Recaps

Ye Qiubai endured a trial that tested whether he could resist the killing intent of the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon, awakening his Clear Sword Heart and advancing his cultivation. The Heavenly Demon Sword Saint then discovered that Ye Qiubai’s master had taught him a perfected version of the sword art that surpassed the original.

• Ye Qiubai fought the endless faceless crowd for days, conserving Spiritual Qi until the slaughter filled his Sword Qi and gaze with bloodlust.
• Ye Qiubai recalled his sword path and Lu Changsheng’s teachings, circulated the Primordial Sword Scripture, and regained his Clear Sword Heart as he broke through to the Middle Stage of the Violet Palace Realm.
• The white-robed Heavenly Demon Sword Saint judged Ye Qiubai’s resolve sufficient and ended the trial, then offered to teach him the final five swords.
• Ye Qiubai revealed that Lu Changsheng had already taught him the final five swords, and the Heavenly Demon Sword Saint entered Ye Qiubai to witness him perform them.
• The Heavenly Demon Sword Saint discovered that Lu Changsheng’s version was more complete and powerful than his own, while Ye Qiubai described his master as young, lazy, and fond of eating.

Ye Qiubai received the sword Dark Demon from the white-robed man, who recognized the Azure Cloud Sword as far greater. Hong Ying found Yun Ce imprisoned in Blood Prison and renewed her promise to lead the Nine Heavens Division and the Cloud Phoenix Empire into battle against the heavens.

• The white-robed man gave Ye Qiubai the peak heaven-grade sword Dark Demon after learning that Ye Qiubai had already mastered the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon.
• Ye Qiubai showed the man his Azure Cloud Sword, then bowed and left as the white-robed man turned into a pile of bones.
• Hong Ying reached a golden cage bound by Soul-Locking Chains and heard Yun Ce recognize her as his returned empress.
• Hong Ying told Yun Ce she would free him and restore his body, offering him the choice to live as he wished.
• Yun Ce declared the Nine Heavens Division would follow Hong Ying into battle against the heavens again, and Hong Ying vowed they would succeed.

Ye Qiubai was surrounded by Qiu Libei and four Sunset Dynasty fighters, who attacked him with overwhelming blood-red killing intent. He fought back with the Dark Demon and cleaved their massive blood-red fist in two.

• Outside the Blood Prison secret realm, General taunted the gathered factions while the Heavenly Origin Dynasty defended its friendly ties with the Sunset Dynasty.
• Qiu Libei confronted Ye Qiubai and surrounded him with four armored Sunset Dynasty fighters.
• Ye Qiubai wounded Qiu Libei with a sword strike, then faced the four fighters' combined attack.
• Ye Qiubai brought out the Heaven Rank Dark Demon and unleashed the Third Sword of the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon.
• Ye Qiubai's black Sword Qi cleaved the four fighters' gigantic blood-red fist in two.

Ye Qiubai fought off four Sunset Dynasty cultivators in the Blood Prison Secret Realm, then drew out the hidden Shadow Kill assassins. He escaped their coordinated attack and raced away with all three assassins in pursuit.

• Ye Qiubai cleaved apart the Sunset Dynasty cultivators’ blood-colored fist attack, shocking Qiu Libei and the four attackers.
• Ye Qiubai unleashed the fourth sword of the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon, while the four Sunset Dynasty cultivators used their blood essence to strengthen a blood-colored god of slaughter.
• Ye Qiubai repeatedly struck the god of slaughter until it shattered, leaving the four cultivators injured by the backlash.
• Ye Qiubai intercepted a hidden Shadow Kill assassin’s attack, then faced three assassins who ambushed him from different directions.
• Ye Qiubai’s sword net began to dissipate against the assassins’ strange daggers, so he rushed at the assassin in front and vanished; the three assassins pursued him.

The Sunset Dynasty general revealed that Ye Qiubai was the target of its mission, while Ye Qiubai faced Shadow Kill inside the Blood Prison Secret Realm. Trapped in their Mist Concealment Killing Formation, Ye Qiubai abandoned his ordinary senses and used the Mind’s Eye to deflect an assassin’s strike.

