Recaps

Chen Nian escaped Mu Qingxuan’s anger by inventing a story, then helped her control her Three Yang True Fire with Xiao Zhu. Meanwhile, Jun Moxie broke through to the Saint Transformation Realm and planned to attend the Cangyun Mountain Sword Meet; Mu Qingxuan left with her master still withholding the truth about her power.

• Chen Nian was caught spying on Mu Qingxuan, but claimed he was a storybook author and began telling her The Legend of Sword and Fairy.
• Mu Qingxuan’s Three Yang True Fire overwhelmed her, so Chen Nian had Xiao Zhu absorb some of its power and carried her to the cold pool to recover.
• Jun Moxie emerged from seclusion after healing his old sword wound and advancing to the Saint Transformation Realm, then announced that the Heavenly Demon Hall would attend the Cangyun Mountain Sword Meet.
• Mu Qingxuan recovered and let Chen Nian live, but demanded that he continue his story the next time they met.
• Venerable Kongxuan found Mu Qingxuan and refused to explain the source of her power or let her participate in the Sword Meet.

Chen Nian reunited with his companions and reached the Heavenly Profound Holy Land, where he began climbing the Cloud Sky Ladder to find Mu Yun. Elsewhere, Mo Bu was punished by Jing Long for sending a demon core into the World Tree’s fourth tier, while Jin Shu angrily rejected Senior Brother Bo Yi’s wedding congratulations.

• Chen Nian’s companions found his note and met him outside Luoyang, where they saw Ji Ya waiting near the city gate.
• Mu Yun told Mu Qingxuan he planned to wait on the Cloud Sky Ladder for Chen Nian, and Jin Shu flew into a rage after hearing Bo Yi had sent her a game piece and wished her a happy marriage.
• Mo Bu discovered the demon core had been destroyed, failed to divine who had done it, and was crushed and dismissed by Jing Long for acting without permission.
• Chen Nian and his group entered the Heavenly Profound Holy Land’s outer sect and learned that climbing fifty steps of the Cloud Sky Ladder was required to reach the inner sect.
• After provoking the gate guards into mocking him, Chen Nian climbed past his senior brothers and stepped onto the twenty-first stair, where many climbers had stopped.

Chen Nian used the fifth level of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Art to climb the heavenly stairway to the fiftieth step with ease, qualifying for the Grand Profound Holy Land’s inner sect. He declined to join because he already belonged to the Azure Profound Sect and continued upward to find Mu Yun, who rushed to meet him while imagining their reunion.

• Chen Nian climbed past the thirtieth step without using Profound Qi, shocking the young cultivators watching him.
• Chen Nian unleashed golden divine light and used Physical Sanctification to ascend ten steps at a time, reaching the fiftieth step.
• A reception elder offered Chen Nian entry into the inner sect, but Chen Nian declined and explained that he had come to find Mu Yun.
• After Chen Nian continued climbing, word of his feat spread through the inner sect, and Mu Yun hurried to the stairway to meet him.
• A messenger told Mu Qingxuan that the climber had asked for Mu Yun by name, and she went to see whether her elder brother’s friend had arrived.

Chen Nian met Mu Yun on the Heavenly Stairway, and the two climbed together while chatting as disciples watched in disbelief. They surpassed Mu Yun’s previous record before turning back because Mu Yun’s younger sister was waiting below.

• Chen Nian surprised Mu Yun by greeting him from above the fiftieth step, then joined him in walking up the Heavenly Stairway.
• Chen Nian and Mu Yun chatted about the Four Great Holy Lands' Sword Discussion Tournament as they climbed without stopping.
• Mu Qingxuan recognized Chen Nian as the man who had peeped at her bathing and realized he was her brother’s friend.
• Chen Nian and Mu Yun continued past the seventieth step while disciples and elders watched in astonishment.
• At the eighty-first step, Chen Nian and Mu Yun broke Mu Yun’s previous record, then decided to head down because Mu Qingxuan was waiting.

Chen Nian and Mu Yun both reached the eighty-first step of the Heavenly Staircase, earning the Grand Profound Holy Land’s attention and an invitation for Chen Nian’s companions to stay. That night, Chen Nian followed Xiao Zhu to Mu Qingxuan’s room and recognized her despite her disguise.

