Chapter Summaries

Duan Ren used the golden-needle Forbidden Art to fight He Jing, while You Lian'er injured herself playing the Seventh Tone to interrupt He Jing. After Duan Ren collapsed from his wounds and the art's effects, Xiao Yan arrived and revealed an unexplained surge of freezing wind and snow as she led the others away.

• Duan Ren forced golden needles from his acupoints, raising his power to the semblance of the Peerless Realm, while You Lian'er played the Seventh Tone and injured herself.
• Duan Ren and He Jing fought through the snow; He Jing wounded Duan Ren, but Duan Ren's counterattack cut He Jing's right shoulder.
• Duan Ren collapsed after Huang Xiao dodged his confused attack, and Huang Xiao realized his injuries and the Forbidden Art's effects left his life in danger.
• Xiao Yan rode alone to the group and challenged He Jing near Thousand Demon Gorge.
• The wind and snow intensified and the temperature plunged, so Xiao Yan helped You Lian'er onto her horse as the white horse froze and died.

Xiao Yan led Huang Xiao, You Lian'er, and the gravely wounded Duan Ren through a vast formation at Thousand Demon Gorge to escape He Jing. After learning Duan Ren had used the Heavenly Demon Sect's lethal Demon Needle Meridian Severing art and could only be saved by a Peerless Realm expert, Huang Xiao charged out to confront He Jing, whereupon a calm, unknown voice interrupted him.

• Xiao Yan guided Huang Xiao and You Lian'er through the blizzard formation while He Jing struggled to track them.
• Xiao Yan led the group out of the formation and toward a snow cave in Thousand Demon Gorge, revealing that the mountains they had seen were part of the formation's illusion.
• You Lian'er explained that Duan Ren had used Demon Needle Meridian Severing, a brutal art he had endured since childhood, and said only a Peerless Realm expert might save him.
• He Jing reached the cave, and Huang Xiao charged out in fury, intending to fight him using Heavenly Demon Disintegration.
• You Lian'er cried out to stop Huang Xiao, but an unknown calm voice asked why he would use a suicidal cultivation method.

A mysterious old man stopped Huang Xiao’s self-destructive technique, killed He Jing with a glance, and treated Duan Ren in the snow cave. He offered to remove Duan Ren’s golden needles over half a month, but Duan Ren refused, leaving his fate unresolved.

• The old man appeared beside Huang Xiao and suppressed his Heavenly Demon Disintegration, then immobilized He Jing and killed him after revealing they were in Thousand Demon Gorge.
• Huang Xiao asked the old man to spare the others and save Duan Ren, and the old man assured him Duan Ren would not die yet.
• Huang Xiao searched He Jing’s body and found the Broken Sword Scripture and a broken sword before returning to the snow cave.
• The old man examined Duan Ren and explained that his Demon Needle Meridian Severing had become dangerous after more than a dozen years of accumulated pain.
• The old man offered to remove Duan Ren’s golden needles over half a month, but Duan Ren firmly refused.

Huang Xiao and his companions followed Senior Ling into Thousand Demon Gorge after he saved Duan Ren from the brink of death. They reached a warm, flower-filled valley hidden beyond the snowy gorge.

• Duan Ren insisted on attempting to master Demon Needle Meridian Severing, and Senior Ling explained that the Heavenly Demon Skill could help him achieve full mastery.
• Senior Ling drove the golden needles back into Duan Ren's acupoints and struck his chest, stabilizing his life-threatening injuries.
• Senior Ling told Huang Xiao that they were in Thousand Demon Gorge and said he would let them live, then revealed his surname was Ling.
• Huang Xiao offered Senior Ling the Broken Sword Scripture and a broken sword; Senior Ling returned the scripture and shattered the sword with his internal power.
• Huang Xiao thanked Xiao Yan for helping them escape He Jing's formation, and You Lian'er promised to keep the Heavenly Demon Skill formula secret.
• Huang Xiao and the others followed Senior Ling through the gorge and emerged into a warm valley filled with green grass and flowers.

