Chapter Summaries

After Lu Xiangyuan returned to the sect as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Chen Shuangbai settled into a routine of cultivation and teaching Gao Yi. True Lord Qingchen visited Jade Screen Peak to tell Chen Shuangbai that the Profound Firmament Sect had invited him to the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly in the Zhao Kingdom.

• Lu Xiangyuan returned to the sect after successfully establishing a higher vehicle foundation, and Chen Shuangbai sent her off with more sweet treats.
• Chen Shuangbai resumed his regular cultivation and personally taught Gao Yi, whose steady progress suited his solid foundations.
• True Lord Qingchen arrived at Jade Screen Peak and stopped Gao Yi from kneeling to him.
• True Lord Qingchen asked Chen Shuangbai whether he wished to attend the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly.
• The Dao attendant boy explained that the Profound Firmament Sect was hosting the assembly and had specifically invited Chen Shuangbai.

Chen Shuangbai learned that Jade Spring Sect was quietly preparing for worsening tensions among cultivation powers and agreed to travel for the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly. After making arrangements at Jade Screen Peak and checking on his secluded master and martial uncle, he departed for Zhao Kingdom in the Azure Mist Flood Dragon Carriage.

• True Lord Qingchen told Chen Shuangbai to broaden his sword knowledge and represent Jade Spring Sect in preliminary talks about mutual protection with other cultivation powers.
• Chen Shuangbai accepted the responsibility and later received information about the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly from a White Jade Crane.
• Chen Shuangbai agreed to let two young White Jade Cranes serve at Jade Screen Peak and instructed Feiguang to keep them in line.
• Before leaving, Chen Shuangbai checked on his master and martial uncle at Parasol Tree Valley and asked Tang Yu to watch over Jade Screen Peak.
• Lu Zhiyuan prepared the Azure Mist Flood Dragon Carriage, and Chen Shuangbai and Gao Yi set off for Zhao Kingdom.

Chen Shuangbai traveled to the Zhao Kingdom in a grand Jade Spring Sect carriage, reprimanded Fang Xiao for forgetting his place, and reached the Profound Firmament Sect’s Molten Gold Ridge to attend the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly. At the mountain gate, the Jade Spring party presented its invitation and announced Chen Shuangbai’s arrival.

• Chen Shuangbai questioned Fang Xiao’s reluctance to serve as his guard, then used Great Yin Illusory Radiance to force Fang Xiao to admit his mistake and warned him not to repeat it.
• Chen Shuangbai and Gao Yi crossed into the Zhao Kingdom, where Gao Yi asked about the region’s strong earthfire Qi and Chen Shuangbai explained its fire veins and the Profound Firmament Sect’s strength.
• After two more days of travel, Chen Shuangbai’s carriage reached Molten Gold Ridge, the Profound Firmament Sect’s mountain gates.
• Chen Shuangbai stopped Fang Xiao from approaching the gate guards and had the Jade Spring Foundation Establishment disciple present their invitation.
• The disciple announced that the Jade Spring Sect’s Dao Child, True Person Xuhong, had come to attend the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly, drawing the attention of nearby cultivators.

Chen Shuangbai arrived at the Profound Firmament Sect for the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly and reunited with Zhao Shiyong, who had also reached the Golden Core stage. True Person Jixuan of the Arrayed Mystery Sect arrived and provoked Chen Shuangbai over his sword technique, then was escorted to the guest lodgings as the assembly prepared to welcome sword cultivators from across the realm.

• Chen Shuangbai descended from his carriage at the Profound Firmament Sect’s mountain gate, where Zhao Shiyong came out to welcome him.
• Zhao Shiyong and Chen Shuangbai greeted each other before True Person Jixuan’s Golden Core radiance spread over them, prompting Zhao Shiyong to cut it apart and challenge him.
• An attendant announced that True Person Jixuan of the Arrayed Mystery Sect had come by invitation, and the gathered cultivators discussed his sect and cultivation.
• Gong Yue praised Chen Shuangbai’s victory at Cloud Dragon Lake while challenging him to demonstrate his Supreme Yin Sword Technique at the assembly.
• Zhao Shiyong objected to Gong Yue’s manner, but Gong Yue mounted his black spirit tiger and let the Profound Firmament Sect disciples escort him to the guest lodgings.

