Recaps

After uncovering records of ancient calamities and people who entered slumber long before the Mountain Guardians, Lian Youming sent his allies north and prepared to return to Guangzhou. In Four-Nine City, Xu Tian received news of Lian Youming’s rise while the elderly martial artists around him kept arguing over chess.

• Lian Youming and his companions found historical records suggesting that hidden calamities and people who withdrew from the world predated the Mountain Guardians, though he warned that their conclusions were still speculation.
• Gong Wuer decided to head north with Yang Shuang and Xu Baishi, and Lian Youming taught Yang Shuang and Xu Baishi additional martial arts before they departed.
• Liu Wudi, Wu Jiu, and others also left, while Lian Youming spent three days seeing off visitors and meeting his disciples.
• Yang Lian told Lian Youming that he was now recognized as the leader of the Two Teachings, chief of the Greenwood, and Sword Champion of the sixty-year cycle; Lian Youming then set out for Guangzhou with his companions.
• In Four-Nine City, Xu Tian read news of Lian Youming’s growing strength and watched over the elderly martial artists, who ignored his pleas to behave and threatened to beat him.

After returning to Guangzhou, Lian Youming questioned a mysterious old man about the secrets surrounding the martial world, but was warned that pursuing the answers could draw powerful enemies. He spent a few days enjoying domestic life with Yan Lingyun and their family, then received Youying’s diary about the time he had been away.

• Lian Youming met the old man in the Martyrs' Cemetery and told him he had found the remains of Dong Haichuan, Yang Luchan, three Mountain Guardians, and an expert linked to the Wenxiang Sect, as well as a possible survivor named Gan Danran.
• The old man warned Lian Youming that investigating the secrets of the age could alert Mystic Connection Martial Artists, and revealed that he had recently scared away a likely mystic connection expert outside Guangzhou.
• The old man reflected on the loss of his old friends as Lian Youming left.
• Lian Youming shared a meal with Yan Lingyun, Lian Shuang, Sun Duhe, and the others, and learned that Qin Hongxiu planned to marry on National Day.
• After dinner, Lian Youming returned to his study, where Youying arrived and handed him a diary of events from his absence.

Lian Youming received news from Xie Ruomei and returned to his quiet family routine while recovering and training. The One-Eyed Elder resolved to kill him, and Lian Youming’s sudden foreboding suggested that danger was drawing near.

• Lian Youming asked Youying about Xie Ruomei, read her letter about traveling to train, and told Youying to stop impersonating him.
• In Shanghai, the One-Eyed Elder learned that Lian Youming had survived the battle and declared that he would kill him.
• Lian Youming spent his days studying and caring for Yan Lingyun and their son, then discussed taking them to Shanghai for the National Day holiday.
• Lian Youming felt his body warn him of imminent danger and wondered whether a Mystic Connection Old Monster had targeted him.

As National Day approached, Lian Youming tried to stay grounded in ordinary life while news from the North suggested that sects were baiting powerful old enemies with Chen Baihu. A gift from Junk King and a call about Qin Hongxiu’s wedding deepened Lian Youming’s concern that a major confrontation was coming.

• Lian Youming sensed a warning against leaving Guangzhou but rejected fear and went to school with Lian Shuang, reflecting on how ordinary life helped him preserve his humanity.
• Lian Youming heard that Yang Shuang had used Taiji Gate’s reserves to save Chen Baihu, while martial forces across the world gathered and appeared to be luring Old-Era Martial Artists.
• Lian Youming found a huge sack of carefully prepared yellow essence from Junk King, and Yan Lingyun showed him the elixirs she had made before urging him to bring their master back.
• Lian Youming spoke with Qin Yuhu about National Day and Qin Hongxiu’s approaching wedding, then agreed to attend with Yan Lingyun and their son.
• Qin Yuhu revealed that veterans had been summoned to Four-Nine City, and Lian Youming suspected that Chen Baihu’s allies were preparing to draw out a major enemy.

Lian Youming recovered from his injuries and broke through the Jade Pillow Gate with Yan Lingyun’s help. The next day, he and his family prepared to leave Guangzhou for Shanghai, where he expected trouble.

