Chapter Summaries

Chu Yunfei used the Divine Cauldron of Heavenly Mandate's refined resources to break through to the Divine Sea Realm, then began unlocking the seals on a stone tablet. The first seal revealed a map to the Demon Race Sacred Land ruins, while the second revealed a map that clearly pointed to the Azure Mystic Sect.

• Chu Yunfei refined his plundered spirit stones, pills, and herbs into divine liquid and used it to transform his spirit pool into a divine sea.
• Chu Yunfei reached the Divine Sea Realm, strengthening his body, soul, and spiritual power as his breakthrough shook the flying boat.
• Wen Buqi, Wen Jiao, and Uncle Yao were stunned by Chu Yunfei's breakthrough, and Wen Buqi praised Wen Jiao's bond with him.
• Chu Yunfei followed Xiaoxiao Dragon's advice and broke the stone tablet's first seal, uncovering a map of the Demon Race Sacred Land ruins.
• Chu Yunfei deciphered the tablet's second seal and discovered that its map pointed to the Azure Mystic Sect.

Chu Yunfei uncovered a map pointing to three hidden sites near the Azure Mystic Sect, then risked opening the stone stele’s final layer. A golden talisman entered his mind and revealed the Samsara Soul-Forging Scripture, whose power left him reeling.

• Chu Yunfei found that the ancient map marked Blackwater Perilous Ravine, Ancient Weapon-Burying Valley, and the abyss beneath the Azure Mystic Sect’s rear mountain cliff.
• Chu Yunfei failed to break the ancient golden restriction, and Xiaoxiao Dragon explained that her Spirit-Breaking Void-Transforming Art might open it at great risk.
• Chu Yunfei chose to gamble, and Xiaoxiao Dragon joined forces with the Divine Cauldron of Heavenly Mandate to tear through the restriction.
• The stone stele cracked apart, releasing a golden ancient talisman that pierced Chu Yunfei’s brow and flooded his mind with information.
• Chu Yunfei recognized the five characters Samsara Soul-Forging Scripture and wondered what level of cultivation technique it was.

Chu Yunfei discovered that the incomplete Samsara Soul-Forging Scripture could strengthen his soul and endured brutal tempering to raise his soul power before reaching the imperial capital. He ended his cultivation at the Divine Sea Realm fourth level as Wen Jiao announced their arrival.

• Chu Yunfei learned that the Emperor-grade Samsara Soul-Forging Scripture could forge his soul through nine cycles, and Xiaoxiao Dragon noted that the scroll was incomplete.
• Chu Yunfei entered the Divine Cauldron of Heavenly Mandate's tenfold-time space and began tempering his soul with a divine hammer formed from spiritual power.
• Chu Yunfei endured repeated hammer strikes, expelled impurities, and advanced his soul strength from the Divine Sea Realm first level to the fourth level.
• Chu Yunfei stopped after ten days, recognizing that his soul origin was depleted but that his strengthened soul gave him another advantage for the trip to the imperial capital.
• Wen Jiao contacted Chu Yunfei through a communication jade slip and told him they were almost at the imperial capital.

Chu Yunfei returned to the imperial city with Wen Jiao, having broken through to the Divine Sea Realm, and reunited with Wen Jiao’s father at the Pill Pavilion. Wen Daoyuan revealed that the Jade Firmament Sect had been annihilated the night before.

• Chu Yunfei left seclusion after reaching the Divine Sea Realm, and Wen Buqi marveled at how quickly he had broken through.
• Chu Yunfei and Wen Jiao entered the imperial city in disguise and heard that the Seven Sects Grand Competition was only seven days away, while sects had placed a bounty on Chu Yunfei.
• Wen Jiao revealed her identity at the Pill Pavilion, where Vice Pavilion Master Liu led the group to Wen Daoyuan.
• Wen Daoyuan thanked Chu Yunfei for saving Wen Jiao and welcomed him as someone devoted to his daughter.
• Wen Daoyuan told the group that the Jade Firmament Sect had been annihilated the previous night.

Chu Yunfei and the Pill Pavilion discussed the Jade Firmament Sect’s massacre and suspected that Ling Zhantian had stolen its Nine-Aperture Life-Restoring Pill. The other sects still planned to attend the Seven Sects Grand Competition, and Chu Yunfei learned that Si Yunshu and Lin Wanyin had been searching for him.

