Chapter Summaries

Lin Xuan brought Fang Yun'er and Uncle Li to the Fang Household's main lineage grounds for the assessment. After the steward assigned Fang Yun'er to Black Robe Lane and other descendants mocked her, she resolved that she would not fail.

• Lin Xuan watched Fang Yun'er's rapid cultivation and Sword Intent progress, then accepted that he would guide her as his disciple regardless of her pace.
• After about twenty days in the Desolate Forest, Lin Xuan arrived in Azure Wave City with Fang Yun'er and Uncle Li and entered the Fang Household grounds.
• Uncle Li identified Fang Yun'er as the fourteenth daughter of Fang Panzhi of the Jinglan City collateral branch when the steward registered her.
• Fang Household descendants mocked Fang Yun'er for her poor aptitude and presumed death in the Desolate Forest, while the steward treated her with contempt.
• The steward gave Fang Yun'er a token assigning her to Black Robe Lane, where descendants with the poorest aptitude stayed.
• Fang Yun'er left with the token and vowed not to fail the assessment or become Lin Xuan's first disciple to lose.

Fang Yun'er arrived alone at the Fang Household’s Black Robe Lane, where she met fellow collateral descendants Fang Linlin and Fang Yu. Her difficulty communicating left her uneasy as the two recognized her from rumors and wondered about her aptitude.

• Fang Linlin worried about the assessment in three days, and Fang Yu told her that anxiety would only hurt her chances.
• Fang Linlin clung to Fang Yu, who had chosen to live beside her in Black Robe Lane despite qualifying for Silver Frost Lane.
• Fang Yun'er entered the courtyard and greeted Fang Linlin and Fang Yu in sign language, then panicked when she remembered that Uncle Li and Lin Xuan were not with her.
• Fang Linlin and Fang Yu recognized Fang Yun'er as the Fang Household’s mute girl and wondered whether her aptitude was as poor as the rumors claimed.

Fang Linlin warmly welcomed Fang Yun'er and helped her feel at ease with Fang Yu. Meanwhile, Lin Xuan searched Azure Wave City for a way back to the Eastern Continent and learned about the Central Continent’s powers before heading to the Qin Household’s Linglong Pavilion to buy pills.

• Fang Linlin introduced herself and Fang Yu to Fang Yun'er, offered to learn sign language, and suggested they communicate by writing.
• Lin Xuan found no information in Azure Wave City about the palace in the void or the Eastern Continent, but learned that the Endless Sea was sealed and dangerous to cross.
• Lin Xuan studied the Twelve-Story Pavilion’s information about Azure Wave City, Azure Cloud Prefecture, and the Heaven-Gazing Domain’s ruling powers.
• Lin Xuan learned that the Qin Household specialized in pills and ran the Linglong Pavilion, then entered the pavilion to shop.

Qin Meier complained that no young men from the Fang or Zhang Households met her standards, then became captivated by the white-robed Lin Xuan at Linglong Pavilion. She offered to pay his thirty-five-million bill and asked whether he would marry into the Qin Household, leaving Lin Xuan taken aback.

• Qin Meier entered Linglong Pavilion with her two sword-bearing maids and criticized the Fang and Zhang Households’ young men as unsuitable dao companions.
• Qin Meier insisted that her standards were not too high and described the kind of exceptional man she wanted.
• Qin Meier noticed Lin Xuan descending the staircase and was struck by his appearance.
• Lin Xuan selected pills and spirit herbs worth thirty-five million, then asked the steward how much a Thearch Grade treasure would fetch.
• Qin Meier offered to put Lin Xuan’s bill on her tab and asked whether he was betrothed or would consider marrying into the Qin Household.

Fang Liqiu interrupted Qin Meier and offered Lin Xuan fifty million Spirit Stones a month to join the Fang Household as a servant, hoping to humiliate Qin Meier. Lin Xuan ignored both women, traded a defensive treasure for pills, and left, prompting Fang Liqiu to angrily insult him.

• Fang Liqiu arrived at Linglong Pavilion and mocked Qin Meier for considering Lin Xuan as a marriage prospect.
• Qin Meier and Fang Liqiu argued over Fang Yuan and their failed matchmaking arrangement.
• Fang Liqiu offered Lin Xuan fifty million Spirit Stones a month to serve the Fang Household, and Qin Meier fell silent rather than match the offer.
• Lin Xuan exchanged his twin-fish jade pendant, valued at twenty million Spirit Stones, for a Storage Bag of pills and left without acknowledging either woman.
• Fang Liqiu called Lin Xuan a poor Rogue Cultivator and warned him not to let her see him again.

