Chapter Summaries

Jing Jiu forced Little Lotus to accept a binding bracelet and asked her to help someone she would meet in the future, then revealed that he had come to find the Western Prince. At the Four Seas Banquet, Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue arrived at Solitary Mountain, where people from the Pure Heaven Bureau recognized them.

• Jing Jiu took the antidote from Little Lotus and learned that she held a valued middle-ranking position in the Never-Old Forest.
• Jing Jiu asked Little Lotus to help a person she would meet in the future, promising to help her leave the Never-Old Forest, and bound her to the agreement with his silver bracelet.
• After Little Lotus left, Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue that his two years of killing had been intended to draw out the Never-Old Forest, and said he hoped Little Lotus would never meet the person he had mentioned.
• Jing Jiu explained that he wanted to meet the Western Prince, who could only be reached by winning one of the Four Seas Banquet’s contests, and asked whether learning Go was difficult.
• On the day of the Four Seas Banquet, Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue arrived at Solitary Mountain, where the Pure Heaven Bureau hurried over after recognizing them.

At the Four Seas Banquet, Jing Jiu entered the Go competition and won two games despite appearing to play like a beginner. Shi Fengchen arranged to keep watch on Jing Jiu and his companion, expecting to capture them after the banquet.

• Shi Fengchen ordered his subordinates to wait outside the building, inform Senior Zhu Jie to watch the pair in bamboo hats, and send a sword message to the Cloud Terrace.
• Jing Jiu watched a Go match after Zhao Layue encouraged him to compete, then registered for the tournament.
• Jing Jiu defeated a young disciple by three points, leaving his opponent unable to understand how he had lost.
• Jing Jiu defeated a cautious middle-aged Go player by a narrow margin, and the steward recorded his victory and prepared a fresh cup of tea.

Jing Jiu won the Four Seas Banquet’s Go competition through extraordinary calculation, drawing attention from Xiang Wanshu of the Zhongzhou Sect. After Xiang Wanshu and others criticized Jing Jiu’s ugly playing style, a bamboo-hatted young woman openly insulted the Zhongzhou Sect.

• Jing Jiu won another game, and observers realized that his rapid improvement and victories came from his exceptional ability to calculate variations.
• Mo Xi won the zither competition, while Xiang Wanshu of the Zhongzhou Sect received praise for his calligraphy and painting.
• Jing Jiu won the final Go game, leaving the pavilion’s spectators awkwardly silent.
• A resentful Haizhou player challenged Xiang Wanshu to explain Jing Jiu’s play, prompting Xiang Wanshu to praise Jing Jiu’s calculation but criticize its lack of beauty.
• The Haizhou player called Jing Jiu’s style hideous, and Xiang Wanshu agreed that his senior brother Tong Yan would beat him.
• A bamboo-hatted young woman accused the Zhongzhou Sect of hollow courtesy and hypocrisy, shocking the crowd.

Zhao Layue challenged Xiang Wanshu's criticism of Jing Jiu after he won the Four Seas Banquet's Go contest, and Jing Jiu later met the Western Prince, realizing he was not the person he had sought. Back in the banquet hall, Zhu Jie confronted Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue, whom he blamed for his brother Zhu Gui's death.

• Zhao Layue called Xiang Wanshu hypocritical for criticizing Jing Jiu's Go while claiming he wanted to spare him embarrassment, then said Xiang's senior brother should face Jing Jiu instead.
• Jing Jiu told Zhao Layue that Go was dull because victory depended on an opponent's mistakes, and that the game was too simple.
• Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue boarded the sea vessel to the Cloud Terrace, where Yao Songshan and Lin Yingliang recognized Jing Jiu and wondered why he had appeared despite the Pure Heaven Bureau's search.
• The Western Prince offered Jing Jiu the possibility of protection, but Jing Jiu said he had only wanted to see him and declined his treasure.
• Zhu Jie accused Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue of hiding their faces and was revealed to be the brother of Zhu Gui, whom they had killed.

