Chapter Summaries

After Shi Panyue’s death, Chen Ping'an’s standing in Mystic Spirit Major City strengthened, and he received word that Little Girl had entered Yin Yang Academy in the distant Southern Territory. As he considered his next rise through the Pacification Office System and exchanged letters with Gu Qingcheng, he set out at night to meet Madam Biluo on Mystic Spirit Mountain.

• Chen Ping'an benefited from the factions’ caution after the Shi Panyue affair and considered when to reveal greater strength and pursue a higher position.
• Chen Ping'an received Little Girl’s letter saying she had entered Yin Yang Academy and traveled to the Southern Territory to study the Literary Dao.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed his cultivation progress and resolved to keep advancing toward the heights of the Martial Path.
• Chen Ping'an received letters from the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, the Azure Dragon Gu Family, Zhang Tianyuan, and Gu Qingcheng, and replied to them.
• Chen Ping'an studied the Pacification Office System’s ranks and authority, then sent Gu Qingcheng a warm, suggestive letter to test his suspicions.
• Chen Ping'an saw that he had accumulated 8340 points, changed his appearance, and went to Mystic Spirit Mountain to find Madam Biluo.

Jiang Wuya and Dugu Yiren entered the Martial Dao Celestial realm, drawing attention across the Dynasty Territory as the Hidden Dragon Rankings were updated. After the news unsettled Yin Shangjin and Qu Feiyan rejected his marriage proposal, he decided to ascend to the Celestial Realm and seek her hand before the demonic sects.

• Jiang Wuya reached the Martial Dao Celestial realm at Heaven Sword Pavilion, while Dugu Yiren reached it at Five Poison God Sect and kept her Senior Brother at a distance because of her poisonous physique.
• Snow God Palace elders discussed Li Er’s strength and the newly updated Hidden Dragon Rankings, as factions across the Dynasty Territory debated the four Celestials among the younger generation.
• The rankings drew attention to Jiang Wuya and Dugu Yiren, while factions also assessed talents such as Li Cangming, Lan Yingjun, and Reckless Saber.
• Yin Shangjin recalled that Heavenly Luo Sect had rejected his marriage proposal to Qu Feiyan, first citing her youth and then her focus on the Dao Path.
• After learning that Chen Xuanli, Jiang Wuya, and Dugu Yiren had all entered the Celestial realm, Yin Shangjin abandoned his plan to advance cautiously and resolved to ascend despite the risk.
• Yin Shangjin planned to seek Qu Feiyan’s hand at the Demonic Path Grand Assembly with the honor of a Celestial, while asking his father to negotiate with Heavenly Luo Sect.

Chen Ping'an left Cao Yingxiong and the Universe Control Division after collecting the spoils from two corpses, warning that he would repay Cao’s guidance in kind. Cao inspected the battle site, realized Chen had displayed strength nearing that of a Peak Realm expert, and vowed to suppress and kill him if they met again.

• Chen Ping'an exchanged greetings with Zhao Zhitin while Cao Yingxiong lectured him, and then abruptly left the group.
• Chen Ping'an gathered the remaining belongings from two corpses and told Lin Wanying to convey his promise to repay Cao Yingxiong before departing.
• Lin Wanying and Lu Shengyang mocked Chen Ping'an’s warning, while Zhao Zhitin suspected he meant it; Cao found little of value on the Gray-robed Old Man.
• Cao Yingxiong inspected the battlefield and concluded Chen Ping'an had likely killed two Profound Light experts with strength approaching that of a Peak Realm expert.
• After hearing Chen Ping'an’s parting words, Cao Yingxiong smashed a boulder and vowed to suppress and kill him, even if he faced a Peak Realm expert.

Wu Ruixing’s family visited the Gu residence hoping to meet Gu Hongxiu, and Wu Zicheng became captivated by Gu Jinyu when she arrived. As the Northern Cang Grand Meet began, visitors entered the stronghold cautiously under the protection of Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an and the Town Pacification Office.