• Lian Youming swallowed Yellow Essence and inhaled moonlight while Yan Lingyun treated his injuries with acupuncture and medicine.
• Lian Youming tried to force his internal qi through the Jade Pillow Gate, and Yan Lingyun struck the acupoint with a golden needle to help him break through.
• Lian Youming felt his qi circulate from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, then caught Yan Lingyun as she staggered and shared wine with her.
• Lian Youming explained to Lian Shuang that her grandparents could not come to the station because they had used their leave earlier.
• Lian Youming and Yan Lingyun prepared to board the train to Shanghai with their child, accompanied by Yang Lian, Wang Mazi, and the others.

Lian Youming arrived in Shanghai with his family and reunited with Shen Qinghong, Qin Yuhu, and Qin Hongxiu. He discovered that Yang Weidong, Qin Hongxiu’s suitor, was a skilled martial artist and heir to Yang Chengfu’s Taiji lineage, and the chapter ended with Yang asking to test Lian Youming’s skills.

• Lian Youming and his family arrived at Shanghai Railway Station and reunited with Shen Qinghong and Qin Yuhu.
• Lian Youming noticed Qin Yuhu’s prosthetic arm and thought of Xue Hen as a future enemy.
• Qin Hongxiu introduced Lian Youming to Yang Weidong, who concealed his martial skill and recognized Lian Youming’s name.
• Lian Youming accompanied Yang Weidong to help prepare Qin Hongxiu’s bridal home and challenged him about his intentions toward her.
• Yang Weidong swore his feelings for Qin Hongxiu were sincere, revealed that he was an heir to Yang Chengfu’s Taiji lineage, and asked to test Lian Youming’s skills.

Lian Youming defeated Yang Weidong in a friendly fight, then helped prepare for Yang Weidong and Qin Hongxiu’s wedding. At the wedding, he sensed two unfamiliar martial artists targeting Yang Weidong and wondered whether the encounter would bring him trouble.

• Lian Youming fought Yang Weidong and forced him to retreat by striking his abdomen, then learned Yang Weidong had reached Foresight without much fighting.
• Lian Youming helped the impoverished Yang Weidong prepare food and his courtyard for the wedding, and Qin Yuhu arrived to assist.
• Yang Weidong and Qin Hongxiu rode to fetch the bride, while Lian Youming returned to cook for the wedding feast.
• Lian Youming shared pork cracklings with Yan Lingyun and Qin Hongxiu before Shen Qinghong pulled Qin Hongxiu away for the wedding bows.
• After the wedding, Lian Youming sensed two unfamiliar traces of Qi Dynamics aimed at Yang Weidong and suspected hidden martial-world enemies were nearby.

Lian Youming and Yang Weidong uncovered the truth about Yang Weidong’s master by opening his grave, finding evidence that he had been killed and a jade plaque linked to the White Lotus Sect. A hidden letter urged Yang Weidong to take the plaque to the Baji Sect and not seek revenge, leaving Lian Youming to consider the secret behind the dead man’s identity.

• Lian Youming learned that mysterious martial artists had searched Yang Weidong’s home after his master died, and persuaded Yang Weidong to investigate the death.
• Yang Weidong agreed to dig up his master’s grave, and he and Lian Youming found the coffin with all its nails missing.
• Lian Youming examined the skeleton and found a palm-shaped pattern of cracks in the breastbone, indicating the master had been killed by a powerful Iron Sand Palm strike.
• Lian Youming found a jade plaque among the bones bearing White Lotus Sect phrases and the name Gu Xuantong.
• Lian Youming discovered a hidden letter telling Yang Weidong to take the jade plaque to the Baji Sect and not avenge his master.

Lian Youming uncovered the truth about Yang Weidong’s master and prepared for the hidden force behind attempts to abduct Qin Hongxiu. After confronting five Foresight Martial Artists, he drew out an unseen figure who spoke to him, and he presented the Wenxiang Sect’s Jade Plaque.

• Lian Youming learned that Yang Chengfu had been murdered and suspected Yang Weidong’s master had spent years seeking revenge.
• Lian Youming returned to find Qin Hongxiu unconscious after two older fighters tried to abduct her, so he sent her and Yang Weidong to stay with her parents.
• Lian Youming warned his allies that the approaching enemy might be more dangerous than the White Lotus Sect Master, then arranged for Youying to pose as him while his family returned to Guangzhou.
• Lian Youming disguised himself and waited outside Yang Weidong’s home, where five Foresight Martial Artists arrived to attack him.
• Lian Youming quickly struck down or repelled the five fighters, but they withdrew when they noticed someone behind him.
• An unseen voice addressed Lian Youming, and he presented the Wenxiang Sect’s Jade Plaque while reciting, “True Void Hometown, Eternal Mother!”

