Chapter Summaries

Huang Xiao tried to stabilize two unconscious women whose opposing cold and hot true qi had begun to run wild, but his efforts put all three in danger. He drew their true qi into his dantian and began converting it into his own, risking serious harm to himself and a lasting loss of their power and realms.

• Huang Xiao's attempt to suppress both women's rampaging true qi failed when it erupted again and scattered the power he had sent into their meridians.
• The women murmured "Cold" and "Hot" while unconscious, and Huang Xiao decided to withdraw his true qi and draw in theirs instead.
• Huang Xiao used his dantian to pull both streams of true qi into his meridians, where the cold and hot forces clashed and injured him.
• The women's true qi surged into Huang Xiao's dantian, and he began converting it into his own true qi to stop it from wreaking havoc.
• Huang Xiao realized that absorbing their power could severely weaken the women and might cause their Half-Step Martial Realm cultivation to fall.

Huang Xiao tried to replenish Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli’s depleted true qi, but their meridians rejected his own. He disguised his healing true qi to match each woman’s aura, only for Zhangsun Youyue’s body to turn dangerously cold and Jiang Liuli’s to grow dangerously hot.

• Huang Xiao found that Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli remained unconscious and that their depleted meridians were beginning to wither.
• Huang Xiao tried using his Everlasting Spring Youth-Restoring Divine Art and then Heavenly Demon True Qi, but both were rejected by the women’s meridians.
• Huang Xiao used the Ten Thousand Demons Formless Art’s principles to disguise two streams of his healing true qi as the women’s own auras.
• Zhangsun Youyue’s meridians began freezing while Jiang Liuli’s began burning after Huang Xiao increased the flow of the disguised true qi.

Huang Xiao stabilized Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli by exchanging the cold and scorching true qi in their bodies, and both women began recovering under their own control. As he neared the end of the treatment, Monster Dao and Ghost Dao groups gathered nearby, and he sensed a disguised man who seemed to be someone who should not be there.

• Huang Xiao switched the cold and scorching true qi between Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli, easing their dangerous temperatures and allowing their meridians to accept the energy.
• Huang Xiao continued supplying true qi as both women regained consciousness, guided their own energy, and began repairing their injuries.
• Huang Xiao estimated that the treatment needed just under another hour, while his own true qi was rapidly running low.
• Huang Xiao sensed approaching people and spotted a familiar-looking man whose face appeared disguised, but the man moved out of sight.
• Huang Xiao identified a gathering of Monster Dao cultivators outside his formation, then sensed a second group of Ghost Dao cultivators approaching.

Huang Xiao hid with two injured women as a group searched nearby, then killed Brother Chen when he discovered their illusion formation. The other four men remained outside, unaware of what had happened.

• Huang Xiao sensed two familiar auras among the Ghost Dao group and worried they might see through his illusion formation.
• The two women exchanged true qi through Huang Xiao to heal, while he watched the searchers outside.
• The two familiar men left with a dozen others, heading toward the Longevity Pill Manual after planning to collect formation marks.
• Brother Chen left the other four men to relieve himself and stumbled into Huang Xiao's hidden space.
• Brother Chen recognized the illusion formation and moved to attack the injured group, but Huang Xiao struck him down with a blade aura.

Huang Xiao killed Brother Chen after the man stumbled into his illusion formation, then took his formation mark while the two women continued healing. When Brother Chen’s companions came looking for him, one entered the formation and vanished, leaving the others to realize a formation was there.

• Huang Xiao turned the two women so they could heal each other, then killed Brother Chen with a saber strike when he discovered them.
• Huang Xiao took Brother Chen’s token and transferred its formation mark to his Identity Token, bringing his total to twenty-four.
• Huang Xiao watched Brother Chen’s four companions from within the illusion formation and waited for the women to recover before attacking.
• After Brother Chen failed to return, his companions followed his route and one flew over the boulder, only to disappear into the formation.
• The three remaining men recognized that a formation was hiding something and leaped back, calling out to their vanished companion.

Huang Xiao used the formation to ambush and kill three men who had been drawn in by rumors of treasure, then confronted the two survivors and pursued one as they fled. He caught up to his target, who wondered why Huang Xiao had chosen to chase him.

• Huang Xiao transferred a Formation Mark to his Identity Token, bringing his total to twenty-five and strengthening his perception of the Longevity Pill Manual.
• Huang Xiao killed a man who entered the formation, while the three men outside remained unable to see or hear what happened inside.
• The three men charged into the formation one after another, and Huang Xiao killed the first before the second saw him and retreated with the third.
• Huang Xiao left the formation and faced the two survivors, who recognized him and fled in different directions.
• Huang Xiao pursued one fleeing man and caught up to him.

