Recaps

Cao Jinxing interrogated Zhu Lu, Kitahara Ryusei, and Wu Shixun in Shaoxing Prison, uncovering a scheme to gather treasures for a monstrous weapon aiding the Wokou. He learned the danger facing the Qi Family Army and prepared to report it while vowing to make Yan Shifan’s faction pay.

• Cao Jinxing intimidated Wu Shixun and used the Fire Charm Technique to make Zhu Lu reveal that Luo Longwen had ordered him to shelter Kitahara Ryusei’s group.
• Cao Jinxing used the Cold Toad Mind-Seizing Technique on Kitahara Ryusei, who disclosed that Xu Hai had traded the Elixir of Immortality recipe to Luo Longwen for Zhejiang’s help smuggling Wokou through the region.
• Kitahara Ryusei revealed that Xu Hai’s forces had awakened Gyuki, a gigantic, ancient sea monster, and were gathering treasures to feed and heal it for use against the Qi Family Army.
• Cao Jinxing realized that the Qi Family Army faced a hidden threat, ordered the clerk’s testimony completed, and vowed to make Yan Shifan and his faction pay.

After Cao Jinxing exposed Yan Shifan’s dealings with the Wokou, Yan Song went to Jiajing to contain the scandal and save the Yan Family from destruction. Jiajing punished the Yan family’s allies, sent Yan Shaoting to the Southeast, and ordered Cao Jinxing protected and empowered to root out traitors.

• Luo Longwen told Yan Song and Yan Shifan that Cao Jinxing had captured Kitahara Ryusei and Zhu Lu, putting their dealings with the Wokou at risk of exposure.
• Yan Shifan secretly ordered eight guards to kill Luo Longwen, while Yan Song prepared to go to the palace with chests of gifts and a list of implicated officials.
• Jiajing summoned Yan Song, who blamed the conspiracy on Luo Longwen and asked to resign and have Yan Shifan stripped of his post.
• Jiajing ordered Yan Song to recuperate, demoted Yan Shifan, appointed Zhang Juzheng to the Grand Secretariat, and sent Yan Shaoting to serve under Qi Jiguang.
• Jiajing ordered the officials on Yan Song’s list flayed and their property confiscated, then granted Cao Jinxing the Soaring Dragon Armor, a shadow guard, and authority to act without restraint.

The Wokou leaders feared Cao Jinxing would expose their plans and reveal the secret of [Gyuki], while Kitahara Hayato struggled over whether to rescue his captured son. Qi Jiguang struck [Gyuki] on Dongji Island, and two experts finally entered Cao Jinxing’s domain at Shaoxing Prison.

• Kitahara Hayato learned that Cao Jinxing had captured Kitahara Ryusei, and Wang Zhi warned him that a rescue attempt might be a trap.
• Xu Hai warned that Kitahara Ryusei might reveal the existence of [Gyuki], especially if Wan Heqing used the [Mind-Seizing Technique] on him.
• [Gyuki] roared from beneath Dongji Island, and Fukuda Kaoru realized someone was attacking it.
• Qi Jiguang recognized [Gyuki] as a threat to the Great Ming fleet and wounded the beast with a saber strike.
• Cao Jinxing waited at Shaoxing Prison as two experts entered his domain, ready to test the power of his false Faxiang.

Cao Jinxing waited outside Shaoxing Prison as assassins converged on him, confident he could defeat them. Wan Heqing prepared to assist him, while an old acquaintance arrived at the city gate.

• Cao Jinxing identified Laosheng and Hongsheng as Opera House assassins and sat outside the prison, inviting them to summon the rest of their allies.
• Hongsheng fired a signal arrow, bringing hidden assassins toward the prison.
• Wan Heqing and her deputies watched the attackers converge, and Wan Heqing ordered them to prepare three bottles from the Main Altar so she could help Cao Jinxing.
• A girl in a black dress and bamboo hat arrived at Shaoxing's city gate from Sichuan and worried that Cao Jinxing might be in trouble.

