Chapter Summaries

Ning Chen was led by five alien villagers to their home, only to find it burning after an attack that killed their families. As the villagers pursued the suspected soldiers, Ning Chen buried a dying girl and continued toward Xu Ri City, where the story shifted to a young man waiting in a royal courtyard.

• Ning Chen was surrounded by gray wolves, and five alien villagers drove the pack away before inviting him to their nearby village.
• Ning Chen and the villagers found the village engulfed in flames, while a red-robed traveler used rain and his sword to rescue survivors.
• The dying girl Yiyi said that many soldiers had attacked, and the villagers suspected they had come from Xu Ri City under King of Asahi's rule.
• One young villager rushed off to seek revenge, and the middle-aged man and the others chased after him while the traveler departed.
• Ning Chen buried Yiyi and followed the road toward Xu Ri City as more than ten armored cavalrymen raced ahead; inside the royal city, a young man waited beside a sheathed longsword.

Ning Chen watched Xuyao and Shura Ascetic clash over the Asahi Royal City’s mission, then entered the city and explored the world of the hundred races. After Xuyao returned to the royal hall, King of Asahi ordered him to investigate someone.

• The Asahi Royal Cavalry killed four pursuers before Shura Ascetic intervened to protect the last young man.
• King of Asahi sent Xuyao to reinforce the cavalry, and Xuyao ordered the thirteen riders to return while he faced Shura Ascetic.
• Xuyao and Shura Ascetic fought with their divine swords, and Xuyao wounded the ascetic with Three Dawns' Startling Grace before withdrawing.
• Ning Chen watched the battle, told Shura Ascetic that humans did not belong in the world of the hundred races, and continued on his way.
• Ning Chen entered Asahi Royal City and observed its many races as he walked through the lively streets.
• King of Asahi appeared before Xuyao in the royal hall and ordered him to investigate someone.

Xuyao sent Hong Jin to investigate Ning Chen, whom the King of Asahi suspected might be human. While Ning Chen studied the fighting styles of the hundred races at the Martial Arts Arena, Hong Jin approached him as White Demon prepared to face Black Moon.

• The King of Asahi ordered Xuyao to investigate Ning Chen, suspecting that the young man was human because of his exceptional cultivation speed.
• Xuyao assigned Hong Jin the task of identifying Ning Chen and promised to restore her freedom if she succeeded.
• Ning Chen watched fights at the Martial Arts Arena, studying the races’ combat methods and observing Black Moon defeat a giant.
• The arena supervisor arranged for White Demon to fight Black Moon after learning that White Demon had returned.
• Hong Jin approached Ning Chen, introduced herself, and asked who he thought would win the upcoming match; Ning Chen favored White Demon and recognized that his aura seemed familiar.

Ning Chen watched White Demon defeat Black Moon, then accepted White Demon's challenge and revealed his formidable cultivation. Their battle shook the Martial Arts Arena until King of Asahi intervened with a tremendous palm strike, leaving Ning Chen to face the attack.

• White Demon overcame Black Moon's Divine Moon Domain with a Golden Divine Sun and defeated him with a palm strike.
• White Demon challenged Ning Chen, who descended to the fighting platform and accepted.
• Ning Chen revealed his Peak Third Realm cultivation and fought White Demon with the Nine Heavens Star Plucking Hand against the Royal City Secret Technique.
• The battle's force damaged the arena's formations, so the steward ordered four Martial Arts Arena Attendants to reinforce them.
• As Ning Chen and White Demon continued fighting, King of Asahi sent a powerful palm strike toward the arena, and Ning Chen countered with the fused Five Scrolls and Star Plucking technique.

Ning Chen withstood King of Asahi’s distant strike, and Xuyao revealed himself and declared Hong Jin free. As Xuyao hosted Ning Chen and Hong Jin at Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, two identical women named Dong Yu and Xia Zhi launched a powerful assassination attempt, leaving Ning Chen and Xuyao fighting for their lives.

