Chapter Summaries

Reinforcements from across the Nine Provinces gathered in Tengchong City, where Han Yu learned that Li Ping'an had summoned them. As Liu Yun waited for Li Ping'an, he entered and invited everyone to discuss matters over a meal.

• Han Yu woke to find Tengchong City had held and returned, wounded, to join the gathering of the allied powers.
• Ye Liang told Han Yu that Li Ping'an had summoned the reinforcements and warned him to address Li as Mr. Li.
• Gu Xizhou and Qingfeng traded familiar insults while old friends and allies reunited and talked among themselves.
• Liu Yun waited for Li Ping'an as the gathered leaders exchanged remarks and settled into the conference hall.
• Li Ping'an entered and invited everyone to talk over a meal.

Li Ping'an reunited with his allies in Tengchong City, where Liu Yun explained that their forces could only delay the Demon Race without reinforcements. As snow fell, everyone departed to defend the city, exchanging promises to return safely.

• Li Ping'an welcomed his reunited friends over a meal, and Liu Yun warned that their forces alone could not withstand the Demon Race indefinitely.
• Liu Yun revealed that she had brought Great Sui cavalry and Imperial Astronomy Bureau disciples despite opposition, while Lin Xiao, Run Tu, and Master Zhong pledged reinforcements from Great Xia, Shushan, and Huailu Academy.
• Qingfeng urged the group to summon Qi Province's sect leaders, and Jing Yu asked how many demons were sealed beneath the Wushan Grand Array.
• After sharing a crude poem in the falling snow, the allies exchanged farewells and left to defend their assigned gates.
• Liu Yun asked Li Ping'an to return safely, and he returned the wish.

The Demon Race launched a renewed assault on Tengchong City, using war banners to strengthen its troops while the defenders fought to hold the walls. Li Ping'an was lured into an ambush by several powerful demons, but faced them without fear.

• Demon Saint Feilian and the other commanders argued over their next assault, then issued new orders while Feilian stayed back from the fighting.
• The demon army attacked Tengchong City, and Jing Yu, Changqing, Aliya, Zhao Ling'er, Ye Liang, and the city’s gunners fought to repel it.
• Demon banners empowered the attacking demons as they battered the city gates and walls.
• Li Ping'an and Qingfeng responded to reports of great demons, killing them to ease the pressure on the defenders.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox arrived at a reported demon attack and found a dying cultivator, then discovered a great demon Sword Cultivator, a Flood Dragon, a Giant Spirit God, and a Two-Headed Man waiting to ambush them.
• The Two-Headed Man warned Li Ping'an that no one would come to help, but Li Ping'an declared that killing them would be easy.

Li Ping'an fought off an ambush of great demons in Tengchong City, revealing an array of powerful techniques and defeating the attackers with Old Ox's help. Demon Saint Feilian learned that Li Ping'an was likely a Heaven's Punishment One, while Demon Saint Jimeng prepared to join the next attack.

• The two-headed man lured a powerful cultivator into an ambush, but Li Ping'an arrived instead of Qingfeng.
• Li Ping'an used the White Jade Capital Pagoda, boxing, Confucian formation techniques, and the Fusang Saber to fight the great demons, while Old Ox charged the Giant Spirit God.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox defeated the ambush, leaving the Flood Dragon pinned, the Giant Spirit God headless, and the two-headed man near death.
• Li Ping'an sent a warning that great demons were laying ambushes, while Old Ox searched the battlefield for treasure.
• Demon Saint Feilian learned that Tengchong City had gained an Eighth Realm-level cultivator who might be a Heaven's Punishment One.
• Demon Saint Jimeng declared that he would join the next attack.

On the fifth day of the siege, Demon Sage Jumeng flooded Tengchong City and overwhelmed the defenders at Nanchong Gate. Yan Shisan broke through at the brink of death, but Jumeng defeated him before Qingfeng, Gu Xizhou, and Li Ping'an arrived to confront the Demon Sage.

• As the fog covered Tengchong City, the Octopus Swordsman sensed the sea approaching Nanchong Gate.
• Jumeng flooded the gate with seawater, sweeping away human defenders and demon troops alike.
• Jumeng appeared and struck down the Octopus Swordsman, Wen Tao, and Yan Shisan, while Liu Kan attacked him and was badly injured.
• Yan Shisan broke through during the fight and shielded Liu Kan, but Jumeng defeated him and prepared to swallow him.
• Qingfeng struck Jumeng, Gu Xizhou rescued Yan Shisan, and Li Ping'an arrived as they surrounded the Demon Sage.

