Chapter Summaries

Xu Qingtong and his fellow Swallowtail Peak disciples joined Gloomwind Valley’s Autumn Sword-Tournament, and Gong Chu began his first match against a Sword Peak disciple. Gong Chu’s Spirit Artifact bowl withstood the opponent’s attacks, while Xu Qingtong’s powerful talismans forced the match into a more serious exchange.

• Xu Qingtong drew token Bing Three, Du Siwen drew Jia Four, and Gong Chu drew Yi One for the elimination tournament.
• Du Siwen scolded Gong Chu for neglecting the tournament, and Xu Qingtong gave him a stack of powerful talismans.
• Gong Chu began his match against a disciple surnamed Zhou from Sword Peak and sheltered beneath his Spirit Artifact bowl as Zhou’s Flying Sword failed to break through.
• Gong Chu sent three Crimson Flame Talismans at Zhou, who blocked them with his sword and prepared a Water Explosion Technique and a shield.

Gong Chu won his first match, and Xu Qingtong defeated Wei Ming with his talismans in the third round. Xu Qingtong reunited with Dongfang Hui and Du Siwen, who headed to her own match after silencing insults against Swallowtail Peak.

• Gong Chu froze the disciple surnamed Zhou with Clouded Mountains and Mist-Shrouded, then kicked him off the platform to win.
• Dongfang Hui asked Xu Qingtong about his preparations, and he promised he would not let her down.
• Du Siwen teased Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui before Xu Qingtong stepped onto Platform C to face Wei Ming of Heavenly Pillar Peak.
• Xu Qingtong tested his Divine Shield Talisman, then drove Wei Ming back with Crimson Flame Talismans and injured him with an Ice Blade Talisman, forcing him to concede.
• Xu Qingtong offered Wei Ming elixirs as an apology, while Du Siwen silenced the crowd's insults by challenging anyone dissatisfied to face her on the life-and-death platform.
• Du Siwen declined Xu Qingtong's offer of talismans and walked toward Platform A for her match.

Du Siwen advanced through the first round and faced Senior Brother Hong in the second, where she fought fiercely against his attempt to stop Xu Qingtong from reaching the top five. As Hong’s shield cracked under her attacks, he began considering retreat, but the match continued.

• Xu Qingtong told Dongfang Hui that Du Siwen had entered the tournament to help him reach the top five, and Du Siwen defeated her first-round opponent with a reckless halberd assault.
• Dongfang Hui won her first match using her two Spirit Artifacts, and Xu Qingtong, Gong Chu, Du Siwen, and Dongfang Hui all advanced to the second round.
• Xu Qingtong saw Du Siwen draw Senior Brother Hong as her opponent and recognized that Hong had likely been asked to keep him out of the top five.
• Hong attacked Du Siwen with his Moon-Slaying Ring and wind blades, but she relied on her armor and counterattacked with her Long Halberd and two Crimson Flame Talismans.
• Du Siwen struck Hong’s tortoiseshell shield repeatedly until cracks appeared, leaving him badly pressured and considering retreat.

Du Siwen defeated Senior Brother Hong, and Xu Qingtong won his match before giving her the Soul-Chasing Spear and talismans to help her continue in the tournament. As the competition advanced, Du Siwen reached the top eight, while Dongfang Hui lost to Zhao Rufeng and Xu Qingtong advanced to the top fifteen.

• Du Siwen disarmed and defeated Senior Brother Hong, then told Xu Qingtong that he owed her a favor after he thanked her.
• Dongfang Hui defeated her Purple Sun Peak opponent, and Xu Qingtong defeated Yue Quan with the Houtu Seal, Crimson Flame Talismans, and Soul-Chasing Spear.
• Xu Qingtong gave Du Siwen the Soul-Chasing Spear and a stack of talismans to use in the upcoming matches.
• On the third day, Gong Chu conceded to Du Siwen, while Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui each won and advanced to the top fifteen.
• Du Siwen received a bye into the top eight, while Zhao Rufeng's puppets knocked Dongfang Hui from the arena; Xu Qingtong's spirit artifact armor kept her from serious injury.

