Chapter Summaries

Chu Zhiyuan discussed the spread of the Pure Heart Art and his coming move to the Phoenix Dynasty, then enlisted Fu Zheng as a guard and asked her to observe Li Yuzhen. He left Fu Zheng aware that his marriage would make him a hostage and that both women had ties to the Phoenix Dynasty.

• Chu Zhiyuan explained to Li Yuzhen that the Pure Heart Art would spread to all three dynasties and could not earn him lasting merit in the Phoenix Dynasty.
• Chu Zhiyuan told Chu Honglin that demonic cultivation was already widespread and gave him the Pure Heart Art, proposing that it be shared under the name Zhao Lie Pure Heart Art.
• Chu Honglin agreed to explain Chu Zhiyuan's plan to His Majesty.
• Fu Zheng came to Chu Zhiyuan despite her master's objections and agreed to serve as his disguised guard and handle secret tasks.
• Chu Zhiyuan told Fu Zheng that Li Yuzhen was the Phoenix Dynasty Twelfth Princess's confidante and asked her to observe Li Yuzhen without acting against her.
• Chu Zhiyuan explained to Fu Zheng that his marriage made him a hostage in the Phoenix Dynasty, and encouraged her to learn from Li Yuzhen's experience in the Spirit Guards and Outer Realm Battlefield.

Chu Zhiyuan offered Fu Zheng an Immaculate Fruit but warned that its aura would attract heavenly devils, then explained his plan to spread the Pure Heart Art and weaken the Devil Race. In Dengyun Tower, customers debated whether to trust the art, and Old Wang’s testimony and an official’s assurance persuaded them to try it.

• Li Yuzhen showed Fu Zheng her new courtyard and explained that Youlan had arranged it.
• Fu Zheng asked Chu Zhiyuan for a fruit that would preserve her youthful appearance, but he warned that the Immaculate Fruit would make her aura impossible to conceal and attract heavenly devils.
• Chu Zhiyuan said he planned to spread the Pure Heart Art, explaining that he believed it could weaken the Devil Race by reducing the dark emotions that nourished the Devil Abyss.
• At Dengyun Tower, Old Wang defended the Pure Heart Art and said it had improved his energy and temper.
• After hearing that an official considered the Pure Heart Art beneficial and harmless, the tavern patrons agreed to try it.

Chu Zhiyuan left Dengyun Tower after reflecting on the weak response to the Pure Heart Art and his stalled cultivation, then met with Li Ningcui to discuss the Feiyun Sect’s position in Thousand Mechanisms Tower. He arranged an alliance between the Feiyun and Bamboo Sects and sent Li Yuzhen to help them challenge the Setting Sun Sect.

• Chu Zhiyuan heard people doubt the Pure Heart Art and noted that his cultivation remained at the Seventh Turn, far from the Eighth Revolution.
• Chu Zhiyuan sensed that the Five Elements Perfection Method had earned him gratitude, while the Pure Heart Art had inspired little appreciation.
• Chu Zhiyuan met Li Ningcui, who explained that the Feiyun Sect faced opposition in Thousand Mechanisms Tower after its Sect Master and Elders died.
• Chu Zhiyuan directed Fu Zheng to bring Fu Biqiong and proposed that the Bamboo Sect ally with the Feiyun Sect on equal terms.
• Chu Zhiyuan ordered Li Yuzhen to help Fu Zheng attack the Setting Sun Sect and told Fu Biqiong to replace it in Thousand Mechanisms Tower.

Chu Zhiyuan’s allies gained control of Thousand Mechanisms Tower, but they suspected the Setting Sun Sect would seek allies and prepare for a later conflict. At True Martial Academy, the princes discussed a proposal to send Chu Lieyang to the Phoenix Dynasty in Chu Zhiyuan’s place, while Chu Zhiyuan focused on his cultivation.

• Li Yuzhen and Fu Zheng told Chu Zhiyuan that the Setting Sun Sect’s elder had withdrawn from Thousand Mechanisms Tower and yielded his hall master position to Zhu Yijing, making their faction the majority among the hall masters.
• Chu Zhiyuan asked Fu Zheng to investigate the Setting Sun Sect’s possible alliances and gather intelligence on Phoenix Imperial City so he could assess Thousand Mechanisms Tower’s capabilities.
• At True Martial Academy, Chu Zhiyuan questioned Chu Lieyang about a proposal to replace him as Imperial Son-in-Law and send Chu Lieyang to the Phoenix Dynasty.
• Chu Liexuan explained that Prince Huai had made the proposal, and the princes speculated about his motives and whether he had received secret intelligence.
• Chu Liexi arrived with Chu Honglin, and Chu Zhiyuan congratulated him on breaking through to the Intent Transformation Realm.
• Chu Zhiyuan withdrew from the princes’ discussion and concentrated on cultivating toward the Nascent Soul Stage.

