Chapter Summaries

The Duke of Lu and Yue Qianmen disputed how to investigate the Azure Dragon’s death and the escape from the Demon-Suppressing Prison. An anomalous prisoner file implicated Grand Tutor Liang, prompting the Duke of Lu to hurry to the palace to report to the emperor.

• Yue Qianmen demanded an investigation into the escaped prisoner, while the Duke of Lu argued that the Nether Emperor had killed the Azure Dragon after it tried to devour him.
• The monk Du Hai ordered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to compare its prison records with Pure Heaven Bureau files.
• Investigators found irregularities in the file for Song Xin, a prisoner whose cell door had been opened.
• The Duke of Lu and the monk Du Hai questioned Zhang Yiai about Song Xin, and Zhang said Grand Tutor Liang had sent the prisoner to the Pure Heaven Bureau.
• The monk Du Hai asked Zhang Yiai to remain at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the Duke of Lu left to seek an audience with the emperor.

After Zhang Yiai implicated Yue Qianmen in sending a Never-Old Forest prisoner into the Demon-Suppressing Prison, the Divine Guard Army surrounded Prince Jing Xin's Residence. Du Hai rejected Yue Qianmen's explanation and insisted the investigation continue, leaving the Zhongzhou Sect under imperial scrutiny.

• Zhang Yiai confronted Yue Qianmen, accusing him of making him help send someone into the Demon-Suppressing Prison and warning that the person's connection to the Dragon God's death could have grave consequences.
• The Pure Heaven Bureau's investigation led the Divine Guard Army to surround Prince Jing Xin's Residence overnight.
• Yue Qianmen told Du Hai that the prisoner had been sent into the Demon-Suppressing Prison to extract information, but Du Hai demanded evidence and refused to stop the investigation.
• The Duke of Lu announced that the Divine Emperor demanded the truth and asked Yue Qianmen what the Zhongzhou Sect intended to do.

The investigation into the Demon-Suppressing Prison upheaval ended with Prince Jing Xin confined and the Zhongzhou Sect avoiding further punishment, while the escaped prisoner’s identity remained hidden. After the sect representatives left, Jing Jiu openly entered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, startling the Duke of Lu.

• Yue Qianmen suspected the Zhongzhou Sect had sent someone into the Demon-Suppressing Prison to help the Azure Dragon, but the sect could not reveal Prince Jing Xin’s past dealings with a Never-Old Forest assassin.
• The Divine Emperor confined Prince Jing Xin to his residence for three years, left the Azure Dragon’s remains beneath the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and allowed Zhang Yiai to keep his post.
• The monk Du Hai ordered the officials and sect representatives not to discuss the affair, while Yue Qianmen insisted that they identify the person who had escaped.
• Duke He reported that the Curtain Rollers had verified the whereabouts of all known Spirit Transformation experts, leaving the escaped prisoner’s identity unresolved.
• After the representatives departed, the Duke of Lu reflected that the investigation had concealed Jing Jiu, then watched Jing Jiu walk openly into the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

Jing Jiu returned to Chaoge City after the Demon-Suppressing Prison upheaval, reflected on the Nether Emperor’s death, and visited the rebuilt Jing Residence. Bai Zao arrived and, instead of asking about the prison, remarked that Jing Jiu seemed even better-looking.

• Jing Jiu retrieved a bell from the wildflowers and tied it around Liu A'da’s neck, then explained that surviving the Azure Dragon meant Liu A'da had won their struggle.
• Yin San told the Profound Yin Ancestor that the prison’s destruction and the Zhongzhou Sect’s setback had gone as he hoped, then played the bone flute in the Pagoda Forest.
• Jing Jiu returned to the Jing Residence, where Jing Li recognized him and welcomed him inside.
• Jing Jiu noticed the rebuilt residence and realized Jing Li had begun cultivating, while Liu A'da slipped away into the garden.
• Bai Zao arrived among falling begonia blossoms and told Jing Jiu that he seemed even better-looking.

