Chapter Summaries

Gu Sheng defeated a Lightning Bird, then used the Great Prajna Sutra to drive Zhao Honglie away with the Vajra Demon Suppressing Bell’s Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra. Back at the Saint Pill Sect, he sparred with Wen Mingyan and began investigating possible informants, while Dai Sen was forced to spy on him for Shi Jianyi.

• Gu Sheng protected his companions from the Lightning Bird, killed it with the Thirstblood Battle Axe, and treated Dai Sen’s injured leg.
• After the group ate the Lightning Bird, Zhao Honglie attacked them from the Ink Shadow Black Eagle, but Gu Sheng’s mantra shattered Zhao Honglie’s right hand and forced him to flee.
• Wen Mingyan and the elders escorted Gu Sheng back to the Saint Pill Sect, where Wen Mingyan urged him to stay inside and learn to control his treasures.
• Gu Sheng sparred with Wen Mingyan and learned that he needed to adapt his swordsmanship and improve his combat instincts.
• Gu Sheng suspected that Kang Tai had been Zhao Honglie’s informant and warned Lin Miaomiao and Huang Miaoyin to watch for suspicious people in the sect.
• Zhao Honglie gave Dai Sen only a limited supply of antidote and ordered him to provide Shi Jianyi with intelligence about Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng sparred with Lin Qingyu and Lin Tianhao, then accepted Lin Tianhao’s invitation to cultivate at Enlightenment Valley. After a day of meditation, Gu Sheng’s skills advanced and he broke through to the sixth level of the Gold Bone Realm, where a mysterious woman in white revealed that she had noticed his unusual treasures and cultivation arts.

• Gu Sheng learned the Great Prajna Sutra while cultivating, and Lin Tianhao arrived with Lin Qingyu to challenge him to a spar.
• Lin Qingyu attacked Gu Sheng first, but he defeated her with a single palm strike after reading her patterns.
• Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao fought with their swords, and Gu Sheng called the match a draw despite gaining the advantage.
• Lin Tianhao invited Gu Sheng to visit Haoyang Sect and cultivate at Enlightenment Valley, where Gu Sheng meditated beside a waterfall near a sleeping woman in white.
• After a day and night of cultivation, Gu Sheng’s skills improved and his realm rose to the sixth level of the Gold Bone Realm.
• The woman in white spoke to Gu Sheng and said he need not know her identity, then remarked that she had noticed his unusual treasures and cultivation arts.

Gu Sheng met Su Ling in Enlightenment Valley, then joined Lin Tianhao to kill the Thunder XieZhi King in Demon God Valley. After Gu Sheng killed Zhu Gang during a confrontation with the Mad Saber Sect, the sect master Zhu Meng watched the fight and vowed revenge.

• Su Ling introduced herself to Gu Sheng and played him a zither tune before leaving Enlightenment Valley.
• Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao joined forces to defeat the Thunder XieZhi King, and Lin Tianhao took its horn while giving Gu Sheng a storage ring.
• Zhu Gang confronted Gu Sheng over his brother Zhu Hong's death, then lost control to the Bloodthirsty Mad Saber and killed Zhu Biao and other Mad Saber Sect disciples.
• Gu Sheng used the Gale Nine Swords to kill Zhu Gang, then returned toward his sect on the Shadow Black Eagle.
• Zhu Meng watched the fight through paired bronze mirrors and vowed to tear Gu Sheng apart, while Xue Ji asked whether he planned to go to the Saint Pill Sect alone.

Zhu Meng attacked the Saint Pill Sect alone to avenge his son, but Wen Mingyan defeated him using the sect’s defenses and his swordsmanship. Gu Sheng then bought a Bone Refining Pill and the Great Vajra Scripture at the Mu Family auction, preparing to strengthen his cultivation.

