Chapter Summaries

Ye Gucheng defeated Lei Hong and persuaded him to preserve the Lei Sect by joining the Supreme Alliance, bringing the southern jianghu under its control. After a month in seclusion, Yu Huatian emerged stronger but still wary of the White Tiger Essence Blood’s threat, and prepared to use the delivered God-Eating Gu to treat the emperor.

• Ye Gucheng defeated Lei Hong, revealed that Lei Wujie was alive, and offered the Lei Sect submission or destruction.
• Lei Hong accepted Ye Gucheng’s proposal, and the Lei Sect joined the Supreme Alliance as its Jiangnan branch.
• The Supreme Alliance brought nearly all southern jianghu factions under its control, while Ye Gucheng and the others returned to the Capital.
• Yu Huatian emerged from seclusion with his injuries healed, his Great Grandmaster Fifth Level realm stabilized, and several martial arts fused, but he remained unable to resolve the White Tiger Essence Blood’s effect on his mind.
• Tan Luzi reported the southern jianghu’s unification and delivered news that Dongfang Bubai had sent another God-Eating Gu.
• Yu Huatian ordered Tan Luzi to bring the God-Eating Gu and went to the palace to treat the emperor.

Yu Huatian oversaw the removal of Zhu Youxiao’s God-Eating Gu, though the physicians warned that the emperor’s damaged vitality might not recover. After confirming the southern martial world was subdued and recruiting Lei Hong into the West Depot, Yu Huatian received an urgent report that trouble had arisen.

• Yu Huatian brought the God-Eating Gu to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, where Bei Haishi and Su Ying drew the parasite from Zhu Youxiao and Yu Huatian destroyed both gu insects afterward.
• Yu Huatian ordered his people to keep watching Yuhua Palace, while a mysterious figure overheard palace maids discussing food mysteriously disappearing from its kitchen.
• Ma Jinliang reported that most of the southern martial world had submitted to the Supreme Alliance, but Murong Qiudi had not yet found the Green Dragon Society’s headquarters, so Yu Huatian ordered the search to continue.
• Yu Huatian accepted Lei Hong into the West Depot after assuring him that Lei Wujie was alive and would be seen after completing his task.
• Tan Luzi returned with a grave expression and told Yu Huatian that something had happened.

A rumor about a City-Linked Treasure drew martial factions toward Jingzhou City while Yu Huatian investigated the trap and arranged for Ye Gucheng to abduct Jiang Yuyan. Zheng He let Ye Gucheng take her, but Zhu Youxiao learned she had been abducted and ordered the city sealed as Yu Huatian left to investigate.

• Rumors of a City-Linked Treasure and Peerless Divine Skill spread through the jianghu, prompting factions to head for Jingzhou City.
• Yu Huatian ordered Tan Luzi to investigate the rumors and sent Ye Gucheng to abduct Jiang Yuyan before he accompanied Cao Zhengchun to keep Zhu Youxiao occupied.
• Ye Gucheng subdued Jiang Yuyan, but Zheng He confronted him; after hearing that Jiang Yuyan was implicated in Consort Wan's death and secretly practiced martial arts, Zheng He allowed Ye Gucheng to take her.
• Zheng He and Xu Ruowu speculated that Yu Huatian might seek to become Ming's uncrowned king or pursue ambitions beyond Ming.
• An Imperial Guard reported Jiang Yuyan's abduction, and Zhu Youxiao ordered Yu Huatian to investigate and seal the city before going to Yuhua Palace himself.

Yu Huatian forced Jiang Yuyan to reveal the Borrowed Flowers, Grafted Trees technique, then killed her and Little Fish after exposing their plot. While Ma Jinliang and Ding Xiu went to capture Hua Wuque, a mysterious swordsman rescued him and warned Yu Huatian to keep Little Fish safe.

