Recaps

Bai Zao visited Divine End Peak amid a rumor that she intended to marry Jing Jiu, and explained why she had allowed the rumor to spread. After Jing Jiu rejected the possibility of becoming dao companions, Bai Zao left with Zhao Layue, who observed that Bai Zao had been competing with Jing Jiu's belief that life must be lived alone.

• Gu Qing welcomed Bai Zao to Divine End Peak, where the formal reception and her mention of the marriage rumor left Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue puzzled.
• Bai Zao told Jing Jiu that she had encouraged the rumor to avoid becoming Tong Yan's dao companion and to ease pressure on Jing Jiu within Green Mountain.
• Bai Zao suggested that becoming dao companions could benefit their sects and the Righteous Alliance, but Jing Jiu reminded her that he had already said in White City that it was impossible.
• Bai Zao invited Jing Jiu to the Zhongzhou Sect's thirty-thousandth anniversary celebration on behalf of her parents, and Jing Jiu said he would decide when the time came.
• Bai Zao proposed taking a walk through the clouds, but Jing Jiu said that clouds and the feelings they inspired were illusory.
• Bai Zao joined Zhao Layue beside the cliff, where Zhao Layue said Bai Zao had been competing with Jing Jiu himself because he believed that living was something one did alone.

Zhao Layue and Bai Zao discussed affection, dao companions, and the choices binding Bai Zao to the Zhongzhou Sect. After Bai Zao left, Jing Jiu explained that powerful cultivators who feared they could not ascend were preparing successors, a choice that meant accepting defeat.

• Bai Zao asked Zhao Layue whether walking partway along the road to Heavenly Access would be enough, and Zhao Layue said she had once wondered about wanting more but was content to cultivate with Jing Jiu.
• Zhao Layue invited Bai Zao to consider joining Green Mountain, but Bai Zao left with Gu Qing because she could not abandon her responsibilities to the Zhongzhou Sect.
• Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue that affection brought the pain of being unable to part or leave, and said the Zhongzhou Sect had invited him to its thirty-thousand-year founding celebration.
• Jing Jiu explained that major sect leaders who saw their own ends had begun raising successors, and Zhao Layue realized that they were preparing to leave behind their karma after losing hope of ascension.

Jing Jiu rejected the Zhongzhou Sect’s proposal, while Green Mountain’s internal conflict over Liu S sui and Little Lotus deepened. Fang Jingtian secretly confronted a hidden presence and demanded to know where One was, after confirming Two was with Liu S sui.

• Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue that a hundred years was the limit, leaving only a few decades for Guo Nanshan.
• Elder Yue Qianmen departed, and a rumor spread that Jing Jiu had rejected the Zhongzhou Sect’s proposal outright.
• At a Hundred Flowers Banquet, Qingrong Peak’s disciples grew melancholy while discussing Jing Jiu and Bai Zao, and Nan Wang called Jing Jiu heartless.
• Gu Qing learned that Past Arrival Peak had blocked Liu S sui’s reward and his request to keep Little Lotus at Green Mountain, and he told Jing Jiu about the situation.
• Liu S sui left Past Arrival Peak without seeing Fang Jingtian, who then crossed a hidden stone bridge and asked a mysterious presence what had happened to One.

Fang Jingtian tried to enlist Yin Phoenix in a plot against Jing Jiu, but Yin Phoenix refused unless Fang proved Jing Jiu was not True Person Jingyang. Jing Jiu learned of the exchange and was surprised Fang Jingtian had acted again so soon.

• Fang Jingtian asked Yin Phoenix to help him, but Yin Phoenix refused and warned him against relying on illusions.
• Fang Jingtian argued that conflicts between the Sect Master and Sword Law could give him an opportunity to kill his enemies.
• Yin Phoenix demanded proof that Jing Jiu was not True Person Jingyang, citing White Ghost's docile behavior as evidence that Jing Jiu might be Jingyang.
• Fang Jingtian agreed to establish Jing Jiu's origins, a task made his highest priority by a recent message from his master.
• Zhao Layue told Jing Jiu about what happened at Past Arrival Peak, and Jing Jiu wondered why Fang Jingtian had made another move so soon.

Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue how True Person Taiping reclaimed Green Mountain with the help of his disciples and two Guardians, while they considered the brewing conflict with Fang Jingtian. After admitting he felt lonely, Jing Jiu found comfort in Zhao Layue’s reminder that he had companions at Divine End Peak.

• Jing Jiu explained that True Person Taiping had taken disciples early and enlisted Lord Corpse Dog and Lord Yin Phoenix by promising that when one man attained the Dao, even his chickens and dogs would ascend to heaven.
• Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue that Liu Ci and Yuan Qijing had helped him and his Senior Brother reclaim Green Mountain, leaving Taiping’s lineage in control of the Nine Peaks.
• Jing Jiu told the white cat that someone wanted to kill him, and the white cat said people were jealous of him.
• Jing Jiu explained that Liu Ci and Yuan Qijing would not stop Fang Jingtian from merely wanting to avenge True Person Taiping, though they would intervene if he acted.
• Jing Jiu admitted he felt lonely, and Zhao Layue reminded him that he had her and the growing community at Divine End Peak.

Jing Jiu considered Liu S sui’s dangerous cultivation and the political effort to make his situation a major issue at an upcoming Green Mountain summit. Meanwhile, Jian Ruoshan questioned the Curtain Rollers about Zuo Yi’s death, and the doctor urgently sent information about Green Mountain’s investigation to Chaoge City.

• Jing Jiu recognized that Liu S sui’s incompatible cultivation methods could eventually destroy him and considered using the dispute to send him somewhere that could resolve the problem.
• Zhao Layue told Jing Jiu that Elder Mochi had secured every Peak Master’s agreement to hold a summit in ten days, ostensibly about the Never-Old Forest affair but likely focused on Liu S sui.
• Zhao Layue reported that someone was investigating the Zuo Yi affair through the Curtain Rollers, and Jing Jiu agreed to attend the summit with her.
• Jian Ruoshan confronted a Curtain Rollers doctor in Jianli City, demanding to know why Zuo Yi’s steward had died and whether he had been killed for uncovering wrongdoing.
• The doctor refused to explain the Curtain Rollers’ internal affairs, then classified the information as Grade C and ordered it sent quickly to Chaoge City.

Jian Ruoshan investigated Zuo Yi’s death in Jianli City and was killed by a Nether Department Demon’s Soul Fire. Duan Liantian reached the ruined temple afterward, where Chi Yan arrived and told him they would discuss the dead disciple after returning.

• Jian Ruyun’s investigation led Jian Ruoshan to confirm that the Curtain Rollers were concealing something about Zuo Yi’s death.
• Jian Ruoshan decided to continue investigating through a friend in the Mirror Sect, but a bonfire in a ruined temple turned ghostly blue as a Nether Department Demon attacked with Soul Fire.
• Jian Ruoshan summoned his flying sword and sent a signal for help, but the Soul Fire broke through his Sword Gang and burned him to ash.
• Duan Liantian followed the signal to the ruined temple and used a Brightlight Mirror to discover that a Nether Department Demon had been there.
• Chi Yan arrived at the temple, and Duan Liantian told him that a disciple had died; Chi Yan said they would discuss it after returning.

Duan Liantian pursued Zuo Yi’s case and Jian Ruoshan’s death, but Chi Yan and Yuan Qijing confronted him over his motives and his unauthorized investigation. The chapter ended with Jing Jiu learning that Zhao Layue was still investigating Lin Huangyan’s death.

• Duan Liantian and Chi Yan faced off in a ruined temple before Chi Yan forced him to return to Green Mountain.
• Chi Yan accused Duan Liantian of panicking over Liu S sui’s return and his growing standing, while Duan insisted Liu was implicated in Zuo Yi’s death.
• Duan Liantian revealed that Curtain Rollers contact Lin Huangyan had investigated the Divine End Peak Master before Zuo Yi died, and admitted he had used the Sword Law’s name to access the archives.
• Yuan Qijing warned Duan Liantian against investigating a Peak Master without authorization, and Chi Yan found that the letter revealing Lin Huangyan’s identity could not be traced.
• Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue that he had killed Lin Huangyan, and she admitted she was still investigating; Jing Jiu sighed that she would not give him any peace.

Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue that there was no evidence connecting Fang Jingtian to Great-Uncle Master's failed ascension. As Green Mountain prepared to deliberate over Liu S sui, Jian Ruyun accused him of hiding information about Zuo Yi’s death, while young disciples gathered to show support for Divine End Peak.

• Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue that Lei Poyun’s actions did not prove Fang Jingtian’s involvement in Great-Uncle Master's failed ascension, and that only those involved knew the truth.
• Jian Ruyun told Guo Nanshan, Gu Han, and Ma Hua that Ruoshan had died in Seven Seas Commandery while investigating Zuo Yi’s death.
• Jian Ruyun accused Liu S sui of covering for Jing Jiu and demanded that anyone responsible for wrongdoing be punished, while Guo Nanshan warned him not to investigate or make accusations without evidence.
• Green Mountain’s peaks gathered at Past Arrival Peak for a summit concerning Liu S sui, with Liu S sui and Guo Nanshan as the only young disciples inside the hall.
• Young disciples approached Gu Qing, Yuan Qu, and Little Lotus outside the hall to express support for Divine End Peak.

Fang Jingtian presided over Green Mountain’s summit, where the elders reviewed the Never-Old Forest, assessed the peaks’ merits, and rejected the Fox Demon’s request to remain at Green Mountain. The meeting then turned to Liu S sui’s delayed rewards when Fang Jingtian revealed that Jian Ruyun had raised an objection.

• Fang Jingtian opened the summit by having Guo Nanshan explain the destruction of the Never-Old Forest and the distribution of its remaining assets, with Liu S sui answering questions as well.
• Shangde Peak oversaw the peaks’ merit assessments, and the elders settled a dispute over the pills due to the Northern Crane Pavilion Gate Master.
• Fang Jingtian ruled that the Fox Demon’s past crimes barred her from staying at Green Mountain, and no one objected.
• Mochi asked why Past Arrival Peak had blocked Liu S sui’s rewards, and Fang Jingtian said he had suspended them because a disciple had raised an objection.
• Jian Ruyun emerged in the hall, prompting Liu S sui to recall Jing Jiu’s advice to wait until the matter came to a head.

Jian Ruyun accused Liu S sui of being connected to Zuo Yi’s death, but Liu refused to explain where he had gone that night. Chi Yan ordered him taken back to the Sword Prison, while Jing Jiu remained silent and Nan Wang demanded that the gathering outside disperse.

• Jian Ruyun accused Liu S sui of having a connection to Zuo Yi’s death thirteen years earlier and said Jian Ruoshan had been killed while investigating the case.
• Duan Liantian confirmed that Liu S sui had admitted he was away from his cave abode on the night Zuo Yi died, but said that fact proved nothing.
• Liu S sui denied involvement in Jian Ruoshan’s death but refused to say where he had gone, explaining that he did not want to lie anymore.
• Jing Jiu remained silent as those in the hall waited for him to respond to the accusation.
• Chi Yan ordered Liu S sui returned to the Sword Prison under guard until the investigation concluded or he answered the question.
• Nan Wang heard the commotion outside the hall and ordered everyone to disperse.

Jing Jiu left Liu S sui’s fate to Green Mountain’s decision but refused to accept Little Lotus’s expulsion. Gu Qing escorted her to Yunji Town, where she chose to wait for Liu S sui under his protection.

• Chi Yan announced that Liu S sui would be imprisoned pending trial and Little Lotus expelled from Green Mountain.
• Zhao Layue objected to Little Lotus’s expulsion and offered to receive her as a guest at Divine End Peak, but Fang Jingtian challenged her proposal.
• Jing Jiu asked who had questioned the decision, heard Bai Rujing claim responsibility, and walked out without backing down.
• Little Lotus packed her belongings, and Gu Qing escorted her out of Green Mountain toward Yunji Town.
• Little Lotus asked to stay in Yunji Town and wait for Liu S sui, and Gu Qing agreed to stay with her for ten days.
• Gu Qing brought Little Lotus to his family’s restaurant, where she reflected on her dependence on Liu S sui and found Gu Qing’s smile hateful.