• Ning Chen used the five scrolls and Star-Plucking Power to withstand King of Asahi’s attack at the Martial Arts Arena.
• Xuyao revealed his identity as the young master of Asahi Royal City and said Hong Jin was free to choose her own path.
• Ning Chen pressed Xuyao’s declaration into granting Hong Jin her freedom, and the three left the arena together.
• Xuyao took Ning Chen and Hong Jin to Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, where they drank with the attendants.
• Dong Yu and Xia Zhi attacked Ning Chen and Xuyao, who fought back as their battle began destroying the pavilion.
• Ning Chen contained the battle’s destructive force and told Xuyao that he owed him a favor.

Ning Chen and Xuyao fought off an assassination attempt on Xuyao, while King of Asahi battled an opposing king who had arranged the attack. The attackers were driven away, but Dong Yu escaped as Ning Chen captured the gravely wounded Xia Zhi, confident Dong Yu would return for her.

• Ning Chen and Xuyao fought the twin assassins Dong Yu and Xia Zhi as King of Asahi clashed with another king in the royal palace.
• Ning Chen and Xuyao agreed that Ning Chen would take Dong Yu and Xia Zhi, then combined their attacks to injure the twins and wound Xia Zhi with Xuyao's sword.
• The opposing king ordered a retreat, but Xia Zhi stayed behind to help Dong Yu escape, taking Ning Chen's immortal rainbow strike as Xuyao blocked her counterattack.
• Ning Chen caught the collapsing Xia Zhi and used the Scroll of Life to preserve her, while Dong Yu escaped and Xuyao regretted that one twin had gotten away.
• Ning Chen said Dong Yu would return for Xia Zhi.

After the battle that destroyed Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, Ning Chen cared for the injured Xia Zhi while Xuyao invited him to meet the King of Asahi. Xia Zhi woke and questioned Ning Chen’s ties to Asahi Royal City, while Hong Jin left after he urged her to live freely; the chapter ended with Xia Zhi asking about the woman in Ning Chen’s painting, whom he said was his wife.

• Ning Chen treated the unconscious Xia Zhi with medicine containing a drop of Little Gourd’s blood and fed it to her.
• Xuyao invited Ning Chen to meet the King of Asahi, and Ning Chen agreed to go after Xia Zhi recovered.
• Ning Chen realized Xia Zhi was awake and learned she blamed Asahi Royal City for evil deeds and resented his intervention.
• Ning Chen told Hong Jin she was free to leave, and she departed after thanking him.
• Xia Zhi drank water Ning Chen brought and stayed silent when he asked why she had become an assassin.
• Xia Zhi asked about the woman in Ning Chen’s painting, and Ning Chen told her the woman was his wife.

The King of Asahi grew suspicious of Ning Chen and repeatedly tried to summon him to the palace, while Xuyao struggled to carry out his father’s orders. After Xia Zhi recovered enough to leave her room, the King appeared directly at Ning Chen’s residence to confront him.

• The King of Asahi ordered a shadow guard to keep watching Ning Chen and told Xuyao to invite him to the palace again.
• Xuyao questioned his father’s urgency, then reassured Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum after the King disappeared.
• Ning Chen prepared medicine as Xia Zhi recovered, and the two kept their identities secret from each other.
• Ning Chen warned Xia Zhi that her sister’s plan to rescue her in Asahi Royal City could cost them both their lives.
• Xuyao arrived to invite Ning Chen to the palace, but Ning Chen refused because he suspected a trap.
• The King of Asahi appeared in Ning Chen’s courtyard in a display of power, and Ning Chen recognized him.

King of Asahi offered Ning Chen a slot in the coming campaign selection, but Ning Chen refused and worried that leaving Asahi Royal City could turn the king against him. After learning from Xia Zhi that the Luan Clan’s king might know about phoenixes, Ning Chen considered how to protect her and escape, while Dong Yu approached the city to save her younger sister.

