Chapter Summaries

Xu Xing trapped Zhang Xiu and explained that the red jade held dangerous blood connected to his parents’ deaths, while revealing his plans to train Zhang Yunlu. Meanwhile, Zhang Yunlu reached the final trial of Xu Xing’s brutal sword-training challenge, but her first attempt against the perfected sword cultivator ended in failure.

• Xu Xing stopped Zhang Xiu from escaping, returned the red jade to his storage ring, and said Zhang Xiu would need to reach Dao Integration to learn what the blood was.
• Xu Xing told Zhang Xiu he would help Zhang Yunlu build a Heaven-Forged Dao Foundation before she joined his Sword Sect, and said he protected younger cultivators because others had protected him.
• Zhang Yunlu recovered in the gray space and learned she had mastered the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique after nearly a hundred life-and-death battles.
• Zhang Yunlu faced the final perfected sword cultivator, charged first, and was defeated when the shadow pierced her forehead.

Zhang Yunlu repeatedly fought a sword cultivator phantom in a trial until she killed it by trading a fatal wound for a decisive strike. After waking at home with her spiritual power strengthened, she found herself instinctively drawn to her sword, alarming Zhang Xiu when he returned.

• Zhang Yunlu died repeatedly against the ninth-layer sword cultivator phantom, refining her technique and gradually inflicting heavier wounds.
• On her 102nd death, Zhang Yunlu sacrificed herself to stab the phantom in the face with her short sword, ending the trial after seven minutes and twenty-five seconds.
• Xu Xing praised Zhang Yunlu's resolve, while Zhang Xiu worried over his sister's brutal trial and recognized that it might help her endure cultivating her Heaven-Forged Dao Foundation.
• Zhang Yunlu awoke at home with surging spiritual power, drank juice, and reflected on how peaceful ordinary life felt compared with combat.
• Zhang Yunlu picked up her long sword and felt her mind settle, then smiled at Zhang Xiu when he entered; he felt unnerved by her and the sword.

Zhang Yunlu learned about the paths to Foundation Establishment and received a basic refining method from Yu Ming. She visited Xu Xing to ask whether her brutal training in the dream had been real, and he explained that it had been an illusion experienced like reality.

• Zhang Yunlu reported her Qi Refining ninth level to Yu Ming, who explained the three mainstream Foundation Establishment methods and the difficulty of the Heaven-Forged Dao Foundation.
• Yu Ming told Zhang Yunlu about the Creation Dao Foundation and gave her a crystal card containing the Basic Refining Method.
• Zhang Yunlu encountered Fang Chi in Yu Ming's office, then ignored classmates who urged her to reconcile with her teacher before the Dharma Combat Test.
• Zhang Yunlu traveled to Xu Xing's villa, hoping to prepare for the test by facing strong opponents after her dream training.
• Zhang Yunlu asked Xu Xing whether her repeated deaths and gains in the dream had been real, and he explained the art of refining the false into the real.

Xu Xing gave Zhang Yunlu a cultivation method and told her that her new sword-focused instincts would fade as she adjusted. On the morning of the Dharma Combat Test, Zhang Yunlu awaited her matches while Fang Lin and Fang Chi underestimated her.

• Xu Xing passed the Nine Qi Harvesting and Refining Method to Zhang Yunlu and reassured her that her instinct to assess others’ vital points would fade with time.
• Zhang Yunlu went to practice the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique on the rooftop, where a schoolmate learned that students and a teacher planned to target her during the Dharma Combat Test.
• Cultivators gathered at Third High School to watch the test, and Li Fengping served as one of its judges despite his bandaged face.
• Zhang Yunlu recalled defeating a ninth-level Qi Refining sword cultivator in her trial and felt anticipation as she waited for the test to begin.
• Fang Chi watched Zhang Yunlu nervously and relied on Fang Lin, the class’s strongest student and a veteran of the Starry Sky Battlefield, to handle her.

