Chapter Summaries

Chen Ping'an killed the Evil Extremity Twin Fiends, concealed the evidence, and continued his journey while considering his growing strength and the threat posed by Celestials and the Heavenly Luo Saintess. Five days later, he reached a great city and heard news about the Gu Family that also concerned him.

• Chen Ping'an defeated the Evil Extremity Twin Fiends with ease, took their heads, and collected their wealth.
• Chen Ping'an cleaned up the battlefield and judged that his strength had risen into the top twenty of the Wind and Cloud Grandmaster Rankings.
• Chen Ping'an suspected the Twin Fiends' ambush might have involved other forces and left Leiming with Xiong Sanrang and his escorts.
• During the journey, Chen Ping'an considered the Purple Eye Demon Lord, the Dream Illusion Pearl, and the Heavenly Luo Saintess's possible rise to Celestial strength.
• Five days later, Chen Ping'an reached a great city and heard news about the Gu Family that affected him.

Chen Ping'an ordered the Northern Cang Town Pacification Office to surround the Blood Saber Sect, escalating a dispute over patrol rewards into a confrontation with the region’s factions. As Xiong Sanrang and Guan Dongxiang faced Di Pokong, the Shadowless Saber Sect arrived, leaving a larger clash on the verge of breaking out.

• Chen Ping'an decided to use the dispute over patrol rewards to establish his authority and ordered Xiong Sanrang to lead troops against the Blood Saber Sect.
• Zhu Jiuhuan, Gu Hongxiu, Xue Kunsheng, and Yu Jinjue reacted to Chen Ping'an's move, while Northern Cang's factions weighed whether to intervene.
• Xiong Sanrang surrounded the Blood Saber Sect's base and demanded that Di Pokong come to the Town Pacification Office for questioning.
• Di Pokong drew his blood saber and halted the Town Pacification Office's elites, but Guan Dongxiang appeared and broke through his aura.
• The Shadowless Saber Sect announced its arrival as the two sides stood on the brink of battle.

Chen Ping'an fought Wei Yiqi in a battle to the death, revealing his mastery of the Supreme Divine Skill Tyrant Saber and breaking through to the Jade Balance Grandmaster Realm during the fight. He killed Wei Yiqi with a decisive saber strike, leaving the spectators stunned.

• Chen Ping'an challenged Wei Yiqi to a battle to the death, and Ning Zhengyue granted permission without intervening.
• Wei Yiqi attacked Chen Ping'an with his bloody gale and Soul Devouring Sound Wave, but Chen Ping'an revealed his introductory-level Tyrant Saber and escaped the killing formation.
• Wei Yiqi pressed his advantage with Blood Bat Flying Wings and Mist Shadow Bat Trace, then struck Chen Ping'an with Blood Devour.
• Chen Ping'an calmly endured Wei Yiqi's Blood Devour and broke through from the Profound Light Realm to the Jade Balance Grandmaster Realm.
• Chen Ping'an used a True Essence-powered Tyrant Saber strike to tear through Wei Yiqi's bat-wing defenses and kill him.

Chen Ping'an explored White Stone City with Chen Er'ya and Peony while assessing the city's rival powers and the strength of its Town Pacification Office. He concluded that he could dominate the city if he revealed his power, but resolved to stay cautious and grow stronger before stopping at a roadside food stall.

• Chen Ping'an let Chen Er'ya and Peony buy sugar-coated haws as they explored the streets of White Stone City.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed the strength and rivalries of the Three Great Families, the Four Great Gangs, and the Chamber of Commerce Alliance.
• Chen Ping'an considered how the White Stone Town Pacification Office compared with the city's major forces and noted that its Heavenly Rain Descends Crown Commander served as its banner.
• Chen Ping'an decided he could rule White Stone City if he revealed his strength, but warned himself to beware of hidden experts and break through soon.
• Chen Ping'an spotted a street stall and invited Chen Er'ya and Peony to eat there and revisit his memories as a street-patrol constable.

After killing Zuo Wumei, Chen Ping'an returned to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office and reported to Tian Fulang, who praised him and wondered about his future assignment. Chen Ping'an assessed the rewards he had gained and prepared to cultivate two superior techniques found on Zuo Wumei.

