Chapter Summaries

Xu Qi'an questioned why the Martial Arts Alliance's founder had supposedly lived for centuries, while in Jianzhou the alliance prepared to join the Earth Sect against Daoist traitors in exchange for the Nine-Colored Lotus. Daoist Jinlian and Bailian dealt with crowds drawn to the treasure and waited for someone whose arrival might drive most of them away.

• Emperor Yuanjing ordered the Prince of Huai's spies to race to Jianzhou for the Nine-Colored Lotus Seeds and bring magical artifacts.
• Xu Qi'an read about the Martial Arts Alliance's rebel origins and wondered how its founder could still be alive when Great Feng's founding emperor had died of old age; Zhong Li could not answer his questions.
• Ecstasy Hand Rongrong and her master arrived at Mount Quanrong, where the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion and other martial-world groups gathered after Alliance Leader Cao summoned them.
• Rongrong learned that Alliance Leader Cao had agreed with the Earth Sect's Daoist leader to eliminate the sect's traitors in exchange for lotus root and future lotus seeds.
• Young Master Liu's master warned him to stay out of the fighting and watch from the sidelines, while martial-world figures continued flocking to Jianzhou after rumors spread about the treasure.
• Bailian told Daoist Jinlian that their disciples had captured dozens of opportunistic martial artists, and Daoist Jinlian explained that Heilian had spread the rumors to exploit their reluctance to kill innocents; he said they were waiting for someone.

Cao Qingyang sought help from his sealed ancestor to seize Jianzhou’s Nine-Colored Lotus root, then told him about Xu Qi'an’s courageous deeds. After learning the lotus seeds could awaken his saber’s artifact spirit, Xu Qi'an hurried to Jianzhou and recruited Yang Qianhuan for the journey.

• Cao Qingyang visited the sealed ancestor at Mount Quanrong and promised to seize the Nine-Colored Lotus root to help him break through.
• Cao Qingyang recounted Xu Qi'an’s deeds, and the ancestor praised his clear conscience and potential.
• Zhong Li explained that lotus seeds could awaken Xu Qi'an’s saber and give it an artifact spirit.
• Xu Qi'an received Daoist’s warning that Jianzhou was in danger and set out to return Zhong Li to the Directorate of Astronomy.
• Xu Qi'an enticed Yang Qianhuan into joining the trip to Jianzhou by boasting that he would face ten thousand men alone.

Daoist Bailian struggled to keep the Heaven and Earth Society’s disciples from losing hope after artillery damaged Yuezhi Mountain Manor’s defenses. Xu Qi’an and the other Earth Book Fragment holders arrived to help, and after learning the lotus seeds would ripen the next day, they faced an immediate attack by rogue cultivators.

• Artillery fire damaged the manor’s formation and killed Lingzhen, prompting the disciples to doubt they could defend the Nine-Colored Lotus.
• Li Miaozhen and Lina arrived, followed by Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan, and the disciples recognized them as reinforcements.
• Xu Qi’an arrived and brought Yang Qianhuan, who agreed to repair and improve the manor’s formation.
• Daoist Jinlian told the group that the lotus seeds would ripen at dusk the next day and described the demonic Daoists, the Martial Arts Alliance, and the masked imperial experts threatening them.
• Xu Qi’an inferred that the Nine-Colored Lotus was essential to purging the Earth Sect, and Daoist Jinlian confirmed its importance.
• A disciple reported that a large group of rogue cultivators had attacked through the breach, and Daoist Jinlian asked Xu Qi’an and Li Miaozhen to deal with them.

Xu Qi'an stayed behind with Daoist Jinlian, who severed the Earth Book Fragment’s connection to Xu Qi'an and took it for safekeeping. Meanwhile, Li Miaozhen and Lina tried to drive the Rogue Cultivators away from Yuezhi Mountain Manor, but Ink Pavilion master Yang Cuixue rallied them against Li Miaozhen; Xu Qi'an stepped forward to challenge Yang Cuixue’s claim that no one present had enough influence.

• Daoist Jinlian explained that the Earth Sect could not slaughter the Rogue Cultivators without harming its merit, and Li Miaozhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and Hengyuan went to persuade them to withdraw.
• Daoist Jinlian removed Xu Qi'an’s Earth Book Fragment and took it into his custody so Heilian could no longer sense it.
• Lina defeated several Rogue Cultivators, and Li Miaozhen used her reputation as the Flying Swallow Heroine to persuade them to leave.
• Yang Cuixue arrived with the Ink Pavilion, challenged Li Miaozhen’s attempt to send the Rogue Cultivators away, and dismissed Chu Yuanzhen’s appeal to his reputation.
• Xu Qi'an stepped forward and asked Yang Cuixue whether he would give him some face.