Huang Xiao killed the two attackers and returned to find Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli recovered. After the women argued over Huang Xiao and their plans, he collected three Formation Marks, bringing his total to twenty-eight, but still needed more to improve his sense of the Longevity Pill Manual's location.

• Huang Xiao killed one attacker with the fifth form of the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber Techniques and pursued the other, then returned with three Identity Tokens.
• Zhangsun Youyue thanked Huang Xiao, while Jiang Liuli questioned how much his strength had increased and Zhangsun Youyue defended him.
• Jiang Liuli warned Zhangsun Youyue that Bishui Palace might punish her for becoming too close to Huang Xiao, and Zhangsun Youyue's expression changed.
• Jiang Liuli planned to rejoin the Sword Pavilion, while Zhangsun Youyue warned that she was still too injured to travel safely alone.
• Huang Xiao looked away after noticing the slits in the women's dresses, and both women used silk and internal force to sew them shut.
• Huang Xiao transferred three Formation Marks to his Identity Token, raising his total to twenty-eight, and concluded that he needed thirty to sense the Longevity Pill Manual more clearly.

Huang Xiao revealed that he had collected twenty-eight Formation Marks, astonishing Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli, and asked them about their purpose. Zhangsun Youyue explained that the marks provide safety within the formation and lead toward the Longevity Pill Manual, which was divided among several Jade Slips.

• Jiang Liuli and Zhangsun Youyue were surprised by the number of Formation Marks Huang Xiao had gathered and realized he must have killed many experts.
• Huang Xiao said he had twenty-eight marks, and Zhangsun Youyue counted thirty Identity Tokens including the two Huang Xiao had given her and Jiang Liuli.
• Huang Xiao explained what he knew about the marks, the formation, and the Longevity Pill Manual, then asked Zhangsun Youyue to clarify its significance.
• Zhangsun Youyue said one Formation Mark kept its holder safe for three days and that the Longevity Pill was believed to extend life.
• Zhangsun Youyue explained that historical records described the Longevity Pill Manual as several parts recorded on Jade Slips.

Huang Xiao learned that the Longevity Pill Manual was divided among many jade slips and that the Ranking Contest had been arranged to gather them. As Jiang Liuli and Zhangsun Youyue explained the formation’s deadly rules, Huang Xiao noticed a possible contradiction and asked Zhangsun Youyue about Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing.

• Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli explained that the Longevity Pill Manual consisted of many jade slips and that major powers sought to collect them during the Ranking Contest.
• Jiang Liuli revealed that the old powers had concealed the contest’s true purpose and that all its participants might die while retrieving the manual.
• Jiang Liuli explained that killing others caused their Formation Marks to change and increased their protection inside the grand formation.
• Jiang Liuli and Zhangsun Youyue said Void Martial Realm experts could not enter because the Formation Marks only protected those up to the half-step Martial Realm.
• Huang Xiao questioned that restriction and asked Zhangsun Youyue whether she remembered Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing from the Rare Treasures Pavilion in Mist City.

Huang Xiao told Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli that Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing had entered the formation despite being Void Martial Realm experts. The women considered how the two might have survived entry, and Jiang Liuli wondered whether they could be killed inside.

• Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli questioned Huang Xiao after he identified Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing as being nearby.
• Huang Xiao explained that he had sensed both men leading their factions inside the formation while he treated Zhangsun Youyue.
• Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli speculated that the Demon and Ghost Factions had used costly, unusual methods to enter.
• Huang Xiao noted that Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing’s presence could disrupt the sects’ plans to obtain the Longevity Pill Manual.
• Zhangsun Youyue suggested the formation might restrict the two experts’ strength, and Jiang Liuli said she looked forward to the possibility of them dying there.

Huang Xiao spoke with Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli after their injuries improved through mingling their internal power. The three decided to travel together toward the Longevity Pill Manual, despite Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli continuing to trade insults.

• Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli argued over whether Sword God Yi, Li Chaoxun, or Huang Xiao could defeat a Void Martial Realm expert.
• Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli discovered that their internal power had grown stronger after they healed each other.
• Huang Xiao suggested they exchange internal power again, but both women insisted they would not repeat it.
• Huang Xiao offered to escort the women, and Zhangsun Youyue and Jiang Liuli both chose to go with him toward the Longevity Pill Manual.
• Jiang Liuli warned that the Sword Pavilion and its allied groups could ambush travelers, while Zhangsun Youyue continued to demand that she leave.

