Chapter Summaries

A new Grandmaster emerged, and Chu Zhiyuan identified him as his confined Second Uncle, Prince Jing, whose connection to the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult threatened to complicate Great Jing’s affairs. After explaining the danger to his family, Chu Zhiyuan sensed Prince Jing approaching and went out to greet him.

• Chu Zhiyuan confirmed that another Grandmaster had emerged, prompting Li Hongzhao to leave and Cheng Tianfeng to end the negotiations and depart.
• Chu Zhiyuan used Super Sensation to see a Grandmaster’s golden Visualization Realm above Prince Jing’s Estate and learned that Prince Jing had become a Grandmaster.
• Chu Zhiyuan told Bai Ningshuang, Chu Yi, and Chu Minghou that Prince Jing might become leader of the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult, and warned them not to interfere or discuss it outside the family.
• Chu Zhiyuan sensed Prince Jing’s arrival, went to the front hall, and welcomed his Second Uncle.

Prince Jing, Chu Mingze, reunited with Chu Minghou and gave Chu Zhiyuan the Spirit-Connecting Heavenly Talisman before leaving to see the Emperor and take up leadership of the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult. Chu Zhiyuan returned to Listening to Waves Courtyard and began studying the talisman’s mysterious pattern.

• Chu Mingze arrived as a Grandmaster, reunited with Chu Minghou, and said he would see the Emperor before becoming Cult Leader of the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult.
• Chu Mingze praised Chu Zhiyuan’s talent and placed the Spirit-Connecting Heavenly Talisman in his mind, warning that it consumed much mental energy.
• Chu Mingze gave Chu Yi a seed of the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree, then departed after saying farewell to Chu Minghou and Bai Ningshuang.
• Chu Yi ran off to plant the seed, while Chu Zhiyuan returned to Listening to Waves Courtyard.
• Chu Zhiyuan visualized the talisman’s pattern and began examining it to discover its effects.

Chu Zhiyuan used the Spirit-Connecting Heavenly Talisman to merge with the spiritual radiance of trees and bamboo, gaining a profound connection to them but sensing that trying it on a person would be deadly. He later learned that Chu Mingze had chosen to guard the secret lands, then received Heaven-Connecting Grass from Xiao Ruoling.

• Chu Zhiyuan communed with a peach tree and experienced its memories and sensations, then replenished the Spiritual Power he had spent with the Heavenly Yuan Art.
• Chu Zhiyuan merged with bamboo and realized the Spirit-Connecting Heavenly Talisman could connect him to the spiritual radiance of all things, but a sense of danger warned him not to use it on humans.
• Bai Ningshuang told Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Yi that Chu Mingze had declined to lead the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult and had gone to guard the Four Great Grotto-Heavens and Four Great Secret Lands.
• Chu Zhiyuan speculated that the Emperor’s power and other hidden circumstances might explain Chu Mingze’s decision, while Chu Minghou defended his brother from Bai Ningshuang’s criticism.
• Chu Zhiyuan visited Duke An’s Estate, where Xiao Ruoling gave him two Small Cold Jade Boxes containing Heaven-Connecting Grass.

Chu Zhiyuan used the Heavenly Talisman to explore the Moon Invitation Palace secret realm through Heaven-Connecting Grass, then helped Xiao Ruoling improve her Flower Shadow Dance Step. After learning that his battlefield merits earned him a Mortal-Shedding Pill, he wondered whether it could carry him into the Sixth Heaven.

• Chu Zhiyuan became a Heaven-Connecting Grass plant through the Heavenly Talisman and learned about the plant's growing conditions and the dangers of the secret realm.
• Chu Zhiyuan asked Xiao Ruoling to demonstrate her Flower Shadow Dance Step, then corrected her Qi circulation and helped her double her speed by midnight.
• Chu Qingfeng warned Chu Zhiyuan not to pry into the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult's actions, then told him the cult's leader was gravely injured and that King Ying had requested credit for him.
• Chu Zhiyuan learned his battlefield merits had advanced him to First Rank, exchanged them for a Mortal-Shedding Pill, and considered whether the pill could help him reach the Sixth Heaven.

