Chapter Summaries

Ancestor Yanshi rejected Demon Ancestor Yin’s offer to help him reach the Creation Realm but kept the visit secret, torn between suspicion and temptation. Meanwhile, Qin Hao continued advancing in the Azure Flame Grand Tournament, rising to thirty-second place with five days left in the Elimination Round.

• Ancestor Yanshi destroyed Demon Ancestor Yin’s Projection Demonic Body, and Demon Ancestor Yin reappeared to leave him an offer he could accept before the tournament ended.
• Ancestor Yanshi refused to cooperate with the Blood Demon Race but chose not to report Demon Ancestor Yin’s visit, partly to conceal what he had done to Qin Hao and partly because the offer tempted him.
• Ancestor Yanshi watched Qin Hao’s progress in the tournament and hoped Qin Hao would not rank high enough to threaten his plans.
• Qin Hao defeated Chai Rong, a powerful genius ranked seventy-first who had mastered the Fifth Tier of the Gold Laws, and killed several other geniuses.
• Qin Hao climbed from sixty-third to thirty-second place, with five days remaining in the Elimination Round.

The Elimination Round ended, and Qin Hao placed thirty-sixth while Mu Ziqing and Qiao Chuyu also qualified for the Challenge Round. As the contestants were transported away, the Power of the Two Realms strengthened Qin Hao’s Self-World, and the experts in the Holy City celebrated Qi Long’s first-place finish.

• The Inspector announced that the Elimination Round had ended and that the top 180 contestants would advance to the Challenge Round in three days.
• Qin Hao noticed the Power of the Two Realms withdrawing his conjured weapons and checked the final rankings: he placed thirty-sixth, Mu Ziqing fifty-second, Qiao Chuyu ninety-eighth, and Yang Yi one hundred and seventieth.
• The Power of the Two Realms descended fully and transported Qin Hao away, while its influence made his Self-World more stable.
• In the Holy City, King Lingyi accepted congratulations after Qi Long took first place and offered King Yongtai a bottle of Dragonflame Wine.
• King Yongtai accepted the wine and reminded King Lingyi that the Elimination Round rankings did not determine the tournament’s final results.

King Yongtai revealed that he believed Qin Hao could reach the Azure Flame Grand Tournament’s Top Ten, surprising the other Creation Realm experts because Qin Hao was not his Disciple. King Zhenyan wondered whether the Two-World Diagram Spirit had taken notice of Qin Hao after witnessing his battle with the Devil Race.

• King Lingyi and the other experts dismissed King Yongtai’s prediction as irritation until Marquis Yanshan mentioned that he had a Disciple competing in the tournament.
• King Yongtai explained that his competing Disciple did not know his identity, while the experts recalled that his previous Disciples had been killed by the Alien Races.
• King Yongtai praised Qi Long and Dongfang Lin, then named Qin Hao as another contender for the Top Ten.
• The experts recalled Qin Hao’s secluded training, the Devil Race’s failed siege, and his current thirty-sixth-place ranking, but King Yongtai clarified that Qin Hao was not his Disciple.
• King Zhenyan reconsidered the Two-World Diagram Spirit’s attention to Qin Hao and wondered if it had watched his battle with the Devil Race before judging the Devil Race Members.

King Yongtai defended his belief that Qin Hao could reach the Top Ten, though he could only explain it as instinct, while the other rulers doubted him. After the Elimination Round ended, Qin Hao reunited with Mu Ziqing, Yang Yi, and Zhuge Hong and noticed Dragon Holy Son Qi Long and a strikingly cold woman among the remaining contestants.

