Chapter Summaries

Mu Jingfei joined Tong Jiuyang to hold off Wan Qingteng while Ling Tianya healed, as Old Sun instructed them not to kill Wan Qingteng yet. The fight revealed that Wan Qingteng was using the Ageless Crystal to rapidly heal his injuries.

• Old Sun sent Mu Jingfei to help Tong Jiuyang restrain Wan Qingteng and told Ling Tianya to heal within a quarter of an hour.
• Mu Jingfei and Tong Jiuyang attacked Wan Qingteng together, but he kept fighting despite their blows and his own injuries.
• Wan Qingteng realized that Mu Jingfei was badly injured and grew confident that he could survive their combined assault.
• Mu Jingfei recognized that Wan Qingteng was using the Ageless Crystal to heal himself, and Tong Jiuyang understood why the Medicine King Hall's Ageless Spring had lost its power.

Wan Qingteng used the Ageless Crystal to heal rapidly, forcing Mu Jingfei and Tong Jiuyang to keep him occupied while they waited for Sun Simiao and Ling Tianya to recover. Huang Xiao stopped evading Wu Longfeng and attacked, but Wu Longfeng’s unfamiliar techniques overwhelmed him.

• Wan Qingteng boasted that the Ageless Crystal made him nearly impossible to kill, and Mu Jingfei and Tong Jiuyang attacked again to buy time.
• Huang Xiao evaded Wu Longfeng with the Lingbo Ethereal Steps but grew exhausted as he tried to hold out until his grandfather and Sun Simiao recovered.
• Huang Xiao chose to fight back, hoping to wear Wu Longfeng down and trade injuries for a better chance for his side.
• Wu Longfeng found Huang Xiao’s counterattacks troublesome at first, but then used unfamiliar moves to send him flying.

Huang Xiao stalled Wu Longfeng until Ling Tianya and Old Sun recovered enough to join the fight. The three attacked together, but Wu Longfeng revealed that his strength remained formidable and charged at them without retreating.

• Huang Xiao evaded Wu Longfeng and dragged out their fight while weighing whether to use the Northern Darkness Absorption Method.
• After half a quarter-hour, Ling Tianya and Old Sun stopped healing and moved to attack Wu Longfeng, while Ling Tianya first tried to pursue Wan Qingteng for the Ageless Crystal.
• Wan Qingteng fled toward Wu Longfeng, and Ling Tianya followed Old Sun’s advice to focus on Wu Longfeng instead.
• Huang Xiao rejoined Ling Tianya and Old Sun, and the three attacked Wu Longfeng together.
• Wu Longfeng boasted that their injuries left them no threat, then unleashed a powerful aura and charged at them.

Wu Longfeng pressed his advantage over Huang Xiao, Ling Tianya, and Sun Simiao as the wounded fighters on both sides prepared to risk everything. With the fight escalating across the battlefield, the chapter left their clashes unresolved and the Seven Spirit Blades’ secret still at stake.

• Wu Longfeng called out Wan Qingteng for holding back, and Wan Qingteng began trading injuries with Mu Jingfei and Tong Jiuyang.
• Wu Longfeng attacked Huang Xiao, Ling Tianya, and Sun Simiao, confident that their injuries made them no match for him.
• Huang Xiao threatened to use Heavenly Demon Disintegration, but Ling Tianya and Sun Simiao unleashed forbidden arts and ordered him not to sacrifice himself.
• Huang Xiao joined the attack without using Heavenly Demon Disintegration, while Wu Longfeng vowed to eliminate his threats and secure Taixuan Sect’s control of the Jianghu.
• Mu Jingfei and Tong Jiuyang agreed to stake everything together, and Zhuge Zheng and Duan Siping prepared to settle their own fight.

Wu Longfeng overwhelmed Huang Xiao, Ling Tianya, and Sun Simiao, but his immense power made Old Sun realize he was nearing a breakthrough beyond the Peerless Realm rather than having completed one. Old Sun regained his composure and insisted that the three still had a chance against him.

• Ling Tianya, Old Sun, and Huang Xiao attacked Wu Longfeng together, but he blasted them away and focused on killing Old Sun.
• Wu Longfeng struck Old Sun while Huang Xiao and Ling Tianya attacked his back, but his true qi barrier neutralized their palm force and he sent Old Sun flying.
• Old Sun and Ling Tianya reacted with alarm to Wu Longfeng's strength, and Old Sun asked whether he had broken through beyond the Peerless Realm.
• Wu Longfeng said he had not yet broken through but expected to surpass the Peerless Realm within five years, and he credited Tuoba Ao with gravely wounding Huang Xiao and Ling Tianya.
• Old Sun dismissed his earlier misjudgment and said that, since Wu Longfeng had not truly surpassed the Peerless Realm, they still had a chance.

