Recaps

Jing Jiu climbed Sword Peak and encountered Zhao Layue practicing alone in a cave, then searched the cliffs for a sword and communicated with the swords hidden within them. He told them he planned to leave the mountains and see the world.

• Jing Jiu climbed through the clouds on Sword Peak, where he found Zhao Layue practicing Sword Intent Tempering Body in a cave.
• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue introduced themselves, exchanged brief remarks, and went their separate ways.
• Jing Jiu circled to the western slope and sent out his Sword Sense, causing the hidden swords and sword intent to stir and retreat.
• Zhao Layue sensed the change in the sword intent and wondered what had happened.
• Jing Jiu told the swords he would not stay in the mountains as before and intended to go out and have a look.

Jing Jiu found Uncle-Master Mo’s sword on Sword Peak and witnessed Zhao Layue rescue a wounded eaglet during her cultivation. Uncle-Master Zuo of Jade Lake Peak then confronted Zhao Layue, revealed he planned to kill her for investigating a secret, and left her facing the threat alone.

• Jing Jiu located Uncle-Master Mo’s broad black sword among the strands of sword intent and prepared to take it.
• Jing Jiu saw Zhao Layue use her sword to bring a wounded Iron Eagle eaglet to her and bandage it, revealing that she had reached the Mind Bearing realm.
• Uncle-Master Zuo of Jade Lake Peak appeared in the darkness and praised Zhao Layue for detecting him.
• Uncle-Master Zuo told Zhao Layue he intended to kill her because she had spent three years investigating undisclosed matters.
• Zhao Layue asked whether he had considered the consequences, and Uncle-Master Zuo replied that they had done things with consequences worse than killing her.

Uncle-Master Zuo nearly killed Zhao Layue, but her Sword Restraint and precise punches held him long enough for Jing Jiu to appear and kill him. The two looked at each other through the blood, leaving their first encounter at the cliff.

• Uncle-Master Zuo defeated Zhao Layue’s flying sword and pierced her body seven times with the Hidden Thunder Sword.
• Zhao Layue trapped Uncle-Master Zuo with her Sword Restraint, then struck him with the Introductory Fist Art and tried to choke him.
• Uncle-Master Zuo used his flying sword and sword intent to resist the Sword Restraint as Zhao Layue weakened from her wounds.
• Jing Jiu appeared beside them, and Uncle-Master Zuo froze in shock at his sudden arrival.
• Jing Jiu struck Uncle-Master Zuo’s neck and beheaded him.
• Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu looked at each other through the falling blood.

After Liu S sui confronted Jing Jiu about the murdered Jade Lake Peak martial uncle, Jing Jiu admitted he had killed him. The shaken Liu S sui left without reporting him, while Jing Jiu later decided to visit Sword Peak.

• Shangde Peak investigated the martial uncle’s murder but found no leads, while Liu S sui grew distracted and unsettled.
• Liu S sui visited Jing Jiu and questioned him about where he had gone on the night of the murder.
• Jing Jiu admitted he had killed the martial uncle and told Liu S sui he could report him.
• Liu S sui asked whether the martial uncle had been a bad person, and Jing Jiu said he had been bad from Jing Jiu’s perspective.
• Jing Jiu spent the next day thinking, then left his cave abode and headed toward Sword Peak as the disciples watched.

Jing Jiu climbed Sword Peak for the first time and entered the clouds, astonishing the disciples who thought he had come to claim Uncle-Master Mo’s sword. He visited the injured Zhao Layue on the mountain, and the chapter left the murder investigation fading from discussion while Liu S sui remained the one person who might suspect him.

• Jing Jiu climbed Sword Peak at a steady pace and entered the clouds, drawing amazement from the watching disciples.
• Lin Wuzhi and Uncle-Master Mei Li argued over which peak should claim Jing Jiu as a disciple.
• Jing Jiu found Zhao Layue injured in a hollow, brought her wild fruit and a medicinal pill, and explained that he had left the dead uncle-master’s body by the creek because disposing of it was a bother.
• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue questioned each other’s identities, but neither revealed anything, and Jing Jiu left after confirming her injuries were not life-threatening.
• Jing Jiu’s ascent earned him respect among the Sword-Washing disciples, while Shangde Peak continued investigating the murder and Liu S sui remained the only person he thought might suspect him.