• Yu Huatian tortured Jiang Yuyan until she revealed the source and formula of Borrowed Flowers, Grafted Trees, then learned that Huang Xian had supplied her with prisoners to absorb their internal energy.
• Jiang Yuyan blamed Little Fish for the plot against Yu Huatian and revealed that his brother Hua Wuque might be at Azure Cloud Tower, but Yu Huatian killed both her and the unconscious Little Fish.
• Yu Huatian perfected Borrowed Flowers, Grafted Trees and began fusing it with the Sunflower Yin-Yang Longevity Skill.
• Ma Jinliang and Ding Xiu found Hua Wuque at Azure Cloud Tower, but a powerful middle-aged swordsman intervened, defeated them, and escaped with him.
• The swordsman identified Hua Wuque as Jiang Feng's son and said he would take Yu Huatian's head if Little Fish came to harm; Old Man Tianji recognized him as the World's Number One Divine Sword.

After incorporating Borrowed Flowers, Grafted Trees into his martial art, Yu Huatian learned that Yan Nantian had helped Hua Wuque escape and reported Jiang Yuyan’s death to Zhu Youxiao. When Zhu Youxiao collapsed from grief, Yu Huatian lost faith in supporting him and resolved to bring his plans forward, while Zhu Youxiao later read a confession accusing Jiang Yuyan of murder and secret schemes before fainting again.

• Yu Huatian advanced the Sunflower Yin-Yang Longevity Skill to its sixth level and drew a Great Restoration Pill.
• Ma Jinliang and Ding Xiu reported that Hua Wuque had escaped with help from the Great Grandmaster Yan Nantian, and Yu Huatian ordered a search while keeping Little Fish’s death secret.
• Yu Huatian brought Jiang Yuyan’s body to the palace, where Zhu Youxiao collapsed after seeing her and was treated by the divine physicians.
• Frustrated by Zhu Youxiao’s weakness, Yu Huatian resolved to bring his plans forward and left Ma Jinliang to deliver the case testimony.
• After waking, Zhu Youxiao read a confession claiming Jiang Yuyan had murdered Consort Wan and practiced evil martial arts, then fainted again in shock.

The City-Linked Treasure and its rumored Shenzhao Scripture drew powerful factions toward Jingzhou City. Yu Huatian prepared to claim the treasure for the court while Baili Dongjun and Guan Yutian each planned to seize the scripture, and the chapter left their forces set to converge in three days.

• News spread that the City-Linked Treasure near Jingzhou City supposedly contained the Shenzhao Scripture, a divine art said to lead to the Heavenly Realm.
• Sikong Changfeng told Baili Dongjun about the treasure, and Baili agreed to go to Jingzhou City in three days, intending to kill Yu Huatian if they crossed paths.
• Baili Dongjun and Sikong Changfeng discussed Sikong Hanyi's resentment over Lei Wujie, while Sikong worried that defeat had changed Baili and made him obsessed with strength.
• After confirming the treasure and scripture were real, Guan Yutian ordered the Supreme Alliance to gather and claim them, hoping to surpass Yu Huatian.
• Tan Luzi reported the news to Yu Huatian, who ordered preparations to leave for Jingzhou City in three days and summoned Dongfang Bubai, Murong Qiudi, and Guan Yutian to await his orders.

Zhu Youxiao reluctantly authorized Yu Huatian to mobilize local troops for the City-Linked Treasure affair, and Yu led a large force toward Jingzhou City. Along the way, Yu joined forces with Old Man Tianji, learned about his hidden injury and the martial world’s past generations, and ordered his troops to prepare for the factions gathering in the city.

• Zhu Youxiao refused to see Yu Huatian at first, then gave him half a tiger tally so he could mobilize armies for the mission to recover the City-Linked Treasure.
• Yu Huatian departed for Jingzhou City with the East Depot, West Depot, and Northern Pacification Office forces.
• Yu Huatian encountered Old Man Tianji and Sun Xiaohong, learned that Tianji sought the Shenzhao Scripture to heal an old injury, and invited them to travel with him.
• Lin Pingzhi reported that nearly a hundred factions had gathered in Jingzhou City, including Zhang Sanfeng and the Wudang Sect; Yu ordered Cao Zhengchun to conceal the East Depot and Embroidered Uniform Guards outside the city.
• Old Man Tianji described six generations of martial-world prodigies, including Bai Yujing, Pang Ban, Zhang Sanfeng, Li Xunhuan, and Ye Gucheng, while Sun Xiaohong mistakenly guessed that Tianji was a figure from a hundred years ago.

