Chapter Summaries

Wang Xiong subdued the foreign monk with a terrifying roar, while Duàn Yì treated Huo Xiaozu and learned what had happened. Wang Xiong revealed his knowledge of the monk’s Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill and challenged him to survive one move.

• Wang Xiong’s roar injured and immobilized the foreign monk, who overcame his fear and readied himself to fight.
• Duàn Yì arrived with Helan Yue'er, treated Huo Xiaozu’s injured arm, and heard how he had stood up to the monk.
• Duàn Yì and Eunuch Qiu discussed Wang Xiong’s immense strength and suspected his name was an alias.
• Wang Xiong identified the foreign monk’s Ningma Temple martial art and said he had once sought the Dao from Guru Rinpoche.
• Wang Xiong offered the monk one chance to survive a single attack, stunning the gathered experts with his claim of having met Guru Rinpoche.

Wang Xiong faced a Ningma Temple battle guardian who unleashed the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, then killed him with a single palm. The spectators, including Duàn Yì, were left stunned by Wang Xiong’s overwhelming martial arts.

• The foreign monk overcame his fear of Wang Xiong and prepared to test his Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.
• Duàn Yì recognized the martial art and considered whether the monk possessed its secret manual.
• The foreign monk manifested eight dragons and eight elephants and charged Wang Xiong with the art’s full force.
• Wang Xiong raised his palm, suppressed the manifestations, and crushed the foreign monk to death.
• The witnesses were shocked by Wang Xiong’s strength, and none disputed that he could be called Hebei’s foremost expert.

Wang Xiong killed the foreign monk with a single palm strike, then left with Wang Kuan, revealing himself as a martial arts master of immense power. Eunuch Qiu identified the technique as the Black Tortoise Divine Palm and suspected Wang Xiong had mastered the complete Black Tortoise True Skill, while Duàn Yì turned his attention to the monk’s remains.

• Duàn Yì watched Wang Xiong crush the foreign monk with one palm and wondered whether Wang Xiong had reached the True Core realm.
• Wang Xiong helped Wang Kuan recover, sent true qi into him, and escorted him away after Wang Kuan praised him for killing the Wicked Monk.
• Duàn Yì asked Eunuch Qiu whether he recognized Wang Xiong’s martial art, and Eunuch Qiu recalled Wu Shifang using the Black Tortoise Divine Palm.
• Eunuch Qiu explained that the Black Tortoise Divine Palm belonged to the Black Tortoise True Skill, one of the Ten Strengths Martial Path, and suspected Wang Xiong had mastered the complete skill.
• Duàn Yì decided not to pursue the Black Tortoise True Skill and focused instead on searching the dead monk’s remains for anything valuable.

Duàn Yì searched the foreign monk’s corpse and found a copy of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, then studied its methods that night. The chapter left him learning how the divine skill advanced toward the creation of a Dragon Elephant True Core.

• Duàn Yì searched the foreign monk’s corpse and took a golden booklet and a folded piece of cloth.
• Helan Yue'er returned from the clinic with Huo Xiaozu, whose broken fingers would heal within weeks, and Duàn Yì urged him to ask Wang Xiong for martial guidance.
• Duàn Yì spent the evening with Little Yue'er, then returned to his room after Granny An gave him a guarded look.
• Duàn Yì examined the booklet and recognized it as the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, a rare art for tempering the body.
• Duàn Yì studied the skill’s stages, from strengthening the body and building true qi to forming a Dragon Elephant True Core at the eleventh realm.

Duàn Yì considered using Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill to overcome his stalled cultivation, then investigated a mysterious Buddha painting with the Tower of Hidden Martial Arts. By following the hundred poses, he awakened a powerful sensation of rapidly advancing cultivation.

• Duàn Yì reasoned that cultivating the early levels of Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill could strengthen his vital essence and help him break through, though he worried its later Dragon Elephant True Qi might conflict with Ice Profound Energy.
• Duàn Yì examined the Buddha-image cloth and suspected it concealed a secret, so he brought it and the Golden Paper Booklet into the Tower of Hidden Martial Arts.
• Duàn Yì found the Tower had produced manuals for Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill and Hundred Buddhas Painting, and he recognized the latter as a work he vaguely associated with Wo Long Sheng.
• Duàn Yì studied the hundred Buddha poses and meditated through their changing expressions and emotions.
• Duàn Yì felt a scorching current surge through his manifested body as his sinews, bones, muscles, and blood reacted, giving him the impression that his cultivation had advanced rapidly.