• Wu Ruixing and Wu Shangli finished their visit with a Gu clan elder, but Wu Ruixing’s attempt to meet Gu Hongxiu failed because she was away.
• Gu Hongxiu returned with Gu Jinyu, allowed the Wu family to enter, and Gu Jinyu went to rest without paying Wu Zicheng further attention.
• Wu Zicheng became excited after seeing Gu Jinyu and convinced himself that his plans to win her over could succeed.
• Families and martial artists arriving for the Northern Cang Grand Meet were warned to obey the stronghold’s laws and avoid causing trouble under Reckless Saber’s watch.
• Two young visitors saw Lord Xiong inspect the stronghold and learned that he was Lord Chen’s trusted right-hand general.
• Amid the crowds and discussion of Reckless Saber’s reputation, the Northern Cang Grand Meet officially began.

After rumors that Chen Ping'an had slept with Cloud Dream Fairy spread through Azure Dragon Province City, he identified the Xue Family’s hand in the scandal and continued cultivating the Mystic Light Treasure Mirror. As he was summoned to the Gu residence, reports about Gu Qingchan and the Black Robe Old Monster began circulating among powerful factions.

• News spread that Chen Ping'an had slept with Cloud Dream Fairy, provoking outrage among her admirers and making his romantic scandal the talk of Azure Dragon Province City.
• Mu Chenjie dismissed the scandal but worried that Chen Ping'an might draw Qing Yao’s interest away from him, while his thoughts returned to the noble Gu Qingcheng.
• Chen Ping'an concluded that the Xue Family had encouraged the rumors to disrupt the Gu Family’s proposed marriage alliance with him.
• Chen Ping'an assessed the worn Mystic Light Treasure Mirror, decided he could maintain it with his Great Grandmaster spirituality, and planned to finish refining it within ten days.
• A Gu Family steward summoned Chen Ping'an to the Gu residence to meet Gu Qingchan, while news about Gu Qingchan and the Black Robe Old Monster began circulating among high-level channels.

Chen Ping'an reached Initiation in the Overlord Saber, then used his influence to prompt Azure Dragon School to correct its study culture. As the Hundred Flowers Banquet drew near, he prepared for the coming Trading Convention and encountered Wei Yiqi, while rumors about Cloud Dream Fairy’s first-night auction stirred the city.

• Chen Ping'an spent his Cultivation Experience to reach Initiation in the Overlord Saber, gained Overlord Saber Intent, and decided to alternate its cultivation with the Seven Absolutes Divine Skill.
• The Gu Family suppressed rumors about Gu Qingchan and the Black Robe Old Monster, while talk of the Hundred Flowers Banquet spread through Azure Dragon Province City.
• After hearing the Little Girl describe status-based comparisons at Azure Dragon School, Chen Ping'an asked Zhong Zeyu to arrange an inspection, and the school began correcting its study culture.
• Wei Yiqi rebuked Chen Ping'an for his disrespectful salute, and Chen Ping'an answered calmly before deciding that Wei Yiqi would pay for his actions.
• Chen Ping'an focused on the Tyrant Saber ahead of the Trading Convention as rumors that Cloud Dream Fairy might auction her first night excited the city, and the Hundred Flowers Banquet arrived.

Chen Ping'an departed White Stone City for Wei River County City, drawing the admiration of its residents. News of his promotion to Patrol Deputy Envoy of the Dragon Peace Trade Route's outer perimeter, with Deputy Commander rank, spread through the Town Pacification Office system and astonished his former colleagues and superiors.

• Chen Ping'an left the White Stone Town Pacification Office for Wei River County City with a dozen riders accompanying him.
• White Stone residents gathered along the streets to catch a glimpse of Chen Ping'an as he rode toward the city gates.
• Liu Jinzhu told Shen Shi Kang that Chen Ping'an had been promoted to Patrol Deputy Envoy and granted Deputy Commander rank.
• Wang Changxu heard colleagues discussing Chen Ping'an's promotion and was stunned when they asked what he knew about him.
• Tian Fulang repeatedly confirmed the promotion but remained unable to believe that his former constable had risen so far.

Chen Ping'an attended Gu Qingcheng’s Grandmaster celebration, presented her with the Gu Family’s top Divine Weapon Surprise Rainbow Sword, and helped the family shape public opinion. After the ceremony, he drew attention at the banquet, where Wood Mulberry Daoist approached him with several younger members of his Lineage.