Lu Xiaofeng and his companions discussed the forces converging on Jingzhou City, while Yu Huatian recruited the supposedly mad Lian Chengbi by offering him the Longevity Secret. As the City-Linked Treasure drew more factions into the city, Qi Changfa disappeared and was revealed to be imprisoned by a masked man.

• Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou concluded that the City-Linked Treasure and Shenzhao Scripture had drawn powerful martial artists to Jingzhou, and Lu Xiaofeng decided to stay until the mastermind appeared.
• Lu Xiaofeng and his companions recognized Yan Nantian in Jingzhou City and were shaken by his overwhelming presence.
• Yu Huatian learned that the beggar Lian Chengbi was feigning madness and offered him the Longevity Secret in exchange for his loyalty.
• Lian Chengbi accepted Yu Huatian's offer and resolved to recover his strength and take revenge on Xiao Shiyilang and Shen Bijun.
• As Jingzhou filled with martial factions, Qi Changfa vanished, and Wan Zhenshan and Yan Daping searched anxiously for him.
• Qi Changfa was revealed to be imprisoned in a secret chamber with his martial prowess crippled, while a masked man in black sat before him.

Yu Huatian and the martial factions prepared to pursue the City-Linked Treasure after its location at Tianning Temple was exposed, while Gongzi Yu suspected the court had arrived in secret. The factions converged on the temple as Gongzi Yu sent his men to provoke Yu Huatian and killed Qi Changfa.

• Yu Huatian confirmed that the City-Linked Treasure lay beneath Tianning Temple and ordered his allies to spread its location to draw Gongzi Yu out.
• Guan Yutian, Baili Dongjun, Lu Xiaofeng, Ximen Chuixue, Fu Hongxue, Yan Nantian, and others set out for Tianning Temple, each seeking the treasure or the Shenzhao Scripture.
• Gongzi Yu learned that the treasure's location had been exposed and ordered his men to inflame the crowds and force Yu Huatian to reveal himself.
• The factions found gold, silver, and jewels beneath Tianning Temple, while Gongzi Yu declared that their greed would hasten their deaths.
• Gongzi Yu ordered his men to kill the captive Qi Changfa, then headed for Tianning Temple.

Martial factions gathered at Tianning Temple over the City-Linked Treasure and Shenzhao Scripture, but a staged clash plunged them into battle. Yu Huatian watched from nearby as his schemes unfolded, while Old Man Tianji warned that powerful adversaries had arrived.

• Martial artists discovered the treasure beneath Tianning Temple, and Guan Yutian arrived with the Supreme Alliance to claim it before the Raging Flood Dragon Gang, Sun Moon Holy Cult, Heavenly Mandate Cult, and Snowmoon City confronted him.
• Lu Xiaofeng urged the factions to avoid fighting, and Shangguan Ying proposed dividing the treasure and sharing any Shenzhao Scripture they found; hidden agents then threw Black Coffins, triggering a melee.
• Wan Zhenshan and Yan Daping joined the rush for the treasure, and the major factions began fighting as Dongfang Bubai and Guan Yutian acted on orders while Heavenly Venerable's Murong Qiudi attacked from the crowd.
• Yu Huatian learned that some provocateurs were assassins from Dark River and suspected they were working with the Green Dragon Society; he also promised Old Man Tianji he would seek a cure for his injuries.
• Old Man Tianji sensed multiple powerful arrivals near Tianning Temple, and Yu Huatian assured him that everything remained under control.

At Tianning Temple, Lu Xiaofeng failed to persuade Yan Nantian to stop the fighting before Shanyu Ru and Baili Dongjun appeared, exposing the hidden struggle over the Shenzhao Scripture and the court’s involvement. Yu Huatian arrived with the court’s forces and fought Baili Dongjun as the battle spread, while Ye Gucheng revealed his allegiance to the court and Dongfang Bubai betrayed Shangguan Ying.

