Chapter Summaries

Xiyue visited Chen Ping'an on Gu Qingcheng’s behalf before his departure for Xuanling, bringing him a heavy gift. Their playful exchange ended with Chen keeping Xiyue’s hair ribbon, while he reflected on Gu Qingcheng’s thoughtfulness and his own lingering guilt.

• Chen Ping'an greeted Xiyue in the Gu Family garden and asked after Gu Qingcheng, then requested to visit her before leaving for Xuanling.
• Chen Ping'an pinched Xiyue’s cheek and teased her, prompting her to warn him not to upset Gu Qingcheng.
• Xiyue gave Chen Ping'an a heavy wooden case from Gu Qingcheng, and he thanked her solemnly.
• Chen Ping'an teased Xiyue by demanding her sword and then her hair ribbon; after a flustered argument, Xiyue gave him the ribbon.
• Chen Ping'an tucked the ribbon inside his robes, and Xiyue hurried away after claiming she had happened upon him by chance.
• Chen Ping'an watched Xiyue leave, then stood with Gu Qingcheng’s gift and felt warmth and shame before departing.

After the Azure Cang Little County Princess and Chen Zhaoheng exchanged glances in Azure Green Province City, Chen Ping'an continued toward Mystic Spirit Major City while cultivating and refining the Ten Thousand Demons Blood Restriction. He discovered a concealed restriction in the Mystic Spirit Mountain Range, disguised himself as Ghost Bone Old Freak, and was caught in a dangerous passage trap.

• News of Chen Xuanli's rise to second place on the Hidden Dragon Rankings spread, while Ji Changkong learned of the Reckless Saber and decided to go out with Ning'er.
• Chen Zhaoheng and the Azure Cang Little County Princess met eyes as the Prince Manor carriage passed through Azure Green Province City.
• Chen Ping'an traveled through the Mystic Spirit Mountain Range, advanced his Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist, and successfully tested the Ten Thousand Demons Blood Restriction.
• Chen Ping'an found a concealed alarm restriction, changed his appearance into Ghost Bone Old Freak, and searched for its source.
• The restriction activated and exposed a hidden passage, where Cold Soul Ice Spikes and an immense ice barrier trapped Chen Ping'an.

Head Constable Zheng led the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office’s meeting and praised the constables for their recent operation. Chen Ping'an focused on improving his Iron Cloth practice and imagined rising through the ranks before he, Monkey Head, and Da Shan were assigned to patrol Willow Leaf Street.

• Head Constable Zheng and several other officials arrived as the constables gathered for the daily meeting.
• Head Constable Zheng praised the constables who had taken part in the assault on a gang, saying the Chief Constable had commended them.
• Monkey Head complained that the praise had brought no real benefits, while Chen Ping'an thought about practicing Iron Cloth and becoming a leader himself.
• After the meeting, Monkey Head learned that he, Chen Ping'an, and Da Shan would patrol Willow Leaf Street, where Spring Rain Pavilion stood.

Chen Ping'an met Luo Pingchuan and Fang Yiqing on Mystic Spirit Mountain, then visited the Gu Family to discuss Horizontal Mountain Sect’s threat to its mining interests. After reaffirming that he would deal with the crisis, he went shopping and spotted Lan Yingjun in the crowd, then hurried after her.

• Luo Pingchuan toured Mystic Spirit Mountain with Fang Yiqing, hoping to build a connection, but she remained aloof.
• Luo Pingchuan greeted Chen Ping'an, and Fang Yiqing laughed at his vague explanation for being on Mystic Spirit Mountain; Chen Ping'an declined their invitation to a trade fair and left.
• Fang Yiqing walked ahead alone, while Luo Pingchuan hurried after her and continued trying to accompany her.
• Chen Ping'an met Elder Rong and Elder Ming at the Gu Family Residence, discussed Horizontal Mountain Sect’s proposed mining regulations, and urged the Gu Family to coordinate its allies and prepare contingencies.
• Chen Ping'an left the Gu Family, resolved to confront Horizontal Mountain Sect, and bought resources at several shops.
• Chen Ping'an spotted Lan Yingjun moving through the crowd and followed her.

