Chapter Summaries

The Jade Dawn School elders wagered on the Four Courts Grand Competition, with Huo Mi backing Chen Heng to win first place. Chen Heng claimed the foremost seat and challenged the remaining contenders, then publicly exposed Sima Xian’s conflicting cultivation scriptures as the cause of his cultivation deviation.

• Liu Jue wagered the complete Cinnabar Origin Star Chart on Wei Daofu, while Huo Mi staked the Violet True Little Thunder Seal on Chen Heng.
• Shen Cheng defeated Junior Sister Yu with the Year Star Resplendent Renewal True Art, leaving Lou Bing worried about the fierce contest for the Ten Great Disciples’ seats.
• Chen Heng took the foremost jade platform, startling the spectators and prompting Huo Mi to defend his confidence in the Combat Arts Victor.
• Sima Xian offered to test Chen Heng in place of his brother Sima Tan and displayed his golden-and-red smoke baleful intent.
• Chen Heng ordered Sima Xian to leave and identified the conflict between his two scriptures as the source of his cultivation deviation.

Chen Heng forced Sima Xian to withdraw, defeated Xie Rongzhao in an illusion contest, and overwhelmed Liu Xu with Sword Qi Thunderclap. He then challenged He Lizi, Shi You, and Wei Daofu to fight.

• Chen Heng exposed Sima Xian’s cultivation problems, causing Sima Xian to abandon the duel and advise Sima Tan to avoid fighting.
• Sima Tan stepped back, and Xie Rongzhao proposed an illusion contest using the Origin Mirage Dharma Eye.
• Chen Heng resisted Xie Rongzhao’s illusions until she exhausted herself and conceded.
• Liu Xu attacked Chen Heng with the Scripture of Preserving Light and Revealing the Profound, but Chen Heng struck him down with Sword Qi Thunderclap.
• Chen Heng challenged He Lizi, Shi You, and Wei Daofu to fight.

Chen Heng began his duel with Wei Daofu, whose reputation made her the favored contender among the watching disciples. The chapter left their battle underway as onlookers debated whether Chen Heng could claim victory.

• Wei Daofu accepted Chen Heng's challenge and rose into the mist to face him.
• Jiang Daolian explained Wei Daofu's standing as a renowned True Disciple of the Vermilion Luminescence Sect, while most disciples favored her over Chen Heng.
• Liu Xu woke, acknowledged Chen Heng with a searching look, and withdrew after Elder Zou told him to leave.
• Huang Dalun began to boast about Chen Heng, but fellow Aristocratic Clan disciples pressed him back into his seat.
• Elder Zou signaled for the duel to begin, and Chen Heng sent a streak of sword light hurtling toward Wei Daofu.

Chen Heng and Wei Daofu battled in the Four Courts Grand Competition, with Wei Daofu relying on the ancient Lesser Shang Dark Marsh Wall to withstand his fifth-realm Sword Qi. The fight continued as Wei Daofu raised her bow and aimed a Dragon Sparrow Arrow at Chen Heng.

• Wei Daofu used a golden pellet Talisman Artifact to deflect Chen Heng's sword light, but it soon shattered under his attacks.
• Wei Daofu summoned the Lesser Shang Dark Marsh Wall, whose crystalline water curtain stopped Chen Heng's sword light after it pierced only three inches.
• Wei Daofu used Six Dragons Turning Scenery to summon six fire dragons, but Chen Heng's sword light cut them down.
• Chen Heng and Wei Daofu exchanged thoughts about Wei Lingjiang, then agreed that their contest would come down to victory or defeat.
• Wei Daofu took out a great bow, drew a Dragon Sparrow Arrow, and aimed it at Chen Heng.

Chen Heng defeated Wei Daofu by breaking her defense with Purple-Clear Divine Thunder, then immediately challenged He Lizi. Their sword lights clashed fiercely as the spectators watched, while a girl in green bet on Chen Heng to win the grand competition.

