Recaps

Lü Daoxuan explained that his first Origin Beginning Clone had entered the Scroll of Time to wait for Xu Taiping, who needed to find materials there to escape a ten-year time tribulation. Fairy Lingyue revealed that the scroll recorded the legendary battle of eight cultivators against the Third Demon Abyss.

• Lü Daoxuan said his first Origin Beginning Clone had traveled the River of Time and saved Xu Taiping with the Bronze Coffin.
• Lü Daoxuan revealed that the clone had left thirty years earlier to scout a place where he could wait for Xu Taiping, and Fairy Lingyue identified that place as the Scroll of Time.
• Fairy Lingyue and Lü Daoxuan explained that Xu Taiping had ten years to forge two more Demon-Sealing Swords or be erased by the River of Time.
• Fairy Lingyue unrolled the Scroll of Time and described how eight cultivators fought their way through the Third Demon Abyss before dying in battle.
• Fairy Lingyue named the battle: “Calamity arose from the Taixuan Scripture; reckless men journeyed with swords!”

Lü Daoxuan explained that Xu Taiping needed to enter the Scroll of Time and gather resources to overcome the Time Tribulation and advance from the Heaven Gazing Realm to the Heaven Shocking Realm in one step. He said that if Xu Taiping reached great completion of Dao Integration by breaking through at the Ultimate Realm each time, he could contend for a seat among the Half-Immortals within three hundred years.

• Fairy Lingyue asked how Lü Daoxuan knew the eldest would still be alive in the Scroll of Time, and Lü Daoxuan said the eldest had to be there for the thirteenth seat of the Abyssal Pavilion to leave it behind.
• Lü Daoxuan told Xu Taiping that the Bronze Coffin required a Demon Emperor-level demonic heart or a Heavenly Calamity-level Demon Seed to activate its Divine Ability.
• Lü Daoxuan said Xu Taiping needed to gather enough resources and dispel the Time Tribulation to break through two realms in one step over the next seven years.
• Fairy Lingyue explained that cultivation should be slow in Heaven Gazing, swift in Heaven Questioning, and concealed in Heaven Shocking.
• Xu Taiping resolved to become stronger so he could protect those around him, and Lü Daoxuan said he could contend for a Half-Immortal seat within three hundred years if he advanced at the Ultimate Realm each time.

Xu Taiping agreed to enter the Scroll of Time to strengthen his chances of claiming a Half-Immortal seat, while Lü Daoxuan fought the awakened earth calamity demon seed. The next morning, Xu Taiping reunited with Bai Yu and Ping'an at Moon Perching Pavilion, where the familiar scene calmed his mind.

• Fairy Lingyue told Xu Taiping that reaching the Ultimate Realm in Dao Integration could greatly improve his chances of securing a Half-Immortal seat, and Xu Taiping asked when he could enter the Scroll of Time.
• Lü Daoxuan said he would help Xu Taiping enter the Scroll of Time after slaying the earth calamity demon seed, and Fairy Lingyue offered to exchange the Nine Abysses trial reward for a heavenly calamity demon seed or a Demon Emperor's heart.
• Fairy Lingyue explained the benefits of gaining a seat among the Abyssal Pavilion's Thirteen Seats, including access to secret realms and protection while traveling Outer Heaven.
• Lü Daoxuan urged Xu Taiping and Fairy Lingyue to leave before the grotto's demonic qi intensified and reminded Xu Taiping to prepare, especially by using the True Martial Sword Champion Token.
• Fairy Lingyue carried Xu Taiping out of the cavern as demonic qi flooded it, and the next morning Xu Taiping reunited with Bai Yu and Ping'an at Moon Perching Pavilion.

After recovering, Xu Taiping learned that Liang Zhu was being bullied and went with Bai Yu and Ping'an to check on her. At Profound Seclusion Abode, Liang Zhu was confronted by a girl demanding her Azure Fish Sword.

• Xu Taiping told Bai Yu and Ping'an their Soul Contracts had ended but they could stay at Moon Perching Pavilion, and they eagerly agreed.
• Bai Yu and Ping'an told Xu Taiping that Buyu had seemed unusually fierce when they saw her half a month earlier, and Fairy Lingyue suggested he visit Sixth Peak.
• Zhao Linglong contacted Xu Taiping, confirmed he had recovered, and said Liang Zhu had been bullied outside her cultivation grounds.
• Xu Taiping, Bai Yu, and Ping'an set out together to protect Liang Zhu.
• At Profound Seclusion Abode, Liang Zhu finished sweeping leaves and wondered when her master would return before a girl in yellow scattered the leaves and demanded Liang Zhu's Azure Fish Sword.