Jing Jiu reunited with Bai Zao in Chaoge City and discussed the struggle over the next Divine Emperor and the tensions between their sects. Bai Zao revealed that Tong Yan believed Guo Dong was not truly a junior sister, prompting Jing Jiu to realize she was an old acquaintance and ask where she was.

• Jing Jiu met Bai Zao at the Jing Residence and said he had recently emerged from years of cultivation in the Imperial Palace.
• Jing Jiu declared that Jing Xin would not become the Divine Emperor and that Jing Yao was the only choice, while Bai Zao warned that the cultivation world and relations between their sects were growing unstable.
• Jing Jiu congratulated Bai Zao on her cultivation and suggested she seek guidance at the Water-Moon Convent.
• Jing Jiu and Bai Zao spoke about transcending sect and bloodline divisions, and Jing Jiu wished her success.
• Bai Zao told Jing Jiu that Tong Yan had said Guo Dong was not a junior sister; Jing Jiu recognized the implication and asked where Guo Dong was.

Jing Jiu reunited with Gu Qing in Chaoge City after escaping the Demon-Suppressing Prison and told him what had happened there. As Jing Jiu prepared to leave, he told Gu Qing to return to Green Mountain and resume his cultivation.

• Bai Zao visited Jing Jiu, learned he planned to leave Chaoge City, and reminded him about the Cloud Dream Assembly.
• Jing Jiu reassured Jing Li after the boy interrupted him and Bai Zao, then spent the evening reflecting on the Demon-Suppressing Prison and old friends.
• Gu Qing returned to the Jing Residence, heard that Jing Jiu was back, and hurried to see his master.
• Jing Jiu told Gu Qing that he had spent three years in the Demon-Suppressing Prison, resolved the Sword Ghost problem, escaped, and released the Nether Emperor.
• Gu Qing warned Jing Jiu to be more careful, and Jing Jiu told him to return to Green Mountain to cultivate.

Jing Jiu took the Little Imperial Prince’s future out of Consort Hu’s hands, then hurried north with Gu Qing to investigate Guo Dong. He learned that Guo Dong had appeared around the time Lian Sanyue supposedly entered secluded meditation, but he rejected the report’s account of her cultivation.

• Jing Jiu told Consort Hu that the Little Imperial Prince’s identity as a Green Mountain disciple did not determine his future, which depended on his father’s wishes.
• Jing Jiu flew northwest from Chaoge City with Gu Qing and White Cat on the Iron Sword, which had become one with him.
• Jing Jiu and Gu Qing reached White City, where Jing Jiu watched the little temple where Lian Sanyue had once waited for him.
• Jing Jiu went to a Curtain Roller medical clinic in Juye City to ask for information about Guo Dong.
• The doctor said Guo Dong’s origins were unknown and linked her appearance to the time Lian Sanyue began secluded meditation, but Jing Jiu said Lian Sanyue had already reached Heavenly Access years earlier.

Jing Jiu gathered intelligence about Guo Dong, Tong Yan, and events in the Southwest before listening to rumors about the Demon-Suppressing Prison in Juye City. The chapter ended with news that the Profound Yin Sect would become a faith in three days, alarming the city’s residents because of the old Blood Demon Sect.

• Jing Jiu learned from the doctor that Guo Dong had claimed to be Lian Sanyue’s final disciple and that clues suggested Tong Yan had stayed at the Precious Thoroughfare Zen Monastery.
• The doctor reported that Su Ziye had survived an assassination attempt and become a guest elder of the Western Sea Sword Sect.
• Jing Jiu and Gu Qing ate no food as they listened for useful information in a Juye City restaurant.
• Diners argued over rumors about the Azure Dragon, the Nether Emperor, and the destruction of the Demon-Suppressing Prison, then brawled.
• A man announced that the Profound Yin Sect would change from a sect into a faith in three days, leaving the restaurant silent.

Jing Jiu realized Guo Dong might be plotting to kill Jian Xilai, then traveled with Gu Qing toward the Western Sea by way of Cold Mountain. Near the Profound Yin Sect, he sensed someone watching him with murderous intent.