Duàn Yì studied the Hundred Buddhas Painting, discovering that it built an unconventional network of qi channels through the body’s acupoints, and weighed its benefits against the risks of abandoning orthodox cultivation. While he planned his next steps in You Prefecture, the grassland delegation investigated the monk Wang Xiong had killed and turned its attention toward Duàn Yì.

• Duàn Yì cultivated the Hundred Buddhas Painting and found that its True Qi occupied a hundred acupoints, connecting them into a distinct system of qi channels.
• Duàn Yì considered the painting’s unconventional method and decided to study it as a way to strengthen his cultivation without compromising his broader foundation.
• Duàn Yì planned to cultivate in You Prefecture, watch the battle between Yan Chongtian and Aorgel, then pursue the Dragon’s Tooth of the Soaring Dragon, the Heavenly Snow Lotus, and the Yang Core Pill.
• The grassland delegation investigated Wang Xiong’s death and concluded that the monk had acted unjustly and that Wang Xiong was beyond their reach.
• The grassland delegation focused on Duàn Yì because he had clashed with the monk and openly seized the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.

Four grassland martial artists came to Duàn Yì’s residence to demand the divine art taken from their dead senior brother, Wuriluge. Duàn Yì denied stealing it and offered to return the monk’s belongings, leaving the dispute unresolved.

• Four grassland men arrived at Duàn Yì’s gate, and Granny An let them in to meet him.
• Wang Kuan’s earlier attempts to drive Duàn Yì away or buy him off had failed, and the two had become more familiar.
• The grassland leader accused Duàn Yì of taking Ningma Temple’s secret divine art from Wuriluge’s body and demanded an explanation.
• The four men joined their Qi Auras to pressure Duàn Yì, while Huo Xiaozu and Wang Kuan worried that a fight might break out.
• Duàn Yì remained unshaken and said he had kept the monk’s belongings safe out of pity, offering to return them.

Duàn Yì defended keeping the Vajrayana Divine Skill booklet by claiming he had preserved it for the deceased monk’s relatives, then calmly rebuffed the four grassland men’s accusations. The men left speechless, unable to prove his guilt or overcome his composure.

• Duàn Yì placed the Golden Paper Booklet on the table and invited the four men to take the Vajrayana Divine Skill if they wished.
• Wang Kuan sprayed his tea, while Huo Xiaozu and the others were impressed by Duàn Yì’s ability to present his motives as charitable.
• The first burly man accused Duàn Yì of making excuses and used a Sound Wave Skill to pressure him.
• Huo Xiaozu shielded Wang Kuan, while Duàn Yì resisted the sound technique and claimed he had gathered the monk’s belongings only to protect them for his kin.
• Duàn Yì criticized the men’s use of the Buddhist sound technique and told them to stop making trouble in his friend’s residence.
• The four men could not refute Duàn Yì and stood stunned, realizing they could neither prove his guilt nor easily challenge him.

Duàn Yì sent away four grassland men who had demanded their martial arts, then faced Monk Huiqing of Shaolin Temple, who had come to question him about the Great Vajra Fist Style. The chapter left Duàn Yì welcoming Huiqing with elaborate praise while the grassland men watched, expecting Shaolin to hold him accountable.

• Duàn Yì used a moral pretext to prevent the four grassland men from attacking, and they left with the Golden Paper Booklet.
• Huo Xiaozu warned Duàn Yì that the grassland men might retaliate, while Duàn Yì worried more about Ningma Temple.
• The four grassland men returned with Little Six and Monk Huiqing, whom Duàn Yì recognized from their earlier meeting.
• Huiqing greeted Duàn Yì and prepared to question him about the Great Vajra Fist Style.
• Duàn Yì welcomed Huiqing with praise for Shaolin Temple and invited him to stay for a vegetarian feast and conversation.

Duàn Yì denied learning Shaolin martial arts, then demonstrated the Great Vajra Fist Style when Monk Huiqing challenged him to prove his claim. Huiqing met his attack with the Shaolin Stone Gripping Palm, and their collision shook the hall and wrecked its furnishings.

• Monk Huiqing questioned Duàn Yì about reports that he knew Shaolin's Great Vajra Fist Style, and Duàn Yì claimed he had learned an unnamed fist style in a cave.
• Monk Huiqing challenged Duàn Yì to demonstrate the technique, and Duàn Yì agreed while concealing his true intentions behind a performance of surprise.
• Duàn Yì formed the Vajra Karma Seal and attacked Monk Huiqing with a powerful Great Vajra Fist Style strike.
• Monk Huiqing recognized Duàn Yì's exceptional mastery and countered with the Shaolin Stone Gripping Palm.
• Duàn Yì's fists and Huiqing's palms collided, cracking the floor and smashing the hall's furniture as dust and smoke filled the room.

