Chapter Summaries

Wang Chen fought through the Black Jade Bees at Black Wind Cliff, using the swarm to hone his swordsmanship and gather Human Virtue. He advanced to within a hundred paces of the cliff, where he could see the honey and beeswax inside a cave.

• Wang Chen cut down a Black Jade Bee that warned him away from Black Wind Cliff and gained 1 Human Virtue.
• Wang Chen advanced toward the cliff, fighting increasingly large swarms with only his Fire Crow Sword and gaining Human Virtue from the kills.
• Wang Chen’s Sword Control Technique reached Great Accomplishment, and he spent 10 Human Virtue to raise it to Grandmaster.
• Wang Chen condensed Sword Intent, strengthening the Fire Crow Sword and driving some of the bees into flight.
• Wang Chen fought through vast clouds of Black Jade Bees and reached within a hundred paces of a cave containing beeswax and honey.

Wang Chen used his newly condensed Sword Intent to slaughter Black Jade Bees at Black Wind Cliff, gaining Human Virtue and swordsmanship experience while repeatedly retreating to recover. After farming the swarm for days, he drove the bees back into their hive and turned his attention to collecting its spirit honey for Changchun.

• Wang Chen broke through his previous limits while fighting the Black Jade Bees, then escaped their swarm when his Mana ran low and recovered at a safe distance.
• Wang Chen repeatedly lured out and slaughtered batches of bees, hiding underground at night and observing the surface with the Mandarin Duck Mirror.
• Wang Chen tallied more than three thousand Human Virtue points and forged true Sword Intent, then cultivated the Five Elements Technique in his secret chamber.
• Wang Chen resumed farming the bees at dawn and continued until the third day, when the depleted swarm retreated into its hive and refused to emerge.
• Wang Chen decided to enter the hive and collect spirit honey, intending to bring back far more than Changchun's requested hundred jin.

Wang Chen harvested roughly a thousand jin of honeycomb from the Black Jade Bees at Black Wind Cliff and killed a high-tier demon bear that attacked him. He prepared to return to the mountain gate with both the honey and the bear as an unexpected haul.

• Wang Chen used the Fire Crow Sword to cut honeycomb from the Black Jade Bees' hives while leaving one section from each hive.
• Wang Chen stopped after gathering roughly a thousand jin of honeycomb and decided to give half to Changchun.
• A high-tier demon bear blocked Wang Chen's way and charged at him for the scent of the honey.
• Wang Chen pierced the demon bear's head with the Fire Crow Sword, killing it and earning 85 Human Virtue.
• Wang Chen looked forward to taking the bear's meat, paws, tendons, and gall home with his honey.

Wang Chen returned from Black Wind Cliff with a High-tier Demon Transformation bear and had it professionally dismantled in Yunhu City. After earning nearly a thousand Spirit Stones from the hunt, he returned to his Sunset Peak estate, resolved to keep farming rather than risk hunting regularly.

• Wang Chen used Shadowless Divine Movement to cross the mountain forest, then traveled by Willow Leaf Flying Boat to Yunhu City.
• Wang Chen brought the demon bear to a Demon Decomposition Workshop and asked to keep its meat, paws, and gallbladder while selling the rest.
• The workshop master discovered that the bear had a valuable Bronze Gallbladder and carefully separated its hide, bones, claws, meat, and organs.
• The workshop bought the bear's remaining materials and paid Wang Chen over two hundred Spirit Stones, bringing his total profit from the bear to nearly a thousand Spirit Stones.
• Wang Chen decided not to make hunting his side profession and returned to his Sunset Peak estate.

After returning home, Wang Chen cooked the bear meat and honey he had gathered, then braised bear paws to bring to Changchun in Peach Blossom Valley. Changchun accepted the mission offerings and began teaching him the Thunderclap Sword Technique.

• Wang Chen returned home, appeased Yuan Yuan with comb honey, and prepared bear paws and bear gallbladder for soaking.
• Wang Chen grilled bear meat with honey and rendered bear belly fat while Yuan Yuan ate and saved food for Grandpa Black Tortoise.
• The next morning, Wang Chen braised the bear paws, shared one with Yuan Yuan, and packed one to take to Changchun.
• Wang Chen practiced the Sword Control Technique in Peach Blossom Valley until Changchun appeared and asked whether he had completed his mission.
• Wang Chen presented Changchun with honey and a bear paw, and Changchun began teaching him the Thunderclap Sword Technique.

Changchun was moved by Wang Chen’s gift of Spirit Food and watched as Wang Chen quickly comprehended the Thunderclap Sword Technique. Just as Changchun began to consider Wang Chen a potential heir to his sword path, a familiar voice angrily called him out of the peach blossom grove.

