Recaps

Sang Ying planned to escape while Fusheng struggled with his feelings for her and accepted Qi Yaoji’s plan to impersonate Sang Ying and spy on the sects. After arranging Qi Yaoji’s fake capture, Fusheng took a cage of red foxes, hoping they might cheer Sang Ying up.

• Sang Ying realized the sect might be searching for her, but decided she had to focus on clearing her meridians and escaping herself.
• Fusheng regretted frightening Sang Ying and spoke with Qi Yaoji, who offered to coax her and proposed impersonating Sang Ying to spy on the Flowing Light Sword Sect and the Myriad Phenomena Sect.
• Fusheng agreed to Qi Yaoji’s plan, and the next day she disguised herself as Sang Ying and let him pretend to capture her.
• Fusheng ordered a female devil general to guard Qi Yaoji, then encountered a patrol returning with four red foxes.
• Fusheng took the cage of foxes, wondering whether giving them to Sang Ying would cheer her up.

Fusheng tried to win over Sang Ying with four red foxes, then allowed her to walk around the city lord’s residence. There, Sang Ying learned that someone posing as her had been brought to the dungeon for an exchange, and Fusheng introduced her to the devils as his disciple, Xiao Yao.

• Fusheng brought Sang Ying four red foxes, and she pretended to show interest when he threatened to kill them.
• Fusheng left the foxes in the courtyard and removed the restriction that had kept Sang Ying inside her room, allowing her to move around the residence.
• Sang Ying overheard devils say that Fusheng had taken a woman called Sang Ying to the dungeon to exchange for Deputy General Fan.
• Sang Ying wondered if the Devil Race had found someone to impersonate her.
• A bull-horned devil challenged Sang Ying, and Fusheng arrived and introduced her as his disciple, Xiao Yao.

Elder Yanhua agreed to Fusheng’s sudden proposal to exchange hostages, and the exchange at the Flowing Light Sword Sect’s mountain gate proceeded smoothly. Sang Zheng and Wen Miaoshu welcomed the returned “Sang Ying,” but Jiang Zhuoxue sensed that something was wrong with her.

• Fusheng sent Elder Yanhua a letter proposing a hostage exchange, and the sect leaders agreed to meet the next morning.
• Wen Miaoshu prepared Sang Ying’s room while Dong Fuzhu, Lan Fusheng, and Bai Kejin waited at the mountain gate with spirit fruits.
• Fusheng arrived with the bound “Sang Ying,” while Elder Yanhua brought Fan Nanjun to the exchange.
• Both sides released their captives, and Elder Yanhua’s group left with “Sang Ying” without incident.
• Wen Miaoshu comforted “Sang Ying” about her abraded wrists, while Fusheng and “Sang Ying” exchanged a subtle glance.
• Jiang Zhuoxue sensed that the returned “Sang Ying” was not right.

Qi Yaoji returned to the Flowing Light Sword Sect disguised as Sang Ying and planted suspicion that the Devil Race had an accomplice within the sect. As she settled in with Sang Ying’s parents, Wen Miaoshu began to doubt whether the woman was truly her daughter.

• Dong Fuzhu and the others welcomed Qi Yaoji, who dodged Dong Fuzhu’s attempted hug before claiming the Devil Race had captured her to use against Jiang Zhuoxue.
• Qi Yaoji suggested the Devil Race might have an accomplice in the sect, and Song Jiaojiao and the others agreed to investigate quietly.
• Elder Yanhua and Jiulian told Qi Yaoji to rest, while Jiang Zhuoxue declined Wen Miaoshu’s invitation and left.
• Qi Yaoji reassured Wen Miaoshu that her room was unchanged, but Wen Miaoshu realized she had replaced and added several things and wondered whether this was really her daughter.

Sang Ying learned that Fusheng had exchanged her for Fan Nanjun and concealed her plan to use Fusheng to escape. Fusheng brought her to a council of devil generals, where he defended her right to attend and brutally struck down Fan Nanjun.