• Wen Daoyuan told Chu Yunfei, Wen Buqi, and Wen Jiao that the Jade Firmament Sect had been wiped out and its seventh-grade Nine-Aperture Life-Restoring Pill stolen.
• Wen Daoyuan explained that the surviving Jade Firmament Sect elders suspected the Pill Pavilion because it had sought the pill and Chu Yunfei had killed Zhou Heng.
• Chu Yunfei reasoned that the killer’s main goal was the pill and suspected the gravely wounded Ling Zhantian, whom he had nearly killed days earlier.
• Wen Daoyuan revealed that Ling Zhantian possessed a forbidden imperial secret art that could temporarily raise him to the Dao Mysterious Realm third layer.
• Wen Daoyuan said the major sects were urging their holy sons and holy maidens to attend the Seven Sects Grand Competition as scheduled, despite the Jade Firmament Sect’s destruction.
• Wen Daoyuan told Chu Yunfei that Si Yunshu and Lin Wanyin had repeatedly visited the Pill Pavilion looking for him.

Chu Yunfei stayed at the Pill Pavilion under Wen Daoyuan’s protection while he tried and failed to contact Ling Xueyao, who he feared was confined in the imperial palace. Meanwhile, Lin Wanyin searched the capital for him and broke down in despair, until Situ Shuang'er came to her door.

• Wen Jiao grew jealous when Chu Yunfei heard that Lin Wanyin and Si Yunshu were looking for him, and he explained that he and Si Yunshu had made a business deal.
• Wen Daoyuan offered Chu Yunfei a room in the Pill Pavilion’s Heaven-grade quarters until the Seven Sects Grand Competition.
• Chu Yunfei tried to contact Ling Xueyao with her communication jade talisman but received no response, and he feared the emperor had confined her.
• Wen Jiao reassured Chu Yunfei that Ling Xueyao would likely appear at the competition, while he vowed to destroy the imperial palace if the emperor harmed her.
• Lin Wanyin searched the capital for Chu Yunfei for several days, grew terrified that he had been captured or killed, and wept alone in her room.
• Situ Shuang'er knocked on Lin Wanyin’s door and asked her to open it.

Lin Wanyin hid her grief over Chu Yunfei’s disappearance from Situ Shuang'er, who believed he was unlikely to have survived after angering powerful sects. A jade talisman then carried Chu Yunfei’s voice to Lin Wanyin, confirming he was alive and leaving her overwhelmed with joy.

• Situ Shuang'er confronted Lin Wanyin about her distress, but Lin Wanyin claimed she was only adjusting to the imperial city.
• Lin Wanyin asked whether the Heavenly Sword Sect had news of Chu Yunfei, and Situ Shuang'er said she believed his chances of survival were minuscule.
• Lin Wanyin resolved to search for Chu Yunfei, fearing that powerful factions might have killed him.
• A jade talisman began vibrating, and Lin Wanyin hurriedly sent Situ Shuang'er away and locked herself in her room.
• Lin Wanyin infused the talisman with spiritual power and heard Chu Yunfei ask, “Aunt Lin, did you miss me?”

Lin Wanyin rushed to the Pill Pavilion after learning Chu Yunfei was alive and found him safe, but her relief turned to heartbreak when Wen Jiao called him her husband. After Lin left, Wen Jiao confronted Chu Yunfei with jealousy, and he was left reflecting on his complicated ties to Lin Wanyin.

• Lin Wanyin contacted Chu Yunfei after learning he was alive, and he told her he was at the Pill Pavilion.
• Lin Wanyin hurried to the Pill Pavilion and examined Chu Yunfei to make sure he was unharmed.
• Chu Yunfei teased Lin Wanyin about her concern, but she warned him that the major factions wanted him dead.
• Wen Jiao entered and called Chu Yunfei her husband, leaving Lin Wanyin heartbroken as she departed.
• Wen Jiao showed jealousy over Lin Wanyin, and Chu Yunfei promised to explain his ties to her when the time was right.

