Chapter Summaries

Chen Ning brought Shi Tian to the dwarf king’s palace to seek permission for him to leave the Dwarf Realm. After learning of the king’s peculiar appetite for praise, Chen Ning tried an unexpected approach and rebuked him, leaving the king and his guards stunned.

• Shi Tian thanked Chen Ning for saving him and agreed to join his sect, but explained that only the dwarf king could let him leave the Dwarf Realm.
• Chen Ning decided to meet the dwarf king, while Su Ling'er looked forward to the journey and secretly hoped to steal some of the king’s wealth.
• The dwarf king demanded fresh praise from his old dwarf attendant, then ordered him to wait outside when he could think of nothing new.
• A guard announced that Shi Tian had come to request permission to leave, and Chen Ning entered the palace with Shi Tian and Su Ling'er.
• Chen Ning claimed he had something more interesting than gold, then abruptly reproached the dwarf king, shocking the guards.

Chen Ning won the Dwarf King’s favor with original flattery, secured the removal of Shi Tian’s mark, and persuaded the king to investigate Lie Canghai’s accusations fairly. After Lie Canghai reported poor weapon profits and showed the king the goods, Chen Ning suggested that a parasite close to the king was responsible.

• Chen Ning sold the Dwarf King flattering phrases for a thousand mid-grade Origin Stones, and the king agreed to remove Shi Tian’s mark.
• Lie Canghai returned and accused Shi Tian and the two humans of causing trouble at the appraisal assembly, but Chen Ning urged the king to investigate impartially.
• The Dwarf King ordered an investigation, frustrating Lie Canghai, who then reported that weapon profits had fallen to thirty percent of the previous month’s.
• Lie Canghai presented mostly ordinary-quality weapons for the king to inspect, and Chen Ning said the poor profits were caused by a parasite at the king’s side.

Chen Ning exposed Minister Lie's scheme of disguising fine weapons as inferior ones, prompting the Dwarf King to condemn him. The chapter ended with the king realizing Chen Ning's Appraisal Technique might surpass Master Gu's.

• The Dwarf King asked Chen Ning to prove that Lie Canghai was corrupt, and Chen Ning questioned Lie about the weapons and their sales.
• Chen Ning secretly used the Hammer of Appraisal to reveal that the supposedly ordinary weapons were actually fine or perfect quality.
• The Dwarf King accused Lie Canghai of concealing weapon quality and pocketing the profits, but Lie denied responsibility and begged for mercy.
• The Dwarf King stripped Lie Canghai of his posts and ordered him sent to the underground death prison for execution.
• Lie Canghai pleaded with Chen Ning to intervene, but Chen Ning refused, and the Dwarf King marveled that Chen Ning's Appraisal Technique might surpass Master Gu's.

Su Ling'er broke through to the Earth Martial Realm Third Heaven, and Chen Ning completed his mission in the Dwarf Realm before returning to the Dragon-Seeking Sect. There, he ran into Cang Yue and insisted that he would not stay overnight on Verdant Peak.

• Su Ling'er revealed that she had broken through, and the system advanced her three more levels while rewarding Chen Ning with three rare-grade rewards.
• The dwarf king removed Shi Tian's mark and gave Chen Ning a spatial ring holding two thousand mid-grade Origin Stones; after Chen Ning left, the king discovered his treasury had been robbed.
• Chen Ning, Su Ling'er, and Shi Tian teleported back to Qian Province and then returned to the Dragon-Seeking Sect, where Chen Ning told the protector not to alert the elders.
• Chen Ning tried to sneak toward Vermilion Bird Peak to avoid staying on Verdant Peak, but Cang Yue appeared and questioned his eagerness to see Xiao Mei.
• Chen Ning declared that he would not stay overnight on Verdant Peak, no matter what Cang Yue said.

Chen Ning returned to Vermilion Bird Peak, reviewed Xiao Yuan’s growing network of informants, and decided to bring liquor to Xiao Mei. Meanwhile, the Dream-Eating Devil confronted Xiao Mei about her intelligence work, but Chen Ning’s late-night arrival interrupted his plan to hypnotize her.

• Chen Ning returned to Vermilion Bird Peak, welcomed Xiao Yuan, and asked him to settle the Dwarf Race appraiser Shi Tian.
• Xiao Yuan reported that his agents had gathered intelligence across the sect but had failed to spy on the elders, and Chen Ning praised their progress.
• Chen Ning thought of Xiao Mei’s uncertain loyalties and decided to visit her with strong liquor.
• The Dream-Eating Devil infiltrated Xiao Mei’s bedchamber and demanded to know why she had provided the Devil Race with little useful intelligence.
• The Dream-Eating Devil used the Hypnotic Devil Sound while plotting against Xiao Mei, but Chen Ning knocked and called out that he had brought wine.