Chen Shuangbai settled into the Profound Firmament Sect’s Crimson Cloud Courtyard and learned that the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly had drawn sword experts from across the region. After Fang Xiao gathered news about the guests and the assembly’s reward, Chen Shuangbai heard that the champion would most likely be allowed to behold the Sword Stele of Returning to Truth.

• Zhao Shiyong escorted Chen Shuangbai and his party to Crimson Cloud Courtyard, apologized for Daoist Jixuan’s challenge, and offered to protect them during the assembly.
• Chen Shuangbai considered why Daoist Jixuan had targeted him and concluded that the Arrayed Mystery Sect was probing the Jade Spring Sect’s strength.
• Fang Xiao returned from gathering information and reported that many major sects and talented sword cultivators had come to the assembly.
• Chen Shuangbai asked which of the Three Treasures of Returning to Truth the champion would see, and Fang Xiao said most cultivators expected it to be the Sword Stele of Returning to Truth.

Chen Shuangbai learned about the Three Treasures of Returning to Truth and the Profound Firmament Sect’s factional tensions while preparing for the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly. Du Taixuan and Liu Qinghe visited him at the Crimson Rosy Clouds Garden, and after their conversation turned to the assembly, Du Taixuan left Liu Qinghe alone with Chen Shuangbai.

• Fang Xiao told Chen Shuangbai about the Three Treasures of Returning to Truth and the struggle between the Profound Firmament Sect’s master-disciple and aristocratic clan factions.
• Chen Shuangbai read his swordsmanship notes that night while Gao Yi practiced in the courtyard.
• Du Taixuan visited Chen Shuangbai at the Crimson Rosy Clouds Garden and congratulated him on reaching the middle Golden Core stage.
• Liu Qinghe of the Flower Washing Sword Sect arrived, and Chen Shuangbai welcomed him inside.
• Chen Shuangbai, Du Taixuan, and Liu Qinghe discussed their Sword Daos and overseas travels before turning to the Dharma assembly.
• Liu Qinghe signaled that he wanted to speak privately with Chen Shuangbai, so Du Taixuan took his leave.

Chen Shuangbai learned from Liu Qinghe about the Devil Dao’s growing influence in the Qian Kingdom and reflected on the coming struggle for finite spiritual resources. Two days later, he and Gao Yi set out for the Dharma assembly at the Sword Demonstration Terrace.

• Chen Shuangbai received a mystic talisman from Liu Qinghe, who warned that the Qian Kingdom’s balance of power was threatened by Devil Dao forces supporting White Deer Mountain.
• Liu Qinghe explained that Ji Yuzi had reached the Nascent Soul realm and fought the Flower Washing Sword Sect’s master to a draw, while hiding any outside influence behind White Deer Mountain’s own techniques.
• Chen Shuangbai considered True Lord Qingchen’s view that a great struggle over finite spiritual potential could not be avoided, and resolved that cultivators must contend for the Dao Path.
• After two more days passed, Gao Yi met Chen Shuangbai with a mystic-patterned scabbard, and they left for the Dharma assembly with a Profound Firmament Sect guide.
• Chen Shuangbai traveled toward the Sword Demonstration Terrace as Golden Core True Persons arrived from across Molten Gold Ridge in colorful clouds and lights.

Chen Shuangbai attended the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly at Molten Gold Ridge, where the Profound Firmament Sect welcomed sword cultivators from across the region. After True Lord Xuanyuan opened the gathering and Zhao Shiyong announced the rules, the lower-level sword contests began, leaving Chen Shuangbai and the other Golden Core cultivators watching the young participants.

