Chapter Summaries

Zhangsun Youyue and Huang Xiao encountered the old Daoist again at Phoenix Arrival Pavilion, where he defied Lin Chusheng and He Jingui before accepting her invitation to stay at the Water Pavilion. Zhangsun Youyue identified him as Senior Daoxuanzi, the Unkempt Daoist of Shangqing Temple, and discussed the temple’s formidable standing with Huang Xiao.

• Lin Chusheng tried to approach Zhangsun Youyue, but she dismissed him and waited while the old Daoist blocked the stairs and rebuffed Shopkeeper Hu’s offers of another room.
• Lin Chusheng threatened the Eighth Prince Liu Zhi, who mocked him and offered to help the old Daoist; Zhangsun Youyue then invited the Daoist to stay at her residence.
• The old Daoist accompanied Zhangsun Youyue and Huang Xiao to the Water Pavilion, chose a courtyard near Huang Xiao’s lodgings, and asked for food to be sent to him.
• Zhangsun Youyue told Xiao Qing and Huang Xiao that the old Daoist was Senior Daoxuanzi of Shangqing Temple, and explained that the temple might have ties to the Overseas Three Immortal Mountains.

Huang Xiao discussed the hidden strength of Shangqing Temple and other sects with Zhangsun Youyue, then practiced the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber Techniques in his courtyard. Daoxuanzi discovered him and questioned him about his demonic cultivation and saber manual, leaving Huang Xiao to explain how he had obtained them.

• Zhangsun Youyue told Huang Xiao that Shangqing Temple’s strength was difficult to judge and described Daoxuanzi as at least a martial-realm expert.
• Zhangsun Youyue arranged to inform Chen Biao that Huang Xiao was staying at her residence, then Huang Xiao returned to his quarters and added formations to the courtyard.
• Huang Xiao practiced the Three Forms Demon Saber with the Minghong Saber, using heavenly demon true qi and completing all three forms.
• Daoxuanzi appeared on the courtyard wall, recognized the Demon Hall’s Heavenly Demon Demon Saber, and asked whether Huang Xiao belonged to the Demon Hall.
• Huang Xiao denied being a member and said he had obtained the Demonic Art Manual by chance and received the Saber Manual from a masked old man.

Huang Xiao questioned Daoxuanzi about the masked old man who taught him the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber and learned that Daoxuanzi could not lift his Demon-Ghost Blood Curse. After Daoxuanzi departed, Huang Xiao pondered their mutual sense of familiarity and suddenly fixated on the name Shangqing Temple.

• Daoxuanzi questioned Huang Xiao about the old man who taught him the demon saber technique, then learned that the man had appeared outside Qinyang City.
• Daoxuanzi recognized the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse within Huang Xiao, warned that his life was in danger, and concluded that the curse had been cast at the cost of its caster's life.
• Daoxuanzi discussed the Demon Hall's thousand-year cycle, warned Huang Xiao not to commit evil with his demonic arts, and asked him to invite the Transcendent Immortal Sword Lord to Shangqing Temple.
• Daoxuanzi left, and Huang Xiao reflected on their mutual sense of familiarity and considered whether it came from their connections to Daoists.
• Huang Xiao murmured “Shangqing Temple” and suddenly showed a change in expression.

Huang Xiao learned that Shangqing Temple’s Upper Clarity Heart Scripture was connected to the Upper Clarity Scripture he had studied, and decided to examine it more seriously. Meanwhile, Lin Chusheng learned that the mysterious woman was staying at the Water Pavilion and that the old Daoist was Daoxuanzi, but he remained unaware of her identity.

• Xiao Qing brought Huang Xiao a booklet listing treasures at the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering, sent privately by Chen Biao.
• Xiao Qing named Shangqing Temple’s Upper Clarity Heart Scripture, prompting Huang Xiao to connect it to the Upper Clarity Scripture and reconsider its value for calming his mind.
• Huang Xiao decided to study the Upper Clarity Scripture properly and opened the treasure booklet to look for useful items.
• He Jingui told Lin Chusheng that the woman was staying at the Water Pavilion, where the Five Fists Sect warned its disciples not to provoke anyone.
• He Jingui identified the old Daoist as Daoxuanzi of Shangqing Temple and said Zhu Yang, the Left-Hand Saber, was the only one among the other companions with a notable background.

