Chapter Summaries

As Zhang Xuan and Elder Master Xiao discussed Xiao Jinghong, Chen Qingzhou’s marriage, and Cui Mao’s hidden motives, Jianghu talents streamed toward White Immortal and Snow Sword Lord’s duel. Chen Xuanji summoned General Star to Little Liang Mountain and asked him to report on recent events in Shuzhou.

• Zhang Xuan learned that Elder Master Xiao had come to watch the duel and discuss recruiting capable Jianghu figures.
• Elder Master Xiao explained that he feared Xiao Jinghong was shouldering too much, and Zhang Xuan suggested Chen Qingzhou could support her as a strategist.
• Elder Master Xiao revealed that Cui Mao had persuaded him to arrange the Chen Family marriage alliance, possibly to cause the Chen Family to lose face.
• General Star heard Jianghu talents speculate about the duel and Tao Junhe boast that he would represent Snow Sword Lord if given the chance.
• Chen Xuanji summoned General Star to Little Liang Mountain and asked him to report on Shuzhou’s recent affairs, beginning with Ma Shuhan.

Chen Xuanji interpreted Cui Mao’s plans for Shuzhou and ordered Qilin to be made Commander-in-Chief, while Chen Yi disguised Yuan Liu'er and hurried with her to the Chishui River to watch Xiao Jinghong’s match. Xiao Jinghong arrived but ignored Chen Yi’s greeting and continued toward the river’s upper reaches.

• Chen Xuanji told the General Star that Cui Mao would try to win over the Xiao Family, likely through General Jinghong, and ordered him to send a Secret Letter placing Qilin in command.
• Yuan Liu'er went to Hundred Herbs Hall, where Zhang Dabao disguised her to conceal her identity.
• Chen Yi escaped Chunhe Garden after Xiao Wan'er told him Qingwu would soon go to Tonglin Town, then collected Yuan Liu'er and flew toward the Chishui River.
• Chen Yi sensed Xiao Jinghong approaching and waited with Yuan Liu'er for her arrival.
• Xiao Jinghong rode toward the upper reaches of the Chishui River without stopping when Chen Yi greeted her as Liu Wu.

Chen Yi brought Yuan Liu'er to the Chishui River, where Xiao Jinghong and numerous martial artists had gathered to watch White Immortal and Snow Sword Lord. After Liu Lang provoked several young experts, Chen Yi arrived and silenced the crowd with his aura, leaving the others wary as he headed toward the river.

• Chen Yi carried Yuan Liu'er toward the upper Chishui River after Xiao Jinghong left, while Yuan Liu'er wondered about their relationship.
• Xiao Jinghong reached Daliang Mountain and was greeted by Zhao Xihe, Tao Junhe, Gu Hanjing, and Shui Hetong before joining Elder Master Xiao and Duke of Gan on a painted boat.
• Liu Lang stayed ashore and traded insults with Gu Hanjing and Tao Junhe, prompting talk that Dragon Tiger might also be nearby.
• Chen Yi arrived carrying Yuan Liu'er and overwhelmed the gathering with his aura, pinning many people in place until Xiao Jinghong and other experts pushed back.
• Chen Yi withdrew his aura, introduced Yuan Liu'er as his disciple, and walked toward the Chishui River while Tao Junhe asked to spar with him later.

Chen Yi’s show of force unsettled the Jianghu guests, while Chen Xuanji and the two earthly immortals watched from afar. After Chen Yi met with the Xiao Family and the Duke of Gan, White Immortal and Snow Sword Lord began their sparring match by transporting everyone to a vast Training Ground.

• Chen Yi left the crowd for a pleasure boat, and the Old Beggar explained that surviving the path mattered more than talent or ambition.
• Chen Xuanji spoke with White Immortal Gongye Bai and Snow Sword Lord Ye Guxian, who agreed to begin their sparring match without interference.
• Chen Yi met Elder Master Xiao, the Duke of Gan, Shui Hetong, and Xiao Jinghong, who thanked him for saving Eldest Sister.
• White Immortal and Ye Guxian illuminated the night and transported Chen Yi and the others to a vast Training Ground.

Chen Yi, disguised as Liu Wu, entered the White Immortal’s transformed Training Ground and was chosen to spar for the Snow Sword Lord against Xiao Jinghong. He tried to conceal his identity and avoid hurting his wife, but she mistook his defensive fighting for contempt and challenged him.

