Recaps

Xu Taiping and Fairy Lingyue examined the treasures revealed by the Earth Fruit, discovering that the broken Po Jun Sword had become a rare sword embryo containing Shoushan Copper. They shelled the remaining lotus seeds and found a seven-foot ball of golden light, which Xu Taiping believed was Fairy Lingyue’s puppet body.

• Xu Taiping found that the Rusty Lion Sword had become an Immortal Weapon, while the broken Po Jun Sword had been reshaped into a sword embryo.
• Fairy Lingyue urged Xu Taiping to examine the sword embryo, and he discovered that it contained Shoushan Copper, a material for forging Xiantian Divine Weapons.
• Fairy Lingyue suggested that Xu Taiping might forge the sword embryo into a Xiantian Divine Weapon, potentially enabling him to seal seven Soul Seals in one sword.
• Xu Taiping shelled three more lotus seeds, finding Old Daoist Huang’s jade-like severed finger and two pieces of gold essence stone.
• Xu Taiping shelled the lotus seed Fairy Lingyue had chosen, and a seven-foot ball of golden light emerged, which he believed was her puppet body.

Xu Taiping watched Fairy Lingyue take possession of the puppet body made by the Earth Fruit, and she tested its power before asking him to take her to Liuxian Town for food. Their plans were interrupted when Ping'an warned that a powerful old man was trying to steal the Dragon-Slaying Stele.

• The Earth Fruit produced a graceful puppet body, and Xu Taiping gave Fairy Lingyue a Dharma Robe before she possessed it.
• Fairy Lingyue drank Hidden Immortal Wine and unleashed a fearsome aura that showed Xu Taiping the gulf between their cultivation levels.
• Fairy Lingyue sat in a chair and asked Xu Taiping to peel the final golden lotus seed, then said she wanted to eat her fill in Liuxian Town.
• Xu Taiping opened the final lotus and found another large piece of gold essence stone inside, so Fairy Lingyue proposed they use it to pay for food.
• Ping'an warned Xu Taiping and Fairy Lingyue that a powerful old man was trying to steal the Dragon-Slaying Stele and had defeated him and Bai Yu.
• Fairy Lingyue vowed to confront the old man, and Xu Taiping prepared to open the door.

At Spring Rain Tower in Liuxian Town, Bai Yu confronted Jiang Chong, an elder of Tangting Mountain, who accused him of eating a disciple and attacked him over the Dragon-Slaying Stele. Bai Yu sheltered himself and the stele with his wings, and the stele began to glow as Jiang Chong prepared another blow.

• Jiang Chong accused Bai Yu of eating his disciple, whose mutilated body lay in the inn hall.
• Bai Yu challenged Jiang Chong to take the Dragon-Slaying Stele, and the surrounding cultivators mostly supported Jiang Chong.
• Jiang Chong unleashed his Great Perfection Looking-to-Heaven Realm aura and pierced Bai Yu’s feather shield, wounding his shoulder.
• Jiang Chong punched Bai Yu, who revealed his true form and blocked the blow with his golden-feathered wings.
• Bai Yu wrapped himself and the Dragon-Slaying Stele in his wings and warned Jiang Chong that he would die unless he could destroy him in one punch.
• The Dragon-Slaying Stele shimmered with flowing colors as Jiang Chong prepared to strike again.

Ping'an told Xu Taiping that Jiang Chong had exposed the Dragon-Slaying Stele at Spring Rain Tower and framed him and Bai Yu, prompting Xu Taiping to leave the Dragon-Trapping Tower to help. Xu Taiping reached the inn and found Bai Yu badly injured while still protecting the stele.

• Ping'an explained that Jiang Chong had framed him and Bai Yu after the Concealment Cloak fell from the Dragon-Slaying Stele, and Xu Taiping reassured him that Bai Yu would be all right.
• Fairy Lingyue arrived in a physical body, played with Ping'an, and gave Xu Taiping lotus root that granted the True Intent of Lotus Root Broken, Yet Its Fibers Remain.
• Xu Taiping ate the lotus root, then remembered Bai Yu was in danger and opened the Geng Character Room door to leave.
• Xu Taiping and Fairy Lingyue saw Bai Yu kneeling in Spring Rain Tower's hall with one wing broken as he shielded the Dragon-Slaying Stele.
• Bai Yu cried out to Xu Taiping that his attackers had nearly plucked out all his feathers.