• Chen Shuangbai arrived at the arena with Gao Yi and Fang Xiao, greeted the Golden Core cultivators on the raised platforms, and took his seat.
• Zhao Shiyong introduced Fairy Nangu, a sword cultivator from the Sumiao Sword Pavilion, who joined the gathering on Chen Shuangbai's platform.
• True Lord Xuanyuan appeared at the northern platform, and Zhao Shiyong welcomed the attendees and declared that the assembly permitted only sword arts and personal cultivation.
• Sword cultivators below Golden Core began competing, and Chen Shuangbai observed their techniques with interest.
• Chen Shuangbai and the other Golden Core cultivators watched a blue-robed sword cultivator whose graceful swordplay carried considerable power.

Chen Shuangbai watched sword cultivators display their different inheritances at the Dharma gathering, which moved from the lower-realm competition to the opening of the Golden Core matches. The chapter ended with True Person Xuguang and True Person Jinglian exchanging sword arts while Chen Shuangbai studied their techniques.

• Chen Xi of the Flower Washing Sword Sect lost to a rogue sword cultivator after their swordsmanship clashed across more than ten rounds.
• Chen Yuzi of the Liheng Sword Sect won the competition for sword cultivators below the Golden Core Realm and received the promised reward, including a chance to behold the Three Treasures of Returning to Truth.
• True Lord Xuanyuan activated the six mystic pillars to create the Sword Demonstration Dharma Realm, and Zhao Shiyong began the Golden Core competition.
• True Person Xuguang of the Crimson Cloud Sect and True Person Jinglian of the Lotus Temple took the platform and began their match, displaying their distinct sword arts.
• Chen Shuangbai watched their exchange closely and unconsciously practiced their moves as he studied their techniques.

Chen Shuangbai faced Qin Shu in the sword demonstration, overwhelming him with elusive sword forms. As Qin Shu began to summon the radiance of a Divine Ability, the contest shifted toward a more serious exchange.

• True Person Xuguang conceded to True Person Jinglian after their sword exchange, and the gathering continued with more Golden Core duels.
• Gao Yi handed Chen Shuangbai [Foot-Long Silk] before Chen Shuangbai descended to face Qin Shu of the Profound Firmament Sect.
• Qin Shu opened with his treasured sword, but Chen Shuangbai vanished and struck from unexpected angles, forcing Qin Shu to defend.
• True Lord Xuanyuan explained that Chen Shuangbai's elusive sword forms accorded with his own Dao Path.
• Qin Shu, exhausted from defending against Chen Shuangbai's attacks, drew in his flames and began revealing the radiance of a Divine Ability.

Chen Shuangbai defeated Qin Shu with his precisely controlled sword technique, Flowing Light on Snow, impressing the Golden Core cultivators and True Lord Xuanyuan. The matches continued, while Gong Yue watched Chen Shuangbai with growing interest.

• Qin Shu admitted Chen Shuangbai was superior in swordsmanship but asked for one final strike to decide the winner.
• Chen Shuangbai used Flowing Light on Snow to cut Qin Shu's robe without injuring him, and Qin Shu conceded wholeheartedly.
• Nangu Yaohua and Liu Qinghe praised Chen Shuangbai's swordsmanship, while Gao Yi watched in awe and Fang Xiao felt relieved he had heeded Chen Shuangbai's warning.
• True Lord Xuanyuan praised Chen Shuangbai, and the subsequent Golden Core matches continued without matching the brilliance of his strike.
• Gong Yue recalled Chen Shuangbai's strike and watched with growing interest.

Golden Core cultivators tested their sword skills, and Nangu Yaohua defeated Du Taixuan with her flower-like swordplay. On another platform, Gong Yue and Xizhao nearly clashed over an insult before True Lord Xuanyuan intervened.

• Nangu Yaohua overcame Du Taixuan in their sword-only match, trapping him in a sea of Sword Qi flowers and bringing her blade to his throat.
• Du Taixuan conceded gracefully, and Liu Qinghe and Chen Shuangbai praised Nangu Yaohua’s swordplay and the Sumiao Sword Pavilion’s heritage.
• On the northern platform, Xizhao mocked Gong Yue over a Nascent Soul True Lord’s loss of sixty years of cultivation, provoking Gong Yue’s anger.
• True Lord Xuanyuan warned Gong Yue and Xizhao not to make trouble in the Profound Firmament Sect, and they withdrew their Divine Abilities.
• Liu Qinghe explained Gong Yue’s and Xizhao’s backgrounds to Du Taixuan and joked that they were like dogs biting dogs.