• King Zhenyan recalled the Two Realms Diagram Spirit’s response to Qin Hao’s fight and decided to watch him more closely.
• King Lingyi argued that Qin Hao could reach the Top Fifty but not the Top Ten, while King Yongtai said his confidence came from instinct.
• King Zhenyan celebrated the Elimination Round’s end with the assembled Creations, and King Lingyi offered Dragonflame Wine.
• The contestants were transported outside the Holy City, where Qin Hao spotted Mu Ziqing, Yang Yi, and Zhuge Hong among the survivors.
• Qin Hao reunited with the three and agreed to meet Fang Lang and Chen Jianqing at their usual spot, while Mu Ziqing remained cold toward him.
• Qin Hao noticed the imposing Dragon Holy Son Qi Long and a beautiful, icy woman among the departing contestants.

After the Elimination Round, Qin Hao reunited with his friends, congratulated the three who advanced, and heard that the others planned to leave and train. The gathering ended with promises to meet again in ten years while Mu Ziqing and Yang Yi continued toward the Challenge Round.

• Qin Hao wondered whether a woman in the Top Ten was Ji Ziqi and looked for Dongfang Lin, but the high-ranking contestants had already left.
• Qin Hao and his three companions met Chen Jianqing, Fang Lang, Lin Zhang, and the others at an inn, where they discussed their eliminations and congratulated Qin Hao, Mu Ziqing, and Yang Yi on advancing.
• Chen Jianqing said that he and the others planned to leave in two days to train, and Fang Lang and Lin Zhang described how the tournament had exposed their weaknesses.
• Zhuge Hong vowed to train and challenged Qin Hao, Mu Ziqing, and Yang Yi to compete again in ten years.
• Mu Ziqing wished the departing group a safe journey, while Yang Yi said he would try to reach the Top Hundred in the Challenge Round.

Qin Hao and his companions discussed the strongest competitors in the Azure Flame Grand Tournament and the abilities they had shown during the Elimination Round. Qin Hao recognized how formidable the Top Ten were as the group considered which other geniuses they might face.

• Qin Hao reflected on how unlikely he was to reach the Top Ten and wondered what a Chaos cultivation technique could offer his two Doppelgangers.
• Fang Lang described Qi Long killing a genius with at least Fifth Tier Origin Laws, prompting the group to consider the power of Qi Long and Dongfang Lin.
• Chen Jianqing and Lin Zhang said Xiang Wuqing had defeated them instantly, while the group discussed the other Top Ten competitors and their reported strengths.
• Zhuge Hong revealed that Jing Hong had mastered at least Sixth-Order Great Wilderness Laws, and Mu Ziqing said she might contend with him if he had only recently reached that level.
• The group identified Sikong Xuan, Wu Xuan, Pang Xuan, and Kong Yan as additional threats, then Mu Mingxuan celebrated Qiao Chuyu's Top Hundred ranking and Qin Hao said she deserved a higher one.

After his companions departed to gain experience, Qin Hao proposed to Mu Ziqing, and she accepted. With the Azure Flame Grand Tournament’s Challenge Round approaching, Qin Hao assessed his weaknesses and asked Lingxiaozi about his Self-World.

• Zhuge Hong, Chen Jianqing, and the others set out on journeys across the continent, while Yang Yi left to cultivate in seclusion before the Advancement Round.
• Qin Hao proposed to Mu Ziqing with a ring made from Falling Star Treasure Crystal, and she shyly agreed to marry him.
• After spending the afternoon together, Qin Hao and Mu Ziqing parted to prepare for the coming Challenge Round.
• Qin Hao reviewed his Origin Laws and concluded that his Self-World was the foundation of his strength, possibly connected to the Dao Governing Laws.
• Lingxiaozi appeared and urged Qin Hao to hold his rank and aim for the Top Ten, while admitting that taking first place would be difficult.

Qin Hao told Lingxiaozi that comprehending Dao Governing Laws had formed a Self-World in his Dantian, and Lingxiaozi urged him to test its power. Qin Hao’s Sword Heaven and Earth technique transported Lingxiaozi into the Self-World, where the artifact spirit felt immense pressure.