• King of Asahi visited Ning Chen’s manor, recognized Xia Zhi as a member of the Luan Clan, and offered Ning Chen one of Asahi Royal City’s two slots for the young commanders’ selection.
• Ning Chen refused the offer, and King of Asahi asked him to give his final answer at the palace in three days.
• Xuyao urged Ning Chen to reconsider the rare opportunity before departing, while Xia Zhi worried about King of Asahi’s motives.
• Ning Chen showed Xia Zhi a Phoenix Plume and learned that phoenixes once existed, though their present whereabouts were unknown, and that the King of the Luan Clan might know more.
• Ning Chen warned Xia Zhi that King of Asahi was dangerous and explained that leaving the city could cost them his protection, leaving their escape plan unresolved.
• Dong Yu walked toward Asahi Royal City through the cold rain to save her younger sister.

Dong Yu attacked Ning Chen to reach Xia Zhi, but Ning Chen defeated her and persuaded King of Asahi to spare both women. Three days later, Ning Chen went to the royal palace to honor his appointment with King of Asahi, where Xuyao was waiting.

• Dong Yu stormed into the residence, and Ning Chen fought her while Xia Zhi watched from inside.
• Ning Chen defeated Dong Yu and asked King of Asahi to leave her and Xia Zhi in his care; King of Asahi agreed and summoned Ning Chen to the palace in three days.
• Ning Chen treated Dong Yu's injuries, and Xia Zhi helped her recover while warning Ning Chen that King of Asahi was dangerous.
• Ning Chen told Xia Zhi he intended to attend the appointment, and she offered to take him to meet the Phoenix clan's king someday.
• Three days later, Ning Chen left Xia Zhi and Dong Yu at the residence and climbed the royal palace steps to meet King of Asahi and Xuyao.

Ning Chen agreed to represent Asahi Royal City in the Contest of Blades of the Hundred Races and swore to retrieve the Yin-Yang Jade, choosing Mad Bone Blade over the sword that recognized him. He left the city with Xia Zhi and Dong Yu, intending to return them to the Luan Clan and seek information about the Phoenix.

• Ning Chen accepted King of Asahi’s offer to compete in the Contest of Blades of the Hundred Races, chose Mad Bone Blade instead of Heavenly Rainbow, and swore to bring back the Yin-Yang Jade.
• Ning Chen returned to the residence and told Xia Zhi and Dong Yu they could leave Asahi Royal City the next day.
• Xuyao challenged King of Asahi for putting Ning Chen under an oath, then left the hall after his father insisted the city’s interests came first.
• Ning Chen left Asahi Royal City with Xia Zhi and Dong Yu and said he would take them back to the Luan Clan before heading to the contest battlefield.
• Dong Yu warned that the Luan Clan did not admit outsiders, so Ning Chen agreed to wait outside and ask the clan’s king for permission to enter.

Ning Chen entered the Luan Clan Secret Realm and asked the Luan King for information about the Phoenixes, promising to prove they still lived. After settling at Xia Zhi’s home, he told her in secret that he was the Phoenix.

• Dong Yu and Xia Zhi returned to Three Peril Mountain and brought Ning Chen before the Luan King.
• The Luan King questioned Ning Chen about why he had saved the two women, then agreed to share what she knew about the Phoenixes if he proved they were alive.
• Ning Chen asked for a few days to prepare, and the Luan King ordered Dong Yu and Xia Zhi to take him to rest.
• Xia Zhi’s mother welcomed Ning Chen, while Dong Yu worried that Xia Zhi might mistake admiration for affection.
• Xia Zhi asked how Ning Chen would prove the Phoenixes survived, and he whispered that he was the Phoenix.

Ning Chen shared a warm meal with Xia Zhi’s family and learned that the Luan Clan’s peaceful secret realm had been secured through the deaths of most of its men. Meanwhile, the Phoenix traveled from the Moon Worshipper Sacred Land to Three Peril Mountain, where she met Ning Chen and the two sisters.

