Chapter Summaries

Lu Qing single-handedly exterminated the Black Wolf Gang after killing Black Wolf with one punch. He then revealed that the person who had sent the gang was nearby, and a White-Robed Youth stepped out from behind a tree.

• Black Wolf recognized that Lu Qing had reached Tendons and Bones Realm Great Accomplishment before dying from his chest wound.
• Lu Qing killed the Black Wolf Gang members, including its second and third leaders, as they fled or begged for mercy.
• Ma Gu and the others thanked Lu Qing, who explained that he had spotted the gang while fishing with Xiao Yan.
• Ma Gu wondered who had ordered the Black Wolf Gang to attack, and Lu Qing said that person had arrived.
• Lu Qing called out a hidden observer, and a White-Robed Youth carrying a Jade Fan emerged from behind a tree.

Lu Qing killed the Black Wolf Gang members who attacked the residence, then pursued Bai Yuhua, an Inner Organs Realm expert who had been directing them. Ma Gu checked on Madam Wei and her son while Lu Qing chased Bai Yuhua into the woods.

• Bai Yuhua arrived after Lu Qing had killed the Black Wolf Gang and recognized him as a young Tendons and Bones Realm expert tied to the faction he was investigating.
• Lu Qing told Ma Gu to stand aside, and Bai Yuhua cautiously tried to withdraw rather than fight.
• Lu Qing chased Bai Yuhua and left Ma Gu to handle the scene.
• Ma Gu found Madam Wei and her son in the hidden chamber and told them that Lu Qing had defeated the Black Wolf Gang and was pursuing an even more formidable enemy.

Lu Qing pursued the White-Robed Youth and tested his blade technique against the injured Inner Organs Realm expert, while Xiao Li’s mysterious attack left the man wary. Lu Qing and Xiao Li then killed the White-Robed Youth, and Lu Qing buried his remains in a remote valley to delay Wang Cangyi from learning of his death.

• Lu Qing taunted the fleeing White-Robed Youth and ordered Xiao Li to stop him when the man refused to fight.
• Xiao Li appeared to strike the White-Robed Youth from nowhere, slicing apart his Jade Fan and injuring his hand before Lu Qing attacked with his War Blade.
• Lu Qing deflected the White-Robed Youth’s Soft Sword and exchanged dozens of moves with him, reaching a temporary draw.
• Lu Qing ordered Xiao Li to attack and joined the assault as the White-Robed Youth began using his secret technique.
• Xiao Li pierced through the White-Robed Youth’s chest and took his heart, and Lu Qing beheaded him.
• Lu Qing carried the corpse and severed head into the mountains and buried them in a remote valley to keep Wang Cangyi from confirming his disciple’s death.

After defeating the White-Robed Youth, Lu Qing moved Madam Wei and Young Master Wei into a mountain cave and gave Ma Gu Bone Forging Pills. Young Master Wei asked Ma Gu to teach him martial arts and formally made him his master.

• Lu Qing told Ma Gu that the White-Robed Youth had been dealt with and said Da Ji was no longer safe for Madam Wei and her son.
• Lu Qing, Ma Gu, Madam Wei, and Young Master Wei left through the hidden tunnel and settled in a concealed cave in the mountains, where Ma Gu stayed to protect them.
• Lu Qing gave Ma Gu Bone Forging Pills and warned him to wait until he had entered Tendons and Bones Realm Minor Accomplishment before taking them.
• Young Master Wei asked Ma Gu to teach him martial arts so he could protect Madam Wei, and Madam Wei urged Ma Gu to accept him as a disciple.
• Ma Gu agreed to teach Young Master Wei, who immediately kowtowed and called him Master.

Lu Qing taught Wei Zi'an a simplified version of the One Qi Staff Method while Ma Gu trained him in the cave. More than ten days later, Lu Qing broke through to Tendons and Bones Perfection.

• Lu Qing visited Ma Gu and learned that Ma Gu had become Wei Zi'an's master, but Ma Gu worried that he could not teach Zi'an the staff techniques he wanted to learn.
• Lu Qing offered to teach Wei Zi'an a staff technique, and Zi'an eagerly accepted after Lu Qing demonstrated the One Qi Staff Method and its Seven Stars Linked Chain form.
• Lu Qing taught Wei Zi'an the first two forms, and Madam Wei thanked him for inspiring her son to practice martial arts.
• Lu Qing continued delivering supplies and checking on Wei Zi'an while maintaining his routine of studying medicine and cultivating.
• More than ten days later, Lu Qing broke through to Tendons and Bones Perfection while cultivating in the bamboo grove.

