Chapter Summaries

Tong Xuan visited Ao Yang to discuss the Dragon Palace’s revived Jianmu and its ties to Taichang Heaven, then traded for the Avici Sword fragments and arranged a gift for Chen Heng. The chapter left Ao Yang weighing a possible return to the Dragon Clan’s homeland while preparing to approach Chen Heng with the Five Elements essences.

• Tong Xuan met Ao Yang in the heavenly palace while Zhou Ji ate his host’s banquet and was thrown from the table.
• Tong Xuan revealed that the Jianmu Ao Yang had obtained in the Gate of the Myriad Wonders had revived, and identified Lu Cai as belonging to the Dark Feng Grotto.
• Ao Yang admitted that the Dragon Clan hoped to return to Taichang Heaven, and Tong Xuan offered the Eight Sects and Six Schools’ help with their return.
• Tong Xuan exchanged the Flying Swift Jade Pivot Golden Awls for the Dragon Palace’s two Avici Sword fragments.
• Tong Xuan left Ao Yang the Innate Five Elements essences to give Chen Heng after the Dharma Assembly, while Ao Yang considered proposing a marriage alliance.

Chen Heng watched powerful cultivators compete for the Central Rectification Golden Discs, which could duplicate Talisman Edicts, before deciding to pursue the third disc himself. Zhou Shiyuan had claimed the first and Zhang Yuxuan the second, while the remaining contenders prepared to fight.

• Chen Heng observed the surviving experts, including Zhou Shiyuan, Yin Quan, Zhang Yuxuan, and a formidable monk, as the Jade Ultimate Silver Discs were claimed and their owners left the Vast Wilds Minor Realm.
• The first Central Rectification Golden Disc appeared, evaded a Zhuochang Abbey cultivator's ghost demon, escaped a Human Dao scholar's binding and army, and continued flying through the realm.
• Zhou Shiyuan drove away nearby onlookers, captured the golden disc with a hand of yin baleful energy, and kept watch as the second disc descended.
• Zhang Yuxuan fought several cultivators from Outer Heaven and secured the second Central Rectification Golden Disc.
• When the third Central Rectification Golden Disc appeared, Chen Heng launched forward on his sword light.

Chen Heng seized the third Central Rectification Golden Disc, then faced a coordinated attack arranged by Xiao Xiujing’s allies. He easily survived the ambush and challenged the gathered attackers as his Sword Qi surged toward them.

• Chen Heng struck the Central Rectification Golden Disc with Scarlet Sword Qi and captured it, beginning to suppress and refine it.
• Several cultivators attacked Chen Heng while his attention was on the disc, but he dispersed their combined techniques with Gang Wind and tucked the disc into his sleeve.
• A young man in a Seven-Star Daoist Robe invoked Xiao Xiujing’s Pact and urged the gathered cultivators to drive Chen Heng out before he finished refining the disc.
• Outer Heaven cultivators and several Demon Sect disciples stepped forward, while Xudu Heaven’s native cultivators stayed back to avoid making an enemy of Chen Heng.
• Chen Heng mocked the attackers, vanished, and sent a strand of sharp Sword Qi toward them.

Chen Heng fought off multiple cultivators in the Vast Wilds Minor Realm, using Sword Escape, the Twenty-Four Innate Great Sun Divine Lights, and Yin-Eroding Red Water to drive them out. Zhou Shiyuan then trapped him in an illusion of people from his past, but Chen Heng broke free and turned his attention toward Zhou Shiyuan.

• Chen Heng used Sword Escape to sever a Martial Dao cultivator’s arm and force him out of the Vast Wilds Minor Realm.
• A deity tried to restrain Chen Heng with the White Ox Divine Seal while others attacked, but Chen Heng damaged the seal and drove the deity out with Yin-Eroding Red Water.
• Zhou Shiyuan cast an illusion that showed Chen Heng familiar figures from his past, including a woman who called him Junior Fellow Disciple and asked him to return.
• Chen Heng rejected the illusion, unleashed sword intent that destroyed its figures, and broke free with the Luo Dark Water in his purple mansion.
• Chen Heng drove several more cultivators out, identified Zhou Shiyuan as the illusion caster, and made Zhou Shiyuan realize that Chen Heng intended to kill him.

