Chapter Summaries

Chen Ping'an attended a gathering of powerful factions on Jade Lake Island, where the Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce delayed its arrival until Young Master Ling Xiao appeared. Ling Xiao claimed Black Rock Old Freak's seat and questioned why a Grandmaster like Chen Ping'an was present.

• Black Rock Old Freak recognized Chen Ping'an and privately dismissed him as an unproven young talent relying on the Gu Family.
• Chen Ping'an arrived with Zhang Tianyuan, greeted Gu Zhengnan, and took a seat among the Pseudo Celestials, drawing disapproving looks from several elders.
• Madam Biluo and Dong Jinluo arrived, and Zhang Tianyuan told Chen Ping'an that Dong Jinluo had coordinated the impeachment against him.
• Qiu Siping of the Heart Inquiry Sword Pavilion arrived, and Chen Ping'an admired the swordsman despite feeling the sting of his sharp gaze.
• The Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce arrived late with Young Master Ling Xiao and the Fu Quan Twin Elders, prompting the assembled guests to abandon their complaints and welcome him.
• Ling Xiao took Black Rock Old Freak's seat, had the table's food replaced, and asked why Chen Ping'an was there as a Grandmaster.

At the Azure Dragon Grand Banquet, Ling Xiao’s arrogance nearly provoked Chen Ping'an, but Tong Changchun’s arrival interrupted the confrontation. As the banquet continued, Ling Xiao harassed Madam Biluo over trade routes, while Chen Ping'an quietly listened and learned about the forces around him.

• Ling Xiao insulted Black Rock Old Freak and singled out Chen Ping'an, who ignored him; Tong Changchun arrived before the tension turned into a fight.
• Zhang Tianyuan identified Chen Ping'an as the Town Pacification Office’s deputy division head, and Ling Xiao let the matter drop.
• Tong Changchun took his seat with a fair-faced young master, who openly watched Chen Ping'an as the Azure Dragon Grand Banquet began.
• Ling Xiao provoked Madam Biluo about her origins and trade plans, then propositioned her; Madam Biluo deflected him, and Chen Ping'an intercepted Ling Xiao’s threatening Spiritual Voice Transmission.
• Chen Ping'an stayed at his table while the banquet’s factions mingled, and he learned about the Wind and Cloud Rankings’ top figure, Hua Ruyue.

Chen Ping'an learned that the Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce had brought an unusually powerful delegation to Azure Dragon Province and accepted Zhang Tianyuan’s invitation to attend the Grand Ceremony Banquet. After spending several days cultivating and refining his treasures, he arrived at the banquet with Zhang Tianyuan, where the gathered factions watched their entrance.

• Chen Ping'an postponed his trip to the Wei River, visited Zhang Tianyuan, and agreed to attend the Grand Ceremony Banquet as a Province Town Pacification Office representative.
• Chen Ping'an asked Zhang Tianyuan about the Five Blessings Chamber of Commerce and learned that it had brought an important Celestial Seed and two Top-Tier Pseudo-Celestials.
• Chen Ping'an continued refining the Dream Illusion Pearl, Evil Extremity Pupil, and Blood Devouring Demonic Jar while studying the Ten Thousand Demons Blood Restriction and practicing his martial arts.
• Guests gathered at Jade Lake Island, where Black Rock Old Freak of the Horizontal Mountain Sect claimed the seat of honor and clashed verbally with Gu Zhengnan.
• Elder Xu of the Xuan Ling Chamber of Commerce arrived and avoided taking sides in Black Rock Old Freak's dispute with Gu Zhengnan.
• Zhang Tianyuan and Chen Ping'an arrived at the banquet, drawing the attention of Black Rock Old Freak and the other gathered representatives.

Chen Ping'an watched Xuanling's five-day auction while cultivating and tracking the powerful attendees, and Lan Yingjun failed to win either Mystic Pattern Longevity Fruit for her mother. As the grand finale lots began, Chen Ping'an sensed a Martial Dao Celestial arrive and looked forward to what came next.