Demon Saint Jumeng trapped Li Ping'an, Gu Xizhou, and Qingfeng in separate realms while Feilian unleashed a sword array against Tengchong City. As the array overwhelmed the defenders, several cultivators died or were wounded trying to break it, and a pair of renowned sword-wielding Dao companions entered the fray.

• Jumeng trapped Li Ping'an, Gu Xizhou, and Qingfeng in a small world, dividing them among the mortal realm, heaven, and the underworld.
• With the three leading fighters gone, the demon army attacked Tengchong City while two Great Confucians strained to maintain its defensive array.
• Feilian deployed a sword array that reversed the flow of energy around Tengchong City and threatened to destroy its defenses.
• A Sword Cultivator and a cultivator with a Dharma Body Golden Form died trying to break the sword array, while only three of more than ten Zhengyang Gate Daoists escaped alive.
• A renowned pair of Dao companions wielding the Nobleman's Sword and the Jade Maiden Sword entered the array and fought its attacks together.

Ye Liang and the cultivators entered Feilian’s Sword Formation to fight the demons while Li Ping'an, Gu Xizhou, and Qingfeng remained trapped in Jumeng’s Minor World. Li Ping'an opened a brief escape route for Gu Xizhou and Qingfeng, then called Old Ox to take his place as Jumeng confronted him.

• Ye Liang rescued the cultivation partners from Feilian’s Sword Formation, then Changqing, Jing Yu, and other cultivators entered the formation to fight.
• Pang Jun stayed outside the formation, ashamed that his cultivation was too weak to join the others.
• Li Ping'an proposed breaking Jumeng’s Minor World so Gu Xizhou and Qingfeng could return to the battlefield, and he used White Jade Capital Suppression to create a fleeting breach.
• Gu Xizhou and Qingfeng escaped the Minor World and hurried toward Tengchong City, while Old Ox seized the opening and entered.
• Jumeng reunited his three incarnations and faced Li Ping'an, who called out for Old Ox to take his place.

Human Cultivators sacrificed themselves to break through the sword array and clear a path for Ye Liang. As Feilian’s array pressed in, Ye Liang fought toward its core, declaring that the Demon Slayers still lived through his disciple.

• Changqing held open a passage with the array diagram while Jing Yu led Cultivators deeper into the sword array.
• Qin Shi prepared to sacrifice himself, but Zhao Luhu of Zhengyang Gate struck first, destroying his treasures and detonating his Golden Core to clear the way.
• Cultivators from different sects gave their lives to open the path, while Feilian disturbed Ye Liang’s thoughts through the lake of his mind.
• Several Cultivators shielded Ye Liang from Sword Qi, giving him time to summon the Demon Slayers’ Flying Swords and challenge the array’s central sword.
• Ye Liang told Feilian that the Demon Slayers were not extinct because he still had a disciple, then broke through toward the array’s core as Feilian retreated.
• Ye Liang looked back at the young Cultivators who had died for him and laughed, his spirit soaring as he pressed on.

Ye Liang sacrificed himself to cripple Feilian’s sword array, and Han Yu mourned his master as the human Cultivators attacked. With the array shattered and Feilian poised to kill the survivors, Qin Shi blocked his strike, and Qingfeng and Gu Xizhou returned to the battlefield.

• Ye Liang destroyed nearly half of Feilian’s Grand Array by detonating more than ten Demon-Slaying Swords, dying with his Dao extinguished.
• Han Yu knelt and bid farewell to Demon Slayer Ye Liang while Cultivators attacked the weakened array.
• Jing Yu fought his way to Feilian and struck at him, but Feilian knocked away his sword.
• Qin Shi struck Feilian from behind, and Cultivators including two female fighters joined the assault.
• At daybreak, the Grand Array shattered and Feilian appeared in his true form; Qin Shi used his last-resort Art to block Feilian’s attack.
• Qingfeng and Gu Xizhou returned after Li Ping'an held off Demon Sage Jumeng, then attacked Feilian.

Li Ping'an endured Jumeng’s attacks in the Minor World while he and Old Ox tried to stall the Demon Sage. Jumeng failed to break either of them and turned back to Li Ping'an, leaving the fight ongoing.

• Li Ping'an fought Jumeng with his fists, relying on his endurance rather than his weapons and treasures.
• Li Ping'an escaped Jumeng’s sudden attack and fled into a Bamboo Forest, where Old Ox’s formation delayed Jumeng briefly.
• Jumeng chased Old Ox to force Li Ping'an to intervene, but Li Ping'an calmly replenished his strength instead.
• Old Ox survived Jumeng’s attacks by burrowing out from beneath two mountains, then endured repeated falls and water strikes while cursing Jumeng.
• Jumeng abandoned his pursuit of Old Ox and returned to attack Li Ping'an.

