Chapter Summaries

Shen Yun defeated Shen Qiu in a single devastating move, stunning the Shen Family and drawing Su Yu’s interest in recruiting him for the Lone Swan Sword Sect. As the next round began, Shen Qiu lay unconscious after Shen Wude accidentally crushed him.

• Shen Yun overwhelmed Shen Qiu with one strike and sent him crashing out of the arena.
• The elders and Shen Leiyuan praised Shen Yun’s cultivation and talent, while Su Yu considered bringing him to the Lone Swan Sword Sect.
• Shen Qiu struggled to his feet as his former supporters abandoned him.
• Shen Wude fell onto Shen Qiu, crushing several ribs, then fled while insisting everyone could testify it was an accident.
• The crowd discussed Shen Yun’s strength, and the next round began.

Shen Qingruo defeated Shen Feng after his self-doubt undermined his fighting, then Shen Yun turned their final into a lesson match. Afterward, Shen Heng recruited Shen Feng as a spy and revealed his role in a plot to destroy the Shen Family and uncover Tianwei Mountain’s secret.

• Shen Qingruo exploited Shen Feng’s wavering focus to defeat him and secure her place in the finals.
• Shen Yun gave Shen Qingruo guidance during the final, and the tournament ended without a serious fight.
• Shen Heng offered the despondent Shen Feng a chance to clear Shen Lang’s name in exchange for spying on the younger generation entering the Lone Swan Sword Sect, and Shen Feng accepted.
• After Shen Feng left, Shen Heng admitted that he had killed Shen Lang because he threatened the Shangguan Family’s plans.
• Shen Heng and a gray-robed old woman discussed the secret of Tianwei Mountain, their plan to use Shen Feng to pass false information, and their intent to destroy the Shen Family.

After the First Elder rewarded Shen Yun for his performance in the Family Grand Competition, Shen Yun spent the summer earning Spirit Stones and selling premium talismans. At Spirit Talisman Tower, he helped Shangguan Nian understand how to refine a Supreme Spring Return Talisman, and she invited him to the Talisman Master Association to seek advanced talisman arts.

• The First Elder tripled Shen Yun's monthly resources and gave him access to the first three floors of the Scripture Pavilion after Shen Yun refused to move to Misty Peak.
• Shen Yun beat Shen Wude at Go and other games, then went with him to the Market to sell talismans.
• Victims of Shen Wude's fraudulent wares surrounded him at the Market, and he fled while Shen Yun entered Spirit Talisman Tower.
• Shen Zhong appraised Shen Yun's Supreme Water Shield Talisman, and Shangguan Nian asked Shen Yun to explain why her Spring Return Talisman had not reached the supreme grade.
• Shen Yun told Shangguan Nian to follow her own understanding rather than imitate standard techniques, and she thanked him before inviting him to the Talisman Master Association to find talisman arts.

Shen Yun passed the Talisman Master examination with a top-grade Fireball Talisman and obtained the talisman arts he sought. After Shangguan Nian refused her family’s order to join the Lone Swan Sword Sect, Shen Yun grew suspicious of the Shangguan Family’s plans and followed Shangguan Mo with Shen Wude.

• Shen Yun passed Li Tong’s examination by refining a top-grade Fireball Talisman in five minutes, then registered as a Talisman Master and bought the talisman arts.
• Granny Aramaki and Shangguan Mo arrived and ordered Shangguan Nian to return to the clan for the Lone Swan Sword Sect examination, but she refused and reaffirmed her devotion to the Dao of Talismans.
• Granny Aramaki told Shangguan Mo to monitor Shangguan Nian and instructed him to send a message bug into Shen Family territory if anything happened.
• Shen Yun secretly overheard their conversation and wondered why Granny Aramaki had come to Shen Family territory.
• Shen Wude joined Shen Yun, and the two followed Shangguan Mo after Shen Yun said he had come to the Shen Family with ulterior motives.