After Qin Meier claimed Lin Xuan’s jade pendant, Lin Xuan devised a way to earn spirit stones by writing a sword scripture to auction at the Twelve-Story Pavilion. As he engraved his Sword Domain insights, the Pavilion’s appraisers began reviewing auction items and discovered a scroll of dragon-pattern paper.

• Qin Meier took Lin Xuan’s jade pendant and charged its cost to her monthly allowance.
• Lin Xuan returned to his residence and decided to write a sword scripture to sell at auction for spirit stones.
• Lin Xuan used Sword Intent to engrave his Sword Dao insights onto dragon-pattern paper, intending to create a scripture that could guide cultivators toward the Sword Domain.
• At the Twelve-Story Pavilion, appraisers reviewed the items submitted for the upcoming auction.
• One appraiser picked up a scroll of dragon-pattern paper.

Si Ming struggled to find someone able to appraise a sword scripture brought in by an unfamiliar white-robed cultivator. After Bikong found nothing useful in the auction catalog to help him condense a Sword Domain, Si Ming revealed that an uncataloged sword scripture remained, leaving its potential to be examined.

• Si Ming asked Elder Bai to assess a sword scripture, but Elder Bai objected that he lacked Sword Dao knowledge and could not judge it.
• The Pavilion Master arrived with Bikong of the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect and asked Si Ming for the auction catalog.
• The Pavilion Master let Bikong review the catalog early so he could look for something to help him condense a Sword Domain.
• Bikong found nothing promising in the catalog and prepared to leave with the Pavilion Master.
• Si Ming stopped them and said that an uncataloged item for the auction was a sword scripture.

Bikong examined a sword scripture that had been dismissed as low-grade and recognized it as a priceless guide to forming a Sword Domain. After learning its mysterious author would return in a few days, Bikong resolved to wait for that senior.

• The man in charge explained that the Twelve-Story Pavilion could not properly appraise the sword scripture because its cultivation-method appraiser had died.
• Bikong asked to inspect the scripture under the pavilion’s appraisal rules, and the master, Chang Mi, agreed.
• Bikong became engrossed in the scripture’s sword marks and grew furious when the appraisal restriction prevented him from reading further.
• Bikong declared the scripture a priceless treasure that could help him form a Sword Domain and demanded to know where its author was.
• The man in charge said the senior had been told an appraisal was required and had promised to return in a few days.
• Bikong asked Chang Mi for Spirit Stones and a place to stay while he waited, offering a favor from himself and the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect.

Lin Xuan returned to the Twelve-Story Pavilion and agreed to meet the buyer of his sword scripture, Bikong, who was astonished to discover Lin Xuan was a young Saint Realm expert. Before they could speak, Chi Peng trapped the floor in a sealing formation and attacked Bikong over the death of his daughter.

• Lin Xuan arrived at the Twelve-Story Pavilion on the final day of the auction and asked whether his sword scripture had sold.
• The man in charge told Lin Xuan that the scripture was a top-grade Class A auction item and that its buyer wanted to meet him, and Lin Xuan agreed.
• The man in charge brought Lin Xuan to the VIP lounge and went to fetch the buyer.
• Bikong arrived, recognized Lin Xuan as the sword scripture's author, and was shocked by his youth and Saint Realm presence.
• Chi Peng and an accomplice appeared after sealing off the floor, and Chi Peng threatened to kill Bikong for killing his daughter.

Lin Xuan revealed his overwhelming swordsmanship when Chi Peng and Dongfang Li attacked the Twelve-Story Pavilion, killing both Middle Stage Saint Realm experts with a single strike. As the sealing formation broke, Azure Wave City’s powerful figures arrived, leaving the consequences of the attack unresolved.

