Chapter Summaries

Chen Ping'an left White Stone City to seek a treasure in the Azure Dragon Mountain Range, but news of Commander Feng Shixian’s death soon threw the city and the Wei River Town Pacification Office into turmoil. The office began investigating the killing and turned to choosing White Stone City’s next Commander.

• Chen Ping'an secured half a month of leave, entrusted his little sister to Shan Qiwang and the others, and rode toward the Azure Dragon Mountain Range.
• Chen Ping'an left his horse in a nearby village and entered the mountains alone to follow the Treasure Map.
• News spread that Feng Shixian had died while patrolling the outskirts of the trade route, shocking the White Stone Town Pacification Office and stirring the city’s factions.
• Investigators at the Wei River Town Pacification Office found that Feng Shixian’s wounds resembled the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s methods but suspected another party might be involved.
• The Wei River Town Pacification Office ordered a thorough investigation and began discussing who would become White Stone City’s next Commander.

Chen Ping'an defeated Blood Nightmare Luo, saw through his feigned death and hidden attacks, and killed him with a sword. The Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master then revealed he had survived and, restored by the demonic pot and a pill, challenged Chen Ping'an at full strength.

• Blood Nightmare Luo's attacks barely wounded Chen Ping'an, who overwhelmed him with his physical strength and defeated him in the stone hall.
• Blood Nightmare Luo pretended to surrender and die, but Chen Ping'an saw through his schemes and cut off his head with the Guanghan Sword Skill.
• Blood Nightmare Luo's corpse revealed a hidden blood light, and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master emerged alive from the Gray-Black Demonic Pot.
• The Ten Thousand Demons Sect Master claimed Chen Ping'an had exhausted his trump cards, then used blood essence and a pill to raise his strength to the top-tier Pseudo Celestial realm.

Chen Ping'an took charge of the Xuanling garrison, presided over his first Deliberation Council, and left its senior officials puzzling over Shen Huiqing’s deferential attitude. He delegated routine affairs to Shen Huiqing and set out to visit the Gu Family Residence, examining his Golden Finger Panel and the Furious Thunder Saber Art inheritance along the way.

• Chen Ping'an entered the Deliberation Council with Shen Huiqing following him, and Lin Qing'e and the other officials saluted him as the new Garrison Envoy.
• Chen Ping'an briefly addressed the officials, then told Shen Huiqing to preside over the Council, which she accepted without objection.
• After the meeting, Lin Qing'e told a curious official that the new Garrison Envoy was no ordinary man, leaving the attendees unsure what to make of Shen Huiqing's behavior.
• Chen Ping'an instructed Shen Huiqing to handle routine matters, arrange his office and residence, and organize a carriage for him.
• Chen Ping'an set out for the Gu Family Residence and brought up his Golden Finger Panel, then produced the Furious Thunder Saber Art inheritance.

Chen Ping'an helped drive Xing Rongzi and Gu Wu from the underground hall, then joined Sheng Yanshan in pursuing Gu Wu through a mountain passage and into the forest. The chase continued with Gu Wu ahead, Sheng Yanshan close behind, and Chen Ping'an following them.

• Chen Ping'an struck Xing Rongzi with Profound Light Realm combat strength, forcing him to retreat as Zhao Zhitin arrived to help.
• Xing Rongzi called for a retreat, and Gu Wu broke off his fight with Sheng Yanshan before fleeing into the stone chambers.
• Zhao Zhitin led the pursuers through Gu Wu's tunnel, where Gu Wu tried to hinder them by attacking the passage.
• After they emerged halfway up the mountain, Xing Rongzi and Gu Wu fled in opposite directions, and Zhao Zhitin split the group to pursue them.
• Chen Ping'an chose to follow Sheng Yanshan after Gu Wu, while Sheng Yanshan vowed to kill the fleeing spear fighter.

After returning to Five Peaks Mountain City, Chen Ping'an entered seclusion and broke through to the Jade Balance Early Stage, becoming a Grandmaster. As he began consolidating his realm, Lord Tong arrived with riders and ordered them to enter the city without notice because Chen Ping'an was suspected in Lord Cao's death.

• Chen Ping'an returned to Five Peaks Mountain City to a mass welcome, then declined a banquet and assigned Zhong Shanyong and Yuan Zutong to arrange rewards for his followers.
• You Yongming arrived from the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison to report to Chen Ping'an, but learned that he had entered seclusion and waited in the city.
• Chen Ping'an used accumulated Cultivation Experience to advance the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art to minor mastery and break through to the Jade Balance Early Stage.
• Chen Ping'an assessed his new Grandmaster abilities and decided to consolidate his realm before nurturing the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor.
• Lord Tong rode toward Five Peaks Mountain City and ordered his men to enter without warning, saying Chen Ping'an was a suspect in Lord Cao's death.