Xu Qingtong advanced to the top eight, gained insight from Yu Tiancheng’s advice, and entered the fifth round against Zhuang Shengren of Sword Peak. Their duel left Xu Qingtong wounded after Zhuang Shengren broke through his defenses.

• Xu Qingtong destroyed Zhao Rufeng’s remaining puppets in their match, and Zhao Rufeng conceded before leaving the arena.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen reached the top eight, while Gong Chu and Dongfang Hui withdrew from the competition.
• Yu Tiancheng advised Xu Qingtong to stop restraining himself, and Xu Qingtong’s Dao Heart brightened as his cultivation approached the peak of the eighth layer of Qi Refining.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen drew the Jia and Yi Arenas respectively, and Xu Qingtong faced Zhuang Shengren of Sword Peak.
• Zhuang Shengren’s swordsmanship overwhelmed Xu Qingtong’s defenses, and Xu Qingtong was cut on the arm while dodging a strike to his chest.

Xu Qingtong defeated Zhuang Shengren and secured a place among the Autumn Sword-Tournament’s top five, learning that Core Disciples gained great resources but had to undertake dangerous sect missions. He withdrew from the remaining matches, finished in third place, and received rewards as the Dongfang Ancestor canceled Dongfang Hui’s engagement and agreed she could become his future Dual Cultivation Dao Companion.

• Xu Qingtong used the Illusionary Shadow Clasp and Zhurong Seal to defeat Zhuang Shengren, then treated his wound and left the platform.
• Du Siwen joined Xu Qingtong after winning her own match, and Sect Leader Fang Tianqi postponed the sixth round for five days because many disciples were injured.
• Du Siwen explained that Core Disciples had high status and received abundant resources but had to complete dangerous missions assigned by the sect.
• Xu Qingtong and Du Siwen forfeited their matches for the top two places, and Du Siwen yielded third place to Xu Qingtong.
• The Autumn Sword-Tournament ended with Xu Qingtong in third place, and Yu Tiancheng secured his rewards and Contribution Points.
• The Dongfang Ancestor canceled Dongfang Hui’s engagement to Chai Long and agreed that she could become Xu Qingtong’s Dual Cultivation Dao Companion after they both reached Foundation Establishment.

Xu Qingtong crafted a Water-Fire Heaven-Shaking Halberd for Du Siwen, then resumed cultivation after the Autumn Sword-Tournament. His master Yu Tiancheng summoned him and revealed that his minor heavenly tribulation would arrive next month, leaving Xu Qingtong worried about his fate.

• Xu Qingtong resolved to repay Du Siwen for sacrificing her halberd by refining a new weapon for her.
• Xu Qingtong presented Du Siwen with the Water-Fire Heaven-Shaking Halberd, and she bound it and tested its power before accidentally tearing her dress.
• Xu Qingtong returned to cultivation, but after more than a month he still had not sensed a breakthrough.
• Yu Tiancheng told Xu Qingtong that his minor heavenly tribulation would descend next month and explained who would take over Swallowtail Peak if he failed.
• Xu Qingtong promised to do everything he could to help Yu Tiancheng survive the tribulation.

Xu Qingtong refined a high-grade spirit artifact shield from a Xiqian Turtle shell to help Yu Tiancheng face his minor heavenly tribulation. After Yu Tiancheng ritually refined it, the two tested its defenses, and it reflected Xu Qingtong’s spirit artifacts.

• Yu Tiancheng asked Xu Qingtong to refine a shield from his Xiqian Turtle shell to protect him during his minor heavenly tribulation.
• Xu Qingtong studied artifact-refining techniques, planned the design, and rehearsed the process in his Niwang Palace before beginning.
• Xu Qingtong spent five days forging the shield, recovered for a day, then inscribed defensive and absorption-and-reflection formations.
• Xu Qingtong completed the Thousand Cherish Shield and presented it to Yu Tiancheng, who recognized it as a high-grade spirit artifact.
• Yu Tiancheng ritually refined the shield, and Xu Qingtong tested it by striking it with the Rushou Seal, Zhurong Seal, and Goumang Seal, all of which rebounded.

