Chapter Summaries

Chen Shi'an and the other representatives waited at the racetrack, then boarded carriages sent by Desolate Suppression City and traveled there. They arrived at night, where Chen Shi'an saw the city’s towering, brightly lit walls.

• Chen Shi'an, Qianshan Xue, Xiang Li, Wan He, and Zhu Fenglang entered the shelter and encountered Gu Qingyao, Liu Yang, and Mu Tiezhu from Flowing Stone Stronghold.
• Wan He chatted warmly with Liu Yang and Mu Tiezhu while Zhu Fenglang eagerly pursued Gu Qingyao, who exchanged a polite nod with Chen Shi'an.
• Liu Mu arrived with more than twenty carriages and ordered the representatives to answer roll call and board one carriage per stronghold.
• Chen Shi'an answered for Windrise Stronghold, and the representatives set out for Desolate Suppression City after the roll call ended.
• The carriages reached Desolate Suppression City late that night, and Chen Shi'an admired its towering walls and bright lights.

The convoy arrived in Desolate Suppression City, where Chen Shi'an and the others settled into the Shun'an Inn. Late that night, Gu Qingyao visited Chen Shi'an and revealed she was hunting the man who had swindled her, while he concealed that he was likely the culprit.

• Liu Mu led the convoy through Desolate Suppression City's gates, warned the visitors to avoid going out, and arranged their lodging.
• Chen Shi'an, Qianshan Xue, and Xiang Li ate at the Shun'an Inn before Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li went to sleep.
• Chen Shi'an practiced the Great Evolution Saintly Art and noticed that the spiritual energy seemed denser than in Windrise Stronghold.
• Gu Qingyao came to Chen Shi'an's room late at night and spoke with him about the rivalry between their strongholds and the deaths at West Mountain Hollow.
• Gu Qingyao said a man had swindled her out of twenty Marrow-Washing Pills and several hundred thousand taels of silver, and vowed to find him; Chen Shi'an feigned ignorance and sent her away.

Gu Qingyao accused Chen Shi'an of being Huang Dao, but he denied it and kept his identity secret. Five days before the Gathering of Heroes, Chen Shi'an accompanied Qianshan Xue shopping, where they encountered Gu Qingyao and Zhu Fenglang—and a new pair of customers demanding the pearl hairpin.

• Gu Qingyao suspected Chen Shi'an was Huang Dao, but he denied the accusation and challenged her to bring evidence.
• Chen Shi'an concealed his Huang Dao identity and continued cultivating while preparing for the Gathering of Heroes.
• Chen Shi'an agreed to accompany Qianshan Xue shopping in Desolate Suppression City after Xiang Li declined to go.
• After hours of shopping, Chen Shi'an and Qianshan Xue entered a jewelry shop where Zhu Fenglang offered Gu Qingyao a pearl hairpin shaped like a phoenix.
• A young man and woman entered the shop, and the man demanded that Gu Qingyao put down the hairpin because he intended to take it.

At a jewelry shop in Desolate Suppression City, Gu Qingyao prompted Zhu Fenglang to confront an arrogant young man in white over a pearl hairpin. Chen Shi'an and Qianshan Xue returned to the inn and discussed how the fight could affect their strongholds, while Zhu Fenglang's fate remained unknown.

• A man in white demanded Gu Qingyao's pearl hairpin and threatened Zhu Fenglang and the others when Zhu objected.
• Gu Qingyao said she loved the hairpin, prompting Zhu Fenglang to challenge the man in white, who revealed his Second Grade cultivation and attacked.
• Chen Shi'an and Qianshan Xue left the jewelry shop while Gu Qingyao stayed to watch Zhu Fenglang fight.
• At Shun'an Inn, Qianshan Xue and Chen Shi'an discussed the man's likely influence and the consequences the fight could have for Windrise Stronghold.
• Chen Shi'an said Gu Qingyao had used Zhu Fenglang to test the situation and was likely confident she could avoid getting caught up in it.