At the Four Seas Banquet on Cloud Terrace, Zhao Layue killed Zhu Jie with a sudden flying-sword strike, exposing herself as the wanted fugitive the Pure Heaven Bureau had planned to provoke. As the hall turned against her, Yao Songshan intervened to stop the Kunlun elder’s attack, leaving the confrontation poised to escalate.

• At the Pure Heaven Bureau’s urging, Zhu Jie insulted Zhao Layue to provoke her, but she remained silent.
• Zhao Layue killed Zhu Jie from more than a hundred zhang away and recalled her flying sword into her palm.
• Shi Fengchen accused Zhao Layue of being a wanted criminal and urged the cultivators to prevent her escape.
• The Pure Heaven Bureau’s allies prepared to attack, but Yao Songshan and several others held back as the Western Sea Sword Sect elder pressed Zhao Layue with his Sword Sense.
• He Zhichong attacked Zhao Layue with his moon wheel, but Yao Songshan’s flying sword knocked it aside and wounded him, prompting He Zhichong to shout at Yao Songshan.

Yao Songshan revealed Zhao Layue’s identity as the Peak Lord of Divine End Peak after defending her from the Kunlun elder. The Western Prince welcomed Zhao Layue, while Shi Fengchen challenged her right to kill people.

• Yao Songshan called Zhao Layue his martial aunt and warned the Kunlun elder that attacking her meant courting death.
• Zhao Layue removed her bamboo hat, and the gathered cultivators recognized her as the famous Peak Lord of Divine End Peak.
• The Western Prince appeared and greeted Zhao Layue, while he privately wondered whether Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue had come to investigate the Ghost-Eyed Ling.
• Shi Fengchen stepped forward and asked Zhao Layue whether her status in the Green Mountain Sect allowed her to kill people at will.

At Cloud Terrace, Zhao Layue and the Green Mountain Sect defended her killings, and Jing Jiu revealed the violent history behind Lian Sanyue’s reputation. Zhao Layue then challenged Zhongzhou Sect’s Tong Yan through Jing Jiu, setting up a confrontation at the next Plum Gathering.

• Lin Yingliang explained that Zhao Layue killed the Three Capitals Sect disciples after they tried to seize medicine intended for the people of Chaonan City, and a Fruitful Accomplishment Temple monk confirmed his account.
• Shi Fengchen accused Zhao Layue of killing more than seventy people, but Yao Songshan defended her actions and declared that Green Mountain owed no explanation.
• Xiang Wanshu and Mo Xi criticized the killings, prompting Jing Jiu to recount how Lian Sanyue killed forty thousand bandits and burned seventeen strongholds in three months.
• Shi Fengchen said he would report the matter to the imperial palace, while Zhao Layue asked Jing Jiu whether he had seen the person they sought and then prepared to leave.
• Xiang Wanshu hoped to meet Jing Jiu at the Plum Gathering, but Zhao Layue said he was not good enough and told him to send Tong Yan instead.

Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue departed the Cloud Terrace, while Shi Fengchen resolved to warn the emperor that Zhao Layue resembled a notorious figure who had fallen into the demonic path. On Heavenly Light Peak, the Green Mountain Sect Master discussed the younger generation with White Ghost and revealed that the Heaven-Bearing Sword was actually an empty scabbard.

• Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu clasped hands and flew away from the Cloud Terrace, leaving Xiang Wanshu and the others watching their sword trail.
• A young monk from Fruitful Accomplishment Temple asked whether he could stop practicing Silence Meditation, and the old monk agreed.
• Shi Fengchen watched the cultivators depart Haizhou City and decided to seek an audience with the emperor to connect Zhao Layue to a past scourge.
• White Ghost delivered a message to the Green Mountain Sect Master on Heavenly Light Peak, where he explained why he supported the younger generation drawing their swords.
• White Ghost struck the stone turtle, waking Origin Turtle, and the sect master said the returning figure could bring One if he wanted to stop what was happening.
• The sect master pointed out that the Heaven-Bearing Sword on the stele was only a scabbard, with no sword inside.