Cao Jinxing faced a coordinated assault by the Opera House, demonic factions, and Japanese swordsmen outside Shaoxing Prison. He revealed a newly condensed false Faxiang and annihilated much of the attacking force, leaving the surviving enemies terrified as the battle continued.

• Zhang Mingyan and Master Kuxing watched Cao Jinxing's enemies gather, choosing not to intervene themselves.
• Cao Jinxing drew out [Futsu-no-Mitama], drawing the Japanese warriors and demonic practitioners out of hiding alongside the Opera House assassins.
• Sixteen peak Tongyou fighters attacked Cao Jinxing together while twenty Japanese warriors threw shuriken at him.
• Cao Jinxing manifested Patriarch Lü's golden Faxiang and used Xiantian Astral Qi to block and rebound the attacks.
• Cao Jinxing counterattacked, killing Chu Kuangren, a Maitreya guardian vajra, the three Peace Sect elders, Lü Mingfeng, and the red-faced-role performer.
• The remaining attackers lost their nerve as Cao Jinxing turned his sword qi toward the blind swordsman.

Cao Jinxing killed the attackers at Shaoxing Prison with the Earthwalking Technique and the Snowbound Siege Song, then survived a surprise attack by Zhang Mingyan and Kuxing. Seriously injured, he was left with Qin Xuanji as Wan Heqing approached.

• Cao Jinxing evaded the attackers’ combined assault by using the Earthwalking Technique, then trapped them in the Snowbound Siege Song’s freezing illusion.
• Cao Jinxing shattered Nangong Die and the other frozen attackers, killing them all.
• Zhang Mingyan and Kuxing ambushed Cao Jinxing with a sonic blade and their Faxiang, but Qin Xuanji rushed to his side and helped him face them.
• Cao Jinxing accused Zhang Mingyan and Kuxing of abandoning their principles, and the two withdrew rather than continue fighting.
• Cao Jinxing coughed blood from his injuries, and Qin Xuanji gave him Mist-Flow Island’s secret medicine as Wan Heqing approached.

Cao Jinxing survived Wan Heqing’s attempt to drug him, then headed to Tianyuan Tower to confront her. There, Yao Hongli revealed that she had poisoned Wan Heqing with Desire Demon Water and attacked her under Cao Jinxing’s influence.

• Wan Heqing used the Fire Charm Technique to trap Qin Xuanji in an illusion and tried to make Cao Jinxing drink a potion she called Nine-Flower Jade Dew Water.
• Qin Xuanji broke free and shattered Wan Heqing’s bottle with her qin, but Wan Heqing surrounded Cao Jinxing with the potion’s vapor before leaving for Tianyuan Tower.
• Cao Jinxing reassured Qin Xuanji and went to Tianyuan Tower, intending to deal with Wan Heqing.
• Wan Heqing met Yao Hongli, reviewed the gang’s accounts, and drank wine that Yao Hongli had laced with Desire Demon Water.
• Yao Hongli revealed that she had killed several gang members at Cao Jinxing’s instruction and admitted she was under his Fire Charm Technique.
• Yao Hongli told Wan Heqing that Cao Jinxing had ordered her to kill anyone who tried to kill him, then attacked Wan Heqing with her sword.

Cao Jinxing killed Wan Heqing and put Yao Hongli in charge of founding Tianyuan, then reunited with Qin Xuanji and agreed to travel with her to Taizhou to check on Little Hei. News of Cao Jinxing’s decisive victory over the attackers spread through the Jianghu, leaving his enemies convinced that ordinary Faxiang-level opponents could not defeat him alone.

