Recaps

After Jing Jiu became Green Mountain’s sect master, he left Gu Qing to handle the sect’s affairs while he considered urgent disputes and reports. The chapter ended with Jing Jiu correcting Guo Nanshan’s report about the returning Profound Yin Cult Master, identifying him as Su Ziye rather than Wang Xiaoming.

• Jing Jiu delegated the elders’ reports to Gu Qing, who reviewed the sect’s decisions and struggled to get Ping Yongjia and Yuan Qu to help.
• Envoys sent congratulations and gifts after news of Jing Jiu’s appointment spread, and Jing Jiu examined a bamboo chair sent by One-Thatch Studio.
• Gu Qing finished processing three years of accumulated business, then sought Jing Jiu’s guidance about Jian Ruyun and rebellious disciples; Jing Jiu said the disciples should be expelled or killed if they persisted.
• Guo Nanshan reported that the Profound Yin Cult Master had resurfaced and was gathering followers, and Jing Jiu said the man was Su Ziye, not Wang Xiaoming.

Jing Jiu defended his ban on Twofold Forgetting Peak disciples leaving the mountains, then visited Yuan Qijing, Snow Ji, Fang Jingtian, and Tong Yan. He told Tong Yan that Su Ziye was impersonating Wang Xiaoming and tasked him with devising a strategy against the Profound Yin Sect and the Zhongzhou Sect.

• Jing Jiu told Guo Nanshan that Wang Xiaoming was dead and ordered Twofold Forgetting Peak disciples to remain in the mountains until they reached the Sea-Breaking Realm.
• Guo Nanshan returned to Twofold Forgetting Peak and relayed Jing Jiu's order, prompting anger among You Siluo, Gu Han, and the other disciples.
• Jing Jiu explained his concerns about Twofold Forgetting Peak to Yuan Qijing, then descended into the Sword Prison and offered Snow Ji a new bamboo chair in exchange for hers; she refused.
• Jing Jiu visited Fang Jingtian in Hidden Peak, spent the day calculating with sand, and left after reaching a result he found acceptable.
• Jing Jiu told Tong Yan that Su Ziye was impersonating Wang Xiaoming and sought to revive the Profound Yin Sect, then ordered Tong Yan to devise a strategy for dealing with the Zhongzhou Sect.

Jing Jiu used Tong Yan’s Go game and story to assess the Zhongzhou Sect’s moves in Yizhou, then spent years cultivating amid thunder while remaining in seclusion. As Guo Nanshan pressed Green Mountain to respond to the growing danger in Yizhou and sought mercy for two punished lineages, Jing Jiu finally emerged from his cave.

• Tong Yan explained that the Zhongzhou Sect was probing Green Mountain through Su Ziye’s actions in Yizhou and advised Jing Jiu to wait before striking back.
• Jing Jiu repeated Tong Yan’s story to Zhao Layue, Yuan Qu, and Gu Qing, and they discussed who could be sent to Yizhou without provoking the Zhongzhou Sect.
• Jing Jiu used the thunder at Jade Lake Peak to temper himself with lightning, while Big One watched over the Thunder Soulwood and his robe.
• Guo Nanshan urged Gu Qing to send someone to investigate Yizhou and asked him to spare the Jian Lineage and Ma Household, but Gu Qing said Zhao Layue had ordered their punishment and would not interfere.
• Gu Qing found Zhuo Rusui relaxing on the summit, and Jing Jiu emerged from his cave abode as Gu Qing hurried to greet him.

Jing Jiu gathered Divine End Peak for hotpot, then went to Sword Peak to choose a sword for Yuan Qu and reflected on his failed ascension, Bairen, and the Smoke and Clouds Disperse Formation. He left Sword Peak at dawn, needing to investigate the formation before he could consider ascending again.