• Sang Ying learned from two guards that Fusheng had returned her in exchange for Fan Nanjun, and worried that an impostor might take her place among her friends.
• Fusheng urged Sang Ying to stay with him as Xiao Yao, and she pretended to agree while privately planning to use him to escape.
• Fusheng announced that his mute disciple could speak, surprising the devils and confusing the newly returned Fan Nanjun.
• Fusheng brought Sang Ying to a council of devil generals and seated her beside him.
• Fan Nanjun objected to Sang Ying attending the council, so Fusheng blasted him to the floor and declared that she could go anywhere she wished.

Fusheng defended Sang Ying's place among the devil generals, while she learned that the Devil Race was in a weaker position than the righteous path believed. Later, Sang Ying offered a deal to the intelligent foxes, promising to help them survive and regain human forms if they helped her.

• Fusheng silenced the devil generals' objections to Sang Ying and made them accept her presence at the council.
• Sang Ying learned that the Devil Race had few troops remaining and was avoiding another battle with the Flowing Light Sword Sect.
• Fusheng gave Sang Ying a carefully carved wooden sword and continued keeping her company while her spiritual power remained restricted.
• Sang Ying declined Fusheng's company so he could speak privately with Fan Nanjun about her.
• Sang Ying offered the largest fox a deal: help her accomplish something, and she would secure the four foxes' survival and give them a chance to cultivate human forms again.

Sang Ying persuaded the red fox to help her by promising to restore her demonic form and arranged to send a message to the Flowing Light Sword Sect. When Fusheng took Sang Ying out of the city, the fox slipped away toward the sect but was stopped by its protective formation and found by Jiang Zhuoxue.

• Sang Ying guessed that the red fox wanted to regain her demon form and offered to help if the fox delivered a message for her.
• Fusheng invited Sang Ying on an outing, and she persuaded him to let her bring the red fox.
• Sang Ying and Fusheng left the city lord's residence with the fox while the Devil Race discussed Fusheng's unusual attention to his disciple.
• That night, the red fox followed a hidden path to the Flowing Light Sword Sect but was blocked by its protective formation.
• Jiang Zhuoxue appeared, asked whether Sang Ying had sent the fox, and picked her up by the scruff.

Jiang Zhuoxue learned from a red fox that Sang Ying was imprisoned in the Devil Lord's manor and brought the fox inside, while Wen Miaoshu confirmed that Qi Yaoji was an impostor. Wen Miaoshu received a message from Jiang Zhuoxue and made a decision.

• Jiang Zhuoxue recognized Sang Ying's spiritual energy in a bottle around the red fox's neck and learned that Sang Ying was being held in the Devil Lord's manor.
• Jiang Zhuoxue told the red fox he would hide her until he dealt with the impostor, then carried her inside.
• Wen Miaoshu sorted formation notes for Hai Tingzhou while Qi Yaoji tried to get close to her and learn the sect's secrets.
• Wen Miaoshu offered Qi Yaoji's old formation booklet to Hai Tingzhou, and Qi Yaoji claimed she could not find it.
• Wen Miaoshu concluded that Qi Yaoji was not her daughter, then received a message from Jiang Zhuoxue and made her decision.

Wen Miaoshu learned from Jiang Zhuoxue and a red fox that the real Sang Ying remained captive under Devil Venerable Fusheng while an impostor had returned to the sect. She told Sang Zheng she had a plan to bring their daughter back.

• Elder Yanhua secretly hosted Wen Miaoshu and Jiang Zhuoxue at his residence.
• Jiang Zhuoxue brought out a red fox, who told Wen Miaoshu that Sang Ying was still with Fusheng and had been renamed and disguised as his disciple.
• Wen Miaoshu promised to deal with the impostor and asked Elder Yanhua to keep Sang Ying away from sect affairs.
• Elder Yanhua suspected that something had happened to the real Sang Ying and passed on Wen Miaoshu's instructions.
• Wen Miaoshu confronted Sang Zheng, who admitted he knew the returned girl was not their daughter and feared exposing the impostor would endanger Sang Ying.
• Wen Miaoshu told Sang Zheng she had a solution and would bring their daughter back.

