Chapter Summaries

The Azure Profound Sect arrived in Luoyang City, where Chen Nian heard the tale of Mu Qiufeng and learned about the Mount Cang Sword Competition. Meanwhile, the wounded Jun Moxie was offered a demonic core in exchange for pledging himself to Calamity, and Mu Qingxuan entered the city disguised as a middle-aged woman.

• The Azure Profound Sect entered Luoyang City, and a storyteller recounted how Mu Qiufeng defeated Jun Moxie and later died in battle.
• Chen Nian learned that the Mount Cang Sword Competition was a contest among the Four Great Holy Lands and agreed to meet a senior brother that night.
• Jun Moxie, still weakened by Mu Qiufeng's sword wound, heard that a visitor could heal him and summoned the visitor.
• The visitor offered Jun Moxie an Origin Demon God Core and said he must pledge allegiance to Calamity and endure the Triple Imprint to absorb it.
• Mu Qingxuan used a Disguise Ring to change her appearance into that of a middle-aged woman before entering Luoyang City.

Chen Nian’s bird led him to Mu Qingxuan, whom he mistook for an older woman, while Mu Qingxuan later visited her former senior brother Bo Yi and told him that Jin Shu planned to marry in the spring. Bo Yi hid his heartbreak behind a smile, and Mu Qingxuan left uncertain whether she would ever fall in love herself.

• Xiao Zhu flew to Mu Qingxuan, and Chen Nian approached her before calling her an auntie and taking his bird back.
• Mu Qingxuan asked Chen Nian to buy her the latest issue of Storybook Jianghu, but he left, and the shop soon sold out before she reached the counter.
• Mu Qingxuan went to Luoyang’s outskirts and revealed her identity to Bo Yi, her former senior brother.
• Mu Qingxuan told Bo Yi that Jin Shu planned to marry in the third month of spring, and Bo Yi pretended to be pleased while saying he was not worthy of her.
• Bo Yi told Mu Qingxuan that she would understand love if she ever found someone she liked, and she wondered whether she ever would.

Chen Nian went with his senior brothers to Snow Moon Pavilion, where he used bluffs and a display of teleportation to outshine Lin Feiyu and gain an invitation from courtesan queen Ji Ya. Ji Ya believed Chen Nian was a powerful holy land prodigy and decided to cultivate his support for her bid to become the Heavenly Maiden Sect’s Holy Maiden.

• Chen Nian and his three senior brothers secretly visited Snow Moon Pavilion and learned that its courtesan queen, Ji Ya, befriended only people with exceptional talents.
• The group ran into their master leaving a courtyard, and he made them promise not to tell their junior sisters before they went to the Heavenly Fragrance Courtyard.
• Ji Ya appeared and invited guests to demonstrate their abilities, but she ignored the performers until Lin Feiyu arrived and drove off two men with his Profound Qi.
• Chen Nian challenged Lin Feiyu, implied he was a formidable prodigy attending the Cangshan Sword Debate, and claimed that only Mu Yun was worthy of facing him.
• Chen Nian teleported to Ji Ya’s pavilion, persuading her that he was a powerful holy land prodigy, and she invited him inside.
• Ji Ya tested Chen Nian with mind-bewitching tea, but the Vermilion Bird Divine Fire neutralized it, leading her to consider him a promising ally in her bid to become the Heavenly Maiden Sect’s Holy Maiden.

Chen Nian spent the night with Ji Ya at the Snow Moon Pavilion after she tried to win him over, then revealed he was not from one of the Four Great Holy Lands. He escaped her anger and returned to the inn with his senior brothers, where Yue Xiaomeng noticed their orange scent.

• Chen Nian shared wine and music with Ji Ya while hiding his background and making advances toward her.
• Ji Ya tried to secure Chen Nian's support by seducing him, and they spent the night together.
• The next morning, Ji Ya demanded to know which Holy Land Chen Nian came from, but he denied ever claiming to belong to one.
• Ji Ya threatened Chen Nian with a silver needle, but he teleported outside and escaped while promising he could still help her become Holy Maiden.
• Chen Nian met his senior brothers, and they bought oranges to mask the scent of women's perfume on their clothes.
• Yue Xiaomeng encountered the group at the inn and questioned why they all smelled like oranges, while their master confirmed he had sent them to buy fruit.

Mu Qingxuan left Luoyang and visited a nameless grave and a hidden cold pool where she suppressed the Three Yang True Fire inside her. After fleeing Ji Ya, Chen Nian followed Xiao Zhu into the cave and discovered Mu Qingxuan bathing there, leaving him hiding nearby.

• Mu Qingxuan finished her shopping in Luoyang and left the city, while Xiao Zhu visited her and Chen Nian slept at an inn.
• Ji Ya broke into Chen Nian's room to kill him, but he dodged her attack and fled the inn to avoid exposing their past encounter.
• Mu Qingxuan left flowers at a nameless grave on her master's instructions, then entered a concealed cave to bathe in its cold pool and suppress her Three Yang True Fire.
• Chen Nian escaped Ji Ya and followed Xiao Zhu to the cave, where he used Word Spirit, Origin-Destroying World to erase its sealing spell.
• Chen Nian entered the cave and saw Mu Qingxuan bathing in the pool, then hid behind a rock wall.

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.