• Jing Jiu dismissed Gu Qing’s requests for a ceremony date, called for hotpot, and gathered Zhao Layue, Yuan Qu, Ping Yongjia, and Zhuo Rusui to eat.
• Zhuo Rusui asked Zhao Layue about cultivating the acquired formless sword body, while Ping Yongjia and Yuan Qu asked Jing Jiu for swords and Gu Qing raised the coming Plum Gathering.
• Jing Jiu flew Universe Edge to Sword Peak and selected a flying sword for Yuan Qu, leaving Ping Yongjia without one for now.
• Jing Jiu sat alone on Sword Peak and concluded that his senior brother had taught him a flawed Smoke and Clouds Disperse Formation, preventing him from severing worldly ties during ascension.
• Jing Jiu considered why Bairen had ambushed him, what the Zhongzhou Sect might do with the remaining Immortal Registers, and the need to investigate the formation before ascending again.
• After spending the night in the cave, Jing Jiu left for Shiyue Peak at sunrise.

Jing Jiu investigated the origins of an old cultivation text linked to the Smoke and Clouds Disperse Formation, tracing its author Yan Zhenlu to the Mirror Sect. He visited the sect with Zhao Layue, where Que Niang arranged a search of its records and began a game of Go with him.

• Jing Jiu visited Shiyue Peak, found a booklet about the Self-Observation Method, and ordered the elders to trace its origins to the very beginning.
• Shiyue Peak's search identified Yan Zhenlu as the likely author and concluded that he had probably been expelled from the Mirror Sect.
• Jing Jiu named Guangyuan to lead Green Mountain's Plum Gathering group after Nan Wang chose to enter seclusion, and learned that Yuan Qu had won the Green Mountain Sword Trial.
• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue visited the Mirror Sect in secret, and Que Niang asked her seniors to investigate Yan Zhenlu's history.
• Jing Jiu invited Que Niang to play Go, and she addressed him as her master before placing the first black stone.

Jing Jiu discovered that his senior brother had altered the Mirror-Splitting Technique, potentially causing a hidden flaw in the Smoke and Clouds Disperse Formation, while Green Mountain faced pressure from the Zhongzhou Sect over cultivation resources. At One-Thatch Studio, Liu S sui learned that Little Lotus had helped True Person Taiping reach Flood Dragon Pond and chose to inform Jing Jiu.

• Jing Jiu concluded that his senior brother had rearranged the Seventh-Level Mirror Splitting, creating a hidden flaw in the Smoke and Clouds Disperse Formation, and resolved to find another way to ascend if he could not repair it.
• True Person Guangyuan told Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue that the Zhongzhou Sect had demanded a reduction in Green Mountain's cultivation resources, and that the dispute would resume at Fruitful Accomplishment Temple in autumn.
• Yuan Qu told Jing Jiu that Liu S sui had won the Plum Gathering Dao Battle on behalf of One-Thatch Studio.
• Little Lotus confessed to Liu S sui that True Person Taiping had visited during the previous spring rain and that she had guided him to Flood Dragon Pond using Liu S sui's token.
• Liu S sui decided not to report Little Lotus to the Studio Master and began writing a letter to Jing Jiu about what had happened.

Liu S sui's letter warned Jing Jiu that Yin San had taken a lotus flower, prompting Jing Jiu to gather rare materials while he considered how to ascend. As summer arrived, Yin San pursued the means to achieve feathering in the Northern Sea, and Jing Jiu emerged from seclusion and decided to visit Fruitful Accomplishment Temple in autumn.

• Liu S sui sent Jing Jiu a protected letter saying that Yin San had taken lotus flowers from One-Thatch Studio, and Jing Jiu ordered Gu Qing, Yuan Qu, and Ping Yongjia to collect rare materials from Green Mountain's peaks.
• Deliveries of rare materials and supplies reached Divine End Peak, where Jing Jiu shut himself inside his cave abode until summer.
• Yin San and Profound Yin Ancestor sailed north aboard a treasure ship, and Yin San sought the Blazing Sun Banner fragments from Su Ziye to power his feathering refinements.
• Jing Jiu emerged from his cave, absorbed heavenly thunder at Jade Lake Peak, and told Yuan Qijing he planned to modify the Smoke and Clouds Disperse Formation but might need another method.
• Jing Jiu told Yuan Qijing he would go to Fruitful Accomplishment Temple in autumn, then visited Corpse Dog and looked toward Snow Ji's prison cell.

