Chapter Summaries

Yu Zhengxing and the Golden Cores abandoned plans to defend the underground river and Protective Forest, choosing instead to attack the Undead Legion with a surprise flanking force. As the human cultivators prepared for battle, Fang Yazi arrived to take Senior Brother Hou’s place in Gui Team.

• Yu Zhengxing ordered the cultivators to stop defending both fronts and concentrate their strength on destroying the Undead Legion’s airborne contingent.
• Senior Brother Wan and the Golden Cores supported the counterattack, and messages summoned the hidden flanking forces and alerted the other human contingents.
• Yu Zhengxing apologized for the danger to the Protective Forest, while a Golden Core questioned how the Undead Legion had acquired such sophisticated military strategy.
• Yu Zhengxing learned that the flanking force would arrive in fifteen minutes and ordered the Golden Cores to lead a counterattack half a quarter-hour beforehand.
• The Golden Cores prepared forbidden techniques, treasures, and a Flying Ship as the human formation quietly readied its attack.
• Nan Xiangye, Yuan Shangyuan, Fairy Huang, and Wang Gandang prepared for battle and discussed Senior Brother Hou’s absence before Fang Yazi arrived and offered to take his place in Gui Team.

Hou Niao used the chaos of the battle between the Undead Legion and the human-water demon alliance to merge the Water Spirit Pearl into the underground river. Afterward, he left Yin Qingsi to rally everyone to aid the humans still holding out aboveground.

• The Undead Legion swarmed toward the Water Spirit Pearl, and the humans and water demons attacked them, overwhelming them in the underwater battle.
• Hou Niao told Yin Qingsi he planned to make the Water Spirit Pearl merge with the underground river so no one could steal it.
• Hou Niao communicated with the Water Spirit Pearl, agreed to its condition, and watched it dissolve into the river.
• Hou Niao prepared to leave and asked Yin Qingsi to urge everyone to go aboveground after the battle to help the human cultivators holding out there.
• Yin Qingsi agreed and told Hou Niao she would collect a favor from him later.

The human cultivators fought the Undead Legion in the sky above Dragon Whisker Ravine, and Fang Yazi’s swordsmanship led a small team through the enemy ranks. As the Undead pressed their numerical advantage and more defenders faced danger, Lin Xiashi rallied the Qin and Yue Sects to charge; the arrival of over a thousand human cultivators broke the Undead Legion.

• The humans’ surprise attacks killed or wounded more than two thousand Undead, but the Legion regrouped and the battle turned into a prolonged fight with mounting human casualties.
• Fang Yazi led a small team in repeated charges through the Undead formation, impressing Wang Gandang and Nan Xiangye.
• Senior Brother Wan urged Yu Zhengxing to withdraw the Sword Cultivators, but Yu Zhengxing refused to leave his disciples behind.
• Hundreds of human cultivators emerged from beneath the forest belt, and Lin Xiashi led the Qin Sect and Yue Sect into battle.
• More than a thousand human cultivators, including several dozen Golden Core cultivators, joined the fight, and the Undead Legion broke after two hours.

After the Undead Legion was defeated, the human cultivators honored their dead and resolved to defend the Protective Forest. Yu Zhengxing and Senior Brother Wan argued over the losses and the future of Hou Niao, whom Senior Brother Wan planned to transfer away from the Northwest.

• The human cultivators pursued the fleeing Undead for half a month, wiping out the Legion and other Undead across the Binxu Desert.
• More than two thousand cultivators held a memorial rite above the Protective Forest and honored nearly two hundred fallen comrades, including seventeen Sword Cultivators.
• The survivors resolved that the Protective Forest had to endure, and Senior Brother Wan questioned Yu Zhengxing about the battle’s planning and losses.
• Yu Zhengxing defended his approach and privately resolved to keep Hou Niao in the Northwest because he had proved useful in dangerous situations.
• Senior Brother Wan announced that he would transfer Hou Niao to the Minister of Justice Prefecture, leaving Yu Zhengxing unable to object.

