Chapter Summaries

Wang Xian faced Duanmu Fa in a fight to the death while the Heavenly Demon army watched. He countered Duanmu Fa’s sword technique with a barrage of Sword Qi rising from the earth, leaving the elder badly wounded and reeling.

• Mu Shengtian halted the army’s cheers and allowed Duanmu Fa to challenge Wang Xian.
• Wang Xian and Duanmu Fa agreed to fight to the death, and Duanmu Fa unleashed a storm of Sword Qi that carved a ravine through the frozen ground.
• Duanmu Fa demanded that Wang Xian surrender, but Wang Xian swung the Azure Edge Sword and declared that he could perform the same move.
• Wang Xian’s Sword Qi erased Duanmu Fa’s ravine and burst repeatedly from the ground, tearing open the elder’s chest and driving him backward.
• The Heavenly Demon soldiers and Mu Shengtian watched in shock as the bloodied Duanmu Fa barely stopped retreating while Wang Xian remained motionless.

Wang Xian faced Duanmu Fa on the wasteland after exposing the elder’s use of demonic crystals and killing intent. As Duanmu Fa glimpsed the laws of heaven and earth and unleashed a mighty sword strike, Wang Xian answered with two yin-yang sword energies, leaving the clash unresolved.

• Wang Xian broke Duanmu Fa’s sword and forced the elder to retreat, while Marshal Mu Shengtian considered ordering the army to attack.
• Duanmu Fa swallowed a pill, changed robes, and strengthened his resolve as Donghuang Shuyu recognized that he had refined demonic crystals.
• Duanmu Fa declared that anything helping him advance was righteous, then launched a fierce sword attack at Wang Xian.
• Wang Xian evaded Duanmu Fa’s strikes and counterattacked, while Duanmu Fa gathered the power of heaven and earth and glimpsed its laws.
• Wang Xian formed two black-and-white sword energies that protected the space before him, and explained that they embodied the yin-yang laws of heaven and earth.

Wang Xian faced Duanmu Fa on the wasteland, using his black-and-white Yin-Yang fish and Azure Edge Sword to withstand and devour the elder’s attacks. Duanmu Fa’s sword shattered and he fell wounded, but the chapter ended with him consumed by demonic Baleful Intent and the soldiers unsure whether he could still fight.

• Ao Qianyu and Ao Heng watched as Wang Xian’s black-and-white fish gathered power, while Xiaobai hoped to see him defeat the enemy before leaving with his sister.
• Duanmu Fa sent a monstrous, black-mist dragon of Sword Qi at Wang Xian, but the Yin-Yang fish swallowed it and then devoured his endless rain of swords.
• Donghuang Mingyuan arrived on horseback, and Donghuang Shuyu joked that he had missed the battle because he and the others had been sleeping.
• Duanmu Fa charged within six feet of Wang Xian and unleashed Baleful Intent, but Wang Xian’s Azure Edge Sword absorbed it and the fish swallowed what remained.
• Duanmu Fa tried to force his way through the fish, but Wang Xian struck his spiritual sword and sent him crashing to the wasteland with the sword broken.
• Duanmu Fa’s eyes turned black as the battlefield fell silent, leaving the soldiers wondering whether he could still fight.

Mu Shengtian sacrificed his blood to summon the Heavenly Demon Sword, which Duanmu Fa wielded against Wang Xian in a devastating strike. The sword cracked against Wang Xian’s black fish, and as the attack continued, Ao Qianyu heard the sound of flowing water.

• Mu Shengtian used his blood and spiritual power to summon the Heavenly Demon Sword and urged Duanmu Fa to unleash it with his life.
• Duanmu Fa took up the sword beneath a blood-red lotus and gathered power for a strike while Wang Xian stood his ground.
• Duanmu Fa’s sword slash reached Wang Xian and pierced the black fish, but a crack spread across the Heavenly Demon Sword.
• Duanmu Fa sprayed vital blood onto the cracked sword and joined with it in a renewed attack that also threatened Donghuang Shuyu.
• Xiaobai asked Ao Qianyu to take him toward Wang Xian, and Ao Qianyu heard a stream flowing before her.

Wang Xian lured Duanmu Fa and the barbarian army toward Ghosts' Bane, using the two black-and-white fish and his command of chaos to draw the battle into his formation. As Duanmu Fa pursued him down the mountain road and the army advanced, Wang Xian suddenly stopped, setting the next phase of his plan in motion.

• Ao Qianyu told Xiaobai to watch as Wang Xian summoned Ruoshui and sent a drop toward the two black-and-white fish.
• Wang Xian called Donghuang Shuyu back and used his sword and the fish to redirect Duanmu Fa’s attack while the others withdrew.
• Marshal Mu Shengtian sounded the attack horn and ordered the barbarian army to pursue the cultivators toward Ghosts' Bane.
• Wang Xian retreated along the mountain road with Duanmu Fa and the barbarian cavalry following, while the fish’s forces merged with Duanmu Fa’s Killing Intent.
• After revealing that he had intended to lure the army into his formation, Wang Xian abruptly stopped as Duanmu Fa closed in.