Huang Xiao entered Senior Ling’s Cold Pool to endure its extreme chill and discovered that its cold energy could calm the demonic nature of his Heavenly Demon Skill. As he absorbed the energy, a whirlpool formed around him, and Senior Ling suspected Huang Xiao was breaking through to Low Peak.

• Senior Ling explained that his formations sheltered the valley and intensified the cold, then led Huang Xiao and the others to the Cold Pool.
• Senior Ling pushed Huang Xiao into the pool and gave the Broken Sword Scripture to Xiao Yan, while You Lian'er stayed ashore to watch over him.
• Huang Xiao circulated his true qi, adapted to the cold, and realized its energy could clear his mind and help control his demonic art.
• Huang Xiao absorbed the cold energy at an increasing rate, creating a swirling mist and a huge whirlpool in the pool.
• You Lian'er called Senior Ling when Huang Xiao’s aura rose, and Senior Ling said he appeared to be breaking through to Low Peak.

Huang Xiao broke through to the Peak Realm after cultivating in the Cold Pool, while Lü Yiran entered Thousand Demon Gorge searching for him and learned he was safe. Huang Xiao decided to remain in the valley to cultivate and asked Xiao Yan whether she could send a message to reassure His Highness and the others.

• You Lian'er and Xiao Yan realized Huang Xiao's unusual strength came from his cultivation method, and Senior Ling confirmed he was about to reach the Peak Realm.
• Lü Yiran followed Duan Ren's markings into Thousand Demon Gorge, found He Jing's body, and heard an unseen expert assure him that the people he sought were safe.
• Huang Xiao's true qi surged and expanded his meridians until he completed his breakthrough to the Peak Realm.
• Senior Ling congratulated Huang Xiao and allowed him to use the Cold Pool again, warning him to limit each session to two hours and rest until the next day.
• Huang Xiao went for a walk with Xiao Yan and asked if she knew how to send a message from Thousand Demon Gorge so he could stay and cultivate without worrying His Highness and the others.

Huang Xiao learned that Thousand Demon Gorge contained the Thousand Demons Sect's Main Altar and that Xiao Yan was likely connected to Senior Ling and the sect. Duan Ren also told Huang Xiao that reaching the Heavenly Demon Skill's fifth layer could make him the Heavenly Demon Sect's next Sect Master, leaving him to consider his future and Duan Ren's unfinished conjecture.

• Xiao Yan returned the Broken Sword Scripture to Huang Xiao and went to seek Senior Ling's guidance on formations.
• Senior Ling teased Xiao Yan about her jealousy over Huang Xiao and led her out of the cabin.
• Duan Ren told Huang Xiao that the Heavenly Demon Guard expected him to become the Heavenly Demon Sect's new Sect Master once he reached the fifth layer of the Heavenly Demon Skill.
• Duan Ren explained that Thousand Demon Gorge housed the Thousand Demons Sect's Main Altar and suggested Xiao Yan's ties to the Xiao Clan had brought Senior Ling to their aid.
• Duan Ren began to share a startling conjecture about Xiao Yan, but the chapter ended before he revealed it.

Huang Xiao and Duan Ren realized that Senior Ling was likely Ling Tianya, the Thousand Demons Sect's Sect Master, who had rescued them. Huang Xiao failed to decipher the Broken Sword Scripture, while Xiao Yan accompanied Senior Ling to the heavily guarded city at the heart of Thousand Demon Gorge, where they were welcomed as the Sect Master and Holy Maiden.

• Duan Ren told Huang Xiao that he suspected Senior Ling was Ling Tianya, Sect Master of the Thousand Demons Sect, because he had saved Duan Ren from certain death.
• Huang Xiao recalled Ling Tianya's past as the Profound Ice Sect's Sect Master and discussed the power of the Ten Thousand Demons Formless Art with Duan Ren.
• Huang Xiao decided to stay calmly with their hosts, then examined the Broken Sword Scripture and found that its characters were all incomplete halves.
• After hours of study, Huang Xiao gained no insight from the scripture and decided he might ask Dugu Sheng for guidance if they met.
• Xiao Yan and Senior Ling traveled through Thousand Demon Gorge to a large city protected from the wind and snow by a formation.
• Senior Ling and Xiao Yan entered the city's central palace, where guards bowed and addressed them as the Sect Master and the Holy Maiden.