Jiang Liuli agreed to guide Huang Xiao and the others around the Sword Pavilion’s traps as they headed toward the Longevity Pill Manual. Elsewhere, Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing gathered Identity Tokens for their mission and reflected on the sacrifices they were making for their loved ones.

• Jiang Liuli offered to help Huang Xiao avoid most of the Sword Pavilion’s ambushes, while Zhangsun Youyue accused her of trying to deceive them.
• Jiang Liuli teased Zhangsun Youyue about her feelings for Huang Xiao, and Zhangsun Youyue angrily admitted she wanted to be with him.
• Huang Xiao changed the subject and asked Jiang Liuli to guide the group toward the location of the Longevity Pill Manual.
• Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing’s men killed a group of people and delivered twelve Identity Tokens, which Old Wolf combined to strengthen their Formation Marks.
• Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing lamented that they had been forced into a dangerous mission for the sake of the powerful elders who sought the Longevity Pill Manual.
• Zhong Tianlang revealed that he had come for his grandson, hoping the boy would become a disciple of the elders and rise beyond the limits of Zhong Tianlang’s own life.

Xiang Guiqing explained that he had risked everything to seek a cure for the woman he loved, and Zhong Tianlang accepted him as a true friend. The two decided to slaughter young geniuses at the Dragon Rankings' Ranking Contest and steal their Jade Slips, and they learned that a group from the Demon Hall was approaching.

• Xiang Guiqing told Zhong Tianlang that his lover suffered lingering complications from her cultivation and that he had come seeking help to save her.
• Zhong Tianlang acknowledged Xiang Guiqing as his friend and suggested they settle their affairs before enjoying the time they had left.
• Zhong Tianlang proposed killing the young geniuses so the Jianghu would remember their names, and Xiang Guiqing agreed.
• Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing planned to ambush the young experts and take their Jade Slips of the Longevity Pill Manual.
• A subordinate reported that a group believed to be from the Demon Hall was five li away and approaching.

Xiang Guiqing and Zhong Tianlang prepared to assess an approaching Demon Hall group before deciding whether to attack, while Chao Jue and Lou Feishang discussed their dwindling forces and the Formation Marks they would eventually hand to Pang Yi. Chao Jue privately wondered whether Pang Yi would spare them if he rose to power.

• A scout reported that more than twenty Demon Hall members were approaching, and Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing decided to observe them before choosing whether to fight.
• Chao Jue told Lou Feishang that their group had fallen to twenty men, with only sixteen still able to fight, but Lou Feishang said the losses were acceptable if they obtained Formation Marks.
• Lou Feishang sensed that he held ten Formation Marks, while Chao Jue held seven and resented the difference between them.
• Chao Jue and Lou Feishang discussed how the Formation Marks would be consolidated and handed over to Pang Yi, who had brought more men than the other groups.
• Chao Jue privately asked Lou Feishang whether Pang Yi would spare them if he rose to power.

Chao Jue and Lou Feishang feared Pang Yi’s rise and hoped Huang Xiao would challenge him, potentially saving them from retaliation. Their group then encountered a force from the Demon and Ghost Factions blocking their path.

• Chao Jue warned Lou Feishang that past rivals of Hall Masters usually met tragic fates, and that Pang Yi would have the power to eliminate them.
• Chao Jue argued that Huang Xiao might know the fourth or fifth form of the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber Techniques and could fight Pang Yi.
• Lou Feishang realized Huang Xiao’s victory or even a stalemate against Pang Yi could win him Heavenly Demon Hall’s support and keep Pang Yi from becoming Hall Master.
• Chao Jue said he did not know where Huang Xiao came from, but suspected Huang Xiao might be coming for Pang Yi.
• Lou Feishang’s scouts halted, and two old men with more than twenty followers approached, revealing themselves as members of the Demon and Ghost Factions.
• Lou Feishang challenged the newcomers for blocking their way, while his group underestimated them.

Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing ambushed Chao Jue and Lou Feishang’s forces to seize their Formation Marks, overwhelming the two halls’ warriors. Chao Jue and Lou Feishang escaped toward Pang Yi’s forces, leaving their subordinates behind as Zhong Tianlang cursed their retreat.

