Chapter Summaries

Ye Jingtang taught Zhe Yunli and Dongfang Liren the martial technique while Song Chi and Zhang Henggu investigated the old murder. A rooftop ambush led them to suspect that Fu Tonghua, the Seven Profound Sect leader, had been Blood Bodhi’s target’s killer, while Ye Jingtang and Dongfang Liren stayed behind in the courtyard.

• Dongfang Liren sought to learn Ye Jingtang’s technique, and he reminded her of her promise before she went out to practice.
• Zhe Yunli joined Ye Jingtang, learned the technique, and worried that her presence had kept Master's Wife from joining the group.
• Dongfang Liren returned, agreed to Ye Jingtang’s conditions, and began learning the technique from him.
• Zhe Yunli spotted a rooftop spy, and Song Chi, Zhang Henggu, and Zhe Yunli chased and captured Shopkeeper Wu.
• Song Chi and Zhang Henggu connected Fu Tonghua’s appearance and reputation to the old murder, while Shopkeeper Wu said he had only been ordered to watch for Ye Jingtang.
• Ye Jingtang and Dongfang Liren heard the fight outside but remained in the courtyard while the others took Shopkeeper Wu away.

Ye Jingtang pursued new evidence in the Seven Profound Sect murder case while the Empress Dowager and Zhe Yunli waited aboard his ship. In Guancheng, Xue Baijin, Luo Ning, and Fan Qinghe met a wine-shop owner whose advice sharpened Xue Baijin’s thoughts about love, then hurried toward a mysterious disturbance that drew Fengguancheng’s attention.

• Song Chi said Shopkeeper Wu had been watching for Ye Jingtang on Fu Tongsheng’s orders, and Ye Jingtang decided to pursue Fu Tongsheng before the sect learned of Wu’s detention.
• Ye Jingtang met the Empress Dowager at the dock, reminded her of her overdue martial-arts test, and kissed her before setting out on business.
• Xue Baijin arrived in Guancheng with Luo Ning and Fan Qinghe, and the three discussed the town’s crowded martial-world gathering beneath Dragon Gate Cliff.
• The women stopped at a wine shop, where its proprietress urged Luo Ning to act boldly in love, prompting Xue Baijin to reconsider her feelings and Yunli’s.
• Fengguancheng appeared on Dragon Gate Cliff with Bian Yuanlie and watched the dark southwest horizon, so Xue Baijin, Luo Ning, and Fan Qinghe hurried in that direction.

Ye Jingtang and Zhe Yunli confronted Zhao Hongnu at the Seven Profound Sect after discovering she had murdered Yunli’s birth parents. Zhao Hongnu was killed after revealing her motives and the Green Bandits’ plans, while Ye Jingtang sensed a distant presence that left him solemn.

• Ye Jingtang and Zhe Yunli visited the Seven Profound Sect, where Ye sensed a powerful figure and introduced himself as Guan Yun of Thousand Crane Manor.
• Zhao Hongnu learned that Ye Jingtang had arrived and tried to escape the sect with her valuables.
• Ye Jingtang intercepted Zhao Hongnu, who admitted killing Zhe Yunli’s parents because she suspected they possessed a Dragon-Mingling Diagram and confessed to arranging the death of the former sect leader.
• Zhao Hongnu warned that the Green Bandits were cultivating a powerful fighter and that their superior intended to use him against Fengguancheng; Ye Jingtang argued that the superior sought his cultivation methods.
• Ye Jingtang sensed a distant presence and let Zhao Hongnu strike, but her full-force punch failed to harm him; he slapped her through several buildings.
• Zhe Yunli beheaded Zhao Hongnu as she tried to flee, and Ye Jingtang comforted Yunli before they left.

After executing Zhao Hongnu, Ye Jingtang waited near the Seven Profound Sect as the martial world gathered around Guancheng for his coming challenge against Fengguancheng. He returned to his ship with Zhe Yunli, whose demand that he propose marriage left their relationship newly complicated, while the ship continued toward Guancheng.