• The general told the Hidden Dao Academy elders that the Sunset Dynasty had come to kill Ye Qiubai, provoking their anger and threats.
• Ye Qiubai fled across the blood-colored wasteland while using Lu Changsheng’s pill to restore his Spiritual Qi, with Shadow Kill, the armored men, and Qiu Libei pursuing him.
• The three Shadow Kill assassins burned their blood essence, caught up with Ye Qiubai, and surrounded him with the Mist Concealment Killing Formation.
• The formation cut off Ye Qiubai’s perception, but he dodged a surprise attack at the cost of a deep shoulder wound.
• Ye Qiubai closed his eyes and used the Mind’s Eye from the Primordial Sword Scripture to sense and deflect an assassin’s dagger.

Ye Qiubai saw through the Mist Concealment Killing Formation and killed the three Shadow Kill assassins, then defeated the Sunset Dynasty’s four armored men. He crippled Qiu Libei and left him alive, then reunited with Hong Ying as one day remained in the Blood Prison Trial.

• Ye Qiubai used his Mind's Eye and Sword Intent to expose the formation, then killed all three Shadow Kill assassins with one strike.
• Ye Qiubai killed one armored man with a finger through his forehead and slew the remaining two with a Sword Intent slash.
• Ye Qiubai collected the four armored men’s storage rings, then destroyed Qiu Libei’s dantian and left him crippled.
• With one day left before the Blood Prison Trial ended, Ye Qiubai met Hong Ying, who said she would go to war again once her strength returned and might call on him for help.

Ye Qiubai and Hong Ying left the Blood Prison secret realm with their companions, then faced threats from the Sunset Dynasty and the Qiu Lineage. Above the sealed realm, Lu Changsheng confronted a mysterious force that opposed Hong Ying’s plan to establish a new Heavenly Dao.

• Ye Qiubai and Hong Ying wandered through Blood Prison, encountered Huo Qingming, Lin Ce, Xin Hongyi, and Zhong Wu, and left through the teleportation exit when the realm closed.
• The Sunset Dynasty general accused Ye Qiubai of killing his men and threatened the Hidden Dao Academy, while Ye Qiubai vowed to visit the Sunset Dynasty one day.
• A Qiu Lineage elder confronted Ye Qiubai for crippling Qiu Libei, and Ye Qiubai said he would visit the Qiu Lineage before its party departed.
• The Confucian Academy elder led the Hidden Dao Academy group home and promised them rewards for their gains in Blood Prison.
• Lu Changsheng revealed that he was protecting Hong Ying from a powerful being who opposed her plans to establish a new Heavenly Dao, and the being unleashed lightning against him.

Lu Changsheng drove away a powerful face that promised to return with stronger cultivators, then worried about preparing for their arrival despite the willow tree’s confidence in his strength. Meanwhile, Huang Tian Ming ordered another attempt on Ye Qiubai’s life and threatened Jiang Chan when she showed concern for him.

• Lu Changsheng repelled the lightning dragons and refused the face’s offer to send him out of the universe, prompting it to vow to return with stronger cultivators.
• Lu Changsheng returned to the Cottage and fretted about how to prepare, while the willow tree and the little bird doubted anyone could threaten him.
• Ye Qiubai and Hong Ying arrived, and Lu Changsheng ordered them to cultivate until they became Great Emperors; Xin Hongyi later challenged Ye Qiubai to spar as Hong Ying continued cultivating.
• Lu Changsheng gave up on figuring out how to cultivate and decided to sleep and rely on signing in for rewards.
• The general reported to Huang Tian Ming that Ye Qiubai had survived and the Shadow Kill assassins and his personal guards had died; Huang Tian Ming ordered the general to receive punishment in the Prison Forest and told Shadow Kill to send more assassins.
• Huang Tian Ming confronted Jiang Chan, warned her not to interfere, and threatened to show no mercy even though she was his future wife and the empress of Sunset.

Lu Changsheng’s Cottage prepared for the four-region academy exchange, and Ye Qiubai joined the Southern Region team bound for the Northern Region. There, Lu Changsheng approached a young scholar who had just left a village where he had taught children and offered to take him as his disciple.