Chen Heng broke Zhou Shiyuan’s illusion and fought him in the Vast Wilds Minor Realm, overcoming his counter to sword cultivators with other arts. As a golden light and a cloud vortex signaled the contest’s end, Zhou Shiyuan conceded the round to Chen Heng.

• Zhou Shiyuan used the Nether Spirit Dharma Eye on Chen Heng, but Chen Heng escaped the illusion and met his attack with Primordial Beginning True Origin, which overcame Zhou’s Yiluo Illusory Truth.
• Zhou Shiyuan said he had taken the Jade Pivot True Lord as his adoptive father and challenged Chen Heng on the True Lord’s behalf; Chen Heng declared his resolve to kill him and attacked with his sword.
• Zhou Shiyuan used Qi-Banishing White Blade to blunt Chen Heng’s sword strike, and Chen Heng recognized the secret art as a technique designed to counter sword cultivators.
• Chen Heng pressured Zhou Shiyuan with Sword Escape, Innate Great Sun Divine Light, and Yin-Eroding Red Water, forcing him to keep Qi-Banishing White Blade active and gradually driving him onto the back foot.
• A cloud vortex formed above the Vast Wilds Minor Realm as golden light shone from Zhou Shiyuan; he stopped fighting and conceded the round to Chen Heng.

Chen Heng defeated Zhou Shiyuan and drove the Aristocratic Clan members from the Vast Wilds Minor Realm before his time there expired. He gave Qi Bin the Central Rectification Golden Disc, while Qingzhi reacted in shock to what she saw through the Dragon Palace’s water mirror.

• Zhou Shiyuan realized he could not gain the upper hand against Chen Heng and was transported out of the Vast Wilds Minor Realm.
• Chen Heng attacked the Aristocratic Clan members contesting a Central Rectification Golden Disc and drove them all from the minor realm.
• Lu Chenyu asked Qi Bin to introduce her to Chen Heng, and Qi Bin explained that he barely knew him.
• Chen Heng gave Qi Bin the golden disc sealed with three strands of Sword Qi, then left the minor realm as Qi Bin fled underground to escape the other cultivators.
• At the Dragon Palace, Qingzhi stared at the water mirror in disbelief and told Ao Jin she thought she was seeing things.

Qingzhi learned that Chen Heng had become a prominent Jadechen disciple and refused the dragon women’s attempts to arrange an introduction. After leaving the Vast Wilds Minor Realm, Chen Heng received a private message from Yan Xi and was intercepted in the clouds by Qingzhi, who was delighted to find him alive.

• Qingzhi recognized Chen Heng in the water mirror and was stunned by his rise from a minor cultivator to a ranked Jadechen disciple.
• Ao Jin and the other dragon women tried to persuade Qingzhi to introduce them to Chen Heng, but Qingzhi returned and insisted they had no chance with him.
• Chen Heng left the minor realm, and Yan Xi praised his swordsmanship before sending him a private voice transmission.
• Chen Heng flew into the clouds, sensed someone approaching, and stopped to wait.
• A giant azure bird transformed into Qingzhi, who laughed with relief at seeing Chen Heng alive.

Chen Heng reunited with Qingzhi at the Dragon Palace Dharma Assembly and explained that he sought a Grotto-Heaven, not the Dragon Woman’s hand. He confessed that he had killed Wei Wanhua, leaving Qingzhi to return to Lutai Mountain with the burden of what she had learned; ten days later, Chen Heng stopped practicing his Mystery Art.

• Qingzhi happily reunited with Chen Heng and learned he hoped to win the Dharma Assembly to borrow a Grotto-Heaven.
• Chen Heng told Qingzhi that he was not seeking the Dragon Woman’s hand, and Qingzhi invited him to eat in the Dragon Palace.
• Qingzhi apologized for inventing words that had kept Chen Heng from meeting Senior Sister at the Si Encounter Festival, but Chen Heng said he had known the truth.
• Chen Heng confessed that he had killed Wei Wanhua, shocking Qingzhi.
• Qingzhi said she had to return to Lutai Mountain and asked whether Chen Heng had a message for anyone, but he said nothing.
• Ten days later, Chen Heng stopped practicing his Mystery Art in his residence.