• Mu Yun introduced Chen Nian to the Grand Profound Holy Land disciples as his equal, while Mu Qingxuan hid to avoid meeting him.
• An elder invited Chen Nian’s Azure Profound Sect companions to stay at Guest Arrival Peak and attend the Sword Debate Assembly.
• Mu Yun visited Mu Qingxuan, but she refused to come out and claimed she was unwell.
• That night, Xiao Zhu flew into a woman’s room, and Chen Nian followed to retrieve her.
• Chen Nian spoke with the woman through the door, recognized Mu Qingxuan by her voice, and revealed her identity.

Mu Yun went to find Chen Nian with a gift, but learned he had headed toward Moonlight Peak, where Chen Nian and Mu Qingxuan argued over his bird and he told her a story. Mu Yun nearly caught Chen Nian hiding in Mu Qingxuan’s wardrobe, but Chen Nian escaped into the Chaos Light-Devouring Beast’s space and later teased Mu Qingxuan before fleeing.

• Mu Yun took Profound-Breaking Pills to visit Chen Nian, learned Chen Nian had gone after his bird, and headed toward Moonlight Peak.
• Chen Nian tried to convince Mu Qingxuan that he had not taught the bird to say “Touch legs,” then persuaded her to let him into her room by offering to continue The Legend of Sword and Fairy.
• Chen Nian told Mu Qingxuan the story while she listened, until she sensed Mu Yun approaching and hid Chen Nian in her wardrobe.
• Mu Yun found the bird and searched the wardrobe, but Chen Nian escaped into the Chaos Light-Devouring Beast’s space before he could be discovered.
• Mu Qingxuan claimed Chen Nian had already left, and Mu Yun apologized for asking whether Chen Nian had touched her legs before departing.
• Chen Nian reappeared after Mu Yun left, teased Mu Qingxuan about being his future sister-in-law, and vanished when she attacked him with her sword.

Jun Moxie forced Holy Lord Jiuyou to help the Heavenly Demon Hall sabotage the Sword Discussion Tournament and seize the Nine-Character Mantra Divine Art. Meanwhile, Chen Nian deliberately stayed away from Mu Qingxuan, then caught up with her and continued their story, leaving their relationship growing closer.

• Jun Moxie revealed himself to Jiuyou and offered to make him leader of the Four Great Holy Lands if he helped the Heavenly Demon Hall attack during the tournament.
• Jun Moxie threatened Jiuyou with his Saint Transformation Realm strength, and Jiuyou agreed to open the mountain-protecting formation for the attack.
• Mu Qingxuan wondered why Chen Nian had not visited Moonlight Peak and went to find him, where she saw him chatting with junior sisters.
• Chen Nian noticed Mu Qingxuan leaving, dismissed the junior sisters, and followed her to Moonlight Peak.
• Chen Nian flattered Mu Qingxuan and continued telling her The Legend of Sword and Fairy as she listened with a shy smile.

The Grand Profound Holy Land selected its Sword Discussion Tournament contestants, and Mu Yun asked Chen Nian how to make a dramatic entrance in the finale. As the groups set out for the tournament, Chen Nian summoned an enormous Undead Bone Dragon to carry the Azure Profound Sect disciples, drawing gasps from the crowd.

• The Grand Profound Holy Land named Mu Yun its finale contestant and placed Xiao Chen in the sixth round, leaving Xiao Chen grim and resentful.
• Mu Yun visited Chen Nian, who advised him to arrive late, descend onto the arena on a sword, and challenge the other three finalists to attack together.
• The Azure Profound Sect prepared to travel to Azure Cloud Mountain for the Sword Discussion Tournament, but most of its disciples could not fly.
• After Mu Qingxuan refused to carry the disciples, Chen Nian summoned a gigantic Undead Bone Dragon, startling the people in the air.
• Mu Yun watched Chen Nian's display and thought that Chen Nian had found another chance to show off.

Chen Nian brought the Azure Profound Sect to the Sword Discussion Tournament atop his Undead Bone Dragon, drawing attention as Mu Qingxuan joined him. At the gathering, Lin Feiyu recognized Chen Nian, while Ji Ya learned that Hua Wanling had gained Hanya's backing in their contest to become the Heavenly Maiden Sect's holy maiden.