Lian Youming discovered that the One-Eyed Elder was Gu Xuantong, the former White Lotus Sect Master, and joined him and his followers on their journey north. Gu Xuantong planned to enter Four-Nine City and kill his grandson Chen Baihu, while Lian Youming concealed his own thoughts and intentions.

• Gu Xuantong revealed that he recognized Lian Youming as a descendant of the Wenxiang Sect’s Wang Clan, which he considered traitors to the White Lotus Sect.
• Lian Youming realized that Gu Xuantong was the long-missing former White Lotus Sect Master and handed him the Jade Plaque and note he had obtained.
• Gu Xuantong crushed the Jade Plaque, refused to attack the people inside, and led Lian Youming and his followers away from the area.
• Gu Feiyan and Gu Chan joined the group, which headed north toward Four-Nine City to kill Chen Baihu, Gu Xuantong’s grandson.
• Lian Youming told Gu Xuantong that he had followed the White Bone Daoist to the area and used the Wisdom Sword to suppress his thoughts as they traveled.

Lian Youming and Gu Xuantong joined a gathering of martial-world factions outside Four-Nine City, where they planned an assault on Chen Baihu and revealed that many attendees belonged to the old White Lotus Sect. The chapter ended with the assembled branches preparing to enter the capital region and restore the sect’s name.

• Gu Xuantong led his group to the Great Wall outside Four-Nine City, where dozens of martial artists from rival factions had gathered.
• Gu Xuantong exposed the false grievances of two men who wanted revenge on Chen Baihu, and they admitted they simply wanted to kill him.
• Gu Xuantong announced that the group would attack martial artists outside Four-Nine City starting that night and enter the city the night after tomorrow.
• Lian Youming recognized several White Lotus Sect branches among the gathering, including the Luo Sect, Western Mahayana Sect, Yellow Heaven Sect, and Wenxiang Sect.
• More than sixty martial artists assembled, and Gu Xuantong proclaimed that the White Lotus Sect’s factions would enter the capital region and restore their name.

Lian Youming resisted the Western Mahayana Sect leader’s Tantric Bliss and fought her with Eagle Claw Kung Fu and the Blood-Dropper Blade Wheel. Gu Xuantong stopped the blade just before it could kill her.

• Lian Youming watched the White Lotus Sect members rest and noticed Gu Feiyan smiling at him.
• The Western Mahayana Sect leader approached Lian Youming and tried to bewitch him with Tantric Bliss.
• Lian Youming broke her technique with White Bone Contemplation and attacked with Eagle Claw Kung Fu.
• The nun drew a Snake Sword, but Lian Youming countered with the Blood-Dropper Blade Wheel and severed her sword.
• Lian Youming’s Blade Wheel knocked off the nun’s iron mask and nearly cut her neck before Gu Xuantong ordered him to stop.

Lian Youming observed the old martial artists as they prepared to enter Four-Nine City, while Huo Yuntian’s infiltration triggered a sudden battle between the White Lotus Sect and arriving fighters. The chapter ended with Gu Xuantong postponing the planned attack on Chen Baihu until the following night as the clash spread.

• Lian Youming learned from Gu Feiyan that the Blood-Dropper had once terrified martial artists and officials, then watched Gu Feiyan and Gu Chan without being recognized.
• A messenger reported that the Xingyi Sect leader was near death, but Gu Xuantong suspected the convenient news was a trap and exposed the messenger as Huo Yuntian.
• Huo Yuntian fired on Gu Xuantong, who evaded the bullets before dodging three shots from a distant sniper.
• Huo Yuntian escaped using the Lost-Track Step, booby traps, firearms, and a display of grenades that halted his pursuers.
• Gu Xuantong postponed the plan to enter the Forbidden City and kill Chen Baihu until the following night as Situ Wudi, Gong Wuer, the foresight youth, and other fighters joined the battle.