After the Yue Sect’s disciples conceded defeat, Hou Niao explained his intentions and shared his approach to sword cultivation, easing tensions with the Northwest cultivators. The group parted on friendly terms, and Fairy Huang invited Fang Yazi to visit the underground river, where the Flowing Sand Lord was waiting to speak with Hou Niao.

• Tang Youzeng lost to the Sword Cultivator, and the other Yue Sect disciples declined to challenge him.
• Yang Guanjun recognized that the Sword Cultivator could defeat him and questioned whether he was a Shanmen True Disciple.
• Hou Niao said he had brought everyone to see the Protective Forest and explained that the Heavenly Dao had guided their timing; the Yue Sect disciples accepted his account and offered to help protect the forest belt.
• Hou Niao taught his junior brothers that sword cultivators should combine techniques to suit their strengths and said he hoped to make his methods public.
• Fairy Huang invited Fang Yazi to the underground river, then told Hou Niao that the Flowing Sand Lord had asked her to invite him down to discuss something important.
• The Yue Sect disciples departed, and the cultivators exchanged friendly farewells.

Hou Niao followed Flowing Sand Lord upstream and encountered Gu Sou for the third time, finding him near a cultivator meditating in the vortex. Gu Sou challenged Hou Niao’s belief that he was saving the world and warned that the emerging Five Elements Spirit Pearls signaled a connection with the universe beyond.

• Hou Niao left his junior brothers at the underground river, where the Water Spirit Pearl’s presence had made the area safe and drawn many cultivators.
• Flowing Sand Lord found Hou Niao in a distant submerged vortex and pointed out a mysterious cultivator seated at its center.
• Hou Niao recognized the figure as Gu Sou, greeted him, and reassured Flowing Sand Lord that Gu Sou posed no threat to the Water Spirit Pearl.
• Gu Sou rebuked Hou Niao for describing his actions as saving nature, arguing that people acted for themselves and that Jinxiu followed its own laws.
• Gu Sou said the Earth and Water Spirit Pearls were objects from beyond the universe and that the remaining Spirit Pearls would appear in time, linking their emergence to the opening of the Heaven and Earth Shackles.

Hou Niao left Dragon Whisker Ravine after helping establish a vast forest belt and accepted Xiao True Person’s Fishman Seal for his new assignment in Pingliang Prefecture. He set out alone, weighing the political entanglements of the post and the chance to pursue his own path toward becoming a True Disciple.

• Hou Niao reassured the Flowing Sand Lord and returned to Dragon Whisker Ravine, where the upheaval had begun to settle and the forest-planting effort was spreading.
• Hou Niao said goodbye to Yu Zhengxing, who told him they would meet again and that he could arrange for Hou Niao to return someday.
• Hou Niao reflected on his ties to the Anhe Daoist Sect and the factions within Shanmen Quanzhen as he prepared to leave for Pingliang Prefecture alone.
• Qu Zhuya discussed Xiao True Person’s invitation and the possibility of using the Fishman Seal to find others interested in Hou Niao’s ideas about the Body Sword Technique.
• Hou Niao accepted Xiao True Person’s Fishman Seal and received a Jade Slip listing Shanmen outsiders scattered across the prefectures.
• Xiao True Person left Hou Niao holding the seal, while Hou Niao considered his new post near the Anhe Daoist Sect and his desire to follow an independent path.

Zhou Laoxi’s Unusual Pleasures Pavilion struggled with new identity-checking rules imposed by Zhongqing’s two prefectures, which drove away customers and exposed the shop to fines. After undercover inspectors caught Xiuzhen failing to check their documents, they ordered Zhou Laoxi to pay or face closure.

• The Marshal's Prefecture and Central Army Prefecture ordered merchants to verify customers’ identities and submit daily reports.
• Zhou Laoxi’s shop lost customers because mortals buying its goods found it difficult and embarrassing to obtain verification documents.
• Zhou Laoxi left Xiuzhen to mind the shop while he went to inspect the goods in the back hall.
• Two undercover inspectors entered, and Xiuzhen asked them for verification documents too late.
• The inspectors told Zhou Laoxi to pay a fine within three days or have the shop shut down.

