Chapter Summaries

After recovering at Sangji’s pasture, Lian Youming reached a breakthrough in his state of mind and traveled with Sangji to a snow-filled valley. Beneath the snow, he found six ancient remains and recognized two as the founding patriarchs of the Eight Trigrams Sect and Taiji Gate.

• Lian Youming ate and rested at the pasture, recovering much of his strength while Sangji played with the children and mastiff.
• Lian Youming spoke of bringing Lingyun, Stone, and his unborn child to see the mountains, and Sangji praised his humane intentions and the Righteous Path.
• Lian Youming transcended the shackles of his mind, improving his state of mind and Divine Mobility, though he had failed to obtain the White Lotus Sect’s token.
• Lian Youming carried Sangji through the mountains at night and followed his directions to a cavern beneath the snow in a vast valley.
• Lian Youming examined six remains in the cavern, identified their deadly martial techniques, and concluded that two were Dong Haichuan and Yang Luchan.

Lian Youming and Sangji discovered that the cavern held the remains of martial artists who had fought in a Mystic Connection War, including Yang Luchan and Dong Haichuan. After finding clues to the battle and examining a strange weapon, Lian Youming read Dong Haichuan’s final poem and suspected the Sword Immortal Inheritance was on Mount Lu.

• Sangji identified an inscription about Gan Danran and two old friends, leading Lian Youming to conclude the six remains belonged to Mystic Connection Martial Artists.
• Lian Youming found a Jade Plaque identifying the oldest corpse as the Wenxiang Sect Master, Dharma King Stone Buddha, and wondered whether he had fought Gan Danran.
• Lian Youming discovered a Golden Silk Glove and a transforming Blade Wheel among the Mountain Guardians’ remains, then tested the weapon and decapitated one skeleton.
• Lian Youming decided to leave Yang Luchan and Dong Haichuan’s remains in the cavern, but found their final writings beneath them.
• Lian Youming recognized Dong Haichuan’s poem as one by Lü Dongbin and inferred that the Sword Immortal Inheritance might be on Mount Lu.

Lian Youming left Mount Lu with Sangji after discovering the remains of Dong Haichuan and Yang Luchan, while Sangji reflected on the Immortal-Severing Calamity and the Sword Immortal inheritance. Back in Hong Kong, the others worried over reports from the North until Lian Youming suddenly returned to them.

• Lian Youming decided against investigating Mount Lu further, gathered the strange weapon, and left the snow cave with Sangji.
• Lian Youming returned Sangji to the Iron Staff Lama, then hurried away to alert others about the emerging Mystic Connection masters and Gan Danran.
• Sangji told the Iron Staff Lama that the current crisis followed the Immortal-Severing Calamity and the Demon-Slaying Battle, and speculated that Lian Youming might have a chance at the Sword Immortal inheritance.
• Yang Shuang, Yang Lian, Wu Jiu, Liu Wudi, Xu Baishi, Gong Wuer, and Situ Qingqing discussed reports that the Old Master and Xuanling Perfected Person had perished together in the North.
• Yang Shuang offered to travel north with Gong Wuer, but Lian Youming appeared from the shadows and asked whether everyone had missed him.

Lian Youming returned from his encounter with the White Lotus Sect Master having reached a new understanding, and told his companions about the apparent remains of two famous martial artists. When he heard that the old man and his opponent had reportedly perished in the North, Lian Youming refused to believe the old man was dead, though his grief reopened a hidden injury.

• Lian Youming returned wounded and hungry, explaining that he had neither defeated nor lost to the White Lotus Sect Master and that their encounter had tempered their states of mind.
• Lian Youming revealed that he had found incomplete skeletal remains he believed belonged to Dong Haichuan and Yang Luchan, but withheld their location.
• Lian Youming asked for news of the old man and learned that reports said he and his opponent had both perished in the North.
• Lian Youming insisted he would not believe the old man was dead without seeing his body, and his emotions caused him to cough blood from a hidden injury.
• Lian Youming said Gu Feiyan might still be alive because he had not seen her body, then helped Wu Jiu recognize that the baby needed changing.

Lian Youming investigated old records for evidence of past martial-world catastrophes and extraordinary beings. Xu Baishi found an account of a blood-red sky and a hundred people drained of their vital blood, and Lian Youming concluded the culprit had been injured.

• Lian Youming told Yang Shuang, Xu Baishi, and Gong Wuer about the corpse, the Wenxiang Sect plaque, and his suspicions about ancient beings and catastrophes.
• Lian Youming had everyone search old books for traces of disasters, the Wenxiang Sect, and beings like Immortals.
• The group discussed how martial ambition and the desire to escape death could have caused past catastrophes, and wondered whether Mountain Guardians had survived one or inherited their powers.
• Lian Youming learned from a local gazetteer that the Wenxiang Sect descended from the Luo Sect and lasted for over two hundred years before becoming the Clear Tea Sect.
• Xu Baishi found an account of a late-Ming incident in which a blood-red sky appeared and about a hundred people in Qi County died with bite marks on their necks.
• After Gong Wuer suggested the attacker might have used Shape-Nourishing Skill, Lian Youming concluded the attacker had been injured and urged them to keep searching.

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.