Fusheng agreed to help Fan Nanjun find the Blood-Robed Devil Dragon and gave in to Qi Yaoji’s demand for Sang Ying’s Storage Bag. Meanwhile, Sang Ying strengthened her cultivation and began considering an escape.

• Fusheng ended his outing with Sang Ying early after Fan Nanjun summoned him to discuss destroying the Flowing Light Sword Sect.
• Fan Nanjun told Fusheng that the Blood-Robed Devil Dragon was sealed beneath the Flowing Light Sword Sect, and Fusheng ordered him to find a way to locate it.
• Qi Yaoji demanded Sang Ying’s Storage Bag because Sang Ying’s mother and junior sister were becoming suspicious of her disguise, and Fusheng agreed to hand it over that night.
• Sang Ying practiced the Flowing Light Sword Sect’s basic swordsmanship and, after clearing some of her meridians, began considering escape.

Qi Yaoji obtained Sang Ying's Storage Bag from Fusheng, while Jiang Zhuoxue and Sang Zheng watched her movements and planned to use her to learn the Devil Race's intentions. Fusheng's feelings for Sang Ying were exposed, and Qi Yaoji headed back toward the sect unaware that three people were waiting to trap her.

• Qi Yaoji left the Flowing Light Sword Sect to meet Fusheng and obtain Sang Ying's Storage Bag, while a sealed Sword Qi spirit in her jade pendant knew she was not Sang Ying.
• After Qi Yaoji left, Sang Zheng asked whether they should catch her, but Jiang Zhuoxue said they could use her to learn the Devil Race's plans.
• Fusheng offered Sang Ying's Storage Bag only after demanding Qi Yaoji return everything inside it unchanged.
• Qi Yaoji accused Fusheng of caring for Sang Ying and guessed that Sang Ying was the female demon Xiao Yao; Fusheng grabbed her by the throat but released her after Master's punishment caused him pain.
• Fusheng admitted to himself that his feelings for Sang Ying were not pure, then resolved that she would never escape him.
• Qi Yaoji took the Storage Bag and started back to the sect, unaware that three people were waiting to ambush her on the mountain path.

Qi Yaoji was ambushed by a mysterious cultivator, who took Sang Ying's Storage Bag and revealed intelligence about the Flowing Light Sword Sect's defenses. Meanwhile, the red fox returned Sang Ying's Storage Bag to her at the city lord's residence, leaving the next move against the sect uncertain.

• Qi Yaoji fell into an illusion on her way to the Flowing Light Sword Sect and handed over Sang Ying's Storage Bag when the mysterious cultivator attacked her with blue flame.
• The mysterious cultivator questioned Qi Yaoji about the Devil Race and her impersonation of Sang Ying, then shared news that the sect's outside allies planned to leave and its remaining members would retreat to the Myriad Phenomena Sect.
• Qi Yaoji accepted the information and continued toward the sect after the illusion dissolved.
• The red fox slipped into the city lord's residence and dropped an object for Sang Ying before fleeing as the Devil Race guards arrived.
• Sang Ying told the guards the red fox had briefly returned, then retrieved her Storage Bag after they left.

Jiang Zhuoxue learned that Sang Ying had begun recovering her spiritual power, while Wen Miaoshu and Sang Zheng used Qi Yaoji’s suspicions to lure the Devil Race into acting. After the Devil Race shifted its forces toward the Flowing Light Sword Sect, a barrier rose over Elder Yanhua’s mountain peak as the conflict moved toward its final stage.

• The red fox told Jiang Zhuoxue that Sang Ying had been practicing swordplay with spiritual power flowing through her branch.
• Wen Miaoshu told Qi Yaoji that the Ten Thousand Daos Born disciples had to leave, and Qi Yaoji pretended she would stay with her family.
• After Wen Miaoshu left, she and Sang Zheng agreed that Qi Yaoji’s response would help draw the Devil Race into a trap.
• The Devil Race moved large numbers of troops from around the Myriad Phenomena Sect to the Flowing Light Sword Sect, while Qi Yaoji smiled smugly in private.
• A transparent barrier rose over Elder Yanhua’s mountain peak.