Zhao Layue returned to Green Mountain after two years of slaying monsters and demons, and she and Jing Jiu prepared to choose disciples at the Sword Inheritance Assembly. The chapter left the Assembly beginning, with disciples noticing that Jing Jiu still carried an Iron Sword and wondering whether he had entered the Wuzhang Realm.

• Zhao Layue returned to Green Mountain, where the Sword-Washing Disciples welcomed her and the apes hurried to greet her.
• Jing Jiu resumed studying the grains of sand on his porcelain plate, while Zhao Layue judged that his Go skill would defeat Tong Yan.
• Gu Qing urged Jing Jiu to win at the Plum Gathering and asked him to visit Liu S sui, but Jing Jiu said Liu S sui's hardship was his own choice.
• Four days later, Zhao Layue and Jing Jiu attended the Sword Inheritance Assembly as masters selecting disciples, rather than disciples seeking to inherit swords.
• Green Mountain disciples saw Jing Jiu carrying Mo's Iron Sword and wondered whether he had yet entered the Wuzhang Realm.

Jing Jiu returned to Green Mountain and announced that he intended to take disciples, but Divine End Peak chose no one during the Sword Inheritance Assembly. Gu Qing then stunned the assembly by knocking Xue Yongge’s flying sword into the creek with a single strike.

• Jing Jiu told Lin Wuzhi that he had come to take disciples, though Lin Wuzhi doubted someone in the Mind-Bearing Realm could do so.
• The Sword Inheritance Assembly began, and the disciples waited for the peaks to choose them; no one from Divine End Peak called a name.
• Gu Qing appeared at Sword-Washing Creek after three years on Divine End Peak, drawing attention because he had once been expelled from Twofold Forgetting Peak.
• Xue Yongge exchanged a brief look with Gu Han, then challenged Gu Qing to show his own progress and expose Gu Qing’s supposed stagnation.
• Gu Qing struck Xue Yongge’s flying sword into the creek with one blow, leaving the cliffs silent and Gu Han grim-faced.

Gu Qing defeated Xue Yongge and chose Jing Jiu as his master, while the Sword Inheritance Assembly brought several other disciples toward Divine End Peak and Shangde Peak. Jing Jiu guided Yushan to choose Shangde Peak, then noticed that Liu S sui was absent and seemed to have been abandoned by Bai Rujing.

• Gu Qing knocked Xue Yongge's Flying Sword into the woods, repeating the scene of their contest three years earlier.
• Gu Qing rejected offers from Cloud-Traveling Peak and Heavenly Light Peak, then agreed to study under Jing Jiu at Divine End Peak.
• The youth surnamed Yuan impressed the teachers, and Zhao Layue invited him to join Divine End Peak.
• Yushan performed with exceptional sword control, refused Mei Li's offer to join Qingrong Peak, and accepted Chi Yan's invitation to Shangde Peak after Jing Jiu directed her there.
• Jing Jiu noticed Liu S sui was absent from the disciples of Twofold Forgetting Peak and Heavenly Light Peak and concluded Bai Rujing had abandoned him.

Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue settled the youth surnamed Yuan at Divine End Peak, where he learned his name was Yuan Qinhu and received the Seven Plum Sword Art. As the Green Mountain Sword Trial began, Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue headed to Heavenly Light Peak, leaving Gu Qing uneasy.

