Chapter Summaries

Deputy Hall Master Hao’s God-Burying Hall discussed the approaching Thousand-Year Period and learned that Huang Xiao had destroyed its Qinyang City Branch Altar. At the Rare Treasures Pavilion, Liao Dunqi accepted the Demon Hall’s promise to spare one sect from destruction as a serious bid for the Divine Beast Traces clue, leaving the crowd fearful of the coming upheaval.

• Deputy Hall Master Hao reminded his followers that the Thousand-Year Period was approaching and predicted that Pang Yi would become Demon Hall Master.
• A returning subordinate identified Huang Xiao as the Transcendent Immortal Sword Lord’s successor and reported that he had destroyed the Qinyang City Branch Altar.
• Deputy Hall Master Hao set aside revenge against Huang Xiao for the moment, prioritizing the Divine Beast Traces clue and Inugami while noting that the Sword Pavilion might target him.
• Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue discussed the Demon Hall’s offer, and Uncle-Master Pei explained that a new Hall Master had repeatedly emerged even when the Demon Hall was nearly wiped out.
• Liao Dunqi declared that the Demon Hall’s promise to spare one sect from utter destruction was sufficient payment for the clue, and the crowd understood the threat of the approaching Thousand-Year Period.

Liao Dunqi explained how the Phoenix Feather could reveal the divine beast Phoenix’s aura and announced the Sword Pavilion as the winner of the Divine Beast Traces clue. The chapter ended with the Sword Pavilion receiving the Phoenix Feather after Yang Hengchang challenged Hao Jinghai’s authority to bid for the Demon Hall.

• Yang Hengchang and others descended to provide proof of their promised exchanges while Liao Dunqi considered the final bids.
• Liao Dunqi warned that the Saint Thief might target someone at the gathering, and Zhangsun Youyue explained the thief’s past conflict with the Rare Treasures Pavilion.
• Yang Hengchang, Linghu Xiang, and Hao Jinghai approached the platform, where Yang Hengchang questioned whether the God-Burying Hall could represent the Demon Hall.
• Liao Dunqi revealed the sealed Phoenix Feather and explained that its aura could help its owner locate traces of the Phoenix.
• Liao Dunqi announced that the Sword Pavilion had won the Phoenix Feather.

Yang Hengchang secured the Phoenix Feather after trading the Sword God Token, but Chen Biao suddenly stole it from the platform. The crowd recognized Chen Biao as the Saint Thief, leaving Yang Hengchang unable to attack without risking the treasure.

• Yang Hengchang handed Liao Dunqi the Sword God Token, and Liao Dunqi gave him the Phoenix Feather.
• Yang Hengchang reached for the Phoenix Feather, but Chen Biao rushed onto the platform and snatched it.
• Yang Hengchang tried to strike Chen Biao, but Liao Dunqi stopped him from risking damage to the Phoenix Feather.
• Huang Xiao and the others recognized the thief as Chen Biao, and Xiao Qing asked whether he was the Saint Thief.

The Saint Thief revealed that he had disguised himself as Chen Biao and openly taken the Phoenix Feather. He waited inside the Rare Treasures Tower for the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s outside experts to return, then hinted that he had something planned before making his escape.

• Huang Xiao realized that the man posing as Chen Biao was the Saint Thief, who had seized the Phoenix Feather.
• The Saint Thief refused to flee because the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s strongest experts were stationed outside the tower, and he planned to wait for them to return and create an opening.
• Linghu Xiang and Hao Jinghai mocked Yang Hengchang for losing the Phoenix Feather to the Saint Thief.
• Liao Dunqi said that one of the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s Seven Pavilion Masters was truly in charge of the gathering, and the Saint Thief said he would not stay to meet them.
• As Liao Dunqi prepared to attack, the Saint Thief urged him to be patient and promised to leave everyone something nice.

The Saint Thief released the Phoenix Feather’s aura, giving everyone in the Rare Treasures Tower a chance to sense the phoenix and seek its dwelling. Trapped by Chilian and Huang Shui, he threatened to destroy the feather, then threw it toward the crowd as the two pavilion masters attacked.

• The Saint Thief removed the formation seal from the Phoenix Feather, letting everyone in the tower sense its blazing aura.
• The master of the Red Treasure Pavilion, Chilian, arrived and fought the Saint Thief, damaging the tower as they battled.
• The Saint Thief tried to escape, but Huang Shui, master of the Yellow Treasure Pavilion, joined Chilian and trapped him.
• Huang Shui explained that the Phoenix Feather’s innate connection to the phoenix could help locate its hidden dwelling, and the Saint Thief threatened to destroy it.
• Huang Shui ordered Chilian to attack, and the Saint Thief flung the Phoenix Feather toward the crowd as both masters charged.