• Chen Nian let Azure Profound Sect disciples and Grand Profound Holy Land women ride the Undead Bone Dragon, then invited Mu Qingxuan aboard.
• The Grand Profound Holy Land arrived at Azure Cloud Mountain, where the Azure Profound Sect received seats on the main peak with Chen Nian.
• Mu Qingxuan sat beside Chen Nian and asked him to continue telling stories as spectators watched them; Lin Feiyu recognized Chen Nian and clenched his fists.
• Hua Wanling taunted Ji Ya over her encounter with a man in Luoyang City and revealed that she had sold her body to Young Master Hanya for his support in becoming the next holy maiden.

The Sword Discussion Tournament began with the Grand Profound and Ancient Nether Holy Lands tied for first, but Xiao Chen betrayed the Grand Profound Holy Land by joining the Ancient Nether side. As the Grand Profound Holy Land prepared to forfeit the sixth round, Mu Yun unexpectedly took the stage early and challenged those who opposed his side.

• Jiuyou announced the tournament’s start while privately fearing the bloodshed Jun Moxie’s return could bring.
• The first five rounds left the Grand Profound Holy Land and Ancient Nether Holy Land tied with five points each.
• Xiao Chen took the Ancient Nether Holy Land’s side for the sixth round, and his former master expelled him from the Grand Profound Holy Land.
• The Grand Profound Holy Land chose to forfeit rather than send another disciple to face Xiao Chen.
• Mu Yun descended onto the stage before the final round and declared that he would personally deal with anyone who fought against his side.

Mu Yun defeated Xiao Chen with the Sword God Art, then named Chen Nian to represent the Grand Profound Holy Land in the final showdown. Chen Nian requested a free-for-all and, as the other three contestants entered the arena, announced he would fight all of them alone.

• Mu Yun summoned over a thousand swords and shattered Xiao Chen’s defenses, forcing the Ancient Nether Holy Lord to intervene before the attack killed him.
• Xiao Chen conceded, giving Mu Yun first place in the match and bringing the Grand Profound Holy Land’s score to seven points.
• After Mu Yun returned too drained to fight again, he recommended Chen Nian for the final showdown, while Mu Qingxuan’s offer to compete was refused.
• Chen Nian agreed to represent the Grand Profound Holy Land on the condition that the organizers change the final showdown into a free-for-all.
• Hanya, Tian Lang, and Lin Xian’er entered the arena, and Chen Nian announced that he intended to fight all three alone.

Chen Nian challenged three rival Holy Lands at once in the Sword Discussion Tournament’s final match and defeated two of their champions with his Death God Word Spirit. He left the arena hailed as a monster, while Mu Yun was left questioning his own worth.

• Chen Nian demanded a four-person free-for-all, and Jiuyou changed the final match rules and raised the arena into the sky.
• Lin Xian'er carried Chen Nian to the arena, where Tian Lang, Lin Xian'er, and Hanya revealed their strength before the match began.
• Chen Nian unleashed the Death God Word Spirit, shrouding the arena in darkness and stripping his opponents of their senses.
• Chen Nian defeated Hanya and disarmed Tian Lang, while Lin Xian'er remained unharmed and conceded after seeing the others fall.
• The crowd celebrated Chen Nian's victory, the Ancient Nether Holy Land fell silent, and Mu Yun slumped in defeat, murmuring that he had learned he was useless.

After the Sword Discussion Tournament, Chen Nian was surrounded by admirers while the Grand Profound Holy Land prepared for a contest over the Nine-Character Mantra Divine Art. That night, Lin Xian'er lured Chen Nian out to meet her in a bamboo grove.

• The Grand Profound Holy Land was announced as the Sword Discussion Tournament champion, and the assembled contestants were invited to compete for the Nine-Character Mantra Divine Art the next day.
• Chen Nian drew a crowd of matchmaking offers, while Ji Ya left without approaching him.
• In Luoyang, Bo Yi wondered how Mu Yun had fared and thought about Jin Shu.
• Jin Shu shared her story about a Go fanatic with Mu Qingxuan, who recognized its resemblance to Jin Shu's feelings for Senior Brother.
• A handkerchief led Chen Nian outside, where he found Lin Xian'er waiting in a bamboo grove.

