Chapter Summaries

Gu Shao'an discovered that Yang Tie had been poisoned with Silkworm's Last Thread and traced the poison to a golden-masked stranger who had hired the Yang Family Escort Agency. A golden invitation summoned Gu Shao'an to the Jinshui River with the antidote, and despite Yang Yan's warning that it could be an ambush, he decided to go.

• Yang Yan brought Gu Shao'an and Zhou Zhiruo to the Yang Family Escort Agency, where they reunited with Yang Tie.
• Gu Shao'an examined Yang Tie and discovered he had been poisoned, then used a pill and his inner force to purge the poison and identify it as Silkworm's Last Thread.
• Yang Tie recalled that a golden-masked stranger had left a box of one hundred taels of gold five days earlier, and Gu Shao'an realized the poison had been hidden in the box.
• An escort master delivered a golden invitation stating that the sender would await Gu Shao'an at the Jinshui River with the antidote.
• Yang Yan warned Gu Shao'an that the eastern suburbs' Jinshui River was ideal for an ambush, but Gu Shao'an decided to go and confront the sender.

Gu Shao'an met Shangguan Jinhong, leader of the Golden Coin Gang, who tried to recruit him by offering protection, wealth, and martial arts while warning him about Pang Ban. Gu Shao'an rejected the pitch with a pointed question that left Shangguan Jinhong speechless.

• Gu Shao'an told Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo to remain cautious at the escort agency while he went alone to meet the person behind the threat.
• Gu Shao'an arrived at a golden pavilion, subdued Shangguan Jinhong's guards with his pressure, and entered to meet the masked man.
• Gu Shao'an identified Shangguan Jinhong as the Golden Coin Gang's leader, and Shangguan Jinhong removed his mask and revealed an Azure Dragon Token and a pill bottle.
• Shangguan Jinhong urged Gu Shao'an to join him, offering protection and resources while warning that Pang Ban had found a new Dao Heart cauldron and might reach the Heavenly Human Realm.
• Gu Shao'an dismissed the threat and asked why Shangguan Jinhong had not entered the Heavenly Human Realm himself, leaving him unable to respond.

Gu Shao'an rejected Shangguan Jinhong's recruitment and fought him, overpowering him in their initial exchanges. Shangguan Jinhong then drew the Mother Child Dragon Phoenix Rings, whose coordinated attacks forced Gu Shao'an to face a new and unfamiliar threat.

• Gu Shao'an refused Shangguan Jinhong's invitation, saying he cared only for martial arts and the Emei Sect, and challenged him to use force if he insisted.
• Shangguan Jinhong threw a golden cup at Gu Shao'an, who deflected it back with Gang Yuan; Shangguan then attacked with a golden fist.
• Gu Shao'an met Shangguan's punch with the sixth-level Diamond Body Divine Skill and drove him back, then struck him with a palm that penetrated his defenses and forced him into a pit.
• After Gu Shao'an questioned his strength, Shangguan Jinhong erupted from the pit and revealed the Mother Child Dragon Phoenix Rings.
• Shangguan Jinhong attacked with the twin rings, combining the child ring's long-range strike with the mother ring's close-range sweep, while Gu Shao'an faced the unfamiliar assault.

Gu Shao'an fought Shangguan Jinhong with one hand and realized that his own strength had surpassed the martial artists he once regarded as the pinnacle. His newfound confidence transformed the intent behind his palm technique as he faced Shangguan Jinhong again.

• Gu Shao'an deflected Shangguan Jinhong's twin-ring attacks and countered them with his Immortal Caresses My Crown palm technique.
• As the fight continued, Gu Shao'an recognized the limits of Shangguan Jinhong's strength and the depth of his own accumulated cultivation.
• Gu Shao'an realized that he was not facing weak opponents so much as seeing clearly how powerful he had become.
• Gu Shao'an's state of mind opened, and he gained confidence in his strength rather than letting his opponents' reputations hold him back.
• Shangguan Jinhong noticed the change in Gu Shao'an's gaze as Gu Shao'an rose above him and pressed down with a newly transformed Immortal Caresses My Crown.

