It continues the cliffhanger from The Kung Fu Cult Master where Zhang Wu Ji heads out to find Zhao Min in Dadu. Unlike the righteous hero in the novels, Zhang Wu Ji's journey is much darker as he turns vengeful.
Zhang Wu Ji takes the Nine Yang Manual back to the Ice Fire Island. Under Xie Xun's tutelage, he finally masters a divine martial arts technique and becomes attuned to the way of the king. Having been oppressed for being weak, Zhang Wuji realizes that the only way he can take revenge is to seize power because his real enemy is the political force behind Cheng Kun. It takes Zhang Wu Ji 20 years before returning to Bright Peak. He is no longer indecisive and distracted by romantic entanglements because he is set on his goal to do whatever it takes to become the Ming Sect leader and then to become King.