Recaps

Lu Changzhi dispersed the Saint King Method around the Eighth Palace and left while using an illusion to make Zhou Xun dream. Dai Tianfeng and Wujie entered the palace, found its treasures already gone, and began fighting as Wujie noticed bloodstains left by whoever had taken them.

• Lu Changzhi dug up Zhou Xun, dispersed the Saint King Method, and left with him in a sack.
• Dai Tianfeng and Wujie led their followers into the revealed Eighth Palace as spirit beasts attacked the crowd.
• Lu Changzhi used the sack's illusion formation to weave a dream for Zhou Xun.
• Dai Tianfeng's group and Wujie's monks reached the palace, and Dai Tianfeng used a shield to withstand a demonic beast's attack.
• Dai Tianfeng and Wujie found the palace's treasures missing, and Wujie taunted Dai Tianfeng before they exchanged attacks.
• Wujie spotted scattered bloodstains and remarked that the person who took the treasures had fared worse than Dai Tianfeng.

Dai Tianfeng tracked the blood left at the Eighth Palace and departed, while Lu Changzhi freed Zhou Xun and convinced him that they were allies. After revealing part of the Blood Refining Longevity Art, Lu Changzhi left Zhou Xun expecting his return in a few days.

• Dai Tianfeng gathered the blood's lingering presence, ordered his people to watch for its owner, and left the Eighth Palace with most of his companions.
• After the Buddhist Order and Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty departed, other visitors rushed to claim what remained at the Eighth Palace.
• Lu Changzhi released Zhou Xun from the sack and told him they were on the same side.
• Lu Changzhi explained that Zhou Xun had fainted during a surge of power, and Zhou Xun recalled only hazy flashes that partly supported the story.
• Lu Changzhi showed Zhou Xun characters from the Blood Refining Longevity Art, and Zhou Xun reacted with shock as the presence within him fluctuated.
• Lu Changzhi promised to reveal the rest in a few days, warned Zhou Xun to keep the matter secret, and departed.

Zhou Xun resolved to target Luo Zhen after realizing the pressure behind the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty’s reward, while Lu Changzhi recognized how the dynasty used the Blood Refining Longevity Art to control its people. As Lu Changzhi prepared to meet his disciples, Jiang Xin contacted him, and he sensed that something was wrong.

• Zhou Xun decided he would deal with Luo Zhen first and bring back at least Luo Zhen’s corpse for the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty.
• Lu Changzhi considered the Blood Refining Longevity Art’s costs and how the dynasty used it to control Zhou Xun and harvest talented people.
• Lu Changzhi concluded that the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty’s plan to exploit the secret realm was unlikely to succeed with Zhou Xun as its only agent.
• Lu Changzhi noticed people bringing wounded spirit beasts into the city, making the disciples’ trial task easier.
• Lu Changzhi received a message from Jiang Xin and sensed that the disciples might be in trouble.

Lu Changzhi declined Jiang Xin’s offer to reserve the best spots at Zither Sound Valley, then noticed that Qin Han’s opportunity there had been delayed until tomorrow morning. While Qin Han searched for news of Jiang Xin, he approached a group arguing about whether to visit the valley.

• Jiang Xin asked Lu Changzhi whether he or his disciples planned to visit Zither Sound Valley and offered to reserve them the best spots.
• Lu Changzhi declined the offer and saw that Qin Han’s opportunity at the valley had shifted from that evening to the next morning.
• Qin Han searched for Jiang Xin with Hua Yunfan’s help, and Hua Yunfan pointed him toward people who had mentioned her.
• Qin Han hurried toward a group of three men and two women arguing about going to Zither Sound Valley to see Jiang Xin.
• Junior Sister Liu accused Senior Brother Zhang of wanting to see Jiang Xin, and the group decided they would not go with him.