• Yao Hongli killed Wan Heqing, and Cao Jinxing used the Absorbing Power Great Method to raise Yao Hongli’s cultivation to Tongyou Eighth Layer.
• Cao Jinxing gave Yao Hongli the Four Public Masks and tasked her with recruiting trusted experts for a new organization named Tianyuan.
• Cao Jinxing returned to Shaoxing Prison, where Qin Xuanji explained that she had rushed back after hearing reports of trouble along the southeastern coast and then learning about Cao Jinxing’s battle.
• Cao Jinxing agreed to travel with Qin Xuanji to General Qi’s camp in Taizhou to check on Little Hei and discuss the threat posed by the Wokou’s Gyuki.
• The Demon Cult, Wokou, and Opera House learned that Cao Jinxing had defeated sixteen Tongyou Peak experts and twenty elite Shinto-ryu warriors, and his reputation spread throughout the Jianghu.

Cao Jinxing learned that Qin Xuanji had met Zhang Sanfeng, who gave her a mysterious martial song, a hidden parchment, and a pendant made from He Shi Bi. After the Yan Family’s allies were executed and Cao Jinxing began studying the song, Lu Yi arrived with Cao’s reward and the Soaring Dragon Armor, escorted by Shadow Guard Yang Xi.

• Cao Jinxing questioned Qin Xuanji about the immortal she had met, and they identified him as Perfected Master Zhang Sanfeng.
• Qin Xuanji showed Cao Jinxing the pendant and parchment Zhang Sanfeng had given her, and Cao recognized the pendant as He Shi Bi.
• Cao Jinxing gave Yao Hongli a copy of Xiantian Astral Qi and arranged for Fan Zikun to sentence the three prisoners to death.
• Cao Jinxing and Qin Xuanji studied Zhang Sanfeng’s song, Rootless Tree, while Cao tried to decipher its martial arts secrets.
• Lu Yi arrived with Cao Jinxing’s reward, accompanied by Shadow Guard Yang Xi, who carried the Soaring Dragon Armor and saluted Cao as the Thirteenth Guardian.

Cao Jinxing received imperial rewards and reunited with Lu Yi and Shadow Guard Deputy Commander Yang Xi, but urgent reports revealed a massive Wokou invasion near Ningbo. As Cao Jinxing rushed to reinforce Fenghua, he suspected the invasion was coordinated with forces inside Zhejiang and might target Ningbo itself.

• Cao Jinxing welcomed Yang Xi and reunited with Lu Yi, who delivered the Emperor’s rewards, including Immortal Pills, silver, the Soaring Dragon Armor, and entry to the Great Yan Pansi Cave.
• Prefect Fan Zikun brought urgent intelligence that three hundred Wokou warships had gathered near Xiangshan and threatened Fenghua and nearby counties.
• Cao Jinxing learned that Qi Jiguang had wounded Gyuki in a raid, prompting Wang Zhi to launch a direct assault, and decided to hurry ahead with Lu Yi and Yang Xi.
• Cao Jinxing and Qin Xuanji flew toward Fenghua on Yinghuo while Lu Yi and Yang Xi rode the Cloud-Turning Steed.
• Cao Jinxing suspected the Wokou invasion was coordinated with forces inside Zhejiang and that Ningbo itself might be the real target.
• Wokou forces began landing across Ningbo’s counties as Hu Zongxian oversaw operations from Hangzhou.

Wokou forces captured Ninghai after the Xianxia Sect betrayed its defenders, then began burning and looting the city. Cao Jinxing arrived with his companions, saw the massacre, and charged into the Wokou to kill them.

• More than twenty thousand Wokou attacked Ninghai, and Aoki Real Person led Xianxia Sect disciples in a surprise assault on the defenders.
• Aoki killed Guo Yong, while the Wokou broke through the walls and overwhelmed Ninghai in less than a quarter of an hour.
• Matsuura Tadaaki and his forces entered the captured city, where he planned to hold it against the expected Ming response.
• Cao Jinxing and his companions reached Ninghai and found it burning, with Wokou slaughtering civilians throughout the city.
• Cao Jinxing told Qin Xuanji to remain in the sky, then descended into Ninghai and began cutting down the Wokou.