Hou Niao helped Lanruo and Lanting secure gengjing ore from the Commandant Prefecture’s stockpile, then secretly joined their raft to escort them home. As they set off, he warned that their cargo could attract danger and said he wanted to meet their master to learn how he could help them and himself.

• Hou Niao promised Lanruo and Lanting he would help them obtain gengjing ore from the Commandant Prefecture’s share of the stockpile.
• The three prefectures divided the stockpiled ore, and Lanruo and Lanting received more than they had expected, drawing jealous looks from other merchants.
• Lanruo and Lanting loaded their goods onto a floating raft and departed Zhongqing City without saying goodbye to Hou Niao.
• The women discovered Hou Niao asleep in the cargo hold, and he explained that he had come to accompany them because the journey might be dangerous.
• Hou Niao suspected someone might target Northern Anhe’s shipment and said he also wanted to meet the women’s master.

Hou Niao escorted Li Laiheng’s group into Anhe territory while expecting the Wu Sect to make a move, but their journey remained uneventful. In Fufeng City, Black Daoist prepared to ambush Hou Niao, whose arrival he suspected, and planned to kill him in a single strike.

• Hou Niao left the investigation in Pingliang Prefecture to Li Shipeng and Su Lingyun and escorted Li Laiheng’s group toward Anhe territory.
• The raft crossed into Sanjiang Prefecture without encountering anyone, while Hou Niao wondered whether the Southern Anhe Daoists had failed to react in time.
• Black Daoist arrived at Fufeng City with a Southern Anhe disciple and learned that Hou Niao had once been a clerk there before becoming a commandant in Shanmen.
• Black Daoist explained that the Wu Sect had watched Hou Niao for years and suspected his involvement in the robbery in Pingliang Prefecture.
• Black Daoist sent the disciple away to avoid involving the Southern Anhe faction and began preparing a concealed ambush in case Hou Niao stopped in Fufeng City.

Hou Niao used his Body Sword Technique to break through the three Daoists’ defenses and kill two of them. As the Zhou Sect Daoist tried to escape, Li Shipeng’s last sword fragments delayed him long enough for Hou Niao’s flying sword to catch up.

• Li Shipeng sacrificed his Sword Spirit and flying sword to survive Li Laiheng’s attack, then watched as Hou Niao transformed into a flying sword.
• Hou Niao shattered the Wu Sect Daoist’s formation, pursued him, and killed him despite his plea to talk.
• The Qi Sect Daoist trapped Hou Niao’s flying sword inside the Corpse Puppet Coffin, but Hou Niao broke the coffin apart with his Array Character Formula.
• The Zhou Sect Daoist swept the Qi Sect Daoist and Hou Niao into his Wind-Fire Tornado, using the attack as cover to prepare his escape.
• Li Shipeng unleashed the final fragments of his sword to delay the Zhou Sect Daoist, and Hou Niao’s flying sword appeared before him again.

Hou Niao’s forces routed the Wu Sect Daoists at Baijun Mountain, though the battle cost the Commandant Prefecture many sword cultivators. Back in Zhongqing City, Hou Niao resumed cultivating the Five Elements Mystic Light and weighed the strengths and risks of his Three Sword Stances.

• Hou Niao reassured Li Shipeng after Li Laiheng escaped, and suggested that losing his flying sword might let Li Shipeng pursue the Body Sword Technique with a newly refined sword.
• Hou Niao and Li Shipeng watched the Daoists collapse as the sword cultivators defeated them, and the survivors fled after more than half their number were killed or wounded.
• The sword cultivators returned to Zhongqing City in triumph, while Hou Niao considered how his attack on Baijun Mountain might disrupt the border stalemate and draw higher authorities into the conflict.
• Hou Niao resumed cultivation and studied the Five Elements Mystic Light as the final part of his offensive and defensive system.
• Hou Niao reviewed the advantages and limitations of his Sword-Wielding, Body Sword, and Flying Sword Stances, focusing on how the Body Sword Stance could leave him unaware of battlefield dangers and vulnerable to traps.