Xu Qi'an arrived at Yuezhi Mountain Manor and used his reputation to persuade the Ink Pavilion and other martial artists to withdraw from the contest over the lotus seeds. As he sent Lingyun to gather intelligence, a hostile young gentleman arrived in town and planned to take Xu Qi'an's saber.

• Xu Qi'an met Yang Cuixue, who recognized him and agreed that the Ink Pavilion would not take part in the affair.
• Xu Qi'an asked the gathered martial artists to show leniency, and Liu Hu and others announced that they would withdraw as well.
• Xu Qi'an denied being an Earth Book Fragment holder, then said he had come to investigate a case and asked Lingyun to disguise himself and gather intelligence in town.
• Yang Qianhuan crouched alone nearby, muttering that he needed to build up enough prestige.
• A white-robed young gentleman heard that Xu Qi'an had arrived and said he would take Xu Qi'an's saber, despite warnings from the Left and Right Emissaries not to provoke him.

A white-robed young master arrived in town, offered artifacts to anyone who killed Xu Qi'an, and maimed Lingyun for trying to carry news back to Yuezhi Mountain Manor. Xu Qi'an was practicing for a breakthrough when Qiu Chanyi arrived in tears to tell him Lingyun was dead.

• Lingyun overheard the Earth Sect, the masked court group, and the Martial Arts Alliance discussing the Ink Pavilion's withdrawal and Xu Qi'an's influence.
• A white-robed young master arrived with two powerful attendants, injured Daoist Lanlian, and insulted Xiao Yuenu and the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion.
• The young master announced that he would reward anyone who severed Xu Qi'an's limbs with artifacts, and offer a box of artifacts for Xu Qi'an's head.
• The young master recognized Lingyun as a Daoist from Yuezhi Mountain Manor and cut off his lower legs so he would have to crawl back with the news.
• Xu Qi'an practiced the Heaven and Earth One-Saber Slash and sensed he was close to breaking through to the Fifth Rank.
• Qiu Chanyi ran to Xu Qi'an in tears and told him Lingyun was dead.

After Lingyun was mutilated and killed by Qiu Qian, Xu Qi'an identified the young man in white as connected to powerful arcanists and planned to strike before the enemy forces could unite. He appeared to take Qiu Qian’s bait, but a white-robed figure activated a formation and transported everyone in the inn away as hostile forces closed in.

• Xu Qi'an learned that Qiu Qian had severed Lingyun’s legs and forced him to crawl out of town before he died.
• Xu Qi'an suspected Qiu Qian had powerful arcanist backing and proposed dividing the enemy by attacking after dusk.
• Rongrong worried that the wealthy, mysterious Qiu Qian would endanger Xu Qi'an, while Qiu Qian told his retainers he planned to capture him.
• Xu Qi'an entered the inn where Qiu Qian was waiting and acknowledged that he had seen through the bait.
• As Earth Sect Daoists and Prince of Huai’s spies surrounded the inn, a white-robed figure activated a formation and everyone inside vanished.

Xu Qi'an and his allies sprang their ambush on the white-robed young master’s forces, splitting the battles between the town and a hillside. Xu Qi'an gained the upper hand against Qiu Qian with a Heart Sword and Lion’s Roar, then struck for his head.

• Tianji and Tianshu realized Xu Qi'an had teleported away from the inn and sent their forces to pursue him while Tianji stayed to face a young girl carrying a cannon.
• Li Miaozhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and a burly monk intercepted the Fourth-Rank fighters at the inn, while the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion evacuated the townspeople after Xiao Yuenu learned Xu Qi'an had attacked.
• Daoists Honglian, Chenglian, and Huanglian followed Qi fluctuations south and found a middle-aged swordsman and a man in iron gauntlets waiting for them.
• Xu Qi'an and Yang Qianhuan confronted Qiu Qian and the Left and Right Emissaries on a hillside; Yang Qianhuan used teleportation and an arsenal of enchanted weapons to keep the Right Emissary at bay.
• Qiu Qian attacked Xu Qi'an with the divine sword Moon Shadow, but Xu Qi'an disrupted him with a Heart Sword and Lion’s Roar before swinging his saber at Qiu Qian’s head.