Cao Jinxing and his allies attacked the Wokou occupying Ninghai, while officials led by Peng Feng pledged themselves to Matsuura Tadaaki. Cao Jinxing slaughtered the Wokou and defeated Aoki, then confronted Mao Haifeng as the chapter ended with his next palm strike.

• Inoue Jūshirō led the Wokou in killing and looting Ninghai until Cao Jinxing swept through the streets and beheaded more than a hundred of them in an instant.
• Qin Xuanji watched Cao Jinxing’s attack from Yinghuo’s back, while Lu Yi and Yang Xi leaped over the southern gate and killed its guards with hidden weapons.
• Peng Feng and other Ningbo officials pledged allegiance to Matsuura Tadaaki as Kumazawa Takuma sensed three approaching experts and divided the defenders to meet them.
• Mao Haifeng and Aoki rushed west to stop Cao Jinxing, who struck Aoki down with a palm after blocking his sword technique.
• Cao Jinxing identified himself to Mao Haifeng as a man from the Northern Pacification Office who would kill him, then launched another palm strike.

Cao Jinxing defeated Mao Haifeng and Aoki, rescued Yang Xi from Kumazawa Takuma, and killed the Wokou commander before taking the bodies to Peng Feng’s residence. There, he confronted the officials who had colluded with the Wokou and asked whether they had any last words.

• Cao Jinxing shattered Mao Haifeng’s arms and killed the rōnin who rushed to the battle site.
• Yang Xi fought Kumazawa Takuma while Lu Yi broke the Xianxia Sect disciples’ Flowing Rainbow Sword Formation.
• Kumazawa summoned his Wind God Faxiang and trapped Yang Xi in a gale, but Cao Jinxing stabbed him from behind and killed him.
• Cao Jinxing left Lu Yi and Yang Xi to deal with the rōnin, then carried Kumazawa’s corpse and the wounded Aoki and Mao Haifeng to Peng Feng’s residence.
• Matsuura Tadaaki recognized Kumazawa’s headless corpse, and Cao Jinxing killed Baba Nobufusa after he fired at him.
• Cao Jinxing sat before Peng Feng and the other officials and demanded to hear their last words for letting the Wokou in.

Cao Jinxing crushed the Wokou forces in Ninghai, captured their collaborators and Matsuura Tadaaki, and met Qi Jiguang as the city was secured. Wang Zhi learned that Cao had destroyed his forces and vowed revenge while Cao and his companions headed toward Taizhou.

• Cao Jinxing rejected Peng Feng’s claim that Ninghai’s officials had surrendered as a tactic, knocked out his teeth, and restrained Matsuura Tadaaki when he tried to kill himself.
• Qi Jiguang rushed to Ninghai with three thousand cavalrymen and learned from Lu Yi and Yang Xi that the city’s crisis had already been quelled.
• Qi Jiguang met Cao Jinxing, praised his defense of Ninghai, and arranged for Peng Feng and the other corrupt officials to be taken to Hu Zongxian for punishment.
• Cao Jinxing revealed that Matsuura Tadaaki was Matsuura Takanobu’s second son and discussed the powers backing the Wokou with Qi Jiguang.
• Wang Zhi learned that Cao Jinxing had killed Kumazawa Takuma and the Wokou forces in Ninghai and captured Matsuura Tadaaki, then swore to kill Cao.

Cao Jinxing comprehended Zhang Sanfeng’s “Rootless Tree” and merged its principles with the Primordial Chaos Art, beginning to cultivate an immortal martial art. At Mount Wudang, Li Xuanzong brooded over his dead disciples before sensing someone familiar and calling out to Li Chonglou.