Huang Xiao used his Northern Darkness Absorption Method to trap Wu Longfeng and absorb his internal power, creating an opening for Sun Simiao and Ling Tianya to attack. Wu Longfeng suffered his first real injury, though the battle continued.

• Wu Longfeng dismissed Huang Xiao and the others as threats, but Huang Xiao charged at him again despite his injuries.
• When Wu Longfeng’s palm struck Huang Xiao’s, Huang Xiao absorbed the Taixuan True Qi flowing into his meridians and called on Sun Simiao and Ling Tianya to attack.
• Sun Simiao and Ling Tianya seized the opening, forcing Wu Longfeng to defend himself while Huang Xiao continued draining his power.
• Sun Simiao broke through Wu Longfeng’s defense and injured his arm, while Ling Tianya rushed back into the fight.

Ling Tianya and Old Sun nearly killed Wu Longfeng while Huang Xiao drained his true qi, but Wu Longfeng overwhelmed Huang Xiao and turned the fight back against them. Huang Xiao lay badly injured as Wu Longfeng prepared to kill the others.

• Ling Tianya traded injuries with Wu Longfeng and left him badly wounded, while Old Sun pressed the attack.
• Duan Siping stopped Zhuge Zheng from reaching Wu Longfeng, and Wan Qingteng feared he would be overwhelmed if Wu Longfeng fell.
• Wu Longfeng forced a surge of true qi through Huang Xiao, rupturing his meridians and blasting him away.
• Wu Longfeng neutralized Old Sun's attack and struck him flying, leaving Old Sun gravely weakened.
• Wu Longfeng vowed to kill everyone as Huang Xiao lay on the ground with his arm nearly crippled.

Huang Xiao and his allies were defeated by Wu Longfeng and Wan Qingteng, leaving Wu Longfeng poised to kill them while Fang Chongyi tried to reach the Thatched Hut. Tuoba Ao then rose from his corpse and revealed that he was alive.

• Wu Longfeng overwhelmed Huang Xiao with surging true qi, broke free, and gravely wounded Sun Simiao.
• Wan Qingteng defeated Mu Jingfei and Tong Jiuyang, while Zhuge Zheng sent Duan Siping crashing to the ground.
• Wu Longfeng ordered Zhuge Zheng to kill everyone, then turned to finish off Huang Xiao, Sun Simiao, and Ling Tianya.
• Fang Chongyi tried to break through the formation and reach the Thatched Hut, but Wu Longfeng feared he might trigger the formation.
• Tuoba Ao's laughter struck the wounded fighters, and Fang Chongyi cried out in agony as Tuoba Ao's corpse rose and opened its eyes.

Tuoba Ao revealed that he had broken through to the Martial Realm and survived death through the Demon Ghost Nine Transformations Spirit Art. He explained how he obtained and fused three scriptures, leaving the others to face an enemy who believed himself nearly impossible to kill.

• Tuoba Ao killed Fang Chongyi with a cold snort, then revealed that he had broken through to the Martial Realm and could hover unaided.
• Wu Longfeng refused to accept Tuoba Ao’s breakthrough, while Tuoba Ao mocked his chances of ever reaching the Martial Realm.
• Tuoba Ao explained that his consciousness had survived his apparent death because the Demon Ghost Nine Transformations Spirit Art let him recover even from fatal injuries.
• Tuoba Ao revealed that he had obtained the Ghost Daoist Canon, the Demon Daoist Canon, and the Numinous Treasure Scripture, which he used to fuse the Ghost Spirit Nine Transformations Art and the Demon Spirit Nine Transformations Art.
• Tuoba Ao admitted that Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi had taken the Three Sovereigns Scripture and said he had later killed them, before boasting that no one could kill him.

Tuoba Ao revealed that he had manipulated the others and turned Ling Tianya’s scheme against him, then used his new martial-realm strength to overwhelm Wu Longfeng and Zhuge Zheng. Wu Longfeng unleashed a powerful counterattack, but Tuoba Ao struck him down, leaving the others hoping they could recover before Tuoba Ao turned on them.

• Tuoba Ao explained that he had concealed his breakthrough, let Ling Tianya believe his plan was succeeding, and used Wu Longfeng to draw the others’ hatred.
• Tuoba Ao taunted Wu Longfeng, who challenged him to fight.
• Tuoba Ao vanished and struck Wu Longfeng, then blasted Zhuge Zheng away when he attacked from behind.
• Wu Longfeng, injured and outmatched, forced his aura to surge and attacked Tuoba Ao while Huang Xiao and the others hoped he could hold him off.
• Tuoba Ao evaded Wu Longfeng’s attacks with multiple phantom figures, revealed his true body, and blasted Wu Longfeng into the ground.