Zhao Layue completed Sword Intent Tempering Body and returned to Sword-Washing Creek, surprising the disciples by visiting Jing Jiu. She and Jing Jiu spoke briefly about his sand-and-porcelain exercise, and she returned a few days later, refusing when he asked her to pour him water.

• Liu S sui trained harder and grew more taciturn, while disciples across Sword-Washing Creek celebrated taking swords from Sword Peak.
• News spread that Zhao Layue had finished cultivating on Sword Peak and gone to Jing Jiu's cave abode, making Jing Jiu famous again.
• Ma Hua told Liu S sui that Zhao Layue was visiting Jing Jiu, but Liu S sui returned to practicing his sword.
• Disciples watched as Zhao Layue sat with Jing Jiu; she found his sand exercise interesting but left because it was too difficult.
• Zhao Layue visited Jing Jiu again a few days later, and she refused when he asked her to pour him water.

Zhao Layue questioned Jing Jiu about his abundant Sword Essence and his approach to hiding his abilities, while he urged her not to conceal her own radiance. Their conversation was interrupted by a sword-riding madman attacking Sword-Washing Creek, and Jing Jiu suspected that Yuan Qijing had subdued him and might have reached the Heaven-Connecting Realm.

• Zhao Layue asked Jing Jiu how his Sword Essence had grown so abundant despite his laziness, and he explained that he did not consider hiding his abilities worthwhile.
• Jing Jiu ruffled Zhao Layue's dusty hair and told her to wash it, so she returned from her cave abode in fresh clothes with wet hair.
• A powerful, unstable sword rider tore through the sky above Sword-Washing Creek, shouting that even if there was no one, there were two, and his sword intent damaged the cliffs and creek.
• Green Mountain disciples formed sword formations around the rider, and a giant square iron sword descended to pin him down until the battle stopped.
• Zhao Layue asked whether the display showed the might of the Sea-Breaking Realm, and Jing Jiu said Yuan Qijing might have already reached the Heaven-Connecting Realm.

Jing Jiu reflected on Lei Poyun’s cryptic words while Yuan Qijing investigated the breach of Sword Prison and considered taking over Jade Lake Peak. As early winter arrived, Zhao Layue visited Jing Jiu before heading to Sword Peak for the Sword Inheritance Assembly, but Gu Han blocked her path.

• The disciples learned that the flying sword was the Tide-Coming Sword and that the cultivator who had gone mad was Lei Poyun, while Jing Jiu understood the meaning of Lei Poyun’s final words.
• Yuan Qijing dismissed the Shangde Peak disciples who had knelt for judgment and told Chi Yan that Lei Poyun’s release still needed investigating, though the approaching Sword Inheritance Assembly required discretion.
• Yuan Qijing dismissed Chi Yan’s concern about Jing Jiu and said Shangde Peak should first see whether it could take over Jade Lake Peak.
• After the first snowfall, Zhao Layue visited Jing Jiu and told him she was going to Sword Peak to make her final preparations for the Sword Inheritance Assembly.
• Zhao Layue left Sword-Washing Creek on foot, and Gu Han blocked her path.

As the Sword Inheritance Assembly approached, Green Mountain prepared for the ceremony and settled the succession to Jade Lake Peak. Jing Jiu registered at the last moment and joined Zhao Layue on a quiet rock beside the creek as the assembly began.