Chen Shi'an and Qianshan Xue discussed Huang Dao and the dangers in Desolate Suppression City before witnessing Blackwater Stronghold's Zhu Fenglang suffer a crippling injury and be expelled from the Sacred Martial Dynasty. The inn fell silent, and Chen Shi'an saw Gu Qingyao return with Qiu Shuang, who had escorted her and promised to protect her.

• Chen Shi'an told Qianshan Xue that Gu Qingyao had come to accuse him of being Huang Dao, and they agreed to avoid going outside because of the city's dangers.
• Five men returned Zhu Fenglang to Shun'an Inn with his dantian crippled, while their leader mocked Wan He and threatened him.
• Soldiers ordered Wan He to leave the Sacred Martial Dynasty that night with Zhu Fenglang, and he departed without challenging them.
• Qiu Shuang escorted Gu Qingyao into the inn and offered to protect her whenever she needed to go out.
• Gu Qingyao thanked Qiu Shuang and went upstairs as he watched her retreating figure.

Gu Qingyao visited Chen Shi'an to propose a reconciliation and invite him to a banquet, but he accused her of scheming against Windrise Stronghold and sent her away. After she threatened him, Chen Shi'an considered killing her but decided the risks were too great.

• Gu Qingyao returned to Chen Shi'an's room and said she wanted to resolve their enmity and befriend him.
• Chen Shi'an rejected her advances and insisted that his relationship with Qianshan Xue was purely that of siblings.
• Gu Qingyao invited Chen Shi'an to a banquet at the Four Seas Grand Restaurant to apologize for the previous night, but he refused.
• Chen Shi'an accused Gu Qingyao of arranging Zhu Fenglang's downfall to eliminate rival strongholds and strengthen Flowing Stone Stronghold.
• Gu Qingyao left after warning Chen Shi'an to bear the consequences of making her his enemy.
• Chen Shi'an considered killing Gu Qingyao but abandoned the idea because of her strength and the dangers posed by Desolate Suppression City.

Chen Shi'an suspected Gu Qingyao of plotting against him and warned Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li to be cautious. After they stayed at the inn for two days, the Gathering of Heroes began, and Chen Shi'an entered the competitors' area as number 183.

• Chen Shi'an told Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li he had refused Gu Qingyao's dinner invitation and suspected she had framed Zhu Fenglang to weaken their strongholds.
• Chen Shi'an warned that Gu Qingyao might use someone else to attack him, and predicted they would hear news about Zhu Fenglang and Wan He the next morning.
• The next day, Chen Shi'an and his companions heard that two men from Blackwater Stronghold had been killed, and Xiang Li urged them to remain at the inn.
• Chen Shi'an, Qianshan Xue, and Xiang Li stayed inside for two days before going to the Gathering of Heroes on its opening day.
• Chen Shi'an received competitor number 183 and went to the competitors' seating area as Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li took seats in the stands.
• Gao Tianfang, commander-in-chief of Desolate Suppression City, arrived on the Reviewing Platform with a party of more than a dozen people.

Gao Tianfang opened the Gathering of Heroes, and the Elimination Tournament began with Chen Shi'an watching the competitors before winning his first match. Gu Qingyao faced a second-grade swordsman who underestimated her, and she attacked before he could finish describing his sword, Autumn Water.

• Gao Tianfang welcomed the Desolate Ruins leaders and said the dynasty would reward strongholds whose contestants reached the top hundred.
• A short, stout old man announced the three-stage tournament rules, and the Elimination Tournament began across thirty arenas.
• Chen Shi'an watched the morning matches and noted that eliminated contestants and their companions were forced to leave the dynasty's territory.
• Chen Shi'an defeated a first-rank whip-wielder with one saber strike and returned to wait for his next match.
• Gu Qingyao's second-grade opponent boasted that he would spare her, but she rushed forward and punched him before he finished introducing Autumn Water.

