Chapter Summaries

Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue faced questions from Yonglian and Yongxu after Huang Xiao defeated them in Sound Arts, while Chenwu exposed the monks’ resentment over their damaged reputation. Chenwu joined Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue on their journey to the Imperial City, leaving the Small Buddha Temple monks behind.

• Yonglian and Yongxu questioned whether the dead men belonged to the Demonic Path, but Zhangsun Youyue reminded them that Huang Xiao had overwhelmed them in Sound Arts.
• Chenwu arrived and taunted Yonglian and Yongxu for claiming to disdain the Dragon Rankings despite lacking disciples strong enough to compete.
• Huang Xiao tried to leave with Zhangsun Youyue, but Yonglian stopped him and again demanded to know whether his flute music was a demonic Sound Art.
• Chenwu explained that the monks resented Huang Xiao for defeating them and damaging their reputation as unmatched in Sound Arts among their peers.
• Chenwu asked to accompany Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue to the Imperial City, and Zhangsun Youyue welcomed him.

After Yonglian and Yongxu lost to Huang Xiao, they planned to use their Dragon Rankings connections against him. Meanwhile, Yao Qiu sought permission to avenge his murdered son, and Chao Jue decided to investigate the matter himself.

• Yonglian and Yongxu agreed to enlist Jia Kong and their other allies to keep Huang Xiao off the Dragon Rankings, while planning to investigate him and the woman traveling with him.
• Yao Qiu raged over his son's murder as Deputy Hall Master Peng arrived with Chao Jue and heard the account of what happened.
• Yao Qiu asked to avenge his son immediately, and Deputy Hall Master Peng agreed to speak on his behalf in exchange for benefits.
• Yao Qiu recognized Chao Jue's standing in the Heavenly Demon Hall and offered the Fallen Help's services.
• Chao Jue decided to go see the man who killed Yao Qiu's son, despite Deputy Hall Master Peng's warning, and ordered Peng Ku not to follow.

Peng Ku assigned Yao Qiu to protect Chao Jue during his journey to the Imperial City, while Huang Xiao and his companions continued toward the Ranking Contest. After Chenwu reflected on Brother Ling’s abilities and his own Mind-Reading Technique, Huang Xiao and Chenwu caught a concealed pursuer, leaving the man captured and unable to flee.

• Peng Ku ordered Yao Qiu to keep Chao Jue safe, and Yao Qiu agreed to accompany him while concealing his identity.
• Huang Xiao, Zhangsun Youyue, Xiao Qing, and Chenwu rested at a tea stall and discussed their journey to the Imperial City.
• Huang Xiao and Chenwu left the stall after sensing someone nearby, and Zhangsun Youyue followed with Xiao Qing.
• Huang Xiao and Chenwu raced ahead, and Chenwu considered Brother Ling’s abilities and the risks of using his Mind-Reading Technique.
• Huang Xiao and Chenwu chased a man into the woods, sealed his acupoints, and demanded to know why he had been spying on them.

Huang Xiao and his companions captured a skilled man who had secretly followed them, and Zhangsun Youyue identified him as Ding Shiba, a Ding Grade Hidden Demon Guard from the Demon Hall. The group learned about the Guard’s role and hierarchy, while questions remained about the mysterious Elders’ Council and the approaching Thousand-Year Period.

• Huang Xiao dislocated the follower’s jaw and removed his human-skin mask, revealing a young man who refused to talk.
• Zhangsun Youyue said Chenwu could use his Mind-Reading Art, prompting the captive to agree to answer some questions.
• Ding Shiba identified himself as a Ding Grade Hidden Demon Guard, and Huang Xiao explained that he did not sense any demonic cultivation in him.
• Chenwu and Zhangsun Youyue explained that the Hidden Demon Guard was an intelligence division serving the Demon Hall’s mysterious Elders’ Council and outlined its five grades.
• Huang Xiao asked whether the Elders’ Council was the Demon Hall’s strongest force, and Chenwu said its strength and membership were unknown as the Thousand-Year Period approached.

Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue questioned Ding Shiba and learned that powerful forces from several Jianghu paths had secretly gathered around Imperial Province. Chenwu revealed that Shangqing Temple and Bishui Palace were investigating the operation, but its purpose remained unknown as the Imperial Province Ranking Contest approached.

• Ding Shiba explained that he had been ordered to watch powerful Righteous Path experts entering Imperial Province, though he knew little about the plan behind the order.
• Chenwu revealed that Shangqing Temple had sent him and other experts to Imperial Province on an assignment related to the secret operation, while Zhangsun Youyue learned that Bishui Palace had also sent investigators without informing her.
• Chenwu said that the Sword Pavilion and other sects from the Righteous Path, Evil Dao, Monster Dao, and Ghost Dao had secretly deployed numerous experts near and within Imperial Province.
• Chenwu warned Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue that something major was likely to happen during the Imperial Province Ranking Contest and that the Sword Pavilion might interfere.
• Ding Shiba realized that the unusual presence of Jianghu experts from multiple paths around Imperial Province was connected to the operation.

Huang Xiao and the others questioned Ding Shiba about the Demon Hall’s three young masters and learned that Pang Yi, Chao Jue, and Lou Feishang had all reached the Half-Step Martial Realm and mastered the fourth form of their saber arts. The chapter leaves Huang Xiao assessing Pang Yi as a formidable rival, though his own ninth-stage Heavenly Demon Skill gives him some chance against him.

• Ding Shiba confirmed that Pang Yi, Chao Jue, and Lou Feishang were the Demon Hall’s candidates for the Ranking Contest and that all three had reached the Half-Step Martial Realm.
• Ding Shiba revealed that all three young masters’ demonic arts remained at the eighth stage, while Pang Yi’s God-Burying Demonic Art made him far stronger than the other two.
• Ding Shiba said Pang Yi had a strong chance of becoming the next Demon Hall Master, and Zhangsun Youyue suggested that his death could leave the position to Chao Jue or Lou Feishang.
• Huang Xiao asked about Pang Yi’s saber technique, and Ding Shiba revealed that all three young masters had mastered the fourth form of their saber arts.
• Huang Xiao concluded that Pang Yi remained a formidable opponent, but his own ninth-stage Heavenly Demon Skill gave him some chance of keeping pace.

Huang Xiao and his companions questioned Ding Shiba about Pang Yi and the Demon Hall’s plans, then released him and discussed the Sword Pavilion’s involvement. Chenwu hurried to report the intelligence, while Zhangsun Youyue and Huang Xiao continued toward the Imperial City and talked about the upcoming Ranking Contest.

• Ding Shiba told Huang Xiao that Pang Yi had reached the eighth stage of the God-Burying Demonic Art and mastered the Fourth Form of its saber technique.
• Zhangsun Youyue released Ding Shiba, and he left after confirming they were letting him go.
• Chenwu explained that the Demon Hall and Sword Pavilion’s involvement required caution, then departed to report the matter to Shangqing Temple’s elders.
• Zhangsun Youyue decided to send a letter to Bishui Palace, and she and Huang Xiao agreed to continue to the Imperial City for the Ranking Contest.
• Zhangsun Youyue asked Huang Xiao whether he thought he could defeat Pang Yi, and Huang Xiao avoided giving a firm answer.

Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue discussed the strength of Pang Yi, Li Chaoxun, and Jiang Liuli as they traveled toward the Imperial City for the Ranking Contest. A day later, two Demonic Path figures blocked their way, and Huang Xiao recognized the young man's weapon as an imitation of the Supreme Demon Saber.

• Zhangsun Youyue asked whether Huang Xiao could defeat Pang Yi, and Huang Xiao said he was preparing for the possibility that Pang Yi had advanced beyond the strength they knew.
• Zhangsun Youyue asked about Li Chaoxun and Jiang Liuli; Huang Xiao said he and Li Chaoxun had both held back, and that Jiang Liuli was strong but still far below Li Chaoxun.
• Huang Xiao and Zhangsun Youyue continued toward the Imperial City, each uneasy about what awaited them there: Huang Xiao needed the final three stages of the Heavenly Demon Skill, while Zhangsun Youyue worried about the Sword Pavilion's plan and Bishui Palace.
• A day later, Huang Xiao, Zhangsun Youyue, and Xiao Qing encountered an old Demonic Path expert and a young man who had come to block their way.
• Huang Xiao sensed that the old man had recently entered the void martial realm, then recognized the young man's saber as an imitation of the Supreme Demon Saber.