• Zhao Layue rejected Gu Han’s claim that Green Mountain’s future lay with them, and Gu Han went to Twofold Forgetting Peak to discuss her and Jing Jiu with Guo Nanshan.
• Spring arrived, and Green Mountain gathered disciples and visiting sect representatives for the Sword Inheritance Assembly, with Zhao Layue, Liu S sui, and Gu Qing drawing particular attention.
• A reclusive Jade Lake Peak elder defeated Chi Yan and became the new peak master after a battle that activated the Green Mountain Grand Array.
• Jing Jiu registered for the assembly at the Sword-Washing Pavilion, and Lin Wuzhi wondered why he still had not obtained a sword.
• Jing Jiu avoided the crowded creek banks and sat beside Zhao Layue on a quiet bluestone near the cliff.

At the Sword Inheritance Assembly, the Nine Peaks weighed which young disciples to recruit while discussing Zhao Layue’s refusal to join Twofold Forgetting Peak and Jing Jiu’s unexpected registration. As the assembly’s observers noticed Jing Jiu beside Zhao Layue, they recognized him, though he still appeared to have no sword.

• The Nine Peaks’ leaders discussed their plans for recruiting disciples, including Gu Qing, Liu S sui, and Qi Feiying.
• Guo Nanshan lamented that Zhao Layue had not agreed to join Twofold Forgetting Peak and said Jing Jiu was not suited for the peak.
• Lin Wuzhi announced that Jing Jiu had signed up, prompting Guo Nanshan to welcome the news and Gu Han to question his motives.
• Guo Nanshan defended his past treatment of Jing Jiu as necessary pressure, while Lin Wuzhi predicted that Guo Nanshan would be disappointed twice.
• The Qingrong Peak disciples admired Jing Jiu from afar, and Mei Li said he could not compete until next time because he still had no sword.
• The Qingrong Peak master asked who the white-robed youth was, and Mei Li identified him as Jing Jiu.

The Sword Inheritance Assembly began with disciples demonstrating their sword skills before the Nine Peaks chose successors. Liu S sui impressed the gathered guests with a precise, effortless performance, then faced a composed young disciple who challenged him to a demonstration.

• Chen Lin demonstrated his swordsmanship and flight, endured an uncomfortable silence, and was chosen by Cloud-Traveling Peak to study the Azure Bird Sword Technique under Elder Cheng.
• Qi Yuanliang, Sikong Yimin, Qi Feiying, and other disciples performed and were selected by various peaks.
• The guests watched Liu S sui enter the creek, curious about the Green Mountain Sect’s third innate Dao Seed in ten years.
• Liu S sui sent his sword through a rock, flew high above the Nine Peaks, and returned calmly, drawing cheers from the assembly.
• A composed young disciple stepped onto a rock and asked Liu S sui to instruct him.

Liu S sui defeated Lin Yingliang and was accepted as Elder Bai’s sword disciple, with the Sect Master’s influence evident in the choice. As the assembly continued, Jing Jiu stepped forward to inherit the sword, startling the disciples who recognized him.

• Liu S sui defeated Lin Yingliang in a swift flying-sword duel, and Lin Yingliang accepted an invitation from Shiyue Peak.
• The Sect Master asked Liu S sui to study the sword under Elder Bai, and Liu S sui agreed after Gu Han nodded to him.
• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue discussed how to avoid people’s attention, and Jing Jiu suggested becoming the true sun.
• Jing Jiu walked to the stream and announced that he intended to inherit the sword, prompting an uproar among the disciples.

At the Sword Inheritance Assembly, Jing Jiu revealed that he had obtained the Immortal Sword and summoned it from the monkeys keeping it on the cliffs. Gu Han then sent Gu Qing to face him, leaving the two young disciples opposite each other in the stream.

• Jing Jiu remembered that he had taken the Immortal Sword from Sword Peak, then tossed it to monkeys to clean and forgotten to retrieve it.
• Jing Jiu called for his sword, and a monkey threw it from the cliffs; he summoned it into his hand from midair.
• Jing Jiu's sword recall showed that he had perfected the first realm of sword keeping and qualified for the Sword Inheritance Assembly.
• Jing Jiu dismissed criticism of his treatment of the sword, saying, "This is my sword."
• Gu Han ordered Gu Qing to face Jing Jiu, and Gu Qing walked into the stream opposite him.

