Chapter Summaries

Gao Xian received Tianhua Sect’s inheritance from Xuanhua and learned that it could bring him trouble from powerful figures beyond Wanfeng Prefecture. After preparing for Azure Cloud Sect’s coming conflict and cultivating the Mystic Yellow Divine Light, he heard Yue Shenxiu call to him through the Cosmos Yin-Yang Creation Cauldron.

• Xuanhua warned Gao Xian to conceal the Central Earth Emperor Infinite Sword and beware Lu Xuanji, then explained the scattered Tianhua Sect legacy and urged him to restore the Great Five Elements Divine Light.
• Zhou Yuling could not remember Xuanhua’s visit, and Gao Xian studied the Earth Emperor Seal and Great Five Elements Technique after seeing him off.
• Gao Xian held Zhou Ye’s funeral, celebrated New Year with his household, and heard Yun Zaitian announce that Azure Cloud Sect was entering a state of alert and that Golden Core cultivators must prepare for battle.
• Gao Xian refined the Central Earth Emperor Infinite Sword and cultivated the Mystic Yellow Divine Light, which replaced the Yin Yang Heaven Wheel on the Wind and Moon Mirror.
• Three years later, while Gao Xian practiced swordplay with Qingqing, Yue Shenxiu urgently called to him through the Cosmos Yin-Yang Creation Cauldron.

Yue Shenxiu warned Gao Xian that Yuan Bin of the Longevity Church might target him over false claims linking him to the Tianhua Sect, and suggested he leave the Azure Cloud Sect for her sect. After consulting Yun Zaitian, Gao Xian decided to depart temporarily, leaving his destination unclear as he prepared to deal with the threat.

• Yue Shenxiu told Gao Xian that Yuan Bin had come to Wanfeng Prefecture and might pursue him because of his Great Five Elements Technique and rumors that he had taken a Tianhua Sect treasure.
• Yue Shenxiu urged Gao Xian to use the danger as a chance to leave the Azure Cloud Sect and join her sect, but he said he needed time to consider it.
• Gao Xian traveled to Jade Mirror Palace and told Yun Qingxuan about the warning; they went together to ask Yun Zaitian for advice.
• Yun Zaitian explained that Lu Xuanji had used the Tianhua Sect purge to consolidate the Longevity Church and warned that Yuan Bin might be acting with an enemy's support.
• Gao Xian decided to leave for a while, and Yun Zaitian agreed that avoiding Yuan Bin would leave room to handle the situation.

Gao Xian found Xuanhua in White Maple City, received the Longevity Seal, and studied the Mysterious Underworld Divine Light and five-element arts under him. After accepting Xuanhua as his teacher, Gao Xian asked him to help deal with the person who had framed him as a Tianhua Sect remnant.

• Gao Xian followed the Longevity Seal's resonance to Xuanhua's residence in White Maple City.
• Xuanhua gave Gao Xian the Longevity Seal and explained its connection to the Mysterious Heaven True Martial Longevity Sword and the Mysterious Underworld Divine Light.
• Gao Xian studied under Xuanhua for more than ten days and greatly improved his understanding of the Great Five Elements Technique.
• Gao Xian acknowledged Xuanhua as his teacher, and Xuanhua asked him to preserve the Tianhua Sect's secret arts.
• Gao Xian told Xuanhua that someone had colluded with the Longevity Church to frame him as a Tianhua Sect remnant, then asked for help eliminating that person.

After Xuanhua advised Gao Xian not to kill Yuan Bin and to leave the Azure Cloud Sect for the Wanfeng Sect, Gao Xian arranged his departure with Yun Zaitian and said farewell to his friends and loved ones. He left the sect the next morning, while Yun Qiushui was left with Gao Xian’s farewell verse and the uncertainty of when they would meet again.

• Xuanhua warned Gao Xian that killing Yuan Bin would only escalate the conflict with Lu Xuanji, and advised him to seek refuge at the Wanfeng Sect until he was strong enough to stand on his own.
• Gao Xian returned to the Azure Cloud Sect and told Yun Zaitian he planned to join the Wanfeng Sect as a guest elder to avoid bringing trouble to the sect.
• Yun Zaitian agreed that Gao Xian's departure was a practical solution and cautioned him to be careful amid the Wanfeng Sect's fierce rivalries.
• Gao Xian explained his decision to Yun Qingxuan, then asked her to look after Qiniang, Yuling, and the others while he was away.
• Gao Xian said farewell to Yun Changfeng and Yun Qiushui; Yun Qiushui drank with him and vowed that he would kill their enemies if he became a Sword Lord.
• The next morning, Yun Qiushui found Gao Xian's farewell verse on the table and mourned their uncertain reunion.