• Qin Tiannan visited the Cottage, explained the academy exchange, and invited Ye Qiubai to compete in the Northern Region; Ye Qiubai agreed, while Hong Ying said she would travel there later.
• The next day, Qin Tiannan led Ye Qiubai, Huo Qingming, Lin Ce, Zhong Wu, Xin Hongyi, and Huang Yuan from the Hidden Dao Academy to the Northern Region.
• Qin Tiannan and the Confucian Academy elder explained the martial Dao and Confucian Dao exchanges and entrusted the Southern Region students with the academy’s honor.
• The other regional academies discussed their prospects, with the Northern Region expecting to win and the Eastern and Western Regions regarding the Southern Region as the weakest.
• A young scholar left a little Northern Region village after teaching its children for several months, and Lu Changsheng appeared and offered to take him as his disciple.

Lu Changsheng found Ning Chenxin in the Northern Region and guided him into the Dao through Confucianism, then accepted him as a disciple. Ning Chenxin stayed behind to temper himself, while Huang Tian Ming prepared to target Ye Qiubai at the Northern Region's academy exchange.

• Lu Changsheng met Ning Chenxin and invited him to become his disciple, prompting Ning Chenxin to ponder what the Dao was for four days.
• Ning Chenxin explained that he read to enlighten the world and rid it of war, then formed his Dao heart and entered the Dao through Confucianism.
• Lu Changsheng accepted Ning Chenxin as his disciple, gave him the Dao Scripture, and told him about Ye Qiubai and Hong Ying.
• Ning Chenxin chose to remain in the mortal world to gain experience, so Lu Changsheng gave him a jade pendant with a sword formation and a way to contact his senior siblings.
• Lu Changsheng returned to the Cottage and lamented that Ning Chenxin would not be there to cook for him.
• In the Sunset Dynasty, Huang Tian Ming learned that Ye Qiubai had come to the Northern Region for the academy exchange and ordered preparations with Shadow Kill and the Northern Region's Hidden Dao Academy.

Ye Qiubai and the Southern Region’s delegation arrived at the more oppressive Northern Region Hidden Dao Academy, where its disciples looked down on them. At a banquet that turned choosing a seat into a test of strength, one guest claimed a place near the seat of honor and challenged anyone who wanted it.

• Nie Qing welcomed Ye Qiubai and the others to the Northern Region Hidden Dao Academy, where nearby disciples mocked the Southern Region’s delegation.
• Huo Qingming and Xin Hongyi reacted angrily to the insults, but Ye Qiubai persuaded Xin Hongyi to save her strength for the martial Dao exchange.
• A group invited the delegation to a banquet, and Huang Yuan warned everyone to hide their trump cards and Ye Qiubai to restrain himself if people from the Sunset Dynasty attended.
• At the banquet, the guests were told to earn their seats by competing if they wanted the same table.
• A man claimed a table just below the seat of honor and challenged anyone who wanted to take it, while others began choosing seats without contesting them.

At a banquet in the Northern Region, Ye Qiubai recognized that the Sunset Dynasty was using the Northern Region's Hidden Dao Academy to provoke him and force him into conflict. After defeating Qiu Yu, he openly challenged a watching prodigy, leaving their confrontation about to begin.

• People plotting beside the banquet arranged for someone to provoke Ye Qiubai and make him an enemy of the Northern Region's Hidden Dao Academy.
• When Qiu Yu reached for Ye Qiubai's shoulder, Ye Qiubai's Sword Qi wounded him, and Ye Qiubai accused him of acting as someone else's dog.
• Qiu Yu attacked Ye Qiubai, but Ye Qiubai shattered his refined iron gauntlets and sent him flying with a sword strike.
• Ye Qiubai challenged the gathered guests, then confronted a man at the sixth seat whom he had noticed watching him.
• The man questioned whether Ye Qiubai could challenge the Northern Region's prodigies, and Ye Qiubai unleashed threatening black Sword Qi and asked if he was worthy now.

Ye Qiubai fought Liao Meisheng, a half-step Qi Sea Realm sword cultivator sent to kill him, and overpowered him with the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon. Jian Chaomian intervened before Ye Qiubai could finish Liao Meisheng, then ordered Liao Meisheng to face the wall at Sword Peak for ten years.