After defeating Golden Ring Protector and Blood Demon Venerable, Chen Ping'an inventoried their valuable possessions and considered how much of his strength to reveal to Gu Qingchan. As Gu Qingchan rested by a secluded pool, Chen Ping'an cultivated until an approaching threat made her warn him to watch out.

• While Gu Qingchan treated her injury, Chen Ping'an reviewed his battle gains, including Golden Ring Protector's equipment and Blood Demon Venerable's wealth, pills, techniques, and Divine Weapon.
• Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingchan left the valley, but Gu Qingchan's poison began to rebound, so they stopped beside a secluded pool for her to recover.
• Chen Ping'an decided not to reveal his hidden identity or rely on Gu Qingchan to keep his secrets, and instead resolved to disclose more of his strength openly.
• While Gu Qingchan recuperated, Chen Ping'an cultivated the Grand Void Wind Riding Step until he sensed something rushing toward them and Gu Qingchan warned him to watch out.

Chen Ping'an settled into his new role as Deputy Commander in White Stone Town, inspected a lavish residence arranged by Shan Qiwang, and brought Chen Er'ya and Peony to live there. As he trained that night, he wondered whether mastering the Flying Star Sword Technique would let him reach the Profound Light Realm.

• Shan Qiwang offered to show Chen Ping'an a residence and later guided him through White Stone Town's personnel, factions, and connections.
• Chen Ping'an inspected the grand five-courtyard residence, accepted it, and asked Shan Qiwang to find a tutor for Chen Er'ya.
• Chen Er'ya and Peony moved from the inn into Chen Ping'an's new home.
• News of Chen Ping'an's appointment spread through White Stone City, prompting local forces to investigate him.
• Chen Ping'an practiced the Flying Star Sword Technique and saw that it had reached minor accomplishment, then wondered whether its major accomplishment would carry him into the Profound Light Realm.

Chen Ping'an broke through his martial techniques and contemplated advancing to the Profound Light Realm before an assassin entered his courtyard. He captured the intruder, learned Fang Rui had sent him, and killed him.

• Chen Ping'an advanced the Great Vajra Palm to Minor Mastery and perfected Heavenly Rain Descends Crown.
• Chen Ping'an considered the Profound Light Realm and believed he was close to qualifying for the challenge.
• Chen Ping'an heard an intruder enter his courtyard and confronted the masked assassin.
• Chen Ping'an endured the assassin's Shadowless Kick, broke his leg, and beat him into submission.
• The assassin confessed that Young Master Fang Rui had sent him, and Chen Ping'an killed him with one punch.

Chen Ping'an attended the three-day Dragon Peace Auction, where his fame and status drew widespread attention. He bought a Warm Sun Jade for Er Ya, and the auction then entered its final segment of nine headline lots.

• News spread that Chen Ping'an had reached Yuheng Early Stage Perfection and defeated Wu Xiutong, while Gu Rencheng's reward brought Chen Ping'an's usable funds close to twenty-seven thousand Origin Crystals.
• Chen Ping'an reflected on his growing strength and isolation, then resolved to prioritize cultivation arts and prepare for the Dragon Peace Auction.
• Chen Ping'an arrived at Dragon Peace Pavilion and received VIP private room number nine as the auction began; he noticed Nangong Liu among the attendees.
• The auction opened with the Profound Condensation Pill, and Chen Ping'an ignored the early lots to cultivate the Tyrant Saber while bids continued.
• Chen Ping'an bid 1,600 Origin Crystals for the Warm Sun Jade after the Tian Family's Veteran Grandmaster yielded, intending to give it to Er Ya for her Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
• After two and a half days of bidding, the Dragon Peace Auction began its final segment of nine headline lots.

The Mu family was ambushed after leaving Dragon Peace Stronghold, and a blood-robed Great Grandmaster killed Mu Yuncheng and two Dragon Peace Grandmaster Vassals. Bai Yuanqing confronted the Blood Demon Venerable but was caught in a second trap set by Yin Jiuyou.

• Mu Yuncheng led the Mu family toward South Spirit Stronghold after the auction, but a curved-blade man ambushed them and began killing the group.
• Mu Yuncheng used an explosive secret art and fought alongside Grandmaster Gan, but a blood-robed Great Grandmaster appeared and killed Mu Yuncheng and Gan.
• The curved-blade man slaughtered the remaining Mu family members while Bai Yuanqing arrived and fought the Blood Demon Venerable.
• Bai Yuanqing broke through the Blood Demon Venerable's blood mist and pursued him, but ghostly flames and demonic aura trapped him.
• Yin Jiuyou revealed himself as the hidden attacker and restrained Bai Yuanqing, completing the trap within the trap.