Gu Qing reassured Little Lotus that she was not a burden to Liu S sui, while Yuan Qu met Junior Sister Yushan on Shangde Peak. Jing Jiu visited Corpse Dog in the Sword Prison and learned that it had not let his senior brother escape seventeen years earlier, though it had not stopped him.

• Gu Qing told Little Lotus that Liu S sui did not consider her trouble and said Divine End Peak had become trouble for some people in Green Mountain.
• Yuan Qu secretly met Junior Sister Yushan on Shangde Peak, where they went to a secluded spot to talk beneath the stars.
• Jing Jiu entered the Sword Prison through a secret passage and thanked Corpse Dog for its efforts over the years.
• Jing Jiu asked Corpse Dog whether it had let his senior brother leave the Sword Prison seventeen years earlier.
• Corpse Dog answered that it had not let him go, but had not stopped Jing Jiu from locking him up either.

Jing Jiu visited Liu S sui in the Sword Prison and explained why his time in the Never-Old Forest would prevent him from becoming Green Mountain Sect Master. He urged Liu S sui to pursue strength as the means to establish order, then sent him to Fruitful Accomplishment Temple for help.

• Jing Jiu entered the Sword Prison, passed Tailu’s cell, and confirmed that his Senior Brother had escaped using Thunder Soulwood to transfer into another prisoner.
• Jing Jiu opened Liu S sui’s cell and explained that someone targeting him had caused Liu S sui’s imprisonment.
• Jing Jiu told Liu S sui that his experience in the Never-Old Forest had cost him any chance of becoming Green Mountain Sect Master, but Liu S sui said he did not care about the position.
• Jing Jiu explained that eliminating evil required establishing a stable order by becoming the strongest person in the world.
• Jing Jiu gave Liu S sui a letter and sent him to Fruitful Accomplishment Temple to address the mixed auras in his body.

Jing Jiu brought Liu S sui to Hidden Peak and sent him to Fruitful Accomplishment Temple to receive help with the dangerous, conflicting auras in his body. The Zen Child gave Liu S sui a Buddhist scripture, but doubted it would be enough and considered seeking further help.

• Jing Jiu led Liu S sui out of the Sword Prison and revealed that they had reached Hidden Peak.
• Liu S sui and Little Lotus traveled by carriage from Yunji Town toward Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, where a letter from Zhao Layue secured them an audience with the Zen Child.
• The Zen Child read Zhao Layue's letter and grew solemn when reminded that he had acted too slowly during the Plum Gathering Dao Battle.
• The Zen Child gave Liu S sui several hundred characters from Fruitful Accomplishment Temple's True Scripture and promised to keep his situation secret.
• After Liu S sui left, the Zen Child judged that Buddhist teachings might not resolve his chaotic auras and considered writing to One-Thatch Studio.

Liu S sui and Little Lotus settled into a vegetable garden at Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, where Liu S sui struggled to understand the Zen Child’s scripture and met Yin Fu, who was secretly Yin San. Meanwhile, Yin San discussed Liu S sui and hidden Green Mountain secrets with the Profound Yin Ancestor, while Su Ziye recovered at Precious Thoroughfare Zen Monastery as He Zhan questioned Tong Yan about sending Tonglu away with the First Child Sword.

• Fruitful Accomplishment Temple secretly housed Liu S sui and Little Lotus as vegetable gardeners, and Liu S sui began studying the Zen Child’s difficult scripture.
• Yin San, disguised as Yin Fu, visited Liu S sui daily and reacted with surprise when he first saw him.
• Liu S sui helped Yin Fu deliver extra vegetables to the temple’s rear kitchen, where the Profound Yin Ancestor recognized him.
• Yin San told the Profound Yin Ancestor that he liked Liu S sui and speculated about the missing First Child Sword and Su Ziye’s body.
• Su Ziye recovered from his toxins at Precious Thoroughfare Zen Monastery while He Zhan asked Tong Yan why he had let Tonglu take the First Child Sword to the Western Sea.

Tong Yan explained Tonglu’s value as an inside agent, while Su Ziye’s reliance on pill poison revealed the cost of keeping his mind clear and growing stronger. Meanwhile, Fang Jingtian challenged Yin Phoenix’s suspicion that Jing Jiu was Jingyang, and Zhao Layue asked Jing Jiu whether they would leave matters unresolved.