Chen Ning visited Xiao Mei with wine, unaware that the Dream-Eating Devil was hiding in her room and plotting to control his dreams. After the devil attacked him with the Deep Sleep Devil Incantation, Chen Ning used a Clear Mind Card to resist its effects.

• Chen Ning brought wine to Xiao Mei and persuaded her to let him into her room.
• The Dream-Eating Devil hid as black mist, was burned by Chen Ning's Fire God Seal, and fled to the roof.
• Chen Ning used the Great Dao of Music to purify the black mist, causing the Dream-Eating Devil severe pain.
• The Dream-Eating Devil cast the Deep Sleep Devil Incantation on Chen Ning.
• The system triggered the Devil Extermination task and gave Chen Ning a Clear Mind Card, which he used to resist the spell.

Chen Ning resisted the Dream-Eating Devil’s hypnosis and killed him with one strike, protecting Xiao Mei and warning her of his strength. As Xiao Mei began to feel an unbearable heat, Chen Ning’s next problem emerged.

• Chen Ning used the Clear Mind Card to break the Dream-Eating Devil’s drowsiness effect and realized a higher Devil had ambushed him in Xiao Mei’s Law Enforcement Hall.
• The Dream-Eating Devil’s hypnosis subdued Xiao Mei, but Chen Ning resisted and fought back.
• Chen Ning equipped the Devil Subduer title and used Sword Intent to cripple the Dream-Eating Devil in one strike.
• The Dream-Eating Devil offered Chen Ning a secret in exchange for his life, but Chen Ning killed him instead.
• Xiao Mei was relieved that the Dream-Eating Devil had died, then suddenly felt unbearable heat spreading through her body.

After completing the Devil Extermination mission, Chen Ning received rewards while Xiao Mei advanced to Five-Star Martial Venerable and he helped her control her turbulent Qi. He then accepted a mission to preside over the Dragon-Seeking Sect’s upcoming disciple ranking battle and take the winner as his personal disciple.

• The system awarded Chen Ning a Devil Crystal Stone and the Enhanced Mist Transformation Technique, while raising Xiao Mei’s cultivation and strengthening her Devil Qi.
• Chen Ning helped Xiao Mei suppress the chaotic Qi caused by her breakthrough, and they spent the night together.
• Xiao Mei left for the Law Enforcement Hall, pleased with her new Five-Star Martial Venerable cultivation and strengthened Devil Qi.
• Cang Yue told Chen Ning that the sect’s annual disciple ranking battle would take place in a few days and asked him to preside over it.
• The system gave Chen Ning a mission to take the ranking battle’s first-place contestant as his personal disciple, and he accepted it.

Cang Yue and Xiao Mei inferred that the sect master's recognition and favor could grant them power, then discussed guarding the sect during the coming Dragon-Seeking Ranking Battle. As the battle approached, Jiang Bei prepared to face a returning prodigy, whose reputation left Vermilion Bird Peak’s disciples in awe.

• Cang Yue confronted Xiao Mei about her sudden cultivation increase, and the two inferred that deeper contact and the sect master's acceptance could bring them power.
• Cang Yue warned Xiao Mei to secure the sect during the Dragon-Seeking Ranking Battle, while insisting she would personally look after the sect master.
• Jiang Bei trained under his Peak Master and admitted he would strive for the top three, though he could not claim confidence against the returning woman.
• Lu Ping told Vermilion Bird Peak’s disciples that the woman was so strong that, had she competed last year, a Verdant Peak disciple would not have taken first place.

The Dragon-Seeking Sect’s ranking battle began before a crowd of disciples and distinguished guests, including the Great Yan emperor, Li Changtian, and Feng of the Wind Shadow Sect. Chen Ning presided over the event as the rules were announced and the contestants took their places, leaving him wondering which disciple would become his personal disciple.

• The Great Yan emperor, Li Changtian, Wine Maniac, and Sect Master Feng arrived as honored guests for the ranking battle.
• Chen Ning arrived with the elders and took the seat of honor, while Meng Yuyi sat beside him and said she meant to keep him safe.
• The general affairs elder announced that the top one hundred inner disciples would compete in pairs across nine platforms, with strength deciding the victors.
• The fighting platforms rose, and the disciples stepped onto them as Chen Ning wondered who would win and become his personal disciple.

The Dragon-Seeking Sect’s ranking battle began, and Ling Xiaoxiao of Vermilion Bird Peak stunned the crowd by defeating Zhang Santong in an instant. Chen Ning recognized her as a dangerous White Wolf Tribe undercover agent and worried that she might win first place and become his personal disciple.

