Chapter Summaries

Jiang Qinghe attended a lavish housewarming and promotion banquet at Moon Invitation Tower, where Cangfeng City’s major families sought to build ties with the rising Department Lieutenant. The Lin Family welcomed him as a guest of honor, and the banquet began with rare delicacies served to the city’s most prominent guests.

• Moon Invitation Tower was booked in its entirety to celebrate Jiang Qinghe’s new residence and promotion to Department Lieutenant of the Supervision Department.
• Jiang Qinghe arrived with Chen Lingxue and received congratulations from the gathered representatives of Cangfeng City’s powerful families.
• Lin Xuansong and Lin Xuanhui discussed Jiang Qinghe’s prospects and regretted that the Lin Family had failed to win him over earlier, while Lin Ye silently regretted his past decisions.
• Lin Jiyao stopped the Lin Family’s private discussion and sent Lin Xuanhui downstairs to welcome Jiang Qinghe.
• Lin Xuanhui warmly escorted Jiang Qinghe and his companions to the seventh-floor banquet, where the city’s prominent guests were seated.
• The Lin Family served rare dishes made from powerful Great Demons and precious spirit plants.

Jiang Qinghe received the guests at his housewarming banquet, where the Lin Family served him precious Moonlight Dew and the city's powerful figures toasted his rising status. On the terrace, he and Chen Lingxue shared their hopes for the people they cared about and wished for both ambition and peaceful happiness.

• Lin Xuanhui presented Jiang Qinghe with Moonlight Dew and toasted his achievements, while the banquet guests rose to honor him.
• Jiang Qinghe drank the potent wine and accepted a steady stream of toasts, reflecting on how his strength had transformed his standing.
• Zheng Wanyun praised Jiang Qinghe and Jiang Ziyue, invited them to visit the Spring Return Grand Pavilion, and watched Zhao Guangyi steady a tipsy Jiang Ziyue.
• Jiang Qinghe stepped onto the terrace, where Chen Lingxue discussed the need to cultivate both martial strength and worldly influence.
• Jiang Qinghe asked Chen Lingxue what she wished for, and they shared hopes for their loved ones to reach their ambitions while enjoying peaceful, simple happiness.

Jiang Qinghe decided to bring his loved ones from Lin'an County to Cangfeng City after reports of rising demon-beast activity unsettled him. Before he could leave, Weng Yi ordered him to join a secret investigation into Inspector Yin Bangcan’s disappearance, so Jiang sent his sister and Senior Brother home without him.

• Jiang Qinghe reviewed a dossier reporting increased demon-beast and spirit-monster activity across Cangfeng City's counties and worried about his loved ones in Lin'an County.
• Jiang Qinghe decided to return to Lin'an County with Ziyue and bring his Master, Ping Jiuxiao, Xiao Hei, and A Jie to Cangfeng City.
• Weng Yi summoned Jiang Qinghe, Lin Xuanhui, and other officials and revealed that Inspector Yin Bangcan had vanished after stopping in Donghua City on his return from delivering tribute.
• Weng Yi assigned Pei Chenye to lead a secret team, with Zhou Liangru as deputy and Jiang Qinghe and Lin Xuanhui among its members, to investigate Yin Bangcan's disappearance.
• Jiang Qinghe postponed his own trip and arranged for his Senior Brother and younger sister to go to Lin'an County and bring his loved ones back.

After seven years of seclusion, Lin Jiling broke through to the Profound Light Second Realm, and Lin Xianyu ordered him to attack Jiang Qinghe’s loved ones when they returned to Lin'an County. The Lin Family planned to frame the Xiao Family and provoke a war between the Chen and Xiao Families.