True Monarch Purple Universe watched the school’s Dharma Combat Test in hopes of finding the Sword Sect cultivator and addressing his heart demon. Outside the school, Xu Xing witnessed a yellow-haired lad get confronted by his girlfriend’s father, then headed inside to see Saint Emperor Abyss’s cultivation method.

• True Monarch Purple Universe recalled the sword cultivator who had become his heart demon and watched the school, expecting the Sword Sect cultivator might attend the Dharma Combat Test.
• A drained yellow-haired lad arrived at a barbecue shop and ordered kidney skewers while Xu Xing bought buns nearby.
• The shop owner learned that his daughter had introduced the yellow-haired lad as her boyfriend and grabbed him, demanding to know what had happened between them.
• The daughter revealed that she had joined the Joyous Union Sect, had shown the lad an illusion, and had not actually been touched by him.
• The shop owner took the yellow-haired lad inside to settle things, while Xu Xing carried his buns toward the school to check out Saint Emperor Abyss’s cultivation method.

Xu Xing secretly entered the school to retrieve the Basic Refining Method while the Dharma Combat Test began, and he directed Zhang Yunlu to defend the central arena. The arena’s brutal ratings silenced the students as Zhang Yunlu approached her challenge.

• Xu Xing entered the school unnoticed and went to the director of studies’ office to retrieve the crystal card containing the Basic Refining Method.
• The principal opened the Cease Conflict arena into twelve platforms and explained that students could defend them and compete for rankings.
• Du Qian defended the smallest arena, but Cease Conflict mocked both him and his challenger, leaving them embarrassed and prompting Du Qian to quit.
• Xu Xing secretly urged Zhang Yunlu to take the stage and then directed her toward the central arena.

Zhang Yunlu dominated the Dharma Combat Test by defeating each challenger with a single sword stroke, drawing the attention of the school’s principal and True Monarch Purple Universe. The test was interrupted when a terrifying demonic aura erupted in Mystic Sword City, and Xu Xing went to investigate.

• Zhang Yunlu took the largest stage and challenged her fellow students, then defeated Hou Xiang with one sword stroke.
• Zhang Yunlu went on to defeat several more challengers, while Fang Lin and Fang Chi realized how formidable she was.
• The principal praised Li Fengping’s judgment of Zhang Yunlu, and True Monarch Purple Universe wondered where her unfamiliar sword technique came from.
• True Monarch Purple Universe sensed a Dao Integration Old Devil’s demonic aura and heard a desperate scream.
• Xu Xing looked toward the disturbance and decided to go pick him up.

Chi Jiuyu uncovered a demonic cultivator base beneath Xuanyue Tower and was cornered by a Dao Integration old devil. Her master appeared, killed the old devil, and Xu Xing arrived to ask whether Chi Jiuyu was Senior Sister's disciple.

• Chi Jiuyu followed suspicious people to Xuanyue Tower and found an abandoned underground laboratory linked to demonic cultivators.
• Chi Jiuyu discovered two Nascent Soul cultivators and a Dao Integration old devil, who recognized her Void-Piercing Golden Pupils and threatened her.
• Chi Jiuyu called for her master, whose appearance overwhelmed the room and destroyed the Dao Integration old devil.
• Chi Jiuyu challenged the surviving Young Master and his subordinate, while Xu Xing appeared and asked whether she was Senior Sister's disciple.

Xu Xing and Chi Jiuyu subdued a demonic cultivator and his lackey, then went to watch the Dharma Combat Test at Xuansword City No. 3 High School. As Chi Jiuyu explained that enemies across many sects motivated her to cultivate, True Monarch Purple Universe watched a surge of demonic energy and hesitated over whether to investigate.