Fairy Lingyue intervened when Jiang Chong attacked Bai Yu, then faced Jiang Chong and four more Tangting Mountain elders who surrounded Spring Rain Tower. Xu Taiping guarded the entrance as Fairy Lingyue stopped Jiang Chong’s powerful punch with one palm.

• Jiang Chong attacked Bai Yu, but Fairy Lingyue intercepted his punch and sent him crashing into a pillar.
• Bai Yu recognized Fairy Lingyue as his sister, and Xu Taiping restrained him at her request.
• Jiang Chong summoned four Tangting Mountain elders and revealed that disciples had sealed the inn with a formation.
• Fairy Lingyue challenged the five elders while Xu Taiping guarded the door so none could escape.
• Jiang Chong launched a powerful punch at Fairy Lingyue, and she stopped its enormous fist shadow with one palm.

Fairy Lingyue turned aside Jiang Chong’s punch, then used the true intent of Palm Holds Mountains and Rivers to seize and crush the five Tangting Mountain elders. As Tangting Mountain’s supreme elder Zhu Wu arrived and threatened her, Fairy Lingyue unleashed a vast aura to confront him.

• Fairy Lingyue redirected Jiang Chong’s punch into the inn floor and mocked him when he retreated.
• Jiang Chong convinced the other four Tangting Mountain elders to form the Wild Sand Formation and attack Fairy Lingyue together.
• Fairy Lingyue used Palm Holds Mountains and Rivers to shrink and trap all five elders in her fist, then began crushing them.
• Zhu Wu, Tangting Mountain’s supreme elder, arrived outside and pressured the inn, but Fairy Lingyue stopped Xu Taiping from drawing his saber and challenged Zhu Wu.
• Fairy Lingyue unleashed a vast aura as she faced Zhu Wu’s threat.

Fairy Lingyue confronted Zhu Wu at Spring Rain Tower, overwhelming him with her aura and forcing him to back down over Tangting Mountain’s dispute with Xu Taiping. Before she and Xu Taiping could leave, a Nine Prefectures woman arrived, and Zhu Wu arranged for an informant to tell her what had happened.

• Xu Taiping cleared the inn entrance, and Fairy Lingyue faced Zhu Wu as he entered.
• Fairy Lingyue berated Zhu Wu and overwhelmed him with a divine soul attack, but Zhu Wu insisted that the Nine Prefectures should judge the dispute.
• Fairy Lingyue returned the five battered Tangting Mountain Elders and threatened to keep the whole party in Liuxian Town if they continued to harass her.
• Zhu Wu restrained his anger and prepared to leave with the Tangting Mountain Elders rather than risk more lives.
• A woman in Nine Prefectures robes arrived with guards, and Zhu Wu secretly instructed an informant to report the incident to them.

Xu Taiping spotted a strange thread on the Tangting Mountain disciple’s corpse and learned from Fairy Lingyue that he had activated the Lotus Root Broken, Yet Its Fibers Remain Intent, which could reveal the truth behind the death. As Qian Xiaofu detained them and accused them of murder, Xu Taiping challenged her to let him investigate and secured her promise to apologize if he proved their innocence.

• A disguised Tangting Mountain disciple accused Fairy Lingyue of letting her disciple eat a cultivator and threatening Elder Zhu Wu, then presented the mutilated corpse as evidence.
• Xu Taiping recognized Qian Xiaofu, while he and Fairy Lingyue discussed avoiding exposure and considered contacting their allies if the confrontation worsened.
• Xu Taiping noticed a glowing thread on the corpse, and Fairy Lingyue identified it as the Lotus Root Broken, Yet Its Fibers Remain Intent.
• Qian Xiaofu tried to detain Xu Taiping and Fairy Lingyue with a restriction net, but Fairy Lingyue shattered it before Qian Xiaofu restored it with another Jade Jue.
• Xu Taiping challenged Qian Xiaofu’s evidence and asked to uncover the true cause of death; Qian Xiaofu agreed to apologize publicly if he proved their innocence within the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

After Qian Xiaofu’s rash accusation and public humiliation, Huang Que reprimanded her while Fairy Lingyue and Xu Taiping discussed his plan to climb Ten Thousand Evils Peak. The next day, Zhao Linglong learned of the climb and was told that Xu Taiping had sent for her.