Li Ping'an damaged Jumeng's projected Minor World with the White Jade Capital and began releasing its treasured swords against him. After Jumeng endured a barrage of Sword Qi, Li Ping'an prepared a final sword to kill him.

• Li Ping'an grew stronger as he fought Jumeng, while Old Ox repeatedly charged and was knocked back.
• Jumeng projected his Minor World into reality and unleashed a decisive attack, but Li Ping'an summoned the White Jade Capital and shattered the collapsing realm.
• Li Ping'an awakened the White Jade Capital's power, and its first treasured sword broke through Jumeng's ice walls and shield.
• Li Ping'an released more swords, filling the battlefield with Sword Qi as Jumeng focused on fighting the blades and suffered severe wounds.
• Li Ping'an halted the flying swords and declared that the next sword would slay Jumeng.

Gu Xizhou and Qingfeng tore through the Demon Race’s formation, overwhelming its fighters and commanders. Qingfeng killed two Eighth Realm greater demons, leaving the demon army’s rear exposed.

• Gu Xizhou traded blows with Feilian, shrugged off attacks from the other demons, and kept pressing the Sword Cultivator.
• Jing Yu was carried from the battlefield and insisted that Changqing be treated first, until he learned his own lower body might become necrotic.
• Qingfeng charged through the demon army, wounded two pure Martial Warriors, and carved a thousand-foot trench through its battle line.
• Qingfeng confronted a greater demon with a scepter and crushed an Eighth Realm demon and its silver spear beneath the Dao Lord Bishop's Seal.
• Qingfeng drew a rune-covered short saber, absorbed the other Eighth Realm demon's Sword Qi, and cut the demon in two.

Qingfeng and Gu Xizhou struggled to hold Tengchong City against the demon army’s relentless assault, while Empress Liu Yun received no help from the Imperial Astronomy Bureau. Li Ping'an arrived at last with the White Jade Capital and ten Flying Swords, but Jumeng was nowhere to be seen.

• Demon cultivators bombarded the defenders by detonating their Demon Cores, while Gu Xizhou dropped a mountain on the advancing troops and Qingfeng killed a demon controlling corpses.
• Qingfeng warned Gu Xizhou that the demon assault would not end, but Feilian avoided fighting him directly as he waited for Jumeng.
• The Imperial Astronomy Bureau Director refused Liu Yun’s request for help, arguing that Great Sui should let Qi Province fall and preserve its strength for the opportunity that followed.
• Li Ping'an arrived from the sky with the White Jade Capital in his palm and ten golden Flying Swords, surprising Feilian, who wondered where Jumeng was.

Li Ping'an arrived at the battlefield with the White Jade Capital and revealed that he had slain the Demon Saint Jumeng, then unleashed its flying swords against the demon army. As Li Ping'an faltered under the strain, Dragon-Tiger Mountain's old Celestial Master took over and struck the demons with lightning from the White Jade Capital.

• Li Ping'an descended with the White Jade Capital, interrupting the demon army's advance as Gu Xizhou struck Feilian during his moment of distraction.
• Li Ping'an displayed Jumeng's severed head on the demon army's banner, shocking the demons and revealing that he had killed the Demon Saint.
• Li Ping'an sent a giant golden flying sword through the demon army, destroying defenses and killing or wounding many demons.
• Li Ping'an began bleeding from his orifices as the White Jade Capital's strain slowed the flying swords, and Old Ox fed him a pill.
• Dragon-Tiger Mountain's old Celestial Master joined Li Ping'an, took command of the White Jade Capital, and unleashed lightning that reduced demons to dust.

Li Ping'an raised the White Jade Capital to eleven floors, helping the defenders break the Mist Forest demons’ assault on Tengchong City. After reinforcements arrived and the siege turned against the demons, he remained on the tower while the wounded recovered and the battle neared its end.

• The old Celestial Master unleashed Water-Shaped Lightning against the demon army and asked Li Ping'an whether he could keep holding up the White Jade Capital.
• Li Ping'an said he was fine and raised the White Jade Capital from ten floors to eleven, then joined the old Celestial Master in striking the demons with their swords.
• Gu Xizhou and Qingfeng rejoined the fight, and cultivators in Tengchong City attacked as the demon army fell into chaos.
• Great Xia cavalry and cultivators from across Qi Province arrived as reinforcements, turning the prolonged battle against the demons.
• Half a month later, the defenders had repaired the Grand Array and the Mist Forest demons were close to defeat, while Li Ping'an continued sustaining the White Jade Capital without rest.
• Li Ping'an rested at the tower’s summit, surveyed his recovering companions, and reflected that his efforts had been worthwhile.

