Chapter Summaries

Bao Cong and Pei Jing attended the lavish Wine-Cup Dharma Assembly on Stone Drum Peak, where they discovered the great clans were offering valuable scenic radiance rosy cloud and that two Great True Persons would preside. Chen Heng arrived at the gathering and greeted Xie Huizhai, Mi Hui, and Qiao Rui.

• Bao Cong and Pei Jing reached Stone Drum Peak and received jade cases containing scenic radiance rosy cloud from a respectful Xie clan servant.
• Pei Jing suspected the Wine-Cup Dharma Assembly had a hidden instigator, but Bao Cong accepted the gift and continued to the summit with him.
• Bao Cong and Pei Jing learned that Xie Clan True Person Mingyou and an elder of the Yuchen Upper Sect would jointly preside over the assembly.
• Xie Tang told Xie Huizhai that the clan’s support and Chen Heng’s expected arrival should satisfy him, while Xie Huizhai lamented that his actions carried the clan’s mark.
• Chen Heng entered the hall, exchanged greetings with Xie Huizhai and Mi Hui, and then greeted Qiao Rui.

At a banquet hosted by the Xie Clan, Elder Huo and True Person Mingyou displayed their powerful Dharma Forms before joining the festivities. Elder Huo then proposed a martial test using Qi Soldiers, and he chose Mi Hui to lead the charge.

• Chen Heng spoke with Qiao Rui and learned from the World-Escaping Shuttle about the political rift within the Qiao Clan.
• Elder Huo and True Person Mingyou appeared after their Dharma Forms clashed above Yueheng Peak, then began the banquet with music and dancing.
• Elder Huo proposed testing the disciples’ cultivation, and True Person Mingyou agreed after Elder Huo introduced the Light-Concealing Spirit-Evolving Diagram and its Qi Soldiers.
• Elder Huo selected Mi Hui to lead the charge in the Qi Soldier contest.

Mi Hui won one Qi Soldier bout before losing, while Sima Quantong defeated a string of renowned disciples and challenged the Four Courts’ leading fighters. Elder Huo called on Chen Heng to face him, and Chen Heng accepted, leaving the contest set for their match.

• Elder Huo summoned Mi Hui and Xie Yu to fight with Foundation Establishment Qi Soldiers, and Mi Hui defeated Xie Yu before losing to another aristocratic disciple.
• Sima Quantong entered the contest, quickly defeated Wu Yu, and then narrowly beat Qian Zhen and several other renowned disciples.
• Sima Quantong mocked the title of Crown of the Four Courts and challenged Xie Su, Chen Heng, and Deng Ji to respond.
• Deng Ji rose in anger, but Elder Huo warned him that he was not yet Sima Quantong’s match.
• Elder Huo invoked Chen Heng’s desire to one day challenge Chen Jade Pivot and asked him to join the combat arts contest.
• Chen Heng accepted and rose to face Sima Quantong.

Chen Heng defeated Sima Quantong with a feigned lapse, then challenged the gathered great-clan disciples to last a quarter of an hour against him and defeated them one after another. Elder Huo named him the sect’s new “Combat Arts Victor,” while True Person Mingyou concealed his hostility.

• Chen Heng used the flying shuttle to exploit Sima Quantong’s opening and behead his Qi Soldier, winning their contest.
• True Person Mingyou considered killing Chen Heng but refrained, while Elder Huo warned him through an allusion to Dìpóluó and the Heavenly Venerable.
• A great-clan disciple who focused on defense was defeated in fewer than fifty exchanges, and Chen Heng challenged anyone present to last a quarter of an hour against him.
• Jiang Tongyuan, Wei Yang, Xie Tang, Liu Jing, Ji Zhan, Yang Bomaо, Ai Chong, Qiao Ti, Xie Huizhai, and other great-clan talents failed to withstand Chen Heng for the required time.
• Elder Huo celebrated Chen Heng as the new “Combat Arts Victor,” and True Person Mingyou forced himself to respond with a smile.

After Chen Heng’s victories in the qi-soldier contests earned him the title “Combat Arts Victor,” he left a gathering that turned into a revel and heard Xie Huizhai’s desperate plea for mercy. As Chen Heng flew back toward his Cave Abode, he sensed a deadly threat from the unfamiliar Daoist accompanying Mi Hui and recognized him as a Human Puppet.