Chen Heng prepared for the Dharma Assembly and decided to conceal his Tai Su Jade Body until Mount Qiyun's Four Courts Grand Competition. He visited Yin Quan to ask for help with his plan, then defeated him in their contest and left with Yin Quan agreeing to his request.

• Chen Heng concluded that cultivating the yin-eroding red water to major attainment would not decide the next Dharma Assembly, and chose to keep his Tai Su Jade Body hidden for the Four Courts Grand Competition.
• Chen Heng went to visit Yin Quan, broke through the garden's formation, and asked him for help with his plan for the Dharma Assembly.
• Yin Quan agreed to help if Chen Heng fought him, and the two entered the Five-Qi Cosmic Ring to battle.
• After about an hour, Chen Heng and Yin Quan emerged; Yin Quan had lost all three fights and Chen Heng took his leave.
• A mysterious voice told Yin Quan that Chen Heng's brother-in-law was liked by Yin Quan's elder sister.

Yin Quan’s junior martial uncle assessed Chen Heng’s prospects at the Dharma Assembly and urged Yin Quan to befriend him, while Tao Shaojun steadied Zhou Shiyuan and gave him a Dao Art from Chen Jade Pivot. Five days later, the bell sounded and the Dharma Assembly began.

• Yin Quan’s junior martial uncle returned from a fight with Tao Shaojun, covered in foul yellow mud, and learned about Yin Quan’s defeats and Chen Heng’s plan.
• The junior martial uncle judged Chen Heng’s chances of overcoming the Dharma Assembly’s many opponents to be vanishingly small and speculated that Chen Heng might know Yin Quan had mastered the Twenty-Four Luo-Jing Mountains.
• The junior martial uncle advised Yin Quan to befriend Chen Heng, then disappeared to hide from people because of the stench.
• Zhou Shiyuan’s attempt to master the Penetrating Nether Soul-Scattering True Light failed, and Tao Shaojun rebuked him for losing heart after Chen Heng defeated him.
• Tao Shaojun gave Zhou Shiyuan a Dao Art from Chen Jade Pivot, and Zhou Shiyuan believed it could help him overcome Chen Heng’s Sword Escape.
• Five days later, a bell rang to announce that the Dharma Assembly was beginning.

At the Carved Light Lake assembly, Chen Heng accepted Qi Bin’s gift of the Earth-Traveling Art before Yan Xi transported the competitors into the Vast Wilds Minor Realm. There, Zhou Shiyuan and other cultivators attacked Chen Heng, who seized the Pixiu statue and declared he would return it after taking thirty-seven Talisman Edicts.

• Chen Heng arrived at Carved Light Lake, noticed the Dragon Women watching from their pavilions, and waited for the assembly to begin.
• Qi Bin thanked Chen Heng for his past help and gave him the Earth-Traveling Art, explaining that Jingdu Abbey had lifted its Magic Prohibition.
• Yan Xi announced the competition rules and sent all seventy-two participants into the Vast Wilds Minor Realm.
• Zhou Shiyuan and other cultivators launched attacks against Chen Heng, who caught the Pixiu statue with a giant True Qi hand.
• Chen Heng held the statue aloft and told the cultivators he would return it after taking thirty-seven Talisman Edicts.

Chen Heng used his rehearsed Sword Escape to evade a group of cultivators trying to expel him from the Vast Wilds Minor Realm. He aimed to stall them until the Pixiu statue released enough Talisman Edicts to secure first place, and escaped after disrupting the yellow-faced martial cultivator’s counterattack.

• Chen Heng recalled Yan Xi’s warning that the second round would feature the Pixiu statue and began planning to win first place by delaying his opponents.
• Chen Heng’s pursuers joined forces and attacked, but he used Sword Escape to evade their strikes while buying time.
• The yellow-faced martial cultivator used Six Dragons Returning the Jade, supported by his companion’s Qi-Borrowing Method, to prepare a counterattack against Chen Heng.
• Chen Heng avoided the yellow-faced martial cultivator’s attack and redirected his sword toward the companion, injuring him and breaking the technique’s support.
• Chen Heng fled toward the clouds as the cultivators’ attacks battered the place where he had been.