After initially refining the Dream Illusion Pearl and discovering its overwhelming power, Chen Ping'an prepared to take office in Xuanling while Little Girl departed for her Academy assessment. Chen Ping'an set out from Azure Dragon Province, and three days later the Hidden Dragon Rankings announced that a Heavenly Talent had become a Martial Dao Celestial.

• Chen Ping'an removed the first chain binding the Dream Illusion Pearl, brought it onto his Spirit Platform, and sensed an aura that might be connected to the Black Mystic Iron Mask’s True Simulation.
• Chen Ping'an continued cultivating and studying secret arts while awaiting his appointment and news from the Academic Affairs Department.
• Little Girl left with Peony aboard a Spirit Boat to attend the Academy assessment, and Chen Ping'an watched her departure with the hope that she would return.
• Chen Ping'an spent the night in Qinghe Lane, then left before dawn to assume his post in Xuanling as Deputy Division Head of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office.
• Three days later, the Great Qian Hidden Dragon Rankings announced that a Hidden Dragon Heavenly Talent had achieved Unity of Heaven and Man and become a Martial Dao Celestial.

The updated Hidden Dragon Rankings revealed new Martial Dao Celestials and drew the attention of young talents across Great Qian, while the Heavenly Luo Saintess returned to her sect after focusing on Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an. Chen Ping'an arrived in Leiming on his way to Xuanling, where he planned to pursue demon beast blood, protect the Gu Family’s mining interests, and continue approaching the Celestial Realm.

• Great Qian’s updated Hidden Dragon Rankings placed a Mystic Gate prodigy at second, showed several young talents nearing or reaching the Celestial Realm, and left Yin Shangjin intent on pursuing Qu Feiyan and the top rank.
• Hua Ruyue hunted a giant beast in the Black Nether Mountain Range, received a message naming Chen Xuanli, and set off toward the distance.
• The Heavenly Luo Saintess returned to the Abyssal Sea of Ruins with Li Xiangjun, while Li Xiangjun worried that the Saintess’s interest in Chen Ping'an could expose the consequences of their past encounter.
• Chen Ping'an arrived near Leiming alone and decided not to visit the city before continuing to Xuanling, where he intended to seek demon beast blood and look after the Gu Family’s mine.
• Chen Ping'an considered Gu Qingchan’s prospects and the Soul Condensing Jade Liquid he had left her, then checked his cultivation panel and judged that he was close to the Celestial Realm.

At a banquet for the new Deputy Commander, Chen Ping'an let White Stone City’s powerful factions mistake his calm demeanor for weakness as they insulted and tested him. When Uncle Gu mocked him with a cheap folding fan, Chen Ping'an killed him and calmly praised the fan’s artistic quality.

• Chen Ping'an welcomed the representatives of White Stone City’s factions while they concluded he was weak and easy to bully.
• Uncle Gu arrived late, greeted the other representatives first, and gave Chen Ping'an a perfunctory salute, angering Cheng Renjing and the Town Pacification Office officers.
• The representatives praised Chen Ping'an’s magnanimity while giving him gifts worth far less than customary, and Uncle Gu presented him with a cheap folding fan as an insult.
• After Chu Dingkang praised the fan, Chen Ping'an asked to see it, and Uncle Gu’s head suddenly flew from his body.
• Chen Ping'an examined the fan and agreed with Chu Dingkang that it had an air of artistic conception.

Chen Ping'an launched an all-out assault on the Silver-haired Girl to stop her breakthrough, but her secret technique repelled him and the breakthrough phenomenon vanished. The girl emerged above the Nether Pool, furious, as their battle continued.

• The Silver-haired Girl tried to unsettle Chen Ping'an by claiming she had guessed his age, while her breakthrough progressed amid their exchanges.
• Chen Ping'an swallowed three Burst Boost Pills and unleashed a coordinated attack using his fists, treasures, and Bloodline Divinity to reach the girl.
• The girl countered Chen Ping'an's Destruction Beam and struck him away with an Ice Crystal Disc secret technique.
• The Breakthrough Phenomenon collapsed completely, and the Silver-haired Girl appeared above the Nether Pool, declaring that Chen Ping'an had made her furious.