• Huang Que scolded Qian Xiaofu for judging the siblings without investigating and ordered her back to the Pure Yang Sword Sect after she kowtowed eight times.
• Huang Que watched a Spirit Mirror recording of Fairy Lingyue overpowering five Heaven Gazing Realm experts and realized how dangerous Qian Xiaofu’s mistake could have been.
• Fairy Lingyue explored Liuxian Town with Xu Taiping, then discussed mortal life and learned that he planned to climb Ten Thousand Evils Peak to qualify for the True Martial Sword Champion Tournament.
• Fairy Lingyue warned Xu Taiping that the resentful swords on Ten Thousand Evils Peak would attack him, but he said he was ready to face them and challenge Su Chan under a new identity.
• After Bai Yu told Zhao Linglong that Xu Taiping would climb the peak, she tried to leave to stop him, but Ping'an explained that Xu Taiping had sent for her.

Xu Taiping, disguised as Chu Ping'an, arrived at Ten Thousand Evils Peak to qualify for the True Martial Sword Champion Tournament without revealing his identity. As Fairy Lingyue and Zhao Linglong watched, Chen Hao announced a trial requiring challengers to take an apple from his basket, protected by his formidable Sword Qi.

• Xu Taiping introduced himself to the Nine Prefectures guards as Chu Ping'an and learned that Chen Hao of the Pure Yang Sword Sect would screen those attempting the ascent.
• Fairy Lingyue warned Xu Taiping not to reveal his identity to Chen Hao, and he went to join the other challengers.
• Fairy Lingyue told Zhao Linglong that Xu Taiping intended to stay hidden while dealing with Su Chan and urged her to trust him.
• Chen Hao announced that thirty-four cultivators would attempt the ascent and that they had to pass his trial before climbing.
• Chen Hao surrounded himself with a storm of Sword Qi shaped like snowflakes and challenged the cultivators to take an apple from his basket.

Fairy Lingyue learned that the Nine Prefectures' new rules for climbing Ten Thousand Evils Peak were meant to restrict rogue cultivators from qualifying for the Sword Champion Assembly, intensifying tensions across True Martial Heaven. After Chen Sheng persuaded most climbers to leave, Chu Ping'an volunteered to face the test.

• Zhao Linglong explained that rogue cultivators had grown in number and strength since the True Martial Heaven Barrier began lifting, and that many summit climbers were now seeking places at the Sword Champion Assembly.
• Fairy Lingyue and Zhao Linglong discussed how the Nine Prefectures' restrictions could worsen conflict between the sects and rogue cultivators.
• Chen Sheng rebuked the climbers and warned them not to risk their lives, while guards surrounded the thirty-four rogue cultivators, including Xu Taiping.
• Many rogue cultivators abandoned the challenge and left Ten Thousand Evils Peak after hearing Chen Sheng's appeal.
• Chu Ping'an volunteered to attempt Chen Sheng's test.

Xu Taiping endured Sword Immortal Chen Sheng’s Sword Gang and earned permission to climb Ten Thousand Evils Peak. He reached the mountain’s foot as Zhao Linglong and Fairy Lingyue recognized that the real test was only beginning.

• The rogue cultivators in the pavilion rallied around Xu Taiping, while Zhao Linglong worried that her junior brother would never retreat once he had set his mind on something.
• Chen Sheng challenged Xu Taiping to take an apple from his basket, and Xu Taiping entered the Sword Gang surrounding him.
• Xu Taiping used his Martial God Realm qi and blood and Raging Flood Dragon Physique to withstand the Sword Gang and reach Chen Sheng.
• Xu Taiping explained that he sought a place in the True Martial Sword Champion Assembly to learn from sword cultivators, then took an apple from Chen Sheng’s basket.
• Chen Sheng warned Xu Taiping that the Sword Gang on Ten Thousand Evils Peak was much fiercer and gave him a jade slip to summon help if necessary.
• Xu Taiping passed through the small building and arrived at the foot of Ten Thousand Evils Peak, while Zhao Linglong and Fairy Lingyue watched anxiously.

