Chapter Summaries

Pei Ye fought Shang Huaitong at close quarters, combining the Jade and Jadeite sword lineages to survive the stronger swordsman’s attacks and press forward. The chapter ended as Pei Ye used a three-layered [Shell Shedding] to evade Shang Huaitong’s [Four Fires Bestow Life].

• Shang Huaitong shattered Pei Ye’s [Broken Leaf Returning Tide] with [Five Fires Illuminate Life] and followed with [Six Fires Reveal Life].
• Pei Ye released and caught his sword with his left hand, redirecting Shang Huaitong’s attack before countering with [Leaf-Eating].
• Shang Huaitong severed Pei Ye’s sword and threatened his throat with [Second Fire Opens Life], but Pei Ye used [Shell Shedding] to evade and combined it with [Broken Leaf Returning Tide] to threaten Shang Huaitong’s neck.
• Pei Ye pressed into close quarters, linking the Cicada and Sparrow sword principles to keep attacking as Shang Huaitong fought back.
• Shang Huaitong unleashed [Four Fires Bestow Life], and Pei Ye escaped its three converging strikes by joining two forms of [Shell Shedding] into one layered move.

Pei Ye fought Shang Huaitong at close range, using successive sword changes and accepting wounds to keep the initiative against the Sixth Growth warrior. After Shang Huaitong unleashed [Seven Fires, Life Unbound], Pei Ye chained a fourth swift move toward his throat, leaving Shang Huaitong with time to intercept but no remaining sword transformations.

• Pei Ye let Shang Huaitong’s flames wound his shoulder and arm, then caught his sword in his right hand and struck with [Broken Leaf Returning Tide].
• Pei Ye restrained his sword’s momentum and changed to [Treading Water, Plucking Scales], aiming for Shang Huaitong’s throat.
• Shang Huaitong reversed his grip with [Turning the Spear] and unleashed [Seven Fires, Life Unbound] at Pei Ye.
• Pei Ye changed direction again with [Swift Wind Drifting Leaves] and sent his blade toward Shang Huaitong’s throat.
• Shang Huaitong had time to intercept Pei Ye’s attack, but his sword’s transformations had reached a dead end.

Pei Ye defeated Shang Huaitong in a fierce duel, using the final forms of his sword techniques to overcome the Sixth Growth swordsman and press his blade to Shang Huaitong’s throat. As Pei Ye’s completed Nether Growth Sword filled the arena, he broke free of its restraints and attacked again, while the chapter ended by describing the realm’s overwhelming power.

• Shang Huaitong unleashed [Seven Lives Forge Fire], but Pei Ye survived the strike with [Jade Elder] and pressed forward with [Soil-Breaking] until his sword tip reached Shang Huaitong’s throat.
• Pei Ye’s completed Nether Growth Sword spread across the arena, and the crowd cheered his victory over Shang Huaitong.
• Sui Zaihua applauded Pei Ye, while Gu Yunfu stood and acknowledged his talent.
• Pei Ye abruptly broke free of the Nether Growth Sword’s restraints and stabbed toward Shang Huaitong again.
• The narration described the completed Nether Growth Sword as an overwhelming realm of Intent that spectators could barely endure.

Pei Ye endured Shang Huaitong’s complete Nether Growth Intent Sword to study its workings, then stopped the killing technique by meeting it with Soil-Breaking. As dry heat and fire emerged where their swords touched, Shang Huaitong froze in shock.

• Shang Huaitong unleashed his complete Intent Sword and struck Pei Ye, sending him flying to the edge of the platform and leaving him bleeding.
• Shang Huaitong pressed his Nether Growth Realm around Pei Ye, draining his strength and senses as he advanced to attack again.
• Pei Ye remained calm under the realm’s pressure and focused on the sensation of its threads while Shang Huaitong prepared Bloom Together at Dawn, Wither Together at Dusk.
• Shang Huaitong brought the killing sword down, but Pei Ye raised Soil-Breaking and caught its approach, stopping the expected withering effect.
• Dry heat rose between the crossed swords and became fire, leaving Shang Huaitong frozen in disbelief.