Chu Zhiyuan consumed a Mortal-Shedding Pill, which widened his Meridians and helped him reach the Sixth Heaven. At a Town Martial Division briefing, Chu Qingfeng assigned him to lead one of six simultaneous raids on Jade Cauldron Sect nests in Yujing City.

• Chu Zhiyuan took the Mortal-Shedding Pill and felt it strengthen his organs, senses, muscles, bones, and Meridians.
• Chu Zhiyuan realized the pill had improved his aptitude and helped him enter the Sixth Heaven, making him more confident about breaking through future barriers.
• Chu Zhiyuan joined a gathering of Town Martial Division experts as Chu Qingfeng announced that they had identified twenty-one Jade Cauldron Sect nests.
• Chu Qingfeng ordered six groups to strike the six nests inside the city simultaneously and appointed Chu Zhiyuan to lead the first group.
• Huang Shirong offered to join Chu Zhiyuan's group, and he agreed to select her along with Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu.

Chu Zhiyuan’s group prepared to attack a Jade Cauldron Sect stronghold while he advised Huang Shirong to choose whether she truly wanted to remain in the Town Martial Division. Elsewhere, Geng Haoran’s squad was ambushed by Demonic Humans, leaving four Grandmasters badly injured and surrounded.

• Chu Qingfeng assigned trackers to follow the six groups and ordered the remaining experts to form squads for separate strongholds.
• Chu Zhiyuan learned that Huang Shirong was torn between returning to the White Cloud Sword Palace for secluded cultivation and staying in the Town Martial Division, and urged her to decide according to her own wishes.
• Chu Zhiyuan’s group received a map and set out to attack a stronghold directly, while the other squads and their trackers departed as well.
• Geng Haoran’s squad reached a residence on Mingluan Avenue and found four young men and twelve Xiantian Masters waiting for them.
• Four middle-aged Demonic Humans immediately used Mutual Destruction, badly injuring Zhou Ziqi, Huang Jingxuan, Liu Yian, and Hu Hansong.
• The injured Grandmasters were surrounded by eight Xiantian Masters wielding Gang Breaking Divine Weapons as Geng Haoran tried to hold off the four Jade Cauldron Sect Grandmasters.

Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Shirong raided a Jade Cauldron Sect courtyard, where Chu Zhiyuan’s flying daggers swiftly killed the sect’s defenders. After the battle, they discovered a hidden passage beneath the vegetable garden, leaving its depths unexplored.

• Chu Zhiyuan’s group entered a courtyard on Crying Luan Avenue after his flying dagger killed an old woman acting as a hidden sentry.
• Chu Zhiyuan and his allies attacked the Jade Cauldron Sect fighters, and his daggers killed eight attackers, including four young Grandmasters.
• Huang Shirong and the other women finished off the remaining fighters while Chu Zhiyuan stayed protected by Guo Chi and the Four Spirits Formation.
• Chu Zhiyuan asked Huang Shirong to search the courtyard for clues as two young women arrived to inspect the bodies.
• Chu Zhiyuan found a hollow spot beneath the rear garden, and Huang Shirong cut through a stone slab to expose a passage below.

Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Shirong captured two spies near the Jade Cauldron Sect’s hidden escape route and identified them as Shadow Sect Demonic Humans. They returned to the courtyard, where Wen Qianqian excitedly showed Huang Shirong a discovery.

• Chu Zhiyuan sensed two figures watching the courtyard and teamed up with Huang Shirong to capture them without killing them.
• Lu Feihong and Zheng Xicai revealed that they had been lying in wait nearby but had failed to notice the spies.
• Chu Zhiyuan sealed one captive’s acupoints, declared the men Shadow Sect Demonic Humans, and sent Zou Fang to warn Thirteenth Uncle.
• Chu Zhiyuan crippled both captives’ cultivation and ordered Lu Feihong and Zheng Xicai to take them to headquarters discreetly.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Shirong returned to find Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu sorting weapons, bottles, and books, and Wen Qianqian called Huang Shirong over to show her something good.

