Chapter Summaries

Jing Jiu returned to the Jing Residence, met with the Zen Child, and considered the problems ahead as he recovered from his breakthrough to the Heaven-Connecting Realm. He remained in Chaoge City, while Gu Qing continued healing in the Imperial Palace under Empress Dowager Hu’s watch.

• Jing Jiu brought Liu S sui to the Jing Residence, where Jing Li wept and Little Lotus welcomed them.
• Liu S sui explained that Jing Li had grown old and grief-stricken, and Little Lotus told Jing Jiu that her family had died; Jing Jiu sent Liu S sui back to One-Thatch Studio.
• Jing Jiu visited the Zen Child and discussed his plans to resolve Yuan Qijing’s problem, deal with Taiping and the Zhongzhou Sect, and continue cultivating.
• The Zen Child left Chaoge City for White City, and Jing Jiu later visited Zhao Garden and drifted across the lake.
• Gu Qing recovered in the Imperial Palace as Ping Yongjia, Zhen Tao, and A Piao cared for him, and Empress Dowager Hu privately asked whether he wanted to die.

Jing Jiu finally visited the Imperial Palace and heard Gu Qing confess to his relationship with Empress Dowager Hu and his actions at court. He accepted Gu Qing’s choices and urged him to face their consequences, while Empress Dowager Hu prepared to meet him expecting death.

• Gu Qing and Empress Dowager Hu held hands and worried that Jing Jiu had not returned to the palace.
• Months later, Jing Jiu arrived at the Imperial Palace and remembered the Battle of Chaoge City before meeting Gu Qing.
• Gu Qing confessed his relationship with Empress Dowager Hu and described the schemes he had used in court.
• Jing Jiu told Gu Qing he did not consider his choices wrong, though he called Gu Qing’s attempt to seek death foolish.
• Jing Jiu advised Gu Qing to keep the relationship secret or tell Zhen Tao and let her choose; Gu Qing understood that he and Empress Dowager Hu were already together.
• Empress Dowager Hu sent away the palace attendants and knelt in the hall, expecting Jing Jiu to kill her.

Jing Jiu honored the Divine Emperor’s last request by urging Empress Dowager Hu to live happily, then spent Yuan Qijing’s final day playing mahjong and eating hotpot with him and their companions. Yuan Qijing left the world contentedly, dissolving into snowflakes.

• Jing Jiu told Empress Dowager Hu that the Divine Emperor had wanted her to survive his death and find happiness by loving someone again.
• Jing Jiu visited Yuan Qijing, thanked him for holding the fort while he slept, and invited him to play mahjong and eat hotpot.
• Empress Dowager Hu and Que Niang joined Jing Jiu and Yuan Qijing for mahjong as Jing Yao, Ping Yongjia, A Piao, and Gu Qing attended them.
• After a day and night of games, Yuan Qijing revealed he had never made Nine Gates before, then won the hand and accused Jing Jiu of having fooled him over the years.
• Yuan Qijing said his last few centuries had been happy, then walked outside and vanished into snowflakes.

Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue visited places tied to old friends and losses before reaching the little temple at White City. There, Jing Jiu began honing the notched iron saber as sparks scattered along its edge.

• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue left Chaoge City and visited Young Master Li’s grave at Three Thousand Courtyard, where Zhao Layue identified the girl in his painting as possibly Lian Sanyue.
• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue saw Bai Zao still sleeping, and Zhao Layue embraced Jing Jiu and promised she would not leave him.
• At White City, Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue visited He Zhan and Se Se, then discussed love, promises, and Gu Qing’s troubles.
• Jing Jiu encountered the middle-aged monk grieving his deceased master and struck him unconscious; the Zen Child thanked Jing Jiu for helping him sleep.
• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue discussed his time in the Azure Sky Mirror, Zhang’s plans, and the Fire Carp King as they walked to the little temple.
• Jing Jiu placed his hand on the damaged iron saber and walked along its edge, sending sparks flying.

Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue left the Snowfield and learned that He Wei had seized Cold Mountain for the Kunlun Sect. Jing Jiu attacked He Wei at Blazing Sun Gorge, cutting off his right arm.