• Chen Ping'an reported the details of Zuo Wumei's death to Tian Fulang and concealed some particulars of their fight.
• Tian Fulang learned that Chen Ping'an had reached Qi Blood Fifth Level and realized he might soon surpass him with a promotion to Constable Director.
• Constable Li, Constable Huang, Monkey Head, Da Shan, Little Zeng, and others visited Chen Ping'an to congratulate him for killing Zuo Wumei.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed his gains, including prestige, a likely promotion, the Fang Family's favor, more than three thousand taels of silver, and two cultivation methods.
• Chen Ping'an examined the Swift Wind Saber Technique and Eight Steps Catching Cicadas on his Golden Finger Panel, which showed his realm at Qi Blood Sixth Level Perfection.

Rumors about Gu Qingchan and the Black Robe Old Monster spread across Azure Dragon Province City, prompting Feng Wuhen to punish officials who discussed them. Chen Ping'an visited the Gu Family, met its Elders, and was offered a choice between two Cultivation Technique Inheritances as part of Qingcheng's dowry.

• Gossip about Gu Qingchan and the Black Robe Old Monster spread through Azure Dragon Province City and drew public attention.
• Feng Wuhen caught deputy officers discussing the rumors, withheld a year's salary, and confined them for ten days.
• Chen Ping'an accepted Gu Qingchan's invitation and returned to the Azure Dragon Gu Family, where she refused to discuss the Night Owl matter again.
• Gu Qingchan led Chen Ping'an to meet six members of the Gu Family's Elder Hall, who assessed him and praised him as Qingcheng's future husband.
• Gu Qingchan presented Chen Ping'an with two Cultivation Technique Inheritances and invited him to choose one as part of Qingcheng's dowry.

Guan Yuping encountered Zhao Zhitin and Chu Long pursuing a Heavenly Luo Sect thief on Five Peaks Mountain, then realized Chen Ping'an’s mission was likely tied to their operation. The chapter ended with Chen Ping'an appearing beside Guan Yuping and asking whether he had been talking about him.

• Guan Yuping and Wan Yuanze searched Five Peaks Mountain for Chen Ping'an and came across three Profound Light Realm experts racing through the forest.
• Guan Yuping recognized Zhao Zhitin and Chu Long and attacked the fleeing Heavenly Luo Sect thief, Xing Rongzi.
• Xing Rongzi struck Guan Yuping back into a tree and escaped while Zhao Zhitin and Chu Long continued their pursuit.
• Guan Yuping connected Chen Ping'an’s mission to the Universe Control Division’s operation against the Heavenly Luo Sect and grew furious that he had been left out.
• Wan Yuanze spotted Chen Ping'an standing beside a tree, and Chen Ping'an asked Guan Yuping if he had been talking about him.

Chen Ping'an arranged for Guan Dongxiang to recruit his personal guards, discovered that a Great Grandmaster had strengthened Li Xiangjun’s Spirituality Restriction, and agreed to support Wang Lingzhi’s campaign against an Evil Extremity Path branch altar. The successful campaign brought Wang Lingzhi acclaim, while Chen Ping'an left for Dragon Peace Stronghold to attend Flame Saber’s birthday.

• Chen Ping'an tasked Guan Dongxiang with recruiting and training up to twenty personal guards, including at least three Profound Light Realm fighters.
• Shui Furong visited Chen Ping'an and treated him with deep respect after his marriage alliance with the Gu Family.
• Chen Ping'an detected a newly reinforced Spirituality Restriction on Li Xiangjun and inferred that a Great Grandmaster had been active in Northern Cang.
• Wang Lingzhi requested troops to attack an Evil Extremity Path stronghold, and Chen Ping'an agreed before ordering the Three Major Offices to support the operation and report anything unusual.
• Wang Lingzhi's forces and the North Azure Town Pacification Office destroyed the branch altar, killing several elders, a Pseudo-Grandmaster, and numerous other fighters; Wang received widespread praise and submitted a request for merit.
• Chen Ping'an continued cultivating and departed for Dragon Peace Stronghold with elite guards as Flame Saber’s birthday approached.

Chen Ping'an arrived in the valley and joined Lan Yingjun against the Lotus Mist Man, who wielded a Pink Fiend Lotus Cloth and claimed to show them Celestial Might. Chen Ping'an vanished from the Lotus Mist Man’s senses and struck him down, leaving Lan Yingjun stunned as the battlefield fell silent.