Yu Lan tried to force Liang Zhu to surrender the Azure Fish Sword, claiming she would win the Cloudfloat Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm trial and have it awarded to her. After Yu Lan left, Liang Zhu revealed her deep attachment to the sword her absent master had given her and prepared to seek a Dao Protector for the trial.

• Yu Lan used blasts of air to harass Liang Zhu and demanded the Azure Fish Sword, arguing that Liang Zhu had not earned the right to keep it.
• Yu Lan kicked away Liang Zhu’s broom, chopped it apart, and announced that Martial Uncle Mo Jun would protect her in the upcoming trial.
• Liang Zhu said she missed her master and refused to give up Azure Fish, which had been her birthday gift.
• Liang Zhu transformed her bracelet into Azure Fish and unleashed City Incineration, burning the fallen leaves to ash.
• Liang Zhu put away Azure Fish and planned to visit her master’s mother and ask Fifth Martial Aunt to protect her in the trial.

Xu Taiping learned that Liang Zhu had been bullied by Yu Lan and asked Sect Master Zhao Qian to appoint him as Liang Zhu’s Dao Protector for the Cloudfloat Grotto-Heaven trial. Zhao Qian agreed to arrange it, despite warning that Xu Taiping’s involvement could prompt objections from the other peaks.

• Bai Yu explained that Yu Lan was a gifted Azure Profound Sect disciple who had bullied Liang Zhu, and Xu Taiping praised Liang Zhu’s strength and restraint.
• Bai Yu described the Heavenly Light Sword Shadows trial at the Cloudfloat Grotto-Heaven, where disciples would face sword strikes from a Dragon-Slaying Sword beneath a bridge.
• Xu Taiping contacted Sect Master Zhao Qian and asked to serve as Dao Protector for Liang Zhu in the trial.
• Zhao Qian warned Xu Taiping that the other peaks might object because his presence could make Liang Zhu’s victory seem certain.
• Xu Taiping insisted that he had to support his bullied martial niece, and Zhao Qian agreed to arrange his participation.

Liang Zhu resolved to win the Sect Trial so she could save Dugu Qingxiao, while Xu Taiping learned more about the dangers and possible routes into the Yellow Springs. Fairy Lingyue also planned to return to Outer Heaven to find Wuji Immortal Elder, and Xu Taiping was left hoping he could advance quickly enough to accompany her.

• Liang Zhu learned that her usual guardians could not accompany her to Cloudfloat Grotto, but she resolved to win the trial and save Dugu Qingxiao.
• Xu Taiping asked Fairy Lingyue about entrances to the Yellow Springs, and she told him of the shifting Fengdu Imperial Capital ruins in Outer Heaven.
• Fairy Lingyue warned Xu Taiping that he would need to reach Great Perfection of the Heaven Shocking Realm and remove his soul seals before entering the Yellow Springs.
• Fairy Lingyue explained that controlling the Book of Life and Death could help Xu Taiping survive the Yellow Springs and rescue Dugu Qingxiao.
• Fairy Lingyue said she needed to visit the battlefield ruins to find Wuji Immortal Elder and offered to consider taking Xu Taiping if he reached the Heaven Shocking Realm within half a month.

Xu Taiping reunited with Xu Ziyan and Lin Buyu at Purple Cloud Courtyard and told them how to reach the Yellow Springs. Fairy Lingyue agreed to help Xu Ziyan search the secret Archives, while Xu Taiping and Lin Buyu shared a quiet moment recalling their connection in the River of Time; the chapter ended with Liang Zhu arriving alone at Cloudfloat Grotto-Heaven.

• Xu Taiping and Fairy Lingyue met Xu Ziyan and Lin Buyu, who invited them to Purple Cloud Courtyard.
• Xu Taiping explained that the entrance to the Yellow Springs lay in a dry well inside Fengdu Imperial Capital in the Land of Chaos, and Fairy Lingyue said the Azure Profound Sect's secret Archives might contain relevant records.
• Xu Ziyan asked Fairy Lingyue to help her consult the secret Archives for information about Dugu Qingxiao, and Fairy Lingyue agreed.
• After Fairy Lingyue left with Xu Ziyan, Lin Buyu showed Xu Taiping her Listening Wind Tower jade bracelets and hinted that they helped her remember him from the River of Time.
• Xu Taiping and Lin Buyu sat together watching the sunset and silently recalled a sunset they had once shared in the River of Time.
• The next day, Liang Zhu arrived alone at the entrance to Cloudfloat Grotto-Heaven to train.

