Chapter Summaries

While recovering from his injuries amid the chaos in North Azure Stronghold, Chen Ping'an killed a masked intruder and later returned to the Secluded Elegant Courtyard after the fighting subsided. He resumed healing and received Yuan Zutong, who apologized for failing to guard him.

• Chen Ping'an inspected the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor and Silver Bell, then tended to his severe injuries as unrest continued throughout the stronghold.
• A masked Profound Light Middle Stage intruder broke into Chen Ping'an's room, but Chen Ping'an defeated him with his saber and Fire Blade, took his gauntlets, and claimed his head as merit.
• After the North Azure Town Pacification Office and various factions quelled the chaos, Chen Ping'an carried the intruder's head through the devastated streets and showed his Town Pacification Office token to a patrol.
• Chen Ping'an returned to the Secluded Elegant Courtyard and began healing again after confirming his small courtyard was secure.
• Yuan Zutong arrived and knelt to apologize for failing in his duty as Chen Ping'an's guard; Chen Ping'an told him to rise and said he had committed no crime by waiting for orders.

Chen Ping'an emerged victorious from his battle with the Heavenly Luo Saintess, then escaped Yin Jiuyou’s pursuit and hid in the Azure Dragon Mountain Range to recover. He left the battle behind, injured but safe for the moment, and regretted not having a Spirituality Pill secret treasure.

• Yin Jiuyou and the other demonic-path fighters struggled against the Great Grandmasters defending Dragon Peace Stronghold as they awaited the Heavenly Luo Saintess’s return.
• Chen Ping'an emerged from the collapsed mountain range, revealing that he had defeated the Heavenly Luo Saintess, and immediately fled rather than remain to fight while injured.
• Yin Jiuyou unleashed a secret technique and pursued Chen Ping'an, but Chen Ping'an struck him with Startling Thunder Break, allowing Jing Xingyan and the others to catch up and restrain him.
• Chen Ping'an escaped into the Azure Dragon Mountain Range and chose a concealed tree branch near the Dragon Peace Trade Route as a place to recover.
• Chen Ping'an sensed the area for threats, withdrew his aura, and began tending to his injuries, lamenting that he lacked a Spirituality Pill secret treasure.

Chen Ping'an consolidated his authority as head of the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison and prepared for the Dragon Peace Trade Route’s trial operation. Before traveling to White Stone City, he planned to visit Chen Er'ya and the Town Pacification Office, while leaving his trusted subordinates to decide whether to stay or return with him.

• Chen Ping'an won the garrison’s elite backbone members to his side and familiarized himself with its affairs ahead of the trade route’s expected trial operation.
• Chen Ping'an returned from Five Peaks Mountain with Xing Rongzi’s sword and Guan Yuping’s Mandarin Duck Twin Blades.
• Chen Ping'an considered bringing Chen Er'ya out of White Stone City and weighed settling her in Five Peaks Mountain City or Wei River County City.
• Chen Ping'an planned to exchange his merit and Gu Wu’s Cold Iron Spear for a suitable saber from the Town Pacification Office Treasury.
• Chen Ping'an told his trusted subordinates they would leave for White Stone City the next day and invited them to choose whether to remain at the garrison or return with him.

Chen Ping'an entered the Furious Thunder Saber Art and assessed how his growing strength balanced against his remaining weaknesses. After Shen Huiqing reported the Horizontal Mountain Sect’s proposal threatening the Gu Family’s mineral interests, Chen Ping'an moved his welcoming ceremony forward to eight days, preparing to respond to the coming dispute.

• Chen Ping'an used 720 Cultivation Experience to enter the Furious Thunder Saber Art, strengthening his soul power and adding lightning to his saber techniques.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed his combat strengths and concluded that movement speed remained his main weakness, so he returned to cultivating the Grand Void Wind Riding Step.
• Shen Huiqing reported that the Garrison Deliberation Council had shelved Chen Ping'an’s seat and preliminarily approved the Horizontal Mountain Sect’s proposal to restrict mineral trading and regulate mining.
• Shen Huiqing explained that the proposal could severely damage the Gu Family’s interests, with a follow-up council meeting scheduled in ten days.
• Chen Ping'an ordered Shen Huiqing to hold his welcoming celebration within eight days, allowing her to reduce its arrangements and disregard the attendance of insincere guests.
• Chen Ping'an declined Shen Huiqing’s offer to show him his new Mystic Spirit Mountain residence and left the office to make his own arrangements.