• Disciples gathered for the ranking battle, where first place would earn the sect master’s personal guidance, while spectators recalled Qin Lie’s fall from the rankings.
• Ling Xiaoxiao stepped onto the ninth platform to face Zhang Santong, drawing Chen Ning’s attention as he recognized her white hair, blue eyes, and beast ears.
• Chen Ning remembered that Ling Xiaoxiao was a White Wolf Tribe descendant who had joined the sect to gain strength and was suspected of being an undercover agent.
• Zhang Santong charged at Ling Xiaoxiao with his sword, but she kicked him into the platform’s barrier and defeated him instantly.
• The crowd praised Ling Xiaoxiao as a championship favorite, while Chen Ning hoped Verdant Peak’s disciples would eliminate her before she could become his personal disciple.

Feng Yihan planned to use Chu Huang to win the ranking battle and get closer to the Dragon-Seeking Sect’s secret treasure, while Chen Ning hoped Chu Huang would defeat Ling Xiaoxiao. Chu Huang and Ling Xiaoxiao met in a top-eight match, and Ling Xiaoxiao gained the upper hand as their fierce fight began.

• Feng Yihan focused on Chu Huang, his planted disciple in the Dragon-Seeking Sect, and planned to use him to reach the sect’s secret treasure.
• Lu Ping defeated last year’s sixth-ranked disciple, and the remaining competitors were narrowed to the top eight.
• Chu Huang and Ling Xiaoxiao were announced as opponents, drawing the attention of the disciples and elders.
• Chu Huang attacked first with his Spirit Martial Realm Seventh Heaven cultivation, but Ling Xiaoxiao swiftly broke through his defensive Qi and forced him back.
• Chu Huang unleashed the Desolate River Fist Scripture’s Ten Thousand Horses Galloping, while Ling Xiaoxiao dodged and tore through the incoming fist shadows with her claws.

Ling Xiaoxiao brutally defeated Chu Huang, leaving the sect stunned and Feng Yihan’s scheme in ruins. Jun Wuya, the Dragon-Seeking Sect’s first-ranked inner disciple, then faced Qi Feng, whose eagerness to fight ended the chapter with him knocking a book from Jun Wuya’s hand.

• Ling Xiaoxiao tore off Chu Huang’s arm and wounded him further until he yielded, and the referee stopped her attack.
• The crowd and the Great Yan emperor reacted to Ling Xiaoxiao’s ferocity, while Chen Ning worried she might win first place for Vermilion Bird Peak.
• Feng Yihan accepted that Chu Huang’s defeat had ruined his plan and resolved to return to serving the Dragon-Seeking Sect.
• Jun Wuya stepped onto the platform to face Qi Feng, the second-ranked inner disciple, as onlookers expected the winner to challenge Ling Xiaoxiao for first place.
• Qi Feng said he had grown stronger after Chen Ning’s blessing and hoped to defeat Jun Wuya and become the sect leader’s personal disciple.
• Jun Wuya offered Qi Feng a book, but Qi Feng rejected it and knocked it from his hand with saber Qi.

Jun Wuya defeated Qi Feng in the arena by summoning a Literary Saint Phantom, impressing the Great Yan emperor and confirming Chen Ning’s confidence in him. The chapter ended with Jun Wuya preparing to face Ling Xiaoxiao in the final match.

• Qi Feng opened the duel against Jun Wuya with a powerful saber strike, but Jun Wuya blocked it with golden characters formed by his Literary Dao technique.
• Qi Feng revealed that he had reached the Eighth Heaven of the Spirit Martial Realm and attacked Jun Wuya with the Wild Wave Saber Art.
• Jun Wuya summoned a Literary Saint Phantom, which broke Qi Feng’s saber and seized him, leaving Qi Feng defeated.
• Cang Yue told Chen Ning that Ling Xiaoxiao might not be able to overcome Jun Wuya’s technique, and Chen Ning reacted with excitement.
• Chen Ning praised Jun Wuya and urged him to give his all in the final match against Ling Xiaoxiao.

Ling Xiaoxiao fought Jun Wuya in the ranking battle’s final duel, where his Literary Dao techniques and Literary Saint Phantom nearly overwhelmed her. After Chen Ning’s words reignited her determination, she tore the phantom apart, leaving the duel’s outcome unresolved.

• Jun Wuya and Ling Xiaoxiao began the final duel, and Ling Xiaoxiao attacked him with her claws.
• Jun Wuya restrained Ling Xiaoxiao with his Literary Dao, but her berserk state shattered the force and pressured him.
• Jun Wuya summoned the Literary Saint Phantom, immobilizing Ling Xiaoxiao and reaching to seize her.
• Chen Ning told Referee Han to announce the result, but Ling Xiaoxiao heard him and renewed her resolve to win.
• Ling Xiaoxiao erupted with power and tore the Literary Saint Phantom to pieces.

Ling Xiaoxiao defeated Jun Wuya in the ranking tournament and became Chen Ning’s personal disciple. After the tournament ended, she challenged Chen Ning over his earlier doubts, but he provoked her competitive spirit, and she accepted him as her master.