• Elder Huo praised Chen Heng’s performance, ended his contests, and departed with True Person Mingyou.
• After the elders left, Xie Huizhai arranged for beautiful men and women, including nonhuman demons, to entertain the remaining guests; Chen Heng and Qiao Rui left the hall.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle discussed Chen Heng’s new title and urged him to refine the artifact, while Chen Heng explained that his cultivation was still too low to do so quickly.
• Xie Huizhai summoned Chen Heng to a side hall, begged him to spare his life and Xie Tang in the future, and left a Jade Casket with him.
• As Chen Heng flew toward Lingyin Peak, he saw Mi Hui approaching with an unfamiliar Daoist and recognized the stranger as a Human Puppet.

Chen Heng discovered that Li Feibai was an unwitting human puppet created by Chen Jade Pivot, and learned that Li Feibai’s name belonged to the World-Escaping Shuttle’s former master. After Chen Heng kept the secret, Chen Jade Pivot sensed him from afar and declared him worthy of being his own flesh and blood.

• Chen Heng recognized that Li Feibai practiced the human-puppet art, and the World-Escaping Shuttle warned him that the Dao art could enable surveillance and attacks through a puppet.
• Mi Hui introduced Chen Heng to Li Feibai, who thanked Chen Heng for being named the victor of the magical combat and invited him to drink.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle recognized Li Feibai’s name as that of its former master, White Rogue Person, and reacted with fury at the apparent usurpation.
• After the gathering, Li Feibai asked what Chen Heng sought through cultivation, and Chen Heng answered that he sought immortal freedom.
• Chen Heng learned that Li Feibai was a human puppet created by Chen Jade Pivot, while Li Feibai’s childhood grievances and personal history had been genuine; the World-Escaping Shuttle warned Chen Heng to keep the discovery secret.
• Chen Jade Pivot opened his eyes after sensing Chen Heng and praised him as his own flesh and blood, while Yue You wondered whether he intended to recruit him.

Chen Jade Pivot considered pushing Chen Heng toward corruption while boasting of his power, but his defiance of the Heavenly Lord brought down another storm of punishment. Chen Chan prepared to travel to the Eastern Sea, while Chen Heng experienced a sudden insight at Golden Court Mountain.

• Chen Jade Pivot decided to withdraw Li Feibai from Changying Court and reflected that Chen Heng might become like his former self if pushed into despair.
• Chen Jade Pivot revealed the Six Demon Sects’ gathered destiny and challenged the Heavenly Lord, provoking a devastating assault of golden lightning and fire on the Grotto-Heaven.
• Chen Chan told Chen Zhi that their mother was likely still alive and warned her to stay secluded and be wary of Zhuang Si while Chen Chan traveled to the Eastern Sea.
• Two months later, Chen Heng sensed an insight while studying the Doushu Heavenly King Divine Sect Jade Book and began forming hand seals.

Chen Heng reached the threshold of the Purple Mansion by cultivating the Four Mountains Combat Art, then prepared to strengthen Yin-Eroding Red Water before facing lightning tribulation. The World-Escaping Shuttle warned him about the dangers of his plans and suggested he seek an opportunity in the Eastern Sea after visiting the Flowing Fire Grand Transformation Grotto-Heaven.

• Chen Heng manifested the four mountains in the One True Dharma Realm and found the Heavenly Pass Gate, but failed to fully form Sparrow Entry Mountain and suffered a backlash.
• Chen Heng rebuilt his Mind Image after destroying it to recover from the backlash, then spent more time cultivating until he could manifest all four mountains with near-perfect realism.
• Chen Heng returned to the Present World, and the World-Escaping Shuttle realized he had found the Heavenly Pass Gate but had not yet undergone the Purple Mansion lightning tribulation.
• Chen Heng said he would cultivate Yin-Eroding Red Water to middle completion before facing the tribulation, while the World-Escaping Shuttle told him that Li Feibai had left Changying Court on a demon-slaying assignment.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle accused Chen Heng of entering the Flowing Fire Grand Transformation Grotto-Heaven to gain cultivation time and prepare for the Lower Court tournament six years later, and Chen Heng admitted he had no choice but to pursue what he needed.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle warned that the damaged Grotto-Heaven would soon be downgraded to a Blessed Land, then suggested Chen Heng try his luck in the Eastern Sea afterward.

Chen Heng learned that he could seek a grotto-heaven by entering the Eastern Sea Dragon Lord’s selection of sons-in-law, where success would earn the Dragon Clan’s support without requiring marriage. He agreed to compete despite the danger, while Du Master Xie Yu reacted with alarm elsewhere.