Chen Ping'an replenished his supplies and settled into his new residence on Mystic Spirit Mountain, while considering how to obtain higher-level resources. After cultivating through the night, he headed to visit the Gu Family, but encountered Luo and an unfamiliar woman as he descended the mountain.

• Chen Ping'an explored Mystic Spirit Major City, restocked pills and spiritual items, and learned that high-level Trading Conventions were difficult to access.
• Chen Ping'an considered visiting Northern Mountain Province and using his connection with Yun Ya to reach rare resources, but decided to wait until he was stronger.
• Chen Ping'an inspected his newly assigned residence on Mystic Spirit Mountain and cultivated there through the night.
• Chen Ping'an decided to visit the Gu Family because a proposed Horizontal Mountain Sect ordinance regulating mineral production threatened their interests.
• As Chen Ping'an descended Mystic Spirit Mountain, he met Luo and the woman accompanying him, and Luo asked why Chen Ping'an had come from the mountain.

Chen Ping'an suspected Wu Haihua's imprisonment was bait to lure the Ten Thousand Demons Sect into attacking South City Prison. After taunting and assaulting the captive steward, he left him chained in his cell, waiting to see whether the sect would come.

• Fu Yuanming learned that Wu Haihua had been taken to South City Prison and hoped the Ten Thousand Demons Sect would react to the capture.
• Chen Ping'an sensed hidden Inner Qi Realm experts around the prison and suspected the Outer Town Pacification Office was using Wu Haihua as bait.
• Chen Ping'an visited Wu Haihua, who insisted his comrades would come to rescue him and threatened Chen Ping'an.
• Chen Ping'an entered Wu Haihua's cell, pointed out that his dantian was crippled, kicked him twice, and left him chained up.

Chen Ping'an’s crackdown stabilized Five Peaks Mountain City and his reputation spread after rumors of his strength were confirmed by the silence of those he had defeated. As the North Azure Auction revealed the Quasi-Divine Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor, Chen Ping'an wondered whether his perfected Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill could match it.

• Wu Tianqi was displayed on the city wall for his crimes and later died, while the bamboo hat man entered Five Peaks Mountain City and dismissed Chen Ping'an’s authority.
• After hearing accounts of Chen Ping'an defeating Wu Lin, Meng Yude, and Wei Zhixing, the bamboo hat man learned that Chen Ping'an had reached the Profound Light Realm and was suspected of Profound Light Middle Stage combat strength.
• Chen Ping'an’s growing reputation helped deter criminals, and patrol forces organized with cooperation from the city’s factions, improving public security within ten days.
• Chen Ping'an sent an official report about the city’s unrest to the Wei River Town Pacification Office and a private letter to Liu Yuanhua thanking him for the Mystic Ginseng that enabled his breakthrough.
• The North Azure Auction announced the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor as a Quasi-Divine Weapon, prompting Chen Ping'an to compare its toughness with his Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill.

Chen Ping'an reflected on his place in the Town Pacification Office and returned home to Chen Er'ya's carefully prepared food. After dinner, he went to fetch water while she urged him to focus on martial arts practice.

• Monkey Head complained that Zheng Shiyong had received a grand introduction because of his connections, and Chen Ping'an advised him to stop grumbling.
• Chen Ping'an considered his own lack of family backing and resolved to rely on himself and protect Chen Er'ya.
• After his peaceful patrol, Chen Ping'an returned home and ate the Wheat Cake Scramble Chen Er'ya had prepared for him.
• Chen Ping'an and Chen Er'ya shared a dinner of beef, vegetables, ox bone soup, Wheat Cake Scramble, and rice.
• Chen Ping'an took buckets and a shoulder pole to fetch water despite Chen Er'ya offering to do it the next day.

Zhong Shanyong struggled to contain the growing disorder in Five Peaks Mountain City while refusing to disturb Commander Chen in seclusion. After barely suppressing a clash involving Inner Qi Realm experts, he returned to the Town Pacification Office and found Commander Chen had emerged.

