Chapter Summaries

Qin Han discovered that his luck let him pass through the sealed circle, then entered its sword-related grounds and approached a palace guarded by powerful spirit beasts. After the palace doors resisted him and a nearby beast detected him, he asked Hua Yunfan what to do.

• Qin Han concealed himself and Liu Qingyan with an illusion array, touched the barrier, and passed through it when it rippled.
• Liu Qingyan tried to follow Qin Han through the barrier, but she could not enter.
• Qin Han sensed that the grounds were connected to swords and headed toward a palace, while Hua Yunfan warned him about the spirit beasts guarding it.
• Hua Yunfan concealed Qin Han as he approached the palace, but the entrance doors resisted his attempt to open them.
• The disturbance alerted a powerful spirit beast, which detected Qin Han, and he asked Hua Yunfan for help.

Qin Han found a chance to approach a palace while the spirit beast nearby stayed quiet, and Lu Changzhi left his avatar there before returning to eat. After dinner, Lu Changzhi learned that his disciples were recruiting others to hunt spirit beasts for rewards, then used the system to locate Zhou Xun and decided to deal with him.

• Qin Han tested the palace approach and found that the nearby spirit beast did not react, while Hua Yunfan and Lu Changzhi considered why it was behaving unusually.
• Lu Changzhi sent his External Avatar to remain near the palace and returned to his main body when Ling'er called him to dinner.
• Gu Chen told Lu Changzhi that the group planned to hunt spirit beasts at night and would reward others who brought in beasts alive.
• A crowd left the city to hunt spirit beasts, encouraged by the promise of cultivation resources and light in exchange for their catches.
• Lu Changzhi asked the system for Zhou Xun's location, saw that Zhou Xun had not moved, and decided to deal with him.

Lu Changzhi summoned the sect’s ancestors to capture Zhou Xun, an expert from the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty, and arranged for them to deliver him alive to a chosen location. As the ancestors converged on Zhou Xun, Lu Changzhi watched their overwhelming force gather around him.

• Zhou Xun waited in hiding near the barrier while Dai Tianfeng and the Buddhist Order weathered the beast tide.
• Lu Changzhi contacted the sect’s ancestors through a communication stone and asked them to capture the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty expert who had entered with a Privilege Token.
• The ancestors recognized Zhou Xun as someone they had already been assigned to follow and asked Lu Changzhi how he wanted the capture handled.
• Lu Changzhi explained that Zhou Xun had to remain alive, and Mu Yuan offered to restrain him and deliver him to a chosen spot.
• Green lights converged around Zhou Xun as the ancestors moved in, leaving Lu Changzhi to watch the capture unfold.

Lu Changzhi’s ancestors captured Zhou Xun after a sudden attack, then learned that Lu Changzhi had caused the disturbance with his Saint King Method. Mu Yuan explained the hidden nine-story tower’s role in the trial space, and Lu Changzhi decided to keep an eye on it.

• Zhou Xun sensed danger and was caught in a sudden attack that left him unconscious in a bag.
• The ancestors diverted the crowd’s attention with a flash of light, and Mu Yuan told Lu Changzhi that Zhou Xun had been secured.
• Lu Changzhi admitted that he had caused the disturbance, astonishing the ancestors with his strength and the Saint King Method.
• Mu Yuan explained that the nine-story tower was a hidden cultivation resource whose appearance depended on accumulated light and illuminated tower symbols.
• Lu Changzhi decided to watch for the tower’s appearance, though Mu Yuan said the Five Symbols Sect’s disciples and elders would be notified when it appeared.

Lu Changzhi secretly protected Zhou Xun and used the Heart-Binding Devil Seed on him, learning that Zhou Xun had a devil-related condition and that the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty might be connected to the Blood Demon Clan. When Qin Han finally cleared the palace trials and reached the palace proper, he spotted a powerful sword and rushed toward it.

• The people waiting outside the circle grew excited and competitive, unaware that Lu Changzhi controlled when the place would open and was waiting on Qin Han.
• Fourteen ancestors secretly stayed behind to protect Lu Changzhi, who then inspected Mu Yuan's Saint Rank Peak Grade sack and used the Heart-Binding Devil Seed on Zhou Xun.
• Lu Changzhi buried Zhou Xun, and the system shortened the seed's estimated completion time after detecting a devil-related condition in him.
• Lu Changzhi suspected the Great Zhou Sacred Dynasty had ties to the Blood Demon Clan and returned to the palace when Qin Han made substantial progress.
• Qin Han cleared the palace's trials, entered the palace proper, spotted a powerful longsword, and ran toward it.