Pei Ye defeated Shang Huaitong with a true Intent Sword and pinned him in the arena, then tried to kill him with a sudden stroke. An old man’s teacup deflected Pei Ye’s sword just before it reached Shang Huaitong’s throat.

• Pei Ye burned away Shang Huaitong’s Nether Growth Realm with Seven Lives Forge Fire, then overcame his renewed attack with a true Intent Sword.
• Pei Ye disarmed Shang Huaitong, pinned him by the throat, and declared that he was unfit to speak of the sword.
• After the match, Pei Ye slashed at Shang Huaitong’s throat, forcing Shang Huaitong to struggle free of his hold.
• Luo Defeng rushed to intervene, but Li Weiru blocked his path after shattering a teacup with Sword Qi.
• An old man’s teacup struck Pei Ye’s sword and gently deflected it away from Shang Huaitong’s throat.

Pei Ye defeated Shang Huaitong in the Bowang Golden Autumn Martial Cultivation Tournament’s final bout and was declared Chief Champion. Afterward, Zhang Dingyun asked Pei Ye to sign his fan, and Pei Ye carved his name into its handle.

• Pei Ye broke Shang Huaitong’s Nether Growth Intent Sword and defeated him again when he launched a sudden attack.
• Pei Ye planted his foot on Shang Huaitong’s throat as the spectators recognized him as the tournament’s undisputed champion.
• Zhang Junxue watched Pei Ye’s victory and accepted that she would still have chosen to strike at Shang Huaitong despite the cost.
• Director of Merit Xu announced Pei Ye of Fenghuai as the Chief Champion, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
• Zhang Dingyun asked Pei Ye for an autograph, and Pei Ye carved his name into Zhang Dingyun’s fan handle.

After winning the Golden Autumn Martial Contest, Pei Ye learned that his rewards and nomination would be presented at the formal ceremony, while Li Piaoqing quietly realized that being with him made her happy. The next morning, Pei Ye rode through Bowang City as its newly crowned Martial Champion, on his way to receive his honors.

• Gu Yunfu gave the wounded Pei Ye a healing pill, and Li Piaoqing explained that his rewards and nomination would be presented at the next day's ceremony.
• Pei Ye offered to help Li Piaoqing pursue admission to the Sword Cultivation Academy, and she realized that being with him made her happy.
• The Losers' Arena concluded with Pei Ye as Chief Champion, Yang Yan as runner-up, and Li Piaoqing among the Top Eight.
• Li Piaoqing helped Pei Ye dress for the crowning ceremony, and Yang Yan agreed to give him twenty taels while asking him to return Snow-Collapsing.
• Pei Ye rode through the cheering crowds from Mingde Archway toward Bowang Garden, embracing the glory of his victory.

Pei Ye completed the Bowang Golden Autumn champion-conferral ceremony, received his rewards, and was formally recorded as Chief Champion and recommended for the examinations in the capital. The ceremony ended with Sui Zaihua giving him an engraved copper piece bearing a poem about his newly revealed name and deeds.

• Pei Ye rode into Bowang Garden and greeted the officials and dignitaries gathered to celebrate him.
• Sui Zaihua questioned whether Pei Ye had truly acted without regard for personal gain, then led him through Han Pavilion and read an old governor’s calligraphy.
• Chang Zhiyuan verified Pei Ye’s identity and clean background, and the officials confirmed him as Chief Champion.
• Pei Ye received one hundred taels of silver, an Ascension Pill, a Copper Sparrow Hero Tally, the sword Mountain Feather, and the Snow-Collapsing sword technique.
• Pei Ye inscribed his name on the gold document and received the sealed record recommending him for the examinations in the capital.
• Sui Zaihua presented Pei Ye with an engraved copper piece bearing a poem about his name and deeds being revealed, leaving Pei Ye frozen in surprise.