Gao Xian settled into Wanfeng City with Yue Shenxiu’s help, becoming an official member of Wanfeng Sect and living quietly at Azure Cloud Cottage with Qingqing. After news arrived that Wu Pokong had accompanied Yuan Bin to the Azure Cloud Sect, Gao Xian continued his routine until a hostile caller appeared at the cottage door.

• Yue Shenxiu showed Gao Xian and Qingqing around Azure Cloud Cottage and gave Qingqing a fourth-rank Azure Firmament Heavenly Feather Dharma Robe.
• Yue Shenxiu took Gao Xian to Nine Cauldrons Hall, where True Lord Xuan Ying registered him as a guest elder.
• Gao Xian completed the sect’s registration procedures and became an official member of Wanfeng Sect.
• Two months later, Gao Xian heard that Wu Pokong had accompanied Yuan Bin to the Azure Cloud Sect and added them to his mental ledger of enemies.
• Gao Xian stayed at Azure Cloud Cottage, practicing swordsmanship with Qingqing and cultivating with Yue Shenxiu when she visited.
• At the end of October, while Gao Xian admired the first snowfall with Qingqing, a hostile voice called from the door.

Yue Huaying and several Golden Core cultivators confronted Gao Xian, hoping to provoke him into a fight. After Gao Xian consulted Yue Shenxiu, he learned their challenge was tied to the upcoming opening of the Vermilion Mound Grotto-Heaven, and she suggested that fighting Yue Huaying could also be an opportunity.

• Qingqing opened the gate to Yue Huaying, Wu Siming, and their companions, who came to mock Gao Xian and provoke him.
• Gao Xian traded insults with Yue Huaying and Wu Siming, but Wanfeng City's ban on private fighting stopped them from attacking.
• Yue Huaying challenged Gao Xian to a fight to the death at the Myriad Calamities Platform, and Gao Xian dismissed the group behind his formation.
• Gao Xian told Qingqing he would consult Yue Shenxiu before acting, then contacted her through the Cosmos Yin-Yang Creation Cauldron.
• Yue Shenxiu explained that the Vermilion Mound Grotto-Heaven would soon open and that Yue Huaying hoped to win favor by defeating Gao Xian.
• Gao Xian asked whether killing Yue Huaying at the Myriad Calamities Platform would cause trouble, and Yue Shenxiu said it would—but could also be an opportunity.

Gao Xian learned that Vermilion Mound Grotto-Heaven would open early and prepared to confront Yue Huaying, while Yue Shenxiu devised a tournament to determine who could enter. A Heavenly Blessing Dharma Assembly was announced, turning Yue Huaying’s plan to provoke Gao Xian into a competition for grotto-heaven entry.

• Yue Shenxiu explained that the sect would open Vermilion Mound Grotto-Heaven early and that Gao Xian could earn a place by impressing Founder.
• Gao Xian said he would confront Yue Huaying, but Yue Shenxiu proposed asking Founder to hold a tournament for the grotto-heaven spots instead.
• Yue Shenxiu left to present her tournament proposal to Founder, and Gao Xian anticipated facing Yue Huaying under fairer conditions.
• Yue Huaying met Wu Siming, Sha Wusheng, and Zhang Yuan'an at Heavenly Prosperity Tower to discuss how to provoke Gao Xian.
• Yue Huaying received a message announcing the Heavenly Blessing Dharma Assembly, where the top eight Wanfeng Golden Cores and top three outside Golden Cores could enter Vermilion Mound Grotto-Heaven.

At the Heavenly Blessing Dharma Assembly, Gao Xian arrived with Yue Shenxiu as participants learned they could compete for Heavenly Origin Pearls without restrictions against violence. As the cultivators formed alliances, Yue Huaying’s group planned to kill Gao Xian, while Yue Shenxiu warned him to act carefully.

• Chu Yuheng and Zhang Shengpeng discussed the assembly and learned that Gao Xian had been accused of being a remnant of the Tianhua Sect.
• Gao Xian arrived with Yue Shenxiu, drawing attention from the gathered cultivators and unsettling Yue Huaying and her allies.
• True Lord Zhengyang announced that participants would receive a Heavenly Origin Pill, spend ten days on Heavenly Blessing Mountain, and be ranked by their Heavenly Origin Pearls, with no restrictions on their methods.
• Chu Yuheng recognized the danger of the rules, and she, Chu Kaiyang, and Zhang Shengpeng agreed to enter together.
• Yue Huaying, Wu Siming, Sha Wusheng, and Zhang Yuan'an formed a group and planned to kill Gao Xian.
• Yue Shenxiu warned Gao Xian to be careful because Founder was watching, and Gao Xian promised not to make her lose face.