• Ye Jingtang comforted Zhe Yunli after she learned about her birth parents, then explained that Fengguancheng had made his presence known and said he would face him the next day.
• Zhe Yunli massaged Ye Jingtang aboard the boat, and Xue Baijin and Fan Qinghe spotted the pair from afar before deciding to leave them alone.
• Ye Jingtang woke with his hand inside Zhe Yunli's clothes; she demanded that he take responsibility, and he agreed to ask her master for her hand in marriage.
• Ye Jingtang and Zhe Yunli joined the ship, where the Empress sent Shang Jianli and She Long to protect Ye Jingtang's reputation among the gathered martial artists.
• Ye Jingtang discovered the Empress Dowager's unfinished ornaments and playfully tried them on her as the ship continued downriver toward Guancheng.

Fengguancheng recalled how a woman from Jade Void Mountain had led him into the Martial Dao and entrusted him with guarding the jianghu, while Ye Jingtang reunited with Xue Baijin in Guancheng and persuaded her to give him a chance if he defeated Fengguancheng. After the couple met a mysterious wine-shop owner, the owner encountered Zen Master Shenchen and then headed to Dragon Gate Cliff.

• Fengguancheng told Bian Yuanlie about the woman who had left him her sword and the burden of keeping evildoers from harming the world, and he rejected the idea of yielding his place as Number One Under Heaven to Ye Jingtang.
• Xue Baijin watched a mother and daughter at a toy stall, and Ye Jingtang surprised her by finding her and asking about Luo Ning and Qinghe.
• Ye Jingtang proposed marrying Xue Baijin as well as Yunli, and Xue Baijin agreed to give him a chance if he replaced Fengguancheng as Number One Under Heaven.
• Ye Jingtang and Xue Baijin visited the wine shop, where the Female Shopkeeper gave Xue Baijin a wooden hairpin and urged the couple to cherish their relationship.
• After Ye Jingtang and Xue Baijin left, Zen Master Shenchen visited the Female Shopkeeper, spoke of his inability to let go of his obsession, and continued toward Dragon Gate Cliff; the Female Shopkeeper followed into the crowd.

Ye Jingtang challenged Fengguancheng at Dragon Gate Cliff, where their brief battle shook Guancheng and ended with Fengguancheng departing for the heavens. Ye Jingtang was recognized as the new Number One Under Heaven and left with his companions to go home.

• Ye Jingtang arrived at Dragon Gate Cliff and declared that he had come to challenge Fengguancheng's school.
• Fengguancheng exchanged three unarmed moves with Ye Jingtang, defeating his first two attacks before Ye Jingtang landed a punch that drove him back.
• Fengguancheng revealed the overwhelming power of Union with the Dao, but Ye Jingtang summoned the Profound-Thoroughgoing Thunder Technique and struck him with a massive bolt of lightning.
• Fengguancheng survived the attack, then announced that the hundred-year gap in their cultivation counted as his loss and entrusted the martial world to Ye Jingtang.
• Fengguancheng flew into the clouds and departed, while the martial artists hailed Ye Jingtang as the new Number One Under Heaven.
• Ye Jingtang gathered his companions, drew the Chi Dragon Blade, and told them it was time to go home.

After Ye Jingtang became Number One Under Heaven, Xue Baijin accepted his affection and helped arrange Zhe Yunli’s marriage to him. The chapter ended with Ye Jingtang and Xue Baijin sharing a private moment while the banquet continued elsewhere on the ship.

• Xue Baijin worried about her promise to give Ye Jingtang a chance, then visited him as he recovered aboard the ship.
• Ye Jingtang persuaded Xue Baijin to call him husband, and she admitted her feelings by doing so.
• Zhe Yunli joined them and asked Xue Baijin about the marriage; Xue Baijin approved the match and agreed to stay in the Capital City.
• Zhe Yunli encouraged Xue Baijin to acknowledge her own feelings for Ye Jingtang, and Xue Baijin said she would consider their relationship after Yunli’s wedding.
• After Zhe Yunli left, Ye Jingtang comforted Xue Baijin, and they discussed the hairpin she had received before sharing a private moment.

Ye Jingtang returned to the deckhouse after telling Zhe Yunli that Xue Baijin had agreed to his proposal, then joined the women celebrating his victory with a playful drawing game. The night ended with Xue Baijin giving Yunli a hairpin as part of her dowry and walking with her back to meditate.