Chu Zhiyuan discussed his plans for the demonic sects with his four brothers while cultivating at the True Martial Academy. He secured Chu Liexuan’s agreement to secretly shelter the sects as Chu Zhiyuan prepared to leave for the Phoenix Dynasty.

• Chu Zhiyuan told his brothers he had reached the Seventh Turn, and they discussed the bullying he would face in the Phoenix Dynasty.
• The princes debated Chu Zhiyuan’s Zhao Lie Pure Heart Art and guessed that he had renamed and spread it to win over demonic sect disciples and gather information.
• Chu Zhiyuan explained that he intended to use the demonic sects for intelligence and outlined how his methods had given him preliminary control of the Thousand Mechanisms Tower and more than half the sects.
• Chu Zhiyuan asked Chu Liexuan to cooperate in controlling the demonic sects, while his brothers warned him not to trust them or abandon the Imperial Court.
• Chu Liexuan agreed to observe the demonic sects secretly and provide them with shelter without revealing his involvement.

Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Honglin discussed the court’s decision to allow demonic arts and the threat to Thousand Mechanisms Tower. After Chu Liexuan joined Chu Zhiyuan’s courtyard, they discovered officials tied to Prince Huai and Prince Yue were attacking the demonic sects, and Chu Zhiyuan suspected Third Brother was using the campaign to undermine him and take his place as the Imperial Son-in-Law.

• Chu Honglin told Chu Zhiyuan that the emperor had abandoned the ban on demonic arts because so many people practiced them that prohibition risked rebellion.
• Chu Honglin warned Chu Zhiyuan to keep Thousand Mechanisms Tower under control, and Chu Zhiyuan explained his plan, which Chu Honglin approved.
• Chu Liexuan visited Chu Zhiyuan, where Zhu Yijing and Li Ningcui reported that officials were attacking the Pure Heart Art and the demonic sects.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Liexuan traced the Censors’ campaign to Prince Huai and Prince Yue, both connected to Third Brother.
• Chu Zhiyuan concluded that Third Brother was trying to weaken him and claim the Imperial Son-in-Law position, which the Phoenix Dynasty reserved for someone with no ties to demonic sects.

Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Liexuan searched for a way to counter Third Prince Chu Lieyang, but Chu Zhiyuan rejected a plan to accuse him of colluding with the Evil Sect. He sent Zhu Yijing and Li Ningcui to investigate Chu Lieyang’s weaknesses.

• Chu Liexuan proposed exposing Chu Lieyang’s ambitions, then suggested spreading a rumor that he colluded with the Evil Sect.
• Chu Zhiyuan refused to involve the Evil Sect, suspecting it might be connected to the Evil Sect Venerable he had encountered.
• Zhu Yijing warned Chu Liexuan that Evil Sect disciples were dangerous, and he read reports describing their crimes.
• Chu Liexuan suggested using the Devil Sect against the Evil Sect, but Chu Zhiyuan insisted the Imperial Court should handle that threat.
• Chu Zhiyuan ordered Zhu Yijing and Li Ningcui to investigate Chu Lieyang, while Chu Liexuan agreed to wait for a better plan.

Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Liexuan investigated Chu Lieyang’s secret lover and devised a plan after learning she resembled the Twelfth Princess. Chu Liexuan petitioned the Emperor to grant her status, and the Emperor’s furious reprimand of Chu Lieyang endangered his chances of succeeding to the throne.

• Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Liexuan reviewed Thousand Mechanisms Tower’s detailed information on Chu Lieyang and decided to investigate his secret lover.
• Chu Zhiyuan proposed using the woman’s importance to Chu Lieyang to choose between securing her a status as a secondary consort or exposing Chu Lieyang’s affairs.
• Li Ningcui brought a portrait showing the woman resembled the Twelfth Princess, so Chu Zhiyuan told Chu Liexuan to petition the Emperor to grant her status.
• Chu Zhiyuan arrived late at True Martial Academy and ignored Chu Lieyang while he cultivated.
• Chu Honglin told Chu Zhiyuan that Chu Liexuan had petitioned the Emperor, who summoned and harshly reprimanded Chu Lieyang, weakening his prospects of inheriting the throne.