• In a Juye City restaurant, people discussed the Profound Yin Sect renaming itself the Profound Yin Cult and speculated about Su Ziye and its new leader.
• Jing Jiu inferred that Guo Dong wanted to kill Jian Xilai, but concluded that Jian Xilai could not be killed even with Pei Baifa's help.
• Jing Jiu told Gu Qing they were heading to the Western Sea, and the Iron Sword carried them out of Juye City.
• The Wind Saber Sect intercepted them, but Gu Qing identified them as Green Mountain disciples and they continued into Cold Mountain.
• Gu Qing saw powerful flames destroy distant black smoke, and Jing Jiu identified the weapon as the Blazing Sun Banner at the Profound Yin Sect.
• Jing Jiu sensed that someone at the Profound Yin Sect's mountain gate was watching him and wanted to kill him.

Wang Xiaoming took control of the Profound Yin Sect and prepared to become its cult leader, while Jing Jiu decided to find and kill him. As Jing Jiu and Gu Qing reached the northern coast, they encountered the enormous waves of a distant battle between two powerful sword cultivators.

• Wang Xiaoming used the Blazing Sun Banner to kill a rogue cultivator spying on the Profound Yin Sect's mountain gate.
• Wang Xiaoming confronted Su Qige and Gao Ya, exposed their schemes, and demanded Gao Ya obey him and beg forgiveness.
• Jing Jiu spotted Wang Xiaoming through the Blazing Sun Banner and later told Gu Qing to identify him and kill him when possible.
• Jing Jiu and Gu Qing reached a desolate coast north of Haizhou City, where waves from a distant sword fight battered the shore.
• Gu Qing sensed the swordsmen fighting far out at sea and wondered who they were.

Jing Jiu brought Gu Qing and the White Cat beneath the Western Sea to watch the battle between Pei Baifa and the Western Sea Sword God. After both fighters fell into the sea, Su Ziye rescued Pei Baifa while Tonglu attempted to kill the Sword God, who revealed that he had only been pretending to be unconscious.

• Jing Jiu used the Tide-Coming Sword Technique to lead Gu Qing and the White Cat through the sea to the seabed near the Western Sea Archipelago.
• Gu Qing watched the Sword God and Pei Baifa fall into the sea after their battle, while He Zhan drifted nearby and wondered how he could help Tong Yan's plan.
• Su Ziye seized Pei Baifa and escaped on a flying boat, blocking the pursuing Western Sea Sword Sect disciples with a poisoned wall of water.
• Tonglu tried to kill the seemingly unconscious Western Sea Sword God but was wounded and driven back by the other members of the sect.
• Another Western Sea Sword Sect disciple struck the Sword God's chest, and he opened his eyes and blasted the nearby sect members away.
• The would-be assassin retreated, revealing herself as Guo Dong.

The Western Sea Sword God's trap defeated the attackers, but Pei Baifa died and Guo Dong was nearly killed before Jing Jiu rescued her. The survivors escaped the sea, and Jing Jiu and Guo Dong washed ashore, both badly injured.

• The Western Sea Sword God survived Guo Dong's ambush and wounded her, while his divine will reached the fleeing green boat.
• Su Ziye killed Pei Baifa, who had accepted his death to help the others escape, and He Zhan mourned over his body.
• The Western Sea Sword God attacked Guo Dong again, but a young man carried her away; Gu Qing used the White Cat to block the sword god's strike and escaped with He Zhan.
• Su Ziye revealed that Pei Baifa was dead, and the Western Sea Sword God killed Tonglu after Tonglu admitted he had hoped his master would be perfect.
• Jing Jiu and Guo Dong washed ashore together, where Guo Dong discovered that Jing Jiu had been severely wounded.

After surviving the Western Sea Sword God's attack, Jing Jiu used Guo Dong's Heavenly Silkworm Silk to stitch his own wounds and stabilize her fatal injuries. By the next day he could move again, and he set off carrying the cocoon-wrapped Guo Dong toward an empty road, still too weak to use his sword.