After Tengchong City sealed the Demon Race in the Mist Forest, Li Ping'an invited Han Yu to travel with him, but Han Yu chose to remain behind and guard the forest. Li Ping'an returned to a chaotic Tengchong City to see off the friends who had helped in the war.

• Qingfeng and Gu Xizhou gravely wounded Demon Saint Feilian, and Li Ping'an struck him again as he fled into the Mist Forest.
• Liu Yun led Tengchong City's counterattack, and Han Yu reactivated the Demon Slayers Grand Array to seal the Demon Race away.
• Li Ping'an asked Han Yu what he would do next and offered to let him travel along while he decided.
• Han Yu chose to stay by the Mist Forest and guard against the Demon Race's return, and he and Li Ping'an exchanged farewells.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox walked through Tengchong City, where cultivators argued over whether Li Ping'an belonged to Dragon-Tiger Mountain or Shushan.

After the Demon Race retreated, Li Ping'an said farewell to his friends and allies as they prepared to leave Tengchong City. He departed two days later with Old Ox and Jiaze, while the old Celestial Master remained unconscious.

• Li Ping'an gave Qin Shi pastries as Qin Shi prepared to take the unconscious old Celestial Master back to Dragon-Tiger Mountain.
• Li Ping'an visited his friends: Jing Yu planned to leave with Liu Yun and the Great Sui officials, Wang Yi and Ling'er planned to leave soon, and Pang Jun stayed in Tengchong City with his disciples.
• Li Ping'an comforted Run Tu as the Shushan disciples prepared to depart, and Run Tu clung to his leg and cried out to him.
• Li Ping'an waited for Liu Yun, then gave her pickles and discussed his plans to keep traveling; the Director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau tried to recruit him, but Liu Yun intervened.
• Li Ping'an told Liu Yun he would leave in two days, then departed Tengchong City with Old Ox and Jiaze.

At a practitioners’ black-market eatery, Liu Manzi embellished his account of the battle at Tengchong City and claimed friendship with Li Ping'an. Li Ping'an then arrived with Black Ox and Jiaze, gained entry by showing Jiaze’s demon form, and ordered steamed Reeves's shad.

• Liu Manzi arrived at the eatery, where patrons welcomed him and asked about the battle at Tengchong City.
• Liu Manzi recounted the Demon Race’s resurgence and boasted that he had seen the Great Sui Empress, witnessed Li Ping'an slay Demon Saint Jimeng, and shared a drink with Li Ping'an.
• The burly doorman stopped Li Ping'an because he sensed no spirit qi and said only practitioners could enter.
• Li Ping'an told Jiaze to transform, and the biao’s demon form frightened the doorman into letting them in.
• Li Ping'an entered with Black Ox and Jiaze and ordered steamed Reeves's shad and several other dishes.

Li Ping'an ate at an eatery, listened as Liu Manzi exaggerated their supposed friendship, and arranged to exchange pills for Spirit Stones and silver. After returning to his room, Li Ping'an planned his travels with Old Ox and began refining pills.

• Li Ping'an overheard Liu Manzi telling others that they were close friends, but he stayed quiet and continued eating.
• Liu Manzi approached Li Ping'an to offer his services as a local broker, not realizing that Li Ping'an was the man he had bragged about knowing.
• Li Ping'an agreed to meet Liu Manzi the next day to exchange more than twenty third- and fourth-grade pills for Spirit Stones and silver.
• Li Ping'an returned to his room, reviewed his map of the Nine Provinces with Old Ox, and began refining pills with his old Cauldron Furnace.

After Liu Manzi was ambushed, he helped Li Ping'an pawn his pills for a low price, and Li Ping'an spent the money on food before settling in to fish. Taking Li Suowei's advice, Li Ping'an headed toward the eastern outskirts, where a spirit catfish had a bounty on it.

• Two masked attackers struck Liu Manzi in the back, and people at the restaurant mocked him after he claimed he could handle them himself.
• Li Ping'an gave Liu Manzi over thirty low-quality pills to pawn, and the man behind the counter paid only seven hundred low-grade spirit stones.
• Li Ping'an exchanged some spirit stones for ordinary money, bought food, and returned to relax with Old Ox and Jiaze.
• Li Ping'an fished by the river while cultivating in his Minor World, but he fell asleep and caught nothing.
• Li Suowei told Li Ping'an that the Yongding River in the eastern outskirts had more fish, so Li Ping'an set out there with Old Ox.
• Li Suowei knew a spirit catfish had appeared in the Yongding River and that a bounty had been posted for it.