• Lin Jiling broke through to the Profound Light Second Realm and advanced his Gale Wind Artistic Conception to its second step.
• Lin Xianyu asked Lin Jiling to assess how Jiang Qinghe’s growth might affect Cangfeng City, and Lin Jiling warned that it would upset the balance among the families.
• Lin Xianyu ordered Lin Jiling to strike when Jiang Qinghe’s younger sister and Senior Brother returned to Lin'an County.
• Lin Xianyu explained that the Lin Family would exploit Jiang Qinghe’s bonds with Jiang Ziyue and Zhao Guangyi, leave clues implicating the Xiao Family, and ignite a conflict between the Chen and Xiao Families.
• Lin Jiyao felt uneasy about the plan but fell silent under Lin Xianyu’s rebuke.

Jiang Qinghe and the Supervision Department team traveled through a snowstorm toward Donghua City to investigate Department Overseer Yin’s disappearance, discussing the city’s powerful weapon-forging workshops and the City Lord’s authority. They found signs of a recent Profound Light-level clash along the route and continued toward Donghua City on high alert.

• Lu Jun'an, Jiang Qinghe, and Lin Xuanhui discussed why the Supervision Department had to respond forcefully to Department Overseer Yin’s disappearance.
• Lin Xuanhui described Donghua City’s weapon-forging powers, including Tiangong Workshop, Hundred Refinements Hall, and Huoyun Pavilion.
• Lin Xuanhui explained that City Lords shaped local government institutions and that the Cangfeng City Supervision Department held moderate authority.
• Pei Chenye found traces of a recent fight with residual Profound Qi, and Zhou Liangru judged that multiple Profound Light-level fighters had been involved.
• Pei Chenye ordered the team to follow the traces toward Donghua City while maintaining formation and proceeding carefully.

Pei Chenye and the Department Lieutenants encountered Snowland Imps on the snowy road near Donghua City and quickly killed them. Zhou Liangru’s inspection suggested the beasts were not hunting normally, leaving the group wary of a deeper anomaly.

• Pei Chenye and Zhou Liangru sensed hidden creatures closing in through the snow and stopped the group.
• Snowland Imps burst from the snow in a coordinated attack, and Pei Chenye killed three with Profound Light Energy.
• Zhou Liangru used Heavenly Edict Descends to kill two Snowland Imps while the Department Lieutenants fought the rest.
• Jiang Qinghe noticed that the Snowland Imps seemed unusually impatient as the group defeated them within moments.
• Zhou Liangru inspected a corpse and found the beasts’ hollow bellies and wild eyes abnormal.

Pei Chenye and his team reached Donghua City to investigate Yin Bangcan’s disappearance, while signs of a wider disturbance and an evasive local inquiry raised suspicions. Jiang Qinghe began to suspect the tribute and slipped out of the inn to investigate Inspector Wu Yong.

• Zhou Liangru found the Snowland Imps’ stomachs nearly empty, and Pei Chenye ordered the group to prioritize reaching Donghua City despite their abnormal frenzy.
• Pei Chenye’s team entered Donghua City and heard Wu Yong’s account that Yin Bangcan had left the city normally after visiting Shen Huan.
• Jiang Qinghe was struck by Yin Bangcan’s remark that the human heart was hard to fathom and wondered whether the tribute had been compromised.
• Pei Chenye arranged for the team to question Shen Huan the next morning, and they settled into Ke'an Inn.
• Jiang Qinghe recalled feeling something discordant about Wu Yong, then secretly left the courtyard under cover of darkness.

Zhao Guangyi gave Ping Jiuxiao, Xiao Hei, and Gong Jie Earth Vein Spirit Milk, then warned them that Demon Beast and Spirit Monster attacks were spreading through the region. Ping Jiuxiao agreed to leave Lin'an County for Cangfeng City, while Gong Jie planned to discuss relocating his escort agency with his father.