• Lu Xiaofeng urged Yan Nantian to intervene in the slaughter, but Yan Nantian refused to get involved.
• Shanyu Ru and Baili Dongjun emerged from the collapsing temple and agreed to search for the Shenzhao Scripture together after Bai Fanghua warned that the court was still hidden nearby.
• Yu Huatian revealed himself with thousands of court forces, killed over a hundred martial artists with the Dragon-Capturing Divine Palm, and challenged Baili Dongjun.
• Yu Huatian and Baili Dongjun began a fierce sword battle, while Ye Gucheng appeared, declared that he would deal with the greedy martial artists, and attacked them alongside the court’s troops.
• Ximen Chuixue joined the fighting to face Ye Gucheng, and Lu Xiaofeng and his companions backed him.
• Shangguan Ying proposed joining forces against the court, but Dongfang Bubai suddenly struck him and sent him flying.

Guan Yutian and Dongfang Bubai turned against their rivals, while Zhang Sanfeng intervened to drive Shan Yuru and the Heavenly Mandate Cult from the battlefield. Yu Huatian survived Baili Dongjun’s unleashed sword strike and broke through in the Sword Dao, leaving the battle’s outcome unresolved.

• Bai Fanghua exposed Guan Yutian and Dongfang Bubai’s alliance, and Sikong Changfeng joined her against them as Tie Qingyi confronted Bai Fanghua over her betrayal of their school.
• Shan Yuru rescued Bai Fanghua and struck down Tie Qingyi, but Zhang Sanfeng stepped in and defeated Shan Yuru, forcing her, Bai Fanghua, and the Heavenly Mandate Cult to retreat.
• Yu Huatian and Baili Dongjun continued their duel, and Baili Dongjun unleashed the terrifying Sword Intent left by Li Changsheng.
• Yu Huatian concentrated his Heavenly Sword Slash to shatter the incoming Sword Qi, surviving the clash while Baili Dongjun was severely wounded.
• Yu Huatian’s resolve broke through a barrier in his Sword Dao, and swords across the battlefield rang out and bowed toward him.

Yu Huatian broke through in Sword Dao, killed Sikong Changfeng and Baili Dongjun, and had Zhang Sanfeng protect him from Yan Nantian. As Yu Huatian tried to recover, Su Changhe and Dark River revealed themselves alongside a formidable group of Great Grandmasters, leaving Yu Huatian facing the true force behind the plot.

• Yu Huatian advanced to Clear Sword Heart, but Sikong Changfeng attacked him and was killed despite breaking through in Spear Dao.
• Yu Huatian killed Baili Dongjun, then confronted Yan Nantian, who attacked him over the death of Little Fish.
• Zhang Sanfeng intervened to protect the weakened Yu Huatian and fought Yan Nantian while Yu Huatian began recovering his True Qi.
• Su Changhe and Dark River appeared and attacked Yu Huatian, but Yu Huatian sensed the ambush and demanded that their hidden allies reveal themselves.
• A young man, a powerful lama, and ten other Great Grandmasters emerged from the bamboo grove, confronting Yu Huatian with an overwhelming lineup.

Fang Yeyu arrived at Tianning Temple with the Demon Mentor Palace, Dark River, and the Red Sun Dharma King, joining forces with the Green Dragon Society to kill Yu Huatian. Old Man Tianji revealed his strength and engaged the Red Sun Dharma King, while Yu Huatian fought Fang Longxiang and the other forces overwhelmed his allies; Lian Chengbi searched for Gongzi Yu’s true body amid the chaos.