After winning the Autumn Champion title, Pei Ye saw off Chang Zhiyuan and the Fenghuai group, then spoke with Li Piaoqing about the late friend whose handmade tassel hung from his new sword. He went to find Yang Yan to practice, but first examined the unusually thin Snow-Collapsing Sword Manual.

• Pei Ye saw Chang Zhiyuan, Master Huang, and the children off as they left Bowang for Fenghuai, while Li Piaoqing promised the children a path to study at Jadeite Mountain.
• Li Piaoqing noticed the old tassel on Pei Ye’s new sword and learned that it had been made by a friend who had died; Pei Ye said she used to cheer him on at competitions.
• Li Piaoqing asked Pei Ye to tell her about his past and considered inviting him out that evening, but he had already arranged to practice swordsmanship with Yang Yan.
• Pei Ye visited Yang Yan at Changdao Martial Arts School, asked whether he was close to any girl, and then studied the Snow-Collapsing Sword Manual, finding it contained fewer than twenty pages.

Pei Ye studied Yang Yan’s school’s Snow-Collapsing sword art and tried to use it against the Jade Pendant, but his strike only smashed the disc through a window. Yang Yan retrieved the undamaged pendant and angrily accused Pei Ye of having no real feel for the technique.

• Pei Ye examined the brief Snow-Collapsing manual and realized it taught a single inward-focused principle rather than a complete combat art.
• Yang Yan told Pei Ye that the Jade Pendant had been hidden by his school and that he knew only it could be opened with saber and sword.
• After studying the manual, Pei Ye said he had a feel for Snow-Collapsing and asked Yang Yan to hang the Jade Pendant for a test.
• Pei Ye gathered his strength and struck the pendant, breaking its cord and sending it through the window.
• Yang Yan recovered the unmarked Jade Pendant and yelled at Pei Ye for pretending to understand the sword art.

Pei Ye learned that the Jade Pendant had reacted to the fruit, which Black Cat identified as a weapon against the Dragon Lord, while he wrestled with Li Piaoqing’s possible feelings for him. Li Piaoqing reaffirmed that she would stay with Jade Feather, and the chapter ended the next morning with Yang Yan finding Pei Ye already waiting beneath a courtyard tree.

• Black Cat told Pei Ye that the fruit had reacted to Yang Yan’s Jade Pendant and insisted they needed to take it, but Pei Ye said he would first try to persuade Yang Yan to lend it.
• Pei Ye dressed Black Cat in a new black cloak and asked whether Li Piaoqing liked him; Black Cat advised him to reject her if he did not return her feelings.
• Li Piaoqing confided in Shen Yao about her feelings for Pei Ye and considered asking him more about his plans the next day.
• Shen Yao asked Li Piaoqing about her future at the Sword Cultivation Academy, and Li Piaoqing said she would never leave Jade Feather.
• The next morning, Yang Yan found Pei Ye studying beneath a courtyard tree and learned that he had slept there.

Pei Ye practiced Heavenly Mountain’s difficult sword art while Yang Yan received his saber back from Shi Zanxue. Shi Zanxue invited Pei Ye to a council about the Joy-in-Death Tower case, and the chapter ended with Li Piaoqing waiting outside the Martial Arts Hall as Pei Ye emerged beside Shi Zanxue.

• Pei Ye made progress understanding the First Chapter of the sword art, but Yang Yan refused to let him try it out until he had learned the whole technique.
• Shi Zanxue arrived and returned Yang Yan’s saber, which had been preserved for three years; Yang Yan accepted it with tears in his eyes.
• Shi Zanxue invited Pei Ye to join a council convened by Heavenly Mountain and the prefectural city’s Immortal Platform, and Pei Ye agreed because of the pendant he needed to obtain.
• Shi Zanxue asked Pei Ye about his connection to the Bright Sword Master and offered him a place at Heavenly Mountain, but he declined.
• Pei Ye opened the Martial Arts Hall gate and found Li Piaoqing waiting outside, then instinctively moved farther from Shi Zanxue.