• Zhao Guangyi gave each of Ping Jiuxiao, Xiao Hei, and Gong Jie a vial of Earth Vein Spirit Milk and explained that it could help them reach the Innate realm.
• Zhao Guangyi told Xiao Hei the milk could repair his flawed meridians, giving him hope of practicing martial arts.
• Zhao Guangyi warned Ping Jiuxiao that Demon Beast sightings and attacks were increasing around Lin'an County and across the counties near Cangfeng City.
• Zhao Guangyi invited Ping Jiuxiao to move to Cangfeng City, mentioning that Zheng Wanyun lived near Jiang Qinghe's residence.
• Ping Jiuxiao overcame his reluctance to leave and agreed to move to Cangfeng City.
• Gong Jie said he would discuss relocating his escort agency with his father, and Zhao Guangyi promised to welcome his family when they arrived.

Jiang Qinghe infiltrated Wu Yong’s residence and overheard that Yin Bangcan had been killed after discovering a secret involving the tribute in the Prefecture City. When a Shadow Heron exposed him, Jiang Qinghe cut it down, seized its letter, and escaped as the cloaked man burst out after him.

• Jiang Qinghe secretly entered Wu Yong’s residence and listened to Wu Yong speak with a cloaked man whose cultivation was at the Profound Light First Realm.
• Wu Yong and the cloaked man discussed the Supervision Department’s investigation, the altered tribute records, and Yin Bangcan’s death after he saw something during a handover in the Prefecture City.
• The cloaked man remarked that a letter should arrive soon, and a Shadow Heron flew toward Wu Yong’s study window.
• The Shadow Heron spotted Jiang Qinghe on the roof and cried out, alerting the men inside.
• Jiang Qinghe sliced the Shadow Heron in two, caught its letter, and escaped with the Escaping Immortal Shuttle as the cloaked man blasted through the window.

Jiang Qinghe stole a letter revealing that prefectural authorities planned to erase evidence of the stolen tribute and kill the Cangfeng City investigation team. He brought it to Pei Chenye, who faced a choice between exposing the conspiracy and risking a fight or trying to withdraw under threat of ambush.

• A cloaked man found the Shadow Heron dead and the letter missing, then ordered Wu Yong to investigate the thief.
• Jiang Qinghe returned to the inn and read the stolen letter, learning that the authorities planned to eliminate Wu Yong, Shen Huan, and the investigation team, disguising their deaths as a demon attack.
• Jiang Qinghe brought the letter and his account of the night’s investigation to Pei Chenye.
• Pei Chenye considered whether to contact the approaching Wind Thunder Sect representative and expose the conspiracy or withdraw to Cangfeng City, knowing either choice could be dangerous.

Ping Jiuxiao, Zhao Guangyi, Jiang Ziyue, and Xiao Hei left Lin'an County for Cangfeng City, but a masked attacker ambushed them on the road with a deadly wind-and-snow killing net. Zhao Guangyi blocked the attack and faced the assailant, whose strength and killing intent left the group in immediate danger.

• Ping Jiuxiao and his companions packed their belongings, said farewell to Wanping Martial Academy, and set out for Cangfeng City.
• As they traveled, Zhao Guangyi encouraged Xiao Hei to pursue the martial path and aspire to reach the Innate Realm.
• Near dusk, Zhao Guangyi sensed danger as winds from several directions converged around the group.
• A wind-and-snow killing net with Second Step Artistic Conception struck, and Zhao Guangyi shielded Ping Jiuxiao, Jiang Ziyue, and Xiao Hei with his fists.
• A masked figure wielding two poisoned short blades emerged from the snow and fixed Zhao Guangyi with deeper killing intent.

A black-clad Xiao Family avenger attacked Zhao Guangyi and Jiang Ziyue, but Chen Shou'en intervened and fought him. After being wounded and poisoned, Chen Shou'en struck his own dantian to erupt his potential and break through.

• The black-clad man revealed his hatred of Zhao Guangyi and Jiang Qinghe for killing his grandson, then attacked Zhao Guangyi with twin blades.
• Zhao Guangyi blocked the black-clad man's strikes but was badly injured, and he stood firm to protect the people behind him.
• Chen Shou'en arrived and stopped the black-clad man's X-shaped blade attack, then fought him with his Watery Abyss Artistic Conception.
• The black-clad man overwhelmed Chen Shou'en, wounded him, and poisoned him during their fight.
• Chen Shou'en struck his own dantian with his sword to force a surge of potential, and his Profound Light power nearly doubled as he broke through.