Duan Yi and Monk Huiqing tested their martial arts, and Huiqing recognized Duan Yi’s Great Vajra Fist Style as a Shaolin secret art. Duan Yi explained that he had found the technique carved in a cave and learned it without knowing its origin, leaving Huiqing to judge his account.

• Duan Yi and Monk Huiqing clashed with Ice Profound Energy and the Boy Godly Skill, then withdrew before their exchange became a dangerous contest of inner power.
• Duan Yi and Huiqing expelled each other’s energy and praised the power of the other’s martial art.
• Huiqing identified Duan Yi’s Vajra Karma Seal and near-perfect Great Vajra Fist Style as Shaolin Temple secrets and demanded an explanation.
• Duan Yi said he had memorized the fist art from carvings in a mountain cave while fleeing the Golden Cauldron Sect, destroyed the carvings, and never learned its internal cultivation method.

Duàn Yì explained how he had learned Shaolin’s Great Vajra Fist Style, and Monk Huiqing offered to spare him punishment if he joined Shaolin as a lay disciple and promised not to pass it on. Duàn Yì refused to join because he already had a master, and instead offered Shaolin a powerful blade-and-sword art as compensation.

• Duàn Yì said he had found the Great Vajra Fist Style by chance, destroyed its manual, and had not learned its internal cultivation method.
• A grassland man mocked Duàn Yì’s claims, but Duàn Yì boasted that his remarkable progress came from talent, diligence, and extraordinary good fortune.
• Monk Huiqing decided Shaolin would not force Duàn Yì to abolish his martial arts if he joined its lay disciples and promised not to teach the Great Vajra Fist Style to anyone.
• Duàn Yì hesitated to enter Shaolin’s register, fearing it would betray the master who had taught him swordsmanship.
• Duàn Yì offered Shaolin a blade-and-sword art as profound as the Seventy-Two Peerless Skills and swore not to pass on the Great Vajra Fist Style.

Duàn Yì negotiated with Monk Huiqing to settle Shaolin’s grievance over his secretly learning the Great Vajra Fist Style, offering another martial art as compensation. After their agreement, Duàn Yì realized his cultivation had reached the threshold of Essence Condensing and handed Huiqing the Two Extremes Saber and Sword Art.

• Duàn Yì explained why he had yielded to Shaolin and the grassland men, while Monk Huiqing weighed his offer and refusal to become a Shaolin lay disciple.
• Duàn Yì sent the four grassland men away and, while Huiqing deliberated, sensed his Ice Profound Energy transforming toward Essence Condensing.
• Monk Huiqing accepted Duàn Yì’s compensation on Shaolin’s behalf and warned him not to spread the Great Vajra Fist Style.
• Duàn Yì gave Monk Huiqing the manuals for the Two Forms Swordplay and Reverse Two Forms Grand Art, which combined into the Two Extremes Saber and Sword Art.
• Monk Huiqing examined the art, recognized its depth, and concluded the dispute over the Great Vajra Fist Style.

Ding Ling learned that the Zhuang Family was obstructing the Huaxiu Merchant Association’s expansion into Shannan East Province and sending its sons toward Hebei, threatening the Ding Family with both commercial pressure and internal political maneuvering. She warned Ding Ran that the Zhuang Family represented a powerful branch of the Southern Demonic Cult, leaving the family facing a dangerous dispute.

• Lu Liding told Ding Ling that the Zhuang Family was sabotaging the association’s business in Shannan East Province and suggested asking The President to intervene.
• Ding Ran proposed using the Blood Saber to destroy the Zhuang Family, but Lu Liding warned that violence could provoke outrage and that the Zhuang Family represented the Southern Demonic Cult.
• Lu Liding explained that the Zhuang Family held a grudge against the Ding Family because the Ding Family had rejected its marriage proposal for Ding Ling three years earlier.
• Lu Liding warned that rivals within the Huaxiu Merchant Association could use the business setbacks to blame and undermine the Ding Family.
• Ding Ling told Ding Ran that the Southern Demonic Cult’s Elder Council included seven powerful families and that the Zhuang Family ranked second only to the Nangong Family.

Ding Ling revealed that she had advanced her saber technique and planned to claim the Crescent Moon Saber, but Zhuang Shili arrived seeking her. Meanwhile, Duàn Yì walked with Helan Yue'er, who quietly schemed to strengthen their relationship, while he still hoped to keep Guō Qíng and win Yang Wuxia.