The first round of the Golden Core competition ended with five cultivators advancing, and lots paired Chen Shuangbai with Jinglian while Gong Yue faced Nangu Yaohua. Gong Yue defeated Nangu Yaohua, and Chen Shuangbai prepared to begin his duel with Jinglian, who drew the Buddhist sword Pure Heart.

• Liu Qinghe explained that Master Beiku founded the Compassionate Chan Way after an external demon disrupted his breakthrough and changed his beliefs.
• Five Golden Core cultivators advanced: Chen Shuangbai, Gong Yue, Nangu Yaohua, Jinglian, and Jingliuzi, whom Zhao Shiyong announced as True Person Xuhong, Jixuan, Nangu, Jinglian, and Lingxing.
• The competitors drew lots, pairing Chen Shuangbai with Jinglian and Gong Yue with Nangu Yaohua, while one contestant received a bye.
• Gong Yue defeated Nangu Yaohua with precise, murderous swordplay, and Nangu Yaohua conceded around the twenty-third move.
• Chen Shuangbai met Jinglian in the sword demonstration realm, and Jinglian explained that the Great Buddha Temple’s conflict with the Lotus Temple was not his to pursue.
• Jinglian drew his Buddhist sword Pure Heart and invited Chen Shuangbai to begin their duel.

Chen Shuangbai and True Person Jinglian exchanged sword techniques in the dharma realm, then escalated to their strongest moves. Chen Shuangbai shattered the realm with Supreme Yin sword essence and defeated Jinglian, who conceded.

• Chen Shuangbai and Jinglian began their sword demonstration, with Supreme Yin sword arts and Buddhist wisdom sword techniques meeting evenly.
• The two traded dozens of moves as cultivators and Golden Core True Persons watched, and Liu Qinghe praised Chen Shuangbai’s distinctive sword art.
• Jinglian used [Delivering Truth], an invisible sword strike that cut Chen Shuangbai’s shoulder cloth and left a clean gash in the dharma realm.
• Chen Shuangbai unleashed brilliant Supreme Yin light, struck Jinglian’s sword, and tore open several rifts in the dharma realm.
• Chen Shuangbai appeared behind Jinglian with his sword at Jinglian’s heart, and Jinglian sheathed his sword and admitted defeat.

After Chen Shuangbai impressed the Golden Core cultivators with his Supreme Yin Sword Technique, Gong Yue proposed that their disciples spar before the two of them faced off. Chen Shuangbai asked Gao Yi whether he would take the challenge, and Gao Yi agreed.

• Liu Qinghe praised Chen Shuangbai and urged him to join the Flower Washing Sword Sect, but Chen Shuangbai refused.
• Nangu Yaohua invited Chen Shuangbai to visit the Sumiao Sword Pavilion and guide its disciples.
• The new drawing of lots matched Chen Shuangbai against Gong Yue, while True Person Lingxing received a bye.
• Gong Yue asked Zhao Shiyong to let their disciples spar first, and True Lord Xuanyuan approved the change.
• Chen Shuangbai asked Gao Yi what he thought, and Gao Yi agreed to test himself.

Chen Shuangbai agreed to wager a Spirit Embryo against Gong Yue’s Qinwater Sword Pill on a duel between their Qi Refining disciples. Gao Yi and Xue Zheng began their sword match, which remained evenly matched as they exchanged dozens of moves.

• Gong Yue proposed that Gao Yi duel his disciple, offering a Qinwater Sword Pill against Chen Shuangbai’s Spirit Embryo.
• Chen Shuangbai accepted the wager and gave Gao Yi a colorful longsword before sending him into the Sword Demonstration Dharma Realm.
• Xue Zheng introduced himself and immediately attacked Gao Yi with a fierce strike.
• Gao Yi dodged and deflected Xue Zheng’s attack, and the two disciples traded dozens of solid sword moves.