• Chen Heng realized the damaged Flowing Fire Grand Transformation Grotto-Heaven would not give him enough time to reach Cavern Mystery before the Four Courts Grand Competition.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle proposed borrowing a grotto-heaven from the Eastern Sea Dragon Clan and explained his connection to the dragon Ao Danqiu.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle revealed that the Dragon Lord’s daughters were of marriageable age and suggested Chen Heng seek a marriage alliance for access to a grotto-heaven.
• Chen Heng refused to marry against his wishes and pressed the World-Escaping Shuttle for another way to borrow a grotto-heaven.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle explained that Chen Heng could compete in the selection, earn the Dragon Lord’s recognition, and owe the Dragon Clan a favor without marrying.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle noted that Jun Yao had first distinguished himself at the Dragon Lord’s selection before a Jadechen High Immortal brought him to the Mountain Gate, while Du Master Xie Yu smashed his teacup in alarm at Ruyi Peak.

Xie Yu learned that the clan did not expect him to kill Chen Heng, but wanted him to stay out of the way until Jun Yao died within seven days. Five days later, Chen Heng completed his cultivation of Yin-Eroding Red Water and went to a secluded hill to undergo tribulation and establish his Purple Mansion.

• A clan messenger told Xie Yu that killing Chen Heng would earn him Xie Gong's duties, and Xie Yu feared that remaining in Eastern Maitreya Province would leave him exposed to Jun Yao.
• The boy revealed that the clan had divined Jun Yao would die within seven days, so Xie Yu agreed to stay in Changyou and avoid drawing attention to the planned attack on Chen Heng.
• The boy gave Xie Yu a letter explaining the clan's plan and praised him for his willingness to obey; after the boy left, Xie Yu wondered who would succeed Jun Yao as Dao Scion.
• Five days later, Chen Heng completed the Middle Completion Realm of Yin-Eroding Red Water, gathering 365 drops corresponding to a Greater Celestial Circuit.
• Chen Heng instructed Tu Shan Ge, flew to a secluded hill, drove away its creatures, and sat down to prepare for his tribulation.

Chen Heng opened his Purple Mansion and manifested a supreme deep-sea golden flame, then survived the Little Pure Yang Thunder tribulation. After returning to his cave on Lingyin Peak, he discovered the Formless Lie Sword Cave had somehow taken up residence in his body.

• Chen Heng opened the Heavenly Pass Gate, entered his Purple Mansion, and achieved the manifestation of fire dwelling in the deep sea with yang flame shining through water.
• Chen Heng sensed that the Little Pure Yang Thunder tribulation had begun and wondered whether his cultivation helped Chen Jade Pivot dispel his calamities.
• Jiang Daolian and Xie Yu watched as Chen Heng endured the lightning bolts, with Xie Yu wishing the tribulation would kill him.
• Chen Heng blocked the eighth bolt with the Violet Maitreya Treasure Garment and met the final Golden Light Great Thunder with his Yin-Eroding Red Water.
• Chen Heng parted the smoke and lightning with Formless Power, saluted the onlookers, and flew away while Xie Yu grew more wary of him.
• Chen Heng returned to his cave on Lingyin Peak and realized the Formless Lie Sword Cave had taken up residence in his body.

Chen Heng discovered that a crimson sword in his Purple Mansion could be refined with sword qi from external talismans, then met Jun Yao, who revealed he was leaving for Outer Heaven to seek a way to survive. Jun Yao advised Chen Heng about his plans and future rivals, while the World-Escaping Shuttle asked who would succeed Jun Yao as Dao Scion.

• Chen Heng tested the crimson sword and found that sword qi from a Sword Talisman could strengthen it, giving him a way to speed its refinement.
• Jun Yao told Chen Heng he would be declared dead after leaving for Outer Heaven to seek help from Mei Gongxing, with only a twenty or thirty percent chance of success.
• Chen Heng explained his plans to enter the Flowing Fire Grand Transformation Grotto-Heaven and travel to the Eastern Sea for the Dragon Lord's selection; Jun Yao approved and named He Lizi, Shi You, and Wei Daofu as future rivals.
• Jun Yao advised Chen Heng not to marry the Dragon Lord's daughter if he hoped to contend for authority within the sect, and explained the Patriarchs' prejudice toward nonhuman beings.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle emerged from hiding and asked Jun Yao whether Zhang Taichu or Zhang Shou would succeed him as Dao Scion; Jun Yao said the question had been asked for Chen Heng's sake.