• Changchun recognized the Fumanlou food box and ate the bear paw Wang Chen had brought, which stirred memories of his late wife.
• Wang Chen used Changchun’s Spiritual Light Law Seed to comprehend the Thunderclap Sword Technique and added it to his Cultivation Panel at the beginner level.
• Wang Chen tested the technique by sending the Fire Crow Sword flying at extraordinary speed before recalling it to its sheath.
• Changchun was astonished that Wang Chen had grasped the technique’s threshold so quickly and considered him a possible heir to his sword path.
• A shrill voice called for Changchun to come out, leaving Changchun awkward and Wang Chen silently wary of the familiar voice.

Wang Chen learned that Yuan Yuan was nearing a bloodline advancement and followed its directions underground to seek its fortuitous opportunity. He reached a vast Cave Dwelling, leaving the nature of the opportunity unknown.

• Huang Yuxiu confronted Changchun, who left to draw her away and warned Wang Chen to keep their master-disciple relationship secret.
• Wang Chen improved his sword techniques and cultivated through autumn while Yuan Yuan grew restless and lost its appetite.
• Wang Chen consulted the Black Tortoise, who said Yuan Yuan needed a fortuitous opportunity to advance and that Wang Chen could help it find one.
• Following Yuan Yuan's guidance, Wang Chen dug nearly a hundred zhang beneath his manor and fell into a passage beside an underground river.
• Wang Chen followed the river with Yuan Yuan, found no sign of danger, and eventually emerged into an enormous Cave Dwelling.

Wang Chen entered the Demon Suppression Cave with Yuan Yuan and discovered a powerful snake-tailed woman imprisoned there. She offered to help Yuan Yuan survive the Blood Burning Tribulation if Wang Chen told her about the world outside, leaving him to recount what he knew about the Yunyang Sect.

• Wang Chen found himself immobilized inside the Demon Suppression Cave before the chained woman on the altar.
• The woman drew Wang Chen to the altar, and he explained that the Black Tortoise had guided him there to seek an opportunity for Yuan Yuan.
• The woman recognized Yuan Yuan’s upper-realm bloodline and said she could help the little creature pass the Blood Burning Tribulation in exchange for information about the outside.
• After seeing the woman’s overwhelming beauty, Wang Chen resisted its influence with help from the Primordial Dao Stele and lowered his gaze.
• The woman revealed she had been imprisoned for eight hundred and seventy-three years, and Wang Chen told her everything he knew about the Yunyang Sect.

Wang Chen entertained the Great Demon with the story of the White Snake, prompting her to name herself Bai Susu and agree to help Yuan Yuan. Bai Susu transformed Yuan Yuan into a little girl, who immediately ran into Wang Chen’s arms.

• Wang Chen told the Great Demon his version of the Legend of the White Snake after she demanded an interesting story.
• The Great Demon became absorbed in the tale and reacted fiercely to Bai Suzhen’s suffering beneath Leifeng Pagoda.
• The Great Demon named herself Bai Susu and declared that Wang Chen had passed her test.
• Wang Chen presented Yuan Yuan to Bai Susu, who blew on her and transformed the Spirit Mouse into a little girl.
• Yuan Yuan recognized Wang Chen, rushed into his embrace, and called him Master.

Wang Chen agreed to leave Yuan Yuan with Bai Susu for ten years so she could cultivate and survive the dangers of her bloodline, and he gave Bai Susu the Ruyi Golden Needle in exchange. After Wang Chen left, Bai Susu revealed that the needle was a key connected to the Golden Cudgel pinning her tail.

• Bai Susu told Wang Chen that Yuan Yuan needed to stay with her so she could learn to cultivate and prepare for the Blood Burning Tribulation and other threats.
• Wang Chen agreed to leave Yuan Yuan with Bai Susu for ten years, and Bai Susu promised to reunite them after that period.
• Bai Susu asked for the Ruyi Golden Needle, and Wang Chen handed it over; she gave him an obsidian-gold scale in return.
• Wang Chen said goodbye to Yuan Yuan, left her food with Bai Susu, and departed the Demon Suppression Cave.
• Bai Susu warned Wang Chen that the Yunyang Sect would soon undergo a drastic upheaval and told him not to return to the cave.
• Bai Susu transformed the Ruyi Golden Needle into a tiny golden key, causing the Golden Cudgel pinning her tail to tremble.

Bai Susu learned that the Yunyang Sect’s guardian intended to act soon, while Wang Chen returned home grieving Yuan Yuan’s departure and grew increasingly uneasy about the sect’s future. After failing to find Changchun, Wang Chen brought Wood Kui to Pang Zitong for maintenance and heard that prices were rising and supplies should be stockpiled.