Hou Niao reflected on the Flying Sword Stance and the defensive technique he wanted to master before Li Chuping arrived with Shanmen reinforcements to confront the fallout from Hou Niao’s attack across the border. Li Chuping removed Hou Niao from his command post but kept him at the prefecture to serve, as the Wu Sect’s troop movements raised the possibility of war.

• Hou Niao concluded that the Flying Sword Stance should be his usual combat stance and that the Five Elements Mystic Light could protect him while his flying sword was away.
• Li Chuping arrived in Zhongqing City with a large force of Shanmen Sword Cultivators and rebuked Hou Niao for attacking cultivators across the border.
• Li Chuping explained that the three prefectures had prepared for war after receiving reports of major Wu Sect troop movements around Anhe.
• Li Chuping announced that Lan Zaitian would remain Pastoral Marshal and Kou Cuo would become acting head of the Central Army Prefecture.
• Li Chuping stripped Hou Niao of his post as Pingliang Commandant, retained Su Lingyun as acting Commandant, and ordered Hou Niao to remain at the prefecture awaiting assignment.

After the Wu Sect's movements prompted Li Chuping to reorganize Pingliang Prefecture, Hou Niao focused on his cultivation and decided to pursue the Five Elements Pearls to advance his Five Elements Mystic Light. A month later, at a gathering of the prefectures, he advised Li Shipeng to focus on sword practice as the new administration settled into place.

• Li Chuping told Hou Niao that Shanmen had discovered the Wu Sect was transferring personnel, while Hou Niao urged him to attack the gathered cultivators.
• Li Chuping reorganized the three prefectures, while Hou Niao avoided official duties and studied the Great Bird Original Diagram with the old Langzhong cultivators.
• Hou Niao recognized that the Five Elements Pearls could help him master the Five Elements Mystic Light and resolved to seek out the Earth and Water Spirit Pearls.
• A month later, Li Chuping assembled the three prefectures' cultivators for a rally, where Hou Niao attended despite losing his position.
• Hou Niao advised Li Shipeng to take an undemanding post and concentrate on sword practice, while Li Shipeng doubted he would ever master Yin-Yang Peacock Spreading Its Tail.

After the Battle of Baijun Mountain, Li Chuping explained that the Wu Sect demanded a duel to the death between Hou Niao and its foremost True Disciple, Tang Yan, or the two sides would go to war. Hou Niao chose to accept the challenge, and Li Chuping agreed to present his request to the Jade Capital for a decision.

• Li Chuping told Hou Niao that the Wu Sect demanded a duel to the death over the Battle of Baijun Mountain and the dispute over the gengjing ore trade route.
• Li Chuping explained that Jade Capital leaders were divided over whether to go to war or hold off, and warned that Hou Niao's actions could spark a wider conflict.
• Li Chuping identified Hou Niao's opponent as Tang Yan, the Wu Sect's foremost True Disciple and a Constellation known as the Heavenly Chief Star.
• Hou Niao said he wanted to fight Tang Yan, while Li Chuping warned that Tang Yan had suppressed his realm for decades and might possess unknown techniques.
• Li Chuping agreed to pass Hou Niao's request to the Jade Capital, where the decision would be made.

Li Chuping told Hou Niao that Shanmen had accepted the life-and-death duel against the Wu Sect’s Tang Yan, a prominent Zodiac True Disciple. Though Li Chuping warned him of the danger, Hou Niao eagerly prepared to fight at Baijun Mountain in three days.

• Li Chuping reported Hou Niao’s request to his superiors and learned that Shanmen would not interfere with the duel.
• Li Chuping explained the Three Heavens Realms’ Zodiac rankings and warned Hou Niao that Tang Yan and the other Zodiac True Disciples could defeat opponents above their realm.
• Hou Niao told Li Chuping that he had spent decades honing his swordsmanship for a battle like this.
• Li Chuping named the duel’s terms: Hou Niao would face Tang Yan at Baijun Mountain under a life-and-death pact, with representatives from Shanmen, the Wu Sect, and Southern and Northern Anhe present.
• Hou Niao dismissed the need for preparation and looked forward to fighting Tang Yan.