• Chen Ping'an arrived and freed Lan Yingjun from her restraints after she had fought the Lotus Mist Man.
• Lan Yingjun warned Chen Ping'an about the Lotus Mist Man’s Pink Fiend power and Pseudo Treasure, then prepared to charge a secret item while Chen Ping'an covered her.
• The Lotus Mist Man attacked with lotus mist, needles, threads, and his lotus cloth, but Chen Ping'an resisted his assassination attempt and sent him flying with a saber strike.
• The Lotus Mist Man swallowed a secret lotus-seed pill, amplified his power, and declared that he would show them Celestial Might.
• The Lotus Mist Man tried to ambush Chen Ping'an, but Chen Ping'an disappeared from his sight and Soul Power senses before reappearing beside him.
• Chen Ping'an struck the Lotus Mist Man, who exploded into mist and vanished, leaving Lan Yingjun shocked as silence settled over the valley.

Chen Ping'an comprehended the first realm of Turbulent Phoenix Dance, a True Scroll of Divine Skill, and condensed his Ninth Spirit Pattern. After realizing that future stages required a single instance of dual cultivation to activate, he pondered the technique’s methods and the Purple Eye Demon Lord’s mysterious history.

• Chen Ping'an used the Golden Finger Panel to comprehend the inheritance intent of Turbulent Phoenix Dance and cultivate its first realm, Yin-Yang Initiation, Phoenixes Bearing a Pearl.
• The technique’s power condensed Chen Ping'an’s Ninth Spirit Pattern, loosened the First Breakthrough Gate, and greatly purified and strengthened his spirituality, True Essence, and foundation.
• Chen Ping'an judged that his new strength could let him suppress the Heavenly Luo Saintess within a hundred moves, while recognizing that she might grow stronger after using her treasures.
• Chen Ping'an realized that the Golden Finger Panel could cultivate later stages for him, but each new stage first required one instance of dual cultivation to activate it.
• Chen Ping'an considered the technique’s three approaches to dual cultivation and wondered what relationship the Purple Eye Demon Lord had shared with the rumored Celestial Queen.
• Chen Ping'an summoned the Variegated Treasure Orb before him.

Chen Ping'an secretly met Madam Biluo and traded part of his Yin Yang Dew for valuable resources, a soul secret technique, and three promises. After studying the technique, he learned that Mystic Spirit Major City was preparing a major auction with a finale lot expected to attract Celestials.

• Madam Biluo worried that the Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce had secretly established trade routes through Flame Blaze Province while the succession war placed pressure on His Highness Dong Qing.
• Chen Ping'an, disguised as a mysterious Celestial, appeared in Madam Biluo's residence and offered her an opportunity to continue her Dao path in exchange for a transaction.
• Madam Biluo traded two rare auxiliary medicines, three high-grade ores, two bottles of God Soothing Pills, the Butterfly Dream Bewildering Spirit Method, and three Dao-heart promises for one-third of Chen Ping'an's Yin Yang Dew.
• Madam Biluo received the Yin Yang Dew and resolved to prepare for cultivation, while wondering about Chen Ping'an's identity and motives.
• Chen Ping'an returned to his residence and studied the Butterfly Dream Bewildering Spirit Method.
• The Garrison Deliberation Council approved preparations for a top-tier auction in Mystic Spirit Major City, whose finale lot was expected to draw Celestials.

Chen Ping'an traveled toward Azure Dragon Province City while learning that Gu Qingcheng had broken through to the Jade Balance Grandmaster Realm and reflecting on his cultivation and growing arsenal. As he arrived, the city’s discussion of Gu Qingcheng and Chen Ping'an spiraled into a bitter saber-versus-sword dispute.

• Xiong Sanrang gave Chen Ping'an a report revealing that Gu Qingcheng had become a Jade Balance Grandmaster, and Chen Ping'an recalled her recent letter about gaining insight.
• Chen Ping'an continued cultivating during the journey and refined the Divine Weapons he had obtained from the Evil Extremity Twin Fiends, considering how they could work together.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed his Golden Finger Panel and resolved to keep strengthening his martial arts and refining his own cultivation system.
• Residents of Azure Dragon Province City argued over whether Gu Qingcheng could surpass Chen Ping'an, and their debate shifted into a fierce feud between saber and sword supporters.
• After days of escalating rumors and confrontations, Chen Ping'an arrived in Azure Dragon Province City by carriage.