• Cao Jinxing struggled through the riddling verses of “Rootless Tree” while Qin Xuanji looked after him during their journey to Taizhou.
• After a day and night of study, Cao Jinxing understood that the song conveyed Zhang Sanfeng’s complete path to immortal martial arts and its method of comprehension.
• Cao Jinxing combined “Rootless Tree” with the Primordial Chaos Art and drew the Eight Qi into his body, enduring pain as the process strengthened his meridians.
• Qin Xuanji nearly fell from a bench while inspecting Cao Jinxing, and he caught her before she could hit the ground.
• Cao Jinxing told Qin Xuanji that “Rootless Tree” was a general method for approaching Immortal Grade and named his combined art the Primordial Chaos Limitless Art.
• At Mount Wudang, Li Xuanzong studied the Supreme Taiji Scripture and mourned Wang Daozong and Li Chonglou before sensing a familiar presence and calling out to Li Chonglou.

Cao Jinxing and Lu Yi suspected Wang Zhi’s forces had gained powerful allies while the Wokou fleet remained at sea. Ji Wenzong and Murong Song joined Wang Zhi’s side, and Fukuda Kaoru supplied Gyuki with medicine as the enemy prepared for a larger battle.

• Cao Jinxing and Lu Yi discussed why Wang Zhi’s fleet had not withdrawn and suspected the Ji Family, Murong Family, or Star Sect might be helping him.
• Xu Hai argued with Fukuda Kaoru over the resources spent on Gyuki, while Xu Weixue urged them to preserve their alliance.
• Wang Zhi arrived with Ji Wenzong and Murong Song, who revealed their identities and offered thirty Fortune Creation Pills each.
• Fukuda Kaoru demanded a concrete plan to defeat Cao Jinxing, and Ji Wenzong privately persuaded her to send for her elder brother, Fukuda Tsubasa.
• Fukuda Kaoru gave Gyuki the pills and a gemstone, and its tentacle carried the offerings beneath the sea.

After Ninghai was liberated, Qi Jiguang prepared to reinforce Taizhou, where the Wokou planned an attack amid heavy rain and the threat of a restored sea beast. As the defenders braced for battle, Qin Xuanji summoned the Heaven-Swallowing Whale and rode it toward Taizhou to help.

• Qi Jiguang told Hu Zongxian that Peng Feng had aided the Wokou, Ninghai had been freed, and Taizhou faced urgent danger.
• Yang Luoshi joined Qi Jiguang with Zhao Lingshan and Zhang Tianyan after receiving Cao Jinxing's request for help.
• A scout reported that Wang Zhi had healed Gyuki, Fukuda Tsubasa had arrived with Muramasa, and the Wokou fleet was approaching in the storm.
• Lou Nan ordered Taizhou's forces to defend the city while Cao Jinxing explained that Qin Xuanji had gone to fetch a nonhuman ally.
• Qin Xuanji summoned the Heaven-Swallowing Whale, climbed onto its back, and directed it toward Taizhou to fight the Wokou.

Cao Jinxing unleashed Vast Star Returning Flow: Purple Tenuity Starfall, killing three thousand Wokou and driving the rest into panic. Wang Zhi rallied the surviving attackers and sent several powerful enemies after Cao Jinxing, who drew the Heavenly Dao Sword as they attacked.

• Lou Nan refused to lead the defenders out of Taizhou and rallied them to hold the city until reinforcements arrived.
• Cao Jinxing summoned the Eight Qi and struck the battlefield with Purple Tenuity Starfall, killing three thousand Wokou and frightening the rest into retreat.
• Wang Zhi stopped the retreat and ordered the Wokou to spread out and attack Taizhou while his allies occupied Cao Jinxing.
• Kitahara Hayato, Ji Wenzong, Murong Song, Xu Weixue, and Xu Hai charged toward the gate tower, while Fukuda Tsubasa and Fukuda Kaoru refused to fight until Wang Zhi acted himself.
• Kitahara Hayato and the others attacked Cao Jinxing with sword qi, Demonic Buddha Hand, and other techniques, and Cao Jinxing calmly drew the Heavenly Dao Sword.

Cao Jinxing fought Gyuki and the Wokou attackers, then was ambushed by three Faxiang experts who grievously injured Yang Xi while saving him. Enraged, Cao Jinxing used the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Great Art to break through to Faxiang and unleashed Ice-Seal Three Thousand Li as the final slaughter began.