Chu Yunfei contacted Lin Wanyin and invited Si Yunshu to meet, while Lin Wanyin struggled with jealousy and Situ Shuang'er secretly resolved to learn what her mother was hiding. At the Pill Pavilion, Chu Yunfei recognized the concealed Qin Yangui, who asked whether he had news of her disciple Shaoyuan.

• Chu Yunfei sent Lin Wanyin a gentle message asking to meet and explain, but she left it unanswered as she grieved over seeing Wen Jiao call him her husband.
• Situ Shuang'er witnessed Lin Wanyin's distress and decided to watch her mother to discover whom she would meet.
• Chu Yunfei asked Wen Jiao to find Si Yunshu and invite her to the Pill Pavilion, then spent two hours cultivating.
• Si Yunshu arrived at the Pill Pavilion with the hooded Qin Yangui, whose Dao Mysterious Realm Third Layer cultivation Chu Yunfei detected.
• Qin Yangui revealed herself and asked Chu Yunfei whether her disciple Shaoyuan was alive or dead.

Chu Yunfei questioned Qin Yangui about the Heavenly Evil Devil Sect, the Blood Baleful Intent Tower, and the Vast Waves Sacred Academy before asking why Lu Shaoyuan remained in the Eastern Continent. Qin Yangui revealed that the Academy’s envoys had halted their selection to hunt an unknown person, leaving Chu Yunfei with new suspicions.

• Chu Yunfei asked Qin Yangui about the Heavenly Evil Devil Sect, and she described its history, leaders, and standing among the seven sects.
• Qin Yangui admitted that she had fought the Blood Baleful Intent Tower’s master in the Western Continent and had been gravely wounded by him despite his Divine Sea Realm Ninth Level cultivation.
• Qin Yangui described the Tower’s master as a monstrous being with purplish-black markings, pitch-black eyes, and power that corroded spiritual power and divine souls.
• Qin Yangui said she knew nothing of the Blood Baleful Intent Tower’s hidden plans or headquarters, then denied that the Vast Waves Sacred Academy barred descendants of the Great Qian Imperial Family.
• Chu Yunfei realized Ling Zhantian had lied about the Academy’s rule and asked why Lu Shaoyuan had stayed in the Eastern Continent; Qin Yangui revealed that the Academy’s envoys had halted their selection to hunt someone of unknown identity.

Chu Yunfei returned Lu Shaoyuan’s remains and final letter to Qin Yangui, revealing that sinister markings linked his death to the Blood Baleful Intent Tower and possibly the Heavenly Evil Devil Sect. As Qin Yangui vowed to seek justice, Chu Yunfei warned that the upcoming Seven Sects Grand Competition might conceal a larger plot and that they should not alert their enemies prematurely.

• Chu Yunfei laid Lu Shaoyuan’s skeleton and broken Azure Firmament Sword before Qin Yangui, who recognized them and mourned her disciple.
• Chu Yunfei gave Qin Yangui Lu Shaoyuan’s sealed letter and explained how he had found the remains and cave in the Black Wind Mountain Range.
• Qin Yangui and Si Yunshu recognized sinister markings on the skeleton as resembling the power associated with the Heavenly Evil Devil Sect and Blood Baleful Intent Tower.
• Chu Yunfei explained that Zhou Changgeng, a Jade Firmament Sect grand elder, had used the same power, suggesting the Blood Baleful Intent Tower could recruit or control members of different sects.
• Chu Yunfei and Qin Yangui questioned the sudden changes to the Seven Sects Grand Competition and suspected a hidden scheme behind the gathering in the imperial capital.
• Qin Yangui vowed to investigate and avenge Lu Shaoyuan, while Chu Yunfei warned her not to alert the Blood Baleful Intent Tower before they understood its plans.

Qin Yangui recovered Lu Shaoyuan’s remains and learned of the Blood Baleful Intent Tower’s mysterious Myriad Spirits Blood Rite, which might threaten the imperial capital during the Seven Sects Grand Competition. Chu Yunfei went to find Lin Wanyin, locating her residence after briefly crossing paths with Situ Shuang'er.