Pei Ye and Shi Zanxue attended a Joint Deliberation with five grandmasters, where An Zang explained how the Hushan Sword Gate murders led to the Joy-in-Death Tower and the Sun-Swallowing Society. The discussion turned to the Bowang cases, and Wudong questioned Pei Ye about killing Yang Hu and preserving the corpse and bead.

• Li Piaoqing gave Pei Ye pastries before he left with Shi Zanxue for the Immortal Platform.
• Pei Ye entered the Joint Deliberation and met five grandmasters, including Wudong, An Zang, Li Weiru, Cheng Lin, and Sui Zaihua.
• An Zang traced the Hushan Sword Gate murders, Joy-in-Death Tower’s soul-seizing and sword-art theft, and the investigation’s encounter with the Sun-Swallowing Society.
• Wudong questioned An Zang about Hushan Sword Gate’s suppressed report and Yang Yan’s route to Bowang, then asked Li Weiru to explain the Bowang affair.
• Li Weiru described the attacks on Bai Yuliang and Pei Ye and the death of Yang Hu, after which Wudong asked Pei Ye how he had killed Yang Hu and preserved the corpse and bead.

Wu Dong outlined investigations into the Joy-in-Death Tower and proposed an ambush, using Pei Ye as bait for a possible return attack. Pei Ye asked about the Ancient Inheritance Object, but the Grandmasters said progress on it depended on cooperation from the Xilong Circuit.

• Cheng Lin summarized Sui Zaihua’s report on the Soul-Seizing Pearl, identifying Artifact Masters and the Heart Amber used in it as possible leads.
• Wu Dong set two investigations in motion: tracing the Bowang plot and Hushan Sword Gate’s trail, and investigating the Soul-Seizing Pearl’s origins.
• Wu Dong reasoned that the Joy-in-Death Tower might return for another suitable sword-art target and arranged a three-day ambush, with Sui Zaihua leaving Bowang and returning in secret to keep watch.
• Wu Dong, An Zang, and Sui Zaihua concluded the meeting, while Pei Ye remained confused about what they planned to watch.
• Pei Ye asked how they would identify the Ancient Inheritance Object, and Wu Dong said the matter required the Xilong Circuit’s cooperation.

Pei Ye and Shi Zanxue discussed the Immortal Platform’s inspection of unusual objects before Li Piaoqing met Pei Ye in the rain and nervously invited him boating. The chapter ended with Pei Ye caught off guard by her invitation and Li Piaoqing repeating that he should not go practice swordsmanship.

• Shi Zanxue explained that unusual objects had to be inspected by the Immortal Platform, which could return, seize, or destroy them.
• Pei Ye joked that he would join Heavenly Mountain to learn what it wanted, then refused when Shi Zanxue asked if he was serious.
• Li Piaoqing waited for Pei Ye outside the Immortal Platform, but seeing him talk with Shi Zanxue dampened her spirits.
• Li Piaoqing asked Pei Ye about their promised gifts, and he said his present had not arrived yet.
• Li Piaoqing invited Pei Ye to go boating on Moon-Catching Lake, then blurted out that he should not practice swordsmanship with Yang Yan.

Pei Ye struggled to reject Li Piaoqing’s invitation to go boating, but his resolve faltered until they reached the lake. He finally refused and made an excuse about Yang Yan, leaving Li Piaoqing staring blankly at him.

