, and Jinlang, hoping to follow the ghost king's trail and find Li Sifeng.
• Li Qingqiu traveled through Cangzhou and continued north on foot, sending Lin Chuan and Nangong E to search for signs of the ghost king.
• In the second half of the night, Li Qingqiu followed a man's groans and found a half-bodied man and a woman beside a campfire; he recognized the man's wounds as the ghost king's handiwork.

Li Qingqiu rescued the badly wounded Murong Tiancheng and continued to Xuanji Sect in search of Li Sifeng and the Silent Nether Ghost King. He found the sect in ruins and the Hell Kirin and other captives maimed, then hid in the Hell Kirin’s cage to wait for the ghost king.

• Li Qingqiu treated Murong Tiancheng’s wounds and told him not to give up, while Murong Tianxuan learned their benefactor was the Qingxiao Sect’s sect master.
• Murong Tianxuan carried Murong Tiancheng away, and he resolved to keep living after Li Qingqiu’s words.
• Li Qingqiu traveled to Xuanji Sect with Lin Chuan and Nangong E, then climbed the mountain alone while his ghost servants watched the flanks.
• Li Qingqiu found Xuanji Sect destroyed, with captives and beasts maimed in cages and the Hell Kirin barely alive.
• Li Qingqiu entered the Hell Kirin’s cage, treated it, and concealed himself there to await the Silent Nether Ghost King.

Li Qingqiu watched the Northern Court Army enter the Xuanji Sect, where the Silent Nether Ghost King began slaughtering the soldiers. As Fang Tianshu prepared to fight back, Li Qingqiu emerged from his cage and faced the ghost.

• Lin Chuan reported that at least a hundred thousand Northern Court soldiers had surrounded the mountain, and Li Qingqiu decided to wait for the Silent Nether Ghost King.
• The Silent Nether Ghost King appeared atop a tower and watched the army approach while Li Qingqiu judged its strength.
• Fang Tianshu led the soldiers into the Xuanji Sect, ordered them to burn the buildings, and saw the Silent Nether Ghost King cut soldiers in half.
• Fang Tianshu rallied his soldiers and charged toward the invisible ghost, but Li Qingqiu's Sword Qi accidentally struck the pavilion and broke open Hell Kirin's cage.
• Li Qingqiu stepped out of the cage and faced the Silent Nether Ghost King as the soldiers fell silent.

Li Qingqiu fought the Silent Nether Ghost King at the Xuanji Sect, revealing that the terrifying foe was a powerful monster rather than a true ghost. He carried the battle down the mountain with the Divine Dragon Transformation and met the king’s next attack with a sword-clone technique.

• The Silent Nether Ghost King emerged before Li Qingqiu and attacked after Li Qingqiu told Fang Tianshu to withdraw the soldiers.
• Li Qingqiu severed the king’s fingers, and Fang Tianshu realized the bleeding foe was not a ghost.
• The Silent Nether Ghost King slaughtered soldiers as his blood mist grew, prompting Fang Tianshu to order a retreat.
• Li Qingqiu transformed into a golden dragon, seized the king, and carried him down the mountain before releasing him into the ground.
• The wounded Silent Nether Ghost King attacked Li Qingqiu, who summoned silver sword clones to strike from every direction.

Li Qingqiu defeated the Silent Nether Ghost King, captured his soul, and learned from the ghost’s memories how the Northern Court Son of Heaven had betrayed his former cultivation sect. The chapter left the ghost king’s origins revealed as Li Qingqiu continued searching his memories.

• Li Qingqiu battered the Silent Nether Ghost King with the Immortal Absolute Three Swords, then crushed him beneath a boulder using Mountain Moving God Suppressing.
• Li Qingqiu used the Soul Seizing Curse to subdue the Silent Nether Ghost King and stored his soul in the Soul Refining Banner.
• Fang Tianshu thanked Li Qingqiu for saving the Northern Court Army and recognized him as the Qingxiao Sect’s sect master.
• At night, Li Qingqiu searched the Silent Nether Ghost King’s memories and learned that the Northern Court Son of Heaven had poisoned and ambushed the ghost’s sect.
• The Silent Nether Ghost King’s memories revealed that his junior sister had died during their flight from the Northern Court’s pursuit.

Li Qingqiu learned of the Ghost King and the thousand evil ghosts in Ghost King Ridge, then returned to the Qingxiao Sect without finding Li Sifeng. Li Sifeng lost his black-robed mentor, who asked him to seek out the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the Qingxiao Sect prepared to develop spells against ghosts.

