Chapter Summaries

The Third Prince trapped Xu Taiping with the Youyun Gui Water Deity-Inviting Incantation and unleashed three divine figures against him. As everyone feared Xu Taiping would have to concede or die, he merged with his double and revealed the Origin Law Great Sun Golden Crow Finger.

• The Third Prince swept away Xu Taiping’s mist and drove him across the Golden Scale Platform with Gui Water waves.
• The Third Prince summoned three divine figures using the Youyun Gui Water Deity-Inviting Incantation, leaving Xu Taiping cornered with no way to retreat.
• Guangze, Xuanzhi, the Seventh Princess, Chu Xiaoxiao, Mu Yuchen, Ji Ye, and Mu Yun recognized how dangerous the spell was and feared Xu Taiping could not withstand it.
• The three divine figures drew their weapons and attacked Xu Taiping as the Seventh Princess urged him to concede.
• Xu Taiping merged with his double and formed a blazing Golden Crow with his sword fingers, prompting Zhu Huai and High Immortal Qionghua to identify the Origin Law Great Sun Golden Crow Finger.

Xu Taiping and the Third Prince unleashed powerful spells, and Xu Taiping destroyed the Third Prince’s three divine statues with his Golden Crow. Xu Taiping then trapped the Third Prince in his Blade Domain and wounded him, but the Third Prince’s repeated strikes with his spear made the spectators feel as if they stood amid an army.

• Xu Taiping’s Golden Crow melted the weapons of the Third Prince’s three divine statues and tore their bodies apart, though the Golden Crow also exploded into fire.
• Mu Yun recognized Xu Taiping as an heir to the Huangting Dao Palace and used an Immortal Rank communication jade talisman to warn the Pavilion Master.
• Xu Taiping revealed his Dragon Whale body, drew the Water-Cutting Blade, and opened his Unceasing Blade Domain around himself and the Third Prince.
• Xu Taiping repeatedly struck and grievously wounded the Third Prince inside the Blade Domain, alarming Chu Yudie.
• The Third Prince took out a spear and struck it against the Golden Scale Platform, making the spectators feel as though they were inside a battle formation of thousands of soldiers and horses.

The Third Prince used his Martial God body and Thousand-Army Battle Intent to charge Xu Taiping, but Xu Taiping revealed a second Blade Domain power that made enemies seem slower to him and broke the battle formation. As Xu Taiping pressed his attack, the Third Prince shattered his final ring and unleashed Heavenly Shadow, leaving Xu Taiping facing a barrage of sword-like gleams.

• The Third Prince revealed his Martial God body and Thousand-Army Battle Intent, then led a phantom army in a charge at Xu Taiping.
• Xu Taiping unleashed a second Blade Domain power that made opponents appear slower, allowing him to cut through the phantom soldiers.
• Xu Taiping broke through the formation and slashed the Third Prince across the abdomen, wounding him deeply.
• The Third Prince shattered the last ring on his hand and invoked Heavenly Shadow, striking Xu Taiping with a sword-like gleam.
• Xu Taiping recognized the sword art as Heavenly Shadow and blocked as several more gleams appeared in the darkened sky.

Xu Taiping endured the Third Prince’s overwhelming Heavenly Shadow Sword assault on the Golden Scale Platform, refusing to concede despite being grievously wounded. When the Third Prince unleashed a final torrent of sword shadows, Xu Taiping revealed the sword Ninth Uncle had given him and stopped the attack with a surge of Golden Sword Qi.

• The Third Prince used the Heavenly Shadow Sword inheritance to repeatedly strike Xu Taiping, while Mu Yun explained that the power could cost the Third Prince his ability to cultivate.
• Xu Taiping kept rising and fighting despite his wounds, ignoring the pleas from the Mysterious Cloud Martial Hall to concede.
• The Third Prince gathered thousands of light-and-shadow swords and unleashed them, knocking away Xu Taiping’s Water-Cutting Blade and piercing his body.
• Xu Taiping refused to concede, formed a sword gesture, and recited that he had a sword hidden in its sheath and in his heart.
• Xu Taiping released a magnificent surge of Golden Sword Qi that halted the Third Prince’s descending Heavenly Light Sword Shadows, astonishing the spectators.