• Cao Jinxing killed Xu Weixue and Murong Song with his Heavenly Dao Sword and Pure Yang Palm, then drove Gyuki away from the battlements with powerful kicks.
• A black whale arrived and dragged Gyuki into the sea, while Wang Zhi, Fukuda Tsubasa, Kitahara Hayato, Xu Hai, and Ji Wenzong surrounded Cao Jinxing below the walls.
• The attackers wounded Cao Jinxing, but Yang Xi knocked him clear of three hidden Faxiang experts' ambush and took their strikes, leaving his fate uncertain.
• Cao Jinxing accused the three disguised attackers of belonging to the Celestial Masters' Mansion, the Star Sect, and Azure Dragon Temple, then vowed to kill them and avenge Yang Xi.
• Cao Jinxing used the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Great Art to force his breakthrough to Faxiang, despite the risk of destroying his meridians.
• Cao Jinxing unleashed Ice-Seal Three Thousand Li, beginning the final slaughter.

Cao Jinxing used the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Great Art to break through to the Body-Shaping stage and defeat three Faxiang masters, killing Kuxing, Sun Yichuan, and Zhang Mingyan. As Cao Jinxing’s cultivation collapsed, Qin Xuanji rescued him beneath the sea, while those on shore feared he had drowned.

• Cao Jinxing broke through to the Body-Shaping stage, froze the battlefield, and killed Kuxing with the Great Void Finger.
• Cao Jinxing wounded Zhang Mingyan and Sun Yichuan with the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Formula, then killed Sun Yichuan with the Heavenly Dao Sword.
• Zhang Mingyan attacked Cao Jinxing, but Qi Jiguang blocked the blow and Yang Luoshi wounded Zhang Mingyan; Cao Jinxing severed Zhang Mingyan’s arm and pursued him over the sea.
• Gyuki seized Zhang Mingyan, allowing Cao Jinxing to cut off his head and display it on a Wokou ship’s mast.
• Cao Jinxing fell into the sea as the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Great Art’s backlash took hold, and Qin Xuanji caught him on the Heaven-Swallowing Whale.
• Qi Jiguang and the others waited on shore for Cao Jinxing to surface, then called for help when he did not appear.

After Cao Jinxing vanished while defending Taizhou, the court and Jianghu mourned him and punished the three masters who had ambushed him by destroying their sects. Cao Jinxing later sent word that he was safe, and the chapter left him recovering at sea with Qin Xuanji, Vulture, and Snow Glaze as they traveled toward the eastern islands.

• Qi Jiguang and Yang Luoshi searched Taizhou Bay for Cao Jinxing, while the court learned of his deeds and believed he had died defending the country.
• Jiajing ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to destroy the Celestial Masters' Mansion, Azure Dragon Temple, and Star Sect in revenge for Cao Jinxing's apparent death.
• At Pengxuan Grotto-Heaven, Liu Zhenyuan and He Qianqiu discussed Cao Jinxing's disappearance and worried over the remaining campaign against the Jianghu sects.
• Yan Shaoting arrived in Taizhou under imperial orders, but Qi Jiguang sent him directly to the barracks to serve as a common soldier.
• A military physician confirmed Yang Xi was recovering, and Qi Jiguang received a message from Cao Jinxing saying he was out of danger.
• Cao Jinxing relaxed on the giant whale's back with Qin Xuanji, Vulture, and Snow Glaze as Gyuki escorted them toward the eastern islands.

Cao Jinxing and Qin Xuanji reached Li Shaojun's cave on Fanggan Island, where they uncovered a hidden Nethersea Jujube tree that might help heal Cao Jinxing's injuries. They descended into the hidden chamber to search for more treasures, leaving Zhao Haizhong and his two companions frozen in the cave.

