Chapter Summaries

Chen Ping'an inspected the hidden hall after the Heavenly Luo Saintess left and reflected on their shared Illusory Dream, the Dream Illusion Pearl, and the trust between them. He then studied the depleted spirit spring and considered how to investigate the Purple Eye Demon Lord while protecting his safety.

• Chen Ping'an retrieved and inspected his Azure Flame Four Directions Command Flags, then found the hall's stone platforms empty because the Heavenly Luo Saintess had already taken the treasures.
• Chen Ping'an questioned the Heavenly Luo Saintess's account of the Mystic Jade Stele and reflected on the dream lives they had shared, resolving to follow his True Heart.
• Chen Ping'an examined the Dream Illusion Pearl and decided to seek information about the Purple Eye Demon Lord, weighing the risks of using Town Pacification Office channels, raising his public standing, or trading for intelligence.
• Chen Ping'an reached the spirit spring and found its water nearly depleted, suspecting that it had powered the secret land's Spirituality Restriction for centuries.

Chen Ping'an joined Constables Huang and Liu to kill Tiger Lord, then helped Constable Li and the others defeat Green Lord. With both Tiger Head Gang leaders dead, the exhausted constables celebrated their shared victory and praised Chen Ping'an’s contribution.

• Chen Ping'an fought his way into the Tiger Head Gang Headquarters as Constable Huang and Constable Liu battled Tiger Lord, while Constable Li fought Green Lord.
• Chen Ping'an arrived and slashed Tiger Lord across the back, creating an opening for Constables Huang and Liu to attack.
• Chen Ping'an and the two constables overwhelmed Tiger Lord and killed him.
• Chen Ping'an and the others went to help Constable Li, and they killed Green Lord after a brief struggle.
• Constable Li praised Chen Ping'an’s merit, and Chen Ping'an insisted the victory belonged to everyone.

After reaching Qi Blood First Level Perfection and Iron Cloth Minor Accomplishment, Chen Ping'an tested his new strength and toughened skin. He set out for the Black Market to sell a hand-copied Iron Cloth manual and raise the silver needed to repay Little Tiger Lord, leaving Chen Er'ya waiting at home.

• Chen Ping'an lifted a water vat weighing at least three hundred jin, astonishing Chen Er'ya with his strength.
• Chen Ping'an tested his Iron Cloth defense and confirmed his skin had become as tough as thin cowhide.
• Chen Ping'an decided to sell his hand-copied Iron Cloth in the Black Market to raise the fourteen taels Little Tiger Lord demanded within ten days.
• Chen Ping'an reassured Chen Er'ya, changed into dark clothes, took a Firewood Chopping Knife and the manual, and left for the Black Market.

Mu Wanjun investigated Chen Ping'an’s sudden martial progress, tested his realm and saber skills, then offered him a choice of three rewards for saving her. Chen Ping'an examined the Constable Head Token, a valuable South City residence deed, and a merit-vault reward list before deciding what to choose.

• Mu Wanjun revealed that she had investigated Chen Ping'an and confirmed his displayed Qi Blood Second Level by examining him.
• Chen Ping'an demonstrated the Public Gate Thirteen Blades, impressing Mu Wanjun with his rapid progress and earning an experience increase.
• Mu Wanjun offered Chen Ping'an one of three gifts in return for saving her from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, and he accepted her offer of cultivation and support.
• Chen Ping'an examined a Constable Head Token, a deed to a South City residence, and a list of items from the Merit Treasure Vault before making his choice.

After breaking through to the extreme of the Great Grandmaster realm, Chen Ping'an continued building his foundation instead of advancing to Celestial, refining the Evil Extremity Pupil and making progress in his other cultivation. He left seclusion after more than a month, as the Northern Border Pacification Bureau approved phased resources for him and began reconsidering his appointment.

• News spread across several provinces that Chen Ping'an had become a Martial Dao Great Grandmaster before the age of twenty-seven.
• Chen Ping'an completed the Third Stage of Breakthrough and mastered the Wind Riding secret technique, but chose to accumulate further before attempting the Celestial realm.
• Chen Ping'an spent more than half a month in seclusion cultivating, refining treasures, and advancing the Azure Sun Blood Refinement Method and Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist.
• Chen Ping'an fully refined the Evil Extremity Pupil, gaining the destructive Destruction Beam and the illusion-piercing Eye of True Sight.
• Chen Ping'an left seclusion after more than a month, and the Northern Border Pacification Bureau approved phased resource support while beginning to reconsider his appointment as Deputy Division Head.