Shangguan Mo attacked Shangguan Nian on the road outside Tianwei Mountain to force her back into the Shangguan Family, but she was overwhelmed by his techniques. Shen Yun and Shen Wude intervened, and one of them struck Shangguan Mo unconscious with a wooden club.

• Shen Yun and Shen Wude watched Shangguan Mo follow Shangguan Nian and discussed his ties to the Shangguan Family and the Lone Swan Sword Sect.
• Shangguan Mo followed Shangguan Nian out of the city and confronted her, demanding that she return and serve Shangguan Dongjun.
• Shangguan Nian fought back with Wood Vine and Wood Prison talismans, but Shangguan Mo's Earth Spirit Peak broke through her defenses.
• Shangguan Mo wounded Shangguan Nian and reached to seize her after she ran out of talismans.
• A figure suddenly appeared and hit Shangguan Mo on the back of the head with a wooden club, knocking him unconscious as Shen Yun and Shen Wude stood nearby.

Shen Yun and Shen Wude captured Shangguan Mo and interrogated him about Granny Aramaki’s visit to the Shen Family. After Shangguan Nian swore not to reveal what happened, Shen Yun prepared to return home and uncover the identity of the family insider.

• Shen Wude chained Shangguan Mo to a tree while Shen Yun healed Shangguan Nian, who asked them to spare her clansman.
• Shen Yun questioned Shangguan Mo about Granny Aramaki, and Shen Wude used threats and a snake to force him to answer.
• Shangguan Mo revealed that Granny Aramaki had come to contact a senior member of the Shen Family and that he carried a Sound Transmission Insect to summon that person.
• Shen Yun took the Sound Transmission Insect from Shangguan Mo’s Space Ring, while Shen Wude claimed the ring for himself.
• Shangguan Nian swore a Heavenly Dao Oath to keep the incident secret, and Shen Yun promised to release Shangguan Mo after identifying the insider.
• Shen Yun told Shen Wude to return to the Shen Family so they could find the spy.

Shen Yun and Fang Tianyi identified Shen Heng as an undercover agent and decided to wait for the Shangguan Family to act. After Shen Yun reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, he sought a way to strengthen his blood qi and learned about the Five Elements Primordial Chaos Technique, planning to visit Great Zhou and enter the Dragon Blood Pool.

• Shen Heng discovered and crushed the Image Recording Stones, while Shen Yun and Fang Tianyi revealed that the stones were a feint and chose to wait for the Shangguan Family to move first.
• A week later, Shen Yun broke through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer and resolved to pursue Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, identifying weak blood qi as his greatest obstacle.
• Fang Tianyi told Shen Yun that his body-forging art required a drop of Kirin Blood Essence, so Shen Yun gave up on learning it.
• Shen Wude gave Shen Yun his share of the proceeds from Shangguan Mo’s belongings and described the Five Elements Primordial Chaos Technique, which could be studied at the Royal Temple for fifty Medium-grade Spirit Stones.
• Remembering Zhou Ziyou’s invitation and the reserved place in the Dragon Blood Pool, Shen Yun decided to visit Great Zhou and investigate the technique.

Shen Yun and Shen Wude traveled to Great Zhou, where they witnessed officials harass Ye Chen at One Leaf Pavilion over rumors that he was involved in the Second Prince’s assassination. Shen Wude later revealed the political ties behind the accusation, while Shen Yun remained unconcerned and went to sleep.

• Shen Yun received messages from Shen Qingruo, Shen Pingsheng, and Lin Qianluo, along with a threatening letter from Shen Qiu, then set off for Great Zhou with Shen Wude.
• Shen Yun and Shen Wude teleported to Shuntian City, where they visited One Leaf Pavilion for dinner.
• Huang Xuan and the other officials accused Ye Chen of involvement in the Second Prince’s assassination and provoked him until Mu Qiaoqiao intervened.
• Huang Xuan led the officials away, and Shen Yun and Shen Wude left the restaurant for an inn.
• Shen Wude told Shen Yun that the Second Prince had backed the Shangguan Family, Ye Chen’s family had been executed, and the Ninth Princess had saved Ye Chen from death.