Jing Jiu prepared to leave Green Mountain after discussing the coming negotiations with Tong Yan, while Zhao Layue and Zhuo Rusui hunted the Profound Yin Sect’s survivors in Yizhou. After Zhuo Rusui confronted Su Ziye with Zhao Layue, Jing Jiu appeared and killed the elder Huayin, leaving Su Ziye facing him.

• Jing Jiu visited Tong Yan, told him about the events in Chaoge City and the autumn negotiations, and asked what White True Person would do.
• Zhuo Rusui and Zhao Layue killed the Profound Yin Sect remnants hiding in Yizhou’s underground river, though the disciples detonated their essence blood before they were wiped out.
• Zhuo Rusui tracked Su Ziye to a teahouse and confronted him with Zhao Layue, who carried the Unthought Sword.
• Su Ziye took a pill and raised the Four Desolations Bottle, while the Profound Yin Sect elder Huayin emerged to face the two Green Mountain cultivators.
• A white-clad figure cut Huayin in half, and Su Ziye recognized the newcomer as Jing Jiu.

Jing Jiu destroyed the Profound Yin Sect’s remnants in Yizhou and persuaded Su Ziye to seek Green Mountain’s help in exchange for informing them about Profound Yin Child. He then sent Tong Yan into the Netherworld ahead of the Fruitful Accomplishment Temple gathering, leaving Tong Yan to rely on the Nether Master’s cooperation.

• Jing Jiu, Zhao Layue, and Zhuo Rusui confronted Su Ziye after Hua Yin Elder and the hidden Profound Yin Sect disciples were killed.
• Jing Jiu offered to help Su Ziye establish a new home and cure his pill poison if he reported contact from Profound Yin Child.
• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue traveled to the Heavenly Access Well, where Jing Jiu revealed Tong Yan hidden in a chest.
• Jing Jiu used Cold Cicada’s invisible mosquitoes to summon a ghost runner from the abyss.
• Tong Yan rode the ghost runner down into the Netherworld, uncertain whether the Nether Master would cooperate.

Jing Jiu visited Water-Moon Convent to check on Guo Dong and secure its support, then went to Fruitful Accomplishment Temple to meet the Zen Child. Their conversation confirmed Jing Jiu’s identity as the Zen Child’s old friend’s son, and the Zen Child returned from viewing the sea with a remark about Jing Jiu’s face.

• Jing Jiu sent Zhao Layue back to the Sword Boat and visited Water-Moon Convent, where he found Guo Dong still asleep after five years.
• Jing Jiu told the Water-Moon Convent Abbess that he intended to kill Jing Xin, and she agreed to overlook the incident at the Heavenly Access Well and support Green Mountain in autumn.
• Jing Jiu arrived at Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, where he and the Zen Child held their ground rather than bowing to each other.
• The Zen Child asked Jing Jiu to call him Uncle, then rode a lotus throne over the sea before returning to tell Jing Jiu he had chosen a rather nice face.

Jing Jiu told the Zen Child that unfinished matters had brought him back, and the two investigated the Smoke and Clouds Disperse Formation while studying lotus reincarnation. As their reading stirred a powerful wind through the Quiet Garden, Gu Qing began to break through.