• Wei Daofu fired Dragon Sparrow Golden Chisel Arrows that vanished and multiplied, forcing Chen Heng to dodge.
• Chen Heng created nine Emanations to divide the arrows, then joined them in weakening Wei Daofu's Lesser Shang Dark Marsh Wall.
• Chen Heng broke Wei Daofu's defense with Purple-Clear Divine Thunder and nearly struck her down before Elder Zou intervened and declared him the winner.
• Chen Heng refused to rest and challenged He Lizi, who flew up to meet him and attacked with Azure Sword Light.
• Chen Heng and He Lizi fought at high speed, their scarlet and azure sword lights clashing across the clouds.
• A girl in green left to bet on Chen Heng winning, while Huang Dalun had confidently predicted He Lizi would prevail.

Chen Heng defeated He Lizi with Purple-Clear Divine Thunder and the Blood River, then faced Shi You, who conceded that he could not win. The competition ended with Chen Heng named champion and granted the chance to choose from Jadechen’s Twenty-Five Orthodox Methods, and he prepared to enter the Yuchen Upper Sect.

• He Lizi revealed Sword-Light Differentiation and attacked Chen Heng with eighteen streams of Sword Qi, but Chen Heng countered with Purple-Clear Divine Thunder and concealed himself within the Blood River.
• Chen Heng used his Tai Su True Form and successive punches to overwhelm He Lizi, who withdrew after Elder Zou stopped the fight and declared Chen Heng the winner.
• Chen Heng challenged Shi You, who admitted he could not defeat him and withdrew.
• Elder Zou announced the Ten Great Disciples, with Chen Heng in first place, and sent the Golden Ranking List to be displayed at the Mountain Gate.
• Chen Heng returned to the jade dais and reflected on his victory and his long-planned entry into the Yuchen Upper Sect.

After settling on Changli Island, Chen Heng received gifts and declined offers of discipleship because a hidden senior had already claimed him as a student. He reassured Jiang Daolian that he would support her, then received the Talisman Edict confirming his right as Four Courts champion to choose an orthodox method and set out for the Dao Registry Hall.

• Chen Heng reviewed the many gifts sent to Changli Island, including ten shiploads of true yang sand from Huo Mi, while Jiang Daolian teased him about his new status.
• Jiang Daolian asked why Chen Heng had declined the Elders who wanted him as a disciple, and he kept secret that a senior had already taken him as a student.
• Chen Heng promised Jiang Daolian he would help her if she faced difficulties, and she left Changli Island reassured about their friendship.
• A Daoist delivered Chen Heng a Fish-Shaped Talisman Edict confirming his place in the Name Register and his right as champion to choose an orthodox method at the Dao Registry Hall.
• Chen Heng took the Talisman Edict and flew toward the Dao Registry Hall.

Chen Heng visited the Dao Registry Hall to choose a cultivation method and selected the Scripture and Register of Spontaneous Origin-Opening of the Supreme Void Within Mystery, whose primordial affinity matched his existing scriptures. The old man began transmitting it directly into Chen Heng’s mind.

• Chen Heng arrived at the Dao Registry Hall, where Wu Qiao welcomed him and escorted him into the scripture tower.
• He Lizi presented his command token and received authorization to enter the tower’s ninth level to read the White Tiger Seven-Kill Killing Sword Scripture.
• Wu Qiao guided Chen Heng through the tower’s caverns and explained how its book spirits and access restrictions worked.
• On the thirteenth level, Chen Heng met an old man who verified his champion’s status and presented summaries of the Twenty-Five Orthodox Methods.
• Chen Heng chose the Scripture and Register of Spontaneous Origin-Opening of the Supreme Void Within Mystery because its affinity matched his existing cultivation.
• The old man transmitted the chosen scripture into Chen Heng’s mind, filling his vision with chaotic, mysterious qi.

Chen Heng entered the scripture tower and, using his status as one of the ten chief disciples, selected the complete “Scripture and Register of the Natural Opening of the Origin in the Supreme Void Within Mystery,” the foremost of Jadechen’s Three Scriptures. After meditating on its profound principles, he went to Shoude Mountain to cultivate under Gu Zhao, while He Lizi passed Changli Island.