Chen Shou'en sacrificed his life to restrain the black-clad man, allowing Zhao Guangyi to land a devastating blow that damaged the enemy’s Profound Light Seed. Chen Shou'en died despite Jiang Ziyue’s attempts to save him, and Zhao Guangyi carried his body toward Cangfeng City.

• Chen Shou'en forcibly advanced his cultivation and grappled with the black-clad man, burning through his Profound Light power to suppress the enemy’s defenses.
• At Chen Shou'en’s call, Zhao Guangyi struck the black-clad man in the chest, severely injuring him and cracking his Profound Light Seed.
• The wounded black-clad man escaped into the forest, while Chen Shou'en’s body gave out from the damage caused by his forced breakthrough.
• Jiang Ziyue tried medicine and Earth Vein Spirit Milk, but Chen Shou'en told Zhao Guangyi to return to Chen Manor and then died in Ping Jiuxiao’s arms.
• Zhao Guangyi carried Chen Shou'en’s body, and the group headed for Cangfeng City through the falling snow.

After Shen Huan and his party were killed, Jiang Qinghe urged the Supervision Department team to pursue the prefectural city’s hidden operatives and find the Wind Thunder Sect representative before their enemies could silence the witnesses. Pei Chenye assigned the group’s investigation tasks, leaving Jiang Qinghe to track suspicious movements across Donghua City.

• Jiang Qinghe and the others learned that Shen Huan and seventeen companions had died at Wild Goose Slope in an apparent Demon Beast attack.
• Jiang Qinghe reasoned that the deaths were part of an effort to erase evidence and proposed finding the Wind Thunder Sect guest expected in Donghua City.
• Jiang Qinghe suggested tracking the prefectural city’s operatives to uncover the guest’s identity and expose the tribute swap.
• Pei Chenye ordered the group to work in pairs, investigate Shen Huan’s death and Wu Yong’s residence, and contact Cangfeng City.
• Pei Chenye assigned Jiang Qinghe to watch for unfamiliar experts and identify the prefectural city’s agents while avoiding direct confrontation.

Jiang Qinghe searched Donghua City for the people connected to Shen Huan’s death, then reasoned they were hiding outside the city and found their camp south of the walls. He discovered four coordinated Profound Light First Realm fighters and a formidable Profound Light Second Realm man, but had not yet been noticed.

• Jiang Qinghe searched much of Donghua City with his Spiritual Sense but found no suspicious people or activity.
• Jiang Qinghe concluded that Shen Huan’s killers were likely hiding outside the city, probably south near Wild Goose Slope.
• Jiang Qinghe crossed the southern city wall and searched the snow-covered hills, following subtle changes in the wind.
• Jiang Qinghe found a concealed mountain basin with a campfire and silently observed five people inside.
• Jiang Qinghe recognized four of the men as trained Profound Light First Realm fighters and identified their leader as a powerful Profound Light Second Realm expert.

Jiang Qinghe overheard the Brocade-Robed Man planning to attack the Supervision Department with help from the Deputy Garrison Master, then ambushed the five men in their mountain hideout. He killed three Black-Robed Men in a surprise strike, leaving the Brocade-Robed Man and one subordinate alive.

• The Brocade-Robed Man said his group would attack the Supervision Department the following night after reinforcements arrived from the Deputy Garrison Master.
• Jiang Qinghe withdrew outside the mountain hollow and formed a Wind-Thunder Blade to explode the group's bonfire and draw their attention to the entrance.
• The Brocade-Robed Man rushed toward the entrance with two Black-Robed Men, while two others lagged behind inside the hollow.
• Jiang Qinghe used the Escaping Immortal Shuttle to appear behind the two lagging men and beheaded them with Void Cutter.
• Jiang Qinghe killed a third Black-Robed Man by piercing through his back with Void Cutter, then retreated and faced the two survivors.