After killing six opponents in the Thunderclap Mountain Range, Chen Ping'an assessed his merit, wealth, and the risk that his actions could be traced back to him. He decided the risks were manageable, then studied his spoils and began comprehending the Turbulent Phoenix Dance technique.

• Chen Ping'an counted the merit-bearing heads and considered how clues linking the Black Market auction, Divine Weapons, and his kills might expose him to Li Wusheng and the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office.
• Chen Ping'an decided to pursue the Grand Void Wind Riding Step and raise his status in the Province Town Pacification Office, judging the danger controllable.
• Chen Ping'an examined his spoils, kept Ma San's knee guard Divine Weapon and named it the Gale Knee Guard, and set aside the other Divine Weapons and most of the cultivation techniques for sale or later study.
• Chen Ping'an studied Blood Centipede's True Essence Blood Transformation Method and Green-faced Fanged's heretical arts, reflecting on how martial artists could build unified systems of their own.
• Chen Ping'an brought out the golden scroll of Turbulent Phoenix Dance and began comprehending its yin-yang cultivation intent.

After leaving seclusion as a newly advanced Grandmaster, Chen Ping'an visited Gu Qingchan and agreed to proceed with his marriage alliance to Gu Qingcheng. Gu Qingchan explained the political landscape of the Northern Territory and warned him that Ji Changkong and his circle might oppose the announcement; she then took Chen Ping'an to meet the Gu Family Elders.

• Chen Ping'an emerged from nearly a month of seclusion after consolidating his realm and cultivating the Seven Absolute Divine Skill and Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art.
• Chen Ping'an traveled to the Gu Family, where Gu Qingchan congratulated him on becoming a Grandmaster and discussed the marriage alliance with Gu Qingcheng.
• Chen Ping'an agreed to let the Gu Family proceed with its planned announcement of the marriage alliance.
• Gu Qingchan explained the Azure Cang Prince Manor's influence over seventeen provinces and the complicated problems surrounding Bloodline Enfeoffment and the Imperial Capital.
• Gu Qingchan warned Chen Ping'an that Ji Changkong and his faction might react to the marriage announcement and advised him to remain cautious.
• Gu Qingchan led Chen Ping'an to meet the Gu Family Elders.

Chen Ping'an waited for the Wei River Town Pacification Office to respond while Guan Yuping kept him sidelined and people at the garrison assumed he was losing influence. After receiving the office’s evasive letter, Chen Ping'an preserved it as evidence and waited for Zhao Zhitin’s reply, having secretly contacted the Universe Control Division about the Heavenly Luo Sect’s stronghold.

• Guan Yuping refused to meet Chen Ping'an and ordered Wan Yuanze to tell him he was still in seclusion.
• Wei Family members discussed Chen Ping'an’s setback and considered whether to continue seeking ties with him.
• Chen Ping'an returned to the garrison, cultivated in seclusion, and let the rumors about his prospects spread.
• The Wei River Town Pacification Office sent an evasive reply saying it would inquire into Guan Yuping’s absence before handling the matter.
• Chen Ping'an preserved the letter, said the links in his plan were in place, and awaited Zhao Zhitin’s reply after secretly contacting the Universe Control Division.

Chen Ping'an disguised himself to sell valuable goods at the Wishful Treasure Pavilion and secured entry to a high-level Trading Convention in twenty-five days. After raising his funds above twenty-one thousand Origin Crystals, he returned home and considered the cultivation methods, weapons, and stronger disguise tools he still wanted.

• Chen Ping'an used a disguise and a Wishful Treasure Pavilion token to enter the VIP floor, where he sold treasure materials, medicines, and weapons for seven thousand two hundred Origin Crystals.
• Chen Ping'an revealed his strength to Gu Wende, who registered him for a high-standard Trading Convention and gave him an upgraded VIP token.
• Chen Ping'an sold additional supplies at nearby shops, including the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor, bringing his liquid funds above twenty-one thousand Origin Crystals.
• Chen Ping'an kept Lan Yingjun's Soul Bewitching Bell because he hoped to learn about the Five Poison Earthly Fiend Palm and its connection to the Five Poison Divine Palm.
• Chen Ping'an returned home under another appearance, reflected on the limits of his disguise, and began cultivating the Seven Absolute Divine Skill.