Liang Zhu waited anxiously at Cloudfloat Grotto-Heaven for the guardian Fifth Martial Aunt Wu Mo had arranged, while other disciples entered the trial with their guardians. The chapter left Liang Zhu waiting alone as Elder Qi asked where her guardian was.

• Liang Zhu sent Wu Mo a voice transmission asking when her guardian would arrive, but received no reply at first.
• Elder Qi began sending the eleven selected disciples and their guardians through the teleportation array, while Liang Zhu prepared to face the Heavenly Light Sword Shadows alone if necessary.
• Wu Mo told Liang Zhu that the Sect Master had changed her guardian at the last minute and assured her she would be pleased with the choice.
• Yu Lan announced that Du Qianjiang, Peak Lord of Five Peaks, was her guardian, surprising Liang Zhu and the watching disciples.
• Du Qianjiang said the trial was worth his taking action once, while Yu Lan mistook his attention for special favor and glared at Mo Jun.
• After the other disciples and guardians boarded the array, Elder Qi asked Liang Zhu where her guardian was, and she calmly said the elder was on the way.

Liang Zhu chose to enter the Cloudfloat Grotto-Heaven trial alone after her guardian failed to arrive, but Xu Taiping appeared at the last moment and became her guardian. With her junior martial uncle beside her, Liang Zhu set her sights on claiming the top spot, while Yu Lan vowed to stop her.

• Yu Lan mocked Liang Zhu for being without a guardian, while Du Qianjiang signaled Mo Jun to let the provocation continue.
• When Elder Qi called time, Liang Zhu declared that she would undertake the trial alone and accepted responsibility for her life or death.
• Xu Taiping arrived and reminded Liang Zhu that he was her junior martial uncle, delighting her and surprising the Qingxuan disciples.
• Elder Qi announced Xu Taiping as Liang Zhu's guardian, and Liang Zhu said she would aim for first place.
• Yu Lan vowed that Liang Zhu would not claim the top spot as long as she was there.

Xu Taiping and Liang Zhu reached Cloudfloat Bridge, where Azure Profound Sect disciples were to begin a trial crossing beneath a sword formation. Elder Qi started the trial by releasing lanterns high into the clouds, while the disciples prepared to board boats among blade fish in the river.

• Fairy Lingyue told Xu Taiping that Qingxuan's sealed grotto-heavens held abundant treasures and that sealing the mountain would keep outsiders away.
• Liang Zhu explained that Xu Taiping needed to protect their boat from the Heavenlight Cloudshadow Sword Formation beneath Cloudfloat Bridge.
• Xu Taiping and the group reached the island ferry landing and saw the enormous bridge spanning the river.
• Elder Qi warned the disciples about blade fish in the water and said anyone who withdrew would have to wait ten years for another trial.
• After no one withdrew, Elder Qi began the trial and ordered the lanterns released; Liang Zhu explained that their special talismans let them fly far above the clouds.

Xu Taiping encouraged Liang Zhu before the Cloudfloat Bridge trial, where disciples had to cross the bridge and shoot down lanterns. Yu Lan sabotaged Liang Zhu with blood-attracted blade fish, but Xu Taiping calmly promised to handle what came next as their boat fell behind.

• Liang Zhu explained the lantern-shooting trial, and Xu Taiping encouraged her to aim for the chief's seat.
• Xu Taiping boarded Liang Zhu's boat and exchanged greetings with Du Qianjiang, while Yu Lan boasted that she would win the trial.
• Liang Zhu wondered whether talent excused bad conduct, and Xu Taiping urged her to use her sword to prove otherwise.
• Elder Qi started the race, and Shen Zhao fell behind when a blade fish attacked his boat.
• Yu Lan lured blade fish toward Liang Zhu's boat with her blood, but Liang Zhu used Heaven-Shocking Raging Waves to leap over them.
• Liang Zhu despaired as eight boats pulled ahead, and Xu Taiping told her to get them beneath the bridge and leave the rest to him.