• Chen Ping'an arrived dramatically at Cloud Terrace, declared Gu Qingcheng his Dao companion, and embraced her before presenting the Surprise Rainbow Sword.
• The Gu Family Clan Elder led the remaining ceremonial proceedings while Chen Ping'an sat calmly and reflected on building a unified Martial Arts System.
• Mu Qingyao, Mu Chenjie, Wang Siyuan, and Xue Zirou reacted to Chen Ping'an’s appearance as the celebration drew to a close.
• Guests stayed for the celebratory banquet, where Chen Ping'an exchanged greetings with representatives of the province’s powerful families and forces.
• Wood Mulberry Daoist approached Chen Ping'an at the banquet, accompanied by several younger members of his Lineage.

Chen Ping'an and the elite of the White Stone City Town Pacification Office traveled toward Wei River County City and stopped for the night at an inn. After defusing a dispute over seats, Chen Ping'an reflected on the principles guiding his martial cultivation.

• Chen Ping'an led his group along the Official Road and chose an inn for the night.
• The inn’s patrons fell silent when Chen Ping'an’s imposing entourage entered.
• Chen Ping'an’s men found seats, but three patrons refused to give up their table.
• Niu Li prepared to confront the three men, but Chen Ping'an ordered him to find another place instead.
• Chen Ping'an apologized with a raised cup and reflected that martial artists should cultivate the heart in favorable circumstances and strength in adversity.

Chen Ping'an recognized that the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had lured him into a trap and fought off a disguised attacker, but three sect elders surrounded him. The Gray-robed Old Man revealed the layers of their plan and prepared to kill him.

• Chen Ping'an identified the supposed Lu Shengyang as an impostor after noticing his ordinary spear technique and inferred that the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had targeted him.
• Elder Lu and Elder Sha joined forces to encircle Chen Ping'an, while Elder Sha revealed his true appearance as the Yellow-Faced Old Man.
• Elder Han emerged from ambush and completed the encirclement, leaving Chen Ping'an trapped beside a mountain boulder.
• Elder Han explained how the sect had planned the attack to lure Chen Ping'an into pursuit and catch him off guard.
• Elder Han raised his Serrated Dagger and declared that Chen Ping'an's death was imminent.

Chen Ping'an killed Shi Panyue with one saber strike at his welcoming ceremony and sent the severed head to the Horizontal Mountain Sect as a return gift. His overwhelming strength spread through Mystic Spirit, and the chapter ended with rival factions bringing the dispute and provincial governance issues before the Garrison Deliberation Council.

• Shi Panyue challenged Chen Ping'an to fight, but Chen drew his saber and killed him with a single strike that stunned everyone in the hall.
• Chen Ping'an ordered Shen Huiqing to deliver Shi Panyue's head to the Horizontal Mountain Sect and challenge them to respond if they disliked the gift.
• Fu Guangsheng defended Chen Ping'an's actions, while Tong Changchun and others judged his saber strike to approach Storm Cloud-level power.
• Cao Penghai learned of Shi Panyue's death and decided to report the incident to the sect and seek help from Elder Cheng.
• News of Chen Ping'an's strength and Shen Huiqing's threat spread through Mystic Spirit, making the factions wary of Reckless Saber.
• At the Garrison Deliberation Council, the Horizontal Mountain Sect impeached Chen Ping'an and requested an investigation, while the Azure Dragon Province Mystic Spirit Garrison and Elder Rong sought review seats for him.

Chen Ping'an visited the Gu Family as Azure Dragon Province’s newly appointed Garrison Envoy, and Elder Rong briefed him on Mystic Spirit’s factional struggles and the latest Hidden Dragon Rankings. After returning to the garrison, Chen Ping'an formally requested a council seat and a residence on Mystic Spirit Mountain, announcing Azure Dragon Province’s renewed presence in Xuanling.

• Chen Ping'an met Elder Rong at the Gu Family Residence, where they discussed the Garrison Deliberation Council and the factions competing for profits from the Gu Family’s mine.
• Elder Rong showed Chen Ping'an the latest Hidden Dragon Rankings, which placed him twenty-fifth and reported Chen Xuanli’s breakthrough into the Martial Dao Celestial realm.
• Chen Ping'an considered Heavenly Luo Saintess Qu Feiyan’s stagnant ranking and their unresolved grudges, then noticed Lan Yingjun’s growing fame and her Five Poison Earthly Fiend Palm.
• Chen Ping'an and Elder Rong discussed Gu Qingchan and Gu Qingcheng before Chen Ping'an left the Gu Family and returned to the garrison.
• Chen Ping'an’s garrison formally applied for a seat on the Garrison Deliberation Council and a residence on Mystic Spirit Mountain, then announced his arrival as Azure Dragon Province’s new Garrison Envoy.