Shen Yun visited Lin Qianluo at Marquis of Courage Manor, then watched the Talisman Dao Competition and bet on Ye Chen to win. Ye Chen surprised the crowd by producing a Top-grade Wind-walking Talisman and defeating Zhou Xingyu, leaving Shen Yun intrigued by the role of Fortune.

• Shen Yun visited Lin Qianluo and her parents, who praised his victory in the Shen Family competition and learned he was a Talisman Master.
• Lin Qianluo took Shen Yun to the Talisman Dao Competition, where he saw Shangguan Nian refine a First-grade Lightning Talisman and met Shen Wude.
• Shen Yun told Shen Wude to bet five hundred Medium-grade Spirit Stones on Ye Chen, and Lin Qianluo placed the same bet.
• Zhou Xingyu refined a Top-grade Golden Needle Talisman while Shangguan Nian produced a High-grade Lightning Talisman, making Zhou Xingyu seem certain to win.
• Ye Chen revealed a Top-grade Wind-walking Talisman just before time ran out, winning the competition and shocking Zhou Xingyu and the crowd.
• Shen Wude lamented his losing bet on Zhou Xingyu, while Lin Qianluo celebrated her winnings and Shen Yun reflected on Ye Chen's Fortune.

Shen Yun studied the Five Elements Primordial Chaos Body at Dragon Spring Temple and discovered he could cultivate it by circulating all five types of spiritual energy together. He decided to seek a Dragon Blood Pool Slot to speed his progress, and Zhou Ziyou invited him to the imperial palace for the grand event.

• Shen Yun visited Dragon Spring Temple with Lin Qianluo and Shen Wude to examine the Five Elements Primordial Chaos Body.
• Ye Chen studied the technique and left determined to obtain a Dragon Blood Pool Slot to strengthen his bloodline.
• Shen Yun realized he could temper his body by circulating all five types of spiritual energy at once, though he would need about two years to reach minor accomplishment without outside help.
• Shen Yun concluded that the Dragon Blood Pool could accelerate his cultivation and decided to pursue access to it.
• Zhou Ziyou told Shen Yun that powerful figures from major forces had gathered for Great Zhou's event and invited him to the imperial palace the next day.

Shen Yun attended Great Zhou’s gathering at Yuxiao Hall, where he observed the young cultivators and learned about Murong Xue’s rare water, ice, and mist spirit root. The First Prince explained the challenge rules at Yuxiao Platform, and Tantai Jing took the stage first.

• Shen Yun and Lin Qianluo arrived at Yuxiao Hall, where Su Yu'er and Shangguan Mo prepared for their own schemes.
• Zhou Xingyu ordered Shangguan Mo to cripple Ye Chen, and Shangguan Mo agreed.
• The First Prince arrived with Tantai Jing and took the seat of honor.
• Zhou Ziyou arrived with Murong Xue, then told Shen Yun and Lin Qianluo about her mutated water, ice, and mist spirit root.
• The First Prince announced the gathering’s challenge rules at Yuxiao Platform, and Tantai Jing stepped forward to fight.

Tantai Jing, Murong Xue, Shen Yun, and Su Yu'er secured spots in the Dragon Blood Pool competition after defeating or outlasting their challengers. With two spots left, Ye Chen finally entered the arena, where Shangguan Mo prepared to face him.

• Tantai Jing easily defeated He Guang and claimed the first spot, while Murong Xue secured the second without being challenged.
• Su Yu'er defeated several challengers with her Illusory Rainbow Silver Gauze, then called Shen Yun to fight her.
• Shen Yun blocked Su Yu'er's attacks and sent her out of the arena with a strike, earning the third spot; he later healed her and restored her spiritual energy.
• Su Yu'er returned to the matches and secured a spot, while Ye Chen continued waiting and Shangguan Mo watched him impatiently.
• Ye Chen finally stepped onto Yuxiao Platform, and Shangguan Mo entered the arena, eager to cripple him.