• Liao Meisheng attacked Ye Qiubai, but their swords initially clashed without either gaining the advantage.
• Ye Qiubai used the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon to overwhelm Liao Meisheng's sword light and break his Swallow Reversal technique.
• Ye Qiubai pressed his attack as Liao Meisheng struggled to defend, and the onlookers thought Liao Meisheng was about to be killed.
• Jian Chaomian stepped between them and blocked Ye Qiubai's strike with sword power that drew on the threshold of Sword Intent.
• Jian Chaomian reprimanded Liao Meisheng for letting others use him and ordered him to face the wall at Sword Peak for ten years.

Ye Qiubai defeated Liao Meisheng and drew the attention of hidden observers, while Hong Ying rescued Yun Ming from an icy prison using the Samsara Spear Technique. The chapter left Yun Ming free but weak, and powerful figures watching the four regions.

• Jian Chaomian defended his independence as a sword cultivator, then left after acknowledging Ye Qiubai's strength.
• A man in brocade robes said Ye Qiubai's fight had only been a probe and that someone else would deal with him.
• Huang Yuan criticized Ye Qiubai for exposing his ability, but Ye Qiubai remained calm and Zhong Wu reminded him how much the exchange mattered to Huang Yuan.
• Hong Ying descended into an icy rift and found Yun Ming bound in chains, then used the Samsara Spear Technique to break his restraints.
• Hong Ying escaped with Yun Ming as the rift collapsed, and Yun Ming pledged to fight alongside her again while he recovered.
• Several figures with unfathomable presences observed the four regions.

Four mysterious figures learned that an expert in the sealed, ruined world had mastered Dao Laws and set out to eliminate him. Meanwhile, the four-region academy exchange began, and Ye Qiubai entered the Azure Flame Mountain Range, where he earned his first points by killing a Devil Beast.

• The four figures discussed the unknown expert, suspected he had come from a higher-dimensional world, and decided to send projections to deal with him.
• Huang Yuan explained the first round’s points rules and told Ye Qiubai to stay hidden while he held off the other teams’ leaders.
• The four deans opened a teleportation array, and the martial exchange participants entered it; Qin Tiannan urged Ye Qiubai to do his best.
• Ye Qiubai arrived in the Azure Flame Mountain Range, sensed its pure Demon Qi, and found that his points stone showed zero.
• A four-legged Devil Beast charged Ye Qiubai, but he dodged its attack and killed it with a sword strike, raising his points to ten.

Ye Qiubai advanced into the Azure Flame Mountain Range, shattered Ding Lun’s trapping formation, and took his points stone after learning about the Yin Dragon Pool. At the pool, Xin Hongyi faced pressure from Tian Cheng and Liao Meisheng, who planned to claim its treasures and leave her with only a share of the points.

• Ye Qiubai headed deeper into the mountain range, slew Devil Beasts, and raised his points total to 230.
• Ding Lun trapped Ye Qiubai in a formation and demanded his points stone, but Ye Qiubai shattered the formation with one sword strike.
• Ding Lun revealed the Yin Dragon Pool’s location and its half-step Water Overflow Realm Yin Dragon and Yin Bone Flower; Ye Qiubai took Ding Lun’s 470-point stone, eliminating him.
• Ye Qiubai rushed toward the Yin Dragon Pool, where Xin Hongyi, Tian Cheng, and Liao Meisheng had gathered.
• Tian Cheng proposed dividing the spoils, claiming the Yin Dragon’s blood for himself and the Yin Bone Flower for Liao Meisheng while offering Xin Hongyi only a share of the points.

Ye Qiubai arrived at the Yin Dragon Pool and demanded all the points from the hunt, leaving the Yin Dragon’s blood and Yin Bone Flower to the others. After the Dragon-Trapping Formation failed to hold the beast, Ye Qiubai walked toward it alone.