• Cao Jinxing agreed to accompany Qin Xuanji to Mist-Flow Island while he recovered from the severe aftereffects of the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Great Art.
• Cao Jinxing sensed three Tongyou practitioners on Fanggan Island, and Qin Xuanji helped him approach Li Shaojun's cave.
• Qin Xuanji and Cao Jinxing encountered Zhao Haizhong and two companions searching the cave, and Zhao Haizhong yielded the entrance to them.
• Cao Jinxing found a hidden mechanism near the stone table, and Qin Xuanji struck the ground to reveal a concealed pit containing a jujube tree.
• Qin Xuanji identified the three giant fruits as Nethersea Jujubes and carried Cao Jinxing down into the pit to investigate further.

Cao Jinxing and Qin Xuanji discovered Li Shaojun’s hidden chamber, where they found ancient treasures and a pre-Qin Daoist cultivation method. After a Nethersea Jujube restored Cao Jinxing’s injuries and raised both their realms, they took the jujube tree and continued their voyage, finally reaching Mist-Flow Island.

• Cao Jinxing and Qin Xuanji entered Li Shaojun’s hidden chamber, where Cao found Zhang Liang’s Lingxu Sword and they discovered a Suanni pendant marked for a destined recipient.
• Cao Jinxing studied the pre-Qin method Autumn Waters of Ten Thousand Rivers and used its nonaction technique to control water with greater precision.
• Cao Jinxing ate one Nethersea Jujube, recovering to the fifth layer of Tongyou, while Qin Xuanji advanced to the eighth layer.
• Cao Jinxing gave Qin Xuanji the remaining jujubes and promised to handle a difficult matter, then had Gyuki remove the ancient tree from the cavern.
• Zhao Haizhong and his companions awoke to find the hidden chamber’s treasures gone, with no memory of what had happened.
• Cao Jinxing and Qin Xuanji sailed onward with the jujube tree and arrived at Mist-Flow Island.

Cao Jinxing arrived at Mist-Flow Island with Qin Xuanji, who brought him before her family while hoping he could recover there. After Qin Xuanque attacked him and Qin Xuanji defended him, Shi Yi eased the dispute and arranged for Cao Jinxing to be treated at the Cloud-Swallowing Mist-Spitting Tower.

• Qin Xuanque learned that Qin Xuanji had returned with a man and rushed to Little Cloud Reef, suspecting he had deceived her sister.
• Cao Jinxing stopped Qin Xuanque's sword strike between two fingers, revealing his formidable hidden martial skill.
• Qin Xuanji rebuked Qin Xuanque for attacking her injured guest and threatened to leave with Cao Jinxing.
• Shi Yi apologized and explained Qin Xuanque's concern, persuading Cao Jinxing and Qin Xuanji to stay.
• Qin Xuanque arranged treatment for Cao Jinxing at the Cloud-Swallowing Mist-Spitting Tower, and Gyuki came ashore carrying the Nethersea Jujube Tree.

Cao Jinxing solved a nine-layer Mo Cube on Mist-Flow Island and uncovered the Mohist School’s legendary Non-Attack Sword Technique. Shi Yi confirmed the inheritance was authentic and concluded that Cao Jinxing was an extraordinary swordsman sincerely devoted to Qin Xuanji.

• Cao Jinxing stopped to examine the bronze puzzle ball Qin Xuanque’s servant was carrying, then solved its nine layers in fewer than thirty breaths.
• Cao Jinxing opened the puzzle and found a jade Intricately Carved Ball engraved with Mozi’s Non-Attack Sword Technique.
• Cao Jinxing handed the ball to Qin Xuanji, who passed it to Shi Yi after he recognized the legendary sword art.
• Shi Yi confirmed the ball was an authentic Mohist inheritance and urged Qin Xuanque to invest further in the sunken wreck.
• Shi Yi told Qin Xuanque that Cao Jinxing’s skill, concealed strength, and treatment of Qin Xuanji revealed his extraordinary abilities and devotion to her.