Wang Xian defeated Duanmu Fa in Ghosts' Bane, seized the Heavenly Demon Sword, and sent it plunging into the abyss. Wounded but still defiant, Duanmu Fa faced Wang Xian as the barbarian army charged within a hundred zhang.

• Duanmu Fa charged Wang Xian with the blood-fueled Heavenly Demon Sword, but Wang Xian summoned Ghosts' Bane's sword qi and law-bound power to break through his attack.
• Wang Xian struck with violet lightning and seized the Heavenly Demon Sword as his Azure Edge Sword pierced Duanmu Fa's chest.
• Wang Xian cracked the Heavenly Demon Sword with the force of chaos and hurled it into the abyss.
• Duanmu Fa retreated, wounded and furious, while Marshal Mu Shengtian's soldiers charged toward Ghosts' Bane.
• Xiaobai and Ao Qianyu descended toward Wang Xian as he put away his spirit sword and took up an iron bow.

Wang Xian activated the hidden killing arrays along Ghosts' Bane mountain road, devastating the Heavenly Demon army and killing Duanmu Fa. Mu Shengtian escaped as Ao Qianyu swept the remaining soldiers into the abyss, while Wang Xian returned to Donghuang Shuyu and the others.

• Wang Xian fired arrows to trigger the crystal formations and killing arrays along the mountain road, then retreated toward Donghuang Shuyu and Li Mengbai.
• Duanmu Fa realized the army had fallen into a trap and warned Mu Shengtian to retreat as the arrays unleashed swords and explosions against the cavalry.
• Duanmu Fa was decapitated by a sword of Killing Intent, while the trapped Heavenly Demon soldiers and horses suffered heavy losses.
• Mu Shengtian escaped the mountain road as the collapsing road sent soldiers and horses plunging into the Endless Abyss.
• Ao Qianyu raised a tornado from the abyss that swept more soldiers into it, while Wang Xian reached Donghuang Shuyu and the others.

Wang Xian destroyed the Ten-Mile Ghosts' Bane road, trapping the barbarian army on the wasteland and leaving his own group without a way forward. He departed with Xiaobai and Ao Qianyu, while Bai Youyue expected him to reach the wasteland within three days.

• The explosions obliterated most of the Ten-Mile Ghosts' Bane road, and Mu Shengtian led the surviving barbarian soldiers away after declaring Wang Xian his lifelong enemy.
• Wang Xian explained that he had emptied the crystal mine and destroyed the road, then knocked Mu Shengtian's arrow aside and said they would meet again.
• Wang Xian decided to return, but he and Xiaobai left with Ao Qianyu before the others could respond, while Qin Jun led the rest back toward Qinghe Town.
• By Rainy Lake, Bai Youyue learned that Wang Xian had destroyed the road and worried about his ties to the Dragon Clan princess and the Divine Dragon Clan.
• Bai Youyue told Old Yuan that she expected Wang Xian to reach the wasteland in three days.

Wang Xian reunited with Ao Qianyu and Ao Heng at Meihua Valley, shared food and stories from the Heavenly Road, and gave Ao Qianyu and Xiao Bai protective talismans. He then entrusted Xiao Bai with the Divine Dragon Ring and asked Ao Qianyu and Ao Heng to help him reach the wasteland, where he had to fulfill another promise.

• Wang Xian returned to Meihua Valley with Xiao Bai and met Ao Qianyu and Ao Heng by the lake.
• Wang Xian gave Ao Qianyu and Xiao Bai Peace Talismans, and Ao Heng sensed the Sword Qi within them.
• As they prepared mutton buns and bear paw stew, Wang Xian told Ao Qianyu and Ao Heng about his journey and explained that forging arrows had refined the cold poison from his body into sweat.
• Ao Qianyu showed Wang Xian the bamboo arrow he had shot toward Spirit Mountain and asked about his former illness.
• Wang Xian gave Xiao Bai the Divine Dragon Ring and urged him to leave with Ao Qianyu, explaining that he had to travel to the wasteland to keep a promise.
• Wang Xian asked Ao Qianyu and Ao Heng to help him reach the wasteland, while Xiao Bai cried out in distress.

The disciples who returned from the Heavenly Road arrived at the Kunlun Sword Sect, while half their companions remained missing. Wang Xian stayed in Plum Blossom Valley as his friends prepared to leave, then gave Ao Qianyu his first sword before she departed for Spirit Mountain with Xiaobai.