Sang Zheng and Jiang Zhuoxue convinced the Flowing Light Sword Sect elders that the Sang Ying at Settled Frost Peak was a Devil Race impostor and proposed using her false intelligence to lure the devils into a trap. Elder Yanhua approved sacrificing the sect’s grounds to save its people and destroy the invading force.

• Sang Zheng told the elders that the Sang Ying at Settled Frost Peak was a Devil Race spy, and Jiulian confirmed that her Qi, behavior, and missing jade pendant had seemed suspicious.
• The elders accepted that the impostor had deceived them and turned their attention to using the false information she had sent to lure Fusheng and the devils into an attack.
• Sang Zheng proposed that Jiulian lead the Ten Thousand Daos Born disciples into hiding while the sect weakened its barrier to let the devils enter.
• Sang Zheng explained that Wen Miaoshu could adjust the sect-protecting formation to trap the devils inside, where Jiang Zhuoxue could use his tribulation lightning against them.
• Elder Yanhua approved the plan, accepting that the Flowing Light Sword Sect might be destroyed so its people and the Twin Orchid Realm could survive.

Sang Ying prepared to escape as the Devil Race moved against the Flowing Light Sword Sect, while Ten Thousand Daos Born withdrew its disciples. The battle began, and the awakening sect master revealed that Devil Lord Fusheng was Gu Huaiwei.

• Sang Ying noticed Fusheng acting strangely and continued cultivating in secret, reaching Qi Refinement Great Perfection.
• Fusheng told Sang Ying that the Flowing Light Sword Sect would soon fall and that he would keep her from suffering, then left without confronting her.
• Jiulian ordered Ten Thousand Daos Born's disciples to withdraw, and he forced them onto the flying boat despite their reluctance.
• Fusheng ordered his devil generals to destroy the Flowing Light Sword Sect and leave no one alive, while the sect activated its protective formation and evacuated its weaker disciples.
• Wen Miaoshu caught Qi Yaoji trying to escape and had her locked up, as a tremendous rumble marked the start of the battle.
• The sect master awoke during his evacuation and shouted that Devil Lord Fusheng was Gu Huaiwei, urging those nearby to inform Elder Yanhua.

The Devil Race breached the Flowing Light Sword Sect’s formation, only to discover that the sect’s apparent retreat had lured them into a trap. Jiulian helped seal the invaders inside, and Sang Ying sent Merit to the black dragon as its lightning tribulation began.

• The Devil Generals broke the Flowing Light Sword Sect’s protective formation, and Sang Zheng ordered the disciples to evacuate while the elders held the rear.
• The female Devil General suspected the swift evacuation was a trap, but the other Devil Generals ignored her and pursued the fleeing disciples.
• Sang Zheng and another elder fought the Devil Generals, while the female Devil General tried to strike the disciples with Demonic Qi.
• Jiulian stopped the attack, and the Devil Generals recognized him as a cultivator from Ten Thousand Daos Born who was supposed to have left the Twin Orchid Realm.
• Sang Zheng activated the trapping formation, sealing the Devil Race forces inside the Flowing Light Sword Sect as Jiulian and the others withdrew.
• A black dragon flew toward the sky beneath tribulation clouds, and Sang Ying sent a wisp of golden Merit into it just before the lightning tribulation descended.

Sang Ying escaped Fusheng’s residence with the three little foxes while a devastating heavenly tribulation destroyed the Devil Race forces attacking the Flowing Light Sword Sect. Fusheng pursued her, and their confrontation restored his memories of being Gu Huaiwei, the master Sang Ying had cast out.

• Sang Ying fought her way out of the city lord’s residence and carried the three foxes away with her.
• Fusheng intercepted Sang Zheng and the fleeing disciples, but Jiulian and Elder Yanhua fought him while the heavenly tribulation devastated the demons and devils.
• Fusheng was defeated and returned to find Sang Ying gone, then followed her trail in pursuit.
• Fusheng caught up with Sang Ying, who rejected him and said Jiulian was her only master.
• Sang Ying’s words triggered Fusheng’s memories of Gu Huaiwei and the moment she severed their master-disciple bond.