Liang Zhu drove her boat into the Heavenlight Cloudshadow Sword Formation beneath Cloudfloat Bridge, while Xu Taiping sensed the Dragon-Slaying Sword’s intent and prepared to protect them. The chapter ended with Liang Zhu launching their boat through the formation as Xu Taiping’s terrifying sword intent shielded their course.

• Liang Zhu arrived beneath Cloudfloat Bridge behind Yu Lan and pressed on, hoping to place among the top three.
• Xu Taiping sensed the Dragon-Slaying Sword’s faint intent and recognized the danger of the sword formation’s waves and hidden sword gang.
• After a nearby boat was shattered by a wave, Xu Taiping told Liang Zhu to steer while he handled the attacks.
• Xu Taiping released his mountain-like sword intent, dispelling Liang Zhu’s doubts and leaving her shaken by its power.
• Liang Zhu used Ride the Wind and Break the Waves to launch their boat out from beneath the bridge.

Xu Taiping broke the Heavenlight Cloudshadow Sword Formation with one strike, carrying Liang Zhu safely through the Cloudfloat Barrier. As Liang Zhu raced Yu Lan toward the next trial, Lin Buyu approached Xu Taiping on Cloudfloat Bridge and remarked on the golden spray.

• Xu Taiping drew the Rusty Lion Sword and split apart the waves and sword shadows of the Heavenlight Cloudshadow Sword Formation, allowing his boat with Liang Zhu to pass beneath Cloudfloat Bridge.
• Jueyun let out a shrill cry and shed a patch of rust, though the spectators failed to notice.
• Yu Lan accused Liang Zhu of gaining an unfair advantage, but Zhao Qian rebuked her and Du Qianjiang apologized for his disciple.
• Xu Taiping told Liang Zhu to rely on herself, and she raced Yu Lan toward the lantern-lined waters after Yu Lan accused him of cheating.
• Lin Buyu arrived on Cloudfloat Bridge and told Xu Taiping that the strike had made quite a downpour, leaving him confused.

Xu Taiping and Lin Buyu watched Yu Lan and Liang Zhu compete in the flying-sword trial, with Yu Lan gaining an advantage by rapidly sending her sword to greater heights. Liang Zhu followed her to four thousand zhang with less than twenty percent of her true essence left, leaving the contest poised against her.

• Xu Taiping offered to demonstrate his sword technique to Lin Buyu after the trial and explained why the Cloud-Sundering Sword had limited the spectacle of his strike.
• Yu Lan and Liang Zhu each rose to one thousand zhang and shot down three lanterns, drawing level in the trial.
• Yu Lan sent her sword directly to three thousand zhang and shot down lanterns while Liang Zhu followed, spending most of her true essence to match her.
• Liang Zhu shot down six lanterns at three thousand zhang, but Yu Lan immediately advanced to four thousand zhang and began clearing that level.
• Liang Zhu followed Yu Lan to four thousand zhang, but her true essence fell below twenty percent.

Liang Zhu used the Fury Lotus Form to destroy the lantern at ten thousand zhang, then was rescued from the turbulent gang winds. Du Qianjiang exposed and expelled the demonic seed from Yu Lan, and Senior Jueyun’s sword intent rose to confront it as golden light split the clouds.

• Yu Lan raised her flying sword to five thousand zhang while Liang Zhu caught the falling Azure Fish Sword.
• Liang Zhu unleashed the Fury Lotus Form and pierced the lantern at ten thousand zhang, exhausting herself in the strike.
• Two streaks of sword light cut through the turbulent gang qi and brought Liang Zhu safely down.
• Du Qianjiang struck Yu Lan and forced the demonic ghost face from her body, revealing a black lotus that flew toward the bridge.
• Zhao Qian summoned Senior Jueyun, whose sword intent split the dark clouds as golden sunlight descended toward the demon seed.

Xu Taiping and Lin Buyu discovered that demon seeds from the Nine Abysses had been eroding younger Qingxuan disciples, and they forced the seeds out of Yu Lan and Liang Zhu. As Jueyun challenged Xu Taiping to a sword test, Lin Buyu used the Listening Wind Tower jade bracelets to merge their power.