Xu Qi'an outmaneuvered Qiu Qian in their duel, broke through his protective artifacts, and killed him despite the Left Emissary’s threats. He collected Qiu Qian’s heaven and earth souls as the Left and Right Emissaries watched in shock.

• Xu Qi'an damaged Qiu Qian’s protective jade pendant with Heaven and Earth One-Saber Slash, but the Left Emissary attacked him with a powerful tracking arrow and trapped him with mirror light.
• Qiu Qian unleashed cannons and siege crossbows against Xu Qi'an, but Xu Qi'an used Words Become Law to make the attacks miss and then appeared behind him to cut off his knees.
• A woman in a Nightwatchers uniform intercepted the Left Emissary as he rushed to save Qiu Qian.
• Xu Qi'an made the wounded Qiu Qian crawl, forced him to watch the battle, and then cut off his head despite the Left Emissary’s warning.
• Xu Qi'an collected Qiu Qian’s heaven and earth souls, leaving the Left and Right Emissaries horrified.

Xu Qi'an killed Qiu Qian and the two peak Fourth Rank emissaries, but the Confucian spell’s backlash left him near death from exhaustion. After recovering at Yuezhi Mountain Manor, he woke under Susu’s watch and released Qiu Qian’s soul from his sachet.

• Xiao Yuenu and the other groups reached the battlefield and saw Xu Qi'an holding Qiu Qian’s severed head, silencing those who had come hoping to kill him.
• Xu Qi'an provoked the Left and Right Emissaries into attacking him, then used a boast and a sword talisman to cut them down; Nangong Qianrou finished them off.
• Xu Qi'an, Nangong Qianrou, and Yang Qianhuan divided the enchanted artifacts and escaped, while Tianji and Tianshu learned that the Earth Sect’s lotus Daoists had been held back.
• At Yuezhi Mountain Manor, Xu Qi'an collapsed from the spell’s backlash, and Daoist Jinlian and Yang Qianhuan helped save him with restorative medicines.
• Xu Qi'an awoke with Susu watching over him, learned that Yang Qianhuan had supplied a precious pill, and released Qiu Qian’s soul from his sachet.

Xu Qi'an questioned Qiu Qian's soul and learned that he was Ji Qian, a descendant of Great Feng's former imperial line whose father planned to replace Emperor Yuanjing. As Qiu Qian struggled to reveal who had placed Fate in Xu Qi'an, a mysterious white-robed figure appeared beside his corpse and watched Yuezhi Mountain Manor.

• Susu drove Qiu Chanyi away from Xu Qi'an's room, and Xu Qi'an put Qiu Qian's soul back into the sachet to avoid being overheard.
• Daoist Jinlian warned that Xu Qi'an's weakened Qi endangered their defenses, then gave him Luo Yuheng's protective charm and assigned him to guard the final checkpoint.
• Qiu Chanyi brought Xu Qi'an and Lina a meal, and Xu Qi'an asked Yang Qianhuan to create a formation that blocked sound and prying eyes.
• Xu Qi'an released Qiu Qian's soul and learned his name was Ji Qian, a legitimate descendant of Great Feng's imperial line from five hundred years earlier.
• Ji Qian said his father, Ji Xiao, intended to become sovereign and that the Fate in Xu Qi'an had been stored there by a great personage for their ambitions, but he struggled when Xu Qi'an asked who that personage was.
• A mysterious white-robed figure arrived at Ji Qian's headless corpse and watched Yuezhi Mountain Manor.

Xu Qi'an learned that the First Chief Astrologer had survived and was plotting to reclaim the Fate inside him, while the current Chief Astrologer also intended to take it back. Meanwhile, Cao Qingyang defended the Martial Arts Alliance’s right to refuse the court’s orders and drove Tianji away.

• Xu Qi'an questioned Qiu Qian and learned that the First Chief Astrologer had taken the descendants of the old imperial line, planned a rebellion, and needed the Fate stored inside Xu Qi'an.
• Qiu Qian revealed that Xu Qi'an would die once the Fate was extracted, then named Xuzhou as the faction’s hideout before his soul exploded.
• A white-robed arcanist burned the corpses and declared that Wei Yuan was next after the Prince of Huai, while Xu Qi'an decided to tell Wei Yuan what he had learned.
• Xu Qi'an found Dragon Fang among Ji Qian’s possessions and recognized it as a powerful artifact intended for the faction’s heir.
• Cao Qingyang faced pressure from Tianji to punish Yang Cuixue and Fu Jingmen for withdrawing from the operation, but upheld the Martial Arts Alliance’s rules.
• Cao Qingyang struck Tianji out of the residence and declared that the Martial Arts Alliance would not become the court’s servant.

