Chapter Summaries

Gu Shao'an stopped Li Changbai from draining Six-Fingered Master's cultivation, then forced the power back into Six-Fingered Master and transferred it into Huang Xuemei. Huang Xuemei suffered injuries from the transfer, and Gu Shao'an gave her medicine and began treating her.

• Gu Shao'an sealed Li Changbai's meridians and acupoints, preventing him from absorbing more of Six-Fingered Master's cultivation.
• Gu Shao'an returned the cultivation Li Changbai had seized to Six-Fingered Master, restoring his power before sealing Six-Fingered Master's meridians as well.
• Six-Fingered Master offered Gu Shao'an martial arts, Heavenly Dragon Pills, and the Heavenly Dragon Gate, but Gu Shao'an refused and silenced him.
• Gu Shao'an transferred Six-Fingered Master's cultivation into Huang Xuemei, despite Six-Fingered Master's warning that the reversed flow could injure her.
• Huang Xuemei vomited blood, and Gu Shao'an gave her a medicinal pill before channeling Gang Yuan into her to treat her injuries.

Gu Shao'an helped Huang Xuemei control the immense power she had gained and kept Li Changbai and Six-Fingered Master alive. After Huang Xuemei dealt with the two men, she confided in Gu Shao'an about Six-Fingered Master's betrayal, and he comforted her before carrying her to bed after she appeared to get drunk.

• Gu Shao'an sealed nearly half of the Brocade Skill power in Huang Xuemei's body and gave Li Changbai and Six-Fingered Master medicine to keep them alive.
• At dawn, Huang Xuemei stabilized her power, and Gu Shao'an checked her condition before leaving for Listening to Rain Pavilion.
• Huang Xuemei returned after dealing with Li Changbai and Six-Fingered Master, and Gu Shao'an warned her that the power inside her needed to be sealed more securely.
• Gu Shao'an used acupuncture and medicine to seal Huang Xuemei's remaining power, then joined her for drinks.
• Huang Xuemei told Gu Shao'an that Six-Fingered Master had deceived and harmed her, and Gu Shao'an comforted her as she drank.
• Gu Shao'an carried the apparently drunken Huang Xuemei to bed and urged her to keep moving forward, but she opened her eyes with no sign of drunkenness after he left.

Yang Yan created Meteor Eighteen Lotus Steps, a lightness skill that combined accumulated momentum with the Emei Sword Manual, and Gu Shao'an praised her breakthrough. After discussing a Sui Ling Flower and Old Man Heavenly Machine's arrival, Gu Shao'an learned that Li Ruohai had come to Emei and waited to meet him, so he decided to visit the Evil Charm Sect master.

• Yang Yan used eighteen accelerating steps to build momentum, shattered a bamboo stalk with a lotus-shaped strike, and borrowed the force to glide away.
• Gu Shao'an praised Yang Yan's new skill, and she named it Meteor Eighteen Lotus Steps and promised to teach it to her fellow disciples.
• Gu Shao'an told Abbess Miejue, Abbot Juechen, and Shitai Jueyuan about Huang Xuemei, the Heavenly Dragon Gate, and the Sui Ling Flower's potential to improve their Bone Structures.
• Gu Shao'an explained that Old Man Heavenly Machine Sun Baifa had settled in Jiading Prefecture, where he could cooperate with Gu Shao'an and the Emei Sect.
• Abbess Miejue told Gu Shao'an that Li Ruohai had killed Jin Bingyun and stayed on Emei to meet him, and Gu Shao'an decided to visit him.

After learning that her younger brother might still be alive, Huang Xuemei prepared to leave Gu Shao'an and took him to Heavenly Dragon Gate’s hidden treasury to choose medicinal herbs. Gu Shao'an discovered a Sui Ling Flower, a crucial ingredient for pills that could improve a martial artist’s Bone Structure.

• Huang Xuemei told Gu Shao'an that Li Changbai had revealed a bald monk took her younger brother away after their parents died, and she planned to search for him and settle her vendettas.
• Huang Xuemei led Gu Shao'an to Heavenly Dragon Gate’s concealed treasury on Heavenly Dragon Mountain and guided him through its traps and hidden entrances.
• Huang Xuemei showed Gu Shao'an the treasury’s collection of rare flowers and herbs, including the Black Wood Xunbo Flower.
• Gu Shao'an found a Sui Ling Flower and explained that it could be used to refine Marrow Cleansing Pills that improved a martial artist’s Bone Structure.