• Zhong Shanyong rejected suggestions that Commander Chen should intervene, insisting that he would maintain order until the lord left seclusion.
• Zhong Shanyong delegated a Qi Blood Realm street fight to constable Liu Changhua and continued toward a more serious disturbance.
• Zhong Shanyong suppressed a conflict involving several Inner Qi Realm experts, but feared he could not handle future unrest if Profound Light Realm experts became involved.
• Zhong Shanyong returned to the Town Pacification Office and excitedly greeted Commander Chen, who had emerged from seclusion.

Chen Ping'an bought a Warm Sun Jade for Er Ya and a Spirituality Secret Tome at the Dragon Peace Auction, while the other heavyweight lots sparked fierce bidding. As the auction ended, a furious voice outside accused Shen Tu Jiang of slaughtering an entire family and demanded bloody revenge.

• Chen Ping'an paid sixteen hundred Origin Crystals for a Warm Sun Jade that could withstand three Grandmaster-level attacks, intending it as protection for Er Ya's Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
• Chen Ping'an ignored the early heavyweight lots and their fierce bids, including Longevity Fruits and a breakthrough medicine, while he cultivated Tyrant Saber.
• Chen Ping'an bid six thousand Origin Crystals for a Spirituality Secret Tome and won it, surprising other attendees who thought it was too early for him to study spirituality.
• The auction sold four giant puppets and a Powerful Divine Weapon before its final lot, a Sky Candle Wolf cub, went to an Azure Spirit Province Great Grandmaster for nearly twenty thousand Origin Crystals.
• Chen Ping'an left the auction after it ended, but an enraged voice outside accused Shen Tu Jiang of slaughtering an entire family, followed by a deafening explosion.

Xing Rongzi mistook Chen Ping'an for a Top Expert after Chen's saber strike overwhelmed him, then launched a hidden finger technique when Chen approached. Chen's body withstood the attack, leaving Xing Rongzi horrified as the fight continued.

• Xing Rongzi saw Gu Wu's Cold Iron Spear on Chen Ping'an and feared that Gu Wu had been killed.
• Xing Rongzi's sword strike dispersed before Chen Ping'an, and a powerful saber strike then overwhelmed Xing Rongzi's defenses.
• Xing Rongzi concluded that a Top Expert had attacked, but saw only Chen Ping'an when the dust settled.
• Xing Rongzi attacked Chen Ping'an with his sword and the concealed Three Points of Human Tribulation Finger.
• Chen Ping'an struck Xing Rongzi's sword and endured the finger technique against his chest, shocking Xing Rongzi.

Chen Ping'an used a carefully concealed pair of secret finger techniques to cripple Cao Yingxiong and drive him into a desperate pseudo-Grandmaster breakthrough. Cao Yingxiong forced out the Blood Burning Essence Nurturing Method, but Chen Ping'an revealed his Vajra form and killed him.

• Lin Wanying set off the Universe Control Division's Signal Fireworks while Chen Ping'an and Cao Yingxiong continued fighting.
• Chen Ping'an used the Xun Wind Finger to pierce Cao Yingxiong's defense and destroy one of his arms, then struck him with the Li Fire Finger, leaving a burning sensation that weakened him.
• Chen Ping'an pressed his advantage with palm, leg, and ordinary finger techniques, worsening Cao Yingxiong's injuries and preventing him from using his Thousand Jun Heavy Drop.
• Cao Yingxiong used the Blood Burning Essence Nurturing Method to force his Flower of Spirituality to bloom, entering the Pseudo-Grandmaster Realm at the cost of his lifespan and future prospects.
• Chen Ping'an transformed into a towering Vajra giant and struck Cao Yingxiong, whose body exploded into blood and flesh.

Chen Ping'an examined the Lotus Mist Man’s spoils and realized the damaged azure lotus might offer a path toward extraordinary regeneration, then set out to pursue another target. Meanwhile, Jun Moxie continued fleeing Hua Ruyue, and the Dream-Eating Lotus Lord awaited upheaval at the mountain valleys.