Gu Xuantong secretly led a small group toward Four-Nine City while Lian Youming realized he might have been exposed and Gu Feiyan warned him he had been fooled. As Gu Xuantong discussed Chen’s possible ancient inheritance and the secrets of Heavenly Dipper Strength, Lian Youming recognized a connection to the Complete Transformation Fighting Method; the group ended by heading straight for the Forbidden City.

• Gu Xuantong abandoned the planned timetable and led a dozen experts toward Four-Nine City, leaving a double behind to mislead the others.
• Lian Youming suspected Gu Xuantong had seen through his identity and considered escaping, while Gu Feiyan silently warned him that he had been fooled.
• Lian Youming explained his understanding of Innate Wisdom as Gu Xuantong revealed that Chen might have inherited a legacy from a surviving ancient Martial Way lineage.
• Gu Xuantong said Chen had deciphered Heavenly Dipper Strength, a lost technique whose entry requirement was the Complete Transformation Fighting Method.
• Lian Youming realized the technique might explain the importance of the method he had obtained, and Gu Xuantong ordered the group to go straight to the Forbidden City.

Lian Youming infiltrated the Forbidden City with Gu Xuantong and a force of martial artists, then discovered another hidden Mystic Connection expert was tracking them. After Gu Xuantong’s group set out to find Chen Baihu, Lian Youming attacked Gu Xuantong and fled, but Gu Xuantong answered with a deadly water-arrow technique.

• Lian Youming joined Gu Xuantong, the Gan Clan experts, and Bai family fighters as they entered Four-Nine City and climbed over the Forbidden City’s red wall.
• Lian Youming sensed a hidden Mystic Connection expert following the group and realized he needed to escape; Gu Feiyan silently directed him toward the west and West Prosperity Gate.
• Gu Xuantong released two eagle owls to survey the Forbidden City, then led the group toward a location where he believed Chen Baihu was staying.
• Lian Youming struck Gu Xuantong from behind, but Gu Xuantong remained unharmed and offered to spare him if he became his disciple.
• Lian Youming evaded five attackers and fled, but Gu Xuantong used the Toad-Fishing Skill to shoot a water arrow at him.

Lian Youming survived Gu Xuantong’s Water Arrow and escaped the Old-Era Martial Artists with Divine Mobility, but the pursuit turned into a running battle through the Forbidden City. After killing several attackers and escaping their gunfire, he left the remaining pursuers to discover that his Blade Wheel had decapitated their swordswoman.

• Lian Youming redirected Gu Xuantong’s Water Arrow into an Old-Era Martial Artist, killing him, then retreated while wounded.
• Gu Xuantong sent the Bai family and the Gan Clan after Lian Youming while he and the others pursued the fallen Eagle Owl, hoping to reach Chen Baihu.
• Lian Youming used Divine Mobility to stay ahead of his pursuers, dodged their suppressed gunfire, and ran through the Forbidden City’s confusing corridors.
• Lian Youming reached Jingyang Palace’s roof, fought off the Bearded Man and the others, seized the man’s spear, and killed several attackers.
• The swordswoman fired at Lian Youming and her own companions as he escaped, then her head fell when his Blade Wheel severed her neck.

Lian Youming hurried through the Forbidden City as Gu Xuantong’s forces fought the sect disciples, determined to reach the battle at the Golden Throne Hall. He arrived just in time to stop a bronze cauldron and sword from striking Xu Baishi.

• White Bone Daoist and a balding figure watched Lian Youming’s approach and discussed Gu Xuantong’s hidden past as the moon neared its zenith.
• Lian Youming spotted Chen Baihu on the Golden Throne Hall roof, then continued toward the fighting after sensing blood in the air.
• Lian Youming found wounded disciples, treated Yang Wu, and learned that Yang Shuang and Xu Baishi were battling the Heavenly Principle Sect Leader.
• The Heavenly Principle Sect Leader attacked Xu Baishi while a burly fighter swung a bronze cauldron at her, and Yang Shuang could not reach her in time.
• Lian Youming rushed into the fight and stopped the cauldron with one palm while seizing the sword with the other.