• Ding Ling told Lu Liding and Ding Ran that her battle with Yao Jiacheng had helped her master the Heavenly Demon Ruyi Saber Heart and that she intended to become the Blade Master.
• A servant reported that Zhuang Shili had come to see Ding Ling, and Ding Ran prepared himself as Ding Ling and Lu Liding grew wary.
• Duàn Yì strolled through the rain with Helan Yue'er, while guilt over Guō Qíng kept him from visiting Yang Wuxia.
• Helan Yue'er chose not to question Duàn Yì about Guō Qíng, believing their growing closeness would eventually draw him away from her rival.
• Duàn Yì hoped to remain with Guō Qíng, win Helan Yue'er's consent to share him, and eventually gain Yang Wuxia's favor.

Duàn Yì and Helan Yue'er were confronted on a rainy street by a lecherous young man who ordered his skilled guards to surround them. Duàn Yì decided to kill the group, though the chapter ended before he acted.

• A richly dressed youth harassed Helan Yue'er and dismissed Duàn Yì as she and Duàn Yì walked through the rain.
• Helan Yue'er threw a box of sweet cakes at the youth, but an unseen attacker knocked it aside with pebbles.
• The youth ordered more than ten masked, armed martial artists to surround Duàn Yì and Helan Yue'er.
• The youth threatened Helan Yue'er and demanded that Duàn Yì kneel, kowtow, and call him Grandpa.
• Duàn Yì comforted Helan Yue'er and decided to kill the youth and his guards rather than leave them alive as future threats.

Duàn Yì faced the Yellow-robed Hat Men after one of them sensed his killing intent, then showed off his refined lightness skill as he moved into their encirclement. He prepared to fight three skilled attackers while Helan Yue'er stayed behind with the umbrella.

• The short, stout Yellow-robed Hat Man shoved the Second Young Master aside and warned that Duàn Yì had revealed a powerful killing intent, prompting the others to draw their weapons.
• Duàn Yì told Helan Yue'er he would slaughter the men to vent her anger, then stepped out from under her umbrella.
• Duàn Yì used his blended lightness skills to cross the encirclement so quickly that the Yellow-robed Hat Men were shocked.
• Three Yellow-robed Hat Men attacked Duàn Yì with a Molten Iron Staff, a Bare Hand Seal, and a sword as the Second Young Master cheered them on.

Duàn Yì killed three martial artists in rapid succession, using the Great Dipper Seven Forms, freezing palm force, and a sword technique. The surviving fighters realized their young master had provoked an opponent they could not understand or safely face.

• Duàn Yì used the Great Dipper Seven Forms to turn the yellow-robed man's Molten Iron Staff against him, killing him with a blow to the head.
• Duàn Yì crossed the distance with King Yue's Divine Arrow and killed the short swordsman with a freezing palm strike.
• Duàn Yì took the dead swordsman's iron sword and killed the third martial artist with a single sword strike.
• The onlookers recoiled in fear, while the young master considered how to escape Duàn Yì.
• The short, stout man recognized the dead men as skilled second-rate martial artists and wondered which renowned schools had taught Duàn Yì's many techniques.

Duàn Yì refused the yellow-robed men’s offer to make amends and attacked them with hundreds of sword shadows. The short, stout man survived the strike but was gravely wounded by the icy sword qi, and he ordered the others to attack while two men prepared to retreat and aid him.

• The short, stout man apologized for the Second Young Master and asked Duàn Yì to spare the group, while the young man hid his anger and fear.
• Duàn Yì recognized the Second Young Master’s malice and attacked the group with a sword technique that sent hundreds of sword shadows at them.
• The short, stout man intercepted the sword shadows, suffering several wounds and icy qi that ravaged his body.
• The short, stout man ordered the yellow-robed men to attack together and secretly signaled two men to hold back.
• One of the two men seized the Second Young Master to retreat, while the other stayed behind to channel true qi into the short, stout man.

The short, stout Yellow-robed Expert tried to use his companions and Helan Yue'er to escape Duàn Yì, but Duàn Yì overwhelmed the attackers and killed them all. The short, stout man realized that he and the few survivors had no way out.

• The short, stout man secretly signaled two friends to retreat while he rallied the other Yellow-robed Experts to attack Duàn Yì.
• The short, stout man ordered the Yellow-robed Hat Man to seize Helan Yue'er, hoping to use her as a hostage.
• Duàn Yì killed the attackers with his sword, then hurled an ice-infused bamboo hat that severed the Hat Man's hands and froze him to death.
• Duàn Yì killed the remaining experts as Helan Yue'er watched and merchants hid in terror.
• The short, stout man saw that his allies were dead and that the remaining survivors could neither fight Duàn Yì nor escape.