Chapter Summaries

Pei Ye lost a sword spar to Cheng Jianghong, who received an Ascension Pill from a mysterious old man and set out for the Prefectural City. The next day Pei Ye and Zhang Junxue found constables investigating a corpse identified as Cheng Jianghong, leaving his sudden death unexplained.

• Pei Ye conceded the spar after Cheng Jianghong's sword reached his chest, and reflected on needing to improve his swordsmanship without relying on the Snowy Night Flying Goose Sword Form.
• A mysterious old man gave Cheng Jianghong an Ascension Pill, then left without revealing his name; Pei Ye and Zhang Junxue declined Cheng Jianghong's offer to share it.
• Pei Ye and Cheng Jianghong spoke through the night, and Cheng Jianghong left before dawn for the Prefectural City while Pei Ye and Zhang Junxue planned to travel together.
• Pei Ye and Zhang Junxue set out around noon, and Black Cat refused Zhang Junxue's attempt to pet it.
• At the edge of town, Pei Ye saw constables examining a corpse, and one constable identified it as Cheng Jianghong from the qualification document in his bundle.

Pei Ye investigated Cheng Jianghong’s murder, uncovering a concealed-weapon mechanism in his sword but no clear explanation for how the killing happened. After reporting his suspicions and mourning Cheng with Zhang Junxue, he continued toward the Prefectural City and reached its imposing walls.

• Pei Ye examined Cheng Jianghong’s body and found that his opponent had pinned him to a tree, destroyed his mind, and then cut his throat.
• Pei Ye discovered eight concealed darts and found that Cheng Jianghong’s hollow sword hilt had been designed to hold them, with room for one more.
• Pei Ye noticed that Cheng Jianghong’s bundle lacked a little porcelain bottle and feared that their meeting the previous night might have led to his death.
• Pei Ye reported the previous night’s events to the constables and said he would report the case again in the Prefectural City.
• Pei Ye and Zhang Junxue traveled south, rested on the way, and reached the walls of a city far larger and stronger than Fenghuai.

Pei Ye reached the Prefectural City, reported the murder of a Fourth Growth martial artist to Army Adviser Zhao, and enrolled at the Changdao Martial Arts School. While searching for an inn, he encountered scholars organizing a poetry gathering for the Golden Autumn Martial Contest, and they invited him to leave his name.

• Pei Ye and Zhang Junxue entered the Prefectural City, where Pei Ye was struck by the sheltering feeling of its great walls.
• Pei Ye reported the Anxin Town murder at the Prefectural Office, described the victim and the suspected damage to his mind, and Army Adviser Zhao said the office would investigate.
• Pei Ye and Zhang Junxue reached the Changdao Martial Arts School, where staff accepted their documents and told them to begin training the next morning.
• Pei Ye searched for an inn and explored the city, stopping to watch scholars promote a poetry gathering tied to the Golden Autumn Martial Contest.
• A scholar found Pei Ye's name on the contestants' preliminary list and invited him to leave it on the gathering's sheet.

Pei Ye explored Bowang and learned about the celebrated martial artist Shang Huaitong before asking locals about the Sword Cultivation Academy. They explained the Great Tang Thirty-Three Swords Sword-Wielder Dao Initiation Association and its plan to cultivate the next generation in Sword Dao.

• Pei Ye exchanged his handwriting with Fang Jidao for a poem and continued into Bowang’s wealthier district.
• Pei Ye admired Bowang Garden’s nine-story Moon-Catching Tower but learned that guests could only visit the fifth floor that day.
• Shang Huaitong arrived at Bowang Garden, and bystanders discussed his strength, his Sword Dao, and his prospects at the Martial Competition.
• Pei Ye asked two locals about the Sword Cultivation Academy after hearing them mention it.
• The locals explained that the Academy served the Dao Initiation Association, a coalition of thirty-three leading sword sects formed to jointly train young Sword Dao talent.

Pei Ye witnessed a masked killer flee through a gambling house and learned that Cheng Jianghong, whom he had met in Anxin Town, had been murdered. After comforting Cheng Jianghong’s childhood friend and escaping the ensuing investigation, Pei Ye found an inn in Bowang Prefecture.

• Pei Ye saw a notice voiding wagers on Cheng Jianghong and was caught in a killer’s violent escape from the gambling house.
• Pei Ye pursued the masked killer, who recognized him, blinded the room with chili powder, and escaped from Army Adviser Zhao and the officers.
• Pei Ye learned from Army Adviser Zhao that the fugitive was wanted for murder, then asked about the killer he had reported earlier and was rebuffed.
• Pei Ye told Miss Qi that Cheng Jianghong had been murdered and learned they had been close childhood friends who were meant to meet again.
• Pei Ye treated his bruised arm and found an inn, where the waiter explained the room rates and took his horse.