• Ning Chen ate with Xia Zhi, Dong Yu, and their mother, enjoying their hospitality as Xia Zhi eagerly served him.
• Ning Chen asked why the Luan King had sent Dong Yu and Xia Zhi to assassinate the young lord of Asahi Royal City, and their mother explained that the clan’s women had to fight after most of its men died in battle.
• Ning Chen learned that Xia Zhi’s mother had entered the Mortal Realm a thousand years earlier, though she was not skilled in martial arts.
• The Phoenix ordered four Moon Worshipper Clan experts to guard the Sacred Land, then flew through the stars toward the summons.
• On the seventh day, the Phoenix arrived at Three Peril Mountain, where Ning Chen emerged from the secret realm with Dong Yu and Xia Zhi, who were both stunned to see the newcomer.

Ning Chen reunited with his Phoenix Body and asked the Luan King about the Phoenix Race’s disappearance and lost secret arts. After he refused her offer to entrust Dong Yu and Xia Zhi to him in exchange for protecting the Luan Clan, the Luan King allowed the two women to pursue him and join the coming war between the two realms.

• Ning Chen reunited with his Phoenix Body and went with Dong Yu and Xia Zhi to meet the Luan King at Green Rain Abyss.
• Ning Chen revealed his phoenix origin, then asked the Luan King whether phoenixes still existed and why their race had vanished.
• The Luan King explained that a black phoenix had betrayed and fatally wounded the Phoenix Lord, helping bring about the Phoenix Race’s extinction, and suggested Southern Corner Mountain and the Heavenly Demon Royal Clan as possible sources of its secret arts.
• The Luan King asked Ning Chen to take Dong Yu and Xia Zhi and protect the Luan Clan in the future, but Ning Chen refused to make the women or the clan’s fate part of a deal.
• After Ning Chen left, the Luan King told Dong Yu and Xia Zhi they could take the clan’s two places among the commanders for the coming war, and Xia Zhi hurried after him with Dong Yu.

Ning Chen took Xia Zhi and Dong Yu to Southern Corner Mountain, the lost Phoenix Ancestral Land, and summoned the Phoenix Lord from the ancient battle souls. He asked the Phoenix Lord for the Phoenix Race’s secret arts.

• Xia Zhi and Dong Yu joined Ning Chen on his journey after saying farewell to their mother.
• Ning Chen led them to Southern Corner Mountain, where he used the Mad Bone Blade to break through the hidden barriers of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
• Ning Chen awakened the Parasol Trees with Phoenix flames and summoned a phoenix, causing the beasts of the mountains to bow.
• The Phoenix Lord appeared with several dozen Phoenix battle souls, who bowed to it and dispersed.
• Ning Chen bowed to the Phoenix Lord and directly requested the secret arts of the Phoenix Race.

The Phoenix Lord told Ning Chen that he could obtain the Phoenix inheritance only by seizing the Phoenix Race battle soul from the Heavenly Demon Imperial Family or finding the Black Phoenix, then gave him the Imperial Dao Law. After the Phoenix Lord confronted the Seven Luminaries Demonic Emperor and the Eight Desolations Demonic Emperor, Ning Chen traveled with Dong Yu and Xia Zhi to Jueyang Ancient City, where Ao Lie attacked an Egret Clan woman.

• The Phoenix Lord explained the two ways Ning Chen could obtain a Phoenix soul imprint and gave him the Imperial Dao Law, warning that using it would injure him as well as his enemy.
• The Phoenix Lord went to the Primeval Demonic Realm, confronted the Seven Luminaries Demonic Emperor and the Eight Desolations Demonic Emperor, and attacked them.
• Ning Chen separated his Phoenix Body and sent it to search for news of the Black Phoenix while he continued onward with Dong Yu and Xia Zhi.
• After half a month, Ning Chen, Dong Yu, and Xia Zhi reached Jueyang Ancient City and sensed that a king-level expert guarded it.
• Ao Lie arrived in a war chariot and swallowed a bloodied Egret Clan woman with his Sky Roc Phantom.