Tuoba Ao revealed that his deepest hatred was for Li Taibai and that he intended to destroy the Taixuan Sect. He explained that Li Taibai had thwarted the Tuoba Family’s plan to seize control of the Jianghu and Imperial Court, while the injured group struggled to recover.

• Tuoba Ao defeated Wu Longfeng but kept him alive, then prevented Huang Xiao and the others from healing properly as he spoke.
• Tuoba Ao dismissed Sun Simiao as an unworthy opponent and named Li Taibai as the person he truly hated.
• Tuoba Ao told Wu Longfeng that he meant to wipe out the Taixuan Sect, and Wu Longfeng vowed the sect would endure.
• Tuoba Ao recounted how the Taixuan Sect had helped bring about the Heavenly Demon Sect’s collapse and suggested he would now repay it by scheming against Taixuan.
• When Wu Longfeng challenged him, Tuoba Ao struck him in the chest and revealed that Li Taibai had nearly killed him and ruined the Tuoba Family’s plan to restore its nation.

Tuoba Ao revealed his plan to restore Northern Wei and explained how Li Taibai had thwarted him through An Lushan. As Tuoba Ao moved to kill the badly injured group, Qingfeng arrived and surprised Huang Xiao.

• Tuoba Ao told Huang Xiao and the others that he intended to restore Northern Wei and bring the Imperial Court and Jianghu under his control.
• Tuoba Ao revealed that An Lushan had been his pawn and that Li Taibai had ruined his plan more than two hundred and fifty years earlier.
• Tuoba Ao prepared to kill Huang Xiao, Old Sun, Ling Tianya, and Wu Longfeng to claim the secret of the Seven Spirit Blades.
• Old Sun and Ling Tianya charged at Tuoba Ao and urged Huang Xiao to run, but Tuoba Ao stopped when someone appeared behind them.
• Qingfeng turned to Huang Xiao and said he had arrived just in time.

Qingfeng arrived to protect Huang Xiao and revealed that Tuoba Ao had only reached the half-step martial realm. Qingfeng demonstrated that he had attained the martial realm and used his control over heaven and earth to strip Tuoba Ao of his ability to hover, leaving them facing off on equal footing.

• Qingfeng arrived as Tuoba Ao threatened Huang Xiao and told his junior brother and the injured seniors to leave Tuoba Ao to him.
• Huang Xiao explained that Tuoba Ao had supposedly entered the martial realm, but Qingfeng declared that he had only broken through halfway.
• Qingfeng revealed his own martial realm cultivation by hovering above the ground, astonishing Huang Xiao, Tuoba Ao, and the others.
• Tuoba Ao charged at Qingfeng, who controlled the surrounding spiritual energy and forced both of them back onto the ground.
• Qingfeng explained that he and Tuoba Ao shared the same realm, but Qingfeng controlled the power of heaven and earth while Tuoba Ao could no longer hover or fly.

Qingfeng drove Tuoba Ao into the lake formation, then killed the gravely wounded Wan Qingteng and recovered the Ageless Crystal. Old Sun took the crystal, but before the group could deal with Wu Longfeng and Zhuge Zheng, Qingfeng suddenly vomited blood.

• Qingfeng challenged Tuoba Ao, who used his Sound Art to worsen Huang Xiao and the others' injuries before rushing into the lake formation for the secret.
• Qingfeng returned to his wounded companions, then agreed to kill Wan Qingteng and avenged the Patriarch by striking him down.
• Qingfeng took the Ageless Crystal from Wan Qingteng's body and gave it to Old Sun, who said he had another important use for it.
• The group turned to Wu Longfeng and Zhuge Zheng, but Qingfeng suddenly paled and spat out a large mouthful of blood.

Qingfeng’s apparent strength against Tuoba Ao was revealed as a bluff, and Old Sun began preparing a plan to deal with Tuoba Ao while he remained trapped in the formation. Qingfeng told Huang Xiao how he had reached Yama Ridge and hinted that he had rescued Dugu Sheng and Li Wujing.

• Wu Longfeng and Zhuge Zheng prepared to fight Old Sun’s group, but Qingfeng coughed up blood and Old Sun ordered their acupoints sealed.
• Old Sun explained that Qingfeng had reached the half-step Martial Realm in spiritual state alone and had used an empty city stratagem to frighten Tuoba Ao into the formation.
• Old Sun showed everyone the Ageless Crystal and began channeling his internal power into it, saying their plan depended on Huang Xiao.
• Qingfeng urged Huang Xiao to consider retreating and explained that he had come to Yama Ridge after learning from Huang Xiao’s wives that he was there.
• Qingfeng began explaining that he and his companions had returned to Kaifeng, and Huang Xiao asked whether Qingfeng had saved Dugu Sheng and Li Wujing.