• Zhu Meng ignored Xue Ji’s warning, rode to the Saint Pill Sect, and repeatedly attacked its mountain-gate formations.
• Wen Mingyan charged out to fight Zhu Meng and grievously wounded him, forcing the Mad Saber Sect’s sect master to admit defeat.
• Jiang Bai and Jiang He discussed Gu Sheng’s growing influence and the treasures he possessed, while Wu Gui considered how to seize them.
• Linghu Xuanchong urged Linghu Qingwan to get along with Gu Sheng, whom he regarded as a gifted martial artist with a dangerous lack of powerful backing.
• Gu Sheng reviewed his martial arts progress and decided he needed a Bone Refining Pill to improve his cultivation.
• At the Mu Family auction, Gu Sheng bought the Bone Refining Pill for 350,000 taels of gold and the Great Vajra Scripture for 100,000 taels.

After refining Bone Refining Pills and improving his techniques, Gu Sheng robbed the Great Sword Sect treasury by impersonating Song Qingxian, then failed to rob the Mad Saber Sect when Zhu Meng caught him. With the major factions tightening their defenses, Gu Sheng turned his attention to the coming opening of the Crimson Cloud Abyss.

• Gu Sheng used the Great Prajna Sutra to refine a Bone Refining Pill, perfected the Vajra Palm, and advanced his Body Shifting and Bone Changing Art and Shadow Concealment Art.
• Gu Sheng impersonated Song Qingxian, learned the Great Sword Sect's layout from Linghu Qingwan, and stole the sect's treasury, including ten Bone Refining Pills and a sword that taught him the Dugu Nine Swords.
• Dugu Xuanchong investigated the robbery, while Linghu Qingwan chose not to reveal that the thief had impersonated Song Qingxian.
• Gu Sheng refined the stolen pills and advanced to the eighth layer of the Gold Bone Realm, then impersonated Zhu Meng to infiltrate the Mad Saber Sect.
• The real Zhu Meng confronted Gu Sheng at the treasury; Gu Sheng used his treasures and techniques to escape, and the major factions strengthened their treasury defenses.
• Gu Sheng abandoned further robberies as the factions prepared for the opening of the Crimson Cloud Abyss.

The factions entered the Crimson Cloud Abyss, where most chased an ancient bronze coffin while Lu Junyi led the Saint Pill Sect to gather medicinal herbs and other treasures. The coffin proved empty and escaped, while Gu Sheng claimed several mystic artifacts and the Saint Pill Sect left with plentiful treasures.

• The factions prepared for the Crimson Cloud Abyss trial, and Lu Junyi announced the participants before the groups were teleported into the realm.
• Xue Ji warned the entrants about the dangers, while the factions advanced through the crimson clouds and the Saint Pill Sect followed Lu Junyi's cautious lead.
• The groups reached a lush forest, where a Thousand Poisons Sect disciple rushed to claim a giant lingzhi before an ancient bronze coffin appeared and drew the other factions into a fierce pursuit.
• Lu Junyi kept the Saint Pill Sect away from the coffin, and its disciples gathered rare medicinal herbs while Wen Mingyan and other fighters battled over the prize.
• Gu Sheng snatched several mystic artifacts from Linghu Qingwan and teased her as the factions converged on the coffin.
• The coffin opened to reveal nothing, then sealed itself and flew away; Lu Junyi pointed out that the Saint Pill Sect had already obtained valuable treasures.

As Zhu Meng rampaged through Crimson Cloud Abyss, Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao went ahead to find a way through and discovered a Heavenly Pool whose Divine Spring transformed their cultivation. Gu Sheng then drew power from a mysterious tree and ate one of its fruits, gaining an even greater surge of power.