• Qin Yangui read Lu Shaoyuan’s final letter, took his remains and broken sword, and promised that the Heavenly Edict Sect would not make an enemy of Chu Yunfei.
• Qin Yangui warned Chu Yunfei that Lu Shaoyuan had heard the gold-masked assassins mention the Myriad Spirits Blood Rite, which might be connected to the Blood Baleful Intent Tower’s plans.
• Chu Yunfei suspected the rite could target the imperial capital and feared the Seven Sects Grand Competition would be dangerous.
• Lin Wanyin hesitated to answer Chu Yunfei’s message because she had seen Wen Jiao call him her husband, while Situ Shuang'er left to attend a sect meeting.
• Chu Yunfei searched the city in disguise, encountered Situ Shuang'er without revealing himself, and found Lin Wanyin’s residence.
• Xiaoxiao Dragon asked Chu Yunfei to let her watch when he visited Lin Wanyin, but Chu Yunfei refused.

Chu Yunfei visited Lin Wanyin, but his aggressive teasing and reminders of their past drove her into despair. He left after she stopped resisting, and Lin Wanyin broke down, fearing he would never return.

• Chu Yunfei entered Lin Wanyin's room and kissed her, but she bit him and nearly struck him before recognizing him.
• Chu Yunfei teased Lin Wanyin and pressed her about their intimacy, while she grew jealous and told him to leave.
• Chu Yunfei reminded Lin Wanyin that she had once promised he could bully her as long as Situ Shuang'er did not find out.
• Lin Wanyin fell silent in hurt, so Chu Yunfei released her and said he would never disturb her again before leaving.
• Lin Wanyin found the courtyard empty and collapsed by the doorway, sobbing and calling Chu Yunfei heartless.

Chu Yunfei revealed that he had stayed nearby and comforted Lin Wanyin after she begged him not to leave, and they confessed their love for each other. After he told her about the dangers he had faced, Lin Wanyin lamented that she was too weak to help him, while Chu Yunfei recognized her as a Daughter of Heavenly Mandate.

• Chu Yunfei revealed himself after secretly watching Lin Wanyin cry and teased her about missing him.
• Lin Wanyin threw pebbles at Chu Yunfei, then clung to him and begged him not to leave when he pretended to depart again.
• Lin Wanyin confessed that she had fallen for Chu Yunfei and described how she had feared for his life.
• Chu Yunfei kissed Lin Wanyin and told her he had feelings for her, then reassured her that he did not hate her for their past.
• Chu Yunfei recounted his dangerous experiences since leaving Qingyang City, and Lin Wanyin worried about the women who had saved him.
• Lin Wanyin called herself useless because she could not protect Chu Yunfei, while he reflected that she was a Daughter of Heavenly Mandate with tremendous fortune.

Chu Yunfei learned that the Vermilion Bird Pill given to Situ Shuang'er had contained a Wondrous Object of Heaven and Earth, raising questions about his father Chu Batian and Lin Wanyin's hidden past. He comforted Lin Wanyin after she refused to reveal how she knew about such treasures, then left her flustered with a blunt remark about their intimacy.

• Lin Wanyin apologized for giving Situ Shuang'er the Vermilion Bird Pill that had been intended for Chu Yunfei, and explained that it was a Wondrous Object of Heaven and Earth.
• Chu Yunfei realized the pill explained Situ Shuang'er's breakthrough and wondered what the treasure, the Giant Que Sword, and Chu Batian's disappearance revealed about his father.
• Chu Yunfei asked Lin Wanyin how she knew about Wondrous Objects of Heaven and Earth, but she panicked and begged him to stop asking.
• Chu Yunfei embraced Lin Wanyin, promised to protect her, and reassured her that she owed him nothing.
• Lin Wanyin accepted Chu Yunfei's reassurance, then blushed when he admitted he was wondering what position to use later.

Chu Yunfei and Lin Wanyin spent the night together while Shuang'er was away. In the imperial palace, Ling Zhantian restored the Crimson Flame Berserk Lion, concealed his role in the Jade Firmament Sect massacre, and ordered Ling Xueyao confined as he prepared for the Seven Sects Grand Competition.