Pei Ye checked into an inn for the Martial Competition, learned about the cultivator credentials awarded there, and prepared for his first day at the martial school. At the school, he found Zhang Junxue being mocked by students from Zhengshou County and heard the day’s training schedule, including a warning to stay away from the western courtyard.

• Pei Ye registered at the inn, learned that an Iron Fish Tally was a respected cultivator credential, and was encouraged to compete for a Hero Tally.
• Pei Ye finished analyzing the Cicada Sparrow Sword manual, fed Black Cat sugar buns, and went to bed before completing his cultivation breakthrough.
• Pei Ye arrived at the martial school and saw Zhengshou County students insult Zhang Junxue, then sat with her and asked about their hostility.
• The martial school’s instructor announced that the western courtyard was off-limits because outsiders had moved in, then laid out the day’s lectures, training, sparring, and tournament schedule.

Pei Ye attended a lesson on the White Bamboo Pavilion’s fighting methods, learning how its disciples used speed and precision to exploit openings. The authorities’ detailed rewards for the Golden Autumn Martial Contest were also announced, and the students began practicing against the style.

• An instructor told the students that the authorities had released the Golden Autumn Martial Contest rewards earlier than expected and promised to get them copies.
• Pei Ye watched Master Wang demonstrate a White Bamboo Pavilion sword art.
• Master Wang explained that the Pavilion favored short weapons, swift attacks, and striking an opponent’s weakness before they could react.
• The students began basic exercises, and Master Wang sparred with them one by one so they could experience the Pavilion’s style.

Pei Ye learned the Cicada Section’s Soil-Breaking move, then violently punished a narrow-eyed student who insulted Zhang Junxue. At the martial school’s minor contest briefing, the head instructor announced the increasingly valuable prizes for the upcoming Martial Competition, leaving Pei Ye wondering where an old man had obtained an Ascension Pill.

• Pei Ye practiced Soil-Breaking and mastered the move in half an hour.
• Zhang Junxue explained the school’s ranking system, and Pei Ye attacked the narrow-eyed young man after he insulted her, stabbing his thigh with his own dagger.
• Pei Ye learned Supporting Tree and Shell Shedding during independent practice and saw the narrow-eyed young man return with a companion who apologized on his behalf.
• The head instructor announced the Martial Competition’s prizes, including Ascension Pills, swords, and a nomination for the Divine Capital Martial Exam.
• Zhang Dingyun explained that Bowang Prefecture had acquired Ascension Pills, prompting Pei Ye to wonder where an old man had obtained one.

Pei Ye joined the martial hall and watched Zhang Junxue lose to Xiao Qiu before claiming second place by default. After revealing he had advanced to Two Births, Pei Ye challenged Xiao Qiu and opened their match with a refined sword technique.

• The instructor introduced Zhang Junxue and Pei Ye, then matched Zhang Junxue against Xiao Qiu.
• Xiao Qiu defeated Zhang Junxue in a contest of powerful saber and sword blows, and Chang Yue declined to challenge her, leaving her ranked second.
• Pei Ye said he was at First Growth, but chose to challenge Xiao Qiu instead of accepting a lower ranking.
• Pei Ye revealed he had advanced to Two Births, and the instructor brought Xiao Qiu back to the platform.
• Pei Ye began the match with his perfected Soil-Breaking move, redirected Xiao Qiu's force through his sword, and thrust forward.

Pei Ye defeated Xiao Qiu with the Cicada Sparrow Sword, revealing strength that rivaled a fighter with fifteen or sixteen meridians despite having only four. He then beat Chang Yue in thirty-four exchanges and remained first in the small contest.

• Pei Ye used Supporting Tree, Shell Shedding, and Flying Copper Shadow to outmaneuver Xiao Qiu and win their sword fight.
• Xiao Qiu realized Pei Ye's physical strength had bridged a gap of roughly eleven or twelve meridians, and he returned Pei Ye's salute in stunned silence.
• The instructor declared Pei Ye the winner, and the spectators applauded before the instructor invited another challenger.
• Chang Yue challenged Pei Ye and lost after thirty-four exchanges, leaving the arena convinced of his defeat and shaken about his chances in the Golden Autumn Martial Contest.

Pei Ye challenged Zhang Junxue and lost, then learned from the instructor before returning to the inn and reaching his Second Life. Back in his room, he studied how Endowed Fortune cultivated and discovered it could draw more Dragon Blood from the Heart-Slaying Glaze.