• Chi Jiuyu recognized Xu Xing as her martial uncle, and the young master and his lackey surrendered when they realized who had arrived.
• The young master revealed that he had been forging a demonic sword with resentment and was staying behind after other demonic cultivators fled.
• Chi Jiuyu sent the pair to the Law Enforcement Hall and gave them her name before she and Xu Xing vanished.
• Xu Xing brought Chi Jiuyu to the school spectator stands, where they watched Zhang Yunlu hold the center platform after winning six matches.
• Chi Jiuyu told Xu Xing that people wanting to beat her up motivated her to cultivate harder.
• True Monarch Purple Universe watched toward the surging demonic energy and hesitated about going there.

True Monarch Purple Universe investigated the vanished Dao Integration Old Devil but found the suspects’ memories had been altered. At the school, Zhang Yunlu defeated Fang Lin with a perfected sword technique, while Chi Jiuyu dealt with messages from her suspicious Master.

• True Monarch Purple Universe questioned the three demonic cultivators, found gaps in their memories, and searched Xuanyue Tower’s underground laboratory before leaving empty-handed.
• Chi Jiuyu read messages from her Master, who realized she was not in danger and threatened to punish her for lying.
• Fang Lin challenged Zhang Yunlu and unleashed three blade auras with his saber.
• Zhang Yunlu countered Fang Lin with seven sword auras and knocked him out of the ring.
• The ring praised Zhang Yunlu and mocked Fang Lin, who silently retrieved his scabbard and left.

At the Dharma Combat Test, Xiao Fan revealed that he had used Barrier-Breaking Spirit Liquid to achieve Pseudo Foundation Establishment, hoping to win prize money for his injured brother’s medical expenses. Xu Xing recognized the rare potential and danger in Xiao Fan’s Dao Foundation, while Chi Jiuyu joined an online argument about cultivation paths.

• Chi Jiuyu learned that Xu Xing had not persuaded her master to spare her and realized her master would deal with her when she returned.
• Xiao Fan appeared at the Dharma Combat Test with Foundation Establishment-level power but chose the second-largest arena instead of challenging Zhang Yunlu.
• The principal identified Xiao Fan’s cultivation as Pseudo Foundation Establishment, and the mayor’s secretary explained that Xiao Fan sought prize money to pay for his older brother’s treatment.
• Xu Xing saw that a trace of Creation Dao Foundation aura remained in Xiao Fan’s fragile Dao Foundation and decided to keep an eye on him.
• Chi Jiuyu used three accounts to argue for sword cultivation against cultivators promoting other paths until the original poster deleted the post.

Chi Jiuyu told Xu Xing about her past as they left the school, while the Dharma Combat Test concluded with Zhang Yunlu in first place. After the siblings departed, True Monarch Purple Universe questioned them about an ancient cultivator and gave Zhang Yunlu a cultivation method, leaving her wondering why fortuitous encounters kept coming.

• Xu Xing led Chi Jiuyu away from the school and asked how she had become Sword Venerable’s disciple, prompting her to recount her parents’ deaths and how her master found her.
• Chi Jiuyu revealed that her master named her after nine Spirit Fish and that she later cooked and ate them.
• The Dharma Combat Test ended with Zhang Yunlu first, Xiao Fan second, and Fang Lin and Hou Xiang following; Li Fengping felt Zhang Xiu’s sudden malice when he considered recruiting Zhang Yunlu.
• Zhang Xiu chose to celebrate with Zhang Yunlu instead of asking about her perfected sword technique, but True Monarch Purple Universe appeared and questioned them about the ancient cultivator.
• True Monarch Purple Universe found that the siblings had no connection to the ancient cultivator and gave Zhang Yunlu the Purple Enclosure Qi Observation Method as a possible fortuitous encounter.

Zhang Xiu and Zhang Yunlu considered the risks of accepting a Dao Integration expert’s help, while Xu Xing brought Chi Jiuyu to his villa after she raced through traffic on a tricycle. Xu Xing gave Chi Jiuyu the villa’s formation token and hinted that he had a special opportunity suited to her, but did not explain it yet.