• Tong Yan told He Zhan that Tonglu’s guilt and sincerity made him suited to deceive Jian Xilai, and said people like them usually regretted choices only after making them.
• Su Ziye took pill poison from Guo Dong’s box, and Tong Yan explained that it helped evil cultivators endure pain but gradually poisoned them to death.
• Su Ziye told He Zhan that he used the poison to stay lucid and become stronger, while Tong Yan urged him to reconsider sharing the righteous sects’ spirit veins.
• Fang Jingtian argued to Yin Phoenix that Jing Jiu was not Jingyang, but Yin Phoenix dismissed his reasoning and said Jing Jiu had never tried to hide himself.
• Zhao Layue approached Jing Jiu as he sat thinking by the cliff and asked whether they were going to leave matters at that.

Jing Jiu explained that years of sustaining Bai Zao with his Sword Flame in the Snowfield had left his cultivation stalled and revealed a problem he could not resolve. He gathered Divine End Peak to seek help after discovering his flying sword and Sword Pellet could not merge, leaving his disciples surprised by the reason he still carried his Iron Sword.

• Zhao Layue questioned Jing Jiu about Fang Jingtian's connections and why the Sect Master and Sword Law had not dealt with him, and Jing Jiu said there was no evidence against his fellow disciple.
• Zhao Layue asked when Jing Jiu could reach the Sea-Breaking Realm, and his smile concealed his concern about his stalled cultivation.
• Jing Jiu realized that six years of burning Sword Flame to keep Bai Zao alive had left his True Essence barely sustaining him and had prevented him from cultivating.
• Jing Jiu gathered Zhao Layue, Gu Qing, and Yuan Qu in the cave abode and explained that his flying sword and Sword Pellet could not merge.
• Gu Qing and Yuan Qu looked at Jing Jiu's blackened Iron Sword and were surprised to learn that he carried it because he could not merge it with his Sword Pellet.

Jing Jiu began a long seclusion on Divine End Peak after discussing why he could not retract his Iron Sword into his Sword Pellet. After more than ten days of contemplation, he tried again, but the sword still would not approach him.

• Jing Jiu dismissed his companions’ suggestions about his cultivation and explained that he had never needed conventional seclusion to practice.
• Jing Jiu described Zhuo Rusui’s long seclusion as an effort to build a reputation while waiting to be recognized as Green Mountain’s strongest young disciple.
• Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue not to neglect her cultivation while he was secluded, and she urged him to worry about himself instead.
• Zhao Layue sealed Divine End Peak’s Forbidden Array and sent Gu Qing and Yuan Qu away as Jing Jiu entered a cave abode.
• Jing Jiu sat motionless in contemplation for more than ten days, then summoned the Iron Sword and tried to retract it into his Sword Pellet.
• The Iron Sword remained unable to approach Jing Jiu, seeming afraid of him.

Jing Jiu struggled to find a way to draw the Iron Sword into his body so he could form a sword ghost and advance his cultivation, while Liu S sui continued failing to understand Buddhist scripture at Fruitful Accomplishment Temple. The chapter ended with Liu S sui’s true essence stirring and Little Lotus suggesting she secretly bring back a monk.

• Jing Jiu realized he could not form a sword ghost because he could not draw the Iron Sword into his body, and his many attempted solutions failed.
• Jing Jiu used the Blood Demon Sect's Soul-Severing Secret Method to send his divine soul out of his body and onto the Iron Sword, but the attempt injured him and made him fear that even Liu Ci and Yuan Qijing could not help.
• At Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, Liu S sui continued studying a Buddhist scripture without understanding its true meaning, while Little Lotus worried he might become a monk.
• When Liu S sui felt his true essence begin to stir, Little Lotus offered to secretly bring back a monk, leaving him stunned.

Liu S sui struggled with clashing streams of True Essence until Yin San recognized his problem and began teaching him a Buddhist scripture. After more than ten days of lessons, Liu S sui grasped its meaning and entered meditation, while Yin San left the Vegetable Garden.

