Chapter Summaries

Pei Ye faced the Sword Banquet’s leading young swordsmen and defeated them with seemingly effortless swordwork, revealing his mastery as he advanced through the challengers. After overcoming Gao Ge’s tethering sword art with a thrown-sword counter, Pei Ye remained on the platform as the gathered spectators struggled to understand his skill.

• Shao Xiuyuan unleashed his ancestral sword art, but Pei Ye’s Soil-Breaking disrupted Spring-Water Tassel and pressed Shao’s sword to the ground.
• Pei Ye defeated Shi Zhenxuan, Ding Dao, Bian Shang, and the other challengers with brief exchanges, often relying only on Soil-Breaking.
• Gao Ge challenged Pei Ye and used Beautiful Sacrifice to tether their qi and keep them from disengaging.
• Gao Ge followed with Consort Fire, but Pei Ye released his sword and sent it past Gao’s neck before returning it to its sheath.
• Gao Ge conceded the bout, while spectators watched Pei Ye and wondered about the swordsmanship they had witnessed.

At the Phantom Tower Banquet, Pei Ye challenged the Teal Heroes one after another, defeating several distinguished swordsmen and drawing the Eastern Palace’s attention. He defeated Qun Fei as well, and she conceded while proposing another match at the Feather-Scale Trial.

• Pei Ye challenged Ji Jiuying, adapted to her Queen Mother of the West Sword, and disarmed her after meeting her strength head-on.
• Pei Ye defeated Tang Fubing, Zhao Jiajia, and Liang Yanni, then overcame Shang Yunning after a long exchange of swordplay.
• Pei Ye defeated Chen Quan with the Nether Immortal sword and beat Mei Jianxi after a difficult contest of sword moves and intent.
• Pei Ye fought Qun Fei through an animated exchange, then used Soul-Shock to unsettle her and stop his sword at her throat.
• Qun Fei conceded to Pei Ye and invited him to fight her again at the Feather-Scale Trial.

Pei Ye completed twenty-one sword bouts at the Phantom Tower Banquet, winning nineteen, drawing once, and losing only to Lu Wei. Afterward, Crown Prince Li Xizhou addressed the Jianghu heroes, rejecting private retainers in favor of service through Great Tang’s official institutions, then privately discussed recruiting talent and rewards with Pei Ye.

• Pei Ye fought He Yaoyao for four hundred exchanges and called their bout a draw after she withstood his Snow Sword moves.
• Pei Ye lost by one move to Lu Wei in the banquet’s most spectacular sword duel, finishing with nineteen wins, one draw, and one loss.
• Li Xizhou toasted the gathered heroes and said the Eastern Palace would not recruit private retainers, urging those who wished to serve to enter Great Tang’s official offices.
• Li Xizhou announced rewards for the ten distinguished champions and invited them to choose gifts prepared by Penglai.
• Pei Ye asked Li Xizhou for a competition reward, and she agreed to have Zhaohua approach Gao Ge about a vacant Eastern Palace post.

At the Phantom Tower banquet, Li Xizhou hosted Ming Qitian, Li Piaoqing, Qu Xin, Cui Zhaoye, and Pei Ye after his sword victory, while the women’s competing offers to take him away unsettled him. The others left with Pei Ye, and Cui Zhaoye explained that she had been trying to protect him from Li Xizhou’s supposed designs.

• Li Xizhou welcomed Ming Qitian and the others, then invited them to stay for tea despite Pei Ye’s protests.
• Ming Qitian praised Pei Ye’s swordsmanship and discussed how his anger had strengthened his performance.
• Cui Zhaoye declared that Pei Ye should study under Ming Qitian, then jokingly offered to take him to the Cui Clan as the others named places they might take him.
• Li Xizhou toasted Pei Ye’s victory and asked Ming Qitian to speak with her privately behind the tower.
• Li Xizhou asked Pei Ye to stay for drinks after the banquet, and he agreed before leaving with the others and the black cat.
• Cui Zhaoye told Pei Ye she had pressured Li Xizhou to rescue him from his cage because she believed Li Xizhou had improper designs on him.