• Zhu Meng attacked everyone in a crazed state, and Wen Mingyan lost a duel with Wu Gui over whether Gu Sheng should scout ahead.
• Gu Sheng volunteered to explore, and Lin Tianhao joined him as they entered the gravity field.
• Gu Sheng used the Demon Suppressing Golden Scroll to break through the gravity field, and the two reached the summit’s Heavenly Pool.
• Gu Sheng drank the Divine Spring and advanced toward the ninth level of the Gold Bone Realm, while Lin Tianhao broke through to the first level of the Marrow Refining Realm.
• The Divine Spring dried up, so Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao filled Jade Pure Bottles with what remained before turning their attention to the small tree in the pool.
• Gu Sheng drew power from the tree and ate one of its crystal-clear fruits, causing an immense power to surge into his body.

Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao defeated the Headless Knight and a pair of puppet Desolate Slaves in the Crimson Cloud Abyss, then returned with valuable spoils. During the royal hunt, Gu Sheng rejected Crown Prince Yun Tingyu’s offer and repeatedly outperformed his rival’s team; the chapter ended as a poetry competition began.

• Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao consumed divine fruits without advancing their cultivation, then joined forces to defeat the Headless Knight after Gu Sheng broke through during their battle.
• Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao overcame the white-clad pair’s Jade Maiden Swordplay, discovered they were puppet Desolate Slaves, and claimed their two swords.
• The sects compared their Crimson Cloud Abyss gains, and Gu Sheng declined invitations from others while accepting Princess Yun Zishuang’s invitation to the royal hunt.
• Gu Sheng led Princess Yun Zishuang, Linghu Qingwan, Mu Yuanyuan, Lin Qingyu, and others to outperform Crown Prince Yun Tingyu’s team, while rejecting Yun Tingyu’s offer of power.
• Gu Sheng’s hunting and grilling impressed the gathered nobles, and the hunt’s final day began with a grand poetry competition.

Gu Sheng impressed the hunting gathering with his patriotic song, then faced Linghu Qingwan’s confession and accepted Saintess Su Ling’s invitation to cultivate the Illusory Spirit Divine Melody. He broke through the ninth level of the Gold Bone Realm and grew closer to Su Ling while they spent two days together in Enlightenment Valley’s peach blossom forest.

• Gu Sheng sang “Jing Zhong Bao Guo” at Liu Xingjun’s prompting, earning thunderous applause and strengthening Princess Yun Zishuang’s resolve to recruit him.
• Linghu Qingwan confronted Gu Sheng about embracing her at the Drunken Immortal Tower, confessed that she loved him, and revealed she had rejected Song Qingxian.
• Gu Sheng met Saintess Su Ling in Enlightenment Valley, received instruction in the Illusory Spirit Divine Melody, and formed a spiritual wheel while cultivating.
• Gu Sheng broke through the ninth level of the Gold Bone Realm after cultivating with Su Ling for two days and two nights.
• Gu Sheng hunted and cooked game for Su Ling, then played and sang “The Longest Butterfly,” deepening her admiration and affection for him.

After impressing Su Ling with his music and improving his martial arts panel, Gu Sheng bought Thousand-Year Spirit Gathering Grass and cultivated without breaking through to the Marrow Refining Realm. Mu Tiantian then delivered Princess Yun Zishuang’s invitation to a palace poetry gathering, where Gu Sheng was stopped at the entrance by a contemptuous guard.

• Gu Sheng performed for Su Ling, who praised his music and thanked him for the moving performance.
• Gu Sheng checked his martial arts panel, found new skills and increased cultivation, and later hosted Liu Ruhai and the Saint Pill Sect disciples for drinks.
• Liu Ruhai asked Gu Sheng for romantic advice, then invited him to the Mu Family trade fair to seek Thousand-Year Spirit Gathering Grass.
• Gu Sheng won the herb at auction, met Mu Tiantian and Mu Yuanyuan, and discussed the auction and his need for Spirit Gathering Grass.
• Gu Sheng refined the herb overnight, but his cultivation only reached the middle stage of the ninth level of the Gold Bone Realm; Mu Tiantian then delivered Princess Yun Zishuang’s invitation to a poetry gathering.
• Gu Sheng arrived at the Princess’s Mansion, where a palace guard blocked him and accused him of trespassing.