Rogue cultivators gathered at Crane-Questioning Tower to watch Chu Ping'an challenge Ten Thousand Evils Peak, while Bai Di offered them a place on the third floor. The chapter ended with Bai Di privately dismissing Xu Taiping's chances and praising Fairy Zi Jin as the only rogue cultivator who could climb the peak alone.

• Rogue cultivators heading to Crane-Questioning Tower learned that the first two floors were full and that the third floor required an extra thirty Gold Essence Coins.
• Bai Di paid for the rogue cultivators to watch from the third floor, and they recognized him as the young manor lord of Carp Willow Manor.
• The rogue cultivators praised Bai Di's rise from an incomplete Qi Refining Method to the Spirit Refining Realm's great perfection and recounted rumors about his future marriage.
• The group saw Xu Taiping standing at the foot of Ten Thousand Evils Peak and hurried to find seats to watch his challenge.
• In a private room, Bai Di mocked Xu Taiping's attempt to climb the peak and told Fairy Zi Jin that she was likely the only rogue cultivator who could reach the summit alone.

Xu Taiping climbed Ten Thousand Evils Peak by relying on his body and qi and blood to endure its sword qi. Fairy Lingyue revealed that he had chosen this method himself, and he continued toward the summit despite his wounds.

• Liu Zijin identified herself as a martial artist and observed that Chu Ping'an was also a martial artist.
• Xu Taiping stepped onto Ten Thousand Evils Peak and endured its sword qi with his flesh and blood, taking another step upward despite being covered in cuts.
• Bai Di noted that the peak's sword qi grew stronger against the strong, while Liu Zijin said a martial artist could endure as long as their resolve held.
• Rogue cultivators cheered as Xu Taiping continued climbing, and Fairy Lingyue told Zhao Linglong that Xu Taiping had chosen this method himself.

Xu Taiping continued climbing Ten Thousand Evils Peak using only his Qi and Blood Power, accepting the danger of a joint sword strike rather than relying on another method. As the torrent of Sword Qi tore open his wounds, he pressed onward, but a deep injury to his foot made him sway on the next step.

• Fairy Lingyue told Zhao Linglong that Xu Taiping would face a joint sword strike from the masters of the myriad evil Sword Intents, and explained that he had refused to climb by another method.
• Zhao Linglong recalled Xu Taiping’s determination during the Seven Peaks Selection and steadied herself to watch him climb Ten Thousand Evils Peak.
• Xu Taiping endured a stronger torrent of Sword Qi, let it tear open his healed wounds, and forced himself up another step.
• The rogue cultivators watching from the tower fell silent, and one murmured that Xu Taiping’s struggle showed what a true cultivator should be.
• After Xu Taiping climbed roughly another hundred steps, another torrent nearly cut through his foot, making him sway as he tried to step forward.

Xu Taiping reached the Great Treachery Pavilion on Ten Thousand Evils Peak and defeated its sealed evil soul in a fierce sword-and-blade battle. He continued up the steps, leaving Zhao Linglong wondering what trials had strengthened him during his decades away.

• Xu Taiping endured the pain in his injured foot, healed briefly, and climbed until he reached the Great Treachery Pavilion.
• Zhao Linglong and Fairy Lingyue explained that the Ten Evils Pavilions held the remnant souls of villains slain by the True Martial Great Emperor.
• The evil soul in the pavilion offered Xu Taiping time to heal before fighting, but Xu Taiping refused and attacked at once.
• Xu Taiping repeatedly struck the evil soul, rebuilding his Blade Force after each clash until he found an opening and severed its head.
• Xu Taiping sheathed his Bone Blade No Edge and continued upward as Zhao Linglong wondered what trials had advanced his Blade Techniques.

As Xu Taiping climbed Ten Thousand Evils Peak, he used the Demon-Slaying Blade and Lü Sword Nine’s swordsmanship to cut through a torrent of sword qi. He kept his blade force unbroken and charged into the second Ten Evils Pavilion, where Zhao Linglong recognized its evil soul as the Sword Fiend.

• Fairy Lingyue told Zhao Linglong that she could not yet explain the trouble they had faced after leaving the Withered Stone Sea.
• Xu Taiping stopped to meet a descending torrent of sword qi with his blade, and Fairy Lingyue realized he intended to build up blade force without pause.
• Xu Taiping cut through the sword qi by finding its weaknesses and tracing Lü Sword Nine’s swordsmanship with his blade.
• Xu Taiping continued toward the second Ten Evils Pavilion without resting, since stopping would dissipate his accumulated blade force.
• Xu Taiping attacked the pavilion’s unseen evil soul, which revealed itself as the Sword Fiend, and Zhao Linglong recognized it.