• Pei Ye challenged Zhang Junxue, who defeated him in nine moves with her broad saber.
• The instructor explained how understanding an opponent and preparing well could let the weaker fighter win, then gave Pei Ye, Zhang Junxue, and Xiao Qiu Ginseng Pills.
• The instructor ranked Pei Ye, Zhang Junxue, and Xiao Qiu together and offered extra silver to whoever beat the other two at the next minor tournament.
• Pei Ye paid for another night at the inn, asked the innkeeper about criminals with Cultivator Registries, and told him he had reached Two Births.
• Pei Ye swallowed the Ginseng Pill and reflected on how Endowed Fortune’s Meridian Tree absorbed Profound Qi as it grew.
• Pei Ye drew a larger Dragon Blood crystal from the Heart-Slaying Glaze and found that its loosening structure made it easier to absorb.

After winning first place in a school competition and reaching Second Life, Pei Ye reflected on his success and loneliness, then wrote to friends and relatives to keep their bonds strong. He sent Miss Ming an update about Heart-Slaying Glaze and his plans, while the innkeeper teased him for exaggerating his chances in the Martial Competition.

• Pei Ye remembered his victory over a Fourth Growth sword cultivator and the applause that followed, then wished he had someone with whom to share his happiness.
• Pei Ye decided to maintain his relationships by writing letters and sent a letter to Master Huang and Uncle Chang with news of his training, victory, and their health.
• Pei Ye asked the innkeeper to write a letter to Miss Ming because she had not seen his handwriting, and he updated her on Glaze's recovery and his cultivation breakthrough.
• Pei Ye told Miss Ming that he had taken first place in a school competition and claimed he had an eighty-percent chance of reaching the Martial Competition's top four.
• The innkeeper teased Pei Ye for boasting too much about his chances and suggested that Miss Ming would know his actual level.

Pei Ye sent letters to his elders and Miss Ming, then compared his strength with Black Cat and learned that Black Cat could still return to its true form. The chapter ended as Black Cat began transforming at Pei Ye’s request.

• Pei Ye asked the shopkeeper to mail letters to Master Huang and Uncle Chang, and to Miss Ming at Heavenly Mountain.
• Pei Ye told Black Cat that he had learned sword moves and reached Second Life, but expected to place no higher than the top four in the Martial Competition.
• Black Cat beat Pei Ye in an arm-wrestling match and explained that Pei Ye could defeat stronger opponents with Snowy Night Flying Goose and Quail Head.
• Pei Ye learned that Black Cat could return to its true form, and Black Cat began transforming after Pei Ye asked to see it.

Pei Ye learned about Black Chi’s hidden true body and continued training his swordsmanship at the martial hall. He watched an instructor demonstrate the Emerald Feather Sword Sect’s Jade Glow sword art, leaving him to prepare for the next day’s lesson.

• Black Chi explained that its true body grew about two jin each day and could be hidden within its body without adding weight.
• Pei Ye arrived early at the martial hall, saw Zhang Junxue training, and practiced the Spread Wings move from his sword manual.
• A female instructor introduced the Emerald Feather Sword Sect and explained that all fifteen of its disciples had reached Third Growth.
• The instructor demonstrated the Jade Glow sword art and told the students that the sect did not conceal its techniques from outsiders.
• The instructor analyzed the Jade Glow section for the class and scheduled its conclusion and a discussion of Jade Shadow for the following day.

Pei Ye confirmed his advantage over Xiao Qiu, learned that Xiao Qiu’s enmity lay with Xu Gu and the Zhang family, and was recruited for Fang Jidao’s poetry gathering despite Fang’s earlier dismissal of him. After refusing to attend, Pei Ye focused on mastering [Spread Wings], while Fang Jidao approached Zhang Junxue and was turned down.

• Pei Ye defeated Xiao Qiu twice in sparring and learned that Xiao Qiu had a deep enmity with Xu Gu and the Zhang family.
• Zhang Dingyun brought Fang Jidao to meet martial competition candidates, and Fang discovered that the young man he had called as good as no one was Pei Ye.
• Fang Jidao apologized to Pei Ye and invited him to the Wind-Chanting Pavilion Poetry Gathering, but Pei Ye declined so he could work on [Spread Wings].
• Zhang Dingyun explained that the poetry gathering could earn someone a place representing the academy at the Egret Isle Poetry Gathering.
• Fang Jidao watched Zhang Junxue train and asked her to sign for his gathering, but she refused, saying it would not be good for him.

Pei Ye learned to link Spread Wings and Clear Cry in a spar with Zhang Junxue, then reflected on the limits and power of the combined sword moves. As he left the training grounds in the rain, he noticed Zhang Junxue practicing with a Stone Lock; on the street, a rider announced that the roads would be washed at three quarters past the hour of the Dog.