Chen Ping'an comprehended the Five Poison Earthly Fiend Palm and began cultivating it, but a Lotus Mist Man attacked Lan Yingjun while her mother was in seclusion. As the Lotus Mist Man overwhelmed Lan Yingjun, Chen Ping'an intervened with a blazing Saber Light.

• Chen Ping'an used Lan Yingjun's inherited artistic conception to comprehend the Five Poison Earthly Fiend Palm and identified a gap between its grand framework and its actual power.
• The Lotus Mist Man spotted Lan Yingjun and attacked her, hoping to claim the Yin Essence of the young Great Grandmaster.
• Lan Yingjun fought back with the Yin Wind Poison Palm, poison weapons, and her sharp perception, but she discovered the Lotus Mist Man was a Pseudo Celestial and struggled to protect her mother and the nearby houses.
• The Lotus Mist Man brought out his Lotus Cloth and Pink Baleful Intent, steadily suppressing Lan Yingjun and knocking her to the ground.
• As the Lotus Mist Man closed in to bind Lan Yingjun, Chen Ping'an struck from above with a dazzling Saber Light that swallowed the attacker.

Chen Ping'an revisited Pear Blossom Lane and the South Spring and South City offices, where old friends and officials greeted him with awe. After visiting Zeng Jihe in prison, he met Deputy Commander Yan Wu, who welcomed him and invited him to drink as the Dragon Peace Trade Route prepared to open.

• Chen Ping'an walked through Pear Blossom Lane with Chen Er'ya, then headed to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office to find his old friends.
• Tian Fulang and the constable chiefs welcomed Chen Ping'an deferentially, and he reunited with Monkey Head, Da Shan, and Qin Head before leaving.
• Chen Ping'an visited the South City Pacification Office but learned Mu Wanjun was absent, then went to South City Prison and encouraged Zeng Jihe.
• Chen Ping'an toured the prison with Chen Er'ya and departed after a prisoner was injured for reaching toward him.
• Yan Wu, newly appointed Deputy Commander of the Outer Town Pacification Office, welcomed Chen Ping'an and invited him to share wine.

Chen Ping'an visited Gu Qingchan at the Gu Family Residence, discussed Snow Spirit Tea and sold her a large cache of supplies while arranging for a Top Divine Weapon. After receiving Gu Qingchan’s encouragement and promise of a reward if he reached Qu Feiyan’s level, he left for the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office.

• Chen Ping'an arrived at the Gu Family Residence and greeted Gu Qingchan, suppressing the distracting thoughts stirred by their spiritual fusion.
• Gu Qingchan outlined four ways the Gu Family could seek Snow Spirit Tea and told Chen Ping'an about trading opportunities in Mystic Spirit Major City and at the Azure Dragon Grand Ceremony.
• Chen Ping'an sold Gu Qingchan his openly acquired supplies for more than thirty thousand Origin Crystals, with half paid immediately, and discussed commissioning a Top Divine Weapon.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed the latest Hidden Dragon Rankings and noticed that Qu Feiyan had risen to eighth place while Yin Shangjin had fallen to tenth.
• Gu Qingchan praised the mysterious expert who had intervened at Long'an and urged Chen Ping'an to strive toward Qu Feiyan’s level, promising him an item or one request if he did.
• Chen Ping'an left the Gu Family Residence by carriage, thinking about cultivation as he headed for the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office.

A depleted black-haired man followed the scent of a precious herb into a valley, while Black Rock Old Freak rushed to Stream Spring Valley after its Resonance Stone shattered. At the cliff, the Lotus Robe Man’s ambush was overturned when the falling Great Grandmaster revealed his strength and unleashed an Annihilation Light Beam, beginning a battle between Celestials.