• Xu Taiping burned the demon seed that emerged from Liang Zhu, and Lin Buyu explained how demon seeds had been planted among the Qingxuan disciples.
• Lin Buyu revealed that the situation had been arranged to force the demon seeds out of Yu Lan and Liang Zhu before they could fully erode their minds.
• The demon seed pierced by the Jueyun Sword exploded and burned to ash in the sunlight.
• Jueyun challenged Xu Taiping to test his sword, attacking him and Lin Buyu with golden beams, sword intent, and surging waves.
• Lin Buyu joined hands with Xu Taiping through their Listening Wind Tower jade bracelets, merging their true essence and qi and blood.

Xu Taiping used the Rusty Lion Sword to break through the Jueyun Sword’s sword intent, revealing that Jueyun’s seal could only be fully removed after Xu Taiping’s sword gained more killing power or his cultivation reached the Heaven Shocking Realm. Zhao Qian explained how Yuyangzi’s origin demon seed power spread demon seeds, then showed Xu Taiping an image of a terrifying, talisman-covered Daoist and was asked whether it was Yuyangzi.

• Xu Taiping unleashed the Rusty Lion Sword, turned Jueyun’s sword strikes into ancient seal script, and split the dark clouds above the river.
• Jueyun’s sword spirit said Xu Taiping’s strike had not fully undone his seal and that further progress required greater sword-killing power or a breakthrough to the Heaven Shocking Realm.
• Zhao Qian explained that Yuyangzi’s origin demon seed power let demon seeds survive outside the Demon Abyss and possess cultivators when their minds wavered.
• An image appeared in the Spirit Mirror showing a talisman-covered Daoist leaking black water, and Xu Taiping asked Zhao Qian if the figure was Yuyangzi.

Zhao Qian explained that Yuyangzi’s sealed demonic power could empower Demon Seeds and threaten the Azure Profound Sect, while Xu Taiping’s Lotus Eye showed him a vision of Yuyangzi holding Lin Buyu’s severed head. Back at Moon Perching Pavilion, Fairy Lingyue examined the vision and urged Xu Taiping to inspect the second Divine Soul Mark for clues.

• Zhao Qian told Xu Taiping that Su Chan’s attack had damaged Yuyangzi’s seal, allowing his demonic power to spread through the Cloud Lodge immortal estate.
• Xu Taiping and Zhao Qian reasoned that the Nine Abysses had planted Demon Seeds in Qingxuan to exploit Yuyangzi’s power, and Zhao Qian promised to protect the sect.
• As Xu Taiping and Lin Buyu prepared to leave the Cloudfloat Grotto-Heaven, his Lotus Eye revealed Yuyangzi holding Lin Buyu’s bloody head.
• Xu Taiping concealed the vision from Lin Buyu, who said she planned to visit Peerless Nether Heaven, while he told her he would enter seclusion.
• Fairy Lingyue examined Xu Taiping’s Divine Soul Mark and asked him to inspect the second mark for clues to the coming calamity.

Xu Taiping’s Lotus Eye Divination showed a powerful future version of himself, and Fairy Lingyue concluded that he needed to advance rapidly to face Lin Buyu’s predicted calamity and the wider dangers threatening the Shangqing Realm. As they prepared to enter the Scroll of Time, Fairy Lingyue recommended the Thunder Sound Banner as Xu Taiping’s reward from the True Martial Sword Champion Assembly.

• Xu Taiping viewed a Divine Soul Mark showing a future version of himself whose cultivation and physique far surpassed his current abilities.
• Fairy Lingyue judged that the figure had at least Heaven Shocking Realm cultivation and a Great Sage Realm physique, enough to fight Yuyangzi.
• Fairy Lingyue explained that Xu Taiping would need the Scroll of Time and the nine Bronze Coffins to advance quickly, and they planned to descend into the Netherdark Demon Grotto in three days.
• Xu Taiping resolved to reach the Heaven Shocking Realm sooner so he could protect those around him and search for Fengdu to find his Second Senior Brother.
• Fairy Lingyue told Xu Taiping that only a True Martial Sword Champion could enter the armory, then recommended that he choose the Thunder Sound Banner.

Fairy Lingyue explained the Thunder Sound Banner’s powers and the deadly formation it could create as Xu Taiping prepared to enter the True Martial Great Emperor’s Martial Armory. While Xu Taiping’s Primordial Spirit traveled into the Sword Champion Token, Fairy Lingyue revealed a message pointing to her own dangerous, final chance to reach the Path to Heaven.