Gu Shao'an accepted rare medicines from Huang Xuemei and left for Emei, while Huang Xuemei ordered the Heavenly Dragon Gate elders to prepare to attack Xinyang Prefecture. In Yuzhou City, Gu Shao'an came upon a young woman being forced into a sale and watched a skilled swordswoman intervene.

• Huang Xuemei gave Gu Shao'an rare medicines for Emei, and he accepted them before departing for the sect.
• After Gu Shao'an left, Huang Xuemei ordered the Heavenly Dragon Gate to wipe out the Heavenly Dragon Gate in Xinyang Prefecture in three days, striking down an elder who objected and demanding they call her Sect Leader.
• In Yuzhou City, Gu Shao'an bought gifts for Zhou Zhiruo, Yang Yan, and Mei Jiangxue before finding a young woman selling herself to bury her father.
• Liu Eryue offered the woman five taels and ordered his servants to seize her when she refused, while the crowd watched in fear.
• Two stones struck the servants' arms and freed the woman, then a graceful swordswoman landed in the clearing with her sword drawn.
• Gu Shao'an sensed that the swordswoman had reached Condensing Qi into Essence and had likely entered the second realm of the sword path.

A white-clad woman drove off Liu’s second young master, rescued a supposed filial daughter, and left Gu Shao'an intrigued by the staged encounter. Gu Shao'an discovered that Cihang Jingzhai had orchestrated the performance to target him, revealing the sect’s elaborate Honey Trap methods.

• The white-clad woman broke Liu’s second young master’s shoulder, disabled his servants, and gave the woman selling herself to bury her father silver.
• Gu Shao'an secretly followed the woman and used Gang Yuan to track her after his force dispersed on contact.
• The woman met Cihang Jingzhai disciples in a forest and reported that the staged rescue had gone as Shijie planned.
• The leader promised to admit the woman to Cihang Jingzhai and told her to keep the operation secret.
• Gu Shao'an found the discarded white cloth and realized Cihang Jingzhai had arranged the entire encounter to target him.
• Gu Shao'an reflected on Cihang Jingzhai’s reputation for crafting elaborate Honey Traps that made their targets fall in love.

Gu Shao'an recognized Cihang Jingzhai’s attempt to arrange a meeting between him and Qin Mengyao and resolved to make his position clear at the upcoming banquet. Five days later at Emei, he witnessed Yang Yan create a new movement technique during enlightenment and elevate it to the level of momentum.

• Gu Shao'an identified Qin Mengyao as the woman behind the staged encounter and concluded that Cihang Jingzhai hoped to draw him closer to her.
• Gu Shao'an decided to confront Cihang Jingzhai at the upcoming banquet rather than let its schemes continue.
• Five days later, Gu Shao'an returned to Emei and saw how news of his victory over Pang Ban had strengthened the sect’s standing and confidence.
• Gu Shao'an found Yang Yan in a state of enlightenment while Abbess Miejue, Abbot Juechen, Shitai Jueyuan, Zhou Zhiruo, and Mei Jiangxue watched.
• Yang Yan combined Three Manifestations of the Divine Dragon and Nine Shadow Spirals into a new movement technique, then advanced it to the level of momentum as true-qi lotuses appeared beneath her steps.

Yang Yan created and demonstrated Meteor Eighteen Lotus Steps, impressing Gu Shao'an and the Emei elders. After returning to Abbess Miejue’s residence, Gu Shao'an shared news of the Sui Ling Flower and Sun Baifa, then learned that Li Ruohai had stayed at Emei to meet him.

• Yang Yan used Meteor Eighteen Lotus Steps to gather momentum and unleash Sword Four: Falling Sun, smashing a bamboo stalk before gliding away; Gu Shao'an praised her new martial art.
• Yang Yan named the technique Meteor Eighteen Lotus Steps and promised to teach it to Gu Shao'an and the others after practicing it further.
• Gu Shao'an told Abbess Miejue, Abbot Juechen, and Shitai Jueyuan about Huang Xuemei, the Heavenly Dragon Gate, and the Sui Ling Flower, explaining that its Marrow Cleansing Pills could improve their Bone Structure.
• Gu Shao'an confirmed that Sun Baifa had settled in Jiading Prefecture and explained why the senior could not stay on Emei Mountain.
• Abbess Miejue told Gu Shao'an that Li Ruohai had killed Jin Bingyun and remained in the Si Emei Mountains to meet him; Gu Shao'an agreed to see the Evil Charm Sect master.