Jun Yao explained that Ji Fakai’s return from Suiyu Heaven would likely leave the Jade Dawn School’s Dao Scion position vacant, then gave Chen Heng a deadly ancient sword before departing. After Jun Yao vanished, Chen Heng identified the weapon as the Avici Sword, while Jun Yao encountered Patriarch Tong Xuan.

• Jun Yao told the World-Escaping Shuttle that Ji Fakai had returned to the Jade Dawn School and was too powerful for the other candidates, so the Dao Scion position would likely remain vacant for about a century.
• Jun Yao placed a fragment of the ancient Killing Sword in Chen Heng’s Purple Mansion, where its murderous influence tested Chen Heng’s resolve.
• Jun Yao departed after urging Chen Heng to persevere, and Chen Heng bowed farewell; three Sword Talismans and the Perfected Truth Seal appeared on the pavilion table.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle asked Chen Heng to refine him with the Perfected Truth Seal, and Chen Heng agreed to keep Jun Yao’s secrets.
• Chen Heng revealed that Jun Yao’s sword was named the Avici Sword.
• Jun Yao arrived in a mountainous forest and paid his respects to Patriarch Tong Xuan.

Jun Yao met Dao Lord Tong Xuan, who confirmed he had arranged for Chen Heng to become entangled with the great clans and offered to protect him. Tong Xuan urged Jun Yao to abandon the life-draining Whitewater Great Demon Spirit Curse Mantra, but Jun Yao refused, and news the next day declared him dead as the Yuchen Lower Court set out for the Flowing Fire Grand Transformation Grotto-Heaven.

• Jun Yao met Dao Lord Tong Xuan and learned that Tong Xuan had secretly arranged Chen Heng's placement to draw him into conflict with the Twelve Great Clans.
• Tong Xuan promised to protect Chen Heng and revealed that Jun Yao had nearly given him even greater gifts, including the Yuandu Demon-Slaying Sword, because of a promise to Chen Yan.
• Tong Xuan conveyed Weiling's warning that Jun Yao might not survive his journey to Mei Gongxing and urged him to give up the Whitewater Great Demon Spirit Curse Mantra, but Jun Yao refused because Chen Yan had begun speaking to him again.
• Jun Yao vowed to keep living with Chen Yan, while Tong Xuan warned him to be cautious and Weiling departed without answering his greeting.
• The next day, news announced that Jun Yao had exhausted his lifespan and died in seated meditation, while the Yuchen Lower Court party departed for the Flowing Fire Grand Transformation Grotto-Heaven.

Chen Heng traveled toward the Flowing Fire Grand Transformation Grotto-Heaven and came close to advancing to the Third Sword Dao Realm. As the Water Lodge Star Palace neared Crane-Cry Mountain, he and the World-Escaping Shuttle feared the great clans would attack him, while Xie Yu received a sudden call.

• Chen Heng examined his cultivation in the One True Dharma Realm and saw that his Sword Qi was nearing the Refining Sword into Gang stage.
• Rumors that Dao Scion Jun Yao had died spread through the Water Lodge Star Palace, changing how the disciples treated Chen Heng and emboldening Wang Dian.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle confirmed Chen Heng was close to the Third Sword Dao Realm and warned that the great clans might attack before the party reached Crane-Cry Mountain.
• Chen Heng resolved to resist any attack and use the Deep Void Demon-Subduing Sword Talismans if necessary.
• Xie Yu received a sudden communication through a treasured mirror and asked whether something had happened.

Xie Yu and Xie Rui discussed their old resentment and the planned attack on Chen Heng, including Wei Wanhua’s request to preserve his Origin Spirit. Xie Rui ended their communication confident in the ambush, and the next day Chen Heng sensed danger as the attackers arrived.

• Xie Rui emerged from meditation after refining the Yang-Demon Wuying Dharma Eye and taunted Xie Yu about their past rivalry.
• Xie Yu and Xie Rui agreed to set aside their grudge until the clan’s plans against Chen Heng were complete.
• Xie Rui asked whether they should preserve Chen Heng’s Origin Spirit for Wei Wanhua, and Xie Yu directed her to consult the person truly behind the operation.
• Xie Yu warned Xie Rui not to interfere in an impending struggle within the Mishan Qiao Clan, where Qiao Rui might be targeted.
• Xie Rui assured Xie Yu he was prepared for the attack on Chen Heng, and the next day Chen Heng sensed danger while meditating.

