Chapter Summaries

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.

Gu Chen emerged from Sudden Enlightenment with a breakthrough and realized Lu Changzhi had helped him and his fellow disciples enter that state. While Gu Chen went to complete his sign-in mission in Zither Sound Valley, Dai Tianfeng pursued Qin Han, who argued with Hua Yunfan about fleeing.

• Gu Chen’s Spear Intent and Battle Intent grew stronger during Sudden Enlightenment, and he broke through to a new realm.
• Gu Chen saw that Mu Fan, Luo Ling’er, and Jin Fugui were also in Sudden Enlightenment and concluded that Lu Changzhi had caused it.
• Gu Chen thanked Lu Changzhi, then left the array to walk toward the center of Zither Sound Valley and complete his sign-in mission.
• Dai Tianfeng chased Qin Han outside Zither Sound Valley, convinced that Qin Han was connected to the opportunity in the sword palace.
• Qin Han urged Hua Yunfan to stop fleeing and fight Dai Tianfeng, while Hua Yunfan blamed Qin Han’s choices for their predicament.

Gu Chen completed a check-in at Zither Sound Valley and received pills, a long zither, and a speed enhancement before being assigned a new mission at the bottom of Crescent Lake. Lu Changzhi realized that Gu Chen and Xiao Ye had missions leading to the same place, but Gu Chen soon reported an emergency in Eighteen City.

• Hua Yunfan pretended that her soul power was exhausted and told Qin Han he would have to manage without her help for a while.
• Gu Chen found Wujie of the Buddhist Order gone from the check-in location in Zither Sound Valley and completed his mission.
• Gu Chen received three Rapid Broken Bone Healing Pills, the Chaotic Flowers long zither, and two points of speed, then decided to give the zither to his sect.
• The system assigned Gu Chen a new check-in mission at the bottom of Crescent Lake, and Gu Chen wondered whether a powerful demonic beast was there.
• Lu Changzhi noticed that Gu Chen and Xiao Ye had missions at Crescent Lake and planned to take them there after their enlightenment ended.
• Gu Chen hurried back and told Lu Changzhi that something had happened in Eighteen City and he needed to return to the city.

After Eighteen City was ambushed and its light and spirit beasts were stolen, the Five Symbols Sect organized a response while Lu Changzhi waited for his disciples to finish their Sudden Enlightenment. Xu Hao received the news, defeated a spirit beast, and set out to investigate the attackers who had offended Peak Master Lu.

• Gu Chen told Lu Changzhi that attackers had raided Eighteen City at dawn, stolen much of its accumulated light and spirit beasts, and were waiting nearby.
• Lu Changzhi learned that the city’s defenders were likely vulnerable because most Five Symbols Sect disciples and leaders had left for Zither Sound Valley.
• The Xunyuan Peak disciples discussed investigating the attackers, warning team captains, and preparing multiple ways to fight them.
• Xu Hao received the report while battling a spirit beast, then unleashed his power and killed it.
• Xu Hao left to gather people and investigate the group that had attacked Eighteen City and offended Peak Master Lu.

Jiang Xin and the other core disciples set out to help at Eighteen City, while Mu Fan woke from his Sudden Enlightenment and joined the return journey. As attackers continued trying to break the city’s strong array, Luo Zhen watched the crisis from concealment.

• Jiang Xin and three other talented disciples left Zither Sound Valley through an illusion array passage, intending to help Peak Master Lu.
• Lu Changzhi noticed the disciples leaving but did not connect their departure to the attack on Eighteen City.
• Mu Fan’s Sudden Enlightenment ended when he fell asleep, and Qin Li woke him.
• Gu Chen told Mu Fan about the ambush at Eighteen City, and Mu Fan joined the others aboard a flying boat heading back.
• The people inside Eighteen City worried about the attackers but took comfort in the strength of the city-protecting array.
• Luo Zhen watched the situation around Eighteen City from a tree branch beneath an illusion array.

Luo Zhen discovered a chance to slip into an unexplored city while a concealed force prepared to seize Eighteen City. Gu Chen identified the attackers as Qian Shenglin and the Star Moon Holy Land, while Lu Changzhi learned that sect disciples had gathered nearby and were ready to help.

• Luo Zhen decided to wait alone for a chance to enter the unexplored city, using the large crowd to conceal himself.
• Qian Shenglin waited outside Eighteen City while his people worked to break its defensive formation and prepared to trap its returning occupants.
• Gu Chen told the group aboard the flying boat that Qian Shenglin of the Star Moon Holy Land had launched the attack.
• Gu Chen reported that Qian Shenglin had 272 people openly present and more than 1,300 stationed around the city to prevent escapes.
• Mu Fan learned that sect disciples were on their way and decided they could skip setting up a formation to stop the attackers from fleeing.
• Lu Changzhi learned that sect disciples and visiting disciples were already gathered nearby and ready to act at his disposal.