After reaching Tendons and Bones Realm perfection and entering the Rune Dao, Lu Qing returned to the Jade Cave Chamber to cultivate Talisman Gate’s secret art. He successfully developed a thread of Divine Soul Power, allowing him to sense Heaven and Earth Primal Qi and begin true Rune Dao cultivation.

• Lu Qing’s breakthrough to Tendons and Bones Realm perfection inspired him to enter the Rune Dao, and he realized that living beings were also part of the myriad things he needed to observe.
• Lu Qing took Xiao Li to the Jade Cave Chamber, paid tribute at Li Weitian’s grave, and gained new insights from the runes on the cave walls.
• Lu Qing entered the hidden room, drank Earth Vein Spirit Liquid, and carefully used Talisman Gate’s secret art to temper his glabella aperture with Blood Qi.
• After consuming five drops of Earth Vein Spirit Liquid, Lu Qing opened his glabella aperture, then used three more drops to replenish the energy needed to form Divine Soul Power.
• Lu Qing awakened with a thread of Divine Soul Power, sensed Heaven and Earth Primal Qi, and realized he could begin true Rune Dao cultivation.

After learning that Yu Hua had likely been killed, Wang Cangyi decided to attack the Wei Clan despite the Holy Mountain Decree and gathered his forces. The battle began when his men smashed down the Wei Residence’s gates.

• The Brawny Man reported that Yu Hua and his gang were likely dead, and Wang Cangyi vowed to attack the Wei Clan.
• Wang Cangyi ordered Xiong Er to prepare the assault and enlisted the Red-Faced Old Man’s help despite the Holy Mountain Decree.
• The Brawny Man assembled the Martial Artists, and Wang Cangyi led them toward the Wei Residence.
• At the County Magistrate Residence, the middle-aged man with phoenix eyes learned of the attack, discovered Zhi Rui was missing, and hurried out.
• The Brawny Man demanded Wei Xinghe surrender, but Wei Xinghe refused and declared that the Wei Clan would fight to the death.
• The Brawny Man ordered his men to attack, and they hurled meteor hammers at the gates, smashing them down.

The Brawny Man and his Heavenly Azure Sect forces attacked the Wei Residence to seize a treasure, while Wei Xinghe led the Wei Clan’s Silver Moon Guards in resistance. As Wei Xinghe battled the Red-Faced Old Man, Grand Steward Wei prepared the guards to face the Brawny Man’s assault.

• The Brawny Man praised the Silver Moon Battle Formation but demanded Wei Xinghe surrender the treasure, and Wei Xinghe refused.
• The Brawny Man called on Mister Zhao, the Red-Faced Old Man, to help him defeat the Wei Clan.
• The Red-Faced Old Man attacked Wei Xinghe, and their first exchange shook the courtyard and cracked its stone slabs.
• Wei Xinghe ordered Grand Steward Wei to handle the remaining attackers, then fought the Red-Faced Old Man through more than ten exchanges.
• The Brawny Man led his subordinates toward the Silver Moon Guards, and Grand Steward Wei formed the guards and thrust his spear at him.
• The Brawny Man unleashed his Wind Thunder Saber and slashed at the formation.

The Wei Clan’s Silver Moon Battle Formation began turning the battle against the Heavenly Azure Sect, but Wang Cangyi appeared and threatened to destroy the clan unless Wei Xinghe surrendered a treasure. When Wang Cangyi attacked Wei Xinghe, Wei Shanhai intervened, and the two Innate Realm experts prepared to clash until an unseen voice questioned whether they would fight inside the city.

• Grand Steward Wei and the Silver Moon Guards used their battle formation to repel the Heavenly Azure Sect’s attacks, inflicting casualties while suffering none themselves.
• The County Magistrate sensed an Innate Realm expert on a rooftop, and Wang Cangyi appeared as the Heavenly Azure Sect’s master and demanded that Wei Xinghe surrender an item or see the Wei Clan wiped out.
• Wei Xinghe resisted Wang Cangyi’s Innate Pressure and refused to yield, so Wang Cangyi sent sword qi at him.
• Wei Shanhai blocked Wang Cangyi’s attack and revealed himself as the Wei Clan’s Old Ancestor, then exchanged threats with Wang Cangyi as their auras threatened everyone nearby.
• An even voice asked Wang Cangyi and Wei Shanhai whether they intended to fight inside the city.

