Chapter Summaries

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.

Cao Jinxing entered Mist-Flow Island’s Cloud-Swallowing Mist-Spitting Tower with Qin Xuanji, where physician Ding Yanrong examined him and prescribed medicine to speed his recovery. After learning Cao Jinxing’s identity and background, Qin Xuanque and Shi Yi agreed to investigate him further and ensure the island treated him with respect.

• Qin Xuanji led Cao Jinxing through the Qin estate, openly showing him its defenses and bringing him to her cultivation room in the tower.
• Ding Yanrong examined Cao Jinxing, identified the backlash from his forbidden art, and prescribed herbs to replenish his qi and strengthen his body.
• After Qin Xuanji fetched the herbs, Cao Jinxing discussed the battle at Taizhou with Ding Yanrong without revealing the full extent of his feats.
• Ding Yanrong reported Cao Jinxing’s identity and Langya List information to Qin Xuanque and Shi Yi.
• Qin Xuanque ordered a thorough investigation for her father and instructed Shi Yi to ensure the islanders did not slight Cao Jinxing.

Qin Xuanji and Qin Xuanque reconciled as Qin Xuanji recounted Cao Jinxing’s generosity and declared her love for him, while Qin Xuanque accepted the Nethersea Jujube and warned her to keep some propriety. On Peach Blossom Island, Huang Baiyuan and Huang Siyuan linked Cao Jinxing to the missing Li Shaojun legacy and plotted to capture Qin Xuanji to uncover Qin Zhaonan’s secluded location.

• Qin Xuanji supervised Gyuki and the servants as they planted the Nethersea Jujube Tree, then confronted Qin Xuanque about testing and injuring Cao Jinxing.
• Qin Xuanji told Qin Xuanque she loved Cao Jinxing and recounted their adventures, explaining that he had given her the final Nethersea Jujube for her sister.
• Qin Xuanque accepted the jujube, asked Qin Xuanji to apologize to Cao Jinxing, and forbade her from spending the night at his residence.
• Huang Siyuan reported that Cao Jinxing likely took Li Shaojun’s legacy and that Qin Xuanji had brought back the Nethersea Jujube Tree.
• Huang Baiyuan ordered Huang Siyuan to capture Qin Xuanji so they could discover where Qin Zhaonan was in seclusion, and told him to investigate the movements of Qin Xuanji’s younger siblings.

Cao Jinxing recovered at the Cloud-Swallowing Mist-Spitting Tower while Qin Xuanji explained to Qin Xuanque that she understood Duanmu Nan’s designs and trusted Cao Jinxing. After Qin Xuanji rejected Duanmu Nan’s rare gift and he learned she planned to turn it into soup for Cao Jinxing, Duanmu Nan grew murderous and resolved to betray the Qin Family.

• Cao Jinxing used Ding Yanrong’s medicine to heal and cultivate as he considered the threats facing Mist-Flow Island.
• Qin Xuanji told Qin Xuanque that Duanmu Nan had courted her after Qin Xuanque rejected him, and she asked her sister not to mistreat Cao Jinxing.
• Duanmu Nan returned from Rare Beast Island and sent Qin Xuanji a rare [Wenyao], but she refused to see him and ordered the creature made into soup for Cao Jinxing.
• Qin Xuanji told Qin Xuanque that Duanmu Nan could not take Rare Beast Island’s resources and would be dealt with if he defected.
• Shi Yi refused to receive Duanmu Nan, and Duanmu Nan learned that Qin Xuanji had turned his [Wenyao] into soup for Cao Jinxing.
• Duanmu Nan became enraged and decided to show the Qin Family no loyalty.

Cao Jinxing and Qin Xuanji uncovered Duanmu Nan’s suspicious attempt to lure her to Rare Beast Island, and Qin Xuanji decided to investigate with Cao Jinxing accompanying her. Duanmu Nan secretly sent a message to his allies as he prepared to escort them.

• Qin Xuanji explained the East Sea’s major resource sites and told Cao Jinxing how Duanmu Nan had been undermining her family.
• Qin Xuanji coldly rejected Duanmu Nan’s personal advances, then heard his request for her help preparing Rare Beast Island’s fishing harvest.
• Cao Jinxing recognized Duanmu Nan’s unusual submission as a sign of murderous intent, and Qin Xuanji agreed that his request was likely a trap.
• Cao Jinxing reassured Qin Xuanji that he accepted both her innocent and calculating sides, then offered to accompany her to Rare Beast Island.
• Qin Xuanji prepared to take firearms and poison while planning to bring Gyuki for protection.
• Duanmu Nan returned to his ship, sent a secret letter by Invisible Falcon, and vowed to kill Qin Xuanji.

Qin Xuanji and Cao Jinxing sailed to Rare Beast Island aboard the Painted Grebe, where Cao learned about Europe’s Aura and questioned Captain Raymond about the Inquisition and its fighters. On the island, Qin agreed to Duanmu Nan’s plan to visit Héluó Fish Lake first as Cao and his companions prepared for danger.

• Qin Xuanji explained Mist-Flow Island’s salvage trade and its limits on teaching the Sea-Gathering Secret Art to everyone.
• Qin Xuanji and Cao Jinxing boarded the Painted Grebe, captained by Raymond, and sailed toward Rare Beast Island while Gyuki remained underwater and the Heaven-Swallowing Whale guarded Mist-Flow Island.
• Cao Jinxing manifested Aura, and Raymond explained its European origins and warned that the Inquisition might take an interest in him.
• Cao Jinxing questioned Raymond about the Inquisition, its ranks, and the Knight Order’s combat techniques, gathering information as Raymond eagerly talked.
• Cao Jinxing and Qin Xuanji arrived at Rare Beast Island and joined Duanmu Nan, who recommended treating the Heluo Fish’s growths first.
• Qin Xuanji accepted Duanmu Nan’s plan, and the group headed to Héluó Fish Lake as Cao Jinxing, Xuan Yuan Fourteen, and Gyuki prepared for trouble.