• The Zen Child questioned Jing Jiu about his return and learned that True Person Taiping had taken Dragon Marrow and lotuses, possibly to pursue reincarnation.
• Jing Jiu used bronze mirrors and Heart-Clearing Bells to examine the Smoke and Clouds Disperse Formation with the Zen Child.
• Zhao Layue, Zhuo Rusui, and Gu Qing settled into familiar places in the restored Quiet Garden as monks brought scriptures to the Chan Room.
• Jing Jiu and the Zen Child rapidly read Buddhist texts and treatises, their spiritual force sending cool breezes through the garden and lulling Zhuo Rusui to sleep.
• A fierce wind burst from the Chan Room and hurled Zhuo Rusui out of the Quiet Garden, while Gu Qing remained seated beneath falling leaves.
• Zhuo Rusui noticed that Gu Qing's aura had changed and realized he was about to break through.

Zhao Layue and Zhuo Rusui left Quiet Garden to seek the insight needed for their next breakthroughs, revisiting places tied to Zhao Layue’s pursuit of True Person Taiping. At a stream below the cliffs, they sensed Green Mountain Sword Intent as Liu S sui confronted Kunlun Sect cultivators who wanted to seize Little Lotus.

• Zhuo Rusui watched Gu Qing’s Sword Intent develop and began cultivating beside him, while Zhao Layue observed with concern.
• As autumn came, Zhao Layue and Zhuo Rusui left Quiet Garden to seek a catalyst for reaching the Wandering the Wilds Upper Realm, and Zhuo Rusui admitted he hoped to become Green Mountain’s Sect Master someday.
• Zhao Layue revisited places connected to her pursuit of True Person Taiping and explained that fighting powerful opponents had provided the insight for her last breakthrough.
• Zhao Layue and Zhuo Rusui searched the abandoned vegetable garden for food, then flew toward the mountains and sensed sharp Green Mountain Sword Intent near a stream.
• Kunlun Sect elder Chen Wen accused Little Lotus of evil and demanded that Liu S sui stop protecting her; Liu S sui told Little Lotus to stand behind him and challenged Chen Wen to fight.

Liu S sui fought Chen Wen at the stream, using the Guan Cheng Brush and Nondual Sword to wound him before Master Huiyuan suddenly killed him. The Kunlun Sect blamed Liu S sui, and Bai Qianjun attacked him until Zhuo Rusui intervened; the confrontation ended with Zhuo Rusui facing Bai Qianjun.

• Liu S sui challenged Chen Wen and used the Guan Cheng Brush and Nondual Sword to injure him and destroy his flying sword.
• Master Huiyuan appeared to mediate, then detonated his prayer beads and killed Chen Wen before disappearing.
• Kunlun Sect disciples accused Liu S sui of killing Chen Wen, but Liu S sui suspected the Never-Old Forest had set a trap.
• Bai Qianjun descended from the Zhongzhou Sect's Cloud Boat and attacked Liu S sui, who had exhausted his true essence.
• Zhuo Rusui wounded Bai Qianjun with a concealed flying sword and confronted him, saying Bai Qianjun could not beat him even without an ambush.

Zhuo Rusui defeated Bai Qianjun, but the arrival of Zhongzhou Sect Elder Yue Qianmen turned the aftermath into a standoff over Liu S sui. After the group returned to Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, they suspected True Person Taiping was using the Never-Old Forest remnants to provoke conflict between the sects, and Zhuo Rusui declared they should fight.

• Zhuo Rusui defeated Bai Qianjun with Swallowing Boat as Zhao Layue, Liu S sui, and Little Lotus watched.
• Yue Qianmen arrived and demanded to take Liu S sui for questioning, but Zhao Layue refused with Lord White Ghost at her side.
• A bell signaled everyone to return, and Yue Qianmen withdrew with the Kunlun disciples while warning that Zhongzhou Sect would not let the matter rest.
• Liu S sui explained that Master Huiyuan had followed them from the Wind Corridor, and Gu Qing wondered why the Never-Old Forest remnants had acted now.
• The group considered whether True Person Taiping meant to provoke Green Mountain Sect into fighting Zhongzhou, Kunlun, and the other northern sects.
• As Zhongzhou Sect's Cloud Boat appeared in the sky, Zhuo Rusui said they should fight.