• Junior Sister Yushan asked whether she could visit Divine End Peak, and Gu Qing agreed that she could.
• Jing Jiu explained that he had not taken the youth surnamed Yuan as his disciple because he could not bring himself to beat him; the youth arrived and gave his name as Yuan Qinhu.
• Gu Qing and Zhao Layue joked about names for Yuan Qinhu, while Jing Jiu declined to bestow one.
• Yuan Qinhu envied the disciples going to the Green Mountain Sword Trial, but Gu Qing reminded him of Divine End Peak's conflict with Twofold Forgetting Peak.
• Yuan Qinhu received the Seven Plum Sword Art, a secret true sword art from Past Arrival Peak.
• As the Green Mountain Sword Trial began, Jing Jiu and Zhao Layue left for Heavenly Light Peak, and Gu Qing feared something might go wrong.

The Green Mountain sword trials began in the Sword Forest, where disciples fought dangerous matches to choose the sect’s representatives for next year’s Plum Gathering. As battles continued, Jing Jiu watched a distant path leading to the residences where Liu Sui lived.

• Seven of Green Mountain’s nine principal swords appeared, including the rarely seen Unthought Sword.
• Zhao Layue arrived at the trials with Jing Jiu, while the elders considered Jing Jiu’s promise and his possible role against the Zhongzhou Sect.
• The disciples drew lots for their matchups, and Qi Yuanliang was paired with Yao Songshan in the first contest.
• Yao Songshan defeated Qi Yuanliang, and the sword trials continued with fierce battles among the pillars of the Sword Forest.
• Jing Jiu watched a narrow mountain path leading toward the residences where Liu Sui lived.

The first round of the sword trials continued as disciples from several peaks competed, until Jian Ruoshan named Jing Jiu as his opponent. Before Jing Jiu responded, Liu S sui emerged from two years of seclusion, displaying signs of success in Sword Intent Tempering Body.

• A Heavenly Light Peak disciple defeated a Jade Lake Peak disciple and caught him before he fell into the clouds.
• The first-round results showed strong performances from Heavenly Light Peak, Jade Lake Peak, and Cloud-Traveling Peak, while Qingrong Peak lost all seven of its bouts.
• Jian Ruoshan named Jing Jiu as his opponent, and Chi Yan objected that the challenge defied his senior.
• Liu S sui appeared on the mountain path after two years in seclusion, each step ringing with a sword note that revealed his progress in Sword Intent Tempering Body.
• Zhao Layue studied Liu S sui in surprise, while Jing Jiu remarked on how pale he had become.

Liu S sui entered the Green Mountain Sword Trial and revealed that he had mastered Sword Gang and Sword Separation before naming Jian Ruyun as his opponent. As their duel began, Liu S sui displayed the Heaven-Bearing Sword Art, leaving Bai Rujing shocked by how much he had learned.

• Liu S sui arrived at the arena and insisted he had the right to compete, despite Bai Rujing's demand that he withdraw.
• Jian Ruoshan challenged Liu S sui, who defeated him with Sword Gang and Sword Separation after Jian drew his sword.
• Chi Yan ruled that Liu S sui was eligible to compete and allowed him to name an opponent.
• Liu S sui named Jian Ruyun, accusing him of knowing the truth about the Demon Core incident, but Jian Ruyun refused to discuss it and accepted the duel.
• Liu S sui and Jian Ruyun took positions on separate stone pillars, and Liu S sui unleashed a slow, heavy sword strike with the Heaven-Bearing Sword Art.
• Bai Rujing recognized the technique he had taught Liu S sui and regretted underestimating his progress.

Liu S sui revealed that he had reached the Wuzhang Realm and fought Jian Ruyun in a dangerous sword duel. Jian Ruyun gained the upper hand with the seventh form of the Azure Bird Sword Technique and thrust his sword at Liu S sui, whose resolve showed he believed the attack was lethal.

• Liu S sui's sword passed the midpoint between the stone pillars, revealing his breakthrough into the Wuzhang Realm.
• Liu S sui and Jian Ruyun exchanged countless flying-sword strikes, ending their first clash with both swords cracked and neither fighter defeated.
• Liu S sui stepped into the air on his waiting sword, and he and Jian Ruyun fought while riding their swords through the clouds.
• Jian Ruyun used the seventh form of the Azure Bird Sword Technique, Borrowing Clouds, and his sword reappeared in front of Liu S sui.
• Liu S sui sensed Jian Ruyun's killing intent as the gray sword thrust toward his face, and he faced it with unwillingness and resolve.