Daoist Jin told Gu Ximing why the Wu Sect had accepted a death-match challenge for Tang Yan against Hou Niao, despite fearing Hou Niao’s strength. He explained that Tang Yan had challenged Shanmen on his own initiative and that his standing made him the person best suited to defend the sect.

• Gu Ximing and Daoist Jin discussed why the sects were using a settlement that would leave their grievances unresolved, fearing a wider conflict as upheaval approached.
• Daoist Jin revealed that Tang Yan’s challenge to Hou Niao had caused dissent within the Wu Sect.
• Daoist Jin described Hou Niao as a dangerous opponent who had survived repeated attempts on his life and killed at least two Wu Sect Golden Core cultivators.
• Daoist Jin explained that the Wu Sect had little confidence in defeating Hou Niao but could not withdraw Tang Yan’s challenge without losing face.
• Gu Ximing questioned why Tang Yan had to fight, while Daoist Jin concluded that the senior True Disciple had to step forward after the Wu Sect’s losses at Baijun Mountain.

Hou Niao arrived at Baijun Mountain to face Tang Yan in a duel inside the Ganling Small World, while their elders inspected the arena and settled the rules. As the contest approached, Tang Yan tried to unsettle Hou Niao by showing familiarity with Daoist Zhan, and the elders emerged from the small world after finding no problems.

• Daoist Gu comforted Tang Yan's elder and suggested Tang Yan could use Hou Niao as a test for the coming competition among Constellation True Disciples.
• Hou Niao and Li Chuping arrived at Baijun Mountain with Daoist An and Daoist Zhan, and Daoist Zhan explained that the duel would take place in the Ganling Small World.
• Hou Niao met Tang Yan, and the Golden Core elders agreed on the contest's rules before entering the small world to inspect it.
• Tang Yan greeted Daoist Zhan and mentioned giving her Tranquillity Salve, while Daoist Zhan replied that her sisters appreciated it.
• Daoist Zhan defused Tang Yan's attempt to unsettle Hou Niao, who privately resolved to answer the provocation in kind.
• The four Golden Core elders emerged from the small world after completing their inspection.

Tang Yan and Hou Niao entered a sealed Small Grotto-Heaven Small World to fight a duel to the death. After preparing for their clash, Tang Yan launched a Fire Crow spell at Hou Niao.

• Daoist Gu opened the passage after Daoist Gu and Daoist An explained that the Small World would remain sealed until one combatant emerged.
• Tang Yan entered the Small World and used Harmonizing with the Source and a Body-Substituting Kite to prepare for the duel.
• Tang Yan spotted Hou Niao through the Kite's vision, and the two advanced toward each other as their kite cries and sword howls intensified.
• Tang Yan cast a Fire Crow with the Left-and-Right Capturing Yellow Technique and sent it toward Hou Niao.

Tang Yan used a series of powerful fire techniques and Wu Sect merits to suppress a Sword Cultivator and trap him when he reunited with his flying sword. The chapter ended with man, sword, and converging true fire gathered together, leaving Tang Yan apparently close to victory.

• Tang Yan sent a Fire Crow and Fire Snake of Triple Burner True Fire against the Sword Cultivator, who attacked with his flying sword.
• Tang Yan used the Jade Clarity Dharma Body to shrug off the flying sword and then the Mustard-Seed Hidden-Gold Body to withstand another strike.
• Tang Yan returned to normal form and surrounded the Sword Cultivator with a Fire Crow, Fire Snake, and fire turtle.
• Tang Yan waited for the Sword Cultivator to reunite with his flying sword, then shouted for his three streams of true fire to converge.
• The true fire closed around the Sword Cultivator as he and his flying sword met in midair, and Tang Yan thought victory had come easily.