• Jing Jiu asked Guo Dong for her Heavenly Silkworm Silk and used the Iron Sword to stitch his broken vertebrae, organs, muscles, and skin.
• Guo Dong said her Dao meridians had been severed and her life was fading, but Jing Jiu assured her she would not die.
• After resting through the night, Jing Jiu regained movement in his toes and slowly managed to sit up.
• Jing Jiu wrapped Guo Dong in Heavenly Silkworm Silk to stabilize her injuries, leaving her face uncovered, and tied the cocoon to his wrist.
• Jing Jiu carried Guo Dong out of the woods and began walking along a deserted dirt road, wishing for the Gu Household carriage.

Zhao Layue learned that Jing Jiu had vanished after confronting the Western Sea Sword God, while Tong Yan explained the layered plan behind the failed Western Sea plot to Bai Zao. Meanwhile, Jing Jiu sheltered the wounded Guo Dong in a coastal cave, recovered enough to travel, and reached a village where obtaining a carriage proved difficult.

• Gu Qing reported that Jing Jiu had disappeared seven days earlier and relayed his instruction to identify and kill the Profound Yin Sect's current sect master.
• Zhao Layue kicked the guilt-ridden He Zhan off the cliff, then ordered Gu Qing to escort him back under guard.
• Tong Yan told Bai Zao that the Western Sea plan had no third layer beyond gaining Jian Xilai's trust, and Bai Zao insisted Jing Jiu had rescued Guo Dong.
• Jing Jiu carried Guo Dong to a cave among white bones, where she slept in a Heavenly Silkworm Silk Cocoon while they recovered from their injuries.
• After more than ten days, Jing Jiu went to a nearby mountain village to arrange transport to Dayuan City, but the only carriage belonged to an ill-tempered retired official who would not lend it.

Jing Jiu carried the sleeping Guo Dong toward Dayuan, used the Curtain Rollers to send word to Divine End Peak that he was alive, and brought her to a secluded convent where she could recuperate. He and Guo Dong stayed there as her sleep deepened and the golden silk around her faded.

• Jing Jiu and Guo Dong left Master Sun's residence in a stolen carriage, and Jing Jiu used an Illusion Formation and a conjuring trick to deter their pursuers.
• At a Medical Clinic, Jing Jiu asked the Curtain Rollers about Guo Dong, then arranged for them to pass word to Divine End Peak that he was alive.
• Jing Jiu slowly traveled to Dayuan and brought Guo Dong to a secluded convent she had built, where the elderly nun agreed to keep her visit secret.
• At the convent, Jing Jiu and Guo Dong discussed her choice to stay and enjoy the scenery rather than return to the Water-Moon Convent.
• Guo Dong fell asleep again as the golden silk around her grew fainter and whiter.

Guo Dong recovered from her injuries while Jing Jiu stayed with her and cared for her at the nunnery. After they rescued a young gentleman from drowning, Guo Dong called herself and Jing Jiu brother and sister, leaving the nature of their relationship unresolved.

• Guo Dong explained that she had risked her life in the Western Sea because she was impatient to pursue a slim chance of ascension, and Jing Jiu decided to stay with her.
• Gu Qing reported that He Zhan had fled and relayed the Curtain Rollers' information to Zhao Layue, who practiced striking a distant target with the Unthought Sword.
• Other cultivators heard that Jing Jiu still carried the Iron Sword and assumed his cultivation had stalled at the Wuzhang Realm.
• Guo Dong woke after the Heavenly Silkworm silk crumbled away, and Jing Jiu pushed her wheelchair around the nunnery as she recovered.
• Jing Jiu and Guo Dong watched a young gentleman nearly drown in a lotus pool, then Jing Jiu pulled him from the water.
• When the young gentleman asked what they were to each other, Guo Dong calmly said that she and Jing Jiu were brother and sister.