Qingfeng told Huang Xiao that he had rescued Dugu Sheng and the others from two Taixuan Sect Deputy Sect Masters, then Old Sun proposed that Huang Xiao attempt a second Rejuvenation of the Second Realm to gain the strength needed against Tuoba Ao. Ling Tianya opposed the dangerous plan, but Huang Xiao chose to stay and try it.

• Qingfeng explained that he had intervened when Taixuan Sect experts attacked Dugu Sheng and the others, and Huang Xiao identified the two experts as Deputy Sect Masters.
• Qingfeng worried that he and the others had no reliable way to stop Tuoba Ao once he escaped the formation or obtained its secret.
• Old Sun proposed that Huang Xiao undergo the second Rejuvenation of the Second Realm to increase his Internal Power.
• Ling Tianya refused to risk his grandson’s life, and he argued with Tong Jiuyang over whether Huang Xiao should be asked to protect the world.
• Old Sun asked Huang Xiao to agree, but Ling Tianya tried to take him away; Huang Xiao resisted and firmly declared that he would undergo the second Rejuvenation.

Huang Xiao insisted on undergoing a second Rejuvenation to gain the strength to oppose Tuoba Ao, and Ling Tianya eventually accepted his choice. Sun Simiao then asked Qingfeng whether Huang Xiao might use the resulting power to enter the half-step Martial Realm.

• Huang Xiao argued that second Rejuvenation could help him defeat Tuoba Ao, but Ling Tianya refused to let Sun Simiao proceed without his consent.
• Huang Xiao told Ling Tianya that he could not decide the Heavenly Demon Sect master's choice, prompting Wu Longfeng to mock Ling Tianya and Mu Jingfei and Tong Jiuyang to prepare for a fight.
• Ling Tianya surprised everyone by praising Huang Xiao's resolve and agreeing not to stop the Rejuvenation, while warning Sun Simiao to protect his grandson.
• Ling Tianya threatened Wu Longfeng, but Sun Simiao urged him not to kill their potential ally before they faced Tuoba Ao.
• Sun Simiao asked Qingfeng whether Huang Xiao could force his way into the half-step Martial Realm after undergoing a second Rejuvenation.

Old Sun began using the Ageless Crystal to help Huang Xiao absorb its life essence, hoping to strengthen his power enough to reach the Half-Step Martial Realm. Huang Xiao quickly healed, but Old Sun told him to keep absorbing the crystal’s essence.

• Qingfeng explained that Huang Xiao might lack the power to force a breakthrough into the Half-Step Martial Realm, but Old Sun asked whether Huang Xiao trusted him, and Huang Xiao agreed.
• Old Sun told Duan Siping and the others to guard against Tuoba Ao escaping the formation and against Wu Longfeng and Zhuge Zheng unsealing their acupoints.
• Old Sun instructed Huang Xiao to sit cross-legged and hold the Ageless Crystal in both hands while absorbing its life essence.
• Huang Xiao used the Northern Darkness Absorption Method to absorb the life essence much faster, and Old Sun explained the change to the others.
• Huang Xiao stopped when his injuries had healed and asked whether he needed to continue, but Old Sun told him to keep absorbing the life essence.

Huang Xiao absorbed the life essence from the Ageless Crystal and fused it with his true qi to prepare for the second Rejuvenation of the Second Realm. After the crystal shattered, Old Sun began helping him break through, with only four hours available to restore his power.

• Old Sun urged Huang Xiao to absorb and store as much life essence from the Ageless Crystal as possible.
• When Huang Xiao reached his limit, he used the Northern Darkness Absorption Method to fuse the life essence with his true qi and absorb more.
• The Ageless Crystal shattered after Huang Xiao absorbed nearly all its life essence.
• Old Sun pressed his palms against Huang Xiao's back and helped him begin the second Rejuvenation of the Second Realm.
• Tong Jiuyang, Ling Tianya, and Mu Jingfei discussed the sacrifice of the Ageless Crystal and Huang Xiao's ability to absorb its life essence.

Huang Xiao attempted his second Rejuvenation with Old Sun’s help, but his cultivation proved insufficient to complete it. Old Sun used Divine Skill Empowerment to pour his cultivation into Huang Xiao, and Huang Xiao’s breakthrough succeeded, though Old Sun’s fate remained uncertain.

• Huang Xiao began shrinking during his second Rejuvenation as Old Sun supplied internal power, then recovered with the help of his life essence.
• Huang Xiao’s aura grew unstable when he discovered his cultivation was too weak to complete the Rejuvenation.
• Old Sun clamped a hand on Huang Xiao’s head and began using Divine Skill Empowerment to transfer his cultivation.
• Old Sun ordered Huang Xiao to use the Northern Darkness Absorption Method, and Huang Xiao reluctantly absorbed Old Sun’s cultivation.
• Huang Xiao made his final push, unleashed a wave of energy, and announced that his second Rejuvenation had succeeded.