Huang Xiao identified Chao Jue of the Heavenly Demon Hall and Yao Qiu of the Fallen Help, while Zhangsun Youyue and Chao Jue recognized each other. Chao Jue claimed Zhangsun Youyue as his opponent and sent Yao Qiu after Huang Xiao, leaving Zhangsun concerned as the confrontation began.

• Huang Xiao sensed that Chao Jue was a young Half-Step Martial Realm expert who practiced the Heavenly Demon Skill, and told Zhangsun Youyue that Yao Qiu was connected to the Fallen Help.
• Zhangsun Youyue recognized Chao Jue, and he identified her as Zhangsun Youyue of Bishui Palace.
• Yao Qiu decided to avoid harming Zhangsun Youyue but blamed Huang Xiao for his son's and deputy's deaths and intended to attack him.
• Zhangsun Youyue mentioned Pang Yi, provoking Chao Jue's resentment, and Chao Jue assigned her to himself while directing Yao Qiu to deal with Huang Xiao.
• Xiao Qing challenged Chao Jue's confidence, and Zhangsun Youyue looked to Huang Xiao with concern.

Huang Xiao led Yao Qiu away from Zhangsun Youyue and the others, then confronted him in a secluded place, provoking him over his refusal to avenge his son against powerful enemies. When Yao Qiu tried to deflect Huang Xiao’s finger force, its unexpected strength forced him to step back.

• Huang Xiao mocked Yao Qiu about his son and prepared to face him while Zhangsun Youyue drew the Illusory Water Sword to fight Chao Jue.
• Huang Xiao suddenly fled from Yao Qiu, leaving Zhangsun Youyue and Chao Jue behind to face each other.
• Yao Qiu chased Huang Xiao until Huang Xiao stopped beside a quiet river and called the area a suitable burial ground.
• Huang Xiao accused Yao Qiu of fearing powerful enemies, and Yao Qiu admitted he could not avenge his son against the true killers because of their backing.
• Huang Xiao pointed at Yao Qiu and launched a finger force; Yao Qiu tried to disperse it but was surprised by its power and forced back a step.

Huang Xiao fought Yao Qiu after luring him away, and Yao Qiu’s attempt to kill him intensified when he discovered Huang Xiao’s Heavenly Demon Skill. The two clashed at full strength, while Demon Phoenix watched and studied Huang Xiao’s abilities.

• Huang Xiao evaded Yao Qiu’s attacks with Lingbo Ethereal Steps, and their blows caused enough destruction to worry them about attracting attention.
• Huang Xiao revealed his Heavenly Demon Skill, disrupting Yao Qiu’s control of heaven and earth momentum and making Yao Qiu realize Huang Xiao had important backing.
• Yao Qiu decided to kill Huang Xiao and frame Chao Jue, believing he could conceal the crime and protect himself.
• Huang Xiao said he would not let Yao Qiu leave alive, then met Yao Qiu’s attack with Heavenly Demon Subduing Tiger Fist at seventh-stage force.
• Huang Xiao and Yao Qiu traded powerful attacks across the ruined ground as Demon Phoenix watched and noted Huang Xiao’s impressive techniques.

Huang Xiao fought Yao Qiu through the latter’s increasingly powerful sword techniques, revealing enough strength to surprise the Void Martial Realm expert. After Yao Qiu unleashed the seventh sword of the Fallen Seven Swords, Huang Xiao used his Minghong Saber to meet its compressed sword glint, and the chapter ended as the collision’s force struck his blade.