• Chen Ping'an studied the damaged azure lotus and the Lotus Mist Man’s research, concluding that mastering mist transformation might lead beyond secret arts to a Treasure Art or even a great divine ability.
• Chen Ping'an inventoried the Lotus Mist Man’s possessions and the Raging Wave Guest and Earth Splitting Old Man’s spoils, bringing his liquid funds above one hundred thousand Origin Crystals and gaining a Pseudo Treasure and five top Divine Weapons.
• Chen Ping'an identified Dream-Eating Lotus Lord, the Heavenly Lotus Sect’s Supreme Elder, as his next target and flew toward him in disguise.
• Jun Moxie, the injured Heaven Mending Dao candidate hall master, repeatedly escaped Hua Ruyue’s pursuit and resolved to survive despite his exhaustion.
• Dream-Eating Lotus Lord received a report that the eastern valleys and ravine pools had been searched, then remarked that the weather was about to change.

At a banquet in the North Azure Stronghold, Chen Ping'an discovered that courtesan Li Xiangjun was protected by a Spirituality Restriction, suggesting a powerful Great Grandmaster was behind her. He resolved to investigate the Heavenly Luo Sect while keeping his suspicions hidden, but rumors about Li Xiangjun spread through Northern Cang and the Mandarin Duck Pavilion sent him a gift.

• Chen Ping'an noticed Wu Shangli at the banquet, toasted him from afar, and reminded the gathering of the Earth Fire Wu Family's past reconciliation with him.
• Chen Ping'an took Li Xiangjun back to his residence and confirmed that she was in the Profound Light Realm, not a Grandmaster.
• Chen Ping'an knocked Li Xiangjun unconscious and found a Spirituality Restriction on her, leading him to suspect that a Top Great Grandmaster and the Heavenly Luo Sect were involved.
• Chen Ping'an decided to report the matter secretly, investigate the Heavenly Luo Sect himself, and strengthen his martial arts as quickly as possible.
• Li Xiangjun woke to find herself in disarray and concluded that Chen Ping'an had taken her virginity, then resolved to use her position beside him for the Holy Sect's plans.
• Rumors that Chen Ping'an had taken Li Xiangjun into his chambers spread through Northern Cang, and the Mandarin Duck Pavilion sent him a gift.

Chen Ping'an’s entourage passed a Universal Treasure Commerce caravan, where Northern Lands Saber Guan Dongxiang recognized the Nangong Family connection. After Nangong Yan learned why the caravan had yielded, she accepted the experience as part of her training, while Chen Ping'an sensed powerful cultivators among the merchants and continued toward his new post.

• Chen Ping'an tacitly approved Xiong Sanrang’s plan to have the merchant caravan yield the road, and Xiong Sanrang sent guards ahead to negotiate.
• Xiong Sanrang noticed the Universal Treasure Commerce banner, while Guan Dongxiang recognized the Nangong Family as the commerce’s financial patron and recalled his past acquaintances there.
• Two young caravan guards objected to yielding, but an experienced guard explained that the carriage likely carried a powerful Town Pacification Office figure and warned them against provoking the entourage.
• Nangong Yan complained to Nangong Liu about yielding the road, but Nangong Liu reminded her that setbacks and hardships were part of the experience she had chosen; Nangong Yan accepted the lesson.
• Nangong Liu wondered who was inside the departing carriage, while Chen Ping'an sensed a Yuheng Early Stage Perfection Grandmaster and another powerful cultivator in the caravan before turning his attention elsewhere.

Meng Yude left the Town Pacification Office convinced Chen Ping'an was using powerful figures to establish his authority, while Wei Zhixing advised Chen Ping'an on how to handle the Wu Family. Wei Zhixing returned to the Wei Family with instructions for Wei Zhenheng, and the chapter ended with an unrelated promotional story about Fang Yi, a transmigrated cultivator who concealed his demonic arts behind the guise of a medical cultivator.

• Meng Yude realized Chen Ping'an had intended to use his visit to assert authority and decided not to provoke him further.
• Chen Ping'an asked Wei Zhixing for advice, and Wei Zhixing judged that Meng Yude would retreat while the Wu Family posed the main risk.
• Wei Zhixing explained that the Wu Family was unlikely to unite against Chen Ping'an over Wu Tianqi without sufficient cause or benefit.
• Chen Ping'an asked Wei Zhixing for help, and Wei Zhixing pledged the Wei Family's service.
• Wei Zhixing returned to the Wei Family and gave Wei Zhenheng urgent instructions to carry out.
• The closing promotional passage described Fang Yi revealing his hidden demonic powers to demonic cultivators who mistook him for a harmless medical cultivator.