Ling Tianya told the Iron-Faced Asura, the Jade-Faced Rakshasa, and Xiao Yan about Huang Xiao’s breakthroughs and his possession of the Heavenly Demon Skill, then announced that he would travel to Great Song to avenge his family. He said the trip would also address a deadly shortcoming in Huang Xiao, leaving his parents anxious to learn what it was.

• Ling Tianya revealed that Huang Xiao had reached the peak realm, mastered the Everlasting Spring Youth-Restoring Art, and possessed the Heavenly Demon Skill.
• Ling Tianya explained that the Heavenly Demon Guard and You Lian'er’s presence around Huang Xiao connected him to the Heavenly Demon Sect, and Xiao Yan cried over having to share him with other women.
• Ling Tianya promised to support Xiao Yan and announced he would travel to Great Song to avenge his wife and elder sons.
• The Iron-Faced Asura and the Jade-Faced Rakshasa warned Ling Tianya that attacking Great Song’s righteous factions and Shaolin Temple would bring immense danger.
• Ling Tianya said his journey would also be for Huang Xiao, whose deadly shortcoming alarmed the Jade-Faced Rakshasa.

Ling Tianya explained that Huang Xiao’s Heavenly Demon Skill could intensify his demonic nature and proposed using it to reshape him into a forceful leader, despite Jade-Faced Rakshasa’s fears. He also planned to visit Poison God Valley as Medicine King Hall prepared to move against it, while Heavenly Demon Guard commander Ran Chou arrived at Thousand Demon Gorge and waited outside.

• Ling Tianya said Huang Xiao’s gentle temperament would make it difficult for him to command the Heavenly Demon Sect and explained that the Heavenly Demon Skill could alter his character.
• Ling Tianya proposed letting Huang Xiao succumb to his demonic nature, either through a breakthrough or by provoking him into extreme rage, while Jade-Faced Rakshasa objected to the danger.
• Ling Tianya revealed that he planned to visit Poison God Valley because Medicine King Hall might attack it, and he told Xiao Yan and Huang Xiao’s parents not to disturb Huang Xiao.
• After the others left, Ling Tianya sensed visitors and vanished from the hall.
• Lü Yiran arrived at Thousand Demon Gorge with Ran Chou, the Heavenly Demon Guard commander, who chose to wait outside rather than enter.

Ran Chou met Ling Tianya in Thousand Demon Gorge to discuss Huang Xiao, and learned that Huang Xiao was Ling Tianya’s grandson. Ling Tianya proposed an alliance between the Thousand Demons Sect and the Heavenly Demon Sect, and Ran Chou agreed after weighing his concerns.

• Ling Tianya assured Ran Chou that Huang Xiao’s injuries were not life-threatening, then revealed that Huang Xiao was his grandson.
• Ran Chou questioned Ling Tianya’s motives and warned that Huang Xiao’s ties to the Thousand Demons Sect could threaten the Heavenly Demon Sect’s independence.
• Ling Tianya argued that the Heavenly Demon Sect would face the Taixuan Sect and a hidden enemy more safely with the Thousand Demons Sect as an ally.
• Ling Tianya promised not to seek the Heavenly Demon Skill and explained that the alliance would benefit both sects through Huang Xiao.
• After considering the proposal, Ran Chou agreed to the alliance.

Ling Tianya and Ran Chou formed a secret alliance and agreed to help Huang Xiao become a stronger leader by deliberately influencing his disposition through demonic qi. The next morning, Huang Xiao returned to the Cold Jade Pool with You Lian'er and Xiao Yan to cultivate.

• Ling Tianya told Ran Chou that Huang Xiao possessed the Ten Thousand Demons Formless Art and the Everlasting Spring Youth-Restoring Art in addition to the Heavenly Demon Skill.
• Ling Tianya and Ran Chou agreed to keep their alliance secret and planned for Ling Tianya to announce that Huang Xiao was his grandson.
• Ling Tianya persuaded Ran Chou to help provoke Huang Xiao so the demonic arts could influence his disposition, and Ran Chou agreed to keep him safe if his demonic qi ran wild.
• Ran Chou left to prepare, while Ling Tianya reflected that Ran Chou still did not fully trust him.
• Huang Xiao returned to the Cold Jade Pool the next morning, where You Lian'er and Xiao Yan joined him and Xiao Yan explained the pool's cultivation benefits.