Zhi Rui of Heaven's Secret Pavilion halted the clash between Wang Cangyi and Wei Shanhai by invoking the Holy Mountain Decree, and Wang Cangyi withdrew without obtaining the Wei Clan's treasure. Wei Shanhai explained his century-old feud with Wang Cangyi, then realized Li Ningyan and Wei Zi'an were missing from the Wei Residence.

• Zhi Rui arrived with a Crimson Decree Jade Scroll and warned Wang Cangyi and Wei Shanhai against fighting inside the city, forcing Wang Cangyi to leave.
• Wei Shanhai dismissed the Heavenly Azure Sect attackers, thanked Zhi Rui, and reunited with Wei Xinghe as the County Magistrate emerged from hiding and followed Zhi Rui away.
• Wei Shanhai told Wei Xinghe and Grand Steward Wei that he and Wang Cangyi had once been sworn brothers, but their friendship ended over the division of treasures from a cave dwelling.
• Wei Shanhai revealed that the Wei Clan's hidden treasure had been the most precious item he selected, and that Wang Cangyi had recently ambushed him after inviting him to meet.
• Wei Shanhai said his injuries left him able to use only thirty percent of his strength, then noticed that Li Ningyan and Wei Zi'an were nowhere in the Wei Residence.

Wei Shanhai returned to protect the Wei Clan but revealed that Wang Cangyi’s sword qi had left him with a potentially fatal injury. After Xiao Tian told Lu Qing about the Holy Mountain’s decree restricting Innate Realm experts, Lu Qing shared the news with the Old Doctor, who had never heard of the decree or the forces behind it.

• Wei Shanhai told Wei Xinghe that Wang Cangyi’s sword qi had damaged his heart meridians and could kill him within a year unless another Innate Realm expert helped him.
• Wei Xinghe persuaded Wei Shanhai to try comprehending the Wei Clan’s mysterious treasure for a way to heal his injury.
• People in the County Town discussed the battle and the Holy Mountain decree after the Heaven's Secret Pavilion lord prevented the two Innate Realm experts from fighting.
• Xiao Tian secretly left the city, reached Nine Li Village, and told Lu Qing about the battle and the decree restricting Innate Realm experts.
• Lu Qing decided Master Ma should remain hidden while the County Town was still tense, then took Xiao Yan and Xiao Li to tell the Old Doctor what Xiao Tian had reported.
• The Old Doctor told Lu Qing he had never heard of the Holy Mountain, the Heaven's Secret Pavilion, or the decree.

Lu Qing told Madam Wei and Wei Zi'an that the Wei Clan's Old Ancestor had returned, but advised them to remain hidden while Wang Cangyi and the mysterious faction still threatened the family. The next morning, a powerful Heaven's Secret Pavilion disciple named Zhi Rui arrived to meet Old Doctor Chen Songqing, and the chapter ended as Lu Qing and his master served him plum tea.

• Lu Qing asked Old Doctor Chen Songqing whether they should return Madam Wei and her son to the County Town, and his master advised waiting until the situation became clearer.
• Lu Qing visited Madam Wei and Wei Zi'an in their mountain hideout and told them that the Wei Clan's Old Ancestor had returned safely, but they agreed to stay hidden because the treasure hunters remained a danger.
• Madam Wei urged Wei Zi'an to practice the staff technique Lu Qing had taught him while they waited for a safe chance to return home.
• The next morning, Zhi Rui of Heaven's Secret Pavilion arrived at Half-Mountain Courtyard, concealed his aura with an Exotic Treasure, and revealed that he knew Old Doctor Chen Songqing had reached the Innate Realm.
• Old Doctor Chen Songqing met Zhi Rui, who showed him great respect, then asked for a cup of plum tea; Lu Qing prepared the tea for them.