Xu Taiping understood the purpose of Ninth Uncle’s Hidden Sword Art and drew Rusty Lion against Third Prince Chu Yinan’s Heavenly Shadow Sword. His righteous sword parted the Heavenly Light Sword Shadows, and an archaic verse appeared above the Golden Scale Platform.

• Xu Taiping realized the hidden sword was meant to protect his dignity and Dao heart and give him the resolve to resist injustice.
• Xu Taiping raised his sword gesture and used the strength he had gathered to call Rusty Lion from his Iron Gourd.
• Xu Taiping grasped Rusty Lion, whose rust peeled away to reveal its blade and Vast Righteous Qi, joining the sword in his heart with the sword in its sheath.
• Xu Taiping’s sword pointed toward the Heavenly Light Sword Shadows and forced them to part, astonishing the spectators.
• Lu Rushuang recognized Xu Taiping’s sword as the one Senior Brother Sword Nine had sought and urged him to show its power.
• Xu Taiping flicked Rusty Lion, and an archaic verse appeared above the Golden Scale Platform.

Xu Taiping used the sword art Ninth Uncle had taught him to break through the Third Prince’s Heavenly Light Sword Shadows. After naming his final strike Remove Armor, he defeated the Third Prince but remained conscious while awaiting the match’s result, and a heavenly voice declared that his sword strike deserved a reward.

• Xu Taiping drank Dragon Gall Wine and used verses from “Letter on Mourning the Ancient Battlefield” to hold back the Third Prince’s Heavenly Light Sword Shadows.
• The Third Prince drove his sword down with all his strength, but Xu Taiping continued writing and reciting as the golden words gathered overhead.
• Xu Taiping completed the final line, “What can be done? Keep watch at the four frontiers,” and joined the resulting colossal golden sword.
• Xu Taiping named his strike Remove Armor and plunged with the golden sword into the Heavenly Light Sword Shadows, overcoming the Third Prince’s attack.
• Nearly depleted, Xu Taiping stayed awake because the match’s outcome had not been announced, as a golden finger touched his forehead and a heavenly voice praised his strike.

Xu Taiping shattered Third Prince Chu Yinan’s Heavenly Light Sword Shadows with a slash taught by Lü Daoxuan, then received Emperor Youyun’s blessing for his extraordinary performance. The blessing healed his wounds and restored his blood, vital energy, and True Essence, leaving the Golden Scale Assembly poised to recognize his victory.

• Zhang Tianze recognized Xu Taiping’s sword art and respectfully connected Lü Daoxuan to Sword Nine, Ninth Uncle of True Martial Heaven.
• Xu Taiping’s slash destroyed Chu Yinan’s Heavenly Light Sword Shadows and badly injured the Third Prince, who crashed onto the Golden Scale Platform.
• Rusty Lion caught Xu Taiping as he fell, while the Azure Profound Sect disciples cheered.
• Emperor Youyun’s divine intent appeared and declared that Xu Taiping’s slash deserved a reward, which Liu Chuxuan said signaled the Golden Scale Ranking’s recognition of him as champion.
• Emperor Youyun granted Xu Taiping an immaculate Dao heart, perfect Profound Comprehension, and healing, restoring his injuries, blood, vital energy, and True Essence.

Xu Taiping won the Golden Scale Assembly after defeating Chu Yinan, then spared the Third Prince when King Zhao pleaded for his life. As the Azure Profound Sect celebrated his championship, Xu Taiping began breaking through to the Spirit Refining Realm, risking an attack by Otherworldly Heavenly Demons because of his Illuminated Dao Heart.

• Chu Yinan rose in a delirious state and attacked Xu Taiping, who severed his flying sword and knocked him down again.
• Xu Taiping prepared to kill Chu Yinan, but King Zhao bowed and begged him to spare his son, so Xu Taiping kicked Chu Yinan off the platform instead.
• Qiu Shanyuan announced Xu Taiping of the Azure Profound Sect and True Martial Heaven as the Golden Scale Assembly champion.
• The Golden Scale Ranking appeared with Xu Taiping's name at the top, prompting celebrations at Five Elders Pool.
• Xu Taiping began breaking through to the Spirit Refining Realm, and Dugu Qingxiao warned that his Illuminated Dao Heart would attract Otherworldly Heavenly Demons.