• The black-haired man, nearly out of True Essence, detected a precious herb’s fragrance and descended toward a valley.
• Black Rock Old Freak sensed that something had happened in Stream Spring Valley and flew there, while Cao Penghai learned that the linked Resonance Stone had shattered and mobilized the sect.
• The Lotus Robe Man prepared to leave with the Dark Robe Elder and the Red-Haired Woman after Pink Baleful Intent and Blood Shadow returned.
• The Lotus Robe Man used his Great Dream-Eating Demonic Lotus Technique to drag a passing Martial Dao Great Grandmaster toward the cliff bottom.
• The Great Grandmaster resisted the soul attack, then opened clear eyes and revealed a dreamlike divine light as an Annihilation Light Beam killed the Red-Haired Woman.
• The Lotus Robe Man and the surviving onlookers were engulfed by the beam’s shockwaves as a Celestial battle began.

After sending the Fleshy Man to the dungeon, Chen Ping'an considered how to manage the growing number of experts in Five Peaks Mountain City while eating at a street shop. When a wounded fugitive took him hostage during a fight with the Town Pacification Office, the chapter ended with the fugitive tightening his grip on Chen Ping'an’s throat.

• Chen Ping'an sent Xiao Song and the others to escort the crippled Fleshy Man to the dungeon, then went to find lunch.
• While eating braised meat rice, Chen Ping'an thought about the arriving Profound Light Realm experts and the need to reveal enough strength to keep the city under control.
• A fight between Inner Qi experts burst into the shop, and the Scarface Old Man was blasted outside by his pursuers.
• The Scarface Old Man grabbed Chen Ping'an as a hostage and warned Deputy Commander Zhong Shanyong and the other Town Pacification Office officers not to approach.
• When the officers showed little concern, the Scarface Old Man grew suspicious and tightened his hand around Chen Ping'an’s throat.

Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingchan were cornered by Sha Sha Old Monster, White Bone Young Master, Ge Yuntao, and Yu Wenqiao at the Nameless Nether Pool. As Chen Ping'an prepared to unleash his full strength, a powerful figure called the Evil Lord appeared, leaving the confrontation poised to escalate.

• Gu Qingchan recognized Sha Sha Old Monster among the enemies, and Chen Ping'an carried her on his back as they prepared to fight together.
• Sha Sha Old Monster attacked Chen Ping'an, joined by White Bone Young Master, Ge Yuntao, and Yu Wenqiao, while Withered Vine Old Man watched.
• Chen Ping'an exchanged attacks with all four assailants at once and revealed battle prowess that touched the Storm Cloud Great Grandmaster level, astonishing the gathered fighters.
• Chen Ping'an decided to stop holding back and planned to kill his enemies before they could expose his hidden strength and identity.
• A powerful Pseudo Celestial appeared above the pool as the Evil Lord, and the gathered Great Grandmasters bowed to him.

Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingchan were ambushed at the Nether Pool by Ge Yuntao and Yu Wenqiao, but Chen Ping'an revealed his Great Grandmaster cultivation and perfected Tyrant Saber, driving both back. More enemies emerged from the pool, including the White Bone Young Master, a powerful elder, and Sha Sha Old Monster, leaving Chen Ping'an and the injured Gu Qingchan surrounded.

• Ge Yuntao attacked Chen Ping'an with his Golden Light Spear, but Chen Ping'an dodged the strike as Gu Qingchan recognized the ambusher.
• Yu Wenqiao appeared and joined Ge Yuntao, while Gu Qingchan warned Chen Ping'an that the two Peak Great Grandmasters intended to kill them.
• Chen Ping'an revealed his Great Grandmaster cultivation and Overlord's Domain, striking Ge Yuntao into the Nether Pool and forcing Yu Wenqiao back with another saber blow.
• The White Bone Young Master and a powerful white-haired elder emerged from the Nether Pool, and the elder suppressed Gu Qingchan with his Martial Will.
• Chen Ping'an supported the weakened Gu Qingchan as Sha Sha Old Monster appeared and taunted them about their relationship.

Chen Ping'an arrived at the Hundred Flowers Banquet, where Xue Zirou arranged for Cloud Dream Fairy to attend him. When Chen Ping'an challenged Xue Zirou to serve him wine herself, Xue Guangyu attacked and was sent flying into the water with a single palm strike.