Li Xizhou spoke privately with Ming Qitian about Pei Ye, their ambitions, and Li Xizhou’s fears about how much she depended on him. Their conversation ended with Li Xizhou admitting she liked Ming Qitian, who warned that growing close could lead them to become enemies.

• Cui Zhaoye complained that the others had not supported her defense of Pei Ye, but Pei Ye told her to stop interfering.
• Li Xizhou and Ming Qitian climbed to the top of the Vermilion Tower and discussed their ambitions and Pei Ye’s desire to kill the Supreme One True Dragon Immortal Lord.
• Ming Qitian explained that she and Pei Ye planned to live together fishing and practicing the sword after killing the Immortal Lord.
• Ming Qitian described Li Xizhou’s loneliness, fear, and attachment to Pei Ye, and Li Xizhou asked her not to tell anyone what she had said.
• Li Xizhou admitted she was afraid of losing Pei Ye, and Ming Qitian told her that her unyielding will mattered more than her attachment to him.
• Li Xizhou rested her head on Ming Qitian’s shoulder and said she liked her; Ming Qitian replied that becoming close could eventually make them turn against each other.

Pei Ye left the Sword Banquet with Li Xizhou and accompanied her back to the Cultivation Literature Academy, where she asked him to help her change clothes. The chapter ended with Pei Ye fastening her robe while Li Xizhou teased him about dressing her every day.

• Ming Qitian told Li Xizhou she did not know why she treated Pei Ye differently, only that she was willing to talk to him.
• Pei Ye mingled with guests at the banquet, spoke with old and new acquaintances, and arranged to face He Yaoyao again at the Feather-Scale Trial.
• After the guests departed, Ming Qitian told Pei Ye she had recorded his twenty-one sword matches and would review them with him later.
• Li Xizhou took Pei Ye back to the Cultivation Literature Academy for a drink and led him to her private chambers.
• Li Xizhou washed off her makeup and asked Pei Ye to help her change; he dressed her in a red spring robe.

Li Xizhou reassured Pei Ye that romance would not change the trust between them, then invited him to try kissing her again. After they shared an intimate kiss and talked over wine, Pei Ye wondered whether the men at the Sword Banquet had been acting deliberately.

• Li Xizhou told Pei Ye that romance was only a game to her and that their bond did not depend on it.
• Li Xizhou asked Pei Ye whether he still liked Li Piaoqing and whom he would choose if forced; Pei Ye said he would choose her.
• Li Xizhou asked Pei Ye to try kissing her, and Pei Ye kissed her while she leaned against the railing.
• Li Xizhou teased Pei Ye about letting her feel his stomach, then poured more wine as they sat together.
• Pei Ye asked Li Xizhou about his new nickname, “Chi Sword Boy,” and wondered whether the men at the Sword Banquet had acted on purpose.

Li Xizhou and Pei Ye talked about love and commitment before choosing to spend the night together. At dawn, they woke in the Little Blue Tower, and Li Xizhou hinted at showing Pei Ye a booklet of detailed drawings.

• Li Xizhou and Pei Ye drank and played pitch-pot, then discussed whether Pei Ye would still love her if she were ugly and how seriously he took his romantic feelings.
• Pei Ye explained that he loved Li Xizhou, had chosen her over Piao Qing, and considered his romantic feelings a responsibility separate from their trust in each other.
• Li Xizhou invited Pei Ye to share real sweetness, and he agreed to spend the night with her.
• Pei Ye and Li Xizhou woke at dawn, teased each other about the night, and rang for water, which Penglai brought.
• Li Xizhou suggested calling Li Xianfang for a booklet with detailed drawings, and Pei Ye asked what the drawings showed.

Pei Ye and Li Xizhou spent an intimate day together before falling asleep at peace. The next morning, Pei Ye joined Jiang Yiner and his friends at the Feather-Scale Trial, where he learned that he had a match scheduled before hers.

