Chapter Summaries

Qing Chen arrived at the Golden Core Ceremony in a spectacular five-dragon carriage, drawing envy and scrutiny from the assembled cultivators. Yin Corpse True Person and Grand Elder Wan Hun raised questions about Shushan’s absence, and True Person Budong defended the Condensed Jade Sect as their exchange left the crowd waiting for an explanation.

• Qing Chen arrived above the square in a five-dragon carriage, overwhelming the assembled cultivators with his presence.
• Yin Corpse True Person asked Grand Elder Wan Hun why no Shushan Sword Sect elders had attended the ceremony.
• Wan Hun replied that he did not know, prompting speculation that his answer carried a hidden meaning.
• Abbot Jingxin and True Person Mu Rong criticized Qing Chen’s ostentatious display and warned it might offend Shushan.
• True Person Budong said Qing Chen had asked him months earlier to personally deliver Shushan an invitation.
• Wan Hun said he had been secluded and asked why Budong had returned without bringing anyone from Shushan, then began to suggest a reason.

Second Elder Xuangu wondered why Qing Chen remained silent as late Golden Core cultivators confronted him, then the Shushan Sword Sect’s Azure Nether Sword Immortal arrived in a dramatic display. Ye Wushang demanded to know where Qing Chen was, leaving Qing Chen unsure whether the ceremony had become Ye Wushang’s show.

• Second Elder Xuangu reflected on Qing Chen’s defeat of Wutong Old Devil and his interest in recruiting Wutong for the Infinite Extremity Devil Palace.
• Ye Wushang arrived at Digu Pass Peak on the Azure Nether Sword with thirty-six Shushan Sword Sect disciples following him.
• Ye Wushang split the square’s flagstones with a display of sword qi after hearing cultivators whisper about him.
• Cultivators praised Ye Wushang’s past Golden Core battle, and he basked in their attention.
• Ye Wushang asked where Qing Chen was, and Qing Chen wondered whether the ceremony had become Ye Wushang’s opening show.

Ye Wushang made a flamboyant entrance as the Shushan Sword Sect’s foremost of the Seven Swords, then eagerly adopted the title “Shushan Sword Chief” after Qing Chen called him that. As his fellow disciples cringed at his boastful claims, his extraordinary sword talent and cultivation speed became clear.

• Ye Wushang posed dramatically, revealed his shining silver hair, and introduced himself as the foremost of the Shushan Seven Swords, but the crowd stayed silent.
• Qing Chen arrived in a carriage drawn by five flood dragons and greeted Ye Wushang as the Shushan Sword Chief.
• Ye Wushang embraced the title and ordered his martial nephews to address him as Sword Chief from then on.
• Li Si cautiously questioned whether Ye Wushang had the authority to claim the title, and Ye Wushang dismissed his concerns while boasting about his talent and criticizing the sect’s elders.
• The narration explained that Ye Wushang had mastered the Azure Firmament Sword Path in just over a decade and reached the peak of the early Golden Core stage while still in his fifties.

At Qing Chen’s Golden Core Ceremony, Ye Wushang gave him a valuable talisman, and Qing Chen proposed a grander entrance and boastful verse for the Shushan Sword Chief. Ye Wushang was inspired and began performing the entrance before the gathered cultivators.

• Ye Wushang met Qing Chen and praised the title “Shushan Sword Chief.”
• When Qing Chen pointed out that it was his Golden Core Ceremony, Ye Wushang gave him a talisman containing Jian Yi’s Azure Firmament in Both Sleeves spell.
• Ye Wushang gave Qing Chen three bottles of Chiling Pills in exchange for advice on making his entrance more imposing.
• Qing Chen suggested that Ye Wushang fly in with sword shadows and proclaim a verse about the Azure Firmament Sword and the eternal night of the Sword Path.
• Ye Wushang laughed, sent the Azure Firmament Sword skyward, and leaped onto its tip with his back to the plaza as thousands of sword shadows appeared behind him.