• Yu Huatian’s forces stopped fighting as Fang Yeyu and his entourage arrived with twelve Great Grandmasters and dozens of Dark River assassins.
• Old Man Tianji identified Fang Yeyu as Demon Mentor Pang Ban’s successor and recognized the Red Sun Dharma King as the Western Regions Esoteric School’s foremost expert.
• Fang Yeyu tried to recruit Yu Huatian, but Yu Huatian refused and revealed that he had recovered his True Qi.
• Fang Longxiang and the Red Sun Dharma King attacked Yu Huatian, while Old Man Tianji restored his strength and fought the Red Sun Dharma King.
• Fang Yeyu ordered the assault, and the Demon Mentor Palace, Dark River, and Green Dragon Society battled Yu Huatian’s outnumbered allies as Fang Longxiang suppressed Yu Huatian.
• Lian Chengbi searched Tianning Temple in his liquid form for Gongzi Yu’s true body, following Yu Huatian’s orders.

At Tianning Temple, Yu Huatian overcame Fang Longxiang and the Green Dragon Society’s Military Advisor despite being outnumbered, injured, and nearly depleted of True Qi. After absorbing the Military Advisor’s energy, Yu Huatian felt his Martial Dao Realm break through.

• Yu Huatian activated his White Tiger Bloodline and fought Fang Longxiang on equal terms, eventually blocking the Longevity Sword Swordsmanship and leaving Fang badly injured.
• The Green Dragon Society’s Military Advisor joined the fight, and Yu Huatian used a Great Restoration Pill to recover enough strength to battle them both.
• Yu Huatian targeted Fang Longxiang, interrupted his attempt to gather sword momentum, and struck him down with Heavenly Sword Slash.
• When the Military Advisor tried to flee, Yu Huatian’s Fourteenth Sword transformed into the embryonic form of Fifteenth Sword, and his Heavenly Sword Slash incapacitated the man.
• Yu Huatian drained the Military Advisor’s True Qi and vital essence with Borrowed Flowers, Grafted Trees, then felt his Martial Dao Realm break through.

Yu Huatian killed Gongzi Yu and the remaining enemy forces at Tianning Temple, but the White Tiger Bloodline’s murderous influence increasingly threatened his control. After learning of heavy casualties and arranging the aftermath, he received an urgent report that the emperor was critically ill and had to return to the Capital.

• Yu Huatian drained Fang Longxiang after killing Bai Xiaosheng, then joined the imperial court’s battle and drove the enemy forces into retreat.
• Yu Huatian killed Su Changhe and defeated the Five Elements generals, then slaughtered the remaining Great Grandmasters and fighters while struggling to suppress the White Tiger Bloodline’s savagery.
• Lian Chengbi found the real Gongzi Yu hiding in Tianning Temple, and Yu Huatian pursued and killed him.
• Zhang Sanfeng and Old Man Tianji reported that Yan Nantian and Red Sun Dharma King had escaped, while Yu Huatian learned that the battle had caused severe casualties and ordered aid for the fallen soldiers’ families.
• Yu Huatian ordered the poisoned City-Linked Treasure guarded until its poison was neutralized, then received a secret report saying the emperor was critically ill and that he must return at once.

After learning that Emperor Tianqi was critically ill, Yu Huatian returned to the Capital while arranging hunts for rival factions and securing new territories. As Yaoyue and Lianxing set out to retrieve Hua Wuque and Zisang Busho agreed to return to the Green Dragon Society, Yu Huatian discovered that the emperor’s illness had become public knowledge and suspected a conspiracy.

• Yu Huatian ordered his allies to escort the City-Linked Treasure, secretly track Yan Nantian and Hua Wuque, hunt the Green Dragon Society, Demon Mentor Palace, and Dark River, and take control of Snowmoon City and the Southern Frontier.
• Fang Yeyu learned from a message that Emperor Tianqi was dying and sent word to Great Yuan to act.
• After news of Yu Huatian’s victories and the court’s wanted notices spread, Yaoyue and Lianxing left Amity Flower Palace to bring Hua Wuque back, while Zisang Busho agreed to return to help lead the Green Dragon Society.
• Yu Huatian noticed a powerful concealed presence near the Capital’s gates and ordered Yan Shisan to investigate Imperial Guard commander Leng Yan.
• Tan Luzi told Yu Huatian that Emperor Tianqi was gravely ill and that ministers had learned of it, prompting Yu Huatian to suspect a conspiracy.