• Zhang Xiu told Zhang Yunlu that the Dao Integration expert from the Supreme Dao Sect had offered her a chance and advised her to seek guidance without revealing Senior Purple Universe’s name.
• Zhang Xiu considered preparing for the Dragon-Elephant Heaven-Supporting Sect, and Zhang Yunlu studied the Purple Enclosure Qi Observation Method before they went home.
• Chi Jiuyu pedaled a human-powered tricycle through traffic, overtook cars, and taunted their drivers while Xu Xing rode in the carriage.
• Chi Jiuyu told Xu Xing that her antics were meant to stamp out road rage, and Xu Xing gave her the control token for his villa’s modified formation.
• Xu Xing praised Chi Jiuyu’s cultivation foundations and said he had an opportunity suited to her, but told her she would have to wait to learn what it was.

Xu Xing examined the Basic Refining Method and considered how its safer approach could give more cultivators a chance to attempt a Heaven-Forged Dao Foundation. At the hospital, Xiao Fan mourned his eldest brother’s condition before accepting a mysterious jade box from a stranger, who then addressed someone watching from above.

• Chi Jiuyu settled into her room and searched the Spirit Net for ways to recover deleted chat records.
• Xu Xing read the Basic Refining Method, suppressed its anti-piracy ripple, and learned how its spiritual seal eased the pain of refining starlight.
• Xu Xing destroyed the crystal card after concluding that the method could help cultivators try the first stage but could not safely replace later stages.
• After paying for his eldest brother’s surgery, Xiao Fan left the hospital and broke down over the danger and sacrifices surrounding his family.
• A strange man offered Xiao Fan an ancient treasure for free, and Xiao Fan kept the jade box after the man left.
• From the hospital roof, the man watched Xiao Fan take the box and asked an unseen Daoist brother how much progress he had made since emerging from seclusion.

Zhang Yunlu considered the Purple Enclosure Qi Observation Method, practiced with her new sword, and asked Xu Xing whether she should cultivate the technique. Chi Jiuyu recovered deleted chat logs and joined them, where Zhang Yunlu recognized her as a celebrated young cultivator.

• Zhang Yunlu read the Purple Enclosure Qi Observation Method, then took her new icy-blue sword and went to practice on the rooftop.
• Chi Jiuyu browsed the Spirit Net, discovered that all three of her accounts had been blocked from replying to a post, and received a notice that her deleted chat logs had been recovered.
• Xu Xing told Zhang Yunlu that she could practice the introductory method but should refuse any advanced foundational cultivation method because her foundation was prepared for sword cultivation.
• Chi Jiuyu arrived at Xu Xing's home and recognized Zhang Yunlu as the winner of the Dharma Combat Test.
• Zhang Yunlu recognized Chi Jiuyu as a top-ranked young cultivator and wondered why she seemed strange in person.

Xu Xing arranged a spar between Zhang Yunlu and Chi Jiuyu, reducing Chi Jiuyu’s cultivation to Zhang Yunlu’s level so the younger woman could test herself. Chi Jiuyu praised Zhang Yunlu’s potential, then learned that a Supreme Dao Sect cultivator also wanted to recruit her.

• Zhang Yunlu admired Chi Jiuyu’s reputation, and Xu Xing suggested they spar in a space he expanded with his divine ability.
• Xu Xing reduced Chi Jiuyu’s cultivation and physical strength to the level of a ninth-level Qi Refiner before the fight began.
• Zhang Yunlu attacked with her sword, but Chi Jiuyu calmly blocked her techniques and disrupted her spiritual power.
• Zhang Yunlu risked taking a cut to her shoulder, and Chi Jiuyu stopped the spar by knocking her unconscious and catching her.
• Chi Jiuyu judged Zhang Yunlu suited to sword cultivation and recommended battlefield training after she reached Foundation Establishment.
• Xu Xing told Chi Jiuyu that a Dao Integration cultivator from the Supreme Dao Sect wanted Zhang Yunlu as a disciple, and Chi Jiuyu objected to the rival sect recruiting her.