Gao Xian upgraded his Mysterious Underworld Divine Light and Flower Appraising Treasure Mirror before entering Heavenly Blessing Mountain, where he spent seven days tracking the other Golden Cores and avoiding combat. On the eighth day, he confronted Yue Huaying and her companions to take their Heavenly Origin Pills, while Yue Wanfeng watched to judge his abilities.

• Gao Xian spent ten million Humanity Aura to raise the Mysterious Underworld Divine Light to the proficient level and fifteen million to raise the Flower Appraising Treasure Mirror to the expert realm.
• Gao Xian entered Heavenly Blessing Mountain, used the Flower Appraising Treasure Mirror to survey the cultivators, and concealed his aura while waiting for an opportunity.
• Yue Wanfeng watched the Dharma Assembly with Golden Sun True Lord and noted that Gao Xian had avoided battle for seven days as most of the Golden Cores fought and were eliminated.
• On the morning of the eighth day, Gao Xian intercepted Yue Huaying, Wu Siming, Sha Wusheng, and Zhang Yuan'an and demanded their Heavenly Origin Pills.
• Wu Siming attacked Gao Xian with his Star-Shattering Staff as Yue Wanfeng turned the light mirror toward their fight.

Gao Xian fought four Golden Core cultivators at once, using the Mysterious Underworld Divine Light and his swordsmanship to turn their coordinated attacks against them. He killed Wu Siming and Sha Wusheng in the opening exchange, leaving Zhang Yuan'an and Yue Huaying stunned while Yue Wanfeng praised Shenxiu’s judgment.

• Wu Siming attacked with the Star-Shattering Staff while Yue Huaying struck Gao Xian’s soul with the Heavenly Dragon Demon-Subduing Sword, but Gao Xian’s defenses nullified both attacks.
• Gao Xian used the Mysterious Underworld Divine Light to absorb Wu Siming’s force, then met Sha Wusheng’s Heavenly Escape Formless Sword with the Azure Lotus Sword and overwhelmed his swordsmanship.
• Gao Xian reflected Wu Siming’s force toward Sha Wusheng, forcing Sha Wusheng to abandon his sword and flee, while Wu Siming struggled against Gao Xian’s attacks.
• Zhang Yuan'an struck Gao Xian and Wu Siming with a Heavenly Lightning Talisman, but Gao Xian endured the lightning and killed Wu Siming with the Purple Firmament Tianshu Demon-Subduing Golden Whip.
• Gao Xian’s sword scar killed the retreating Sha Wusheng, and Zhang Yuan'an and Yue Huaying were left stunned as Golden Sun True Lord praised Yue Wanfeng’s judgment of Shenxiu.

Gao Xian killed Yue Huaying and Zhang Yuan'an’s group, then began collecting Heavenly Origin Pills from other Golden Core cultivators at Heavenly Blessing Mountain. As Golden Sun True Lord wondered whether Gao Xian was connected to Tianhua Sect, he asked Yue Wanfeng about the possibility.

• Zhang Yuan'an fled underground with the Celestial Apex Mystic Light Spirit Talisman, but Gao Xian killed him with the Mystic Yellow Divine Light.
• Gao Xian defeated Yue Huaying in a brief sword duel and collected the four cultivators’ corpses and spoils, including thirty-seven Heavenly Origin Pills.
• Yue Wanfeng refused Golden Sun True Lord’s suggestion to stop the battle, viewing the deaths as a warning to the sect’s arrogant disciples.
• Gao Xian demanded twenty Heavenly Origin Pills from several Golden Core cultivators, and they handed them over rather than fight him.
• Golden Sun True Lord concluded Gao Xian would take first place and asked Yue Wanfeng whether Gao Xian was connected to Tianhua Sect.

Gao Xian dominated the Heavenly Blessing Dharma Assembly, gathered a fortune in Heavenly Origin Pills and Spirit Stones, and secured first place. After the assembly, Yue Shenxiu told him that the Founder wanted to see him, leaving Gao Xian unsure what to expect.