Chen Heng evaded the cultivators pursuing him through the Vast Wilds Minor Realm and endured the combined trump cards of Zhang Yuxuan, Hongji, and Zhou Shiyuan. After two hours elapsed, his seventy-four Talisman Edicts secured his lead, and he turned to challenge Zhou Shiyuan.

• Zhang Yuxuan stopped pursuing Chen Heng, recognizing that Chen Heng’s speed and combat instincts made him impossible to catch, but then unleashed the Void-Binding Water of Registration to stop him.
• Hongji summoned the Great Wisdom King and attacked with a beam from its precious mirror while Zhou Shiyuan cast a vast net of blades, baleful light, and poisonous flames.
• Chen Heng withstood the three cultivators’ combined attack without moving, then taunted Zhou Shiyuan and continued evading the pursuers as the battle raged.
• Two hours elapsed, and Chen Heng confirmed that the Pixiu statue and Central Rectification Golden Disc had given him seventy-four Talisman Edicts, securing his first place.
• Chen Heng withdrew his sword light, announced that he would return the favor, and challenged Zhou Shiyuan to face his methods.

Chen Heng used Purple-Clear Divine Thunder and a pact with Yin Quan to secure first place in the Vast Wilds Minor Realm, expelling Zhou Shiyuan before leaving with the Talisman Edict. The Golden Ranking List recorded Chen Heng with seventy-four Talisman Edicts, while the cultivators remaining in the realm fought over the prize he left behind.

• Chen Heng struck Zhou Shiyuan with Purple-Clear Divine Thunder, and Yin Quan, monk Hongji, Zhang Yuxuan, and other cultivators joined the attack to drive Zhou out of the minor realm.
• Chen Heng took the Talisman Edict and left the minor realm, leaving the other cultivators to compete for the remaining prize.
• Monk Hongji attacked the gathering and tried to seize the Pixiu statue, but Yin Quan blocked him with his painted scroll.
• Yan Xi welcomed Chen Heng outside the minor realm, and Yin Quan, monk Hongji, and Zhang Yuxuan later emerged as well.
• Yan Xi revealed the Golden Ranking List, which placed Chen Heng first with seventy-four Talisman Edicts.

After winning the Purple Mansion Dharma Assembly, Chen Heng met with Cui Jingzhong and Chen Chan before she escorted him into the Dragon Lord’s grotto-heaven to receive his reward. The chapter ended as Chen Heng crossed the threshold of the Dragon Lord’s palace and the world changed around him.

• Cui Jingzhong discussed Zhou Shiyuan’s victory over Yin Quan’s mountains and Monk Hongji’s defeat of Zhang Yuxuan with Chen Heng.
• Chen Chan visited Chen Heng, guessed he sought the Essences of the Innate Five Elements, and invited him to receive the Dragon Lord’s reward.
• Yan Xi met Chen Heng in the grotto-heaven and gave him a Beast-Subduing Pouch, while privately explaining that he welcomed Chen Jade Pivot gaining another formidable enemy.
• Chen Chan led Chen Heng through the Dragon Palace Grotto-Heaven to the Dragon Lord’s palace.
• Chen Heng stepped across the palace threshold, and the world before him changed.

Chen Heng met the Dragon Lord to request a Grotto-Heaven for cultivation and the remaining Innate Five Elements Essences he needed. The Dragon Lord offered him a top-grade Grotto-Heaven, all five Essences, and help overcoming the Tai Su Jade Body tribulation, leaving Chen Heng to consider the proposal.

• Chen Heng reached the Dragon Lord's island and shared tea with him.
• The Dragon Lord praised Chen Heng's standing among the younger disciples and invited him to state his request.
• Chen Heng asked to borrow a Grotto-Heaven and obtain the metal- and fire-aligned Innate Five Elements Essences he lacked.
• The Dragon Lord offered Chen Heng the Great Marsh Longevity Sin-Deliverance Grotto-Heaven and presented five high-quality Innate Five Elements Essences.
• The Dragon Lord offered to help Chen Heng pass the Tai Su Jade Body tribulation and advance to the Origin Realm.

Chen Heng accepted the Dragon Palace’s offer to have Ao Yang protect him through the Tai Su Jade Body’s breakthrough to the Origin Realm, hoping to strengthen his chances in the Four Courts Grand Competition. After Chen Heng left, Ao Yang and the Dragon Lord discussed his promise as a future Dao Scion and turned to a consequential matter involving Taichang Heaven and the Dragon Court.