• Chen Ping'an attended the auction in disguise, reviewed what he needed, and quietly sensed a familiar attendee while waiting for high-value lots.
• Lan Yingjun bid fiercely on the two Mystic Pattern Longevity Fruits but lost both, leaving her distressed over returning to her mother empty-handed.
• Chen Ping'an bought an Array Path Detailed Explanation, a Divination Initial Understanding, and two bottles of pills, while the first finale pill went to Qiu Siping.
• Black Rock Old Freak regretted holding back from bidding on the Spirit Nurturing Clear Spirit Pill, then watched a senior Pseudo-Celestial win the Golden Light Thunder Pearl.
• Chen Ping'an sensed a Martial Dao Celestial arrive during the third finale lot and anticipated meeting another Celestial.

Chen Ping'an learned that he had been promoted to Chief Constable Candidate and discovered that Mu Wanjun had arranged it through her family’s influence. Mu Wanjun then urged him to consider a marriage alliance with a Mu Family daughter, but Chen Ping'an declined and left the matter unresolved.

• Chen Ping'an received an appointment as Chief Constable Candidate and went to the South City Pacification Office to ask Mu Wanjun why he had been promoted.
• Mu Wanjun explained that the Mu Family had used its influence to secure Chen Ping'an's appointment because of his talent and his role in saving her.
• Mu Wanjun told Chen Ping'an he would temporarily remain in charge of South City Prison while they looked for another post.
• Mu Wanjun offered to find Chen Ping'an a wife from the Mu Family, but he said his focus was on the Martial Path and refused.
• Mu Wanjun asked Chen Ping'an to meet the candidates before deciding, and he smiled without answering.

Chen Ping'an confronted Big Steel Tooth at Tiger Run Gambling House while collecting Contribution Silver, using the Town Pacification Office’s authority to keep the Tiger Head Gang Protector on the defensive. The encounter ended with Big Steel Tooth warning Chen Ping'an not to keep pressuring him.

• Big Steel Tooth was surprised that the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office had sent the young Chen Ping'an to collect Contribution Silver.
• After a lackey insulted Chen Ping'an, Chen Ping'an attacked him with his saber, and Big Steel Tooth knocked the blade aside.
• Chen Ping'an accused Big Steel Tooth of allowing his subordinate to provoke the Town Pacification Office, so Big Steel Tooth apologized and invited him inside.
• Chen Ping'an took the main seat and pressured Big Steel Tooth to admit he knew why the constable had come.
• Chen Ping'an slammed the table and accused Big Steel Tooth of taking the Town Pacification Office too lightly, prompting Big Steel Tooth to warn him not to use the office to pressure him.

At the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office’s Deliberation Council, Chen Ping'an rejected appeasement and proposed punishing factions that aided demonic cultivators, silencing the officials who opposed him. Wu Benqing let Chen Ping'an take responsibility for the hardline plan, while Feng Wuhen publicly backed him; the council’s stance then stirred public opinion across Leiming.

• Officials debated whether to seek provincial aid, maintain the status quo, or offer benefits to Leiming’s factions in exchange for neutrality.
• Wei Xiuming proposed combining appeals to righteousness with benefits to win over the factions, and the proposal gained support.
• Chen Ping'an called for thunderous measures, declaring that those who sheltered demonic cultivators or profited from the chaos should be punished without mercy.
• Officials challenged Chen Ping'an, but he rebuked them and demanded to know what greater good they were protecting.
• Wu Benqing suggested proceeding with Chen Ping'an’s plan, and Feng Wuhen was the first to publicly agree.
• Wu Benqing secretly ordered someone to tell the Gu Family to choose an opportunity to act, while news of the council’s hardline stance spread and divided public opinion.

Chen Ping'an traveled toward the North Azure Auction while weighing Gu Haoqing’s proposed marriage alliance and studying the Soul Severing Saber he had taken from Li Pingjiang. He reached the Dragon Peace Trade Route and began cultivating the saber art, with Seven Absolute Old Man’s coming response still looming.

• News of Li Pingjiang’s execution spread, while Chen Ping'an rode toward North Azure Stronghold with an escort from the Five Peaks Mountain City Town Pacification Office.
• Chen Ping'an considered Gu Haoqing’s offer to marry a Gu Family's Eldest Daughter and decided to postpone his answer until he could meet Gu Haoqing in Azure Dragon Province City.
• Chen Ping'an inspected his status and the spoils taken from Li Pingjiang, including the Soul Severing Saber Manual and enough wealth to bring his reserves to nine hundred Origin Crystals.
• Chen Ping'an reached the Dragon Peace Trade Route and studied the stone monument, suspecting its inscription had been left by a Sword Path grandmaster.
• Chen Ping'an reflected on grandmaster strength and Seven Absolute Old Man’s reputation, then began cultivating the Soul Severing Saber as the carriage continued toward North Azure Stronghold.