• Fairy Lingyue told Xu Taiping that the Thunder Sound Banner had belonged to the Zhenwu Army’s Heavenly Thunder Division and described its battle-intent and thunder-enhancing powers.
• Fairy Lingyue sent Xu Taiping a Divine Soul Mark showing thirty-six Thunder Sound Banners forming a vast formation that annihilated a Nine Abysses demonic army.
• Fairy Lingyue warned Xu Taiping that Thunder Sound Banners had different grades and might be difficult to obtain, and told him to consider another Martial Armory treasure if he could only retrieve a low-grade banner.
• Xu Taiping sent his Primordial Spirit into the Sword Champion Token to enter the Martial Armory while Fairy Lingyue waited for news.
• Fairy Lingyue reread Wuji Immortal Elder’s message about a clue to the Old Heavenly Court’s Path to Heaven and resolved to pursue it despite the risk of never returning.

Xu Taiping entered the True Martial Great Emperor’s Martial Armory as the True Martial Sword Champion and learned how to claim a treasure. After reviewing the armory’s offerings, he chose the Thunder Sound Banner.

• Xu Taiping met Changqing, the old turtle appointed by the Great Emperor to guard the Martial Armory, and learned that only True Martial Sword Champions could enter and select a weapon.
• Old Chang led Xu Taiping to the sealed armory door and explained that he had sent Dugu Qingxiao’s reward to the Azure Profound Sect, though he could only observe the Sword Champion Assembly’s events.
• Xu Taiping knocked three times, announced himself, and opened the armory door with permission from the Ranking Spirit of the Sword Chief Ranking.
• Xu Taiping entered a star-filled treasury where every star was a treasure and learned that he could choose an item, but could take it only if it acknowledged him.
• Xu Taiping chose the Thunder Sound Banner because its description called on martial artists to bear it again when the Nine Abysses wreaked havoc.

Xu Taiping chose the Thunder Sound Banner to help settle his Dao Heart and learned that taking one required defeating a former wielder of the Heavenly Thunder Division. He entered the arena and struck down Lu Xiao with his raging lion physique, but Lu Xiao refused to concede and demanded another bout.

• Xu Taiping chose the Thunder Sound Banner because its power against the Nine Abysses Demonic Beasts best soothed his Dao Heart.
• The Sword Chief Ranking explained that Xu Taiping had to defeat former Heavenly Thunder Division wielders to claim Thunder Sound Banners.
• Xu Taiping entered the arena, and the Sword Chief Ranking ordered Senior Sergeant Lu Xiao to fight him.
• Lu Xiao attacked Xu Taiping, who transformed into his raging lion physique and sent Lu Xiao flying with a single punch.
• Lu Xiao got back to his feet, rejected Xu Taiping's thanks for yielding, and demanded to fight again.

Xu Taiping defeated Lu Xiao and learned that winning against three Senior Sergeants at once would let him challenge a Heavenly Thunder Commandant for a Commandant-Rank Thunder Sound Banner. The other Senior Sergeants reacted to Xu Taiping’s interest in that challenge, and one stepped forward to answer him.

• Lu Xiao used his Thunder Sound Banner to strengthen his attacks, but Xu Taiping endured his assault until his stance broke and both his arms snapped.
• Xu Taiping unleashed his full strength and struck Lu Xiao with a crimson fist, knocking him out of the arena.
• The Sword Chief Ranking declared Xu Taiping the winner and awarded him one Thunder Sound Banner.
• The Sword Chief Ranking said Xu Taiping would need to defeat two Senior Sergeants at once to earn another banner, and three at once to challenge a Heavenly Thunder Commandant for a Commandant-Rank banner.
• A bearded Senior Sergeant stepped forward and laughed that Xu Taiping was looking down on them.

Xu Taiping challenged three senior soldiers of the Heavenly Thunder Division at once to earn another qualification to challenge the Heavenly Thunder commandant. He defeated Lü Du, Peng Fei, and Yuan Hong, leaving them to acknowledge his superior skill.

• Xu Taiping requested a three-on-one challenge, and the ranking spirit warned that losing would limit him to one soldier-grade Thunder Sound Banner.
• Lü Du, Peng Fei, and Yuan Hong introduced themselves and attacked Xu Taiping together with their Thunder Sound Banners.
• Xu Taiping deflected all three banners, then used his clone and a powerful blade strike to sever Lü Du’s arm.
• Peng Fei and Yuan Hong charged Xu Taiping, who unleashed a Dragon-Crane blade technique that defeated them both.
• Lü Du, Peng Fei, and Yuan Hong accepted their defeat before Xu Taiping.