• Jing Jiu repaired Cao Yuan's iron saber and used his sword intent to help treat the Blade Sage's injuries.
• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue discussed her choice to risk her life in the Snowfield and accepted that their paths might differ.
• In Juye City, Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue learned that He Wei had defeated the Wind Saber Sect and that the Kunlun Sect was rebuilding at Blazing Sun Gorge.
• The Azure Bird told Zhao Layue that He Wei was at Blazing Sun Gorge, and Zhao Layue insisted on eating red-broth hotpot.
• He Wei ordered the Kunlun Sect to work faster at Blazing Sun Gorge, then Jing Jiu appeared and severed He Wei's right arm with a sword strike.

Jing Jiu killed He Wei, crushed the Kunlun Sect’s resistance, and met True Person Tan as Green Mountain’s strength reshaped the balance between the great sects. Back at Jing Garden, Jing Jiu ascended into the sky amid lightning, then returned as an imposing visitor knocked at the gate.

• Jing Jiu severed He Wei’s limbs and killed him, while Zhao Layue destroyed He Wei’s fleeing sword ghost and Jing Jiu broke the Kunlun Sect’s formation.
• Su Ziye bowed to Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue, who left him to secure the spirit veins and build his sect with covert support.
• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue visited the Fire Carp, then Jing Jiu argued with True Person Tan about Green Mountain’s rising momentum and the limits of defeating the Zhongzhou Sect.
• Jing Jiu’s growing power shifted attitudes across the cultivation world, and Jing Garden became busy again as cultivators gathered around it.
• Jing Jiu suddenly flew into the sky amid lightning, then returned to the courtyard as Tong Yan left Jing Garden for a walk.
• Someone knocked thunderously at Jing Garden’s gate, and Zhao Layue and Zhuo Rusui went to meet the visitor while Yuan Qu and Ping Yongjia argued over who should open the door.

Nan Wang visited Jing Jiu, questioned his feelings for Lian Sanyue, and warned him not to go too far in his conflict with True Person Taiping. After she left, Jing Jiu reunited with Liu A'da and Zhao Layue, then began using sand to depict heaven and earth as he prepared for what came next.

• Ping Yongjia brought Nan Wang to Jing Garden, where she and Jing Jiu shared wine and discussed Lian Sanyue and his feelings for her.
• Nan Wang asked Jing Jiu why he had prevented her from liking him; he said he liked them all and wanted to avoid the trouble of being liked in return.
• Nan Wang warned Jing Jiu that she would watch over Green Mountain and that he and True Person Taiping must not go too far.
• Liu A'da arrived, and Jing Jiu stroked him before placing Cold Cicada on his head; Zhao Layue joined them while Zhuo Rusui and the others fled at the sound of the cat's purring.
• Jing Jiu said his calculations surpassed True Person Taiping's and placed a grain of sand on a porcelain plate, where it formed an image of heaven and earth.

Jing Jiu returned to Green Mountain with Zhao Layue and the others, then ordered the portraits of himself and True Person Taiping removed until one of them died. Elsewhere, Yin San, the Profound Yin Ancestor, and Yin Phoenix considered their failed plans and uncertain future.

• Jing Jiu completed a precise Sand Diagram, and Zhao Layue burned the braid he offered her.
• Jing Jiu and his companions left Jing Garden, passed through Yunji Town, and entered Green Mountain.
• Jing Jiu visited the Small Tower and ordered the portraits of himself and True Person Taiping taken down, saying one should be rehung when either of them died.
• Yin Phoenix complained that Jing Jiu had ruined True Person Taiping's plans, while the Profound Yin Ancestor said age was weakening him.
• Yin San sat in a locust tree and wondered when his long, troubled days would end.

Yin San investigated Jing Jiu’s past by visiting his birthplace and learned that the Liu Household’s prominence came from an Immortal Master who had taken two gifted children away. He began learning farming from an old villager, while Jing Jiu returned to Green Mountain and was welcomed as its Sect Master True Person.