Gu Shao'an practiced Yang Yan's Meteor Eighteen Lotus Steps but failed to build momentum effectively, then visited Sun Baifa in Jiading Prefecture. He offered to examine Sun Baifa's injury, and the chapter ended with him taking Sun Baifa's pulse.

• Gu Shao'an tried to use the Meteor Eighteen Lotus Steps to amplify Sword Eight, but his gathered force dispersed and only half the rock crumbled.
• Sun Xiaohong practiced the Heavenly Machine Rod Technique while Sun Baifa criticized her progress and compared her to Gu Shao'an.
• Gu Shao'an arrived at the Sun residence, greeted Sun Baifa and Sun Xiaohong, and said he had come to make a deal.
• Gu Shao'an offered to treat Sun Baifa's injury, explaining that he had noticed Sun Baifa's unusual complexion during their previous meeting.
• Sun Baifa let Gu Shao'an take his pulse to assess the injury.

Gu Shao'an diagnosed Sun Baifa's long-standing injuries from a failed attempt to enter the Heavenly Human Realm and said they could be cured. In return for treatment, he secured a secret agreement with the Huainan Sun Family for intelligence about the Emei Sect, then left to prepare medicine.

• Gu Shao'an diagnosed damage to Sun Baifa's meridians and the Heaven and Earth Power lodged in his body, and Sun Baifa explained how his failed breakthrough had caused the injuries.
• Gu Shao'an said Sun Baifa's condition could be cured, prompting Sun Baifa to ask what he wanted in exchange.
• Gu Shao'an asked the Huainan Sun Family to notify him and the Emei Sect promptly about intelligence related to the sect, offering medical treatment and mutual support in return.
• Sun Baifa agreed to the arrangement under three conditions: the Sun Family's existence would remain secret, the pact would end when Gu Shao'an died, and the family would share only Emei-related intelligence proactively.
• Gu Shao'an and Sun Baifa sealed their gentleman's agreement, and Gu Shao'an left to prepare medicine before returning the next day.

Sun Baifa explained why he chose to cooperate with Gu Shao'an, while Gu Shao'an helped Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan take pills that advanced their cultivation. After a Marrow Cleansing Pill improved his Bone Structure, Gu Shao'an broke through in the Emei Nine Yang Manual and awakened the circulation of his spiritual energy, recalling Feng Xinglie's spiritual seed.

• Sun Baifa told Sun Xiaohong that the Azure Dragon Society's interest in the Sun family's intelligence network made cooperation with Gu Shao'an necessary, and he ordered her to warn Fifth Uncle about possible trouble among his subordinates.
• Gu Shao'an prepared Marrow Cleansing Pills and gave one each to Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan to take with their Bodhi Exquisite Pills.
• Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan's meridians and dantians expanded, and each began condensing true essence as Gu Shao'an watched over them.
• Gu Shao'an took the remaining Marrow Cleansing Pill, which raised his Bone Structure to the peerless level and advanced the Emei Nine Yang Manual to completion of the eighth layer.
• Gang Yuan began circulating with Gu Shao'an's spiritual energy, opening Hidden Meridians in his head and increasing his spiritual energy; he recalled the spiritual seed in Feng Xinglie's Shenting Acupoint.

Gu Shao'an discovered that the improvement of his Bone Structure had caused his and his companions’ mental energy to circulate naturally, paving the way for Dao Hearts, and he shared pills and the news of his cooperation with Sun Baifa. He planned to visit Sun Baifa and then take Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo to Baijiang Prefecture to meet Yang Yan’s uncle, while Abbess Miejue ended the evening by taking Jueyuan to the bamboo grove for a martial test.

• Gu Shao'an found that his Gang Yuan naturally circulated and tempered his power, while Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo transformed their true qi into true essence and tested their improved techniques.
• Gu Shao'an examined Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo, explained that their mental energy was beginning to form Dao Hearts, and gave them Spirit Nurturing Pills that helped them sense it.
• Gu Shao'an told Abbess Miejue and the others about peerless Bone Structure and his agreement with Sun Baifa to use the Sun family's intelligence network for Emei.
• Gu Shao'an said he would visit Sun Baifa, then take Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo to Baijiang Prefecture to invite Yang Yan's uncle to Emei; Abbess Miejue ordered him to prepare formal gifts.
• After Gu Shao'an left, Abbess Miejue seized Jueyuan and took her to the bamboo grove for a martial test, while Juechen summoned the others to watch.