Lin Chusheng agreed to help He Jingui seize the Transcendent Immortal Escort Agency’s incomplete swordsmanship after the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering. Meanwhile, Huang Xiao and his companions remained in the Water Pavilion, unaware of the plot, as Huang Xiao reflected on his secrets and his uneasy relationships with Zhangsun Youyue and Daoxuanzi.

• He Jingui told Lin Chusheng that Zhu Yang was close to the Transcendent Immortal Escort Agency’s people, but Lin dismissed Zhu Yang and the agency as threats.
• He Jingui explained that rivals coveted the agency’s Transcendent Immortal Swordsmanship, and Lin revealed his interest despite claiming the incomplete art did not matter to him.
• He Jingui asked Lin to help obtain the swordsmanship and promised him a chance to inspect and study it; Lin agreed and told him to wait until after the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering.
• Huang Xiao and his companions stayed in the Water Pavilion during the gathering’s three-day lead-up, while Chen Biao sent word that he was too busy to visit.
• Huang Xiao reviewed Chen Biao’s treasure booklet and found Phoenix Blood was the only item likely to help break his Demon-Ghost Blood Curse.
• Huang Xiao reflected that he felt guilty about misleading Zhangsun Youyue and wary of Daoxuanzi, but believed he could not reveal the truth to Zhangsun Youyue.

Huang Xiao traveled with Zhangsun Youyue, Zhu Yang, and Liu Yu to the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering in Mist City, reflecting on the power of the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber and his Minghong Saber. They reached the Rare Treasures Pavilion and entered after Xiao Qing presented a highest-rank invitation.

• Huang Xiao continued practicing the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber and considered how much more powerful the rust-covered Minghong Saber might become if restored.
• Zhangsun Youyue, Huang Xiao, Zhu Yang, and Liu Yu prepared to travel to the Rare Treasures Pavilion, while Daoxuanzi departed separately.
• The group rode toward the gathering and saw crowds of Jianghu people, including wealthy visitors admitted despite lacking strength because they had money.
• Zhangsun Youyue chose to walk through the congested crowd, and Huang Xiao used Heaven and Earth Momentum to clear a path.
• Xiao Qing showed the group’s invitation at the entrance, and Brother Yun recognized it as one of the highest rank.

Huang Xiao and his companions arrived at the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering, where Zhangsun Youyue gave him a hundred-thousand-tael gold note and Liu Yu added thirty thousand taels to help him browse the wares. As Huang Xiao inspected the treasures with Chen Biao, he asked whether the Rare Treasures Pavilion was prepared for the Saint Thief’s apparent designs on the gathering.

• Chen Biao welcomed Huang Xiao and his companions and led them through the ordinary marketplace area toward the Rare Treasures Tower.
• Zhangsun Youyue gave Huang Xiao a hundred-thousand-tael gold note to spend on treasures, while clarifying that it could not be used to pay Zhu Yang’s ten-million-tael redemption sum for Lin Jiao Jiao.
• Zhangsun Youyue went ahead to the Rare Treasures Tower, and Liu Yu gave Huang Xiao thirty thousand taels in gold notes on Liu Jinyi’s behalf.
• Chen Biao guided Huang Xiao, Liu Yu, and Zhu Yang through the marketplace’s displays, including pills, armor, and weapons priced in the millions of taels.
• Huang Xiao asked Chen Biao whether the Rare Treasures Pavilion was comfortable displaying its treasures and then mentioned the Saint Thief’s interest in the gathering.

Huang Xiao visited the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering’s ore section, where the Minghong Saber secretly absorbed the essence of the displayed ores. He then followed Chen Biao to the Treasure Tower, where he spotted Lin Chusheng arriving with an imposing older man.

• Huang Xiao discussed the Thief Sage with Chen Biao, then sensed the Minghong Saber react as they approached the Rare Ores Section.
• Huang Xiao learned about the rare ores and realized they could help restore the Minghong Saber, but he decided not to buy any.
• The Minghong Saber absorbed the essence from the nearby ores, weakening their special properties without anyone noticing Huang Xiao’s role.
• Huang Xiao continued touring the gathering with Chen Biao, then asked about the Phoenix Blood and learned it was the second most valuable treasure.
• Chen Biao led Huang Xiao, Zhu Yang, and Liu Yu to the Treasure Tower and described its layout and Zhangsun Youyue’s private room.
• Huang Xiao heard Lin Chusheng call to his Third Uncle and saw the Heavenly Sword Sect member standing beside an imposing middle-aged man.