Gu Sheng impressed Princess Yun Zishuang with his poem but refused her recruitment, then trained by sparring with Wen Mingyan. At the Crimson Cloud Continent Martial Tournament, Lu Biluo defeated Lin Miaomiao with the Yellow Springs Flute, drawing Emperor Yun Wu’s interest.

• Princess Yun Zishuang welcomed Gu Sheng to the poetry gathering, where his recitation of “Full River Red” captivated the nobles and ladies.
• Crown Prince Yun Tingyu tried to recruit Gu Sheng, but Gu Sheng declined and later also refused Princess Yun Zishuang’s request to help unify the realm.
• Gu Sheng devoted himself to cultivation and sparred with Wen Mingyan, who praised his progress with the Gale Nine Swords and Phantom Spirit Melody after defeating him.
• The Crimson Cloud Continent Martial Tournament began at the Great Liang Royal Martial Arena, with Lin Miaomiao of the Saint Pill Sect facing Lu Biluo of the Governor’s Mansion in the opening match.
• Lu Biluo intensified her Yellow Springs Flute’s astral winds and defeated Lin Miaomiao, prompting Emperor Yun Wu to ask about the flute’s origin.

At the tournament, Gu Sheng helped his fellow disciples with a treasured sword and a secret technique, then watched Huang Miaoyin and Linghu Qingwan win their matches. After sharing his Dragon Slaying Saber Art with Wen Mingyan and performing for the gathered disciples, Gu Sheng faced Linghu Jianying and struggled under the higher-ranked swordsman’s pressure.

• Gu Sheng gave Lin Miaomiao the Profound Grade Low Rank sword Lingyuan after explaining that her inferior weapon had contributed to her loss against Lu Biluo.
• Huang Miaoyin used the demonic melody Gu Sheng had taught her to conjure an illusory fairy maiden, defeat Zhu Juhu, and thank Gu Sheng for his help.
• Linghu Qingwan defeated Chu Haoran after countering his Gale Saber Art with the Dugu Nine Swords, while Emperor Yun Wu criticized the saber technique.
• Gu Sheng gave Wen Mingyan a copy of the Profound Grade Low Rank Dragon Slaying Saber Art to help him improve Chu Haoran’s saber techniques.
• Gu Sheng played “Gazing Over the Rivers and Lakes” on the Phantom Spirit Ancient Zither, creating vivid martial scenes and earning the audience’s applause.
• Gu Sheng began his match against Linghu Jianying, whose early Marrow Refining Realm cultivation put the mid-ninth-layer Gold Bone Realm Gu Sheng under heavy pressure.

Gu Sheng defeated Linghu Jianying, then impressed the royal arena with a performance of "Jing Zhong Bao Guo" and drew Princess Yun Zishuang’s attention. The chapter ended as Gu Sheng began the tournament’s ultimate showdown against the stronger Lin Tianhao.

• Gu Sheng endured Linghu Jianying’s sword wound, then used Shadow Concealment to strike from behind and defeat him.
• Liu Ruhai used his Drunken Life Dream Death Swordplay and elusive movement to defeat Dai Sen, who wielded the Dyson Sphere Gu Sheng had given him.
• At Emperor Yun Wu’s request, Gu Sheng performed "Jing Zhong Bao Guo" with the Phantom Spirit Ancient Zither, moving the crowd and earning the emperor’s praise.
• Princess Yun Zishuang invited Gu Sheng to join the Governor’s Mansion, but he refused to leave the Saint Pill Sect; after she continued approaching him, he agreed to work with her toward the pinnacle of martial cultivation.
• Gu Sheng faced Lin Tianhao in the tournament’s ultimate showdown, and the two began exchanging sword attacks.