• Fang Jidao gathered seventeen names from the Dragon Gate Class and thanked Zhang Dingyun and Pei Ye for helping him.
• Pei Ye struggled with Spread Wings, then practiced Clear Cry and decided to try linking the two unfinished moves.
• During repeated sparring with Zhang Junxue, Pei Ye blocked her saber without losing his gathered momentum and landed Clear Cry at her throat.
• Pei Ye considered how he would need to refine Spread Wings for real combat and wondered why Clear Cry was so powerful.
• As Pei Ye left the training grounds in the rain, he saw Zhang Junxue bent over a Stone Lock in the far corner.
• A rider galloped past Pei Ye and announced that street washing would begin at three quarters past the hour of the Dog.

Pei Ye watched the Prefectural City’s Street Washing, then learned that Zheng Shou and Xu Gu had been allies at the previous winter’s contest. At the martial hall, Li Piaoqing demonstrated Jade Shadow and defeated the instructor before sparring with Zhang Junxue; she left after affirming that the Emerald Feather Sword Sect would endure.

• Pei Ye watched the Water Envoy announce Street Washing and saw the torrent flush debris through the city’s broad channels.
• Pei Ye helped the innkeeper move belongings and learned that Zheng Shou had supported Xu Gu’s students at the previous winter’s contest.
• Pei Ye practiced the Cicada Sparrow Sword forms before attending the martial hall the next morning.
• The instructor introduced Jade Shadow, and Xiao Qiu was stopped by her demonstration of its first form.
• Li Piaoqing corrected the instructor’s Jade Shadow strike, then fought Zhang Junxue for thirty-three moves before Zhang lost.
• A student declared his support for the Emerald Feather Sword Sect, and Li Piaoqing said the sect would always be here before giving him a feather from her sword.

Pei Ye struggled to make the Cicada Sparrow Sword usable against a powerful opponent, then explored a new way to understand it through his body. After meeting Li Piaoqing at the training grounds, he agreed to exchange insights about their strongest sword techniques, and she proposed a more reliable way to begin.

• Pei Ye practiced the two Clear Cry forms all day but could not find a way to gather momentum under an enemy's attack.
• Pei Ye focused on reproducing the bodily state behind a parry and sensed traces of a new realm in his swordsmanship.
• Li Piaoqing approached Pei Ye after watching him practice and asked about the Cicada Sparrow Sword.
• Pei Ye declined to demonstrate his strongest technique, then proposed exchanging it for Li Piaoqing's strongest technique, the four forms of Yellow Jadeite.
• Li Piaoqing agreed to the exchange and asked what Pei Ye had in mind for discussing swordsmanship.

Pei Ye and Li Piaoqing sparred with Finger Swords, sharing insights into their sword arts and discussing the Bright Sword Master. Their friendly exchange ended with Li Piaoqing learning that Pei Ye had a stronger sword art he would not use against her in the Martial Competition.

• Li Piaoqing taught Pei Ye how to use Finger Sword, and he quickly adapted the Cicada Sparrow Sword to the wooden strip.
• Pei Ye and Li Piaoqing demonstrated their sword arts, then sparred and gained insights despite finding their styles poorly suited to fighting each other.
• Li Piaoqing told Pei Ye that her senior brother had cast her miniature Heart-Slaying Glaze sword, and she spoke of wanting to meet the Bright Sword Master.
• Pei Ye said the Bright Sword Master might compete in next year's Feather-Scale Trial and offered to concede to Li Piaoqing rather than use his strongest sword art against her.
• Li Piaoqing reacted with skepticism when Pei Ye revealed that the Cicada Sparrow Sword was not his strongest sword art.

Pei Ye stayed in the West Courtyard after Li Piaoqing invited him, then learned from Zhang Dingyun that Li’s talented senior brother had been murdered. While visiting Bai Sibing, Pei Ye encountered Qi Zhaohua, who explained Moon-Catching Lake’s dangers and proposed removing its southern half.

• Li Piaoqing invited Pei Ye to stay in the West Courtyard, and he accepted for the night.
• Zhang Dingyun told Pei Ye that Li Piaoqing’s senior brother, last year’s Winter Competition champion, had been murdered in the spring.
• Pei Ye set out to visit Bai Sibing and learned that Li Piaoqing had gone out, leaving a message to spar later.
• Pei Ye met Qi Zhaohua outside Bai Sibing’s residence, and she thanked him for saving her.
• Qi Zhaohua explained that Moon-Catching Lake threatened Bowang City and said she wanted to remove its southern half.