• Chen Ping'an flew to the Mist and Rain Painted Boat, where Xue Zirou and Xue Guangyu welcomed him as Reckless Saber and Northern Cang's Deputy Garrison Commander.
• Xue Zirou invited Chen Ping'an to judge the Hundred Flowers Competition, and he met the courtesans performing for the guests.
• Cloud Dream Fairy performed, then entered Chen Ping'an's private room and served him wine while he held her close.
• Xue Zirou offered Chen Ping'an a toast, and he said she should personally serve him the wine to show her sincerity.
• Xue Guangyu erupted in anger and attacked Chen Ping'an, who sent him crashing through the boat's wooden wall and into the water with one hand.

Chen Ping'an killed Blood Demon Venerable with a single punch while carrying the unconscious Gu Qingchan, then took her to a secluded valley to recover. Gu Qingchan awoke with her poison suppressed but her leg wounded, and began treating herself while Chen Ping'an turned away.

• Chen Ping'an unleashed Startling Thunder Break and killed Blood Demon Venerable, who realized that Chen Ping'an was also the old black-robed monster and likely the Seven Kill Fist Demon.
• Chen Ping'an collected Blood Demon Venerable's Thousand Mechanisms Pouch and a dark diamond-shaped block, then carried Gu Qingchan to a secluded valley.
• Chen Ping'an discovered that Gu Qingchan's True Essence was autonomously suppressing the Mysterious Wood Poison and stabilizing her injuries.
• Gu Qingchan awoke, learned they were still in the Mystic Spirit Mountain Range, and agreed to rest briefly before leaving because her injured leg made travel difficult.
• Gu Qingchan declined Chen Ping'an's offer to help, asked him to turn around, and began treating the wound on her leg.

Chen Ping'an used an Azure Thunder Light Pearl and his saber to force Blood Nightmare Luo and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master to negotiate, then joined them in exploring a secret realm beneath the secluded pool. The group broke through a guarded stone gate, and blue-gray lights shot out as it opened.

• Chen Ping'an threatened Blood Nightmare Luo and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master with his Azure Thunder Light Pearl and broke the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master's attack with a saber strike.
• Chen Ping'an proposed that the group explore the secret realm together, and Blood Nightmare Luo and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master agreed.
• Chen Ping'an entered the hidden cave dwelling with Gu Qingchan on his back, and the group moved through its empty chambers toward a blue-gray stone gate.
• The Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master, Blood Nightmare Luo, the Skeleton Elder, and the others combined their abilities to break the gate's Spirituality Pill formation, while Chen Ping'an stayed alert.
• The blue-gray stone gate opened, and several streaks of blue-gray light shot out toward the group.

Chen Ping'an took office in Xuanling and let Shen Huiqing handle routine affairs while he assessed the factions and wrote letters to Gu Qingcheng, the Gu Family, his younger sister, Zhang Tianyuan, and Gu Qingchan. At the Garrison Deliberation Council, his residence application passed but his council seat was delayed, and Cao Penghai’s proposal targeting the Gu Family shifted Xuanling’s political situation.

• Lan Taiwen and Mystic Spirit Province officials discussed Chen Ping'an’s appointment, while Tie Cangshan directed them to grant him a residence and defer his council seat.
• Other factions agreed to delay the council-seat decision and hoped Chen Ping'an and Shen Huiqing would clash over control of the Azure Dragon Garrison.
• Chen Ping'an moved into his office, delegated routine decisions to Shen Huiqing, and had her grind ink as he wrote letters to his contacts and family.
• Lin Qing'e saw Shen Huiqing standing close beside Chen Ping'an and suspected that the two had become romantically involved.
• Three days later, the Garrison Deliberation Council approved Chen Ping'an’s Mystic Spirit Mountain residence but postponed his council seat because representatives were absent.
• Cao Penghai submitted a proposal reviewing commercial circulation qualifications and mineral regulations, which many factions supported and used to target the Gu Family.

Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingchan blocked Blood Nightmare Luo’s opening attack, but his Blood Moon Sickle and the arrival of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master left them surrounded by powerful enemies. The two leaders agreed that Chen Ping'an would die and Gu Qingchan would be spared, just before Chen calmly challenged their right to decide his fate.