Huang Shirong examined two sword manuals in the Jade Cauldron Sect hideout, while Chu Zhiyuan demonstrated that he could quickly use both arts. After agreeing to teach Huang Shirong another sword art for her to pass on, the group finished searching and Chu Zhiyuan found two Gang Breaking Divine Weapons, raising questions about the Jade Cauldron Sect’s resources.

• Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu showed Huang Shirong the Yin Kill Sword Art and Great Illusion Sword Art manuals.
• Huang Shirong studied the manuals and explained how the Yin Kill Sword Art concealed its killing intent before delivering a decisive strike.
• Chu Zhiyuan demonstrated the Great Illusion Sword Art and Yin Kill Sword Art, surprising Huang Shirong with his comprehension.
• Chu Zhiyuan agreed to teach Huang Shirong Elder Gu’s sword art so she could teach Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu.
• After Wen Qianqian said the hideout had been thoroughly searched, Chu Zhiyuan found two Gang Breaking Divine Weapons and wondered how the Jade Cauldron Sect had acquired them.

Chu Zhiyuan and his allies uncovered evidence that the Jade Cauldron Sect and Shadow Sect had smuggled experts and Gang Breaking Divine Weapons into Yujing City to target imperial clan members. After regrouping with Chu Qingfeng and four purple-robed Great Grandmasters, Chu Zhiyuan learned other teams had not returned and set out to investigate.

• Wen Qianqian, Xu Mengyu, Huang Shirong, and Chu Zhiyuan realized the attackers had multiple Gang Breaking Divine Weapons and might be targeting several imperial clan members.
• Chu Zhiyuan reported to Chu Qingfeng that his group had eliminated their enemies and handed over the weapons and recovered bundles.
• Four purple-robed Great Grandmasters examined the evidence, sensed that surviving enemies were outside the city, and proposed wiping out the Jade Cauldron Sect first.
• Chu Qingfeng ordered the group to postpone pursuing the Shadow Sect until after dealing with the Jade Cauldron Sect.
• While the other five teams remained missing, Chu Zhiyuan asked to investigate, took a map from Chu Qingfeng, and headed toward the outer city with Huang Shirong and the others.

Chu Zhiyuan’s group wiped out a Jade Cauldron Sect ambush and discovered how Shadow Sect agents were helping the sect kill Town Martial Division reinforcements. After reviewing the losses at five locations, Chu Zhiyuan asked to hunt down the Shadow Sect, and Chu Qingfeng ordered the four purple-clad elders to find its location within a quarter hour.

• Chu Zhiyuan killed the Jade Cauldron Sect Grandmasters and Xiantian Masters at a residence, then left the surviving Town Martial Division Grandmasters to treat the wounded.
• Chu Zhiyuan’s group visited the other sites and found that ten Town Martial Division experts had died in Shadow Sect ambushes supporting Jade Cauldron Sect attacks.
• Chu Zhiyuan told Chu Qingfeng that the Shadow Sect should be destroyed before it helped the Jade Cauldron Sect infiltrate Jade Capital again.
• Chu Qingfeng agreed and ordered the four purple-clad elders to locate the Shadow Sect within a quarter hour.

Chu Zhiyuan realized that Grandmasters might pay a steep price for killing, then studied the Jade Cauldron Sect’s techniques and considered how they could restore damaged bodies. After the Grandmasters discovered six Shadow Sect strongholds, Chu Zhiyuan set out with Huang Shirong, Wen Qianqian, and Xu Mengyu to destroy them.

• Chu Zhiyuan questioned why the Grandmasters would not directly destroy the Jade Cauldron Sect, and Chu Qingfeng told him that the Town Martial Division had to bear its own responsibilities.
• Chu Zhiyuan reasoned that Grandmasters likely faced a serious cost for killing, then analyzed the Jade Cauldron Sect’s techniques and their ability to restore crippled bodies.
• Huang Jingxuan praised Chu Zhiyuan for saving their lives, while Zhou Ziqi and Liu Yian teased him about his sudden deference.
• Four purple-robed Grandmasters reported six Shadow Sect strongholds, including two in the inner city, and Chu Qingfeng gave Chu Zhiyuan their locations.
• Chu Zhiyuan left with Huang Shirong, Wen Qianqian, and Xu Mengyu to attack the Shadow Sect, telling Huang Shirong to buy strong liquor and Flying Daggers.