• Liu S sui grew ill as his streams of True Essence clashed, but he refused Little Lotus's attempts to seek help at the temple.
• Yin San visited the Vegetable Garden, and Liu S sui asked him to explain the Buddhist scripture on a piece of silk.
• Yin San explained the scripture in simple terms, and Liu S sui listened as his understanding deepened.
• Yin San returned daily to teach Liu S sui and eventually finished explaining the entire scripture.
• Yin San told Liu S sui to forget the scripture after understanding it, and Liu S sui entered meditation as Yin San left.

Liu S sui wondered who Yin Fu really was after the mysterious kitchen servant stopped visiting, then spent New Year with Little Lotus remembering the dead. Yin San revealed he had secretly taught Liu S sui the scriptures, and he and the Profound Yin Ancestor marked the passage of time in hiding at Fruitful Accomplishment Temple.

• After waking from three days of meditation, Liu S sui learned that Yin Fu had not visited the Vegetable Garden and suspected he was an eminent monk in disguise.
• Liu S sui went to the kitchen, where a fat monk told him there was no one named Yin Fu and complained about having only leftover steamed buns for New Year.
• Little Lotus prepared a New Year meal, and Liu S sui set out bowls for Mister Yan and the Western Prince before eating with her.
• Little Lotus wondered how Jing Jiu was spending New Year, and Liu S sui said the young master did not celebrate it.
• In the White Mountain chamber, Yin San told the Profound Yin Ancestor that he had taught Liu S sui because he missed teaching, then drank a bowl of water as the temple bell rang in the new year.

Jing Jiu emerged from seclusion without solving his cultivation problem and decided to seek help from the Nether Department in Chaoge City to establish a new Dao. He prepared to leave Green Mountain alone, taking Big One with him after persuading the white cat with a single word.

• In White City, Guo Dong asked the Blade Sage to help He Zhan enter Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, and he agreed to write to the temple.
• At the Precious Thoroughfare Zen Monastery, He Zhan complained about being kept there while Tong Yan remained silent, thinking of his junior sister.
• Bai Zao celebrated the New Year with her parents at Yunmeng Mountain.
• Jing Jiu left his cave abode after a hundred days without solving his cultivation problem, and Zhao Layue asked whether he had succeeded.
• Jing Jiu decided to seek help from the Nether Department in Chaoge City and refused Zhao Layue, Gu Qing, and Yuan Qu's offers to accompany him.
• Jing Jiu told the white cat to fight and said he would hand it over to the one it disliked; the cat agreed to go with him.

Jing Jiu left Green Mountain for Chaoge City, seeking a Nether Department expert who could teach him Soul Fire Control and help him solve the Sword Ghost problem. He reached the Jing residence and was welcomed by his nephew, Jing Shang, and the family.

• Corpse Dog hid the five lengths of thunder soulwood beneath his body.
• Jing Jiu flew from Divine End Peak to Chaoge City with the white cat and entered using Zhao Layue's travel permit.
• Jing Jiu visited a Curtain Rollers medical clinic, then headed to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to seek a Nether Department expert in Soul Fire Control.
• Jing Jiu arrived at the Jing residence, where Jing Shang's son recognized him as his little uncle.
• Jing Shang welcomed Jing Jiu and led him toward the side courtyard.

Jing Jiu learned how the Zhongzhou Sect, One-Thatch Studio, and the Zhao Household had shaped the imperial succession dispute, then met privately with the emperor. He left the Imperial Study and asked the Duke of Lu to take him to see the Little Imperial Prince.

• Jing Shang told Jing Jiu about officials seeking his favor and the Gu Household’s gifts, and Jing Jiu trusted Gu Qing to use them.
• Lu Ming explained that Jing Xin’s prestige was rising with the Zhongzhou Sect’s support, while One-Thatch Studio opposed Consort Hu’s son and the Zhao Household maintained ties with Consort Hu.
• Jing Jiu considered how Liu Ci and Yuan Qijing had tacitly approved these developments and wished he had brought Gu Qing.
• The Duke of Lu escorted Jing Jiu into the Imperial Study, where Jing Jiu met privately with the emperor.
• After the meeting, Jing Jiu asked the Duke of Lu to take him to see the Little Imperial Prince.