Chi Jiuyu recovered the deleted chat history and learned that her master wanted information about Saint Emperor Abyss, while her master mentioned that Huo had gone to Xu Xing’s place. At dusk, Chi Jiuyu took Zhang Yunlu to a restaurant in her tricycle, where Li Fengping recognized her.

• Xu Xing told Chi Jiuyu to help Zhang Yunlu rest before handling her own business, and Chi Jiuyu discovered that the deleted chat history had been restored.
• Chi Jiuyu read her master’s conversation with Xu Xing, learning that her master wanted information about Saint Emperor Abyss and that Huo had gone to her place after sensing changes in the Great Profound Realm.
• Zhang Yunlu woke at dusk and prepared to leave, so Chi Jiuyu offered to take her to find food.
• Chi Jiuyu pedaled Zhang Yunlu to a crowded restaurant in her human-powered tricycle, shocking the onlookers and leaving Zhang Yunlu disillusioned.
• Li Fengping spotted Chi Jiuyu and exclaimed that she was his Little Martial Uncle Ancestor.

Li Fengping reported seeing Chi Jiuyu, the Sword Sect’s Little Martial Uncle Ancestor, to Lin Qiuxian, who became convinced she was connected to Zhang Yunlu. The head of the Xuanjian City Law Enforcement Hall detained Li Fengping as well as Lin Qiuxian while they awaited orders from the sect.

• Li Fengping encountered Chi Jiuyu dining with Zhang Yunlu and went over to pay his respects, while a female teacher accompanying him wondered who the senior was.
• Two people Chi Jiuyu had confronted earlier spotted her at the diner and immediately left.
• Li Fengping visited Lin Qiuxian in the Law Enforcement Hall and told him he had seen Little Martial Uncle Ancestor.
• Lin Qiuxian became agitated and ordered Li Fengping to watch Chi Jiuyu, then grew excited after hearing about her appearance with Zhang Yunlu and Zhang Yunlu’s swordsmanship.
• Law Enforcement Hall officers dragged Lin Qiuxian away, and the branch head detained Li Fengping until the sect issued orders.

Chi Jiuyu returned to the villa with Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup and watched Xu Xing train Zhang Yunlu through a shared-sensation sword-fighting simulation. After seeing Zhang Yunlu adapt to a stronger opponent, Chi Jiuyu asked to fight Xu Xing at the same level, and he agreed to test her against three sword strikes.

• The branch hall master ordered Li Fengping removed and decided to report the matter involving the Little Martial Uncle Ancestor to the sect.
• Chi Jiuyu searched a secluded lane for muggers to punish, found none, and hurried back to the villa with fresh Duck Blood Vermicelli Soup.
• Chi Jiuyu found Xu Xing watching Zhang Yunlu fight a sword cultivator phantom in a training simulation and learned that its sensations were shared.
• Zhang Yunlu changed her swordplay and fought the phantom to a stalemate after Chi Jiuyu praised her progress.
• Chi Jiuyu said she wanted to fight Xu Xing at the same level, and he offered to let her face Senior Sister again if she endured three sword strikes.

Chi Jiuyu entered Xu Xing’s simulated space to test her strength against a Nascent Soul opponent, only to be overwhelmed by his first strike. After Xu Xing let her experience the attack without dying, he explained that he and her master had once been Nascent Soul Perfection because the cultivation system had no higher path.

• Chi Jiuyu entered the gray mist realm and raced through it with her life-bound spirit sword.
• A challenge appeared naming Xu Xing as a Nascent Soul Perfection opponent and requiring Chi Jiuyu to survive three strikes.
• Xu Xing’s phantom overwhelmed Chi Jiuyu with a red sword strike, and she reformed in the mist after being destroyed.
• Chi Jiuyu challenged Xu Xing’s phantom again, but his sword stopped before her brow and let her feel its Nascent Soul-level aura.
• Xu Xing told Chi Jiuyu that he had been over two hundred years old during the fight and that he and her master had both reached Nascent Soul Perfection because Nascent Soul was then the highest realm.