Chen Ping'an perfected the Three Points of Human Tribulation Finger, greatly increasing his combat power, and began cultivating the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art. As he weighed unsettled merit claims and the danger posed by the Heavenly Luo Sect, he resolved to move Er Ya to Azure Dragon Province City; a letter then arrived at the Five Peaks Mountain City Town Pacification Office.

• Chen Ping'an perfected the Three Points of Human Tribulation Finger and mastered its powerful Zhen Thunder Finger, advancing within the Jade Balance Early Stage.
• Chen Ping'an decided to strengthen his defenses by cultivating the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art and spent the following days training while keeping a low profile.
• Chen Ping'an learned that the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office had destroyed several heretical strongholds, while investigations into the Ten Thousand Demons Sect continued.
• Chen Ping'an received verification for killing Earth Shaking Fist but remained frustrated that his disputed merit for the Ten Thousand Demons Sect elders had not been settled.
• Chen Ping'an considered verifying his credit for killing Li Pingjiang and worried that Seven Absolute Old Man or Bi Shengdong might seek revenge, putting Er Ya at risk.
• Chen Ping'an resolved to arrange Er Ya's move to Azure Dragon Province City, and a letter reached the Five Peaks Mountain City Town Pacification Office.

Chen Ping'an completed refining the Gray Fine Net and left his traveling party to visit the Thunderclap Mountain Black Market before taking office in Leiming. As he headed deeper into the mountains, he sensed a distant fluctuation and went to investigate.

• Gu Qingcheng read Chen Ping'an's letter inviting her to travel with him near Thunderclap City, while her sword-bearing companion blushed and criticized his boldness.
• Chen Ping'an successfully refined the Gray Fine Net and considered how it could help him capture powerful opponents.
• Chen Ping'an decided to visit the Thunderclap Mountain Black Market before taking office, hoping to trade his resources for useful items.
• Chen Ping'an left his group and entered Thunderclap Mountain alone, posing as a swordsman while traveling toward the larger black markets.
• Chen Ping'an encountered a disguised Elder and Qiao'er, then continued deeper into the mountains while assessing the area's factions and travelers.
• Chen Ping'an sensed a faint fluctuation in the distance and headed into the forest to investigate.

Chen Ping'an reunited with Mu Wanjun in Wei River, strengthened her cultivation, and publicly signaled his protection of the Mu Family while reconnecting with old friends. After leaving for Azure Dragon Province City, he received extensive resource support and access to the Merit Treasure Vaults, where he selected a cultivation technique inheritance.

• Chen Ping'an spent the night with Mu Wanjun and used the Dual Cultivation Method, helping her approach a breakthrough while advancing his own cultivation.
• Chen Ping'an took Mu Wanjun to the Mu Family, presented her with spiritual medicinal ingredients, and made his protection of the family clear by staying at her residence and refusing other visitors.
• Chen Ping'an accepted Xi'er as a gift from a local force and left Mu Wanjun to arrange for her, then visited his old acquaintances and gave them items to support their futures.
• Chen Ping'an guarded Mu Wanjun as she broke through to the Profound Light High Realm, then departed Wei River with Xiong Sanrang after seven or eight days in the city.
• Half a month later, Chen Ping'an arrived in Azure Dragon Province City and received approved resource support and access to the Merit Treasure Vaults of all seventeen provinces.
• Chen Ping'an exchanged accumulated merit and support resources for a cultivation technique inheritance.

Chen Ping'an returned to Wei River County City and revisited the people and places from his early days, sharing a quiet reunion with Mu Wanjun and reconnecting with old friends. After leaving Wei River and recalling the road that had brought him to power, he arrived at North Azure Stronghold, where the crowd welcomed him as its Town Guardian.

• Chen Ping'an canceled his welcome banquet, visited the Mu Family, and spent private time with Mu Wanjun.
• Chen Ping'an revisited Old Chen's courtyard and the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office, remembering Old Chen's sacrifices and his own beginnings.
• Chen Ping'an met Da Shan, Little Zeng, Shen Shi Kang, Lin Shaohua, Yan Wu, and Monkey Head, then shared noodles with his old friends.
• As Chen Ping'an remembered his past and the path he had traveled, his Seventh Spirit Pattern became more than halfway inscribed.
• Chen Ping'an left Wei River County City, passed White Stone City and Five Peaks Mountain City, and recalled his rise through the Town Pacification Office.
• Chen Ping'an arrived at North Azure Stronghold, where Yu Jinjue, Ma Yuanbang, Liu Gongxi, Xiong Sanrang, Gu Hongxiu, Zhu Jiuhuan, and others welcomed him as the Town Guardian.