Qin Han learned that Jiang Xin had opened Zither Sound Valley to visitors and set off there with Liu Qingyan, hoping to win Jiang Xin over. As rumors about the valley spread across the secret realm, Qian Shenglin realized he had been falsely said to be heading there and decided to exploit the rumor by sending his stand-in.

• Qin Han questioned a group about Jiang Xin and learned she had opened Zither Sound Valley to visitors for a small fee.
• Qin Han took Liu Qingyan aboard his flying boat and headed for Zither Sound Valley, while privately planning how to approach Jiang Xin without revealing his connection to Liu Qingyan.
• News of Zither Sound Valley spread rapidly, drawing speculation about its opportunities, the factions’ plans, and ways to secure a place near Jiang Xin.
• Qian Shenglin heard rumors that he had personally gone to Zither Sound Valley, though he remained in City Fifty-Two.
• Qian Shenglin suspected the Extreme Arms Holy Land was behind the scheme and ordered his stand-in to go in his place so he could use the rumor to his advantage.

Qin Jiuxiao, Wujie, the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty, and Lu Changzhi’s group all headed toward Zither Sound Valley as interest in the secret realm’s rumored opportunities grew. Meanwhile, Eighteen City’s residents discussed managing the spirit beasts and the Buddhist Order’s similar offer of shelter.

• Qin Jiuxiao decided to travel to Zither Sound Valley, suspecting he might encounter Liu Qingyan there, and set off by flying boat with several people.
• Wujie and his fellow monks had a group lead them toward Zither Sound Valley, while Wujie put off dealing with the matter of the generous city.
• The Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty’s prodigies departed Great Zhou Sacred City in a large fleet of flying boats, prompting speculation that Zither Sound Valley was the secret realm’s most valuable location.
• Gu Chen realized Lu Changzhi’s group was also bound for Zither Sound Valley, and Lu Changzhi confirmed the destination while checking that Gu Chen’s system had issued a sign-in mission there.
• In Eighteen City, residents prepared to manage the spirit beasts until the others returned and discussed reports that Buddhist Order cities offered shelter without demanding light.

Qin Han arrived at Zither Sound Valley and, under the influence of its mysterious zither music, indulged in thoughts that made Hua Yunfan regret ever letting him get a taste of romance. He left Liu Qingyan behind and secretly headed toward Jiang Xin, while Liu Qingyan sought a chance to reclaim her former prominence; elsewhere, Lu Changzhi received new fortuitous encounter information about Qin Jiuxiao.

• Some people in Eighteen City decided to stay rather than seek refuge with the Buddhist Order, reasoning that they had already received resources and care from the city's occupants.
• Qin Han arrived at Zither Sound Valley, where the zither music stirred images in his mind and Hua Yunfan discovered he was thinking about romantic matters again.
• After Liu Qingyan called him back to his senses, Qin Han asked her to wait and had Hua Yunfan conceal his presence so he could approach Jiang Xin.
• Liu Qingyan left her place and searched for a suitable spot, hoping to regain the attention and confidence she had enjoyed as a genius of the Flower Spirit Sect.
• Lu Changzhi received a system notification offering three new pieces of fortuitous encounter information for Qin Jiuxiao.

Lu Changzhi learned of Qin Jiuxiao’s three connected opportunities and ordered missions to recover a memory jade that could explain an approaching secret-realm crisis. In Zither Sound Valley, Qin Han followed two people claiming they could lead him to the best spot near Jiang Xin, but the group stopped before reaching it.

• Lu Changzhi learned Qin Jiuxiao would condense a killing-heart seed, attack Liu Qingyan, and later find a memory jade connected to a coming crisis.
• Lu Changzhi asked the system about the crisis, and the system issued missions for its subordinates to retrieve the memory jade.
• Lu Changzhi decided to finish his business in Zither Sound Valley while watching Qin Jiuxiao’s growth.
• Qin Han joined a group following two people who claimed they could take them to the best spot near Jiang Xin.
• The group stopped as Qin Han anticipated getting close to Jiang Xin and making plans.