• The Heavenly Road's returning gate appeared at the Kunlun Sword Sect, where Dongfang Nishang learned that fewer than half the sect's disciples had returned and went with Nangong Fei'er and others to seek news of Wang Xian.
• The Old Daoist told Dongfang Nishang and the others that Wang Xian had rescued disciples in the Southern Border and was still facing danger there, prompting them to plan to wait for him in the capital.
• At Plum Blossom Valley, Xiaobai told the returning cultivators that Wang Xian was asleep and that Ao Qianyu and an old man had rescued her; the visiting prodigies then departed for Tiger Gate Pass.
• After waking, Wang Xian reassured Donghuang Shuyu that his conflict with the Heavenly Saint Sect would not affect her and asked Dantai Xiaoxue to deliver a letter to General Qin Wentian.
• Wang Xian learned that Ao Qianyu would leave for Spirit Mountain with Xiaobai, gave her his Azure Edge Sword, and promised to visit her after returning from the barbarian tribes.

Hu Keke was cornered by Mu Wentian and his riders on a frozen wasteland when golden lightning and a falling shooting star killed them. The star was Wang Xian, sent tumbling there as a heavenly gate appeared for Ao Qianyu and Little White, leaving him separated from them and bound for the wasteland.

• Hu Keke hid beneath corpses to escape his pursuers, but Mu Wentian found him and held a sword to his neck.
• Golden thunderbolts annihilated Mu Wentian's guards and horses, and a shooting star struck Mu Wentian, whose sword cleaved through him.
• Wang Xian said farewell to Xiao Bai and Ao Qianyu on Ghosts' Bane's cliffs, promising to find them again after they returned to the Dragon Clan.
• A black hole swallowed Wang Xian as Ao Heng tried to send him to the wasteland, but golden tribulation bolts destroyed it and sent Wang Xian falling toward Hu Keke.
• Ao Qianyu and Little White rose inside a golden pillar of light as Ao Heng sent his divine sense after them and watched Wang Xian strike Mu Wentian.

Wang Xian woke with both legs broken after falling from the sky and saving Hu Keke from Mu Wentian. He and Hu Keke headed toward the imperial city, where they fought off four guards and rode on together as brothers.

• Wang Xian learned from Ao Heng that Heaven had punished him for intervening, and Ao Heng left for Spirit Mountain.
• Hu Keke introduced himself, and he and Wang Xian decided to travel together toward the imperial city with Xiaobai and the crow.
• Four imperial guards attacked the group, but Wang Xian, Hu Keke, Xiaobai, and the crow killed all four.
• Hu Keke searched the guards and took their money and Storage Rings, then kept two horses and sent the others away.
• Wang Xian promised to protect Hu Keke, declared them brothers, and the group rode toward the imperial city.

After surviving the battle at Ghosts' Bane, Wang Xian traveled across the snowfield with Hu Keke, while his allies celebrated their victory and learned he had gone to the wasteland. That night, Hu Keke dreamed of discovering his aunt Hu Lili and uncle Hu Feilong together and fleeing down a tower for help.

• Wang Xian found that Heavenly Punishment had cleared the chaos from his Divine Sea as Hu Keke carried him to shelter in a cave.
• Wang Xian and Hu Keke shared flower tea, discussed their lost destinations, and joked about opening a shop in the imperial capital to sell lamb buns.
• Qin Jun led the heroes back to Humen Pass, where Qin Wentian celebrated their victory but kept Wang Xian's whereabouts secret.
• Bai Youyue told Zijing that Wang Xian had gone alone to the wasteland after rescuing enslaved cultivation prodigies, and Zijing reacted with excitement.
• Hu Keke dreamed of finding Hu Lili and Hu Feilong naked in a tower, then fled while calling for his father.

Hu Keke and Wang Xian escaped an ambush on the snowy wasteland and discovered three more dead pursuers whose blood had been drained. They continued toward the imperial city, wary of an unknown monster and the people following them.

• Hu Keke woke from a nightmare, and he and Wang Xian ate breakfast before preparing to leave the cave.
• A man in black threatened Wang Xian, but Wang Xian killed him with a sudden saber strike while Hu Keke held him at bowpoint.
• Hu Keke and Wang Xian found three of the man’s companions dead, dried of blood, and the crow warned them about blood-drinking jiangshi legends.
• The group set off again, planning to find a cave before dusk, while Hu Keke asked why Wang Xian could not heal his broken legs with spiritual medicine.
• The crow reported that no one was visible ahead, though pursuers were likely behind them.

Hu Keke and Wang Xian bargained with the white ghosts who had taken their horses, trading dragon blood for a map and safe passage. With pursuers still behind them, they set off to search for the legendary divine herb.