Chen Ping'an focused on settling Chen Er'ya in Wei River County City while refusing repeated invitations from its major families. The Mu Family regretted its past treatment of him and decided to send Mu Wanjun to repair their relationship, while the steward reflected on the abandoned marriage proposal involving Miss Zhi Xuan.

• Chen Ping'an spent several days arranging a school and residence for Chen Er'ya while continuing his cultivation and turning down invitations from the city's major factions.
• After Chen Ping'an refused the Mu Family's invitation for a second time, Mu Tianxiong and the Clan Elders argued over their past mistakes and his rise to twenty-first place on the New Talent Rankings.
• Mu Tianxiong proposed sending Mu Wanjun to speak with Chen Ping'an, and the Clan Elders agreed to summon her and seek a way to build a bond with him.
• A Mu Family steward passed Miss Zhi Xuan in a courtyard and remembered that the family had once considered arranging her marriage to Chen Ping'an before the proposal was abandoned.

Chen Ping'an perfected the Grand Void Wind Riding Step, reached Shu Guang Realm Perfection, and began cultivating the Furious Thunder Saber Art while remaining in seclusion. As a month passed, the Young Master sent Raging Wave Guest and Earth Splitting Old Man to invite Chen Ping'an out, setting the stage for their long-delayed meeting.

• Chen Ping'an perfected the Grand Void Wind Riding Step, reached First Realm Perfection, and gained the Ten Thousand Li Wind Riding secret technique.
• Chen Ping'an chose to cultivate the Furious Thunder Saber Art before ending his seclusion, hoping its progress might strengthen his realm further.
• Black Rock Old Freak gave Cao Penghai one month to wait for Reckless Saber to emerge, threatening to leave the matter to Cao Penghai if Chen Ping'an remained secluded.
• The Young Master decided that Raging Wave Guest and Earth Splitting Old Man should invite Chen Ping'an out if he was still secluded after ten more days.
• Earth Splitting Old Man complained that Chen Ping'an was avoiding them, while Raging Wave Guest urged patience.
• After a month passed, the Young Master ordered Raging Wave Guest and Earth Splitting Old Man to invite Chen Ping'an out, and the two set off for his estate.

Xuan Yueli’s memories of the Snow God Palace’s Frost Divination surfaced as Chen Ping'an caught her off guard and fought to suppress her. She escaped his grasp with her Ice Jade Hairpin and nearly invoked a True Phoenix Talisman, but her breakthrough interrupted her; Chen Ping'an fled badly wounded and later reflected on his recklessness while hiding in a valley.

• Xuan Yueli recalled the Frost Divination and her appointment as Holy Maiden, giving Chen Ping'an an opening to shatter her Ice Lotus and seize her.
• Chen Ping'an used the Dream Illusion Pearl and his simulated disguise to gain the upper hand, but Xuan Yueli struck him with the Ice Jade Hairpin and broke free.
• Xuan Yueli began activating a True Phoenix Talisman, and Chen Ping'an fled the mountain cave after firing an Annihilation Light Beam at her.
• Xuan Yueli’s breakthrough phenomenon interrupted the talisman before it fully activated, while Chen Ping'an escaped into the mountains and treated his wounds.
• Chen Ping'an cleansed the Ice Jade Hairpin and Xuan Yueli’s lingering aura, evaded pursuit, and hid in a valley.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed his overconfidence and resolved to regain his original resolve after surviving the battle.

The Heavenly Luo Saintess cultivated the Thousand Illusions Treasure Art to Minor Accomplishment and reaffirmed her feelings for the man bound to her by the Pact of Illusory Dreams, even as his injuries afflicted her. Meanwhile, the Holy Son sought to visit her and pursue her as a Dao companion, but Li Xiangjun turned him away while worrying over the sect’s marriage discussions and Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an.