• An old guardian visited Bai Susu, confirmed the Eight Lock Demon Suppression Array was undisturbed, and promised to make his move soon to repay the Yunyang Sect for protecting him.
• Bai Susu mocked Old Man Xuanyuan as the Golden Cudgel embedded in her tail shook and caused her pain.
• Wang Chen returned home without Yuan Yuan, suppressed his grief, and remembered Bai Susu’s warning of a coming upheaval in the Yunyang Sect.
• Wang Chen made three fruitless visits to Peach Blossom Valley, then learned that Changchun had entered seclusion.
• Wang Chen took Wood Kui to Pang Zitong for maintenance, and Pang Zitong warned him that prices were rising and advised him to hold onto stored grain and prepare supplies.

Wang Chen sensed danger beneath Yunlong City and Yunyang City’s prosperity, so he gathered spells, supplies, and a retreat plan. After Changchun sent him a message, Wang Chen accepted a three-year garrison mission in Great Qian to distance himself from the Yunyang Sect’s unseen dangers.

• Wang Chen noticed cultivation resources had become more expensive in Yunlong City and Yunyang City, and his unease disrupted his cultivation.
• Wang Chen exchanged Merit Points for Five Suns Dry Thunder, the Body Immobilization Technique, and a portable Spirit Gathering Array plate, then sold magic tools and stocked up on supplies.
• Wang Chen planned to leave if Changchun did not emerge from seclusion within ten days, but on the seventh day he received Changchun’s message flying sword.
• Wang Chen rushed to Yunlong City and accepted a three-year garrison mission in a medium-sized commandery of Great Qian.
• Wang Chen received mission equipment and supplies, arranged for his estate to be managed, and left as other Inner Sect Disciples quickly took the remaining garrison missions.

Wang Chen traveled from Yunyang City to Great Qian aboard a Four Seas Chamber of Commerce airship, using the journey to cultivate. After arriving in Qian Capital, he met fellow Yunyang Sect disciple Fei Xinghe, who was assigned to a neighboring prefecture.

• Wang Chen left Yunyang City aboard the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce airship, carrying Changchun's message-bearing flying sword and its three strands of sword intent.
• Wang Chen cultivated in his VIP compartment during the journey, and his Five Elements Technique progressed rapidly.
• On the ninth day, the airship descended and landed in Qian Capital, where Wang Chen felt the complete absence of spiritual energy.
• Fei Xinghe introduced himself to Wang Chen and explained that Spirit Gathering Arrays at the Celestial Master's Mansion could help him cultivate.
• Wang Chen learned that Fei Xinghe was assigned to Jing'an Prefecture, neighboring the Nanshao Prefecture he was to garrison.

Wang Chen and Fei Xinghe arrived in Great Gan and traveled to the General Celestial Master's Mansion in Qian Capital, where Wang Chen discovered that its grounds contained spiritual energy. The carriage stopped before a towering pavilion, leaving the two newly appointed Protector Heavenly Masters at the mansion.

• Several Inner Sect Disciples mocked Fei Xinghe and made him step aside, while Wang Chen watched and suspected they had come to Great Gan to avoid turmoil in Yunyang Sect.
• Fei Xinghe introduced the Great Gan Imperial Palace and explained the rules and duties of Protector Heavenly Masters as he and Wang Chen left the landing plaza.
• Fei Xinghe told Wang Chen that he was born in Jing'an Prefecture and shared useful information about their new assignments, including Nanshao Prefecture.
• Wang Chen and Fei Xinghe rode a six-horse carriage to the General Celestial Master's Mansion in Qian Capital.
• Fei Xinghe explained that a formation and transplanted spiritual plants gave the mansion's grounds spiritual energy, and their carriage stopped before a pavilion.

Cao Chengping briefed the eight newly appointed Protector Heavenly Masters on their duties and the rewards for gathering spiritual items, then privately ordered Cao Depeng to secure rare treasures in Pingbo City for the Cao clan. Cao Depeng rallied his clique around himself, warned them that Wang Chen could be eliminated if he interfered, and led them out to explore Qian Capital.

• Cao Chengping explained the Protector Heavenly Masters’ authority, taboos, and the rewards available for submitting spiritual items, including Acupoint Breaking Pills.
• After the other disciples left, Cao Chengping revealed his vitality and ordered Cao Depeng to obtain the spiritual items gathered in Pingbo City for the Cao clan.
• Cao Depeng returned to his residence and assured five fellow disciples that Cao Chengping would protect them.
• Cao Depeng asked about Wang Chen and threatened to have him removed if he became an obstacle, while urging his group to unite against those arriving in the second batch.
• Cao Depeng took his clique to a restaurant in Qian Capital to enjoy the mortal city.