Jing Jiu met with Bai Zao as the Zhongzhou Sect prepared for conflict, then the story shifted to Tong Yan in the Netherworld, where the next Nether Emperor was introduced and the Twelfth Priest began ascending toward Chaotian Continent. Jing Jiu warned Bai Zao to be careful at a critical moment, while Tong Yan predicted that the Twelfth Priest would die.

• Jing Jiu told his disciples that True Person Taiping sought safety amid turmoil and that Green Mountain would fight the Zhongzhou Sect, but not yet.
• Liu S sui congratulated Jing Jiu, then returned to One-Thatch Studio, while Jing Jiu kept Little Lotus at Quiet Garden.
• Bai Zao visited Jing Jiu, shared a quiet moment with him, and asked about Tong Yan; Jing Jiu said Tong Yan was not at Green Mountain and warned her to be careful at critical moments.
• Tong Yan met the Nether Master's young successor, the next Nether Emperor, who asked whether Jing Jiu would like the child.
• The Nether Master pointed out the ascending Twelfth Priest, and Tong Yan predicted that he would die.

Tong Yan and the Nether Master refined a plan to lure the High Priest’s followers onto Chaotian Continent, while sect leaders gathered at Fruitful Accomplishment Temple for the Plum Gathering amid rising tension between Green Mountain and Zhongzhou. The chapter ended with Jing Jiu and three other Green Mountain representatives arriving to face Zhongzhou’s formidable delegation.

• Tong Yan asked the Nether Master about hidden passages and checked whether their locations and bait for the Netherworld priests could be trusted.
• Tong Yan said he would seek a meeting with the High Priest if the priests hesitated, and the Nether Master revealed that the High Priest was cleansing his body in the Nether River.
• The Zhongzhou Sect’s Cloud Boat left for Moqiu as sect representatives gathered at Fruitful Accomplishment Temple to discuss the Plum Gathering and the conflict between the two great sects.
• The assembled cultivators saw White True Person arrive with three Void Refinement Realm Valley Masters, including Yue Qianmen.
• Zhao Layue, Gu Qing, Zhuo Rusui, and Jing Jiu emerged from the Pagoda Forest as Green Mountain’s representatives.

The Plum Gathering began with the sects gathered in opposing camps, and He Wei demanded an explanation from Jing Jiu over Chen Wen’s death. White True Person ended the dispute by declaring that the matter would go no further, leaving He Wei silent for the rest of the gathering.

• Jing Jiu, Zhao Layue, Zhuo Rusui, and Gu Qing arrived at the Fruitful Accomplishment Temple and took their places opposite the Zhongzhou Sect delegation.
• He Wei accused Liu S sui of involvement in Chen Wen’s death and demanded an explanation from Jing Jiu.
• Bu Qiuxiao defended Liu S sui and argued that Master Huiyuan had caused Chen Wen’s death, while He Wei proposed that the Zhongzhou Sect investigate.
• White True Person declared that the matter ended there, and He Wei returned to his seat without speaking again.

At the Plum Gathering, Bai Zao asked Green Mountain to accept changes to the resource-allocation rules, and Jing Jiu refused most of them. News then arrived that the Twelfth Priest had crossed into the Chaotian Continent in his true body and been killed by a Green Mountain Daoist Friend.

• Tong Yan discussed karma and the Netherworld’s future with A Piao, then warned the Nether Master not to tamper with the child.
• Bai Zao presented the Zhongzhou Sect’s demands to the gathering and argued that Green Mountain should bear more responsibility for the Netherworld threat.
• Jing Jiu agreed only that Green Mountain would take the Western Sea’s share, leaving the other regulations unchanged.
• The Zen Child received reports from Green Mountain, the Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, and the Pure Heaven Bureau that the Twelfth Priest had appeared at Cold Mountain in his true body.
• The Zen Child announced that a Green Mountain Daoist Friend had killed the Twelfth Priest.