Chu Lieyang and Chu Liexuan fought at True Martial Academy after Chu Liexuan revealed Chu Lieyang’s affair to the Emperor, while Chu Liechu encouraged them to keep fighting. Their confrontation ended with Chu Lieyang accusing Chu Zhiyuan of turning Chu Liexuan against him, but Chu Zhiyuan believed the accusation would fail.

• Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Honglin discussed Chu Lieyang’s relationship with a woman who resembled the Twelfth Princess and the damage to his reputation.
• Chu Zhiyuan sensed that Chu Liexuan and Chu Lieyang had begun fighting, and he persuaded Chu Honglin not to intervene.
• Chu Liexuan and Chu Lieyang fought with the Divine Level Great Brightness Fist while Chu Liechu refused to stop them and Chu Liexi urged restraint.
• Chu Lieyang accused Chu Liexuan of tattling to the Emperor, while Chu Liexuan and Chu Liechu defended his actions.
• Chu Liexuan struck Chu Lieyang badly and began to leave, but Chu Lieyang accused him of being Chu Zhiyuan’s pawn.
• Chu Zhiyuan watched from Clear Wind Cliff and concluded that Chu Liexuan believed he was wielding the blade, not serving as one.

Chu Zhiyuan ended his quarrel with Chu Lieyang and arranged a way to protect the woman who had entered his Prince's Mansion, despite her secret ties to the Cangming Sect. As preparations proceeded for the Cave Heaven opening, Chu Zhiyuan warned Chu Honglin that the Devil Race might strike back against the expedition.

• Chu Lieyang accused Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Liexuan of conspiring against him, but Chu Zhiyuan urged the brothers to stop arguing before the Emperor heard of it.
• Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Liexuan celebrated their victory, then learned that the woman Chu Lieyang had pursued was a Cangming Sect disciple.
• Chu Zhiyuan ordered Li Ningcui to have the woman leave the sect and confess her identity to Chu Lieyang so she could become his assistant and gather intelligence from the Thousand Mechanisms Tower.
• Chu Zhiyuan told Chu Honglin he would not enter the Cave Heaven and warned that the Devil Race would likely retaliate against the Light Realm's prepared forces.
• Chu Honglin agreed to warn the Cave Heaven expedition to remain vigilant before it entered the next day.

Chu Zhiyuan discussed sect alliances, intelligence gathering, and plans to strengthen the devil sects with Li Ningcui, while considering how to counter Setting Sun Sect. At the Divine Martial Department, Chu Honglin arrived with additional defensive treasures for the Cave Heaven expedition, and the young men learned they would receive them.

• Chu Zhiyuan learned from Li Ningcui that Setting Sun Sect was building an alliance and that their sects were recruiting carefully while sending agents into Setting Sun Sect.
• Chu Zhiyuan asked Li Ningcui to investigate the origins of the Supreme Heavenly Demon Strategy and discussed countering Setting Sun Sect's Crimson Sun Demonic Cultivation.
• Chu Zhiyuan told Li Ningcui he would travel to the Phoenix Dynasty in two months and urged the devil sects to strengthen their presence there.
• Chu Honglin arrived late at the Divine Martial Department and told Chu Hongfeng that he had obtained defensive treasures from the Emperor for the Cave Heaven expedition.
• Chu Honglin told the eight young men they were lucky, and they thanked Prince Gan before asking what defensive treasures they would receive.

Chu Honglin equipped eight Spirit Guards with Flowing Sunset Treasure Robes so they could conceal themselves and ambush the Devil Race in the Cave Heaven. After entering and regrouping, Xie Zhuang’s party searched for two days without sensing any devils, leaving them unsure whether the enemy had stayed away or hidden itself.

• Chu Honglin explained that the Flowing Sunset Treasure Robes could conceal the wearers’ auras and forms, and gave one to each of the eight Spirit Guards.
• Chu Honglin told Xie Zhuang that the Ninth Prince would not enter the Cave Heaven, and Xie Zhuang admitted he felt less confident without him.
• Xie Zhuang and the other seven Spirit Guards entered the Cave Heaven, became separated, and used their Spirit Rhinoceros Pearls to regroup.
• Xie Zhuang led the group through the forest while they concealed their auras and searched for signs of the Devil Race.
• After two days without detecting any soul pearls or devils, Xie Zhuang and the others wondered whether the enemy had stayed away or was concealing itself.