Two disciples of the Extreme Arms Holy Land lured a crowd seeking Jiang Xin into an underground trap, where armed guards confronted them. Qin Han recognized Elder Hua and asked him to hold off the others while Qin Han dealt with the guides.

• The two disciples led the crowd through a hidden tunnel and claimed they had brought them beneath the area where Jiang Xin was.
• Qin Han received Hua Yunfan's warning that a formation had cut off the underground space from the outside.
• A saber-wielding young man threatened the guides, but the doors shut and Extreme Arms Holy Land guards emerged from hidden walls with weapons aimed at the crowd.
• The guides defended charging the crowd and said they had only taken precautions against anyone bullying them or spreading slander.
• Qin Han stayed calm and asked Elder Hua to hold off the crowd while he dealt with the two guides.

Qin Han left the underground area after Hua Yunfan advised him not to confront the Extreme Arms Holy Land disciples, while Lu Changzhi arrived at Zither Sound Valley and gave Gu Qingyang a collection of Sword Dao treasures. The group began exploring the valley, where Mu Fan proposed adapting its sound-storing arrays into a portable way to play music.

• Hua Yunfan persuaded Qin Han that confronting the Extreme Arms Holy Land disciples could jeopardize their plans, and Qin Han left with the others following.
• Lu Changzhi used the system to locate Qin Han, brought his group to Zither Sound Valley, and concealed their arrival with arrays and illusions.
• Lu Changzhi gave Gu Qingyang Dao Comprehension Tea Leaves and a Derivative Sword Heart, then used Talent Imprint to grant him the Innate Sword Seed talent.
• Lu Changzhi returned to find Mu Fan studying a sound-storing array and suggesting it be adapted into a portable music player.
• Lu Changzhi approved Mu Fan's idea and told him to research it.

Dai Tianfeng arrived at Zither Sound Valley and summoned Jiang Xin, drawing the attention of the gathered cultivators. After Jiang Xin emerged, Dai Tianfeng declared that he would take the central position.

• Lu Changzhi surveyed the cultivators in the valley and noticed Wujie among those gathered near the central area.
• Dai Tianfeng arrived with the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty’s flying boats, and the crowd recognized him as one of the ten great heavenly geniuses.
• Dai Tianfeng called for Jiang Xin, while Qin Han suspected he had come for her and Wujie watched the exchange.
• Jiang Xin emerged from the central area, and Lu Changzhi noticed she had concealed about a third of her radiance.
• Jiang Xin told Dai Tianfeng’s group to find a place if they had come to gain insights, but Dai Tianfeng said he would take the central position.

Jiang Xin defended the Extreme Arms Holy Land’s control of Zither Sound Valley’s central area when Dai Tianfeng challenged her, but Wujie stopped the confrontation from becoming a fight. The central area would open to all factions in three days, while the uneasy rivals remained poised for conflict and Qin Han sought a way to attract Jiang Xin’s attention.

• Dai Tianfeng claimed the central spot, and Jiang Xin answered his challenge by unleashing her powerful flames.
• Dai Tianfeng summoned his sword and Sword Intent, while the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty’s companions prepared for a fight.
• Wujie urged Jiang Xin and Dai Tianfeng to fight outside the valley, and Jiang Xin announced that the central area would open to everyone in three days.
• Dai Tianfeng dispersed his Sword Intent and descended after Wujie blocked it, though he privately despised Wujie’s appeal to kindness.
• Qin Han resumed trying to gain sudden enlightenment through the zither music so he could attract Jiang Xin’s attention, while Lu Changzhi settled down to sleep.

As the cultivators sought Sudden Enlightenment in Zither Sound Valley, Wujie entered the state and Qin Jiuxiao found clarity through his anger, deciding to hunt Liu Qingyan, Luo Zhen, and her other protector. Qin Han finally calmed himself and sank into the zither realm, leaving Hua Yunfan wondering whether he, too, might achieve Sudden Enlightenment.