• Chi Peng and Dongfang Li confronted Bikong and threatened to kill everyone in the Twelve-Story Pavilion, with Chi Peng seeking revenge for his daughter and Dongfang Li pursuing his feud with the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect.
• Chi Peng and Dongfang Li launched their strongest techniques, while Bikong feared they would kill everyone before help could arrive.
• Lin Xuan stood, drew and sheathed his sword, and killed Chi Peng and Dongfang Li with a single attack that destroyed their souls.
• Bikong recognized that Lin Xuan’s strike surpassed Sword Intent and realized he was a young Sword Domain expert.
• The sealing formation shattered after its contracted master died, and powerful figures arrived in Azure Wave City demanding to know who had caused trouble.

After Lin Xuan's sword strike drew Azure Wave City's leaders to the Twelve-Story Pavilion, he accepted He Qinglang's invitation to join the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect as an elder. He Qinglang then read Lin Xuan's sword scripture and offered one billion to place it in the sect's collection.

• He Qinglang sealed off the area, keeping the three household ancestors from investigating the lingering Sword Qi.
• Bikong explained that Lin Xuan had defeated the attacker with a sword strike and revealed that Lin Xuan had mastered the Sword Domain.
• He Qinglang invited Lin Xuan to join the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect as an elder, and Lin Xuan accepted.
• He Qinglang read Bikong's sword scripture, became engrossed in it, and offered Lin Xuan one billion to add it to the sect's collection.

Lin Xuan agreed to join the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect after He Qinglang offered him generous benefits for sharing the sword scripture. Meanwhile, Fang Yun'er prepared to take part in the Fang Household's grand competition, hoping to light up at least three Divine Marks.

• He Qinglang offered Lin Xuan sect contribution points and a share of future study fees in exchange for joining the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect and allowing its disciples to study the sword scripture.
• He Qinglang promised to reimburse Bikong for the Spirit Stones he spent and granted him unconditional access to the scripture, and Lin Xuan accepted the offer.
• Fang Yun'er spent time with Fang Linlin and Fang Yu before the Fang Household's grand competition began.
• Fang Linlin nervously complained about the talent test, while Fang Yu told her to calm down and Fang Linlin reassured Fang Yun'er.
• Fang Yun'er held token number 119 and prayed that she would light up at least three Divine Marks on the talent-testing wall.

Fang Yun'er attended the Fang Household’s annual assessment, where rumors spread that Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect elders would be watching for promising disciples. Dressed up by Fang Linlin, she drew attention in the crowd before someone recognized her and shouted in surprise.

• Fang Household disciples gathered for the annual assessment and discussed the direct descendants and the chance to impress the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect elders.
• Fang Yun'er watched the bustling crowd while Fang Linlin dressed her in a white gown and admired her handiwork with Fang Yu.
• People around the assessment noticed Fang Yun'er’s beauty and looked her way.
• An unidentified person shouted at Fang Yun'er, accusing her of having survived and appeared in front of them.

Fang Zhenyu and the other Fang Household descendants mocked Fang Yun'er, but Fang Linlin and Fang Yu stood up for her. Fang Yu and Fang Zhenyu released their bloodline manifestations and agreed to fight, while nearby descendants discussed the legendary Fang Xing.

• Fang Zhenyu arrived with the Jinglan City collateral descendants and insulted Fang Yun'er and Fang Linlin.
• Fang Yun'er wrote that her relatives had abandoned her, Uncle Li, and Master near the Desolate Forest's interior, and that Master had saved her.
• Fang Linlin and Fang Yu grew angry at the danger Fang Yun'er had faced, then drew her behind them and challenged Fang Zhenyu's group.
• Fang Yu released an emerald bird manifestation that forced Fang Zhenyu to answer her challenge; Fang Zhenyu countered with a cyan pagoda manifestation.
• Direct descendants watching discussed Fang Xing, whose feats and cultivation had made him the younger generation's unreachable target.

Fang Zhenyu revealed seven Divine Marks during the assessment and drew the attention of the Fang Household’s elders and direct-line factions. After she taunted Fang Yu and Fang Yun'er, Fang Yu calmed them and sent Fang Linlin to take her turn.

• Fang Zhenyu stepped onto the platform and struck the divine stone, which displayed seven Divine Marks.
• The elder announced Fang Zhenyu as a chosen, and a main-line elder offered to vouch for her entry into the direct line if she placed in the assessment.
• Direct-line descendants considered recruiting or aligning with Fang Zhenyu, while she celebrated her talent and looked down on Fang Yu and Fang Yun'er.
• Fang Linlin grew angry at Fang Zhenyu, but Fang Yu calmed her and encouraged her to take the assessment.
• Fang Linlin took Fang Yun'er's hand, said she would go first, and asked them to wish her luck.