Gu Shao'an defeated Shangguan Jinhong, poisoned him in retaliation, and warned the Golden Coin Gang and the Azure Dragon Society to leave his companions alone. He returned to the Yang Family Escort Agency and explained the threat, then prepared to formally propose marriage to Yang Yan’s family.

• Shangguan Jinhong poured his Gang Yuan into the Mother Child Dragon Phoenix Rings, but Gu Shao'an slipped past them and struck his shoulder, forcing him to his knees and severely injuring him.
• Gu Shao'an gave Shangguan Jinhong General's Blood, warned him against targeting people around Gu Shao'an, and said he would not need an antidote for Yang Tie's Silkworm's Last Thread poison.
• Shangguan Jinhong asked whether Gu Shao'an's strongest skill was swordsmanship, and Gu Shao'an said Shangguan Jinhong would need to master the rings before he could make Gu Shao'an draw his sword.
• Gu Shao'an returned to the Yang Family Escort Agency, told Yang Tie that the matter was resolved, and revealed that Shangguan Jinhong had poisoned him.
• Gu Shao'an explained that he had not yet discussed the invitation with Yang Tie because he first needed to prepare betrothal gifts and propose marriage properly.
• Gu Shao'an told Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo that the Azure Dragon Society had sought to recruit him, explained its background, and reassured them that they should focus on strengthening Emei.

After defeating Shangguan Jinhong, Gu Shao'an gained a new perk that sharpened his senses and improved his cultivation prospects. He then formally proposed to Yang Yan, and Yang Tie accepted the marriage.

• Gu Shao'an reflected on his breakthrough in confidence after realizing he ranked among the strongest first-rate masters.
• Gu Shao'an spent his Achievement Points on a lottery, gaining an eight-year Cultivation Card, Heavenly Fragrance Cardamom, a Perk Furnace, and 20 Space Storage Backpack Slots.
• Gu Shao'an bound the space backpack, increased his cultivation to ninety years, and used the Perk Furnace to create the Gold perk Insightful Perception.
• Gu Shao'an discovered that Insightful Perception improved his eyesight and let him sense the internal flow of his meridians, Gang Yuan, spiritual power, and blood and qi.
• Gu Shao'an brought elaborate betrothal gifts to the Yang Family Escort Agency and formally asked Yang Tie for Yang Yan's hand in marriage.
• Yang Tie accepted Gu Shao'an's proposal, while Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo watched from the roof.

Gu Shao'an learned that five rival forces had secretly allied to pressure Emei into concessions at its upcoming gathering, but he and Abbess Miejue planned to answer any coercion with force. After leaving Baijiang Prefecture with Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo, he reached Jinzhou Prefecture, where an unusual bamboo sedan chair approached them through the crowd.

• Gu Shao'an gave Yang Tie medicines he had refined and invited him to Emei to help arrange the marriage gathering.
• Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo read a letter reporting that the Dragon Helm, Golden Mountain Sect, Cloud Mountain Lodge, Bamboo Forest Gang, and Iron Horse Hall had formed an alliance.
• Gu Shao'an explained that the allied forces might praise Emei before using its righteous reputation to pressure it into reducing taxes and yielding influence.
• Gu Shao'an said Emei would not accept moral coercion and might use force to deter the other factions; Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo agreed.
• Gu Shao'an, Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo left Baijiang Prefecture and later entered Jinzhou Prefecture.
• Four graceful women carried a distinctive bamboo sedan chair toward Gu Shao'an and his companions through the bustling street.

Gu Shao'an recognized that Mister Wuchen had used Bewitching Heart Powder to target Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan, then led them away from the restaurant. Mister Wuchen followed them to a garden and asked Gu Shao'an how he had discovered the poison.

• Gu Shao'an noticed a strange medicinal scent on the four women carrying Mister Wuchen's sedan and later identified Mister Wuchen by his distinctive appearance and cultivation.
• Gu Shao'an detected Bewitching Heart Powder in Zhou Zhiruo's and Yang Yan's tea, explained its effects, and concluded that Mister Wuchen had targeted them.
• Gu Shao'an paid for the meal and led Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan out of the restaurant, then hurried with them to a wooded garden in southern Jinzhou Prefecture.
• Mister Wuchen followed Gu Shao'an and the two women into the garden with his four attendants and asked Gu Shao'an how he had noticed the poison.