• Chen Heng learned that his chief-disciple status let him study one of Jadechen’s Twenty-Five Orthodox Methods without spending Dao merits.
• In the scripture tower, Chen Heng asked a book spirit for information on the Seven Divine Waters and ten types of true fire, then chose the difficult “Scripture and Register of the Natural Opening of the Origin in the Supreme Void Within Mystery.”
• An old man warned Chen Heng to cultivate the scripture carefully because its intricate principles and many obstacles could lead to cultivation deviation.
• Chen Heng meditated on the scripture, then left the Twenty-Four-Corner Jade Tower and flew to Gu Zhao’s cultivation grounds on Shoude Mountain.
• He Lizi passed Changli Island on his way out and recognized Chen Heng’s streak of escape light.

He Lizi confronted He Manzi over their family’s past, then advised him to abandon hopes of beating Shi You and seek combat experience. Chen Heng studied the connection between Divine Waters, True Fires, and the Gate of the Myriad Wonders, returned to cultivation, and later refined his Divine Fire further.

• He Lizi stopped He Manzi as he left Changli Island, and the two argued over He Lizi’s abandonment of their father and family.
• He Lizi warned He Manzi that Shi You would win the Grand Competition Twenty-Four Years Later and urged him to earn Dao Merit by fighting demons and seek Chen Heng’s guidance.
• Chen Heng learned that the Jadechen Scripture Library lacked the materials needed to cultivate Netherworld True Water, though he had obtained the method for Southern Bright Separation Fire through Wang Dian’s Mind Image imprint.
• Chen Heng read that a cultivator could retain only one Divine Water and one True Fire, which could serve as keys to the Gate of the Myriad Wonders, and decided to investigate the mystery only after advancing his cultivation.
• Chen Heng returned to Changli Island, learned that He Manzi had visited, and entered meditation; two months later, he used Fire Essence to continue cultivating his Divine Fire.

Chen Heng advanced his cultivation of Southern Bright Separation Fire until his body reached its limit for the day, then accepted Zhang Taichu’s invitation to visit the Mysterious Pearl Blessed Land. Three days later, he arrived near Mysterious Pearl Island and admired its extraordinary aura.

• Chen Heng cultivated Southern Bright Separation Fire by consuming Fire Essence, bringing his body's fire-element qi to its limit and stopping to avoid damaging his Dao body.
• A maidservant delivered Zhang Taichu’s invitation for Chen Heng to visit the Mysterious Pearl Blessed Land in three days to discuss important matters.
• Chen Heng accepted Zhang Taichu’s invitation and had Tu Shan Ge escort the maidservant out.
• Three days later, Chen Heng flew southwest from Changli Island toward the Mysterious Pearl Blessed Land.
• Chen Heng reached the waters near Mysterious Pearl Island and praised its extraordinary aura.

Chen Heng visited Zhang Taichu at the Mysterious Pearl Blessed Land, where he learned about Zhang’s connection to Duke Songgu and the looming threat to Law Sage Heaven. Zhang then raised several clashes between Jadechen’s Dao lineage and the Huzhao Sect, opening an important discussion.

• Chen Heng admired the portrait of Duke Songgu in Zhang Taichu’s Main Hall, and Zhang explained that the Great Xia minister had once taught him.
• Chen Heng reflected on how Xia Ji had expelled rival powers from Law Sage Heaven and established the Great Xia Immortal Dynasty.
• Zhang Taichu worried that the Eight Sects and Six Schools were preparing to unite against Xia Ji, putting Duke Songgu and Law Sage Heaven at risk.
• Zhang Taichu spoke with Chen Heng about his talent and joked that Ding Hэpu’s disciples resented him for making their teacher boast of his Sword Dao instruction.
• Zhang Taichu asked Chen Heng whether he had heard of the recent clashes between Jadechen’s Dao lineage and the Huzhao Sect’s Dao lineage.

Chen Heng agreed to join Yu Shitong’s expedition to Yuyang Kingdom, where Jadechen and Huzhao forces had clashed over Jin De’s restoration to the throne, and Zhang Taichu gave him a map to find rare Mysterious Chamber Water. As the Jadechen expedition departed Leixu Pool, Zhang Taichu received news of a wider alliance forming over Xia Ji, foreshadowing turmoil among the All Heavens.