Chen Ping'an received nearly a hundred Snow Spirit Leaves and a valuable Gu Family treasure, while the elders praised his strength and sought to deepen their ties with him. Meanwhile, Liang Xiaoxian, Earth Splitting Old Man, and Raging Wave Guest entered Azure Dragon Province City quietly, intending to approach Chen Ping'an with their faction’s interests in mind.

• Chen Ping'an finished preliminarily refining the Bone Claw Gauntlet and continued cultivating until he learned that Gu Yingjia had come to see him.
• Gu Yingjia told Chen Ping'an that Old Xuan had returned, then accompanied him to the Gu Family, where he met the elders and received nearly a hundred Snow Spirit Leaves from Old Xuan.
• Old Xuan praised Chen Ping'an's battle record and hinted that the Gu Family wished to give him another treasure to support his path.
• Chen Ping'an shared spirit wine with the Gu Family elders, received a valuable protective treasure, and left the Gu Family.
• Liang Xiaoxian, Earth Splitting Old Man, and Raging Wave Guest entered Azure Dragon Province City discreetly, and Liang Xiaoxian considered how to persuade Chen Ping'an while warning herself not to return empty-handed.

Chen Ping'an met Old Jian of the Azure Mist Sect to discuss commissioning a custom Divine Weapon, revealing that he wanted a concealed spiritual-defense weapon stationed on his Spirit Platform. Old Jian said that such a weapon required Top Divine Weapon rank, and Chen Ping'an left the meeting without revealing whether the request could be fulfilled.

• Chen Ping'an visited Gu Rencheng, who confirmed that the Azure Mist Sect’s Sword Supreme Elder was a reliable forging grandmaster and warned him not to mention Gu Rencheng by name.
• Du Moyuan brought Chen Ping'an to the Azure Mist Sect Residence to meet Old Jian, where they encountered Deputy Garrison Commander Jing Xingyan leaving the garden.
• Old Jian praised Chen Ping'an’s accomplishments and began discussing his custom Divine Weapon requirements.
• Chen Ping'an explained that he wanted a concealed spiritual-defense Divine Weapon that could remain within his Spirit Platform and be used without exposing his Alternate Identity.
• Old Jian told Chen Ping'an that a Divine Weapon hidden within the Spirit Platform had to be a Top Divine Weapon, and Chen Ping'an asked Du Moyuan to speak outside.

Chen Ping'an attended a council on the pursuit of Evil Extremity Path remnants but initially stayed out of the campaign while refining the Black Mystic Iron Mask. After his merit award fell short of what he needed, he decided to join the hunt for a Veteran Grandmaster, and, having completed the mask’s initial refinement, prepared to act that night.

• Wu Benqing led a council that organized defenses and interception efforts against Evil Extremity Path remnants fleeing toward the Thunderclap Mountain Range, and Chen Ping'an approved the plan without getting involved.
• After the council, Wu Benqing warned a hidden associate that the smuggling trade must not disrupt the campaign, while Gu Loping wrote to his family seeking information and merit.
• The Thunderclap Town Pacification Office strengthened patrols and defenses as its elites began killing fleeing remnants, while Chen Ping'an spent his time cultivating and refining weapons.
• Chen Ping'an received his verified merit but found it insufficient to exchange for the Grand Void Wind Riding Step, so he resolved to join the campaign and kill a Veteran Grandmaster.
• Chen Ping'an completed the Black Mystic Iron Mask’s initial refinement and used it to imitate Seven Absolute Old Man’s appearance, temperament, and aura.
• After testing the mask’s capabilities, Chen Ping'an left his quiet room at night, ready to put his next plan into action.

Chen Ping'an comprehended the Grand Void Wind Riding Step and weighed how to kill Li Wusheng despite a Pseudo Celestial guarding the Province Town Pacification Office. Li Wusheng learned of Chen Ping'an's new technique and reaffirmed his plan to kill him and use him to break through to the Celestial Realm.