Chu Zhiyuan led his companions through Yujing City's inner city, hunting Shadow Sect members with his Flying Daggers. They uncovered a temporary stronghold and continued sweeping nearby alleys, where the nimble women found signs that the Shadow Sect had been killing people.

• Chu Zhiyuan returned to the inner city with Zou Fang and the others, then met Huang Shirong, Wen Qianqian, and Xu Mengyu on Phoenix Avenue.
• Chu Zhiyuan discussed the Town Martial Division's losses with Huang Shirong and vowed to teach the Shadow Sect a lesson.
• Chu Zhiyuan killed four Shadow Sect members in an alley, and the two nimble women recorded their markings and inspected the bodies.
• The group found a temporary Shadow Sect stronghold containing thirty-six corpses, including four Grandmasters, all killed by Chu Zhiyuan's Flying Daggers.
• Chu Zhiyuan resumed the sweep with daggers supplied by Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu, killing more Shadow Sect members as the nimble women checked nearby alleys.
• The women found bloodstains in an alley and realized that the Shadow Sect members there had recently killed several people.

Chu Zhiyuan’s group uncovered the Shadow Sect’s killings in the inner city and set out for the outer city after he ordered an investigation into the negligent hall master. As they rested, Chu Zhiyuan sensed an approaching Grandmaster and found that a young man had evaded both of his daggers.

• Chu Zhiyuan’s group found eight Shadow Sect corpses in an alley courtyard and learned that the sect had been killing people to practice its martial arts.
• Huang Shirong identified Gu Hao as the East First Hall master, and Chu Zhiyuan said the Department of Martial Affairs would investigate his failure to notice the killings.
• After finding nothing else to search, Chu Zhiyuan’s group left for the outer city, carrying the Breaking Gang Flying Daggers that had killed four Shadow Sect Grandmasters.
• Chu Zhiyuan stopped to rest beneath a pine tree while Huang Shirong teased Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu about admiring him.
• Chu Zhiyuan sensed approaching Grandmasters and threw two daggers, but a young man evaded both.

Chu Zhiyuan and Huang Shirong encountered Zhang Youling, an Eighth Heaven master from the Jade Cauldron Sect whose foresight let him evade Chu Zhiyuan’s flying daggers. Chu Zhiyuan prepared to fight with the Flying Dragon Pearl, but Zhang Youling revealed he knew about the five grandmasters Chu Zhiyuan was expecting and laughed.

• Chu Zhiyuan’s flying daggers failed to hit Zhang Youling, who evaded them with uncanny foresight.
• Chu Zhiyuan had Huang Shirong send a signal to summon the grandmasters.
• Zhang Youling identified Chu Zhiyuan as the Heir Apparent of Prince Qing’s Estate and declared that he would kill him.
• Chu Zhiyuan attacked Zhang Youling with the Day Blade, but Zhang Youling evaded that strike too.
• Chu Zhiyuan took the Flying Dragon Pearl from Zou Fang and activated his Dragon Transformation Technique.
• Zhang Youling revealed that his secret art could devour Chu Zhiyuan’s abilities, then said he knew about the five grandmasters Chu Zhiyuan awaited.

Chu Zhiyuan and his allies fought Zhang Youling after the five Grandmasters failed to arrive, and Chu discovered that Zhang had lured them away from Yujing City. Chu overcame Zhang’s soul-draining technique and struck him down, but Zhang vanished in a burst of blood mist.

• Chu Zhiyuan warned Huang Shirong to flee with Wen Qianqian and Xu Mengyu while he held Zhang Youling back, then used the Four Spirits and Five Spirits Formations to fight him.
• Chu Zhiyuan forced Zhang Youling to retreat with his black sword and learned that Zhang had lured the five Grandmasters away from Yujing City on Xuan Ri.
• Zhang Youling used a strange hand seal and cry to try to drain Chu Zhiyuan’s Gang Qi, but the Dragon Transformation Technique’s aperture resisted the suction.
• Chu Zhiyuan recovered from Zhang Youling’s mind-affecting cry, struck him with the Great Heavenly Dragon Fist, and pierced him with the Night Blade.
• Zhang Youling exploded his hands in a burst of blood mist and disappeared, leaving Chu Zhiyuan to exhale in relief.