Gu Shao'an confronted Mister Wuchen while Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo fought him together, revealing that their skill could briefly match his. As Mister Wuchen unleashed a deadly golden-rain attack, Gu Shao'an appeared in front of the two women.

• Gu Shao'an accused Mister Wuchen of secretly poisoning and controlling people, then let Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo face him first.
• Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo coordinated their sword techniques and forced Mister Wuchen to defend himself and retreat.
• Gu Shao'an confirmed that Mister Wuchen had used a soul-bewitching spell on the four maidservants and found that it had damaged their meridians.
• After dozens of exchanges, Mister Wuchen gained the upper hand as the two women grew tired, then launched his Scattering Flowers Like Rain technique.
• Gu Shao'an appeared in front of Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo as the golden dust and threads rushed toward them.

Gu Shao'an defeated and killed Mister Wuchen after discovering his ties to Zhu Wushi and rescuing four women he had controlled. The women recovered without memories of their captivity, and Gu Shao'an, Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo left after burying Mister Wuchen.

• Gu Shao'an used the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms to break Mister Wuchen's Scattering Flowers Like Rain and injure him.
• Mister Wuchen recognized Gu Shao'an and invoked his ties to Zhu Wushi, but Gu Shao'an said those ties made it necessary to kill him.
• Gu Shao'an revealed that poison had paralyzed Mister Wuchen, then killed him with Sword Seven—Fussing Snow.
• Gu Shao'an explained that Mister Wuchen had been disfigured and that he had poisoned him at the restaurant, then strengthened the poison with his palm strike.
• Gu Shao'an removed the poison and mental energy controlling four maidservants, and they later awakened with no memories of what had happened.
• Gu Shao'an, Yang Yan, and Zhou Zhiruo buried Mister Wuchen and left after the four women departed.

Gu Shao'an reflected on the hidden strength behind Zhu Wushi before returning to Jiading Prefecture to treat Sun Baifa. He successfully drew the Heaven and Earth Power out of Sun Baifa, but blood dripped from Gu Shao'an's fingertips afterward.

• Gu Shao'an warned Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan that Mister Wuchen greatly surpassed them and considered the deep network of allies supporting Zhu Wushi.
• Gu Shao'an resolved to reach the Heavenly Human Realm so he could contend with powerful figures in the imperial court.
• Sun Baifa practiced the Heavenly Machine Rod Technique and told Sun Xiaohong that Gu Shao'an's medicine had eased the burden of the Heaven and Earth Power in his body.
• Gu Shao'an arrived at Sun Baifa's courtyard and began treating him with medicinal liquid, golden needles, and a technique that stirred the Heaven and Earth Power.
• Gu Shao'an used his sword fingers to draw the Heaven and Earth Power out of Sun Baifa, then dispersed it after the treatment, leaving blood dripping from his fingertips.

Gu Shao'an cured Sun Baifa’s Heaven and Earth Power injury, then learned that Cihang Jingzhai and its Saintess Qin Mengyao were coming to Emei. After leaving Jiading Prefecture, Gu Shao'an returned to Mount Emei and sensed a powerful wave of Gang Yuan in the eastern bamboo forest.

• Gu Shao'an expelled the Heaven and Earth Power from Sun Baifa’s body and treated the resulting injuries with medicinal powder.
• Sun Baifa praised Gu Shao'an’s strength and explained how his battle with Shangguan Jinhong had changed his cautious approach to combat.
• Sun Baifa told Gu Shao'an that Cihang Jingzhai had arrived in Jiading Prefecture and planned to visit Emei, bringing its Saintess Qin Mengyao.
• Gu Shao'an recounted his earlier encounter with Cihang Jingzhai’s disciples, and Sun Baifa warned him about the sect’s ties to the imperial court.
• Gu Shao'an left Jiading Prefecture for Emei and sensed a dense wave of Gang Yuan in the eastern bamboo forest as he entered the rear mountain.

Gu Shao'an witnessed Gu Santong break through the Diamond Body Divine Skill to its twelfth level and tested the resulting defense with a powerful palm strike. Gu Santong suffered only a minor injury, and the two discussed his transformed Golden Essence before Gu Shao'an asked whether the upgraded skill could withstand the Great Skill of Absorbing Power.

