Chapter Summaries

Chu Zhiyuan discovered that tiny transparent stones embedded in the Jade Cauldrons could contain and unleash power from beyond the heavens. After testing one with a Blade Soul avatar, he suspected the stones could help fight the evil sects and set out for the Tianxin Sect headquarters to verify his theory.

• Chu Zhiyuan found a tiny stone in a Jade Cauldron and confirmed that it became bright when he infused it with Fearless Realm power.
• Xu Haode found another stone, and Li Biyang and Qin Guanghe organized a search that uncovered eight more.
• Chu Zhiyuan sent a Blade Soul avatar into a stone, triggering an explosion that blasted him and the others away.
• Chu Zhiyuan called the stones a tremendously good thing and said a test at the Tianxin Sect headquarters would reveal whether his theory was correct.
• Chu Zhiyuan gathered the ten stones and left with Xu Haode and Zou Fang, while Li Biyang and Qin Guanghe stayed behind to camp and continue searching.

Chu Zhiyuan used the Mysterious Stone to enter the Tianxin Sect headquarters undetected and kill its inhabitants, then helped Xu Haode and Zou Fang break the protective formation. The valley was left exposed, making the destruction of the sect’s headquarters possible.

• Li Biyang and Qin Guanghe praised the effortless destruction of an evil sect headquarters and planned to move on the following morning.
• Xu Haode, Chu Zhiyuan, and Zou Fang located the Tianxin Sect headquarters and discussed how its formation kept intruders out.
• Chu Zhiyuan attached Xu Haode’s Formation Breaking Stone to a Tianxin Sect grandmaster and used it to enter the valley without triggering the formation.
• Chu Zhiyuan used the Blade Soul to kill the Tianxin Sect disciples inside the valley, including the twenty-four who had initially escaped.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Xu Haode repeatedly hurled boulders at the weakened formation until it dispersed and exposed the valley.

Chu Zhiyuan and Xu Haode destroyed the Gold Venerable Statues in Tianxin Sect's valley and recovered ten Mysterious Stones, which could conceal the Blade Soul and precisely sense Tianxin Sect members. The stones revealed that nine Tianxin Sect Demonic Humans were approaching, and Chu Zhiyuan and Xu Haode went to meet them.

• Chu Zhiyuan and Xu Haode discussed using the Mysterious Stone to find and eliminate evil sect headquarters across Great Jing, Great Meng, and Great Zhen.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Xu Haode failed to break a Gold Venerable Statue with repeated palm strikes, so Chu Zhiyuan used Outer Heavenly Power to destroy it.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Xu Haode searched the valley and recovered ten Mysterious Stones from the Gold Venerable Statues.
• Chu Zhiyuan discovered that the stones showed clearer, more precise red lines when infused with Fearless Realm power and decided to use them instead of Venerable Statues.
• Chu Zhiyuan sensed nine Tianxin Sect Demonic Humans approaching, and the nine middle-aged masters appeared outside a quarter of an hour later.

Chu Zhiyuan discovered that Mysterious Stones from different sects could fuse, strengthening their ability to sense Demonic Humans and the Venerables beyond the void. After using the fused stone to kill nine Grandmasters, he resolved to collect every Mysterious Stone and find a way to destroy or seal them; he and Xu Haode began gathering the remaining treasures and statues.

• Chu Zhiyuan infused the Mysterious Stones with power and fused ten into one, finding that the combined stone had stronger sensing abilities.
• Chu Zhiyuan fused the Jade Cauldron Sect’s stones with the Tianxin Sect’s stone, allowing him to sense both sects more clearly.
• Chu Zhiyuan sent the fused stone toward nine Grandmasters outside the valley, killing them and drawing their souls and Yin Fiend energy into the stone and the Venerables beyond the void.
• Chu Zhiyuan wondered whether the Mysterious Stones let the Venerables reach into the world and concluded that he needed to collect every stone before trying to destroy or seal them.
• Chu Zhiyuan shattered the Tianxin Sect’s and Demonic Heart Sect’s Silver Venerable Statues, found no stones inside, and told Xu Haode that gathering Mysterious Stones was now their priority.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Xu Haode searched the halls and residences, filling ten wooden chests with valuables and treasures.