Xu Qingtong prepared to witness his master Yu Tiancheng’s attempt at Golden Core formation and studied the process beforehand. Yu Tiancheng passed the Heart Tribulation, but his Thousand Cherish Shield began to crack under the Thunder Tribulation as Xu Qingtong watched.

• Yu Tiancheng praised Xu Qingtong’s Thousand Cherish Shield and told him to keep his planned breakthrough secret.
• Xu Qingtong studied Core Formation in the Library Pavilion and learned about the Golden Core process and its three tribulations.
• Ten days later, Xu Qingtong joined Dongfang Jin, Fang Tianqi, the Library Pavilion elder, and Du Siwen on Swallowtail Peak to watch Yu Tiancheng attempt Core Formation.
• Yu Tiancheng swallowed Xu Qingtong’s Ice Spirit Pill and passed the Heart Tribulation before gathering spiritual qi for the next trial.
• Yu Tiancheng used the Thousand Cherish Shield to block the first lightning bolt, but the second struck continuously and spread cracks across the shield.

Xu Qingtong intervened when Yu Tiancheng’s tribulation overwhelmed his defenses, using his Five Elements Divine Seals and body-tempering art to hold off the lightning while his master comprehended the power of heaven and earth. The tribulation clouds cleared, and seven-colored radiance descended upon them as Yu Tiancheng continued his breakthrough.

• Yu Tiancheng’s Thousand Cherish Shield blocked the first bolt before shattering, and his Alchemy Furnace broke under the next strike.
• Xu Qingtong used the Houtu Seal to shield Yu Tiancheng and drew the lightning into his own body with the Heavenly Fire Body-Tempering Art.
• Xu Qingtong deployed his remaining four seals to form the Five Elements Divine Seals, barely withstanding the tribulation while Yu Tiancheng comprehended the power of heaven and earth.
• Xu Qingtong’s Heavenly Fire Body-Tempering Art reached perfection in its second level, and the lightning tempered the five divine seals without damaging them.
• The tribulation clouds dispersed, and seven-colored radiance descended upon Xu Qingtong and Yu Tiancheng.

After Yu Tiancheng survived his Minor Heavenly Tribulation and formed a Golden Core, Xu Qingtong absorbed the immortal light and gained insights into the five elements. He broke through to the ninth layer of Qi Refining, but his fully liquefied Spiritual Power left him puzzled because he had not reached Foundation Establishment.

• Xu Qingtong absorbed the immortal light while Yu Tiancheng completed the tribulation, and his Heavenly Fire Body-Tempering Art advanced to the third level.
• Yu Tiancheng formed his Golden Core, thanked those who had guarded him, and returned to his cave abode to consolidate his cultivation.
• Xu Qingtong returned to his cave abode, contemplated the five elements, and saw his Dao Heart Seed divide into five lights that joined his Five Elements Divine Seals.
• Xu Qingtong used five high-grade spirit stones and the Spirit-Gathering Formation to cultivate until he broke through to the ninth layer of Qi Refining.
• Xu Qingtong stabilized his cultivation over a month and discovered that his Spiritual Power had liquefied, though he had not advanced to Foundation Establishment.

Xu Qingtong received a mission from Dongfang Jin to invite Azure Sea Gate’s Sect Master Mu to his master’s Core Formation ceremony, and he set out with Dongfang Hui. After they stopped in a market town to eat wontons, they realized neither of them had any silver to pay.

• Dongfang Hui visited Xu Qingtong and reassured him that she trusted his love for her, despite his closeness with Third Senior Sister Du.
• Dongfang Jin tasked Xu Qingtong with delivering an invitation to Azure Sea Gate and ordered him to return in time for his master’s ceremony.
• Xu Qingtong asked to bring Dongfang Hui, and Dongfang Jin agreed and gave her a low-grade Spirit Artifact flying sword.
• After Dongfang Hui refined the sword, Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui left Gloomwind Valley and flew north together.
• The pair stopped at a market town for wontons, then discovered they had no silver to pay the vendor.

Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui stopped for the night in Worryfree Valley, where they shared a tender moment before sensing nearby cultivators and hiding. After the strangers passed, Xu Qingtong kept watch, and Xiao Qi warned him that the area was heavy with yin energy.

• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui left the market town and, after finding no lodging, made a shelter in a hillside cave in Worryfree Valley.
• Dongfang Hui recalled their time together in Mist Valley, and she and Xu Qingtong kissed until his Dao Heart Seed cleared his mind and he stopped them because neither had reached Foundation Establishment.
• Xu Qingtong sensed approaching cultivators and told Dongfang Hui to use the Turtle Breath Technique; they hid as two groups passed, speaking of their hauls and returning to Worryfree Valley.
• Dongfang Hui thought one of the cultivators sounded familiar, while Xu Qingtong decided to keep watch instead of extending his divine sense too far.
• Xiao Qi told Xu Qingtong that the area was heavy with yin energy.

Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui delivered an invitation to Azure Sea Gate for Yu Tiancheng’s Golden Core ceremony, then hurried back toward Gloomwind Valley. In Worryfree Valley, Xiao Qi sensed heavy yin energy, and Xu Qingtong discovered a village family of four dead inside their home.

• Xiao Qi told Xu Qingtong that it had advanced to the second tier and sensed heavy yin energy nearby.
• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui reached Azure Sea Gate and invited Sect Master Mu Ze to Yu Tiancheng’s Golden Core ceremony.
• Mu Ze accepted the invitation and offered Xu Qingtong a chance to stay, but Xu Qingtong declined and left with Dongfang Hui.
• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui flew past their previous campsite and headed toward a village to find shelter for the night.
• Xiao Qi warned Xu Qingtong that the village had heavy yin energy, and Xu Qingtong discovered that all four members of a household were dead.
• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui entered the home and lit its dark main room with a Glowstone.

Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui discovered that every household in a village had been killed without visible injuries, then fled when a Foundation Establishment middle-stage pursuer detected them. Xu Qingtong stayed behind to fight the black-robed man, and his Talisman Treasure cut through the man's summoned monster and continued toward him.

• Xu Qingtong and Dongfang Hui found a dead couple and their two children, all apparently killed without wounds, and discovered that the other households were dead as well.
• Xu Qingtong sensed a powerful divine sense probing him, so he and Dongfang Hui fled south on their flying swords.
• Xu Qingtong ordered Dongfang Hui to return to Gloomwind Valley while he held off the pursuer, and she reluctantly sped away.
• Xu Qingtong faced the black-robed man, who attacked with black vapor, while Xu Qingtong defended himself with the Houtu Seal and Zhurong Seal.
• Xu Qingtong launched his Talisman Treasure as the black-robed man released a vial's yin baleful monster; the silver sword sliced the monster in two and kept flying toward the man.

Xu Qingtong defeated a Ghost Cultivator, escaped to Gloomwind Valley, and learned from Yu Tiancheng that his captured Soul Refining Pot was a ghost-path artifact. As Gloomwind Valley considered the danger, Worryfree Valley debated striking first, leaving both sects preparing for a possible conflict.

• Xu Qingtong and Xiao Qi attacked the Man in Black, who lost his body but escaped as a black shadow; Xu Qingtong recovered the Soul Refining Pot and flew toward Gloomwind Valley.
• Xu Qingtong met Dongfang Jin and Yu Tiancheng, recounted the attack, and returned with Yu Tiancheng to Swallowtail Peak.
• Yu Tiancheng identified the little bottle as the Soul Refining Pot and warned Xu Qingtong not to use it for immoral deeds.
• Wang Kunshan and Worryfree Valley’s advisers debated whether to attack Gloomwind Valley, and Wang Kunshan left to consult the Venerable Lord.
• Yu Tiancheng told Dongfang Jin that Worryfree Valley might have turned to the ghost path and urged him to prepare.