Huang Xiao and his companions entered the Rare Treasures Tower, where Lin Chusheng insulted them and Lin Kuisheng warned him to be cautious. Huang Xiao joined Zhangsun Youyue in a private room, where she explained the gathering’s barter rules and revealed that she had come for the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment.

• Huang Xiao met Lin Chusheng and Lin Kuisheng at the Rare Treasures Tower, and Lin Kuisheng sensed that Huang Xiao was a Half-Step Martial Realm expert.
• Huang Xiao exchanged greetings with Eighth Prince Liu Zhi on the third floor, then left with Chen Biao and his companions for East Number Seven.
• Lin Chusheng insulted Huang Xiao’s group, but Lin Kuisheng rebuked him and warned him not to provoke people before learning their connections.
• Chen Biao brought Huang Xiao, Zhu Yang, and Liu Yu to Zhangsun Youyue’s private room, where Xiao Qing welcomed them.
• Zhangsun Youyue explained that bidders offered treasures in exchange for the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s items, often paying several treasures for one.
• Zhangsun Youyue told Huang Xiao that she wanted the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment, not the Azure Nether Sword.

Huang Xiao attended the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering as Zhangsun Youyue explained why she wanted the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment and how valuable the Divine Beast Traces clue might be. The gathering began with bids for Meditation Incense, and Liao Dunqi was left to choose among the offers.

• Zhangsun Youyue told Huang Xiao she prized the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment and could enhance it using a Bishui Palace method.
• Zhangsun Youyue estimated that the Divine Beast Traces clue could cost as much as Bishui Palace's fifth-ranked cultivation method.
• Liao Dunqi opened the gathering and assured the crowd that the Rare Treasures Pavilion was prepared for the Thief Sage.
• Liao Dunqi presented ten sticks of Meditation Incense, and Zhangsun Youyue explained their benefits and scarcity.
• Bidders called out treasures and cultivation methods in exchange for the Meditation Incense, and Liao Dunqi collected their offers to decide whose bid to accept.

Zhangsun Youyue offered a bottle of Bishui Nectar for the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment, explaining that she valued it for her own purposes. She also pledged a rare Bishui Mystic Domain opportunity to help Huang Xiao compete for the Phoenix Blood, while Liao Dunqi announced that her written offer currently led the bidding.

• Liao Dunqi explained how the Rare Treasures Pavilion privately notified winners and continued presenting treasures as bids rose.
• Zhangsun Youyue wrote down an offer of one bottle of Bishui Nectar for the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment, and told Huang Xiao it could benefit her far more than its value suggested.
• Zhangsun Youyue assured Huang Xiao that Bishui Palace would help him pursue the Phoenix Blood, though she could not guarantee success.
• Zhangsun Youyue revealed that she planned to offer a place in the Bishui Mystic Domain in exchange for the Phoenix Blood and sent her written offer to Liao Dunqi.
• Liao Dunqi read Zhangsun Youyue's offer and announced that it held first place for the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment.

Zhangsun Youyue secured the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment with an offer worth a hundred times Feng Xiaofeng’s bid, while the Sword Pavilion’s plans shifted to the auction’s remaining treasures. The garment was set to be delivered to Zhangsun Youyue as the gathering continued.

• Liao Dunqi confirmed that Zhangsun Youyue’s written offer was genuine and honored the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s rules.
• Feng Xiaofeng raised his bid to five jin of Snowpeak Jade Marrow, hoping to win the garment for Jiang Liuli, but Liao Dunqi revealed that the competing offer was worth at least a hundred times that amount.
• Feng Xiaofeng lost his temper, and his martial uncle reprimanded him before directing him to pursue the Phoenix Blood and clues to the Divine Beast Traces instead.
• Liao Dunqi counted down and declared the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment sold without revealing the winner’s identity.
• Xiao Qing congratulated Zhangsun Youyue on obtaining the garment, and Zhangsun Youyue dismissed Feng Xiaofeng’s chances of winning it.

At the auction, Liao Dunqi revealed an incomplete manual containing three later forms of Li Bai’s Transcendent Immortal Swordsmanship, and Zhangsun Youyue struggled over whether Bishui Palace should bid for it. Huang Xiao then offered to teach her the three forms himself.