Wang Chen traveled alone toward his post in Nanshao after Fei Xinghe stayed behind in Qian Capital. A storm drove him into an abandoned temple, where two unexpected visitors arrived as he was preparing dinner.

• Fei Xinghe told Wang Chen he could not accompany him to Nanshao, and Wang Chen set off alone on a Dragon Steed.
• Wang Chen traveled through Guang'an Commandery, enjoying the scenery as the road turned into a steep mountain path.
• A sudden storm led Wang Chen to shelter with his Dragon Steed in an abandoned village temple.
• Wang Chen fed his mount, cooked meat porridge, and grilled demon bear meat in the temple.
• Two figures burst into the temple, and the older one warily gripped his short sword while shielding his companion.

Wang Chen sheltered from the rain in a temple as a bearded warrior named Yu Chi Zhong protected a richly dressed young master and other Jianghu travelers crowded inside. The Five Wanderers of Heaven's Scars and Earth's Defects demanded that Yu Chi Zhong hand someone over, then turned their attention to Wang Chen.

• A bearded man and a richly dressed youth entered the temple, and Wang Chen let them take shelter.
• The bearded man lit a fire while the hungry youth eyed Wang Chen's cooking.
• A group of Jianghu wanderers arrived, and their leader stopped Fourth from provoking Wang Chen or the bearded man over the firewood.
• The Five Wanderers of Heaven's Scars and Earth's Defects entered, and the Jianghu travelers recognized the notorious group.
• The one-legged wanderer demanded that Yu Chi Zhong hand someone over, and Yu Chi Zhong stood ready to fight.
• The Five Wanderers noticed Yu Chi Zhong glance at Wang Chen, then asked the Taoist priest his name.

Wang Chen watched as Xiao Wentian killed the Five Wanderers of Heaven's Scars and Earth's Defects, only for Yu Feihong to arrive and kill Xiao Wentian with Divine Mechanism Crossbow bolts. Yu Feihong recognized Wang Chen and bowed to him as Immortal Master Wang.

• Xiao Wentian appeared at the temple and killed the Five Wanderers of Heaven's Scars and Earth's Defects with one sword stroke.
• Xiao Wentian greeted Yuchi and the martial wanderers, but Imperial Guard Directorate crossbow bolts killed him before he could finish speaking.
• Yu Feihong arrived at the temple in a sedan, and the martial wanderers recognized him as an Imperial Guard Directorate Grand Supervisor.
• The bearded man lost hope of resisting, while Wang Chen calmly ate porridge before the idol.
• Yu Feihong saw Wang Chen and his Dragon Steed, then bowed deeply and paid his respects to Immortal Master Wang.

Wang Chen learned that Great Gan’s officials recognized him as an Immortal Master and let Yu Feihong take charge of Yu Chi Zhong and the brocade-clad youth. After sparing the jianghu wanderers, Wang Chen shared tea with Yu Feihong, who began explaining Yu Chi Zhong’s background.

• Yu Feihong revealed that a letter from the Qian Capital had informed him that Immortal Masters had arrived to guard Great Gan’s regions.
• Yu Chi Zhong begged Wang Chen to hear how treacherous villains had harmed his lord, but Wang Chen restrained him and told Yu Feihong to handle the matter.
• Yu Feihong’s men took away Yu Chi Zhong and the brocade-clad youth, while Wang Chen ordered him to let the innocent jianghu wanderers go.
• Yu Feihong arranged tea for Wang Chen, who offered him Spiritual Tea and invited him to drink together.
• Yu Feihong began explaining Yu Chi Zhong’s origins to Wang Chen.

Wang Chen learned from Yu Feihong how the Investigation Department’s campaign against the gentry had sparked a deadly conflict in Jinzhou and how the Zhang clan’s rescue had implicated Xiao Wentian. Yu Feihong warned Wang Chen about White Deer Academy’s influence in Nanshao and assigned Xiao Wan to assist him, and Wang Chen accepted.

• Yu Feihong explained that the Qian Emperor had created the Investigation Department to recover tax revenue hidden by the gentry, but its teams in Jinzhou had been attacked.
• Yu Feihong told Wang Chen that the Imperial Guard Department had confiscated the Zhang Family’s wealth, then lost over a hundred men when an unknown force rescued the clan members.
• Yu Feihong revealed that Xiao Wentian was among the targets he pursued and that Yu Chi Zhong and the Zhang Family’s legitimate grandson had been caught while trying to rendezvous with him.
• Yu Feihong warned Wang Chen that White Deer Academy and the Deer Faction opposed the Yunyang Sect and might be influencing the vacant Garrison Celestial Master post in Nanshao.
• Yu Feihong offered Xiao Wan as Wang Chen’s assistant, and Wang Chen accepted.