Xu Taiping began an unexpected breakthrough to the Spirit Refining realm at the Golden Scale Pool and feared attracting an Otherworldly Heavenly Demon. Zhang Tianze, Buddhist abbots, Zhu Huai, and Qionghua gathered to guard him, and Xu Taiping prepared to proceed.

• After the contest results were announced, Xu Taiping’s Cloud-Riding Art began drawing in spiritual energy as he unexpectedly started breaking through to Spirit Refining.
• Xu Taiping realized the Lotus Eye was growing hungry but decided he could not let it act at the Golden Scale Pool.
• Zhang Tianze urged Xu Taiping to break through and took his place on the Golden Scale Platform to guard him.
• Guangze, Huiming, Hongci, Zhiqing, Qingde, Faxian, and Xuanzhi joined Zhang Tianze in guarding Xu Taiping.
• Zhu Huai and Qionghua arrived to guard Xu Taiping, thanking him for sparing the Third Prince and repaying his kindness.
• Xu Taiping returned their salute and thanked everyone for guarding him.

As Xu Taiping began breaking into Spirit Refining, the assembled seniors guarded him while onlookers watched his breakthrough. A complete Red-Powder Skeleton Demon appeared, and Zhang Tianze and Zhu Huai charged to fight it.

• Qiu Shanyuan and the spectators watched two Martial Gods, seven Dharma Masters, and a Sword Cultivator join forces to protect Xu Taiping.
• Xu Taiping took a Breakthrough Pill, and his breakthrough proceeded smoothly as his pill fire turned azure.
• The projected image blurred, and a complete Red-Powder Skeleton Demon descended through a fissure in the sky.
• Mu Yun recognized the demon and feared its danger, while Dugu Qingxiao was shocked that it had appeared at Xu Taiping’s first breakthrough.
• Zhang Tianze challenged Zhu Huai to battle the Heavenly Demon, and both Martial Gods charged at it with their spears.

Zhang Tianze, Zhu Huai, and the other cultivators fought the Red-Pink Skeleton Heavenly Demon as she advanced toward Xu Taiping. Zhang Tianze drove her back and told the others to prepare their Beheading Techniques to kill her karmic body in one strike.

• High Immortal Qionghua wounded the Red-Pink Skeleton Heavenly Demon with the Ice-Soul Greatsword, but she healed and summoned two Heavenly Demon Warrior phantoms.
• The Red-Pink Skeleton Heavenly Demon began the Sixteen Heavenly Demon Dance, while the Cloud-Hidden Temple abbot and the Five Presiding Abbots attacked her.
• Zhang Tianze and Zhu Huai switched from spears to fists and struck the demon, resisting her influence with their blood qi.
• Zhang Tianze and Zhu Huai manifested their martial god bodies and battered the Red-Pink Skeleton Heavenly Demon, repeatedly breaking apart her body.
• Zhang Tianze told the cultivators to prepare their Beheading Techniques and kill the demon's karmic body in a single strike.

Zhang Tianze, Zhu Huai, Xuanzhi, and the other experts repeatedly shattered the Red-Powder Skeleton Demon's body until her karmic body emerged, then destroyed it with Buddhist treasures, Red Lotus Karmic Fire, and High Immortal Qionghua's sword. Qiu Shanyuan was left lamenting the enormous cost of repairing the Golden Scale Platform.

• Abbot Guangze, Xuanzhi, and High Immortal Qionghua prepared to help Zhang Tianze and Zhu Huai kill the demon's karmic body when it appeared.
• Xuanzhi, Zhu Huai, and Zhang Tianze struck the Red-Powder Skeleton Demon repeatedly, killing her nine times and forcing her karmic body to emerge.
• Guangze and the other Dharma Masters blasted the karmic body with their Magic Artifacts, destroying more than half of it.
• Faxian's Red Lotus Karmic Fire engulfed the weakened karmic body while the others retreated from the platform.
• High Immortal Qionghua cleaved the karmic body to dust with her enormous Flying Sword.
• Qiu Shanyuan complained that the destruction would cost many Gold Essence Coins to repair.