Gu Sheng won the tournament and received the title of Marquis of Victory, then fought Elder Fengxing on Demon Fox Mountain and drove him away. He next faced Zhao Honglie, whose Myriad Souls Banner and Holy Demon Body proved difficult to overcome, and brought out the Vajra Demon Suppressing Bell as the battle continued.

• Gu Sheng defeated Lin Tianhao in the tournament final, then helped him up and made peace with him.
• Emperor Yun Wu awarded Gu Sheng first place and the title of Marquis of Victory, while Lin Tianhao received second place and the title of Marquis of Gaoyang.
• Elder Fengxing ambushed Gu Sheng on Demon Fox Mountain, but Gu Sheng used his treasures and techniques to repel him; Elder Fengxing fled using the Fengxing Ascension Steps.
• Zhao Honglie attacked Gu Sheng with the Myriad Souls Banner, but Gu Sheng evaded his assaults and discovered that Zhao's Holy Demon Body could withstand his punches.
• Gu Sheng summoned the Vajra Demon Suppressing Bell and gathered golden power for another attack on Zhao Honglie.

Gu Sheng defeated Zhao Honglie, explored Divine Sense, and attended Yun Zishuang’s flower-viewing banquet, where reciting a poem awakened the Vajra Demon Suppressing Bell. The bell revealed Green Lotus Secluded Valley, but when Gu Sheng entered, a vine trapped him among piles of bones.

• Gu Sheng crushed Zhao Honglie with the Demon Suppressing Golden Scroll, though Zhao Honglie escaped as black mist.
• Gu Sheng cultivated Divine Sense and received guidance from an old man he later recognized as the Divine Monk.
• Gu Sheng celebrated with his fellow disciples, accepted Yun Zishuang’s invitation, and declined her attempts to recruit him.
• Gu Sheng recited a lotus poem at the banquet, causing the Vajra Demon Suppressing Bell to reveal a map and mark Green Lotus Secluded Valley.
• Gu Sheng entered Green Lotus Secluded Valley, where a vine seized him beside piles of bones.

Gu Sheng awakened the Chaos Green Lotus demonic soul and strengthened it by hunting beasts in the Magical Beast Forest. As the Liang and Qi kingdoms gathered for war against Chu, Gu Sheng spotted his old acquaintance Gu Xiaojiang at the oath-taking assembly.

• The Vajra Demon Suppressing Bell absorbed chaotic vitality in the Green Lotus Secluded Valley, sprouted an azure lotus shoot, and gave Gu Sheng the Chaos Green Lotus demonic soul.
• Crown Prince Yun Tingyu tried to recruit Gu Sheng to help rule Liang, but Gu Sheng declined to join court struggles.
• Princess Zishuang asked Gu Sheng to accompany Liang's army against Chu, and he accepted before training in the Magical Beast Forest.
• Gu Sheng and the Green Vine Demonic Soul killed a Phantom Saber-toothed Tiger, after which the demonic soul said it needed ten more Gold Bone Realm beasts to mutate.
• The Liang and Qi kingdoms assembled with their allies to oppose Chu, and Gu Sheng arrived with the Saint Pill Sect disciples.
• At the oath-taking assembly, Gu Sheng recognized Gu Xiaojiang, his fellow townsman from Canghe County.

Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao fought their way into Chu Kingdom’s territory, where they killed Cang Langyan and routed his army. After celebrating with their allies, Gu Sheng’s Green Vine Demonic Soul grew to four inches, and Huang Miaoyin revealed that more people might soon awaken demonic souls.

• Gu Sheng reunited with Gu Xiaojiang, who recounted how he had broken through to the Marrow Refining Realm during a near-fatal battle, and they agreed to return to Canghe County together someday.
• Gu Sheng and Lin Tianhao confronted the Thousand Poisons Sect, and Gu Sheng killed Elder Fengxing and extracted the secret art of the Carefree Immortal Step from his soul.
• Gu Sheng and his allies advanced into Chu Kingdom’s heartland, where they defeated Cang Langyan and routed the Chu army.
• Gu Sheng collected the battlefield corpses for his Green Vine Demonic Soul, then joined his companions for a hunting feast in the forest.
• The Green Vine Demonic Soul grew from two inches to four inches, and Huang Miaoyin said that strange changes might let more people awaken demonic souls.