• Yue Wanfeng dismissed concerns about the Great Five Elements Sect and Tianhua Sect remnants, then ordered Golden Sun True Lord to bring Gao Xian to him after the assembly.
• Gao Xian challenged Jin Zhongjun to spar, but Jin Zhongjun paid him ten Top-grade Spirit Stones and gave him the Puppet Secret Art instead.
• Gao Xian studied the Puppet Secret Art for two days while fighting among the other Golden Cores grew more deadly, leaving fewer than sixty participants when the mountain's restrictions opened.
• True Lord Zhengyang verified the results, and Gao Xian won first place with one hundred and seven Heavenly Origin Pills; Jin Zhongjun placed second and Chu Yuheng placed tenth.
• Gao Xian asked Yue Shenxiu about Red Sun True Lord, and she said there was no need to worry for now before telling him that the Founder wanted to see him.

Gao Xian met Yue Wanfeng, who praised his talent, bestowed the Heavenly Ultimate Eight-Character Mantra on him, and appointed him head of Shaking Light Hall. The chapter ended with Gao Xian accepting the powerful position and promising to fulfill Yue Wanfeng’s trust.

• Yue Shenxiu brought Gao Xian before Yue Wanfeng in Celestial Pivot Hall, where Yue Wanfeng assessed Gao Xian’s cultivation and praised his talent.
• Yue Wanfeng acknowledged that Gao Xian had killed Yue Huaying and three others, and Gao Xian explained that he had fought to survive.
• Yue Wanfeng used golden light to transmit the Heavenly Ultimate Eight-Character Mantra into Gao Xian’s sea of consciousness.
• Gao Xian understood that the mantra’s eight treasure talismans could strengthen his Five Elements spells and thanked Yue Wanfeng for the technique.
• Yue Wanfeng appointed Gao Xian head of Shaking Light Hall, and Gao Xian accepted the order and promised to live up to his trust.

Gao Xian entered the Vermilion Mound Grotto-Heaven and used its abundant, time-accelerated spiritual qi to cultivate alongside Qingqing. After more than three years of peaceful progress, he saw azure radiance spread across the sky, suggesting a treasure had appeared.

• Yue Shenxiu explained that Yue Wanfeng had made Gao Xian chief of Shaking Light Hall to spur the sect’s disciples to work harder.
• Yue Shenxiu and Gao Xian entered the Vermilion Mound Grotto-Heaven with the other Golden Core cultivators, and Gao Xian found a mountain peak suited to cultivation.
• Gao Xian cultivated the Great Five Elements Technique and had Sister Lan help him master the Heavenly Ultimate Eight-Character Mantra.
• Gao Xian released Qingqing, who practiced the Taiwei Flying Immortal Sword Scripture while they cultivated and rested together.
• After more than three years, Qingqing reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, and Gao Xian saw azure radiance spread across the sky.

Gao Xian subdued a mysterious azure radiance and used it to upgrade his Azure Lotus Dharma Robe, while Qingqing grew close to Golden Core formation. After seventeen years in the Vermilion Mound Grotto-Heaven, Gao Xian reached the middle Golden Core stage, then was suddenly teleported back to the Wanfeng Sect in the twentieth year.

• Gao Xian used the Heavenly Ultimate Eight-Character Mantra and Azure Flower Divine Light to suppress the azure radiance, then stored it in his sword.
• Gao Xian discovered that the Azure Lotus Dharma Robe could absorb the azure radiance, raising the robe to a fourth-tier Spirit Artifact.
• Qingqing searched the Vermilion Mound Grotto-Heaven for treasures and advanced to the tenth level of Foundation Establishment, but Gao Xian postponed her Golden Core formation until she could obtain a suitable natal sword outside.
• Gao Xian advanced his Great Five Elements Technique to the fourth level of the Golden Core stage, increasing his divine sense and strengthening his spells.
• In the twentieth year, Gao Xian placed Qingqing in the Spirit-Nurturing Ring as the heavens shifted, then appeared in the Wanfeng Sect's teleportation formation.

After leaving the Vermilion Mound Grotto-Heaven, Gao Xian rested with Yue Shenxiu and prepared to take up the chief seat at Shaking Light Hall, where the Twelve Divine Generals could challenge his authority. Yue Wanfeng summoned him and offered ten-thousand-year Iron Dragon marrow as a reward if he produced results there, prompting Gao Xian to ask what would count.

• Golden Sun True Lord congratulated Gao Xian on reaching the middle stage of Golden Core and arranged for him to assume his post at Shaking Light Hall on the first day of September.
• Gao Xian and Yue Shenxiu reunited at Azure Cloud Cottage, where Yue warned him that the Twelve Divine Generals would resist his appointment as chief seat.
• Gao Xian resolved to handle Shaking Light Hall by its rules and considered his cultivation strong enough to face the Golden Core-level Divine Generals.
• Yue Shenxiu returned to the sect, and Gao Xian released Qingqing before traveling to Wanfeng Sect on the first day of September.
• Golden Sun True Lord brought Gao Xian to Celestial Pivot Hall, where Yue Wanfeng offered him a bottle of ten-thousand-year Iron Dragon marrow if he produced results at Shaking Light Hall.
• Gao Xian asked Yue Wanfeng what standard he would have to meet to earn the dragon marrow.