• Zhangsun Youyue told Huang Xiao that Jiang Liuli aimed to surpass Sword God Yi and become the Sword Pavilion’s Number One, while the Sword Pavilion stopped bidding as the auction’s final treasures approached.
• Liao Dunqi presented the eighth, ninth, and tenth forms of the Transcendent Immortal Swordsmanship, and Zhangsun Youyue reacted angrily upon recognizing Senior Li’s swordsmanship.
• Zhangsun Youyue said Bishui Palace possessed only six forms and worried that bidding for the manual would leave them unable to secure the Phoenix Blood.
• Liao Dunqi said the Rare Treasures Pavilion had received the manual as payment from Li Bai, while Zhangsun Youyue and Huang Xiao suspected it had been reconstructed from forms witnessed in battle and might contain inaccuracies.
• Zhangsun Youyue hesitated to abandon the manual despite suspecting the Rare Treasures Pavilion was trying to extract a high price from Bishui Palace.
• Huang Xiao offered to teach Zhangsun Youyue the three forms, leaving everyone in the room stunned.

Huang Xiao offered to teach Zhangsun Youyue more of the Transcendent Immortal Swordsmanship, while the Rare Treasures Pavilion delivered her the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment and collected her Bishui Nectar. As bids began for the Sword Manual, the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Imperial Court’s Eighth Prince emerged as leading contenders, and Zhangsun Youyue decided Bishui Palace did not need to bid.

• Huang Xiao offered to teach Zhangsun Youyue the seventh form of the Taixuan Sword, and Zhangsun Youyue said she might seize the Sword Manual depending on who won it.
• Chen Biao delivered the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment, collected Zhangsun Youyue’s Bishui Nectar, and explained the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s anonymous delivery arrangements.
• Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue discussed the dangers facing the shopkeepers who would deliver the treasures, including the threat posed by the Saint Thief.
• Lin Chusheng of the Heavenly Sword Sect offered five forms of the Seven-Star Swordsmanship for the Sword Manual, and Uncle-Master Yang rejected Feng Xiaofeng’s suggestion that the Sword Pavilion bid.
• Liu Zhi, the Imperial Court’s Eighth Prince, offered three of the Nine Great Martial Arts, and Huang Xiao noted that the Rare Treasures Pavilion had positioned rival bidders opposite each other.
• Zhangsun Youyue chose not to bid, saying Bishui Palace could obtain the Sword Manual from the winner afterward if it wanted it.

Zhangsun Youyue and Uncle-Master Pei considered the bidding for Senior Li’s incomplete sword forms while the Heavenly Sword Sect won the fragments over the Imperial Court. The Rare Treasures Pavilion then offered Phoenix Blood, leaving Huang Xiao anxious to obtain the cure for his Demon-Ghost Blood Curse.

• Huang Xiao offered to teach Zhangsun Youyue the seventh sword form if she obtained Senior Li’s three incomplete forms, and she agreed to wait until then.
• Uncle-Master Pei arrived, confirmed that Bishui Palace had obtained the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment, and told Huang Xiao that Bishui Palace would not force him to reveal Senior Li’s whereabouts.
• Uncle-Master Pei and Zhangsun Youyue chose not to bid on the sword fragments, while Lin Kuisheng and Lin Chusheng discussed attacking Liu Zhi if the Imperial Court won them.
• Liao Dunqi awarded the fragments to the Heavenly Sword Sect, and Uncle-Master Pei sent Liu Miao to watch the sect’s incoming experts.
• Liao Dunqi presented Phoenix Blood, and Huang Xiao hoped to obtain it to dispel his Demon-Ghost Blood Curse.

At the Rare Treasures Pavilion auction, Zhangsun Youyue and Uncle-Master Pei decided to bid a three-month Bishui Mystic Domain entry slot for Phoenix Blood to lift Huang Xiao’s curse. As the anonymous, one-chance bidding began, Lin Kuisheng warned Lin Chusheng not to open their newly acquired sword manual, which they had to return to their sect unread.

• Uncle-Master Pei said a third of the Phoenix Blood would be enough to lift the curse afflicting one person, and Zhangsun Youyue agreed to offer a Bishui Mystic Domain entry slot.
• Liao Dunqi announced that bidders had to submit one anonymous final bid, and Uncle-Master Pei told Zhangsun Youyue to write down a three-month entry slot.
• Lin Chusheng complained that the Heavenly Sword Sect could not compete with the Sword Pavilion, and Lin Kuisheng warned him not to speak recklessly about the Sword Pavilion or its Sword God.
• Lin Chusheng asked to inspect the incomplete sword manual they had received, but Lin Kuisheng refused, citing the Sect Master’s orders and the danger of being discovered with its techniques.