Bai Di and the masked woman Zi Jin watched Xu Taiping battle the Wicked Soul, a former disciple of the True Martial Great Emperor, and wagered a half-fruit on the outcome. Xu Taiping overcame the Sword Fiend and defeated him, who then demanded a rematch if Xu Taiping reached the summit.

• The masked woman explained that the Wicked Soul had been a disciple of the True Martial Great Emperor before the Demon Abyss changed his disposition and led to his imprisonment on Ten Thousand Evils Peak.
• Bai Di and Zi Jin made a talisman-bound wager over whether Xu Taiping or the Sword Fiend would win, with Bai Di staking a half of a Six-Colored Fruit.
• The Sword Fiend pressed Xu Taiping to the cliff's edge with swift sword strikes and unleashed a brilliant attack that impressed both spectators.
• Xu Taiping's Blade Force surged, and he read through the Sword Fiend's swordsmanship as he countered the attack and closed the distance.
• Xu Taiping cut off the Sword Fiend's head, dispersing his body, and the Sword Fiend called from Ten Thousand Evils Peak for another fight if Xu Taiping reached the summit.

Xu Taiping fought his way through the Ten Evils Pavilions, discovering how to combine his saber and fist techniques into a unique fighting style. After defeating the Sixth Evil with fist force channeled through his saber, Zhao Linglong understood the method.

• Bai Di gave the Veiled Woman his half of a Six-Colored Fruit after Sword Evil praised Xu Taiping, while insisting Xu could not reach the summit without help.
• The rogue cultivators left Wild Goose Feather Peak to celebrate Xu Taiping, as Zhao Linglong worried about the remaining Ten Evils.
• Fairy Lingyue told Zhao Linglong that Xu Taiping had been working to combine his techniques, and said he had begun finding the way during his fights.
• Xu Taiping defeated the third villain and charged toward the fourth, using his saber to break the villain's sword intent and behead him.
• At the Sixth Ten Evils Pavilion, Xu Taiping channeled fist force through his saber to break the Sixth Evil's hammer strike and defeat him.
• Zhao Linglong realized that Xu Taiping could deliver a fist strike without using his fist.

Xu Taiping developed his own blade technique and fought his way through the ninth Ten Evils Pavilion, impressing the cultivators watching through the Spirit Mirror. He reached the tenth pavilion, where Bu Xueting appeared and requested a duel.

• Xu Taiping used fist-like force through his saber to overwhelm the sixth pavilion’s brute and kill him with a final slash.
• Xu Taiping swept through the seventh, eighth, and ninth pavilions, defeating their evildoers and beheading Mo Wen despite nearing exhaustion.
• Mo Wen laughed as he dissipated, warning everyone that Bu Xueting would likely lose to Xu Taiping.
• Fairy Lingyue and Zhao Linglong explained that Bu Xueting had imprisoned himself on Ten Thousand Evils Peak to perfect his swordsmanship and might choose not to fight Xu Taiping.
• Xu Taiping reached the tenth pavilion, where Bu Xueting appeared in a blue scholar’s robe and requested Xu Taiping’s instruction.

Xu Taiping fought Bu Xueting in the Spirit Mirror using only qi and blood power and martial techniques, turning the tide with daring close-range attacks. As Bu Xueting was driven back and wounded, a spectator named the supposed unknown rogue cultivator: Chu Ping'an.

• Zhao Linglong and Fairy Lingyue recognized Bu Xueting by his Life-Bound Flying Sword, while Ping'an regretted praying to the Bodhisattva for protection.
• Xu Taiping attacked Bu Xueting, dodged his sword thrust, and used blade intent as fist intent to knock him out of the Unprincipled Pavilion.
• Bu Xueting launched a lightning-fast thrust at Xu Taiping's throat, but Xu Taiping hardened his neck with qi and blood power and struck Bu Xueting with the hilt of his blade.
• Xu Taiping pressed Bu Xueting in close combat, landing repeated blows and leaving bloodstains on his robes.
• A cultivator marveled that an unknown rogue cultivator had driven Bu Xueting back, and another corrected him that the young man was named Chu Ping'an.