Huang Xiao explored the depths of the Cold Jade Pool and learned from Ling Tianya that a cold jade slab at its bottom produced the pool’s intense chill. Ling Tianya moved the jade into the cultivation room so the group could practice directly beside it.

• Huang Xiao, Xiao Yan, and You Lian'er entered the Cold Jade Pool, where Huang Xiao monitored You Lian'er before using the chill to strengthen his true qi.
• Huang Xiao dove five or six zhang into the pool, found the cold unbearable, and returned to the surface, where You Lian'er and Xiao Yan worriedly greeted him.
• Ling Tianya explained that a formation intensified the cold jade’s chill, causing the pool water to grow colder with depth and gradually using up the jade’s cold.
• Ling Tianya lifted the cold jade from the pool and placed it in the cultivation room, explaining that practicing directly beside it would be more effective.

During a month of cultivation on the Cold Jade, Huang Xiao and You Lian'er helped each other strengthen their powers, while Xiao Yan and Duan Ren gave them time to work together. The group left Thousand Demon Gorge with Huang Xiao nearing a breakthrough, and Ling Tianya prepared to settle an old score.

• Xiao Yan noticed Huang Xiao cultivating the Heavenly Demon Skill and left the chamber so You Lian'er could help him with the Jade Maiden Purity Heart Sutra.
• You Lian'er joined her qi with Huang Xiao's, calming his Demonic Qi and strengthening both of them, though Huang Xiao said he could not yet break through the Fifth Layer.
• You Lian'er embraced Huang Xiao after her legs gave way, but he said he could not betray his princess; she released him and acted as though she was fine.
• Over the following month, Xiao Yan and Duan Ren made room for Huang Xiao and You Lian'er to cultivate together on the Cold Jade.
• Huang Xiao, You Lian'er, Xiao Yan, and Duan Ren left Thousand Demon Gorge after thanking Ling Tianya, who said Huang Xiao's breakthrough was near.
• After the group departed, Ling Tianya looked south and vowed to kill someone once Huang Xiao became the Heavenly Demon Sect Master.

Huang Xiao left for Great Song after thanking Xiao Yan, while You Lian'er set out for Xiazhou. At the Yuncang Sect, Ling Tianya confronted the Yuncang Two Fiends over an old blood debt and attacked one of them.

• Duan Ren departed, and Huang Xiao thanked Xiao Yan before heading south for Great Song.
• You Lian'er told Xiao Yan she was returning to Xiazhou, and Xiao Yan agreed to see her partway.
• Two days later, Ling Tianya appeared at the Yuncang Sect's rear mountain as two young disciples and an elder approached the supreme elders' cave.
• Ling Tianya revealed his identity to the Yuncang Two Fiends and declared that he had come to avenge their past attack and their eldest brother's death.
• Ling Tianya struck at the second brother with his right palm.

Ling Tianya killed the two supreme elders of the Yuncang Sect and then attacked the Flying Heaven Gate, killing its sect master and the experts who confronted him. He left both sects in crisis as he continued pursuing his old enemies.

• Ling Tianya killed the second supreme elder of the Yuncang Sect by crushing his hands and tearing apart his body.
• Ling Tianya caught the fleeing third supreme elder and killed him, then left the sect’s remaining members alive, knowing its loss of strength would make it vulnerable.
• A Yuncang Sect elder found the two supreme elders’ remains and raced back to warn the sect leader, while two disciples learned that the sect faced disaster.
• Ling Tianya killed the Flying Heaven Gate’s sect master in his secret chamber and slaughtered the experts who came to confront him.
• Ling Tianya set fire to the Flying Heaven Gate and vanished, leaving its disciples to discover the dead and watch much of the sect burn.