• Pei Ye remembered his plan to reject Li Piaoqing decisively but agreed to go boating when he saw her hopeful expression.
• Li Piaoqing and Pei Ye walked through the rain toward Moon-Catching Lake, and she tried to chat with him about his sword.
• Li Piaoqing told Pei Ye that she had chosen his new sword for him at the Prefectural Office Armory.
• At the lake, Li Piaoqing offered Pei Ye her hand to help him into the boat, but he asked her not to go.
• Pei Ye claimed Yang Yan needed him to hurry back and practice swordsmanship, while Li Piaoqing stared at him in silence.

Pei Ye fled after making it clear that he did not return Li Piaoqing’s feelings, leaving both of them distressed. Li Piaoqing returned home and learned that she would demonstrate her swordplay for Lord Sui the next morning while Li Weiru left to watch Shang Huaitong.

• Pei Ye regretted how clumsily he had rejected Li Piaoqing and returned to the Martial Arts Hall, where he angrily shut himself in his room.
• Li Piaoqing left the lake in the rain, convinced that Pei Ye did not like her and deciding to apologize to him the next day.
• Li Weiru comforted Li Piaoqing and told her that Lord Sui would assess her swordplay at Changdao Martial Arts School the next morning.
• Li Weiru left to watch Shang Huaitong as part of the meeting’s plan to monitor the other Fruit.

Li Piaoqing struggled with the pain of her changed relationship with Pei Ye while preparing for the Sword Cultivation Academy trial. Her master encouraged her and she went to the trial, while Yang Yan tried to coax someone out to practice at Changdao Martial Arts School.

• Li Piaoqing practiced Yellow Jadeite and realized she could not casually resolve her feelings for Pei Ye or return to their former friendship.
• After imagining Pei Ye might reject or resent her, Li Piaoqing broke down in fear that their closeness was gone for good.
• The next morning, Li Piaoqing washed off her feather makeup and received a note from her sect leader encouraging her before the sword trial and offering to help with her love troubles.
• Li Piaoqing continued practicing despite her wandering thoughts, then went out with her sword for the trial.
• At Changdao Martial Arts School, Yang Yan repeatedly called someone to come practice, but the person refused and told him to look first.

Pei Ye struggled with the guilt of rejecting Li Piaoqing, but when he realized she was demonstrating her sword skills for a Sword Cultivation Academy assessment, he returned to watch. Li Piaoqing impressed the unseen elder with her understanding of the sword and faced a question about the deeper meaning of her sword form.

• Pei Ye confided in Black Cat that he felt awful after rejecting Li Piaoqing and heard her arrive at Changdao Martial Arts School to practice alone.
• Li Piaoqing began her sword demonstration for a distinguished elder, showing her foundation and then performing a sequence she had arranged herself.
• Pei Ye recognized the importance of Li Piaoqing's assessment, fetched a sword, and quietly entered the Martial Field to watch her perform.
• The elder asked Li Piaoqing to repeat part of her sequence to clarify its rises and falls, and she demonstrated the moves precisely.
• The elder asked why Broken Leaf Returning Tide differed from the other moves, and Li Piaoqing considered whether it marked a shift from the mundane to the spiritual.

Li Piaoqing failed to pass Sui Zaihua’s Sword Cultivation Academy test after her inspired sword technique went too far, while Pei Ye watched without approaching her. Pei Ye struggled with his decision to stay away, then visited Qi Zhaohua, who was preparing to leave for Chang’an with Fang Jidao.

• Li Piaoqing connected [Immovable Perilous Wind] to [Broken Leaf Returning Tide], but pushed the technique too far and dropped her sword.
• Sui Zaihua praised Li Piaoqing’s inspiration but told her that her grasp was shallow and her insight rushed, and that she needed to temper herself longer.
• Pei Ye watched Li Piaoqing leave in despair but resisted the urge to comfort her, then Yang Yan told him that Qi Zhaohua wanted to see him.
• Qi Zhaohua told Pei Ye she was leaving for Chang’an and offered to help him there, explaining that Fang Jidao was going with her.
• Pei Ye asked Qi Zhaohua whether she had agreed to Fang Jidao accompanying her.