Ye Chen defeated Shangguan Mo despite being heavily wounded, while Shen Yun gained insight into Fortune and strengthened his body in the Dragon Blood Pool. After discovering that Ye Chen’s Nameless Technique was stealing bloodline power from others, Shen Yun headed toward him to stop him.

• Ye Chen broke through Shangguan Mo’s Fivefold Gravity Space and crippled him by destroying his lower Dantian.
• Shen Yun entered Enlightenment, saw golden light around Ye Chen, and gained a stronger divine sense.
• The First Prince opened the Dragon Blood Pool for the five contestants, and Shen Yun used its pressure to temper his Five Elements Primordial Chaos Body.
• Ye Chen used the Nameless Technique to plunder other contestants’ bloodlines and rapidly increase his blood energy.
• Shen Yun sensed Ye Chen’s technique devouring his bloodline and charged through the pool toward him.

Shen Yun ambushed Ye Chen in the Dragon Blood Pool, destroying his Flood Dragon Bloodline and crippling his cultivation before escaping detection. Ye Chen learned that his injuries would likely confine him to the Qi Refining Realm, but he resolved to continue toward the Lone Swan Sword Sect assessment.

• Shen Yun secretly approached Ye Chen while he absorbed bloodline essence, and Murong Xue sensed that something was wrong with the Dragon Blood Pool.
• Shen Yun struck Ye Chen with a Spiritual Sense Heavenly Blade, destroying his Spiritual Platform and Flood Dragon Bloodline and dropping his cultivation from the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.
• An elder known as Second Imperial Uncle investigated the pool, but Shen Yun concealed his involvement and was cleared of suspicion as Shuntian City went under martial law.
• After two days, Shen Yun left the pool having cultivated the Five Elements Primordial Chaos Body to minor accomplishment.
• A physician at the Sacred Doctor's Workshop told Ye Chen that his bloodline was crippled and his cultivation would likely never exceed the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.
• The Ninth Princess urged Ye Chen to seek help from the Lone Swan Sword Sect, and Ye Chen vowed to attend its assessment.

Shen Yun sought guidance from Fang Tianyi on achieving Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, and Fang Tianyi brought him to the Lone Swan Sword Sect to test himself in the Seven Xuan Tower. Shen Yun entered the tower while Fang Tianyi waited outside, as the Sword Sect disciples speculated about how far he would climb.

• Shen Yun told Fang Tianyi that he could sense a path beyond his current foundation but could not see how to reach it.
• Fang Tianyi advised Shen Yun to witness a broader world and took him through a gateway to the Lone Swan Sword Sect.
• Fang Tianyi borrowed the Seven Xuan Tower from the Law Enforcement Elder and told Shen Yun to enter while he waited outside.
• The Sword Sect disciples discussed the tower’s challenges and predicted how far Shen Yun might progress.
• The Law Enforcement Elder watched the tower and privately expected Fang Tianyi’s disciple to reach the fifth level.

Shen Yun swept through the first two layers of the Seven Xuan Tower and fought a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the second layer. He killed his opponent and reached the Third Layer in less than a quarter of an hour, astonishing the people outside.

• Shen Yun killed a Shadow Leopard and two Brown Bear Demons on the First Layer, then climbed to the Second Layer.
• Shen Yun used Geng Metal Sword Qi to defeat five Qi Refining Ninth Layer Wood Element Cultivators on the Second Layer.
• Shen Yun fought a Foundation Establishment cultivator, endured his wooden weapons, and smashed him apart with a powerful strike.
• The Third Layer's formation lit up, leaving the Law Enforcement Elder and the watching crowd stunned by Shen Yun's speed.