Ling Tianya continued taking revenge on the sects that had attacked the Profound Ice Sect and secretly allied with the Six Sects to challenge Shaolin Temple. After the abbots left, he revealed that he intended to use them as cover for a greater scheme against Shaolin.

• Ling Tianya killed the Fen River Gang leader and three others, then killed the Ancient Mountain Sect master and took a secret formations manual for little Yan.
• After visiting eight sects over two days, Ling Tianya heard Jianghu rumors about the killings and decided to target the remaining enemies, including Shaolin.
• Ling Tianya met six abbots, led by Abbot Huineng, and agreed to join forces with them to damage Shaolin Temple’s standing at a meeting in three days.
• The abbots debated whether they could trust Ling Tianya but decided to work with him while staying alert to his schemes.
• After the abbots departed, Ling Tianya emerged from hiding and privately resolved to use them to lead the attack, since he wanted more than merely damaging Shaolin’s prestige.

On his way back to Kaifeng, Huang Xiao rescued Duan Ying from three pursuers and reunited him with Dugu Sheng. Dugu Sheng revealed that a rebellion in Dali had forced Duan Ying to flee, and the three headed for Kaifeng to learn more and find safety.

• Huang Xiao reflected on his dangerous trip to Khitan and the gains he made in strength before hearing a fight near Kaifeng.
• Huang Xiao recognized Duan Ying fleeing three men and rushed to his aid as Duan Ying collapsed from exhaustion.
• Huang Xiao killed two pursuers with the Blazing Yang Palm, and Dugu Sheng killed the third as he fled.
• Dugu Sheng explained that a rebellion in Dali had implicated Duan Ying and that he had followed his trail from Dali.
• Huang Xiao confirmed that Duan Ying's wounds were not life-threatening, and he and Dugu Sheng set out for Kaifeng with him.

Huang Xiao and Dugu Sheng sheltered the wounded Duan Ying in Kaifeng and learned that descendants of Duan Siying had launched a powerful rebellion in Dali. Duan Ying planned to seek Great Song’s help, but feared its emperor might accept a new ruler if Dali remained subordinate.

• Huang Xiao brought Dugu Sheng and the injured Duan Ying to his Six Gates residence in Kaifeng, then ordered reports on Dali and major Jianghu events.
• Dugu Sheng told Huang Xiao that descendants of former Emperor Wenjing, Duan Siying, were likely behind the attack on Duan Ying.
• Duan Ying woke and explained that his side’s trap had been overturned by unexpected experts, leaving the Imperial Family with heavy casualties and forcing him to flee.
• Duan Ying tried to go at once to ask the Great Song emperor for aid, but Dugu Sheng stopped him and Huang Xiao promised to take him to the palace the next morning.
• Duan Ying voiced concern that Great Song might accept whoever ruled Dali, while Huang Xiao and Dugu Sheng argued that a new ruler might instead ally with Li Jiqian or the Khitan.
• Huang Xiao asked Duan Ying to identify the formidable experts who had attacked them.

Huang Xiao and Dugu Sheng discussed the Taixuan Sect’s intervention and the strength of young martial artists before comparing their own progress. Dugu Sheng revealed that sword marks in a cave at Ghost Wave Bend had greatly improved his swordsmanship, and Huang Xiao fell into thought over the incomplete characters.

• Duan Ying said the people who had intervened were reportedly from the Taixuan Sect and named Cao Wuxin as their leader.
• Huang Xiao told Dugu Sheng and Duan Ying that Cao Wuxin might possess quasi-peerless strength and recalled a young Heavenly Demon Guard who had comparable power.
• Dugu Sheng noticed Huang Xiao’s improved cultivation, and Huang Xiao said he believed he had reached upper peerless strength while praising Dugu Sheng’s progress.
• Duan Ying began circulating his qi to recover, while Huang Xiao and Dugu Sheng discussed Hong Yi’s seclusion and the pressure he faced as Beggar Gang Leader.
• Dugu Sheng told Huang Xiao that sword marks left on a cave wall at Ghost Wave Bend had given him insights and greatly improved his swordsmanship.
• Huang Xiao stared blankly after hearing the incomplete characters, and Dugu Sheng asked what was wrong.