Chen Nian made a deal with Lin Xian'er to secretly pass her the Nine-Character Mantra, while the Ancient Nether Holy Land and the Heavenly Demon Hall arranged to infiltrate the contest and kill him. The contest began on Azure Cloud Mountain, where Chen Nian used his Word Spirit to suppress nearly every contestant and race toward the divine art.

• Chen Nian asked Lin Xian'er to help him claim the Nine-Character Mantra and gave her a share, and she agreed after giving him a True Essence Qi Condensation Pill.
• Jun Moxie and Jiuyou arranged for the Heavenly Demon Hall's grand elder to kill Chen Nian by possessing an Ancient Nether Holy Land contestant's body.
• The Ancient Nether Holy Land Holy Lord announced that the twenty-eight contestants would race across Azure Cloud Mountain to retrieve the Nine-Character Mantra, while other contestants planned to gang up on Chen Nian and Mu Yun.
• At the start of the contest, Chen Nian activated Word Spirit, Sovereign, and forced the other contestants, including the disguised grand elder, to their knees while Mu Yun and Lin Xian'er were only delayed.
• Chen Nian surged ahead as the spectators watched in shock.

Chen Nian and Lin Xian'er secured the Nine-Character Mantra, but Old Man Black Demon attacked them and Chen Nian killed him with his divine art, Cage. Jun Moxie then revealed the Heavenly Demon Hall’s return and launched an assault on Azure Cloud Mountain, displaying the power of the Eighth Realm.

• Chen Nian took the Nine-Character Mantra scroll, hid the real one with the Chaos Light-Devouring Beast, and sent Lin Xian'er to retrieve it from the stone platform.
• Chen Nian passed a fake scroll to Mu Yun to draw the pursuers away, but Old Man Black Demon pursued him and attacked him and Lin Xian'er.
• Chen Nian trapped Old Man Black Demon in Cage and killed him, then Lin Xian'er carried Chen Nian back to the others.
• Jun Moxie learned that the grand elder had died and ordered the Heavenly Demon Hall to attack Azure Cloud Mountain and slaughter the chosen of the Four Great Holy Lands.
• Jun Moxie appeared before the holy lords, drove away the other factions, and led the Heavenly Demon Hall’s assault after the Ancient Nether Holy Land’s formation was sabotaged.
• Jun Moxie struck down the Wuji Holy Lord with a finger, revealing that he had reached the Eighth Realm, Saint Transformation.

Jun Moxie attacked the Four Great Holy Lands with the Heavenly Demon Hall, forcing the young elites to retreat into the Secluded Bamboo Hall. As Mu Qingxuan’s fire failed to stop the black dragon, Chen Nian learned the Nine-Character Mantra and used its first two words to drive back the attack, then stepped outside to face the Heavenly Demon Hall.

• Jun Moxie revealed his Saint Transformation Realm power and led the Heavenly Demon Hall’s assault on the Four Great Holy Lands.
• The Holy Lords sent their young disciples into the Secluded Bamboo Hall, where Chen Nian and Mu Yun recognized the attackers’ demonic power.
• Mu Qingxuan infused the barrier with powerful fire, but Jun Moxie strengthened the black dragon until it shattered the barrier and wounded her and Mu Yun.
• Chen Nian studied the Nine-Character Mantra scroll and realized he could invoke the power of heaven and earth through his Word Spirit and poetry.
• As the black dragon attacked Mu Qingxuan, Chen Nian shouted “Approach” to drive it back, then said “Warrior” and shattered it before walking out to confront the Heavenly Demon Hall.

Chen Nian used the Nine-Character Mantra to defeat Heavenly Demon Hall’s forces, but Jun Moxie and Jiuyou’s deception helped the enemy retreat. Afterward, Jiuyou drew attention to Mu Qingxuan’s resemblance to Mu Qiufeng, and Mu Yun reported that she had fainted.

• Chen Nian used the mantra’s third character, “Fight,” to blast hundreds of Heavenly Demon Hall elites and kill some of the weaker ones.
• Jun Moxie attacked Chen Nian with the Heavenly Demon Seal, but the other powerful fighters blocked the strike.
• After the mountain-protecting formation was repaired, Jiuyou attacked Jun Moxie, who pretended to be injured, then ordered Heavenly Demon Hall to retreat.
• The Four Great Holy Lands praised Jiuyou, who suggested that Mu Qingxuan’s fire-type Profound Strength resembled Mu Qiufeng’s and called for an investigation.
• Mu Yun hurried to Venerable Kongxuan and told him that Mu Qingxuan had fainted.