• A young cultivator's Sudden Enlightenment was interrupted by a voice transmission, prompting others to guard against similar interference.
• Qin Han grew impatient as he failed to enter Sudden Enlightenment, and Hua Yunfan advised him to empty his mind and focus on what he knew best.
• Wujie entered Sudden Enlightenment amid visions of Buddhas and Buddhist chants, while Dai Tianfeng chose not to interrupt him.
• Qin Jiuxiao turned his anger over Liu Qingyan's betrayal and others' defiance into a realization that he needed to establish his authority through killing.
• Qin Jiuxiao set out to find Liu Qingyan, Luo Zhen, or the boy who had previously saved her, intending to show no mercy.
• Qin Han calmed down, merged his attention with the zither realm, and let his Sword Intent respond to its fluctuations as Hua Yunfan watched with anticipation.

Lu Changzhi checked Qin Jiuxiao and Liu Qingyan’s positions as Qin Han prepared for a sudden enlightenment, then watched his disciples reflect on the zither music. Above Zither Sound Valley, the ancestors discussed Gu Qingyang’s progress toward Sword Master, while Qin Han began to enter his rare opportunity.

• Lu Changzhi saw Liu Qingyan playing the zither before a crowd and suspected she was using herself as bait for Qin Han to deal with Qin Jiuxiao.
• Lu Changzhi asked Gu Chen, Mu Fan, and Qin Li about their cultivation; none had experienced sudden enlightenment.
• The ancestors discussed how Gu Qingyang’s Derivative Sword Heart might help him break through to Sword Master and agreed to suppress the disturbance when he did.
• Hua Yunfan watched Qin Han cultivate inside a formation and recognized the signs of sudden enlightenment.
• A mysterious presence emerged from Qin Han, and Hua Yunfan realized his sudden enlightenment had begun.

Lu Changzhi used Sudden Enlightenment opportunities on his disciples, and their varied responses astonished the patriarchs watching from above. Qin Han also entered Sudden Enlightenment, drawing attention to his sword cultivation and raising curiosity about Dai Tianfeng’s reaction.

• Lu Changzhi received six Sudden Enlightenment opportunities and a Perfect Sudden Enlightenment, then used the opportunities on his disciples.
• Qin Li, Gu Chen, and Xiao Ye displayed signs of Sudden Enlightenment, while Luo Ling'er took out her cooking tools and Jin Fugui grabbed his broom.
• Lu Changzhi reinforced the formations around his disciples and returned to his Observing Chair as the patriarchs watched in disbelief.
• The patriarchs noticed that Qin Han had also reached Sudden Enlightenment after his formations dispersed.
• Onlookers recognized Qin Han as a lone wanderer whose enlightenment seemed related to the sword, and wondered how Dai Tianfeng would react.

Qin Han experienced Sudden Enlightenment while others in Zither Sound Valley watched and speculated about his motives. When he examined himself afterward, he could not tell that he had improved at all.

• Dai Tianfeng and Wujie sensed Qin Han's sword Dao and judged him unworthy of further attention, while Lu Changzhi suspected he was trying to attract Jiang Xin's notice.
• People gathered to watch Qin Han's Sudden Enlightenment and debated how much it might improve his sword Dao; Qin Jiuxiao dismissed their envy and decided to search the outskirts for Liu Qingyan.
• Qin Jiuxiao reasoned that Liu Qingyan would likely seek a spot in the inner area, then chose to check the outskirts before leaving the valley.
• Qin Han's Sudden Enlightenment faded, and he opened his eyes confused as Hua Yunfan explained what had happened.
• Qin Han examined himself for improvements and told Hua Yunfan that he felt as though he had not improved at all.