Ye Wushang demonstrated his Heaven Grade Azure Firmament Sword Intent, praised Qing Chen for helping him show his prowess, and gave him three bottles of Clear Void Yang-Transforming Pills. Qing Chen began expounding on the Golden Core and the Blood Path at his ceremony.

• Ye Wushang performed an elaborate sword display that revealed he had mastered the Azure Firmament Sword Path's Heaven Grade Sword Intent.
• Qing Chen praised Ye Wushang's display and helped him complete it with a Blood Path spell.
• Ye Wushang gave Qing Chen three bottles of mid-grade third-tier Clear Void Yang-Transforming Pills and took his seat at the center of the Black Essence Dao Platforms.
• Qing Chen opened the exposition of the Dao and explained the Golden Core through principles of refining essence, qi, and spirit.

Qing Chen expounded the Dragon-Tiger Golden Core Dao, astonishing Golden Core True Persons with his profound understanding while helping lesser cultivators gain insight. The chapter revealed that his bodhi spirit body and exceptional comprehension enabled him to master an extensive range of powerful techniques.

• Qing Chen formed a Taiji Yin-Yang Diagram and drew spiritual energy toward the square with the Spirit-Gathering Formation.
• Qing Chen demonstrated the Dragon-Tiger Golden Core Dao through a blood figure and explained how dragon and tiger qi joined to create true oneness.
• Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators gained insights, while Golden Core True Persons were shocked by the depth of Qing Chen's teachings.
• The cultivators considered the ranks of spirit bodies, from ordinary to mystical-grade and heaven-clear-grade, and recalled Ye Wushang's azure nether sword soul.
• The chapter revealed that Qing Chen possessed a bodhi spirit body and had thoroughly mastered numerous powerful cultivation techniques and spells.

While expounding on cultivation and the Sword Path, Qing Chen gained a breakthrough in the Brahma Demon Heart Aspect and manifested its No-Sentient-Beings Aspect. His display stunned the cultivators gathered in the plaza, while Yin Corpse True Person began plotting to eliminate him.

• Qing Chen explained how the Blood Path and Sword Path shared a destination, urging sword cultivators to sever distractions and worldly bonds.
• Wan Hun, Xuangu, Ye Wushang, and the other listeners recognized Qing Chen's profound understanding, while the rogue cultivators praised the value of attending his discourse.
• Qing Chen concluded that a cultivator must swallow a golden core to know his fate rested with himself, then realized he had broken through his understanding of the No-Sentient-Beings Aspect.
• Qing Chen summoned a towering demon god dharma form, whose pressure forced many cultivators in the plaza to their knees.
• Wan Hun identified the manifestation as the supreme transformation of the Brahma Demon-Refining Art, while Dragon-Seal Vajra marveled at its power.
• Yin Corpse True Person resolved that Qing Chen had to be eliminated, while True Person Budong watched with delight.

After Qing Chen’s exposition of the Dao impressed the cultivators gathered at his ceremony, Xuangu True Person of the Infinite Extremity Devil Palace privately offered him a great opportunity. Qing Chen suspected it was the Mountain Ascension and agreed to spare Wutong’s life while awaiting further details.

• The cultivators thanked Qing Chen for teaching the Dao, and even the Golden Core cultivators reconsidered their plans to challenge him.
• Xuangu True Person interrupted Qing Chen’s closing remarks and asked to discuss a favor.
• Xuangu True Person mentioned Wutong’s Black Jade Ring and offered Qing Chen a great opportunity on behalf of the Infinite Extremity Devil Palace.
• Qing Chen noticed Yin Corpse True Person and First Seat Jingxin react, suspected the offer concerned the Mountain Ascension, and agreed to spare Wutong’s life.

Qing Chen tried to trade Wutong’s Black Jade Ring for Xuangu True Person’s White Devil Lynx flesh and demon core, but Ye Wushang interrupted the negotiations to challenge him to a spar. The deal remained unresolved as Ye Wushang prepared to fight Qing Chen.