Xu Qi'an worried that revealing the Fate to Wei Yuan could make him a threat, then rallied the Heaven and Earth Society disciples as the battle for Yuezhi Mountain Manor began. After a high-ranking arcanist destroyed the spies’ cannons, Cao Qingyang shattered the manor’s barrier and revealed power that seemed to mark him as Third Rank.

• Xu Qi'an decided to protect the lotus seeds, advance to Fifth Rank, and return to the capital to test Wei Yuan with the truth about the Fate.
• Tianji and Tianshu prepared the cannons and planned to help the Earth Sect while killing Xu Qi'an; Xu Qi'an encouraged the frightened Heaven and Earth Society disciples to fight.
• As the lotus seeds neared ripening, Tianji ordered the cannons to fire on Yuezhi Mountain Manor, but its formation withstood the bombardment.
• Yang Qianhuan used the manor’s cannons and siege crossbows to destroy many of the spies’ cannons and drive back the gathered factions.
• Cao Qingyang broke the manor’s defensive barrier with one blow, prompting Daoist Chilian and the onlookers to ask whether Cao Qingyang had advanced to Third Rank.

Cao Qingyang revealed that he had reached the Third Rank and effortlessly broke through the trials guarding Yuezhi Mountain Manor. As the assembled martial artists advanced on the Nine-Colored Lotus, Xu Qi'an confronted Cao Qingyang at the cold pool, leaving their coming clash unresolved.

• Cao Qingyang demonstrated his Third-Rank power, and Yang Qianhuan fled after his weapons failed to harm him.
• Cao Qingyang defeated Nangong Qianrou, Chu Yuanzhen, Lina, and Hengyuan as he passed through their trials.
• Li Miaozhen’s ghost formation briefly attacked Cao Qingyang, but his Third-Rank blood and vitality overcame it, and she withdrew.
• Cao Qingyang’s followers pressed the Heaven and Earth Society’s disciples toward the cold pool, while some martial artists threatened Qiu Chanyi.
• Xu Qi'an challenged Cao Qingyang at the cold pool, where the Nine-Colored Lotus grew and an old Daoist sat nearby.

Xu Qi'an fought Cao Qingyang barehanded to delay him from taking the lotus seeds and learned the secret of Fifth Rank Transforming Force under a brutal barrage. As Cao Qingyang threw the fifth punch and others rushed to intervene, Xu Qi'an instinctively struck back with a newly concentrated blow.

• Xu Qi'an proposed a weaponless, Qi-free fight, and Cao Qingyang agreed not to touch the lotus seeds until they ripened if Xu Qi'an held out.
• Tianshu revealed that Xu Qi'an was only a Sixth Rank warrior, and Cao Qingyang confirmed it after their first exchange.
• Xu Qi'an used his unusual ability to anticipate attacks and briefly countered, but Cao Qingyang overwhelmed him with faster blows.
• While Cao Qingyang beat him, Xu Qi'an studied his opponent's force and managed a kick that approached Fifth Rank standards.
• Cao Qingyang struck Xu Qi'an four times, weakening his Vajra Divine Art, and Xu Qi'an understood the secret of Transforming Force.
• As Cao Qingyang prepared his fifth punch and the others moved to intervene, Xu Qi'an awakened dormant cells and punched back.

Xu Qi'an advanced to the Fifth Rank and fought Cao Qingyang, who admitted that Xu Qi'an might surpass him at full strength. As the Nine-Colored Lotus blossomed and rival forces rushed for it, Xu Qi'an called on the State Preceptor for help.

• Xu Qi'an revealed that he had reached the Fifth Rank after his punch forced Cao Qingyang back.
• Xu Qi'an and Cao Qingyang fought at close quarters until Xu Qi'an's Vajra Divine Art broke, and Xu Qi'an conceded the duel.
• The Nine-Colored Lotus blossomed, and Daoist Head Heilian tried to seize it before Daoist Jinlian drew his avatar into a vortex.
• Cao Qingyang swept away the weaker contenders with Saber Intent and warned Xu Qi'an not to obstruct him.
• Xu Qi'an ignited a protective talisman and called for the State Preceptor to save him.

Xu Qi'an’s talisman summoned Luo Yuheng, who defeated Cao Qingyang and took the lotus root and seedpod. She left Cao Qingyang’s soul in Xu Qi’an’s hands and asked him to request a small piece of lotus root from Daoist Jinlian.