As the Dragon Peace Auction and Two Provinces Exchange concluded, Chen Ping'an studied the Soul Splitting Thorn and prepared to return to North Azure Stronghold, resolving to surpass Nie Yunlong if their interests clashed. Just as he reached Brocade Ripple Garden, rogue cultivators attacked outside Dragon Peace Stronghold, drawing the Town Pacification Office and other experts into action.

• Li Xiangjun left North Azure Stronghold by carriage and anticipated the events ahead as she traveled toward Long'an.
• Gao Wanping suppressed and arrested a Profound Light High Realm man who attacked Shen Tu Jiang outside the auction venue.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed his gains from the auction and exchange, then studied the Spirituality Secret Tome and learned about the Soul Splitting Thorn.
• Chen Ping'an decided to return, planned to complete his Tyrant Saber cultivation, and considered how he might deal with Dragon Peace Garrison Commander Nie Yunlong.
• As Chen Ping'an arrived at Brocade Ripple Garden, a battle erupted outside Dragon Peace Stronghold, and the Town Pacification Office and other experts rushed toward the disturbance.

Chen Ping'an and the Heavenly Luo Saintess were trapped in the Dream Illusion Pearl’s dream, where they lived through many lifetimes as husband and wife before awakening in the great hall. They fought over the pearl, but its light struck them again, and they were left shocked by what happened.

• Chen Ping'an relived a life as Qu Feiyan’s husband, sold his sword to buy her a rare manuscript, and discovered she had bought the sword art Green Plum for him.
• Across repeated lifetimes, Chen Ping'an and Qu Feiyan shared joys and hardships, then pieced together a scrambled Iron Cloth manual before he finally awoke beside the Heavenly Luo Saintess.
• Chen Ping'an and the Heavenly Luo Saintess confronted each other, each retaining tender feelings from the dream despite their hostility.
• A Variegated Treasure Orb appeared, and the Heavenly Luo Saintess identified it as the Dream Illusion Pearl and rushed to claim it.
• Chen Ping'an dragged the Heavenly Luo Saintess away from the pearl, overcame her Seven Absolutes Bewitching Heart Art, and seized the orb.
• The Dream Illusion Pearl’s radiance struck them as their attacks landed, sending both flying and leaving them stunned by the result.

Chen Ping'an and the Heavenly Luo Saintess raced for the last treasure in the Demon Lord's Secret Treasure, then discovered that they shared the pain of their injuries. Unable to risk killing one another, they sat down to trade questions, leaving the cause of their bond and their Illusory Dream memories unresolved.

• Chen Ping'an struck the Heavenly Luo Saintess with his Mystic Light Treasure Mirror and Zhen Thunder Finger, then claimed the golden paper just before she could take it.
• After they clashed, Chen Ping'an realized that he and the Heavenly Luo Saintess felt each other's injuries, and he suspected that serious harm to either might endanger both.
• Chen Ping'an weighed their shared pain, his lingering feelings from the Illusory Dream, and their combat strength, then proposed that they sit down and talk.
• The Heavenly Luo Saintess asked who Chen Ping'an was; he called himself Seven Absolutes, but she did not believe him and struggled with memories of their dream life together.
• Chen Ping'an asked where they were, and the Heavenly Luo Saintess answered that they were inside the Demon Lord's Secret Treasure.

Mu Wanjun and Xiao Die learned that Chen Ping'an had reached the Inner Energy Third Stage and reshaped the balance of power in White Stone City. The news spread to the Wei River's great lineages and the Mu Family, whose elders regretted passing up the chance to recruit him and resolved to try again.

• Xiao Die recalled how Chen Ping'an had turned down a constable head token and valuable property to choose a difficult body-tempering cultivation method, then risen rapidly through the ranks and advanced in cultivation.
• Mu Wanjun read a letter reporting that Chen Ping'an had reached the Inner Energy Third Stage, mastered several Superior Cultivation Methods, and wiped out several powers in White Stone City.
• Xiao Die was shocked to learn that Chen Ping'an had entered the Inner Energy Third Stage.
• The four great lineages of the Wei River received reports of Chen Ping'an's strength and ordered investigations into his connections and the possibility of recruiting him.
• Mu Family Clan Elders regretted failing to recruit Chen Ping'an earlier, then decided it was not too late and called for Wan Jun.