Shen Yun reached the fourth floor of Seven Xuan Tower and fought a powerful second-order sea demon, sharpening his battle skills and advancing his Fire-Wood Spiritual Power. After killing the beast, he was lifted toward the fifth floor.

• Murong Xue told the disciples that reaching the fourth floor required defeating a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and she resolved to try again after improving her Purple Haze Sword Body.
• Shen Yun easily reached the fourth floor, where he encountered a powerful second-order sea demon in the form of a Tiger Shark and Tiger Whale.
• Shen Yun evaded the demon’s attacks and used Stone Spear Technique to test its defenses, then kept his distance while gaining combat experience.
• The demon summoned four Water Tornadoes and attacked with a Water Bullet, but Shen Yun charged forward and advanced his Fire-Wood Spiritual Power under pressure.
• Shen Yun disrupted the demon with a Divine Sense attack and killed it with Li Fire Sword Qi, then rose to the fifth floor.

Shen Yun faced Jian Wushuang, a legendary Sword Sect genius from the past, on the Seven Xuan Tower’s fifth floor and fought him in a prolonged duel. As Shen Yun learned from Jian Wushuang’s sword techniques and transformed his own abilities, the Law Enforcement Elder began to see him as a potential future leader of Tianlan Prefecture.

• Shen Yun entered the fifth floor and met Jian Wushuang, a Qi Refining Ninth Layer challenger from thirty years earlier.
• Shen Yun and Jian Wushuang exchanged sword techniques, with Jian Wushuang displaying the Droplet Sword Art and Shen Yun wielding his Five Elements Sword Technique.
• Jian Wushuang revealed the Purple Haze Sword Body and wounded Shen Yun with concealed sword qi.
• Shen Yun adapted his Five Elements Primordial Chaos Body to weaken the Droplet Sword Art and continued learning from the fight.
• After the duel lasted three quarters of an hour, the Law Enforcement Elder reflected that Shen Yun might become Tianlan Prefecture’s future leading figure.

Shen Yun defeated Jian Wushuang on the Seven Xuan Tower’s fifth floor and entered the sixth, where he faced a tireless copy of himself. Badly wounded and near defeat, Shen Yun gained a sudden insight into the path he had been seeking.

• Shen Yun overcame Jian Wushuang’s Qi Stacking Method and won the fifth-floor trial, earning the chance to become the new gatekeeper.
• Shen Yun climbed to the sixth floor, while Sword Sect elders outside wondered about the trial and speculated about his identity.
• Shen Yun’s mirror opponent countered his Five Elements sword techniques and steadily forced him onto the defensive.
• Shen Yun endured severe wounds and near-exhaustion, continuing to fight as he tested his understanding of the Five Elements.
• After a powerful strike nearly defeated him, Shen Yun awakened to an insight about the path ahead.

Shen Yun defeated his mirrored opponent and realized that his path lay in uniting sword qi, spiritual power, and Divine Sense, then entered the Seventh Floor of the Seven Xuan Tower. Outside, Sword Sect elders argued over recruiting him until the Law Enforcement Elder revealed that Shen Yun was Fang Tianyi’s disciple; on the Seventh Floor, Shen Yun found a green ring on a stone platform.

• Shen Yun used sword qi, Divine Sense, and physical strength together to overwhelm and destroy his mirrored opponent, bringing Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment within reach.
• A gate appeared, and Shen Yun entered it to proceed to the Seventh Floor of the Seven Xuan Tower.
• Sword Sect elders gathered outside the tower and argued over who could recruit Shen Yun until the Law Enforcement Elder announced that he was Fang Tianyi’s beloved disciple.
• The Law Enforcement Elder apologized to Fang Tianyi, and Fang Tianyi said Shen Yun should soon emerge because he had reached the summit.
• Shen Yun arrived in a quiet valley and found a green ring resting on a stone platform beneath a towering tree.