• Ye Qiubai joined Xin Hongyi at the Yin Dragon Pool and said he wanted all the points, but none of the other rewards.
• Tian Cheng activated the Dragon-Trapping Formation, and the group attacked when the Yin Dragon emerged from the pool.
• The group’s attacks failed to harm the Yin Dragon, but Tian Cheng wounded its crest with a single punch.
• Tian Cheng urged everyone to attack with their full strength, while Ye Qiubai waited and said he did not want others claiming credit for his achievement.
• The Yin Dragon broke the Dragon-Trapping Formation, and Ye Qiubai advanced toward it despite Tian Cheng ordering him to retreat.

Ye Qiubai fought the Half-Step Water Overflow Realm Yin Dragon alone and killed it with the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon. Afterward, Xin Hongyi checked on him, and he said one pill would restore him.

• Ye Qiubai charged the Yin Dragon and damaged its tail with the second sword of the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon, astonishing Liao Meisheng and Tian Cheng.
• The enraged Yin Dragon left the pool and charged at Ye Qiubai, who met it with the fifth sword and shattered its crest.
• Ye Qiubai pursued the wounded Yin Dragon and cleaved into its skull, killing it despite being only at the middle stage of the Violet Palace Realm.
• Xin Hongyi asked whether Ye Qiubai was all right, and he said he had used too much Spiritual Qi and could recover with a pill.
• Liao Meisheng and Tian Cheng were shocked by Ye Qiubai’s strength, while Xin Hongyi wondered how he had so many high-grade pills.

Ye Qiubai reclaimed the Yin Bone Flower from Liao Meisheng after severing his hand, then forced him to teleport away and took his points. He rejected Tian Cheng’s offer for the Yin Dragon blood and gave it to Xin Hongyi, who began absorbing it while Ye Qiubai stood guard.

• Tian Cheng offered to give Ye Qiubai the Yin Dragon blood and Yin Bone Flower, while Liao Meisheng demanded a share of the loot and attacked Xin Hongyi.
• Ye Qiubai blocked Liao Meisheng’s attack, took the Yin Bone Flower from the pool, and tossed it to him before cutting off the hand holding it and reclaiming the flower.
• When Liao Meisheng protested that killing was forbidden, Ye Qiubai attacked with the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon, forcing him to teleport away with his points stone.
• Ye Qiubai absorbed Liao Meisheng’s 400 points, bringing his total to 2,100, and Tian Cheng left after Ye Qiubai rejected his offer to buy the Yin Dragon blood.
• Ye Qiubai extracted the Yin Dragon blood essence and gave it to Xin Hongyi, then agreed to guard her while she absorbed it.

Ye Qiubai and Xin Hongyi hunted Devil Beasts, strengthened their cultivation, and earned high scores, with Ye Qiubai taking first place in the Southern Region. As the martial exchange began, a ship from the Sunset Dynasty arrived, drawing everyone's attention.

• Xin Hongyi broke through to the late Purple Mansion Realm, and she and Ye Qiubai continued hunting Devil Beasts.
• Ye Qiubai reached the late Purple Mansion Realm and finished with 4,700 points, while Xin Hongyi earned 2,200.
• The elders announced the regional rankings: Jian Chaomian led the Northern Region, Tian Cheng led the Eastern Region, Zhang He led the Western Region, and Ye Qiubai led the Southern Region.
• Huo Qingming and Lin Ce were eliminated from the Southern Region, while Ye Qiubai received praise from the academy elders.
• Wu Deshi announced the martial exchange, and the first match was set between the Eastern and Southern Regions.
• A ship pulled by two golden-armored flood dragons arrived, revealing the arrival of the Sunset Dynasty.

The Sunset Dynasty's eldest prince, Huang Tian Ming, and Jiang Chan arrived at the academy exchange, where Ye Qiubai met Jiang Chan with cold indifference and renewed resolve against the dynasty. Xin Hongyi then defeated her Eastern Region opponent decisively, leaving the Southern Region with a victory in the second round.

• The eldest prince Huang Tian Ming arrived with Jiang Chan and the Asura Iron Cavalry, drawing the gathered spectators' attention.
• Ye Qiubai saw Jiang Chan but showed only indifference, while she reacted with surprise and sadness and Huang Tian Ming took her hand.
• Huang Tian Ming greeted Wu Deshi before the elder announced the second-round match between the Southern and Eastern Regions.
• Huang Yuan sent Xin Hongyi to compete instead of Ye Qiubai, and Xin Hongyi faced an Eastern Region fighter who mocked the Southern Region.
• Ye Qiubai predicted Xin Hongyi would win, and she defeated her opponent in fewer than twenty exchanges.