Chen Ping'an finished refining the Blood Devouring Demonic Jar and the Withered Wood Staff, then focused on cultivation while awaiting a saber inheritance from another province. A message from the Northern Border Pacification Bureau interrupted his plans as Zhang Tianyuan summoned him to discuss his newly decided appointment.

• Chen Ping'an completed refining the Blood Devouring Demonic Jar and Withered Wood Staff, adding their powers to his arsenal.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed his cultivation progress and planned to cultivate in seclusion until his Azure Sun Blood Refinement Method reached perfection.
• Chen Ping'an exchanged his resource support for the Furious Thunder Saber Art, an inheritance stored at the Northern Mountain Province Town Pacification Office, and considered visiting Yun Ya in the North Sea.
• Zhang Tianyuan invited Chen Ping'an to talk after Chen Ping'an's appointment had been decided.

Chen Ping'an was appointed Azure Dragon Province’s Garrison Envoy in Mystic Spirit Major City, a powerful post overseeing the city’s complex, multi-province interests. After learning of the dangers and influential figures awaiting him there, he visited the Gu Family, and the official announcement of his appointment shook the province.

• Zhang Tianyuan summoned Chen Ping'an and revealed that the Northern Border Pacification Bureau had appointed him Garrison Envoy of Mystic Spirit Major City.
• Zhang Tianyuan explained the city’s importance, the joint role of five Province Town Pacification Offices, and the dangers surrounding the post, including the former Azure Dragon envoy’s crippling injuries.
• Zhang Tianyuan gave Chen Ping'an files on the provincial Garrison Envoys and told him he could consult the province’s secret records on Mystic Spirit’s powerful residents.
• Chen Ping'an left the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office and visited the Gu Family to share news of his appointment.
• The Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office publicly announced Chen Ping'an’s appointment, and the entire province was shaken.

Chen Ping'an tested his Soul Power against Wang Changlie during the auction, then watched the bidding resume and searched for a source of Shapeshifted Demon King blood. The chapter ended as Yuan Wei opened bidding on a rare custom-forging opportunity from the Hundred Refinements Pavilion.

• Wang Changlie arrived at the auction and clashed with Chen Ping'an through their auras, while the Red-haired Old Man and the Man in Gray Mist observed.
• After Chen Ping'an withdrew his Soul Power, he assessed Wang Changlie's foundation and estimated that his own combat power could contend with powerful Second Realm Celestials.
• Yuan Wei resumed the auction, and Black Rock Old Freak won the Sea Crossing Spirit Boat after bidding forty thousand Origin Crystals.
• The Red-haired Old Man won the Shapeshifted Demon King scales and claws, prompting Chen Ping'an to wonder whether their seller could provide Demon King blood.
• Yuan Wei announced a custom-forging opportunity from a Master Craftsman Grandmaster of the Hundred Refinements Pavilion and began bidding at fifty thousand Origin Crystals.

Mu Wanjun defeated Bloody Hand Butcher Peng Feihu with one sword after he used Chen Ping'an as a hostage. Chen Ping'an survived the staged killing and reunited with Mu Wanjun, while the Town Pacification Office realized that Division Head Chen had arrived in Wei River.

• Fang Qing and the Town Pacification Office elites surrounded Peng Feihu as Mu Wanjun confronted him, but Peng Feihu seized Chen Ping'an as a hostage.
• Mu Wanjun ordered the elites to stand aside, and Peng Feihu leaped from the window with Chen Ping'an before attacking her.
• Mu Wanjun struck Peng Feihu down with a single sword, leaving him gravely wounded and unable to fight.
• Mu Wanjun approached Chen Ping'an, whom Peng Feihu had thrown aside after snapping his neck, and Chen Ping'an opened his eyes and took her hand.
• Zhao Tiefeng recognized Chen Ping'an as the Deputy Division Head of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office and knelt to greet him.