Xu Taiping defeated Bu Xueting by turning a punch into a blade strike after losing his saber and badly injuring both arms. Bu Xueting conceded, and Xu Taiping continued toward the final step to reach the summit of Ten Thousand Evils Peak.

• The cultivators in the Crane-Questioning Tower argued over Chu Ping'an's identity until the tower master silenced them.
• Bu Xueting pulled himself back from the cliff and stabbed through Xu Taiping's palm, disarming him and forcing him to fight with his fists.
• Xu Taiping repeatedly blocked Bu Xueting's sword with his mangled hands, then used 108 punches to knock the Dragon Roaming Sword aside.
• Bu Xueting stepped out of reach, but Xu Taiping transformed his fist into a blade strike and split Bu Xueting's body, winning the round.
• Bu Xueting admitted defeat and invited Xu Taiping to visit him, and Xu Taiping thanked him before approaching the final step to the summit.

Xu Taiping endured the final stretch of Ten Thousand Evils Peak and briefly entered a profound state of Dao-heart tranquility, drawing spiritual energy from the surrounding mountains. Fairy Lingyue jolted him awake, and he reached the summit, where he used a Grass Return Pill and the Raging Lion Physique to withstand the winds as she warned him he had been in grave danger.

• Bai Di asked Steward Lü to investigate Chu Ping'an, while Martial Aunt Zi Jin warned him not to cause trouble before the True Martial Sword Champion Assembly.
• A fierce gust knocked Xu Taiping off balance and injured him, but he rose and continued climbing despite being unable to use True Essence or Qi and Blood Power to heal himself.
• As Xu Taiping chose to climb for the sake of other cultivators, his tranquil Dao heart let him sense everything within a hundred li and brush a gale aside, drawing mist and spiritual energy toward Ten Thousand Evils Peak.
• Fairy Lingyue called out to Xu Taiping and awakened him, causing the gathered mist and spiritual energy to recede.
• Xu Taiping broke through another gust, leaped onto the summit, took a Grass Return Pill, and unleashed the Raging Lion Physique as Fairy Lingyue warned him he had been in terrible danger.

After Xu Taiping reached the summit of Ten Thousand Evils Peak, Fairy Lingyue explained that he had awakened the rare Daoheart Emptiness and warned him to keep it hidden from hostile cultivators. Elder Chu Qiuyai then invited him to drink from the Star-Gathering Disc, whose water could pass down the True Martial Great Emperor’s sword intent, and gave him a jade ladle.

• Fairy Lingyue told Xu Taiping that his Daoheart Emptiness could greatly aid his cultivation but made him a target for demon and heretical cultivators.
• Fairy Lingyue said she had suppressed the disturbance from Xu Taiping’s awakening and would explain its benefits after they left Ten Thousand Evils Peak.
• Xu Taiping healed his wounds and greeted Chu Qiuyai, a guest elder of the Nine Prefectures, when he emerged from the golden hall.
• Chu Qiuyai explained that the Star-Gathering Disc’s spirit spring could grant the Great Emperor’s sword intent legacy to someone with a fated affinity, though it might erase their own swordsmanship.
• Chu Qiuyai handed Xu Taiping a jade ladle and told him he could take one ladleful of water.

Xu Taiping refused to drink the Spirit Spring water because he feared it would erase Ninth Uncle’s Hidden Sword Art, but accepted Chu Qiuyai’s offer to pour it over himself. The water awakened his Lotus Eye, which showed Chu Qiuyai’s death, and six days later Zhao Linglong brought news that the Sword Inquiry list had been released.

• Xu Taiping refused to drink the Spirit Spring water, saying he would not risk losing the swordsmanship taught to him by a senior.
• Chu Qiuyai offered to let Xu Taiping pour the water over himself, and Xu accepted, healing his wounds and nourishing his body.
• The Spirit Spring water awakened Xu Taiping’s Lotus Eye, which showed Chu Qiuyai pinned dead to a hall plaque by a sword.
• The Lotus Eye told Xu Taiping that the vision was a gift to Chu Qiuyai and left it to Xu to decide whether to save him.
• Six days later, Zhao Linglong hurried into the inn and told Xu Taiping that the Sword Inquiry list for the True Martial Sword Champion Assembly had been released.