• Li Qingqiu learned from the Silent Nether Ghost King's memories about Ghost King Ridge, its powerful Ghost King, and the many evil ghosts living there.
• Li Sifeng's black-robed mentor used up his soul to purge the ghostly aura from Li Sifeng, then asked him to look for Song Kejian's descendants in the Heavenly Sword Sect before disappearing.
• Li Sifeng promised to fulfill the request, resolved to return to the Qingxiao Sect and cultivate, and set off to leave the underground chamber.
• After ten days of searching without finding Li Sifeng, Li Qingqiu returned to Qingxiao Mountain carrying the injured Hell Kirin.
• Li Qingqiu told the sect leaders that Li Sifeng was alive, revealed the Silent Nether Ghost King, and warned them about Ghost King Ridge and its Ghost King.
• Li Qingqiu assigned Elder Jing to develop ghost-path spells and urged the Qingxiao Sect to cultivate cautiously and keep its disciples within the Nine Provinces.

Li Qingqiu managed the Qingxiao Sect as Li Sifeng slowly made his way home and sent Xu Ning out to hunt ghosts. Jiang Zhaoxia returned with a mysterious map that revealed a hidden restriction and a possible opportunity, which Li Qingqiu entrusted to Mingguang for study.

• Li Qingqiu stayed at Qingxiao Mountain, arranged care for the injured Hell Kirin, and learned that Liu Jing was expanding his rule while the Northern Barbarians retreated.
• Chu Jing presented Li Qingqiu with a new ghost-path spell, and he approved it for the Scripture Pavilion at fifteen hundred Dao Yuan.
• Xu Ning asked to travel through Guzhou to fight ghosts and test her spells, and Li Qingqiu gave her permission.
• Jiang Zhaoxia returned after half a year away, reported taking Sword Solitary as his disciple, and gave Li Qingqiu a sheepskin map he had found in a river.
• Li Qingqiu uncovered the map's concealed restriction and sent it with Mingguang to study, while reflecting that the True Dragon in the Mortal World Fate suited travelers better than a sect leader.

Li Sifeng returned to Qingxiao Sect, reported his encounter with the powerful Silent Nether Ghost King, and was urged by Li Qingqiu to settle down and train. The next morning, Li Sifeng discovered that his young son Li Shouzheng had extraordinary sword talent, leaving him shocked and relieved he had returned before the boy surpassed him.

• Li Sifeng returned to Qingxiao Mountain and watched Sword Solitary defeat an opponent, recognizing that the young disciple's swordsmanship surpassed his own.
• Li Sifeng reunited with Pei Miao and realized that the two boys cheering for Sword Solitary were his sons, Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin.
• Li Sifeng told Li Qingqiu about the Silent Nether Ghost King's strength and warned that the ghost might head south, while Li Qingqiu told him to remain in the sect and train.
• Li Qingqiu sensed a powerful new soul within the Emperor Profound Sword and wondered about Li Sifeng's latest fortuitous encounter.
• Li Sifeng showed off his swordsmanship to his sons, then lent the Emperor Profound Sword to Li Shouzheng when the boy asked to try it.
• Li Shouzheng's swordsmanship improved rapidly as he practiced, and the sword's voice declared him an unparalleled genius who might surpass Li Sifeng before adulthood.

Li Shouzheng displayed extraordinary sword talent with the Emperor Profound Sword, while Li Sifeng reunited with his family and learned that Li Qingqiu had killed the Silent Nether Ghost King. Li Qingqiu took charge of teaching the boys, and Li Sifeng entered seclusion to improve his cultivation.

• Li Shouzheng flawlessly performed Li Sifeng's sword sequence with the Emperor Profound Sword, astonishing his parents and exciting Li Shoumin.
• Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin refused to let Li Sifeng teach them spiritual cultivation without Li Qingqiu's permission, and Li Sijin arrived to visit her brother.
• Li Sijin told Li Sifeng that Li Qingqiu had killed the Silent Nether Ghost King and imprisoned its soul in the Soul Refining Banner, leaving Li Sifeng stunned.
• Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin agreed to focus on cultivation and pursue greatness before venturing down the mountain.
• Li Qingqiu refused Li Sifeng's request to teach the boys to cultivate, saying he would guide them himself, and Li Sifeng went into seclusion to raise his cultivation.