Chen Ping'an confronted Raging Wave Guest and Earth Splitting Old Man when they tried to force him to meet their young master, and Lan Yingjun effortlessly blocked Earth Splitting Old Man’s probing strike. Chen Ping'an challenged both men, then defeated Earth Splitting Old Man with one Overlord Heaven Slash and turned toward Raging Wave Guest.

• Raging Wave Guest and Earth Splitting Old Man intercepted Chen Ping'an outside Mystic Spirit Major City and demanded that he accompany them to their young master.
• Shen Huiqing defended Chen Ping'an, but Earth Splitting Old Man mocked his claimed seclusion and pressured him to go with them.
• Lan Yingjun appeared and calmly erased Earth Splitting Old Man’s attack, revealing that she was a powerful Martial Dao Great Grandmaster.
• Chen Ping'an stepped beside Lan Yingjun, declared that the two men must leave or die, and challenged them to attack together.
• Earth Splitting Old Man attacked Chen Ping'an, who drew the Cold Star Saber and struck him down with Overlord Heaven Slash.
• Chen Ping'an looked toward the shaken Raging Wave Guest and told him it was his turn.

Chen Ping'an survived his battle with the Heavenly Luo Saintess, but her Glazed Lamp and strange fragrance badly injured his spirituality and left him unable to stop her escape. After stabilizing his injuries, he gathered the treasures she had left behind and departed, wary of how much stronger she was than the Hidden Dragon Rankings suggested.

• The Heavenly Luo Saintess fled after Chen Ping'an recovered from the Glazed Lamp's spiritual light, and his injuries left him too weak to pursue her.
• Chen Ping'an used Heavenly Pure Water, Spirit Accumulation Pills, healing medicines, and Black Jade Balm to stabilize his spiritual and physical injuries.
• Chen Ping'an realized the Heavenly Luo Saintess could contend with Storm Cloud Great Grandmasters, far exceeding her ranking, and wondered whether the Hidden Dragon Rankings underestimated other geniuses too.
• Chen Ping'an collected the scent pouch, black veil, and gown fragments the Heavenly Luo Saintess had left behind, then stored the pouch carefully and kept the concealing veil close.
• Chen Ping'an gathered his remaining belongings, including the Wishful Exquisite Ring, and left the battlefield while still injured.

News of Chen Ping'an's strength and influence spread through Five Peaks Mountain City as the Wei Family helped form a City Patrol Team. After Wu Tianqi was hung from the city wall, Meng Yude went to the Town Pacification Office to demand his release, hoping his careful negotiations would succeed.

• News spread that Chen Ping'an had killed Wu Lin with one saber strike and that Wu Tianqi would be punished.
• The Town Pacification Office formed a City Patrol Team with the city's major forces, and the Wei Family contributed numerous martial artists after Chen Ping'an's message.
• The Town Pacification Office announced that Wu Tianqi would be hung from the city wall, and the announcement shocked the city.
• Meng Yude recognized Chen Ping'an's formidable strength and worried that hanging Wu Tianqi would provoke the Wu Family.
• Meng Yude went to the Town Pacification Office to seek Wu Tianqi's release, planning to appeal to Chen Ping'an and use the Wu Family's influence in negotiation.

Chen Ping'an reviewed Old Man of the Mountains's history and cultivated the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill while Fu Wanyu traveled to take command of White Stone City. Fu Wanyu's party was ambushed on the road, and the attacker killed him with the Soul Severing Spear.

• Chen Ping'an learned that Old Man of the Mountains had been a powerful expert who vanished more than seventy years earlier, then began cultivating the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill in his office.
• Fu Wanyu rode toward White Stone City with more than ten trusted subordinates, confident he would take control of the city and its trade-route inspections.
• A black-clad attacker ambushed Fu Wanyu's party in a forest, while other black-clad fighters emerged and overwhelmed his guards.
• Fu Wanyu fought the spear-wielding attacker with his Double Axes but was pierced through the throat and recognized the Soul Severing Spear before dying.
• The attacker struck Fu Wanyu again to destroy his organs, then vanished with the other black-clad men, leaving the road strewn with bodies.

Chen Ping'an bought a residence in Wei River Inner City and arranged for Chen Er'ya to enter Wei River School. Returning with her to their old home in South Spring Lane stirred his memories and helped his Profound Light Seed crack, bringing forth a trace of a Sprout of Spirituality.