• Yin San considered why his plans kept failing and wondered whether Jing Jiu had foreseen events in this lifetime, then decided to investigate how Jing Jiu had lived.
• Yin San returned to Yunji Town, visited Jing Garden, and recalled being bound by Zhao Layue’s Unthought Sword twice.
• Yin San traveled to a remote village and learned that an Immortal Master had taken away two gifted children about a hundred and fifty years earlier, including a child surnamed Liu whose descendants now ruled the village.
• Yin San asked a farmer to teach him farming, explaining that he wanted real skills instead of empty show.
• Jing Jiu returned to Green Mountain and received a welcome from the assembled cultivators, while True Person Guangyuan formally paid his respects as Sect Master True Person.

Jing Jiu returned to Green Mountain and confronted Fang Jingtian over his long-standing hostility, while Zhao Layue argued that the two had to fight because strength was what made the sect acknowledge Jing Jiu. They departed for Shangde Peak and descended into the Sword Prison together.

• Jing Jiu told Ping Yongjia he could become Sword Peak's Peak Master, then headed straight to Past Arrival Peak.
• Jing Jiu faced Fang Jingtian as Green Mountain's elders tried to prevent a fight.
• Zhao Layue said the sect had accepted Jing Jiu as Martial Uncle because he could fight, and Fang Jingtian agreed to contend with him.
• Fang Jingtian and Jing Jiu left for Shangde Peak, where Fang Jingtian asked about Yuan Qijing before descending into the Sword Prison with Jing Jiu.
• Corpse Dog opened his eyes as the two arrived at the bottom of the Sword Prison.

Jing Jiu and Fang Jingtian entered the Hidden Peak and began a deadly battle over the Green Mountain Sect’s lineage. As the sect gathered to watch from Heavenly Light Peak, Nan Wang tried to turn their anxious wait into a wager.

• Jing Jiu and Fang Jingtian passed Corpse Dog and entered the Hidden Peak, where Jing Jiu said the loser would remain imprisoned.
• Fang Jingtian recalled meeting Jing Jiu long ago, declared that he wanted Jing Jiu dead, and unleashed sword intent shaped like a bare plum branch.
• Zhao Layue realized Big One was gone, while Nan Wang recognized the two had gone to fight to the death in the Hidden Peak.
• Nan Wang used sword strings to reach Heavenly Light Peak Summit, and Green Mountain disciples gathered there to watch the hidden battlefield.
• A muffled boom shook Origin Turtle’s stone stele, and Nan Wang suggested placing bets on which fighter would win.
• Zhao Layue summoned the Unthought Sword and set it down beside Nan Wang.

As Jing Jiu and Fang Jingtian fought to the death in Hidden Peak, Green Mountain disciples bet on Jing Jiu, trusting his record of never losing. Big One nearly tried to intervene, but Corpse Dog stopped him and carried him to a mountain filled with statues of Green Mountain cultivators who had died during realm breakthroughs.

• Zhao Layue, Yuan Qu, Ping Yongjia, and Zhuo Rusui placed wagers on Jing Jiu, and the other bettors also favored him over Fang Jingtian.
• As night fell, Zhao Layue noticed Origin Turtle watching the battle with pain and annoyance.
• Big One judged that Jing Jiu was beginning to lose ground and prepared to ambush Fang Jingtian.
• Corpse Dog pinned Big One down, refusing to interfere in the fight between Jing Jiu and Fang Jingtian.
• Big One loudly claimed to be hungry, so Corpse Dog carried him to a bare mountain whose caves held statues of Green Mountain experts who had died during failed breakthroughs.

Jing Jiu defeated Fang Jingtian and left him imprisoned on Hidden Peak, then negotiated with Snow Ji and returned to Heavenly Light Peak as Green Mountain's Sect Master. He left the sect to deal with the succession of Cloud-Traveling Peak and returned to Divine End Peak, where its sealing Sword Formation dispersed.