Yue Wanfeng offered Gao Xian a bottle of dragon marrow if he wiped out the Spirit Vulture Seventy-Two Caves within thirty years. Gao Xian was appointed Chief of Shaking Light Hall, leaving the Divine Generals hostile toward their new superior.

• Yue Wanfeng gave Gao Xian the Heavenly Ultimate Eight-Character Mantra and promised him dragon marrow for destroying the Spirit Vulture Seventy-Two Caves within thirty years.
• Golden Sun True Lord brought Gao Xian to Shaking Light Hall and explained the sect's Dao soldiers and the hall's importance.
• Bright Sun True Lord welcomed Gao Xian to Shaking Light Hall, where the Divine Generals recognized him as the cultivator who had killed Yue Huaying and three others.
• Bright Sun True Lord announced that Gao Xian would become Chief of Shaking Light Hall and oversee all twelve Divine Generals.
• Yue Yuanguang, Zhou Qingyun, and the other Divine Generals reacted with hostility to Gao Xian's appointment.

As Bright Sun True Lord prepared to confer the Army-Breaking Treasure Talisman on Gao Xian, the seven Divine Generals plotted to challenge him and stop his appointment. When Yue Yuanguang challenged Gao Xian at the altar, Gao Xian invited all seven Divine Generals to fight him at once, leaving the crowd stunned.

• Bright Sun True Lord ordered preparations for Gao Xian’s midnight talisman conferral, and Xu Qinghua escorted Gao Xian to bathe, change, and meditate.
• The seven Divine Generals gathered and objected to an outsider becoming their chief; Xiao Zhen and Yuan Jingming proposed challenging Gao Xian before he received the Army-Breaking Treasure Talisman.
• At the Seven Star Dharma Altar, Yue Yuanguang interrupted the ceremony and demanded that Gao Xian defeat him to prove his worth.
• Bright Sun True Lord allowed the challenge, and Yue Yuanguang drew his sword on the altar’s first tier.
• Gao Xian invited all seven Divine Generals to spar with him together, astonishing the gathered Dao Generals, Dao soldiers, and True Lords.

Gao Xian faced seven divine generals in Shaking Light Hall and swiftly defeated them, establishing his authority as chief. He left the gathered Dao generals and Dao soldiers in awe of his strength.

• Gao Xian decided he needed to defeat all seven divine generals decisively to establish his authority in Wanfeng Sect.
• Xiao Zhen accepted Gao Xian’s challenge on behalf of the seven, and they formed up to fight together.
• Mingyang True Lord disabled the divine generals’ registers, preventing them from forming the Gouchen Heavenly Pivot Demon-Subduing Grand Formation.
• Yue Yuanguang attacked first as the other divine generals launched spells and sword strikes, but Gao Xian used Dark Moon Hides in the Void to sever their senses and disrupt their assault.
• Gao Xian redirected Yuan Jingming’s Yin-Yang Mixed Cavern Arrows, incapacitated Yue Yuanguang, struck Yue Xiang, and wounded Xiao Zhen and Zhou Qingyun.
• Gao Xian stood unharmed among the defeated divine generals, while Golden Sun True Lord praised him and the watching Dao generals and Dao soldiers saw their image of the divine generals collapse.

Gao Xian defeated the Seven Divine Generals, received the Army-Breaking Treasure Talisman, and took up his post as Shaking Light Hall’s chief seat. After reviewing the dangerous Spirit Vulture Seventy-Two Caves, he saw the expedition as an opportunity to strengthen the Taixuan Divine Image.

• Gao Xian defeated the Seven Divine Generals, who admitted defeat and formally paid their respects to him.
• Bright Sun Sword Lord bestowed the Army-Breaking Treasure Talisman on Gao Xian and promised to support him as chief seat.
• Yue Shenxiu warned Gao Xian not to get involved with Xu Qinghua and advised him to recruit reliable helpers, especially Zhu Qiniang.
• Xu Qinghua helped Gao Xian collect his chief-seat provisions, and Gao Xian reviewed the records on the Spirit Vulture Seventy-Two Caves.
• Gao Xian learned that the caves held a powerful Demon Race force and decided the dangerous territory could provide materials to upgrade the Taixuan Divine Image.