Lian Youming arrived as Xu Baishi faced the Heavenly Principle Sect Leader and the Luo Sect's chief, and he fought alongside Xu Baishi and Yang Shuang to defeat the Luo Sect's chief. With the White Lotus Sect’s fighters taking Gu Feiyan’s miracle drugs, Lian Youming assembled his spear and prepared to face the coming battle.

• Lian Youming caught the Heavenly Principle Sect Leader’s sword and halted the Luo Sect’s chief’s charge with the bronze cauldron.
• Xu Baishi leaped onto Lian Youming’s shoulder and attacked the Heavenly Principle Sect Leader with her Kunlun Secret Sword, forcing him to retreat.
• Lian Youming struck through the cauldron and then overpowered the Luo Sect’s chief in a contest of strength, breaking his lower back against a stone lion.
• Yang Shuang joined Xu Baishi to fend off the Heavenly Principle Sect Leader while Lian Youming returned to their side.
• The Heavenly Principle Sect Leader and other White Lotus Sect experts took Gu Feiyan’s miracle drugs, and Lian Youming joined his broken spear sections and told everyone to fall back behind him.

Lian Youming led the exhausted sect fighters against the White Lotus Sect’s drug-enhanced experts while Situ Wudi, Gong Wuer, and Yu Feishuang engaged other enemy groups. A second man surnamed Chen arrived to face the Heavenly Principle Sect Leader, and the chapter ended as Lian Youming’s formation began a bloody fight for survival.

• Lian Youming gathered the wounded fighters and prepared to use his Joint Attack Method against the incoming Miracle Drug-enhanced experts.
• Yu Feishuang arrived with Baji Sect fighters, but Gu Feiyan, Gu Chan, and Mangus’s group appeared, prompting Situ Wudi, Gong Wuer, and Yu Feishuang to confront them.
• A young man surnamed Chen caught the Heavenly Principle Sect Leader’s saber and sword, then took him on while Lian Youming faced the remaining twelve experts.
• Lian Youming formed the fighters into an outward-facing circle, linking their qi dynamics as Gongyang Ming protected Li Yinhuan and the others.
• The battle erupted across the palace grounds, with Yu Feishuang’s group and Lian Youming’s formation suffering bloody casualties as Lian Youming fought on.

Lian Youming and his companions fought off the Western Mahayana Sect nun and eleven drug-enhanced martial artists, but Gongyang Ming was gravely wounded protecting Li Yinhuan. After the survivors fled, Lian Youming charged toward Mangus and his group.

• The Western Mahayana Sect nun attacked Yang Shuang, but Lian Youming blocked her strike and his companions surrounded her.
• Yang Shuang and Xu Baishi used the Six-Syllable Mantra to create an opening, and a hidden sword pierced the nun’s throat.
• Lian Youming swung the nun’s corpse on his spear and battled the eleven drug-enhanced martial artists as they charged.
• Yang Shuang and Xu Baishi combined their strength with Lian Youming’s, helping him kill most of the attackers and drive the survivors to flee.
• Li Yinhuan cried out as Gongyang Ming, who had shielded her from two killing moves, vomited blood in her arms.
• Lian Youming chose not to pursue the fleeing martial artists and charged toward Mangus and his group.

Lian Youming and his allies defeated Gu Xuantong’s remaining subordinates and hurried toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where they encountered the concealed Mystic Connection expert Hong Tiangui. Hong Tiangui revealed his formidable strength as the Mystic Connection War began to stir, and Chen Babai and Lian Youming stepped forward to face him.

• Lian Youming killed an Old-Era Martial Artist and drove Mangus to flee while Yu Feishuang said the enemies would not escape.
• Yang Shuang confirmed that Gongyang Ming’s severe internal injuries were not fatal, and Chen Babai introduced himself after bringing the Heavenly Principle Sect Leader’s severed head.
• Lian Youming warned the women that another Mystic Connection expert might be nearby, but a sudden attack knocked him back and killed an elder of the Baji Sect.
• The attacker identified himself as Hong Tiangui and said Gu Xuantong had saved him by arranging for someone else to take his place.
• Hong Tiangui enlarged his body and demonstrated a combination of martial techniques, prompting Lian Youming to recognize several of them.
• As two currents of Qi Dynamics rose over the Golden Throne Hall, Chen Babai and Lian Youming stepped forward to face Hong Tiangui.