Chu Zhiyuan and Xu Haode destroyed several evil sect main altars, and news of Chu Zhiyuan’s campaign spread through Great Meng. As Tianjing celebrated the destruction of twenty-four altars, Meng Gengbai realized Chu Zhiyuan would likely move on to Great Zhen.

• Chu Zhiyuan and Xu Haode looted and ruined a Tianxin Sect main altar, then killed the experts who arrived to defend it.
• Chu Zhiyuan destroyed the Demonic Heart Sect main altar and, three days later, the Huaisu Sect main altar.
• Meng Gengbai met Wan Bicheng and two younger disciples at a tavern, where they discussed his sword training and Zhao Rongfei’s saber technique.
• Tianjing’s citizens cheered news that the Imperial Court had destroyed two more evil sect main altars and praised Chu Zhiyuan for driving the Demonic Humans out of the city.
• People discussed how Chu Zhiyuan’s campaign had destroyed twenty-four main altars and would likely force the surviving evil sects to flee to Great Zhen.
• Meng Gengbai told Wan Bicheng that Chu Zhiyuan would soon leave Great Meng for Great Zhen, and Wan Bicheng lamented his departure.

After three months of destroying evil sects, Chu Zhiyuan returned to Tianjing with Li Biyang, whose cultivation had advanced rapidly under Chu Zhiyuan’s guidance. Li Hongzhao had consolidated her power and was preparing to ascend, leaving Chu Zhiyuan behind in that pursuit.

• Meng Gengbai heard that Chu Zhiyuan was returning to the capital and hoped to visit him again.
• Chu Zhiyuan entered Tianjing with Li Biyang, Qin Guanghe, and Zou Fang after their campaign against the evil sects.
• Li Biyang said he had reached Grandmaster Perfection, and Chu Zhiyuan told him he would likely see the Grandmaster Gate within a month.
• At Fengtian Hall, Chu Zhiyuan told Li Hongzhao that Li Biyang might soon reach the Grandmaster Gate, easing her concerns about ascending.
• Li Hongzhao said she had rallied popular support, brought the military under control, and expected to ascend within one or two years, ahead of Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan questioned Li Hongzhao about Beyond the Heavens, and she explained its dynasties, the fate of those who ascend, and the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult’s possible path there. Li Hongzhao planned to ascend within two years and admitted she wanted Chu Zhiyuan to join her so she would not be alone.

• Li Hongzhao questioned Chu Zhiyuan about Xiao Ruoling’s absence, and he said she was in a secret realm pursuing an opportunity.
• Chu Zhiyuan asked Li Hongzhao about ascending to Beyond the Heavens, and she said she expected to go within two years.
• Li Hongzhao explained that Beyond the Heavens had three dynasties, including the Phoenix Dynasty, Jade Scenery Dynasty, and Yuan Zhen Dynasty, and that several worlds could ascend there.
• Li Hongzhao told Chu Zhiyuan that his Second Uncle, the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult’s Divine Son, had likely ascended through a method known only to the cult’s Divine Sons.
• Li Hongzhao agreed that she wanted Chu Zhiyuan to ascend early and keep her company.

Chu Zhiyuan and Li Hongzhao discussed his likely accession to the throne, his planned campaign against Great Zhen’s evil sects, and the dangers awaiting him there. After drinking together, Li Hongzhao revealed her loneliness as emperor and teased Chu Zhiyuan about being the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult’s Divine Son; he sobered her and left the palace.

• Chu Zhiyuan asked about cultivation Beyond the Heavens, and Li Hongzhao explained that they would have to cultivate anew there.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Li Hongzhao agreed that the Emperor's Sword was stronger and that Chu Zhiyuan might soon inherit the throne if his grandfather ascended.
• Chu Zhiyuan planned to report to the emperor before quickly attacking the evil sects’ headquarters in Great Zhen, while Li Hongzhao warned him that Great Zhen’s people and Wentian Cliff might oppose him.
• Li Hongzhao, drunk and speaking freely, told Chu Zhiyuan that he was the only person with whom she could let down her guard and accused him of being the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult’s Divine Son.
• Chu Zhiyuan denied joining the cult, sobered Li Hongzhao with Spiritual Qi, and left Chengtian Hall.