The Saint Thief threw the Phoenix Feather into the crowd, setting off a deadly scramble as Yang Hengchang, Linghu Xiang, and Hao Jinghai fought to claim it. Linghu Xiang escaped the Rare Treasures Tower with the feather, while the pavilion’s forces pursued him and the two pavilion masters moved to stop the Saint Thief.

• The Saint Thief tossed the Phoenix Feather into the crowd, and the treasure seekers began attacking one another.
• Yang Hengchang joined Linghu Xiang and Hao Jinghai in fighting through the crowd, while Liao Dunqi followed to help recover the feather.
• Linghu Xiang seized the Phoenix Feather from a man and killed him, then smashed through a wall to escape the Rare Treasures Tower.
• Liao Dunqi and Yang Hengchang pursued Linghu Xiang as Huang Shui ordered them to recover the feather.
• The Saint Thief tried to slip away through the crowd, but the two pavilion masters followed him.

The Saint Thief escaped the Rare Treasures Tower but discovered that a third pavilion master was waiting outside, leaving him fighting three masters as Huang Xiao and his companions fled the collapsing tower. Outside, Linghu Xiang remained trapped, and treasure hunters began attacking those who had obtained prizes.

• The Saint Thief fooled the two pavilion masters with phantom images and escaped through the hole in the roof, while Huang Xiao and Xiao Qing hoped he would get away.
• Uncle-Master Pei led Huang Xiao, Zhangsun Youyue, and the others toward the exit, intending to seize the incomplete sword manual of the Three Forms from the Heavenly Sword Sect.
• The Saint Thief revealed that a third pavilion master was waiting outside, and Uncle-Master Pei left to pursue the sword manual while Huang Xiao's group evacuated the tower.
• Huang Xiao saw the Saint Thief battling three pavilion masters above the tower as bystanders debated his chances of escape.
• Treasure hunters began attacking people who had obtained prizes, and Zhangsun Youyue observed that they had become bloodthirsty.

As the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering descended into a battle over its treasures, Huang Xiao and his companions fought to escape the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s activated formations. Huang Xiao led them through an illusion formation and began bringing them closer to the way out.

• Treasure holders and rival Jianghu experts fought over the displayed treasures, leaving many dead as the prizes repeatedly changed hands.
• Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue decided to leave the chaos, but fought off attackers as they retreated.
• Liu Yu was struck from behind, and Zhu Yang drove the attacker away while Huang Xiao checked on Liu Yu’s injuries.
• Zhangsun Youyue explained that the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s formations trapped them, and Huang Xiao led the group toward the perimeter.
• Huang Xiao guided the group through an illusion formation, helping them perceive the people and sounds outside as they approached its essence.

Huang Xiao led Zhangsun Youyue and the others through the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s confinement and illusion formations while Linghu Xiang was cornered over the Phoenix Feather. Liao Dunqi demanded that Linghu Xiang return it to the Sword Pavilion, but the surrounding experts had little reason to accept his claim.

• Xiao Qing noticed the formations had broken, and Huang Xiao began guiding the group toward the perimeter as he unraveled them.
• The Rare Treasures Tower collapsed during the battle between the Saint Thief and the three pavilion masters, and all four disappeared after the dust settled.
• Hao Jinghai pursued Linghu Xiang alongside Yang Hengchang and Liao Dunqi, while a black-robed man and an old man blocked Linghu Xiang’s escape ahead.
• The five pursuers surrounded Linghu Xiang, and Yang Hengchang demanded that he hand over the Phoenix Feather to the Sword Pavilion.
• Liao Dunqi invoked the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s responsibility to protect the Sword Pavilion’s property, but Linghu Xiang questioned whether the other men would accept his demand.

Hao Jinghai proposed that Yang Hengchang pay an additional fortune to recover the Phoenix Feather, while Linghu Xiang negotiated a double share for himself. Yang Hengchang refused, then suggested the Phoenix Feather still belonged to the Rare Treasures Pavilion because its sale to the Sword Pavilion might not have been completed, leaving Liao Dunqi furious and the ownership in doubt.

• Hao Jinghai, Xiang Guiqing, and Zhong Tianlang demanded that Linghu Xiang surrender the Phoenix Feather and discussed dividing its value.
• Hao Jinghai offered to return the Phoenix Feather to Yang Hengchang if Yang supplied treasures equal in value to the original bid.
• Linghu Xiang agreed to surrender the Phoenix Feather only for a double share, and Hao Jinghai, Xiang Guiqing, and Zhong Tianlang accepted.
• Liao Dunqi objected to Hao Jinghai’s proposed payment, but Xiang Guiqing threatened him when he rejected a share.
• Yang Hengchang refused to pay twice for the Phoenix Feather, and Hao Jinghai questioned whether the Sword Pavilion had completed its purchase.
• Yang Hengchang said the Phoenix Feather still belonged to the Rare Treasures Pavilion, prompting Liao Dunqi to demand an explanation.