Gu Huaiwei confronted Sang Ying and, overwhelmed by memories of how he had wronged her, tried to ask her to return with him, but she rejected him and stabbed him with the Floating River Sword. After Jiang Zhuoxue completed his tribulation, Sang Ying regained her Golden Core cultivation and saw that the black dragon had grown more powerful.

• In a hidden place in the lower realm, a man played a game with an old man and remembered that a cracked black piece represented Gu Huaiwei.
• Gu Huaiwei approached Sang Ying and begged her to leave with him, but she said Jiulian was her only master and warned him not to become another Gu Huaiwei.
• Sang Ying recalled how Gu Huaiwei had favored Su Fuyun and mistreated her, and Gu Huaiwei remembered his past cruelty as he began turning into a devil.
• Gu Huaiwei tried to tell Sang Ying that he regretted it, but she thrust the Floating River Sword into his chest and demanded that he let her go.
• Jiang Zhuoxue completed his lightning tribulation, and the sweet rain restored Sang Ying's cultivation to the Golden Core Realm.
• Sang Ying saw that the black dragon had nearly doubled in size and become more imposing.

After Jiang Zhuoxue passed his heavenly tribulation, he defeated the injured Gu Huaiwei and reunited with Sang Ying. Sang Ying broke Gu Huaiwei’s mask, recognized him as her former teacher, and challenged him to settle their grievances.

• Jiang Zhuoxue appeared before Gu Huaiwei and stopped him from taking Sang Ying away.
• Jiang Zhuoxue’s presence overpowered the injured Gu Huaiwei and wounded him again.
• Jiang Zhuoxue restored Sang Ying to her true appearance and told her that Sang Zheng was waiting for them to rebuild the Flowing Light Sword Sect.
• Sang Ying took Jiang Zhuoxue’s hand, but Gu Huaiwei tried to reach for her as they prepared to leave.
• Sang Ying struck Gu Huaiwei’s iron mask with her sword, revealed his face, and identified him by name.
• Sang Ying pointed the Floating River Sword at Gu Huaiwei and challenged him to settle their grievances.

Sang Ying rejected Gu Huaiwei’s attempt to blame Su Fuyun for their broken master-disciple bond, then joined Jiang Zhuoxue in defeating the Devil Venerable and the invading devils. The Twin Orchid Realm’s righteous forces counterattacked and won, while the hidden schemer learned that his plot had failed again and began planning his next move.

• Gu Huaiwei claimed Su Fuyun had come between him and Sang Ying, but Sang Ying refused to imagine a different past or reconcile with him.
• Jiang Zhuoxue attacked the wounded Gu Huaiwei, and Sang Ying fought off the devils who charged at them.
• A newcomer blocked the fleeing high-ranking devils, ensuring that none of the invaders escaped.
• Wen Da ordered the Myriad Phenomena Sect to counterattack after learning that the Flowing Light Sword Sect had accomplished its task.
• Ji Fucang arrived to aid the Myriad Phenomena Sect as the battle ended and the Twin Orchid Realm’s fate changed.
• A hidden man learned that the Immortal Spirit Realm, Black Tortoise Realm, and Twin Orchid Realm had been saved, then began planning another scheme as his imprisoned white-haired captive searched for a way out.

Gu Huaiwei and Qi Yaoji were held in the Flowing Light Sword Sect’s water dungeon after the demon army’s defeat, where they discussed their failures and Qi Yaoji’s long-running schemes. As the sect survivors cleared the ruins above them, Gu Huaiwei began suspecting Qi Yaoji had engineered Su Fuyun’s past.

• Gu Huaiwei woke chained in the water dungeon with his Demonic Qi sealed and found Qi Yaoji imprisoned nearby in Sang Ying’s appearance.
• Qi Yaoji asked what had happened to the demon army, and Gu Huaiwei told her that the forces besieging the Flowing Light Sword Sect had been killed, while Fan Nanjun was missing.
• Gu Huaiwei asked whether Qi Yaoji could escape, and she revealed that she had spent more than ten years plotting to obtain her current skin.
• Gu Huaiwei suspected Qi Yaoji had arranged Su Fuyun’s arrival in the mountains and wondered whether she or another person had masterminded it.
• Sang Ying and the others cleared the Flowing Light Sword Sect’s ruins, while Sang Zheng took his dao companion to see the sect master one last time.