Fang Linlin passed the talent assessment with three and a half Divine Marks, then Fang Yu revealed seven and challenged Fang Zhenyu's pride. Fang Yun'er stepped onto the platform with her friends cheering her on, and a main-line descendant became captivated by her.

• Fang Linlin passed the assessment with three and a half Divine Marks and celebrated with Fang Yu and Fang Yun'er.
• Fang Zhenyu's companions mocked Fang Linlin, and Fang Yu called them vermin before taking the assessment herself.
• Fang Yu revealed seven Divine Marks, drawing the elders' excitement and Fang Zhenyu's resentment.
• Fang Yu told Fang Zhenyu that seven Divine Marks were nothing special and promised to stand behind Fang Yun'er.
• Fang Yun'er stepped onto the platform for her assessment, and a main-line descendant declared that he wanted her.

Fang Yun'er passed the aptitude assessment with three divine marks and celebrated the chance to improve her and her mother's lives. Back at Black Robe Lane, her happiness vanished when wedding chests filled with treasures were brought to her, suggesting someone had sent betrothal gifts.

• Fang Hong announced that he would take Fang Yun'er as his concubine if she performed poorly in the grand competition, and rebuked his fiancée Tong Xin when she questioned him.
• Fang Yun'er activated three divine marks and passed the aptitude assessment, then wept with joy and shared her excitement with Fang Linlin and Fang Yu.
• Fang Yun'er returned to Black Robe Lane in high spirits despite her anxiety about fighting the next day.
• A group brought red chongwood chests filled with rare treasures to Fang Yun'er, making her smile disappear and leaving Fang Linlin silent and Fang Yu livid.

Fang Yun'er rejected Fang Hong's betrothal gifts and refused to become his concubine. After the servants took the gifts away, a maid threatened to drive her out of Azure Wave City, but Fang Yun'er insisted she would stay and take the Fang Household's assessment.

• Fang Linlin wanted to refuse Fang Hong's betrothal gifts for Fang Yun'er, but Fang Yu told her to let Yun'er decide for herself.
• Fang Yun'er firmly refused the marriage and the gifts, despite a servant mocking her poor aptitude and warning her she might regret it.
• The Fang Household servants took the gifts away after Fang Yun'er maintained her refusal.
• A maid confronted Fang Yun'er, insulted her, and ordered her to leave Azure Wave City before nightfall.
• Fang Yun'er answered that she would not leave and would take the Fang Household's assessment.

Fang Yun'er refused to withdraw from the Lineage assessment and resolved to prove herself in the True Martial Combat Competition. As the competition began before a Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect elder, Fang Hong and Tong Xin grew resentful of her refusal, and Tong Xin secretly plotted to cripple her.

• Fang Yun'er rejected the maid's warning and signed that she would give the competition everything she had, while Fang Linlin and Fang Yu doubted her chances.
• The True Martial Combat Competition began, drawing the Fang Household's leaders and an elder from the Cinnabar Cloud Sword Sect.
• Fang Hong remembered that Fang Yun'er had refused to become his concubine and decided he could still obtain her after the assessment.
• Tong Xin resented Fang Yun'er for rejecting her attempt to drive her away and plotted to use her connections to cripple her and ruin her face.
• The Lineage assessment officially began as Tong Xin waited for a chance to strike.

Fang Yun'er watched the Fang Household head assessment begin with a fight between main-line descendant Fang Tianxing and collateral descendant Fang Li. Fang Tianxing defeated Fang Li after letting him demonstrate his skill, leaving the collateral descendants impressed by the main line’s strength.

• Fang Yun'er and Fang Linlin watched as Fang Tianxing and Fang Li were named as the first pair to fight.
• Fang Li released his Peak Earth Venerable presence and attacked Fang Tianxing, earning praise from Elder Gong and the Fang Household head.
• Fang Tianxing fought Fang Li through dozens of clashes, then overwhelmed him with a spear attack that shattered his spiritual-power shield.
• Fang Tianxing told Fang Li that he had yielded ten moves to show the gap between them, and Fang Li thanked him for showing mercy.
• The collateral descendants watched Fang Tianxing with fervent admiration after his victory.