Yang Hengchang bid a year of contemplation at the Sword Enlightenment Altar for the Phoenix Blood, while the Rare Treasures Pavilion kept the winning bidder’s identity secret. As the Pavilion prepared deliveries in identical boxes to guard against the Saint Thief, Chen Biao headed for East Number Seven with a box, still unsure where the real Phoenix Blood was.

• Yang Hengchang decided the Sword Pavilion would offer a year of contemplation at the Sword Enlightenment Altar for the Phoenix Blood, while reserving its resources for the Divine Beast Traces clue.
• Liao Dunqi announced that the winning bid had offered a lengthy contemplation slot at a sect’s sacred ground, prompting Xiao Qing and Liu Yu to suspect the Bishui Palace had won.
• Liao Dunqi warned the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s delivery team that the Saint Thief might target the Phoenix Blood and distributed identical brocade boxes with private room assignments.
• Shopkeeper Zhao told Chen Biao he was delivering to West Number Seven, the Sword Pavilion’s room, while Chen Biao kept the identity of East Number Seven’s occupants to himself.
• Chen Biao headed to East Number Seven carrying his brocade box, wondering whether the real Phoenix Blood would be delivered to the Sword Pavilion.

Zhangsun Youyue and her companions opened the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s gift and discovered it was Red Fire Fruit Spirit Liquid, not genuine Phoenix Blood. Huang Xiao left without the cure he needed for the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse, while Uncle-Master Pei offered to look for antidotes and the group turned their attention to the final auction item.

• Chen Biao delivered a brocade box to Zhangsun Youyue, and Uncle-Master Pei briefly questioned him before letting him leave.
• Zhangsun Youyue opened the box and found Red Fire Fruit Spirit Liquid instead of genuine Phoenix Blood.
• Uncle-Master Pei explained that the Rare Treasures Pavilion had likely given the liquid to other third-floor rooms that had not received the Phoenix Blood.
• Huang Xiao accepted that he had failed to obtain a possible cure for his curse, and Zhangsun Youyue apologized to him.
• Uncle-Master Pei offered to search for curse antidotes and said the group would watch the contest for the final item.

Shopkeeper Zhao delivered the genuine Phoenix Blood to Yang Hengchang, and the Sword Pavilion confirmed it had obtained the treasure. As the bidding for the final Divine Beast Traces clue began under rules that would reveal each bidder, Yang Hengchang prepared the Sword Pavilion to compete, and the Heavenly Evil Sect made the first offer.

• Shopkeeper Zhao handed Yang Hengchang a brocade box containing the genuine Phoenix Blood and Red Fire Fruit Spirit Liquid.
• Liao Dunqi announced that each party would make one public bid for the final Divine Beast Traces clue.
• Yang Hengchang grew furious that the winner would be exposed, but Feng Xiaofeng urged him not to fear other Jianghu powers.
• Yang Hengchang praised Feng Xiaofeng and promised to seek better treatment for him from his master.
• Yang Hengchang decided to wait and assess the other bidders before revealing the Sword Pavilion's offer.
• The Heavenly Evil Sect offered the whereabouts of Tiger Wing in exchange for the clue.

The Heavenly Evil Sect offered the whereabouts of Tiger Wing for the Divine Beast Traces lead, and the Sword Pavilion countered with three days of the Sword God's personal instruction in the Way of Sword Intent. The Demon Hall then offered a place that could guarantee a sect would escape annihilation, leaving Liao Dunqi intrigued and the Demon Hall's subordinates bewildered.

• The Heavenly Evil Sect bid Tiger Wing's whereabouts, and Liao Dunqi confirmed that the Rare Treasures Pavilion trusted the information.
• Yang Hengchang decided the Sword Pavilion should compete and offered three days of personal instruction from the Sword God in the Way of Sword Intent.
• Liao Dunqi announced that the Sword Pavilion's offer also qualified, while the crowd discussed the value of the Sword God's guidance.
• The gloomy old man in North Room No. 7 ordered the Demon Hall to bid a place guaranteeing that a sect would be spared annihilation.
• Liao Dunqi suspected the Demon Hall's offer held a deeper meaning and looked toward North Room No. 7 as the old man's subordinates struggled to understand his bid.