Chu Zhiyuan returned to Jade Capital after clearing the evil sects from Great Meng and reunited with his family, learning that Xiao Ruoling was trapped in the Profound Yin Palace. He planned to meet the Emperor and seek permission to visit his missing Second Uncle’s princely estate.

• Chu Zhiyuan left the imperial palace and continued killing hidden Demonic Humans in Tianjing, strengthening his Blade Soul as he cleared evil sect main altars.
• Meng Gengbai, Wan Bicheng, and Zhao Rongfei welcomed Chu Zhiyuan at Great Jing’s residence, where he confirmed that he had cleared Great Meng’s evil sect main altars and learned the others had advanced in their martial arts.
• Chu Zhiyuan returned to Jade Capital and found it free of evil sect experts, then discovered that Chu Yi and Li Suyue had reached Grandmaster Perfection.
• Chu Zhiyuan’s family told him that the Emperor wished to see him, and he revealed that Xiao Ruoling had entered the Profound Yin Palace and might remain there for years.
• Chu Zhiyuan decided to visit his Second Uncle’s princely estate after meeting the Emperor and asking for his opinion.

Chu Zhiyuan met with Chu Qingfeng and learned more about Beyond the Heavens and the emperor’s history before meeting Emperor Chu Qingquan. Chu Qingquan revealed that he was a Divine Son and explained that Prince Jing had ascended, while Chu Zhiyuan was not a Divine Son and could not ascend like Xiao Ruoling.

• Chu Zhiyuan visited Chu Qingfeng, who explained that the emperor had spread his reputation and that the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult had once devastated the royal family.
• Chu Zhiyuan showed Chu Qingfeng an Evil Crystal, and they discussed how it enabled Demonic Beings from Beyond the Heavens to descend.
• Chu Qingfeng told Chu Zhiyuan that emperors could ascend to Beyond the Heavens and that his arrival would allow Chu Qingquan to ascend without worry.
• Huang Cheng escorted Chu Zhiyuan to meet Emperor Chu Qingquan, whose Emperor’s Sword seemed increasingly ethereal to Chu Zhiyuan.
• Chu Qingquan revealed that he was a Divine Son and had recognized that Chu Zhiyuan was not one.
• Chu Qingquan said Prince Jing had become a Grandmaster and ascended to Beyond the Heavens, while Chu Zhiyuan could not follow Xiao Ruoling’s path without being a Divine Son.

Chu Qingquan explained the risks and limits of the different ways to ascend, and Chu Zhiyuan learned that his grandfather would not abdicate to let him use the Emperor’s Sword. Chu Qingquan offered the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree as another route and revealed that Wentian Cliff also had a method of ascension.

• Chu Qingquan explained that the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult’s ascension sent the soul rather than the body, leaving reincarnation or dangerous body possession as options.
• Chu Zhiyuan learned that outstanding Profound Yin Palace disciples could return from Beyond the Heavens, but he was unsure whether Xiao Ruoling could meet the requirements.
• Chu Qingquan said he would remain emperor rather than ascend through the Emperor’s Sword, disappointing Chu Zhiyuan’s hopes of leaving by that route.
• Chu Qingquan revealed that the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree could protect Chu Zhiyuan’s soul during ascension and help him reach Beyond the Heavens.
• Chu Qingquan advised Chu Zhiyuan to use body possession in the wilderness or a small city if necessary, then disclosed that Wentian Cliff also had an ascension method.

Chu Zhiyuan learned that he could not inherit the Emperor's Sword for another ten years and discussed other paths to ascension with Chu Qingquan. He chose to continue his campaign against the Evil Sects and returned to Prince Qing's Estate, where he went to the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree.

• Chu Qingquan refused to teach Chu Zhiyuan the Eternal Spirit Divine Cult's ascension method but told him he could seek it from the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree.
• Chu Qingquan revealed that he could hold the Emperor's Sword for only ten more years and warned that the Great Jing Imperial Clan might lack a Grandmaster if Chu Zhiyuan ascended.
• Chu Qingquan explained that returning after ascension was difficult and costly, and that he needed the Emperor's Sword to advance his own cultivation.
• Chu Zhiyuan said he would continue destroying the Evil Sects and go to Great Zhen despite no longer needing merit to inherit the Emperor's Sword.
• Chu Zhiyuan left the imperial palace, returned to Prince Qing's Estate, and went to the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree in Chu Yi's courtyard.