• The White Immortal used Heaven-and-Earth Transformation to create a Training Ground where Jianghu guests could watch the sparring.
• Chen Yi recognized the masked Chen Xuanji as a Chess Dao master, while Chen Xuanji realized that Chen Yi had perfected the Chess Dao.
• The White Immortal chose Chen Yi, known as Liu Wu, to represent the Snow Sword Lord, then named Xiao Jinghong as his opponent.
• Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong took their positions, and she chose to fight with her spear against his sword.
• Chen Yi dodged Xiao Jinghong’s attacks without countering, prompting her to accuse him of looking down on her.

Chen Yi fought Xiao Jinghong while concealing his strength, then revealed mastery of multiple Dao paths and overwhelmed her with his spear techniques. He intensified his final attack to help Xiao Jinghong pursue a breakthrough, and Ye Guxian declared that she had succeeded.

• The onlookers debated Chen Yi’s ability as he held back against Xiao Jinghong, until White Immortal told them both they could use their full strength.
• Chen Yi used Shadowless Sword and Flying Flower to exchange blows with Xiao Jinghong, who adapted and asked him to show all his strength so she could seek a breakthrough.
• Chen Yi put aside his sword and revealed his Perfection Realm in several Dao paths, stunning Xiao Jinghong and the spectators.
• Chen Yi drove Xiao Jinghong back with Falling Dragon Spear techniques, while she kept charging despite being wounded.
• Xiao Jinghong used Breeze Sword against Chen Yi’s Blazing Sun technique and plunged into its golden light, and Ye Guxian said she had succeeded.

Xiao Jinghong and Chen Yi both broke through to the pinnacle of the Martial Path during their duel, with Chen Yi reaching the Spear Dao Extreme Realm through an epiphany. After completing his breakthrough, Chen Yi accepted Xiao Jinghong’s challenge to continue their fight, and he launched a powerful spear attack.

• Xiao Jinghong broke through into the Sword Dao Extreme Realm as Chen Yi observed and began comprehending how to unite his spirit, intent, and Dao.
• Chen Yi entered an epiphany and broke through into the Spear Dao Extreme Realm, astonishing the spectators and drawing the attention of White Immortal, Ye Guxian, and Chen Xuanji.
• Xiao Jinghong awoke and realized that Chen Yi had also broken through, with his spirit and Dao Intent surpassing hers.
• Chen Yi completed his breakthrough, concealed his aura, and congratulated Xiao Jinghong before she demanded that they resume their duel.
• Chen Yi accepted Xiao Jinghong’s challenge and attacked with Falling Dragon Spear: Illuminates Green Mountain, while Xiao Jinghong guarded with a ring of azure Sword Intent.

Chen Yi defeated Xiao Jinghong in a sparring match, and they both broke through to their respective Martial Path Extreme Realms. Afterward, Ye Guxian entered the Training Ground to face White Immortal, while Chen Yi and the spectators watched.

• Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong fought at the Extreme Realm, and both sharpened their Martial Paths as they traded attacks.
• Chen Yi unleashed Falling Dragon, but Xiao Jinghong pierced through his twin dragon-shaped Spear Lights with a devastating sword strike before collapsing from exhaustion.
• White Immortal declared Liu Wu the victor and restored Xiao Jinghong, while Chen Xuanji and White Immortal discussed Chen Yi's prospects and the Chen Family's future.
• Xiao Jinghong thanked Liu Wu for his guidance, and Chen Yi returned to his companions, where Liu Lang asked him for instruction and Shui Hetong described how rare Extreme Realm breakthroughs were.
• Chen Yunfan watched Chen Yi and felt discouraged by the widening gap between them, then cursed at Chen Xuanji while mistaking his identity.
• Ye Guxian entered the Training Ground, and White Immortal followed to begin their long-awaited fight.

White Immortal faced Ye Guxian in a three-move duel and blocked each of his sword strikes, winning the contest. After everyone returned to the pleasure boat, Chen Yi noticed that the person wearing the White Tiger pattern mask had vanished, while Xiao Jinghong asked Shui Hetong to relay a favor to White Immortal.

• White Immortal and Ye Guxian fought in a Training Ground transformed into a landscape among four peaks, and Ye Guxian challenged him to withstand three moves.
• Ye Guxian unleashed “All Paths Forsaken, No Footprints Remain,” but White Immortal gathered its sword qi and killing intent into his sleeve.
• Ye Guxian’s second strike was swallowed by the Marsh Hexagram that White Immortal drew in the air.
• Ye Guxian’s third strike collided with White Immortal’s Dao seal; White Immortal retreated three steps, and Ye Guxian was knocked into a cliff before conceding defeat.
• After the spectators returned to the pleasure boat, Chen Yi realized the person wearing the White Tiger pattern mask had disappeared, and Ye Guxian told him to meet at their usual place.
• Chen Yi left the boat with Shui Hetong, and Xiao Jinghong asked Shui Hetong to tell White Immortal that she had a favor to ask.