• Ling Xiaoxiao shattered Jun Wuya’s Literary Saint Phantom, forcing him to admit defeat before she fainted from exhaustion.
• The referee declared Ling Xiaoxiao the winner, and the crowd and Great Yan emperor praised the Dragon-Seeking Sect’s talented disciples.
• Chen Ning announced that the tournament’s first-place disciple would become his personal disciple and receive his guidance.
• After Jun Wuya and Ling Xiaoxiao recovered, Chen Ning asked Ling Xiaoxiao to stay and offered to accept her as his disciple.
• Ling Xiaoxiao questioned why Chen Ning had favored Jun Wuya, and Chen Ning challenged her to prove her ability in the future.
• Ling Xiaoxiao kowtowed and greeted Chen Ning as her master, completing Chen Ning’s task.

After completing the Dragon-Seeking Ranking Battle, Chen Ning received rewards and spent time drinking with Wine Maniac and Li Changtian. Li Changtian warned him about the powerful forces across the Nine Provinces, leaving Chen Ning aware of the dangers and challenges ahead.

• Chen Ning reviewed his rewards, then ordered Ling Xiaoxiao to rest until her injuries healed.
• Chen Ning took Wine Maniac and Li Changtian to his liquor workshop, where they drank and talked.
• Chen Ning explained that Su Ling'er was in seclusion in the Wind Shadow Sect's treasury after advancing to the Earth Martial Realm.
• Li Changtian marveled at Chen Ning's rapid cultivation, then warned him not to let success make him forget his original purpose.
• Li Changtian described the Yama Holy Sect's influence in Qian Province, the Devil Race in You Province, and the dangers of Desolate Province.
• Li Changtian told Chen Ning about the ancient Heavenly Lake Holy Land and other powerful factions in Central Province.

Li Changtian asked Chen Ning to help open a Sword Saint’s cave abode, and Chen Ning accepted after the system offered an epic quest with a Half-Step Martial Venerable Realm reward. As they arranged to meet in ten days, Chen Ning established the Heavenly Pride Ranking and continued consolidating his control of the Dragon-Seeking Sect, aiming to challenge the powers of Central Province.

• Li Changtian told Chen Ning that a Sword Saint’s cave abode required two sword cultivators with exceptional Sword Intent and crystal-clear sword hearts, and said Chen Ning was the second candidate he had sought.
• The system offered Chen Ning the quest to explore the cave abode, and he accepted both the quest and Li Changtian’s request.
• Chen Ning and Li Changtian agreed to travel to the Sword Saint’s Cave Abode in ten days so Li Changtian could prepare.
• Chen Ning created the Heavenly Pride Ranking for the Dragon-Seeking Sect’s inner and outer disciples and erected its stele on Vermilion Bird Peak.
• Chen Ning continued rooting out spies and winning the disciples’ loyalty, determined to strengthen the sect before leading it into Central Province.

Disciples across the Dragon-Seeking Sect awakened their names on the Heavenly Pride Ranking stele and gained lasting improvements to their abilities. As the queues grew, Qi Feng mastered a saber move and Jun Wuya advanced his Literary Dao after connecting with the stele.

• Lu Ping calmed the fighting disciples, awakened his ranking, and then fled when they accused him of cutting the line.
• Ling Xiaoxiao awakened her ranking, instantly recovered from her injuries, and kicked over the sign before leaving.
• Disciples flocked to Vermilion Bird Peak for days, while disciples from other peaks waited in long queues to awaken their rankings.
• Qi Feng awakened his name after waiting three days and nights, then successfully comprehended a saber technique and thanked the sect master.
• Jun Wuya awakened his name and suddenly reached the latter realm of the Literary Dao's Denunciation by Tongue and Pen, stopping before his writing destroyed the Scripture Library.

Sects across Spirit Province increased their disciples’ resources to stop them from joining the Dragon-Seeking Sect after its Heavenly Pride Ranking began improving talent and cultivation. Chen Ning praised the ranking’s effects, then confronted Ling Xiaoxiao about the lifespan cost of her bloodthirsty cultivation, leaving her shocked that he knew her secret.

• Yama Holy Sect disciples left for the Dragon-Seeking Sect, prompting the Yama Holy Lord to double their resources and open every level of the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion.
• Other sects across Spirit Province also increased the resources they gave disciples, especially those from humble backgrounds.
• Chen Ning reviewed reports on the competition caused by the Heavenly Pride Ranking and reflected that it had benefited the people of the region.
• Ling Xiaoxiao told Chen Ning that the ranking had healed her injuries and helped her reach the Eighth Heaven of the Spirit Martial Realm, while she resolved to surpass him and return to Desolate Province for revenge.
• Chen Ning warned Ling Xiaoxiao that abusing her bloodthirsty state could shorten her life, and she panicked when she realized he knew about the side effect.