Liu S sui unleashed demonic fire and nearly killed Jian Ruyun before Guo Nanshan intervened and defeated him. Guo Nanshan accused Liu S sui of consuming the Ghost-Eyed Ling's demon core and learning Blood Demon Sect techniques, leaving the Green Mountain disciples wondering how he had obtained them.

• Liu S sui's demonic fire trapped Jian Ruyun's flying sword, and Jian Ruyun charged at him with another killing strike.
• Liu S sui's gaze briefly bewildered Jian Ruyun, allowing Liu S sui to pierce his chest and pursue a killing blow.
• Guo Nanshan broke through the Stone Forest's protective formation, destroyed Liu S sui's sword, and battered him to the ground while catching Jian Ruyun.
• Zhao Layue noticed Jing Jiu subtly move his right index finger as Guo Nanshan intervened.
• Guo Nanshan accused Liu S sui of eating the Ghost-Eyed Ling's demon core and practicing Blood Demon Sect arts, shocking the Green Mountain disciples.

Liu S sui was condemned after attacking Jian Ruyun, but Zhao Layue objected to his execution and the Sect Master ordered a lesser punishment. After Liu S sui accused Jing Jiu of abandoning him, Jing Jiu stayed silent; then he entered the Sword Trial grounds to begin qualifying for the Plum Gathering.

• Liu S sui claimed that Jian Ruyun had tried to steal the Demon Core two years earlier and that it had entered his body on its own, but the disciples rejected his account.
• Chi Yan announced Liu S sui's crimes and sentence of death by Sword Execution, and Zhao Layue objected because Jian Ruyun was alive and the events remained unclear.
• The Sect Master intervened, ordering Liu S sui's Sword Pellet seized, his meridians severed and cultivation abolished, and his expulsion from Green Mountain left to Heavenly Light Peak.
• As Shangde Peak escorted him away, Liu S sui accused Jing Jiu of abandoning him, but Jing Jiu raised a hand and said nothing.
• Jing Jiu entered the Sword Trial grounds and explained that he needed to qualify for next year's Plum Gathering, where he had arranged to play Go with Tong Yan.

Jing Jiu entered the sword trials by challenging Ma Hua of Twofold Forgetting Peak, revealing his remarkable Sword Control as he flew to a stone pillar. Ma Hua then moved beyond the effective range of Jing Jiu’s flying sword, setting up a cautious contest.

• Jing Jiu told Chi Yan he would qualify for the Plum Gathering by winning a sword trial and named Ma Hua as his opponent.
• Ma Hua asked Jing Jiu if he had challenged him because he reported Liu S sui, but Jing Jiu said he had not and explained that he recognized Ma Hua as Twofold Forgetting Peak’s strategist.
• Jing Jiu raised his Iron Sword and flew far above the stone forest before returning to land on a stone pillar, astonishing the observers with his Sword Control.
• Ma Hua praised Jing Jiu’s ability, then flew to another pillar more than a hundred and thirty zhang away, beyond the effective killing range of a Mind-Bearing Realm disciple’s flying sword.

Jing Jiu defeated Ma Hua with his Iron Sword and revealed that he had just broken through into the Wuzhang Realm. He then challenged Gu Han of Twofold Forgetting Peak, leaving the sword trial poised for another fight.

• Ma Hua attacked Jing Jiu from a distance, expecting to keep him at bay with his flying sword.
• Jing Jiu sent his Iron Sword across the stone forest, forcing Ma Hua to retreat and then striking him from his pillar to the ground.
• Ma Hua asked when Jing Jiu had broken through, and Jing Jiu replied that it had happened just then.
• Jing Jiu looked toward the Twofold Forgetting Peak disciples and asked Gu Han to instruct him.