• Big One watched Corpse Dog dig up and eat a Nether Department powerhouse's corpse, then spent the long wait trapped inside Corpse Dog's mouth as the fighting continued.
• Jing Jiu planted the Bamboo Flute in the ground, and flowers spread across the mountains around the badly wounded Fang Jingtian.
• Jing Jiu offered Fang Jingtian a way to cultivate anew, told him to remain on Hidden Peak, and visited Snow Ji to propose a trade and ask for her help in a few days.
• Jing Jiu emerged alone from Hidden Peak, and he told Nan Wang that Fang Jingtian was still alive before the gathered disciples bowed to him as Sect Master True Person.
• Yuan Qu told Jin Sidao that Ping Yongjia would succeed him as Cloud-Traveling Peak Master and that he must prepare for the handover.
• Jing Jiu returned to Divine End Peak, where the sealing Sword Formation dispersed in a burst of Sword Intent and mist-like arrows.

Ping Yongjia defeated Jin Sidao and was recognized as Sword Peak’s new master. Several days later, Jing Jiu sat with Zhao Layue and Gu Qing as Gu Qing finished reporting on Green Mountain’s affairs, and Jing Jiu asked whether things on Gu Qing’s end had been settled.

• Ping Yongjia nervously accepted Jin Sidao’s challenge to decide who would become Sword Peak’s master, while Zhao Layue said she would not interfere.
• Ping Yongjia used his formless sword body to seize Jin Sidao by the neck twice, winning the contest and receiving the All Emptiness Sword.
• Jin Sidao left the square in anger, while Zhao Layue praised Ping Yongjia and Green Mountain’s sword intent rose in welcome.
• Several days later, Gu Qing reported on the Imperial Court’s allocations and Green Mountain’s internal affairs, but Jing Jiu showed little interest.
• Jing Jiu asked Gu Qing whether the matters on his end had been settled.

Jing Jiu discussed the Sect Master's inauguration and Ping Yongjia’s future with Gu Qing and Zhao Layue, then considered the threat posed by Yin San. In a village, Yin San explained that he was following his own path to destroy the world, while reflecting on whether he had ever found or lost the Way.

• Jing Jiu told Gu Qing to keep his feelings from Zhen Tao and said Gu Qing could return to Chaoge City after preparing the inauguration ceremony.
• Jing Jiu dismissed Gu Qing’s concern about bringing out the Heaven-Bearing Sword, saying the scabbard was in his hands.
• Jing Jiu gave Ping Yongjia a booklet and told him he could do what he liked with the All Emptiness Sword, easing his worries about becoming a Peak Master.
• Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue that he had to deal with Yin San first because the Zhongzhou Sect would wait to see which of them survived.
• Yin San told the Profound Yin Ancestor that he was following his own river and had prepared for years to destroy the world.
• Yin Phoenix reported that Fang Little Four had been locked up in Hidden Peak again, while Yin San silently watched the distant Green Mountain peaks and wondered whether he had found or lost the Way.

Yin San massacred the Liu Clan village and left with Profound Yin Ancestor and Yin Phoenix, declaring himself True Person Taiping and his war against Jing Jiu. As the continent searched for him through winter, the chapter ended with representatives gathering at One-Thatch Studio as Bu Qiuxiao moved toward becoming a sage.

• Yin San explained why cultivators with descendants opposed him, then killed Old Master Liu and the Liu Clan villagers with a pebble.
• Yin San declared that he was True Person Taiping and departed with Profound Yin Ancestor and Yin Phoenix, heading away from Green Mountain.
• Liu S sui returned to the village days later, where Zhao Layue identified the massacre as a declaration of war against the young master.
• True Person Taiping vanished while Green Mountain, the Imperial Court, and the Pure Heaven Bureau searched for him and fought Never-Old Forest remnants.
• The following spring, representatives of the sects and Imperial Court gathered at One-Thatch Studio as Bu Qiuxiao approached sagehood.

Liu S sui and Little Lotus watched Zhongzhou Sect elder Ren Qianzhu arrive at the Thousand-Li Wind Corridor, unaware at first that he served the Never-Old Forest. As True Person Taiping planned to exploit the coming changes around Bu Qiuxiao’s ascension and unleash a catastrophe, he entered their inn in the guise of a Red Robe Youth.