Sang Zheng and Wen Miaoshu visited the dying sect master, who apologized for his betrayal and revealed that Fusheng was Gu Huaiwei. After the sect master died, Sang Zheng was appointed the Flowing Light Sword Sect’s new leader, while Sang Ying stayed behind; the chapter ends with Sang Zheng entering the water prison where Gu Huaiwei and Qi Yaoji were held.

• Sang Zheng and Wen Miaoshu visited the gravely wounded sect master, who recognized Sang Zheng and apologized for his past actions.
• Sang Zheng told the sect master that they knew Fusheng was Gu Huaiwei, then said Sang Ying would decide whether to forgive him.
• Mu Xuan found the sect master dead the next day and later vowed to atone to the Sang Household for his master's wrongs.
• The Flowing Light Sword Sect buried its sect master, and the elders appointed Sang Zheng as his successor until Mu Xuan could take over.
• Jiulian and the others departed for Ten Thousand Daos Born, while Sang Ying stayed in the Twin Orchid Realm with her family.
• Sang Zheng entered the water prison, where Gu Huaiwei raised his head and met his eyes.

Sang Zheng questioned Gu Huaiwei and Qi Yaoji about the person behind the calamity, but learned little before Sang Ying agreed to meet Qi Yaoji in the water prison. Qi Yaoji attacked Sang Ying, and Gu Huaiwei took the blow meant for her, leaving Sang Ying staring down at him in conflicted silence.

• Sang Zheng confronted Gu Huaiwei about the deaths and destruction he had caused, then learned that Gu Huaiwei could not remember the powerful person who had manipulated him.
• Sang Zheng questioned Qi Yaoji, who offered little useful information and demanded to meet Sang Ying.
• Sang Ying accepted Qi Yaoji's request and entered the water prison carrying high-level talismans from Elder Yanhua.
• Qi Yaoji broke free of her chains and attacked Sang Ying, but Sang Ying's protective talisman sent her flying.
• Gu Huaiwei stepped in front of Sang Ying and took the strike, collapsing with a weapon through his chest as Sang Ying looked at him with mixed feelings.

Sang Ying captured a fragment of the black mist that rescued Qi Yaoji, but could not save the mortally wounded Gu Huaiwei. As Gu Huaiwei died, he recounted how Gu Wangchuan and a woman had given him his name and urged him to protect the weak.

• Qi Yaoji attacked Sang Ying, but Sang Ying's talisman reflected the blow and sent Qi Yaoji crashing into the wall.
• Black mist appeared and carried Qi Yaoji out of the water prison, while Sang Ying caught a wisp of it in a jade bottle.
• Sang Ying tried to give Gu Huaiwei a pill, but he explained that his injuries were fatal after the talisman's force shattered his chest.
• Gu Huaiwei told Sang Ying how Gu Wangchuan and a woman had helped him become a cultivator, given him the name Huaiwei, and urged him to protect the weak.
• Gu Huaiwei regretted forgetting his original purpose and died while Sang Ying watched.

After Gu Huaiwei’s death, the Flowing Light Sword Sect decided to bury him without holding a funeral, while Lingxi and her siblings followed the procession. Fan Nanjun was rescued from the murderous vines by the Saintess, who forced him to choose between death and obeying her, leaving her determined to continue her conflict with Sang Ying.

• The elders and Sang Zheng agreed to bury Gu Huaiwei in a scenic place rather than hold a funeral, remembering the lives he had taken.
• The Flowing Light Sword Sect carried Gu Huaiwei’s coffin toward the mountains as Lingxi and her three younger siblings followed.
• Fan Nanjun and the devils he led were trapped and killed by vines in the rear mountain, until black mist rescued him from the valley.
• The Saintess revealed that Fusheng and the devil army had been defeated and ordered Fan Nanjun to either die or follow her.
• Fan Nanjun chose to serve the Saintess, who resolved to continue her conflict with Sang Ying.