Gu Sheng captured Prince Chu Xuan and used him as leverage to make the Chu Kingdom withdraw its forces and return the Seventy-two Cities of Yan Yun. After learning the kingdom’s secret, Gu Sheng entered its hidden realm with Prince Chu Xuan and the Green Vine Demonic Soul, which led him to a Dragon Pearl protected by a powerful barrier.

• Gu Sheng and Huang Miaoyin fought Chu Kingdom forces in its heartland, and Gu Sheng captured Prince Chu Xuan after binding their leader with the Green Vine Demonic Soul.
• Princess Zishuang used Prince Chu Xuan as leverage to force Emperor Chu Tianshu to withdraw his troops and return the Seventy-two Cities of Yan Yun.
• Gu Sheng learned the Chu Kingdom’s secret from Prince Chu Xuan and infiltrated the imperial palace disguised as a consort to reach the Secret Chamber.
• Gu Sheng made a replica of the jade key, then entered the hidden realm with Prince Chu Xuan and the Green Vine Demonic Soul.
• The Green Vine Demonic Soul led Gu Sheng to a Dragon Pearl, but an invisible barrier stopped him from reaching it.

Gu Sheng and Prince Chu Xuan opened the royal restriction and obtained the Dragon Pearl of Chu, which the Green Vine Demonic Soul devoured and used to grow stronger. Gu Sheng and Linghu Qingwan hunted in the Magical Beast Forest and gathered Spirit Gathering Grasses, while a powerful crisis began approaching the Saint Pill Sect.

• Prince Chu Xuan opened the royal restriction, and Gu Sheng took the Dragon Pearl of Chu for the Green Vine Demonic Soul to devour.
• After half a month, the Green Vine Demonic Soul finished consuming the Dragon Pearl and underwent a major growth spurt.
• Gu Sheng and Linghu Qingwan entered the Magical Beast Forest, where Gu Sheng discovered his Divine Sense had grown stronger and the two defeated a Marrow Refining Realm demonic wolf.
• Gu Sheng and Linghu Qingwan ventured into the forest's core, found a spiritual herb, and spent the next three days killing three more Marrow Refining Realm demonic beasts and gathering three Spirit Gathering Grasses.
• The Green Vine Demonic Soul refined the grasses and grew to fifteen meters, while a powerful crisis descended upon the Saint Pill Sect, which had already made preparations.

Gu Sheng and Wen Mingyan defended the Saint Pill Sect against the Thousand Poisons Sect, but Wu Gui escaped their attack. Gu Sheng pursued him alone, killed him, and then faced Su Ling and the Fire Worship Cult’s Holy Envoy, ending the chapter as he launched another attack with his Green Vine Demonic Soul.

• Gu Sheng and Wen Mingyan fought their way through the Thousand Poisons Sect’s assault, wounded Wu Gui, and watched him escape with a black ball.
• Gu Sheng left Wen Mingyan to guard the Saint Pill Sect and invaded the Thousand Poisons Sect alone, defeating its defenders and killing Wu Gui.
• Su Ling appeared and explained the alliance between the Thousand Poisons Sect and the Fire Worship Cult, but Gu Sheng refused to stop his attack.
• Su Ling summoned an army with her ancient zither, but Gu Sheng shattered it with the Great Prajna Sutra and his Primordial Saint Body.
• The Fire Worship Cult’s Holy Envoy intervened and broke Gu Sheng’s golden fist shadow, but Gu Sheng gathered his power and sent his Green Vine Demonic Soul toward the Holy Envoy’s torch.