• Chen Ping'an bought a furnished two-courtyard residence in Wei River Inner City for Chen Er'ya and Peony.
• Chen Ping'an handled the procedures for Chen Er'ya's admission to Wei River School, and the matter was nearly settled.
• Chen Ping'an took Chen Er'ya to their old courtyard in South Spring Lane, where she delighted in recalling their childhood.
• Chen Ping'an reflected on his memories of Old Chen and his life with Chen Er'ya, then reached a clear, self-consistent state of mind.
• Chen Ping'an's Profound Light Seed developed cracks and a trace of a Sprout of Spirituality emerged, bringing his Martial Path Realm closer to a higher level.

Chen Ping'an met Gu Qingchan at the Gu Family estate, where she tested his resolve and discussed his cultivation and his sister Chen Er'ya. Gu Qingchan then confirmed the marriage alliance and led him to meet his prospective match, leaving Chen Ping'an unsure what to expect.

• Chen Ping'an accepted the Gu Family's invitation and was escorted to Gu Qingchan's estate.
• Gu Qingchan challenged Chen Ping'an about his actions in Northern Cang and his private affairs, then withdrew her pressure after he stood his ground.
• Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingchan discussed his cultivation and her support for Chen Er'ya after the girl entered the academy's Inner Dormitory.
• Gu Qingchan asked Chen Ping'an about the proposed marriage alliance, and he said he would agree if the woman suited his heart.
• Gu Qingchan declared the matter settled and led Chen Ping'an to meet his marriage alliance partner.

Chen Ping'an broke through to the Jade Balance Middle Stage and mastered the Soaring Dragon Movement Technique, then departed with the Wei River reinforcements. At Fallen Blossom Ridge, Shi Tianpo recognized him and considered killing him to disrupt the campaign against the Ten Thousand Demons Stronghold.

• Chen Ping'an initiated the Soaring Dragon Movement Technique and formed a Spirit Fruit Seedling, reaching the Jade Balance Middle Stage.
• Chen Ping'an assessed his combat and defensive abilities, then left the inn with the mounted reinforcement party.
• Shi Tianpo and his Ten Thousand Demons Sect elites waited in ambush at Fallen Blossom Ridge to intercept the Wei River reinforcements.
• Shi Tianpo recognized Chen Ping'an among the approaching party and was pleased that no top expert appeared to be overseeing it.
• Shi Tianpo considered killing Chen Ping'an to give the ambush greater strategic impact.

Chen Ping'an turned the tables on the Bamboo Hat Man, killed him, and took his belongings before leaving the scene. Back in his courtyard, he reflected on his weaknesses and the throwing method he had acquired.

• Chen Ping'an lured the Bamboo Hat Man into a secluded spot, where the man tried to grab him.
• Chen Ping'an threw the Bamboo Hat Man to the ground and knocked him unconscious with a series of kicks.
• Chen Ping'an searched the man, took his Black Cloth Bag and dagger, and smashed his head with a stone to cover his tracks.
• Chen Ping'an wiped blood from his shoes with the man's clothes and quickly left the scene.
• On his way home, Chen Ping'an considered Iron Cloth's weak offensive power and the Flying Locust Throwing Method as a way to improve his combat options.

While recovering from his injuries, Chen Ping'an ambushed and killed the badly wounded Ghost-Masked Elder, then returned toward Dragon Peace Stronghold in his own guise. He still had severe spirituality damage and carried the head of Grandmaster Black Mountain.

• Chen Ping'an noticed Ghost-Masked Elder fleeing through the forest after the Heavenly Luo Saintess lost and decided to seize the chance to settle their grudge.
• Ghost-Masked Elder recalled his failed assassination attempt and other setbacks, and hurried to escape the turmoil around Long'an.
• Chen Ping'an used the Seven Absolutes Bewitching Heart Art and Startling Thunder Break to kill Ghost-Masked Elder with one strike, then took his Thousand Mechanisms Pouch.
• Chen Ping'an retreated to an ancient tree, assessed how the attack had worsened his spirituality injuries, and briefly recovered before leaving.
• Chen Ping'an changed back into Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an and headed for Dragon Peace Stronghold while carrying the head of Grandmaster Black Mountain.

After the Heavenly Luo Sect Branch fell, Chen Ping'an and Zhao Zhitin arranged searches and reinforcements to pursue its fleeing remnants. Chen Ping'an withdrew to examine Xing Rongzi’s spoils and found seven intact Origin Crystals.

• Chen Ping'an sent a letter to the Wei River Town Pacification Office and ordered the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison to strengthen patrols, assigning three Banner Heads to supervise it.
• Zhao Zhitin sent a trusted aide to request Universe Control Division support, emphasizing that Xing Rongzi was still at large.
• Zhao Zhitin and Chu Long entered White Cloud Temple to recover from their injuries while awaiting reinforcements.
• Chen Ping'an told a minor banner officer not to disturb him, then checked his room and examined Xing Rongzi’s belongings.
• Chen Ping'an found nine Origin Crystals, two of them dimmed from use and seven still intact.