The eight Spirit Guards struggled to locate the Devil Race in the Cave Heaven, while Chu Zhiyuan agreed to enter after two survivors reported that sixteen enemies had ambushed their group. Chu Zhiyuan passed through the light door to find the Devil Race, leaving his uncles fearing the sixteen might not be all of them.

• Xie Zhuang and the other Spirit Guards discussed how to find the Devil Race, and Xie explained that Chu Zhiyuan could sense them by means beyond Soul Pearls.
• As the Cave Heaven's closing approached, the Spirit Guards debated asking Chu Zhiyuan for help, while Chu Honglin and Chu Hongfeng grew alarmed at the lack of news from inside.
• Chu Honglin and Chu Hongfeng asked Chu Zhiyuan to enter, and he agreed despite the risk of angering the Emperor.
• Two wounded Spirit Guards emerged through the light door and reported that sixteen Devil Race experts had ambushed them and that six companions had stayed behind to hold the enemy off.
• Chu Zhiyuan entered the Cave Heaven, while Chu Honglin worried that more Devil Race experts might be waiting.

Chu Zhiyuan used the Demon Subduing Thunder Sound and golden nets to rescue Xie Zhuang and five Spirit Guards from sixteen Devil Race experts. He seized the enemy’s dark bead and began attacking the bound demons, leaving the battle’s outcome unresolved.

• Chu Zhiyuan entered the Cave Heaven, located Xie Zhuang and five Spirit Guards fighting sixteen Devil Race experts, and hid nearby to observe.
• Chu Zhiyuan used the Demon Subduing Thunder Sound to disrupt the Devil Race experts and help Xie Zhuang’s group escape toward him.
• The Devil Race experts caught up with Xie Zhuang and the other five, while Chu Zhiyuan continued using golden thunder sounds to slow their pursuit.
• Chu Zhiyuan trapped all sixteen Devil Race experts in golden nets, but the nets did not bind Xie Zhuang and the other Spirit Guards.
• When the handsome Heavenly Demon tried to use a black bead, Chu Zhiyuan knocked it away with a fist imprint and a piece of wood, then struck the demon and the other fifteen with repeated punches.

Chu Zhiyuan and Xie Zhuang’s group defeated sixteen Devil Race experts, but a Black Pearl explosion badly injured the Spirit Guards. After sending them away, Chu Zhiyuan discovered a heavenly demon had witnessed the fight and prepared to stop him from reporting what he saw.

• Chu Zhiyuan trapped the sixteen Devil Race experts with the Great Demon Subduing Seal, and he and Xie Zhuang’s group killed them.
• The Haoyang Demon Subduing Mirror absorbed a ball of seven-colored light from the handsome young man’s death.
• Chu Zhiyuan warned the Spirit Guards not to touch the Black Pearl, but one young man flung it away, triggering an explosion that injured the group.
• Chu Zhiyuan ordered the Spirit Guards to take the Devil Race corpses and leave while he stayed behind.
• Using Super Sensation, Chu Zhiyuan spotted a heavenly demon hiding behind a boulder on a distant mountain and realized he had witnessed the battle.

Chu Zhiyuan purified Devil Race souls to strengthen his soul until he sensed he had reached its limit, then ambushed and killed a handsome Devil Race observer who had been tracking him. After experimenting with the Great Demon Subduing Seal, he headed back toward the light gate, where Chu Honglin, Chu Hongfeng, Xie Zhuang, and the others awaited his return.

• Chu Zhiyuan considered how repeated Devil Race assassins could aid his cultivation, but realized Nascent Soul Stage heavenly demons outside the Cave Heaven would be beyond his ability.
• The handsome young man used the Demon God Heavenly Eye Technique to watch Chu Zhiyuan, then circled around the forest to avoid a possible ambush.
• Chu Zhiyuan purified sixteen Devil Race souls, strengthening his soul until he felt overstuffed and concluded that it had reached a limit.
• Chu Zhiyuan caught the handsome young man with four streaks of golden light and killed him with a barrage of Great Brightness Fists.
• Chu Zhiyuan formed the Great Demon Subduing Sword from the young man's restrained aura, then watched the corpse explode into red mist after the seal no longer suppressed it.
• At the Divine Martial Department, Chu Honglin and Chu Hongfeng waited by the light gate while Xie Zhuang and the other seven remained injured but refused to leave before Chu Zhiyuan returned.