• Little Lotus prepared lotus-leaf rice to comfort Liu S sui, and they watched Ren Qianzhu arrive with Zhongzhou Sect disciples.
• Liu S sui recognized Ren Qianzhu and explained that the Zhongzhou Sect had sent him to repair relations with One-Thatch Studio.
• Ren Qianzhu met a Red Bird and admitted that he could not locate the Fire Carp or learn how to control it.
• The Red Bird planned to approach Bu Qiuxiao, steal his Sage’s Qi, break One-Thatch Studio’s formation, and use the great wind to ignite the Nether River.
• Liu S sui considered warning One-Thatch Studio but put down his brush and sword, fearing what his actions would mean for those close to him.
• True Person Taiping entered the inn as a Red Robe Youth and reminded Little Lotus that she had once helped him gather lotus flowers.

True Person Taiping confronted Liu S sui and tried to persuade him that their similar hardships made them alike, but Liu S sui rejected his ideals and insisted Jing Jiu had left him free to choose. Over dinner, True Person Taiping revealed that he had arranged the Demon Core and Blood Demon Sect method that shaped Liu S sui’s past, and said he had come to claim the consequences.

• True Person Taiping met Liu S sui and Little Lotus, and Liu S sui agreed to let Little Lotus prepare a meal rather than fight him.
• True Person Taiping compared his past hardships with Liu S sui’s and tried to explain that Jing Jiu’s protection had shaped Liu S sui’s beliefs.
• Liu S sui condemned True Person Taiping for killing everyone in the village, especially the children, and refused to accept his reasoning.
• Liu S sui told True Person Taiping that neither he nor Jing Jiu could influence him, because Jing Jiu had always let him choose for himself.
• During dinner, True Person Taiping suggested he had arranged the Ghost-Eyed Ling, Demon Core, and Blood Demon Sect method at Turbid Waters, then said he had come to claim Liu S sui as the fruit of those causes.

True Person Taiping attacked Liu S sui and Little Lotus at the inn, but a bone flute drove him away. After they reached the One-Thatch Studio gravely injured, Liu S sui told Xi Yiyun what had happened and agreed to leave for the Green Mountain Sect Master's inauguration while Little Lotus stayed behind.

• Little Lotus attacked True Person Taiping to protect Liu S sui, but a crimson feather pierced her and pinned her to the wall.
• True Person Taiping restrained Liu S sui and overwhelmed his attempts to fight back until the bone flute flew out and made him flee.
• Before daybreak, Liu S sui and Little Lotus traveled through the Thousand-Li Wind Corridor to the One-Thatch Studio, where Xi Yiyun treated their injuries.
• Liu S sui told Xi Yiyun that True Person Taiping had tried to control his mind and that he suspected the visit was connected to his master's becoming a sage.
• Xi Yiyun urged caution before the Green Mountain Sect Master's inauguration, and Liu S sui agreed to go while Little Lotus remained at the studio.

The Profound Yin Ancestor joined Fruitful Accomplishment Temple’s Sutra Lecture Hall Chief Seat and a Water-Moon Convent Shitai to prepare to break the formation at the Heavenly Access Well. Meanwhile, the Yin Phoenix summoned Yaoshou to the Great Whirlpool, and White True Person set her plans against Green Mountain in motion by paying respects to the forebears beneath a strange starry sky.

• The Profound Yin Ancestor returned to Fruitful Accomplishment Temple, where the Sutra Lecture Hall Chief Seat revealed he had long studied the Heavenly Access Well’s formation.
• The Profound Yin Ancestor, the Sutra Lecture Hall Chief Seat, and a Water-Moon Convent Shitai went to the Heavenly Access Well to break its formation and attack the Thirty-Three Heavens from below.
• The Yin Phoenix summoned countless Yaoshou to the Great Whirlpool using True Person Taiping’s divine soul imprint and talisman runes hidden in its feathers.
• A giant on a distant island woke to the Yin Phoenix’s faint cry, and elven warriors flew out to scold him for his rumbling mutter.
• White True Person told True Person Tan she would wait for Taiping or Jingyang to die before acting, then went to a hidden formation of black stones and paid respects to the forebears as Bai Yuan.