• Qin Hao explained how his study of the Power of the Two Realms had led him to comprehend Dao Governing Laws and form a Self-World.
• Lingxiaozi reasoned that Qin Hao’s new cultivation might raise his strength enough to compete for the tournament’s top places, and asked him to bring forth the Self-World.
• Qin Hao and Lingxiaozi went to the Supreme Sword Tower Space so Qin Hao could test his power safely.
• Qin Hao failed to move the Self-World out of his Dantian directly, then tried channeling it through the Setting Sun Sword.
• Qin Hao used Sword Heaven and Earth to send the Self-World’s power through the Setting Sun Sword and into the Lingxiao Divine Sword.
• Lingxiaozi found himself inside Qin Hao’s vast, hazy Self-World and felt an immense force that could destroy him.

Qin Hao manifested his Sword Heaven and Earth, a Self-World that let him govern its space and suppress opponents, and learned the Two Realms Heavenly Dao Diagram was a Dao Foundation of one of the Azure Flame Sect’s Nine Peaks. As Qin Hao prepared to train for the tournament, a mysterious voice awakened inside the Supreme Sword Tower and demanded to know who he was.

• Qin Hao unleashed his Sword Heaven and Earth, leaving Lingxiaozi unable to see him and overwhelmed by the pressure of its Heavenly Dao.
• Qin Hao entered the Sword Heaven and Earth and discovered he could sense everything within it and that his connection to the Supreme Sword Tower had strengthened.
• Lingxiaozi revealed that the Two Realms Heavenly Dao Diagram was the Dao Foundation of one of the Azure Flame Sect Inner Gate’s Nine Peaks and urged Qin Hao to fight for first place.
• Qin Hao decided to spend the three days before the tournament mastering the Sword Heaven and Earth and practicing his Four Great Sword Moves.
• A hazy voice awakened inside the Supreme Sword Tower, sensed the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, and asked Qin Hao who he was.

Qin Hao encountered the Ancient Emperor, a powerful Ancient Race leader imprisoned on the Supreme Sword Tower’s Eighth Floor, and learned more about the Heaven and Earth Great Dao. He remained determined to pursue that difficult path.

• A voice from the Eighth Floor startled Qin Hao and Lingxiaozi, and Qin Hao cautiously greeted the speaker as a senior.
• The Ancient Emperor explained that he had entered the Supreme Sword Tower willingly, then asked Qin Hao about the Ancient Race and the outside world.
• Lingxiaozi recognized the speaker as the Ancient Emperor, who had once led the Ancient Race to prominence in the Star Sea.
• The Ancient Emperor asked Qin Hao and Lingxiaozi to find a way to help him leave the tower.
• The Ancient Emperor explained that the Heaven and Earth Great Dao was a rare Great Dao path, and Qin Hao resolved to keep cultivating it.

Qin Hao finished cultivating Sword Heaven and Earth and joined the one hundred and eighty contestants as the Azure Flame Grand Tournament’s Challenge Round began. After King Zhenyan announced the harsh rules, the contestants entered the Two Realms Heavenly Dao Diagram, where the last-ranked competitor prepared to choose his opponent.

• Qin Hao spent three days cultivating Sword Heaven and Earth and learned to move freely through its space.
• King Zhenyan ended the celebration and explained that contestants would challenge in Points Ranking order, with losers eliminated and each person allowed one challenge.
• King Zhenyan sent all one hundred and eighty contestants into the Two Realms Heavenly Dao Diagram, while Ancestor Yanshi hoped Qin Hao would not reach the Top Ten.
• The contestants appeared together on Two Realms Island, where a conjured referee announced that the contestant ranked one hundred and eightieth had half a quarter-hour to name his opponent.
• The thick-bearded contestant ranked one hundred and eightieth stepped forward and considered whom to challenge.

A bearded Warrior challenged Qiao Chuyu, believing her to be an easy opponent, but she killed him with one strike. The Challenge Round continued as Yang Yi selected Zong Kun as his target.