• Pei Ye and Li Xizhou asked Li Xianfang to bring an illustrated booklet, then spent hours looking through it before setting it aside and falling asleep together.
• Pei Ye arrived late at the Vermilion Bird Gate on the first day of the Feather-Scale Trial and found Jiang Yiner, Zuo Qiu Longhua, Yang Zhenbing, and Yan Feiqing at the Sword Cultivation Academy seats.
• Pei Ye gave Jiang Yiner pastries, and she told him about the trial's opening speeches and her upcoming matches.
• Pei Ye reflected on the power of the Jianghu's great sects and felt that his security depended on Li Jian.
• Jiang Yiner explained how the Scale Trial matches were arranged, then told Pei Ye that his match was scheduled earlier than hers.

Pei Ye learned how the Feather-Scale Trial’s rankings and arena matches worked, then watched Zhu Gaoyang face Guan Yi in the opening match. Though Zhu Gaoyang appeared overwhelmed by her sword and his lingering injuries, he began guiding the fight through his understanding of sword rhythm.

• Jiang Yiner explained how the Immortal Platform reassigned rankings through the Feather and Scale Trials, and Pei Ye insisted that Yang Zhenbing and Yan Feiqing fight alongside him.
• The opening match was announced between Zhu Gaoyang and Guan Yi after the three participants ranked below him failed to attend.
• Guan Yi attacked with powerful, direct sword strikes, and Zhu Gaoyang struggled to defend while his Spirit Profound and strength seemed diminished.
• Pei Ye noticed a rhythm in Zhu Gaoyang’s sword exchanges and realized that Zhu Gaoyang was subtly leading Guan Yi into the attacks he had prepared.

Pei Ye watched the Feather-Scale Trial and discussed the competition with Yang Zhenbing and Yan Feiqing before arriving at his first match against Zhao Jianfei. Zhao Jianfei’s master asked Pei Ye to show mercy, leaving the match about to begin.

• Zhu Gaoyang defeated Guan Yi on the Winter Sword Platform by using his sword skill to take her weapon.
• Pei Ye learned that Yang Zhenbing aimed for the top ten and that Yan Feiqing had reached the fourth stage of the Sword Ladder.
• Pei Ye told Yang Zhenbing and Yan Feiqing that he was more interested in the upcoming Martial Examination than winning the Feather-Scale Trial.
• Pei Ye arrived at East District Arena B and introduced himself to Zhao Jianfei, his first opponent.
• Zhao Zhixiong, Zhao Jianfei’s master, asked Pei Ye not to injure his disciple.

Pei Ye defeated Zhao Jianfei in one move, then won his other preliminary matches as the Feather-Scale Trial’s first day concluded. At the main Crane List matches the next morning, Pei Ye studied the pairings and asked Shi Zanxue whether Wang Jiuqiao had been like Zhao Lingjun in his prime.

• Pei Ye registered for the Feather-Scale Trial and met Zhao Jianfei and his master, Zhao Zhixiong, before their match.
• Pei Ye defeated Zhao Jianfei with a single sword exchange, then won his other matches that afternoon alongside Yang Zhenbing and Yan Feiqing.
• Pei Ye watched Zhu Gaoyang narrowly win his second Feather Trial match, then returned to the Sword Cultivation Academy and helped Jiang Yiner study.
• Pei Ye arrived at the Winter Sword Platform the next morning and found Shi Zanxue seated beside Zuo Qiu Longhua.
• Jiang Yiner gave Pei Ye the Crane List pairings, and Shi Zanxue explained Wang Jiuqiao’s reputation and past victories.
• Pei Ye asked Shi Zanxue whether Zhao Lingjun had been as formidable as Wang Jiuqiao.

Pei Ye learned more about Zhao Lingjun and met Changsun Che as he watched the general lose to Wang Jiuqiao without Wang moving from his place. After the bout, Changsun Che met Pei Ye and learned that he was competing in the Feather-Scale Trial as a seventh-ranked Teal List contestant.