After the Saint Thief took the Phoenix Feather, Yang Hengchang argued that his Sword Pavilion’s original bid was void because the Rare Treasures Pavilion had never delivered it. Hao Jinghai then proposed that the feather belonged to everyone, leaving the group to bargain over its reduced value.

• Yang Hengchang said the Sword Pavilion’s original bid did not count because the Rare Treasures Pavilion had failed to protect and deliver the Phoenix Feather.
• Hao Jinghai argued that the Phoenix Feather belonged to everyone because the Saint Thief had seized it and given it to them.
• Hao Jinghai invited bids for the feather, while Liao Dunqi objected and Yang Hengchang insisted its leaked aura had lowered its value.
• Yang Hengchang offered one-tenth of the feather’s earlier value, and Linghu Xiang, Xiang Guiqing, and Zhong Tianlang called the offer too low.
• Yang Hengchang raised his offer to one-eighth and said he would otherwise take a share instead.

Linghu Xiang offered the whereabouts of the ancient Evil Blade, Tiger Wing, in exchange for the Phoenix Feather, and promised to share the information with everyone present. After revealing half the clues, he secured their agreement that the Phoenix Feather belonged to him before giving them the rest.

• Yang Hengchang offered only an eighth of the Phoenix Feather's original price, while Liao Dunqi realized his Rare Treasures Pavilion would bear the responsibility for its loss.
• Linghu Xiang rejected Yang Hengchang's offer and proposed trading the Phoenix Feather for the whereabouts of Tiger Wing at his original price.
• Hao Jinghai and the others objected that they could not divide the information, so Linghu Xiang promised to tell all of them what he knew.
• Linghu Xiang transmitted half the information to the group, whose members grew excited and demanded the rest.
• Linghu Xiang withheld the remaining clues until everyone confirmed the Phoenix Feather belonged to him, and Hao Jinghai agreed.

Linghu Xiang demanded that his pursuers show sincerity before he revealed the rest of what he knew about Tiger Wing, and they let him leave their encirclement. He appeared to agree to tell them, but instead began thanking those who had helped him obtain Phoenix Feather, leaving his true plan unclear.

• Zhong Tianlang and the others offered to give Linghu Xiang Phoenix Feather if he shared everything he knew about Tiger Wing.
• Linghu Xiang pointed out that the group still surrounded him and demanded they move aside before he revealed the rest.
• Hao Jinghai and Liao Dunqi argued that Linghu Xiang could not escape the Rare Treasures Pavilion's formations, and Hao Jinghai told Xiang Guiqing to move.
• Xiang Guiqing opened a path, and Linghu Xiang walked out of the five men's encirclement.
• Linghu Xiang said he would trust the group and reveal the remaining information, but then began thanking Saint Thief, Yang Hengchang, and the Rare Treasures Pavilion.

Linghu Xiang tricked Hao Jinghai and the other four men, then fled through the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s formations. Huang Xiao and his companions were heading toward the outskirts when Linghu Xiang caught up with them, and Zhangsun Youyue warned Huang Xiao that the pursuers were close.

• Liao Dunqi recognized that Linghu Xiang was stalling, but Linghu Xiang used Sound Art to daze the five men and escape.
• Linghu Xiang raced into the formations and navigated them with ease, leaving Hao Jinghai, Liao Dunqi, Yang Hengchang, Xiang Guiqing, and Zhong Tianlang stunned.
• Hao Jinghai memorized Linghu Xiang’s footwork and led the others through the formations in pursuit.
• Huang Xiao unraveled the formations as he guided his companions toward the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s outskirts, while Zhangsun Youyue watched the struggle over the Phoenix Feather.
• Zhangsun Youyue spotted Linghu Xiang rapidly approaching and warned Huang Xiao that the pursuers were catching up.

As Linghu Xiang pursued Huang Xiao’s group through the Rare Treasures Pavilion, Zhangsun Youyue laid a formation to delay him while Huang Xiao hurried to break the remaining formations. Linghu Xiang saw through her trap and vanished toward the group, leaving them in immediate danger.

• Zhu Yang explained that Linghu Xiang had followed the route Huang Xiao’s group took through the formations to reach them.
• Zhangsun Youyue planted seven jade plaques and formed a barrier behind the group to try to hold Linghu Xiang back.
• Zhangsun Youyue doubted her hastily laid formation could stop a Void Martial Realm expert, while Huang Xiao focused on breaking the remaining formations faster.
• Linghu Xiang charged into Zhangsun Youyue’s formation, saw through its altered scenery, and vanished from where he stood.