• Ye Jingtang told Zhe Yunli that Xue Baijin had agreed to his proposal and that they would hold the wedding after returning.
• Ye Jingtang joined the women in the deckhouse, where Dongfang Liren and Hua Qingzhi painted the day’s battle and the group prepared a game of red and green tablets.
• Ye Jingtang drew Luo Ning’s name, and she accepted a green tablet’s forfeit by holding him against her chest until another woman took over.
• Ye Jingtang drew Dongfang Liren and Fan Qinghe in later rounds; Dongfang Liren drank three penalty cups, while Fan Qinghe was made to jump rope wearing bells.
• Xue Baijin joined Zhe Yunli at the bow, gave her a hairpin as part of her dowry, and walked back with her to meditate.

As the official ship neared Cloud Peace City, Ye Jingtang discussed Yunli’s wedding and teased Qinghe while the women prepared to return home. Hua Qingzhi discovered she was pregnant, prompting celebration, envy, and renewed pressure on Ye Jingtang to help Dongfang Liren conceive; the ship continued toward the capital with wedding and family plans still ahead.

• Ye Jingtang spoke with Zhe Yunli about their wedding, and she suggested waiting until after New Year because she was nervous about entering the bridal chamber.
• Ye Jingtang visited Fan Qinghe as she worked on plans for a dragon-headed cart, promised to protect her from Shui'er’s schemes, and kissed her before leaving her room.
• Ye Jingtang visited Xue Baijin and discussed the wedding and pregnancy, while Baijin urged him to take better care of Ning'er.
• Hua Qingzhi rushed in and revealed that she was pregnant, then asked Ye Jingtang not to tell her father until after the wedding.
• Dongfang Liren confronted Ye Jingtang about her failure to conceive, and he carried her off to try again as the women gathered to congratulate Hua Qingzhi and discuss preparations for the child.

At Beacon Smoke City, the Liang Emperor rallied his demoralized troops and revealed that the Imperial Preceptor possessed extraordinary powers, prompting the elder to urge an attack on the Western Sea Protectorate. In Cloud Peace City, Ye Jingtang settled into life among his family and was summoned to the palace by Yu Hu.

• The Liang Emperor addressed the discouraged commanders and soldiers, rejected surrender, and asked the Imperial Preceptor to demonstrate his abilities.
• The Imperial Preceptor rose into the air, summoned thunder, and split the frozen Tianlang Lake, restoring the defenders’ confidence before ordering them to march against the Western Sea Protectorate.
• Ye Jingtang dealt with crowds of challengers and aspiring students after returning to Cloud Peace City as Number One Under Heaven.
• Ye Jingtang visited Qingzhi, Ning'er, Baijin, Qinghe, Shui'er, and Huaiyan, while Qinghe’s alchemy furnace erupted without injuring her.
• Third Madam told Ye Jingtang that Lord She had come with a summons from Yu Hu, and Ye Jingtang left for the palace.

Ye Jingtang learned that a mysterious new Imperial Preceptor had rallied Northern Liang and defeated Prince Liang’s vanguard, so he set out for Tianlang Lake to confront the Green Bandits’ leader. He took Zhe Yunli along, and their flight through the clouds ended in their first kiss.

• At the Skywater Bridge arena, Zhe Yunli joined Ye Jingtang on his way to the palace and talked with him about their engagement and his growing feelings for her.
• At Cheng'an Hall, Ye Jingtang read Prince Liang’s letter describing the defeat of the vanguard and the appearance of a Northern Liang Imperial Preceptor who could summon wind and thunder.
• Ye Jingtang identified the new Imperial Preceptor as the Green Bandits’ leader and decided to leave immediately to confront him, while Dongfang Liren and the Empress watched him depart.
• Ye Jingtang returned for Zhe Yunli and flew with her and Niao Niao toward Tianlang Lake, showing Yunli the sea of clouds as they traveled.
• When Zhe Yunli asked about stealing a kiss, Ye Jingtang kissed her, and she eventually responded as they continued flying northwest.

Ye Jingtang arrived at the Winter Tianlang Lake battlefield, routed Northern Liang’s army, and killed Xiao Yuan after revealing power beyond Union with the Dao. As the Western Sea forces celebrated, a mysterious force dragged Ye Jingtang, Zhe Yunli, and Niao Niao into the sky and out of sight, leaving the armies unsure whether he would return.