Gao Yi drew on his diligent practice of the Dragon Creek Sword Instruction to turn the tide against Xue Zheng in their sword duel. He defeated Xue Zheng and held his sword to his opponent’s neck.

• Gao Yi’s flowing swordplay gradually overcame Xue Zheng’s fierce attacks as their exchange continued.
• Xue Zheng used Sword Light Differentiation to summon six purple sword shadows and attack Gao Yi from every direction.
• Gao Yi’s sword light slipped through the six shadows and reached Xue Zheng, who met his strike with a fierce counterattack.
• Gao Yi used Passing Shadow, Flowing River to disrupt Xue Zheng’s swordplay, slipped through his defense, and placed his sword at Xue Zheng’s neck.
• Gao Yi calmly told Xue Zheng that he had lost.

After Gao Yi defeated Xue Zheng, Gong Yue handed Chen Shuangbai the wagered Qinwater Sword Pill. Chen Shuangbai then faced Gong Yue in the main duel and found himself trapped in a sword formation, where he detected and expelled hidden sword needles.

• Xue Zheng knelt before Gong Yue, who ordered him to withdraw and reflect on his defeat.
• Gong Yue gave Chen Shuangbai the Qinwater Sword Pill after losing the wager, and Chen Shuangbai passed it to Gao Yi.
• Chen Shuangbai and Gong Yue entered the Sword Demonstration Dharma Realm and began their duel.
• Gong Yue used a purple law sword to form a thirty-two-sword formation around Chen Shuangbai.
• Chen Shuangbai defended himself with Foot-Long Silk and its frost osmanthus sword essence, then found three sword needles embedded in his palm and forced them out.

Gong Yue used the Arrayed Mystery Sect’s Transforming Sword into Talisman technique to immobilize Chen Shuangbai and attack him, but [Foot-Long Silk] broke free and destroyed his talismans. Chen Shuangbai overwhelmed Gong Yue with Flowing Light on Snow until True Lord Xuanyuan stopped the duel just before the finishing strike.

• Gong Yue formed three sword essence talismans bearing the characters “Suppress,” “Kill,” and “Bind,” immobilizing Chen Shuangbai.
• Gong Yue repeatedly slashed apart the Frost Osmanthus sword essence surrounding Chen Shuangbai, but [Foot-Long Silk] released Supreme Yin radiance that freed him and destroyed the three talismans.
• Chen Shuangbai advanced with [Foot-Long Silk] and unleashed Flowing Light on Snow, forcing back Gong Yue’s crimson-purple divine ability.
• Gong Yue’s divine ability darkened the spell domain, but Chen Shuangbai’s sword strike cut through it and came within inches of Gong Yue’s face.
• True Lord Xuanyuan intervened, and Chen Shuangbai withdrew his sword while Gong Yue stood disheveled.

Chen Shuangbai defeated Gong Yue at the Sword Continuation Dharma Assembly, and True Person Lingxing conceded the final match, securing Chen Shuangbai the Golden Core champion’s title. That night, Chen Shuangbai met True Lord Xuanyuan, Zhao Shiyong, Lingxing, and an unfamiliar female Golden Core cultivator at a spiritual peak.

• Chen Shuangbai defeated Gong Yue in their swordsmanship exchange, and Gong Yue conceded before returning to his platform.
• True Person Lingxing withdrew from his match against Chen Shuangbai, drawing attention to his rivalry with Gong Yue and the Arrayed Mystery Sect.
• Zhao Shiyong declared Chen Shuangbai the champion of the Golden Core competition, bringing the assembly to a close.
• That night, Chen Shuangbai followed a Profound Firmament Sect disciple to a spiritual peak, where True Lord Xuanyuan, Zhao Shiyong, Lingxing, and an unfamiliar female Golden Core cultivator awaited him.
• Lingxing greeted Chen Shuangbai and asked whether he did not wish to see him.