Yu Huatian revealed to the dying Zhu Youxiao that Su Huirong had borne him a son, Zhu Ciyu, who was named crown prince. As court officials jockeyed for power and Yu Huatian’s enemies plotted, the imperial decrees naming the empress, crown prince, and his guardians stunned the capital.

• Yu Huatian learned from the master physicians that Zhu Youxiao was unlikely to live another three months, and Zhu Youxiao asked who Yu Huatian planned to support as his successor.
• Yu Huatian told Zhu Youxiao that Su Huirong had secretly borne him a son, and Zhu Youxiao joyfully met Su Huirong and the child, naming the boy Zhu Ciyu and appointing him crown prince.
• Tan Luzi summoned selected ministers to meet Zhu Youxiao and arrested Hong Chengchou and other officials who had challenged the West Depot.
• An elderly man and an armored conspirator discussed the emperor’s failing health and their plans to exploit the coming turmoil, including dealing with the Imperial Guard.
• Rumors of Zhu Youxiao’s illness spread through the capital as imperial princes hurried toward Kyoto to pursue the throne.
• Zhu Youxiao’s decrees invested Su Huirong as empress, Zhu Ciyu as crown prince, Hai Rui and Zhang Juzheng as his tutors, and Yu Huatian as his guardian, shocking the capital.

After Zhu Youxiao publicly named Zhu Ciyu as crown prince, Yu Huatian uncovered a plot against the imperial family and foiled an assassination attempt on Zhu Ciyu and Su Huirong. Wei Zaode was arrested and implicated an unseen mastermind, while Yu Huatian ordered the investigation to continue and received word that another crisis had occurred.

• Zhu Youxiao introduced Zhu Ciyu to the court and appointed Yu Huatian as the crown prince’s teacher, disrupting officials’ hopes of backing another successor.
• An armored man ordered an old man to find a way to kill Zhu Ciyu, while Yu Huatian learned that Wei Zaode had backed officials who caused trouble at Fengtian Gate.
• Yu Huatian sent Ye Gucheng and Lei Hong to protect Su Huirong and Zhu Ciyu, then confronted Wei Zaode when he came to the palace.
• Assassins attacked Su Huirong and Zhu Ciyu, but Ye Gucheng, Lei Hong, Zheng He, and Xu Ruowu helped defeat them and keep the pair safe.
• Yu Huatian identified Dark River, Minghou, and Yue Ji among the attackers, deduced that Wei Zaode had been coerced through threats to his family, and ordered Wei Zaode’s family beheaded.
• A West Depot guard rushed to Yu Huatian and reported that something had happened outside.

After Leng Yan escaped the Capital, Yuan and Qing forces invaded Ming, prompting Zhu Youxiao to send Yu Huatian and troops toward Shanhai Pass. The Green Dragon Society learned Yu Huatian had left and prepared to join Demon Mentor Palace in attacking during the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony, while reports of Demon Mentor Palace activity near Shaolin raised new questions.

• Leng Yan withdrew from the Capital with Liu Yaozhi, Hua Jieyu, and Demon Mentor Palace experts, then planned a direct assault while the frontier operation drew Yu Huatian away.
• News reached the Capital that Yuan had attacked Jiayu Pass and Qing had entered through Shanhai Pass after Wu Sangui betrayed Ming, and Zhu Youxiao demanded a response.
• Yu Huatian advised appointing Sun Chengzong and Yang Sichang to retake Shanhai Pass, while he led the Depots and Embroidered Uniform Guard to counter martial artists accompanying the Qing army.
• Zhu Youxiao announced that the Empress and Crown Prince would hold their investiture ceremony in half a month, and Yu Huatian departed the Capital with his forces.
• Yang Yanyu and the Green Dragon Society’s other Dragon Heads learned Yu Huatian had left and agreed to act with Demon Mentor Palace during the ceremony.
• A messenger told Yang Yanyu that Demon Mentor Palace had been seen near Mount Song, prompting him to suspect Shaolin Temple was involved.