• Huang Xiao used his healing, internal-power recovery, and martial arts to hold Yao Qiu in a deadlock until Yao Qiu drew his longsword.
• Yao Qiu attacked with the fifth sword of the Fallen Seven Swords, but Huang Xiao deflected the sword glints with his palms while dodging.
• Yao Qiu unleashed the sixth sword, surrounding Huang Xiao with a thousand sword glints, and Huang Xiao charged through them using his Heavenly Demon True Qi and unarmed attacks.
• Yao Qiu was astonished by Huang Xiao’s protective true qi, then launched the seventh sword as Huang Xiao charged toward him.
• The seventh sword’s glints merged into one, so Huang Xiao drew the Minghong Saber and used the fourth form of the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber to meet it.
• Huang Xiao braced the Minghong Saber across his chest, and the force of the collision struck the blade.

Huang Xiao survived Yao Qiu’s seventh sword and faced his newly created Eighth Sword, which blended the Fallen Seven Swords with the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber Techniques. As Huang Xiao recognized and countered its moves, he gained a sudden insight into the fifth form of the saber techniques, though the chapter ended before he revealed the result.

• Huang Xiao blocked the remaining force of Yao Qiu’s seventh sword with the Minghong Saber and neutralized what entered his meridians.
• Yao Qiu revealed that he had created an Eighth Sword inspired by the later forms of the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber Techniques and challenged Huang Xiao to withstand it.
• Yao Qiu attacked with the Eighth Sword, but Huang Xiao recognized its borrowed saber moves and began countering his swordsmanship.
• Huang Xiao’s fight with Yao Qiu prompted him to envision the Minghong Saber completing the fifth form of the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber Techniques.
• Huang Xiao realized the imagined saber had passed the point where his true qi usually failed, and a flash of inspiration followed as the saber continued the technique.

Huang Xiao mastered the Fifth Form of the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber Techniques while killing Yao Qiu, then returned to help Zhangsun Youyue, but Chao Jue escaped. Afterward, Chao Jue found Yao Qiu’s corpse and recognized the saber technique that had killed him.

• Yao Qiu attacked Huang Xiao, who mastered the Fifth Form and severed Yao Qiu’s wrist before splitting him in two.
• Demon Phoenix discussed Huang Xiao’s breakthrough with him, and Huang Xiao hurried back after remembering Zhangsun Youyue was fighting Chao Jue.
• Chao Jue fled when Huang Xiao returned, while Zhangsun Youyue said people from the Jianghu were approaching and urged them to leave.
• Chao Jue found Yao Qiu’s corpse and identified the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber Techniques, deciding to ask Peng Ku about the killing.
• Huang Xiao, Zhangsun Youyue, and Xiao Qing traveled several dozen li away, and Zhangsun Youyue recovered her internal power along the way.

Huang Xiao reached Imperial City with Zhangsun Youyue and Xiao Qing, where people discussed the investigation into Yao Qiu’s death. With the Ranking Contest five days away, Huang Xiao searched for lodging but found every inn full, then heard that the contest rules had been announced.

• Zhangsun Youyue guessed that Huang Xiao had killed Yao Qiu, and he tacitly admitted it.
• Three days later, Huang Xiao and the two women reached Imperial City, where he asked Zhangsun Youyue to help find Chen Jiao.
• At the city gate, they heard that Yao Qiu and other people had been killed, and that the Imperial Court and Heavenly Sword Sect were investigating.
• Zhangsun Youyue offered Huang Xiao a place at Bishui Palace’s residence, but he declined and accepted her offer to find him an inn.
• Huang Xiao found every inn full, then heard people calling out that the Ranking Contest rules had been announced.

Huang Xiao read the Tiger and Dragon Rankings rules with Wang Lin and Cheng Duanjin, who hoped to place highly in the contest. Wang Lin insulted the veteran Tiger Rankings experts, and Lang Tao, the Water-Cutting Saber ranked third, confronted them.

• Huang Xiao pushed through the crowd and ran into Wang Lin and Cheng Duanjin, who had been searching for him in the Imperial City.
• Huang Xiao brought them to the notices and read the rules for the Tiger Rankings and Dragon Rankings contests.
• Wang Lin declared that Cheng Duanjin should aim for the top ten, and Cheng Duanjin said the field was too strong for first place to be realistic.
• A nearby martial artist mocked Wang Lin's ambition, and she retorted that the veteran top ten had stopped improving and would become stepping stones.
• Lang Tao, the Water-Cutting Saber ranked third on the Tiger Rankings, heard Wang Lin's insult and challenged her to name who would use him as a stepping stone.