• Shi Zanxue told Pei Ye that Zhao Lingjun had left Zhengyi after losing hope of becoming immortal and turning to the Joy-in-Death Tower.
• Jiang Yiner said her master, Dao Chief Ying, was on her way and planned to test her studies when she arrived.
• Wang Jiuqiao and Changsun Che began the first bout, and Changsun Che announced he would use one saber strike and one arrow.
• Changsun Che's saber strike split Wang Jiuqiao's twig, while his arrow passed through Wang as if he were an illusion; Changsun Che conceded the match.
• Changsun Che greeted Pei Ye and asked whether he was competing in the Feather-Scale Trial, then learned Pei Ye ranked seventh on the Teal List.

Pei Ye watched Li Shenyi defeat He Miao through the strange power of the Great Body Formless Dharma, then saw Ming Qitian beat Nie Shangheng. After finishing his own bouts, Pei Ye left the arena and joined Ming Qitian as the day’s trials ended.

• Shi Zanxue explained Li Shenyi’s swordsmanship, his place on the Crane List, and the power of the Great Body Formless Dharma to Pei Ye.
• Li Shenyi and He Miao fought a spectacular sword match, and Li Shenyi revealed his formless body before the bout ended.
• Ming Qitian defeated Nie Shangheng with calm, straightforward swordsmanship.
• Pei Ye watched He Hongzhu fight Zhao Wue, then completed his own bouts in the Scale Trial arenas.
• Pei Ye said farewell to his friends from the Sword Cultivation Academy and joined Ming Qitian outside the arena as evening fell.

Pei Ye learned that Ming Qitian would face He Hongzhu, Li Shenyi, and Wang Jiuqiao in the Feather Trial, while he reunited with Zhang Junxue, who asked him to watch her final Scale Trial match. As Ming Qitian prepared for her bouts, Pei Ye considered He Hongzhu’s past defeat and asked whether Ming Qitian could withstand her powerful blade technique.

• Pei Ye saw Ming Qitian’s match schedule and learned she would fight He Hongzhu, Li Shenyi, and Wang Jiuqiao the next day.
• Pei Ye and Ming Qitian met He Hongzhu, who told Ming Qitian to use her full strength in their match; Pei Ye then reunited with Zhang Junxue, who invited him to watch her final Scale Trial match.
• Pei Ye and Ming Qitian ate supper and walked beside West Pool, where Pei Ye bought a clapping servant bearing Zhu Gaoyang’s name.
• Ming Qitian said she needed to think about the Feather Trial and offered to help Pei Ye analyze his opponents after her matches were settled.
• Pei Ye recalled Shi Zanxue’s account of He Hongzhu’s rise, her earlier defeat by Ming Qitian, and her fragile cultivation after that setback.
• Pei Ye asked Ming Qitian whether she could block the slash He Hongzhu had used against Zhao Wue, and Ming Qitian said she believed she could.

Pei Ye and Ming Qitian discussed Li Shenyi’s Formless Body, Wang Jiuqiao’s unusual technique, and Ming Qitian’s goal of becoming Chief Champion before practicing sword engraving together. On the final day of the Feather Trial, Li Jian addressed the gathered Jianghu before Pei Ye asked Shi Zanxue about his origins.

• Ming Qitian explained that Li Shenyi had cultivated a Formless Body by believing himself to be a chun tree, and suggested Wang Jiuqiao used Quanzhen’s Body Outside the Body.
• Ming Qitian said she intended to become Chief Champion and ascend the Sky Tower, while Pei Ye promised to catch up with her.
• Ming Qitian asked whether Xi Zhou was all right, then teased Pei Ye before teaching him Sword Engraving and the Array-Drawing Method.
• Crowds and prominent figures gathered around the Winter Sword Platform for the final day of the Feather Trial, and Pei Ye watched nervously as Ming Qitian prepared to compete.
• Li Jian greeted the assembled sects and heroes and called for the younger generation to begin; Pei Ye then asked Shi Zanxue what Li Jian meant by calling himself a junior in learning.