• Gu Shao'an arrived at the bamboo grove and reassured Suxin that Gu Santong appeared to be breaking through.
• Gu Santong’s Gang Yuan and Golden Essence surged and transformed before receding as he completed his breakthrough.
• Gu Santong asked Gu Shao'an to strike him, and Gu Shao'an’s palm injured him only slightly despite its immense force.
• Gu Shao'an concluded that Gu Santong’s defense confirmed the Diamond Body Divine Skill had reached its twelfth level.
• Gu Santong explained that his Golden Essence had fused with Gang Yuan and a round, seamless force, giving him continuous protection and rapid recovery.
• Gu Shao'an asked whether Gu Santong could now withstand the Great Skill of Absorbing Power.

At the Emei Sect celebration, Qin Mengyao defended the sect while a powerful middle-aged man challenged Abbess Miejue’s authority. Gu Shao'an intervened and crushed the man with a single palm, leaving him kneeling and injured on the Golden Summit.

• Qin Mengyao said she trusted the Emei Sect and would take responsibility if her defense of them proved mistaken.
• Abbess Miejue told the middle-aged man to leave or face the Emei Sect, and Abbot Juechen attacked him when he refused to stay out of their affairs.
• The middle-aged man effortlessly repelled Abbot Juechen’s palm and sword strikes, revealing that he had reached the Condensing Essence into Gang realm.
• As the middle-aged man prepared to claw Abbot Juechen, he noticed Gu Shao'an had left his seat and was descending toward him.
• Gu Shao'an overwhelmed the middle-aged man with a palm strike, forced him to one knee, and told him to repeat his earlier words to his face.

Gu Shao'an discussed the Diamond Body Divine Skill with Gu Santong, then returned to Mount Emei and helped decide how the sect would respond to Cihang Jingzhai and prepare for his marriage. As Emei’s banquet approached, Yan Jing'an ordered Song Miyun to approach Gu Shao'an as Mengyao’s Love Trial Guardian, but someone applauded after Song Miyun left.

• Gu Santong explained that reaching the twelfth level of the Diamond Body Divine Skill would protect Gu Shao'an from Zhu Wushi's Great Skill of Absorbing Power, and predicted Gu Shao'an could reach the eleventh level within five years.
• Gu Shao'an returned to Mount Emei, where Abbess Miejue and the others discussed Cihang Jingzhai's invitation; Gu Shao'an advised refusing renewed ties, and Abbess Miejue agreed to send a reply.
• Abbess Miejue told Gu Shao'an that a new residence would be built for him, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan after their marriage, and Gu Shao'an agreed to discuss its design with them.
• Gu Shao'an practiced Cloud Dragon Void Wander across the bamboo grove but remained uncertain how to develop its momentum.
• Yan Jing'an learned that Emei had refused Cihang Jingzhai's invitation and instructed Song Miyun to personally approach Gu Shao'an as Mengyao's Love Trial Guardian.
• After Song Miyun left, an unknown person applauded in the forest.

Yan Jing'an met Bai Xiaosheng, who revealed the Azure Dragon Society had moved its plans forward and arranged Yuan Dongyuan to help stage a contest involving Gu Shao'an. After exchanging the Longevity Art and information about a Bai Xiaoge splinter group, Bai Xiaosheng left for the forest, while Yan Jing'an looked toward Huainan.

• Bai Xiaosheng confronted Yan Jing'an about Cihang Jingzhai's use of Love Trial Guardians and warned that the Azure Dragon Society would begin acting at the start of next year.
• Yan Jing'an and Bai Xiaosheng discussed Pang Ban's planned role in the Wudang affair, and Yan Jing'an attacked with a leaf and a blade of grass that split his mask.
• Bai Xiaosheng recognized that Yan Jing'an had advanced her sword cultivation and said he had arranged Yuan Dongyuan to help stage a contest intended to capture Gu Shao'an's heart.
• Bai Xiaosheng gave Yan Jing'an a copy of the Longevity Art, and she told him that the Bai Xiaoge splinter group's final known location was Huainan.
• Bai Xiaosheng said he sought the splinter group to settle a debt involving the slaughter of an entire family, then left as Yan Jing'an turned her attention toward Huainan.