Jiang Qinghe killed the four Black-Robed elites after enduring the Brocade-Robed Man’s powerful attack, then faced the man alone. The Brocade-Robed Man recognized Jiang Qinghe and, realizing his intelligence was disastrously wrong, resolved to kill him.

• Jiang Qinghe used three layers of defense to withstand the Brocade-Robed Man’s Mountain Collapse Seal.
• Jiang Qinghe exploited the Brocade-Robed Man’s shock and killed the last black-robed man with the Void Cutter.
• Jiang Qinghe confirmed that all four Black-Robed elites were dead, leaving only himself and the Brocade-Robed Man in the valley.
• The Brocade-Robed Man recognized Jiang Qinghe and realized he was far stronger than the intelligence had claimed.
• The Brocade-Robed Man forced himself to calm down and decided to kill Jiang Qinghe.

Jiang Qinghe defeated the Brocade-Robed Man by evading his forbidden attack and striking the opening it left, completing his fight against five Profound Light Realm cultivators. He collected their Myriad Phenomena Bags, destroyed their bodies, and headed for Donghua City before reinforcements could arrive.

• The Brocade-Robed Man used his Indestructible King Kong Shield to pressure Jiang Qinghe, but Jiang maintained his distance and found weaknesses with precise saber strikes.
• As the Brocade-Robed Man grew impatient, Jiang intensified his attack, prompting him to unleash the forbidden technique King Kong's Wrathful Visage.
• Jiang used the Escaping Immortal Shuttle to vanish from the attack and appear at the Brocade-Robed Man's exposed right side.
• Jiang stabbed through the Brocade-Robed Man's ribs and cut his throat, killing him.
• Jiang collected the five cultivators' Myriad Phenomena Bags, froze and shattered their corpses, then left the mountain hollow for Donghua City.

Jiang Qinghe searched the Brocade-Robed Man’s Myriad Phenomena Bag and discovered a Heaven Tier Low-grade defensive martial skill, along with a large fortune and several Earth-grade techniques. He continued through the snowy wilderness, leaving the new treasure to consider and cultivate later.

• Jiang Qinghe found more than a thousand Spirit Crystals in the Brocade-Robed Man’s Myriad Phenomena Bag and transferred them into the Escaping Immortal Shuttle.
• Jiang Qinghe discovered the Indestructible King Kong Shield jade slip and learned that it was a Heaven Tier Low-grade Martial Skill.
• Jiang Qinghe studied the skill’s defensive realms and its counterattack technique, King Kong's Wrathful Visage, and reflected on how the Brocade-Robed Man had used it.
• Jiang Qinghe recognized that his Earthen Intent Artistic Conception and strong foundation suited him to cultivate the Indestructible King Kong Shield.
• Jiang Qinghe found the Earth-grade High-rank Mountain Collapse Seal, Flowing Clouds Crossing Moon, and Flying Lightning Chasing Light, but set them aside for later.

Jiang Qinghe searched the defeated men’s belongings and uncovered the Prefecture City's plan to silence investigators and target a Wind Thunder Sect disciple. He returned toward Donghua City knowing the Supervision Department was trapped in a dangerous conspiracy, with the disciple due to arrive the next day.

• Jiang Qinghe examined the Brocade-Robed Man’s treasures and recognized that the man had possessed powerful hidden weapons and other trump cards.
• Jiang Qinghe read the animal-hide pages and learned that the Prefecture City planned to eliminate investigators and had detailed intelligence about Wang Mang and a possible plot against him.
• Jiang Qinghe realized the evidence could not directly implicate the Deputy Garrison Master and stored the letters and pages in the Escaping Immortal Shuttle.
• Jiang Qinghe searched the four Black-Robed Men’s bags, kept their useful supplies, and saved their martial arts techniques for later.
• Jiang Qinghe reached Donghua City and headed for the inn, aware that the silencing plan was ongoing and the Supervision Department was caught in its danger.