Gu Shao'an prepared medicine for Sun Baifa and asked him how martial artists advanced toward the Heavenly Human Realm. After learning about the Three Harmonies and the imperial court’s response to powerful fighters, Gu Shao'an left with Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo for Baijiang Prefecture, aware that his future advancement could draw the court’s attention.

• Gu Shao'an gave Sun Baifa medicine to manage his injuries until he could return and treat him with acupuncture.
• Sun Baifa explained that Gu Shao'an needed to open his Middle and Upper Dantians before condensing the Three Flowers, and warned that a weak foundation could cause severe injury.
• Sun Baifa described the Greater and Lesser Three Harmonies, explaining that the Greater path produced much greater mastery over Heaven and Earth Power.
• Sun Baifa recounted how Zhang Zhenren defeated imperial Heavenly Human Realm martial artists and was subsequently bound by an agreement restricting his movements and protecting Wudang disciples.
• Yang Yan asked what would happen if Gu Shao'an entered the Heavenly Human Realm, and Sun Baifa warned that the imperial court might approach him or use the Emei Sect as leverage.

Gu Shao'an prepared medicine for Sun Baifa and asked him how martial artists condensed the Three Flowers and entered the Heavenly Human Realm. Sun Baifa explained the Greater and Lesser Three Harmonies, then warned that the imperial court might pressure Gu Shao'an if he reached that realm.

• Gu Shao'an gave Sun Baifa medicine and explained that acupuncture would be needed after he returned to remove the Heaven and Earth Power from Sun Baifa's body.
• Sun Baifa explained that Gu Shao'an needed to open his middle and upper dantians before he could condense the Three Flowers, and described how Essence, Qi, and Spirit seeds grew into flowers.
• Sun Baifa distinguished the Greater Three Harmonies from the easier but weaker Lesser Three Harmonies, explaining how both could lead to the Heavenly Human Realm.
• Sun Baifa recounted how Zhang Zhenren defeated the imperial palace's Heavenly Human Realm martial artists and later agreed to remain on Wudang Mountain while the martial factions left Wudang disciples alone.
• Yang Yan worried that the imperial court would target Gu Shao'an if he reached the Heavenly Human Realm, and Sun Baifa warned that the court might pressure him through Emei Sect.

Gu Shao'an learned from Sun Baifa why Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan should conceal their cultivation, then advanced his Gang Yuan and reached the sixth level of the Diamond Body Divine Skill. As the group prepared to travel to Baijiang Prefecture, Gu Shao'an announced a detour to the Han River in Yujiang Prefecture, stunning Zhou Zhiruo.

• Sun Baifa advised Gu Shao'an to pursue the Greater Three Harmonies path and warned him that Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan should hide their strength.
• Gu Shao'an explained that he would make a Breath-Concealing Pill to disguise the women’s True Essence as True Qi.
• At Wild Duck Mountain, Gu Shao'an completed the tempering of his Gang Yuan until it reached the Gang Yuan like marrow level.
• Gu Shao'an broke through to the sixth level of the Diamond Body Divine Skill, forming Perfectly Rounded Force that strengthened his defenses and physique.
• After Yang Yan suggested they continue to Baijiang Prefecture, Gu Shao'an said they would detour to the Han River in Yujiang Prefecture, leaving Zhou Zhiruo astonished.

Gu Shao'an, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan traveled toward Han River so Zhou Zhiruo could pay respects at her parents’ graves before her marriage. They took shelter from a storm in a ruined temple, where they encountered Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, and their Huashan disciples; as the rain continued, a carriage approached the temple.

• Gu Shao'an suggested visiting Zhou Zhiruo’s relatives’ graves before their marriage, and the three set out toward Yujiang Prefecture.
• Gu Shao'an found a withered tree, cut it into firewood with sword qi, and opened another Hidden Meridian while the group waited out the storm.
• A drenched young man and woman entered the temple, followed by Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, and their disciples.
• Linghu Chong asked for firewood, and Gu Shao'an let the Huashan group take some; Yue Buqun recognized how it had been cut and thanked them.
• Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo discussed Yue Buqun’s teaching, then the sound of a carriage and galloping horses came from outside.