Qin Han endured a powerful Sword Intent test to claim a Saint Artifact longsword, but the sword vanished before he could bind it. He then found a statue containing Zhuang Qingfeng's Sword Dao inheritance, while Lu Changzhi examined the sword in his system space.

• Qin Han faced the longsword's Sword Intent and endured its assault on his soul until it quieted.
• As Qin Han tried to bind the sword with his blood, it vanished, and Hua Yunfan could not determine where it had gone.
• Qin Han struck the stone platform in anger, but Hua Yunfan urged him to search the palace for other opportunities.
• Lu Changzhi examined Heavy Abyss in his system space and judged it an excellent middle-grade Saint Artifact, though weaker than his Dao-Severing Sword.
• Qin Han sat before a statue of an old man and received information revealing that it contained part of Zhuang Qingfeng's Sword Dao inheritance, with no test required.

Qin Han explored the palace but found that its apparent inheritance and treasures kept disappearing, leading him to suspect he was trapped in an illusion. He reached the Derivative Sword Heart and expected it to vanish as well, while Lu Changzhi waited outside, hoping to obtain it through a critical hit.

• Qin Han found that the power inside the statue had disappeared, and Hua Yunfan suspected it was an illusion.
• Lu Changzhi received Zhuang Qingfeng's complete Sword Dao inheritance after a critical hit upgraded the partial inheritance.
• Qin Han gathered several palace treasures but discovered they had vanished from his storage ring, and the pills in a jade bottle were also missing.
• Hua Yunfan told Qin Han the palace might not be real, but Qin Han continued exploring rather than leave.
• Qin Han reached the Derivative Sword Heart, learned its value from Hua Yunfan, and reached toward it while predicting it would disappear.

Qin Han found the light in the palace empty, while Lu Changzhi received five Derivative Sword Hearts and considered how to develop his sword cultivation. After learning the Dao-Severing Sword's missing spirit could cultivate on its own, Lu Changzhi planned to visit Zither Sound Valley the next day with his disciples.

• Qin Han reached the light in the palace but found it contained nothing, leaving Hua Yunfan disappointed as well.
• Lu Changzhi received five Derivative Sword Hearts from Qin Han's exploration and watched his disciples manage the beast tide outside the city.
• Lu Changzhi asked the system how a sword could grow stronger on its own, and the system said the Dao-Severing Sword's spirit could cultivate independently.
• Lu Changzhi learned the system might be able to invite the sword spirit back after he strengthened himself and upgraded the store.
• Lu Changzhi decided to rest before visiting Zither Sound Valley with his disciples the next day to seek an epiphany.

Qin Han searched the Eighth Palace hall but discovered that its treasures were only part of an illusion array, then left with Liu Qingyan after Hua Yunfan warned the barrier might fail. He told Liu Qingyan that a Saint Realm expert had chosen him to inherit a legacy, while Hua Yunfan privately considered Liu Qingyan a potential burden and favored Jiang Xin instead.

• Qin Han searched the hall thoroughly, but Hua Yunfan could not find a way to break its illusion array or recover anything.
• Hua Yunfan comforted Qin Han and encouraged him to seek Jiang Xin, offering to help him approach her.
• Hua Yunfan warned Qin Han that the barrier was weakening and that the other factions' heavenly prides would be troublesome, so Qin Han left the hall.
• Liu Qingyan embraced Qin Han when he reappeared, and Hua Yunfan privately judged her to be manipulative and a possible burden.
• Liu Qingyan asked whether Qin Han had gained anything, and he told her he had met a Saint Realm expert who chose him to inherit a legacy.

As crowds waited outside the Eighth Palace for it to open, Gu Chen and his companions earned a strong reputation in Eighteen City by helping people and bringing back spirit beasts. Lu Changzhi woke, drew Nine Thunder Heavenly Punishment from Good Things Come in Pairs, and prepared to deal with Zhou Xun before leaving.

• More people arrived at the Eighth Palace, where those who had waited overnight continued to complain about the delay and the costs of facing the beast tide.
• In Eighteen City, people praised Gu Chen, Qin Li, and their companions for honoring their promises about spirit beasts and helping those in danger.
• Gu Chen proposed that the group explore farther for unopened cities and spirit beasts, and they left by flying boat.
• Lu Changzhi woke, checked the Eighth Palace, and learned from the system that he had not left the area enough for Good Things Come in Pairs.
• Lu Changzhi drew Nine Thunder Heavenly Punishment and stored it in the system.
• After confirming Qin Han had left, Lu Changzhi decided to deal with Zhou Xun before departing.

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.