Xin Hongyi won her first match but was defeated by Zheng Huai, prompting Huang Yuan to step in and challenge Tian Cheng. As their battle remained even, Qin Tiannan trusted that Ye Qiubai would be the one to carry the Southern Region forward, while Huang Tian Ming watched Jiang Chan and silently threatened Ye Qiubai.

• Xin Hongyi chose to continue after defeating her first opponent, but Zheng Huai injured her and won their match with a powerful palm strike.
• Ye Qiubai offered Xin Hongyi a pill, but Huang Yuan took the next match instead and severely injured Zheng Huai with one blow.
• Tian Cheng confronted Huang Yuan, and their Qi Sea Realm attacks collided without either gaining the advantage.
• Qin Tiannan dismissed the Eastern Region dean's doubts and placed his confidence in Ye Qiubai rather than Huang Yuan.
• Huang Tian Ming noticed Jiang Chan watching the Southern Region students and silently resolved not to let Ye Qiubai leave the Northern Region alive.

Tian Cheng and Huang Yuan fought to a draw, leaving Ye Qiubai to face the Eastern Region's final fighter. Ye Qiubai defeated his peak Purple Mansion opponent with ease, securing the Southern Region's advance and surprising the watching regions, though the academy leaders did not yet recognize his strength.

• Tian Cheng and Huang Yuan exhausted much of their Spiritual Qi in a final clash, then agreed to call their battle a draw.
• The elder announced that Ye Qiubai would face the Eastern Region's last remaining fighter, who was at the peak Purple Mansion realm.
• Ye Qiubai blocked the Eastern Region fighter's Sword Qi with a wooden sword and swiftly placed it against his opponent's neck.
• The elder declared Ye Qiubai the winner and announced that the Southern Region had advanced with Huang Yuan and Ye Qiubai remaining.
• The other regions and their leaders reacted to Ye Qiubai's victory, while Wu Deshi praised Huang Yuan but did not mention Ye Qiubai.

Jian Chaomian defeated Zhang He with a single thrust of Sword Intent, securing the Northern Region's advancement. He then challenged Ye Qiubai to settle the tournament outcome, and Ye Qiubai asked whether the rules allowed it.

• Huang Tian Ming and Wu Deshi discussed the Northern Region's strong team and anticipated Ye Qiubai's performance.
• Zhang He defeated one Western Region opponent before facing Jian Chaomian in the final match.
• Jian Chaomian pierced Zhang He's Buddhist Vajra Body with Sword Intent and won, sending the Northern Region through.
• Xin Hongyi asked Ye Qiubai who would win a fight against Jian Chaomian, and Ye Qiubai calmly said he would.
• Jian Chaomian stayed on the platform, challenged Ye Qiubai, and said Ye Qiubai was the only one he could not see through.

Jian Chaomian challenged Ye Qiubai, sensing a kindred sword cultivator, and Ye Qiubai revealed immense Sword Qi, demonic Qi, and Great Swordmaster-level Sword Intent as he climbed to the platform. Huang Tian Ming, alarmed by Ye Qiubai’s strength, ordered the Asura Iron Cavalry to kill him after the match and summoned palace reinforcements, while Jian Chaomian eagerly prepared to fight.

• Jian Chaomian asked the deans to let him fight Ye Qiubai, and Wu Deshi granted his request.
• Ye Qiubai agreed to fight Jian Chaomian, then released powerful Sword Qi and demonic Qi as he climbed the platform steps.
• Ye Qiubai’s presence rose toward the Qi Sea Realm, surprising the deans and delighting Jiang Chan.
• Ye Qiubai reached the platform and revealed Sword Intent at the Great Swordmaster level, making Jian Chaomian draw his sword in excitement.
• Huang Tian Ming ordered the Asura Iron Cavalry to kill Ye Qiubai after the match and summoned palace Attendant and Eunuch Ming.
• Ye Qiubai faced Jian Chaomian and calmly told him to make his move.