Lin Shiyin, Long Xiaoyun, and their guards arrived at the ruined temple, where Qin Xiaoyi tried to take Yang Yan’s firewood and then attacked her. Yang Yan defeated him and his guards, crippled his arm, and left the group sheltering apart from her and Gu Shao'an.

• Lin Shiyin entered the ruined temple with Long Xiaoyun and Qin Xiaoyi’s guards, and Qin Xiaoyi warned the other travelers not to disturb them.
• Qin Xiaoyi ordered his guards to take Yang Yan’s firewood without asking, and Yang Yan injured one guard when he dismissed her objection with silver.
• Qin Xiaoyi attacked Yang Yan, but she pierced his palm and sealed the guards’ acupoints before they could strike.
• Gu Shao'an recognized Lin Shiyin and Long Xiaoyun, while Qin Xiaoyi admitted fault after Yang Yan challenged his claim that the attack was a misunderstanding.
• Yang Yan shattered Qin Xiaoyi’s shoulder with her scabbard, spared his life, and returned to Gu Shao'an’s side as the guards kept their distance.

Gu Shao'an discovered that a maid had poisoned Lin Shiyin and that Long Xiaoyun had secretly poisoned the others. After exposing both plots, he began destroying Long Xiaoyun's ability to practice martial arts.

• Yue Buqun could not identify Yang Yan's lightness skill and concluded that Gu Shao'an's group should not be provoked.
• While everyone rested in the ruined temple, Gu Shao'an detected poison in the air and warned the others that someone had poisoned them.
• Gu Shao'an subdued a maid and used the Soul Shifting Great Law to learn that she had poisoned Lin Shiyin with the slow-acting Human World Hell.
• Gu Shao'an exposed Long Xiaoyun as the source of a second poison, and Long Xiaoyun admitted he had used it to help Qin Xiaoyi vent his anger.
• After judging Long Xiaoyun's actions vicious, Gu Shao'an sent force into his dantian to prevent him from learning martial arts.

Gu Shao'an crippled Long Xiaoyun’s martial arts and neutralized the poison for Qin Xiaoyi and Xingyun Manor, but refused to help the Huashan Qi Sect after Linghu Chong criticized him. As the poison took hold, the Huashan disciples suffered in agony, while Gu Shao'an judged that Linghu Chong was foolish rather than malicious.

• Gu Shao'an destroyed Long Xiaoyun’s dantian after discovering that he had secretly poisoned others, and Lin Shiyin examined Long Xiaoyun without challenging Gu Shao'an’s decision.
• Linghu Chong criticized Gu Shao'an for punishing a child, prompting Yang Yan to rebuke Linghu Chong and Yue Buqun to apologize for his disciple.
• Gu Shao'an crushed Long Xiaoyun’s antidote bottle, confirmed the medicine was harmless, and used it to neutralize the poison in Qin Xiaoyi and Xingyun Manor’s people.
• Gu Shao'an refused to remove the poison from the Huashan Qi Sect, warning Yue Buqun to discipline his disciples before their actions harmed the sect.
• The poison caused severe pain in Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, Linghu Chong, Yue Lingshan, and the other Huashan disciples, while Long Xiaoyun said he had no more antidote until morning.
• Gu Shao'an observed that Linghu Chong showed regret but no hatred, and concluded that he was foolish and unreliable rather than a bad person.

Qin Xiaoyi arranged to take Lin Shiyin and Long Xiaoyun to Baoding Prefecture for treatment, while Yue Buqun concluded that Linghu Chong had endangered Huashan and considered expelling him. Two days later, Gu Shao'an honored Zhou Zhiruo's father with a solemn vow to protect her for life, and the three left the grave together.

• Qin Xiaoyi confirmed that the maidservant did not have Lin Shiyin's antidote and planned to seek help from Mr. Mei Er in Baoding Prefecture.
• Lin Shiyin urged Long Xiaoyun not to resent those who had shown mercy, while Gu Shao'an made clear that he would kill Long Xiaoyun if he truly sought death.
• Qin Xiaoyi helped Linghu Chong suppress his poison, then questioned him; Linghu Chong identified the attackers as likely Emei Sect disciples.
• Yue Buqun told Ning Zhongze that Linghu Chong's recklessness had endangered Huashan and resolved that the sect should expel him.
• At Zhou Ziwang's grave, Gu Shao'an swore to protect Zhou Zhiruo throughout their lives, and Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan knelt beside him.
• Zhou Zhiruo thanked Gu Shao'an and took his hand before the three departed, with her steps lighter and steadier.