At the Sword Inheritance Assembly, Gu Qing challenged Jing Jiu and was shocked when Jing Jiu knocked his flying sword into the creek with a casual strike. Enraged, Gu Qing unleashed Shiyue Peak's Six Dragons Sword Technique, and his flaming sword hurtled toward Jing Jiu.

• Gu Qing stepped onto a rock several dozen zhang from Jing Jiu, revealing the reach of his Mind Bearing Realm swordsmanship.
• Jing Jiu accepted Gu Qing's challenge instead of conceding, while onlookers doubted he could win.
• Gu Qing launched his flying sword, but Jing Jiu struck it down into the creek with a simple swing.
• Gu Qing raised his sword again in anger and used Shiyue Peak's Six Dragons Sword Technique, sending a blazing attack toward Jing Jiu.
• Zhao Layue trusted Jing Jiu to find a way to respond as his expression grew more serious.

Jing Jiu defeated Gu Qing in a sword duel and explained that speed and strength, combined with a good sword, were all that mattered. He revealed that he had struck Gu Qing in repayment for Gu Han’s past treatment of Liu S sui, leaving the onlookers astonished by his victory.

• Jing Jiu repeatedly knocked Gu Qing’s flying sword into the stream, then sent it tumbling into the mountain woods with a powerful two-handed strike.
• Jing Jiu struck Gu Qing’s back three times, and after Gu Han rebuked him, returned to strike him once more and declare, “Thank you for yielding.”
• Gu Qing asked how Jing Jiu had defeated him, and Jing Jiu explained that his sword was faster and that swordsmanship came down to speed, strength, and having a good sword.
• Jing Jiu gestured toward the woods for the apes to retrieve Gu Qing’s sword, while many disciples mistook the gesture as a taunt toward Twofold Forgetting Peak.
• Lin Wuzhi asked Liu S sui whether Jing Jiu was avenging him, and Liu S sui briefly laughed before composing himself.
• The visiting sects’ guests and disciples watched Jing Jiu in astonishment and wondered how he had beaten Gu Qing despite his lower realm.

After Jing Jiu defeated Gu Qing, the elders recognized his extraordinary talent and competed to recruit him into their peaks. Jing Jiu postponed choosing, and Zhao Layue stepped forward to inherit a sword, drawing everyone’s attention to her decision.

• The Nine Peaks elders recognized Jing Jiu’s keen Sword Eye, abundant Sword Essence, and exceptional sword talent after his fight with Gu Qing.
• Elder Mo invited Jing Jiu to join Heavenly Light Peak, but elders from several other peaks also tried to recruit him.
• Mei Li and True Person Guangyuan argued that their peaks had recognized Jing Jiu first, while the elders continued competing for him.
• Jing Jiu considered the different peaks, then told the presiding elder he needed more time to choose before the assembly ended.
• Jing Jiu returned to Zhao Layue, who praised his talent, and she walked toward the stream as the crowd wondered which peak she would choose.

At the Sword Inheritance Assembly, Zhao Layue rejected invitations from the Sect Master and Yuan Qijing and chose Divine End Peak, explaining that she wanted to continue its lineage because Jingyang had chosen her as his Sword-Inheriting Disciple. Jing Jiu realized this was the reason behind her choice.

• The Shiyue Peak elder excused Zhao Layue from demonstrating her sword, and no disciple challenged her.
• The Nine Peaks spoke in turn to persuade Zhao Layue to join them, with Yuan Qijing offering to teach her personally and the Sect Master inviting her to Heavenly Light Peak.
• Yuan Qijing insisted Zhao Layue could choose freely, and Zhao Layue declared that she wanted to inherit the sword of Divine End Peak.
• Qingrong Peak's master warned that Divine End Peak had not taken part in the assembly for hundreds of years and might be replaced by a new lineage.
• Zhao Layue said she wanted to continue Divine End Peak's lineage because Jingyang had chosen her as his Sword-Inheriting Disciple.
• Jing Jiu understood that this was why Zhao Layue had chosen the Ninth Peak.