Chen Ping'an looted Fang Rui and his companions after killing them, then continued his journey and arrived at White Stone City. News of Fang Rui’s death reached Mu Wanjun, who noted that he had disappeared five days earlier, the day Chen Ping'an left Wei River County City.

• Chen Ping'an collected weapons, silver, and valuables from Fang Rui, Fang Shicheng, and the dead guards at the abandoned temple.
• Chen Ping'an considered seeking a Genuine Treasure Artifact and rode back to the inn with his spoils.
• Chen Ping'an greeted Chen Er'ya, the Little Girl, and Peony the next morning before resuming the journey.
• After five days of travel, Chen Ping'an arrived at White Stone City and queued to enter.
• Mu Wanjun learned that Fang Rui and several companions had died, then noticed Fang Rui had vanished five days earlier and wondered whether the timing was a coincidence.

Chen Ping'an defeated and killed Tantai Jinfeng by unleashing three Soul Severing Blood Weeping Slashes and using the perfected Riding the Clouds and Mist technique to reach him in midair. After Shadowless Saber Sect withdrew, Chen Ping'an challenged Wei Yiqi to fight.

• Tantai Jinfeng used Martial Will and the Subduing Dragon Saber Art against Chen Ping'an, but Chen Ping'an countered with his movement techniques and Soul Severing Blood Weeping Slash.
• Tantai Jinfeng survived Chen Ping'an's first two Blood Weeping Slashes with his Treasure Armor and Soaring Across the Void, while the watching Grandmasters assumed the fight was over.
• Chen Ping'an used Riding the Clouds and Mist to ascend after Tantai Jinfeng and killed him with a third Soul Severing Blood Weeping Slash.
• Chen Ping'an took Tantai Jinfeng's Hundred Treasures Pouch and longsaber, then rebuffed Shadowless Saber Sect's Veteran Grandmaster when he demanded the belongings back.
• After Shadowless Saber Sect departed, Chen Ping'an pointed his longsaber at Wei Yiqi and challenged him to fight.

Chen Ping'an rejected efforts to stop his siege of the Blood Saber Sect and arrived to confront Yan Sheng and Northern Cang’s gathered powers. His order declared the Blood Saber Sect guilty of execution-worthy crimes and threatened anyone who stayed or resisted, leaving the crowd stunned.

• Shui Furong and Yu Jinjue tried to persuade Chen Ping'an to call off the siege, but he refused and insisted that harmony in Northern Cang depended on him.
• Yan Sheng joined the Blood Saber Sect’s defenders, while Ma Yuanbang and the Town Pacification Office’s forces found themselves pressured by the gathered factions.
• Chen Ping'an arrived by carriage as Gu Hongxiu and Zhu Jiuhuan watched from hiding and assessed the confrontation.
• Li Xiangjun stepped out of the carriage and announced Chen Ping'an’s order to arrest the Blood Saber Sect, execute its members, and punish or kill anyone who gathered or resisted.
• Yan Sheng smiled coldly as the crowd reacted with shock and anger to Chen Ping'an’s ultimatum.

While waiting in Azure Dragon Province City, Chen Ping'an cultivated, forged divine weapons, and spent time with Er Ya. An urgent dispatch from North Azure then reported that garrison candidate Xue Kunsheng had died.

• Chen Ping'an sold the Cicada Wing Palm Sheath at the Wishful Treasure Pavilion and continued cultivating the Seven Absolute Divine Skill and forging his divine weapons.
• Chen Ping'an spent Er Ya's rest day exploring Azure Dragon Province City, eating sugar-coated haws, and solving lantern riddles with her and Peony.
• Instructor Lin praised Er Ya's literary talent to Lang Shiyuan, who argued that entering and advancing in the Academy required resources beyond an ordinary family's means.
• After more than ten days passed, an urgent dispatch from the North Azure Town Pacification Office reported that Xue Kunsheng had died.