• Ye Jingtang arrived with Zhe Yunli, formed an ice spear, and shattered the icefield with one strike, sending Northern Liang’s troops into disarray.
• Xiao Yuan revealed himself as the Xiao Ancestor and explained how he had shaped the martial world while seeking a way to steal Ye Jingtang’s cultivation.
• Xiao Yuan overwhelmed Ye Jingtang with his immense physical strength, but Ye Jingtang drew power from beyond the world and crushed Xiao Yuan into a cloud of blood.
• Ye Jingtang demanded Northern Liang’s surrender, and its soldiers dropped their weapons as the Western Sea Allied Forces cheered.
• A force pulled Ye Jingtang toward the northwest; Zhe Yunli and Niao Niao were swept along with him until all three vanished from sight.

Ye Jingtang and Zhe Yunli crossed into the unknown lands beyond Tianya Mountain after Ye Jingtang expelled the power that had driven him from his world. At the Yechi Tribe’s abandoned ancestral home, they married before their ancestors and began their wedding night, leaving their return to the others still ahead.

• Qiu Tianhe and Xuanyuan Tiangang saw Ye Jingtang streak past their camp as he carried Zhe Yunli and Niao Niao toward Tianya Mountain.
• Ye Jingtang sealed his tenth-realm meridians and expelled the foreign power, then fell with Yunli and Niao Niao beyond the mountain ridge.
• Ye Jingtang and Zhe Yunli recovered enough to reach the abandoned Yechi Tribe settlement and identified it as the tribe’s old home.
• Zhe Yunli proposed that they marry there to honor the Yechi Tribe’s ancestors, and she and Ye Jingtang exchanged vows before the ancestral hall.
• After Niao Niao went outside to keep watch, Ye Jingtang and Zhe Yunli began their wedding night in the stone house.

After marrying Zhe Yunli, Ye Jingtang traveled across the Northern Wasteland with her and Niao Niao while restoring his cultivation. His wives raced toward the Western Sea in fear that he had become an immortal, while Ye Jingtang and Yunli settled into an ice house and grew closer.

• Ye Jingtang and Zhe Yunli woke after their wedding night, then set off through the snow to find food while he recovered his cultivation.
• Xue Baijin and Luo Ning rode toward the Western Sea after sensing Ye Jingtang's celestial phenomenon, and Xue Baijin promised to find him if he had ascended.
• The Empress, Perfected Person Xuanji, and Dongfang Liren pursued them, while Qinghe and Third Madam followed with the Empress Dowager and Qingzhi.
• Ye Jingtang hunted wolves, built an ice house beside a frozen river, and shared a meal there with Zhe Yunli and Niao Niao.
• After Niao Niao went to hunt rabbits, Zhe Yunli bathed in the icy river and hurried back to Ye Jingtang for warmth, and they began to embrace by the fire.

Xue Baijin and Luo Ning searched for Ye Jingtang after he vanished, only to find him celebrating with Yunli and the Dongming Tribe. After returning to Aunt Fan’s residence, Ye Jingtang and the women discussed Yunli’s marriage and their future as a family, then began an awkward intimate gathering together.

• Xue Baijin and Luo Ning reached Dongming Mountain and spotted Ye Jingtang dancing around a bonfire with Yunli and a tribeswoman.
• Luo Ning confronted Ye Jingtang with her sword, then calmed down when he and Yunli explained they had just returned from beyond Tianya Mountain.
• Ye Jingtang told Xue Baijin that he had entered the tenth realm, been expelled from the world, and lowered his power to return safely.
• Yunli told Luo Ning that she and Ye Jingtang had married, and asked to call Luo Ning big sister while still accepting her discipline as Master’s Wife.
• Luo Ning persuaded Xue Baijin to join a family conversation with Yunli, and Yunli learned that Baijin was pregnant.
• Ye Jingtang extinguished the candle and drew the three women into an intimate gathering, where Luo Ning began showing Yunli what she knew.

Fan Qinghe, the Empress, and Perfected Person Xuanji reached Dongming Mountain and reunited with Ye Jingtang, where a chaotic night brought the women closer to Zhe Yunli. After the morning rites, Ye Jingtang planned to take everyone back to Red River Town, but Qinghe asked him to visit Northern Liang first with the Immortality Elixir.