After the celebrations in Shuzhou, Xiao Jinghong asked White Immortal for guidance on entering Barbarian Tribe territory to rescue her parents. He revealed that her parents were alive, warned that she could not save them herself, and recommended Dragon Tiger Liu Wu, whom he said he would approach.

• Xiao Jinghong asked Shui Hetong to bring her to White Immortal, while Elder Master Xiao worried that she might know about Fu Wanqing.
• As the crowd left the river, people praised Liu Wu and Xiao Jinghong for their breakthroughs; Chen Yunfan joked with Cui Qingwu about roaming the jianghu while privately fretting over Liu Wu's strength.
• Chen Xuanji told General Star to expedite the appointment of a capable deputy for Commander-in-Chief Li Fu.
• Xiao Jinghong told White Immortal she planned to enter Barbarian Tribe territory, and he revealed that Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing were alive but warned her that the mission would be fatal.
• White Immortal said Liu Wu was the best person to rescue Xiao Jinghong's parents, and he offered to speak to Liu Wu, who was with the Snow Sword Lord.

Chen Yi spoke with Ye Guxian about the Le Family and named the three sword strikes Ye Guxian had developed. He then agreed to travel to the Barbarian Tribe to help Xiao Jinghong rescue her parents, and began planning the mission.

• Ye Guxian asked Chen Yi to send the Le Family to meet him if he failed to return from the Hidden Immortal Competition, and Chen Yi agreed to consider it while sparing uninvolved relatives.
• Chen Yi named Ye Guxian's three sword strikes, including the final strike, Seeking the Dao.
• Ye Guxian told Chen Yi that Xiao Jinghong wanted him to travel to the Barbarian Tribe, and Chen Yi went to hear the details from her and White Immortal.
• Xiao Jinghong explained that her parents were held in the Black Bear Tribe and that the Qinghe Cui Family and Song Jin Jian were involved in their capture.
• Chen Yi agreed to help rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing, then proposed investigating the connection between the Black Bear Tribe and the Qinghe Cui Family, beginning with Song Jin Jian.

Chen Yi prepared to enter Barbarian Tribe territory to rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing, seeking information and warnings from Xiao Jinghong and the elders. After the night's breakthroughs and sparring, he received powerful rewards, then spotted a woman flying toward the Xiao Family residence and hurried after her.

• Chen Yi asked Xiao Jinghong to find Song Jin Jian and obtain a detailed map of Barbarian Tribe territory before he ventured there.
• White Immortal and Ye Guxian warned Chen Yi about the Barbarian Tribe's powerful body cultivators, shamans, and bear-linked arts, while cautioning him not to attract the hidden immortal's attention.
• Xiao Jinghong asked why Chen Yi was helping her family, and he admitted that he had long admired Xiao Wan'er; she then set out to find Song Jin Jian.
• Chen Yi told Ye Guxian he planned to enter Barbarian Tribe territory alone within half a month, and Ye Guxian agreed to remain in Shuzhou.
• Chen Yi received rewards that raised his Mysterious Turtle Breath Concealment Art and Flying Flower Sword Technique to Heaven Rank, advanced his Sword Dao to Perfection, and granted him Yi Dao and Fortune.
• Chen Yi saw a graceful figure flying toward the Xiao Family residence and rushed after her, calling for his wife to wait.

Xiao Jinghong told Elder Master Xiao that Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing were imprisoned in Barbarian Tribe territory and argued that Chen Yu should lead their rescue. After leaving the Xiao Family estate, Chen Yi began planning the mission and considered which martial arts disciplines to advance.

• Xiao Jinghong returned to the Xiao Family estate, told Xiao Xuanshuo she was still too weak to rescue her parents, and went with him to meet Elder Master Xiao.
• Elder Master Xiao learned from Xiao Jinghong that Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing were alive but imprisoned by the Barbarian Tribe, and he blamed Cui Mao for the Xiao Family’s predicament.
• Xiao Jinghong warned that the Cui Family might frame her parents as traitors and said Chen Yu should rescue them; Elder Master Xiao agreed that Chen Yu was capable and worthy of trust.
• Elder Master Xiao asked Xiao Jinghong to learn whether Xiao Wan’er would accept a marriage with Chen Yu, while Xiao Jinghong said she still had to find Song Jin Jian.
• After Xiao Jinghong left the city, Chen Yi returned to his room, considered how to prepare for the rescue, and weighed which two martial disciplines to advance.