• Hu Keke and Wang Xian decided to keep riding instead of setting traps for the pursuers.
• The crow discovered five white ghosts ahead who demanded the two warhorses as payment for dealing with three black-clad men.
• Wang Xian offered dragon blood, then negotiated for a map and the white ghosts’ help stopping the pursuers.
• The one-horned white ghost accepted the jade bottle, promised not to trouble them, and vanished with the others.
• Wang Xian gave Hu Keke the map, and the group continued across the wasteland in search of the divine herb.

Hu Keke and Wang Xian continued fleeing across the frozen wilderness with Xiaobai and the raven, while the prince’s pursuers closed in behind them. Unseen dangers slaughtered one squad of black-clad guards, and the travelers settled in a cave for the night with a hare to roast and wine to drink.

• Xiaobai ran off to meet other wolves, then returned with the raven and a wild hare; the raven claimed the snow wolves were traveling near their route.
• Hu Keke and Wang Xian continued across the wilderness as the prince’s black-clad guards and imperial guards pursued them with hounds.
• The black-clad guards noticed their hounds and several men had vanished, but an unseen force killed the remaining squad and left all twenty guards dead.
• Hu Keke found a cave for the night, and Xiaobai and the raven received praise for helping secure their meal.
• Hu Keke prepared the hare for roasting, and Wang Xian produced a jug of wine for their dinner.

Wang Xian, Hu Keke, and Little White were ambushed by imperial guards demanding a treasure, but a huge pack of snow wolves came to their rescue. After the wolves slaughtered the guards, Wang Xian sent Little White to collect their money pouches, and the group continued onward while the pack stayed to eat.

• The imperial guard commander confronted Wang Xian and Hu Keke, demanded their treasure, and ordered his men to attack.
• Snowfield wolves burst from the blizzard, killed the five guards who charged first, and surrounded the remaining imperial guards.
• Wang Xian ordered the wolves to kill everyone, and the giant wolf killed the commander as the pack overwhelmed the guards.
• Little White collected the guards’ money pouches while the wolves dragged away the bodies and horses to eat.
• Hu Keke stored the pouches, and Wang Xian’s group set off as Little White’s companions remained behind to feed.

Wang Xian and Hu Keke traveled east toward Moon City with Xiaobai and a pack of snow wolves, hoping to find divine medicine. Their journey was interrupted when imperial guards caught up and shot Wang Xian, leaving Hu Keke to defend him while they waited for the wolves.

• Xiaobai led the snow wolves as the group crossed the plains toward the confluence of the two rivers, and Wang Xian planned to seek divine medicine in Moon City.
• The group sheltered in a cave, where Wang Xian shared food with the wolves and discussed their route and possible plans with Hu Keke and Crow.
• Wang Xian secretly revealed his divine dragon fire and later told Hu Keke he would temper his body after they found spirit medicine.
• The group set out ahead of the wolves, but two iron arrows struck Wang Xian and the warhorse pulling the sled.
• Hu Keke sent Little Black away with Little Red and the remaining warhorse, then drew his sword to protect Wang Xian as imperial guards approached.

Wang Xian broke through the Heavenly Punishment holding back his legs and unleashed his power, killing the black-clad guard threatening him and destroying the pursuing soldiers. After the wolves arrived, he and Hu Keke prepared to move on and considered whether Little White should stay with its pack.

• Crow distracted the approaching black-clad guards, but the lead guard shot him from the sky and threatened Wang Xian and Hu Keke.
• Wang Xian pretended to be gravely injured and warned Hu Keke not to fight, then broke through the restraint on his legs and beheaded the guard who seized him.
• Wang Xian transformed into a divine dragon and attacked the remaining black-clad guards and Imperial Guards with explosive paper-sword talismans, killing them all.
• Crow returned, the snow wolves arrived, and Wang Xian told Crow to offer them the food and have Little White collect the enemies' money pouches and Storage Rings.
• Wang Xian and Hu Keke drank liquor and discussed whether Little White should leave with its pack, deciding to let it choose.

Wang Xian and Hu Keke reached the seemingly abandoned Phoenix Town and took shelter in Chen's tavern. After they settled in for the night, a crew of female workers suddenly restored the tavern and welcomed a crowd of travelers, leaving Wang Xian and Hu Keke bewildered.

• Wang Xian gave Little White a Storage Ring of supplies before Little White rejoined its wolf clan, and Hu Keke continued toward Moon City with Wang Xian and the Crow.
• Wang Xian and Hu Keke entered the deserted Phoenix Town and found Chen's tavern empty and covered in dust.
• Hu Keke and Wang Xian prepared the tavern for the night, lit a brazier, and ate their provisions.
• The Crow heard approaching hoofbeats, and a group of female workers entered and rapidly cleaned and decorated the tavern.
• Several merchants, swordsmen, and a blind traveler arrived, ordered food and liquor, and filled the tavern with noise and the smell of meat.