Linghu Xiang caught up with Huang Xiao and the others, but agreed to wait while Huang Xiao broke the formations so he could escape. Huang Xiao reached the final, hardest formation and stalled, leaving Linghu Xiang impatient as Zhangsun Youyue protected Xiao Qing from his pressure.

• Linghu Xiang appeared before Xiao Qing and focused on Huang Xiao, who had been breaking the formations.
• Zhangsun Youyue urged Linghu Xiang not to disturb Huang Xiao, and Linghu Xiang agreed to wait half a quarter-hour for him to find a way out.
• Linghu Xiang realized Hao Jinghai and his four companions were trapped behind them, though he expected Liao Dunqi to help them escape soon.
• Huang Xiao broke through the formations quickly until he reached the final formation, where he stopped because he could not yet see through it.
• Zhangsun Youyue told Linghu Xiang that the formation was likely the hardest to unravel, and he demanded her name and mocked her Bishui Palace master.
• Xiao Qing rebuked Linghu Xiang, but his cold glare frightened her until Zhangsun Youyue stepped in front of her.

Huang Xiao broke the formation, and Linghu Xiang forced Zhangsun Youyue and the others to test the route before he followed. When Yang Hengchang and the others broke free behind him, Linghu Xiang grabbed Huang Xiao and rushed into the formation.

• Linghu Xiang learned that Zhangsun Youyue was Bishui Palace’s cherished disciple and reconsidered how he treated her and Huang Xiao.
• Hao Jinghai, Shopkeeper Liao, Zhong Tianlang, and two others entered Zhangsun Youyue’s formation, where they struggled to find their way through.
• Zhangsun Youyue explained that the formation had grown stronger because it had been set up earlier, buying Huang Xiao time to break the final formation.
• Huang Xiao announced that he had broken the formation, but Linghu Xiang ordered Zhangsun Youyue and the others to test his route while he kept Huang Xiao behind.
• Yang Hengchang and the others broke out behind Linghu Xiang, who seized Huang Xiao and charged into the formation.

Linghu Xiang escaped the Rare Treasures Pavilion after using Huang Xiao’s footwork instructions, while Yang Hengchang and the others pursued him. Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue were injured stopping Yang Hengchang’s attack and prepared to return to the Water Pavilion.

• Liao Dunqi recognized the formation and led Yang Hengchang, Hao Jinghai, and the others through it after Linghu Xiang.
• Linghu Xiang saw Zhangsun Youyue and the others leave the formation, used Huang Xiao’s instructions to escape, and tossed Huang Xiao aside before vanishing.
• Yang Hengchang attacked Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue, but they deflected his Sword Qi and suffered minor injuries.
• Liao Dunqi urged Yang Hengchang to prioritize chasing Linghu Xiang, and the group left in pursuit.
• Zhangsun Youyue sent Xiao Qing and Zhu Yang to fetch the carriage, then returned toward the Water Pavilion with Huang Xiao.

Zhangsun Youyue and her companions fled the Rare Treasures Pavilion as the Saint Thief smashed its formations and fighting erupted around the pavilion. As they tried to escape the chaos, Zhu Yang defended their carriage from a mob while Huang Xiao recovered from his injuries.

• Zhangsun Youyue invited the injured Huang Xiao onto the carriage, and he sat beside the driver as they headed back to the Water Pavilion.
• The Saint Thief destroyed the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s surrounding formations, and Huang Xiao realized from his weakened voice that the Saint Thief was seriously injured.
• Fighting broke out inside the pavilion, and Zhangsun Youyue ordered the driver to hurry away as crowds poured outside.
• Huang Xiao recognized that the Saint Thief had likely caused chaos to cover his escape, though he doubted he could evade the three pavilion masters.
• A group of ambushers joined the fighting crowd and attacked the carriage, so Zhu Yang cut down those blocking their path and prepared to face the rest.

Zhu Yang fought off Jianghu practitioners who attacked Zhangsun Youyue’s carriage after rumors spread that it held the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment. Liao Dunqi arrived and promised that the Rare Treasures Pavilion would recover treasures traded at the Rare Treasures Tower and compensate their owners, while Huang Xiao’s carriage continued on its way.

• Zhu Yang killed and wounded attackers who charged the carriage, while rumors about the Heavenly Cicada Gauze Garment made the crowd suspect it held a priceless treasure.
• Zhangsun Youyue reasoned that schemers were using treasure rumors to stir up chaos, and Huang Xiao agreed that the carriage might have been targeted by chance.
• Xiao Qing prepared to defend the carriage, but Huang Xiao told her that Zhu Yang was enough.
• Zhu Yang slaughtered more attackers until the survivors scattered, then rode ahead with Liu Yu to clear a path.
• Liao Dunqi arrived and promised to safeguard treasures acquired at the Rare Treasures Tower, recover stolen treasures, and compensate their owners.