At the Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, Jing Jiu confirmed that Green Mountain’s killing of the Twelfth Priest was only the beginning and left the assembly waiting for what came next. At Cold Mountain, the chapter revealed that True Person Guangyuan had killed the Twelfth Priest, while other Green Mountain experts had also gathered nearby.

• Bai Zao asked whether the killing was only the beginning, and Jing Jiu said it was before leading the Green Mountain group out of the hall.
• Zhen Tao worried that the Twelfth Priest’s death was suspicious, while Se Se argued that Green Mountain had prepared for him and had nothing to explain.
• The dying Twelfth Priest recalled how the Zhongzhou Sect had sent him to find the Fire Carp and the Nether Emperor’s Seal before his soul fire was burned away.
• True Person Guangyuan confirmed that he had killed the Twelfth Priest with the Returning Sun Sword, and the Wind Saber Sect Master recognized his identity.
• True Person Guangyuan revealed that Junior Sister Nan Wang was drinking nearby, and the Wind Saber Sect Master spotted another stretch of wind and snow, realizing Green Mountain had prepared thoroughly.

The Green Mountain Sect killed successive Netherworld invaders while Jing Jiu discussed his Lower Realm dealings with the Zen Child and warned Bai Zao against contacting it. After the crisis passed, the sects settled the Western Sea Sword Sect’s shares, and Jing Jiu directly held the Zhongzhou Sect responsible for the Netherworld fiends escaping through Soul-Gathering Valley.

• True Person Guangyuan burned the Twelfth Priest’s corpse and departed, while Jing Jiu told the Zen Child he had no evidence of Jing Jiu’s contact with the Lower Realm.
• The Seventh Priest and two sorcerers appeared near Juye City and were killed by Green Mountain swords.
• Bai Zao asked Jing Jiu whether Senior Brother was in the Lower Realm, then left the Quiet Garden feeling lonely as Se Se, Que Niang, and Zhen Tao arrived.
• Green Mountain forces killed more Netherworld invaders near Cold Mountain, and the sects later withdrew the Zhongzhou Sect’s proposal and assigned the Western Sea Sword Sect’s shares to Green Mountain.
• Jing Jiu told the Zhongzhou Sect that Soul-Gathering Valley was its responsibility and declared that he was calling it to account.

After White True Person withdrew from the Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, Bu Qiuxiao questioned Jing Jiu about Green Mountain’s Netherworld allies, while Tong Yan learned the Nether Master feared Jing Jiu might be True Person Taiping. At the East Sea, Jing Jiu told the Zen Child he intended to try once more to draw Taiping out and kill him.

• Jing Jiu warned White True Person that the Zhongzhou Sect must not threaten Green Mountain again, and she accepted his words before leading her sect away.
• Bu Qiuxiao asked whether Green Mountain’s Netherworld helpers were remnants of Taiping’s faction, and Jing Jiu said he had sent a Green Mountain disciple ahead.
• Tong Yan asked the Nether Master about the hidden passage between the Netherworld and Yunmeng Mountain, then learned the Nether Master wanted him to determine who Jing Jiu really was.
• The Nether Master said he feared cooperating with Jing Jiu if Jing Jiu truly was that person, while Tong Yan faced danger from the priests’ armies surrounding the Nether Capital.
• Jing Jiu told the Zen Child that he planned to try again to lure True Person Taiping out and kill him.

Jing Jiu and the Zen Child discussed the danger posed by White True Person and the possibility of the world descending into chaos. White True Person revealed her suspicions about Jing Jiu and her plan to let him and Taiping destroy each other, while Jing Jiu later led his companions to the Great Marsh to confront Emperor Xiao.