Gu Qingyao defeated her opponent with one punch, then Chen Shi'an entered his second Elimination Tournament match against the powerful Fan Saihu. Chen Shi'an’s opening saber strike staggered Fan Saihu, and their fight continued.

• Gu Qingyao knocked the tall, thin man out of the arena with a single punch, impressing the spectators and the Reviewing Platform.
• Qiu Shuang congratulated Gu Qingyao, and Chen Shi'an realized she had displayed her strength to attract the attention of Qiu Shuang’s connections.
• Chen Shi'an prepared to face Fan Saihu, a late second-grade fighter known for her immense strength, after Gu Qingyao warned him to be careful.
• Fan Saihu charged Chen Shi'an and swung her spiked club at his head.
• Chen Shi'an used Star-Treading Step to close in and struck Fan Saihu’s club with his Windbreaker Saber, breaking several bone spurs and forcing her back.

Chen Shi'an overwhelmed Fan Saihu in the arena, while Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li discussed the fire poison caused by his saber technique and how to help him. The Windbreaker Saber stopped after cutting into Fan Saihu's skull, leaving her fate uncertain.

• Gu Qingyao watched Chen Shi'an draw the Windbreaker Saber and worried that he would reach the Top Hundred.
• Chen Shi'an used the Flowing Flame Saber Technique to overpower Fan Saihu, whose spiked club broke under his attacks.
• Xiang Li and Qianshan Xue discussed Chen Shi'an's fire poison, the scarcity of Fire-Expelling Pills, and the need to persuade him to stop practicing the Mad Flame Saber Technique.
• Qianshan Xue considered teaching Chen Shi'an her own art, but Xiang Li warned that Elder Tian would kill her if she did so without permission.
• Fan Saihu surrendered as Chen Shi'an's Windbreaker Saber struck her forehead, cutting more than an inch into her skull before stopping.

Chen Shi'an defeated Fan Saihu, then was hurried into another Elimination Tournament bout against the peak Second-Rank Martial Artist Bu Jingkuang. As their fight began, Chen Shi'an concealed his true Origin Force cultivation and relied on the physical strength he had gained from seven rounds of marrow-washing and bone-tempering.

• Chen Shi'an defeated Fan Saihu, prompting cheers from the spectators and concern from Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li about his powerful Origin Force.
• Gu Qingyao exchanged a knowing glance with Qiu Shuang, then congratulated Chen Shi'an after his victory.
• The tournament officials called Chen Shi'an to fight again almost immediately, and Qiu Shuang mocked him as he approached the platform.
• Bu Jingkuang, a peak Second-Grade Martial Artist, threatened Chen Shi'an and demanded that he concede, but Chen Shi'an refused.
• After the referee began the match, Chen Shi'an rushed at Bu Jingkuang with extraordinary physical speed, hiding his true Origin Force cultivation.

Chen Shi'an defeated and killed Bu Jingkuang, then was declared the winner after the referee confirmed Bu Jingkuang had not conceded. As Chen Shi'an prepared for another match, Gu Qingyao left the contestants' seating area to stop Windrise Stronghold from reaching the Top Hundred.

• Chen Shi'an used his speed and Windbreaker Saber to knock Bu Jingkuang back, then wounded him with the Mad Flame Saber Technique and demanded that he concede.
• When Bu Jingkuang vowed revenge without conceding, Chen Shi'an killed him with a single slash.
• A white-bearded old man accused Chen Shi'an of breaking the rules, but the referee ruled that Bu Jingkuang had never explicitly conceded and declared Chen Shi'an the winner.
• Chen Shi'an returned to his seat, considered his chances of qualifying for the Top Hundred Tournament, and cultivated the Great Evolution Saintly Art to store Mind Power.
• Gu Qingyao realized Chen Shi'an was likely to qualify and left the seating area, determined to prevent Windrise Stronghold from reaching the Top Hundred.