A Great Sumeru Heavenly Son Demon and Xie Rui attacked the Water Lodge Star Palace as Xie Yu helped seal the area, forcing Shen Yuanzhi to fight them while Chen Heng escaped with the World-Escaping Shuttle. Chen Heng was intercepted, badly injured, and recognized the woman who had stopped him as his Senior Sister.

• The Great Sumeru Heavenly Son Demon struck the Water Lodge Star Palace, destroyed its protections, and sent it plunging from the sky as Shen Yuanzhi protected those aboard with an emerald cloud.
• Xie Rui arrived with a star disk and unleashed Blood-Soul Yin Demons, while Xie Yu fought him and Shen Yuanzhi battled the Great Sumeru Heavenly Son Demon.
• Shen Yuanzhi used a Golden Arrow to break the barrier sealing heaven and earth, then urged Chen Heng to escape and warned him to beware of Xie Yu and the great clans.
• Chen Heng fled through the void with the World-Escaping Shuttle, but a powerful treasure forced them out and a woman's blast shattered his Azure-Law Sword and badly wounded him.
• The woman threatened to torment Chen Heng, and he recognized her as his Senior Sister.

Chen Heng was trapped by Wei Wanhua, who planned to torture his Origin Spirit, while Liu Zhengyan arrived to help her. When a message revealed Shen Yuanzhi had killed the Great Sumeru Heavenly Son Demon, Liu Zhengyan left to pursue her, and Chen Heng faced Wei Wanhua alone, naming Wei Lingjiang as his old acquaintance.

• Wei Wanhua arrived and suppressed the wounded Chen Heng with a spatial-sealing pagoda, while the World-Escaping Shuttle struggled to break through.
• Liu Zhengyan arrived, and he and Wei Wanhua discussed their plans while Chen Heng prepared a Deep Void Demon-Subduing Sword Talisman.
• Wei Wanhua and Liu Zhengyan received word that Shen Yuanzhi had killed the Great Sumeru Heavenly Son Demon using the Void Great Luo Method.
• Wei Wanhua lent Liu Zhengyan the Ban Talisman Dharma Shield and sent him east to capture Shen Yuanzhi with Xie Rui.
• Wei Wanhua threatened to torment Chen Heng's Origin Spirit, and Chen Heng asked whether she knew Wei Lingjiang.

Chen Heng fought Wei Wanhua after she refused to spare him, and a powerful sword talisman and the Avici Sword killed her despite her grandfather’s intervention. As rain fell, Chen Heng wondered if Senior Sister would blame him, then reaffirmed his resolve to pursue immortality and pressed the damaged Elephant-Swallowing Pearl to his brow.

• Wei Wanhua recognized Wei Lingjiang but rejected Chen Heng’s appeal and attacked him with Gang Thunder.
• Chen Heng unleashed a Deep Void Demon-Subduing Sword Talisman that broke through Wei Wanhua’s defenses, while her grandfather’s Elephant-Swallowing Pearl absorbed most of its power.
• The remaining sword qi severed Wei Wanhua’s head, and Chen Heng used the Avici Sword to destroy her restrained Origin Spirit.
• As rain began, Chen Heng asked whether Senior Sister would blame him, then declared that only he could affirm himself and pressed the damaged Elephant-Swallowing Pearl against his brow.

Chen Heng absorbed the Sword Qi within the Elephant-Swallowing Pearl into his crimson sword, glimpsed the Formless Lie Sword Cave, and returned to the present rather than explore it. Meanwhile, Shen Yuanzhi escaped after killing Liu Zhengyan, leaving Xie Yu and the surviving disciples behind as Xie Rui fled.

• Chen Heng used the crimson sword to absorb the remaining Sword Qi in the broken Elephant-Swallowing Pearl and was drawn to the Formless Lie Sword Cave.
• Chen Heng chose to return to his body and told the World-Escaping Shuttle not to take him to Crane-Cry Mountain because Changying Court was ahead of the other courts.
• The World-Escaping Shuttle learned that Changying Court was closest to Crane-Cry Mountain and transported Chen Heng away with him.
• Liu Zhengyan watched Xie Rui battle Shen Yuanzhi while Xie Yu recovered, but the Ban Talisman Dharma Shield faltered when Wei Wanhua died.
• Shen Yuanzhi used the Void Great Luo Method to kill Liu Zhengyan and escaped, while Xie Rui fled after Xie Yu warned him not to kill the disciples.