Young Master Li’s life fell apart after his father was dismissed and died, and Jing Jiu quietly helped him. Jing Jiu and Guo Dong left the nunnery bound for Yu Commandery, with Jing Jiu intending to obtain the Longevity Immortal Register to heal Guo Dong.

• Young Master Li repeatedly visited the nunnery and played qin music at night, while Jing Jiu and Guo Dong listened from the Chan Room.
• After the music stopped, Jing Jiu and Guo Dong left the nunnery; Jing Jiu accepted a precious elixir from the old nun and took the horse with him.
• Passing through Dayuan City, Jing Jiu saw Young Master Li being mocked as he played qin in the street, then learned that Prefect Li had been dismissed and died after a bribery scandal and that Young Master Li’s friend had stolen his family’s ancient painting.
• Jing Jiu left a chest of gold leaves at Young Master Li’s home, and Young Master Li recognized Jing Jiu’s horse as the carriage departed.
• Jing Jiu told Guo Dong that he would attend the Zhongzhou Sect’s grand assembly in three years and obtain its Longevity Immortal Register to heal her injuries.

Zhao Layue won Green Mountain’s sword trial to qualify for the Zhongzhou Sect’s Dao-Seeking Assembly, while clues about the Profound Yin Cult’s Ming Wang resurfaced. The clouds cleared above Heavenly Light Peak, where Zhuo Rusui emerged from more than twenty years of seclusion.

• Yuan Qu and Gu Qing discussed Zhao Layue’s sword practice and her plan to seek a place at the Dao-Seeking Assembly.
• Gu Qing showed Zhao Layue an ancient painting and a portrait of Ming Wang, whom she recognized as the demon she had encountered in Chaoge City.
• Zhao Layue, Gu Qing, and Yuan Qu went to Heavenly Light Peak for the sword trial, where Zhao Layue defeated Guo Nanshan by sending the Unthought Sword through the mist.
• The clouds dispersed above Heavenly Light Peak, and Zhuo Rusui emerged from more than twenty years of secluded cultivation.

Jing Jiu returned the Nether Emperor’s Seal to the Heavenly Access Well, visited Guo Dong at the Water-Moon Convent, and left to pursue the Longevity Immortal Register. As he watched the stars from a mountain wilderness, he wondered how Zhao Layue had lost to Zhuo Rusui.

• Jing Jiu visited the Heavenly Access Well and decided to return the Nether Emperor’s Seal once the Netherworld chose a new ruler.
• Jing Jiu reached the Water-Moon Convent, where he met Guo Dong privately and said goodbye before leaving.
• Guo Dong had the flowering trees around her new lake cut down after Jing Jiu left.
• Cultivators gathered at a ruined temple and debated the upcoming Dao-Seeking Assembly, Zhao Layue’s defeat by Zhuo Rusui, and True Person Jingyang’s legacy.
• A young monk from the Fruitful Accomplishment Temple defended True Person Jingyang, arguing that his presence had protected Green Mountain from its enemies.
• Jing Jiu left the ruined temple, rested beneath the stars, and wondered how Zhao Layue had lost despite his warnings.

Jing Jiu arrived at the Zhongzhou Sect’s Dao-Seeking Assembly and tried to claim Green Mountain’s place despite being disqualified. When Fang Jingtian blocked him, Jing Jiu asked the Water-Moon Convent to let him take its place, and its supreme elder agreed.

• Jing Jiu entered Yunmeng Mountain under a Bamboo Hat, and a steward disciple recognized his name and notified his seniors.
• Green Mountain’s delegation arrived at Immortal-Welcoming Valley, where cultivators focused their attention on Zhuo Rusui, who had defeated Zhao Layue.
• Jing Jiu arrived, greeted Fang Jingtian and Nan Wang, and said Bai Zao had invited him to attend the Dao-Seeking Assembly.
• Jing Jiu asked to challenge Zhuo Rusui, but Fang Jingtian said he was disqualified because he had missed the Sword-Testing Assembly.
• Jing Jiu asked the Water-Moon Convent’s supreme elder to let him take its place at the assembly, and she agreed.