• Chao Jue and Lou Feishang challenged two unfamiliar old men, while one subordinate recognized their auras as resembling Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing.
• Zhong Tianlang demanded the Formation Marks from Chao Jue and Lou Feishang, then ordered an attack when they refused.
• Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing cut down their opponents with ease as the Demon and Ghost Factions gained the advantage over the two halls’ forces.
• Lou Feishang ordered a breakout, and Chao Jue sent several subordinates back to cover their retreat.
• Chao Jue and Lou Feishang escaped toward Pang Yi’s forces while their men were killed behind them, and Zhong Tianlang called them timid.

Chao Jue and Lou Feishang escaped Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing’s pursuit when the God-Burying Hall intervened, but Pang Yi scorned them for their defeat. As Sword God Yi and Li Chaoxun confronted Pang Yi, Lou Feishang revealed two Identity Tokens, shocking Li Chaoxun with one of them.

• Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing pursued Chao Jue and Lou Feishang until God-Burying Hall forces blocked their path and forced them to retreat.
• Pang Yi arrived and insulted Chao Jue and Lou Feishang for fleeing with only six subordinates left.
• Sword God Yi and Li Chaoxun appeared together, prompting Pang Yi to realize Bishui Palace and the Sword Pavilion had temporarily allied.
• Sword God Yi challenged Pang Yi and mocked Lou Feishang, who produced two Identity Tokens.
• Li Chaoxun recognized Youyue's Token and demanded to know how Lou Feishang had obtained it.

Pang Yi learned that Chao Jue and Lou Feishang had taken Jiang Liuli’s and Zhangsun Youyue’s Identity Tokens, while Sword God Yi and Li Chaoxun withdrew without starting a fight. Huang Xiao continued cautiously toward the Formation Marks with the two women, whose injuries had nearly healed, before detecting someone ahead.

• Pang Yi praised Lou Feishang and Chao Jue for obtaining two Formation Marks, then taunted Sword God Yi over Jiang Liuli’s apparent death.
• Li Chaoxun nearly attacked Lou Feishang over Zhangsun Youyue, but Sword God Yi reminded him of his task, and the two left after exchanging threats with Pang Yi.
• Pang Yi questioned Chao Jue and Lou Feishang and learned that Huang Xiao had driven off their men, though neither woman’s death had been confirmed.
• Pang Yi ordered Chao Jue and Lou Feishang to follow his commands because their forces had been reduced to six men.
• Huang Xiao escorted the two women cautiously toward the Formation Marks as they healed with his Everlasting Spring Ageless True Qi.
• Huang Xiao detected people ahead, and an unseen speaker laughed and remarked on his strength.

Huang Xiao, Jiang Liuli, and Zhangsun Youyue were confronted by Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing, who had entered the formation despite once being Void Martial Realm experts. Huang Xiao realized they had lowered their cultivation to the half-step martial realm at the cost of their dwindling internal power, and the fight began with Zhong Tianlang attacking him and Xiang Guiqing charging the women.

• Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing appeared before Huang Xiao, Jiang Liuli, and Zhangsun Youyue, and Huang Xiao recognized them from the Rare Treasures Pavilion in Mist City.
• Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing discussed killing the young geniuses after failing to kill Chao Jue and Lou Feishang.
• Huang Xiao sensed that the two men were no longer Void Martial Realm experts, and Jiang Liuli and Zhangsun Youyue confirmed that their auras had changed.
• Huang Xiao identified Zhong Tianlang and Xiang Guiqing as half-step martial realm experts whose internal power was slowly dissipating after they lowered their cultivation to enter the formation.
• Zhong Tianlang lunged at Huang Xiao while Xiang Guiqing charged at Jiang Liuli and Zhangsun Youyue, and Huang Xiao warned the women to be careful.

Huang Xiao fought Zhong Tianlang while Jiang Liuli and Zhangsun Youyue joined forces against Xiang Guiqing. Huang Xiao’s uncanny footwork and saber attacks surprised Zhong Tianlang, but Xiang Guiqing eventually gained the upper hand against the two women.

• Jiang Liuli and Zhangsun Youyue attacked Xiang Guiqing together, using their familiarity with each other’s moves to coordinate and keep him occupied.
• Xiang Guiqing avoided using his full strength because doing so would rapidly drain his internal power, while the women’s injuries and exertion began to wear them down.
• Huang Xiao pressured Zhong Tianlang with the Minghong Saber, forcing him to raise his strength and spend his internal power to counter the attacks.
• Huang Xiao used uncanny footwork to evade Zhong Tianlang’s strikes and attack from unexpected angles, though Zhong Tianlang blocked one saber strike and drove him back.
• Xiang Guiqing suppressed Jiang Liuli and Zhangsun Youyue, leaving them in a precarious position despite their coordinated defense.