Chen Yi chose to perfect his Dao of Steps and Medical Dao, then devoted himself to mastering his techniques as he prepared for his promised journey into the Barbarian Tribe’s lands. Five days later, while Zhang Xuan departed Shu Prefecture City and Elder Master Xiao learned of Chen Yi’s medical progress, Chen Yi trained in secret and aimed to break into the upper three grades.

• Chen Yi spent two thousand fortune raising his Dao of Steps and Medical Dao to perfection, gaining new movement and healing techniques.
• Chen Yi reviewed his improved abilities, then spent five days training his spear, sword, movement, and medical techniques while preparing for the Barbarian Tribe.
• Jianghu visitors left Shu Prefecture City after news spread that Liu Wu and Xiao Jinghong had reached the extreme realm and Gongye Bai had defeated Ye Guxian.
• Zhang Xuan departed with Gu Hanjing, while he and Elder Master Xiao discussed the Xiao Family’s recovered wealth and the merchants of Guangyue Prefecture.
• Elder Master Xiao learned that Chen Yi had been treating patients at Jishi Pharmacy and chose not to interfere.
• Chen Yi practiced Falling Dragon Spear in his Chess Dao Illusion Realm, then cultivated the Four Symbols Technique and resolved to reach the upper three grades.

Chen Yi reached third grade, lower stage, and prepared to pursue Song Jin Jian while arranging for Ma Liangcai and Yuan Liu'er to take over at the Medical Dao Academy. In Shu Prefecture City, he heard that Chen Xuanji was cracking down on corruption and encountered Chen Yunfan, who began explaining his anger over an imperial order.

• Chen Yi absorbed Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi, advanced to third grade, lower stage, and returned his mind from the Chess Dao illusion.
• Chen Yi decided to act against Song Jin Jian that night, dissolved the Medicine Formation, and went to Jishi Pharmacy.
• Chen Yi told Ma Liangcai and Yuan Liu'er to go to Tonglin Town, appointing Ma Liangcai deputy head of the Medical Dao Academy.
• Chen Yi left the pharmacy and heard merchants discussing Chen Xuanji's crackdown on officials and Aristocratic Families in Jiangnan Prefecture.
• Chen Yunfan came out of the Provincial Administration's Yamen cursing an imperial order, recognized Chen Yi, and began to explain why he was angry.

Chen Yi learned that Chen Yunfan had been promoted to Right Envoy to the Commander-in-Chief in Guangyuan, while the investigation into Ma Shuhan’s family pointed toward Mountain Tribe chief Pei Yonglin. In Jinling, Chen Xuanji met Master Juyi and discussed Chen Yi’s hidden strength, the Cui Family’s schemes, and preparations for a Northern Expedition.

• Chen Yunfan told Chen Yi about his promotion and upcoming transfer to Guangyuan, then warned him to keep a low profile amid threats to the Chen Family.
• Chen Yunfan revealed that a traveling merchant from Youzhou had identified Pei Yonglin as the killer of Ma Shuhan’s family, and Chen Yi suspected Song Jin Jian had arranged the disclosure.
• Chen Xuanji met Master Juyi in Jinling and revealed that Chen Yi had reached the supreme Spear Dao realm, surprising both men and deepening their questions about his hidden abilities.
• Chen Xuanji told Master Juyi that King Landu was preparing to move west, while they discussed the Cui Family’s plans involving the Mountain Tribe or the Xiao Family.
• Chen Xuanji asked Master Juyi’s White Robe Prime Ministers to secure aristocratic cooperation for the Northern Expedition after he returned from inspecting Border Town.

Chen Yi learned that Wudang Mountain’s Kongkong had come looking for Chen Yu, while Chen Xuanji watched Suya from afar and promised that matters would soon be over. After hearing Fang Hongxiu interrogate a Poshushuo Kingdom envoy, Chen Yi recognized a chance to draw Song Jin Jian out, but Fang Hongxiu confronted him about a Golden Banner Officer who had been thinking of him.