• The bearded young man assessed the Top Hundred and chose to challenge Qiao Chuyu, ranked ninety-eighth in the intelligence he had gathered, though she was announced as ninety-seventh.
• Yang Yi suspected Qiao Chuyu was stronger than the rumors suggested and chose Zong Kun as his own opponent.
• Qin Hao told Mu Ziqing that Qiao Chuyu had exceptional talent and likely possessed a trump card.
• Qiao Chuyu and the bearded young man entered the Arena, where she warned she would finish the fight with one strike.
• Qiao Chuyu cut through the bearded young man's throat before he could counterattack, killing and eliminating him.

Qiao Chuyu killed the bearded young man in one strike, and the Challenge Round continued as contestants fought for a place in the Top Hundred. Yang Yi stepped onto the Arena and called out Zong Kun, leaving the crowd waiting to see their match.

• Qiao Chuyu killed the bearded young man with a single sword strike, and Yang Yi recognized her as a formidable opponent.
• A challenger defeated Wang Changdong and took his place, but was eliminated in his next fight.
• Several challengers lost, and the contestant ranked one hundred seventieth, Yang Yi, stepped onto the Arena.
• Yang Yi revealed his strength and called out Zong Kun, who stepped forward with a darkened expression.

Yang Yi challenged Zong Kun, the eighty-seventh-ranked contestant, and revealed a sword technique he had created to counter Zong Kun’s overwhelming saber attacks. Zong Kun realized that their many past fights had helped Yang Yi develop the skill, Softness Overcomes Hardness.

• Qin Hao sensed that Yang Yi and Zong Kun had both mastered Fourth Tier Wind Laws at Perfection, while Yang Yi wielded Fourth Tier Law of the Sword and Zong Kun wielded Fourth Tier Blade Laws.
• Yang Yi and Zong Kun recalled their history of repeated fights, including a recent bout in which Zong Kun had suppressed Yang Yi.
• Zong Kun attacked with his Heavy Saber, but Yang Yi evaded his first strike and calmly faced his next two slashes.
• Yang Yi met Zong Kun’s heavy attacks with a gentle sword technique that drained their force and left Zong Kun unable to use his strength.
• Yang Yi revealed that he had created Softness Overcomes Hardness after their many past fights, and Zong Kun reacted in shock.

Yang Yi used his self-created Sword Art, Softness Overcomes Hardness, to defeat Zong Kun and secure his place among the Top Hundred. After the match, True Person Ling Yuan resolved to travel to the Star Sea after the tournament to seek a breakthrough to Creation.

• Yang Yi countered Zong Kun's Heavy Saber with Softness Overcomes Hardness, steadily weakening its force.
• True Person Ling Yuan discussed Qin Hao, Mu Ziqing, and Yang Yi's prospects with Venerable Tianming, then decided he would go to the Star Sea after the tournament to seek a breakthrough to Creation.
• Yang Yi knocked Zong Kun's Heavy Saber away, pursued him before he could recover, and thrust his Long Sword through Zong Kun's chest.
• Zong Kun reappeared beneath the Arena with one chance left to challenge another contestant, while the Referee declared Yang Yi the winner and called the next match.
• Yang Yi returned to Qin Hao's group as the challengers watched him with envy and wariness.

The Challenge Round continued with only six challengers succeeding, and Teng Zihai chose to challenge Qin Hao, the competitor ranked thirty-sixth. Qin Hao drew his Setting Sun Sword, and spectators recognized him as the swordsman who had defeated Kong Yan.

• Yang Yi defeated Zong Kun, then most challengers lost their matches as the Challenge Round progressed.
• Teng Zihai, ranked 107th, decided to challenge Qin Hao after noticing Qin Hao had mastered only the Fourth Tier of the Origin Laws.
• Teng Zihai challenged the competitor ranked thirty-sixth, startling the crowd when Qin Hao stepped forward.
• Teng Zihai sneered that Qin Hao would lose, but Qin Hao accepted the match and leaped onto the Arena.
• Qin Hao drew his sunset-like sword, and a spectator recognized him as the Setting Sun Sword Swordsman who had defeated Kong Yan.