Chu Zhiyuan returned from the Cave Heaven after killing a Devil Race watcher, while Chu Honglin and Chu Hongfeng tried to delay the imperial decree ordering him to receive twenty lashes. He learned of the punishment at home and asked Chu Honglin to seek access to secret ancient texts about souls.

• Chu Honglin and Chu Hongfeng persuaded Xu Qingyun to leave the Divine Martial Department without delivering the decree, hoping to buy time for Chu Zhiyuan.
• Chu Zhiyuan emerged from the Cave Heaven and revealed that he had killed a Devil Race watcher who might have exposed their secrets.
• Chu Zhiyuan explained that the Devil Race outnumbered Jade Scenery Dynasty's entrants and that the Cave Heaven gate could admit only eight people each time.
• Chu Zhiyuan asked Chu Honglin to arrange access to the secret collection of ancient texts so he could investigate matters involving souls.
• Youlan told Chu Zhiyuan that the Emperor had issued a decree ordering him to receive twenty lashes.

Chu Zhiyuan learned that Li Miaotan had been ambushed by the Demon Race and Devil Race and was near death, and he considered visiting her in secret. He suspected the attacks on them were connected and received a letter from the Jade Scenery Emperor, leaving its contents unknown.

• Chu Zhiyuan returned from his trip with his soul at its limit but kept the change secret.
• Li Yuzhen and Fu Zheng told Chu Zhiyuan that Li Miaotan had been ambushed and could only be kept alive temporarily by Spiritual Medicines.
• Chu Zhiyuan learned that Li Miaotan wanted him to visit her secretly and wondered whether the assassination attempts on them were part of a conspiracy to stop their marriage.
• Chu Zhiyuan agreed that the matter should be reported to the Jade Scenery Emperor, but Li Yuzhen said Her Highness had already sent word.
• Xu Qingyun arrived with a letter from the Jade Scenery Emperor and handed it to Chu Zhiyuan.

Chu Zhiyuan received the Emperor’s permission to travel secretly to the Phoenix Dynasty, then advanced to the eighth revolution and read through the imperial secret vault overnight. Disguised with Li Yuzhen and Fu Zheng, he left the capital for the Phoenix Dynasty, where Li Miaotan awaited help.

• Chu Zhiyuan learned from Xu Qingyun that the Emperor had approved his secret departure, and he prepared to travel with Li Yuzhen and Fu Zheng while Youlan stayed behind.
• Chu Zhiyuan visited Prince Gan’s Mansion, entered the eighth revolution while meditating, and learned that the Emperor had refused him access to the ancient tome vault.
• Chu Honglin helped Chu Zhiyuan sneak into the secret vault, where Chu Zhiyuan spent the night reading its books.
• Chu Zhiyuan returned to his mansion at dawn and left without seeing Imperial Consort, Chu Zhen, or Chu Qiao; Youlan disguised him, Li Yuzhen, and Fu Zheng.
• Chu Zhiyuan, Li Yuzhen, and Fu Zheng left through the eastern city gate and hurried east toward the Phoenix Dynasty.

Chu Zhiyuan, Li Yuzhen, and Fu Zheng traveled to Phoenix Imperial City and entered the Twelfth Princess’s mansion after Li Yuzhen presented her credentials. Chu Zhiyuan was left waiting in a guest courtyard while Li Yuzhen went to meet Li Yuchun, and he remained unsure what would happen next.

• Chu Zhiyuan and Li Yuzhen hurried toward Phoenix Imperial City, with Fu Zheng struggling to keep pace.
• They entered the city and Chu Zhiyuan observed its phoenix-patterned walls, powerful defenses, and martial artists.
• Li Yuzhen led Chu Zhiyuan and Fu Zheng into the western district and presented her waist tokens at the Twelfth Princess’s mansion.
• The guards refused to admit them until Li Yuzhen asked for Li Yuchun, who came out and let them enter.
• Li Yuchun took Li Yuzhen away, while Chu Zhiyuan was settled in a courtyard and Fu Zheng asked whether he intended to save the Twelfth Princess.