Worryfree Valley’s Wang Kunshan led a force to attack Gloomwind Valley after the sect discovered his soul-sacrificing scheme. With Dongfang Jin away, Fang Tianqi organized the defense, and the chapter ended as Gloomwind Valley’s cultivators charged out to fight.

• Fang Tianqi activated Gloomwind Valley’s Sect-Protecting Grand Array after scouts reported black-clad attackers outside the valley.
• Wang Kunshan and his Ghost Cultivators used the Nine Yin Sky-Eroding Formation to damage the array with a Torch Dragon formed from trapped souls.
• Wang Kunshan revealed that he had sacrificed a city’s people to reach the Golden Core stage and demanded Gloomwind Valley swear allegiance to him and the Venerable Lord.
• Fang Tianqi assigned Yu Tiancheng to hold off Wang Kunshan and deployed the other cultivators to fight the attackers.
• Xu Qingtong joined Gloomwind Valley’s force as it charged out of the array, and Wang Kunshan sent a skull of black vapor toward Yu Tiancheng.

Xu Qingtong helped Gloomwind Valley defeat Worryfree Valley’s attack and offered Yu Tiancheng heavenly sound bamboo for a life-bound treasure. After Dongfang Jin returned injured, Yu Tiancheng followed him into the valley, leaving Xu Qingtong worried.

• Xu Qingtong used the Goumang Seal to help Qu Tianyi and Guo Tianyu kill their opponents, then joined them in defeating more black-clad cultivators.
• Wang Kunshan used his bronze mirror to summon a Nine Yin against Yu Tiancheng, but Dongfang Jin arrived and forced Wang Kunshan and the surviving attackers to retreat.
• Xu Qingtong warned Yu Tiancheng that Worryfree Valley might be testing them or buying time, then gave him heavenly sound bamboo for a life-bound treasure.
• Dongfang Jin returned to Gloomwind Valley bedraggled and injured, and Yu Tiancheng escorted him to his cave abode.
• Dongfang Jin coughed up blood and slumped as Yu Tiancheng was about to question him.

Xu Qingtong studied the ghost path and learned that chaos was approaching, while Elder Dong offered to help him leave for safety. Xu Qingtong chose to stay in Gloomwind Valley and prepared to counter ghost cultivators, ending with a plan based on the Soul Refining Pot and the Soul-Breaking Awl.

• Dongfang Jin told Yu Tiancheng that an evil cultivator had ambushed and badly wounded him, leaving the sect’s defense to Yu Tiancheng and Tianqi for six months.
• Xu Qingtong studied the ghost path in the Library Pavilion and searched for ways to defend against attacks on the soul.
• Elder Dong warned Xu Qingtong that chaos was coming, offered to help him leave, and gave him a jade slip; Xu Qingtong chose to stay for the people he cared about.
• Xu Qingtong exchanged for materials, asked Yu Tiancheng about Elder Dong, and gave his master a copy of the Blood Refining art to consider for refining his natal treasure.
• Xu Qingtong read Elder Dong’s jade slip and formed a plan to use the Soul Refining Pot and Soul-Breaking Awl against ghost cultivators.

After learning that Old Dong had taken Dongfang Hui to Central Province, Xu Qingtong prepared magical artifacts to defend against ghost cultivators and strengthened Xiao Qi. He remained determined to grow stronger, and gave Gong Chu a piece of Soul-Calming Jade.

• Xu Qingtong refined Soul-Piercing Nails and brought them to Yu Tiancheng, who told him that Old Dong had left with Dongfang Hui.
• Xu Qingtong learned that reaching Central Province was perilous, then accepted Yu Tiancheng's warning to cultivate before attempting to leave.
• Xu Qingtong refined the Soul Refining Pot and let Xiao Qi swallow the Man in Black's yin soul instead of turning it into a yin baleful spirit.
• Xu Qingtong returned to the Earthfire Chamber to refine Soul-Calming Jade and more Soul-Piercing Nails.
• Gong Chu visited Xu Qingtong, and Xu Qingtong gave him a piece of Soul-Calming Jade that could protect against attacks on the soul.