• Qing Chen refused Xuangu True Person’s offer of ten bottles of Chiling Pills for the Black Jade Ring and proposed trading it plus two hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones for the White Devil Lynx’s remaining flesh and demon core.
• Xuangu True Person weighed the value of Qing Chen’s offer and considered charging him more for the valuable beast materials.
• Ye Wushang interrupted the negotiations and demanded that Xuangu True Person step aside so he could spar with Qing Chen.
• Xuangu True Person withdrew to the Mo Jing Platform, while Ye Wushang eagerly challenged Qing Chen to a battle with their cultivation levels matched.

Ye Wushang challenged Qing Chen to a fight above the clouds, and the two Golden Core True Persons clashed in a spectacular contest of sword and halberd techniques. As the cultivators below watched, the experts praised Ye Wushang’s swordsmanship and marveled at Qing Chen’s mastery of multiple paths.

• Grand Elder Wan Hun urged Ye Wushang to challenge Qing Chen, but Ye Wushang angrily insisted that everyone call him the Shushan Sword Chief.
• Ye Wushang invited Qing Chen to fight above the clouds, and Qing Chen accepted, promising to grant him defeat.
• Ye Wushang unleashed Azure Nether Seeks the Way while Qing Chen used the Profound Heaven Three Evasions and Blood-Wing Evasion Technique to meet him in the sky.
• The cultivators below watched the azure sword light and crimson halberd radiance collide high above the moonlit sea.
• Grand Elder Wan Hun and Dragon-Seal Vajra praised Ye Wushang’s swordsmanship, while Corpse-Blood True Person recognized Qing Chen’s mastery of the Demonic Path, body refinement, and Dao arts.

Ye Wushang and Qing Chen escalated their duel as each revealed increasingly powerful techniques. Ye Wushang unleashed his Heaven Grade Azure Nether Shining on Heaven, and Qing Chen answered with his Third Demonic Aspect, the No-Sentient-Beings Aspect.

• Ye Wushang drove Qing Chen's fire lotus downward with his swordlight, but Qing Chen used the Profound Heaven Three Evasions footwork to endure the assault without being injured.
• Ye Wushang used Azure Firmament in Both Sleeves, and Qing Chen countered with the Four-Armed Wisdom King Divine Ability.
• Ye Wushang broke Qing Chen's attack with Azure Nether Nine Questions, then gathered starlight into a sword stele to perform the Heaven Grade Azure Nether Shining on Heaven.
• Qing Chen burned his Blood Path true essence, Yellow Springs baleful intent, and essence blood, then summoned the eight-hundred-foot Dharma Form of his No-Sentient-Beings Aspect.

Qing Chen’s demonic aspect initially overwhelmed Ye Wushang’s Heaven Grade Sword Stele, but Ye awakened an Azure Nether Sword Soul divine ability and unleashed the Azure Lotus Sword Song. The sword domain suppressed Qing Chen’s demonic aspect and battered his divine soul, leaving the Golden Core observers questioning whether he could recover.

• Qing Chen’s demonic aspect locked down Ye Wushang’s sword intent and clashed with his Heaven Grade Sword Stele, shocking the watching cultivators.
• Qing Chen’s Pojun Battle Halberd swallowed Ye Wushang’s sword rays and struck toward him, but Ye remained confident and drew the surrounding starlight into himself.
• Ye Wushang manifested a ninety-zhang Sword Immortal Phantom, which knocked Qing Chen’s halberd aside and astonished the observers.
• Ye Wushang summoned the Azure Lotus Sword Song, forming a sword domain that repelled Qing Chen’s blood sea and baleful qi while attacking his divine soul.
• Qing Chen struggled to stabilize his consciousness as his demonic aspect swayed, and True Person Budong and Yin Corpse True Person disputed whether he could still turn the battle around.

Qing Chen summoned the White Bone Immortal-Locking Yuanchen Gourd with the Three Demon Banners to counter Ye Wushang’s Ten Thousand Lotuses Return to the Origin. After pouring the Demon Lotus Sect’s accumulated reserves into the gourd, he shattered Ye Wushang’s sword formation, leaving the Golden Core True Persons stunned by his strength.