After Zhang Youling escaped Chu Zhiyuan’s attack, Chu pursued him with Guo Chi and the others, determined to kill him before he recovered. Tracking Zhang through the pine trees, Chu witnessed Zhang regenerate his arms, disguise his aura, and murder villagers, and pressed on with blazing killing intent.

• Chu Zhiyuan decided to pursue the wounded Zhang Youling and left Huang Shirong, Wen Qianqian, and Xu Mengyu behind to await the Grandmasters.
• Guo Chi, Ji Dongxiao, and the others joined Chu, planning to use the Five Spirits Formation to hold Zhang off and worsen his injuries.
• Chu tracked Zhang through the pine trees and watched him drain wild animals to regrow his severed arms.
• Zhang Youling created false trails with two birds and transformed his appearance and aura as he fled.
• Zhang drained three young men in a village and hid their skeletons in a well, intensifying Chu Zhiyuan’s resolve to kill him.

Chu Zhiyuan found Zhang Youling recovering inside a sealed cave and discovered how Essence Blood fueled his healing. He exploited Zhang Youling’s vulnerable recovery and killed him, though a golden pearl shot from his forehead and struck the cave wall.

• Chu Zhiyuan sent Guo Chi, Ji Dongxiao, and Zou Fang to follow behind while he continued ahead alone to catch Zhang Youling.
• Chu Zhiyuan used Super Sensation to locate Zhang Youling in a cramped cave and saw how red energy from Essence Blood was repairing his heart while black qi drifted toward his brain.
• Chu Zhiyuan identified the moment Zhang Youling’s healing energy concentrated at his heart, then shaved away part of the boulder sealing the cave entrance.
• Zhang Youling’s Golden Pupil opened, but Chu Zhiyuan’s Breaking Gang Flying Daggers pierced him while he was unable to move.
• Chu Zhiyuan removed the boulder and struck Zhang Youling’s head repeatedly with the Great Heavenly Dragon Fist, killing him as a golden pearl shot from his forehead.

Chu Zhiyuan survived Zhang Youling’s final poisonous explosion and tried to destroy the Golden Vertical Pupil, but it entered his body instead. After the dragon’s intent subdued it, Chu Zhiyuan discovered that he had gained its ability to foresee danger.

• Zhang Youling laughed and exploded into poisonous red mist, leaving only his robe and severed head behind.
• Chu Zhiyuan kept clear of the deadly poison and decided to destroy Zhang Youling’s skull before leaving.
• Chu Zhiyuan pierced the Golden Vertical Pupil with his sword, causing it to crack and fire a beam of golden light at him.
• The golden light entered Chu Zhiyuan’s brow, but the Dragon Transformation Technique and Heavenly Yuan Art helped him withstand it.
• Chu Zhiyuan tested himself with his sword and sensed his body move to avoid the danger, confirming that he could now foresee threats.

Chu Zhiyuan destroyed Zhang Youling and brought back his nearly impenetrable green robe, then discovered something strange at the Jade Cauldron Sect’s stronghold. He left the valley sealed after sensing a vast hidden land beyond a stone wall.

• Chu Zhiyuan crushed Zhang Youling’s skull into powder and took his green robe back for inspection.
• Wen Qianqian, Huang Shirong, and Xu Mengyu tested the robe and found that it resisted swords, blades, and even Sword Qi.
• Chu Zhiyuan learned that Thirteenth Uncle and the others had not returned, then went with Huang Shirong to inspect the Jade Cauldron Sect’s stronghold.
• At the bloodied valley, Chu Zhiyuan sensed something unusual in a stone wall and ordered Huang Shirong and Guo Chi to seal the area.
• Chu Zhiyuan sensed a vast range of towering peaks beyond the wall and feared the valley concealed a secret land.