Lian Youming and his allies fought Hong Tiangui, whose overwhelming martial skill left them badly injured and their group scattered. Lian Youming rose with his Supreme Killing Intent as Gong Wuer and Situ Wudi joined him and Chen Babai to attack Hong Tiangui together.

• Lian Youming and Chen Babai attacked Hong Tiangui from the front and flank, but he evaded their strikes and advanced on Yang Shuang and the others.
• Yu Feishuang intercepted Hong Tiangui with her twin sabers, but he struck her down, injuring Yang Shuang and Xu Baishi when they tried to catch her.
• Hong Tiangui seized Lian Youming and Chen Babai, hurled them away, cut down two armed men, and scattered concealed weapons among Feng Xiong's group.
• Lian Youming recovered on the high wall, recognized Hong Tiangui's Iron Wire Fist, and gathered his Supreme Killing Intent to attack again.
• Gong Wuer and Situ Wudi appeared as Lian Youming charged Hong Tiangui, while Gong Wuer, Situ Wudi, and Chen Babai moved in from three directions to join the fight.

Lian Youming and three allies attacked Hong Tiangui, who revealed the Hong Family’s supreme Iron Wire Fist and endured their combined assaults. Lian Youming kept meeting Hong Tiangui’s punches head-on, and their fourth clash left both sliding backward as Lian Youming vomited blood.

• Yang Shuang checked on Xu Baishi, saw that the other fighters were badly wounded, then took a rifle and aimed at Hong Tiangui, who moved beyond her scope.
• Hong Tiangui used Iron Wire Fist against Lian Youming, but Lian Youming’s second punch borrowed his force and shook the iron rings loose.
• Gong Wuer, Situ Wudi, and Chen Babai joined Lian Youming’s assault, targeting Hong Tiangui’s vital points with their signature techniques.
• Hong Tiangui steadied his body with Dragon’s Roar and Tiger’s Howl, then repelled Gong Wuer and Situ Wudi and struck Chen Babai’s thigh nerve.
• Hong Tiangui threw a fourth punch, and Lian Youming met it with a forceful counter; both men slid backward as Lian Youming vomited blood.

Lian Youming and his allies battled Hong Tiangui, using their combined attacks and a concealed golden needle to breach his Coccyx Acupoint. Though Hong Tiangui turned the fight with linked iron-ring weapons, Lian Youming caught one chain as Chen Babai and the others closed in to attack.

• Lian Youming, Gong Wuer, Situ Wudi, and Chen Babai coordinated their attacks and forced Hong Tiangui to the ground, but he nearly killed Gong Wuer before Lian Youming rescued her.
• Gong Wuer secretly pressed a golden needle near Hong Tiangui's tailbone, breaching his Coccyx Acupoint and breaking his Retracting the Yang into the Abdomen technique.
• Hong Tiangui unleashed two strings of linked iron rings, knocking Situ Wudi back and forcing Chen Babai to retreat while Lian Youming fought him head-on.
• Three gunshots startled Hong Tiangui; the third struck an iron ring, allowing Lian Youming to seize one end of its chain.
• Chen Babai thrust his iron spear through the rings toward Hong Tiangui's throat as Situ Wudi and Gong Wuer moved in to attack.

Lian Youming and the others fought desperately against Hong Tiangui, who overwhelmed them and nearly killed Lian. As Hong Tiangui moved to finish Chen Babai, Lian struck from concealment with the Cold Returning Horse and drove his spear into Hong Tiangui’s right eye, revealing Heavenly Dipper Strength.

• Hong Tiangui evaded Lian Youming, Chen Babai, Situ Wudi, and Gong Wuer, then wounded Gong Wuer and Chen Babai and struck Situ Wudi with One-Finger Zen.
• The White Lotus Sect Master used a Six-Syllable Mantra sound strike to halt Hong Tiangui briefly, giving Lian Youming an opening to attack.
• Hong Tiangui regained his monstrous strength, traded blows with Lian, and finally grabbed him by the neck.
• Chen Babai tried to rescue Lian, but Hong Tiangui used Lian as a shield and hurled him into Chen Babai’s arms.
• Lian Youming seized Chen Babai’s iron spear and thrust from concealment with the Cold Returning Horse, piercing Hong Tiangui’s right eye as Heavenly Dipper Strength surged through him.