• Chen Xuanji overheard members of the Qian Family complain about him and decide to hand over some people to satisfy his crackdown, but he chose to postpone settling accounts with them.
• Chen Xuanji watched Suya read until dusk, then left after promising that everything would be over soon.
• Chen Yi reviewed Hundred Herbs Hall’s expansion with Wang Ji, approved further growth despite shortages, and learned that Kongkong of Wudang Mountain had come seeking Chen Yu.
• Chen Yi returned to the Xiao Family, agreed to breakfast with Xiao Wan’er’s household, and planned to use a trip to Tonglin Town to explain his absence while rescuing Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing.
• Chen Yi secretly entered the Judicial Department and realized Fang Hongxiu had captured the Poshushuo Kingdom envoy Song Jin Jian was seeking, giving him a new way to lure Song Jin Jian out.
• Fang Hongxiu returned to her office and greeted Chen Yi as Liu Wu, then asked whether a Golden Banner Officer of the White Tiger Guard thinking about him was also just luck.

Chen Yi met Fang Hongxiu to hear Lou Yuxue’s message and borrow the imprisoned spy Wuer Tai, then visited Chunyu Tower and told General Star that he had captured Pei Yonglin, the Mountain Tribe chief who killed Ma Shuhan’s family. The chapter left Chen Yi beginning to discuss Pei Yonglin with General Star.

• Chen Yi heard Fang Hongxiu relay Lou Yuxue’s promise to wait for him in Jiangnan Prefecture and the White Tiger Guard’s warning to be careful.
• Chen Yi persuaded Fang Hongxiu to hand over Wuer Tai, arguing that keeping the Poshushuo Kingdom spy in the Judicial Department could draw Song Jin Jian and trouble involving the Cui Family.
• Fang Hongxiu told Chen Yi that officials in Capital Prefecture were debating the Southern and Northern Expeditions, and that Chu Chengxuan had raised the issue with the emperor.
• Chen Yi overheard General Star and Ge Laosan discussing Song Jin Jian, the Cui Family, and secret plans involving the Vermilion Bird Guard, then revealed himself to General Star.
• Chen Yi told General Star that Pei Yonglin, the Mountain Tribe chief suspected of killing Ma Shuhan’s family, was in his hands.

Chen Yi persuaded General Star to bring Pei Yonglin into the White Tiger Guard temporarily, protecting the Mountain Tribe from turmoil while leaving Pei Yonglin to answer to Wudang Mountain later. He then planned with Shui Hetong to draw out Song Jin Jian before setting out for the Barbarian Tribe.

• Chen Yi convinced General Star that the White Tiger Guard should shelter Pei Yonglin until Shuzhou was stable, after which Pei Yonglin would answer for his crimes at Wudang Mountain.
• General Star learned that Chen Yi had advanced his cultivation to the third grade and sent the Pavilion Master a Secret Letter; he assigned Luanfeng to Guangyuan as a Silver Banner Officer.
• Chen Yi checked on Liu Lang's impending saber dao breakthrough, told Shui Hetong that the White Tiger Guard had agreed to protect Pei Yonglin, and discussed Daoist Kongkong's arrival from Wudang Mountain.
• Chen Yi and Shui Hetong planned to lure Song Jin Jian out, and Chen Yi asked Shui Hetong to protect the Xiao Family while he traveled to the Barbarian Tribe.
• Chen Yi told Pei Yonglin that he had helped him because of Pei Guanli, then had Shui Hetong take Pei Yonglin to Bright Moon Tower.

Chen Yi arranged protection for Pei Yonglin, then found Ye Guxian teaching Yuan Liu'er the Shadowless Sword and joined her practice. Meanwhile, Song Jin Jian learned that the Poshushuo Kingdom's envoy was being held at the Judicial Department and ordered his men to rescue him.

• Chen Yi told Pei Qian that the White Tiger Guard would shelter Pei Yonglin temporarily and warned that the Mountain Tribe would still have to answer to Wudang Mountain.
• Chen Yi decided not to send Pei Qian to abduct Cui Qingwu, then went to Yuan Liu'er's residence and found Ye Guxian teaching her swordsmanship.
• Ye Guxian continued training Yuan Liu'er in the Shadowless Sword while Chen Yi practiced basic sword moves and confirmed his own swordsmanship had reached the Perfection Realm.
• Song Jin Jian discussed Liu Wu, Xiao Jinghong, and the shifting balance in Shuzhou with Liu Zhaoxue, concluding that he would wait rather than confront Liu Wu immediately.
• Liu Zhaoxue received word that the Poshushuo Kingdom's envoy was at the Judicial Department, and Song Jin Jian ordered his men to rescue him at once.