Chapter Summaries

Shen Jingchuan captured the Marquis of Zhenbei and forced the routed border troops to surrender, then checked on his brothers’ campaigns before returning to seclusion. After two months of cultivation and worrying over Meng Ke’s silence, he broke through to Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

• Shen Jingchuan rode Little Black after the fleeing Marquis of Zhenbei, seized him, and threatened him into submission.
• Shen Jingchuan announced the commander’s capture and ordered the border troops to surrender; Little Black’s lightning frightened them into laying down their weapons.
• Shen Jingchuan handed the bound Marquis of Zhenbei to Hu Tieniu, then flew west to check on Lin Shan and Lin Yue’s armies.
• Shen Jingchuan returned to Azure Cloud Stronghold, instructed Zhou Tong to contact him at New Azure Cloud Stronghold if needed, and entered seclusion.
• During two months of cultivation, Shen Jingchuan learned that Yang Siqi had reached Qi Refining Second Layer and that Meng Ke was dejected and had not contacted him.
• Shen Jingchuan’s cultivation steadily advanced until he broke through to Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

After breaking through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, Shen Jingchuan learned that the rebel army had taken Chang'an and planned to march on the Capital, so he hurried there to bring his loved ones to safety. He reunited with Yan Shuyao and Yan Chongli, who learned of his breakthrough as the Capital faced the threat of war.

• Shen Jingchuan advanced to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer while Bai Ruoli and the others continued making progress in cultivation.
• Lin Weiyuan told Shen Jingchuan that the rebel army had captured Chang'an by blasting open its gate with his autocannon, and that the army was preparing to march on the Capital.
• Worried about his master, Yan Shuyao, and Xu Mo's family, Shen Jingchuan decided to travel to the Capital and bring them away.
• Shen Jingchuan rode Little Black to the Capital, disguised himself, and entered his master's home after revealing his identity to the gatekeeper.
• Yan Shuyao welcomed Shen Jingchuan and brought him to Yan Chongli, where she discovered that Shen Jingchuan had reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

Shen Jingchuan warned Yan Chongli and Yan Shuyao that the rebel army was approaching the Capital and arranged to take them to safety. He invited Xu Jingting and Xu Mo to leave with them, but Xu Jingting refused, and Xu Mo chose to stay by his father.

• Shen Jingchuan gave Yan Shuyao pills and Spirit Stones, then urged Yan Chongli to leave the Capital with him before fighting began.
• Shen Jingchuan explained that he had defeated imperial cultivators and feared the imperial family might target Yan Chongli because of their connection.
• Shen Jingchuan went secretly to the Xu Household and told Xu Jingting that the rebel army had taken Chang'an and was marching on the Capital.
• Xu Jingting said his loyalty was to the people, not the court, but refused to leave his home and books behind.
• Xu Mo refused to leave his father, leaving Xu Jingting troubled by his son's decision.

Shen Jingchuan helped Xu Jingting accept his dismissal and prepare to leave the Imperial City, then returned to the Yan Residence and persuaded the family to move with him. By nightfall, the Yan family had gathered their belongings in the courtyard, ready for Shen Jingchuan to take them away.

• Shen Jingchuan wrote Xu Jingting a poem, and Xu Jingting decided to leave his troubles behind and enjoy a quieter life.
• Xu Jingting worried that the court would prevent his family from leaving, but Shen Jingchuan promised to use his abilities to transport them and told them to pack whatever they wanted.
• Shen Jingchuan returned to the Yan Residence, exchanged teasing remarks with Yan Shuyao, and warned Yan Wenbin that staying behind during the rebellion would be dangerous.
• Yan Wenbin agreed to move, and Shen Jingchuan told the Yan family that his storage ring could hold their entire residence and all its contents.
• At the hour of Xu, the Yan family finished dinner and filled the courtyard with furniture, bedding, and other belongings while Yan Chongli carefully packed his books.