Zhi Rui explained Holy Mountain’s decree restricting Innate Realm warriors and offered Chen an opportunity to cultivate in its Holy Pool. He revealed that the Wei Clan faced destruction unless its Old Ancestor’s heart-meridian injury was healed, prompting Chen to arrange a trip to the County Town with Madam Wei and Young Master Wei’s help.

• Zhi Rui told Chen that a sect Exotic Treasure had sensed his breakthrough from a hundred li away and praised the Merit Light surrounding him.
• Zhi Rui explained Holy Mountain’s role and its decree against Innate Realm warriors casually attacking weaker people, and gave Chen a jade token granting access to Holy Mountain’s Holy Pool opportunity.
• Zhi Rui warned that the Wei Family Old Ancestor’s sword-qi injury could kill him within a year, leaving the Wei Clan vulnerable to Wang Cangyi and the Heavenly Azure Sect.
• Chen decided to treat the Wei Family Old Ancestor and planned to have Madam Wei and Young Master Wei introduce him to the Wei Residence.
• Lu Qing went to the mountain cave, told Ma Gu and the others to pack, and prepared to leave the mountains for the County Town.

Lu Qing and the Old Doctor prepared to return to the County Town with Madam Wei and Wei Zi'an after learning that the Wei Clan’s Old Ancestor had a possibly fatal sword wound. They left the village with Xiao Yan and their companions, determined to seek help despite the danger ahead.

• Lu Qing told Madam Wei that Zhi Rui had reported her Old Ancestor was gravely injured and might have only a year to live, and explained that the Old Doctor planned to examine him.
• Madam Wei and Wei Zi'an reunited with the Old Doctor at Half-Mountain Courtyard, where they washed, met Xiao Yan, and shared a meal with everyone.
• After lunch, the Old Doctor ordered the group to prepare for their journey to the County Town, and Lu Qing disguised Madam Wei and Wei Zi'an and borrowed an ox cart.
• Lu Qing brought Xiao Yan along, and Madam Wei promised to protect her as the group departed the village.
• At the village entrance, Lu Qing tied three Red Ropes to the Letter Tree before the ox cart continued through the forest toward a flock of startled birds.

Lu Qing and the Old Doctor brought Madam Wei, Wei Zi'an, and Xiao Yan to Cang County, where Wang Cangyi exposed their arrival and confronted them at the city gate. As the factions gathered and the Old Doctor admitted he might not defeat Wang, Wang Cangyi attacked with his aura, but Lu Qing remained completely unharmed, shocking everyone.

• Lu Qing and the others approached Cang County in disguise, but the Old Doctor stopped the ox cart before the gate after sensing they had been discovered.
• Wang Cangyi appeared on the city wall, drove away the people at the gate, and announced that Wei Xinghe's wife and child had returned with another Innate Realm cultivator.
• The County Magistrate and Zhi Rui went to investigate, while Wei Xinghe learned of the newcomers and Wei Shanhai confirmed that an unfamiliar Innate Realm aura was outside the city.
• Lu Qing used his supernatural vision to identify Wang Cangyi as an Innate Initial Realm Peak cultivator and learned of his past friendship with Wei Shanhai.
• Wang Cangyi demanded that the Old Doctor surrender Madam Wei and Wei Zi'an, then questioned whether he had killed Wang's disciples; Lu Qing invoked the Holy Mountain Decree, and Wang's aura struck the group.
• The Old Doctor shielded the others from Wang's pressure, while Xiao Yan remained unaffected and Lu Qing stood calmly against the full force of the aura, astonishing the witnesses.

Lu Qing challenged Zhao Xiong, Wang Cangyi’s Inner Organs Realm disciple, rather than letting the Old Doctor intervene. Their first clash ended with both War Blades chipped, and Zhao Xiong was left shocked by Lu Qing’s strength.

• Wang Cangyi sent Zhao Xiong to seize Lu Qing, while warning that he would retaliate if the Old Doctor interfered.
• Lu Qing stopped the Old Doctor from acting and chose to face Zhao Xiong himself as the Wei Clan’s reinforcements had yet to arrive.
• Lu Qing gave Xiao Li the task of protecting Xiao Yan, then walked toward Zhao Xiong with his War Blade.
• Lu Qing’s opening strike forced Zhao Xiong to draw his blade and meet the attack.
• Lu Qing and Zhao Xiong staggered back from the clash with matching chips in their blades, and Zhao Xiong stared at Lu Qing in shock.