• The Zen Child warned Jing Jiu that White True Person might know his identity and urged him to consider the danger of her power, while Jing Jiu said he was difficult to kill and preferred to wait for opponents to reveal their intentions.
• White True Person visited the Hanging Bell Sect cemetery, told the Old Madam's grave that she believed Jing Jiu and Taiping would destroy each other if left alone, and threatened the Old Madam's daughter-in-law.
• Bai Zao heard White True Person explain that love was natural for humans but had to be transcended by Daoist cultivators seeking ascension.
• Jing Jiu waited at the Heavenly Access Well for Tong Yan, then sent a mosquito into the well when Tong Yan did not appear.
• Zhao Layue and the others returned from questioning a Penglai Divine Island treasure ship, and Jing Jiu told them to come with him after the Sword Boat departed.
• Jing Jiu led Zhao Layue, Zhuo Rusui, and Gu Qing to the Great Marsh, where they prepared to confront Emperor Xiao.

After Jing Jiu failed to kill his intended target, he took Zhao Layue, Gu Qing, Zhuo Rusui, and Big One to a remote mountain to cultivate together. An autumn rain carried faint spiritual qi to a nearby sect, and after days of shared cultivation, Zhuo Rusui noticed a change in his sword and asked Jing Jiu if this was how he had cultivated before.

• Jing Jiu said the person he had meant to kill had escaped, then had the Curtain Rollers search their files for Master Huiyuan, whose whereabouts remained unknown.
• Jing Jiu learned that the Curtain Rollers belonged to the Imperial Court and chose not to return to Green Mountain, instead inviting Zhao Layue, Gu Qing, and Zhuo Rusui to cultivate with him.
• Jing Jiu and the others settled on a snow-covered mountain with sparse spiritual qi, while Zhou Yunmu of the Xuantian Sect watched them from a distance.
• When rain containing faint spiritual qi fell, Zhou Yunmu called for his disciples and granddisciples to come out and experience it.
• After days of snow, Jing Jiu received a Sword Letter, and Zhuo Rusui saw that the Swallowing Boat Sword had changed before asking Jing Jiu if he had cultivated this way before.

Jing Jiu entered the Thunder Domain and returned with his aura changed, while the spiritual energy around him helped Zhao Layue and Zhuo Rusui approach a breakthrough. He then found Master Huiyuan in Yizhou City and demanded to know where Taiping was, ending with Jing Jiu raising a hand that filled the monk with fear.

• Jing Jiu entered the Thunder Domain and returned through the Void Realm, scorched but pleased by the experience.
• Zhao Layue and Zhuo Rusui realized they were nearing the Wandering the Wilds Upper Realm, and Zhuo Rusui asked to cultivate beside Jing Jiu.
• The Xuantian Sect members paid respects to the passing Green Mountain Sword Lights, and Zhou Yunmu announced he would enter secluded cultivation.
• Jing Jiu arrived at Pinggu Temple and told Master Huiyuan to reveal where Taiping was or die.
• Master Huiyuan challenged Jing Jiu's ability to kill him, and Jing Jiu raised his hand as the monk sensed thunder and the shadow of death.

Jing Jiu defeated Master Huiyuan, who died after warning that Jing Jiu would never find True Person Taiping. By examining the prefect's belongings, Jing Jiu traced Taiping's movements to a Treasure Ship in the Ice Storm Sea.

• Master Huiyuan summoned countless prayer beads and merged with the Buddha statue to fight Jing Jiu.
• Thunderous clashes destroyed Pinggu Temple, and Jing Jiu blinded Huiyuan and severed his Buddhist utterances with Sword Intent.
• Before turning to dust, Huiyuan told Jing Jiu he would never find True Person Taiping and said the world needed him.
• Jing Jiu returned to the prefectural office, where Zhao Layue confirmed the dead prefect had been a Never-Old Forest member carrying a fragment of the Blazing Sun Banner.
• Jing Jiu examined the study's objects and concluded that True Person Taiping was aboard a Treasure Ship in the Ice Storm Sea.