• Ye Wushang unleashed Ten Thousand Lotuses Return to the Origin, pressing Qing Chen’s demonic aspect to the brink of destruction.
• Qing Chen activated the Three Demon Banners and manifested the White Bone Immortal-Locking Yuanchen Gourd.
• Qing Chen poured years of the Demon Lotus Sect’s stored remains, blood, and demonic qi into the gourd, enlarging it and empowering its yin-yang millstone.
• The millstone enveloped the lotus sword formation and shattered the sword lotuses as Ye Wushang marveled at Qing Chen’s varied methods.
• The gathered Golden Core True Persons recognized the gourd’s power as a threat even to Late Golden Core Stage cultivators.

Qing Chen and Ye Wushang’s fierce duel ended when Ye Wushang used its momentum to break through to the middle Golden Core stage. The two called the battle a draw and left open the possibility of fighting again.

• Qing Chen’s Yin-Yang millstone shattered Ye Wushang’s sword rainbow, but the Heaven Grade Sword Stele shielded Ye Wushang as he began a breakthrough.
• Qing Chen considered attacking Ye Wushang while he was vulnerable, but feared Heavenly Shu True Lord’s vengeance and instead used the formations on Digu Pass Peak and Earth Pass Island to gather spiritual energy for him.
• Ye Wushang’s breakthrough stirred a vast sword-energy storm that overwhelmed the cultivators beneath Digu Pass Peak and forced Qing Chen back.
• Ye Wushang reached the middle Golden Core stage, then said Qing Chen had won the battle.
• Qing Chen called the duel a draw, hoping to avoid provoking Ye Wushang into demanding a rematch.

After his draw with Ye Wushang, Qing Chen gained the respect of powerful sect leaders and struck a favorable deal with Elder Xuangu. The chapter ended with Qing Chen returning Wutong’s Black Jade Ring and waiting to see what Elder Xuangu would do.

• Ye Wushang befriended Qing Chen after their battle, took his Communication Talisman and formation-node information, and left to challenge Shushan’s senior sword cultivators.
• Grand Elder Wan Hun praised Qing Chen, while Master Budong and First Seat Jingxin departed without confronting him.
• Yin Corpse True Person and other Golden Core cultivators offered Qing Chen friendly words before leaving, wary of his strength.
• Elder Xuangu asked Qing Chen about Wutong’s Black Jade Ring, and Qing Chen offered to return it in exchange for the demon beast’s remains and 250,000 Spirit Stones.
• Elder Xuangu waived the Spirit Stone payment but still offered Qing Chen the demon beast’s remains, so Qing Chen returned the ring and watched him suspiciously.

Qing Chen accepted True Person Xuangu’s invitation to investigate a mysterious opportunity on Wuji Island, while Xuangu departed confident he could draw him in. Months later, Yue Chengfeng visited his family’s graves on Mysterious Mountain Island and vowed to avenge them, declaring it his last visit before he succeeded.

• True Person Xuangu gave Qing Chen the White Devil Lynx remains, a third-tier Demon Core, and another Jade Box, then invited him to Wuji Island.
• Qing Chen asked about the promised opportunity and Xuangu’s earlier plan to test him; Xuangu gave him a Jade Slip with a Communication Array node but withheld the details.
• Xuangu left, planning for Lin Changsheng to reveal information about the opportunity gradually; Qing Chen was tempted by the prospect and Lin Changsheng’s Golden Jade Liquid Returning Pill.
• Several months later, Yue Chengfeng arrived at the ruined graves on Mysterious Mountain Island and knelt before headstones bearing names including Zhongqi, Western Slope, and Feng.
• Yue Chengfeng lamented his failed efforts over thirty years to avenge his lineage and swore that his hatred would not fade.
• Yue Chengfeng drew out five blood-tipped incense sticks and said this would be his last visit before he took revenge.

Yue Daishi honored her dead brother Yue Zhimu at the Yue Household graves, while Yue Chengfeng offered help for her failing health. Nearby, the Iron Saber Society’s Second-in-Command searched the ruined Yue grounds with his disciples and recounted the Blood River Old Devil’s Golden Core Ceremony.