Lu Qing revealed his profound saber technique and activated a Divine Soul Rune secret art called Perfect Burst to fight the Brawny Man at full strength. Their blades clashed evenly, leaving the duel unresolved.

• Lu Qing forced the Brawny Man to draw his blade with a single strike, shocking the onlookers and revealing saber technique that seemed to approach Saber Intent.
• The Brawny Man praised Lu Qing’s skill, unleashed an explosive secret art, and challenged him to withstand his full strength.
• Lu Qing activated the Divine Soul Rune in his glabella aperture, using it to control his body’s power and unleash Perfect Burst.
• The Brawny Man attacked with his Thunderclap Saber, but Lu Qing spotted a flaw in his strike and countered with a precise saber move.
• The Brawny Man redirected his blade and met Lu Qing’s saber with overwhelming strength, and the two continued battling without either gaining the upper hand.

Lu Qing defeated Wang Cangyi’s eldest disciple in a barehanded fight, stunning the crowd and earning a possible place on the Hidden Dragon Ranking. Wang Cangyi remained determined to seize the Wei Clan’s treasure, and the chapter ended as Wei Shanhai appeared outside the city and Wang Cangyi rushed to confront him.

• Lu Qing and the Brawny Man shattered their weapons and continued fighting barehanded, and Lu Qing’s Fierce Tiger Fist overwhelmed the Brawny Man’s defense with nine consecutive punches.
• The Brawny Man admitted defeat and collapsed, while Lu Qing spared him because he sensed Wang Cangyi’s killing intent and did not want the conflict to spiral out of control.
• Zhi Rui said he would report the battle to Heaven’s Secret Pavilion, and the County Magistrate agreed that Lu Qing’s victory could earn him a place on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.
• Lu Qing returned to the ox cart, reunited with Xiao Yan and the others, and took a pill to recover while Wang Cangyi vowed not to abandon his pursuit of the Wei Clan’s treasure.
• Wang Cangyi threatened to send his disciples against Lu Qing and the others, but when Wei Shanhai appeared beyond the city, Wang Cangyi vanished from the gate and an Innate Pressure descended.

Wei Shanhai and Wei Xinghe launched a rescue for Ning Yan and Zi An, but Wang Cangyi defeated Wei Shanhai and threatened the Wei Clan. The Old Doctor intervened, neutralized Wang Cangyi’s attacks with overwhelming skill, and left him stunned by the Old Doctor’s Innate Domain.

• Wei Shanhai and Wei Xinghe ambushed near the city gate and rushed to retrieve Ning Yan and Zi An, while Wei Shanhai engaged Wang Cangyi.
• Wei Shanhai summoned the Silver Moon Guard, and Grand Steward Wei led them through the city gate to protect the ox cart and escort Madam Wei and the others home.
• Wang Cangyi overwhelmed the injured Wei Shanhai and attacked him with sword aura, threatening to kill him and slaughter the Wei Clan unless he surrendered an item.
• The Old Doctor steadied Wei Shanhai’s wounded heart meridians and dissolved Wang Cangyi’s sword aura with a spinning current of water.
• The Old Doctor froze Wang Cangyi’s full-force sword qi and erased it with water droplets shaped like swords, prompting Wang Cangyi to identify the technique as Innate Domain.

The Old Doctor used a trace of Domain intent to break Wang Cangyi’s sword qi and force the Heavenly Azure Sect to retreat, saving the Wei Clan. The Wei Clan entered the city with its mysterious benefactor, while Zhi Rui wondered whether Merit Power had enabled the Old Doctor to touch Domain intent.

• The Old Doctor destroyed Wang Cangyi’s sword qi, and Wang Cangyi gave up his attack and led the Heavenly Azure Sect away.
• Wei Shanhai and the Wei Clan thanked the Old Doctor, then invited him and Lu Qing into the city.
• The Martial Artists at the gate made way for the Wei Clan and recognized Ma Gu among their companions, prompting Patriarch Ma to hurry home and verify what he had seen.
• The County Magistrate asked Zhi Rui about the Old Doctor, and Zhi Rui said the County Magistrate knew him without revealing his identity.
• Zhi Rui watched the Old Doctor leave and wondered whether Merit Power had let an Innate Initial Realm Martial Artist touch Innate Domain intent.