Chen Shi'an faced Gu Qingyao in a match that could decide whether Windrise Stronghold reached the Top Hundred. He evaded her attacks with his superior speed, and Qiu Shuang accused him of fighting dishonorably.

• Chen Shi'an was called to fight Gu Qingyao, and he realized Flowing Stone Stronghold was trying to keep Windrise Stronghold out of the Top Hundred.
• Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li suspected that Gu Qingyao and Qiu Shuang had arranged the matchup and feared Chen Shi'an would lose.
• Gu Qingyao invited Chen Shi'an to draw his saber, but he refused and joked that she should test how hard he was instead.
• Gu Qingyao attacked with golden-glowing fists while Chen Shi'an used the Star-Treading Step to evade her, remaining too fast for her to catch.
• Qiu Shuang complained to the referee that Chen Shi'an was playing dirty, then taunted him for refusing to fight Gu Qingyao head-on.

Chen Shi'an turned the match against Gu Qingyao by disrupting her focus and unleashing the Mad Flame Saber Technique, nearly killing her before her Demon-Sealing Talisman saved her. Gu Qingyao left the platform badly wounded, while Chen Shi'an regretted that the talisman had foiled his plan to finish her off.

• Qiu Shuang and the spectators mocked Chen Shi'an as he evaded Gu Qingyao, while the referee warned that he would lose if he kept running.
• Gu Qingyao prepared to strike Chen Shi'an, but she suddenly froze, allowing him to turn and attack with the Windbreaker Saber.
• Chen Shi'an overwhelmed Gu Qingyao with all six moves of the Mad Flame Saber Technique and cut deeply into her right arm with a powerful final strike.
• Gu Qingyao used a Demon-Sealing Talisman to block the Windbreaker Saber and escaped the platform before Chen Shi'an could kill her.
• The spectators marveled that Chen Shi'an had defeated a Third-Grade Martial Artist, and Chen Shi'an realized his Mind Power had helped create the opening but the talisman had thwarted his plan.

Chen Shi'an defeated and wounded Gu Qingyao in the elimination tournament, then watched his plans to have her expelled from Desolate Suppression City unravel. After earning a place in the Top Hundred Tournament, he returned to Shun'an Inn, where Qianshan Xue warned him that Ye Xicheng’s Fire-Expelling Pills would not solve the danger of practicing the Mad Flame Saber Technique and offered to teach him her cultivation method.

• Chen Shi'an warned Qiu Shuang not to interfere in his grudge with Gu Qingyao, then taunted her before returning to the contestants' seats.
• Chen Shi'an expected soldiers to expel Gu Qingyao, Liu Yang, and Mu Tiezhu, but Qiu Shuang spoke to the soldiers and led Gu Qingyao into a room instead.
• The tournament officials announced that the Top Hundred Tournament would begin the next day and recorded the contestants' names and strongholds.
• Chen Shi'an met Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li after the tournament, and Xiang Li asked about his exceptional physique.
• Qianshan Xue warned Chen Shi'an that the Mad Flame Saber Technique would cause dangerous fire poison and offered to teach him her cultivation method.

Chen Shi'an warned Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li that Gu Qingyao might target their group, then entered the Top Hundred Tournament determined to reach the top ten. He began his first match against Zhou Qinghu and pressed the attack after Zhou narrowly dodged his opening saber strike.

• Chen Shi'an refused Qianshan Xue's offer to teach him her cultivation method and warned that Gu Qingyao might use Qiu Shuang to retaliate against their group.
• Qianshan Xue and Xiang Li agreed to stay at the inn until the Gathering of Heroes ended, while Chen Shi'an remained convinced Gu Qingyao would act before he returned to the Desolate Ruins.
• The Top Hundred Tournament began, and Chen Shi'an set himself the goal of reaching the top ten for the rewards.
• Chen Shi'an faced Zhou Qinghu of Iron Mountain Stronghold, dodged his cudgel, and forced him to roll away from a fast saber strike.
• Chen Shi'an caught up with Zhou Qinghu as he regained his feet and brought the Windbreaker Saber toward his face.