Chen Ping'an negotiated with Lan Yingjun for the Five Poison Earthly Fiend Palm and made several other trades at the convention. After hearing rumors about Shen Huiqing and the new Garrison Envoy, he left in her carriage, while Fang Yiqing and Luo Pingchuan recognized whose carriage it was.

• Chen Ping'an asked Lan Yingjun to trade the Five Poison Earthly Fiend Palm, but she said she needed her mother's consent before sharing it.
• Lan Yingjun refused to exchange the palm technique before seeing Chen Ping'an's spiritual item, so they agreed to meet again at the Xuanling Garrison after she spoke with her mother.
• Chen Ping'an traded for a Spirituality Secret Pill and Clear Spirit Water, then returned to the pavilion where Luo Pingchuan and Fang Yiqing were waiting.
• People at the convention debated Shen Huiqing's power and whether the new Garrison Envoy could challenge her, and Chen Ping'an left without speaking to Fang Yiqing.
• Fang Yiqing saw Chen Ping'an enter a carriage, and Luo Pingchuan recognized it as Shen Huiqing's carriage from the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office.

Chen Ping'an was summoned to the Province Town Pacification Office and promoted to North Azure Garrison Division Head Candidate, with registration at the Northern Border Pacification Bureau. At his promotion banquet, guests stirred up talk of his marriage to Gu Qingcheng and the Azure Prince, and Chen Ping'an fixed a cold gaze on the speaker who had provoked him.

• Chen Ping'an decided to leave Azure Dragon Province City for Northern Cang, while Little Girl chose to remain at Azure Dragon School and pursue the chance to enter an Academy.
• Yu Zhanhong arrived with an urgent summons from the Administration Bureau, and Chen Ping'an learned that he had been promoted to North Azure Garrison Division Head Candidate and registered with the Northern Border Pacification Bureau.
• Chen Ping'an received congratulations and gifts from Ning Zhengyue, Yao Guang, and other Deputy Division Heads, while noting their differing interests and the absence of two officials.
• The Province Town Pacification Office held a grand banquet for Chen Ping'an, where he learned that Feng Wuhen was being transferred to Thunderclap City amid renewed activity in the Thunderclap Mountain Range.
• Guests toasted Chen Ping'an over his marriage to Gu Qingcheng, and one speaker compared him with the Azure Prince, prompting Chen Ping'an to stare coldly at the man.

Chen Ping'an focused on cultivation while Shen Huiqing managed the Mystic Spirit garrison, allowing rumors to spread that he had been sidelined. His welcome celebration as Azure Dragon Province’s new Mystic Spirit Garrison Envoy began as powerful figures converged.

• Chen Ping'an rode with Shen Huiqing to Mystic Spirit Mountain, told her to be more natural around him, and then went on to his residence alone.
• Chen Ping'an studied Celestial Realm cultivation and trained the Grand Void Wind Riding Step in his quiet room.
• Chen Ping'an authorized Shen Huiqing to manage the garrison while he cultivated, and she reported important matters to him.
• Rumors spread among Garrison Envoys and high-level circles that Shen Huiqing had sidelined Chen Ping'an and that he had yielded his position.
• The welcome celebration for Chen Ping'an began, drawing people and forces from all sides.

Chen Ping'an’s welcoming ceremony drew powerful figures who watched Shen Huiqing serve him with unexpected respect. The Horizontal Mountain Sect’s Shi Panyue arrived with a calculated provocation and challenged Chen Ping'an to spar, leaving the hall in silence after Chen Ping'an declared that his blade decided only life and death.

• Chen Ping'an asked Shen Huiqing which forces had yet to arrive and remained seated in the hall as guests gathered.
• Lan Wentai arrived, and Chen Ping'an had Shen Huiqing pour him wine, startling Lan Wentai and the other guests with her willing deference.
• A Heart Inquiry Sword Pavilion elder criticized Chen Ping'an for not greeting guests, but the arrival of Horizontal Mountain Sect elder Shi Panyue interrupted the dispute.
• Shi Panyue entered with a show of overwhelming Qi Blood, dismissed Shen Huiqing’s rebuke, and challenged Chen Ping'an to a spar after the ceremony.
• Chen Ping'an answered Shi Panyue’s challenge by saying his blade distinguished only between life and death.