• Zhang Taichu explained that Jin Shanxin had led three Huzhao Dao lineages to conquer Yuyang and restore his father, Jin De, to the throne, prompting Jadechen to intervene.
• Zhang Taichu told Chen Heng that Yu Shitong would lead the campaign with the Yangde Fandu Golden Mace and invited Chen Heng to join for Dao merit; Chen Heng accepted.
• Zhang Taichu gave Chen Heng a map marking hidden sources of high-quality Mysterious Chamber Water near Yuyang, one of the medicines needed to form a Golden Core.
• After Chen Heng left, Zhang Taichu received word that Chen Yu planned to send an envoy to Xudu Heaven to discuss Xia Ji and form an alliance with the various sects.
• Ten days later, Chen Heng and the other Yuchen Upper Sect disciples gathered at Leixu Pool, then departed aboard a celestial palace for Yuyang.

Yu Shitong led Jadechen cultivators toward Yuyang Kingdom, where he recounted the history of the ascended cultivator Pan Yangzi and his lost legacy abodes. As their flying palace entered a hidden formation, Jin Shanxin received a warning in the capital.

• Yu Shitong told the cultivators that Pan Yangzi had arrived in Xudu Heaven from a Landmass, founded the Five Elders Temple on Ming Mountain, and left three legacy abodes before dying in a calamity.
• Yu Shitong said Jadechen members had found two of Pan Yangzi’s three legacy abodes, while Deng Yunji dismissed the value of the Five Elders Temple’s remnants.
• The Jade Scenery Flying Palace triggered the Turbid Baleful Ghost Thief Heaven-Connecting Formation, and Yu Shitong ordered the cultivators to confront the ambush.
• Jin Shanxin noticed his talisman token twitching in the capital of Yuyang Kingdom and hurried out of his chamber.

Jin Shanxin learned that Jadechen had launched an expedition against Yuyang, while his teacher Tao Tian chose to confront Yu Shitong rather than withdraw. Three days later, Yu Shitong’s forces broke through the formation at Ziming Mountain, and Chen Heng concluded that Huzhao had taken control of all four kingdoms beyond the mountain.

• Jin Shanxin found Tao Tian’s jade statue unresponsive, then visited his dying father, Jin De, without telling him about Jadechen’s attack.
• Tao Tian restored his presence in the temple and told Jin Shanxin that he would face Yu Shitong, while advising him to prepare for Gu Yi’s arrival.
• Jin Shanxin learned that Tao Tian and other Huzhao disciples would personally join the campaign, which he feared would bring casualties and trouble.
• Three days later, Yu Shitong’s forces shattered the formation at Ziming Mountain, and Chen Heng warned that Huzhao had likely seized the four kingdoms beyond it.
• The Jade Scenery Flying Palace advanced toward Weiyong, and Yu Shitong recognized that Chen Heng’s assessment was likely correct.

Yu Shitong and Tao Tian agreed to let their disciples fight for three months across the Shuo River, with the outcome deciding control of several kingdoms. Just as the sects prepared to begin, Tao Tian called for a spectacle and someone flew out of the Spiral Golden Hall.

• Yu Shitong brought the Jade Scenery Flying Palace to confront Tao Tian and the Huzhao forces at the Spiral Golden Hall, where the two leaders traded insults and clashed their Dharma Forms.
• The Hemp-Robed Daoist reassured Jin Shanxin that Huzhao's forces were strong and explained that Gu Yi had her own reasons for acting as she did.
• Tao Tian proposed that the Jadechen and Huzhao disciples fight for three months in the emptied Weiyong Kingdom, with the Shuo River dividing their territories.
• Tao Tian offered Yuyang to Jin De if Huzhao won, while agreeing to surrender Danpu and Zhongqu to Jadechen if Yu Shitong's disciples won; the two signed a Spirit Contract.
• Tao Tian stopped Yu Shitong from leaving and proposed watching a spectacle, as a streak of light flew out of the Spiral Golden Hall and Chen Heng watched the newcomer arrive.