• The Heavenly Luo Saintess reached Minor Accomplishment in the Thousand Illusions Treasure Art and reflected on refusing Blood Hell Gate’s marriage proposal and on her bond with the man she called the “sinister little man.”
• The Pact of Illusory Dreams transferred repeated injuries to the Heavenly Luo Saintess, whose pain made her worry that the man might be in danger.
• The Holy Son visited the Sea of Clouds Palace hoping to see the Saintess and considered her refusal of Blood Hell Gate’s proposal an opening to become her Dao companion.
• Li Xiangjun told the Holy Son that the Saintess was in seclusion and sent him away.
• Li Xiangjun worried that the sect might soon decide the Saintess’s marriage and cultivation partner, then angrily recalled Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an and admitted she would regret his death.

After recovering from his injuries and mastering the first Cosmic Orbit of the Three Points of Human Tribulation Finger, Chen Ping'an wrapped up the Heavenly Luo Sect suppression campaign and led his team back to the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison. He rewarded and rallied his runners with promises of credit and support, leaving them devoted to him.

• Chen Ping'an ordered the remaining work at White Cloud Temple completed and said he would seek credit for the garrison runners.
• Zhao Zhitin and Chu Long recovered, confirmed they had detected no further movement from the Yin Calamity Sword, and prepared to leave.
• Chen Ping'an led his team back to the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison, where the runners welcomed them as victors.
• At a celebration banquet, Chen Ping'an promised to secure pensions for fallen runners' families and help them with reasonable difficulties.
• The runners cheered that they were willing to die for Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an used the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill to suppress Cao Yingxiong in a fierce battle, while Cao's force-unloading technique kept him from suffering serious harm. As they continued fighting, the Universe Control Division's signal fireworks appeared in the sky.

• Lin Wanying saw Chen Ping'an withstand Cao Yingxiong's Tiger's Roar Dragon's Cry Skill with a Vajra Image and recognized the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill.
• Chen Ping'an drove Cao Yingxiong back with repeated palm strikes, then used Eight Steps Catching Cicadas to overwhelm his defenses with kicks.
• Cao Yingxiong unleashed Tiger's Roar Dragon's Cry to shake Chen Ping'an's mind, but the Vajra Image remained unaffected, and Chen Ping'an injured him with a knee strike.
• Cao Yingxiong realized Chen Ping'an's Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill had reached a profound level and wondered why a Dragon and Tiger Rankings expert had ambushed him.
• Chen Ping'an and Cao Yingxiong resumed their close-quarters fight as the Universe Control Division's signal fireworks rose and exploded overhead.

Hua Ruyue hunted down and killed a Shapeshifted Demon King, then fought off a wounded Second Realm Celestial who had tried to ambush her. The Celestial escaped with a secret treasure while Hua Ruyue pursued him, and Chen Ping'an arrived at Mystic Spirit Major City.

• Hua Ruyue pursued the Shapeshifted Demon King through the Black Nether Mountain Range and overwhelmed it with a relentless rain of arrows.
• A black-haired man from the Evil Sect watched the battle and secretly approached Hua Ruyue, intending to capture her and learn her secrets.
• Hua Ruyue detected the man and countered his Soul Attack and demonic flames while continuing to kill the Shapeshifted Demon King.
• The man used a secret treasure to survive Hua Ruyue's World-Shocking Arrow and fled through the mountains as she chased him.
• Chen Ping'an arrived at Mystic Spirit Major City as Deputy Division Head of the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office and in the name of the Mystic Spirit Garrison Envoy.

Chen Ping'an underwent the Celestial Threshold’s Inner Demon Illusion Realm, reliving choices, losses, and regrets that tested his Dao heart. He rejected guilt for others’ choices, shattered the illusion, and achieved the Martial Dao Celestial realm through Unity of Heaven and Man.

• Chen Ping'an completed the Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist and reshaped his Spirit Platform, transforming his Spirit Fruit into a Soul Origin.
• Chen Ping'an relived a vision in which he lost his temper with Little Tiger Lord, suffered the consequences, and later killed Tan Huacong after waking from the illusion.
• Chen Ping'an endured visions of revenge, fear, lost love, and deaths among his companions as the Inner Demon Illusion Realm questioned his Dao heart.
• Chen Ping'an concluded that he bore no guilt for others’ deaths and that each person had to bear the karma of their own choices.
• Chen Ping'an shattered the Inner Demon Illusion Realm, used Shu Guang to perceive Heaven and Earth, and achieved Unity of Heaven and Man as a Martial Dao Celestial.