• Yue Daishi kowtowed at Yue Zhimu’s nameless grave and mourned her brother’s death at Qing Chen’s hands.
• Yue Chengfeng offered Yue Daishi root-stabilizing spirit grass, but she refused and blamed herself for her failed cultivation breakthrough and her husband Yang Jinquan’s stalled progress.
• The Second-in-Command of the Iron Saber Society searched the ruined Yue Household grounds with several disciples for overlooked treasures.
• The Second-in-Command explained that the Yue Household had been destroyed, its spirit vein relocated, and its mountain range renamed by the Blood River Old Devil.
• The Second-in-Command described Ye Wushang’s clash with the Blood River Old Devil at the Golden Core Ceremony and praised the Blood River Old Devil as an inspiration.

Yue Chengfeng and Yang Jinquan confronted the Iron Blade Society disciples at the Yue Household ruins and learned that Qing Old Devil had renamed Profound Yue Mountain as Wandering Mountain. Yue Chengfeng also questioned their account of Qing Old Devil’s duel with Ye Wushang as the story recounted how he and Yang Jinquan had joined the Snake Spirit Way.

• The Iron Blade Society’s second-in-command praised Qing Old Devil and claimed he had defeated Ye Wushang, but Yang Jinquan and Yue Chengfeng restrained the group and brought them before Loyal Qi Patriarch’s grave.
• Yue Chengfeng demanded to know why the disciples called the ruins Wandering Mountain, and the plump disciple explained that Qing Old Devil had ordered the name changed after the Yue Household was destroyed.
• Yue Daishi and Yue Chengfeng angrily condemned Qing Old Devil for erasing the Yue Household’s name.
• Yue Chengfeng asked the second-in-command whether Qing Old Devil had won his duel with Ye Wushang rather than drawn.
• The chapter recounted how Yue Chengfeng lost his water bandit stronghold, joined the Snake Spirit Way, and later rescued Yue Daishi and Yang Jinquan from their pursuers.
• Yang Jinquan reflected that he needed strength and a powerful backer to live freely.

After Yue Chengfeng spared the people at Wandering Mountain and left for the Infinite Extremity Devil Palace, Qing Chen emerged from seclusion and reviewed the enormous haul of congratulatory gifts sent after his battle with Ye Wushang. The tally approached a million Spirit Stones before gifts from the twelve Golden Core forces were counted.

• Yang Jinquan learned from his second-in-command that Qing Chen had defeated Ye Wushang and prepared to kill the witnesses, but Yue Chengfeng stopped him.
• Yue Chengfeng ordered the survivors to tend the grave and provide offerings or face the slaughter of their households, then rewarded them and left Wandering Mountain with his companions.
• Yue Chengfeng explained to Yue Daishi that he had spared the people and left Wandering Mountain standing to preserve his courage, then led the group toward the Infinite Extremity Devil Palace.
• After several months of seclusion, Qing Chen summoned Xu Jiuling and Gao Yuliang to review the gifts delivered for his grand ceremony.
• Gao Yuliang reported nearly twenty thousand gifts worth close to a million Spirit Stones, excluding gifts from the twelve Golden Core forces.

Qing Chen reviewed the gifts and guests who had come to celebrate his Golden Core status, then received a message from Ye Wushang urging him to leave the archipelagos and seek greater challenges. The chapter ended with Ye Wushang arguing that venturing out was the first step toward becoming a true powerhouse.

• Qing Chen required the General Affairs Hall to record every gift-giver’s full name and issue them an invitation, with higher-quality invitations for more generous gifts.
• Gao Yuliang reported that twelve Golden Core factions had attended and that their third-tier treasures were worth at least seven hundred thousand spirit stones.
• Gao Yuliang listed the absent Eight Serpent Sect and Snake Spirit Way, and Xu Jiuling explained the Eight Serpent Sect’s distant location and difficult route.
• Xu Jiuling gave Qing Chen a Communication Jade Slip from Sword Chief Ye Wushang of the Shushan Sword Sect.
• Ye Wushang boasted of his victories and invited Qing Chen to travel with him to the Nanhua Continent, where they could face stronger cultivators and pursue greater realms.