Synopsis

A devastating soul capture technique has overwhelmed most of a group, leaving only a few untouched individuals to seek refuge at the Mount Hua Sect. The group is manipulated with blood trails and a healing trick to delay and redirect them. The protagonist's sword, seemingly gaining sentience, begins displaying unusual behavior, floating and trying to bond with its owner, hinting at an evolution of its abilities. Meanwhile, characters discover and identify a powerful individual linked to a known threat, alluding to the larger plot.