Chu Zhiyuan learned the Eternal Spirit Secret Manual from the Eternal Spirit Divine Tree and discussed the succession with Chu Yi, accepting that Tenth Uncle might become Emperor. Two months later, he watched the Zhenhua Sect’s headquarters from a mountain when a young Grandmaster appeared.

• Chu Zhiyuan received the Eternal Spirit Secret Manual and learned about the Wheel God Seal, the Divine Return Secret Art, and other spiritual techniques.
• Chu Zhiyuan considered using the Divine Return Secret Art to ascend and planned to test it with the Blade Soul.
• Chu Yi asked Chu Zhiyuan about his meeting with Imperial Grandfather, and he told her Tenth Uncle would likely inherit the throne.
• Chu Yi reassured Chu Zhiyuan that staying together as a family mattered more than his becoming Emperor.
• Two months later, Chu Zhiyuan and Zou Fang watched the Zhenhua Sect’s headquarters as a young Grandmaster arrived.

Chu Zhiyuan used the possession technique to transfer the Blade Soul into a Zhenhua Sect Grandmaster, creating an External Incarnation. He left the incarnation to refine its cultivation and appearance while he and Zou Fang kept the secret.

• Chu Zhiyuan confronted a Zhenhua Sect Grandmaster at the sect’s headquarters and revealed his identity as Great Jing’s Fourth Heir Apparent.
• The Grandmaster tried to activate his power, but Chu Zhiyuan used the Blade Soul to kill him and instructed Zou Fang to keep watch.
• Chu Zhiyuan used a secret art from the Eternal Spirit Secret Manual to transfer the Blade Soul into the Grandmaster’s body.
• The revived man took on Chu Zhiyuan’s appearance, and Chu Zhiyuan explained to Zou Fang that he had created an External Incarnation.
• Chu Zhiyuan told the incarnation to enter secluded cultivation and improve its mental cultivation method, then withdrew his mind while remaining able to share its perspective.

Chu Zhiyuan and Zou Fang destroyed the evil sects’ headquarters, then traveled with Cheng Yifeng to the Imperial City to hunt Demonic Humans. After clearing the city of several Demonic Humans, Chu Zhiyuan pondered the Venerable Statues drawing souls and Yin Fiend energy Beyond the Heavens, while Cheng Yifeng went to seek the Emperor’s support.

• Chu Zhiyuan’s incarnation headed to Moon-Inviting Peak to cultivate in seclusion, while the original Chu Zhiyuan sensed Zou Fang’s confusion and resolved to destroy the evil sects’ headquarters.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Cheng Yifeng rode into the Imperial City with Zou Fang, and Cheng Yifeng used his Jade Token to pass the City Guard.
• Chu Zhiyuan killed Demonic Humans throughout the city and sensed their souls and Yin Fiend energy flowing toward Venerable Statues Beyond the Heavens.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Zou Fang arrived at Cheng Yifeng’s Prince’s Mansion, where Cheng Yifeng arranged matters before going to meet the Emperor of Great Zhen.
• Chu Zhiyuan left the Prince’s Mansion with Zou Fang and strolled through the Imperial City.

Chu Zhiyuan learned that the White Crane Secret Land had claimed two Grandmasters and was abandoned after mysterious Demon Beasts killed explorers. He went to investigate with Cheng Yifeng, sensed the danger was manageable, and entered alone while Cheng Yifeng and Zou Fang stayed outside.

• Chu Zhiyuan heard Imperial City diners discuss the White Crane Secret Land, where invisible Demon Beasts had killed two Grandmasters and other experts.
• Cheng Yifeng told Chu Zhiyuan that Wentian Cliff had no way to counter the Demon Beasts and that the Great Zhen Emperor planned to abandon the secret land.
• Chu Zhiyuan agreed to inspect White Crane Peak with Cheng Yifeng before meeting the Emperor, and they left the Imperial City at night.
• At the mountain, Chu Zhiyuan sensed danger near the secret land’s entrance, then found six Masters keeping watch by a bonfire.
• Chu Zhiyuan judged the danger worth the risk, told Cheng Yifeng and Zou Fang to remain outside, and vanished as he entered the secret land.