Ming Qitian defeated He Hongzhu in a fierce match, then beat Li Shenyi in three moves on the Winter Sword Platform. The Feather-Scale Trial continued, while Pei Ye learned more about why Ming Qitian had lost to Li Shenyi three years earlier.

• Ming Qitian overwhelmed He Hongzhu with the Gushe cloud realm, but He Hongzhu wounded her with the immortal-slaying saber strike Green Cliff, Falling Deer before losing.
• Ming Qitian thanked He Hongzhu for the match, and both women left the platform after exchanging salutes.
• Changsun Che lost to He Miao but fought Nie Shangheng to a standstill, while Zhao Wue and Qi Ye traded victories with He Miao.
• Pei Ye sent Ming Qitian a Small Jade Sword asking about her injury, and she replied that she was unharmed.
• Ming Qitian defeated Li Shenyi in three moves after he asked to witness the Sword Treatise’s divine might.
• Pei Ye recalled Ming Qitian’s explanation that Li Shenyi’s Spring Body countered the Gushe Heart Sutra by taking control of Spirit Profound first.

Ming Qitian defeated Li Shenyi with the Seven Scrolls of Roaming Heaven, then faced the undefeated Wang Jiuqiao in the Feather-Scale Trial’s final match. Her Commoner’s Sword struck his throat, but his pupils turned gold as the chapter ended.

• Ming Qitian used the Seven Scrolls of Roaming Heaven to dissolve Li Shenyi’s Great Chun and win their match.
• Wang Jiuqiao joined Ming Qitian on the Winter Sword Platform for the final match, and they exchanged words before fighting.
• Ming Qitian’s swordsmanship overcame Wang Jiuqiao’s many Spirit Bodies, but his Daoist arts continued to counter her attacks.
• Ming Qitian unleashed the Taibai Sword Domain and struck Wang Jiuqiao’s throat with the Commoner’s Sword.
• Wang Jiuqiao’s robes were torn apart as the Sword Domain shattered, and both his pupils turned gold.

Pei Ye watched Ming Qitian defeat Wang Jiuqiao and claim first place on the Crane List, then reunited with Zhang Junxue as she competed in the Sixteen Arenas. After Zhang Junxue lost, she told Pei Ye about her rapid cultivation under Senior Blade Ghost and asked whether he could take first place in the Feather-Scale Trial.

• Ming Qitian defeated Wang Jiuqiao in their contest of hearts, and he accepted his defeat before ascending to the Sky Tower.
• Ming Qitian took first place on the Crane List, while Pei Ye left the cheering crowd to find Zhang Junxue at the Sixteen Arenas.
• Zhang Junxue told Pei Ye that Yong Ji had entered the Teal List with eight straight victories and that she was fighting to give other contenders another chance.
• Zhang Junxue lost her arena match after more than forty exchanges, and Pei Ye praised her improved saber art while worrying that her rapid cultivation was harming her body.
• Zhang Junxue told Pei Ye she was happy learning the saber from Senior Blade Ghost and hoped to travel the world helping people, then asked whether he could take first place in the Feather-Scale Trial.

Pei Ye learned that Yong Ji had been rapidly mastering swordsmanship and arranged for him to face Gao Ge. As the Scale Trial began, Yong Ji broke free of Gao Ge’s Beautiful Sacrifice, leaving Pei Ye watching closely as their match continued.

• Zhang Junxue urged Pei Ye to aim for first place, and her question about whom he wanted to bring fame to left him stunned.
• Xu Chuo told Pei Ye that Yong Ji had won eight matches with a sword and was quickly improving, so Pei Ye arranged for him to fight Gao Ge.
• The Scale Trial main tournament began, and Yong Ji stepped onto the Winter Sword Platform carrying a halberd and a sword.
• Gao Ge trapped Yong Ji with Beautiful Sacrifice, but Yong Ji analyzed the swordplay and severed its tether after thirty-seven exchanges.
• Gao Ge retreated and unleashed Consort Fire, while Yong Ji stayed in place and watched the flames spread from his opponent’s sword.