• Blood Nightmare Luo appeared and attacked Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingchan, who joined forces to repel his strike.
• Blood Nightmare Luo drew the Blood Moon Sickle, and Gu Qingchan identified him as the Evil Extremity Path Master, still likely injured from his earlier battle.
• The Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master arrived and insisted that Gu Qingchan be kept alive, while Blood Nightmare Luo agreed that Chen Ping'an would die.
• Ge Yuntao, Yu Wenqiao, White Bone Young Master, Withered Vine Old Man, and Sha Sha Old Monster surrounded Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingchan and prepared to attack.
• As Blood Nightmare Luo raised the Blood Moon Sickle, Chen Ping'an calmly asked whether they should first hear his opinion before deciding his life and death.

After Ge Yuntao died to the stone door’s hidden attack, Chen Ping'an and the others entered the hall and discovered rare breakthrough treasures, including Yin Yang Dew. As the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master and Blood Nightmare Luo prepared to eliminate the others and claim the treasures, Chen Ping'an revealed an immense aura and challenged their decision to target him.

• The stone door opened, and a burst of blue-gray light killed Ge Yuntao; the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master ordered Sha Sha Old Monster to test the chambers.
• Sha Sha Old Monster entered the grand hall and searched its stone rooms, while Blood Nightmare Luo, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master, and the others followed; Chen Ping'an carried the injured Gu Qingchan inside.
• Chen Ping'an searched a chamber filled with old books, then emerged when pillars rose in the hall and revealed a Shangqing Pill, Soul Condensing Jade Liquid, and Yin Yang Dew.
• The pillars unleashed violent airwaves that injured Gu Qingchan and left the other Great Grandmasters unable to fight, while Blood Nightmare Luo, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master, and the Skeleton Elder remained ready to seize the treasures.
• Blood Nightmare Luo and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master agreed to eliminate the others, and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master singled out Chen Ping'an as his target.
• Chen Ping'an challenged the three powerful enemies and released an aura that surpassed the limit of a Martial Dao Great Grandmaster.

Chen Ping'an unleashed his full power in the hidden cave abode, overwhelmed the Pseudo Celestial Skeleton Elder, and killed him with one punch. The Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master attacked in fury, and Chen Ping'an answered with the sect’s own Ten Thousand Demons Great Hand Palm.

• Chen Ping'an raised his aura beyond ordinary Pseudo Celestial strength and sealed the stone hall with the Azure Flame Four Directions Command Flags while carrying the unconscious Gu Qingchan.
• Blood Nightmare Luo and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master fought over the central stone pillar, and the Sect Master used the Blood Devouring Demonic Jar against him.
• Chen Ping'an evaded the Sect Master's giant palm, then stunned the Skeleton Elder with the Seven Absolutes Bewitching Heart Art and crushed him with Fatal One-Punch and the Dark Iron Ingot.
• The Skeleton Elder died, and Chen Ping'an collected his belongings as Sha Sha Old Monster, White Bone Young Master, Withered Vine Old Man, and Yu Wenqiao watched in shock.
• The Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master roared at Chen Ping'an for killing a sect disciple and struck with the Ten Thousand Demons Great Hand Palm.
• Chen Ping'an said he could use the same technique and formed his own Ten Thousand Demons Great Hand Palm.

Lan Yingjun sought to challenge Chen Ping'an at Elegant Tower, but he claimed he was injured and declined to fight. After they left, Lan Yingjun realized he had lied and dismissed his refusal as contemptible, while Lan Yingying agreed to help her find other prodigies to challenge.

• Lan Yingjun recognized Chen Ping'an and announced that she had come to challenge him, while Chen Ping'an cautiously assessed her concealed strength.
• Chen Ping'an admitted defeat without fighting, then claimed an injury when Lan Yingjun pressed him to accept her challenge.
• Lan Yingjun accepted his refusal and left Elegant Tower with Lan Yingying, as the people there began spreading news of the encounter.
• Chen Ping'an departed with Yuan Zutong and privately judged Lan Yingying to be far stronger than Cao Yingxiong.
• Lan Yingjun told Lan Yingying that Chen Ping'an had lied about being injured, and Lan Yingying explained that he might have been protecting his reputation and prospects.
• Lan Yingjun called Chen Ping'an grovelling and contemptible, then asked Lan Yingying to find other prodigies for her to challenge.