Qin Hao faced Teng Zihai, who recognized him as the Setting Sun Sword Swordsman and resigned himself to a difficult fight. Qin Hao overwhelmed Teng Zihai with Shadowless Trace, leaving Kong Yan shocked by how much stronger the technique had become.

• Ji Ziqi asked Kong Yan about his loss to Qin Hao, and Kong Yan warned her to watch out for Shi Tingyan.
• Teng Zihai recognized Qin Hao as the Setting Sun Sword Swordsman and regretted choosing him as an opponent.
• King Zhenyan learned that Qin Hao had defeated Kong Yan and decided to study the match against Teng Zihai for clues about Qin Hao's strength.
• Teng Zihai steadied himself and asked Qin Hao to fight with full strength, and Qin Hao agreed to use half the power of Shadowless Trace.
• Teng Zihai hurled his Long Spear at Qin Hao, but Qin Hao's Shadowless Trace shredded it and struck Teng Zihai with more than a hundred bloody wounds.

Qin Hao defeated Teng Zihai with a stronger-than-before Shadowless Trace, while King Zhenyan began to suspect Qin Hao was hiding an unusual secret. The Challenge Round ended with the Top Hundred confirmed, and King Zhenyan opened the Advancement Round.

• Qin Hao defeated Teng Zihai with Shadowless Trace, and the Referee declared him the winner.
• Qin Hao told Mu Ziqing to stay careful in the Advancement Round, and King Zhenyan studied Qin Hao's strength and suspected he was hiding a secret.
• The remaining challenge matches ended without another challenger winning, finalizing the Azure Flame Tournament Top 100.
• The Myriad Phenomena Hall celebrated Qin Hao and Mu Ziqing's success, and Sea Ancestor and Stone Ancestor decided to erect statues of them.
• King Zhenyan announced that the Advancement Round had begun and said he would explain its rules.

The Advancement Round began with each contestant set to fight all ninety-nine others, with rankings determining their rewards. Qi Long entered the fourth arena and killed his first opponent with a single sword strike, leaving the tournament’s battles underway.

• King Zhenyan announced the arena-battle rules and explained that contestants’ rankings would determine their rewards.
• The hundred contestants drew lots to determine their battle order, while the Creation experts watching elsewhere discussed how the Two Realms Heavenly Dao Diagram controlled the matchups.
• Qin Hao learned that his first fight would be the second match in the third arena, and Mu Ziqing and Yang Yi shared their arena assignments with him.
• The first battles began, and Qin Hao, Mu Ziqing, and Yang Yi noticed that Qi Long was already fighting in the fourth arena.
• Qi Long’s opponent, a contestant ranked in the seventies, said he would not give up, but Qi Long killed him with a single sword strike.

Qin Hao noticed that fighters’ deaths and revivals produced abundant Power of the Two Realms, giving him a chance to improve his Origin Laws during the Advancement Round. He quickly defeated his next opponent and sat down to comprehend the power generated by the man’s revival.

• Qin Hao recognized Qi Long’s attack as Gale Laws and judged that he could face Qi Long with his Self-World.
• Qin Hao realized that deaths and revivals across the arenas repeatedly produced the Power of the Two Realms, which contained Origin Laws he could study.
• Qin Hao faced a Heavenflame Continent genius ranked sixty-fourth, who urged him to surrender before attacking with a spear and Flame Laws.
• Qin Hao used Shadowless Trace at fifty percent strength to kill his opponent and found the technique about ten percent stronger than before.
• Qin Hao drew his next match and sat down to comprehend the Power of the Two Realms released when his defeated opponent revived.