Venerable Kongxuan revealed that Mu Qingxuan was Mu Qiufeng’s daughter, prompting the Grand Profound Holy Land to face pressure from the other sects. Chen Nian and Xiao Zhu helped Mu Qingxuan release and contain the fire Profound Strength inside her, but her origins were set to be publicly questioned the next day.

• Venerable Kongxuan told Mu Yun that Mu Qingxuan was the infant Mu Qiufeng had rescued from his dying wife and entrusted to him.
• Venerable Kongxuan admitted Mu Qingxuan’s parentage to the Holy Lord, who granted him one day before a public questioning.
• Envoys from the martial world demanded that the Grand Profound Holy Land punish Mu Qingxuan, and the Holy Lord promised an explanation the following day.
• Chen Nian proposed letting Mu Qingxuan’s fire Profound Strength erupt, and Mu Yun supported his plan.
• Venerable Kongxuan withdrew his suppression, and Xiao Zhu grew larger and used Vermilion Bird Divine Fire to contain Mu Qingxuan’s power.

Mu Qingxuan learned that Mu Qiufeng was her father and faced a trial in the Grand Profound Hall, where the Holy Lord moved to cripple her cultivation. Chen Nian intervened, revealed his growing power, and ended the chapter blocking the hall entrance after the assembled fighters failed to defeat him.

• Mu Qingxuan awakened as Mu Qiufeng’s sword, Ask the Wind, appeared and revealed his letter explaining her origins and urging her to follow her heart.
• Mu Qingxuan agreed to face the Four Great Holy Lands’ accusations, while Mu Yun stood by her and defended her in the Grand Profound Hall.
• Xuan Sanqing ruled that Mu Qingxuan would have her Profound Strength crippled and be confined for ten years, but Mu Qiufeng’s power shielded her from his attack.
• Chen Nian entered the hall, told Mu Yun to take Mu Qingxuan away, and unleashed his power as his cultivation reached the Moon Treading Realm.
• Chen Nian’s God Descent Art blocked the assembled fighters’ attacks and shattered Xuan Sanqing’s Grand Profound Divine Sword, then Chen Nian took position at the hall’s entrance.

Mu Yun and Mu Qingxuan fought their way out of the Grand Profound Holy Land while Chen Nian held off its leaders and other holy land experts. Chen Nian escaped under cover of darkness, but Xuan Sanqing ordered the Azure Profound Sect captured in retaliation.

• Mu Yun used the Big Dipper Seven Stars Sword Formation to defeat the disciples blocking his escape, then took Mu Qingxuan toward the mountains’ edge.
• Chen Nian guarded the hall entrance and knocked the Ancient Nether Holy Land envoy You Ji aside with a single punch.
• Xuan Sanqing attacked Chen Nian with the Grand Profound Divine Sword, and Chen Nian held his ground until the other experts joined the assault and shattered his divine armor.
• Chen Nian unleashed the Death God Domain and escaped, leaving a warning that the Grand Profound Holy Land would be erased if it pursued them again.
• The other holy land experts mocked Xuan Sanqing and departed, and he ordered his disciples to capture the Azure Profound Sect.

Mu Yun and Mu Qingxuan escaped the Four Great Holy Lands’ pursuit and hid in Luoyang City with Bo Yi. After learning where they had gone, Chen Nian left the Grand Profound Holy Land to find them.

• Mu Yun and Mu Qingxuan fled to Luoyang City after repeated attacks and sought refuge with Bo Yi.
• Jun Moxie learned that Chen Nian had held off the Grand Profound Holy Lord, while news of Chen Nian’s escape spread across the Nine Provinces.
• Lin Xian’er asked the Heavenly Lake Holy Lord to protect Chen Nian, and the Holy Lord agreed to speak for him if his life was in danger.
• Bo Yi welcomed the wounded Mu Yun and Mu Qingxuan into his cottage and told them that Chen Nian had escaped too.
• Chen Nian visited Jin Shu, learned that Mu Yun and Mu Qingxuan had gone to Luoyang City to find Bo Yi, and departed to meet them.