Xu Taiping broke through to the Spirit Refining realm as Liu Chuxuan announced that the True Martial Sword Chief Ranking would reopen in sixty years. Afterward, Xu Taiping was drawn into a strange vision where a shackled girl named Lin Buyu asked him to save her.

• Xu Taiping broke through to the Spirit Refining realm on the Golden Scale Platform, drawing cheers from the gathered cultivators.
• Liu Chuxuan announced that the Nine Prefectures would reopen the True Martial Great Emperor's Sword Chief Ranking in sixty years, with the winner eligible to receive the Emperor's legacy.
• Mu Yun explained to Mu Yuchen why Sword Cultivators were overjoyed by the ranking's return.
• Xu Taiping considered seeking treasures at Phoenix Cry Mountain so he could obtain a Phoenix Marrow Stone, then suddenly felt his Divine Soul leave his body.
• Xu Taiping appeared in a dungeon, where Lin Buyu asked him to get her out.

Xu Taiping recognized the imprisoned little Buyu as resembling Lin Buyu in childhood and learned her brother had trapped her in a cave, apparently to turn her into a corpse puppet. After his attempt to break the rocks began pulling his soul back from the Great Void, Xu Taiping realized he could try to save her by teaching her to cultivate.

• Xu Taiping recognized the little girl as a possible childhood version of Lin Buyu and learned that her brother had locked her in the cave after killing her dog.
• Lin Buyu explained that she had survived for three months and nineteen days by keeping her mother's Jiao Pearl in her mouth, but it would sustain her for only one more month.
• Xu Taiping discovered corpse-puppet runes and blood flags in the cave and found the entrance blocked by rocks.
• Xu Taiping punched the rocks and cracked them, but the effort made his body turn transparent as a force began pulling him away.
• Xu Taiping decided to teach Lin Buyu a cultivation method so she might survive after the Jiao Pearl failed.

Xu Taiping taught the imprisoned child Lin Buyu the Remnant Sunset Scripture before his soul returned to his body. Lin Buyu realized he had appeared in her past, then chose to feign death to evade the force hunting her, while Xu Taiping woke to find his jade bracelet cracked and feared she was in danger.

• Xu Taiping wrote down the first two levels of the Remnant Sunset Scripture for little Buyu and promised to return before his soul dispersed.
• Lin Buyu awoke from a three-day unconsciousness and told Lin Buyan that Xu Taiping had taught her the scripture in the past.
• Lin Buyu explained that her tribulation remained unresolved and decided to use the Three Corpses Scripture to feign death rather than delay and endanger her senior sister and the others in the Azure Profound Sect.
• Xu Taiping woke in the Mysterious Cloud Martial Hall, saw cracks in his jade bracelet, and worried that Junior Sister Buyu was in danger.
• Fairy Lingyue contacted Xu Taiping, and he happily answered her voice transmission.

After awakening from his breakthrough, Xu Taiping learned that his soul had encountered the river of light and shadow and that Lin Buyu’s fate was tied to a severed stretch within it. He resolved to reach the Transformation Realm and use his Life-Replenisher ability to save her, but Fairy Lingyue then revealed a mark on his palm.

• Xu Taiping woke after two days unconscious and told Fairy Lingyue about his soul’s journey through the Great Void.
• Fairy Lingyue said Xu Taiping had fallen into the river of light and shadow and explained that Lin Buyu had been saved from a fatal tribulation by someone close to her.
• Fairy Lingyue explained that Lin Buyu could be erased from existence if she relied too often on Liberation by Violence, and that Xu Taiping was a Life-Replenisher who might save her.
• Xu Taiping decided to break through to the Transformation Realm so he could enter the river of light and shadow again and help Lin Buyu.
• Fairy Lingyue warned that a Life-Replenisher’s chance to enter the river was extremely valuable, but Xu Taiping remained determined to save Lin Buyu.
• Fairy Lingyue told Xu Taiping to turn over his right palm, and he recognized the mark of the One-Leaf Book.

