General Ma of Wei City asks Ning Que to escort Princess Li’s maidservant, of the Tang Empire, back to the capital. Although Ning Que doesn’t want to, he relents because an experienced cultivator, Lu Qing Chen is part of her entourage. He figures out that Princess Li is pretending to be her maidservant, who is fleeing from being murdered by her late husband’s tribe

To protect Empress Xia Tian, General Xia Hou sets a trap for Princess Li, whose entourage is attacked on their way to the capital. Qing Chen is overpowered by someone in the Demon sect, so Ning Que helps kill the attacker, while Sang Sang protects the princess and her son. Qing Shan, State Preceptor, and General Xia perceive Ning Que as an unknown variable in the struggle for power

In recognition for helping Xiao Shu, Ning Que is promoted by General Xu as a secret imperial guard, called into action whenever asked of him. Xiao Shu decides to step down as the leader of the Dragon gang, upsetting the Emperor. Prince Long Qing escapes punishment from Luo Kedi, while Prince Chong Ming and He Ming Chi of Xiling Academy collude to take down the Emperor.

Due to the failed assassination attempt, Prince Chong Ming looks for a way out. Prince Long Qing is framed for the murder of Priest Xuan Yi, his teacher. As they attempt to arrest him, Ye Hong Yu from the Monastery of Knowledge and Obeisance, rescues him. Ning Que is miraculously admitted into Tang Academy.

Ning Que struggles studying on the second floor of the Old Books Building, but perseveres. He learns more about accessing the Two-Story Building and how to become Fu Zi’s personal disciple. Prince Long Qing and Hong Yu try to thwart Luo Kedi’s assassination attempt on Elder Lin Feng. On the way to Princess Li’s birthday banquet, Ning Que confronts Chen Zi Xian, General Lin’s most trusted aide.

Ning Que does not get a reasonable answer from Chen Zi Xian as to who is behind the killing of Lin Manor, except for a cryptic response “the child of Hades.” His new pen pal, Chen Pi Pi helps him unlock the secret of 2nd floor of Old Books Building. Hong Yu and Long Qing are promoted as the Department Head of Justice and Deputy Head, respectively, making them suspicious of the Justice Department.

Ning Que has difficulty juggling being a student of both Yan Se and Fu Zi. His brethren Fu Zi disciples are playfully giving him a hard time. Chong Ming returns to the Yan Empire, but his father discovers that his love for Princess Li clouds his judgement, putting their plan at risk. Long Qing becomes the Shrine Leader’s disciple. Princess Li spends more time with Sang Sang, while Ning Que keeps busy with this studies.

Ning Que begins to look at Yan Se as the father he lost at a young age, and out of the blue while appreciating the rain, he writes his first talisman. As a result, his name appears in the Character Ri Scroll of the Heavenly Scrolls, quickly becoming the target of the Justice Department. As the Eternal Night spreads, barbarians from the wilderness begin moving out of the south and into the north, led by Tang of the Demon Sect.

Juan Da Jia’s old friend taught Jun Mo the Awe-Inspiring Sword technique and also happens to be Ning Que’s Little Junior Uncle Ke Haoran. Given Xiling is sending the Justice Department and various Southern Jin states to the wilderness to suppress the Demon Sect, the Emperor decides to send Ning Que to lead the Tang Academy students to the wilderness to practice.

To gain the support of Princess Li, He Ming Chi discloses that the Empress is meeting with the Third Elder of the barbarians. Ning Que, pretending to be Zhong Da Jun, helps Mo Shan Shan and then volunteers to guide her and her students in the deep wilderness to supply the Yan army with rations. Sang Sang meets an old, homeless man who asks her to be his student.

Wei Guang Ming keeps hounding Sang Sang to be his student and she informs him that she will get Ning Que’s advice before deciding. Mo Shan Shan and her group are attacked by Tang soldiers masquerading as bandits. Though she uses a talisman to ask for help from General Luo, Qu Ni convinces him not to interfere. Ning Que comes face to face with General Xia Hou’s right hand man, who took part in the Lin Manor massacre

Princess Li rushes to the palace to reveal the Empress is from the Demon Sect, but unbeknownst to her, her father already knows. The Third Elder sacrifices himself for the Empress and for the lives of the barbarians being slaughtered. Mo Shan Shan tries to get justice for the people killed in her group, but General Luo and Qu Ni hinder her efforts, forcing Ning Que to reveal his true identity.

Princess Li asks the Emperor to Sang Sang but learns that Xiling will be coming to take Sang Sang to the Peach Mountains to inherit the Holy Seat of the Light as successor to Guang Ming. Despite Fu Zi’s rule that Tang Academy doesn’t get involved in court affairs, Chen Pi Pi comes to rescue Sang Sang. Princess Li invites Sang Sang to the banquet the Empress is hosting, where one of the official’s wives takes a keen interest in Sang Sang

Unbeknownst to Ning Que, Fu Zi has locked him in the Repenting Cliff for his protection and safety. He learns that his junior Uncle was able to break through in 3 years, so Ning Que doubles down to make sure he also breaks through…at some point. Long Qing is once again inspired by his teacher, Chen Mou and learns from the beginning. The Grand Priest of Revelation and Li Xue head to Tang empire to bring Sang Sang back to Xiling.

Chen Mou helps Long Qing recover his hope and faith in the light, allowing him to go to the Monastery of Knowledge and Obeisance. After leaving the Repenting Cliffs, Ning Que is officially acknowledged by Fu Zi as his student, then sends him back to the Repenting Cliffs. Ning Que and Sang Sang meet with the Grand Priest of Revelation to discuss when Sang Sang goes to Xiling. Chao Xiao awakens in a remote village, while Liu Bao forsakes the Justice Department

The Empress tries to find out what is causing the feud between Ning Que and her brother, Xia Hou. Ning Que and Sang Sang go to great lengths to purchase Yanming Lake for their future planning. Long Qing is getting impatient with his weak cultivation and chances upon the Heavenly Channeling Pills. Hong Yu has regained her cultivation strength thanks to Liu Bai and teaches General Luo a lesson

A now more powerful and determined Long Qing crushes Ning Que, putting his journey to bring Sang Sang to Tile Mountain at risk. Xiling Shrine Leader, Chu Mo, sends Bao Shu from Heavenly Pillar Sect to use the Ghost Bell at Tile Mountain to definitively reveal Ning Que as the child of Hades. Ning Que crosses paths with Hong Yu and Mo Shan Shan.

Sang Sang and Ning Que attend the Ghost Festival. Qi Shan hurries to attend after finding out Qu Ni stole the Ghost Bell from his disciple. Though he tries his hardest to keep the Ghost Bell from ringing and pushing Ning Que and Sang Sang to leave, Bao Shu rings the bell and the child of Hades is revealed.