Chen Shi'an advanced to the Group Stage and began his Group Six bouts, where he faced the swift Liu Yunyun. After outpacing her and nearly striking her with his saber draw, he left her shaken and asking how he drew so quickly.

• Chen Shi'an defeated the thick-browed man and later won his second-round bout, advancing to the Group Stage.
• The tournament organizers assigned Chen Shi'an to Group Six alongside two peak Second Grade contestants and early Third Grade Guan Meng.
• Guan Meng wore down Jing Qian and defeated him with a sword thrust to the shoulder.
• Chen Shi'an faced Liu Yunyun, whose short sword and nimble close-combat style made her a dangerous opponent.
• Chen Shi'an evaded Liu Yunyun's attacks, then drew his saber so quickly that she barely dodged its edge and asked how he was so fast.

Chen Shi'an defeated Liu Yunyun with his eight-cut saber technique, then was made to fight Guan Meng immediately without a break. Guan Meng revealed that someone had asked him to kill Chen Shi'an, and Chen Shi'an suspected Gu Qingyao or Qiu Shuang before the referee ordered them to begin.

• Chen Shi'an blocked Liu Yunyun's four rapid sword thrusts and beat her by disarming her with the Seven Star-Chasing Forms.
• The judges discussed Chen Shi'an's exceptional speed and whether he was worth nurturing, while the man in black questioned whether he could be controlled.
• After Liu Yunyun left the platform, the referee summoned Guan Meng for Chen Shi'an's next match without giving him time to rest.
• Guan Meng said someone had asked him to kill Chen Shi'an, but offered to spare him if he conceded and left the platform.
• Chen Shi'an guessed that Gu Qingyao or Qiu Shuang had arranged the attack, and the referee ordered the two fighters to stop talking and fight.

Chen Shi'an defeated Guan Meng in the Gathering of Heroes arena while concealing his Third Grade cultivation. Guan Meng recognized him as a freak, and Chen Shi'an remained in the arena after knocking him out.

• Guan Meng warned Chen Shi'an to concede, but Chen Shi'an insisted on fighting and revealed early Second Grade Origin Force with strength approaching Guan Meng's.
• Guan Meng acknowledged Chen Shi'an's power and said he did not want to kill him, while Chen Shi'an promised to spare Guan Meng if he won.
• Chen Shi'an used the Seven Star-Chasing Forms and Mad Flame Saber Technique to drive Guan Meng toward the arena's edge.
• Guan Meng blocked Chen Shi'an's powerful sixth saber strike but was left teetering at the edge of the arena.
• Chen Shi'an followed with another saber strike and a whip kick, sending Guan Meng off the arena.
• Guan Meng got back to his feet and regarded Chen Shi'an as a freak because of his deep Origin Force and formidable physical abilities.

Chen Shi'an defeated Guan Meng and secured a place in the Gathering of Heroes' top ten, drawing the attention of Deputy Commander-in-Chief Dong Fengwu. Wu Dongchuang rebuked Qiu Shuang for trying to target Chen Shi'an and warned him not to interfere in the Top Ten Tournament.

• Chen Shi'an defeated Guan Meng, advanced into the top ten, and received a warning from him about the fights ahead.
• Dong Fengwu praised Chen Shi'an and warned Wu Dongchuang to stop using underhanded tricks against him.
• Chen Shi'an returned to the contestants' seats, satisfied with securing rewards, and considered withdrawing before the Top Ten Tournament.
• After the day's fights ended, Wu Dongchuang scolded Qiu Shuang for blaming him over Chen Shi'an's advance.
• Qiu Shuang insisted he wanted revenge, but Wu Dongchuang warned that Dong Fengwu had taken an interest in Chen Shi'an and forbade further schemes.