Xu Taiping learned that the One-Leaf Book had found him and planned to meet Fairy Lingyue at Phoenix Cry Mountain to ambush it. After receiving a Gate-Sealing Stone and a plea from Dongfang Yuejian, Xu Taiping saw the Lotus Eye’s vision of Qingxuan’s destruction.

• Fairy Lingyue told Xu Taiping that the One-Leaf Book had traced him through his use of the Huangting Dao Palace inheritance and arranged to confront it at Phoenix Cry Mountain.
• Lu Yun told Xu Taiping that the Dongfang Household had left a wooden box and said its contents might concern Dongfang Yuejian’s life.
• Xu Taiping opened the box, found a Gate-Sealing Stone and a message from Dongfang Yuejian, who said she had survived the fifth tribulation and asked for help with the remaining two.
• Fairy Lingyue told Xu Taiping to visit Dongfang Yuejian and learn more about her situation.
• The Lotus Eye showed Xu Taiping a vision of Qingxuan in ruins, with Zhao Linglong, Jiang Zhi, and others dead, and Xu Taiping told Fairy Lingyue it had seen Qingxuan wiped out.

Xu Taiping met Dongfang Yuejian at the Cloud-Knot Inn after learning that her fifth tribulation had not passed and that an assassination would take place there. He sent his Mysterious Origin Avatar to deal with the hidden assassins as Yuejian arrived.

• Xu Taiping discussed with Fairy Lingyue the Lotus Eye's visions of Qingxuan's coming calamity and planned to ask Youyun Prefecture for the Sect Master's enthronement ceremony date.
• Xu Taiping told Fairy Lingyue that Dongfang Yuejian's fifth tribulation would strike in two hours at the inn, where Dongfang Gulu planned to poison her with help from three hidden assassins.
• Xu Taiping explained that Dongfang Gulu had a powerful demonic beast in his Demon-Refining Pot and that the poisons would be difficult to detect unless someone used substantial true essence.
• Xu Taiping sent his Mysterious Origin Avatar, wearing the Concealment Cloak, to deal with the three assassins.
• Dongfang Yuejian arrived and greeted Xu Taiping.

Xu Taiping realized Dongfang Yuejian’s fifth tribulation was still underway and exposed Dongfang Gulu’s betrayal. The chapter ended with Dongfang Gulu’s assassination plot revealed and Xu Taiping’s Mysterious Origin Avatar entering with the three dead assassins.

• Su Qingtan offered Xu Taiping two Transformation Pills if Dongfang Yuejian survived her next tribulation.
• Xu Taiping declared that Dongfang Yuejian’s fifth tribulation had not passed and had already begun.
• Dongfang Gulu poisoned Su Qingtan and Dongfang Yuejian, then revealed that he had arranged to kill them.
• Xu Taiping’s Mysterious Origin Avatar entered the hall with the corpses of the three assassins, leaving Dongfang Gulu stunned.

Xu Taiping revealed that he had not been poisoned and killed Dongfang Gulu with a saber strike after reaching Spirit Refining, then sealed Gulu’s escaping Primordial Spirit. He accepted only the two Transformation Pills for helping Dongfang Yuejian and turned their attention to her sixth tribulation, which was due the next day.

• Dongfang Gulu attacked Xu Taiping and Su Qingtan, believing the poisoned Xu Taiping could not resist him.
• Xu Taiping’s avatar drew Gulu’s flying needles away, and Xu Taiping killed Gulu with a devastating saber strike.
• Xu Taiping sealed Gulu’s fleeing Primordial Spirit in a Ghost-Sealing Talisman after Su Qingtan asked to interrogate him.
• Su Qingtan apologized to Xu Taiping, and Dongfang Yuejian thanked him for saving them.
• Su Qingtan offered to double the Dongfang Household’s payment, but Xu Taiping declined and asked only for the two Transformation Pills.
• Xu Taiping warned Su Qingtan and Dongfang Yuejian that Dongfang Yuejian’s sixth tribulation would arrive the next day.