Mu Qingxuan and Bo Yi discussed love after realizing their matching dreams connected Bo Yi and Jin Shu to Mu Qingxuan’s father, Mu Qiufeng. Chen Nian arrived, and Mu Qingxuan embraced him before he kissed her.

• Mu Qingxuan asked Bo Yi whether he loved Jin Shu, and he admitted he was unsure of his feelings.
• Bo Yi described his dream of a chess fanatic who gave a wooden sword to a boy later named Mu Qiufeng, matching a story Mu Qingxuan knew from her father’s letter.
• Mu Qingxuan suggested that Bo Yi and Jin Shu’s identical dreams reflected their own past experiences, and she shared her view that love could take many forms.
• Chen Nian arrived, and Mu Qingxuan rushed into his arms and scolded him for risking himself to help her.
• Chen Nian kissed Mu Qingxuan, while Bo Yi stopped Mu Yun from interrupting and Mu Yun said he wanted to ask Chen Nian how he had displayed his divinity.

Chen Nian left Luoyang to check whether the Azure Profound Sect’s disciples had been captured, while Jin Shu arrived at Bo Yi’s cottage and reunited with him. The Four Great Holy Lands found Mu Yun and Mu Qingxuan in Luoyang, beat Bo Yi when he refused to reveal their whereabouts, and took Mu Yun, Mu Qingxuan, and Jin Shu away.

• Chen Nian decided to return to the Azure Profound Sect after hearing that its disciples might have been captured.
• Jin Shu disguised herself to evade the disciples following her from the Grand Profound Holy Land, then visited Bo Yi in Luoyang and reunited with him and Mu Qingxuan.
• The Holy Lord’s crane located the fugitives, and the Four Great Holy Lands ordered Mu Yun and Mu Qingxuan to surrender outside Luoyang.
• Bo Yi denied knowing where Mu Yun and Mu Qingxuan were, so the gathered disciples beat him until Jin Shu intervened.
• Mu Yun, Mu Qingxuan, and Jin Shu surrendered to avoid fighting near Luoyang’s civilians, and the Holy Lands took them away as Bo Yi watched.

Chen Nian returned to the Azure Profound Sect and vowed to destroy the Grand Profound Holy Land if its people harmed his fellow disciples. In Luoyang City, Bo Yi realized he loved Jin Shu, and his divine awakening triggered an extraordinary celestial phenomenon as the sun, moon, and stars appeared together.

• Chen Nian returned to the Azure Profound Sect, learned that the Grand Profound Holy Land had taken Yue and the other disciples, and warned its spies to carry his threat back.
• Bo Yi was driven from Luoyang City by the crowd and, remembering Jin Shu's kindness, recognized that he loved her and wanted to change their tragic fate.
• Bo Yi roared as his feelings overwhelmed him, and the sun, moon, and stars appeared together in the sky.
• Bo Yi's clothes became spotless as he stood transformed, while a voice declared that the mountains, rivers, sun, moon, and stars welcomed his return on the day of his divine awakening.

Chen Nian entered the Grand Profound Holy Land to face the four Holy Lords, who had gathered hostages and prepared a killing formation for him. He refused to surrender and was trapped beneath the formation as his divine power rapidly drained.

• The four Holy Lords discussed killing Chen Nian and held Azure Profound Sect disciples, Mu Yun, Mu Qingxuan, and Jin Shu captive to lure him in.
• Chen Nian arrived, smashed the Grand Profound Holy Land's mountain gate, and told Xiao Zhu to burn the holy land if he failed to return.
• Chen Nian confronted Xuan Sanqing and rejected the demand that he cripple his cultivation, answering by opening his Heavenly Eye and unleashing his power.
• The four Holy Lords formed the Formation of the Heavenly Dao and pressed it down on Chen Nian, crushing his divine general phantom and rapidly draining his divine power.
• Mu Qingxuan, Mu Yun, Lin Xian'er, and the Azure Profound Sect disciples tried or begged to help Chen Nian, but their restraints and the Holy Lords' power kept them from intervening.
• Jun Moxie watched Chen Nian struggle beneath the formation and believed the boy's death would benefit him.