• The Dragon Lord offered to arrange Ao Yang’s protection for Chen Heng’s breakthrough, and Chen Heng accepted.
• The Dragon Lord gave Chen Heng a Jade Tally that let him enter and leave the Great Marsh Longevity Sin-Deliverance Grotto-Heaven.
• Chen Heng met Li Yuwei on the Imperial Way, then told Chen Chan that he had gained more than he expected.
• Ao Yang told the Dragon Lord that Dao Lord Tong Xuan intended to nurture Chen Heng as a future Dao Scion who might lead Xiyi Mountain as the next Jun Yao.
• Ao Yang criticized the Dragon Lord’s treatment of his sons and recalled how suspicion had led to the crown prince’s death in Law Sage Heaven.
• The Dragon Lord asked Ao Yang what others in the palace thought about the matter involving Taichang Heaven and the Dragon Court.

Ao Yang and the Dragon Lord weighed the Dragon Palace’s forced choice between obeying the Eight Sects and Six Schools by attacking Taichang Heaven or risking their suppression. After agreeing to discuss the decision with the other rulers, Ao Yang turned to Chen Heng and his mysterious bond object; the next day, Chen Heng arrived at the Great Marsh Longevity Sin-Deliverance Grotto-Heaven.

• Ao Yang and the Dragon Lord discussed the Dragon Palace’s dilemma and the danger posed by both the Eight Sects and Six Schools and the Dragon Court Emperor.
• Ao Yang agreed that the Dragon Palace would consider campaigning against Taichang Heaven but insisted the other rulers, including Ao Ji and Ao Jue, must be consulted.
• Ao Yang and the Dragon Lord noticed that they could not detect Chen Heng’s bond object for his Tai Su Jade Body and wondered how it was concealed.
• Ao Yang left after discussing palace affairs, and the Dragon Lord lamented that the Dragon Palace had to choose the stronger force to ally with.
• The following day, Chen Heng arrived at the Great Marsh Longevity Sin-Deliverance Grotto-Heaven and admired the superior grotto-heaven.

Chen Heng entered the Great Marsh Longevity Sin-Deliverance Grotto-Heaven, where Ao Yang prepared to safeguard his Tai Su tribulation. As Chen Heng began his breakthrough, terrifying lightning struck, and Ao Yang rose to shield the grotto-heaven with a punch.

• Chen Heng flew to a radiant island in the Great Marsh Longevity Sin-Deliverance Grotto-Heaven and found a palace complex prepared for him.
• Ao Yang introduced himself as Chen Heng’s protector for the Tai Su tribulation and welcomed him with great courtesy.
• After an hour of conversation, Ao Yang told Chen Heng to activate his Mystery Art, and Chen Heng absorbed spiritual energy to begin his breakthrough.
• Chen Heng’s Tai Su True Form appeared as his blood and qi surged, while vast lightning descended through the grotto-heaven’s barrier.
• Ao Yang invoked his old ties with Senior Brother Tong Xuan, revealed his dragon-headed divine form, and punched toward the oncoming thunderbolts.
• A short Daoist woke from his jade couch after sensing the disturbance in the void.

Elder Tai Su learned that someone was cultivating his Tai Su Jade Body and discussed the cultivator with his second disciple, who identified him as Yin Wuji of the Plague Blight Sect. His disciple then brought Jun Yao to deliver a discovery from Mei Gongxing, leaving Elder Tai Su eager to hear what the former Grand Astrologer had found.

• Elder Tai Su sensed someone nearing a breakthrough in the Origin Realm while cultivating the Tai Su Jade Body, then dismissed the disturbance as a small matter.
• Elder Tai Su's second disciple visited him, and he recalled her history and her cultivation of the Tai Su Jade Body.
• The disciple identified the cultivator as Yin Wuji, a likely Dao Scion of the Plague Blight Sect, and explained that Mei Gongxing had made another discovery.
• The disciple summoned Jun Yao, who arrived to present an item to Elder Tai Su on Mei Gongxing's behalf.
• Elder Tai Su recognized Jun Yao and asked why Mei Gongxing had sent him in person.