Chu Zhiyuan entered the secret realm, captured two invisible white martens, and returned to explore deeper inside. He found a cave mansion whose danger destroyed the wisp of Blade Soul he sent in, leaving him outside with no view of what lay beyond its stone doors.

• Cheng Yifeng waited anxiously for Chu Zhiyuan and heard the six Masters explain what they knew about the secret realm.
• Chu Zhiyuan explored a forest resembling the Flying Heaven Sect’s secret realm, killed several transparent white martens, captured two, and brought them back to Cheng Yifeng.
• Chu Zhiyuan explained that the martens could pierce Qi defenses and move too quickly to counter, then returned to the secret realm to investigate further.
• After traveling deep into the realm, Chu Zhiyuan discovered a concealed cave mansion behind a massive boulder and sensed intense danger within.
• Chu Zhiyuan sent a Flying Dagger carrying a wisp of Blade Soul into the cave, but the wisp was instantly annihilated beyond a pair of stone doors.

Chu Zhiyuan investigated a deadly cave but decided to leave it alone until he grew stronger. He then exposed the Jade Cauldron Sect’s hidden headquarters and destroyed its defenders, leaving the sect’s base revealed as a silent valley.

• Chu Zhiyuan recalled the layered eyes carved into the cave doors, resisted their strange influence, and sealed the cave before leaving to strengthen himself first.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Cheng Yifeng watched the mountain where the Jade Cauldron Sect’s headquarters was hidden, waiting for its people to emerge.
• Nine middle-aged men and three young men in green robes appeared, and Chu Zhiyuan identified the three young men as great grandmasters.
• The three great grandmasters’ attack stopped abruptly, and the nine sect experts recognized Chu Zhiyuan and fled into the woods.
• Chu Zhiyuan broke the concealment array, revealing a valley with jade cauldrons and people who rapidly turned into bones.

Chu Zhiyuan destroyed the Jade Cauldrons at the Evil Sect headquarters and discovered that their pearls let him kill every Demonic Human of the Jade Cauldron Sect. He left with a way to annihilate an entire Evil Sect after destroying its headquarters, while considering how to ascend without waiting ten years for the Emperor’s Sword.

• Chu Zhiyuan and Cheng Yifeng entered the Evil Sect headquarters valley, where Chu Zhiyuan destroyed the Jade Cauldrons and collected their pearls.
• Chu Zhiyuan discovered that the pearls contained wisps of the Jade Cauldron Sect Demonic Humans’ Primordial Spirits and could be used to kill them.
• Chu Zhiyuan used the Divine Crystal from Beyond the Heavens to kill every Demonic Human of the Jade Cauldron Sect, regardless of their location.
• Chu Zhiyuan explained that he would need to destroy the other Evil Sects’ headquarters and gather their Gold Venerable Statue pearls to control their Demonic Humans.
• Cheng Yifeng praised Chu Zhiyuan’s plan, while Chu Zhiyuan considered avoiding the ten-year wait to ascend through the Emperor’s Sword.

Chu Zhiyuan and Cheng Yifeng eradicated the twenty-six evil sects, completing Chu Zhiyuan’s Blade Soul and freeing his incarnation to wield his full power. Back in the Imperial City, Chu Zhiyuan examined the transformed Divine Crystal from Beyond the Heavens and nearly lost himself inside it.

• Chu Zhiyuan explained that his incarnation made the Eternal Spirit Secret Manual’s ascension method safer and that destroying evil sects had strengthened his Blade Soul.
• After the group looted the Jade Cauldron Sect headquarters, Chu Zhiyuan and Cheng Yifeng agreed to divide the chests and set out to destroy the Tianxin Sect next.
• At the Huaisu Sect headquarters, Chu Zhiyuan confirmed the disciples had been wiped out and realized his Blade Soul had reached perfection, completing the eradication of all twenty-six evil sects.
• Cheng Yifeng urged Chu Zhiyuan to return to the Imperial City for a celebration, and Chu Zhiyuan asked to meet Senior Brother Gao, the new Imperial Preceptor.
• At the prince’s residence, Chu Zhiyuan examined the Divine Crystal from Beyond the Heavens, which had turned gold and shrunk to the size of a Dragon Eye, then pulled his mind free before it consumed him.