Qin Han questioned whether his Sudden Enlightenment had been real after gaining no immediate benefits, then asked Hua Yunfan how to attract Jiang Xin’s attention. Meanwhile, Lu Changzhi noticed Gu Qingyang’s Sword Intent fluctuation and received a choice about handling Qin Han and Gu Qingyang’s impending breakthrough.

• Qin Han told Hua Yunfan that he had noticed no improvement or change after entering Sudden Enlightenment, and she confirmed this after examining him.
• Hua Yunfan reassured Qin Han that the benefits might appear later, then said Jiang Xin had not shown herself but might have noticed his Sudden Enlightenment.
• Qin Han asked Hua Yunfan to help him make a strong impression on Jiang Xin, but she dismissed his request to trigger a Heaven and Earth Phenomenon as unrealistic.
• Lu Changzhi watched Qin Han and noted that Gu Qingyang’s Sword Intent had briefly stirred as the other old ancestors helped suppress his breakthrough fluctuations.
• A choice window appeared before Lu Changzhi, offering options involving Qin Han’s display and Gu Qingyang’s breakthrough.

Lu Changzhi chose to grant Qin Han the attention he wanted while sparing the ancestors effort, and the System arranged it without requiring him to do anything. Qin Han’s Sword Intent erupted in Zither Sound Valley, reaching the peak of the Sword King realm and leaving the crowd stunned.

• Lu Changzhi chose to give Qin Han a display of lightning admonition and set the other reward aside, then learned the System had arranged everything for free.
• Ripples appeared around Qin Han, and a powerful strand of Sword Intent began to gather as he spoke with Hua Yunfan.
• Qin Han’s sword rang out across Zither Sound Valley, interrupting the zither music and drawing the crowd’s attention.
• Qin Han resumed cultivating and summoned a longsword as manifested swords and overwhelming Sword Intent spread around him.
• Dai Tianfeng recognized the Sword King realm, but Qin Han’s Sword Intent continued rising until it reached the realm’s peak.

Qin Han used the overwhelming Sword Intent in the formation to draw Jiang Xin’s attention, while sword cultivators’ weapons flew toward him in a spectacle Hua Yunfan called “One step to Sword Master, ten thousand swords offer congratulations.” Hua Yunfan expected Jiang Xin to ask Qin Han about the event afterward, leaving him to decide how to use the opportunity.

• Liu Qingyan’s zither music faltered as the Sword Intent in the formation drew everyone’s attention away from her.
• The Sword Intent grew so powerful that sword cultivators could no longer control their swords, and onlookers wondered whether Qin Han was about to break through.
• Jiang Xin emerged from the formation and watched Qin Han from a safe distance behind a barrier of flames.
• Qin Han rose into the sky as Hua Yunfan warned him that the spectacle was nearing its peak.
• Dai Tianfeng failed to suppress his sword, which flew from its sheath along with countless other swords and converged on Qin Han.
• Hua Yunfan told Qin Han that Jiang Xin would likely ask about the spectacle and left him to decide how to seize the opportunity.

Qin Han staged an imposing display hoping Jiang Xin would ask who he was, but she ignored him on Lu Changzhi’s instructions and returned to the core area. When Dai Tianfeng finally asked, Qin Han angrily told him to scram, leaving the crowd tense.

• Lu Changzhi messaged Jiang Xin, telling her to ignore Qin Han and pretend she had not seen him.
• Qin Han’s sword display left the crowd shaken, and people speculated about his identity and power.
• Jiang Xin waited without asking Qin Han a question, then descended toward the core area.
• Qin Han grew frustrated when Jiang Xin ignored his display, while Hua Yunfan urged him to be patient.
• Dai Tianfeng asked Qin Han who he was, and Qin Han told him to scram.

Gu Qingyang reached the Sword Master level, but the breakthrough’s disturbances appeared to have been transferred to Qin Han in Zither Sound Valley. Qin Han stayed despite Hua Yunfan’s warning, while Liu Qingyan resumed playing her zither as the onlookers turned their attention to her.