Chen Ping'an returned to North Azure Stronghold, encouraged the gravely injured Wang Lingzhi, and restored order after the North Azure Rebellion. News of the Dragon Peace Turmoil then reached the major factions and the Northern Border Pacification Bureau, while Gu Qingchan advanced to four Spirit Patterns after learning that Senior Night Owl had confronted the Heavenly Luo Saintess.

• Chen Ping'an visited Wang Lingzhi, learned how the Evil Extremity Path Grandmaster had nearly killed him, and urged him to keep hope while he lived.
• Chen Ping'an coordinated relief, compensation, and the restoration of order in North Azure Stronghold, while Yu Jinjue and other officials carried out his directives.
• Chen Ping'an suspected Li Xiangjun had left Northern Cang and resumed cultivating the Seven Absolute Divine Skill as news of the Dragon Peace Turmoil spread to the factions.
• Gu Qingchan recognized Senior Night Owl as the mysterious old monster who had fought the Heavenly Luo Saintess and inscribed her fourth Spirit Pattern.
• The Gu Family elders praised Chen Ping'an's talent and agreed to inform Gu Qingcheng, who heard of his achievements while playing the qin.
• Zhang Tianyuan and the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office reported the Dragon Peace Turmoil to the Northern Border Pacification Bureau, which became enraged.

Chen Ping'an left North Azure Stronghold after meeting Liu Ziming and offering him advice about persevering on the martial path. At the exit, he recognized the injured old woman and Lan Yingjun from the recent battle, while Lan Yingjun resolved to become strong enough to protect her mother.

• Chen Ping'an greeted Liu Ziming from his carriage, and Liu Ziming and his two Grand Uncles respectfully acknowledged him as a Patrol Envoy.
• Chen Ping'an advised Liu Ziming not to give in to discouragement, then continued toward the stronghold exit.
• Yuan Zutong went to investigate the long line of people waiting to leave North Azure Stronghold.
• Chen Ping'an spotted a gray-robed old woman and Lan Yingjun in the queue as the old woman struggled with lingering injuries from the battle.
• Lan Yingjun recognized Chen Ping'an, recalled how powerful elders had nearly defeated her and her mother, and resolved to grow strong enough to protect her mother.

The great families and Cao Yingxiong reacted to Chen Ping'an's rise into the forefront of the New Talent Rankings. While the Fang, Fu, and Mu Families regretted missing chances to befriend or recruit him, Cao Yingxiong dismissed his potential and remained hostile.

• A Fang Family elder rebuked the middle-aged man for letting the Lineage make an enemy of Chen Ping'an and ordered him to repair their relationship or recruit Chen Ping'an at any cost.
• The Fu Family decided to court Chen Ping'an and avoid offending him, while the Mu Family regretted rejecting Mu Wanjun's proposal for a Marriage Alliance.
• A Mu Family Clan Elder lamented that they had failed to act sooner, as Mu Feiyu's ranking around one hundredth paled beside Chen Ping'an's prospects.
• Cao Yingxiong learned that Chen Ping'an had entered the forefront of the New Talent Rankings and dismissed his chances of reaching the Peak Realm.
• Cao Yingxiong declared that even if Chen Ping'an reached the Peak Realm, he would still be no threat to him.

Chen Ping'an received Gu Qingcheng’s Star Sword and discovered its extraordinary durability, while her letter left him embarrassed about her feelings and all the gifts she had given him. He remained in Azure Dragon Province City to cultivate and support Chen Zhaoheng, who passed the preliminary screening and was selected to take the Academy’s assessment; the next day, Chen Ping'an’s cultivation changed.

• Chen Ping'an returned to his residence with Gu Qingcheng’s Star Sword and read her letter, which ended with a declaration about never betraying lovesickness.
• Chen Ping'an tested the Star Sword and found that it had no restrictions or supernatural power but could withstand enormous amounts of spiritual True Essence.
• Chen Ping'an reflected on Gu Qingcheng’s many gifts and his own meager return, then told the Little Girl that the sword ornament was from her sister-in-law.
• Chen Ping'an stayed in Azure Dragon Province City to cultivate and study the Gu Family Ancestor’s sword-intent bamboo slip rather than leave early for Xuanling.
• Chen Zhaoheng passed the Academic Affairs Department’s preliminary screening and was registered for the Academy’s assessment in Azure Green Province.
• The day after the results were announced, Chen Ping'an’s cultivation underwent a change.