Zhao Layue won permission to attempt the dangerous inheritance of Divine End Peak, and Jing Jiu stunned the gathered cultivators by choosing the same peak. As Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu set out toward the sealed mountain, the chapter left their fate uncertain.

• Yuan Qijing warned Zhao Layue that climbing Divine End Peak without opening a new sword meridian was nearly impossible and imposed a three-year restriction if she failed, but Zhao Layue insisted on inheriting True Person Jingyang's sword.
• Guo Nanshan proposed that Zhao Layue join Twofold Forgetting Peak as a fallback, and the Peak Master of Qingrong Peak agreed.
• Jing Jiu chose Divine End Peak after the other disciples had found their places, shocking everyone at the ceremony.
• The Shiyue Peak elder explained that reaching the summit and finding the Unthought Sword would renew True Person Jingyang's lineage, while Jing Jiu warned Zhao Layue that she might die.
• Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu walked toward Divine End Peak as Elder Mochi and Liu Sui watched with concern.

Zhao Layue entered Divine End Peak’s sword formation by sensing its sword intent with her eyes closed, while Jing Jiu followed by copying her steps and making precise adjustments. As they rested on the mountain path, Jing Jiu realized Zhao Layue had prepared for this challenge in advance, but she did not explain why.

• The guests gathered outside Divine End Peak watched as Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu approached, while Gu Han grew resentful at their closeness.
• Zhao Layue understood that Divine End Peak’s formation severed the peak from the outside and divided its interior with strands of sword intent.
• Zhao Layue closed her eyes and used Sword Sense to cross the formation’s boundary, suffering cuts to her sleeve and robe.
• Jing Jiu copied Zhao Layue’s movements with precise adjustments and followed her safely into Divine End Peak.
• Zhao Layue advanced slowly along the mountain path, and Jing Jiu followed her while she sustained cuts to her clothes, hair, and earlobe.
• After they rested, Jing Jiu realized Zhao Layue had been preparing for this journey through Sword Intent Tempering Body, but she left his question unanswered and continued toward the summit.

Zhao Layue struggled through Divine End Peak’s sword formations with Jing Jiu accompanying her and quietly guiding her. Near the summit, she told him she was truly Great-Uncle-Master Jingyang’s chosen Sword-Inheriting Disciple and fell asleep from exhaustion, while Jing Jiu remained concerned about the dangerous climb.

• Zhao Layue continued up Divine End Peak despite mounting wounds, while Jing Jiu followed and said he was tired whenever she neared exhaustion.
• Zhao Layue considered using the Sword Restraint to probe the path, but Jing Jiu warned her that someone was watching, so she kept it hidden.
• Outside the peak, Elder Mo urged the Sect Master not to forget Jing Jiu when rescuing Zhao Layue, while Yuan Qijing heard Chi Yan’s report and remarked that they had no idea whether they would live or die.
• Near the summit, Zhao Layue told Jing Jiu that Great-Uncle-Master Jingyang had truly chosen her as his Sword-Inheriting Disciple, and Jing Jiu said he believed her.
• Zhao Layue explained that she was hurrying because she feared there would not be time, then fell asleep against a pine as Jing Jiu watched the dangerous cliffs.

Jing Jiu carried the sleeping Zhao Layue up Divine End Peak, forcing his way through the sword array while unseen watchers observed. At the summit, he dealt with a Nether Spirit and entered his former cave abode, where he found a white robe among his old garments.

• Jing Jiu transformed Zhao Layue’s bracelet into the Sword Restraint, secured her in it, and carried her toward the summit.
• Jing Jiu walked straight through the peak’s sword array, enduring its sword intent until his robe was torn to strips while Zhao Layue slept.
• Jing Jiu reached the summit and faced a Nether Spirit formed from the lingering soul fire of Nether Department masters.
• Jing Jiu dispersed the Nether Spirit and entered his former cave abode, using its mechanism to clear away the dust.
• Jing Jiu explored the building and selected a white robe from the garments in a hidden chamber.

Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue reached True Person Jingyang’s cave abode on Divine End Peak, where Zhao Layue feared Jingyang was dead and collapsed after her sword broke. Jing Jiu saved and tended to her, then left her furious about the little topknot he had tied in her hair.

• Zhao Layue questioned Jing Jiu about how they had reached the summit, and he gave her an implausible story about a white-bearded immortal.
• Zhao Layue searched for Jingyang’s sword but found no trace of it, and she concluded that Jingyang was likely dead.
• Zhao Layue’s grief overwhelmed her; her blue sword broke, and she spat blood before losing consciousness.
• Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue that Jingyang was not dead, then used Sword Essence to protect and repair her Sword Heart.
• Jing Jiu cleaned Zhao Layue’s face and combed her short hair into a small topknot while she remained unconscious.
• Zhao Layue woke, saw the topknot, and angrily demanded to know what Jing Jiu had done to her.

Jing Jiu revealed that Zhao Layue’s sword bracelet concealed the Unthought Sword, and Zhao Layue accepted it as the legacy of Divine End Peak. The mountain’s sword formation then broke, restoring Green Mountain Ninth Peak and its inheritance.

• Jing Jiu removed the bracelet’s covering and revealed the Unthought Sword to Zhao Layue.
• Zhao Layue questioned whether she deserved to inherit the sword, and Jing Jiu explained that Jingyang had chosen her from birth.
• Zhao Layue placed the Unthought Sword in the sword pedestal inside the cave abode.
• A great wind and brilliant light swept across Divine End Peak, and a clear sword sound rang out.
• The sword formation’s restrictions lifted, Divine End Peak reappeared, and the gathered disciples recognized that Green Mountain Ninth Peak’s legacy had been renewed.

News of Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu inheriting Divine End Peak’s sword spread through the cultivation world, stirring anxiety among rival powers. At the Guest-Welcoming Platform, the disciples saw off their guests, and Liu S sui prepared to visit his village with a request from Jing Jiu.

• Word spread that Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu had inherited Divine End Peak’s sword, and Zhao Layue’s reputation grew across the cultivation world.
• Gu Han criticized Jing Jiu’s conduct during the climb, while Lin Wuzhi and Guo Nanshan discussed his place in the inheritance.
• The new disciples gathered at the Guest-Welcoming Platform to see off the visiting sects, where Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu drew attention.
• A young disciple from the Hanging Bell Sect invited Liu S sui and Zhao Layue to visit and promised Jing Jiu a pair of bells, though she asked him not to visit.
• Two dukes asked Zhao Layue for a letter to take to Chaoge City, but she declined.
• Liu S sui asked Jing Jiu what to bring back from his village, and Jing Jiu requested bamboo to repair his chair.

After Zhao Layue inherited a sword on Divine End Peak, Guo Nanshan tried to recruit her and Jing Jiu to Twofold Forgetting Peak, but both refused. Jing Jiu pointed out that Zhao Layue was now their elder by sect lineage, leaving the disciples on the Guest-Welcoming Platform to disperse rather than address him as Martial Uncle.

• The Wind Saber Sect envoy departed after the Sword Inheritance Assembly, and Guo Nanshan brought Gu Han to congratulate Zhao Layue and invite her to study at Twofold Forgetting Peak.
• Zhao Layue refused the invitation, saying she only wanted to study Great-Granduncle Jingyang's swordsmanship.
• Guo Nanshan praised Jing Jiu's sword techniques and tried to recruit him, but Jing Jiu criticized Twofold Forgetting Peak's reliance on external pressure to temper disciples.
• Gu Han berated Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue, and Jing Jiu corrected him that Zhao Layue was now his Martial Aunt and her Peak Master.
• When Gu Han asked whether he had to call Jing Jiu Martial Uncle, Jing Jiu said yes, prompting the disciples to leave and Guo Nanshan to address him as Martial Uncle.