Ning Chen protected Dong Yu and Xia Zhi from Ao Lie in Jueyang Ancient City, then clashed with the Scaly Clan prodigy Jin Liner, whose intervention ended the fight. As Ning Chen prepared to leave the next morning, a black-clad figure arrived with a summons from the Jueyang King.

• Ao Lie devoured a woman of the Egret Clan and attacked Dong Yu and Xia Zhi after Xia Zhi condemned him.
• Ning Chen blocked Ao Lie’s attacks and fought him until Jin Liner intervened and warned Ao Lie to restrain himself.
• Ning Chen refused to give Jin Liner his name and left with Dong Yu and Xia Zhi, while Jin Liner suspected he was hostile toward her.
• Ning Chen reflected on his plan to help Asahi Royal City win the Contest of Blades of the Hundred Races and obtain the Yin-Yang Jade.
• The next morning, a black-clad figure told Ning Chen that the Jueyang King requested his presence.

Ning Chen attended a banquet hosted by the Jueyang King, where the gathered clan prodigies exchanged courtesies and Ao Lie addressed the killing of a White Egret Clan woman. The Jueyang King's son Gu Xin arrived, and he and Ning Chen recognized each other as strong opponents.

• The Jueyang King welcomed Ning Chen and the other clan prodigies to a banquet at Water Moon Lake.
• Ning Chen identified Cang Ming as a formidable warrior, while Ao Lie apologized to the Jueyang King for eating a White Egret Clan woman and received his acceptance.
• Ning Chen introduced himself as a cultivator from Asahi Royal City with no master.
• Jin Liner and Ao Lie asked to meet Gu Xin, and the Jueyang King sent a maid to summon his son.
• Ning Chen sensed Gu Xin's pure sword intent as he approached the banquet.
• Gu Xin greeted the Jueyang King, took his seat, and paused when he noticed Ning Chen, recognizing him as strong.

At a banquet hosted by the Jueyang King, Gu Xin challenged Ao Lie and revealed the divine Taiyin Sword in their fierce, evenly matched duel. Gu Xin then arranged to spar with Ning Chen later, while the Jueyang King warned him to conceal his strength until they obtained the Yin-Yang Jade.

• Gu Xin toasted the gathered Heaven's Chosen, then challenged Ao Lie to a spar at the banquet.
• Gu Xin and Ao Lie fought with their cultivation suppressed, and Gu Xin kept his ancient sword sheathed through their opening exchanges.
• Ao Lie summoned the Heavenly Peng Demonic Form, prompting Gu Xin to draw the Taiyin Sword and freeze Water Moon Lake.
• The Jueyang King stopped the escalating duel before either fighter could claim victory, and the two returned to their seats.
• Gu Xin invited Ning Chen to spar at a later time, and Ning Chen agreed.
• The Jueyang King warned Gu Xin not to reveal more strength before obtaining the Yin-Yang Jade, but Gu Xin suggested his father kill all their opponents.

Ning Chen fought Ao Lie after the Peng Clan’s young master followed him away from Jueyang Ancient City. The Peng King emerged from Ao Lie and rescued him, leaving Ning Chen and his companions to continue their journey with the feud unresolved.

• The Jueyang King slapped Gu Xin after the feast, and Gu Xin left without replying.
• Ning Chen told Dong Yu that Ao Lie would follow them, then stopped at midnight and called him out.
• Ao Lie attacked Ning Chen with the Desolate Halberd and his Heavenly Peng Demonic Form, but Ning Chen turned the fight with the Scroll of God and wounded him.
• Ning Chen unleashed Spring and Autumn Blade, defeated Ao Lie, and moved to finish him.
• The Peng King’s power emerged through Ao Lie, forcing Ning Chen to retreat, and the Peng King carried Ao Lie away.
• Ning Chen explained to Dong Yu and Xia Zhi that the Peng King could not use enough power through Ao Lie to kill him, then continued onward.