• After Xu Qi’an’s talisman burned, Luo Yuheng arrived at Yuezhi Mountain Manor, stunning the gathered factions.
• Heilian’s avatar taunted Luo Yuheng, but Daoist Jinlian drew him back before he could provoke her into a fight.
• Luo Yuheng fought Cao Qingyang, drove the spectators from the manor, and took the lotus root and seedpod when they emerged from the cold pool.
• Cao Qingyang cut down Luo Yuheng’s apparent body, but she reappeared, defeated him, and captured his soul.
• Luo Yuheng returned to Xu Qi’an, gave him Cao Qingyang’s soul to deal with, and told him to ask Daoist Jinlian for a small piece of lotus root before she departed.

The Martial Arts Alliance mourned Cao Qingyang after he returned from his battle with the Human Sect’s Daoist leader without signs of life, but Daoist Jinlian revealed that Xu Qi'an had Cao’s soul. As Xu Qi'an tried to restore it to Cao’s body, a soul entangled in golden light and black mist emerged from Jinlian and possessed an orange cat.

• The Martial Arts Alliance returned to the cold pool and found Cao Qingyang apparently dead, while Tianshu accused Xu Qi'an of causing his death.
• Tianshu and Daoist Chilian tried to turn the Martial Arts Alliance against Daoist Jinlian, but Jinlian told them Cao Qingyang could still be saved through Xu Qi'an.
• The Heaven and Earth Society arrived, prompting Tianshu and the Earth Sect’s Daoists to flee; Li Miaozhen and the others pursued them, but the Daoists escaped by flying away.
• Xu Qi'an told the Martial Arts Alliance he had Cao Qingyang’s soul, then released it from his sachet and guided it toward Cao’s body.
• A soul entwined in golden light and black mist burst from Daoist Jinlian and tried to possess Cao Qingyang, but an orange cat’s cry startled it into entering the cat instead.

Xu Qi'an helped Daoist Jinlian suppress Heilian, who had possessed an orange cat, and secured a share of the Nine-Colored Lotus seeds. After the Heaven and Earth Society departed Jianzhou, Xu Qi'an was left with his companions and Qiu Chanyi's sachet.

• Xu Qi'an returned Cao Qingyang's soul, and the Martial Arts Alliance leader invited him to a banquet and agreed to guard the manor.
• The Heaven and Earth Society disciples transferred merit to help Daoist Jinlian suppress Heilian, who had possessed an orange cat.
• The orange cat alternated between Daoist Jinlian and Heilian, and Xu Qi'an knocked it down when Heilian attacked Daoist Bailian and tried to stop him taking a lotus-root section.
• Daoist Bailian distributed the Nine-Colored Lotus seeds, giving Xu Qi'an two and one each to Chu Yuanzhen, Li Miaozhen, Lina, Hengyuan, and Nangong Qianrou.
• Daoist Bailian returned Xu Qi'an's Earth Book Fragment, then left Jianzhou with the Heaven and Earth Society while Li Miaozhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and Hengyuan escorted them partway.
• Qiu Chanyi gave Xu Qi'an a sachet before departing, and Li Miaozhen teased him about his delight at gaining a new acquaintance.

Xu Qi'an met the Martial Arts Alliance's ancestor on Mount Quanrong and learned that people entwined with fate could not attain immortality, prompting new doubts about Emperor Yuanjing. After the banquet, he embedded a lotus seed in his saber to awaken its artifact spirit.

• Xu Qi'an and Nangong Qianrou traveled to Mount Quanrong, where Alliance Leader Cao Qingyang took Xu Qi'an to meet the ancestor.
• The Martial Arts Alliance's ancestor offered to take Xu Qi'an as his disciple, but Xu Qi'an declined and asked about the ancestor's long life and his agreement with Emperor Gaozu.
• The ancestor said that those entwined with fate could not attain immortality, and Xu Qi'an realized the secret raised questions about Emperor Yuanjing's pursuit of Daoist cultivation and trust in the Prince Who Guards the North.
• The ancestor revealed that Cao Qingyang planned to obtain Earth Sect lotus root to help him break through to the second rank, while Xu Qi'an suspected the ancestor's condition was unusual.
• Xu Qi'an charmed the sect leaders and gang chiefs at the banquet, then returned to his room and embedded a lotus seed in his black-gold saber to awaken its artifact spirit.