• Fan Qinghe, the Empress, and Perfected Person Xuanji rode to Dongming Mountain and learned from Niao Niao that Ye Jingtang was safe.
• Perfected Person Xuanji entered Ye Jingtang's room and discovered Zhe Yunli with him; Fan Qinghe and the Empress joined the ensuing intimate gathering.
• The next morning, Luo Ning walked with Zhe Yunli, while Fan Qinghe held a sacrificial ceremony before the tribe's gathered elders.
• Ye Jingtang told the Empress and Fan Qinghe he could fly them back to Red River Town, but Qinghe asked him to take her to Northern Liang first with the Immortality Elixir.
• Fan Qinghe hurried off to change before Ye Jingtang took her to Northern Liang.

Fan Qinghe and Ye Jingtang traveled to Qinglin Studio, where her medicine revived Xie Jianlan’s long-comatose beloved. After leaving the newly awakened woman to reunite with Jianlan, Fan Qinghe rewarded Ye Jingtang at an inn.

• Ye Jingtang flew east over Tianlang Lake with Fan Qinghe, who reflected on her people’s restored fortunes and agreed to an intimate encounter in the clouds.
• Fan Qinghe and Ye Jingtang reached Qinglin Studio and gave the unconscious woman Xie Jianlan loved a vial of the medicine made from the three supreme treasures.
• The woman’s Qi and Blood recovered, and she awakened after years of unconsciousness, asking for Jianlan.
• A medical attendant told the awakened woman that Xie Jianlan had gone to seek medicine and that years had passed while she lay asleep.
• Fan Qinghe and Ye Jingtang left without revealing themselves, then went to an inn where Fan Qinghe dressed in her battle outfit and rewarded him.

Ye Jingtang returned to Blackstone Pass and reunited with his family before traveling to Red River Town with Hua Qingzhi. He paid respects at his adoptive father's grave, then discovered Qingzhi's erotic drawings and began teaching her one of the poses.

• Ye Jingtang arrived at Blackstone Pass with Fan Qinghe and reunited with Dongfang Liren, Pei Xiangjun, the Empress Dowager, and Hua Qingzhi.
• The women learned that Zhe Yunli had joined the household, and they agreed to celebrate together in Taihua Hall after returning to the capital.
• Ye Jingtang flew Hua Qingzhi to Red River Town, where he visited his adoptive father Zheng Feng's grave with her.
• Ye Jingtang and Hua Qingzhi warmed themselves at the Binghe Escort Agency and discussed her pregnancy and bringing her mother to stay with them.
• Ye Jingtang found Hua Qingzhi's drawings of bedchamber positions and began demonstrating one to her.

Ye Jingtang returned to Yun'an with Hua Junchen and Madam Hua, reuniting with Hua Qingzhi and bringing her parents to his residence. While his household prepared for the New Year, Pei Xiangjun learned he had returned and left the Fan Family mansion to see him.

• Ye Jingtang brought Hua Junchen and Madam Hua back to Yun'an after traveling north to collect his mother-in-law.
• Xiuhe welcomed Ye Jingtang at the New Residence, where Fan Qinghe and the other household members received his guests.
• Madam Hua reunited with Hua Qingzhi and scolded her for running while pregnant, then stayed inside to talk with her daughter.
• Xiuhe told Ye Jingtang that several family members and martial-world visitors were away, including Yunli, who was likely patrolling with the Black Bureau.
• At the Fan Family mansion, Pei Xiangjun examined Fan Jiuniang's garments and discussed her household's clothing orders with Madam Wang.
• After Xiuhe told Pei Xiangjun that Ye Jingtang had returned, Pei Xiangjun took the new undergarments and hurried home to see him.

Ye Jingtang reunited with Pei Xiangjun, visited the Pei family, and joined her in offering incense to their ancestors before they returned to her bedroom. The chapter ended with Pei Xiangjun modeling her new outfit and the two becoming intimate.

• Ye Jingtang met Pei Xiangjun outside the Fan Family Mansion, and they rode together to Skywater Bridge.
• Ye Jingtang visited the Escort Agency, where Yang Chao recalled his childhood habit of reading suggestive books.
• Ye Jingtang and Pei Xiangjun arrived at the Pei residence, where Pei Xiangjun scolded Pei Luo for joking about his admirers and challenged him to become the top scholar.
• Ye Jingtang and Pei Xiangjun entered the hidden passage to Azure Dragon Hall and offered incense before the ancestral tablets.
• Pei Xiangjun modeled her new black silk outfit for Ye Jingtang, and they became intimate in her bedroom.