The Emei Sect held a grand gathering to mark its return to the first rank, with Abbess Miejue and Gu Shao'an preparing to face the assembled martial factions. The arrival of Cihang Jingzhai’s Saintess Qin Mengyao interrupted the ceremony and left Gu Shao'an wary.

• Martial artists from across the prefectures gathered at Emei Golden Summit, where the Emei Sect’s disciples welcomed them.
• Gu Shao'an praised Mei Jiangxue’s cultivation and explained the embroidered designs on the group’s new gold-and-white robes.
• Abbess Miejue, Abbot Juechen, and Shitai Jueyuan joined Gu Shao'an and the others before they proceeded to the summit ceremony.
• Abbess Miejue and Gu Shao'an greeted the representatives of the seven second-rate factions at the main table.
• Cihang Jingzhai arrived and congratulated the Emei Sect on returning to the first rank, with Saintess Qin Mengyao drawing the crowd’s attention.
• Gu Shao'an recognized Qin Mengyao from their earlier encounter in Yuzhou Prefecture and silently thought that she was impossible to get rid of.

At Emei Sect’s advancement banquet, Abbess Miejue announced Emei’s authority over seven prefectures and set a fifty-percent tax, prompting several faction leaders to complain about their hardship. She exposed the misdeeds of three leaders with prepared records, leaving them cornered as she declared Emei would intervene in their territories.

• Qin Mengyao brought Cihang Jingzhai’s gifts to the banquet and took the empty seat beside Gu Shao'an, subtly drawing his attention.
• Abbess Miejue announced that Emei would protect seven prefectures and that their factions would pay fifty percent in taxes.
• Sun Jinhai and other faction leaders complained that imperial officials’ demands and poor business conditions made the tax unaffordable.
• Abbess Miejue revealed records of illegal taxes and abuses by Xu Changlong, Sun Jinhai, and Liu Ruofeng, silencing their objections.
• Abbess Miejue declared that Emei’s new jurisdiction required her to intervene in the three factions’ abuses, while Abbot Juechen explained that Gu Shao'an and Miejue had prepared for the confrontation.

At Emei’s banquet, Abbess Miejue confronted Sun Jinhai and his allies with evidence of their factions’ crimes, and Shitai Jueyuan defeated Sun Jinhai when he refused to confess. As Abbess Miejue threatened to keep him from leaving Emei alive, an unfamiliar middle-aged man challenged her conduct, and Qin Mengyao unexpectedly defended the Emei Sect.

• Sun Jinhai accused Emei of fabricating evidence, while Xu Changlong and Liu Ruofeng joined him in refusing to admit wrongdoing.
• At Abbess Miejue’s command, Shitai Jueyuan fought Sun Jinhai and defeated him with a palm strike that broke his bones and sent him crashing to the ground.
• Liu Ruofeng and the other allied faction leaders abandoned their plan to help Sun Jinhai after they noticed Gu Shao'an watching them.
• Abbess Miejue declared that Emei had gathered conclusive evidence and that Sun Jinhai would not leave the mountain alive.
• An unfamiliar middle-aged man criticized Emei for attacking a banquet guest, and Abbot Juechen challenged his claim to speak fairly.
• Qin Mengyao defended Emei’s conduct and questioned the stranger’s fairness, surprising Abbess Miejue, Gu Shao'an, and the others.

At the Emei Sect gathering, a middle-aged man challenged the sect and overwhelmed Abbot Juechen, revealing his Condensing Essence into Gang cultivation. Gu Shao'an intervened and crushed the man with a single palm, leaving him kneeling as he demanded that he repeat his insult to his face.

• Qin Mengyao defended the Emei Sect, but the middle-aged man insisted on interfering in its dispute with the Bamboo Forest Gang.
• Abbot Juechen attacked the middle-aged man with her palm and sword, but he easily countered her and revealed his Gang Yuan cultivation.
• The middle-aged man mocked the Emei Sect and lunged at Abbot Juechen, but Gu Shao'an suddenly appeared and intercepted him.
• Gu Shao'an defeated the middle-aged man's finger strike, forced him to one knee with a palm on his shoulder, and told him to repeat his words to his face.