• Li Wusheng learned that Chen Ping'an had visited the Inner Treasury Pavilion and ordered a subordinate to find out what he had exchanged for.
• Chen Ping'an comprehended the incomplete inheritance of the Grand Void Wind Riding Step, using his Golden Finger Panel to gain 421 points of experience and reach entry level.
• Chen Ping'an assessed his strength and decided to wait for Li Wusheng to leave the Province Town Pacification Office before attacking, unless he had to risk a direct strike before leaving the city.
• Chen Ping'an began cultivating the Grand Void Wind Riding Step to build his strength further.
• Li Wusheng learned what Chen Ping'an had exchanged for, dismissed his choice as a waste of talent, and resolved to kill him as nourishment for his planned breakthrough to the Celestial Realm.

After the gathering, Gu Qingchan recognized Chen Ping'an beneath his black-robed disguise and invited him to a private garden, where she thanked him for saving her at Three Forks Mountain. Her feelings and cultivation path drew her toward him as she reached out to uncover his true appearance.

• Gu Qingchan called after Chen Ping'an as the grandmasters were leaving, and Tong Guan fled while the onlookers watched.
• Chen Ping'an suspected Gu Qingchan had recognized his alternate identity, but accepted her invitation to a higher-standard trading convention.
• In the secluded flower garden, Chen Ping'an called himself Night Owl, and Gu Qingchan confirmed that she knew he was the senior who had saved her.
• Gu Qingchan tried to kneel in gratitude, but Chen Ping'an supported her with netherglow and stopped her salute.
• Gu Qingchan's memories and Mystic Maiden Heart Sutra stirred her feelings, and she reached toward Chen Ping'an to perceive his true face.

Chen Ping'an rescued Ji and Min from Wen, who had lured the injured couple to his cave to use them for cultivation. After killing Wen, Chen Ping'an discovered the Azure Sun Blood Refinement Method among the spoils, which might explain Wen’s unusually tough physique.

• Chen Ping'an watched as Wen rescued Ji and Min from three bandits, while the couple and Wen traveled toward a cave to rest.
• Wen revealed his murderous intent and attacked Ji and Min, admitting he had brought them there to use them for cultivation.
• Chen Ping'an appeared and killed Wen with a sword strike, allowing Ji and Min to escape.
• Chen Ping'an searched Wen’s body and Hundred Treasures Pouch, noticing Wen’s extraordinary physique and finding the Azure Sun Blood Refinement Method.

Chen Ping'an reported Zuo Wumei's death to Mu Wanjun, who discovered his rapid breakthrough to Qi Blood Fifth Level and praised his talent. She arranged for him to become South City Prison's warden, using his merit to secure the post for her faction, and he agreed to follow her decision.

• Chen Ping'an told Mu Wanjun that he had killed Zuo Wumei, and she sensed his Qi Blood Fifth Level realm.
• Chen Ping'an explained that he had perfected a Body Tempering Cultivation Method, and Mu Wanjun praised his talent and offered to support his promotion.
• Mu Wanjun explained that the retired South City Prison warden had left a vacancy Fu Yuanming's faction hoped to claim through its deputy warden.
• Mu Wanjun offered Chen Ping'an the warden position in place of promotion to a Neighborhood Constable Director, and he accepted her arrangement.
• Mu Wanjun told Chen Ping'an to await his Transfer Order as she began working to secure the appointment.

At the North Azure Auction, Xue Kunsheng heard that Chen Ping'an had avoided Lan Yingjun’s challenge and reflected on how few prodigies ultimately reached the highest realms. He then welcomed Lan Yingying and Lan Yingjun, whose concealed cultivation impressed him, and left them to enter the venue.

• Xue Kunsheng asked Liu Gongxi about the young Profound Light Realm figure, and Liu identified him as Chen Ping'an.
• Liu Gongxi told Xue Kunsheng that Chen Ping'an had avoided Lan Yingjun’s challenge at Elegant Tower by claiming he was injured.
• Xue Kunsheng considered the hardships of the Martial Path and the danger surrounding the North Azure Stronghold, including the unsolved killing of Cao Yingxiong.
• Xue Kunsheng welcomed Lan Yingying and Lan Yingjun to the auction and exchanged formal courtesies with them.
• Xue Kunsheng failed to discern Lan Yingjun’s Martial Path Realm through his Profound Light perception and recognized her as a Grandmaster’s disciple with hidden abilities.
• Xue Kunsheng sent Liu Gongxi to escort Lan Yingying and Lan Yingjun into the special passageway.