Wang Lin and Cheng Duanjin invited Huang Xiao to stay at their inn, and he accepted. After arriving, Huang Xiao decided to enter the Ranking Contest with his true face so that the Heavenly Demon Hall would notice him and he could pursue the final levels of the Heavenly Demon Skill.

• Wang Lin and Cheng Duanjin said they would challenge powerful contestants, and Huang Xiao urged them to aim high.
• Wang Lin offered Huang Xiao one of the empty rooms at her inn, and he agreed to stay with them.
• Huang Xiao, Wang Lin, and Cheng Duanjin walked to the inn, stopping to eat along the way, where Wang Lin bought wine for Demon Phoenix.
• Demon Phoenix asked Huang Xiao what identity he would use in the Ranking Contest and urged him to draw the Heavenly Demon Hall's attention.
• Huang Xiao restored his original appearance and chose to compete under his true identity, accepting the trouble it might bring.

Huang Xiao revealed his true identity to Wang Lin and Cheng Duanjin, then joined them to inspect the Ranking Contest grounds. As they set out, he admitted that he was not the Transcendent Immortal Sword Lord’s successor.

• Wang Lin questioned Huang Xiao until Cheng Duanjin recognized him as the man who had saved his life and explained their earlier encounter.
• Huang Xiao showed Wang Lin that he had been disguised as her Uncle Huang, and asked her and Cheng Duanjin to call him Brother Huang.
• Wang Lin told Huang Xiao that preparations for the Ranking Contest’s first-stage elimination were underway, and he agreed to inspect the grounds with her and Cheng Duanjin.
• Huang Xiao left the inn with Wang Lin and Cheng Duanjin, carrying his restored Minghong Saber and long flute while Demon Phoenix rested on his shoulder.
• Wang Lin asked about rumors that Huang Xiao was an impostor, and Huang Xiao confirmed that he was not the Transcendent Immortal Sword Lord’s successor.

Huang Xiao and his companions learned that the Main Arena would host Tiger Rankings bouts and could also be used for sanctioned fights. Lang Tao provoked Wang Lin and Cheng Duanjin into a challenge, while Huang Xiao suspected a distant Half-Step Martial Realm expert was behind Lang Tao's actions.

• Huang Xiao saw the completed Main Arena and learned it would host the Tiger Rankings contest and possibly the first Dragon Rankings selection.
• Lang Tao told Wang Lin and Cheng Duanjin they were unqualified to compete in the Main Arena, then provoked them while glancing at Huang Xiao.
• Huang Xiao noticed a distant Half-Step Martial Realm expert watching them and suspected Lang Tao was acting on someone's instructions.
• Lang Tao explained that Jianghu fighters could apply to settle disputes in the Main Arena, where fights could be to the death.
• Wang Lin accepted Lang Tao's challenge, and Huang Xiao again noticed the old man watching the confrontation.

Wang Lin and Cheng Duanjin agreed that Cheng Duanjin would face Lang Tao in a death match, while Huang Xiao watched a suspicious old man. At the arena, Blood Ghost Luo Ji confronted Lang Tao and announced he would challenge him in the third stage of the Ranking Contest.

• Huang Xiao chose Cheng Duanjin to fight Lang Tao first, and Cheng Duanjin stepped forward despite Wang Lin wanting to go.
• Huang Xiao's group reached the death-match arena, where a fighter died and the next bouts proceeded.
• The arena official recognized Lang Tao as the third-ranked expert on the Tiger Rankings, and Wang Lin disputed his reputation as a righteous hero.
• Blood Ghost Luo Ji arrived, called Lang Tao a hypocrite, and said he would challenge him in the third stage after losing to him repeatedly.
• Huang Xiao noticed the old man's reaction to Luo Ji's accusation and suspected the man was acting on someone else's orders.
• Wang Lin urged Lang Tao to apply for the death match and told Luo Ji and the official not to interfere.