Chen Heng entered the duel between Jadechen and Huzhao after Tang Du killed four Jadechen Lower Court disciples. He crushed Tang Du beneath a barrage of mountains, leaving the Huzhao forces stunned.

• Ruan Liang challenged Jadechen, and Xiang Qiong of Stone Seal Temple stepped forward to fight him.
• Ruan Liang used Snake-Dragon Divine Smoke against Xiang Qiong’s sword, but Xiang Qiong’s spiritual leaf protected it; Ruan Liang later knocked Xiang Qiong from the clouds and returned victorious.
• Tang Du, Snake-Dragon Mountain’s eldest disciple, killed the disciple surnamed Sun and three more Jadechen Lower Court disciples in succession.
• Yu Shitong ordered Chen Heng to face Tang Du, and Chen Heng appeared before the Huzhao ranks.
• Tang Du charged Chen Heng, who trapped him beneath repeated mountains and killed him, leaving only a bloody mass in a crater.

Chen Heng killed Tang Du, then defeated and slew the Golden Core True Persons Wang Qi and Wang Yi after they challenged him. The Huzhao camp’s remaining disciples stayed back as Chen Heng continued to dominate the battlefield.

• Chen Heng crushed Tang Du with a single blow, leaving the Huzhao disciples too fearful to challenge him.
• Tao Tian ordered Wang Qi to fight Chen Heng, and Wang Qi accepted despite Wang Yi’s objections.
• Wang Qi attacked Chen Heng with Star Sand, sound waves, and Snake-Dragon phantoms, but Chen Heng countered with Red Water, Divine Light, and Purple-Clear Divine Thunder.
• Wang Qi used the Spirit-Shifting Mirror against Chen Heng’s false body, but Chen Heng appeared behind him and killed him with a sword strike.
• Wang Yi charged at Chen Heng in anger, fought him for nearly a hundred exchanges, then fled before Chen Heng’s sword cut him into pieces.

Chen Heng’s defeat of two Golden Core cultivators drove the Huzhao forces to withdraw, while Jadechen’s leaders prepared their disciples for the sects’ battle three months later. More than a month afterward, Bao Xian faced a frightening scene at the Shuo River in Weiyong Kingdom.

• Chen Heng slew Wang Qi and Wang Yi, astonishing both armies as He Lizi resolved to challenge him again after advancing his Sword Dao.
• Tao Tian refused to let Fu Ling fight Chen Heng and withdrew the Huzhao forces, warning Yu Shitong that he would watch Jadechen until their contest three months later.
• Chen Heng returned with the Spirit-Shifting Mirror and Coiling Dragon Great Halberd, and Yu Shitong sealed the mirror’s connection to its former owner.
• Yu Shitong gave the Jadechen disciples a Jade Tally describing how to create an Evil-Expelling Divine General and warned them that they had to win.
• More than a month later, Bao Xian gripped a Golden Brick at the Shuo River in Weiyong Kingdom and felt a chill as he faced a frightening scene.

Huzhao forces routed Deng Yunji’s Jadechen troops after Gu Yi’s ambush and the destruction of his numinous treasure altar, while Wan Youyue pressed the advantage on the battlefield. Chen Heng arrived and unleashed his power, leaving the battle’s outcome uncertain.

• Deng Yunji’s forces crossed the Shuo River to attack a Hook-and-Cross Fortress, but Gu Yi ambushed him, grievously wounded him, and helped rout his troops.
• Junior Fellow Disciple Lu destroyed Deng Yunji’s numinous treasure altar, preventing him from producing more Evil-Expelling Divine Generals.
• Huzhao troops pursued the retreating Jadechen forces as Wan Youyue shot down a Cloud-Sweeping Sect disciple and urged his companions to keep attacking.
• Wan Youyue refused to withdraw despite a gray-robed Daoist’s warning that Jadechen reinforcements might arrive.
• Chen Heng appeared above the battlefield, dispersed the demonic mists, and summoned lightning.