• Gu Qingyang realized he had reached the Sword Master level with help from the things Changzhi Li gave him, then learned that no disturbance had appeared around him during his breakthrough.
• Gu Qingyang watched recordings showing that his breakthrough’s sword effects had occurred around Qin Han, and wondered whether Changzhi had caused it.
• Qin Han refused to leave Zither Sound Valley despite Hua Yunfan warning him that staying could bring trouble.
• The crowd avoided provoking Qin Han after Dai Tianfeng backed down, and their conversations returned to the strange events in the valley.
• Liu Qingyan recovered from the Sword Intent, noticed the men looking at her, and resumed playing her zither.

Liu Qingyan played the zither in Zither Sound Valley to attract attention, but Qin Jiuxiao recognized her and attacked with lethal intent. Her protective necklace shielded her as she cried out for Qin Han, leaving her fate uncertain.

• Liu Qingyan played her zither in the outer area, drawing a crowd of onlookers.
• Qin Jiuxiao heard the music, recognized Liu Qingyan’s style, and approached without warning her.
• Liu Qingyan noticed Qin Jiuxiao and stopped playing as he called her name and attacked.
• Qin Jiuxiao launched a deadly spiritual-power strike at Liu Qingyan.
• Liu Qingyan called for Qin Han, and the protective necklace he had given her burst with light and sent her flying under its protection.

Qin Jiuxiao shattered Liu Qingyan’s protective necklace and left her gravely wounded, while Qin Han rushed to save her too slowly and drew suspicion from the onlookers. When Qin Han finally reached them, he recognized Qin Jiuxiao and angrily confronted him.

• Qin Han sensed Liu Qingyan’s necklace activate and hurried to her, despite Hua Yunfan warning that he might expose himself.
• Qin Jiuxiao struck Liu Qingyan again as she called for Qin Han, and the necklace’s shield briefly protected her from the attack.
• Lu Changzhi noticed Qin Han’s slow approach and saw that Dai Tianfeng and others had begun to suspect his earlier display was a bluff.
• Qin Jiuxiao shattered Liu Qingyan’s shield, knocked her unconscious, and moved in to kill her.
• Qin Han arrived, saw Liu Qingyan’s condition, recognized Qin Jiuxiao, and shouted at him in fury.

Qin Han confronted Qin Jiuxiao, who trapped himself and Liu Qingyan behind a formation and killed her by crushing her heart. As Qin Han tried to attack, Dai Tianfeng struck from behind, but Hua Yunfan checked his attack and carried Qin Han out of Zither Sound Valley.

• Qin Han recognized Qin Jiuxiao and unleashed his power, while the onlookers dismissed him as weaker than he seemed.
• Qin Jiuxiao formed a barrier around himself and Liu Qingyan, then tore out and crushed her heart as Qin Han failed to break through.
• Qin Han urged Hua Yunfan to kill Qin Jiuxiao, but Hua Yunfan told him to retreat.
• Dai Tianfeng launched a sudden sword strike at Qin Han from behind.
• Hua Yunfan restrained Dai Tianfeng with spiritual power and carried Qin Han out of Zither Sound Valley.

After Qin Han fled, Dai Tianfeng and the Buddhist Order’s monks pursued him, both apparently seeking what he had encountered in the Eighth Palace. Qin Jiuxiao destroyed Liu Qingyan’s corpse and went after Qin Han as well, setting himself on a path toward being hunted.

• Qin Han blocked Dai Tianfeng’s sword strike with a powerful technique, but Dai Tianfeng pursued him with the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty’s followers.
• Wujie led the Buddhist Order’s monks after Qin Han, and Lu Changzhi concluded that both groups were pursuing him because of the Eighth Palace.
• Qin Jiuxiao scattered Liu Qingyan’s corpse into bloody mist and decided that killing made people fear him.
• Qin Jiuxiao followed Qin Han’s route, and Lu Changzhi wondered who would hunt Qin Jiuxiao next.