• Chu Yunfei and Lin Wanyin resumed their intimate relationship and worried that Shuang'er might return and find them.
• Ling Zhantian learned from Ling Changkong that the Crimson Flame Berserk Lion would recover before the Seven Sects Grand Competition, thanks to the Nine-Aperture Life-Restoring Pill.
• Ling Changkong revealed that suspicion for the Jade Firmament Sect massacre had fallen on the Blood Baleful Intent Tower and the Pill Pavilion, with rumors linking Chu Yunfei to the events.
• Ling Zhantian vowed to kill Chu Yunfei after reaching the Dao Mystic Realm and told Ling Changkong to watch the capital during the competition.
• Ling Zhantian ordered Ling Xueyao confined and appointed Ling Chengyuan to represent the imperial family at the Seven Sects Grand Competition.

At the Heavenly Sword Sect’s council hall, Situ Shuang'er refused Nangong Wuhen’s advances but he followed her home and forced his way into her courtyard. Inside, Lin Wanyin and Chu Yunfei were together when they heard someone approaching, and Lin Wanyin realized Shuang'er had returned.

• Meng Tianyun discussed the Seven Sects Grand Competition and praised Situ Shuang'er and Nangong Wuhen’s strength.
• Situ Shuang'er claimed she could defeat any opponent below the divine sea realm fifth layer, while Nangong Wuhen secretly lusted after her.
• Meng Tianyun told Nangong Wuhen to escort Situ Shuang'er home, and she repeatedly rejected his offer.
• Nangong Wuhen followed Situ Shuang'er to her residence and pushed open the courtyard gate despite her objections.
• Lin Wanyin and Chu Yunfei heard footsteps approaching their side room, and Lin Wanyin realized Shuang'er was back.

Lin Wanyin and Chu Yunfei were interrupted by Nangong Wuhen’s late-night visit, which Lin Wanyin rejected and drove away. Once Nangong Wuhen had left, Chu Yunfei resumed his advances, leaving Lin Wanyin distressed.

• Lin Wanyin urged Chu Yunfei to hide, but he kept her pinned as footsteps approached her courtyard.
• Nangong Wuhen arrived to visit Lin Wanyin, and Chu Yunfei recognized the Heavenly Sword Sect’s holy son as an old enemy.
• Situ Shuang'er confronted Nangong Wuhen for forcing his way into Lin Wanyin’s courtyard, while Lin Wanyin signaled Chu Yunfei to release her.
• Lin Wanyin told Nangong Wuhen to leave, and he departed after disguising his anger with a polite farewell.
• After Nangong Wuhen’s footsteps faded, Chu Yunfei resumed his advances, and Lin Wanyin stifled a cry.

Chu Yunfei and Lin Wanyin were nearly discovered by Situ Shuang'er, who became suspicious when she heard her mother’s strained voice outside the bolted room. After Situ Shuang'er left, she secretly returned and overheard them, while Lin Wanyin and Chu Yunfei continued their private encounter.

• Situ Shuang'er heard Lin Wanyin’s unusual voice and pressed her to open the bolted door so she could check on her.
• Lin Wanyin told Situ Shuang'er she would explain her secret the next day, then sternly sent her away.
• Chu Yunfei and Lin Wanyin resumed their private encounter after Situ Shuang'er’s footsteps faded.
• Situ Shuang'er revealed she had never truly left and hid outside the courtyard to listen.
• Embarrassed by what she heard, Situ Shuang'er hurried to her room, wondered what the experience felt like, then forced herself to meditate.

Chu Yunfei refined his spiritual sea overnight through dual cultivation with Lin Wanyin, while she failed to break through to the Divine Sea Realm. After speaking with Wen Jiao, he decided to enter seclusion with six days remaining until the Seven Sects Grand Competition.

• Chu Yunfei reflected that Lin Wanyin could not break through without a special opportunity, while his spiritual power became fifty percent purer after one night of cultivation.
• Chu Yunfei judged Nangong Wuhen's Divine Sea Realm foundation to be weak and vowed to settle their past conflicts at the Seven Sects Grand Competition.
• Wen Jiao noticed another woman's scent on Chu Yunfei and teased him about spending the night with a beauty.
• Chu Yunfei admitted to Wen Jiao that he had a relationship with Lin Wanyin but said he could not reveal her private secrets.
• Wen Jiao warned Chu Yunfei that Situ Shuang'er might challenge him if she learned about his relationship with her mother.
• Chu Yunfei told Wen Jiao he planned to enter seclusion for the remaining days before the Seven Sects Grand Competition.